Masterful Magazine - Death Metal and Black Metal Magazine

Sinister

Wywiad przeprowadził - Wouter Roemers

After a lengthy three year sabbatical Holland's long-standing proud purveyors of old school brutality return gloriously to the frontlines of the international death metal scene. "Afterburner" sees Sinister back to their old self - at once profoundly rooted in the sound they helped invent while simultaneously integrating various modern influences. After spending almost a month on the road all through Europe in support of the new record, I got founding member and current frontman/vocalist Aad Kloosterwaard over for some questions regarding the new album and the band's much anticipated return to wreak merciless havoc upon the masses once more.

Hi Aad! How's everything in the Sinister camp?

Everything is cool with the band. We are doing a lot of shows again and started slowly working on new Sinister tracks.

"Afterburner" has been released shortly, are the reviews living up to expectations?

Oh yes man! We are super happy with the reactions on the "Afterburner" cd. That's a great motivation for us to go on the way we are doing now. The new stuff that we have for the next one will be in the same vein as "Afterburner", but again with new elements in it.

The new album seems to be a potent mix between mid-tempo old school death metal and current day death metal. Was this a conscious artistic decision to vary your back catalogue after such speed gems as "Aggressive Measures"?

Yes, you're right about that. We didn't want to come back with Sinister and start doing again where we left. Of course, there is already a big difference because Alex [Paul, long-time bassist] is now on guitar and he has a different look on writing death metal. It's the way everybody in Sinister likes a lot. There is a lot going on now in the music and that makes it so much more interesting to listen to. One important thing: I am still very proud of our old stuff that has made us what we are now today.

Well, the line-up sure has changed drastically since last time around. Alex Paul switched from bass to guitars, a new bassist and drummer have been recruited and most notably you have taken the position of frontman/vocalist. Can you tell us the circumstances of how this new line-up took shape?

That's a long story but I will make it short. Alex was already playing guitar in Houwitser and started to become better and better. So, he said "I like to take over the guitar for Sinister" and of course that was no problem. For me, it was that I had enough off playing drums and also needed to do something new. I did already some vocals for Infinited Hate and Blastcorps. I spoke with Alex about that and for him was it also no problem that I wanted to do this for Sinister. Of course than new guys on drums and bass, Alex and me are super happy now with the new guys. They are nice guys and they can play there instruments like maniacs.

Similarly, you have become vocalist for the Infinited Hate studio project, as well. Why exactly was Rachel Heyzer both booted from Sinister as Infinited Hate?

She had to go. That's all I like to tell about it. I really think everybody knows this story already.

Your previous album was released on Dutch label Karmageddon Media (formerly Hammerheart Records), "Afterburner" is - like the remainder of Sinister's recorded output - released on German label Nuclear Blast. I guess it was sort of homecoming with the new record?

Our previous album [2003's "Savage Or Grace"] was also on N.B the "Creative Killings" album was on Hammerheart Records. We are N.B really thankful that they liked to have us back. I know that they only want to hear death metal from us, so that's perfect because we will always make this kind of metal.

While most modern day death metal outfits go for flat-out shocking pieces of art, you guys always kept the old school tradition alive. Who was responsible for the artwork this time around? It looks like something of Graal to me.

We are old school death metal so also the cover have to be like this, haha. We with Sinister are different. Like our music - nobody sounds like us. You're right about the artist. It's Graal from Poland. This guy RULESSSSSSS.

If my information is correct, you've finished the first leg of the "Afterburner" European tour by now. What is in the pipeline for the coming month as far as promotional activities is concerned?

We did already a lot of show in different countries and after the summer we will go continue this. We will also play some festivals, that's always cool. Some weeks ago we did our first Balkan tour and that was FUCKING KILLER.

Sinister have had quite share of line-up alterations through the years. Are you still in touch/on good terms with these people?

With some, yes. But with others absolutely NOT. That is cool for me, also when I will see them never again.

Despite line-up troubles, label changes, etc Sinister is one of the very few original Dutch death metal bands that are left from the many that populated the scene in the early nineties. Thanatos, God Dethroned and Asphyx are the only bands that I can name top of my head that started alongside yourself. What has kept Sinister alive, while others grew into different directions or just fell apart all together?

What kept Sinister alive is our love for death metal - that's the most important thing. Nobody from us likes to make different music than death metal with Sinister. That's the only sound we like to make with this band. When you like to do something different than you have to do it with another band - but never with us.

So, inevitably the whole reunion topic is bound to arise. What your opinion on all these classic acts re-forming and releasing new material. Aren't most of them past their prime to begin with?

I will not call any names but some bands that came back, aaarrrggghhh they sound so fucking shit to me. When I listen to the last Suffocation then I am so happy that they are back. One thing is for sure all the old bands have their own sound. When you listen to new stuff everything sounds like one and the same band to me.

Speaking of your new fans, which earlier record would you recommend them as a good reference point to start their exploration from?

I'd have to say "Hate" and "Cross the Styx". With "Afterburner" I have the feeling that we did a great mix of these two albums.

Which is the band's best selling record to date?

"Cross the Styx"...at least I think!

Back in 2002 there were talks of a Sinister DVD, are you still scheduling to release that - given the necessary all-around updates, new footage and such?

We are working on it. We did some killer recordings, but I hope that Nuclear Blast would like to release this one for us. There will be no old stuff on it, because Alex and I don't want that, we have our reasons for that.

Okay, I think I covered most important things now. If there's anything you want to add to conclude the interview, here's the place.

We hope that we have made the old Sinister fans happy with the "Afterburner" cd, because we know that we have a lot of fans around the world......... Horns up!!!

Band info:

Site: sinister.wingsofdeath.nu/
Info/booking: a.kloosterwaard@chello.nl

Sinister

Wywiad przeprowadził - Wouter Roemers

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