Skjebne is a deeply personal solo project born from struggle, resilience, and fate. In this interview, we explore its origins, raw honesty, creative process, and the emotional journey behind Dark Journal.
1. Let’s
start with the beginning — what inspired you to create Skjebne as a solo
project, and how did the name come about?
I first
started my musical journey in another band with some close friends called
Trolldeig, a Norwegian Viking/folklore-inspired band. I love working on it, and
we still do, but it’s difficult to coordinate five adults with different
schedules. So for now we mostly keep on producing by sending files. I feel I
have an even bigger thirst for being even more creative.
I always
carried an extra passion and inner fire — a really strong urge to create
something more personal. Get my feelings out. I began sketching songs on my
own, but at first I didn’t dare to make them too honest. They stayed
half-truthful, and I kinda wrote the themes to something more general. Slowly,
more and more ideas came, and eventually I had enough material to shape my own
project.
The name
Skjebne means “fate” or “destiny” in English. I considered many names, but so
many band names are already taken. Skjebne felt unique, dark, and mysterious.
It also reflected where I was in life: facing new crossroads and unknown paths.
I don’t
think I really believe in destiny as a fixed, pre-planned purpose, but I am the
kind of person who lets fate decide when I face big decisions. I don’t always
know what to expect, but I trust the circumstances around me to shape the
outcome — often by simply jumping into it, seeing where it leads to.
Also, as a
person, sometimes I’ll just get in the car and drive without a plan. If I see a
cool mountain, I’ll climb it. In Norway we say “la skjebnen avgjøre” — let fate
decide where you are going this day.
At first, I
was unsure if the name would sound cringe in some settings, but in the end I
chose to stand tall and stick with it. I think it also fits perfectly with my
plans to write Norse/Viking-inspired metal songs in the future.
2.
You’ve described Dark Journal as a very personal release born from burnout.
What was the turning point that made you decide to process those feelings
through music?
The songs
were written during a very dark period in my life. Music became a way to
process feelings I couldn’t carry silently. At first, I lacked the courage to
make the songs truly personal — exposing my struggles gave me anxiety. So I
left it halfway honest and more general, as I mentioned.
Over time,
I found the strength to rewrite them honestly, with all the raw emotion I was
feeling. That process took years. When you suffer from fatigue and burnout,
progress is painfully slow. From the first seed of an idea to the finished
songs, it was a long and difficult journey.
3. The
lyrics seem to balance raw honesty with symbolism. How do you decide when to be
direct and when to cloak emotions in metaphors?
It’s
something I had to work a lot with. Sometimes metaphors feel stronger and more
poetic than direct words. Other times, being brutally honest is the only way. I
try to balance both — letting the imagery create atmosphere while the honesty
delivers the truth. There are also certain songs that I add some extra juice to
make it punch a bit more, you can’t write a song called Turn the Rage without
adding some heat, even if it’s not all the way personal.
4. Rob
Davies’ vocals add a lot of power and emotion to the songs. How did that
collaboration come together, and what was it like hearing your music performed
with his voice for the first time?
Rob Davies is incredible — I can’t give him enough credit. His screaming voice is so powerful, and when he blends it with clean vocals in the choruses, it creates such depth.
I first
tried to sing everything myself. I practiced hard, but it never sounded the way
I wanted. I realized I couldn’t finish the EP with my own vocals. I started
searching online and found Fiverr. After scrolling through countless profiles,
I discovered Rob Davies. Listening to his samples, I immediately felt: This is
the right guy.
I sent him
my sketches, lyrics, and rough demos with my own vocals. I wasn’t sure what to
expect. When I first heard his recordings, I had to re-train my ears because I
was so used to my old takes. But when the chorus hit with his mix of clean and
screams, I thought: WOW. This is perfect.
Every verse, every chorus — his delivery blew me away. Thanks to him, I was finally able to finish the EP. He recorded all four songs with passion and professionalism, and I couldn’t be happier.
5.
Musically, Skjebne blends influences from In Flames, Parkway Drive, Architects,
and Bury Tomorrow. How do you make those inspirations your own while still
carving out a unique sound?
I’ve been
deeply inspired by many bands, especially In Flames. Their melodies are so
emotional, and I’ve always loved music that makes me feel something. That’s why
melodic metal is my favorite — the combination of screaming and clean vocals
creates a balance of power and beauty.
Bands like
Parkway Drive inspire me in another way — their energy makes me want to create
something powerful, almost like adrenaline-filled workout music. That’s
something I’d love to do in the future, though it’s hard to do it as well as
they do.
I think my
uniqueness comes from the honesty of my songwriting. My lyrics and themes are
drawn directly from my own experiences, so even if the sound has familiar
influences, the story and emotions are completely personal.
6.
Recording everything in your home basement studio must come with both freedom
and challenges. Can you tell us a bit about the process of producing the EP at
home?
The good
thing is accessibility — it’s right there at home, so the barrier to getting
started is low. The challenge is the learning curve. You’re completely on your
own, and it takes years of experimenting and failing before you begin to
understand everything.
I remember
spending months, even over a year, just learning about mic placements, amps,
and finding the right sound. I eventually went back to tracking DI because it
gave me more consistency. At the time, I was also in a relationship, and
blasting real amps wasn’t possible at all hours. DI made it easier to keep a
steady workflow. For now, that’s what I stick to. Amp sims have evolved a lot
in the last few years.
7. Your
music doesn’t glorify darkness but acknowledges it. Why is it important for you
to bring those themes to the surface rather than hiding from them?
Because
it’s the truth of life. Everyone has struggles, even if in different scales.
Many people hide their darkness, but you can’t overcome what you always avoid.
I’ve
experienced it myself: when you open up, others open up too. Sharing makes the
burden lighter. I’ve also found hope in the words of others — quotes, speeches,
and music from strong people who fought through their own struggles. That gave
me strength, and I hope my music can do the same for others.
Like my
song Black Hole: it’s a reminder not to give up. Even if life feels
meaningless, there is always light further down the road, even if you can’t see
it yet.
8. As
you continue working on the full album, how do you see Skjebne evolving
musically and emotionally beyond the Dark Journal EP?
I’ll
continue working on the full album in the same direction, diving into darker
themes. But I also want to explore the opposite side — something light and
beautiful. Life is both; it’s not only darkness. There’s so much beauty!
I’m
planning a future EP called Mountain Melodies, inspired by Norwegian
landscapes. During burnout, wandering through mountains, waterfalls, and rivers
helped me heal. Nature shouldn’t be underestimated.
Right now,
I’m also working on a ballad implementing even some acoustic elements. I’m
experimenting, but I’ll always keep melody and metal as the foundation.
9. If
someone listens to Dark Journal for the first time, what do you hope they take
away from it on a personal or emotional level?
I hope
people realize they are not alone. Whatever their struggle is, someone else out
there is going through it too.
If my music
can encourage even a few people to open up, to not keep everything inside, then
I’ve achieved something. I want listeners to keep going, no matter how dark
things feel. There is always a way forward.
For those
who feel stuck — remember, we only have a certain amount of time. Get up, don’t
give up!
Skjebne (@skjebne_artist) • Photos et vidéos Instagram
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