Interview with the Death Thrash Metal Band Smorrah (Germany)




By Mick Michaels







COSMICK VIEW: Hello! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.
Kraje: Greetings from Germany, it is a pleasure to us.

Marius: Thank you for having us!

CV: Do you feel Heavy Metal music in general is viewed differently by fans in Europe compared to fans elsewhere, especially in America, and if so why?
Kraje: Maybe, but my experience with fans from other countries of the world is that it doesn’t matter from which country the music comes. Everyone is different and what is cool to me doesn’t have to be cool to you as well. But in a special way heavy metal unites the people more than any kind of music does all over the world. So, for me that’s the only thing that matters

Rapha: In my opinion, heavy metal fans are the same, all around the world. Music connects people, no matter what country they live in. I met a lot of metal fans in different counties, like the Netherlands, Belgium etc. When you talk to each other about music or about the bands you are there for, it’s like you talk to long term friends.

CV: What do you feel makes Heavy Metal music so alluring to the fans? What is it about the music that personally resonates so strongly with you?
Kraje: Heavy metal is more than music. It is a lifestyle as well. The music can be motivating, a valve for aggression, it can include important statements and also can be fun. That’s what makes this music so special to me. There were times in my life when it gave me the power that I needed. And it still does.

Rapha: Metal music is diverse. You can express all of your feelings and emotions, whether it is anger, happiness or sadness. It is a lifestyle you can share with many people. I like the freedom that metal music expresses… the feeling of a belonging. For example, you are welcome in every metal club you visit, even if it's your first time there.

CV: Has Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over another?  Is it confusing for fans as well?
Kraje: Yeah sometimes I think there are too many sub-genres but why do we have to make a big thing about the classification of a band. In the end everything is heavy metal in a kind of way.

CV: How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we are now living in a COVID aware, and maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?
Kraje: The world after the pandemic is different. You can enjoy concerts just as cool as you could before COVID but a lot of shows and tours are cancelled. Festivals gave up because they couldn’t sell enough tickets. For me the people got lazy in the past two years. It is nothing special anymore to be able to visit live concerts, but thousands of people are watching football in the stadiums. Hope this will be getting better in the next years.

CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting work? What keeps the band together and making music?
Kraje: First of all I think we have a special kind of songwriting because of our different musical influences. We have been friends for a long time and always have good memories about all the stuff we made it through as band and as friends as well. Sometimes in the rehearsing room we are talking and drinking beer more than we play music.

CV: On a more global view, how do you see your band’s music and songwriting separating itself from just being another Heavy Metal act?
Marius: We never decided on a genre. For this reason, something different always comes out of songwriting. If it's a thrash metal song… good! Will the following song be more doomy or death metal? Also good! The main thing is that we like it in the end!

CV: Can an artist truly be unique? Some would argue there is no such thing as being unique; that it’s nothing more than a compounding of influences making an artist who or what they are. Would this then say that artists today are destined to be just copies of those who have already come to pass?
Pumper: I think art in general is always a product of the things that influenced the creator, whether it is unique, to me lies in the artists intentions and if these intentions come through. Is there an important message? Did the artist do it out of pure passion? Do they have a clear vision in mind? If you look closely, you'll find these aspects in an unique artists work.

 

CV: Are there life lessons to learn being in a Heavy Metal band that you feel cannot be taught elsewhere? If so, what are they?
Pumper: To me it's that the Metal community are pretty much the most respectful, down to earth, open minded and caring bunch of people you could be around. As long as you treat everybody with respect, you can be sure welcomed with open arms and some beers to share. Ok you can learn that without being in a band, but the most important lesson that you must never forget is: whenever you're rehearsing and your bassist starts suspiciously laughing for no apparent reason, immediately stop breathing and get the “f” outta there asap. Might be, you learn that only in our band, but man....dude has got gas.



CV: What do you feel makes someone a “rock star”? Does being a rock star automatically make one iconic or are the two completely different in your opinion?
Marius: In my opinion, a rock star is someone who was or still is very successful with their music, who devotes most of their time to music and who receives the recognition for it from fans. Someone who not only releases music but is considered a musical landmark… I immediately think of Lemmy, Ozzy, Cooper, Hetfield and Dio, who combined all of this aspects.

 

CV: What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming as the world looks to surmount a new normal laced with a load of restrictions?
Pumper: Next step for us is the release of our debut record on 23rd of February, as well as some upcoming shows in our local area. We'll see where the journey takes us from there. Luckily, where we live restrictions aren't a big concern for us, but whatever may come, we'll keep pushing on, expressing our freedom through our music.

CV: Thank you again for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.
Pumper: Thanks so much for having us! Be sure to check our record out and also our buddies from OLD RUINS! Keep up the good work and have a good one! Auf Loik!


Check out Smorrah at:

Official: https://smorrah.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smorrah

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smorrah_official

 

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, show host, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.




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