Another step forward for Nachtblut.
Almost five years after their last production, Skoll (drums), Greif (guitar), Askeroth (vocals) and Ablaz (bass) unveil Todschick, their seventh studio album, still accompanied by Napalm Records.
The album gets off to a rather theatrical start with Von Hass getrieben and its melancholic introduction, but soon the catchy riffs appear, followed by Askeroth‘s recognizable voice, which doesn’t hesitate to growl alone or in the company of backing vocals and keyboards. The tone changes when the eponymous composition, Todschick, comes into play, offering a danceable rhythm that immediately creates a contrast with the previous track, but also with Nachtgeweiht, the following track, which remains in its dark melancholy and adopts catchy Industrial roots. Symphonic touches make the sound quite majestic at times, then Das Leben Der Anderen offers us a moment of calm before returning to its half-modern, half-Old School approach sublimated by the German vocals. Manchmal Kommen Sie Wieder takes us by surprise with its hypnotizing synths, but the tone of the track is initially rather solemn before transforming into a heavier, even heady march, before handing over to the short, stirring Mein Ist Die Hölle, whose rhythm explodes quite often. The vocal parts are also much more strident, but the leads become unhealthy with Götterstille, a creation clearly rooted in Black Metal and its dissonance, which finds very different hues with its much freer keyboards. Madness continues with Kinder Des Zorns, where double kicks and bloody harmonics meet terrifying screams that fuel the latent aggression, before returning to softer tones on Stirb Langsam, which seems infused with Folk Metal. The rest of the track confirms this, making it quite accessible, and then the album comes to a close with Schneller Als Der Tod, where the band offer us a veritable Gothic western shaken with more intense passages, but also softened by some very airy moments.
Although still relatively unknown in our country, Nachtblut‘s style is gradually gaining ground. Todschick is a highly rhythmic and varied album that is sure to satisfy fans of Gothic Metal taken to the extreme!
90/100
Hello and first of all thank you very much for your time! How could you introduce the band Nachtblut without using the usual Metal genres, such as “Gothic Metal” or its subgenres?
Skoll (drums): We are having heavy guitar riffs, groovy drums, dark orchestrations, from time to time a love for synthesizers. We like to push the boundaries of a genre and disliking any limitations due to genre-thinking. Sounds hard to putting things together in your head, right? I assume it’s like describing food. If I tell you that’s salty, it can differ from what you excepting – what’s salty to you? I can only give the advice to listen to our music and making your own opinion about it.
Do you remember where the name Nachtblut comes from, and how do you link it to your project’s music?
Skoll: I could draw a fantastic picture about the deepest meaning of this band name. But to be honest, it just sounded good to us. When we started the band, we were influenced by Black Metal and the local Gothic-scene. If you like to phrase it that way – we were kind of creatures of the night. A band name including night and blood sounded like a perfect fit.
The band is about to release its seventh album Todschick. How do you feel about it? Do you already have any feedback?
Skoll: It feels great to release this album. It didn’t feel like 5 years since our latest release. But somehow, we are eager to release new material. So far, the feedback is overwhelming through and through. By fans, critics and colleagues.
How would you sum Todschick’s identity up in only three words?
Skoll: Multifaceted, dark and catchy.
How did the creation process happen for Todschick? Did it evolve with time, and maybe you noticed any changes with the previous records?
Skoll: It’s hard for me to spot the difference in how we approached making Todschick, compared to the previous records. We’re still in the release-phase. So, I didn’t have the time to find an objective point of view on the whole process. If you would ask me about Antik or Domga compared to Apostasie or Vanitas, it would be easier for me to point out changes in our creative work or in general how we handled things. Regarding Todschick I only response that we stayed true to ourselves and never changed the winning team. It wasn’t different from working on Vanitas. And of course, an album evolves over time. We started working on the record in summer 2023 and it takes some time till all the little pieces come together.
The band’s sound is of course anchored between Gothic and Black Metal, but also some Industrial elements. How do you manage to create your own touch?
Skoll: Our musical influences are a big part of how we sound and what we may like or dislike. Those influences are not set in stone. They can change from time to time. Our songwriting has a natural approach, no strategic planning is going on, it’s not like we’re planning to have a song that has element X and another song that sounds like Y. It’s just a result of what we like at that very moment. If it’s synthesizers or industrial elements, so it will be. Literally an album is a record of the bands status and being at that very moment the songs are written. Like a time capsule.
Do you have a favorite song on this album? Or maybe the hardest one to achieve.
