1. How and when did Amok start?
Amok started in 2000. I played in Aeternus at the time and wanted to do more old-school necro and underground deathgrind, so we started as a duo, me doing guitars and vocals and Stanley on drums and bass. I quickly found that this was my thing and prioritated Amok 100%. In 2001 we got Mord on drums so we could perform live. As a trio, we recorded 2 demos: "Sadistic Attack" (2001) and "Lava Dictatorship" (2002) and played 3 shows. In 2003, Stanley and Mord left the band. I contacted Necrocum(vocals) and Iscariah(bass), and the joined Amok.Besides playing guitar,i started to program the drums instaed of recruiting a new drummer, to get a more industrial and cold atmosphere to our necro deathmetal. The same year, we released the "Effective Mass Torture" promo, which contains 4 tracks. 1 track with the new lineup and 3 tracks from the "Lava Dictatorship" recording, but features Necrocum on vocals. Witchhammer Producation (Thailand) re-released "Lava Dictatorship" in 2003 as a split cassette with Audiopain, released in 500 hand numbered copies. In 2004, Perverted Taste from Germany re-released "Sadistic Attack" as a split 10" EP with Taake, released 1000 copies on grey vinyl. We are currently finishing our debut full-length "Necrospiritual Deathcore," which will be released in September on Planet Satan Revolution, a new label started by Necrocum and Saiihtam (who ran the label Epidemic Music in Norway.) www.planetsatanrevolution.com
2. Have you been in any other bands? Do you have any side-bands?
I played guitar in Aeternus and i play bass in Taake. Necrocum sings and plays guitar in Mysticum and is the new vocalist for Aborym, since Atilla re-joined Mayhem and left Aborym. Our bassist, Iscariah, is known for playing in Immortal. He now plays bass for Necrophagia, Wurdulak and the Clan Destined. He also has a solo project called Dead To This World.
3. Who are your biggest influences?
Carcass, Autopsy, Blasphemy, Terrorizer, VON, Sadistik Exekution, Beherit, Napalm Death, Mortician, Necrophagia, Voivod, Root and Possessed. Also influencing us are: destructive doomsday cults, ritual mass-suicides, terrorists (thanks for 9/11!!!!!), wars and GEITEHELVETE in general.
4. How would you describe Amok's live show?
Until now, we have only played 3 shows: with Dark Funeral in 2002, with AuraNoir/Audiopain in Oslo 2002 and Hole In The Sky (Bergen Metalfestival 2002). Amoklive is chaotic, hyperactive, grim and brutal. We are playing future live performances and it will be total terror!
5. In your opinion, how does the metal scene in Norway compare to the rest of the world?
I think that the Norwegian extreme metal scene is one of the best, especially when it comes to black metal. I myself am also a big fan of Australian and Canadian scenes with Sadistik Exekution and Blasphemy as the ultimate bands. Norway delivers the best black metal, Furze being one of the most interesting bands. Orcustus, Nidingr, Daudur and Audiopain are also bands worth checking out.
6. Any plans for a future tour?
We haven't performed live with Amok since the new lineup in the end of 2003, for 2 reasons: We have been busy with our debut album, and Iscariah has been living in England, but is moving to Bergen this summer, so we will probably try to do some shows this fall/winter or maybe next year. We don't want to do long tours and stuff like that, only a few and exclusive concerts at the right locations.
7. Besides music, what do you do for fun?
Lift weights and watch terror-propaganda. I also fish, which is great when you wanna relax.
8. What inspires Amok's lyrics?
Genocide, wars, destructive doomsday cults, ritual mass-suicides, all religious extremists, terror, horror, violence, global holocaust and the essence of Geitehelvete.
9. Where do you see Amok in 5 years?
Underground.
10. Thanks for the interview. Any final comments?
Check out our debut album "Necrospiritual Deathcore" on Planet Satan Revolution in September.
www.nekro.info (Amok's website) www.amok.hearusplay.com www.myspace.com/nekro
www.planetsatanrevolution.com Ebola to the people!!!!!!!!!!!!!
