Answered By Claudio A. Enzler (Vocals/Guitar):
1. Could you tell us more about the history of the band, how things started.
After I quit the guitar section in my other band SACRIFICIUM to be just a singer I had the thought of a band called THY BLEEDING SKIES. I asked my close friend JJ KONTONIEMI, who is living in Helsinki (Finland), if he is willing to be the drummer in a German band and he agreed. I have met the first time WOLFGANG NILLIES and ROBERT KRIZEK during my time as a session singer in a German Black Metal band. PATRICK UHLMANN I have known for many years, cuz he is doing the booking for SACRIFICIUM with TRAMP AGENCY. Since 2 months we have a new member: OLIVER GROSSHANS (EX - SACRED STEEL, MY DARKEST HATE).
2. What are your views on metal music as of right now compared to when it first started out?
Nowadays the whole metal scene seems to have a new boom. It is pretty difficult to get known in the scene, cuz so many pretty good bands exist (also in the underground scene). The scene seems more open minded, cuz we have many subscenes that are mixing for example the rap music with metal, so the whole music is getting more interesting to common people that are normally not listening to metal music.
3. You’ve recently released your new killer album "Chapters Of Downfall," where did you record it, who produced it, and are you still satisfied with the songs, production and artwork? Can you tell us more about the recording process? How are the reactions on this one so far?
Vocals, guitars, bass and mixing by OLIVER TESCH at BREAKSTUFF STUDIO (Germany). The drums were recorded at C.C.P.C. STUDIO (Finland). The mastering was done by PLEC at CRITERIA MASTERING (Sweden). So far we are pretty satisfied with the whole record, cuz the people seem to like it.
4. Who writes the lyrics, what are they about? Is there any concept in them? Are the lyrics an important aspect of the band or are they just there to guide the music?
I have written all the lyrics on CHAPTERS OF DOWNFALL. They are dealing basically with things that are going wrong in this world (from my point of view), mixed with topic/melancholic thoughts. Lyrics should have a message and guide the feeling of the song. For me lyrics are important, cuz as a musician you have the chance to tell the people something. I don’t like those records were the music is brilliant and the lyrics are nonsense.
5. How did you get in contact with "Dark Balance?" For how many albums have you signed to them? Are you satisfied with their work? Why did you signed with them?
Kim the owner of DARK BALANCE contacted us, cuz he had listened to our demo songs on MYSPACE. We are satisfied with his work, cuz he is always trying to push you as a band forward. Our current deal is for one record.
6. When it comes down to writing a new song or an album whats the process like? Like is it alright here! And you go and quickly write it down or it comes to you when it does?
Mostly I have just an idea for a guitar line. This idea I record in my home studio and work it out.
7. Have you played live a lot? What tours have you done in the past? What tours are going to take place or are there plans for a tour as a support for a "bigger" band?
Well, we released our first record in May 2008, so far we toured through Europe and played a couple of shows in Germany. Our plan is to record in the end of 2008 a new record (we have 13 new song ideas right now). After the release we want to try to play as an support act for a bigger name, but we have to check the options first.
8. Tell some of your experiences playing live.
I really love to tour and play live, it is always like coming home for me, cuz that is the best thing of beeing in a band. I don’t like to rehearse, but I know that it is part of my job (and without rehearsing and writing new songs there would be no tour).
9. What are your expectations for "Thy Bleeding Skies" in the future?
Well, we will try to get as famous as possible, but finally it is no different to me to play in front of 50 or 5000 people, as long as there are people that enjoy our music.
10. What do you guys do when you’re not out on the road? Do you guys work or school?
Sure, we all have our daily jobs in normal live, cuz it is nearby impossible to earn enough money from music in Germany.
11. Are there any cool touring/recording experiences or other bizarre stories you would like to share with us?
On our last tour we drove through Poland and our driver had to stop at a crossroad. For some reasons the guy behind our van didn’t liked that, cuz he jumped out of his car and smashed his fist a couple of times at our drivers door window. I think it must have looked very funny for a third person: 5 huge rocker + crew sitting in their van, holding their beer cans + an "what the hell is going on"-face, while one person is smashing their car. Finally I have to say that this polish guy must have a real small penis;-)
12. Could you give me a top 5 of your favorite albums of all-time and a top 5 of your current favorite records?
Oh, that is difficult, but I think there should be something of BOLT THROWER (maybe: For Victory), DEATH (The sound of perseverance), BRUTAL TRUTH (Need to control), DEEP PURPLE (Perfect strangers) and QUEEN (A night at the opera). Well there also should be GUNS ‘N ROSES, OZZY OSBOURNE, MOTORHEAD,SUFFOCATION, AMORPHIS + the mighty AT THE GATES in my all time favorite list.
In my current list are:
KATATONIA - Viva Emptiness
OPETH - Deliverance
WEDNESDAY 13 - Fang Bang
HYPOCRISY - The Arrival
MORBID ANGEL: Altars of madness
13. What’s your opinion on the whole music industry scene right now? Like do you think they’re trying their hardest to get albums out on shelves and not seek their way onto the net?
Today it is really hard for labels to sell their CDs, cuz of the internet. I think that we are right now in a process that is changing the market a bit, labels will use the internet more an more to spread their music.
14. Currently all over the news is the out-raging gas prices, what are your thoughts on that issue?
I have no clue how high the prices are in the USA, but in Germany the prices have grown to a triple of the price that it was ten years ago. First companies have to close their doors because of the fact that everything is getting more expensive. The sad thing is that our government and also the people are still watching what’s happening next. We will see were it will lead us to.....
15. What do you think about this recession were currently dealing with? Any thoughts?
No comment.
16. Going back to the music business, what do you think of everyone downloading music, possibly even your music?
Well, I can understand that people download music from the net, cuz of the high prices for CDs. On the other hand this is ruining the music industry. Finally it is the only way for the people to show the companies that we are at maximum level of CD prices.
17. Which MP3 device do you own? How many songs/videos does it have on it?
I don’t use any MP3 device, cuz I am one of the persons that has to have the original if I like a record, video or dvd.
18. Do you have a favorite holiday, what/why?
The last 6 years I’ve spent my holidays for playing live, so I think it is my favorite holiday to be on stage;-)
19. What do you think about all these different sub cultures such as "emo kids, scene kids, metal-heads, punks, goths, etc?"
Well, as long as people can identify themselves with a scence I am fine with. The main problem is, that you have always people in scences that think that they are more "true" than others. I think if someone likes metal but looks like a hippie (just an example) then it is fine for me, cuz he is how he likes to be. You are not more metal, goth, emo, punk etc when you are wearing clothes that belong to the scene. Anyway, depending on the music: each scene has good and worse bands. I prefer persons/bands that are authentic and don’t have to act just for an image.
20. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview, any thoughts or other comments?
Thanks to everyone who has read this interview. The new record of TBS will be out in the beginning of 2009, so watch out!
http://www.myspace.com/thybleedingskies
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