Entgeist is a modern black metal band from Germany who are set to release their 2nd album, "Welk" on June 26th, 2026. They took some time to write about their style of black metal, the band itself and the challenges of promoting music today.
1.What are the beginnings of the band?
Like a lot of bands, we started as teenagers just playing covers of our
favorite metal songs in the basement of our first drummer. Back then, it was
just about having fun and jamming, and we didn't really have a goal or the
intention of forming a real band.
That changed over time. We started to write our first songs and lyrics. Also,
we experimented with recordings, which were of low quality (no metronome,
recording with an audio recorder, etc.), but these very first steps helped us
to lay a foundation for what Entgeist is today.
2. Your music is a melting pot of different, adventurous ideas that flow
seamlessly together. Why was it important for you to branch out from the
“old-school” straightforward approach to black metal?
For us, it is important to add these adventurous ideas to make the songs
interesting for the listener, so they do not know what to expect. And the
genre of black metal allows combining these creative ideas since the essence
of it is not to care about conventions - we just do what we like.
Of course, we love music and different genres, and that’s why we also try to
incorporate them into our songs. Somehow, it would be boring focusing on one
genre if there are many more.
In the end, it is also about the fun and the challenge. Combining cold and
fast black metal riffs with melodies, breakdowns, or flamenco guitars is a
challenge we’d like to accept. By doing that, we create unique music that
some people might enjoy. Certainly, not everyone will say that our music is
black metal in the traditional, old-school way, but you can definitely feel
and hear the influence.
3. Your previous release, “Res Gestae” was released in 2022. How has the
band evolved since then for your upcoming release of “Welk”?
We have evolved in different ways. Over the last few years, we have
integrated a light show into our live performances to enhance the overall
experience. Further, songwriting skills have evolved - the songs are more
adventurous and complex compared to our first album.
The dynamics within the band have also changed; each of us brings specific
skills that benefit the band. During Res Gestae, we didn’t yet realize that
each of us had these strengths, so fortunately, we managed to discover and
develop them over the years.
4. Despite many bands writing in English for accessibility, your lyrics
are done in German. Why was it important to retain your own language for your
releases?
Tim, our vocalist, loves languages. German, as our mother tongue, allows him
to play with it - it is much easier to create the images, whether through
wordplay, comparisons, or contrasts. In our view, the German language offers
an incredible number of possibilities.
It also feels much more natural for us to use German to get to the heart of
the content in the texts. Every word has its place; none are too many, none
are too few. We wouldn’t be able to do that in English. We think that even if
you don’t understand the language, you can still sense and feel what the
songs are about. And that’s what matters in the end.
5. People are drawn to black metal for different reasons. What is it
about the genre that appeals to you, and what do you hope to convey through
playing this style?
What we like about the genre is that black metal creates a cold,
disharmonious atmosphere that not many other genres manage to achieve. It is
distinct, and if you are familiar with the metal genres, you can immediately
recognize this unique sound.
Also, black metal offers a wide variety of possibilities. Nowadays, there are
tons of subgenres within the genre. You do not have to stick to one formula
to write black metal, but there are many approaches, which we think are
great.
And that’s what we also try to convey through playing this style: a
traditional idea of black metal, combined with more contemporary ideas of
this genre and metal in general. We aim to appeal to extreme metal listeners,
but also want to be a gateway to this genre by adding elements like melodies,
harmonies, or solos, which people who do not usually listen to black metal
might appreciate.
6. What is the music scene like in your area? Is there plenty of talent
and places to perform?
The metal scene in our immediate area is rather weak. There aren’t many
bands, nor are there really any venues known for hosting metal concerts.
But if you look at the nearest major cities, such as Stuttgart or Wuerzburg,
there’s definitely a thriving scene there, as well as plenty of opportunities
to perform. Lately, a lot of new black metal bands have been coming out of
Wuerzburg in particular.
7. It is challenging to get noticed today due to everyone’s access to
the internet to share music. As an independent band that’s been around for a
few years now, what is your experience with the promotion of your music?
Yes, it is challenging. Even with a label, it was not easy to get noticed.
What we have learned is that social media plays a crucial role in promoting
your band, which is kind of obvious nowadays. Nevertheless, none of us is an
influencer or enjoys doing that kind of stuff, but it has to be done to
promote the band and our music.
Playing shows is also important for promotion. Of course, you won’t reach as
many people as with social media, but the metal scene appreciates a good live
performance. You might meet some people who can help you play bigger shows,
which might boost your band.
So, in the end, it is hard to get recognized as a small band. You have to
work and plan a lot, but you also need tons of luck.
8. Is there going to be an album release party for your album and
possibly a tour as well?
Yes, there will be an album release party on June 27 in Heilbronn, our
hometown. We will perform the full album — probably the only show where we
will do that exclusively. Afterwards, we will play some more shows during the
summer, but no tour is planned.
9. What is the writing process for your band?
Our guitarist Sergej writes all of the songs. Usually, he sends some of his
ideas to the group. If everyone is fine with the initial idea, he continues
writing the full song and records a guitar demo. After the song is written
and recorded, our guitarist Lars adds the drums and samples to the song.
After this step, we try to rehearse the song to see whether everything works
live as well - if so, we are happy, if not, we adjust the structure until the
song is complete. During this step, Daniel adapts the drums to his playing
style, and Randy adds his bass parts. Tim experiments with vocal ideas and
placements until we have a sense of how the complete song might sound.
Lastly, the demo is re-recorded, and vocals are added, so we know what the
song will sound like.
10. Are there any other lesser-known bands that you think highly of from your
area that you’d like to let us know about?
