Gorgoroth – Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt

Gorgoroth is a name that is known not only for setting a standard in Norwegian Black Metal but also for fulfilling the stereotype that extreme musicians are often violent, offensive and criminal. Gorgoroth's newest release, Quantos Possunt Ad Satantitem Trahunt, is a work of creative genius that will hopefully outlive the recent news spectacle that was made of this great band. I will mention that this interview is incomplete. The last question apparently did not go over well with Infernus and he has let us know he feels strongly about the aesthetics of black metal by ending the email interview. The last thing I care to do is argue with anyone and my next questions were obviously on a different topic. So I do apologize to Infernus and everyone, especially you, the reader! I only wish that the interview was complete as I really respect Gorgoroth's music. My last question for Infernus was, 'Where do you see Gorgoroth in the next 10 years?' Now we can only wait and see…

Beyond the Dark Horizon: First, thank you for your time! We support your art and want to help spread the word of your newest release! Some of the material on your new release, Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt, is as old as 2006? What was the creative process like?

Infernus: Basically it was a period where I had more time to concentrate on songwriting that in the years prior to that. It was 2006, right. This coincided with that I got back some sort of a feeling that I was inspired, so to speak, and that I could be able to stand behind the music being written. As a songwriter, of course, most of my entire grown up life I have been writing music. but – allowing me to brag a bit about myself – in the periods when it just did not feel right, I believe now that I was right in my judgment on not presenting to others any half hearted crap which would in the long run destroy my personal, and what others might refer to as "artistical", integrity. I deem it as I was right. half the material was written in 2006, the other half during the period in which I worked on the pre-productions with Tomas Asklund prior to the recording of the album; a process which took more or less a year and a half, in which I had to relocate to Sweden from time to time.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: How is the new line-up? You recently played Hole in the Sky?

Infernus: The new line-up is nothing less than fantastic, and it fits 100% to the wish list I made myself. We seem to be getting very well along both in terms of professional attitudes and when working, as well as on an interpersonal level. Yeah, we headlined the hole in the sky-festival, and it all went well. We had been out of practice for a while, with Quito, Equador, being the last place we played live nearly two years before, with another line-up. And the time in between was used for studio work and some certain legal affairs. We were quite uptight and concerned that we should be able to deliver, and to do so properly. And in a Gorgoroth perspective, we actually rehearsed more than ever before. It all went well. It was a good thing. Right now we are preparing for the release party of the new album. or, "release-party" is what we call it; it is more like a festival taking place a bit farther north in Norway, in Trondheim, on the 19th of October, where we will use the chance to present some new material. It will indeed be fun, and I am more excited than I have ever been before about something like this.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: Are there tour plans to support this release?

Infernus: There are! For the European territory we have a new guy, as we had to fire that other snake who intended to work for us, but instead ended up working for the counterpart. So right now we have made a deal with the booking agent of Obituary, same guy who has been working with them for some years now. And i believe that is what it takes to have us back in a proper way doing a three week tour in April. This is what we aim at. Time will tell what will actually happen. And we will of course use the first opportunities to confirm any touring activities through our website and other forums. Alongside with that, Latin America is still being held as important for us, and Latin America will for sure be given priority in the future as well.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: Would you be willing to tell us the English translation of Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt or at least, what it means to you?

Infernus: No, I will not. You could go and get yourself a Latin dictionary for that.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: Did you have a theme or vision of what you wanted to create with QPAST?

Infernus: The short version would have to be something close to this: the main intention with the album and whatever we are up to at the time being is to continue what was initially set as a goal back in 1992. We did not try to re-invent the whole genre with this album. You could probably better view it as an attempt on getting better at what we always aimed at: Writing and performing metal music with a certain set of formal standards in a way more or less corresponding to what we hold as esthetically appropriate; all in the name of Satan.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: Do you feel this was an easier album to make after the line-up changes?

