6. Give us more infos about your side-project, a Latvian folk band. Is it your way of fighting to let the folk and ancient traditions survive, specially among younger generations? How these project differ from Skyforger?
I have to say that this is not side project. In this September we realized our first purely folk music album named "Sword Song" and it comes under the name of SKYFORGER. We are fans of folk music and that is our way to give our involvement in the evolution of folk music. We tried to make it a bit special, not so similar to the usual folk music albums, which are released by another folk musicians. These songs are very old ones, recorded from old people centuries ago by some folk music enthusiasts. We accompany them with various traditional folk instruments such as shepherd's horn; rattle stick; mouth harp; giga and kokles. In this album there is no metal music at all. Maybe it also turned out that way because everybody from us can play various folk instruments. We started to apply them also in metal music from the very beginnings of the band. This folk album generally deals with the war and mythological topics. We are glad that many younger fans also know these songs from the head and often sing them drinking beer by the bonfire.

7. Do you think there is still enough room for experimentation in metal music without using other instruments?
Well… that's hard to say. You know, years go by, but still many bands release great albums and it seems that music is like ocean, which can never be totally discovered. Always there will be some people who will find new ways in music, also musical technology grows up and I think that there's still place for enough new innovations and experiments. Maybe after some time the old stuff will get popular again, you know, in this world everything has been already…all goes in circles. And many metalheads still like only old school stuff… I guess that music development certainly will continue. Metal as music style has always been more or less underground, we'll see what happens next. Talking about Black Metal - its best days is over and therefore many bands now search for new sounds, I wish them to succeed in that.

8. What is the positive and the negative sides with running a band from Latvia?
Hmm… positive sides. I don't know much of positive effects I get from being in the band here. Very certainly this just huge waste of time, energy and money. Only good thing could be playing the gigs, and then we get back it when we see many fans in front of stage, banging the heads. Then I feel myself that our work is not been in vain. Also negative is less, can't say nothing bad. I guess that it's cool that many younger kids get to hear our music and maybe after they will form their own band, who knows. This is just lifestyle we are used to be in and that is fine with me.

9. I don't know that much about the history of your home-country Latvia, what in your opinion was the greatest triumph and greatest tragedy in the history of your country?
I think that the best thing is that we got independence in 1918 year; that could be breaking point of our entire nation back then. The history of Latvia is very complicated and painful if you understand what I mean. To tell you the truth, our history is always been full of wars, blood and annihilation of our kin. That's why we are so hateful against all that shit which comes across our way. The Latvians have been long ago established here at coasts of Baltic Sea, and we have developed purely our national culture. Unfortunately this place has been always very desirable piece for many invaders, because of its good geopolitical point on the map. We have never been masters in our own land, but always been slaves to some stronger neighbour countries. There have been 800 years under the rule of German power, who always thought of Latvians as just race meant for working for them. Then came Swedish, Polish, Russian times. Many times Latvians has been just between two or three millstones that fought for land and its wealth. Especially severe has been Russian conquerors, that have simply butchered all native people for the sake of it. When world's political situation changed during WWI, firstly aroused idea to get finally independence. Thanks to brave Latvian Riflemen, it happened and next 20 years we could live in peace. In 1940 Latvia again got occupied by another power, this time is was communistic Soviet Union. They started systematically deport all our brightest men to the deepest regions of Siberia. They were put in concentration camps together with criminals which were allowed to kill anyone for the stuffs like boots, gloves etc. Many never came back… they were put at the most inhuman works in coal digging, road building in minus 40. Their only crime was that they spoke Latvian… In 1941 Latvia was occupied by fascistic Germany, they also did their dirty job very well, massive fights and wars, traitory, burnings, elimination of live force again… I guess that the biggest tragedy of Latvians as nation was coming back Russian rule in 1945 and bloody time started. If you ever read that these guys were caring for all nations and were trying to bring good, then never to believe that lies. They killed and deported more than half of nation, almost every family in Latvia have grandparents repressed and been sent out to snowy distant regions where sun never shines. Their crime was nothing, just been a good peasant having too much cows or something. Instead of good people were sent in stupid, ignorant Russian fools with three class education and now they become rulers of our beautiful lands. These communistic twats destroyed everything what was good, contaminated the rivers, and most tragical thing was that they bastardized minds of people. The agents could be everywhere; neighbour could betray another neighbour. If the whole truth, many people abroad think that WWII finished in 1945. This is not the truth, massive resistance has been until 1956 year when they eliminated last brave men that lived in forests and fought against loathsome regime as they understood and could. Now these men are not allowed even to mention, because they are not profitable to mention. Sometimes they even name them as Nazis. I fucking hate all these creatures ironically called " bringers of best times". Simply they need more territory and more resources that's all. Luckily their fucking regime fall in 1990 and now we live 13 years as independent Latvia. 50 long years under bondage and chains, no freedom, no free speech, no own language… I doubt that some peaceful western guy could ever understand all that tragedy. I feel massive hate and that always be in my veins, that's why we are so proud of our nation that have survived through the years of bloodshed.

