UN: I was curious to ask how the band initially formed. Was the intention right from the start to play thrash or is it just what came naturally? One of the things I notice about Blood Tsunami is that music doesnt sound forced, it sounds very natural.

Faust: Yeah well, Blood Tsunami was formed by Pete in 2004, after having a past in bands like Hellride and Datsun. He wanted to form a metal band and since his obsession is thrash metal, that was what he was making simply. To this date, he has made all the music in the band so obviously that will shine through. Blood Tsunami is not a result of the current thrash metal trend since all the members have integrity and an artistic past to put forth.

UN: How was the recording experience for Thrash Metal? There is a lot of energy on display on the album, did you guys record any of the album live or was it recorded in the more standard way?

Faust: Well, it was recorded in the traditional way, putting down the drums first, then guitars, bass and vox, but for example, at least two tracks were done on first take on the drums and it is especially on those songs that I personally can feel a good energy. We used a total of 8 weeks in studio, but it was a little back and forth during this period. It wasn`t really effective to say the least.

UN: What brought about the decision to call the album Thrash Metal? It seems like the perfect title for a debut album, basically saying we are Blood Tsunami and we play thrash metal.

Faust: Yeah, thats pretty much the idea. We figured Venom had Black Metal, Dismember had Death Metal so it was about time someone took Thrash Metal. I understand some might view it as pretentious at it is risky business to call your album that, but hey, we have a certain dose of self irony and we think we can stand behind the title.

UN:: The cover art also fits the music of the band perfectly and has a similar feel to the early Kreator album covers. Was it important for you guys to have an album cover that basically had vintage thrash written all over it?

Faust: Yes indeed. We wanted to take the painting back into cover art, with bands like Kreator and Deathrow in mind. In my opinion, the cover is a great piece of art and it represents our music very well.

UN: I definitely hear a lot of Exodus and Destruction in the Blood Tsunami sound. What bands would you say were integral in the forming of the bands sound?

Faust: Well, since all music is made by Pete it is basically his musical influences that will come through in the music, for example the bands you mentioned and also Slayer, Testament, Forbidden and even bands like Metallica etc. For my part, I am very inspired by drummers like Dave Lombardo who is not overly technical but still manages to keep a good groove throughout the music.

UN: Seeing as though you draw inspiration for early thrash bands, what is your opinion on some of the classic bands getting back together and writing new music? It amazes me that some of the bands jump right back in seemingly without missing a step along the way.

Faust: Yeah, it is deeply appreciated that bands like Onslaught and Sabbat have made a comeback while other bands like Sodom, Destruction, Exodus, Slayer and Kreator have been going strong (more or less) the whole time. It is a healthy scene for metal right now. Even within popular culture. Lets just hope its not a flash in time but something more solid.

UN: Was it decided right from the start to have a more vicious vocal approach instead of a more classic thrash vocal approach? I think the aggressive vocals fit perfectly and bridge a nice gap between the classic style of thrash and more modern forms of metal.

Faust: Yeah, that is simply the way Pete sings. But a lot of the old classic bands like Sodom, Kreator, Possessed, used very vicious vocals so it is nothing new really. But no, I am not sure our music would fit very good with clean vocals.

UN: What would you say are the main factors that draw you guys to thrash? I dont think any of the other subgenres of metal can match the intensity level. Sure there are faster genres, but the almost punk feel of thrash and the riffing style make it much more intense in my opinion.

Faust: Along with other types of extreme metal, I have always been into thrash metal as well. I like the intensity and hard discipline as you say. Sure, there are always faster and more extreme bands, but we are not here to top everything that has been done but rather to our type of thrash. Besides, many thrash bands holds a fine line between melody and brutality.

UN: I noticed on the website that the band doesnt seem to play a great deal of gigs. Will you guys be touring more now that you have a full length album released? Is touring full time something that the band is interested in?

Faust: Well, we actually did quite a few gigs in Oslo and a few other places in Norway. Anyhow, in May we go to the UK for a tour with Zyklon. We are looking very much forward to that since it is the first time we get out of Norway. Ideally we would like to play more but it is always a question of coordination.

UN: Lets end on a fun one. What would you consider the 5 top thrash metal albums of all time and why?

Faust: Slayer Reign in Blood; for its cult status and ripping songs.
Hobb`s Angel of Death S/T; the brutal Aussie band
Metallica - Master of Puppets; pure American thrash
Kreator Pleasure to Kill; Germanys finest.
Exodus Bonded By Blood; this one is so classic!