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čtvrtek 21. května 2026

Interview - WARSIDE - Raw, massive, sharp, and unbridled death metal that will tear you to pieces!


Interview with death metal band from France - WARSIDE.

Answered Jérôme (bass), thank you!

Recenze/review - WARSIDE - Cognitive Extinction (2026):

Ave WARSIDE! Greetings to the French underground. Let’s get straight to the point. You’ve just released your new album, “Cognitive Extinction,” which is literally packed with raw, gritty death metal. How did the album come together, and how do you feel about it? In what direction has WARSIDE evolved since your last EP, “The Enemy Inside”?

Cheers and thanks for the support! The first demo was actually ready by late 2022, but our European tours in 2023 and 2024 changed everything. The band hit a new level on the road, especially with Thomas joining us behind the kit, he brought a massive amount of precision and efficiency to our sound. When we got back from touring in 2024, I decided to scrap everything and start from scratch. I wanted to inject that raw live experience and Thomas's crushing performance into the new tracks. Compared to the EP, our goal was clear, we wanted a more organic and savage, far away from over-polished productions. We wanted the listener to feel the same violence we deliver on stage. It’s a raw Death Metal record, no bullshit, and we’re fuckin' happy of the result.


I’m listening to the album right now, and I have to say that this time it took me a while to really get into it. I popped the CD into my player and have been listening to it in the car. I really like the sound. It’s raw, organic, old school, brutal, and at the same time clear and easy to follow. It seems different from your previous recordings. Where did you record it, and who is responsible for the sound?

Thanks! We’re glad the production hits the mark. This time, we handled the recording of the guitars, bass, and vocals ourselves to keep total control over the vibe. For the drums, we wanted something massive and real, so they were tracked in-studio under the direction of Kevin Paradis. As for the final sound, the mixing was handled by a close friend, Thibault Bernard from Convulsound Studio in France. He really understood that we weren't looking for a over-produced sound, but something raw and punishing. We wanted that "in-your-face" live energy while keeping every element clear, and Thibault nailed it.

I think you’ll agree with me that the cover art sells the album. Who designed the new album cover? How did you come together, and what exactly is the motif meant to express in relation to the music?

The artwork was created by Jesus Lhysta (Rotted Artist). We already worked with him on our previous EP, and over the last five years, we’ve stayed in close contact, he’s become a personal friend of the band. It was a natural choice to bring him on board for this new record.The cover perfectly captures the savage and raw energy of our music. That central skull, with the third eye and the shattered jaw, is a direct visual translation of the "Cognitive Extinction" concept. It represents the intellectual decay and the dislocation of perception we describe in our lyrics. The mind is no longer a whole it’s fragmenting and collapsing under pressure. When I say the mind fragments, I mean we’re witnessing a massive intellectual regression. People are becoming nothing more than cattlemindless sheep stripped of their culture and critical thinking. The modern world is lobotomizing the masses through screens and constant pressure, turning humans into hollow shells that just follow the herd without questioning a single thing. It’s the death of the individual.


Your lyrics really caught my attention. I have several people around me who are truly consumed by screens, the internet, and social media and have become addicted. Where do you get inspiration for the lyrics? And who wrote them? Some of these people seem like zombies to me.

You’re spot on with the "zombie" comparison, that’s exactly what we’re seeing. Mathieu wrote most of the lyrics, except for "Synthetic Abyss", which I handled personally. We don’t have to look far for inspiration, it’s everywhere. Whether it’s at work, in our family lives, with our kids, or just looking at the news, we’re witnessing a massive intellectual regression.

People are losing the ability to argue, to reflect, or to even think for themselves. They’re becoming hollow shells, fed by screens and social media. Sometimes, seeing this level of sheep-like behavior and lack of culture is so frustrating it makes you want to throw a grenade...

I keep playing “Cognitive Extinction” over and over in my head, and I find myself thinking that what I like most about the album is probably that hard to describe old school death metal, brutal feeling. It seems like we’re cut from the same cloth. Who was and is actually your role model? Every musician started somewhere; there are role models that shaped their style. What were yours?

It’s cool to hear the "old-school" vibe resonates with you,that’s exactly where we come from. Very early on, around age 10 or 11, my models were guys like Dimebag Darrell, Lemmy, and Slash. It wasn't just the music; it was that raw, "don't give a fuck" Rock 'n' Roll attitude that spoke to me. That mindset has stuck with me ever since.

But the real turning point, the final stage of my "education," was seeing Dying Fetus live in the late '90s. It was the biggest slap in the face I’ve ever experienced. Right then, I knew this was the only music I wanted to play. I’ve been working at it with total passion for over 25 years now.

Today, if I had to pick the most inspiring and representative figure in Death Metal, it would definitely be Erik Rutan. His work ethic, his sound, and his dedication are the ultimate benchmarks for me.


What do you think of the current trend, prevalent mainly among young bands, where they try to play as technically as possible, often incorporating things like saxophones and various keyboards into death metal, and generally pursuing a very complicated approach? Do you enjoy bands like that? For example, when I go to a concert and a band like that is performing, I’m confused. It feels like an exercise at a jazz school, but in the end, I don’t remember a thing. What about you and current trends in death metal?

I’ve come a long way regarding that. When we started Warside in 2018, I was just coming back from a long break where I’d completely cut ties with the music scene for personal reasons. When I got back into it, I discovered this "new" Death Metal you’re describing. At first, I was dead against it.

Nowadays, honestly, I don’t care as much, as long as the guys are cool and stay humble. Musically, there’s this constant race for instrumental technique, high-end gear, and chasing stream numbers or all that bullshit. But I’ve realized one thing hasn't changed, the stage.

You can release ultra-polished albums or YouTube videos with unplayable riffs, but the stage is the only truth. The power and authenticity of your music will always be judged there. I don't look at how technical or "original" a band is anymore, I look at their impact live. If I feel like a tank is rolling over my skull, I’m going to love that band, no matter what style of Death Metal they play.

If we go back to the beginning… What was actually the initial impulse that led you to form the band? And why death metal, specifically? It’s not exactly a style that would bring you great “fame.”

We do what we love, period. We couldn’t give a fuck about fame or notoriety. Back in the early 2000s, Vincent and I were in a band that was touring quite a bit in France, we shared the stage with bands like Gojira and Decapitated... That project ended in 2008, but we always told each other that one day, we’d pick up exactly where we left off. We both kept busy with our own projects, but in 2018, I finally reached out to him to launch Warside. Why Death Metal? Because it’s who we are. We love this music more than anything else. It’s not about "making it"; it’s about the raw energy and staying true to ourselves. It’s in our blood, and we wouldn't have it any other way.


You’re from France and you play extreme death metal. Our readers would definitely be interested in how the death metal scene works over there. To tell you the truth, lately I’ve been hearing nothing but great bands from you guys. Does that mean the scene is really strong over there right now? What about concerts how many people show up?

It’s true, France is producing a massive amount of high-quality bands right now. Some are touring heavily across Europe, Asia, and the US, the "French touch" in extreme music is definitely making its mark globally. Regarding the local scene, it depends on the lineup, but generally, people show up. In major cities, a solid Death Metal show can easily pull between 150 to 300 people. We also have some killer specialized festivals like Muscadeath or Brutal Swamp Fest, where you can see up to 600 or 800 fans gathering.

Your music shows that you’re influenced by both the American death metal school and old European bands. What about you as fans? Do you prefer classic death metal, or do you also draw inspiration from new albums? If so, I’d be curious to know which bands have had the biggest influence on WARSIDE.

