|
In a time when I was waiting impatiently for a quality death metal release, I was taken by surprise by this CD, "Affiliated With The Suffering", an exceptional death metal masterpiece, coming from Norwegian BLOOD RED THRONE, a super-band formed by musicians like Tchort and Død (SATYRICON, EMPEROR), who normally shouldn't have had anything in common with brutal death metal. Despite this, I was extremely delighted by the quality of their death metal, so please read this interview as well as my review in order to figure out best what BLOOD RED THRONE have to say in the death metal area.
Necromantic Art: Hi Død! Is this your real name? What do you think of an interview for a Romanian zine? What do you know about Romania? Not that it matters somehow.
Død: Hi. My real name is Daniel and this is my first interview with a Romanian zine! Something I know about your country is your great landscape and mighty castles! [Landscapes, still, but castles kind of rare and most of them no longer for the public. Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Being for the first time in front of Romanian death metal fans, I guess no one would have anything against if you'd describe a bit your activity in the underground. Had you had any before the release of your first CD?
Død: BLOOD RED THRONE has been around since 1998 and we've released two albums and one mini-CD. Both I and Tchort played in SATYRICON, but we wanted to start our own band, and our passion for death metal made it easy to choose our style...
Necromantic Art: "Affiliated with the Suffering" is your third album and at the same time the only one I have listened to. I think that the most interesting aspect of your discography is the period between your releases. Is there anything special about releasing albums every year or it's just simply a coincidence?
Død: I don't know if I understand your question here but I guess it's just a coincidence that we've released albums every year.
Necromantic Art: That's exactly what I wanted to ask... It's time to tell our readers that you perform a sort of brutal death metal as in the old days, thing that could but enchant my ears so much bored by that black metal mania which has made so many followers throughout the latest years. What exactly do you think that determines newer bands to perform death metal as in the old days? Are people tired of all those melodic death metal crap and black metal bands that have been activating lately in the scene?
Død: We basically do what we feel regardless. But it's obvious that there are way too many lousy black metal bands these days. And when it comes to death metal, it seems like playing fast is the most important. I like melodic death metal as well, but there are too many sound-alike bands. In BLOOD RED THRONE, we try to combine all elements and just make cool death metal!
Necromantic Art: Why though you decided to perform an old school brutal death metal and not a modern death metal (melodic or Swedish)? Why the old school American death? I personally think the American death is the best.
Død: Like I said, we enjoy both modern and old death metal, but I guess it's quite obvious that the old US death metal has inspired us most.
Necromantic Art: The fact that some of your band members could be very well considered as being a part of the extreme metal elite, do you think this fact had anything to do with your signing for HAMMERHEART RECORDS?
Død: Personally, I don't think so. We did a very cool demo first, and I guess HAMMERHEART liked it. We also had other labels being interested in BLOOD RED THRONE...
Necromantic Art: Speaking of old true death metal, I read in your bio that you are more or less influenced by bands like: DEICIDE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, OBITUARY, CARCASS, AUTOPSY and old GORGUTS. And to be honest, those bands' influences are quite present in your music. I personally believe that everything that could be said in death metal has already been said. Do you think you could possibly bring a breathe of fresh air in this genre?
Død: Well, that's not our obvious intention. We play the kind of death metal we enjoy the most and this pleases us. I really don't think there's too much original to come up with in this genre, but who knows... [You are right, no surprises to come... Ed.]
Necromantic Art: It happens that I am an old school death metal school nostalgic. For people like me, the death masterpieces released in the 1989-1995 era cannot be equaled by any of the newer releases. Don't you think it's possible that people like me not to have the appropriate frame of mind to listen to your album (which by the way is a killer one) or even lack it, considering that it cannot equal albums like "Altars of Madness" for example, but not regarding the quality of the music or your ability as musicians but mostly because it was not released in that period (and thus, it cannot be set in their minds as a death metal classic release)? I mean, people might think you are just performing a death metal based on riffs and structures considered classic, and thus, that has been already said. Do you think these people are wrong? Do you think that just because you formed this band in 1998 and you were not a classic death metal act like MORBID ANGEL for instance, people could judge your album wrongly and not to appreciate it at its real value? To my readers: Don't misinterpret this question; the BLOOD RED THRONE album and the band itself are much above most of the shitty bands that activate in the scene and their releases.
