Interview for a Chinese webzine (2023)

Greetings from the southeastern coast of the Middle Kingdom. As we all know, Absurd is a renowned black metal band worldwide. Though controversial, no one can deny the band’s devotion and brilliant work over its nearly 30-year history. Honestly, there are many cult Absurd fans in China, which is not surprising at all. Many bands, like mine, are deeply influenced by Absurd both musically and lyrically. From a Chinese perspective, I’m thrilled to discuss the band’s development, the background stories and meanings of the tracks, and the ideology behind them. Let’s get started!

Q: People say that Absurd has split into three different bands under one name, but I recall you saying that Absurd never divided. (Here, I will briefly introduce the band’s development to the audience.) However, I’m still confused about a few things. First, where are your current members from, and are they involved in other projects? Will you continue to record future albums with the current lineup? Will Wolf and Unhold release new material under the Absurd name in the future?

A: The confusion you mentioned likely stems from Metal Archives, which splits Absurd into three entities (1992–2012, 2017–present, 2019–present) and claims the band is “disputed.” I disagree, as there has always been only one Absurd, as far as I’m concerned. I am a founding member, part of the lineup since day one (January 2, 1992). In late 1999, I was forced into exile due to political persecution in Germany, and the only other remaining founding member, Dark Mark Doom, refused to continue Absurd alone. Thus, I was the only member left. However, I couldn’t record new music while on the run (and later, behind bars again). That’s when my brother Wolf, who had helped promote and sell our demos in the early days, proposed reforming Absurd under his leadership. I agreed and publicly endorsed his plans. Wolf enlisted new members, using songs written by DMD for new Absurd albums recorded after 1999. The last recordings by this lineup were in 2008, and they played their final concert in 2012. From then on, Absurd existed in name only. In 2017, I decided to return to Absurd after Wolf said he was done with the band. We’ve played several concerts and recorded the full-length album “Schwarze Bande”, released in 2022. I’m now working with a new lineup featuring Widar of Bilskirnir on guitar, myself on vocals, and two members from the Finnish black metal scene on bass and drums. We’re currently working on a new MLP and plan to continue recording and releasing albums. Wolf, now officially an ex-member of Absurd (also according to Metal Archives, by the way), is focused on his new band, Der Tod und die Landsknechte. Unhold is likely working on new material for GBK, at least I hope so. It would be a shame if he ended up as a forum troll!

Q: What is the real relationship between you and your brother Wolf? Have you ever had conflicts over composing or ideology? Does he share your mindset? Will Wolf or Unhold rejoin Absurd in the future? How are they doing now?

A: Wolf and I are brothers, a bond that remains strong despite any sibling differences. As mentioned, he’s focused on Der Tod und die Landsknechte. Unhold will not return to Absurd.

Q: In my view, the world’s conflicts are essentially a war between the Indo-Aryan worldview and Judeo-Christianity. Many of Absurd’s lyrics, like those in Blutgericht or Totenlieder, seem to focus on the pagan struggle against Judeo-Christianity. When was Absurd labeled a typical NSBM band by mainstream media? Do you agree with this label, or do you have a different perspective?

A: No one can definitively say what a “typical NSBM band” is. Looking at the The Night and The Fog compilation from 1999, when “National Socialist Black Metal” was first used by bands, NSBM could encompass anything from paganism to Third Reich reverence. Absurd fits this definition well. I’ve always called Absurd “True German Black Metal,” but given Germany’s long history, this can include figures like Hermann the Cherusker and Adolf Hitler. Thus, we’ve written songs about pagan warriors and Waffen-SS soldiers. It’s our past and history, and we can’t shed it like a snake sheds its skin.

Q: Returning to the music, early Absurd was clearly influenced by punk rock, while mid-period Absurd leaned into pagan/folk music. Absurd’s sound was never quite like second-wave Norwegian black metal. Which music genres and bands influenced you the most from the beginning to now? Do you listen to German RAC bands like Landser, Endstufe, Sturmrebellen, Nordmacht, or Macht & Ehre? What is Absurd’s future musical direction, and do you have a clear plan?

A: Yes, we listen to German RAC and always have, as evidenced by our cover of Endstufe’s “Winter in der BRD” when we played as In Ketten in 1994. However, the most profound musical and lyrical influence came from the German horror punk band Der Fluch, especially in the early days. Absurd has evolved over 30 years, and now we might even influence other bands rather than the other way around.

