SVARTSYN (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for taking your time. How’s currently SVARTSYN doing?
I AM FINE AND SVARTSYN ARE CURRENTLY PLANING TO RECORD ONE SONG FOR A 7EP TO PROMOTE THE UPCOMING SVARTYSN ALBUM WHICH WILL RECORD THIS SUMMER/AUTUM. AND I AM LOOKING FOR A LIVE CREW TO PERFORM LIVE WITH SVARTSYN. THAT IS WHAT CURRENTLY IS HAPPENING.
– First of all, would you mind to share some history of the band?
SVARTSYN STARTED OUT AS CHALICE BACK IN 1991 WITH TORMENTOR AND MYSELF AS MEMBERS; TORMENTOR LEFT IS 1993 SHORTLY THEREAFTER I CHANGED TO NAME TO SVARTSYN. SO FAR WE HAVE RELEASED 6 FULL-LENGTHS ALBUMS AND A MCD AND A 7EP.
– And why did you pick the name «Svartsyn»? Both its origin and meaning.
I THOGUHT IT WAS A GOOD NAME WHICH REPRESENTED SOMETHING SICK THAT I WANTED. SVARTSYN IS A MENTAL DISEASE OF A VERY DEEP PESSIMISSM. A PESSIMISSTIC OUTLOOK.
– For your latest «Wrath upon the Earth» you signed with Polish label Agonia Records; how did you hook up with them? And are you satisfied with this cooperation?
AGONIA CONTACTED ME AND OFFERED ME A DEAL TO BE SIMPLE, WE TALKED FURTHER AND WE AGREED TO SIGN A DEAL. ALL IN ALL I AM SATISFIED WITH OUR COOPERATION.
– In fact they have also just released a re-released of your long time sold-out debut album «The True Legend»; how did you come up with this idea? Were you involved with this decision or was it up to the record label?
I HAVE BEEN ASKED A FEW TIMES TO RE-ISSUE THE TRUE LEGEND ALBUM; BUT I HAVE ALWAYS DENIED IT SINCE A COMPLETE SOUND MAKE OVER IS DONE. AGONIA ASKED ME ABOUT THIS RELEASE AND WE DISCUSSED WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO WITH IT AND HERE WE ARE NOW.
– You have almost rerecorded the album (guitars and vocals at least). Most bands would prefer to take the easy way and re-release the album with just new cover. Why did you deicide to re-record vocals and guitars?
IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS WE HAD TO CLEAN UP THE SOUND. IT WOULD SOUND MORE FRESH IF NEW GUITARS WERE PUT ON AND NEW VOCALS, AND STILL HAVE THE TOUCH OF THE OLD RECORDING.
– And what changes have you done compared to the original version?
THERE IS A TOTALLY NEW LAYOUT AND COVER. A NEW SOUND, NEW GUITARS AND NEW VOCALS.
– Its been re-mastered by Dennis Israel. And I think this mastering and the re-recorded parts give the album an updated/new sound. Are you satisfied with how has it ended up?
YES OVERALL I AM SATISFIED WITH THE RESULT. OF COURSE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS ALBUM SHOULD NOT EXPECT A DARK FUNERAL- STYLED CLEAN AND TIGHT. PEOPLE CAN EXPECT BATHORY «THE RETURN» IN BOTH PERFORMANCE AND ATMOSPHERE. BUT OF COURSE THE NEW GENERATION OF LISTENERS WILL DOWNLOAD IT THOSE CHEAP FUCKS.
– Both the cover artwork and whole layout are new as well, done by Chadwick St John and Perversor. What could you comment on this (why did you choose them, what does the artwork represent, etc.)?
CHADWICK IS A GREAT ARTIST AND A FRIEND OF MINE WHO UNDERSTANDS ME WELL. THE COVER SIMPLY REPRESENT DEATH AND HIS REALM.
– I’ve read when SVARTSYN was a full band you had the last word. And we could say the band is now a «one-man band» (with the exception of some session musicians), is this more comfortable for you? And have you ever thought about having again any full-time member with you?
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN THE CREATIVE FORCE IN THE BAND, THEREFOR I AM THE VOICE IN THE BAND. IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND PEOPLE FOR THE BAND. IT TAKES SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST BEING A MUSICIAN TO BE IN A BAND LIKE SVARTSYN. SVARTSYN IS NOT THAT KIND OF BAND THAT YOU CAN SEE LIVE 2-3 TIMES A YEARS OR SOMETHING THAT U CAN TOUCH OR SMELL. SVARTSYN IS A ISOLATED ENTITY ONLY WORKING FOR EVIL. BUT I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A LIVE-CREW TO PERFORM LIVE WITH SVARTSYN WHICH WILL BE SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. ONE OF THE RECRUITS ARE ALREADY AWARE OF HIS INVOLVMENT. WHERE AND WHEN IS A MATTER OF TIME TO BE REVEALED THOUGH.
– «Wrath upon the Earth» was released just past year but; have you started writing or thinking about new ideas?
YES. A NEW ALBUM IS GOING TO BE RECORDED DURING THE SUMMER/AUTUM. I WILL RECORD ONE SONG FROM THAT ALBUM TO TRY OUT THE DRUMMER AND THE STUDIO AND OF COURSE FOR PEOPLE TO HEAR SOMETHING NEW. THAT SONG WILL APPEAR AS A 7EP WHICH WILL BE RELEASED IN MAY. HOPEFULLY.
– And finally, what are the near-future plans for SVARTSYN?
RECORD ONE SONG AS I SAID AND AFTER THAT PERPARE FOR THE UPCOMING ALBUM RECORDING. AND LOOK FURTHER FOR POSSIBILITIES FOR LIVE PERFORMANCE. WE HAVE ALSO NEW MERCHANDISE TO COME IN. EVERYTHING WILL BE REVEALED IN TIME THROUGH OUR HOMEPAGE WWW.SVARTSYN.COM . AND TO MENTION, SVARTSYNS PREDECESSOR CHALICE, AN ALBUM CONTAINING OLD CHALICE MATERIAL WILL BE RECORDED TO MARK THE 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR SVARTSYN/CHALICE. THIS WILL TAKE PLACE SOMEWHERE AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE NEW ALBUM WHICH IS UNTITLED AT THE MOMENT.
– That’s all from my side, thanks once more for your time. Now feel free to add some final words.
THEN I TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU FOR SHOWING INTEREST IN THE «BAND» SVARTSYN. AND TO EVERYONE WHO DOESNT KNOW US. CHECK US OUT THROUGH AGONIA RECORDS, OUR HOMEPAGE, YOUTUBE ETC… THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
