SATYRICON Frontman After Completing New Album: 'I Am Completely Drained In Mind And Body'

Vocalist Sigurd "Satyr" Wongraven of the Norwegian black metal band SATYRICON spoke to Norway's VG newspaper about the progress of the recording sessions for the group's new abum, tentatively due on November 3 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded in part at Sound City studios in Van Nuys, California, where METALLICA recently recorded its forthcoming LP.

When asked about the involvement of producer Joe Barresi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE) in SATYRICON's new CD, Satyr explained, "Joe has been a technician on practically the whole project. There might have been some misunderstandings in the Norwegian media about his role — it is me who is the producer; Joe's role is to know which buttons to push to create the sound that I want."

On playing the new album for Roadrunner for the first time:

"I had nothing to say to them. I just played the album loud, and thought that if they they don't like it, it's their problem. I am so sure about what we have done this time that I don't think about changing a single thing. The door is closed, and we are so much on the right path, that we are not turning eother left or right on this. But they thought it was really good."

On the earthquake that happened during his stay in Los Angeles:

"First it felt like a soccer team was trying to break down my door. Then I relaized it was an earthquake, and thought, 'Fuck, here comes the apocalypse!'"

On the recording process:

"When I think about what has been put down in terms of practicing, travelling and twelve-hour shifts, it's the moment before I check into a mental hospital. I am completely drained in mind and body."

SATYRICON will embark on a European tour in November/December, to be followed by a support slot on the CRADLE OF FILTH North American tour in January/February.

As previously reported, SATYRICON has recruited two new members for its live shows. The rhythm guitar is now handled by French axeman Gildas Le Pape, who has been playing black and thrash metal, as well as jazz, for quite a few years. The band's new touring bassist is Victor Brandt (Sweden) from the death metal band DOMINION and TOTALT JÄVLA MÖRKER. Victor Brandt can also be heard on the new SATYRICON EP "My Skin Is Cold".

A previously unreleased SATYRICON song, "My Skin Is Cold", is included on the band's new EP of the same name, which was issued on June 2 in most of Europe.

"My Skin Is Cold" was released as a seven-inch gatefold vinyl single including a five-track CD. This is the only physical version of the EP and the packaging is said to be "truly one of a kind!"

The EP was relased via Roadrunner Records worldwide, except in Norway, where it came out through SATYRICON's new partner, Indie Recordings.

SATYRICON performing live at Metaltown festival in Gothenburg, Sweden (June 2008):

(Thanks: Asbjørn Slettemark)