:OF THE WAND AND THE MOON:

Tell me, please, what did make you, a guitarist of quite famous metal-band (not only in Danemark ), begin to have a deal with dark-folk? What is an attitude of Saturnus to your solo-project?

The doom-metal band Saturnus was my first band, but all along the way I have been immensely inspired by the Dark-folk scene. The acoustic ideas and esoteric inspiration just grew and grew, so I thought I might as well do something about it. I also think you can spot some of those inspirations in Saturnus songs such as “Thou art free”, “Fall of Nakkiel”, “For your demons”, “Consecration”, etc. etc. I did write the music for that band, so it wouldn't be strange if some of my inspirations shined through. Well, the drummer, the bass player and myself have left Saturnus, due to personal and artistic differences and started a new band called “The Loveless”, if it should interest anyone. I will categorize the music as gothic/doom/rock/metal. We are currently working on an album which I believe will be out mid 2001.

Are there any interesting acoustic neo-folk/ dark-folk groups in Danemark about whom we don‘t know anything yet? I really don't think there is anybody in the danish scene that play neo/dark-folk except for me. I haven't heard about any, but I think there is more kind of dark wave/industrial bands here in Denmark. Are there many fans of such a music?

The scene is not huge, but I think that alot of people from the black metal scene are beginning to get into this genre, so it is growing.

How do you concern to popular in Scandinavian countries black-metal movement and such reactionary persons as Varg Vikernes (Burzum)?

I must admit that I have never been a big fan of black metal, not that I don't like it, but I've just never really gotten into it. I do act as a session guitarist in the band “Blazing eternity” which have some black metal influences. One thing I do have in common with the scene is my shared interest in the nordic past. I've also read “Vargsmal” by Varg and found it interesting, though I don't agree with everything in it.

Well, now I‘d like to ask you a question, the answer on which I think would be interesting to many people: what is dark-folk, apocalyptic folk? Can you give a definition of that style?

I think the name or names speak for them self.

What dark-folk groups did influence on your work most of all?

Definetly Death in june, but also bands as NON, Der Blutharsch, Current 93, Fire and ice, Blood Axis etc.

Does your group give concerts or it is only a studio-project?

As for now I would like to just compose music, and make a few albums, but I guess my love for travelling will at some point bring me out to play live someday.

I think, that there is no doubt that “Sol Ek Sa” is the most popular your work; if there is any development of national idea in your creation and when people will be able to listen to your new album?

I will still use the old Icelandic/nordic language for some songs on the next album and in the future. The studio is booked in the end of August, beginning of September, so I guess the album would be out late 2000, or early 2001. The title will be “:Emptiness:Emptiness:Emptiness:”

What philosophic views do you hold back?

Simply follow your own path.

How do you concern to magic?

I have a big interest in the runes and the magic use of them. Aleister Crowley has also had a big influence on me, but I am more interested in the runes than the qabalah, eastern philosophy etc. Perhabs because I can better relate to my own past and culture.

What kind of literature do you prefer to read in your spare time?

Recently I ve been reading Trevor Ravenscroft s - “The Spear of Destiny”. I also enjoy reading the danish occult writer Erwin Neutzky Wulff. Unfortunally I don't think he has been translated to english. And as I mentioned before, runes is something I enjoy studying.

What would you like to wish to fans of Of The Wand & The Moon in Russia?

May the raven guard and the wand and the moon protect:

http://www.mobilixnet.dk/~mob60186

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Interview by Wolfsblood

July 2000

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