Satyricon, Σάββατο 9 Μαϊου, Gagarin 205.

-1. “Rebel Extravaganza” was a very extreme and technical black metal record. Since then, it sounds that Satyricon have changed. Many may argue that the sound became more commercial...Is that true?

Frost: We have gotten better at doing what we do, that’s the basic change that has happened. Therefore we are able to structure our songs more firmly and we are able to get better productions. This, in turn, makes our music more accessible. Our driving force, however, is always our passion for music and our will to improve as artists; commercial thinking has no place in Satyricon. But whoever feels that Satyricon has gotten a more commercial sound, is free to think so. The question is not whether something is commercial or not, but whether it is actually good or not. The music will speak for itself, won’t it?

-2. Where does your latest record “The Age of Nero” stands? 

Frost: The Age of Nero is a dark, intense and muscular album. It is in our opinion the ultimate achievement for Satyricon so far. 

-3. Nowadays, how do you see the Black Metal scene?

Frost: I have no opinions on the scene that I feel like voicing; I am rather occupied with what counts, and this is performing music. Analysis has become the great plague of the entire metal culture. People MEAN so much about bands and the scene, but seem to ignore the true substance, which is the musical experience.

-4. You have won Norwegian Grammys, you headlined The Inferno Festival, you are famous. What else Satyricon wish to achieve?

Frost: Those achievements you refer to are hardly achievements at all. They are just signs of acknowledgement. Our TRUE achievements are our albums and the powerful tool that Satyricon has become. So what else do we want to achieve..? I say like Aleister Crowley: exceed, always exceed!

God Is An Astronaut.

-1. How would you describe your music to someone that has no clue about it?

We make Heavy Rock, Ambient, Electronic, Instrumental Music, with an emphasis on melody and emotion. 

-2. From the beginning, you have released all your albums through Revive Records, your own record label. Why is that?

It was the only way for us to release our music, we had given up the pointless pursuit of getting a record deal and I think we landed on our feet, having your own label is certainly the way to proceed today.

-3. Your live performances are known for their intense self-edited visuals. Are you also visual artists? Why have you decided to accompany each of your songs with a projected footage?

Niels does all the visuals, he spends a lot of time on the visuals making sure everything suits the music with impressive results, everything is 100% in sync with the live music. We believe the visuals are an added way to artistically express ourselves, it adds another dimension to the live show which keeps it more entertaining for the audience.

 -4. Why did you name your band God is An Astronaut?

Many Moons ago we were watching Clive Barkers film "Night-breed", during the film one of the characters said "God is an Astronaut and Oz is over the Rainbow...". I felt it would be a good title to work under, a timeless, yet modern name which I think suits the music we make.

-5. Do you believe in God?

I believe there is something greater than us, wether we are apart of it or not, I'm not so sure.

Sisters Of Mercy, Σάββατο 11, Κτήριο 56.

-1. How do you feel about the fact that Sisters of Mercy are the greatest gothic rock band?

We align ourselves more with Ramones and Motorhead than with any of the scene you talk about. All sorts of people come to our gigs and buy our albums; just because housewives buy it does not make us a 'housewives' band. We would rather just be a great band than part of some pigeonhole invented by the press because we wore black clothes for two weeks in 1985.

-2. “Temple Of Love” has been your biggest success ever. It is the song that everyone knows...Do you mind that?

Not at all, it is a song we still like and still play. Other songs have sold a similar amount of copies, though. And we think that the newer songs stand up with them.

-3. People whether love you or hate you. Why?

Because all the best things polarise opinion.

-4. Do you intend to release any new material in the near future? And could that be a cd or a free download, like Trent Reznor did?

We have no plans to at the moment, because it costs an awful lot of money to record an album, and do it properly. And we're not as rich as Trent. The fans distribute the newer songs on the internet freely, and people would if we brought out a new album, but the difference is that if we spent nine months in a studio recording it, then it would leave us seriously out of pocket.

Opeth, Παρασκευή 10 Απριλίου, Κτήριο 56.

The Haunted, Κυριακή 29 Μαρτίου, Fuzz.

Grande Respect στον Peter Dolving!

-1. Now that “Versus” has been out for a few months, can you make your assessment?

