Band: HADES ALMIGHTY
Country of origin:
Norway
Style: black metal
Questions by:
Kai Mathias Stalhammar
Answers supplied
by: Janto Garmannslund, a.k.a. "Rockstar" (bass, vocals)
First off, I guess there's no need to tell anyone that HADES ALMIGHTY was previously known as HADES. Nevertheless, let me wonder why did name the band this way? I doubt if you weren't acquainted with those US' thrashers back then, therefore choosing the moniker which has been already "occupied" by another (and much more well-known) act looks like a pretty weird decision. Weren't you feared of what now became reality, i.e. the necessity to change the bandname?
- Hades USA??? Who the fuck is that (ok,
first you change the moniker because of what has been listed above, and
now you act like some goddamn pussy. Bad boy - ED).
Honestly
speaking, "The Pulse Of Decay", the latest work of yours, surprised me
a lot. Looks like you-ve suddenly decided to embark on another, completely
different path, you see. Unlike f.ex. "Millennium Nocturne", this one obviously
bears a trace of heavy metal… and surprise, surprise!, one wouldn't discover
anything pertinent to your heritage. I.e., HADES ALMIGHTY is no more a
viking metal band…
- HADES ALMIGHTY never was a viking metal
band in the first place. But as you say there has been a little change
regarding our new album. It is more to the point… honest and brutal. No
beating around the bush. NASTY is the word I am looking for.
Have you already
chosen a record company which will be responsible for bringing "The Pulse
Of Decay" forth the light?
- Yes… Psycobitch Rec. from Germany.
"… Again Shall
Be" and "The Dawn Of The Dying Sun" were released by US' Fullmoon Productions,
whilst Hammerheart Records were the ones handling the release of "Millennium
Nocturne". Both are well-known in the underground community, and parting
way with these labels strikes as a bit strange move… Let me make few suppositions:
a) you weren't pleased with the way they treated you, b) HADES ALMIGHTY
wasn't (and still isn't) a commercially successful band. Which one is correct?
- Well… I`ll go for number ONE.
Are you pleased
with the way things are turning out? I mean, it seems like you had to record
"The Pulse Of Decay" on your own - and what's more, there's no serious
label to support you at the moment. That's definitely not what I use to
call "good news"…
- Let`s try and be a little serious here…
At the moment things are working better for us than in years. We do have
a label (it's not my problem if you don't know about that) that seem to
do a fine job. We are EXTREMELY satisfied with our new album. And our latest
concerts has been a blast both for us and the audience. We are doing more
interviews and promo appearances than ever… so don't worry about us, we`re
fine.
What's your opinion
on a certain kind of disaster taking place nowadays - when black metal
acts turn their backs on this genre, consequently we have no more COVENANT,
no more MAYHEM, no more GEHENNA, no more BURZUM, no more MALIGNANT ETERNAL,
no more ULVER… (if talking exclusively about Norwegian scene)? What's the
reason for this metamorphosis? I hope HADES ALMIGHTY won't follow the same
path, huh?
- Narrowmindness… One of many paths to certain
self-destruction.
Looking back,
into the early nineties… Would you say, you reached everything you attempted
to, with the band you take part in? Or it's more likely a bitter experience?
- Nittitallet va faen meg de feteste tallet. Masse ol a damer (how cute we are - ED).
"We support the activities. The Inner Circle is still a fact". Recalling these words of yours? What's your attitude to extremist manifestations when it comes to contemporary black metal scene?
- The scene in Norway has developed into
a serious and prophetional arena. What was going on ten years ago is not
forgotten, but it is obviously not of any concern to anyone but people
like you. It`s importance is undeniable… but to reach out to day you got
to know how to play your music and so on rather than whatever...
Have
you ever had any experiences, have you ever done anything you feel ashamed
for?
- If I did, would I put it on the Internet??
(why not? - ED)
What kind of man
are you, and what kind of man is the one you'd obviously terminate once
you've seen and talked with him for a while?
- I am an arrogant beer drinking bastard…
Termination is not my game. I leave that to Mr. Arnold.
Christian Church,
as far as it exists, practices confessional ceremonies. In fact, when I
hear anything regarding christianity (as well as other "world religions"),
my "Mr. Hyde" immediately wakes up… However, we're all people, and only
few of us are capable of keeping everything negative inside, escaping theseemingly
inevitable emotional outburst. Perhaps, unbosoming yourself from time to
time (I'm NOT talking about what christianity names "sin") isn't such a
bad idea? Personally I often have an urge to have my say…
- That`s true. Music is a perfect tool to channel your energy through. Positive or Negative. I guess you use your NetZine for the same purpose (man, I really LOVE getting the answers which are twice as short as the questions were! - ED).
Do you know anything
regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from the country of mine
you've heard lately?
- I know only about your old hardrockers
GORKY PARK.
No more questions. Thanks for your time! I really appreciate your devotion. End this as you wish…
- I honestly, really, but not completely disliked this interview as much that I did't just not do it. To our loyal fans… take care!!!
HADES ALMIGHTY contact -
Email: janto26@hotmail.com