Interview with STEEL WHIP
Welcome to the FILTHY DOGS OF METAL Webzine.
Tell us a few things about STEEL WHIP (Members, Starting Year etc).
We started the Band in 2022 in Berlin. We (Nick the Whipper, Mystic Arne and Whipfynder) are long-time Friends and over the years found out we share the same passion for heavy metal. This one evening in 2020 we were digging into Vinyls while having a few drinks and discovered that each one of us plays an instrument and Whipfynder has played drums in a metal band before. We don’t believe in destiny, but that was something very close to that.
You have recently released your demo ''Steel Whip''. What is the feedback from your audience as well as from the press?
The release was not even one week ago, and it is our first release, so it’s mostly friends we get feedback from. They like it, but with friends you never know if they really do or just want to cheer you up, haha. So, I guess we have to wait for some official review to really get an impression of how our music is perceived.
And what about the lyrics?
We like to sing about classic Heavy Metal cliches combined with our personal and social struggles. The Song ‘Therapy Of Steel’ is about making therapy and overcoming depression, just covered in very heavy metal expression.
Are you in searching for a record label? What do you prefer, Label or DIY and why?
We have released the Demo over Rausch, which is the Label of a good friend of us and we are very thankful for his help. I think for the next release we would also be happy to find a Label which is more dedicated to heavy metal, but let’s see.
Is there any funny or weird story from the recordings or from your live shows that you would like to share with us?
The Song “In Direction Of Trouble” was the result of a misunderstanding. Whipfynder and I (Mystic Arne) were on the train to Karlsruhe to play some vinyls for the afterparty of Heavy Metal Power Blade and the train conductor said something with ‘in direction of travel’, we understood ‘trouble’ and thought that should be the name of a song!
Do you prefer Vinyl, Tape, CD or Digital Format and why is that?
We definitely prefer vinyls and tapes. We are some vintage kids from Berlin. All three of us have a massive collection of heavy metal vinyls and we just like to have some solid recordings. Vinyls and Tapes keep the scene alive and vice versa.
Your music style is Heavy Metal. Which are your main influences (Favourite Artists / Bands etc.)
We go to many concerts and festivals and love to connect with all the other bands. So, I think our biggest influences are quite actual bands like Sandstorm, Amethyst, Running Maiden (RIP<3), Aardvark. But of course, also some classics like Black Sabbath, Girlschool and Maiden.
Which things do you think a band should sacrifice in order to succeed? Have you ever sacrificed anything in your life for a better future for your band?
I think the most important thing for us is our friendship and having fun. Still, we sacrifice a lot of our leisure time and time with other friends to rehearse and write new songs.
Describe your ideal live show as a performance band. Have you already experienced that?
Small room, crowded and sweaty and everybody excited as hell. To be honest we play our very first live show in the end of July on the Break and Error festival, and we are excited as hell!
What do you think about the rise of AI in music production?
Honestly, we think heavy metal will be the last bastion in the music business to protect itself from that crap.
What attributes do you think that a new Heavy Metal Band should have in order to gain identity and be unique?
We think the times of heavy metal as a non-political space should be over. It never was anyway. So we should all listen to mighty Rob Halford when he says that heavy metal is for EVERYONE, literally. So we really appreciate new Bands who have some understatement and choose the right (left) side in history and unite against discrimination and fascism.
Do you believe that Digital Platforms help the new Heavy Metal Bands? Which, do you think, is the ideal way for a band to promote its work?
We really like bandcamp, because it really helps to release stuff on your own and get people to listen to it and eventually buy your records. We also use Instagram and Spotify because it is so inevitable, but we also have our critics on these platforms.
From your experience in the music industry, what would you tell to a new Heavy Metal band to avoid or what to do?
Actually, WE are the new Heavy Metal band, haha. So, we are very thankful for advice from more established bands. Our Experience is like 0%.
Tell us a few things about the New Underground Metal Scene in Berlin (Bands, Fanzines, Webzines, Metal Clubs etc.)
Berlin has a very big and thriving punk scene (alongside it’s famous techno szene). Unfortunately, the metal scene is rather small. We have Indian Nightmare, which are furious and Wolfcity is a Crew organizing cool metal shows in Berlin! Also, there is a growing scene with bands like Kryk or Wüt, which combine black or death metal with hardcore punk, which is fabulous. I think Reset Club, OGH and Neue Zukunft are steady addresses for underground Metal gigs. We gonna play a show in Reset Club in september. For more infos follow us on Instagram. A great website for finding or promoting punk or metal concerts in Berlin is: https://berlin.askapunk.de/
What does Metal means to you? And give us 10 metal albums that run in your veins.
Heavy Metal is our life-passion and identification. The scene means a lot to us, but also, we like it to be self-deprecating.
Century – The Conquest Of Time
Sandstorm – Time to Strike
Amethyst – Throw Down the Gauntlet
Girlschool – Demolition
Tower – Shock the System
Aardvark – Tough Love
Sintage – Paralyzing Chains
Acid Blade – Power Dive
Savage Master – With Whips And Chains
Saxon – Denim And Leather
Do you know anything about the Hellenic Metal Scene?
Unfortunately, not. I had to google it. Please tell us about it!?
What are your future plans?
We are working hard on new songs and want to record the first album in 2026. Also, we are looking for a second guitar player (female, inter, trans, agender) at best with motivation to sing, if you have any suggestions of a person fitting this profile close to Berlin please let us know ??.
Thank you very much for your time & keep up the good work! The closure is yours.
Thank you very much for being interested in our band and music, we really appreciate that! To everyone out there: Share your love for music and heavy metal with everyone — not just those who look or think like you. It’s up to us to keep this scene alive, growing, and open to all. Let’s make metal louder, prouder, and more diverse. Satan loves all genders.
By Steve the Filthy Dog.
STEEL WHIP CONTACT:
https://www.instagram.com/steel_whip_band/
https://steelwhip.bandcamp.com/album/steel-whip