THE KONSORTIUM – Interview with drummer Dirge Rep

If every self-respecting Black Metal fan associates the person of Teloch (e.g. with MAYHEM, ex-GORGOROTH, ex-1349) and Dirge Rep (e.g. with GEHENNAH, ex-ENSLAVED, ex-GORGOROTH, ex-AURA NOIR), then he undoubtedly should to meet with the work of THE KONSORTIUM, who among others take part in the next manifestation of black energy…

Who did the idea of creation your supergroup?

I’ts really awkward with the whole „supergroup” stamp alltogether i mean, it’s rather embarrassing. If you look at the whole, then we are actually all supergroups cause either way a band consists of mutual brothers or sisters.

Supergroup, All Star band, extreme metal etc are all labels evoked and put on bands by non individual entities with either the lack of information about the act or from a background of nonexistant boundarypushing art. No one here is a philanthropist nor a liker of patronizing gibberish.

According to Polish Wikipedia, “a consortium is an organization associating several business entities for a specific period of time, for a specific purpose. Consortia are usually created for very large or risky investments. The aim of establishing of a consortium is usually common action in the implementation of a specific business venture, which due to its financial potential exceeds the capabilities of one entity.” So, did such definition can affect to the invention of the band’s name? Several guys met for a specific purpose – to play. However, was it a risky venture, since almost every one of you has already had a lot of experience in famous bands?

There is always a spiritual leader, in every act, who „leads” and has the material. It’s an adventure for him|her to establish the perfect vessels for his|her channeling of these energies into musical form. It’s common in Norway to aid one another if an individual has a certain flare about him|her and the chosen instrument, that would fit the manifestation.

If such an individual cannot be found or is geographically abscent, it’s commonplace to record and transmit the files to be incorporated.

I can agree this is very, and slight irritating to read but so is the focus on these matters instead of the music, wich in this case, should be the focus not the „what you eat for dinner”- is kind of investigations of a gossip journal.

If a may add, these are reasons why bands become more difficult and not so easy to contact for an interiew because either the questions are made up in 5 min by a 17 year old or they are patronizing the constellation by „well, hehe there is alot of blood on those spikes, did you buy that blood from the butcher? How many times have you bought blood?”

Hmmm… Any self-respecting Black Metal fan associates the person of Teloch (eg from MAYHEM, ex-GORGOROTH, ex-1349) and Dirge Rep (eg from GEHENNAH, ex-ENSLAVED, ex-GORGOROTH, ex-AURA NOIR). And someone also can associate Member 001 (from DELIRIUM BOUND)… But who are the guitarists B. Waldejer and T. Jacobsen?

Infamous beings with immense talent and sonic speed, truely dedicated and fierce individuals.

Well, how could I not know it… 😊 Since most of you also devote time to native bands, so how much time do you devote for THE KONSORTIUM?

As a member of a band one should always have 100% attention towards it, if many it’s like a revolving cylinder of a gun, when it rotates and strikes it’s full on for that instance and repeat for another constellation. It’s The Konsortium btw, and to venture back to your first question; It’s about and encompassess the All for sure the unfathomable darkness of Black Metal’s harsh devotee’s, one significance is Dignity, you have to earn it, become it, stand ground and prove loyalty, only then is the vessel, your flesh, at will to perform a true channeling of these energies. Either from a spiritual leader i.e frontman/composers call (riffs/beats) that one is summoned to assist in manifesting or having a set of riffs to wich its constellation is given the opportunity to will and energize with personal feel in the channeling/manifest. With the “correct” line up of individuals, there is Eternal records, not having a place in time or dimensions, it just ripps each time, shiny and chrome.

Do you often play concerts? Where will you play in this year?

We havent played live yet with this congregation of members, but we will, some norwegian shows only planned this fall, but more bookings are making its way, esp thinking of aborad shows, we are eager to maim your hearing and flux of playing, feel free to book us.

How do you make an rehearshal? And how do you compose songs?

We go to the rehearsalplace and rehearse.

I have no idea, that’s the composer of the gang’s task.

(there has to be some form of mystique and privacy left, we can’t expose everything, there is already enough spilled through countless retarded attempts to publish a book on the art or documentary even, with the result of paradoxing or ridiculing the cult. Intellectualizing hipocrite fuck-tarts. Fuck off.)

