It's been 4 years since Fidelium and 8 years since your first album Despoilment of Origin, after which Sarpanitum has been a duo of musicians. The new album, featuring a stunning drumming performance by Leon Macey, has been writtren and recorded ages ago and you're now signed to Willowtip Records. What's the next step in your Mithras impersonation? Hiring Rayner Coss as your live body guard/bassist?
Hahahahaha! Well I used his bass on the record, Rayner's a very tall guy so he has this humongous bass guitar so I had a laugh playing and recording with that. With regards to him as a body guard that could be a good idea as in the past he has partaken in wrestling, I would be concerned about him dressed in tight lyrca and acting as our bodyguard mind. In relation to Willowtip is the best label for us to go to as the slogan of the "Forward thinking music/metal" really kind of matches with what we aim for. People will always want something to compare to, and as Sarpanitum and Mithras play in the same SUB-GENRE let alone GENRE of metal there will be people who may note similarities but I would like to think we are individual in our own right.
After a darker and thicker Fidelium, Blessed be My Brothers seems a (little) bit slower and has much more melodic layers than Fidelium. How would you describe your evolution?
I like to have heavy music that can blend nicely and create an atmosphere with melodies without going too melodic and loosing the brutality that makes us a Death Metal band. I would say that the material is in a similar vein to
Fidelium because it has melody but continues to be brutal with choirs like on
Fidelium, but I would say used more often than
Fidelium. Normally there is a understandable uncertainty with added choirs in Death Metal because if done too much the wrong way it can sound inappropriate and flamboyant which is not what we are after. We really feel it helps bring the "ancient" feel out more of the riffs and in a way acts as a 5th instrument coming in and out of the riffs. Also there is a noticeable increase in guitar leads throughout the album. There has always been occasional guitar leads and sometimes solos in tracks whenever we have recorded a release, fans will notice an increase with this and also harmonizing guitar leads. With regards to it being a bit slower, I think that was really in parts of the songs, we wanted for the parts with 16ths on the kick drums or when it goes back it to a blast beat to really standout more rather than being the same tempo the whole way through the song.
One would describe it as “Mithras-esque”, and probably wouldn't be wrong. How much of an influence has Mithras been on Sarpanitum?
I won't lie, Mithras has been one of mine and Tom (Innocenti's) favourite bands for a number of years. I still remember not long after finishing high school I worked as a cleaner in a hospital and I would listen to
Worlds Beyond the Veil on my CD player whilst cleaning the toilets so I could send my mind into a fantastic place rather than thinking about the task at hand. Me and Leon have talked a few times about how we (Mithras and Sarpanitum) are similar yet both unique in our own right. Yes, we are both fast, we take roots mainly from death metal with a grander feel and atmospheric element thus both bands fall under the catergory of "Atmospheric death metal" or "cinematic brutal extreme metal" or whatever one wants to call it. Regardless of that we both have our own unique take on melody. Leon has a very Ethereal galactic theme that uses this unique, almost psychedelic and often quite major in sound scales for his sound whereas Sarpanitum, especially on
Blessed be My Brothers aim for a more of a "ancient feel". The melodies in Sarpanitum as well compose like a symphony in that the majority of the time both the guitars are doing different things whilst aiming to create a melody that suits whatever period of time we wish to explore and take ourselves and the listener to.
Can you now admit you've programmed the drums on Fidelium thinking about Leon's drumming style?
Not really, ever since late 2004 when our first drummer left we were desperate to be very fast so we started with a drum machine and then have Sean Broster play with us and record on the first album. Sean Broster had also done live drums for Mithras at this time and also did a brief appearance live in Mithras with myself at SWR festival in 2010 so he is a drummer that is very competent with the style that both Sarpanitum and Mithras wish to achieve. When we programmed the drums for
Fidelium we just knew we wanted bit parts where the kicks are doing full 16ths, occasional shadow beats and blast beats, blast beats and more blast beats.
Did you give him guidelines for Blessed be My Brothers or did he come up with all the parts?
