Interview: Svarttjern

Welcome, Hans, and thank you for taking some time to answer our questions. Svarttjern has remained a pillar in the black metal scene while others have come and faded away.

With that in mind, how do you look at the current black metal scene and its current state? Does it still hold true to the underground feeling it had in the 90s and early 00s, or did it change (for the better or worse)?

Fyrste: For the worse. Today we have multiple skinny jeansed 'mr. know it all', instead of one - who actually did define and evolve the artform I pursue. People often ask questions referring to the Norwegian scene. There is no scene. There are alot of individual opinions.

As we spun Misanthropic Path of Madness for the first time as it was released, we (Roberto and Jakob) were blown away by its furious sound and, of course, the famous cover of that album.

I've been wondering for a long time now if the band still has any contact with that girl, and if so, how does she look back at that iconic artwork?

Fyrste: Didn't see that one c(u)m(m)ing, haha! Almost 20 (!!) years ago - thanks for making me feel old as hell! The model was a close friend of mine at the time. Close.. Life happens for all of us and she has pursued paths of her own. I doubt I'll ever get the opportunity to tie her leg up to a sewage pipe any time soon.

All the album covers have some great artworks on them. In the AI era we are living in now, how important is it for the band and yourself that artwork and/or the music is made by an actual artist?

Fyrste: Walking away from pursuing artistic reflection, curiosity, and outlet equals crawling back into your cocoon. With that said, I'm sure there are elements of growth in understanding and learning from the AI generation. The artistic freedom Svarttjern represents to me stands monumental. Wounds open, heal or not. Hard work is supposed to hurt and leave marks there after. Perhaps the AI-generation and I should share a drink followed by some back alley violence to truly get under each other's skin? I'm still learning.

I (Jakob) have been to Wacken Open Air 3 times (2012, 2013, and 2014), and year after year the festival gets more expensive and bloated without adding any value to it (for me).

Svarttjern played the legendary festival in 2025. Can you tell us a bit about your experience with the festival?

Are there any bands on the "I wish I could play a festival or show with list"? If so, which band(s) would be on that imaginary list?

Fyrste: Enormous machineries like W:O:A keep expanding in unbelievable proportions. But at this one I have to disagree. Had a festival like W:O:A not pushed forward as they do, Svarttjern would not have been invited. Expanding in mainstream metal that pays the bills open for bands such as ourselves to be invited. Yes, we had tremendous success at W:O:A - but it's a gamble even for a festival of this size. Svarttjern's experience with W:O:A was 110% professionality on both their end and ours. Just the way we expect it to be.

Sharing a stage on big festivals quickly become impersonal, bands are in and out, on the job. For the future there are several bands I would like to tour with, obviously taking realism into perspective. At this point looking forward we will be sharing a stage with several of them.

Sadly, Jakob missed the 2025 show at Wacken, but I did enjoy the livestream of it very much. Those live streams are becoming more and more a thing. What is your opinion on that trend?

Are you more of a boots-on-the-ground guy, and do you need to see a show for yourself, or will a stream be okay?

Fyrste: Never seen a live streamed concert, so no opinion regarding it.

You and the band have been on the tours many times so far; does it still feel the same as the first time? What changed over the last 20 years?

Fyrste: Bedtime... Hehe. Obviously plenty has changed over 20 years, for better and worse. One thing that has not changed is being a unit. A unit also outside the band members, if other bands fit in. We take care of our own. In my opinion the biggest change is with gear and professionality. Seeing the success of my brother's hard work evolving to endorsements opening possibilities to turn our live sound into 'our own sound' humbles me every sound check. Today we're in control in ways not possible back in the days. A combination of digital evolvent, extremely hard work and experience.

Vetle noticed that you are a very entertaining and interactive frontman on the stage. Where do you get the inspiration from?

Fyrste: Not from, Vetle. Hehe, just kidding. Don't know. Breakfast?

Speaking of tours and shows, are there any shows and festivals planned? And if so, a small request from Jakob: could you add logo back patches and pins to your merchandise catalogue? 😉

Fyrste: As a veteran hooker probably would reply; show me the money! But, yes. We have finally professionalized our merch catalogue and are working hard to re-invest in new designs++. We'll bring a smile to Vetle's face, for better or for worse.

Moving on to the albums: Between Dødsskrik, Shame Is Just a Word, and Draw Blood was a gap of 4 years every time. By that logic, do we have to wait until 2028 for a new Svarttjern album, or is there something brewing already? And if there is, would you mind telling us (and the reader) something about it?

Fyrste: We work towards a new release in 2027 supported by extensive touring and concerts. We look forward to sharing this in detail when the time is ready.

We want to thank you again for taking the time to answer our questions, Hans, and are looking forward to new shows and music. Do you have any words for the fans and readers?

Fyrste: Yes, I do. I thank you for your time invested in reading this interview showing respect for Svarttjern and Black Metal Zine. If you're at a gig buy me a beer. Thanks.

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