1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Ugh! Currently the new EP 'Ironic Twists and Tales' is being mixed and produced. We hope to have it released by the end of May. A full head-on attack on global decay in the form of 6 new catchy sarcastic black 'n roll tunes. It will be released as a free download on the Misantrof ANTIRecords website, as well as in a limited physical release. 100 hand numbered copies signed by both me and Negativ will be available for the nice price of 7 euro's.
2. When I listened to your album it was in the more black'n' roll vein but more primitive than most bands in that genre, what was it that made you decide to go more in that direction?
Thank you. That came kind of natural I think. I never gave it any thought. It's like a brushstroke on a canvas I guess. No hand on the planet gives an exact same stroke as another. It's just the way it came out. Maybe because I love the primitve sounding bands so much it kind of crept in unconciously, I don't know man.
3. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music, i have noticed that you have more original ideas than alot of the bands?
Well I am kind of bored to death with all the blind hate that is thrown upon us by most 'blackened' bands. It is so easy and unproductive to focus on hate alone and it only feeds the downward spiral we as a species are in. I see what goes on in the world and I try to be realistic about it so yes, there is hatred in here too but I try to turn and twist it a bit so the understanding reader will know that there are other ways to deal with all this. Reality in the end is what you make of it for yourself. If you only focus on hate then hateful your life shall be, that kind of thing. I try to keep a fine balance. I hate as much as I love and in the end we're going down anyway so I might as well go down with a smile and enjoy all these apocalyptic happenings. The imbalance we as a species created on this wonderful planet will restore itself and there's nothing we can do about it, that's the cycle of nature. I just hope that the next human population will remember their true essence and evolve as they should. Maybe they will learn from our time, maybe not. Well if not then there will be another Plaag in another form for them, somehow hehe.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Plaag literally means 'plague' in my native tongue. It also stands as a synonym for 'tease' which is the way I like to see Plaag. A big fucking tease to all that is religious, bureacratic, full of false morals and superficial.
5. According to all the websites, this band is a solo project but on the metal archives page there is a picture of a full band and a line up listing, is that for live shows only?
Yes that was the live line up who is actually disbanded now hehe. Lava is still in the live formation along with some fine Norwegian musicians who's names I can not yet mention due to legal issues and running contracts wih other bands.
Creatively Plaag is only me and Negativ. I write and record all the music and after that I get together with Negativ to write the lyrics and vocal lines. The 'Ugh!' album was entirely done by myself though and it brought to me Negativ so I'm curious what this next release will have in store for Plaag once it's released.
6. Currently you are signed to Misantrof ANT Records how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?
I put some songs on a myspace page when I started out and they contacted me. I never even knew CF's Vrangsinn was behind it untill I was already involved with them. Misantrof provides a solid network and a wonderful platform for new bands to start of from. It's a good position for a band to be in. We (bands) keep all the rights to our music and they (Misantrof) make sure the music gets spread and noticed.
7. Are there any other projects beside this band or is this full time?
This is full time. No other projects that I am aware of. Maybe in the future some co-ops may happen of course but only with artists that I can relate to.
8. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
I won't make the same flaw as almost all of my childhood heroes did so I won't change a damn thing haha. It was born as sarcastic hellish rock 'n roll and it shall remain like that. So many bands that have their first or two first releases kicking major ass and then kind of succumb into mediocrity... no way this will be the case with Plaag. I will continue to stir, challenge and pick on human stupidity. Yeah, as long as humanity doesn't evolve spiritually I have stuff to do.
9. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Bands that influence my newer music? Hmmmm.... still the same as the older music I think. I listen to a lot of Bathory, Carpathian Forest, Taake, W.A.S.P., Darkthrone, Nocturnal Breed,... stuff like that. Also old thrash and speed, late 80's/early 90's Norwegian black metal in general, but also things like Type O Negative, Devin Townsend, Motorhead, Motley Crue, Mongo Ninja, ... haha this is gonna be a long list if I have to continue but I think you get the idea.
10. How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism?
Satanism is on the same level as christianity or islam or judaism for me. It's an organized religion full of sheep. Weak minds that can not decide for themselves what to have in their lives and oh so desperate in need of leadership. Personally I think the world would be better off without those weak minds but what can you do? Besides making music about it I don't see any other legal way to attack them.
Occultism might be a good platform to start from if put in the right minds. I don't think of life in a way that involves a 'god' or a supreme being of any kind. To me the universe and cosmos is what it's all about. All the knowledge we can not even come to imagine floates around/in and over us all the time. If you can tap into that energy somehow that is when you will understand and see that there is so much more than what we see, hear or feel at any given time and that is when I think the soul reaches it's completion and as a human your full potential. Too bad the world is filled with superficial beings who completely lost touch with all that due to our deformed evolution as a species.
11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Painting, drawing and nature.
12. Om a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by black metal fans?
Good to my surprise hehe. As much as I say to everyone that Plaag is not black metal and is only influenced by it, it seems there are some solid black metal fans out there that seem to dig what I'm doing so yeah, that's nice.
You know I keep my hands of of black metal because I love it too much haha. I think it has been killed too much already by pathetic copycats out there and there is no way I, as a non-Norwegian will never come close in capturing that eerie cold feeling we all adore so much. It's a Norwegian thing you know. Stick to your guns. Black metal in itself, the essence of it, the I don't care about anything and will follow my own path styled music is only performed by a handfull of bands nowadays I think.
13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thank's for the interest and keep an eye out for our next EP!
Make sure to check www.misantrof.net as well, a lot of good music can be found there.
www.plaag.net will keep you updated on any of our new adventures and attacks.
May the force of Ugh! be with you!
\m/,
Somber.
| Bandcamp |
| Myspace |
| Official website |
| Plaag @ misantrof.net |
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