Minneriket interview 01/09/2024
MM: Can you tell us about your Band and whos your biggest influences
The band is Minneriket, and it’s my one-man band. Minneriket coined the term
“Romantic Black Metal” when I was first asked to describe the genre, and plays a
stylistic form of black metal with influences from classical, punk and goth.
MM: Where do you draw your inspirations and ideas from
Everything and anything. I think creativity is sparked by everything you see, touch,
smell and feel. Then you need to make some choices about which of these
influences you cultivate into the art. It needs a coherent profile, and it needs to feel
right for what I want to say. But almost anything can trigger it, most often just a
word I like, and then the music just happens inside my head.
MM: What would you say is your Bands favourite song ?
That’s a tough question! I guess one of the most complex ones are “Nåde”, but a
personal favourite is “Regnbuer i gråtoner” and the primitive but very effective “An
all too human heart”.
MM: Plans tour and festival wise for 2023
You need to update your template, we’re in 2024 now. And Minneriket does not
play live.
MM: What can we expect from (Band Name) live
Nothing.
MM: What do you like best and worst abt touring
I don’t tour.
MM: Which three Bands would be your ultimate touring buddies
None.
MM: What's the most memorable concert you've been to (other than your
own) and why
Probably Iron Maiden on the Give me ‘Ed ‘til I’m Dead tour in 2005 (I think it was), Shining in
Halmstad for the release of the album with the same name, or perhaps Gorgoroth in their prime.
I’ve seen gigs by both Britney Spears and Hans Zimmer too who had top-notch productions.
Lately I finally caught Bruce Dickinson live, and the 40 year anniversary of Mayhem was great.
Seeing Offspring perform Ignition in entirety in 2012 (I think) was also a great evening.
MM: What do you feel has been your biggest accomplishment so far with
I’m in a good position where I am competent to make the music I want to, I have
network of great collaborators who wish me well and contributes in any way
possible, and I have people who appreciates my music. I could not wish for more,
so I am quite content with what I have accomplished with Minneriket.
MM: Which are your Two favourite Albums of all time
That probably varies from time to time, but right now I’ll have to say the original
Stormblåst (1996) by Dimmu Borgir and Ignition by The Offspring. I’ve probably
played those albums more than any other albums.
MM: Can you remember the first time you ever played live and how it felt to
have people watching you?
Minneriket does not play live.
MM: Growing up which Bands posters did you have on your bedroom wall.
I didn’t have many, but I remember I had some posters of Iron Maiden, The
Offspring and Darkthrone hanging behind my first drum kit in my early teens.
MM - Who do you think influenced the world of Metal / Rock more than any
other person
You can always go further and further back with this. You could say Wagner, you
could say Zeppelin, you could say Sabbath... It doesn’t really matter. I’m not an
anthropologist, and I’m not interested in getting to the roots. What matters is that
we now have a whole cultural movement which is a lot more than just the sum of
its parts.
MM - What's the most important thing to the band right now?
Freedom. Minneriket continues to be a one-man band on my own label, and does
not answer to anyone. I hate working within the limitations of others, or answering
to a label like a trained circus monkey. Nothing is more important for me than
having absolute control of the art.
MM:If you could do a cover of any song which one would it be and why?
Minneriket released the album “From the Veins of a Nearly Dead Boy – A Tribute
to Burzum” a few years ago, so I guess that answers the question.
MM: Tell us why we should buy and listen to your Band
Because it’s worth your while. You get to broaden your horizon and discover
something new, and if you go in completely blank you get to decide right away if
you like it or not without caring about the opinions of others.
MM: Four words to describe your band
Ruthless, melancholic, lonely, drive
MM:Final Words for your fans and our readers
Minneriket celebrates 10 years now in 2024, and will soon release a limited edition
cassette tape called “A Decade of Darkness: 10 Years of Romantic Black Metal”
with 10 songs spanning the whole career. It’s already available as a Spotify-
playlist, so that’s a good place to start if you’re a new listener.
