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Tribute to Nocturno Culto of DARKTHRONE
The Grimoire Of Exalted Deeds #17













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Interview with Fenriz by Bill Zebub

Whenever Ive read of Darkthrone in the older issues when the 90s black metal scene first erupted, there was talk of a Jewish conspiracy. But it was never explained.
Maybe its the music business. (laughs) I dont know. Fuck all that shit. I mean, the old black metal stuff werent really based on conspiration theories like that. When I think about the old days, thats not what Im thinkin about at all.

But do you know what Grishnak was speaking of when he was mentioning a Jewish conspiracy?
Who knows what hes all about? Hes really deep into that stuff, you know? Hes politically engaged, and Im not. Music has been taking over my life totally. So music is larger than life for me. Im not into that. Its OK that he has interests, but I have my interests.

You are also of the reputation as some sort of evil racist.
Doh! (in a mock Homer Simpson/Spanky exclamation) (laughs) Evil racist? Well, the only time I ever was convicted for anything was like, for a demonstration against apartheid 

Really?
Yeah. But that was a phase of socialism. Then I went through a phase of being really angry with other races. And now Im back to normal... totally unengaged in political issues. I went from one extreme to another extreme, and then I went totally uninterested in the whole damn thing.

Speaking of changing from extremes... I first heard the demo, the songs of which later became Soulside Journey, and I was very blown away by that album. Its a very solid death metal album.
We had a solid theory behind our riffs and everything too. We were deep into that death metal thing, and we our own theory, like every riff should be... it should be possible to play the riffs on synthesizer cello, or whatever, to fit to a horror movie... a typical horror movie style. From there on, that was death metal to us, and its easy to hear... you know of course the Reign in Blood album, Id say that the vocalist, when he does his part, the riffs underneath are totally thrash. But the riffs that are under the leads there, those are death metal riffs. Total death metal riffs. You can take those riffs, play them slower on a synthesizer, and you would have, like, totally horror.

I was told that the extremely drastic change after that album was the result of you being commanded by members of Mayhem.
(in a robot voice) Yes, I am on-ly a com-pu-ter. I on-ly take or-ders from May-hem peo-ple. Next ques-tion please. (we laugh and he speaks normally again) Oh no, it werent like that. It was like , we were really fed up with the whole death metal thing anyway. Of course, Euronymous had always pointed that out, because whenever I would even bring him, like, first Autopsy demo to his house, like in 88/89, and Id play it and like , Listen to this! This rules! he would be more like, Well, its OK. and he would just put on some Mutilated, you know, from France. He was always quick to point out. But he was total all the time totally untrendy dude. But we didnt change because anyone told us to. It was more like, we saw old albums in a new light, and it was the black metal feeling came. And you really couldnt continue playing technical death metal, so-to-say. I was was totally uninterested in making riffs that were 7/8 rhythms, or 14/16 rhythms and things like this. We just made decision to become primitive, or to play what basically we were listening to. And we still play that style. Totally primitive (burps) shit.

The media made it sound as if Grishnak had a grand plan... that he was going to play the really gay kind of black metal and that you were going to play the aggressive sort of black metal.
Oh yeah? You always listen to the media? I would rather listen to Eric Cartman than the media, man.

Yeah, Im here to say that the media should never be trusted. But all right, how about the rumor that you are wearing silver pants these days?
Oh! These days... these days Im listening to bassanova and Cuban music and deep jazz house. Well, whatever. I wore silver pants in, like 95. Yes. On some occasions. And even 96. But you know, thats all cool. I was just talking to some Germans... I was staying with some guys in Mysticum. Of course, the Mysticum guys are really cool. Theyre, like, totally freaked out. We really freaks. Heh, heh, heh. And this German was like, saying hes been into the scene for a while. These totally evil German guys that were two years ago listening to hip hop. These guys were 27, so its not kids were talking about. Suddenly they go from being totally asshole dudes with inverted crosses, the biggest... their bellies, you know? Thats fuckin scary trend shit. What Im saying is that its fuckin cool to do fuckin silver pants than to be fuckin trendy. I never did music or whatever to oppose or to be a rebel. But I tend to naturally go against the grain. You know what Im saying? So when Im suddenly seeing an ocean of stereotypes, black metallers, around me, I feel maybe a little bit weird about that because, in the beginning, there was just six of us here in Oslo, in 91. So thats why maybe I am freaked out a little bit. I had this fuckin style now for so long now that its hard to shake.

You are involved in some non-brutal projects, are you not?
Are we so brutal?

