Blood Red Throne is a death metal band from Norway whose new album "Nonagon" will be out January 26th on Soulseller Records! Daniel ”Død” Olaisen, their guitarist, was kind enough to take time to answer a few questions.
Blood Red Throne started out inspired by old school death metal. What is it about classic death metal that influences you?
I started listening to standard metal in 1987. When I was introduced to death metal in 1991, I was totally hooked. There's no doubt, this is the ultimate way of metal, hah. Even today I'm even more hooked to the classic, bone-crushing power of death metal. It's just something about those double kick drums and chugging riffs. To perform this style live is extremely satisfying!
I've had a chance to listen to your new album Nonagon. I believe it stayed true to Blood Red Throne's sound that has been cultivated over the past 26 years. Where do you think this album sits in relation to your previous releases?
We definitely stick to our roots and our sound. But, to be honest, I don't think we sound like anyone else. I even think we have developed a bit on the two latest albums. Personally, I think this is our strongest release. But everyone have their favorites. We are undoubtedly much better songwriters today. Production is heavier. And we finally have the perfect vocals. We are stronger in every sense!
Nonagon is an interesting title for an album. What was the meaning behind it?
The lyrics of the album are loosely based on the nine concentric circles of torment taken from Dante's Inferno. There are nine songs on the album and the word nonagon kind of represents both a circle and the number of circles. The lyrics are of course up for interpretation. I believe that finding your own meaning in the lyrics and music adds a whole other dimension to it.
I think my favorite track off your new album is "Ode To The Obscene". I was quickly drawn in with its catchy and interesting ideas. How do you approach the music you write?
Well, this song is maybe a little bit different. It has this horror feel. But. Also some old-school melodic Swedish touch. I don't know. Everything comes pretty natural when I compose music. It often starts with a riff and as soon as I have the drum beat to it, I know instantly what drum-beat to have next and then I write the next riff accordingly. Drums are really important to me. The whole flow from start to finish is a real focus. Not putting together a bunch of riffs, but actually have a connection through the whole song. The leads are also a million times better now than back in the day.
Blood Red Throne will be playing Iceland for the 1st time. Is there anywhere else in the world you'd like to tour but haven't yet?
Iceland is a dream come true for sure. I've only been on vacation there. Amazing country! We have played all around the world, but Asia is still a big goal for us. I'm working on that at the moment actually. I'm not quitting until I've played every damn corner of this world, muhahaha!
In the changing landscape of music across genres that can't support itself on album sales alone, what can bands do to keep themselves financially afloat? With touring necessary yet expensive how does a death metal band make ends meet?
That's why we always had a normal job outside the music. I don't trust the music scene and I want a
steady economy. I have everything in life and traveling around the world performing my music is just a
bonus. We do notice that it's harder today when it comes to touring and festivals, but we keep going
and always have a gig to look forward to!
Coming from a country that has been known for many prestigious black metal bands how vibrant is
death metal in Norway?
The death metal scene is growing here. Black metal will still be the big thing though. I don't mind. I
have my own black metal band as well, haha. However, the support here is quite divided. Some don't
even acknowledge us after 26 years, 11 albums and touring all over the world. While others are really
supportive and talks highly of us. We only care about supporters. Not haters!
I saw that you're taking part in the 70,000 Tons Of Metal Cruise. I've had friends attend it and they
enjoyed themselves. Is this your first time playing it? I saw on the website that it looks like you'll be
playing the entire new album there.
70k is an absolute highlight in our career. We played there in 2019. It's just surreal. Can't wait to get
back there with the new line-up and also performing most of the new album. It's just a gigantic cruise
filled with great people and awesome music!
As a fan of metal is there any bands you look forward to watching there?
I'm a big music fan in general and likes everything from acoustic ballads to extreme metal. I have seen
many bands over the years. On the cruise I will definitely be aroud when My Dying Bride, Scar
Symmetry, Kataklysm and Nanowar of Steel are playing. And a bunch more.
Has Blood Red Throne ever toured the United States before? The closest I came was seeing
Green Carnation here many years ago and your old band member Tchort was wearing a Blood Red
Throne jacket.
