Faust: No way, I don't make any real money from the music. It is a part time thing for me really. I work as a driver for a recycling company. I make money in my job which allows me to work with music also. That's what I have always said, real musicians have day jobs!
What do you think about your old band Emperor reuniting and playing shows this summer? Are you in contact with any of your former bandmates?
I have good contact with Samoth and meet Trym from time to time. I have met Ihsahn only a few times the last decade. He is a great guy. As unexpected their live reuniting was, it will be cool seeing them at Inferno this year. I am sure they can hold the Emperor legacy high.
Were you able to keep musically active while in prison?
Not at all. I just put it completely off.
Did you do a lot of studying there?
Yeah, I took a bachelor's in the history of religions and it was very essential for me in order to use my brain actively.
Since so many of your prime years were spent behind bars, do you feel an added urgency now to do as many projects and play as much music as you can?
One could think so yes, but in another way, not really. Since I have a lot of obligations, like my job, like paying on my apartment etc. Besides, if you overwork yourself with music it becomes boring after a while. I rather choose the interesting ones.
Is the whole Norwegian black metal scene of the early '90s something you've completely put in your past, or do you still hold those religious and political beliefs?
I was never a Satanist or fascist in any way, but I put behind me the hatred and negativity. Those feelings just eat you up from inside.
Who are some fellow drummers you respect and admire?
Mats Ekström (Candlemass), Cato Bekkevold (Enslaved), Erik Wrodlsen (Red Harvest), Trym. Also the classic drummers like Ian Paice, Bill Ward, John Bonham, etc.
What type of music are you listening to these days?
A lot of stuff; Earth, Darkthrone, Boards of Canada, Deep Purple, Maiden, Bal Sagoth, Megadeth, Nile, Poison Idea, Strife, Blood Axis, Blut Aus Nord, Anaal Natrakh etc.
