SAMMATH

NETHERLANDS

Hello Jan, welcome to Eternal Night pages…

Thanks very much, hails to the Colombian metal maniacs!

How is actually the Black Metal scene in Berlin?

I don’t live in Berlin, the label of Sammath, Folter Records
is in Berlin, I live in a very small town about 700 km away
from Berlin, near the Dutch border. Where I live I am the scene,
haha. I grew up in Australia, have been in Europe for half my
life now, moved to Germany two years ago.

You formed Sammath 12 years ago.
Let me know about the idea to start a Black Metal band…

I started Sammath because I wanted to create the most intense,
dirty, violent, yet with melody, extreme metal record. I also was
very influenced by the old metal bands and had to do something,
I was playing guitar for years. Black metal is the music I discovered
about in 1993, old gehenna demos, shit like that. I was immediately
drawn in by metal about 20 years ago and first Venom, Metallica,
Slayer, Coroner, Mortal Sin, many great bands influenced me start
and create my own metal. I always enjoy a fast destructive black
metal release, even these days. But I enjoy, 80s thrash, speed and
death bands also. That’s where it all started.

Tell me your experiences playing gigs in the Netherlands…

We have only done 8 gigs in 12 years….. Sammath was only me in the
beginning, I only formed a band in 2002 when we had the chance to
perform at cult under the black sun festival in Berlin. In the
Netherlands the gigs until now have been very good. Lots of people,
good metal atmosphere we had the luck to perform with some great
bands until now, Salacious Gods, Benediction, Taake, Urgehal, Master.
This summer we are starting to perform again, with a new girl on guitar,
to kick ass in Europe and hopefully beyond.

Why do you record all instruments in your albums?

I like to control the whole thing. I simply could not let the live
musicians have any influence on the music, because Sammath has always
been me on all instruments, otherwise it wouldn’t sound like Sammath,
the only new element is the drummer koos bos, replacing the drumpcomputer.
He’s a maniac. All other guitar players sound different, not that I am
that good, but it just sounds to different. Im glad the rest of the band
understands this, during live shows they are brilliant but event hough it
might be better for more minds to create a cd that maybe more diverse,
but Sammath on cd is mine, the last cd proves my right.

Now you are showing the 3rd full length album ‘Dodengang’.
What about the answer of the underground people?

Untill now the reactions have been extremely good. Mostly very good
reviews, and ten percent crap reviews, that’s good. I did not expect
these types of reviews. I knew it was good, but not that it would be
so well received. Very glad that it turned out this way, just as I hoped,
one day to write a good black metal cd. And lots more promotions so
I am getting many new contacts, as well as people who I have been in
contact with since 93.

Are you planning to do some shows supporting this album?

Yes, we will perform at under the black sun again this year,
cult german black metal fest. We further have some gigs in
Holland and Germany.

Have you listen Colombian or South American bands?

Yes, but not much lately. The old bands I know, but these last years
I havent, or just cant think of many, bands form Colombia, Goretrade,
Horncrowned. Hope the secen is doing well and getting bigger and better.

What’s your opinion about the commercial Black Metal bands?
(as Cradle Of Filth & Dimmu Borgir)

Well, they are obviously doing something right, selling a lot of cds.
I don’t like what they stand for, or like the music. But they have to
eat food and pay bills with their music, I don’t have that ambition.
But I think a lot of people just wish they where in their place,
a lot of bands have that mentality. I don’t need to make money
of this band, I make enough money with my job. I want to keep it
underground and harsh violent black metal. Black metal stands for
creativity, not trends, or money making machines.

Tell me about your work with Folter Records…

Folter Records I got in contact with in 1997, he offered me a deal
after hearing my demo “de ruines fluisteren” He then released my first
full length “Strijd “in 1998. In 2002 I released the second album
“verwoesting devastation” with Folter. Then I signed on for three
more cds, ”Dodengang” being the first. More terror and fast black metal
coming your way.

Which are your favorite Folter bands?

My favorite Folter band is definitely Skyforger, I have liked their
music even before they signed to Folter Records, I must say I was very
proud to have this band be on the same label as Sammath. Their cd
Latvian rifleman is simply brilliant. Salacious Gods, The Stone are
also bands which I listen to regularly.

Finally Jan, thanks for your time. Just let a message to the readers…

Not much to say except: METAL OR DEATH! Black metal mailorders get
in touch with Folter Records for trades, and the band (check the links section)

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