Good afternoon, thank you very much for answering these questions. How are things going in Italy?
Hi there, glad to be answering your questions. Here in northern Italy we’re living a very strange summer, with heatwaves and suddenly rapid decreases in temperature. Right now it already feels like autumn…
1. Indren was founded around 2019, initially as a one-man band. Why did you decide to create Indren? Why did you choose the name Indren, and what does it refer to?
I founded Indren in 2019 as a way to express my personal connection with the Alps. Growing up in Valsesia, surrounded by mountains, I’ve always felt a deep bond with those landscapes through hiking and mountaineering. Music became my way of translating that experience, much like colors for a painter or words for a poet. The name Indren comes from a glacier in the Monte Rosa region, chosen to evoke the very mountains that inspired the project.
2. However, on the release of your first demo, you already feature vocalist Lord Skarn. Who is Lord Skarn, and why did you decide to include him in Indren?
At the time of our demo Legends Of Stone And Ice, Indren was still a one-man band. I met Skarn in 2019 through mutual friends, and we immediately connected on a personal and musical level. He’s a well-respected figure in the Italian underground with decades of experience in many projects (Á Repìt, Paymon, Heathen Lifecode, Entirety just to cite a few), but what struck me most was how naturally our ideas flowed together. I first invited him as a guest for the song Nebbie on our debut, and the collaboration felt so right that it soon grew into something bigger. Becoming a duo allowed Indren to open up, bringing fresh perspectives and pushing the music beyond what I could have done alone.
3. You've just released "Duskborn," your second album. How did you approach the writing and recording process for this new album? How do you think you've evolved or changed compared to "Of Time and Autumn Leaves"? What brands of instruments did you use for the process?
With Duskborn we wanted to take everything we had learned from Of Time and Autumn Leaves and push it further. The debut was essential to define the foundations of Indren’s sound, but this new record gave us the chance to refine our vision and commit to it from the very first demos to the final master. Having Skarn fully involved from the start and working with a label already on board allowed us to channel our energy more directly into the creative process. The result is an album that feels more mature, with a stronger identity and a wider palette, while still staying true to the core spirit of Indren.
When it comes to instruments, I relied heavily on my Jackson guitars – mostly my trusted King V with Seymour Duncan JB & 59, and a Randy Rhoads modded with a DiMarzio Fortitude. For the bass, I used a Jackson 4-string with Fishman Fluence soapbars, aiming for a modern, sharp, and clanky tone that cuts through the mix.
4. Essentially, your sound can be described as atmospheric black, although in reality it speaks of a much more direct and aggressive sound, yes, with melodic and atmospheric elements that manage to immerse us in that icy landscape and solitude of the mountain peaks you reference. How would you define the sound of the new album for those who haven't heard it yet? What bands or styles have influenced you when composing the sound of "Duskborn"?
Our influences definitely trace back to the melodic black and death metal scene of the ’90s. Personally, bands like Dawn, Dissection, A Canorous Quintet, Gates Of Ishtar and early Amon Amarth really influenced me a lot. That being said, with Indren the goal has always been to shape a voice of its own, while honoring the artists who inspired us. Duskborn is melodic but still sharp and aggressive, enriched by classical music elements that I naturally gravitate towards. Don’t expect layers of synths or endless slow passages – instead it’s a very direct, raw, almost rehearsal-room kind of sound, but framed in a modern production.
5. The references in your sound are varied, without losing the essence of atmospheric black from bands like Wolves of Throne Roon, Winterfylleth, Saor, Ungfell, or Aara. However, your interpretation is much more direct and aggressive, with an inherent rawness that extends throughout your sound, somewhat leaving aside those more atmospheric aspects. How important is it for you to maintain this balance in your music? If you had to choose one song that represents the new album, which would it be?
That’s true, that raw and direct feel comes from an old-school mindset. Today it’s easy to rely on endless layers, but we’ve always preferred a ‘less is more’ approach, focusing on what really carries the song. The atmospheric side lies in the strong use of melody and guitar harmonies, but placed in a fast and tight context that creates both tension and release.
Choosing one track is difficult because each has its own identity, and that variety is one of the strengths of Duskborn. But if I had to point to a song that embodies the essential spirit of the album, I’d say Daughter Of The Twilight.
6. Your lyrics speak of nature and solitude, while also drawing on the folklore of your area. What does the Alps mean to you? Is there still something primitive in that connection between humanity, solitude, and mountain peaks? What themes inspired you when writing the lyrics? Did the lyrics adapt to the music, or vice versa?
