Vrag has been in existence since 2010 – so it’s been operating for almost approximately 15 years! Firstly, I would like to ask you, whether you completely have done everything on your own for all the works to date? I suppose you want to keep it that way, as it belongs exclusively to you…?
That is right, that was the first time I released something physical, but the idea of Vrag was already there at the beginning of the millennium, even some theme and song structure were done at that time, but only in 2010 it got to the point to take full shape. To answer your question, yes, until very today I do everything alone, the music, the lyrics and the productions and I do not want to change this method. I am Vrag.
I would like to start the conversation by talking about the period between 2010 and 2013. At that time, demos and splits were made in all quantities. It seems to me that back then you still had a slightly different idea about the concept of Vrag. Obviously, you were equally determined and serious about it – however, you didn’t seem to dare to go for a full album or something like that, as obviously it would have been so different! What is the truth? How false or right are my speculations? 🙂 What else would you disclose about those years?
These all happened so long ago and so many things happened since then that I do not remember everything, but it is true, I was thinking of many things differently and the whole world was also very different. I did not know about social media or what Spotify was, how CDs or T-shirts are manufactured. I discovered all these by myself step-by-step. I remember that I was very happy when a foreign label released my demo on non-professional tape with a scanned cover, because that was a big thing back then. It was the golden age of trading; bands reached me from all over the world in order to trade and help each other. It is all gone by now. I look back in pleasant nostalgia to those years, especially because WitcheR also took shape at that time and the two bands started to grow together. It is interesting to look back with today’s mind where all these stories had started from and where they got; thank you for reminded me, people are tend to forget these kind of things. That I did not dare to get into an LP? I rather say that I knew my limitations and I wanted to climb all the stairs, what is often forgotten by many bands.
I would also break down the other time periods. The first two albums (“Mourningwood” and “Remete”) are slightly different compared to the current Vrag. In my opinion, they are closer to the world of Burzum than the subsequent materials. Moreover, one can clearly feel the development and the unfolding of your individuality right from the beginning! Were you completely moved or even set afire by the success of these two albums?
According to the two albums, we can talk about everything but ‘fame’. ‘Harcom’ was the first album could reach a wider audience, but let’s not rush to this point forward. Looking back now to the release of the ‘Bánaterdő’ album, it was a real catastrophe. It was released by a Russian label and I was ok with that, but they put 2 extra songs on the album without my permission, moreover it got zero promotion, so I think the label still has more than half of the manufactured copies. As for ‘Remete’, that was a typical first try. That was the first release of Filosofem Records; though it was sold out, I had no idea about promotion. Despite the fact that I got to the next level with that album, there was no such interest in that like in ‘Harcom’. I stand to close to my works to judge if my early albums are closer to Burzum or not, but it is great to hear this, as the ART of Vikernes had a huge impact on me. I have to agree with the fact, what came after these albums, they show a different Vrag.
There were quite a lot of people waiting for the sequel after 2017, because you had already proved your worth by that time. “Harcom” was already finished and became the best Vrag-curse of all time! In which way would you call it your best release – or do you not want to differentiate it from the rest?
How fast did the CD sell out?
I am glad that you think so. If we do not take the brand new album in the picture, than I would also say that this is the best Vrag album until 2017, no question. I got to a new level with songwriting, with the quality of production and with the promotion and you could see that on sales or on online playtimes. For example, on Spotify there are more than 17K plays just on the title track.
Otherwise, did you implement any changes in the making of these songs? Did you experiment more with your ideas before it all came to fruition? I ask it because one can see here quite a huge quality leap!
I could use big words here, this and that happened, but there is no big secret. I simply developed my playstyle, I spent a good amount of money on my studio and I spent lots of time learning the basics of producing music, how not to random twist the knobs, but deliberately use the EQ or the compressor. When I finished recording the first song, I only realised that I managed to get to another level and this brought everything with it: new logo, more professional design, moreover I started opening to the online world at that time.
Three years have passed since then – and here we are now in the present, at the gates of hell, with the fourth upcoming album entitled “Rendületlenül”. Based on the one song released so far, I would say that you managed to raise the level again! The wicked melodies exert an immediate effect, so we want to listen to it again and again. Furthermore, I like the sound more here. Obviously, one should listen to the whole album first – but I strongly suspect that you have managed to surpass the previous release (which was also not weak at all). When did you start working on this one, and what kind of experience was it to put this all together so unwaveringly?
I thank you once more for your kind words. The songwriting specifically happened parallel with the release of the ‘Harcom’ album, and technically, as it was out, I started recording the songs, so we can easily say that it was a 3-year period. It was all together a big journey where I could release the anger and hate that I had kept in me.
What would you say about the rest of the songs? Do you think the following description would fit well: you transmit brooding parts, powerful, epic, atmospheric and melodic black metal to us with your dark and evil soul?
