Six years after “All Over” was big hit in Greece, Magenta return to Athens on November 22nd. In this interview founder Anders Odden talks about the Norwegian metal scene, Vikings and his special connection with the Greek fans.
He might not have an epic stage name like Shagrath, Abbath Doom Occulta, Samoth or Frost, but Anders Odden’s position in Norwegian metal music is undisputable.
At the age of 15 he started death metal pioneers Cadaver in 1988 (for a period in Cadaver he did actually use a stage name: Neddo - Odden reversed), continued to play for Apoptygma Berzerk and started Magenta in 1995. He has also been live player for well known bands such as Celtic Frost, The Young Gods, Ministry and live bass player Satyricon.
- I have actually been in Greece with almost all the bands I have played in: Apotygma Berzerk, Celtic Frost, Satyricon and Magenta, says Odden.
Knowledgeable fans
His most recent concert was in May with Satyricon. Magenta last visited the country in 2007.
- It was a very good experience. We were very happy with being able to play in Greece, and in such a good club (Fuzz Club in Athens). Greek fans are very passionate and the people that follow metal music there do it regardless of what is trendy at the moment. Those that come talk to us after the show, always know a lot about our music.
In 2002/3, the Magenta song “All Over” was used in a TV advertisement for Sprite Zero in Greece. It made the song peak at a very surprising second place on the Greek hit list.
- I think only an Elvis song was above us at that time, which was ok! Our connection to Greece is something special and we are really looking forward to coming back. Our goal is to play our best concert ever, states Odden.
Contrast
Norwegian metal, and especially black metal, is popular in Latin-America and the Southern European countries. Odden has some suggestions as to why.
- These areas have an enormous amount of metal fans, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. There is contrast between the melancholy and aggressiveness in our music and the warm weather and relaxed lifestyle in these countries. It becomes very exotic.
He feels Norway and Greece shares a common musical fate.
- Greece has been a bit isolated in Europe, it’s not a country that is included when planning a normal tour because of it’s location. So they really appreciate it when bands make a stop here. It has been the same way in Norway, at least up until recently. So we are both outsiders on the opposite edges of Europe.
Odden – the “Greece Friend”
In Norway, the expression “Norgesvenn
” (“Norway friend”) is often given to artists that stop by the country more often than others. This could certainly be said about Odden in Greece.
- He, he. Yes, I guess you can call me a “Greece friend”, laughs Odden.
Besides Athens, Odden has played in Thessaloniki (Satyricon and Celtic Frost) and even in Cyprus. The later was with the Norwegian TV show “Charterfeber”, where Odden lead the heavy metal karaoke band “Karaoke From Hell”.
- That was a very cool experience. We played in Nicosia, in a club where the wall went straight through the building and there were armed guards outside. If the fans in Greece appreciate that bands stop by, that certainly can be said about the Cypriots.
- Actually, I think it could be an idea for Norwegian bands to consider touring down here, and not just make one stop in Athens. If you include some more countries, it is possible to make a real tour.
Exotic Vikings
With successful bands such as Satyricon, Dimmu Borgir and Immortal, metal music has become one of Norway’s most successful exports.
- The most interesting part of Norwegian history, is about the Vikings. They sailed all the way around the Mediterranean and to Istanbul, which they called Miklagard. Doing so at that time, now that was exotic! Recent Norwegian history is mainly interesting for us Norwegians. I think for foreigners it’s about the Vikings, and as a result also metal music.
Having played for several bands, Odden feels Norwegian metal is as strong as ever.
- My impression is that there are more bands touring than ever. I would definitely say we are still going strong. Immortal’s new album is on the Billboard list in the USA, and myself I work with the Inferno Festival (annual metal festival in Oslo during the spring) and I don’t see any decline in interest.
- Norwegian black metal will always be it’s own sub-genre of hard rock, nobody can take that away. The debate about who plays black metal and not, is continuing and there will always be disagreements. I would say the music Magenta plays is glooming rock with electronic elements, the most pop'd music a black metal fan can listen to.
Looking forward to touring
Odden says the band is really looking forward to going on tour.
- We have never been better as a band, and we have been a studio band most of the time. Originally we were a duo (Odden and singer Vilde Lockert), but we now have Daniel Hill (bass) and Erik Engebretsen (drums) with us on stage and the songs we play live are suited for that setup.
- Our last record, “Art And Accidents” was an attempt to unite the different styles of music that we play into a single direction. It wasn’t fully successful, but we managed to do what we wanted and have been getting good reviews in fanzines and websites. Now we are looking forward to start touring and establish ourselves as a live band.
Three bands
On the tour, Magenta is joined by Gothminister and Trail of Tears.
- Gothminister is the biggest goth/industrial metal bands in Norway at the moment. In addition to being the name of the band, it is also the name of he front man, who has been a good friend of ours since he started up 10 years ago. We have been talking about touring together for a while, and are very happy to finally be able to do it. He has also contributed to one of the songs on our newest album.
- Trail of Tears is a band from Kristiansand and we don’t know them as well as Gothminister. But they seem like a nice band to tour with and with the three of us I think it will be a nice package with different kinds of metal music.
PS: Odden and Magenta have also worked together with Ulver, that is on tour for the first time since they started up 15 years ago. Athens is the second European city to host them and the concert is on November 14th.
by Aslân W.A. Farshchian