All Interviews
Battered
Battered
Posted on May 27, 2006
by Anders
Battered the new Norwegian band featuring 3 members of the now disbanded Einherjer and 2 members from Headblock, did earlier this year release their debut full length album "Battered". A killer lection in how to do old school thrash/crossover metal with feel and energy. In this connection I hooked up with drummer Gerhard Storesund and got a good talk about the album and where the band finds their inspiration for their hard-hitting metal attack!
Hails, how are things in Norway as we speak?
Everything is good, thanks. Outside, there is something that could remind of summer.
Will you please start off by introducing yourself and tell us your way from your initial meeting with metal, until today when you create havoc with Battered?
Yeah sure. My name is Gerhard, and I am the drummer of the Norwegian Thrash band Battered. I guess I've been into metal most of my conscious life, although I'm not exactly sure what triggered it. Me and Frode have had band plans from the age of 8 or something, so it really was just a question of learning how to play an instrument. Drum-playing for me was more of a coincidence, as I was just invited to try it out with some friends. From then on it took a more serious turn. After some rehearsing, me and Frode started up Einherjer. And after exploring that branch for about 11 years, we decided to call it a day and start off fresh. And here we are.
A small introduction of the rest of the band will be very appreciated as well!
I've already mentioned Frode who plays the guitar and some backing vocals. Aksel plays the second guitar and was also part of Einherjer. Ole is the bassist. He has a past in a local metal act called Headblock. And last but not least Siggy, who takes care of the vocal part. He was also part of Headblock.
Your self-titled debut album has been out on the street in Europe for a month or so now, and in Norway a little while longer, how has it far been received?
From what I've seen and heard, the feedback has been very good both in Norway and in Europe. So now we're just waiting to see what happens in the States.
What do you in the band think about it?
With all the work we've been through to get here, it is sheer bliss to finally have the CD out and start doing some gigs.
What do you expect of the album?
I don't know really. Basically we do this because it's something we enjoy to do. It's not like we got rich in Einherjer, and that's not the point here either. We want to deliver this stuff from a stage where it belongs, and if some cash drops in our direction, I got no problem with that.
There has been quite some talk about Battered, as 3 of the members are from Einherjer, though people picking up Battered, might get a little surprised if they expect metal in the Einherjer vein, as you now deliver old school thrash metal, how did you end up delivering this exact style and as old school and crossover-like as it is?
I guess it has something to do with roots. This is the type of music that binds all of us together. The band members have a quite diverse taste in music, but all of us are listening to thrash metal in one form or another. I guess some people might be a little shook up when they first hear Battered. But I mean, who in their right mind would dissolve a band like Einherjer, just to start a new one sounding just like it. That wouldn't make much sense. I guess we were looking for something simpler that sounds the same on the stage as on CD. Or even better!
Who are the main songwriters in the band and where is the inspiration found?
Me, Frode and Aksel writes the music. Subconsciously we probably get inspiration from a lot of stuff that we listen to. Consciously however, there are a couple of bands that inspire us probably more than it's good for us. I've noticed that Slayer and The Haunted pop up pretty frequently in reviews, and I realize that it's something we have to keep in mind for future song writing. On the next album we will need to find the course, and do whatever must be done to separate from the rest. At least that’s my opinion.
What do you want to tell with your music?
From my point of view, I want the listener to feel that the music reeks of sheer energy and to realize that on stage we give everything no matter what. Personally, I'm done telling stuff through music.
Can you pick out 3 bands and 3 songs that have meant a lot to your way of making and thinking music?
I guess Bathory had a part in it. The song 'Blood And Iron' from "Twilight Of The Gods" must be one of the songs. I know the vocals are pretty suckass, but somehow I accept that with Bathory. It's not exactly a band, but the theme music for the first Conan movie had a great impact on me, and it's probably some of the stuff I've listened most to ever. The song 'Riders Of Doom' is fantastic. And that's not a matter of opinion, that's a fact! Grieg must also be mentioned. Exactly what song is difficult to choose, but anything from Peer Gynt will do. Maybe there's other stuff as well, but this was the first that popped up in my head.
Who is writing the lyrics in Battered?
Siggy takes care of them for the most part.
Which lyrical themes have been touched on "Battered" and how important are the lyrics compared to the music?