My personal influences are definitely rooted in Classic Death Metal. I have a "Top 5" that serves as my permanent blueprint: Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Vomitory, Hate Eternal, and Suffocation. These bands defined the standard for me. That said, I’m also deeply influenced by bands like Vader, Aborted, Rotten Sound, and Blood Red Throne. I’ve always loved their energy, and they continue to shape my playing style today. Whether it’s the American groove and brutality or the European intensity, these bands are the core of Warside’s DNA.


How did you get started with music? And how did you get into death metal? Do you have any formal music training? What about your first concert? What about your first live performance, when you stood on stage?

I really got into music at 14 with my first high school band, and played my first show at 15. Back then, we were mostly playing covers of the Sex Pistols, the Ramones, and I think some AC/DC too. My real turning point came later, at 19, when I discovered Death Metal through that legendary Dying Fetus show. It was a total revelation. That’s when Vincent and I formed our first Death Metal band in 2003. We played our first gig that same year, and honestly, I’ve never changed lanes since. Once I tasted that level of brutality and power, there was no turning back. It’s been my life for over 20 years.

We’re nearing the end of our interview, and I always like to ask a slightly philosophical question. How would you define death metal, and what does it mean to you? I don’t mean the technical aspects of playing, but rather what it gives you, what it takes from you, and how you perceive it in relation to the fans.

For me, Death Metal is pure, raw energy,completely stripped of any bullshit or pretension. It’s the only medium that allows us to channel and express our deepest, most sincere rage. But beyond the music, it’s a powerful human adventure. Every person you meet in this scene, whether they are musicians or fans, has a unique story to tell. There’s a level of brotherhood and authenticity here that you don’t find anywhere else.

On a personal level, I’ve always said that this music is my therapy. When I’m on stage or in studio, I let the beast out. It’s a primal release. After every show, I feel like I’ve "reset" my animal side back to zero. Playing the most brutal music possible is what allows me to stay "civilized" and balanced in my daily life. Without this outlet, I’d probably be a much more dangerous person to be around. It’s a shared catharsis that goes far beyond just "playing for fans." Whether you’re on stage, behind the soundboard, or in the pit, we’re all there for the same reason. It’s a collective exorcism. In those moments, we aren't just playing notes or listening to songs; It’s a communal release that keeps us all sane.

What does WARSIDE have planned for the coming months? If you have a message for fans, labels, or promoters, this is the place…

First off, I want to give a massive thanks to everyone who supports our vision every single day. Right now, our main focus is the launch of "Cognitive Extinction". We have about ten shows lined up across France for 2026, and we're grinding behind the scenes to prepare a tour for early 2027.

Our goal is simple, to take this album as far as possible, to travel !

See you on the road!

Thank you very much for the interview. I really appreciate it. Now let’s let the music do the talking. I’m going to put on “Cognitive Extinction” and crank it up loud! I wish you all the best with the new release and hope everything goes well in your personal lives too. Thank you!

Recenze/review - WARSIDE - Cognitive Extinction (2026):



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Rozhovor - WARSIDE - Surový, masivní, ostrý a nespoutaný death metal, který vás roztrhá na kusy!


Rozhovor s death metalovou skupinou z Francie - WARSIDE.

Odpovídal Jérôme (basa), děkujeme!

Recenze/review - WARSIDE - Cognitive Extinction (2026):

Ave WARSIDE! Zdravím do francouzského undergroundu. Pojďme rovnou k tomu nejdůležitějšímu. Máte venku novou desku „Cognitive Extinction“, která je doslova narvaná poctivým, prašivým death metalem. Jak album vznikalo a jaký z něj máš pocit? Jakým směrem se WARSIDE od minulého EP "The Enemy Inside" posunuli?

Díky za podporu! První demo bylo vlastně hotové koncem roku 2022, ale naše evropská turné v letech 2023 a 2024 všechno změnila. Kapela se na turné posunula na novou úroveň, zejména s Thomasem, který se k nám připojil na bicí, a ten do našeho zvuku vnesl obrovské množství preciznosti a efektivity. Když jsme se v roce 2024 vrátili z turné, rozhodl jsem se všechno zahodit a začít od nuly. Chtěl jsem do nových skladeb vnést ten syrový živý zážitek a Thomasův drtivý výkon. Ve srovnání s EP byl náš cíl jasný, chtěli jsme organičtější a divočejší skladbu, daleko od přehnaně vyleštěné produkce. Chtěli jsme, aby posluchač cítil stejnou násilnost, jakou předvádíme na pódiu. Je to syrová death metalová deska, žádné kecy, a s výsledkem jsme zatraceně spokojení.


Právě album poslouchám a musím napsat, že tentokrát mi chvilku trvalo, než mi proniklo do krve. Narval jsem si nahrávku do přehrávače, poslouchám ji v autě. Hodně se mi líbí zvuk. Je živý, organický, old schoolový, brutální a zároveň dobře čitelný. Připadá mi odlišný od vašich předchozích nahrávek. Kde jste nahrávali a kdo je pod zvukem podepsán?

Díky! Jsme rádi, že se produkce trefila do černého. Tentokrát jsme si nahrávání kytar, basy a vokálů zajistili sami, abychom měli naprostou kontrolu nad atmosférou. U bicích jsme chtěli něco masivního a skutečného, ​​takže byly nahrané ve studiu pod vedením Kevina Paradise. Co se týče finálního zvuku, o mixáž se postaral náš blízký přítel Thibault Bernard z Convulsound Studia ve Francii. Opravdu chápal, že nehledáme přehnaně produkovaný zvuk, ale něco syrového a drsného. Chtěli jsme živou energii, která vám „dojde do očí“, a zároveň zachovat každý prvek čistý, a Thibault to zvládl.

Asi se mnou budeš souhlasit, že obal prodává. Kdo je autorem k nové desce? Jak jste se dali dohromady a co přesně má motiv vyjadřovat ve vztahu k hudbě?

Obal alba vytvořil Jesus Lhysta (Rotted Artist). S ním jsme již spolupracovali na našem předchozím EP a během posledních pěti let jsme zůstali v úzkém kontaktu, stal se osobním přítelem kapely. Bylo přirozené ho přizvat i k nové desce. Obal dokonale zachycuje divokou a syrovou energii naší hudby. Ta centrální lebka s třetím okem a roztříštěnou čelistí je přímým vizuálním překladem konceptu „kognitivního vyhynutí“. Představuje intelektuální úpadek a narušení vnímání, které popisujeme v našich textech. Mysl už není celek, fragmentuje se a hroutí se pod tlakem. Když říkám fragmentace mysli, myslím tím, že jsme svědky masivní intelektuální regrese. Lidé se stávají jen dobytkem – bezduchými ovcemi zbavenými kultury a kritického myšlení. Moderní svět lobotomizuje masy skrze obrazovky a neustálý tlak a mění lidi v prázdné skořápky, které jen následují stádo, aniž by se na cokoli zeptali. Je to smrt jednotlivce.


Vaše texty mě opravdu zaujaly. Mám ve svém okolí několik lidí, kteří jsou obrazovkami, internetem, sociálními sítěmi opravdu pohlceni a stali se závislými. Kde pro texty berete inspiraci? A kdo je jejich autorem? Mě někteří jedinci připadají jako zombie.

S tím přirovnáním k „zombie“ máš naprostou pravdu, přesně to vidíme. Většinu textů napsal Mathieu, kromě „Synthetic Abyss“, kterou jsem napsal osobně. Inspiraci nemusíme hledat daleko, je všude. Ať už v práci, v rodině, s dětmi nebo jen při sledování zpráv, jsme svědky masivního intelektuálního úpadku.

