The Bootes constellation hung high in the black of night, when one desolate Norwegian sat gazing upward. What that man saw was five stars: Izar, Nekkar, Segnius, Nuskan, and Arcturus. That last one blaxing brighter and more furious than its brethren. With that in mind, Sverd, a talented man on synth, bore the concept of a musical entity that would become a kaleidoscope of stellar journeys...Arcturus.
ARCTURUS rose forth for what reason?
To create unique music amongst the best musicians in Norway.
Was ARCTURUS the invention of one mind?
Arcturus is truly the invention of Sverd, but as the drummer I have always played in ARCTURUS since the start.
Who comprises the Arcturus line-up past and now present?
The original line-up when we started in '90 was M. Vold on vocals, S. Sverd, Keyboards and guitars, Hellhammer on drums. We released a 7" EP in '91 titled "My Angel". When we released "Constellation" in '94, the line-up was Garm on vocals, Samoth on guitars, I was on the keyboards, and Hellhammer on drums. The new members on the next CD "Aspera Hiems Symfonia" (Nov. 95) are Me (Sverd), Hellhammer, Garm and the addition of new members K. August on guitars and Skoll on bass.
Since Garm is in ULVER and now Samoth is resting behind bars, will there be new recruits for an upcoming full length?
Garm is still our singer even if he is in ULVER. Yes, Samoth is in jail now; he is staying there for one more year. But as we have mentioned we have found ourselves another guitarist... I think he really fits into this band music wise.
"Constellation" is the name of the MCD that was released on Nocturnal Art Productions (Samoth's very own label) with a limited pressing of 500 copies. Was this more for the promotional purposes towards ARCTURUS? Surely, if a lucky individual received this MCD they'd have something to cherish!
Our MCD you talk about was never really meant to be released at all. It was only meant to be for our ears, a kind of pre-studio thing, you know. Just to hear how we would sound. It was the cheapest studio in Norway, they thought it was very special so we agreed to give it out as a promotional source at 500 copies only. I don't know if we will re-release "Constellation", but there may be a slight possibility as nothing has been decided yet.
How has the response been, both fan and label wise? There were negotiations with CENTURY BLACK, what happened there?
The response has been mostly good, but I also have heard some bad criticism about this. What happened with CENTURY BLACK was that the contracts were too confusing. Since Century Media is a big label, the deal was not that good. Not for us anyway as ARCTURUS is not well known these days. We tried for reveisments, but waited and waited and heard nothing back. Label wise there has been some interest, but for the full length it has been completely decided to go with a completely unknown small label, ANCIENT LORE CREATIONS (Norway).
The music of ARCTURUS is quite sinister. The only instruments used on the MCD were keyboards, drums and vocals.
Actually, guitars were used as well, but it was very under produced, but on our newest release, now the guitars seem to be too high in the mix!
How did something so solid and brooding come out with such a minimalistic approach?
Well, our "My Angel" EP is now almost 5 years old and I have obviously been through some musical expansion both technically and as an artist since then. Minimalistic you say, well we had only been going for a short period of time you know. Now that we have been through some years of natural development, thus the new solid and brooding seems a natural step forward. We shall go further as well...
Does ARCTURUS plan to incorporate any other instruments into it's framework? Or are you already happy with the accomplishments?
We don't need any other instruments than we already have.
The drums seem very technical for the gothic approach that has been installed. Almost always it is the other way around with the drumming being simple. I must say that your drumming compliments the sound in a particular manner, much like each individual contributing counterpart.
Well, the drums is maybe kind of technical, but I have never been a drummer to only sit back and play "so called" four on the floor. It is not my style. I think my drumming suits the music, compliments the music as you said.
If I am correct, Garm is the person responsible for the vocal patterns. It is the way his normal singing intertwines with the more black metal style type of vocals that creates such a brilliant journey for the listener. Is the Norwegian landscapes and nature a prime source of inspiration here?
Yes, Norwegian nature gives us a lot of inspiration both to our lyrics and our music.
I am not clear if I detect any Satanic overtones in the music of Arcturus. As the only English displayed on the MCD is the piece "Ice Bound Streams and Vapors Gray". It all seems like cold poetry more than anything. Is it better to say there are pagan overtones being expressed?
ARCTURUS was not meant to be a black metal band, as they are Garm's own thoughts.
Moving back to your recently recorded full length debut, can you give our readers more information regarding titles or themes? When will this be available to interested parties in the United States? (distro deal?)
The title of our new master piece is again called "Aspera Hiems Symfonia" to be released at the end of this year. Some titles are "To thou who dwellest in the night", "Fall of man", and "Bodkin and the quietus". Garm's themes vary from song to song, but I do know that he is very concerned with transcendental and religious matters in this universe. I can't say that Garm and I have too much in common regarding these things. He is a Satanist, I am not. I am only into it to create moody music, nothing else. The cooperation between us works all right even though there are these difference between us. I believe MISANTHROPY (who distributes on a world-wide basis should have contacts in the U.S., but I actually do not know much about this.
Hellhammer, I know that MAYHEM is now alive and well continuing through 1996. Which is your main priority? DO you see conflicting schedules between the two? If ARCTURUS becomes as successful as, let's say PARADISE LOST, would you drop Mayhem?
MAYHEM will always be a priority band for me. I will not drop MAYHEM for any others... and I am not participating in any others as well. If ARCTURUS were to become as popular as PARADISE LOST, well that would be good, but I don't think that will be happening.
As both Hellhammer and you, Sverd, will be doing some sessioning in other bands, do you enjoy working outside of ARCTURUS? What neighboring bands are you both helping out with?
Hellhammer is playing with IMMORTAL on their European tour for September and October. I have played with ENSLAVED basically to help out with gigs. I also performed on SATYRICON'S "Shadow Throne"... a big mistake for me, those misfits ripped me off...
There seems to be a sense of unity amongst the Norwegian bands nowadays. Is this a trait you would like to blossom further?
Well, I think the Norwegian scene is worse than ever really. As I do not care about the Norwegian scene any more. I am doing my own things, and don't care about anything else. To me, I really don't care if bands are against each other or whatever...
When people speak of Norway, what visions or pictures come to your mind?
Norway is a very beautiful country with very strong culture and national heritage. Therefore many people, including myself, are fascinated and get inspiration form our majestic nature.
Any last words?
Give "Aspera Hiems Symfonia" a fair chance. It is, as you said a very brooding and darkly consecrated album, Thank you for your interest.
The Requiem Volume Six * Winter Holocaust * 1996