Building an empire with Rolf Munkes

Interviewed by Nick Martinelli
Posted:  07/11/2001

SZ: Who said Germans only made good beer, they make even better guitar players.  From the land where heavy metal adn good hard rock still thrives on, we'd like to present to you Lion Music recording artist Rolf Munkes.  He's a seasoned veteran and has got the chops to prove it.  His latest work with the melodic hard rock / metal band Empire is nothing short of priceless.  I highly suggest picking up a copy ASAP, you won't regret it!  So lets hit the fretboard and get shredding with Rolf. Thanks Rolf for taking the time fomr your busy schedule and speaking with us.  Can you give us some background and personal history about yourself.

I live in Germany 40 km south of Frankfurt. I have a wife and a 6 year old daughter. Right after school I started to study plastics at university, but stopped it after one year to become a professional musician. I did ten years of cover Bands and then started my own studio and songwriting three years ago.

SZ: When did you pick up guitar and how did you get interested in it?

I started playing at the age of 13.  I saw a guitar at a german "Volksfest" and persuaded my mother to buy it. Then I heard stuff from Kiss and started to like Rock Music. I guess it was "Detroit Rock City" that made me become a Kiss fan.

SZ: What drove you to become the player you have become today?

Guitar playing for me is relaxing, forgetting about stress and fun. I love being on stage and playing. I read you studied guitar at Music Academy in Remscheid.

SZ: Can you tell us how a music education played a part in your development as a musician?

I had the luck to have had some great teachers which where also very well educated (So they said) and I guess that was luck! If you find the wrong people....

SZ: At The Shred Zone, we stress the importance of being “educated players” and that theory and other studies are key to becoming a successful guitarist and musician.  Would you agree?

I think that education by professionals is very important because there are so many things you can't figure out on your own. Impossible! So many details, so many things you can't write in a book or show in a video - You can take care of a special problem of a single person.  On the other hand it depends what you call a successful player. Making money - is that successful?  Limb Biskit guitar-player give lessons in guitar-mags that's strange, isn't it?  But you are right an educated player is the thing we should look for. Good answer.  I agree with you, how do the guitairts from Limp Biskit, or better yet, why do they write lessons for aspiring players?  How about naming some of the biggest influences on your playing?  Who where the ones early on that impacted your life?

Gary Moore, Steve Morse, Yngwie, Ritchie Blackmore, Holdsworth, Robben Ford etc.

SZ: Who are some of your favorite bands nowadays?

I love AC\DC,Kiss, Rainbow, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, Kiss, Gary Moore, Malmsteen, Stratovarius, Talisman, Sting. I'd have to agree with you 150% on Stratovarius they are defiantly one of the hottest Euro bands around.

SZ: What bands or projects have you been in the past?

I was doing lots of cover Bands (and I hope to leave that in the near future).  I made a solo record under my name and a CD under the moniker EMPIRE. I'm also the guitar player with the band Vanize.

SZ: So how did you get into Vanzine, and what do you contribute to the band?

We found us through the internet.  Unfortunately the band is very lazy right now.  I wrote lots of stuff for them, but they do not work on it right now. Hope that'll change. Let's see! I understand you have other Lion Music releases.

SZ: Can you fill in the blanks to our readers who may not have had the chance to hear your work?

Yes, one CD called "No more Obscurity" a solo record with lots of shredding stuff (Anders Johansson doing with Gerald a superb drum solo, and Lance King doing a cover tune - "Message in a bottle" by The Police). And I had the opportunity to participate on the Jason Becker Tribute album with one song (with Lance again singing).

SZ: This past year Lion Music released your new project Empire’s first album.  How did that project come into play?

After doing my first Lion Music release I wanted to do some Hard Rock stuff with vocals on. I searched for some musicians and found some of the BEST! I wrote some tunes and completed a very cool line up for this CD.

SZ: “Hypnotica” honestly has to be one of the BEST albums I’ve heard in a long time.  There’s great song writing, melodies, sing a long lyrics and such.  How did you write and compose such masterpieces? 

I'm glad that you like it! I shut myself away three weeks and wrote songs and songs. I took the best in the end and that's it. So what frame of mind where you in when writing for “Hypnotica?”

SZ: I was waiting for my first Solo CD to be released by my label and was full of tension and excited. I was very curious how it will go and that was maybe good for writing songs. So how did Empire as a band form?  Why two vocalists on one album?

I composed the songs and thought of musicians to play that. I did imagine an all star team. I never thought it could come true. I love their voices, they sing amazing so why not take them both. I really dug Lance King’s vocals. He has a great Heavy Metal voice.

SZ: How did you first come in contact with him and how do guys manage to be a band when he lives in the United States and the rest of Empire doesn’t?

I had internet contact with him and when I told him about my first release, that it is so hard to find good singers here in Germany he said "Ship em in!" and that's what I did.   I first asked him for singing on my solo release and then it came automatically, because he did an excellent job. I really liked how “Hypnotica” combined Heavy Metal influences in the guitar and vocal department.  I also felt there was also a big touch of pop hard rock added ala the late 1980’s.

