Multi-talented Englishman Ben Corkhill started his band Oakenshield a few years ago, after his original concept Nifelhel. When he decided to change his approach that is when Oakenshield was born. Legends, myths and lore of the Old Norse mythology is what much of his music is about, and he used the first book of the Prose Edda to write this concept album "Gylfaginning." This album was all written and performed by Ben, showing his talent on many different instruments. Join me as I talk to Ben about the bands origins, new material, his musicianship, any much more... Metal Fanatix: Hails Ben Corkhill! Welcome to Metal Fanatix! How are you doing? Ben Corkhill: I’m great, thanks. Life in general is going quite well at the moment. Metal Fanatix: Being that Oakenshield is a relatively new band in the metal world, could you explain a little about what your intentions were when you started this band? What did you want to create? Ben Corkhill: My main ambition with Oakenshield is to convey stories in my own way. Every Oakenshield song is based on something mythological or historical, so I want to create the appropriate moods and atmospheres in order to get the themes across to the listener. When I first started writing for Nifelhel (Oakenshield’s predecessor), it was literally for my own enjoyment, but now I’m really glad other people are enjoying it too. Metal Fanatix: How close to the original idea have you achieved? Are you happy with your band's current style and status? Ben Corkhill: I’m extremely happy with the way it’s going at the moment, I think I’ve always stayed true to my own intentions (without trying to sound too cliché) but have managed to reach people all over the world in doing so. I’m proud of where Oakenshield is now. Metal Fanatix: Are there any specific influences that helped to shape your sound? Think of anything from music, movies, books, environment, dreams, experiences, etc... Ben Corkhill: There are the obvious bands that have influenced Oakenshield’s sound such as Falkenbach, Bathory, Enslaved etc, but recently I’ve been drawing some atmospheric inspiration from black metal bands like Taake and Windir. I also listen to a lot of folk and traditional music which has had more of an influence on my songwriting for the next release. All Oakenshield material is based on literary or historical sources so books have a big influence; when I read something I try to imagine how I would want Oakenshield to put that particular story or theme across. And of course there is all of nature’s majesty to inspire me… Metal Fanatix: When writing lyrics for your compositions, what do you like to write about?
Metal Fanatix: Being that you are a one-man project, what types of limitations have you encountered when writing your music? Ben Corkhill: Having been in several bands before, I do realise that the creative input of other members can be vital, but for me Oakenshield is a very personal endeavour. I’m writing about things I am deeply interested in, and I know exactly what atmosphere I want to create for each song, so I’m happy writing for Oakenshield alone. Metal Fanatix: Do you intend to keep Oakenshield a one-person act? Ben Corkhill: I should imagine that the writing will always be a solo effort, but I will continue to use guest musicians. Metal Fanatix: Onto “Gylfaginning"! When I first heard this album I was impressed to read that you wrote and performed all the music on the disc. How long did the writing and recording process take you? Ben Corkhill: I can’t really remember how long the writing took, but it was probably a few months. The recording began in late November 2007 if I remember correctly, and finished at the end of January. I was restricted somewhat by time as I was due to go on a world travel in March, but thankfully I got it all done in the end. Metal Fanatix: Since everything on this album is personally yours, I'd like to assume that you like all the tracks on it. Do you have any favorite tracks off your album? Ben Corkhill: I think my favourite track is probably “Vigrid”, I think it rounds off the album really well and for me is a kind of culmination of the rest of the tracks. In general though, I prefer to think of the album as a whole, as it is a concept work. Metal Fanatix: Now the album has been completed for a while, looking back, would you change anything on how it came out?