Død: Well, I started listening to death metal in 1991, but since I only was 14 years then and had not started playing the guitar, it was a bit difficult for me to come up with some classic death metal stuff at that point, he he. Anyway, I started playing guitar and death metal right away in 1993, but it took me 5 years to find a good death metal drummer. So things took some time and me only being 25 now, made it difficult to be a part of the great death metal era 1987 - 1995. Nowadays, I finally play with skilled people and can perform my death metal as I wanted already back in 1993... [Well, that's enough a good "excuse" - and we accept it! Your album simply rules! Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Your style seems to me more influenced by SINISTER, THORIUM and CANNIBAL CORPSE and less by OBITUARY, DEATH. What do you say?
Død: I only have one album by SINISTER and THORIUM have I never heard of, so I don't know about those two bands. The CANNIBAL CORPSE comparison might be right, though we're not so brutal and one track minded. We've recorded an OBITUARY cover for our new album, so I guess we're influenced by them as well. And by the way, DEATH is my all time fave band through history...
Necromantic Art: Can we affirm that BLOOD RED THRONE is a super band considering the musicians that form it? Was it difficult to find suitable members to complete the line-up, considering your outstanding value as musicians (yours and Tchort's)? Did you have any demanding criteria regarding their way of performance?
Død: Basically, BLOOD RED THRONE started as a result that me and Tchort were fed up playing in SATYRICON, and wanted to start our own band. But it wasn't easy to find a suitable drummer in our home city. But when we did, things were starting to roll. Erlend C was found through the internet and joined on bass. We got help from our friend in TRAIL OF TEARS, Ronny, to do the vocals on our demo. But we needed a permanent vocalist, and it wasn't until a couple of weeks before recording our debut, I thought of a friend of mine, Mr. Hustler, who actually never has sung before, he he.
Necromantic Art: Your album's cover is very bloody, but to be honest, it would rather lead my mind to a black metal band, if I didn't know you're a pure death band. This could lead people into confusion and they could think that you're a black metal band. On the other hand, there could be death metal fans that could see your sleeve in a shop and not to buy your album, believing that you're a black metal band. Have you thought of that too?
Død: Hmm, OK. I would disagree. Anyway, this is just a part our "package", just to let people know that we're talking about BLOOD RED THRONE. I think our covers are very appealing, and actually attract people (both black metallers, death metallers and maybe even ordinary people) to at least pick up the record and look at it. I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong. Anyway, BLOOD RED THRONE plays death metal, with a little dose of black metal incorporated as well!
Necromantic Art: What do you expect to acquire with the release of this album?
Død: First and foremost, to go on a European tour this time. Otherwise, I hope the listeners will value this as a quality piece of death metal! [I already did that! Ed.]
Necromantic Art: Do you expect EMPEROR and SATYRICON fans to buy your BLOOD RED THRONE releases? Could this be the reason that could best justify such a rather black-metal-ish sleeve?
Død: I guess some of them will, both due to they enjoy death metal and cause they want to check out what former members of EMPEROR and SATYRICON are up to these days. Like I said, I think our covers are pure death metal covers, he he!
Necromantic Art: How do you see competition with THORIUM, a band very style-similar with you (I would say to the core)?
Død: I must check them out first, he he. Anyway, BLOOD RED THRONE has never been into any competition. It's all music, and after a gig we often bang our heads off to the next band playing...
Necromantic Art: What do you think is the EMPEROR and SATYRICON fans' opinion about you Død, playing in a pure death metal band? Is it hard for you to play with two different style-oriented bands? How do you manage it?
Død: First of all, I don't play in SATYRICON anymore. Nevertheless, I play in three bands, with different styles. Anyway, I can't use my time thinking what SATYRICON fans think of me playing whatever music I do!
Necromantic Art: There are many fine tracks on this album, but I would especially name the self-titled track and the one featured on the digipack version of the album: "Deadly Intentions". The solo on this very track is one of the best I've ever heard in death metal area. Who's in charge with the solos section: you or Tchort?
Død: The title track is written by Tchort. "Deadly Intentions" is a cover song of OBITUARY (didn't you know???) [Of course I knew, but your version of playing it simply demolished me. Maybe I didn't formulate the question properly and you understood that I didn't know to what band that song belongs. Ed.], and I play the solo, as well as all the other solos in BLOOD RED THRONE...
Necromantic Art: Sometimes, your music reminds me of OPPRESSOR. This was a very good American band, which after the release of two exceptional albums, "Agony" and "Elements of Corrosion", they disbanded. Am I wrong?