Infernus: Yes, as a matter of fact I do. The two other guys were not friends of mine for years prior to their exclusion and with time it seemingly became more and more difficult for them to fit in within the framework given (A framework which was set way back in time before they ever were thought upon as alternatives for filling the places as the band's 3rd vocalist and 7th bass-player). It would have been very difficult for us to come through such a process, in the studio together again, taking all the hassle back when recording. Already then, the progress was extremely slow and ineffective. The mood was incredibly bad and unconstructive and we ended up in three different studios because of that, for example. This time everything went smoothly. Spirit was higher than ever, and we all worked in the same direction. For sure, we spent more time on this recording than ever before, but that felt correct and every day was a day of joy.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: You released Gorgoroth's Live in Bergen 7" on your own label, Forces of Satan Records. Are there any plans to release this album or more Gorgoroth material on Forces of Satan? Infernus: Absolutely. Next gorgoroth-release on Forces of Satan records will be a picture disc version of the upcoming album. For the follow-up to Quantos Possunt Ad Satanitatem Trahunt – which I am in the process of writing already, and which I already started work on in the studio together with co-producer Asklund some two weeks ago – it will be released on our loyal label Regain Records and it will be done so when the time is right. Most probably then as well Forces of Satan will release a picture disc version for the most die hard collectors amongst the audience.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: You recently have been endorsed by Jackson Guitars as well as many other manufacturers of great gear. Has Jackson always been a favorite of yours and why?

Infernus: I have been using a multiple set of gear all through the years, including Jackson. Jackson is one of my favorite brands. As the situation went a bit out of control the couple of last years with hiring in all kinds of expensive lawyers and legal consultants, it even came to a point where I had to get rid of some of my guitar equipment for financing the necessities. I could have gone on talking a lot about this, but the conclusion is: at the right moment when I needed a good endorsement deal for some good equipment, amongst others Jackson offered me this and I am very grateful for that. If you ask me specifically what I deem good with Jackson, i would have to say that I do not always find their ideas of visual esthetics to fit in with mine, but the playability above all, makes the guitars way better an option for me than many others.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: What music do you enjoy? Is it extreme metal always? Infernus: In many ways one can say I am stuck in the past and I do not get to update myself very much on what is happening in the scene today. It has been like this for as long as I remember, and even though it is not an ideal for me or a goal in itself, so to say, it works out perfectly. I do not know what I miss out on. Basically, I enjoy listening to some classic heavy metal albums from the 80's. I am still very much fond of the same bands which at an early and formative period imprinted their ideas and thoughts upon me. Traces of who this might be should be obvious for the one with the sharpest pointed ears and who has somewhat the same musical background as me. Beyond that, I do not listen to much else. Some ambient German 70's music, and that's more or less it.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: Do you have a ritual for creating your music?

Infernus: I have at least a more or less clear mind-set when trying to do so. I am now much more concerned about excluding as many traces as possible of whatever binds the music to me as a person, with my history and experiences and patterns already at work. I am fully aware that I am – after all these years – in a certain position of being able to just present whatever b-series of crap resembling material already presented before, and that I might get away with that as well. That is just not good enough. I have both my feet firmly planted in a tradition I cannot or will not choose to deny the importance of; meaning I know my history. The test then is not only cutting through for the sake of it, to just present something entirely new and refreshing, but to cut hard down into my own ego when writing, and to try not to need to have a too strong bond between person and work. I believe this in the end can enable a flow of – you might call it inspiration – which again can create some music able to somehow stand again the test of time. Music in its own sense and within its own framework can become viewed as more timeless and classic. That is my will and I hope I managed somehow to make myself understood.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: What inspires you to write Gorgoroth material?

Infernus: It is – I regard it – pretty much indescribable, and it would not make sense applying words to. It is one of the reasons I write Gorgoroth material.

Beyond the Dark Horizon: What do you say to those who think black metal should stay underground, no endorsements, no DVDs, no good quality recordings, etc.?

Infernus: I say go to hell, or at least take your crying elsewhere. I am done spending time on self-handicapping morons with low ambitions in life. Black metal is Satan’s music above all. It is satanically correct to show a will to power and to improve and to grow stronger. Why is it then so that a few broken spirits have the right to be heard when again and again uttering a total misunderstanding on this key subject? Why should not everyone with a satanic mind-set agree on this? Esthetics, you say? No, I do not want to go there and if that is the line of arguments about to be presented, I will at least say "stop" and " I do not want to discuss it" if that person is at least not born before 1975 or so. Just using the word "underground" today, should make people concerned. Every time I am forced to use it, I feel an urge to wash my hands afterwards. In 2009 there is no more an underground in terms of metal music, and there has not been one for many years. But the democratic right of whatever poor a soul to come crying about such nonsense seems never-ending. Take your lack of capacities and ambitions and go be ashamed of yourself!