Breforth: Four decades of passion
BREFORTH is the brainchild of MAD MAX founder and mastermind Jürgen Breforth. The legendary German band MAD MAX was founded in the early 80s and they quickly conquered the international market. Especially in Germany, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Japan they still have a big fanbase. With his current Hardrock/Metal act BREFORTH, Jürgen could celebrate successes like three times winner of the “Deutscher Rock&Pop Preis” 2023 as “best Hardrock Band”, “best Metal Singer” and “best Drummer”. Moreover, this year Jürgen can celebrate his personal ‘40 Years in Metal’!
Jürgen, tell us about recording the new single “Tarot Lady”? (Which appears on the forthcoming album due out the fall of 2025.)
“Tarot Lady” should provide all BREFORTH fans with an impression of the upcoming second BREFORTH Album.
I had this big honor with my band Mad Max to be able to play as “Special Guest” with DEEP PURPLE and AXEL RUDI PELL. This has made a huge impact on me and therefore “Tarot Lady” can be seen as my musical hommage to those awesome bands.
During the recording sessions, we have used keyboards for the first time, the essential instrument for the sound of DEEP PURPLE.
The BREFORTH debut album (“Metal in my heart”) was very focused on Heavy Metal. For “Tarot Lady” we wanted to expand the musical spectrum a bit towards Hardrock. The characteristic “metal touch” for BREFORTH is delivered via the vocals of our singer Peter Lenzschau.
Who writes the band’s lyrics? What inspires you to write?
Until now, it was me and BREFORTH singer Peter Lenzschau who created all the songs. Our inspiration often came from stories that I have experienced myself during my “40 metal years” in the music business. But there are also historical topics, of which we find medieval times the most interesting.. “Tarot Lady” is a good example for it.
What was it like making the “Tarot Lady” Video?
For the video I managed to involve once again my friend Wanderley Perna from Brazil, who had made videos for e.g. GRAVE DIGGER and MYSTIC PROPHECY.
He turned the lyrics of “Tarot Lady” into wonderfully mystic visuals and captured the atmosphere of this song perfectly.
How does it feel celebrating 40 years in metal?
Actually, in 2026 I can celebrate the 45 year anniversary with Mad Max, because the first Mad Max Single or EP had been released in 1981 already, back then still via self-publishing/distribution.
Back then I started it all in a time which did not even dream of internet or streaming. We became popular exclusively via live shows and articles in print magazines from all around the world.
I do remember vividly that we received our first big international report in a Canadian fanzine.
What I am very proud of is leading the band for so many decades. It has been a bumpy ride with many ups and downs, but I have always kept on it passionately and have never thrown in the towel even during difficult times.
What can we expect from the new album?
The new BREFORTH album will surprise many fans. We didn’t just want to copy the very successful debut album, but rather to develop our songwriting even further. Naturally, we will still have those BREFORTH typical Metal guitar riffs and harmonic choruses. And there will be autobiographic songs featuring stories that happened to me during those shows all around the world.
It should continue to be exiting and interesting for us as a band and also for the fans.
What was it like being in the band Mad Max?
I need to say this: Mad Max is my band and I am very happy about the fact that I am part of two great acts.
Mad Max had made it possible for me to play concerts all around the world, including shows in the USA, Columbia, Brazil and all over Europe.
I am very grateful for the fact that the Mad Max music still inspires so many fans after so many decades, in the meantime even a lot of very young fans have been discovering the old Mad Max albums.
How did Mad Max form?
I have founded Mad Max in the year 1981 in my hometown Münster, Germany. Before that I had a band named “Way Out” (the name was inspired by the London subway). I felt eager to write my own songs and was a big fan of British bands like the early DEF LEPPARD, IRON MAIDEN or SAXON. Those acts were my inspiration.
Then in 1981 I had the lucky break to find Andreas Baesler as a singer (by posting a note on the pin wall in a record store), and we recorded our first single or EP with 4 songs in the very same year. That was the beginning for Mad Max.
Any favorite bands, Jürgen?
My musical taste has not changed much. After DEF LEPPARD, IRON MAIDEN and SAXON I added several US bands in the 80s like DOKKEN and CINDERELLA.
My favorite guitar players are still George Lynch and Rory Gallagher.
What does the year and future look like for the band?
Right now we are naturally very busy with the recordings for the new BREFORTH album, which we would like to release world-wide in autumn 2025.
Naturally we would like to present the songs also live on stage and hope to get many festival show bookings in 2026, in Germany and elsewhere.
Thank you for the great questions, it was a lot of fun.
Thank you, Jürgen, for your time!
Interview: John Wisniewski
photos: Band Bandwebsite
