-- Interview in Metalized #154 October 2024 (translated from Danish)
METAL HAS FOUND ME AND TAUGHT ME
Since 2007, Berlin has been one metal project richer: the one-man band Unwesen was founded by the man who calls himself “The Master”. His genre territory encompasses both black and death metal, and his third album “Irrsinnfonie”, released this summer, offers a unique insight into the master's thoughts on topics such as human decay, political division and sell-outs in the music industry.
from Marcus Morkedal
CONGRATULATIONS TO “IRRSINNFONIE”! BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE RECORD, I'D LIKE TO HEAR A BIT ABOUT UNWESEN.
UNWESEN is my life's work based on everything I have experienced and learned as a person and musician. It reflects everything that has inspired and moulded me. It is also my therapy, I make this music primarily just for myself. Anything else would simply be a lie.
I once thought I had to make music for an audience, but that was a misconception and only led to fake music. Life is too short for that. I had to learn everything by myself. I never had music lessons or parents who would have steered me in that direction.
Metal found and taught me.
HOW DOES THIS ALBUM REPRESENT YOURSELF AS A MUSICIAN AN PERSON?
"Irrsinnfonie" represents everything that is going on in the world. War, hatred, greed and downfall with advancing technical progress. “Hoch über Euch” mirrors the division that politics brings upon Germany in particular. “Der letzte Mensch” is about the relocation of life to the internet until nothing human remains. “Irrsinnfonie” is a hymn against enforced moral concepts. “Mein Tanz” is a song about the flood of trivial music for the masses. “Kanonenfrost” and "Kaffee und Kuchen bei Behemoth" parody the sell-out.
WHAT´S THE STORY BEHIND "THE MASTER"?
For me, “The Master” is an independent synonym free of any ideology, religion, Satanism or heavy metal kitsch.
It reflects the artist's spirit, who draws inspiration from his own experiences.
WHAT DOES YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
I think it all up and record it. The advantage of this is I don't have to consult anyone or ask for help. I only get the mastering done by someone else.
WHAT DO YOU THINK, WILL YOU EVER EXPAND THE BAND?
The UNWESEN should be on the stages of the world, with me as the singer. I can't allow myself to die before that! The other musicians are still being sought - or need to be booked if necessary.
So if you're up for making true, handmade, blood-smeared metal free of morbid conventions, you're welcome to get in touch.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AND AMBITIONS WITH UNWESEN?
I would love to tour with Rammstein. Why don't they ever have supporting bands at their concerts? It would be a good fit.
HOW DOES THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR UNWESEN?
To make the UNWESEN greater and more well known. Listen to this shit. It's good. Then buy my music and spread the word. If I wouldn't have such an aversion to crowdfunding, I'd say donate for a high-end music video. I have lots of ideas for it!
"It's usually in genres that you usually don't listen to that offer the biggest surprises. And that's certainly the case here with the German melodic black metal one-man project Unwesen, which I've never heard of before. That's about to change, because it tickles me in all the right places when the album Irrsinnfonie is cranked up.
It's heavy, it's evil, it's gloomy in just the right German way, and it's sung in German to complete the theme. Nine tracks with just over half an hour of playing time for full blast is what you get served here.
“Der Meister”, the man behind all the instruments and vocals in Unwesen, has previously released two albums under the name Unwesen, both with the same quality as here. Starting with “Hoch über Euch”, the album opens in the best melodic BM style, with gloomy guitar and fast bass drums. The title track Irrsinnfonie is nice and heavy, with an early Paradise Lost vibe over the guitar, it's probably the coolest track on the album. Kanonenfrost (Bumsmusik) and Kaffee und Kuchen bei Behemoth show that there's also a fine humor behind the project.
As mentioned, this is not my normal genre, but here I have to admit that it's actually pretty damn cool. Definitely something I need to listen to more."
And UNWESEN are aware of and execute it! 'Hoch über euch' is one of the latest songs the band unleashed on the world after their 2022 album “Das kalte Herz” (including a matching video clip).
It's not so much bone-chillingly cold as Marduk-esque brutal and devastating. It's not for nothing that the track begins with 'There's a war going on in my head', war!
The song itself then focuses on both fast and sustained drum attacks with infernal but clearly understandable screams and sharp and deadly riffing (including some melodic aspects).
The good thing about the track 'Hoch über euch' is that it is catchy and powerful at the same time. The head practically shakes itself. It has to be like that! Perhaps a tad too traditionalist in some places, but the last third in particular knows how to inspire with these dark and sinister guitars! Cool!”