German pagan black metal act DRAUGR emerges from the shadows with their debut track, blending Norse mythology, raw emotion, and haunting atmosphere into a fierce invocation of ancestral power.
1. First
of all, congratulations on your debut track! How does it feel to finally
share Draugr’s music with the world after working behind the scenes?
Asator & Kälte: Thank you. It feels powerful to finally let this
creation breathe and take its own path. Since the release of our debut album
some time ago, we’ve had the chance to bring the songs to life on numerous
stages — from festivals and club shows to short tours across different regions.
The response has been overwhelming. We truly want to thank everyone who stood
before the stage, raising their fists and their voices with us. Their energy
fuels our flame.
2. You
describe your music as pagan black metal with German lyrics,
influenced by the dark, mystic legends of the north. What
initially drew you to Nordic mythology as a source of inspiration?
Asator: Every member of DRAUGR has a deep connection to the occult and
its many forms. For us, separating personal conviction from our art has never
been an option — both are intertwined. The choice to embrace Norse mythology
came naturally. It is part of our ancestral roots, and its symbolism carries a
raw, untamed aesthetic that perfectly complements the atmosphere we strive to
create. Through myth and legend, we channel our own beliefs, transforming them
into sound and words that bridge the ancient with the present.
3. The
name “Draugr” itself carries a lot of mythological weight — a ghostly
figure from Norse legends. Why did you choose this name, and how does it
reflect your vision for the band?
Asator: Because it fits. That’s all. No marketing concept, no “deep
backstory” for magazine readers. Draugr represents what we are — undead
persistence, haunting presence, the spirit that doesn’t rest. If someone needs
a poetic explanation, they should probably stick to symphonic metal.
4. You’ve
mentioned that your sound stays true to black metal’s roots while adding your
own twist. Can you tell us more about how you blend traditional black metal
elements with your personal touch?
Asator: Our roots lie in the foundations laid by the greats —
Dissection, Windir, Arckanum, Enslaved, Naglfar etc. — the list could go on. At
the same time, we’re drawn to the depth and vastness of atmospheric music.
DRAUGR stands at the intersection of these worlds: furious and relentless, yet
melodic and haunting. Our songs are a balance between cold aggression and
immersive atmosphere — fast-paced blast sections meet wide, ethereal
soundscapes. That contrast defines what DRAUGR is meant to be: a storm of chaos
and introspection.
5. What
was the creative process like behind your first official song — from the
concept and lyrics to recording and production?
Asator: Originally, DRAUGR began as my personal project — a one-man
vision born in a dark basement. I never intended to release those early songs;
it was simply an outlet for what I carried inside. But the material turned out
stronger than expected, and so the idea grew into something more tangible. At a
show with my other band, I met Kälte — whose lyrical and vocal vision gave
DRAUGR a new dimension. From there, the concept took form, we gathered the
right spirits to complete the line-up, and eventually recorded Unter
Yggdrasils Schatten entirely on our own. Today, our focus lies on bringing
those songs to life on stage — raw, ritualistic, and unfiltered.
6. Since
your lyrics are in German, how important is language to the emotional and
atmospheric impact of your music? Do you think it adds a particular strength or
mysticism to your sound?
Kälte: For me, expressing myself in my native tongue allows the words to
manifest with greater strength and authenticity. The German language carries a
harshness and depth that perfectly fits the atmosphere we aim to create. It
adds a certain weight — an archaic tone that feels closer to the soil, to our
history, and to the spirits we invoke through sound.
7. Pagan
and black metal often deal with themes of nature, spirituality, and resistance.
What messages or emotions do you hope listeners take away from Draugr’s music?
Kälte: In ancient
Nordic traditions, music and chanting were seen as acts of sorcery — Galdr.
Through this form, we seek to awaken what has been buried and forgotten. Our
message is simple: remember the wisdom of your ancestors, listen to the echoes
of the past, and use that knowledge to strengthen your own spiritual path.
DRAUGR is not mere entertainment — it is invocation.
8. Finally,
what’s next for Draugr? Are you already working on new material, or do you plan
to release an EP or full album in the near future?
Asator: There’s much happening behind the veil. I’m deep in the process
of creating new material — darker, heavier, and more ritualistic than before.
Many plans are set in motion, but we’ll speak of them when the time is right.
For now, our focus remains on bringing our rituals to as many stages as
possible and letting the fire spread. The storm is far from over - Thank you,
keep the flame alive!
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