Ian: Hello, thanks for taking the time to answer the following questions for this Australian based webzine PyroMusic. I'm sure like myself a large percentage of the Aussie public reading this would have little knowledge yet of V:28 so could we start with the basics of the origins of the band and the concept behind the band name?
Kristoffer: Hi there! V:28 were established in 2002, and were founded by Eddie Risdal and myself, Kristoffer Oustad. We used to play in another band together, called V:O:I:D, but at one point the singer in that band had to quit due to an accident he was involved in, so Eddie and myself decided to go on, but at the same time we wanted to restart. So we changed the band name, also because there were tons of bands out there that called themselves Void, and changed the musical expression a bit. However there's some connection between the two band names, if you take the numbers the letters O, I and D represents in the alphabet, you get 28. The name also has a mechanical/industrial feeling to it that we like, and its way more unique than our previous band name. Right after V:28 were formed we recorded our fist demo, 'Time Is Empty', which lead to some attention in the underground. We were also asked by Enslaved to play our debut gig as support for them, which was quite an experience! In 2003 we had enough material to do a full length album, and we decided to hit the studio even though we didn't have a label to release the album. Right after the album was finished we contacted some labels and asked if they were interested in our album. From those who replied Vendlus Records seemed like the best label, and I'm very glad we ended up there!
Ian: My first introduction to V:28 was only recently with this your second album 'SoulSaviour'. However this is the second in a trilogy of albums with the first being 'NonAnthropogenic'. Can you tell us the concept behind the trilogy of albums and in your view, the difference or progression between the two albums and where you plan on heading with the third?
Kristoffer: The whole concept the albums are based upon a transformation and destruction of the planet Earth. It's a concept where the humans are made superfluous, and the machines take over the world. There are a lot of resemblances between this concept and the Terminator films, but we also try to incorporate some new ideas and we look at it from a different angle. At the same time as we describe the destruction of Earth, we try to incorporate some physical level to it as well... When it comes to the concept and the progression between the two albums, the albums are very much floating into each other. The 'NonAnthropogenic' album deals a lot with what lead to the apocalypse, and the nature of mankind. By that I mean how humans respond to threats and fear, by going to war. The 'SoulSaviour' album deals a bit more with feelings, and at this point in the trilogy the war is raging the planet. When mankind realize that they have lost they seek comfort in all kinds of supernatural phenomenon's, thereof the title 'SoulSaviour'. As for the third album it will be a continuation from the previous albums, but we will focus a bit more on a post apocalypse feeling. I guess it will deal a bit more about regret and loss, but I'm not quite sure, as I've only done some ideas for the third album.
Ian: I read in another interview where you describe yourself as dark industrial metal but from my view point apart from a small amount I didn't really sense too much of the industrial sound and would be more inclined to use the words black, death and doom metal with a hint of thrash to describe the sound on 'SoulSaviour'. Would you agree with that description with this album?
Kristoffer: It's always hard to label ourselves, cause the music of V:28 contain elements from many subgenres of metal and some elements from other styles as well. However I like to label ourselves as industrial death/black metal, even though the industrial elements aren't that obvious all the way. When I think of industrial I refer more to the feeling end the mechanical sound than the typical industrial sounds. But like you say, I also think a hybrid of black, death and doom is fair enough... I've noticed that many people have different interpretations of our music, which I think is kind of cool.
Ian: Being a trilogy of albums has a lot of thought gone into the lyrical content between the first two albums, or is it not so much a case of an epic story but more of just the underlying theme connecting them?
Kristoffer: The lyrics are based upon a story, but they aren't presented as an epic story the way they are written. I feel we get much more power in the lyrics by just using fragments from this story, and just 'paint' the music with words and phrases that come to mind when I think of the apocalypse. I think there's been done too many epic stories about similar concepts without too much success, and that's why we choose to do it in a more cryptic way.
