Sermon (Türkiye)

Interview with Cem Barut (guitars)

https://sermontur.bandcamp.com/

Türkiye’s Doom Death metal band Sermon, whose roots go back to the band ‘Moon’ which was founded in 1993, was formed in 1997 in Izmir, Türkiye. Almost three years ago trio released their full-length Till Birth Do Us Part, they’re now active again with the release of their latest single “Sharing These Words I Fear No Pain”. Celebrating 25 years in the industry is no small feat. I sat down with Cem Barut to discuss how the band has evolved, their favorite memories, and the exciting plans they have for the future.

Metal Revolution: Arkadaşım merhaba, pleasure to talk to you Cem. How are things nowadays in Izmir/Türkiye?

Sermon: Merhaba, and thank you for your kind words – it’s a pleasure to speak with you as well. Lately, we’ve been fully focused on our new album; things have been quite intense, but equally exciting. We released a new single in March, which has received great feedback so far. At the moment, we’re continuing work on our second album without taking a break, and the recording process is almost complete.

MR: You’ve been around for some time now, but for our readers still unfamiliar with your band, would you be kind and introduce your band? Can you tell us about the very beginnings?

Sermon: Of course. The roots of Sermon actually go back to 1993, when the project started under the name Moon, but the band truly took shape in 1997 in İzmir under the name Sermon. From the very beginning, our only motivation was to create music. In line with that, we recorded our first demo Cosmic Prisoner, followed by Sea of Meanings in 1999. Especially Sea of Meanings received strong feedback both in Türkiye and abroad, helping us reach listeners in different countries.

Over time, due to lineup changes, we also explored different musical directions for a while; we moved away from the Doom/Death line and leaned more towards a Gothic approach, but we chose not to release those recordings. By the end of 2004, the band went on an indefinite hiatus.

In early 2021, under the initiative of Cem—the only remaining member from the original line-up, and with the addition of lead guitarist Durmuş, we brought Sermon back to life. This time with a much clearer vision, focusing directly on album-oriented work. While the recording process was still ongoing, we released “Posthumous”, “Requitement”, and “Destined to Decline” as promotional tracks.

Eventually, our first full-length album Till Birth Do Us Part was completed and released physically in 2023 through the French label Bitume Prods.

Today, Sermon continues its journey with a more focused, heavier, and more defined identity, while still carrying the foundation built throughout its history.

MR: Cem – you’re the only original member of Sermon, and before reforming the band (with Durmuş Kalın) in 2021 you took a long break?! Did you lost a motivaton or you just couldn’t find the right replacements?

Sermon: Actually, there are two aspects to the question, but it needs to be framed a bit more accurately. This period was less about a loss of motivation and more about the natural changes that life brings. After 2004, everyone moved on to their own lives and responsibilities, which directly affected the band’s continuity.

At the same time, it wasn’t easy to rebuild a lineup that would truly fit the spirit of Sermon. This also contributed to the length of the break. So it wasn’t a sudden decision, but rather a natural pause that formed over time.

Despite that, our connection to music was never lost. Even during the long break, we remained within music both as listeners and as creators. The desire to create was always there; we were simply waiting for the right time and the right people to come together.

2021 became a turning point in that sense. When we reconnected with Durmuş, we immediately rediscovered both the old energy and a renewed creative motivation. This was not just a nostalgic return; it was about taking the foundation we had and moving it forward with a more mature and clearer vision.

With Harun joining as well, we eventually found the right chemistry, and everything naturally fell into place. So rather than reducing this process to a single reason, it is more accurate to see it as the convergence of the right timing, the right people, and the right approach.

MR: Do you agree with those describing your sound as ‘…music is built on heavy riffs, dark atmospheres and melodic structures within the Doom/Death metal tradition’?

Sermon: Yes, that description captures part of our sound quite accurately. Doom/Death metal has always been our starting point and still forms the foundation of our music: heaviness, dark atmospheres, and emotional intensity.

However, limiting Sermon strictly to these two genres doesn’t fully describe our approach. We see genres as a framework, but what really matters within that framework is expression and atmosphere. Whether a passage feels more “doom” or more “death” is not about labels for us, but rather a way of describing emotional intensity.

