Interview with Sarkom

Sarkom have fifteen years of experience in the extreme metal scene and they have, among other releases, four full length albums on their backs. Their last album “Anti Cosmic Art” was one of the topics we discussed with them in a conversation they had with Metal Invader.

Congratulations on your new album. How have the first days of it’s release been?

Thanks! It feels good to finally have it “out there”, as we started the recording during summer 2014.

It’s your first album under Dark Essence Records, which is a powerhouse in underground metal. How did the collaboration come up?

First of all, it’s our second album under D.E. They released our third album Doomsday Elite in 2013. The collaboration started in 2012, I think. We were starting to record the Doomsday album, and as we weren’t signed to any label I simply sent them an e-mail asking if they were interested in signing Sarkom, and everything went smooth from there.

You also released an EP earlier this year, “Seen through the Eyes of a Paedophile Priest”. While the track is on the new album, why did you choose to release it in an EP as well?

I guess you can call it a single or a teaser for the album. However, this version is different from the one who appears on the album. It has slightly different vocals, no effects and a long outro with church bells and stuff…

The EP has a strong message and strong artwork as well. What does the song talk about and why did you choose to cover that Urgehal classic?

I got the idea after watching a documentary called “Deliver us from evil”. It’s written from a pedophile’s view and state of mind(that’s the intention anyway), and in this case it happens to be a priest. I did some research, but whether I nailed it or not is hard to say as I don’t share any of these feelings personally. However, it was interesting to write a song like this and the message is damn serious and relevant. These lowlives actually do live among us and it’s hard to understand that it’s so many who’s into this shit. As for the Urgehal cover… It’s a kick ass song, and I think it was appropriate to honor Nefas with a coversong.

Tell us a bit about the concept and the artwork of “Anti-Cosmic Art”. What does it contain, musically and lyrically?

As the songs on the album don’t match each other musically or lyrically I had to come up with a suitable title who could describe them all. This was transferred to the artwork which contains all the graphics I had in mind for each song, and I think it turned out great!

In what ways have you improved or changed since 2013’s “Doomsday Elite”?

Three of these songs were written before the Doomsday album, but we never recorded them… So ask me again after the next album!

“Anti-Cosmic Art” is by far the shortest full length album you have ever released. Were you more selective this time?

It was meant as a mini album and a 10 years anniversary thing, but clearly that never happened, so I just wrote a new song and we added a coversong, then BAM! A new album was done(a short one though).

How long was the composing period for gathering material for this new album?

I think I wrote the music for Come, dear cancer about 7-8 years ago, and Ruiners… in 2014(All lyrics were written in 2013/14). As said, I had already written several of the songs before the Doomsday album, so it’s just material which has been waiting to be recorded… And this is what took all the time… 2 years from start to finish the recording of six songs + cover… Never again…

Most of the song titles in the album are attention catchers. “Come, Dear Cancer”, “Black Metal Necrophilia”, “Ruiners of our Family Tree”. Who writes the lyrics?

I have written both songs and lyrics on this album, except the Sodom cover of course…

Are there any new Norwegian black metal bands you consider in the same spirit as Sarkom?

I don’t know… I hardly listen to any new black metal these days… However, it seems like most bands have suffered from this occult trend and are performing rituals and not concerts anymore. So in that case, we are pretty much on our own, as we’re not into that shit.

Some consider your first album the best. Do you have a favorite?

Our next one! I’m close to half way done with the next album and if the rest turns out just as good, this will definitely beat everything else we’ve done so far! However, don’t expect this to be out until 2019…

You will play some shows in Norway to promote the new album. Do you have any plans outside your country, or even visiting us here in Greece?

Yeah, we just did, and it went pretty good. It might be a tour, but I doubt Greece is on the route… But if anyone booking festivals in Greece is reading this, feel free to get in touch. We’ll be there for sure!

Thanks for your time, the last words are yours!

Thank you for the support! Check out Sarkom on facebook for the latest news, upcoming gigs etc.