You know what I mean.
If I want brutal I listen to fuckin Carcass or Extreme Noise Terror... old Napalm Death, or something like that. But Id say all my shit is non-brutal. I cant really play fast enough to be brutal on the drums. Sorry about that.


Its all right.
It depends. A christian guy who just likes Bach, he would probably say that Darkthrone sounds brutal. When Im making Darkthrone riffs and shit, I dont think brutal. I think in very special way. Old Bathory shit. thats what were here for... to help Quorthon stay alive by doing nothing. I mean, wee must have sold a lot of records for Bathory, man, if you know what I mean.

Has Darkthrone ever been endorsed by any musical instrument companies?
No. I could care less about what Im playing on. My drum kit now is, like, total crap, man. It strikes me as a bit weird that Pearl hadnt made a kit like Pearl Harbor because that sounds really like (in a black metal voice he rasps the word war). Id like to play on a fuckin Pearl Harbor kit, man. If they make it, send some here.

Has Darkthrone ever been endorsed by Maybeline or Revlon?
Oh! Well... Revlon? Id like to be endorsed by my aftershave. Its imported from Armalia. It fuckin rules. Its subtle.

What of these rumors that Darkthrone has ended? Where did these come from?
I think it was George from Seinfeld that said that in an interview.

Which is part of the Jewish conspiracy.
(he laughs a good long time) Thats a good one, man! No... of course, when were not doing anything for a while, people say that we end. But what is to keep a project alive anyway? I mean, we have a new album out, so we obviously havent ended. When we went into the studio this time, I just realized that I forgot to bring the album that I should bring for the sound engineer, because thats something you do. For instance, for our Under the Funeral Moon album, we brought Blood, Fire, Death by Bathory and the first Black Sabbath album so that the sound engineer would understand where we were heading, sound-wise. This time we were supposed to bring The Return album by Bathory. Thats, like, the essence of black metal if you ask me. And I forgot it. So what I said was, Well, Ill just bring it next time. (laughs) Were not going anywhere, sound-wise.

How do you feel about the scene that you helped to form?
Its become a parade now. I feel like an old Greek dude, sitting in the street, having a drink. We have to show that old school black metal can survive.

What do you think of Dimmu Borgir?
Hey, theyre cool guys. Im doing this great project with Jamie... thats Astennu, called Vombator. We have this great vocalist from England that sounds just like John Tardy. Really into the first Obituary album. So were total friends, and those guys are old school but they play new school. I have nothing against those, but I like better the rehearsals from 94. I really dig that. I was listening to that throughout 94. That, and Beastie Boys. Its too flashy for me, for my taste. You dont have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. You put on Darkthrone, you put on Dimmu... theres a certain difference. But I like their old stuff so much that I want to make an undercompany and release it.

Is Dimmu Norwegian for veggie?
No, its Icelandic for black castle. Finally, a question I was informative about! That was amazing!

How do you feel about keyboards in black metal?
You dont really... well, what cant you put on a pizza these days? (explodes into psychotic laughter) Well, I dont like pineapple on a pizza, man! And keyboards in metal are like pineapple on a pizza. But you Americans mostly dont like the anchovies on a pizza, I hear. The idea is weird, but we had some keyboards even on our Soulside Journey album. But that just was more, like, eerie. Im little bit opposed to that (he gives a vocal impression of Dimmu keyboards) because it basically sounds like some Bach with some (the word he spoke is indecipherable).

How do you feel about the kids all over the world who believed all the ridiculous media hype of the black metal explosion?
Well, the media just take it a long way, and when you blow it up like that... when you heat it up like that, the bare essence is maybe lost. The thing is, the people that hang in there... they know. But when its just a phase for someone, and its not the real love, then fuck it. But what I feel... I dont know these people knew the hype. Its great, though, to have a myth around a musical style. You know what is called the jazz bug? They start buying books about jazz and they become totally into it. I think this is great. Its mystery. Its myth. But whats the bare essence of the jazz lost? The myth in black metal is stronger. Id say its a bad thing for me. Its easier to get into something thats myth-ridden because its exciting. But for me, black metal aint that sort of exciting, flashy, circus stuff. Its not like that. Its just like fucking darkness and listening to nostalgic... like, The Return, from Bathory.

It seems to me that black metal flourished the same way that christianity did with the myth of the resurrection.
Goddamnit! Well, thats going a little bit too far, but hey, we were seeing that death metal started to become awfully non-brutal, and maybe thats whats been happening today, even though I dont think that Darkthrone is brutal. But theres at least some sort of essence. But the christianity portion? I dont know. Thats Alpha Omega. I if you start liking fish, then its totally weird.