I would continue the previous thoughts: I never made an album before so full of anger and hate. Almost the whole album is upbeat and fast, there were no places now for meditative parts; instead, there are more melodies and epicness. There is one song that could be easily on a Dark Funeral album, it is so fast. That came from me this time.
The cover art is also worth mentioning, as it’s a real graffiti – or what do you call it?
What were you thinking about when you were brainstorming about the cover art? How did you come up with the perfect fit? What will the CD booklet look like, what will it contain?
My friend, Pénzes Balázs, did the cover art. We found with him already the common voice in the world of WitcheR, so I decided to try him also at Vrag. As I am used to, Balázs right away started working with professionalism and with full enthusiasm. The aim was with this cover art to recall the 90’s black metal, especially the world of early Burzum, the works of Kittelsen. When I saw what Balázs had done, I knew immediately that it was my cover art. As usual, we are talking about a hand-drawn graphic, there is no idiotic AI or other fake things; this is a raw respect to the past in its own reality. The whole booklet follows this design; our aim was here also to remember to an era, which stands really close to me. I gave over the design again to Vérhant; he made all the booklets for Filosofem Records releases. As our aim was to recall the past, we created a simple design. There are the lyrics in Hungarian and in English (translated by my friend, Szele Zoltán), some extra graphics by Balázs, some photos and that is it.
Many people know that you give an excellent performance in other bands (Frozen Wreath, Witcher). However, Vrag may always offer a little more, as it’s exclusively yours. How do you feel about it?
I see this a bit different from inside. WitcheR stands before every other formations, no argue in that. That needs the most amount of work; technically, we work on it on a daily basis. During its 15-year old existence, we managed to gather a huge fanbase behind it without any live acts and with or own promotions; which is still a little unbelievable to us. There are more and more loyal fans, who appreciate all the little extras, such as an exclusive content on social media or an extra gift comes with a release, if they order a CD or T-shirt. It is also more challenging on the creative side, since there is an educated musician by my side, who raises the bar on every album and I must adjust to that, but I am 100% in every song, just in the case of Vrag. There are no ego questions or arguments between Karola and me, to create a song with her is just as personal as creating a Vrag song. Obviously, nobody has a say in Vrag and this freedom is an extra, but I feel WitcheR and Frozen Wreath also my own. Even though in the latter I am only responsible for the lyrics and the vocals.
By the way, when will the other two bands that we just mentioned release a new album? Which one will be next? What are the plans? Which one do you have the most ideas for now?
Next is WitcheR, the new album is almost done, at the moment we are working on the vocals and the album cover. Might be out at Fall 2025. Now an exclusive info: the album title most probably will be ‘Öröklét’ (Eternity in English). In the background the new Frozen Wreath album is being created with full power, which planned to be released in 2026. Until now I did not hear almost anything from it, but I trust Zoltán, I am sure he will create something great, again. The lyrical concept got already together in my head, so thematically it will be again a concept album, and again, we will get into a difficult issue with the lyrics. The rest is unclear at the moment, in 2027 should arrive a new Vrag album, I got some song structures already, but I do not have any sure thing in my head, I concentrate with full power now for the promotion of the new Vrag and the next WitcheR album.
I would like to ask you what have been your best experiences with your three bands/projects in the last 15 years?
That is a difficult question, as when I started Vrag, I was simple happy with the fact that a foreign bedroom label released my demo on copied tapes in 66 copies. At that moment, that was the biggest experience for me. With today’s mind, I would say the explosion after the release of ‘Harcom’ album was a huge memory. It reminded me for the time when ‘A gyertyák csonkig égnek’ album was released from WitcheR. I was flooded with orders; reviews, interviews, congratulations and followers came from all over. That was the first time I felt that I was going into the right direction also with this project.
And there is WitcheR. There are uncountable experiences here, difficult to mention just a few. The hype after the release the aforementioned ‘A gyertyák csonkig égnek’ album I would mention here, because our future had been a bit uncertain before this, but after it was out, so many people started showing interest in our work that it gave us such a push, we can still draw strength from that. And there was the release of our first vinyl, followed by many since then, but holding the first one in our hands was an outstanding experience. I could also highlight the era after releasing the ‘Lélekharang’ album, when we were packaging through many nights the tons of orders, or the music videos shootings, but also supernatural experience every photo shooting we do, for example.
As for Frozen Wreath, I do not have so many experiences, yet, but I would highlight the shooting of the music video for the latest album. We recorded it under professional circumstances at a very exclusive location – literally, I had to break the lock on the door to get in. Every time I write the way-too-personal lyrics for Frozen Wreath, that is also an experience for me. Even if it is not the right word for it…
Thank you for your answers! We are constantly craving for the treasures you provide us, so we will constantly keep looking for them!
I would like to thank you for your request and for your support for my bands for years. If someone likes any of our releases, do not hesitate to contact us in e-mail or over social media, most of the albums are continuously available.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vraghun
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vragofficial
Bandcamp: https://vraghungary.bandcamp.com
e-mail: filosofemrecords@gmail.com