Lidé ztrácejí schopnost argumentovat, reflektovat nebo dokonce myslet samostatně. Stávají se prázdnými skořápkami, které se živí obrazovkami a sociálními médii. Někdy je pohled na tuto úroveň ovčího chování a nedostatku kultury tak frustrující, že se ti chce hodit granát...

Dávám si „Cognitive Extinction“ znovu a znovu do hlavy a říkám si, že nejvíc se mi na albu líbí asi takový ten těžko popsatelný old school death metalový, brutální feeling. Vypadá to, že jsme stejné krve. Kdo byl a je vlastně vaším vzorem? Každý muzikant nějak začínal, existují vzory, které formovaly jeho rukopis. Jaké byly ty vaše?

Je skvělé slyšet, jak s tebou rezonuje ta „oldschoolová“ atmosféra, přesně odtud pocházíme. Už velmi brzy, kolem 10 nebo 11 let, byli mými vzory kluci jako Dimebag Darrell, Lemmy a Slash. Nebyla to jen hudba; byl to ten syrový, „je mi to fuk“ rock 'n' rollový přístup, který na mě mluvil. Toto smýšlení mi utkvělo v paměti dodnes.

Ale skutečným zlomem, poslední fází mého „vzdělávání“, bylo vidět Dying Fetus naživo koncem 90. let. Byla to největší facka, jakou jsem kdy zažil. V tu chvíli jsem věděl, že je to jediná hudba, kterou chci hrát. Pracuji na ní s naprostou vášní už přes 25 let.

Kdybych dnes měl vybrat nejinspirativnější a nejreprezentativnější postavu death metalu, byl by to rozhodně Erik Rutan. Jeho pracovní morálka, jeho zvuk a jeho odhodlání jsou pro mě konečným měřítkem.


Jak se díváš na současný trend, rozšířený převážně mezi mladými kapelami, kdy se snaží hrát co nejvíc technicky, často do death metalu vkládají třeba saxofon, různé klávesy a vůbec hledají cestu hodně komplikovaným způsobem. Baví tě takové kapely? Já třeba když někdy přijdu na koncert a někdo podobný tam vystupuje, tak jsem zmatený. Přijde mi to jako cvičení v jazzové škole, ale nakonec si vůbec nic nepamatuji. Co vy a současné trendy v death metalu?

V tomto ohledu jsem ušel dlouhou cestu. Když jsme v roce 2018 zakládali Warside, zrovna jsem se vracel z dlouhé pauzy, kdy jsem z osobních důvodů úplně přerušil vazby na hudební scénu. Když jsem se k tomu vrátil, objevil jsem tenhle „nový“ death metal, který popisuješ. Zpočátku jsem byl proti němu naprosto nesouhlasný.

Dnes už mi to, upřímně řečeno, tolik nevadí, hlavně když jsou kluci v pohodě a zůstávají skromní. Hudebně je tu neustálý závod o instrumentální techniku, špičkové vybavení a honění se za čísly streamů nebo takovými kravinami. Ale uvědomil jsem si, že jedna věc se nezměnila, pódium.

Můžete vydávat ultra-propracovaná alba nebo videa na YouTube s nehratelnými riffy, ale pódium je jediná pravda. Síla a autenticita vaší hudby se bude vždycky posuzovat tam. Už se nedívám na to, jak je kapela technická nebo „originální“, dívám se na její dopad naživo. Pokud mám pocit, že mi po lebce převaluje tank, budu tu kapelu milovat, bez ohledu na to, jaký styl death metalu hrají.

Když se ještě podíváme do začátku…Co bylo vlastně tím prvním impulsem, že jste dali dohromady kapelu? A proč zrovna death metal? Není to zrovna styl, který by vám získal velkou „slávu“.

Děláme, co milujeme, tečka. Sláva nebo proslulost nám byly úplně u prdele. Začátkem prvního desetiletí prvního desetiletí jsme s Vincentem hráli v kapele, která hodně koncertovala po Francii, sdíleli jsme pódium s kapelami jako Gojira a Decapitated... Ten projekt skončil v roce 2008, ale vždycky jsme si říkali, že jednoho dne navážeme přesně tam, kde jsme skončili. Oba jsme se věnovali svým vlastním projektům, ale v roce 2018 jsem ho konečně oslovil, aby založil Warside. Proč Death Metal? Protože to je to, kým jsme. Milujeme tuhle hudbu víc než cokoli jiného. Nejde o to „to udělat“, jde o syrovou energii a zůstat věrní sami sobě. Máme to v krvi a nechtěli bychom to jinak.


Pocházíte z Francie a hrajete extrémní death metal. Naše čtenáře by určitě zajímalo, jak u vás funguje death metalová scéna? Abych pravdu řekl, tak poslední dobou od vás slyším jen samé skvělé smečky. Znamená to, že je u vás v současnosti scéna hodně silná? Co třeba koncerty, kolik chodí lidí?

Je pravda, že Francie v současnosti produkuje obrovské množství kvalitních kapel. Některé z nich silně koncertují po Evropě, Asii a USA, „francouzský nádech“ v extrémní hudbě se rozhodně projevuje globálně. Co se týče místní scény, záleží na sestavě, ale obecně se lidé dostaví. Ve velkých městech může solidní death metalová show snadno přilákat 150 až 300 lidí. Máme také několik skvělých specializovaných festivalů jako Muscadeath nebo Brutal Swamp Fest, kde se sejde až 600 nebo 800 fanoušků.

Z vaší hudby je cítit, že jste ovlivněni jak americkou death metalovou školou, tak i starými evropskými kapelami. Jak jste na tom jako fanoušci? Máte radši původní death metal nebo čerpáte inspiraci i z nových desek? Pokud ano, zajímalo by mě, které smečky měly/mají na WARSIDE největší vliv.

Mé osobní vlivy jsou rozhodně zakořeněny v klasickém death metalu. Mám „Top 5“, která mi slouží jako trvalý plán: Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Vomitory, Hate Eternal a Suffocation. Tyto kapely pro mě definovaly standard. Nicméně mě také hluboce ovlivnily i kapely jako Vader, Aborted, Rotten Sound a Blood Red Throne. Vždycky jsem miloval jejich energii a dodnes formují můj styl hraní. Ať už je to americký groove a brutalita nebo evropská intenzita, tyto kapely jsou jádrem DNA Warside.


Jak jsi ty začínal s muzikou? A jak ses dostal k death metalu? Máš nějaké hudební vzdělání? Co první koncert? Co první živé vystoupení, kdy jsi stál na pódiu?

K hudbě jsem se opravdu dostal ve 14 letech se svou první středoškolskou kapelou a svůj první koncert jsem odehrál v 15. Tehdy jsme většinou hráli covery Sex Pistols, Ramones a myslím, že i něco od AC/DC. Můj skutečný zlom nastal později, v 19 letech, když jsem objevil death metal prostřednictvím té legendární show Dying Fetus. Bylo to naprosté zjevení. Tehdy jsme s Vincentem v roce 2003 založili naši první death metalovou kapelu. V témže roce jsme odehráli náš první koncert a upřímně řečeno, od té doby jsem nikdy nezměnil směr. Jakmile jsem okusil tu úroveň brutality a síly, nebylo cesty zpět. Je to můj život už přes 20 let.

Blížíme se k závěru našeho rozhovoru a to vždycky dávám lehce filozofickou otázku. Jak bys definoval death metal a co pro tebe znamená? Nemyslím tím teď techniku hraní, ale spíše co ti přináší, bere, jak jej vnímáš ve vztahu k fanouškům.

