Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Violent Hammer Interview


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Violent Hammer is primitive death metal from Northern Finland. We were active 05-08, split-up and re-formed the band in '11 with a new vocalist. The original drummer left the band pretty soon after the re-formation and we had another guy filling in for a year or two before we kicked him out. We tried bunch of other guys and it didn't work out so K.S. switched from bass to drums. Pretty soon after that we found a new bass player and a lead guitarist and things have been running smoothly after that. Violent Hammer is Janne guitar / Joonas vomits / Kalle drums / Lasse guitar / Late bass.

2.Recently you have released a new demo, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The new stuff is more primitive. The older stuff wasn't that technical or anything but we have stripped down all the unnecessary influences and overall regressed in every aspect. We recorded the demo ourselves and having more experience on that departmant has really paid off.

3.This is the first demo to be released in 7 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
We split up after the 2nd demo. We had plans about full-lenght and ep etc but those plans never realized. With the original lineup we didn't do any gigs or anything.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with
the newer music?
The lyrics mainly deal with topics such as war, death and agony. We play death metal and lyrics are very death metal.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Violent Hammer'?
Violent Hammer is a musical entity that will violently hammer your face in.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Thus far we've only played 3 gigs (1st with another drummer). The ones we've played with the current lineup have been slightly chaotic on the alcohol department. There's no stage performance per se; only screams, hate, pounding and blood.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
None at the moment.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
The feedback has been positive. We sold out the 1st pressing of the demo in a month or so and most of the pressing was sold outside Finland. Haven't seen any reviews yet but judging by the amount on people begging for free stuff we're at least somewhat known, ha!

9.Are any of the band members involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
Kalle plays drums in Ydintuho (raw punk deathstrike from the trenches, ep coming soon), Lasse, Janne & Late have a swe-death metal project, demo coming sooner or later and Joonas "sings" in noise/grind band.

10.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
The slower parts are slower and fast parts are faster than on the demo so there's a bit of variation of some kind. No drastic style changes or anything, still primitive death metal hammering. We still have to write at least 3-4 tracks before we start recording. After that it's up to Shadow Kingdom.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Our influences are 80's - early 90's death / black metal (Venom, Hellhammer, Bathory, Possessed, Blasphemy, Beherit, Archgoat, Grotesque, Sarcofago etc), 80's grindcore (Carcass, Blood, Repulsion etc), 80's UK/Swedish hardcore / crust (Discharge, Crude SS, Extreme Noise Terror etc) and early thrash metal (Slayer, Sodom, Destruction etc). Todays playlist includes Onslaught - Power from Hell, Chaos UK - Studio Outtakes 81-83 7", Foreseen 7", Ataque Frontal 7", Necros Christos / Teitanblood split 7", Deathstrike - Fuckin' Death. Mainly raw metal and hardcore punk.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Literature, computer games, satanic power lifting and alcohol.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or
thoughts?
At the moment we're working on tracks for the upcoming 1st full length on Shadow Kingdom Records and that's about it. Thanks for your interest.

http://shadowkingdomrecords.bandcamp.com/album/more-victims-demo-2014

Beautality Interview


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Beautality is my vision, my goal, my modus operandi and magnum opus realised. Everything I've wanted to create with music. Free from boundaries. An emotionally visceral, powerful tour de force to take the listener, and myself through a myriad of experiences and become lost within the music.

2.You have a new album coming out in March, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Einfallen: A Tale Ov Torment & Triumph is the most advanced, dynamic, complete set of soundscapes I've ever created. Everything is more extreme, moving in different directions yet maintaining complete coherence and precise fluidity. Much of my growls are more more classicly black metal, whilst my clean vocals are far more daring with more frequent use of harmonies and vocal techniques. Many of which were stylistically improvised during recording.

This is the first album to truly capture the real sound of Beautality. Whilst Providence had quite a meaty sound to it it lacked some of the vital rawness one would hear from experiencing Beautality live. Previously my guitar was too processed and augmented, played through a modulator. This time round what you hear is exactly how I play and how Beautality sounds. I couldn't be more happy with the collective marriage of rawness and cohesion. I give Tom Dring (mixer/masterer) much kudos in capturing the essence of Beautality so wonderfully in Einfallen.

