Suhrim is the first foreign metal band which played in Algeria with the Algerian metal band Litham. This interview is with Johan from Suhrim talking about their experience and feelings about their 2 gigs in this country. "This was supper we will never forget that"

Let's start by a brief presentation of the band, here we go!

How do you define your music?

Brutal no nonsence pounding death metal.

What about your influences and favourite bands?
Influences al old death metal bands such as : Entombed, Ill disposed, Gorefest, Grave, Pungent stench, Autopsy, ...
The favourites are in there to :)

In which way do you approach the conception of your songs?
It just pops up in my head and then I start writing a lyric the song itself will be made afterwards.

And what do you talk about in it?
It variates, sometimes it's anti Christian shit, but most of the time gore and splatte, with a touch of dark sarcastic humour, like the b-horror movies .

If I'm not wrong your first album "UFB" was welcomed well by the critiques, how were the reactions?
Till now amazingly good, no complains about that at all :)
Still very proud on that album.

Till now are you satisfied by the general impact of your album?
Yep, although it might had some more promotion, from the side of the label.
It sold very well but still with more promotion we would have sold more.

Now that the album is ready, how do you see it?
Like I said before we are still proud on it.It's our first full length album and it shows how the band was at that period, musically, since then we have grown a bit more.

What about the official release, and label? (Which one?)
It' was released through Hybred records(Belgium)
And distributed worldwide by Painkiller records (Belgium)
The last one did a great job spreading our album.

Let us know about the actual metal scene in Belgium...
you have an experience of 15 years behind you , tell us about the stance (I mean the position) you might have gotten in the underground metal scene...
Well the scene was always there, it had it's ups and downs, now we are at a very up period for the Belgian metal scene, lots of bands lots of gigs(sometimes to much on one weekend )
Lots of good bands, seems that Belgium is finally getting a spot on the metal world map :)
If you want to put us in a certain position , lets say we are a cult band over here (I think) cause of existing that long :

Do you have tours outside Belgium?
Not real tours yet , but more like two day gigs or weekends.
like most of the bands have anecdotes to tell, have you one to share ? ;-)
Yep whatever happen stay yourself, both feet on the ground, and never forget who or what made you what you are today.

What are your occupations outside suhrim?
I work in a factory which I really don't like, but it's necessary to pay the bills and my house.
Besides that I have another band, we play old school Speed metal, in the vein of Possessed, old Slayer, Cyclone and so on.
Fun to do in this band Paul our drummer is also involved, and Peter singer of Axamenta plays guitar in it, Ruben vocalist of Battalion sings, and Philip of Gurtang plays guitar to in the band.
Me I just play the bass :)

Your worst nightmare?
Work :)

Let's talk about your gigs in Algeria, what motivated you to come?
The fact that it was unconquered ground, means no metal band ever played there, that we found fucking cool and an honour to be the first you know like with a virgin :)

And what are your souvenirs and Algerian public?
Very nice memories, a splendid time, making playing for 15 years with this band worth it.
The audience is very simple YOU ARE FUCKING MANIACS :)
Such a great crowd we didn't experienced that yet like there in Algeria, every one but I mean every one going completely nuts.
This was supper we will never forget that.
You Algerian people found a warm place in our hearts.

Do you look forward to come back?
Yes!!!!!! Next silly question :)

When?
As soon as possible :)

The gig in Algeria was the band litham, what are your relations with them?
It are now are brothers says enough?
Cool dudes, very nice people good musicians, we have a lot of respect for them.
Knowing it's damn hard to find good equipment.
And then the fact they turn a whole new page in their countries history.
Fucking much respect to you dudes.

What do you think about litham's music and Algerian sonority in dark/death metal?
I think they achieved to make unique music; the influence of the Arabic music in their approach to death dark metal is sublime.
It fits like a glove (and this is not to suck up but really meant) it seems natural. Well done.
Nice songwriting, and good musicianship bro's.

Would you prescribe gigs in Algeria for other foreign bands?
O yes if they have the honour to play there go there you will be pleasantly surprised, like we did.
We were respected and seen as a sort of gods this was such a cool experience.

Famous last word?
Again thanks to the people who contacted us to come over to play two shows.
For the hospitality, the friendship and the cool time we had there.
And the honour to be the first western band to kick ass on the Algerian soil.
Thanks to all who showed up at our shows there.
The people we talked to.
The people of the agency, the people of the hotel. The crew of the halls we played in, the sound man.
All the dudes of Litham and their moms for the cookies eat eat :)
Thanks you rule.
Johan

Interview by +Ben+

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