ROOT is most possibly the oldest Czech black metal act, therefore could you please give us insight on what you've been up to, during all these years?

- There happened too many things during the 12 years of ROOTīs existence to talk about everything, man. Actually the most important thing is that thereīs the best line-up in ROOTīs history and the label Redblack Productions and everything goes according to our plans and conceptions. Thatīs all what I can say now.

How does it feel alike, to be in the band, which has influenced enormous number of black (and non) metal acts? EINHERJER are going to come up with the MCD featuring interpretation of one of the tunes of yours; MOONSPELL chaps often mentioned ROOT amongst their faves; and so on and so forth...

- Itīs definitely a great feeling, but music is what most important for us, not any feelings. But itīs nice. We wanna send the greetings to the guys from these bands anyway.

How old are you at the moment, and for how long are you going to keep on taking part in ROOT?

- 666 years. Iīll be the singer of ROOT forever īcoz Iīm immortal.

Why exactly "root"? What does your moniker stand for? Does it have
anything to do with your origin as well as various nationalistic aspects?

- It should be originally Gorbatschovīs Band Of Gays but from the reasons of our impotence we had to change it for ROOT. Thatīs all baby! (hmm... - ED)

Whom do you reckon yourself to, politically? Left- or right-winged?

- I hate all the politic and religious ways īcoz they enslave all the people.

Are you pleased with the current political situation in Czech Republic? Have you ever been persuaded by any social institutes' representatives, being a black metal band?

- Yes, of course. Former politic system did some problems but thatīs the past already (why should we look back?), when there are so many CDs, gigs etc. in the future.

Actually, it seems like ROOT isn't a black metal act anymore (simultaneously sounding thousand times grimmer than most of those DIMMU BORGIR's clones)?

- We got the label "black metal" from the fans and reviewers. Maybe because of my lyrics, maybe because of the absence of more labels, maybe both. We never felt like we are playing a concrete music style. We are known as those who do what we wanna do without accepting any styles, and it represents our music. In fact, we accept only two styles - good or bad music. Thatīs all.

Ok, now off to "The Book". This one definitely doesn't have anything I could cavil at, consequently let me suppose that you've put much effort and a lot of time working it out?

- Yes, youīre right.

Isn't it your father who took part in recording "Toccata", handling piano?

- Yes, itīs my father, heīs 78 years old, formerly the Profesor of the Music Academy. Now heīs the rent. He really likes the music of ROOT and will be featured on the upcoming album too. But not on outro but intro. I Love Him.

The "clean" voice of yours sounds utterly fantastic! Did you have any
kind of vocal training? I just can't really convince myself that you've been elaborating your voice on your own!

- O.K. You are very strange boy (?! - ED). Itīs, of course, my own voice and my voice is the gift from my inner Demons who I cooperate with. They depend that their gift which they gave me will be used for our music at it's best. Iīm sure I use my voice the right way. Itīs not your or anybody elseīs voice - itīs my voice. And I feel your question is some kind of an insult (it was NOT an offense - ED) and if you will provoke me Iīll send my Demons to your hometown and you personally.

(Almost) all the former works by ROOT feature the lyrical canvas written in Czech, however you sing in English at the moment. What's the cause for such a metamorphosis?

- The English is much better language for the singing than the Czech. But youīre wrong īcause only the first album is sung in Czech and another ones in English. The same goes for my and Blackieīs projects. And only three albums included also Czech translation because we wanted to learn CZ fans speak English, you know.

Were you using makeup all the way through? In fact, it's really different (for better, of course) from all the kinds of corpsepaint I've ever seen...

- My paint is only the image of my actual mood and as the ROOT members could tell you, my paint is always different. I think itīs the main and very important effect of these paints.

Generally speaking, what's the purpose for painting faces a-la "living dead", huh?

- I donīt know.

Are you happy with Redblack Productions? Haven't you ever attempted to join any major label's roster?

- We are satisfied with the cooperation with Redblack and they are the biggest metal label in Czech, so... We have very bad experiences with foreign labels because in the concrete Cacophonous are bigger swindlers than over here - with Tomas Kosuta and his Leviathan Records.

"Hell Symphony" was re-released (?) by Cacophonous Records back in
1996; was it a one record deal? Are you pleased with the way your
collaboration with Cacophonous turned out? As far as I recall, lotsa bands were disappointed with their work...

- When I get this question I answer "FUCK OFF CACOPHONOUS REC".

The rumors say that working with you is pretty tough due to your "dictatorship". Any comments?

- Yes, itīs true. Iīm the biggest dictator and if you wonīt be good Iīll eat you up!

What about AMON GOETH (previously known as AMON)? It strikes as this band is comprised of mostly ex-ROOT members... By the way, why have you parted ways with Dr. FE?

- Iīm not interested in the Czech Metal scene so I cannot say anything about this band.

Since I don't know that much concerning Czech black metal scene, it seems like now I have a good chance to get myself acquainted with it... Feel free to tell us everything you'd like, when it comes to this subject.

- Iīm not interested in the Czech metal scene so I cannot say anything about this (definitely not the kind of answer I like - ED).

Are you a religious / superstitious person? Could you please enlighten us regarding your attitude to religious issues?

- As Iīve said before, I hate all the religions because they enslave the people. Believing in all this fucking shit simply is a lack of reason.

Are you a dreamer or the one adhering to pragmatism? What are your main principals guiding your life? Are there any??

- Yes, of course. You must be Proud! You must be Yourself! You must be the God of Yourself! Stay always with your opinions! And thatīs all. Very simple.

Had you ever been vainly wishing you could turn back the clock and
"relive" your life?

- NO! I like the contemporary life and doing for my child - ROOT - everything I can! These sort of questions are absurd. I live only for the presence.

Do you know anything regarding Russia? Any metal bands coming from the country of mine you've heard lately?

- I know two bands from Russia but I canīt remember their names īcoz when I contacted īem they werenīt so modest to send me the reply. So Iīve lost my interest in your scene īcoz I guess itīs a modesty to reply...

A huge "thank you" goes out to you for answering this intie! Believe me, it was a great honor to me, to chat with Big Boss himself! Would you like to state anything in conclusion?

- Russia is a great Land and I think thereīs... sorry but I canīt tell you about my private plans concerning your country. Hell regards to your readers from Big Boss and ROOT. Hope to see you all in the future. And this is the end of your life.

ROOT contact through Redblack Productions -
Email: info@redblack.cz