DEPRESSION [Deutschland]

2007-11-20 09:47:21

Hailz from France brother ! How are the things going for DEPRESSION right now ? Give us some words about the upcoming Split CD with PAGANIZER ! And what about this video hmmm ?

Kai : "Greetings to you my friend, and to all your readers ! Things are going very well for DEPRESSION right now ! After a few months of silence (because of private circumstances) we are back in business and working straight as usual. At the end of August 2007 we have released the album "Ein kakophonischer Lebenshauch". A Live-CD from our last gig in 2006, released on Apathic View Productions, including a unreleased exclusive studio bonus track. Next thing will be the up-coming split-CD with Paganizer that you’ve already mentioned. This release is delayed for almost 2 years now, it’s a pity. But it will finaly see the light of day in January/February 2008. It contains 10 brand-new studio tracks from us, including "Artefacted Irreligion" from mighty BENEDICTION. Our songs are a bit different than our usual stuff. More in the Death Metal vein and with some special parts. Just listen to it when it’s out ! It will have a nice booklet and PAGANIZER as a split-partner is something we are proud of. Watch out !"

Let’s speak about the brutal live CD on Apathic View ! How come you put this out ? Is it a way to celebrate all these years of grinding our ears ? Extraordinary thing that guy who came from the US !! This a true proof of deep respect and support ! I suppose you’ve been quite surprised uh ?

Kai : "We are active for 18 years now, so we thought it was time for a live-CD. Especially as our live-gigs were very, very rarely, and this special gig that was used for this CD was our last live-gig, as we are not playing live on stage anymore. I’ve moved a few hundred kilometers away from the other guys, so we have no chance to rehearse. Yes, it is a present to us and our friends who never had the chance to see DEPRESSION live. Yeah, Smoo from California is a real die-hard fan !! As he noticed that this would be the last chance to see his favorite band live, he just came over thousands miles to see us on stage and celebrate this last gig with us. Yes, we were really surprised that as he was finally there ! We pay a lot of respect to Smoo and to give him something back for his dedication, we let him say a few words in the booklet. It is a big honour for DEPRESSION to have such freaks as fans from our musick. That is way better than getting famous and rich. This is pure dedication !"

I was very sad to read you won’t play live anymore... Why did you take this decision ? Is it absolutely sure ?

Kai : "Yes, it was also sad for ourselves. But we had to take this decision, as the long distance makes it much too difficult to rehearse regulary. And as you might know, I have a family, house and job, so my free time is not enough to put 100% energy in live-gigs. So we decided to stop playing live. Yes, it is absolutely sure, but we have already offers for playing live in 2009 to celebrate our 20th anniversary, so maybe we will have an exclusive gig then, but no regular shows, sorry."

You’ve put out a lot of releases since 1989 and it seems it won’t stop ehehe ! Rerelease of the split with HAEMORRHAGE on LP (aaaargh !!!), participation to the tribute to the mighty MORTICIAN, Split EP with the French warriors of INHUMATE, the vynil-collection CD (what will be on it ?) ... Are there some upcoming projects we don’t know about ?

Kai : "Wow, seems that you are good informed about the DEPRESSION-activities ! Yes, we have always some releases, and it will not stop. In 2006 we have a couple of re-releases. Some CD-only releases now on vinyl, and long sold out stuff again available with remastered sound and up-dated artworks. This was still to celebrate the 15th anniversary. With the live-CD, the split-CD with PAGANIZER and the split-EP with INHUMATE we have some new releases with new DEPRESSION songs. I think it is time for fresh musick from us, eh ?! Planned for 2008 is the Collection-CD, and it will have all 7"EP releases until 2005 and the split-10" with Rot. So it is the first time that you can get all these songs from the first- DEPRESSION decade on CD ! All the stuff is sold out since years, so we think it is great for collectors to get the songs now. It also will have a nice packaging with huge booklet. You will get value for money. There are some other things planned, for example a DVD to celebrate the 20th anniversary. Release will be end of 2009, but the stuff included isn’t collected to 100%, so it is too early to talk about details. In 2009 we will also release "Das Relikt" as Double-LP, to have another release also available on vinyl. It will be nice with gatefold cover ! Some other releases are planned for the future, but nothing concrete until now, so it is too early to talk about. Just check our website from time to time for news."

AGATHOCLES, ROT, UNHOLY GRAVE or BLOOD seem, as DEPRESSION , to be immortal ! Could it be possible to have a Grindcore underground without all these living legends ? What do you think makes you continue after all these years of DIY ?

Kai : "Thanks, that you name us in one sentence with these great bands ! Hm, an underground without these bands would definitely not be the same anymore. They are such an important part for the scene and they are pioneers and leaders for years. I hope that they will continue as long as they are dedicated to the music. DEPRESSION is still around because we LOVE what we do. It is a part of our lifes ! And it is an important part. We are still underground and diy, and in my opinion, that is the key to be still alive and active. We are dedicated to the music, we play Death/Grind because we love it with heart and soul, and not to get famous and earn as much money as possible. It is great to play the music you feel, and it is great to be part of a scene, part of the underground. It is not just only the music, it is the whole movement that makes us going on and on ! As long as I’m satisfied with my songs, and as long as there are freaks out there who like what we do, we will carry on !!"

