Den Saakaldte
Arcana Noctis: Hail Sykelig! How are you, and what the latest news from your band side are, a few months after the release of your last opus "All Hail Pessimism", published by the Italians Avantgarde Music?
Sykelig: Hey man. All is good here. Winter is on its way. Latest news when it comes to Den Saakaldte is that we are going to make a video for the song "Samma Skrot, Samma Korn" for the needs of promoting the "All Hail Pessimism" album. Also, we have a new record label, as we just signed a contract with one of the most uprising record labels right now, Pulverised Records. Last but not least, we have a new drummer that is going to be announced soon, so we will start rehearsing soon for the needs of our European Tour, coming on March/April of 2010.
Arcana Noctis: Although you founded Den Saakaldte 3 years ago in Greece, in 2006, as a one man band, we find you living in Norway and with a full line-up around you! Tell us why did you started this band, what does it represents for you and why did you moved on Norway?
Sykelig: It just happened for me to meet the right persons that would actually fit with the idea I have behind Den Saakaldte. We are all good friends, so Den Saakaldte is not a super band corporation as many think. It is rather a bunch of friends playing music they feel something for. Den Saakaldte in the first place, started so that I can present my inner world as music. It is my brain child and at the same times my shrink. The reasons I moved to Norway had nothing to do with music. I moved to Norway because I had been coming here for years, I liked the society structure and the pace that life goes and also the nature which is so close to even the capital city, Oslo. I felt that I didn't fit with the lifestyle in Hellas so I left. Simple as that. I am the kind of person that isn't afraid of taking decisions that can change life's structure.
Arcana Noctis: You recorded 2 songs and you left Greece; but soon after that we find you working in Norway with very interesting musicians from the Norse extreme Metal underground! The actual line-up consists in: Jormungand (k/Dødheimsgard), Seidemann (b/1349 and Pantheon I), Niklas Kvalforth (v/Shining) and S. Winter (d/ex. Aeturnus and Gehenna)! How did you managed to work with all the persons I mentioned above, especially with Niklas, and how are the things working in Den Saakaldte with so many Rock stars in its rang?
Sykelig: In my opinion there are no Rock stars around me. Just good friends. Music is something that makes you to feel whole... it helps you mentally and emotionally. I can't consider music as a job. I have my regular job for earning my living. Den Saakaldte came together the way it is right now because apparently it was meant. I came across to the right people at the right time.
Arcana Noctis: In this formula you recorded the very first material called "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon", later released on Eerie Art Records! Please try to present us this material and tell us a few words about the reactions that you received on it!
Sykelig: Considering that "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon" is a professionally printed and released demo, we are very satisfied with it. It was something recorded in basements and not studios, and the sound, the performances of the members in it is extreme and unique. It has its own unique vibe. This release was printed in 1000 limited copies and it is now sold out. Pretty soon "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon" is going to be re-released on limited gatefold LP and digipak CD with bonus material included and some alternations when it comes to the layout.
Arcana Noctis: Very soon you played band's first live act at the Inferno Festival 2008, and you started negotiating with mighty Avantgarde Music based in Italy! How did you felt playing the very first live act at one of the most important European fests; and how the negotiating process worked in the end?
Sykelig: Inferno Festival showed trust in what Den Saakaldte can offer and we are very pleased with that. They were also pleased seeing that the venue was completely packed during our performance. I think both parties were satisfied with that gig. As for Avantgarde Music, they liked what they listened and then decided that they wanted to release the debut. Everything went quite smoothly actually.
Arcana Noctis: Probably because you and Niklas are very close friends, you decided to record a split CD that featured both Den Saakaldte and Shining bands! What was the main purpose to record such a material, and what is all about in the end?
Sykelig: That is almost the case. We did come to a decision releasing this mostly due to our friendship. It was just a simple discussion that took only a few minutes. Nothing like a business thing. The material of this split is live recordings from both bands. So we are talking about a die-hard fans' limited release.
Arcana Noctis: As far as I know this one saw the daylight at Temple Of Darkness Records, and it was limited to 1000 copies! The material contains a bonus with songs taken from both bands consisting in some live songs! Why you decided to release the new material on this Spanish label, and why did they published this split CD in a limited edition? Also, what was the reaction that you received from media and fans on it?
