Nomans Land – From Russia To Unknown Lands
In a folk and pagan metal scene dominated by Scandinavian bands, Russia's Nomans Land is a rare bird indeed. Their latest release, Hammerfrost, earned them rave reviews and set them on to rout for viking-metal stardom. Although it took them some-time, Nomans Land has earned recognition around the world, including Israel. And now, straight from Saint Petersburg came the answers regarding the band, its music and their near future.
First of all, please tell us a little about Nomans Land's biography and the members behind it.
Nomans Land was founded in 1996 in Saint Petersburg. At the beginning, the music sounded something like doom- metal. By that time, when the first album material was ready, we gained influences by Nordic-folk melodies, besides that, the heaviness of the sound didn't decrease. Without thinking very long, we gave up the demo-recording idea at the material to be done, and approached the creation of a new one, in Viking-folk style. While we made this new material, the front-line of the band was changed. In spite of the front-line problems only in 1999, Nomans Land did its first gig. In the same year, we also signed our first contract with Saint-Petersburg label "Fono", for the debut album "The Lost Son Of The Fjord" release.
After the release, Nomans Land were hailed as the pioneers of Viking-metal in Russia. By the year of 2003 the material for the second album was totally ready, and it was recorded and called "Hammerfrost". By that time, the situation with Fono became worse, and Nomans Land began searching a new label for the "Hammerfrost" release. After some time passed, we accepted the offering of German label "Enhite-Produktionen". In 2005, Hammerfrost" was released in European countries. Summer 2005 Nomans Land participated in "Ultima Ratio" German fest.
In the last few years we see more and more Viking/folk metal bands that emerges from Russia, bands such as Butterfly Temple, Arkona and yourselves and I think it's great, but what do you think is the reason that people have only got to know bands from the Russian scene in the last few years and not before?
The reason is that some bands become more professional than they were earlier. Some time ago, it was very difficult for Russian band to record with a good sound quality and to release it at any label. But these days, the situation improves.
You played a show in St. Petersburg together with Finnish Viking metal giants Moonsorrow. How did you feel playing along a band as big as Moonsorrow?
Yes, we performed with Moonsorrow. It's a pity; we had no opportunity to talk with the Moonsorrow people. I'm sure they are excellent guys. I can only say that the sound at the whole concert was awful. It was just something like FUCKING noise! It happens often at rock and metal gigs in Saint-Petersburg. The reasons are: lack of sound tools and sound operators abilities. For Nomans Land every gig is important, no reason, what stage and bands we perform with.
"Hammerfrost" won a lot of praises by reviewers in different magazines, and I agree it's good, but do you think it could have been better?
We are satisfied with our album, and the press reviews. Yes, while we recorded it, it was the thing we have been waiting for so long.
What does the name "Nomans Land" mean to you? why did you choose this particular name?
In the Viking epoch, the time of great quests and invasions, northern warriors were discoverers of new lands. Nomans Land for every one of us is a country, which wasn't discovered fully, and with every gig, with every album we release it for ourselves further and further. For our listeners, Nomans Land is also terra incognita, which opens for them with every listened song.
Who in the band is the main force behind the lyrics writing in your albums?
The lyrics are my affair. In our every song we tell about Great War campaigns of northern warriors, about northern Gods and amazing Scandinavian nature. Text songs are just little epic tales. One of them brings you in Asguard, where noble warriors celebrating, other can tell you about Hjell, the third one talks to you about famous heroes and their victories.
What can you tell us about the songs writing process?
It's very difficult and important process for all of us. We always make songs in such way that every song can burn fire in heart of each member. A song would born at the moment, also, it would happen, that we should think more and change a composition, till the moment, it would satisfy all of us.
Your label, Einheit Produktionen is located in Europe, Germany to be exact, and you're far away in Russia. Why did you choose that label not a local Russian metal label?
After album recording, we have been thinking very long, who will release it. In Russia, nobody may be trusted for releasing, just no reason. And we are pleased; we signed the contract with "Einheit Produktionen". We are satisfied cooperating with them. In compare with Russian metal bands, and it same label tried to make promotion of any deals in that direction, they would get very bad condition. They have very little apportunities, because Russia is pop-music country, and the country of Russian shanson (jail music of soviet prisoners). Einhite-Produktionen works proficient, with its work.
Are you currently working on your third album? is it going to continue the "Hammerfrost" style or it's going to be different?
Yes, we are working over the third album material. I can tell, that it will not be like Hammerfrost". More powerfull and heavier. It's almost ready, and clearly, it will be more killing, than the pervious one. And it will also be Viking Metal!
Are the lyrics in your songs influenced from something else other than Scandinavian mythology and history?
Scandinavia inspires us. Its nature and mythology. It's history. Nothing more.
Some people find it weird for non-scandinavian bands to play music that is influenced by scandinavian mythology/history and music. As a member of a band from Russia, what do you think about it?
We just feel music and see it in such way. It's our inner world. Some time had passed from the moment band's creation and coming up to Viking metal. The reason is that, we needed time, in order to understand the way, our music to be created. No hesitation, it must be Viking-metal. And that's what lives inside of us.
Where was "Hammerfrost" recorded? can you tell us a thing or two about something that occurred during the recordings?
"Hammerfrost" was recorded at Callypso Studio in Saint-Petersburg. For some of us, it was the first studio experience. It was really hard job, but we made it.
Are you or anybody else in the band is involved in a side project?
No!
To what music do you listen the most? any favoured artists?
We listen metal. I know, everybody likes SLAYER. All music, that we listen, is rock or metal culture.
Do you have any plans for touring the world any time soon?
In Aril we will have a concert at "Ragnaroek" fest in Germany. It's possible we will visit same more places, and, of course, we are planning the third album release.
