In the contemporary European rock scene, the German band Stigma has been gaining ground. Formed in 2021 by Gerald Zinnegger (vocals and lyrics) and Markus Mantau (guitar), the quartet also includes René Chlebnitschek (bass) and Bernd Paptistella (drums). The group combines elements of rock and metal, with influences from names like Alice Cooper, Metallica, and AC/DC.
Their first release came in 2022 with the EP *Last Order*, which introduced the band's sound to the public. In 2023, their second EP, * First Call*, featured compositions more focused on themes such as personal struggle, resilience, and the pursuit of goals, marking a significant sonic evolution. On their social media, they highlight that fans of HIM, Volbeat , and Type O Negative might enjoy their music.
In an interview with Wikimetal, the band explains the meaning behind their music and introduces their musical genre, which they call melodic dark rock, and talks about the meaning behind their lyrics – in addition to expressing their admiration for Brazilian bands such as Sepultura, Angra , and Crypta.
Wikimetal: Could you start by telling us the meaning behind the band's name, Stigma?
STIGMA: Some people carry visible marks on their skin, whether intentional, like a tattoo, or not, like a scar. But perhaps there are many more people invisibly marked by life, on the inside. The band's name, "Stigma," is a deliberate statement: not to hide these stigmas, but to deal with them openly and accept them as part of life. Your stigma is your strength.
Wikimetal: What's the story behind the band? How did you all meet and what led you to decide to form a real band?
STIGMA: Markus and I already had a band together in 2007 (Savage Crow), and we wrote one song in particular (“Loaded Attack”) while we were there. After the band broke up, we still had ideas for new songs, and Markus would play them for us from time to time during our rehearsals. One day, I invited some musician friends over and told them I wanted to bring all those ideas to life on stage with our new band, Stigma. That's when the phrase that still motivates us today came about: “Let's blow our music out into the world.”
Wikimetal: In 2022, you released your first EP, Last Order. What's the story behind this project?
STIGMA: Last Order tells the story of the inevitable end of our lives. Imagine this: you're sitting at the bar of your favorite place, ordering your last drink—or a soldier receiving their last order without even realizing it. That's how songs like "Deadline," "Lies of War," and "Time"—with the refrain "Our time is now, now and here"—and "Break Them All" came about. The message is: "Despite all the dangers and challenges, don't look away; see beyond the facts, join us, fight, and live your life." You never know when you'll receive your last order.
Wikimetal: Some of your songs talk about resilience and the search for purpose and meaning in life. Do you write about themes that are personal to you?
STIGMA: Yes, absolutely. Take the songs from the album Last Order, for example. My father had passed away shortly before that and, in his last days, he could no longer speak, but he still wanted to tell us something; I tried to process that in the songs “Deadline” and “Time”, with the refrain “Our time is now, now and here”.
The inspiration for “Lies of War” was the new war in the heart of Europe. We were fortunate to grow up in times of peace and thought something like this would never happen here again. So we wondered how it could have happened, and that’s how “Lies of War” came about — it tells how, unfortunately, it was easy to start another war with words and demands, a war that has already lasted far too long. The first single from our most recent album, Second Chance, “Faraway,” speaks of a prisoner’s longing to be far away one day, even though he has the freedom to move around and work on the prison island during the day. This is also symbolic for all of us, when we create our own prison islands and surrender to the hope of breaking free and living freely.
Wikimetal: When you started the band, who were some of your biggest influences and how did you find the band's signature sound?
STIGMA: The band started in 2021. Finding our signature sound wasn't a meticulous process or a marketing plan; it was more like digging up what was already buried deep within us. It is and always will be an evolution of influences — driven by our own life experiences and the development of our environment. Our sound captured what we call our essence of “Melodic Dark Rock.” We love contrasting worlds. For us, “Dark Rock” creates the atmosphere — it's the foggy street, the old abandoned theater, the pitch-black night. “Melodic” is the light that breaks through that fog. It's the hope or the beautiful pain within the darkness. To make real emotions tangible, we are always searching for three things: intensity for the gut, darkness for the soul, and melody for the mind.
Wikimetal: What are some of your biggest influences and references currently?
STIGMA: Over the years, we realized that we were unconsciously channeling the dark romanticism of bands like HIM and Depeche Mode, the heavy and raw despair of Type O Negative and The 69 Eyes, and the theatrical storytelling of Alice Cooper.
Observing the contemporary scene, we find some modern references that share a similar musical frequency and prove that this sound is very much alive today. For example, we admire how Ghost continues to maintain theatrical storytelling and catchy melodic choruses as central elements of modern rock. We also see bands like Unto Others demonstrating that a dark and pulsating energy still resonates deeply with contemporary audiences, while Neon Nightmare captures a heavy and atmospheric intensity. For us, these contemporary bands validate the idea that the balance between heaviness, melody, and dark atmosphere that we seek with STIGMA has a legitimate and relevant place in the current music scene.
