GAAHL Talks Being Gay In The Black Metal Scene, His Evolving Career, Things He's Learned In Life 

Gaahl's ASMR career is off to a great start

I've never seen him so candid and willing to chat before; great interview

I love two things about this interview: Ghaal is showing his human side, and the interviewer is treating him like a human being and not being patronizing.

I remember meeting Gaahl after Gorgoroth played a gig here in Ireland in 2005. I had turned 21 that weekend, and it was a pretty significant period of my life as my father had just been diagnosed with cancer. I ended up back at a local metal bar after the gig, chatting away with him, and remember being struck by how calm and affable he was. It was around the time a lot of eyes were on him in the media because of his assault charge and numerous other things, but he was very open and down to earth about it all, and wasn't taking any opportunities to dramatize any of it to his advantage. We went back to a party after that and drank some more beers, and I always remember that when we were parting ways he said that he hoped I had enjoyed my birthday and that my father would get well. An absolute gentleman. It's great to see him still going strong and pursuing what he loves. Gaahl - you're a hero!

"This is Gaahl..." * artistic pause * "for uh...Metal Injection."

Never seen this guy smile or laugh; it was like seeing a sunrise for the first time

I saw Gorgoroth live once. 2 things I remember: - The bass was so loud that I literally felt like I was levitating and being massaged in my ribs because of its sound waves - Gaahl stared at me for a long time, with his dark stoic face in corpsepaint That was pretty amazing ^^

I want Gaahl to read me bedtime stories with his jacket crunching in the background

This interviewer was respectful, hats off to him a real decent interviewer hence why ghaal was engaged

Great to see this interviewer asking some decent, thoughtful, and interesting questions. You could see even Gaahl was even impressed, and needed to think hard about his answers. Well done!

Gaahl looks how I imagine Vlad the Impaler.

I met Gaahl once, and he was so cool and humble. He even gave me a pack of beer when I had to leave.

As an openly gay metal head, I love hearing him say that the metal community is one of the most accepting communities. This is also my experience, as a musician, bringing my boyfriend to shows. There was never an issue at a gig. No one thought twice about it. I was never judged....well until everyone found out that I'm a bass player. That's when I was judged, but understandably so. Basically I'm saying it's easier to be gay than to be a bassist in the metal community.

It's really cool that you asked him interesting, meaningful questions instead of the typical stuff. Great job, man!

"Three steps of understanding humans: touring, prison, falling in love" Damn, this is an actual pretty insightful, honest and wise answer.

At the end Ghaal mentions his own personal 3 steps it took to understand himself/other humans/life: 1. Touring 2. Going to prison 3. Falling in love. Never thought I'd hear Ghaal admit to falling in love for the first time in his early 30s! Great interview!

Gaahl what does it feel like to be gay in the black metal community? Gaahl: "Satan"

"Be yourself" That's probably the most metal thing in the world. Don't judge someone by the cover.

Kind of ironic how that light fixture makes it look like Gaahl has a halo...🧐

"Frustrating that people need someone to tell them that it's ok." .. That's why we need people like you. ty

Man, biggest respect to the interviewer. I love his questions and his way of talking, its so genuine and interested! He's the reasone I am still subscribed to metal injection. Keep up the good work man!

It's nice to see Gaahl smiling and be comfortable for once in an interview. Great job on this one!

i have no idea who gaahl is, im just getting into black metal and this video was in my recommended. but lemme say this guy is really chill and props to the interviewer 👌 really painted the black metal scene in a different light for me. he just embraces who he is and doesn’t put up a front and im here for it

Metal is about being yourself and giving the finger who those who tell you how to live. It's a way of life. He truly is metal and more power to him. If this is what makes him happy so be it. Music and painting are his outlet and how he expresses his feelings and beliefs. May he continue to live his life his way. Can't wait to hear more music from him in the future.

You can tell Gaahl is enjoying the interview 'cause he even LAUGHS now and then. I've never seen him doing that before.

*sips wine* "...Satan"

Gaahl is who Euronymous wanted to be.

Met him him walking through the crowd after he had finished a set. I shook his hand and thanked him for a great show. I wasn’t sure what to expect as he is an extremely intimidating figure but he shook my hand and humbly said “Thanks”. Nice guy and it is truly fascinating to hear him talk in interviews.

Finally an interview where the interviewer talks to him like a god damn person. Fantastic!

