Metal Mayhem UK

Metal Mayhem: So guys, Stormblast? It was a real landmark album when it was released 10 years ago and was the album that was the arrival of Dimmu and your now trademark sound. Why the decision to rerecord it completely?
Silenoz: We’ve never felt at ease with the production and sound on that particular album, so we were just waiting for the opportunity to re-record it once the original contract expired. Many of our hardcore fans claim it’s somewhat of our milestone or whatnot, and it’s been weird all these years when they come up to us and say it’s our best album and we get embarrassed and do not share the same opinion. Finally we’re satisfied and we can now value it the same way many value the original. So Shag and I did this re-recording for ourselves basically, it’s a lot easier to sleep at night knowing you’re finally proud of it. Another reason was the obvious fact that this album never got any fair distribution and promotion at the time it came out. Having our present label putting it out means a lot of the fans we’ve gained with the last couple of records won’t have any difficulties finding it in the stores. With the extra previously unreleased bonus tracks and the Ozzfest DVD on there for the price of a regular CD we think it makes it easier for the fan to pick this one up instead of spending time and way more money on trying to track down the original.

MM: You have Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY) as producer and Mayhems Hellhammer on drums that’s 2 very talented people and both are heroes in extreme metal.
Silenoz: Well, we produced it ourselves under the supervision of Peter obviously, but having both of them working with us on this record was great! Peter is more a friend to us than he is an engineer/producer, and his work ethics are like our own in many ways so it was a very relaxed atmosphere even though we worked like cunts to get it finished in time. Hellhammer did a splendid job and I think his performance came out ace!

As a matter of fact, everything came out the way we expected. One of the reasons why we wanted Peter to do this with us was not only his ability to understand perfectly what we want, but also because he’s been involved in some of our most important releases in the past and with his touch on Stromblåst MMV, we also prove the fact that the step between this album and Enthrone Darkness Triumphant wasn’t as huge of a leap as many naysayers seem to fool themselves to believe. It was merely a production and sound issue.

MM: So is Hellhammer going to stay with Dimmu on drums?
Silenoz: He will have the guest musician tag on him, as we’re not into the idea of bringing any permanent members into the band at this point and for a long time to come – if ever again. We’ve all seen how well that works out for us, so instead of jinxing it, he’ll do the next album as a mercenary and possible touring duties for it as well depending on how the schedule looks like. Since he’s got so many other bands we think this is the best solution.

MM: Can you tell us anything about the new album? Have you started work?
Silenoz: At this point it’s too early to say anything, but we’re collecting ideas and themes at the moment and will soon start arranging songs. I’ve been working on a story for a while, I’d rather call it a story than using the word ‘concept’, as many people tend to perceive that word differently. It’s a more challenging to write lyrics from a story, than what I’m normally used to, but I feel I’m learning and growing with the project in the right direction so I think it’ll be something interesting and new, at least to us.

MM: When can we expect a release?
Silenoz: To be realistic, I’d say early 2007. But nothing would be better if we would have it out earlier. We just don’t want to stress ourselves, and if we can work in our own tempo, like we always do I’m sure both label, management and band will be happy in the end. Not to be misunderstood, we don’t ask anyone for permission to go over deadline with a new full-length recording, it’s expected when you deal with us. DCA took us basically 6 months to write, 3 months to record and then the label needs 3 months to promote it so judging from the math that’s what I base my expectation on.

MM: And then back on the road right?
Silenoz: Of course, but next time around we’ll definitely not be gone for 4 months at a time, more like legs of 3 to 4 weeks, then some time off, then back out. From an economical point of view it’s obviously not the most favourable way to do touring, but health-wise, both physically and mentally, we’ve learned it’s the only way for us to be able to do it in the future.

MM: You had the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra on the last album that sounded so huge and epic will that sound feature on the next CD are you going to change again?
Silenoz: It all depends on the material. Every song requires different things, but as we do not have any full songs written yet it’s hard to say what direction it will take. At this point I have a feeling the next one perhaps will be a bit more guitar based but that’s just a hunch. We always end up using whatever we think sounds cool anyways whether it’s fast and brutal, or slow, melodic, symphonic, epic or atmospheric. That’s as close to a formula we’d ever get.

