"Maestro Beethoven" is the latest work by PENITENT at the moment, and definitely the most bizarre one! What aroused you to unleash a CD solely consisting of Beethoven works` interpretations?

- As there has always been quite a lot of classical instruments used in PENITENT's music, and the fact that I for a long time had wanted to do something with the works of classical composers, I thoght it was a good idea to do so. When Memento Mori accepted to release such an album I simply had to go for it a 100%, as I didn`t know if that possibility would be given to me again, and I still do not know if I ever get the possibility to do such a thing again in the future. Personally I don`t think it`s a bizzare thing to do, but if it should be so I must then confess that I would be drawn towards the bizarre, as I would like to do more albums in this direction, not necessarily under the PENITENT banner, maybe simply under my own name.

It is said, you`ll have new MCD out soon. Would it stylistically differ from "Roses By Chaos Spawned"?

- After my new collaborator, Bernt Sunde, joined PENITENT, we at first thought of doing a MCD. First there were two new songs done, "God & Country" and "Manifesto", which people can listen to at www.mp3.com/penitent . As things look now there will be a full length instead of a mini, an album that most likely will be entitled "NEO". This album will for sure differ from "Roses by Chaos Spawned", as now there are far more drums incorporated in the music as well as guitars. For those of you who are curious about the style of the new songs, listen to the new ones on our mp3.com page.

Aren`t you going to keep on collaborating with Andrew Goldfine? His voice, already being undoubtedly bewitching, fits your musical canvas just perfectly, you know.

- Unfortunately Andrew were forced to stop his musical activities due to some heavy problems with his back as well as having migrene (constant headache). I spoke with him a month or two ago, and luckily for him the previous problems seem to be gone for now, but as he is rather busy with studies, and have chosen to focus on that he weren`t able to continue in PENITENT.

By the way, where have you met him? Andrew Goldfine doesn`t strike as the Norwegian name, you see.

- I met Andrew here in Norway, in my hometown Stavanger. If I`m not wrong he is from England originally, or at least his parents are from there.

Why did you quit cooperating with Dark Vinyl / Memento Mori (I`m talking about PENITENT only, of course), moving to neophyte and, therefore, small Bulgarian (!) label?

- I guess you are referring to the "Reflections Of Past Memories" CD that Counter Attack Productions are to release pretty soon. To make a long story short. I have for many years been in contact with Andre, who runs Counter Attack, and after a period of no correspondence between us I one day got a letter from him asking me if I were interested in letting him release the ARCANE ART 10" material on CD. As it was too late for that, and I had several instrumental versions of older PENITENT tracks recorded (which Dark Vinyl / Memento Mori weren`t interested in releasing), I asked if he were interested in doing that. Not only were he interested in releasing this material along with the debut album, "Visions Of The World", of VEILED ALLUSIONS, but also doing a limited edition for both releases (500x will come with extra poetry booklet). To make some things clear I guess I should tell that PENITENT has not signed to Counter Attack, as the deal with them is strictly for this release only. In fact PENITENT isn`t signed to any label now.

Musically, ARCANE ART sounds quite similar to PENITENT, simultaneously being somewhat primitive when it comes to the structures "The Cursed Artist" is based upon. Consequently, what was the reason for bringing forth the light yet one more project of dark ambient origin which is WORSE than PENITENT?

- I don`t agree that ARCANE ART is close to PENITENT musicwise. They offer different things, I think, so that is the reason for having both of them, and in the future people will clearly see that PENITENT and ARCANE ART is based on two different foundations.

Looks like ARCANE ART is a band of full value now? Why have you decided to invite supplementary musicians; couldn`t you handle everything yourself?

- I could of course have handled everything myself, but why should I say no to working together with people I find to have excellent ideas? That would be rather stupid I think. Beside it is far easier to do things when you`re not all alone, as longs as we work well together. To follow the music of ARCANE ART keep an eye on www.mp3.com/arcaneart as a song from the second album that are currently under production will be added there when done.

Which one, amongst the CDs you`ve released so far, possesses most impressive appearance, in your opinion?

