Interview with Lord Hastur Warmachine-drums, bass, guitars, voice, keyboards
Conducted by: Lady Morgana
Date: 09/06/2004 (June)
When you think of Nordic Black Metal keep your mind on Massemord (Norway). With their spur themes of pure hatred against religions, war against religion, anti-xtian onslaughts, the march of Luciferian throngs, black metal art, pagan feelings, long instrumental hymns, Northern woods some thrash metal attacks and so forth. Meet the main Brother, Lord Hastur Warmachine behind the onslaughts . . .
Lady Morgana: Hagl Lord Hastur Warmachine! How are thee, after your car crash?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Not so well...I cant play because my left hand is broken....
Lady Morgana: Yeah, that sucks! How bad did you injury your left hand and will this cause you any problems from playing any instruments?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Yes, I stopped playing! One month of relax! I'll start again next month! In the meanwhile you can listen to my split cd with Svartskogg!
Lady Morgana: Slapp av og hvil godt! My motorcycle accident was a horror story within itself and one day I will play drums again. I know your pvt so I won't ask how this crash happen as long as your ok that’s what matters. At the end of this year your 4th opus, "The Pagan Opera - part one" will be released. Can you mention some of the title tracks and what part one of your trilogy will be based on?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: well I can give you the whole track list of THE PAGAN OPERA part one
1-intro -goblin
2-last day of snow (a cold fast blackmetal song)
3-burning souls (another fast song but with little epic/pagan feelings)
4-skogen kaller og vi svarer 2 (pure blackmetal art!)
5-hell (a mid-tempo song that I did as a tribute to Graveland!)
6-outro-mother nature (a long instrumental hymn to mother nature!)
7-bonus track - majesty of the north (a thrash metal attack with blackmetal
voice!)
Total running time approx.40 mins!
In our 3rd cd you can hear a lot of death metal influences but with PAGAN
OPERA (title could be changed by the label) I concentrated on pure BLACK METAL!
It will PROBABLY be a trilogy. The cd's will be concerned with pagan
themes...but at the end songs are not linked together...every song is an isolated
chapter!
Lady Morgana: I can't wait to hear it. How many parts of the trilogy is written?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: JUST the first! But it has to be recorded yet!
Lady Morgana: I thought it was recorded all ready before you got into your crash. I am forever at the forest creating new work when I am a lone. Do you ever hear the forest calling you?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: well SKOGEN KALLER OG VI SVARER! (the forest calls and we answer!) it's my motto! I spend a lot of time inside forests! Many songs have been written in the woods, alone, me and my classical guitar! I hate society and mankind in general! I feel good at home or in contact with mother nature...I'm from outworld...
Lady Morgana: I know that it's personal, private and deep for you to discuss but have you written any of your material elsewhere besides the forest?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Many songs have been composed inside forest...others have been written in the studio...Sometimes I get ideas when I listen to other bands...everything can be source of inspiration!
Lady Morgana: Virkelig! Det er mange kilder at er inspirasjon. What materials do you bring with you to your stone in the forest?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Only me and my classical guitar...and the noise of wind among leaves-...
Lady Morgana: Is your answering of the forest your main source of inspiration to write lyrics?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: No because DER HENKER used to write lyrics! I concentrate on music only! DER HENKER is inspired by his hatred against religions! I dont like to write lyrics....
Lady Morgana: I know that some of your influences were Overkill, Megadeth and so forth. How did each band grab your attention?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I started listening to thrash metal that later evolved in death metal. I listen to a band when its music is witty and musicians are skilled!I just like extreme music and some folk music like februari 93,otyg or storm.
Lady Morgana: Februari 93 was the project name for a Forlorn song (later called "Awakening"). They were a Swedish folk rock band that formed in the summer of 1994 but after drummer/vocals Magnus (Forlon and Withered Beauty) and Josefin left the band I don't know if Crister Olsson (Forlon and Heelpike) have found other members since than. Would you say that Massemord is one of the last heirs of our Norwegian "fathers"?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I think MASSEMORD is now (together with few other bands like svartskogg, sykdom, helvete) the best that NORWAY can offer! Old bands are playing shitty music! MASSEMORD is really extreme and I'm a very good player! DER HENKER (ex singer) has left the band because he was from Italy and was really tired to cross Europe to come here in norway to record! Many people started to say that MASSEMORD is not a norwegian band because DER HENKER is Italian...well I wanna say to all those bastards that I AM MASSEMORD and MASSEMORD is me! and I AM FROM NORWAY and MASSEMORD is from NORWAY! DER HENKER is just a friend and ex member!
Lady Morgana: Indeed, I know that your the master of Massemord! I know that you don't like the black metal scene, what do you dislike about the scene?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: They think to be rockstars! They stay in pubs signing autographs like shitheads! They have forgotten the meaning of blackmetal! I dont like to spend time in pubs with stupid people signing autographs! They are FAKE!
Lady Morgana: Very True and many other bands sit in the pub doing the same thing. Like many others you don't care to associate yourself, share your time and life with other humans. Does this help you with your creations?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: YES! In solitude I can think a lot, read many books, increase my skill as musician! MASSEMORD is a very underground band!
Lady Morgana: If a fan comes up to you and wants you to sign an autograph or say you did a killer job on your album. Do you tell them to fuck off or you just don't acknowledge them at all?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I dont say FUCK OFF to him because he appreciate my work! I thank him for buying my cd and sign his cd but I wont have a rockstar attitude! He is a guy like me!I invite him to see a MASSEMORD rehearsal or to have a trip through the forest....
Lady Morgana: What do you think is fake about Dimmu Borgir and Satyricon?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: They play for money, I play for pleasure.I dont get money with MASSEMORD! Satyricon and Dimmu are now handled by labels!!! I AM FREE!
