Waiting for the Dutch death metal band’s new album “Exitivm” (out June 25th) we talked with the singer/guitarist Pat Mameli about his experience with tattoo art.
Hi Pat, when did you get into tattoo art? Is it something you’ve been carrying around since the 90s or is it more recent?
First of all thanks TattooLife.com for having me! It’s a real pleasure. I think I got my first tattoo when I was 16 (years old) at “East Side Tattoo” in Enschede, Netherlands.
So tell me about that first time in Enschede: was it a memorable experience?
Since I was 16 years old – just playing in a metal band and feeling rebellious too – I just had to get tattooed! (laughs) That time the subject was a little skull on my left chest. It was very exciting to say the least.
Of course the first tattoo is always memorable and I knew it wouldn’t be my last!
What parts of the body are you tattooed besides both arms?
Sure, both arms, but chest and my whole back too.
I know that you have given yourself a new tattoo lately…
Yeah, it’s true! My trusted tattoo artist, Henk Nijmeijer (IG: @snakebitetattooholland) – who has been in this business for over 40 years now and had been an apprentice of the famous tattoo artist Karel – made a wild comment about me…
What comment?
Well, having just one sleeve done isn’t looking cool on me! (laughs) We kid around a lot and he offered to sponsor me getting my other sleeve done, the left one.
So we finished my underarm and giving it time to heal now. In 3 weeks we will continue with this Japanese style tattoo.
Holland has always been one of the noblest homelands of tattoo art. Do you want to make a list of good Dutch tattoo artists you have collaborated with so far?
I work only with Henk in Holland, because I trust him the most and I also have a long history with him being my next door neighbor. I have met and known him all my life! (laughs) He is the proud owner of “Snake Bite Tattoo” in Almelo (Netherlands). Don’t miss his name and his studio!
You have an Italian surname (Mameli) and in the first 4 historic Pestilence albums an Italian drummer – called Marco Foddis – played on it. Have you ever got to hang out with any Italian tattoo artist?
Yes and his name is Welt (IG: @weltyamatattoo)! My backpiece was done by him and his shop is called “Yama Tattoo Studio” in Rome. He is a very cool guy and his style is different from Henk’s one. Which is really cool!
Now a question about the new Pestilence record. I haven’t had the pleasure of listening to ‘Exitivm’ yet. So I’d like you to give me a quick preview…
Yeah gladly…
Is it a pure old school Death Metal album or does it contain different influences as usual?
You should know by now my music is always innovative and always full of sonic surprises. My influence is 100% Pestilence. Sure there will be elements of older material as it’s just the essence of my writing but I never do anything twice. That’s why every Pestilence album sounds unique. “Exitivm” won’t be an exception. We just released our second single called “Deificvs”. Check it out on multiple platforms! (see video below, Ed).
Do you think that – based on tunes like “Morbvs propagationem”, “Mortifervm”, “Pericvlvm externvm” and the title track “Exitivm” – Pestilence will be described by media and fans as the first band in the world able to historicize the plague of Covid-19?
Pestilence is not a band using its music for political statements, but we are very critical about the modern day technocratic society with all its aspects as global domination, big pharma, indoctrination, egoism and deception. However we always have been known for these type of topics rather than talking about war, blood, gore and zombies…
