Gaahl, one of the most interesting frontmen in today’s black metal scene, is taking a break from metal for personal artistic reasons. God Seed’s debut album is postponed until 2010. There’s no bad blood between Gaahl and co founder of God Seed King, and King will now focus on other music projects until time is due for God Seed again. Indie Recordings and Petting Zoo Propaganda wish Gaahl all the best with Wardruna, and hope to see him back in the metal scene in the nearest future!
Today, August 20, Terrorizer magazine in the UK published an interview with Gaahl on their website. Click the link to read the entire story on Terrorizer’s website or check out some excerpts below.
So, we’ve all heard by now, officially, that you’ve left God Seed, after weeks of rumours, is that the truth?
“Yes, I would say that I’ve basically retired from metal, or at least metal appearances.”
But not from music?
“Yes, I would exclude Trelldom since that I’ve never considered that metal either, but I guess for people it does fall into the same genre. Of course that’s my lifetime project.”
What was the impetus behind this decision, the happenings about the God Seed/Gorgoroth came that last year must have taken their toll?
“Well, it’s been something I’ve worked on for quite a while in a way, already since the firing of Infernus basically. I did try to make it work but I just decided to obligate it [God Seed] I wasn’t sure where it was going, but I decided basically to carry on then. I don’t think that [the court case over the same for 'Gorgoroth'] has anything to do with that, it’s just that for me it’s not heartfelt any more and if it’s not heartfelt you shouldn’t do it. I could have done it and and achieved something that I myself wouldn’t put myself into and that would be wrong. I wouldn’t do anything half-hearted.”
But will God Seed and King Ov Hell carry on regardless, without you?
“I don’t know what he does [laughs]. I know that they came with a statement but I gave my interview to Rock Hard [French metal magazine] a month back so I don’t know if that’s been published yet, so I basically don’t know, it’s not like I check up anything on the internet or follow the media so…”
Hole In The Sky Festival is next week in your hometown of Bergen, will you attend, will you take this ‘retirement’ to withdraw completely from the scene?
“It’s not like I will cut out my metal friends because of this, it’s not like that, my friends are still my friends. This decision just basically deals with my own art I will put out that I feel is right. There is very little honesty in music, it doesn’t seem like people are interested in the concept or the cult of music anymore.”
Ghaal, the personality, has become a cult of sorts in a way. You’ve almost become a larger than life character that extends beyond your music. People seem to be more intersted in Gaahl the man, instead of Gaahl the musician? Has this affected your decision?
“I’ve just been myself. But I noticed this when I lived in Spain for two months and got away from every person in the world, apart from Robin, who of course came with me, no phones or no connections to the outside world. It was a feeling that I needed to be away from absolutely everything and I think that made my decision even easier, even though I was supposed to have the last show before I moved there. I was thinking of having the last show in Finland, but there was circumstances and certain things so we didn’t manage to pull that show off so we had to do two God Seed concerts in the summer time so otherwise this would be old news by now.”
Will you find it hard to not have any creative outlet now you’re not working with God Seed? You’ve always been prolifically and creatively active.
“I will definitely [have other projects], but I’ve not been able to do them this last year because it’s been too hectic. Such as my paintings, I’m working on an exhibition that will hopefully take place in the beginning, well spring time next year.”
Wow, that’s a side of you we didn’t know about? What style of art do you work in?
“Well, it’s expressionism, inwards in a way, it’s not like it’s screaming, it’s very whispering. It’s not natural, it’s difficult to say basically. It’s not like I stick in one genre. I have of course other projects going on but of course they will have to be more secretive.”
Indie Recordings, Superball Music
God Seed, Indie Recordings, Wardruna
Incubate is the annual celebration of independent culture in Tilburg, The Netherlands. It is a festival exhibiting a diverse view on indie culture as a whole, including music, contemporary dance, film and visual arts. It brings more than 200 cutting edge artists in an intimate context to an international audience. Black metal next to free jazz. Street art next to academic dance.
Yeah! Wardruna will be playing at the 2009 edition of the Incubate festival in Tilburg, the Netherlands. The festival will take place on various locations in the city of Tilburg from 13-20 September.
