Interview with Decrepit Throne

Melodic black metal band Decrepit Throne’s debut album Traitor’s Grave is the type of album that I really enjoy just sticking on and then letting the blackness and melodic atmospheres roll on over me. There’s no messing around, no ostentation, no unnecessary distractions, and no filler on this album. What you see is what you get, and what you get is very good indeed.

Gregory, one half of the infernal duo that is Decrepit Throne, is a man seemingly possessed by the musical spirit of the second wave, as channelled in a down-to-earth and unassuming way. He was kind enough to pass a few words with us here at Wonderbox Metal about Traitor’s Grave and the band in general.

So, don’t let Decrepit Throne pass you by; check out the band, what they have to offer, and what they’re all about below…

Introduce us to Decrepit Throne

We are a 2 man studio project that plays a style of melodic black metal that is by the 2nd wave of BM and old school death metal.

Where did the band name come from?

It is a reflection of my distaste for organised religion and how man uses religion to manipulate.

What are your influences?

So many. Ron and I have a very diverse musical back ground. Everything from Dissection to Black Sabbath to Death, even hard rock and classic rock.

Name five things you’ve listened to recently that you’d recommend

Blut Aus Nord – Saturnian Poetry, Macabre Omen – Gods of War At War, Drudkh, Blood of Kingu and a lot of classic and hard Rock bands like Blue Oyster Cult, Kansas and Rush.

Tell us about Traitor’s Gate

Well, it is pretty straight forward black metal with death metal influences. We tried to create atmosphere and chaos. Each song has its own identity. The album has various tempos throughout that allows Ron to deliver his thunderous vocals. It is all glued together with melodic atmosphere.

What’s the process you use for writing songs?

This albums composition started on guitar and bass. I basically have a stockpile of riffs that I have written down and recorded over the last few years. After I get a group of riffs that work well together I will work out the arrangements with drums. I usually improvise bass with no rehearsal. Ron wrote and recorded the vocals after the music was completed.

What’s your favourite song on the album and why?

If I had to pick one it would be Lucifer’s Descent because we really captured the mood of the album on that one. It is simple and I think it is a beautiful display of darkness.

How do you think your music will progress in the future?

I hope to explore and expand on melodic passages. Maybe use more speed but not so much that the music becomes redundant.

How did the recording go?

Really well, budget restraints prolonged the process but that was out of our control. We worked in a professional manner with a competent producer and that enabled us to utilise our time and efforts wisely.

If you could do it all over again, would you change anything about it?

No, this was a great learning experience and I am happy with the results. Ron was a pleasure to work with and the goals of our song writing was accomplished and executed in a studio environment. And best of all, I did not have to deal with egos. That is all that I could ask for.

How did you choose the cover artwork?

I found an artist online and gave him a basic concept. I thought the concept was fitting for the band name. Ron saw the art and named the album based on his interpretation of the art.

How important is good album art to you?

It is important but for me it is the music that counts. Everything has its place.

What inspires you to play black metal?

I simply love the cold, dark harshness of the style. It is an expression of esoteric and earthly things that allows me to escape to regions of the universe that many are afraid to explore.

Playing live–essential or pointless?

I don’t consider it essential unless you are chasing dreams of grandeur. I don’t consider it pointless either because a live ritual is a good way for a band to express themselves. For me, I simply want to make music for no other reason than to explore the dark side of my existence. If people enjoy the music then so be it. I don’t fault anyone for trying to get what they want but I hate rock star egos from wannabes that seem to plague the live “scene”.