Ragnarok - Jontho Taking Over Vocal Duties
Norwegian black metallers Ragnarok announced the departure of vocalist Hans Fyrste a few months ago, and since then there has been some speculation as to who will replace him. But until now the band has kept quiet about their choice, whilst at the same time rehearsing the new lineup behind closed doors. The new vocalist will be drummer and Ragnarok founder Jontho himself, and his place behind the drum kit on stage will be taken by Dauden drummer Malignant.
It might seem strange that Jontho, a respected drummers on the black metal scene, and who has played in various bands such as Tsjuder, Endezzma and Shadow Dancers during his long career, should decide on a change of direction, especially with a band that he founded 20 years ago, but, as he explains, he is not entirely abandoning his drums: "When Hans Fyrste left I sat down together with bass player DezeptiCunt and guitarist Bolverk, and we knew that finding the right person who would fit Ragnarok's ethos both in terms of performance and live appearances was not going to be easy. On top of which we had to begin work on our eighth full-length album, and we didn't want to have to rush into anything we might later come to regret, so we took the decision that I would continue to handle the drums in the studio, as well as taking on the vocals both in the studio and on stage, and that Malignant would drum for us live on stage.
"Although I'm known as a drummer, I'm not a stranger to performing vocals, having done backing vocals on some of Ragnarok's albums. It would be fair to say that am tired of front men who do not give their all and quit the band, so, since I am the most stable member and the de facto front man from the beginning, even though I played the drums, I will now front the band as I should have years ago. Of course, doing vocals live in front of an audience is definitely a challenge, but one that I was interested in trying after all these years behind the drum kit. Will I continue as Ragnarok's vocalist after the release of the next album? That remains to be seen, but for the time being it's something I'm looking forward to."
Jontho's first appearance on stage as vocalist with Ragnarok will take place on the 4th of October at the Stadthalle in Schweinfurt, Germany, when the band is set to appear at Norwegian Hellcamp, the new festival which, as its name suggests, is devoted entirely to Norwegian black and extreme metal. Along with Ragnarok in the lineup are Taake, Slagmaur, Vulture Industries, Endezzma, Sarkom, Den Saakaldte and Aura Noir.
Aside from working on their next album, Ragnarok are also currently in the middle of planning some South American dates for later this year.
It might seem strange that Jontho, a respected drummers on the black metal scene, and who has played in various bands such as Tsjuder, Endezzma and Shadow Dancers during his long career, should decide on a change of direction, especially with a band that he founded 20 years ago, but, as he explains, he is not entirely abandoning his drums: "When Hans Fyrste left I sat down together with bass player DezeptiCunt and guitarist Bolverk, and we knew that finding the right person who would fit Ragnarok's ethos both in terms of performance and live appearances was not going to be easy. On top of which we had to begin work on our eighth full-length album, and we didn't want to have to rush into anything we might later come to regret, so we took the decision that I would continue to handle the drums in the studio, as well as taking on the vocals both in the studio and on stage, and that Malignant would drum for us live on stage.
"Although I'm known as a drummer, I'm not a stranger to performing vocals, having done backing vocals on some of Ragnarok's albums. It would be fair to say that am tired of front men who do not give their all and quit the band, so, since I am the most stable member and the de facto front man from the beginning, even though I played the drums, I will now front the band as I should have years ago. Of course, doing vocals live in front of an audience is definitely a challenge, but one that I was interested in trying after all these years behind the drum kit. Will I continue as Ragnarok's vocalist after the release of the next album? That remains to be seen, but for the time being it's something I'm looking forward to."
Courtesy of the band's Facebook page
Jontho's first appearance on stage as vocalist with Ragnarok will take place on the 4th of October at the Stadthalle in Schweinfurt, Germany, when the band is set to appear at Norwegian Hellcamp, the new festival which, as its name suggests, is devoted entirely to Norwegian black and extreme metal. Along with Ragnarok in the lineup are Taake, Slagmaur, Vulture Industries, Endezzma, Sarkom, Den Saakaldte and Aura Noir.
Aside from working on their next album, Ragnarok are also currently in the middle of planning some South American dates for later this year.
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