REQUIEM

// Falber Teles

SOURCEWEBZINE - With REQUIEM going on its 10th year of existence and five studio releases, what is REQUIEM doing differently now that you’ve had the time and experience on your side?
RALF WINZER (B) - Obviously we learned a lot more about writing songs with different working structures. Some structures in the past didn`t fit so well as others nowadays. It has been quite clear in the past few years that Phil and Ralph are a fantastic team when it comes to writing new riffs and arrangements. Even though Reto our drummer has contributed 3 songs in it`s basic form to the new record. Yes I think that is on one hand what we do differently. And also we learned about discipline. It`s still fun playing this sound like it was in the past but we achieved to play on another level or like someone would say in another league. Therefore it`s quite natural that we have to work harder and more efficient.

SOURCEWEBZINE - So what´s the next step for you guys after releasing the new album?
RW - The new album "Premier Killing League" will be released on March, 23rd 2007 again on Massacre Records. Unfortunately I don`know when it will be released in Southern America. I guess somewhat in summer 2007. After the relase we will hit the streets again and play another european tour. This will start around April. With whom and where it will be exactly isn`t quite clear now. All I can say is it will be as support for a well known band and we will play directly before the headliner every evening. In summer 2007 we would like to play some bigger festivals in europe like Metalcamp in Slovenia, Party.San in Germany or SummerBreeze. Our label and edition partners are working on it right now. Autumn and winter 2007 are planned for a lot more single shows and/or another tour around europe to follow the next round of writing songs for the sixth record.

SOURCEWEBIZNE- Now let´s get into your new album. You recorded the album with legendary Andy Classen at Stage One Studios in Germany. How was the recording process of the album? Was it easy experience or did you had hard times in studio?
RW - Andy Classen is one of the most inspiring and professional people I`ve ever met in my life. He is very direct and accurate what belongs details, tunings and arrangements. He has something that takes you all your great nervousness without giving you the hell of a stress.

For all the band the studio sessions were very relaxing and creative. Andy contributes some really good ideas to the arrangements we didn`t think about before. And he really likes our music and had fun himself creating a wall of sound for the new reecord. After all the whole band even did not want to go home anymore so there will be a next time with Andy Classen. That`s for sure.

SOURCEWEBZINE - What was the goal for REQUIEM before you started to write new material for "Premier Killing League"? Can you tell me what kind of an approach REQUIEM took when recording and writing for "Premier Killing League" that differs from past releases?
RW - The main thing that was different from all other pre-recordings times was that Phil and Ralph (both guitars) had only five months to write the songs, rehearse them together, me writing all the lyrics this time and arrange them together with Michi. Not much time due to the fact that some of us had really big personal problems. But fortunately we all had a blast of ideas about themes and riffs and arrangements that it works so good even if we were stressed to death.

Also the fact that we always used software to write the notes and tablatures helped a lot. Phil, Ralph and me could rehearse for ouselves all the time at home with a rehearsal record and the note/tablature sheet.

SOURCEWEBZINE - Would you describe your new songs ?
RW - Ok here are the songs but not in any particular order. Phil is right now in the studio with Andy Classen building a fix order for the new CD.

1."Can`t Afford Won`Go Forward" - A very old school song with grind elements and many riffs based on triplets. The song is about the reality of the music industry and small bands like us that are forced to pay money all the time to go forward.

2."Premier Killing League" - One of my favorites. A very groovy song with lots of double bass parts and fantastic vocals of Michi. Lyricwise it`s about those well known people in the world that are responsoble for thousands of dead people every year.

3."The Great Masquerade" - A very fast and simple song with a big Florida Old School Death Metal touch so to say. It`s about the vatican or the roman chruch denying the truth and lying for almost 2000 years.

4."Into The Unknown" - A new approach of us beeing some kind of melodic. Some say it has a little Black Metal touch in some riffs but it`s still Requiem. Within the song there is a second part also with a great groovy, tank like arrangement. Michi growls about war and all the battles of the past that had cost so many lifes on this planet.

5."The System Has Failed" - That song was a blast to play in the studio. When the vocals were done we all jumped of our seats (even Andy Classen) and said: yeah this is a big kick in the ass. Therfore it`s only a two and a half minute long old school grindcore song. Our way to honour those great british legends of Grind.

6."I, Terrorist" - Also a hit vocalwise. Michi did a brilliant job on this record. A very fast song with another groovy staccato arrangement in the middle of the song. This songs says: bang your fuckin`heads with me. Lyrically it`s about terrorism that has invaded everyday life. Airport security is pushed to the max and even some people start to distrust their neighbours. This world`s become a chaos.

