| Interview: "Retribution" of Sorg Uten Tårer |
| Interview published: 2008/02/15 |
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Sorg Uten Tårer, translated Sorrow without Tears in Norwegian, is a one man melodic black metal band from the cold sharp landscapes of Norway. The music is filled with contrasts, harsh vocals, expert guitar work, and just about everything needed to create an atmosphere of nostalagia for Ye Olde Times. Don't get the wrong idea though, Sorg doesn't copy classic albums, actually, I have never heard anybody that sounds quite like them at all. The lyrics are fantasy based, and should appeal to fans of Melodic Black Metal and fans of fantasy based music in general. The man did not disclose his name, whether because of privcy reasons or because Sorg is a one man project, it is his choice. We had a nice long chat through the message system of Last.fm, and you can delve deep into the mind of a mastermind below.
Ok First off, tell us about what inspired you to create Sorg Uten Tårer?
- My relationship with music started when i was 6 years old, at the University Concervatoir Children Choir and I learned how to read and write notes before I learned how to read and write. So it was inevitable for me to finally start translating my inspirations to the language I best knew how to speak.I recorded a few melodies I previously composed in midi environments, and it all began.
Was there any specific reason you decided to play Melodic Black Metal, or was it simply a genre you enjoyed listening to?
- I enjoy listening to many genres of music and of metal. However, what i want to express couldn't be "said" in a less aggressive or less noisy way. For instance, a General cannot simply say "attack" to his armies in a tone he says "Stay with me" to his wife (I don't know why she dumped him). And works of this genre have always amazed me in the way they used instruments and harsh vocals to tell you their tales.
Now just about anyone who has listened to your albums probably notices the fantasy influence, especially in Black Panther Metal. Care to elaborate why you used fantasy as a major influence on this album?
- Fantasy inspires me a lot. Come on; Dragons, Elves and Magic, who wouldn't prefer these to Stock Market, Nuclear Bombs and Terrorism? I simply find Fantasy much more appealing than the Real World and with good reason. And just like a Bard sings the tales of lands and heroes faraway, I try to hint my listeners to enter a world which inspires me.
I see you are still looking for a record label. What would you look for in one, or have some already contacted you? Because 3 albums in around a year is impressive for any musician.
- 4 cds in 4 months actually, I think I will be able to release 10 albums in 1 year as long as my muse doesn't disappear. I haven't looked for a label yet, actually, haven't even sent out any demo to labels either. However, If one "discovers" me and wants to work with me "believing" in my music, I would love to present my music with much better recording quality and the touch of a good producer. Until then, I will continue recording new songs at home and make them freely downloadable. I'm learning new things about recording, mixing and songwriting by myself gradually. So it is never boring, and I hope I'm coming up with different tunes every release.
As you seem to be a big fan of fantasy, what author would you say inspired you the most?
- I would say the Weis&Hickman duo have inspired me on a very different layer than Robert Salvatore has; while their characters made me get rid off the conviction of society that "One has to be ~Good~ to be a hero", as Raistlin is nothing but a hero, but he is, you know, Evil. We all try to take after our heroes. And Salvatore's lesson was much more different, such as: You can quit your heritage and be a new person distinct from your people, for what you believe is true. Drizzt is somewhat a reverse Raistlin, but i think my fave character in his books is Artemis Entreri or the scheming Jarlaxle. The charm of evil heroes and heroines never ceases to enthrall me. Just listen to "Moonkissed Eyes" for Kitiara. I could name a score of talented authors i enjoy, but those 3 made me read their books over and over again. Finally, i believe Sir Tolkien to be the canvas most fantasy authors paint their pictures on. One downside is that "The Lord Of The Rings" is on the good side of the pendulum. A soulforge book for Sauron would make it into my top 10 right away!!
I wanted to talk about the way BladeSong differes from the rest of Sorg Uten Tårer. It seems softer, with songs such as The Dancing Dwarf, and the intro to lavender Eyes. What inspired you to make the music take a more "brutal turn" in the later albums?
- Considering there wasn't so much time to think of concepts such as "later" between those releases, I just happened to write the material for Bladesong at my summer house, near the beach and usually with my swimming short on. Songs turned out to be summer songs. The material for the remaining 3 releases were written in the autumn months that followed. The first few songs of the 5th CD already have some bittersweet cold winter feeling. The Dancing Dwarf, however, contradicts with its own name, as, there is no such thing as a Dancing Dwarf, as once mentioned as a joke in a Salvatore book. And if a dwarf danced, (not even going to take world of warcraft emotes in account now), it would like no less hideous than a beholder with glasses for all eyes. So it just depends on the mood, hence, the season and the environment.
So, I'm guessing you are effected by the seasons? Do you have any black metal influences? Because, although I've listened to Black Metal a bit, you don't really sound like anyone. I guess we should be expecting some more harsh stuff soon as well, considering winter is coming on and in Scandinavia especially, Winter is known as a very cold and dark season.
- True. Thy Serpent, Dissection, Emperor, Old Man's Child and Ulver are some of the bands i have always admired and took after. Winter is my favorite time of the year, so ja, songs written these days will be much darker.
How do you think your music is getting around? Are you satisfied with the number of people who go to your myspace, or the listeners section on Last.fm, or do you even care at all?
- I seek not appreciation at all, what i truly want is, listeners to look up what the song is about, go and read the related books, watch the movies, read the poems and the next time they listen to that song, it is not an ordinary metal song but something they can feel and reprise, a familiar story, familiar heroes and heroines. And i don't think i get any hits on Myspace at all. Occasionally i get spam friend requests from gangsta rap artists and that's all. Cannot really spare any time for promotion as it is. But, the more people gets to know Sorg Uten Tårer, the more people will want to know about the worlds i sing of. That would really satisfy me. Still, a smaller but more intimate fanbase should be much better than thousands of people who don't care about the lyrics at all.
So the lyrics are more important to Sorg Uten Tårer than the music? I see, its kinda like writing a book with music in the background, am I correct?
- I wouldn't say so. It is like, telling a story with music for those who can understand it, and supporting it with lyrics, the subtitles.
Ok, thats just about all. Thank you for your time and effort in this interview. Anything you want to say to the fans?
- My handful of fans, have a great responsibility to make Sorg Uten Tårer heard, since, each time Sorg Uten Tårer gets praises, or, as the fan base grows, I'm encouraged to pick up my guitar and write new material. You have my thanks.
Patrick Burent
 Read also: Sorg Uten Tårer - Black Panther Metal, Sorg Uten Tårer - Grave Songs
Links:
Sorg Uten Tårer at www
Sorg Uten Tårer at MySpace
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