Interview: Diabolical Imperium (Germany)

This is the interview with Diabolical Imperium.



1.- Firstable for those unfamiliar with the band, please give us a history on the formation of Diabolical Imperium.
-Simone: Diabolical Imperium was formed back in 1995 by Benny Oprea, by my brother Andrea Milizia and myself. The band existed for five years in this line-up. We recorded two Demos and the Oktagramm LP. In the year 2000 the band split up due to personal reasons. In the beginning of 2007 a new Line Up was formed.
Thorben Baumheuer: Bass and additional vocals
Sören Schilling: Drums
Myself: Guitars and vocals

2.- What inspired you to create Diabolical Imperium with all the Old School and True Metal sound, when most of the bands play Brutal Technical Death Metal stuff?
-Thorben: In fact we never tried to sound Old-School or copy Bands from the 80’s or early 90’s.
When we write songs we have no real masterplan, the Music just comes out the way it is.
Sören: ...but of course we are inspired by the ancient Death Metal Gods like Morbid Angel, Acheron or Death because it’s the Music we love. On the other Hand we are inspired by all kinds of Bands and Music. for example Heavy, Speed or Thrash Metal but also Classic Rock, Blues or Jazz.

3.- How difficult was the recording of your first demo back in 1998?
-Simone: It was self-recorded in the rehearsal room. The only difficulty was to stay sober during these two days.





4.- Then you have your debut album "Oktagramm" in 1999, why do you choose this title, could you explain us?
-Simone: The Oktagramm is a strong religious symbol. On the one hand it means the connection between humanity and divinity on the other it is a symbol for destruction.
The first Demo also had an Oktagramm on its Cover. It was always an inspiriting Symbol for us.

5.- Germany have one of the first and most amazing Metal scenes in the world, what Germans bands are your main influence to create your sound?
-Sören: Of course the old Thrash Heroes like Sodom, Destruction, Tankard, Holy Moses, Kreator or Violent Force but also Legends like Running Wild, the first Helloween realeases, or really old Scorpions stuff. When it comes to Death Metal of course Morgoth, but also active bands like Purgatory or Necros Christos.
In fact the German Metal Scene is so complex today, that it is really hard to name all the Bands we get influenced by.

6.- Talking about German scene, how is in this days? The Metalheads still being a crazy supportive motherfuckers?
-Thorben: Nowadays it’s hard to enjoy shows of the great legends like Slayer or Iron Maiden, because it became some kind of trendy to go to concerts like these, even though you got nothing to do with this kind of music. Just take a look at the Wacken-Open-Air. There are about 80000 people on this festival, but it sometimes seems that only 1000 of them are metalheads…
So you got to endure, that some guys want to start circle-pits during “Fear of the dark” just because it’s the only Maiden song they know.
But there was and is a strong underground scene. If you take a look at smaller festivals like the Headbangers Open Air, United Metal Maniacs or the Metal Forces Festival, you can feel the spirit which made the German metal scene as important as it is today.

7.- What can you say about "Eternal Atmosphere" from your 2008 demo "Obscuritas"?
-Simone:The song is based on a cult called the Goat of Mendes.
It is also inspired by the old Egyptian culture and architecture which is kind of eternal.
Thorben: By the way it is the only Song from the Obscuritas Demo, we still play live.



8.- Besides music, what jobs or activities do you have?
-Thorben: Right now I'm in a apprenticeship to become a carpenter, besides that I always try to get new CDs or LPs, because, like nearly every metalhead, I'm a huge collector of that stuff! If I have the opportunity, I always enjoy it to have a jam and/or a couple brews with my friends!
Sören: I'm working as a carer for mentally handicapped children. In addition to that, I am playing in another band called “Ketzer”. We play blackened-thrash metal!
Simone: My job is working in the steel industry. In my free time I try to spend as much time as possible with my beloved wife and my son.

9.- This year you put out "Maledictions In The Hall Of Divinity" EP, what can we expect from this production?
-Sören: We think that it is our strongest release so far. The first demo we recorded with the new line-up has some good songs but the production was weak and we still had to find our own style.
Thorben: We are quite satisfied with the production of the new EP and the songs are representative for us. It is a release which shows what you can expect from our live assaults.

