Interview with VULNAVIA
!!!SWEDISH THRASH METAL!!!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about VULNAVIA (Members, Starting Year etc).
There is only me as far as members go. I recorded the stuff in 2017 but I had the rough idea for this project way earlier. To be honest I just recorded these songs as an experiment kind of. I recorded some drum patterns just off the top of my head and then I took my portable studio back home and tried to figure out riffs that went with the vibe of the drums and so on. It was meant to be a one-off thing and I had it laying around for some years without releasing it. The idea was to make something that was not so "over analyzed". In total I think I spent 3 hours on those songs.
You have recently released your demo ''Vulnavia''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
No feedback whatsoever yet really. I just wanted to have the stuff out there for those who are interested. If you´re into early Sodom, Hellhammer or maybe Messiah then maybe you´ll dig it.
Label or DIY and why?
Personally I like the DIY concept very much because you keep all the creative control but at the same time I´m also very lazy so that can be a problem sometimes. If you end up on a good and passionate label they may still allow you to regain creative control so that can be a good thing too. You can have both artistic freedom plus financial and promotional support that way.
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
I have a shitload of of CD´s and I love them but I love Vinyl a lot too. Tapes are not my cup of tea. Digital is great for small bands/artists like me because I can´t keep printing lots of Cd´s or making tapes that there is no market or demand for. I´ll just release It digitally and anyone who wants a real copy of something can get in touch and I´ll make them one.
Your music style is Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
I guess the main foundation is Thrash. I was aiming for some Hellhammer/Celtic Frost/early Necrophagia/early Sodom kinda vibe with this stuff. If I have to pick one favourite band I´ll go with Sodom. They had that black-thrashing chaotic awesome stuff early in their career and then they evolved into a more polished Thrash Metal force that was equally awesome. Chris Witchunter has definitely influenced my approach to playing drums and so has Dave Lombardo and Don Tardy.
Which things do you think a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your Band?
The goal was never to be successful for me. I just want to make songs and riffs because I like being creative and I have riffs, beats and sounds circling around in my brain all the time. If someone likes what I do then that's a great bonus. If you want to be successful I think you have to make a lot of sacrifices these days because there are gazillions of bands out there and they all want to be heard and seen. There is a constant chase for "content" also that comes with this social media frenzy. It seems you have to be producing stuff all the time just to be relevant.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
I doubt there will be shows with Vulnavia but you never know. I´ve been playing drums live with previous bands and experienced some good shows though. The best gigs are at small and obscure places that have a bar. Swedish people need to get boozed up a little to be a good audience I think.
Which attributes, do you think, that a new Thrash Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
That's a hard one. Try to break free of the confinements of the genre I guess but that can be very hard. Choosing a name that doesn´t end with "ator" is a good start. Maybe borrow a little bit from other metal styles or different musical styles altogether. The best thing is probably to just play what comes naturally and not overthinking shit.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Thrash Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Yes I think they help a lot. A band can use all the social media channels available nowadays and reach lots of fans in a small amount of time. Playing live is also a good way to promote if you choose the right places I guess.
Do you see any differences between Swedish Metal Market & other EU Metal Market (Labels, Bands, Fans etc)?
I have no clue about that, sorry.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Sweden (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
I´m not really updated about the underground at all. Hypertension and Raging Steel comes to mind. I don´t know if they are all still active but check em out by all means.
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
I´m pretty familiar with the early black metal stuff like Rotting Christ, Varathron and so on. Flames is classic and I also like the first LP by Death Courier.
The last 3 years worldwide we have faced many dark, strange & new situations with our everyday life (covid, lock-down etc.) Did all of this affect you positively or negatively?
I bought a house just as the pandemic broke out so it was pretty convenient in a way. Just staying indoors and renovating/building. But it was of course frustrating to be limited in what you could do and where you could go. I think Sweden had pretty loose restrictions if you compare to other countries.
What are your future plans?
Maybe I´ll record some more improvised ugly metal. I have some general blueprints and ideas for songs so keep your eyes peeled.
Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks for showing an interest in my work and for making this webzine! Check out my other project/band Krionik: thekrionik.bandcamp.com Cheers and stay filthy!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
VULNAVIA CONTACT:
https://vulnavia.bandcamp.com/album/vulnavia