Lots of "true" metalheads spit on the "Internet scene" (and there is one, many fake bands / projects / rip-off bastards) but in the other hand Myspace and websites have given - in my opinion - some fresh blood to the Underground. What is your position about that ? Don’t you think it’s really easier to communicate with others, promote your band / projects ? Are there two distinct undergrounds ?

Kai : "Well, I’m not sure if there are two different undergrounds. I don’t think so. I suppose, it is mixed. With DEPRESSION , we are very old school as you know, haha. What I want to say is, that DEPRESSION is not the first band who will use all the"new" technology. We were very late with an own email adress and even later with an official website ! Nowadays we also have a MySpace site, but it all took its time. I see the internet scene as a chance to communicate with zines, labels, mailorders, distros, other bands and last but not least with the fans from all over the world in short time and with less money. To me there are way more good things than bad things. For example this interview. If we had done it by normal letter, it would be available a month later than by email, and you had to re-write all my answers again. Now you just have to copy/paste them, hehe. Isn’t that better ? In my opinion it is. You are right, MySpace have given some fresh blood and Marc is organizing the MySpace website. I am not a big fan of it and concentrate my work on the usual website and normal email-contact. But DEPRESSION is up-to-date and the opportunity from My Space will be used by us. I definitely prefer vinyl or CD instead of just digital MP3s or something, but to check out a band’s music easily is great. If I like it, I order the complete album on CD/LP. That is the way we should use it."

You’ve always had cheap prices for your merchandise / music and this is great to see such an honest attitude when you check the stores prices who are (often) extremely high ! It seems you see as important that anybody can buy your releases isn’t it ?

Kai : "You are absolutely right ! We always had and have cheap prices for our stuff. As I’ve said before. We don’t want to earn as much money as possible and getting rich, no. We want to spread our music and give people the chance to listen to it, even if they don’t have too much money. As long as the costs for studio, pressing and postage is saved, we go for it. This work with DEPRESSION is idealistic to the bone. I cannot count how many tears, blood and sweat and most important time I have spent for my band throughout the years. No one can pay me for that !"

I’m still searching for brutal and honest bands aaargh ! Could you share with us some band-names you support nowadays ?

Kai : "Well, to be honest, I prefer nowadays to listen to my old heroes. But of course there are still cool new bands around that kick me. Certainly ERODED from Germany , who play some old school Death metal in the vein of NIHILIST, GRAVE, NECROPHOBIC and such bands. SORE are also new on the plate and very professional. Gory old school Death Metal with Horror-lyrics. Very special, very great. FLESHRIPPER are a true and honest old school band that have the ancient spirit in their blood. DEATH BREATH will be known to everyone out there, but their music kicks, right ?!"

Tell me something about :

- Grindcore

Kai : "Great music ! I love the speed, the short songs with their special structure, the attitude and the "dirt"-factor, if you know what I mean. It is full of power, even if the production is often not the best. It is pure energy !"

- Jägermeister

Kai : "Not my cup of tea."

- Vynil

Kai : " DEPRESSION supports vinyl ! It will never die. Yes, a CD is easy to handle, you can listen to it in the car, but vinyl is something special. The artwork is way bigger (fantastic !), and you cannot find it at every corner. Today, all bands release their demos on CDR or doing a CD. That is nothing special anymore, but vinyl is different. To release something on vinyl is not common anymore. I like it a lot, and as you know, we try to release every album also on vinyl format."

- Politics and metal

Kai : "In my opinion it has nothing to do with each other. Politics is politics and Metal is Metal. There are some grindcore bands with political-lyrics, and mostly it is the anger and difficulties of the political-system. This is ok for me, as it is revolting against the system. I hate brainless, stupid Nazi scum !!"

- MP3

Kai : "As I’ve said in an answer above, it is a good way to check out new bands or new songs. We also have some MP3s on our website, so that people can listen to our music and know what DEPRESSION is all about. I don’t like MP3s as main musical source, as the quality is weak, and you have absolutely no visual aspect. I will listen to the music I like not only at my PC, but also at my stereo system."

- DEPRESSION in 2009

Kai : "It will be the year of celebration of our 20th anniversary ! To be exact, the autumn of 2009. As said before a special DVD is planned for that and maybe a live-gig. We will see what happens beside that. I hope we will not split-up before 2009, haha !"

Ok, the game is over, no more silly questions ! Thank you very much for your time / answers, hope to meet you someday and share a schnaps !! The last words are yours ! Stay brutal !!

Kai : "Thanks a lot my friend for the nice interview. It is always great when the person who is doing the interviews knows what he is talking about and that he knows the background of the band. Thanks for support and listen to DEPRESSION, if you like old school groovy Death/Grind from ugly musicians, hehe. Visit our websites www.depression-grind.de and www.myspace.com/depressiongrind.

Keep the underground spirit alive and stay fast, heavy and brutal !!!!

So long,

Kai"