“To reach the highest level as I can in everything I do. In this case it is playing in SINISTER.”
Walter Bokito Tjwa

An interview with Walter Bokito Tjwa of SINISTER by Analaura of Eminent Proclivity.

Walter Bokito Tjwa (Guitars)
Current Bands: SINISTER (2018 - Present); RADIATHOR (1989 - Present)
Born: September 19, 1969; Rotterdam, City in the Netherlands
Previous Bands: HIDDEN REMAINS, MANDATOR, DIVISION666, DEATHSQUAD, and ANGER OF MAN.

Where are you originally from and where do you call home now? "... I am originally from Rotterdam the Netherlands and that is where I still live. I lived in a couple of places more, but I call Rotterdam still my home...”

Who are some of your musical icons growing up? "... Wow! Those are a lot of icons for me! Edward Van Halen, Ace Frehley, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammet, Gary Holt, Kerry King, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Tony Mac Alpine, Vinnie Moore, John Petrucci, Terrance Hobbs, John Gallagher and Paul Gilbert.”

What or who are some of your modern-day favorite musicians? "... John Petrucci and Edward Van Halen are my Gods! ...”

What was your first instrument and what brand or style was it? At what age was it? "... I played the drums as well, back in the day but my father gave me a guitar when I was 10 years old. I didn't do shit with this piece of wood; it was an acoustic guitar. When I was 12, I bought an electric guitar for $25. On this cheap shit guitar I started figuring things out. I only play-backed on MOTÖRHEAD, JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN. I even couldn't tune the guitar. The father of a friend of mine did the tuning. It was a Stratocaster kinda guitar and I believe it was a Hondo. My mother had a piano, so I played that thing now and then...”

Who first introduced you to the metal music genre? "...It was my older brother. He was not living with us but when he came, he always brought albums of KISS, PRIEST, MAIDEN, MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH, and ACCEPT...”

What was it like for you joining SINISTER? What emotions overcame you when you heard the news? "... For me was/is SINISTER, death metal band no. 1 from the Netherlands. So, you can understand that when they asked me, I was a thrilled happy mother fucker, and until this day, I still am thankful for this opportunity that Adrie gave me...”

What is your fuel for life? What drives your passion? "... To reach the highest level I can in everything I do. In this case it's playing in SINISTER. I am always trying to push the envelope to get myself and people around me to the next level...”

At what age would you say you hit your prime in your music career? "... The last seven years, when I joined SINISTER was a roller-coaster for me. More traveling, a lot of touring, bigger audiences. I almost feel like a ‘real’ rockstar...”

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What is a week on tour like for you? "... “Very very very exhausting. There is no regular schedule. For example, one day you fly at 2 pm, the other day at 1 am. The check-in can take a while, the delay, the boarding, the overlays, the waiting, this takes mostly a lot of time so flying sucks. I love sightseeing but it's not always possible because of the lack of sleep. I am always happy when my head touches a pillow at the hotel. And of course, we have our soundchecks which take some time and meet and greets. But that is one of the greatest things to do on tour because I love fans and I am always open for new friends, especially the female fans! ...”

What upcoming tours or showcases do we have to look forward to? "... South America, North America and Europe until now, and a lot of festival gigs. This fall we are hitting North America...”

Where do you see yourself in 5 -10 years? "... Very much dead I think when the touring does not stop! Just kidding, me and Adrie made the promise to die on stage, so we continue until the end...”

Is there another music genre you enjoy feeling out or taking in as a form of meditation? "... Yes, there is! I like a lot of different music styles, and I (know) think that listening to other styles, you better understand different styles of music and make you a better musician. I am not only playing brutal death metal but also listening to house, rap music, classical music, blues, speed/trash, black and heavy metal...”

Is your mindset on stage being brought out by a whole enthusiast or is it a character represented depending on each song? "... Yeah of course, it's depending on the song you play. Music is an emotion, by that I mean your mindset on a song is different from every song. When it's a slow or fast song, your mind and body react different with it...”

I’m sure we all can agree when I say that I see your dedication and hard work with SINISTER. If I was new to SINISTER, what era of your music would you suggest I start in with exploring you all? “… Then I have to say start listening to the Carnage Ending album because that for me, is the album with the best SINISTER songs ever made! No! Now I am lying. The upcoming album which we are working on right now is the most brutal album SINISTER ever made! hahahaha…”

Can you tell us more about the new album? “… The new album is totally different from the last one Deformation of the Holy Realm. It has seven brutal death metal songs, one instrumental and one slow song which nobody would expect from us. I wrote this slow song for my other band RADIATHOR but Adrie wanted it to keep it for SINISTER so the listeners could hear we are not only a DM machine. It is a total of nine songs...”

Walter’s Words of Encouragement for those stepping onto their first stage: “… Like Edward Van Halen said, and I quote: “Keep playing, you have to keep playing! Or else I’ll come looking for you…!”

For the Fans: “… Fans are the best. Without them music is not that fantastic. So, by this I say thank you for following us you crazy death metal maniacs! …”

Thank you Walter. Looking forward to the upcoming SINISTER album and North American
tour. Stay brutal!!

Contact:
https://www.facebook.com/waltersilvia.tjwa
Eminent Proclivity Contact:
Analaura Saenz Hernandez
Email: analaura@eminentnoise.com
WhatsApp: 682-430-7556
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