Mayhem...is there a Black Metal band more respected than them ? No, I don’t think so ! With such huge releases as ‘De Misteriis Dom Sathanas’ or ‘Live In Leipzig’, Mayhem have won a cult status. But after Dead’s suicide and Euronymous’ murder, the future didn’t look bright at all for them... until Hellhammer decided to refound the band with original singer and bass player (Maniac and Necrobutcher), and the new guitar player Blasphemer. ‘Wolf’s Lair Abyss’ was a killer MCD, the new live ‘Mediolanum Capta Est’ kicks ass, and I can tell you that the long awaited ‘A Grand Declaration Of War’ is gonna be something too ! I needed to interview them, which I did backstage with Hellhammer in Wacken... Very very cool and friendly guy, here is what he told me :

So, you are finally going to record ‘A Grand Declaration Of War’ pretty soon. What can you tell us about it ?

We’re going to begin on the 15^th of November, and this is gonna be the most furious and extreme metal record ever. About the concept ? Well, the LP had a concept about war, and this is gonna be the same.

Where are you going to record it ?

Originally, we were supposed to go and record it at The Abyss Studios in Sweden, but due to some problems in timing, we had to book another studio. It’s still in Sweden, but it’s like an old studio. (Sunlight studios)

You also changed label, you just signed with Season Of Mist. Why did you choose them ?

We actually had like lots of proposals from labels like Century Media, Nuclear Blast. But I can’t see Mayhem on these labels, because I want Mayhem to stay underground. You know, I play in Covenant actually, which is on Nuclear Blast, and that’s not the right label for Mayhem. I prefer small labels, I don’t give a shit about money, the most important thing is to make the band underground !

And how did you feel when you learnt that Misanthropy was closing ?

It was hard actually, because it was a good label, they were devoted to us, there was no restrictions, and with a band like Mayhem, you can’t have any restrictions ! Like in case of T-Shirts design, or whatever... Misanthropy was perfect for us, but then they had to close...

How did you feel sharing Burzum’ label ?

No bad things about that, really !

You also just released a new live album, ‘Mediolanum Capta Est’...

Yeah, allright ! This was recorded in Italy, but I didn’t know that was supposed to be recorded (laughs) ! Roberto from Avantgarde Music taped it on a DAT, so this is really a live album. But if I had known it was going to be out, I would have played better ! ! (laughs)

How do you feel about the fact that a tribute to Mayhem is gonna be released soon ?

The tribute to Mayhem ? I think that’s cool, you know ! It might be a little bit early to release a tribute to Mayhem, because only old bands get tributed. But Mayhem is really old, you know ! Some say Mayhem is dated, but I don’t think so, Mayhem is not too old ! I think that Mayhem is getting better and better, and the moment I see that Mayhem is not getting better, then I’ll have to stop !

Hey, so you’ve got a long time before you, I think !

Thank you, I hope so ! !

And what about Maniac suicide’s attempt ?

(a bit embarassed) You will have to ask him (laughs).

Still about Maniac, like on the Bischofswerda video, he likes to mutilate a lot. Does he do that a lot ?

Only on special occasions. If the fans really get off, then he does things. If the fans give him a good feeling, then he likes to cut himself. But sometimes, the fan response is great, but still he won’t do it. I don’t know, it has something to see with his feelings too, you know.

By the way, as you are now on a French label, maybe you’ll be able to tour in France ?

Yes, absolutely ! We will tour in France. Probably with the band Seth, with whom we have good contacts. I think they’re a cool and great band, with good members.

And how do you feel right now in Wacken ?

I feel that I could have played much better drums (laughs). I also regret that we were not able to use pyrotechs on stage, but this is a festival, and we had good echoes from the concert, so I just have to be satisfied.

How do you manage to play in so many bands, like Mayhem, Arcturus, Covenant ?

Well, you have to organize your time. Like, with Covenant, I don’t spend a lot of time, I’m totally into Mayhem, I give 100% to them, and Arcturus, that’ been put on ice now. So, it’s OK.

You certainly know the band ...And Oceans. They released a bonus CD with remixes from their tracks... Do you think that you’re gonna do the same thing one day with Mayhem ?

Mayhem will always be like...I can’t describe this. Mayhem is following an undescrible path. We know where we have to stop, and as far as we can see it, the path is straight ahead.

So, always more brutality, and no remixes ever ?

Yes, exactly!

OK. Do you still have problems with the Norwegian customs ?

Customs ? (laughs) You have to ask him ! (laughs) (‘him’ is Paul, their drum technician and driver. In fact, they had to pay at the border between Norway and Sweden, because they had no papers for the drumkit). It’s like, customs are... pfuu... they do their job, there’s no more things. (laughs)

If you look back at your career, what are the best and the worst moments in it ?

The worst moment is when I played with Mayhem in the tour in '89 or something like that, we toured the East Germany... The best moment is in '95 when I toured with Immortal as support for Morbid Angel, that was cool , and I learnt a lot from these experiences.

Well, you have often been described as “sex maniacs ”. Euronymous once told that you were obsessed by sex... 

What?? (laughs)

Yeah, he said that ! And now, are you still groupie maniacs, or nice family fathers like Necrobutcher and Maniac ?

Yeah, Maniac has just become a father ! But I mean, sex, what the hell is that ? As long as you are able, that’s what counts! (laughs)

What would you like to say to the readers ?

I’d like the French people to listen to the new album, because it’s not something they’ll expect ! But if they listen to it, they’ll be convinced that it’s a pretty good record.