There are not so many bands which release 8 albums within 10 years. Metalium however is one of them. Time for us to ask Lars Ratz about the new album.
Eight albums in 10 years is quite a lot, how does Metalium do this?
Lars Ratz: We have 4 creative persons, so we have a big pool of ideas to pick the best ideas every year.
Do you always have ideas for songs and lyrics and how do you get inspired?
Lars Ratz: Well first we do the music, the lines and in the end lyrics. We don't follow a specific format, all we do is what we want to do and what we fell to do! Metalium will stay Metal. We don't bend for anybody and only do what we want !!
Tell us all about your latest album 'Grounded - chapter eight'. Musically as well as lyrically.
Lars Ratz: Its just another album full of Metalium songs, true, pure and real.
No triggers, no fakes, no correction of vocal notes ! Just an album of a good Metal band.
Lyrics about truth, lies, reality, honour and friends.
How many chapters can we still expect?
Lars Ratz: You should not try to tell the future, lets just see.
In my review I wrote that Metalium is a decent metal band, but that the chapters 1 - 8 vary too little musically. What is your opinion about that?
Lars: We don WANT to change at al.. we are METAL and as I'm the producer there is nobody on the world who can tell me how we should sound. WE DO WHAT WE WANT
But every album has its own "touch". This album is the first with NO other voice than Henning...also choirs ONLY him... so its more pure than previous ones.
The opening sentence of the song "Heavy Metal" is rather Manowar isn't it?
Lars: We are influenced by older bands and have no big knowledge about Manowar or such bands, even if we respect them for being around for a long time as well. But there is no connection between us apart that I know Joey personally.
Chapter 8th isn't a bad album in my opinion, but is it the bands intention to gain a lot more fans? Or do you just make music for the fun and see what happens?
Lars: We make music for having an outlet for our creativity not for business! Metal should NOT have ANYTHING to do with BUSINESS !!
Are there any touring plans this autumn/winter?
Lars: We will play some shows in December. Please look under www.metalium.de for updates.
What are in your opinion the basic ingredients for a good power metal album?
Lars: The most important is to have a METAL HEART to follow, no bizz, no fakes, no trying to bend for any other style.
Are all these ingredients to be found on your new album?
Lars: DEFINITELY. We are Metal and will STAY metal !
Which 5 albums can we find on your I-Pod at the moment?
Lars: I have no I-pod, but in my cd player runs still Iron Maiden (first 5 cds only), old Kiss, old Ozzy with Randy, Rainbow and Whitesnake.
Finally I give you the room to tell anything you want to our readers!
Lars: We would love to come to your country soon.
Stay Metal
LARS
