Metal Hammer (UK)

SLAEGT

Independen­t-minded Danes bring a new black metal spin

- WORDS: OLIVIER BADIN

Having been formed as a solo project paying tribute to founder Oskar J Frederikse­n’s black metal heroes, Slaegt (‘lineage’ or ‘bloodline’ in Danish) have since grown to a four-piece as the band’s sound has mutated from its early, grim beginnings into something altogether more elegant and less dissonant. These days Oskar openly admits that his favourite band is Thin Lizzy even if Slaegt’s new full-length, The Wheel, keeps some links with their past.

“We aren’t trying to attach or distance ourselves from any traditions or styles,” he explains. “We just don’t want to limit what we’re allowed to do. Yes, we play heavy metal, and yes, we are heavily influenced by good black metal, so you could say we play ‘black heavy metal’, heavy metal with a darkened vibe, atmosphere or intent.”

Conceptual­ly, The Wheel touches upon “the idea of things repeating themselves, thus ending up where you’ve started at some point. It is also tied with the notion of rebirth, be it in a spiritual or material sense. I guess most of my songs are about the same thing: melancholi­c feelings connected to realising the impermanen­ce of things and also feeling trapped or not belonging. Which is ironic since I also believe that everything returns, although in another form. What can I say? I am a divided human being! Ha ha ha!”

Visually, Slaegt have moved far away from their corpsepain­ted former peers, another case of the band refusing to be held back by their past. “We used fresh blood on our faces for a period,” says Oskar, “but then we realised that many bands do this, so we stopped since we don’t want to follow any trends. We just try to do what feels most right and natural for us. Furthermor­e, we don’t mind looking good. The idea of seduction leading people into darkened territorie­s appeals to us. We prefer to show the unmasked pain and struggle in our eyes rather than putting on a show. What you see is what you get.”

 ??  ?? Slaegt: out to seduce
Slaegt: out to seduce

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