Skurk has an old background and therefore bit old sound. We are originally typical garage band made of young horny guys who thought it would be enough to own a guitar and play in a band to get fame and fortune ... and chicks. But at best we manage to get free booze and a lot of metal. Reviews states we play old school thrash in spirit of Kreator, Overkill and Megadeth ... and of course Slayer and we could not agree more, but the sound is more Skurk since we do blend our own souls into the mix. Mid tempo thrashy metal with a lot of guitar solos! ;) Our next album Blóðbragð will have it all plus some new angles, I think Blóðbragð is pretty big production we have about 20-30 musicians in orchestra and choir, special guests from other bands and singers putting in their talent. The great thing is that everybody are giving their 110%
2.So far you have released one ep, how would you describe the musical sound that was present on the recording?
It was our older stuff since our early days. When we started again we had kinda no goals except playing on few gigs but soon we knew if this was going to be something we needed a mission so we booked a studio and went in with five oldies and one brand new song (Darkness) and just did it!.
3.The band was broken up for 18 years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?
We just grew tired of being a garage band and made some effort to become something in the metal scene in Iceland and it was pretty hard, we had some issues in the band and in the process we had financial responsibilities that made some impact on the friendship, so it just fell apart in Skurk. Funny thing is we all continued to work together in other projects so I recon we just grew tired of being Skurk.
I took 18 years to realize Skurk is forever ;) so when I moved back to Akureyri it was like a magnet. Slowly we got together, first I met Jon Heidar in our climbing gym and we do alot of extreme mountaineering together so we started talking about Skurk and before we knew it, some guys came to us and asked if we could come back together for a gig supporting Skálmöld. And it was a fun project for me, just to see if Skurk had any flame left, and it did.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Nothing good I tell you! Death of gods and afterlife. Blóðbragð will be a concept album in Icelandic about the murder of the girl Mjöll and the aftermath for the killer inside his head and in his life.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Skurk'?
It is a Nordic word, meaning Villain in most languages, but in Icelandic it means loud and wrecking noise, funny I guess Havoc is the best word I can find up to describe meaning of Skurk.
6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We have done some strange crazy shit and we have even memory of some other stranger shit happening to us on tour, but for me our reunion gig in Reykjavik supporting Skálmöld and Bootlegs is my most favorite for many reason. Maybe not or best gig ever, We were early on stage most of the crowd standing and getting to know us. But I think that had some fun moments, and we had a really good connection to Skálmöld crowd .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGN8CYXujuE
When Skurk goes on stage, we give you our best performance possible
7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
No just recording and releasing Blóðbragð.. We will though play on Eistnaflug 2016 in July. It is the greatest festival in the world, and we would not miss it in the world!
8.The ep was released on 'Inconsistency Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
It is my own record label and I use it for my bands. It started when Changer recorded and released Inconsistency EP and all Changer albums except Breed the lies are released by our own Inconsistency Records. Inconsistency is working pretty much with Karolina Fund (www.karolinafund.is) and that’s how we try to keep the financial pressure of the band. We welcome everyone who wants to work with us releasing records. (inconsistency.records@gmail.com)
9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?
Well good thing is no one has completely trashed us on the web ;) and we are getting pretty nice reviews. We had no ideas how you guys would like Final Gift but it was necessary for us to release it.
We even got a spot on an Icelandic movie Fúsi (Virgin Mountain) with our song Darkness, but Not all like the record which is cool and we can live with it ;)
10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
ALOT! Changer (Kristján and me) is heading to studio for our last album and Kristján is in Nykur an Icelandic rock band, and they are promoting their second album Nykur II touring and stuff.
11.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
This fall! It will be massive metal album. Maybe little less thrash metal but we have made a huge effort to make our best we didn’t compromise on our direction, despite rising cost and delaying release date. We are very happy with our new stuff.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Right now I’m listening to the record Coma Ecliptic, but we have big spectrum of bands we go to. I am the only one in the band that just listens to metal... I just can’t take more than few songs listening to Muse or Radiohead. Rock music just doesn’t connect to my blackest space in my soul ;) But the guys are all over the spectrum. Kiss, Foo Fighters, Muse, Pink, you name it they like it..... But I recon Kreator is our biggest influences today if I would take one band all of us agree upon.
13.What are some of your non musical interests?
For me personally! Deathly mountains and ice climbing, rock climbing, my family and my work.
14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Not really except a huge thank you for giving us time and attention Áfram Þungarokk!
Darkness official video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDjYM5BelZw
FB page
https://www.facebook.com/skurkarar/?fref=ts
official webpage
http://www.skurk.is/
Bandcamp
https://skurkmetal.bandcamp.com/releases
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