Valencia ‘N’Metal Around The World closes the Metal Season with one of the interviews I most wanted to conduct: the Norwegian band JORDSJUK.
So, after contacting with their leader and drummer, Eirik Renton, he happily agreed to answer my questions (I believe this is the first Spanish portal to show interest in them). And here’s what he told me. Enjoy it and Viva La Apocalypse.
Kat: First of all, thanks you so much to get a little time to answer to my questions. So let’s begin.
Jordsjuk is a band that formed in 2023. Who created this project? Who are the members today?
Eirik Renton: Jordsjuk consists of me, Renton, on drums; Sagstad on guitars; Larsen on bass; and Mannevond on vocals. I had been carrying the idea for this band for many years, and a few years ago I finally decided to bring it to life. In 2023, the lineup came together, and Jordsjuk was born.
K: Although Jordsjuk is considered a new band, we can’t be said of its members, because each and every one of you has been in the scene for many years and has been or is in important bands on the current Norwegian scene. So, with all the experience you’ve accumulated, and in some cases in completely different styles, what are you looking to explore musically in Jordsjuk that you still have yet to achieve?
Eirik Renton: For many years, I’ve wanted to create more hard-hitting Black Metal where the focus is purely on the riff: simple and direct. Black Metal often becomes very atmospheric with tons of unnecessary elements, and the riff loses its central role. We wanted to return to the Extreme Metal sound of the ‘90s and early 2000s, when the riffs were the driving force. So, our music is free from lead guitars, soloes, atmospheric layering. Just catchy simple riff-based metal in is pure form. We’d been talking about this idea among the band members for years, and during the pandemic, I finally had the time to write songs and turn the concept into reality. The result is something that stands apart from our other projects, both in sound and in intent.
K: Wow, it is very interesting. I’ve seen Jordsjuk described as Black Metal in a very general way, but after listening to you, I can hear nuances of other genres, like hints of Death, touches of Thrash and even the occasional Punk nod. Do you agree?
Eirik Renton: Yeah, absolutely. I wouldn’t really call it pure Black Metal. Sometimes we refer to it as Blackened Metal instead. We’re all fans of Punk, Rock, Death Metal and Thrash, so those influences naturally creep into the music. It wouldn’t be satisfying for us to limit ourselves to a single style.
K.: I see. So could you be described as Contemporary Black Metal or do you honestly ignore tags?
Eirik Renton: We’ve thought about this quite a bit, because people always want labels, and these days, so do the algorithms. In a perfect world, we wouldn’t have any tags at all, just the music speaking for itself. But I guess in today’s landscape, you almost have to use them. So, while we don’t obsess over labels, we accept that they’re part of how music is discovered.
K: That’s a good answer. One thing that’s clear is that Jordsjuk’s sound is very heterogeneous due to all the aforementioned nuances, that makes the whole sound blows very unique and singular. Was this result intentional or fortuitous?
Eirik Renton: It came very naturally to us. We didn’t sit down and plan to include all these different elements: it just happens when we write. The riffs and rhythms come from our souls, shaped by the music we’ve been listening to for the past 30 years. Speaking of the upcoming album, what ‘was’ intentional, though, was making sure the album had a good mix of fast, mid-tempo and slow songs, so the listener gets a dynamic and engaging ride from start to finish.
K: I am very anxious to listen the album! So, talking about the lyrics, do you all contribute ideas, or is there just one person responsible for this? What topics do you usually write about?
Eirik Renton: I wrote both the music and the lyrics for our EP and the upcoming album. The lyrics are quite introspective and raw, dealing with themes like hopelessness and despair. Often reflecting unhealthy mental thought patterns, personal trauma, and societal decay.
K: Very deeply themes, yes.. The songs are sung in Norwegian, something I particularly like very much. Do you think your Mother Tongue gives to your songs more power than the overused English?
Eirik Renton: Absolutely. It would feel fake to write these kinds of lyrics in any language other than our Mother Tongue. English lyrics from Norwegian bands often feel like clichés to me, and we wanted to avoid that completely. Writing in Norwegian allows us to express exactly what we mean, with the right tone and nuance: it gives the songs the authenticity that simply wouldn’t come through in English.
K: Totally agree. But, have you considered translating the lyrics in the booklet of your upcoming debut album ‘Naglet til Livet’ into English, as Koldbrann did on their highly acclaimed latest album ‘Ingen Skånsel’?
Eirik Renton: That’s a good idea. I will consider doing that!
