Lou: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions – it’s very much appreciated! For the benefit of the uninitiated, please could you describe December Flower’s music?

Manu: Well I would describe it as an melodic kind of death metal with its roots based in the 90’s Swedish old school and early melodic death metal.

That’s the music most of us love since we are listening to metal. Bands like At The Gates, Unanimated, Dismember, early In Flames or Dark Tranquillity are a big inspiration for us.

Lou: Please could you let us know who is in the band and what each of your roles is?

Manu: We are five guys from the northern / western parts of Germany.
Michael is guitar player and songwriter as well as founding member of DF.
The other song writer and guitar player is Torsten. He just split up with his other band “Through The Ashes” and took part in several different underground bands e.g. Symbiontic or Eroded.
Ben is our bassman and he is also member of based Death Metal Act Resurrected
Simon takes part in several music acts besides the metal scene, e.g. a HC Band called Positive Strike. He also recorded our first demo and works beside his studies as sound engineer in a recording studio.
And finally there is me, Manuel, writing lyrics and performing vocals.

Lou: Why did you choose the name December Flower?

Manu: Well I really don’t know at all anymore. Michael and I were looking for a name and finally we found that DF was quite suitable and a great track too

Lou: From what I understand, December Flower rose from the ashes from another band called Chronicle of Tyrants (unfortunately I’m not familiar with Chronicle of Tyrants). How do the two bands compare to each other? If at all.

Manu: Well both bands have similar influences, but with December Flower we move one step further to the roots of European death metal and put some more old school tunes into the songs. CoT featured many keyboard parts what make it sound a little more “pussy” if you know what I mean You still can find some songs on myspace (www.myspace.com/chronicleoftyrants). But I like the new stuff more than the stuff we made with CoT.

Lou: I bought “Moloch” a few months ago and, I’ve got to say, it’s a stunning piece of work. I’m particularly obsessed with “Utopia” at the moment. Which track stands out the most for you from the CD?

Manu: I like Despise Your Life and Moloch most. But of course the other tracks aren’t bad or less good. To get to know about the sound of DF you have to listen to the whole album, because I think the songs differ very much in some parts and are not comparable.

Lou: What sort of feedback have you received for “Moloch” so far?

Manu: There was nearly no negative feedback. One or two averaged reviews but the most were positive and very motivating at all.

Lou: What subjects have been covered in the album’s lyrics?

Manu: Well my lyrics feature mostly standard death metal contents. Demons, death, war, depression, criticism in general, nothing special.

Lou: What inspires you?

Manu: Everything and nothing. It depends on the mood that I am in. Usually I become more creative when I’m fucked up.

Lou: What is a December Flower gig like?

Manu: Be there than you will see. Of course your neck is aching afterwards

Lou: Will you be touring soon? Do you have any plans to come over to the UK? We’d love to have you here!

Manu: Well if you find someone who pays the flights and the hotel for us than maybe. For gigs in other countries we are not popular enough so far I suppose

Lou: What bands have you shared the stage with so far?

Manu: Well mostly underground bands from Germany. On our last show we opened the evening for Demonical, My Own Grave and Deathbound.

Lou: Do you have any plans to record any new material soon? I realise that “Moloch” is not that old… but hey

Manu: Yes we are recording a complete album at the moment but it will last some months until we have it finished. And than we want to find a label who wants to release that stuff

Lou: Do you have any merchandise available? If so, where can we buy it from?

Manu: Nothing yet but who knows

Lou: I noticed that you now have a YouTube channel. Will you be filming any promotional videos to put on there?

Manu: Well till now we only use it to promote our stuff in another way than myspace. But maybe the will be some live shots ore making of features soon

Lou: Also, will we get to see some live footage on the YouTube channel? I could have a few beers, turn the volume up as loud as it will go and pretend to be at the gig!

Manu: Yes maybe.

Lou: What was the highlight of 2009 for the band?

Manu: I don’t really have anything in mind. It was a normal year without any highlights I guess.

Lou: What were your top 3 albums in 2009?

