After many years of silence, IRON FATE are back with their long-awaited second album. “Crimson Messiah” is an effort that brings the best of 80’s US metal and power metal to these days. Released last December, is without any doubt one of the best albums of the last year. Kai Ludwig, the drummer of the German band, gave us an interview. Here it is!
-Hi! Congrats on your magnificent new album. I hope you’re fine. How have you been coping through this Covid situation?
Hello, Diego. Thank you very much for this compliment, we truly appreciate that. So far, we’re fine, apparently healthy, and very happy about the positive reactions on “Crimson Messiah”.
-Can you please give us a short introduction to IRON FATE?
IRON FATE from Goslar, Germany are bringing US-influenced traditional Heavy Metal with various musical reminiscences ranging from Hard Rock to Thrash to you since 2005. Maybe, fans of, for instance, CRIMSON GLORY, old FATES WARNING or old QUEENSRYCHE should check us out.
-Where did the name of the band come from, why did you decide to name the band IRON FATE?
The band name dates back before I joined the band and should highlight the passion for that particular style of music, I guess. In fact, it is not meant as a combination of “Iron Maiden” and “Mercyful Fate”, though.
-Eleven years have passed since the release of your debut album “Cast In Iron”. What has been happening for IRON FATE since then?
The lineup successively crumbled and similarly its completion took some time. I suppose, in 2016 we were complete and started songwriting again. The production started in 2017 but had many interruptions due to positive and negative aspects, ranging from offspring, illness, to creative lows, and ending up in the pandemic in 2020, which complicated the last studio activities. It wasn’t easy, but here we are.
-Being from Germany you sound more like an American band from the eighties, from my point of view. What bands were the main influences for you guys in the beginning and, as the years passed by, which ones started playing a more important role for the sound of IRON FATE?
The influences have been the same over the years, ranging e.g., from PRIEST, MAIDEN, DIO to QUEENSRYCHE, SANCTUARY, CRIMSON GLORY, etc. But maybe we, the new members, brought some subtle new influences. For instance, I’m also a Progressive and Fusion fan. Moreover, our singer Denis fell more in love with 80’s AOR music, such as JOURNEY or TOTO, which you will clearly perceive in his vocal performance, when you compare the debut with “Crimson Messiah”. Simply put, everthing got more mature, less impulsive, but more diversified.
-So, what are we going to find in “Crimson Messiah” as a whole?
Would be more interesting to hear that from you, instead! Denis summarized that in another interview quite pointedly. “Crimson Messiah” is violent but also gentle. Rough but also detailed. Streamlined but also complex. “Crimson Messiah” is full of ambivalence but also familiarity.
-Was the material on “Crimson Messiah” all freshly written or did it date back several years?
The title track, “Hellish Queen”, and “Malleus Maleficarum” date back to a time before I joined the band. But we reworked or rearranged them more or less radically towards rather new songs. The rest was completely developed in the new lineup.
-“Crimson Messiah” is a superb album, full of great songs. Can you tell us what makes a good IRON FATE song, from your point of view?
A catchy riff or hookline in conjunction with a mesmerizing melody, and a solid groove with some subtle tricks here and there, I would say. When this cake is baked, we put litres of cream on top by Denis’ voice, ha, ha.
-Any favourite tracks on the album?
For me personally the title track for its aggression, “Strangers” for its grandeur, and “Mirage” for its cleverness.
-Denis Brosowski is a great singer. Has he taken any vocal lessons or did it just come naturally? I would like to know his influences as a vocalist as well…
As far as I know he had basic courses at the beginning but pursued singing self-taught. His influences range from the obvious Dio, Halford, and Tate to the AOR world of for instance Steve Perry or Bobby Kimball.
-How did the special guest appearances with Harry Conklin from JAG PANZER and Henrik Osterloh from DENY THE URGE come to mind?
Denis was in contact with Harry on Facebook and asked him if he would like to contribute the antagonist vocal role in “Crossing Shores”. He agreed and delivered his vocal tracks shortly after. Very simple and professional. Likewise with my former band mate Henrik, who I invited to contribute a monumental solo for the monumental “Strangers”. Two or three feedback calls, and we could choose between various versions. In neither case there was something astonishing to tell, tough. A big “Thank you!” again to both, Harry and Henrik.
-Your album includes a bonus track being a cover of BLACK SABBATH’s “Lost Forever” from “The Eternal Idol” album. How did you guys end up doing this song?
