Dimmu
Borgir are one of the most popular Black Metal band on the scene right now.
Hailing from Norway, Dimmu Borgir are set to conquer the world, and with their
new album SPIRITUAL BLACK DIMENSIONS, they are well on their way. A U.S. tour
with Emperor is in the planning stages, so fans in the States have much to look
forward to. We recently had a chance to talk with Astennu, the lead guitarist of
Dimmu Borgir. It was 5:00 AM here in the States, but my waking up that early to
speak with a member from one of my favorite Black Metal bands was well worth it
Highwire Daze: Where is Dimmu Borgir from and what is the music scene like
there?
Astennu: We're from Oslo, Norway. Basically, there's a lot of musicians, a lot
of bands and it's a pretty healthy Black Metal scene.
HD: How do you think SPIRITUAL BLACK DIMENSIONS compares to your earlier work?
Astennu: I think it's more extreme and it's more melodic also. We just did the
extreme parts and stretched them out more -- and took the melodic parts and
stretched them out. I think the keyboards are more prominent. We just f*cked
around a bit in the studio and added in clean vocals. The atmosphere is totally
different now to the way it was before. It's just a progression, but it's still
in the same vein as always.
HD: Where did you get the ideas for some of the songs on the new CD?
Astennu: We've been pretty busy rehearsing, and we write all of the material
together. So I don't know, just f*cking around being smashed in the studio, or
at our rehearsal place at home, on tour or wherever -- it's not like we don't
take inspirations from just one particular thing. As for the lyrics, they come
from a lot of dream states, and stuff like that.
HD: What do you think sets Dimmu Borgir apart from other Black Metal bands?
Astennu: I think it has a lot to do with (the fact that) we work hard and don't
do any other work. We just practice all the time, like four or five days a week.
And we're always out on the road touring and playing shows and just working
hard. Everybody in the group is really into it, and we have a really good crew
and management, and I think that really helps us out a lot.
HD: Describe a live Dimmu Borgir show to those of us in the States who haven't
seen you play yet.
Astennu: We have a pretty trippy, freaky live show. There's a lot of energy
going on because we get into it a lot. We're not one of these bands that stand
still. We all get into it and try to come out really hard. With music like this,
there's so much feeling in it, that you can't help it -- you've just got to get
it across and get the energy flowing. It's just basically loud sh*t!
HD: What album or CD do you own that someone might be very surprised to find in
your collection?
Astennu: Kate Bush. I like a lot of different stuff. I don't even listen to
Black Metal like I use to, of course. Now we have the classic Black Metal albums
that sit in your brain. If you're playing Black Metal all day, it's good to get
a different opionion, and give your ears a break.
HD: What do you think about the fact that there's a lot of Black Metal bands
coming out of your area these days?
Astennu: I think it's cool. A lot people are getting into it. But a lot of bands
do it in a good way and a bad way. Basically, people are just putting their
opinions or their life on tape and putting them out. And everyone is not going
to have the same opinion obviously. It's just how it progresses. But I think
it's coming a lot from the Scandanavian region -- you just have to be there and
live there -- you just can't explain that.
HD: Do you think Black Metal will become more popular, less popular, or stay
about the same.
Astennu: I'm not sure. It depends on America. When something catches on there,
it just goes ballistic! It could probably die out, but I think it's going to
make a circle like everything makes circles. Everything is always rotating, but
just picks up new elements. That has started happening with industrial and goth
coming into Black Metal. But I could see it getting more popular.
HD: What do you say to people who fear the coming of the new millennium?
Astennu: (laughs) Ha! Ha! Ha! Throw your computer out the window and that's
nice.
HD: What would like the music of Dimmu Borgir to remember for twenty years from
now?
Astennu: Just basically doing what we want. That's the whole idea behind the
band -- getting people to do what they want -- to not be controlled. To ask
questions and not do what people tell you and to think about what's going on. So
basically being remembered for doing what we want and not doing what we were
told to do.
HD: Do you have any messages for Black Metal fans here in the States?
Astennu: Yeah, just check out more of the young European Black Metal bands. The
underground is pretty strong over here and it's a cool thing to do.