Rockezine.com interview with Blood Red Throne on Oct 10, 2001

with Tchort on Oct 10, 2001

"Roots bloody Roots” One of the most intense old school orientated death metal releases this year comes from Blood Red Throne. Aggressive guitar parts, rolling bass drums “Monument of Death” has it all. Hammerheart noticed this new band featuring ex members of bands as Emperor and Satyricon, and gave them a record deal. They are going to play live in the future and I can only give the death metal fans one, actually two, advises. Go check them out than, and get that new release before.
		What made you guys decide to play death metal again? The passion for the genre or was it time to focus on a different kind of metal (black metal background)? First of all because Death Metal stands my heart closest, and we managed the get a line up whom shared our passion for this music. When I started with music seriously in 1988/89, I aimed towards a Death metal band, and in late 1989/90 we completed the line up for my first Death Metal band, Green Carnation. We released a demo in 91/92, and its been that long since I have played this style now, so the need was great to form Blood Red Throne, at least from my side, who have been involved with this great style previously.
		Tell me how the idea to found Blood Red Throne started out? The name, Blood Red Throne, is the title of the last Death metal song I wrote with Green Carnation before we split up in late 92. I like to link my musical events, and chose the title as a band name when BRT was formed almost 2 years ago now. Død and I have been playing with Satyricon for some time, and all the time we spent in the rehearsal room, gave us opportunity to get to know each other on a musical level as well, and we discovered that we shared the passion for DM, and also started to write some riffs. When we returned to our home city, we started searching for a drummer, and even though it took a while, we managed to get Freddy who is a really great drummer, with Suffocation as a favorite band. Even if had never played DM before, he managed to adapt the style easily. We started out as a trio, playing cover songs, before we wrote our own. The Children shall endure Portrait of a Killer and Ravenous War Machine, being some of our first songs.
		How are the reactions so far? I personally think “Monument of Death” has become a great release that I certainly don’t hear that often… I take that as a great compliment, thanks! The promos are just recently sent out, so there still haven’t been that many reactions. I mean, I received the promos for the band, just a few days ago, but the ones who have heard the album like to point out that the music is very aggressive yet catchy and that the production is great, which I agree to. BRT are prepared to follow up with live shows and I have already started to write the next album.
		Cannibal Corpse meets Deicide meets Obituary? Yes please. That was our comments when we started talking what style we should aim for. Basically, what we do, is that we take the different elements that makes our favorite bands, precisely what they are, our favorite bands, and mix them with our own style and way of arranging songs. I mean, Suffocation has technique, Deicide have a lot of head banging riffs, Cannibal Corpse aggression and great riffs, etc. We try to make songs that we would like to listen to, more or less. Død and I write very different riffs and also arrange our songs very differently, so we feel that our album is very diverse, song-to-song.
		What do you think of the death metal scene at the moment and where would you like to place Blood Red Throne for instance? I think the Death Metal scene looks pretty strong, if maybe not as strong as it was 10 years ago, it sure is close to. One of our aims all this time has been to perform live with BRT, and that is still where we want to go. I feel that even this is the first BRT album; we have a lot to offer the scene. I feel we bring fresh blood and experience, though from other genres as well. We focus a little more on groove and aggression than many newer bands do, as they seem to be more interested in playing the fastest they are able to. But hell, there are many bands that are “new” to the scene that rock my world. Severe Torture for example.
		Tell me what made Blood Red Throne decide to bring out a limited edition of “Monument of Death” signed with real blood and a razorblade going with it? I don’t think coming up with ideas like this is new to bands, its more likely that the labels refuse or don’t want to spend money on ideas like this, when they come from the band itself. Luckily, we were asked if we had any ideas to go along with this release from HHR, and it didn’t take me long to realize that to complete this album, we should use elements of Death, like a razor for example. All our songs are about Death, so are our band photos, lyrics, lay out, etc. I feel we have made a strong package with a red line through all elements. I wanted to mix our blood with the actual printing color for the booklet, but we weren’t allowed, so signing the first 1000 copies with our blood, was a good second option I think. Basically, trying to do something new and making it a complete package that suits the style we play.
		Is Blood Red Throne a project band or are you also going to do some live gigs? Blood Red Throne is my main priority band. I have followed this first album every step of the way, and I am working on the new album already, and yes, we are trying to work things out, so that we can perform live in the near future. That is our aim indeed.
		Any plans for the near future? I am going on a tour with Carpathian Forest and Behemoth next week, and when I return, I am continuing to promote the BRT album, but also my solo album, Green Carnation – Light Of Day, Day Of Darkness, which also is released soon. After that I am trying to complete some of the songs for the new album and also rehearsing for live shows with BRT, which we hope will take place early 2002.
		What do you think of an Internet magazine? As I usually spend a great deal of time online, I think Internet magazines are great. I can easily find news, interviews, reviews, photos, etc. It’s a good and easy way to promote bands as well. But it means also that a lot more people are able to start their own internet magazines, which is always a good thing, as I think it can be a part of the overload of information and later downfall of the scene. People can get overfed with information too. I have been in the past.
		Anything you would like to add to this interview? I would like to thank you for your interest in Blood Red Throne, and suggest for the readers to check out our album, Monument Of Death, because that is what it is. A Monument!
		(Teun Jans)