Cemetery Unleash Intensive Thoughts On Life and Death Metal
Photo Credit: Matthias Heilmeier
Cemetery Unleash Intensive Thoughts On Life and Death Metal
Meet Cemetery, the long running death metal band from Bavaria ready to unleash their profound sonic assaults upon the world at large. Thoughts On Life… And Death is the name of their latest masterwork – a 50-minute concept album about the rise of a totalitarian regime and the downfall of the individual. Highwire Daze recently interviewed founding member Dani Zizek to find out more about their brand-new metal manifesto, touring with the legendary Master, early recordings, and other highlights from a glorious career in music. Read on…
Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Cemetery, and how long the band has been together.
My name is Dani Zizek – I’m the founding member of Cemetery and responsible for vocals, guitars, and songwriting. The band was originally formed in 1990 in Schongau, Bavaria. After an initial run until 1994, we went on hiatus and were reactivated in 2017. Between 2017 and 2020 we had two active line-up’s which was a bit confusing. I ran the band with members in Los Angeles with whom I have recorded The Last Day On Earth and members here in Bavaria in order play local shows. Since 2021, we’ve had a solid lineup with members from our local area that truly feels like a band again and appropriately continuing the spirit of Cemetery.
Where is the band based out of and what is your local music scene like there?
We’re based in Bavaria, Germany. The scene here is small but passionate. You have to dig a bit to find the good stuff, but when you do, it’s worth it. There’s a real DIY spirit and a lot of respect between bands.
Is there any overall story or concept behind the Thoughts On Life… And Death album title?
Yes, absolutely. It’s a concept album about the rise of a totalitarian regime and the psychological collapse of the individual. The story is told through the eyes of a protagonist – let’s call him “Jim.” It starts with his personal doubts and fears, follows his confrontation with societal collapse, injustice, imprisonment, and ends in isolation and death. It’s intense, oppressive, and deeply emotional – just like the music.
Artwork by Silvio Fiorese
Select two songs from Thoughts On Life… And Death and what inspired the lyrics.
Among the Dead shows how the protagonist starts noticing changes around him – mass apathy, blind obedience. It’s classic Death Metal with a message.
Lock the Doors to Your Mind is a personal favorite. It mixes all our musical influences and tells the story of a man slowly losing touch with reality. The atmosphere in that track is insane.
Who did the cover art for Thoughts On Life… And Death and how much input did you have on it?
The artwork was created by Silvio Fiorese / Fiorese Designs, who also did our earlier work for Enter The Gate back in 1993. We had very specific ideas – bleak, surreal, and thought-provoking. Silvio translated that into a stunning visual that complements the music and lyrics perfectly.
What could one expect from a live Cemetery show?
Intensity. We don’t play often, but when we do, it’s 100%. Emotionally, musically, and visually. No gimmicks, just raw, honest Death Metal with brains and heart.
What was it like touring with the legendary Master in 2019 and what were some of the highlights?
That tour was special. Master is a legend for a reason – consistent, uncompromising, and real. Sharing the stage with them was an honor. It was interesting and gratifying to see, how fans connected with our music, especially those who remembered us from the early ’90s. My personal highlight was the brotherhood on the Tour Bus and how Paul Speckman, his bandmembers and we felt connected. It was lots of fun and good conversations.
If Cemetery could open for any band either now or from the past, who would it be and why?
Hard to choose one. But opening for early Death (I saw them live in the early 90’s a couple of times) or Celtic Frost would’ve been insane. Both had that mix of rawness and vision. Bands that changed the game. But also opening for Possessed and Morbid Angel would be an excellent musical fit and they are also two of my all time favourite bands.
Has Cemetery ever played here in the States, or is that something you would like to do in future days?
Not yet, but it’s definitely on the bucket list. We had members in L.A. for a while and recorded our 2019 album partly there. The U.S. has always had a deep connection with extreme music – we’d love to bring our vision to American stages.
Photo Credit: Matthias Heilmeier
When you look back on the first Cemetery album from 2019, what do you think of it now in retrospect?
The first Cemetery album is still Enter The Gate which was recorded in 1993 but unfortunately not released until the Memento Mori label released the recordings in 2014 as a double CD and additionally including all the available Cemetery recordings from 1991-1994.
The Last Day on Earth, which is our second full-length, was a crucial step. It was a reawakening after two decades of silence. The production with Paul Fig and the mixing by Dan Swanö really lifted it to another level. It set the foundation for what we are now.
When you look back on those early Cemetery demos from the 90’s what do you think if them now?
They were raw, honest, and hungry. The ’91 demo got us attention fast, and for good reason. It wasn’t perfect, but it had spirit. That early energy still drives us today – just with more experience and broader musical vision. I think that some of the songs deserve to be recorded again with better sound and craftmanship.
Are you involved with any other bands or projects outside of Cemetery?
Personally, no – Cemetery is my main creative outlet, and it takes up all of my focus. It’s the place where I can express exactly what I want musically, lyrically, emotionally – no compromises. That said, some of the other guys are involved in great bands too: Markus and Tobi play in Sweeping Death, a killer Progressive Heavy Metal band. They bring in a lot of musical depth and precision from that background. Uidel plays bass in Red To Grey, a razor-sharp Thrash Metal band. Very tight, very energetic. It’s cool to see how everyone brings their own flavor into Cemetery – but when we write or play together, it all clicks into one vision.
What’s up next for Cemetery?
Right now, it’s all about the release of Thoughts on Life… and Death. We’re sending out the Digipaks and shirts, pushing promo, and preparing for live shows – finally bringing this beast to the stage. A third music video is in the works as well. We’re available for booking and open to serious gig offers – so if you’re interested, get in touch. And yes, there are already early conversations about new recordings. Nothing concrete yet, but ideas are flowing. Stay tuned – this isn’t the end.
Any final words of wisdom?
A massive thank you to everyone who supports us – whether you’ve been with us since the early ’90s or just discovered Cemetery with this new album. We’re not a band that chases trends or floods social media, but every message, every order, every raised fist at a gig means the world to us.
Thank you to Markus Eck of Metal Message ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001 for setting this up!
LINE-UP:
Dani Zizek • Guitars, Vocals
Markus Heilmeier • Guitars
Stefan Hendel • Bass
Tobias Kasper • Drums
(Interview by Ken Morton)
Cemetery on Facebook
