Mika „Belfagor“ Hakola is without a doubt one of the dubious figures in the Swedish black metal scene: While he used to sit in jail for countless violent crimes, the head of the orthodox Satanic band OFERMOD has now devoted himself entirely to his complex faith.
The coordination of the interview turned out to be quite complex as well: The fact that with the following text we’ve got the first OFERMOD interview with Mika „Belfagor“ Hakola for many years online is mainly due to Tena of Shadow Records, who collected the answers sent by SMS from Mika.
What does the artwork of „Sol Nox“ depict, whats the idea behind the artwork?
The cover art of „Sol Nox“ is based on the idea of the rebirth process in the dark occult tradition, with the symbolism of Samael and Lilith giving birth to a new and enhanced version of the Self in the central anti sphere of what in Kabbalistic lore is called Thagirion. The Qlipha of the black sun, sol nox. The pictures and paintings in the booklet are connected to the lyrics which they face, each with its own twist on the matter handled by the entire opus. Each and every detail with either a deliberate mindful meaning or the hand of the artist guided by ancient, wicked forces.
The general concept of „Sol Nox“, is about the „Black Sun of the Draconian tradition“, Qliphotic mysteries of Thagirion, the alchemical transmutation of Saturn and the Sun. Could you explain that in simple words to our readers?
I am too simple a man to describe such complex spiritual processes in a simple fashion. It is a task for someone with a greater mind than mine to simplify what I have spent half a lifetime creating into a complex map over an even more complex infernal maze covering vast fields of the darker sides of mythology and religion. In time and with effort perhaps I am able to simplify all this mind masturbation into words intelligable for others as well. At this very moment I must choose to save this effort for something connected perhaps to my artistry, or stay silent.
You are very much into occultism – a very complex theme. How important is the understanding of those aspects from your point of view for playing propper black metal?
In my opinion Black Metal is a satanic form of art and can be performed by anyone with musical talent and a mindset that is bound to any Left Hand Path or Tradition, that is „satanic“ or Opposing from a white light perspective. If speaking of what I personally look upon as so called orthodox Black Metal I am inclined to, for my own enjoyment and ability to find usefulness in a certain band or project, be quite strict in my opinions of the importance of the artists devotion to the darkest occult sciences in league with the most terrible forces dwelling just one crack away in the cosmic wall of perceived reality for the common man. That is, black metal in its purest, most orthodox form is indeed magic bound to what could be called satanic forces if restricting oneself to just one religious tradition. Evil, like good in the cosmic prison for him who chooses to be a prisoner, comes in so many shapes and forms begotten from the Shapeless and Formless Tehom beyond God, in itself infinite force in a cosmic prison cell but being but restriction in relation to the Great Otherness beyond the blinding „daylight“ and under the rule of the primal Dragon of Chaos, so using only the word satanic to describe the forces at play is to simplify things to the extreme. The Draconian tradition is beyond any One human belief system and is based on experience and hard work on the dark initiatory path, as can be read between the lines, and at times in very a direct manner, in the lyrics of the entire album „Sol Nox“.
What’s your opinion on black metal bands that use the image of being satanic just because it fits to the black-metal-context, but without being spiritual?
Artists, humans, using the dark gods and goddesses to fit their image without having dedicated all they are and will be to the dark alchemical process are bound to receive their „just“ reward. The final line of „To Dare The Tower“, which is the final track on „Sol Nox“, borrowed from Goethe, points to this fact. Where the passion is halfhearted the punishment is everything but halfheartedly executed. There is no flirting with the infernal regions just to turn away. It’s total devotion or total demise.
Musicwise, „Sol Nox“ is way more „typical black metal“ then the two albums before – what was the reason for this change of your musical direction?
