I had heard Iron Curtain a few years ago a little bit before Jaguar Spirit came out. But at the time I didn't think I would be able to get an interview with them. A few years have passed and now they have released a new EP. So I figured this would be a good time to get an interview with them. Thanks to my friend Rene (He contributed the Axxion interview) for setting this interview up! Also, thanks Mike for taking your time to do this interview.
1. Thanks for taking your time to answer these questions. How is everything with Iron
Curtain at the moment?
Mike: Hi Nathan! Here Mike writing!! Thanks for the questions!
I have spinning the "Winds of War", the second Lp of the German Legend Iron Angel
Well, at the moment we are busy as hell writing the songs for the upcoming record. We will enter the studio in January/February 2016 and it will be release around spring 2016. At the moment we are promoting the new 7" "Outlaw Ep". It was release last October by High Roller Recs. In my opinion one the best stuff we did till date, speedy, raw but melodic !
2. You guys just released an EP. The title track was very much inspired by the Clint Eastwood movie(s). How did the song come about and when did you guys decide to record it?
Also, how did you decide to do a Raven cover?
M: Well, the inspiration comes by the Clint Eastwood movie of 1976 "Outlaw Jessy Wales", I love the Western films and the Spaghetti western era. It was like lighting to my mind. In fact I was listening some blues and some Country bands and I transform it in a Heavy Metal song. The track talks about revenge, vengeance, live on the loose....
We recorded in Alicante (South of Spain), "Novo Rock Studios" by Martin as producer and Mike himself helping with sound production. it was recorded in 2 weekends in March 2015.
Well, the Raven song was for many reasons, all in the band like Raven very much, from the beginning we wanted recorded and play live a Raven song, and last year from Italy come an offer to recorded for a tribute to this band and include for the tribute, so we use the recording sessions to do that and finally include in the single.
3. Your last album Jaguar spirit was really awesome. How was the recording for that album? And how does the band work in the songwriting process?
M: Thanks for your words! We are very happy with "Jaguar Spirit". Well, I usually come to the rehearsal room with the 80% of the material, songs, lyrics, melodies, concepts... and we finish between all the member with more ideas. The recording was in Barcelona (north of Spain) in summer 2013, it took 10 days recording. The guitar sound we were influenced by RIOT. The only problem I saw is that the bass is very simple if you compare with the new songs, but I think that it was a very important moment for a band like Iron Curtain.
The songwritting was in Christmas 2012 and spring 2013.
4. How do you think it differs from Road to hell?
M: Honestly I don't see many differences in the songs, obviously the songs are more mature, with better structure but the idea is the same, straight songs, with melodic parts in the voices and some twin guitars. Road to Hell was our first record and it's more rough and tough, it's less "classy". But think that there isn't a huge difference between both records. There are fast songs, middle -tempo songs, more melodic songs...
Maybe in the new record would be more differences, but you will find some faster songs, more melodic stuff and definitely the best solos and the best sound that you can find in Spain nowadays.
1. Thanks for taking your time to answer these questions. How is everything with Iron
Curtain at the moment?
Mike: Hi Nathan! Here Mike writing!! Thanks for the questions!
I have spinning the "Winds of War", the second Lp of the German Legend Iron Angel
Well, at the moment we are busy as hell writing the songs for the upcoming record. We will enter the studio in January/February 2016 and it will be release around spring 2016. At the moment we are promoting the new 7" "Outlaw Ep". It was release last October by High Roller Recs. In my opinion one the best stuff we did till date, speedy, raw but melodic !
2. You guys just released an EP. The title track was very much inspired by the Clint Eastwood movie(s). How did the song come about and when did you guys decide to record it?
Also, how did you decide to do a Raven cover?
M: Well, the inspiration comes by the Clint Eastwood movie of 1976 "Outlaw Jessy Wales", I love the Western films and the Spaghetti western era. It was like lighting to my mind. In fact I was listening some blues and some Country bands and I transform it in a Heavy Metal song. The track talks about revenge, vengeance, live on the loose....
We recorded in Alicante (South of Spain), "Novo Rock Studios" by Martin as producer and Mike himself helping with sound production. it was recorded in 2 weekends in March 2015.
Well, the Raven song was for many reasons, all in the band like Raven very much, from the beginning we wanted recorded and play live a Raven song, and last year from Italy come an offer to recorded for a tribute to this band and include for the tribute, so we use the recording sessions to do that and finally include in the single.
3. Your last album Jaguar spirit was really awesome. How was the recording for that album? And how does the band work in the songwriting process?
