Dutch extreme metallers God Dethroned came on the scene in 1990 and released their debut album The Christhunt in 1992. Over 30 years later, the band continues to examine themes of religion and morality through dark, layered riffs of blackened death metal. Their latest musical offering, The Judas Paradox, will be released September 6, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
Even with an album to promote and a fall European tour to prepare for, God Dethroned founder and frontman Henri Sattler was able to carve out some time to talk with Metalhead Money. Here's what he had to say about his many years in the music business:
Obviously, you've been doing this for a long time. What have been some of the biggest ups and downs of your music career?
The biggest ups were when we got to do tours with the big death and black metal bands of this world like Cannibal Corpse, Immortal, Morbid Angel, and Bolt Thrower, just to name a few. Also playing the big festivals for the first time was super exciting. Like every band, we had our down periods as well where a certain band member decides to go and because of that you’re not able to do a certain tour at that given time, stuff like that. It always hampers a band. No ups without downs, so it’s best to just take it as it comes and don’t worry too much about it.
What are your goals for The Judas Paradox and your 2024 touring comeback?
When the album is out we will embark on an extensive European tour with Batushka and Vltimas. It’s our first European tour since the release of Illuminati and we’re looking forward to it very much. After that, a US tour is in the works for early 2025.
When God Dethroned works with a label on a release, how much financial burden or expectations rest on the band vs. the label?
Well there’s an advance that needs to be earned back obviously, but that’s a pretty normal situation. The band and the label have a mutual interest in the success of a new album and costs are being made before you can make a profit.
How much do you stick to a budget and personal routine while touring, or is that not much of a consideration?
We make a calculation before a tour to see where we are on a financial level and how much the tour will bring us. The goal obviously is to come home with a decent amount of money in your pocket, but it also depends on merch sales next to the fee you get every day. So there’s always a factor of uncertainty you have to deal with.
Exodus bassist Jack Gibson recently quipped about the current state of the music industry, saying in an interview that he's really more of a "t-shirt salesman" and a "traveling tchotchke seller" than a musician. What do you think about that?
I think we all know that money is made by selling merch. Since the pandemic everything has become so bloody expensive that making money on shows alone has become extremely difficult. It is what it is. One can always go back to working in a factory...
Other than maybe something about selling t-shirts, what advice would you give to young metal bands who want to "make it" in 2024?
Do what you like! Don’t play something because you think it may bring you some money. Play the music that comes from the heart. It’s the only way to be recognized and be liked by the fans. If they do, the rest will come as well.
Upcoming Tour Dates (N.B., dates are European-style)
"Epic Prophecy For Europe" w/ BATUSHKA, VLTIMAS
26.09.2024 RO Bucharest - Metal Gates Festival (Warm-Up Party)
27.09.2024 BG Sofia - Mixtape 5
28.09.2024 AT Vienna - Szene
30.09.2024 AT Graz - Explosiv
01.10.2024 CZ Ostrava - Barrák Music Club
03.10.2024 HU Budapest - A38
04.10.2024 IT San Donà di Piave (VE) - Revolver Club
05.10.2024 IT Rome - Traffic Live
06.10.2024 IT Paderno Dugnano (MI) - Slaughter Club
08.10.2024 DE Leipzig - Hellraiser
09.10.2024 CH Lucerne - Schüür
10.10.2024 DE Mannheim - MS Connexion Complex
12.10.2024 UK Manchester - Academy 3
13.10.2024 UK Bristol - Thekla
14.10.2024 IE Dublin - The Academy
15.10.2024 UK Belfast - Limelight 2
18.10.2024 UK Sheffield - Corporation
20.10.2024 UK London - The Underworld Camden
24.10.2024 DE Herford - KulturWerk
Info & tickets: https://linktr.ee/epicprophecy2024
2025
05.10.2025 US Elgin, IL - Metal Threat Fest
The Judas Paradox comes out September 6, 2024. Preorder here: https://goddethroned.rpm.link/judasparadoxPR
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