Minneriket  interview 20/03/2023

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MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences

 

Minneriket is a Norwegian romantic black metal one-man band which I consider a unique and innovative band within a stale genre. Minneriket is my one-man band, and I created the project for as much a philosophical and spiritual channeling as a musical outlet.

 

Musical influences ranges from everything to the old-school Norwegian black metal bands as Burzum and Gorgoroth, to Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, Brahms and Bad Religion. You might not hear it, but it’s there.

 

MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from

My inspiration comes form everything inside me and everything surrounding me. There’s always a grey sky somewhere. I’m inspired by people, words, nature, culture, everything has the possibility to trigger some creative process within me. I usually say it all comes from within, but more specific it comes from how my internal self processes my surroundings.

 

MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?

“An all too human heart” from Anima Sola holds a special place in my heart. “Regnbuer i gråtoner” from Gjennom meg går ingen til hvile also. But it depends on the mood, really. Some is my favourite for how they sound, others for reminding me of the time and process when I wrote and recorded them. I’ve actually made a Spotify playlist recently called This is Minneriket showing off the most essential songs from a diverse catalog – check it out!

 

 

MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2022

Minneriket is a one-man band, and a studio band only. Minneriket does not perform live.

 

MM: What can we expect from Minneriket live

Minneriket is a one-man band, and a studio band only. Minneriket does not perform live.

 

 

MM: What do you like best and worst abt touring

Minneriket is a one-man band, and a studio band only. Minneriket does not perform live.

 

MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies

Minneriket is a one-man band, and a studio band only. Minneriket does not perform live.

 

MM: What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your own) and why 

Minneriket is a one-man band, and a studio band only. Minneriket does not perform live. As for concerts I’ve attended, I have a lot of favourites, but I think Iron Maiden in 2003, Seigmen in 2006, The Offspring in 2012, Britney Spears in 2018 or Slipknot in 2022 are among the biggest ones with flawless performances. Hans Zimmer in 2019 was quite an experience too. But I also enjoy the smaller bands and venues. There’s been some great performances of Gorgoroth, Glittertind, Satyricon in the Norwegian opera, The 69 Eyes and lately both Behemoth and Butcher Babies did some great gigs in Norway.

 

MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far with

I think you forgot a word there… Anyways. Making music, releasing it, and having an audience. There’s nothing better than having a reason for doing what you do. Music is nurturing, interviews not so much. I guess having to collaborate with other great artists over the years such as Alan Forbes, Māra Lisenko and others have been accomplishments I’m proud of.

 

MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time

Difficult decision, but Stormblåst by Dimmu Borgir and Ignition by The Offspring are albums which have been with me for many, many years.

 

MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to have people watching you?

Minneriket is a one-man band, and a studio band only. Minneriket does not perform live.

 

MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.

I think the only band poster I ever had was Iron Maiden. I have two different ones, one based on the X-factor artwork, and one classic Eddie by Derek Riggs. I remember a friend having a Mortiis poster which I thought was really cool though, probably was the artwork from The Stargate era.

 

MM - Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any other person

Haha, I think both fans and academics have been discussing this for decades! Don’t know if I should dare to enter the debate. But for modern metal, both in sound and aesthetics, you can’t go wrong with Rob Halford of Judas Priest. He stands on the shoulders of giants from blues, opera and early hard rock, but the Priest artworks, the leather and studs, the belching vocals and the mythology of the music makes me confident to say that Halford is at least one of the most influential individuals of metal music. 

 

MM - What's the most important thing to the band right now?

Always moving forward. I’m writing and recording new music, incorporating new elements, composing in different ways… always experimenting. On a musical level I need to challenge myself and Minneriket is the perfect outlet for that craving. There’s been some setbacks of cancel culture and gatekeeping lately, even led to having my own Wikipedia-page taken down and had promotional material for the last album banned from social medias, but Minneriket enjoys walking uphill and fighting through the snow.

 

MM:If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?

I’ve already released a Burzum cover album with Minneriket as I really admire the minimalistic approach to riffs and atmosphere in those songs. And I’ve always been recording covers for myself, even when they’re not released. Minneriket did covers both of “Black metal” by Venom and “Transilvanian Hunger” by Darkthrone earlier. Maybe do an early Gorgoroth cover someday, fix their production issues. Shots fired.

 

MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band

It’s fucking great music, a different approach to black metal, and available for free on streaming services. You have nothing to lose but your mind. Minneriket sheds skin like a snake along the path, changing sound along the way and it’s an interesting ride to be a part of.

 

MM: Four words to describe Minneriket

Melancholic, transcendent, romantic, exciting.

 

Final Words for your fans and our readers

Thank you for your time. Be sure to check out www.minneriket.com for all the latest news, and follow on relevant social medias to stay up to date

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