An Interview With Rob Darken of Graveland

(Editor's note: The following is an interview I conducted with Rob Darken. This interview was originally intended for the debut issue of Heathenforce magazine. Due to personal and creative differences I had to abrogate my assistance with that project. Below is the complete and unedited interview)


1) Hello Darken. Could you please introduce yourself to the readers and also could you please tell us when Graveland was formed?

Heilsa! I run two musical projects: Graveland (Pagan metal) and Lord Wind (symphonic neo-folk). I started my activity in underground scene over 20 years ago. I am a musician but at the moment I am also occupied with graphics and photography. When I have some free time I travel. I take photos of ancient pagan cult places, stone circles and so on. I also take photos of neo-pagan rites and mysteries.

For some time I was an active member of neo-pagan movement "Rodzima Wiara" (Native Faith) and a warrior of "Slezanie" team. I took part in re-enactments of Slavonic and Viking battles in Cedynia and Wolin.

My artistic work is my weapon in fight for truth and for my political and philosophical convictions. At the very beginning of my musical career I rejected Judeo-Christianity as alien and unhealthy for my land. Judeo-Christianity was imposed upon our ancestors by deceit and terror. Our ancestors had their own native beliefs and faith that now is called "pagan" or "heathen". It is our heritage bound in our blood. And now, after over 2000 years of Christianity, our instincts are still strong and are coming back shining with Light of Truth and Sun vital energy. Categorically I reject Darwin's theory about beginnings of human life on earth. I believe than man appeared on earth by divine intervention and I believe that human life does not end as a man dies, but it has its continuation in different dimensions. I try to include my spirituality in my artistic work as it becomes an inspiration for many people. When I started to play BM, moon was my inspiration. Now Sun is a source of my strength and courage.

2) Who are your musical influences?

Bathory, Manilla Road, Venom, Manowar. I have also listened to Dead Can Dance, Enya, Lorenna McKennitt and soundtracks. Especially I have a high opinion of soundtrack of Conan the Barbarian. It is a huge source of inspiration for me. Conan the Barbarian soundtrack aroused my interest in medieval folk. Bazil Poledouris composing this soundtrack took inspirations from medieval music of Carmina Burana. There are many performances of Carmina Burana songs but the most I like Rene Clemencic Consort and New London Consort.

I reject false theories according to which blues played by the Black is a fundament of metal music. I have never been inspired by blues music. I took my inspirations from native folk music played on string instruments a long time ago. In Africa stringed instruments appeared relatively not long ago.

I am convinced that metal music is strongly connected with Epic art trend. I respect metal bands that refer to Epic even if I do not listen to their music as e.g. Iron Maiden.

From classical music I love Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. In music of this Russian composer I find an inspiration which strongly affects me as a magical blaze.

3) Your other musical project Lord Wind is brilliant! When is another Lord Wind album going to be released? Also have you ever considered doing another Lord Wind album in the style of the debut "Forgotten Songs"?

When I created Lord Wind I was convinced to play neo-folk music. First album "Forgotten Songs" was recorded in assumed style. But later on next albums I started to play keyboards symphonic music.

You can still find folk elements in new Lord Wind music. Some songs sound kind of oriental (I like Balkan folk a lot). However, Conan the Barbarian soundtrack inspired by medieval folk is the biggest source of inspiration for Lord Wind music. In Lord Wind music I use elements which for the first time I found in this soundtrack:
kettledrum, gongs, strings, choirs, Epic horns, Frame drum - I love a part of a movie with ritual in snake tower - the music is awesome - fidel, Frame drum and women choir. This part of soundtrack had a huge influence on my music. Later I have found out that it was a Cantiga 66 performed by Rene Clementic Consort. Poledouris only added choir part to this song.

Lord Wind music is also epic and dramatic with nostalgic and melancholic elements. Lord Wind music refers to my ideas about beginnings of a man on earth. I go back to the times when Gods and Valkyries dwelled on earth and when they waged wars against the powers of darkness. I also refer to myths of Atlantis and history of Aryan ancient civilizations. When I can, I visit ancient cult places of our forefathers. Spirit of these places penetrates music I perform. Sometimes I try to imagine what kind of music would be played in ancient temples of Atlantis and then I try to play this music, to restore it from forgotten past, from past which is hidden from us.

