Threnody

Threnody is a Dutch death metal band from Schiedam, Netherlands, active since 1988. The group is associated with death metal and melodic death metal, and its line-up includes Menno Gootjes, Ernst van Ee and Richard van Leeuwen.

History

The band forms in 1988 and builds an underground reputation with two demos, Ode to the lamented and Profanation, issued in 1990 and 1992. In 1993 it signs to Massacre Records and releases its debut album, As the heavens fall. The record is described as an original and progressive death metal album and is well received by the metal press.

After a European tour with Malevolent Creation, Threnody records Bewildering Thoughts, produced by Gerhard Magin. This album marks a move towards a groovier, straighter sound with progressive elements, and its reception is strong enough to double the band’s debut sales. The release also coincides with the band reaching the final stages of a major Dutch music talent contest.

Following a small European tour, drummer Richard van Leeuwen leaves the group and is replaced by Ernst van Ee, who has also played with Helloise, Tamas and Ayreon. Guitarist Erik van der Belt is replaced by Menno Gootjes, a change that strengthens the band’s next phase. Threnody plays shows with Death, Sepultura and Paradise Lost, then headlines the Generation Xtreme tour in March 1996.

The third album, self-titled Threnody, is recorded in September 1996 and again produced by Magin. It continues the groove-led, progressive direction of the previous album, with aggressive vocals, prominent drumming and guitar work from Gootjes. The band later starts work on a fourth album in 1999, shaping a sound that adds more melody while keeping its groove and power. Henry McIlveen plays bass on this material, with Rene Scholtes on vocals and Gootjes and Scholtes contributing progressive, heavy guitar parts.

Menno Gootjes leaves in 2003 to start his own band, although some songs co-written with him remain part of the next record. Threnody records Control at Soundpark Studio in Schiedam in 2004, producing it themselves. The album is released in 2005 with a new line-up.

Albums

As the heavens fall (1993)
Bewildering Thoughts (1995)
Threnody (1997)
Control (2005)