At the beginning of the 80s, namely on March 31, 1979, Sven 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, he is 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 his 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:
… the noisy beginning!
After almost 6 years, his parents then probably also had enough of the „cardboard sounds“ of the constantly stolen from Mom detergent drums.
… his first love
He got my first drum kit – a Maya Pro Drummer Kit from the early eighties and from Japan. As you almost can’t tell, the joy was HUGE!
From then on he 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.
He got lessons and was allowed to make his first musical experiences in the local youth orchestra. Later he was accepted into the „Musikverein Efringen-Kirchen“ and was part of the percussion register. An important starting point for his future career on the drums! Many thanks at this point for a rock solid education and encouragement!
His 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 for him; Dave Lombardo and Lars Ulrich were formative for him! And they still are today!
At the age of 14 (in 1993) he played his first concert with the Thrash Metal band „Acid“, which he founded together with Patrick Müller (today guitarist of GurD & Bass @ Poltergeist). In the following years he was able to gain some standing in the South German & Swiss Metal Underground and played in local bands like Cryonix or The Lie.
A few years later, at the end of 1998, Sven got the chance to audition for the thrash metal institution Destruction. Since he was already a fan of Destruction and Schmier’s band Headhunter, he already knew the songs inside out! Sven prevailed in the auditions against some old hands and from then on he 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, he took the path of a family father (incl. 9to5 job) after his last gig for Destruction (Dortmund, October 2001). Sven decided against his career as an internationally respected metal drummer and for his little family (2 sons, Mike & Ben). But he can’t do without it!
In 2001 he founded with his buddy Michael Gerstlauer (ex Dryrot, ex Hate Squad) the Stoner Thrash Combo „Jesus Chrysler Superskunk„, with which they 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 he broke up the band for personal reasons.
But he wanted to continue with the same intensity and in the thrash metal genre! Sven got the offer to join the Hesse Thrashers „Abandoned„.
They played some really cool live gigs together and had a cool time together! Unfortunately they parted ways again in 2008. He couldn’t manage the balance between family, job and band.So it came to the split, which they decided in all friendship together and again with the Hessian national drink „KE“ (Kola Eppler).
Sven then found his musical home! Since 2008 he is drumming for the Swiss Power Metal Band MEGORA! He 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 him in terms of music, family, job! In 2012 they were allowed to join the 70.000 tons of metal (Miami – Cayman Islands).
They released our album „Burning Empire“ later in 2012. So far, unfortunately, it remained at that. But for 2023 they have planned something more „Live“ and less „Laziness“ again.
On New Year’s Eve 2013 his 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, he immediately offered my services. Also because he missed it quite a bit to play Thrash Metal again! Also with Poltergeist it went then on the ship! We were allowed to play their 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.
During his time with Destruction he got to know the guys from the Swedish black/thrash combo Raise Hell. At the end of 2014, beginning of 2015 he 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, he is the managing director and founder of an e-commerce company for South Baden wines. Unfortunately, he 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. His professional situation no longer allowed for that. And so in 2017 Poltergeist and Sven parted ways.
A „sensible step“ that was not easy for him. Time to say goodbye“ … and „hello Winetime!“
Between 2017 and 2022, he fully concentrated on building up his company’s business. On the side he 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 his business.
Never say never! He is back!
Sven just can’t do without it! Since 2022 he is back on the drums with POLTERGEIST! First gig since a long time for him was the RUHRPOTT METAL MEETING 2022. It felt great to be „back 2 business“ again.