10. Are you anti- or pro- European Unification? Don't you think that's prejudicial to the national culture?
I am against EU. Not so long ago we were into another "union" and I want to get away with those unions. Unfortunately this is already a fact that we step inside EU, time will show what is better.

11. In opposition of many bands who sing in English language, you stay in your native language. Have you never thought to change this aspect and to propose only English songs?
Actually SKYFORGER have some songs in English in demo album. They are very cool, but anyway later we decided to keep up national touch and to sing only in Latvian. Also Peter is not so good at English poetry, it comes more naturally for him to compose lyrics in Latvian. I just can say that his lyrics in our tongue are pure masterpieces; I could never do it. He is definitely a real poet, and many people have told me that lyrics for "Latvian Riflemen" are so real and alive, so you can feel yourself like being into the battle-pit and the result is hate, rage and battle. Turning into English is not possible, I can say that this is not that what we ever will do.
 

12. How do you spend your spare time? Hobbies, interests? I spend my biggest time working for living. I do work in postal system of Latvia. All free time goes for band and music. My best hobby is music; I can sit and mess for hours and days with my guitar. Other interests are definitely sport, beer and friends. Like all men do. 13. What three books and movies would you consider essential? It's hard to say, but I can say what I do remember now. From literature… Edgar Allan Po - "Red Mask Of Death", basically literature about maniacs, realistic books about documental stories, crimes… Movies - mostly horror films: "The Beyond" by Luchio Fuchi, "Omen" and "The Exorcist". In general: movies about maniacs, brutality, and perversity. So, you see, I have quite sick taste.

14. How has your touring situation been? Any peculiar stories about tours?
We are certainly live band and we always try to get out on road, we are open to every proposition to play, just have to have a wire of electricity. J Last year we did our "Christ Crushing Tour" in Europe, this year we played "Easter Disaster" tour in Finland, also did appearance at "Under The Black Sun" festival in Germany. Next plans include playing in November in Estonia with IMPALED NAZARENE, in December we go to east: to Belorussia. In January/February of 2004 we will tour the Germany and possibly France, Holland with our labelmates black metal maniacs TRIMONIUM and German heathen crew MENHIR. Also next year we have scheduled at Open Hell festival at Czech Republic, and some German metal festivals. Furthermore there are many invitations around, some even are quite unbelievable; and so we are invited to Canadian tour hehe, so far I don't know what to say… J Tour stories… I have to say that anytime there's something interesting happening, we like to enjoy touring a lot! I don't ant to write much, you know it by yourself how is mixed metal, beer and vodka together and what is in the end.  

15. Plans to the future ? 
SKYFORGER's next plans about live actions you know already. In January we plan to release our demo album "Semigalls' Warchant" on our label German FOLTER RECORDS, they are good label. This will come as CD and LP, remastered and with some bonus tracks. The purpose of this issue is to give chance to fans listen to pure pagan black metal in better quality. This demo was released back in 1997 by us and only on MC, also in very limited edition. As you know, some metal magazines voted it even as "The Demo Of The Year". I guess that would be nice move towards the fans. And we also have started to work on new material, possible release would be around 2005 year. I guess we will give hot battle madness again then.  

16. Thanks for this interview, Rihard... Your final bullets...
Thank You Clay for your interest in our band! I wish you the best and get interview number at least up to 666 number. My final words would be such: Be proud of yourself, remember from where you come and where you go, never bow down to some stupid Christian motherfuckers and be tough against your enemies! All hails to Brazil, I hope one day we can play there. That be all for now. NOTHING'S FORGOTTEN, NOTHING WILL BE FORGOTTEN! RIHARD & SKYFORGER  
 

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