Over the past three decades, Slovakia’s death metal underground has produced its share of dedicated bands, and Dehydrated are among those who have remained active through changing times. Formed in the turbulent early ’90s, the band has weathered lineup changes, long pauses, and the ever-shifting tides of the extreme metal scene, yet their commitment to raw, honest brutality has never faded. With a new box set revisiting over 30 years of music and memories, we spoke with the band about their beginnings in post-communist Slovakia, the spirit of the underground community that shaped them, and what still fuels their passion for death metal today.
Hey! Thirty-plus years in death metal is no joke. Looking back, do you still feel that same drive you had when you started in ‘91, or has it changed into something else entirely over time?
Hey! As for me, my enthusiasm is still the same as it was 30 years ago, playing in a band is the most beautiful thing that could have happened to me in my life, it fills me up inside, it is a total relaxation for me, I can switch off and forget about all the problems in life. I am always charged with positive energy after a rehearsal or concert and I am left with nice experiences and memories.
Making music that I really enjoy gives my life meaning. And when there is a positive response from the fans, it is even more beautiful, it pushes me forward and gives me incredible strength to keep going.
When you think of the early days in Slovakia, what was the scene like, and how did it shape what Dehydrated became? Did you feel like outsiders from the start, or were you already part of a tight underground community?
We started playing when we were 17 years old, it was a bit more difficult for us, we didn’t have money for equipment, only thanks to our parents we could buy something, everything was very expensive at that time, our small country Slovakia was going through not very good times, after the revolution and the fall of communism there was an incredible mess and chaos and it took a long time for things to get back in order.
Despite that, the underground scene started to form, even though there weren’t many bands, the few that were created were, in my opinion, very high-quality bands and of course our friends.
I can say that we were already part of this great community in the beginning. We visited each other, had fun and exchanged experiences. I like to remember those times and our beginnings.
Your sound has always balanced brutality and some twisted sense of melody. Was that something conscious from the start, or did it just grow out of jamming together in the rehearsal room?
The sound itself logically depends on the studio where you record, the technical equipment and the sound engineer himself.
But the truth is that our sounds on the recordings are quite diverse, we always tried to experiment a little and that’s why our recordings are quite different in sound, that’s what we wanted and that’s how we did it.
We had some idea and we stuck to it. As for the songs themselves, we created the vast majority of them as you said in the form of jamming, I have ideas in my head, I choose the best ones, we meet with the guys in the garage and speculate until we create something.
Then we record it, we listen to it at home and if necessary we edit it to the final form. If the song is ready, guitars, bass and drums, then the vocals come and we just embellish it.
After a long hiatus, coming back with Resurrection in 2017 – was it easy to reconnect with the old energy, or did you find yourselves having to relearn each other and the way you wrote music?
I don’t think it was a problem, maybe it’s because we have metal music in our blood, and those years of experience can’t just be erased. You just throw yourself into it and it works.
Lineup changes have happened, like many bands of your age. How much do you think the band’s identity relies on the people playing versus the music itself?
Changes in the band’s lineup can sometimes be beneficial, especially in the position of drummer or bassist…. nowadays it is quite difficult to maintain one lineup for the entire existence of the band, this can be seen even in big world bands.
In any case, in my opinion, every band should have at least one member from the beginning, the one who sets the direction and is the main engine or brain of the band. If all the members change in the band, the identity is lost.
They can just rename themselves and play pop music
Thirty years of recording, touring, and surviving the underground. Are there moments or periods that still stick in your memory as “this defined us” – either for better or worse?
During this long time in the underground, we have experienced a lot of good and bad, as a leader, I was often troubled by personnel changes in the band.
And the fans notice and remember this even after 30 years of the band’s existence. Maybe this somehow defined us, that despite frequent personnel changes, we did not stop our activities and are still functioning (even though we had a longer break, we did not give up and a rebirth came).
Nowadays, when I meet people who are still loyal to us, we often laugh and remember experiences from the past, for example, when Vlado Pagac sang with us and performed at a concert with a meat cleaver in his hand, or waved a prosthetic leg that we found on the road in a car
And basically all the things, as well as recording demos, albums, concerts, traveling, entertainment, experiences, meetings with fans…. all of that stuck in our memory, it cannot be forgotten!
When you write now, do you think about legacy or history at all, or is it just the drive to create something heavy and real in the moment?
I don’t think about history, history lives in me. And certainly when I write new songs, it influences me. I don’t want to lie to myself and certainly not to my surroundings.
I am convinced that every newly formed band has traces of history in it and it is audible, even if someone tries to be I don’t know how original.
