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Biography
In the simplest of terms, Engrave in a hardcore band: five guys
from Aachen, Germany who play loud aggressive music. But this
is a band who does not hide behind simple labels. For almost five
years now this ensemble has been writing and performing expressions
of their humanity with nothing but sincerity. Social commentary,
political criticism, accounts of love and personal fears are all
touched upon in the lyrics of singer, Andreas. In the studio and
on the stage Maurice on drums, Jochen and Timo with guitars in
hand and Roland on bass perform with a passion to match the incindiary
words.
In November of 1996, Maurice, Jochen and Andreas, having known
one another through school, were brought together by their common
appreciation of hardcore and punk and their desire to make music.
The predecessor to Engrave, Appeal To Reason, was then formed.
Soon they were playing shows around their hometown and recorded
for a demotape that sold about a hundred copies.
At the beginning of 1998 the band decided they needed a second
guitar player and found a more than appropriate one in Norman,
who had played in Loxiran from Hamburg before he moved to Aachen.
Norman had an enormous influence on the music and helped to shape
the songwriting. Sometime later, their bass player at that time,
Erik, decided to leave the band and Roland was asked to join.
As the shape, face and sound of the band changed, the name was
also changed. For a short while they were known as Buried Every
Hero, but desiring a more appropriate and easier to remember name,
the band became Engrave.
At the end of 1998 seven new songs were recorded, but the band
met difficulty in finding a label they could trust with the production
and distribution of their music. Finally a worthy label was found
in Cologne, Germany and a lasting partnership was formed between
Engrave and Defiance Records. Five of the seven recorded songs
were put down on vinyl as the band released their first 7".
With the 7” under their belts Engrave found themselves playing
more and more shows. In the summer of 1999 the band embarked on
their first short tour, half of which was with Shai Hulud, that
led them through Germany, Italy and Switzerland. Despite the fact
that they were touring as a four piece, as Norman had left the
band prior to the tour, it was a success. The boys then recorded
another seven songs half of which appeared on a split 10”/
CD with the Italian band To Die For, whom they had met on tour.
The remaining songs were to be released on another split, this
time on a 7” with friends, Yage.
After Norman had left, Engrave found themselves again looking
for a second guitar player. Joong Sun of Reno Kid fame then joined
the band but left Engrave after a short year due to personal reasons.
During that year three successful tours took the boys throughout
Europe, playing in Germany, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic,
England, Denmark and Sweden. Always ready to collaborate with
friends, two songs recorded with Joong Sun were released on a
split 7” with the Spanish band and Defiance labelmates,
Standstill.
Continuing as a four piece Engrave began to write songs for a
full length record but things began to slow down for the band.
Maurice had left for France for 6 monthes to study and so in 2002
the band agreed to take a half year break. During this time it
was decided that once again a second guitar player was needed
and so they asked Timo, who they had known from shows. With this
new element, Engrave was suddenly surging with new energy and
the final songs for their first full length record “Stealing
From Death a Few Desperate Moments of Life” simply poured
out of them. With this record, Engrave prove their songwriting
skills and present their best and most varied compositions to
date, combining frantic spursts of noise and fucked up rythms
with melodic and quiet elements.
Engrave has completed six short tours and played numerous shows
throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands,
England, Denmark, Sweden, Czech Republic, France, Luxemburg and
Italy. They've played with bands such as Botch, Converge, Pale,
As Friends Rust, Shai Hulud, Lack, Standstill, Milemarker, Caliban,
Yage, Planes Mistaken For Stars, Envy, Shelter, Cave In, Grade,
Jr Ewing, Boy Sets Fire and Song Of Zarathrustra.
The band is currently planning shows throughout Europe including
a small tour in August with friends, Eaves and continuing to write
new songs. The future is never certain, but we can be sure that
this is far from the last chapter in the history of Engrave.
Discography:
Selftitled 7” on Defiance Records ( 1998 )
“All the passion to keep you moving” Split 10”/CD
with To Die For on Defiance Records ( 2000 )
Split 7” with Yage on Defiance Records ( 2000 )
Split 7” with Standstill on Defiance Records ( 2001 )
“Stealing from death a few desperate moments of life”
LP/ CD on Defiance Records ( 2003 ).
Pictures:
All pictures taken by Oliver Klobes in Wermelskirchen
2003.
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