Give this boy a medal. This was an amazing interview

When a average person comes out it is called "coming out of the closet", in Gaahl's case "coming out of the wine cellar from meeting with.... Satan"

Gaahl is so smart. His whole view, and feeling of sadness, about the fact that people feel encouraged and represented by him in order to come out and being themselves... because that actually implies that societies need to evolve so coming out is not longer a thing and we'd no longer seek for representation because we'd be surrounded by it.

never thought id hear Gaahl talk about falling in love. that was sweet.

Gaahl is a reserved man chooses his words wisely and yet very outspoken but very smart, unique and artistic good interview

He is so relaxing. He needs to do a audio book or even meditation..man what it must be like to talk to him

Unlike most musicians in interviews, he seems to choose every single word wisely.

I had the pleasure of meeting Gaahl in London recently at the launch of his Natural Wine business, and he's just a really really nice kind person. Total legend. New album is great too!

The Vice interview has nothing on this, well done!

"The word of Gaahl" sounds like a necromancer's book

You can tell he really appreciated the professionalism and the knowledge the interviewer showed. He didn't ask generic questions. He asked very well thought out questions and did his research which made gaahl feel comfortable. Good job

"being metal" is about being your godamn self, despite what these asshats say in the RU-vid comments. There are no rules, despite people trying so hard to create them.

I’ll never forget him from that documentary. “Where do you get your inspiration from?” “Satan.”

10:10 Gaahl developing cognitive empathy “I can see how it’s hard for them” rather than just being like “foolish sheep, You are your own path” ( even though that’s still the core message) is one of the more touching bits of character development I’ve encountered

Solid interview. Zero bullshit. Finally an interviewer that doesn’t piss him off with stupid questions 🤘🏼

What an intimidating task it must be to interview this man considering his history with the press. Well done Frank !

First time i see him talking like a regular dude and not like a character

He'd hate to hear it but I think he's adorable, and wholesome, I love him.

Why are they doing the interview in an IKEA showroom?

This is the first time I hear Gaahl chuckle lol

Probably the best interview of Gaahl, and the best way to understand the man himself. Good job by the journalist !

I can't believe I saw him laugh. This was amazing. Wholesome content.

" three steps to understanding humans.... touring..... prison..... falling in love......." loved that

"Touring, Prison, Falling in Love" is the new "Satan" Great interview!

I was expecting a hot mess but Gaahl dropped the cheap drama and made a really good interveiw.

The hotel ceiling light giving gaahl a halo cracks me up…

I genuinely have to meet this man before I die one day. He carries himself with a very laidback humble manner which sets him far above most people. I'm stoked that he doesn't have that hey I'm famous and don't you forget it attitude. He's the type of guy you could just walk past him in the street or strike up a conversation in the line at the supermarket and he wouldn't bat an eyelid. And the new album is really pleasing. It fits your ears and soul like a warm blanket in winter.

What does it matter if he”s gay, rob Halford , Elton John or Freddie mercury all rocked it! His music still has the intensity!

Nothing beats the Vice interview he did years ago, but I like listening to this weird man talk to any interviewer. He's like an alien... odd, and yet, intelligent.

He's got a lot of courage...his sexuality is still very controversial in many countries and even dangerous in a few...he's got so many artistic gifts-awesome!

One of the best metal musician interviews I've ever seen. Gaahl's music has always been a source of empowerment for me and it's an incredible feeling to see he's everything I could hope he could be. Amazing fucking dude

I'm digging this new and evolved Gaahl! Seems kinda cool, at least in this interview.

Tremendous work on interviewing him, big respect! Gaahl seems like a cool guy after all

It’s nice seeing an interview where the person interviewed has time to answer at their leisure, answer with thoughtfulness, ease and enjoy the questions being asked. Thanks for posting this. And thanks to Gaahl for sitting down for the interview.

the bass in his voice *_*

He comes across as a very wise and pleasant man. I would have a beer or glass of wine with him. Very laid back and interesting person.

Awesome interview!! It's cool to see Gaahl is not the old antisocial man he usted to be. Actualy watching him smile made me feel happy. Something I wasn't expecting TBH.

Never thought I'd say this but it seems like Gaahl is happy and in a really good place.

anyone else find his voice soothing? i can listen to him talk all day. awesome guy and awesome interview.

I wish this interview would have been longer. That was a Gaahl like I have never seen before.

5:39 Wow Ok now I can die in peace!!

It is refreshing, and also satisfying to see such a well articulated and respectful interview. You can see Gaahl's easy going navigation being so confidently calm and calculated while staying authentic and in peace.

