Interview by MALEFIC

Imperial, I will not get into the details of a Krieg band history, but may I ask, when did Krieg begin?
The later months of 1995 was when I decided to start recording my music for private interest, finally releasing some of it in late 96.

I have noticed that there has been some line up problems, tell me about some of the better line up's you've had and some of the worse one's. Is Krieg more or less just you, a one person band?
The lineup I currently have used for live gigs has been excellent, consisting of D.o.A & Daemon (Seeds of Hate) and Honza (Avenger). Definitly the strongest unit I've worked with aside from the gentlemen of Noctuary. Almost all other lineups have been shit with a few exceptions. My European Unit has worked very well for both tours and I will record with some of them shortly for the new Krieg album and 7 inch.

How do you feel about playing live? What have been some of your favorite live moments?
The feeling of really letting your inner hatred out in such a public way is very addictive, much as a cutter would see the release of certain bodily chemicals released during the cicatrix act as addictive. I feel that certain music is actually better experienced in a live situation for sheer energy value, though I dont know if I could see bands like Skepticism, Forgotten Tomb, Shining etc live without some drunk fuckup ruining the atmosphere for me. Some things are best left for personal experiences alone. Best live gig was certainly the last one we played in Belgium where the maniacs of Lugubrum got me very loaded up with some fine spirits prior to the performance. During the gig itself most of my time (what I can remember of it) was spent being punched in the face by MKM and punching back. It was a religious experience of complete hatefull bliss. I felt possessed and totally alive for a few moments of existance.

Tell us about your personality? Would you consider yourself more misanthropic or melancholic? Maybe a combination of both?
I'm very introverted and introspective which I guess is a quality of misanthropy. I've lost a lot of emotion throughout the years and now I am very desensitized to the decay around me.

Which Krieg releases are you most fond of? For whatever reasons?
A Crumbling Shrine demo 98 because it was the first chance I got to record something where I almost knew how to play properly. Quite a lot of atmosphere in that recording which I've spent years trying to recapture. Destruction Ritual also since it is the apex of chaotic nonmusical noise to me. Now I am very interested in moving beyond such monuments and into new chapels.

What are some side projects of yours, if any? And which one do you like the most?
I've been involved in many bands but the only ones that yielded anything productive have been Weltmacht, Devotee and Angelkunt. Weltmacht is the best for me since I dont have to worry about writing any of the music, I can sit back and work solely on lyrical composition and vocal placement.

I know one of your side projects is Weltmacht, in which you are the vocalist, is there any chance of this becoming your main band? By the way, I notice your vocals for Weltmacht are different than on Krieg releases, is this done on purpose? It reminds me slightly of Nocturno Culto.
If I ever end Krieg, which is a possibility in 2003 if I accomplish my goals properly, Weltmacht will become my main priority. The vocals are meant to be different since it's a totally different creation. I dont want to have it assosiated to Krieg or Judas Iscariot, both myself and Akhenaten want it recognized solely for it's own musical/ideological value.

What kind of black metal does a guy like yourself prefer, as in a particular genre? Also, which Black Metal cults have been most inspirational and have possessed you? What would you listen to that sounds nothing like Krieg?
It depends on my mood really. I can't say I prefer any specific genre of black metal other than "well done black metal." If a band does something special and interesting to me, then I will support it. I'm not interested in how well a band can handle its instruments or how creative they can be, I am more interested in certain feelings and emotions that can be released through the aural waves they produce. Influences are primarily older bands like Darkthrone, Beherit, Profanatica, Archgoat, Bestial Summoning etc but also newer bands like Lugubrum and Pest (fin) definitly have impacted my songwriting ideas. Judas Iscariot has probably been the biggest inspiration for me as it's a very powerfull and motivating force for creative thought. As far as the BM genre goes, I'd say furthest bands from Krieg would be Shining, Xasthur, Blasphemy, Sterbend etc. I'm into a great many different things....

Tell the readers about your label, Blood Fire Death. It seems like it puts a focus on some underground, maybe even unknown bands, without giving them a sellout trendy reputation, do you agree with this? What’s in the future for Blood Fire Death? Tell the readers what bands you have lined up for Blood fire death?
My primary focus is to give support to bands whom carry a distinct ritual feeling for me. Also the band's mindset is very important to me, as I don't need any cock loving prats on board to sink the ship. We only deal in the real underground that so many fairies have forgotten, where music/ideological value stands higher than a limited release, a crime committed (though I do encourage as many bands as possible into crime!!! as a person I'd respect a violent act but if their music sucks they'll get no label support from me...) or a member of this band doing something in this band blah blah blah. We will not limit our releases so that some shit label can buy 100 and pawn them off to fags on ebay. Next up for us will be releases from Debauchery, Pest (fin), Lugubrum, Joyless, Demoncy, Nargaroth and a few others that are being kept under the ground for the time being. We'll also try to do a fest where such bands as Xasthur, Debauchery etc can desecrate live grounds in a wholesome family environment (save the kids! har har...)

