Interview with Running Death's Simon Bihlmayer

Running Death is a powerful thrash metal band from Germany. Last week I covered the group's new album which is entitled "DressAge". Now it is my extreme pleasure to present this follow-up interview that I conducted with guitarist/vocalist Simon Bihlmayer. To read my review of "DressAge" just click on the following link.

Andy-It's been a longtime since we last talked. How are things for you guys?

Simon-Hi Andy! Thank you that we are able to make this interview with you! Now it`s an exciting time for us because of the feedback of our new album! Thank you very much for your review! It made us proud to read that! Apart from this all is perfect! We have fun to play music, we love it to hang out together! A really great feeling in this line up!

Andy-Your new album is something else Simon! Was this a group project or do you have one or two main songwriters?

Simon-Most of the songs Jakob (the drummer) and I wrote together. I came with a guitar riff, Jakob made a beat to it. Then we thought how the song could go on. We jammed till we found it out! Then sometimes Jakob would send me voices (lalalala) via handy, and than we had a good refrain for a song! Sometimes it was so easy and then some songs we got more grey hairs! We are a good team. We have been writing songs together for 12 or 13 years now and the most important thing is we want to create the same music! It`s hard if the two main-songwriters have different aims in the music! But it's not always 100 %  just the two of us.
For example Dani contributed to song "Beneath the Surface" and our ex-bass player Max wrote a riff for "Heroes of the Hour"! Our new bass player Andrej joined the band when the songwriting process for "DressAge" was nearly over. But we will write new songs again and he has amazing ideas! I`m really looking forward to write the next album with all four of us involved!


Andy-What was the recording process like? Are you all pros at this by now or do you learn something new every time you set foot in a new studio?

Simon-I say to you, Jakob is a Pro! He nailed the drums in a day and a half! That includes building the drum set up and then taking it down! Every time we learn new things and after every production we hear things that we could use to make things better next time. That`s normal I think. But it was good! We practiced a lot before we entered the studio and our producer Sebastian Moser (Grotesque Studios) did an amazing job! So, with all of that in place we couldn't make many mistakes! 

Andy-Well, I don't hear any mistakes on your new release! "DressAge" is a interesting album title. Is there a story behind that?

Simon-That`s easy to answer! Look at the cover artwork and you will see what we mean!  I wrote that title  because I wanted the reader to have a look at the cover. Sorry!

Andy-That's cool. I get it. Have you played any of the album's new songs live? If so what has the reaction been like?

Simon-Yes. One time we played "Courageous Minds" and "Heroes of the Hour" and the people liked what they heard! The next gigs that we play at we are very excited about the feedback of the crowd! I think some people will love it, and for some it is too melodic. Because many people just want to hear uffdauffdauffda and shouts.

Andy-Yes, I can see that. No matter what you can't please everyone.  Are you planning any kind of tour for this album?

Simon-We will play some gigs this year, but not really a tour. It`s hard to organize that for a band which is not as well known like we are. Maybe we can get support-slots of a tour? Unfortunately we don`t shit money!

Andy-That's a problem that I share with you Simon! LOL! Where will our readers be able to buy the release?

Simon-Ooh, good question Andy! Normally at Amazon, different online shops and record stores. We have distribution nearly all around the globe. Please, buy directly from us if you can! We see 0% of all other sells! You can write us via Facebook or you can send a email to me (sbihlmayer@gmail.com). You can also buy it on our Bandcamp page (link)! We made a Limited Edition (300 pieces) version with tray card and a poster and we normally are the cheapest provider!

Andy-That's for letting our readers know about the situation. What would to you like to say to all of your fans Simon?

Simon-Everyone who listens to Running Death has the best taste in music which is possible to have :-)
It is awesome for us that you listen to it! And don't be shy about contacting us! We like it very much to hear which song is the one you like the most and how the heavy-metal scene in your area is doing. Maybe there is a chance to find a gig there for us? 

