Interview with death metal band from Germany - RATS OF GOMORRAH.
Answered Daniel Stelling (guitars, vocals), thank you!
Recenze/review - RATS OF GOMORRAH - Infectious Vermin (2025):
Ave RATS OF GOMORRAH! Hello to the German underground. I hope all is well with you. It should be, you have the debut full-length album of your career this year. I have to admit, it literally put me up against the wall. It's dark, it's energetic, it cuts with a knife edge. You can hear a lot of great work being done, and a big helping of talent too. Could you please introduce the band to us? If I'm not mistaken, you're former musicians from DIVIDE?
You got it right! We’re Rats of Gomorrah, the result of years of evolution since our earlier days as Divide. Back then, we were a five-piece band exploring the more traditional side of extreme metal. Fast forward to now, we’re a no-nonsense, two-man wrecking crew from Kiel, Germany, delivering raw, unrelenting, and filthy tunes that draw from the old-school and beyond. Divide was a stepping stone, but Rats of Gomorrah represents who we are now—dark, energetic, and unapologetically feral.
"Infectious Vermin" contains all the attributes of good death metal, but you are not afraid of thrash, black metal, crust, etc. How was it made? How do you compose the new RATS OF GOMORRAH material?
We never wanted to box ourselves in, so we mix it up. For Infectious Vermin, the writing process was very organic. I (Daniel) recorded guitar riffs without a specific drum pattern in mind, leaving plenty of space for Moritz to hammer out something savage on the kit. It’s all about riff first, rhythm second, and aggression always. If a riff doesn’t make us want to tear down a wall, it doesn’t make the cut. And yeah, the other influences—thrash, black, crust—they sneak in naturally because we just love heavy music in all its forms.
Who is signed under the sound? What studio did you record in and how did everything go?
We handled the bulk of the recording ourselves to capture that raw, gritty vibe we’re all about. For the mix and mastering, we entrusted it to Maté Balogh, drummer of Soul Grinder and Asenblut, who really understands the sound we’re aiming for—no overproduced nonsense, just pure, crushing heaviness. We recorded at our studio in Kiel, tweaking and fine-tuning until it felt like we had bottled chaos. The process was a grind, but that’s just part of the deal when you’re crafting something this intense.
You released it on Testimony Records and it has a deadpan cover. Who is the author? How did you choose the theme and how does it relate to the music on the release?
The cover art is the work of Roberto Toderico, he completely nailed the vision we had. We wanted something grotesque, visceral, and oozing with the same decay that our music embodies. The theme ties directly to the album’s title, Infectious Vermin—a metaphor for societal corruption, disease, and chaos. It’s as much about the music as it is about the message: raw, dark, and unrelenting. We have worked with Roberto on every single album cover, he always delivers!
How do you perceive your scene, fans, labels?
The underground scene here in Germany is difficult to handle, as DIY shows happen less often and are not always well-attended. On the other hand, it’s full of die-hard fans and bands who are genuinely passionate about what they do. The fans have been incredibly supportive, especially considering we’re a duo—it’s not the traditional lineup, but they’ve embraced it wholeheartedly. One thing we're keen on though is to remind people to keep having political discourse even in music, as to not open up doors for right-wing scum. As for labels, working with Testimony Records has been a blast. They get what we’re about and have been crucial in helping us spread the filth further than ever before.
How did the idea to start RATS OF GOMORRAH come about, who was and is your role model, and where do you want to take your band?
Rats of Gomorrah started as an evolution of Divide. It wasn’t so much a decision as it was a realization that we needed to embrace something darker, rawer, and truer to what we wanted to create. Role models? We don't have any, I think we've matured enough as musicians to stand our ground. Of course for songwriting, we've drawn inspiration from bands! The goal is to take our sound as far as we can, whether that’s headlining festivals, touring globally, or just reaching every corner of the underground with our music.
How do you approach promotion? Do you leave it up to the label or do you send out CDs yourself for various reviews? Do you support other bands? Do you go to concerts and party?
It’s a mix. Testimony Records and SureShot Worx have been great at getting the word and the music out, but we’re very hands-on, too. We know the value of getting our music into the hands of people who will appreciate it, so we’re not afraid to hustle. And yeah, we’re huge supporters of the scene—buying albums, hitting up shows, and partying with the best of them. This music is a community, and we’re all about being active members of it.
What do you think about modern technology affecting bands? Streaming, downloading, social media… what’s your take?
Modern tech is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, streaming and social media have made it easier than ever to reach fans around the globe. On the other hand, it’s diluted the value of music in some ways, with people prioritizing convenience over quality. We’re all for using these tools, but nothing beats a physical album or a live show. That’s where the real connection happens.
What does death metal and music, in general, mean to you? Philosophy, lifestyle, or just relaxation?
For us, it’s a way of life. Death metal is more than just music—it’s a release, a connection, and a form of expression. It’s about channeling the chaos of the world into something tangible, something you can feel in your chest. It’s not just about headbanging or blasting riffs; it’s about carving out a space where we can be unapologetically ourselves.
What are RATS OF GOMORRAH planning in the coming months? Where can we see you in concert and what about some tour in Europe, will there be?
The plan is to hit the road hard. We’ve got shows lined up across Germany, and we’re itching to bring the chaos to other parts of Europe too. Spain and Portugal are on the radar. Of course we'd like to come to Pilsen as well! We’re also writing new material, so you can expect more from us soon. Stay tuned, and we’ll see you in the pit!
Thank you very much for the interview. I wish not only the new album a lot of success and may the ranks of your fans expand as much as possible. I'll be looking forward to seeing you live somewhere and may you thrive both musically and on a personal level. I'm gonna go shove "Infectious Vermin" in my head again!
Thanks for the support and for taking the time to chat with us. Crank up Infectious Vermin, and we’ll see you out there—live, loud, and filthy.
Recenze/review - RATS OF GOMORRAH - Infectious Vermin (2025):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sledujte nás na sociálních sítích - follow us on the social media:
instagram:
facebook:
