Pagan Winter released last year their "Inferos" CD through Last Episode
Records. Lord Trondheim had a chat with Patrick to hear what he had to say about the band.
1. Greetings, Patrick. As I know VERY little of the history of Pagan
Winter, could you please fill me in on what you have done before the "Inferos" CD ?
Alright. Though Pagan Winter exists since 93, several changes caused
to a complete new line-up in winter 96 (Machosias-drums, Hammes-guitar,
Schiel-bass, Raven-vocals). 3 months after we recorded a rehearsal
session and spread it as a demo ("Night of Chaos"), in middle 97
we recorded the MCD "In the Shadowlands". We produced everything ourselves,
it was limited to 100 pcs., also distributed on tape. In the beginning
of 98 we kicked Raven for both musical and personal reasons, the new
shouter was Simon from the black metal combo "Black Candle" from Luxemburg.
2. Pretty harsh black metal is what you are about. How come you started to play
this type of black metal? What are your inspiration and goals for doing
this?
We just wanted to be extreme. I thought, every Black Metal band wants, but
looking at the scene, I see something different. We don't want to go
with fashions flow, there's no space for atmosphere in Pagan Winter's songs.
3. The cover on "Inferos" is quite brutal...How did you come up with the =
idea for the cover ?
We first thought about a picture with a tank or something, but didn't find something. So we decided to make pictures ourselves. Considering how brutal the music is we wanted to create the cover as extreme as possible, too.
4. Where did you record the album? Are you satisfied with the result?
We recorded it in our rehearsal room in three days. For that, we're satisfied. But next time, we'll take more time and do the mix ourselves, so that we can realize our sound that we want. I think studios are a lot too expensive. We spent about $ 150 overall on the production, and when I look at studio prices... Sure you can only have "perfect" sound in a studio, but I'm convinced that for our needs and our sound (it just has to be raw and not clear), we can do that ourselves.
Concerning the sound on "Inferos", the snaredrum sounds strange, and the guitar and bass could have more power, but we're satisfied with the music in any case.
5. You are signed with Last Episode there in Germany. How come you
signed with them? Are you satisfied with the overall work of the label?
We didn't want to have the trouble with the promotion stuff and shit, that was a lot of work and mail. Last Episode does a lot of promotion, we're satisfied with them by now.
6. Future plans for Pagan Winter...What are your plans now? Another =
album, touring etc.?
I'm sorry that no tour is planned, but a single is planned early this year,
gigs are more non-frequently.
7. Germany seems to be the place for the big "underground" labels, and not the underground bands.
Why do you think it is like this? What are your opinions on the scene there in Germany, and what do you really think of the underground scene worldwide now ?
There are too many Nazi-Black Metal idiots. They can't play their guitar but have a big mouth. We prefer playing with bands we can have party with and no bands who just sit there and look evil. I don't care about any scenes, we have our own contacts and make no difference if it's Black Metal or not. But there are some really good German underground bands, for example Zarathustra or Homicide.
8. Hehe, what was your 3 favourite albums last year ?
Sorry, I didn't buy a CD the last year... I listened to lots of demos and these things. Hm, let me think... "Arschheld" perhaps (the best name ever), but I can't remember the names of other stuff I listened to... that's because too many bands appear nowadays.
9. Any opinions on the following? :
Corpsepaint : no special meaning, looks more aggressive.
Nazism : has nothing to do with metal.
German beer : I'm not proud of germany, but german beer is best !
Nuclear Blast : they've got no good reputation in the underground.
Norway : fresh air and nice landscape but too expensive.
10. Allright, that was all for now. In the end, state your favourite sales gimmick, and
any final comments you might have :) Good luck for the future!
We're still looking for gigs, contact us at:
Pagan Winter, C/O P.Schiel
Hermannstr.146
66538 Neunkirchen
Germany