I love the sound of the leather and his soft voice 👌🏼

Great interview. Congratulations to Gaahl, for his art work and new music.

Damn his moisturizer game is on point.

8:29 Is when he was asked about being gay

Hearing such a prolific and strong willed person such as Gaahl tell you to be yourself means so much more than the average joe.

I am a gay guy who loves black metal and bands like Dimmu Borgir and especially SepticFlesh and I am very proud and happy! :)> People are always surprised to find out I am gay because I do not look gay. I tend to keep to myself and I love music more than anything else in the World.

I've seen this a dozen times already but I just love how easy and natural the atmosphere is. Great questions, great job!

The interview: really nice, laid back, great questions asked The title: gAahl's Gay GUys plEaSe CliCk

I adore Gaahl. What a fucking legendary player in black metal. He will forever be considered one of the greatest.

IS GAAHL SMILING? YES, HE IS! AFTER ALL, HE IS A HUMAN BEING. NOT ORDINARY AND IGNORANT AS ONES. BUT HE IS A GREAT HUMAN BEING... MY RESPECTS!

What a fantastic interview, very respectful, great questions. This is how you do an interview!

Fantastic interview, it was amazing to see Gaahl in such a candid mood.

Maybe it was unwise to write "being gay" first in the title, as if that were the defining characteristic of this man.

Good interview Frank! It's amazing what good questions will pull out of an artist... -Dustin

Good to see Gaahl again, One of my favorite musicians, glad to see him speak so openly and not as cryptic as he has before, really amazing guy!

Love how he's so stoic and raw and honest when it comes to talking about his music but we get glimpses of a smile when he talks about being a pedestal people can stand on to come out as LGBT

I'm not a black metal fan but It's definitely gripping to me, for several reasons. The crazy history and how it came to be and the depth of it, it's very easy for me to get lost in the different roads in it's bands and people. One of the biggest areas I pay attention to are the interviews. All the ones I've seen the musicians all come across as intelligent and thoughtful. The 2 I've watched the most are Gaahal and the other is the lead singer for Behemoth, both are always intelligent, engaging, respectful( if respect is given to them), interesting, easy to like, genuine, and I always want to hear more about them. I know of Gaahal's prison time but I really believe all they ask for is respect and thought.

That smile on the last question, Gaahl appreciated those interesting questions, very good interview and interviewer. Props!

Frank is such a good interviewer. What a great job and it was very interesting to hear Ghaal's take on things.

Great interview, absolutely loved it 💜 Greetings from Norway

This video came to me on a strange day. After watching Lords of Chaos yesterday, I started to have doubts about one of the characters in the novel I'm writing. A gay death metal drummer. Perhaps he was not realistic? I was rethinking him. Then I saw this interview, and I felt happy. I was in metal in the 80:s and 90:s (writer and guitarist in Ice Age), and even if there were homophobic jokes, nobody cared. Our singer was afraid to come out, but that was never about other people being negative, that was because she needed a little time. Thanks for a very honest interview. I needed to hear those words today. I will not change my death metal character, he earned his way into the story!

Always love the energy this guy brings. Such a positive influence

"Why would anyone care?" Exactly.

It's really tough being gay. When I was in college, I started being very supportive of a friend who really, REALLY likes men. People who hated me spread rumors about me being gay for going to his parties and even today I hear crazy stories about orgies that (sadly) never happened at my place. After a few years, pretty much all the gays in my area had came out of the close with me, but each and every single one of them thought he was alone. If only they had all been honest to each other! If you're gay, come out ASAP. And if your family can't handle it, abandon them until they do.

I have no words for this fantastic interview! Great job dude. And great words Gaahl, you are awesome!

One of the best interviews I've ever watched; and it's unbelievable to see how into it Gaahl was. Great job!

I love the new songs, sounds totally different from what he has done in the past. Great art he's making for everyone to enjoy.

Gaahl (Kristian Eivind Espedal) is very respectable as a true norwegian black metal icon and deserves to be honored, loved and revered in all the black metal scene, regardless of what you personally think about gays. even Faust (drummer of Emperor) who murdered a gay man, was actually the first to support Gaahl when he came out and was open about this. Gaahl is a quite cold person and does not give 0 fucks about what bitch-ass trollers have to say.

Ooookay, this might be a silly question, but why are so many comments so homophobic and/or sexist? Metal has grown beyond this tightmindedness; maybe the commentators below should do too.