1. Here it is, the new Waxen- how do you feel about how it looks and sounds?
TK: I think it sounds really good and very happy with the look, layout, etc. of the album. My mistake was putting M Ahrin's drum tracks alongside my drum machine tracks. You hear how he fades in or out and another part fades in? Like a radio station. The parts with his drums should have been individually numbered tracks. I do regret that. Seemed cool at the time. Other than that I really like this album and his drumming really livens it up.
2. How would you compare it to the previous Waxen discography?TK: It's more inspired than the last few albums I think. I was able to combine alot of different styles of Metal but still keep it pretty dark. I like this album and the first Waxen album "Fumaroth" the best as they seem more exciting and intense. I didn't think there was going to be any more Waxen so this was a bit of a surprise to me. Turns out there's still a lot of anger I want to express musically. "Hell" is other people and I've had enough of them.
3. Hate seems to be a common lyrical theme on Die Macht Von Hassen- would you say this album comes from a place of hate?
TK: Yes, because that's what Black Metal is; hateful. I hate the woke black metal pussification movement.
4. You are a Stratocaster guy- is that what you use to record Waxen too?TK: Yes, all Strats on this one. I used a Squier Stratocaster for all the solos and A Standard Fender Stratocaster for rhythms. It has really hot single coils. I can play Telecaster and Explorer style guitars, but I do best on a Stratocaster.
5. I know we touched upon this last time, but you have always been acclaimed for your guitar solos and you're underrated on your rhythm (riffs) playing- do you think Waxen is a great way to show off your ability to write these intense and fast riffs from an extreme metal perspective?TK: Maybe, but I wasn't thinking of that at the time. I just write what sounds good to me and sometimes it may be a little complex but I don't write complex just for the sake of trying to be clever or flashy. There are a lot of "atmospheric" type of guitar parts on the album completely drowned in delay and reverb to create a sonic hellscape.
6. On the other hand, it's rare (more like never) to hear this level of shredding on a black metal album-do you feel you're adding something new and exciting to the genre?
TK: Maybe a tiny something but not groundbreaking. In 1985 Yngwie's "Marching Out" was released and Bathory released "The Return of Darkness and Evil" and I loved and was influenced by both albums. It never occurred to me that I was weird for being into complete musical opposites. I remember showing some of the dark metal to my guitar teacher and he wasn't pleased. I'd want to learn Ritchie Blackmore stuff one week and bring in a Celtic Frost album the next. This is what created the musician I am today. I've seen guitar virtuosos trying their hand at black or death metal and it doesn't seem sincere. I think I'm the only Shrapnel Records alumni that went into the Black Metal scene when it was actually happening. That's kind of interesting.
7. I know you're a big fan of Paul Gilbert's instructional videos, and we do have a lot these type of products from the famous shredders, who do you think should make one geared to the extreme side of metal?
TK: I don't think it's something a real Black Metal artist would do. Extreme stuff usually breaks all the rules, like Trey Azagthoth and Morbid Angel. That's very high caliber stuff obviously, but you can't say "oh he's playing aeolian there and a phrygian there and 3 note per string runs". He's just attacking his instrument and it's great. Lots of fans strip Black Metal songs down and make videos on YouTube. I could see wanting insight into what Paul Gilbert is doing but not Count Grisknacht. That's not a slam to Burzum either, I love that stuff.
8. You seem to be the type of person who prefers quiet, non-confrontational, and avoid stress- you have a quiet intelligence and you get along well with others, but you're also not afraid to speak your mind- is that an accurate analysis of your personality? Why or why not?
TK: Can you win an argument? I can't so I don't even try. I don't have much to say anymore. Things change as you get older because you realize there's so much you don't know. I'm very quiet and internal with a million conversations going on inside my head, not in a schizophrenic way. I like isolation and being alone.
9. It seems the country and the world are descending into this chaotic, but repressive state with propaganda and censorship at an all time high- what would be your advice to someone who is unaware of the reality we are living in and falls in line with the division and propaganda? Is it too late for people to wake up, think for themselves, and do what's best for them as individuals?
TK: It's too late. We've been focusing on beer cans and dumb shit while the real show is unfolding. The real show being WW3 and an administration that is doing nothing to stop it. Another 2 Billion in non backed US green backs to fund a war that isn't ours while we decimate the livelihoods and stability of Traditional American families. When you try to arrest and imprison the main competition to the current administration, you've got communism. The war is openly the US against Russia. I'm surprised by the lackadaisical attitude this is being met with. It's more important to chop your dick off when you're a kid I guess. The sexual identity thing is strange. "Today I identify as a female giraffe and you must respect that". Fucking weird.
I think we're in a set up. Our economy is being purposely destroyed and the middle class wiped out to the point where we'll welcome communism. Freedom of speech is gone, all mainstream media is controlled. People are becoming afraid to say anything. I'm glad I've lived most of my life, I wouldn't want to be young right now.
10. I read somewhere that your new instrumental album, Transmission to Purgatory, has been recorded and will be released this year- what can fans expect from this new product?TK: Good instrumental heavy metal with neoclassical influences and exciting compositions full of great guitar solos. I worked very hard on this one.
11. Do you think this is the best Waxen album yet? Why should someone into extreme metal check this record out?TK: it's up there, second best possibly. If you grew up with early Kreator and Bathory, evolved towards Moribund Angel and Immolation and then went towards the early to mid nineties Scandinavian Black Metal scene and you don't mind a good guitar solo- this is your album!
12. Final comments?
TK: Thanks for your support and the great questions!!
