1. Hello Sykelig, how are you doing? I have to confess that I was really unaware of coming of Den Saakaldte. When and where the idea of starting the band crossed your mind? You wrote that it was intended as a one-man band, what made you to transform Den Saakaldte into a full-fledged group?

Hello...doing good thanx. I decided to start Den Saakaldte back in mid 2006, cause i wanted to express though black metal my state of mind and what i am actually as an entity. That is why back then, i didn’t have any expectations making Den Saakaldte a normal band. To my surprise though, people or better friends that were around me could actually understand/comprehend what i actually wanted to accomplish with Den Saakaldte and that is why today, Den Saakaldte is a normal band and not just oneman band.

When it comes to the lyrical concept of Den Saakaldte, it’s the darkness and absurdity of the human mind in its dark, lonely and most often drunk moments. Even self-sarcasm or sarcasm in general is included.

2. You included untypical instruments in your music. Saxophone for example (or what the hell is it). How you came with the idea of using this kind of instrument? And who is playing it? Your music also acquired more avant-garde feel. Do you intend to continue in the same vein?

Den Saakaldte uses trumpets and accordion. I really like some jazz elements and also bands that have used trumpets in the past like Death In June or Beyond Dawn. I really like how the whole sound mixing comes out. It gives a great atmosphere at least to my ears. Yeah i think i will continue using trumpets.
Eirik Renton also known from Sarkom is the person that is behind this.

3. There are couple of vocal styles in the songs and it makes me quite confused. How many people were singing? Those clean vocals are sang by Kvarforth or by someone else? And how Niklas managed to sing in Norweagian?

All the vocal parts are done by Kvarforth, yes. Swedish and Norwegian don’t differ that much you know..So..it is quite natural for him i guess.

4. On your official web site you introduced a news about the upcoming split album with Shining. When do you plan to release it how it is going to sound?

It is live recordings from Den Saakaldte and Shining. So the sound will be quite raw. It will be released hopefully in 2 months from now from Temple of Darkness Records limited to 1000 gatefold copies.


5. Little unconventional question, hehe.. How many beers you had to drink to convince Kvarforth into joining your band?

Just a friends talk and some beer drinking. It is not a business deal or something.

6. Interesting group of musicians have joined you. It was just a professional concern or you asked well-proven people to join? You have once advised about cooperation with Hellhammer, why it happened for just a while?

It is basically good friends that are close to me. Seidemann and Jormungand are people that i really respect and have a good friendship with, same with Niklas. We have the same passion for music and we see things in quite the same way. When it comes to Hellhammer he had all the good intentions to hep me out with the drums in Den Saakaldte but his obligations with Mayhem and Dimmu plus a fuck up with his arm didn’t allow it. He is a good friend and i am gratefull that he was even interested in doing this.

7. How are you composing? Does your inspiration come from alcohol or you feel better when composing sober? During those years of your playing I guess that you have a plenty of unreleased materials in your drawer. Do you think that because of this Den Saakaldte will be among those really active bands?

Well not actually. Most of my songs have been released with other band through the years. When i compose music i do not compose music because i have a contract in the background forcing me to do so. If i feel like composing music, i will compose. If i feel that i need to be lazy and drunk ass for six months then i will do that. I can’t say that i compose like a madman...only when it actualy comes out from me. Of course Den Saakaldte will be quite active though in any case.
As for your first part of your question...yes, i do compose better when i am drunk. I have been even accused or critisized about it but what the hell...

8. I dare to say that you achieved quite success with „Ol, Morke og Depresjon“. It has it´s own distinct atmosphere and because of you and your colleagues its good sounding too. Also usage of samples in your music is still not regular in BM music. We can say that Black metal as a genre is small for you. Can we expect similar thing on new album or you want to progress in a new path?

Well, thanx for that but i have to make somethng clear that many people haven’t even understood so far. “Øl, Mørke og depresjon” is not a regular album. It is just a demo CD that came out from a label. You will see and listen to the actual Den Saakaldte on our debut rom Avantgarde Music in January of 2009. Nevertheless, “Øl, Mørke...” has its own unique sound and i believe that the sound of Den Saakaldte will not be far apart from that either when it comes to compositions or production wise. I never liked polished productions anyway...


9. With Den Saakaldte you have already played on Inferno festival. How you were accepted by the fans? Do you intend to continue with live playing or it was just a exception due to Kvarforth¨s busyness? I guess that the listeners would be pleased if your would go with Shining on tour.

Many people have been telling me that they would like to see Den Saakaldte touring with Shining. What they can’t consider though is that if something like that will happen, that would mean that Niklas should be on stage for 3 hours every day...and that is impossible to happen. Inferno Festival had been great. The club was packed and people i believe liked what they saw and listened to. With Den Saakaldte i believe that it will be maximum 2 gigs per year...maybe even none. We will see...

10. I suggest that lyrics are important issue for you. The basic themes could be easily educed from the album´s name but could you explain the lyrics of eachs song? Also what is the meaning of Den Saakaldte in English?

Den Saakaldte is simply the “So cold man”. Isolated by his ideas, points of view and his feelings from the rest of the world. The lyrics actually haven’t so much to do with the title of the CD. The title represents the general condition i was while composing the CD. The lyrics include quite a lot of metaphors expressing my thoughts about situations in life. Alcohol is just the element that made them either more fucked up or darker. Of course the lyrics are quite important for me as it my life written down.

11. In the end… what is your favourite brand of beer?

I would definitely go for Frydenlund!

But any beer would be just fine actually...beer is beautiful!

12. Well all question have been asked and I just have to say thanks for your time and efforts and wish you luck and ideas for your music. Last words are yours.

Thanx for your interest towards Den Saakaldte. I highly appreciate it. Keep an eye for the debut album coming out in early 2009. Skål!