Dead Rhetoric: Because of your style, do you believe most of your fans appreciate the album format and willingly take the time to listen again and again as a whole, patiently absorbing all its contents?
Droste: We get some messages from people. The weirdest thing is when people write that they get our record, but first they have to read the book it’s based on and then (they) will listen to the album. The songs are so long, I think some people just put on the highlights- for sure there are others who listen to it as a piece from the start until the end.
Dead Rhetoric: Who would you consider some of your peers or acts you look up to possibly for inspiration – either inside your genre or outside the box?
Droste: I’d say as a guitar player I was really impressed by old Anathema records. I like the style and the things that they were doing. I also like the newer stuff but it’s a bit too soft for my tastes. They were the first band that got me into this doom thing, the Pentecost III EP is one of my all-time favorite records. The guitar playing and the harmonies from Daniel Cavanagh of Anathema is one of my biggest inspirations. I also really like Mikael Akerfeldt’s guitar playing… also the older stuff, I’m not much into this proggy organ thing. I really love Blackwater Park for example, I’d say these two guys are my main inspirations. I don’t know if you really hear it on the record.
Dead Rhetoric: How important is friendship and respect when it comes to Ahab – given that three of the four members have been together since the band’s inception?
Droste: It’s very important. We have to work together and have to be on tour together. That’s one of the reasons why we agreed in the beginning to keep our jobs and do the band like a hobby. We can’t play three month tours, but working that way is a good way to keep things happy. We are good friends and it’s like a second family. We are able to do whatever we want, accept shows when we want and we don’t have pressure when it comes to recording time.
Dead Rhetoric: How do you view the German metal scene at this point in time? Many from outside your country view it as the metal mecca of the world…
Droste: We have a lot of festivals in Germany- Wacken, Summer Breeze, etc. You have many bands but I was very impressed when we played Hellfest in France for example. In Germany it’s more like you have a field and these big stages, that’s it. Hellfest was very beautiful, they put so much focus on small statues, art, and decoration- it was insane. We have a lot of bands touring and festivals in Germany, and that’s something that I don’t want to miss. I like the scene in Germany, yes.
Dead Rhetoric: Ahab is a hobby act, as you all have day jobs- and you work as a therapist with disabled people. How do your co-workers feel regarding your music, and do you believe your style has appeal to the individuals you take care of?
Droste: When I started this job, the two ladies I work with in a small factory where disabled people work, they got to know that I play in a band. They asked me to bring a CD from my band, and I wasn’t sure what they would think as they only knew me for a few weeks. It’s not their cup of tea, but they are very happy for me and that we are kind of successful doing this, travelling around the world. They are cooperative when it comes to me taking vacation and days off. I only have 30 days off a year, so it’s still a bit difficult. I have a girlfriend and she wants to go on holiday with me too- it’s not always easy but I have nice people at work to make it possible.
Dead Rhetoric: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received, either from family or friends, regarding playing out live?
Droste: Be yourself. When I played with a former band I thought that I had to dress different. My former girlfriend came to be and said she really liked the show but what she saw wasn’t me. I was 19 or 20 and I had these kind of heavy metal leather pants which I don’t usually wear- when I work I wear normal jeans just like a regular guy. Being myself, being true and authentic is the most important for us. Being thankful for what we have and having the possibility to reach people with our music. It has such good resonance, that’s something very important for me. Not being assholes or destroying hotel rooms.
Dead Rhetoric: What is the most memorable show that you’ve ever witnessed in your life?
Droste: That I have seen… that’s a difficult question. One of the most memorable shows was my first metal show in Germany with Napalm Death. From the atmosphere, it was in 2001-02 I was flying to London, England to see Emperor live, which I really loved back then as In the Nightside Eclipse was one of my favorite albums. The possibility to see them live, that was very special for me.
Dead Rhetoric: How will the next 12 months shape up for Ahab, as you have to pick your spots as far as live dates? Could you ever imagine putting together a special gig with different types of audio/visual backgrounds to make the water themes more vivid?
Droste: That would be awesome, and we have already discussed this. It’s not that easy because you don’t know the clubs, you have a background and wonder if it can be seen. We once did it in a show in Madrid, but it was initialized by the organizer. He asked us if he could put video themes to our song “The Hunt”, we did that and it was a nice experience. If we want to do that again, we want to do it well, and it’s quite expensive to do a long video and visualize that.
We will be on tour in October in Europe, supported by Mammoth Storm from Sweden and High Fight from Germany, and we will play Eidohoven Metal Meeting in December, and that will be it for 2015. We have some plans for 2016 but nothing for sure yet, so I don’t have any details for you. We would like to play the Maryland Death Fest, but it’s not possible for us to do a very long tour. As far as I know it’s quite expensive to go to the US because you have to have these working visas which are a few hundred Euros per person. We have played one show in Canada many, many years ago but never have played in the United States. It would be really awesome.