CAVE

“We are all no longer twenty, and we didn’t want to get lost in memories – we wanted to push forward and give it everything once again.”

“It’s much more exciting to rethink CAVE every day than to live off old stories.”

“We didn’t modernize our sound on purpose – but respecting our roots doesn’t stop us from questioning and reinventing ourselves.”

“With the second album, we finally wrote very consciously for a fixed lineup, knowing exactly who would bring these songs to life.”

“There is softer and harder material, modern impulses and traditional elements – that contrast is exactly what keeps it fun for us.”

“Today, every show is filmed, every mistake is permanent. In that sense, you can actually afford much less than you could years ago.”

“Vinyl forces you to listen consciously – and as a songwriter, that’s exactly what you hope for.”

“Clarity helps you get to the core faster, but you still have to question yourself constantly to avoid becoming predictable.”

“If someone hears this album for the first time, I hope they feel the honesty and personal weight behind these songs.”

“CAVE is a band that doesn’t fit neatly into one box – and that’s intentional.”

CAVE are not a band driven by nostalgia or retrospective comfort.
Rooted in decades of experience, the German progressive metal act exists to move forward rather than preserve past achievements.
With ‘…Into The Promised Land…‘, CAVE sharpen their identity, balancing classic hard ’n’ heavy foundations with modern awareness, strong songwriting discipline, and a sound built for both record and stage.
In this interview, guitarist and mastermind Chris Lorey speaks with Fok ‘bs‘ about opening new chapters later in life, refining the band’s creative focus, the transition at the microphone, and why clarity, restraint, and honest momentum matter more than chasing trends or reliving old glories.
CAVE is not a band born from a spontaneous impulse, but from decades of experience.
What was the inner trigger to open a new chapter now instead of simply looking back?
“Actually, in CAVE’s case, the initial impulse to form another band and play live again was quite spontaneous. But I do believe we all need to constantly open new chapters. Of course, it’s important to pause and look back once in a while – but if that becomes a permanent state, you get lost in the past. I often meet people who tell me their best concert was ‘Monsters of Rock 1983’ or who keep reliving tour stories from the 1990s. Personally, I always try to think one step ahead. That’s why it’s far more exciting to rethink CAVE every day than to get stuck in old stories. The real inner trigger to bring these songs onto a CD and onto the stage was simple: we all wanted to know if we still had it. We’re not twenty anymore, and instead of drowning in memories, we wanted to step on the gas again.”
Your debut ‘Out Of The Cave‘ felt like a statement of position.
In what way is ‘…Into The Promised Land…‘ a conscious evolution – and where did you deliberately stay the same?
“I’m not sure, if ‘Out Of The Cave’ was really a statement of position. Many of the songs were written over the course of years and never intended for a fixed lineup. We didn’t even have a permanent singer in mind at that point. The evolution toward ‘…Into The Promised Land…’ lies in the fact that we now wrote very consciously for a fixed band. We knew who the singer was, how he would interpret the songs, and what the strengths of each musician were. That made some arrangements much more straightforward. What definitely stayed the same is our refusal to limit ourselves. There’s still softer and heavier material, modern impulses and traditional elements – that contrast defines us and keeps things exciting.”
The title ‘…Into The Promised Land…‘ suggests hope, departure, maybe even illusion.
Is this ‘promised land‘ a real place for you, or a state that can never truly be reached?
“I think it’s more of an illusion – or rather a vision – than an actual destination. In today’s world, the title also carries a bit of irony or sarcasm. With ‘Out Of The Cave’, we left the cave behind. Now the question is where the journey leads. ‘Into The Promised Land’ points in a direction, while also reflecting a certain skepticism when you look at the current political and economic situation.”
The change at the microphone felt like a transition rather than a rupture.
What did Tommy Laasch bring into the band – musically and personally – that was missing before?
