For 25 years now, Germany’s leading gothic metal act, Crematory, have enthralled their countless fans at home and abroad. Since the band was founded in 1991, they have released twelve studio albums, in addition to a number of live recordings, singles, EPs and compilations. A proud record which is about to reach new heights with Crematory’s upcoming thirteenth studio album, Monument.

Their latest recording is scheduled for global release via Steamhammer/SPV on April 15th as Digi/2LP/download and will mark an unmistakable return to metallic toughness by the band from Mannheim. Infinitely more strongly than on its predecessor Antiserum (2014), the twelve tracks on Monument are based on brute guitar riffs and hard-as-nails drum grooves, replete with sinister keyboard hooks and that mix of growls and clear vocals - some in English, some in German - that is so typical of this band. The group’s fans will be thoroughly delighted with Monument and its dynamic sound.

When the work on Monument commenced in spring 2015, a personnel issue had to be settled in the Crematory camp: Matthias Hechler, guitarist, clear voice and a style-defining member for 17 years, had left the band for private reasons. That his departure went off without animosity or internal quarrels was confirmed by Matthias in an interview on the Live At Wacken 2014 DVD. Following his decision, Crematory made a virtue out of necessity, enlisting two successors: Tosse Basler (Scapegoat, Avalanche) joined the fold as rhythm guitarist and clear vocalist, and Rolf Munkes is Crematory’s new lead guitarist.

“Tosse and Rolf have brought a breath of fresh air to the band, they’ve really inspired us with their powerful style and phat guitar sounds,” rejoices drummer Markus Jüllich, who composed the songs again with producer Kristian ´Kohle` Bonifer before going on to produce them together at the Kohlekeller Studio.

The result is a gothic metal opus that positively bursts with energy, featuring twelve diverse numbers with different degrees of toughness, including double guitar parts and guitar solos. The opener “Misunderstood”, which is supported by the first video release, is probably the most metallic number of Crematory’s career. Markus refers to the track as an “ideal introduction, not only to our new album but also to our upcoming shows”.

The ballad “Save Me”, which Jüllich/Bonifer wrote some time ago and have now approved for release in view of the new line-up, presents a stark contrast. “As far as I’m concerned, this number has an orchestral flair”, Jüllich reckons. “It suits Tosse and his timbre perfectly.” Talking of which: because of their new team, Crematory have honed the homogenous blend of frontman Felix Stass’s raw growls and the clear voice of their new band member Tosse Basler even more finely than ever before.

The album carries its symbolic title with justification and the twelve impressive songs are undoubtedly a real monument to this group’s amazing creative powers. In line with this, the cover artwork is both classy and sublime: for the third time in succession, Crematory, worked with Hungarian artist Peter Sallai. As in the productional collaboration between Markus Jüllich and Kristian Bonifer, the band has relied on tried and tested collaborators without repeating or indeed copying themselves.

Tracklisting:

“Misunderstood”
“Haus mit Garten”
“Die So Soon”
“Ravens Calling”
“Eiskalt”
“Nothing”
“Before I Die”
“Falsche Tränen”
“Everything”
“My Love Within”
“Die letzte Schlacht”
“Save Me”

So you’d better mark 15 April 2016 in your diary if you don’t want to miss the release of Monument and get yourself in the mood for the group’s upcoming shows. Appearances at the Bang Your Head Festival in Balingen, the Wave-Gothic-Meeting in Leipzig and the Metalfest in Pilsen have already been confirmed, so you’d better get ready for a truly monumental Crematory experience.

Tour dates:

May
14 - Leipzig, Germany - Wave Gotik Treffen
25 - Siegburg, Germany - Kubana
26 - Dortmund, Germany - Piano

June
4 - Pilsen, Czech Republic - Metalfest

July
16 - Balingen, Germany - Bang Your Head Festival

September
30 - Erfurt, Germany - From Hell

October
1 - Glauchau, Germany - Alte Spinnerei
2 - Berlin, Germany - K 17

Lineup:

Felix Stass - Gesang
Harald Heine - Bass
Tosse Basler - Rhythmusgitarre & Gesang
Rolf Munkes - Leadgitarre
Katrin Jüllich - Keyboards & Samples
Markus Jüllich - Schlagzeug & Programming