Because of this, our music can sometimes become more melodic, sometimes more aggressive, or open to different textures. But the constant core remains a dark narrative language and the intention to express it as honestly as possible.

MR: What is it about this kind of music that is attractive to you?

Sermon: What attracts us to this genre is its emotional depth and the wide range of expression it offers. Doom/Death metal is not only about aggression or heaviness; it is also a very powerful language for conveying melancholy, introspection, and atmosphere.

For us, what truly matters is the ability of music to create a certain emotional state. Before lyrics or technical structure, it is the atmosphere a piece leaves on the listener. This genre is one of the most direct and powerful ways for us to express that.

It is also a style of music that is not limiting – in fact, it offers a great deal of freedom. Its ability to carry both heaviness and melody at the same time aligns closely with our own musical approach.

MR: Back in 2023 you released your debut album, Till Birth Do Us Part. What can you tell us about this album? How was the reception from media and fans?

Sermon: Till Birth Do Us Part was the result of a long process for us and also the first major step of our rebuilding period. After its release, especially the feedback from abroad exceeded our expectations by far.

Many international magazines published positive reviews of the album, we appeared on various radio programs, and our songs were played on different radio stations. In addition, comments shared by listeners from all around the world on social media showed us that the album reached a wide audience.

Overall, we received a strong and very motivating response from both the press and the listeners. This also confirmed for us that both the album and Sermon’s return were received on the right foundation.

MR: Recently you also released your latest single “Sharing These Words I Fear No Pain”. What can you tell us about this particular track? What inspired you to choose this title, and how does it differ from the songs on your debut?

Sermon: “Sharing These Words I Fear No Pain” is a track that reflects both our current musical and lyrical direction. Musically, compared to the debut album, we built a denser and darker atmosphere. On the lyrical side, the song is not directly about an “end” narrative, but rather about the signs that indicate an approaching end, and the awareness of these signs. The idea that such omens – often mentioned in eschatology, apocalyptic themes, and historical religious texts – continue to manifest in different forms today, just as they did in earlier times, became one of the starting points of the lyrics.

However, these signs do not create fear or anxiety for us. On the contrary, for a consciousness aware of this state, it becomes more of an acceptance and an inner sense of calm. Speaking about these signs, and in a way conveying them, may trigger a new awakening for open-minded listeners.

So although the track may appear dark on the surface, at its core it carries less of a catastrophe narrative and more of a sense of awareness—and in a way, a feeling of release or liberation. In that sense, it also points toward the direction of our upcoming work.

MR: How does your creative process work? What’s the creative process like when you make a new song? When writing, do you focus on crafting heavy riffs first, or creating a specific emotion/atmosphere?

Sermon: In our creative process, what usually comes first is a feeling or an atmosphere rather than a purely technical idea. In other words, what initiates the process is often a certain mood or emotional state that forms in our minds.

Sometimes we do start from a guitar idea, but even then, that idea itself emerges because it already evokes a specific atmosphere. From there, we build the track layer by layer together.

For us, what matters is not just having riffs, but creating a sense of atmosphere in the listener. That’s why riffs, rhythms, and vocal structures are all shaped around that overall emotional core. The process usually begins with individual ideas and then evolves into something more complete and collective as it develops.

MR: Has the lyrical content changed over the past 25 years? Where do you get inspiration for writing lyrics and who’s the main songwriter? Or do you all participate equaly?

Sermon: Over the past 25 years, we can say that the thematic approach of our lyrics has naturally evolved. In the early period, they were more centered around faith, the search for meaning, and existential questioning. Over time, this perspective expanded into a more cosmic, introspective, and darker space.

Today, our lyrics focus on the relationship, and often the conflict, between human beings and themselves, nature, and the universe. Observing and trying to make sense of life in all its creative, natural, physical, and metaphysical layers has always been one of our main sources of inspiration. In addition, the historical, philosophical, and spiritual teachings we are interested in, as well as the texts we read and research, have a direct influence on the lyrics. At the same time, witnessing the world and existence gradually moving toward a more chaotic and darker state also feeds this narrative.

In our approach, lyrics are not meant to provide clear answers, but rather to open a space for awareness and inner confrontation in the listener. Themes such as existence, dissolution, entropy and awakening therefore sit at the core.

