NEGATOR of Germany have recently released their new album Die Eisernen Verse (The Iron Verses), after their long awaited follow up to the debut album Old Black in 2004. Which has been in my CD changer for sometime now. The new album is a more mature form of NEGATOR that any black metal fan can enjoy. Here to talk with me is guitarist Trolfbert on his views towards their newly released masterpiece.

Ashley: You guys have sort of taken over the black metal scene by storm. Not so long after you guys formed in 2003, you signed to Regain Records - not so long after you released your debut album Old Black in 2004. This album gained quite a lot of press, and you played several shows with many established acts such as Belphegor, Marduk, and Behemoth as well as several other festivals. Has all this hype made you fallen different? Where you ever starstruck with all of the gaining popularity?
Trolfbert: First of all, our label is called Remedy Records, not Regain ( I guess a diet of caffine pills and Red Bulls for the past 48 hours will make you a bit loopy… oops... >_< ~ Empress) But beside this, the black metal scene is not that large that I feel hyped. We’re glad about all the reviews and emails we get, but that doesn’t change our intention for making music.

Ashley: What was it like playing alongside those bands on such large stages - like festival appearances?
Trolfbert: Playing with those bands have been great experiences. You can always learn a lot from a band like Behemoth. And I’ll always remember our appearance on the Party-San Open Air with pleasure.

Ashley: 2005 you went to the studio with Eike Freese of Dark Age into Eikey-Eikey Studios to record your latest release, Die Eisernen Verse (The Iron Verses). What was the atmosphere like while you were there?
Trolfbert: It was necessary that we’ve been working very concentrated, because three weeks for a studio session sound to be a lot, but it was little time to make the recordings of an album like this.

Ashley: Can you describe any memorable moments while you were there?
Trolfbert: The first moment, when I heard Die eherne Replik, the main song on this album, in its final version. That was a really special moment for me. For a long time we’ve been working for that stuff.

Ashley: I had the great pleasure of reviewing this release and I gave it a 9 of 10! That is pretty good seeing as I am quite picky when it comes to my black metal! So, who are some of your influences?
Trolfbert: Yeah, I red the review, thanx! We’re still influenced by the early 90s Black Metal, but we try to create our own style, which is based on the old masterpieces but on the other hand worthy to be released nowadays.

Ashley: How did you all come together?
Trolfbert: Tramheim and me, we make music for more than ten years. With Berthelm it’s similar. We got to know Nachtgarm in our main club, the Headbangers Ballroom when our former bands played together. They all have been the first choice to take part in NEGATOR.

Ashley: You guys have played some legendary shows - so are there any plans for a tour or festival shows? If so, when and who with?
Trolfbert: Oh oh, we’re always having a lot of plans... unfortunately I can’t tell you anything regarding a tour or festivals. We just have to wait and see...

Ashley: If you could choose any bands to play a gig with, who would they be and where would you play?
Trolfbert: 15 years ago I would have chosen Mayhem and Emperor, but nowadays it would be great to have a concert with a band like Zyklon.

Ashley: Describe the most memorable show you have ever played.
Trolfbert: It was the first NEGATOR gig. I was pushed by the crowd and totally full of adrenalin, which I could feel still three days after the show. This night was totally crazy and unforgettable.

Ashley: Describe the worst show.
Trolfbert: Hard to say – there have been some NEGATOR gigs, which left us unsatisfied behind, but no really bad shows. I remember another gig with another band I took part in. We’ve been so bad that night, that after three songs they pushed us from the stage. But that’s more than ten years ago.

Ashley: What is the best show you have ever seen?
Trolfbert: I remember three really brilliant shows: 1) Immortal, when they were in Hamburg to present their At The Heart Of Winter album. 2) Hypocrisy in Wacken – but not the show, which you can buy on CD. It was their gig after – in 2001 (or was it in 2000?)... 3) Metallica 2004 in Padova, Italy

Ashley: Are there any side projects going on with any of the members of NEGATOR?
Trolfbert: Check out our homepage and you’ll get to know...

Ashley: Who are some of your favorite bands both local and international?
Trolfbert: My favorite local band is definitely Hagal. Furthermore, you can count all of the early 90s black metal bands: Emperor, Immortal, Enslaved, Mayhem and so on...

Ashley: What is the metal scene like where you are from?
Trolfbert: In the mid of the 90s there was a big black metal scene in Hamburg, but it’s still getting worse. Only a few people came to see the last gigs of bands like Dissection or Enslaved. It’s a pity.

Ashley: Are there any local bands in your town, that you really enjoy seeing and hanging out with?
Trolfbert: I’d name Hagal, Dark Age and Stormwarrior. Nice guys and great musicians.

Ashley: Describe, in your own words, the sound of NEGATOR.
Trolfbert: More brutal than most black metal bands and more atmospheric than death metal bands.

Ashley: What are you top 5 favorite albums of all time?
Trolfbert: Pure Holocaust, In The Nightside Eclipse, Vikingligr Veldi and De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas – that’s for sure. At last let’s name also Dark Medieval Times.

Ashley: What are you top 5 favorite albums to headbang to?
Trolfbert: That’s difficult - I’ve never chosen the albums from that criterion. But I’d say some Darkthrone or Dark Funeral albums are good choices to bang your head.

Ashley: Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans out there?
Trolfbert: Thanx for the interview. Check out Die eisernen Verse and our homepage www.negator666.de. Hope to have a drink with some guys of you at a concert or festival. Cheers!