Paul: The album is just released, great shows are coming up and we bought new equipment to terrorize the world! So we’re doing great!

Ellen: I’ve just been upsetting my neighbours with a few spins of “Of Frost and War”; as the release day approaches, how are you feeling about the album? What are your favourite moments on it?

Paul: Thank you for the support! Play it loud indeed! For myself I’m checking the CDs very often, reading the booklet again and again, lifting the CD out of the package and putting it back, watching the details in the lay-out, comparing the packaging of the CD, the digi pack and vinyl. Yes, I know, it sounds a bit sick, but we’re happy as proud fathers about their new born child. Ha! Ha!

Ellen: Did you have fun creating this album? Were there any problems with the recording and production?

Paul: In fact the recordings were done as we’ve scheduled. Sure, we felt a time pressure. During the mix, Dan Swäno (and Ed Warby, he co-mixed it) did his job late in the evening and in the night (and having a normal day job) to give the songs the massive sound they need. Unfortunately we haven’t seen Dan in person, because all communication went by mail! It was cool to hear the songs in final stage during the recordings, because some of them we heard for the first time complete with vocals and solo’s.

Ellen: Have you had positive responses to the promos and previews of the album unleashed so far?

Paul: We’ve had some really good reactions so far. Some say it’s the best death metal album since years.

Ellen: While you’re all juggling so many other projects, what was it that made you decide you needed to dedicate time to breathing life back into old-school death metal? Was there a particular reason you wanted to do it, or did you just really want to collaborate with each other in this line-up?

Stephan: Well, both I guess. I already had plans to form a band with Ed many years ago, but it never happened. I also wanted Martin to do the vocals for this death metal band I had in mind. When we all got together and talked about our favourite bands it became pretty obvious that we all shared a love of old school death metal band like so there was no doubt about the type of metal we wanted to play. And yes, since we’re living in 2008 now and not 1991 we wanted a sound that would not sound dated or anything. So we ‘pimped’ the old school death metal sound a little bit to make it fit into the present...

Ellen: In your opinion, what are the key elements of the old-school sound that give it its strength, and who are the past masters whose spirit you most want to evoke in your music? (apart from yourselves… hehe)

Paul: He, he! We all love bands like Autopsy, early Death, Bolt Thrower, Massacre and Celtic Frost. We all love the rawness of the sound and uncomplicated, powerful songs of the eighties. We’re hoping that our album(s) stand the ravages of time. Songs without playing 66,6 notes in a second, but giving them a good song structures and strong riffing.

Ellen: As you all have other active projects, how do you react to being labelled as a ‘super-group’? Do you think it helps or hinders you in getting a good reaction and press attention?

Paul: All band members are from established bands and projects. Of course that helps a lot promoting the CD and shows. BUT, it’s all about the music itself. We can’t afford making albums which are not even worthy using them as frisbee.

Ellen: Of course, the label isn’t just ‘super-group’, it’s DUTCH super-group. As you prove, The Netherlands has spawned a ridiculous number of great death metal bands; do you think there is a certain ‘flavour’ to Dutch death metal? How is the Dutch scene these days?

Paul: It’s hard to say that Dutch death metal has a typical style or sound. Not like Scandinavian bands or Bay Area thrash for example. Dutch death metal has a too big range to give it a certain label on it. Especially with the resurrection of Asphyx, Sinister, Gorefest a few years ago, it feels like the good old days are back. Together with major bands God Dethroned, stage animals Inhume, and of course Thanatos the Dutch metalheads should be proud of having so many quality bands in the Netherlands.

Ellen: I read in your bio that you had to think for some time to come up with a band name that was not already taken: what made you eventually go for Hail of Bullets?

Stephan: After hearing the first couple of songs we’d written, Martin came up with his lyrical concept, so we needed a name that would fit the music, the lyrics and the whole concept, without the restriction of us not being able to focus on other things in the future besides WWII. Hail of Bullets sounds pretty powerful and fits the music and concept very well. All cool, short names were already taken so we had to pick something a bit longer...

Ellen: The concept of “Of Frost and War” is quite specific; the German-Soviet war of ’41-’45. What was it in particular that drew you to this period of time? Why does death metal have such a preoccupation with war and the past?

Paul: Brutal lyrics fit brutal music. It’s that simple for us. Martin and I are into WWII. Martin read a lot of books and articles, searched the internet and saw lot of movies for inspiration and to verify the information. We definitely wanted to use historical facts. Facts –in this moment of time- are far more brutal than you ever could describe in fantasy lyrics.

Ellen: Did Metal Blade call you up as soon as they heard your promo? What made you decide to sign with them?

Paul: We have had contact with many interested labels. For us, Metal Blade is the perfect partner in crime. Besides having a long and impressive history, they are the ones who are able to pave some paths for Hail of Bullets and give the right support we need.

Ellen: Have you taken Hail of Bullets into the live arena yet? Was that always a primary goal with this band?

Paul: We haven’t did any shows till now. 6 June we’ll do a try out show in Arnhem before hitting the stages of big festivals. So far we have an awesome showlist: Waldrock, Zwarte Cross (big Dutch Festivals), Summerbreeze and Party San.

Our primary goals are to make lots of fun, to release quality CDs with a skullcrushing sound and to create hell on stage.

Ellen: I see you are playing some selected festivals this summer; do you think you’ll be adding more appearances?

Paul: Probably! Because all members are also active in other bands and projects, we have a tight schedule. But the tank is moving, war has begun, we’re prepared for battle now!

Ellen: What are your aims with Hail of Bullets over the next few years?

Stephan: First of all we want to go out and promote the album now. Apart from the already confirmed Summer festivals there will be a number of club shows in the Fall, and a short tour sometime next year might be a possibility as well. Meanwhile we’re already thinking about new songs; we all have ideas for new material and we have no intention to wait 2 years or more before we record our 2nd album...

Thanks again for your time, and congratulations on the album!

Paul: Thanx! Hope to see you somewhere soon! Cheers!

For more on the band check out www.hailofbullets.com
www.myspace.com/hailoffuckenbullets

Interviewed by Ellen Simpson

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