K: Thanks! Very appreciated to consider! When Jordsjuk started, was it clear that Mannevond was going to be in charge of the lead vocals or were other names considered?
Eirik Renton: When Jordsjuk started, it was clear to me that Mannevond would be the lead vocalist: it was either him or no one. My vision for the band was crystal clear: Mannevond on vocals and Sagstad on guitars. Without them, Jordsjuk simply wouldn’t exist. They’re close friends and extraordinary musicians who bring exactly what the band needs.
K: Of course! I haven’t had the chance to see Mannevond live with Koldbrann yet, but I did see Sagstad on TrollfesT (you were still behind the kit) and Nordjevel, and he’s a virtuous on the strings.
Record-wise, you’ve released several singles from 2023 up to your EP ‘Råtner på Rot’ in 2024. Now, specifically on September 19th. you’ll release your long-awaited debut album ‘Naglet til Livet’, from which you’ve already previewed three powerful singles: ‘Rennestein’, ‘Grovt Skadeverk’, and ‘Parasitt’. Having listened to both the EP and the three singles tons of times, I have to say that I notice some musical differences, as the EP seems to advocate for a more classic sound within Black Metal, while the debut singles seem to be looking for a faster or even dirtier tone. Would you agree?
Eirik Renton: Yes, there are definitely some differences between the EP and the album. We recorded the drums for each in different studios and worked with different mixing and mastering engineers. The EP was mixed by Jaime Gómez Arellano (NdR: the owner of the Orgone Studios, in London), while the album and singles were mixed by Kurt Ballou (NdR: recording engineer and owner of Godcity Recording Studio in in Massachusetts) so they each have their own distinct sonic signature.
The album songs were written after the EP’s release and show a stronger focus on variation and dynamics. I believe both the album and the singles reflect a more confident band, musically and artistically.
K: So, can we considerer that would there be any kind of difference between your EP ‘Råtner på Rot’ and ‘Naglet til Livet’ in terms of musical composition or would it be a natural evolution?
Eirik Renton: The album definitely shows more variation. It includes some slower tracks, some pretty extreme songs, and everything in between. We’ve put much more work into the album songs compared to the EP, from songwriting and rehearsing to pre-production. A huge amount of time and effort has gone into making this upcoming album the best it can be.
Jordsjuk: Eirik Renton, Mannevond, Birger Larsen, J. Espen Sagstad (by Merethe Brattensborg, Indie Records)
K: Let’s talk now about the live performances. Jordsjuk debuted at the third edition of Orgivm Satanicvm in 2024, if my information is correct. You’ve since played more shows in Norway and on August 13th-16th, you’ll be at the new edition of the Midgardsblot festival alongside Benediction, Mork, Hypocrisy and Mayhem. How does it feel to be able to share the stage alongside with one of the pioneers of Norwegian Black Metal as Mayhem?
Eirik Renton: That’s really cool. Mayhem is one of my favorite bands. De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas and Grand Declaration of War are still some of my all-time favorite albums. It’s truly an honor to share the stage with them at Midgardsblot.
We’ve also booked several shows across Norway in the coming months, and we’re really looking forward to bringing our songs live to the audience.
K: I suppose with the release of your debut album, ‘Naglet til Livet’, you’ll already have tour dates locked yet, as you said before. But with members who are in other important bands like Koldbrann or TrollfesT, is it difficult to coordinate schedules or do you just have to get organized?
Eirik Renton: So far, coordinating schedules hasn’t been a problem, and fingers crossed it stays that way. It mostly comes down to good planning and making sure we don’t release albums at the same time.
K: Yes, this it could be a problem. And have you already thought about crossing your borders and visiting Europe, maybe Spain (this would make me very happy), USA or Latin America?
Eirik Renton: We very much hope so. If the readers of this interview want to see us, ask you local promotor or your favorite festival to book us. We are more than ready!
K: Great to listen that! So, if you want to add anything else, go ahead!
Eirik Renton: Our new album Naglet til Livet will be released on September 19th. Please stream it like crazy, grab the vinyl or CD, and enjoy! Necro times need necro music!
K: We will do it. Thanks you so much for all.
JORDSJUK in RRSS
Bandcamp
https://jordsjuk.bandcamp.com/track/siste-skanse
https://www.facebook.com/jordsjuk
https://www.instagram.com/jordsjuk/
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/artist/1djKz8Y6CxZDmIOBf8oAnE
‘Siste Skanse’
‘Viva La Apocalypse’
Full Ep Råtner på Rot