Well when me and Tom write the guitars we already have the drums in mind of what we want to happen. We can conceptualize what drum patterns we want where as well as what we feel will flow right into the next riff and so on. Because Leon has worked with us and been good friends of ours for nearly a decade now he understands our vision musically, the sound we want to achieve and has been able to deliver this every time whilst getting the best results from us as musicians because he is genuinely enthusiastic about the music that we play. Before going to record the album me and Tom (Innocenti) would record a template of the songs with program drums and then present them to Leon. Leon could then use this as a template then feel free to adapt parts or change parts and add variations as appropriate.
Aren't you blown away by his performance each time you listen to it? Because we, mere mortals and standard musicians, are.
Like I said earlier, the great thing is not only are we (Sarpanitum) huge fans of Mithras but we also play in the same sub-genre of music as Mithras so it would be illogical to record anywhere else really! Leon is a very fast and skilled drummer which goes with Sarpanitum's musical approach and we love Leon’s drumming so we were thrilled when Leon agreed to drum on the record.
There are many more guitar leads and a lot of background keyboards, in the vein of « Sanctus Incendia », on the new album. Did you want to bring Sarpanitum to more atmospheric grounds (yes, just like Mithras)?
To even more atmospheric grounds yes, like Mithras no because there a different style of atmosphere. For a start me and Tom (Innocenti) have always been big fans of 80's guitar leads and styles and solos. Ever since I joined Sarpanitum I wanted to do leads in a death metal band that did not sound like Kerry King strangling a chicken and I have always listened to a lot of the 80's heavy metal/ hard rock like Extreme, Winger, Phantom Blue (early), Judas Priest and I love the epic yet almost "righteous" feel of the guitar solo's. Initially when we were thinking of writing after
Fidelium we thought about being more discordant, bizarre and dissonant and dark but really in Sarpanitum we have always had an edge of melody that has been integrated in brutality and that is what we enjoy writing together. We did not want to suddenly become another band with this sound. When we wrote
Fidelium we were excited but also quite frustrated and I think this was because of years of playing tracks from our first album and desperate to release new material which only pushed us even further. Naturally we wrote "Sanctus Incendia" to be a more reflective sounding song which builds into this big glorious part near the end of the record which we are really happy with.
Fidelium had really positive feedback and also brought in a lot of new fans who had never heard of us before. This was very positive but also myself and Tom were going through big life changes which we are both happy about and wanted the music to reflect that. From there me and Tom agreed to each other "You know what, we love awesome leads with harmonies, we love big choirs and blast beats, why can't we do it all" and found that by doing so it only built on the atmosphere that Sarpanitum strives to achieve in each our releases.
Will you eventually get pissed at everyone claiming you've only mimiced Mithras approach of brutal death metal (like if it were an easy job)?
I have read on the internet or heard only a few people saying that Sarpanitum sounds identical or a clone of Mithras but these are often people who are not really familiar with Atmospheric metal bands or extreme metal bands that touch on the sub genre of music we play. People are always going to say something sounds similar to something else because when they want to describe something through finding similarities when talking to their friends? Like I said earlier, people will always want something to compare to, and as Sarpanitum and Mithras play in the same SUB-GENRE of metal let alone GENRE of metal...
Will you get even angrier at asshole interviewers like me who start by a bunch of Mithras-related questions?
You need to get an interview with Mithras or get a room with Leon Macey and Rayner dude! I will send your regards to them anyway!
Few albums in death metal history are as fast overall as Bleesed Be My Brothers, I guess most tracks are between 230 and 260 bpm. Aren't you afraid you'll reach the point where the emphasis on speed become pointless (if such a thing exists)?
Well, we play around that speed as a standard now because, that is what Sarpanitum is. There will be a point in time where there is only so fast one can play and anything faster would require a drum machine. Although the speed at which we play does build our unique identity as a band we also aim to bring in subtle atmospheric harmonies and we see both as vital to our musical vision.
Will you eventually be more than a duo again? Could some former band members return? Or has Sarpanitum reached the point where it couldn't be anything but a creative duo (kinda like... well no, I won't say it)?
I won't rule it out, but really myself and Tom Innocenti have always had a good continuous vision of the band and what direction we feel it goes in. Me and Tom Innocenti have been friends playing in bands together since we were in our early/mid teens so it has always been our vision. Even when Tom Innocenti left the band briefly, we started jamming together outside of the band because we enjoy creating music together and sharing an artistic vision. If people understand and can add to that vision then I welcome it however, I have never encountered anyone that does. We are very used to writing the melodies between ourselves.
