Well, we recorded the album last autumn. Since then, we've been doing a lot of preparation work like planning shows, finishing the artwork and producing a music video. Due to the disease, we had to cancel every single show, but we’re glad to have some digital opportunities for promoting the record. It’s a massive financial risk to release a record without playing live shows.
2.In May you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
“Anatomie des Scheiterns” is the logical resumption of our path we've been wandering on since our EP “Im Jetzt die Asche” in 2013. Back then, we skipped all death metal elements in our songwriting to follow the initial idea of Hyems: to play Black fucking Metal. You can hear a lot of melodic 90s influence in our records afterwards. Which are more concisely on “Anatomie des Scheiterns” than on every other record before. Compared to our other records the new album is more atmospheric, more melodic, also much faster than the ones before – thanks to our new drummer. C.A. had become a major influence for the album, although he joined the band when the songwriting seemed to be finished. We started all over, because we had so many new opportunities. His drumming concerning his technical ability and speed took the band on another level. C.A. also has a great sense for songwriting – therefore we reranged whole songs due to his input.
3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored with the newer album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?
That’s a good question. I love to sound out atrocities of my inner being. But without context and narrative, my lyrics would only mirror the scum version of myself. Who cares? We’re not fucking The Cure. At least these thoughts are nothing special. They’re the dark side of society. They’re the reason for hell on earth. You’ll find patterns concerning these human abysses in our everyday life, but especially in crisis like war, disease, outbreak of violence and political or religious delusion. I exiled myself on an island to find the right vibe to write the lyrics. Sitting on barren rocks of the shore, I had this idea of using “failure“ as the Leitmotiv of the album. It’s failure which leads to the darkest episodes of our social and personal life. Hyems is not about supremacy, it’s about failure. Well, that’s maybe the reason why we’re totally unknown.
4.Some of your earlier lyrics covered the writings of J.R.R Tolkien, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his work?
Well, you’re digging deep. When we started the band in 1997, we were total Tolkien heads. His stories seemed to be ours – that was long before the movies were brought to a broader audience. There were so many bands we loved with references to the Tolkien world, like Cirith Ungol, Gorgoroth and Arathorn – just to mention some examples. It was like a cultural property for nerds and outcasts. The dark side of Tolkien’s stories fascinated me, and I used to explore this world in my lyrics back then.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hyems'?
D.M. and I were in the same Latin class at school. It was the first day of winter holidays, when we decided to found a Black Metal band. One thing led to another, and we chose “hiems” (Latin for winter) as the perfect name for our band. In 2007, our label suggested switching the “i” with a “y” to avoid any possibility of confusion with an Italian band. At least my tattoo on my belly will always hold our original name in honor.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Sure. D.M. found this extraordinary artist called Ceethava. The painting of our cover matches perfectly with our songs. Instead of showing a minimalistic design, we were looking for something with a more epic approach.
7.The band has been around for more than 20 years, what is it that motivates you to keep going after a couple of decades?
You can grow up, work and die. You can also skip growing up and do something meaningful with your life. Maybe we can skip death too by creating something really important. And unless we haven’t achieved this point we’ll keep on working.
8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
My band mates would probably mention the Ragnarock Open Air 2013. But for me it’s every concert where I left the stage and felt afraid of what was happening before. I would actually consider myself as a good guy but on stage this guy is raped and dehumanized by my stage alter ego. Talking about abysses that’s Hyems on stage.
9.The new album is coming out on 'MDD Records', how would you compare working with them to other labels that you were a part of in the past?
Every single label we were working with in the past were crazy, enthusiastic fortune hunters – full of passion for music. Despite all common sense, they gave us the chance to distribute our music. That’s why we’re still grateful and will never talk badly about them. Our actual label MDD is very professional, but not less passionate. Let’s see what the future brings.
10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
The metal heads in Mexico and South America are the best. They truly seem to love our music. In Germany we face a strong NSBM scene. By distancing ourselves from NSBM and Facism, we’re the misfits in a scene full of misfits. So the German scene is used to hate us. Which we’re totally proud of. There’s nothing like supremacy in the human race or music. It’s just a weak concept of pimply white men. Fuck you, Nazi scum!
11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Almshouse of graveyard.
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?
From early 90s second wave stuff to contemporary approaches of Black Metal. But also a lot of Punk stuff and classic Heavy Metal. There’s no limitation or rule, only that NSBM and Sabaton are crap and that Iron Maiden is the only relevant band on earth.
13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Stop listening to Sabaton, support the underground and hail Satan.
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