Interviews: Cremate

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal/Thrash Metal project, Cremate, from Greece. Check out the interview and follow this project on his FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name? You planned it or came out just like that?

I came up with the name back in the 90s. At that time, cremation didn’t really exist in Europe, so it wasn’t something we had seen or known much about. But it sounded strong as an idea, and we liked it. Maybe it will even be an option for us when the time comes, I don’t know.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

At that time, we were obsessed with Thrash Metal. Bands like Metallica, Sodom, Kreator, and Slayer hit us hard, and we wanted to create something in that direction. Those were tough times in the 90s, as there weren’t many metal fans around. We were considered the bad example. Hardly ten of us in the whole high school were listening to this kind of music, let alone trying to play it. It was challenging and exciting at the same time.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Yes, this all started in high school. That’s how it began. As for today, with George (The Goat), who has been with me since high school, we reformed Cremate with our mutual friend Akis Pastras to carry out this project of bringing Cremate back together.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Right now, we all listen to different things. George leans towards the more technical, crazier stuff—the more extreme, the better for him. Akis is a classic metal fan through and through. He doesn’t listen to anything else. I, on the other hand, listen to everything, including the newest ideas that the other two are a bit cautious about. So I can’t really name specific bands. There are just too many for all of us, but it gives you an idea of our style.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

First, I need to fill myself with images and emotions. There has to be something, good or bad, that occupies my mind and that I feel the need to express in notes. For example, while my father was sick during the year before we lost him, I wrote lyrics and two songs, not directly about him, but as a way to escape from that reality. It’s a kind of balance. Writing cannot be done on command. I also need the free time to do this. With jobs, families, and all the daily rush, you can’t do everything at once. You need the time, the inspiration, the will, and all these things have to come together simultaneously.

6. Where was your last gig?

Cremate’s last gig was, of course, back in 1996. But fortunately, now I’m performing with Kinetic. I am their singer. We did two shows this year, in April and May, with great success. There will be more shows with them later on.

7. Where would you like to act?

We would like to play anywhere there is a genuine audience that appreciates our music, whether in small underground venues in Greece or at festivals abroad, to reach more people. Of course, that will happen once we’re fully ready. Right now, there’s no concrete plan, as we are busy with other bands, and Cremate needs to be properly set up before we can start performing.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

We would like to play or collaborate with bands that respect the music and share a true passion for metal, whether from Greece or abroad. We really want to support Greek bands, as our scene has incredible material that has nothing to envy from others. Since it’s hard to play alongside bands like Slayer, we would prefer groups like Nightrage or Flames, for example.

9. Whom not?

Not with those who are arrogant, can’t smile, or don’t say thank you. We don’t collaborate with people like that. And definitely not with bands or festivals that carry political messages. We have nothing to do with that.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

If your stomach feels good and your legs aren’t shaking, then you’re fine. If you have all that under control, just go out. Don’t focus on the audience. Think about why you’re on stage, and remember everything you practiced. Do it even better in that moment. Give your best, entertain them, put on a show, and do the best you can at that moment. Forget everything else and act like a rock star.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

As I mentioned before, the big Thrash bands of the 90s were our main inspiration. But if we talk about today, you can add bands like Rammstein, Fear Factory, or any others that experimented with electronic sounds. It’s a combination of the old and the new.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

There was a friend who wanted us to play at his wedding. I told him we could get paid to do it, but we’d all probably end up getting beaten up, so we didn’t go in the end.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Since our fanbase goes back to the 90s, we used to correspond by letter. We would wait for their letters, reply, and then wait for their response again. Those fans still remember us, and I still have their letters. They’re all over the world—even in Japan, where two people we corresponded with back then have found me. It’s different because of that relationship. It’s not the same as just leaving a comment online. You feel a real connection. The funny thing is that young fans listen to this and then check out our demo from the '90s, compare them, and are blown away. They actually like our new approach even more than the older fans, I would say. 

14. What do you think of our site?

I really enjoy browsing Breathing The Core. The site is clean and easy to navigate, with categories like Music Releases, Bands, and Genres that make it simple to find information. I also appreciate that they feature new albums, interviews, which shows you care about the process of making music, not just the final product. I especially like that you highlight emerging bands, not just the big names, showing respect for the underground scene and the new generation of artists.

15. Something to add?

Of course, I want to thank you for giving Cremate the opportunity to be heard through your site. I also want to thank everyone who warmly welcomed the announcement of our new EP and our collaboration with WormHoleDeath, as well as the label itself. I hope you enjoy it, because we don’t want it to be like anything else. We want it to be different. Thanks to everyone who read this interview.Take care!