Pantheon I
Wywiad przeprowadził Wouter Roemers
One of the more interesting Norwegian black metal acts to debut in recent years is Oslo-based Pantheon I. Releasing their second album "The Wanderer and His Shadow" through Candlelight Records a number of months ago to critical acclaim in the international underground. We were able to catch up with vocalist/guitarist André Kvebek and cellist Live Julianne Kostøl to talk about their new album "The Wanderer and His Shadow", what sets the band apart from the countless pretenders to the throne and the Norwegian scene.First off, I'd like to thank you for taking time to speak with me today. What is presently going on with the band? What new things are happening for Pantheon I right now?
Julianne: We just finished making a music video to the track 'Where Angels Burn' from our last album. This video is actually based on a surreal and morbid dream the artist Kjell Åge Meland had, and from what I could tell when shooting the video it's turning out to be really good. This video will be like nothing you have seen before! As for the band, we are mostly occupied with playing gigs in Norway, and working on new material.
You seem to be the main publicity person in the band. How did that come about?
Andrè: I don't consider myself to be main publicity man in Pantheon I, but it has probably something to do that I used to play in 1349. I quit to focus on Pantheon I. I don't put my self in front of any of the other members in the band. That is why it is called a band and not a project.
How did Pantheon I end up forming, and was there a clear idea from the beginning what sort of style to aim for? Is there a clear idea now?
Andrè: Now we have a very clear idea of where we are going, but in the start we just jammed together and found out that we share the same musical visions. We ended up forming because of Eirik Renton's friendship with both me and [John Espen] Sagstad. I didn't meet Sagstad until the day before the first rehearsal, and as I can recall we where really drunk that day. So you could say that I didn't see him in a sober state until the first rehearsal.
When did you come up with the concept and name of Pantheon I?
Andrè: It came to both me and Sagstad in a mutual dream we had. It is to bizarre to even write about. Maybe we will reveal some clues on our next album.
On your most recent offering "The Wanderer and His Shadow" the production is quite pristine, organic and warm sounding. Not quite typical for the black metal genre. I assume that's to differentiate yourself from the crop of others bands?
Andrè: We want to stand out not only musically, but also in sound. The sound on "The Wanderer and His Shadow" is custom made to fit the songs perfectly. We will always work like this, so you will know that you are listening to Pantheon I in a split of a second.
How long did the writing take for the album?
Andrè: It took about 3-4 months to create the material.
Is there a particular song that you prefer that you feel really stands out on the new album?
Andrè: That's a hard question. I must say that 'Coming to An End' stands out. It represents both aggression, sadness, and has Lazare's vocals on it. I just like the whole feeling of the song. If you read the lyrics while listening to it you can experience a journey into the soul of Pantheon I.
From a lyrical perspective what song on the album do you feel most satisfied with?
Andrè: Again it must be 'Coming to An End'. This because it is based on a true story, and it is a pure statement of what everybody feels or has felt within their lifetime. The lyrics are built up in a way that you can relate to them whatever situation of melancholy you are in.
Is there an overall theme to this album, or how would you say "The Wanderer and His Shadow" is different from your debut "Atrocity Divine"?
Julianne: "Atrocity Divine" is a concept album with a story which connects all the songs. "The Wanderer and His Shadow" does not have an overall theme in this way, but is a selection of great songs we feel fit together on an album.
Tell us something about the artists you worked with for both releases. They don't look like the typical black metal paintings and perfectly fit with the epic nature of the band's music.
Julianne: Both albums and also the EP have covers made by the Norwegian artist Kjell Åge Meland. This is the same artist which has been the creative brain behind our new music video. We give our new material to Kjell Åge and he listens to the music and paints what he feels fit the music and he is never wrong.
Solefald vocalist Lazare Nedland has a guest appearance on the track 'Coming to An End'. Your cellist Live Julianne Kostøl also recently appeared on Solefald's double album "Red for Fire" and "Black for Death". There's a strong bond and mutual appreciation between both bands, seeing as how both of you are doing something different with the black metal genre?
Julianne: Solefald borrowed me to play the cello tracks on "Red for Fire" and "Black for Death", and we borrowed Lazare to make a guest appearance on 'Coming to An End' on "The Wanderer and His Shadow". I can see how it looks like the two bands are in a sort of pact together, but really it was more of a coincidence. On their double-album, Solefald needed a cellist, and I was happy to do the job. As we were recording 'Coming to An End' we felt that Lazare's voice would be the perfect contribution to make the song complete, and he did us the favour. It's really nothing more to it than that. Borrowing musicians from each other and helping each other out is quite common in the Norwegian metal scene, as it is a quite small scene where most of us know each other. And as a final comment to this, yes, I really appreciate Solefald's different contribution to the metal scene.
