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Eckhardt:
Bethlehem Discography… Demo
I -Bethlehem - *September 1992, Self production Homevideo
-Dark Metal - *May 1993, Self production Demo
II - Thy Pale Dominion -*March 1993, Self production 7”
- Thy Pale Dominion - *June/July 1993, Nightmare Records, Mönchengladbach,
Germany Deathophobia
I -CD compilation - *August 1993, Force Productions, Donauwörth,
Germany CD
-Dark Metal - *August 1994, Adipocere, France
7”
- Thy Pale Dominion - *May 1995, re-release, Red Stream, USA MC
-Dark Metal - *February 1996, Morbid Noize, Poland CD
-Dictius te necare - *April 1996, Red Stream, USA CD
-Gummo - O.S.T. *1997, New Line Productions/London Recs, USA Homevideo
-Gummo - *1997, New Line Productions/London Recs, USA CD
-Dark Metal - *January 1998, re-release, Red Stream, USA CD
-Sardonischer Untergang im Zeichen irreligiöser Darbietung - *March
1998, Red Stream, USA MCD
-Reflexionen aufs Sterben - *August 1998, Red Stream, USA LP
-S.U.i.Z.i.D. - (limited edition) *September 1998, Red Stream, USA PicLP
-Dictius te necare - (limited edition) *December 1998, Red Stream, USA Homevideo
-Gepriesen sei der Untergang - *April 1999, Red Stream, USA LP
-Dark Metal - *September 1999, re-release, Solid Recs./Selbstmord
Services, Stockholm, Sweden MLP -Reflexionen aufs Sterben - *December 1999, re-release, Solid Recs./Selbstmord Services, Stockholm, Sweden 7”
-Profane Fetmilch lenzt elf krank - (limited edition) *December 1999,
Prophecy Productions, Germany MCD
-Profane Fetmilch Lenzt Elf Krank - *February 2000, Prophecy Productions,
Germany 2CD
Digi -Schatten Aus Der Alexander Welt -(limited edition) *August 2001,
Prophecy Productions, Germany CD
-Schatten Aus Der Alexander Welt - *September 2001, Prophecy Productions,
Germany 2CD
Digi -Schatten Aus Der Alexander Welt -(limited edition) *September 2001,
Red Stream, USA CDRom
-Suicide Radio - (special edition) *November 2002, Red Stream, USA CD
-Schatten Aus Der Alexander Welt - *February 2003, Iron Recs, Russia Split
7" -Bethlehem/Wraithen -, *April 2004, Morbid Wrath, USA 7"
-Alles Tot -, *June 2004, Amortout Prod., Grenoble, France 2CD
DVD Box -Dictius Te Necare - (special edition) *August 2004, Red Stream,
USA CD
Digi -Mein Weg - *September 2004, Red Stream, USA First
of all I wanna know who’s idea was to call the band Bethlehem and why? E: We hated the name Rolling Stones, so we decided to call the band
Bethlehem. Ok let’s
talk about the new album now… What does “Mein Weg” means? What’s
the story behind the album’s title? E: It’s a kind of statement, that Bethlehem will always follow their own
rules, instead of satisfying expectations of the music industry or any
audience. That is what Bethlehem is standing for. Bartsch:
The artwork which together with the whole promotional artworks again were
done by myself, is kinda dedication to all our friends and dudes from the
USA who always believed in us and supported us through all the years with
Bethlehem. This is our way of a “Thank you very much for your grateful
help and support through all the years”. A tribute to America. And this
is what “Mein Weg” basically means to us. In all the years we
especially in Germany never got back any respect or dedication, most of
the people ever despised, grudged or discredited our artificial work. This
basically is to be seen in pretty stupid reviews or interviews, which
don’t make any sense or if there is any, it’s of a pretty injurious,
insulting or offensive nature. Since the new album is released we’ve
received lots of poor interviews of people who won’t give a fuckin’
damn about the music in general but better care about their so called
“Questions” which damn have nothing to do with serious journalism, fan
work or something like that. This ever was different in the rest of the
world and mainly was for the USA who ever showed us their huge respect.
