METALIUM
Questions asked by Jon Wilde, added to Rock Realms 29th September 2009.
Metalium are a German power metal group now on their 8th studio album - the rather splendid Grounded. They also produced, with their debut, what we at Rock Realms believe is the finest power metal album out there.
Bass player Lars Ratz answers questions on behalf of the band.
Hi Lars, is life treating you well?
Lars: Well, I've been living for 3 years on Mallorca in Spain and it's more sunny than in Hamburg. So I can't complain!
How did you originally get into music, and did you play bass from the outset?
Lars: There was a party in our school when I was 11 years old. We could not enter the party BUT, a day later we had access to the area where the party happened. The LPs where still there and me and a friend simply stole some LPs without knowing which bands they where. When I came home and listened to the LPs it was like a Revelation… it was RAINBOW'S “Rising” and WHITESNAKE'S “Come and get it“. I was infected instantly and still am to this very day!! I started to play guitar at 14 but it was not my instrument - too thin strings for my big hands - so I changed to bass at 15.
Who or what originally inspired the band's sound - who were your early inspirations?
Lars: The band's sound has simply always been a mix of the musicians involved. Of course mainly Henning and my songwriting for the first 2 CDs and then also Michael Ehre´s influence. He is now, since the 3rd CD, the main writer besides me.
How would you describe the sound to someone who hadn't heard Metalium before?
Lars: Pure Metal from the bottom of a metal heart! You can only understand this sentence IF you FEEL metal!!!
Do you do anything special when you play or record your bass? I've always thought you had one of the best bass sounds of any band - massively heavy and tuneful.
Lars: Thanks. Listen to KISS “Alive II” and you will hear a distorted sound of the AMPEG SVT amplifiers….. like a fucking monster! This I took as a basis for my sound and combined it with a bit of modern distortion. Not more. But I learned that the sound of a musician does NOT only depend on the equipment…it’s the STYLE he is playing. The feeling he puts into it. I feel Metal...so I play metal…nothing more…but nothing less as well!
How do you feel new album Grounded compares to other Metalium albums?
Lars: It’s the very first Metalium album with no corrected drums, not overproduced vocals and ALL vocals ONLY by Henning…even all choirs. So the most purest production as the 10th anniversary
Is there any concept behind the lyrics?
Lars: No, none really.
Where did the title come from?
Lars: it's simply the most pure, GROUNDED album by Metalium.
Do you have any favourite moments on the album?
Lars: That would have to be 'Slavery'.
The first time I ever heard Metalium it was on an ABBA tribute album. What's the best cover you've done in your opinion?
Lars: Abba was for fun. But listen to our versions of “Smoke on the water“, “Dust in the wind” and “show must go on”.
'Dream of Doom' still puts shivers down my spine, 10 years on. What's your top Metalium song?
Lars: There are too many to mention. Every Metalium album has its highlights.
Do you have any target for the total number of 'Chapters', or are you going to keep recording albums as long as the passion is there?
Lars: No specific number needed. Let's see where the train leads us to...
Was the recording process work, pleasure or both?
Lars: Metalium is a band which takes their power from the fact that we do not need to do this. We WANT to do this and we ONLY DO THIS the exact way we want to do it! This is why we only release records exactly the way I as a producer want them to be. We've known each other for so long and really respect each other as people as well as being bandmates
Are you doing a tour on the back of this release? Any plans to come to the UK?
Lars: If there are any professional promoters who would make an offer to us we would not hesitate to play your great country again. I still have very good memories of the BLOODSTOCK we played. Cool Metal-fans!!!
How do you feel when you play a Metalium show?
Lars: My passion…my life!
What is the best band you've ever seen live?
Lars: Rainbow 1992 was my very first live concert. I still get goose bumps remembering the intro...Oh my god!!! Then KILL THE KING…I will never forget this and will keep this in my heart until I die!!!
What was the last album you bought?
Lars: Nena da Conte - a Spanish female singer's CD I bought for my daughter.
What are your five favourite albums?
Lars: Rainbow – Rising, Iron Maiden - First, Iron Maiden – Killers, Iron Maiden – Powerslave, Kiss - Alive II
Do you have any interesting hobbies?
Lars: Diving. I do it round Mallorca.
Do you collect bass guitars? If so, what are your favourites?
Lars: I've been building my own basses since I was 20. Have a look here and you will see 200 pics of me crafting my own bass.
What question do you hate being asked and have I avoided it?
Lars: I hate it when I realise that the interviewer did NOT prepare for the interview. You scored ;-) positive, you did your homework!
What are you up to once you finish answering these questions?
Lars: Answering the next of 11 interviews today...
Thanks for your time! :)
Lars: Rock on man, LARS
The new Metalium album is out now. Check out the review on Rock Realms here for further details...
http://www.myspace.com/metalium
