interview with Christof Ziegler ( complete)

Second cercle
Inscrit le : 13-08-2005
Messages: 1118
Réputation:

Interview with Christoph Ziegler (complet)

Interview with Christoph Ziegler
May 30, 2004

JJM:
Greetings Christoph. Why don't we start out by having you tell the
readers about the bands formation, and describe the music you create.
Christoph
Ziegler: Hello Joe. Well, the story/ history of Vinterriket is quite
boring and nothing special, I think. I have started the whole project
back in late 1996. In the early days the whole thing was very slow and
I was not 100% behind it. The first demo tape was released in early
2000 or in the end of 1999, I think. So it took 3 years to finish the
stuff. This was mainly because of bad equipment and so on. After the
release of the demo the whole thing became more serious and I totally
focused on the project. Up 'til now many EP's, CD's Demos and so on
have been published on different labels around the globe. Too many
stuff to mention, actually. Vinterriket was founded because of my
endless love to the dark side of Mother Nature. I wanted to express my
feelings and the way I see nature through this kind of art in order to
satisfy myself. You know, principally I make Music ONLY for myself, for
nobody else! If others like the music, too: Ok. If not, I do not care
at all. Of course it is great to see that many others share the same
feelings, that many others have the same visions/ landscapes/ feelings
inside when listening to the music of Vinterriket and that many others
interpret my lyrics, as I'd do myself. Then I see they got the point I
want to express. Others listen to the stuff and they understand simply
nothing what I wanted to express. But as I said: I do not care at all.
Vinterriket is me and I am Vinterriket. No other members have been
included in the past. So it is no "band" at all, better to say a
"project"! Vinterriket's music is only influenced by the dark side of
Mother Nature. Some of the tracks are pure melancholic, depressive and
cold Dark Ambient and some tracks could be described as grim, frosty
and symphonic Black Metal.
JVinterriket
is a Norwegian word meaning : If all my facts are correct ''Realm of
Winter.' This is interesting because back in Winter Realm' or 1995
Gehenna the black metal band from Norway released a song with that same
nameheard this word?
. Is this perhaps how you first CZor : Yes,
VINTERRIKET means something like "Realm Of Winter" "name for the Winter
realm" in English. I simply felt to use a Norwegian project with this
meaningwhen the 1st Demo tape . The decision came up was in
progressname "VINTERRIKET" would fit . I just thought that the
perfectly to my musicbetter name around which would fit . There is no
better to the sound of Vinterriket, I think! The word VINTERRIKET
describes the whole sound/ concept very good. No, the decision to use
this name has absolutely nothing to do with the Gehanna-track.
J:
Can you tell me about your creative process? How do you usually create
music in the studio? Do you use a computer program/software,
synthesizer, or both when creating music?
CZ: It is a lot of
stuff, which I am using. Ibanez guitar, some marshall amplifiers,
Cubase V, Samplitude, Wavelab, Soundforge, Yamaha synth, Yamaha
sequencer, a digital 8-track-recorder, drum machine.... Of course
microphones, bass, some effects etc. too. Soon I will get new and
better and more expensive equipment, I hope, but everything is a
question of money. I'd need new synths, a new guitar and so on.
J:
Is creating dark ambient music an easy or hard task in your opinion? I
know that's kind of a stupid question but I've always wanted to create
music similar to what you're doing, but never really knew where to
start.
CZ: Well, it is just a matter of inspiration and skills,
nothing more. If I am inspired, songs are just spreading out from my
head. The songs I am creating are just reflecting my own personality,
my feelings and my thoughts. Sure, making music is always not that easy
as it seems, but if there's enough inspiration and if there are enough
ideas/ skills, it should be no problem at all. You should be able to
transform your ideas/ feelings to music. Therefore you'll need the
skills.
J:
I've noticed you've done covers of both Graveland & Burzum. It
seems like nowadays you generally only see bands that share the same
political views as those bands performing covers of their songs. So I'm
curious to know where you stand on that issue and what are thoughts
about Nazism in music? Also are bands such as these banned in Germany?
Because from what I understand any form of Nazism in Germany is
strictly forbidden now a days.
