Falkenbach is an Austrian black/folk/Viking project masterminded by Vratyas Vakyas. Forming back in the late '80s, Vakyas did everything in the early days, but in the past few years has recruited some session musicians to share part of the load. Tiurida is Falkenbach's fifth full-length album, and first since 2005. Vakyas fills us in on the new album, whether they plan any live shows and other topics.


Chad Bowar: What led to the five year gap between albums?
Vratyas Vakyas: Sometimes it just needs its time, I guess. There were several reasons. Sometimes new melodies and ideas come within a short period of time, but there are also times without any ideas for a long time. I don´t force new ideas to come to my mind, but prefer to wait until time is right.

How did your songwriting and recording process for Tiurida compare to your previous albums?
The time between both albums wasn´t filled with working on the new songs all the time. As I said, sometimes there´s a long periode of time without any new melodies and ideas. I cannot say how much time it needed in the end. The recording process was split up in several sessions. I am not sure anymore how long it exactly took me to record and mix the album all in all. It must have been 4-6 weeks.

How has your sound evolved/progressed from Heralding to Tiurida?
The sound itself changed a little, as Heralding - The Fireblade was a re-recording of on older, unreleased album, and meant to sound the way it was meant when it was recorded for the first time in the middle of the '90s.

What does the title signify?
Tiurida is old-high German and can be translated to "glory."

What inspired your lyrics on this album?
As for all albums and tapes, all songs and lyrics are inspired by western and northern Germanic traditions, cultures, values and beliefs.

How did you select the cover art?
It usually takes a while to find a perfect cover. It´s an old painting that I found accidentally on the net and am very happy with it.

What has the early response to the album been?
I do not check reviews that much, to be honest. As far as I can say, there are people who really like the new album, as well as people who have ambivalent feelings about it. It´s nothing new, every new Falkenbach album leads to different opinions.

What are the chances Falkenbach will do some live shows in 2011?
It´s not 100% sure yet, but there´s a good chance to realize this old idea now.

Has there been a lot of pressure from fans and/or the label to have more of a live presence?
I think pressure is not the perfect word for it. There are people who are really looking forward to such a concert, and of course Napalm Records always wanted Falkenbach to play live as well. I know about it, but it´s not pressure, I guess.

Having been in the industry for over 20 years, what have been some of the biggest changes you've noticed?
Probably the fact everyone is able to download everything for free. Meanwhile, weeks or even months before a new album is released, people are talking about new material like it´s "old" already.

How come there's not a Falkenbach website, just a forum?
I did not see any need for a homepage so far. The forum contains all information needed, plus everyone is able to ask questions there, and I try my best to answer all comments and questions. A forum is much more interactive. A homepage to me often seems to be nothing more than a promotional act.

Do you have any involvement with the Falkenbach Facebook page? I understand the Vratyas Vakyas one is not actually you?
No, I do not own any Facebook pages. The forum is the only (active) page of Falkenbach. Anything else is either a pure placeholder/ inactive, a fan page, or simply a fake.

Are you involved in any other musical projects besides Falkenbach?
No projects beside Falkenbach so far. There were some ideas, but nothing has been realized so far.

What are your hobbies/interests apart from music?
Mainly my dogs. I spend a lot of time with them.

What are are some of your all-time favorite albums?
It might sound arrogant, but the five albums I listen to most of all are the five Falkenbach albums.