In spring 2010 I have signed a contract with Wolftyr Prod. from NY for new Lord Wind album. Wolftyr Prod. is well prepared for promotion of this kind of music and I hope it will reach all potential listeners. This summer I am starting recording new Lord Wind album "Ales Stenar".

4) I understand you are going to be recording songs for a Conan soundtrack. How many songs will be featured and when will this release be available?

Tribute to Conan is called "Tribute to King of Aquilonia". It will be released as split ep7" including two songs: Graveland "King of Aquilonia" i Kreuzfeuer "Zundet die Feuer" (a band from Germany). A song for split I recorded in autumn 2009. It was the first recording in which I used my new guitar amplifier Hughes & Kettner Switchbalde 100. It is a beginning of new style of Graveland. Specific guitar riffs of Doom Metal, Sonner Metal, Black Sabbath etc. fit this kind of lamp amplifier the best. So I will try to include such elements in new Graveland album. Mixing these riffs with specific Graveland pagan barbarian percussion rhythms should create original and pretty interesting atmosphere. "King of Aquilonia" refers to epic Conan spirit and a little bit also to soundtrack "Conan the Barbarian" movie. I like this new Graveland song sound and style a lot and I am sure it will have a continuation on new Graveland album.

Split will be released by Darkland Rec. from Germany during summer 2010.

5) Who are your favorite authors and what books have influenced you most in your over all worldview?

H.P. Lovercraft, Edgar Rice Burroughs, J.R.R. Tolkien, R.E. Howard are my favorite writers. Their writings had a huge influence on my imagination when I read their books as a child. They fueled my desire for truth and for discovering ancient beliefs. They inspired me with ancient pagan myths and beliefs. They inspired me with desire of knowing the past forgotten and of searching mysticism and spirit of ancient civilizations. Inspired by such spirit you discover that studying the past is the same rich and satisfying as work for the future. Path into the past and path into the future are combined. It is a never-ending source of discoveries and adventures especially if you, as I, are the opponent of Darwin's theory about the beginnings of human life on earth.

Now I discover to my horror that contemporary world of art strives to forget about these authors. Few months ago I was to buy a gift for my nephew. I wanted to buy him a book by Jules Verne. I visited about 10 bookstores and I couldn't find a single book of this writer!!!!! Some sellers even did not know such a writer. They did not know how to spell his name!!!! Of course all these bookstores were flooded with trash of a type of Harry Potter and others. Bookstores are flooded with brainwashing politically correct junk when true culture of a White Man is overshadowed.

These writers who were kind of my first teachers represent traditional values which today are treated as relics of the colonial times. They lack of homosexual elements, sexual pathologies and other deviations which are the fundaments of contemporary mass media. My life partner Berkano14 started to collect these old books which shaped our sensitivity and outlook on life. We want to have our own collection to save it for future generations as today's world starts to remind situation presented in a great movie SF "Fahrenheit 451" produced in 1966. I recommend you this movie. It is awesome! You have to see it! What was presented in that movie slowly becomes ours reality!

6) With your music, do you feel that you have been a motivating force in turning many of the youth away from Christianity and turning them back to the traditions of our folkish gods?

Listeners of my music are specific kind of people, already educated and sensitive to religious and cultural aspects of our world. People who instinctively can tell the Light from the darkness. They search for the Truth basing on everything available in contemporary world. They choose specific music to manifest their identity and self-awareness, their resistance and revolt. They look for the music which supports them and strengthens their convictions.

Many of these young people interested in my music are already shaped in their paganism. I am an example for them how to live with such specific convictions and how to work for others. Some years ago in Poland neo-pagan organizations which to that moment had been closed and hermetic, started to organize re-enactments of Slavonic and Vikings life and battles to show other people richness of our native heritage and culture. As a result there are hundreds of young people inspired by ancient pagan beliefs, educated in archeology, with military training and with wide knowledge of pagan native beliefs and traditions. There people are self-aware of their national identity and ready to fight for it.