CZ: There is not much to say about
the cover-song and Graveland, I think: In July'2001 I have recorded
this track ("Forge of souls"), which will be featured on the GRAVELAND
Tribute CD/MC/LP to be released by NAWIA PRODUCTIONS (POL) as Intro or
outro. I do not know if it'll ever be released. It is a great
synth-track, I think! I made the cover-song within only 2 or 3 days. I
like all the Graveland- stuff very much. Some Graveland-stuff sounds
similar to other Graveland- stuff, but all in all Graveland is a very
good band! Therefore I have made this cover "Forge Of Souls" from
"Following the Voice Of Blood" CD'96. The Pagan- Graveland stuff is
better than the Black- Metal- Graveland stuff, I think. I hope you know
what I mean. "Der Tod Wuotans" is e.g. featured on the Russian version
of the "Winterschatten" CD. This track is pure grief! One of the best
Ambient-tracks I have ever heard. Melancholic and filled with total
emptiness. I think this track fits also perfectly on the CD though it
has nothing to do with the concept of the album ("Winter"). But the
overall atmosphere and the mood of this special track are fitting
perfectly, I think.
Vinterriket
and politics are two different things. I am NOT mixing music with
politics. Politics is another field for me. Of course I am very
interested in politics, but this is something else and has nothing to
do with music. I do not care what others do. If they want to mix
politics with music they should do. This does not affect me. I also
have my political views, but this has nothing to do with my music/
Vinterriket. I hope you understand what I mean. I could write thousands
of lines about this topic, BUT: No comment. Cause this question is too
much in the field of politics. And as I said: Vinterriket and politics
are two different things. Of course I have my political views and I am
very interested in politics, but this is my private thing. I'll not
misuse any private political views within Vinterriket. Thanx for
understanding. Everybody walking around with open eyes will see all
those problems and will know what to do! I hope that the German people
will "wake up" soon. But I think it is already far too late! It is
already fact (statistics) that Germans are disappearing slowly! In 2050
there'll only live 40-50 Millions of Germans in Germany. The rest
(40-50 Millions) will be foreigners! This progress is not stoppable
anymore..... The situation in Germany right now is already worse
enough... Yez, Nazism is strictly forbidden in Germany nowadays. The
same goes for symbols; bands and stuff like that going in this
direction.
J:
You've recently created a new band called Nebelkorona. Can you tell us
a little bit about the project and what we can expect to hear from it?
CZ:
Yea, Nebelkorona is a Vinterriket side-project. It was created some
where in 2003. Actually I have just created 2 tracks for this project
so far which will be released on a 7" EP in July/August 2004.
Nebelkorona is more "romantic" than Vinterriket, I'd say. I prefer to
call the style "Dark Romantic Art". Besides this there's not much to
tell about Nebelkorona.
J:
I'm guessing you enjoy some music outside of the dark ambient realm.
What other types of music do you enjoy and what types of music do you
hate?
CZ: Since some years I am not into Black Metal anymore,
actually. I am listening to a lot of music: All kinds of music.
Ambient/ Industrial/ Classics/ etc. Some Black metal, too. But I am no
longer interested in the current Black Metal scene, to be honest. There
are too many shitty bands around copying each other and making the same
like others did even better years ago. I am seldomly buying a CD
related to Black Metal. There are only a few bands around which are
able to catch my attention. Those bands are different, because of their
originality and because they are not doing standard- stuff like
thousands of others. I will not mention any names... I still have all
the old records of the Scandinavian Black Metal bands, for example.
Sometimes I listen to them, but I prefer other stuff these days. All
the music to which I am listening is atmospheric, dark, melancholic and
original. Those parameters should be fulfilled! I do not want to be
labeled as Black Metal with Vinterriket. Therefore I always avoid the
term "Black Metal".
J: What bands have influenced you and persuaded you enough to create a dark ambient band?
CZ:
As I have already explained above, Vinterriket is only influenced by
the dark side of nature, nothing more. Other's music is playing a minor
part when it comes to inspiration. Sure, I am listening to a lot of
music each day. But there is no special album/ bands that stands above
everything and there is no band, which has influenced Vinterriket
directly. There are really a lot albums which are great in my eyes and
which are very important to me, but I do not want to mention them.