Sykelig: As I said... no actual new material was in this EP. Just live recordings from both Den Saakaldte and Shining. As for why Temple Of Darkness released it... I know the guys at Temple Of Darkness and they are doing a great job for their releases so, my decision was quite easy to take.
Arcana Noctis: This year you played both Inferno Festival and Party.San Metal Open Air! Tell us a few words about the live gigs you played out there and about the other bands involved in these fests!
Sykelig: It was a great experience. At the Inferno Festival kick off it was snowing like hell and all the streets were closed, no buses, no trains... So people had to walk in the snow in order to come to the gig. It was a really great experience and a cool gig. As for Party.San, we played in front of thousands of people, we met really cool people like the guys from Sólstafir, Brujeria, Sadus... we had a great time there. The whole festival is so well organized that it is difficult not to have a good time.
Arcana Noctis: This year, 2009, you released on Avantgarde Music band's first opus called "All Hail Pessimism", a 10 track material into the Black Metal way! Try to present us this first opus, with the technical details that we should know about it and the story behind the songs briefly!
Sykelig: "All Hail Pessimism" was recorded partially in Hellas, Sweden and Norway. It is an album that we really believe in. It means a lot to us emotionally. The album apart from the Metal elements has also trumpets played by Øyseth Pedersen, a very talented musician. The album is a weird mixture of sounds that have the moody feeling but at the same time the old Black Metal way of presenting things. Peter Kubik from the Austrian band Abigor has also participated in it with some guitar parts and also Cecilie from the Doom/Down Tempo band Skumring has also placed some soprano vocals for the song "Samma Skrot, Samma Korn"
Arcana Noctis: What could you tell us about the differences between this first full length and your previous materials?
Sykelig: Same weirdos, same shit. The only difference is that the sound is more precise. Now people can listen to every detail happening in the album.
Arcana Noctis: Who did the cover artwork, and how does it fits with the musical and lyrical concepts that you imagined for "All Hail Pessimism"?
Sykelig: The cover artwork was made by Trine og Kim. Same team that has been doing the Arcturus, Ulver, Dark Throne, Fleurety covers... amongst others. The cover represents the almost destroyed man, betrayed, disappointed by life, sitting and waiting patiently in the darkness, because he knows that he will rise up.
Arcana Noctis: With such an important line-up, is it difficult to find your own musical lines without being influenced by the basic bands?
Sykelig: Den Saakaldte is not trying to change the music world or something. We play what we feel. If what we play can remind Celtic Frost to someone, we are fine with that and we are even honoured as Celtic Frost is a band we grew up by listening to. If something that we will play can be innovative. That's also great.
Arcana Noctis: I suppose that you are the main composer in this band! How did divided the duties in Den Saakaldte, and which one of your mates besides Niklas and Seidemann is still playing in a different combo?
Sykelig: Yes, I am the main composer when it comes to Den Saakaldte. However, Niklas is making his own vocal lines on the songs, Jormungand is composing his piano parts, Seidemann in certain parts is making his own bass lines contributing to the riff... it is a complicated thing. Our songs aren't the "typical" Black Metal structure songs. We all in the end have credit in what we are doing.
Arcana Noctis: There are some rumours that said that you recorded another split with Tyrant, for the same Temple Of Darkness Records! What is all about, and why on this label again?
Sykelig: This split is going to be released in a few months from now. It is going to be released again by Temple Of Darkness for the same reasons I mentioned above.
Arcana Noctis: Why and when you decided to replace S. Winter, and how did you found new drummer Uruz? What is his past as a musician, and how he influenced the compositional process of your band?
Sykelig: At the point that we speak, Uruz is not a member of Den Saakaldte anymore. S. Winter was living far away from the rest of us and for his personal reasons he couldn't continue playing for Den Saakaldte. As for Uruz, his family obligations didn't allow him to have time for extended rehearsals, live concerts etc. I got to know Uruz from Hellhammer of Mayhem, as they are close friends.
Arcana Noctis: What will be band's activity in the future, and what should we expect from your future materials?
Sykelig: As I have said, there is the split EP with Tyrant coming in a few months. Also, the "All Hail Pessimism" album is going to be released as a double gatefold LP by Temple Of Darkness Records, and the "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon" re-released as a gatefold LP and a digipak CD quite soon, on the new label. After that, we are looking at a European tour and then the recordings for our first album with Pulverised Records.
Arcana Noctis: Unfortunately the end is so close! Thank you so much for your time and here you have the last word to conclude this material!