As I'm not too involved in the lyrical aspect in Battered, I don't want to comment on this.
Where has the album been recorded and who has produced it?
The album was recorded in the Sifa Lydstudio. This is the same studio we used on the last Einherjer album "Blot". We produced the album ourselves, as the studio is located right where we live. It was mixed at the Top Room Studio by Børge Finstad.
How did you end up with the band name Battered and what does it symbolize for you?
I think it was Frode who came up with that name. To me it's just a fitting name for a thrash metal band. It doesn't really symbolize anything. I think it basically fits our music perfectly.
How does it look with the song writing, are you working on new material and when can we expect to hear something new from you?
Yeah, we have some material lying around, and we're planning to start some serious song writing pretty soon. At this point, it's impossible to say when a new album will be out though.
I think your material would fit perfect on vinyl, is there any plans to release "Battered" on LP and how do you feel about vinyl?
So do I, because I love vinyl. What our label think of it, is an entirely different matter. I'm not sure it's that profitable.
There has been a little resurrection of old school thrash and crossover, how do you feel about that and do you like any of the new bands?
Yes, it seems like thrash Metal back on the agenda. I guess there are plenty of great bands out there. Lamb Of God, Hypnosia and The Haunted to mention a few.
When looking back, which are your favourite thrash/crossover bands and releases?
Kreator – "Extreme Agression", Sepultura – "Beneath The Remains", Slayer – "Decade Of Agression", Overkill – "Feel The Fire" and Metallica – "… And Justice For All".
If you had the chance to travel back in time and join a band and deliver your work on one release, which release would you then like to be featured on?
That's difficult, I wouldn't want to ruin anything. Maybe something like old Venom, because their drummer were pretty suckass anyway.
Do you have any touring planned in support of the album?
We don't have any comprehensive touring planned for the time being, as we're all tied up in all sorts of other obligations. Right now, we have to rely on single gigs and maybe some small tours.
How do you look upon the future of Battered?
Bright. No less than that.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with the readers of Nocturnal Horde?
Shit, that's hard.
Accept – Metal Heart maybe. Skyclad – Jonah's Ark definitely. In fact, I think Masters Hammer - The Jilemnice Occultist may be one of them. I guess perhaps Kreator's – Extreme Aggression and Overkill's – Feel The Fire are also good candidates.
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
No problem at all. As our album is now out in the stores, I would advise everybody to go check it out. And we hope to be on a stage near you soon.
Everything is good, thanks. Outside, there is something that could remind of summer.
Will you please start off by introducing yourself and tell us your way from your initial meeting with metal, until today when you create havoc with Battered?
Yeah sure. My name is Gerhard, and I am the drummer of the Norwegian Thrash band Battered. I guess I've been into metal most of my conscious life, although I'm not exactly sure what triggered it. Me and Frode have had band plans from the age of 8 or something, so it really was just a question of learning how to play an instrument. Drum-playing for me was more of a coincidence, as I was just invited to try it out with some friends. From then on it took a more serious turn. After some rehearsing, me and Frode started up Einherjer. And after exploring that branch for about 11 years, we decided to call it a day and start off fresh. And here we are.
A small introduction of the rest of the band will be very appreciated as well!
I've already mentioned Frode who plays the guitar and some backing vocals. Aksel plays the second guitar and was also part of Einherjer. Ole is the bassist. He has a past in a local metal act called Headblock. And last but not least Siggy, who takes care of the vocal part. He was also part of Headblock.
Your self-titled debut album has been out on the street in Europe for a month or so now, and in Norway a little while longer, how has it far been received?
From what I've seen and heard, the feedback has been very good both in Norway and in Europe. So now we're just waiting to see what happens in the States.
What do you in the band think about it?
With all the work we've been through to get here, it is sheer bliss to finally have the CD out and start doing some gigs.
What do you expect of the album?
I don't know really. Basically we do this because it's something we enjoy to do. It's not like we got rich in Einherjer, and that's not the point here either. We want to deliver this stuff from a stage where it belongs, and if some cash drops in our direction, I got no problem with that.
There has been quite some talk about Battered, as 3 of the members are from Einherjer, though people picking up Battered, might get a little surprised if they expect metal in the Einherjer vein, as you now deliver old school thrash metal, how did you end up delivering this exact style and as old school and crossover-like as it is?