This is what “Mein Weg” is talking about; that it ever was our way of
performing, away from low standards and today clichés. We
exclusively follow our own way whether we will be successful or not.
Whether people like it or not. “Mein Weg” this time is no concept
album but more describes the philosophy of Bethlehem, to just follow our
own rules by doing what is the right thing for us, what is far beyond
something like the underground or the mainstream. Both streams mainly are
followed by rules and traditions, this especially is for the whole metal
circus. But isn’t for us because we always stayed and stay true to
ourselves and better follow our own rules. I remember that in the past
people heavily slaughtered Bethlehem albums like “Dictius Te Necare”
and today the same people are slaughtering our newest long players. This
says it all because those people never understood what Bethlehem mainly is
standing for, pure uniqueness, anarchy and autonomy. We’re no slaves of
musical or what so ever principles, no slaves of something like
underground principles or something, no slaves of the whole musical
industry. We stayed free as well as artistically free, far beyond
normality, far beyond everything else. Expect the unexpected, you never
can control us, we damn do what we fuckin’ want! Can you
make a comment about each one of the songs of the album… just a line or
two? E: “Aalmutter”: is a heavy riffed song, a pretty compact arrangement,
interrupted by a great gothic chorus. This song was written first after
our album “Schatten Aus Der Alexander Welt” was released. Great song! “Allegoria”:
is one of my personal favorites. I really like the atmospheric movements
in this arrangement. Clean smooth guitars, heavy riffs and of cause the
piano parts. Great song! “Kochenkorn”:
a fist in your face. Pure riff monster with a nice chorus. Very sick.
Great song! “Frl.
Deutsch”: is a very complex and sensitive song. Sadness, melancholy,
depression. Great song! “Felbel
Fittich”: is a pretty little song, very unusual as a Bethlehem result,
although is was written by Juergen Bartsch long time ago, but is still has
this melancholic undertone, and maybe now it was the right time to put it
on an album. Great song! “Dr.
Miezo”: fucking hell. Cool stuff. Very different. The beginning will
blast your mind off and suddenly you’ll find yourself in a kind of
emptiness. Great song! (By the way, we recorded an american version,
lyrics and vocals done by Nihilist of Abazagorath (New Jersey/USA), which
might be released soon). “Elf
Soffitten”: is maybe the most experimental song on the album,
interesting bass lines, strange atmosphere. At the end of the day, a great
song. “Einsargen”:
is a very energetic, ass kicking song. Nice doomy and also melodic parts.
Good stuff… great song. “Im
Sog”: (Song’s title in the album will be “Holo-Baal”) a mishmash
of different styles within 2 minutes and 10 sec… A bit of punk, metal
vocals and… fucking hell… no idea...! Crazy, but a great song. “Maschinensatan”:
definitely my favorite song. Amazing atmosphere, very strong and intensive
emotions. No question about it, this is the most personal part on the
album. Very great song!! “My way”: ... no need to say anything about this classical Frank Sinatra cover version! Great Song!
B: “Aalmutter”: This was the first song written after “Schatten Aus
Der Alexander Welt” was released. It basically is about the deep dark
sea and that you easily will drown if you won’t find your way back to
the safety of the boat. The concept basically is about committing suicide.
I like the atmosphere of the song a lot because it reminds me a bit to
Strapping Young Lad or Devin Townsend in general. Not because of the style
but because of the similar sound structure which also has kind of epic
atmosphere with all the different guitar, bass, keyboard etc. tracks and
the quires. Kind of a wall of sound although not every instrument can be
heard so clearly. “Allegoria”:
This song is about reality, which has no door, and about the beauty of an
animal mother, which stretches out its itching udder to the world. To get
sucked, to get loved. It also is about things hardened in soft pink
bellies and the fear of death. A wonderful song, I like the different
moods and definitely the piano parts, which are sounding like pure
isolation and sadness. A very good example of a typical Bethlehem song. “Knochenkorn”:
A more modern kind of song, which combines pure sickness with experimental
vocal stuff, which reminds me a bit to Mike Pattern & Fantomas. One of
the last songs I wrote for the album, directly into your mouth, a direct
hit. Guess I have to write more songs like this in future. This song is
about maggots and lies disguised in sugary breakfast cereals. “Frl.
