buzz: The metal scene seems almost like an entirely new level underground beyond the typical Champaign-Urbana DIY scene, why do you think that is? 

NP: Well, good metal is generally far from the mainstream, so it’s expected to be a bit more underground. Being black metal, we are probably the most scarce genre there is around here. I could count local black metal bands on one hand.

buzz: What do Jeremiah Fisher and Brandon Beachum add to the live show that is different from the recordings? 

NP: Jeremiah and Brandon aren’t actual members; we just like to do weird stuff live. We do our own noise stuff on recording, but once in a while we want to be extra loud and evil for certain SHOWS

. Our drummer, Sortis, was out of state for a month a little while ago, and I still wanted to play shows, so I prepared a backing track and abducted the two noise dudes for a couple of shows. It’s always fun jamming with them, and we’re actually playing with them as a full band for the first time on July 6. They definitely help us make everyone extremely uncomfortable and scared.   

buzz: Speaking of live MUSIC

, metal seems to be an extremely live genre of music that really hits differently when seeing it live as opposed to HEARING

 it, how do you feel about the differences between live metal and recorded metal? 

NP: As a black metal band, you need to see it live. We put a lot of effort in to making our live shows as crazy as possible. We do corpse paint, blood, gauntlets, the whole black metal EXPERIENCE

. And being a two piece, you really have to go hard with the live show to keep the audience on their feet.   

buzz: I noticed you guys use different names under the credits in Øde Vinter (Torvus and Sortis), why is that? 

NP: It’s generally an unwritten rule in black metal to not use your real name. Our names specifically were essentially just “highdeas” that stuck.   

buzz: Do the name changes add to the aura of the music or how does it affect you when in the band? 

NP: It’s not really just a stage name, as much as a character you create. With the corpse paint and everything, you can’t go on stage thinking like a normal PERSON

, you have to get into it and just go crazy, basically.   

buzz: How important is for an establishment like Error Records to have in the area? 

NP: Error Records is our favorite venue, without a doubt. It’s a great store, as well, and CU is very fortunate to have such a place where everyone can just go to watch some bands and buy some records.   

Catch Øde Vinter battle Unnerve at this Saturday’s Heavy as Hell benefit SHOW