A Dirty Dozen with FREKI from VARG – November 2020

According to a recent press release: “Today, the wolves of VARG are once again howling the origins of true Pagan Metal, continuing their story of the legendary Viking era. The band has unveiled the third single, “Fara Til Ránar,” from their upcoming full-length, Zeichen (engl. signs), to be released on September 18 via Napalm Records. On their authentic masterpiece Zeichen, the wolves of VARG return to their roots and embark on a journey further down a new road. Within the first seconds of the album opener breaking loose, VARG draws the listener into the year “793” that heralded the ferocious era of the Vikings. “Verräter,” on the other hand, emphasizes the suffering and vengeance towards former allies with rapid guitar leads, and ultimately, the album culminates in the mighty title hymn “Zeichen.” We get singer / guitarist Freki to discuss new music, influences, and much more…

1. Tell us a little about your latest release.  What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets the band put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Our new album Zeichen is the pagan rebirth of VARG. We went back to our roots and took a deeper, more authentic and raw path from there. The listener is drawn back to the Viking age starting with the opener “793.” Norse mythology, old gods, bloody battles and pagan values are the themes of our lyrics. You’ll find hidden nuggets everywhere if you listen deep enough.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

My dad had a band himself and seeing him playing his guitar at home made me want to play the guitar, too since I was a little child. When I turned seven years, he bought me my first guitar and I started learning with the goal to be a musician with an own band some day.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

My musical taste has been a long journey from rock, hard rock to metal and beyond.

4. Who would be your main five musical influences?

Metallica, Motörhead, Riger, Primordial, and Wardruna.

5. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

It would be Einar Selvik from Wardruna because he is a very special artist dedicated to the Viking era and one of the biggest influences for the new path of VARG even if his music is not metal at all.

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

VARG sounds like melodic death metal with a Viking era atmosphere, heavy and melodic at the same time. I don’t cringe with any comparison of a reviewer as it is his point of view, I have mine 😉

7. What’s the best thing about being a musician?

The best thing is the feeling when you see or hear the people in front of the stage are shouting your lyrics and are fully dedicated to your music. I get goosebumps when I think of these moments.

8. When the band are all hanging out together, who cooks; who gets the drinks in; and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

Fylgja cooks, Garm & Fenrier gets the drinks in and Morkai cracks out the acoustic guitar of course.

9. When was the last time you were star struck and who was it?

That was sitting backstage with Lemmy from Motörhead on the table next to me. That was back in 2010 I think and the only time I was starstruck ever.

10. If you weren’t a musician, what would be your dream job?

Renovating old mansions built from 1880 – 1920 would be cool.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over”, even if it didn’t change your current situation?

Let’s say at least for the last ten years there is nothing I regret.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

That would be Metallica’s Master of Puppets. For me it is the best metal album ever recorded. Being part of the creative process recording this masterpiece would be killer.

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Category: Interviews