Being impressed by the "A Hell Of The Knight" lp which is excellent real
epic heavy metal, I contacted drummer Martin some months ago for an interview.
It took some times because of some technical problems, but finally here it
is ! Their second album "Blitz Invasion" just came out on cd by Hellion Records...
Can you tell at first how did you get into Metal ? Which albums have
remained your favourite ones ?
I am in Metal since 1979 when I have heard the
first time Kiss! My favorite albums of all times are:
Manilla Road: All, Brocas Helm: All, Cirith Ungol: All, Solar Eagle: Same,
Deadly Blessing: Acsend of the cauldron,
Wyzard: Knights of Metal, Mark Lowrey: Rusty mark in the metal palace and
many more underground stuff...
When did you start playing drums ? For which reason(s) have you chosen
this instrument ?
I started when I was twelve years old! Now I have
played for 22 years! At first I want to play guitar, but this was not my thing
;-)
When was born RITUAL STEEL exactly ? Was Martin Zellmer (drums) / Sascha
Maurer (vocals) / Oliver Zühlke (bass) / Benjamin Beck (guitar) the original
line-up ? Did you record some demos ?
This was our original line-up, but Timo was in
our first line-up, too! The songs from the "Orchid Queen" 7'' were
the first songs we ever made! There are no demos from Ritual Steel! We were
two weeks in the rehearsalroom and went then in the studio to record both
songs!
How did you get in touch with Metal Supremacy for the 7'' ? Also on this
7'', there was additional guitar by Timo Tippmann. Did he become a RITUAL
STEEL member after the release of the 7'' ?
Andrea and Hermann are metalbrothers from us since
a long time! They are working like Sascha (Sir Lord Doom) at Hellion, too!
They liked our songs since the first time and give us the change for our first
release! Timo was a member from the first time! He forgot the date for the
photo-session for our single! This is the truth...
The "Orchid Queen" 7'' was released in 2001. The two songs are great,
but don't you think at that time your music could be described as something
like SACRED STEEL followers ? How was the response for "Orchid Queen" ?
We have NOTHING to do with Sacred Steel! (well,
I think I should have precised "Wargods Of Metal" era -Patrick). We are totally
others!!! Sacred Steel plays Powermetal with many Death Metal influences and
we make True Underground METAL from the eighties! The single was sold out
in a very short time and brings us the deal with "The Miskatonic Foundation"!
Why did Benjamin Beck leave the band ? He was replaced by Dirk Johannsen
but this guy was fired in October '02 as it seems you were disappointed by
him. And also that you are not in good terms with Johannsen.
Benjamin was not a good guitar player and Dirk
have too many problems with drugs! That`s all...
In 2002, you played concerts with SACRED STEEL and WIZARD. You were also
on the bill of the Headbangers Open Air. So, was 2002 a year to show which
is RITUAL STEEL on stage ? Do you like playing in a festival or do you enjoy
more playing a concert ?
I don`t like to play gigs! When I play a gig, it
must be with other real metalbands! The gigs at the HOA (2002 and 2004) were
a hammer! Those gigs were really great!
After the eviction of Johannsen, the Martin Zellmer / Sascha Maurer /
Oliver Zühlke / Timo Tippmann line-up recorded the first album. How many
cd's is the deal with Miskatonic ? And I guess it was a natural choice that
Metal Supremacy released the vinyl version. Are you satisfied with the work
of the two labels ?
The deal was for one album! The work was very good!
They made all for us and sold a lot of copies!
The "A Hell Of A Knight" album proves RITUAL STEEL is a solid new hope
for real Metal. It has already got several playing in my stereo and it's very
nice there is a bonus 7'' with the lp. What are your feelings about this
album ?
It`s true underground metal as we like! We don`t
like major-productions with drum and bass-computers! We had only 1000 euros
for both albums and I think the result was very good! I like all songs we
have ever made!
There is a cover of MANILLA ROAD on the bonus 7''. Which are in your
opinion the cult bands that influenced RITUAL STEEL ? Do you believe that
without them RITUAL STEEL will never have been alive ?
Manilla Road are god! We have played with them
at the "Keep it True" festival here in Germany! The are great metalbrothers!!!
I like this band since the "Crystal Logic" album!
Do you prefer cd or vinyl ? Are you a vinyl maniac ? Are there vinyls
you are proud to have in your collection ?