Andy-Thanks for your time Simon. Where can our readers find out more about Running Death and do you have any final words?

Simon-Thank you Andy! At Facebook you can see about our live activities and read other news (link)
You can stream or buy our music at bandcamp. Also, over on YouTube there is a video for our song "Courageous Minds". It is one of the songs from our new album "DressAge".

 Andy-Awesome!

Running Death-DressAge

Punishment 18 Records
2017

Formed in 2004 under the name Disaster Area, Germany's Running Death won me over with their 2012 EP, "Call of Extinction". Here it some five years later and we are now looking at the band's second full-length recording in as many years! Due to drop later on this month, Running Death's sophomore album is entitled "DressAge" and it is an absolute must-buy for anything that lives and dies for top of the shelf thrash! The ten-track recording starts off with "Courageous Minds" (official video posted right below this piece) and finds vocalist/guitarist Simon Bihlmayer (Eisenhauer) leading a line-up that includes Daniel Baar (guitars), Andrej Ramich (bass), and Jakob Weikmann (drums). As the front-man of this intelligent and classy thrash metal band from Bavaria, Simon's voice commands attention and he projects the image of a well-traveled heavy metal veteran. Along with the absolutely outstanding drumming of Jakob Weikmann (see the killer "Delusive Silence"!), Simon Bihlmayer is a great example of musicians going the extra mile to make their music as professional as possibly without losing any of it's impact! Serving as the follow-up to 2015's "Overdrive", "DressAge" sets a new standard for straight-up classic metal and leaves me in awe of this German band's progression! After listening to this classy album I found myself at a loss for words as to just how far this talented band has come since that (previously-covered) 2012 EP. So far this year I have had the pressure of reviewing some fantastic thrash metal albums. With a hot sound that takes it cues from classic Megadeth and all of the greats of the German thrash metal scene, "DressAge" now joins that ever-expanding list and makes me proud of Running Death's evolution! This is (throw some horns in the air) thrash metal with the kind of slick arrangements that put radio rock stars to shame. You're going to want to track down a copy of this a.s.a.p.!!

Mortal Peril-The Legacy Of War

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Teutonic thrash metal. Those are three words that I will never get tired of hearing. As a teenager I fell head over heels in love with German thrash and ever since that first fateful encounter* I just cannot get enough of the stuff! Like many others before me it was the Big Three that first turned me on to the glorious insanity that was and still is the German thrash metal scene and now I cannot even begin to imagine my life without that trio. It should go without saying, but just in case it isn't obvious then I am talking about the gods themselves: Kreator, Destruction, and of course Sodom! Those three groups helped get me through the living hell that was high school and I cannot even begin to tell you how many copies of "Extreme Aggression", "Release From Agony", and "Agent Orange" I wore out along the way! To me these three F**king Awesome bands will always be the absolute best that Germany has to offer the thrash metal scene and I simply cannot see that ever changing. So, what exactly does that have to do with Mortal Peril you might be asking? Well, a lot actually. First off all Mortal Peril channels the spirits of all three of those veteran bands. Yes, Mortal Peril is also influenced by the eighties thrash scene in general (Slayer, Exodus, Overkill, and Metallica) and there are flashes of speed metal, HEAVY traditional metal, melodic thrash and even doom to be spotted along the way. So technically it's not 100% Teutonic thrash metal we're talking about with "The Legacy Of War". Still, in all the best ways humanly possible, Mortal Peril reminds me of the greats. On "The Legacy Of War" I get the same kind of wonderful sensation I got from some of Sodom's more technical albums. From the songwriting to the performances I can feel the bands Kreator and Destruction. Somehow this six year old band has managed to put together an album that has all the vintage charm of those three bands while still packing enough of a modern day edge to make it relevant. It's all there and more and it is wicked! But, here's the kicker. Despite the involvement of these influential spirits the band Mortal Peril still has their own thing going on and man oh man is it ever energetic! You're going to want to be careful where you are when you first play this disc as this is pedal to the metal thrash we are talking about! I was on my way to pick up my daughter from school yesterday when I first put in this CD and the let me just tell you the opening number, "Generation Hate", had me FLYING down the back-roads! More than once I had to dial it back some because this CD is SICK! With their second full-length album since first forming back in 2010 the four members of Mortal Peril push everything to the absolute limit. For band mates Jan Radermacher (vox/bass), Pete Rode (lead guitar), Mr. Greene (rhythm guitar), and drummer Jonas Linnartz this is as good as it gets. Frankly-speaking this the kind of album that many bands dream about but are never able to achieve. My friends this is the complete package and to get back to our earlier conversation I can't help but imagine a new generation of kids using this album as an outlet in much the same way that I used tapes by Kreator, Sodom, and Destruction! How is this all possible? How can one band that many have never heard of do so much on their sophomore release? Honestly I don't have an answer for that particular question, but if you want to try to answer it for yourself then it is all packed neatly inside this CD. Needless to say, "The Legacy Of War" is A+ release and it comes HIGHLY recommend! 



