From
the north abyss... IMMORTAL!
They were one of the first bands
that took part at the New Wave of (Northern) B. M., wich is mainly caused by
DARKTHRONE's second album "A blaze in...". IMMORTAL's debut album
"Diabolical fullmoon mysticism" was also a very important album for
the Black Metal scene, althought for the it was clearly BATHORY like! But with
their new recordings which are avaible under the title "Pure
Holocaust", they finally entered new dimensions of that music sector due
to a new and even more devastating style. I caugth IMMORTAL on their "Fuck
Christ" Tour last winter and talked (mainly) with Demonaz (guitars). Sadly
that only little time was avaible to do this ("in a hurry"-like)
interview, but the tour bus had to drive to the next gig wich was some
kilometers away from Cologne.
A tour with Blasphemy, Goreguts and
Immortal was announced for April '93, but you did not join those bands....why?
Demonaz: - "The promoters were
afraid to carry us!"
Concerning this tour here, what do
you think was greatest gig until now?
Demonaz: - "In Berlin, we
played in front of 260 people and Blasphemy were just standing tall and the
busdriver too. It was great there!"
What do you think is the main
difference between the Norwegian and the German audience?
Demonaz: - "In Norway there are
many stupid people coming to the gigs. The German crowd is our most important
one. In Berlin and Hamburg all the people were great."
What's your opinion about the German
Black Metal scene ans what bands are good?
Demonaz: - "There are some
bands like Goatwinter or Lacerated Gods, because they are extreme."
Abbath: - "I know very little about the German scene. Great bands were
Sodom, Destruction and Celtic Frost. What? Celtic Frost are from Switzerland? I
thought part of them were Germans."
How was the response on "Pure
Holocaust" until now? It is avaible for about two weeks (at that time....)
Demonaz: - "The response was
very good, first pressing sold 4000 copies in Germany!!!"
What do you think is the main
difference between "Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism" and "Pure
Holocaust"?
Demonaz: - "The music is
better, faster! There were some mistakes on the first album. Our new drummer is
increadible (He fucken is!!! -ed.)! The lyrics are better and without any
mistakes like there were on the first album, due to Osmose Productions. Our
next album will be called "Battles in the North" and is even more
faster... (well, I must say that it's beyond my imagination -ed.)"
What about Count Grishnackh? Do you
know anything new?
Demonaz: - "In February Count
Grishnackh has to face the court, the police, as they say, have proof that he
killed Euronymous. I can't say anything to that, I wasn't there! "
What jobs do you have beside
Immortal?
Abbath: - "No jobs!"
Your new drummer reminds me a bit at
Tom Warrior on the backcover of the "Morbid Tales" EP! (Just look at
promo-pic)
Eric: (laughs) - "I never heard
of that before!"
One thing that is missing on
"Pure Holocaust" I think are some acoustic guitar parts... Why didn't
you use some again on your newest release?
Demonaz: - "I had some written,
but I wait until the new album. The opener of "Battles in the North"
will probably be a track called "Beneath the Eye of a trunk" (or so),
which will be acoustic and very fast played. We just went into the studio and
recorded "Pure Holocaust" in a very aggressive way."
Abbath: - "We have to sattle our horses. See ya!"
Well, this was all I could ask them
in that short time and I have to say that there was a kind of pressure when we
did this interview and I was not prepared with any questions because of several
problems... Their live performance really killed, pure Black Metal mayhem. Catch
them on tour when they return with Swedish Marduk in April.