Lazar: First of all, greetings to thee, as well as all those who read these lines. It's a great honor for us to appear in your magazine.
As a word, "rossomahaar" doesn't exist at all. But if one takes the similar meaning, he would pretty clearly understand that "rossomahaar's" roots are utterly Russian. Firstly, when it comes to Russian folklore, rossomahaar is one of the most malicious demon beings, stealing and eating infants. And secondly, "rosomaha" (the spelling is a bit different, as you see) is nothing but a wolverine, obviously rather loathsome animal. As to those numerous questions regarding double "s" and "a", it was done on purpose - and the only reason for that, was to make the monicker sound even more attractive and enigmatic. And by the way… it concerns such bands as NINNGHIZHIDDA much more than us, I suppose. We didn't choose this name, more likely, it chose us. ROSSOMAHAAR is ROSSOMAHAAR, it's what we bring forth the light in the shape of our creative works.

Further I recognize certain German phrases and expressions in the whole concept of ROSSOMAHAAR, e.g., "Herr Stahlhammar" (who is doing the lyrics, right?), "Meine Ehre heisst Treue" and so on ... why do you use these phrases?

Lazar: This phrase sounds the way it should sound on thousands of languages, however in it's German interpretation it immediately starts to be a reason to be accused in nazism or whatever. By this phrase we wanted to, let's say "pay homage" to our pagan roots, to show some kind of respect to what we call out past and heritage, and NOTHING ELSE. Of course, we could use any other language (Russian, for example), but "Meine Ehre heisst Treue" bears a magic sense only when being spelled in German, since it's washed by the blood of millions in German interpretation.
In my view, it's a nonsence when someone considers(ed) us a nazi band. Why nonsence? Well, we're Russians, pure Russians, the ones who slaughtered this disease a long time ago in a sacred bloodshed. It's nothing but a phrase, you see. Yes, I'm strictly against racial and territorial integration, yes I'm far from being a pacifist, but anyway - nazism is nothing but a property of semiliterate, dull-witted and ignorant individuals. And I don't reckon myself to such. Also due to semi-literacy, most of "fascists" and "antifascists" are bubbling a lot about the word "Aryan", considering it to be a synonym for what happened in Hitler's Germany. I guess, they don't even know about a book named "Vedy", Slavonic pre-christian "bible" when, in the chapter of "The Book Of Veles", Ariy (a substantive from "Aryan") is described as a personality which gave birth to the whole human kind. Furthermore, if you'll spend some time reading various scientific-historical treatises, you'll figure out that those who emerged from the north of Egypt and later appeared as 99% of European tribes' ancestors, also were called "Aryans".
As a conclusion, let me assert that ROSSOMAHAAR is neither fascist nor antifascist band. We're above this crap.

Herr Stalhammar: Let me wonder, what's so German in my name? It's not an alias as many of you out there might think, but a second name of mine. My full name is Kai Mathias Stalhammar (without "h" before "l"), and I prefer to use it instead of naming myself as some yet another "Nergal" or "Asmodeus".

You formed the band back in 95. What has been the kick to form a black metal band? Have you known the style of your music from the very beginning or has it been like a stream ... developing on and on and result in blackmetal?

Lazar: "Forming the band" is too high-flown statement. I've just started to work the things out with ROSSOMAHAAR in the year of 1995. I've recorded a demo tape, which was keeping to enshroud in dust lying on a shelf for a couple of years, therefore the period between 1995 and 1997 wasn't marked with any activities when it comes to ROSSOMAHAAR.
In August of 1997 I've added few ambient-alike tracks to this recording, however still stayed unpleased with it and put it on a shelf (figuratively speaking, of course) again… until I've met Herr Stalhammar, who liked this work and suggested his own idea of ROSSOMAHAAR's development as a band. "Imperium Tenebrarum" combined two lines: the music I composed and poetry Herr Stalhammar came up with (both made separately). At times, it was quite difficult to combine two parallel elements, but the outcome was more than apocalyptic, anyway.
Getting back to your question.
Regarding ROSSOMAHAAR's style… Well, "true" black metal freak most definitely would say, we've gone too far from our roots… Bullshit. Too many people "successfully" forgot that black metal is not a particular kind of playing, but a special atmosphere. ROSSOMAHAAR's works possess true atmosphere of true black metal band…
Herr Stalhammar: I absolutely agree with Lazar upon the last statement. We are black metal. CRADLE OF FILTH is not. Nor is some regular one-chord "true BM" effort recorded with a portastudio.

