NEAERA - Stefan Keller

\r\nNeaera is a Melodic Death Metal band from Münster, Germany, currently signed to Metal Blade Records. Recently, they have completed their third album, Armamentarium (including a DVD), which was released on August 24, 2007 in Europe and on September 4, 2007 for the rest of the world. On May 25, 2009 Omnicide - Creation Unleashed was released, containing the track I Loathe. Metalzone had the chance to interview Stefan Keller the band’s guitarist and get to know a few more details about their latest steaming release.  \r\n

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\r\nMetalzone.gr: First of all, I’d like to welcome you in Metalzone.gr. Lets begin by your latest release Omnicide - Creation Unleashed. What
\r\nis the concept behind it? What does it represent?
\r\nStefan Keller: Thank you, Elena! Omnicide is our fastest and most brutal and darkest record. Lyrically, the title and the lyrics mainly deal with the tendency of mankind to destroy itself. In other words, the human need to do what is contrary to its drive to survive.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Tell me a few things about the production process. Is it different than how it was on your previous releases? How?
\r\nStefan Keller: We like change and every record needs a different sound because taste changes and songs change. This time we recorded the album with Alexander Dietz of Heaven Shall Burn. Metal wizzard Zeuss did the mix and the mastering. A perfect combination, we found.  
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\r\nMetalzone.gr:  Lyrically, Neaera stick to their guns, combining socially and politically relevant topics with self-reflective and more personal-based approaches. Is this true? Are there any specific facts that have inspired you in this particular album?
\r\nStefan Keller: This is an absolutely correct observation! We always combined what’s relevant on a larger scale with introspective, personally motivated lyrics. Yet, the critical stuff is more important. We are inspired by things that happen on the planet every day. The financial crisis, scientology, child soldiers in Northern Uganda, nuclear build-up. Of course, it is nothing but aesthetisizing the vile.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: What do you think is the greatest political problem of our times?
\r\nStefan Keller: Many people say the two biggest threats to mankind’s survival are nuclear power/war and climate change. That’s surely true. But the worst thing to me is the monstrous hierarchy and discrepancy between the privileged and the poor. Europe and „the West“ is a small, tiny place which seems to rule over everything else. Not necessarily on purpose. It still appears that a few mighty people force others to participate in the increase of injustice and inequality without anyone noticing it. „The system“ is not only invisible – it is also invincible.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Do you think young people today are concerned about the political status around the world or do you think youngsters are
\r\nindifferent?
\r\nStefan Keller: I believe generations develop in cycles. After a political generation often a generation of abundance and hedonism evolves. A high living standard can make people peaceful and build the ground for democracy and so called „high culture“. But it can also make people fat and lazy, selfish and stupid. The wrath we should yield against the things that deserve nothing but wrath is often choked by abundance. I definitely think the scene is receptive to contents. Also thanks to the Bush disaster, which awoke the usually passive and indifferent.   
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Coming back to the album. Do you think you have an old school effect in your album? I kind of got the feeling of the not so well polished production compared to other bands of the genre.
\r\nStefan Keller: Hmm...I think that is not really intended. We like some dirt for sure! But we also like the dry, liveless sound of Zeuss. We thought he would make it even clearer and chemical, but in the end, he didn’t. But we are very happy with the production. It all seems to fit together.  
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: What are your touring plans? Have you confirmed any festival appearances?
\r\nStefan Keller: There are a variety of festivals going. But most important to us is the HELL ON EARTH Tour with Earth Crisis and Sworn Enemy and War from a Harlot’s mouth in September.  
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Are there any plans on coming to Greece?
\r\nStefan Keller: Well, we were in Athens in February and we met a very great, energetic crowd there! I hope we will be back sometime. I study Latin and love ancient Greek culture. I mean who doesn’t admire you guys for your vast historic heritage. We’ll surely be back sometime – see what happens.
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: What expectations do you have of your career from now on? What is your greatest dream that you haven’t accomplished so far?
\r\nStefan Keller:  We are trying to get to Japan and the US for a long time. That would surely be sweet. A dream for me is definitely a tour with one of my favourites: Rammstein or Tool
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\r\nMetalzone.gr: Thank you very much for your time and I hope we have the chance to catch you live soon.
\r\nStefan Keller: The pleasure was all mine. Hopefully see ya soon! \r\n

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\r\nInterview by Hellena Mihailidou \r\n

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