FROSTED UNDERGROWTH: “Only leather, rivets, corpsepaint and blood!”

FROSTED UNDERGROWTH: “Only leather, rivets, corpsepaint and blood!”

Frosted Undergrowth were founded in 2016. We talk to mastermind Deathroned about the new album “Unchained”, the spirit of black metal and shared screaming moments for a sense of unity.

The spirit of black metal
Orkus: Let’s start at the beginning. What made you decide to form Frosted Undergrowth in the first place?
Deathroned: Back then, White Wolf and I wanted to form a band that would bring back the classic spirit of the nineties black metal era. At the time we formed, there were a lot of bands who were more interested in fashion or trends than what really mattered. On top of that, nobody was really rocking out anymore. We were bored with most of the releases of the time. We wanted to bring the raw energy and the dark atmosphere back to the stage in a serious way. No hoods, no incense – just leather, studs, corpsepaint and blood! We wanted to write songs with cold melodies that are aggressive, direct and authentic – without compromise. For us, it was simply the right moment to do what we wanted to hear ourselves.

Rough and unpolished
O: How did you come up with the band name?
D: The name Frosted Undergrowth should clearly reflect the mood of the music – dark, cold with a symbolic background. We thought about it for a long time and wanted something that raises questions and calls for more. For us, the name describes a raw, unpolished mood that fits our sound perfectly – not perfect, not smooth, but real.

Unchained
O: Let’s stay with the name for a moment: Why is “Unchained” the appropriate album title?
D: “Unchained” describes very well how we were able to work on this album. We deliberately took more time than on all previous releases, reworked the songs several times and implemented all the ideas that were important to us. For example, we played “Glacier on Permafrost” live in October 2023 and it’s probably the oldest song on the new album. “Unchained” continues our cover concept, which we have been pursuing since the beginning. The first album, the black throne in the forest, embodies the rise of darkness, the second the departure and march. The new title represents the zenith – liberation and battle.

“A couple of beers in and into the forest”
O: For example, you made a video for “Raise the Banner”. How did you experience the shoot?
D: We recorded two videos for the new album. One on our own and one at Palm Media.
We shot “Raise the Banner” ourselves and decided to go the old-school route. A couple of beers and into the forest. The Vroneck castle ruins in the forest of Marienstatt, right next to a large abbey, served as the filming location. We then shot the video for “Bloodshed in the Name of God” together with Palm Media on the ruins of Sporkenburg Castle. As there is no road there, we carried everything up the mountain. It was a day we won’t forget in a hurry. In the end, however, we are very happy with both results. It shows exactly the two sides that we have in our music.

Screaming together
O: And how did the song come about?
D: “Raise the Banner” began with a lyric idea from Melkor. Then, as with many of our songs, I wrote a demo that we discussed together. The song was conceived from the outset as a sense of community. Us against them – together under the banner. For the chorus, we called some friends into the studio who could shout along to reinforce the feeling. The song is therefore a tribute to all our supporters!

Natural process
O: How can we generally imagine the creation of “Unchained”?
D: As I said, we took more time this time and looked very carefully at what we wanted to do with which song. I bring in demos, we listen to them together and decide which songs to pursue further. We rehearse these songs together, rebuild structures, test new ideas and change details until everything fits. At the same time, Melkor works on the drums, which often results in completely new approaches. Each song is reworked several times until we have the feeling that it is right both musically and atmospherically. It’s a slow but natural process that rounds off the album in the end.

Stimmig
O: Was there a song that somehow caused you problems and how did you solve it?
D: Yes, there were a few songs that didn’t work properly at first. In such cases, we completely rewrite them or throw them away. Sometimes new ideas come along that make the song even better than originally planned. “Cloak of Crimson” from the previous EP was originally also intended for the new album. However, we quickly realized that it needed a special place. Every idea changed something new in this song and it became longer and longer, so a separate release was the better way for us. It’s important to us that every song is coherent for the band and expresses what we imagine.

Traditional Black Metal
O: Why is it important to you to preserve traditional black metal? And can you explain to someone who is not so familiar with the different types of metal what it is all about?
D: For us, traditional black metal is not just a sound, but an approach. It’s about raw energy, direct impact, atmosphere and authenticity. If someone doesn’t know this kind of music, it’s best to experience it live and see for yourself. However, a lot of bands nowadays emphasize “we’re doing something very special now”. A gimmick of their own, if you like. – Be it spiked hats, sailor caps or cowboy hats. We want the music to appeal to those who love the early shit but can’t get enough. Of course, a certain theatricality that connects us to the old days should not be missing. Preserving traditional black metal means that this basic idea is not lost, that music is once again tangible, honest and unadulterated. Against AI covers and AI music – for what really counts.

Future outlook
O: What are Frosted Undergrowth’s plans for the future?
D: We want to continue to release music, play live and also enjoy being on stage at one extreme metal festival or another. We will continue on our path and defend the black metal spirit that defines us.

Maria Vain

Watch the video for “Bloodshed in the Name of God” here: