print interview

D-Side 2000.

1. What does your name refer to exactly? Symbolically?

Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio translates the Order of Roses and Balance.
Equilibrio signifies the essence of Equilibrium and the portrayal of balance and imbalance through the equipoise and opposition of polarities; and Rosarius the essence of perfection, life and beauty through the symbolism of the rose.
The complete symbolism of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio is related to a diversity of conjectures, conceivable to recognize and surmise as part of all past, present and future ORE accomplishments.

2. Why did you feel the necessity of changing the name? Do you consider your work with a different orientation now? You seem to have kept the same aesthetic ideas and the same way of composing?

I did not feel any imperative need to change the name Ordo Equilibrio into Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, but as roses is and always have been intimately affiliated to the aesthetic and lyrical essence of Ordo Equilibrio - roses establishing the aesthetic essence on each side of 'I4I' - Among the roses where I stand, torn and scratched disguised by blood, 'The Perplexity of Hybris, I Glorify Myself' - 'Cleft of Stainless Rose' - We stood alone where roses grew, 'Where Happiness Ruled' and so forth; and as my beloved girlfriend RoseMary unexpectedly entered my setting almost two years ago; I merely decided to unite Roses and Equilibrium as to signify the ascent of Equilibrium into Perfection and Balance.
I could have decided not to utilize this particular variation and consequently maintain the name Ordo Equilibrio intact without the incorporation of Rosarius, but as this was something that ensued naturally as a consequence of various incidents, I feel that this alteration does not in any sentient way, change and/or bewilder the orientation and essence of Ordo Equilibrio.

3. What does exactly mean this wedlock between roses & equilibrium symbolically?

The Wedlock of Roses and Equilibrium symbolically signifies the union of Balance and Roses - a significant symbol consistently affiliated throughout the essence of ORE akin to the significance of Life, Beauty and Perfection.
But Rosarius is furthermore, naturally and incidentally, akin to Rosemary my beloved girlfriend and associate since almost two years, and her partaking in the band.

4. The title of the new LP is quite provocative. Have you got some messages to pass? Have you got a specific concept for 'Make Love & War'?

I believe 'Make Love, And War' is an appealing title; ironic, perhaps even cynical, but not necessarily provocative. 'Make Love, And War' seemed as a just and balanced title explicating the requirement of Love and War in order for everything to evolve and endure.
The requirement of War through the concept of creation, destruction and renewal, and Love in order to satisfy and ensure mankind's emotional need for affection, prosperity and spiritual well-being.
And in some contingent way I believe Equilibrium is the comprehensive concept of each particular recording.

5. Is "Love" a key-word in Ordo Equilibrio?

I suppose you could recognize Love as a key-word akin to the essence of ORE if you wish. But regardless of whether it is in fact so, it is nonetheless an interesting notion, conceivable to apply throughout a variety of dissimilar contexts, not always affiliated to love as we customarily recognize and/or conceive it.

6. You seem to like the opposites and to confront them in your words (and even in your clothes, at least in concert!). Are you an antagonistic person or is it just your way of writing lyrics? Do you think that oppositions are essential components to create a kind of equilibrium? Are you a Libra (astrology)?

I am not a Libra but a Capricorn, born on January 17th.

I believe polarities create equilibrium, neither would endure, nor be recognizable without the association and disassociation of the other; polarities establish the two sides of the same coin.
Would you have asked me with regards to the goodness of humanity if there hadn't been a concept declaring the traits of evil?
But even though there is, not enough people seem to contemplate, nor question particular and important word's terminological signification and origin.

I strongly doubt that people who have met me in person consider me to be antagonistic in the sense of being hostile or unfriendly, but I suppose such an impression is possible to attain trying to assess my personality and person through the undertaking of reading and analyzing my lyrics.
I suppose however, that anyone who can't tolerate the situation of someone refusing to yield to the predetermined norm of mediocrity, accept morals of bigotry and intolerance as the irrefutable truth, and hence would contest any undertaking of preventing and silencing his/her individual right to free thought and speech, would consider me an antagonist.
But why waste valuable time and energy on the endeavor of trying to make any such individuals not understanding my arguments, my essence and my nature, when there are infinite ways for enterprises better spent?

