Patriarch is a metal band from Belgium that was formed in 1983 under the name Pariah. They released their first CD in 1990 called "Prophecy" and have been playing since then releasing one CD in 1992 and one MCD in 1999 called "Deity". We talked to guitarist Freddy Mylemans about the history of the band and its future.

What happened with the band after "World Within Worlds"?

Shortly after the recordings our original drummer left the band to start a carreer as a professional session-drummer. So we had to look for another drummer. It took a while before we found a new one so we weren't able to do many gigs to promote the album

What do you think of the "Prophecy" album now that 10 years have passed since its release?

I don't listen to it that often but I still think it sounds good. It's a little bit different than what we do now, musically and also the kind of lyrics are different. Still there are many fans asking us to play some songs from that album. 'Till now we didn't do that, the line up is completely different (except for me), and we have so many new songs that we like to play more than the old stuff. Maybe we'll think of it and see if these songs still work.

I read in your web page that in 1998 you recorded a four song demo..,.what happened with it?

Well, in 1995 we recorded a 4-demo and with that demo, nothing really happened, exept for some good reviews. Metal was at it's lowest point here in Europe. We couldn't find a new record company and it was even hard to find some gigs with it. So we worked on new songs and started recording them in 1998 with the intention to find a record-deal and than to record some other songs to make a full CD of it. Again there was no interest from any record company. However, there was a German distributor that would help us if we made a mini-CD of it. So thats what we did, we created the cover for it and then it was released. We've had some good reviews for "DEITY" and with the flourishing of the metal-scene we've done many gigs.

What change do you see vocally in Prophecy since Erik Rinkes entered the band?

Our first vocalist, Herman, had one way of singing and had a more melodic approach than Erik. Erik has a very different way of singing. He has a much wider range and can sing in a very aggressive as well as a smooth way. I know that not everyone likes his voice, but for me it's the
perfect vocalist for our music. His vocal approach is not to sing some commercial sounding lines or in a way that everyone likes, but more in a way to suit the expression of the lyrics. And I think it's the same with our music. You could say, we do what we like and if the listener likes it, it's cool,
if not...it's a pitty.


Is the demo CD "Deity" completely different from World Within Worlds"or"Prophecy"? Will the songs of the demo be released in a full length CD?

In a way. It's still Metal that we play with some modern influences here and there. Also the vocals are different, on "World within Worlds" most songs are sung with a high voice and that's not the case on "Deity". We'll start recording a new album one of the coming months but there won't be a song "Deity" or the other demo on it. We have enough new songs to record and "Deity" is still available...

Do the songs of demos usually change and the final version becomes totally different from the one in the demos?

No, before we go to the studio the songs are worked out completely. Also the vocals and the background vocals. Mostly we do some 4-track recording on the rehearsals, so we have an idea
how we have to work things out in the studio.

Why did you record the 4 song demo of 1998 part in Belgium and part in Germany?

We had a chance to record "Psycic Wars" in a homestudio of a friend of our manager. The first intention was to record all the songs there and then mix them in Germany with Roman Schönsee (ex-Pyogenesis).The recording of this song turned out so good that he offered us the chance to record the other songs in Germany with Roman...an so we did.

People usually compares the sounf of Patriarch with bands such as Sanctuary, Nevermore and Queensryche...do you think that is unfair to the band?

It doesn't bother me. I don't think we really sound like one of those bands but we definately play the same style of music. On the other hand , we try to create our own sound, but people like to compare, so...

Which are the main influences of the band members?

We all like the bands you mentioned before ,but also heaviër bands like Meshuggah, Forbidden, Napalm Death, Death, ProgMetal bands like DT, Fates Warning, Spiral Architect and others like Dead Can Dance/Lisa Gerard, Laïs, Tori Amos, etc...

Which equipment do you use live and in studio?

We use Sonor drums and Zildjan Cymbals, amps by Marshall and Digitech, Guitars and Basses by Charvel, Jackson, Fender and Ibanez. We'll probably record digital again, cause it's easy to work with an it works very fast.


Is there any recording contract to release a new full length album and tour to support it?

No, but we'll try to find a new record label for the new album, if that doesn't work, we'll release it by ourselves. We'll have to see what the future brings for touring, cause without support of a record company, it's hard to set up a real tour.

Do you want to say something more? Feel free to say anything

First of all thanks for the interview and the support and also for the link on your site.
And keep on supporting the underground Metal- scene, cause we can't do without the support of people like you!!! And look out for our new album in 2001.

Interviewed by Federico Marongiu

WORLD WITHIN WORLDS - CD (1992)

DEITY - MCD (1999)

SPLIT 7" AFTER ALL / PATRIARCH (2000)

LES VAN TENDELOO : guitar

ERIK RINKES : vocals

BORRE VAN TENDELOO : bass

FRANK DRESSELAERS : drums