Doomed Confessionary: Jochen Böllath (Grand Massive)

Munich, Germany based stoner/doom metal band Grand Massive has been on the road since 2009 and has been able to gain a steadily growing following with 4 albums and several singles and EPs, as well as retaining it with massive live performances.

With »Houses Of The Unholy«, the Bavarians are now releasing 5 songs that, with a playing time of just under 28 minutes, are not far removed from the longplayers of many other colleagues, but are not a “normal” release for the band itself. »Houses Of The Unholy« was released on May 23rd, 2024 via MDD Records.

Grand Massive are Alex Andronikos (vocals), Jochen Böllath (guitar/bass), Peter Wiesenbacher (guitar), Randy M. Salo (bass) and Holger Stich (drums).

Can you say a few words about your band?
Grand Massive is a four piece massive metal band from southern Germany. Located in the nice city Munich. We released so far 5 records and some singles on well known labels like Metalville, Doc Gator and MDD Records. We are around since 2008 and our latest release is called »Houses Of The Unholy«, out May 2024.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
To be a band for more than 15 years. The distances between the musicians was not so easy to handle, but we found a good way to have a band feeling all those years.

What can you be most proud of so far?
To be a band with great members all the time. Every period was a blast and all the time together is great and perfect. I really love the guys in the band. To have a band who is still working is the biggest gift. All other stuff is only a bonus.

What was your biggest regret?
We spent a lot of time in our fourth record. It was the most complex album so far for us and it got released in the beginning of the covid pandemic. We only did a distance show in front of 200 sitting people and that was all. The album got lost in the virus situation and no promotion was possible.

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
That is hard to say. Opening for some of my favourite bands like Crowbar, Mustasch, Corrosion Of Conformity or The Obsessed was a blast. Sharing the stage with them was awesome. And of course playing on Wacken South with Slayer was the highlight. Sharing the same backstage area with them – wow.

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I ran the label Daredevil Records and I know all the stuff behind the music scene. The music business is a shark tank. The big positive surprises are less than the negative surprises!

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
I’m a music fan s 40 years and so all from death to thrash to stoner to doom. My heavy rotation always features: Misfits, Morbid Angel, Psychotic Waltz, old school 80s thrash metal.

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Too much – and all wrong (hahaha)

Can you say something more about current music scene in Munich?
Munich has a well-known music scene with a lot of bands and great locations like the Feierwerk or the Backstage venue. All are working professional and very good. We know some bands from the munich area of course.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We just ended our summer shows with some highlights like festivals or support slots for Emil Bulls and The Obsessed. We only can play one more show this year. The mighty Keep It Low Festival with bands like Fu Manchu and Masters Of Reality.

What are your plans for the future as a band?
So far we write new material for a new record. The rehearsals went well so far and 50% of the songs are finished. We try to bring a new record out 2025. We only think from step to step. No bigger plans for the future. I think we will try to get some festival slots for 2025 and maybe some support shows for bigger bands.

How can people best support your band?
Coming to our shows in 2025 or the Keep It Low Festival and buying music from our Bandcamp site. Support for all the small bands is important nowadays.

Do you have any message for your listeners?
If you know us – thank you for your support and time for conquering the music. And to all others – check out Grand Massive – give them a chance.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well