C O L U M N S

Where Are You?

Risk
Mid-tempo German thrash with power elements

By: Rod Throwen
Published: Wednesday, September 1, 2004
Members
Heinrich Mikus - Vocals
Roman Keymer - Guitars
Christian Sumser - Guitars
Thilo Herrmann - Guitars
Peter Dell - Bass
Jürgen Düsterloh - Drums


Discography
The Daily Horror News 1988
Hell's Animals 1989
Ratman EP 1989
Dirty Surfaces 1990
The Reborn 1992
Turpitude 1993


Bio
Risk was actually formed from the ashes of Faithful Breath, an established German rock act that started out in the mid-60s, and released their first album in 1974. The band went on to record five critically acclaimed records in the 80s, of which "Gold 'N Glory" is their biggest success, conjuring up moments of Scorpions and Accept. After the long distance run as Faithful Breath, Mikus decided to change gears and form Risk, a new sound that strayed a few paces from his previous band. With Risk, Mikus entered the world of tight-knit German thrash, not a far cry from the mid-tempo speed of bands like Reactor and Rage.

With Risk, Mikus designed a well thought out plan of attack, keeping everything top notch and heavy, but relaxing a bit to allow the music plenty of body space. Risk never traveled the same roads as other German thrashers such as Sodom, Kreator, or Destruction, instead the band concentrated on mid-tempo thrash, with plenty of sing along chorus parts that are on par with groups like Helloween and Heaven's Gate. With the group's "The Reborn" in '92, Risk played the part of power metal enthusiast, keeping that album solid with plenty of fast twin guitar melody and the German way of writing the epics. With the group's last record, "Turpitude", the band concentrated on a slower delivery, almost doomy in their approach.


Sightings
Guitarist Thilo Herrmann spent time in Running Wild from 1994-2000. He was also seen in the Holy Moses lineup circa '89. All other members are missing in action.


The Question
Where are you Risk? With a majority of it's members playing metal for almost twenty years, why did the group stop recording records in 1993? What is the reasoning behind it, and why aren't the musicians active today? If you have any answers to these questions, please drop us a line.

If you have any news or info leading to the whereabouts of this band or band members, please send an email... news@maximummetal.com




[Other Maximum Metal Columns]

<< back >>





RANDOM ACTS OF METAL
. Anvil. Bathory
. Lost Horizon. Scanner
. Steel Prophet. The Great Deceiver
. Vehemence. Grave
. Children Of Bodom. Rebellion
. Deranged. Machine Head
. Kalibas. Helloween
. Circle II Circle. Lamb of God
. Dark Moor. Powergod
. Black Label Society. October 31
. Conquest. Pelican
. Brainstorm. The Chainsaw
. Black Sabbath. Iced Earth
. Fireball Ministry. Sevendust
. The Graveyard Boulevard. Mourning Beloveth
. Lanfear. Crystal Eyes
. Sludge!. Hypocrisy
. Murdercycle. DevilDriver
. Asperity. Out of the Lair
. Doro. Yngwie Malmsteen
. Celesty. Leash Law
. Madison Paige. Deep Purple
. Kingcrow. Graveland
. David Shankle Group. Iron Angel
. Black Zodiac. Estuary
. House of Lords. Devil In The Kitchen
. Mob Rules. Meliah Rage
. Rhapsody of Fire. Imp
. Nashville Pussy. Theocracy
. Division. Valume Nob
. GWAR. Conquestador
. Cryme. Crowbar
. Image. Kings X
. Belef. Crionics
. Angtoria. Samael
. Crimson Moonlight. Argument Soul
. Kaamos. Marduk
. Boomerang. Magica
. Axel Rudi Pell. Slumber
. Rudra. Ektomorf
. Darkane. Slough Feg
. Gemini 5. Alice Cooper
. Cannon. Resurrecturis
. Wetwork. Blitzkrieg
. Mercyful Fate. Russell Allen
. Evergrey. Overloaded
. Shattersphere. Paths Of Possession
. Balatonizer. Mistress
. Overmars. Infliction
. Midnight Idols. Skullshifter
. Motorhead. Virgin Steele
. End My Sorrow. Thryfing
. Katatonia. Codeon
. Clawfinger. Phoenix Mourning
. The Smackdown. Pyramaze
. Vreid. Down Factor
. Dreams of Damnation. Stormcrow
. Upon Infliction. Suzukiton
. Bloodbound. Mouth of the Architect
. Hurt. Abominant
. Myon. Venom
. Panzerchrist. Better Left Unsaid
. Celtic Frost. Dream Theater
. Warbringer. Static-X
. Lord Belial. Blood of the Black Owl
. Five Finger Death Punch. The Prophecy
. Katrina Johansson. Throneum
. Hearse. Himsa
. Ensiferum. Diamond Dogs
. Night Ranger. Averse Sefira
. Glenn Hughes. Gutted With Broken Glass
. Rosetta. Mortiis
. Pop Evil. Witchfinder General
. Burzum. Hacksaw Surgery
. Intolerant. Bullet For My Valentine
. Mar De Grises. Place Of Skulls
. Cursed. Papa Roach
. Something Beautiful