For more than three decades, Helheim has stood as one of the most respected bands in Viking and Norwegian black metal. In this episode of Tales From The Riff, Moe sits down with Ørjan V’gandr Stedjeberg to discuss the band’s origins in Bergen, the evolution of Viking metal, and the philosophy behind Helheim’s music rooted in Norse mythology and history.

From the early 1990s Norwegian black metal movement to Helheim’s modern progressive era, V’gandr shares insights into songwriting, cultural influences, and what it takes to sustain an extreme metal band for over 30 years.

In this episode of Tales From The Riff, Moe sits down with Ørjan V’gandr Stedjeberg, bassist and vocalist of legendary Norwegian Viking black metal band Helheim.

Formed in Bergen in 1992, Helheim has long stood as one of the most respected bands in the Viking/black metal movement. Throughout the conversation, V’gandr reflects on the band’s evolution across more than three decades, the creative partnership with guitarist H’grimnir, and the philosophy behind Helheim’s blend of aggressive black metal and deep Norse mythology.

Moe and V’gandr also discuss the Bergen metal scene, the importance of cultural history in extreme metal, Helheim’s songwriting process, and how the band continues to push their sound forward while honoring their roots.

If you’re a fan of Viking metal, Norwegian black metal history, and long-standing extreme metal craftsmanship, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of Tales From The Riff, I’m joined by the enigmatic and uncompromising V. Einride — principal songwriter and driving force behind Norwegian black metal entity Whoredom Rife.

Hailing from Trondheim, Whoredom Rife has carved a distinct path through the modern black metal landscape with a sound that is both reverent of tradition and fiercely contemporary. Across releases like Dommedagskvad, Nid – Hymner av hat, and Winds of Wrath, V. Einride has channeled a vision rooted in atmosphere, militant precision, and deeply personal conviction.

We dive into:

•The philosophical and spiritual backbone of Whoredom Rife

•The evolution of their sound from raw beginnings to razor-sharp modern production

•Trondheim’s black metal legacy and standing apart from scenes centered in Oslo and Bergen

•Songwriting discipline, lyrical intent, and maintaining authenticity in an increasingly digital age

•The tension between mystique and exposure in modern extreme metal

V. Einride speaks candidly about the band’s ideological foundations, creative process, and the importance of artistic integrity over trends. It’s a focused and intense conversation that mirrors the band’s sonic identity — deliberate, cold, and unwavering.

On this blistering episode of Tales From The Riff, Moe sits down with Sadomancer, the riff-slinging force of Norway’s Deathhammer. With their unrelenting devotion to the ancient spirit of thrash and black metal, Deathhammer has carved out a cult reputation built on raw speed, unholy riffs, and a refusal to compromise.

Sadomancer takes us deep into the origins of the band’s hell-charged sound, reflecting on their early days of channeling Bathory, Kreator, and Slayer through a basement-born fury. He shares stories of underground gigs, the band’s rabid dedication to keeping the old ways alive, and what it means to stand as torchbearers of true, violent thrash in a modern scene.

This is an episode for die-hards of speed and darkness, and for anyone who believes the riff will never die.

On this episode of Tales From the Riff, Moe sits down with Michael Klein, the creative force behind MK Audio Design. Known for his masterful approach to crafting soundscapes and designing gear that pushes the boundaries of tone, Michael shares the story of how his passion for audio engineering, metal, and sonic experimentation led him to build one of the most respected names in the underground scene. From dialing in brutal guitar tones to shaping immersive live experiences, Michael discusses the artistry of sound design, the philosophy behind MK Audio Design, and how the right sonic choices can elevate a band’s identity just as much as riffs or lyrics. Along the way, he dives into his own influences, the technical challenges of building gear for extreme music, and what it means to merge craftsmanship with chaos.

In this episode, I sit down with Carl Auge — bassist, visual artist, and founding member of the influential crust/hardcore band His Hero Is Gone. From the bleak underground of the ’90s DIY scene to the enduring legacy of Monuments to Thieves, Carl reflects on the band’s uncompromising ethos, the creative process behind their visceral sound, and the tension between art, music, and resistance. We also explore his visual art, the role of dissonance in both his music and imagery, and what it means to create honestly in a world that often prefers silence.

On this episode, I sit down with Daniel Salsten, the lightning-fast frontman and co-founder of Norway’s thrash metal juggernaut DeathHammer. We talk about the band’s early days in the Norwegian underground, their razor-sharp riffs that cut straight back to the roots of speed and thrash, and the raw energy that keeps DeathHammer at the forefront of the extreme metal scene. Daniel opens up about influences, writing chaos-driven tracks, and how DeathHammer keeps the spirit of old-school thrash alive in 2025 and beyond.