Q: Your new album “Schwarze Bande“, released last year, is much more aggressive and direct, both musically and lyrically, compared to previous works. The cover features typical NS symbols like the Black Sun and Wolfsangel, and the track “Eiserne Garde” evokes Romania’s Iron Guard. It has a determined sound with solid tones and a serious atmosphere, reminiscent of early Absurd but with better quality. Are you satisfied with this work? How have your loyal fans reacted?

A: I’m 100% satisfied with “Schwarze Bande”, and most of our fans share this sentiment, with very few exceptions. It’s a strong album that perfectly blends 1990s Absurd with the style of the later lineup. It’s an album you can listen to repeatedly without growing tired of it.

Q: Personally, my favorite Absurd album is the compilation “Raubritter/Grimmige Volksmusik”. The melody of the final track, “Des Wotans Schwarzer Haufen“, comes from the classic German folk song “Wir sind des Geyers Schwarzer Haufen“. Unlike most black metal albums, this one feels happy and cheerful. Are other tracks influenced by classic folk songs? Do you listen to folk music or military marches for inspiration?

A: The entire Grimmige Volksmusik MLP reinterprets German folk songs in Absurd’s style. It’s good for what it is, but I won’t pursue this direction further. Wolf’s new band, Der Tod und die Landsknechte, is a perfect substitute for fans of this style. With Absurd, I want to explore the darker, more sinister undercurrents of our culture and spirituality, which you can hear in our music. Personally, I listen to all sorts of music and am not confined to one genre.

Q: I read in Lords of Chaos that you were born in East Germany (GDR) and spent your childhood there. What is your opinion of the GDR today? Are there specific memories that left a deep impression? Did this experience fuel hatred toward the USSR? Are most of your local supporters and German NSBM bands from the former GDR?

A: Yes, I was born in the GDR and lived there until it collapsed and merged with West Germany (FRG) in 1991. In retrospect, the GDR was doomed by the early 1980s, but as a child in that decade, I experienced a joyful, carefree childhood, unlike what children in present-day Germany face. My deepest memory of the GDR is how German it was—almost entirely white and German, except for a few contract workers from Angola, Cuba, Vietnam, etc. There was no hatred toward foreign nations or cultures because race and nation weren’t issues; they were taken for granted. Today, white children in Germany and the West are taught to hate their own race, nation, and culture, which often fuels hatred toward others. I don’t hate Russians despite the Bolshevik occupation of part of Germany for 40 years. Russians and Ukrainians suffered greatly under the Bolsheviks during the USSR’s 70 years. I’ve visited their countries and feel no hatred, knowing our ancestors caused each other immense suffering in the 20th century.

Q: Do you participate in German political groups? What do you think of modern German politics, including groups like AfD or Reichsbürger? What are your thoughts on the future of German politics?

A: I’m not a member of any political party or group. I support some causes they share, but I’m not hopeful about German politics. The powers-that-be are intent on destroying the German nation and will accelerate this if challenged. I fear we’ve passed the point of no return, but as Nietzsche said, “That which is falling must be pushed!”

Q: Many have called you a racist for a long time, but they may not understand the true meaning of ‘nation and race.’ What is your view on different races? German philosopher Heidegger’s concept of Mitsein suggests people share a common destiny in a historical period. Julius Evola rejected purely biological racial theories and modern nationalism from the French Revolution. What are your thoughts?

A: I believe mankind is divided along racial and ethnic lines, but I reject racial supremacy based solely on biology or genetics. I don’t give anyone a pass just for sharing my skin color. What matters most are cultural and spiritual principles like honor, virtue, and fidelity, which many peoples share regardless of ethnicity. Many of the white race are inferior to others because they’ve forsaken these principles.

Q: I noticed that Darker Than Black Records recently released Filthyland’s debut album, a project from my country involving members of Flames of Sacrifice and D.Z.D. Are you now focusing on East Asian bands since Kenny of Vothana left the scene? (I personally don’t consider Vothana an Asian band but an American one.) Do you plan to sign more East Asian bands? Are you familiar with any Chinese metal bands?

A: I’ve long been interested in East Asia for historical and geopolitical reasons, but I was largely unaware of the Chinese scene, aside from bands from Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. What I’ve heard so far is exceptional and shows great potential, especially when bands embrace their culture and history. Black metal should be about “blood” (descent) and “soil” (origin), and I’m pleased to see Chinese bands proudly expressing their heritage.