That was my idea, as this particular track along with the whole “Eternal Idol” album is a favorite of mine since the days of my youth. “Lost Forever” is pretty much “Metal” and therefore fits perfectly to the album. All in all a tribute to Ray Gillen, Tony Martin, and the founders dark music.
-Who is in charge for the music and the lyrics in the band? Is there any draft plan on how the composing process is developed?
Basically everyone is in charge for the music but during the last couple of years the songwriting mostly happens within the triumvirate of Denis, Oliver, and me. Sometimes we refine and arrange a rough song construct contributed by one of us, sometimes songs are really composed in teamwork.
-What are the themes in “Crimson Messiah” lyrics?
On the one hand political, religious, or personal deception, all in all mostly criticism in an allegoric fashion. On the other hand, rather positive messages on communal spirit of the metal scene, band, etc., which are also more straightforward.
-What kind of plans do you also have regarding promotional videos? Are they important to promote the band?
You mean aside from the two lyric videos, which we released before the release of “Crimson Messiah”? We have some basic ideas, but there are no concrete plans, yet. Let’s see what we can do during these complicated days.
-Can you tell us about the artwork and what it represents? Why did you decide to change the band’s logo?
Denis selected the artwork from Chris Cold as it perfectly visualizes the lyrics of the title track. Denis was also responsible for the new logo as with a nearly complete new lineup this is also a statement of change for IRON FATE.
-Now we can find a vinyl version of “Cast In Iron” as well. How do you feel about the vinyl comeback these days?
I personally like vinyl for its deceleration effect during these fast-paced times. You have to take a break, focus on adjusting the record properly, altogether with some sort of nostalgia. No hastly movement, no distraction. Actually paradox, as I also remember the times during the beginning or mid-90s, when nobody cared of vinyl any longer. The bonus tracks were always on CD, due to the limited playing times and everyone was heading for a clearer sound experience, which is also only achievable on CD. People are strange, aren’t they, ha, ha? But times have also changed.
-What’s ahead for IRON FATE, gigging-wise? Have you set any certain goals that you would like to achieve?
We got offers for a handful of shows in Germany for 2022. We would like to spread our music also on international stages but as we are no fulltime musicians this has to happen for singular shows, presumably. Hopefully the pandemic situation improves this year.
-Today seems like Germany is the epicenter of the Metal world. Leading labels are German, most summer festivals are held there, every single band will tour Germany extensively, even the most well-known mail orders are from your country but… what about Goslar? Is a small city, I think. How are things over there? Do you get many shows from foreign bands? Any band you want to recommend from your city?
Yes, Goslar is truly a smaller city with a population of approximately 50k including its periphery right in the middle of Germany near Brunswick. While it has a vital metal scene, it is not known for successful musical exports. Before the pandemic we had indeed some international acts on stage here e.g., MERCENARY, MALEVOLENT CREATION, or ILLDISPOSED. For larger events you have to ride to Hanover or Brunswick.
-Well, JUDAS PRIEST recently said that they were planning to return to the road as a four-piece (but they reversed their decision days later). What do you think? Should JUDAS PRIEST bring back K.K. Downing? Should K.K. go back?
From what I’ve read in the press they’ve got personal issues. As a fan you may disregard the frictions within a band just for the show. But as a musician I’m not interested to make music with people I don’t like. So, let them find their way. I personally don’t care too much.
-Name ten of your favourite albums of all time.
That’s always hard. Without any order or preference:
SYMPHONY X - “V – The New Mythology Suite”
EXHORDER - “Slaughter In The Vatican”
CHICK COREA - “The Leprechaun”
MESHUGGAH - “Destroy Erase Improve”
MORBID ANGEL -“Blessed Are The Sick”
ANNIHILATOR - “Never Neverland”
QUEENSRYCHE - “Operation Mindcrime”
INVOCATOR - “Excursion Demise”
STEVE HILLAGE - “Live Herald”
IRON MAIDEN - “Somewhere In Time”
-That was all I had in my mind for this conversation, so thank you for your time to make this happen and I also want to wish you all the best both with the band and in your life outside the band. If you have any closing comments to wrap up this conversation, be my guest…
Thank you very much for this opportunity and your questions, Diego. I’d also like to thank all the metalheads out there for their dedication and support. Hopefully, someday we can play our stuff in Spain, too. Stay healthy and all the best!
Diego González.
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