23 years after their first visit to Athens, the Dutch blackened death metallers, GOD DETHRONED return for a co-headlining show- in a highly interesting package together with Exhorder.
Founder member Henri Sattler, answers our questions preparing us for their long-awaited appearance before the greek crowd, and informs us about their upcoming and very interesting plans.
EXHORDER and GOD DETHRONED are coming TOGETHER for a single concert, in Athens, on Sunday May 26 at Kyttaro Club! A package that those lucky enough to present will make a dream come true that they couldn’t even imagine until now!
Thrash – Death Metal reigns supreme!
RockOverdose: First of all we would like to know what has happened since the release of the single “Asmodevs”. It’s been a year and a half almost and we thought a new album was due. Is this song a hint for the direction of the new album somehow?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): We took a lot of time to write the new album. In the past we always tried to hurry up, but after so many albums we felt we needed to take more time to do an even better job.
Asmodeus will also be on the new album as a rerecorded track with a much better sound and performance. The new album will be very diverse and will have songs varying from atmospheric to brutal to melodic ones. It is fully recorded and mixed now. Release is scheduled for september, immediately followed by a European tour and the first single with video will be out by the end of June.
RockOverdose: Which are your thoughts on “Illuminati” 4 years after its release? It was an album of its own far from the concept of World War I of the previous three albums. Are you fully satisfied with its sound?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): After the trilogy of World War I it was time to find a new concept to work on. It became Illuminati. I think it’s a very strong album, but unfortunately was drowned in the covid years as it came out one month before covid shut the world down. We were lucky enough to finish one European tour after its release, but after that we weren’t able to promote the album properly unfortunately. Like so many other bands we had an album that drowned during the circumstances. I really like the album and the way it sounds, but the new album does sound a lot better in my opinion.
RockOverdose: After “Illuminati” you did To The Gallows project with Rogga Johansson, so far we don’t have any news since the release of “Fury Of The Netherworld”, will there be a continuation and if yes, are you going to be a part of it?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): Yes this was a project that was recorded a long time ago and it took a few years before it was released. The original label VIC Records sold the rights to another label so it took quite a while. I don’t think there will be a follow up of that album.
RockOverdose: Also, you have Frank Schilperoort on drums and so far we haven’t a full clue of his skills. How was he chosen to fill the drum position and how would you describe him as a drummer? What new elements has he brought to the band?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): Frank joined the band mid 2020 if I recall it correctly and the first two years we couldn’t play many live shows with him because of the covid restrictions. You will hear him in full glory on the new album and during our live show later this month in Athens. He’s somewhere in the middle of Arien van Weesenbeek and Roel Sanders (our previous drummers), so very precise, but also very rock ‘n’ roll. We are very happy to have him.
RockOverdose: What we can see is that there is a certain level up to your videos of the last albums and the last single. How easy is to find a concept for each one and how much important is a good video for a band’s promotion in your opinion?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): It’s quite a challenge. Trying to tell a story in a song with a video and making it a comprehensible story. We found some good video creators to make some proper videos. Now this whole challenge starts again with the new album. We are working hard to make some new, very enjoyable videos the new album. Something that will fit to the atmosphere and the theme of the songs. I guess i’m just as curious as you are to find out what it will become this time.
RockOverdose: Looking back, it would be interesting to know what tired you so much to split the band in 2012 and how did you decide to come back rather quick in 2014. Also, did the relentless style of “Under The Sign Of The Iron Cross” lead to two more mid-tempo/atmospheric albums with “The World Ablaze” and “Illuminati” on purpose?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): I quit by 2012 because of personal reasons. I needed some time for myself to recuperate and find myself back. The extremeness of the album ‘Under the Sign of the Iron Cross’ reflects the aggression that was inside me around that time and I had reached a point where I needed to step down in order not to go crazy. We came back in 2015 after a three year break, but we slowed down the touring significantly. The way ‘The World Ablaze’ and ‘Illuminati’ turned out had nothing to do with its predecessor, but was just a reflection of how we felt around that time. And so will the new album.
RockOverdose: I am really happy you get big recognition for your work with Serpent King Guitars. Did you expect it when you started your own business? Is there a model you are more fond of? I have a soft spot for your white James Hetfield-like Centurion to be honest and the Stratus6 Blood Red. Which model is most successful to date and for which reason in your opinion?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): Thank you for your kind words. No I didn’t know what to expect when I started this endeavour, but yes I built up quite a decent name in the scene. Unfortunately i’m suffering from an inflammation in my shoulder and therefore I had to quit all heavy work, including building guitars. So everyone who owns one at the moment should be caressing it for as long as possible because right now it doesn’t look like there will be any new ones. My personal favorites are the Blackfyre and the Centurion. Both guitars which I use live on stage myself. The popularity of the models are always shifting for whatever reason. In the end it seemed they all had their popularity at some time or another.
RockOverdose: Being a guitarist and singer together and with many youngsters out there trying to start their own band, which would be your advice to them and which points should they be careful for the most?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): I can only say, go with your gut feeling and never give up. Play the music you like personally and don’t look for trends to follow. People will recognize sincerity in music, especially when it comes from the heart. And show some backbone. If you want to give up after every setback then you will never get there.
RockOverdose: Finally we’re seeing you in Greece again after so much years. The first gig with Marduk in 2001 is still discussed as one of the best performances of a band we have seen in our lives. What should we wait from your appearance in Athens this time?
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): We are so happy to finally come back to Athens. We have played more shows in Greece since then, but not in your beautiful capital. We will play an extra long set for our fans to make up for the long wait and we will have time for a beer and a chat at the merch booth afterwards when Exhorder is playing!
RockOverdose: We would like to thank you for your time, it was a big joy for us to host you. Is there any full detail you could share for a possible new album (working title, songs etc), or de we have to wait a bit longer? Take care and stay safe and thank you for still being around, showing how it’s done correctly.
Henri Sattler (GOD DETHRONED): It’s my pleasure! More details about the new album will be revealed soon enough. Just a little more patience. See you soon!
On behalf of RockOverdose,
Angelos Katsouras
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