In the world of heavy metal, few bands have left as indelible a mark as DARKTHRONE. The Norwegian duo, comprising the enigmatic Nocturno Culto (Ted Skjellum) and the enigmatic Fenriz, has been a beacon of black metal since its inception in 1986. But now, as the band prepares to release its latest studio album, "Pre-Historic Metal," Nocturno Culto is ready to embark on a new musical journey with his side project, AVRAK.
AVRAK, a heavy rock project, is a collaboration between Nocturno Culto and Anders Hegna, a guitarist known for his work in NØD, EL KAYENNE, and SVIDD GREVLING. The band made its live debut in April, and the excitement is palpable among fans.
In an interview with Dev Gohil, Nocturno Culto revealed the origins of AVRAK. He had known Anders for over a decade and had always admired his work in various bands. The idea for AVRAK came about when they decided to collaborate, locking themselves away in a cabin for five days to experiment with their music.
"We come from slightly different angles when looking at music, but we have a lot in common," Nocturno Culto explained. "I listened to KREATOR up until '87 max, and he likes things from '88 and onwards. So I have a bit more old-school path. But it's fun."
The result of their collaboration is an album that blends rock and metal influences, creating a unique sound. "On the album that we recorded in February, [Anders] has the kind of, let's say, a bit of a more rock guitar sound thing, and I have the more metal guitar sound thing, and they kind of blend together," Nocturno Culto said. "The music is very chaotic, but that's the hard part for us to work with."
The album, which is set for release this autumn, marks a milestone for AVRAK. "For us, it's like a milestone because all the hours we put into this project, and we also played actually a concert now in late April," Nocturno Culto said. "So, the goal for AVRAK is to play more live."
One of the most intriguing aspects of AVRAK is its musical direction. The band draws from classic heavy metal influences, particularly the '80s scene. "I'm a huge fan of the classic heavy metal from the '80s and stuff like that, the more optimistic decade somehow," Nocturno Culto said. "Heavy metal in the '80s was very different because the European heavy metal versus the American heavy metal was... It's very, very far away from each other."
The interview also touched on DARKTHRONE's latest album, "Pre-Historic Metal." The band, known for its pioneering sound, continues to push the boundaries of black metal. "Following from their debut album 'Soulside Journey', the next three full-lengths, often referred to as 'the unholy three', set the benchmark for black metal in the early 1990s," the article noted.
In conclusion, AVRAK represents a new chapter in Nocturno Culto's musical journey, offering a fresh take on heavy rock. As the band prepares for its autumn release, fans can expect an album that blends classic influences with a modern edge. For Nocturno Culto, it's a chance to explore new sounds and push the boundaries of his artistic expression, all while staying true to his roots in the heavy metal scene.
