F41.0 Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Ave. F41.0 has been evoked in 2007 to materialize my vision of utterly sinister, yet memorable soundscapes. The first album "Near Life Experiences" has been released in 2013 via a small german label called Empyre Music. It didn´t take me long to feel the will to get  the "project" on stage so i recruited a couple of trustful musicians to get things started. We had a couple of live experiences and I started to record the follow-up "BÜRDE" in 2015, which has been released on may 19th this year via Geisterasche Organisation.

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?
Using a drumcomputer and a very harsh sounding guitar-setup served my idea of what I wanted to express with "N.L.E.". The debut has a vibe of audible degeneration and takes a deep step into mental horror. "BÜRDE", the new album, tries to pursue another approach on the concept behind F41.0 . I wanted everything to sound more genuine and authentic, so i decided to use real drums (brilliantly performed by my mate T.Parkinson / Todtgelichter) this time. Another change is the more prominent use of guest singer Frederics desperately yelling vocals, which fitted perfectly to the whole concept behind "BÜRDE". But the pillars of the bands instrumental countenance remained similar to what I started with the debut.

3.This is the first album since 2013, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
Well, i am not the kind of artist who is working on music 24/7. Ideas do come, when the time is right, and i am not hunting them just for the sake of it. Additionally it took quite some time to get the live lineup ready and stable since most of my supports are  working individuals. So spare time had to be divided carefully in general. Last but not least the preparations for "BÜRDE" as well as its recordings took way more time than expected.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that you explore with the newer music?
The lyrical side of "BÜRDE" is a subordinate to the images displayed with its title (english-"burden"). Sufferage,Weightlessness, Disorder, Despair, Rage..
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'F41.0"

The meaning can easily be googled. The driving force behind is bound to what the term is standing for. Generally, personally, whatsoever.

6.On the albums you record everything by yourself but have a live line up, are you open to working with other musicians on the recordings?
As i mentioned above i already did. "BÜRDE" features many guest musicians such as A.Schmied (Mor Dagor), Metvs (Signum Karg) or Nebular (Atras Cineris / Kratein) for example. Frederic (Todtgelichter), and Asgoroth (TCO, Narvik)  lent their voices for "N.L.E." as well as for the new album. So i am far from insisting to do anything myself in future even though i feel it might be time to reduce those contributions for the next output.
But since i am a real bad drummer it is quite secure that drums will at least be handled by T.P. again.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
The first live experience has been a real special one since somehow it symbolized a new step for F41.0 to me. But the time on the road we had doing two open air shows in 2015 has also been memorable. I am lucky to have a live lineup consisting of close friends, so everything went smooth yet concentrated.
What you can expect from a concert? We try to let the music speak so there's no lavish "ritual" to be expected when you book us!
8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
I am not keen on touring for weeks and months to "promote the band" (= sell more records), but we will surely keep on playing several selected shows like we did the years before. Some vague things are already planned but bookers might get in touch with us.

9.The new album was released on 'Geisterasche Organization', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
As far as i know they developed from organizing concerts to a record label concentrating on unique black metal based art. We got in touch a couple of years ago and they were the first to book us for a concert. The event was small yet enjoyable and perfectly organized, so we stayed in loose contact afterwards. When they asked me to join the ranks of their label things went quite fast. I aways liked smaller, yet engaged labels who are still catching fire for their releases. And with interesting german bands like Nemesis Sopor or Frostreich i am in good conditions i guess.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
Feedback usually comes from people based in my homeland germany, be it via e-mail or face to face after one of our gigs. The conversations are of mostly positive nature and i do feel satisfied when extern listeners seem to understand, what F41.0 is about.

11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that you are a part of?
Most bands I used to be involved in have split up or been put on ice.  So besides some loose projects F41.0 is the main centre of my activities.

11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?
I will keep things as i always did. F41.0 will continue to record, release and perform pitch black metal.
But: A couple of new songs have lately been carved in stone and it seems the next step for the band leads into more aggressive and harsh structures again..

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?
Too many to mention!  There is a wide range from oldschool black / death metal to all kinds of alternative /independent music in general that influenced my way of writing songs. Concerning newer releases i´m not that up to date to be honest, since i´m mostly bored from what is hip, be it metal or non-metal music. But I still am enthusiastic about publications from bands like Blut Aus Nord, The Ruins Of Beverast, Soap&Skin, Muse or Deathspell Omega for example.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Well, even though most movies suck, i love going to the cinema for example. Good motion picture art has a huge impact on me. As well as inspiring discussions or enjoying my home´s landscapes.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank your for your interest in F41.0.
Listen to the music via Spotify or one of the numerous illegal download blogs and if you like what you hear / see - feel free to support the artist who spent shitloads of time and money for it.
--> http://f410pitchblackmetal. bigcartel.com/
--> www.geisterasche.de