This week’s featured Meet The Band artist is the German death metal duo Rats Of Gomorrah. Their debut album is Infectious Vermin. Vocalist/guitarist Daniel Stelling introduces us to his band.
Chad Bowar: Give us a brief history of Rats Of Gomorrah.
Daniel Stelling: Alright, here’s the deal: we started back in 2009 as a five-piece called Divide. It was fun, but you know how it is—life happens, priorities shift, and we ended up as a duo in 2017. Honestly, best decision ever. Touring got easier, we could do whatever the hell we wanted creatively, and the merch table talk about “How the hell do you play as a two-piece?” never gets old.
Describe the songwriting process for Infectious Vermin.
The process is pretty no-bullshit. I lock myself away with my guitar and work on riffs until they stop sucking. Once I’ve got something solid, I send it to Moritz, and he slaps some drums on it — usually with zero input from me. Sometimes what he comes up with surprises the hell out of me, in a good way. Then we polish it up in the practice room and boom, we’ve got a song. Vocals? Those are usually a last-minute panic job. Deadlines are inspiring, what can I say?
What will be the strongest memory of the recording of the album?
“Night Orbit” for sure. That track started simple, and then it spiraled into this massive experiment. It’s like my brain exploded with ideas while recording. Usually, the songs are locked down by then, but this one? Total wildcard. And it paid off; definitely a standout.
What was the biggest challenge in its creation?
Getting this beast onto a label. We were stuck in this limbo with raw mixes and rejection emails piling up. At one point, we were about to self-release it and call it a day. Luckily, our buddy Ralf (shoutout to him!) kicked our asses into gear and made us keep pushing. If it weren’t for him, this album might’ve died in a hard drive somewhere.
How would you characterize its style/sound?
It’s like a middle finger wrapped in riffs. Gritty, heavy, catchy, and a little unpredictable. Think death metal vibes but with enough modern twists to keep it interesting. I’ve gotten inspiration from Frozen Soul, Goatwhore, and Hellripper and more. Some reviewers called it audio-ADHD — sounds about right.
What lyrical topics do you cover?
Rats. Lots of rats. And not just the furry little bastards — more like what they represent: decay, chaos, survival, society rotting from the inside. I pull a lot from horror — Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro, that nasty-ass “Raatma” thing from V/H/S 94. If it’s gross or creepy, it’s fair game.
How did you come to sign with Testimony Records?
Blood, sweat, and a crapload of persistence. Like I said, we were on the verge of self-releasing when Ralf stepped in and helped us connect with Testimony. They saw the potential, and now we’re here, ready to unleash Infectious Vermin on the world.
What are your goals and expectations for the album?
World domination? Nah, just kidding. Sort of. Really, we just want this album to reach as many ears as possible and get more people to show up at gigs. Anything else is a bonus.
How was the video shoot for “Swarming Death”?
Chaotic as hell, just like the song. We wanted the video to match the song’s aggression — no overthinking, just raw energy. It was sweaty, messy, and a damn good time. You know, we picked out seedy tunnels and a basement as filming locations for a reason.
How important are videos in the promotion process?
Honestly? Pretty damn important these days. People need something flashy to click on before they dive into the music. A good video can be the hook that reels them in. Plus, it’s fun to make people squirm with some of the visuals we come up with. It’s also possible to give people an insight in our “band personality,” kind of a behind-the-scenes.
What has been your most memorable Rats Of Gomorrah live show?
For me, it was probably the first time we played as a duo. We were nervous as hell, but it ended up being one of the rawest, most stripped-down performances we’ve ever done. It felt honest, and the crowd loved it. That was when we realized, “Yeah, we don’t need anyone else.”
Do you play live as a duo, or do you recruit touring musicians?
It’s just the two of us. Always has been, always will be. Occasionally we’ll bring someone in for a special gig, but for the most part, we’re like, “Why complicate it?”
What are your upcoming show/tour plans?
We’ve got a European tour coming up in April, with a focus on Spain and Portugal. Plus, we’re working on a killer release party for Infectious Vermin. Stay tuned — it’s gonna be wild.
The album is being released on vinyl. Are you a collector?
I don’t really collect. I do understand people who prefer to listen to vinyl, as you are more inclined to listen to a whole album. Also I think it does the artwork more justice.
What are some of your non-musical interests and hobbies?
For me, it’s Horror movies and video games. And finding new ways to make people uncomfortable (creatively, of course).
Anything else you’d like to mention or promote?
Yeah, support your local scene by contributing and building networks. It’s more fun for everybody involved when shows are well-attended, not only the bands! Buy tickets early, grab merch, and don’t let the underground die. Don’t shy away from addressing shit, just because it’s not “metal” to do it. Call out sexist, racist, homo- or transphobic behavior. Think about eating less cadavers. And if you haven’t already, pre-order Infectious Vermin, your ears will thank you later. Cheers!
(interview published February 1, 2025)
Watch Rats Of Gomorrah – “Swarming Death” Video
