DIMMU BORGIR Guitarist Discusses 'In Sorte Diaboli' Artwork

During DIMMU BORGIR's recent stop at the Nokia Theater in New York City, guitarist Silenoz spoke with Metal Asylum about the artwork for "In Sorte Diaboli", his views on religion and what inverting a cross means to him.

Metal Asylum: Who designed the album artwork?

Silenoz: We wanted to go with a Medieval Dark Ages look so the guy who did our previous cover he found this old painting by a German painter from the 16th century I think, and he changed some things around added the baphomet in the middle and worked on it. There is a lot of symbolism in the cover, we wanted more earth tone colors too. I'm really happy with it. We also went for the maximum pages for a booklet which is 32 pages I think. We wanted to really make a nice presentation for the artwork and the booklet so it reflected the lyrics of the album and the story.

Metal Asylum: Can you tell us about this more feminine interpretation of Satan with the breasts?

Silenoz: Actually that's the correct one, the tits are supposed to symbolize fertility, the head is supposed to be a goat but not as evil as it is usually drawn because it is supposed to resemble not only a goat but a bull, a donkey and a dog. I'm not really sure of the reason why but it is the correct version. So many times in the underground scene people draw Satan looking as evil as possible but its not necessarily correct.

Metal Asylum: But this version of Satan is still based on the fact that he was a fallen angel and cast out of Heaven by God?

Silenoz: Yeah it is, the whole symbolism of the artwork is a balance, Satan has one hand raised and the other lowered which is a good opposition to what religion is all about because to me religion doesn't have balance. According to many religions there is only one way of thought and everything else is wrong.

Metal Asylum: Does DIMMU BORGIR still get flack for the imagery that comes with the band?

Silenoz: Not really, but we never paid attention to it anyway but the people that protest us or say bad things about us is just more promotion for the band. You really can't look upon it any other way. Let's say a rally or demonstration is happening outside a show it just brings more attention to what we do.

Metal Asylum: Since we are the topic of imagery you have an inverted cross around your neck. What are the misconceptions people have of that image? What does inverting a cross mean to you? Is it what many people think which is denouncing all the things that Jesus represented?

Silenoz: For me it is not negative its positive and I always tried to use it as a constructive thing. Inverting the crucifix is my way of showing rejection to not only Christianity but most modern religions in general and how they make people conform. They prevent people from thinking for themselves. That's not what it is about, it's about being an individual that's what life is about.

Metal Asylum: So it is not a personal attack on Jesus?

Silenoz: See I don't question the fact Jesus existed but even back then there were still con artists and magicians, he could have been a magician who knows. You never know how many of those stories written in the Bible are true.

Read the entire interview at www.metalasylum.net.