Throne of Katarsis - Norwegian Black Metal

REVIEWS

>> Reviews of Unholy Holocaustwinds
>> Reviews of An Eternal Dark Horizon

MUSIC SAMPLES

>> Funeral Moonlight
taken from Unholy Holocaustwinds
>> Symbols of Winter
taken from Unholy Holocaustwinds

INTERVIEW WITH THE METAL VAULT MAY 2005

Hailz and how are you guys doing? I like the name 'Throne of Kataris'. What's the meaning behind it and who came up with the name?
"We're doing fine. When it comes to the meaning of "Throne of Katarsis": Katarsis means purification, and the throne of purification must be the Devil's. The bandname was my idea."

Throne of Katarsis is a relatively young band, but you already have one demo and a recorded CD. Has it been a struggle to get a band started?
"Well, we've only recorded two demos by now, but these days we're in Black Dimension Studio recording our first full-length. The drum recordings are just finished, so I'll be starting the guitar recordings soon, and then the bass and vocals. I'm really looking forward to recording the material for real, as we've only been using cassettes on our earlier demo recordings. I don't feel that there's been any struggle to get this band started, but I'd been looking for a drummer for quite a while when Vardalv showed up. Vardalv is a talented man and he's very dedicated, and that's why we've come this far already. It's hell when you have to work with someone who doesn't really care and who's got a hobby-mentality. "

Blodslakt has been recorded but not yet released. How soon will this CD be available to fans?
"Well, "Blodslakt" is our second demo, but it won't be released. This is because the material on "Blodslakt" will probably be available on our full-length, and I don't feel like releasing the same material twice."

Blodslakt has a bad ass album cover. How important would you say is CD art?
"Thanks. I want to have cover art that tells you what you'll get. I want it to say Old School Black Metal, people won't have a doubt. So "Blodslakt" has got a simple, but raw and intense cover art, just like the music. I'm not into spectacular cover art on Black Metal albums."

There are presently two members who make up your band. Are you looking for someone else or are you content with your current line-up?
"No, we're happy with the lineup as it is, I don't think Throne of Katarsis would be the same if we had more members. I guess I'm too selfish to have more members. Me and Vardalv work perfectly together, so we won't change that. Vardalv takes care of the drumming, and I do the rest. This suits us just fine, as we've got full control with the music this way."

You do play live, though, and have just recently finished playing in Oslo. Which songs do you like most playing Live?
"Yes, we did our first gig ever in Oslo. It was a good gig, some technical problems though, but the feedback was great. We've got two session live members to complete the line-up for these gigs, Lord Imalas on bass guitar, and Coffincrawler on guitar. These are great musicians, we could not do it without them. Since we've only played live once, I don't really know which song I enjoy the most. But I guess it's "Symbols of Winter". Our next show will be in June."

When you play live, do you try to stay close to the studio version or do you like to change things up?
"We stay close to the studio versions, but some minor changes are done."

When was the first time you performed in front of an audience?
"Well... Let's see, it might have been in `94 at a consert at our school. I think Vardalv had his debut around the same time."

What was your first concert you ever attended?
"The first concert I attended was Metallica in Oslo `96"

How do you write your music? Is there a set guideline or do you write what you feel as you go along?
"It all depends on my mood. I've got to have this certain feeling to make music with true emotions. But I usually use a lot of time making one song. There's never a guideline to follow when I write my music. We are more creative when we're together trying out different beats and melodies."

How do you get the inspiration for writing your lyrics? Do you consciously think about staying in the Throne of Katarsis style or music?
"I always write the music first, then the lyrics. I want the lyrics to be a part of the music, to emphasize the atmosphere. There's not a consept in every demo/album, but each song has got it's own story. So the inspiration might be a mix of old devil worshipping, blasphemy, Norwegian nature and the first generation Black Metal together with strong hate. The lyrics are in both Norwegian and English."

As a musician, do you play other sorts of music or is Black Metal your 100% musical taste?
"I prefer playing the Black Metal style, together with some classic guitar. But I also play different styles of metal."

Who have been your role models?
"Mostly the first Norwegian Black Metal Scene."

Which bands are on your list of favorites? If I were to look through your CD collection, what would I find?
"That list is quite long, but the main bands are Mayhem, Immortal, Darkthrone, Burzum, Emperor, Satyricon, Gorgoroth etc. My CD & LP collection also includes bands like Venom, Furze, Koldbrann, Taake, Pest, Perished, Enslaved, Gehenna and alot more, together with classics like W.A.S.P., Sepultura, Manowar..."

Are you self-taught or had you taken formal lessons?
"No lessons"

When did you start playing and how old were you when you became interested in metal?
"I was 11 year old when I got my first guitar, and metal was to be an important part of my life shortly after."

Outside of playing Metal, what kinds of things do you enjoy doing?
"Well, music is my life, I don't do very much besides that."

Do you feel that Death and Black Metal bands have it more difficult to gain recognition compared to those who play other types of metal?
"No, I've never thougth of it that way. I don't know, really. If your material is good, and you do things the right way, you'd probably gain recognition no matter what kind of metal you perform. A lot of bands don't deserve it, though."

I had read an article (on anus.com) about boycotting Christian metal and I have heard some heavy criticism from a metal fan who finds that Black metal is no longer acceptable because the satanic content most albums have. As an atheist he sees this as a form of religion. What's your take on this?
"I do not care what those people might think or do. That's their problem! If someone boycots christian metal, I don't give a shit! And if they don't, I won`t give a shit then either! Too much satanism in Black Metal? Go find another "religion" then."

Is your band image a reflection of you or completely separate?
"There might be a connection, yes. Black Metal is our lifestyle."

How do you see yourself as a role model to many young people who listen to and who get into your music?
"I don't."

What's in store for Throne of Katarsis? Where do you hope to be a couple of years from now?
"We'll take it step by step, the release of our full-length, live gigs, then more albums!"

Any last words to fans?
"Hail the true Black Metal scene! Spread the word of THRONE OF KATARSIS, and visit our homepage at http://www.throneofkatarsis.com for samples and info! On behalf of THRONE OF KATARSIS, the Unholy Norwegian Black Metal Cult;
-Grimnisse