MalefistuM: Pagan, Power, Melodic Death Metal
Interview conducted May 1, 2021
By Dan Locke
MalefistuM was founded by Dawn of Destiny mastermind Jens Faber and features as guests: -Melissa Bonny (Serenity, Warkings, Ad Infinitum, Rage of Light) -Zagan (Black Messiah) -Federica Lanna (Sleeping Romance)…
What is your upbringing?
Jens Faber: I lived an ordinary life with my parents and an older sister in Bochum, Germany. My father played Accordion and some guitar chords; my sister played accordion as well.
How did you discover music?
I always loved music and looked forward to long car journeys that I could spend with my “Walkman”. When I was 7-year-old my music taste changed into rock music when I heard the final Countdown for the first time. After that musical experience, I looked for everything from Europe, Bon Jovi, and the Scorpions.
How did you start to write music?
I started with about 18 years when I started to play the keyboard. I always had some melodies and arrangements in my mind and then started recording them. Looking back now it was awful but I was proud of it.
How did you get your first guitar, and do you still have it?
When I was about 20, I thought about spending money on a tattoo or a guitar. I chose the guitar and still it’s mine though I must confess I did not use it for about 10 years now.
What is your guitar of choice now? Year, make and model?
To be honest, I just don’t know, I never cared too much about it. I play a rather old Yamaha guitar I bought in 2006. I know that Victor Smolski played the same model.
How did your band form?
I started with Dawn of Destiny in 2005 but I always wanted to make different approaches to music with different musicians so I started some projects like Time for a Change from “ExoS” and Malefistum because I always liked bands like Equilibrium or Ensiferum. I wanted to take a similar approach in order to combine it with some power metal.
How did you get your bands name?
It was in my head someday 🙂
Describe your music.
MalefistuM is based upon fast pagan power metal with different metal influences like a slight Gothic touch. Like in my other bands and projects I try to focus on the songs’ chorus.
What was your first performance at like?
If you mean my first ever live performance it was in 2003 with Dawn of Destiny (at that time our name was Black Horizons). I was very nervous because I only played guitar for 2 years at that time but it turned out well because most people do not notice musical mistakes or just don’t care about it 🙂
Royalties never appear like magic. Royalties are only sent to you through work undertaken by a PRO to ensure that their members are getting paid. If you’re not yet signed up to a Performing Right Organization like ASCAP, BMI or SESAC, you may not be receiving all the royalties you deserve.
Do you belong to any to songwriters’ organizations like the International singer-songwriter association, SESAC, BMI or ASCAP?
No but maybe I should think about it.
What makes a good songwriter?
Good question…. most important thing for me is touching people with my songs. To be honest, Malefistum is way less emotional than Dawn of Destiny but nevertheless, the audience should feel all the power and emotions you put in your own creation. Apart from that, it is necessary to believe in yourself, in your work. There are always people who want you to change something but you have to find your own way.
What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?
My first song ever was in the year 2000 and I called it New Horizons. It was only keyboard and vocals first. I added all the other instruments some years later and still have that tape.
What is the process of writing your music?
most of my music develops in my head. I have many tunes and arrangements in my mind and record it then. Sometimes my imagination was better than the result 😉 Some other days I sit in front of my computer and my instruments and just start to play something, then it grows. Previously I started with writing lyrics, newer days I begin with the music.
Tell me about your debut album “Enemy”?
When I wrote songs for Enemy, I thought about screaming and singing it on my own but I’m just not good enough so I looked for some professionals. In the beginning I did not want any clean vocals on the recording but Melissas clean voice was too good not to be used. For the song “Time” I was in contact with Henrik Kral Andersen (Ex – Mercenary) but unfortunately, he had no time in the end.
How did you get Melissa, Zagan, Federica and Eric as guest on it?
