Croatian thrashers Krematorium return with Sinister
Seduction, out May 23 via Witches Brew. We spoke with Erik and Domagoj
about their evolving sound, cinematic lyrics, and the fire behind their riffs.
1. Your new album, Sinister Seduction, is set for
release on May 23rd via Witches Brew. How would you describe the evolution of
your sound compared to your debut Body Bags and your EP Altar of Lies?
ERIK:We would
describe it as a gradual shift toward a more classic heavy metal sound while
still maintaining strong thrash influences.
2. You’ve mentioned that this album leans more
into traditional heavy metal influences while keeping the speed and aggression
of thrash. Which bands inspired this shift in sound?
ERIK: Judas
Priest and Iron Maiden, Motorhead, and NWOBHM scene in general.
DOMAGOJ:
Alongside the bands we previously mentioned we have to highlight Overkill as
one of our biggest influences. Their ability to seamlessly blend thrash and
heavy metal, especially on their earlier albums, has been a huge inspiration
for us.
3. Lyrically, Sinister Seduction moves away from
war and anti-religious themes. What are some of the specific movies, people, or
events that influenced the songwriting?
DOMAGOJ:
Thrillers like Stonehearst Asylum, Shutter Island, and Deliverance were major inspirations for the lyrics. Moonshine Rider, for example, is based
on a person we all know—the kind of person who constantly looks back at the
past because they can’t accept that time has moved on.
4. The first single, Moonshine Rider, has been
released along with an official music video. What’s the story behind this
track, and how does it represent the rest of the album?
DOMAGOJ: We believe Moonshine Rider is a perfect representation of the rest of the album because it strikes the ideal balance between thrash and heavy metal. Lyrically, it tells the story of someone who can’t separate themselves from their youth and doesn’t realize that time has passed them by.
5. Witches Brew has been a strong supporter of
underground thrash metal. How did your collaboration with the label come about,
and what has their role been in bringing this album to life?
ERIK: We simply
sent them our album, and they liked it! They’re handling the CD production for
us, and we’d recommend them to anyone—Cheryl is a fantastic person and really
easy to work with.
6. The 80s thrash and NWOTHM (New Wave of
Traditional Heavy Metal) influences are a major part of your identity. How do
you balance paying homage to the old-school sound while keeping your music
fresh and relevant?
ERIK: As you may
know, the NWOTHM scene has been growing for quite some time now. Our goal is to
be a part of that movement while still holding onto our early thrash metal
influences.
7. You’ve been active since the early 2010s. How
do you think the Croatian metal scene has evolved over the years, and where
does Krematorium fit into it today?
ERIK: The
Croatian metal scene has grown much stronger compared to back then. Of course,
we had Vortex making waves with their Thrash
Is Alive album, but now we’re seeing more and more bands gaining
recognition.
DOMAGOJ: Since we started, Croatia has had several outstanding bands in the genre, such as Speedclaw, Flesh, LIV, and Bezdan. These are all incredible bands that we’ve had the privilege of sharing the stage with. The scene has its ups and downs, but the passion for metal here has never faded.
8. What was the most challenging part of writing
and recording Sinister Seduction? Were there any unexpected obstacles or
memorable moments in the studio?
ERIK: We had a
major lineup change in 2018, which had a huge impact on our songwriting
process. Another setback was COVID-19, which cost us a few years. As for the
studio experience, we had an amazing time recording Scream ‘n’ Shout with our great friend Leo from LIV (Zagreb).
DOMAGOJ: Erik
already covered most of it, but I have to repeat that recording Scream ‘n’ Shout with our friend Leo was
an unforgettable night. Definitely one of the most fun and memorable moments in
the studio!
9. The thrash metal genre has always had a strong
live energy. What can fans expect from your upcoming shows in support of the
new album? Any special plans for the setlist?
DOMAGOJ: From day
one, we’ve always given everything on stage, and the crowd responds to
that—they explode as soon as they hear the first riff. When the album is out,
we’ll definitely play it in full at least once, and we already know that some
tracks are being really well received by the audience.
10.If you had to pick one track from Sinister
Seduction that best defines the album’s essence, which one would it be and why?
ERIK: Moonshine Rider is the best
representation of the album. It has a killer riff with a more classic heavy
metal feel, but its lyrics deal with darker themes that tie into the second
half of the record.
11. You’ve been in the scene for over a decade
now. What advice would you give to younger bands trying to keep thrash metal
alive in today’s industry?
ERIK: Just don’t
stop playing. It’s easy to say, but much harder to do.
DOMAGOJ: Take
your band seriously. Have an image, attitude, and a clear goal of where you
want to go. Also, support other bands. You can learn a lot that way, and the
scene grows stronger when bands lift each other up.
12. Where can fans grab a copy of the album, and
what’s next for Krematorium after the release? Any plans for tours, festivals,
or future projects?
DOMAGOJ: Fans will be able to buy the album from Witches Brew’s online store, our Bandcamp page, and at our shows. As for tours and festivals, we’ll announce everything when the time is right so stay tuned!
KREMATORIUM (@krematorium.band) • Instagram photos and videos
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