Kerker Interview

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?

Arges: At the moment, we are working on new material for a 3-track-MCD. We occasionally meet in order to jam a bit, to arrange the new tracks and to find ways to improve the sound for our next recording. And Neideck is currently recording songs for a new Trauer release.

2.Recently 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?

Neideck: The sound is much better, denser and more forceful than before. The songs are shorter and mostly there’s a common structure of verse and chorus, which we’ve used rarely on the last two records. We’ve wanted the songs to be more direct and straight.


3.The album was recorded in 2012 and you waited until 2015 to release the album, can you tell us a little bit more about the delay?

Arges: Neideck’s Trauer album A man with a load of mischief was recorded several years ago. Due to problems with another label, Nihilistische Klangkunst offered him to release it. So it was decided to release the Trauer album before Kerker.


4.Between 2007 and 2012 there was no new music released or recorded, what was the cause of the gap?


Neideck: Sometimes it is hard to find any time for making music beside work. Another problem was my move six years ago. In the past Arges and me lived in the same village and it was very easy to jam and to make music. Nowadays we’re split to 200 miles, so we can not spend the same amounts of time like before. A lot of other things happened and so sometimes we talked about doing another Kerker Cd, but we didn’t. Actually there’s no good reason to explain it. Maybe it just wasn’t important enough. Whatever, Kerker is back.


5.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?


Neideck: The whole album is meant as a “memento mori”, by using the ferryman as a leading figure. I like albums with a concept running like a golden thread through all of the songs. So we tried to create a coherent construct.


6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Kerker'?

Arges: Well, it was the best term to describe our music and our sound. In 2006 when we recorded our first rehearsals, we had a horrible sound. But nevertheless these recordings had a certain oppressive and gloomy atmosphere which brought us to the name.

7.Has the band ever done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

Neideck: I wouldn’t designate Kerker as being just a studio project to constrain our options in the future, but at the moment I don’t think that we’ll appear live.


8.The new album was released on Nihilistche KlangKurst, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Neideck: It is a very reliable label. A man, a word. All what I want.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

Neideck: They love us. Based on the four praiseful e mails we’ve got in the last seven years.


10.What is going on with some of the other musical projects or bands these days that some of the band members are a part off?


Neideck: At the moment I’m recording the next Trauer album.

Arges: I only concentrate on new Kerker material.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?


Neideck: We’ll do black metal. Hopefully we’re getting faster. And maybe we’ll sell more than 1000 copies.


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?

Neideck: In fact I don’t listen to music very often since I’ve started doing it by my own. But to name a very cool band: Mgla.

Arges: I personally listen to a wide range of genres but I’m definitely not up-to-date regarding new releases, especially in black metal. There is simply too much out there. But everything you listen to is an influence, in a way. Either you like it, you get inspired and try to make something similar but better or you do not like it but learn from it.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

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