Interview with Deathhammer 2006

By Bradley Smith

Deathhammer is a relatively new band.  Can you give a little history of the band?

Sadomancer: We started jammin in late 2005 after I went to Oslo to see a gig with Salsten. I stayed in Hamar over the weekend and we recorded some rehearsal shit and decided that we wanted to form a Deathrash band and here we are..

You guys have a new Demo out (or at least getting ready to come out).  Can you tell me a little about it?  How does it differ from the Barbaric Onslaught demo?

Sergeant Salsten: Yeah, it’s out now on Final Punishment Records . We actually recorded it in February but it has been delayed for several reasons. The sound on this demo is much darker than the first one. I think the sound we originally wanted comes forth a little better on this attack.

Sadomancer: This time we included more Deathrash songs (in opposite of the traditional thrash metal we served on Barbaric Onslaught) like Witchfukker and Possessed on the recording. This isn`t a change that we decided though, cuz many of these songs were ment to be on Barbaric Onslaught but they didn`t due to a studio-fault and some shit.

I was talking with Johnny Tombthrasher (Ghoul-Cult) and he said you guys had enlisted him to perform vokillz on your upcoming recording.  How did you come across him and why did you decide to get him to do vokillz?

Sergeant Salsten: I had been in contact with Johnny for quite some time, and he’s gonna do the vocals on a song called “Zombiekult”. This is our first song, which we jammed on our first rehearsal, and the vibe is totally gloomy and black. It fits Johnny’s vocals perfectly!

You are involved in another thrash band called Warfield.  How do you feel it is different from Deathhammer?

Sergeant Salsten: WARFIELD  is a fucking lazy band that never rehearses, heheh. It is more a straight-up Thrash act without the dark BATHORY/CELTIC FROST aura that we somewhat try to re-create with DEATHHAMMER.. I guess we’ll release some stuff eventually.

Being as you are in a thrash band I figured you might have some advice to us thrash researchers as to some rare and obscure bands that we should check out that you recommend.  What are some thrash bands that you feel haven’t gotten the attention they deserve?

Sadomancer:  Be sure to check out BESTIAL PURITY, CODE:RED, KRANKHAFT (R.I.P.?), SAURON from the US (ULTRA brutal thrash metal in the vein of Satan). Also maniac thrashers DEMONIZED from downtown is worthy a violent listen.

Sergeant Salsten: There’s like a zillion overlooked Thrash acts out there, and that’s a damn shame. I have to mention the extremely intense and violent WEHRMACHT. Ripping fast speedcore!! Both their albums rule like hell! And there is also the ultra-underrated SOOTHSAYER.. “Have a good time” is one of the best albums EVER!

It seems to me that a lot of the new school thrash bands are dirtier and rawer than a lot of the older bands.  What differences do you see between the Old school and the new school thrash scenes?

Sergeant Salsten: Well, you have always had a bunch of raw bands, but I agree with you that raw bands are fairly predominant these days. I guess it’s because Metal has evolved and become more and more extreme so people are just naturally getting into the more brutal shit right from the start.. I guess..

I have seen a lot of the slogan “Death to Posers!” lately.  I noticed you guys have it on your website too.  I was wondering what you considered the definition of a poser is so we can all spot one and destroy them on the spot!  Heh heh!!!

Sergeant Salsten: A poser is someone trying to act genuine, but is really just a trendy, false asshole lacking dedication. These scumbags jump on the Metal wagon for all the wrong reasons and destroys the scene.

Do you think that Metal is an inherently evil and violent form of musical expression?  Why is it that so many artists associate their music with violence and anti-religious sentiment and so on?  What about Darkness appeals to the metal crowd?

Sadomancer: Evilness have always been present since the glory days of KREATOR, DESTRUCTION, SABBAT (Japan), EXODUS and  SLAYER (the list could go on and on) when talking `bout Thrash Metal of course. Just listen to Death Trap with DESTRUCTION! TOTAL evil! ...or KREATOR (back then they were called Tormentor) with Armies From Hell from the End of the world demo. I think as long as there is real metal, there is evilness. I don`t usually get that specific chill down my spine when listening to Master of puppets or Reign in blood, but I sure gets when listnening to Show no mercy, Infernal overkill or Endless pain! I think those records have a dark vibe surrounding them.

Have you had your conscription into Norwegian military service yet or have you been able to avoid it?  What do you think of Norway’s mandatory military service?

Sadomancer: March or die!!!

Sergeant Salsten: I don’t know..

I was discussing with Petter (of Audiopain) and he keeps telling me of the hilarious antics your education minister.  That got me wondering as to how intrusive is the Norwegian government into the average citizens life?  What do you think of the government there in Norway?

Sergeant Salsten: Ah, the education minister is pretty hot. The government is ok, except for some stuff like the fucking nazi customs and shitting out money to all the lazy bastards.

Sadomancer:  Fuck off to all the bare-footed and coffee drinking hippies and commies who walk around in che guevara shirts and thinks that the government is evil. They only do their job and they should have NOTHING to whine about. Hail the police! The law is the law!

Final Words before you kill us all for being posers!

Sergeant Salsten: Thanks for the support.

Sadomancer: Listen to old BATHORY `till your ears bleed..