This interviews was originally intended to be published in the magazine i had in mind for so many many years. But since the label and mailorder work kept me busy i decided to make it public here.

Make a change... kill yourself Interview held by Alex in 10. July 2009

Answered in October 2009 by Ynleborgaz and Nattetale.

Make a change… kill yourself is often discussed because of its band name. Why do you think people are mocking it? Do you think the listener can understand the intention behind it, or maybe you can explain your definition of the chosen band name?

Ynleborgaz: We simply wanted to have a direct approach to the potential listener, and not to misguide anyone with an “evil, dark and mysterious” name.

Nattetale:  People probably talk about it because it is a controversial name. Most of the listeners are into to melancholic music and have a bleak life vision, so yes, I do think they can relate

Many labels people today tend to get music released under the moniker depressive black metal.
I think musical themes were always reflecting social themes and in general the mood of the people in the current time period. What is coming to your mind when you compare the themes of the Black Metal releases in the early 80s and 90´s to the black metal releases as of today?

Ynleborgaz: It’s all about the shock effect. Back in the days it was enough to sing about violence, alcoholism, Satanism and war to obtain outrage. Nowadays the serious bands have to be more personal and direct to stand out from the masses of insecure people who are involved in Black metal just to belong to something.

Nattetale: Hmm. Perhaps the mood and vision were more basic in the 80’s and 90’s. Black metal has evolved a lot musically. But one must remember that black metal was new in those days. Everything evolves, though I would have liked it to stay put.

What do you think of the society as of today, can you compare it to any other time periods. What are the advantages and the big disgraces for you?

Ynleborgaz: The word society originates from the Latin “socius” which means ally or comrade.
I certainly do not see the modern society as my ally. Everyone is fighting for a freedom that they cannot fathom once given it. They can keep all their double standards to themselves.

Nattetale: Nowadays society is a shit hole controlled by the media and government. People are just generally scared of expressing their meaning because they have to consider what others might think of what they say, People need to open up and give a finger to those shitty morals. Speak your mind! I do not see any advantages in modern society. Man was created to obey. All this freedom in modern society creates insecurity.

When you are writing new songs and lyrics, have you experienced that you left your body and found yourself in another world where even with hatred and suffering you had a particular joy while being in it?

Ynleborgaz: When I create this music I always get quite melancholic, and try to explore the darker sides
of my psyche. Sometimes that changes my perspective on the world for a period of time, so you might say that I’m in another world.

Nattetale: I wouldn’t exactly describe it like that. When I write, I see it for me. But I wouldn’t say that I’m in another world mate. Writing lyrics unleashes my frustrations and tension.

Why do you think people in the underground often see the world with other eyes and tend to be in general against any rules that were submitted by so called authorities?
Maybe you share the idea that these guys are very talented in the things they are doing and maybe they are even more gifted humans that let them see some things are going wrong?

Ynleborgaz: I take it that you refer to the Black metal underground or what’s left of it.
I would say that it passes on from generation to generation. The younger people, with a burning desire to fight for the acceptance of their individuality, grow older and are simply satisfied with ignoring their old enemies and being left alone.

Have you ever experienced any big enlightenment in your life, which made you happen to think why you have been blind so many years?
Would you be able to share your thoughts on it?

Ynleborgaz: Betrayal… Never trust anyone.

Nattetale: When I travelled to Asia I started to see things in a new perspective. When I got home, I realized that I don’t want to live in the western part of the world. As soon as I can, I’ll move to live somewhere in the 3rd world.

Due to your different activities of playing in different bands, what is coming to your mind when you compare the attitudes of the labels that were releasing the material of these bands? Is there any certain manner that all labels are representing? What advices can you give to the labels on what topics they should more accurate and more carefully?

Ynleborgaz: Communicate with the bands.
Tell them what you are doing and when you are doing it.
Always be honest and fair.

You play in some bands which let you tend to play live concerts on a regular basis.
Is it necessary for you to play live with your bands? Do you have any special joy while doing this?
Or is it other things that are making playing live attractive to you?

