Answers provided by Matthias Behringer, Vocals, Guitar
Can you tell us about the origin of the band name, a history of the band and a little bit about the various members?
A: The band name basically says free from hostility. We all think that the world would be a better place if everyone coexist in peace. Not anyone is ment for each other but treating anyone at least with respect and considerate behaviour should the bare minium everyone should try to achieve. Throughout the years we had many members, but the current constellation is only about 1 to 2 years old now. We all live around the same are and met new members mostly at other small concerts in the are. Gugge and Stefan are the only members from the original band 8 years ago. I (Dias) started as a bassist about 5 years ago and Johannes replaced our lead guitarist. After our past vocalist Merlin and Stefan decided to leave the band I still wanted to write songs, so I and Gugge tried to keep the band alive. I wrote about 4-5 songs and showed them to Stefan, since we were still in contact. He also had about 3-4 songs ready and we decided to try again and started puttings songs together for a whole album. We were glad that Johannes was still around and happily took place as the new bass player, since he’s way better at playing bass then me. After all songs were done, we found out that I overdone myself with the vocals and it was nearly impossible to sing the songs on my own. So we tried to find a second vocalist for playing the songs live and found René, who was working with Gugge at a small festival called Mammut Festival in Königsbrunn.
Are you all from the same area? How did you get together as a band?
A: Oops, I already kind of explained it in my last answer… We’re all from the same are in a 50km radius. Gugge and Stefan were there from the start, I and Johannes were found through social media by just getting hit up and we found René at a small metal festival called Mammut Festival, were he used to help out in his spare time. It was vey hard finding good musician, since we searched about 1 year for a vocalist and almost gave up, whiche the main reason I took care of the vocals.
Who are your favourite artists/bands and how have they influenced your own sound?
A: There are a bunch of inspirations but my basics are Avenged Sevenfold and System of a Down. For me they’re just writing fantastic songs. They know when and how to use their instruments to make them work the best in each song. Besides that Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan and Daron Malakian are really good at feeling the music and let people participate in their enjoyment.
Did you always have the ambition to be a musician and in a band or did you originally have other plans?
A: Absolutely, yes! I always wanted to be a musician and tried to form a band from a young age. Since I hadn’t many musician friends I learned every instrument by myself started recording at the age of 18. Like I said before, it’s really hard finding good and ambitious musicians around the are, so I’m very happy I got invited to play with Void of Animus, who were my first step into a hard working band.
What songs or albums are on your current playlist?
A: I don’t listen to many bands, so this is going to be narrow minded… Of course there are a LOT of Avenged Sevenfold and System of a Down, but the newest songs are Saw by Orbit Culture, Kick Back (the theme song of Chainsaw Man) and Nothing to me by Tezura, a smaller band from our are, but this song is a banger!
Do you sing in the shower?
A: Sometimes, but I’m more of a thinker. Most of the time I just get lost in my thoughts, which is not good for my water bill and the environment, unfortunately.
Do you have any plans for the band for this year and into next year?
A: We want to focus more on releasing new songs and videos, instead of playing live. So we’re already working on new stuff to keep up with the game next year. We will release 1 or 2 music videos this year and 3 – 4 new songs in the new year.
Do you currently have any new songs/albums ready to be released?
A: We haven’t finished a new song yet, but here is a lot of material that hopefully helps us reaching our goal with releasing 3 – 4 new songs next year.
If you could play at any venue in the world where would you choose?
A: There are some big venues in Munich, we all would love to play at. Unfortunately most of them have a really bad acoustics. My favourite place would be Backstage in Munich. It’s a smaller venue, but all my best concert experiences were there.
Do you have a favourite album? If so, what is it?
A: There are many contesters for this title. You might not expect this answer, but I have to chose Pink Seasons by Pink Guy aka. FilthyFrank aka. Joji. This is some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard and I love it. Just because it sounds dumb to the usual listener, doesn’t mean that it’s bad music. Maybe also because I’m a kid of the early youtube era and it followed me through my best years.
Do you have any guilty pleasure songs/albums?
A: I don’t why, but Snowman by Sia is my latest comfort song. But I don’t feel ashamed about any of the music I listen to, I’m also a big fan of Lady Gaga too.
If you were putting together the greatest show on earth, who would be playing?
A: If we could have the System of a Down from the early 2000s back, it’s all it would take. I love the watch the live videos from 2000-2002, the live enery is unmeasurable insane.
Can you remember the first album you bought with your own money? What was it and do you still have it?
A: I think it was a LaFee album back in the early 2000s. It sure is somewhere at my parents house, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to relisten it.
As your fans will be reading this, is there any message you would like to send out to them?
A: It still sounds absolutely surreal if someone says they’re a fan of my music. Anyone one you keep making my days by just listening to my music and maybe leaving a comment on a video or reel on our social media. It’s my biggest motivation to keep myself going, because I don’t like doing stuff for myself. I get mor pleasure by making other people happy and if they’re happy, I am happy.
Finally, let us know all your social media sites so your fans, old and new, can find and follow/like you!
Facebook: /voidofanimus
Instagram: @voidofanimus
YouTube: /@voidofanimus
TikTok: @voidofanimus
My personal instagram: @mad_dias
We, at The Metal Asylum, would like to thank you for your time. Is there is anything further that you would like to add?
A: I thank YOU for taking YOUR time and the reader who is reading this right now. I hope I answered all the questions to your satisfaction and if you want to know more about us, we’re happy to meet and talk to you at our concerts or through social media. Thank you for listening to our music, it means the world to us.
This interview is the property of The Metal Asylum