Satan's Wrath
I Hate Blastbeats

14.04.2015

Frankly speaking, at the time when I discovered the debut album of Greek blasphemers Satan's Wrath, I could hardly believe that such a band may emerge from the present-day metal scene. Possessed, of course, continued to play concerts, and Venom even to release new studio albums, but it seemed to me that old school satanic heavy / thrash metal that swept the world in the 80s and left huge holes around the world was by then buried deep in the bowels of hell. There’s no denying that there are still enough fans of the bands that once sowed the seed of extreme music, but to invent a time machine on this basis is at least a deed of courage. However, having released two stunning albums, Satan's Wrath succeeded in proving that old school evil cannot be buried for good. When I learned that the band was preparing a third full-length release, which is due via Metal Blade Records this May, I immediately got in touch with the frontman and main ideologist of the diabolical Greeks, Tas Danazoglou, in order to ask him the most pressing questions.

Could you tell me how Satan’s Wrath was created? Where did it all begin?

Well I remember back in 2011 I left Electric Wizard and I wanted to do a band combining all my fav bands. It took me like two months to put the songs together and then I contacted my fiend and now guitarist of Satan’s Wrath asking if he wanted to do all the guitars. He agreed and we went from there. There was none around at the time so I had to do vocals bass and drums. What a pain in the ass!!! Hahaha!

What are the main sources for creating the music of Satan’s Wrath?

As influences, you mean? Thrash and death metal of the 80s, horror films of the 70s, witchcraft and black magik.

How did your collaboration with Metal Blade begin? Have you considered cooperation with other labels?

To be honest I was sure from the start that I wanted Satan’s Wrath to be released via Metal Blade. I grew up with Metal Blade records back in the early 80s and I wanted our records to have, you know, the old Metal Blade logo with the axe!!! Then I gave the album to Will Plamer who works for Metal Blade. We’re good friends, he plays bass for Angel Witch too. From there it came to the hands of Brian Slagel and he loved it, so he offered us a contract…

You are writing all the lyrics. And who’s writing music for Satan’s Wrath?

On the first album (“Galloping Blasphemy”, 2012) I wrote all the music too. Now I write half the songs and the other half are from Stamos K. He is a very good songwriter.

Tell me about the artworks for the first two albums. You did them yourself, am I right?

On the first album again I did all the artwork. For the second album (“Aeons Of Satan’s Reign”, 2013) I had the concept of the cover but a friend of mine painted it. His name is Diego Brandi. On our third album that will be released 4th of May I did again the artwork myself.

On the debut record you worked as a duet with Stamos K. Why did you decide to eventually get a full line-up?

It’s because we wanted to play live really, but again fuck ups and bullshit so we never managed. We are not the easiest characters you know, haha. Me and Stamos are the band, all the rest is like extras. We have a concept and a vision that can’t change. We have a one track mind.

Now in Satan’s Wrath you took the position of vocalist. Do you keep playing the drums, bass and guitar?

On our new album I do vocals and bass. But again we have a full line up: Stamos K (guitar), V (guitar), and Kostas S (drums).

You are going to release the third record very soon. Tell me about it, please. Does it have a title already?

Yes.its title is “DIE EVIL”!!! It’s our most brutal and bestial album. All the songs are fast!

Do you play live with Satan’s Wrath? If not – why?

As I told you we wanted to play but things are difficult. Also we don’t want to support crap pseudo black metal bands so fuck them!!! Let them wear clown make up and play blast beats. But when we do play… heads will roll…

Some months ago I saw on the Internet a poster of your gig in London supporting Possessed. Did this concert take place?

Unfortunately no. And it’s a shame cause we are huge Possessed fans. Again line up problems…

Do you have any plans to play any live shows supporting the upcoming record?

For the moment no. The problem is that I’m 45 years old and Stamos is not a spring chicken either, hahaha. Our average age in the band is around 40 so we’re not going to travel miles and get paid shit or nothing you know… Fuck ‘em… Bathory never played live, did he? So…

Tell me about your other musical projects. Which ones are active and which are not?

I play in two more active bands. One is called Diavolos, and it will be released via Hells Headbangers Records soon. The band brings together members of Satan’s Wrath, Kawir, Thou Art Lord, Septicemia and the original bass player of Impaled Nazarene. It’s killer old style death metal in the vein of Possessed, early Death and so on. The other band is called Mirror. It’s very old style classic heavy metal like early Scorpions, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest etc. This is mega!!! We still don’t have a record label cause we are waiting for answers… People will cry with this… it came up INCREDIBLE!!!

Do you play live with other projects?

Not yet but I think with Mirror it will take off and we will have to…

Do other bandmembers have any side projects?

Stamos plays in Mirror too. Check us out. Search on facebook mirrorheavymetal.

What are your preferences in music? Can you name some of your favorite artists and albums?

I like from 70s heavy rock to 80s thrash and death metal. Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Angel Witch, Satan, Tank and so on. But then around 1981 I fell in love with Venom!!! So Slayer, Possessed, Hellhammer, Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, Bathory and the rest. I like also more obscure and unknown bands but are too many to mention.

What songs by Satan’s Wrath are your favorites?

Oooh, difficult. I like Venom’s songs more!!! Hahahaha

Everyone knows that Venom, Celtic Frost, Possessed, Bathory and some other bands were lawmakers for extreme metal genres. But what do you think about musical styles and bands that emerged from the so-called "first wave of black and death metal"? I mean, Norwegian black metal, Swedish and American death metal and their modern varieties.

I don’t like them much… They don’t sound as brutal or real as the older bands, and it’s too fast!!! I hate blastbeats!!! Back to Venom gentlemen please…

Apart from CD, your albums were released on vinyl. I assume that you're a big fan of vinyl. Am I right? Do you have a large collection?

Not so big, around 1,500 vinyls more or less. But I have no shit records, and its ALL heavy metal, thrash and death metal. I don’t think I need more. I have to listen to them all you know.

In your opinion, does vinyl have any advantages over CD?

Well it’s BIGGER!!! You can actually see the thanx section, hahahaha.

If it's possible, could you tell me about your beliefs and attitude towards religion?

I’m a total anti-Christian anti-religion person. I live by the laws of my personality and egos. So you could say I’m a Satanist.

It is rare to find a musician with a tattoo on his face. What’s the meaning of those tattoos, why did you get them exactly on your face?

Bah!!! Who cares? It’s an anti social thing… Fuck the world!!!

You are working as a professional tattoo artist. As I can see in your Instagram account, you work mainly with the asia styles tattoo. Is it your favorite? Why?

Well it works. It’s large and bold. I like different styles too but my tattoo master only taught me this so I had no choice.

What do the other bandmembers do in their lives besides making music?

They rape virgins!!! And sacrifice children….

“Galloping Blasphemy” and “Aeons of Satan’s Reign” was released in Russia by Fono Records on a license from Metal Blade. Have you ever received e-mails or letters from your Russian fans? How much do you know about the music and culture of our country?

The truth is that I don’t know much. I LOVE Scald though. You know them, it’s great. I don’t think they are around anymore. Maybe you could teach me some good Russian bands. I listen to metal 24/7.

Your final words and wishes to Russian fans?

Yes, listen to Scald and “Die Evil”!!! Thank you Russia!!! “Fuck The USA!!!(c) The Exploited

Satan's Wrath on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/666SATANSWRATH666

Mikhail “IronMike” Shatalin
April 1, 2015
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