Einfallen does have quite a cinematic feel to it. Every song is a vast, complete journey through blistering highs and crushing lows and much in between. More Black Metal, More Doom, more Post Metal, More Rock, More  Experimental/Avant Garde. Yet more Beautality. Oh and catchy- very CATCHY.

3.On your facebok page you refer to the band as 'extreme euphoric metal', can you tell us a little bit more about the tag?

I music I create in Beautality is so vast and varied it's incredibly difficult to pigeon hole for many, myself included. the popular consensus at least seems to be 'Atmospheric Post-Black Metal'. But in reality Beautality really don't sound like many other bands at all, given the wealth of influences inside. i chose Extreme Euphoric Metal because I believe it describes the sounds Beautality generates rather well. the underlying feeling of Euphoria is a prevalent one I feel be it in the rehearsal studio, recording or at home listening back. A deeply metaphysical, astral experience that takes the collective essences of my own and collaborators somewhere not quite of this plane.

I also didn't want to be any part of the now age old issue of what is 'trve'. I make music for myself. Music I wish to hear, music I NEED to hear. To maintain my own sanity. Not to appeal to any side of an argument. Whilst I love and listen to much of that (my favourite genre of music is unsurprisngly Black Metal, specifically the '90's sound') i like too many different things to just play one style of music. I certainly didn't create ambitious experimental 20 minute epics to impress anyone and I don't expect much in the way of chart success!
That said, knowing people 'get', like and love Beautality is a wonderful feeling to behold and never fails to make me smile, or nod with with silent approval.

 Beautality are most likely Black Metal at the core but there are strong progressive and ever present rockin' elements that make me feel a different tag/s is warranted.
In essence; I make music that i want to listen to.

4.The lyrics on the new album have a concept to them, can you tell us a little bit more about them?

The concept/lyrics to Einfallen tell the story of how potent and poisonous love can become. When one feels so deeply that obsession and darkness rear their ugly heads into eventual insanity. And ones eventual realisation of the descent into a vile, rotten path and the need for redemption. These are themes that many, if not all of us can relate to at some point in our lives- or more than once.

The tale of descending into darkness/evil and the need of redemption is a similar archetype throughout mankind as well in both history and popular fiction. One of the most prevalent cases that comes to mind it is the tale of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. I've no doubt been influenced by many of these tropes throughout my life and have collectively told a story based on collective influence, experience, imagination and some kind of cosmic force i'm only partically aware of.



5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Beautality'?

Beautality is the very essence of the band. It's what I/we do. Beautiful, brutal, light, dark, heavy, soft, rightoeus, insideous, fast, slow. I wanted to have a name that instantly tells someone what to expect. I'm also a huge fan of portmanteau (the almalgamation of two words to create a new one).
The marriage of opposites working in glorious unison to create a vast, expansive jouney. Life isn't simply one way. We have ups, downs and much in between. Beautality is that experience in musical form.

6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future, or do you chose to remain a duo?

Since the recording of Einfallen I had to part ways with the now former drummer Duke. He has a different path now. Ideally Beautality live would be 2 guitars, keyboards/3rd guitar, bass, drums, backing clean and growled vocals with me on vocals. At present that is somewhat of a pipe dream. The band initially performed as a classic 3 piece (me on guitar/vocals, a bassist and a drummer) but the music is simply to immense to be perfmormed by anything less than a 4 piece (second guitar). I'm content playing guitar live, whilst I'd rather not given the choice and focus on performing.

Quite simply it's been incredibly difficult to find musicians of the high standard Beautality requires. Be it ability, vision or professionalism. Creatively speaking I can do everything myself. I'm proficient at all of the instruments. though I do prefer to have additional help so people and bring something to the Beautality fold, be it more intricate drums or guitar solo's. I consider myself gifted enough to play the music I want to hear. Something very similar to one of my favourite composers Aran of the now sadly defunct Lunar Aurora once said.

Some people have been purturbed by how bare bones Beautality can be in when just jamming. I'm completely self taught so I'm very comfortable with a great degree of improvisation and meticulously structuring/composing the songs afterwards.
I'm the visionary of Beautality. This is my band. I welcome people to come and share the vision collectively with me. This is my 11th band and my most successful one becuase I am in complete control. I bleieve the best bands work because everyone collectively knows the place and strength within the unit. I also believe a good leader knows when to listen. If someone has a good suggestion and it works- we'll use it. If it doesn't we won't- very simple. Whatever makes the song all it can be. no matter ow simple or intricate it may be. A great deal of my favourite bands seem to operate in very similar ways so it's certainly a successful ethos.