Deutsch”: Sadness, melancholy, depression, suicide, very deep one,
won’t like the opera vocals a lot but anyhow. This song is about dying
birds, which ate too much licorice. “Felbel
Fittich”: Pretty nice song anyway, it somehow reminds me a bit to
Metallica’s “The Unforgiven” although our version has more
melancholic undertones. I wrote this song several years ago when I stopped
with different hard drugs and felt so lonely and isolated. That’s what
the song basically is about… the experienced void after most of your
fave drugs are gone forever. “Dr.
Miezo”: Yeah, blackmetal blast stuff. Cool. I like the beginning of the
song a lot. Was a hard fight in the band because except Mr. Wolz nobody
was interested in that song first. I also like the atmosphere of the real
slow part, which directly is coming after the blast beat, it has such a
gigantic atmosphere and somehow reminds me to the mood of songs like
“Black Hole Sun” of Soundgarden. Although I like all songs the same,
this track again has this special Bethlehem appearance from the older
days. We also have a version of it sung by Nihilist from Abazagorath (New
Jersey/USA). This version once will be used for a 7” or whatsoever,
we’re not so sure yet. Nihilist has an ultra extreme screaming voice,
which totally fits the whole song and let it appear more vicious,
aggressive and powerful. Be sure you all can hear it on another release
one day. I also did a video-clip for “Dr. Miezo” which will appear on
a blackmetal DVD from New Jersey too. This video clip is done in black and
white and beside Bethlehem it shows lots of cruel things from life in
general. Soon there also will be a VCD done by ourselves showing that one
and other video clips. The german version of “Dr. Miezo” is about the
harvest of thrown away kids, the ”All German” antichrist bathed in
stupid interviews and radio talk shows, here to help hysterical housewives
wallow in their own suffering. The american version is about the
following: “I’ve
descended into the depths of nihilism. After I transcended the highest
level of spiritualism I've perfected all forms of insanity. Only to
conquer the plateau of invisibility. Darkness remains my only sight.
Reflections of many desolate nights. Abhorrent sick perverse vile dreams.
Awakened by an unheard form of scream. Diseased thoughts pour from my
mind. A waste of scarred flesh denied. Witness my sanity deteriorate. To
that of a sick wounded & rabid animal. Isolation remains my only
friend. On desolation I forever depend. Nothing to gain, nothing remains.
Alone with nothing, alone I remain. Nothing to gain, nothing remains. To
starve a hunger for loneliness. A black hole of nothingness. A shadow
reflected from the back of my mind. A stain the 11 walls of my room. A
scar that led me to my tomb. The 11th hour, the milk has soured”...
lyrics by Nihilist 2004. “Elf
Soffitten”: Kinda bass oriented song, which in the beginning, the middle
and in the end is destined by different bass licks and a jazzy drumming.
Pretty experimental and one of Eckhardt’s latest songs for the album. In
the studio we experienced with the vocals, which again were influenced by
Mike Pattern a bit. By the way, the deep tone in the end was taken from
“Silent Hill 1”, I’m a huge fan of the Silent Hill games and also
used different SH-loops for my own music. This song basically is about
lust, to escape lust by transforming into a machine without any emotion.
To burn oneself to no longer follow the left hand path. “Einsargen”:
Yeah, this song kicks ass coz the whole atmosphere is pretty energetic
although the mid parts are pretty doomy and somehow remind me a bit to old
“Paradise Lost”. This is because of the cool melody guitars. Great
stuff. The song is about death, assassination, knifes, assault and
battery, assailants, but more in a personal way of mutilating oneself. “Im
Sog”: Sorry to say, but this is only the “promo” title for the song.