Q: Do you think modern Germany is a free country or a hypocritical state controlled by ‘big brother’? What about censorship in Germany? I understand efforts to suppress NS influence, as history is written by the victors, but current measures seem excessive. Heidegger’s teaching post was canceled at the University of Freiburg, and many Nietzsche associations were dismissed by philosophy departments, which I find incomprehensible. It seems like the ‘big brother’ is trying to fool us, even in universities, preventing new generations from accessing brilliant knowledge. Studying independently and maintaining an independent mind are crucial today. Who has influenced you the most? Can you recommend great German thinkers or writers?

A: Germany is not free; it’s not a sovereign state. The German Reich was defeated, divided, and remains occupied. Thirty years after the GDR’s collapse, we’re ruled by an anti-German leftist regime that seeks to erase the German nation through decades of brainwashing. Anything opposing their agenda is criminalized. I’ve faced trials for selling CDs and LPs deemed “punishable by law.” Nowhere else is owning a music CD a jailable offense! The Institut für Staatspolitik is a right-wing think tank in Germany offering books and publications by modern German intellectuals in the tradition of the 1920s Conservative Revolution: https://staatspolitik.de/. Our latest album, “Schwarze Bande“, was influenced by Werner Best’s “Heroic Realism/Nihilism”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroic_realism.

Q: Regarding NS Germany, it’s undeniable that under the party’s leadership, Germany produced great thinkers, philosophers, scientists, artists, and warriors, as well as a groundbreaking worldview and revitalized pagan worship. However, it all ended with Germany’s defeat. Even U.S. General Patton said, “We have defeated the wrong enemy.” What’s your opinion on NS Germany, both the good and bad aspects?

A: The Greater German Reich was a “counter-reality” attempting to reconcile the past with the future, challenging the divine order in a Faustian enterprise. It was bound to perish in death and destruction, as no one can escape the fate of the Dark Age, Kali Yuga. We must endure a monstrous rite of passage—blood, fire, and death—to rise toward a new Golden Age. Between 1933 and 1945, we glimpsed the Golden Age, but the time wasn’t right. I may not live to see it, but I sympathize with the Reich and kindred souls yearning for the Dark Age’s end.

Q: I heard you were attacked a few years ago in Denmark by an Antifa-affiliated label guy. Is that true? What happened, and were there serious consequences? What’s the situation with local Antifa in your area?

A: Yes, it’s true. Akitsa invited me as their guest to a small festival in Copenhagen, held at an Antifa-occupied venue. The first night was fine, but on the second night, two guys confronted me about my identity. When I refused to answer, they threw punches. We fought back, and they fled through a backdoor opened by venue staff. Later, Antifa gathered outside, stormed the club, and attacked the audience with pepper spray to get to me. We fought back, but I was pepper-sprayed. Police and ambulances arrived after Antifa fled. The media reported the incident, and the venue owners apologized for allowing me in, promising to ban me. The festival organizers, part of Copenhagen’s Korpsånd collective, are hipsters posing as black metal—beware of them!

Q: I heard a Chinese black metal label helped you introduce Alipay for Chinese customers. Has this attracted more Chinese buyers? Since the pandemic, German postal services have had issues with small registered packages, making it inconvenient to order from Germany. Some German labels ship via France or Poland. What’s your situation?

A: Yes, we accept Alipay and WeChat Pay for Chinese customers, which has helped. We can still send small packages under 2kg to China at good rates, as usual.

Q: What restrictive measures does the German government impose on far-right bands? A skinhead friend said Endstufe was banned from crossing borders for gigs in Europe. Does this happen to German black metal bands? Are there punishments? I heard the person behind Bilskirnir was jailed for several reasons.

A: Widar of Bilskirnir was never jailed; he migrated to Finland years ago. I’ve experienced restrictions, like being stopped by German authorities at the airport in December 2019, having my passport seized, and receiving a worldwide travel ban to prevent me from playing in Kiev. This is a common tactic to disrupt international concerts. Musicians in Germany face fines or jail for music deemed critical of the government—a unique restriction not seen elsewhere.

Q: What’s your stance on the Asrar/Ragnarok Records conflict with Blaze Birth Hall/MZ? Are you neutral, or do you take a side? Were you involved in the events? This situation seems to harm the NSBM scene’s reputation.