*My very first taste of German thrash came from Kreator's "Extreme Aggression". I found the tape one day while visiting a music store in Chapel Hill Mall in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. To this day I absolutely LOVE that album and while Mortal Peril's new disc might actually lean closer to classic Destruction at times I can still feel the spirit of Kreator creeping about in the background! What I dig about this band and this CD is how they take classic thrash and give it a modern feel. Well, there's that and then how damn catchy this stuff all is! 

Deathless Creation-Thrash 'N' Roll

Timezone Records
2015

Formed on New Year's Day, 2012, Deathless Creation is a German metal band whose current line-up features vocalist/guitarist Benne Rommel, guitarist Vlad Nikolov (Slartibartfass, ex-The Witches Sabbath, ex-Daargesin, ex-Encryption, ex-Total Hate), bassist Eric Arikan, and drummer Stefan Schaubele. The aptly-titled "Thrash 'N' Roll" is the full-length debut album from Deathless Creation and it was preceded in life by the independently-released "Endless Source of Power". Prior to that (worthwhile) 4-cut EP this Günzburg, Bavaria-based quartet released a 2012 demo by the name of "Insanity". You can find both the "Endless Source of Power" EP and the 12-track "Thrash 'N' Roll" over on this group's bandcamp page. Up front my personal advice would be to snag both up on CD, but that recommendation would probably make a hell of a lot more sense to you once I've actually covered this well-sculpted slab of rock! And "rock" it does! It also thrashes along merrily, but with this disc's title and all what more would you expect out of it? How about some eighties metal and N.W.O.B.H.M. love? That sounds good right? Well, I'll tell you want. It sounds even better "live" than it does on paper! With their mash-up of thrash, traditional heavy metal, eighties metal, N.W.O.B.H.M., and heavy rock a band like Deathless Creation has a lot going for it right out of the gate. After all we are talking about a lot of my favorite things here and chances are (taste-wise) the same can be said of a lot of our readers. Really all that is missing is some old-school punk and this would be the perfect cocktail! Could you even imagine that greatness? Wow! Regardless, "Thrash 'N' Roll" is fun ride with plenty of interesting twists and turns along the route. To be fair this four-piece is a tad raw around the edges. For me it's all part of the charm, but it's still best to point it out so that no one complains about this being more garage metal than grand metal. Especially because you know someone would! 