As for the songwriting process, all lyrics are written by our vocalist. However, this is not a purely individual process. Harun shares the lyrical concepts he writes and develops with us—especially with me—and we collectively agree on the overall direction. So while there is a conceptual collective approach, the final form and expression of the lyrics are shaped on the vocal side.

Overall, what matters most to us is that the lyrics do not impose a message, but instead create a space where the listener can form their own questions.

MR: How many copies of Till Birth Do Us Part were released and which medium was mainly used for that edition (CD, digital, cassette)?

Sermon: Till Birth Do Us Part was released as a limited edition of 200 digipack CDs. Including the copies reserved by the label, the entire pressing sold out in a short period of time, and we now only have a very small number of copies left.

The physical format still holds an important place for us. While digital access allows music to reach a much wider audience, the CD release was part of our intention to present the album as a tangible whole and to create a more direct connection with the listener.

MR: I think you’re doing a fantastic job promoting your band, but do you have any support from a label/distro/promo company etc. or is it all ‘DIY’?

Sermon: For Till Birth Do Us Part, we worked together with Bitume Prods, and I would say the process was largely based on mutual effort. While the label carried out a promotional campaign within its own means, we also remained an active part of the process as a band.

On a personal level, I was heavily involved in the promotion of the album – handling media communication, reaching out to magazines, radio shows and YouTube channels, sending physical copies, and managing outreach for digital platforms.

Honestly, this approach is nothing new for us. We have always been used to handling our own communication and being actively involved in the underground scene. So these kinds of tasks have naturally become part of what we do, rather than something external to the band.

In the end, it was a collaborative effort shaped by both the label and the band, while still carrying a strong DIY spirit throughout the process.

MR: How do you balance the slow, melancholic atmosphere of doom with the raw aggression of death metal without losing the impact of either?

Sermon: We don’t really see this as combining two separate genres, but rather as different intensity levels within the same form of expression. For us, the slowness and melancholy of doom metal form the foundation that builds the atmosphere, while the aggression of death metal represents the tension and rupture within that atmosphere.

In reality, we don’t approach this balance as a technical calculation. When a track should become heavier or pull back is entirely guided by the emotion we are trying to express at that moment. In that sense, riffs or tempo changes are not goals in themselves, but tools to convey that feeling in the most accurate way.

Because of this, the two styles don’t exist separately within the music; they function more like different faces of the same narrative, feeding into each other. What matters most to us is preserving that sense of unity without breaking its flow.

MR: What obstacles or challenges do you encounter when it comes to getting your music out there and heard by potential new fans?

Sermon: The biggest challenge is not the music itself, but the process of reaching the right audience. Especially working within an independent structure, not having access to a large promotional network naturally creates certain limitations in terms of visibility.

We try to manage this process as actively as possible – through digital platforms, media communication, and direct outreach to different channels in order to make the music heard. At the same time, in today’s fast-consumption culture, more atmospheric and layered music sometimes needs a bit more time to find its place.

On the live side, we have the chance to connect with our audience locally, which is very valuable for us. Internationally, we haven’t had the opportunity to perform live yet, but we see that as a natural next step, because sharing music face to face with the audience is the most powerful form of communication for us.

Despite all these challenges, seeing the music resonate with the right listeners remains the most motivating part of the whole process.

MR: What would you say is the best type of environment or setting to listen to your music?

Sermon: For our music, there isn’t a single “correct” environment. What matters more is the listener’s state of mind and the atmosphere they are able to enter at that moment. However, in general terms, we can say that a dark, quiet environment without distractions allows the music to be experienced more deeply.

Late hours at night, listening with headphones, or live performances on stage are settings where the essence of the music is reflected more directly. Because this kind of music is not just something you listen to – it is an atmosphere you step into.

In the end, the most suitable environment is simply wherever the listener is able to fully surrender to the music.

MR: How’s the metal scene in Turkiye nowadays? I see many big bands coming to Istanbul, but I don’t know what’s the situation for the rest of your country? Any clubs/venues/festivals playing this kind of music in Izmir-area?

Sermon: The metal scene in Türkiye is actually much more active and dynamic than one might expect. Especially in cities like İstanbul and İzmir, as well as other major cities, a wide range of concerts and events, both large and small scale, are regularly taking place. In terms of venues, it’s hard to say there is a real shortage; the scene exists and continues to grow.