A: The Blaze Birth Hall legacy has become a drama fueled by outsiders. It began with the Ragnarok Records guy, who either stole or bought master tapes and artwork from Kaldrad as a “private collector.” He posed as a BBH representative, releasing CDs and selling vinyl rights to labels like Hammerbund and later Asrar. Everyone knew he was a fraud. Kaldrad entrusted his music to Der Schwarze Tod for official releases. After Kaldrad’s death, the Ragnarok guy produced more bootlegs, outpacing official releases. Hammerbund was legally forced to stop, and Asrar continued the bootlegs. MZ called out the fraud, escalating the conflict online. Timely official releases could have prevented this, but I can’t change the situation.

Q: You participated in Asgardsrei Fest in 2018. How was it? You gave a speech in Kiev titled “The White God of War” about Baron Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, who had ties to Asian people and religions, though he clashed with the Northern Chinese government army in Mongolia. He was generally positive toward Asians. Why did you choose to speak about him? What do most white European nationalists think of Asia, particularly China, given the negative Western media portrayal?

A: Asgardsrei was the best live event in Absurd’s 30-year history. I hope we can play there again, but it’s uncertain. I hold Baron Roman von Ungern-Sternberg in high esteem. He transitioned from a Czarist officer in World War I to a Khan in Mongolia, executed by the Red Army in 1921. He left a trail of blood, slaughtering Bolsheviks and Jews mercilessly. He transcended “good and evil,” earning the Living Buddha’s blessing. He sought to create a new world order, restoring ancient hierarchies, but failed. Yet his legacy endures as a triumph of will, bending reality to manifest a vision. He’s a spiritual founder of black metal’s ethos of mind over matter. Read my essay here: https://weltenfeind.info/. European attitudes toward China are often biased by media portraying it as the West’s enemy. However, China’s ancient civilization deserves its rightful place in a multipolar world, ending Western hegemony that has driven us into the Dark Age.

Q: We reject universal concepts and values, as Carl Schmitt identified them as a Jewish conspiracy dragging us down. Do you agree there’s an international universal nationalism uniting different nations and races against a common enemy, often from within?

A: Yes, I agree. Beyond racial and ethnic differences, we share cultural values like honor and fidelity. These universal principles enable alliances across continents, as seen in the Axis of Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II, when we focus on values rather than skin color.

Q: You gave me the vinyl version of the latest album and the new EP Vigilante. What does it express? Is the EP not for sale due to extreme content? You mentioned Unhold won’t return but was a guest vocalist on Ulfhednir (Track II, feat. Unhold).

A: Vigilante represents a band of rogues delivering justice without legal authority—heroes to some, villains to others. The EP includes “Fememörder” and “Ulfhednir”, both lyrics written by me. “Fememörder” is a rough mix, and “Ulfhednir” features Unhold on one-third of the vocals and me on the rest. Unhold is a guest musician only. The EP is a gift for loyal fans, not for sale, with each owner’s name written on the sleeve.

Q: Germany cooperated with China in the early 20th century, and many Germans held positive views of the Chinese. In a 1945 speech, Hitler said, “I have never regarded the Chinese or the Japanese as being inferior to ourselves; they belong to ancient civilizations…” Alfred Rosenberg’s “The Myth of the 20th Century” also expressed favorable views toward China, encouraging German support. Chinese individuals in Germany, like Heidegger’s students, were classified as Aryan, and some, like Wang Yunfeng, the ‘Chinese tank father,’ married Germans. It wasn’t a race war but an ideological one. Today, media and education label it racism, equating it with hate crimes. What’s your view? Who’s responsible for modern ethnic hatred?

A: The narrative that early 20th-century white people were inherently racist is a lie. In NS-Germany, Germans could have friendly relations with Asians because racial and cultural differences were acknowledged without issue. Today, certain forces promote hatred by pushing “white privilege” and minority grievances to advance universal equality, benefiting only the “Chosen Ones.” Instead of fighting each other, we should unite against our mutual enemy, as our ancestors did.

Q: Thanks for the interview! All the best to you and Absurd! I send greetings to you and white European nationalists upholding the Indo-Aryan worldview. Do you have a final message for our Chinese audience?

A: Thank you for the opportunity to speak directly to Absurd’s Chinese fans, of whom there are many! Be proud of your heritage and keep expressing it through black metal. You have our unwavering support! 光荣!