1.Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Torsten: Tom and me started this thing in late 2011. He sent me two instrumentals, i went into a rehearsal room and put vocals over it. Tom mastered these songs afterwards in his living room and the first demo consisting these two songs was released a couple of weeks later.
However the idea of Ancst existed quite longer and was only supposed to be a „studio project“, which means arranging, recording and releasing songs constantly.
As we're kind of rooted within the Berlin DIY-scene, it's not that difficult to involve other interested people/friends into Ancst, whether it's about co-releasing recorded songs, helping out with the arrangement of those songs.
I think it's easier to describe Ancst as some kind of collective than a band, every individual is welcome to share skill, emotion or just some kind words with us.
We're all in this shit together.
However the idea of Ancst existed quite longer and was only supposed to be a „studio project“, which means arranging, recording and releasing songs constantly.
As we're kind of rooted within the Berlin DIY-scene, it's not that difficult to involve other interested people/friends into Ancst, whether it's about co-releasing recorded songs, helping out with the arrangement of those songs.
I think it's easier to describe Ancst as some kind of collective than a band, every individual is welcome to share skill, emotion or just some kind words with us.
We're all in this shit together.
2.How would you describe your musical sound?
Torsten: DIY-Living-Room-Death-Black-Crust-Metal...?
Tom: If you dig blast beats,d-beats and a lot of 90's influenced metal riffing plus a dose of some spanish emo crust you might like it, I guess.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Torsten: I am mainly focused to reflect, describe and process situations i am surrounded by each day. Many people seem to be dull and not interested about things that are actually going on. Even me on some days. But on the other hand it's the peoples' unawareness about their passivity combined with the advantages of our modern times which creates many disadvantages like social exclusion, racism or several lifestyle diseases, just to name a few.
My lyrics are mostly about emotions and perspectives about these topics.
About the demons which haunt me from time to time. It's one of the hardest demands to stay sane and focused within this insanity where it has become a normal procedure to deal with loss or fucked up compromises just to make a living in this defective system.
I'm also into several anarchist ideas like emancipatory/non-hierarchic-capitalistic-/lifestyle, etc. and of course i know that it's not that easy to change this established systems by writing lyrics or screaming my throat sore.
It's a well-working vent, at least...
The most ideal but also very naively thought effect of the lyrics would be creating some empathetic impulses to others.
But what am i telling you? There are dozens of songs dealing with the exact same things i do. Maybe there's one tiny fragment that seperates...i still care.
My lyrics are mostly about emotions and perspectives about these topics.
About the demons which haunt me from time to time. It's one of the hardest demands to stay sane and focused within this insanity where it has become a normal procedure to deal with loss or fucked up compromises just to make a living in this defective system.
I'm also into several anarchist ideas like emancipatory/non-hierarchic-capitalistic-/lifestyle, etc. and of course i know that it's not that easy to change this established systems by writing lyrics or screaming my throat sore.
It's a well-working vent, at least...
The most ideal but also very naively thought effect of the lyrics would be creating some empathetic impulses to others.
But what am i telling you? There are dozens of songs dealing with the exact same things i do. Maybe there's one tiny fragment that seperates...i still care.
What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Torsten: Ancst is nothing more than an abstracted german word for fear. It's originally written Angst, but there are already too many bands using that name and that's the main reason for our notation.
Fear is basically something we have to deal with in our micro- and macrocosms.
It can weaken or strenghten us. I prefer the last effect.
Fear is basically something we have to deal with in our micro- and macrocosms.
It can weaken or strenghten us. I prefer the last effect.
5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Torsten: Every recording session in Tom's living room – cheap energy drinks, sweat, etc.
6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Torsten: We're pretty busy with our other bands and, besides that, the daily grind(s). We also don't have a proper Line-Up incl. Drummer so it's pretty much hard to realise.
But I'd be glad to play a couple of shows...
But I'd be glad to play a couple of shows...
7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or received and interest?
Tom: Well you know, if noone wants to put it out we simply put it out ourselfs anyway so we are not realy searching for some big label or signing anything at all. so far we had the honour to release our newest tape "the humane condition" on Dark Omen Records, wich turned out pretty nice and our first demo on our collective label skull witch records and not to forget berlins mustard mustache tape label. Beside this we are planning some stuff on a few other labels but there is nothing confirmed so I keep this a secret for now.
anyway we are always intrested in working with some new people so hit us up if you like the tunes, dont be shy.
anyway we are always intrested in working with some new people so hit us up if you like the tunes, dont be shy.
Torsten: It would be great to put out some vinyl.
And do i have to mention that we won't share a label with any NSBM- or Burzum-friendly-Crap as well as Sexists?
And do i have to mention that we won't share a label with any NSBM- or Burzum-friendly-Crap as well as Sexists?
On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal and crust?
Torsten: I'd skip this question to Tom. He's the one with the marketing skills...
Tom: I mean we just started out and put out our debut EP so noone realy knows I guess. But there are several people who wrote us, ordered a tape and had something nice to say so Im realy thankful to all of these. We didnt expected much.
9.Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time lineup?
Torsten: I am currently playing Drums and trying to do the vocals in „Gamera“, a Berlin-based 3-Piece-Hardcore-Band.
Tom: We are meeting up every once in a while to record some stuff so we are far away from beeing a full time band but spend a lot of time with other projects. Im currently busy with singing for a powerviolence band called henry fonda and playing drums for my 90s hardcore band afterlife kids.
10.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Torsten: Many ideas, some releases are already fixed theoretically and our heads are also already spinning about this one special idea.
But I'd rather walk the walk then just talk...
But I'd rather walk the walk then just talk...
Tom: Im working on some more complex arrangments and realy wanna add some more details to the sound as well as to try out some new stuff. Cant realy say what comes out in the end. But the new split with hiveburner will again feature shorter songs and at least one of our upcoming releases will have some more melancholic feeling to it. the rest? suprise suprise!
11.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Torsten: As mentioned above the musical influences range from many different types of Metal/Crust/Hardcore.
Personally i'm listening to literally everything that touches me.
I won't mention any details, because i don't wanna put too many scene-points at stake. We need that big record deal, you know...?
Right now i'm heavily stuck into Rap...
Personally i'm listening to literally everything that touches me.
I won't mention any details, because i don't wanna put too many scene-points at stake. We need that big record deal, you know...?
Right now i'm heavily stuck into Rap...
Tom: I guess a lot of metallic hardcore, second wave black metal and too much d-beat shows did it for me when it comes to Ancst. I'm currently lost in dissection riffs and a lot of dark ambient music as well as the last two records by saint surly and monster monster.
12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Torsten: I am writing and releasing Zines from time to time, of course it's never enough output and i am lacking time and channels for the release of the beasts that slumber inside of me because i'm pretty busy with my two kids, the real life and high-quality HBO-Series....
Besides that, good vegan food, Vinyl and PMA.
Besides that, good vegan food, Vinyl and PMA.
Tom: Star Wars & food. besides these I'm designing record covers and T-shirts for bands. you can check it out here if you like: http://tomisthebastard.tumblr.com/
13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
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