Hope everyone's new year is starting off good? Here is a interview with the German thrash metal band Centrate who discuss the band's future and also their debut release "Ritual" so if you are a fan of thrash metal check out the interview and be sure to check out the band and their music
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
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Interview with Manuel drummer of Centrate done by Patrick
1.Hello Manuel how are things going in Germany these days for you? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hey guys! I´m Manu, the drummer of the German thrasher "Centrate". We just released our new Album "Ritual". We do everything by ourselves, so I´m actually very busy to promote and sell our new album. It's a lot of work, but it´s very cool to get in touch with many different people.
2.At what age did you become interested in playing the drums and are you self taught or did you take lessons when first starting out?
At school I had a very cool music teacher. He teached me some grooves at the drums, so that I was infected:-) He supported me and I became a part of the school-band.
My parents supported me, too. They bought me a drumkit and spend me drum-lessons. The first years I took drum-lessons to learn the basics.
3.Who are some of your influences and favorite drummers? Besides drums do you play any other instruments if yes what instruments do you play?
Unfortunately, I play drums and percussions only.
My influences aren´t in metal only, but my favorite drummers are most metal drummers.
Actually I like the drumming of Pete Webber (Havok), Gene Hoglan (Testament) and Mario Duplantier (Gojira).
Beyond metal I´m fascinated by Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band) and Neil Peart (Rush).
4. Manuel when did you first meet the other members of the band ?And who chose the name Centrate as the band name?
The band was formed in 2010. At this time I searched musicans to form a band. A friend of mine introduced me Niki and we talked about the idea of a band. Niki get Marcel with him in the band as bass player. After that we were looking for a second guitar player and Chris got in. At this time Niki played guitar and did the vocals as well. After a while Tobi joined the band to support them at the guitar, so that Niki could concentrate on the vocals only.
The name Centrate is an artificial word that's out of centre of hate. This was the result of a brainstorming and it shall reflect the wrath of thrash metal.
5.What is the current line-up of the band?And for the readers who have never heard Centrate's music how would you best describe it?
Centrate are:
Niki – Vocals
Tobi – Rhythm and Lead Guitars
Christ- Rhythm Guitars
Marcel- Bass
Manu: Drums and Percussion
We play Thrash Metal with influences of the 80's Bay Area. But we try to mix it with modern parts and our own style.
6.Centrate is getting ready to release their debut full length "Ritual" I believe this will be a digital release are their plans for a physical release soon? Where can the readers find and buy the debut?
You can order "Ritual" physically by us. Just write us via Facebook, on our Homepage or a E-mail (centrate@gmx.de). You can download or stream "Ritual" via Amazon, ITunes, Deezer, Spotify etc as well.
7.How long did it take the band to write the music on "Ritual"? Does the whole band work on the music or does one member usually write everything?
Most of the songs we written in the first half of 2016. All our songs were formed in our rehearsal room by the whole band. Most of the time Tobi (Git.) came with a riff idea and then we work with this idea to form a song.
8.Who usually writes the lyrics for the music and what are some topics you write about?
Our singer Niki wrote all of our lyrics for that record. Ritual is themed about different types of rituals, homicide and evil things. For example: Voodoo is about a ritual to curse someone. Ritual is thematically about a ritual that went wrong and evoke satan.. On "Revenge" a monk feels oppressed by his confidence and take revenge for that.
9.Also the band self-released the debut will the band look for a label to work with in the future or do you all prefer to self-release your music?Besides the debut release does the band have any other merchandise available for the readers if yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?
We had some label offers, but we decided to release “Ritual” by ourselves. But we're looking forward to work with a label in the future.
Beside “Ritual” you can order our EP “Tiger Force”, patches and two different shirt designs. We do everything by ourselves. You can order the stuff via our Homepage, Facebook or E-mail as well.
10.Does Centrate get to play live very often if yes what have been some of the bands most memorable shows to date?
We try to play as much as we can, but as a small band without a label or other bookers it´s hard to find a lot of shows.
One of the coolest gigs was our show at the M.I.S.E. Open Air 2016 with a lot of great bands. Another great experience was our first European Tour.
11.Are their any tours or shows planned for 2017 and if yes where will the band be playing?
In 2017 we are very happy to play at the Metal Franconia Festival with bands like Legion of the Damned and Ektomorf. Beside this we actually announced for a few more club and festival shows. There is nothing planned for a tour. But we hope to play a tour this or next year.
12.Manuel in your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground scene? And in your opinion what does underground metal mean to you?
It's a difficult question....what is the underground scene? Where is the beginning and where the end of the underground scene?!
One of the best things is the solidarity between the bands, fans and the supporters. It´s sometimes like a big family.
The worst thing is the heavy way to spread your music. But: It´s a long way to the top if you wanna Rock ´n´Roll :-)
13.Besides thrash do you listen to any other forms of metal or music in general?
For shure! I´m a big music fan. I always spend too much money for new CD´s and LP´s...
I´m interested in many different kinds of metal (Thrash, Death, Heavy, Modern...) but sometimes I also listen to other genre of music like Classic Rock, Blues, Ska, Rap and so on.
14. Centrate comes out of the German thrash metal scene what is your opinion of the German metal scene?
Germany has got a great thrash scene since the 80´s. Sodom, Kreator, Destruction and Tankard leading the scene, but in the last few years new young bands come up and they shaking the "German" thrash scene as well.
15.Who are some favorite German band and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
We´ve got a lot of great new bands in Germany. For example Dust Bolt and Pripjat. Both bands are playing on a high level and play great live shows. Check them out!
16.Besides bands are their any good labels or distro's you could recommend to the readers?What about fan or web-zines are their any that you keep up with?
Check out our friends and supporters of undergrounded.de! They spend their blood, sweat and beers for the underground metal scene.
17.When not working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to do downhill and endurobiking with my friends and visit festivals and concerts.
18.Thank you Manuel for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thanks for the questions!
Visit concerts, support local bands and the underground!
Cheers, Manu
Centrate - Thrash Metal
booking und info: centrate@gmx.de
Kontakt:
Manuel Ernst
Mühlgasse 19
35745 Herborn (Hessen)
booking und info: centrate@gmx.de
Kontakt:
Manuel Ernst
Mühlgasse 19
35745 Herborn (Hessen)
www.centrate.de
https://www.facebook.com/centrateband
https://www.facebook.com/centrateband
