1349
Formed: 1997
From:
Oslo,
Norway
Last Known Status: Active
Background
1349, named for the year the plague hit Norway in the 14th Century, found immediate cult status with the recording and release of their self-titled mini-album in 2001. Word of mouth spread like the plague about the band's musical offering, and Frost, who initially joined the group as a session musician, would later ask to become a permanent member. Vocalist Ravn, guitarists Tjalve and Archaon, and bassist Seidemann agreed and 1349 was complete. The band signed to Candlelight Records in late 2002.
1349 Interviews and Features
Below are our features and interviews with 1349.
Interview
1349 Illuminates "The Infernal Pathway"
Over the course of metal history, certain places have become synonymous with particular sub-genres. One immediately thinks of thrash metal when the Bay Area is mentioned, or Florida whenever the topic of death metal comes up and there can be no doubting that when it comes to black metal, Norway is the spiritual home of the genre.
Though mostly known for its earlier bands such as Mayhem, Darkthrone, Emperor etc., the country continued to produce high quality black metal bands throughout the nineties and probably still to do this day, with one of the most revered latter decade bands being born under the name 1349. Over twenty years since their genesis, 1349 are still releasing intense and challenging music with a live show to match. It was at one of these performances, where they shared the stage with fellow Norwegian black metal kingpin Abbath, that I caught up with the band's bass player Tor Risdal "Seidemann" Stavenes, to discuss the group's latest album, "The Infernal Pathway," their early days and more. You watch the interview in full below.
Diamond Oz: Straight into it you're on tour right now with Abbath, as well as Vltimas and Nuclear. How did this lineup come about?
Seidemann: Well, to be honest we were asked to join as part of a package so the lineup was more or less set up by the time we actually joined. It's Abbath, which is great and there's Vltimas, who are "up and coming" kind of new but kind of not, they're all experienced doing great stuff and then of course there's 1349 and we're also experienced doing great stuff, if I say so myself! There's also Nuclear who are also experienced dudes doing great, South American proper metal, so it's a fantastic package and it goes really well together. It's a bit, for everyone. Not just pure black or pure death metal. It's good to have that variation.
Oz: Yeah, it's an exciting time to see 1349 as well because obviously you've just released, "The Infernal Pathway," which is a really strong album. I've seen a lot of people say it's the best one since "Hellfire."
Seidemann: The thing is, when you're in a band for a while you realise that you've always got to do better than what you've done before. "Hellfire" was fantastic but I love all our albums, but we always moved on and tried to top whatever we did before. We have to top it otherwise why? Even Motorhead, they did the same album consistently and it was good because it was Motorhead, but we can't do that, we have to move on and push on and we have to grow as people and musicians and get better. You have to know that what you're going to do next is going to top what you've already done otherwise what's the point? If you've peaked then maybe that's it, maybe you shouldn't do anything and that's why it takes a bit of time for us to do records now apart from all the real life bullshit.More...
Interview
Nidingr: "Blood, Murder, Evil"
The mere thought of Norwegian black metal conjures up thoughts of darkness, evil, arrests, blistering headbanging chaos, church burnings, death and destruction.
Thankfully, some Scandinavian acts still live up to that billing. Nidingr, a Norwegian black metal supergroup of sorts, is one.
The band – made up of 1340/Gorgoroth/Ov Hell guitarist Teloch, Immortal/Mayhem drummer Hellhammer, guitarist Blargh and vocalist Captain Estrella Grassa – has been in existence in one form or another for 15 years. But the band has played only a handful of live gigs, has no plans for any U.S. or European tours and recorded its second eardrum-shattering assault, “Wolf Father,” in Norway - amazingly without all members ever being together in the studio.
Guitarist Teloch, who recently added to his workload by joining the latest incarnation of Mayhem, took a few minutes from his home in Oslo to talk about replacing drum machines with live musicians, getting arrested for pissing on a castle with Norwegian metal overlord Garm and the meaning of the band’s name (hint: it’s got something to do with Norse mythology).
And there’s an offensive joke thrown in for good measure. Enjoy. More...