QUICKIE OF THE WEEK: A short interview with Demetra Cartsos (THE DEVASTATION)
written by Marko Jakob | 24.10.2025 |
Pix666: Hi Demetra, thank your for taking the time to do this interview. How are you doing?
Demetra: Wonderful, I am so hyped about our upcoming show on Monday (YOTG/TNE @ Viper Room Vienna)
Pix666: You are a really young band. The Devastation is said to be „Vienna‘s youngest Metal Band“. Please introduce the band and tell us how you guys met.
Demetra: Our lead guitarist Felix (Haberman)and I know each other from our school band. We already were a strong power duo, writing songs together. I met our bassist Liara (Pühringer) at a workshop at the University of Music in Vienna and our drummer Theo (Knittel) and I know each other from the popak Vienna.
Pix666: What kind of metal are you playing and who are your idols/favorite bands?
Demetra: I would describe our music as a mix of occult metal and heavy rock with elements of punk and doom. My passion for metal music started a few years ago when I discovered Judas Priest „Painkiller“ in my dad‘s vinyl collection. I was hooked. I continued listening to Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Venom, King Diamond, Unto Others, Angel Witch, Ghost, Kreator, Slayer, Metallica and Satyricon… My role models as frontwomen are: Johanna Sadonis ( Lucifer) Stacey Savage (Savage Master) , Frida Eurenius (Spiral Skies), Denika Denkmair (Dusk), Olga Kann (Withered Land), Nina Saeidi (Lowen) and Liza Kay (Mageia).
Pix666: For how long have you been playing an instrument and when did you think about forming your own band?
Demetra: My parents always tell me that I sang before I spoke. I have been playing e-guitar for 3 years and I also take bouzouki lessons. After seeing Lucifer live in 2024 I knew that this is what I want to do – 2 months later I founded The Devastation.
Pix666: You are the singer and one of the two songwriters in The Devastation. What are your songs about and who or what inspires you to write lyrics?
Demetra: I am fascinated by the dark side. My lyrics deal with fears, nightmares and mythology, sometimes politics. There is always a story that I tell, but it doesn‘t always have to make perfect sense to the audience. This would only create a false sense of security. I aim to rattle and challenge my audience, create a sense of discomfort, and prompt them to question their own assumptions. Everything in life is uncertain, and not everything in life makes sense. If I open up to my fears, they no longer control me but I can control them and can play with them in my lyrics. This is how my song ‚Woman in the Black Veil‘ came about. A figure from a nightmare that I now channel as an alter ego on stage. My lyrics are in English. I grew up trilingual, German, Greek and English. I have been studying French for three years and I just started Latin. I cannot wait to write my first song in Latin! I have always been fascinated by languages. As a kid I have always wanted to write a book with each chapter being in a different language. One day I will write a multilingual song or invent my own language like Tolkin, or speak in tongues like Dead Can Dance or Diamanda Galas. Sometimes words can distract from the message. You have to feel music, not aim to understand it. Music is the universal language.
Pix666: You just released your first single ‚The Discipline of Death‘. How happy are you with the final product and do you have a link to download or buy the song?
Demetra: I‘ve been asked many times what the ‚Discipline of Death‘ means. Why is Death disciplined? Because he is always on time? We were completely inexperienced going into this recording. Our Producer Christoph Hüttner was very supportive, patient and gave us a lot of his time. But now we know that we want to sound heavier and just recorded our second song ‚Woman in the Black Veil‘ with Patrick Vanek. You can find our songs on all streaming platforms and Apple Music:
https://youtube.com/@thedevastationoccultband
https://music.apple.com/at/artist/the-devastation/
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/thedevastation
Pix666: I read that you won a youth competition in May. How did this happen and are you participating in any other band competitions?
Demetra: In February 2025 The Devastation was formed, and playing our first ever show on 05.05. 2025 we won the WienXtra U20 Wettbewerb. That was an amazing start, recognition and motivation for the band. We owe a lot to WienXtra, they also helped us finance our latest recording at Cosmix Studios. Currently we are participating in Austria‘s biggest bandcontest: Planet Festival Tour. We nailed first place in the Qualifyings, will compete in the Playoffs on 30.01.2026 and hopefully make it to the finals. Even though this is very exciting, I am not fond of the concept of band contest. It really helps to get your music out there and we befriended other bands, but music is about community not competition. I also want to thank Vienna Rehearsal Studios, where we can practice in a professional environment under the best conditions.
Pix666: You have played in various locations in Vienna already. How long is your live set and do you already have a favorite club to play in?
Demetra: We currently have a one hour set exclusively with our own compositions. So far we really liked the atmosphere and the sound at Flex. We would love to play Arena Wien, Donauinselfest, Nova Rock and eventually Wacken!
Pix666: Your next gig is on Monday at Viper Room Vienna. Are you nervous before a show? Do you have any rituals as a band backstage before you go on?
Demetra: Of course I can only speak for myself. Each and every show is the highlight of my life and I go on stage with an open heart and tremendous joy. Our band ritual is a summoning circle. Afterwards we draw symbols on each others hands. While the other bands might have a beer backstage we do shots with vitamin juice.
Pix666: You have mentioned a new song. When will it be released? Are you planning any life shows in the near future?
Demetra: ‚Woman in the Black Veil‘ is being released on 21.11.2025 as part 1 of an occult trilogy. The song is based on a nightmare I had, where I encountered a woman in a black veil, who somehow seemed familiar to me. She grabbed me and yelled at me that it was not my time yet. Then I woke up. The song is now our show opener. I also wear a black veil and channel her spirit during my song. We have some surprise shows coming up, but the next one are the play-offs on 20.1.2026 at Szene Wien.
Pix666: What are your goals and dreams? Where shall the journey continue to?
Demetra: I would be honored to carry the torch that Ozzy lit and get my tiktok generation to listen to metal again. We really want to perform an play live. Participating in festivals is our biggest dream and maybe meeting our idols. I really love the metal community. They might all look sinister but in general are very sweet. Nobody ever snobbed us because of our young age, but welcomed, helped and respected us as musicians. My biggest thanks to The Night Eternal and Year of the Goat for giving us a chance and letting us open for them on Monday. My teacher, Professor Feldner, has always told me that the swarm will feel and carry you. He was absolutely right.
Pix666: It must be very time consuming to be in a band. Do you have still time for other hobbies? What else interests you but music?
Demetra: Music is not just a hobby for me, but my life. If I am not writing songs or practicing I am listening to music or going to as many concerts as I can.
Pix666: I wish you lots of fun at your upcoming show and best of success for the future.
Demetra: Thank you for the interview!
https://thedevastationband.com/home
https://www.facebook.com/the.devastation
https://www.instagram.com/devastation_band/
photos © Stefan Knittel