Skoll: Now I would choose Das Leben Der Anderen. I believe almost everyone can relate to the lyrics. This infinite scrolling through social media and maybe doubting your decisions or life choices. Even if you’re very stable about your life and happy, scrolling every day, consuming social media will do harm to you. At some point, a little moment, you maybe start comparing yourself with some staged, fake snippets of influencers. You better not let yourself being dragged by this down spiral, which can lead to doubts and even worse, like depression and a misleading view on your own life.
Where do you find your inspiration to create music? Is there a concept on Todschick?
Skoll: It’s not a conceptual record. Musically as lyrically the album delivers a wide range of facets. Inspiration comes basically from everyday life. There is so much going on in the world, if you don’t close your eyes, the world offers a lot of things to address. Lucky us, obviously we’re not running out of ideas and inspiration.
I personally felt the song Todschick has a quite “joyful” vibe. As a non-German speaker, can you please tell me this song’s story?
Skoll: The song is based on a conversation with someone, who’s not part of the whole metal, gothic world. The person wondered why we dress up like we do and why we put on this kind of make-up, as it makes us look like dead/corpses. Performing our songs is something very special to us. If something is special to you, you tend to dress up nice for that occasion. So do we, before we go on stage, which includes our outfits and make-up. Todschick is a phrase used in German if something is beyond nice, something is especially beautiful. For us a perfect fit for the song and album.
Why did you decide to keep German as the band’s main language?
Skoll: We never thought about writing lyrics in another language. It’s the same with writing the music, for writing lyrics we have a natural approach. As Germans, it’s the easiest for us to express ourselves in German-language.
The last song Schneller Als Der Tod is definitely a western-themed song, how did you decide to create it this way?
Skoll: Yes, I would say it’s heavy influenced by Ennio Morricone. Like I said, we get our inspiration in many different aspects of life. Obviously that song is dripping of western movies references. As we dislike limitations, why not combining Metal with western-movie-like-elements.
Do you think you improved yourself as a musician and songwriter with this new record?
Skoll: I assume Askeroth, who’s writing most of the songs would agree on this. Me personally I try to become better every day. Everyone in the band improves himself everyday as a musician.
The album Todschick is once again produced by Chris Harms, how is the collaboration with him? Are there any other musicians you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Skoll: It’s great to work with him. There is a reason why it’s the third record in a row we did with him as a producer. The Chameleon Studios and Chris knowing exactly how to take the stress from you, so you can focus on giving 100% recording the album. Also, the know-how, the easy way with them to achieve our sound and the album we have in mind, is a big plus for Chris and the Chameleon Studios. There are many other musicians, who would probably add something special to our songs. You could make a long list of names in my mind. But I prefer to show a final result, a cooperation, than just dropping some names.
What can you tell me about the artwork? Who is the artist, and what were the guidelines?
Skoll: Her name is Zsofia. You can find her work here. I think she did a great job on the artwork. There a no guidelines. In the end we must like the style of the artist and having a feeling, that the person understands our ideas. If we can have a good exchange about those ideas and possibilities – perfect. With Zsofia we have all of that.
Todschick is released in collaboration with the label Napalm Records, how is the collaboration with them?
Skoll: We really like to work with them. They’re not drowning us in regulations, limitations or try to take an influence on us. They are very supportive for us.
I’ve been able to see Nachtblut once on stage in Paris, back in 2022 (with Scarlet Dorn & Lord of the Lost). Do you remember the show on the boat? How do you feel when you’re on stage?
Skoll: I remember that show. Maybe some people felt sea-sick after everyone stated to jump and the ship stated to move. Otherwise, it’s always special to be on stage and having the direct interaction with fans. There is something magical about it. Never want to miss that feeling.
What will happen in the next months for Nachtblut?
Skoll: We’re on tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. After that tour we’re heading into the summer-festival-season. For later this year, some more touring will be on our schedule. Unfortunately, I can’t spoil any information about it right now.
If you had to organize a concert for Todschick release show, which bands would you love to play with? I let you create a poster with Nachtblut and three other bands! Even unrealistic answers are accepted.
Skoll: It’s hard to name three bands. Obviously, I could mention my favorites. But I think I would prefer any show and tour with friends, bands we like in person. Better having friends around, having a good time, than your idols and maybe destroying your expectations, how they are, how you get along etc.
Last and funny question: which dish would you compare Nachtblut’s music with?
Skoll: Anything that’s sweet and bitter.
That was the last question for me, so thank you very much for your time and your music for all those years, last words are yours!
Skoll: Stay safe, stay healthy, stay tuned!