For how long have you been playing together, and maybe just give a brief history of the band.

- As MADDER MORTEM, we've been playing together since 1997. We've evolved from a strange mix of death metal and grunge (yes, I know, doesn't sound good). We've generally been a very lucky band; moving on without working against the stream for eternities, as some bands do. I hope we can blame it on the musical quality. I hope that we'll continue to progress in the same way, but the road of rock'n'roll is long and thorny, you know.....

How would you define MADDER MORTEM's style? What was the most sick definition of your music?

A: I think the sickest definition we ever got was "Blackmetalfolkpop". We've even been called jazzy....

BP: In a Kerrang issue where they reviewed our "Misty Sleep"-demo, they said that it was a mixture of death, doom metal & jazz. As for how to define our style......Personally, I prefer to call it just metal, with a lot of melody and a will to experiment?

Now, when Misanthropy Records collapsed, what are you going to do?
Furthermore, could you please tell me what served as the main reason for this label to stop functioning?

BP: We are currently negotiating a deal with a well-known metal label. Nothing is signed yet, so we have to wait to expose the label's name. Other than that we are writing new material, which sounds pretty different from the album. It will be more heavy and aggressive, and also in a more original musical language. I am extremely psyched to get the new material released, because I believe we will make a big difference with this album.
Anyway, we will enjoy it! The reason why Misanthropy shut down, is because Tiziana wanted to pursue other interests and decided to call it a day when the label was on its peak so far. This way the label still keeps it's integrity, which is their trademark in many ways.

What are your lyrics, both old and new, dealing with? Do they have any special theme or topic?

A: Well, there's obviously a lot of what we call "hjerte og smerte"-lyrics, dealing with the pains of the heart. I usually write about emotions in some way, since I'm not very political and not religious. In the newest lyrics, though, there are more of a theme. You can see for yourself when our next record is out! Though they may not seem that way, most of the lyrics are very private to me. I never share my lyrics with anyone until I have to...I think writing about something close is important, you've got to tell your own story, even if sometimes you use a lot of metaphors and allegory. The most important thing to me about vocals, is that they sound true, and that's easier to achieve if you write lyrics that reveals a bit of your true self.

"... and finally here we have Norway's MADDER MORTEM whose music will definitely appeal to those who're totally into early THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL-alike stuff, i.e. sometimes perturbed and enigmatic, gloomy and obscure here and there, but mostly romantic, celestial and exalted... ethereal form of art, being brutal and imponderable in the same time, with charming female voice..." - this is a quote from my review on "Mercury". Do you feel that a comparison to THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL is fair? Moreover, What genre do you draw most of your fans from since you draw from many?

A: I feel a comparison to THE 3RD & THE MORTAL is flattering, but not necessarily correct, and our new material is even further removed from their style. Thank you for the kind words, though! As for where we draw our fans from, I have no clue whatsoever. I suppose most would already be into some kind of metal, or they'd never have heard of us... Actually, never having played outside of Norway, I wouldn't know if we have fans at all....... Perhaps we can repair this next year!

What binds you with your country? If you were forced to leave Norway, what place in the world would you choose to reside at?

A: I don't quite know. I'm quite a patriot, actually, especially when it comes to my hometown. What I like the most about Norway, is that large parts of it is still relatively untamed and relatively clean. Living in Oslo makes me sick sometimes, I get really fed up with dirt and noise, so I need to go back home from time to time. There's also a certain harsh quality in much of the Norwegian landscape, which I think has shaped the people. Norwegians are not the clumsy, skiing people we're made out to be, but I think there's truth in that the temperament is different from the inhabitants of warmer and sunnier parts of the world. I think Norwegians are more likely to hide their feelings, brooding and thinking during the long winter nights, but at the same time, we are emotional and trusting when we eventually get to know somebody. There obviously has to be something; take a look at what kind of bands that hail from here! If I had to leave Norway, I'd either go somewhere really warm, with beaches and palm trees, like Bali, or I would go to England. I've always wanted to visit Cornwall, I believe it's green and fresh. If I could go ANYWHERE, I would grow gills and go live under water in the Mediterranian.....

There's such a notion as "true friend". What kind of man would you
name as a true friend of yours? What human qualities he should possess?

A: Loyal to the death, truthful, humorous, in love with music and fun to drink with. In addition, I'm really fond of intelligent people, at least the ones that don't have to prove themselves all the time. (If a guy's smart, he shouldn't have to stress the fact.) The kind of people I REALLY despise, is people that won't stand for who and what they are, for instance ex-metallers that try to cover up their past...

What would you say is the most constructive emotion there is? How do you feel about love, hate, happiness and sorrow?

A: Basic needs and emotions are always constructive, all emotions are useful,  as long as you do not try to suppress them. I'm not saying that one should have all one's emotions on public display, that would be childish, over-dramatic and frankly quite boring, but you've got to realise that they're there, that they make the foundations for you every action, and use in favour of yourself. I don't agree with some of the "official" opinions on the so-called negative emotions, like jealousy, hate, aggression and contempt. We all have those emotions, they're perfectly natural and also (in opposition to how women's magazines present them) usually rational. We don't have to follow every urge though we recognise it's there. Norms and behavioural customs make the filters that allows us to co-exist in relative peace, but I think you need to know the basic, what's really you, before you can make the world move the way you want to. And that's what we're here for, isn't it? Strength of emotion is real power.

Now we have the year two thousand... a year passes and we will officially enter the new millennium... Do you have anything to say regarding this?

BP: Not really, the fools will be fed and the clever go to bed. The stagnation of modern music and maybe a little bit of war...Who knows? No clever thoughts on this one really.

A: The scariest thing about 2000 is that the fashion from the 80s seems to be coming back. I don't think I can live through another decade of pink and mint green....

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

BP: Russia seems like quite a dramatic and chaotic place. But the only thing I know of Russia I get through the news on the telly. It seems you guys or at least Boris are fond of Vodka and stuff.... The only Russian band I know anything about is GORKY PARK, the Norwegian mags don't feature many of them.

A: I've always dreamed of seeing the Bolsjoj ballet. I would love to visit Moscow some time, hopefully with the band on tour.

Well, I feel we should stop here. Although, if you have yet anything else to say, feel free to do it!

A: Firstly, we've had some mentions that we stated no contact addresses, so here it is:

Madder Mortem
C/O Kirkevaag
Kjonbergveien 12
2133 Gardvik
NORWAY

Web: http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Backstage/7648
Email: madder_mortem@hotmail.com

Then secondly, I would like to say a big hello to the Russian metal scene. Hopefully we'll be able to see you some time!

And remember.....this one goes to eleven.