Norwegian death metal kings, BLOOD RED THRONE are back with their strongest release so far, entitled "Nonagon" released on January 26 via Soulseller Records.
Founding member Daniel "Død" Olaisen (guitar) kindly answered our questions concerning their 11th studio album which celebrates 26 years in the scene and proves that the band still goes strong!
BLOOD RED THRONE
Facebook: / bloodredthro. .
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SOULSELLER RECORDS
Website: http://www.soulsellerrecords.com
US store: http://soulsellerrecords.aisamerch.com
Bandcamp: http://soulsellerrecords.bandcamp.com
Facebook: / soulsellerre. .
Read below!
RockOverdose: Daniel I would like to give you props for the new album, as I find it awesome and its sound especially has hooked me for good. Are you fully satisfied with the result of “Nonagon”? What is the response so far?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne : Hi Aggelos! Thanks for your kind words on the Nonagon album. We have really received a lot of great feedback on this one and it's something we hoped for as well. A cliché, but this is our best album in every aspect. Production is stellar, songs and riffs are well-done and we finally have the ultimate death metal vocals in the band!
RockOverdose: Describe us please what actions you took after “Imperial Congregation” up to “Nonagon” and how much it took you to record it in total. How did you manage to overcome the pandemic and stay strong to your feet?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :When there's a new album out, I've already started writing on new material. Especially with the pandemic I had plenty of time creating music. And also do my sports and just stay home with my family. It was actually good times despite I couldn't play shows. Regarding isongwriting, it's the same procedure. I write most of the music and I also help out arranging the songs Meathook comes up with. We record everything in my home studio and then Clammy does his bass stuff in his home studio and same with Sindre doing all vocals at his home. I program the drums so Freddy gets my idea of how I want it and then he starts jammin' and recording at his rehearsal place. The band don't meet at all except for me and Meathook, haha. Then we send all files to our producer in Sweden and he mixes and masters everything and makes it sound top-notch. He's also producing all my other stuff(except Valdaudr) and he's the live sound-guy for Blood Red Throne as well.
RockOverdose: So “Nonagon” is a very groovy album, rather heavy, that starts somehow mid-tempo and manages to raise the speeds as it goes by. Did this happen on purpose, did you feel the row of the tracks helps it to become better accessible and in its flow?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :We try to combine the groove with the brutality. The songs felt right from the very first moment and we knew we had something cool going on. I never thought about the tempo, but in retro-spect I can see this album is more mid-paced. We always focus on the riffs, the arrangments and the flow of the song. Doesn't matter how fast or slow it goes. It's just a damn good classic death metal album!
RockOverdose: You have a new singer in Sindre Wathne Johnsen, who did an excellent job. How did you find him and what more dynamics he adds in the whole BRT sound with his presence?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :Sindre is a friend and we've known him for years. His other band, Deception, has toured with us many times and we knew his skills both on guitar and vocals. He's extremely professional and dedicated and having his own home studio as well is very helpful. He did all lyrics and vocal recording in one week. Impressive! He's definitely the piece we've been missing. He's so easy to work with. A giant resource. And personally I think he has the best voice of all our previous singers. He even does/did the bass live along with vocals while our permanent bass-player is out with leukemia.
RockOverdose:“Nonagon” is the 11th album of the band, which keeps going strong no matter the changes in music industry. Which is its key elements and what new does it bring to your whole discography? How would you rank it among the whole 11 album history?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :The main reason is my creativity and passion for music. I have several bands and projects and this year I have released 30 albums in total since my career started. No music industry or people for that matter can stop me. I will always create music! Nonagon is definitely the best Blood Red Throne album so far in my ears. But I respect other opinions of course. I just think my composing matures the older I get. Imagine when I'm 70, muhahaha!
RockOverdose: Blood Red Throne plays death metal coming from a country with tradition in black metal. Did you somehow feel a little “outcast” or was it easier for you to not belong in a big group of bands and sound more special and direct compared to others?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :To be honest, I never thought of this when starting the band. I just wanted to play death metal and in the beginning I think it was kinda cool that we didn't do the expected and play black metal since we already played in Satyricon at that time. Having said that, I did start my own black metal band(Cobolt 60) in 1999 with original Blood Red Throne singer, Mr.Hustler and we released two pretty cool albums in 2002 and 2012. In 2018, Mr.Hustler decided to leave this band and then I brought in 2nd singer of Blood Red Throne, Vald, and we changed the name to Valdaudr. It's just a continuation of Cobolt 60 and we're releasing our 2nd album this year(2024). I like many styles of metal and that's why I have so many bands/projects, haha!
