A differint way to tell the tale of a band. Let us ask ourselves: How did it really happen ? How did the band get to this prestigious stage? Where are the crucial turning points that brought the band to the momentary position ? Knowing the answers to the questions isn´t the equivalent of knowing the band history: It rather means diving into the music to reach a deeper identification in the recognition of musical personalities and their development in music. How did it happen for Crematory. How did the band develop to that what they are today - Germanys foremost later the line-up was completed: Singer Felix and bassist Marc joined the formation and a year later their first and only demo tape saw the light of day. The tape had formidable response with the press and especially the fans. Not only did the tape sell considerably well in Germany but found a huge acceptance abroad showing in worldwide sales of 1500. The first contacts to record labels were made at this time.
Several concerts in all of Germany were completed where keyboard player Katrin, only a guest musician on their legendary demo tape, was integrated more and more and finally became a fullblown member of Crematory,. November 1992 saw the contract signing with Massacre Records. The first dream of every band, the record deal, was fulfilled. Highly motivated, Crematory started the recording of their debut album „Transmigration“ in January of 1993 with their new bassist Heinz in the Commusication Studios with the release date set for May 1993. The debut was received very well: one month after release it established itself in the readers charts of various magazines. The thriving sales and positive reactions secured them the support role on the My Dying Bride tour of November 1993. A noteworthy achievement for a newcomerband ! Before the tour in September of 1993 Heinz was replaced by an old friend, Harald, with whom they had already played together in the past.
In January 1994, Crematory started the recording sessions for their follow-up „...just dreaming“. Crematory had found their „ruche“ at this point.“...just dreaming“ was released in May 1994 and showed Crematory with their first musical highpoint. Especially „Shadows of mine“ with its German refrain became a huge hit ! This album also established itself over a longer period in readers charts and it started to show that Crematory had a huge fanbase with an overt love affection for the band.
„Shadows of mine“ and „In my hands“ had accompanying videos in March of 1994 with rotation on both MTV and VIVA. Between April and September of 1994 Crematory played several clubgigs with support roles for nameacts like Tiamat and Atrocity highlighting this period.
The breakthrough came with the third album „Illusions“, once again recorded in Commusication Studios in June 1995 and brewing up a storm before its official release in September. Expectations were very high after the first two albums, this anticipation was exceeded by a long way: Crematory succeeded in finding a new hit with „Tears of time“. A lavish video was recorded for the song in August 1995 finding huge approval amongst TV stations. Immediately after the release of „Illusions“ diverse interviews and reviews as well as the entrance of several magazine charts revealed how great the third Crematory release was accepted, not only by the fans. Several concerts and festivals ensued. The success story of the band to date wasn´t a reason to rest upon their laurels. December 1995 saw the return to the studio to begin recording for a new album. But this time under a different sign. The firm intention of the band to constantly change and develop itself not only culminated in the music but the lyrics as well. A new album simply titled „Crematory“ with its lyrics written and sung in German was released in May 1996. The best sales to date heaved Crematory to headlinerstatus like at the Out of the dark festivals in March 1996. The album went straight into the charts despite all the bad press it received. The contract with Massacre Records was fulfilled with the release of the album.
Live recordings were filmed at the Out of the dark festivals for release on video as was the promo video for „Ist es wahr“.
Various concerts were played on this festival tour for example in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. At the end fo the festival, which had Moonspell and the Gathering as support, Crematory found that some of the DAT recordings they had made over several concerts were in excellent sound qualitiy. Thereupon they visited Commusication studios and mastered and cut the recordings with their producer Gerhard Magin to finalise their fist live album. Before signing with a new label, Crematory founded their own label (CRC- Crematory´ s Record Company) and released the CD in conjunction with a live video. After their contract fulfilment with Massacre Records and the set up of their own company, Crematory found a competent partner in Nuclear Blast who, with the release fo „Awake“, would bring Crematory to unknown heights.
The band delivered a brilliant piece of melodic Gothic - Metal after their legendary predecessors. „Awake“ went straight into the German album charts at N.54. For the first time in band history they had recorded a cover version with the Sisters of Mercy´s „Temple of love“. The song established itself in the clubscene and was destined to be a hit. Crematory confirmed their status with the fans and press alike that they belonged to the leading Gothic-Metal acts around.
