SATYRICON

We are underrated

-You've said that usually you have more stuff then it's finally released on the album. How was it this time. Did you record any non-album tracks?
Well actually we recorded an additional song that is a bit unordinary to the others we have. We recorded a song with Daron Malakian from SYSTEM OF DOWN who is a friend of us and he lives in Los Angeles where we recorded the album. He's a great guitar player, a great composer and a very intuitive musician to jam with, because he grabs ideas instantly. He's also extremely into SATYRICON. He understand this kind of music and loves our music so much. So the last night we were in the studio, he came and we started to jam on some ideas and after few hours it just turned into the song. So we've recorded it. I think that it hasn't really been produced, but something may come out of this. I'm pretty sure that something will come out of the hat.

-It's natural for me that as a musician you're open minded and you don't have any problems with working with such a people like Daron. But there are still some people who would criticise you for that. They see you and your band as a black metal icon. From one side it's an honour. But from the other hand it may be a burden and limitation. Do you even care about such opinions?
Black metal is about not to show conformity. If I had to think about what others might think about what I say or what I do, I myself will do show conformity. All the expectations of others around about how must I behave correctly, they're extremely childish. And it's impossible for intelligent human being with a certain integrity to have any kind of respect for that behaviour. We have grown up to be a real mature man so it doesn't make any sense anymore. I come to point that I think that it doesn't matter if there are people who think that you can do something and still keep your reputation. Well, fuck the reputation. I can't decide what others should think of me. There's only one way to be true for the human. And that is to follow your own ideas. It's the basic principle for satanism, individuality and elitism which is so praised on the black metal scene. It's a boring discussion. I really hope that we get away from that. Now luckily it is less intense then before. I think that most people have realised that it's very limited way of thinking. Maybe it is good for the 17 years old person. You have to remember that when Norwegian scene was born it was created by 16,17,18 years old people. And im order for it to function, there was perhaps a demand for certain regulations, guidelines and certain rules of behaviour. Because all those young but also very vital and creative people needed some guidelines to really create the scene. It was necessary to define and categorize because if the new direction would be created without any rules it'd turn into complete chaos. But also as soon as rock started to roll, and people grew older they've realised that they have to find out for themselves which direction to take and which truths are right for them. Because there's no truth that is valid for all. Each individual must have his or hers own truths and has to find out those truths.

-Let's go back to the recordings. How would you describe the dominating feeling that acompanied you when you've finished the recordings. Was it relief that finally everything's done or maybe you were proud of what you were able to achieve?
Even before the recording the album, we knew that it has to be the ultimate SATYRICON record. It was clear to us very early in the process of writing new songs. So we started to see the direction and started to feel this enthusiasm. The energy that we were able to bring into this songs was raising that feeling that we have had when we were writing the songs. It fed the inspiration and the expectations that we have ha during creating of new songs. So we understood that this is going to be a great record. In the studio I just had to do everything 100 % or beyond if possible. I was really going as far as possible bringing the very best of myself during the recording. When I finished this work I was exhausted and I wasn't able to evaluate what was done. I had to wait for a long time. More then a month. Until everything was done and then I could hear it. I was just overwhelmed by how correct it sounded, how good the production was. Drum sound? All the energy that I was feeling was really passing into recording. Extremely controlled bass frequencies, tone of the guitars and depth in the vocal sound it was beyond expectations. I could feel chills in my spine.

-Was it additional pressure for you to work in the place where METALLICA and SLAYER recorded their albums. Did you want to record stuff at least as good as they did in the same place?
Of course not. It hasn't anything to do with our work. The only thing that it tells me, is that if such bands recorded in that studio it must be really good. Because they would have money to go everywhere if they'd like to. And that the studio has technical experience and equipment must be really top-notch. Which it turned out to be. That was the guarantee that we can achieve the right result. So in the effect the drums sound like real drums. And we wanted to record them with real drum kit in room that makes it sound good for this kind of music. In the end they sound on tape almost like they do in the room. You can feel the presence of the human playing it when you listen to the music. It take much more time than more modern digital approach, but then you get lots in return when the job is done, because it sound so much better. There's much more energy. So much more kicking. There's a human touch and energy.

-You've started the world tour to suppport „The Age of Nero” in India. Was it the strangest place that you've ever played? Do you have any plans about filming of forthcoming shows for a live DVD?
Playing in India was something really awesome. We completely didn't know what to expect. There were four, five thousand people at our shows, who were singing our songs. It was completely shocking. It's good for a band to play in new places. Because it's always a new experience. About DVD. We have no plans. Maybe we will record few shows in 2009 and possibly we will release it. But there are no plans yet.

-Are you satisfied with your cooperation with ROADRUNNER. It's your second album released by this label. Do you have plans to continue to work with them?
Yeah. We are really happy that they want the same things for the band that we ourselves want, too. They have nothing but the huge respect for our music, our integrity and our way of working. I think that they are very happy to see band that is self-governed. They able to do everything that band need to go further up. They help with whatever they can contribute with - like with promotion and financing and that's how it should be. We want to take care of music, while others take care of business.

-That's perfect situation. And it's not too common in music business. Seems like you're satisfied, but recently Phil Anselmo said that SATYRICON is „one of the most underrated bands ever”. I'd like to ask you what do you feel when you hear such a words. Do you share this opinion? (right in this monet the stage technicians tested the loudspeakers with Michael Jackson's „Smooth Criminal”. Although Frost raised his voice, unfortunately the answer recorded on the tape is almost incomprehensible. I did my best to decode it. But I'm not sure if everything is right – MM)
This band stuggles hard. We put so much of the resources that we have into that project. So I feel that it is my honest opinion that we are underrated. Yeah. I do think so. But I only say that way, because you ask me specific question I didn't hear what Phil said, but I'd agree with him. This band has such a unique spirit and formula. Even if we belong to such a marginal music or genre there's no reason that it shouldn't also appeal to the metal fans and lots of rock people. We know that in Norway there are many open-minded people that are into alternative music and art who embrace also little more extreme and dark expressions and they like SATYRICON a lot. Also some people that are not interested in music in particular. They feel SATYRICON to be very exciting, substantial and unique. There's no reason that shouldn't be like that in the rest of the world. With that kind of qualities that this band has today we can reach out much further and I think that we really have a lot to contribute to many kinds of people who would never come to black metal show. I find this to be a kind of misunderstanding of what we do. But I'm not going to sit here and complain. I do feel very happy these days because we've got so many extra reviews and sold out shows and there's nothing but magic during those shows. But I still think Phil is right.

- It's good no to treat his words too seriously, otherwise you would join Dave Mustaine who always wanted to have number 1 album in U.S. And he regreted for so many years that he failed.
Satan forbid that we end up like Dave Mustaine. He.. he..

www.satyricon.no

Line Up:
Satyr - vocals, bass, guitar, keyboards
Frost - drums

Discography:
Dark Medieval Times (1993)
The Shadowthrone (1994)
Nemesis Divina (1996)
Megiddo (EP 1997)
Intermezzo II (EP 1999)
Rebel Extravaganza (1999)
Roadkill Extravaganza (DVD 2001)
Volcano (2002)
Now, Diabolical (2006)
My Skin Is Cold (EP 2008)
The Age of Nero (2008)