Interviews: Vakaren

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Black Metal band Vakaren from Sweden and the USA. Check out the interview and follow the band on their INSTAGRAM PROFILE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it, or came out just like that?

Vakaren translates to "Watcher" in English. The original concept for the band was to write songs through the eyes of somebody who was watching their world disintegrate. This all can be a metaphor for whatever you like of course, the apocalypse, mental illness, etc. but that is what provides us with the ability to focus on different subjects simultaneously in an album.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Black Metal is a genre that all original and present members of the band share an interest in. It was a natural progression to begin our own project in this style of music. There are almost limitless directions that Black Metal allows for, for example, there are bands like Arizmenda that sound totally different from bands like Archgoat. We have freedom here.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

The original members of the band were all friends originally and the original members do involve themselves in writing music when they have something that they would like to express. Just because a member does not involve themselves in the writing process for a particular release does not mean that they are not allowed to participate in the writing or recording of the next release. Due to the revolving nature of musicians many friendships have been formed while in this band.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

The original members of Vakaren were inspired to start this band by bands such as Beketh Nexehmu and Arizmenda. The first demo that this band released was even dedicated to Ancient Records. The new musicians who participated in this writing process were heavily inspired by bands such as Watain and Bestial or War Metal groups like Archgoat.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

There is always a story to be told in one's own suffering or the suffering of others. This album just happened to coincide with a long lasting episode that affected one of the writers, everything just flowed naturally. Other times inspiration may come from other artists or old stories. It is always the goal to create a cohesive story musically and lyrically for each Vakaren album.

6. Where was your last gig?

Vakaren has never appeared live.

7. Where would you like to act?

Vakaren will never appear live due to the logistical constraints that surround this band.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

If Vakaren were ever to appear life we would like to perform alongside talented acts such as Lluvia, Lamp of Murmuur, or Arizmenda.

9. Whom not?

Vakaren ultimately rejects the culture of upcoming "pretty" sounding "Black Metal" acts.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Anxiety will give way to clarity once you enter the stage. Go with the flow.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Bands like Beketh Nexehmu, Arizmenda, Lluvia, and Gaerea provided quite a bit of inspiration for the Black Metal songs on this release. The more ambient tracks took a lot of inspiration from composers such as John Carpenter and Ben Lovett. Previous albums have taken inspiration from those aforementioned bands as well as Darkwave influences from She Past Away and Rope Sect.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Our followers typically do not ask for things.

13. What do you think of your fans?

We recognize that each person is on their own path and we are honored to walk with those who travel a similar path, be it forever or just for a short time. We have many individuals who have followed the band from its inception and they are always given priority when new material surfaces. We always try to reach out to longtime supporters with offers of strictly limited demos or rehearsals as well as extra pieces of band history with the orders of full-length albums.

14. What do you think of our site?

You guys do an amazing job of bringing forward underground bands to the greater public. The underground relies on publications such as yourself.

15. Something to add?

Thank you for your time and for reaching out to learn more about this experimental project called Vakaren. There will be new music sooner rather than later, there is never a shortage of ideas between the musicians involved in this project.