From the land of Norway comes once again a musical creation which sends out arrows of quality, far above other releases. It is Satyr of Satyricon who is responsible for this project, which is scheduled to have its first album out in May. Wongraven is a new project. When did it start, and why? - For you out there itīs new, to me itīs old. The first tunes composed for "Fjelltronen" came to day in the year of 1992. The album and the concept would not be suitable for a Satyricon album and therefore I have done this concept and album regardless of Satyricon. You have had some help from Ihsahn. In what ways would you say he has contributed to the final result? - Ihsahn has been a great help and support. Musically he has contributed with ideas for some synth parts and he has contributed with a piano theme. Of course he tries to get through some of his feminine ideas, but thatīs no problem. I just force the synth down his throat and everything is fine. Satyr send his special hails to the Telemark homeboys! What are your ambitions with Wongraven? - I guess I have reached my goal. My ambitions were to record this special album of mine and itīs done. This album is really for myself, if someone else likes it too I appreciate it. Is there a specific concept connected with "Fjelltronen"? - Lyrically speaking, the album is everything from dreaming and beautiful to misanthropic and tragic. I even read a curse from "Den sorte bog". It is a story I would say, rather than a concept. But it is of course easier to name it a concept. It is a story of mine and music of mine. Would you say that Wongraven is classical music and only that, or is it something more? Is Wongraven a major part of Satyr? - It is not classical music, and itīs definitely not this soundtrack music shit. I am not fond of that. Though some of it is great, cheap itīs called my me. Classical music is very interesting. Wongraven is NORTHERN MEDIEVAL ATMOSPHERE MUSIC. I have not heard anything like it before and that pleases me. It is also a kind of special feeling doing this for me since you know, I have created all concepts for Satyricon. And we were the ABSOLUTE first band to use this medieval style in black metal, and the first band to use the works of Th. Kittelsen. We started this with "Dark Medieval Times" and I am very proud of it. Later tons and tons of bands started doing the same thing, and they suck of course. Now I am developing this style with Wongraven. Whether you like us or not we did it first, we are the originals and if you say something else you lie. Same thing with WONGRAVEN. I believe that not that many has done something like "Fjelltronen" before me. Vocals, choirs, classical guitars, bass, synths, grand piano, orchestral percussion and medieval military war drums. Maybe there will be clones of Wongraven, remember then that the music for "Fjelltronen" has been worked on since ī92. But believe me I am definitely not saying that this is the best thing in the World, that must be up to each individual listener to decide. Personally at this stage I think it is something really special, but enter the time machine yourselves and enjoy or hate. I like to be one step ahead... Are you then getting inspiration from the common and famous composers like Grieg, Wagner, Beethoven and their likes? - No. How are you going to base the distribution on this album? Will you establish a new distribution network for this album only, to reach a new audience? - I guess just a few major distributors will sell the album since it is something special, they are most interested in popular music. I donīt know what will happen but it seems that the album will be focused against the dark souls of the universe, but anyone into atmospheres should check this out. Will you hit a specific group of people in the heart the way Storm did? How do you expect people to react to this album? - Well, with Storm we hit everyone in the heart in one way or another, not one special group of people. (Hmm, were the French or American listener hit in the heart! Did they feel the Norwegian roots in the music!? ed) I really donīt know how people will react but as I said, this oneīs for me. By the way, should be interesting for people to know that the man who helped me with the percussion plays with several symphony orchestras here in Norway. Do you think the sales will be limited by the fact that Moonfog is a (Black) Metal label? - Due to it being released on Moonfog it will sell more in the black metal scene but less outside the scene, I guess it could have sold a lot more with a Norwegian major label in its back. You are also one of several persons behind this magnificent label Moonfog Prod. Could you inform our readers about your releases this year? - Well, we have the recent albums of Storm, Darkthrone, Wongraven and Isengard. Coming up in June, the ending of the "algol" concept of Neptune Towers "Transmission from Empire Algol", and possibly the limited edition "The Forest is my Throne" second demo from Satyricon. In the Autumn there will be and EP by Storm, possibly the third album from Satyricon and a Moonfog compilation. And I am sure there will be much more. Moonfog will re-release Satyriconīs second demo "The Forest is my Throne", but there seems as if some people think this is a new Satyricon album... - Misunderstandings from the audience. "The Forest is my Throne" is not Satyriconīs new album. It is the second demo from March 1993 soon to be released on CD single. Satyriconīs third album will not be released until late Autumn 95, early 96. |