Sons of Ragnar is a Viking Metal band from Central, Florida, Lead vocalist of Sons of Ragnar Snake-in-the-Eye (Alexander Crowe) did the interview, I had to interview them not only because you don’t hear very often a Viking Metal band from the United States but also their music is so badass you would just want to head bang your head off all night.
Can you tell a brief history of your band and when it started
Well, the band started before me, as I was the last to join.
(Ragnar was something of a hound dog, and I just happen to be the youngest and oldest simultaneously.
From what I understand, Ivar and Ubbe started it as a neo-classical thrash band, and it eventually evolved into the folk-viking-blackened-death-thrash-progressive-diminished-love-hate-fear-ohgodwhy-fuckscience-whyisthisathing metal that our fans know and love today.
So I'm told.
>Which famous musicians have you learned from?
We learned the most from the great Skalds of old, Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, Korpiklaani, Wintersun, Opeth, Death (of course), Tool, and Jarl Malmsteen.
He's a Jarl now, I hear.
Word travels fast across the North Seas. If'n ya know what I mean. (wink wink.)
>What is the metal scene like in your area?
Well, there's a rather disappointing lack of crucible steelworkers.
Naw, but seriously, it's fantastic. We're from Central FL, so we don't have QUITE the old-school Death comparison that everyone has (although we certainly have the influence!)
>How did you guys come up with the name Sons of Ragnar?
I'm a history student, and was looking into different aspects of the Viking age, and came across the Great Heathen Army.
I saw "led by the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok" and I was like "wait a damn minute..."
I presented the idea, and the rest is history.
Or at least it will be.
When we're done.
Now show yer neck, knave.
>Who are your major influences?
Didn't I answer this question?
The great Skalds!
Ensiferum, Korpiklaani, Oden, Bragi....
Wouldn't happen to have some mead, would ya?
I'm feelin' frisky.
>If you guys were to describe yourself in simple word choice.. what would you say?
"Good lad, happen ye to have another pint of mead? I've been running dry, and have been in dear desire for further inebriation by means of the Aesir's nectar."
*translation: Give me more mead, asshat, 'fore I kick yer teeth in.
Simple is a word that's simply too much an' too lil' fer me.
>Describe your shows, visual and musically.
Well, you could describe it as a mix of "Metal-driven drunken revelry"
and
"fuck you, seriously, I need some more mead, if you'd be so kind. I won't be next time."
>Can you tell us about your upcoming shows?
We've got Ivar's 21st Birthday show at the Haven on January 11th, because this strange land has some stupid idea of "legal drinking age."
Dunno what that means, but either way, come get Ivar (Tyler) drunk at midnight and enjoy some fantastic metal!
(others accepting alcohol donations as well.)
>What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Oh, well I'd tell 'em to follow their dreams, keep the Florida metal scene alive (it's tryin' to throw in the towel, and we just won't have it), keep practicin', and PLAY WITH US, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YA ALONG.
Otherwise, stay metal, and please keep the breakdowns to a musically-admonished minimum.
\\m//
~ Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye (Alexander Crowe)
Well, the band started before me, as I was the last to join.
(Ragnar was something of a hound dog, and I just happen to be the youngest and oldest simultaneously.
From what I understand, Ivar and Ubbe started it as a neo-classical thrash band, and it eventually evolved into the folk-viking-blackened-death-thrash-progressive-diminished-love-hate-fear-ohgodwhy-fuckscience-whyisthisathing metal that our fans know and love today.
So I'm told.
>Which famous musicians have you learned from?
We learned the most from the great Skalds of old, Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, Korpiklaani, Wintersun, Opeth, Death (of course), Tool, and Jarl Malmsteen.
He's a Jarl now, I hear.
Word travels fast across the North Seas. If'n ya know what I mean. (wink wink.)
>What is the metal scene like in your area?
Well, there's a rather disappointing lack of crucible steelworkers.
Naw, but seriously, it's fantastic. We're from Central FL, so we don't have QUITE the old-school Death comparison that everyone has (although we certainly have the influence!)
>How did you guys come up with the name Sons of Ragnar?
I'm a history student, and was looking into different aspects of the Viking age, and came across the Great Heathen Army.
I saw "led by the sons of Ragnar Lodbrok" and I was like "wait a damn minute..."
I presented the idea, and the rest is history.
Or at least it will be.
When we're done.
Now show yer neck, knave.
>Who are your major influences?
Didn't I answer this question?
The great Skalds!
Ensiferum, Korpiklaani, Oden, Bragi....
Wouldn't happen to have some mead, would ya?
I'm feelin' frisky.
>If you guys were to describe yourself in simple word choice.. what would you say?
"Good lad, happen ye to have another pint of mead? I've been running dry, and have been in dear desire for further inebriation by means of the Aesir's nectar."
*translation: Give me more mead, asshat, 'fore I kick yer teeth in.
Simple is a word that's simply too much an' too lil' fer me.
>Describe your shows, visual and musically.
Well, you could describe it as a mix of "Metal-driven drunken revelry"
and
"fuck you, seriously, I need some more mead, if you'd be so kind. I won't be next time."
>Can you tell us about your upcoming shows?
We've got Ivar's 21st Birthday show at the Haven on January 11th, because this strange land has some stupid idea of "legal drinking age."
Dunno what that means, but either way, come get Ivar (Tyler) drunk at midnight and enjoy some fantastic metal!
(others accepting alcohol donations as well.)
>What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Oh, well I'd tell 'em to follow their dreams, keep the Florida metal scene alive (it's tryin' to throw in the towel, and we just won't have it), keep practicin', and PLAY WITH US, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YA ALONG.
Otherwise, stay metal, and please keep the breakdowns to a musically-admonished minimum.
\\m//
~ Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye (Alexander Crowe)
