Bite Me! Mortiis Interview

MORTIIS by Nikki Neil

Mortiis has always been a highly misunderstood individual. However, in order to under stand Mortiis one has to accept that Mortiis is more than just an artist…it’s a concept – a concept that is equal parts image and music. Having performed solo since 1993, Mortiis has recently expanded to include Leo Troy (drums), Levi Gawron (guitars), and Asmund Svelnunggard (guitars). Through the years, Mortiis continued to expand the musical frontiers of his black metal style by refusing to embrace the norm or current trends. Today, the artist continuous to push the musical boundaries -- which is evident in his latest endeavor The Grudge. The album is much more progressive than past releases and far more complex. It is an album that will open up new avenues and expose Mortiis’ music to a whole new audience.

Your music has evolved over the years. How are your fans reacting to the new album?

Good, it seems. At least, by the looks of it, sales have increased with each album. I think a few people seem to like The Smell of Rain better because of its pop appeal. The melodic aspects of that album seem to have hit it with a few people. The Grudge is less melodic and harsher and angrier...the way I wanted it to be. Overall, it is the most successful album to date, though.

The Grudge has more of an industrial feel to it. What do you attribute this influence to?

Being pissed off with a lot of people and not really interested (to any large degree) in conventional hard music. I like experimental stuff combined with straight hard stuff. I was also a bit disillusioned with Smell of Rain because it never came out sounding the way I wanted it. I think it’s good, but it wasn’t what I thought I was making at the time.

What would you say are the essential 'ingredients' for recording a great album?
I think, honesty and patience and a handful of great ideas, in addition to the ability to rip off other people and feel good about it. Ha ha!

I recently read an article, which stated that your are credited with starting the sub-genre of "Troll Metal". What the hell is Troll Metal?

I have no idea. I think the whole idea is pathetic. I never started or intended to start anything remotely as cheesy sounding as that. I think it’s a textbook example of lazy and ignorant journalists/album reviewers not having the faintest idea of what to do with a Mortiis album.

Okay, since Troll Metal obviously is not the ‘it’ thing, what style of music is currently predominate in Norway?

I don’t get around that much so I wouldn’t really know. It is probably whatever
else is hot in the rest of the world, i.e. crap. You know…Billboard bullshit like your typical Britney Spears and Gwen Stefani. [Hey! Gwen actually has talent unlike Ms. Spears. – NIN]

Would you describe your fan base as a cult following?

Maybe a minority, but I think with the drastic change in direction a few years back a lot of the "cult followers" fell off the wagon because since the release of The Smell of Rain I was no longer considered evil. Ha, ha!!

You are perceived as a mysterious person. What seems to be the biggest misconception that people have about you?

Well today’s winner is me starting the Troll Metal genre. [I swear I did not make that up – NIN] Actually, that is the first time I ever heard about that one. I think another thing that has stuck since the past is that I play ambient cheesy keyboard music, which is pretty wrong thinking to say the least.

Who or what influences your look?

Nothing in particular. The whole prosthetics thing is pretty static. Although, I’ve taken some measures to change it. What really inspires the way I look, image and graphically, is usually what I am trying to reflect through my songs, which up until now has been pretty bleak mental landscapes taken from real life (I’m sad to say). Rugged and decayed stuff....

How is the tour going so far?

We finished a two month European tour awhile back, and we should have started a five week US tour in a few weeks ago. However, we decided to cancel it because it was going to end up costing me fifteen thousand dollars personally, which, no matter how much I want to tour the states, simply was not a reality for us. We’ll keep trying of course and eventually we’ll nail it.

What is the most personal thing you bring with you on tour?

My underwear. Ha, ha !!

Do you have any hobbies outside of music?

Not really. [My music] kind of takes up all my time, and I also try to find some time to spend with my fiancé, Linda - if I wanna live past 30.

For more on Mortiis check out www.mortiis.com