1. Hails, Imperial! The N.I.L debut is already out for a few months. How are you satisfied with it and what were the reactions of your fans? And how it was acclaimed by original Krieg´s fans?

I am very satisfied with how it came out considering it was really my first time fully producing all aspects of the recording. As for the reaction, I honestly haven't paid much attention. I'm sure people wanting the older Krieg sound will be disapointed, but Nil has nothing to do with that except for my involvement.

2. When did you come with the thought of starting this project? With which original intention you started to work? If you look back now, how much is it similar to aboriginal idea?

After our European tour with Demoncy and Abazagorath in 2004 I wanted to do something different from Krieg, closer to Strid or Silexater. While I was still in Germany i began writing what would become the first few Nil songs. I put them aside and concentrated on Krieg a few months longer and once that band was put on hold began to work on the songs again. Really they're not very much different than they were in 2004, except for the songs written once J. joined in 06. We just wanted to produce something dismal really.

3. Why do you decided to quit "Krieg"? Has the classic black metal started to bore you? I understand that after 12 years of existence there has to be some kind of creative weariness, but it is possible that Krieg can be ressurected?

Krieg ended because at the time it had to, I was very burned out and mentally a wreck. I do have enough material for a new Krieg album but it would be very different from "Blue Miasma" which was the end of an era for Krieg much how "Destruction Ritual" was. Classic black metal will never bore me, it's a lot of the new shitty black metal that ruins it now. I still pay attention to the bands I admire like Satanic Warmaster but I havent heard many new bands that do anything interesting in my eyes.

4. N.I.L is very original fusion of drone and black metal with a distinctive song writing. What were the main inspirations for you? I feel here doom influence too, do you think that you subconsciously borrowed some procedures of this genre?

It was originally Strid worship but as time passed influences from the early 1980's postpunk scene crept in, like Joy Division, Big Black, Killing Joke etc. We're also both really into Earth and Sunn so that's where the drone element comes from. Silexater too for me cannot be understated, definitly a great project. I don't see much in the way of doom influence with this record, though the next has some strong elements of it.

5. How was the making of the material proceeding? How did you separated the work with J. Marcheski? How much did he influenced the final shape of the album?

I had much of the album written when J. joined, but things grew much quicker with his influence. He's into very experimental music so that added a different texture to what I had already laid down. In studio we did a lot of improvisation with ambient recordings and non-traditional instruments as far as black metal is concerned.

6. I´ve noticed that you lately realised yourself as a drummer. When did you started to play?

February of 2006. A friend had left his kit at my house so I decided to teach myself simple beats. It turned into March into the Sea and then Nil.

7. What about N.I.L and concert activities? Are you thinking about something like that. Do you think that is possible to move atmosphere of your project on stage?

It would have to be special, not the usual sort of gig with the drunken metal mentality. I don't know it this will ever get a chance to happen.


8. What are the main ideas which do you want to present through N.I.L ?

This will change with each album individually, but mostly the exploration of man's nihilistic and primitive emotional sides.

9. Between your´s momental musical activities belongs also playing in a doom metal band „March into the sea“. How would you present it to a fans that don ´t know it?

March into the Sea existed from February 06 to June 07, playing a handful of gigs and recording a demo "Purge" and a full length "Church of the Voidswimmer" both in the style of Corrupted, Thor's Hammer etc. We just disbanded about one week ago, though we might get back together to record something later in the year. I didn't have much to do with the music of this band except lyrics. It was a positive experience mostly, I think we were just at a place where there was no point in continuing. I'd like to do another project like this one again when I have time.

10. Do you remeber on your begginings? When you have got to the metal music and when the idea of starting black metal band came?

I've been into metal for probably over 20 years and into underground metal for at least 15. The idea of starting a blackmetal project came during my time in Abominus, which was a death metal band in the style of "Never Again" era Belial only much sloppier. I wasn't very satisfied with how things were going and wanted a way to express my own writing/music.

11. How would you describe all Krieg´s full-lenghts? What are yours experiences, remembrances and emotions united with these works? Many Mortem´s reader considers Krieg as a cult band and they wonder for sure what are your thoughts about your works?

Rise of the Imperial Hordes: I wish I didn't sing all over the fucking record. I don't think I've listened to it more than once or twice in the last five years. I'm still proud of it for our age when we recorded it, and it represents an exciting time in my life, but thats all.

Destruction Ritual: It could have been harsher. If I had known some of the techniques I know now it would have sounded like Merzbow with a beat and some vocals.

The Black House: The only truly perfect Krieg album, mostly thanks to the assistance of Akhenaten's knowledge in the studio. It expresses everything it was meant to express and will probably be my favorite Krieg record for a long time.

Sono Lo Scherzo: I don't think there's anything that sounds like it, so thats nice. Lots of problems during recording, member shifts, personal troubles. It succeeds as a concept album but it isn't really music for social listening.

Blue Miasma: It would be perfect except for the production errors which were caused during the initial recording in Germany. It was great to work with STW finally and he added a lot of great ideas to the album. It's by far the most depressive and melodic Krieg album which I guess made a lot of people upset. Fuck em.

12. You were always famous for a brutality of your vocals, which are more "decent" in N.I.L. but still overwhelming. How are you tending yours vocal chords? Don´t you had a problem with them? Has it happened to you that you overcharded your screams and your voice dropped out?

I have problems on long tours such as the East European tour with Merrimack, by the time we got to Hungary I could barely speak. I take care with my throat now with vitamins and alot less alcohol. I havent had to sing for more than two shows in a row for a few years now so I don't know how I would hold up.


13. During your production you did cover songs of a rock legends like Velvet underground and Iggy Pop,what are those interprets meaning to you? Do you have some less"classical favourites?

Their influence on me since I discovered them early in the decade was profound. I wanted to cover and reinterpret something that wasn't the usual black metal standard. No one needs another Bathory cover recorded, though live it is still good to hear. I listen to many different genres of music these days, mostly crust and punk outside of black metal. I listen to a lot of Rudimentary Peni, Deviated Instinct, Discharge etc.

14. I´ve noticed that Krieg never had a stable formation. What do you think was a reason for it? On "Blue miasma" worked many really interesting and well-known musicians. How did the work with Satanic tyrant Werwolf ,who lives on the other side of the ocean, proceeded?

I wanted "Blue Miasma" to be the coming together of musicans I truly respected to add their signature to my music. STW flew in for New Years to Germany and we spent a few days before the recording planning things out. It was a great honor to meet and work with him as his music (Pest, SW, Blasphemous Evil, Blutrache etc) has a great impact on me as evidenced by the werewolf from "Opferblut" tattoo'd on my right forearm.

15. How do you intend to evolve? What are yours plans for a future? As it is N.I.L., March into the sea, or (If ever possible) Krieg.

Nil's begin rehearsing again for another recording, though we've mainly just been practing the older songs. March right now is dead, or on hold..I dont really know to be honest. As for Krieg I'm putting together a collection of rare and unreleased material and submitting it to labels to see who might be interested. Also the LP version of "Blue Miasma" is being put together. We'll see what the rest of the year holds.

16. Thanks a lot for a interview, I´m sending many regards and crossing fingers. Last words are yours.

My appreciation for the interview. I encourage you to seek out the written works of Georges Batille for further inspiration.