Interviews: Maatkare

On this new occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Death Metal band Maatkare from The Netherlands. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did you get the idea for the band name, did you plan it or come out just like that?

Janneke: The name Maatkare comes from one of the many titles of Pharaoh Hatshepsut, one of the most powerful female rulers in ancient Egyptian history. We wanted a name that not only reflected strength and authority but also paid homage to a figure who defied expectations and carved her own legacy. The name wasn’t random—it was a conscious decision to tie in themes of power, history, and defiance, which are central to our music.

2. Why did you want to play this genre?

Amie: Death metal was definitely my gateway to metal. Starting with bands like Carcass and of course, living in the home of metal, Birmingham, there were local bands such as Benediction and Anaal Nathrakh. Finding Janneke and Georgia to start our own death metal band has been such a great opportunity to dip into a genre that was my first love. We’re all in other bands as well of different genres, so it’s been great to go on this journey together.

3. Did you know each other before the band was formed?

Georgia: We did not! Janneke had first gotten in touch with me via Instagram telling me about how she wanted to start an all-female Death Metal Band and asked if I wanted to join, which I found very exciting so I of course said yes. We later on also discovered Amie via Instagram and that is how Maatkare was formed.

4. Each band member's favorite band?

Georgia: I’ve been streaming a lot of Gojira since their Olympic show.

Amie: Oh yeah, Gojira has definitely had a resurgence on my current playlist! As for favorite bands, I definitely like Carcass, Behemoth, Symphony X, Evergrey, and Nevermore!

Janneke: Rotting Christ tops the list, but I definitely love Nile and the old Arch Enemy as well.

5. Who or what inspires you to write songs?

Amie: We all have such different inspirations, I take a lot from bands such as Behemoth but also a lot of progressive music like Symphony X and DGM.

Georgia: My inspirations are currently Bleed From Within and Viscera

6. Where was your last gig?

Amie: Our first live shows with Maatkare will take place in 2025, where we have a confirmed date at Underground Death Fest in Germany on June 14 and some other plans for some UK and European dates. However, we’ve all been touring with our other bands during the writing process of Maatkare. One of my last festival shows was at Bloodstock Open Air with my prog band Dakesis and I know Janneke has had a few dates with her other band Beyond The Pale.

7. Where would you like to act?

Georgia: Hopefully one day we will be able to take Maatkare to Bloodstock in the UK or Deathfest in Maryland. A bucket list is definitely Wacken Open Air too.

8. Whom would you like to feature with?

Janneke: There are so many incredible bands we’d love to collaborate with. Rotting Christ, Nervosa, and Kataklysm would be amazing to work with because they all bring something unique to the table, both musically and in terms of their energy. Septicflesh is another one—their symphonic elements could pair perfectly with some of the atmospheric elements in Rise To Power. Each of these bands shares that deep intensity we strive for.

9. Whom not?

Amie: We’re pretty open to working with anyone who’s passionate about music and respectful in the way they conduct themselves. However, we wouldn’t want to collaborate with artists who don’t share our values, especially when it comes to inclusivity and mutual respect. Misogyny, racism, or any kind of bigotry isn’t welcome in our world, and we steer clear of anyone promoting that kind of negativity.

10. Have any of you ever suffered from stage fright? Any tips for beginners on how to beat that?

Georgia: I think it’s really natural to have stage fright, I don’t think anything can mentally prepare you for performing in front of people but nerves will calm the more you do it.

Janneke: I still get quite nervous about 10 minutes before any show. I usually go backstage and into my little bubble of silence, drink a nice cup of tea and almost like meditation focus on what an amazing show it will be. Because ultimately, I love to be on that stage and share the music with the fans. Hearing them cheer you on and seeing them enjoy it is the best feeling ever.

11. What bands have inspired you the most?

Janneke: Our influences are vast, but a few stand out. Behemoth’s intensity and Nile’s ability to merge extreme metal with historical themes have all shaped our sound. There’s also a lot of admiration for the raw energy of bands like Cannibal Corpse and Carcass. We draw a lot from bands that push the boundaries of what extreme metal can be, blending brutality with depth.

12. What's the weirdest thing a fan has ever asked you for?

Amie: We haven’t had any weird requests for Maatkare yet, although there seems to be a definite need for Vinyls from some of our fanbase. Personally in my career, not the weirdest, but the coolest thing has to be one fan asking me to sign their arm and then the following day, they shared their brand new tattoo that was the logo of my other band Dakesis. I’m sure once we hit the road though, we’ll have many Maatkare stories to tell!

Janneke: The weirdest thing a fan ever asked me prior to Maatkare was a marriage proposal after the show.

13. What do you think of your fans?

Georgia: Our fans are everything. Their passion and dedication fuel us, especially as we’ve been building up to Rise to Power. We’ve had people from all over the world reach out with messages of support, and it’s incredible to see how our music resonates with people on a personal level. We genuinely couldn’t do this without them, and the connection we’ve built with our fans feels like a true community.

14. What do you think of our site?

Amie: We love your site, but we especially love and appreciate how much time you put into showcasing new music through your free music sections, band discovery tab, and your Bandcamp tab too. It’s really great to see platforms like you truly supporting the scene.

15. Something to add?

Janneke: We’re just really excited for everyone to finally hear Rise to Power in full. It’s been a long journey putting this album together, and we’ve poured so much into it—musically and conceptually. This is only the beginning for Maatkare, and we can’t wait to share what’s next. Keep an eye out for tour dates, and we’ll see you on the road in 2025!