ZYKLON - Interview with Samoth - Music - http://maxpages.com/aeazine/ZYKLON

How long has Zyklon been in existence now? What inspired you to start the band in the beginning?
Actively as a fully functional band, just over a year really. I simply felt like creating another band with a stronger focus on primal aggression and also a band I can take out on the road on my own terms.

What is the complete lineup of the band?
Myself on guitar, Trym on drums, Destructhor on lead-guitar and Daemon on vocals. For live shows we've hired Cosmocrator on bass and backing-vocals.

Since the band first started making music how well known have you become worldwide?
Well, our debut album was just released in Europe last month and is coming out in the US next month. The response so far has been very good. We hope to achieve maximum global respect of course, he-he!

In what parts of the world are you most popular?
Eastern parts of Norway! Seriously, it's too early to tell. As I said, the album has just been released.

What led to your decision to sign with Candlelight? How have they been treating you?
We've worked with them for many years with Emperor, and we have established a serious relationship and with a promise of top priority and a good contract, that was what made the most sense for us.

How are the other bands the members of Zyklon involved with doing these days?
Emperor are currently recording the new album, to be entitled "Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire & Demise". Daemon is working with new Limbonic Art material, which they hopefully will record this summer. Destructhor is working on a new Myrkskog album.

Emperor recently released "Emperial Live Ceremony." Are you generally satisfied with the results of the recording in comparison to the show you played the night it was recorded? Please tell a bit of the track on the CD featuring the live video.
Well, it’s actually been a while since it was released in Europe. Anyways, we are in general pleased with how the album turned out. The show itself was cool as well, but it all sounded a bit heavier after mixing and mastering it. The CDR video is the track “I am the Black Wizards”. The track itself is an old classic from our first mini album. The footage is taken from the “Emperial Live Ceremony” video, available on both VHS and DVD. It basically features all the tracks that are on the CD.

You mentioned that Emperor are also at work at "Prometheus: The Discipline of Fire and Demise." at the time of this writing. What can we expect from the new record? The band has expanded artistically at an astounding rate since the beginning. Do you intend to continue in this direction?
The album is now completed and we’re currently starting to work on the promotional side. The album will come out word-wide via Candlelight Records in October. You can, as usual, expect well-composed metal with a fine balance of aggression and melody. This album is probably the most complex Emperor album to-date, but still it holds the Emperor vibe I would say.

You were the guest guitarist on Satyricon's "The Shadowthrone." In what ways was recording with Satyricon similar and different from recording with Emperor and Zyklon? Are you still in touch with Satyr?
Ehh, that’s quite many years ago, but for sure I’m still in contact with Satyr. He is one of the people from the BM-scene I always kept in contact with actually. I’m much more involved with Emperor and Zyklon, than I ever was with Satyricon. Being in Satyricon was cool, but it was like being in someone else band if you know what I mean.

How in your opinion has the Internet affected the metal underground? More and more webzines and Cd distribution companies, etc. have emerged on the net in recent years. Has this effected changes for the better or worse?
I think the Internet has many positive aspects. I personally do pay attention to the Internet and find it important to have a proper website and so on. It’s a good and cheap way to promote your band, label, or whatever. But of course a lot of people just use the Internet to talk gossip, make up rumours and throw shit at bands, etc., sitting safely at home behind a computer. And of course, you have the MP3 situation, which might become a bigger problem in the future. As of today, I don’t think it’s a huge problem for the Metal scene. Kind of like modern tape trading. But I fear the day with music is nothing but a computer file. It kind of takes away the spirit I think. You need a product, a CD, a vinyl, a booklet, etc. Not to forget about the economical aspects of the whole business if people stop buying the real thing and just nick your music via the net instead.

Have you read Michael Moynihan's book on the early days of the black metal movement "Lords of Chaos"? What is your overall opinion of it?
Yes, I got it and went through when it first came out. But I don’t really care much for books or documentaries on the BM-scene. For me it’s yesterday’s news and it’s just too much bullshit. However, Moynihan’s book is probably one of the better books on the subject. He has some understanding and insight. Though, I think he made too much out of the “right-wing” association.

Is there still a high number of independent labels supporting the black metal scene now?
Would you like to see more pop up in the future?
There are plenty of labels, but some of these labels could be a bit more selective when signing bands.

How are the punk, metal and hardcore scenes doing in general over there? In what ways, if any, would you like to see them improved for the better?
I don't know much about any punk/ hardcore scene. I'm sure there are bands here in this category, but no bands with any bigger impact I think. In Metal there's plenty of strong bands, and I think the Metal scene is pretty much together.

What music are you listening to personally these days?
Basically "anything" from Psychedelic Trance to Grindcore.

Do you read many fanzines? If so, which ones do you read most and would you recommend?
Well, I get a lot in the mail, so I do look through them, but don't really have any particular faves. Interesting question by the way!

Describe the new record you have out. Are you satisfied with the way it came out?
An extreme metal blast full of aggression, intensity and energy! Yes, I think the album turned out pretty good. I think we managed to create a fairly well constructed album. I'm a bit sick of it at the moment though.

What is your opinion of the infighting between fans of different styles of metal? What effect is having on the scene as a whole?
Totally stupid and a waste of time! The scene is much stronger if united!

Where do you see black metal and extreme music as a whole headed in the future?
Difficult to say, but by the looks of it the extreme music scene will only go forwards and grow stronger.

What are your aspirations for the future of the band?
Most immediate plan is to head out on a full European tour supporting Morbid Angel in April/May. Probably will do some festivals in the summer and possibly another tour in the autumn, then we'll start working on a new album. We're just really taking one thing at the time.

Any final remarks?
Check out "World ov Worms", and if you're into the Internet, log into www.zyklontribe.com to learn more about the tribe. Thanks!

Candlelight Records:
www.candlelight.co.uk

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Page Updated Thu Jul 22, 2004 8:40pm EDT