Necrophagist: The Search For Muhammed Suiçmez 

Damn some of the BMW employees were rude… You know who is not rude? Me, when I‘m trying to teach you speedpicking… So you better check the link in the description box :P

Necrophagist third album is the Half Life 3 of music

We should leave the man alone, also break into his house and steal the mighty necrodrive 😭😭

Slightly ironic that a band with a main theme of death and mortality would have a Muhammed and a Christian as their song writers.

It's incredible that after 19 years after their last album, we are still talking about Necrophagist. 💕

I had the privilege of touring with Necrophagist back in 2008. It was an awesome time, and Moe and I actually became pretty good buddies. I have this memory of him seeking me out and telling me that he was feeling cold, and if we had hoodies. We absolutely did, so I hooked him up, and said that I can go to their merch booth have any item I want. Then he invited me onto his tour bus for beers. 🤘 When I met up with him the following year, he seemed pretty dejected and burnt out. I don't think touring life is for him. If anyone is wondering, my old band was called Divinity, and we were on Nuclear Blast at the time supporting our first album: "Allegory."

That interview where he states the new album should release in 2009 has haunted me for years and years

I love how Christian just has a habit of being in some of the best tech death bands. Spawn of Possession, Necrophagist, Obscura, etc.

It's almost suspicious to me that these BMW guys don't want to be filmed... almost like they have something to hide. Perhaps BMW doesn't want us to hear the new Necrophagist album?

my guy drove 12 hours for a segment in his video, that's freaking dedication right there.

At this point, somebody will just have to become an engineer at BMW to find him.

As someone who met and hung out with Muhammed all day in 2006 in San Francisco along with members of Cattle Decapitation and Neuraxis, I can tell you that Muhammed was a very nice guy, he signed all of our stuff, allowed me and my friend show him the city, and even gave us his first concert worn Necrophagist tee. That day in typical SF fashion, their tour van got broken into and I found myself stuck in traffic with a pissed off Muhammed in a van for over an hour. All things considered, he was super cool. A memory I will never forget.

This is so epic, I applaud you efforts. Every time I listen to Necrophagist I think that if anyone could find Muhammed and get him on a podcast it would break the tech death section of the internet

Christian is one of the coolest guitarists in the scene IMO

During the last seconds of the video I thought that Muhammed would appear out of nowhere to say something like "do you want to know what happened to Necrophagist? Wait for the next video."

Christian Münzner's diplomacy is as articulated as his solo's. I LOVED the way he was able to say that they didn't get along while making it clear he respected Muhammed's musical gift. He's just a fantastic human being, and a formidable musician.

If someone like him wanted to be found, he would make an appearance. Maybe he doesn't care anymore for music, life gets in the way and you wake up and realize you hate it for one reason or another. If anything you probably left Munich and some security guy went into his office and laughed saying they were trying to find him again and he just laughed it off and went and ate a sandwich and drove home.

İn turkish “suiçmez” means “he does not drink water”

Saw them live in 07, probably the most tight and unbelievably amazing metal band I've ever seen play.

the fact u got an interview with Christian is so fucking cool. Ive never listened to necrophagist, but I watch all of your videos, and im also a huge fan of obscura, especially their album with him so, its just awesome you got an interview with him, glad I've been subbed for so long

I played drums for Malevolent Creation on that Bolt Thrower tour. We shared a bus and lived with the Necro guys for 7 weeks. I watched them every single night of the tour as back then, the music blew my mind. Needless to say, I recall quite a bit of friction between Christian, Hannes and Muhammad. The bass player Stefan was neutral with everyone. Christian, Hannes and Stefan were a great group of guys and they played phenomenally every night. Very hard working. I didn’t get along with Muhammad very well either lol…and I even remember a day or 2 where he wanted to kick my ass for whatever reason. I was also a young punk ass kid back then so I probably would’ve wanted to kick my ass too. Hannes and Christian have really built themselves into incredible players and inspirational figures over the years. I wish them all nothing but the best.

Muhammad was an AI robot built by BMW Munich and sent back in time to create the best death metal band and disappear into oblivion to divide the metal masses, we must reunite to bring him back from the past

Come back Daddy Suiçmez

I got to see Necrophagist with the pre-accident Decapitated in 2007. Both bands were incredible and are dearly missed.

i went through puberty listening to epitaph. a third album could most certainly help me with adulthood

I'm a journalist and have reached out to Muhammed through his publicist at Relapse Records. He's not interested in talking. Maybe "when the new album is out," haha. Great investigative video, though!

