KOLDBORN - Interview

KOLDBORN is one of the most original bands I have listen in a couple years. Their music are so great, and I think this guys have so many things to add to Death Metal scene, with their debute album, ”First Enslavement”. If you like extreme music, with some complex elements, KOLDBORN is for you. KREPUSKULUM interviewed Martin, throat man from KOLDBORN. 

By Thiago A. Sousa (Në¢rø¢åññïßaL)

THIAGO: Martin, thanks for taking your time. First, tell us how Koldborn was created?

Martin: Rasmus (drums) & Henrik (guitars) started out rehearsing in early 1997. They had both been in several less or more serious bands before. They wanted to go further with this project as they knew it was turning out good. Myself (martin, vocals) & a second guitarist whom I had been in another band for years earlier where asked to join Koldborn. We both gladly accepted & we started rehearsing seriously as a complete band. In the summer of 1999 we were ready to record our demotape “Blessed By Beyond” which was very well received by both magazines and listeners. That didn’t bring us a contract or any kind of deals with any record company – a concert six months later would. The Diehard guys were present & offered us the deal which has spawned “First Enslavement”. Our debut CD includes two of the songs from our five-track demo & we’re still really proud of our first (& only) tape.   

I heard some members of Koldborn has different side projects. Could you tell us a little bit about them?

Not side projects – other bands. Henrik plays in Hatesphere which is a total dedicated band & not “just” a side project. Henrik’s been involved in Human Erupt & Furious Trauma too. Kim (bass) is playing in a couple of not too serious bands besides Koldborn, I don’t even know any of their names. My own Strychnos is at rest for unknown time.

We have a great death metal scene in Brazil. Do you keep contact with some band/label/fan from here?

No - actually I haven’t any contacts in Braziil at all, I’m sure Rasmus does though. I know Krisiun & Abhorrent but not that many more, are there tons of new brutal death metal acts in Brazil? I know you’ve had an enormous death metal underground for years. 

On your homepage aswell as your e-mail address and a song from "First Enslavement" you mention Thanatos. Could you explain what it means and why you uses it so much?

In our lyrics Thanatos reflects the incarnation of death itself. Thanatos is death metal incarnate. Thanatos is known as the mythological Greek god of death. Sigmund Freud used it in the description of mankinds death drift -or lust towards combat & death. We’ve used Thanatos in a song title “The embrace of Thanatos” & that’s it.  

Are there any plans for playing live outside of Denmark? What can one expect from a KOLDBORN gig? Will we see a South American tour?              

We haven’t any plans for abroad live shows at the moment . When we go on stage we explode. Total aggression, fierce headbanging while still maintaining focus on & contact with the audience. We run amok when playing live, that’s the easiest way to put it.    

How do you think that Death Metal genre should be developed? I mean, do you think KOLDBORN has something new to offer to Deathbangers?

I must be honest and say I personally think “First enslavement” is one of the best & varied death metal releases in a long time. I’m a big fan of our music & I mean it when I say it kills! We mix pure death metal brutality with the aggression of thrash-, the melody of heavy- & the speed of grindcore metal in a fierce, intelligent & violent way. You’ll find everything in a blend on our debut in which we are very proud. I think we’ve released much more than just another average death metal record, I think we’ve released something which outlasts “just death metal”. I’m afraid of sounding like an asshole saying this, but I believe our debut CD is worth hearing more than just a couple of times, if you’re into any of the genres in extreme heavy metal I think you’ll like it too!

I think the release is a fresh breath in the genre & I feel we go beyond it too. Not meaning we’re totally unique &  original all of the time, but we deliver 10 solid, complex tracks. I think the biggest contribution we bring is recognizable songs in a brutal manner. The tracks are highly different in tempo & expression, musically as well as lyrically. Our debut will not revolutionize anything in the scene but I believe extreme metalfans in general (will) think our music is cool. Here in Denmark all of the new-metal-bull is really big & I think we show that the “old” death metal genre can be 100% modern & up to date – just without the bull. 

I believe that the lyrical content from KOLDBORN is excellent, and I'd like to congratulate the band for that. Why put feminine vocals in the music "In Breathless Sighs" and what was the concept that the band tried to show in that song?

Thank you for your positive words – I write the lyrics, so I’m very proud of you claiming them excellent. The female vocals suited that particular song very well & we weren’t really trying to be different  or “showing something”. Slow song, heavy riffing… why not try with high pitched, fragile female voice. I think it sounds wicked!

Still talking about the lyrical shit, where does the band look for inspiration to compose them? Sincerely KOLDBORN was one of the most intelligent bands than I heard in the last times.

I thank you again for your comments on our lyrics. I’m inspired by many different things; music, books. poems, film etc. etc. The biggest source of inspiration lies beneath the mysteries of death – what lies beyond. This maintains our focus on the basal ingredient of Death Metal. This focus claims to be transcript through cryptic tales in deaths twisted realm.   

What do you think about religion, specially Christianity?

Christianity is still plaguing Denmark in the not cool way. It’s weak, not relevant & total stupidity. Why support an outdated God to which no sane people will ever kneel? I see organized religion as weak lambs gathering around feeble cries. “INRI means shit to me – All I want is Christ to bleed”                   

Martin, thanks for this interview. I want that KOLDBORN be recognized as a marvelous band as it really is. Your final words, please!

Martin: I thank you for this interview, your positive words & your support in Koldborn. Hope your readers will check out our “First Enslavement” debut CD, I think it’s worth it.

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Contacts: band - thanatos@koldborn.dk / www.koldborn.dk , label - diehard@diehardmusic.com / www.diehardmusic.com