Manu: Hmm…

Katatonia – Night Is The New Day

Unanimated – In The Light Of Darkness

Demonical – Hellsworn

But maybe in some weeks there will be other favourites for me.

Lou: What’s next for December Flower?

Manu: Finishing the album is the most important thing for us at the moment.

myspace.com/thedecemberflower

Anyway… Yesterday (a few hours before the announcement), I discussed with people (pretty much anyone who would listen) which bands I would like to play at Download this year. Once I’d finished it was helpfully pointed out that the festival was called Download and not LouFest. I must admit that the idea of LouFest is very appealing… so I started to think about who would play at LouFest… and this is what I came up with…

(Judging by this list, it may have to be several days long! …and this list isn’t really in order… although GN’R would probably be headlining)

Guns N’ Roses – Well, GN’R had to be there really, didn’t they? Since this is MY festival I get to pick which line-up of GN’R plays (it’s nice to play God at times)… Perhaps surprisingly, I’d like to see the current line-up. The YouTube videos and the bootlegs of the shows I’ve seen from Asia and Canada (and the surprise shows in New York) look and sound AMAZING! I’d have to be an idiot to not want to witness that firsthand! Also, since this would be MY festival, I’d like to suggest one or two songs for their set list – “Prostitute”, “This I Love”, “I.R.S”, “Estranged”, “Coma”, “Back Off Bitch”, “My Michelle”, “You’re Crazy”, “Shackler’s Revenge”, “Better”, “There Was a Time”, “Scraped”, “Madagascar”, “Street of Dreams”… well, you get the idea…

Black Ritual – There’s a chance that not everyone reading this will know who Black Ritual are. Well, I’ll bring you up to speed… they’re awesome! “1000 Yard Stare” was a crazily superb album and I’m really looking forward to the follow up. I’d be over the moon if they played “War Within”, “Terrified”, “These Pills” and “Below Zero”.

Lamb of God – Here’s another band that HAD to be there. Astoundingly good both live and on CD, it would be stupid not to include them on the bill. Songs I’d like to hear: “Reclamation”, “A Devil in God’s Country”, “Bootscraper”, “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For”, “Grace”, “Walk With Me in Hell”, “Redneck”, “Choke Sermon”… etc…

Omnium Gatherum – I love Omnium Gatherum. Really, really love them! And yet, I’m still not sure how to describe them… perhaps melodeath with a progressive edge? Whatever they are, they’re bloody brilliant! I would list songs I’d want to hear… but anything will do …especially “Just Signs”.

Devilish Impressions – I’ve had a bit of an obsession with Devilish Impressions since I first heard “Plurima Mortis Imago”. As far as I’m concerned, that album was (and still is) a masterpiece! Also, they’re bloody good live!

Vesperian Sorrow – Lou likes Vesperian Sorrow. A lot. The band can do no wrong!

Winterthrall – An awesome band that’s not afraid to work in different styles. I don’t care what they played so long as they did play! But, if they were up for taking requests, “Autumn Caskets” wouldn’t go amiss

Enfold Darkness – I’ve got so into this band recently. They are AMAZING!

Michael Monroe – Singer from Hanoi Rocks and solo stuff. Damn good… and he could always do a duet with Axl for “Dead, Jail or Rock ‘n’ Roll”.

Hate Ammo – Brilliant band! I can’t wait for their album to be released on CD (in the meantime you can listen to tracks on their MySpace). Definitely more than worthy of a spot here!

December Flower – This is a band that I discovered through the wonders of MySpace. Damn good.

Ozzy Osbourne – No explanation needed.

Sebastian Bach – I’ve really got into his “Angel Down” album recently (it’s amazingly good – if you haven’t listened to it yet, you should). A couple of duets with Axl would go down rather well too.

Tension Head – Another ‘MySpace’ band with a great sound! I’d love to hear “The Bear” and “Don’t Worry” live!

Metallica – I never used to be that into Metallica… but “Death Magnetic” changed all of that.

Finntroll – If you have not witnessed the majesty of Finntroll (either on album or live), then you have missed out.

