Vinterriket – המטאל של הטבע

Vinterriket is actually a one-man-show, featuring the talents of one Christoph Ziegler, a black metal artist who manages to create truly atmospheric and unique extreme metal. Probably upon hearing his creations you won't make them to be Metal at all, but if bands like Dargaard and Uruk-Hai or even the latest developments of Mortiis can be regarded as continuations of this genre, then there is no reason Christoph can't do it. After 10 years and many demos, splits and full albums, Christoph has been kind enough to elaborate upon his music and ideas, in a lengthy and in-depth interview.

To begin with, could you tell us a bit about how you started Vinterriket, and for what personal and social goals?

Well, the story/ history of Vinterriket is quite boring and nothing special, I think. I have started the whole project back in late 1996. In the early days the whole thing was very slow and I was not 100% behind it. The first demotape was released in early 2000 or in the end of 1999, I think. So it took 3 years to finish the stuff. This was mainly because of bad equipment and so on. After the release of the demo the whole thing became more serious and I totally focused on the project. Up ‘til now many EP's, CD's Demos and so on have been published on different labels around the globe. Too many stuff to mention, actually. Vinterriket was founded because of my endless love to the dark side of mother nature. I wanted to express my feelings and the way I see nature through this kind of art in order to satisfy myself. You know, principally I make music ONLY for myself, for nobody else! If others like the music, too: Ok. If not, I do not care at all. Of course it is great to see that many others share the same feelings, that many others have the same visions/ landscapes/ feelings inside when listening to the music of Vinterriket and that many others interpret my lyrics as I’d do myself. Then I see they got the point I want to express. Others listen to the stuff and they understand simply nothing what I wanted to express. But as I said: I do not care at all. Vinterriket is me and I am Vinterriket. No other members have been included in the past.

Do you think you have accomplished those goals throughout the years of Vinterriket’s existence?

I am of the opinion that I managed to express feelings throughout the years, yes. But there’s still much space to improve things. As already said above, I make music ONLY for myself, for nobody else. Because of that I do not care if I have reached any “goals” or something. I do what I want and I do it for myself. Well, when the music is finished I start to criticize myself: Things could always be done better. When I am listening to the final record I always thing that this and that could be better and things like that. I am a kind of perfectionist, I you know what I mean. But once a record is done I have to accept it. Otherwise it'd be an endless circle- I'd never been satisfied…. I'd like to change this and that and I'd never come to an end. Therefore I leave it as it is and I accept it.

I know you are the founder and owner of a label named Neodawn Productions. Can you tell us about your work there, and the reason for which it shut down?

Neodawn is officially closed since 01.03.2003 – completely and forever. The small mailorder has already been closed about a half year before, too. It was a cool time when I was running Neodawn. A lot of great releases have seen the light of day through Neodawn: Legion (SWE), Necroplasma (SWE), Crowhead (NOR), Bloodline (SWE), … But I came to a point where it was impossible to run Neodawn and Vinterriket together (at the same time) properly. It was clear that one of both had to be stopped. And, of course, I decided to stop Neodawn without even thinking about it. You know, time is strictly limited these days and the only thing I want to do is making music, nothing else. In the future I’ll totally concentrate on Vinterriket. I simply had no lust, no energy and no time for Neodawn anymore. This is the only reason why the label was shut down. There are a lot of rumors around about the closing,… But those mentioned reasons are the only explanation. All future- Vinterriket- releases will be out on other labels. We’ll see…

How did you get to join the Greek Black Metal band, Nocternity, as its keyboard player?

Yes, I am member of NOCTERNITY now. Here's the official press-statement: 31.08.2004
VINTERRIKET joined the mighty NOCTERNITY (GRE) on synths as a permanent member! All synth-parts on the next album will be created by VINTERRIKET. The yet untitled, upcoming CD will only be released if we're of the opinion that it is better than the "Onyx" masterpiece!

I "worked" for Nocternity two times in the past: The "Onyx" CD contains an Outro which has been created by Vinterriket and the "A fallen Unicorn" CD contains an Intro which has been composed by myself. I know them since many years now… and due to the fact that I have worked with them in the past, I joined 100% now.

