Interview with Debauchery

Unfortunately the UK doesn't get Debauchery, and it is a shame really as Thomas Gurrath and co are the grinding force behind Germany's best death metal band. They may cause complaints and moans over their bloody onstage alliases and wierd song titles, but these guys are killer! Thomas their singer took the time to talk to me about: Their new album 'Germanys Next Death Metal'. Why the UK don't look fondly upon Debauchery. And Why AC/DC inspires him so much.

Metalship : Hiya Thomas…Let’s say firstly who you are and what you do in Debauchery please?

“Hi Matt. I’m pretty much the whole of Debauchery, at least until we play live. I’m something like the “Jack Of All Trades”, but live I’m the guitarist and the singer. I also have a second band in Big Ball!”

Metalship : Apart from singing in Debauchery what other hobbies do you have?

“Warhammer and other table-top games, movies, drinking, girls...; all the usual stuff!”

Metalship : What was your first experience of metal and did you always want to be in a brutal death metal band?

“My first actual CD I remember listening to was “Appetite For Destruction”, and I’m still really into that album. I never really thought about being in a band at first, I just wanted to be involved with music, so when the chance came I tried to play Death Metal like no other bands…. I actually see Debauchery more as a Heavy Metal band with Death Metal vocals, rather than a pure, hardcore Death Metal band. And it’s something quite different I think!”

Metalship : Why did you actually choose to use the name Debauchery for the band?

“It’s actually taken from the intro of a WASP song, from the “Crimson Idol” album. People always think it’s something really sinister, ha! ha!”

Metalship : For your live shows, you cover yourself in fake blood, why do you choose to do this? Does it make the live spectacle more enjoyable?

“People remember us this way, that’s it really. It’s not a spiritual thing or anything like that, purely visual. To make it more enjoyable, we sometimes bring a stripper with us. That really gets people talking!!”

Metalship : What would you say the main lyrical themes are in Debauchery’s music and why did you choose to write about them?

“I really try to write songs about stuff I’m interested in, and mostly the lyrics come out fictional with themes about monsters, wars, fantasy stuff, killing women, whatever. Many are based on Graham McNeill`s or other Warhammer literature actually because that’s a really graphic genre!”

Metalship : German metal bands like Rammstein, Sodom and Heaven Shall Burn are much loved in the UK, but no one seems to know who you guys are, or pay any attention to you! Why do you think this is?

“Difficult to say!! Perhaps, because they are better bands? Or they have better promotion over there, and have been in the business for over 20 years?

Metalship : “Germany’s Next Death Metal” is your latest album. How does it compare to different Debauchery releases?

“It’s quite different to the last one, but that’s largely because the last record is very different to any other Debauchery record so far done. The new record is kind of more like the older ones but cooler!! The production is better, the songs are better…!”

Metalship : There is a song on the new album called “School Shooter”. What is this based on and is there any subliminal message that you are trying to get out to people?

“No, there is no hidden message! It’s just a song about a fictional school shooter, although the original idea is based on a real incident near my hometown. I’m not into pushing overtly obvious messages in that way!”

Metalship : There is a hint of, let’s call it... ‘Death N Roll’ to this album, with riffs that sound like down tuned heavy AC/DC numbers? Why do you choose to write in a style like this?

“It goes back to what I was saying about my initial ideas when I started playing. I began to play guitar because of guys like Angus Young, and I love bands like Judas Priest or Saxon, so, yes, my guitar riffing is influenced by those people. I’m not ashamed! Those bands are my favourite bands. It’s not a choice, it just happens this way!”

Metalship : You recently covered “Schools Out” by Alice Cooper, and it was released as a single. Is there any reason why you chose this song in particular to cover?

“Well, there’s a strange story behind this, but truth is often stronger than fiction! I recently lost my job as a School Teacher because of the music I play. The school gave me the choice; Death Metal or teacher. So here I am, still playing Metal...And, “School`s Out”, ha! ha! That’s the story.”

Metalship : If you could be in a super group with you on vocals, who else would be in the band and what would you call it?

“Ha! Ha! I have no idea what I would call it per se, but my choices of musician would have to be Malcom Young for rhythm guitar, Zakk Wylde for lead, Scott Travis from Judas Priest on drums, and the singer would be Rob Halford...I would just play the bass!!”

Metalship : Can we be expecting a UK tour anytime soon to promote the release of “Germany’s Next Death Metal”?

“No, realistically, I don’t think so! We played the UK with Destruction some years ago, but I currently have no connections at all for booking shows in the UK. Perhaps I’ll try again some time in the future with another band?”

Metalship : Thanks for your time Thomas. Can you give our readers out there a brief summary of the new album?

“Lots of Big Grooves and Rock`N`Roll!! Cheers!!