White Mantis-Fukkin' Demo

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Charmingly-titled as it just might be, "Fukkin Demo" is the first release from Germany's White Mantis. It was self-released in mid-November of 2014 and the four-song demo opens with a rocking little number called "My Favourite Chainsaw". The other three songs on this short but sweet EP are "Singularity", "The Seer" and "Nuclear Assassin". If you had to make a guess as to what this band's specialty was what would it be? I know it's a stab in the dark and all, but what you guess? If your answer was thrash metal and/or speed/thrash then congratulations are in order! Pat yourself on the back as you my friend are spot on! This is thrash metal 101 from a Munich-based band whose first and foremost aspiration in life would have to be thrashing out! Sounds simple enough I know, but believe it or not there is much to love about this four-piece band and their take on speed metal/thrash. Besides the kookiness that is "My  Favourite Chainsaw" that is! For one thing White Mantis is old-school through and through. And it's not just the band's style of thrash metal we're talking about either! Without sacrificing quality,  "Fukkin' Demo" has a production job that is straight out of the mid-late eighties and it turns this recording into another fun trip back to a time when things were a bit more simpler. "Fukkin' Demo" rewinds the clock to a scene that was still young and growing and yet every-bit as hungry and aggressive as today's bands are. Even more so some would say and I for one would gladly stand up for that argument as this demo's vintage vibe is right in line with everything that special about yesterday and all the days that proceeded it. White Mantis, which for future reference is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Matthias Pletz (ex-Lurid Trace), lead guitarist Andre Krimbacher, bassist Stefan Weihe and drummer Boris Kannowski, reminds me more of the early U.S. thrash and speed metal sound than the German scene and the name that I am going to throw out next might be lost of many but I have to use it. Kindly keep in mind that this band reference is also more about said band on the live stage, but nonetheless "Fukkin' Demo" reminds me the Christian thrash metal band Sacrament! As crazy as that sounds I actually saw Sacrament open for Deliverance on their Weapons Of Our Warfare" tour and White Mantis here sounds insanely close to what I remember Sacrament sounding like live! Hold your horses friends as that is actually a compliment! At the time Sacrament was breaking in new singer Robert Wolfe and their live set was nothing but rough and rugged thrash metal with slightly punkish vocals and the occasional melodic/technical moment. It was raw and aggressive and in the same environment that I was in everything bounced around frantically before it went straight into your eardrums in order to DESTROY you inside! The night I saw Sacrament they came across dark and frenzied and I was left thinking to myself if this was a normal thrash band it would be cooler than shit! White Mantis are all of that (aggressive thrash that is slight raw yet just technical enough to keep everything interesting), but on a larger scale and they are way more evil in everyday imaginable. For a first recording this shows promise and it makes you want to hear more. Good times are ahead for this lot if they can stay the course and I for one hope they do just that!

Premortal Breath-They

 

Self-Release/Independent

2014

Released back in late July of this year, "They" is the first studio offering from Germany's Premortal Breath. With eight-tracks in total (incl. such glorious gems as "Fuck My brain" and "Blood Baby Shower"!), "They" is the result of one back to the basics (heavy metal tried and true/heavy metal through and through) band that spent a full four years in training from their initial formation back in 2010 to the recording of this buzz-worthy/everything but the kitchen sink debut LP. Lead vocals come courtesy of one Thomas Greulich and his rough & ragged voice doesn't give you heavy metal goosebumps then who knows what will! Falling somewhere between the metal scene of old, underground/garage metal and German metal/thrash in general this one is admittedly better then the "kitchen sink" comment might lead you to believe. Sure there is melody to be found, but the real strength of "They" lies with it's overall heaviness and the feeling that you get that this five-piece band has poured everything they have (heart, soul and even their sanity) into the making of this righteous little banger! Available on iTunes (which is where I downloaded my copy friends!), "They" is good first-step forward for this heavy metal/thrash metal band and it should please fans who like their metal to be somewhat bleak, but nonetheless full-out wicked!