It turn out that there are more Vikings in Poland than in entire Scandinavia. A well-known Viking metal band Amon Amarath had to hire Polish Vikings to record a video clip! And what is going on in Sweden and Norway at the same time? Islam rules!!!! Sick politics of liberal-left-wing governments aimed at destroying bonds of traditional family and culture caused disastrous consequences. Sweden is the worst example of implementing free-masonry philosophy!!!! Dysfunctional destroyed families, homosexual tyranny, Islam invasion! Small children and teenagers call the police to report on their parents. They say that parents molested them but in fact it is only a revenge because they did not get a new toy. Parents go to jail and children are taken away. And even if later, children plead guilty and tell that it was a lie, nobody listens to them!!! This is sick society!!!!

Today my attitude towards Christianity is different than 10 years ago. Of course there will never be an accordance between paganism and Christianity in religious aspects but I see that true Christianity stands up for values that are close also to neo-paganism. But to make myself clear: I mean true Christianity, not dominated and poisoned by the Trojan Horse of free-masonry sects!

Besides Christianity is no longer a threat for Europe and our freedom. Now we have to face a new real danger that is Islam flooding lands of our forefathers!

7) In America the pro-White/Heathen cause is really pathetic. How much better is it in Poland and other European countries?

In Poland nothing like that exists. Practically we have never had problems with non-Whites in Poland because there are not many of them here. Unfortunately this situation changes for worse. Not long ago a group of niggers from Africa started riots in Warsaw, capital of Poland. The police was made to open fire and shot one black man from Nigeria. This situation is a sign of coming changes and soon Poland will look like most of Western European cities.

Polish society is intolerant towards strangers. It is caused by natural instincts of survival and self-preservation. People instinctively reject alien pathologies. As a result many emigrants from other countries come to Poland only for a while and then they travel to other European, more hospitable for them, countries. Also destructive homosexual revolution is not accepted by Polish society although it is highly supported and promoted in commercial mass media. Post-communist left wing party SLD supports homosexuals by all possible means but with small success.

Polish society is attached to traditional conservative values and to Christianity. Years of communist and post-communist governments have not managed to change this country to make Poland an easy prey for multi-national corporations and freemasonry philosophy.

Typical pro-White movement does not exist in Poland but Polish people are aware of a White Man idea. Polish people very often are accused of racisms, anti-Semitism or homophobia. However, owing this fact, Polish society thanks to a strong national character and faithfulness to traditions have a chance to survive as a White society and one day become a strong country again.

8) I know in many European countries that the Muslim population is growing. How much of an impact have the Muslims taken in Poland and other Slavic lands?

Western European countries have huge problems with the Muslim population but Eastern Europe is not safe and soon we can have similar problems. At the moment Russia is in the worst situation. In Russia Islam is the main cause of angry public conflicts and terrorists attack. Russia is flooded by Islam coming from distant East and Caucasian region.

Islam was the cause of war in Yugoslavia. After some years of domestic war, NATO and the United States joined the conflict and supported Islamic fighters from Kosovo against pro-Russian Serbs (Serbs are the members of the Orthodox church). In Poland you do not meet too many Islamists or Muslims on the street but there are some organized actions supporting Muslims. For example liberal-left wing governments and commercial mass media support the idea of building mosques!!!!! Polish society is against it and does not want mosques in Polish cities. Demonstrations against mosques were criticized by mass media. Politicians from governing at the moment in Poland liberal party Platforma Obywatelska want, by all means, to open the door for Islam in Poland in the name of ideology of free-masonry and their ideas of multi-cultural and multi-religious Europe!!!! It is sick and unnecessary. It will lead to destruction of our countries. Multi-cultural and multi-racial Europe is an utopia! Non-Whites spread Islam and social unrest. Passive, to this moment, Western European society starts to oppose it and vote for politicians who want to get rid of African immigrants from Europe. For example in Switzerland present government won the elections thanks to anti-immigration slogans.

Countries as France, Spain or Italy slowly and quietly change their law to hinder influx of Black immigrants from African countries. Commercial mass media do not publicize these actions on purpose because they want to restore a myth of happy multi-cultural society.

Poland is more lucky in this situation because experiences of other European countries are warning for us. Multi-cultural ideology supported by European Union is harmful for European native societies. Immigrants from African and other Muslim countries are threat for public order and safety of White native inhabitants. Riots caused by black immigrants in France and Italy (Rosarno 2010) are simple example proving my point.

