From Spark Magazine CZ, Jul 2008.
1.You’ve been spreading evil, fear, demonic thoughts since 1992. How do you feel nowadays when you look back at the whole your career? Are you proud of everything you’ve achieved?
More or less yes. I have made my mark on metal history, touring and releasing a variety of albums for 16 years now, as well as meeting and getting able to cooperate with a variety of more or less brilliant musicians and others. This is something I intend on continuing with. My main goal in life is to continue presenting a synthesis of Satanism and metal music, hopefully to the level that I can live from it, and I see no reason why I should stop now. In regard of the last year’s events, one of the only things I feel I should have done differently in the past was that I should have kicked out Gaahl and King from the band, and I should have done it in 2004.
2.Last year a big problem appeared. GORGOROTH was divided into two parts. What had happened? There were lots of rumors but nobody knows what the right reasons were a band split into two parts…
I have seen in various interviews and statements that the other faction has come out with multiple attempts at explaining and legitimizing their wrongdoings. Whether or not I have something personal against those two I do not wish to comment on in the media. Whatever their reasons might be for not continuing their work with me, the timeline and factual acts speak for themselves. We both claim the rights to the name, but we all know that I was the one who founded the band in 1992, while the other two were invited by myself to join the band in 1998 and 1999. Before going on our South American tour in September 2007, King had already gone secretly behind my back, applying for the trademark ownership of the name and logo of Gorgoroth. During the next period, until the split-up, they kept it as their little secret, not daring to tell me about it. On the evening of October 21, 2007, Gaahl sent me a text message (!) telling me they intended to use a replacement guitarist for the upcoming European tour, instead of me. The next morning, by calling the Norwegian Patent Office, I discovered that King had applied for the trademark ownership. To make a long story short, we have not been able to reach an agreement, and they continue using the band name and logo, which I claim to own. The outcome of this, then, will be that we will meet in court in Oslo, where I believe to win the case and where I will demand a compensation for what they have done. I am very optimistic about the outcome, and I believe people will remember this and laugh at those two and their petty attempt for centuries to come.
3.The biggest problem is who will have the right to use a name GORGOROTH. According to last news the name was given to Gaahl and King by Norwegian Patent Office. It’s pretty weird because everybody knows you’re former of the band. What’s your opinion about it?
These are technical matters, which I cannot go into details about. The fact is that I have appealed the initial decision on the trademark ownership issue. But since these things take a lot of time, I am not waiting passively while they are using the band name. Therefore I’m also taking them to court, to overrule whatever decision the Patent Office has made or will make.
4.How is that situation look like now? Will there be any other chance at a court to get the name back? How do you see your chances in this case?
I have the full support of the label, Regain Records, and I have the best trademark lawyers available. We are booking time in the court in Oslo now in August, so hopefully I won’t have to wait too many months before we get a court date settled. Like I’ve alread stated, I believe I have a very strong case, and I’m looking forward to updating you on the outcome of this.
5.Gaahl and King were also using the name THE FORCE GORGOROTH. Wouldn’t it be better to keep the name for themselves and to let you have your origin name?
As far as I’m concerned, they can call themselves whatever they want, as long as they keep away from what I regard as my belongings. Sadly enough it doesn’t seem that they can function without the band name which I chose, but of course I will not show any pity because of that.
6.In this strange situation I don’t understand why there was released a live album “True Norwegian Black Metal-Live in Grieghallen”, which was recorded with old line-up with Gaahl and King ov Hell. What do you think about this album?
Most of the album was recorded in October 2007, before the split-up. Later, it was deemed necessary to re-record the bass, and I did so myself in early 2008. I think it is a good album, with a strong nerve.
7.Does it help you that a label REGAIN RECORDS is supporting you and stand by you in these tough and hard times?
Of course it does. I always had a strong personal relationship with them, and I more or less knew all the time that I could count on them in a situation like this.
8.Right now you’re cooperating with new band members – Tomas Asklund (drums) and Frank Watkins (bass). How did it happen you’re playing together? Most of all I was surprised by Frank appearance because every fan knows he’s a member of death metal legendary machine OBITUARY…
I’ve known both guys for some years now, and I have great respect for them both as musicians and as persons. In fact, apart from Gorgoroth, there are few other bands I would ever consider playing in, except for Dissection and Obituary. Therefore, when this great opportunity arose, I used it for what it was worth and ABRACADABRA now I’m in a band with musicians from both of the bands.
9.You’re working on a new opus “Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt”. How does writing and composing process look like? I suppose you’re the author of complete music and lyrics…
I started writing the album in October 2006, and I have more or less finished all the material. This summer I’m flying back and forth between Bergen and Tomas’ studio Monolith in the outskirts of Stockholm. At the time being, we have a pre-recording ready containing drums, bass and two guitars.
10.What can we expect from your new album and when will it be released?
