Online interview with Sebat, guitarist for Frost Like Ashes
December 17, 2004
 

Spring of 2001 saw the forming of a vision deep within the personage of a man called Sebat. This vision had a moniker given, some have thought, by divine inspiration. Frost Like Ashes. Though Sebat had experience in bands such as World Funeral and Coven as vocalist, he would begin this musical manifestation on guitar. Enlisting the talents of Eric on drums and Syntyche on bass, Sebat formed the embryo of his vision. Hailing from Kansas City, Missouri, Frost Like Ashes looked to complete its form with a vocalist. They found this completion in what seemed like a divine appointment to this Black Death Metal post. Fellow Kansas City metaller Azahel, former vocalist for the Death Metal quintet Possession, joined in the summer of that same year and within days Frost Like Ashes finished their first song, “Immortals”. (www.frostlikeashes.com) Don't let the image fool you! Frost Like Ashes is sold out on spreading the Word of God to the darkest of night.  

Dennis: Hey Sebat, thanks for taking the time during your recording times to spend some time with us.  How did you guys come up with the name Frost Like Ashes and how did you guys get together and evolve into your personas?
Sebat: I was reading my devotions in the Psalms and as I read Psalm 147 the line "Frost Like Ashes" seemed almost like it was highlighted to me. As I put down the bible I was like, that’s a great name for a band. So that is  what I decided to use, long before the members of this band got together. I was putting on these concerts at this small inner-city church and my heart was aching to put together a band, so I started putting the word out that I was looking, and got a hold of Azahel then we started praying for a drummer and eventually Adonijah came on the scene. The whole ordeal seemed like it was divinely brought together and I thank God for this opportunity.

Dennis: The fist thing people notice about Frost Like Ashes is the makeup and costumes and the definite look of goth and terror. What led to the intense makeup and costumes?
Sebat: We set out in both our vision and mission statement to play Black Metal, so we thought about the image and look and just put it together. Seriously, we just want to be an intense band for the Lord. The paint is viewed as War paint though I believe I can find a spiritual connection for the term Corpse paint also (it is not I who lives but Christ in me) And about the costumes, I would love to be able to put together something even more intriguing but at this time finances are our main detractor

Dennis: You guys have a very straight forward Christian message in your lyrics and some of the content is almost like reading a horror novel. How would you explain your lyrical influence and what is your response to those that feel you have gone over the top?
Sebat: I would think that you are talking about the song "A Cruel Verse" with this question; the main inspiration for that song is scripture. It is a collection of bible verses that are considered "Cruel" or "intense". When Azahel wrote the words, I do not think he ever really thought it would be used, But I love the harshness and thought it was quite fitting for what this band is about. Check out the Psalm 147 where we get our name from, it discusses how winter (the season of death) is from God. Sometimes some of the harsh things in life are from God. And many people refuse to acknowledge that. About it being over the top, this band is not Sunday school, and despite some peoples attempts to put Christians who make music into that box were simply not going to comply.

Dennis: Just looking at you guys many would not guess you are Christian artists. My comment to those I have heard say that is that you guys our reaching an audience that most of us may never reach. How has your edgy approach allowed to go into darkness shining light?
Sebat: You know it’s a catch 22 situation, without the support of the church we don’t have the strength the reach out into the darkness much, and if we target the lost then we are viewed as a sub par band by the church. As a whole, the (particularly American) church seems to take seriously those who have the right appearance, and disregard the rest. This is changing, but as with all change it can be time consuming and hard on some of the more controversial or successful artists. Frost Like Ashes is still a young band, so our impact is still small, God willing it will increase as we go forward. I also believe releasing a full length is going to help immensely. Having a label like Psycho Acoustix is going to help too as they are prepared to do what it takes to get us out in front of the right people!

Dennis: FLA has chosen a lyrical path to promote Christianity in a market that has opposite lyrical views and lifestyles. Most artists in your genre, black/death metal, have very offensive and often satanic lyrics. How do you think lyrical content effects listeners?
Sebat: I think this depends on the person, on where they stand with God, on their mindset at that particular moment, whether they have been in the word and prayer... and the list goes on and on. I wish I could give a pat answer, but sadly in this situation it seems quite hard to do so. When I first was saved I believed that "secular" music could negatively affect those who listened to it. Now I believe that we as Christians are in charge of the decisions we make, and we have the mind of Christ. So I cannot and will not ever blame a song for my downfalls. I think people need to be honest with themselves about where they are with their walk with God. I mean seriously if you listen to music about "shake that thang" and you are struggling with Porno... maybe you should cut off the songs... It may not be the only issue, but it surely could reinforce something. Same goes with depression or hate.. don’t listen to things that reinforce your trouble areas.

Dennis: I have heard both Christians and non-Christians say that there cant 
be Christian death metal because it is an oxy moron. What would your comments be to those that say that?
Sebat: Well I would disagree; Death and Black metal are genre defining terms. Yes at one time Black Metal was defined by an ideaology but I believe that has changed and when it is mentioned now people think of a particularly sound. So with that in mind, A Christian can market themselves as a "sound" and it is A OK.

Dennis: You guys have a wide variety of musical styles mixed within your hard core approach. What are your musical influences and what are you guys listening to now?
Sebat: I would say that the members of this band have been influenced by the last 25 years of metal as a whole. We find particular inspiration from bands like Extol, Old Man's Child, Living Sacrifice, Dimmu Borgir and more. But you can hear that we have things like Kreator, Carcass, Metallica, Pantera and Slayer influencing us too. I have been listening to tons of Pantera this last week; I am deeply saddened by the horrible loss of "Dimebag" Darrell. He was a fabulous musician and honestly a great inspiration for me to learn to play the guitar. The first time I heard Cowboys from Hell I was astounded and I fell in love with that band. Still to this day, I find the albums Cowboys and Vulgar to be some of the best metal ever!

Dennis: There are so many people in this world that want to label people for
how they look or sound. Many people use the scripture that says "Do not conform to this world" as a basis to oppose things they dont fully understand. What would you say to teens out there that the church is frowning upon them because of something as simple as the way they look?
Sebat: Ok, here is my deal with this whole thing; I do not believe “Do not conform to this world” is in reference to stage attire. If that were the case, we could not wear baggy jeans or a suit and tie as they are both “of this world”. What I think the Bible is talking about is our attitudes our status of heart. We need to stay away from being bitter, from being unforgiving or driven by selfishness. When we become more focused on our “rights” than on Gods word we enter into dangerous territory. I think that the church uses some goofy means to judge goodness, and it is not the standard that scripture has laid out for us to follow.
What would I say to teens, its simple People are fallible, they goof up, they are selfish and self involved, please do not blame Jesus for the inadequacies of human beings. I did that when I was younger, and I ended up in a horrible place, Jesus is loving and cool and doesn’t care about piercings and tattoos anywhere near as much as people would tell you. He is mainly concerned with you knowing Him. And it is well worth it!!
Dennis: Yeah, man, I could not agree with you more!

Dennis: Any words on a full length album any time soon?
Sebat: We suffered some set backs having to change labels and everything, But we are currently in the studio recording. So it shouldn’t be long.

Dennis: Sebat, thanks a ton for taking the time with us and good luck in the future and we will be praying for you guys!