Rising
Aussie Sludge/Stoner Metallers – Sumeru – have released a
stunning debut album – Holy Lands – if you're a fan of NOLA based
bands and Zakk Wylde, then this album will rock you the fuck out.
These
guys are getting quite a reputation in their native homeland. Getting
support slots with the likes of Torche for starters means these guys
have some serious talent where the riffs are concerned.
I
described the album as:
“Sumeru
style of Sludge/Stoner Metal music is reminiscent of the legendary
NOLA Sludge/Stoner Metal scene. Matt's vocals have a distinct Phil
Anselmo vibe while the guitars are heavily influenced by the
legendary riffsters from the NOLA Swamps. Holy Lands is one hard
rocking party full of great riffs and grooves to chew on.
Sumeru
have delivered an excellent debut album that should find them a solid
fanbase over the next few months or so.”
I
decided to catch up with the guys and they kindly agreed to this
interview. So lets get started with SUMERU.
Q1
– Hi guys. Thanks for doing this interview. How are things with you
today.
Pretty
good thanks Steve! Thanks for the kind review, glad you’re digging
the riffs…
Q2 – Can you give our readers a brief history of the band and where it is today.
Sumeru
came about after our old hardcore band ‘No Apologies’ disbanded
in 2008. I went overseas for a while, came back, had some riffs I
wanted to jam and a desire to get something new started. Me and
Andres started jamming here and there, got Chris in and wrote some
songs. Matt and Reg came in much later. It took a while to get off
the ground but once we had a full band things just naturally moved
forward. We recorded our first e.p a couple years ago and we’ve
just been playing gigs since. We put together ‘Holy Lands’
earlier this year, which is a mix of some of our old and new songs.
Q3
– How would you describe you music. As I feel it's it better for
that description from the band themselves.
We
put a big emphasis on heavy groove and there’s also some tough as
shit riffs in there. I’m always looking for a combo of those two
things that’s for sure. If we can sneak in a cosmic touch I’m
even happier, but I guess a lot of that comes from the lyrics.
Q4
– Where did the band name SUMERU come from.
Sumeru
is a Sanskrit word. In the Hindu & Buddhist traditions Sumeru is
a central world mountain, extremely large, stable, reliable (‘su’
means ‘wonderful’ or ‘excellent’, ‘meru’ meaning
‘mountain’). I like to think of it as something that represents
more of who we really are, and also going beyond just this body and
mind. It speaks to me of potential. I like using cosmic imagery in
this way, rather than just trying to trip out and get lost in space.
Q5
– Congrats on your debut album – Holy Lands – getting some
major buzz within the Sludge/Stoner Metal community. Have you been
surprised with the responses so far.
Thank
you! I’m really happy with how it turned out for something that we
put together ourselves. We let the live show and recordings speak for
themselves and you either like it or not. Fortunately for us and
everyone else the people have been really into the new album, it’s
received some really great reviews worldwide and heaps of people are
downloading it. At first listen I was a little unsure of how certain
songs would go down, but you got some great songs with guys who can
really play their shit to back it up. I’m very grateful.
Q6
– Was Holy Lands an easy or hard album to write and record for.
Some
of the songs I wrote like 5 years ago and a couple others only got
finished a week before the recording started so the whole process was
a mix of certainty and uncertainty at times. When you’re playing
with really good muso’s the writing is quick, and most of songs
come together over 2-3 rehearsals. Then we fine tune stuff. The riffs
literally just pop out of nowhere in rehearsal when everyone is
there, which feels much more natural than actively sitting down to
write stuff alone. The recording went relatively smooth. As we did it
ourselves we had the luxury of taking our time and going back to fix
things. Drums were done in an old studio room and the rest was done
at our homes.
Q7
– Are you happy with the final version that was released. Or would
you like to go back and change some things.
There’s
always something one could’ve done or played better, but it’s a
snapshot in time of something more than just music so for what we
were capable of at that moment, that’s what’s on record – fuck
it!.
Q8
– Congrats on Holy Lands being released on Vinyl. Did you have much
input into the design and recording of the vinyl. Or was that left
upto the labels.
