I was privileged to get the chance to do an interview with Germany’s LED ASTRAY. They’ve been around since 2006, released their debut album, One Million Bullets, in 2008 and now have released their sophomore album Decades Of Addiction. This is one intense blend of death metal mixed with hardcore that will leave you moshing up a storm. Thanks to the band for their time.
Check out the review I did…https://alteredfrequencies.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/led-astray-decades-of-addiction-cd/ and check them out at http://www.facebook.com/Led.Astray.Bautzen http://ledastray.eu/
What/who got you into metal at first?
This is a very difficult question. All of us got other stories for that. But the main reason is that our fathers are great heavy rock fans and so we were listening to bands like LED ZEPPELIN and VAN HALEN when we were very young.
What styles/types of metal did you listen to at first and do you still
listen to those types/styles today?
We all started with Bands like SEPULTURA and SIX FEET UNDER. They are still great Bands, but it’s not the kind of music i prefer listening and playing. All is getting heavier and we listen to more technical stuff now.
What bands were you in before this and do you still hang out with those
people/have music from them still?
Max was in a few projects and he is still in friendship with the guys. The rest of us got before a band called “Fire reflects in Ashes” and the members who left are still friends of us.
How did you guys get together?
Manuel and Gabriel were the first who met. They came together of the same friend circle. Then they started to get the other Parts for a Band and ask people and the web and so they found the rest of LED ASTRAY.
What kind of jobs do you guys have?
Max, Nico and Felix are students, Gabriel is a designer, Manuel and Martin are in the food industry.
Who does the writing of the music/lyrics?
The most Ideas for Riffs are from Manuel. If he got a Construction for a Song he brings it to the rehearsal space and then we all make it to a song. The Lyrics come from our Vocalists Felix and Martin.
What kind of process is it?
Like i told, Manuel does the main-riff-construct and the rest of the band helps to make that to a real ass kicking song.
What kind of lyrics do you guys mostly write about and why?
We write about the shit in the world, which we see all the time. We want to tell people what the world is made of and why we see it so. We don’t like lyrics about senseless stuff.
How long are your tours?
Till now we didn’t make any tour. We plan a 3 week tour for 2014.
Do you play a lot of shows?
Yes we do. We got space for more shows but actually it is good how it works. We play like 50 shows a year.
Who have you played with?
I think the greatest Bands we played with are Six feet under, Maroon, All shall perish, Hatesphere and Final Prayer.
How is the German metal scene?
Very intense. You got a real metal scene from hardcore kids (which like metal too) to real metalheads.
Any problems touring in Europe?
We did plan a 2 weeks tour for Romania. One week before it was canceled from the booker after I asked for some last information. That was kind of crap. I hope 2014 would be better.
Any big differences in the metal scene in other countries that affect
your band?
No not really. In Czech Republic and in Poland they are crazy as in Germany and are very nice to bands too. I think the scene isn’t very different in other countries.
Farthest shows from home?
The farthest show was at the French border in Lahr. It’s about 900 km one route.
Best show that you’ve played?
Uh, that’s a really hard question. I (Gabriel) think it was the Six Feet Under show in the end 2k12. This show was very wild and we all got a lot of fun. But we like to play, so we love every show.
How often do you get together to practice/write new songs?
Manule and Max are meeting each other once a week. The whole Band is practicing 2 times in a month.
Do you play any covers in the show?
We played some Songs in the beginnings. But now we don’t cover any songs.
Favorite song to play? Least favorite song to play?
If you mean our Songs, than there is no favorite in it. I like to play all of our songs because every song got his own favorite parts.
Any violence/bad attitudes from so-called fans?
In Germany u got a lot of Mosh-Kids. It’s okay for us, if they respect the other people and don’t wanna hurt somebody. Everybody should party like he wants.
Favorite beer/least favorite beer?
Ha-ha, Manuel and I are drinking only beer in green bottles. I do not know what does the rest, but i love Carlsberg.
How long did the recording of the cd take?
The recordings take 5 Weekends. That was okay. But the mixing and mastering take 5 months. That was a very bad time for us.
Any stories about the making of it?
It was more hard work than fun. I mean we are all joking and stuff but we know how important studio is for us and so it was really hard work.
Stories about the songs on your cd?
Every song is a story. In “Story of a Modern Gladiator” we talk about soldiers, in “Demon” we talk about the inner dark sites, in “Rise of an Angel” we talk about a girl who get raped. We talk about the dark stories of the life.
Any more new releases coming out in the future?
Our plan is to go into studio for a new LP in december 2k13.
What is available now and where can we get it?
You can get our second Studio LP Decades of Addiction on Amazon, Itunes, Spotify or from us. Merch and stuff u can get from us too.
Any shirts/pins/patches available?
A lot of shirts. I think we got about 5-6 designs and colours. There is for every taste a shirt.
Anyone in another band?
Max still got one project but the rest only play for LED ASTRAY.
Releases of the other bands?
Nope, there was no release.
Where do you see the band going in the future?
Our goal is to play on the with full force festival. But i think the most important thing is that we play shows. create new records and play tours. That’s what we like and what we can.
Anyone vegetarian/vegan?
I am vegetarian. The only one in the band.
Any causes you’re into?
Yes. We hate all types of discrimination – especially racism.
Any funny or strange stories from your last tour?
Ask in 2k14 and we will tell u a lot of funny stories
Altered Frequencies 