10.- Could you talk a little about this song "Seal Of Blasphemy"?
-Simone: This song describes my thoughts about my blasphemous life which is a result of my past. My parents were strongly religious and at the age of 14 I started to realise that their life is based on one big lie. It should be kind of a hymn for all people with this opinion. We are the silver sword!
Thorben: Beside that it is our most complex composition so far.

11.- All of you participate in the songs composition?
-Thorben: The main work is done by Simone and myself. While he does most of the riffing, I'm more responsible for the structure of the songs. Sometimes I got riffs by myself and Simone often got whole songs which are completely finished in his head. Of course Sören is also involved in the song-writing-process, but unfortunately he can't play any other instruments but the drums, so he's more like a judge who says which riffs or song passages are really usable. In addition to that his unique drumming gives the perfect foundation for everything done by Simon and myself. So, after all for us writing new songs is only possible if we work together as one.






12.- How is a gig of Diabolical Imperium?
-Simone: Our gigs are always something special for the listener! we try to give all the best on stage. Besides that, we want to create a unique show every time we enter the stage. For example we've never played the same set of songs more than one time.
With three man on stage it's hard to impress the crowd, so, because of the pure sound, you must try to play perfect. In addition to that you have to give the audience a good show for their eyes. We are head-banging a whole lot of time, while we're playing and always try to involve the fans in our songs!
We intent to give them a mystic feeling with our atmospheric songs, diatonic scales and pentagram symbols.
But after all the most important thing is the music itself.

13.- Could you define in 5 words the music of Diabolical Imperium?
-Simone: Powerful, old school, blasphemous metal

14.- What do you think about this trend technical ultra brutal gore slam Death Metal? Are there some bands that you enjoy?
-Thorben: Fuck that Bullshit! Tuning your guitars down to B, playing ultra fast blast beats and doing pig-grunts as vocals doesn't necessarily result in "brutal" music! All this new trend shit has nothing to do with Death Metal! All this shit has nothing to do with metal at all! Maybe I just do not understand this kind of stuff, but in my ears there are more emotions and variety in most of the songs you can listen to when you turn on MTV, than in this shit! I can't imagine someone listening to the newest gore-grind-crap who's having thoughts like "Damn, this riff kills everything" or "Man, I really like the lyrics of that one". Probably the most important thing in music an especially in Metal is having the right feeling for the things you do and as I said, I can't see any of this in this in all this trend brutal gore slam shit. So, sorry if I repeat myself, but this stuff has nothing to do with real metal, so FUCK THAT BULLSHIT!!!



15.- Plans for this 2009? Touring, a full length album...
-Sören: That is hard to say. There are some shows affirmed yet, but we are still looking for more.
Maybe we will record a split EP but it's all a little bit cloudy. The only certain aim is to play some good shows and create more blasphemous music.

16.- For you what is Heavy Metal?
Dedication! In my opinion spikes, chains,bullets and leather are very important, but -I think it is the metalized blood (hail Desaster) running through the veins of the real Maniacs, that separates them from those who just pretend their dedication.
I was never a friend of elite behaviour but I have always admired people who own reams of LPs and know every obscure Band. Although I am into Metal for about 9 years now, there are so many records missing in my collection (which may also be a result of my small earning ;) ) and so many Bands to explore.
Furthermore the fact that people buy records or visit concerts for themselves and not to show others how cool they are is Heavy Metal for me. It is almost a spiritual thing.
Sure it is great to drink beer with your friends and talk about music, but the feeling you have when you listen to a song you love is something hard to share.

17.- Anything to say or add?
-Thorben: Thanks to everyone who read this! I hope you had as much fun reading as we had answering the questions!
All hail to my brother Lennhold Hellman who nearly is a part of this band now, even though we all do not know what he actually does for us, next to supporting us at every show, of course!
Good luck to Sören and his second band "Ketzer"! Hopefully your LP will be as sick as you maniacs are!
And most important: Olli, get well soon man!
Sören: Listen to the Devil's Blood and be aware of the new Deströyer 666 record. Total Killer!
Thanks to everyone who supports Diabolical Imperium!!! The invasion of Satan's Legions continues! Ride the Wings of Death!

You can check this guys on:
www.myspace.com/diabolicalimpeirum
www.diabolical-imperium.de