You are a quite unknown band in our country. It is up to talking about the history of the band (birth, line-up, previous relaeses and so on). Present yourselves...
Enthral was formed in may/june 1995 as an outlet to express depressive emotions and dark soundscapes, by Kjetil Hektoen (drums and percussion, voice) and Gunnhild Bratset (guitars). Later that same year we moved to Oslo for educational matters, and for a short while the band had a break. But we quickly realized that we had to continue what we had started. In november 1995 we got in touch with a bassist, but he only lasted for about two rehearsals, due to the lack of dedication from his side. In March 1996 we recorded our one and only demo, simply named "Demo 1996", where a very good friend of us helped out
with the basslines. It was recorded on a four track, and the songs included are more in the early vein of norwegian raw and primitive black metal (we still love it though!). It was also the first time ever I tried to sing, so the vocals aren't exactly excellent, but it has got it's glorious moments after all. A few months later we got in touch with a guitarist and a keyboardist, but it never turned out to anything special. So not long after they were also history. In August 1996 the two
of us recorded a really outstanding piece of music (at least for us!), namely "Awaiting the Rise of the Forestgod". We even did a video till' that one, but it is only our closest friends plus a few others who have seen it. That song gave us an identity of what to come, because of the many moody themes expressing the feeling of chaos, beauty and sorrow. It was released on the Hot Records compilation "The Rape of the Holy Trinity" in 1997 along with more well-known acts like Dimmu Borgir, Covenant, Aura Noir, Dødheimsgard etc. Around the end of 1996 we finally got ourselves a permanent bass player, Martin Rafoss. He has got the same dedication as us, and that is a very important thing, if not it won't work at all.
Yeah, "Prophecies of the Dying" was recorded in May 1997 at Stovner R.F in only four days! It was really a strange feeling, you know. We were going to record our first album, and we were so nervous. All we thought about was like: is our material good enough and how will the audience react to us and our music? But it turned out just great, even though there are some parts there that you feel you could have played or sung better. But we are more than satisfied with it. It is kinda statement of what we were capable of doing those days, and it is no use looking back and get frustrated of some little fault that probably only we notice.
Mankind has for far too long been his own "master", if you know what I mean. And the stages of his egoism have just increased over the years that have passed, trying to control every benefit that may occur in his way. On his task for wealth and wisdom the establishment for mankinds excistence, such as respect, love and honour seems somewhere on the way to have been forgotten. And the faster the wheel spins, the faster will it lead us to our death. We have got to look back and try to remember where we came from and witness what our deeds have done to ourselves and our nature. This concerns both you and me.
It's just the way we work, I guess. Some people think that our songs are too long and others enjoy them to the maximum. The songs are built with so many different "colours", that we feel they are not finnished until the picture has been painted and it's true meaning has been unveiled (to us).
Well, thank you very much. It is very important that what you create comes from your heart. And I would like to add that we aren't satiesfied until the all of us are. If you want a band to work you've got to listen to what the other band members may have to say. If for example one of the members ain't pleased with a part it won't come out as good as it should.
We all have played in bands before, but it never lead to anything serious so I feel that it is not really worth mentioning, because it is what we do now which counts. Let's just say that we've touched many different kinds of music. It is no use in being narrow-minded when it comes to music. Every style has got something to offer, though we can't say that we like everything we hear of course. Our influences are as you understand many, everything from the 70's progressive bands like King Crimson and Yes, to the more brutal stuff like for instance Carcass and Bathory, plus a few classical composers and quality black/death metal bands like Satyricon, Marduk, Cynic, God Dethroned and Death. And some of the 80's heavy metal acts like Dio, Running Wild and Iron Maiden.
I talked to Sture Hegstad, the man behind Hot Records, about our band and our goals. He went for it and a short while after we signed a contract with them for two albums. We have to say that we are not satisfied at all with the way they promote their bands. In our case we've hardly seen anything that tells people our album is out. And that is something that I don't understand. Because they pay for the time that we spend in the studio, and they pay for the rest of the production (cover, reprinting etc). If a record company shall survive they have to promote their bands. If they don't do so they will surely drown in the masses together with their releases, and that ain't really what you can call a profit for the label nor the artist(s).
The reason for only having one song in our language is because we only had one in our language, simple as that! The lyrics are very personal, but we feel that most people can find a little piece of themselves if they just care to read them. Everyone have experienced sadness and the sense of not belonging, perhaps we in feel it in a stronger way? I don't know. The lyrics deal with topics such as death, religion, egoism and the desires of the flesh, often in a very negative (depressive if you like) manner. I feel that these topics have got very much in common. Pretty much the same as I stated in question nr. 3, the downfall of man.
The only thing that I can say is read the lyrics and look at the pictures. They deal with the same.
I think that we all in the band enjoy the art of H.R. Giger and Odd Nerdrum, the great works of J.R.R. Tolkien , H.P Lovecraft and Brian Bates. Everything that is expressing something that we can relate to. Be it happiness, be it sorrow.
In March 1998 we recorded our second album namely "The Mirror's Opposite End", which introduces our new members, Espen Simonsen on guitar (formerly The Flesh), and the ex. Dimmu Borgir keyboardist Stian Aarstad, and everything works out just fine. That album is even ten minutes longer than the debut! It clearly shows that we have developed both as musicians and lyricists, so we hope that you will appreciate that one too. We are very happy with the way it came out, so check it out! For the time being we are busy preparing our first gig ever at Sunndalsøra (where I and Gunnhild come from) the 1st of August 1998.
Just keep on wondering, perhaps we'll tell you something later! Thank you very much for doing this interview with us, we are honoured.
Let's go on to more recent times... 1997 saw you making your debut with the first full length "Prophecies of the Dying". Will you please talk about it?
Which are the "Prophecies" that you foresee?
I deem corageous and unusual the decision of makin' your debut with a 63 min. fullenght. Why such a choice?
Your sound represents the succesfull union of power and originality. How did you succeed in such enterprise?
From your work surely emerges technique and particularity of style that indicate a various and considerable musical knowledge both as musicians and as listeners. Which were your past musical experiences before "Prophecies of the Dying", and which are your influences and musical passions?
Hot Records is a valid label which has discovered bands featuring great artistical qualities, many of them have found a lot of followers (first Dimmu Borgir, then Old Man's Child as examples). How did you get in touch with the label of Oslo, and how is the collaboration with such a label?
I was hit by the choice of enclosing only one song in your language. (Salig er den som lir). Why such a decision? Could you explain the meaning of the lyrics?
It's remarkable how the pictures of the booklet are expressive, communicating sadness and suffering (compliments to the author G. Bratset). May you supply other news on the matter?
By the way, which kind of relation do you have with this and other forms of art?
Which are your projects after this execellent trial? Are you working towards another album? May you anticipate something?
Is there something you want us to know about Enthral and their members? I'm very curious...