 

Dissorted-I

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Let's face it. We all love traditional heavy metal. It's classic and even timeless (if it's been cooked to absolute  perfection-see works by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Accept, Riot and UFO to name just a few!) and for many of us it was our first taste of the "forbidden fruit". But sometimes you find yourself craving something more. Something heavier, faster and all around more menacing. We've all had that itch and that's where  a band like Dissorted comes into play. This German band's first EP, "I", scratches that thrash metal itch with a sound that is old-fashioned in all the right ways! First formed in 2004 and having seen their fair share of line-up changes early on, Dissorted came into their own in 2006 at which point a stable line-up had finally become reality. Having already shared the stage with bands such as Awakening Sun, Cyrence, Dust Bolt, Intöxicated, James Rivera’s Sabbath Judas Sabbath, Nator, Scavanger, Secutor, Speedbreaker, Stormhammer and Toxic Waltz (thus building up a loyal fan-base for their particularly deadly take on old-school melodic thrash!), Dissorted kills it on their first piece of studio recording! Fronted by onetime Odeon guitarist' Mirco Ebersold (aka Mirco), with the pair of Sebastian Stulz (ex-South Of Heaven) and Florian "Flo" Schadhauser complimenting Mirco's effective voice by way of fast & frenzied guitar solos that are nothing short of toxic(!), Dissorted seems as if it was costumed-built for those who simply love the classic thrash and the Bay Area scene of old! If you haven't gone into a full-out rage in awhile then  "I" will have you thrashing like a maniac like it was 1980 something all over again! And thank God for that! But, what exactly does it taste like I hear you asking? Well, this deadly-potent (it's got a high alcohol count after all!) home-brew brings to a boil the likes of Overkill, Testament, Exodus, Megadeth, "Kill 'EM All"-era Metallica, Death Angel, Whiplash, Forbidden, Rigor Mortis and Vio-lence before bottling it all up and letting it age to perfection! Just before it's ready to be consumed/thoroughly enjoyed it's uncorked and poured through a filter out of necessity so that all the unnecessary additives can be carefully removed. Said filter features some nice Iced Earth textures and modern day touches with the final (highly addictive) beverage best served pipping hot! That in a nutshell is what you end up with on "I" and yes my friends it is as deliciously drinkable as it all sounds! From one thrash metal fanatic to another this one's an absolute beast on an EP and if Dissorted's potent brand of metallic verwunderung doesn't leave you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside then friends I sure as hell don't know what will!

https://www.facebook.com/Dissorted
http://www.dissorted.de/

Holy Moses-Redefined Mayhem

Steamhammer
2014 

If my count is correct this makes 11 full-length studio albums for Holy Moses. That's quite the handful for this female-fronted German act isn't it? Formed back in 1980 by guitarist/vocalist turned bassist Jochen Fünders (2000-2001) and bass guitarist Ramon Brüssler (1980-1986), with the band's first album appearing some six years later (1986's "Queen of Siam"), Holy Moses seems to be primarily known for featuring the vocal skills of Sabina Classen (Temple of the Absurd, ex-X-Mas Project). There's that and then at one point in time the band featured the well-traveled/extremely cool Dan Lilker (Blurring, Brutal Truth, Evil Wrath, Nokturnal Hellstorm, Nuclear Assault, NunFuckRitual, Venomous Concept, Lock Up (live), Crucifist, ex-Extra Hot Sauce, ex-Hemlock, ex-Overlord Exterminator, ex-Redrum, ex-Stormtroopers of Death, ex-The Ravenous, United Forces, ex-Anthrax, ex-Autopsy (live), ex-Dark Angel (live), ex-Soulfly (live), ex-Exit-13, ex-Crab Society, ex-Human Garbage, ex-Last Satanic Dance, ex-Malformed Earthborn, ex-White Heat) on bass! He's actually just one of seemingly hundreds of ex-band mates of this speed/thrash metal outfit, but being a Dan Lilker fan myself (love his work in Brutal Truth, Nuclear Assault, S.O.D. and Anthrax) I simply had to mention his appearance in this heavy thrashin' German act! But anyway, my own introduction to this band actually came by way of a mixed tape sometime back in early (or was it mid?) nineteen nineties (which I wish I still had (along with the rest of my cassette tapes!) as it was a sweet collection of Holy Moses tracks including some apparent demo tracks with male vocals if I remember correctly!) although I've lost track of this speedy, over-the-top, thrash attack group a long time back. Here we are though with "Redefined Mayhem" and it's good to see hear that the more things change the more they stay the same! With Sabina Classen still sounding as nasty as ever (as in extreme to the max!) this German act thrashes away track after track with words such as "alarming", "insane", "aggressive", "slashing", "angry", "brutal", "furious", "frantic" and "light-speed" coming to mind! In a nutshell (a crushed and pulverized nutshell thanks to these German metalheads!) Holy Moses is the deadly combination of extreme thrash metal and speed metal fundamentals which is boosted by a lead vocalist who is frightening (read: INTENSE and DIRECT!) and a new lead guitarist ( Peter Geltat, also of Desilence) whose skills shine through as these tracks feature technically sound solos as much as they do drop-dead, HEAVY riffs that will rip your guts straight out! This LP was a pure blast as it's plastered with newer thrash elements while it still maintains it's old-school allegiances. For Holy Moses fans this would seem like a no-brainer!

