1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
After the recordings were done in December 2015 we immediately started working on new material or, putting it more precisely, on two rather different EPs, which will hopefully both be released within the next month.
2.In December you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
For the "KotzeAdel"-Album we once again had decided to work together with Jan Oberg / Hidden Planet Studio, which explains the similarity of the "KotzeAdel" sound to the one presented on the "Fieber" EP.
Concerning the music itself, I would claim that it takes a rather different direction than everything we recorded before, especially when you compare it to the previous album "Storchenwahrheit,-wirklichkeit".
As you probably can see for yourself, there is a more furious aspect to the music, it's just not supposed to be as pleasant as before... sure, there still is a lot of sugar to it, melodic junk you know, but in general we've tried to emphasize the contempt and the disgust felt when writing the lyrics even more than on our earlier works.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Pus in all its dimensions. Roughly explained, the lyrics are dealing with being human and everything that is attached to this. There are a lot of negative feelings and thoughts which find their way onto these ragged note papers I hold in my shaky hands when writhing at the microphone. As mentioned before it's mostly scorn, disgust and pain... although there's no denying that there's also a bit of amusement about the seriousness of man when tackling the matter of life unthinkingly.
4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Animo Aeger'?
Well, when we founded the band the lyrical focus mainly has been put on this lunacy thing, on where to draw the line between illusion and so-called reality, the cosmos that's meant for everybody.
Due to this semi-philosophical approach, the term animo aeger is supposed to mean "mad" or "lunatic", albeit you may have doubts about the grammatical correctness.
5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, do you prefer working as a duo opposed to working with a full band?
Absolutely. After almost 15 years of playing and writing music together I can't imagine a more effective social combination in terms of creating music than Greis and me. There probably won't be a "full line-up" except maybe for live occasions, inshallah.
6.When the band still did live shows, what where some of the best shows that you played?
At that time, about 13-11 years ago, there hasn't been a single show where I wasn't too drunk to detect if I just shit my pants, so you probably imagine how low we set the bar of professionalism. We just were pretty lousy, yet devoted to this kind of spirit at that time.
7.The new album was released on 'Bleeding Heart Nihilist Productions' are you happy with the support they have given you so far?
Without exaggerating, I can say that I've never been so content with any other label/band cooperation, which hasn't been on a more private level as for example with Eternal Rabies Kult.
When I first checked out the BHN homepage and read the header "Record label for unconventional underground art" I was already sure this would work out.
Of course this isn't a major label, which means there are limits to its financial capabilities, but so far we've gotten more support on every level than I would have dreamed of.
8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
To be honest, I don't really know nor do I care enough to be whoring around on Facebook or any other platform that hasn't primarily to do with what the music is about. I assume there are a lot of fans of pure Black Metal who resent our music, especially the vocal style it incorporates, and I totally understand that. On the other hand, there may probably be some people who the depressive aspect of our music and this whole self-destructive urban narcotic thing appeals to.
I haven't gotten any more feedback than some reviews which often created the impression of having been written by people rather astounded by our musical variety... mostly positively.
9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that the band members are a part of?
There a plenty of other bands and projects which are developing just great but I don't find this the fitting context for bragging about stuff which ain't related to Animo Aeger.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
No idea! As I said before, we are recording two new EPs, so right now I don't really care about what might come next. I'm definitely not expecting that we'll keep up this level of productivity after having finished the recordings. Both of us have a lot of business to attend outside of the AA-cosmos so there'll probably a longer time without new material.
11.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?
We are always compared to the same bands, such as Bethlehem, Dornenreich, Agrypnie, Goethes Erben and Grabnebelfürsten. In this list there's just one band who seriously have had an influence on what style we were keen to play back in 2003/2004 and if you have read some of the older interviews you know that I'm talking about Grabnebelfürsten.
At this time we have also been listening to lots of other stuff within the Black Metal genre but of course our musical horizon has expanded since then.
12.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?
No.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
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