There will always be that old message from the people who started first, and showed the rest of us the way and direction.
Slovakia isn’t always on the map for death metal (for last years), but your scene has its own flavor. How do you think your roots crept into the tonality, pacing, and aggression of your music?
We are a small country, but I think we have several excellent bands here whose quality can be compared to the big bands in the world.
I will mention a few names: ABORTION, DEPRESY, CRANIOTOMY, BLOODY REDEMPTION, SURGERY, MORNA, PERVERSITY…
I am not sure if our roots are heard in our work, our country has a tradition and history in dance music called folklore, it is cheerful music that is danced and sung by people dressed in beautiful costumes, in almost every region of the country there are different, hand-woven and typical, traditional ones. That is one of our symbols from history. But it is possible that someone will find something danceable in our music and not only brutal
Some bands grow heavier, some go more technical, some lean melodic. How would you describe the natural evolution of Dehydrated across all these years?
I like speed, technique and melodies. I’ve never been interested in just one thing. Even the natural development of the band hasn’t changed my mind.
I play what comes from my insides, and the ideas are diverse. I can’t judge for myself how we’ve changed, developed, moved somewhere, it’s better to leave this to our listeners.
What matters is whether they like it or not…
When fans listen to this new box set, what’s the one feeling or impression you hope comes through, old or new listeners alike?
So I really hope that this box set will find our new fans, that they will be interested and enjoy it.
It is a true cross-section of our work over more than 30 years and I believe that everyone will find something there that will please their ears and please their metal heart.
Reflecting on the band’s journey, are there lessons you wish you could tell the younger you back in 1991 before the first demo was recorded? Thank you for your time!
I would like to say only one thing to young bands starting out: don’t try to be perfect at all costs, to have a perfect sound, to not make a mistake. Nowadays, bands try to be perfect, flawless, and in the process they lose their naturalness, the recordings sound perfect but artificial, as if machines were playing instead of people…
May you all be happy and stay true to metal music.
Thank you for the space and support in your magazine.
Wolverhampton’s KK’s Steel Mill has become the true home for heavy metal in the Midlands, and tonight it played host to a thunderous double bill as Primal Fear rolled into town for the second and final date of their brief UK run. The night promised classic heavy metal in its purest form.
Kicking things off was powerhouse vocalist Ronnie Romero, whose résumé already reads like a who’s who of rock royalty. From the first note it was clear this was going to be a night driven by huge voices and even bigger songs.
Romero wasted no time setting the tone, storming out with ‘Backbone’, instantly commanding the stage with the confidence of a seasoned frontman. His voice, as always, rich, powerful and effortlessly high-flying, filled the venue with ease. ‘Never Felt This Way’ and ‘Eternally’ followed, giving the crowd their first real chance to warm up their vocal cords alongside him.
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
It didn’t take long for Romero to lean into the classics that helped shape his career. A towering rendition of ‘Stargazer’ by Rainbow brought the room to life, his vocals soaring impressively through the epic track. If there were any doubters about his ability to handle the material associated with legends like Ronnie James Dio, they were quickly silenced.
Romero kept the momentum rolling with a muscular take on ‘Black Dog’, injecting his own flair into the classic while the band locked into its iconic groove. Original material like ‘Castaway on the Moon’ and ‘Bring the Rock’slotted comfortably alongside the covers, the crowd responding enthusiastically to Romero’s blend of classic rock spirit and modern power.
Closing his set in explosive fashion, Romero delivered a powerful one-two punch of ‘The Battle Rages On’ by Deep Purple and the ferocious ‘Kill the King’. Sandwiched between them were the punchy ‘Chased by Shadows’ and ‘Vengeance’, ensuring the energy never dipped.
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
As the lights dimmed once more and the intro ‘We Walk Without Fear’ rumbled through the speakers, anticipation surged across the packed floor. When Primal Fear finally hit the stage with ‘Destroyer’ the room erupted. The band’s trademark blend of speed, precision and melody immediately took hold, with vocalist Ralf Scheepers unleashing a barrage of sky-scraping notes that proved his voice remains one of metal’s most formidable powers.
‘I Am the Primal Fear” and ‘Final Embrace’ followed in quick succession, the band locking into a relentless groove. The twin-guitar attack carved through the venue while the rhythm section drove everything forward with machine-like precision. ‘Nuclear Fire’ triggered one of the night’s first massive sing-alongs, its classic power metal hooks hitting just as hard as ever.
