Kroda are one of the most promising Folk Black Metal bands from Ukraine.So that's a reason for us to talk with them.This interview took place with mastermind Eisenslav!

1) Slava Kroda! Please start with the beginning of Kroda and your whole history!

"...At the cold dawn of Spring 2003 a.y.p.s. in the PROTIVOSTOJANIE Forges the Flame of Our Folk Heroes Memory funeral bonfire flared up, set by the sparkles of Eisenslav and Viterzgir common spiritual impulse. And that pyre smoke exalted to the Welkin itself and, like many centuries ago, gathered the clouds, struck by Cudgels of Thunder and cast the Blazes down onto the enemies' heads; it fell flowing by the Rains, washed away its own Ashes and covered the Land with a Snow. That Snow melted under the Sunlight, and the last glimmering embers flared up with a new strength... Thus, the Kroda always arose high to the Sky bringing the message that Ancestral Glory is not forgotten, not turned out from the descendants memory, and the Wheel won't stop while Our Kin's Blood is flowing in the veins of forthcoming generations... While the Great Wolf wouldn't break his Chain to extinguish the Sun forever, proclaiming the End of an Aeon... But it will be the time for Thousands of Krodas to exalt to the Sky of the Heavens!.."

2) Some people describe you as NSBM and some as folk Black Metal. How would you describe Kroda?s music?

I think that Kroda plays Pagan Folk Patriotic Metal. But I have to notice that the verge between Folk/Heathen/NS is so loose, as for me, than I don't make no essensual differences among these veins. We use folk elements, it means that definition "folk-" is usefull; lyrical themes are varied from nature/weltanschauung (from the heathen point of view) to blood/racial,- consequently, "heathen-" is appropriate too, as well as "NS-"... I consider monikers are not too important here.

3) You write in ukrainian. What is the reason for this and why not in english for example?

The main reason is that I use archaic and sacral words. To do the same in English would be more difficult. Although, this is not of principles. Somewhere in future, we'll recorded even one song in English or Deutch, for example...

4) Ukraine has great bands in your genre as Svarga,Nokturnal Mortum or Hate Forest for example,but these bands are mostly already a little bit older. Would you describe Kroda as a kind of new wave of ukrainian Folk BM?

Actually, I'm not disposed to separate the scene into the "old-" and "new-" wave. Undoubtelly we are younger than such a giants like Nokturnal Mortum, Hate Forest or Astrofaes - you're absolutely right here. By the way, Svarga is more young band than we are. There just were big fucking delays with our materials releasing.

5) You dedicated your albums to Stellar Winter records. Why?

Seems that you got some confused... Stellar Winter is a cult elite label, I consider them our good friends, but we didn't make any dedications to them. Maybe you speak about the dedication that have a place... but it was from other Protivostojanie band. Lut' horde dedicated it's first album to the BlazeBirth Hall Warriors.

6) Can you tell us a little bit about Kroda concerts. Are there any planned?

The full "live" Kroda crew have to be of 10 persons. Current line-up is just two of us... You know. Plus, we have no session musicians for live performance now. Thus, no gigs are planed yet. What 'bout future - only the Nornes know the destiny to come...

7) How you came into contact with Hammermark and why you choosed them?

We had a contacts by e-mail for some time, so it gave a birth to friendship between us. Such it happened that exactly thay were chosen for further cooperation. We are glad to have such kamerades, and we completely trust 'em. We hope Nornes' thresds are weaved in such a pattern that'll allow us to meet even before Walhalla.

8) Our web-zine is polish/ukrainian. Please describe your opinion about polish and ukrainian BM and NSBM scene!

What can I say here?! Polish and Ukrainian BM and NSBM scenes are ones of the best in the nowadays world(also - German and Hellenic, as for me). And we are proud to be the part of it.

9) One more time back to Kroda...what are your musically influces?

The influences are BM and authentic European folklore. It's too difficult to underline what hordes made influences onto our creations, cause we're listening very lot of music. Maybe they are: Ulver(early), Satyricon(early), Isengard, Storm, Kampfar, Cruachan, N.M., Temnozor, Garmarna, Drabyna... singing of our Grandmothers when we was children... really, their influence is most illustrious. Anyway, the inspiration itself comes not from music! Our music and lyrics were born from the depths of a Memory in Blood - as an echo of archytipical voice; from the beauty of Our Land's nature; from the proud of Heroic past of Our Race; from the pain of clash of chains that fettered Our Folk today... From the love and hatred our music is forged.

10) What future plans do you have with Kroda?

Our plans for closest future are - to release in CD-format our new album "Towards the Firmaments Verge of Life..." this Autumn; then - split with our Russian kamerades and brothers Velimor "...By the Hammer of Spirit and Identity of Blood...", it's it's planned to be unleashed this year, in Winter. Also, to release vynil versions of "Cry..." and "Firmaments..." with bonus tracks; to take part in Russian tribute to Burzum, in one cartrige-belt with leading hordes from Ukraina, Russia and Belorus. Also - MC of two our mini-albums "Legend" + "By the Hammer..." must be released this Winter. And one more plan, if gods shalt help us to succeed,- in the end of Winter, to unleash the CD of our newest album, yet it's in work now - "Funeral of the Sun".

11) So that`s the end of this interview..a few last words to our readers?We are all in the Grimness of Twilight of the Gods now, but new Dawn shalt rise inevitably, for Ragnarok has begun!.. Time of Last Battle is coming!!! Yet, the Gates of Walhalla are opened wide - with no fear do strive onward to meet those who fell with bravery in hearts! ...for Hel greedy spreaded her gnarled claws! 14/88!