Septekh Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

The four of us came together in late 2008. The style and identity of the band manifested themselves quite quickly.

Apparently those that have gone out in search of that style have ended up knee deep somewhere in the sludgy murky marshes where the brown and black waters of thrash and death metal boil. Over this basic goo lays a thick fog of punk with a small tint of rock in it. And the air is thin and hazy, with a myriad of scorched ash leafs swirling around, leaving those who breathe it with a toxic blackened taste that cannot be washed away… Perhaps.  Or maybe it’s easier to say it like this: if you took Black Sabbath, put them on a boat in a lake of fire and forced them to play Slayer songs it would sound like Septekh… Maybe.  I really don’t know!

This mix of rather punky metal (see, it wasn’t so hard) is what we try to package and present as really strong songs. And that’s what we have been doing from the very start; trying our best to craft really good tunes.

Nowadays we mostly exist out on an island just off the east coast. That’s where we’ve got our place, Studio 508. A home located in the midst of rural surroundings and the setting for our creative endeavours. We have recorded two Ep´s (one which is "The Seth Avalanche released via Abyss Records) and are entering the studio to record a full length this summer.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Organic, harsh, raw and powerful. It´s a mix of the usual suspects; early Swedish and Norwegian bands tainted by... Something. We are not too keen on overdubs, triggering and those kind of things. We want to keep the live feeling and keep it as simple as possible.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

We try to keep our lyrics as condensed as possible. Exploring more generalized human
qualities; sex, power, violence, language, death. The usual stuff I suppose, in some respect.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?

Septekh is another name for Seth, Setek, Suetekh, Suty, Setekh, found in an old book that
belonged to our base player George-Patrick's grandma. Coming to think of it there are a couple of pretty weird things in his family history... Anyway. Being who he was in the Egyptian pantheon we thought him to be a fitting figurehead for what we wanted to do musically, the perpetual dark brother of any ruling deity. Besides there are not that many metal bands named "Septekh" around is
there?

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you
describe your stage performance?

Well one of our best was as an opening act for a rather arrogant headliner. We gave
everything and so did the bat shit crazy crowd. People would not let us stop playing! Even
people who were there for the other band just lost themselves and went home after our show,
not staying for the act they were there to see initially. Sweet revenge! A magical moment indeed.

We just go at it with full force, give everything we got and simply try to destroy you. Our
stage performance is us performing our music. Our music is very honest and we try to reflect
that by just attuning to the feel and try to communicate it. So there's really no over-dramatic
theatrics or anything like that, apart from some unintentional dancing by David during a
couple of his guitar solos. That said we do have plans for a more visual show in the future...

It´s not what you think. We´re talking morbid cabaret death dancers, full regalia and a venue
from the 19th century!

6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?

A couple of one-off shows in Sweden. Possibly Copenhagen. We would love to do a more
extensive tour. Live is when our songs shine the brightest and what they are written for in the
first place.

7. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by fans of death and thrash metal?

So far so good. The response has been very positive but we haven't really had any "real"
release until now with this record, so we'll see.

8. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?

Aside from a more rock oriented band (think ZZ Top on bad drugs) that, thankfully, only
rears its ugly head during extremely drunk jam sessions Septekh is each member´s sole and
single focus. No other projects or solo careers for us!

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

First of all I want to point out that "The Seth Avalanche" was recorded in June 2009. Almost
three years ago. So we have had some time to grow as a band and fortunately we have used
that time write more music. There is another EP ready for release and right now we are
preparing to go into the studio this summer to record a full length album. The next EP (titled
"Apollonian Eyes") is style-wise like a pit stop between the early material and the new stuff.

There will still be strong songs. For us it´s all about the songs; how the riffs fit together, the
groove and the mood and how they build each track. With the new material we are going a
step further in all directions so the fast songs are faster and the slower songs slower and
overall there is more diversity. There will still be a couple of all out neck-whipping, thrashy
Motorhead tunes. The one thing you could say about the general direction is that it´s darker
than before. And more relentless und serious. The full length will simply carry more weight if you understand what I mean.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are
you listening to nowadays?

We have to acknowledge Death Breath because it was a show of theirs that sparked the desire
to start the band. Other than that it´s pretty obvious that through the years members of
Septekh have come across and enjoyed the music of punk/metal/rock/etc. acts such as:
Exploited, Misfits, Turbonegro. Scandinavian bands of the nineties (and some still going
strong today) such as Darkthrone, Entombed, DHG, Emperor, Satyricon, The Crown. We find things to be
inspired by in different types of music and artists. Whether it is the musical mind of Mark
Knopfler or anything where Frost unleashes his elegant devastation.

The bottom line is that we enjoy GOOD music and that can really be anything. This is the
style that we play and it´s the only thing we can do that feels natural to us. But that does not
mean that we only listen to similar styles of music. In finding new inspiration, throughout the
band we promote an eclectic taste.

As for what currently abuses our ears our drummer Staffan, a person of the obsessive kind, has been blasting the latest "Aura Noir" album for almost a month now and for the last week also a track called "Nightcall". Highly recommended! I think Nils is currently running on a mix of Kvelertak and Feists new album.

11. Does Occultism play any role in the music?

Depends on how you mean. The lyrics can sometimes veer into that territory and be about
those kind of topics I guess. But it´s not like we practice magic or have rituals or anything like
that.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

What do you mean?!?! Haha

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Not really. Thanks…