Out of nowhere, there was suddenly a split LP between two new heavy metal bands: Vestal Claret and Atlantean Kodex. That Metal Coven Records has a knack for good heavy metal and epic doom metal is of course no secret, but with this split LP they release perhaps the best they have done so far. Despite Vestal Claret making a convincing impression, it is German Atlantean Kodex that steals the show. Meanwhile, the band has also released a CD on their own New Iron Age Records that includes some demo recordings. That we are on the eve of something really exciting with this band I dare predict, so I asked guitarist Manuel Trummer to introduce his band to us in anticipation of what is to come…
Hi Manuel, how are you? First of all I would like to know how things were for you in 2007, it must have been an interesting year for you guys?
Yes, definitely. 2007 was really unbelievable. We released our first MCD “The Pnakotic Demos”, our first vinyl in February and took part in a great compilation together with Metal Inquisitor, RAM, Portrait and others. What really blew us away was the response we received from fans. We knew that our material was quite good, but we didn’t really expect that people would like it that much. This was really a fantastic experience.
It seems that you came from nothing to a certain circle of dedicated heavy metal fans, in 2007 alone you released a split 12” with Vestal Claret, a CD (with demos) and appeared on the “Teutonic/Swedish Alliance”-LP alongside bands like RAM and Delirium Tremens. A short introduction is welcome for most of our readers…
Florian and myself formed the band in 2006 with the aim of creating exactly the kind of heavy and epic music, we would like to hear ourselves. You know, old Manowar, “Twilight”-era Bathory, Manilla Road, Warlord, Solstice… We felt, that there weren’t many bands around nowadays who played that style. So we decided to do it ourselves.
At first we were joined by Phil Swanson (Upwards of Endtime / Hour of 13) and Jim Quinn (Upwards of Endtime). This was the line-up who recorded the track “The Hidden Folk” on the split 12” with Vestal Claret, which was released by Metal Coven Records in early 2007. Since Phil and Jim both lived in the US, which made rehearsals and live shows basically impossible, we decided to part ways. Soonafter we were joined by Markus Becker and in May by Mario Weiss on drums. This line-up recorded the “Pnakotic Demos”, which were released by New Iron Age in July 2007. After we released another track on the fabulous “Teutonic-Swedish Alliance” Compilation, we were joined by Michael Koch on lead guitars, thus making us a five-piece. At the moment we’re rehearsing hard and planning a new release, which is scheduled for summer 2008.
Something that have been bothering me, what exactly is the ‘Atlantean Kodex’ and what does the title of the demos-CD mean, “The Pnakotic Demos”? Just the obvious Lovecraft connection?
Well, the inevitable question, haha… No seriously, the title “The Pnakotic Demos” was of course influenced by the books of H.P. Lovecraft, one of our main lyrical influences. In his tales, H.P. Lovecraft keeps referring to strange and ancient writings and forbidden books, which even predate the history of mankind itself. You might have heard of books like the dreaded Necronomicon, the feared Book of Eibon and the abominable Cultes des Goules by German eccentric von Junzt. Both, the “Pnakotic manuscripts” and the “Atlantean Kodex” are such ancient and mysterious tomes out of times before the creation of human life. We felt the archaic and sinister nature of the names would make a very fitting title for our material, which is also quite archaic and gloomy in nature.
In the few reviews I read Atlantean Kodex have been compared with the Gods Of Metal, Manowar. Is this something that you carry with pride or do you think they are wrong (in some ways)?
Yes, I’ve heard that quite a lot, and what can I say, it’s really an honour being compared to Manowar. At least, when people compare us to Ross-the-Boss-era Manowar, hahaha… I haven’t heard any comparisons to new Manowar anyway. Probably because of our lack of keyboards and cheesy arrangements. No, really, the first six Manowar-albums, especially “Into glory ride”, are the pinnacle of Heavy Metal as a musical genre. It simply cannot get better than “Secret of Steel”, “Gloves of Metal” or “Blood of my enemies”. These records are certainly our main influence and in consequence it’s only logical that you can hear that in our songs. But nevertheless, old Manowar is only one of our influences. If people said, we’re just Manowar copycats, they would be really wrong, because despite the clear influences of aforementioned albums in our music, there’s a lot more to our songs. Just check the doom influences, the acoustic guitars, the twin guitar leads and las but not least our lyrical content. You wouldn’t find any of that on a Manowar record. If you spot the Manowar influences in our sound, you also have to spot the Bathory, Candlemass, Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Solstice, Warlord and Pagan Altar influences.
