1. Let’s go examine the history of AHAB little bit. When you had figured out your fascination with oceans and things like that with your playmates? Could you remember that very moment when you’ve decided to found the band with this unique style and themes?

The beginning was when Daniel D and me started two different funeral doom projects. Daniel had a song first and I had already the concept and the name Ahab in my mind. As DD liked the name and the concept and I liked the first song of DD (which was “The Stream”) we decided to join forces. That was the birth of our band AHAB. Of course the fascination was found very early, when I still was a child and saw the film Moby Dick or 20000 Miles below the sea.

Yes I remember the day. I was visiting my friends and my parents, whom I’ve hardly seen at all for month. Late in the evening I read Moby Dick and it struck me. You have to know that at that time I was thinking of a name for a one-man-funeral doom-project.

2. All your members play in other bands also, have you known each other before founding AHAB in 2004?

Yes we’ve known very long. I guess I know Daniel since over 13 years by now. And our fathers know each other even longer. And we also played together in Penetralia, Midnattsol and AHAB. Cornelius and Stephan joined a bit later, but we’ve known the Dead Eyed Sleeper-guys also for years – I guess almost 10 years as well.

3. When you observe your biograhy, only one member quitted you during five years. It’s mean you are quite stable group with no problems in cooperation. Is that true?

Well, you never know, but Daniel and me are playing together since 10 years. So the line-up is quite stable when it comes to this. And I hope Stephan and Cornelius will stay in the band for the rest of their lives ;-).

4. By the way, how is going a composing process for an AHAB CD? Do you prefer coming out with the concept which you set to music firstly or do you write lyrics after finishing your music?

No, first thing is always reading the book we chose. Afterwards there’s the music, then the vocals and the last thing are the lyrics. That’s how it goes – at least most of the time.


5. The debut CD „The Call of the Wretched Sea“ received only positive feedback at all and personally I haven‘t read any negative one. So have you expected something like that? Can you imagine any reason why AHAB are so popular at the time when doom metal bands are everywhere?

Well, there have been some critical reviews as well. But you’re right, most of them were quite positive. I guess we were one of the first funeral doom-bands that got broader distribution and promotion. Of course I hope we struck some nerve with our music. Last but not least I guess it was the strong concept behind the music that attracted some fans. But don’t forget, we still don’t sell tens of thousands of albums. We’re still underground.

6. I suppose „The Call of the Wretched Sea“ wasn‘t only an ordinary album without any internal idea. Would you please draw near more details about what it’s talking about?

It’s all about Moby Dick, the novel of Herman Melville. The novel is so dense and there are so many different stories in it – it’s a well of inspiration...

7. Now, you are back with your newby „The Divinity of Oceans“ after three years. It looks you hadn’t abandoned your very first fascination which is known from your beginning. Please introduce briefly your album and try to point out some diversities if you have some, I mean something about your concepts and compositions.

The new album is also a concept-album about the real story of the whaleship Essex. It was rammed by a big whale and sunk in the midst of the Pacific. The seaman tried to sail to the South American Coast but food was short. So they finally had to choose: starving to death or cannibalism. It’s about a strong belief in god, questioning god and simple struggle for life.

Musically we’re more diverse. You’ll find even more epic songs, also some more Death Metal-oriented parts and of course some Postcore-elements. We still have some hypnotizing stuff and extreme funeral doom. Just like Ahab sounded 2006, but with more progressive elements.

8. What do you think about your cooperation with Napalm Records? Does this big and well-known label look after its bands in appropriate personal way?

Sure, Napalm are a good label. They believed in us although we’re playing such non-commercial and extreme music. Also I’ve known Max for years now. So there’s also some kind of friendship by now.


9. I just noticed that you are planning a lot of gigs in the near future. For me, it’s hard to imagine, how AHAB sounds live on the stage. So how do you feel about live presentation of your music? Is it harder to manage good sound? Any tour planned for new album?

Well, we used to play quite seldom – I’m not too much into playing live anymore. This year we’ll be on a more extended german tour with Dornenreich. AHAB sounds quite massive live – at least to what I heard of fans. It’s not a problem at all to play our stuff live.

10. I usually ignore questions like that for years but I think this one is convenient especially in your case. What’s about you and literature? Could you enumarate several pivotal works which do you like most?

Sure, I’m into reading novels, scientific magazines and newspapers.
So here’s a must-read list.

Concerning „sea-related-stuff“:
Melville „Moby Dick“
Philbrick „In The Heart Of The Sea“
Buchheim „Das Boot“
Vernes „20000 Miles below the sea“

Personal stuff I really like:
Grass „Die Blechtrommel“
Auster „Man In The Dark“
Eugenides „Middle Sex“
Hesse „Siddartha“