Pro mě je death metal čistá, syrová energie, zcela zbavená jakýchkoli keců a předstírání. Je to jediné médium, které nám umožňuje usměrňovat a vyjadřovat naši nejhlubší a nejupřímnější zuřivost. Ale kromě hudby je to silné lidské dobrodružství. Každý člověk, kterého v této scéně potkáte, ať už jsou to hudebníci nebo fanoušci, má k dispozici jedinečný příběh. Je zde úroveň bratrství a autenticity, kterou nikde jinde nenajdete.

Na osobní úrovni jsem vždycky říkal, že tato hudba je mou terapií. Když jsem na pódiu nebo ve studiu, vypouštím ven bestii. Je to prvotní uvolnění. Po každém koncertě mám pocit, jako bych „resetoval“ svou zvířecí stránku zpět na nulu. Hraní té nejbrutálnější možné hudby mi umožňuje zůstat „civilizovaný“ a vyrovnaný v mém každodenním životě. Bez tohoto ventilu bych byl pravděpodobně mnohem nebezpečnějším člověkem. Je to sdílená katarze, která jde daleko za hranice pouhého „hraní pro fanoušky“. Ať už jste na pódiu, za ozvučnou deskou nebo v boxu, všichni jsme tam ze stejného důvodu. Je to kolektivní exorcismus. V takových chvílích nehrajeme jen noty nebo neposloucháme písně; je to společné uvolnění, které nás všechny udržuje při smyslech.

Co chystají WARSIDE v nejbližších měsících? Pokud máš nějaký vzkaz pro fanoušky, labely, promotéry, tak zde je prostor…

V první řadě bych chtěl obrovsky poděkovat všem, kteří naši vizi každý den podporují. Momentálně se zaměřujeme především na vydání alba „Cognitive Extinction“. Na rok 2026 máme naplánovaných asi deset koncertů po celé Francii a v zákulisí usilovně pracujeme na přípravě turné na začátek roku 2027.

Náš cíl je jednoduchý, dotáhnout toto album co nejdál, cestovat!

Uvidíme se na cestách!

Děkuji moc za rozhovor. Vážím si toho. Teď již nechme mluvit hudbu. Jdu si pustit „Cognitive Extinction a to pořádně nahlas! Přeji vám, ať se novince daří a ať je vše fajn i ve vašich osobních životech. Děkuji!

Recenze/review - WARSIDE - Cognitive Extinction (2026):



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úterý 19. května 2026

Interview - TOWERING - A dark and cold black death metal album where nightmares become a cruel reality!


Interview with death metal band from France - TOWERING.

Answered Thom (guitars, vocals) and Arboria (bass), thank you!

Recenze/review - TOWERING - The Oblation of Man (2026):

Ave TOWERING! Greetings from the French catacombs! I hope everything’s going well over there. It should be you’ve just released the second fantastic full-length album of your career this year. I have to admit, it literally pinned me to the wall. It’s dark, energetic, and cuts like a sharp knife. It’s very clear that you’ve done a great job and brought a lot of talent to the table. How do you view the new album in relation to your debut? Where did you want to take things, and in what ways do you think the recordings differ?

Thom: We see “The Oblation of Man” as a continuation, but also a clear evolution of what we started with our first album. “Obscuring Manifestation” was more direct, more brutal in a frontal way. This new record goes deeper into atmosphere, structure, and intensity in a different sense something more ritualistic and immersive. We didn’t want to repeat ourselves. The goal was to push our identity further, refine our writing, and explore darker and more complex territories. It’s less immediate, but more layered and demanding.


“The Oblation of Man” contains all the attributes of good death and black metal. For me personally, it’s an album I love coming back to. How did it come about? How does TOWERING compose new material? I’m interested in the actual process of creating a new song.

Thom: The process was long and very detail-oriented. We didn’t rush anything. Every riff, every structure, every atmosphere was reworked multiple times. We’re quite demanding with ourselves, so we kept refining until everything felt right.

Arboria: When I joined during the composition phase, I brought new ideas that led us to revisit the material again. That added another layer of depth. We worked collectively, focusing on coherence and intensity, making sure each song had its own identity while fitting the whole.

I’ve been listening to death/black metal since its beginnings, and you know what still fascinates me about it? The sound yes, that raw, gritty sound. You sound like a “mix” of albums by ULCERATE, SVART CROWN, and WATAIN. How did you manage to achieve such an amazing sound on the new album? Who handled the mixing and mastering? Did you have a lot of input into the final sound?

Arboria: The mixing and mastering were handled by Eloi Nicod. We had already been working together on another project (DAWOHL). I already knew his work and his approach, so it felt natural to involve him.

Thom: We wanted a sound that was cold, organic, and atmospheric, but still precise. Eloi immediately understood what we were aiming for. His first mix was already very convincing. Then we spent a lot of time refining everything together. We were highly involved in the process, down to the smallest details.


What are the themes of your lyrics? Where do you get your inspiration? Are there any movies you can watch over and over again? How did the lyrics come about, and who wrote them? Do you read books? Which one influenced you the most?

Arboria: The album revolves around devotion, ritual, transcendence, and the idea of offering oneself rejecting and deconstructing human nature to reach another state. It’s a shift from the more destructive and fatalistic vision of the first album.

Thom: Inspiration comes from philosophical, spiritual, and sometimes abstract sources. It’s more about atmospheres and concepts than direct storytelling. We’re influenced by ideas related to mysticism, existentialism, and inner transformation rather than specific movies or books.

How did you actually end up playing death black metal? You can tell from your music that you’re also fans of true death metal! When did you start playing, and what bands have you been in? What was your first concert like? Who was your role model, and who did you admire in your early days?

Thom: Death and black metal have always been central to us. Like many, we started with extreme music early on and naturally evolved within these styles. We’ve all been involved in different projects before, but TOWERING is where everything converges.

Arboria: The influence of both old-school and more modern bands shaped our approach. It’s not about copying, but about channeling that intensity and pushing it further.

The topic of concerts is also related to the previous question. How are things going for TOWERING in that regard? Do you enjoy playing, and do you play often? Do you prefer festivals or smaller clubs? And are you willing to travel far, for example? Are you interested in a longer tour?

Thom: Playing live is essential for us. It’s where the music takes its full dimension. We enjoy both small venues and festivals they offer very different but equally powerful experiences.

We’re currently working on playing as many shows as possible to support the album, and we’re definitely open to touring more extensively, including longer runs.


You’re from Paris and play extreme black death metal. Our readers would definitely be interested in how the metal scene works where you are. To tell you the truth, lately I’ve been hearing nothing but great bands from your area. Does that mean the scene is really strong there right now? What about concerts how many people show up?

Thom: The scene is very active and inspiring. Even if we’re not all based in Paris anymore, we still have strong ties there. There are many great bands emerging across France.

Attendance varies depending on the event, but there is a real and dedicated audience for extreme music.

Your music shows that you’re influenced by both the American and Australian death/black metal scenes, as well as older European bands. What about you as fans? Do you prefer the original death/black metal of the ’90s, or do you also draw inspiration from new albums? If so, I’d be curious to know which bands have had the biggest influence on TOWERING.

Arboria: Definitely both ! Of course, the ‘90s scene is fundamental in Europe. There are some shinning jewels in American and Australian scene. This said, we are not particularly stuck to a specific one.

The scene which has been growing in interest for me these recent years is the Icelandic one, with bands such ZHRINE, SINMARA, MISÞYRMING.

Thom: It’s this balance between roots and evolution that defines our sound. We don’t limit ourselves to one era.


