NECROMORPH – Don’t Take Every Sh*t Seriously And Don’t Let It Get You Down

» July 21, 2024
» Interviews

NECROMORPH, a band that has been evolving and pushing the boundaries of extreme metal for nearly 30 years, channels their frustration and diverse musical tastes into a unique sound that blends grindcore, death metal, and black metal elements.

Fritze was kind enough to take time and answer this questions.
Hey Fritze, thanks again. Be kind and in a few sentences, if possible, tell us about NECROMORPH.

Hi Nenad and thanx for your interest! NECROMORPH consists of five people who compensate for their frustration with the daily madness in their professional environment and that of the world. Necromorphic outbreaks of violence also occur due to personal musical tastes. We have been making music in this consistent configuration for 13 years now.

You started as black metal band but during the years, you have switched to death metal and grindcore. How and why has this happened?

At the beginning, the founding members Jockel and Fritze mainly listened to black metal stuff, the Scandinavian school, but also raucous grind, like old NAPALM DEATH, REPULSION, CARCASS and of course NECRONY/ early NASUM. In 1998 NASUM then released Inhale/Exhale, which was with the brothers triggered an aha effect and enchanted her to this day. ROTTEN SOUND‘s “Murderworks” from 2002 marked a final departure from the black metal of the early years towards Scandinavian grind core. Meanwhile, the Black Metal roots shine through again in some passages. You could describe NECROMORPH’s current sound as grindcore with components from all extreme metal genres.

You have been around for almost 30 years. How can you describe your musical path from the beginnings to the present day?

In order to describe NECROMORPH’s musical path and today’s sound, you have to look at the musical path of each individual member. Everyone has always had a wide range of tastes. In terms of the necromorphic sound, this ranges from punk to hard and crustcore, black metal, doom metal, brutal death metal and of course grindcore to classic heavy metal. Outside the band, it’s hip hop, techno, classical music and all sorts of other curiosities. Maybe that explains the wide-ranging sound of NECROMORPH, haha!

You’re not one of those bands that have regular releases. Is there a specific reason for this?

There is no particular reason for this. We do everything DIY and take as long as we need.

Can you describe the band’s songwriting process? How do you develop your songs from initial ideas to final tracks?

It’s usually the case that one of the string instrumentalists comes into the rehearsal room with an idea, but it is either discarded fairly quickly or worked on. If the idea isn’t already fully conceptualized, everyone else contributes ideas about their instruments. Then we decide whether the song makes it into the set list and onto a recording. Vocal lines, titles and lyrics are adjusted at the end of the songwriting process.

Do you think it is now easier to book a gig than during the period before the infamous coronavirus?

I don’t think much has changed. The concert market has now calmed down again. Thanks to our contacts, it’s not difficult for us to get gigs in German-speaking countries.

Grindcore and extreme music genres are often associated with provocative artwork. How important is visual art to your music?

The visual aspect has always been important to us and we pay attention to a harmonious product. The visual in combination with the music creates the total work of art. However, we prefer the subtle depiction of violence. What could be nicer than holding a cool record cover in your hands and listening to the music, for example through really good headphones. It’s no different with Merchendise. This is also part of the overall nature of a publication.

What inspirations and influences have shaped your sound and lyrics?

Especially, as mentioned above, the second wave of grindcore from the late 1990s and early 2000s. But of course and above all the daily shit around us.

What was the first show you ever played?

Our first show must have been at the end of 1995 or beginning of 1996 in a youth center in the brothers’ hometown. There must still be some fake blood hanging on the ceiling.
In any case, the first documented gig was on April 26, 1996 in the island in Berlin Treptow with Eisregen and Desaster.

Is there a gig you wish you had played?

Yes. We once had an offer to play with NASUM at the venerable Knaack Club in Berlin. Unfortunately we had to cancel. We were a bit disordered back then. Damn.

What was the greatest show you ever played?

We play our best shows on the smallest club and festival stages. Mention should be made here of the VEB in Lübeck, the Klex in Greifswald or the Amnesie (RIP) in Berlin and the Grind the Nazi Scum in Torgau.

Are there any new bands worth mentioning?

Definitely KARNICKELMESSER from Leipzig and KINSKI from Münsterland. Very vehement grindcore bands. But also VERRAT from Austria,a cool Blackenend Crustcore band.

Where can people see NECROMORPH play in the future?

Coming soon at Weakend Waste in Bremen, at Swampfest in Berlin, at Krachfest in Aachen and here and there in between. Bookers are welcome to get in touch.

Where do you see NECROMORPH in the next five years?

Hopefully we can continue to be healthy and, above all, play live. Maybe with a new record in the bag.

Top three German beers?

Carlsberg, Staropramen, Kozel… haha. Seriously…there are just too many, especially regional, beers. Just always try the small, regional breweries. It’s not just Germany where you can go wrong.

Message for the fans?

Don’t take every shit seriously and don’t let it get you down. Life is too short for any trouble. But, for example, use the instrument of “free elections” to at least not encourage the Nazis in Europe, for example. It’s shocking what’s happening on this continent at the moment. Ahoy!

Follow NECROMORPH:

Official Website: https://www.necromorph.de