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Berserk

Wywiad przeprowadził - Tomasz Osuch
Seems like black metal's best times have gone and are not coming back anytime soon. Most bands have cut short their activities, changed their style of music, or started to mix it with other (and not only) metal genres. There are at last a few young bands that make really good stuff, like Spanish Berserk, whose latest album "Rites of supremacy" held my attention. All the members of this celtiberian pagan black metal horde answered my questions... Hail. How are you? Berserk's new album has been available for more than a month now. Has there been any kind of response to it so far? Are you fully satisfied with this album?

"Hails! Here Berserk horde from Spain. Berserk's new CD is receiving great reviews but it's in these days when our label has started to send promos. We are going to receive many reviews soon...We are satisfied with our work. The new album sounds more aggressive and the songs are very complete."

There is a huge progress between new album and the previous one - "...From the Celtiberian Woods"...

"The first progress that you can find between the two releases is the absence of synths.Now the Berserk's songs are stronger. Ourselves recorded our first CD in our garage rehearsal and the new one has been recorded in a professional studio and the sound is much better."

There are the seven hymns of pagan black metal, not always fast, rather in the mid. tempos. I can hear very good arrangements, pagan atmosphere, cool ideas and specific feeling. Who was the main songwriter? Could you tell me something about the recording session ?

"The main songwriters were Forjstorm and then LordMonk, but the other members worked too in the composition process and arrangements. The recording session was on summer of 2002 in Artica Studios (placed in an old house in a village near of our city)."

Ok, how did it happen that you signed to Oaken Shield three years ago? Even though it is a small label it's still a subdivision of Adipocere Records. Were there any other offers for Berserk then? Are you happy the job they do for you?

"We were friends of Olivier Denis of Chanteloup Creations (French label) and we sent him our first demo "Return of the ancient laws" and he liked it. Then, we recorded our first album, and we sent it him too. Olivier was interested in release the CD, but his label closed by unknown reasons. At that moment, Nico (friend of Olivier) appears and say us that he wanted to create a small label Oaken Shield (division of Adipocere). We accepted the deal, and our first CD was released by Oaken Shield and the second work too."

Berserk's releases are distributed almost all over Europe throughout different labels... but it's impossible to see Berserk's albums in polish distros and catalogues. I'm saying that only for myself ‘cause I have never seen them. The same thing is possible in other countries. Are you working on it?

"No. Adipocere is who distributes the CD. We are very happy with the distribution of the albums and we trust in his work very much."

I found it on your web... but it doesn't matter.... You recorded "Rites of Supremacy" one year ago and the album is out now. Why was this album released with one-year delay?

"The principal reason was Artica Studios. The delay was because they spent much time in the mix of the CD."

You started 5 years ago under the name Abaddon, but shortly after you changed the band's name to Berserk. Why did you decide to change the name? I heard it was connected with your pagan's ideology passion? It that true?

"Yes. The name Berserk is more appropiate for our ideology. Abaddon was a provisional name for the band and we used it until we defined totally our style."

What does Berserk mean? By the way, do you know the band named The Berserker?

"A Berserk is a warrior that enters in the battle without any kind of protection. Odin endow to his warriors with this special state of anger... We don't know the band The Berserker."

I have never been interested neither in pagan culture nor Satanism ideology, and sometimes I'm wondering why black metal bands write about it. How can you explain it? Why did you decide to glorify pagan theme in Berserk?

"We like Black Metal and it is perfect for us mix it with the atmosphere and pagan feeling. We talk about the rites, traditions, battles... of ancient times."

How often do you play concerts? There is not enough info about gigs on your webpage. I found that you played together with Behemoth and Carpathian Forest as their support in Spain. Do you like Behemoth's music? For me personally together with few other it's the best extreme metal band from my country. They are more and more popular, and it seems that people really appreciate their great music all over the world.

"We usually don't play gigs because there are few concerts in Spain. We would like to participate in a tour over Europe and show our music. Any offer?? Actually we don't like Behemoth very much. We like their firsts albums, specially their second one."

You are a black metaller. Why, do you think, some of the black metal bands did not want to play live? Was it about the "being true" thing or maybe something else?

"There are many reasons. Some bands only have a member or two. Another bands say that BM is misanthropy and hate and play concerts will lose feeling..."

Simple question but I think that an important one in this interview. How strong the black metal scene in Spain is? I have to say you that I don't know many bands from your country...

"There are few bands of Black Metal in Spain but very good. Crystalmoors, Nazgul, Lux Divina... but there aren't labels that support them. People prefer Death Metal in our country."

Every year more of black metal bands split up. For example, great bands such like Immortal and Abigor decided to finish their activity. We can't understand it, but from the other side this is a natural process. What will the future of BM genre and Berserk be?

"BM is suffering some changes that carry it to the decadence. Some bands add elements to their music that make rotten. In 2 or 3 years, a new wave of bands has grown that keep faithful the true feeling of this music. Don't worry, Berserk will be alive!!"

We will finish our interview. I suppose it maybe too early to ask this question but I ask.... Are you working on the next Berserk opus? Could you unveil us some details? And that's all from me. Thank you and all the best with Berserk!

"Of course. We are working on the third album. The new songs are more aggressive and faster, with many elements of true BM with signs of war. Thanks for the interview. Keep alive the antichristian flame!!"

Ok...

Tomasz Osuch


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