Drummer for Face Down Hero

Interview By Susi (SugarBuzz Correspondent Germany)

SugarBuzz Magazine

Ok. I`ve founded the band together with our guitarist and singer Kali in 2004. Formerly we`ve played over 10 years together in a german Thrash Band called Mind-Ashes. We played with M-A more than 100 shows in whole Germany and recorded 3 full length cd`s. The first was called "The Views Obscured" and was released worldwide under AFM records. The second album was called "Trend Cemetary" which was a self release. The third album was called "Warcore" and was released in Europe under TTS media music. We were also on the Megadeth Tribute Sampler from Dwell Records and on the Rock Hard "Unerhört" Sampler. Mind-Ashes was splitted in 2003 and after a short break I`ve took for myself from making music - Kali and I founded Face Down Hero and here we are. I would say that our sound is a mixture of modern groovy thrash metal with some hardcore elements and a lot of melody. Our influences go from bands like Machine Head, Slipknot or Fear Factory up to older bands like Megadeth, Forbidden or Death.

2. Now I want to know everything about the making of your music-video "Own Enemy". Well, I really like the video, guys.

I`m glad you like it. First of all it was just a fun thing. When we`ve recorded the EP - Kali just filmed everything anyway, if it was interesting or not with his camcorder hehe. So after the recording sessions we had a lot of film material and thought it would be funny to make a so called making of clip from the recording sessions. Kali has cut the clip on his computer and I think the result is pretty cool and funny.First we`ve wanted the clip just for ourselves but we thought it was cool enough to share it with our fans.

3.Tell me something about your producer Kostja M. Rohe. How long has he worked for your band?

I've know Kostja now for nearly 15 years. We both started together in a band which was called Near Dark in 1992. He was the reason that I`ve started playing drums cause we were close friends and he wanted to start a metal band. He was searching for a drummer and after some beers I said that I could do this. I`ve never played before but next day I went to my bank and took out a loan to buy my first drumkit. After Near Dark was splitted I`ve founded Mind-Ashes in 1993. At this time Kostja has produced a demo tape for another metal band of our city. So I asked him if he would record our first demo tape - that was 1994 and the demo tape was called "Soul Manipulation". Then he recorded and produced our next demo CD "Thoughts" and our first two full length cd`s. The third CD was the only one that wasn`t produced by Kostja. And now with Face Down Hero he was our first choice when we`ve looked for a producer.

4.You released a Mini-CD with 3 songs (D.G.S., Own Enemy, The Pictureman). How many copies were issued and why haven`t I got one yet?

Simple answer - Not one since yet - hehe. We only made some promo copies for magazines and radio stations. The CD was recorded first of all for promotion. To make some appetite for the complete CD. I don`t know if Syndrome will find the way into stores simple because we record our full length cd in February 2006 and we will start with the pre production in November/December. Maybe we will put the promo CD as a bonus on the full length or maybe we will release it at the end of this year - we will see. But you certainly get a promo copy of it - How could I forget this - please don`t hurt me - hehe.

5. We already know that you will release your full length CD at the beginning of 2006. What are your expectations?

With the promo CD we`ve earned very positive resonances. Much better than with any Mind-Ashes release. I expect with the full length that on the one had we underpin these great reviews and on the other hand we show that we are able to make a great metal album which is modern, technical, melodic and full of great songs with catchy arrangements. The vocals on the full length will be much more aggressive than on the promo and the songs will have more technical aspects and more thrash elements. But also a lot of melodic parts and a pinch of hardcore elements. I guarantee that it will be a great thrash melodic hate-clumb of metal hehe. We will put our whole energy in this album - I swear it - hehe.

6. Have you got other plans for the year 2006?

Playing gigs, gigs and more gigs. We wanna metal up our asses on the stage unit it bleeds. Hopefully we can jump on a little club tour or some kind of that. We also plan to make a video clip.

7. Well, what is your earliest Rock `n Roll/Heavy Metal memory?

Uhh let me think... The first band I´ve listened to when I was a child was Sweden's finest ABBA - hrhr. Than in the beginning of the 80s listened a lot to the so called "Neue Deutsche Welle" with acts like Nena, Extrabreit, Spider Murphy Gang and that sort of bands. But in 1984 Hard and Heavy really gets me with an LP sampler from the music television show "Formel 1". The song "Still loving you" from "The Scorpions" was part of this sampler and this song was my favourite. next day I´ve bought "Love at first sting" from my pocket money and that`s how it starts.

8. Last but not least please send the famous last words to your fans!

First of all I have to say thank you for this interview and your support. Then to every reader thank you for reading this. Check out our website and hopefully you will see us live some where.

Cheers folks.

Carsten and Face Down Hero I thank you again for answering my questions. Hope we will hear from you very soon, please keep me updated with all your news. And I hope to see you live soon.

www.facedownhero.de

Return To SugarBuzz Main Page