Though I may not be too clear on the matter, I’ve read here and there that some members of Pantheon are mouthing off at you from a distance, making some sort of threats towards you, when I don’t believe you have any ties with NS black metal or the Pagan Front, is there a better version of this story you can give to help sort out this mess?
Who knows, I've heard so many versions of this it makes my balls hurt. I have no standing problem with Pantheon or any member of the Pagan Front except for Gorruth and some faggot in PA. Gorruth needs to keep his mouth shut on issues he doesnt understand and thats all I will say on such a matter. I have great respect for many NS bands though Krieg itself is not political at all. I feel anyone encouraging violence and hatred (as many NS doctrines do) should be respected if they stay true to their word.

You get around whether it be state to state for black metal fests or other countries, some people I know, as well as myself wonder how do you do it?
I'm a pimp

Talk about some things you like to do that are non-black metal related, other hobbies, interests or other tasks that take some of your time?
I spend a great deal of time writing and reading. I am very interested in the inner workings of the world society, on a human to human basis not on political or theological stance. I spend a lot of time studying old pop culture etc these days since I've spent too much time on ancient civilization and burned myself out on it.

How do you want the listener of Krieg to feel when they hear a CD of yours?
Uncomfortable.

Where do you record your music? Studio? House?
Surprisingly it's at a studio almsot every time though it's certainly had a nice home made feel to it at certain points.

How do you feel about the War Metal phenomenon that seemingly took the place of the black mystical haunting aura of Black metal for a while?
It's just another example of the superficiality of humanity and it's sub cultures. No one cared about any of these bands years ago, now they are all over them like the pope blessed their recordings or something. Totally worthless since they'll exhaust this trend and move on to the next. To me it's not even worth thinking about since I know I've supported and respected many of these bands at least five years longer than most and will continue to listen to them after most of these kids go away. Excellent music is timeless...

If Century Media, Relapse, or Earache got in touch with you about giving Krieg a record deal, what would you say? How would you feel about that?
They'd been told in the most direct and abrasive manner I could think of to fuck off. I dont deal with corporate fodder who just use and abuse and discard their artists when the next trendwave hits. Fuck em.

How do you feel about the computer having a lot of significance in the black metal scene today? Good thing, bad thing?
It's good because I save money on postage and I’m very lazy when it comes to mail anyway. Bad because it allows access to things that are better left undiscovered by many.

Reflect if you will on suicide, life, death, hate, and humans, say what you feel.
Suicide: an interesting motivation, a beautiful aestetic, the perfect choice.
Life: to be exploited until the fire is burned out
Death: the only moment you know consciously that you are alive Humans: sheer annoyance

Are you a pimp? Thoughts on women and deceptions? Do they go hand in hand?
I'm too oddly shaped for most women to admire since they feel BM males should look like AIDs victims. The deception certainly deals it's hand at every turn...

I hear you’re good friends with Andy of Judas Iscariot, how long have you known him? There’s going to be a Judas Iscariot tribute LP coming soon, what are some of your thoughts on that? If I am correct, Krieg will be having a song on that tribute LP, which song have you chosen and why?
Since the first Sarcophagus album came out. The Judas tribute in my mind is a waste really since the band hasnt been deceased long enough to warrant a tribute, but some excellent bands such as Merrimack, yourself, and Nachtmystium have taken part and I feel I owe it to Akhenaten as a comrade to take part as I find Judas Iscariot incredibly influential as I've stated. I chose "Babylon" because it contains for me a true strength of will and triumph to it.

What is in the future for Krieg, for any side projects and for yourself in general? If you could name 3 bands that you would like to join, what would they be, if not Krieg?
The new album for Red Stream Records, a 7 inch titled "Patrick Batemen" inspired and conceptually based on the muderous protagonist of 'American Psycho" and a 10 inch titled "The Dark Prince Returns". After that I'll be embarking on a tour of east Europe, probably with Merrimack. Then some time off and possibily do the final shows of Krieg in the fall. I don't know of any bands I'd want to join since any band I respect enough to work with is already at a level of perfection to me that I couldn't match. I'd like to play live with Debauchery and Xasthur though, but I know I could add nothing to either in a creative sense that could match what is already there.

I will leave you alone now. Is there anything you’d like to add?
I would like to say Thank You for doing this interview, you’re an allright guy.

Say something cruel!
Flowers are pretty! That cruel enough? FUCK OFF!!!!!!!!!