How much of a challenge will it be to play the new material live? Will you play live at all, and if so how could you find a drummer to fill in Leon's supersonic shoes?
We can definitely play it live with two guitarists, there may be a couple of lead harmonies missing but if we really wanted to get those in as well it would be three guitarists including myself. We have not ruled out playing live again and enjoy playing live a lot but we want to make sure if and when we do we play along musicians that will be able to meet the standard and commit to it. In the UK (or anywhere) there is a scarce amount of fast and skilled drummers and from our experience we often find if they are available that they often drum in several different bands.
Why the focus on crusades since Fidelium? The narration seems to treat both sides point of view equally, focusing on the meaningless side of these wars, men killing each other in the name of their god. As strange as it may seem, could you say your music is "pacifist"?
Yes and can I just add we are both really content that you perceive it that way. My personal opinion is that music should be interpreted by the listener for what ever means. However, if people want to know how we as the artist's perceive the music, we perceive the music and most notably the lyrics in a way that looks at past events (which unfortunately mirror current events) with an aim to seek unity from the divide that has been formed over the years. I like to think that there is empathy in every human being but unfortunately few people do not have empathy, some are just more considerate in their logic and conduct. The problem is when perceptions, ethics and institutions are manipulated. Say for example religion. Religion is just a vessel to gain spiritual well-being, my problem is not with religion but with those who seek to manipulate individuals to divide and conquer especially when it is manipulation from a ruler. The vast majority of people before being conditioned by their enviroment want nothing but love and peace. So the answer is yes, we want peace, love and unity.
Do you use the crusade-era as a way to actually talk about our present-day society?
Yes,we used our strengths and interests in history and extreme metal to integrate into the music in such a way that in a esoteric fashion we can reflect upon current issues.
Is the wonderful cover a picture of a medieval piece of art or an original artwork? What does it represent?
Well its interesting you say that. The artwork was painted by my partner Sallie Pears who is an avid artist and jewelry maker. She like myself has a big interest in history as well as art and created this image which is essentially the merging of two medieval paints. One where it is Pope Urban II at the sermon at Clermont and the other of a knight being anointed. We changed a couple of parts and then once painted we scanned the image and sent it to Eddie Ruffles, who used to play in U.K extreme metal band Detrimentum and Infected Disarray, a long time friend of the band who created the artwork for us on "Despoilment" in the past and also helped to create the inlay and design of the CD which we are very proud of him for creating. We set the goal posts high with the artwork from
Fidelium as it was very colorful and we still wanted to keep the vast amount of colors whilst having a different piece of artwork. The original painting takes pride in mine and Sallie's office in our house. I am both very happy and proud that people admire the artwork and very grateful to be partnered with such a talented woman.
As much as I'd like you to say that the next album is fully written and ready to be recorded, I guess I'll still have to wait to hear new Sarpanitum material. Yes, that's how much I want the goddamn third album : now. But I guess you've started the composition since Blessed be My Brothers has been recorded a year ago, so when will it be out? I guess you probably have one of those ”2 albums in 2 years” contract with Willowtip, am I wrong?
Hahaha! Thats how I always feel when I have listened to an album a lot and fall in love with. When I have finished listening to it I say to myself "I WANT MORE!". In fact a frequent observation and criticism of listeners is that the album is too short in length. Myself and Tom (Innocenti) have the ethic of writing for enjoyment first and foremost. The moment writing and playing music together feels strained we take a break because first and foremost we are best friends who want to achieve the best we can for our vision whilst making sure it does not become tiresome. This process allows us to reflect, add counterparts and harmonies to our songs which we have demonstrated on
Blessed be My Brothers and at times on
Fidelium. We feel that is the direction we aim to be influenced from. Because there are so many harmonies and counterparts on guitar personally speaking I feel sometimes we could write two albums with the material. If we did that, we feel that the quality and intensity that Sarpanitum strive to achieve would be comprised, and of course being an extreme metal band we do not compromise on what our musical vision is because that is solely ours. We have already started work on our second release with Willowtip (or "album number 3) but again, we have set a template, some of the riffs might change, we might add more harmonies but for definite it will be fast, ancient, triumphant and cinematic!