The song title in the album, will be “Holo-Baal”. This song first
wasn’t planned for the album. When recording drums and bass together
with Steve Wolz we both jammed around a bit, played this never released
but old Bethlehem song and came to the conclusion to add this track on the
album. With 2 minutes and 10 seconds this is the shortest one on the
record but personally I liked it best after I had a first listen of the
whole album after the mixing was done. It’s pretty energetic too and has
this special kick ass atmosphere and energy you sometimes can find at
American or English hardcore punk bands from the older generation. Okay,
the middle part is absolutely crazy and weird but anyhow. I also like the
rough power metal vocals a lot, first they sound wrong for that song but
after a while of listening they fit perfectly. A mishmash of absolutely
different styles in only a two minutes track. Wow, could not have been
done better I suppose. Nothing but a session song but very good. It’s
about dead rails, curled tobacco, coronet, scrawl, small hands and a fox
that has stolen a goose. “Maschinensatan”:
This was my last song for the album and was completely written some days
before we went to the studio. I honestly love the beginning of the song
the very most, because the emotions of those guitar and bass melodies let
me shudder. This song has it all, sad, melancholic and depressive guitar
melodies, pure void performed by a jazzy bass, drums and clean guitar in
combination with atmospheric piano and a whispering voice, pure heavy
metal riffing and some bluesy distorted guitars in the end which remind me
to Rudolf Schenker, Uli Roth or old Scorpions. I also added some of my
electronical soundscapes I once programmed on my computer. It’s a cool
mixture of “Eraserhead” sound files in combination with sound files
from the industrial area I’m living in, some Silent Hill stuff, some
Apocalypse Now sound files, this and that. All combined to my own
soundscape, which so often reminded me to the sounds, I once experienced
in the “Alexander Welt”. I damn love evil sounding machines. This
brings me back to reality. This song is a pretty personal song, lyrically
seen, I better don’t wanna explain in some words because more than words
are needed to explain my emotions for specially the lyrics of that song.
If thinking about the lyrics most of the ugly stuff from the past is
coming back when I so many times found myself buried in the “Alexander
Welt”. Frank
Sinatra’s “My Way” as a "hidden" track... This version
rules. Our former singer always sang songs from e.g. Robbie Williams or
Frank Sinatra to relax his voice before the vocal recording started. Once
he did that “My Way” version and I thought it would be a pretty cool
idea to use it for a “hidden track”, which no longer is one now. So we
played in the music and he added his vocals. We did not want a
metal-version of the song because it sounds best as the original and
although people were against this first, in the end everybody was pretty
satisfied with the result. It somehow fits the whole atmosphere of the
album and basically gives a description of the intention behind “Mein
Weg”. Which
songs of the album do you prefer most and why? E: Very difficult question to answer, which one of your children do you
like most? But if I have to decide, it’s as I said before
“Maschinensatan”. This song shows the wide range of styles Bethlehem
offers. I like this wonderful starter, with melodic melancholic guitar
lines, then you will be pushed thought different emotions, left in a kind
of pure loneliness in the end. To me, from the guitarist point of view,
the recording of this song was a very strong emotional and important
exercise and impression. I do like the song also because I know that
Juergen Bartsch invested a lot of personal emotion when he wrote the
lyrics. The artwork
of the album is kind of “weird” and by seeing it, someone’s mind
goes to black metal bands… Did you do that thing in purpose? E: We always do what we think is the right thing to do. Doesn’t matter if
we do an album, or even the artwork. There is a kind of a meaning, if you
want, let’s call it tribute to America, because of different reasons.
But at the end of a day, art works always in combination with the one who
looks at it. So, it’s actually someone’s mind problem. Do
you believe that this is the most mature work of Bethlehem to date? E:
To me, this album was a very important one, but I just spend just four
years with the band now (although I know Bartsch since more than 20 years
now), so that might be seen different from the others point of view. The
album was recorded in a very short time, but me spend 3 years between
“Alexander Welt” and the recording of “Mein Weg” and underwent
lots of ups and downs, which was a hard proof for the band. But maybe
because of these problems we had and finally solved out, we discovered,
however individual we are, Wolz, Bartsch and myself work together as one
bigger, stronger individual called Bethlehem. It seemed that we reached a
level of understanding where things just happen. In a way we are growning
up now, in a positive way. I personally got this impression during the
recording session, where I created most of the guitar lines, and it worked
like there is no question about it. So I think in that case it is the most
mature work. And this let me feel very confident, thinking of the future. As far as I
know, you are also looking a new singer… Can you tell us why the
previous one left the band? E: Our current singer joined us shortly before we recorded “Schatten Aus
Der Alexander Welt” and it worked very well, and I think he did an
excellent job on this album. Unfortunately this was all he did, a job. In
between he caused most of the problems we had. He made it impossible to
play live and he did not join other events. We wasted a lot of energy we
usually invest in creativity. But it’s never to late to discover a
problem and solve it out, will say, we are currently looking for a new
singer. So if there is any he or she interested he/she should get in
contact with us at: bethlehem@alexanderwelt.org.
