Royy (Graven Image)

 Interview with Royy (Graven Image)

Hail Royy, you are very welcome to my small blog Archangel’s Lantern. How and when did you enjoy the underground movement back in the day? What were your very first releases you bought? Which band did you see live for the first time? 

~ Hi Georgius, nice to talk with you here. Well from family and environment I got infected with hardrock and metal in my childhood. I was so young that I didn’t even knew about genres yet, all I knew was that I liked it.  My first releases were early vinyl releases from Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Motörhead, which still are my favourite bands. The first bands of choice I’ve seen live were Iron Maiden, Obituary, Metallica, Sepultura. The first two have made a lasting impression. 

You are a very talented one, as in addition to growling and playing guitar, you also played bass and drums. Which musicians inspired you initially and what are your favourite ones nowadays? 

~ That’s nice of you to say, thank you. I’ve started as a drummer in 1991 and never wanted to be anything else than that. I still feel and think like a drummer, even though I’m mostly a vocalist, guitarist and bassist the last three decades. I have always liked multi-instrumentalists such as Chuck from Death and Quorthon from Bathory. The idea of not being pinned down to just one singular instrument always meant a great deal to me. My favourites nowadays are talented musicians who are down to earth and do not hide behind looks or use sexuality to gain more likes or attention. It should be about the music again.

I think, it was happened in Summer when Serge, the big boss of the facebook page called Dutch Brutal/Death/ Metal/Thrash recommended to me listen to Graven Image and I must say I liked a lot of your awesome music. Tell the readers the story of the Graven Image from the beginnings, please. 

~ Big thanks and shout out to Serge, again. I was one of the founding members of the band Raging Death from Doesburg, formed in 1991. We were a death-metal band at first but evolved into Autumnal Reaper, moving into black-metal in 1993, with me still being the drummer but adding vocals as we went. In that band I’ve transformed into the vocalist/bassist. Somewhere around the millennium, while still in Autumnal Reaper all these years, I just wanted to play drums again, so I re-forged Raging Death with Autumnal Reaper’s roadie Waltr. Both of us had played together in a project band in the early 2000’s, and kept in touch.  The idea was that the drums would have the leading position. To avoid being connected to Autumnal Reaper in a straight line, we decided to leave the name Raging Death behind and choose something new. Harro and Arno, friends of ours, joined us while we decided on the name Graven Image and completed the 2003 classic line-up. With myself as drummer we’ve released one demo with Waltr as the vocalist and guitarist, Arno on bass, and our only release with guitarist Harro, the “Death Metal Bastards” demo. We started doing a lot of shows, and things went really fast. Around 2006 I got in contact with Kampfar’s drummer Ask. He was moving to The Netherlands and needed a band to play in to stay in shape while still being in his Norwegian band Kampfar. It came at the same moment Graven Image was looking for a more death-metal stylish vocalist. We’ve searched for a suitable replacement for Waltr as vocalist, so he could focus on guitar, but we couldn’t find a suitable death-metal vocalist for our band. Eventually the obvious answer was Ask taking over my drum position because he was a better drummer than me, and myself taking over the vocal position because I sounded more death-metal than Waltr, and Waltr focussing on rhythm guitars because that was what he really enjoyed doing. We’ve gained a member and did a chair dance in active roles. Knowing at some point Ask had to return to Norway and leave us, we’ve found Tom, or Tom found us, as he was a Graven Image fan and followed us already. Adding Tom to our line-up as drummer was one the best decisions we’ve could have ever made. Our friend and guitarist Dave has played an impressive 9 years with us, he was previously with me in Autumnal Reaper as well. Nowadays Mike and Bauke are the lead guitarists in Graven Image, leaving me as the third guitarist, a position to be quite normal within GI for many years. My friend Kenny is the one responsible for doing all the Graven Image studio productions. Him and me work together a lot, so his role within Graven Image should not be underestimated, and he is therefore considered a full member of the band as well.

Who is the main song and lyric-writer in the horde? What should we know about your lyrics? 

~ The older songs it’s mostly Waltr and me writing the music and then everybody helps with the arrangements, with me doing the lyrics. On the newer songs I wrote everything. What you should know? We have two types of lyrical themes; World War II and the occult. The “Return Fire” CD was WWII themed; “Deus Bastardus” was occult themed. The first following release will be WWII again, yet the future material after that will be more cultural grounded themed. 