I hear many musical traditions that are „typical“ black metal on both „Tiamtu“ and „Thaumiel“, not to mention our 7″EP released by Ajna Offensive a couple of years back, „Serpents Dance“. The production on the two full length albums is towards the dry Death Metal direction though, this dryness being an unfortunate pest, as is the more polished death metal sound. I don’t separate the two styles. Of course I understand completely what you mean, but for me there is no separation between BM and DM when entering the studio to record an album. If you look at how „Sun Of Dead Seasons“ is written and arranged musically it has some typical Death Metal moves in it, and so does parts of other tracks as well, but the production of „Sol Nox“ is a more Black Metal sounding one, and not either the kind of shitty production you find anywhere, but with a genius like TT of Abigor handling the mixing of the final product and putting all else aside while devoting himself to the production of the album. This is the kind of sound I have been chasing since Mysterion Tes Anomias and mirrors well that we are taking back our roots as a pure black metal sounding band. Our disgust with the kind of bands that were connected to the Scandinavian bm scene made us choose the title orthodox DM during some years, but all things can be solved with ill intent by violent minds.
Which bands have influenced you during the last years while writing „Sol Nox“?
We have been strict with not letting ourselves, being myself and J.K, be influenced musically by other musical acts or releases than older OFERMOD material. Everything had to be genuinely bound to dark occult traditions before even an instrument was allowed in our hands to transform our experiences with the Qliphah Thagirion to music. Each detail rigorously prepared, as in the rituals of old … each specific detail working on opening certain channels and keeping them clear while open for the listening experience to be in line with the occult one for those whose own channels are unobstructed to the Sitra Ahra.
The former OFERMOD-vocalist J. Kvarnbrink is not longer part of the lineup – why?
J.K decided to quit OFERMOD upon the completion of „Sol Nox“. The reason for that is that he feels that he has with this album participated in the creation of a Black Metal opus of this specific type and style that has reached its greatest potential and has thus naught more to offer the scene, at least at this moment in time, when OFERMOD is concerned. An honorable choice, though unfortunate for our cause. A greater meaning being behind such decisions of course, both for him personally and for OFERMOD as an entity. What this meaning is remains to unfold. I wish him the best in all his undertakings and am very happy to have collaborated with such a brilliant man.
Who will handle the vocals in the future? Is there already a new vocalist confirmed?
No replacement has been presented to yours truly yet, but the Otherness never rests and has surely already chosen someone to handle the vocals in the future live troop of the band.
What are your plans for the near future – will you go on tour with OFERMOD?
I am currently gathering a live troop with heart and shared warrior virtues to be able to present the material of Ofermod properly on stage, with the intensity required and still handling their instruments like the magus handles his altar pieces before the phase begins where they, the magical weapons, are imbedded in the astral mind of the magus and no physical instruments are needed. It would be a bit hard to record Black Metal music with an air guitar though, so we’re gonna stick to real instruments in the band.
Thanks for your time and answers! Lets finish the interview with a short brainstroming:
Sweden: Sweden is a country with a surprisingly strong connection to the dark, draconian tradition, but as the age old saying goes: „Evil comes from the North“ to be a bit ironic and truthful at the same time.
Satan: Satan is a complex matter and requires volume upon volume to go through his significance in religious history as well as being a personification of something that has an individual value for everyone with a satanic mindset.
Donald Trump: Well, he is a product of America and the age we live in and what they deserve over in the USA for being egoistic assholes each and everyone. Leave the government to those who decimate the population would be my political advice. But who listens to a madman in sandals shouting in the desert? Hah!
Dark Funeral: The only Scandinavian band with the word Dark in their name I enjoy is from a neighboring country to Sweden, with brilliant moves like the obvious confusion and maybe a bit disgust when singing „five million… WOMAN???!!!…so alone in the night“ on an album like Panzerfaust. Black Metal comes in many shapes, but an unprepared vocalist reading someone else’s handwriting while singing in the studio must be loved if done properly. Darkthrone are one of few bands to get away with musical murder and come out shining.
Your favorite album released in 2017: With the risk of not just coming across like an egoistic asshole, but being one as well, I must say Sol Nox, which has been a magickal child in the making for a long time, finally to have been born into this easily shattered reality.
Thanks again – The last words are yours!
Thanks for this opportunity to share some of the anti propaganda of Ofermod. The Great Dragon is within and without all that can be perceived. Open the Other senses and let the serpent rise.
24. September 2017 Moritz Grütz