Thanatos...an illustrious name that has been haunting the Underground Metal scene since 1984...
After several demo tapes and line up changes, Thanatos released two classic Thrash/Death Metal albums in the early 1990's: 'Emerging From The Netherworlds' (Shark Records/Cargo 1990) and 'Realm Of Ecstasy' Shark Records/Cargo 1992). The band shared the stage with bands like Kreator, Sepultura, Death, Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower, Autopsy and Death Angel to name but a few.
Thanatos split up in 1992 due to a variety of reasons and was reformed by founding member Stephan Gebédi in 1999 featuring a new line up that included members from Sinister, Houwitser and Cremation.
The third Thanatos album, 'Angelic Encounters', was released in 2000 by Hammerheart Records, followed by more shows with bands like Morbid Angel, Vader, Dying Fetus, Exhumed, Cryptopsy, Krisiun, Destruction and Necrophagia. Despite great reviews the band was not totally satisfied with this album. Two more line up-changes led to the present line up:
Stephan Gebédi: Guitars/Vocals (Hail of Bullets)
Paul Baayens: Guitars (Hail of Bullets, Asphyx)
Marco de Bruin: Bass
Yuri Rinkel: Drums (Melechesh)
In 2002 the band recorded four new songs and two cover songs in a small 8-track studio to attract some interest from record companies. Baphomet Records/Red Stream released these recordings as the 'Beyond Terror' Mini CD.
In 2003 Thanatos signed a recording deal with Greek label Black Lotus Records, resulting in the release of 'Undead.Unholy.Divine.' in 2004.
In 2009, a quarter of a century after the band's first incarnation, Thanatos' fifth full-length 'Justified Genocide' is ready to be released by a partner closer to home. The quartet signed a deal with Holland based Deity Down Records. 'Justified Genocide’ features the band's strongest songs so far. Their typical mix of old school thrash influences and modern death metal still stands tall and these are the band's most raw and in your face sounding recordings ever. 'Justified Genocide' was recorded at Excess Studio in Rotterdam, Netherlands and mixed and mastered by Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Bloodbath, Moontower) at Unisound Studio in Sweden.
SELLING POINTS
• 5th Full-length album of one of Europe's absolute Cult acts in the Metal field!
• Their 25th anniversary celebration mark!
• Recorded at Excess Studios, Rotterdam, Holland
(Sinister, Houwitser, Elegy, After Forever)
• Mixed by Dan Swano (Hail of Bullets, Moontower, Bloodbath a.o.)!
DISCOGRAPHY
• Emerging From The Netherworlds
(Shark/Cargo 1990, re-released by Hammerheart 1999)
• Realm Of Ecstasy (Shark/Cargo 1992, re-released by Hammerheart 2000)
• Angelic Encounters (Hammerheart 2000, Hammerheart America 2001)
• Beyond Terror (MCD) (Baphomet/Red Stream 2002)
• Undead.Unholy.Divine. (Black Lotus Records 2004)
• Justified Genocide (Deity Down Records 2009)
From a recent press statement:
The band has expressed the desire to shed a light on the meaning of the lyrics that are to be found on the CD, and about where inspiration was drawn from:
'To avoid any unnecessary controversy we've chosen to explain some of the lyrics on our upcoming new album 'Justified Genocide' to be released on Deity Down Records (March 16th 2009 EU/world, April 8th Germany/Austria/Switzerland, April 6th 2009 UK/Ireland). Our lyrics simply deal with either historical events or morbid fantasies but since touching upon certain topics already seems reason enough for certain people to brand a band as Nazis (which we obviously are not!) we have decided to do this, so here we go...
They Feed On Fear
Our leaders use people's fear for war and terrorist attacks to set more rules, so they can control our lives even more. A total invasion of our privacy based on fear. The chance of getting hit by a meteor is 1,000 times bigger than to fall victim to a terrorist attack. Big brother is watching you...
Destruction. Chaos. Creation.
A little fantasy/Sci-fi tale about an alien super race out to destroy humanity simply because they feel superior. Sounds familiar? Hmmz, makes you wonder if aliens are religious as well?!
The Devil's Triangle
A song about the alleged unholy alliance of Nazism, freemasonry and occultism during WWII. The Third Reich's link to the occult is often overlooked, but was definitely present. Castle Wewelsburg was said to be the unholy center of their occult practices. We tried to express their sick and twisted views in this song (which definitely are not our views!).