In addition, many international bands that come to Türkiye don’t only play in Istanbul, but also perform in other major cities across the country. This shows that the scene is not limited to a single hub, but rather spread across a wider geography.

We also have a very large metal audience here, which is a significant advantage. However, one of the main issues regarding the local scene is that Turkish bands don’t always receive the attention they deserve. Despite many strong acts, interest in international bands can sometimes overshadow the local scene.

We believe this needs to change, because there are truly talented and original bands in Türkiye. We are convinced that with more support and visibility, the scene can produce even stronger output.

Overall, the Turkish metal scene is continuously growing and developing, with a very high potential.

MR: Now, would you tell us what the next step is for Sermon? Preparing a follow-up to your 2023 debut? Any new projects in the pipeline that you can share with us?

Sermon: Yes, we are currently working on a new full-length album that we’ve been developing for quite some time. The instrumental recordings are already completed, and we will soon be moving on to the vocal recording stage.

This new release is not a direct continuation of our debut album; rather, we see it as a natural evolution of the experience gained from that process. We’ve never aimed to repeat the same formula from album to album, because for us each record reflects the spirit and creative mindset of its own time. In that sense, the new album will have its own distinct character as well.

The single we recently released is not part of the upcoming album; it was conceived as a standalone track, although it still carries certain hints of our current musical direction.

Overall, the new album will still be rooted in Doom/Death metal. The vocals will mostly remain harsh and intense, but clarity and expressive delivery will also be important. In addition, there will be moments that evoke a more gothic atmosphere, along with some clean vocal passages.

At this point we don’t want to give a specific release date, but everything is progressing as planned, and it won’t be a very long wait.

MR: What are some of your favorite older death/doom bands that influenced your sound, and how do you try to bring something new to the genre? I mean, you’ve been compared to the likes of Moonspell, Type O Negative and Paradise Lost. Is it flattering to be compared to these monumental bands within the genre?

Sermon: Of course, many important names from the past have played a role in shaping our sound. Bands such as Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Type O Negative, Candlemass, Anathema, Tiamat, Moonspell are all acts we have listened to for years and that have naturally influenced our musical understanding.

However, rather than copying these influences directly, we try to integrate them into our own way of expression. For us, Doom/Death is less of a genre label and more a way of conveying emotion and atmosphere. Because of this, we aim to build a more personal and unique structure that comes from a combination of different influences and individual expression.

We definitely see these comparisons in a positive way. Being mentioned alongside such pioneering bands is an honor, as it makes you feel part of a lineage they helped create. At the same time, what matters most to us is being able to develop our own voice within that tradition and being recognized for it.

MR: Any other Turkish bands you would like to recommend for the readers of Metal Revolution Webzine?

Sermon: Türkiye actually has a very strong metal scene, with many high-quality bands emerging in different styles. To name a few, bands like Cenotaph, Carnophage, Engulfed, Diabolizer, Burial Invocation, Forgotten, Autumn, Trenchwar, Suicide, and Black Tooth are all producing very strong work.

Overall, we can say that Türkiye has a very productive and high-quality underground scene. It would be very valuable for listeners to support and follow these bands, as it really helps the scene grow.

MR: How can people reach your band & music?

Sermon: You can mainly reach us and our music through digital platforms. All of our releases, including Till Birth Do Us Part, are available on Spotify, Bandcamp, and other major streaming services.

In addition, we share all updates and announcements through our official social media channels. For physical copies and merchandise, we can also be contacted through the same platforms. In short, digital platforms and social media are our main points of communication.

MR: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview, Cem. Would you like to add anything to the readers of Metal Revolution?

Sermon: First of all, we’d like to thank you for this great and enjoyable interview – it was truly a pleasure for us. We’re also grateful for the opportunity to express ourselves. A big thank you to everyone who supports us and follows our music; it really means a lot to us.

Since the Till Birth Do Us Part album, we’ve been continuing to move forward and work on new material. We’ll be happy to keep growing our music with everyone who shares this journey with us. Many thanks to everyone reading this interview and supporting us. We hope our paths cross in different countries in the future so we can share our music with you live on stage.