How is it to know that despite how amazing your album is, you'll only ever be a small band given the fact you play a style not even the majority of metalheads listen to? Ever dreamt about making a living out of Sarpanitum?
I think when your a young teenager its just quite innocent really to dream of playing in a famous band and playing on tours which is fine as long as you do not set your life up on it. We always wanted to play styles of music where our passions lie regardless if it is popular or not. When I hear about people complaining about being on tour all the time, missing their family, living in a sleeping bag on a tour bus and having to beg promoters to have a shower at their house and all that other rubbish I am quite glad I don't have an obligation to play music. We have a desire to play music. Myself and Tom have played live, played tours and wrote and recorded material whilst focusing on our careers rather than being completely devoured by false hopes of "being a rockstar". I know a lot of people who have fell into the trap of becoming successful musicians in their prime and their youth which resulted in them being spat out later on with no career, as their professional or academic life was consumed by striving for success in their band, resulting in them becoming feeling rejected, isolated, poor, alone and still living with their parents.
Do you realize that the English extreme metal scene is incredibly talented? How come you tea drinkers became such metal juggernaut in the 2000's? It's like the French metal scene has quantity while the English one has quality, I'm freaking jealous. Any bands you would recommend?
During the 00's we played mainly in the underground death metal scene which was great and quite of few of which are still active. Bands like Detrimentum, Twtich of the Death Nerve, Diamanthian, Amputated, Crepitation, Neuroma, Foetal Juice, Ingested and so many more. We are really happy to have been and still be part of that scene and friends through the years with them. With bands from the UK to recommend I would say there is quite a few successful death metal bands like Unfathomable Ruination. My personal favorite acts from the U.K are Adorior, Lvcifyre and of course Mithras, seeing as you have asked me so much about them! :p
Would you play live in France knowing our countries can't stand each other since the day you basically decided to have your own official language instead of using the much more sophisticated and beautiful French? We unfortunately have the mean habit of kicking englishmen out of our borders since the Hundred Years' War.
Personally, I love France. I spent all my school holidays there, my parents were both teachers and bought a holiday home during the school holidays so me and my brother and sister would go on holiday there. We were not far from Mûr-De-Bretagne in Brittany for a long time and spent a few years in La Vendée, about an hour and a half in land from La Rochelle. I have got to visit some great places there (St Malo and Mont Saint Michel, WOW!). In the Vendée we lived not far from the Puy-Du-Fou and we visited "Le Grand Parc" that was amazing. Seeing the medieval battles take place was very inspirational (probably for Sarpanitum) and the Roman reenactments were great. However at the time I was still a angry teenager so my mother was not happy when I cheered on the Romans pretending to beat up the christian when the rest of the crowd cheered. Hahaha! I also worked as a grounds keeper and receptionist at camp site there. My parents now have a "maison de vacances" not far from "Bon Repos" in Brittany, which again I have many fond memories of and hope to visit some time soon. I love France so much that I have moved even closer to France. I use to live in Birmingham, England, the second largest city but I always missed the countryside and the sea side so I now live in the south west of England on the coast. Therefore I am now a lot closer to France. I would be delighted to play in France and it would be great for me "parce que je ne ai pas parlé français pour beaucoup de longe tempe!"
[note : I could tell, it's “longtemps”]. Perhaps I was a "Breton" in a past life? I just hope the French forgive us referring to their forefathers as "Frankish abominations" in our lyrics on "Before the Walls" of
Fidelium. :D
I'll let you conclude this interview with the most clever question of all : anything else you'd want to say?
Firstly thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this, thank you to Willowtip and Earsplit and of course a big thank you to Maxime and Thrashocore for arranging this interview and to everyone who has supported us throughout our musical journey. Be sure to grab your copy of the album either through the
Willowtip Records website or our
facebook page. We will update our big cartel site soon so you will be able to purchase the album from Europe AND Full color tshirts of both
Blessed Be My Brothers and
Fidelium artwork soon!
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