#webzine

I believe Bård was on a prison leave in those pictures but I can't remember exactly. And I found the interview here (originally in portuguese) he did while in prison less than a year from his release date.

Talking about Bård Eithun, the famous ex-drummer of Emperor, Faust, is talking directly about Norwegian black metal. Here he tells us a brief history about everything that happened in those frozen lands.

First of all, I would like to say that I am sure you do not know how important and influential you were and still are for what we today worldwide call Black Metal. Well, tell us how you started listening to and playing Black Metal…

My involvement with Black Metal is the result of a long process. I have always looked for extremism in music and in the late 80s it was in bands like Voivod, Celtic Frost, Sanctuary, Warfare, Napalm Death, Venom, Bathory, Hobbs Angel of Death etc. Some of them were considered Black Metal, others were not, but the essence is that extremism has always been part of my musical interest, no matter what.

Black Metal has grown a lot over the years, everything has changed drastically. Nowadays the style has many types of media available and many new fans. What is your opinion about the current Black Metal. Is there a comparison between the old and the new Black Metal?

Black Metal, especially Norwegian Black Metal is worn out and extremely clichéd, a terminology I never use. I saw the trend coming, and hopefully I can see it going too. But that doesn't worry me, I don't care. I'm not part of this new movement anyway.

Emperor has just finished its activities. What is your opinion about this Emperor at the end of its career? They have changed their style drastically and almost everyone thinks that their best phase was when you were part of the line-up. What do you think of Trym Torson (now ex-Emperor, ex-Enslaved and currently Zyklon) as a drummer?

This latest album was very well done by them. It encompasses a bit of every era of Emperor. I appreciate that people like the Emperor phase that I was part of, but the band has always been in progression, and it would be senseless for them not to progress. Trym is a great drummer and I remember being happy to hear that he was going to get my job.

A lot of people have said a thousand things about your personality type, so I would like you to talk about yourself. Are you the same person who was arrested in 93, or have you changed your personality?

The events happened 9-10 years ago and obviously I have changed during all those years in prison. I'm still fascinated by the dark and the obscure, but more as a balance to a nonconformist and continuous life than anything else.

Where is your current residence? You still live in Oslo prison in your Krestfengsel residence. Do you have any routine in your life?

Hehe, that Oslo prison is my address from 1993. I've been to a lot of prisons since then. Now I'm living in a kind of apartment with facilities in Oslo, which is supposedly the last step for someone who is about to be released. Yes, my routines are always present although now I am more free and open to choose what to do during the day than in previous years.

How is the progress of your process? Do you already know when you will be released from prison?

I will be released on December 28, 2002, in about 7 months.

Well I know this is a bit of a boring question to answer and not very creative at all, but actually Norway is really far from here and everyone would definitely like to know the truth about the costumes that happened to you (pretty much all of South America , I learned about these events through magazines and newspapers). Is it true that some guys cheated on you by talking a lot of shit back then? Could you explain it to us better? I heard it took the authorities more than a year to catch him. This is hilarious…

Well, the story is long and complicated. I was caught more than a year late, but because of many events. I've been asked about this story many times. You better check some website with the full story, please.

About the Norwegians after many stories we have heard. Who were the main leaders of the famous "Inner Circle", because many people claim that many fights and disputes happened internally. What were your main goals?

The Inner Circle was a vague term we came up with to label the people who frequented Euronymous's Helvete store. They were the people who were capable of committing criminal activities. It wasn't really organized at all.

You could, if you want of course, say what your opinions are about these people: Euronymous (RIP), Dead (RIP), Varg Vikernes, Satyr, Fenriz, Jorn, Ihsahn, Samoth, Tchort, Snorre, Mortiis and Hellhammer.

These are the people I know/knew. Samoth, Ihsahn and Mortiis are my former bandmates. Euronymous and Dead are my dead friends. Hellhammer is an old friend. Jorn? Which? I know several, like Jorn-Inge from Hades Almighty and Jorn from Ulver, but I think you're referring to Jorn from Mayhem?! Also an old friend. Fenriz and Satyr, other people I met years ago. Snorre and Varg committed shit, something they can never change.

Let's stop talking about the past. What are your plans for the future? I heard that you will be participating in the latest album by the Italian band Aborym, is that true?

I wrote 3 lyrics for Aborym, which will be on their third album. I joined a cult classic metal band, but that will be official only in the summer. I should start playing with Samoth again soon, in some project band. Besides that, I write lyrics for Zyklon. I just wrote some lyrics for their second album. I have also written lyrics for Sigh, Wurdulack and the aforementioned Aborym. I have also appeared as a guest on albums by Cadaver Inc, Ulver and Sirius.

You heard that some bands are planning to make a tribute album called "Tribute to Faust". What do you think about that?

No, absolutely nothing.

Have you recorded anything in prison, because Varg Vikernes has recored three albums while in prison.

No, I didn't record anything. Not because I didn't have the musical ability to form a one-man band.

Out of curiosity, do you know any Brazilian bands?

Many, like the classics Sarcófago, Holocausto, Vulcano, Sepultura and probably more.

Finally, tell us your playlist.

Difficult, because I prefer to talk about my favorite songs than my favorite albums, but good albums are:

"Darkness" - Poison Idea

"The Sham Mirrors" - Arcturus

"Man & Machine" - UDO

"Destroy the Opposition" - Dying Fetus

"Amongst the Catacombs of Nephren-Ra" - Nile

"Fire Walk With Us!" - Aborym

"Oceanmachine" - Devin Townsend and probably a few more.