Early 1995 we founded Divine Embrace as a project of some local band´s musicians. While time had been passing the project became the main focus of its members, so that we decided to spend all our time on the new project. Although some demos had been recorded, internal problems slowed down the progress of development. After introducing a new drummer in summer 1998 we succeeded in practising continously. Early 1999 we took the effort of one week to record our very first complete album. Our purpose was to maintain progressive Death Metal without deeply mixed structures, but with a reasonable amount of variety. Late January 2000 drummer Jörg Burkhardt left the band and was replaced by Frank Hoffmeister, who already has played in the band some time ago.

DIVINE EMBRACE a band of DEATH/HEAVY metal. Why do you choice this name?

When the band was founded the origin name was "Avalon", but soon we found out that there was already a German Metal Band with that name existing. So we changed the name into "Divine Embrace", because it simply sounded good and, of course, it expresses the mystic and cryptic atmosphere of our music. The cd-cover was created by a good friend of us, who is working as a multi-media-designer and designed the cover according to our conception. It shows a sunrise in a clearing in the forests of Avalon.

Why do you decided to write about the tales of Avalon?

Our guitarist Ralle is very interested in this topic and suggested to turn the lyrical concept into this direction. The next album will have a lyrical concept, too, but it´s very unlikely that it will be the "Tales of Avalon" again...

Our aim is to create an own kind of fantasy story, which we´ll translate into music on the next album. We think that this way is more challenging than that of reciting already existing stories.

Your music is complex and creative, mixing death metal and melodic heavy. What are the DIVINE EMBRACE influences?

Main influences are surely progressive Death Metal bands as for example Death, Cynic or Atheist. The preferences within the band differ from person to person. While Ralle, Thomas and I prefer "old school" Death Metal bands, Ingo favours traditional Heavy Metal. Our drummer Hoffi likes almost every kind of Metal...That is also the reason for the stylistic variety in our music.

Stefan is a great vocalist. How does he get to pass of the softness to the brutality with so much agility?

Thank you for your praise! I try my best to transfer the atmosphere of the respective songs by changing between clean vocals and grunts. It´s simply a part of our musical style...

LAMENT is a beautiful epic ballad. Do you think to record other songs like this in your next album?

Lament was a kind of experiment. We found it interesting to put a contrast on the album and where very anxious for the reactions. Due to the positive response we most likely will put another ballad on the next album.

How has been the reception of " Tales of Avalon "?

The reactions to "Tales of Avalon" are throughout positiv until now. It was reviewed in several well-known magazines in which we were said to have done a good job! We also got a lot of positive response from people, who bought the album.

At the moment we are in process of writing new songs for the next album that will approximately be released in Spring of 2001. We invite everyone reading this interview to check out the mp3s at our homepage www.divine-embrace.de . Many greetings to the metalheads in Brazil !!!

We hope our answers are satisfying and are looking forward to read your review at Krepuskulum. Thank you for your support!

We also hope to stay in contact...