I'm now very pleased to introduce to you an interview with what has to my favourite band at the moment, I'm talking about the mighty ARCTURUS who produce some of the most symphonic music I have ever heard! Dynamic and mighty. This interview was conducted by a good friend of mine, namely Mabus of Ancient Lore Creations, I'll let him take over now:
I met ARCTURUS at their rehearsal place, Garm (vocals [also in ULVER-ED]) has not arrived yet but Hellhammer (drums) and Sverd (keyboards) are there. They are sitting relaxed, gripping their beers calmly, taking a break. I've known them for some time now, so it is not unusual that I meet them here. I ask if it is convenient to start right away. They answer: "Cheers."
Tell me about ARCTURUS' background and what made you use the keyboard as the main instrument instead of the guitar?
Hellhammer: Well, ARCTURUS was actually Sverd's idea. Marius (ex MORTEM member), Sverd and I were playing together in MORTEM at the time. Sverd had brought a synth, and wanted to make music which was different to all the normal metal stuff. He wanted to make music which he liked! And anyway, he wasn't much of a guitar player.
Sverd: It started out very slow. We did not have any material at all. So, you can say we started on bare ground.
When did you start?
Hellhammer: I think it was back in 1990???
Sverd: I can't remember either. '89/'90??? Well it doesn't matter.
In 1991 you released a 7" called "My Angel." What can you tell me about it? By the way, why did you choose such a strange name?
Hellhammer: Well, I don't think I should talk much about it, but... hahaha. "My Angel" was about Marius' girlfriend who was named Dana Lie. She was from Hawaii of all places. And the lyrics are not very interesting. They go: "I love you. I need you. You are my angel." (Everyone laughs) The screams you can here later in the song are meant to bring her back to him. Because they had just broken up their relationship just before he wrote the lyrics.
Sverd: When we look back on it bow we just laugh.
This is a very unusual black metal lyric!
Hellhammer: Yes I guess you could say that! But I never took part in the lyric writing.
Sverd: Neither did I.
Hellhammer: But on the contrary "Morax" is quite good. "Morax" is a magical sword, as most people know. (I didn't. KW)
Sverd: At that time Marius was very interested in magic, fantasy, Tolkien. So most of his lyrics where about stuff like that.
Are you going to re-record "Morax" on the full length album? Will it be different?
Hellhammer: It will have a much better sound, but otherwise it will sound the same, I think?
You have recently got a new bass player. What do you think of that. I mean, you have never used a bass player in ARCTURUS before.
Hellhammer: I think it is cool. We have also got a new guitar player. And we are very satisfied with that too! The new tunes will contain more guitars than before.
You have signed with Century Media, and you are going to record a full-length album very soon. What will it contain, except for "Morax?"
Hellhammer: Well, there will be the 4 songs from the promo CD, "Constellations", which should be out on Nocturnal Art next week! Plus some other tracks. Probably 3 or 4 more. We are not sure yet.
What about touring? Will there be any concerts?
Hellhammer: We will probably play a gig in Rotterdam together with MARDUK and ENSLAVED (How about coming to London!-ED) (I hate editor comments. KW), some time in February, but this is just talk. Nothing has been decided yet!
Do you know why you took the name "ARCTURUS?" Why did you name the band after a star?
Hellhammer: Why not? it sounds good and it is better than BLASFEMICUNHOLYSLAUGHT!
Future plans?
Sverd: We will record two full-length albums and that will be it! Then we will probably dissolve ARCTURUS.
Why on earth do you want to stop doing ARCTURUS?
Hellhammer: Well, it has taken us 5 years to create an album. So it will probably take 5 more to create another! Anyway, Arcturus has always been a side project so it wasn't meant to last too long.