Interview: Tales of Mike

Premiere on Magnets and Miracles: For the first time, I am presenting you an interview on this platform. I once again had a chat with Michael Heß from Tales of Mike (Epic Heavy/Doom Metal).

André: Hi Mike, nice to talk to you again, for the first time on Magnets and Miracles. How was your summer 2024? Did you travel?

Mike: Hello, André, I'm glad we're exchanging ideas on your new and very interesting site! Unfortunately, the year didn't go really well for me, to put it positively. I had an operation at the end of July after a biceps tendon rupture and a long back and forth, and now I'm trying to get fit again. I can go to rehab soon and I hope things will start looking up then. Playing the guitar hasn't been possible for me for a while. Fortunately, the music for Tales of Mike was already finished before the accident.

André: I'm very sorry to hear that! I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery. Did you go to any concerts or festivals this summer before your accident? If so, what were your highlights?

Mike: Unfortunately, due to my health problems, I was only able to go to the Judas Priest concert in Dortmund. And that was great!

André: I was there too. It's a shame we didn't see each other. Let's talk about your music: Is Tales of Mike a band with a fixed lineup by now?

Mike: No, Tales of Mike is still my project. I think it only works for me this way. Henrik Schaller is a brilliant guitarist and his skills are on another level. And Gonzalo also sings in two other fantastic bands. I never thought about setting up a fixed lineup either. But I still included them in the booklet of the Landscape of Sorrow cassette because it's important to me. And it will be the same with the album. Tales of Mike are many cogs, if one is missing, it's no longer the same. It's really the case that they're good friends to me and we have fun making music together.

André: Since 4 October, your new single “Human Masquerade“ has been available on all streaming platforms. Please tell us something about the background of this song.

Mike: The idea for the song came about because people who also knew my brother suddenly changed and had a problem with the fact that I'm making music now, even though guitars have been hanging on the wall for over 20 years that they couldn't ignore. At the beginning, it annoyed me because the EP was a very emotional journey for me. In retrospect, I felt sorry for them. But I have seen it in other situations, too: that many people are simply not honest and only play a masquerade. Actually, I should thank these people, because only because of them Tales of Mike's journey continues.

André: Your first album Human is scheduled for release in 2025. Will it only feature new songs or will it also include tracks from your EP Landscape of Sorrow?

Mike: Yes, the album will be titled Human and I estimate that it will be ready by mid-2025. Besides “Human Masquerade“, only new songs will be featured on it.

André: Three quarters of 2024 are already over – so it's time to draw some initial conclusions: Which releases from this year have particularly impressed you so far?

Mike: For me, Judas Priest's Invincible Shield is my favourite so far. I can't imagine anything topping it. But Crypt Sermon – The Stygian Rose, Flotsam And Jetsam – I Am The Weapon and Chapel Of Disease – Echoes Of Light are really strong in my opinion.

André: Magnets and Miracles focuses on music from the 60s to today. Which decade would you call your favourite? Which albums from your favourite decade do you listen to regularly?

Mike: Well, I've been listening to metal since 1983, so the 80s were just magical for me and that's why I'd say they're my favourite, even though there were some great albums at the beginning of the 90s that I still listen to today. We were out and about in cliques, eagerly awaiting the latest releases. For example, I still listen to the following albums very often:

Helloween – Keeper of the Seven Keys Pt. I, Assassin – The Upcoming Terror, Grinder – Dawn for the Living, Pretty Maids – Future World, Sanctuary – Refuge Denied, Atrophy – Socialized Hate, Toxik – World Circus, Dream Theater – When Dream And Day Unite; the list could go on forever

André: Last question: Which band would you like to go on tour with as a support act? Dreaming is allowed!

Mike: If it ever came to pass, in my dreams, I would choose Judas Priest. That would be something special and I would be amazed. The energy that this band still ignites is incredible, and it's just fun to watch.

André: Mike, thank you for your time and I wish you all the best for the future. I'm already looking forward to your first album Human!

Mike: Thank you for the great questions and I look forward to reading your Magnets and Miracles blog.

Tales of Mike on Bandcamp: Click here.