Blutengel

Ladies and gentlemen I, Zeph, bring you now, the one, the only, Chris Pohl of Blutengel! You may also know him from Terminal Choice, but today we are focusing on the awesome band that is Blutengel!

How did you come up with the name of your band, Blutengel? Who are the current members of the band?
- "Before Blutengel there was SEELENKRANK... I had to stop that project because of some problems with the label and I had to start up new with a new name...So I thought about the things I am fascinated by...Angels and blood, so Blutengel was born. The members today are Chris, Ulli, Constance, the performers Sonja, Doreen, Jens, Thomas and the crew is Louis (light) Ralph (light), Rosi (sound) and Seba (pyro)."

When was Blutengel formed and what inspired you to create the band?
- "In 1998... As I told you I had a project before...so Blutengel was just the consequence."

Tell us about your unique style of music and who are your major influences?
- "I don't know. Maybe it was the music of the 80's... I liked Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Visage and all this electronic and dark music. Today I hate most of the electronic music because all the bands are not able to create cool melodies. They are just being hard and aggressive. My style is more to create great melodies."

What sort of equipment do you use in the making of your music?
- "Since 2001 I work with PC (Cubase) and software synthesisers."

Does Blutengel play live? If so what are your favourite venues?
- "We played live many times and we have released two live DVD's. I like to play in Leipzig in halls for 1000-2000 people. It?s fascinating. I like the east of Germany."

What has been your biggest challenge with Blutengel so far?
- "The first concert, I think. We were so exited and played as headliner before 10,000 people on Wave Gotik Treffen."

What are some of the highlights of Blutengel.
- "Every concert could be a highlight, but as I said before, the first concert was one of them. I think it's always a highlight to sell out big venues or our first entry in media controlled charts. Together with all these pop bands, that was a highlight, yeah!"

What are your goals for the future, such as where do you hope to be with Blutengel 5 years from now?
- "I hope I am able to attract the fans also in 5 years. I want to make music as long as I can. That's my goal."

Are you currently working on any new releases?
- "Yes! We release a special album in January because we celebrate 10 years of Blutengel! So there will be a special edition with two full albums and one instrumental CD. This means sooo much work, but I like it."

What are your views on the current Goth/Industrial scenes?
- "They are not very open minded. There is always a fight between hell electro fans and other fans. They do not tolerate each other. They do not tolerate bands. Most of them I do not like."

What are your views on collaborations and do you have any collaborations coming up?
- "I have done it many times (Asp, Samsaás Traum, Stendal Blast) and maybe I do it again. It's always a fresh impulse on my own way of working."

How long have you been in the music industry and how has it changed over time?
- "13 years. It changed because on one hand the gothic is getting bigger and on the other hand, selling CDs is harder than before. I am happy that it still works well with Blutengel, but I have fear for the future."

Where do you typically get your inspiration for songs?
- "From my life and the way I live. And if you mean a place, it's the bathroom."

If there were one thing you could change about the music industry today what would it be?
- "I would like to find a way that makes it impossible to copy or download music illegal!"

How do you feel about the issue of people downloading music and sharing music on the internet?
- "That's what I mean. It's like stealing something. Like going to a restaurant, eating and not paying. It's a crime!"

How is Blutengel being received by the public? Has the response been good?
- "Yes...We sold about 100.000 CDs, so I think they like it."

Have you ever played or do you have any plans to play the U.S.?
- "Many offers but always a problem to get our big show and all the people to the US, but maybe we will do it someday."

Is there anyone special you would like to acknowledge, and anything you'd like to add?
- "Stay individual and don't listen to the wrong people."

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this interview with me. It is much appreciated and I hope to speak with you again soon.