INTERVIEW: Andavald

The Black Metal scene in Iceland has been setting the world ablaze with progressively more estranged and unique artists. I took the opportunity to interview one band that to me truly stands out from the rest, even winning my top spot for album of the year with their debut record in 2019. With this album still growing in popularity among the underground scene and now with live rituals scheduled to further conquer the Black Metal scene, here are some insights into the esoteric entity that is Andavald.

1. My first question is a connection to the visual aspect of the debut record. Can you please give some indication as to your choice in sigils and the layout of this unique artwork? I think it would be enlightening for fans including myself. This is definitely a striking image which definitely appears to have greater meaning.

Well, in regards to the artwork i definitely had a vision of how i wanted things to be fronted, this being our debut album of course you have to make a good first impression. So the ideal thing is to have something that catches peoples eye. I basically just tried my best to communicate most the ideas we had with Karmazid and he being the goddamn genius he is was able to deliver a excellent visual aspect of just that. The sigilwork revolves around glorifying the true master of this dimension and i wont go any deeper into the meaning of that respectively, but with a keen eye you should be able to make it out.

*Andavald has requested that I note Karmazid did in fact make the artwork for the release, the logo sigil in the middle was created by the band.

2. A question I think that is valid to ask Icelandic bands, with their unique sound and also culture is; what developed the Icelandic sound as being so notably different? Andavald has a curious mix of Black Metal with an almost psychedelic feel to my ear. Is this anything related to the Icelandic country supporting musical and creative endeavours in education, perhaps leading to a more refined musical skill set?

I’m really not so sure. Icelandic music has always been a bit different without generalizing totally on the matter. I think its a mix of many different factors. The isolation, long winters and the impact it has on your psyche definitely plays a big part. Regarding Andavald, yes we have tried to do things a bit differently without being too conscious about it and i think its very important to have some distinction as an artist. As for your question about the musical educational system etc; i must admit i am completely oblivious on the matter.

3. You formed back in 2015, but there was 4 years of silence before the first material was unleashed. What led to such a long incubation period? Was the writing process one which required perfection and thus you felt so much time was needed to deliver a truly monumental release? Or did things just become delayed as is the nature of the music industry?

It was just a very turbulent period for all of us characterized by collective mental breakdowns and substance abuse to name a few things. Productive few years in terms of creativity but there was just a lot of mess we were all having to deal with alongside working on this release. And of course we had our share of delays and we did not want to rush things at all ourselves. I think it paid off in the end.

4. Aside from the introduction and outro, the record is comprised of 3 main pieces, each rather long. Do you believe Black Metal should have longer song lengths to allow atmospheric development or was this a natural thing with the stylistic preference of the band? I always find the album seems to be over in a flash while still containing so many elements which transcend together beautifully.

I think its just a matter of opinion really. I don’t try to make my songs long or short maybe its just the somewhat unorthodox method in which they are written where we really try to disconnect from our surroundings and channel certain currents. The lapse of time part you mentioned in the question is very much related to that. So naturally if this is something you are trying to achieve through your music you would most certainly need a lot of atmosphere.

5. The label who released your record Mystiskaos is itself a very interesting entity, self-labelled as a “religious organisation”, what drew you to this label, or them to you as opposed to a more conventional record deal? Leading me into my next question…

Similar stance on what we are trying to deliver/manifest through our music.

6. …Why was the album only released on vinyl to start (with a cassette version added more recently), is this important to the aesthetic or sonic approach of the band? I feel this must have been intentional rather than just happenstance with CD’s still being a popular choice for many.

Anti-commercial romanticism.

7. Andavald definitely has an esoteric sound, even for a scene as wild as Iceland’s. What developed such an unusual approach in songwriting and structural difference from even the outlandish vibrancy of the Icelandic scene?

As i said earlier, a different and somewhat ritualistic methodology.

8. Finally I wish to ask, you are already getting some live shows including Cataleptic Rites in England (a show I am very excited for personally). What can we expect from Andavald in a live setting? The chaotic musicianship and ritualistic ambience of the album is sure to inspire something very special live I assume.

Given the sound will live up to standards, you can expect to be blown away. It will be a special occasion.

Thank you very much for answering these questions which have proved insightful indeed. For those unfamiliar with Andavald, I hope this will convince you to check out this astonishing Black Metal force.