Interview with Steve Tucker of Nader Sadek

This year the world was surprised by a new band… and a good one at that! A most talented collaboration between Steve Tucker [vocals, ex-Morbid Angel] along side Flo Mounier [drums, Cryptopsy], Rune Eriksen (guitars, ex-Mayhem) and Egyptian-born and currently New York-based visual artist Nader Sadek, who have combined their artistry to have created an ass kicking, wind milling, death metal album that one should definitely have in their album collection.

Brainchild of conceptual artist Nader Sadek [known for his impressively twisted sculptures, masks, and installations used by bands such as MAYHEM and SUNN O)))] In The Flesh is both a visual and an auditory assault, as well as a record that will surely be hard to top this year.

We had the chance to catch up with Steven Tucker for a short discussion of whom and what Nader Sadek actually is - this is what happened!

Hi Steven, first and foremost, thank you for doing the interview for Voltage Media, how are you?

Steven Tucker: My pleasure! I’m doing great! Thanks…

Can you tell us a few things about the album, like the artwork, the title and how many tracks are on the album?

Tucker: Everything is done; I believe the record is out, worldwide now... Yes, I think the best thing is to explain, exactly what is going on here; the album Nader Sadek ‘In the Flesh’ is collaboration, between the visual artist, Nader Sadek, and musicians, Rune (Blasphemer), Flo, and myself. Essentially, we have written and performed a soundtrack.

This started with Nader and myself in 2006 - I did a song for him, as a project piece. He then asked Flo [Cryptopsy] to get involved, then Rune. We started to work on songs separately and through the internet... Rune [Ex –Mayhem] and Nader were able to work on a couple of songs together, despite the issue; Nader does not play a musical instrument. Rune was able to express what Nader had inside of his head, and the outcome was the instrumental, ‘Negredo in Necromance’...

We got together to play the songs, in New York for a few days before we recorded.  It felt as though I had waited my entire life to play with these gentlemen, and it was worth every second of the wait! The outcome is 30 minutes of what is our Death Metal...  

Nader Sadek have done two very unique video clips, can you tell us a little about them and the way they were directed visually? 

Tucker: These are Nader’s creations; this is his true part to this project, to take this somewhere death metal hasn’t gone. Nader took on many hats for this album to happen; He became, for lack of a better term, executive producer. 

He took care of all our headaches, our food and transportation, studio and payments etc.. He played the role of an asshole many times, to make this happen, because he felt this band would be amazing.

Now I am thrilled to see his videos, they are not like everything else you see, they have significance! I cannot give you any insight into Nader’s directive vision. He is maybe a bit insane, I think.

Growing up as a teenager, what music influenced you and the music you play today?

Tucker: I have been metal for as long as I can remember being anything. As a teenager; I was influenced by a lot of different music, however, the heavier, the better. This was when Slayer was new and Venom were the evilest fuckin’ thing I had ever seen!  

I think my biggest influence as a teenager was not what I liked, but what I hated... I hated all the crap glam bullshit and the people that loved it (except the girls)! I can’t stand fake... I mean. Am I really supposed to believe Motley Crue, are bad asses?? Hahahahaha not in my neighborhood they aren’t!!! 

So I wanted to be as different from what I hated as I possibly could be! Simple answer? DIO  - he ruled!!

You were in Morbid Angel as the front man for 10 years, were you in Nader Sadek as a side project at the time, or did Nader Sadek come after you left Morbid Angel as your main priority?

Tucker: When I was in Morbid Angel, I focused on M.A.; I gave 100% of myself.

Who is mainly responsible for writing the music on the album? 

Tucker: I wrote most of the music, however, it was the feel that Flo and Rune added, that really brought the songs to life for me. The songs changed, and became our songs, instead of my songs!    

I trashed almost all of my lyrics and started over, because the vibe had changed.

The oils spill in the Gulf of Mexico was all over the news... And it disgusted me!!!  Inspiring me to write words.

Do you think you will be touring any time soon?

Tucker: There is so much going on right now!! I am not sure what is going to happen next. There is a chance that Nader Sadek could go on the road and I, myself not be a part of it... it belongs to Nader and the visual is his end of the spectrum.

Nader Sadek’s In The Flesh is out now through Season of Mist in collaboration with Greyhaze Records.

Visit: www.nadersadek.com