When I started my website ten years ago, my vision was to try to support bands that I felt weren’t getting enough attention. To let the world know about them. I think I’m doing a pretty good job of it, at least judging by the feedback. How do you approach promotion? Do you leave it to the label, or do you send CDs out for reviews yourselves? For example, I buy albums that I really enjoy. How about you? Are you also fans who like to support your peers? Do you go to concerts? Do you party?

Arboria: As for the promotion, Thom and the label are definitely doing the bigger part. I used to be a compulsive CDs buyer before. Now, I am more selective, as I can't push the walls.
I'm not doing a lot of gigs now, but when one interests me, I don't mind crossing a few countries if needed to attend the show or the fest.

We are big fans of Brutal Assault with Thom. Czech Republic has some incredible bands which should deserve more recognition such as : GODLESS TRUTH, !T.O.O.H.!, CULT OF FIRE, OBSCURE SPHYNX (in some other style), and last but not least LYKATHEA AFLAME.

On the one hand, every band today has plenty of ways to get their name out there, but on the other hand, there are so many bands that fans get lost in the crowd. A lot of people just download MP3s from the internet and, instead of going to a concert, prefer to spew venom on Facebook. How does modern technology affect you as TOWERING? What do you think about downloading music, Google metalists, streaming music, etc.?

Thom: It’s a double-edged sword. It gives visibility, but also creates oversaturation. Streaming helps reaching people, but it can’t replace the experience of physical formats or live shows.

It’s a toouseful, but it shouldn’t define everything.

 

What does death/black metal mean to you? Is it a lifestyle, a hobby, a way to relax? How would you define it? Feel free to get into some philosophical musings.

Arboria: It’s more than music. It’s a way to channel something deeper—intensity, introspection, transcendence.

Thom: There’s almost a ritualistic dimension to it. It’s an exploration of extremes, both musically and conceptually. It captures and reveals the darkness in us, the visceral expression of our deepest feelings. Even though I enjoy many other genres of Metal and music in general, I find that only darker Death and Black Metal can provide such emotions.

The inevitable question to wrap things up. What does TOWERING have planned for the coming months? What can we, the fans, look forward to? If you have a message for fans, labels, or promoters, this is the place for it…

Thom: We’re focusing on promoting “The Oblation of Man” through live performances in 2026 and beyond. More announcements will come soon.

Thank you again for your support and this interview. To everyone reading—stay devoted, and we hope to see you on the road!

Thank you very much for the interview. I’m heading to work in a minute. I’ll walk past the cemetery. It’s clear what’s going to be playing on my player - “The Oblation of Man.” And really loud. I wish the album the best sales possible and hope it reaches as many listeners as possible. All the best to you in your personal lives too! Death/black metal forever!

Many thanks to you and to the readers, you are the reason we keep playing fast and loud! The scene cannot die thanks to devout fans and supporters. See you very soon!


Recenze/review - TOWERING - The Oblation of Man (2026):




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Rozhovor - TOWERING - Temné a chladné black death metalové album, u kterého se noční můry stávají krutou skutečností!


Rozhovor s death metalovou skupinou z Francie - TOWERING.

Odpovídalí Thom (kytara, zpěv) a Arboria (basa), děkujeme!

Recenze/review - TOWERING - The Oblation of Man (2026):

Ave TOWERING! Zdravím do francouzských katakomb! Doufám, že je u vás vše v pořádku. Mělo by, máte na kontě letos druhé dlouhohrající skvělé album své kariéry. Musím se přiznat, že mě doslova přikovalo na zeď. Je temné, energické, řeže ostrou hranou nože. Je hodně slyšet, že jste odvedli skvělou práci a taky velká porce talentu. Jak vnímáš novou desku v souvislosti s vaší prvotinou? Kam jak jste se chtěli posunout a v čem jsou podle tebe nahrávky odlišné?

Thom: „The Oblation of Man“ vnímáme jako pokračování, ale také jako jasný vývoj toho, co jsme začali s naším prvním albem. „Obscuring Manifestation“ bylo přímočařejší, brutálnější svým frontálním způsobem. Tato nová deska jde hlouběji do atmosféry, struktury a intenzity v jiném smyslu, v něčem rituálnějším a pohlcujícím. Nechtěli jsme se opakovat. Cílem bylo posunout naši identitu dále, zdokonalit naše psaní a prozkoumat temnější a složitější oblasti. Je to méně bezprostřední, ale více vrstevnaté a náročné.


„The Oblation of Man“ v sobě obsahuje všechny atributy dobrého death a black metalu. Pro mě osobně se jedná o desku, ke které se hrozně rád vracím. Jakým způsobem vznikala? Jak skládají nový materiál TOWERING? Zajímá mě samotný proces vzniku nové skladby.

Thom: Proces byl dlouhý a velmi detailní. Nic jsme nespěchali. Každý riff, každá struktura, každá atmosféra byla několikrát přepracována. Jsme na sebe docela nároční, takže jsme to neustále zdokonalovali, dokud se všechno necítilo správně.

Arboria: Když jsem se k nim připojil během fáze komponování, přinesl jsem nové nápady, které nás vedly k opětovnému prozkoumání materiálu. To dodalo další vrstvu hloubky. Pracovali jsme společně, zaměřili jsme se na soudržnost a intenzitu a ujistili se, že každá píseň má svou vlastní identitu a zároveň zapadá do celku.

Poslouchám death/black metal od jeho počátků a víš, co mě na něm pořád neskutečně fascinuje? Zvuk, ano, ten prašivý, plesnivý zvuk. Vy zníte jako takový „mix“ alb od ULCERATE, SVART CROWN, WATAIN. Jak se vám povedlo na novince docílit takového parádního zvuku? Kdo je podepsán pod mixem a masteringem? Mluvili jste hodně do výsledného zvuku?

Arboria: Mix a mastering měl na starosti Eloi Nicod. Už jsme spolu pracovali na jiném projektu (DAWOHL). Jeho práci a přístup jsem už znal, takže mi přišlo přirozené ho zapojit.

Thom: Chtěli jsme zvuk, který by byl chladný, organický a atmosférický, ale zároveň přesný. Eloi okamžitě pochopil, o co nám jde. Jeho první mix byl už velmi přesvědčivý. Pak jsme strávili spoustu času společným vylepšováním všeho. Byli jsme do procesu velmi zapojení, až do nejmenších detailů.


Jaká jsou témata vašich textů? Kde berete inspiraci? Máš nějaké filmy, na které se můžeš dívat stále dokola? Jak texty vznikaly a kdo je jejich autorem? Čteš i knihy? Která tě nejvíc ovlivnila?

Arboria: Album se točí kolem oddanosti, rituálů, transcendence a myšlenky obětování sebe sama, odmítnutí a dekonstrukce lidské přirozenosti, aby se dosáhlo jiného stavu. Je to posun od destruktivnější a fatalistické vize prvního alba.

Thom: Inspirace pochází z filozofických, duchovních a někdy i abstraktních zdrojů. Jde spíše o atmosféru a koncepty než o přímé vyprávění příběhů. Jsme ovlivněni myšlenkami spojenými s mysticismem, existencialismem a vnitřní transformací spíše než konkrétními filmy nebo knihami.

Jak jste se vlastně dostal k hraní death black metalu? Z vaší hudby je zřejmé, že jste také fanouškem pravého death metalu! Kdy jste začal hrát a v jakých kapelách jste hrál? Jaký byl váš první koncert? Kdo byl vaším vzorem a koho jste obdivoval v začátcích?

Thom: Death a black metal pro nás vždycky byly ústředním bodem. Stejně jako mnoho jiných jsme s extrémní hudbou začínali brzy a přirozeně jsme se v rámci těchto stylů vyvíjeli. Všichni jsme se již dříve podíleli na různých projektech, ale TOWERING je místo, kde se všechno sbíhá.

