… and so it has begun!

At the beginning of the 80s, namely on March 31, 1979, I was let loose on mankind. That’s when the „total disaster“ virtually took its course – you could say. But no, this fact is not quite so melodramatic. It began more the first musical career in the family of the „Vormanns“. That’s more like it 😉

Growing up sheltered in a village area (yes, I’m a proud country bumpkin!), in the middle of the South Baden vineyards in the Markgräflerland, on Germany’s outer border with Switzerland and France, it became clear to my parents very quickly that distorted guitar riffs, driving drum beats and a certain „tendency to hit“ will strongly influence the life of their first son ;-).

And this was probably the deciding factor:

From then on I was the acoustic terror of the neighborhood. Because as we all know, nothing comes from nothing. Daily 4-8 hours of drumming was the order of the day. But then they had to go through it.

I got lessons and was allowed to make my first musical experiences in the local youth orchestra. Later I was accepted into the „Musikverein Efringen-Kirchen“ and was part of the percussion register. An important starting point for my future career on the drums! Many thanks at this point for a rock solid education and encouragement!

My musical preferences, even at a young age, were already with electric guitar-heavy bands like Guns’n’Roses, Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax and Testament. And two drummers in particular have done it to me. Dave Lombardo and Lars Ulrich were formative for me! And they still are today! I can’t understand this LArs Ulrich-hate until today! Nobody gets this groove like he does! But anyway…

At the age of 14 (in 1993) I played my first concert with the Thrash Metal band „Acid“, which I founded together with Patrick Müller (today guitarist of GurD & Bass @ Poltergeist). In the following years I was able to gain some standing in the South German & Swiss Metal Underground and played in local bands like Cryonix (see photos below) or The Lie.

A few years later, at the end of 1998, I got the chance to audition for the thrash metal institution Destruction. Since I was already a fan of Destruction and Schmier’s band Headhunter, I already knew the songs inside out! I prevailed in the auditions against some old hands and from then on I was the reunion drummer for Destruction from 1999 to 2001, recording the two albums „All Hell Breaks Loose“ (2000, Nuclear Blast) and „The Antichrist“ (2001, Nuclear Blast).

After many tours and an intense time „on the road“ with one of the most awesome Thrash Metal bands on the planet, I took the path of a family father (incl. 9to5 job) after my last gig for Destruction (Dortmund, October 2001). I decided against my career as an internationally respected metal drummer and for my little family (2 sons, Mike & Ben). But I can’t do without it!

In 2001 I founded with my buddy Michael Gerstlauer (ex Dryrot, ex Hate Squad) the Stoner Thrash Combo „Jesus Chrysler Superskunk„, with which we released the album „… the loudest no!“ in 2005. With them were Thomas Rosenmerkel & Michael Piranio (both also ex Destruction). On bass Berhard „Erna“ Matt (ex Necronomicon). A cool time. In 2007 I broke up the band for personal reasons.

But I wanted to continue with the same intensity and in the thrash metal genre! I got the offer to join the Hesse Thrashers „Abandoned„.

We played some really cool live gigs together and had a cool time together! Unfortunately we parted ways again in 2008. I couldn’t manage the balance between family, job and band (at least according to some family members at that time, which I don’t want to mention here 🙂 ). So it came to the split, which we decided in all friendship together and again with the Hessian national drink „KE“ (Kola Eppler).

I then found my musical home! Since 2008 I’m drumming for the Swiss Power Metal Band MEGORA! I found in Toni, Dominik and Piotr not only three excellent comrades-in-arms in musical terms. Rather, three friends and people who are on the same wavelength with me in terms of music, family, job! In 2012 we were allowed to join the 70.000 tons of metal (Miami – Cayman Islands).

We released our album „Burning Empire“ later in 2012. So far, unfortunately, it remained at that. But for 2023 we have planned something more „Live“ and less „Laziness“ again 🙂

On New Year’s Eve 2013 my buddies V.O., André & Marek from the former POLTERGEIST met and posted a photo with record cover from back then. Since here the drummer was missing on the picture, I immediately offered my services. Also because I missed it quite a bit to play Thrash Metal again! Also with Poltergeist it went then on the ship! We were allowed to play our official reunion gig on the high seas in 2014 as part of the 70,000 tons of Metal Festival.

This was followed by many gigs and festival appearances as well as the preparation for the reunion record „Back to Haunt“, which was released in 2016 via Pure Steel. Unfortunately, the album is still not available anywhere as a stream.

Old Swede …

during my time with Destruction I got to know the guys from the Swedish black/thrash combo Raise Hell. At the end of 2014, beginning of 2015 I was allowed to work on their longrille „Written in Blood“. The album caused decent reviews in the metal scene (among others 8/10 RockHard).

Since 2016, I am the managing director and founder of an e-commerce company for South Baden wines. Unfortunately, I had to make a decision here again. Because in order to continue to press the fullspeed gas pedal, you have to put in a certain amount of effort in terms of practice and so on. My professional situation no longer allowed for that. And so in 2017 Poltergeist and I parted ways ;-(

A „sensible step“ that was not easy for me. Time to say goodbye“ … and „hello Winetime!“

Between 2017 and 2022, I fully concentrated on building up my company’s business. On the side I kept fit with soccer and occasionally we rehearsed with Megora and gave a gig every now and then (last in 2019). The Corona Pandemic changes a lot. So also a rapid growth in my business.

Never say never! I am back!

I just can’t do without it! Since 2022 I’m back on the drums with POLTERGEIST! First gig since a long time for me was the RUHRPOTT METAL MEETING 2022. It felt great to be „back 2 business“ again.