![\"\"](\"https:\/\/katsf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/logo-300x221.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Valencia \u2018N\u2019Metal Around The World closes the Metal Season with one of the interviews I most wanted to conduct: the Norwegian band JORDSJUK<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n So, after contacting with their leader and drummer, Eirik Renton<\/strong>, he happily agreed to answer my questions (I believe this is the first Spanish portal to show interest in them). And here\u2019s what he told me. Enjoy it and Viva La Apocalypse.<\/span><\/p>\n Kat: First of all, thanks you so much to get a little time to answer to my questions. So let\u2019s begin.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Jordsjuk is a band that formed in 2023. Who created this project? Who are the members today?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: Jordsjuk<\/strong> consists of me, Renton<\/strong>, on drums; Sagstad<\/strong> on guitars; Larsen<\/strong> on bass; and Mannevond<\/strong> 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<\/strong> was born.<\/span><\/p>\n K: Although Jordsjuk is considered a new band, we can\u2019t 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\u2019ve 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: For many years, I\u2019ve 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 \u201890s 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\u2019d 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.<\/span><\/p>\n K: Wow, it is very interesting. I\u2019ve 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: Yeah, absolutely. I wouldn\u2019t really call it pure Black Metal. Sometimes we refer to it as Blackened Metal instead. We\u2019re all fans of Punk, Rock, Death Metal and Thrash, so those influences naturally creep into the music. It wouldn\u2019t be satisfying for us to limit ourselves to a single style.<\/span><\/p>\n K.: I see. So could you be described as Contemporary Black Metal or do you honestly ignore tags?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: We\u2019ve thought about this quite a bit, because people always want labels, and these days, so do the algorithms. In a perfect world, we wouldn\u2019t have any tags at all, just the music speaking for itself. But I guess in today\u2019s landscape, you almost have to use them. So, while we don\u2019t obsess over labels, we accept that they\u2019re part of how music is discovered.<\/span><\/p>\n K: That\u2019s a good answer. One thing that\u2019s clear is that Jordsjuk\u2019s 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: It came very naturally to us. We didn\u2019t 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\u2019ve been listening to for the past 30 years. Speaking of the upcoming album, what \u2018was<\/em>\u2019 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.<\/span><\/p>\n K: I am very anxious to listen the album! So, <\/em><\/strong>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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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 clich\u00e9s 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\u2019t come through in English.<\/span><\/p>\n K: Totally agree. But, <\/em><\/strong>have you considered translating the lyrics in the booklet of your upcoming debut album \u2018Naglet til Livet\u2019 into English, as Koldbrann did on their highly acclaimed latest album \u2018Ingen Sk\u00e5nsel\u2019?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: That\u2019s a good idea. I will consider doing that!<\/span><\/p>\n K: Thanks! Very appreciated to consider! <\/em><\/strong>When Jordsjuk started, was it clear that Mannevond was going to be in charge of the lead vocals or were other names considered?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: When Jordsjuk<\/strong> started, it was clear to me that Mannevond<\/strong> would be the lead vocalist: it was either him or no one. My vision for the band was crystal clear: Mannevond<\/strong> on vocals and Sagstad<\/strong> on guitars. Without them, Jordsjuk<\/strong> simply wouldn\u2019t exist. They\u2019re close friends and extraordinary musicians who bring exactly what the band needs.<\/span><\/p>\n K: Of course! I haven\u2019t 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\u2019s a virtuous on the strings.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Record-wise, you\u2019ve released several singles from 2023 up to your EP \u2018R\u00e5tner p\u00e5 Rot\u2019 in 2024. Now, specifically on September 19th<\/sup>. you\u2019ll release your long-awaited debut album \u2018Naglet til Livet\u2019, from which you\u2019ve already previewed three powerful singles: \u2018Rennestein\u2019, \u2018Grovt Skadeverk\u2019, and \u2018Parasitt\u2019. 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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 G\u00f3mez Arellano <\/strong>(NdR<\/em><\/strong>: the owner of the Orgone Studios, in London<\/em>), while the album and singles were mixed by Kurt Ballou<\/strong> (NdR<\/em><\/strong>: <\/em>recording engineer and owner of Godcity Recording Studio in<\/em> in Massachusetts<\/em>) so they each have their own distinct sonic signature.<\/span><\/p>\n The album songs were written after the EP\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n K: So, can we considerer that would there be any kind of difference between your EP \u2018R\u00e5tner p\u00e5 Rot\u2019 and \u2018Naglet til Livet\u2019 in terms of musical composition or would it be a natural evolution?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: The album definitely shows more variation. It includes some slower tracks, some pretty extreme songs, and everything in between. We\u2019ve 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.<\/span><\/p>\n Jordsjuk: Eirik Renton, Mannevond, Birger Larsen, J. Espen Sagstad (by Merethe Brattensborg, Indie Records)<\/strong><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n K: Let\u2019s talk now about the live performances. Jordsjuk debuted at the third edition of Orgivm Satanicvm in 2024, if my information is correct. You\u2019ve since played more shows in Norway and on August 13th<\/sup>-16th<\/sup>, you\u2019ll 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: That\u2019s really cool. Mayhem<\/strong> is one of my favorite bands. De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas<\/em> and Grand Declaration of War<\/em> are still some of my all-time favorite albums. It\u2019s truly an honor to share the stage with them at Midgardsblot<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve also booked several shows across Norway in the coming months, and we\u2019re really looking forward to bringing our songs live to the audience.<\/span><\/p>\n K: I suppose with the release of your debut album, \u2018Naglet til Livet\u2019, you\u2019ll 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: So far, coordinating schedules hasn\u2019t been a problem, and fingers crossed it stays that way. It mostly comes down to good planning and making sure we don\u2019t release albums at the same time.<\/span><\/p>\n 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?<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n 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!<\/span><\/p>\n K: Great to listen that! So, if you want to add anything else, go ahead!<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Eirik Renton: Our new album Naglet til Livet<\/em> will be released on September 19th<\/sup>. Please stream it like crazy, grab the vinyl or CD, and enjoy! Necro times need necro music!<\/span><\/p>\n K: We will do it. Thanks you so much for all.<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span>JORDSJUK<\/strong> in RRSS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Bandcamp<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/jordsjuk.bandcamp.com\/track\/siste-skanse<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/jordsjuk<\/a><\/p>\n Instagram<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jordsjuk\/<\/a><\/p>\n Spotify<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/katsf.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/foto-dins-entrevistaIndie-Records-photo-by-Merethe-Brattensborg-300x243.jpg\")