Arboria: Náš přístup formoval vliv jak oldschoolových, tak i modernějších kapel. Nejde o kopírování, ale o to, abychom tuto intenzitu nasměrovali a posouvali ji dál.


S předchozí otázkou se pojí i téma koncertů. Jak jsou na tom s nimi TOWERING? Hrajete rádi a často? Máte raději festivaly nebo menší kluby? A jste ochotni třeba i cestovat daleko? Neláká vás nějaké delší turné?

Thom: Hraní živě je pro nás zásadní. Právě tam hudba nabývá svého plného rozměru. Baví nás jak malá místa, tak festivaly, které nabízejí velmi odlišné, ale stejně silné zážitky.

Momentálně pracujeme na tom, abychom odehráli co nejvíce koncertů na podporu alba, a rozhodně jsme otevřeni i rozsáhlejšímu turné, včetně delších vystoupení.

Pocházíte z Paříže a hrajete extrémní black death metal. Naše čtenáře by určitě zajímalo, jak funguje u vás metalová scéna? Abych pravdu řekl, tak poslední dobou od vás slyším jen samé skvělé smečky. Znamená to, že je u vás v současnosti scéna hodně silná? Co třeba koncerty, kolik chodí lidí?

Thom: Scéna je velmi aktivní a inspirativní. I když už všichni nesídlíme v Paříži, stále tam máme silné vazby. Po celé Francii vzniká mnoho skvělých kapel.

Účast se liší v závislosti na akci, ale existuje skutečné a oddané publikum pro extrémní hudbu.


Z vaší hudby je cítit, že jste ovlivněni jak americkou, australskou death black metalovou školou, tak i starými evropskými kapelami. Jak jste na tom jako fanoušci? Máte radši původní death/black metal devadesátých let nebo čerpáte inspiraci i z nových desek? Pokud ano, zajímalo by mě, které smečky měly/mají na TOWERING největší vliv.

Arboria: Rozhodně obojí! Scéna 90. let je v Evropě samozřejmě zásadní. V americké a australské scéně se nacházejí některé třpytivé klenoty. Nicméně nejsme nijak zvlášť vázáni na jednu konkrétní scénu.

Scéna, která mě v posledních letech stále více zajímá, je islandská s kapelami jako ZHRINE, SINMARA, MISÞYRMING.

Thom: Právě tato rovnováha mezi kořeny a evolucí definuje náš zvuk. Neomezujeme se na jednu éru.

Když jsem před deseti lety zakládal svoje stránky, měl jsem vizi, že se budu snažit podporovat kapely, které podle mě nejsou tolik na očích. Dát o nich vědět světu. Myslím, že se mi to celkem daří, alespoň podle ohlasů. Jak přistupujete k propagaci vy? Necháváte to na labelu nebo sami posíláte CD různě na recenze? Já si třeba alba, která mě opravdu baví, kupuji. Jak jste na tom vy? Jste také fanoušci, co rádi a často podporují své kolegy? Chodíte na koncerty? Paříte?

Arboria: Co se týče propagace, Thom a label rozhodně dělají větší část. Dříve jsem byl nutkavým kupcem CD. Teď jsem selektivnější, protože nemůžu posouvat hranice.

Momentálně nechodím na moc koncertů, ale když mě nějaký zaujme, nevadí mi přejet pár zemí, pokud je to potřeba, abych se mohl zúčastnit koncertu nebo festivalu.

S Thomem jsme velkými fanoušky Brutal Assault. V České republice je několik neuvěřitelných kapel, které by si zasloužily větší uznání, jako například: GODLESS TRUTH, !T.O.O.H.!, CULT OF FIRE, OBSCURE SPHYNX (v nějakém jiném stylu) a v neposlední řadě LYKATHEA AFLAME.

 

Na jednou stranu má dnes každá kapela spoustu možností, jak o sobě dát vědět, ale zase na druhou stranu, skupin je obrovské množství a fanoušci se v nich ztrácejí. Hodně lidí jen stahuje mp3 z internetu a místo koncertu raději plive jedovaté sliny na facebooku. Jak vás, jako TOWERING ovlivňují moderní technologie? Co si myslíš o stahování muziky, google metalistech, streamování muziky apod.?

Thom: Je to dvousečná zbraň. Dává to viditelnost, ale také to vytváří přesycení. Streamování pomáhá oslovit lidi, ale nemůže nahradit zážitek z fyzických formátů nebo živých vystoupení.

Je to příliš užitečné, ale nemělo by to definovat všechno.

Co pro tebe znamená death/black metal? Je to životní styl, koníček, relax? Jak bys jej definoval? Můžeš se klidně pustit i do filozofických úvah.

Arboria: Je to víc než jen hudba. Je to způsob, jak zprostředkovat něco hlubšího – intenzitu, introspekci, transcendenci.

Thom: Má to téměř rituální rozměr. Je to zkoumání extrémů, a to jak hudebně, tak koncepčně. Zachycuje a odhaluje temnotu v nás, niterný projev našich nejhlubších pocitů. I když si užívám mnoho jiných žánrů metalu a hudby obecně, zjišťuji, že takové emoce může poskytnout pouze temnější death metal a black metal.

Nezbytná otázka na konec. Co chystají TOWERING v nejbližších měsících? Na co se můžeme my, fanoušci těšit? Pokud máš nějaký vzkaz pro fanoušky, labely, promotéry, tak zde je prostor…

Thom: Zaměřujeme se na propagaci „The Oblation of Man“ prostřednictvím živých vystoupení v roce 2026 a dále. Další oznámení budou brzy.

Ještě jednou děkujeme za vaši podporu a tento rozhovor. Všem čtenářům – zůstaňte oddaní a doufáme, že se s vámi uvidíme na turné!

Děkuji moc za rozhovor. Za chvilku vyrážím do práce. Půjdu kolem hřbitova. Je jasné, co mi bude hrát v přehrávači - „The Oblation of Man“. A to pořádně nahlas. Přeji albu co nejlepší prodeje a doufám, že se dostane k co největšímu počtu posluchačů. Ať se vám daří i v soukromí! Death/black metal forever!

Moc děkujeme vám a čtenářům, jste důvodem, proč hrajeme rychle a nahlas! Díky oddaným fanouškům a podporovatelům scéna nemůže zemřít. Brzy na viděnou!

Recenze/review - TOWERING - The Oblation of Man (2026):




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úterý 12. května 2026

Interview - RESURRECTED - Dark, raw, brutal death metal with a taste of rotten blood!


Interview with brutal death metal band Germany - RESURRECTED.

Answered Thomas (guitars), thank you!

Recenze/review - RESURRECTED - Perpetual (2026):

Ave RESURRECTED! Before we begin the interview, let me thank you. You know, I’m an old metalhead, and I listen to music not just with my ears but with my heart, and your new album “Perpetual” has literally captivated me. It’s as if I’m looking into the darkness somewhere in a sewer beneath our industrial city. It’s a very dark and cold album. How did it come about? What is RESURRECTED’s recipe for so much emotion, for such dark, raw moods?

I think it’s more that we should be thanking you for giving us the chance to speak here! We appreciate every interview about the new album. I read your review of “Perpetual”, and it really moved me because I felt like I could sense what was going on inside you while you were listening to the record. And that, in turn, moved me even more you wrote it straight from the heart. I’m also very emotional when I listen to music. Not with every song or every album, of course, but I connect a lot of emotions with music that was already the case with my grandfather.

