Interview with God Dethroned,
By Sathanas and Empereur GHOULE
Answered by Arien (drummer)
Around the month of April 2003

L'Édition Métallique : Blood and fire seem to have a particular signification for God Dethroned... can you explain us what this means for you?

Arien : It's a display of what the new album is about: the way we live now ,in a society that is capitalistic and violent, is tearing humanity apart. The world will be destroyed and we'll end up into the lungs of Hell.

L'Édition Métallique : What do you think of the rise and popularity of Melodic Black Metal and Melodic Death Metal?

Arien : It's good! As long as it's brutal and intense music....

L'Édition Métallique : Speaking about these popular Metal genres, do you think that the evolution of Metal has gone in the good direction?

Arien : There are different directions: so many styles of metal. And that's good, because it's keeping music interesting.

L'Édition Métallique : I heard that your principal source of inspiration was Slayer. Is this true? I have some difficulties finding traces of Slayer's music in your compositions. It's true that your guitar picking sounds like Slayer sometimes, but your music is more melodic and much more brutal than Slayer.What do you think?

Arien : Slayer is perhaps one of our strongest influences. Actually we all like to listen to other music than Metal as well, so maybe you can hear that in our music too. Another influence is Morbid Angel. Their musical atmosphere is unique!!

L'Édition Métallique : What do you think of religions? I mean, in general. Do you believe that we are master of ourselves or that gods really exist and control us?

Arien : We think that dictators control people in the name of God, but eventually it's all about power, control and money.

L'Édition Métallique : You did a European tour with Immortal. Did you like to play with such a band?

Arien : According to what I've heard from the other guys, it was a good thing!

L'Édition Métallique : What about your gig at the Dynamo festival? How was it?

Arien : I was standing in the crowd back then: it was a killer show!! Henri told me it was one of the highlights of the band's existence.

L'Édition Métallique : What are the goals that you want to reach with God Dethroned, from now on?

Arien : We all want to keep playing and touring and creating music. It would be great to visit countries that we haven't seen yet.

L'Édition Métallique : Could you speak to us about Ministry Of Terror? Why did Henri decide to leave the band and re-form God Dethroned?

Arien : What I've heard of Henri is that God Dethroned still was very popular at that time. Ministry of terror didn't work out the way it was planned, so the decision was easy, I guess.

L'Édition Métallique : Is the quest for brutality a significant thing for God Dethroned, or do you just play what comes to your mind?

Arien : It's both. We have some sort of starting point when we write the music, and from there we write and play what's coming to our minds.

L'Édition Métallique : Can you describe us your personal point of view regarding God Dethroned's style? Some metalheads say that you play Black Metal, some others say that you're more into Death Metal. What is your opinion on the matter?

Arien : It's hard to label a certain style. I think we combine black-death-thrash- and even maybe a bit doom metal.

L'Édition Métallique : Please tell us about your latest album, "Into The Lungs Of Hell". What can old and newer fans expect?

Arien : It's basically the music that God Dethroned played in the past, but we added some new elements in it. We also tried to create more of a balance between melodies and fast/heavy parts. The production may seem less brutal at the first time listening, but the more you listen to it, the more it all gains intensity!!

L'Édition Métallique : Have you ever heard about Quebec's (in Canada) metal scene? Have you heard any band from here and, if yes, what do you think about them?

Arien : I think Henri knows a lot of bands from the underground. The only Canadian
bands I know is Strapping Young Lad and The almighty Punchdrunk.

L'Édition Métallique : If you had something to change in the world, what would you change first?

Arien : Most people's urge for power and control over other people.

L'Édition Métallique : Any last words for your fans in Québec, and for L'Édition Métallique?

Arien : Hope that we will see you on a tour we are working out later this year. Until then: ENJOY THE NEW ALBUM!!! - Cheers, Arien - God Dethroned