Gravequake


Faust (Emperor) interviews Frost (Satyricon) for Slayer Zine. This interview was brought to my attention by, and typed in by, Brendan. His help is MUCH appreciated.


FROST


- THE MAN BEHIND THE MASK

In co-operation with Metalion I found out that having a small talk with the
drummer of Satyricon, Frost, would probably give us a more nuanced and
vivid picture of him than the one you get through the usual media-channels.
In my opinion, Frost is a little bit neglected and "hidden" as a
band-member and that's the mere reason for this interview, trying to get
"under the skin" on Frost, revealing his true identity and personality.
Questions were made in total imprisonment while answers were thought out in
total freedom.  Besides, Slayer mag has no responsibility whatsoever for
people killing their neighbour, their family and eventually themselves
after reading this 'view.  Read and learn suckers...

What has always been obvious to me is that while Satyr has taken care of
most of the promotion concerning the band, being basically a spokesman,
Frost has been put mostly in the background within the band.  I was eagerly
wondering if this was a conscious move from Frost's side or a partial
agreement between both of them and does this bother Frost at all?

-- "Satyr is the frontman and driving force in Satyricon" Frost replies and
continues: "He creates the music, the lyrics and the concepts/ideas.
Because of this, he is the most suitable to answer interviews and the
natural contact person.  Then, he has always spent a lot of time taking
care of the business and promotional side of Satyricon.  He has been doing
a good work on these fields and actually I haven't had neither the time nor
the interest necessary to take care of promotion and that type of stuff.  I
am therefore happy with things as they are, but I think Satyr would like to
do less promotional/business-related work... Somebody's got to do it,
though.  Then, I do answer some interviews from time to time".

So, how do you view Satyricon's development until today, when analysing
each release you have made?  Which one of them do you prefer the most and
how much do you think you as a person and your work as a drummer have
influenced these albums?

-- "When analysing the releases, I will concentrate on the full-length
albums... On "Dark Medieval Times" we weren't exactly skilled musicians,
and our studio-budget was extremely low.  But there was a lot of good
ideas, a lot of good material and there was strong Black Metal spirit - and
iron will.  I think the album turned out very well; we captured a very dark
and mystical atmosphere and even with their faults, the tracks stand out as
strong Black Metal songs with a certain medieval and norse touch at times.
My drumming on this album was mostly primitive and simple, not too well
executed, but it was the best I could do back then.  Some ideas were quite
OK, and Satyr created the drum arrangements on many themes.  The musical
improvement is easy to hear on "The Shadowthrone".  It is a faster and more
aggressive album, maybe not as dark as "D.M.T".  "The Shadowthrone" is
characterised by on one hand intensive and grim themes and on the other by
majestic and epic themes.  It bears evidence of remarkable composing
skills.  However, it is my opinion that the sound is a bit too weak, even
if I know many disagree.  I would prefer more distortion on the guitars and
more bass.  But the vocals are the grimmest ever!  The drumming then; it
clearly shows I have been getting better.  Still, I am not at all satisfied
with the drumplaying when listening to it today.  I guess everybody thinks
like that, it is hard to be satisfied with something you have done in the
past that you could do ten times better today.  But again, I presume it was
the best I could do when recording the album and then there is no reason to
complain too much about it.  "Nemesis Divina" is by far our greatest effort
until now, and it shows that we have been putting a lot of hard work into
that album.
 Between "The Shadowthrone" and "Nemesis Divina" there had been a
vast advancement in our musical development and that was also necessary to
make "N.D." such a hard hitting Black Metal explosion.  It is alot faster
and rawer than previous albums, and more complex and technical.  An
intense, evil mood distinguishes tracks like Forhekset and Nemesis Divina,
while Mother North and Immortality Passion are more epic and harmonic.  The
sound is very compact with high guitars, making the music hit you like a
torpedo.
 What really made "Nemesis Divina" such an outstanding release (at
least in my eyes) is the massive amount of really great killer-riffs, the
Black atmosphere and the absence of musical limitations.  It is not a
technical album, it's just that we were capable of playing very fast and
complex when that suited the music best, as well as more slow and
controlled when that was due.  The drums... I strived to make the drumming
suit the music and be aggressive, violent, powerful and even evil ( this
may convey no meaning to some... what I have in mind is playing in a
fashion so as to make the music sound even meaner and... more evil), and to
some extent I feel I succeeded.  No doubt I have improved a lot since the
recording of "N.D.", and I could do it much better today, but still I am
satisfied with my effort, as I worked really hard to make the drumming as
suitable and powerful as possible at that moment.  Two exceptions, though:
something wrong happened with Mother North and Du Som Hater Gud.  They are
most unprofessionally played from my side, I don't know why I did so bad.
 You also asked me how I as a person have influenced on Satyricon's
albums, and then I would say that my only channel of direct influence must
be the drumming, as Satyr creates almost all the music.
 "Nemesis Divina" is without doubt the album I prefer the most.
Unfortunately, most of the audience seem to misunderstand the whole
album... Some even think it's... COMMERCIAL!  (Because it's professional, I
guess).  We have been compared to Emperor, Immortal, and even Dissection.
What have you guys got EARS for, uh?  I don't know whether to laugh or cry
when hearing such comments, but I guess it's a sign of the general
stupidity among people.  Then I think that the demo-tracks (Necro B.M.!) +
Night of the Triumphator are barbaric killersongs!"

