Doomed Confessionary: Gaultier, Eric, Manu & Pierre (Dark Swamp)
Photo credits: Vincent Forge
Founded in 2023, Dark Swamp is a four-piece stoner/doom/sludge band hailing from Clermont-Ferrand in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France). They just released their self-titled debut album on December 7th, 2024. Available now on CD and all major streaming platforms!
Dark Swamp is an initiatory dive into the heart of a dark swamp, enveloped in captivating sounds and a deep atmosphere. This experience tinged with influences from Orange Goblin, High On Fire, Elder, Baroness and Black Sabbath, turns out to be a real journey into a unique sound universe, where the haze of stoner meets the heaviness of doom.
Dark Swamp are Gaultier Sallès on bass, Eric André-Freydefont on vocals, Emmanuel Foulquier on guitar and Pierre Verdier on drums.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Gaultier: The idea of forming a band again came up with Manu, with whom I was in a punk band a few years ago. The idea came to fruition with covid, which enabled me to get back into bass and composition in earnest. We were then joined by Pierre, who enabled us to complete the instrumental part and move forward with the composition. Finally, Eric came along and fixed the line-up and our identity with Dark Swamp.
Eric: I joined the group in May 2023 at the suggestion of Pierre, whom I’d known for a long time. I was highly motivated and the guys already had a dozen or so songs almost finished. I wrote some lyrics and we put the finishing touches together. Then we were offered some gigs, and to keep the momentum going, we went on to record the album! For me, Dark Swamp is an opportunity to combine the demands of a singular musical proposition with the pleasure of getting together with friends and enthusiasts over a beer.
Manu: The band was launched during the covid, when Gaultier and I, who had played together in the past, joined forces. Pierre then joined us on drums, followed by Eric on vocals, who completed the group. Once the line-up was set, we were able to move ahead with the project fairly quickly. We were able to play our first concert at the end of 2023, before focusing on the creation of our first album in 2024.
Pierre: I joined the band in july 2021, Manu and Gaultier were playing with a female singer and looking for a drummer. As for me, I hadn’t had a project for a year because of covid, so I answered the add.
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Gaultier: Make structured songs with a square rhythm while retaining a rock and roll spirit.
Eric: To come up with a coherent set in just 1 year! And I think we’ve succeeded with this first album!
Manu: To find a vocalist!
Pierre: record our album in 3 days, while working on the clicks for several months beforehand.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Gaultier: This first album! and from a more personal point of view to see his compositional ideas sublimated by the contribution of the other members to arrive at this album.
Eric: The release of the album, of course! All totally self-produced, without a producer or label, like many bands. And the resulting desire to do even better next time.
Manu: Our first album.
Pierre: Ditto Eric.
What was your biggest regret?
Gaultier: We did too few concerts, but we were focused on the album, and time goes by too quickly.
Eric: Very little, come to think of it. This album reflects our desire for pure, raw, almost savage energy. More than regrets, I’m left with the desire to do even better.
Manu: Not being able to do more concerts in 2024. I promise, we’ll do better next year.
Pierre: not having had more time to record the album, the drum parts deserved to be refined.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Gaultier: Our first date, a year ago, the pleasure of returning to the stage after a long break for me.
Eric: The same goes for our first concert! We were invited by a friend from the band In Der Welt to play at a metal party that brought together several local bands and outside guests. The mood was great, and we were glad to be part of it.
Manu: Our first concert at the Xmas metal night in Clermont-Ferrand… Great experience!
Pierre: Ditto Eric.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Gaultier: Brutus at Hellfest 2019
Eric: Haunted Plasma.
Manu: Ellefson returns to Megadeth in 2010.
Pierre: Reformation of Botch at Hellfest 2023.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Gaultier: Julie Christmas, Brutus, Electric Wizard, Monolord, Afsky, Fatima, Alta Rossa, Mars Red Sky, High On Fire, Sólstafir, Orange Goblin, Slomosa, Wormsand, Pelican, Cult Of Luna, Green Yeti, Elder, Spectral wound, Blackbraid.
Eric: My 2024 albums: Oranssi Pazuzu, Ufomammut, Toadliquor, Akhlys, Amarok, Fange, Inter Arma, Love Sex Machine, Necrot, Necrowretch, Orange Goblin, Rezn, Resin Tomb, Slift, Sólstafir, Sorcerer, Sotherion, Spectral Wound, Sumac, Terminal Nation, Thou, High On Fire, Infant Islan…
Manu: Everything, but especially punk.
Pierre: My 2024 EP/albums: Sunnata, Necrot, Klone, Lowen, Slift, Rezn, Orange Goblin, Primal Code, Huntsmen, Witchorious, Daevar, Alta Rossa, High On Fire.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Gaultier: Treat yourself.
Eric: Make it your own!
Manu: As a musician, it’s about being curious and trying out different musical styles.
Pierre: Listen to your own ideas and don’t deny yourself, stay natural and don’t take yourself too seriously.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Eric: Trust me, you don’t want to know 😉
Manu: Pop punk.
Pierre: Karaoke with friends on Guns N’ Roses 😉
Can you say something more about current music scene in Clermont-Ferrand / Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes?
Eric: The atmosphere is pretty cool and borders can quickly be broken, there are a lot of bands, but everyone is struggling to organize concerts or tours… Nothing new under the sun 😉
Gaultier: Idem Eric.
Manu: Quite prolific for a city of this size.
Pierre: In Clermont-Ferrand, we have a fairly prolific scene in terms of the number of bands, but there’s a lack of bookers and clubs. France is full of good and very good bands, but we don’t have enough rock culture, so there’s a lack of venues for heavy music.
Where can we see you live soon (concerts/tours)?
Gaultier: Work in progress.
Eric: We’re currently working on the booking!
Manu: Next to your place soon, I hope!
Pierre: We’re looking for gigs right now!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Gaultier: Concerts to defend this first album and start composing the second!
Eric: Dates, new tunes, an upswing and a few beers!
Manu: We’d like to do more concerts… and festivals.
Pierre: Above all, having fun by composing good, intense, raw songs, performing in concerts and festivals, and having a good time with the guys in the band, that’s what it’s all about for me.
Did you have any special plans for New Year’s Eve?
Gaultier: With the family by the fire.
Eric: Oh nothing much, just a ritual and off to bed.
Manu: Nothing special.
Pierre: A party with friends in the mountains.
How can people best support your band?
Gaultier: Come to our concerts and share our music with your friends.
Eric: See us live! And buy merch 🙂
Manu: Come to the concert, it’s the best way to help the independent scene we’re part of.
Pierre: Support the underground scene by going to concerts and buying their albums and merchandise.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Eric: Join us in the swamp, we’re all floating down!
Gaultier: Idem Eric.
Manu: We love you!
Pierre: Stay metaaaal!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well