This is consequently the way I write lyrics and the perspective through which I observe the world. And in conclusion, and especially in the situation of not welcoming nor approving of my understandings of the world, our civilization's destiny of impending ruin, the epidemic situation of intellectual and spiritual decay, and mankind's quest for peace and spiritual fulfillment through materialism and terrestrial exploitation; thence I suppose I could be considered a cynic, but merely an antagonist for them who refute my understandings and perspectives, and hence seek to prevent my individual right to exercise free thought and speech.

7. Do you see yourself as an Epicurean? As a misanthrope? Do you believe in Humanity's goodness?

I believe mankind is neither good nor evil.
Mankind's motives are established by egoism, whether the motives are conscious or subconscious.
Mankind never acts out of mere good or evil, but rather conducts its deeds and misdeed on the grounds of selfishness and/or unselfishness. And whether or not the deeds are consciously or subconsciously conducted, they are solely executed in the event that they furnish a sense of personal gratification.
A very sparse number of humans would truly and unselfishly act for the mere purpose of good or evil in the event that it factually reduced the prospective harvest in relation to their particular contribution.

The determination of good and evil is consequently a judgement passed by the majority onto the result of a conduct in relation to the reckoned good or evil it has rendered in relation to the majority's incarnated motives and greater good.
The conducts of Hitler would hardly have been considered evil unless he had been defeated. And in the event that Hitler's actions would have served the purpose of a greater good for the majority, he would have become a hero rather than a mass-murderer.

Communism is rarely considered as evil by the majority of communists, and Islam rarely by the majority of Muslims; good and evil is merely an assessment related to the greater good of the majority. That is what I believe about the goodness of mankind.

So am I hence a misanthrope?
I do not necessarily consider myself to be, but I do indeed feel plenty more for mankind besides love and affection.

So am I an Epicurean?
I relish pleasure in all forms, especially sensuous and sexual delights, but likewise gastronomic delights such as good food and wine, but on the other hand, who doesn't?

8. Do you play all the instruments apart from samples on your albums?

Yes.

9. What was exactly Chelsea Krook's involvement in Ordo Equilibrio? How far her departure will affect your work?

I suppose Chelsea's previous involvement was seemly and rewarding at the time of its occurrence, by means of imparting a female voice and appearance. But reckoning her participation in retrospective, I believe it was similarly reproving and impeding; by means of reluctance and antipathy preventing Ordo Equilibrio to ripen and evolve, and hence attain its factual and complete potential; something I particularly have come to realize in association with RoseMary, who by virtue of compatibility and incarnated enthusiasm, imparts the possibility of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio undertaking the appearance of its ripened self. And I consequently believe that her departure neither has affected, nor won't affect my work and operations to any extent; past, present and/or future.

10. Who was the girl lying nonchalantly during your concert in the Eurorock festival? This performance was as disconcerting as amusing. Was it planned or improvised by herself?

The girl who participated on stage, calmly and seemingly unconcerned reading Dostojevski was Rosemary Larsen, the female constituent of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, likewise featured on a modest number of songs and the cover of 'Make Love, And War'.

We had considered the possibility of introducing Rosemary as part of ORE since our performance in Athens in October 1999, and by virtue of the catastrophic outcome of the Wave Gotik Treffen this year, which was the contemplated occasion to introduce Rosemary's incarnation as part of ORE; we decided that this event was a becoming opportunity to initiate her.

11. Is the member of No Festival Of Light (Fredrik Bergström?) contributing to the composition or just concerts?

Fredrik is good friend since years back and a faithful companion in association with ORE since 1996. And even though he consistently assists us in situations of performing live, he has merely come to partake practically on one single song - 'Conquest, Love & Self Perseverance / The Gospel of Aptitude'.

12. What about your video? Fetish 23? Could you say a few words about him?

What can I say about the impending video?
It is currently being assembled and slowly but surely completed as time passes by.

It is being realized in association with video artist Mikael Prey a.k.a. Fetish 23, and estimated for release during next year.
It will manifest a comprehensive portrayal of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio and the sexual, spiritual and aesthetic essence it incarnates, and thus feature a handpicked selection of directed material, conceivable live footage and possibly the incorporation of spoken and written words.