With Indren, the Alps – and mountains in general – represent the ultimate introspective experience. Every step that takes you higher also takes you deeper within yourself. In that environment, often harsh and almost hostile, you’re forced out of everyday habits and reconnected with something more primordial.
On a personal level, I’ve always been fascinated by sunsets in the mountains. In those moments of fading light, there’s often a sense of closeness to loved ones who are no longer here, as if the distance between life and death becomes thinner. That feeling naturally brings reflection on mortality, which is a recurring theme in Indren’s music – not in a morbid sense, but as part of the natural cycle of existence.
When it comes to writing, fragments of ideas often emerge during hikes, collected as notes or voice memos, but the lyrics only take shape once the music is in place. It’s the riffs that guide the rhythm and flow of the vocals, giving the words their natural home.
7. What can you tell us about the Silver Mountain Studio where the album was recorded? Why did you decide to work with them?
Silver Mountain is actually my home studio, where we handled all the recording, mixing, and mastering. Having this personal space allowed me to work closely with Skarn and get valuable input from the rest of the band, which made the process both flexible and very collaborative.
8. The cover of the new album features a mountain. What does this mountain represent, and how does it relate to the album's content? Who created the album's artwork?
The mountain on the cover is part of the south side of Monte Rosa, a view I captured from my valley. We wanted a shot at dusk to convey the feeling of standing close to the glaciers and peaks, and when I took this photo, it felt just right. All the photos used in the artwork are personally taken in the real places that inspired Indren in the first place, while the layouts were designed by the label owner. We wanted the cover to bring listeners a sense of presence in the mountains, echoing the atmosphere of the album.
9. As with its predecessor, "Duskborn" will be released by Naturmacht Productions, a leading record label for atmospheric black metal bands today with a connection to nature. How did you decide to work together?
After finishing Of Time And Autumn Leaves, we explored different labels to release the album. From the start, Naturmacht Productions felt like the perfect partner for Indren – not just because of its focus on the atmospheric side of black metal, but also because it shared our vision and respect for the music. Open communication and a genuine dedication to the art make a huge difference, and working together has been a natural and inspiring choice.
10. You've assembled a group of musicians to bring your music to the stage. Is there a chance these live musicians will eventually become permanent members of Indren? How important is it for you to be able to bring your music to the stage and connect with your fans?
Bringing the music to the stage is very important for Indren, there is always a magical aspect about playing live and feeling the connection with the audience, something that is missing in the studio.
Whether the line up stays the same or keeps evolving, the important thing is that the music remains genuine and true to Indren’s purpose, having said that, their contribution is already growing especially on lyrics and arrangements.
11. I mentioned some atmospheric black metal bands earlier. What can you tell us about similar Italian bands that deserve your attention? Is it difficult to achieve promotion, visibility, or even to be able to play concerts when you come from a place like Biella, with a population of 45,000?
Italy has a wealth of talented bands, and it’s always hard to pick just a few. I’d highlight À Repìt, co-founded by Skarn, which draws heavily on alpine folklore with a rawer approach than Indren. Vrim, from Biella, sings in the ancient Piedmontese dialect, and Entirety, active since the early ’90s, are really worth exploring. I also recommend Skoll by my dear friend Marco De Rosa (RIP) – especially the album Of The Misty Fire We Are – which remains a huge inspiration for me.
As for live shows and visibility, it’s true that extreme music faces challenges in Italy, and coming from a smaller town like Biella doesn’t make things easier. Still, these obstacles push you to be creative and persistent, and the community of fans and musicians here is incredibly supportive.
12. How did you get started in music: first concerts you attended, first albums you bought? What event in your lives pushed you to want to be musicians?
My first exposure to music was through classical composers like Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart, thanks to my dad’s huge CD collection and what we studied in school. It wasn’t until high school that I discovered heavy music, which inspired me to start playing guitar and later drums. The first heavy album I bought was The Black Album by Metallica, which was also one of the first big concerts I attended – a moment that really ignited my passion for performing.
13. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What recent albums have you bought?
For me, the essence of black metal is perfectly captured in Storm of the Light’s Bane by Dissection. The songwriting, melodies, classical counterpoints – every note feels purposeful and nearly flawless. It’s an album that continues to inspire my own approach to composition. As for recent purchases, I like to explore both old and new works that resonate with the atmosphere and intensity we aim for in Indren.
14. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Indren fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
First of all, thank you so much for this interview and for your thoughtful questions. A huge thanks to all Indren fans for their unwavering support – it never goes unnoticed! Your energy and dedication are what make sharing our music on stage and in recordings truly meaningful.
C. Nordlandson
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