- In many ways I do find "Maestro Beethoven" is such an album. Of the others I would point out the ARCANE ART 10" as well as PENITENT`s "As Life Fades Away" and "Roses by Chaos Spawned" which are impressive in their own ways.

Michael Riddick is responsible for designing almost (?) all of your works, when it comes to their graphic execution, and it seems like you aren`t going to stop associating / collaborating with him, huh? What`s your opinion on all the projects he takes part in?

- The main reason Michael Riddick has done the designs and graphic executions on the last PENITENT albums and the ARCANE ART album is simply because he is the designer Memento Mori is using. For the "Reflections Of Past Memories" CD I went elsewhere for the designs. The designs for that CD is done by a very talented girl from Italy, which I have been in contact with for years, namely Simona Vinati (www.twilightrealmzine.com). The design for VEILED ALLUSIONS "Visions Of The World" I did myself.

By the way, what is VEILED ALLUSIONS up to now? Does it differ from PENITENT and ARCANE ART in any way?

- As mentioned above the debut album "Visions Of The World" is soon coming out through Counter Attack Productions from Bulgaria. The music is rather different from both PENITENT and ARCANE ART. Those who should be interested can get som mp3`s from www.mp3.com/veiledallusions

I was kinda shocked when I found out that your official website is being hosted at the Russian server! How would you explain such a nonsense?!

- Nonsense or not, the reason behind this is that Stanislav quite some time ago asked if it was ok that he did a Russian PENITENT page, which of course were fine by me. As Magnus, who at that time did the english version no longer were able to update it due to him moving from Iceland to Norway, Stanislav ended up doing the english version as well. As things look now the english version of the PENITENT page will be moved to www.penitentmusic.com

Off to the poetry of yours. Do you originally compose the lyrical canvas in English or Norwegian? What would you consider more difficult: to compose verses in your native or foreign language (personally I prefer the latter)?

- Most of the poems I have written the last five or six years has been written in english so I guess that is the language they come easier in. English is also a language I prefer.

What`s your favorite aphorism or statement ever made by anyone?

- Two of the quotes I really like are:

A man is less likely to become great the more he is dominated by reason: few can achieve greatness -and none in art-
If they are not dominated by illusion.
-Mr. Doctor (Devil Doll)

"The point is… to unify and harmonize the opposites, both positive and negative, by discovering a ground which transcends and encompasses them both." Ken Wilbur, No Boundary.

As far as I know, you`re also interested in photography. What about that? Have you reached any visible success in this venture (f.ex. arranging at least a couple of exhibitions)?

- I guess I have only reached a somewhat remote success in the field of photography. This far in life I have only had one exhibition, which took place in Stavanger a few years ago. I will as soon as I get some "new" cameras to take pictures with start working on images for more exhibitions, which could take place virtually anywhere in this world. These days I am waiting to receive the Lubitel 166 mid format camera that I have ordered. Next on my list of cameas that I want is Holga (either the "Diana" model or others from Holga), and maybe later on a Kiev 88 CM or Kiev 88 TTL. If any of you who read this have any of these cameras for sale, or know where I can get them for a reasonable price do let me know.

What about ANTAIOS? Seems like you appear as a manager of theirs, don`t you? What are the latest news regarding this combo? They`ve just released a split CD (with Russia`s STIGMATIC CHORUS), the one released through Moscow`s More Hate Productions. How has the response been so far?

- I guess one could say that I operate as a manager for them. The response to the split CD with STIGMATIC CHORUS has been rather positive, but should any of you have a review of this release do send it to me. The latest news with this combo is that Sianaat now has returned to Stavanger and that Scar is back in the band. I know that Sianaat and Scar are already going strong and has started composing new songs.

Have you ever thought of starting a METAL project of your own?

- Now that there are metal guitars in PENITENT I do not see why I should start another metal project. Beside I have gotten a few offers to join some bands and do synths and electronics for them. Time will show what will happen with that.

That seems to be all for now, Karsten! Anything in conclusion?

- Thanks for this interview, and keep up the good work with your magazine.
 

PENITENT contact -
Website: http://penitent.ic.ru
Email: karsten@penitentmusic.com
       karsten@neokunst.com