RockOverdose: The whole idea is that you are a very experienced bands with only good to awesome albums, but you should have been more recognized and talked about through the years. Do you agree with the fans’ opinion, or it just doesn’t matter that much and you keep doing your thing unaffected?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :We have been very consistent through many years and delivered both good albums and great shows worldwide. I think one of the main problems has been that we never were on a big and professional booking agency. I mean, we have been on big and legendary record labels as Earache Records and Nuclear Blast...but we never were on any major booking agency that could put us on the big festivals and big tours. I think things would have been quite different if we did that 25 years ago. Anyway, we have done some cool tours and bigger festivals and we don't complain. We would write and release our music regardless. But, it would be nice if we could take the next step now also. There are still thousands of death metal fans out there that never heard about Blood Red Throne. We just do our thing, work hard and just enjoy every moment!
RockOverdose: I would like the opinion of a person with about 25 albums in his career. When you are about to compose a song, is there a “magic” feeling leading you to build it in a specific moment? How do you know it’s the right time to work on something? Have you ever felt pride and believed a certain song came to stay or is more special for you?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :It's actually 30 now, haha. I often sit with my acoustic guitar watching TV. Some riff always come up and it's pretty obvious right away if this is a BRT, Big City, Zerozonic or Valdaudr riff. Then I record it in my studio, add the drums and from there I just go. Sometimes the song is finished in a few days. Other times I need a break and come back and maybe finish the songs in a month or two. It all depends. Sure, some songs are more special and those are actually my instrumental solo releases. They are very privat and has a deeper meaning behind it. As for other songs, I can tell immediately if THE riff is going on that the whole song will rip for sure! I really like working in the studio and just add guitar stuff and build the songs. It's part of being a creative mind and it's a huge satisfaction when the song or album is finished.
RockOverdose: Being a Greek, allow me to praise the cover of my fellow compatriot Giannis Nakos. What is Nonagon really? The cover shows it’s not a very friendly place. Did you give instructions to Giannis for the cover or did he create it based on the music and lyrics?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :Giannis is just the best. So nice and easy to work with and he always comes up with great ideas. We never have to instruct him. Just some minor adjustments. I sent him some songs and from there he was inspired to make this amazing cover.
RockOverdose: The million dollar question of many people. When will we see you in Greece? For some strange reason, while Greeks miss the moment many times, you’ve had fans here from the first album. Did you ever have an offer to play here?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :We have wanted to play Greece forever man! No one has ever invited us. It's a mystery. We have been around for a long time, played many places around the world and we don't cost much. We're waiting for you!
RockOverdose: Allow me a non BRT question please. What is the state of Scariot, Valdauvr and Zerozonic? Do you prepare anything with your other bands, or is it pure Blood Red Throne momentum and you are focused on “Nonagon” only and its promotion?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :Scariot was pretty much over in 2007, when I did the last album. However, I did an single in 2017 to mark 20 years since I started(1997) my very first own band. We also did one show in my hometown that year and 11 out of 16 members in total joined. That was pretty cool. Anyway, Scariot is defnitely over now. Zerozonic has been on a long break. I don't know if anything will happen there. This band had so much potential and put out 5 really strong albums. If things were right I'm 100% convinced this band would be one of the bigger groove metal bands of modern times. Time will tell if I will continue this one. Valdaudr(correct spelling) is still going. Very underground though. We don't rush anything and we don't play live(so far). 2nd album is in the mix as we speak. I think you forgot my 80's heavy metal/hard rock band, Big City. We are currently recording our 5th album and we're still signed with one of the biggest labels in the world of this kind of music. Finally, I also put out instrumental guitar music every now and then under my name Daniel Olaisen. So, Blood Red Throne is my main band and the band I travel around the world with. Big City is also pretty big business, but we're chill and make albums whenever we want to and only do a few shows. Valdaudr happens when it happens and finally my solo stuff also the same. I always have some music or releases going on, haha.
RockOverdose: Thank you so much for your time and for the countless sounds you filled us with all these years. What do you have to say to BRT fans in Greece and around and which are your plans for the rest of the year and in general?
Daniel -Blood Red Throne :Thanks for supporting and following all my musical stuff. We have a lot of stuff going on this year, Shows all over. So, dear Greece fans, I'm pretty sure we will come to your beautiful country anytime soon. I have been there on holiday with my family. Next time I want to come with my band and have one helluva party with you guys!
On behalf of Rockoverdose.gr
Aggelos Katsouras
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