Silenoz: Hi, Scorpio! It's Silenoz.
Scorpio: Hi Silenoz! Where are you calling from?
Silenoz: From the promo department of the Nuclear Blast office.
Scorpio: So you're not at home.
Silenoz: Yeah, I'm in Germany at our label's office.
Scorpio: And how's the weather today?
Silenoz: Nice, it's looking good. We're going to go walking later on today. Looking promising.
Scorpio: Cool, and what have you been doing the last few days?
Silenoz: We've been doing promotion since Wednesday (23.07). We went first to London, then Paris, then Milano. On Saturday (26.07) we came here, to Germany, and since then we've been doing interviews every day.
Scorpio: Am I the first one today?
Silenoz: Oh, you are number three today :)
Scorpio: :) And how many more today?
Silenoz: Oh, I'll only have four or five more interviews today.
Scorpio: So I'm right in the middle.
Silenoz: Yep! :)
Scorpio: OK, let's talk about your new album. Would you say it's your best work ever?
Silenoz: I think so. I mean, my feelings are the strongest — we did it not so long ago. I like everything when it comes to the production. I think it's the strongest album we have.
Scorpio: You spent a lot of time in the studio. What the hell took so long?
Silenoz: We always try to spend a lot of time in the studio because the more time we have, the more relaxed we can feel, you know — more time to mix.
Scorpio: Did you drink many liters of beer in the studio?
Silenoz: Ah, yeah, but only after we'd finished recording, because we take the music seriously. Only after we're done recording can we have fun, you know.
Scorpio: Oh yeah! Whose idea was it to include songs with Norwegian lyrics on the album?
Silenoz: Ah, I suggested having original lyrics. I wrote them, showed them to the guys, said "Do you like it?" — "Yeah, let's use it!" The recording was good, so there's no reason why we wouldn't use it.
Scorpio: Will we hear an orchestra too?
Silenoz: Yes, as on "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia", a symphonic orchestra took part in the recordings. (And together we are the symphoblack orchestra! - ed.)
Scorpio: Were there any guest musicians?
Silenoz: Yes, we wanted to have one more vocalist. It was Abbath. He told us that he'd like to take part in the recordings. We've loved IMMORTAL's music ever since the very beginning, so we were very happy.
Scorpio: By the way, what can you say about IMMORTAL's split-up?
Silenoz: Ah, it's a very sad thing. I won't speak about it, because they probably had their reasons for splitting up. It's their choice. I respect IMMORTAL — they did so much for metal in general. It's really sad, I think.
Scorpio: Who else among the Norwegian black metallers are your friends?
Silenoz: Oh, we're still friends with most of the bands. I won't name names — everybody knows them.
Scorpio: And tell me, please, why do your album titles always consist of three words?
Silenoz: That's because we feel that in three words we can describe the music and lyrics in one go. Of course, three parts have "six six six", so it's also symbolic.
Scorpio: The only exceptions are "Devil's Path" (two words) and "Stormblast" (one word).
Silenoz: Yeah.
Scorpio: Why did you decide to break with the black metal tradition — there's no girl on the cover?
Silenoz: No, because we wanted a much simpler cover. Yeah, fewer colours and no girls. We all like it because it's darker, colder, and more grim.
Scorpio: Is it a turbine?
Silenoz: Sorry? I don't understand you.
Scorpio: What is it on the cover — a turbine?
Silenoz: It looks like a turbine, yeah. But for me it's like a kind of wheel, the wheel of Abaddon, you know — it's like a vicious circle that forces mankind toward soul destruction.
Scorpio: A hellwheel, yeah?
Silenoz: Aha.
Scorpio: Who made it — Luetke?
Silenoz: Yeah, the same guy who did the "World Misanthropy" DVD cover.
Scorpio: When will you make a proper music video? The only one — "MOURNING PALACE" — is, er... shit.
Silenoz: Yep, I totally agree. But I must also say that we didn't make it. It was outsourced by the label; we didn't even know it was going into production. This time we shot another video with a company from Sweden. The video will be finished next week. It's gonna look really killer, and yeah, it's a very professional video.
Scorpio: Can you tell us what we'll see?
Silenoz: It will be a clip for one of the new songs — "Progenies of The Great Apocalypse". You will see its connection with the album. It's gonna look extremely good, and we're going to use it for promotion first, then it will also be included as an addition on the album in 5.1 surround mix.
Scorpio: Silenoz, I've heard nothing about your childhood. Were you an obedient boy?
Silenoz: Yeah, I think so. I've always been obedient. My parents taught me not to associate with people who could ruin my life. That's what I keep doing now.
Scorpio: What marks did you get at school?
Silenoz: I did quite well at school. I guess my favourite subjects were English, music, and religion.
Scorpio: Religion???
Silenoz: Yes, you...
Scorpio: Satanism?
Silenoz: No — you've got to know your enemy, right? :))
Scorpio: Yeah! :)
Silenoz: Ha-ha-ha!
Scorpio: Did you get into fights often?
Silenoz: No, I didn't. When I was younger, at school I had some fights, but I never started them — only fought in self-defence. Of course, it would go on till some teeth fell out, a nose got broken. :)
Scorpio: So words are the best weapon.