Five Finger Death Punch – 5FDP are amazing live! I have to admit that I haven’t got into “War is the Answer” as much as “The Way of the Fist”, but if they played LouFest it would give them the opportunity to ‘sell’ those songs to me… as I’m sure they’ve all lost a lot of sleep over the fact that I didn’t like that album quite as much… That seems likely.

Aerosmith – Again, no explanation needed. However, Steven Tyler would HAVE to be there!

Thunder – I’d make Thunder reform for LouFest… If I smiled sweetly I’m sure they’d say ‘yes’.

Motorhead – No reason needed.

Alice Cooper – He’s a legend. He must play.

Meat Loaf – The first album I ever bought (on cassette!) was Meat Loaf’s “Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell” when I was 9. I’ve been a fan ever since.

Autumnal Reaper – Autumnal Reaper are one of those bands that I’d been meaning to listen to for ages… I recently got their latest album and was blown away.

Stigma – Love, love, love these guys! Can’t wait to hear the new stuff!

Crionics – Quazarre (Devilish Impressions) might find himself getting a bit tired, but Lou likes Crionics.

The Defiled – They’re bat-shit crazy, but in a truly wonderful way. And, well, they rock. So there.

Megadeth – It had to be done

Cor Scorpii – Listen to “Monument”. I don’t need to say anymore than that.

Bon Jovi – I know, I know… Jovi. I’ve lost interest in them for the past few albums, but if they played LouFest I would insist that they only play stuff from “New Jersey”, “Slippery When Wet”, “These Days” and “Keep The Faith”. I’m in charge, so I get to do things like that.

Terrorvision – Tequila, it makes me happy…

Skunk Anansie – Do I really need a reason? They’re brilliant!

Slipknot – I’m not a mega-fan of Slipknot, but I do like a lot of their stuff… and I’d love to see ‘em live… so that’s why they’re on the list!

Danko Jones – They recently toured Canada with Guns N’ Roses and Sebastian Bach and I read quite a few good things about them in relation to that tour… so I decided to check them out… and they rocked.

Sixx A.M. – DJ Ashba’s gonna be a bit busy, but I’ve really got into Sixx A.M.’s album.

A Road Eternal – A brutally awesome band. Everyone should worship them… Loucifer has spoken.

My Undoing – Another band from the same part of the world as Black Ritual and A Road Eternal. I think there’s something in the water there…

Buckcherry – They were fantastic at Sonisphere last year. I’m sure they’d be equally fantastic at LouFest.

Black Label Society – Zakk fuckin’ Wylde. I’ll say no more.

Arch Enemy – Brilliant vocals, brilliant guitar work… brilliantness…

Machine Men – Fantastic band… if you have not checked them out yet, you should do so… now!

Edguy – Great band! And, I want them to play “Trinidad”.

Balfor – Astounding Barbaric Black Metal.

Black Lotus – I’d imagine Black Lotus would be cool to chill out to.

Cancer Bats – Recently got into these guys – gotta catch ‘em live!

Ok… I gotta admit… I’m getting a bit tired of writing explanations now… so I’m just gonna give you a nice list!

Ironside
Swingshot
Destruction
Thin Lizzy *
Egypt Central
Winds of Plague
Ektomorf
Fragments of Unbecoming
H.I.M
Hell Within
Hexagram
I.C.O.N
Ignominious Incarceration
Nervecell
Powerwolf
Reverend Kill
Rumpelstiltskin Grinder
Secrets She Kept
Secrets of the Moon
Sammath
Slowtorch
Thirty 2 Life
Corrupted Truth
Queen *
Pantera *
Soilwork
Stemm
Stuka Squadron
Brother Grey
The Foreshadowing
Twisted Sister
Ugly Kid Joe
Extreme O.D.
Bite The Kerb
Sons of Beaches

…and that’s enough for now… perhaps…
(* I’m using my powers to bring people back from the dead for these ones)

I wish this was real

I’ve provided links where it was possible to do so… but where I haven’t, Google (or your prefered Search Engine) is your friend!

So… any thoughts on this? Wanna post your own Fantasy Festival line-up? Drop us a comment