1. Hello Gnarl, I do not like to ask bands about the history, but Graupel is not very good known in our country, so.... could you?

Well, Graupel was formed up upon an idea of Zingultus in 1995 with Rykthius von Meilenwald and Sveinn Hackelnberg, who were both joining Nagelfar at that time. But unfortunately rehersals were never accomplished. So in 1997 Zingultus asked Ratatyske an me to reform Graupel again and we formed the first stable line-up, as it is still existing today. One year later Greuel joined on bass-guitar. In the year 2000 we recorded our demo „Als der Nebel...“, which was released in 2001 in a handnumbred CD-R Version at WOD-VAN limited to 111 copies and shortly after that it was licensed to sombre-records for a MC-release of that demo. In 2003 Greuel left the band over a longer period of a time. Due to intensiv and long lasting contact we signed to Whyrhd´s (ex-Lunar Aurora) label „cold dimensions“ in 2004 for our upcoming album „Auf alten Wegen...“, which was finally released in 2005. In the end of 2005 Hiemos joined on session-bass, so we are able to play live now.

2. Last year you released first long length CD – what can you tell about it after some time? What about reactions of listeners?

Of course we are content with the release, otherwise we won´t have released it. But, of course the more you here it, the more you´ll find mistakes and other points you think about you better had changed. But in spite of that we think this is a good worthwhile black-metal album, not more, not less. Altogether reactions were rather positive. In a nutshell Graupel is stuff for noncommercial ears with dissonant riffs and rough sound. But that was the reaction we ecpected and we wanted to have.

3. You´ve got own typical sound, which is I have to say not too good, but... Where it was recorded? Was it your intention, to make that sound?

Well, we wanted a cold sound, that has some kind of recognition. It was recorded in our rehersal room. We don´t want to go to a studio. We want to do everything on our own.

4. Looking back to the early times of Graupel and looking forward to presence – where is the main difference in your music ( maturity, ideas, etc.)?

This is difficult to say, because changes happen in a longsome process. I can not tell you where we have differences in our music, the listener should decide that. But our work on songs is nearly the same like in the past and I assume that it will be also the same in the future.


5. Can you tell us about the moment, or about CD in your career, which is really basic, essential or just important? Did you have any so big problems, that the split of the band was near?!

Of course there are many essential moments...we enjoy every note we play, every rehersal we do and every song we finish. These are all important moments for us. Of course we had some situations in all these years were we were not sure wether we could go on or not. But these were mostly private nature and had nothing to do with the band it self.

6. You are staying in hard core of black metal and I believe, you´ ve got certain reputation. Do you think you´ll continue at this line? My question is clear, because I think the fame of true black metal is fading away.... in last few years....

Well, I think you are right that the fame of black metal is really fading away. Of course nobody knows what will happen tomorow, but in spite of everything I guess I can pacified you that we don´t think about changing anything in our line. Needless to say that less variances are inevitable over the time (beside you are motörhead), but I´m sure that this will not change our style.

7. What about stable line-up? Do you think it is important? Young blood is good, but on the other hand the older blood is not bad....

We have a stable line-up for serveral years and that line-up makes us to that what we are. If it would be necessary to enlarge the line-up, we would be very very carfully. But this is not needed at this time. Diminish the our active line-up is beyond all questions, because this would not be Graupel anymore.

8. Do you plan any new studio recording next (or this) year? Tell us more about the future of the band, please....

As I told you before we will never plan a studio recording. We do everything on our own. This year a 12“split-LP with ENDSTILLE is planed and in all likelihood it will be released in august this year. Furthermore we will concern on a WOD-VAN vinyl sampler, which will be released next year as far as I know. After that we will be certainly working on a knew album, but it is to early to say something about that.


9. Do you play live? If not, are you going to change it in future?

Yes we plan to go live. We will play in september in arnhem in netherlands wit Lunar Aurora and Haatstijd. At that time this is the only fixed gig for us.

10. If you are interested in some band, do you listen just the music, or do you like to read lyrics also? How about in Graupel? Of course I know Zingultus cares about lyrics, but your opinion is also interesting....

For me the music is primary interessting. Of course I also read the lyrics but they are secondary to me. One may find that facile, but I am musician predominantly and that´s the point were I have my priorities in the music I play and I listen to also.

11. You have signed in Cold Dimensions, how is your cooperation going on? When it was born? They have signed also with Lunar Aurora, do you know the band?

As far as I know it was founded in 2003 or 04. Our cooperation with cold-dimensions is, let´s put it that way: perfect! We have no problems and everything is like it should be. And: Of course we know Lunar Aurora!!

12. What about your favourie musicians/bands.... Lots of people in booklets thank to the family, of th god, but not to bands. Where is your inspiration for the composing coming from?

This is easy to say. For me my number one is Quorthon (r.i.p.). But I also like old stuff from Darkthrone and the old Immortal LPs. Combined I can say I like the stuff from the early 90s. Most of that stuff is music that I assosiate with black metal. I don´t would like to say, that in time of today there are no good releases anymore, but there are only a few to my mind.

13. Tell us something about good bands in Germany! How do you rate black metal scene in there? Can you remember thebands, which you find in last one year? Do you know any bands from Czech Republic? We are famous more because of our beer and women, I know :)).

I don´t think that the german black metal scene differs much from scenes in other countries. I think there are all around the same problems. There are fractional dreadful releases and fractional outstanding releases and releases between that . But I think it is the same as in most other countries. I´m partial a little bit displeased with the audience in concerts, because the audience often makes a laboured impression. Unfortunately I mostly relive that on black metal concerts, very rarely on thrash or deathmetal concerts. I can not gauge how this is in your country, but I guess it is nearly the same.
At that time bands from Czech Republic are not really known to my ears.


14. What do you do in your spare time? Do you have any favourite book, or movie... Dou you wish to visit any country?

I have chopper. That engulfs enough money and time.

15. It is going to be trendy, many bands are going on the path, which means murders, burning the churches... what do you think about acts, which made black metal scene so famous (unfortunately) ?

It is right that incidents like these make the black metal scene famous, but in an unattractive perception I think. Surely, the participants of these cases had there causes, but to my mind I don´t have to experience every nonsense other people do... seperated from the fact, that this obtains dozens annoyance to you ;-).

16. Thank you for ( I hope) nice chat with you. Good luck to the future!!!

Same to you of course...