Monday, December 29, 2014

Stormhunter Interview

ANSWERS BY STEFAN MULLER

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

We started the recordings in February 2014 and had a few gigs. We deliberately made no plans regarding the release of
the album since we wanted to take the time necessary to record the songs, listen to the raw mix and work on the backing vocals.
Since the other band members were in the studio with their respective bands and Christoph Brandes from the Iguana Studios had a lot of work, it took until August for the final mix to be ready. After that, we took all the steps necessary for the release.
Our bassplayer Fritz set up our facebook page during that period.


2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The musical style on "An Eye For An I" is melodic but aggressive Heavy Metal. Think of the early recordings of bands like Helloween or Running Wild and you get it.
I think the choruses and backing vocals are more elaborated on "An Eye For An I" compared to "Crime And Punishment". We completely reworked some parts while Andreas was already in the studio to record the drums. Maybe our Thrash and Speed Metal influences are more present on the new album, but our style is still the same as on the last albums.

3.The band was broken up for a few years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?

After the some line up changes back in 2001/2002, I was the only founding member left in the band. While the others wanted to make more
progressive music, I was still devoted to the "roots" of the band. I decided to fully concentrate on my second band "Dark Assault"(Death/Thrash).
The others continued a short time as Stormhunter before they changed their name to Subsphere and took another musical direction.

I always had some ideas fitting perfectly the Stormhunter style that I couldn't use for Dark Assault. While warming up for recordings of the second Dark Assault demo, I recorded a riff that later became "Prey For Freedom" (on the first Stormhunter album). This was the starting shot for the "resurrection" of Stormhunter.


4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

Since the early days of Stormhunter, we covered "Heavy Metal" topics with lots of cliches like Fantasy, Battles as well as socio-critical issues. But people don't seem to notice that side of Stormhunter. When it comes to the lyrics, we are always driven in that "battles, metal, war" corner. The new album contains only one "cliche" track (Of Knights And Men).



5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Stormhunter'?

Our first singer found that name. There is no special meaning to it. I must admit that it's not a very innovative name for a band,
but it's a "typical" name.



6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

This is probably a question to ask our audience rather than us. The show at the Raging Steel Festival in Balingen this year was cool for us. Our gig at the Long Live Metal Festival in 2010 in Belgium was a lot of fun for us, too. We always play to have some fun and stay the same on stage and beside of the stage. The shows are raw and
unpolished.


7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

We have two confirmed gigs until now. Since we all have regular jobs, we have no possibility to make a "real" tour. But we are always open to offers in that direction.


8.The new album was self released but the band has been on a label before, are the band members open to working with another label again in the future or do you prefer the DIY method a lot more?

Yes, we are open to work with a label again. We chose the DIY approach because we wanted to be free to release the album as soon as possible
without being dependent on any release plans from labels. Another main reason was the fact, that we paid the whole production ourselves.
Usually, as an underground band, you get a certain amount of CDs that you can sell at your gigs. This amount is not enough to cover the costs of the album production. Although we don't make music to become rich, we cannot afford to loose a lot of money with each new release.
That's why we decided to release the album on our own for now.


9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer album by fans of heavy, power and speed metal?

Since the album is out only since the end of november, we don't have much feedback until then. But the people who bought the album directly from us where satisfied with the album.


10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

The band Bitterness from Andreas (our drummer) and Frank (our singer) will release their new album "Resurrexodus" next February. Nuclear Warfare,
the band of Fritz (our bassplayer) released their album "Just Fucking Thrash" a few months ago. I don't know what's going on with "Karamurat" (another band of Andreas and Frank where Frank is playing bass) at the moment.


11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We already have some ideas for new songs and they follow the same line as the previous material. We do not plan to make major changes since we are making the music we would like to hear ourselves.


12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

It's always hard to hear one's own influences in the music you make. Obviously, there is a lot of Helloween, Gamma Ray and Running Wild.
We listen to all styles of music ranging from Rock to Black or Death Metal. This hasn't changed since the days we discovered this powerful music.


13.What are some of your non musical interests?

I can only speak for myself. I love reading books and meet with friends. But it always leads to something music-related at the end.
I know some of the others like archery and sports, astronomy and cinema.


14.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?

I'd like to thank you for the opportunity of this interview. A big "Thank You" goes to the people that support us and the metal scene.
as a whole whilst going to concerts, giving feedback to us after buying CDs etc.

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