Pino Hecker

Witchburner

German Thrashers WITCHBURNER are in the scene for almost three decades now delivering pure unholy Thrash Metal. 2013 finds them with their seventh studio album "Bloodthirsty Eyes" coming out in February via High Roller Records. Angela "The Hunter" found Pino Hecker, the vocalist of WITCHBURNER and talked about all things witchburning. Behold …

By Angela "The Hunter"

• February 20, 2013

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions Pino! It is most appreciated. How long have you been in Witchburner?

Hails! Seegel plays guitar in Witchburner since 1995 , Andys bass is roaring for over 12 years, Felix plays the drums since 2002. In 2011 Mächel (guitar) and I on vocals joined the band.

The band has a new album coming out February 2013. Tell us about the album.

The new album is called "Bloodthirsty Eyes". It's the first one with the new line up. Await 9 Thrash songs in the typical Witchburner tradition. It contains some of the most aggressive Witchburner material. We are fucking proud of it!

Is there anything special behind the band name?

Not really, it just sounds great and it mocks Christianity. The funny thing is that some people understood the name wrong and thought we were a Christian band!

How long did it take to write and record the album? Where was it recorded?

It lasted ca. one year. The songs have been recorded at the studio of our guitarist Mächel. The mixing again was done in Andys cellar, like the years before. Patrick W. Engel from Temple of Disharmony was responsible for the mastering.

Is there an upcoming tour to kick off the album release?

No, we all have our jobs, so there is no time to do a tour or to play on weekdays at the moment. We need our leave days for the gigs in other countries. I think a tour in Germany would not make sense as we play more or less regular in German cities on weekends.

Do you have any band or artist you'd like to tour with one day?

I think a small tour with our friends of Witching Hour and Desaster would be great.

How about a special venue or club that would be just killer to play at?

I can't name a special venue or club, but I think a show somewhere in South America would be killer!

As the singer, who has been your biggest musical inspiration.

Extreme, special or characteristic voices like those of Tom Angelripper, Martin van Drunen, Chris Reifert or King Diamond, Mark Shelton, always impressed me. But I don't try to sound like anyone of them. I want to sound like me, you know. But I think every band you are listening to influences you in the one or other way.

How long have you been playing?

With the age of 15 (I'm 28 now) I made first try as a "vocalist" in a Metal band.

What artist or band are you currently listening to?

At the moment I'm in silence. But the records I very often listen to during the last days are:
Charon – Sulphur Seraph (The Archon Principle)
Pallbearer – Sorrow and Extinction
Funeral – Forgotten Abominations EP
Thin Lizzy – Thunder and Lightning

Where do you see yourself in, say, 5 years?

We don't make plans or something. I think there will be no big changes. But I think in five years we will have recorded a new LP and perhaps some EPs or Splits.

Do you, or anyone in the band, have any side projects you'd like to mention here?

Felix and Mächel are playing in an Iron Maiden Tribute band called 667. We other members all had our bands and projects (Vex, Dangerous Force, Unscared) but either they split up or there is no time left for it.

And last, but not least, where do your fans go to find out EVERYTHING they want to know about Witchburner?

Information about Witchburner is to find at www.witchburner.de

Thank you again! Your time is most appreciated. We here at Metal Temple wish you nothing but a safe journey along the road ahead.

Thank you. Hail the Cult!

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