Islam will never be accepted in Poland because Polish society is highly intolerant towards alien non-Whites religions and cultures. In the past Poland waged huge wars against Ottoman Empire. These wars are confirmed and popularized in Polish culture, movies and books. Therefore Polish aversion to Islam has a long history and it is very strong.

9) Your thoughts on the mongrel communist Barack Obama? Many thought he was going to be an ally to the Muslims of the Middle East but he is just as much Pro-Zionist as any other "Leader."

To be honest I do not really believe in division of the US political scene into democrats and republicans. Both these political groups became puppets in the hands of an elite of bosses of corporations, banks and secret societies long time ago. To make American society to take part in elections and vote, artificial conflict of two feigned opposing parties is created. These debates serve only to irritate American citizen, to stir up his anger and make him vote. It does not matter if he votes for democrats or republicans. It is important that he votes because later he finds out about the glory and strength of American democracy and freedom. The United States changes and freedom becomes an illusion and reminiscence. Now the US reminds more and more one of South American military and police regime. If Obama supports left-wing ideology, it is only fake and pretended. He just plays his role to which he was chosen a long time ago. The elite that chose Obama wants to keep deceiving the world and catch people into trap of a fake freedom.

Obama makes a lot of promises but in fact he strengthen the elite. All his pseudo left wing plans are not more as a propaganda to deceive the society, to lead people astray. He is lying to open the way to rob from middle class. There is a game we know a little about. Mass media do not talk about it. Crisis in the US will grow worse and public resistance will be crashed by the police regime. Farewell old free America. Welcome to Orwell's world.

The Islamic Revolution is a huge threat for our freedom. If it wins, dark ages will become our reality. Obama will fake support for Islam and Muslims. This game aims in introducing democracy to Muslim world. It is too late for that. The only possible and efficient way to oppose Islam is rebuilding of our Western civilization on fundaments of its traditional values and culture that have given us strength, creativity and domination for many years.

10) What do you think will happen if the Jews are able to manipulate the United States into a war with Iran?

They can try because war against Iran would be beneficial for Israel. Peace is not good for Israel because peace would mean the end of Israel as a country in Middle East region. Conflicts unify Jewish society and distance them from hostile elements which could mix with them during peace. Israel would be flooded with Arabs and Islam and after some years, Jews would be a minority in Israel.

Therefore Israel is condemned to never-ending war. Anglo-Saxon strategic system of USA-UK is getting tired with this situation and from time to time criticizes Israel politics (e.g. there are BBC documentary programme attacking Israel and pro-Israel lobby in UK). Is USA-UK ready to stop supporting Israel in order to achieve peace with Muslim world???

It is rather sure that the United States will not attack Iran if wants to bring democracy to Muslim world. The USA has enough enemies all over the world. It does not need new ones. But Iran can be attacked by Israel and then Israel can ask the US for help in fear of retaliation. And what will Obama do??? It is really hard to say.

There are two possible ways for Middle East: to sacrifice Israel and to attempt to build democracy. Arabs will be rather willing to cooperate as withdrawing from supporting Israel would be epochal act of peace and end of the main cause of destabilization of the entire region. And the second way is war. War of entire Western civilization against Muslim world. This second way could look like an apocalypse described in Christian bible. It can also be associated with Vedic philosophy and meaning of life described in Mahabharata. Some people believe that everything clarifies in 2012. New cycle of life on earth will begin even if current life on earth would disappear in a nuclear dust.

Not long ago I watched Peter Brook's Mahabharata movie. I noticed that Rockefeller Foundation was one of the sponsors. Taking into consideration the message of Mahabharata one can think that some influential people identify with this message... you can only imagine what happens next...

11) In our current situation, what do you believe is the best strategy for White people to maintain their racial identity and to wake up others to what is going on in the world?

First of all we have to protect our culture and our history. This is our heritage basing on which we should bring our children up. We have to protect future our children from contemporary social pathologies. We must oppose destructive philosophy of freemasonry. Idea of multicultural world supported by freemasonry is a pipe dream!