7."No Means Nothing" - One more hit on this record with a mindbreaking refrain. Very groove oriented with only a few small fast parts. I guess this one will be the first to hear on our website and on www.myspace.com/requiemdeathmetal. It`s a very personal theme that Michi shouts about. The yrics a written in a way that every listener is possible to interpret this one for himself/herself.

8."Trapped Inside" - One of Retos (Drummer) basic ideas. Also with a great refrain and very technical riffs. That was a challeng for all of us. Very fast and technical with a simple refrain riff. It`s a weird song about the inner self of someone that is awake in a dead body. Psychological approach to that theme.

9."Another song of Retos ideas " From Ashes To Ashes". Also very fast with a grindcore edge and a very rhythmtechnical end.
A song about life and the truth about it.

10."Isolated" - Lyricwise also very personal about the troubles some of us had during this summer. That was the most challenging songs of all and the first Andy had given us as a rough mix. The whole songs has only three riffs but they are technically so well constructed that you don`t get bored. it is based on five strokes on the strings played as triplets.
The latin name is Quintole. Fuckin' hell that was hours to learn but even more fun to play.

SOURCEWEBZINE - In the end I would like to know a bit about your music taste so reveal us your favourite albums from the year 2006 so far.
RW - I always liked many different types of music but all metal, punk or hardcore. So let me see.

1. Unfortunately there was no new BOLT THROWER record in 2006 so I had vote for that `cause I love "Those Once Loyal" very much.

2. NAPALM DEATH "Smear Campaign" - Back to basics I call that one, love it because it`s so raw. Saw them two times ijn 2006, always a blast and very friedly intelligent people as well.

3. I "Between Two Worlds" - I always liked Abbath`s voice. Looking forward to a new IMMORTAL album.

4. DEATH BREATH "Stinking Up The Night" - That`s still Mr. Nicke Anderson former ENTOMBED. Brilliant raw old school and kickin ass.

5. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY "Shot To Hell" - Zakk Wylde is kickin ass shredding his Les Paul

6. SLAYER "Christ Illsuion" - They are back with a blast

7. LEGION OF THE DAMNED "Malevolent Rapture" - Brilliant old school thrash from our labelmates, played with them a few times

8. MOTORHEAD - "Kiss Of Death"

9. BORN FROM PAIN - "War"

SOURCEWEBZINE - You guys come from Switzerland. How´s the metal scene doing there at the moment? Any uprising bands you would like to recommend to our readers?
RW - As you know Switzerland is a very small country. You only need 4 hours to drive through from east to west. Therefore it`s amazing what a big scene it has. That was really exciting when I moved to Zurich from Germany in 2004. Lots of hard working bands, lots of local promoters and lots of fans you get used to know very fast because of the small distances in Switzerland.

There are big bands like CATARACT as you know. DISPARAGED, also a Death Metal band you might know. And underground bands like PIGSKIN that are so damn good and professional but hadn`t the luck so far to get a international record deal. Also very good friends of us. Switzerland has a lot to offer. A list of many swiss bands is on www.heavymetal.ch.

SOURCEWEBZINE - Do you all have a 'proper' job in your daily life?
RW - We all have jobs but I don`t know if these jobs are proper ha ha. Some of us like Reto and Ralph work temporary. Michi, Phil and me have normal daily jobs as mechanic, graphic artist and myself I´m working for a CD and DVD distribution company. Life is very expensive in Switzerland so we`ve no other choice. The band is the perfect chargeback for that.

SOURCEWEBZINE - Are there any other happenings or things going on with the band or you personally that you would like me to let people know about? Do you have anything to say or add for closure?
RW - First of all thanks very much for your nice and intelligent questions and your support. With REQUIEM we will try to produce a DVD in the near future so you can see what the live shows are all about. For new infos just visit www.requiem-net.com or our myspace-site www.myspace.com/requiemdeathmetal. If you are also interested in what I am doing as well you may visit www.ralfwinzer.com for infos, photos, music and live videos.

SOURCEWEBZINE - Thanks for taking time off to do this interview with us and good luck with your new album. Is there any last words you want to share with your Brazilian fans and with readers of SOURCEWEBZINE?
RW - Thanks a lot Falber. Hope to meet you once on a tour. To all you Brazilian metal and Death Metal fans out there we hope to make it to your country to bring you a show and night you can bang your heads off and leave for hoem with a grin on your faces. Thanks for your support and stay metal, stay brutal.

Massacre Records
REQUIEM

copyright © 2006 | falber design
all rights reserved.