THE MYSTERY – Interview with Denise Olbrich

As the German “female fronted melodic metal” band THE MYSTERY are a little ascending star in the German heavy/hard rock scene, it was just normal to do an interview with the beautiful singer Denise Olbrich. What she tells us about the band and also the debut album “Scars”, you can find BELOW

Hello Denise! Great that you bring a bit of time. You will release your debut album “Scars” on October 28, 2005, finally! You have already got very good reviews in different mags. So I have to talk to you, too… 😉

Hi you!!!! It´s even better – the album has been released on October 14 already! Have a look at Amazon or ask in a shop 😉

Tell me, where are you from, who are you and how, where and when did the story about THE MYSTERY begin?

We all come from Heiligenhaus (a city in Germany – Tanja) except Daniel. Daniel originally is from Mettmann (also a city in Germany – Tanja). We are, I would say, a really funny bunch, veeery okay, a bit crazy but anyway normal. The story about The Mystery began nearly 10 years ago. Alex and the former drummer Sebastian founded the band. After a few line-up changes, we have been a very good team since 2004. Since that time you can say, we are definitely about to go steps forward.

Where did you record „Scars“?

That was in Bremen, in Osterholz-Scharmbeck at TTS Media Music. A little, but good studio with a very good accommodation above the studio.

Who of you guys is responsible for the songwriting?

This is mainly Alex´ task. I already added a few verses and I already wrote a song by myself, but actually Alex is the one who does 95 %.

What about the songwriting process in detail? How do you start, what comes first, how do you end?

And again Alex 😉 It is for real, he arrives at the rehearsal room with a carcass of an idea, that means the lyrics are done (or at least nearly), finished riffs, finished verses, choruses, solos and so on, then we play that song together and afterwards we add the small things. I firstly sing the vocallines that Alex gives to me or at least something like that and then I look, if I like what I sing and also the boys change something. Here the end is too unspectacular. We work on a bridge, the solo will be disassembled and assembled and and and…

How did you end up calling your band „THE MYSTERY“? Which meaning does that band name have genereally and personally for you?

This was Alex´ idea after the band was founded. At that time I was not in the band, but I know that much that it doesn´t have to do with the whole „Mystery“ TV broadcasts like the „X files“ or something that were very popular then. I believe, it has just come over him 😉

You play a lot of live concerts. Could you already get a name locally?

In that point I would definitely say YES. Our concerts has been visited very well and I see that well known people come again and again to our concerts…

I think, you 4 have got „normal“ occupations besides being a rockstar 😉 How do you manage that with your band life?

So far very good! Because the gigs happen on weekends and we all have jobs from Monday to Friday, there have not been any problems so far and I hope, it will go on like that!

How is the metal scene where you live? Are there a lot of metalheads? Paderborn for example somehow is the area of thrash. Which metal genre booms in Heiligenhaus?

This is hard to say, because at our concerts is a very different audience. Our music is not just something for the metalheart. But you have to say that in the meantime there are more young people wearing metalshirts. This is why I think that the scene is becoming bigger again. Because we also could catch people at a death/trash concert, we are not afraid of that kind of audience 😉

What about concerts in the near future?

MUUUUCH!!! Köln, Wuppertal, Heiligenhaus, and so on… have a look at the homepage www.the-mystery.de I would say!!!

Your music is not black, no death and no power metal… How would you describe your style?

We call it Female Fronted Melodic Metal – because of me… haha!

Your voice sounds very strong and it is very various. Which influences do you have? Did you have a vocal training?

My influences are totally anti metal!!!! Well, I started with ballads of various female singers. I have to mention Celine Dion first. I have had vocal lessons that are enganged in pop, soul and classical music. I do not want to drive just one way. I would say, I am a total exotic when it comes to music. Somehow nothing fits, but I like it that way.

Many people believe that I am Doro-orientated. But that for example is not true. I somewhere have got an album of her. But I don´t listen to it. Not, because I don´t like er, but there are a lot of favourites I have that need to have more attention and we show that in our ballads, I guess.

Why and how would you recommend your album to anyone?

It is an album that is interesting for metalheads and even non-metalheads, because we do not go the very hard way. Our songs are not toooo long, we have nice ballads and we come to the result that we get more and more fans who normally do not listen to metal music. I think, the album has a lot of catchy songs on it and that is why it is just fun listening to it. It is also very various and a good album from driving your car…

Which subjects do you handle with „Scars“?

Love, politics, heart stuff, hell, everything´s in it! 😉

Which is your favourite song on the new disc and why?

Schizophrenia is my favorite. This is a song that really rocks. There is also a very calm point and I think the wispering in the beginning of the song is cool 😉

How far do you wanna go with THE MYSTERY? Is THE MYSTERY a fun band or even something serious?

Firstly we wanna go forward, play live, record albums and have fun. We want to reach people with what we do and we want to party with them. We will see, what will come.

Who was responsible for the great cover artwork?

The lady on the cover comes from New Mexico. It´s been done by… The name can be found in the booklet when you have a look at the thanks list. BUY THE CD!!! 😉

With which band would you like to go touring?

Well… Primal Fear perhaps or best would be Iron Maiden (I am glad that I am very decent!) 🙂

Your words for the metalheads:

ROCK WITH US!!!!!!!

Website:
www.the-mystery.de
www.the-mystery-fanclub.de
Management contact:
mario@the-mystery.de
Line-Up:
Denise Olbrich – Vocals
Alexander Martin – Guitar
Christian Rüther – Bass
Daniel Kahn – Drums
Discographie:
…where the wind blows freedom – 2002
Facing the storm – 2003
Scars – 2005