"Important" is probably the wrong word. Let's better say, "which are my
favorite ones". I am listening to a lot of different music styles, too.
Ambient, some old Black Metal, Industrial- stuff, experimental stuff,
futuristic stuff, Classic and so on. There are just some parameters,
which should be fulfilled, in all those different styles: Coldness,
grimness, melancholy, atmosphere and originality! This is the most
important thing. The music should be able to catch my mind, to be able
to "move the soul" and to be able to get myself into the "correct
mood", if you understand what I mean. I am seldomly buying a "Metal" or
"Black Metal"-related CD these days. I am more into Industrial/
Ambient. VINTERRIKET is only influenced by nature, nothing else! Sure,
you get influenced by many things around you, you can even say by ALL
things around you: Friends, books, films, landscapes, pictures, music
etc. But my main source is nature. The dark side of Mother Nature so to
speak.
J:
Are you a fan of Peter Andersson's work (raison d'etre, Necrophorus,
Atomine Elektrine, ect) at all? I recently heard a few of his projects
and was blown away by most it.
CZ: I know some of the stuff, but I
am not that familiar with all those projects you've mentioned. I
actually prefer other stuff, but I will not mention any names here.
These days I am mainly into Dark Ambient, Industrial and Experimental
Music.
J:
I could be wrong, but I think you're mostly concentrating on creating
dark ambient music now and are no longer making any metal songs. Is
this correct?
CZ: Nope, this is not true. The next full-length CD,
which will be out some where in 2005, will contain "Black Metal" –
tracks exclusively. I am just doing what's in my mind. There are no
limitations and no "rules" whether to create Dark Ambient or Black
Metal- tracks.
J:
Although I only own three of your releases I've always liked the
artwork. I'm guessing these are photograph's you've taken from around
the world?
CZ: Well, The cover- pictures/booklet pictures should
always fit 100% to the music. I am of the opinion that the layout and
the pictures fit perfectly to the music. The pictures I used on covers
/ booklets and so on have ALL been shot by myself, some by a German
friend of me (from Erzgebrige) and some by Haewwel (Vinterriket-
session- member). I have never used other pictures than those shot by
myself, my friend and Haewwel. I am proud to use self-made pictures and
not to steal them in the Internet like others do. The pictures, which
can be seen within my booklets and on my covers, are not only shot in
the Alps (near where I live): (Northern-) Sweden, Norway, Switzerland,
Northern Italy, Germany (many of them),....
J:
In just four years you've released a lot of material, most of which is
limited, and on vinyl or tapes. Is there any special reason why you
release so much material so often? Also to date how many Vinterriket
releases have there been?
CZ: A lot of the stuff which has been
released are re-releases, different- version, Brazil- / Ukrainian,
Russian- versions of releases, Vinyl-versions and so on.... If you'd
not count all those the amount of releases is not that big. I am
creating music each day, several hours, normally. Well, how can I
produce such a big amount of music? It is quite simple: To make music
is what I want to do. I love it. I am spending almost all my free time
for composing music. I like it. I usually use several hours a day to
create music,... There are days/ weeks/ months with a big lack of
inspiration/ ideas. On the other side there are days/ weeks/ month
where ideas are just flowing out of my head if you understand what I
mean. It depends.
J: Do you think there's anyone out there beside yourself that owns every Vinterriket release?
CZ:
Yea, maybe. I know some fans, which are owing (almost) all releases.
But you are right: It is nearly impossible to get all the releases. To
get all tracks is no problem, but to get all releases is a problem, I
think. There are so many country-specific releases around these days…
J:
Dark ambient music is generally very dark, melancholic, and desolate
sounding. Often times I figure people that make this type of music
probably aren't the happiest people on earth. So with that said do you
enjoy life?
CZ: Well, this is a difficult question I think. I am of
the opinion that it is NOT possible to create such dark and melancholic
music if you're a rather happy and positive-energy-filled guy. The
music I am creating reflects my inner self, my mood, my thoughts, and
my soul. When listening to Vinterriket you'll probably hear how it must
look inside myself. On one hand I enjoy life, on the other hand not. It
depends.