What I have learned in the many years I have known Frost is that he is very
steady and in my eyes he is one of the few people who still holds on to the
original Black Metal-spirit.  I was curious to know his views on the
so-called scene today compared to, lets says, 6-8 years ago, and Frost,
does it bother you that people seem to change according to the trends?

-- "The "scene" today lacks the discipline that we had in '91-'92.  People
do whatever they want, and say what they want.  There is hardly any unity,
and the dark, mystical aura that surrounded the early Black Metal movement
is completely gone.  The scene has lost its only suitable leader, and the
media attention brought it down to its knees.  Important persons got
arrested or murdered, others let the movement down and showed clearly that
they couldn't cope with the extreme actions of the most devoted and active
people in the Inner Circle/Black Metal movement.  But some people are still
up and going, and the flame will never die completely.  Then there are also
made a lot of excellent music these days, just listen to Aura Noir,
Gehenna, Gorgoroth, Satyricon, Dodheimsgard, Inferno, Emperor, Mayhem,
Thorns and more..." Frost says and moves on to Euronymous' role in the
scene: "With a scene ruled by the firm hand of Euronymous, one could not
avoid a certain herd-mentality.  There were strict codes for what was
accepted.  Many wanted to belong to the hard core of the Black Metal scene,
which meant that they had to please the leader in one way or another.
Regardless of what they meant, they said and did what pleased Euronymous.
But even if there were negative aspects of an Inner Circle somehow
controlling the B.M. scene and setting the moral standards, that was what
made it so special and obscure, creating a centre of dark, evil energies
and inspiration.  Euronymous did well bringing forth the evil in people -
and bringing the right people together.  If it just had got the time and
chance to develop properly, it could have been a really dangerous and
splendid movement.  But things developed too fast and went completely out
of hand.
 It may bother me that people change according to trends, but that
is what they do.  People always change, and as most aren't dedicated to
anything, they change according to what is regarded popular or what their
friends like - most humans want to belong in somewhere.  When Black Metal
got all the media attention in 1993 it expanded into a sort of hype, and it
was cool to be into that music style.  A lot of losers found out they could
belong to the B.M. - "scene" just by using the right clothes and listen to
the right music.  But of course, it can't last for long when they have no
deep feelings for this extreme form of music and lifestyle; they will get
bored after a while and jump on the next trend.  Presumably, the devoted
Black Metal heads will remain the same before, during and after the trend,
this will not affect us too much."

Well, back to Satyricon then again... A new member was recently added in
the ranks of Satyricon.  This time Richard from the Swedish Death Metal
band Dismember.  I'm eagerly curious to know how that came about and
besides, how would you describe each member of Satyricon?

-- "Some years ago, Satyr was in Sweden and watched Dark Funeral, Dismember
and some more bands playing at an event there.  He noticed the steady
bassplaying and good stage performance Richard did, and after the concert
he got to talk with him.  It showed out Richard had always been into Black
Metal, and Satyr mentioned that Satyricon needed a firm bassplayer...
Because of him living in Sweden and having his hands full playing in
Dismember, it was no way Richard could join Satyricon even if he showed
some interest.  Late autumn last year Dismember played together with
Dodheimsgard in Oslo, and I was there mainly to see the latter act.  I
decided to watch how Dismember did live also, and when I saw Richard on
stage I remembered that Satyr had talked with him about participation in
Satyricon some years earlier.  So I grabbed the chance and got to talk with
the man after the concert.  He told me, when asking him, that playing in
Satyricon would be great, but still he lived in Sweden and was busy playing
in his band... we decided anyway to stay in touch, and a month or two later
he called and said he wanted to quit in Dismember, move to Norway and join
Satyricon!  We have recently started to rehearse, and it seems to work out
fine indeed.
 I feel capable of describing myself and Satyr only (and hardly
that) as we two are the ones that I have known for a longer period of
time... I will be as short as possible.  <bold>Satyr: <plain>Great
composing skills, manipulator, talented businessman, misanthrope,
organisational talents, haunted by diseases and pains of various kinds,
belongs in the Norwegian woods, Nord-Trondermentalitet, anti-Christian,
expensive taste in clothes and garments, social intelligence,
non-conformity, N-Tronder-humour.  Frost: Black Metal-head,
absurd humour, dark soul, satanic, rationalistic approach to all subjects,
adaptability, social intelligence, always short of time and money,
increasing musical skills."

What has reached my ears though, is the rumours of an eventual new album
this year.  Will it be a continuation of the "Nemesis Divina" or are you
guys into a different approach this time around?

