The metal band Heaven Shall Burn has been committed to anti-fascism and nature conservation since its foundation in 1996. As a politically always clearly positioned band, the Thuringians are of course particularly critical of the events surrounding this year's election in their home country. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, guitarist and songwriter Maik Weichert (42) also recognizes positive developments in Thuringia. He also reveals to what extent the new Heaven-Shall-Burn album "Of Truth And Sacrifice" was inspired by the zeitgeist and why he is disgusted by contemporary German pop music.
Before we get to your new album, what do you as Thuringians say about all of this year's election posse in your state?
Maik Weichert: There the mask of the so-called bourgeois parties was lifted for a short time and you could see what they really are about. Earning money has to go on, there is no need for green or left-wing ministers. It didn't matter whether right-wing populists voted for you or not. I also had to work in the state parliament during my legal training. If you see how things go, it is completely out of the question for something to happen by accident, as it should be suggested. It is a political smear theater at a very low level.
You as a band have always been committed to anti-fascism and clearly positioned yourself. How much does the current political climate hurt you?
Weichert: Thousands of people still took to the streets and spontaneously demonstrated against it. This reaction makes us somewhat proud and also shows that the disenchantment with politics has not affected everyone here. It shocked me much more how deep the FDP and the CDU can sink. Capital really doesn't seem to know any disgust or scruples anymore.
Has it now crossed a line?
Weichert: These are always the same scenarios in other countries. First, taboos in federal states are broken and expanded to a federal level. These are test shots that neither the AfD nor the FDP in Berlin could probably use. The boundaries will be pushed ever further. That is the way to go in the future. Anything else would be naive.
Let's put the bow to your album, titled "Of Truth And Sacrifice". To what extent was the title inspired by the zeitgeist?
Weichert: The title, i.e. the examination of truth in combination with willingness to make sacrifices, can be interpreted in many directions. I first thought of journalists who sacrifice their lives for the truth. But also in an internal social context. People create alternative facts and truths so that they can continue to live in their normal set-up and look for a dogmatic reason. Suddenly, basic truths are discussed. For example, the question of whether a human life from Africa is worth less than one in Central Europe. With such ethical and moral principles, there shouldn't be two opinions. It's just disgusting that constitutional lawyers are also discussing different types of asylum, not just populists.
Releasing a double album is a really nice announcement in times of streams and ever shorter attention spans. What made you decide to let go of such a mammoth project on the fans?
Weichert: That is true! We are very excited to see how the fans will record the album. Of course, we were advised against doing this in some hip marketing meetings, but we just wanted to provide people with a complete piece of work that they had to deal with and that the masses alone underscored the importance of the political message. And on a double album you also have more musical freedom, which we also used.
They are relatively successful with their hard sound and some are also represented in the mainstream. Does that make you proud?
Weichert: I can be very proud of getting as far as we can with the uncompromising and hard political music as we did. And that we are also anchoring in the mainstream also makes our fans and fans of harder music proud, who are happy that not only this hype-metal, which is circulated around the circus chain in the mass media, is successful.
Heaven Shall Burn has always been a band with lyrical depth and tried to convey clear positions. Is that something that German pop music in particular has lost?
Weichert: Absolutely. When I listen to this relationship whine that is in German pop music, I get pimples. This is just longing music for people who have no longing or want to feel. In the past there was also very good and political pop music, only that is unfortunately becoming less and less. The musicians who sometimes show edge are missing.