Exclusive interview: SATYRICON’s Frost – Nemesis Divina
Last week the legendary Norweigan Black Metallers SATYRICON re-released their 1996 classic ‘Nemesis Divina’. Midlands Metalheads Head of Press, Rebecca Collins, had the enviable privilege to chat with drummer Frost about that release…
Can I start by saying it is a huge privilege to get this opportunity to converse with you Frost! Satyricon is a band very close to my heart so thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions.
20 years after its original release, Nemesis Divina has been re-mastered by Satyr and is due out 6 May. What made you decide to re-release this classic?
We want to put the album back into focus now that we are celebrating it, and thought we should try to make it shine just a little more, without taking away anything essential from the original. Almost like bringing out an old gem and wiping of some dust and polishing it a little.
How was the album received back in 1996? Did its success surprise you?
Nemesis Divina got a massive response, which did probably not totally take us by surprise, but still beating expectations. We understood that we had forged a fairly mighty weapon with this album.
‘Mother North’ is still arguably one of your most popular tracks – particularly live, what do you think made the track so successful?
It’s a very atmospheric, epic and anthemic song, and in it’s own particular way it is also very catchy. It speaks loud and clear. For those that are receptive to it, it seems to bring out the same feelings as athletes experience when their national anthem is played in their honour.
The band’s sound has changed so drastically over time, even your drumming technique has changed. How do you stay so dynamic?
Because we are sincerely into what we do and devote ourselves to the band. Dedicated, creative work tends to result in learning, improvement and development.
When Nemesis Divina came out the band still wore corpse paint – did you stop wearing it for stylistic reasons or practical ones?
We don’t allow simple practical issues to dictate artistic behaviour, so it was obviously for stylistic reasons. It felt suitable and right for us to use corpse paint at the Nemesis Divina time, but today it would be counter-productive to do the same as the general expression and sound of ours is very different. To apply corpse paint simply because it is conventional or expected is nothing but wrong and silly. We are not in the entertainment business.
Satyricon has always pushed boundaries. Do you find that many in the black metal scene are closed-minded to bands breaking conventions?
There are many orthodox black metal followers that have gotten stuck in the ugly mire of standards and conventions, but by and large it is their problem, isn’t it?
You’ve worked so closely with Satyr for a long time now – what is the secret to a successful partnership?
Respect for each others as artists and as persons. And the fact that we manage to create fantastic art, and somehow manage to grow with our mutual project.
Satyr had a health scare last year – how is he doing now?
He’s doing better, and works at full capacity again despite his grave condition. Not even a brain tumour can take that man down; he’s a tough nail indeed.
Are you working on the next album? What can you tell us about it?
We have been working on the album for a good while now, and have made a hell of a lot of material. Currently we are getting closer to the actual recording of the album, and we are narrowing things down to what is likely to be part of the record. It’s incredibly difficult to describe such a diverse material – what I can say is that it all sounds very inspired and creative and loaded. I’m excited about the finished result to say the least.
I’m really looking forward to seeing you perform in the UK at Bloodstock this summer, what can we expect from the show?
One fantastic celebration of a milestone album together with our enthusiastic fans on British soil, and then some. It’s going to be a night to remember, I’m sure.
Can I ask about your other band 1349? Are you working on any new material with them?
We are about to start that work now, and have ideas for new songs already. But we haven’t quite finished the MCoC-cycle yet – we will do one more music video for that album this summer.
Do you find that being a member of two bands benefits you creatively?
Actually I do. I find that I have two arenas where I can work in very different ways; one being more about the instinctive, intuitive and extreme, and one that is more of a learning and development ground (there are overlaps, of course). The one has a synergistic effect on the other, that is clearly my experience.
We heard a rumour that you played drums in Slipknot for two weeks – is there any truth to this or is it just one of those silly things the internet conjures up?
One of those silly things.
That’s all from me – thank you again Frost and keep making awesome music!
Get the Nemesis Divina re-issue through Napalm Records here.