But the final say will always be mine- I will always listen to my instincts and follow my vision.

Ultimately I do desire some other musicians if for no other reason than to play live. I live for music and perfomance is deep within my blood. So I'm on the hunt to find new people. Beautality must be experienced live. There is much atmosphere and a certain feeling that cannot quite be conveyed other than in the flesh so to speak.We'll see.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

It's all been pretty positive I'm happy to say. I've had many say it's not Black Metal. It's all a matter of opinion. All I find relevant is if people like it. I'm my own biggest critic and always will be so negative comments are are of absolutely no use to me. Like I said before it's awesome to discover people like and love what i do because Beautality is deeply personal to me. it's my lifes work. other things that interest me to an extent are what influences/other bands people can hear. I've heard many from people. It just adds to how difficult we are to pigenhole. That and I also like to know how the music affects people emotionally. That fascinates me. how it makes them feel and what visual images their minds may conhure up to the music I create.


8.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

That's a good question. I don't fully know. Beautality, after all represents the deep dualism within myself. We have over 250 songs already. I could honestly not write another song and have enough material to comfortably make another 10+ albums at the very least. But that's nto how my mind works. I'm as random and off the cuff as I am deeply meticiulous. After all, Einfallen wasn't even supposed to be the next record. It was supposed to be 'Solitude'. Einfallen was initially just an intro song to come on stage to and my mind creatively ran with things for it to be the longest, most ambitious album I've ever created by far.

I do have a loose plan/concept for upcoming albums. But as I always like to say- these are subject to change. Instinct, planning, vision and perfomance lie at the core of Beautality. All I know is it will sound great and be at the creative vanguard of metal. Watch this space. For now Dr Ravengarde advises a lethal dosage of Einfallen.

9.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Wow- it's a classic question I always enjoy answering. The first band that truly inspired me were The Shadows from the 60's and 70's. Absolutely incredible guitar sound that you can still hear in what I do. Rolling Stones, Arthur Brown and much 60's-70's pop/rock i can't put a name to thanks to listening to lots of vintage radio as a young child.
Nirvana hugely inspired me. that rawness, catchyness and apparent simplicity with wonderful hidden subtleties. Alice In Chains, Radiohead- namely OK Computer, which really opened my mind to ambitious structures, NIN with their electronic elements, Slipknot, Metallica and vitally Celtic Frost. When I first heard 'The Heart Beneath' playing over the incredibly iconic Manga Entertainment trailer as a child I was changed forever.

Things changed for me again when I discovered Opeth In November 2002 with Deliverance and my mind was once again opened to the incredible world of intense extremities mixed with such magnificent beauty. Cult of Luna have a large impact wherespoce is involved Dark Funeral, Emperor, Enslaved and Dimmu Borgir collectively assured my love of Black Metal as my favourite musical genre of choice. Never before had I experienced such poweful, sonic, atmospheric soundscapes that would resonate so deeply within my core and enhance my emotional state and also give me a vital part to my creative playing core.

In my teens I wanted to make grunge, in my late teens I wanted to make post metal with grunge elements. In my early 20's I wanted to combine Black Metal and Grunge. In my mid to late 20's I created Beautality and so much more elements entered the fold. Now at 31 I've honed my craft and consider to see where it goes. What a long winded answer.

What am I listening to now? Well Einfallen for a start, the new Nightbringer album, Lunar Aurora, Krieg, Midnight Odyssey and some other stuff including work form the composer Nobuo Uematsu. I will literally listen to end enjoy (Almost) anything as long as it sounds good. It just so happens that my playlist is usually 90% Black Metal. I'm always on the hunt for something new and obscure to change my life and new outings for bands I already love. Discovering amazing new bands has and will always be one of my greatest passions and my wallets nemesis.

10.Does Occultism play any role in your music?

