Dimmu Borgir guitarist Silenoz recently spoke with Dan Sywala of Rock 'N' Roll Journalist about his band's upcoming album, the long-awaited follow-up to 2010's Abrahadabra; which is expected late this year or early in 2018. A few other interesting topics of conversation arose, enjoy the following excerpts:

After admitting that he enjoys listening to country music, Silenoz revealed: "During the writing of the Abrahadabra album, we were talking to Hank Williams III about doing a cover of his track '3 Shades Of Black'. But we never managed to do it. We were in the stages of getting everything sorted out legally and he had to talk to his record label and bla bla bla. Hank himself was ok with it, but for some reason we didn’t get around to record that song. So that’s how close we were to country, man."

Any chance for you to do a side project, where you would express these tastes?

"Well, not in a country way. But you know, Shagrath has Chrome Division and they are working on the new album at the moment. We just mixed the Insidious Disease album in January, which I have done with Marc Grewe who used to sing in Morgoth. Shane Embury plays bass and what bands is he not playing with? Tony Laureano on drums and currently also Cyrus, who currently plays bass in Dimmu Borgir, but plays guitar with Insidious Disease. That album is going to come out later this year, so it's going to be a busy year."

What we can expect from the upcoming new album?

"You can expect what I would consider the best album we have done to date. I know every band says that but if I didn’t believe in us doing the best album in our career, there would not be a reason making it. It’s fair, people should also expect the best, because we have been away for so many years now. We have obviously something to prove, not only to ourselves but also to the fans. I think we will be able to deliver what they expect and once they hear the new album, they will probably forget about all of the years that went by without new music. I think it’s safe to say, that the record sounds more epic and majestic. Same goes for the brutal, black and primate side of the band. It’s truly more black metal this time."

When you were writing the album, were you relying mainly on your core trio or did you give some creative space to other members, who are so far only active as touring musicians?

"It was just Shagrath, Galder and myself, who did the writing on this album. We had little bit of assistance from keyboard player Gerlioz, but it was less than on the previous release. Working in trio seems to be working the best and it also means there are less cooks in the kitchen."

To read the interview in its entiety, visit this location. Or, listen to the audio via the YouTube clip below.