Thanatos, a Dutch death metal band from Rotterdam, was founded in 1984 by guitarist and vocalist Stephan Gebédi and guitarist Remco De Maaijer. The group released several demos before releasing their debut album Emerging from the Netherworlds in 1990 under Shark Records. Following the release of their second album Realm of Ecstasy in 1992, Thanatos disbanded but reunited in 1999 with a new lineup featuring Gebédi alongside bassist Theo van Eekelen, drummer Aad Kloosterwaard, and guitarist Paul Baayens. Their album Angelic Encounters was released in 2000 by Hammerheart Records. The band continued to release albums including Undead. Unholy. Divine. (2004) under Black Lotus Records and Justified Genocide (2009) via Deity Down Records, which was recorded at Excess Studio in Rotterdam and mastered by Dan Swanö at Unisound Studio. Thanatos is known for their aggressive sound and themes addressing religious fanaticism and historical figures.
