A few questions - interview with thrash metal band from Norway - MALTUKA.
Answered Viljar Brunvoll (vocals, guitars), thank you!
Recenze/review - MALTUKA - Black Rite (2025):
Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?
Yes of course! We are Maltuka, a thrash metal band based in Bergen (NO), consisting of me (Viljar, guitar/vocals), Mats (drums), Sondre (guitars) and Johannes (bass). Me and Mats started working on what would become Maltuka around 2022, after having played together for quite a few years in other projects (also with Johannes and Sondre).
Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
When recording „Black Rite“ we did everything ourselves for the first time (except mastering, which was done at Audiosiege). We have over the last years started our own small non-commercial studio-collective „Formkraft Produksjon“, located here in Bergen, where we have recorded our own projects, as well as some other bands. As to the recording itself, Mats has been pretty much in charge of everything in regards to production and mixing.
How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
We were fortunate enough to be able to release „Black Rite“ through High Roller Records, who now have printed it on all physical formats; vinyls (black, and orange splatter), CD and cassettes, as well as being published on most digital streaming platforms of course. As to the exact number I’m not a hundred percent certain to be honest.
Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?
For these songs I wrote most of the lyrics, with some tweaks from Mats here and there. Thematically they delve in more occult territories, such as human sacrifice and humanity’s grotesque and primal capabilities (much inspired by Stravinskys „Rite of Spring“, which I had recently watched... again). Writing wise, lyrics are often the last thing we create, so we try to find themes that compliment and emphasise the atmosphere of what the instrumental is doing.
Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?
The logo was created by Spearhedirl, and he made a killer one at that! The artwork for „Black Rite“ is from a painting by our local artist „Kim Diaz Holm“, who we have worked with quite a few times already with other projects. As to our website (maltuka.bandcamp.com) and our other social platforms we handle these ourselves at the moment. And yes, I think social platforms and reach has become very important in the modern era, which can be both advantageous, but also somewhat undermining. The global outreach and possibilities are enormous, but at the same time it means we have to delve into content creation and algorithms, which we (probably aligned with many other musicians) are not as well versed with as just playing and writing.
Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care about you?
As mentioned earlier we got signed with High Roller Records for this record. It’s a label we perceive as really invested in its signed bands and who is truly helping more underground metal establish and unite globally. We are super excited that they wanted to release our debut EP, and we are extremely happy with their guidance and support so far!
Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
I can’t get around the fact that the main metal titans have been a huge motivation for playing throughout the years. Judas Priest, Metallica and especially Megadeth were some of my biggest idols growing up and just starting out. With my fellow bandmates I share a love for many of the thrash giants, such as Testament, Exodus, Nuclear Assault, Sodom, and many more, but also bands of other genres such as Opeth, Bloodbath, Immortal, Death, and so on. As to inspiration for songwriting, that varies quite frequently, which is why it’s as fun and refreshing every time. Usually a new release or discovery that really hits my sweetspots ignites new ideas, where underground bands often can be the most inspiring!
Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
We sent it around to quite a few, but luckily we got a good response from one of the few we hoped for (as previously mentioned).
How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
With Maltuka we are still planning our first gigs, seeing as our complete lineup fairly recently got established. But as I also mentioned, we have all played together quite a lot in bands such as Contorted and Psykopath, where we’ve played many smaller clubs, as well as a few festivals. Personally I really love the smaller club scenes, as you get a special intimacy with all the people attending, which often makes those nights more memorable.
What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
At the moment we are just about to start recording our first full length album, which we are quite excited about. To be able to release our music internationally is one of the things that really drives us. But of course, we really want to get around to play different stages, and we’d especially love to be able to play a lot internationally.
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
Our social medias is an easy outreach (https://www.instagram.com/maltukaband) (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563413770301), or though our mail: maltukaofficial@gmail.com
Thanx for the interview.
Thank You!
Recenze/review - MALTUKA - Black Rite (2025):
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