Metal Fanatix: How have people responded to the album? Ben Corkhill: The critics have all reacted extremely positively, which has been a major confidence boost. I was expecting a few bad reviews, but so far I haven’t received any so I’m very pleased, if not a little shocked. The best feeling I get is when fans message me personally on the guestbook or Myspace, the fact that they’re enjoying something I’ve created enough to contact me personally is something I really appreciate. Metal Fanatix: The first track I heard of yours was the title track "Gylfaginning" off your album, but I originally heard the tune on the Metal Message IV compilation. I was very interested in hearing more from Oakenshield. Was this good exposure for you? How often do you put songs on compilations? Ben Corkhill: The Metal Message compilation provided really good exposure, I think a lot of people became interested in Oakenshield after hearing it so it was a good promotional tool. I was also happy to be part of something that is promoting the scene. I’ve had tracks on two other compilations, Iron Age Records vol. I which featured “Utgarda-Loki” and the Einheit/Trollzorn split Pagan Battle Tunes vol. I which featured the demo version of “The Death of Baldr”. Metal Fanatix: Have you been working on any new material? If so, what can you tell us about it? Ben Corkhill: The new songs are much in the same vein as Gylfaginning, but there is more of a direct folk influence on the new material. I am making use of existing folk and traditional melodies from Scandinavia and the British Isles to reflect the subject of the songs. The vocals will remain the same, using both harsh and choral sections. Traditional instruments will feature in the music again. All the lyrics follow the same historical theme but it is not a concept album as such. That’s all I can really divulge for the moment as I am still in the writing stages. Metal Fanatix: Obviously you play multiple instruments and do well on each apparatus. What was the first instrument you picked up? How long have you been playing? Ben Corkhill: The first instrument I began learning was drums when I was 11, which is somewhat ironic since I used a drum machine for the album. I now live in a flat so I don’t have access to my drum kit all the time like I did at home, but I try to practice when I can.
Ben Corkhill: I think the drum kit, just because it is such a versatile thing. I love listening to a nice sounding kit being played, or even better, playing one! Even as a child I used to aspire to be a drummer, setting up cushions in my living room and hitting them with chopsticks. I’m still only marginally better now though… Metal Fanatix: How did your musicianship spread to all these instrument variations? Was it out of necessity for your band or were you just interested in all these instruments. Ben Corkhill: My brother began playing guitar when I was about 13, so I used to pick it up and have a go every so often, and after a couple of years I began playing properly. From there I was asked to play bass in a band so I began learning that properly as well. I have limited ability on a keyboard, which is why it plays more of an atmospheric role in Oakenshield’s music. As for the recorder – well, everyone learns that when they’re a youngster don’t they! Metal Fanatix: I can see a possible dilemma with a live show since you are a one-man group. Do you have other musicians play with you? How often does Oakenshield get to perform in front of an audience? Ben Corkhill: I have never played any live gigs with Oakenshield, nor are there any plans to. It may happen a couple of years down the line, but it’s not foreseeable at the moment. Metal Fanatix: Many musicians have a favorite place to play, whether if it’s a city, venue, festival, etc. If you could play a show anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ben Corkhill: Obviously Wacken Open Air would be the ultimate stage to play, but I’m not sure I’ll ever become that big! I’d like to play my home city of Leeds. I think the perfect gig would be Gathering of the Clans, which is a festival put on for UK folk metal bands by Folk Metal UK. There has only been one so far but it went fantastically and I can see a good future for that festival. Metal Fanatix: If a tour was put together with Oakenshield and you could choose the bands that you wanted to tour with, what bands would you pick?
Metal Fanatix: Ben, I'm just about to the end of the interview. I want to thank you for your time in answering these questions! I have one more question for you... do you have any final words you would like to say to the Metal Fanatix of the world? Ben Corkhill: Thanks for the well thought-out questions, and for your interest and support! To the readers – thanks for taking the time to read this, keep supporting the scene and try to buy music legally whenever possible. Cheers! Metal Fanatix: Thanks Ben! METAL!! To keep up with all the latest news & much more on Ben & Oakenshield check out the following websites: http://www.oakenshield.org - Official Oakenshield Site http://www.myspace.com/oakenshielduk - Oakenshield MySpace Site http://www.einheit-produktionen.de - Einheit Produktionen © Jeffrey D. Adkins March, April 2009 Not to be re-printed in any form without written permission. |
