"In years ago of long times gone,
I've been lucky enough to have the noted German Rock band "Unseeing Sentinel" contact me to talk about their ambitions to provide music for the score of Peter Jackson's "Lord Of The Rings" and their love of Tolkien's works in general. They are well-known Tolkien enthusiasts and have produced a number of Middle-Earth inspired albums, including "Dusk in Arda" and the epic "Orc Entrails On Toast". In an exclusive interview, I spoke to the lead singer, Joachim Knockwurst and the band's songwriter, Hans Pimmel.
Jimcalagon: Firstly, thanks for asking me a number of times to do this exclusive interview.
Pimmel: You're welcome,
Knockwurst: Ja.
Jimcalagon: You are noted for your interest in the works of Tolkien. How did you originally become interested in Middle-Earth and how did that carry over into your music?
Pimmel: Well I was a fan since thirteen years when I was seeing the cartoon.
Jimcalagon: You mean Bakshi's adaptation?
Pimmel: No, "Goober and the Ghost Chasers". It was bad, I am thinking so I decide to read a book instead.
Jimcalagon: You started with "The Hobbit"?
Pimmel: No, "How to be a rock star". In the book I am reading about finding a niche and readily-available fans and it says Led Zeppelin and Tolkien fans are an example. So I am determining that I am making a Tolkien band.
Jimcalagon: So if, you wanted to make Tolkien-inspired music, why was the band originally called "Satan's Subordinates" ?
Pimmel: Well I am observing that many people are saying that Dragons and Dungeon players are satanic. But then I was getting told that Tolkien was a christian so something is wrong somewhere.
Jimcalagon: I see. Now, turning to you, Joachim; were you a fan of Tolkien before you met Hans?
Knockwurst: Ja.
Jimcalagon: So you help shape the musical compositions into your personal interpretation of Middle-Earth - you're not just a singer?
Knockwurst: Ja?
Pimmel: Oh yes, of course Hans is the driving force behind our music, he is the lead and front but whereas I am only writing the songs and playing instruments. Hans is truly our great leader and the band would not be anything without him and his great inspiration, is that not right Hans?
Knockwurst: Er - nein?
Pimmel: Yes, of course, ha ha!
Jimcalagon: So, tell me about your discussions with Peter Jackson. Are you allowed to tell me anything about whether a decision has been taken on the score?
Pimmel: I have been sending Peter many great and long emails which tell him how great our love is for Tolkien and we are loving his movies "Bad Face" and "Brain Death". And we are sending copies of our musical bums to him.
Jimcalagon: Musical bums?
Pimmel: Music albums! And he is having his secretary writing to us many times saying thankyou. I have the last email - shall I read it to you?
Jimcalagon: Yes, please!
Pimmel: Ahem,"Mr Jackson sends his thanks for your continued interest in his latest project. As you can imagine, he is quite busy at the moment but rest assured that if Peter feels that he can use your unique talents in his movie, he will be in touch." I am very happy and hopeful to be getting this reply.
Jimcalagon: I see. You haven't read the end of it.
Pimmel: The end? It was just a legal notice which is telling me not to send 340 megabyte wave files which are crashing the New Zealand internet server again.
Jimcalagon: OK. Now, on to the subject of your music. For the few people out there who haven't heard it, how would you describe it?
Pimmel: Oh, that is not an easy question. Our music has been revolving ever since we are starting to make records. Our first LP, "Quis custodiet...?" was very heavy rock, I am thinking but also it is melodic. Then we are releasing in 1997 our "Feanor's Family Jewels" which is our first very Tolkien-like record. This is also rock but it is also incorporating things from Jazz, Hip Hop and also Viennese Waltz.
We are always trying to stay melodic and to be also rock as well. On "Dusk in Arda" we are having the entire Berlin Symphony Orchestra - for the melody - and they are all playing electric guitar so that it is also rock at the same
time.
Jimcalagon: Does the Tolkien influence show in just the lyrics or does it extend to the music as well.
Pimmel: Well, I am thinking now that the music is to me the sounds of Middle-Earth. On our single "Misty Mountain Death Squads", we are including a 15 minute drum machine solo to stimulate the sounds of Orcs dancing in caves. Also on "Hobbit Sacrifice" there is the sound of electric balalaika which I think that Elves would have played if they were having them and which always make me think of Middle-Earth. To me, our music IS Middle-Earth, in my mind.
Jimcalagon: Finally, I know that your lyrics stand alone as Tolkien-inspired poetry. I wonder if you could recite your favourite passage for us
Pimmel: Well. Yes, Ok This is from "Our souls in the Ring".
When the evil Sauron lost his One,
Gollum in fields found the same,
And started on his evil game.
In thinking of evil things to play,
In Misty Mountains to hide away,
He found a lake in very dark,
And decided there to park.
Then hundreds of years are passing by,
And Hobbit Bilbo he espy.
The Ring is slipping fingers off,
And Hobbits cannot be seen.
Dragon Smaug is also fooled.
His dwarvish treasure lovely tooled,
Is stolen by an unseen hand,
And taken to a Hobbit land.
The ring is hidden on a chain,
But some will see in there again.
The ring will cause pain in our soul,
Until cast unto a volcano hole"