You play extremely fast and weird sound which fits perfectly to the
Necronomicon-lyrics and fantasy-artwork. What do you feel when playing your songs live or in the rehearsal room?

Lazar: Rehearsal place is the place I WORK at. I love metal and don't want to make anyone disappointed by raw, primitive and unelaborated recordings, falsely stating that this was demanded by the "true" spirit. Performing our tunes live, I want to transmit my feelings to those who watches and listens us. The same feelings I was enshrouded by, while composing the riffs - hatred and aggression, in particular. I'm able to hate. To really HATE.

The whole image (or concept) of ROSSOMAHAAR is far away from most other blackmetal bands who concentrate on satanic lyrics in the 'conservative' way. You have chosen a lot more subversive way of praying the evil things on earth and in our society ... that is one point that I like very much in ROSSOMAHAAR! Is 'Herr Stalhammar' a friend or manager of you and do you arrange the lyrics together with him?

Herr Stalhammar: Both; friend AND manager. I'm responsible for the whole conceptual line behind ROSSOMAHAAR as well. Fortunately, I've contrived to break this forsaken circle and ink a deal with foreign label (a good one) - I guess, you should know that due to some uknown reasons, 99% of foreign labels and record companies simply refuse to work with Russian artists. Yeah, why should they bother themselves with getting visas, making huge payments in order to get a Russian act over the border to make a tour… they'd better sign regular DIMMU BORGIR-alike crap, which doesn't really have anything to do with black metal. But that's popular. And easier. Personally I know a lot of talented and undoubtedly outstanding Russian bands, who became defunct due to one single reason: one day you realize that if no one needs your music, your art, out there - and what's the sense in going on? Sounds ambitious? Perhaps. But a musician who's not ambitious would never be considered a "musician" by me.
Getting back to the question. No, we write music and lyrics separately. Each of us is doing what he does best. I'm best at lyrics, Lazar is best at music. Hereby, it's the most obvious and successful solution, even though it causes problems sometimes. It's easier to write lyrics when music's ready - and we do on the contrary.

Please write down all your releases so far, including demo tapes. What have been the reactions in the underground on your stuff in the past?

Lazar: I wouldn't say that we have too much works behind us, but anyway here they are:
Rossomahaar "Grotesque" '97 (MC album (demo re-release) (R.I.P. Prod.)
Rossomahaar "Imperium Tenebrarum" '99 (MC album) (CDM Records)
Rossomahaar "Imperium Tenebrarum" '00 (CD) (More Hate Productions)

The response this far has been all positive, and it regards both labels and media. Personally I consider our latest offering to be rather successful work, however new work should (and will) be much more elaborated.

You mock at the 'incompetent' Russian labels and underground in general. What is the situation like in Russia? Don't you have good chances in a big city like Moscow?

Lazar: If there was anything to be mocked… Probably you know that Russia endured a horrible economical breakdown few years ago, which strangely influenced the whole situation in the underground. All of the more or less labels went bankrupt or have "soften" their musical direction, and the newly born were capable of nothing. More Hate Productions, perhaps, are the only ones who be reckoned to this notion: "label", since they contrived to reach the international level. As to black metal underground in the whole, it's simply dead. People have forgotten what is BM, and those "musicians" who make attempts to play it, are doing nothing but trying to get some $$$.
How should I perceive your question regarding Moscow…? ROSSOMAHAAR is the main Russian black metal band with numerous and really dedicated fans and followers ("followers" in the finest sense of this word). We became a cult band.

You always needed the internet very much for promotion. I think I received dozens of e-mails on your band aeons before I have ever heard a single musical note. Do you feel that it helped you a lot being better known in worldwide underground?

