AUG 7th 2023
TOMB OF GIANTS EXCLUSIVE
Interview By: Metal Mom Rita
Metaltitans MetalMom had the opportunity to chat with Mirco Nienhüser (Drums) and Oliver Nienhüser (Guitar, Songwriter) from traditional heavy metallers TOMB OF GIANTS, out of OSNABRÜCK, GERMANY. With a new album, "Legacy of the Sword" coming soon, Tomb of Giants is ready to take the heavy metal scene by storm. Check out our interview below for more.
MetalTians - What made you decide to blend classic heavy metal with thrash and speed, great combination, but why all three?
Mirco: In the beginning, we didn't really think too much about the genre. It was clear from the start that we were heading towards Heavy Metal, but our own style only evolved naturally over the years. Ultimately, what mattered most to us was that the songs hit hard and get the crowd going. Sometimes we wanted something faster, sometimes something to sing along to, and sometimes a mix of everything.
Oliver: As Mirco already mentioned, Heavy Metal was the main genre we set. The rest came naturally and from our different influences during songwriting. I'm a big fan of the 80s era, so it's natural that influences from bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, or Accept are intuitively present somewhere. With the other influences from the other members, we developed a quite unique sound that feels traditional yet somehow new. I believe we managed this balancing act particularly well with our new EP.
MT - Tell us how each of your members came to be in Tombs of Giants.
Mirco: It all started with my brother Oliver, our bassist Daniel, and me. Back then, we were working on a project called "Chicken and Friends," where we were supposed to play a one-time gig with the singer from a local AC/DC cover band "Big Balls." Rehearsals were really fun and the gig was great. So, we decided to continue our journey, shifting towards Heavy Metal and own songs. Since Chicken had obligations with his main Band, we iterated through multiple singers and a few guitarists until we eventually formed our current stable lineup with Sergio on vocals and Yannik on second guitar.
MT - How long have you been together?
Mirco: Oliver, Daniel and I are in the Band since 2013, with our first performance as “Tomb of Giants” in 2014 – Back then with Oliver on Vocals. Sergio joined in 2016 and we added Yannik in 2019. We have, however, been friends with Yannik since 2016 so we all know each other for at least seven years.
MT - Tell us about your latest album?
Oliver: With LEGACY OF THE SWORD, we took a big step forward. Not only in songwriting but also in terms of production. Once again, we recorded the instruments ourselves, and since our debut album, Daniel invested a lot in gear and learned a few more tricks which really improved the recording quality. For mixing and mastering, we turned to Jörg Uken from Soundlodge Studio. He created a great mix and added small details that make a huge difference for the overall impression of the songs. The result is an EP we are very proud of, and it presents our enthusiasm and passion for Heavy Metal in every single note.
MT - Do you have a tour planned?
Mirco: So far, only a handful of shows on schedule for this year. But we give 110% at every show and are readily available to play!
MT - Ever been to North America?
Oliver: Not as a Band. I think the only one of us who has been to North America was Daniel, who traveled to New York and Boston for his Software-Startup in 2015. However, we’d obviously love to go there, play some shows and bring our German Heavy Metal to America. That would be awesome!
MT - Tell us something about the band that we might not know.
Oliver: Our rehearsal (and recording) room is in a small former pigsty, which was once converted into a workshop and then divided with dry-walls. So we sometimes refer to our new stuff as “Frisch aus dem Schweinestall”.
MT - When you were growing up, is being in a band something you always thought of?
Mirco: Absolutely! Ever since my first drum kit, I wanted to be on stage with others and play my own music. And as I’m in this band since being 13, I achieved exactly that.
Oliver: Actually, being in a band wasn't much of a focus for me until my early 20s. I played the guitar for myself and was mainly focused on soccer as a hobby. Most of my free time was spent on training or playing matches. The whole experience with “Chicken and Friends” got things rolling. It was incredibly fun to perform live with an engaged audience, and that's when I knew I wanted to continue with that.
MT - If you were not in the band, what do you think you would be doing right now?
Mirco: Probably still drumming alone in the basement. Although I'm currently busy finishing my University-Studies, I would definitely be looking for a band.
Oliver: I would probably be more active in football or spend more time in the garden. But something would be missing – that’s for sure!
MT - How much of your day is taken up with band work?
Oliver: At the time of recording LEGACY OF THE SWORD, it certainly took up several hours per day. It's a workload that is challenging to maintain alongside family and work. Currently, there's a lot of marketing and social media stuff to handle. We're also applying for future gigs, and new songs need to be rehearsed. And of course, we still have to do exercises on our instruments to prevent our fingers from rusting. There's always something to do, and unfortunately, sometimes time is lacking amidst family and work commitments. However, we've gotten into a good routine, and each member contributes to the band's work.
MT - What kind of bands do you listen to, and what is one that people would not think you would listen to?
Mirco: I have a broad range when it comes to Rock and Metal. From Bon Jovi to AC/DC, Iron Maiden to Slayer, Slipknot, Amon Amarth, etc. Surprisingly, I'm also a big fan of medieval drinking songs, like those composed by the band Knasterbart.
Oliver: Mostly Metal. Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Blind Guardian, Powerwolf, Amon Amarth, Visigoth, and so on. But also significantly smaller bands that I've discovered at concerts or while browsing playlists. Some current local recommendations: Savage Blood, Reinforcer and Sick Desire. On that note: Sick Desire is going to release their Debut in a few weeks. Definitely check that out!
MT - What are your plans now for the band?
Oliver: Currently, we are working on new songs and are slowly starting to fine-tune and rehearse them. We plan to produce another album around 2024. Additionally, we want to play live as much as possible. Fortunately, the next gigs are coming up soon. We are READY TO ROCK!
MT - Tell us your favorite song you have created and why?
Oliver: Tough decision. I'll cheat a little and pick one from the debut album and one from the new EP. From the first album, my favorite piece is "WHEN DESTINY CALLS." For me, it's a classic 80s Metal anthem. Fast guitars, high vocals, and in the middle, a melodic instrumental part that gives the song its own story. From the new EP, it's the opener "LEGACY OF THE SWORD." The riff is simpler, but it exudes an incredible energy right from the first second. After the driving bass in the intro, a burst of Heavy Metal comes straight at you. I am always positively surprised at how well it turned out on the record. Capturing such live dynamics on a recording is really challenging.
MT - What is the best thing about being in Tombs of Giants?
Mirco: The best thing for me is the friendship in the band. We’re all very good friends and it’s always nice being with the boys. Both within the band itself and through the performances and shows, there’s a lot of fun involved.
Oliver: I fully agree. In the current lineup, every rehearsal and every performance is incredibly enjoyable. We’re all on the same wavelength, both musically and personally. It's a great balance alongside all the stress we have in our lives.
MT - Have to ask, how did you come up with the name?
Oliver: The band name "Tomb of Giants" is a reference to a location in the game "Dark Souls." Back then, I played that game extensively, and when it came to finding a band name, this level came to mind. We wanted to play Heavy Metal and follow in the footsteps of the "Great Ones." In a way, revive Metal and awaken the Great Ones again. The name just fit.
MT - Is there anything you would like to add, something I might have missed?
Oliver: Thank you for the great interview! To all readers: Feel free to check out LEGACY OF THE SWORD - you can find it on all major streaming platforms. CDs are available via Bandcamp or email. For more information, visit our website or social media. Attend concerts in your area and support the local underground. KEEP ON HOLDING THE FLAME OF HEAVY METAL!
MT - Thank you for taking the time to do this interview, great appreciated.
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Bandcamp Store: https://tombofgiants.bandcamp.com/