I guess it has something to do with roots. This is the type of music that binds all of us together. The band members have a quite diverse taste in music, but all of us are listening to thrash metal in one form or another. I guess some people might be a little shook up when they first hear Battered. But I mean, who in their right mind would dissolve a band like Einherjer, just to start a new one sounding just like it. That wouldn't make much sense. I guess we were looking for something simpler that sounds the same on the stage as on CD. Or even better!
Who are the main songwriters in the band and where is the inspiration found?
Me, Frode and Aksel writes the music. Subconsciously we probably get inspiration from a lot of stuff that we listen to. Consciously however, there are a couple of bands that inspire us probably more than it's good for us. I've noticed that Slayer and The Haunted pop up pretty frequently in reviews, and I realize that it's something we have to keep in mind for future song writing. On the next album we will need to find the course, and do whatever must be done to separate from the rest. At least that’s my opinion.
What do you want to tell with your music?
From my point of view, I want the listener to feel that the music reeks of sheer energy and to realize that on stage we give everything no matter what. Personally, I'm done telling stuff through music.
Can you pick out 3 bands and 3 songs that have meant a lot to your way of making and thinking music?
I guess Bathory had a part in it. The song 'Blood And Iron' from "Twilight Of The Gods" must be one of the songs. I know the vocals are pretty suckass, but somehow I accept that with Bathory. It's not exactly a band, but the theme music for the first Conan movie had a great impact on me, and it's probably some of the stuff I've listened most to ever. The song 'Riders Of Doom' is fantastic. And that's not a matter of opinion, that's a fact! Grieg must also be mentioned. Exactly what song is difficult to choose, but anything from Peer Gynt will do. Maybe there's other stuff as well, but this was the first that popped up in my head.
Who is writing the lyrics in Battered?
Siggy takes care of them for the most part.
Which lyrical themes have been touched on "Battered" and how important are the lyrics compared to the music?
As I'm not too involved in the lyrical aspect in Battered, I don't want to comment on this.
Where has the album been recorded and who has produced it?
The album was recorded in the Sifa Lydstudio. This is the same studio we used on the last Einherjer album "Blot". We produced the album ourselves, as the studio is located right where we live. It was mixed at the Top Room Studio by Børge Finstad.
How did you end up with the band name Battered and what does it symbolize for you?
I think it was Frode who came up with that name. To me it's just a fitting name for a thrash metal band. It doesn't really symbolize anything. I think it basically fits our music perfectly.
How does it look with the song writing, are you working on new material and when can we expect to hear something new from you?
Yeah, we have some material lying around, and we're planning to start some serious song writing pretty soon. At this point, it's impossible to say when a new album will be out though.
I think your material would fit perfect on vinyl, is there any plans to release "Battered" on LP and how do you feel about vinyl?
So do I, because I love vinyl. What our label think of it, is an entirely different matter. I'm not sure it's that profitable.
There has been a little resurrection of old school thrash and crossover, how do you feel about that and do you like any of the new bands?
Yes, it seems like thrash Metal back on the agenda. I guess there are plenty of great bands out there. Lamb Of God, Hypnosia and The Haunted to mention a few.
When looking back, which are your favourite thrash/crossover bands and releases?
Kreator – "Extreme Agression", Sepultura – "Beneath The Remains", Slayer – "Decade Of Agression", Overkill – "Feel The Fire" and Metallica – "… And Justice For All".
If you had the chance to travel back in time and join a band and deliver your work on one release, which release would you then like to be featured on?
That's difficult, I wouldn't want to ruin anything. Maybe something like old Venom, because their drummer were pretty suckass anyway.
Do you have any touring planned in support of the album?
We don't have any comprehensive touring planned for the time being, as we're all tied up in all sorts of other obligations. Right now, we have to rely on single gigs and maybe some small tours.
How do you look upon the future of Battered?
Bright. No less than that.
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with the readers of Nocturnal Horde?
Shit, that's hard.
Accept – Metal Heart maybe. Skyclad – Jonah's Ark definitely. In fact, I think Masters Hammer - The Jilemnice Occultist may be one of them. I guess perhaps Kreator's – Extreme Aggression and Overkill's – Feel The Fire are also good candidates.
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
No problem at all. As our album is now out in the stores, I would advise everybody to go check it out. And we hope to be on a stage near you soon.
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