MARDUK Guitarist On VARG VIKERNES' Release: 'I Don't Really Care At All'

October 13, 2009

About.com's Justin M. Norton chatted with MARDUK founder/guitarist Morgan Håkansson from Sweden recently during a slate of practices preparing for European shows. They discussed the meaning of "Wormwood"; vocalist Mortuus' contributions to the band; the beginning of the black metal scene in Sweden and the release of BURZUM mastermind Varg Vikernes from a Norwegian prison. Excerpts follow below.

About.com: Is there a concept or a story behind "Wormwood"?

Morgan: The title has nothing to do with drinking absinthe. It comes from the Book of Revelations where it says that the stars fall from heaven to earth and poison one third of the water to make it bitter for humans to drink. And if you translate the word "wormwood" to Russian you get "Chernobyl." You know, that was the place of a big nuclear disaster in 1986. A lot of Christians foresaw that as the Book of Revelations taking form and predicted it as the beginning of the end of the world. So, the meaning of this album is a doomsday celebration.

About.com: Considering that your song "Untrodden Paths" was included on the famous "Nordic Metal" tribute compilation for [late MAYHEM mainman] Euronymous, how do you feel about Varg Vikernes being released from prison this year?

Morgan: It was a dispute between them and it wasn't20part of my business. Of course, it was a big thing when it happened. But he was released and that's the way the system works in Scandinavia. I don't really care at all. I haven't even sat down and thought about it. I'm fully occupied with my own business.

About.com: This is Mortuus' third album with the band but he seems to have given his most fierce performance since joining MARDUK. Do you agree?

Morgan: I agree. He's grown a lot into the band. His voice is like an instrument — it's so powerful. This time we used different vocal arrangements to suit his voice. It was a great pleasure to work with him again in the studio. He really paints a picture of what the lyrics are about with his voice. He's the perfect vocalist for what we're doing.

About.com: What happened with the Blackenedfest over the summer?

Morgan: We were all set to go. Everything was set and prepared. Three of us got our visas in time and Mortuus didn't get it in time. And all of the sudden they wanted his papers translated into English even though they didn't want our papers translated. So it was delayed and delayed and when we finally got the visa there were three days left on the tour. So, it was a big disaster. But we were happy to come and do three shows and it was a blast to be in the country after so many years. Now we have a full tour coming up for November and December.

Read the entire interview at About.com.

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