Interview conducted by Naberius with Droom (guitar, bass, and drums) of Ilvestgrol.
-Naberius-
-Droom-
Who makes up Ilvestgrol and how did Ilvestgrol get started?
Ilvestgrol consists of Yersinia Pestis and myself, Droom. Yersinia and I have known each other for less than two years but we are like brothers. We have different personalities and tastes in music but we knew we had a common interest in making diverse metal music. So we started writing songs, off and on, since 2002. I moved to various places last year (Alaska and Norway) but when I moved back to California, we realized that there was a big interest in some demos we made in 2002, so we decided to dedicate ourselves full time.
I see that you prefer to call yourselves, "Wasteland Metal." Why is this and descibe your music to someone that has never heard it.
Yes, we play Wasteland Metal which consists of the music, sound, and style we choose to play. We have influences from alternative rock (my influences), black, thrash, and industrial (Yersinia's influences.) But we really focus on our own style which is quite evident on our songs online.
As to someone that hasn't heard our music, I'd say we have a raw, rockin', and dirty style of metal with a punk attitude and alt rock song structures.
Does Ilvestgrol stand for anything? Or is it just "sex, drugs, and black metal?"
To me, Ilvestgrol stands for individuality and excess. We do what we want and that goes with the music, personality, and even presentation. We are also into excess. Life is short and we encourage people to whatever they want if it makes them feel good. Yersinia drinks more than anyone I have ever seen but he can spit out vocals each time perfectly. I have a fetish with large, obese women and I am very happy with that. I would say, "sex, drugs, and wasteland metal."
I also see that you have live events planned. How are you managing to do that with only two members?
We are a two member band but we have already enlisted session musicians for live shows, which we are planning for this summer and beyond. We have along term bassist who just might join the band in the near future. We also have a short term drummer who is a good friend of ours but is also commited to other projects. Ilvestgrol is Yersinia and I but live shows are very important and we are also open to having other musicians join if they are as commited as we are.
What releases do you have out and where could one find them?
We have a demo out on CD called "Wastelands," and people can buy it at Amoeba Music in San Francisco or online at blackmetal.com now and redstream.org (after 4/30/05.) We also have 4 four songs from our demo available for listening or download on our site (,myspace.com/ilvestrgol.)
What are the immediate plans for Ilvestgrol? For the future?
Our main desire is both live shows and recording new music with better equipment. We are also planning stickers, t-shirts, and other mercahndise. I would like to have another demo out by May 19th or at least four new songs online.
You do all of the instruments on "Wastelands," correct? What is that like? Is it a pain in the ass or do you prefer it that way?
Yes, I do drums, bass, and guitar. Yersinia focuses on vocals but he also holds an important part of the song writing. I am always writing parts but Yersinia is very picky and particular about our music so all music has to be approved by him, which challenges me in a positive way. If Yersinia doesn't like a part, he always has a good idea to change it and make it better.
I like this format, as we have quite different tastes in music and are quite different people. But that's what makes writing and playing music together work for us.
Do you write all of the music or does Yersinia Pestis lend a hand?
I introduce the music and parts and Yersinia appoves it or offers alternatives to make it sound better.
Any words for the "elite kvltists" that will absolutely hate Ilvestgrol's music?
Well, I'm sure people are going to realize that we aren't trying to be cult black metal. We don't even consider ourselves black metal. But I understand why the "elite kvltists" might hate us. However, we aren't trying to sound necro, cult, or grim. Those aren't my main influences. I would say that At the Drive In is more of an inspiration to me than Darkthrone. We don't wear traditional corpsepaint and we don't have grey covers with pictures of us in forests. While the vocals have a black metal sound, the music does not. As for the demo and songs online, it is a mixed reaction. Some people think we are brutal and some people consider us catchy and commercial orientated.
Any other closing thoughts for this interview?
I just want to thank Tongue of the Wolf for the interest and opportunity to do our first interview. We also want to thank all of the people, so far, that have supported us and have encouraged us to continue music. Ilvestgrol plans on recording, touring, and making lots of merchandise so stay in touch with us at myspace.com/ilvestgrol. Wasteland hails. - Droom of Ilvestgrol