The Konsortium is truly Norwegian in terms of sound and style, proffering music created around a black metal base that remains open to outside elements and additional contributions by non-core members. Geography isn't as issue; neither is identity. For the Stavanger-based unit it's all about integrity. It's a Trap! spoke to founding member #01 on the release of their self-titled debut album and found out that it's more about nailing down killer music than finding fame and fortune.

The album has been a long time in the making, especially since four of the tracks were more or less completed in the 2008 demo. Why did it take so long?

Well, the album was actually finished in December 2010. But we're a slow bunch of people, especially when it comes to writing new material. Things just... take time, you know. It doesn't exactly speed things up when some of the members live in completely different areas of Norway either.

There's a distinct style within The Konsortium. I can hear references to various bands in some places (Zyklon, Dimmu Borgir, Nidingr for example), although it has come out as a sound unique to The Konsortium. What inspired you musically in the creation of music for the band?

I think that being a teenager in the early nineties, with all that great metal, is a big part of my musical background. It has sort of defined and/or refined the way I make riffs, etc. So, when you mention these bands, perhaps you are right about them being an inspiration in some way or other. In addition, I listen to all kinds of music which, of course, rubs off on how I create songs.

It seems that Teloch has been the perfect addition to the band for now, as there are definite similarities between The Konsortium and Teloch's own style in Nidingr. I guess he settled into the part very well. How much did he contribute to the writing of the album?

Yeah, he is the perfect guitarist for us, no doubt about it. And I think he really enjoyed recording the album as well, as he likes the style of the riffing. On this album however, he has only written an outro -- an awesome one, I might add -- and that's it. Anyways, that will probably change in the future.

What other influences, musical or otherwise, inspired you in the creation of the album's lyrics?

I can say right off the bat that there are absolutely no religious or political dogmas or principles that determine the themes of our lyrics. At times there is a spiritual aspect, but that's not something I wish to elaborate on any further. I think it's sufficient to say that some texts are somewhat dreamlike and others tend to deal with inner struggle.

Given that you used three different studios and all the members are in different areas, it must have been a difficult album to pull together in terms of getting the required sound, right down to making sure parts were handled properly, for example.

Yes! It was a nightmare getting all of it together. We'll do stuff completely different next time around. On some songs, there are up to six or seven guitars simultaneously and add that with three microphones from three different amps -- we're talking about 63 guitar tracks, not all of them recorded in the same studio or the same day, which then have to be synced with each other and other instruments. Add vocals and drums, also from different studios, and you've got yourself a headache. A lot of minor mistakes were made and as a result of that we lost some important details in the mixing. As I said, we will do it differently next time around.

I remember listening to the pre-production demo in '08 and thinking it sounded killer. I'm super-impressed now, hearing how the album sounds. How happy are you with the end result?

Well, I am still getting used to the sound of the album, actually. I am happy that we managed to get some of the punk / rock'n'roll vibe that we were after without making it too muddy but, at the same time, there are some things that, to me at least, still sounds a bit 'off'. It sounds way more powerful than the demo but at the same time I think we lost some of the eerie vibes that the demo had.

The vinyl looks killer. You obviously hold vinyl in very high esteem, given the work that has gone into these editions. How involved were you with the release in terms of what editions would be produced and how they would look?

It's cool that you think so, and yes, you are right; I dig vinyl. I was actively involved in both formats of the release, in particular the vinyl. It's Costin of Twilight13 Media who did the design and we bounced things back and forth constantly. And I am very happy with the end result.

You only really buy music on vinyl. What's the main attraction there as opposed to buying on CD?

Yeah, at least I try to, if it's available in that format. I guess the reason is part nostalgia, part awesomeness. It's an actual piece of art, you know. Much better looking than a CD. And of course, a vinyl sounds a lot better.

Your own CD package is more 'clinical' looking than the vinyl, for want of a better word. What were you main goals when deciding on how the formats would look?

Well, that's partly thanks to Trine+Kim, who did the CD version. Their impression is that the music is kind of clinical and so they have incorporated that in their design. And I agree with them. But on the other hand, the music also has a darker, more chaotic aspect. Thus, we have the CD version representing the cold and clinical aspects and the vinyl representing the dark and chaotic aspect.

The new / alternate logo looks very retro - maybe even stoner. What was the reason for using this version? Is it a hint of how things might go for the band musically in the future?

I guess you can say it's a hint of what is to come, yeah. It also fits the vinyl cover perfectly, giving it the kind of vibe that we were aiming for with that cover. Stoner? Fine with me. Who doesn't like Kyuss? Or Sabbath? Or ...well, there are too many cool bands to mention.

Having recruited Teloch and announced the fact, does this not conflict with the band's stance on remaining anonymous? As you've mentioned in the past, it's up to each individual member. Was Teloch given the option of remaining anonymous?

