Interview with NECROMANCER
!!!BLACK SPEED METAL FROM GERMANY!!!
We had a conversation with Berzerker (Vocals/Guitars).Enjoy!
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
1. Tell us a few things about NECROMANCER (Members, Starting Year etc).
You could say it started way back in 2014 when I was in my old neo-thrash/groove metal band. I wrote songs like "Unchain the Evil" or "Awakening" for them, but they never liked it. Too "blacky". With Hellraiser I found 2015 someone who has the same attitude as I have and we formed, in 2016, what you know today as Necromancer.
We had a lot of line up changes, worth mentioning is Sergeant Stuka, our first vocalist who made a comeback on our Split with Abigail. We both sung Darkness and Evil by Sabbat. Recently we parted ways with our bassist Bulldozer and now it's just me (Berzerker) and Hellraiser. Just like it started.
2. In 2019 you have released your demo ''Awakening of the Evil Forces''. What was the Feedback from your audience as well as from the Press?
I don't know of any review of the press, so I can't say much to that, but the audience enjoyed it, to our surprise, really well. We as band don't really like to talk about our Demo, since the sound fucking sucks and this is the reason we will record "Nekromantik Ritual" on our EP "Storm of Terror".
3. Label or DIY and why?
Depends. For tours, full lengths and all that stuff it's nice to have a label that supports you, but it all starts with DIY. You have to learn it the hard way with DIY and I think thats something everyone has to go through.
4. Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
Vinyl and Tape for me. Hellraiser also collects CDs because they're easier to get though. I prefer Vinyl and Tape because it's kinda special to come home after work, open a beer and put on your favorite Vinyl or listen to a new Demo that arrived via mail. Digital Format, like Bandcamp or YouTube, are great for listening on the go, also you can support the artist on Bandcamp too.
5. Your music style is Black / Thrash Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
My favorite Band is TANK (with Algy!), Hellraiser's favorite Band is Motörhead. First we started with a lot of Speed Metal and Hellhammer influence, now we're at a point where I just write riffs that, somehow, work for Necromancer. Listen to Awakening and then to Nekromantik Ritual. Completely different songwriting. Mainly our influence for songwriting are the first Bathory and Sodom records, first wave Black Metal in general and Speed Metal, but right now there is a lot of Dissection to be found too.
6. Which things, do you think, a Band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future of your Band?
Freetime, a lot of freetime. Sometimes it's kinda hard to say after a long day of work "now I go to the band rehearsal!" but you have to eventually to get better, finish new songs and be prepared for upcoming gigs. Also you need to spend a lot of money. Strings, Gas for gigs, new equipment, DIY Tapes or even CDs. It all costs a lot of money. Sometimes you have to pass a cool gig or a festival you wanted to attend because you have to play a gig somewhere else.
But this is, of course, for bands that aren't that big.
7. Describe your ideal live show as a performance Band. Have you already experienced that?
I think I never have experienced that. We want to perform as a serious metal band and don't tell a funny joke in between the songs. My biggest dream would be a 45min set at night at a open air festival with the crowd going wild and enjoying our songs and having a beer afterwards. Maybe that would be the best for me.
8. Which attributes, do you think, that a new Black/Thrash Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
Stop. Trying. To. Be. Cool.
A lot of bands post a lot, post promopics or anything else instead of writing good riffs. Don't try to be like all the other black/thrash bands. Also I think it always depends on where you're from. In Germany Black/Thrash is played kinda different then in the rest of the world. Take Ketzer and Nocturnal Witch as a great example. Way different then, like, Deathhammer or Evil (JPN).
focus on riffs and on songwriting in general, not on how people see you. There's plenty of time, when you got the music to play live.
9. Do you believe that Bandcamp and other Digital Platforms help the new Black/Thrash Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a Band to promote its work?
Bandcamp is a great way to support the artist. You can buy the record and pay as much as you think it's worth your money. YouTube Channels that focus on promoting bands are really important too. I found so many cool new bands thanks to channels like them.
The best way to promote your work is, I guess, to tell people about it, give interviews or something like that. We're really bad at promoting, so don't take our words for granted tho, haha!
10. Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Rostock, Germany (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Our city is pretty much DEAD. From the top of my head I don't think there is any band worth to mention. Not because they're bad, I just don't like pizzathrash, groove metal or modern death metal and grindcore. We got a lot of gigs for grindcore bands and for death metal in general. Some friends organize "Infernvm Svpra Rostochivm". Great guys and they always book great bands. Keep an eye on that, if you're from our area! Kältetod Legion also does a great job, but sadly I'm not a big fan of their taste of black metal, but it's nice they keep going. We don't really have a club that focus on metal, but a lot of venues like Bunker, MAU Club or Zwischenbau sometimes book cool bands (Deströyer 666, Sodom). There don't exist any fan- or webzines, at least I don't know any.
11. Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
No, but you could tell us about it!
12. What are your future plans?
Play gigs, record our EP this year and start songwriting for our Full Length, maybe find a label and press our stuff on Vinyl too.
A tour would be really cool too. Also drink a few beer.
13. Thank you very much for your time & Keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thanks for the interview and don't forget to listen to the real TANK. Cheers!
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
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