I agree that at that time the commercial death metal bands were weak, but I always tell people who say that they find death metal boring to dig a little deeper because theres always great stuff in the true underground. There was never a dry spell for it.
No, not in black metal either. Theres a lot of great black metal bands around now too. Its always in the underground, man. I still like bigger death metal, like, I like new Morbid Angel. I find them to make really brave decisions sound-wise, and I dont think theyre commercial at all. I dont know why they sell a lot of albums.

Maybe because the guitar player is homosexual.
If they didnt have a name they wouldnt sell more than we because I really feel that that music is totally uncommercial. Its really hard to listen to.
Do you respect their publicists for hiding the homosexuality of the guitar player so well?
Well.... do they have a publicist?

Yes.
Cool! Ive got to get a hold of that manager!

Well, Trey has a pretty good hold of the manager, if you know what I mean.
(laughs) Well, I dont care, man. I couldnt care less, actually. Im not really that homophobic.

So you would hang out with Trey drunk, no problem?
I dont know. I dont like to hang out with drunk people unless Im drunk myself. And then, anything could happen. (explodes into laughter)

The myths of black metal inspired people all over the world, especially with the fierce nationalism. It seemed like an elitism was going on in Norway. There are some labels that say to other labels, We cannot trade you one CD for one CD. Our CDs are so elite that one of our CDs is worth one and a half of yours. How do you feel about that attitude?
I dont know who the hell want to listen to more metal now... (laughs) No, what I mean is, I never heard of that specific sort of example. I really listen to stuff that people send me. You know? But basically, I feel like, This is not gonna be good. But sometimes it happens. It wasnt long time since some young Norwegian approached me with some project and I just looked at it, thinking, This is going to be really awful, man. But I just listened to it, and listened to it twice, and start to dig it. So if I were real elitist I wouldnt even bother to listen to it. I think its a lot of being tired. You know? Burned out... youre not really interested in listening to new stuff. I can totally understand that. Its different for a band thats been playing since 97... and weve been into metal since the start of the 80s. The new generation is, of course, a bit more enthusiastic. Like we said, it started in Norway with that typical whatever... and people say that they made a sort of Norwegian black metal up. I can point out for you what is typical Norwegian black metal riff. I could do that. But people really dont know what that typical sort of riffing is because that was the guitarist from Thorns Nora (ed - thats what is sounded like he said) and Euronymous that started that whole sort of riffing. Then everyone said, No. Were tired of Norwegian black metal. But Norwegian black metal was not existing at that time! Since 92 everyone went their own way. Probably, in rehearsal places in 91-92, we were basically playing the same stuff.. all the bands. But we quickly went own ways. Thats what Im thinking. But I dont have any problems saying, of course, that we were leading at that time, and other nations had problems making music that was as solid black metal as we did. But I think that the style that comes from America is totally different. The style that comes from Greece is totally different. Theyre really not the same thing. But I would say England had a real problem. England had a problem even making a great thrash metal band. They had problems making a great death metal band. You know, they had Carcass, and more crustier shit. They were great at that. But they also had problems making black metal. So why wouldnt we say that. A lot of other nations with a lot of more people than Norway having huge problems in making solid death metal that would make our blood freeze... thats where all this elitism comes from. I would say, Hey! Were onto something here! And were way ahead! It was the only time that we were ever way ahead... except for the Vikings.

Well, did not the Vikings become conquered by the christians?
(he wails) Dont mention that! You get me severely depressed.

Darkthrone had lyrics in Norwegian.
Yeah, we started that, actually. It was the guys from Vomit... they came up to us at a gig in 89 or something, and said, (in a mock drunken stoner voice) Hey man, (hiccup) someone should start singing in Norwegian. And we were thinking about that for years, and all of a sudden I started to write a lyric and it turned out really cool. Well, cool is not the right word in black metal. But anyway... Im watching too much Seinfeld now. So we tried it out and it worked. Thats one of the things that we started with. Other people probably had the same idea, but we were there first. (he giggles like the Pillsbury Doughboy).

I just thought it was strange that all those who waved the flag of elitism all spoke English.
We all speak English in Norway. We grow up with this language. We start learning it when were, like, eight, in school.

It mustve been after England conquered Scandinavia.
English rules, man. You have words like flabbergasted and boggled. Boggle, boggle.

You like those sounds? Is it true that in Norway your nickname is Freeze Miser?
Freeze Miser?

Yeah.
No. I never even heard that.

Really? You dont have a t-shirt that says Im Mr. Freeze Miser. Whatever I touch turns to ice in my clutch?
Thats fuckin ridiculous, man! Thats way out there. I mean, I heard a lot of silly rumors in my day, but hey, youve been surfing on the internet too much.

