Pic courtesy of: Horned Almighty "Perform filthy and ugly black metal, the way it was supposed to be. Nothing more, no less. Our whole foundation lies upon this statement and is performed out of sheer compassion for the genre"

CR: How would you describe Horned Almighty? What’s the basic element in a band like yours?
S. : To perform filthy and ugly black metal, the way it was supposed to be. Nothing more, no less. Our whole foundation lies upon this statement and is performed out of sheer compassion for the genre.

CR: I have been reading some great reviews about the new record, did you expected such a good welcome from the press?
S. : Well, not really. Black Metal Jesus was received differently, so we expected the same. Of course we can not avoid the usual comparisons to Darkthrone and this time a lot describes us as Impaled Nazarene as well. This we are used to, and you can tell in a review the ones who puts some effort into it and the ones who just do comparisons which in my eyes make a stupid review. If you review something as potent and creative as this music form is, you should strive to make an opinion of your own.

CR: Will we be right to call your music Black n’ roll? What’s more important for Horned Almighty, music talent or attitude in music?
S. : Call it what you will, but we do combine rock elements with black metal yes, so that’s one way of labeling us. Talent always comes first – there are way too many acts who think they know how to play and spend too much time creating some mysterious cult around their name, trying to cover up that they can’t play for shit. But heck, in the long run, those bands will be forgotten and quality will be remembered. Where we will be in these categories, only time can tell…

CR: Why don’t you give us a brief run through your history, since many of our readers still don’t know pretty well Horned Almighty.
S. : The story has been told numerous occasions and I do not like repeating myself. If curious, a biography can be found at www.Hornedalmighty.com

CR: Everybody that listens to metal music knows that black metal has always been irreverent and discourteous towards religion, but you guys seem to do that in a more humoristic kind of way, without loosing site of the criticism, titles like Black Metal Jesus and the new album The Devil’s music show a more humoristic side of black metal, the question is, did you guys wanted to do that un purpose? Can a black metal band be funny without loosing respect from the audience?
S. : I do not like the term humoristic, since it represents frivolousness. I prefer terms like sarcastic and provoking to deter Horned Almighty. Some were provoked by our first cover (displaying a combination of Jesus and Satan) which I find hilarious. I did expect Christians (if some ever saw the cover) to be offended, but to receive complaints from within the scene, cracked me up. We are the ultimate blasphemic band on earth I guess ha ha! You can say that with both covers, we challenge the dogma of a very large part of the scene. In many ways it is stagnated and uses the same methods of representation, such as wood carvings, gothic letters etc. Our covers, especially The Devil’s Music, is our way of trying to do something different within the same parameters of the genre. Concerning humor in black metal, it can be done but in a distinctive way, like Fenriz’ for example. Then you have bands like Vondur who does’nt really gives a fuck. This all helps to the variety in the scene and cleans up some of the self importance there is to be found.

CR: Have you guys been touring for this new album, any gigs planned for the future?
S. : No gigs so far and only few have been planned yet unfortunately. We are anxious to get out and spread our filthy propaganda upon the masses, but there have not been so many opportunities, these will hopefully come soon.

CR: Speaking of black metal, what are your biggest black metal influences? What motivated you to play this kind of music? And what do you parents have to say about it? (jajajaja a like joke there…no seriously what do your parents have to say about it?)
S. : Our main influence is the Norwegian scene from the early 90’s, which do not need any explanation. We all listened to this back then and have our main drive force from this great period of music and history making, no doubt. Since then we have each found other various influences and combine them into the style we have today. My parents do not give a fuck concerning my musical preferences. How the other member’s parents feel, I have no idea.

CR: What would you say have been the biggest obstacles in the way of Horned Almighty’s future greatness?
S. : The ability of not performing more live shows. I truly believe that herein lays the key to spread our gospel. It is a way of showing what you are worth and you receive immediate response to your act

	Pic courtesy of: Horned Almighty "The ability of not performing more live shows. I truly believe that herein lays the key to spread our gospel. It is a way of showing what you are worth and you receive immediate response to your act"

CR: Any special meaning hidden in the names of the members of the band?
S. : My name is merely a shortening of my earlier moniker and my real name. The others may have some ideological explanation for their choice of name, but it is not any I am familiar with.

CR: Are some of the members of the band involved in other projects besides Horned Almighty?
S. : We are all involved elsewhere in acts like Exmortem, Black Dementia, Boil and Drab. It all varies from death metal to rock music. We do not believe in restraining ourselves to just one musical expression, hence limiting ourselves.

CR: Let’s talk about The Devils music, first congratulations great album. What was your goal with this album, any special sound that you guys were trying to stamp in this release?
S. : Thanx. The main goal was to continue where Black Metal Jesus left off. It was after just a couple songs, I decided to turn the album into a concept album, dealing with the over all theme of the Devil’s Music. All the songs are connected with each other, thus creating a red thread through out the entire album. We wanted to create some even catchier and more heavy songs in the same vein as we have always done, this time focusing more on the actual recording process. The last album was recorded in 17 hours and this time we spend an entire weekend, focusing a lot more on the details. We also spend a weekend mixing it, and this has resulted in what you hear now. The more time spent, the better the result.