Graven Image last time released 2 excellent singles, namely Verzetsstormer in July 2024 and Return Fire Redux '25 this year. Share all the important information about these ones.

~ Don’t forget “Beast” from December 2023, that’s the one reigniting everything, with Jon Rubin from Malevolent Creation and Monstrosity as guest lead-guitarist. We never wanted to release singles actually, we just want to release actual physical hardcopies. On the other hand, we’re aware of being a band in current times, so sometimes you have to do something you’re not entirely comfortable with. We intent to compile the singles and make it a physical release anyway, as an EP/CD. Verzetsstormer was the first time we did a video without using black and white World War two footage, it turned out our best viewed video. Return Fire was fully remixed and remastered by Kenny and me from the original 2011 mastertapes. There was old studio footage never used, filmed by me back in 2011, finally put together in 2025 by a close friend who wants to be named online only as “AM”, who has also directed the videos for “Beast” and “Verzetsstormer”. My friend AM is enthusiastic about working along with us in the near future as well.

Is Graven Image working with a new material nowadays? What is your current line-up? Do you have some plans to play live in the near future? 

~Yes, we have new material recorded into a far stadium; it only needs recording my vocals, and maybe a guitar solo here or there. Right now, Graven Image are: Tom(drums), Arno(bass), Mike(lead-guitars), Bauke(lead-guitars), Kenny(sound) and myself (vocals and rhythm-guitars). To be completely honest, we have no plans at all for any future shows, but we are not saying no to the idea. If something special comes along, we will seriously consider it. First priority however are our forthcoming CD releases. The first upcoming release will be a physical CD release set for spring 2026, and following will be a full-length album. There’s some things about to happen for sure!

You have done live-vocals for USA Death-Metal band Malevolent Creation during the Dutch shows of the "Domination Tour 2007" singing a duet with Bret Hoffmann (R.I.P.). How did happen that alliance?

~ These types of things usually aren’t planned far ahead and mostly exist spontaneously shortly before. We were talking some days before their first Dutch show that tour and the idea came up. After the first show we just went along extending it to more shows. It was only for that tour. We had fun doing those shows, and we made nice memories. I miss Bret every day. 

You were involved in a couple Dutch hordes as Autumnal Reaper, Drowned in Torment, Impalement and Pleurisy through the years. Would you be so kind to talk about it? 

~ I’ve started as the Raging Death drummer in ‘91. That band became Autumnal Reaper, in which I’ve played drums, guitars, bass, and vocals over the years from 1993 until we’ve disbanded some three decades after. In Pleurisy I was the singer from 2001 until 2002, and I remember we did a lot of shows in several countries in a really short time. A live videotape from a festival in Czech Republic was released from that era. In Drowned I was the session drummer for their live shows in 2006 and ‘07. I was never a member of Impalement; I was merely helping the original members forge what would later become that band. Lock&Load is a band I was in as drummer and co-founding member from 2007 until 2012, and I really enjoyed playing in that band.  My only focus nowadays musically is Graven Image.

Maybe you know that my small work is eternally dedicated to Jon of Dissection and Lars-Göran Petrov. Did you share with them the stages /met them live? Are you have any favourite songs/releases of their heritage? 

~ Sure, I know about that, and I like that you keep the memory of them alive. I’ve met them both and have seen them perform live as well. The Entombed debut and the first two Dissection records are absolute classics, these are albums that are untouchable from beginning to end and back again.

Apart from playing music do you have any special hobbies? 

~Collecting physical CD’s, LP’s, DVD’s and books. I own wall to wall full of physical releases. Obviously especially both Waltr and myself have a great interest in everything related to WWII. I love spending time away from people surrounded by nature and animals.

Are there any books and movies what you prefer most? 

~ If it comes to Graven Image, we seem to have a special bond with the Hellraiser franchise; which is funny because our lyrics are never about blood or classic horror themes. We have used quotes and samples from Doug Bradley, the original and only legitimate Pinhead, on almost all physical CD releases. On our album “Deus Bastardus” Dante’s Divine Comedy was a huge inspiration, especially the Inferno book. This influence will continue to remain. With the “Return Fire” CD it was all about World War II. Of course, the “Beast” and “Verzetsstormer” singles are WWII themed as well.

Dank je wel/Thanks a lot for the interview, Royy, my best wishes to you and Graven Image. To complete this conversation, send your message to the readers, please. 