Thank you so much for conducting the interview with Christian Muenzner, trying to find Muhammed at BMW and uploading this for us Necrophagist fans to see. Muhammed may not be found but reading/watching interviews from Christian and Hannes about their time in the band is gold. For me it's like Steve Winwood talk about how he worked with Jimi Hendrix back in 1968. A few months ago, someone had commented on a RU-vid video that is Necrophagist related. The individual claimed that he is Muhammed's friend and that he lived down the street from him. He (the individual) stated that once in while, Muhammed picks up his guitar and plays but had no intention of getting back into the music business. If I could remember/find the exact Necro RU-vid video where I read those comments, I would point them out to you so maybe you could get any info from that individual about Muhammed but I simply can't remember which video is was because I watch a lot of Necro RU-vid videos.

I recorded Bass for a german death metal band (Deadborn) back in autumn 2011 with Christoph Brandes at Iguana Studios. Of course I asked about Necrophagist material too :-D Back then he told me Necrophagist had indeed recorded a few new songs (I think 2 or 3?) there and that Muhammed was quite a perfectionist and wasn't 100% happy with it yet. I never heard anything of the actual recordings though. Anyway, super interesting how a band can have THAT big impact on a genre and just disappear never to be heard from again.

I think we think artists need to live, breathe and die their art, but I think it's interesting when you have an artist who burns brightly for a short time and is happy. It seems like maybe he's living the life he wants to. He put out legendary music, now maybe he's focusing on other things, a family, his career, who knows?

I think my favourite part was that, after driving 6 hours to Munich, you almost instantly realised that you probably wouldn't just be able to ask a random employee if he worked there due to date protection/security reasons. Still, a damn solid effort man. Hope part two goes a little better.

Awesome job ! The interview with Christian really is an exclusive piece of information, glad to learn form him. And nice attempt at trying to find him in Munich even though it was not successful.

Algorithm brought me here, first of thanks for a great video. Second of all, I learned about this band through this video, and I just finished listening to the album called “Epitaph”. Holy cow I’m completely blown away. Once in a while I find a band that stands out to me in a very very good way. Awesome music love the melodic aspects so much

"Keeping Necrophagist alive" Keeping death eating itself alive is quite a conflict of interests

I can see how having to play those songs every day would burn you out. Every one of those songs requires non stop practice every day. Imagine the burden of having to play a 8 - 10 song set of Necrophagist songs on tour live every other night. Also because the songs are so technical Everyone is watching to see if you mess up. Im just happy that we still have two Necrophagist albums that we can always go back to. Great video man

I spotted Muhammed backstage at Brutal Assault 2019, same festival mentioned in the video. I was playing there with Wormed and he was one of the first people we recognized when we arrived. We all went "wait, is that the dude from Necrophagist? Are they playing or something?" All he seemed to do for the entirety of the festival was hang out in the backstage area, cause I saw him every time I went there lol

Not sure Muhammed would ever want to talk to you after this 😅

didn't knew Minnemann played for Necrophagist. crazy good drummer and muscian imo...

I applaud your effort, awesome interview as well. I can't believe I got the pleasure to meet him at a show and take a picture with him back in 2007.

wow man thank you so much for putting that much time and effort in trying to find the man himself and answers to the rumors! I met Muhammed during the Summer Slaughter tours dates in Toronto Canada back in 2007 and 2008. He was super nice and very humble. Please don't give up on this documentary!! Keep putting the word out here and hopefully someone will know someone and the universe will will open a path for you to meet him

I was the drummer for Destroyer Destroyer and we played with them in Tulsa OK, Marco was drumming (blacked out DW). Absolutely RUTHLESS!!!

You know what would have been funny? Having Suiçmez bump into you during that outro, you having a Necrophagist shirt and him saying "Oops sorry man... cool shirt!" and he walked away

why don't you try to interview Romain Goulon and Sami Raatikainen?

The rumor for a long time was that the record label (was it Nuclear Blast?) did Muhammed really dirty, and out of spite, he held the album back. Then, after so many years, he just said “fuck it” and gave up. I have no way of knowing if this is true or not. I only have 2 ideas where you can follow this further: 1) write a letter to BMW corporate, ask them directly. Tell them you fully understand their employees right to privacy, but that this man im was an artist, who’s work touched many lives, and you’d like the opportunity to reach out and thank him for that. Tell them to simply ask the man if he’d be willing to have a conversation with you, and, if the answer is no, they can just deny his very existence. No harm no foul. 2) write to their (presumably former) record label. You can still get officially licensed Necrophagist shirts and such - I just ordered one last year. Therefore Muhammed is POSSIBLY (hopefully) still seeing checks from them, therefore they must know where he is. Try a similar spiel as my idea for BMW corporate, and hope for the best. It’s been almost 20 years since Epitaph came out. Perhaps Muhammed is starting to feel a little nostalgic. Perhaps, just maybe, he’s finally ready to talk, if only to reminisce about past glory. Good luck to you, and please keep us updated. DO NOT GIVE UP.