How do you manage with the distance, since you come from Germany?

That will be no problem, I think. Internet makes it possible. I’ll create all the stuff over here, actually. That’s how we handled things in the past, too. We faced no problems so far. Of course we have to see how it’ll work out with the next album.

You have lately released your second split with Austrian Ambient band Uruk Hai. How did you get to work together?

URUK HAI asked me if I’d be interested to do a split and I agreed. On both split releases no new records are actually featured. Only older VINTERRIKET stuff. There’s not a big story behind the splits, actually.

How do you see the connection between your Black Metal inspired material and Uruk Hai’s electronic music?

70% of VINTERRIKET’s music is also pure dark, melancholic, depressive and desolate Ambient (synth-soundscapes), 30 % can be labeled as “grim, frost and symphonic Black Metal”. But I avoid the term Black Metal as good as I can. Vinterriket could be regarded as a "tribute to the dark side of nature", as nothing else. I am a "nature-child" so to speak. I am into the dark side of nature as I prefer to call it. There is nothing better to do than to be alone in nature, to feel the power, to get new inspiration and to feel the atmosphere. I am also a really winter- fanatic. It is my beloved season of the year. Cold, depressing, grim, cruel and desolate. It is the perfect season to get new inspiration for Vinterriket! There is nothing better than to make long wanderings through deep, snowy and mysterious winter-forests, through misty valleys in winter or upon majestic snow-covered endless landscapes. It is an amazing feeling when coldness is slowly crawling through your veins and when winterstorms are crushing in your face with all their strength and power. Winter is the time when you can feel the greatness and power of mother nature in its true and cruel form!

Do you encourage the lately common trend of Black Metal bands turning Ambient? What bands to you like to listen to?

I am listening to a lot of music: All kinds of music. Ambient/ Industrial/ Classics/ etc. Some Black Metal, too. But I am no longer interested in the current Black Metal scene, to be honest. There are too many shitty bands around copying each other and making the same like others did even better years ago. I am seldom buying a CD related to Black Metal. There are only a few bands around which are able to catch my attention. Those bands are different, because of their originality and because they are not doing standard- stuff like thousands of others. I will not mention any names… I am doing this kind of stuff since 1996 and I feel not connected to any “scene” at all. I do not care if more and more bands are turning towards Ambient music.

You’ve just released your album “Der Letzte Winter – Der Ewigkeit entgegen”. What can you tell us about it?

Well, the CD is not out yet, it is still delayed, actually. "Der letzte Winter – Der Ewigkeit entgegen -" is more in the "Black Metal-vein". I prefer to describe the style as follows: Cold chords and stirring hypnotic riffing paired with haunting and cold synthetic soundscapes evoking an chilling atmosphere full of bleakness, coldness, desolation, solitude, emptiness, melancholy, darkness and nothingness,…..The bleak mourning of desolate idleness within eerie and misty sonic landscapes. A tribute to the darkest side of nature… The new album features 9 tracks as a tribute to nature: Cold, dark and melancholic. The official German-release should be out in October, we'll see… The US version will be out in early September, the Ukrainian MC edition, too. There’ll also be released an Australian version in late 2005.

How do you compare this releasing to your earlier ones?

The new record is more in the “Black Metal” – vein, comparable to the first two tracks of the Winterschatten CD. But more grim, more atmospheric. As I have already said, the CD should be released in October 2005. It has been recorded in January 2005 and will be released in a limited edition DIGIPAK. There’ll also be shirts / posters and so on.

Since your lyrics are in German, could you possibly explain a bit of what those lyrics are talking about?

I have used some astral themes within the lyrics of Demo #2. All other lyrics/themes on other records are dealing with the dark side of nature, 99.9%. I have nothing to do with mysticism and "astral trips". I am interested in the whole astral stuff more from the view
of science, if you know what I mean. So I just felt to mix the Vinterriket-typical-dark-nature-themes with some astral-themes on Demo #2. So there is nothing more to tell about it. Vinterriket- lyrics are in general a mix of nature- themes, personal feelings/ visions/ dreams and some astral themes (especially on Demo #2, as explained above).

