1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
I had the vision of Gràb already back in 2013, when I wrote the first lyrics of the album for the track „Nachtkrapp“. For sure it was nothing but a vague vison at this point and it wasn't before 2015, when I met guitarist and main songwriter Grain. From that point on we focussed on the songwriting of this lyrical concept album.
2.You have a new album coming out in October, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
We want to keep alive the spirit of the more atmospheric Black Metal of the 90s. The major influence for us is German and Scandinavian Black Metal. We were deeply affected by
that era, so it did not take much time for us to find our very own approach to it.
3.The band has been around since 2015 but you waited until 2021 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait?
The songwriting process took us several years and we had different approaches to finish
“Zeitlang”. First we started with several jam sessions in the rehearsal room with a drummer and a bass player. But after all we found out, that it didn't work the way we wanted it to. That caused some line up changes. Therefore all other songs for the album were composed by Gråin in his home studio. The additional elements of all guest musicians were added later and finally mixed together.
4.The lyrics on the new recording are a concept album, can you tell us a little bit more about the story you cover with your songwriting?
”Zeitlang“ is a concept album about an old man, who shortly before his death reflects upon his life. From the first song ”Nachtkrapp“ to the final song ”A Gråbliacht“ his story is told – from childhood to death. There's this interesting change of the character and it's getting obvious, if you compare the lyrics of ”Nachtkrapp” with those of ”A Gråbliacht“. The old man remembers, that he was afraid of the dark as a child and somewhere in time he lost himself in the dark. As time goes by he doesn't only get used to the dark – he is becoming one with the dark. He completely isolates himself from humanity, spending the rest of his life all alone in a cottage somewhere in the Bavarian mountains – waiting for death.
5.I know that the bands name means 'grey/old' in German, how does this name fir in with the musical style that you play?
Gràb means old or grey and I really liked the idea, that being old also means being closer to death. The older you get the less anything can hurt you. Everything just turns to memories and at some point even those memories fade away and what remains is nothing but emptiness. Therefore the name perfectly fits to our interpretation of Black Metal.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the album cover?
The outstanding artwork was done by Benjamin König, who most people may know from his time as guitarist in Lunar Aurora. It was pretty clear for us, that he is the number one choice for the artwork plus some illustrations. His art perfectly stands for everything, that influences Gràb. The scenery shown on the artwork is the protagonist of the story on his final steps in life. He is joined by the reaper and together they disappear into the dead of the night. Actually it's a scenery from the song „S' letzte G'leit“, which loosely translated means „The funeral procession“.
7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band but you once had a line up, are you open to working with other musicians again or do you prefer to remain a duo?
We never had a full lineup for live shows for example. Of course we need session members if we decide to go on stage, but there are no plans for this path in the near future.
8.Has the band had any opportunities to do any live shows?
We didn't do any concerts yet and chances are pretty low, we will ever do some.
9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
The album ain't released yet. Therefore there are hardly reactions thus far.
10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Gråin is still doing his main project „Schrat“, whose fourth full length „Seelenfresser“ will also be released this year. His other side-project „Gråinheim“ will be continued in 2022. I am still involved in several other projects too. „Trinitas“ for example finished their recordings for a first full length album. Also „Eudaimony“ are still active.
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
I do have some vague plans already, but we will see how things will turn out in the future.
12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Definitely the second wave of Black Metal from the glorious 90s. The music we create should be seen as our tribute to this era. We are no copycats though. In our music we combine some of the best moments of 90s Black Metal and mix it with our very own brew of traditional Bavarian influences. That's what makes our music unique.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Nothing left to say...
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