~ Thank you Georgius. Stay safe, and keep in touch with us. For the readers, feel free to contact us and ask us anything at our channels.

Important links: 

facebook.com/gravenimageband

reverbnation.com/gravenimageband

youtube.com/@GravenImageBand

Charly Steinhauer (Paradox)

 Interview with Charly Steinhauer (Paradox)

Hello Charly, I’m so honoured to talk to you on my small blog again. First, my congratulations for your new amazing album called “Mysterium”, I really enjoyed every moment. How are the responses from fans and underground media so far? 

- Thank you and hello, I greet you and all the readers. The reaction to the new PARADOX album "MYSTERIUM" has been very good worldwide, and in some cases outstanding. Of course, you can always find fault if you want to, but I am extremely satisfied with the result. It has turned out to be a great album and shouldn't disappoint any PARADOX fan.

Enlighten us about song-writing and recording process, please. How long did it take you to compose the “Mysterium”?

- I started songwriting in January 2023. The process took about nine months to complete. The recordings for each instrument then lasted until March 2024, and the album was finished in July 2024. However, due to a change of record label, the release was delayed by almost a year.

“MYSTERIUM” was a huge challenge for me because I recorded all the instruments myself on this album. That wasn't the original plan. Axel was no longer able to record the drums due to depression. Christian was too busy with other projects, and Olly wanted to use the bass recordings I had already made while composing the songs. So, I ended up recording everything you hear on the album myself and also handled the mixing and production. Patrick W. Engels did the mastering, as I wanted an outside professional to confirm whether the quality of my mix was good enough. And it was.

I know, it is always a hard thing but would you be so kind to talk about each track of your new album?

- The album's opening track is called "KHOLAT". It begins calmly and sadly before practically exploding with a furious tempo. It's a very fast song. 

"Kholat Syakhl" translates as "Dead Mountain" in the northern Urals of Russia. In 1959, a still-unexplained tragedy occurred at the foot of the Kholat Pass, the Dyatlov Pass. Nine hikers met a gruesome death there, some of their bodies severely mutilated. It still unsolved who was responsible for their dead.

“ABYSS OF PAIN AND FEAR” is a song that contains all the trademarks that have distinguished Paradox over the years. Many tempo changes, fast and with a lot of power.

It`s about BILLY HAYES, who was arrested in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1970 and later sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempting to smuggle hashish from Turkey to the United States. After a long period of suffering, he finally managed to escape from the hell of prison. His experiences were made into a film called “Midnight Express.”

After two fast-paced songs, a short breather is needed in the form of "GRIEF," an acoustic instrumental piece dedicated to AXEL BLAHA (co-founder of PARADOX), who passed away in 2023.

“THOSE WHO RESIST” is a relentless rhythmic powerhouse that once again pushes the pedal to the metal. It is dedicated to the victims who tried to resist the Nazi regime during World War II and lost their lives in the process.

“ONE WAY TICKET TO DIE” is probably the fastest song on the album. Similar in speed to Kholat, it's a top-notch thrash metal inferno, while “PILE OF SHAME” continues with a stomping rhythm. A track that, with its distinctive beat, encourages headbanging.

After the ultra-heavy and dark instrumental track "TUNGUSKA," comes "FRAGRANCE OF VIOLENCE," perhaps the most typical PARADOX song on "MYSTERIUM." It contains everything that characterizes the PARADOX style.

The fragrance of violence is the smell that hangs over the battlefield. Until World War I, battle and war itself were highly romanticized. Only when weapons became increasingly deadly and soldiers died by the millions did it gain the status it enjoys today among the population. Heads of state order wars with the blood of soldiers who are only acting on orders to avoid being killed themselves. Many of them cannot understand the actual reason for the war or perhaps don't even know exactly what it is about.

Now comes the title track "MYSTERIUM," which is about the meaning of dreams. Why do we dream? What is the background and what is the purpose of dreams? It's a very mystical track, and the sleepwalking woman on the front cover perfectly illustrates the mystique behind this topic. A great Song. A monument.

The closing track, "THE DEMON GOD," is incredibly fast-paced. It unleashes one riff after another and culminates fatally in an apocalyptic scenario. The ending is very melancholic, and at the very end, you hear a sad melody, similar to the piano intro of the opening track, KHOLAT. It's pure goosebumps! The album ends. The journey ends, and you immediately want to listen to the album again.

