German extreme metal band Heaven Shall Burn bring their Heimat Over Europe EU Tour to The Academy, Dublin on 24 February with support from The Black Dahlia Murder and Frozen Soul. We asked guitarist Maik Weichert of the band the BIG questions . . .
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Speaking about the tour, Maik says: "We're absolutely stoked to finally take our new record, HEIMAT, on the road across Europe and blast the new songs in your faces!
"We’ve put together a massive package with bands that we ourselves are huge fans of - you don’t want to miss this, it’s going to be total destruction!"
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I like green things.
I visit every museum possible.
My left knee always hurts.
How would you describe your music?
Our music is political, so our lyrics are very important. Music wise, I would say we are a modern metal band, mixing all possible styles of extreme metal. Bolt Thrower meets old In Flames meets Earth Crisis meets Rammstein.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Bolt Thrower was the most important band. But also Swedish Death Metal had some influence - Dismember, Entombed, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Edge of Sanity.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
It was a festival in Germany called Rock Hard Festival (no joke)… Obituary, Napalm Death, Dismember, Blind Guardian, Paradise Lost, Pestilence, Skyclad and Prong were on the bill - not too bad for a first show I guess.
What was the first record you ever bought?
It was the A Shedding Of Skin record from German death/thrash band Protector. Still one of my all-time favourite records. The cover artwork is outstanding!
What’s your favourite song right now?
Fjara by Sólstafir.
Favourite lyric of all time?
Vientos Del Pueblo by Victor Jara. But AC/DC’s You Shook Me All Night Long lyrics are deep as well: "She told me to come, but I was already there…"
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Symphony No. 9 from the New World by Antonín Dvořák.
Where can people find your music/more information?
All your cool friends listen to it and know about us.
Alan Corr