“Thank you for putting it that way, because that’s exactly how it felt to us. When Ronny couldn’t perform due to an infection at the ROW Festival, Tommy stepped in spontaneously – and it worked immediately. Both Ronny and Tommy are fantastic singers with different strengths. Tommy’s particular strength lies in harmonies and multi-layered vocals, and he brought great new impulses into the recording process. He’s also an exceptional entertainer on stage and connects effortlessly with the audience. On a personal level, everything fits just as well – not least because we can speak Swabian dialect together. The distances are short, and spontaneity is much easier.”
Many bands talk about ‘chemistry‘ with new members.
When did you realize this lineup would last?
“Honestly, probably on the afternoon of the ROW Festival in Esslingen. The experience, the immediate musical interaction, the shared ambition – and, of course, the show itself made it very clear that something special had happened. Tommy is one of the easiest singers I’ve ever worked with. No diva behavior at all, very professional, and full of great ideas. That makes the whole process incredibly enjoyable.”
CAVE combine classic hard ’n’ heavy with progressive structures without sounding nostalgic.
Where do you draw the line between respecting your roots and standing still?
“We don’t overthink it too much. We’re music fans ourselves and constantly listen to new things. The ’80s and ’90s are deeply rooted in our DNA because we grew up with them – but that doesn’t stop us from drawing inspiration from modern artists. Liking Queensrÿche and Falling In Reverse at the same time isn’t a contradiction to me. We respect our roots, but that respect doesn’t prevent us from reinventing ourselves.”
Your sound is powerful, warm, and direct – never clinical or overproduced.
Is that an aesthetic choice or also a statement against modern metal production?
“It’s both. We invest a lot of time discussing sound with our mixer Marc Ayerle. The challenge is to sound as natural as possible while still being modern enough to hold up in playlists. Marc always emphasizes that the classic aspects of our songs must also be reflected in the sound. This back-and-forth worked even better on the second album because our communication is clearer and more open now.”
You released ‘…Into The Promised Land…‘ on vinyl for the first time.
What does that format mean to you in an age of constant background listening?
“Vinyl forces you to listen consciously. You place the record on the turntable, listen to about 23 minutes, then turn it over. Those minutes are experienced much more intensely. As a composer, that’s exactly what you want – focused listening. Fans who buy the album on vinyl are probably closer to the compositions and the emotions we want to express.”
With long musical careers behind you, what can you allow yourselves today that wasn’t possible in the past?
“Honestly, it’s the other way around. Today, every show is filmed, every mistake is documented and uploaded instantly. You can afford far less than you could back then. There’s also no real privacy anymore – neither on stage nor backstage. Everything can end up on social media within seconds.”
CAVE quickly proved to be a real live band.
What must a song deliver to work both on record and on stage?
“That’s the million-dollar question. Playing live has definitely influenced how we wrote the second album. Some songs work very differently with an audience than expected. For example, we thought ‘Blinded’ might be too long live – but it turned out to be one of the strongest crowd reactions. That experience now shapes how we write.”
Do you feel age-related expectations in today’s scene – and how do you deal with them?
“Interestingly, despite our age and experience, we’re still considered newcomers. We fight for visibility just like younger bands. And yes – age can be a disadvantage. Let’s be honest: who puts a poster of a bunch of fifty-year-olds on their bedroom wall?”
Your music conveys determination rather than uncertainty.
Is that clarity an advantage – or does it sometimes reduce creative friction?
“Clarity helps you get to the core faster. Today, I know much more clearly where I want a song to go. But it’s still crucial to question yourself constantly. Otherwise, experience can quickly turn into repetition.”
If someone discovers CAVE for the first time through ‘…Into The Promised Land…‘, what should they sense between the notes – without any background knowledge?
“I hope they notice that CAVE doesn’t fit neatly into one category. That it’s a band doing exactly what it wants, presenting ten layered compositions full of honesty and personal experience.”
With ‘…Into The Promised Land…‘, CAVE prove that experience doesn’t have to soften intent – it can sharpen it.
The album stands as a statement of confidence, not because it tries to compete with trends, but because it understands its own strengths.
Rather than chasing relevance, CAVE define it on their own terms:
through commitment, clarity, and music that works equally well on record and on stage.
by Fok ‘bs’