Gethsemane Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
It started as a one-man project, creating a swirling murk of hatred. As my drumming skills are obnoxious, a friend of mine helped out. The murk remains.

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is present on the demo?
Sloppy, raging, harsh. Ugly.

3.The song lyrics are based on the writings of Simon Vestdijk, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this author?


He was a man at constant war with those who avoided thinking for themselves. He constantly berated stupidity and mocked the gullible. He was called the devil's artist. He's an inspiration.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Gethsemane?


It is taken from the poem Gethsemane, which is read by him on the demo. Especially the phrase
Zóo zijn goden vaak op ’t eind vereenzaamd,
Menschonwaardig haav’loos en verkild,
Dat zij need’rig smeeken om de bijstand
Van een vriend die ’t zelfde heeft gewild.
A translation would be something like
And thus are gods at their endings often alienated,
dehumanised, ragged, bleakly tame,
therefore they humbly beg for the succor
of a friend who longed for the same.


5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?
As there are no plans to perform, why bother? This works.

6.The demo came out on Kimchi Kills Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
It's a tiny Korean label, a guy I met on a forum. He was interested, as was I. He held up to his end of the bargain, but hasn't been heard from since. A second pressing of the demo was released by Colloquial Sound Recordings, whom I feel more indebted to than Ji.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
It's a clear "this can't be music, what the fuck" most of the time. That's good. This was my own music. If there's someone who can appreciate it, good.

8.Are there any other musical projects besides this band?
Yes. But since they have no affiliation, they needn't be mentioned.

9.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
More lo-fi midtempo, I liked how that worked out. More guitars. Faster drumming. Louder.

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
A Pregnant Light, Axis of Light, El Ahrairah, Woddrea Mylenstede, Dommedagssalme. These bands were and are essential. Bands I have been listening to lately are Thou, Love Lost But Not Forgotten, 13th Moon, Lluvia and Engrave.

11.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Reading, alcohol, Anselm Kiefer.

12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
My apologies for taking so long. Thank you for supporting a scene filled with people trying to find a purpose. Rage is a purpose. Act.


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Gethsemane/Self Titled/Kimchi Kills Records/2013 Demo Review

  Gethsemane  are  a  1  man  band  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  titled  2013  demo  which  was  released  by  Kimchi  Kills  Records.

  "I'  which  is  the  first  track  on  the  demo  begins  with  distorted  sounds  and  acoustic  guitars  and  a  few  seconds  later  blast  beats  from  the  drums  and  fast  and  raw  black  metal  guitar  riffs  kick  in  along  with  some  vocals  that  are  mixed  down  low  in  the  mix  but  have  a  grim  feeling  to  them  and  after  awhile  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  coming  into  the  song  which  also  leads  to  the  music  going  into  a  slower  direction  along  with  some  whispers.

  "II"  begins  with  fast,  raw  and  primitive  black  metal  guitar  riffs,  blast  beats  from  the  drums  and  grim  screams  and  the  music  sticks  to  mostly  a  fast  direction  but  does  slow  down  towards  the  end  and  closes  with  a  spoken  word  part.

  "III"  which  is  the  last  song  on  the  demo  starts  up  with  slow  and  distorted  sounding  guitar  riffs  and  leads  along  with  some  drums  and  you  can  hear  talking  in  the  background  and  then  the  music  speeds  up  and  goes  into  a  faster  direction  along  with  blast  beats  and  weird  sounding  vocals.

  Song  lyrics  are  based  on  the  writings  of  Simon  Vestdijk,  while  the  production  has  a  very  heavy,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Gethsemane  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "II".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

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