SpiteFuel are a powerful and relatively young Heavy Rock band from Germany. Their roots go back to the days when Strangelet were still around. This legendary formation brought to life the well respected "First Bite" record that presented the band playing old school Deep Purple vibes all along mixed up with a lot of emotion and slightly modern metal elements while sticking overall to the oldschool sound package.
Following the split up of Strangelet three members (vocalist Stefan Zörner, Tobias Eurich und Finn Janetzky) joined forces with the Ex-Devil's Darling members Timo Pflüger and Björn Hessenmüller. They didn't waste time and gave birth to a new combo called SpiteFuel that aims at a much heavier sound while keeping the spirit of Strangelet alive through the use of hooklines that people will remind and sing-along to.
After a strong first album teaser in form of the "Sleeping With Wolves" single their debut album "Second To None" is getting closer with each day. While we wait for the release on 7th of April 2017 we seized the time in between to have a prelisten to the songs and talk with vocalist Stefan Zörner about the details of the impending full length release. Have a listen to the first single while reading the interview in the player below.
Heavy Metal Underdogs: The first
appetizer to the album was the Maxi CD "Sleeping With Wolves".
It came out in the good old tradition some time before the album
release as a physical disc (and also download). This is a courageous
decision in my eyes.
What gave the
point to finally decide to put it out as a real disc in a digital
age?
Stefan Zörner: Ha! Yeah, just as
you said! In the good old tradition! That was the intension! We
decided this together with Markus (Rösner), our label-boss and
friend. We wanted to release the single in a physical form to set an
first exclamation mark. Also we are no big fans of that
“download-Thing” and we wanted to give a first “real” CD to
our supporters and fans. And to be a worthy appetizer to the album,
of course, haha!
Do you write
the songs as a band do you have a strict limitation who is reliable
for certain aspects of the songs?
Both! Most of the
songs are created by one of us and come in as demos. In rehearsal we
put the tracks together, change some parts or discus the parts,
refrains or bridges. When the music feels good and right for all of
us, Tobi and Timo think about their solos and I start to write the
lyrics and vocal-melodies. Even when I write songs on my own, there
is always the music the first in my mind. Tobias is our main
songwriter, but Timo and I are writing songs, too. A very comfortable
situation for a band, haha! There are so many new songs in stock, we
can´t wait to bring them in form and put them on an album!
The album
put's a signature with many outworked and long guitar solos. Was this
something you had in mind when you composed the music for the album
or how did it come together?
Ha, we all love
guitar solos and -old school or not- we want solos in our songs! Timo
and Tobi are great solo guitarists and so there was no other way for
us to create the music! We don´t give a fuck if it´s hip or not, we
just do the shit that we love and we would even buy, haha!
These two boys
spend hours over hours in their solos and riffs, and I really love
the way, they give a special note to the songs! SO all I can say
is... more solos, please!!!
Some vocal
parts on "Second To None" sound experimental or are
performed in a unusual way. How do you work on them and how long does
it take until you feel fine with them? Do the other band-members
maybe also contribute ideas to them?
Uhhh, most of the
hmmm “stranger” (*laughs*) vocal-arrangements happened just as we
(Martin Buchwalter and I) recorded them! But ok... I had a kind of
concrete vision in my head HOW they should sound, hahaha! In fact, no
joke, there was a real close connection between Martin and my humble
self, he knew exactly how to push or demand me in a real creative and
kind way! This was a so fantastic experience for me to record the
vocal-lines!
 |
| Vocalist Stefan Zörner performing live, (c) by Tiffany Anne, used with kind permission |
Let's have a
closer look upon the lyrics. Who writes them?
Most of the
lyrics are children of my weird and colourful mind, haha! Sometimes,
there are concepts, words, even song-names, that Tobi wants me to
write or to complete his music with my lyrics, as you know, we are
not just band-mates, we are also close friends (Tobi and Timo are two
of my best friends!). A very cool way to write lyrics, too! And I
really LOVE new challenges!
Obviously
the texts talk a lot about real life aspects. Did you had certain
situations on your mind when you wrote these lines?
Definitely!
Always! As you can say, SECOND TO NONE is a diary of my inner
thoughts, reflections and reactions to all that I experience, feel
and even dream. Drama baby, drama! (*laughs dirty*)
To write about
shiny demons, castles and how bloody mad or tough I am... no, Sir,
sorry, not my cup of tea in the SpiteFuel-context. The real life is
the real shit. And I still think, just a hand full of (cool) people
read lyrics anyway, so I can write WHAT I want and very intimate...
no one cares, hahaha!