Yes it does.I was raised a strict Roman Catholic as a child, which almost guaranteed my leaving the faith once I reached maturity. I consider myself a spiritual atheist. I would like to say agnostic but I feel more evidence leaing towards there not being a God, so to speak. Then again I believe in the neutral power of the universe so perhaps I have a samblance of belief in a 'Godhead' if you will. I was raised to fear the devil and hell intensely. Something I'm somewhat the opposite stance with now. the song 'Mourning Star' on Providence was about not fearing what Lucifer is and being ones own God.

 Frankly I deride power from darkness. It soothes me. We've always had a connection so to speak. Conicdentally I'm routinely told I have naturally very devillish features. I agree with this. Just a coincidence of course. Or is it?
I digress. It's safe to say I'm handsome.

 The occult both stimulates and fascinates me. I study and read up on demons/occult practises for fun and to learn.
I have strong belief in psychic energy and once had a demon visit me in a vision. It was a spell binding moment and inspired some lyrics in 'Messias'. to say i haven;t ventured out to discover the demon who spoke to me through deep research and meditation would be a lie. Socrates had a Daimon in his life and i doubt I'm crazy. Somewhere inbetween. I refuse to live within the belief system of others. Through light and dark my mind is my own. I could honestly talk on the subject of occultism for a great deal of time


11.What are some of your non musical interests?

I'm a retired super model. That is a lie. I'm not retired.

Well I like to create art. Draw, sketch write and perform comedy for the stage and online/one day television perhaps. Good television, film, animation comic books and wrestling all appeal to me. Larry David, Bryan Cranston and Stone Cold Steve Austin are all heroes of mine.

Psychology fascinates me and I have a rather good knack for understanding many facets of it. A dash of philosophy is always welcome throughout the day. Unsurprisingly researching arcane symbols is also favoured along side spiritual matters and a little astrology.

 I think I should be cast as a supervillian in a movie. Seriously. The way I look and sound. It's money on the table.I also like videogames, and talking to myself.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Feral/For Those Who Live In Darkness/2014 CD Review


  Feral  are a  1  man  band  from  Tabusintac,  New  Brunswick,  Canada  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  album  "For  Those  Who  Live  In  Darkness".

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric  sounding  synth  starts  off  the  album  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  the  music  starts  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  direction  along  with  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  after  awhile  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  are  added  into  the  music  and  they  also  have  a  depressive  tone  to  them  at  times.

  A  good  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  there  are  also  times  when  deep  death  metal  growls  are  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  on  the  later  tracks  there  is  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  very  raw  black  metal  sound  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  tradition.

  The  faster  sections  of  the  songs  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  which  also  makes  its  return  on  later  tracks  aw  well  along  with  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars,  nature  sounds  and  whispers  onto  one  of  the  tracks  before  making  a  return  to  more  of  an  aggressive  and  raw  black  metal  sound  while  the  songs  also  start  adding  in  guitar  solos  and  leads  into  some  of  the  tracks  while  one  of  the  later  songs  also  bring  in  more  of  a  powerful  sounding  bass  guitar  while  the  last  track  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts.

  Feral  creates  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  dark,  raw  and  diverse  while  also  having  a  depressive  feeling  st  times  and  a  dent  amount  of  melodies,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  blasphemous  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Feral  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of   this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nocturnal  Queen"  "The  Curse"  and  "Dethroning  Your  King".  8  out  of  10.

https://feral2.bandcamp.com 

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Torture Chamber Interview


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Torture Chamber is a black metal band from the Bay Area, California. It was at one point a solo project of mine, and it became a full band about a year and a half ago. I play guitar and do vocals, Voldr is the other guitarist, Zack is on bass, and Gabriel is our drummer.

2. So far you have released 2 EP's, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?

The first demo (EP, demo, whatever) is called “Into the Void.”. The sound on it is extremely lo-fi and a lot more melodic than our sound nowadays. The new EP, “Qayin,” was recorded at a studio in Oakland, California called The Secret Bathroom with the lineup we have now. While still having a raw production, the recording is much more clear and reflective of how the band sounds nowadays. With that said, Torture Chamber is a perpetually evolving entity. No release from us will ever sound identical to the previous. To follow this trend (which is unfortunately growing in popularity) is self-imposed stagnation.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Lyrical content is very personal to me. It almost exclusively includes topics regarding Gnostic Satanism and nihilism. Humanity is microscopic, acting only as a figurative (and possibly literal) tumor upon the Earth. The metaphorical and metaphysical aspects of Qliphoth and the Tree of Knowledge are discussed.


