Interviewed by Al Kikuras.
UtU: Old Man's Child means "Son of Satan," if I am correct. Why did you decide to use "Old Man" in referring to Satan?
Galder: I don't know about other peoples, but I have always related Satan to ancient times and ancient ideologys and methods at times can be pretty barbaric and ruthless I really picture my self hin in the veins of the medieval times, and I guess referring to him as a young man really does not give the same effect.
How has Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion progressed from your previous recordings? What is your opinion on each record, in retrospect?
The biggest progress has to be the production and the sound , there are minimal mistakes on this album and that is truly rare when it comes to black metal, but I guess I have a lot to thank Gene for on this album because as everyone knows he is not exactly the worst drummer on the planet so I think having him really helped out on both sound and production wise. On my older albums I think that The Pagan Prosperity had not so good a sound as the new one but the quality on the songs was really true Old Man's Child material. I'm afraid I can't say that about our first album Born Of The Flickering, I mean the material was just as good as the new stuff but the sound really sucks and it was recorded in just five days so there are a lot of mistakes on that album and mistakes are something I don't like.
Is there a general concept behind Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion?
I never try and follow a particular concept, I always try to make each album a little different from the others but at the same time I try and make the lyricson each album similar. The ones on that are on this album are pretty much related to the title, they are very misanthropic, spiritual and un-earthy. I guess the main concept on this album is about armageddon.
What made you decide to enlist Gene Hoglan to record Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion? What previous work of his were you familiar with?
I had mainly two choices for the drums on this album and that was to use a drum computer or a really good drummer. The drummers I know are not physicaly able to play the parts, but having a drum computer is not my style. I told Century Media about this problem and that is how I got in touch with Gene. I don't know to much about Strapping Young Lad, but I like Death and Dark Angel.
Only yourself and Gene Hoglan are credited on Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion. Did you once again enlist Sarke and Blodstrup for touring purposes?
Yes I still use Sarke on drums for tours because he knows all our songs, and no I don't use Blodstrup any more because of some personality differances.
Will Gene tour with Old Man's Child in support of Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion?
Using Gene for tours does not work because he lives in Canada and touring requires rehearsing and stuff.
Will you hit the US if you do tour?
We will not be able to play America any time soon, in the future we hope to be over and perhaps Gene will be the drummer.
The Pagan Prosperity was released just 8 months ago. Why the decision to release another album so quickly?
Old Man's Child Christmas Photo, 1997The main reason for this was the tour we did with Cradle Of Filth, I suppose it was for promoting the album before the tour.
How did that tour go? Are you a fan of theirs?
The tour was OK, I was pretty much drunk all the time and can't remember much of it. The guys in Cradle Of Filth seamed to be really cool and knew how to party, we had some fun times on the tour. I like their music but I wouldn't call myself a fan of COF.
Who do you think are the leading bands in black metal today?
Cradle Of Filth, Emperor, Covenant, Arcturus, Satyricon and Dimmu Borgir just to mention a few.
Being from Norway, were you at all involved with or did you associate with Mayhem and Burzum or any of the individuals involved in the murders and church burnings?
I did not know them personally, but I did have my problems with the cops during the church burning trend. At the time we shared a rehearsal space with Dimmu Borgir and one night the cops showed up and took every thing related to Satanism. We ended up loosing that rehearsal space because we were branded as satanists. I have been in court and shit for church burnings, but the fact is that if you wore a black leather jacket in those days you would probably run in to the cops at one time or another.
Do you listen to any music outside of the extreme metal genre?
I listen to a lot of classical music, outside of that mostly metal.
What three musicians or bands have most influenced you personally?
I grew up being a big fan of Slayer but the bands that have impressed me most these days are are Samael (Passage) and Arcturus (their first two albums).
Are you a fan of pornography?
I hate ugly old perverts but I am pretty much a big fan of "clean" pornography. I am actually against whores and "cheap" females. I love porn films, at least after your orgasm you can turn off the TV and go to sleep. This is pretty much impossible with a real woman.
What is the one thing you most hope to accomplish with Old Man's Child?
"Friends to the end."As long as I make the music I want I don't have any particular goals, I have no plans of becoming a rock star. If people don't like it . . .fuck 'em, I don't like them either.
Any last words?
Drink beer use drugs and do not take care. Love . . . . Galder.