Sykelig: Ugh! Finaly :)
Sykelig: Hey man. All is good here. Winter is on its way. Latest news when it comes to Den Saakaldte is that we are going to make a video for the song "Samma Skrot, Samma Korn" for the needs of promoting the "All Hail Pessimism" album. Also, we have a new record label, as we just signed a contract with one of the most uprising record labels right now, Pulverised Records. Last but not least, we have a new drummer that is going to be announced soon, so we will start rehearsing soon for the needs of our European Tour, coming on March/April of 2010.Arcana Noctis: Although you founded Den Saakaldte 3 years ago in Greece, in 2006, as a one man band, we find you living in Norway and with a full line-up around you! Tell us why did you started this band, what does it represents for you and why did you moved on Norway?
Sykelig: It just happened for me to meet the right persons that would actually fit with the idea I have behind Den Saakaldte. We are all good friends, so Den Saakaldte is not a super band corporation as many think. It is rather a bunch of friends playing music they feel something for. Den Saakaldte in the first place, started so that I can present my inner world as music. It is my brain child and at the same times my shrink. The reasons I moved to Norway had nothing to do with music. I moved to Norway because I had been coming here for years, I liked the society structure and the pace that life goes and also the nature which is so close to even the capital city, Oslo. I felt that I didn't fit with the lifestyle in Hellas so I left. Simple as that. I am the kind of person that isn't afraid of taking decisions that can change life's structure.
Arcana Noctis: You recorded 2 songs and you left Greece; but soon after that we find you working in Norway with very interesting musicians from the Norse extreme Metal underground! The actual line-up consists in: Jormungand (k/Dødheimsgard), Seidemann (b/1349 and Pantheon I), Niklas Kvalforth (v/Shining) and S. Winter (d/ex. Aeturnus and Gehenna)! How did you managed to work with all the persons I mentioned above, especially with Niklas, and how are the things working in Den Saakaldte with so many Rock stars in its rang?
Sykelig: In my opinion there are no Rock stars around me. Just good friends. Music is something that makes you to feel whole... it helps you mentally and emotionally. I can't consider music as a job. I have my regular job for earning my living. Den Saakaldte came together the way it is right now because apparently it was meant. I came across to the right people at the right time.
Arcana Noctis: In this formula you recorded the very first material called "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon", later released on Eerie Art Records! Please try to present us this material and tell us a few words about the reactions that you received on it!
Sykelig: Considering that "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon" is a professionally printed and released demo, we are very satisfied with it. It was something recorded in basements and not studios, and the sound, the performances of the members in it is extreme and unique. It has its own unique vibe. This release was printed in 1000 limited copies and it is now sold out. Pretty soon "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon" is going to be re-released on limited gatefold LP and digipak CD with bonus material included and some alternations when it comes to the layout.
Arcana Noctis: Very soon you played band's first live act at the Inferno Festival 2008, and you started negotiating with mighty Avantgarde Music based in Italy! How did you felt playing the very first live act at one of the most important European fests; and how the negotiating process worked in the end?
Sykelig: Inferno Festival showed trust in what Den Saakaldte can offer and we are very pleased with that. They were also pleased seeing that the venue was completely packed during our performance. I think both parties were satisfied with that gig. As for Avantgarde Music, they liked what they listened and then decided that they wanted to release the debut. Everything went quite smoothly actually.
Arcana Noctis: Probably because you and Niklas are very close friends, you decided to record a split CD that featured both Den Saakaldte and Shining bands! What was the main purpose to record such a material, and what is all about in the end?
Sykelig: That is almost the case. We did come to a decision releasing this mostly due to our friendship. It was just a simple discussion that took only a few minutes. Nothing like a business thing. The material of this split is live recordings from both bands. So we are talking about a die-hard fans' limited release.
Arcana Noctis: As far as I know this one saw the daylight at Temple Of Darkness Records, and it was limited to 1000 copies! The material contains a bonus with songs taken from both bands consisting in some live songs! Why you decided to release the new material on this Spanish label, and why did they published this split CD in a limited edition? Also, what was the reaction that you received from media and fans on it?
Sykelig: As I said... no actual new material was in this EP. Just live recordings from both Den Saakaldte and Shining. As for why Temple Of Darkness released it... I know the guys at Temple Of Darkness and they are doing a great job for their releases so, my decision was quite easy to take.