(interviewers note: What are you waiting for? This is a chance of a
lifetime!!!!) Why do you
insist of writing the lyrics only in German language? Do you think that
this may cause problems to the popularity of the band? E: I don’t think so. We are a German band, and which language could be
better than the one you know very best to say what you want to say. I
should even answer this interview in german. But we don’t want turn into
English just to let our stuff be more compatible to the world. And the
interesting point is, we get a lot of feedback from all over the world
especially from America. Most of them surely have problems with the german
language, but they do like the sound of german words, which supports the
character of our music. And those who are very interested in the lyrics
try to find out what the meaning is. Actually it’s the german market,
which spend us less respect or feedback. The reason might be the german
mentality. Germans are not interested in stuff they do not understand in
the first second they listen to it. They don’t eat what they do not
know. B: The intention behind Bethlehem is not to reach a “wider audience” or
something like that, we generally do things for our own pleasure and
won’t care a lot whether this is selling good or not. Singing in English
once was done on “Thy Pale Dominion” and the “Dark Metal” debut
release. This “English” experience was totally unsatisfactory and the
heck, I never wanna experience such a thing again. We are Germans, German
is our mother tongue and I best can express myself in German. Is
there a chance to write the lyrics in English next time? E: There is always a chance, but to be fairly honest, I don’t think so. Can
you characterize the music that you play? E: Distinctive, melancholic, melodic, heavily riffed, blast beated, doomy,
depressive and emotionally loaded metal. No idea! Which
are the basics influences of Bethlehem? E: The world we live in. Are you
totally satisfied with the new album? Which are those things that you
would change if you had the chance again? E: Yes, I’m absolutely satisfied with this album. Of cause, if you listen
to it a couple of times, you’re close to say, hey, I would like to
change this arrangement or this guitar line, if I would have the chance.
But then again, afterwards I would give you the same answer. Do
you believe that your fans were waiting for such an album? E: I don’t know, and in a way I don’t care. I think our fans are our
fans because we are what we are. Expect the unexpected. We always stayed
true to ourselves and we will do in future. It is not our intention to
satisfy clichés, standards, expectations of the music industry or
even our fans, and I think our fans will accept that. And the one who
likes the basic and original melancholic character of our music will
always find this in our songs. It was always there and it will be in
future. Are
you totally satisfied from your label? E: I think you will never be totally satisfied with anything, especially a
working relationship is a complex building. But the work with Red Stream
is not a usual relationship between a band and a label. Red Stream is
supporting Bethlehem since the very beginning, always based on trust and
respect. Very rare. Bethlehem is a free mind band, and this is what Red
Stream is showing respect for, they never tried to control us, because it
would never work. In that case, yes, we are very satisfied. You made a
big change on your sound… why did you decide to go on more mellow paths
this time? E: It’s part of the development we underwent. We are always in progress.
Especially guitar players are always looking for “the sound”. But in
the studio you have to make a decision, and we decided that this is the
sound, which transports all we tried to achieve. What
inspires you in order to write music? E: It’s the same that inspires others to write a story, poems, to do paintings etc... Unfortunately I can’t write lyrics, hard to say, Bartsch can, I can’t. But it’s always the same thing, I think, a strong emotion, a story you want to tell or whatever, but it’s there, you feel it and it’s a strong, big thing that blasts you into peaces if you do not let it out. So, if you want, it’s a kind of self-defending. How
far do you think that you can go with Bethlehem? E: I think Bethlehem can go as far as they want. There is a big potential
with this band. The only thing that can stop us is death of Bethlehem.