Dust Bolt-Awake the Riot

Napalm Records
2014

From Munich, Bavaria (Germany) we find Dust Bolt with their second full-length release (and third over-all with the EP, "Chaos Possession" having served as the debut awakening back in 2010) since forming back in 2006. Looking over this one's art-work should give you a solid clue as to what awaits you under the covers, but if it isn't obvious enough then these German metalheads are all about thrash and nothing else! Despite hailing from Germany though Dust Bolt takes the listener of the Bay Area on more then a few occasions bring to mind everyone from German heroes like Destruction and Kreator (as well as Warrant) to American acts such as Exodus (their first three release specifically!), Death Angel and Vio-Lence. And one cannot help but thank them for taking you along on such a great trip! Everything here clicks from the vocals (tough and gruff!) to the leads (insane, Bay Are love shredding!) making the righteously furious "Awake the Riot" (due to drop here in the U.S. in June) a must-add CD if you are collector of all things thrash inspired! 

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! 

Grinder-Dead End (Deluxe Edition)

Tribunal Records/Divebomb Records
2014

Germany's Grinder released "Dead End" in 1989. As their sophomore LP it saw the band, who had made their debut a year earlier with "Dawn for the Living", release what would prove to be one of the highlights of their (roughly) seven year career. Having formed in 1984, and with nothing but sweet speed metal/thrash on their minds from day one(!), the band was active until 1991 or so with the nine-track "Dead End" originally appearing on No Remorse Records (home to Blind Guardian among others). With this (expanded) deluxe edition Divebomb Records has teamed up with Grinder to give fans something truly special. Seeing as this one has been OOP now for 20 something years it's fantastic to see this album more readily available to begin with. When you take into account the nine bonus cuts and the additional bonus material to be found within the CD's booklet (a new interview and archival photos!) it gets even better! While I could ramble on and on about what makes this cool band tick (and why they deserve such a royal treatment!) why don't we just skip those formalities and you can hear for yourself at the link below? For fans of (older) speed/thrash this re-release should appeal to your inner headbanging urges while today's younger generation might just be able to see where the scene began and why acts like Grinder still provide plenty of sizzle and spark even after all these years later!