Lazar: I receive tons of advertising emails daily, the ones spread by various metal (and non) acts. We also use the possibilities Internet offers. In fact, anyone of you out there may check out our site at <www.rusmetal.ru/rossomahaar> and download the music of ours. It's really important for me to make as many people as possible to listen to ROSSOMAHAAR. Not the quantity of CDs sold, you see. Internet helps us here. Sometimes I even upload various rare recordings, the ones which are available only via WWW.

Please tell me about the communciation to your distributor MORE HATE DISTRO. Have you done the CD 'Imperium Tenebrarum' as a self financed release or do you have a 'real' label?

Lazar: More Hate Productions is more likely our label, than distributor. They released our debut CD, "Imperium Tenebrarum", and sold 2.500 copies until now. At the moment, they stopped to spread this album, since we've just inked a two albums deal with US-based label X-Rated Records. "Imperium Tenebrarum" will be re-released on November 2000, and completely new CD should be available in early 2001.

What are your views on the worldwide blackmetal scene today? Do you miss something now what we had in the past? Do you think blackmetal is a trend or used as a trend by some bands? What are your views on these trendies?

Lazar: I can't say that I like what's happening now when it comes to black metal scene worldwide. Money spoil most of people, and those who really were revolutionary in early 90ties are sold out now. Their contemporary music doesn't have anything to do with their former works. I become somewhat nostalgic while relistening to the old recordings at times… No, I definitely do not like anything that's being released nowadays. It's not a conservatism; contemporary musicians simply became insincere… I guess, Norway's glorious days are gone. As to various trends, they are and they will be. Individualism isn't peculiar to all the people.

Herr Stalhammar: I disagree with Lazar on this subject. In my view, there're a lot, really a lot of bands to be noticed nowadays. And not all of them have lost the "feeling" and the "old spirit", if you get what I mean. Perhaps, I perceive things this way because I was listening to different music than Lazar, while growing up. He gets high on thrash, and I just can't stand it, you see.

Give short explanations on your favourite songs on the album.

Herr Stalhammar: If "Imperium Tenebrarum" is what you're talking about, I'd name "The Forlorn Existence Of Soul Divine" as well as a title track. Besides that, I really love what "Portals Of Chaos" has been transformed into, however it's not our song originally, rather a METALLICA's one, so…

Where have you done the recording? Was it a good time at studio or
did you face problems?

Lazar: "Imperium Tenebrarum's" recording took place at CDM Records Studio. There's nothing special in this place, actually. Regular 20-channel studio with standard equipment. We haven't endured any kind of problems, neither with time, nor musicians. We've recorded bass and drum tracks at one day, guitars at the second, and finally voice and keyboards as the third one. I, myself, appeared as producer, mixer and sound engineer, so if you have anything to say regarding the recording quality, address your critics to me.

What can we expect from ROSSOMAHAAR in future? Will you include new   influences in your style of music or will you more develop the present style?

Lazar: Due to my conservatism (don't confuse it with such a "radical" conservatism all the works by RUNNING WILD are marked with), you won't hear anything outstandingly new… I'm just going to develop ROSSOMAHAAR's style. And since I'm rather creative person (no compositional hunger, you see), "Quarite Lux In Tenebris" is almost ready by now. We're going to studio this November.

What do you think of touring? Are there possiblities for a russian band?

Lazar: Yes, I dream of touring the European countries. We play live very often when it comes to Russia, but I wouldn't mind changing the scenery. BUT. We've got no serious offers to make a tour. Secondly, it's not that easy for our label (X-Rated) to arrange any gigs in Europe, since they come from USA. And besides that, I still can't get my passport for travelling abroad, because as I was told, "I'm politically incorrect". But that won't stop us, and I hope that we'll have a chance to perform a couple of gigs live in Germany somewhere in 2001. Well, actually I'm sure about it.

What are your friends in the underground scene and which bands have influenced you most of all?

Lazar: I wouldn't say we stay and live "aside", but we don't have any particular friend-bands. We're too reserved and withdrawn in our music, even though I give a listen to numerous new recordings and watch over what's going on in the musical world.
I can't say concretely who influenced us exactly… Don't really know. Way too many good musicians and bands, and I don't want to name all of them. Just wanna say that any work by true Musician, the creator and generator of ideas, always finds it's way into my soul and leaves it's trace…