What ideas do you wish to convey through those lyrics?

The lyrics are very personal. I avoid to interpret and to explain them. Everybody should interpret them himself. The lyrics are entirely written in German, because I am German and because it is the best way to express oneself (through your native language).

How do you describe the atmosphere you are trying to create with Vinterriket’s music?

a chilling atmosphere full of bleakness, coldness, desolation, solitude, emptiness, melancholy, darkness and nothingness. That’s it, basically.

What impact do you wish your music to create on its listeners?

I think the translation of the text included in the booklet of my last (Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit) CD describes this question very well. There is nothing to add, I think:

Some notes and thoughts about "Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit" CD:
"Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit" is a tribute to the night and the shadowed obscurity that is exclusive to nature, and should be understood as such. It is a conceptual work which was created with the intention of describing the dark side of nature through music and to transform its atmosphere into tonal soundscapes. The content of this CD is not music in the conventional sense; it is dark, natural, and mystical art. The title of the CD translates in English to "Landscapes of eternal emptiness/solitude". Like the title of the CD describes, it includes soundscapes that make the listener envision solemn lands. The musical interpretations (put simply) are desolate, dark, and mysterious. Nothing more, nothing less. Similar to the way that the dark side of nature can express variations of conflicting atmospheres, "Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit" also reflects different sceneries, moods and "landscapes" of human emotion, if you will. It is only of this melancholic, dark, cold, moody and unique realm of nature's obscured darkness that this work resides within, and it does not deviate from this at all. This CD shouldn't be compared with technical, or so-called "industry standards," and furthermore should not be connected with them in any way. This work was consciously created without the inclusion of predictable passages. Sublime silence, coldness and solitude are presented in it's place. Other than what has already been stated, this work was not created to simply portray depressing-sounding song titles. "Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit" is timeless and should be regarded as a complete work. Anyone who finds their way into a mysterious and dark realm while listening to this CD has understood "Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit". Anyone else should simply ignore this record. In order to capture the correct atmosphere of this record, it should be listened to during the uttermost darkness.

"Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit" arose in dark, depressive and melancholic hours and days during the year 2003. The final recordings of all synthetic landscapes on this record took place in the midst of the cold December of 2003. The mastering was done by T. K. at Strype Audio Studio, Oslo/ Norway in January 2004. Many thanks are extended to him here. The graphical design of this digital work, which serves only as a support for the art of sound, was created by Vinterriket. All dark pictures of nature were taken by Vinterriket, Haewwel and T. Patzig. The two latter named are thanked for their courtesy.

Vinterriket, January 2004

As I have heard you say before, Vinterriket is only a studio project. Do you still hold that thought, or do you see yourself performing live with this material?

Well, in the past I always wrote the following when I was asked this question: Up ‘til now Vinterriket has never played live. Maybe in the future? Who knows… This mainly depends on finding other competent session musicians. The music is mainly pure Ambient as you know. So it is senseless to make live-shows, at least in my opinion. In general VINTERRIKET's music is absolutely NOT made to be performed live in crappy concert halls. People should listen to it individually at home during the uttermost darkness! I'd not like it very much to play in front of a drunken horde of stupid kids, you know…. If there would be a gig it would be something very special, I am sure. But there are absolutely no plans for a live-show right now. And 2nd, it would be difficult to perform the stuff live, too. But on the other hand I have several offers for live shows lying here. People are asking more and more about it. But I do not know… Maybe I'll do gig or more in the future, we'll see what the future will bring. Here's an official press

Statement from early 2005:
As VINTERRIKET has mentioned in several interviews over the last months plans existed to bring VINTERRIKET on stage this Spring with the help of some session members. Unfortunately those plans are dead now due to one session member leaving the live line-up a few days ago because of several reasons. With his departure the plans to bring VINTERRIKET on stage are laid on ice now…. Maybe the plan has died forever….

What influences the music of Vinterriket?

