In this interview, Simeon, the voice and didgeridoo of 11RedEarth, dives deep into the band's origins, their unique style blending doom metal with experimental sounds, and their latest release, Volcano. Discover how a mix of multinational influences and a DIY ethos shape the band’s creative journey, from their first rehearsal at "Rote Erde 11" to their live performances under a wall of fog and hot lava flows.
Serial Metalbums: To start, could you introduce 11redearth to our readers who might not be familiar with your music yet? Who are the current members, what roles do they play in the band, and how did the project come together? Is there a particular story or meaning behind the name 11redearth?
Simeon: The name 11RedEarth derives from a place where dark music magically erupts from the Eifel. The red hot lava consists of a complicated multi-national mixture of Hessen, Eifel, Italy and Holland and reflects an intricate mix of metal, doom and hardcore.
Unconventional sounds as a Didgeridoo add to the style which the band describes as „experimental eifel noise.
Whoever submits to this beast will feel the musical roots of all the 4 creatures!
Simeon - Voice and Didgeridoo
Fabio - Guitar
Niels - Bass
Jo – Drums
We first met and rehearsed at an address called, in German, „rote Erde 11“. This was the address where we met first and created our sound. Jo and I first started with a different project in 2012 and after a line up and name change 11RedEarth was born in 2014.
Serial Metalbums: Your music blends experimental elements, doom metal, and psychedelic soundscapes. How would you describe your style to someone who has never heard your work before? What are the main influences—musical, cultural, or personal—that inspire your creativity and shape the identity of 11redearth?
Simeon: It is Doom Metal, slow and heavy… the very unique thing is the experimental part that means we use a Didgeridoo for special effects and bring a deeper wall of noise. Each band member adds his own flavor for different sounds and from different bands. My oen musical background is for example Hardcore and 90s Metal. Another element concerns our different social and cultural backgrounds (Niels is from the Nederlands and Fabio from Italy).
Serial Metalbums: In 2023, you released your latest EP, Volcano. Could you share the story behind this release? What was the songwriting process like for these tracks, and how did you approach the recording to capture the unique energy and atmosphere that defines your music?
Simeon: Now 11RedEarth is more than 10 years old. We created a portfolio of songs during the last years and even during the pandemic. As we released our first home recorded (demo) record in 2017 we had to push ourselves to bring new stuff. And it was time to release songs which we have been playing for years.
We recorded a five Track EP called VOLCANO in the goblinsoundstudio in Cologne. The EP was recorded, mixed and mastered by Andy Rosczyk (Ultha) in April 2023. We released it in June 2023 by ourselves. We did this recording for two weekends. Drums, Bass and Guitars were recorded jointly. Then further reamped Guitars, solos and Vocals took a weekend.
Serial Metalbums: Volcano was produced and distributed independently. What led you to take this path instead of working with a label? What were the biggest challenges you faced during this process, and how do you feel this approach has impacted your music and your connection with your audience?
Simeon: A long time ago we played the songs live. We connected with a handful of labels and promoters but there was not that deal we could handle with. We were excited about the songs and we could not wait to find a label deal. So we decided to release it by ourselves in June 2023 on our bandcamp site. At the end of the year we released it via „tunecore on all platforms.
I think within this release we have a chance to play national shows and meet a lot of new people and bands. Now we find a small but growing fan base.
Serial Metalbums: Your first album, 11redearth, came out in 2017 and marked the beginning of your journey as a band. Looking back, what does this album represent for you today? How do you think your music has evolved since that release, and what key lessons did you learn from creating it?
Simeon: We tried things out, found each other...we have remained very creative and experimental. In 2017 our sound was still a colorful mix of different styles...but the basis has always been the heaviness and hardness of our sound paired with brutal shouts. Today we are even more grounded and use the rules of doom metal... At times we incorporate psychedelic parts, death, hardcore or black metal.
I have learned in particular that goals do not have to be set too high. We are very happy with what we have achieved. Because we are not a full-time band and we do our normal jobs. In the spirit of DIY, we organize shows and release how and where we like. We don't have to play in any metal league. I am proud to work with these very talented guys and enjoy being on stage with them. Because that is what we love doing most. Playing live and enjoying our sound.
Serial Metalbums: Looking ahead, what’s next for 11redearth? Are you already working on new material, or do you plan to collaborate with a label to reissue your past releases, such as 11redearth or Volcano? What can your fans expect from the band in the coming months or years?
Simeon: We are currently in the middle of writing several new songs and played live quite a bit last year. We want to play new songs live again and if luck would have it, we will go back into the studio later this year. If it works out, we will work with a label in the future. But since we are free thinkers, we don't like to be pigeonholed into a band or label.
The people who know us and want to see us will hear the new, brutal songs at a show under a wall of fog and hot lava flows.