Exclusive Interviews: Vendetta Music

Interview with Kazim Sarikaya of the band Serpents

December 18, 2007

Q1: Hello Kazim, it's good to have you back! Serpents fans have been yearning for your return and their dream will come true soon. The new tracks sound very promising and you're back on top of your game. What can you tell us about your new album?

The new album will feature 12 to 15 new tracks and a few remixes. The songs are minimalistic and we're back to the 90s sound, but with a very powerful production.

Q2: Your highly-sought after debut "Terminal Breath" (1993), "Have Fun" mcd (1995) as well as the excellent sophomore album "What Is Fear" (1999) received positive reviews and connoisseurs of alternative electronic music foresaw a promising future for Serpents. What's the real reason behind your long hiatus?

There are many reasons why it has taken us so long to record a new album. First of all, my energy-draining job is very time consuming and I barely have time to write music. Second, we expected the shift from hardware to software to go absolutely smoothly at the beginning, but that wasn’t the case. In the 90s, we had lots of hardware synthesizers, drum computers and so on. Nowadays, we compose nearly everything with computers software synthesizers, software drums and software samplers. The first songs written with the new equipments didn't sound the way I want Serpents to sound, so it took me a long time to polish the 'new' SERPENTS sound and last but not least, I was working on remixes for PLASTIC NOISE EXPERINCE and I’ve been on tour with them over the past few years.

Q3: What are your favorite electro bands and which styles of music did you listen to growing up?

I used to listen to different styles of music while I was growing up: Disco/Pop Music, House, Heavy Metal, Punk and New Wave. My favorite bands are: Plastic Noise Experience, Liaisons Dangereuses, Anne Clark, Tommi Stumpff, The Sisters Of Mercy, Frontline Assembly, Rammstein, Depeche Mode, Skinny Puppy, Ministry, Dead Can Dance, Clock DVA, Kraftwerk, U2,AC/DC to name a few.

Q4: The last few years have witnessed the return of classic electro acts (Front 242, Skinny Puppy, Portion Control and last but not least Nitzer Ebb) and the emergence of neo-old school bands (Severe Illusion, Last Influence of Brain, Spetsnaz, CAP, Object to name a few). I strongly believe that authentic dark elektro (100% trancewhackedgoregalore-free) and old school EBM took the first step toward regaining ground. What's your take on that?

As far as I’m concerned, old school bands never lost ground. Over the past few years, some of them worked on side-projects and now the time is right to stage a comeback. People want to hear the classic electro songs live and the neo-old school bands are faithfully following the footsteps of their predecessors.

Q5: Are you in contact with promising neo-old school bands and would you work with them in the future?

I've no contact with other bands except for Claus from PNE and Steffen from Technoir. A few bands are asking for collaboration and remixes, but I've to finish the new Serpents album first.

Q6: Is there any special synthesizer or software program that you consider to be the best to work with?

My favorite software for midi recording is Cubase and my favorite synth is the Yamaha SY99. I’m very fond of the fm and analog sounds.

Q7: You did an amazing remix for Grandchaos. What do you think of "In Sedens" EP DCD?

The DCD is great and I was very impressed with the quality of remixes, but I wouldn’t call it an EP. It’s more like a compilation featuring classic & new bands

Q8: How would you describe Claus Kruse's involvement with Serpents?

I write the songs (music and lyrics). Once I finish recording the track, Claus gets involved and makes a few changes.

Q9: Any last words or comments?

Thank you for the interview Nader!