I had the occasion to have an interview with Heljarmadr, the vocalist of Dark Funeral, Cursed 13 and Gra in which he answered some questions about Dark Funeral, Cursed 13 and Gra.
Greetings Heljarmadr, how things are going?
Greetings from a summerless Sweden, only rain and clouds this year. Good weather for being creative.
About Cursed 13, tell me when the band was founded and what made you change the band name from Cursed 666 to Cursed 13.
The band was originally founded back in ’98 as a side project, I was in a band called Diabolic Lust back then and wanted to do something on my own. The change from 666 to 13 is a long story but to put it short the number 13 started showing up around me to such a level that it couldn’t be ignored. 13 is associated with bad luck but as I saw it it is a tribute to the one and his three children, which according to Scandinavian myth will have a great part in the end of the world. The 13th guest at the last supper was Judas. There are many interesting references to the number 13.
The first release was the EP from 2007 ”Modernize Messiah”. How the recordings were going?
Well yes, besides the older cassette demos. That was when I was still running it as a one-man band. I basically recorded everything myself and had a friend mixing it, nothing more to add really.
What can you tell me about the ”Triumf” album released in 2013?
The ”Triumf” album was kind of a revenge for the intended (but never released) debut album I recorded back in the mid 00’s. Triumf contains material from old rehearsal cassettes from the 90’s all the way up to finalizing the last song just before recording the album. It’s over 15 years of collecting material, finally putting them on a record. It’s a varied album, due to the long writing process of course, and some of the songs really have an old school aura around them while we at the same time incorporated some electronic and even rock n roll influenced passages.
Are you preparing new matrials?
Yes we are releasing a new single soon through Carnal Records (on exclusive ”7 gatefold vinyl) consisting of two brand new songs. The first one being a jazz influenced thing called ”Into Ashes”, the other track is a rock n roll stinking piece called ”Bleed for Me”. Since we also have Grá (same members) which is at the center of classic Swedish black metal we let Cursed 13 take on a different path. Same foundation, same message, just developing the music in a new direction.
What are the main influences as bands and what are the lyrical themes?
Cursed 13 has always had an open path, not restrained by rules and chains. Musically I have a very wide taste and draw influences from many different sources. There’s traces of classical music, jazz, blues, rock, electronic music and country in the music I write. All that pours out in a down tuned, led heavy, filthy and aggressive black stream. The lyrical themes have varied over time, some songs are based on Scandinavian mythology, others have a more war-themed approach. The combining theme being aggression and the impending end of the world.
Beside Cursed 13, you joined last year the Black Metal band Dark Funeral. How is it to take part into Dark Funeral?
Yes that is correct. My other band Grá was invited to open for Dark Funeral on the 20:th anniversary show here in Stockholm so I got to know the guys a bit while assisting with the prep work for the show. I realized that they had difficulties to find a vocalist that was up to their high standards, trying different guys but none seemed to be good enough. That got me thinking that I might actually be what they are looking for. I considered this for a while then wrote a mail to Ahriman, asking if they were interested. They invited me down to the rehearsal place and from there it went on. I enjoy being a part of Dark Funeral very much, the fans seem to be accepting and enjoy my style of singing and my stage and studio performances too. The most difficult part, in the beginning, was to not have a guitar or bass on stage which I’m used to from Cursed 13 and Grá. I’ve listened to Dark Funeral since back in the mid 90’s, when the band was still young so I was well aware of what I was joining and with every show and every new piece of music we write I feel more and more molded into the great force that is Dark Funeral. Greatness to come!
When the new album of Dark Funeral will be released?
When it is finished.
Are there more shows confirmed for a new tour?
All confirmed shows will end up on our online pages so keep checking now and then. More dates will come, that’s all I can say at this moment.
Do you have a message for the fans?
There’s alot going on for me right now, a new Cursed 13 single, a new Grá album and we’re working on the next Dark Funeral album as we speak. To the fans I’d like to say; thank you all for your massive support over the years! Some are still around from the old cassette demo days with Diabolic Lust and new ones keep coming all the time. Hope to see you all on the road!
Thank you for your time, it was my pleasure, all the best Heljarmadr!
Thanks for the support and interest Carla!
https://www.facebook.com/Heljarmadr666
https://www.facebook.com/darkfuneral
https://www.facebook.com/cursed13official
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