GOD DETHRONED Drummer: 'We Aren't Fanatic Anti-Christian People'

Dr. Abner Mality of Wormwood Chronicles webzine recently conducted an interview with GOD DETHRONED drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek. A few excerpts from the chat follow:

Wormwood Chronicles: When GOD DETHRONED started, it was a very Satanic-themed band. There's still some of that but nowhere near as much. Have you ever considered a name change? Outside of DEICIDE, I can't think of too many bands where the name suggests "devil worshipper" as much as GOD DETHRONED.

Ariën: You've got a point. But we aren't fanatic anti-Christian people. The name GOD DETHRONED was made up by Henri at a time that he was surrounded by people whom he probably believed to be Christian people and who would act in the name of God. He just thought that sucked and he wanted to rebel gainst that, I guess. Of course, the first albums are pretty religious-oriented. But there's a lot more trouble going on than the abusers of religion. Religion itself is something that can be very helpful to people and that's a very good thing. Where it turns bad is when religion is being shoved down someone else's throat, and in worst case, start a war because of that. We are a bit more interested in other things than just anti-god or whatever.

Wormwood Chronicles: The sound of the band changed some for "Toxic Touch", but not really that much. Are your surprised that the changes seem to be controversial for some of your fans?

Ariën: It only got much better, more defined with a raw feeling, yet crystal clear sound. I'm not surprised at all that it's controversial. It's not really a typical GOD DETHRONED sound, so to speak, but this sound just fits the songs best. There are always people who prefer the first underground records of death metal bands, but that's OK.

Wormwood Chronicles: There seems to be more of a classic rock, almost bluesy influence on some songs. I think the instrumental "Away From Emptiness" definitely has that quality. Did you draw more inspiration from older '70s/'80s music for "Toxic Touch"?

Ariën: It's funny, because Henri had the clean guitar part at the beginning of the song in his mind for a long time. When we were in the studio, Isaac and Henri just sat down and started jamming with the two of them while I was watching some movie. When they were finished they recorded it and asked me if I could fill in the drum parts. It was done in no-time, and it turned out great! I think it's typical for us that we've done this. Of course, we were thinking about the reactions already, haha, but we just HAD to put this song on the album. I know that Henri loves PINK FLOYD and the GOLDEN EARRING, but I don't know if that inspired him to write the song.

Check out the rest of the interview at
www.wormmwoodchronicles.com.