Interview Gaahl Trelldom

Lineup: Gaahl - Vocals Sir (Stian) - Bass Valgard (Ronny) - Guitar Are - Drums (Session)

8/31/07 Interviewer: Josh Thorne

"In Trelldom, I'm able to give a lot more of myself, personally."

Today, I had the chance to speak with one of extreme metal's most iconic, mysterious, and controversial figures. Gaahl has been making headlines with the music he plays in Gorgoroth for a very long time now, especially with the controversy surrounding their infamous concert in Poland, Gaahl's participation in the Metal: A Headbanger's Journey DVD, and his recent stint in jail. Needless to say, I was somewhat nervous about speaking with Gaahl considering all of those things, even though I've been a fan of the music he creates for a very long time. However, Gaahl proved himself to be one of the most humble and honest people I've ever had the pleasure of speaking with. He's a man who stands by his convictions, his beliefs, and the music he creates, and even considering the slight problem we had as far as scheduling goes, he was nice enough to call me back today and give one of the best interviews I've ever taken part of. So sit back, relax, and enjoy a conversation with one of black metal's true warriors...Gaahl.
 
 
Josh Thorne: Thanks for calling back!
 
Gaahl: (Laughing) No problem, man. I had some time left and since we didn't get to do this yesterday, I figured I'd just call and see if you wanted to do it now.
 
Josh: Well, I do. (Laughing)
 
Gaahl: (Laughing)
 
Josh: First off, congratulations on the new Trelldom.
 
Gaahl: Oh, thank you.
 
Josh: You were actually in Trelldom long before Gorgoroth, correct?
 
Gaahl: Yeah. We've been together since 1993. There have been quite a few changes in the lineup since that time, and a lot of things have happened in our individual lives and what each of us does musically, but the current lineup is the best one so far.
 
Josh: On a bit of an autobiographical note, you grew up in Espedal, Norway. Espedal is a very isolated place, and I'm just curious as to how you originally got into black metal in the first place.
 
Gaahl: (Laughing) Well, Espedal isn't the MOST isolated place in the country. There are other areas of Norway that are much more secluded, but that's another story in it's self. I got into heavy metal when I was 9 years old.
 
Josh: Wow.
 
Gaahl: Back when I first heard Hellhammer, I was immediately taken with that kind of music. As far as playing goes, I started by helping my friends out with their bands at the time. I did a little guitar, but I actually never wanted to be a vocalist. That thought never once occurred to me, but one day, I tried it out of curiosity. Since then, that's, um...what I'm known for, you could say. (Laughs)
 
Josh: Now, as far as Trelldom goes, it's one of many bands you're involved with. Gorgoroth, Gaahlskaag, etc.
 
Gaahl: Yes.
 
Josh: Does that ever become tedious trying to juggle all of those bands?
 
Gaahl: Not really. I'm able to give a different part of myself to each band. In Gorgoroth, I have to be this character in a manner of speaking. In Trelldom, I'm able to give a lot more of myself, personally. For example, this new record is one of the most personal things I've ever created.
 
Josh: Is that one of the reasons that all of the lyrics are in Norwegian?
 
Gaahl: It is.
 
Josh: I just wondered, because all of Gorgoroth's lyrics are in English.
 
Gaahl: Well, in Gorgoroth, I'm directing my lyrics at many different people. I write them in English to get my point across to the ones I'm focusing on. In Trelldom, especially Til Minne I wrote everything in Norwegian because I'm directing the lyrics at myself.
 
Josh: Really?
 
Gaahl: This album is sort of like a conversation with myself, and I wanted to write everything in my, um...how do I say this...my native language, if you will.
 
Josh: That's completely understandable. How long did the process of writing this album take?
 
Gaahl: (Laughs) Not very long at all. It actually happened very fast and would have been recorded and released much sooner, but I unfortunately had to go to prison. Before I went, we'd finished the drums completely and most of the guitars. So, all that was left were the lyrics and vocals, which I finished once I was released from prison.
 
Josh: The production sounds very organic as well, especially the vocals and drums.
 
Gaahl: I wanted them to sound that way before we even began recording. I feel that an album with an organic sound has a much deeper impact than an album done digitally, and that's part of the reason I was never happy with the production or mastering on the last two Gorgoroth albums. I wasn't happy at all, but I'm only one person in the band, so I can't dictate how it should sound when the rest of the band wants a completely different sounding record.
 
Josh: But with Trelldom you had the kind of control where you could decide how the album ended up sounding.
 
Gaahl: Yes...and I did. (Laughter)
 
Josh: Now, as you mentioned earlier, you wear many different faces for the projects you're involved in. With Gorgoroth, do you ever find it bothersome that people have a pre-conceived notion of what kind of person you are, just from your work in that band?
 
Gaahl: (Contemplative) It's actually somewhat peaceful. A lot of people don't really talk to me, because they have this image of a very menacing, evil person. That's relaxing, because only my friends really get to know what kind of person I actually am and it allows me to find who my true friends are and who I like to surround myself with.
 
Josh: With that being said, do you feel that you weren't represented properly in the Metal: A Headbanger's Journey DVD?
 
Gaahl: Not at all. I saw the DVD, and I was actually content with what they decided to use.
 
Josh: Your fellow countrymen, Enslaved, weren't happy at all about their portrayal in the film.
 
Gaahl: (Laughs) Well, the thing that everyone needs to remember and that a lot of people probably didn't consider while this documentary was being made is that no documentary will ever use a full interview in the film. I knew beforehand that there would be certain clips they would use, before they would use others, and I had no problem with it. My time in the film is something I stand by, and I have no regrets or problems with it.
 
Josh: Shortly following that, VBS Television descended on your quiet Espedal home to film a 6-part documentary on you.
 
Gaahl: (Sighs and Laughs) I remember that quite well.
 
Josh: What was it like for you, being such a private person, allowing a crew of people you didn't know into your private life for that period of time?
 
Gaahl: It was different. Peter Beste wrote me a letter, about one month before they actually filmed it and asked me if it would be possible to do this. Part of me was hesitant, because when they arrived, I'd just been released from prison and was wanting to get started on the new Trelldom album. I eventually did decide to let them film, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves while they were here, so I really don't have any complaints about it.
 
Josh: So, what's next for you on the musical front?
 
Gaahl: After the promotional phase of Trelldom, I'm going to be going on tour with Gorgoroth to South America. After that, I believe we're doing a European tour and then, heading into the studio to start work on the new album. Half of it is already finished, so we're coming along very well on the progress. After that, I'll start work on the new Gaahlskaag.
 
Josh: You're going to be a very busy man.
 
Gaahl: Yeah, but it's all worth it.
 
Josh: Do you have any last words for our readers?
 
Gaahl: I do. Be yourself.
 
 
And with that, my interview ends. I would like to thank Gaahl for giving me an interview to remember and for being true to himself, throughout it all. Check out the new Trelldom and visit them here:  www.regainrecords.com