There's also a bonus track on the CD version of "WITHIN THE REALMS OF GRAY". This was originally planned for a project with EVILE guitarist Matt Drake. When that didn't work out, I decided to use the song as a bonus track because it also has a very mystical vibe, but is somewhat different from the typical PARADOX style.

The lyrics were written by Achim “Daxx” Hoemerlein (ex-Vendetta), with whom you have worked before. What should we know about the lyrics of the new LP? By the way, what is the current situation with Exorchrist? 

- Generally, mystical stories run like a common thread throughout the entire album, and they particularly moved me. They also encourage listeners to do their own research on these stories. Therefore, this album offers double the entertainment value. You can listen to the music and delve into the interesting and exciting topics, about which there is plenty to read and watch online.

Regarding EXORCHRIST, I would like to collaborate with DAXX on a few more songs, but he's recently become a father and is also busy with songwriting for VENDETTA. I can't promise whether DAXX is planning another EXORCHRIST release. I'll ask him. Right now, it`s on ice.

The marvellous cover art created for you Travis Smith again. Share some thoughts about his work, please.

- TRAVIS SMITH was already responsible for the artwork for “HERESY II – END OF A LEGEND (2021)” and has delivered outstanding work again. For the title track “MYSTERIUM,” I wanted to see a sleepwalking woman walking into the light of her dreams, unaware of what awaits her. Travis implemented it perfectly. He brings many ideas to the project. A fantastic artist. Incidentally, I admire his artwork for OPETH and NEVERMORE. His style is simply magnificent.

As your new album is a brilliant one, what do you think about the live Paradox-shows in the near future? 

- There are no live performances planned for this album because that would require a functioning band with whom we could regularly rehearse the setlist. That's not currently the case, but it's not meant to be a permanent situation. However, there will definitely be no concerts before 2027, even though I really miss being on stage.

”Mysterium” has been released via German High Roller Records. How did happen that alliance between you and them? 

- I requested a termination of my contract with AFM-RECORDS after they failed to release the album on time. After receiving the termination agreement, I received several offers from various labels. Among them was HIGH ROLLER RECORDS, who simply made me the best and most reasonable offer for "MYSTERIUM." I am very happy with their work because they are passionate about working with bands and because they are "old school." That suits PARADOX perfectly. I was also incredibly warmly welcomed into their family. PARADOX has finally found a new home.

Where do you get inspiration from when you create music? How many times do you play guitar per day/week?

- I actually play the guitar every day. Even if it's sometimes only 10 minutes, the guitar is always next to me in my studio so I can quickly record ideas. My inspiration comes from my favorite bands. I want to make music that I, as a fan, would expect from my favorite bands and that I like best. It has to sound like PARADOX, because I want to make the fans happy, who are responsible for the success of PARADOX.

Which live performances did you visit recently? Are there any metal albums from this year you prefer most? 

- I was recently at the KEEP IT TRUE RISING festival. There I met my friend SCHMIER from DESTRUCTION and brought him the new PARADOX album. I'm going to see METALLICA at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin after a long time. I also had the pleasure of seeing RAMMSTEIN live for the first time. What an amazing show! I'm planning to see CORONER or FORBIDDEN when they play here, and I'm also looking forward to an OPETH concert. The new CORONER album is probably my personal album of the year. I also really liked THE HAUNTED album. I had expected a bit more from TESTAMENT, and I'm curious about the latest MEGADETH album. The new FORBIDDEN and the next EXODUS album are also on my radar, but especially the new NEVERMORE album. I also dream for another VEKTOR album.

Do you have any new ideas for the next Paradox-album yet?

- In my archive, I have a folder with about 3 hours of riffs, but as a composer, you always want to create something completely new. I want to use some of these riffs from that folder because they fit the PARADOX style well. I would like to release one more final and 10th PARADOX studio album. I might also work on an additional live album, as I've found some interesting recordings. This is all just brainstorming, but another album should still be possible. I have a good label behind me that supports PARADOX in the best possible way. There are many fans out there who would be happy to hear more PARADOX music. I'm happy to oblige them.

Danke schön/Thanks a lot Charly, my best wishes to you always. Send your message to the readers in the end, please.

- I appreciate all the support! I greet all the readers and hope they will take an hour to enjoy the new PARADOX album “MYSTERIUM”. It's worth it. It's definitely one of the best PARADOX albums in their 44-year career. Thank you all! Cheers!

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