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If you're searching for a new definition of death metal you'll definitely bump into CRACK UP!!! CRACK UP was formed in January 1992 and released their first album "Blood is Life" in May 1996. Their second album "From the Ground" (1997) comes like a hurricane over the metalscene, which was their debut for NUCLEAR BLAST Records. I asked Tim Schnetgöke (vocals, bass) about the news and upcoming album of CRACK UP. Make a trip into the dimensions of melodic aggression together with CRACK UP!!!
Everyone in the band displays a high level of musicanship. How long you playing together, and how long have the individual members been musicians?
- Frank (drums) and me started playing music in the late 80's and both of us started without knowing much about the instruments! We started rehearsing with a guitarist in january 1992, but he also was kind of new to his instrument, ha! We were really beginners and started from zero!
You made tons of gigs so far and still making too. What kind of atmosphere is there when you do and what bands do you prefer to play with?
- We still do every kind of gig, so there are some before 800 people and some before 20! Of course we prefer the bigger ones; but I also like this underground gigs because they sometimes have a special atmosphere - it's more like the old punk days sometimes, haha! Concerning the bands: we make no big difference and we like to play with all kind of bands, the most important thing should be that we come along each other quite well... One of our unfulfilled dreams is to tour with ENTOMBED!
Do any of the members in CRACK UP participate in any other bands or have any side projects?
- Torben has his own band called CRESTFALLEN and they recently recorded their 1st CD. I didn't listen to it yet, but I'm curious! The other members in CRACK UP don't have any side projects at this moment, but from time to time we are jamming with other musicians and I also want to start some project very soon.
Your current label is NUCLEAR BLAST Records. Do you satisfied with them and what was so shitty in WE BITE Records?
- Yes of course we are satisfied with NUCLEAR BLAST, it's a really big label and they have the power to push us far! Everything depends on the reviews and reactions of course, but when a band seems to be promising they have many ways to push it! We also had a good relationship to WE BITE, but their problem was a lack of money, so they couldn't bring us that far. We wanted to go on tour but they said: sorry guys, we don't have the money!!! WE BITE really tried their best but it was also hard for them to promote a metal band, as they are home in the hardcore/punk scene!!!
What are the members' interests outside of the band?
- I think the only thing we're really interested in is the music! Of course there are also some minor interests like girls, parties, drugs, relaxing, hahaha!
The recording sessions for the 3rd album had begun. What can you tell us about the new material?
- Oh, it's a killer!!!!!! It took us 3 weeks to record and mix the 14 songs. The CD has just been finished and we really dig it! It's a 100% development but still 100% CRACK UP! Not so many metal riffs anymore, but very intense music, it's also the hardest production we ever had! The songs differ from each other very much - it's the best thing we ever did, definitely!!!
What bands do the members of CRACK UP listening to? Are you all fans of Death Metal?
- Oh no, we're listening to a lot of different music! I mean, personally I don't see many good death metal releases these days and I prefer the older stuff from bands like OBITUARY, BOLT THROWER, PARADISE LOST, etc... Nowadays I like to listen to ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT, TURBONEGRO, NIRVANA and many more... I have no limits!
Your last 2 records were produced by Andy Classen. Why you decided to work with him again? How do you see him as producer and as musician? Have you any news about Andy's band HOLY MOSES?
- Andy is like a brother to us and also does a great job! We knew that we can make it better than with "From The Ground" so we decided to record with him again! It's always big fun to work with him, no matter how stressy a situation can become.... Concerning HOLY MOSES, they are dead!!! Andy did a new band called RICHTHOFEN but he also left that band and will do something completely new in the future.... He also thinks about featuring CRACK UP members for this new band!!! Who knows....?!?!?
What can you tell us about the re-release of the "Forsaken Dreams" demo? Will it be included any special recordings for? I mean live tracks or maybe CD-Rom tracks.
- Last year some smaller labels asked me if we would be interested in a re-release and finally we agreed. As it seems right now the french label AGONY Records will release the demo as digipak CD in spring 99, it will have a completely new layout and cover - it really looks great! There won't be any bonus tracks, just the 5 songs from the demo... Well now as you mentioned it, maybe a CD-Rom track??!?!
What is your lyrics about? Are they important for you?
- The lyrics have no special meaning for us and we're definitely no political band.... In the beginning of the band I also wrote some of this gothic lyrics but I got bored! Nowadays I'm just using the words that fit the music and have a cool sound... Some of the lines are very personal, but everyone should build his/her own opinion....
What is your point of view on nowadays growing retro-movements in some old styles? Do you agree with it?
- It depends on the style I guess.... I still like this old school death metal and I welcome every band that releases a great album!!! I'm not a person who cares about styles and names.... I just care for the music itself, it can be great or shitty.....no matter what style it is!!! People should concentrate on the music, not caring about the style or name....
O.K. I think that's all for now. Last growls for the end, please...
- Sorry for some shorter answers Cornelius, but I'm on my way to the "Wacken-Open-Air" (one of the biggest metal festivals in germany) where we'll play with CRACK UP! I really enjoyed the interview and your questions, all readers are invited to write to the bandaddress, every letter will be answered!!! The first letter with the header "Encomium 'zine" will get a free t-shirt in return!!!! Be aware of the new album "Heads Will Roll"!!!! Don't forget to check out our homepage at: www.crackup.de! Stay cracked!!!! | 
