Interview with Mille from Kreator
HOB Anaheim - April 24, 2005
Phil: We're sitting here backstage live with Mille from Kreator....how you doing tonight?
Mille: Good, we just went to Hollywood, yesterday. It was a great show, it was packed.
Phil: How is the tour going so far?
Mille: Very good, the turn out has been great all over the states. We are very happy.
Phil: Originally Death Angel was opening for the tour. What happened?
Mille: I don't know what really happened to be honest, I heard 4 different versions. The last one I heard was from a guitar player, who came to the show in San Francisco. He said that on of the guys wife was sick, and he wanted to stay home with her. If that is true, that explains a lot.
Phil: Propain then took their spot on the tour, and has also left the tour. What happened with them?
Mille: Yes, something happened. They had internal problems, I don't know I never got an explanation from them. They only played 7 shows, and then they were gone.
Phil: So, how are things going with Vader?
Mille: Everything has been going great with Vader, the shows have been going great. No problems, what so ever, the guys have been very cool.
Phil: So, the Enemy of God Tour is the most successful tour, in years. Sold out shows all over Europe. Have you had the same success all over the US?
Mille: I don't know why this tour is so successful, I think that what it is, is that a lot of people like the new record. They want to see us play the songs live. We're not doing anything different than before, maybe it's just because we've been doing this for so long. Now, there is a new generation of kids, plus the old fans, which makes the crowds bigger.
Phil: So, there were a couple of changes made to the US tour, was there a conflict in scheduling?
Mille: Yes, we couldn't make it to one show and we were having money issues on another. Which caused us to make some changes.
Phil: SPV is your label. How are things going with them?
Mille: Well, we've been with them since the Violent Revolution record, in 2000. They have been very supportive, we are very happy with them. We get a long with them very well, they are very good people, and they like metal.
Phil: You've had very few changes in the line up over the years. Adding Sami in 2000, you're obviously satisfied with the line up, as of now?
Mille: It's the best line up we've ever had. Everybody knows what to do, they know what to do for the band. Everybody has put their egos aside and we all get along well.
Phil: During your first tour with the Flag of Hate record, did you ever think you would be touring all over the world, 20 years later?
Mille: No, not at all! *laughs* When we started out, we were only going to do one tour, we were all in school, we were younger, and it was like an adventure. So we all said, yea let's do it! But it wasn't like we planned a career, or something.
Phil: Now you guys are icons!
Mille: Yea, but we never planned on it! We're just still going, and we really enjoy what we are doing. Now, we don't have time to do anything else.
Phil: You've been working with Andy Sneap, since The Violent Revolution Record. How has that been going?
Mille: He is my favorite producer, ever! He is a metal head, like me, and it's nice to have someone working with you, who knows what you're trying to do. It's very helpful, and it makes life easier when you go into the studio. Everyone is on the same level, for putting out a kick ass record!
Phil: I know you started working on material for Enemy of God, back in 2000, how long did the recording take?
Mille: It went really smooth, it only took us 2 months to lay down all the tracks.
Phil: You made an appearance on a German kids show called Kinder Kanal, how did that come about?
Mille: I was doing promotion for the new tour and album, and the producers of the show, asked me if I wanted to do the show. I said, sure! So, I went there and the kids were very open minded, very cool, it was a very nice atmosphere, it was just great! They really wanted to know everything about what we are doing!
Phil: I bought the Live Kreation DVD, it's great, by the way! They claim that only 4,000 copies were printed world wide, is that true?
Mille: I don't know, for sure. But I do know that it was limited to so many copies. Because the one that you have, is different than the regular DVD, on the album. Yours is a special edition.
Phil: The fans are having trouble finding the new digi pack online, or otherwise. Is it available, and if so, where can we get it?
Mille: Yea, I know! They didn't print any copies for the states. Only Canada and Mexico. It's like SPV in the states, has a lot to learn, because in Europe, it's working very well.
Phil: Well, I'd like to thank you for taking the time out with closedcoffin.com, check out the website when you get back to Germany. Where you are from, right?
Mille: Yes, Germany. I will be going back there in May, to relax, then write new material and plan for a new tour.
Phil: Will you come to Las Vegas next time?
Mille: Yes, we will try to make it there next time. Last time, we played outside of Vegas, in a smaller town. Definitional next time!
Phil: Thank you very much!
Mille: No problem!
For more information on Kreator: