From Terrorizer Magazine, December 2007.
Terrorizer: What is your reaction to the direction the split has taken?
Infernus: As expected, this whole situation has now developed into something best described as a soap opera, a parody, and that's even before i've done my first interview. I find the whole situation surrounding the band name today to be embarrasing, nothing less, and I will not participate in making it even worse than it is. That is well beneath my dignity.
Terrorizer: How important is the Gorgoroth name?
Infernus: It goes without saying that it is important for me. I have been doing this thing as my priority band since I started it back in 1992, and I intend to continue for many more years. Common sense and Norwegian trademark protection laws both make it clear that my giving up the name is not to be taken into consideration. I have a good lawyer representing me in this case. The last few weeks he has been more at ease with the situation, so he does not need me around the office every second day or so. This has again given me time to focus on the more fun stuff and also to start building a new and more suitable line-up. I already have a new drummer and a new bass player.
Terrorizer: In our interview in #165 Gaahl claimed that you hadn't been creatively involved in the band for a long time, how fair would you say that is?
Infernus: If people at any time were not happy with working with me, they could have left. I know I can be difficult to work with, I am not pretending anything else. As with all of the more or less 25 people who have been involved with the band from the start, I never forced anyone to stay and to the degree people start finding the situation too difficult - be gone! It was always like that, always will be. Gorgoroth is not a popularity contest. It is about me co-operating with other outstanding individuals, creating and performing something I would describe as a synthesis of Satanism and metal, radiating evil as brilliantly as we are capable of.
Terrorizer: Could you tell us a bit about the forthcoming album 'Quantos Possund Ad Satanitatem Trahunt'?
Infernus: I started working on it in October 2006. As the situation is now, I have somewhere in between twenty and 25 different themes I am happy with, and some lyrics. There is still a little bit to be done, with arrangements for example. My new drummer and I will start off the rehearsals in the Stockholm area in early Summer 2008, and I hope to have all the structures finished by then.
Terrorizer: What qualities did you look for in your new bandmates?
Infernus: When I chose people this time, I put a lot of effort into considering their pros and cons. I wanted stable, grown-up and professional members, with a personality I believe I can get along with. I aimed high, and got a positive response immediately from both of the guys, who by the way already have been friends of mine for some years now. I have high expectations of them, and the ambitions are now higher than ever.
Terrorizer: When will you be ready to record and then tour?
Infernus: We will do it as soon as we are able to do it 100 per cent according to how we want it. I am too old for doing things half-hearted now, and I am really high on motivation for not only doing a good album and getting a full new line-up, but also to reconstruct a well-functioning crew around us, something which will again allow us to get back on the road with something more sinister than the world has ever been witness to.
Terrorizer: Has any of this shaken your faith in black metal?
Infernus: No it has not. Black metal culture isn’t, and never was, important to me. My concern is to make and perform good metal music in the name of Satan. Intrigues and other crap I leave to others.