Hello everybody! Abstractyss was founded in 2011 by Matthias Schuller and Mille in Passau. In the beginning we deliberately put the focus on not rushing anything and first to lay the foundations for the band. So first of all we had to define the musical direction and at the same time we wrote the first songs. We decided consciously to take things slowly, because each of us already had band experience at that point and we decided to take the steps to the first live performance slowly and well thought out. When the first songs were already available, we started to look for the right musicians, which we found after a few attempts and so we could finally celebrate our live debut in 2016.
The band name is composed of "abstract" and "abyss" and represents the connection between our music and the lyrics. Abstract parts in the music meet, so to speak, with the dark abysses depicted in the lyrics.
Your album convinces by a really outstanding and so far not so often heard mixture of straight death metal, complex, technical elements and partly orchestral influences. How long have you been on the road as musicians? Did you have lessons or are you self-taught? And you also have a preference for Karlheinz Stockhausen, as I have read...I also like the fact that your complex music nevertheless conveys emotions, which is a trap that too technical bands often fall into, I think. This is music for musicians, but everyone else gets bored. With you however tension, dynamics and aggression is tangible and palpable.
Thank you for the compliment. We have all been musically active since our youth. Since then, we have been allowed to make the most diverse influences and experiences and have been able to gain many impressions. As far as the musical education is concerned, everything is there: from complete autodidacts over a classical musical education in the youth years with subsequent self-teaching, to the upcoming studies at the conservatory. Our focus is not on musical feats or technique, but on the fact that the songs represent a unit and thus a total work of art.
The album lasts over an hour, rather unusual. From which period do the songs come from? Are there also tracks to find, which you had already written at the beginning of the band?
Our first songs were written over a longer period of time. From 2011 to 2017 we initially wrote as a twosome when we were still in the self-discovery phase with the band. During this time we also worked out the foundation for the band as it is now.
This mixture of Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Death, Dimmu Borgir (synthesizers), Necrophagist and Gorguts - these are the bands that spontaneously came to my mind - is both original and as well as absolutely convincing, coherent and conclusive. Technique is only a means to an end, but it still sounds as if from "one cast". Has actually no label bitten yet? Or is that not a priority for you? I think you would have - of course within the limits of death metal - a not insignificant commercial potential.
Unfortunately, the collaborations we've been offered so far were no options for us. However, we are open for interesting collaborations. We will see what the future brings.
"Beyond nuclear dreams" is the name of your album, which sounds somehow quite dystopian. What are your lyrics about? And do you think that lyrics are very important in death metal or are they only rather ornamental accessories?
Passau is the secret metal stronghold of Lower Bavaria. There are now several places for events. We have our rehearsal room in the former tobacco factory, which is run by the Musikförderverein (MFV) Passau. From the MFV we experience again and again large support and concerts often take place in the Tabakfabrik. Also the Zauberberg Pssau is a great location with very diverse and interesting events. In the "Zeche14" or the "Colors" we like to go for a cosy round after the band rehearsals.
In the meantime you have already played some concerts, among others also as support of Vader. What were the highlights, with which bands did you like to share the stage, which festivals have remained especially in your memory?
It was a very nice and special experience to be allowed to share the stage with such veterans. We definitely hope for more such opportunities! For us it's always great when the contact to bands remains, you can make friends and support each other with gigs. The experiences we have already made we would love to expand on further festivals.
Are there any unifying all-time faves that you can all agree on in the band? Which classics have influenced you or are still spinning regularly on your turntables or in the CD slot? And which newer bands, no matter if well known or underground, can you recommend?
There you will be able to hear one or the other new song. Our live-debut in NRW (in Dülmen) was already planned for 2020, but then unfortunately had to be canceled for the known reasons (Corona). But we still hope for NRW and that something will happen there as soon as possible. We would like to network and we would also be happy to welcome bands from NRW in Lower Bavaria, for example at the "Spawn of Death" 2023. Bands do not hesitate and contact us. The only condition is that you play extreme metal and it rattles properly!
For a while you didn't have a permanent drummer and Lille Gruber from Defeated Sanity helped out live. New songs were developed and rehearsed during this time with a drum computer, right? The album was also recorded with a with a drum machine, which you don't really hear at first, in my opinion.
Working with Lille Gruber was a very great experience. The live performances with him were very enjoyable. Despite the lack of a permanent drummer, we didn't let it get us down. Occasionally we also had gigs with the drum computer and the encouragement of our audience always gave us new drive to go on and to overcome the lean period. And it was through these live gigs that our current drummer Tobias Schmeisser became aware of us. Now it's finally possible for us to work on our new album with a full band.
My family is connected with Lower Bavaria, especially the area around Passau - Vilshofen and Ortenburg, to be more concrete. Describe to an outsider the advantages but also the disadvantages of living in Lower Bavaria, in general as well as as a metal fan.
That's nice to hear, also André and Mille have firm connection to this region. A big advantage is definitely the well-connected community. In terms of music, the MFV Passau does a really great job, across all genre boundaries. To see bigger acts you usually have to be willing to travel long distances, for example to Munich or Nuremberg.
The last words belong to you!
Thank you very much for the interview and for the interest in our music.
The band name is composed of "abstract" and "abyss" and represents the connection between our music and the lyrics. Abstract parts in the music meet, so to speak, with the dark abysses depicted in the lyrics.
