I hear that you sound is modern but you feeling have an ancient shadow…how do you live that ambivalence and how it become constructive?

Sotiris – Our aim is to represent a timeless perspective, when the elements of memory (past), and future (fantasy) are dynamically redefined in the dream of today.

The growling is not the typical ugly and bestial one but much more sophisticated…what’s the reason behind of that winning choice, the chosen sound and effect or what?

Sotiris - The growling vocals of Set<h> is one of the characteristic elements of our sound and a factor that adds extremity to our music. However they are not representing the chaotic screams of a barbarian but rather the hissing tongue of a roaring dragon.

Your usage of the female vocals is very moderate like a background instrument, choirs, can it be a

artistic reaction of the egocentric character of some notorious “underground stars”?

Sotiris -  Indeed the female vocals have a supporting role, backing up the music, enhancing the overall atmosphere instead of burring the songs in order to create something pompous for the sake of impression. We consider the vocals as instruments that we use in harmony with the main emotional goal of the song. They give a more natural touch to the sound and if used properly can sound heavenly or even hellish…

You pay great attention to the sounds, do you create them before the recording or you work much more during the recording?

Sotiris -  99 persent of the strange sounds  and samplers that you listen were created before starting the phase of the recording and are products of a lot of experimentation in our own home studio. But of course the guitar sound is something that is defined in the studio. It is very important to have a general direction in your mind while entering the studio. It is also very useful to bring together, or rent the right equipment that the band has worked with and is aware of their potentials and their effectiveness.  

"Sumerian Mythology" was a recalled theme in the past…but today metal seem more focused on simplified theories...is there anything really serious about this interest of you...studies or things like that?

Sotiris - It is dead serious. The lyrics are always of great importance for Septic Flesh and not just a fancy cloth for the music. Through all our releases there are elements taken from ancient myths and mysteries around the glob. The Sumerian civilization is of great importance for many reasons. Besides being the first advanced human civilization according to the scientists, there are also a lot of peculiar theories and occult teachings focusing around the Sumerian Pantheon and their origin. With our latest album I found an opportunity to make a tribute to Annunaki and at the same time to glorify the "black flame" that burns inside the restless mind in mankind, leading it to unlock the hidden doors of knowledge, beyond what is labelled as forbidden.

Modernism and mysticism...is there any possibility to find a way to cross those two contrasts?

Sotiris - The common ground is always the middle of the crossroads. In mysticism, the authentic meaning and knowledge is hidden behind metaphor and symbolism because it is not intended to be openly available to all, indiscriminately. The key is to rule the symbol and not be ruled by it. It is very important to keep an update to what you know, keeping an open eye to the modern achievements. Knowledge is endless and our thought owes to continually evolve keeping always the essence of things. There is a chain that led to what now is modern. To put it in another way, you cannot climb a ladder while breaking the footboard you are currently stepping on.

Can you describe you great carrier speaking a bit about those releases...like a retrospective?

Sotiris - We view our releases as different chapters of the same book of dreams. We love to experiment with our sound and that is why each album introduces always some new elements while we use a variety of means for expression. Mystic Places of Dawn was an aggressive album with an aura of ancient dreams. Esoptron was a mystical apocalypse dressed with melodies of doom and melancholy. Ophidian Wheel was a more advanced mix of metal and classical elements and the album that introduced the vocals of Natalie Rassoulies. A Fallen Temple had the sperm of spatial futuristic elements that blended in a bizarre way with the classical elements. Revolution Dna was a more metal and futuristic release, with an emphasis on the melodic guitar work, based on more mid tempo rhythm. As for Sumerian Daemons is a step towards darkness. The most extreme and at the same time the most avant-garde release of the band. 

Another thing to say is the "Sumerian" is also enriched by a very cool artwork, a deadly mix of cyber-modern distortions and ancient recalls...what you opinion of that work?

Sotiris - Set<h> is behind the visual concepts of Sumerian Daemons that came into realization with the help of an Fx team that usually works on films and advertisements called the Alahouzos Bros and a very skilled photographer. We are very pleased from the result as it is in union with the lyrical and musical approach of the album.

Why do you think that the Greek scene have been always a bit too underrated?

Sotiris - Because it is a young scene compared with the major European scenes. Also the Greek scene is not so well organized. Especially when we started our carrier, the available means to promote the band and the organization of what is generally called music industry could be scaled with zero. Fortunately things have gone for the better, but you as you can imagine we passed through a lot of shit to reach to our present state.

Are you involved in any other Greek project or band and what are you preferred band of you country?

Sotiris - Indeed we have gained the support of a great portion of the Greek metal audience. Personally besides some appearances in other bands in the past as Raism and Varathron I don’t have the time to be involved to another project at this time. However, Set<h> is involved in Thou Art Lord a project with Sakis (Roting Christ) and Magus (Necromantia).

You music have always something surprising and something related to your roots, what are the signs of your future evolution?

Sotiris - I have already written a couple of songs for the next album but it is too soon to make predictions about the final outcome. Besides I love to make surprises.

What’s you idea of avant-garde music? (I ask because sometimes your band is called under this "etiquette")

Sotiris - I love it. In general, besides the extreme metal music I like to listen to atmospheric dark music as it is perfect for mind tripping

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