After making three successful Hagalaz' Runedance albums dedicated to the northern spirituality and in the style of folk/medieval music, I felt the need to move on cause now I started to feel restricted by the music style and concept I had created with Hagalaz' Runedance. I had achieved what I wanted with the style of medieval- and folk music. With it and with my book "the Ancient Fires Of Midgard" I kind of attracted a less alternative fan base and here got an image that was not me anymore. I felt like I became known as the respectable 'forest wise woman' who 'plays nice folk music', and it started to make me uncomfortable, because this image is not me really. I am much more of a bad girl, hehe, a person who explores life and who has experienced pretty many wild things in her life...and I felt like showing who I really was and what I have experienced during my life. So I felt the urge to explore the many possibilities of creating musical sounds and I wanted to focus more generally on my feelings, dreams, obscure experiences, parallel worlds and the magic that is surrounding me. Now I just want to create, express what is inside of me, being true to myself, without restricting and limiting myself to a specific genre anymore. Being an artist (and a pagan) I always seek to grow, to explore and to challenge. I also began working within other artistic areas; creating visual art and video concepts for example.

 

I'm not sure how I would describe my new songs. I feel a lot of Hagalaz' Runedance is kept in the new songs, but I also think there are a lot of gothic influences, since 80's gothic, industrial and synth pop inspired me very much. As a tribute to this era I have made a cover song of Lene Lovich's Bird Song, my most influential song. I was just a kid when I saw Lene Lovich sing this song on TV. The ghostly song and her gothic appearance...and I was mesmerized.

 

The name Nebelhexe means Fog-witch. Do you see yourself as that: A Fog-witch?

 

I have revived my previous artist name Nebelhexe partly because I feel like going 'back to basics', meaning back to my more darker artistic expressions. But I also found new reasons to use this name. But yes I am a kind of "fog" person, I am inspired by misty and mystic atmospheres and this represents my music...

 

What started your interest in the occult and paganism?

 

I always had the feeling within me, without knowing what it was. I always valued freedom of spirit, respected the natural world, communicated with animals, had magical abilities and did not fear the 'dark' aspects of life that society calls 'evil'. I always disliked the discriminating teachings of the patriarchal religions and thought they were wrong. But I did not become aware of the old pagan traditions before I was 19 or so. Then I started working on my abilities. To me being a pagan means to be free and natural, without being restricted by the boundaries of dogmatic patriarchal religions. To be a magician or witch means to explore life, to communicate with the cosmos, to influence ones fate to the better and most of all to grow as a person. I see life as a journey, with always new possibilities and also many obstacles... there are always new beginnings in life...

 

Being a pagan and involved in occult-orders, what's your thought of Jesus Christ?

 

Well the fantasy figure the Christians have created is, of course, far from the truth. The actual historical Jesus I quite like. He was a person rebelling against the fascistic political- and religious system. He was fighting against the priesthood and roman occupation, that is why he was executed, not because he was "gods son". The real Jesus would have hated the Church and its priests, the believers and their unnatural dogmas. He was after all fighting against the controlling priesthood. According to historical research it is uncertain if he actually died on a cross or if he survived and lived on. Reading the real Jesus story is indeed very interesting..

 

Did you see the movie "The Passion of The Christ"?

 

No I didn't and I don't wanna see it either, I think. I'm sure it is a well made film, but I don't care to watch Christian propaganda really (this film is based on the Christian idea of Christ, not the historical one) and I don't like to see torture and suffering. I am reminded of human cruelty to each other and to animals every day...

 

There is supposed to be a video on the new album that isn't there although it says it is. What's the deal with that and is the record-label going to do anything about this?

 

Well the record label or factory 'forgot' to put the video on the first CD pressings. Very annoying business!! Write to the record label Karmaggeddon Media and be really annoyed, hehe...you can send them the CD and get a new one with a video from them...

 

The video is to the song called Wake to Wither, a song with a very dark atmosphere. It was directed by the artistic video team of Akff. I wanted to create a David Lynch type of atmosphere. I am very inspired by David Lynch films...

 

The album is out. How has it been doing since the release?

 

Good, I get quite good reviews and many people tell me they really love the new album. That it is interesting and diverse, much more artistic and atmospheric. The photos and paintings are really liked as well. This week I was played several times on the radio and I was guest in the national radio-station. I feel my new songs get more attention, so I am quite happy about that...

 

What happens in the near future with Nebelhexe?

 

Well, I cannot say anything concrete yet... except that I work on several artistic projects and I hope to successfully release them soon. I also hope to tour South America this year and play good festivals...

 

Last comment?

 

Hm well... I hope the readers will check out my new album and appreciate the feelings and atmospheres I try to bring across...

 

* “Laguz – Within The Lake” is out now on Karmageddon Media