GURKKHAS are a band that emerged in mid-1999 in the bowels of the French underworld, they have two albums that stand out as a reference in Death Metal and despite having been dormant for almost two decades, they are now back to torment us with their intense and perverse melodies.
The old Death Metal blood that runs through GURKKHAS' veins continues to flow in a very intense way, even when the musical hemorrhage was stopped for a few years, the bleeding in the arteries continues to be shed allowing the band to return to its activities.
In order to understand a little better about the sudden stop that GURKKHAS suffered, as well as to know a little more about the revival process that allowed the band to return to its activities, I had the opportunity to speak and prepare the next interview with its founder Jeff Rey who will reveal a little more about what we can expect from this return to the underworld of musical brutality.
ENJOY THE CHRONICLES OF CHAOS WITH THE 12 GURKKHAS COMMANDMENTS...
C.N. - HELL-o rotten brother Raphael, first of all I want to welcome you to the perverse underworld of Cadaveric Noiseletter. Gurkkhas is a band that was formed in 1999, to start this interview I would like to ask you to introduce yourself and tell us a little more about your band.
G. - Hello Metal brother ! . I am Jeff , I am the former and the singer of this French brutal Death metal warmachine named Gurkkhas … ? After 20 years of silence, we are back with a vengeance! "A Life of Sufferingbest of our on GREAT DANE RECS. This compilation album features some of the most intense tracks from our first and second albums, originally released on Massacre Records (Germany) and Morbid Records (Germany).
C.N. - Over time Gurkkhas has maintained a stable lineup as a band, can you introduce us to the band's current lineup?
G. - Well, actually there is Nico at the drums, Romain at the guitar(before at the bass)and we have a new member, Yves, at the bass… And me, Jeff , singer. We know each other well , than it’s a lot easier to produce songs or to rehearse.
C.N. - In 2000 Gurkkhas released their debut album, "Engraved in Blood, Flesh and Souls", which was released by Massacre Records and repressed in 2004 by CD-Maximum and both editions being released in CD format. What can you tell us about this album?
G. - Well, I well remember when Massacre recs has decided to sign us, it was just amazing for a band like us, but, even we got good sells and sold tons of T-shirts, merch…they have not sent us any royalties, nothing, so we have moved on to Morbid recs . And after we have split . I mean, after some times we have split. The first album is more with some Black and thrash metal influences I think , when the second one is more into a US brutal death way. This one, the second one “ is “the” album that everyone talk about when they talk about us . It’s brutal and so aggressive, even after 20 years when I hear it I really say to myself “ damned this is so aggressive” hahahaha …And when you say me that the Cd has been re-released by CD maximum it’s a surprise for me I didn’t know this..business musical industry bullshit I guess.
C.N. - In 2001 Gurkkhas released their second album, "A Life of Suffering", which was released by Morbid Records, reissued in 2002 by CD-Maximum and more recently in 2024 by Great Dane Records, all editions being released in CD format. What can you tell us about this album?
G. - Well, as I said you I didn’t know that CD maximum got it again , and if someone has some informations about it just let me know, thx . Ths Cd is the referent CD for us and our fan base . it’s an album that is better built, more accomplished, or the singing is more in growling death metal style. I love the 1st album a lot, but this one, "Alife of suffering" is really more accomplished.
C.N. - Gurkkhas presents a Death Metal extremely well executed and where we can find old school aspects. I would like to ask you who are your main influences and tell us how you define your sound?
G. - First of all, thank you very much for these compliments, which make me really happy, because as you know, making an album and music in general it takes a lot, a lot of work and we put " everything that we are". So thank you for that. I will say that we sound like an American death metal band, with a gressivity you find in the brutal HC or the black.
C.N. - Now talking about the message that Gurkkhas intends to convey and what subjects are addressed in your lyrics, do you want to tell us a little more about that?
G. - Well, in the past, as I said you everything was turning round the Gurkkhas history and spiritual minds, and for the future , we have some songs talking about bravery,( Shakkrug), our flag (The Flag), violence against women( I loved him) and so on….
C.N. - After a long period in which the band was inactive, they are now back and, as far as I know, they are preparing the third album that will be released by Great Dane Records. What can you reveal and advance about this and what can we expect?
G. - We do not yet know which record company it will be released on . What I know, from hearing two or three pieces that are almost finished, is that it will be very brutal and very current, something like a war anthem, an army marching towards its destiny, for a song like the flag for example I imagined a cavalry charge" old-fashioned". Romain, the guitarist is in the process of tuning his guitar sound with "Jer", our new sound engineer , and it promises to be current and brutal.
C.N. - Speaking now about the musical underworld in France, which has always been very strong and active, I would like to ask you how you see the French Underground movement today and which bands would you like to recommend to us?
G. - I am no longer a specialist of the scene as before I could be . There are great bands here like Benighted, Exhauster , Destinity , and many others... The scene has evolved a lot, and what I see is that nowadays bands are really much more professional. With a management, a turntablist, a record company and also there is the fact that there are a multitude of festivals offering to discover lots of bands.
C.N. - I would also like to know if Gurkkhas has been giving concerts and if so, I would like you to describe the band's performance live and what we can expect from the band on stage?
G. - In the past we have played a lot. I don’t really know how to describe Gurkhas on stage because it wouldn’t be objective hahaha.... but according to those who came to see us, it seems that it is ultra powerful.
C.N. - We are coming to the final part of this interview so I would like to ask what your plans are for the future of Gurkkhas?
G. - Release a CD, play festivals, and above all, take pleasure in doing all this, because it is the ultimate goal...take pleasure in what you do otherwise" it’s no use .
C.N. - Before I end this interview, I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer the questions and for letting us know a little more about Gurkkhas. Now, I would like to leave this space open so that you can leave a note here of anything you think is important that was not mentioned on this interview. You can also send your greetings or simply tell whoever you want to fuck off, the space is all yours...
G. - It is I who should thank you for your support, this is extremely kind of you, really. We hope to play with you in 2025 or 2026, and if you are interested in our group, here is the contact of our management for concerts, festivals, tours/ Management: Leebrosmeats@gmail.com 06.60.59.11.73 …And to write to Gurkkhas: Gurkkhas666@gmail.com I would end this interview by telling you my brothers and sisters of metal, to always be yourself, to be strong, determined, and take care of yourself and those you love. “ You are the true force that fuels our music and passion. Every CD you listen to, every t-shirt, every cap, every accessory you wear is a symbol of our connection and gratitude. Thank you for being an essential part of this adventure, and for making our sound resonate! Keep making noise!
Interview made by Danihell Slaughter
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