::: The M E T A L C R U S H eZine :::

TMC: First of all, tell me about the founding of Metalium.
Lars Ratz: The german guys are all located in Hamburg (the city of metal) in Germany and we know each other for years. I have my management and booking agency "monster-productions" and we promoted the european tour of the "american rock live"-project which contained chris on guit and mike on drums. They got along very well and decided to continue working in the the past. They wanted to do something realy heavy and asked me if i'd new good musicians. I said tomorrow I'll introduce you to the best newcomer singer of europe since 10 years. We sat down, had some beers and decided to record 3 songs for a demo. We did sent it out to the companies and got signed one week later...

TMC: How you had this deal with Armaggedon & Massacre recs ?
Lars: Armageddon is our own label and we licenced it to massacre.

TMC: I think the "Millenium Metal ..." has a great powerful production. Are you 100% satisfied of it, something to change?
Lars: I'm never 100 % satisfied but for the debut I can live with it very good.

TMC: What exactly was added with the participation of Ronald Grapow ?
Lars: He played the first out of three solo parts of the song "metalium". When I was mixing I thought I could have another solo here and I just called Roland who lives about 10 min. away from the studio and asked him : "Hey man, grab a guitar and come over for 30 min, I could need another solo", he came and did the take ...

TMC: What about the cover of "Smoke On The Water" ? I think that there very few bands who would dare to cover this legend !!!
Lars: Exacly. This was Chris' idea ! He said he'd feel that metalium would become something really special and said "we have to do also a very special coversong: SMOKE !!!"

TMC: How does "Millenium " go commercially ?
Lars: We hit the charts the 2nd day it was out in Europe over in Germany !

TMC: Are you going to support Primal Fear on their new tour? Will you come to Greece ?
Lars: Unfortunately the greek agents are too slow to react ! We will be in almost every european country but Greece !!! Hopefully in 2000. Headlining . Sinergy will open up, we are special guest, Primal Fear headlines.

TMC: Will Chris do these concerts ? Has he any work with Savatage?
Lars: Of course. Savatage bring out the next album in 2000.

TMC: How do you feel, as musician, now and compare with the Zed Yago time.
Lars: In Zed Yago and Velvet Viper I was just about 21/22 years old. There was no sorrow back then ! Today the market has changed a lot but it's still good that there are some metal-warriors out there to fight with us side by side for our metal.

TMC: Will Mike Terrana continue cooperation with other musicians or will he concentrate in Metalium exclusively?
Lars: No, we replaced him with john osborn from Dr.Butcher. We need team-players in Metalium, Mike was a good drummer but not a team player as he always was a loner in his whole life and he always got kicked out of the bands he was playing. John is a band-guy and will play also play the tour. (G.G: We were the first guys in Greece who heared about this matter ... thnx Lars !)

TMC: You and Mike have written the concept. Tell me about it.
Lars: No. I had the idea of the concept, cover, before the band existed. Just listen to the words from song to song. you will be able to catch the story ...

TMC: What do you listen this period?
Lars: Everything from asia-kansas-yanni-beethoven-metalica-saxon-annihilator. Everything !!!

TMC: What's your opinion about the reunion of Iron Maiden.
Lars: Guess where Metalium will be 9.9.99 ? Headbangin' first row in paris !!! enough answer ??? (G.G: Yeap !!! ;))

TMC: Your opinion about their last album ( Virtual XI ), and Judas Priest's last album ( Jugulator ).There are several public opinions for these ...
Lars: Don't know any of them sorry. I prefer the old stuff. POWERSLAVE !!!

TMC: Now I will tell you some groups and you will say some words which came to your mind.

d) Judas Priest
Lars: made matthias play in his judas coverband "painkiller"

e) Savatage
Lars: gutter ballet is a cool tune. that's the only song i know

f) Helloween
Lars: andy is a friend of mine. the old stuff is good as well !

h) Hammerfall (and this "true metal" revolution ...)
Lars: no comment ;-)

TMC: How do you think, will metal sound like in the new millenium ?
Lars: Not very much than in the last century. that's good !!!

TMC: Tell me the future plans of Metalium.What will you do after the end of the tour?
Lars: Start writing another album and record in jan 2000.

TMC: Lastly your message to Greek fans and our 'zine.
Lars: Bang that greek head that doesn't bang !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All Metalium photos can be found at Metalium Official Site : www.metalium.de
© 1999 The MetalCrush fanzine (interview appeared in issue #1 of The MetalCrush)