Desaster
Desaster
Hails, how are things in Germany?
Hails Danish headbanger! Everything fine here. The beer taste good and we still have some kind of nice weather at the moment! We played 2 cool shows in the Netherlands last weekend. That's all right now!
Will you please start off by introducing yourself and tell us why you spend your time playing blackened thrash metal?
Yes, I am the big guy behind the drumkit in the German band Desaster. My name is Tormentor and I have been a member of the band since 1996. I play drums because I wasn't able to play other instruments and I am absolutely unmusically!! Hehe
Will you introduce the rest of the horde known as Desaster for us, and initiate us in their strong and weak sides?
First there is our "boss" Infernal, the guitar player. He is the only remaining member from the original line-up and one of my best friends. He takes care of the money in the band and he does this very well. He has no weak sides ;-) haha. On the bass guitar we have Odin. He have been in the band since 1993 I guess. He was too drunk to say "no!" when Infernal asked him to join the band. Haha... his strong side is he is slow and the weak side is that he is fukkin' slow! And last but not least Mr. Sataniac. He joined the horde in 2001 after our old singer left the band. He lives 100km from Koblenz in a beautiful area called the "Eifel". People there are very special and not easy to handle sometimes. Haha... His strong side is that he is friendly and open to other people... the weak side is after having "some" beers he can become very violent and funny... hehe
You have just released the newest chapter in your history "Angelwhore", how do you feel about that album?
We feel very well about "Angelwhore". The album, the production and the sound is really what we expected from us. It represents our last three albums I guess... the "heavieness" and power from "Hellfire's Dominion", the "darkness" and evil aspect from "Tyrants Of The Netherworld" and the speed and brutality from the "Divine Blasphemies" album. So all in all, a compact album with the typical and unique Desaster sound.
How has the album been received so far, both by your fans and the press?
The reactions are really great! Some people say the sound is too bad, some people say the songs are too long and some people really only dislike that we changed the record label. But, hey... we are Desaster and we have always done what we wanted and we will continue do what we want. We still play our chaotic metal style, which we like and we keep on going! Believe me!
What do you expect from the album?
What should I expect?! The only thing the album has to do is to satisfy our own wants. And we are really happy with it! People who like us, will like the records I guess... people who never liked Desaster will hate this release in the same way they hate the old records. Hahaha...
When you started out to write the album, what did you then want to accomplish with it?
Nothing special! WE only want to give the maniacs some new neckbreakin' songs! All songs from Desaster are coming straight from our hearts. So there's no real thinking behind it... just fast forward!
Now that you have had some time to digest the final result, do you feel you have accomplished that?
Of course! A Neckbreakin' Riff Massacre!
How do you feel Desaster have developed through the years, if we look aside from "A Touch Of Medieval Darkness"?
I think through the years we have found our own, unique way to play our "traditional black "riffing" metal". Maybe we have become a bit better on our instruments through the years, but I think we still have the typical Desaster sound, and from the 1st demo to "Angelwhore" you'll see this "red thread"... it's still Desaster...
How would describe your music if you should meet a metalhead that never had heard about Desaster?
Maybe traditional, blackened, neckbreaking, unholy and evil riff metal without mercy... or better: HEAVY METAL!
Back in the days, I bought 2 Desaster albums the same day, "A Touch Of Medieval Darkness" and "Stormbringer", I of course listened to the debut album first, and didn't listen to "Stormbringer" until some days after, which was a shame, that album kicks serious ass. What happened between the first album and "Stormbringer" that made you change style?
Haha, only the drummer changed! "Stormbringer" was my first recording with the band. But I think we thought it was time to send a sign. Because that time, around in 1997 every band came up playing that kind of keyboard-infested metal with female vocals and a lot of non-metallic instruments. We wanted to show, that traditional metal is the only way! Haha... and we did!
Have you ever regretted the style change?
NO! NEVER!
What do you find great about blackened thrash metal?
It's the aggression and power of the music! When I start destroying my drum kit it's like an orgasm, and I really enjoy it! You know, when I can't play drums for some weeks, my girl starts talking to me like: "fukk, go to your rehearsal room and play drums... you are driving me mad!!" haha...
What does it give to you to play music?
Everything... you know, it's not only playing the music, it's also the things around it that I really like... Especially doing interviews with Danish people! Haha...
Where do you find inspiration when you make music?
Everywhere! You know our inspiration came from every band we like. The likes of Slayer, Kreator, Venom, Hellhammer, Darkthrone and much more are big influences of Desaster. Of course everybody in the band are trying to bring his favourites into the music. So maybe that's why Desaster sounds like Desaster?!
Do you have to be in a certain mood when you write music, or does it just flow in dark streams?
We write songs, when we feel the time is right. If you have a bad period it's not possible to write good songs. Our music is coming straight from our hearts.
Can you describe a typical situation of when you come up with a riff or a good idea/structure for a song?
At first there's always the main-guitar-riff. After that Infernal and I start to build up a song with it. After that the bass and the vocals find it's way into the song. When this is finished we maybe change some small arrangements. That's all...
Can you mention 3 bands and 3 songs that have meant a lot to you as a person and to your way of write music?
Slayer, Sodom and Venom and the songs are 'Tormentor', 'Black Metal' and 'In Union We stand'!
Which 3 bands have had the biggest impact on Desaster's music and sound?
Slayer, Venom and Kreator perhaps.... though I think there are much more...
How does the band work when you make the songs, do you make them together in the rehearsal room or…?
As I told before, and yes we do all songs in the rehearsal room and practise as much as possible before entering the recording studio. We are not that kind of band who writes songs besides the recordings... that would maybe end in a total Desaster!