It seems that some of you guys are involved in the new and upcoming heavy metal label New Iron Age Records which already released the great Cauldron 12”, the Brocas Helm/Manilla Road split 7” and the aforementioned “Teutonic/Swedish Alliance” LP. What’s the story behind this?
Yes, that’s right. Markus and me are part of New Iron Age, or better: were part of New Iron Age. As you might have heard, there were some changes in the label and to make a clean cut, we put the name New Iron Age to rest and decided to start something new under the banner of Iron Kodex Records, which is run by Rebecca Körner and myself. Our aim is to give young bands the chance to release their material in a worthy form, with a good distribution and without getting ripped-off. Our first release, for example, is the unbelievable debut album by Sweden’s PORTRAIT, which will be released at a release party on April 3rd, at Keep it True festival. Be sure to get this album, it will rip you apart! You won’t regret it! Another aim is to do releases by classic bands we worship. For instance, in June we will release a 2LP by SOLSTICE (UK) featuring a collection of ultra-rare demo recordings and even some stuff, which hasn’t been released ever before. The whole package comes in a high quality gatefold sleeve with a 20page booklet written by Rich Walker and some other extras. Before that we will release SLOUGH FEG’s “Hardworlder” on vinyl. Also high quality gatefold, layout and extras. We want to give the music lovers value for their money because we feel, that there’s a desire for quality in this age of faceless mp3 downloading culture. We’re acting as a sort of counter-movement to this whole internet-digital bullshit.
These days it seems that heavy metal is coming back a bit, not only interesting new bands like Helvetets Port, Cauldron and Enforcer for instance but also the reunited heroes-of-old and the great festivals like Keep It True. What is your opinion on the ever-growing scene and can you give us a few of your person favourites?
Yes, that’s my impression, too. The scene really seems to burst with life at the moment. I think the most important thing is, that the scene isn’t carried by the old bands alone, but also mainly by a new generation of bands and fans. This shows, that it’s not about nostalgia, but that the scene is really alive and healthy. At the top of my list are definitely PORTRAIT. I can’t praise their debut album enough. The perfect symbiosis of Meryful Fate, rough NWOBHM stuff and Danish killer bands like WITCH CROSS or KIM SIXX. Just bursting with energy and played with passion and virtuosity. Of course I also really like CAULDRON, which in my mind have the potential to make it really big. Excellent musicians and some of the best guitar riffs around. I’m also looking forward to the debut by ENFORCER.
Germany always seemed to have a rather rich heavy metal history, what do you think is the reason why heavy metal has always been that big in Germany?
Difficult question, I’ve been thinking about that myself quite a lot of times and I really don’t have an answer. I guess it’s a combination of many things. First of all we always had some strong local scenes, like in the Ruhrgebiet area or currently the Franconian scene between Nuremberg and Würzburg. Then we always had a good infrastructure regarding fanzines, traders and bigger magazines, which kept metal in the eye of the public and we have some of the biggest festivals here in Germany, which also take part in making Germany a “metal country”. But as nice as it seems, in reality, media are ignoring metal in Germany almost totally. If you spent two weeks in Germany, watching TV and reading newspapers you’d get the impression that there’s no metal scene here at all.
What’s your current playlist?
1 PORTRAIT – s/t debut
2 ENCHANTER – Symbols in stone
3 SLOUGH FEG – Hardworlder
4 WITCH CROSS – Fit for fight
5 MANILLA ROAD – Voyager
6 PAGAN ALTAR – Mythical and Magical
7 REDIMONI – new album
8 THE LAMP OF THOTH – Cauldron of Witchery
9 MANOWAR – Into glory ride
10 BATHORY – Twilight of the gods
What can we expect from the future? Any releases or tours planned?
Yes on both. There will be a new release in summer 2008 and there will also be live shows in 2009. We’ve got some nice offers from festivals and we hope we can work something out.
Ok, that’s for now. Thanks for your time and answers. Please finish it off with some words of your own…
First of all thanks, Felix, for your interest in the band and the opportunity to present the band. Stay narrow-minded!
