Tomorrow Wolfchant releases their third record and Norgadh was so kind to answer some questions about the new album.  

Third records are very often the key to either success (Slayer, Iron Maiden) or failure. This is your third, so what will it be?

Norgadh: Good question, ask me again in a year and I can tell you, haha. But honestly, we don’t think that we will become famous like Iron Maiden, but it wasn’t our goal to any time.

We think Determined Damnation is outstanding compared to our previous work so our expectations are very positive. It’s the first time every band member is 100% satisfied with the whole album. It couldn’t be better for us by now.

To bring this answer to an end: success!!!

What is the biggest difference between the new record and ‘A Pagan Storm’?

Norgadh:One big change is that we used more grooving elements. I can’t remember that any band before us used such elements combined with pagan metal. Also we have a difference in clean vocals. This time Michael Seifert from Rebellion was responsible for the choir which was a good decision. We are very happy with the result. Furthermore the sound is more varied than 'A Pagan Storm' was. We used many elements from Death Metal, Thrash Metal and much Power Metal structures to create something new and not just releasing another pagan metal album.

Who is responsible for most of the song writing?

Norgadh: Well, that was me, Norgahd. Me and Skaahl wrote most of the music. Lokhi wrote most of the lyrics, but also Derrmorh and Bahznar did a song and were involved in song writing.

Why is your music called Dark Metal? I would call it Pagan Metal!

Norgadh: This was a mistake in the informational sheets. I agree with you, it’s pagan metal!

The front of the album has a kind of King Diamond kind of thing in it, is that on purpose?

Norgadh: No it was not. We have heard that several times already, but I wouldn’t agree here. Do you mean because of the “Them” album? Yes, that one! Well, of course the arrangement is similar in some aspects... The thing behind the front cover is the concept of the title track. "Determination". People think they are free but they are controlled by the church. Of course people are also controlled by medias, etc. But we chose religion because this issue is important to us. Because of the topic it had to be sinister colours. Kris Verwimp did the artwork. We spoke with him about our concept and what he painted is the result. We are very satisfied with it by the way.

Between the songs in English you also have some in German, why is that?

Norgadh:Some songs sound better in English and by some songs we had the feeling that German is the better language because it sounds harder. Especially with “Kein Engel Hört Dich Flehen” we had the feeling that this topic has to be a German lyric. It is about child abuse by persons. A very current topic in G ermany nowadays.

About what kind of subjects do your lyrics handle?

Norgadh: Most of the songs are about anti-Christian topics. We turned away from singing about the ancient gods. Not because we don’t like such songs anymore, but we had the feeling that the gods are very present in nowadays pagan metal scene, so another album about Odin would have bored us and also the listeners I think. We sing much about the grievances of Catholics, nowadays as well as historically. Also about the fact that mankind exploit our planet and the impacts we have to be aware of.

Going on tour this Spring/Summer?

Norgadh: We play some festival shows and some concerts, but no real tour because it’s always a bit difficult to manage it as music is our spare time activity and we can’t live from it.

We will play some shows in Ireland as well. Maybe we arrange something in autumn this year together with Rebellion.

Why do all the members have such strange names?

Norgadh: Most of the names are variations from names out of the Nordic mythology. We didn’t use our real names because of 2 reasons. 1. We have to work and don’t want that our private live is harmed by our band activity. 2. We play Epic Metal so fantasy names are better than real ones. You can say that this is to fulfil the whole package of what Wolfchant is about.

Any special story behind the bands name?

Norgadh: Yes. We live very close to the Bavarian national park. We sat around a campfire, discussing about possible names for our new band in 2003, while we suddenly heard chants of nearly located wolves out of the national park. That inspired us to name us Wolfchant.

What are your 5 favourite albums at the moment?

Behemoth – Demigod

Samael – Reign Of Light

Battlelore – Sword’s Song

Thyrfing – Hels Vite

Maroon – The Cold Heart Of The Sun

Could you tell our readers why they should buy your record instead of all the other releases?

Norgadh: Because it brings a new wind in pagan metal scene which became very seldom in he last time if you would ask me. It goes strait back to the good old metal roots by mixing them with epic pagan metal which will blow your speakers ;)

We have put very much lifeblood in this record and the result is worth listen to it, believe me!

Anything else you want to tell our readers?

Norgadh: Of course! Please give us your support by buying Determined Damnation and having a good time with listening to it. When you like what you here, come to our shows and share some beers with us.

PS: Everyone who knows us knows that this is not just a phrase! Haha

Metal on!

Norgahd & Wolfchant horde