Wikimetal: In 2025, you released your first album, Second Chance. What does this project mean to you?
STIGMA: For me, Second Chance is much more than just a collection of songs; it's exactly what the title suggests: a deep retrospective and a vigorous new beginning. If you look at the tracklist and delve into the lyrics, you'll realize it's a cinematic and chronological journey that traverses the highs and lows of human existence. It covers the entire spectrum of life: from the first warning signs we encounter, to the bitter pain of broken friendships, to dealing with our hidden inner monsters, to the feeling of detachment and isolation, and finally, to finding our ultimate guide.
We didn't want to compose an album that focused solely on sadness. Instead, we wanted to create a musical canvas that captured both the darkness and the sheer rebellion needed to overcome it. For me, this project is proof that no matter how devastating a situation seems, or how deep the scar left by an experience, there is always a way to transform that raw pain into powerful art. It's about reclaiming your own story, standing firm in the face of defeat, and releasing that energy into the world with STIGMA.
Wikimetal: Do you have a favorite track on this album?
STIGMA: That's always a tough question because the album functions as a unique journey, but there are three tracks that really encapsulate the essence of our "Melodic Dark Rock" sound. First, I need to mention "Faraway" again. As I mentioned before, its underlying symbolism of breaking free from our own mental prison islands is incredibly meaningful to me. It's an emotional rock anthem that perfectly captures our philosophy of contrasting worlds—building a deep, hazy atmosphere before letting the melody emerge, culminating in that monumental guitar solo.
The other two favorites showcase the full sonic and energetic spectrum of Stigma. We have "Foul Play," which brings a raw, sharp, and direct rock energy to the album. It represents the most impactful and challenging side of our sound and is incredibly fun to play. On the other hand, "Your Guide" serves as the heavy and melancholic anchor at the end of the tracklist. It channels some of our classic dark narrative influences and brings the Second Chance to its natural and cinematic conclusion.
Wikimetal: You've been touring for a while now. Do you have plans to come to Brazil soon?
STIGMA: Going to Brazil is an absolute dream for us, and we're working hard behind the scenes to make it happen as soon as possible. Brazilian fans are world-renowned for being the most passionate, energetic, and loud in the entire rock and metal community, and as a band that feeds completely off the energy of live shows, we know that STIGMA and Brazil would be a perfect combination.
Right now, we're totally focused on our international schedule, which includes an exciting week-long club tour in Japan in early December 2026. This tour will be a fantastic milestone in bringing our live energy to Asia. But, right after that, expanding our horizons to South America is a top priority. We want to take our Melodic Dark Rock across the Atlantic and blast our music live into the hearts of Brazilian fans. Playing our songs from Second Chance to an audience that truly understands heavy and emotive melodies would be incredible. So yes, Brazil, we are definitely looking for the right opportunity to go there!
Wikimetal: Are you a fan of any Brazilian artists?
STIGMA: Without a doubt, the Brazilian rock and heavy music scene has gifted the world with some of the most influential and innovative artists in history. First and foremost, you can't talk about heavy music without mentioning Sepultura and Angra. The way Sepultura brought a raw, primal aggression to the world stage, and how Angra perfectly combined musical complexity with beautiful and captivating melodies, has been incredibly inspiring for generations of musicians worldwide.
But, looking at the current scene, we're also big fans of Crypta. What they're doing now in terms of pure energy and how they carry the torch of modern heavy music is absolutely phenomenal. Brazil has this unique musical DNA, where bands know exactly how to combine raw power with high intensity, and that's something we deeply respect and try to channel into our own version of Melodic Dark Rock.
Wikimetal: For someone who doesn't yet know the band: how would you describe Stigma?
STIGMA: If you're new to STIGMA, I would describe our music as Melodic Dark Rock, built on three pillars: visceral intensity, darkness for the soul, and melody for the mind. We love creating contrasting musical worlds. Imagine a cold, foggy night or the script of a dark theatrical play—that's the soundscape our instruments create. But the melody is the light that breaks through that fog; it represents the hope and the beautiful pain within the darkness.
Our music is deeply honest and emotional. We take the hidden inner scars, the invisible marks that life leaves on all of us, and transform them into powerful rock anthems. If you enjoy the dark romanticism of bands like HIM, the heavy and visceral atmosphere of Type O Negative, and powerful, catchy choruses that get stuck in your head, then STIGMA is the band you've been looking for. Your stigma is your strength — join us and let's spread this energy around the world together.
READ ALSO: Stigma: 5 songs to get to know the German band that is growing internationally
