Deaf Forever

Deaf Forever is a German music magazine specialising in heavy metal and its subgenres. It was founded in 2014 by Götz Kühnemund and Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann, both former staff of the long-running German metal magazine Rock Hard. The publication is issued by In Dubio Pro Metal Verlags- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH, a separate publishing company established for the purpose, with Kühnemund serving as its head. The magazine takes its name from a song by the British band Motörhead, and its editorial stance is rooted in a deep knowledge of and enthusiasm for metal culture. The first issue of Deaf Forever appeared on 13 August 2014, with King Diamond on the cover. Even before that debut, more than 1,000 readers had taken out subscriptions, signalling strong demand from the German metal community. The editorial team has included notable musicians such as Fenriz of Darkthrone, Alan Averill of Primordial and Manuel Trummer of Atlantean Kodex, giving the magazine a strong connection to the artists it covers. Deaf Forever covers the full spectrum of metal, from classic heavy metal and hard rock to death metal, black metal and beyond. Its pages feature interviews, reviews, historical retrospectives and scene reports. The magazine also runs special features such as the Listenwahn XXL series, in which the editorial team reassesses significant albums released since the magazine's founding. Regular sections include news, concert and festival coverage, and a forum for reader interaction. The brand extends beyond the printed magazine. Deaf Forever operates an online presence with a shop, subscription services, a media stream and a channel, and it engages with its audience through concerts and a forum. This multi-channel approach reflects the magazine's role as a community hub for German-speaking metal fans. As of the mid-2020s, Deaf Forever continues to publish regularly, with issue numbers in the 70s. Its longevity and loyal readership demonstrate its established place in the European metal media landscape, carrying forward the legacy of its founders' extensive experience at Rock Hard.

Deaf Forever was born out of a major shake-up at Rock Hard, one of Germany's leading metal magazines. On 8 January 2014, Rock Hard announced the separation from editor-in-chief Götz Kühnemund, who had led the magazine for 24 years, as well as from editors Andreas Himmelstein and Frank Albrecht. According to Rock Hard, Kühnemund's departure was "amicable" and for editorial reasons, while the editors were let go for economic reasons. In the period that followed, other contributors left Rock Hard in solidarity with their dismissed colleagues. Kühnemund and Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann, also a former Rock Hard employee, decided to found their own magazine. To this end, In Dubio Pro Metal Verlags- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH established a separate publishing company, with Kühnemund taking the helm. Kühnemund and Mühlmann served as editors. The team included numerous musicians such as Fenriz, drummer of Darkthrone, Alan Averill, singer of Primordial, and Manuel Trummer, guitarist of Atlantean Kodex. The magazine's name comes from a song by the British band Motörhead. In the editorial, Kühnemund referred to Motörhead singer and bassist Lemmy Kilmister: "Lemmy already said: If you're deaf, you don't hear bad music!" The first issue was published on 13 August 2014 with King Diamond on the cover. Even before the first edition was published, more than 1,000 people had taken out a subscription. Since its founding, Deaf Forever has established itself as a fixture in the German metal media landscape. The magazine covers a wide range of metal genres and has featured interviews and stories on countless bands. Its editorial team has remained closely connected to the scene, with musician-editors bringing insider perspectives. Special series such as Listenwahn XXL have become reader favourites. The magazine has also expanded its presence online, offering a shop, subscription services, a media stream and a forum, and it engages with its audience through concerts and other events. As of the mid-2020s, the magazine continues to publish regularly, with issue numbers in the 70s, and maintains a loyal readership.

• Rock Hard announces separation from editor-in-chief Götz Kühnemund and editors Andreas Himmelstein and Frank Albrecht.

• Götz Kühnemund and Wolf-Rüdiger Mühlmann found Deaf Forever; In Dubio Pro Metal Verlags- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH established as publisher.

• First issue of Deaf Forever published with King Diamond on the cover; over 1,000 subscriptions before launch.

A specialist German-language heavy metal magazine with deep editorial expertise and strong ties to the metal scene.

• Deaf Forever magazine

  Monthly print magazine covering heavy metal and subgenres, with interviews, reviews and features.

• Listenwahn XXL

  Special editorial series reassessing significant metal albums released since the magazine's founding.

1. 1DEAF FOREVER | Die offizielle Homepage zum Magazindeaf-forever.de
2. 2Deaf Forever - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Deaf Forever - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org