So what's there to say about Mikael?
Mikael is a friend of ours in his mid thirties.
He has previously made videos for Death in June's Leopard Flowers, Puissance's Global Death Rape and complete full-length videos for White Stains 'Wild Orchids' and Omala 'Relics'.
With comprehensive skills and experience in the making of experimental films & video, and with knowledge and dedication to the esoteric, we figured Mikael was a seemly participant to realize this aesthetic venture in association with us.

13. What about the vinyl package project?

The limited 2 x 7" box '4 Life 4 Love 4 Lust & Roses' is currently being completed, and as far as my desires are possible to realize I truly hope for its impending release on March 19th 2001.
But whether or not this in fact will be conceivable remains to be determined as we proceed. But there is however the possibility of surprises, as we advance closer and closer towards March 19th.

14. Are you still in contact with Mikael Stavöstrand from Inanna?

We are still friends, but we have seemingly and unfortunately managed to loose contact entirely over the last few years.

I met Mikael briefly and unexpectedly a few months ago before his departure for a number of performances in the US, but aside from this rendezvous we have not spoken nor met since the summer of 1998.

15. The fetish scene seems to attract you. Is it only for aesthetic reasons or do you see it as a way of life (spiritually and sexually)?

My attraction to fetishism and the fetish scene is by no reasons established merely on the aesthetic impression of sensuous dresses in glossy rubber.
Rosemary and I share a mutual and more profound affinity for corsets, high heels and stockings, alongside the practice of sadomasochism, bondage, domination as well as submission; and I believe it is seemly to say that our attraction is spiritually and sexually founded.

16. Who are the bands on CMI you feel closer to?

I suppose you develop a closer and more intimate relation with some bands rather than others being part of an organism such as Cold Meat Industry, and consequently trying to assess the contemporary situation of friendship, it seems as if I am seemingly closer to In Slaughter Natives, Brighter Death Now and Sophia than others.
But there are likewise bands that we maintain contact and association with such as Raison d'être, Institut, MZ412 and The Protagonist, but which is not as regular.

17. Who are the personalities you'd like to collaborate with if any? Jouni Havukainen? Eric Konophal?

I have so far merely collaborated once, with MZ412 as part of their latest effort 'Nordik Battle Signs' and the song 'Algiz; Konvergence of Life & Death, and I do not feel the impending need to collaborate with anyone in particular at all; I believe something as such befalls without unnecessary preparation and motive.
But I have nonetheless talked briefly about the possibility of future collaborations with Jouni and In Slaughter Natives, Eric Konofal and Les Joyaux de la Princesse and Peter Pettersson of Sophia. But whether any of these conversations will indeed resolve in anything beyond the incident of dialogue, remains to be resolved.

18. What is your musical background? Do you consider Death In June as an influence?

My initial musical endeavors commenced in 1989 by way of an industrial percussion project which likewise incorporated Fredrik Bergström of No Festival of Light, Mikael Stavöstrand of Inanna and two additional friends of ours, Mattias Lindgren a.k.a. Micro Man & Joakim Gustafsson.

This venture completed itself approximately one year later and hence resolved in the rise and ruin of Archon Satani between 1991 - 1993.

Following the ruin of Archon Satani in May of 1993 I pursued my aesthetic endeavors through the founding of Ordo Equilibrio which still remains intact to this very day through the essence of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio.

It seems pointless to disavow any eventual influences of Death In June as I believe numerous people out there of allegedly superior knowledge already have come to the conclusion of it being so.
And whether or not the situation is in fact so, I believe that Douglas Pierce is a truly capable musician, worthy of any and all recognition akin to his operations with Death In June.
But instead of stagnating by reason of this eventual influence and merely accept the sentence, I seek to evolve this contingent influence into something that ultimately will be recognized as Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio.

19. Literature and cinema must have been an inspiration too?

I tend to find inspiration in various films and literature - unfortunately not as much in literature as I would have liked to, but however in films by directors such as Tinto Brass (Saloon Kitty - Paprika - Caligula), Peter Greenway (Prospero's Books - A Zed and Two Noughts - The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover) David Lynch (Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me - Blue Velvet - Eraserhead) Kenneth Anger (Scorpio Rising - Lucifer Rising - Magic Lantern Cycle) and Andrew Blake (High Heels - Les Femmes Erotique - Venus Descending) just to mention but a few.