AUDIOPAIN – Interview with Guitarist/vocalist Sverre Dćhli

AUDIOPAIN is a Norwegian band that displays a sound uncharacteristic of their country. Audio Pain plays thrash in the tradition of German bands such as SODOM and DESTRUCTION. Although the bulk of their sound recalls German thrash, a closer, comprehensive listen to their latest offering, “The Switch to Turn Off Mankind,” released via Vendlus records, will reveal subtle hints of Norwegian black metal.

After being known as Hć? for a couple of years, the group changed their name AUDIOPAIN in 1998. Under this new moniker, the group released a number of EPs, splits, and participated in compilations. Guitarist/vocalist, Sverre Dćhli gave Metal Centre more info (or disinformation, depending on his sarcastic answers) on his thrash machine known as AUDIOPAIN.

Please give a brief history of AUDIOPAIN.

Hey! We got involved in this mess about eleven years ago, and as pliant disciples to master AUDIOPAIN, we have continued serving it for all time after. During these years, we have let out about five CDs and some other things for everyone to dislike and get provoked by. We might have released a cassette before the CDs as well, before we got our AUDIOPAIN name. This was waaaaay back when Britney was still a virgin, in a time when most people called us Hć?, which was not very strange at all, as that was our name at that time.

“The Switch to Turn off Mankind” has a definite thrash sound, but with traces of black metal. What groups inspired you to form AUDIOPAIN.

KISS, PRIMUS and DIRE STRAITS, if I remember correctly. Later, we collected and studied old school thrash, death and black metal to sound convincing when someone asks us what we listen to. We have also learned to say that we think the first releases are always the best, and that we don’t care for symphonic, vampire black metal. Old German thrash is great, we’ve been told. And of course those really mad, Norwegian church burners made some superb black metal.

AUDIOPAIN released its first album—“Contagious” EP—in 2000. Why have you only released two full-lengths since your initial album?

I have no idea! We thought we had released five more or less equally massive CDs during our time under master AUDIOPAIN, but it seems like some of them are rated as EP’s, and others as full-lengths. I don’t know which is which though, as they all include six tracks. That’s pretty much what we have found out. And you?

AUDIOPAIN released a number of split, 7-inch records. Tell our readers about these splits.

Very well…As most our releases, these are also circle round. It seems to be the most useful shape for CDs and vinyl. When they are rated as splits, master AUDIOPAIN’s orchestra is spoiling one side, and some other band does their best to carve their way through the disc on the other side, probably to disturb our mission. Those bastards! But lucky as we are, the bands we have made these left hand releases with are all supposed to be really great, and also good friends of ours. As with us, they are also labeled as underground metal bands. MYSTICUM, AURA NOIR, INFERNO, NOCTURNAL BREED, AMOK, DEAD TO THIS WORLD and THESYRE….

Are you a collector of vinyl?

I hope so!

You made a guest appearance in AURA NOIR. Tell me about this appearance.

Haha! I’ve heard that too. In fact, it might be a fact! If so, I think it was only some guitar playing on one track. I think it was a really cool ballad called “Released Damnation.” I don’t recall playing guitar for more than five minutes or so. However, I think I drove the technician mad with an accordion someone had forgotten there. A long haired craaazy man! Beside the point, I know. Sorry for that!

Is your bassist, Petter Berntsen still in VED BUENS ENDE? If so, how does he divide his time between the two bands?

Hmmm, hard to say. If so, he must be the only member left, as that band split up (again). I am pretty sure he’s not the sole member in a reformed band that he never contributed to in the first place, but I know he was in it for a brief rehearsal or two when the originators of that musical highlight of Norwegian jazz-black metal wanted to pick up their guitars and start arguing again for a while. How he manages to have time for both master AUDIOPAIN’s orchestra and not be a member of a non-existing band, I really don’t know! Something is just not for all of us to understand!

How do you feel about participating in the “Überthrash” compilations?

It was like giving birth to a child with four heads and only one body, from four angles at the same time! The other bands are good, so we figured out that we should help them out with these releases, so they could stand out as even better. It all depends on how you measure! The response was very un-satisfying, as most fans seemed to like it very much. Also, the Überthrash concerts were catastrophically well received. Shit happens.

Vendlus records released both of your full-length recordings. How do you perceive working with this label?

As master AUDIOPAIN is a god, then Vendlus must be a Jesus! Not all gods can be the greatest, and not all prophets can be the smartest, and that’s where Vendlus Records fit so perfectly. Vendlus will obey to whatever master AUDIOPAIN commands, even if it includes doing everything backwards and the most expensive way, and not get shit back, haha. What idiots! The are our definitive favorite idiots!

What are your thoughts on “The Switch to Turn off Mankind?” If you could do it over again, would you change anything?

It’s OK. Hmmm… If I could change anything in the world, I would go back to when metal became a carnival and shoot the clowns.

The album’s title track has an interesting story. Please explain this track’s lyrics.

Sorry, no can do. That’s strictly confidential! However, rumors say that it is a cartoon-like description of Armageddon. Do you remember Armageddon?

Tell me about the track “Cobra Dance.” What is this song’s story?

Something about how evil women can be. Well, not can be, but how evil women in fact are! These mean creatures enslave us all with their boobs and their weak minds. Oh slob rock, give me mercy!

“Termination Fields” has a slightly different vibe than the other tracks. Where were you going for with this song?

To Hell, of course! Groove Hell that is.

Is AUDIOPAIN a live band? What tours, shows have you played?

In most cases when we are on stage we sure are, and so far we’ve mostly focused on annoying people all over Norway, with exceptions. I know we’ve been asked to play somewhere in Europe in April, and maybe all over Europe in September, with the Columbians WITCHTRAP.

Is there a message you would like to relay to our readers?

Yes! Remember you are a failure!

http://www.vendlus.com/artists/audiopain/