CR: I heard and read some comments or comparisons that may sound weird at first but after careful listens to the album I actually agree, one critic said that Horned Almighty had some segments that very well remember him of Motörhead gone black, what has been the most flattering comparison you guys have heard for this album?
S. : There has been many, but I once read a review from Black Metal Jesus, where it was said, that we sounded like Motorhead getting it in the ass by Darkthrone. This is not a bad comparison in my bible. Both bands have influence a lot our music. The most recent flattering quote I read though, has to be that the new album is the high point of our career, will not be topped and is completely fucking mandatory he he.

CR: The lyrics in The Devil’s music have a very “deep” knowledge of the bible, different passages are mention through out the record, do you guys study the bible in order to find the lyrics that best suit your music, or how is the whole writing lyrics process faced?
S. : I did turn to biblical inspirations when writing the lyrics for the album, because here you truly find recognition of Him. Since the concept was quite broad, I wanted to use biblical references and create a special atmosphere that would enshroud the entire album. It is the first time I have done such extensive studying for my lyrics and the process was more difficult than the way I normally compose. It is easier to sit down and write a single song from an idea instead of combining 9 songs in an over all theme. Whether this will happen again though, I am not sure of. As said earlier, I do not like repeating myself.

CR: How long were you guys in studio recording this new material, where did you record The Devil’s music?
S. : We recorded during 1 weekend in February and mixed the following weekend. Once again, it was recorded in our own studio, called Vomit! We have always used these facilities and increased them over time. Truly a shithole from hell, but it has a nice ring to it.

CR: The Devil’s music certainly is catchy and evil at the same time; how important is for you guys the lets call it “catchiness” of an album? Do you think this latest release is something accessible to different types of music fans?
S. : I have already experienced it to be. Some people I know, not affiliated with the black metal scene, have expressed their enthusiasm for the album. They are not narrow minded towards our approach and recognize the sheer energy which we produce. At shows this has also been the case and we appreciate it. It may open some more people eyes towards this art form and help it getting the appreciation it deserves. We strive to make our music catchy; this is not a negative word for us. We only perform music we ourselves want to hear, so this is very much intended.

	Pic courtesy of: Horned Almighty "We have no problems, because we have no scene. The Danish black metal scene is not worth mentioning. It is always the same 2 or 3 bands and I won’t name some over others. The ones I appreciate are also aware of this"

CR: I have been watching the videos you guys have on your web site, can you tell me who directed them?
S. : Some friends of ours, whom we came in contact with because of their expertise within the visual media. They have done videos for other Danish acts as well and call themselves Division666 (www.div666.dk).We presented to them our idea of making a live video and they suggested making a promo video instead. They shot us at a gig and put the Satanic Fatherland video together. Since then we enhanced the budget and spend a weekend shooting the Terror Soul video. Hopefully we will also make one for the new album soon.

CR: Any future plans for a DVD?
S. : This is in our plans as well. We just need the right settings and circumstances for the shooting. But something may have come up now…

CR: What would you say is the biggest difference between The Devil’s Music and its predecessor Black Metal Jesus?
S. : The new album is even thrashier and heavier. You can easily hear the addition of Luger and Aries in the ranks. The production is also very different and the concept is more profound.

CR: What can people expect from a Horned Almighty show?
S. : To get their every sense blown away. Even the most rocksteady self important idiot has a tendency to submit before our approach. Some may find the music boring on album, but it is when played live, it all makes sense. We perform what we find delight and pleasure in when we rehearse. This is what we record and release. After this, we prove that we mean what we say on stage!

CR: What’s the nastiest thing about the music industry?
S. : Making money on others behalf. The scene is so small, that if a band can earn a decent buck, they surely deserve it. Bootlegging other peoples materials or printing shirts, thus earning from this I loathe and detest! Do something creative yourself, assholes!

CR: What would you say is the worst characteristic a metalhead can have?
S. : Stupidity – this is unfortunately the case with many I have met. This helps categorize us for the rest of the world, as idiotic people not to be taken seriously. People within the scene forget they represent an entire genre, not unlike showing your nations flag.

CR: From your point of view, how’s the Danish black metal scene these days, what band other than Horned Almighty is out there helping the scene overcome all of its problems?
S. : We have no problems, because we have no scene. The Danish black metal scene is not worth mentioning. It is always the same 2 or 3 bands and I won’t name some over others. The ones I appreciate are also aware of this.

CR: Have you ever burned a church? Jajajajajaja…no really?
S. : This is something I have never done. Thankfully, I had better things to do with my time, than such childish and idiotic acts. Seriously, what was there to be gained by doing this? The extinction of Christendom in my country or me having a jail sentence….you do the math.

CR: Well thank you very much for your time, hope I didn’t insult you with some of my dumb questions, if you have anything else to add, please do…
S. : Thanx for the support. Be sure to succumb to the Devil’s Music, because it will consume you all anyway!
Forever mocking worthless idols,
S. Anno MMVI