Interviews: Bitter Price

On this new occasion, we have had the opportunity to interview the Heavy Metal band Bitter Price from Germany. Check out the interview and follow the band on their FACEBOOK PAGE.

1. Where did the name BITTER PRICE come from, and what does it represent for the band?

To be honest, the name just came into my mind as I was listening to Slayer some time ago, I guess „Season to the Abyss“ or „Hell Awaits“. I thought that I heard „bitter price“ somewhere, but as I researched their lyrics, I didn't find the words "bitter price". Nevertheless, I liked it, and as I told Paul, my drummer, he liked it immediately too. So, no big discussion to name our new band. Later came some little doubts from friends of others, but we actually had no better ideas.

I like the philosophical consideration that everything has a dark downside and there are countless things you can interpret into it.

2. Berlin has a deep and diverse underground scene. How has your local scene shaped your sound and attitude as a band?

Oh yes. The metal scene in Berlin is very lively and open. Although traditional heavy metal is a bit less present here, the concerts are relatively well attended and celebrated, but there are only a few local heavy metal bands. Berlin is the capital of extreme metal music, thrash til black metal, and punk. Actually, you can meet me at many concerts, as I have a very broad range of metal genres. And I also like to enlarge my circle of people to meet, which is probably much easier in the capitol then in other small towns.

The number of musicians in Berlin is enormous, which means you can quickly get in touch with other musicians. But the question is whether you can really work together in a long-lasting band. I've been living in Berlin for more than 20 years now and have been in many bands, and I'm proud of all the experiences I've had. But classic heavy metal has always been a bit rarer here; it's almost exotic among musicians. At some point, I reached the point where I no longer wanted to be in a band with guttural extreme metal vocals, and after all the thrash and death metal bands, I retired as a musician, but I was then much more involved in the scene and gained new insights and inspiration. Whenever I was asked about my current band activities, I replied that I would only join a band where the singer could actually sing well instead of just screaming. It took many years until I finally ended up with the old cult band Metall by chance. The short time I spent there significantly changed my status as a musician and brought me many valuable new contacts. Which finally led me to Paul and Alban.

3. The Orwohaus Tapes has a raw, classic feel. Was that sound intentional from day one, or did it develop naturally during recording?

The aim was to capture the band within its organic room sound. The production should be as traditional as possible. Recorded with good microphones, no digital amps. That was the concept: to sound like a good band session, to feel the direct dirt, the sweat, and the warm amp tubes. Slight failures are explicitly allowed. At the mix, I was trying to keep an authentic analog sound aesthetic. Therefore, I got later help from my friend Stephan Kern, who did an awesome Job, especially with the mastering.

4. The EP blends Heavy Metal, Power Metal, and Thrash. How do you balance melody with aggression when writing songs?

Oh, I guess it lies in my past where I came from Thrash and also Death, but I am always inspired by good melodies. I also love to listen to all kinds of 80s music, Pop, Rock, and many stuff of the 90s, these eras are my main inspiration, plus the 70 ́s classic rock stuff. I just love good melodies, and when they are integrated into accessible songs with interesting arrangements.

5. What does “classic metal spirit” mean to you in 2026, and how do you keep that flame burning without sounding like a tribute act?

Classic metal means a very lot to me. My personal, very simple answer is that classic metal means pure happiness to me. The whole lifestyle is a safe place to me: Visiting concerts, festivals, collecting all the records on CD, Vinyl, Tapes and magazines. Carrying to my music room at home, having the band, the exchange with other maniacs. This passion is the main element in the sound of Bitter Price and should be noticeable to everyone listening to our songs.

6. Which bands were the biggest influences while writing and recording this EP?

I can name my personal influences: Deadly Magic, The Night Eternal, Sanhedrin, US Metal like Lizzy Borden, etc., and of course, Iron Maiden.

7. Do any of the tracks on The Orwohaus Tapes have personal stories behind them, or are they more rooted in traditional metal themes?

I guess Meadows of Sorrow is the most personal track on the EP, about the sudden onset of sadness and feeling of being lost, to give some hope at the end.

8. “The Outer Frontline” and “Arrival (In Violence)” stand out as bangers. Which track best represents BITTER PRICE right now, and why?

Hard to name only one, because I love each of the four EP tracks. But in my opinion its Meadows of Sorrow. It shows the sweet melodies combined with great riffing and a very accessible, groovy tempo.

9. What was the biggest challenge in recording your debut EP?

Everything was DIY, and at the very first I had to convince the members, as they actually preferred to go into a professional studio.