Western society finds itself in a difficult situation at the moment. It reminds the times of twilight of former civilizations. Prosperity and safety cause demoralization and degeneration of a state organism. Degeneration manifests in homosexual revolution and pedophilia. The age of sexual initiation is lowered. Let me remind a case of Roman Polanski. In Poland mass media strongly supported him. Acting circles signed a petition demanding dropping the charges against him. I do not know if these people really do not understand that such precedents influence later cases. It is a green light for different kind of sexual deviations. Polanski's sexual partner was only 13 years old. If we accept Polanski's behavior at the same time we say that sex at the age of 13 is normal. Automatically we lower the age of sexual initiation. Supporters of sexual deviations will push to lower this time even more!!!! And soon sexual intercourse with 10 years old children will not be a taboo anymore!!!

Sexual depravation and all attempts of breaking another taboo connected with sexual life of members of our society is aimed against family. Family is a problem for elites that want to control us. If family ties are broken, a man is much easier to control. And one more thing: depopulation. This is another aim of international freemasonry.

The growing population causes desperate counteractions. Food corporations modify our food to make it less nutritious and as a result to reduce our immunity and fertility. Why Africa is flooded with genetically modified corn and soya? Why it is so difficult to find a cure for AIDS?

Living in a contemporary world is not easy. We must be aware of all threats to recognize it and deal with it. Our survival is at stake. Our western democratic civilization is no longer able to guarantee us safety and freedom. We must learn to rely on ourselves, on our friends and families. The governments, the mass media, widely promoted pseudo-authorities and young people heroes cannot be trusted. We must learn again old methods of natural healing that our ancestors used. Pharmaceutical corporations and their medications are the way to manipulate the health of our bodies and minds. Natural folk methods of healing will be our only weapon against depopulation.

There is strength and wisdom in a White Man. Many tries to undermine it, to humiliate it and defame it. If we refer to this strength with a deep and firm conviction and with awareness of our identity we will find inexhaustible source of energy which will inspire us and guarantee our survival. We are able to protect ourselves. We are able to be the most creative race on earth. Our actions and deeds can be beneficial for others. Strength and wisdom are in our genes. This is a spirit of a White Man. This is a spirit that allows us to achieve supernatural states which realize us that life is much richer and colorful than we can imagine and that is more mysterious than contemporary science is able to explain.

The elite which builds pharaoh empire with social hierarchy in a shape of pyramid is not infallible. This empire built on lies, greed and egoism will collapse much sooner than we can expect.

Remember, you have power and strength to rise your sword! Rise and Fight! The blade you wield in your hand is sharp enough to mark borderline of your freedom!

12) Thank you Darken for your time. Any final thoughts you would like to share?

Thank you for this very interesting interview. I really like questions about religion and politics. Since 9/11 I observed what was going on and I try to be prepared for such events. Situation is very interesting. There's so much to keep up with these days. I believe that people responsible for events as 9/11 are not done yet and we can expect much more in the future. Have you seen ABC TV series "Jericho". Both seasons were quite interesting and evocative. Such hidden message appear in many contemporary film industry. Do you remember "Watchmen" movie? There is also a lot of common freemasonry propaganda ("National Treasure" with Nicolas Cage) and promoting occultism (Harry Potter series).

At the beginning and at the end of "Knowing" movie with Nicolas Cage you can hear music played during Bohemian Grove ritual filmed from concealment by Alex Jones.

I want to draw your attention and observe today's situation. You should be prepared for any unexpected events. It is highly possible that hard days await us. In the US many people engage themselves into militia. Very often they are ridiculed but I believe that these people instinctively feel that they have to protect themselves. They feel that 9/11 was just the beginning. In future pharaoh empire with a structure of a pyramid ordinary people will mean less than pharaoh's slaves centuries ago. But those who are higher in this hierarchy are not safe. They can be sacrificed as all those who died on 9/11 in WTC.

There is strength, message and answers in ancient native pagan beliefs of our forefathers. We are children of the Sun! We are children of Life! We are descendants of Atlantis! Fight for your freedom! Do not let turn into zombie! Those who want to impose their dark will to the world have no control on us! Our life on earth is very short. Try to leave the best heritage as possible! Our Gods are with us!