Muhammed Suicmez is the Aphex twin in metal music

epitaph is up there with the best metal albums ever. insane composition and execution. I love it dearly like a unique gem

I regret not seeing them live when they came around El Paso. Such awesome music.

And what about leaving him, and respect his retirement ? I really want to listen this third album, but beyond, there’s just a man that seems to turn the page of music. Please respect him.

Was fortunate enough to share the stage with these guys twice I believe in the mid 2000s. One of my favorite bands!

You should definitely talk to the other band members. Why call it a documentary if you’re not going all in?! Their interviews can lead somewhere closer to him.

This is some top tier journalism right here

I'm quite relentless with learning things on guitar, i learned meshuggahs bleed after 6 months with an 8 string but necrophagist even after 10 or so years is just so high a level i dont think it falls under the "enough time and effort you will get it" hahahah

I was fortunate enough to see them perform on that Summer Slaughter '09 tour. They sounded just as good if not better than their recordings. Super tight and brutal. I wish they would've kept going but they're legends now.

I saw Muhammad at a Wintersun show in Anaheim California in 2013. I recognized him just randomly hanging out by the bar. He was very nice, I gave him my bands first record we had released the year before. I think I made a joke about his third album being released in 2049, he thought that was funny and just didn’t seem to care about releasing anything- when I asked why he was there he said that he was living in CA with his girlfriend. It’s interesting he still goes to metal shows and just kinda hangs out. I understand his disposition though, I feel like with my band I accomplished everything I wanted to as a composer, and though our fans would love another record, I don’t actually need to release more music

Necrophagist was one of those bands that represented a before and after in their subgenre and I doubt we will see another band like them any time soon. It's a shame that the perfectionism and dedication that made it the cult band it was, was also probably the main factor of its downfall.... yet I refuse to lose hope, that 3rd album could drop at any moment and I will be ready if it happens

One of the best tech-death bands to ever exist.

great segment! The interview with Christian was really good. I liked the 'investigative' aspect a lot and you picked up some nice techniques of documentary film making. I'll definitely be back for the sequel!

Christian is and always will be my favorite guitar player and inspiration for as long as I'm alive

Me and my now wife were going to see them back in 2007 for the Carving Europe's Epitaph 2. We had little money cause of stray jobs and full time study so we saved up. Bought stuff for long travel and stay, got reservations for trains, tickets and hotel nights. Left notice at school and jobs of our absence and such. 5-6 days before the show, it got cancelled. Didn't get any money back for any reservation. The money loss was frustrating but nothing beats the frustration of being so close to see them live and year by year never getting the chance again. The frustration lives on. If you can read this Muhammed: We don't blame you and we never will. Long live Necrophagist

Met him in 2006. Got his autograph on a tab booklet for epitaph. Great fella

As much as I want a new Necrophagist album I quite like the mystery surrounding Muhammed, he was such a genius on the guitar I just imagine him living in the mountains somewhere as a monk

As a Necrophagist fan I look forward to any new video related to the topic.

Muhammed was a post grad at an institute I took lectures from (actually every mechanical engineer who studied in Karlsruhe did and does, the IPEK is a central institute for mechanical engineering at KIT). Later it was said that he left for a good job in industry. My guess is that he's just living his life and isn't interested enough to produce the new album.

Maybe you can try getting ahold of later members of the band like Marco or Sami. People of similar musical approaches who might still be on friendly terms with him.

I actually prefer the original version of Onset personally- it sounds more jagged and mechanical. It's funny how big of an impact Guitar Pro and Necrophagist had on the underground metal world in the early 2000s; we used to use Guitar Pro for everything too. I believe the cabinet on Epitaph was actually an old black 80s Laney cabinet with a metal grille, mic'ed with an SM57 really far towards the edge of the speaker for a warm, spongy sound. I remember a photo on their old site with a title like "57 kisses Laney" specifically because I used to use the same cabinet. I'm really grateful to have seen Necrophagist twice and met the guys in the band- I really hope they come back someday. They basically made the blueprint for modern technical extreme metal

It is obvious Munzner is a quality person

As the name 'necrophagist' tells. It is translated to 'eater of the dead'. The band was somehow dead, and people still listen & enjoy (eat) the songs

Still listening to Necrophagist in 2024

I was re watching your first BC Rich video this morning. Crazy seeing how for you've come. Not that your early videos were bad but you've improved so much

Where’s the follow up video???????

