MOURNING CARESS (Eng.)
– Hello, thanks for your time. What are you currently up to?
GERRIT (Mourning Caress, vocals): Hey! This is Gerrit from Mourning Caress. Thanks a lot for the interview first of all. Well, I am currently sitting in my cold chamber, typing some interview answers and dreaming about sunny vacations in Spain.
– First of all, I would like you to make some history of MOURNING CARESS (a bit about your past, present and future plans) for all those who won’t know about you yet.
GERRIT: The band was founded by our drummer Dominik Schlüter and me at the end of 1998. Shortly after, guitarist Benedikt Bjarnason, guitarist Florian Erhart and bassist Daniel Busche joined. One year later we released our first demo “The Divine Grave”, which got good response from the underground press all around the world and helped spread the word about the band. The second demo was made at the end of the year 2000, entitled “Perspectives”. Incorporating some clean guitars, more dynamics and straight Rock’n’Roll elements, we felt we had found a musical style we could more or less claim our own. Reactions to “Perspectives” were far greater than expected. Then your Spanish country mates at Arise Rec. became aware of Mourning Caress and we signed a deal with the label in 2001. We released our debut “Imbalance” in 2002. The following years we had to face difficult times: After parting ways with Arise Rec. in 2003 we had to deal with the lack of clarity regarding the musical direction, looking for a new label, getting older and dealing with a bunch of other bullshit. In 2005 guitarist Florian Erhart was replaced through old fellow Florian Albers, who brought some fresh sounds into the camp, but also fully understands the trademarks of the band. Another three years later we finally released our second full length album “Inner Exile”, via Dutch label Restrain Records. Some months after the release of it Restrain Records closed its doors and retired from the metal business and 2009 guitarist Benedikt Bjarnason unfortunately decided to leave the band due to ongoing job obligations. We continued as a four-piece and replaced the frustration with creativity. The next logical step for us was to enter the studio to record our third album “Deep Wounds, Bright Scars”. In the meantime we´ve found a new guitarist and are officially a five-piece again. The new member is called Wolfgang “Sandman” Sander, a skilled guitar player and insane metalhead. He joined the band directly after the recordings, so you naturally can´t hear him on the new album.
– How did you come up with the band’s name? Both its origin and meaning.
GERRIT: I think the combination of the two words sounds nice and easy, plus very Metal somehow. But I have to admit I am not sure if the combination of Mourning and Caress makes total sense for native British or American folks. Whatever, I think it sounds cool and fits the music perfectly.
– Though you were formed back in 1996 you have just released three studio albums, is there any concrete reason for such a relaxed studio activity? Will we have to wait another 3 years until your next effort?
I hope not haha. Well on one hand we we´re pretty lazy, since music is just our hobby and nothing we need to make money with. On the other hand we had some bad luck here and there, which I already described in the first question. My gut feeling though tells me our next album will be released in 2013. The first demo tapes are circulating already, means we are on a good way. Fingers crossed.
– You will soon release your new «Deep Wounds, Bright Scars». What are your expectations with this album?
GERRIT: Well, I guess it´s obvious for every band to reach as many people as possible with your music. Since we are very proud of our new album, we just hope it gets the attention we feel it deserves. It´s not easy these days, as you know there are tons of bands around, but it will work somehow. Let´s think positive. I also hope we can play a good amount of live show in 2012. The past years it´s been to quiet.
– For all those who may be interested; what are we going to find on this new record?
GERRIT: Some tunes are the heaviest and fastest in the history of MOURNING CARESS, some groove like shit and all of them will enchant you with beautiful melodies. The vocals still sound frustrated, fragile and full of despair.
– You have recently signed with MDD; how’s everything going with them so far?
GERRIT: We are happy. The owner of MDD is a huge Mourning Caress fan since the release of our debut “Imbalance” and we like him a lot – so I guess it´s a good combination. Let´s see if this collaboration will bring us a step further on our mission for METAL haha.
– In the song «Wastelands Within» we can enjoy the Mikael Stanne’s cooperation. How did everything start?
GERRIT: I used to work for a German record label called Century Media and Dark Tranquillity were and still are part of the roster. So it was just natural that I met Mikael a couple of times. He is one of the easiest, most friendy and funny guys in the business. It was a pleasure and honour for me working with such a great artist. But even more important: Dominik (our drummer) and I, we are Dark Tranquillity fans since the release of „The Gallery“ and now having Mikael Stanne do some guest vocals on our album is just phenomenal.
– We can find a bonus track which is a cover for SCORPIONS’ «Blackout». I’d dare say one of the most important Rock bands from Germany. Would you mind shedding some light on this? How did you come up with the idea, why this concrete track, etc.
GERRIT: It´s definitely one of the most important Metal/Rock bands from Germany. Our guitarist Florian Albers and our drummer Dominik are big fans of the Scorpions, so they came up with the idea to cover this very song. I am not a such a big fan, but as far as I know it´s one of the most well known songs and a true classic. The song is not officially available yet, but we will release it some way in the upcoming months.
– «Deep Wounds, Bright Scars» is your first piece with guitar player Wolfgang Sanderman. What has he brought to MOURNING CARESS?
GERRIT: Actually he didn´t play any music on DW,BS. He joined the band after the recordings. We were searching for a new guitarplayer for a very long time. Our producer Matthias Lohmöller one day recommended Wolfgang and we arranged a meeting. The chemistry between him and the four of us was great from the very beginning and he´s such a great guitarist, he immediately became part of the chaos called Mourning Caress haha.
– What could you comment on the album’s artwork? I read has been done by Björn Goosses, are you happy with his work?
GERRIT: Yes, it was Björn @ Killustrations once more. I am really a fan of his style and happy he did such a great job for us again. This time the cover is not that dark and depressive than “Inner Exile” for example. But it´s the first view only. If you take a close look you can only feel desperation, fear and wrath inside of it. It fits perfectly well to the lyrics.
– During all these years of musical career, has your songwriting process changed?
GERRIT: Not really. Although our guitarists changed relatively often it remained the same way of writing songs.
– And after over a decade of existence for the band; what have been your best and worst moments with it?
GERRIT: The best moments for sure were signing our first record contract and playing the prestigious German Festival Summer Breeze. Unfortunately we fucked it up big time. Oh dear, it was the worst show ever, so it´s somehow a pretty bad memory, if not the worst, for us too. We also got invited to perform in Turkey two times – Ankara and Instanbul – which turned out to be pretty overwhelming. Insane metalheads in Turkey, that´s for sure! Great people!
– Finally, what are now your near-future plans? Are you working on live dates to support the album on stage?
GERRIT: Yes, we really would like to play as many shows as possible in 2012. In December this year we will play our release-party-show in our hometown Münster with Night In Gales and Fleshworks. It´s gonna be a lot of fun. Maybe it´s a good idea you guys charter a bus and drive up to the North to visit this special event. We expect some Spanish metalheads in our hometown!!! haha
– That’s all, thanks again for your time. If you now want to add some final thoughts, take the last lines.
GERRIT: Thanks for your support and a big hello to the Spanish metalheads! Up The Caress, amigos!
