| DARKFALL
is part of the Austrian Metal scene since 1995. After the release
of several EPs and demos, the quintet managed to present the first
long-player Road To Redemption. For me, this happening
is a good reason to screw singer Thomas Spiwak about the work’s
background, live activities and future prospects.
Leo:
It is nice to meet you on this devilish day for Metal fans (June
6)! Congrats for the felicitous work Rise To Redemption! Why did
it last that long (the band exists for 18 years!) to record the
first full album?
Thomas Spiwak: Hi, thanks for the compliment - and yes, we
have to deal with this question quite often. In the past, we had
bad luck concerning the line-up and ex-members quit the band in
very mistimed moments and we had to start from the beginning.
I just avoid talking about these happenings, it would go beyond
the scope of this interview and I want to let bygones be bygones.
In the moment, I am happy that DARKFALL is ready to operate
with the new effort Road To Redemption at last.
Leo:
I assume that the title got a profound meaning for you, right?
Thomas: Yes, the album’s title has a recondite denotation,
but it got nothing to do with the band or its history. The title
describes our lives as a road, which should lead us to redemption
or to death. There are a lot of possibilities to walk this road
and find redemption; each song describes one of these potentials.
Leo:
You are quite well-known in the underground scene, but what would
it need to break through? These days, it’s not enough to
write good songs…
Thomas: Yep, the mass of first-class bands aggravates the
way to the top, so you need a portion of hard-headedness, power
of endurance and of course a little bit of luck. In addition,
accurate connections aren’t too bad.
Leo:
I can’t blame you for lacking obstinacy concerning concerts,
you are now playing some release shows for Road To Redemption
– did the crowd appreciate the new songs?
Thomas: We had a lot of concerts in the years 2007 to 2011
and reduced our live activities in 2012 because of the album’s
preparations. 2013 should be different and we are right in the
middle of our Austrian promotional tour for our latest effort.
The reactions of numerous visitors are really very satisfactory
and we hope for a similar reception during the rest of the year.
Leo:
The festival season approaches in quantum jumps – in the
thick of it the revived Kaltenbach Open Air (changed its name
to Metal Invasion), awakening a lot of memories, because you were
primarily responsible for this event…did you organize something
this time?
Thomas: In the forefront, the old KOA-crew acted as forerunner
for governmental concerns, but the main part is carried by Rising
Phoenix Entertainment. Consequently, it is a surprise for all
of us what will happen.
Leo:
A lot of Metal fans (including myself) are looking forward to
this comeback. Why did this legendary festival disappear for a
few years?
Thomas: I hope this try for a comeback by Rising Phoenix Entertainment
does not shipwreck. Well, the KOA died, because the last two years
did not turn out to be that successful like we expected. It was
time to draw the curtain.
Leo:
You shared the stage with a lot of bands and played with numerous
acts at different festivals - would you like to start a project
with someone special or sing a duet?
Thomas: To be honest, I want to focus on DARKFALL totally
and I refused all requests of this kind in thanks. Eventually,
I will realize an Old School Death Metal project, but that’s
still written in the stars. It would be much more interesting
to go on tour with several bands, but let’s see what the
future will hold.
Leo:
I’d have expected Lady Gaga as answer – every now
and then you offer the one or other funny cover version on stage.
Wouldn’t it be simple, to the best advantage and reasonable
to place such a composition on an album?
Thomas: Haha, this would be interesting because of the fact
that we covered Poker face once. Well, this is rather utopian
I’d say haha. On stage, these versions work at best, but
we did not think about an album version seriously. Maybe we should
consider it sometimes.
Leo: Your musical taste seems to be very wide-ranging apart
from your preference Oldschool Death Metal - what do you listen
to during a smooth hour?
Thomas: You refer to the cover version of Poker face concerning
your assumption of a wide variety of music, but I have to disappoint
you. My musical smack is restricted to Metal in all its variations,
sometimes I listen to rock or classic tunes - and I do not have
any smooth hours, haha!
Leo:
I hope you are far away from a death-Metal-burn-out despite insufficient
idle hours…I guess that your long hair is of utmost importance
for you, so what must happen that you cut them? We both get older…
Thomas: We are ready to rock and roll; I cannot see any indication
for a burn-out. My hair? Will stay for sure as long as the receding
hairline is within limits, this will not change! Of course we
don’t get older but we ripen.
Leo:
*g* - so you bang your head to Entombed or Grave?
Thomas: These are two very good bands; in addition I purchased
the new albums of Sodom and Kreator. For sure, the latest Hypocrisy
work had to be added to my collection. I could continue with this
list for a long time! I was enthused by some Austrian underground
bands, e.g. our label mates Groteskh and the guys of Across A
Blackened Sky, both albums are very nice. I’ll visit some
concerts in June, namely Kiss, Slayer, Motörhead and Deep
Purple. As you see, my program is pretty mixed up.
Leo:
At full throttle! What are your desires for you personally and
your band DARKFALL in future? How do you walk the Road To Redemption
with the new label Noisehead Records?
Thomas: Yeah, the whole nine yards! Well, I hope we take another
step to upwards. We try to be active in the years 2013 and 2014
concerning concerts. In summer, we will start to work on a new
album. I expect that Noisehead Records takes us to the next level
in reference to promotion; up to this point in time, the collaboration
works properly and it seems that we took the right path.
Leo:
I think so, too! Do you like to add some mature words finally?
Thomas: Many thanks to all our fans out there for your support
during the last weeks. Check out our latest album Road To
Redemption, maybe it’s something for you. Thank
you, Leo, many thanks for this interview and all the best furthermore.
I hope this was mature enough.
Leo:
Fully mature! Thanks for your time; we’ll meet at the latest
in Spital/Semmering at the Metal Invasion Open Air!
Thomas: All right, all the best and see you later! |