M: Thanks for your words! We are very happy with "Jaguar Spirit". Well, I usually come to the rehearsal room with the 80% of the material, songs, lyrics, melodies, concepts... and we finish between all the member with more ideas. The recording was in Barcelona (north of Spain) in summer 2013, it took 10 days recording. The guitar sound we were influenced by RIOT. The only problem I saw is that the bass is very simple if you compare with the new songs, but I think that it was a very important moment for a band like Iron Curtain.
The songwritting was in Christmas 2012 and spring 2013.
4. How do you think it differs from Road to hell?
M: Honestly I don't see many differences in the songs, obviously the songs are more mature, with better structure but the idea is the same, straight songs, with melodic parts in the voices and some twin guitars. Road to Hell was our first record and it's more rough and tough, it's less "classy". But think that there isn't a huge difference between both records. There are fast songs, middle -tempo songs, more melodic songs...
Maybe in the new record would be more differences, but you will find some faster songs, more melodic stuff and definitely the best solos and the best sound that you can find in Spain nowadays.
5. Tell us a little bit about the Spanish metal scene? Is it easy to get shows in Spain? And how has it changed since back in the day?
M: Good question. Spain Scene it's difference if you compare with center Europe Scene, very difference, People only have interest in the "big bands", on the other hand, the underground metal scene is small as fuck, since 10 years ago we have started a new movement to spread the "word of Metal" around Spain and we have created some HM clubs like Pounding Metal, Heavy Metal Espectros, Metal Bats, Metalmeria, MetalCova, SouthBangers, Litrona de Acero... that try to promote the bands inside the clubs and bands that support the underground, it's like a feedback between bands, metal clubs and new and younger metalheads that support the underground bands.
Nowadays is not difficult to get shows in Spain, you can play around in Spain with a good conditions, and in front a good numbers... but, I insist, this isn't Germany that you can play around 20 shows every weekend. For example we were playing in September in Cuenca, small city and was around 100 maniacs, this is great, but was people from Madrid, from Murcia, from Valencia... the half was from outside the city...The differences betwen then and now are bigger, Spain's Metal scene in 82-87 was huge, probably the best years, when Muro, Baron Rojo, Obus, Santa, Angeles del Infierno were growing, each show was around 500.... now you can see Baron Rojo and some days around 50, another 200.
For the Heavy Metal Underground Metal Scene, think that right now are the best years. There are many metal clubs, promoting young bands, doing many activities, something that till 98-99 only were doing the Extreme underground bands. We have improve our scene very much, but it's not enough, we need to fight for our scene near every day.
6. I really like that your albums are on all formats. I personally prefer getting something physical. Did you guys grow up in the analog age?
M: Absolutely! My first HM recording was a tape with song of Metallica, Manowar, Accept, Maiden, Judas, Scorpions, I still have with my as a treasure. In fact tapes are a format that I adore and our release will be in that format. We worship Metal and Metal have a very important part of feeling and this feeling the only way to get it is with analog systems.I still remember my first vinyl, it was Metallica's Kill'em All, and nowdays I buy everything I can on vinyl, have around 3000 LP. Of course I love CD;s too, very good for the car or the shower!!
7. Why did Dani leave Iron Curtain. I know he is another band Hitten. Did he want to put all of his attention to that band?
M: Well, another good question. We invited to Dani to leave the band, in fact the last year before we split up, was really hard, for both sides of course, he didn't know how to work with both bands... I tried to organize everything but was impossible so I decided to invite to leave the band and he understand. He is 10 years younger than me (I'm 34) so he have learned everything about metal scene, business, how to work with... of Iron Curtain and real metaheads.
8. What are some of the craziest or funniest things you have seen at a live show? Also, what cities or countries for that matter tend to get really crazy?
M: Well, honestly the crazy shit I have seen live is people fight with blood, crazy! but funny people come to the stage and stolen the mics and start to sing, and later very drunks falling down!. Honetly, Germany is the best country to play, people are 100% metal heads, very dedicated guys, but think that Belgium, France or Italy are another countries that we have felt the metal environment really high!
9. What are some of your favorite American bands? I really hope you can one day play live in the U.S.A.
M: Difficult Question! Well, Love Metal and Love US bands and from all around the continent! I think that I could mention tons and tons of bands but for example love: Destructor, Riot, Savatage, Omen, Death, first Virgin Steel records, The Rods, Metal Church, Crimson Glory, Q5, Fith Angel, Shok Paris, Zoetrope, Overkill... from Canada love Exciter, Anvil, Voivod, Triumph... and from South America love Brazilian and Argentina scene specially!! I LOVE METAL!!! I love Thrash bands a lot like Exodus, Slayer, Testament, Anthrax, Morbid Saint, and love Death Metal too!!Would be great to play one day there! We got an offer to tour there some years ago! maybe in the future we can play and have fun with the maniacs!!
