INTERVIEW: THRILLER (GERMANY)

Hailing from Kempton City, Germany, comes Thriller who are a truly killer band! They released their debut album “Street Metal” in October last year which has had a positive response from fans and so we took the opportunity to speak to guitarist Rudi Emich and find out about them!

TheNwothm: For our readers who do not know who you are, can
you introduce yourself/the band and where you are from?

Rudi: I’m Rudi Emich the guitar player from thriller. We come from
Kempten City.

TheNwothm: You come from a region with rich musical and metal
background as Bavaria. Can you tell us how this influenced you as
musicians? What are your driving forces and inspirations?

Rudi: We have a lot of musicians around here. I think we all inspiring
each other more or less. The most inspiration gets with jamming
with each other. Sometimes you meet other colleges at other music
studio. That keep us in touch.

TheNwothm: And what about the underground metal scene in the
province and in Germany all-together? Do you have a “circle” of
close fellow bands, regardless if they are with old-school profile or
represent any other sub-genre?

Rudi: There a lot of underground bands in Germany. I think it’s always
good to know of each other. We didn’t hit the road now for many
times now. I’m very glad to meet the other band mates.

TheNwothm: Getting to the origins of THRILLER, tell us how it all
began and what were all the metamorphosis the formation went
through till present days?

Rudi: The band was already formed without myself. I joint the band as
they had already written some awesome songs. We started around
2021 to practice and write new songs. Which was a really fantastic
time.

TheNwothm: What were some of the hardest choices you had to
make as musicians and as individuals, to keep the band running?

Rudi: I did a lot to get my musician knowledge high as can be. And its
still a growing process with my band colleagues. I stopped working on Mondays now since years. Which gives me a day more to focus on making music.

TheNwothm: If there is one unique formula for success in Heavy
Metal, what it would look like for THRILLER from 2024 onwards?

Rudi: I don’t really have a unique formula. The importing thing is that the
songs are really kicking. The work on the new songs is not done yet. I’m currently working on new demos. Let yourself be surprised

TheNwothm: Being in the early days of your musical career, I guess
everyone in the band has their job and occupation. What do you
guys do for living on a daily basis?

Rudi: We all going to work. Thriller is still a hobby for us. I’m an IT-
Administrator-Specialist and work with Cisco VoIP Telephony on
my regular job.

TheNwothm: Any hobbies or other passions outside of heavy
metal? Does anyone in the band collects something unusual for the
typical “headbanger nerd”?

Rudi: Yes, I do a lot of studio time and at other spare time I do a lot of
bicycling and fitness.

TheNwothm: Focusing on your artistic creations, the debut album
“Street Metal” made quite an impression. How being an
unsigned/independent formation impacts the creative and
production process? What are the pros/cons of this status?

Rudi: It was a fantastic time to write that kind of music. I’m very glad to
get so many good feedback. That keeps the band running!

TheNwothm: Are you really looking to get under the wing of a
record label and what is your overall opinion on the metal music
industry of today?

Rudi: Yes, we are looking for a good deal especially a good booking
Agentur. There are a lot of good bands now days and the old bands are still
present. I know what we making great heavy metal sounds. Fans
always surprise is with great feedback.

TheNwothm: “Street Metal” comes with notable urban feel and
captivating front cover. Is “Thriller” the typical “city boys” and do
you plan to prolong this theme in your next releases?

Rudi: I’m really excited what happen on further creative stages. Time
brings new inspiration. We are cheerful to surprise you with new
album artworks.

TheNwothm: From the song titles and lyrics, one can feel a genuine
praise of metal music and lifestyle. Please describe in one sentence
what really heavy metal means for you?

Rudi: I was kind of born with headphones on my ears and started with 14
ages to play guitar my love to music will be going on.

TheNwothm: All of us metalheads, before getting in a band, began
the headbanger’s journey as devoted fans. Can you mention some
of your all-time favourite artists, that stuck with you since forever?

Rudi: Yes, I guess it was Hermann Frank from Accept.

TheNwothm: Underground metal scene runs over a number of
festivals which keep the scene moving and bring the community
together. Are you visiting such events and if yes, which are your
best choice?

Rudi: I’ve been on small and big festivals. I personally don’t have a
favourite festival. Festival time is party time.

TheNwothm: Speaking of choices and collating that to one of the
main activities of festival life, what are the drinks of preference for
the member of “Thriller”? With what do you warm up / chill out in
the backstage around live gigs?

Rudi: Water and beer of course. Rice is probably one of the most
common dishes in a backstage area. I hang the most of the time in
the venues and enjoy the other bands playing.

TheNwothm: Have you developed a special technique, approach or
ritual to engage the audience during live shows? Is there any
“signature thing” you want to establish as a trademark?

Rudi: We had now few gigs and the shows were already a blast
Personally, I love to wear the 80s fashion images on stage with a
little bit 70s touch.

TheNwothm: The band logo already appears in the posters of some
leading underground festivals in Europe. What can fans expect
from “Thriller” as touring timetable in 2024?

Rudi: They can definitely expect a great show!

TheNwothm: Can you share a bit around past live experiences?
What do you fancy more – open air stages or more intimate halls
and venues?

Rudi: We had now 3 gigs around our hometown. The first show was on a
big stage. Which had a lot of space. The other was in a small club.
That was also fantastic.

TheNwothm: If there is a one “dream band” at the moment, which
you can choose to join as a support act, which one comes to mind?

Rudi: It would be great to share the stage with Iron Maiden. We still have
not a booking Agentur who manage us. I’m very looking forward to support other Bands around the clubs around here.

TheNwothm: Can you remember some supper funny, weird or
unique experience you had with some fan of “Thriller”? Something
that really stands out of the ordinary.

Rudi: Its good to talk with fans and make contact with all of them and
drink some beer together.

TheNwothm: Maybe it’s a long shot, yet do you consider already a
second album release to follow the debut masterpiece and in
general how do you envision this to develop in time?

Rudi: We’ve already started with new song material. You never know
when the own inspiration gets hot in the practice room or in the
studio. I’ve a little studio at home and work on spare time on new song
ideas. Not all of the song sketch are immediately good some of the
songs need time.

TheNwothm: For all the passionate fans out there, who fully
support metal lifestyle – where they can find and buy your merch?

Rudi: We’re currently work on merch. We’ll present soon our merch on
an online store.

TheNwothm: And finally, what do you hope for as a band and what
can you wish to our readers and all the metalheads out there?

Rudi: I wish you all the best and hope to see you on our concerts.