MM: It seems each album is a progression but retains your sound and vision; everything just seems to get "bigger".
Silenoz: Well, using a 46 piece famous European orchestra like last time for instance sure doesn’t make it sound and look like we want to stumble around in anonymity, although our ambition and concern always is to make a great record that we all can stand for in the end. I always say, and truly believe, everything that comes after we’re done with a new album is a bonus. The best thing about our music and when we write is that we don’t need to force the inspiration through or that we have the pressure to perform and prove something other than to ourselves - if at all. We’ve always been arrogant that way, and it’s one of the reasons why we’re still around today. When you start out as a band, as us - rehearsing in a mouldy basement during cold winters – what drives you is the passion and fascination for music, not anything else. That’s what I mean, once you start out making music, because you think it’s killer, that’ll be with you no matter what.

MM: Let’s have a word about your image. Namely I think that Dimmu Borgir have had a bit of a hard time from the so-called Black metal elite, Yet the fans love you.
Silenoz: Elite? Who’s the elite? Tunnel visionaries that speak nothing but contradictory nonsense and stiff moral values just like the old twats at the local Bethel Chapel? Spare me, I’d rather have tea and talk about history and 2nd WW with those old timers any day than discussing black metal music with so called purists. Is there something I have missed out on or isn’t it hell of a lot easier to judge something simply by the terms if you like it or not? Perhaps I expect too much from people sometimes, as I can’t possibly understand why it’s so fucking difficult for some to stop pay attention to stuff you don’t like? Most of our fans though, however, are quite a devoted lot, a bunch of different individuals in all ages and different as far as musical taste and background goes. I don’t believe there exists anything like the ‘average’ Dimmu-fan.

MM: Do you think there is Jealousy that you have done well and aren’t some super obscure “scene” band?
Silenoz: Nah, that’d be too easy. Stupidity is more like it.

MM: Do you still consider Dimmu Borgir as a Black Metal band or do you just play your music and fuck the genre police?
Silenoz: As many already know, we don’t give two shits. We believe our work to contain both musical and lyrical criteria’s based on the intelligent side of what we consider black metal and we are the first ones to admit taking pride in that. However, we’ve never claimed to be just black metal, if we were too concerned about labelling our music instead of playing the music, we wouldn’t be here today. In the animal kingdom, only the strong survives and turning the other cheek is fatal unless you’re into anal-sex. That has always been our mentality and from an ideology standpoint, I think we’re in many ways more black metal than we’ve ever been. We sound heavier and meaner, the hate, anger and misanthropic values that we’ve developed over the years since we first started, have just gotten stronger, albeit more focused and under control. By no means will I try comparing us to the great Priest, but if you listen to Rocka Rolla and Painkiller, it’s like listening to our For All Tid and Death Cult Armageddon.

MM: What influences do you have that are old favourites that never change?
Silenoz: Musically I’m stuck in the 80’s and I have come to the conclusion it will always be like this. But that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy listening to other stuff than metal. There’s so much great music and art out there to explore and if I ‘d still walk around with that teen angst I’d miss out on a lot of awesome stuff. I once had tunnel vision myself, and unless it’s an individual birth defect I believe everyone can be cured since I haven’t had a relapse yet.
MM: And could you name some names of the “new” bands that you guys listen to these days?
Silenoz: New and new…hmmm…not much really, at the moment I’m going back in time, I’m working my way through 70’s stuff at the moment. But the recent albums I thought was awesome to say the least are the latest offerings from Nevermore, Strapping Young Lad, Exodus and Napalm Death to name a few that comes to mind.

MM: Do you have any favourite songs that you have kind of always wanted to play in a live situation? What are your favourites?
Silenoz: Not anyone in particular to be honest, but the usual “crowd-pleasers” like Kings…, Progenies…, and Mourning Palace always seem to bring satisfaction to the spirit in a live setting. There’s probably a few of the more technical and aggro fuelled songs that I’d personally like to see being played live a bit more, but we’ll see.

MM: Ok, I think that’s it. Thanks for your time and it was pleasure to talking to you. Do you have any messages to your British fans or readers of Metal Mayhem?
Silenoz: Well, first of all thanks for the interview and thanks to our English fans for being quite patient with us, but hopefully we can finally do some more appearances in the UK next year and in the future as we have changed to Agency Group (booking). There’s talk about us doing Download next year and perhaps a few other stints so that’d be cool!