http://tribunalrecords.bandcamp.com/album/dead-end-deluxe-edition-2

Backwater-Take Extreme Forms

Iron Shield Records
2013


Calling Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg (Germany) home, Blackwater, which has been around in one form or another since the early eighties, released this, their third overall full-length release, late last month. With a new lead vocalist in tow (Oliver Hirsch who looks as if he is taking over the duties once held by Backwater's long-time/still current as of this typing guitarist Thomas Guschelbauer) and what appears to be a renewed sense of urgency and intensity  (given the overall strength of  this nearly fifty minute long recording!) "Take Extreme Forms" is one album that shows it's never too late in the game to make a significant score! For a band whose last two "official" albums were released in 1984 and 1985 ("Revelation" and "Final Strike" respectively with neither release receiving high marks from the looks of it ) and one which took some strange detours along the way (from 1992-1996 they were known as Tai Pan and released one full-length album in 1995's "Slow Death" before turning into X-Ray in 1996 and releasing "Dehumanized" the very same year) Backwater sure seem as if they have finally hit upon a winning formula with "Take Extreme Forms". Despite it's unassuming album art and ho-hum song titles ("Arise", "Run or Die", "The World", "Aliens Blood", "Burn", "Nuts and Guts" and "Grizzly Bear") this album simply slays! On one hand the band's sound channels many a great German band, thrash metal or not (everything/everyone from Accept to Living Death) while on the other hand visions of group's like Metallica and Slayer popped into my head as this 12-track album came ragging out of home stereo! While maybe not perfect (lyrically some of this seems a little "weak") there is much then enough positives to recommend an album like "Take Extreme Forms". From the throaty lead vocals of Oliver Hirsch to the thrash-attack guitar solos of  Thomas Guschelbauer and fellow six-stringer Lothar Lauble (with bass player Miguel Di Muzio and drummer Steffen Gottwald doing an excellent job of filling out the ranks of Backwater) heavy power metal/thrash fanatics should enjoy the pummeling that this album unleashes upon one's eardrums!  Backwater, or at least "Take Extreme Forms", is proof that it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!

Interview with Toxic Waltz' lead guitarist Jimi

A week ago today, January 13th, 2014 to be exact, I covered "Decades Of Pain" (link below) by Munich-based thrash metal act Toxic Waltz. Recently I had the opportunity to chat some with lead guitarist Jimi. I want to thank him for taking to time to answer a few questions for Heavy Metal time Machine. For those looking for new, top-notch and energetic, thrash metal I would strongly suggest grabbing a copy of this talented act's full-length debut album!

Andy-First off I love the name! You guys are big Exodus fans I take it huh?

Jimi-Thanks, yes of course! I already heard a few times it’s not the best decision to choose a song name as band name but I still think it suits to us because Exodus is a big influence and we have some orientation in Bay Area Thrash so you already get a bit of the idea where the journey goes when you listen to us. 

Andy-Care to give a brief rundown on how Toxic Waltz came about.

Jimi-Well, I started the band around the beginning of 2009 with our ex-drummer Tim - already with the goal to form a thrash band. After a bit of time our Bassman Rahman and our Shouter Angelo joined us. With that lineup we performed our first gig and Lenny from DUST BOLT helped us out on the second guitar. On that concert we met Alex who shortly afterwards joined the band. At the beginning of last year Tim decided to quit the band and we got lucky that we found our new drummer Flo within a few weeks.

Andy-Besides Exodus, who are of course awesome, your sound draws inspiration from the Bay Area thrash scene in general right?

Jimi-Yes, I think if you mix it up with some Bay Area bands like Forbidden & Heathen our style becomes clearer. But to claim our music is only Bay Area based is wrong I would say. We try to combine a lot of thrash elements from different bands to get our sound more unique and we don’t want to be just to be a cheap copy of something. At the end we want define our own sound.

Andy-So far who are some of the bands that you've shared the stage with?

Jimi-At first we shared the stage very often with our buddies of DUST BOLT who helped us a lot at the beginning. We also had a lot of luck that we could already share the stage on our 7th gig with Six Feet Under. Since then we also have played often with Debauchery who are very popular in Germany and also with Alpha Tiger who are also a pretty good new German band.

Andy-Prior to releasing your full-length debut album had you guys ever been in the story? Or is this your first (and so far only) recording?

Jimi-2010 we were the first time in the studio for a demo and it opened our eyes working in the studio is something completely different than playing live. We had some struggles with timing for example. For me it was a very good experience because afterwards I knew exactly where I was required to improve so I practiced very often these things. The rest of the band had a similar process also so we got a lot more tighter and better after a short time. 2011 we entered the studio for another demo and afterwards we decided the next step must be a whole album. So one year later we recorded our debut. Unfortunately the whole process until the release took quite a long because we did a lot of things after another and not parallel like caring about the cover after the record was already completely recorded.  So again we learned a lot and we are very happy it gets released soon.

