As far as I know, you recorded two albums lately, however only one of them has been released, I mean "Strange Old Brew". What are the reasons for that? Why only one CD out of two?

- We had twenty four songs or something like that, and we just decided to record them all, and release one at a time. We also thought it was necessary because of the situation in the band at the moment. We knew that Nordavind will leave, so that's why we did it.

I don't know if you will answer this question, but I'm highly intrigued to figure out what caused Nordavind's departure?

- Mostly it was his own decision. Of course, all of us have been discussing it... We had both good and bad periods during last five years. He endured various minor problems and things like that, and my opinion is that he decided to skip the whole thing and leave the band. I guess he never gave me a really good reason explaining this departure, so I just had to accept his choice and go further, y'know.

What about those unorthodox instruments featured on "Strange Old Brew"? How did you come to such a decision? I mean, to incorporate something else besides usual guitars, drums and bass?

- Both me and Nordavind have a sort of friend of ours, who is really good saxophone player. I guess we were both satisfied with the way it turned out. For me it's a bit boring when the CD sounds all the same from the beginning to the end, so it's always quite refreshing to bring something new to your music.

Nowadays we behold regular kind of nightmare, but this time even worse than ever before. I'm talking about so-called "political correctness" and various sexually depraved persons, such as lesbians and homosexuals. Wouldn't it be better if modern-day politicians acted like Hitler few decades ago? I mean, cleansing the society.

- Actually, in my band I'm not keen on being politically correct. And concerning the second part of your question... In my opinion, homosexuals and lesbians appear as weak people, who also spread various veneral diseases and stuff like that. So... yeah.

Talking about depravity, I simply can't ignore a German movie entitled "Nekromantikk". Did you use exactly this movie's theme for the 10th song off "Strange Old Brew"?

- That's true.

Ok, so what's your personal view on that video?

- From my point of view, the movie is very atmospheric...

... and quite sick.

- Yeah, also sick in many ways. The fucking of the corpse is the theme of the movie, actually (*his voice getting milder... Sounds similar to contented purr*). To me, the video can't be realistic at 100%.

In fact, it's absolutely unrealistic, since you can't have sex with half-rotten corpse! Intoxication and stuff, y'know.

- Yes I know, but this morbid kind of feeling is captured throughout the whole movie. And together with the music, the incredible atmosphere is created.

If I'm not mistaken, you appear as some kind of an advocate of suicide...

- Well, if you look at the current situation in the world, the suicide rates are getting higher and higher. You have to be really strong in order to survive in this shitty world, but it depends on your situation anyway. The suicide rates in Norway went much higher during past ten years, although I don't really know whether it's a good or bad thing. The suicide theme is pretty interesting to me, so... I also have to admit that I had thought like these... maybe five years ago. But I sort of spiritually developed since then, and found out this is not for me. Suicide can be very strong thing to do, and very weak thing to do as well. It all depends on the reasons and how you do it. You didn't choose this life, so you have the right to decide whether you should leave or not. 

I see, but isn't it yet another form of escaping the struggle, the struggle for your life, for the better place in this world? A cowardly kind of escape?

- Yes, of course! That's absolutely correct. For example, if your girlfriend leaves you and you want to end your life because of that... this reason isn't good enough. Actually, there're many examples, this is just one of them. You can't leave your family and friends just because of such a momentary whim. But if this is your determination, if there's no way out... that's ok.

Taking "violence" as a notion… What is to you?

- Violence can be both good and bad, just like suicide. For instance, it may be used in order to defend, or protect yourself and your relatives or whoever. So if it's not useless, meaningless form, if you have a cause, that's ok with me. But it also can be pretty pathetic, I mean you should have a reason to commit any kind of crime or act of violence...

Have you ever been attacked by christians…?

- No, not quite. I haven't been attacked, nor fronted by them. But we have had enough problems with female activists... female organizations, y'know...

Feminists?

- Yeah, feminists. Those have been rather annoying from time to time (*sounds like he's getting really angry*). I have no fucking respect for these women, with their fucking arguments, calling me, whining, even trying to correct my lyrics... Fucking (*spits out a couple of foul-alike words in Norwegian*)!!!

Hmm... Would you like to add anything on this subject?

- No, I've said enough.

It is said CARPATHIAN FOREST deliver so-called "misanthropic black metal". Why exactly misanthropic? Surely, black metal does not (and must not) have anything to do with the feelings of joy and alike, but philosophically misanthropy appears as nothing but an absurd. Do you have a child? A wife? Friends? Then explain me how can you associate with human kind simultaneously hating and despising them???

