Sammath was formed in 1994 by Jan Kruitwagen. Inspired by the new wave of black metal and the great thrash death/black formations of the eighties. Growing up in Australia raw fast metal certainly left its mark on J.Kruitwagen, rock & roll such as Rose tattoo, Jimmy barnes also played a big rol in forming the music. Bands such as Sadistik Exekution, Destroyer 666 and other local aussie acts stil show this raw pure way of metal today. Moving to europe in 1989 the european metal scene was found and great bands such as Deathrow, Coroner inspired SAMMATH in many ways. Not to forget the early days of bay area thrash such as Metallica and Exodus.
Within a year the first promo tape "Visions upon winter lands" 1995 was recorded by J.Kruitwagen. Soon after this tape J.Kruitwagen got in contact with M.Gertsen. M.Gertsen played only a small roll within Sammath dealing with the recording and some ideas for material. The following demo "Zwaardbroeders bij de bergengte" (Brothers of the sword at the mountain pass) was released in 1996 and sold over 650 copies thanks to great help from the underground. From the first demo several tracks appeared on complication tapes world-wide. The year after this the promo tape "De ruïnes fluisteren" (the ruins whisper) 1997 was released.
The reactions were positive and this finally led to the deal for one CD through Folter records. Germany. M.Gertsen was forced to leave the band due to a lack of interest. The first CD "Strijd" 1999 (Battle) was recorded on 16 tracks and produced/mastered by J.Kruitwagen. The CD received good reviews in Europe and the rest of the underground around the world. Numerous tracks were released on complication tapes and the "Encyclopedia Pestilentia" complication CD released by the French label Velvet music international. The CD gained a good review in the main Dutch metal magazine Aardschok and a interview in Holland’s largest mainstream music magazine "Oor". The early eighties death, thrash and black metal have found their way back into the typical Sammath sound. Searching for more diversity within the sound J.Kruitwagen got in contact with Cor van Maris. Then the demo of Verwoesting/Devastation was recorded. Now black metal combined with the vocal death metal assault create a refreshing sound. Folter records has signed Sammath for two cd´s. In the studio more time was invested to optimise the sound, along with the great mastering by F.Klaasen.
New found intensity and aggression in both the way of song writing and the lyrical concept dealing with war and questions upon faith . The new Sammath material "Verwoesting/Devastation" shows a more violent and unconventional way of combining black and death metal to a new level.