Ynleborgaz: I enjoy performing my music because I have to live up to my own expectations every time and keep setting higher personal goals. It is also very interesting to talk to likeminded people at festivals and concerts that have more on their minds than saying “good show”.

Are you occupied with any other things in life beside music that is taking your attention? Science, Lyrics, History, Esoterical Themes, whatever?
Maybe you can share some of you favorite authors of books and essays you’ve read which are fairly good enough to be shared with other people. Are those things giving you inspiration? Or maybe you have certain rituals to get inspired? Do you think that certain things of this mentioned pations could be important for your life and for life in general?

Ynleborgaz: I like to read about pre- christian Scandinavian history, and general ancient history and also visit museums and historic places all over the world to learn more about what once was.
“The Danish history” written in the 12th century by Saxo Grammaticus is a very interesting work, which of course has inspired me a lot.
I don’t need rituals of any kind to get inspired. Inspiration can strike me at any time and place.

I’m not aware of how long you have been active within the Black Metal circles, but did you change some certain views on some things or were you able to get improvements for you ideas and ideals?

Ynleborgaz: My interest in Blackmetal began around 1994 when I became familiar with many of the Norwegian and Swedish bands of that time. I always saw myself as standing a bit outside the general “scene” doing my own things, and always trying to be original.

On some certain agrees when I read interviews and lyrics of some certain bands I think those bands do not really have a clue about the things they are presenting.
Do you think it’s necessary to keep on track on the things you are writing or do you think making music is another form of entertainment and we should let them make the things they appreciate?

Nattetale: Well that depends on how you present your music and attitude. If you want to be a joke, then be a joke. And if music is only entertainment, I guess that depends on the listener as much as on the creator.

Ynleborgaz: Unless people see themselves as a joke I would expect them to be interested in what they are writing about. I couldn’t imagine making music as merely entertainment. That would mean meeting expectations of the listeners, and compromising with your ideas.

How are things in normal life going? Do you have any people where you can share your thoughts? Do you agree that the percentage of people in general that are interested to certain ideological or intellectual things is very low?
Maybe you have an idea from where this comes? Any conclusion maybe on the sharing and teaching of the human in general? Do you actually think its enough to teach people how to add 1 with 1? What particular things have you missed in your childhood?
Do you have any idea how the world could look if we wouldn’t have already all the things we (supposedly) need?

Ynleborgaz: I don’t think that I have really missed anything in my childhood. Maybe except for the sense of people sticking together and being honest with each other in their respective communities. But I guess that is a thing of the past altogether.  
I do think that education is important, but for ones personal development, and ability to look outside the frames. All the material things we “supposedly” need are all things with which we could easily do without, but have grown accustomed to. Addiction is psychological.      

Why do you think the media is running behind the reporting on whenever a person died? Do you think it’s necessary to report on every dead human even he was dumb enough to drive drunk into a tree? Maybe it’s a hidden self catharsis of the ashamed humans - or do you really think the people care about it?

Ynleborgaz: In the media death sells. No doubt about that. That’s how the Norwegian Black metal scene got famous in the first place.

Nattetale: The media reports death and chaos as much as they can. A scared public is so much easier to control rather than an angry mob.

Do you think that giving the people hope would change the situation, what hope should it be and how the things could be looking with that hope?

Ynleborgaz: Hope about what, I might ask? Things won’t be better. The downward spiral is increasing in speed and vastness, chaos and destruction is everywhere. There is no hope of survival for the stupid human species, it will end itself soon enough.

Now let’s talk about a possible 3rd album. Do you have already plans or maybe already have some ideas for a new "Make a change ... kill yourself" album?
Is there any chance that Demonica is joining again for guest vocals?

Ynleborgaz: the creative flow never really stops, so I am always getting ideas for new songs, and that will eventually result in a 3rd album. There is a very big possibility that Demonica will perform on future albums, since she is now free from a previous engagement that prevented her from participating in Make A Change… Kill Yourself.

What you can tell us about your thoughts when you are reflecting the development of this project?

Ynleborgaz: I get many ideas for the musical landscape, but it all comes down to the lyrics in the end.
They give the music power.