Dark Throne Interview

Black Metal veterans Darkthrone release their twelfth album, "The Cult Is Alive", reaffirming their status as true godfathers of the genre. Metal Chaos got the thoughts of Fenriz ahead of the albums release.

Hi, how are things with you guys?
Too great too be true, right now. [On the] 17th February we enter our studio to record the first 2 tracks for our next 13th album FUCK OFF AND DIE, hopefully.
February 27th sees the release of the bands 12th album “The Cult Is Alive”. What can you tell us ahead of the records release?
The release is nothing out of the ordinary, meaning we do NOTHING. apart from these interviews. we don't have release parties or anything like that. We are working class men, and it's also in the middle of my cross-country skiing season here - I am a member of SKIFORENINGEN and I have exactly 26 skiing trips behind me so far this season, 31st of January today.
Prior to the albums release you are releasing your first ever single, “Too Old Too Cold”. After 12 albums why was now the right time to release your first ever single?
Don't ask me, it wasn't my decision and I don't wanna know.
The single includes a cover of Siouxie and the Banshees “Love In A Void”. Not the most obvious tune for you guys to cover, how did you come to record this tune?
Because Siouxsie and the Banshees is a way more interesting band for us than most of the metal that has been created since 94 for us. Also, should we do something obvious like a bathory-cover? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA yeah right!
Grutle from Enslaved also makes an appearance on “High On Cold War”. How did he get involved in the project?
ENSLAVED and DARKTHRONE are united through many years in the scene. Also by sharing the same insane humour and not least our fondness of WILD LIFE. Other people can rot with their playstation's!
“The Cult Is Alive” is self-produced in your own studio. Do you find it difficult to be objective with songs you have written and are obviously very close to? What does your studio offer that a “professional” studio does not?
Privacy. We always just wrote our songs and recorded them. No one else has anything to say. It's been that way since 1987.
I also have to ask about the influences on this record. More and more we hear you guys quoting Punk influences, will we see punk elements on the new record?
on our 10th and 11th album it was more punk/motorhead stuff from us, we started being influenced by motorhead since we were kids and on our IN THE SHADOW OF THE HORNS song in 91, but haven't used it much in our songs before the last years. iron maiden started with punk and heavy blues based rock, also venom and voivod started with punk and these are among our inspirations.onslaught and warfare too.
I believe Kim Solve created cover art to the new album. How did the concept come about, is it a case of the music influencing the art or visa versa?
Kim wants too see lyrics when he is doing a project like that, yeah, but I don't deal with the visual side of things.
“The Cult Is Alive” is your first release since re-signing with Peaceville. What were the reasons for splitting with Moonfog, and why go back to Peaceville?
It is like burgers and pizza - both are great but after years of eating one kind, it is time to switch again.
	Darkthrone have come to almost represent the Black Metal genre. Do you therefore feel pressure when you release new material?
	No, cuz we only represent true oppression and dissidence. REVOLT!!!
	Darkthrone must have been asked ad naseum about playing live; however will there be any live performances in support of “The Cult Is Alive”?
	We have said no to hundreds of proposals, more money than you can imagine. I refuse to say yes to this and chain my freedom to it. I DO WHAT I DO. I dislike other people having plans and wishes for MY life.
	Do you feel that the message of the majority of Black Metal is being lost amidst the hysteria surrounding the satanic lyrical content of many songs?
	I don't follow it, so I can't feel it. My job is to take care of the ROOTS.
	With organised religion being the root cause of many of the world’s problems. Do you it time that people woke up to a new dogma?
	Dogma leads to organized religion. Organized religion is laughable, but fascinating when people suffer from it. hehe. I think people should get their heads out of their asses and listen to CARNIVORE retaliation album or some NASTY SAVAGE.
	Is there a last message to all the Darkthrone fans out there?
	See you in hell!!!!

All photographs and images used with kind permission of Darkthrone.