A headlinertour in 3 blocks through all of Europe compromising festivals and open airs followed. Europes leading Gothic Metal formation returned on the 8.February 1999 with their single „Fly“ that immediately became a sensational clubhit. There is no more accurate title for the album than „Act Seven“ because it marks the seventh album in as many years as the band exists and furthermore is the biggest step forward that Crematory has ever made.
The most significant step of the band existance was the parting of founding member and guitarist Lotte. The new masterpiece was recorded as usual in Commusication studios under the custody of producer Gerhard Magin and arranger Gernot Leiner (Century) from September to December 1998. The sound is tougher and more distinct than on the preceeding albums.
The new inspiration and development are immediately audible with Crematory sounding fresher and more motivated then ever before which in part lies on new guitarist Matthias Hechler who had songwriting credits and had his influence on the new album.
Another big step forward is the collaboration with guest vocalists Michael Rohr (Century), Kalle Friedrich (Giants Causeway) and Lisa Mosinski (Dark) who achieved an exceptional accomplishment without drifting into „poppy fields“.
Together with new elements, aggressive guitarsounds, accentuated keyboardlines and hymnic refrains, „Act Seven“ contains all typical Crematory features that brought them the crown they now wear so well. With the release of „Act Seven“ Crematory has delivered an album full of melody, straightness and roughness that will have a longtime effect on the scene.
"Act Seven" charted at position 46 of the german album charts and is their bestselling album to date.
Various Open-Air concerts and festivals were played as well as a headlinertour to promote the album in May and June ´99. Crematory were able to win over many new fans with "Act Seven". They also received very good reviews in all Metal-, Gothic-/Wave- and Alternative Magazines. To shorten the long wait for a new album and to satisfy the demand for a Greatest Hits CD. Crematory decided to release a sompilation of their successes in form of a Best of... 3-CD Box. An incomparable Best of... Album was released with "Early Years". It´s released as a lavish 3-CD Box with all the hits of the early years, newly mixes and digitally remastered as well as specially made remixes of the hits by renowned remixers.
Bruno Kramm ( Das Ich), Raymond Boye´( Scooter, U 96, Culture Beat), DJ God (Camouflage, Die Fantastischen Vier) und KK among others were engaged to give the Crematory-hits a new flavor and create new clubhits in the going. A special bonus in form of a CD-Rom is included on "Early Years" showing the videoclips for "Tears of time", "Shadows of mine", "Ist es wahr" and "In my hands".
On their ninth album “Believe” that was released in September 2000, Crematory built themselves a monument. The musical progress that started on ”Act 7” was clearly audible. Hardness, melody and accessibility were the elements that Crematory used in better ways than ever. This resulted in smash-hits like ”The Fallen” that ruled the dance floors.
Not only by means of his guitar, but also with his vocal talent, Matthias who took over singing the clean vocals on ”Believe” , knew extremely well how to use it. The big picture of the album was completed by the excellent production.
Accompanying the single ”The Fallen”, a very professional Video was produced; sadly it only got a very limited and short rotation on TV.
Nevertheless, the faithfulness and belief of the Crematory fans again was the force behind the album ”Believe” climbing up to Number 34 on the German album charts. This even surpassed the already great chart success of the previous album ”Act Seven”.
In February of 2001 the 10th anniversary of the band was celebrated by doing an extensive tour for ”Believe” that included all of the old hits .
The probably hardest decision for the band came at the end of the Anniversary Tour. For health, financial and personal reasons, the band decided to say goodbye to the life on the road and the stage.
As a thank you to the fans it was decided to still play 10 carefully chosen concerts throughout the summer. Of course the concert at Wacken was one of the highlights. Crematory was frenetically celebrated and lots of tears were wept because everyone knew that it all would be over now and it was ”Time for Tears”.
At the end of July the time came. ”Remind” was the title of the 10th and final release of a band that has become Europe’s leading Gothic metal band over the last 10 years. The recordings for this CD were done on the anniversary tour that took place in February 2001. Crematory not only was able to transmit the sensational atmosphere of a live concert on CD including all the hits but also allowed us a very intimate look in their complete band history on the accompanying VHS or DVD. Included are all videos as well as loads of backstage and studio footage in vision and sound.
CREMATORY now make music as a hobby. They still all meet up to attend concerts or other events or go to jam in the rehearsal room to play their old hits. They are also practicing new songs that may see the light of day somehow, somewhere or sometime and could end up being released on CD.
CREMATORY will probably return someday, but then it will all be different and above all things in a way no one would have ever guessed, because different they have always been. Believe in you and especially in CREMATORY
