Flesh Made Sin
Wywiad przeprowadził Aleksander Krzeczkowski
I can say it quite firmly - Flesh Made Sin have, with their genuine old-school thrash metal, silenced all their critics and unbelievers who have buried this music in their garden. No other "big come back" has impressed me as much as those four Dutch thrasher did with both their CDs. The question is - what the fuck is going on with the metal scene if no serious label has signed them yet???
Both your efforts - "Scenery of Death" and "Masterwork in Blood" are fuckin' masterpieces - I can't believe you couldn't interest any suitable labels with your music. Have your terms been unacceptable, or is the style of music you play too uncommercial for the companies?
Thanx...A lot of people ask us why we're still not signed at a suitable label. There are some bigger labels who are interested in Flesh Made Sin, but they don't believe that old school thrash metal will sell enough records nowadays...indeed uncommercial.
You have finally set up your own label. How do you feel about this? I would imagine that you can now control everything independently, but what about distribution, and the whole marketing challenge? Are you able to negotiate at the same level as big companies do?
I started Thrashing hell recs. during the recordings of "Masterwork...". I know our albums are hard to get. We have only some small distribution deals and we do a lot of trades. It's hard to promote your stuff by yourself due to high promotion costs, that's why it's not possible to negotiate like big companies.
I think I read somewhere (sorry, I don't remember where) about some Dutch music award you took part in. Tell me a bit about that please. (if I'm not wrong, of course)
Whoooo, I hardly remembered myself ;-)...that's way back in May/June 2000. It was a contest organized by Dutch magazine Aardschok. Out of 400 metal bands from Holland and Belgium we we're picked to enter the "Metal bash". We reached the finals were we became third.
Calling you a 'retro-style band' is a serious mistake. I find your music a perfect continuation of legendary old stuff without losing the spirit of the times. And what do you say when someone calls you 'retro-thrash'?
I just ignore them...they don't know what it's all about. A lot of bands claim to play Thrash, but it's not like it was meant...THRASH TILL DEATH!!
Your style has evolved - "Masterwork in Blood" is much more brutal, more intensive and still has the same great level of aggression as on "Scenery of Death". Technically it is a step forward as well. Have you got a vision of the future face of Flesh Made Sin? Are there any new songs ready at the moment?
At the moment we're writing new material for our next album. The songs are in the line of Masterwork... & Scenery... Yet we have grown as a band, I think the new material will be more intense and aggressive.
Sincerely - do you ever remove any riffs or arrangements when creating new tracks - just because the sound is too much like death metal for you?
We just write stuff the way we like it. It's a natural process I guess. Though we listen not only to Thrash metal.
The lyrical concept of "Masterwork in blood" revelss in murder, serial killing and similar themes - don't you think it's a bit of an overused idea?
It just fits right to our music. Twan (vocals/ guitars) writes all of the lyrics and he's really into that kind of subjects.
Twan plays in black metal Sauron too (do you know there's a Polish Sauron?). Their new LP will be out soon. Will you play any gigs together? What's your personal opinion about the BM scene today?
"Universe of Filth" has just been released at Dark Horizon recs. We did one show in Belgium together with SauroN, but we try not to play together too much. We're all good friends, but it's better for Twan not to play two times at one night . Personally I'm not into black metal that much, though there are some bands I really like (Emperor, Darkthrone, Behemoth, Forgotten Tomb...).
How's your knowledge of the Polish metal scene - beside Vader and Behemoth do you know any other bands that have kept your attention for longer than a moment?
I'm in contact with some bands, Throneum for example. But beside that I don't know that much Polish bands. I'm sure there will be some great (Thrash) metal bands out there...don't hesitate to let us know of your existence!!!
Thinking about "big comebacks" of classical thrash giants (i.e. Destruction, Assassin), many people believe that they do so only for materialistic goals. Do you agree with these popular opinions?
No, not all.... when I see those bands live or listen to their new albums, I just feel it's for real. As long as they keep up the good work... please "come back"!!!
Maybe you'll find this question a little primitive (hehe) but some time ago, on Masterful forum, we were discussing the differences between classical German and American thrash scenes. Which one do you prefer and why?
I like both styles, but I prefer German ...just a matter of taste I guess, maybe because I'm European. Above all; German thrash is more pure and raw!
You've been playing a lot of gigs with strict death or grind/death metal bands. How does this kind of audience respond to you?
Really positive, a lot of Death/ Grind fans like the aggression we breath out. You can't satisfy all people, but the reactions have always been great out of different corners.
"Scenery of Death" begins with the track "Thrash is Back"; the last lyric line on "Masterwork in Blood" consists of the same words. Do you seriously believe in the come-back of thrash metal music? Can you imagine 16-year-old musicians playing thrash metal today in the same vein as late 80's? :)
It's already coming back!! It will never be the same as in the late 80's, but also younger people are getting interested in bands like Kreator, Sodom, Death Angel, Destruction, Exodus, Testament, Death Angel...all those bands are making great new records and do successful tour after tour (who ever said old school thrash didn't sell???)
What are your expectations of the future? What is your greatest wish for Flesh Made Sin? What do your plans consist of?
We want to bring out a new album next year, after that we will tour a lot to conquer every metal soul! The greatest thing what could ever happen would be a tour with DESTRUCTION!!! (Dream on...)
OK - thanks for your time! - just tell me what kind of sins of the flesh Masterful readers should commit more often, and I'm not going to bore you anymore.
Well, support Thrash and visit our website (www.fleshmadesin.nl). We hope to visit Poland real soon and Thrash Till Death!!! Aleksander, thanx for the interview and all the best with Masterful ‘zine.
Aleksander Krzeczkowski
