PHOTOGRAPHY BY ADAM DEGROSS
INTERVIEW WITH GUITARIST ENZIFER BY RIDGE BRIEL
P
erhaps one of the more well known blasphemous black metal bands born from the early 1990s, Norway’s Urgehal quickly rose to a universally regarded prominence in the scene. Albums such as 2011’s Atomkinder became instant classics and placed them forever in metal’s good graces. Urgehal have always stayed true to the message of black metal and never sacrificed musicianship or the evil spirit that resides in all of us for furthered success. Unfortunately, in May 2012, former vocalist and guitarist, Trondr Nefas, was found dead in one of his favorite places in the woods. It was tragic, but fitting, as “Urgehal” means an endless and dark forest where all the evil dwells. Guitarist Enzifer and drummer Uruz decided to press on and complete his dying work, Aeons in Sodom, which was released in February on Season Of Mist. “[The album was] written long before Trondr died, and we had also made a demo recording of the whole album,” says Enzifer. “Therefore, we felt confident in keeping every little detail intact. Trondr wrote ‘The Iron Children,’
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‘The Sulphur Black Haze,’ ‘Norwegian Blood and Crystal Lakes,’ and ‘Psychedelic Evil.’ He also came up with the name Aeons in Sodom. He composed, arranged, and wrote all the lyrics for his tracks. He even plays his eminent guitar solos on his tracks, which we took from the demo recording to keep his presence strong.” Truly a fitting swan song for Nefas and Urgehal as a whole, Aeons in Sodom is true, unrelenting, raw brutality. The music had been written, and the lyrics and the ancillary aspects of the album were also near completion; all that remained was the creation of a professional recording. “The album cover was also his idea, it was made before his death by the very talented Raduta Calin from Romania,” exclaims Enzifer. “We also used his introduction to what would eventually become the last Urgehal gig at Metal Mean Festival in Belgium of 2011 as the intro for the album. Both Uruz and me knew how much Trondr was looking forward to recording the album, so the least we could do is honor his memory and to mark the end of Urgehal. We owe him that, and I don’t think any of us would have found peace if we didn’t.”
Truly a work of art that will forever be remembered, Aeons in Sodom not only represents the band at their greatest, it also features a list of guests that read like a who’swho list of modern black metal. “Since Trondr never recorded the vocals for the album, getting one vocalist to replace him was out of the question,” Enzifer explains. “We got in touch with several of our closest comrades; they all showed total devotion and did a great performance.” A small sample of these well-regarded individuals includes Hoest of Taake and Deathcult, Nattefrost of Carpathian Forest, Niklas Kvarforth of Shining, Nag of Tsjuder, and Sorath of Hagl. Some, like Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone, had very unique ways of recording. “[Nocturno Culto] didn’t want to hear the song or read the lyrics before he entered the studio,” Enzifer recalls. “I just met him there. He listened to the track while reading the lyrics, and then, recorded the whole thing. It was quite impressive.” So, what does the future hold for Enzifer? “Uruz and I have talked about starting something new with other member [of
our circle], Hønefoss Militsen, but nothing is final. Time will show, but it won’t be anything like this album,” he assures. In the meantime? “Uruz is busy with Swedish black metal masters, Craft, and also another band called Saint Deamon. I’m busy recording the last Beastcraft album, and I’m also playing with Orcustus.” Though Aeons in Sodom mark’s Urgehal’s farewell, there will be several final performances to serve as a send-off for the band. “We will play a memorial show together with Trondr’s other two bands he had when he passed, Beastcraft and Endezzma, at Vulkan Arena in Oslo, Norway, on May 13. This will be a special ceremony with all the respective vocalists on the album.” This concert will truly be one for the record books; hopefully, those who cannot attend will see a DVD or Bluray release in the near future.
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Enzifer concludes, “Hail Nefas! Gone, but never forgotten.”