We grew up here surrounded by industry, by dirt, by people shaped by all of that. Naturally, that leaves its mark on us as human beings. When the leaves fall from the trees, everything here really turns into shades of grey. On top of that, Chris and I, as songwriters, both carry our own very personal darkness within us.


To tell you the truth, even though I’m a huge fan of old-school brutal death metal, what I really like about you guys is that you stand out completely. While the foundation of your music is indeed death metal, you can also hear a solid dose of grindcore and classic death metal. At least that’s how I hear it. It seems to me that on “Perpetual” you’ve let the cold and darkness stand out even more. I love the sound of the new album! Who handled the mixing and mastering? Tell them I pay them my respects. Where and how did you record?

I’m glad to read that we stand out to you from the old-school brutal death scene. Back in the ’90s, I was heavily influenced by grindcore bands like Napalm Death, Terrorizer, and Brutal Truth, but alongside them were the “classic” death metal acts like Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, and Entombed. It really didn’t get any more brutal than that back then. Of course, I still carry that baggage with me when it comes to songwriting. These days, though, it’s more bands like Origin or Cattle Decapitation that spark the occasional outburst of rage on a record like on “Into Mighty Death,” for example.

We once again made a very conscious decision to work with Jörg Uken and his Soundlodge Studio. We’ve already collaborated on our previous albums. Jörg is a drummer himself, and the chemistry between him and our drummer Dennis is just right—they understand each other. And Dennis hates those over-polished modern productions that all sound the same because everyone uses the same samples. Jörg simply doesn’t do that, and that’s exactly why we worked with him everything is organic. During the pandemic, I had a lot of time to refine my guitar setup, letting go of many things to achieve exactly the tone you hear on “Perpetual.” If you start heavily tweaking the guitar tone in the mix, you’re basically done for. We just put two mics in front of the cab, saw what would happen (I’d brought five other amps along), and Jörg immediately said: “That’s it we’re not touching a thing!” Jörg Uken actually handled everything from recording to mixing and mastering; I only tracked the guitar DIs at home beforehand because that would’ve taken far too much time otherwise I’m very meticulous about that.


I’m also thrilled with the cover art and graphics. Who painted such a gloomy and dark motif for you? What was the brief for the new album? How does the motif relate to the music and lyrics? What is it really supposed to depict? Are those people marching to the afterlife?

The cover was designed by Ivan Bragin. At the end of 2024, when we were looking around for potential artists, I randomly came across this artwork of his online. Those are the moments when you just know: this is it. So he didn’t have to paint anything new—we simply had to acquire the design from him. And you’re right, they are figures marching into the afterlife.

Most of the songs actually came together after we already had the cover artwork, although I wouldn’t say there’s a strict, overarching concept linking the songs, lyrics, and cover. Everything was meant to create an overall dark atmosphere, and I think we pulled that off quite well. Also the way Janina our drummer Dennis’s wife ultimately handled the illustration and integrated our logo into the cover works perfectly.

I’ve always liked that you don’t neglect the lyrics. I don’t have the original copy with me right now, but I’m already looking forward to “reading” it. Most death metal bands have such ordinary, classic lyrics. What are the ones on “Perpetual” about?

Christoph doesn’t really write long lyrics that just struck me again when I was adding them to the songs on Bandcamp. His lyrics are usually very personal; he processes a lot of his own experiences and turns them into death metal lyrics. Since I know him very well, I understand what they mean to him, but they always leave enough room for interpretation so that anyone can create their own story from them.


As I mentioned earlier, you’re a truly original band. Your guitar style is unmistakable, and your songs are composed with ease and elegance. Am I right? Does writing new material come easily to you? Could you please tell us about the process of creating a new song? How does RESURRECTED create its music?

To be completely honest, I’m a pretty miserable guitarist. I only took guitar lessons back in the day until I had gathered enough theoretical and practical knowledge to write death metal songs. And back then, it all came much more naturally than it does now. We used to rehearse three times a week, jam, and write songs that wayI’d have an idea for a riff, our drummer at the time, Michael, would lay drums underneath it, and at some point a song was done. We never wrote anything down we had it all in our heads. That’s how we managed to release a new album every two years.

These days, I feel like two years pass in the blink of an eye. On top of that, the whole process has completely changed. Unless we’re rehearsing for a live show, we usually only meet up with fully formed song ideas that either Chris or I bring in. Those already include rough drum structures. Dennis often comes up with much better ideas anyway, but he likes to know the general direction beforehand.

For “Perpetual” as the title track, for example, he wasn’t happy at all with the original idea for the drum part in the chorus. He just said, “I have to blast it—there’s no other way.” I was like, “That’s 270 BPM!!!” And Dennis just went, “Doesn’t matter!”

But the next album definitely won’t take as long to arrive as “Perpetual.”


You’re a band that traces its origins back to the 1990s. That’s a long time ago, and a lot has changed since then. I’m talking about new technologies, recording methods, sound capture, but also the approaches to and perception of music itself. We have various streaming services, YouTube, Spotify. How do you, as a musician, perceive all of this?

Back then, we were still recording demo tapes on an 8-track recorder. A regular person couldn’t afford a PC in those days, and we didn’t have the money to book studio time either—300 Deutsche Mark (about €150) per day was way out of reach. The budget for our debut album “Raping Whores” was just €500 (1000 Deutsche Mark), which came out on Eaststar Records at the time. That didn’t exactly allow for much studio time.

But the “digital domain” gradually started to take over. In 1996, I began working with a halfway decent PC and the sequencer Samplitude it actually fit on a 1.44” floppy disk. I’m still using the same sequencer today, although it’s grown to about 1.6 gigabytes by now. One thing I’ve always stuck with, though, is a real guitar amp I never switched to modelers, not even live. I’d rather bring a small lunchbox amp on stage than put a laptop there. At many shows we play nowadays, younger bands are fully digital and don’t even understand why you’d need a guitar cab or a real amp. Some promoters even struggle to put together a backline because local kids just don’t bring that kind of gear anymore.

That said, I do keep up with new technologies and like to adapt when it makes sense—especially when it comes to traveling long distances. But to my ears, digital gear still doesn’t sound good enough. I hear it at so many shows, and it actually puts me in a bad mood when I catch that flat, lifeless Kemper sound coming off the stage.

You mentioned streaming services I don’t use them. End of story. But of course, we maintain all our platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, Deezer, and so on. And naturally, our songs are available there if you want any kind of reach as a musician today, you simply can’t avoid it. Unfortunately, musicians are at the very bottom of the food chain. The payouts are already almost negligible, and by the time the revenue reaches the label and we as musicians only get a fifth of that you can imagine how little is left. That said, I’m not blaming the label at all; compared to others, we’re actually in a pretty good position. But that’s just how the business works.

 

When you came back with a new album this year, I was thrilled. You know how it is—I immediately went down to the basement and spent almost the entire weekend there looking for an old cassette of “Raping Whores.” Not an original, just a regular copy, but back then it meant the world to me. How do you look back on the old days? You were young, you had more time; sometimes I wonder if things weren’t better without the internet and all the new technologies. Although, maybe life is easier and more comfortable now?

That’s crazy you’ve got a cassette copy of “Raping Whores”? Did you copy it from vinyl or CD? I used to tape stuff from vinyl onto cassette all the time, mostly for the car. Nuclear Blast used to have LPs on sale for 1 Deutsche Mark (€0.50). You can’t even afford those records anymore today. Back then, it was way cheaper than buying the CD.

To be honest, I didn’t really have more time back then I was working shifts. But I did have more time for what actually mattered: writing music, spending time with friends, things like that. These days, it takes so much time just dealing with social media as a musician. I don’t want to do it, but there’s no way around it. The internet means reach for us, but on the other hand it also means overload for the listener. You have everything instantly available, no matter where you are on the planet. Your thoughts are constantly jumping you’re not really focused or concentrated for long anymore. I’m not excluding myself from that either.

