Hello Freddy! How has your creative process evolved since your first album, and how has that influenced the making of this album?
Hi Stanley, at first. Thanxx a lot for your interest in NECRONOMICON. It`s an honour for me to make this interview. For me the album is a journey to our roots of punk and thrash metal but also a step into a new musical direction. It’s an album that I always wanted to write. Without cliché, without musical obligations. I wanted to write an album that I personally want to listen to day after day, and even after years I can still say: That’s exactly what I wanted. Of course, this is always a personal process and also a risk, because not everyone is enthusiastic about developments. One or the other likes the original style and would like to have that permanently continue so. There are some very well-known bands that have been doing this for decades. But I personally feel like I’m on a musical journey that will hopefully last for a long time. But that’s for others to decide.
How did you come up with the title for the album, and how does it reflect the theme of the lyrics?
The album has not for nothing the title “Constant To Death”. The themes are very focused on the current events, including, of course, putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine. But also topics like the child abuse in the churches or child poverty worldwide are important topics to which I allude.
The lyrics for the album address serious and sociocritical topics, such as the russian war on Ukraine and child poverty. How did you approach writing lyrics for such weighty issues?
I’ve always been very focused on incorporating political events into my lyrics. That’s probably due to my punk roots. Besides, it makes much more sense to me than some fantasy world lyrics, which are somehow also unworldly for me. But this is also a matter of taste. Like everything in life.
Why do you think some musicians are afraid to express their personal point of view about the russian aggression towards Ukraine and instead try to remain neutral during such serious events?
I can NOT understand this AT ALL. An aggressor simply annexes a country, or at least tries to do so, and everyone looks the other way? I am a freedom-loving person who does not want to be subjugated. And just we Germans had that already once. Unfortunately…! We should all who want to live in freedom, stand together and fight against this asshole ( sorry for my harsh words ) and resist and support Ukraine in their struggle. The other way around we would welcome and expect that. I know so many fans from Ukraine who want to go the Western way of life and not end up in communism. By the way: this does not go to the Russian people, but to putin. Most Russians don’t want it, but they are not allowed to say it, because they fear putin and his regime.
The video clip for “They Lie” features striking imagery and a powerful message. Can you tell us more about the concept behind the video and what you wanted to convey through it?
As I mentioned before: I know very very many fans from Ukraine. And also our booking agency is from Ukraine. I/we have experienced that on our last Eastern Europe tour, how much fear these people have of the war. Our bus driver was also from Ukraine and I saw him several times crying and afraid for his wife and his little son. And also how all the Eastern European countries are afraid that putin could attack their country next. That shapes you.
“They Lie” and “Constant to Death” are both powerful and impactful songs. Can you tell us more about the process of creating these two tracks and what makes them stand out?
“Constant to Death” goes a little bit into the Metal Core area; this is an example for the fact that I wanted to set up the album musically “broader”. “They Lie” is a flawless punk song, as I love and adore punk. One of my favorite tracks on this album.
How important is visual storytelling to you as a band, and how do you approach creating visuals to accompany your music?
I think through the visual it is easier to “understand” or interpret things, because many people are very influenced by the visual. In combination with the auditory, especially the music, it is a powerful tool to express and transport one’s opinion. I address this as a musician, because not everyone is given to make music and I am very grateful that I can do this for almost 40 years now with NECRONOMICON.
You produced and recorded the album in your own headquarters. How did that affect the sound and overall feel of the album?
This is not so complicated, because we only had to record the individual signals (drums, guitar, bass), because Achim Köhler is responsible for the sound, who then “conjures something” out of it; in other words, creates our sound. Only the vocals were recorded with 2 microphones, which were produced in my own home studio.
And then everything goes to Achim Köhler who then implements the whole thing.
How did you infuse your personal experiences and emotions into the music?
Very good question. There are days when nothing works at all. No ideas, no idea where the journey for and with this song should go. Often the idea or the melody comes when I’m out in nature, doing sports or walking with my dogs. Or when I watch a movie and the music inspires me. That happens quite often that the film music gives me an idea, which I can implement in.
Your band has been active for over three decades. What lessons have you learned about music and the music industry during that time, and how have they influenced your approach to creating and releasing music?
It is generally not easy to exist and be successful as a musician. What I can only advise everyone: “believe in what you love and do”. And don’t let yourself get sidetracked. Perseverance and steadfastness are an essential factor for success. And of course a bit of luck.
How did you approach crafting each individual song to make them stand out while also contributing to the overall cohesiveness of the album?
I had, unlike before, a rough vocal line first and then wrote the complete song structure after that. I wanted to give this album especially also the voice more “freedom” and experiment more. This is much easier when I already have a melody, a vocal melody in my head. Then I created the rhythm and melody guitars.
Can you tell us more about the role each band member played in the creation of the album?
Rik (drums) Charron I have given all the freedom. Only I explained him the respective “direction” or interpretation of the song, which I wish and imagine, without limiting him. Also, the drums may also have very rocky parts. So not always only “full throttle”. I think he has managed that very very well. With Marco (bass) I never need to say anything, because he knows me inside out and knows exactly how I tick and what I want. Glen (solo guitar) then also got a free hand. I told him, I want a solo and that has fit correctly.
“Constant to Death” features a mix of both heavy and more melodic songs. How did you balance these different elements to create a cohesive listening experience?
That was exactly my challenge. That was also exactly the difficulty. But that’s exactly what I wanted. And I would write this album EXACTLY the same way again. I am 100% satisfied and really proud of these songs, without wanting to seem arrogant. I wanted to write an album, which I immediately after listening to listen again and again. At least that’s how I feel about it. Maybe my personal album…..:-))
How did you work with Achim Köhler to mix and master the album, and what was his role in shaping the final sound of the album?
I have been working with Achim for over 20 years. It’s blind understanding and total trust in his work. As with the last album, we have recorded most of the home studio; and as already mentioned, also at my home (guitars and the vocals) Achim knows it already and we are a well-rehearsed team.
Necronomicon has been active since the 1980s, and the music industry has gone through significant changes during that time. How have you adapted to these changes, and how have they affected your approach to creating and releasing music?
You don’t have many alternatives as a musician, if you want to be “in front”, than to face the changes; at least to accept them. Others have to do the same. However, you must not let yourself be distracted from your own philosophy and “do your thing”. Otherwise you will be nothing but a plagiarism, without soul and originality. But you also need good partners: a good label, a fair management and so on and so forth. I think that’s where the difficulty often lies, because the music business is a shark tank. You’ll be eaten very quickly if you’re not careful…
What do you hope fans will take away from “Constant to Death,” both musically and thematically? Thank you!
I thank everyone who appreciates this album from the bottom of my heart. I hope me and the guys did a good job with it. This is what a musician lives for. There is nothing better for an artist than appreciation and respect for his work.
I thank you for every support.
With Trashy greetz
Freddy
Thank you so much.
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