Oystein
G. Brun of
CRITICALTOM: Has Epic been out long enough for you
to have any idea of how successful it will be?
I assume the reviews have been very complimentary so far.
OYSTEIN: It has been out since the 21st of
June in Europe. So far the reviews have
been really great.
CRITICALTOM: To me, Empiricism and Epic are
your best albums (and I have them all).
But I happen to think they are pretty equal.
OYSTEIN: Epic was mostly written when we did Empiricism. All the songs were written around 2002. Most come from the same period. But I think Epic is more intense.
CRITICALTOM: Why the long delay?
OYSTEIN: Different reasons. I needed some time off after touring etc.; spent time with the
family. Also we took more time
recording this album.
CRITICALTOM: What is the creative process for the
band? Who does what?
OYSTEIN: I basically have written the music since the
beginning. I have a home studio, so I come
up with riffs and record them, then distribute them to the guys. But it is a group effort. Everybody adds something to the album.
CRITICALTOM: You seem like a very nice guy. Often when a band has a revolving door of
musicians I wonder if it is because the band leader is a bit of a perfectionist
(I won’t mention any names). Would you
say that it is hard for people to stay in Borknagar?
OYSTEIN: There are always different reasons why
people leave. At first the band was
more of a project for some. They
already had their bands (like Garm who wanted to do more electronic music). But with each album we got a little more
serious, plus the pressure from the label.
Like with Vortex, he was in this band and Dimmu Borgir. And after a while it got to where he could
not be in both. With all the changes I
have tried to maintain the same kind of atmosphere while allowing for
progression.
CRITICALTOM: Have you found a new bassist yet?
OYSTEIN: No. I’m
pretty happy with the way things are, so we probably won’t get a bassist. We will use a session bassist on tour,
though. And probably a second guitarist. But we will probably just stay the way we
are.
CRITICALTOM:
A band’s music is described in various ways by different reviewers. I’m sure some make you happy, and some make
you cringe. In your own words, what do
you think is the best way to describe your music?
OYSTEIN: Some kind of extreme metal with progressive
elements. I’ve always tried to do
something beyond all the labels. Some
call it black metal, or Norwegian metal.
It has progressive elements. But
I really want it to go beyond the categories.
Sometimes the descriptions are funny, but it is always interesting to
see how other describe your music.
CRITICALTOM: You are the only member of Borknagar who is not
in another band.
OYSTEIN: Yeah, I am dedicated to this music.
CRITICALTOM: What does Borknagar mean?
OYSTEIN: It really doesn’t mean anything specific. It does have roots in Norwegian mythology,
but other than that, nothing. I wanted
a name with a Norwegian sound that didn’t really dump the band into a category
it couldn’t get out of later. I didn’t
really want a name which doesn’t represent the band or limits the band to a
particular style.
CRITICALTOM: I was happy when I found out Vintersorg was
in the band. How did you get Vintersorg
in the band and what has that been like?
OYSTEIN: It’s great.
We have been friends for a long time, even before he came to the band. We are a lot alike. We are like musical soul mates.
CRITICALTOM: Does he write all the lyrics or do you?
OYSTEIN: It’s a combination. Actually, all the guys contribute to the
lyrics.
CRITICALTOM: What do you see as a goal you haven’t
reached yet?
OYSTEIN: That’s a hard question because I don’t
really have any goal except to make better music. I have no desire to become famous or to be a big “rock star”. So I’d have to say it is to make better and
better music.
CRITICALTOM: Who do you claim as your influences?
OYSTEIN: All kinds of bands, really. Bathory is one, especially the Hammerheart
album. But I also really enjoy
listening to Pink Floyd and classical music. I am even working on a symphony.
CRITICALTOM: You are working on a symphony?
OYSTEIN: Yes, pretty much for my own benefit. I don’t know if anything will come of it,
although I think it is pretty good.
CRITICALTOM: Is this something you plan to do as
Borknagar?
OYSTEIN: Probably not. I don’t know if it will be for anything, though the idea of using
it for a movie soundtrack or something is interesting.
CRITICALTOM: Who do you think would be an ideal band for
Borknagar to tour with?
OYSTEIN: Bathory, but I guess it’s too late for that
(laughter). But I think we could tour
with just about anybody. If we toured
with Metallica, we would have some music that would go well on that tour. If we went out with a black metal band, we
would have something that would work well on that kind of tour as well. So I don’t think it really matters.
CRITICALTOM: You music/lyrics have a real philosophical
tone.
OYSTEIN: I like music which is more profound than
just talking about drinking beer, etc.
CRITICALTOM: What would you say to someone who has never
heard you before?
OYSTEIN: I think it is emotional. Of course it is metal. Not emotional in sense of being sad or
slow. Intense is a good word. It has a lot of my personality.
CRITICALTOM: What other famous Norwegian bands do you
hang out with?
OYSTEIN: Ha!
I don’t hang out with them much. I spend time with my family.
I’d rather be recording music in my studio or something. I pretty know pretty much all those guys,
though.
Family: wife and 1 little girl.
Education: working on college degree in education
related field.
Favorite guitar: I have an old Les Paul (I the editor didn’t
quite get the make and model).
Amp: Marshall and Eagle
Reading: Stephen Hawking (in Norwegian).
Religious background: Pagan .