With the release of their latest album Ice and Death, German power metal force Reinforcer dives deeper into mythological waters, forging a darker and more melodic sound that pays homage to their roots while stepping boldly into new territory. We caught up with vocalist Logan Lexi and guitarist Niclas Stappert to discuss the myths that fuel their music, the evolution of their sound, and what happens when you face off against a mythical beast for a slot at Wacken.
“Ice and Death” is rooted in myth and history—what draws you to these kinds of narratives, and how do you balance historical accuracy with dramatic storytelling in your lyrics?
Logan Lexi:
We were born on the very land where the Germanic tribes once lived and worshipped the Old Norse Gods. You can’t walk through Westphalia without encountering myths and legends, so it really comes naturally, I suppose. As someone who reads a lot about mythology and history, I’d say the sweet spot lies between artistic freedom and the core of the folklore or historical event. On one hand, it shows the listener what actually occurred in just a few words, making it easy to grasp. On the other, your interpretation or exaggeration adds a mystique that draws more attention to it.
Your sound carries strong influences from bands like Blind Guardian and Iced Earth, but you still manage to carve out your own identity. What would you say is the defining element of the Reinforcer sound in 2025?
Niclas Stappert:
The most important thing in our music has always been the melodies. You can write brutal riffs and blast double bass drums at full throttle, but what really sticks in your mind is a melody that evokes feelings. I’ve always loved the dual guitar harmonies of the old gods like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. You’re absolutely right in naming Blind Guardian and Iced Earth as major influences too, especially when it comes to epic choruses and crushing riffs.
In the end, though, we don’t try to copy anyone or deliberately write songs to sound a certain way. We simply play the music we enjoy ourselves—it’s as simple as that.
Tracks like “Dead Men Tell No Tales” and “The Piper” have a darker undertone. Is this album intentionally more melancholic or introspective compared to Prince of the Tribes?
Logan Lexi:
We did notice that songs like “Z32” on Prince of the Tribes are among our most recommended tracks. Like “Snatching Hands” on the Wanderer EP, it builds a sinister aura that really suits us. So yes, we embraced these darker undertones more fully on the new album, making it overall more melancholic and sinister.
You chose Kai Stahlenberg (Powerwolf) again to mix and master the album. What was that experience like the second time around?
Niclas Stappert:
It’s great to have such a talented and experienced producer on our side. Working with him for the second time after our last album made everything smoother. We already knew each other personally and understood what we needed to deliver so he could shape our sound in the direction we wanted.
Working with us isn’t always easy, since everyone in the band has their own idea of how a metal album should sound, but Kai managed to make everybody happy. Plus—he didn’t lose his mind after I handed him a long list of changes I wanted after the first test mix. 😀 I’m very grateful for that.
You’re a band from Paderborn—a place not globally known as a metal hotspot. Has that shaped your perspective or made your journey more challenging?
Niclas Stappert:
Both, I would say. On one hand, you can shape your own musical identity without constantly being compared to other bands or competing with them. On the other hand, there are challenges. It starts with something as basic as finding a rehearsal room, which can be harder to come by than the Holy Grail in our area.
The same goes for venues—especially when you’re a completely unknown underground band starting out. But we do have a small yet lively and supportive metal community in Paderborn, and we’ve felt their backing from the very beginning.
The guitar tones on Ice and Death are razor-sharp. Can you share a bit about the gear or studio techniques used to achieve that crisp dual-guitar harmony sound?
Niclas Stappert:
No tricks, haha! Just Tobias and me, guitars, amps, and a good producer. We recorded all guitars as DI tracks in my home studio and sent the files to Kai. He then did the reamping at Kohlekeller Studio, and we chose the setup together.
As far as I remember, we used a Brunetti XL amp for the rhythm guitars and a Bogner Uberschall for the leads. We routinely double-tracked the guitars, panning them left and right, and added a third harmony guitar here and there. Our aim has always been to make sure we can reproduce the sound live—that’s why you won’t find an absurd number of guitar layers on our albums.
Final question: If Reinforcer had to fight a mythical beast in order to headline Wacken, what creature would it be—and who in the band is most likely to be eaten first?
Niclas Stappert:
I think this might be the best interview question I’ve ever been asked. 😀
When I think of Wacken, I imagine a gigantic moving mud mountain, armed with a torch and a pitchfork. I think our drummer Lasse would be eaten first, simply because he’s so laid-back. Before he’d even start to feel nervous, run, or fight back, it would already be too late. A huge loss for us—and especially for our fans—since he’s also responsible for all our merch and shipping worldwide. 😉
Reinforcer return with Ice and Death, a thunderous sophomore effort that cements the German quintet’s place in the melodic power metal pantheon. Clocking in at just over 37 minutes, the album delivers a potent mix of razor-sharp riffs, epic dual guitar harmonies, and relentless double bass drumming—all topped with Logan Lexi’s commanding, emotionally charged vocals.
From the opening track “Heir of the Bear” to the chilling closer “Bring Out Your Dead,” Ice and Death blends historical drama and dark fantasy with gripping storytelling. Drawing inspiration from Norse mythology and medieval legend, each song feels like a chapter in a mythic saga—be it the eerie tale of the Pied Piper in “The Piper” or the harrowing depiction of plague-stricken London in “Bring Out Your Dead.”
Mixed and mastered by Kai Stahlenberg (Powerwolf) and graced with cover art by Hendrik Noack, this album sounds as grand as it looks. With nods to genre titans like Blind Guardian, Manowar, and Running Wild, Reinforcer have delivered a battle cry for fans of epic, narrative-driven metal.
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