Let's turn a bit and talk about the lyrics, what would like to tell with them?
I am the totally wrong person for that question. I still think that the vokills are more a kind of an instrument instead of anything else. For Sataniac I think the lyrics are very important. But sorry, but I can't answer that question... you know we printed the lyrics in all our releases, to give the listeners a chance to make their own opinion about them!
How important is the lyrics for Desaster?
They are really important for Sataniac. It's his way to create a world of his own and so on. This way he gives those who are interested a small view of his own personality.
If you look back to when you formed the band, what did you then want to accomplish with the band?
I wasn't in the band that time. Infernal is the only remaining member, but I think in the beginning they only met to make some evil noise and drink beer in the rehearsal room.
Did you set some new goals along the way?
We always want to release the next album, to play many shows outside Germany and drink more beer!
How many of your dreams have you so far fulfilled and do you think they all will come through some day?
Haha, some dreams have come through, like playing with Sodom and Destruction, saw Lemmy face to face and so on. My biggest dream is to see Razor live on stage with mighty Sheepdog on vocals!
Why did you choose to call the band for Desaster?
Because we ARE a total Desaster! Believe me!
Your previous records have been put out by Merciless Records and Iron Pegasus Records, on both CD and LP, how important is it for you to see your music on vinyl as well on CD?
Vinyl is very important for us! We still love the traditional way. To have a vinyl of a band in your hand, is such a fukkin' great feeling. It's much better than a CD of course! You have a much better view at the cover-artwork and the sound is also much better. This typical great, warm and "scretchy" sound is in case of heavy metal the best for the music.
What does vinyl mean to you, I assume you are a fan of the black gold?
It's the nostalgic feeling! And yes, we are big fans of LPs, 7”s and so on!
What do you see as the pros and cons of vinyl?
The great things about vinyl are of course the big cover, the great sound and especially the bands on it! On the downside, you can't bring them to a party!!
You must have some nice gems in your own collection, which are you most fond of?
I have a big Sodom collection and I still hunt for more! I have many jewels, but they are special to me and maybe not so special for others... I don't care about the prices on the market and such. But I am still looking for the first Razor record... aarrggghh
Will "Angelwhore" also be released on vinyl?
It is released on vinyl of course! Iron Pegasus Records released it on clear vinyl (200 copies), Picturedisc (500 copies) and black vinyl (800 copies)! Mutilation Records Brazil will also release the Brazilian version on LP!
The new album marks the first album for your new record label Metal Blade Records, how do you feel to be on that label?
It's cool! You know we changed because of we really want to play more outside of Germany and they can help us with that du to their good promotion. They are really cool guys and we work quite well together! We are not a band who wants special things or shit like that! They ,and we as well, know that Desaster isn't and will never be a mega selling band! For sure! We don't want to be that and Metal Blade also knows that! So... it's good... you know... all in all... it's only a label! hehe
What do you expect of them?
Only some good promotion and a lot of free copies from the other bands on the label! Haha...
When you look back at your impressive list of releases, which of your releases are you most proud of?
For me especially, I like the "Stormbringer" album because it's my first experience with the band and it was a fist your face at the time it was released. Also the Split 10" with our brothers from Pentacle was a great thing... and of course the new one...
Can you pull out your 5 favourite Desaster songs and tell a bit about why you like them, the story behind the tracks, etc…?
Puuh... 'Devil's Sword' because it's a fukkin' thrashy song with a lot of power! 'Teutonic Steel' this song shows our medieval roots and it's a good song to rest to on stage! Haha... 'Tyrants Of The Netherworld', this song shows what Desaster is all about, aggression, speed and evilness! 'As The Deadworld Calls' have I liked since they played it the first time in 1994 I guess and 'Havoc' a thrash/death metal inferno....
How important is it for you to play live?
This is what keeps the band alive! We love to play live... to be on stage and to see the maniacs running wild, banging their heads to hell is a killer feeling. It's better, or maybe the same as an orgasm. I think METAL in general is the best music to play live. There's nothing better than drinking beer with the maniacs and meet many people... we love it!
What can you do when you play live, that you can't do when recording an album?
Mistakes! Haha... It's also the special feeling on stage, the magical feeling between the audience and the band... I can't describe it that good... you have to feel it by yourself!
How is it to witness a Desaster concert?
Total destruction, wild, banging rage and fast noise! Haha... it's how a metal show has to sound and look like!
When will you hit Scandinavia with your live madness?
We already played two killer shows in Finland and we hope to destroy Sweden next year! That would be killer! In case of Denmark, if there's somebody who wants us in your country, please write to my address... we would like to bring some total destruction and darkness over Scandinavia!
How do you look upon your future and how many more albums do you think you have in you?
No idea yet... but we keep on banging! Believe me! The torture never stops! For the moment we are working on new songs... because the 3 years between "Divine Blasphemies" and "Angelwhore" was too long...
Will you share your 5 all time favourite albums with us?
That's always a hard question, because there are too many good albums... but I'll try...
Slayer - Reign in blood
Sodom - Agent Orange
Kreator - Pleasure to kill
Testament - The Legacy
Razor - Executioner’s Song
Thanks a ton for answering my questions, if you have anything to add, feel free to add it now!
Thanxx for the interview, hopefully there is somebody who will bring us to Denmark! Here's my email address: tormentor@total-desaster.de
If there's somebody interested in Desaster merchandise have a look at our website. The website will be re-launched soon! Keep the flame burning!! Heavy Metal will never die!
BANG OR BE BANGED
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