Interview withMartin (keyboards) of Dark Age
Melodic death metal band DARK AGE provided us with their keyboardist Martin, who spoke to me via email about the band's formation, latest album, and upcoming plans the band has in store leading straight into the New Year!
Reflections of Darkness (RoD): Why did you choose the name Dark Age?
Martin: When the band was formed in 1995, we chose the band name because of the cruel, dark and cold world we live in. Actually the world has not changed since then, it even got worse. DARK AGE still reflects what we think about this world.
RoD: Tell us the brief history of your band.
Martin: Formed in 1995, DARK AGE have gained a lot of respect and played single shows and festivals with a lot of bands like SLAYER, IN FLAMES, SODOM, SOILWORK, HYPOCRISY, MNEMIC, PRIMAL FEAR, DISMEMBER, HEAVEN SHALL BURN just to name a few. We played the famous Wacken Open Air, the biggest Metal festival in the world, twice: In 2000 and 2003. We played the German Summer Breeze Open Air in 2008 and did 2 European Tours, one time with PRIMAL FEAR. We released 5 albums, 1 E.P. and 1 DVD so far. The last album MINUS EXITUS, released in 2008, has been voted "Album of the Month" in Germany's METAL HAMMER. The new album ACEDIA will be out on 13th November in Europe and 16th November in the US on AFM Records.
RoD: Who are your musical and non-musical influences?
Martin: Musically, we come from every corner of the heavy guitar music you can imagine. Everybody on the band has his own favourite bands reaching from PARADISE LOST, METALLICA and AT THE GATES over BORKNAGAR and KATATONIA up to YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and OZZY. Non-musically, the world itself is the best inspiration you can get. The messed up part that’s happening here, gives us a never-ending source of inspiration to write about.
RoD: What are your dreams and goals?
Martin: Playing in Japan and the US some day and hopefully touring with a band that attracts a lot of people. Touring with PARADISE LOST or MACHINE HEAD would be great!
RoD: Who’s writing the songs and what are they about?
Martin: The music is written by the whole band, but our singer/guitarist Eike and our lead guitarist Jörn contribute most of it. The lyrics are mostly written by our singer. Our drummer André contributed lyrics for one song this time. As I mentioned, life itself and the state of this world is a very big influence for us for example. For this album, Eike focused very much on personal issues such as greed, falseness and personal breakdowns.
RoD: Is there any story or concept behind the title ‘Acedia’?
Martin: There are several ways to translate or interpret ‘Acedia’. Some see it as the precursor to sloth - one of the seven deadly sins. It can also be defined as a state of restlessness and inability either to work or to pray. The title matches the lyrical concept of Eike dealing with personal problems of today’s society and the society itself as raw and cold it has become.
RoD: Describe your show visually and musically.
Martin: Basically, we are five guys who like to rock and have a great time on stage and sharing it with the audience. There is also some light-show going on, but basically we try to convince with our musical skills on stage. We always try to offer the audience a good mixture of new and old songs.
RoD: What's your outlook on the record industry today?
Martin: I am not sure a lot of labels seem to sign bands because of their image and not their music. That is a pity. We will do our thing and try to convince people with the music we are playing.
RoD: When will we be seeing the DARK AGE in the US?
Martin: Hopefully soon!
RoD: What inspires you to do what you do?
Martin: To be able to write, play and release the music we would like to hear ourselves is a great inspiration.
RoD: What advice would you give to fellow bands?
Martin: Do your thing!!!!
RoD: Have any plans for the remainder of this year, and what should we expect from you come next year?
Martin: Right after the release of ‘Acedia’ we will be touring France for about one week. In the beginning of 2010, we hope to play as support on a bigger tour in Europe.
RoD: What's the best and worst thing about playing clubs/venues?
Martin: This really depends on the club :-)
Sometimes you have these great venues where everything is perfect: The backstage area, the catering, the crew, the stage and the packed venue with a crazy audience. Sometimes you have these venues where everything is fucked up: Small and stinking backstage rooms, no showers, a small stage, a crappy backline and a no audience. ;-) Most of our gigs are something in-between that.
RoD: What would you like a listener to remember the most after hearing ‘Acedia’ all the way through for the first time?
Martin: We like the people to remember that it is a very detailed but catchy album you want to listen to over and over again.
RoD: Any last words?
Martin: Thank you for the interview. Hopefully see you soon on tour in the US!
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