Keeping it mainstream today with a band who just define the word “metal” – no frills, no messing…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We are from Athens – Greece!
How did you meet?
Back in 2015, when Valgran has finished composing Reverse Entropy, he started looking for the band members that will share his vision and the same passion about this music, alongside with the proper professionalism and dedication. The oldest member of the band is Beheaal, our bassist and then Andre Boutos and Ros Dracul (vocals and guitar) joined the crew. The last member that completed the line up is our drummer, Merhenor.
How long have you been playing as a band?
The line up completed by the end of 2018 so we have been working all together for our release since then.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Well that’s the most asked question! We wanted something unique. A word not heard or even existing, something that when you’ll google, we will be the only result! So, in a random search on the net of ancient stuff that Valgran did, he fell upon a medieval circular symbol of a demon. He read it in the wrong way and the result was GENTIHAA. We liked it, it filled the expectations I mentioned above, so there you have it!
What are your influences?
Well luckily enough, each one of us has many different influences and many common ones. That’s what brings the final result of our music. To mention a few, Arch Enemy, Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Nevermore, Scar Symmetry, Opeth…
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We think that what makes it unique is the fact that it doesn’t have one specific label or identity! We have a mixture of different elements that no specific label can describe it, and there is the, let’s say, fan intriguing part!
As our producer, Bob Katsionis, once said: “You guys are like playing black metal with Judas Priest riffs!”
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
The first deal we had to make as a band, was that we will stay as far away as possible from political and religious themes and symbols. We like fantasy stories, video games, movies etc. So we tend to draw inspiration from these things that unites every single one of us and not divide us like politics and religions do. That’s the point of art in general after all, right? So, we love concept stories and Reverse Entropy is one of them! It’s a fantasy story that our singer Andre , found out somewhere lost in the internet, that tells a story about 8 people that found 8 pills that gives them astonishing and unique powers like teleport, super strength etc. The one that can see in the future, predicts the upcoming entropy so he tries to gather the rest in order to reverse it!
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
We had the huge privilege to make our debut as the special guests of the huge Dimmu Borgir! That was something that gave us a huge head start at the live stages, and after our release show we also shared the stage with the great Septicflesh. We try to make our live appearances a great show for our fans, with our costumes, stage performance etc so it’s something that intrigues your curiosity and you definitely don’t wanna miss!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Well so far we play on the safe side! Nothing wild or dangerous so far, but we have seen crazy mosh pits at shows in Greece, ’cause in case you haven’t heard, Greek metalheads are really passionate when they go to a metal show!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Valgran uses the Jackson Phil Demmel signature V model with emg 81/85 pickups while Ros Dracul uses a Dean VMNT Dave Mustaine Signature V guitar with the custom Seymour Duncan pickups. Beheaal uses a custom BC Rich bass. As for the drum set Merenhor prefers to use Sonor, Tama and Sabian kits.
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Currently we were promoting a live video from an unreleased track we performed back in November during the release show of Reverse Entropy, called “Into the Unknown” But… the second album is on its way… so… stay tuned!
What are your plans for 2020?
Due to the Covid-19 situation we had to cancel all the plans we had for live shows, so we are currently working into our second album.
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you? A chance to plug someone you’ve toured with, or a mate’s band we’ve not heard of before!
We would love to be the support for bands like Behemoth or Slipknot! Now, as for the opening for us, we are open to whoever wants to share the stage with us, it will be an honour!