Were there any differences you noticed this time going into the studio and recording compared to the last time?
Julianne: Yes. This time we actually went into a studio. "Atrocity Divine" is made with borrowed equipment in a self-made studio in an old warehouse. At the time we had no money and we made the record without a record deal. We got signed after "Atrocity Divine" was finished. When we recorded "The Wanderer and His Shadow" we were signed to Candlelight, and things were different. Now we went into a professional studio with sound technicians and the whole shebang.
What are your thoughts on the completion of Pantheon I's new album, "The Wanderer and His Shadow"? Did it turn out the way you originally envisioned it, musically and conceptually?
Andrè: Before we went in to the studio to record "The Wanderer and His Shadow" we had some expectations to how it would sound, but the result exceeded it by far. We are extremely satisfied with the result and stand 100% by the album.
Has the inclusion of several members from other veteran black metal bands 1349 and Koldbrann helped establish Pantheon I more quickly when you started, do you think?
Julianne: You would think having "celebrities" in the band gave us a kick start, but actually we have to work just as hard as any other band. Waving the 1349 flag has limited effect, because we sound quite different from them.
The Norwegian black metal scene is well respected worldwide with names like Emperor, Gorgoroth, Immortal and Satyricon coming to mind. What are your reactions to the scene today? Are there any bands that you feel are not being recognized that should be?
Andrè: I don't listen to many new black metal bands, but the legends will always be the best. One would think that bands like Gorgoroth, Darkthrone… and so on would fade in quality by the years, but it is the opposite. These bands are releasing one masterpiece after another, while new bands from all over the world that are trying the best to create necro black metal in the veins of TNBM just fail miserably. Don't get me wrong, there is probably a hand full of good new black metal bands out there, but they are being drowned by the oceans of crappy bands. Here is a message to all the bad and talentless bands out there: QUIT!
Pantheon I was part of the promising "Excess Of Evil" European tour package, alongside Norway's Keep Of Kalessin, Swedish genre titans Marduk, Enslaved and US stalwarts Goatwhore. The tour got cancelled by Metallysee, the booking agency, 3 days before kick off. Tell us something about that.
Julianne: That sucked.
Andrè: It was some people in suits that fucked it up. We have been promised a compensation, but I haven't seen it yet. We are still waiting, you bastard!
A lot of veteran bands have severed ties with Metallysee over the last couple of months and hired different booking agencies. Are you working with a new booking agent after the cancellation of the tour - or was it a one-time offer only?
Julianne: This was a one-off deal for us. We never really had any ties to Metallysee.
Had you had to opportunity to play outside of your homeland of Norway, or would "Excess Of Evil" have been the band's first international tour?
Julianne: This would have been our first international tour, and it would, of course, have been a major experience for us to debut outside of Norway with such great bands. But sometimes these things happen, and we consider this cancellation a slap in the face and not a killing stab. Pantheon I will keep on going as we always have.
Are there plans to promote the album live outside of Norway?
Julianne: Yes! Wait and see.
Andrè: Mark my words. We will come down to you and leave Europe a smoking crater.
The band is currently signed to Candlelight Records, home to bands such as Emperor and 1349. How has the label been accommodating the band's needs?
Julianne: When signing to Candlelight we were a bit concerned of being a low priority for the label, since they have as you say a great artist roster. But Candlelight has given us support and attention, and we are happy to work with them.
Do you feel satisfied by the sales of the album so far and the promotion/support of your label?
Julianne: We have not yet got the sales numbers for the first half-year, so I really can't say.
What are the major differences between World Chaos Productions and Candlelight Records. I take it you are more of a priority with Candlelight Records?
Andrè: The major differences are that while Candlelight is a big and very good record label, World Chaos is small and Japanese.
What are your nearest future plans?
Andrè: To hopefully get a tour in Europe within next year. The release of our new music video. Watch out! It is going to be a classic.
What are you doing outside of the band? Any interesting jobs, studies, hobbies?
Julianne: I am studying music management, and will have finished my bachelor degree in May next year. Sagstad is actually a computer engineer, and Kvebek operates heavy machinery. Dan is in the recycling business. TRS plays in a hell of a lot of bands, and is the current Norwegian champion in dwarf tossing.
Booking: pantheoni@hotmail.com
Site: www.pantheon-i.com