Got to know Melissa in 2018 I guess… Heard her screaming first and wanted that on my recording. Then I heard her clean vocals and was blown away. So, I added that to my songs and wrote some new ones. At the same time, I got in contact with Federica. I was not sure if it would fit the same album but I was deeply impressed by her voice as well so I could add those slight gothic touches with “Adore Me”, I’m pretty sure we’ll be doing something again in the future. Zagan lives just a few minutes away from me. With Dawn of Destiny, we played with Black Messiah and rehearsed for a time at the same place. His voice fits perfectly to “I will know your Name”. I got to know Eric’s voice by AniLo Project. I wrote an album for Ani Lozanova and she invited Eric to perform on her album. With my song “The Answer” I felt it appropriate and fitting to include him as well.
What is your favorite track on your album?
Towards the Sun, Adore Me and Time.
What are you’re feeling about streaming music?
I do not longer have the illusion to really make money from my music. As a customer I’d be grateful for the opportunity, as a musician, I’d rather sell physical copies in order to get at least a minimum of money back I spent on all my projects.
The symbol # is known as the number sign, hash, pound sign and a sharp sign in music. The symbol has historically been used for a wide range of purposes Since 2007, widespread usage of the symbol to introduce metadata tags on social media platforms has led to such tags being known as “hashtags”, and from that, the symbol itself is sometimes called a hashtag.
Are people forgetting that the # is a part of music?
I am not much into social media. When # was combined with Instagram I never knew what it meant cause I did not use Instagram. Not only in that case it would be important not to forget historical backgrounds, yes.
Digital vs. vinyl?
When I was a kid, I love vinyl because of the huge covers so I could discover much on that picture. But now a days I like more the clean sound of digital.
What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?
Right now, it is Ygdrasil from Brothers of Metal, one of the best songs I ever heard. Though I am a bit tired of those kinds of lyrics I truly love the voices and melodies of that chorus.
If “Video Killed the Radio Star” do you think that the Covid-19 virus has killed live music? Do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?
I am lucky enough to have a good job so I am not reliant on musical income. But I guess many artists are afraid or even have something. I hope that even after one complete year of Corona no artist lost the hope and will to continue but I know that it is very, very hard. But nevertheless, there will definitely come a time after Corona and just like everybody else, I’m really looking forward to this!
What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?
I recorded music and started a project with Henning Basse (Metalium, Firewind) which is gonna be released this year.
How do you stay healthy during the lockdown?
I was not healthy, I had Corona last October and had 2 weeks a hurting back, no sense of taste or smell. That was no fun. Apart from that, I try to make some sport at home but I have to push myself for doing that.
Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?
Yes, playing Nintendo Switch 🙂
Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on livestreamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] This will includes [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?
As I said before I am not much into social media. Actually, I should be in order to promote my music. As long as the pandemic still reigns streaming concerts could at least be an alternative for live concerts. But I must confess I have not informed myself about those music guidelines you talk about, sorry.
How can bands keep their fans if they cannot play live in front of the fans and sell merchandise to them at the show?
I would think about recording some songs or demos and offer it for a voluntary amount of money to people. Metal fans always look for new stuff and are always willing to help, I’m pretty sure about that. Maybe there are other possibilities like offering video chats with fans or some insights in the recording process and so on.
Is pay to play still a thing? Now pay to play also means thinks like playlist on the internet and opening slots for a major band on tour.
In my experience it is… I know some big names who choose their supports by picking up the ones paying most. I don’t like it that way. With DOD we supported a bigger band for one show. We had to pay about 600 Euro but there have been 5 other bands as well, paying the same…. there were only about 50 selling people but the main act had their income by taking a big amount of support bands. We won’t do that kind of thing again.
What about Holographic concerts in our living room?
Maybe a good option. I don’t experience that yet so I don’t have a real opinion.
Did you know that the Grammys MusicCares can help artist? The MusiCares COVID-19 Relief has helped thousands of music industry artists and professionals during these difficult days. This is the most recipients helped, for any single event, in MusiCares’ history. The need remains great, and these unique times remain critical for music people. It has taken a community uplifting one another to get through this pandemic, and MusiCares has pulled together a list of additional organizations and resources to further support you. RELIEF RESOURCES
. Have you applied for?