OK, back to the Viking culture and elitism.
Boring!

Well, its just one more thing that needs to be cleared up. I heard that it is very important what sort of cup a Norwegian man drinks from.
As far as its beer, who gives a fuck! You know?

What does peanut butter mean to you?
Peanut butter? Oh, thats, like, American culture. I never had peanut butter, myself. But when I see it in the store, I go like, Typical American, man

Because what I heard is, Vikings did not drink mead, which is beer boiled with honey.
Yeah, I know.

They drank a drink that was made from fermented peanut butter.
Well you probably know more about Viking culture than I do. It definitely sounds like that.

Well this is where it became personal... Whats that band that you had a problem with? Im trying to remember...
I never had a problem with a band.

You never had a problem with a band?
No.

Are you sure?
Yeah Im sure. Well, I know that All or something from Abryptum was angry with me because of some thing like... the scene almost split, attitude-wise, because of whos rooting for Count Grishnak and whos rooting for Euronymous. So that was the problem. And everyone was figuring that I didnt give a fuck about Euronymous. But I liked both guys. You know?

Alright, this makes a lot of sense because I heard it was the other way around. (he burps long and loudly while I am talking) You were angry with All because...
No, I werent.

You have a particular cup, according to this rumor, that you drink your peanut butter from...
(he bursts into deafening laughter) Thats a fabulous rumor.

...and it is called Fenrizs Peanut Butter Cup. And All took it.
All took it? Oh! (in the voice of a child who had its lollipop taken away) Oh, he stole it from me! Well, thats that. Hey, he was really angry with me, and it was rumored all around that he was really gonna wipe me out. Once, I got a call at my job, Alls at Ms now, and he wants to meet you. And I was, like, Fuck! I got to bite the bullet and go there. And I guess I was a bit nervous, but when I came he werent there, so... after that I hadnt heard squat.

Is he taller than you?
I dont know. 

Hes only four feet tall.
Everyone says hes tiny. But tiny people can fight with cannon. You know?

So, is the rumor with a person who works at Necropolis Records, named Joker, true?
Huh? I dont have a problem with Necropolis Records.

Not even with Joker, the man with the cannon?
The man with the cannon? Man, you Americans are totally weird!

All right, let me ask you this. Did a black man ever get his chocolate in your peanut butter?
No. I never had any interference with black man.

Or peanut butter?
No. I never even tasted it.

Anything youd like to say about your new album?
Yeah, its totally Darkthrone, as usual. Its fuckin old school, and thats what weve been all along. So there. 

Would you like your address at the end of this interview?
No, because I dont write anymore, man. I dont have fuckin time for it. You should see my schedule. At least the hobby I got with forests...

(I start laughing)
Thats nothing to laugh about! I take that very seriously! Im hours in the forest all the fuckin time.

With the mosquitoes?
No, its fuckin serious. Now Im finding obscure... I have a book, and you stamp the book for obscure places in the forest that day. Its hard to explain. But there is a lot of forests around this place. So we have a lot to do there.

Do you know what a tick is?
Yeah, I know a tick. I dont have any, though. Im totally scared of it because its fucking shitty animal, man. It just bites into you, and you gotta twist and turn to get it out. But usually theres more of them along coastlines, and not really in a lot of forest areas that Im visiting.

I heard that in Norway, because theres a lot of mysticism, and the peasants exaggerate what they see, ticks have been called sprites over there... like the little faerie creatures.
Well, never trust a farmer.

I heard that they carry a disease called Lime-on Disease (goofing on the taste of the lemon/lime-flavored soft drink called Sprite).
They carry disease, yeah, because if you dont find it, serious shit could happen to you. You dont have ticks in America? Dont tell me that!

No, theyve been outlawed, actually.
You cant outlaw them!

Yes you can! The government can outlaw anything!
It takes all kinds to make the world a more shitty place.

I have to thank you for having a sense of humor. I was told that you would not tolerate any silly jokes.
Satyr talked me into this. Ill tell you why Im doing all these interviews now. I probably should shut up because the people that are escaping to Darkthrone because they dont like where things are going... they will be very pissed off at all these funny interviews Im doing now. But the point is, when they sent out that tribute album, they sent out with a press release that said, Do you want interview? Call here! I didnt know about this. Suddenly the office called and is like, Hey, interview, interview, interview. Im was like, Whats all this with interviews? And Satyrs like, Cant you do some interviews? And be nice! And Im like, OK, Ill do interviews and be nice... and even be funny! (in a South Park impersonation) Kick the baby!