Representative Albums: "Blisters," "This Endless Night Inside," "An Embassy to Gaius"
Biography
In 1984, Thanatos became Holland's first death/thrash metal band. Although they did not release an album until 1990, they spent the years in-between playing shows with the likes of Napalm Death, Kreator, Sepultura, Bolt Thrower, Autopsy, Death Angel, and Messiah. In 1989, they signed a deal with Sh**k Records and released Emerging From the Netherworlds. That album was followed by 1992's Realm of Ecstasy. Both albums were hailed by critics and fans, but due to frustration with the label the band called it quits in 1992. Seven years later, at the height of the death and thrash metal revival, the Dutch label Hammerheart re-released the albums and signed the band for another record. Founding member Stephan Gebedi (guitar/vocals) recruited new members Paul Baayens (guitar), Aad Kloosterwaard (drums), and Theo van Eekelen (bass), and reformed Thanatos in 2000, releasing Angelic Encounters. ~ Kevin Odle, All Music Guide
Stephan Gebédi
Paul Baayens
Marco de Bruin
Yuri Rinkel
Former members
Aad Kloosterwaard
André Scherpenberg Dirk Bruinenberg
Ed Boeser
Erwin De Brouwer
Marcel Van Arnhem
Mark Staffhorst
Remco De Maaijer
Remo Van Arnhem
Rob De Bruijn
Theo Van Eekelen
Thanatos is a Death metal/Thrash metal band from The Netherlands. With a history dating back to 1984, they are the oldest death metal band from The Netherlands. Their second album, Realm of Ecstacy, had received positive marks from Dutch music magazine Oor for its solid compositions and challenging arrangements.[1] After enduring constantly changing line-ups and problems with distribution, promotion, and even ownership of the rights to the second album, Thanatos folded in 1992, the final straw being the cancellation of a tour with Cannibal Corpse and Exhorder.[1]
In 1999, founding member Stephan Gebédi revives the band, which signs with Hammerheart Records. First come two albums with demo and live tracks, then the band's first full album, Angelic Encounters, in 2000. An EP with original songs as well as covers from Celtic Frost and Possessed is released by Baphomet. After a few shows in Greece and a short tour with Pungent Stench, the band record their fourth album, Undead. Unholy. Divine, described as a solid return to 1980s metal (in the style of Slayer, Possessed) with the addition of blast beats.[2] Release of a fifth album, Justified Genocide, was postponed when the band's label at the time, Black Lotus Records, went bankrupt; Dan Swano reportedly will finish the mix for the CD.[3] To celebrate more than twenty years of Dutch death metal, Thanatos releases (on Chinese label AreaDeath Productions) a limited-edition box (300 copies) containing Emerging From The Netherworlds, Realm Of Ecstacy, and Angelic Encounters, besides 56 bonus tracks and 19 videos.[1]
In February 2009, the band issued an update containing details about their upcoming album Justified Genocide. It will be released on March 15 in Europe and April 6 in the UK and Ireland.[4]