Yes, check out A Secret Revealed, Halls of Oblivion, Arkuum, Dagdrøm, and
Nocturnis.
1.What are the beginnings of the band?
Like a lot of bands, we started as teenagers just playing covers of our
favorite metal songs in the basement of our first drummer. Back then, it was
just about having fun and jamming, and we didn't really have a goal or the
intention of forming a real band.
That changed over time. We started to write our first songs and lyrics. Also,
we experimented with recordings, which were of low quality (no metronome,
recording with an audio recorder, etc.), but these very first steps helped us
to lay a foundation for what Entgeist is today.
2. Your music is a melting pot of different, adventurous ideas that flow
seamlessly together. Why was it important for you to branch out from the
“old-school” straightforward approach to black metal?
For us, it is important to add these adventurous ideas to make the songs
interesting for the listener, so they do not know what to expect. And the
genre of black metal allows combining these creative ideas since the essence
of it is not to care about conventions - we just do what we like.
Of course, we love music and different genres, and that’s why we also try to
incorporate them into our songs. Somehow, it would be boring focusing on one
genre if there are many more.
In the end, it is also about the fun and the challenge. Combining cold and
fast black metal riffs with melodies, breakdowns, or flamenco guitars is a
challenge we’d like to accept. By doing that, we create unique music that
some people might enjoy. Certainly, not everyone will say that our music is
black metal in the traditional, old-school way, but you can definitely feel
and hear the influence.
3. Your previous release, “Res Gestae” was released in 2022. How has the
band evolved since then for your upcoming release of “Welk”?
We have evolved in different ways. Over the last few years, we have
integrated a light show into our live performances to enhance the overall
experience. Further, songwriting skills have evolved - the songs are more
adventurous and complex compared to our first album.
The dynamics within the band have also changed; each of us brings specific
skills that benefit the band. During Res Gestae, we didn’t yet realize that
each of us had these strengths, so fortunately, we managed to discover and
develop them over the years.
4. Despite many bands writing in English for accessibility, your lyrics
are done in German. Why was it important to retain your own language for your
releases?
Tim, our vocalist, loves languages. German, as our mother tongue, allows him
to play with it - it is much easier to create the images, whether through
wordplay, comparisons, or contrasts. In our view, the German language offers
an incredible number of possibilities.
It also feels much more natural for us to use German to get to the heart of
the content in the texts. Every word has its place; none are too many, none
are too few. We wouldn’t be able to do that in English. We think that even if
you don’t understand the language, you can still sense and feel what the
songs are about. And that’s what matters in the end.
5. People are drawn to black metal for different reasons. What is it
about the genre that appeals to you, and what do you hope to convey through
playing this style?
What we like about the genre is that black metal creates a cold,
disharmonious atmosphere that not many other genres manage to achieve. It is
distinct, and if you are familiar with the metal genres, you can immediately
recognize this unique sound.
Also, black metal offers a wide variety of possibilities. Nowadays, there are
tons of subgenres within the genre. You do not have to stick to one formula
to write black metal, but there are many approaches, which we think are
great.
And that’s what we also try to convey through playing this style: a
traditional idea of black metal, combined with more contemporary ideas of
this genre and metal in general. We aim to appeal to extreme metal listeners,
but also want to be a gateway to this genre by adding elements like melodies,
harmonies, or solos, which people who do not usually listen to black metal
might appreciate.
6. What is the music scene like in your area? Is there plenty of talent
and places to perform?
The metal scene in our immediate area is rather weak. There aren’t many
bands, nor are there really any venues known for hosting metal concerts.
But if you look at the nearest major cities, such as Stuttgart or Wuerzburg,
there’s definitely a thriving scene there, as well as plenty of opportunities
to perform. Lately, a lot of new black metal bands have been coming out of
Wuerzburg in particular.
7. It is challenging to get noticed today due to everyone’s access to
the internet to share music. As an independent band that’s been around for a
few years now, what is your experience with the promotion of your music?
Yes, it is challenging. Even with a label, it was not easy to get noticed.
What we have learned is that social media plays a crucial role in promoting
your band, which is kind of obvious nowadays. Nevertheless, none of us is an
influencer or enjoys doing that kind of stuff, but it has to be done to
promote the band and our music.
Playing shows is also important for promotion. Of course, you won’t reach as
many people as with social media, but the metal scene appreciates a good live
performance. You might meet some people who can help you play bigger shows,
which might boost your band.
So, in the end, it is hard to get recognized as a small band. You have to
work and plan a lot, but you also need tons of luck.
8. Is there going to be an album release party for your album and
possibly a tour as well?
Yes, there will be an album release party on June 27 in Heilbronn, our
hometown. We will perform the full album — probably the only show where we
will do that exclusively. Afterwards, we will play some more shows during the
summer, but no tour is planned.
9. What is the writing process for your band?
Our guitarist Sergej writes all of the songs. Usually, he sends some of his
ideas to the group. If everyone is fine with the initial idea, he continues
writing the full song and records a guitar demo. After the song is written
and recorded, our guitarist Lars adds the drums and samples to the song.
After this step, we try to rehearse the song to see whether everything works
live as well - if so, we are happy, if not, we adjust the structure until the
song is complete. During this step, Daniel adapts the drums to his playing
style, and Randy adds his bass parts. Tim experiments with vocal ideas and
placements until we have a sense of how the complete song might sound.
Lastly, the demo is re-recorded, and vocals are added, so we know what the
song will sound like.
10. Are there any other lesser-known bands that you think highly of from your
area that you’d like to let us know about?
Yes, check out A Secret Revealed, Halls of Oblivion, Arkuum, Dagdrøm, and
Nocturnis.