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July 24, 2008 |
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Nordavinden Lien
February 15, 2005
By Marty Ogilvie
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BLOODAXE was formed on May 17, 2000 in Thunder Bay, Ontario by Nordavinden Lien (guitars, bass, piano, and vocals). After several setbacks, Nordavinden was finally able to release BLOODAXE's second full length album, entitled "Raping The Ancient". The album is cold, brutal, chilling, and harsh - a true Norweigan Black/Viking metal feast for those who aren't into the more orchestrated metal of today. A man of true conviciton, Nordavinden agreed to share his thoughts with METALEATER.
The music business is fraught with paradox (music - business). The big one is to "get popular, you have to get played. But, the radio/video stations won't play you until you're popular". Extreme music is a major victim of this. What has to be done to get extreme music to the masses?
Well, this interview is a great start. It's good for an underground extreme band like BLOODAXE to get exposure through a site such as METALEATER. However, I believe "the Masses" aren't ready, or for that matter, really interested in the extremities of metal. The good thing about being independent and underground is the ability to have control and send your music wherever you want. I've been sending BLOODAXE into more "mainstream" zines, mags, radio...fuck, even Christian radio (laughs) - pretty funny the reactions sometimes. That's the most important thing to me is to get the reaction. Whether you like BLOODAXE or not...you will notice BLOODAXE.
The artwork for your latest album, "Raping The Ancient", really compliments the music. How did the artwork become the cover of the album?
I spend a lot of time surfing the net looking for artists and artwork. I came across this site called Westgate Necromantic - insane artwork that deals mostly with death. The artist's name is Leilah Wendell...a great artist...also the author of a great many occult books. She lives in New Orleans, a place I've always wanted to go...actually the day she received her copy of "Raping The Ancient", it snowed in New Orleans for the first time in over 25 years!!
There are many references to nature and the elements in your lyrics. How do the elements affect your music and songwriting?
The elements are all around me, more than I would like most times. Here in Northern Ontario, the weather is some of the most extreme in the world. It changes every 5 minutes. Honestly I have little respect for humanity, but nature is something that I admire and RESPECT. It's more violent than anything man could ever create, and at the same time, emits great beauty. The track "Superior Winds" deals with the strength of the wind. Also there's a line in the lyrics referring to the "Witches of November". The "Witches of November" is a weather phenomenon that occurs on Lake Superior, almost a perfect storm scenario. It's responsible for taking the "Edmund Fitzgerald" to its grave. Gordon Lightfoot used the term "Gales of November" when he immortalized this tragedy in song. Living in Thunder Bay you are drawn towards the great lake...it almost beckons you. It creates its own weather systems. A lot of time the fog rolls in here and you can't see anything.
We get snow in July and rain in December. Weather affects our moods and our bodies. Everything is tied to the weather.
The lyrical content of the album is based on history. What is it about the past that is so appealing to you as a songwriter?
Being an ethnic Norwegian, growing up and living in Canada, I was always confused. I knew I was Norwegian but was also Canadian. As we all know the Canadian identity has always been a confusing issue. So of course I always gravitated towards the Norwegian aspect. The Viking history is part of my culture and heritage. By looking into my heritage and the past I have found out who I am, and who my ancestors were. I have a strong connection to my Norwegian past. I have my family tree going back almost 1000 years. I am planning on studying Viking Society and fieldwork at the Gotland University in Sweden sometime in the future. I would then like to come back to Canada and teach the children of our country the truth - that the Vikings were not only the discoverers of this country, but also the founders and first settlers.
I remember reading a line about Loki, a major deity in the Norse pantheon, that went "Loki has no need for hammer nor spear as he has the powerful gift of speech". On your album, "Loki's Fury" is an instrumental. Were you tempted to add vocals to the song seeing as Loki's ability to influence others by his words was such an integral part of who he was?
No. To me music is more powerful than words. The fact that maybe you expected to hear vocals is also something that Loki would be proud of because he was also a trickster!
In the song "Thirteen Oars Of Misfortune", you mention Odin, who is the God of War and Death, but also the God of Poetry and Wisdom. That's quite a dichotomy. Do you see parallels between Odin and extreme music/musicians?
Some of the greatest poetry ever written has been written about war, during war and after war, and you need great wisdom to be a great warrior. Immense beauty has come in the aftermath of wars. Some say Odin was an actual king that lived and ruled in Russia. The parallels are there of course, especially in Black Metal. However, I think most don't see the real connection - they use it as "the troo" thing to do. Odin has become bastardized by many who really don't have an understanding. This is something that "Raping The Ancient" addresses...the rape of the Norse culture!
You are BLOODAXE, and you have done mostly everything by yourself from the writing, playing, to the promotion. Would you consider expanding BLOODAXE to include other musicians?
I never intended BLOODAXE to be this way, but coming from a place like Geraldton, Ontario, (population: 10) and now living in place where there's not much more to pick from musician-wise, it's tough to find people to play. I've been looking, but this is only for live musicians for right now. Some people see 2-member bands as being egotistical, but as I have said before, a lot of times it's out of necessity.
The album was just released at the end of 2004. What's next for BLOODAXE?
The next album will be entitled "For Those Who Hunt The Wounded Down" and the writing is almost complete. The cover art is done by a Canadian artist Tony Mesiatowsky. Production will be better and everything all around will be supreme. I appreciate this interview, Marty. Support the Force from the North!! Don't fuck with a Canuck!! Be sure to get BLOODAXE's "Raping The Ancient"! [FIN]
» Official BLOODAXE Website
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