VINTERRIKET is only influenced by the dark side of nature, nothing else. Sure, you get influenced by many things around you if you want or not, you can even say by ALL things around you: Friends, books, films, landscapes, pictures, etc. But my main source is the "nightside" of nature. Nature is all and everything to me. I am a "nature-child" so to speak and I have a very close relationship to nature. All VINTERRIKET tracks so far have been odes to the dark side of mother nature. Of course I prefer dark, melancholic and moody places and landscapes. I really like to walk around alone in autumn and winter through stormy, snowy, misty and cold woods… We have a lot of great dark and powerful places here in our area where you can really feel the energy and might of nature. Well, maybe there are some people out there saying that I'm repeating myself but I do not thing so. Maybe some of the stuff sounds similar to other but I think that all the stuff is different. Different tributes to the dark side of nature. I have a lot of ideas in mind which I'll turn into reality sooner or later.

How come you chose to write your demo titles in Norwegian? What is your connection to Norway?

Well, I have used Norwegian titles on Demo#1 and on EP#1. The reason why I used Norwegian titles on the Demotape "…Gjennom Tåkete Skogen" and on the EP "Det Svake Lys" is quite simple: I just felt to do so! In my eyes Norway has the best nature on the whole earth. Have you ever been up to the north? I am totally fascinated by the vast, endless woods, the mysterious and misty fjords, the majestic mountains and the atmosphere up there! You know, VINTERRIKET is totally influenced by Mother Nature. Therefore I thought that the Norwegian titles would fit best to the whole concept on the Demotape. The band picture was taken in Norway, too, and the front cover was drawn by the famous Norwegian artist Theodor Kittelsen. I am doing what I want, depending on my current mood. Maybe the some lyrics/titles will be in Swedish, Danish or whatever in the future! All the new songtitles/lyrics are totally written in German language. I am a big fan of all the Germanic languages, like German, Swedish, Norwegian… They have a very hard accent, if you know what I mean. When people talk English it sound like having 10 chewing gums in their mouth! The German languages are hard-sounding and spreading a kind of power and might. It's too hard to explain actually. I hope some might get the point what I mean.

Do you feel related to the Norwegian Metal scene?

Actually, I have nothing to do with it. I still have all the old records of the Scandinavian Black Metal bands, for example. Sometimes I listen to them, but I prefer other stuff these days. All the music to which I am listening is atmospheric, dark, melancholic and original. Those parameters should be fulfilled!

Speaking of Norwegians, How do you like the work of Ildjarn?

I only like their Hardangervidda CD. But in general this is too „soft“ form me. All the other BM stuff from them is not my cup of tea, actually. Some of the stuff on Hardangervidda sounds really good, but all in all it is not exactly what I like.

How do you describe your music’s development since you first started to work on this project?

Progression and development is very important to me. The new Vinterriket record which will be released soon is a typical Vinterriket-release, but people will hear the progression. Progression in sense of the style and in the sense of the atmosphere. It is more dark, more melancholic and the style is in general is more "grim". Vinterriket will also develop in the future, this is quite sure. Maybe the nature- thing will sooner or later disappear…. There will be a point when I'll turn towards other themes/ subjects and where it is time to stop hailing nature, if you understand what I mean. When I'll change the subjects/ themes I'll probably start another project. Well, I partially already did when starting ATOMTRAKT/ NEBELKORONA. Maybe I'll continue with Vinterriket but with other topics. Progression is very important for me. Because of that I'll not do the same for dozens of years. The nature- theme has been present on ALL my releases so far. But this will come to an end sooner or later. But we'll see what the future brings.

You have made covers for Burzum and Graveland songs. Did these bands have any influence on your music?