I wanted to produce by myself, with the concept of capturing the band in our rehearsal room, and to sound like a good band session. Not everyone was convinced. Furthermore, it was not easy to find the time for the recordings, which led to some delay. The first aim was to finish two Tracks, Outer Frontline and Meadows of Sorrow. And after I had finished the mix and master, I made some tapes for spreading at concerts, and then we received very positive Feedback, so that we had a good reason to add two further songs to complete the demo tape by four songs.

For the final mix and master, I got very good help from my friend Stephan Kern, who did a fantastic job.

10. How did working with a label like Witches Brew come about, and what has that partnership meant for you as a new band?

First, I guess Cheryl simply bought the demo tape. And second, I received feedback from another buyer, who asked for a CD release. And after some chat, he got in touch with Cheryl to recommend us for a CD release, and I guess that Cheryl was convinced fast. So then, I received an offer from Witches Brew, which made me totally happy, because that kind of partner I was already looking for.

11. How important is the visual side of BITTER PRICE, from artwork to logos to overall imagery?

The visual aspect is very important. The artwork should be painted by hand and should show certain comic-like Heavy Metal aesthetics. I am still thinking of the concept of a mascot for further artworks. Fans should be able to lose themselves in the graphics and dream up stories while enjoying the songs.

12. What kind of reaction are you hoping for when old school metal fans hear your EP for the first time?

Of course, I hope that old-school fans will quickly find our songs accessible and enjoy our sound. And I would be very interested in what influences they notice when listening to them.

13. Do you see BITTER PRICE as a studio-focused project, or is the live stage where the band really comes alive?

It ́s definitely both, but it depends on the time. We all have our jobs and personal lives, and time limitations. At this time point now, it ́s more important to write new songs, followed by recordings and studio productions. But I am also hot for the stage and to connect with other bands to play together maybe sometime. When it comes to shows, the conditions should be fair, so that the trip is worth doing it. Nobody wants to lose much money due to bad gig conditions. But yeah, Bitter Price is definitely a live band too.

14. Where was your last show, and how did the crowd respond to the new material?

We just organized a concert ourselves last Saturday, 28th February 2026, at our Orwohaus venue, with three other bands: Idiocracy Project, Metal Law, and Sintage. It was sold out, which made us proud, and the whole evening went great—good sound, good lighting, good atmosphere among the crowd. The feedback was pretty euphoric. Perfect.

15. Which cities, countries, or festivals would you most like to play in the near future?

I'm totally open to any places, but the bands we play with should fit our sound, which is. Of course, the dream would be classic heavy metal festivals like Keep It True, Headbangers, Muskelrock, and so many others. But I guess we also fit well with harder metal music if it ́s the classic style.

16. If you could tour with any classic metal band, who would be at the top of your list?

Oh, here I can only speak for myself. And I can say that I would love to tour with bands like Sanhedrin, Blood Star, and The Night Eternal.

17. Is there any style of music or scene you would never want BITTER PRICE associated with?

If you mean music within the metal scene, then I don't want to be associated with any kind of style that uses that many digital bullshit tools and provides polished sound and boring songs without character.

18. What is the weirdest or most memorable reaction you have gotten from a fan so far?

No, there were no weird reactions, so far.

19. How do you view the modern metal scene, especially with so much emphasis on trends and algorithms?

It's good to have lots of different subgenres, and diversity is important and fun. But a lot of modern metal isn't for me when it involves cheap digital sounds and uninteresting song arrangements.

20. What does “true metal” mean to you in today’s scene?

I don't like the term “true metal” because it suggests some kind of higher status in the metal scene and tends to make people laugh at it. Well, where does the term come from? Probably Manowar, which I would more appropriately describe as epic metal. But if by true metal you mean the heavy metal of the classic 80s era, then I have a great love for that. In general, I can say that classic heavy metal just makes me happy.

21. What can fans expect next from BITTER PRICE after The Orwohaus Tapes?

The pre-production for the upcoming debut album will start this month, March 2026, and the recordings will begin one month later. The recording and production concept shall be the same as for the EP, but better caused of gained experiences.

22. What message would you like to send to the underground metal community discovering BITTER PRICE for the first time?

If you like passionate Heavy Metal, you should check it out.

23. What do you think about Breathing The Core Zine and its role in supporting new heavy metal bands?

Thank you very much for your dedication and your love for underground metal. Your good work is very important, so keep up the flame and never lose the connection to the underground scene.

24. Is there anything else you would like to add for our readers?

I am very grateful for the opportunity to present Bitter Price to you and hope to see you soon in front of the stage. Spread the word about the bitter price!

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