1349 is one of those bands who are surrounded by a lot of mystery ever since they started out. I was quite impressed with the self-titled mini-album, which in fact was the demo pressed on CD, and I was even more impressed with the fantastic ‘Liberation’ album, which was one of the highlights in Black Metal at the time it was released. I already had the opportunity to see 1349 perform live in Norway a couple of times and especially the Inferno gig 2003 was a show never been seen by a Black Metal band so far. Because next month already a new album will see the light of day, it was time for me to find out what’s going on in the 1349 camp. Seidemann (bass) was the one answering my questions.
Greetings, how are things going now for 1349?
Greetings! Things are well with 1349. Our next album, ‘Beyond the Apocalypse’, will be released on the 19th of April.
Why did you choose 1349 as a band name? Has it got something to do with the largest Black Plague epidemic in Europe, which was in the year 1349?
1349 was indeed the year the Black Death struck Norway, killing 2/3 of the population and ending the Norwegian golden age.
Let’s go back in time a bit. The first official 1349 release was the ‘1349’ mini album. What can you tell about that one? It was released on a very small underground label, how did the contact come and were they the only ones interested in 1349 back then?
The MCD was a demo, and although we were satisfied with the material back then, it isn’t representative for 1349. Frost was just a session member, and all the riffs from that time have been scrapped.
Back in 2000, Holycaust was the first label that wanted to release anything by us, but they weren’t able to give us the support and publicity we felt ‘Liberation’ deserved.
Because Frost was a session drummer at that time, I think that gave the band a lot more publicity than having another drummer who didn’t have that kind of a ‘big’ name. How do you look upon that and did it bother you that a lot of journalists saw you as just another side project from Frost?
We were aware of the fact that we’d be looked upon as Frost’s side project, but then again no other drummer could have done the drums we want.
It gave us a lot more attention and publicity back then, although I guess by now people have understood that we are a band, not a side project.
Last year you released the fantastic album ‘Liberation’, which is praised in almost all magazines. How do you look back to that particular album now, still satisfied with it?
I am completely satisfied with ‘Liberation’, and even more satisfied with our latest effort.
And what does the name Liberation mean to you? Is there some deeper meaning behind it?
‘Liberation’ was a title chosen to make people think, to make up their own meaning behind it. I will therefore not give my own personal interpretation.
Right before the release of ‘Liberation’, Frost joined 1349 as a steady band member. What made him decide to join and does he have enough time for 1349 as Satyricon is still his main band?
He wasn’t very impressed with the MCD material, but when he heard the material for ‘Liberation’ he was extremely impressed and wanted to join. This was actually back in 2000 or 2001. He was a permanent member when we recorded ‘Liberation’ back in 2001.
I have seen you live in Norway a couple of times already and especially the last Inferno gig was a killer with all the pyrotechnics and fireworks and fantastic light show. I guess it costs extremely much, especially in a country like Norway, so how was this show financed? Was the gig sponsored by anyone because I guess it is quite hard to finance such a gig all by yourself?
We financed the Inferno gig ourselves, although we got some cash to play there.
And what did you think of the Inferno gig yourself? To me it was one of the highlights of Inferno 2003!
We had some sound problems, and Frost had broken a bone in his foot, but all in all I feel it went well.
In the not so distant future the new album ‘Beyond the Apocalypse’ will be released. What can you tell about the album and will there be many differences in comparison to ‘Liberation’? Is there a lot of pressure on your shoulders to come up with an even better album than ‘Liberation’?
‘Beyond the Apocalypse’ will be a step forwards towards completing our music into audible hellfire! It is just as grim, dark and insanely fast as ‘Liberation’, yet more complex and the sound is better, though still very 1349.
To me it sounds that 1349 already found their own unique style of Black Metal, even though you’ve only released one mini album and one full-length, what do you think of this? And is it important to be original and unique within the ever-growing scene of Black Metal?
Actually, 1349 has a very clear vision of how we want our music to be, and we care little for what others do. I believe that this individualism and disciplined approach gives us a sound of our own.
Last year 1349 did a small European tour with Aeternus and Red Harvest. How was that tour for you and do you have any special memories towards that tour?
It was a great tour, although a little short. The audiences were very good all over. I remember people in Paris fighting in front of the stage, pretty wild, and quite fun too.
Because Frost had to play with Satyricon in Greece, the last two gigs of the tour had to be done without 1349, which means the Dutch fans didn’t have the opportunity to witness 1349 live. Are there plans to come back over here and unleash your powerful Black Metal upon the Dutch stages? And what other live activities have been confirmed already?
We will go touring again this fall and I’m pretty sure we’ll go to Holland this year.
What about 1349 side projects? I know Dag Olav from Vesen has got a project going on with one of you guys. Can you tell a bit more about those projects?
I believe Dag Olav played drums in a band with Archaon, although I know nothing of this project. Archaon also plays guitars in the legendary Doom band Funeral, and Tjalve has a band called Pantheon I. I play session bass in different acts.
Back to 1349 now. What are the lyrics about and are they important within 1349?
The lyrics deal with death, darkness, chaos and the dark side of things. Most lyrics written by Ravn and myself are written as visualisations of the mood or feel of the song and are an important part of the song.
What do you think of the fact that a lot of fans out there already label 1349 as a cult act within Black Metal? Do you see yourself as a cult act?
I see 1349 as a Black Metal band, playing Black Metal the 1349 way.
What were your influences to start 1349 both musically and lyrically? And in what bands have you guys played before starting 1349?
Musically we’ve always listened to Venom, Celtic Frost, Bathory, Burzum, Darkthrone, etc.
Lyrically I’ve personally been inspired a lot by Poe and Lovecraft, chaos magic, philosophy and life.
Ravn and I played in a band called Hqfdingi Myrkra back in 1994, and Ravn and Tjalve played in a band called Alvheim back in 1996, none of these bands released anything.
What are the five albums you listen to most lately, and why these albums?
Carpathian Forest – Black Shining Leather
Keep of Kalessin – Reclaim
Furze – Necromanzee Cogent
Furze – Trident Autocrat
Burzum – Burzum
I listen to these albums because they are in my car, and that’s about the only place I’ve got time to listen to CDs these days.
What else can we expect in the near future besides the new album?
Expect some live performances, and we’ll probably start writing the next album soon.
Well, thanks a lot for the interview. Anything which we’ve forgotten to mention? If not, the last words are yours!
Hell awaits, beyond the apocalypse!
