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Interview with Maniac: Skitliv, ex Mayhem
by ©Scarlet Metal and www.whoresofchaos.com
September 21, 2007

Scarlet: Greetings Maniac, thanks for answering a few questions about your
current project 'Skitliv' during what must be a very hectic time due to your
upcoming tour with Gallhammer. Would you care to say anything about the
band name "Skitliv" and the title of the debut album 'Glem Aldri Korset'..
maybe what it means to you and a bit about how this project came into being?

Maniac: Skitliv is Norwegian for Shit Life, which pretty much sums up my take
on things. After leaving Mayhem I took some time off to get my life together and
decide what I wanted to do in future. I realised that having a project that allowed
me to do everything, that is, write the music as well as the lyrics, which is something
I had never been able to do before, was what fascinated me most. It's satisfying
in that it allows me to express what I want to express 100% instead of just 50%.
"Glem Aldri Korset"? Just as I never explain my lyrics, I never explain my album
titles. People can read what they want into them. Only myself and the very few
closest to me will ever know my truths.

Scarlet: Did you ever expect Skitliv to be as well received as it's been?
It's obvious, even in it's "raw unmastered" form that you and the other musicians
have created a unique sound that works.

Maniac: Well, I did not really consider that too much when I started doing the
songs. It is just something I feel I have to do and if people like it, that is good,
if not, that is good. I'm just trying to write my diary in this godforsaken,
devilforsaken place we do have to spend a certain amount of time in...

Scarlet: During your "recovery" what are some of the bands were you listening to?
Aside from black metal (especially in your vocals), some of the influences seem to
be industrial, doom, dark wave, psychedelic and even some stonerrock seem to
be possibilities..so this has me curious.

Maniac: Oh, bands I've been listening to for what feels like a lifetime; Current 93,
Coil, NON, Death In June, Black Sabbath. Other bands like Burzum.
Like Pentagram. Like Comus. Like Groundhogs....etc...

Scarlet: What exactly prompted you to ask Gaahl to do the vocals on the track
'Hollow Devotion'? Is the "I am god" (in the lyrics) a conclusion you have come
to personally?

Maniac: I have such respect for his vocals and his way of being, and I feel that
he also has a certain respect for my vocals. We are good friends so it was natural
for me to ask him. I actually wrote those lines for him. I think it is the essence of
HIS philosophy.

Scarlet: Parts of your webpage look and read like the unsuccessful attempted
redemption of Lucifer and you seem to have quite a collection of crucifixes,
various other fascinating religious paraphernalia and incredible tattoos.
Is it possible to define your eclectic spirituality?..or nonspirituality...

Maniac: I walk on the edge of the Cassandra-complex that's spitting
me in the eye constantly. I merely try to emerge amongst the debris, stronger
and never ready to give up this life. I hate the whining atrocities of so-called
emotional music...the "oh my god I'm feeling sorry for myself, I want to cut
myself...and I want to die"...I do not feel miserable and killing myself is the last
thing on my mind. I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger, travelling to this land of woe...
And by the way: "Marie, Marie, hold on tight...April is the cruellest of months..."



Scarlet: Congrats on the tour with Gallhammer and we're anxiously awaiting
to hear Skitliv's debut in it's final form! Thank you so much for your time.

Maniac: Thank you...

Scarlet: Would you do us the honor of the last words?

Maniac: The reason for dividing the numerator into several numbers is to get
beaming and tied notes displayed correctly...death is not an event in life....


Official Skitliv myspace: http://www.myspace.com/skitliv777
Many thanks to Patricia Thomas: Manager, Maniac & Skitliv
http://www.myspace.com/viewfromthebacksofmirrors

Lucifer on the back of Maniac's neck: