EMQ’s With VERBANNT
EMQ’s With VERBANNT
Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with London-based Darkened Metal solo project, Verbannt. Huge thanks to main man, Der Abt, for taking part.
What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?
Hello, thanks for having me! I’m Der Abt, the man behind the band Verbannt. Verbannt is a brand-new project that emerged in late 2024 here in London, where I currently reside. It’s a one-man project. At its core, the band is a protest against racism and discrimination, especially towards immigrants like myself.
How did you come up with your band name?
Verbannt means “banished” or “exiled” in German. It felt like the perfect match to describe the concept behind the band.
What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?
I’d prefer not to disclose my background at this point. However, I can say that I come from a country struggling financially, where arts and culture are not prioritized. The metal and rock scene is doing well but could be even better if the country had the means to support such acts. The quality of the local bands, though, is impeccable.
What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)
Our debut EP Falsche Versprechen is set for release on November 8th. This will mark Verbannt’s first release and establish our presence in the music scene.
Who have been your greatest influences?
My personal influences vary widely, from the fathers of metal like Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Death, to rock legends such as Pink Floyd, Queen, and Muse. Verbannt’s influences are more genre-specific, drawing from acts like Behemoth, Belphegor, Hate, and 1914.
What first got you into music?
I’ve always been musical, even from a young age. Since I’m the only musician in my family, it was hard to convince everyone that this was the direction I wanted to take in life. I started guitar lessons at age 11 and never stopped learning, studying, and exploring music since.
If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?
Plenty of great acts! If I had to choose three, I’d go with Septic Flesh, 1914, or Behemoth.
If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?
Can I choose more than one? If I had to pick, I’d go with Wacken Open Air. I’m personally connected to this festival, having attended countless times, so it holds a special place for me.
What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?
I’ve always performed as a guitarist or bassist in my bands. You know the joke about bassists, right? So, no gifts for me—ever!
If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?
Hang tight, it’s always darkest before the dawn. And that especially goes for my fellow immigrant fans.
If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?
That’s easy—Freddie Mercury!
What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?
What’s not to enjoy? Expressing yourself through music, without having to explain yourself to anyone, is incredible. If I had to choose one thing I love most, it would be the magical process of creating something from nothing. One minute, there’s nothing, and then hours, days, or weeks later, there it is—a song or an album. Music is intangible—you can’t see it or touch it, but it exists. To me, that’s pure magic.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
A classic issue is the “one-show wonders,” especially with opening acts. Opening for a big act is a great opportunity for new bands to showcase their abilities and hopefully gain new fans. But we all know these opportunities aren’t always offered transparently. Sometimes, due to “friendships” and “connections,” more deserving bands are left out without a fair chance.
Name one of your all-time favourite albums?
Iron Maiden – “Brave New World.”
What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?
I was around when cassettes and CDs were the main formats, maybe CDs a bit more. I definitely witnessed the shift from analog to digital, which we’re in now. As much as I hate to say it, downloads are the easiest way to share music today. Music distribution has never been easier—we can instantly share our music from our homes and spread our message. While there’s a risk of getting lost in the sea of information, I believe good music will always survive. There’s nothing wrong with having plenty of music available.
What’s the best gig that you have played to date?
Drumroll… Wacken Open Air a few years ago! That wasn’t with Verbannt, of course, since we’re just starting, but who knows? Maybe someday.
If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?
Probably a guitar tech! Or maybe a sound engineer—lovely stuff.
Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?
Steve Harris, Hans Zimmer, Krzysztof Drabikowski, Bryan Cranston, and Charlie Brooker. That would be a fun night!
What’s next for the band?
We’re currently working on a full-length album, aiming for release in early 2025. There are no plans for live shows at this time.
What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people?
We’re currently on Instagram and Facebook (links below), and we’ll be on all streaming platforms soon after our debut EP is released.
https://www.instagram.com/verbannt_official
https://www.facebook.com/verbannt
Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll or a Tea Cake?
Well, I live in London, so we call it a Roll! I’m only familiar with half of the options you mentioned, but hey—did I pass my residence test?
Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Thank you for taking the time to interview me and for supporting Verbannt!
Disclaimer: This interview is solely the property of Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this interview unless you have the strict permission of both parties. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
