1. I'd like to begin with a question I always use to kick off interviews, as it holds a lot of significance for me. How did the name Vananidr come about, and what does it mean?

Anders: Back in 2017 when I decided to make a new effort with the album me and our former drummer, Karl, began recording in 2010. I wanted a new name for the band since the bands first name, Hydra, kind of died when the founder of the band, Alexis, decided to leave in 2007 and the name I took after that never really felt right with me. I wanted a name that more reflected on my own heritage and family history, so some form of Swedish connection, be it folklore or mythology or similar. I found the name when going through a book about the gods and creatures from Norse mythology, Vananidr is another name for Njord, one of the Vanir, meaning basically, of Vanir descent. Does it mean anything special to me? Not really but I liked the name, thought it sounded cool and as a nice bonus when I googled Vananidr, about 5 results came up with nothing remotely connected to music. So now when someone search for Vananidr, nothing but us comes up as results (almost at least).

2. With *In Silence Descent* just released, how does it feel to have this album out in the world after what I imagine was a long period of writing and recording?

Anders: Yeah it’s always nice to release an album, although with this one I didn’t feel any stress. We really took our time recording and mixing, almost a whole year from start to finish, but it felt kinda nice since we released Beneath the mold just two years ago.

The earlier albums on the other hand was much more fulfilling to release since all the music I wrote between 2008 and 2018 ended up on Road North and Damnation, and to wait that long to see it finished is kinda frustrating.

I believe I wrote Black feathers in 2021 which was the first song I wrote for this album, and 3,5 years from writing until release is a pretty decent timeframe I think.

3. What do you think about the current black metal scene? Do you feel like Vananidr is pushing the genre forward, or are you more focused on carving out your own path, regardless of trends?

Anders: I feel it’s more alive and interesting than for quite some time, you still have the old bands doing what they do and then you have the younger generations who interpreters the genre in new ways with different influences. 

If Vananidr sounds like Vananidr, then I’m happy! I have no interest in pushing the genre forwards or try to preserve the old. I only care about making music that I want to make, music that interests me, that feels inside, cathartic, energy filling or just packed with emotions, be it melancholy, frustration or just everything at once. If that music turns out completely different than our previous albums, well so be it, I have no intention of preserving a formula or a sound, that comes anyway. Whether I like it or not, my music sounds like my music, probably because I’ve written music for 30 years and my core influences and my taste for melodies remain pretty much the same.

I’m too old to catch what’s trendy and usually I’m too sceptic to embrace it when it’s new anyway, and if I start to like something that’s been trendy, then that trend has usually been replaced by another trend by that time. So to sum up, I don’t really care, I’m neither a hipster nor a gatekeeper.

4. In my review, I mentioned that *In Silence Descent* feels like a 'level up' in terms of production and songwriting. When writing an album, how do you balance maintaining your signature sound while exploring new ideas and techniques? Was there anything different in your approach compared to previous works like *Damnation*? Additionally, could you walk us through your songwriting process? Do you start with a particular idea or riff, or do the songs evolve organically as a group?"

Anders: Thank you!

I don’t consider maintaining our signature sound at all, that pretty much comes automatically when I write. Production wise, I really wanted to step it up compared to Beneath the mold which didn’t reach all the way to what I had in mind (one day I would like to remaster that one, at least for my own satisfaction). So I bought new monitors, guitar amp and some other tools and of course we found a much better studio to record drums at.

I think the only difference between when I wrote for damnation in 2018 and now is that more songs, riffs and ideas gets scrapped, usually by me but also sometimes by someone else in the band. I also hope and think I’ve become a better songwriter and guitarist. With both Damnation and Road North there’s approximately 50/50 old songs from the vault and new songs I wrote in 2017 and 2018, and I don’t think i scrapped anything back then, I just released everything which was exactly what I wanted anyway.

A song usually begins with noodling on the guitar, or a specific inspirational idea and then if it’s a good day, the music, riffs and melodies just pours out of the fingers. Those days, which are just a few each year, are what I live for, when the creativity is at max and writing feels easy and joyful.

5. One of my favorite tracks is "Feathers"—the blast beats, melancholic power chords, and the shifts in dynamics really stood out. Could you share some insights into how that song came together?

Anders: It’s very inspired by Mother North by Satyricon, at least the main riff and the verse, the “chorus” is heavily inspired by Mastodon. I think I nicked the idea to the chug break/part from Crippled black phoenix. Of course nothing is straight up copied but more the feel and type of parts used. That’s what I can remember at lest, it’s been a few years since I wrote it so.

6. In the song "Tearing Skin," I feel like Your vocals reach their peak (personal opinion). How do you approach the vocals when matching them to the vibe of each track?

Anders: I just press record and start screaming, then I tweak until I’m satisfied. Usually I have to tweak the lyrics as well to fit and sound good. I have a vocal mic set up properly in my home studio so that I’m ready to record whenever I feel like it. Should I make a demo vocal performance that I really like I can use that on the album since it’s the same setup all the time, be it demo or album recording.

7. The drums on this album have a distinct character—sharp and punctual, yet maintaining that raw black metal feel. Can you tell us about the approach to the drum sound and how that was crafted?

Anders: We went to Necromorbus studio, NBS prod, a very nice and well equipped studio built in an old church. There we could really capture a massive room sound to blend with the close mics. I always strive to make the drums sound as natural as possible, I really don’t like overly processed and edited drums, and this time I really think I achieved what I had in mind. Of course Fredrik, being a professional drummer since forever, made it much easier for me as I didn’t have to edit his drums, he nailed them pretty much perfect. 

8. In Silence Descent* feels cohesive, yet each track stands on its own. Was there a particular theme or concept you wanted to convey across the album?

Anders: No, I don’t do concepts. I could never sit down and write a full album that should feel cohesive and conceptual. I write music when inspiration strikes or when I have an idea of a song and just grind at it until I’m satisfied. Sometimes that takes a few hours and sometimes several days or even puzzled together long after i started writing.

9. Finally, what’s next for Vananidr? Any plans for tours, or perhaps ideas for the next album already brewing?

Anders: We will play December Darkness in Norrköping, Sweden just before Christmas and Black hole fest in Switzerland in may. Hopefully we can play some more shows next year, we’ll see.

Next album is actually finished in demo stage, just need lyrics and vocals for one more song. I would guess that we start recording some time next year, but nothing booked yet. 

10. Any extra info for the readers please add your shout out!

Anders: Support the underground!! Buy merch from the small bands, they will really appreciate it!