Død: I have to disappoint you again. I've just heard the name OPPRESSOR, but never their music I'm afraid...
Necromantic Art: What do you plan to achieve with BLOOD RED THRONE? And how does that combine with the promotion HAMMERHEART RECORDS is doing for you so far?
Død: Just creating quality death metal and perform this live. I believe HAMMERHEART does a good job with the promotion part, but the label tour last year failed, so we expect to do a new tour this year!
Necromantic Art: I own the promo version of the CD, which does not include the lyrics. What are they about? And who's writing them?
Død: Tchort writes most of the lyrics so far, and they deal with death in every aspect!
Necromantic Art: I have proposed to ask every true death metal band a personal question: what is your opinion about old death metal bands that initially began with a death metal in force: HYPOCRISY, SIX FEET UNDER, BENEDICTION, to name just a few, and now their music is filled with shitty groove, industrial and all kind of experimental shit? What about the legendary names that began with true death metal and never betrayed this style: MORBID ANGEL, NECROPHOBIC, SINISTER, CANNIBAL CORPSE, NAPALM DEATH, DEICIDE?
Død: I'm not a big fan of either HYPOCRISY, SIX FEET UNDER or BENEDICTION, he he [That was not my question... Ed.] MORBID ANGEL is great as always, though their earlier material is their best. I've always enjoyed the Swedish NECROPHOBIC, if that's the band you mean?! [Who else? Ed.] But they play more black metal though. I just have "Cross the Styx" with SINISTER, and this is OK. CANNIBAL CORPSE is great and I actually think their later stuff is the greatest, even though all their records are masterpieces! Some of NAPALM DEATH is quite cool. I have 4 albums or so with them. The "Mass Appeal Madness" EP is fuckin' great! DEICIDE is cool as hell, but their latest albums were disappointing though... [Never liked them either... Ed.]
Necromantic Art: How do you see the future of extreme metal, Død? Where death metal is heading to?
Død: I really don't know. It seems like extreme metal is very popular again, but there are too many bands again I think. I don't think there will be any new death metal, but there will be other forms of extreme metal. I already know of one band: DEATH:JAZZ:ENSEMBLE!
Necromantic Art: And a more personal question. Many people I have heard judging EMPEROR and SATYRICON for the musical direction present on their last albums. Many of them have wanted you to release some albums as in the old days with these bands. Do you think they know shit about music and they're wrong? Do you care about the fans' opinions?
Død: We can't care. It's impossible to please everyone. We just have to do our thing...
Necromantic Art: What are your plans besides performing with BLOOD RED THRONE in the future?
Død: Other plans than BLOOD RED THRONE??? Well, I and Hustler will record our second album with our other band, COBOLT 60, this year. I will also be pretty occupied with my other main band, SCARIOT!
Necromantic Art: Who is Mr. Hustler? Please let him know that I believe his voice is one of the best in this area!
Død: Mr. Hustler is a long time friend of mine. He's actually a drummer, but found out that he can sing death metal as well. I'll let him know...
Necromantic Art: You witnessed both the death metal and the black metal heyday. Could you tell me if there is any difference between the fans' frame of mind during those times and the actual one?
Død: It sure was more magic back in the early 90's, but things must develop, and in one way or another it's positive that extreme metal is more accepted and has gained more listeners now (has it?). We'll see who's still in after a new decade...
Necromantic Art: Do you think black metal is dead and buried? Is it the time for death metal to take over?
Død: I don't think black metal is dead. We still have the elite bands wanting to perform this act many years to come. I guess there will always be black and death metal bands around regardless...
Necromantic Art: Is this album the best you've realized in this area (I'm referring to death metal)?
Død: "Affiliated With the Suffering" is the best death metal album I've recorded so far indeed!
Necromantic Art: To what bands do you like to listen at home Død? Do you listen to any other styles of music besides death and black metal?
Død: I have about 1000 CD's and LP's at home, and YES, I listen to much more than only black and death metal. My fave band is as you know, DEATH, and my fave guitarist is JOE SATRIANI. Otherwise, I think PANTERA, MESHUGGAH and NEVERMORE are some of the coolest bands on this planet!!!
Necromantic Art: Thank you so much Død for accepting to answer my questions. Good luck with BLOOD RED THRONE!
Død: Thank you. Hail Necromantic Art Magazine!
|
|
