Doomed Confessionary: Mel, Gianni & Thomas (Opium Heathen)

Opium Heathen is a heavy rock/doom band hailing from Antwerp, Belgium. Drawing inspiration from the occult and the raw power of obscure 70’s rock, their sound blends doomy riffs, groovy rhythms and hard hitting drums at an unrelenting volume.

»Rise From The Dead« and »Forsaken« are the first two singles taken from the band’s forthcoming debut full-length album.

Opium Heathen consists of Mel Pirquin (guitar, vocals), Gianni Vuylsteker (bass) and Thomas Pultyn (drums).

Can you please say a few words about your band?
Mel: We are Opium Heathen located in Antwerp, Belgium. We love to play loud and heavy. Some people categorize us as stoner, sludge, doom and whatever else is out there but I call us heavy rock.

Thomas: We’re Opium Heathen, the loudest band in Belgium. Our music’s here to melt your fucking face off.

What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Mel: To keep a steady line-up. Our country is a small place! Its hard to find people in Belgium that are into the same stuff and not yet in a band.

Gianni: Finding a drummer who sticks around hasn’t been easy. We’ve had some great ones behind the kit, but the connection just wasn’t there. With Thomas, it clicks both on and off stage.

Thomas: Always arguing with sound guys just to make sure we’re loud enough.

What can you be most proud of so far?
Mel: That we are finally coming out with an album this year.
We booked studio time for a weekend and recorded everything, besides the vocals, at once in the same room.
It was fun working on it. We want you to have the feeling you were in that room with us. I personally love that. We can’t wait to share it!

Gianni: Our upcoming album, mainly how the whole album fits. Start to finish it just flows.

Thomas: We’re stoked to say our first full album was recorded at Studio swamp!

What was your biggest regret?
Mel: I don’t really regret anything. Everything happens for a reason and we just keep moving forward. I’m happy with the way everything’s worked out so far.

Gianni: Using someone else’s backline. Life lesson for everyone out there: stick to your own stuff, because all others are shit.

Thomas: No regrets.

What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Mel: The best shows are when I see people zoning out. Then I know what we do works. There is nothing better than feeling like you’re on another planet during a live show.
I feel like during our slower songs, the universe absorbs you, and when we play a faster song, you come back to reality. That’s what it feels like for us at least.

Gianni: My first show with Opium Heathen was wild. After being inactive for so long, a ton of people showed up and the place was packed. That night instantly set the bar for all of our future shows.

Thomas: Catacomb Fest because it was the first real show we played with our current lineup.

What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
Mel: That Electric Wizard is working on their last record. That really sucked to find out. But other than that, pretty much nothing is a surprise anymore since bands are being forced in to becoming social media machines to stay relevant. Constant posts about a song release that by the time the song actually comes out, everyone is over it. There isn’t any mystery or excitement to the process anymore like there used to be before social media.

Gianni: No hate, but these days it feels like you can drop whatever and people still go crazy — as long as you’ve got enough likes and post it 50 times a day. The scene’s starting to feel more about social media than what it should be: packed, sweaty shows, a wall of amps, no phones, just pure vibes and loud music.

Thomas: The extreme (almost impossible) volume regulations at venues and festivals these days.

What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Mel: Definitely Electric Wizard, Deathchant, Amenra…and much more. A lot of the 60’s/ 70’s. I love the way bands sounded in that era. It was so pure, no digital shit.

Gianni: Amenra and currently The Devil’s Blood.

Thomas: Amenra, Brutus, Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Sleep

What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Mel: To never give up and play for hours as often as you can.

Gianni: Do your own thing. Don’t waste time trying to be someone else.

Thomas: Learn to copy your heroes, then forget it and do your thing with it.

What are your guilty pleasures?
Mel: I don’t really have any. Listening to my own music? haha. I openly listen to or do what I like. I don’t care what other people think. Life’s too short.

Gianni: You really don’t want to know! Music wise I’m a big fan of Irish folk songs.

Thomas: Wakin’ and bakin’ and Thunderdome.

Can you say something more about the current music scene in Antwerp?
Mel: We’re a very small country with a lot of musicians from all types of genres, but the cool thing is that everyone is supportive of eachother because the scene isn’t big. I don’t think that’s common everywhere else.

Gianni: To be honest, we can be proud of our music scene, the heavier music is getting much more recognition and we have more and more bands that even go on long USA and European tours.
It’s not always my cup of tea, but we have some very talented musicians in our small country.

Thomas: I don’t really go outside much these days to know that.

Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Mel: For now, we’ve only got shows in Belgium. Hopefully, once our album’s out, we can hit the road and tour!

What are your plans for the future as a band?
Mel: Just enjoying the ride and seeing where all the hard work takes us. Definitely making more records after this one!

Thomas: We’re ready to release our album and play as many shows as we can. Desert Fest would be awesome!

How can people best support your band?
Mel: Play our soon to be released record turned up to eleven and have a good time at our shows. Life’s stressful and fucked. That’s why we play loud and heavy. Let yourself loose!

Gianni: Come to our shows, share pics and vids, grab our album — but most importantly, do it because you love the music, not just for our pretty faces.

Thomas: Buy our record when it’s released, come see our shows, follow us on socials, grab some merch… so many ways to show us love!

Do you have any message for your listeners?
Mel: Thank you for your support! It wouldn’t be possible without you guys. We appreciate you. The solution is crime!

Gianni: Thank you for being here, for listening, for coming to our shows – we do this for you. We hope our music helps you get through the chaos life can bring.

Thomas: Our music sounds best when played at the highest possible volume.

Links:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well