Would you
say that the lyrics for various tracks are somewhat linked on the
album? (I had the feeling)
Okay... YOU are
one of the few cool lyric-readers, hahaha! Yeah, it´s kinda funny,
some reviewers and even close friends asked me about the “concept”
behind SECOND TO NONE. The first reaction was “there is no concept,
dear!” But... hell the fuck, there IS a loosely concept! This
happened in a ... more subconscious way. But the concept IS there,
yes. There are three blocks of lyrics, three emphases. Love, Faith
and my reflection on the music scene and the industry... try to
figure it out! Haha!
Is there a
sort of message you would like to transmit to the listener this way?
No! It really
doesn´t matters if the listener just enjoys the music or if she or
he is willing to go deeper into the album and it´s lyrics. The only
thing I would like to say is: Have fun with the songs, enjoy the
sound and let your fantasy do the rest!
 |
| The band logo of SpiteFuel, (c) by SpiteFuel, used with kind permission |
What do
think about the thought of being able to change your past? Do you
believe in the Butterfly-Effect? (this refers to the movie of the
same name - strictly part 1. In this film the main character is able
to change his past using a certain book. In the end every change he
does make his life and those of his friends even worser in the
present time.).
I really love
that movie! I am a great fan of science fiction and theories like
used in “Butterfly-Effect”. To answer your question: I think,
that every thing we do, every good, every bad word or act comes back
to use one day. Karma. Also I am a Christ. I try to do my fucking
best. Every day I try not to be a big asshole, haha! And... hmm...
no, I won´t change the past. Because all that we are now are the
results of what we did once.
The track
"Regrets" got me. Do you think that regret also can have a
positive effect for someone who has to deal with it?
Jah, of course,
man! As I always say... we all are human. In all the brilliant
moments, with all the gifts, we are able to use... and in the same
way with all the mistakes, defective doings and shit. We are both.
Angels and demons. But we can choose. Always! Ant to regret is a
basic step into the light, out of that fucking void called
“desperation and hatred”.
The cover
artwork is outstanding. Would you mind and give us a little hint on
the meaning of it? I also had the feeling that the title "Second
To None" could have a double-meaning behind it...
(Explanation:
This could be related to the saying "We have beat you second to
none". Or it's a second leading into nothingness...)
 |
| The cover artwork and inlay of SpiteFuel's "Second To None" CD, (c) by SpiteFuel, used with kind permission |
Yeah, the artwork
by the great Travis Smith is outstanding! We are very honoured! And
yep, double-meaning is correct! You can also say hmmmm every song on
the album is second to no other track (to none)! Or: The album is
second to none before. There are so many ways to interpret the title,
yeah!
And the tower,
the angel, burning wings, the clock... it all stands for strong
symbols. Time is flame that will burn our wings. Live life now. Be
human. Just be. There is so many within this artwork. I am very happy
with this cover!
Some
elements of the "Second To None" sleeve and the "Sleeping
With Wolves" single are to be found in both artworks (e.g. the
clock). How are both connected to each other?
No big deal! We
just wanted to give a hint to the full album within the artwork for
the single. So there is the tower/ angel in the background. The more
essential details are the wolf and the dollars, of course! “Sleeping”
is a statement to the industry and the “Lemmings” nowadays. Same
story in “Whorehouse Symphony”. I think, it is important to make
a stand. Popular or not... well, I don´t give a fuck!
Finally: was
there a moment in your life when music became something outstanding
for you? Was there a key situation that maybe changed it all?
Uhhhh... I think,
that was when I first listened to David Bowie´s masterpiece “Ziggy
Stardust and the Spiders from Mars”, must be in the early 80´s.
That sound, that championship to use lyrics, that coolness and
glitter and (slightly) rock... it never let my down. From that day on
I used to sing (ant I am still trying, hahaha!)
You can preorder the album at the online shop of MDD Records or place your order through Amazon.
If you live in the USA you can order the record through Lone Star Metal based in Texas. Make sure to have a look upon the band's Facebook account to follow them on the next steps towards the album release and have a look at the tourdates (directly to be found as the sticky first post on the page).
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