March Of The Infidels
Religious fundamentalists (no matter what religion they follow) are the real Nazis of today. The fact alone that they consider non-religious people as worthless pieces of shit and the constant rise of their power makes them more dangerous than any other force in today's society.
Justified Genocide
A short portrait of four of history's most notorious mass murderers and their twisted views on the world. Who will be the next one to follow in their footsteps?
The Netherworld
A very accurate yet very uncomfortable description of the atrocities that went on in the concentration camps during WWII. The gas chambers, the fear, the misery. Unbelievable yet true...
Apostles Of Damnation
An ironic story about being punished for you sins, lust and indulgence. There's no one out there to punish you so make your own rules.
Upwards Spiritual Evolution
This song's theme basically ties in with the lyrics of 'The Devil’s Triangle'...dealing with the belief-system of arcane rituals and potent symbols of the Nazis in the 1930's and 40's, with the ancient swastika appropriated for the Nazi cause. The word 'Upwards' in the title should be seen in a ironic context as this new found 'religion' led to the murder and oppression of millions during World War II.'
One of the first reviews taken from http://www.brutalism.com (for your pain and pleasure):
Thanatos is a very constant band and was one of the first extreme Metal acts emerging from the vaults of the Netherlands. "Justified Genocide" is their newest release and shows the band once again at their very best. Straight Death / Thrash Metal which combines the best characteristics of the old school style as well as more "modern" structures and riffs.
It´s a damn shame that Thanatos have always been buried deep in the underground, because these Dutch guys rule supreme. The songs vary from crushing mid tempo sections to faster, sometimes blasting parts. The brutal but also melodic guitar work is far above the average crap you´ll sometimes get if you listen to a so-called old school act or a dubious reunion album. The drummer beats the shit out of his kit and adds some nice variations to the tracks. The furious vocals fit the music perfect and the general impression is simply excellent.
Thanatos create an eerie and dark atmosphere with professional high energy songwriting and an admirable sense for the right riffs at the right time. The production is clean and leaves no questions at all. So what you have to expect is a great sounding Death / Thrash Metal release with some modern influences and inspirations.
Fans of Sinister, early Morbid Angel, Asphyx, Hail Of Bullets or Possessed shouldn´t hesitate to get their copy of "Justified Genocide". Don´t miss the pioneers of the Dutch extreme Metal scene. (review by Alex)
...And one by Keith Bergman from http://www.babbermouth.net
Anyone who's still raging over the HAIL OF BULLETS record (and you should be) needs to know that two of those guys are from this legendary Dutch band. THANATOS never seemed able to catch a break when they first came out, and even their reformation has been hampered by label closings and delays. Finally, four years after they halted production on "Justified Genocide" due to the shuttering of previous label Black Lotus, the album sees the light of day -- and it's another proud milestone in the canon of Dutch heavy metal.
Blistering thrash is the order of the day with THANATOS, plenty of effortless blast beats and furious d-beat propulsion. It's all delivered with a thick, dense, ripping production and a venomous dose of death metal atmosphere, for a sound that comes off much more old-school than the typical melodic Euro-thrash of modern days. The vocals are a ragged, frenzied bark and the riffs flail and fly with breakneck speed — and lest you think melody can't exist in such a brutal atmosphere, dig the soaring midsection of "They Feed on Fear" for an oasis amid the sonic carnage, or the doomy, ASPHYX-like soloing that crops up in several places.
Nothing THANATOS is doing here is particularly innovative, of course, but their strength lies in being able to cram a lot of dynamics into their songwriting without losing their rough-hewn edge or getting too flighty for their own good. The songs on "Justified Genocide" aren't paint-by-numbers verse-chorus death metal raveups, and there are plenty of brooding slow parts and unique guitar work to offset the faster bits. Even a number as simple as the stomping, midtempo "The Devil's Triangle" gets the blood boiling by sheer force of execution and slow build alone, while "The Netherworld" drops a perfect little doom midsection into an otherwise raging inferno of a song, rendering the fast bits that much more lethal.
Twenty-five years after their formation, THANATOS are more brutal than ever, and their workingman's death/thrash is executed with equal parts precision and rabid enthusiasm. "Justified Genocide" is a satisfying and enjoyable trip down a dark path, and an effort that deserves more attention. P.S. Watch for the MASSACRE and DARK ANGEL covers as bonus tracks at the end — well done!
Rating: 80/100
- Keith Bergman
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