Andy-How was it recording the album? Smooth sailing I hope?

Jimi-As I mentioned we prepared us very well so yes, the recording process went pretty good indeed. It was also very interesting because our friend Eric who recorded us never dealt with another thrash band so we were really excited how the final sound would be. But It think we tortured him long enough to get to the sound we wanted  - haha J

 Andy-How can readers pick up a copy of your new album?

Jimi-Right now you can write us on facebook if you want to buy our record or some merch. In the future there will be a small webshop where all our stuff can be purchased. Stay tuned for news on facebook!

Andy-What's next for you guys?

Jimi-Currently we are planning some release shows in Germany to promote our record and establish us even more as German thrash act. Also I’m writing a lot of new songs for the next album already. I think it’s important to release the second album as soon as possible after the first to be not forgotten as new band.

Andy-Famous last words? I always like to have bands have the last say!

Jimi-I want to say thank you for the interview and the opportunity to say some words about us!

Finally to every fan I want to say if you like Toxic Waltz or any other band please support us / them by purchasing the music, merch and go to their shows. Music is a really though business!

 Cheers

Jimi – Toxic Waltz

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Toxic+Waltz-Decades+Of+Pain 

Protector-Reanimated Homunculus

High Roller Records
2013

Wow, I'm not even going to try to make sense of this band's long and confusing history. It's enough to know that the band was formed in 1986 and existed from 1986 to 2003 and then again from 2011 until now. This German band's past catalog is littered with demos, EPs, splits, compilations, a hand full of full-length studio albums and even a box set! Also, at one point it sounds as if the only person holding Protector together (in some semblance of a "band") was their drummer, Marco Pape. Oh, and also it looks as if, technically-speaking, Protector's last full-length studio album was 1993's "The Heritage". Really none of that is all that important unless you really, positively, need to know the history of this German thrash band or your life will be over. In which case I'll just say happy trails. As for everyone else? Well, this "latest" version of Protector actually grew out of the cover band "Martin Missy and the Protectors" which featured/features Martin Missy (the original vocalist of Protector) as well as guitarist Michael Carlsson (Mastema, Sadistic Grimness), bassist/vocalist Mathias Johansson (Axis Powers, Suicidal Winds) and drummer Carl-Gustav Karlsson (Grief of Emerald, ex-Author Of Pain, ex-Mastema, ex-Sarcastic, ex-Third Stone from the Sun, etc.). Despite having a sound that would have fit in nicely with the likes of Kreator, Sodom and Destruction (as well as "Zombie Attack" Tankard) the band was actually a little late to the party and were never able to break on through to the upper echelons of the German thrash scene. That's a shame to as these guys, if this new disc is anything to go by, had more then enough raw grit and piss and vinegar in their veins to stand toe to toe with the big guns! In addition to the obvious calling cards that just scream "We're a German thrash metal band!" these four guys, and their deathly take on the genre, also recall early Sepultura and even Slayer. With the exception of  "The End", which first appeared on Protector's 2000' demo "Resurrected",  I believe that all of this material was custom-crafted for inclusion on "Reanimated Homunculus". And you know what? This is actually some really good stuff that these four have created. The vocals are almost death metal in nature while the backing band-mates are keen to keep things thrashing along at a nice pace. It's a toss up which is better, the band of the singer. The thing is the guitar playing, which sports razor-like riffs, is damn fine and comes across loud and clear. It's a sweet highlight so answering such a question, which one does it better, the singer or musicians,  just isn't feasible. That doesn't matter though as it's the whole package that fans will be looking right? So, if you dig German thrash (and who doesn't!) with a hint of death metal (more like a pinch or two) then by all means, or by the gods of thunder, pick this bad boy up and never look back!