There is not much to say about the cover-song and Graveland, I think: In July’2001 I have recorded this track ("Forge of souls") which will be featured on the GRAVELAND Tribute CD/MC/LP to be released by NAWIA PRODUCTIONS (POL) as Intro or Outro. I do not know if it'll ever be released at all, probably not. It is a great synth-track, I think! I made the cover-song within only 2 or 3 days. I like all the Graveland- stuff very much. Some Graveland-stuff sounds similar to other Graveland- stuff, but all in all Gravleand is a very good band! Therefore I have made this cover "Forge of Souls" from "Following the Voice Of Blood" CD'96. The Pagan- Graveland stuff is better than the Black- Metal- Graveland stuff, I think. I hope you know what I mean. Of course I like BURZUM. My favourite CD of Varg is hard to tell. I like a lot of them very much. "Hvis.."/ "Filosofem" maybe? I do not know. I also like his 2 Ambient- CD's. But Burzum never had a direct influence on Vinterriket…. Varg is a good musician. He has created a lot of amazing tracks with minimalistic abilities. "Der Tod Wuotans" which is on the Oskorei- release as an cover(bonus)- song is one of the best track he has ever written, I think. The track is so dark, so atmospheric, unbelievable. But as I said, my main source of inspiration is the dark side of nature. Concerning his ideologies: I regard Varg as a very intelligent and strong personality with great ideas and visions. E.g. I read his book "Vargsmal". Some points of view are really okay and totally acceptable but others are not. It depends. You know, I have my own personal philosophy about life & death & politics. I am not following a special theory or attitude. Some are walking on the way of La Vey or Crowley: But these persons are not strong enough to develop their own philosophy. Blindly and stupid followers in my eyes!

Vinterriket is known for having a huge amount of individual releases and splits throughout the years. Is there any special reason for that?

I mean, I am creating music for myself, for nobody else. If others like Vinterriket too: OK. I am honoured. If not, I do not care at all. Well, a lot of the releases in the past are re-releases, the same releases on different formats and so on. It is probably hard to get all tracks released so far on original recordings. As long as there are labels interested in releasing Vinterriket-stuff there’ll be releases in the future. If nobody would be interested anymore in releasing Vinterriket-stuff, I’d still continue to create music. Then the tracks would remain “at home” so to speak or I’d publish some VERY small editions on MC. So there’s no special reason for releasing this huge amount of stuff. If labels are interested they can of course release Vinterriket-stuff or stuff from my other projects. Bloodhead for example released 4 MC’s of my projects in the past and I am very satisfied with their work: Uncomplicated, good communication and top quality. I mean, if the people, the labels and the magazines are interested in the stuff, they can get it from me. I have no problem with that. Bloodhead are doing a great job over there, I think.

You have a distinct abhorrence for different kinds of modern music, even Death Metal. Care to elaborate on that matter?

I am actually not into Death Metal. Just take for example some ultra- brutal, technical and sophisticated Death Metal bands: I mean, they can really play their instruments very well and they are very talented and good musicians, but this music gives absolutely NOTHING for me. Music must be able to move your mind, to make you fly away, to send you on the darkest trip possible! Of course there are also some perfect, well-playing and technical Death/Black Metal bands around getting my attention and being able to fascinate me. Sure, I respect the ability of some musicians to handle their instruments. Also, if I do not like their sound. But the other way round it is the same: There are of course existing some bands playing primitive and simple music but who are also not able to impress me, because they lack of atmosphere and feelings. All in all I can say music must be able to spread a certain dark, sad, melancholic, majestic or hateful feeling and atmosphere. My musical horizon is very wide, I think. I am quite open-minded when it comes to new sounds and ideas. I like originality and individuality! These are the keywords!

How are your other projects, Atomtrakt and Nebelkorona progressing? Do you plan any future releases?

Yea, Nebelkorona is a Vinterriket side-project. It was created somewhen in 2003. Actually I have just created 2 tracks for this project so far which will were released on a in 2004. Nebelkorona is more “romantic” than Vinterriket, I’d say. I prefer to call the style “Dark Romantic Art”. Nebelkorona is more romantic, more livelier than Vinterriket, though it is still Ambient, I’d say. Atomtrakt is bombastic, martial, heroic, atmospheric, monumental, cold, industrialised and militant Ambient. Vinterriket is only influenced by the dark side of nature, nothing more. As for Atomtrakt I can say, the inspiration is more based on destruction, wars, nuclear stuff, and so on. The first full-length CD is recorded and it’ll be out in early 2006. A Nebelkorona full-length CD will be out somewhen in 2006, too, probably.

How do you see the future progression of Vinterriket?

Well, I will start working on new tracks in Autumn, I think. A new CD will be out somewhen in 2006. It’ll be a Dark Ambient CD.

Good luck with the new album and thanks for your time.

Thanx for the interview! Best regards and good luck for your magazine in the future.