Peter Dolving: OK. Let's see... We make a record we're proud of. It gets released. People show up at gigs... Yes I am fucking stoked! It's great to be able to do this, you know. How many people out there really get to the world and play packed clubs to people who show them love and respect and have a great time? I feel like the most privileged man in the world.

-2. “No false pride, no fashion, no fake set of values”. Why do you say that?

Peter Dolving: Well, that pretty much sums up the Haunted. We do it for our love of music and playing live to other people who love music and it has always kept us going. In good times and bad times. We've stayed true to our hearts and what we feel is right for us and the band and we keep doing it. Simple as that. 

-3. When you joined The Haunted what were your intentions? Did you reach your goals?

Peter Dolving: Yes. My goals are always simple. In that case it was this; Join the band, do a good job. For me that works. I know some people that don't think like that, but I do. It keeps me motivated and I keep finding positive aspects in life that drive me forward. Right now I am actually thinking about challenging the singer of (the not so) Disturbed to an MMA cage-fight... That would be fun. I also want to learn more about Kinbaku. And the brain. In no particular order.

-4. The artwork of your records is very characteristic… Who is behind it? Is there some meaning that you whish to convey? 

Peter Dolving: There is one thing we always try to do with our record covers, to somehow convey; "This is NOT mainstream pop music, it's harsh, dark, possibly morbid and potentially dangerous. Unless you are a metalhead/HC-fan you probably won't like it."

-5. How Peter Dolving evolved from being a carpenter, an oil harbor worker and a rave organizer, to The Haunted’s unique frontman that apart from his singing is also famous for his opinions and spoken word.

Peter Dolving: How? Mmmmmm, drugs, I wish I could blame the drugs... No, that's not right... I do fuck really well, but that only explains some of it. Wait! I know... I didn't evolve to that, I was just me all along, the only difference is now I'm more in touch with the times and a little bit wiser. I have done some reaaaaaaaally diverse things along the way. But I have a hell of a lot that I still feel would be interesting to do. Generally right now, I just want more sex, lots of it. Hard and soft. Basically I'm kind of shy, so best way to get me in bed would be to walk straight up to me and tell me you want to fuck or if YOU are as shy as me, send me an email. I like it, but don't expect the missionary, I'm too old, to weird and too much of an animal to waste my time on boring sex...I can't get my head around that whole thing though... what is so special about what I say in blogs, poetry and interviews? Mostly I just talk about basic human rights and freedom, probably 75% of all Swedes agree with me on almost everything I say... Anyway, I like small women, with small breasts - really, I am an A-cup man. Big girls, don't get me wrong, most guys like them big, but I feel a little intimidated...

-6. How is it to be in a heavy metal band and also have kids and family? How does that work out for you?

Peter Dolving: It works great. I miss my kids a lot when I'm on tour, but guess what; When I get home I spend more time with my kids than 99% of all other parents I know, that one of the good things with my job... Also their mother is my best friend, (we' ve been friends for several years, lovers, even got married, and then divorced) we really like each other and love our kids, but I don' t want to live with her and she doesn' t want to live with me. Honestly, I want to be free to share my thoughts, my mind and my body with anyone I want. That should be a human right.

-Thank you very much for your time! 

Thank you for yours :) / Peter

Soulfly, Παρασκευή 13 Μαρτίου, Gagarin 205.

Βραζιλία...Μια μακρινή και θερμή χώρα, διάσημη για το καρναβάλι του Ρίο, τη samba, τις Havaianas, την πλαστική χειρουργική και τους Sepultura. Ο δημοφιλής και δραστήριος Βραζιλιάνος Max Cavalera, πρώην τραγουδιστής των θρυλικών Sepultura και νυν των Soulfly, Nailbomb και Cavalera Conspiracy, μας ξεσήκωσε την Παρασκευή που πέρασε στο Gagarin 205. Δε θα πω πως ήταν η καλύτερη μέχρι σήμερα εμφάνιση τους, ωστόσο το κοινό ενθουσιάστηκε (ειδικά με το “Refuse/Resist” και “Arise”). Κρίμα που δεν έπαιξαν το “Inner Self” και το υπερξεσηκωτικό "Jumpdafuckup", του οποίου γρατζούνησαν μόνο τις πρώτες νότες.