Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
(Marius) We are from Gelsenkirchen, Germany, a former coal mining town and home of legendary thrash metal veterans SODOM. “Smorra” is the name of a demon or ghost that sits on people’s chests while they sleep and wants to suffocate them. It is an old miner’s myth that has been told for generations in the Ruhr area. Pumper our guitarist and I founded our very first band back in 2003. We have also been friends with Kraje (bass) and Rapha (drums) for almost 20 years and have already hung out together at concerts and parties back then. We’re all friends for so long and that makes our band life special.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
(Marius) Yes, we are all from the same city and met each other at local underground concerts or at school. In 2016 we wanted to form a new band and after Kraje joined, we started to write music as SMORRAH.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
(Rapha) My absolute favourite bands are AC/DC and Metallica. Because of Lars Ulrich I want to play drums. I think he has a very big influence on my way of playing drums.
(Marius) Our overall sound is shaped by many bands from the from the eighties and nineties. Nowadays these bands would be described as “old-school”. From Accept to ZZ-Top we have heard almost all of them and we were particularly impressed and influenced by the thrash, death and groove metal bands of that time and still do today.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
(Pumper) Ever since i started playing the guitar at age 11, I wanted to join a band. After a couple of years i got to know some guys at my school that were playing cover songs in a rehearsing room not far from where i lived. Soon after, I met Marius and he joined the group, quickly turning to writing our own Punk songs and then later evolving into more of a Hardcore/Metal hybrid.
(Rapha) Music has always been an important part of my life. Since 2003 I made it my goal to become a drummer and play in a band. Before that, I wanted to become a soccer player.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
(Marius) I’m currently listening to GHOST’s “Impera” album, which my work colleague gave me for Christmas. Actually not my favorite band at all, but the album has now been played 6-7 times on my stereo. I like it.
Do you sing in the shower?
(Marius) No, I sing in the car. I often practice new singing melodies while driving. At the same time, I find myself amusing the people who walk by and some of them sometimes even start headbanging. Or they complain loudly about the noise.. (laughs)
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
(Marius) Yes, we will release our debut album and play some shows to bring our music to the people.
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
(Pumper) Our debut album came out on 23rd of February this year and is available on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital on all common streaming platforms.
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
(Rapha) There are many places… not easy to answer. When I was at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin at the Metallica concert in 2019, I was overwhelmed by this stadium… Yes, I would like to play a show there!
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
(Pumper) It changes from time to time, but if I have to name one it’s got to be Sabbath’s first album.
(Rapha) I have some favourite albums, but my absolute favourite is Metallica’s Black Album. The sound of this album is still very good even today and filled with fantastic songs.
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
(Pumper) I listen to a lot of different musical styles and genres and can’t say that I’m ashamed for any one of them. So no, I don’t.
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
(Marius) Original Black Sabbath, classic Pantera, original Slayer and of course SMORRAH as the opening band for these legendary metal groups.
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
(Pumper) I’m not a 100% sure, but I think it was Blink 182’s “take off your pants and jacket” and yes I still have it.
(Rapha) Oh yes… I worked on a farm with a restaurant at the weekends. I set up the tables and benches there… what a time. There I earnd my first own money. In any case, I bought the Metallica Death Magnetic that just came out at that time. Unfortunately, the album was stolen out of my car… FUUUCK, that’s life.
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
(Marius) Thank you for your support over all these years. Without you, making music would make no sense at all. Thanks!
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
www.instagram.com/smorrah_official
www.twitter.com/smorrahofficial
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
(Marius) Thank you for your invitation. Keep up the good work. Loik!
This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum
Metal Planet Media 