Silenoz: Best power.
Scorpio: And when did you meet Shagrath?
Silenoz: In '91, I think? 1991.
Scorpio: I've always wanted to ask you this. In the early '90s there was the so-called Black Inner Circle of Norway in Oslo, which included musicians from MAYHEM, IMMORTAL, DARK THRONE, EMPEROR, BURZUM. Why weren't you part of it?
Silenoz: Because we were more interested in playing music. Besides, we had met Euronymous before he died — we visited his record shop to buy some records — but we had never been members of the BICON.
Scorpio: What can you say about all those church arsons?
Silenoz: It was a strong shock when it happened... Religious people were frightened. It had the opposite effect in the end.
(Here was a little "blunder" by the author, but it has an explanation. When I looked at promo photos from the last album, I thought Silenoz had short hair. I hadn't seen fresh ones because their site had been down 3-4 days before the interview. So I asked...)
Scorpio: Why did you cut your hair a few years ago?
Silenoz: Cut my hair?
Scorpio: Aha.
Silenoz: I've never cut my hair.
Scorpio: Er... But... You had long hair a few years ago.
Silenoz: I still have long hair.
Scorpio: But on the promo photos for "Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia" you looked short-haired.
Silenoz: No, it's just because I gathered it in a ponytail, so...
Scorpio: A-a-a! OK. :)
Silenoz: Ha-ha-ha!
Scorpio: So you'll never go bald like Galder or Nick.
Silenoz: Well, every day some hair falls out, so we'll see how long I'll keep my long hair. :)
Scorpio: And what are Galder and Nick currently doing?
Silenoz: Galder is still doing OLD MAN'S CHILD, and Nicholas plays drums for a local band, BRUJERIA.
Scorpio: And you and Shagrath are giving interviews, yeah?
Silenoz: Yes!
Scorpio: After the release of "Death Cult Armageddon", your tour begins. What songs will you include in the setlist?
Silenoz: We haven't decided yet. We're going to take songs from every album that we've done. Of course, we'll concentrate mostly on the new record, but we'll also play tracks from older albums.
Scorpio: About 50% new stuff and the other 50% old, yeah?
Silenoz: Yes, something like that.
Scorpio: Your tour will end with a show in moscow on November 1st. That will be your first gig in the CIS, right?
Silenoz: Yep!
Scorpio: Will you prepare something special?
Silenoz: Yes, we will of course play a long set. As long as we can manage, you know. This is the first time we're in russia, so we'll try to play a lot of varied stuff. You really won't be disappointed.
Scorpio: A special show with effects, fireworks?
Silenoz: We'll see. If we get permission, then I think it will be possible.
Scorpio: Do you know any russian words?
Silenoz: Spasiba! (Thanks - ed.) :) Nyet! (No - ed.) :))
Scorpio: :)) Maybe some others? Like "Hi!"?
Silenoz: Er... no, I think we'll learn some more words when we get to moscow.
Scorpio: So maybe I'll teach you a few words now?
Silenoz: No, I don't think so. I'd probably forget them before we come to russia. We'll pick them up there.
Scorpio: And can you tell me a few words in Norwegian?
Silenoz: Yeah, I can give you some Norwegian words when we come to moscow.
Scorpio: Maybe two or three now? (What follows are my best approximations of what I heard, so I won't claim they're correct - ed.) "Hi!"
Silenoz: Sit-ta.
Scorpio: "Thanks."
Silenoz: Pok'
Scorpio: "Death"
Silenoz: Deth (or like "Doth" - ed.).
Scorpio: Almost the same as in English, yeah?
Silenoz: Yeah.
Scorpio: "Satan"?
Silenoz: This word is the same. (An international word :) - ed.) We'll see in moscow, alright? There I'll give you some more words.
Scorpio: OK.
Silenoz: OK. :)
Scorpio: Norway is number one in the world for "best living conditions". Do you like your homeland?
Silenoz: Yeah, of course I do. Norway is a rich country. You should spend money on the right things, you know. A wealthy country. But there's also a lot of stuff that I don't like.
Scorpio: Many Scandinavians know English well. Is there some kind of "English for babies" program?
Silenoz: Oh, you can start learning English in the first or second grade, so...
Scorpio: Ah, I see... I must tell you that a friend of mine showed me a pirate cassette of your "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant". So, these pirates wrote on the cover — "The Kings Of Swedish Black Metal".
Silenoz: Alright :) I hope I'll see you in moscow on November 1st, and you'll show it to me.
Scorpio: I've heard Bruce Dickinson from IRON MAIDEN likes your music. And do you like IRON MAIDEN?
Silenoz: Yes, of course I do.
Scorpio: Maybe you'll do a cover one day?
Silenoz: Perhaps. We'll see.
Scorpio: And what's your favourite album?
Silenoz: "Powerslave"
Scorpio: And what's the worst MAIDEN song, in your opinion?
Silenoz: Worst song? I think something from the Blaze Bayley albums. I don't know.
Scorpio: I think that's all for today. Your final words.
Silenoz: Hell awaits when we come to moscow!
Scorpio: Thanks a lot, Silenoz!
Silenoz: Thank you!
Scorpio: Goodbye!
Silenoz: Goodbye!