Was it better back then? That’s a philosophical question. If I had known in the ’90s what would be possible today, wouldn’t I have wanted it immediately?

When I interviewed the band DEATHSWARM with Heval, he wrote a beautiful sentence back then: “Extreme metal generally means freedom and self-confidence to me, both musically and in terms of lifestyle.” I thought about it a lot and realized I feel exactly the same way. For example, I always view a band as a whole. How they come across at concerts, in interviews I have to believe in their music. RESURRECTED really gives the impression that your music comes straight from the heart. No posturing, just “pure art.” Do you think this can be learned? What does music actually mean to you?

There are things you simply can’t learn. You can learn the theory to bring to life what you carry in your heart but that’s exactly the point. Making music, especially death metal, comes from within and means having the freedom to do whatever you want. I always carry that very specific feeling inside me it’s like a constant underlying noise, no matter what I’m doing.

When I was younger, I thought I’d be doing this at most until my mid-thirties. I’ll be turning 52 in June, and I’m still standing here. Do I want to give that up? No. That would mean giving up on myself. The shows hurt a bit more than they used to, sure but I still enjoy every single moment on stage with these guys, who are basically my family.

If you don’t carry it in your heart, the audience will notice. Sooner or later.

 

You come from the industrial city of Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia. Has your environment the factories, the smog, the steel influenced your work in any way? I also work in industry, and I can’t shake the feeling that I always sense a certain peculiar darkness in your work, a restlessness that I experience every day early in the morning as I walk to work…

Your surroundings definitely shape you. I grew up right in the middle of that grey bleakness myself on the outskirts of Oberhausen. Our first drummer, Michael, used to work underground in the mines. Our rehearsal space is located in an air-raid bunker from World War II, a massive block with five-meter-thick reinforced concrete walls. Every time you go in there to rehearse, you pass through a very particular kind of darkness. You can almost feel what people must have gone through back then, when the bunker was still used for its original purpose.

You should be glad you can walk to work! I usually have to drive, but when it’s a bit warmer, I sometimes take the bike and run back—that way I’ve already had my workout. When you walk, run or cycle like that, you perceive everything around you very differently—much more intensely. All that industry, the empty faces of people with a sense of hopelessness in their eyes… You can probably imagine that it doesn’t exactly make me want to write cheerful harmonies.

Everyone had to start somewhere. As I mentioned, you formed the band back in 1993. You’re part of the German death metal scene, which has always been very strong. Even today, lots of great bands are still emerging. I’d be interested in your perspective from the inside. How do you perceive your scene, the fans, and the concerts?

We’re still in touch with long-established German bands like Fleshcrawl, Purgatory, Profanity, and Depression they’ve all been around since the early ’90s as well. Back in the day, the contact was more intense, but most of them didn’t have families yet. Still, we’re always happy when we run into each other at festivals or end up playing shows together somewhere.

There’s also a solid underground scene here in the Lower Rhine area, but most of those musicians have been around for a long time too and play in different lineups across various bands. To be honest, I don’t have much contact with the newer bands in Germany. That usually only happens when they reach out to book us for a show—they tend to know us because they’ve stumbled across us on Spotify or YouTube. At some point, I think there was a kind of disconnect where we “lost” the newer bands. Maybe we’re just getting too old, or maybe it’s because the last album took so long—I really can’t say.

When I go to a show around here, it feels like there are two separate worlds: either I know pretty much everyone, or I don’t know a single person. It’s pretty strange.

Let’s stay with the history for a moment. How did you actually get the band together? Please reminisce for us…

That wasn’t all on me back then I had more of a supporting role, haha. I used to hang out quite a bit in EVOCATION’s rehearsal space, which basically laid the foundation for what later became RESURRECTED. The name RESURRECTED is actually a nod to the “resurrected” EVOCATION the lineup was identical, except for me on rhythm guitar.

We eventually had to leave that rehearsal space, though. The lead guitarist who’d been kicked out was the one who had rented it for EVOCATION in the first place, and of course he didn’t want us staying there if he wasn’t part of the band anymore. We got thrown out of the next rehearsal space too it was in a school, and we got caught drinking beer there, which wasn’t exactly allowed, haha. At that point, we still didn’t even have a name. After a few rather inactive months, we pulled ourselves together again and moved into the rehearsal space we’re still using today that was in July 1994. And we played our first ever show in November 1994. A club where we return to in May 29th this year. Maybe I’m going to make some video of the history and all what happened in between.

That first lineup stayed intact until a show with Fleshcrawl in 1997, when our singer Carsten fell out with our lead guitarist Dirk. First the fists flew, then it was Dirk flying out of the band. And up until 2024, I had to carry the whole thing on guitar pretty much on my own.


And what about you personally? When did you first pick up an instrument, when did you attend your first concert, and how did you enjoy it? And what about your first performance on stage? Do you still remember your first tour? Personally, I experienced the nineties; I was young, and I only got into death metal gradually, through German thrash metal… How was it for you?

I first picked up a guitar at 18 that was in 1992. I was still in school and had a small job in the afternoons, which allowed me to afford my first guitar and guitar lessons. My first metal concert was actually DEICIDE on their “Legion” tour in 1993. Back then, they had serious trouble with animal rights activists over here they were all standing in front of the Live Music Hall in Cologne with their signs, trying to stop fans from going into the show. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was never really into that “Teutonic Thrash” for me, it was a pretty quick jump from Metallica’s “…And Justice for All” to “Subconscious Terror” by BENEDICTION and “Altars of Madness” by MORBID ANGEL. In 1994, I played my first show still with short hair, a BC Rich Warlock that cost me €200, and tall biker boots. Of course, we were all incredibly nervous. I still get nervous today not nearly as much as back then, but I don’t think it ever fully goes away.

Our first tour was in 1997 with FLESHLESS and BONEHOUSE ten shows across Europe, no tour bus of course, just a rented van and sometimes pretty questionable venues. Back then, it somehow felt easy to book ten shows in a row as a band. These days, it’s become a lot more complicated.

The classic closing question. What does RESURRECTED have planned for the coming months? Do you want to say anything to the fans, promoters, or labels?

We’d obviously love to play more live shows, especially after the release of “Perpetual”—but the festival season is already pretty much fully booked by the promoters. Maybe something will still come up and we can jump in somewhere. Otherwise, we’ve only got festival requests lined up for 2027 so far, but at least we’re confirmed for Protzen Open Air on June 20th, 2026.

Our label Testimony Records is also looking to put together a label tour, and we’d definitely be up for that if it works out. In December, the “20th Year Edition” of our album “Endless Sea of Loss” will be reissued through them with the “Bloodline” EP included as bonus tracks.

If not too many additional shows come in during the second half of the year, I’d actually like to start working on new material for the next album right away. Chris and I still have a few ideas in the vault that didn’t make it onto “Perpetual” mainly because we ran out of time to fully finish those songs.

You have no idea what this interview means to me. I really appreciate it. RESURRECTED are frequent guests on my playlist. Thank you for your answers, and especially for your music. May you thrive both as musicians and in your personal lives! RESURRECTED rules!

It’s always moving for me to read that our music can trigger something emotional in others—just like it did with you. Like I said, I could feel that in your review; you’re writing straight from the heart. That really motivates us to keep going the way we are.

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to chat a bit about the past and present I hope it wasn’t too boring. Hopefully, we’ll see each other soon on one of the stages out there!


Recenze/review - RESURRECTED - Perpetual (2026):






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