Metal-Roos: Kreator formed when you were all quite young. How old when you when you first formed?
18 years old or something. Kreator formed when we were teenagers, it was a school band I guess. We never felt like this was going to be a professional thing, and we just wanted to be a metal band. We would do mostly covers. And in 85 we got signed and decided to write out own stuff. Then Endless Pain came out.
Metal-Roos: You and Jürgen/Ventor have been together for years, nearly the entirety of Kreator albums and he’s a great drummer. What is it like to work with someone for over 20 years?
You don’t think about it. It’s already been 20 years. I never look back, I only focus on the future. To me it’s like, “let’s go on with what’s next”. It never feels like we have been together 20 years. I am still having fun doing this, we have a lot of fun. That’s what it’s all about. It’s never been about “Ok, let’s look back on what we achieved” or whatever you know.
Metal-Roos: I saw you at the Hifi a few years ago, and Betrayer still sends the moshpit insane. What is your favourite song to play live?
There’s no such thing. I would not say there is a favourite song we play live. It’s more like before we go on stage there is about 1.5 hours of our favourite tunes that we think are relevant in the year that we tour. And there’s some songs that work well. Most songs on the album work well, else we wouldn’t play them. So all the songs we play have to be good. And we only have one hour and a half, most of the time. It’s hard to pick the songs. It’s getting harder and harder.
Metal-Roos: Phantom Antichrist was such a great album.
Thank you
Metal-Roos: Flood into fire is a great song, you guys sound so re-invigorated. Have you had time to work on any new stuff?
Kind of, one and a half songs. Slowly, but getting there.
Metal-Roos: You guys tour a lot. Any country you would like to tour that you have not toured?
Africa, we only played one show in Africa. I think that would be one place we haven’t been much.
Metal-Roos: What were the first bands you saw live that made an impression on you?
Must have been Iron Maiden, that was my first show. I’m still a fan.
Metal-Roos: You are one of the few bands in such extreme genres that are not afraid to experiment with the albums using industrial styles, and also quieter vocals. What was the reason for this? You just like to experiment?
Basically yes. To me music is learning. We do what we feel like doing, but there was a time when we did other stuff because that’s what we wanted to do at the time, but now we focus on doing what we do best and that’s metal.
Metal-Roos: Do you have any favourite guitar pedals or gear?
I have my own amp. I have the Extreme aggression amp, which is made for me. It’s an amplifier made just for me. I only use a tube screamer and a delay. That’s it, I don’t use many effects.
Metal-Roos: You’re here because you are on tour with Death Angel at the moment. Have you toured with them before?
Yeah, we toured with them in 2010 and they’re good friends of ours. We’re really looking forward to touring with them in Australia. It’s one of our favourite places to play and they’re one of our favourite bands to play with. They are definitely friends of ours.
Metal-Roos: Is there anything you’re really looking forward to in Australia?
I’m looking forward to the people. The fans in Australia are very special and very laidback, but in the shows they go crazy. It’s always one of the best things ever to play Australia. It’s a country we don’t tour that often. It’s been four years since we came here.
Metal-Roos: Favourite Australian bands?
Mortal Sin and another one would be of course ACDC. I’m old school (laughs)
Metal-Roos: Thank you so much for your time, Mille!
Thank you. Bye bye.
Interview Date: 2014-03-31
Interviewer: Matt