Ian: For an album that produces dark and heavy music, the cover in itself contradicts in a way with a background of a war ravaged city yet a billboard of a sexy nurse in the foreground. Add to that the extended title 'SoulSaviour: providing for a bright future' and you have a mixed message. Is there a meaning behind the artwork for the album?
Kristoffer: We've put a lot of thoughts and work in the cover artwork. We wanted to do a cover that gave some kind of mixed message, and also the title can be interpreted in many different ways. The title 'SoulSaviour' means something to believe in, and something that will provide a safe environment for people. I guess by listening to the intro one can find one meaning of the cover. When mankind invented nuclear weapons they made themselves some kind of 'SoulSaviour', a device that would keep them safe from every threat...
Ian: I couldn't help but notice the Slayer influence during the opening of 'A Prophecy Written In Uranium' so I was wondering what bands have influenced you to get you to where you are today plus what you are into at the moment?
Kristoffer: Hehe! Yeah that opening is pretty cool, and there's a good Slayer feeling to it. Slayer is definitely a great band, but I've never been a too huge fan of them. My first big discovery was Metallica, and I guess I'm a fool not to say that they have made a huge impact on me. Later on I explored more extreme forms of metal, and started to listen to bands such as Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Bolt Thrower, Samael and later the wave of Norwegian black metal followed. Of the Norwegian black metal bands I really like what Emperor, Enslaved, Manes and Thorns have done and where they have 'drawn' the black metal phenomenon. Simultaneously I've always been fascinated by electronic music, and what can be achieved by electronic instruments, so I guess it was natural for me to explore styles such as dark ambient, industrial, power electronics and techno. Recently I've become more and more into that kind of music, and bands like Brighter Death Now, Deutsch Nepal, Megaptera and GGFH have also, in some way, inspired me to write music, even though V:28 sound pretty different from these bands.
Ian: On the first album you recorded as a two piece and added a bassist to the band for this album, so does that mean that maybe with the next album you will move away from the drum machine you now use and get a real drummer?
Kristoffer: We live in a relatively small town here in Norway, so drummers are hard to find, at least good ones. At the same time I think the drum machine gives a special sound, that I like, so for us I guess its 'natural' to continue to use the drum machine.
Ian: When you play live in Norway what styles of bands are you usually playing with? Also have you broken into the well known metal scene in the way of record sales and crowds you pull to gigs within your home country or is it still an on going process?
Kristoffer: When we play live we usually play with all kinds of extreme metal bands. It's not that easy to get a gig, so we try to play whenever we get the opportunity. Lately we did two gigs with the band Dimension F3h (featuring members from Limbonic Art), and that was a great combination of bands. I think we're still in the process where we need to promote ourselves as good as possible to get noticed within the scene. There are a lot of bands out there... But what's cool is that we see a growing interest for the band, both here in Norway and abroad! It's always great to get feedback on our work, and that's one of the main reasons for releasing an album.
Ian: The way I read it this band is only going to make these three albums at this stage, is that correct. Also Kristoffer as you seem to be the main player behind the band being responsible for just about all the music and lyrics, once the third album is complete will we be seeing you moving to another project or is it a case of see what happens when the time comes?
Kristoffer: As for the future, I'm not sure what happens after the third album. Right now I just keep my focus on promoting V:28 and work with the material for the final album in the trilogy. As things are now, I enjoy playing in V:28 and it's a great challenge, both as a song writer and performer
Ian: Well that is my lot of questions and I hope I have managed to ask the right questions to get some interest in the band here in Australia as I must say I really enjoyed your 'SoulSaviour' album and hope more people get to hear it. I am not even sure it is getting distributed here in Australia but people can get it through the bands website and check out the samples there as well at http://www.v28.com/ Anyway thanks for your time and I will leave any final words to you. Cheers.
Kristoffer: Thanks for the interview and your interest in V:28! I really hope people will take some time to check us out, as I think we have something great to offer the metal scene! Cheers, and beware the rising army of the apocalypse!
- Ian Busch