We toured almost every state in the US + Canada in 2010 with Dimmu Borgir and Enslaved
for 6 weeks. The year after we did almost the same tour with Grave. We played Maryland
Deathfest in 2015. We played Las Vegas Deathfest in 2019. We did a small Texas tour in
2020. So, yeah, pretty many opportunities to see us, haha. No worries, we are coming back in
2025
www.facebook.com/BloodRedThroneOfficial www.soulsellerrecords.com
I started listening to standard metal in 1987. When I was introduced to death metal in 1991, I was totally hooked. There's no doubt, this is the ultimate way of metal, hah. Even today I'm even more hooked to the classic, bone-crushing power of death metal. It's just something about those double kick drums and chugging riffs. To perform this style live is extremely satisfying!
I've had a chance to listen to your new album Nonagon. I believe it stayed true to Blood Red Throne's sound that has been cultivated over the past 26 years. Where do you think this album sits in relation to your previous releases?
We definitely stick to our roots and our sound. But, to be honest, I don't think we sound like anyone else. I even think we have developed a bit on the two latest albums. Personally, I think this is our strongest release. But everyone have their favorites. We are undoubtedly much better songwriters today. Production is heavier. And we finally have the perfect vocals. We are stronger in every sense!
Nonagon is an interesting title for an album. What was the meaning behind it?
The lyrics of the album are loosely based on the nine concentric circles of torment taken from Dante's Inferno. There are nine songs on the album and the word nonagon kind of represents both a circle and the number of circles. The lyrics are of course up for interpretation. I believe that finding your own meaning in the lyrics and music adds a whole other dimension to it.
I think my favorite track off your new album is "Ode To The Obscene". I was quickly drawn in with its catchy and interesting ideas. How do you approach the music you write?
Well, this song is maybe a little bit different. It has this horror feel. But. Also some old-school melodic Swedish touch. I don't know. Everything comes pretty natural when I compose music. It often starts with a riff and as soon as I have the drum beat to it, I know instantly what drum-beat to have next and then I write the next riff accordingly. Drums are really important to me. The whole flow from start to finish is a real focus. Not putting together a bunch of riffs, but actually have a connection through the whole song. The leads are also a million times better now than back in the day.
Blood Red Throne will be playing Iceland for the 1st time. Is there anywhere else in the world you'd like to tour but haven't yet?
Iceland is a dream come true for sure. I've only been on vacation there. Amazing country! We have played all around the world, but Asia is still a big goal for us. I'm working on that at the moment actually. I'm not quitting until I've played every damn corner of this world, muhahaha!
In the changing landscape of music across genres that can't support itself on album sales alone, what can bands do to keep themselves financially afloat? With touring necessary yet expensive how does a death metal band make ends meet?
That's why we always had a normal job outside the music. I don't trust the music scene and I want a
steady economy. I have everything in life and traveling around the world performing my music is just a
bonus. We do notice that it's harder today when it comes to touring and festivals, but we keep going
and always have a gig to look forward to!
Coming from a country that has been known for many prestigious black metal bands how vibrant is
death metal in Norway?
The death metal scene is growing here. Black metal will still be the big thing though. I don't mind. I
have my own black metal band as well, haha. However, the support here is quite divided. Some don't
even acknowledge us after 26 years, 11 albums and touring all over the world. While others are really
supportive and talks highly of us. We only care about supporters. Not haters!
I saw that you're taking part in the 70,000 Tons Of Metal Cruise. I've had friends attend it and they
enjoyed themselves. Is this your first time playing it? I saw on the website that it looks like you'll be
playing the entire new album there.
70k is an absolute highlight in our career. We played there in 2019. It's just surreal. Can't wait to get
back there with the new line-up and also performing most of the new album. It's just a gigantic cruise
filled with great people and awesome music!
As a fan of metal is there any bands you look forward to watching there?
I'm a big music fan in general and likes everything from acoustic ballads to extreme metal. I have seen
many bands over the years. On the cruise I will definitely be aroud when My Dying Bride, Scar
Symmetry, Kataklysm and Nanowar of Steel are playing. And a bunch more.
Has Blood Red Throne ever toured the United States before? The closest I came was seeing
Green Carnation here many years ago and your old band member Tchort was wearing a Blood Red
Throne jacket.
We toured almost every state in the US + Canada in 2010 with Dimmu Borgir and Enslaved
for 6 weeks. The year after we did almost the same tour with Grave. We played Maryland
Deathfest in 2015. We played Las Vegas Deathfest in 2019. We did a small Texas tour in
2020. So, yeah, pretty many opportunities to see us, haha. No worries, we are coming back in
2025
www.facebook.com/BloodRedThroneOfficial www.soulsellerrecords.com