SZ: How did you manage to combine the two effortlessly and have a “now” sound?

I like the combination of straight Hard Rock with hooky, catchy chorus and up to date producing stuff. So that was what we were trying to put together. Can you give us a play by play on each song?

Fill us in on what Empire was going for and how the guitars and music evolved in each track.

"Hypnotica" Intro composed while mixing the CD in the studio of Stefan Kaufamnn.

"Fool In Love" Lance liked the solo part very much. The rhythm behind is cool for him. Also for me!

"Into The Light" One of my fav tracks. Someone asked me if the intro is a guitar or a synth. Guess!

"You're All That I'm Looking For" I love the choir things Lance did. Amazing. There is a 9/4 Bar inside the Chorus!  I use that often while trying to hide it.

"Spread My Wings" I've tried to make a complex Ballad including a change to a normal rock song. 

"Bad, Bad Boy" Describes someone?  Don't know. Tremolo intro with Tapping guitars behind.

"Here I Am" The Solo/Bridge part is really great.  Lance said some cool words -  cool spoken!!  I love that!

"I Will Always Be There" When I sent the song to Mark I never thought he will follow all the three steps harmonically in the verses. But he is a killer - he followed!! (B minor - D Minor  and then F minor)  I love WAH WAH!

"A Different Sign" I played only the guitars in the beginning without knowing what we will put behind with keyboards. It was strange to play that way but it worked.

"Shelter" Lots of licks here in that tune! The solo part has a four-voice-guitar line behind it!

" Back To Me" Great atmosphere in the chorus.

"Another Place, Another Time" Another fav of mine. So weird and funny.

So if this was a sales pitch what would your new listeners get from “Hypnotica?” Powerful, melodic and straight Hard Rock songs played by a number of great well known and experienced musicians. 

SZ: Good answer, I couldn't agree with you anymore.  So what can listeners expect, from the next Empire CD and describe what sound you guys will be going for?

It looks like we will have very hooky, straight forward Rock songs with superb players again. Anders, Gerald and Neil are already confirmed. 

SZ: What other works are you on? "No more obscurity" (Solo album), Jason Becker Tribute, Dream Ballads and Empire's "Hypnotica." 

So how did you and Lion Music come to work together? We met with Lars from Lion Music when Gerald and me were in Finland to mix our first CD "No more obscurity" with Nikolo Kotzev. Lion music is only 10 km away from Nik's house.  They liked the material and offered us a deal. 

SZ: Now lets take a little different turn with the interview.  Now lets hit the hardcore guitar stuff. What is your favorite part of your playing style?

I like legato lines and tapping a lot.  Check out the mp3 files I've sent along with this interview!!!

Sample 1 Sample 2

SZ: Favorite Scale or Mode?  Aeolian and Dorian Favorite key?  E- minor (I know, nothing special but I like it).

SZ: Favorite trick or lick, trick or both? I use repeating patterns like Page a lot.

SZ: Recommended playing technique: Legato and Tapping Suggested Theory books or readings: Lots of them are great. Too many to name them all.

SZ: You have melodic and ballsy style of guitar playing, how did you get to the level that you’re currently at?

I stopped transcribing other music. I only develop my style and compose solos as well as songs. After twenty's year of guitar playing there is no need to play a solo from....etc. It's important for me to find my style. That is what I'm working hard at.

SZ: What advice can you give to ammeter and beginner players?  Practicing tips, etc…

Always work on your own style. We don't need copies from the great players. It's hard, but worth it! Tryit!

SZ: Recommend any CD’s for our readers to check out?

"Back in Black" (AC\DC), "The Introduction" (Steve Morse), "Victims of the Future" (Gary Moore), "Infinite" (Stratovarius), "Guitar Shop" (Jeff Beck), "Mercury Falling" (Sting)

SZ: Thats a pretty diverse list of music.  Looks like you got all grounds covered. (laughs)  So Rolf, what guitars do you use and why?

SZ: Along with that have you made any upgrades, modifications, or had custom work done on them?

Gibson and Ibanez guitars and I'm using Di Marzio pick-ups and Dean Markley strings. I use mostly custom stuff, that works for me.

SZ: What gear are you currently using?   Rath Amps, a Vox WAH and a DRP 15 multi-effect for live stuff?

SZ: I can't believe that all you use to get that sound you have.  Wow!  How about giving us your feelings on the current state of guitar driven music in worldwide?

OH! HARD! There is as always so much bullshit, but there are so many great players and great musicians outside that if you search for them you'll find some stuff to interest you. Keep searchin'! Good musicians need it!

That's what I did, and I discovered Empire!

SZ: So what are you currently up to?

I'm really working hard on the next EMPIRE CD which will feature some great musicians as well as on the first. And I have my first commercial radio clip to work on in the studio. Let's see if that is fun?