Remember how I said this was a big release week? Well, good news! I’ve got another one for you. The arrival of Thunderhunter, the debut LP from German sludge metal/post-rock trio Karla Kvlt is upon us. Out through Exile On Mainstream Records, Karla Kvlt marks the return of Eisenvater visionary Markus E. Lipka, now joined by his son Johann Wientjes on drums and his daughter-in-law, Teresa Matilda Curtens, on bass and vocals. We have ourselves a unique, and exciting, generational project. It’s heavy, it’s dense, and it is sure to resonate for quite some time. To help guide us through this project further, Teresa has stepped in with responses to our Profile questions. Give her thoughts a read below and don’t forget to hit that play button. Cheers!

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

I wasn’t as lucky as Johann to have a father with great taste in music. My journey into metal started in 2000 when my little brother burst into my room, holding a brand-new CD – Linkin Park – “Hybrid Theory” – and said, “You gotta hear this!” I didn’t actually start making music myself until 2017, when I picked up the guitar to launch my first band project, Melting Palms. Back then, I took lessons from Markus, which I’d consider the real starting point of our band – after all, that’s when we first played music together. Around that time, the three of us jammed in the Eisenvater rehearsal room, hoping to turn it into something serious. But it just wasn’t meant to be back then – I still had a few steps to take before I was ready. In 2023, Karla Kvlt finally came to life. We had been wanting to make music together for ages, and we’re beyond happy that we finally pulled it off. There was no pushback – if anything, we had full support.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Imagine the thunder roaring from your toes to the top of your head, never stopping. Surrounded by the wail of praying sirens, wrapping you in a soft embrace. That’s when you know – you’re at a Karla Kvlt concert.

Is there anything about your upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

Have you heard “Magna Marter“? It’s the fourth track on our album, and we recorded our daughter, who was just 6 months old at the time. During the recording she was moody and wouldn’t let me calm her down. Johann had the mic running and we ended up leaving her cry in the mix. So we have now 3 generations on this record.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

We haven’t hit the road yet, but I already know there will be plenty to tell once we’re on tour. Quite a different experience driving on tour with your father-in-law and husband, instead of just sitting together in a café on a Sunday afternoon.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

I think it’s really awesome that Eloy Cassa­grande is on drums for Slipknot and it’s great that they’re touring with their first album. What sucks is that we couldn’t make it to the show…

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

I keep noticing how humans are losing sight of each other more and more. Such a sad development. Especially in a time when many are shutting themselves off more and more, I think it’s even more important that we learn to reconnect with each other. War, violence, and destruction are the exact opposite of connection and I find it simply terrible what happens in the world as we drift further apart. It would be better for all of us if we pay more attention to experience things together and, above all, to truly live together. Music has the power to unite and to remind us that we have something good in common. There’s some love missing…

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Since May 2024, I’ve been a mother and therefore on parental leave – a tough job, low pay, but finally being my own boss and receiving unconditional love is priceless. Normally, I work as Head of Manufacturing, acting as the link between labels and pressing plants. It’s actually a pretty great job, especially because you get amazing deals on records. However, since Karla Kvlt is on Exile On Mainstream, I couldn’t really take advantage of that, as our label boss, Andreas Kohl, has his own connections and put together an incredible product for us. It was also nice to be on the other side of the chain for once – just delivering files instead of handling all the work. Thanks Andreas.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Dear journalists, please respect the hard work we put into our art when you rate it. But we also want to thank you for taking the time to spread and keep music culture alive. Keep it rolling, with love.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

To leave a legacy for our familial descendants. And of course, more gigs!

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Soley – “Mother Melancolia”
Sumac – “What One Becomes”
ZAHN – “Adria”
Jessica Pratt – “Quiet Sings”
Orchid Mantis – “rain tape”

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

25.04. Hamburg – Elbdeich Studio
30.04. Kassel – Karnak
07.06. Nürnberg – Z-Bau
19.09. Leipzig – UT Connewitz
20.09. Berlin – Neue Zukunft

Summarize your band in one word.

Monolith.

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Many thanks to Teresa and Karla Kvlt for the time!

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Thunderhunter is out on February 21st through Exile On Mainstream Records. For more information on Karla Kvlt, give them a follow on Instagram.