Rotting Christ
Wywiad przeprowadził Aleksander Krzeczkowski & Andrzej Papież
Greek Gods arised again - new album of Rotting Christ is out for few days already. One word describes properly this recording - perfect! We've been talking to Sakis just after the Olympics games were over in Athens and we asked him few questions about "Sanctus Diavolos" as well as about the history of the band.
Ok - first .. non-musical relaxing question. Olympic games are over. Did you like it? Are you interesting in sports in any way?
I am interested in sports cause, as our ancient greeks were saying - "you only have your body clear you have your mind too". So I follow some of the games. But now I'm really happy it's all over now - after too many years of noise because of the constructions I can finally get a proper sleeping.
Was it really so disturbing?
Yes man I live about 2 minutes from the Olympic Stadium and my place was a real mess the last year.
OK I'm sure you're more absorbed with your new album at the moment. A lot of enthusiastic opinions are circulating around. I'm sure you consider this this album as the best in your career.
It sounds cliche but yes...."Sanctus Diavolos" is so far our best album. It is atmospheric as always but more mature and aggressive than ever.
It's like you've moved more into more experimental music in my opinion (with using industrial/electronic parts)
No I can't say that. All you can hear on this album is played live. There are no triggers here - only real instruments. We have some experiments but we also always used to experiment as a band!
But, without any doubt, you have also turned more into your old style at the same time. You know how to change the music so it is the same but different at the same time
Yes exactly, thanks you understand that, the album is a step forward for the band in my opinion. If we ever record album that sounds the same we will split up. We want to be fair with the people that like our music.
This is another time you were producing your album. Previously you were working with Peter Tangtren and Andy Classen among others. How was it this time in SCA studios? Have you been producing it alone? Did you feel like you've learned enough to do it?
After so many years working with producers I think I took some influence from their job and I am on a level that I can produce an album by myself. So why not record it in my hometown where I feel more comfortable and I can ask good musicians for help. For instance I asked Gus G to put a heavy metal solo - he is my friend and also a very talented guitarist. I also asked the help from Chris from Chaos Star to take care of the choir arrangemnent - they sound demonic and that make me glad. I wouldn't do it all if I were recording in Germany or anywhere else.
Have you got any other musician in your mind you would like to ask to contribute on your future albums?
Not at the moment... but having many friends around who are playing in bands I will definitelly be based in some of them and of course I can help them too if they will only ask me. That is metal - it is a community and everyone should help one another other.
It doesn't look like this on many metal scenes, we've got a lot of conflicts here in Poland i.e. - what about Greek one?
There are conflicts everywhere my friend, but it was not like this back in early 90's. Everything was too romantic and everyone used to help one other.
If we're back to the past.. what are your memories about famous Fuck Christ Tour from 1993 (with Immortal and Blasphemy)?
A really shock tour... The first ever Black Metal tour. Many experiences ... everyone was really into Black Metal. Many extreme people were attending the shows - not too many we pick nowadays. Everyone was inside the venue and they were really die hard. Some of them were cutting their veins during the show. We were shocked...
As it was a first real Black Metal assault... where there any troubles with Blasphemy members... you know ... some peope could have trouble with that that their skin is black...
Yes, we had some kind of problems playing in Berlin from some skinheads, but in the end it turned to be ok. The police fixed everything up before any fights started.
Well.. German Police seems to be better than Polish - in early 90's there were a lot of fights on the gigs in Poland.
Here in Greece too. It was an agressive era indeed. There was a lot of fights between the groups of fans from different cities. We were really scaring to go to the northern Greece i.e. But now, it all is just a past.
Were you involved in it?
Yes, I was involved in fights generally, especially against police, but I have calmed down nowadays. Hey man, I am a 32 years old now!
Sure... he he, OK - let's go back to Rotting Christ. Both, George and Costas left band this year. Is it possible to tell us more about that beside standard "personal reasons" words?
You know, playing in a band when you reach the age of 30 years old ain't the most secure thing. So they chose to follow the normal way of life what is really respectfull from our side.
So , they're now more into "family" stuff?
No, it was not a "family". When you play in a metal band and tour worlwide you face a lot of financial problems and the guys just couldn't stand with that. Maybe they were just tired.
Are you looking for the replacement for Geroge and Costas?
We are currently working with an ex guitarist of Septic Flesh. And as soon as he will confirm it will be anounced in our official web site.
And what about the keyboard player?
Playback with a DAT - as many bands do. We will have them pre-recorded and on the albums I will be doing keyboards as I did on the last album.
There was a big open air fest in Athens In July... with fucked up organiser... did you play there? Lemmy of Motorhead told me that it was their worst show ever
Yes and i feel really shamed about that. Some stupid organisation can destroy everything that you have created with too much pain all those years.
But its not your fault, man
I know, but I am a part of the Greek scene. And I feel really ashamed that my dedication is not found place in the new scene.
Century Media - you've recorded 6 albums for them so far. Do you regard them as the best label for Rotting Christ? Or you're just too lazy to look for another one ;) ?
I do not know, I prefer to create music instead of being involved in paper work. "Sanctus Diavolos" is our last album indeed for Century so we will see what’s gonna happen in the future.
Century media re-released "Thy mighty contract" some time ago, with the different cover... didn’t you like the original one?
I loved the first cover but we couldn't use it because of some legal matters. Bussiness in music is something I really hate.
hmmm.. or maybe it was about the Golgotha and Christ on it?
No, of course not! Are you crazy? Rotting will always be a pin in the ass of any conservative religion.
And what about older stuff - is there any chance to reissue it?
Unfortunatelly it is up to labels, and unfortunatelly I have nothing to do with that and I do not care actually.
Some time ago Century media released a split live album of R.Ch with Samael and Tiamat... do you think about serious Rotting Christ's live album?
Yes we must actually but the DVD could cover us for a while.
Yeap, why did you decide to record DVD here in Poland?
Because you owe a great station for that reason and of course for a little respect back to the Polish metal heads that have been helping us out the last 10 years.
Thanx, we appreciate that! There is no doubt that you're a cult band. 14 Brazilian bands recording your covers says it all :). Have you already heard "An Evil Existence of Rotting Christ"?
I haven't listened to it yet but it was a big respect that Brazilians did it for us. I don't know many of the bands but as soon as we are there we will pay the respect back.
OK, we do not have much time left - what can we expect in the future from Rotting Christ then? What is the next step?
I do not know, I have to ask my demons that are deep inside of me. But for sure a step forward...
Do you talk to your demons while creating music?
Everyone has those demons inside him doesn't he? I just put them out with creating music and I feel calm in my everyday life. Rotting Christ is my best psychologist, music is a free psychoterapy.
Last words...
Horns up Polish metal brothers and we hope to share some really dark monuments as soon as we will be there.
www.rotting-christ.com