Thank you for the compliment. We have all been musically active since our youth. Since then, we have been allowed to make the most diverse influences and experiences and have been able to gain many impressions. As far as the musical education is concerned, everything is there: from complete autodidacts over a classical musical education in the youth years with subsequent self-teaching, to the upcoming studies at the conservatory. Our focus is not on musical feats or technique, but on the fact that the songs represent a unit and thus a total work of art.
Our first songs were written over a longer period of time. From 2011 to 2017 we initially wrote as a twosome when we were still in the self-discovery phase with the band. During this time we also worked out the foundation for the band as it is now.
This mixture of Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Death, Dimmu Borgir (synthesizers), Necrophagist and Gorguts - these are the bands that spontaneously came to my mind - is both original and as well as absolutely convincing, coherent and conclusive. Technique is only a means to an end, but it still sounds as if from "one cast". Has actually no label bitten yet? Or is that not a priority for you? I think you would have - of course within the limits of death metal - a not insignificant commercial potential.
Unfortunately, the collaborations we've been offered so far were no options for us. However, we are open for interesting collaborations. We will see what the future brings.
As our band name already suggests, we deal in our lyrics with human abysses, dystopias, mythologies, death and destruction. Just because we describe the abominations of life, it does not mean that we are dissatisfied people. What is important to us is that the lyrics fit the music. As already mentioned above our creations are works of art, in which we make sure that everything fits together. Therefore the lyrics complete the song and become an important pillar of our music.
You come from Passau, please tell us something about the metal scene there, are there good meeting places, pubs, locations and festivals? Which bands can you recommend from your area, also absolute underground-tips! And as I already researched in advance you also organize your own festival, called Spawn of Death? Tell me something about it, will there be another edition soon? Otherwise I remember the Ratisbona Deathgrind Fest, which doesn't exist anymore...
There are also a lot of exciting bands in the area. Here are a few that come to our mind spontaneously: Sucking Leech (grindcore), Refused Absolution (real death metal), Abyss (death/black metal), Public Grave (death metal), Macabre Demise (brutal death metal), Morass Skoffin (death metal) or Maahes (black metal). Some of them are old hands, others are just starting out. But there is also a lot going on in Passau besides the metal scene. Also the stoner fraction gets its money's worth here. Not least this is due to the Blackdoor Festival, which is in the immediate vicinity of Passau, brings well known bands from all over to Passau. An absolute insider tip! But also our festival, the "Spawn of Death", dedicates itself to the basic idea, to bring together regional as well as national bands in Passau on one day and thus to network the local metal scene more strongly and to contribute our part to the metal community. In other words: We want to increase the metal offer in Lower Bavaria for all music lovers. A new edition of the festival is planned for 2023. Get in touch with us, if your band is interested in playing there!
It was a very nice and special experience to be allowed to share the stage with such veterans. We definitely hope for more such opportunities! For us it's always great when the contact to bands remains, you can make friends and support each other with gigs. The experiences we have already made we would love to expand on further festivals.
Are there any unifying all-time faves that you can all agree on in the band? Which classics have influenced you or are still spinning regularly on your turntables or in the CD slot? And which newer bands, no matter if well known or underground, can you recommend?
It's hard for us to decide on a common favorite. Our intersection consists of the bands already mentioned by you: Morbid Angel, Behemoth, Death, Gorguts, Dimmu Borgir, Dying Fetus, Origin, Voivod, The Black Dahlia Murder, Necrophagist and Cannibal Corpse. Their classics we all celebrate a lot! Absolute listening recommendations are Blood Incantation, Imperial Triumphant, LLNN, Vitriol, Nightmarer!
Now a look into the future: your album is already from 2017, have you written new songs? Are you going to record something again soon? Are there any other plans, also regarding gigs, maybe also here in North Rhine-Westphalia?
New material is already available and the preparations for the next album are in full swing. Here is a small list of upcoming live concerts : Death over Passau | 15.10.2022, Tunzenberg | 31.10.2022, Woid weyd Metal | Regen | 12.11.2022, Ingolstadt | 23.12.2022, Death over Regensburg | 06.01.2023, Nuremberg | 14.01.2023.
Now a look into the future: your album is already from 2017, have you written new songs? Are you going to record something again soon? Are there any other plans, also regarding gigs, maybe also here in North Rhine-Westphalia?
New material is already available and the preparations for the next album are in full swing. Here is a small list of upcoming live concerts : Death over Passau | 15.10.2022, Tunzenberg | 31.10.2022, Woid weyd Metal | Regen | 12.11.2022, Ingolstadt | 23.12.2022, Death over Regensburg | 06.01.2023, Nuremberg | 14.01.2023.
Working with Lille Gruber was a very great experience. The live performances with him were very enjoyable. Despite the lack of a permanent drummer, we didn't let it get us down. Occasionally we also had gigs with the drum computer and the encouragement of our audience always gave us new drive to go on and to overcome the lean period. And it was through these live gigs that our current drummer Tobias Schmeisser became aware of us. Now it's finally possible for us to work on our new album with a full band.
That's nice to hear, also André and Mille have firm connection to this region. A big advantage is definitely the well-connected community. In terms of music, the MFV Passau does a really great job, across all genre boundaries. To see bigger acts you usually have to be willing to travel long distances, for example to Munich or Nuremberg.
Thank you very much for the interview and for the interest in our music.
To all others: don't be shy to contact us. Just have a look at our pages, maybe you will find something in our store. New merch will be ready to ship soon. Especially on our YouTube channel something will happen soon - as a foretaste of our upcoming album, we will soon release a first song as a music video.
In order from the top: images 1,3,9,10 copyright by Matthias Lang, image 8 copyright by Daniel Kählke
