|
Hi,
first off I just want to congratulate you on your new album. To
new fans could your please fill us in on the history behind it
all?
MP - Thanks
for that.
It
was a very hard way to go. After the shows for the last album Lia
called me an asked me about joining the band as a member. Right
after that we had a lot of changes: Members came and quit the
band. But a few weeks later, we found Martin Grimm and Mathias
Straub. They heard the material and joined the band
enthusiastically.
So
we began the songwriting process. We had only a few songs, but we
completed the album in less than eight weeks. Sometimes, we worked
until 6 o’clock in the morning in my apartment.
How
has your new album been received by the media?
MP - Very good! We knew that this album is a milestone in
the history of the band, but you never can be sure about the
reviews. For example, we’re #2 in Rock Hard and album of the
month in Heavy…
I
know artists don¹t like to put a label on their music - but a
spaceship from outer space has just landed in your backyard, and
is demanding an answer - so how would you describe your music to
an alien from another galaxy?
MP
- I would say: ”These are the best love songs forever.
Humans hear it while having sex…”.. hahahaha….
It
is the worst thing to describe your own music. I would say we made
a good mixture between roughness, hardness and good melodies. We
play power metal with influences from the 80’s trashbands. Music
with real dirty balls…
If
your music was an emotion, which one would it be?
MP - Thirst for action…
Who
and what inspires you when you write a song? Walk us through the
creation of a song?
MP
- O.k., I will introduce you my favourite song: Nightmares of
Demons…
First
there is the mighty and trashy riff, hard, no compromises. Right
after that the strophe, a variation of the riff with powerful
vocals. The bridge is not as low, not as dark as the strophe with
a little melody on the guitars, but with heavy drums on it. And
then the refrain, like an orgasm for the ears, mystic chords over
the powerchords, rolling drums and bass and vocals from hell….
Wow…
I
like the middle part very much, because first it has this vintage
80’s touch, right after that comes a very modern riff…. This
mixture keeps it very interesting.
Which
subjects do your lyrics refer to, and who writes them? And what
inspires you when you write your lyrics?
MP
- In the past all albums were a part of a story about the monk
on our covers… it was a fantasy story with relations to the
reality.
This
time Lia wrote all lyrics from live. I mean… go out to the world
and keep your eyes opened. Then you’ll see that you don’t need
do invent brutal stories. Live writes these stories right next
door to you. There are a lot of abuses everywhere. Why shouldn’t
we bring them to light by making a song of it. Only one example:
The world got a new pope… everybody was talking about him and
the changes he will bring to the world. But nearly nobody realized
that the pope is only a puppet, controlled by forces like industry,
politics and a lot of advisors. Is he really able to bring changes???
Think about it and don’t believe everything the media say…
Who
has produced and mixed the album? Are you pleased with the result?
MP
- The album was produced by Lia. He knows what he wants and
that keeps unnecessary discussions away. And… it saves a lot of
time.
Right
after the recording sessions Lia and Martin went to Fredrik
Nordström … he made the mix. What should I say: Listen to the
album! Do You have wishes left?
Who
has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have
a great cover?
MP
- YES!!! The cover fits to the music. The monk of the former
covers became a face, all the souls and skulls around him show an
unmasked picture of somebody who doesn’t care about people
he’s responsible for. You can choose which person it is. There
are a lot on this earth….
Do
you have any touring plans?
MP - We play a few shows with majesty and a few single
shows around
Europe
. But we’re looking forward and keep the eyes opened for getting
a real tour over
Europe
. Who knows…
Let’s
speculate – you have been granted a free slot on a tour of your
own choice – who would be your ideal touring partners?
MP
- Personally I’d like to go with Ozzy Osbourne and his
guitar playing god Zakk Wylde. Every night I’d be in the first
row!!!! After 4 shows I would collapse… but I could say “I DID
IT!”….
How
do you feel about the co-operation with your label?
MP - We feel very comfortable. We all know that we’re not
Metallica or Korn. We’re no dreamers and the Label knows that.
We have agreements, and everybody keeps them. And we feel that the
Label is on our side…
The
internet is a very important source for many metal fans – how do
you use the internet and how important is it for you and other
bands?
MP - It is very important for us. First of all is our
composition process. Everybody writes songs and send them to the
others. The others can listen to it and reflect about the parts
before we enter the rehearsal room. This saves time and lifts up
the quality of the songs.
Besides
we all surf a lot, visit homepages from other bands and try to
keep in touch with the fans…
And
how do you feel about the metal scene in general at the moment?
MP
- The scene is getting a little bit bigger in the last few
years. At the same time the sellings are horrible. Why? The prices
of the records are too high and the products are not of the high
quality as they were in the past. And I don’t mean the music.
But: Compare a CD with an LP. The covers, the sound.. everything
was big, coloured etc…
And
then the shows: Do You remember the big shows? Judas Priest with
the robot, Kiss and the tank, Mötley Crüe and the rotating drums…
Today,
you have more technical possibilities, but none wants to invest.
The whole business is interested in having money… NOW!!
It’s
a business like selling cars or building machines. But I met a few
people in the last time, and tey were different. So let’s hope…
Which
song do you consider to be the best one you have ever written?
MP
- I wouldn’t know.
Name
an album, person or event that has had a huge influence on your
life … and why?
MP
- The “No Rest For The Wicked” album of Ozzy Osbourne. It
brought me to heavy metal and to the guitar, obviously because of
the guitar god Zakk Wylde. He teaches me every day with his way
playing the guitar…
Which
music do you listen to at home?
MP
- I hear many styles of music. From Blackmetal, Trash, New
Metal, Powermetal, Blues, Rock etc… I hear everything. The music
has to have a special feeling.
Vinyl
has had a small comeback lately – do you still prefer “the old
sound” or are you a CD/DVD kind of guy?
MP
- Like I told: LP’s got my favourite sound. But CDs are more
practical, I can take them into my car etc.
Right
after that I’m a DVD guy. I like to listen and watch.
Last
question - do you have any famous last words for our readers?
MP
- Keep Your eyes open, keep free minded and stay fuckin’
metal...
|