J: What circumstances lead to Vinterriket being signed to Ketzer records, an otherwise all black metal label?
CZ:
The contract with Ketzer Records is finished, so to speak. I have
signed a deal with the German record company Black Attakk not long ago.
All further records will be released by them. I was / I am still very
satisfied with the work Ketzer did for Vinterriket. I left in
friendship, 'cause Black Attakk simply made the best offer for future
releases. This is the only reason why I have left. I am working
together with many small underground labels. This is a big advantage
when it comes to spread records. I mean if a Ukrainian label is
releasing MC- versions of my records it is great! They are spreading
them in Ukraine/ Russia exclusively. No big American record company
would reach those people at all. So I prefer to work with small record
labels from different countries around the globe: ..Brazil.., ..Russia,
Ukraine, Romania, and Germany I have been in contact with Ketzer for
many years now, even before Vinterriket was started at all. He is not
living away from me anyway, so it was quite normal to release some
stuff on his label. I have no problem that Ketzer is mainly active in
the Black Metal scene though my latest CD on their label is pure Dark
Ambient.
J: Could or will the music of Vinterriket ever be performed live?
CZ:
Well, in the past I always wrote the following when I was asked this
question: Up 'til now Vinterriket has never played live. Maybe in the
future? Who knows... This mainly depends on finding other competent
musicians. The music is mainly pure Ambient, as you know. So it is
senseless to make live-shows, at least in my opinion. In general
VINTERRIKET's music is absolutely NOT made to be performed live in
crappy concert halls. People should listen to it individually at home
during the uttermost darkness! I'd not like it very much to play in
front of a drunken horde of stupid kids, you know.... If there would be
a gig it would be something very special, I am sure. But there are
absolutely no plans for a live-show right now. And 2nd, it would be
difficult to perform the stuff live, too. But on the other hand I have
several offers for live shows lying here. People are asking more and
more about it. But I do not know... Maybe I'll do a gig or more in the
future, we'll see what the future will bring.
Right
now I am at a point where I have started to bring Vinterriket on stage
for some shows. Therefore I have recruited some temporary live-session
guest-members. If everything goes according to plan Vinterriket will
hit stage in Autumn/Winter 2004. We'll see if everything works out
fine. But I am quite optimistic these days. There'll be only performed
BM-tracks live, 'cause all ambient tracks are not there to be performed
live.
J: Could you think of a time or a place that would be best suited for listening to Vinterriket?
CZ:
Sure I can think of such places and times: At night, in the woods, in
winter, whilst walking through snowstorms, through endless dark any
mystic forests and so on. The ideal places for listening to Vinterriket
are always connected to the dark side of nature.
J: Does your location in the world influence your music at all?
CZ:
Sure it does. I am living close to Nature in Southern Germany near the
Alps and near the Swabian Alb. Maybe you have heard of this area. Sure,
there are much better places where I could live, but I am quite
satisfied where I live.
J:
Here's a classic question for you. If you were to remain on a deserted
island for several years what five albums would you wish to bring along
with you?
CZ: I do not have my "5 best albums" at all. I am
listening to a lot of music, different kinds of music. I have a lot of
CD's here, which I like very much. But it is impossible for me to
mention my favorite 5 albums, sorry. Albums I like very much (Only
Black Metal ones) are e.g.:
In The Woods- Heart of the ages
Limbonic Art- 1st CD
Arcturus- Constellation MCD and Aspera Hiems… CD
Solefald- 1st CD
J:
It's rather obvious you spend a lot of time on your music, but I'm sure
you have other interests, and probably have a full time job as well. So
what do you do when your not creating music?
CZ: I am spending
almost all my free time creating music and doing stuff related to my
music. Besides music I am interested in art (painting) and (landscape-)
photography. I am also interested in politics, astrology, history and
so on. The list is endless.
J: Finally what's the band currently doing and what are your plans for the near future?
