1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that never
heard of you before?

Our band is called “SCHWARZER ENGEL” (which means Black Angel in
English) and we are a Dark Metal/Gothic Metal Band from Germany. We
already released two fulltime-albums via our former Label “Trisol Music
Group”in the past. Our debut is called “Apokalypse” and the second one
is entitled “Träume einer Nacht”. Now we joined forces with the mighy
Massacre Records for the release of our third Fulltime-Album called “In
Brennenden Himmeln”, which means “In Burning Skies” in english.


2.How would you describe your musical sound ?

I describe our music genre with “Modern Dark Metal”. Our sound is a mix
of Melodic Death- & Black Metal, Dark Metal, Gothic Metal and
Industrial. As influences I would like to mention bands like Rammstein,
Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and Amon Amarth. For the new record I
would also like to add the “old” In Flames as influence, because there
are a lot of Lead Guitars in it.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores
with the music?

Our music is a soundtrack for the End of the World. Lyrical topics are
the Apocalypse, War, the failure of mankind but also old myths and
natural impressions. Our debut-album “Apokalypse” explores the concept
of the apocalypse on earth, on the second one “Träume einer Nacht”
(Dreams of a night), splitted in thirteen chapters, each song told one
dark dream. Now on the new record “In Brennenden Himmeln” the ultimate
collapse of this world is taking place once more. This collapse also
takes place in the music, which is more brutal than before. The album is
going to be a weapon.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

I chose the band’s name “SCHWARZER ENGEL” after I had a dream. In this
dream, I saw a big angel with powerful black wings flying over an
abandoned battlefield. Maybe I just watched too many horror and war
movies in these times…I don`t know. But fact is, that on the next
morning I wrote the first track for the debut album of SCHWARZER ENGEL.
The angel represents the bringer of justice and revenge!


5. I have read that the project is solo in the studio and you use a live
line up for shows, have you considered hiring a band for the albums?

No, cause if you can play all instruments that you need, you don`t need
to hire a studioband for the albums. With each note I do exactly what I
want. So I don`t have to do any compromises... But besides I´m writing
all music and lyrics on my own, I like to work with guest-musicians for
some special tracks on the albums. So in the past, I did collaborations
with members from metal-acts like LEAVES EYES, LIV KRISTINE, ATROCITY or
SAMSAS TRAUM as well as gothic acts like DIARY OF DREAMS or IN STRICT
CONFIDENCE. On the new record “In Brennenden Himmeln” also some
exceptionally gifted musicians, like “El Friede” from the german
industrial band OOMPH! or opera singer “Johanna von Orleans” (E NOMINE)
appear as guest-musicians. Besides drummer Stefan Dittrich (Ex-Mystic
Prophecy) recorded the drum-tracks. You see, I really like to work with
very talented guest-musicians on the records, but I really don`t need a
complete band in the studio. I like it to be autonomous.


6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and
how would you describe your stage performance?

One of our best shows was the show at the Center Stage of the
Wave-Gotik-Treffen (The biggest Gothic-Festival in Germany) in 2012. It
was fantastic for all of us. The crowd and the atmosphere were great.
Besides we also played some great shows on our 2010-Tour with THE VISION
BLEAK and AHAB. For this year we will play shows at the Mera Luna and
the Rockharz Open Air Festival. I`m really looking forward to these shows!

7. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We will see…we have plans, but I´m not sure if they are realizable.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans
of dark and gothic metal?

The feedback has been fantastic! And I’m really interested in hearing
what people outside of Germany think about our music, because it`s a
view just about the music and fades out the lyrics. That`s really
interesting for me. Besides it`s very interesting for me, to see that
music is able to built bridges besides the language differences.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

We will continue the way we chose from the beginning. SCHWARZER ENGEL
stands for bombastic Gothic-Metal from Germany!

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your
music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

As I mentioned before, Rammstein, Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and Amon
Amarth can be seen as influences. Nowadays I´m listening to german
country music. No, that was a joke - It`s all about metal.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

I like mountain-biking, fishing and enjoying the nature. But music is
the main part of my life, definitely. I play music, I hear music, I live
music. Music is life!

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Horns up, metalheads! ;-)