It’s going to be deeper, harder and more classical heavy metal. I’m a grown-up man now, goddammit, and I know exactly what I want, and, for Satan, with the help of Tomas Asklund and Frank Watkins I am going to achieve it.
11.On the other hand you were the main composer even earlier but last two GORGOROTH albums King ov Hell took over it. Why?
To be honest, I had a period with not too much inspiration, and, naturally, instead of delivering something half-hearted - quantity instead of quality – I did not insist on using my material on the albums. Instead I gave King the opportunity to develop his skills by writing the material for one and a half albums. And I do not regret it – I still believe Twilight of the Idols and Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam are good albums which will stand the test of time.
12.Some time ago you had problems with the law. How much did this “experience” influence your further creating and way of life in general?
Actually, it didn’t influence me too much at all. But it did allow me to withdraw from the rest of the world, strengthening my focus on inner contemplation, physical exercise, reading books, writing lyrics and composing music.
13.How do you see black metal scene today from your point of view? I think only some of the bands stay true to the roots and ideas…lots of bands started their commercial way…
I don’t regard myself as part of the scene. I’m not a social person, and I’m not interested in other people’s choices of aesthetics and content in terms of black metal. I still live in the eighties, and my only concern is to delve deeper into the essence of metal and Satanism.
14.This month was released, for some people controversial, DVD “Black Mass Krakow 2004” which was warmly welcomed by thousands of fans. How do you remember this gig and afterward problems with Polish authorities? So far it reached 4th position in a chart…
3rd position, actually! Who would have believed this just a few years ago, before all the hassle started. We were confronted with some rather powerful forces, but Satan prevailed in the end! It was a massive demonstration of the Polish Catholic authorities shooting themselves in the leg. Instead of causing damage to the band and the product, as they tried to, they hyped up the release beyond all possible expectations, leading to this gig being one of the most talked about live shows ever. As the criminal I am, I do of course enjoy the silly fact that we are probably the first band in the history of the world taken to court for producing a music DVD and thus supposedly violating some local archaic blasphemy law. I would like to thank Metal Mind Productions for not giving up on this product, even though they faced great adversities from the authorites! Hail Satan! Satan-Pan! Satan-Antichrist!
15.During your long career you met almost all forms of censorship. Lots of your shows were banned or cancelled. How difficult is it for you when such thing happens? Do you take it that way even bad advertisement is good for your band? How do you deal with it?
First of all, contrary to some certain others, I do not believe all promotion is good promotion. I am content as long as I’m in a position to just keep doing what I want to do, without any compromises to my artistic or personal integrity. Then so be it if we have to cancel a show or two every now and then. I want to deliver quality, not quantity.
16.During your career you also participated in several other bands like BORKNAGAR or DESEKRATOR. Are you planning to play in other bands some time or you just want to concentrate on GORGOROTH?
My main focus is, as it has always been, to do what I’m best at: channeling the forces of Evil into this world through the medium of metal music, using the tool Gorgoroth, which I, the most humble servant of Satan, created for this reason alone. Even in the midst of all kinds of stress lately, I have in addition been able to continue my co-operation with, amongst others, ex-Gorgoroth guitarist Tormentor on finishing the debut full-length of the band Orcustus, which will be released on Southern Lord Records as scheduled.
17.How is your own label, Forces Of Satan Records doing?
Pretty well, thanks! We have been doing a couple of signings with bands I appreciate a lot, Ophiolatry and Black Flame. The latest addition to the label is the Serbian band Triumfall, which is currently in studio recording their debut album. I have high expectations for those guys. Due to imprisonments and other hassle, we have chosen to go in a close co-operation with Per Gyllenbäck and Regain Records, who are now responsible for the marketing and distribution of the initial Forces of Satan releases. Whether this is a model which will serve its purpose in the future I still do not know, and we will evaluate it as time passes by. For the time being it seems to be working out perfectly.
18.What will be your next plans like?
It goes without saying that the main priorities now are to get through the upcoming trial in the best way possible and as soon as possible, and, at the same time, finish the work on Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt, which will be released on Regain Records. After the drums have been recorded at Monolith Studio, I will bring the tapes to Pindamonhangaba, Brazil, to start recording the guitars there, with the help of Fabio Zperandio of Ophiolatry as an engineer in Laboratório 6. I hope to be ready to do live shows from September next year, but will not promise anything, as I will not do anything before I can do it properly.
19.Is there a chance in a future you will again join forces with Gaahl and King ov Hell?
I don’t think it will ever happen… Haha! Enough is enough, and they’ve had their chance now. We will of course never co-operate again.
20.Have you got a message for readers of magazine SPARK?
I have received a massive amount of support from fans and followers from all the corners of the world lately, which I of course appreciate a lot. It’s time for some real metal now, and I will not let you down – fear the return!!!
OK! That’s all from me. I’d like to thank you so much for your time and patience! I wish you good luck! Cheers!
Robert “Bob” Zelenka, SPARK magazine/the Czech Republic (www.spark-rockmagazine.cz)