Yeah
we had full control over everything which is the beauty of these
independent labels, especially in Australia. Greg, Ben and Shaun at
Arrest and Whitewinter were super laid back with everything, in the
end they just wanted to see if we would actually finish the darn
thing!
Q9
– How did you hook up with Arrest Records and White Winter Records
to release the albums on vinyl.
I
think they read an interview we did over here and I said that we were
hoping to release some vinyl somehow. Both guys got in touch at
around the same time expressing interest and finding out they were
mates I suggested they split release the album, putting out two
different colour options for the vinyl. They were keen and we made it
happen. Each label is on opposite sides of the country which is cool,
a nice big Sumeru cloud rug covering the whole land!
Q10
– Who designed the fantastic album cover for Holy Lands and how
much involvement did you have with the overall design.
Chris
Panatier did the artwork. He did a fantastic job. I basically just
sent him some ideas and links to give him the overall feel and
message I was trying to express and let him do his thing.
Q11 – Do you feel the album cover is the perfect representation for your album. What does the cover say to yourselves as a band.
It
definitely works for the album I think, especially the lyrical
content. On the cover you have a pyramid representing Sumeru with
some Sanskrit writing on it that says ‘Acalavidyaraja’ and
‘Prajnaparamita’.
Acalavidyaraja
means ‘immovable wisdom king’ and is a wrathful diety in
Buddhism. It represents
the quality of wrathful compassionate action. Prajna-paramita
means the ‘perfection of wisdom’, and can also be personified as
a goddess, like the one holding the pyramid on the cover. The four
old dudes with beards are the four wisdom kings. So there’s all
this ‘wisdom’ stuff going on with the cover. Don’t really want
to say much more other that!.
Q12
– What is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it a group
collective or down to one individual.
Most
of the riffs for Holy lands I wrote myself but Chris(guitar) also has
quite a bit of input on some songs. I’ll also pen most of the
lyrics, but Matt(vox) will arrange it to fit the music and his voice
a little better. For me what inspires good songs to come forth is the
guys I play with, especially Andres(drums), his groove oozes some
sexy shit.
Q13 – Can you tell our readers what is your musical setup when performing live and recording new material.
Orange
guitar heads, I play an old beat up esp guitar, Chris has a couple
home made guitars. Andres uses a massive DW John Bonham style kit, he
also uses ride or crash cymbals as hi-hats, he is filthy. Bass wise
I have no idea regarding amps but its Fender p-bass all the way!
Q14
– Australia has a lot of brilliant Doom/Sludge/Space/Stoner Metal
bands to call their own. What is the scene like in your own words. Do
you gig much in Sydney or do you have to travel further afield.
We
just finished an Aussie tour playing with so many different types of
bands so we try and mix it up a little wherever we go, not limiting
ourselves to one genre of bands. Doomsday fest in Melbs with
Windhand/Beastwars had a really good vibe though. I like it when it’s
just all about the riff and having a good time, it takes you to some
really nice feel good places ya know? That’s the reason bands play
and its why people follow bands they like. Anything else tends to
stray from the point. Australia has world class bands all throughout
the country, in particular heavy music acts, we’re very lucky.
Q15
– Though Congrats on your recent support slot with Torche. How did
the gig go with Torche. Bet you guys had a blast. Awesome guys as
well.
The
Torche gig was lots of fun, we played well, had a good response. Lo!
Also nailed it and Torche were great. Really nice dudes and a really
unique sound that sounded even more unique live. Great band!
Q16
– Apart from your new album, what other plans do you have in store
over the next 12 months or so.
We
just started booking the tour for the ‘Holy Lands’ record which
will see us touring Australia again starting next March. We really
wanna get to the west coast of Oz as well as hook up some some sort
of Asian tour. Europe would be a fun place to get to as well. The
only thing limiting us is cash so if someone wants to bring us over
there, get in touch! :-b
Q17
– Before we go, Do you have anything else to say to your fans.
Seriously
thank you everyone! Worldwide, you’re all fuckin legends.
Well
guys thanks for doing this interview. All the best with the album and
future tours.
Words
by Steve Howe
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