- In the early years I had pretty big circle of friends, but I've found out that most of them are useless. Backstabbing and shit like that. I couldn't trust all of them, so I just quitted associating with these people and kept only few near me. When it comes to the social aspect... I don't like to be in the crowd, and being in a very crowded place became a problem for me. Most of people here and there - anywhere! - are completely worthless. I can't say I hate any specific kind of people, because I can't tell anything about those whom I don't know and haven't been acquainted with. But in general, yes, for me mankind is a fucking waste. Actually, I prefer dogs, at least communicating with dogs is much more confortable than communicating with humans.

Dogs...?

- Yeah, dogs. They don't speak, they don't complain, y'know.

And they won't betray you.

- Yeah, exactly! I can see more positive things in dogs (*laughs*). Anyway, once I thought that I had many friends, very good friends  whom I can trust and shit like that, but it often happened like they just turned their back on me. Oh man, it took place so many times! So they're not fucking friends anymore, y'know. And those people whom I've chosen to stay by me - of course they can betray me or whatever, but I don't think it would ever happen. I have just a few friends, we know each other for a very long time. Also the place I work at... when we have a break and all these people go out and have a chat... talking about weather and shit... that's not my kind of thing. I'd rather prefer to be left alone, y'know. 

A bit unserious question... You've mentioned your attitude to dogs, but what about cats? You see, I'm a huge cats admirer.

- Are you a fan of cats? (*seeming to be surprised*) Well ok, cats be cool, but in other ways cats represent the female nature. They come whenever there's something they want, and without any fucking warning they "fffeeeaaauuuugggggghh" (sorry, I don't know how to spell this sound in a better way - ED), scratch you, and make some fucking huge wound on your arm or something (oops! Seems like cats don't like you that much, pal! I've never been scratched neither by my nor by any other cat... - ED). So for me they represent the nature of woman in some way (the nature of a feminist, perhaps? - ED).

Ok, getting back to music. In early and mid-nineties a couple of Norwegian bands, such as, for example, EMPEROR, SATYRICON, DARKTHRONE, BURZUM and few others were reckoned to so-called "true black metal" movement, however all of them (probably with an exception for DARKTHRONE) endured a huge metamorphosis during these years. What is your view on them as they are now? The music, the attitude...

- I don't remember all the bands you mentioned (?? - ED), but in my opinion, even if they're skilled musicians, some of them went totally wrong way in the process of making music. As to BURZUM... I like his early works for they were creative, but I don't share the philosophy and besides, I don't like his latest albums. I don't like them at all. Most of Norwegian bands, like KOVENANT and DIMMU BORGIR... to me this is more or less a circus. This is nothing personal, because I don't know them enough to make a comment on their behaviour. It's music what I'm talking about, you see.

Black metal grows more and more popular these days, and I guess DIMMU BORGIR may serve as the perfect example here. It's more business than music now, don't you think?

- In my opinion, popularity isn't the worst aspect in this deal... If you live this life the way you're "supposed" to, you're not granted this gift to appear on MTV. If you haven't been noticed, you aren't capable to appear on that channel. And by the way, do you know about these Grammy awards we have in Norway?

Yeah, if I'm not mistaken KOVENANT once were the winners...

- Yes, two times in a row. And some fun-making rock'n'roll band was another one who has been nominated... Anyway, why wasn't it SATYRICON on this nomination? I mean, they also have (sold) a bunch of records, and they had to be nominated on such an award. It doesn't matter if you appear on such a ceremony, it depends on what you SAY on television. And the things they said weren't funny or anything. It seemed like they were just mocking themselves and mocking everything... Oh, I don't know, it's just fucking circus! 

And what if CARPATHIAN FOREST were nominated on Grammy? Would you take part in this ceremony?

- That's a fantasy (*laughs bitterfully*)... But if we were... maybe, why not. I think first we'd become totally drunk... and then just say thanks and leave the fucking building.

Do you know anything regarding Russia? What's your attitude to the country of mine as well as it's people? Any Russian bands you've heard lately?

- Not that much. I guess I've heard a band called MENTAL HOME somewhere. And a long time ago, also some thrash metal band... Don't remember the name.

KRUIZ?

- Exactly! And GORKY PARK, of course.

Seems like everybody knows 'em...

- Yeah. Ok, what else... Well, I have also watched the reports of that catastrophe with "Kursk"-submarine on our TV. When you see things like that, you feel yourself more alive than ever, y'know.

Perhaps... And lastly... I'm curious to find out what were the reasons for changing your handles from Lord Nosferatu and Lord Karnstein to Nattefrost and Nordavind?

- Oh, that was a long time ago! Well, when we started the band in the early nineties, we were very enthusiastic about Dracula and all this vampire mess. But soon we grew tired of it, and it's obvious that both me and Nordavind decided to change our names. We're absolutely not into this kind of stuff now. So that's the reason.

Ok, Nattefrost, that's all. Is there anything you'd like to add?

- Well, just buy our latest album. Is it available in Russia?

Yes.

- That's great. Thank you for this interview!