Jared Gardner recently interviewed DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Silenoz. Here are the highlights:


Death Cult Armageddon was released approximately eight months ago in September of last year. How have the fans been on tour? Have you seen a lot of new faces coming to shows since DCA was released?

"Yeah, there are loads of new fans of course. After every new release there seems to be more and more. But it's all good since most of the fans that have supported us since the beginning are still there as well. A good mix of young and old blood I'd say. We're lucky that way."



What's happening with Dimmu Borgir between now and the first Ozzfest show in July?

"We'll be doing a couple of festival shows in Europe first, before the first show on Ozzfest, so that's good. We have to get used to those freekin' tall stages again... I hate that. I get dizzy very easily. Other than that we're just rehearshing to get the set tight. We'll be doing Off-fest shows as well with LACUNA COIL I believe. We only get 30 minutes on Ozzfest, so it's cool to headline a few in between."



The new drummer Reno is reportedly working out really well. Do you think he will be the permanent replacement for Nick Barker? Or is Reno only going to fill in as a session drummer?

"He'll be considered as a session player for the time being. We have no rush in getting a new full time member at this point. But it's working out nicely with Reno so far. Of course it's a bit different. He's got a different style, so it takes more than a few shows to adapt to the songs in a live situation."



Dimmu Borgir will be performing on the main stage at Ozzfest this year. A great achievement for the band and a great opportunity to gain new fans in the USA. Dimmu is also the only black metal band on the bill thereby giving you the opportunity to expose enormous amounts of people to a new style of music. Was that your motivation for joning Ozzfest?

"Well, if you're in a band, growing up listening to SABBATH, PRIEST and SLAYER, and you get the offer to participate on mainstage Ozzfest with those bands, the answer is clearly in front of you. I personally don't need any other reasons. But of course it's also a great opportunity for us to show what we're about, to an audience that still seems to be a bit lost in what they call 'nu-metal'. Personally I don't understand that term. Either it's metal or it's not."



Are there any bands you are looking forward to hanging out with and playing alongside on Ozzfest?

"Sure. It'll be great to meet people from the big league, I won't deny hat. But our main focus is to do a good show that people will remember and talk about."



You mentioned something a while back about a Dimmu Borgir boxset that was going to be released before DCA came out. But the band encountered some trouble and had to delay it to concentrate on the new album. Is this box set still in the works? Do you have any idea what it will include and when it
will come out?

"It's still on, but at the moment we're too busy getting the live work out of the way. So we'll see when we get the time to do it. We won't do anything half heartedly, if you know what I mean. But yes, it's still in the works."



Dimmu Borgir shot a split video with DISSECTION after the Enthrone Darkness Triumphant album and it is only available to people in Europe who have a PAL VHS system. Do you know if this will ever be re-issued on DVD? A lot of people have asked about it.

"I have no idea. That's a good question to ask Nuclear Blast."



Does anyone in Dimmu have any side projects going on right now? Or are there future plans for any such endeavours?

"Galder (guitar) eventually has to do another OLD MAN'S CHILD album, before we do our next album. I guess that's about it. There's no side projects planned at this point, but you never know. There might be something happening later on."



Why has the band decided to re-record Stormblast? Some people say Stormblast is fine the way it is. Is the band not satisfied with the way the recording turned out in the first place?

"First of all, to get things straight. We don't want to re-record that album. But we are kind of forced to because of contract issues. We refuse to continue to get ripped off with that album, that's the case. We will not do a renewal or anything of the album. We will keep it as close to the original as possible. But I agree, the album is fine as it is."



Where do you see the band in ten years? Still together?

"Best question so far. Surely I hope so!"





Thanks Jared!

Band profile:

Dimmu Borgir