1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
We are currently finishing the writing and rehearsal process for a bulk of new material. We hope to be in the studio to record 12 or 13 songs for two releases, an EP about the Austro-Hungarian army's experience fighting in the Balkans early in the war. The other is for an upcoming split, and that material will be based on the German Revolution of 1918-1919, directly after the war. We also have a few festivals coming up, and a few local shows, which we'll hopefully debut some more of the new material at. We also have a split with a couple of songs that we recorded with an older line up 2010 finally to be released in June as well.
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the newer music and how it differs from previous efforts?
The earlier demos were a lot more standard. While there are some good songs on there, it was of a more basic style influenced by bands like Bathory, War (SWE), Impaled Nazarene, and Operation Winter Mist. As the band has progressed, and new members have joined, the sound has changed a bit. New influences and the writing of new members has definitely been lending a hand in our sound evolving.
3. The lyrical topics cover alot of war themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interests in war?
Conflict is something that will never end. It's been an element of mankind from the moment of human existence. It has shaped the world we live in. Nothing is more brutal or intense than war. Both the best and the worst of the world comes out in war. It's really a way to test what people are made of. There's also just something esthetically pleasing to militancy.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Minenwerfer technically means "Mine Thrower" in German. It's really a trench mortar used in WWI. I looked for some kind of German weapon that was really specifically a WWI weapon, as I wanted to keep the WWI theme as prevalent as I could. I ended up liking Minenwerfer, so I went with it.
5.The band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind forming a full line up?
I used to play in a band called Lycus. For some reason the line up of that band disintegrated after a while, and the drummer liked the Minenwerfer material I did, so I called up my friend who did session guitars on the first demo and we decided to start doing some shows. The original line up didn't last long, but it did get me to really start taking the band seriously.
6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Particularly memorable shows for us were the couple we played with Kommandant this past December. Also opening for Destruction a couple years ago. There have been a lot of great ones, it's difficult to remember them all.
Our performances are pretty stripped down and raw. We use flags to represent whatever nation's viewpoint we're taking on the newest record, so recently we've been using Austro-Hungarian flags.
7. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
If we could possibly be part of some kind of tour package or something in the future we would definitely consider it. As of now, we don't have any tours planned or in the works, but we never know what may happen. I think it's something all of us would really like to do if presented with an opportunity. We could do a tour on our own at some point if the timing is right.
8. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or received any label interest?
We are not actively searching for a label, and haven't had any real label interest, but we're not opposed to them. If the right label comes along and is interested, we'd definitely take up the offer. We've had some of our smaller releases done through independent labels, but nothing on a large scale. Maybe after recording our new material that will change.
9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of war and black metal?
Generally it's been great. We seem to have a lot of fans in Germany, Denmark, UK, France, Russia, Canada. Reception is Europe has been the best.
10. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
All three members of Minenwerfer also play in a band called Chronaexus. We just recently released a split entitled "Desecration Rites" with Dodsferd from Greece on Obscure Abhorrence Productions, and we plan to work on some new material soon. The other two guys also play in a technical death metal band called Slaughterbox and are currently writing new material.
11. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
I try to base the sound of music on whatever concept I'm aiming for. For instance war in the mountains I feel would be more epic and melodic, but brutal street warfare would be more dissonant and perhaps even a little bit of grind influence. It's really hard to say. I can say that the new material we are soon to record is much more intense, and perhaps technical. We're really looking forward to getting in the studio and releasing it upon the world. On Nihilistischen we played around with martial industrial, and I would very much like to expand on that as well as bringing in neofolk influences.
12. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I listen to a lot of classical for inspiration. Wagner, Bruckner, Haydn, Schubert are all influences on me. A lot of martial industrial and neofolk bands as well. Darkwood, Sol Invictus, Death in June, Von Thronstahl, Der Blutarsch, Striider, Dernier Volonte, Rome, Werkraum, Current 93 are all bands I listen to often and have some influence on me even if not directly.
Endstille, Deathspell Omega, Marduk, Drudkh, Shining, Peste Noire, Forteresse, Ruins of Beverast, Truppensturm, Urgehal are the black metal bands that inspire me the most. Some grind like Insect Warfare and Unholy Grave. Sludge and doom like Graves at Sea, Trees, Atriarch. This is just a small list, but encompasses my main influences. It could be a much different list for my bandmates though.
13. Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in the music?
No, other than in the song "Teufel mit uns" which just has an idea of Hell in it. I'm more interested in atheism, nihilism, and philosophy. Satanism has been overdone in black metal, and isn't a particularly interesting subject to us. I do like a great deal of ideals from our strong pagan forefathers, before the pathetic Abrahamic religions of the weak became mainstream. Acknowledging Satan acknowledges Christianity. Neither are things I care to do.
14. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
History, philosophy, and literature. Traveling is also a great experience. Our guitarist weightlifts, and our drummer plays a lot of Texas Hold 'em. We all play video games though.
15. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
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