Patrick Mameli, the frontman of Pestilence, has revealed his intention to leave the Netherlands and settle in Thailand in a few years. The musician cites financial and personal reasons for this life change.
A decision motivated by the search for serenity
In a recent interview with Sense Music MediaPatrick Mameli has explained his decision to leave his native Netherlands and move to Thailand. According to him, the weight of taxes and the cost of living are key factors in this choice: “The Netherlands is perceived as a very liberal country, but it is also one of the highest taxed countries in the world, with almost 65% taxes. Plus, everything gets too expensive here. I can’t have peace of mind if I have to think about money all the time.”
He describes Thailand as a place with a perfect balance between personal life and music career: “Thailand is a country where there is ‘controlled chaos’. It is a free and very affordable country. My wife is Chinese, and we love Asian food. All this makes this ideal destination for us.”
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A critical look at the current metal scene
When asked about the metal scene in Thailand, Mameli noted that the country is best known for grindcore and death grind bands, a style he considers less serious: “I’ll probably get lynched, but [il n’y a] nothing really serious [du point de vue de la musique metal, dans le pays]in my opinion.”
Influenced by legends like Death and Morbid Angel, Mameli sometimes regrets the lack of recognition for the roots of Death Metal among younger generations: “Young people today grow up with deathcore and think it’s the heaviest thing. Sometimes I feel old…I’m 57 this year, but I still work out, eat healthy, without alcohol or drugs, to stay energetic and continue my career with Pestilence.”
A constantly evolving legacy
Founded in 1986, Pestilence is considered one of the pioneers of Progressive death Metal, alongside bands like Death, Cynic and Atheist. Patrick Mameli, as a founding member, was able to preserve the relevance of the group despite separations and frequent line-up changes.
In 2023, Pestilence re-released their classic catalog, and the band is currently working on their next studio album, Portals. In April 2024, the band also released Levels Of Perceptiona reinterpretation of its emblematic pieces, reflecting both Mameli’s artistic maturity and the contribution of the new members.
A career far from over
Despite his moving plans and the challenges of the music industry, Patrick Mameli remains passionate and optimistic: “I still have enough riffs and new ideas to last a few years. Pestilence has always been a reinvention of what we stand for, and we will continue to explore new horizons.”
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