1. To kick things off, tell our audience a bit about the origin story of the band TEMPLE OF DREAD?
Temple of Dead was born out of a passion for late ’80s and early ’90s Death Metal. From the very beginning, our goal has been to bring the authentic spirit of that era into the present. We want to write music that’s instantly catchy, highly recognizable, and deliberately free of unnecessary complexity.
Our biggest influences are bands like Autopsy, Death, Dismember, Benediction, and many other giants of classic Death Metal. Their uncompromising approach and timeless songs have had a lasting impact on us.
For us, the focus isn’t on impressing with excessive technicality or virtuosic flourishes. What’s far more important is creating powerful songs with atmosphere, intensity, and character—music that captivates our audience and brings them joy. That is precisely the philosophy of Temple of Dead.
2.Who took the lead in selecting the name for the new Album Dreadspawn Dominion , and what was the initial spark or inspiration that brought the concept for the song to come to life?
With “Dreadspawn Dominion”, we continue the story of the ferryman Charon. On our last album, “God of the Godless”, he overthrew the ruler of the underworld from Greek mythology and took his place. It quickly became clear to us that this story wasn’t over yet. Together with our lyricist Dr. Frank Albers, I therefore considered how to continue the tale of Charon’s new reign of terror and expand upon it even more impressively.
At the same time, we were searching for an album title that not only picked up on the central theme of the content but also established a connection to our band name. Ultimately, we settled on “Dreadspawn Dominion”. For us, the title combines both elements: it describes the dark world and Charon’s new reign while also echoing the band’s name—which is why it was the perfect choice for us.
3. If you had to describe the sound of your band to someone who hasn’t heard you yet, what would you say?
Temple of Dread want to sound like the quintessence of 1980s and 1990s Death and Thrash Metal. Our music combines the raw energy and aggression of that era with modern influences and contemporary songwriting. We sound like high-speed Punk on steroids—uncompromising, powerful, and with an extra dose of intensity. It is precisely this blend of traditional hallmarks and modern styles that defines the sound of Temple of Dread.
4.How has the songwriting evolved with the band over the years? What does that process look like for you lately?
When it comes to songwriting, not much has actually changed for Temple of Dread over the years. For the most part, the songs still start with my riffs. I work out the basic ideas, and then the whole thing goes to Jörg, our drummer, who thinks about which drum parts fit best and how he can further develop the songs rhythmically. Then Jens comes in with his vocals and lyrics to figure out where and how the vocals work best.
What has changed, though, is that our new members, Andi and Daniel, are increasingly making their mark. They work out their bass and guitar parts entirely on their own, bringing in lots of new ideas. This enriches the songs tremendously because everyone adds their own touch.
Of course, we’ve always tried to evolve and incorporate new elements. At the same time, it’s important to us not to force changes. Temple of Dread should continue to sound like Temple of Dread. We want to stay true to our roots and not stray too far from what has defined the band from the very beginning.
5.What are some of the recurring themes or messages you find yourself exploring in your lyrics?
In our lyrics, we frequently explore ancient myths. However, we don’t simply adopt the stories verbatim; instead, we take the original ideas, develop them further from our own perspective, and enrich them with our own elements.
We don’t limit ourselves to Greek mythology; we also draw on Roman and Egyptian traditions. We’re simply fascinated by this ancient world with its grand stories, its symbols, and above all, the often very dark and dramatic atmospheres that resonate throughout it. For us, this mood is a perfect fit for the music of Temple of Dread.
6.Who selected the new single Dreadspawn Dominion for air play?
We chose this track because it’s nice and compact and really captures the atmosphere of the new album. Especially for the first single release, we thought it made sense not to pick a song that was too complex, but rather one that works right away and gives listeners a good sense of what to expect from the album. “Dreadspawn Dominion” was simply the perfect choice for that.
7.Do you find your energy translates better in an intimate club venue or a massive festival setting? Also, which show stands out as your all time favorite?
In small clubs, the atmosphere is naturally much more intimate. You have much more direct contact with the fans and your audience, and that’s exactly what creates a very close bond with our supporters. This closeness always makes shows like these special and brings us a lot of joy.
But it’s just as exciting to play on big stages and perform in front of a larger crowd. It gives you the feeling that you can reach even more people with your music. Especially at big festivals, there’s often an additional factor: the sound is usually bigger, more powerful, and just a bit more bombastic. In the end, we love both—the intimate atmosphere of small clubs just as much as the energy of big stages.
8.Which artists or band inspired you to be in a band?
The Death Metal bands of the ’80s and ’90s, of course, had a huge influence on me and inspired me as a teenager. But it was especially the German Thrash Metal bands like Sodom, Kreator, and Destruction that ultimately led me to start making music myself.
It was precisely these bands that showed me that it’s not just about being technically perfect. Much more important are the atmosphere, the energy, and the spirit behind a song. This raw and honest approach had a lasting influence on me. That’s why it was actually the German bands that inspired me to get involved in music myself—even more so than many American or Swedish acts in the scene.
9.If you could sit down and collaborate with any artist or band right now, who would be at the top of your list?
Working with bands like Benediction, Autopsy, or even Sodom would be an absolute dream come true for me. These bands have been a part of my life since my youth and have had an enormous influence on my musical development. Their music has inspired me and continues to influence me to this day. At the same time, I get the feeling that the people behind these bands are also very likable. That’s why collaborating with them would be something very special for me—not just musically, but personally as well.
10.What’s the current pulse of the metal scene from your perspective?
I think it’s great that there’s currently a very active Death Metal scene again, especially in Germany. Lots of new bands are emerging that release outstanding albums, are incredibly passionate about what they do, and place great emphasis on good sound and strong song structures. I’m really excited about this development.
When I look at the international metal scene as a whole, however, I also see a trend that I’m less fond of. In my opinion, too much emphasis is often placed these days on the trappings—elaborate stage productions, costumes, an image that’s as occult as possible, corpse paint, and similar theatrics. For me, the music should always take center stage. A good riff, strong songs, and genuine passion are ultimately more important than any show.
11.Are there any endorsements or gear brands you’re currently working with that you’d like to
shout out?
We don’t currently have any endorsements for our instruments. However, I recently bought a Jackson Kelly from the new Pro Series—with just one humbucker and a Floyd Rose tremolo. I have to say, I’m really thrilled with it. The guitar looks great, plays superbly, and its sound is just a perfect fit for our music.
12.What does the tour calendar look like? Any big shows or festivals we should be marking
Down?
We still have a few interesting shows coming up this year. For example, in early August we’ll be playing at the Parti.San Open Air in Schlotheim. In September, we’ll continue with the Into the Crypt Festival in Münster, followed by Metal Embrace near Magdeburg. Finally, a special highlight awaits us in October: We’ll be sharing the stage with Benediction at the Nordhorn Death Fest. Of course, we’re especially looking forward to that.
13.What is your very first Metal album you ever bought on your own and what is the very first metal concert you ever went to?
The first records I bought myself were Iron Maiden’s debut album and Slayer’s “Reign in Blood”. That must have been around 1988. I was still relatively young back then, but that kind of music immediately grabbed me and fascinated me incredibly.
The first really big concert I remember very clearly was Slayer on the “Divine Intervention” tour in 1993. Of course, I’d been to many concerts before that, but those were mostly local events—gigs by regional bands, smaller groups, and lots of punk bands. Those shows also had a huge impact on me, though.
14.Where’s the best place for fans to keep up with you and dive into your community online?
Personally, I’m not the biggest fan of social media, but I think Facebook and Instagram are currently the best ways to get in touch with us. We’re active there regularly and always try to respond to messages quickly.