No, no, no, we've never even had a discussion about it. This is something that is up to each member. I have absolutely no problems with him using his artist name; he makes a living out of being a musician. I just do it because I have nothing better to do with my spare time. And I lack the imagination to come up with a cool name, and so #01 it is. Being the first member and all, I mean.

You much prefer to keep your identity anonymous, which I totally understand, being of the same frame of mind when it comes to some music stuff. What, for you, is the main reason behind wanting to remain anonymous?

I just value privacy, that's all. As you say, I prefer the focus to be on the music, not who's behind everything. After all, how interesting is it to know how old I am or what shirt I'm going to wear next Tuesday?

Do you feel that having this anonymity and wearing the masks gives the band an additional mystical aura that it might not otherwise have?

Well, perhaps the masks do. And if so, that's just cool. More mystique, more good old vibes, I've got nothing against that. As far as the anonymity goes, I don't know. If it does, then it's not intentional. In spite of what some geeks out there seem to think, this is not part of a PR stunt – it is the opposite. If the music gets attention, that's good. But I don't need any attention. Not when it's unrelated to music and not from people who don't know me.

What were your initial hopes and ideas for the band when you were first forming?

We had no intentions! Our only hope was to come up with something that we ourselves held in high esteem; something that we ourselves liked, you know. That's how it still is, though everything has gotten a bit more serious now.

How did the deal with Agonia come about? Were there other offers on the table?

We never sent the demo to any labels, but Agonia got in touch nevertheless. There were other deals on the table, even a few who got in touch after we signed with them. Anyways, Agonia seemed very interested in us and so far we're happy with what they have done for us.

Will The Konsortium always be a 'revolving door' for musicians to come in and offer their ideas and expertise? Or do you hope to remain as a core unit in the future? Is most of the band based in Stavanger for now?

I hope it can be both. That would be a perfect solution. We're trying to establish a core in Stavanger now, yes. But that's because we need to practice and get our shit together so that we perhaps one day can do some gigs. Distance is no hindrance if a person has something to offer, so I think we'll always have some sort of 'loose structure' as well.

What are your main hopes for this album?

Hm... I hope it does well? Shit, I haven't really thought that one through. I'm just happy that it's finally out there.

How much material have you compiled for the next album?

There are some bits and pieces but no songs are finished as of now. Things take time with this gang, so who knows when it will be ready. There are no concrete plans, no. Anything can happen, as anything is allowed to happen. But there is a bit of a Hawkwind feeling to some of the new riffs... floating in space.

What are your hopes for the future for The Konsortium?

I hope we'll be able to make more albums that are interesting and challenging, both for us and the listeners. Hopefully, we can play some live shows as well. That would be great. In the meantime, thanks for your interest in us. Keep up the good work with the Journal. If your readers are looking for something that's different, then check us out.

Interview by John Norby

In alphabetical order.

(Source: My iTunes)

Beatles "Drive My Car"

Burzum "Glemselens Elv"

Cat Power "Sea of Love"

Genesis "Land of Confusion"

Leif Juster "Den Få'kke Du / Idealet Mitt"

Moondog "Why Spend The Dark Night"

Nidingr "Reginsmol"

Prince and the Revolution "Darling Nikki"

The Velvet Underground "All Tomorrow's Parties"

ZZ Top "Cheap Sunglasses"

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Zweizz will be supporting Ulver on tour this coming spring.
http://zweizz.blogspot.com/ http://www.myspace.com/zweizzmusick

01. C.Aarmé - M.P.P
02. TALK 1
03. Abcess Exil - Havsluft
04. MF/MB/ - The big machine
05. Magnus Pelander - You have got no friends to turn to
06. TALK 2
07. The Bear Quartet - We're not gonna make it
08. Nidingr - Hymiskvitha
09. Kopfer Kat - Planet noise
10. No Hope for the Kids - Gasangreb
11. TALK 3
12. Jasmine Kara - Try my love again
13. The Goner - Strong interactions
14. Jesper Norda - Gentle and slow with a new sharp edge
15. TALK 4
16. Menfolk - Heart and sling
17. Andreas Söderlund - Hawaii
18. Hebosagil - Big sun
19. TALK 5

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.

01. TALK 1
02. Dear Euphoria - Coming down
03. Magnus Pelander - A sinner's child
04. Monzano - Grand siblings
05. TALK 2
06. Haust - Pointing and laughing
07. Pets - A good day for telling lies
08. Adventure Of - Time will tell
09. Swedish House Mafia - One
10. TALK 3
11. Supersci - Snap out of it
12. Pearl Fiction - The ruby fever
13. Britta Persson - Meet a bear
14. TALK 4
15. Nidingr - Reginsmol
16. The Bear Quartet - You you you you you you
17. Grande - You are the night
18. Rasmus Kellerman - The greatness & me
19. TALK 5
20. Susanne Sundfør - The brothel

Reminder: my show airs every week on Sundays and Mondays at 11pm ET on Sirius XMU. That's channel 26 on Sirius, 43 on XM and 831 for DirecTV subscribers.