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
. Cathedral. In Flames
. Racer X. Loudness
. Slipknot. Steel Prophet
. Vehemence. Children Of Bodom
. Vicious Mary. Misery Index
. Mondo Generator. Poisonblack
. Perzonal War. Neck
. Cradle of Filth. Symphorce
. Seven Witches. Godsmack
. Nazareth. Ring of Fire
. Advent. Firewind
. Powergod. Late Nite Romeo
. Valley's Eve. Pelican
. H.I.M.. Brainstorm
. Endless Time. Byfist
. Supervillain. Artension
. Curriculum Mortis. Evanesce
. Dream Weaver. Rob Rock
. Sludge!. Duke
. Probot. Fairyland
. Node. Cryonic Temple
. Jag Panzer. Kingcrow
. Graveland. Donnerkopf
. Metalium. Highlord
. Ministry. Zaius
. Hatework. Spiral Madness
. Estuary. Schenker/ Pattison Summit
. Mob Rules. Fireaxe
. Chapter VIII. Lilitu
. Dark Age. Nashville Pussy
. Z02. Valume Nob
. Jamie. St. James. Dark Ruin
. The Lizards. Hanzel Und Gretyl
. Avenue F. Cryme
. Tristania. Betrayer
. Mercenary. Of Infinity
. Bloody Sign. Soilwork
. Seige of Hate. Necrophagia
. Hibria. Tarot
. Car Bomb. the missing:
. Samael. Marduk
. Novembers Doom. God Fear None
. Boomerang. Holy Moses
. Strapping Young Lad. Ignitor
. Callenish Circle. Sinisthra
. Embraze. Blind Stare
. Rudra. Graveworm
. Slough Feg. Dynamic Lights
. Power Quest. Wetwork
. Warchild. Future is Tomorrow
. Black Majesty. Before The Dawn
. Armored Saint. Winterfell
. Casus Belli. Ghost Machinery
. Mistress. Bronx Casket Company
. The Tenth Circle. Detonation
. Virgin Steele. Craft
. Second Shadow. Thryfing
. Blackmore's Night. Ephel Duath
. Steep. Firehouse
. Leviathan/Sapthuran. Vore
. Manngard. Silver Dirt
. Ampast. The Sword
. Hate Profile. Gorgoroth
. War Within. Amon Amarth
. Fleshgore. I
. The Abominable Iron Sloth. Thy Majestie
. Isis. Biolich
. Lordi. Demise
. Extium. Deicide
. Lecherous Nocturne. Stonegard
. Southern Gentleman. Throne of Katarsis
. Dream Theater. Lord Belial
. White Wizzard. Textures
. Five Finger Death Punch. Divine Empire
. Pentacle. Manes
. Retrospective. Funeral
. Himsa. Frosthardr
. Mongrel. Pathology
. Dantesco. Jesus Martyr
. Kreator. Mar De Grises
. Cursed. UFOmammut
. Wolfgate. Sotajumala
. Dark Castle