UN: There is no getting around the fact that The Toxic Touch is one hell of an album and also an album that shows the band playing with a lot more fire. During the writing or the recording of the album was there ever a moment where is seemed liked everything was coming together and really clicking with this album?

Arien: Between 'The Lair of the White Worm' and the new album, there's two years of quite some touring in between. We grew with each show and each journey as a band and as a team. Maybe that is sounding through the music. But I believe the main reason why there's more fire on this album, is because everyone was very keen on writing our best album to date. And, we managed to create a lot more dynamics, which really make the difference. It wouldn't make sense to us, filling a whole album with just the same way of song-writing and playing just fast for example.

UN: I’ve heard a few people mention that the album seems to lack blast beats but honestly I didn’t notice and I guess that means I didn’t miss them either. Do you feel like this album has let you guys spread your wings a little bit and write a more diverse album?

Arien: Definitely! It's a very nice what you say about the blast beats, and to be true, we don't miss them either on the new album. The songs didn't require so much of the blasts. Instead, we used more skankbeats like Slayer, with or without double bass. And we chose for more groove, and a lot of wild sounding breaks. In this way, we were able to express ourselves a lot more than just blasting for 3 minutes each song.

UN: Do you think that extreme metal is becoming a bit more open minded these days? There was a time when bands couldn’t do anything outside of their niche but fans seem a bit more open to experimentation these days.

Arien: I think that's the case, and it's very hopeful. Of course, you'll always have the really extreme fanatic fans who can't get enough of the old-school thrash, speed, and death metal. But the popularity of other styles like nu-metal or metalcore appeals to a lot of younger people. Coincidently we discovered that it seems as if our audience is getting younger too, We see a lot of younger people at the shows, and I think that our crossover of styles is really appreciated by them. We made a right balance there, because it would be a pity if we would lose the 'old' fans from the start. But no worries: no matter what we're doing, it will always be God Dethroned, whether it's fast, or groovy. But it's great to be able to experiment as a band and as a musician. That's what drives a band.

UN: Do you guys ever worry about how people might perceive any of the material or are you mainly concerned with pleasing yourselves first and foremost?

Arien: We have to be happy with what we play. That's why the band was started. Of course, if nobody likes us, we don't get anywhere, and we wouldn't be where we are today without the support from our fans. To be honest: during live-shows, we saw that a lot of people liked our mid-tempo parts more than the blast-stuff. We liked that really much, and it connected perfectly with our idea to reduce the blastbeats on a next album for a change. So, we mind what the fans like to hear, and they like what we like to play. That's a commitment, right? haha.

UN: I think the best way that I could describe the new album is to say that it sounds like God Dethroned but streamlined. Would you say that it was a conscious decision to make the songs a bit more hard hitting? These are some of the most memorable riffs I have heard in a very long time.

Arien: Thanks a lot!! That's what we were really eager to do. An album stands or falls with great or bad songs. Without good songs, there's nothing interesting. But the creation of the songs are not really conscious: we write whatever comes up, and we jam a lot, then choosing the best ideas to make good songs. If a song doesn't trigger excitement, than we throw it away.

UN: Lyrically the album is very dark yet deals with issues that seem to be rarely dealt with on this level. When you hear I’m Gonna Kill Myself Tonight screamed with that much intensity it shakes you right down to the bone. Do you think the lyrics could be looked at as a form of catharsis? I think Heri might need a hug!

Arien: Haha, we give him a hug sometimes, haha. But no, Henri doesn't have any of those plans in mind. Those lyrics are just imaginations or descriptions of how someone should feel when life is getting him or her down. And yes, Henri can put it in frightening words in a voice that sounds screaming from the pits of hell....

UN: One of the tracks that definitely stands out is Typhoid Mary. It is a very slow and epic song that takes the album in an almost completely new direction right near the end. How did the song come together? Was it tough to figure out where in the order of the album the song would fit?

Arien: That was one of the toughest songs to write, and it took quite some time. That's a song based on some ideas of ours that we took to the rehearsal room. We started jamming, and we figured that we were missing some parts. We just went on playing and trying to come up with fitting ideas. Man that was heavy, haha. The order of the album was not difficult for us, but for Henri, haha: he just mailed us, and said: 'guys, this is going to be the order of the songs. This is what feels best'. We were like, 'ok, man, if you say so', haha. It's good that someone of the band takes the upper hand with those kinds of things. And Henri proved to be right.

UN: The band has been on Metal Blade for quite a few albums now. Do you feel like the label is the perfect home for the band? They have never let the band slip through the cracks and seem to be behind this new album 100%.

Arien: Yes, they are! When we got the first comments of Metal Blade Europe, everyone was really going crazy there, haha! Andreas even made, what I guess was a slight exaggeration, comparisons with 'Master of Puppets' from Metallica. Quite a compliment of course, but well, what can I say. We feel very well supported, and Metal Blade has faith in the band, and we are happy with them.

UN: God Dethroned has been around for quite sometime now but the current line-up has only been together for a few years now if I’m not mistaken. This also seems to be the strongest the band has been in sometime, do you think one could almost consider this a rebirth of the band? One listen to The Toxic Touch and it is clear that you guys are playing with a lot of energy.

Arien: The people in the band now have more skills and play with much aggression. It's definitely a rebirth. When we were in the studio, we just got off the tour with Bolt Thrower, so we all were still in the 'live-mood'. We really had a great time with Jorg Uken as a producer, and everyone was hungry and sharp. That's what one could hear when listening to The Toxic Touch.

UN: With so many songs to draw from, how does the band manage to come up with a set list? I’m assuming that you guys play mostly songs from the newest album at the time. Are there any songs in particular from the latest album that go over well live? I could see Hating Life getting quite the violent reception.

Arien: Hating Life was being received very well, even before the releasing of the new album! We also play '2014', 'The Day You Died', and 'On Wings Of Pestilence'. For the upcoming shows, we just have to see what we're going to play from the new record. For the rest, we just play the best songs of all albums. We usually have two songs from each album.

UN: What keeps you guys motivated? A lot of metal bands tend to write somewhat boring and cliché albums this far into their careers, but you guys have released what very well might be your best album yet.

Arien: To start from point zero, and to come up with a killer-album is very rewarding for a band. That's what keeps us motivated. And to be able to perform as much as possible in different countries, meeting new people, seeing different sights, sometimes party here and there, yes, haha. But the main thing for me, is to seek development as a musician and the improvement of the band. It's still a thrill to go on stage and to see all those fans waiting for us.. And it's always challenging to play at your best possible, and with a lot of fun, how could you not be kept motivated?