One project that has been overlooked in my opinion is Germany’s Skjaldborg but in some regards it does make sense. The debut album (“Todgeweiht”) was released way back in 2014 and it has been quiet since then…. until now. “Krieg Liegt Mir Im Blut” was released in January and picks up where “Todgeweiht” left off with some new tangents while keeping to the original sound. Main member Virus answered some questions for us regarding the album, the writing process, the struggle to get the album completed and some other items of note….check it out….

In My Blood

Congrats on your epic 2^nd album “Krieg Liegt Mir Im Blut”… how have the fans reacted to it so far?
“Till now, only positive reactions. For some people, the drum computer on the “Todgeweiht“ CD was a negative issue. This time a friend of mine played them live.”
I can’t believe it has been 7 years since your debut “Todgeweiht”……what has the last 7 years been like in getting to the new album?
“2014-2015 I had nearly 20 minutes of  the new material composed. But then some different things in my private life changed. Finding time (or the creativity) to continue with composing was difficult. In the end of 2018 I focused again on my music and modified the old songs, because some parts weren’t good for me anymore. The songwriting was finished in April 2020. I still have the same job since 2013. That means, I’m approximately 50-70 days per year on some machine-installations worldwide.”

Similarities

What did you hope to achieve either similarly or differently than “Todgeweiht”? Did you want the tracks to still be of similar style or did you want to try a make them take different directions? Were you mindful of the style of the debut and tried to make sure that there was a connection to it?
“Because I compose like on the first album, I think the songs sound similar. This time I wanted to use more clear vocals and this will be also present on the next album or split CD.”

I feel that from a description point of view that Satyricon comes to mind… Are they an influence at all? What acts are your biggest influence?
“Sure I have some Satyricon CD’s at home, they made some great songs! Difficult so say, what are my biggest influences. I listen to many bands, most of the time black / pagan / viking metal. But often also neofolk. I prefer melodic songs, that´s also what i want to create/compose.”

Death

Has your song writing style/methodology changed at all? How many tracks did you have in the works for the album?
“No, it´s the same like 2013. I compose my songs with the keyboard. Programming the different instruments and at the end I write the lyrics.”
How does your life outside Skjaldborg effect your writing and recording schedule?
“When I’m at home and in the mood, I try to jam on the keyboard. Since all the years: composing music is a hobby, not the only one.”

I sensed that there may have been a central theme to the album, am I right? If so, could you describe/explain the theme?
“The main topic is “death“ in different ways… for example: going and getting killed on the battlefield, sentenced to a suicide commando in war, destroying all things on earth (not only the human race), committing suicide, and other stuff. The album title means not that I support war. In my opinion the human race has violence and war in their blood/genes. There is nearly no culture without violence acting to other humans. War will be always a topic in the human history.”
You have still opted for lyrics in your native German….any temptation to do English? Do you feel that it wouldn’t quite work for one reason or another?
“My mother language is German and I want to write the lyrics in this language. Of course I feel also more familiar writing lyrics in German then in English. I don´t care if people understand my lyrics or not. So there is no reason to write in English.”

Live

How has the pandemic affected you either personally or professionally?
“Sadly for my private life it has been been badly affected. The songwriting process was not affected.”

Has there ever been a thought of having members to perform live or even from a recording/writing point of view? Do you prefer doing things on your own with your own time frame and independence?
“There are no plans for performing my music live. It was and it will be always a studio project from myself for myself. I´m not able to play all the instruments by myself, so different studio musicians will be also always a part of Skjaldborg.”

Do you have any sort of plan for this year and forward with Skjaldborg or do you do things as they feel right?
“Nearly 20 minutes of new material are composed. I hope i can finish the songs this time earlier (laughing).”

Closing thoughts?
“Thanks for your interest in my music and of course thanks to all the people which support me with listening and buying my music through the last years. Cheers.”

By: Jeff