Running Death Interview

Bavaria, Germany's thrash metal maniacs Running Death last appeared here at HMTM back in November of 2013 (http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2013/11/running-death-call-of-extinction.html). With an upcoming debut album due to be released sometime this year I shoot some questions over to band member Julian (Guitar, Shouts) to discuss not only the new album, but the band in general! Much thanks goes to Julian and if you call yourself any kind of thrash fanatic and you have not checked out this young act yet then by all means do so right now! You will not be disappointed!


Andy-Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Julian-We're super busy working on our upcoming debut album which we'll release sometime around the end of 2014. Writing songs, discussing and writing lyrics, designing artworks...in general it's about finding the next incarnation of Running Death.

Andy-Fair enough. Previously though you have released a demo and 2 EPs. Can you tell us a little bit more about the musical sound on those recordings and also how do they differ from each other?

Julian-The first EP, "Raging Nightmare", is a rough, simple and young recording. We wrote those 5 tracks fairly quickly, but still have so much fun playing them after the years. So we know we did something right there - although that's not where we want to be musically. Our second EP, "The Call Of Extinction", is a more brave exploration of the sounds we want to create. While still building upon known themes, there's a lot that makes it stand out from most other thrash metal records. It's both rough and techy, melodical and groovy, new and old. We all have very diverging musical tastes - which makes for demanding but rewarding songwriting sessions - and what you hear on this record is all that combined.

Andy-Cool! Can you tell us then a little bit about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores to back up the music?

Julian-Every day we see things we don't like, important people behaving in disgusting ways, small people suffering for reasons they don't know. When writing lyrics, we strive to tell stories around those images we're emotionally connected to, in order to fill us with as much energy as possible when playing live. There's not just one or two singers in our band, there are spots where none of us can help but shout along.

Andy-Hey, the more the merrier right? So, what is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Running Death' anyway?

Julian-Whatever it means to you! We're not even sure of the "original" meaning any more, each of us has a personal interpretation. One of those is, that you'll find your death in not being able to stop running, to stop doing what you're doing already, not being able to take a step back and realizing what you're really with your life.

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

Julian-Opening for Suicidal Angels in a big venue sure was a lot of fun, considering external influences, but besides that we try to make every show the best show we've ever played, no matter how small or big the venue is. We want to push ourselves as far as possible, becoming something as a group that the individual never could have achieved.

Andy-That's wicked about Suicidal Angels! Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Julian-Once our album is done we'll tour the shit out of all we can get!

Andy-Nice! Now, unfortunately you are currently unsigned. That said are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Julian-We're talking with a few, but haven't settled for one yet as we want to put all our focus on writing and recording our album at the moment. Once we're done with writing we'll look into that more seriously so we have a good label and publisher to release the album with.

Andy-Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?

Julian-Simon plays guitar in heavy metal formation "Eisenhauer" as well, I highly recommend you to check them out! I (Julian) am just starting an experimental metal project with some friends, but there's nothing interesting to tell yet.

Andy-I'll have to look into "Eisenhauer" then. Sounds promising! On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?

Julian-If you consider reviewers fans, excellent! Next we want to reach foreign metal heads too. Especially exciting about the reviews we receive is that reviewers often like the exact same things we like in our music! That gives us a good feel about the way we translate our emotions and ideas into the realm of music.

Andy-When can we expect newer material and also what musical direction do you see the band heading into during the future?

Julian-We're pushing for a release end of the year, with many exciting tracks that are heavier and catchier than the old stuff, yet at the same time instrumentally and musically more powerful. In this way the record will sit in between the two previous ones, but also not! It combines the best of both but takes everything a huge step forward.

Andy-Awesome, I cannot wait to check it out! How about we tackle a rather standard, stock question next. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Julian-We're coming from kind of different camps here, the biggest influence though - that existed from the very beginning - came through Simon and Jakob listening to a lot of Megadeth and Annihilator. Later on we mixed in more progressive stuff, like Mars Volta feels on drums and jazzy dissonant riffs on guitars, but also more good old rock 'n' roll groves and energy.

Andy-Coolness! Do you have any non musical interests?

Julian-Definitely! We drink beer, smoke cigarettes and listen to heavy metal! Oh, but we also frequently play Frisbee and Uno, meet up to listen to new records and enjoy us a good beer! Haha :D Simon likes traveling a lot, Jakob digs movies and any kind of old school stuff, I (Julian) write a lot of software.

Andy-Well, it seems we share a lot of non musically interests then LOL! Now, before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thought

Julian-We think you're doing an excellent job at making people aware of awesome metal releases, keep up the good work! And cheers to the reader!

Andy-Thanks for the encouragement! And for you readers be sure to keep an eye out for Running Death!