Interview with Varus Lead Vocalist Konstantine Raab

July 20, 2020

Interview with Varus Lead Vocalist Konstantine Raab

Photo by: Wiebke Brandt

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Konstantine! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it's greatly appreciated.

Konstantine Raab: Hey there! You‘re welcome! Thank you for having us!

CV: Do you feel Heavy Metal music in general is viewed differently by fans in Europe compared to fans elsewhere, especially in America, and if so why?

KR: Well, it might be, yes. We haven‘t got a lot of experience in how Heavy Metal is received in the United States but I think there‘s quite a huge following here in Europe and people tend to strongly support their favourite artists. However, it might be easier to get gigs in the US, as there are more open-minded locations where all musical genres are appreciated.

Apart from that, I guess the sub-genres can be a lot different. While there are lots of Folk, Power and Black Metal bands here, there seem to be more Death, Melo-Death and Thrash Metal bands in America. Correct me if it‘s a wrong assumption but that‘s what I‘ve noticed over the years.

CV: What do you feel makes Heavy Metal music so alluring to the fans? What is it about the music that personally resonates so strongly with you?

KR: There are no boundaries in Metal. Everybody is free to experiment and to "create" their own style. This really inspires me and let‘s me create our unique music. We don‘t feel restricted in any way. Also, you feel like you‘re part of something bigger, not just a small niche. Eventually, you‘re connected with people all over the world sharing the same feeling.

CV: Has Metal splintered into too many sub-genres in your opinion, thus, making it harder for newer bands to actually classify themselves as one style over another? Is it confusing for fans as well?

KR: No, I don‘t really think that there are too many styles out there. This is what makes it interesting to everyone. On the other hand, it might get confusing for fans when they decide to learn of a new band. Sub-genre terms are floating and not really fixed but they certainly help metalheads to categorize the style for themselves and to check whether a new band can be interesting to them. For instance, somebody likes Symphonic Metal and checks out our own group Varus. As we classify ourselves as Symphonic Folk Metal, he might be interested and could become a fan of our music. So I think of it more as a way for people to get an overview, than a restricted classification.

CV: How would you describe the current state of the music business considering we are now living in a COVID aware, and maybe even feared world? Have things drastically changed long-term for artists and bands given the recent pandemic? What are your thoughts?

KR: Bands and the whole live concert business has changed completely. Unfortunately, there‘s just no business going on at the moment and people are feared for their jobs. So we might see a decrease in concerts and even live venues. How can they keep up with their maintenance and living costs over this long period without concerts? It‘s just not possible. Luckily, we ourselves are not doing our music for a living. Nevertheless, we‘re really missing live shows.

CV: What do you feel makes your band and its particular approach to songwriting work? What keeps the band together and making music?

KR: It‘s a quite unique style that includes a wide range of atypical genres and with well-defined arrangements. We tend to call it Symphonic Folk Metal but that‘s only one side of our style. Most songs are written by myself but then arranged and finalized together with the whole group. Apart from the music, we‘re good friends and enjoying ourselves. So it‘s more than just a job and rather a fun experience. When it comes to concerts, it‘s such an explosion of energy that we feel on stage.

CV: On a more global view, how do you see your band’s music and songwriting separating itself from just being another Heavy Metal act?

KR: Maybe the songwriting is very in-depth and not as riff-based as most comparable bands. We almost take a classical approach and not the "jamming in the rehearsal space" way. Therefore, the songs are carefully arranged and matured over a long time period. New tracks take about 2-4 years until they‘re completely finished.

CV: Can an artist truly be unique? Some would argue there is no such thing as being unique; that it’s nothing more than a compounding of influences making an artist who or what they are. Would this then say that artists today are destined to be just copies of those who have already come to pass?

KR: In some way, you‘re always copying things that have been there before but this doesn't mean that it‘s anything bad. Of course, your own music is a consolidation of your influences and inspiration but it‘s always been like that. To me personally, unique means interesting and surprising but it doesn't have to mean new at all. My own musical taste can be quite eclectic and the music I write tends to be similarly eclectic.

CV: Are there life lessons to learn being in a Heavy Metal band that you feel cannot be taught elsewhere? If so, what are they?

KR: There are certainly some lessons to be learned from the beginning. We definitely learned a lot about social life, even getting around with people you don‘t necessarily like and keeping professional. I even taught myself a better writing language and word selection, related to lyrics writing.

CV: What do you feel makes someone a “rock star”? Does being a rock star automatically make one iconic or are the two completely different in your opinion?

KR: A rock star is somebody iconic and widely known, mostly successful with his music. So I would relate the term "iconic" directly to being a rock star.

CV: What's next for you? What can fans expect to see coming as the world looks to surmount a new normal laced with a load of restrictions?

KR: We‘re releasing our new album "A New Dawn" on the 27th of June, so that‘s our next big milestone and we‘re really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, no release show can be played on that date which we initially planned. But the future will bring concerts again and if that happens, it‘ll be one hell of a live season for all bands!

CV: Thank you again Konstantine for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. It was a pleasure. I wish you all the best and continued success.

KR: Thank you so much for having us! We wish you a great time even during these uncertain times. Stay healthy and positive!

Check out Varus at:

► bit.ly/varus-facebook
► bit.ly/varus_spotify
► bit.ly/varus-youtube
► bit.ly/varus-amazon
► bit.ly/varus_itunes
► bit.ly/varus-google
► bit.ly/varus-bandcamp
► bit.ly/varus-instagram

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My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word. Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.