Interview with death metal band from Denmark - SULPHUROUS.
Answered M., thank you!
Translated Duzl, thank you!
Questions prepared Jakub Asphyx.
Recenze/review - SULPHUROUS - The Black Mouth Of Sepulchre (2021):
Ave SULPHUROUS! I have been listening to your new album „The Black Mouth of Sepulchre“ for some time now and I still discover something new in it, some new pieces of darkness. I have to say that I thought that your album will be great but this completely killed me. The album is great. How are your reactions from your fans and what about reviews?
Hi there, M. speaking
I’m completely blown away about the amazing reactions from fans and the great reviews that has been dropping in. I didn’t think this album would be received this well. So, I’m very happy about everything.
Have you played your new songs live already? How do they work with fans? Do you have any potential hit? For me it would be probably „Shadows Writhing like Black Wings“.
No, we haven’t. Sulphurous hasn’t played live for the last 8 years or so. So, i can’t answer that question sorry.
How did you compose new material for „The Black Mouth of Sepulchre“? How SULPHUROUS compose?
The material which is not that new anymore since I made the songs between 2017-2018 or so, and 1 song is all the way back from 2012. I write everything for Sulphurous and made this album at home shortly after the first album.
Who is the author of your lyrics? What are your lyrics about and where do you find inspiration?
I also wrote all the lyrics for The Black Mouth of Sepulchre. The lyrical concept for the album is centered about death and the creeping slow march towards the end, combined with a bit of ancient malevolence in them.
I found the inspiration from different writers of Philosophical, fantasy and poets. Old and new books.
I also like the cover for the new record. The author is my favourite painter Paolo Girardi. This time, the motive really worked. How did you get together with Paolo? And why him? Is the painting painted to order or have you already chosen from the finished works?
Thanks, yeah it really is an amazing painting he did here. Paolo painted the cover for my other band Hyperdontia – Nexus of Teeth album. So, I knew him from this. And I have been admiring his work for a long time. I actually started out talking with Timo Ketola just before he passed away REST IN POWER. Then I talked with the guy who did the early Cruciamentum stuff. But I’m glad I ended up working with Paolo Girardi, because he captured the essence of my music and the mood on the record perfectly. I asked him for specific stuff, and he did an excellent job. So, I will definitely work with him again.
The sound of the album is really great. It is dark, cold and sharp at the same time. In what studio did you recorded? Were you able to have any comments during the recording and at the final sound and mastering?
The Black Mouth of Sepulchre was actually recorded by us - the band on our own. T. on drums recorded his drums at his studio on his own. M.C. who helped on bass for this recording did it in his home studio. And I recorded the guitars, vocals, and piano at the studio where I also rehearse. It is the same place where Las Ballade has his studio and he mixed and mastered the album. Las did an amazing job with this beast. He made the sound just as we wanted it to be so very happy to work with my old friend from Ballade Studios.
How did you actually get into playing death metal? You can feel from your music that you are also a fan of true death! When did you start playing and what bands did you go through? What about the first concert? Who was your role model and whom did you admire in your beginnings?
I started going to shows when I was around 9-10 years old, when my brother would drag me to punk/hardcore shows in Copenhagen. Then later that evolved into eviler, darker, and more obscure music. The same thing happened for me playing music. I started playing guitar in a punk band and then it went in a more extreme, fast, and demonic direction. So, it has been a kind of journey through different kinds of genres before I ended up the right place.
Yes I am.
I guess I started playing guitar when I was around 10, but it was around I was 15 that I bought my first electric guitar and really started rehearsing every day for many hours. Uhh I miss those times. Hehe
I guess the cross over from hardcore/punk for me was early crust/stenchcore bands from the UK then later bands as Bolt Thrower, Morbid Angel, Death and Deicide.
Don’t remember the first show. It was probably my brother and sister playing with their first band when I was around 9.
On concerts in the Czech Republic I often hear that there is not enough people going on concerts nowadays. I would like to know how is it in Denmark. For us you are a big country with a lot of bands and promoters. A lot of bands go to your country to play when they are on a tour. Do people go on death metal concerts in Denmark? And do you prefer playing in a small club or on big festivals?
Denmark a big country, hehe, I feel like Denmark is a very tiny place. But yes, there is a lot of bands popping up all the time, and most of them actually are quite good.
For many years the scene was actually pretty dead, and no one went to shows, (only diehard fans) and people didn’t really care about touring bands. But luckily for us, the bands, things started to change, and there is a big show up at most concerts and people go because they want to support bands, see their show and buy their merch. That is amazing.
It depends on what show or festival it is. If it’s a show or festival where the promoters and bookers give a damn and take good care of the band then I love playing. But it sucks big time if you’re on tour and have driven maybe 10 hours to get to the show, and there is no one there to help you get in and get ready on stage, no food, no drinks and no place to sleep. But it’s so nice when it’s the opposite, and you feel welcome and taken good care of.
The theme of the concerts is also connected with the previous question. How are SULPHUROUS with them? Do you play often and often? Do you prefer festivals or smaller clubs? And are you even willing to travel far? Aren't you attracted to a longer tour?
I can´t answer for Sulphurous here since we don’t play live anymore. But I can answer for my other bands. Ascendency, Hyperdontia, Night Fever and Taphos which play live and tour as much as possible. I love to tour and travel to places far away to play in front of people who haven’t seen us before. When not home with my family, I live for the shows man. Nothing better than to be on tour and see the world and play great shows. I see myself very lucky to have been to so many countries and experienced so many great things while touring. Wouldn’t be without it.
Nowadays, there is a lot of young bands who start to play “old school death metal”. Most of them are not very good, but there are some good bands who realize what is this music about. Do you have any favourite band which would be able to make those “good old days” alive again?
If you mean “never” bands, then in the underground scene I would maybe go for – Dead Congregation and Kaamos. Older bands would be Deicide, Morbid Angel and Nile.
What does death metal mean to you? Is it a lifestyle, a hobby, relaxation? How would you define it? You can easily embark on philosophical considerations.
I live death metal. For me it is life. It’s definitely a hobby, but so much more than that. It could also be a way to relax, since death metal is being played very often at home and it’s a great way to enjoy myself, relax or get in the mood for some ripping death. I don’t know where I would be without this in my life. I would probably have a very boring life if I didn’t have this.
A necessary question at the end. What is SULPHUROUS planning in the coming months? What can we fans look forward to?
Hopefully the vinyl edition of the album hehe. Since it has been delayed almost 6 months. Besides that, I’m not sure. I have 2 other records coming out soon, and one more where were only missing the vocals to record. So, this is probably what will take my time over the next couple of months. After that I will probably prepare more sinister and abhorrent songs for you.
Thank you so much for the interview. I'm leaving for work in a minute. I'll go around the cemetery. It is clear what will play in the player - „The Black Mouth of Sepulchre“. And really loud. I wish the album the best possible sales and I hope that it will reach as many listeners as possible. Good luck to you in private! Death metal forever!
Thanks… Evig Er Kun Døden
Recenze/review - SULPHUROUS - The Black Mouth Of Sepulchre (2021):
Recenze/review - SULPHUROUS - Dolorous Death Knell (2018):
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