You recently released the newest album, but let’s go back to the debut album from 2011 … It must have been big flutter and havoc thanks to this album, because you moved on forward?

The Konsortium moves in every direction always causing flutter and even more havoc, it’s the nature of the constellation and projection of the band, keeping you strangled while listening, and shake you innards around before letting you go, almost. The tentacles will pull you back in.

The genre you perform is Thrash Black Metal… Raw, predatory, dark and at the same time melodic and majestic… Asking many black-metal bands (these younger) about their musical inspirations, they answered – MAYHEM, ENSLAVED, GORGOROTH … 😊 Well, what bands inspired you musically? I can hear there influences of both First Wave of Black Metal (VENOM, CELTIC FROST, BATHORY) and Second Wave of Black Metal (MAYHEM, BURZUM)…

Anything from a documentary to 60’s music, techno, industrial, folk, native, to books, movies.

When moving within the spheres one absorbs and finds new keys to unlock ones manifesting and channeling power, keeping to a small set of tools only inhibits the sorceror.

In June you released your latest album “Rogaland”. The album took its name and inspiration from one of the Norwegian region. Why is this region so special for you?

It’s were we come from.

I think that the album “Rogaland” once again proves that it is not next album of next super-group, which duplicate patents used in native bands. This is a completely new look at Black Metal – a progressive approach – rage combined with monumental and epic slowingdowns and powerful impacts… with heavy and both clean acoustic guitars… with sharp vocals but also pure singing and majestic choirs…

All within the mind of Mr. Fuggeli, we are all instruments and vessels of his will in this constellation.

And this saxophone in “Havet”! Something superb! Of course, you were not the first in this venture but the final result is important… It’s a pity that only in one song…

Again his idea, and yes i agree it’s awesome in feel, but to overuse it we could have been labeled jazzy black metal perhaps?

You recorded vocals at various locations in Rogaland, from forests to mountains and coasts. The interesting idea, especially that the vocals are diverse (from screams, roars to singing), which went beyond the black-metal convention, although you do not play the classic Black Metal… How did you record this sounds?

With recording equipment, some are filmed too. Was immense to observe and follow his path on recording this record, truely inspiring. Will most likely be published on our future live dvd as extras to the disc.

In turn, the instruments were recorded in a traditional studio. The mastering and mixing belonged to Gomez in Orgone Studios (PARADISE LOST, ULVER, PRIMORDIAL). Trine Kim (DARKTHRONE, ULVER) was responsible for the cover-art. Did everything go according to plan?

Couldn’t be more satisfied, Mr.Gomez delivered and so did T&K. Nothing more to say, really.

In addition, Cpt Estrella Grasa from NIDINGR performed vocals on the album (in “Skogen” and “Arv”)…

A natural individual to cooperate with, as Nidingr is a part of the norwegian sonic black metal trinity of  DHG-NIDINGR-THE KONSORTIUM.

And once again you bet on the Polish label Agonia Records…

The Konsortium signed a 2 album deal with Agonia, we are open to new proposals.

More and more bands provide full albums online. You did it too. On the one hand, it is a good idea, because everyone can listen to it without buying a cat in a poke. However, many people just need to listen to album online and never will buy it.

You asked and ansered that question perfectly yourself.

https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-konsortium

https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/album/rogaland

We can clearly hear that on “Rogaland” you follow the way chosen on the previous album. However, there were some differences, for example, more elements of Thrash Metal, and even some kind of Neo-Folk and in general the album is more progressive…

The overall feel of the record is taking things to the max, with everything included its all on the floored pedal of exitement and power, not holding back anything , just full on. With a great mix and sound, and technical yet atmospheric playing with feeling.

And of course the lyrics are also in Norwegian… For me (as Pole) it sounds really great – for someone who does not know Norwegian language at all… So what are your texts about?

The Self, experiences, anger, emotions, problems, solutions, obeservations, fears, power.

Do you know what is the current condition of Black Metal in Norway and in general in the world?

Yes.

Ok…. Well… If you play music for a most time, do you also do anything other than music?

Think about music.

And I think that’s the end of this conversation. Thank you for the interview and I leave the last words for THE KONSORTIUM!

https://nb-no.facebook.com/thekonsortium interact, listen , book us. Hail!