-- "We will most probably enter the studio late autumn this year.  The
album will show Satyricon's development since "Nemesis Divina", and it will
be something new and different from its predecessor, as is always the case
with Satyricon.  Our music will irrefutably bear some trademarks, but no
two albums will be alike.  A lot of new material is made, and I am very
enthusiastic about it, to put it mildly.  There are lightning fast material
as well as slow and heavy themes.  Bizarre, freezing parts, you will get
music darker than death, evil as hell itself, and you will get majestic,
epic and sorrowfilled themes.  Satyricon moving ahead - always moving
towards the throne!
 It seems like there will be a few mid-paced parts on the coming
album, and some ideas new to Black Metal are likely to be presented.  I am
sure it will be the best Satyricon release ever!"

As a response to my question what music Frost listens to these days and if
he is still "Black Metal only" or if he has opened his mind to other styles
as well he says...

-- "I listen mainly to old Black Metal and to the newer quality B.M.
released.  Right now I am waiting with eager to get my own NECROVORE- tape
that Richard has promised me!  I guess 95% of the music I listen to is
Black Metal, but there are also some non-B.M. music of dark character that
I also appreciate, like Diamanda Galas (especially "Saint of the Pit" and
"Divine Punishment"), Klaus Schulze, When, In Slaugher Natives, Ordo
Equilibrio etc.  Then there is some classic music that I like very much."

So, moving on to a "deep and personal" level then... Do you have any
personal philosophy or any "message" that you feel needs to be spread and
most important, what do you want to achieve with your life?

-- "It is a part of my philosophy that I and my brothers/sisters in spirit
deserve better than the rest of humanity, so there would be two different
messages.  To the stupid masses I would send this message: Kill yourself!
And kill your neighbour and your family while you're at it!"  Frost says
without hesitating and takes it up again: "At least that is what I
<italics>want <plain>them to do.  To those that is up to something good,
keep up the good work, and may Darkness and Evil be victorious!
 Speaking of the near future, my main goals in life is to get better
at playing the drums and improve my physical condition and abilities.  I am
currently working on the case.  Then, I hope to contribute to making
Satyricon a great Black Metal force.
 Concerning a more distant future, I hope to master magic well, and
to be able to live my life more fully according to my dark nature.  I want
to spread my ill-will and insane hatred, as well as good-will whenever that
is due.  This requires a lot of both psychic and physical strength, which I
will work to get.  I want to grow old and grim and cruel, and to retire
somewhere in the woods or mountains."

Further on... from where do you take stimulation, motivation and
inspiration to continue?

-- "My main inspiration and stimulation is Black Metal, my main motivation
is my own feelings and moods.  Everything that evokes a Dark or Evil mood
is inspiring... Books, music , movies, murder, nature, the moon at night..."

Does that mean you have a "hidden source" of energy somewhere?

-- "Everyone has a "hidden source" of energy somewhere, but it is not
likely to be unleashed.  The subconscious must be given the chance to get
to work.  Also, it is very much a matter of <italics>not wasting <plain>so
much energy on worthless activities."

For the end... what actually convinced you that this particular way of life
was your way?  Do you ever put a question-mark with what
we are all doing?

-- Frost explains: "First of all, I started to listen to Black and Thrash
Metal at a quite early age, without caring that much for any ideology and
lyrical containment.  I just loved the music, and was fascinated by all
things grotesque.  I drew some inverted crosses on my jacket and stuff, but
that was only because of the band's use for symbols: I had no idea
whatsoever of what they represented apart from being something I liked
identifying with.  Not until several years later did I begin to get
into Black Metal as a lifestyle.  The most remarkable
moment took place seven years ago: I had heard about a shop in Oslo called
"Helvete" that sold Black/Death/Thrash Metal records, t-shirts and that
kind of stuff, and I also got to know that it was run by Euronymous, whom I
had been writing with for some years.  So I went to Oslo and found the shop
and then, when I entered the dark room inside the door, I felt like this
was the place I had always dreamt about being in.  It was a kick in the
back.  The black painted walls, the bizzare fitted out with inverted
crosses, weapons, candelabra etc.  And then the downright evil
atmosphere... it was just perfect.  I knew then that <bold, italics>this
<plain>was for me, it could not be doubted.  It accelerated a process that
would otherwise have taken some more time.  I suddenly found new depths in
Black Metal music, and I found the style that fitted me.  From that moment
on I have developed into what I am today, staying on my path, and it seems
like that is where I will stay within measureable time.
 I put question-marks with everything!  I try to approach every
question with a rational mind, but the world is irrational.  Why bother to
do anything at all?  Is anything true or can anything prove to be
absolutely true?  The way I see it, the only sane point of perspective to
have is oneself, what feels right for <italics>me<plain>, and how to get as
far as possible.  If I am happy when 3 million people die, should I feel
ashamed?  NOT.  Maybe they exist only in my mind, or maybe death is better
for them (most likely!) - it doesn't matter, as long as I feel what I do
about it.  I feel right about being a Black Metaller with moral standards
that most people reject - then that is how I shall be.  Well, this can last
for hours I'm afraid - I end here..." Frost says and disappears into the
night.  Well, not literally, but you get the point anyway..

   Bard "Faust" Eithun