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The band was established in the fall 1990 by guitarist/vocalist Pavel Suslov under the name of SS-20. For the period since 1991-1994 the band recorded two demos, "Infernal Life" and "Preacher Of Death". In the fall 1994 the band played a final gig and then the history of SS-20 was ended bacause the band's leader Pavel Suslov decided to change its conception. Together with drummer Dmitry Osipov, Pavel started to complete a new line-up of the band under the new name - SERMON. At first they invited bassist Victor Kuragin (ex-ABYSS) and soon after the band was joined by second guitarist Sergey Smagin. In spring 1996 SERMON recorded its first album "Through Eternity", which contained 9 songs of melodic Death Metal combined with the elements of Thrash and Black Metal, and was released in MC format by a small label MDK Records. Their second step was in June 1997, when they recorded their second and most successfully to-date album "From Death To Death". This album was released in MC format by Russian Hobgoblin Records and later on CD by the American underground label Wild Rags. And now, read this interview, answered by Pavel Suslov, to get a more wide information about SERMON's activity and future plans.
First of all, I'd like to know why did you change the whole booklet conception of the MC "From Death To Death" to another one on your CD version? I mean new cover, new photos, lay-out, etc.
- We used "Allsorts" picture by Danny Flynn, English painter, in the MC cover, though we had not turned to him for permission. Moreover, I have always wanted to have such a cover as on our CD. We were in a hurry so we took that picture for the cassette. The idea of the CD cover is fully mine. It goes well with the music and the lyrics. An embryo is a symbol of transition from death to life and from death to death.
The CD version was released by the American Wild Rags. What can you tell us about this contract? Is it a long-lasting contract or just for one album?
- Besides Wild Rags we got proposals from Shiver (Belgium) and Metal Agen (Russia), but we chose Richard's label, cause his terms were better. He also suggested us to release the next CD and if we do not get better proposals we will co-operate with Wild Rags.
I noticed that you like to mix different styles of Metal and not only Metal in your music. How all these influences came about? Do you like to listen to jazz and other fusion styles? Name us some of your favourite bands.
- Yes, I enjoy different music. Besides all styles of metal (death, black, gothic, thrash) I listen to classics and rock. On the next album there will be a cover of SMOKIE's "What Can I Do?". Jazz attracts me for it is opening unlimited space for improvisation. I listen to the following metal bands: ARCH ENEMY, DARKSEED, CARCASS, DEATH, SENTENCED, SADIST, NOCTURNUS and many others.
The cassette version of "From Death To Death" was out in January'98 and was distributed by Hobgoblin Records in the territory of Russia. Will you working with them furthermore?
- I cannot say anything right now. They say, Hobgoblin Rec. is through hard times after the Russian crisis that broke out in August 1998. Of course, we would like to release a MC for Russia.
Your lyrics deal with life and death themes. What do you think about life and death in general? Are you believe in life after death?
- I would like to believe in life after death. But I think that a human has to pass through different lives in order to reach spiritual perfection. These are just my ideas. I try to express my ideas and my doubts in my lyrics.
Some of your songs were hardly influenced by german Thrash Godz KREATOR. What do you say about this? I suppose your previous band namely SS-20 was a Thrash Metal band as well. Correct me if I'm wrong.
- I do not conceal the fact I like KREATOR. Their last album "Outcast" is a real masterpiece. But you are the first to mention KREATOR while speaking about our music. Every magazine compares us with different bands. It's good. If the opinions differ so much, then we have our own style. As for SS-20, I would say it is the same SERMON - the music didn't differ. We just changed the name. I compose all music for SERMON as well as I did for SS-20.
It seems to me that the line-up of SERMON is very constant. So that's why I would like to hear some info about each member of the band (e.g. age, job, interests, etc.).
- Yes, since 1996 the line-up hasn't changed. We recorded 3 albums in the same line-up. I am the oldest in the band - I am 29. Victor, the bass-player is the youngest, he's 20. Our drummer is 26 and the guitar-player is 24. We all work in different places. Music is our main interest. Only our guitar-player Sergei Smagin is into computers.
What is the Moscow scene looks like? And what do you know about the ukrainian scene? Have you any contacts with bands from here?
- There are lots of bands in Moscow, but we do not have many contacts because of the lack of time. Now we co-operate with Michael from MENTAL HOME. He helps us and he will play the keyboards on the next album. We meet other bands at the concerts. As for the Ukrainian bands. I know NOKTURNAL MORTUM and MAD SANITY. We played in a concert with MAD SANITY and GODS TOWER in Kiev a year ago.
Could you please introduce us in what way will be your forthcoming album showing progression to its predecessors?
- As for the technics, the new album will not fall behind the previous one. And I am not to judge whether it will be better or not.
The biography says that you use the elements of Gothic and Black Metal in your music. How do you think are these elements necessary to play Death Metal in the way Death Metal should be?
- We don't play traditional death metal. It is too tight to be within a certain genre. I would call our music VERSATILE METAL or MANY-SIDED METAL. Though it's not the musicians who should describe the music, but you, the editors.
Where can we see you play live frequently? Do you like to play live?
- We enjoy to play live, but, unfortunately, this happens rather not very often. In the last few months we have played only in Moscow. There are few people who wish to organize these concerts here - there's no profit. And other cities cannot but pay the travelling expense for us! We are sick and tired of crisis and pop music!
What are the plans of SERMON for the near future?
- For the nearest future we plan to finish the recording of our new album and to release a CD.
Finally, tell us some amazing stories of SERMON for the end. The space is yours...
- Sorry, I'm too lazy to write much. I will tell you some stories when we meet. There were lots of amazing stories in the 8 years of our existence. Thank you for the support. All the best!
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