The gathering of the apocalyptic raiders started by recruiting Ronny's Vesen bandmate Thomas Ljosåk on bass guitar and Stian's Rikets Crust bandmate Kai Wanderås on guitar. Missing only a singer, they decided to ask long time friend and fellow metal head Joakim Trangsrud, who practically was both lured and forced to join the first rehearsal. DEVIL was ready to roll.
After a few months of song writing, some pieces was released on Myspace whilst a demo EP was in the print, and the feedback was overwhelming. Being described as a "lost gem of the 70's", and a mix of legends such as Pentagram, Black Sabbath and Witchfinder General. Embraced and supported from the first moment by old school fans from all over the world, the ball really started rolling.
After only hours of airtime at Myspace, record deals were offered, and the future plans started being laid. After only six months as a public band, DEVIL had now released their demo on CD, tape and vinyl, signed their debut with Soulseller Records, played the Metal Merchants Festival, headlining at the Old Blue Last in London, and supported Electric Wizard in Europe.
So keep your eyes open, because in 2012 the DEVIL rides out! We had a word with guitarist Stian Fossum:
Name: Stian Fossum
Age: 36 (37 in a week! Celebrating on Elm Street, Oslo.)
Occupation: Guitarist in Devil and lifetime employee in Bring Cargo.
Place you call home?
Kongsvinger or Oslo. Grew up in Kongsvinger, but Oslo made me what I am.
How are you doing?
Great! Got a cold, but hopefully I’ll live through it, haha.
What are you doing?
Rehearsing and writing for the second Devil album, as well as a piece for a motion picture soundtrack.
Inspiration?
So much! Tony Iommi as a musician, Elvis Presley as a person, my wife as an individual and heavy metal as a religion.
Music?
Old Black Sabbath, Creedence and Mountain as always, and some new stuff as well. Orchid, Age of Taurus, Procession, Graveyard. I can dig most genres within rock.
Watch?
The moving visuals really aren’t my strongest side. I dig a lot of 70’s movies, such as All The Presidents Men, The Conversation, The Godfather trilogy, etc. And of course Star Wars. And Jaws! On TV I’ve never been very updated, but I watch Tottenham games.
Read?
A few music magazines, of course, but I love the classics. Sherlock Holmes, Don Quijote, Moby Dick and not least The Three Musketeers by Dumas. And a Finnish writer named Arto Paasilinna. He’s written a series of warm and funny stories about your regular, but not so regular, Finnish people. Really recommended!
Sports?
English football, as “most” Norwegians. Tottenham Hotspur in particular.
Travel to?
For recreational use: Corfu in Greece, for party: London and Crobar, in my dreams: The south states of the USA.
Transport?
I am sadly dependant of my car due to a lot of business activity and gear transport. I try to walk the dog as often as possible, but should have done it more. I also used to be a fan of American motors, so I’ve owned a 67 Pontiac Firebird and 72 HD Custom. But I don’t have any of them now. If I should have a vehicle for fun, it would probably be a touring bike.
Wear?
Extremely standard for a metal head. Long hair, pierced ears, denim, band shirts, cowboy boots and a few tattoos. I guess you could say something between Motörhead and Social Distortion.
Eat?
Favourite food is probably a perfect steak. I love cooking myself, so I can make a decent meal. I can eat everything, but prefer some kind of meat that comes with some kind of potatoes. Potatoes is the heart of the soil! I prefer not to go to restaurants, as I don’t get out much, at least not sober, but the only thing I don’t make better myself is Indian food, so my favourite restaurant would be some Indian one. Boring, I know…
Drink? Almost everything but white wine. Moonshine and coffee is amongst the utter favourites. Amongst more….legal stuff, I’d have to go with screwdrivers or Ringnes Pils. I have pretty much the same preferences in drinking as your average 15 year old, haha!
Love?
My wife Charlotte, other family and friends, Black Sabbath, Elvis Presley, coke (the soft drink), Prince Lights when drinking, Tottenham, peace and festivals.
Hate?
Racism or intolerance in other ways is my main “hate object”. I could also do without actions done in the name of religion. By all means, believe in something, but believe in something you can argue for! But I was much more militant on that as a kid. I’ve become politically lazy, and I’m more irritated than angry as the years go by, haha.
All time best live concert experience?
Metallica, Skedsmohallen, Norway, 1988. The easiest question I get from time to time.(Editors note: It was in 86`Sept.24th)
Want?
Well, I hope for me and my loved ones to live life without the big disappointements as health failure and such. As for more superficial stuff, I’d love for Devil to headline a big festival some time, and be able to live good off the music.
Who would you like to pass this “interrogation” on to?
Tore Bratseth of The Batallion. You can never hear enough about Motörhead, Twisted Sister and Derrick!
And finally: Sex, Drugs & Rock`n Roll?
Prince Lights when drinking, I swear too much and I get way too drunk. And I love GULLBRØD!!!
http://www.facebook.com/Devilband http://www.myspace.com/devilband http://www.devilband.com