CZ:
Well, at the moment the new CD (Ketzer Records, GER) entitled
"Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit" is available in the form of a Super
Jewel Box King Size (almost A5-size, unlimited edition). Besides this
MC-versions in Ukraine (Bloodhead Prod.) and Brazil (Arcano Musica) are
available. Furthermore, shirts (TS/LS, size XL) of the new record are
also available (unlimited editions). Arcano Musica has also published a
Brazil-version of the TS for the new album (limited 50). Ketzer Records
will release a Vinyl-version in summer 2004, too, in the form of a 3 x
10" MLP series. Posters with the cover-artwork of the new record are
available, too. I am sure that there are still some older records of
Vinterriket available at different record companies. The stuff which
I've listed is just concerning the latest output…. "Landschaften ewiger
Einsamkeit" will also be released as Romanian–CD-version (Lupii Daciei
Records, limited 500, w/ exclusive bonus-track) and as
Russian–CD-version (Einsamkeit Productions, limited 500, w/ exclusive
bonus-track) in June/July 2004. Concerning future releases: Here we go
(in the form of a list):
BMMB Productions (GER/ 005):
VINTERRIKET/NORTHAUNT (NOR)- Split 7" EP'2004 Spring 2004 (500 copies)
feat. one unreleased track from the "Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit" recording-session. Comes with inlay
BMMB Productions (GER/ 006):
VINTERRIKET/NORTHAUNT (NOR)- Split 3"CD-R'2004 Spring 2004 (21 copies)
feat.
one unreleased track from the "Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit"
recording-session. 3"CD-R will be packed inside a black velvet back.
Comes with inlay.
Westwall Productions (GER/WW 017):
VINTERRIKET- Im ambivalenten Zwielicht der Dunkelheit 7" EP'2004 Spring 2004 (555 copies)
feat. two new tracks created in 2003 (BM-style, not Ambient)
Oskorei Music (RUS/OSMCD 003):
VINTERRIKET-
...und die Nacht kam schweren Schrittes CD'2004 Spring 2004 (1000
copies / Russian version! w/ exclusive unreleased bonus-track!)
Re-release, hand numbered
Lupii Daciei Records (ROM/L.D.R.003):
VINTERRIKET- Winterschatten CD'2004 Spring 2004 (500 copies / Romanian version! w/ bonus-track!)
Romanian-edition of the last full-length CD
White Wolf Productions (ITA/ WW 001):
VINTERRIKET- 7-Zoll-Kollektion 2000-2002'2004 Autumn 2004 (300 copies)
A collection of tracks from old, sold-out 7" EP's
Shadowface Releases (GRE):
VINTERRIKET/FENRIA (SWE)- Split CD'2004 Summer 2004
The CD will feature two unreleased track from the "Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit"-recording session
"Landschaften ewiger Einsamkeit II"- track on:
LOHENFESTE RECORDS (GER)- In Wüsten Lohen Pt. I 2-CD-R'2004 Spring 2004
just a sampler-contribution
"Sterbende Sonnen"- track as:
Intro for the upcoming Compilation CD on BLUTVERGIESSEN (GER) in 2004
an exclusive track already created in 2002 for this still unreleased compilation
"...am Abgrund"- track as:
Intro for the upcoming debut CD of FORLORN IN SILENCE (NOR) in 2004
an exclusive track already created in 2002 for this still unreleased CD
"Nebulöse Tiefen des Schwermuts"- track as:
Song for an upcoming CD of BLOODLINE (SWE) on SELBSTMORD SERVICES (SWE) in 2004
an exclusive track already created in 2002 for this still unreleased CD
Besides
this, nothing more is planned for this year. I will start to compose
new tracks in the middle of 2004. The next full-length CD will be
released somewhere in 2005, not before.
J: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview and I wish you the best of luck with all future musical endeavors.
CZ: Thanx for the interview man!

je te surveille, tu ne me vois pas, je suis ton côté sombre, je t'influence, je te pousse, tu ne me connais pas, tu m'appréhendes pas, tu ne me contrôles pas, tu es à ma merci, à chaque moment je peux prendre ta destinée dans mes mains ténébreuses... te mener à ta perte comme à ton ascension...

Forums