I am a vinyl collector since 25 years and have
4000 records, but 2000 cd`s too! I think I have all great and rare records
from the last 25 years! But I like albums like Priest "Painkiller" as Streetchild
;-)
What do you think of happy "metal" with its cheesy songs ? Is it polluted
the scene ? Do you think real metal will stay underground ?
I don`t like the Hollywood Metal shit, but every
guy shall hear what he want! Only underground is real!
Why Oliver Zühlke left in April '03 ? How did you find Jesco Wolter
(bass) and Torsten Lang (guitar) ?
Oliver has not time for Ritual Steel, but he is
forever a comrade of me! Thorsten I have find here by the band Valpurgisnight
after they splitted! Jesco is a friend from Torsten and he brings him to our
rehearsalroom! The rest is history...
You recorded a song for a split 7'' with REVEREND BIZARRE, to be out
on Metalcoven Records. When will be released this split 7'' ?
The single was released for a year and is sold
out now! Reverend Bizarre is one of the best Doom bands this time!
You also recorded in summer '03 a song for a split 7'' with METAL INQUISITOR,
to be out on Dream Evil Records. Date of release ? Do you think a split 7''
is a good way of promotion for a band ? Or just a cool vinyl to have ?
This single was released for a year too and is
sold out since a long time! We like split 7'' with other great bands! This
is a great promotion for both bands in the underground scene!
In November '03, you entered the studio to record the new album. Can
you give us some infos about the second album and the songs ? How did you
sign with Hellion ? Which label will make the lp edition ?
The new album is more complex! The lyrics are about
Metal! That`s all! Juergen is a long time good friend of mine and I think
he can make a better promotion for us! Hellion makes the vinyl version from
"Blitz Invasion" too! His quality in vinyl was the best!
Will there be a tour after the release of the second album ? In support
of a band ?
We want to play the 21th of august in Itzehoe with
Vortex and in october in Glueckstadt/Germany with another cult band! Sorry,
but that`s all!
How do you see the future for RITUAL STEEL ? Becoming a bigger band or
staying in the underground with an army of loyal knights ?
After the gig in Glückstadt we will make a
very long break! I don`t know when we will start again! I think in the next
year, you won't hear from Ritual Steel!
You said me you also play in an other band called ISEN TORR with members
from TWSTED TOWER DIRE, DESTINY'S END and SOLSTICE. I don't know this band,
can you tell more about this project ? Has this band released something ?
Isen Torr is Tony Taylor (Twisted Tower Dire, Ballistic):
Vocals, Perry Grayson (Destiny`s End, Falcon): Guitar, Rich Walker (Solstice,
Warning): Guitar, Oliver Zuehlke (Ex-RS, Savage Rites, Z-Iron): Bass, and
me on the drums.
Our first ep "Mighty and Superior" was only released on vinyl (10'' in a
gatefold-sleeve) by Metal Supremacy six months ago! In november we want to
record our second ep with a bonus flexi-disc! Isen Torr plays Epic Metal with
many NWOBHM influences!
In october comes my first solo ep "Z-Iron" on Hellion!
Z-Iron is John Cason (Exiled): Vocals, Dean harder: Guitar, Oliver Zuehlke
(EX-RS, IT, Savage Rites): Bass and me on the drums.
In january we will go in the studio and record our first album for Hellion
Records! We will play at the Headbangers Open Air 2005! This will be our only
gig! Z-Iron play US Powermetal like old Agent Steel, Deadly Blessing and
Liege Lord! You will like it!
Then I will record with Savage Rites a 7'' for Metal Freak Records! Savage
Rites plays NWOBHM in the purest form like Pagan Alter meets Witchfinder General!
Savage Rites is Oliver Zuehlke (Ex-RS, IS, Z-Iron): Vocals and Bass, Michael
Hahn (Cold Embrace): Guitar and me on the drums.
And then I will play the drums on a 7'' for the doom band Cold Embrace!
You see that I have enough to do ;-)
I have a 50 hour job, a wife, a daughter, play in four bands and have a
house with a great garden! I think one day my wife will kill me...
Thank you Martin for the answers. If I forgot something, feel free to
add it. or if you have last words...
Many thanks for your support!
ritual steel website
Don`t Support The Undreground! Be A Part Of It!
Sorry for the short answers, but my english is very bad ;-)
interview by Patrick Lefevre
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