Dornenreich Interview is up ...

http://www.dornenreich.com/

1.Over the last Decade Dornenreich has created many different albums . Where do you see the band heading in 2011?

After 15 years of band-history it’s time to step aside and take a deep breath. So many unforgettable experiences and now - within “Flammentriebe” - many aspects of Dornenreich seem to come full circle on a high level. Actually I am convinced that “Flammentriebe” is our most organic album when it comes to the unity of word, tone, sound and visual appearance and the final song hints on a possible further development of Dornenreich – based on acoustic instruments primarily, but – to be perfectly honest – at the moment I am not sure where we will head. The only thing I know is that we will head out to the road in a few days in order to tour.

2. The Music is a mix of Black, Doom metal , Folk and Prog Metal elements . Do you feel Kindship to bands like Bethlehem, Deinonychus and Shining (SE) at all?? As your sounds all seem to have a common root?

Barely, I have to say. I mean, I met Bartsch/Bethlehem 12 years ago and I had a truly interesting conversation with him, one I will never forget, but I don’t think that we have that much in common - neither with Bethlehem nor with the other two bands.

Possibly I should dive into their music more intensively, but according to my rough impression of the named bands I would say that Dornenreich relies on a more universal artistic approach. We try to combine contrasting elements within one common vision, that is, contrasting elements – like acoustic and distorted guitars, whispers and screams – that get across a unity which reveals a transcending quality, it transcends the (apparently) dualistic world we are living in and it sensitizes for the cycles of natural life, which rely on contrasting phenomena.

3. Does Dornenreich like to perform live . Or is it more fullfilling in the studio creating your songs?

In general I truly enjoy concerts and I know it will be a very cathartic experience to perform the new songs by means of mental and physical devotion. I simply know and feel that artistic expression is something that means so very much to me and the whole process of giving birth to an album offers a lot in exchange. On the one hand it’s a difficult challenge to finish a Dornenreich-album in the studio – one is pushed to one’s limits -, but on the other hand it’s an uplifting experience doubtlessly.

4.  Will we ever see Dornenreich in North America performing as I know you have a strong fanbase here?

I hope so! It would be fantastic if our friend’s Agalloch would bring us to the US for some shows as we did it with them back in 2009 when we toured together in Europe. They have a new album out as well, so, we’ll see what will happen. Anyway, if you – dear reader – want us to play in the US just draw the attention of local promoters to Dornenreich!

5. Throughout the albums has there always been a common theme or has that changed over the years.

One could summarize the existential contents we have always been dealing with as the search for worldly and spiritual affiliation of the human individual. This search has constantly been mirrored by nature as my lyrics rely on nature-mystic symbols and metaphors primarily.

6. Dornenreich - In Luft geritz is your full set into a folk release I was very impressed was it hard to create this album  and will we see more non metallic releases from you?

It was very special and challenging to record the whole “In Luft geritzt”-album live – apart from the vocals. Actually, it’s no coincidence that the new album “Flammentriebe” ends with a song based on acoustic guitars. While working on “Flammentriebe” even numerous acoustic songs took shape and it’s highly probable that a further Dornenreich-album will appear in acoustic clothes, yes.

7. Tell us about the DVD you released?? Its from 2007 and its half metal and half acoustic correct? how did it come to be?

The fact that the DVD presents both sides of Dornenreich in a very satisfying way means a lot to me. We recorded the included acoustic show at the famous Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig and we were given the chance to play in the Krypta of the Völkerschlachtdenkmal. This location breathes history and the atmosphere of this huge building worked inspiring upon us indeed – and one can see that when watching the DVD, I bet. Contrasting with the tranquil location in Leipzig the metal-show of the dvd was recorded at the German Summerbreeze-festival. That’s an Open-Air-Festival and we had a headlining-slot there. It simply was a great opportunity and therefore we asked our friends Thomas Helm and Markus Stock (Empyrium, The Vision Bleak, Noekk …) to join us as session-musicians for this unique show – and what can I say: it was mind-blowing to stand in front of thousands of people after many years without Dornenreich-metal-shows and it was fantastic that we could share these memories with Thomas Helm and Markus Stock who had accompanied as for many, many years yet.

8. What bands out there now impress the members of Dornenreich and why do they impress the band?

Personally – and to name just a few – I’m very impressed by bands like Notre Dame, Madder Mortem or even Angizia for they create extremely passionate and individual music which touches me over and over again – and only very few people seem to take notice of them, so, I dropped their names … It’s up to you know!

If I would have to choose one band I would have to name “Dead Can Dance” without any doubt. The various and yet balanced music of this very band gets across that much to me – it’s beyond words.

9. You have been with Prophecy for many years now. Is there any other label that would have been so support to a band that is much more underground the trying to be pop culture? Prophecy seem to love what you do and I'm so glad the get your titles to North America as well.

We have been collaborating with Prophecy for twelve years and I am proud of what we’ve achieved together – and of how we’ve achieved it. Dornenreich did justice to its integrity and so did Prophecy. Actually, we have strong bonds with this label and the people involved. Our cooperation is based on mutual respect and appreciation. Label and band focus on art – and that’s a rare thing today.

10. Are the members of Dornenreich fans of the digital age ( Myspace, Facebook, Internet Radio, Webzine etc) or is it just a necessary evil to promote the band?

The levelling and the speedup of central areas of all our lives via the named media is something that I dislike totally. Surely, there are certain good things about the “digital age” as well. One is able to discover that much … and I can only hope that we all are capable of dealing with that mentally. However, as I perceive it one big drawback

of this global offer is that we get used to the chase after short and - inevitably – levelled bits and pieces of new impressions which affects loyalty, that is, the continuous dedication to certain things which is the requirement to really know what things, projects, bands, people … are about.

11. Flammentriebe is the most expansive and cross genre release I've heard from the band and the most extreme at moments. This album really shows all sides of the band. Was it harder to create this album then others ?

It was quite a challenge to combine violin, distorted guitars, whispers, screams, spoken-word-passages and adventurous drumming with one another.

Since the very beginning of the creative process this album demanded a lot, right.

We wanted to “return” to an obvious black-metal-instrumentation wholeheartedly – and we tried to develop black metal into something comprising, universal and serious.

12. What is a writing and recording session for an album like for Dornenreich .  Does the music come first or are the stories and lyrics written 1st?

Usually, the title of the album, which tends to hint on basic emotional or conceptual aspects of the album, does exist when I start to write the rough guitar-lines for the songs. Finally, the lyrics are written according to the emotions and pictures the music triggers within me.

13. Does the Black metal label bother the band as I find you very removed from Black metal over the years?

We transcend every genre-label, so, I don’t care about this or that branding … with Dornenreich it’s different: this is passionate, handmade and soulbled expression.

14. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here..

Well, thank you for your support, Clint! No closing thoughts – over and out, Sir!