Saturday 20 December 2008

Interview with Hoest of Taake

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Here's an interview I did for the Vice blog recently with Hoest of Taake.

Me- There was an amazing live version of 'Voldtekt' on the Norsk Svart Metall compilation, along with your new record do you think that it represents some kind of third wave of black metal?

Hoest- I don’t think in terms of 'waves' or whatever. To me it just seems like one big continuous wave. I don’t think black metal should achieve anything either, except reminding people that Hell is right here on earth and that people can be demons if they just sell their souls to The Devil.

Right. So it’s all happening right here on Earth. If there was a black metal version of the bible you’ve been around pretty much since Genesis. How do you feel about what has happened to black metal since then?
Too many people got involved and then there were too many ideas on how to do things. The best bands were the first ones and most of them changed too quickly into meaningless nonsense. A lot of bands lost their focus and ideals and fucked up something we could have been very proud of. The glory days are long gone. But at least some bands are still on to something.

Who’s still making stuff that isn’t 'meaningless nonsense'?
Orcustus, Aura Noir, Urgehal, Nattefrost/Carpathian Forest, Deathcult, Secht, Dead to this World, Amok and Slavia.

Yourself, Natteforst and Darkthrone particularly have taken on a much punkier sound, atypical to most recent black metal. The latest Darkthrone basically sounds like Motorhead doing Exploited covers.
Taake has had such elements on each release, it is merely a coincidence that there is a bit more of them in the newest material. I always felt that the punk influence should be kept alive, as it is evident in the old black metal roots. Look at bands like Venom, Hellhammer, Bathory, Sodom and so on.

Yourself and Nattefrost in particular seem hell bent on pissing basically everyone off fairly indescriminently. You even stated that with the Nekro EP you'd hoped to lose fans. Erm, what’s up with that?
Black metal is a magnet for idiots and I’m embarrassed about being enjoyed by so many useless people who don’t really understand what Taake is about. I’d rather have an audience of quality than quantity. I have always felt that black metal should be something for a few especially interested people.

Do you think that the German public overreacted over the whole kerfuffle in Essen last year (in March '07 he went on stage with a swastika painted on his chest in Germany)?
Yes indeed, I never expected such overblown reactions. But the weirdest thing is that most people seemed to react because displaying a swastika is against the law in Germany. When have I ever cared about the law?

Were you surprised by Kreator's intervention?
At first, yes. But then I was told that they use their music as a tool to fight fascism. I think I heard them introducing “Pleasure to Kill” at a concert though with: “are you ready to kill? Are you ready to kill each other?”. Maybe they should be boycotted for saying things like that. But of course, no one takes talk of killing seriously these days and we certainly know that those wimps don’t mean anything by it. Time to retire, boys.

Do you think prison has made you more determined to make your point?
No, my times in jail hasn’t changed me in any way apart from becoming increasingly bitter towards the Norwegian court system every time I go through it.

How does the ever expanding escalation of celebrity culture sit with you? I can’t imagine you sitting at home checking out the X Factor over a Domino’s.
You lose me again, I don’t know what X-Factor is. I live in my own little world and don’t give a shit what the rest of the world is up to.

Terrorizer ranked you joint 6th "most evil person on the planet" with Osama Bin Laden last year. How do you feel about not cracking the top 5?
I can’t take such a readers’ poll seriously, It’s just a big joke being on the same list as Sharon Osbourne and George W. Bush.

Varg is due out of prison soon, what are your predictions of what shenanigans he’ll get up to on his release?
I have absolutely no idea and am not particularly curious either. I heard someone say he will continue with music. Although I enjoy many old Burzum tracks, I don’t have any expectations that he will create musical magic again.

Where do you see Taake going for the future?
Straight to Hell.



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Monday 1 December 2008

Tube Fuckiness

Whilst at the Queen's for tea recently I noticed she had a BlackBerry so I asked for her PIN. She went out bowling the other nite with Andrew and some other toffs for Di's December remembrance party. Here's what unravelled when she took public transport home that nite...



The Queen-You missed a cracking bit of bowling. I am overhearing the funniest conversation at the moment
Me-Hahahahaha
The Queen-Some guy is getting his mack on like you with a really drunk girl, they've been on a date and he's promising her the world. She's all horny too. They're sat right in front me. They so wanna get it on, but are tiptoeing around it in a really drunk and stupid way
Me-Hahahahahah. Like me? What
The Queen-He just said he's gonna take her to a French wine bar called Beaujolais. Sooooo jokes. They're snogging now. For the first time
Me-I know that place. Its in Soho. I've blates been there hahahahaha
The Queen-He just said the atmosphere is gonna be wonderful
Hahahahahahaha. I'm there. I'm that guy
The Queen-Hahahaha. I meant like you wouldn't believe. Missed a bit. He's massaging her now. This is so weird. He even pulled the hand on the knee massage. I ain't seen that in a while
Me-Hahahahahaha. Classic. Like anyone ever needed their knees massaged
The Queen-I know. They're staring into each others eyes now
Me-They're gonna fuck
The Queen-He just snogged her. She just said, 'where are you sleeping tonight?'
Me-Fuckers fuckers fuckers fuckers fuckers... Worst invitation ever
The Queen-They are literally right in front of me in an empty carriage
Me-She's a 4?
The Queen-Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuckers. Nah, she's alright. Might be Spanish. He looks like a a complete thug but is really well spoken. I could reach out and grab her tit right now. Oh my god. They're just staring into each others eyes now, but she is grabbing his chubby. This is happening right in front of me, they must know I can see, there's no one else on the tube and they're a meter away from me. Hahahaha
Me-Get your dick out. Just do it. Take a pic for the blog!
The Queen-Nah, he'd kill me. Hahahaha. Oh my god my camera just flashed. They're looking at me now. They kinda stopped
Me-Hahaha
The Queen-Look down look down
Me-Now get your dick out
The Queen-I know. Hahahahahahhahaha. I am dead. Oh dear
(Sends above picture)
Me-Hahahahahahahahaha. Tell him you thought he was famous and he'll get all blushy
The Queen-I think he is blushy. She's been getting him going for a bit now.
You get that? Sooooo jokes. I still can't look at them. They might kill me. She's trying to toss him off
Me-Hahahahaha. Tube sex. Classic
The Queen-I know. Glad I just got off that one. I think they are too. They got all "comfy" when I left
Me-You're a right paps tonite
The Queen-Hahaha. 'They' just went home to fuck. So jokes.

Indeed.