Arcana Noctis: This year you played both Inferno Festival and Party.San Metal Open Air! Tell us a few words about the live gigs you played out there and about the other bands involved in these fests!
Sykelig: It was a great experience. At the Inferno Festival kick off it was snowing like hell and all the streets were closed, no buses, no trains... So people had to walk in the snow in order to come to the gig. It was a really great experience and a cool gig. As for Party.San, we played in front of thousands of people, we met really cool people like the guys from Sólstafir, Brujeria, Sadus... we had a great time there. The whole festival is so well organized that it is difficult not to have a good time.
Arcana Noctis: This year, 2009, you released on Avantgarde Music band's first opus called "All Hail Pessimism", a 10 track material into the Black Metal way! Try to present us this first opus, with the technical details that we should know about it and the story behind the songs briefly!
Sykelig: "All Hail Pessimism" was recorded partially in Hellas, Sweden and Norway. It is an album that we really believe in. It means a lot to us emotionally. The album apart from the Metal elements has also trumpets played by Øyseth Pedersen, a very talented musician. The album is a weird mixture of sounds that have the moody feeling but at the same time the old Black Metal way of presenting things. Peter Kubik from the Austrian band Abigor has also participated in it with some guitar parts and also Cecilie from the Doom/Down Tempo band Skumring has also placed some soprano vocals for the song "Samma Skrot, Samma Korn"
Arcana Noctis: What could you tell us about the differences between this first full length and your previous materials?
Sykelig: Same weirdos, same shit. The only difference is that the sound is more precise. Now people can listen to every detail happening in the album.
Arcana Noctis: Who did the cover artwork, and how does it fits with the musical and lyrical concepts that you imagined for "All Hail Pessimism"?
Sykelig: The cover artwork was made by Trine og Kim. Same team that has been doing the Arcturus, Ulver, Dark Throne, Fleurety covers... amongst others. The cover represents the almost destroyed man, betrayed, disappointed by life, sitting and waiting patiently in the darkness, because he knows that he will rise up.
Arcana Noctis: With such an important line-up, is it difficult to find your own musical lines without being influenced by the basic bands?
Sykelig: Den Saakaldte is not trying to change the music world or something. We play what we feel. If what we play can remind Celtic Frost to someone, we are fine with that and we are even honoured as Celtic Frost is a band we grew up by listening to. If something that we will play can be innovative. That's also great.
Arcana Noctis: I suppose that you are the main composer in this band! How did divided the duties in Den Saakaldte, and which one of your mates besides Niklas and Seidemann is still playing in a different combo?
Sykelig: Yes, I am the main composer when it comes to Den Saakaldte. However, Niklas is making his own vocal lines on the songs, Jormungand is composing his piano parts, Seidemann in certain parts is making his own bass lines contributing to the riff... it is a complicated thing. Our songs aren't the "typical" Black Metal structure songs. We all in the end have credit in what we are doing.
Arcana Noctis: There are some rumours that said that you recorded another split with Tyrant, for the same Temple Of Darkness Records! What is all about, and why on this label again?
Sykelig: This split is going to be released in a few months from now. It is going to be released again by Temple Of Darkness for the same reasons I mentioned above.
Arcana Noctis: Why and when you decided to replace S. Winter, and how did you found new drummer Uruz? What is his past as a musician, and how he influenced the compositional process of your band?
Sykelig: At the point that we speak, Uruz is not a member of Den Saakaldte anymore. S. Winter was living far away from the rest of us and for his personal reasons he couldn't continue playing for Den Saakaldte. As for Uruz, his family obligations didn't allow him to have time for extended rehearsals, live concerts etc. I got to know Uruz from Hellhammer of Mayhem, as they are close friends.
Arcana Noctis: What will be band's activity in the future, and what should we expect from your future materials?
Sykelig: As I have said, there is the split EP with Tyrant coming in a few months. Also, the "All Hail Pessimism" album is going to be released as a double gatefold LP by Temple Of Darkness Records, and the "Øl, Mørke Og Depresjon" re-released as a gatefold LP and a digipak CD quite soon, on the new label. After that, we are looking at a European tour and then the recordings for our first album with Pulverised Records.
Arcana Noctis: Unfortunately the end is so close! Thank you so much for your time and here you have the last word to conclude this material!
Sykelig: Ugh! Finaly :)