Well, buying our new album would help too. Are
there any plans for a tour? Is there any chance to visit Greece? E: Well, there is no concrete plan for a tour right now. We are now working
on a new long-player, and this is what we focus on at the moment. But
there are plans to do a couple of concerts in the near future. And as I
said before, there is always a chance, Greece is a very nice country. (interviewers
note: Maybe in another life, I'll see you on stage!!!) Some more
general questions now. Do you believe that is so easy for a band to differ
in today’s music industry than in the past? And if yes what shall it do
in order to achieve it? E: It might be more difficult today, but it’s still the same formula, if
you want. Ignore all limitations, stay true to yourself and you will find
your audience. If you do so, you are different already. Have
you listened to a very good album lately that surprised you? B: A big surprise definitely is the debut album of Imperia. A very strong
and emotional album which is done by people all over Europe, such as folks
from Norway, Finland, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Our drummer, Steve
Wolz, is playing drums there. We totally worship the vocals of lead singer
“Helena Iren Michaelsen” who is coming up with a pretty much powerful
and energetic voice that one could cry. Very good band. Do
you consider Germany as the capital of metal music in the Europe? E: No, I would not go that far. If
you had the chance to do some things again what would you do first? E: What ever I did first, I think I would do it again. And some
Weird Questions now, to relax somehow!!! Which band do you consider that
can take a leading part in heavy metal music in the future? E: Ideally Bethlehem! Which
are the things that piss you off from today’s music industry? E: It’s the word industry. And…
which are the top 5 metal albums of all time according to you and why? B: Emperor - split mini-CD with Enslaved. Dark
Throne – “A Blaze In The Northern Sky”. Satyricon
– “Dark Medieval Times”. Burzum
– “Filosofem”. Dark
Throne – “Under A Funeral Moon”. No
words can be found to explain why these albums are kind of fave albums.
It’s the music and the whole atmosphere, which is speaking for itself. Which
is the most overrated band today? E: I don’t know, but definitely not Bethlehem. Do you
think that a band can be helped from the internet or only problems and no
money can get from it? E: Yes I think it helps because it allows you to reach the world for low
money. Everyone in the world can get information about what you doing and
who you are. But in my opinion it’s not an important factor. There must
still be a reason, why someone wants to get information about you. And the
bad thing is, that a lot of good stuff is covered by tons of fuckin’
bullshit. Do
you prefer the 80’s era of metal music or not? E: I do not! B:
I do! Especially
bands like Motörhead, Slayer, Exodus, Onslaught, Nuclear Assault,
Sepultura, Celtic Frost, Dark Angel, Death Angel, Testament, Metallica,
Kreator, Darkness, Hell Hammer, Assassin and lots of others. What would
you tell to someone to convince him to buy your album instead of hundreds
other CDs that are being released every month? E: Cause it’s different to hundred of others that are being released
every month. You’re
standing between God and Devil… the situation is weird and you must say
something in order to save humanity… What would you say? E: I wouldn’t say, I’m standing between God and Devil. It’s more or
less that they are standing beside me. That’s a different point of view. If
Bethlehem’s carrier was a movie… which movie would it be and why? E: The Ring… B:
The Shining… If you were
obliged to give just one album to extraterrestrials that which would
represent the whole human music… which album would it be and from which
band? E: I think the album would be “Dictius Te Necare” as a kind of warning,
to say, this is a very dangerous place to be. So don’t take a rest, do
not even have a “P”, get away as far as possible from this fuckin’
planet. Imagine
that your wife is selling your whole album-collection just to buy for
herself an expensive ring. How would you react? E: I would keep the ring and give my wife to the extraterrestrials. (interviewers
note: Hahaha… one of the smartest answers to that question!!!) Well
we’re over… Thx for giving me the chance to interview you! Add
anything else you want for the end… E: Thanx a lot for this nice interview and best regards to Greece! B: Best regards to Greece too, hope we can tour in your beautiful country
one day! Thank you very much. by Thanos “Casanova” |
Hi
guys... Since it’s kind of hard to find some info about the band on the
net can you give us in brief a small bio of the band?