Stephan: As I write music all the time, I don´t need a special inspiration
for that. But especially these theatre-productions are based on existing
stories, so this is another way of songwriting as you have to focus on
the atmosphere or the different characters. Sometimes this makes it
easier, sometimes it doesn´t.
Andy: In this case netherworld the story has inspired me, because we
had the opportunity to transform and perform Wolfgang Holbein’s epic
book series for the stage and for the album.
Günter: On this record it was the storyline and the introduction of
the different characters Andy has introduced me to. For example
he came to me and said: “We will need a Requiem“. So I went and
wrote a Requiem. Generally I don’t need very much inspiration, I just
play around and see if something comes. The rest is a big portion of
knowing how to do it.
• Talking about thematic and musical aspects, what do you think about the
direction that metal scene is taking nowadays?
Torsten: I’m actually not into the metal scene so much - so maybe I’m
wrong when I say I hear a lot of new and very different influences I
never heard before.
Günter: From what I hear and play in other projects the melodic stuff is
strongly coming back. And I like it!
Andy: I must say i hear a lot of different music - new stuff strange
stuff - also old school for me there are only two different kinds of
music good and bad… and then I must agree with Günter - for me the
melodically part was still the most important - and it´s coming back.
the new bands only found different ways to wrap the hook lines - with
new sound and arrangement designs… that opens new horizons…
which is great - a band like 30 seconds to mars in the early years was
similar pioneering in a way like the first hard rock bands.
• Do you have a band or musician from current metal scene that each one
of you admire the most?
Andy: I think here in this case everybody has to talk for himself because
we are all influenced by different artists: I must confess that from the new
scene I really like bands like: - bring me the horizon, kathatonia, 30 seconds
to mars, Chris Cornell - The Timbaland project, The Ocean, Imagine Dragons,
Pat Metheny, Gino Vannelli, Kansas Anathema, Genesis, Pink Floyd…
Stephan: I have to admit that I´m not into the current metal scene that
much. If I listen to music, it´s most of the times to my old heroes like
Whitesnake or Ozzy Osbourne.
Günter: I recently bought “Concerto for Group and Orchestra” by my
overall loved Jon Lord who sadly passed away. It is still one of the
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