ARCTURUS....a name synonymous to mysticism, darkness and melancholy. Mysticism I say, cause the only proof of ARCTURUS' existence is the godly "My Angel" 7"EP, released in 1991 by Putrefaction Records. This became something of a cult release in the underground, many a soul was bewildered by the hypnotizing harmonies carried within...No interview has ever been given, so there can't be a lot of readers knowing more than what was conveyed on this record...till now, that is. Cause we here in Dawnrazor are proud to present to you an extraordinaire event; the first ever ARCTURUS interview... Done with Sverd, the "brain behind". ARCTURUS was often believed to be merely a project of MORTEM and MAYHEM members, but the fact is that this band is today rolling steady with a record release in the pipelines, namely the "Constellation" mini-CD, which will be released on Nocturnal Art Productions, the label of Samoth (EMPEROR), who also was a member of the band during this recording. Other permanent members are Sverd, Hellhammer and Garm (of ULVER). So prepare yourself for this devastating mini-CD, as well as a full-length later on, meanwhile, check out this exclusive...
A lot of our readers might be wondering about a thing or two concerning ARCTURUS, as you haven't exactly drowned us in info on the band. So why don't you start up with saying a few words about the existence of ARCTURUS? We're especially curious about the line-up alterations, and is your current crew the final solution?
ARCTURUS was in the starting point a project formed by me, Hellhammer, and Marius in 1990. One year later it lead us to the recording of the "My Angel" EP that was released on the French Putrefaction Records. After that we added another guitarist. The line-up in ARCTURUS has in fact subsisted under steady circumstances until the springtime of 1994, when Samoth took over the guitar responsibilities of Krister (till now an unknown embodiment), and Garm came in as a compensation for Marius on vocals. Whether Samoth is going to continue or not is by these times uncertain as he has a lot of things on his mind from before.
What are the reasons for ARCTURUS absence in the underground press? Do you deliberately avoid publicity?
It has never been ARCTURUS' intention to be an underground band. I believe our music has the potential of reaching bigger heights without an underground status.
It's been 3 years since the "My Angel" 7" was released. How did you go about putting it out, did Putrefaction approach you? What kind of response did the 7" get, seeing that for the time being, it was not your average death metal release, but something a lot more avante-garde?
Putrefaction Recs. released our previous EP (which was the MORTEM-"Slow Death" 7"), so we made a spontaneous decision and worked out another deal with them for our second release. Arcturus did obviously deserve a better label, but they gave us an all right offer and were capable of releasing it very fast as well, so... We wouldn't know for sure how the reactions were, as we never really participated in the underground business. Hopefully, it was a refreshing item in the traditional everyday thrashdeath metal scene (as it was back then).
How would you describe the new ARCTURUS material, compared to the 7"? What is it about the song "Morax" (from the 7"), that earns it a place on the album, that the "My Angel" track lacks? (As the track will not be on the album).
My personal insight into compositions has reached a more advance stage since back then. My ability toexpress cold atmospheres and inner moods through music has also developed to a higher level since "My Angel". Musically speaking there isn't such a big difference between the two songs on the 7". It was simply a matter of making a choice, and besides that, I could mention that I'm an opponent of the lyrics Marius wrote for "My Angel" without going thoroughly into that subject.
We've heard that ARCTURUS has had quite some interest from labels, which one is it most probable that you'll sign with? Rumours have it that ARCTURUS are to participate on a compilation CD to be released on Necropolis recs. True or false? Details?
The compilation that was supposed to be released by Necropolis recs., is a concluded chapter. Which label who gets eh "pleasure" of releasing the coming ARCTURUS album, is for the time being uncertain. Both Candlelight and Century Media are willing, but nothing is brought to clarity yet! We have just been in studio and recorded some pre-release-promotion-songs, featuring new songs meant for the album... Garm will probably spread a hundred limited copies of these promos prior to our full-length album. There is also a possibility that these songs will end up on a mini-LP, limited to a thousand copies or something.
It would be really interesting to know a bit about from where ARCTURUS drew influences, musically and lyrically...
Musically I get very inspired by organ recitals and great classical composers (Bach, Reger, Mozart etc.) interior thoughts and values. Words aren't really adequate. Music in itself is art! My emotional life is reflected in my compositions. You'll have to ask Garm, concerning the lyrics.
Do you consider Arcturus a part of the norwegian black metal scene? Or do you merely look upon yourselves as observers of the whole jamboree?
Well, we were present long before the legions of "locker-satanists" laid our once precious scene to waste. I don't really moan about what is going on anymore. However, one can still find some "highlights" (ULVER, EMPEROR...).
Anything else you wanna waste a few words on?
I guess I'll have to commence with an encouragement! "Buy our coming album, you won't be disappointed!" And conclude with a: Hail Norway!
Dawnrazor - Volume I - The Jewel's Gleam