Get Involved / A Mild Interrogation Of 802

MetalTalk is handing the mic to you, our readers, in an exciting new series where your stories, interviews, and thoughts take the spotlight. Here, Lea Wagner speaks with 802 who have just released their short film 1986 Forever.

Once In A Blue Moon – A Mild Interrogation Of 802

Words: Lea Wagner

Do you know that feeling when you hear music that just hits you like a fix straight to the eyeball? That feeling that sends cascades of warm electric waves through your body. That feeling of something pulling you up from deep, murky waters where you had spent too much time and forgotten how it felt to breathe. Or feel anything at all. You hear this music, and you are suddenly alive again.

That happened to me one night in May. I was running late to a gig and had not paid much attention to who the warm-up acts were. I got a cold beer from the wood-panelled bar and walked into the darkness and anticipation of one of my favourite venues in Copenhagen, Vega.

802 were already playing, and they absolutely slaughtered it! It felt like Bruce Lee’s full force Kung-Fu kick right to the solar plexus, catapulting me far, far away. To a place I have never been to. A place where it all comes together.

Calling it an early night, I passed Emil Sørensen (guitar) and Andreas Asingh (drummer/singer) outside. Unfortunately, Kristian Holbæk (bass) was nowhere to be seen as he was probably still being entertained by my old hero Sune Wagner and Psyched Up Janis, the headliner playing.

Looking ever so cool, the guys were hanging out while enjoying Copenhagen’s late-night leftover air. In an instant, I revised my exit route and went back. Thanking them for “a really great show” (for lack of better words as I was still in a state of revival and shock).

“Thank you very much,” Andreas countered and shook my hand, giving off a friendly and humble vibe. Let us not forget that these guys are born and bred and, to this day, still roam in the dark, forgotten countryside of Denmark. Of course, they would be friendly and humble!

“I have got a really good feeling about this,” were my departing words. Thinking to myself, these guys are going to take us all to a whole different level, and they do not even know it.

Later that summer, I was fortunate enough to conduct a mild interrogation of 802.

Despite the fact that there is a severe flirting with classic Heavy Metal going on, it is outrageously difficult to put you in a stereotypical music box. How would you describe your sound?

One of the things we enjoy most about this band is that exact thing, the inability to describe it. It’s always incredibly interesting to hear what people interpret our music as or what inspirations they perceive it as having.

We have no idea what we are doing with our witches’ brew of sound, and we’d prefer to keep it that way.

You are quite the trinity! When was the first time you felt ‘hell yeah, our noise and us coming together as a band totally makes sense?’

Immediately, actually! We just sort of stumbled into who we are today. In all seriousness, it just kinda worked out the way it did because of our vastly different skill sets and inspirations.

Your first two short films are A Heavy Metal Bedtime Story and The Curse of the Velvet Vampire. The latter was selected at Beyond Fest 2024 in Los Angeles. Where do the fascination of horror and the darker side of the looking glass come from?

Metal and horror have always been obsessions of ours, so when we saw the possibility of combining the two, we were chomping at the bit.

In your newest film, 1986 Forever, [Released yesterday], you take us back to a year of wonder, madness and fear. 1986 was the year of the Chernobyl disaster, the Cold War was full on, Oliver Stone’s Platoon saw the light of day, Stephen King’s It was published. Everybody was wearing high-kick sneakers, and Metallica’s Master of Puppets was released.

How come you ended up yonder way in 1986 — one of the greatest years in Heavy Metal history and how does it feel, striking the glorious past?

The answer is an odd little butterfly effect. Andreas and Emil met a year-or-so ago to write a song about a riff Emil had come up with, downing beers and slamming single malts along the way. The main riff of the song is very inspired by this ’80s melodic-but-aggressive-and-fast-
Speed-Metal way of playing guitar.

After nearly finishing the song, Andreas asked Emil what the title of the song should be, and Emil, because of the very ’80s guitar riff, just blurted out 1986 without thinking. Came sunrise it dawned on us that all these seismic events culminated in ’86, just as you mention!

And wouldn’t it be fun to make a homage to that through one of our now almost trademark short films? As to how it feels — Andreas was three years old, Kristian and Emil were not even a twinkle in their daddies’ eyes.

In a way, it’s a homage to a time we never had and never will experience. A sort of nostalgic longing for the unknown. Which might also be a quite succinct way to describe our music.

Who are the major musical influences inspiring you to create and play music?

Too many to name, really. From second wave Black Metal to Shoegaze to the golden years of 2010’s EDM, we’re inspired by a very broad array of artists.

802 – How come you chose that specific name for your band? Is there a secret or a twisted side to it?

One day, you’ll find out. And it won’t be nice! People will not remember what we have said or what we have done. But they will bloody well remember how we made them feel!

Having had your three singles (on Spotify) on solid repeat and a few gigs later, I had high expectations as to what was next to come. When I also had a cheeky listen to your debut album 802 Forever [coming out early 2025], I actually felt quite touched.

In awe of how you, through ten tracks of mesmerizing and epic noise, managed to do something that only happens once in a Blue Moon. You set my soul free. What is the creative process and story behind the making of 802 Forever?

Thanks for the kind words! 802 Forever wasn’t actually meant to be an album, but as we’ve written more material and have really dialled in what our sound and vision is, it very naturally evolved into one.

Creatively, they’ve all had different starts, but it’s usually like this: One of us comes up with a basic framework for the song (or sometimes even just a riff), and we all collectively develop the structure. We then individually add details from our own skill sets — Andreas does all the bleep-bloop-synth-arpeggiator-thingies, Kristian writes the bass lines, licks
and all, and Emil does all the guitar detailing. It’s a fun little process!

What is one thing we would never guess about you?

You would think the age gap between us would greatly affect our dynamic, but Andreas is the youngest 44-year-old on the planet. Also, Kristian is a black belt in karate.

The night is folding up on us, and a new year is lurking around the corner. What have been the highlights of 2024, and what are you looking forward to in 2025?

Oh man, 2024 has been pure insanity. In February, we played the small basement bar where a huge part of our identity was formed. That was just a big moment for us because it really highlighted where we came from and who we’ve become.

Other than that we’ve played some really great shows and festivals. SPOT, Roskilde, Bloom and Copenhell were all huge, milestone-like experiences. Oh, and the smaller, more underground shows are just where the pure soul of Heavy Metal lives. Those are always such great nights.

As for 2025? More carnage.

1986 Forever is a dark and twisted postmodern comedy starring 802, one of the most acclaimed new alternative acts of the Nordics. The Danish short film is a visual tour de force back in time – a loud love story to Heavy Metal and a celebration of the outsider.

This is definitely a ride on the ghost train you do not want to miss. I am not sure where it is going, but I can assure you this: We are in for one hell of a magnificent, noisy ride in a world we did not know existed.

A place where it all comes together under a rare Blue Moon.

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At MetalTalk, we’ve always believed that the heart of Heavy Metal beats strongest in its community. That’s why we’re thrilled to launch a new series where our readers take center stage, sharing their thoughts, stories, and exclusive interviews.

Whether it’s a killer gig review, a backstage scoop, or a heartfelt tribute to the bands and albums that shaped your world, this is your space to amplify your voice and celebrate the music that connects us all.

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