Page 48 - Sick Drummer Magazine Issue 29 - Hannes Grossmann

SDM: Youhavestartedanewbandcalled ALKALOID. Opposed to your former band OBSCURA, you say that ALKALOID isn’t a “tech-death” band? How would you describe the sound?Hannes: Ineverreallylikedtheterm“tech-death,” because it implies that the focus is on the playing technique itself. I’m aware that this impression might occur for both ALKALOID and OBSCURA,but to me it is really always about compositionin the first place. A good song can have three chords or a million notes. In the end it shouldtouch you emotionally by arranging tones, rhythm, structure and dynamics. Bands however are putinto the “tech-death” genre because they merely share similar trademarks, such as fast playing,lots of blasts and 16th≠note staccato riffing. In ALAKALOID’s sound, the majority of musical ingre- dients is definitely not “tech-death.” It’s a very complex sound we make, and there are so many influences from other music genres too. For example we even integrate Reggae grooves into our sound on the song ‘Dyson Sphere’. The song culminates in blast beats on 280 bpm. That’s how far the stylistic range goes!Hannes: Forthisalbumwedecidedtoworkindipen- dantly. I’d be interested to work with a label in the future, but only if the label is willing to be a good business partner for us and to contribute their best effort to create new ways for the band. What labels want these days are bands who have their name out already and sells without any risks involved. Therefore labels look for music you can “label,” because they think it’s easier to sell. ALKALOID is a new name and we play music too diverse to be put it into any category. That’s why crowdfunding seemed like a perfect thing for us for our debut, and it was.We funded the album by making an Indiegogo campaign, which was pretty successful. We raised $19,084 in total, money that we spent completely on producing the album, its artwork and getting the perks out to our backers. I just sent out 600 copies myself today, haha. So it’s a lot of work. We actually did get a lot of attention from the fan-base of our other current or former bands. That’s a huge privilege, which eventually led to the success of the campaign.Hannes: Yes, it is my main band right now. But I do a lot of different stuff these days. For example; I am also part of the new Blotted Science record, which is also very important for me. And I’d never say that there isn’t any chance to working with another (bigger) band on a permanent basis. I’m always open for that. But as far as my own work is concerned ALKALOID is the thing for me now.As far as influences are concerned, we don’t really see certain bands as our main influences. The band members themselves, Chris Muenzner (ex:Obscura, Spawn of Possession), Linus Klausenitzer (Obscura), Danny Tunker (Aborted) and Morean (Dark Fortress, Noneuclid) are inspiration enough. Each musicianin the band has his own musical DNA, which we built up in years of experience. So we are constantly influencing each other. Our songwriting is an internal process and not based on musical influ- ences from outside. We just don’t sit down and think for example “oh, we definitely should writea “Morbid Angel-like song.” If a band like Morbid Angel inspires us, and they definitely do, then on a way more subtle level.SDM: Whoaresomeofthecollectiveinfluences to the sound of ALKALOID? Is this going to be your main band?SDM: IstheAlkaloiddebutalbum“TheMalkuth Grimoire” going to be released independently or are you guys signed by a label?48hannes cntd.