By Andrew Bansal
Based out of Bangkok, Thailand, Savage Deity is a new entity in extreme metal, having started out in 2011 and garnering rapid acclaim in the South-East Asian underground metal scene with a rehearsal demo tape released in 2011, the ‘Icons Of The Wicked’ split EP with the band Goatchrist666 in 2012, and some crushing live performances in the local circle. Right now, they are preparing to play the upcoming ‘Banish The Posers’ Fest in Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 16th. A gig put together by local promoters Primitive Invocation, this gig is all set to bring Savage Deity together with the best of Bangladeshi underground extreme metal along with bands from Malaysia and India. A few days ago, I caught up with the band to discuss this fest, and all things Savage Deity. Read the conversation below, along with a taste of their music. If you’re in Dhaka, make sure you catch Savage Deity at the gig later this month. And for extreme metal fans elsewhere, you’ll do yourselves no harm at all in checking out this promising band’s music and story.
It’s great to have you on Metal Assault. First of all, what are your expectations from the upcoming ‘Banish The Posers’ Fest in Dhaka on November 16th and how excited are you for that show?
This is our first time in Dhaka and also our first overseas show! We’re very excited and wanna see all Bengal metalheads in the pit!
How familiar are you with the Bangladesh metal scene?
I’ve been in touch with ‘Anton’ the vocalist of Nafarmaan (ex-Bloodlust) since 2008. He’s a Bangladeshi guy who has come to see many gigs in Thailand. So, I got to know many things about the metal scene in Dhaka from him. In late 2012, I saw Orator (Bangladeshi death/thrash band) in Bangkok and I became to be a fan of this band. So I got to know the rest of Orator guys and Iftekhar Faiaz from Primitive Invocation, and got their fanzine.
You’re supposed to be releasing your debut album ‘Amulet Of Sin’ soon. Tell me about that. When did you start working on it and what has the process been like?
We wrote a lot of songs since last year and began the album process in the middle of 2013. We were in the studio for two months which included the process of recording, mixing and mastering.
When you started this band in 2010, did you ever expect to have a fan base in countries outside of Thailand? In other words, were you surprised by the fan following you have in places like Bangladesh and other parts of South East Asia?
We started since the late of 2010. We hoped that everyone in the world would enjoy our music, but yes, we are really surprised that Bengal fans love our band and the support for our band in South-East Asia is precious, with all the great feedback. We never believed it would happen.
Talking of overseas support, you’re signed to US label Slaughterhouse Records. I’m always pleasantly amazed by how many of the South East Asian bands are signed to European and American labels, so I have to ask: how did you manage to get on that label?
I’ve contacted with Jill Girardi from Deadbeat Media (Malaysian label) that I want to release our debut album. She’s American and she’s close friends with JR Torina from Slaughterhouse Records. She had introduced Savage Deity to JR and during the time JR wanted to release many bands from South East Asia. Finally, We had to talk with JR and he agreed to release our debut album.
Is there a big extreme metal scene in Thailand or are you one of the few bands in the genre?
There are bands in Thailand playing many sub-genres of metal but we are one of the very few bands that played the true death metal.
You became a 4-piece lineup this year. What prompted the change from the original 3-piece to add a fourth member?
Firstly, We changed our drummer from Tanasan to Thinnarat and at the start of 2013, I met Saran on facebook, He’s a great guitarist in the way of the true old school death metal and he had no main band yet. So I caught him up!
As far as I know, international bands do visit Thailand on a regular basis to play shows there. Have you been able to attend any of these shows? If yes, which one has been your favorite so far?
Yes, I’ve been able to attend any of international band’s shows. My favorite shows in Thailand so far have been Obituary, Cannibal Corpse, Grave, Napalm Death, Hate Eternal+Nile, Sodom, Destruction, Exodus, Anthrax+Death Angel, and some others.
Aside from ‘Banish The Posers’ Fest and the debut album release, what else do you have planned for the near and long-term future?
After our debut album release, we are looking forward to play gigs and tour in 2014. Hope to see you all!
Visit Savage Deity on the web at:
facebook.com/pages/Savage-Deity/175954109083054
youtube.com/user/SavageDeity