Afskraemi - 1. Welcome to our webzine SucivilbO. To start, tell us who we are talking to, how your beginnings looked like, and what the metal scene is like in Iceland, since that’s where you are from.
* O. Thank you! I started playing in bands just over a decade ago, performing mostly at venues like Gaukurinn, Dillon and Húrra.
The metal scene here has always been very solid and we have alot of great bands and festivals. However, recently we have been losing some incredibly important venues to Hotels, Puffin stores and AirBnb’s.
2. Our image of Iceland is geysers, volcanoes, and the film about metal. Tell us more about the country, and whether that is reflected in your album Purification Through Pure Demolition, released this year.
* O. The natural landscape of Iceland never seizes to amaze. But the harsh winds, long winters and short days can be a bit hard to tolerate. It definitely has an effect on the music. Coming home cold and wet from a long shift at the warehouse I work at can inspire some interesting riffs.
3. I know how many tracks the album contains, but what are the lyrics about, and what do you want to convey with them?
* O. I mainly use lyrics to rant about the filth and scum in our society.
I dont think there is any particular message I am trying to convey. Its more of an outlet for me than anything else.
4. I found out that your brother, Gylfi, helped you with mixing. Have you also played in other bands, and what happened that you ended up on your own?
* O. Yes he did and it was excellent working with him. He is also a very skilled drummer.
I currently play in Forsmán and Mannveira as well. The idea for Afskræmi came when I was spending a couple of weeks in a family house at Melrakkaslétta where all the photos are taken, with my girlfriend who also took care of the cover photo and layout of the album (Red Illuminations).
I had always wanted to release a demo or a record where I wrote all the music and played all the instruments. I thought it would be an interesting challenge.
5. The album is released and sent out into the world—what has been the response, the interest from fans and the media? Are you satisfied as a creator?
* O. The response has been very good so far. The album was created largely as a personal challenge to myself and I am very satisfied with it.
6. You recorded everything yourself. Does that mean there won’t be any concerts? And when we talk about concerts, what is the live scene like in your country?
* O. Not a all. I am planning on writing some more material and putting together a live band at the beginning of next year. As I mentioned earlier some crucial venues have recently had to close down, but the perserverance of the people in the scene is quite remarkable. Despite closings, people are still actively hosting events in the few venues left, even having concerts in their own homes or when everything else fails getting some palettes together and setting up a stage somewhere in the countryside.
7. Finally, deliver your mighty, dark words to the fans, and I thank you for your time and wish you success!
* O. Forsmán and Mannveira are currently working on full length albums due out next year.
You can also catch both bands live at the Andkristni festival hosted by Forsmán’s very own frontman and lead guitarist V. & H. on December 18-20.
Thank you for the interview.
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the interview by:Seducer 2025y.