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
The set continued to dig into the band’s deep catalogue with ‘Seven Seals’ and ‘The Hunter’ both delivered with muscular authority. Scheepers stalked the stage like a man possessed, commanding the crowd with ease. ‘Tears of Fire’ and ‘King of Madness’ kept the momentum surging, the band clearly feeding off the energy pouring back from the Wolverhampton faithful.
Things ramped up with the colossal ‘Fighting the Darkness’, its dramatic dynamics giving Scheepers plenty of room to stretch his voice to its limits. Classics like ‘Chainbreaker’ and the anthemic ‘Metal is Forever’ sent fists pumping across the venue, the latter turning the room into a unified choir of metal devotees.
Closing out the night, ‘Hands of Time’ and ‘Running in the Dust’ ensured the energy never faltered right up to the final note. As the band took their bows, it was clear Wolverhampton had witnessed a masterclass in classic power metal. The band now head off to Europe after this all too brief UK stint, we can only hope they’ll return sooner rather than later.
And they’re not coming alone. For the UK leg, Korn will be joined by Brit metal faves Architects (who themselves completed a headline arena run last autumn) and Youth Code – with Pixel Grip replacing Youth Code for the second half of the tour.
The big ol’ tour kicks off in Suttgart on October 18, tearing through massive UK venues like the AO Arena in Manchester on October 31 and The O2 in London on November 4, before wrapping up on in Milan on November 21.
MetalTalk favourite Andrew Freeman is back fronting DIO RULES, a powerful new live concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio and the iconic bands that helped define an era, Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio.
Having signed with Panzyler Entertainment Group, DIO RULES have announced four dates in July, with more shows promised. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, supporting cancer research and awareness.
Andrew Freeman, Last In Line. Photo: Steve Ritchie/MetalTalk
Joining Last In Line‘s Andrew Freeman, are guitarist Angus Clark (Trans‑Siberian Orchestra, Joe Lynn Turner), drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big, Kix), bassist Winston Roye and multi‑instrumentalist Mark Klett.
“We’re really excited to partner with Kathy [Wagner] and Panzyler Entertainment Group as we begin growing this project,” Angus Clark told us. “Kathy’s reputation in the industry and her commitment to the artists she represents made this an easy decision for us. We’re looking forward to working together as we bring this music to more stages.”
Rather than a traditional tribute act, DIO RULES is designed as a full‑scale concert experience celebrating the music and legacy of Ronnie James Dio with the power, musicianship and reverence the material demands.
Audiences can expect thunderous anthems and soaring vocals that defined one of Heavy Metal’s most influential catalogues, from the epic power of Holy Diver and Rainbow In The Dark to timeless classics from Rainbow and Black Sabbath.
The project made its live debut in February with performances in Annapolis and at Mickey’s Black Box on the renowned Rock Lititz campus, where many of the world’s largest concert tours rehearse. The venue is known for its pristine acoustics and state‑of‑the‑art production powered by Clair Global. The performances received an enthusiastic response, establishing strong early momentum for the project.
“DIO RULES is not only a statement of fact, it’s everything you forgot you miss about a rock show,” said Jimmy Gaio, General Manager of Mickey’s Black Box, said. “Whether you are a die‑hard or casual fan, you will be begging for more after the 90+ minute beatdown these boys provide. No notes. 10/10 would recommend.”
“We are incredibly excited to welcome DIO RULES to the Panzyler roster,” Kathy Wagner, President of Panzyler Entertainment Group, told us. “This is a phenomenal lineup of musicians who bring both authenticity and passion to this music. The early shows proved just how powerful this project can be live, and I’m thrilled to be working with the band as we continue building this from the ground up and bringing it to audiences everywhere.”
DIO RULES – July Dates
July 8 – Sellersville Theater, Sellersville PA July 9 – The Suffolk, Riverhead NY July 10 – Tupelo Music Hall, Derry NH July 11 – The Newton Theatre, Newton NJ
With its all‑star lineup, deep respect for Dio’s legendary catalogue and a mission rooted in both musical excellence and charitable impact, DIO RULES is emerging as an exciting new live concert experience for fans of classic Heavy Metal and Hard Rock.
Now we have to wait for additional dates to be announced. Find out more at Facebook.
Hamar, Norway-based death metal band Disgraceful Life premiere a new single titled "Banished From Existence", streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you now below.
Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
London, UK-based deathcore trio SHUSH premiere a new single and visualizer by the name of "Suffocate the Population", streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you now below. The band’s lineup includes Luke Haarhoff of Vulvodynia on guitars.
Read More/Discuss on Metal Underground.com
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
Photo Credit: Tim Finch Photography