Lady Morgana: I want to clear up some things about Massemord to some elites out there who don't have a clue what they speak of. Your release "Skogen Caller" was a collaboration of your 10 years of existence. Why did you decided to use your old material instead of creating new material at that time?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I had 10 years of songs! WHY SHOULD I THROW THEM TO THE LITTER? Songs was very cool! moreover I have added some new songs! SKOGEN KALLER is a little masterpiece!a great black metal compilation :) you can hear what I have done in 10 years!!! (many songs have been re arranged and re recorded!)
Lady Morgana: I feel the same way no matter how old your material is in the long run its worth saving. You started this project as a one man band, then had a few friends give you a hand and now your back to a one man project again. Do you plan on having other hordes give you a hand or are you going to continue everything on your own?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: If DER HENKER will change his mind I will be honoured to have him with MASSEMORD once again! the drums on tour will be probably played by NEMESIS from SIN ORIGIN and V'Gandr from HELHEIM will help me with the bass....but unfortunately no tour has been planned at the moment!
Lady Morgana: It's cool to have other hrorde's lead a helping hand. What's it like working with members A. Fucci and Der Henker of cult Italian band Hate, who have helped you with your recordings?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Fucci was a shithead! I dont wanna talk about him! we have had money problems...DER HENKER is a great singer and has a BLACK METAL ATTITUDE!!!!
Lady Morgana: I don't blame you for not wasting your breath on shitheads. There was a point you were going to give up because of Vraith tragic accidental death but Der Henker helped you to continue the work with Massemord and together you recorded "Obscura Symphonia"(2004). I know that he is no longer in the band because it becomes costly to fly from Italy to Norway. Have either of you decided to do a split with each project in the future?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: VRAITH (rip)was a good friend. DER HENKER is starting up with a new band...no name left! I decided to record the split cd because I had a mini cd and THE OATH RECORDS has given me the chance to publish it! It has a great sound!
Lady Morgana: Your song "cold eternal slumber" is an acoustic song dedicated and composed for Vraith's death! Why did you choose this song as a dedication to his death?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: It's a very sad song I composed one day in the forest....that's all....
Lady Morgana: For those whom don't know, what song did you use for your
BonusTrack on Obscura Symphonia?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: THE SOUND OF DESPERATION is a long song dedicated & inspired by BURZUM sound! It has a great feeling! do you like it?
Lady Morgana: Why don't you describe your songs, "Flowers for your funeral", "Demon Storm" and "Soul Deceiver" to those whom never heard it before?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: They are pure black metal song like first gorgoroth and enslaved. Sound is grim and cold! voice can remind you abbath (immortal). DEMON STORM will blow your head up!
Lady Morgana: What's your Eternal War?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: against man's stupidity!
Lady Morgana: June 14 of this year you will also be releasing a split cd with Svartskogg on The Oath Productions. How many songs did each of you
record and is it new material or old material?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: It's TOTALLY NEW AND KILLER STUFF!
SVARTSKOGG did 4 great songs! (they are the new immortal!) I worked with
them to release it! They have recorded in my studio! They are the greatest bm band from Norway (with MASSEMORD!) MASSEMORD recorded 3 death/black songs+4 instrumental songs....a MASTERPIECE!!!
Lady Morgana: Can they order most of your releases through you, if its
not found in stores from their homelands?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: YES! But I'm sending cd's to many labels all over Europe! If they send me an email I'll send it personally or I'll contact the closest label!
Lady Morgana: Why do you think that labels were scared to death to sign a contract with you?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: We are extreme, we use svastika signs (ancient pagan symbol) and most of all old demos were recorded like shit!
Lady Morgana: Are your demos still available or have you burned them to
the ground?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: URNED!!!! the best songs have been rerecorded for SKOGEN KALLER! If you want old songs contact me via messenger I'll send you them!
Lady Morgana: What have you learned about recording that you wish you
knew back then?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: NOTHING!I own a studio (INTO THE PIT) so I get what I want!
Lady Morgana: You were around 14 when you were in Efest which you never
recorded a release with. How have you progress over the years since then
as an individual and as a musician?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I'll tell you that as a musician I grew a lot! Now I'm very skilled! As an individual I became a man...
Lady Morgana: What was the first instrument you learned to play?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I started with guitar in 1987 and drums two years later...
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Lady Morgana: Did you take any lessons for your throat, drums, bass, guitars, or keyboards?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Yes, I studied in a Jazz school but after 2 years I have left because I needed something harder.....
Lady Morgana: What is your take on drum machines and triggers?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I use drum machines to correct mistakes I do when I record...but I prefer the real drums! I have nothing against drum machines but music must be witty!
Lady Morgana: Do you own your own kit?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: I own REMO drums!
Lady Morgana: Most bass players use a four string because its sufficient.
Lady Morgana: What is your feel on 4, 5, and 6 string basses?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: to play blackmetal 4 strings are enough!!!! sometimes I record without bass, to get a colder sound!
Lady Morgana: Can you give some of your valuable insight on how you create the hooks, riffs and licks?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: No...I start playing, I find my sound and I let it go! It's super natural!
Lady Morgana: Do you feel that it's important to learn both finger style picking?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Yes! we must never stop to learn new techniques!
Lady Morgana: Which do you enjoy doing most and least?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: Nothing in particular! I like tapping and mid tempos with palm muted riffs!
Lady Morgana: Would you ever tour?
Lord Hastur Warmachine: The label must plan it, not me! If someone is interested can contact me!
Lady Morgana: The throne is all yours for any last comments, suggestions (besides my interview begin long) or statements you wish to make before
we close out the interview.
Lord Hastur Warmachine: GET MASSEMORD CD IF YOU NEED SOMETHING TRUE FROM NORWAY! Side by side we ride against the hordes of christ....
