For over three decades, Sammath has stood like a fortress against the tide, an unwavering presence in the world of extreme metal. With seven full-length albums to their name—most recently the devastating Grebbeberg, released two years ago—the band has never compromised on aggression or speed. Their music remains as ferocious and uncompromising as ever, a testament to their dedication and vision. With that in mind, it seemed the perfect time to sit down with Jan and take a closer look at how things are going with these relentless warriors of sound.
“Grebbeberg” has been out for two years now and really took off. How do you look back on that period?
J.K it was a great ride to be honest. The reactions worldwide were amazing. We did an album promotion gig in the north of Holland and the venue was pretty much packed. As we record a lot ourselves its never easy. We get the studio to set up here at our rehearsal bunker. So all I do is press record. Then it all goes to get mixed and mastered. The result just worked perfectly. Reviews were amazing.By the same team who have been producing Sammath since 2014. never expected us to grow like this. We have printed the shirt about 5x again already. Doing gigs in Russia and the USA the last years to. Sammath the last years has been a hell of a ride.
This record can certainly be seen as a highlight in your career – both in terms of sound and songwriting. How do you yourselves experience that evolution?
J.K Thanks. Thats good to read. It is by far the best sound we have had. Songwriting wise i knew after the first tracks i was onto something bigger. after the previous album i felt like i had reached my max as a guitarist. So I set out to learn more technique and that paid of well. The new re-master of godless arrogance will be amazing as well, Neuber will be remastering his own 12 year old work. It has always been a goal to simply remain relevant. It’s a small group of fanatics who follow us. If albums become boring or we start repeating ourselves we should stop. Thankfully we have grown on every album.
“Grebbeberg” has put you on the map worldwide, partly thanks to Hammerheart now being under Napalm Records. Did you feel that this was about time?
J.K that was all a stroke of luck really. I never had the intention of getting to be a big band. We never will, it’s too rough and simply doesn’t appeal to a large audience. But Hammerheart is huge and the Napalm distro certainly put us on the map. I have some great screenshots of us being presented with some song festival band, hilarious. Its about time is a pretty arrogant way of looking at it. Yes it is haha.
In addition to your collaboration with Hammerheart, you have also done a lot with Zwaertgevegt. How does that interaction work for you?
J.K Zwaertgevegt has always been a huge supporter of Sammath. He has traveled a lot to see us perform. The mad weekends we had in Romania and Serbia he was also part of. Those pubs will never be the same…. So him releasing our albums on tape has become a tradition. For me its always also a matter of wanting to remain close to the underground where we are and belong.
You continue to create relentlessly uncompromising Black Metal. Even after 32 years, you keep your foot firmly on the gas pedal. Will Sammath ever slow down?
JK I don’t think it would be Sammath if it slows down. I have Kaeck for that. Sammath will always me a non stop slaughter. The new album is halfway and this is a fast album. With lots more technical tremelo picking. Dodengang on speed.
The themes of “Grebbeberg” go back to World War II and the battles fought there. How important is that historical weight for your music?
J.K Sammath started with lyrics about ww2 around 2000. First I was inspired by medieval times but as i don’t have a spiritual bone in my body I felt a lot more at home simply describing mankind’s wars. Grebbeberg was an album I always wanted to make. It’s dedicated to my great uncle who fought and died at the Grebbeberg. His death was always something we spoke lots of in the family. Fitting for me to write about his death, as an eye witness account describes his last minute on earth perfectly.
According to a prominent figure in the Scandinavian Black Metal scene, Black Metal without Satanism is not Black Metal. How do you view that?
J.k Marduk are a huge and great band, thats understandable him saying that. But I don’t believe in any form of gods and find it all rather pathetic. Being evil on a human level is another thing. I grew up in Australia in the 80s and had my share of fistfights and violence and loved it. I’m still a rowdy bastard even though I’ve managed to raise two children in a good way with my wife. I simply thrive on arrogance and live life how I feel fits me. That’s a lot more important to me. I’m self employed and can do whatever I want when I want mostly. To be totally free of the flock of sheep is black metal to me. I walk my own path, to me that is black metal peak.
Sammath’s live reputation is merciless. How do you experience the balance between studio recordings and the energy on stage?
J.K That used to be very hard as albums were written without the thought of playing Them live. Once I switched to guitars and vocals live the struggle was huge. I spend close to two years rehearsing by myself getting guitar and vocals together. The stage energy is insane and im proud of that. After a gig it takes about 20 minutes to recover in a way i can speak to people again.
Black Metal has evolved and branched out enormously since the 1990s. How do you view the current state of the genre? And what role do you see for Sammath in that?
J.K We have a small but great group of people who buy our albums and we grow slowly over the 30 plus years. Our roll is small in most circles and huge in others. The way it has evolved doesn’t surprise me. It’s been watered down a lot. Making it listenable for a huge audience. Lots of things called black metal these days are pretty easy listening bullshit hipster music.
Many bands today choose digital promotion and social media. You, however, often keep things raw and unpolished. How important is authenticity in an era of constant online presence?
J.K I do a lot of promotion on facebook and instagram. But the label takes care of the biggest part of it. My reach is small. I think these days its all flash promotion. Which is normal. I really laugh at the underground fanatics who dont promote, don’t do anything and expect people to find them. Limited tape release to 20 Haha
Why Nobody listen? Why would I be on a record label if i want to remain totally underground? Im starting to make flashy films to. We are even on tik tok. The only way to reach younger people. Facebook is for old people about to die.
Your music is often described as relentless and destructive. What personally drives you to always seek that intensity? Is it also an outlet?
J.K Ive been asked that question hundreds of times over the last 30 plus years. I really don’t know. I’m never really mad much. I don’t have much stress except normal things a father has. I just enjoy this music. It gives me strength and makes me fel stronger. Working out I always listen to Arckanum for example. It is also an outlet. If we don’t practise for weeks I get a bit restless.
Looking back at your entire discography: is there an album you consider underrated, or one you feel deserves more recognition?
J.K Not really. The last years ive had a lot of re-releases. The first one has been rereleased 8 times by now. I really cant complain at all. Seeing their are so many bands and we still get orders almost daily. Its insane
What are the future plans for Sammath, or are you taking a short break due to the release of Kaeck?
J.K We are writing the new album. wim has left the band due to not being able to perform at peak anymore. We tried working with our old drummer and he can still do it. But I simply doesntt have the time. Ruud just became a dad again. So he is busy as hell. Im writing the new album first. Then i will find a new drummer to do live shows again or hire One for the album. In the end Sammath will simply go onwards. The basis has always been Ruud and I.
The famous last words are yours…
J.K support your local record dealer! Don’t give in to this modern pussy world.
Sammath:
Bandcamp
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Webstore
Hammerheart Records:
Bandcamp
Instagram
Facebook
Website
Zwaertgevegt:
Instagram
Facebook
Website