SCARIOT (NOR)

Daniel, tell us about the history of SCARIOT! I´ve heard that you've played in other wellknown bands before you create SCARIOT?

My first real band ever was when I joined SATYRICON in 1996 to be their live guitarist. This lasted until 1999. Both me and Tchort wanted to establish our own bands, and in 1997 I hooked up with the IN THE WOODS drummer and this was the beginning of SCARIOT. Since then there's been numerous line-up changes as well as the music has developed and progressed. We did some demos, released our debut on Demolition Records, financed our second album, Tongueless God, ourselves and now we're a whole new band/style searching for a new and decent label. I also started the death metal band, BLOODREDTHRONE, along with Tchort from ex-EMPEROR/ SATYRICON and we're doing it pretty well with this band these days...

At first I would thank you for two brilliant CDs named "Deathforlorn" in 2000 and "Tongueless God" in 2002. This is not easy listening Death Metal but I enjoyed it very often and well. It`s fucking interesting stuff, so tell us a little bit about your influences and don`t tell me that you are not into Andy La Roque`s guitarstyle, hahaha.

I think our debutalbum is an ok record which combines a nice mixture between heavy and deathmetal with both clean and growling vocals. Personally, my all fave band is Death and my fave guitarist is Joe Satriani. To be honest, I can't see the obvious influences to Andy La Roque, but it's a compliment I guess. He's a great guitar player, but I don't think I'm influenced by his otherwise unique style.

Would you like to say that Scariot play Death Metal? How would you describe the stile of SCARIOT?

SCARIOT do not play pure death metal. But yes, we've always have some deathmetal elements in our music, since I'm a big fan of this style. Anyway, SCARIOT has progressed immensely musicwise, and the way we sound today is more like real heavy, groovy and powerful metal in the vein of NEVERMORE, PANTERA and so forth!

Your first album „Deathforlorn“ was released about Demolition Records GB. I`ve heard that they drop you because you didn`t sell so much. It must be irony for you but they didn` support  Scariot anyway. The one and only interview I`ve read was in Norwegian Oskorei Mag. In Germany no word about such a great and unique band. Fuck that Demolition- Pussys till dead and rip their hearts out. Don`t forget to piss in their heads, ha!!! Your statement please!

Hmm, speaking of irony. The truth is that Scariot left Demolition Records. The sales on Deathforlon was pretty bad, because we never toured as they promised us. It's common sense that every new band must tour and play live in order to promote themselves and sell more records. Demolition could'nt fix us one damn gig! Anyway, they wanted us to record our second album, Tongueless God, and so we did. But all of a sudden, when we were about finished with the recording, they made a really unprofessional turn. They could'nt pay the studiobill after all and they wasn't able to release the album until one fucking year later than sceduled! This was totally unacceptable for us. The album never hit the stores and we had to pay the studiobill ourselves! It's a shame, because it's a great album.

"Deathforlorn" had something special. I don`t know what but it`s a masterpiece in epic Death- Metal. The track "Whithin" is such a killerhymn and I get goosepimle when I hear that song. All in all is "Deathforlorn" more in that epic way than "Tongueless God" right?

I really don't consider Deathforlorn as a deathmetal album. But it holds a great variety in good songs and never becomes boring, I think. Tongueless God is more aggressive and we only used growling vocals. I mean this album deserves some attention, because it offers quality and catchy songs far away from many of today's average bands.

On "Deathforlorn" is a track called „Sister“ where do you have originally „stolen“ a King Diamond- Riff from one of their best tracks so far "The Trial". Deliberate or not deliberate, haha?

God damn, people comment(ed) this, haha. I actually wrote that track in studio, and if you really take the time to listen to that particular riff, it's quite different. I agree that the first half is quite similar, but not the other half. And we also change the drum beat half way and put that nice solo on!

Is King Diamond or should I say better Andy La Roque a big Influence to Scariot?

As I told, I don't think so personally, but it might be possible that the other guitarist in Scariot now, Frank, is a bit inspired by Andy La Roque. Anyway, King Diamond is a great band!

However, let`s talk a little bit about your new release "Tongueless God". It`s more aggressive than "Deathforlorn" not that epic way. What`s the reason for that? You got only death metal vocals on it but it sounded great.

"Tongueless God" is a huge improvement from our debut. This album starts to show the potential in Scariot, both as musicians and songwriters. We still mix deathmetal with powerful metal and maintain the fine variety of different metal elements in our songs. We only had growling vocals because we thought this fit best and we had no clean vocalist at that moment. Now we've got hold of an incredible clean vocalist and we only use some growling vocals as back up. It sounds perfect now!

On "T.G." you have some Bay Area style riffs. You like that old sound?

Yeah, there's some cool stuff from the Bay Area.

Where do you see the differences from "Deathforlorn" to "Tongueless God"?

A huge improvement in skills, songwriting and production. Everything is improved and this is even more improved in today's Scariot!

For a self-release "T.G." sounds fantastic! Where do you recorded it and was it very expensive to do that?

I think the production is ok. It was recorded at DUB studio BloodRedThrone, Carpathian Forest) and we spent some money...

Funquestion: Are you into Satan?  Hahaha.

Who? I don't know this satan, hehe. I'm a total individualist and have no neeed for escaping death...

Do you have some reactions about "Tongueless God" till now, from press or fans? What was the reaction about "Deathforlorn"?

Only good feedback from magazines and listeners. And that's what we hear when we play live as well. So why the hell can't any serious labels discover the potential and quality in Scariot, hehe?!

What will the future bring for Scariot and their fans worldwide? Any chances to see you live someday? Do you have the chance to play live? What is your goal with Scariot?

We will record a demo in July 2002, which really will mark the new and updated version of Scariot. We're finally a steady line-up and we sound real professional now. We've done some live shows lately here in Norway and we always provide a great performance. We'd love to show what we're good for down in Europe. Our main goal is to get a decent record deal and show that we have something going. We're not one of these standard average newcomers, we actually got some cool stuff. All the material is ready for our third album. Labels, magazines and everyone feel free to contact us.

Sorry Daniel, questions running out. Hope you enjoyed it a little bit. Take care my friend and all the best to you, the other Scariot-members and last but not least Scariot, wich stands for great music. Tell the german readers where they can order "Tongueless God" and how much it is! Thanx for spending time but I also think that you had many things to tell. Greetings from germany. Last words are your`s ! Raise the Hammer of Metal. Bye, Marcus from Carnage zine.

"Tongueless God" can only be ordered through me. It's really worth checking out if you support quality metal. Thanx a lot Marcus and Carnage Zine for helping spreading the Scariot name.

Contact:
peisapaa@c2i.net (Daniel Olaisen)

Interview: Marcus