Thanks for your time. Any last words for the fans?
M: Thanks you for read and take your time!! Thanks for the questions and for the room to spread the Iron Curtain words! it's been a good time!! Now I'm going to open a beer and listening some metal classics! for any info, merch or question just write to: [email protected] GRACIAS!!!!! :D
https://www.facebook.com/IRON-CURTAIN-168183273229512/?fref=ts
M: Good question. Spain Scene it's difference if you compare with center Europe Scene, very difference, People only have interest in the "big bands", on the other hand, the underground metal scene is small as fuck, since 10 years ago we have started a new movement to spread the "word of Metal" around Spain and we have created some HM clubs like Pounding Metal, Heavy Metal Espectros, Metal Bats, Metalmeria, MetalCova, SouthBangers, Litrona de Acero... that try to promote the bands inside the clubs and bands that support the underground, it's like a feedback between bands, metal clubs and new and younger metalheads that support the underground bands.
Nowadays is not difficult to get shows in Spain, you can play around in Spain with a good conditions, and in front a good numbers... but, I insist, this isn't Germany that you can play around 20 shows every weekend. For example we were playing in September in Cuenca, small city and was around 100 maniacs, this is great, but was people from Madrid, from Murcia, from Valencia... the half was from outside the city...The differences betwen then and now are bigger, Spain's Metal scene in 82-87 was huge, probably the best years, when Muro, Baron Rojo, Obus, Santa, Angeles del Infierno were growing, each show was around 500.... now you can see Baron Rojo and some days around 50, another 200.
For the Heavy Metal Underground Metal Scene, think that right now are the best years. There are many metal clubs, promoting young bands, doing many activities, something that till 98-99 only were doing the Extreme underground bands. We have improve our scene very much, but it's not enough, we need to fight for our scene near every day.
6. I really like that your albums are on all formats. I personally prefer getting something physical. Did you guys grow up in the analog age?
M: Absolutely! My first HM recording was a tape with song of Metallica, Manowar, Accept, Maiden, Judas, Scorpions, I still have with my as a treasure. In fact tapes are a format that I adore and our release will be in that format. We worship Metal and Metal have a very important part of feeling and this feeling the only way to get it is with analog systems.I still remember my first vinyl, it was Metallica's Kill'em All, and nowdays I buy everything I can on vinyl, have around 3000 LP. Of course I love CD;s too, very good for the car or the shower!!
7. Why did Dani leave Iron Curtain. I know he is another band Hitten. Did he want to put all of his attention to that band?
M: Well, another good question. We invited to Dani to leave the band, in fact the last year before we split up, was really hard, for both sides of course, he didn't know how to work with both bands... I tried to organize everything but was impossible so I decided to invite to leave the band and he understand. He is 10 years younger than me (I'm 34) so he have learned everything about metal scene, business, how to work with... of Iron Curtain and real metaheads.
8. What are some of the craziest or funniest things you have seen at a live show? Also, what cities or countries for that matter tend to get really crazy?
M: Well, honestly the crazy shit I have seen live is people fight with blood, crazy! but funny people come to the stage and stolen the mics and start to sing, and later very drunks falling down!. Honetly, Germany is the best country to play, people are 100% metal heads, very dedicated guys, but think that Belgium, France or Italy are another countries that we have felt the metal environment really high!
9. What are some of your favorite American bands? I really hope you can one day play live in the U.S.A.
M: Difficult Question! Well, Love Metal and Love US bands and from all around the continent! I think that I could mention tons and tons of bands but for example love: Destructor, Riot, Savatage, Omen, Death, first Virgin Steel records, The Rods, Metal Church, Crimson Glory, Q5, Fith Angel, Shok Paris, Zoetrope, Overkill... from Canada love Exciter, Anvil, Voivod, Triumph... and from South America love Brazilian and Argentina scene specially!! I LOVE METAL!!! I love Thrash bands a lot like Exodus, Slayer, Testament, Anthrax, Morbid Saint, and love Death Metal too!!Would be great to play one day there! We got an offer to tour there some years ago! maybe in the future we can play and have fun with the maniacs!!
Thanks for your time. Any last words for the fans?
M: Thanks you for read and take your time!! Thanks for the questions and for the room to spread the Iron Curtain words! it's been a good time!! Now I'm going to open a beer and listening some metal classics! for any info, merch or question just write to: [email protected] GRACIAS!!!!! :D
https://www.facebook.com/IRON-CURTAIN-168183273229512/?fref=ts
RSS Feed
