NOVEMBER 4th 2025
RABENSCHREY EXCLUSIVE
Interview By: Metal Mom Rita
MetalTitans’ very own, Metal Mom Rita had the opportunity to conduct a written interview with German Folk Metallers, Rabenschrey. Founded in the year 2000, the band is somewhat younger to the metal scene, that being said, they did have a decade of silence, and back in 2020, they decide to return, however, a global pandemic put a damper on that, and in August of this year, new material has surfaced and plans to return to the stage, have emerged. They are currently promoting their latest music released this summer, and to find out more about them, check out our interview below:
Band Members:
Donar von Rabenschrey – Vocals
Wayk – Guitars
MT: Tell us when you formed the band ?
Donar: I founded the band in the year 2000 — actually out of necessity. I was organizing a medieval market and had originally booked two music groups. Just a few weeks before the event, one of them broke up and the other cancelled to take another gig that promised more follow-up shows. So I asked some friends and regulars from medieval events if they could play an instrument or sing, wrote four songs — and Rabenschrey was born.
MT: How did you decide to call the band Rabenschrey, and what does it mean to you?
Donar: Around the time the band was founded, I had a free-flying raven living with me. He was basically part of everything we did — always croaking in between and having his fun during rehearsals, at least until I kicked him out. The funny thing was, I’d open the window and tell him to fly out — which he did, rather reluctantly. That’s where the name came from: the raven’s scream — Rabenschrey.
MT: Why did you decide to play a German folk style? Was there an influence?
Donar: It actually developed naturally out of the situation — and over time it evolved from pure folk into folk rock and later folk metal.
MT: Tell us how you both came to be the band ?
Donar: As mentioned earlier, I’m the founder of the band. After that first market, we played at a few more events, and eventually it turned into a duo — back then with O’Connor on lute, me on the davul, and both of us singing. We recorded the first three albums in that lineup. Wayk was the last guitarist before our break — and since I consider him one of the best guitarists in the country, it was clear to me that if Rabenschrey would ever return, it would be with him.
MT: You’re coming out with a new album soon, tell us what can we expect from it ?
Donar: Right now we’ve re-recorded three songs from our three musical eras. Two of them are already released — Der Raben Schrey and Letzte Reise. The third one is ready to go. After that comes the new album Metalalter. What to expect? It’s going to be the best album ever made. 😉
MT: What is the most important thing about this new release ?
Donar: The fun we have making really good music together.
MT: Where did the inspiration come from ?
Donar: From life — and from living it.
MT: Who creates the lyrics and who puts together the music ?
Donar: So far, I’ve written almost all of the lyrics and composed most of the music — but that’s not set in stone. We simply go with what feels right and what we like.
MT: What made you decide to pick this album cover ?
Donar: Because it simply looks damn good.
MT: Was it easy to put it together from start to finish ?
Donar: Hard to say yet — we’ve only just begun working on the new album.
MT: What are your plans be once your new album is released ?
Donar: We’re considering playing a few selected shows.
MT: I am curious, what kind of music do you listen to ?
Donar: Everything — except techno and German Schlager.
MT: Is there anything you would like to add that I might have missed ?
Donar: Follow us on social media — and if you don’t like us, recommend us to someone you don’t like.
MT: Thank you for taking the time to do this interview, and we wish you much success with your new album.