1349 Guitarist Comments On Touring With CELTIC FROST

Dr. Abner Mality of Wormwood Chronicles recently conducted an interview with guitarist Archaon of Norwegian black metallers 1349. A couple of excerpts from the interview follow:

Wormwood Chronicles: CELTIC FROST is such a legendary band in the underground. When you first met them, were you overawed by them or did you click with them right away?

Archaon: It's so funny because there's a story to that as well. First time we met CELTIC, we were touring with GORGOROTH in 2004 in Europe. The guy who is our session guitarist now, Teloch, was playing session guitar for GORGOROTH back then. That's how we got to know him. When we got to the south of Europe on that tour, we played in Switzerland and covered CELTIC FROST's "The Usurper". When we walked off the stage, the guys were in the venue! We didn't know that. Then, it was quite overwhelming for pretty much everyone.

I'm familiar with CELTIC FROST and know all their classics, but I've never been a true diehard fan of them, to be honest. However, Ravn, our singer, has and our drummer Frost has. They've always been diehard CELTIC FROST fans. So we met them back in 2004 and the vibe between the two bands was very good and we had a lot of fun. We invited them backstage and had a long chat with them. We were amazed that they actually liked our music! Then, in 2005, we came back there and we invited them as guests. So right before the show, Ravn brought Tom on stage, gave him the mike and just said "Go". And we played "The Usurper" again, now with Tom on vocals! Since then, we've been in touch with them regularly, mainly Ravn, and we decided to try this tour, to make this possible.

Wormwood Chronicles: This is a great way to break into the American market. You mentioned that Teloch is now a session guitarist for 1349. Let me ask you about the current make-up of the band. Is Frost still your drummer?

Archaon: Yeah, yeah. He's playing with SATYRICON now. Let's make things straight. There are no hidden things going on as far as Frost is concerned. Frost has always said that his main band is obviously SATYRICON. But everyone was sort of shocked when he decided to play in another band full-time... 1349. That was kind of annoying. He does not want to let SATYRICON go. He wants to be in 1349, he wants to be a full-time member. So he had to step aside for a little bit and help us find another suitable drummer for the time being.

Wormwood Chronicles: You got one. (They are using the services of ex-NILE drummer Tony Laureano for the American tour — Mality)

Archaon: We definitely got one. There are very few drummers who are even capable of playing with us. I had a chat with Frost about this and he said "Who do you think should get it?" and I said "the NILE drummer." We talked about Tony or Derek (Roddy, formerly with HATE ETERNAL and many others) preferably Tony. Frost said, "I've seen Tony live so Tony will be the man."

Wormwood Chronicles: Derek Roddy was another name I thought of immediately as one of the guys who has the speed and precision to play with 1349.

Archaon: Those guys were from America, which makes it easier when we tour over here. When we were in Europe, we were in vague negotiations with Nick Barker (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR) but it was not possible because Nick is busy with so many projects. At first, Tony couldn't do it because of other projects, but once things cleared up, he was our first priority without a doubt and we're glad to have him.

Wormwood Chronicles: Do you think that Americans will ever have the same understanding of black metal that Europeans do? So much of the music seems to be built on ancient European culture and history. Fans here can appreciate the aggression of the music but will they ever understand the whole philosophy behind it the way the Europeans do?

Archaon: Perhaps. In my impression of the United States, there's a lot of emphasis on technicality. You have the best death metal scene ever in the States! In my eyes, only Sweden and America have dominated the death metal scene. There is technicality in black metal but much more emphasis on atmosphere. It's hard to grasp unless you read into it or you travel and see what we are talking about.

Wormwood Chronicles: It appeals to a more intellectual mind...

Archaon: Yes, yes! There are more abstract themes and subjects behind the music. If you have ever been to Norway or if you will ever travel to Norway, then you would see what I mean if you have a proper journey. Don't visit the cities there because that is nothing. That's the same in every country you go to. If you walk around shopping and drinking and doing whatever you usually do, that's great but you can do that in pretty much every country. However, if you go out in the countryside or away from the city, then you'll find a lot of majestic images like huge mountains. This is something we grow up with in Norway. It's something that's totally normal for us. My father used to take me to these places when I was a kid and it makes an impression that is hard to describe. I remember when we walked up a mountain once...me, my little sister and my father...and we looked out and it looked like a picture. There was no movement, no sign of humanity. You could see everything. Those are the feelings that inspire us.

Wormwood Chronicles: It's funny. There are some areas in North America that are developing a black metal scene and I've noticed they are usually places that have great scenery. Places like Washington state and Canada produce a lot. Those are unspoiled areas. I wonder if it's a prerequsitie that you're in tune with...

Archaon: Nature?

Wormwood Chronicles: Yeah! Black metal seems more natural coming from an environment like Norway or Washington or the Canadian mountains.

Archaon: It's difficult to say exactly what makes the difference, but it seems that Norwegian and some Swedish bands understand it the best. There are plenty of Norwegian bands that don't "get it," though. I have to be honest and say that most of the bands I recognize as good black metal are from Norway.

You can find the rest of the interview at www.wormwoodchronicles.com.