No, until now I did not hear about that.
In the past if a musician stop doing music, they find a new career. For example, David Lee Roth from Van Halen became a licensed EMT in NY for 6 years, San Spitz (guitarist for Anthrax) became a master watchmaker, Dee Snider (Twister Sister) voice over work for SpongeBob SquarePants. If you can’t do music, what would you like to be doing?
Fortunately, I am a teacher and I love what I do. But I’d be interested in being a dubbing actor.
What is your happy place?
My home, a tennis court or an amusement park 🙂
A lot of musicians such as Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan, Taylor Swift, Journey, Def Leppard, and Shakira have sold their catalog rights within the last year. Bob Dylan sold his entire catalog for a reported $300 million. Once you get to the age of about 70. Publishing is far more lucrative than the mechanical royalties paid to artist based on sales, airplay and streams. A good example of this is Michael Jackson brought the rights to the Beatles catalog in 1985. And in the late 80’s the Beatles Revolution appeared in a Nike commercial.
The lump sums being offered by publishing firms are more tax friendly concerning estate planning.
Do you think you would be willing to sale your back catalog if someone like Universal is will to buy everything, such as all the rights to all your songs? Another factor is mortality.
I’m sure no one will ask for that in my case 😀
Spotify’s ‘Stream On’ event on Monday (February 22), the company confirmed that more than 60,000 new tracks are now being ingested by its platform every single day. This means people are added new tracks uploaded to its platform every 1.4 seconds.
The figure, announced by Spotify’s Co-Head of Music, Jeremy Erlich, means that across the course of this year, approximately 22 million tracks will be added to Spotify’s catalog. Spotify confirmed in November last year that its platform now played host to around 70 million tracks.
Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume that, by the end of 2021, SPOT will be home to over 90 million tracks. And that in the early part of next year, it will surpass a catalog of 100 million for the first time.
But still back at the beginning of the year Spotify deleted 750,00 songs, mostly from independent artists. What do you think what that could mean to independent artist?
Quite obvious what you mean… I ain’t sure if this is the only truth but of course, companies try to increase their income as well. I don’t think that Spotify really cares about independent artists, neither I get money from Spotify. Well, at least I get some money but everybody knows it’s a joke comparing to the number of people listening to you. I would have thought it could have been a kind of solution if Spotify or Youtube does not use whole songs but some extracts of songs in order to make have commercials for the artist. The other way would be, just pay more!!
Sony Music in November and Warner Music Group in December, The ByteDance-owned video app revealed on (February 8) that it has struck an “expanded” global licensing agreement with Universal Music Group. Now that TikTok is now fully licensed by all three major record companies, will you start using TikTok more?
I guess, I won’t. I’m some kinda sick of social media and do not want to use TikTok
Danny Wimmer Presents just announced their 2021 Festival Calendar: Which includes the following live shows:
DWP Partners With Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival For July 23-25 Event In Mansfield, OH
Louder Than Life Set For September 23-26 With Newly Added Thursday Night Celebration In Louisville, KY
Welcome To Rockville Expands To 4 Days And Shifts From Spring To November 11-14 In Daytona Beach, FL
Aftershock Set For October 7-10 In Sacramento, CA, Almost Sold Out
Would you be willing to play these shows and what precautions would you like to have in place?
I’m only capable of playing with Dawn of Destiny. MalefistuM is just a project. But playing in the US would be great surely, but it’s gonna be difficult to manage unless organizers pay for flights and hotels. The other thing is Corona won’t be gone in July I guess so I don’t know if it would be possible anyway
What is the status of the band with upcoming new music?
I ain’t sure at the moment if there’ll be another MalefistuM album. As I said before I will release another project soon with Henning Bass work on new Dawn of Destiny material. But MalefistuM was great joy for me so I’m confident I will find time, ideas and musicians for a 2nd album.
Anything you would like to say in closing.
thanks for your questions. Stay healthy and confident, a better time will come soon! 🙂
