Interview with Hamnskifte
Interviewed by Starlight Temple Society | 2010
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-Please introduce Hamnskifte.
Hamnskifte: Geographically Hamnskifte resides in northern Europe. Musically it is better to speak in terms of parallel realities.
-Describe "Fodzlepijnan", the debut Hamnskifte release.
Hamnskifte: The record has been in development for almost two years. It has been recorded and re-recorded at different locations and mental states.
-Conceptually, what is the release about?
Hamnskifte: We don't like to verbalize or theorize about the record too much since that might stand in the way for each listener to form his/her own opinion about it. We have our own ideas and thoughts about each track, and title and sound is thoroughly discussed. But in the end the theoretical concepts might differ from member to member of the group, so it's logical to think that the same goes for the listeners.
-"Fodzlepijnan" has a very rich and vibrant medieval sound. What is the musical background of Hamnskifte's members?
Hamnskifte: The members of Hamnskifte have played together in bands before, but we have found that past projects have little or no relation to what we are interested in doing today. This release is very much a rebirth for us musically, and it is no longer relevant to compare with previous output. We have mapped out a certain terrain where we want to reside now, and there is much left to discover.
-What instruments were used in the making of "Fodzlepijnan"?
Hamnskifte: Aside from the basic arsenal of guitars, drums, bass and organ you'll find a bodhran drum, bells and some self-invented percussion instruments. And we usually work with voices processed through multiple effects. Certain unorthodox recording techniques have been employed.
-What bands have helped to inspire the sound and direction of Hamnskifte?
Hamnskifte: Low, Labradford, Earth, Trollmann av Ildtoppberg, Burzum, Skepticism, Nortt and others.
-Can you share anything of greater detail about the persons behind this project?
Hamnskifte: The identity of the member/s of Hamnskifte is not vital to the experience of the music.
-What does the band name, the album name and it's tracks translated mean, and how are they relevant to this projects concept?
Hamnskifte: The band name means "shapeshifting". The shapeshifter (a creature that has the ability to change its physical appearance, usually from man to animal) is of course a common theme in folklore and religion, and superficially speaking it is a fitting name for the transformations that take place in our music. The track titles are all taken from 17th century funeral sermons. They are hard to translate, and in the process of translating them the Swedish that is used (written long before any modern language reforms) loses much of its atmosphere. But if we look only at meaning and not style the titles could loosely be translated thus:
01. -
02. there will be weeping and teeth grinding
03. entity
04. the birds are captured with snares
05. daily preparation for death
06. into the outermost darkness
The album name might be translated to "throes of childbirth". The titles may give you some ideas on the concepts of the project.
-What will you be planning next?
Hamnskifte: We are currently in the early stages of recording the follow-up to Fodzlepijnan.
-Will there be any place for vocals on a future release? Why or why not?
Hamnskifte: We have played around with the thought of vocals. The voice - albeit processed beyond recognition - is already a part of the music. The question is if "the pure voice" will add to or subtract from the music. It's too early to tell.
-Thanks for your time! You may close this very brief interview in any way you wish?
Hamnskifte: Thank you for showing an interest in Hamnskifte! It's a great pleasure to be a part of the STS colony.
