As far as I know, you and Aphazel knew each other already at quite young
age. Can you tell something about those times and do you have any special
memories ?
Grimm : Yes we got to know each other at quite a young age. I can’t remember that
well, but I think I remember being a young kid, skating in the streets in
our neighborhood, and I noticed for a long time this guy (Magnus) going back
and forth to the store, wearing all kinds of metal band T-shirts. Most of
the bands, I think I already knew of, but there were not many guys around in
the area who liked metal at that time. I can’t remember how we actually
started talking to each other, and started hanging out, you see around in
our area it is basically only one street, and if the kid next door doesn’t
know you, the next one does. At some point I think he and another friend of
his bought a guitar and a bass, and then it was on. For a long time we just
played metal cover songs and not doing things serious, but then as the years
went by a song or two was made. Things got into shape.
Any memories? I remember that he was what I will call a metal nerd (not
negatively intended) meaning he was collecting live tapes of bands,
particularly Kiss Bootlegs, but many other bands as well (I remember
insanely amounts of Kiss tapes). I remember it was cool sitting at his room
listening to music, at that time he had a lot. So in that way, he introduced
me to a lot of bands.
How do you feel about your time in Ancient ?
Grimm : I think it’s a kind of strange question, since I don’t think so much about it, and its 11 years since I quit. Of course I loved my time doing it; don’t get me wrong, it’s just that it’s so long ago. I loved playing music and the tracks we made together I’m still very pleased with. It’s great to see that his decision to keep the band going after I quit worked out just fine for
him, just as my choice to quit has rewarded me with its riches.
Why did you leave Ancient, was it just getting fed up with Black Metal in
general or did you dislike the new material for Ancient and the bands future
plans in general ?
Grimm : I think the material was OK, but after Trolltaar I had some new ideas I
hoped to see come alive on the new tracks, I also had some lyrical themes I
hoped could become something of, unfortunately it didn’t. The main reason
for me, as far as I can remember, to leave, was the 5 album deal with metal
blade. When the deal arrived, he approached me with it and showed a clear
attitude that he wanted to sign it, although we had a hard time
understanding exactly what it said. At the time I was thinking that he was
going to sign it without properly understanding what it said and I had no
plans of doing that. There was crazy numbers all over the place and at least
20 pages of juridical language, and that was too much for me. Things were
taking a bit of a too serious turn. At that time 5 albums sounded like a lot
and questions like what “if I get bored after two albums, do I still have to
fulfill the contract?” and so on kept on buzzing, and if so could there be a
chance to get out. So all in all, that contract was a crossroad, and I
walked the other way. Also, the way I see it I was a crappy drummer who knew
when to quit. (Never hurt with some honest self criticism.)
Do you ever miss the times of the very early Ancient era?
Grimm : To put it this way, I’ve never been apart of the later Ancient era. Of
course its fond memories to think back on the days we played together. It
was fun, always fun. It’s even funnier that some people still thinks about
it. I should think that after the amount of albums Ancient has released by
now, the early stuff should be forgotten. I don’t miss the times as in; I
wish id stayed instead of quitting. I don’t regret quitting.
About your lyrics, you haven’t released more than three of them, why´s
that ? Are your lyrics too personal to be read by anyone ? I’ve also noticed
that all those three song lyrics you’ve released are in English, so is there
some specific point not to release the Norwegian lyrics ? And do you have any
particular themes in your lyrics ?
Grimm : Many questions in one here, lets start with the first one. Honestly I cannot
remember ever releasing them at all, but I probably must have given them to
Magnus at some time. It’s the same reason that you don’t find them in any of
the two albums I participated on. I thought both back then as well as now,
that it might not be such a good idea to have some cheesy lyrics printed on
the albums, for some strange reason, they’d probably come back to bite me in
the ass at some time when I should stand with my back against the wall. The
three lyrics already on the bands site was meant for whoever who should sing
them, not anyone else. The fact that the available lyrics are in English are
just coincidental, I think, unless Magnus says something else. In hindsight
though, I don’t think it was a dumb idea not to give the Norwegian lyrics,
since they’d obviously ended up on the internet. Of course the lyrics are
personal, not that I cling to them because they have a special meaning that
nobody gets, what can I really say, its cheesy lyrics about the moon and
forests, mists and folklore creatures written by a teen angst ridden guy who
has nothing better to say or things write about. So that should also cover
your last question about topics in the lyrics. Svartalvheim had some
Chuthulu theme (call of the absu deep). Other than that, the lyrical trends
at the time were Norwegian nature (deep forests, lakes and mountains) and
folklore figures. I never had the fascination for the other trends with
Norse mythology.
As a musician, do you have any influences worth mentioning, back in
Ancient and now ?
Grimm : I’m not sure I understand the question, but if you ask about any changes in
musical preferences then it’s both yes and no. I do not consider myself a
musician, although I enjoy playing the piano when ever I find time to it.
But in the Ancient days, I was more up to date with the current developments
to get inspiration but today I listen to the bands like just for the good
music. My musical taste covers more than metal though.
How do you see the evolving of Black Metal from the days when you began
to play in Ancient to present ? What is your opinion of especially the
Norwegian scene ?
Grimm : For the latter part of the 90s I lost interest in metal generally and did
not keep up with any development at all, I missed much of that. But
generally, I think black metal takes the same obvious directions and turns
as any other styles of music. From my perspective BM grew out as a reaction
to the establishing, routinization and of course, commercialism in both
thrash metal and death metal, its obviously a counter culture with some
clear anti attitudes, meaning I think its easy to listen that it’s a
counterculture to Death metal. When you go back in time and listen to early
BM the productions was hardly a production at all. A hallmark to BM music is
primitivity, more primal scream (compared with the classical Death metal
growl), primitive production and primitive riffs. I think it’s possible to
see it as a continuation of the success of death metal, where big labels,
spend big bucks on big bands, and so on. Death metal was pounding with bass
and massive walls of sound but BM aims for the opposite, a necro sound,
trying to distance itself as much as possible from mainstream music. BM is
just an industry just as anything else. Today you’ve got your BM megastars,
and your mega labels, world tours just like every other genre. I don’t know
much of what’s going on in the music scene today, I listen to the albums I
want whenever they arrive in the store.
Have you checked out Ancient’s releases after you left the band, and if
so, what is your opinion about them ?
Grimm : No, I don’t think I have. I’ve seen some of the covers in the store from
time to time, but there’s something about the vampire thing I can’t cope
with; fangs, fancy dress and all that. It’s not my thing. Musically I have
no clue to what the band sounds like today. I think I read somewhere
sometime that their latest album got quite good critics.
Svartalvheim and Trolltaar are considered as classics of Norwegian Black
Metal. How do you feel about them now and how does it feel to have
participated on such cult releases ?
Grimm : Nice of you to say that, but I think that might be a slight exaggeration. A
lot of bands gave out albums at that time, the marked was huge. But I have
no idea if they sold any good. Of course I have a special relation to those
albums, since I played on them. They also annoy me, since I hear over and
over again my mistakes on them. You know, what are you gonna do about it.
Can you tell something what are you up to these days ?
Grimm : These days I’m looking for a job, since I’m done with my studies.
Anything you want to say to Ancient fans ?
Grimm : From my perspective, all I can say is thanks for the support and letters I
received in those days. I hope that you still enjoy the band after my time
was up, and that the musical escapism Ancient can offer is well worth your
time. Thank you all.
As far as I know, you and Aphazel knew each other already at quite young
age. Can you tell something about those times and do you have any special
memories ?
