I believe we should start from the very beginning… Therefore, could you please tell us when and how it all began? What was the principal incentive for you to create the label of your own?

- We started with a underground mailorder and with the release of EMPYRIUM’s debut album in 1996.

Few words regarding your very first release… Was it successful in terms of commercial prophit?

- It was commercially successful, so that we had the money to release other albums. I guess if EMPYRIUM’s debut album had been a flop, there would be no Prophecy today.

Why “prophecy”? Did you choose this name simply because it sounds rather impressive or there were certain other reasons for this move?

- The name had no deeper meaning except for covering the vision of aesthetics and culture I want to focus on in Prophecy Productions.

Some labels have their own “favorites” amongst others signed to them (Holy Records and NIGHTFALL is the perfect example); is it the same with you? I mean, could we name f.ex. EMPYRIUM as Prophecy’s leading band?

- Yes, it's true, we have a special relationship to EMPYRIUM. Markus Stock cooperates also now even more with Prophecy as he opened an excellent new record studio in the same town as our office is situated. And we send a lot of our bands to Markus to record their material.

What were the reasons for re-releasing OBERON’s old stuff in the shape of that self-titled MCD? The same questions goes for DRAWN’s “Plan Be”, by the way…

- We wanted to make the release available to more people that it was it it's original form.

What was your most and less successful release? Please, adduce the precise sales if it’s possible…

- The success of a release cannot be seen in the sales. It is more than that. Maybe like a vision we want to present to others.

How do you pick up your bands? And, generally speaking, do you get a lot of promo packages? What happens to all this stuff after you’ve listened to it? Does the recycle bin appear as it’s final point of destination?

- a) We pick the music that fills our soul with magic.
  b) We get a lot of promo packages, normally about 3-5 a day.
  c) We try to give as much as possible of the stuff we are not interested in to people who might like it.

Can you name me the distinctive peculiarities of the stuff you release? What differs it from the CDs issued by other labels? In my view, most of them excel thanks to their propinquity to such genres as gothic and dark wave, even those who’re considered to be black metal acts (EMPYRIUM, PARAGON OF BEAUTY, etc)…

- I don't know as I don't focus too much on genres or drawers of music.

Do you maintain any kind of relations with other labels? Have you ever had a ‘joint’ release?

- We cooperate in terms of distribution with a lot of labels. We never had a joint release so far.

What would you name as the worst recollection, regarding your label’s past...?

- There is none.

How important is the label to you, and how much of an impact has music in general made on your life?

- It is a mixture of hobby, job, mission and destiny.

Are you fond of reading? What authors do you consider as your personal favorites? Furthermore, what about the metal magazines (both, printed and the ones on the web)?

- My favourite authors are Junger, Durrenmatt, Wallace.
Concerning metal magazines, I have Mimes Brunn and Inner Essence as a good read in mind.

Can you describe me (in a few words) personalities behind Prophecy Productions? Who are these people, what are their interests...?

- Obviously,  music seems to be a pleasure for us.

Martin founded the label and is always in search of magic.

Marco, the movie junkie, is employed since October 1998. He takes care of the mailorder distribution, promotion and shipping.

Do you believe in the afterlife? And what is your conception upon what happens to us after the inevitable decline all of us shall face one day?

- Let us feel it...

What do you know and think about Russia, as well as it’s people? What about Russian bands; did you have a chance to listen to any of them? Moreover, have you ever thought of signing a metal act coming from our lands?

- I have never been in Russia. Concerning bands from there, I don't know. Actually when I listen to a band's music, I often don't consciously recognize if they are from Russia or not.

Finally, share with us some info concerning your upcoming releases…

- EMPYRIUM «Where At Night The Wood Grouse Plays…» (Pro 015)
(EMPYRIUM’s acoustic album that brings wagnerian bombast to mind yet at times displaying tranquil, pastoral moods. This all held in a concept of tragic and dark folkloristic themes).
Special package Cd

AUTUMNBLAZE «DammerElbenTragodie» (Pro 016)
(Epic and Melancholic Dark Metal. Great artwork by Niklas Sundin of DARK TRANQUILLITY).
Cd

DRAWN «A New World?» Cd (7 / 99)
(Innovative fresh Metal. Crushing & cold yet melodic. Featuring Jan-Kenneth of IN THE WOODS… on session vocals.)

TENHI «Kauan» Cd (7 / 99)
(Tragic folklore myths. The new favourite band of Markus Stock / EMPYRIUM.)

COVEN - debut Cd (8 / 99)
(Exteme and powerful music, reminds a bit to a mixture of Nick Cave on drugs and CURRENT 93.)

PARAGON OF BEAUTY «Seraphine - Far Gone Gleam» Mcd (8 / 99)
(Dark and melancholic Metal. At times similar to KATATONIA at «Dance Of December Souls»).

IN THE WOODS… - 7" Ep (9 / 99)
(The third and last chapter of the IN THE WOODS... 7"Ep trilogy .)

IN THE WOODS… - fourth Cd (9 / 99)
(We expect another masterpiece of this fantastic band.)

NAERVAER - debut Cd (10 / 99)
(Music for the numb state of mind that will bring you to complete new dimensions of musical experience.)

BLAZING ETERNITY - debut Cd (10 / 99)
(Nordic Night Metal. Maybe in the vein of ULVER, ANATHEMA and KATATONIA).

I believe, now it’s time for you to type-in few final words for our readers…

- Thanx for the interview and best wishes to you.

PROPHECY Productions contact –
Email: Prophecy@t-online.de
       info@prophecyproductions.de