Sardonic Allegiance Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

Yes, so Sardonic Allegiance was formed in 2009 as a duo black metal project. It was basically an idea of me and drummer Griendhakker to get together and write black metal songs. It all went pretty quick. We wrote 5 songs in a rehearsal room together and then recorded them and released the EP ‘Germania Inferior’ in 2010, the title being a reference to the history of our native country, The Netherlands.

After we released the first EP, I had written several new riffs and song ideas. However, the project went on hold around 2011 as Griendhakker was too busy with other projects. So I put the new music away. Years later I went through the material again and realized: ‘This is too good not to release’. So I started to compose a proper full-length album based on that material plus new parts. That material became Coast I, released April 2025, and Coast II, to be released in January 2026.

  

2.In 2026 you have a new ep coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

I think you can still hear it’s the same band, but the ‘Coast’ material is more mature. Although still very aggressive, the compositions are more sophisticated, more melodic and the arrangements more layered, with added keyboards for example. I also play more leads and guitar solos on the new albums. Also, on ‘Germania Inferior’ Griendhakker took on vocal duties. He did a fine job, but he is not a real singer. On ‘Coast I’ I hired a proper vocalist, Dictator, who did a superb job. Lastly, the overall production is of a higher quality. I have my own personal studio now where I track all the music, and much of the engineering was done with help from professional producer Sebastiaan de Rooy (Signs of Life Audio) who also mixed and mastered the album. You can really hear the time and effort that Sebastiaan put into it because this is not easy music to produce, given all the layers and arrangements, but he did a fantastic job. 

3.From 2010 to 2025 there was no new music being released, can you tell us a little bit more about the 15 year break?

Well, first of all, as I mentioned, Griendhakker did not have time anymore to continue his participation in the project. At the same time, my own private life got busier with work so I also did not pursue new music for a number of years. Also, you have to understand that Griendhakker is a good friend of mine, so when he kind of quit, I wasn’t very motivated to continue the project at first. Then it took even longer because when I finally did pick up the production for ‘Coast’ I suffered a nasty injury in the middle of the pre-production stage - I had to put the project on hold once again for another couple of years because of that.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the project has explored so far with the music?

My lyrics are a mix of personal subjects and social critique. They deal with topics such as not finding your way in life and mental resilience. There are also many political topics that I address though in a lyrically poetic and obscured way. 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sardonic Allegiance’?

I think cynicism (= ‘sardonic’) is a part of life and definitely a part of black metal as a state of mind and subculture. The name reflects that and it also shines through my lyrics which are a mix of personal issues and social critique, not the typical ‘dungeons and dragons’ stuff you hear a lot or satanic subjects.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new ep cover?

The cover art was done by Gustavo Sazes who did an amazing job. If I remember correctly, it kind of represents the meaning of the third song on Coast I, ‘Delusions Cataclysmic’ where higher forces pour their poisonous and delusional ideas into the heads of the common folk.   

7.The last 2 releases were self released while you have worked with a label in the past, are you open to working with another label again in the future?

Well, never say never, but at this point I don’t see the added value of a deal with a record label to be honest. I am open to everything but a record deal comes with obligations and you give away the rights to your music. Besides, I doubt any record label would have interest in a band that doesn’t have a structural fan base and doesn’t play live. 

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic and symphonic black metal?

Very favorable actually. In black metal, there will always be negativity but reactions I get personally or on the internet are mainly positive. People dig the mix I present between aggression and melody. I think many bands now have specialized in one or the other but I am very much inspired by the scandinavian black metal scene that emerged in  the 1990s. A lot of those bands had that perfect mix of evil atmosphere, aggression and melody. This is also something I strive for with Sardonic Allegiance added with some cinematic ingredients.

 

9.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

For now, I am happy with releasing EP’s. I do everything myself and producing this kind of music is not easy and takes a lot of time and effort. I do have a lot of new material which I will be working on next year. But you never know, maybe there will be a full-length in the future. 

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Like I said, I am very much inspired by the 90s black metal scene. But that is not sto ay I simply copy that style. Sardonic Allegiance also had more modern influences, though maybe those are not coming from black metal music as such. The layered sound and cinematic feel I create also comes from an inspiration of classical music. I must say I still listen mainly to bands that emerged in the 90s- and not just black metal. 

11.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Many thanks for your interest in Sardonic Allegiance and I hope your readership will enjoy both Coast I and II. Hails!!

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