DARKTHRONE's FENRIZ Explains Lack Of American Bands On 'Black Metal' Compilation

August 24, 2004

DARKTHRONE's Fenriz recently spoke to Denmark's Antenna web site about his upcoming compilation of "the most influential and most unholy sounding tracks" of the black metal genre, due on September 20 through Peaceville Records. Entitled "Darkthrone's Fenriz Presents… The Best Of Old School Black Metal", the album features classic contributions from the likes of VENOM, BATHORY, SODOM, HELLHAMMER, BURZUM and MAYHEM backed up by sleeve notes from Fenriz providing an insight into each track, its relevance to him and its impact on the scene in general.

"It was my idea," Fenriz said of the collection. "As I am very interested in music generally, I of course find various compilations very helpful. It is a sturdy way to get to know a new musical style, to let a veteran guide you. I have always been making compilations for friends, arranged thrash metal nights etc, but the number one dream was to release a guide like this upon newer generations that are curious about what we black metal maniacs of the nineties listened to for our inspiration. And any others. If I can make one soul get into TORMENTOR after hearing my compilation, my work is already done".

Asked what criteria he used to select the tracks for the compilation, Fenriz responded, "I select from personal taste, experience, respect, diversity, and the fact that the style on this compilation is what you need to embrace to understand black metal. Otherwise, you are baking a cake without flour".

With regards to why American bands, such as SLAYER, have been excluded from the compilation, Fenriz said, "GOATLORD was impossible to track down — a very common problem concerning compilations. You can't always get what you want, as the ROLLING STONES sing. Larry Lalonde is sceptical about spreading the old vibes of POSSESSED to the black metal crowd, so we had to let that one go. SLAYER's first album is definitely an inspiration, but I rather prioritise them for my (eventual) thrash metal compilation. NECROVORE would be difficult to track down. VON should have been included. But as you see, suddenly half the CD would have been American bands. And that was not what we mostly listened to".

Fenriz's entire interview with Antenna is available at this location.

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