For a small channel able to interview Christian Munzner is insane :D His solo album are crazy X). Apart from that, great video not gonna lie. Sub'd!

Muhammed is an engineer at BMW. That explains why he is so technical.

I randomly saw him at a Wintersun show back in 2013 in LA and everyone was too intimidated to talk to him. At the time we still had hope for a new album so I didn't really think anything of it, major regret not trying to talk to him.

Necrophagist one of my absolute favorite bands ever!!! What a guitar Player Muhammed is!

I feel very fortunate because I saw them on a gig in Spain, and I have a picture with Muhammad, Hannes and Samy. I also bought an Epitaph copy and they signed it gently for me. I was like in heaven and enjoyed very much the show. The became one of my favourites and still are, Epitaph is an absolutely masterpiece every way, and even nowadays sounds like that. Pure gold. I wish some day they reunite and make a gig or something like that. Thanks for the video and your efforts in finding Muhammad!! It was surprising to find an interview with Christian 😍

i am a HUGE necrophagist fan, their albums blew me away as a young kid and cemented my taste in metal for life, but there is something so special about releasing two near perfect albums and moving on. I dont think we will ever know about mohammed, nor will we get a third album, but im glad we got peak tier technical death metal before the advent of overly digital, amp sim recording.

Interesting video, especially the interview with Christian Münzner! I've conducted my own research and asked a friend who works there, if he can find out if there's any person employed named Muhammed Suicmez. The answer was no, he couldnt find him on any internal communication list or mail server. He might still work for BMW but at an engineering contractor providing engineering services. Who knows.

Christian seems very kind, and humble. Not wanting to disrespect or speak poorly of the situation. Class act lml

OMG don't cut off the person you are interviewing's answer to the question YOU asked to ask ANOTHER question! GAHHH. Let them talk as long as they want, edit it down to what works. (also, great stuff, really!)

Great work man this was a great watch. Hopefully, you'll find him some day!!

At the time this was one of the most exciting, mysterious, and interesting metal projects at the time. His solos are probably the best in the genre.

Hell, Necro basically gave us Chon, a whole other genre basically

No surprise the guy was difficult to be around, still an insane composer. I do hope one day he'll release the third album, live versions of Dawn and Demise sounded so promising and I want to hear the album version. I'm not holding my breath for it anymore though.

Necrophagist is on my mind atleast weekly, thanks for making this video. I haven't finished watching it yet but it's already scratching that itch!

7:38 best part yet lmao 😂😂

I was lucky enough to play in a band that opened for Necrophagist back in 2006 or so. We already knew the band's music going in, but we were still mesmerized by how insanely good they were live

Let’s find the man! Greatest tech death composer of all time!

I shared rehearsal rooms with Daniel, their very first drummer, about 10 years ago. He had no contact to Muhammed but the talk was, that he works for Mercedes around the area of Baden-Baden. I didnt know he switched to BMW Munich. He had some cool storys from the early days. Like that M. was into bodybuilding and fought of some teens that wanted to crash a concert that they played.

OMG YESSS! I'm a 50 year old black man and amateur guitarist who's been into metal since I was 14 and I discovered necro like just less than a year ago and I see necro goes back like 16 YEARS 😳 I'm now realizing and hearing the the change in sound and style in thrash metal is probably due to THEM! Amazing compositions 👍🏿

Christians playing in Obscura is top tier.

Thanks for this

I'm personally convinced nobody wants to reform Necrophagist because, y'know, the songs are really hard to play. It's hard to Necrophage, you gotta play so many notes

Thank you. And don't give up. Someone somewhere knows.

Man I really applaud your effort. Hopefully somehow MS will catch wind of this video and will consider reaching out to you for an interview. He's really become a unicorn of the metal world, so funny. \m/

I first heard the music of a band called Necrophagist in 2019, and they immediately became one of my favorite bands. Sadly, however, there has already been no activity since 2008 and little news has been heard of Muhammad. Therefore, I am so glad to hear news from this. I'm eager to see him and his band back in action.

waiting for "the search for Bob Rusay"

One day i was in the jungle making pictures of rare animals and behold: a savage muhammed suiçmez ! I swear it was real, the suiçmez beast really exist !

Get Hannes, Romain and Marco interviewed, too!

So happy about this video... super informative, and thanks for your efforts!

I wish there was Necrophagist live album like Entangled In Chaos by Morbid Angel. Necrophagist live videos sound so much more brutal and visceral than the over polished albums.

I had the pleasure of seeing Necrophagist live along with with Dying Fetus and Cannibal Corpse headlining on December 6th 2006 in Orlando FL during the “Bloodletting North America” Tour. What a heck of a show.