4.The name of the new EP is "Qayin" and on the FB page you had Goetic Magick listed as on your interests, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the Occult?


In short, I believe that enlightenment can be obtained by pursuing the destructive force that lies dormant in all of us, and using it constructively. Illumination comes not from creating light within darkness, but from making the darkness your light, so to speak.




5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Torture Chamber'?

The name Torture Chamber, while not pertaining to the band’s lyrical content, stems from my interest in the history of the Spanish Inquisition and Crusades of the 11th and 12th centuries. Our music itself matches the harsh and desolate imagery of this time period.


6. Originally the band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind forming a full line up?

I felt that more could be achieved musically with the contributions and input of full-time members.



7. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

My favorite show was the one we played in San Luis Obispo a couple months ago. The people there are very passionate about this music and we were well-received. Our stage show has been described as violent and chaotic, with blood and carrion covering us and the stage.


8. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We plan to play farther away from Northern California in this coming year. It is likely that we’ll do a tour of the Western half of the U.S. this summer with a well-known band from the Pacific Northwest, who will be unnamed for now.


9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

The feedback has been generally positive for Torture Chamber’s music. We’ve had complaints from certain venues regarding our live aesthetic, but that’s to be expected.

10. When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

A full length can be expected in mid/late 2015. The sound will only become more chaotic.

11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I’m influenced by many musical genres, everything from black metal to classic rock to trance. As a band, we share common influences such as Craft, 1349, Bathory, and Deathspell Omega. Lately, I’ve been listening to Earthless, which is instrumental psychedelic music, and a lot of black/death like Archgoat, Proclamation, and Demoncy.


12. What are some of your non musical interests?

Our non-musical interests are irrelevant.


13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thank you very much for the interview. Expect new music from Torture Chamber very soon.

Ave.

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Thursday, December 25, 2014

Human Bodies/No Life/Caligari Records/2014 Cassette Review


  Human  Bodies  are  a  band  from  Massachusetts  that  plays  a  raw  mixture  of  black  metal  and  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  cassette  which  was  released  by  Caligari  Records.

  Noisy  reverb  starts  off  the  cassette  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  black  metal  sound  that  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  high  pitched  screams  and  you  can  hear  a  heavy  punk  influence  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  at  time s you  can  hear  some  melody  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  You  can  hear  a  heavy  influence  from  the  more  punk  side  of  the  Norwegian  black  metal  scene  in  the  bands  musical  sound  and  the  songs  at  times  also  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  bass  guitar  also  brings  in  a  very  powerful  sounding  presence  on  some  of  the  tracks  while  a  couple  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  few  seconds  of  guitar  leads.

  Human  Bodies  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  sound  and  also  mix  it  in  with  the  energy  of  punk  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sound s very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  violent  and  hateful  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Human  Bodies  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  mixture  of  black  metal  and  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Scapegoat"  and  "Bellicose  Throngs".  8  out  of  10.

LISTEN HERE

Beautality/Einfallen: A Tale ov Torment & Triumph/Nordavind Records/2015 CD Review


  Beautality  are  a  duo  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their     album  "Einfallen:  A  Tale  ov  Torment  &  Triumph"  which  will  be  released  by  Nordavind  Records  in  2015.

  Acoustic  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  and  they  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  full  chords  and  open  note  finger  picking  and  a  few  second s later  clean  singing  vocals,  drums  and  melodic  guitar  leads  start  becoming  a  huge  part  of  the  music  before  adding  in  grim  black  metal  screams  and  you  can  hear  a  good  amount  of  post  rock  elements  throughout  the  tracks.

  Most  of  the  songs  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  at  times  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  after  awhile  the  guitars  start  bringing  in  a  more  heavy  and  atmospheric  black  metal  sound  to  the  recording.

  At  time s the  music  does  go  into  more  of  a  fast  and  raw  black  metal  direction  along  with  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  while  the  main  focus  remains  more  on  a  melodic  and  atmospheric  post  metal  sound  which  also  brings  in  elements  of  darkwave  and  dream  pop  at  times  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  one  of  the  tracks  also  brings  in  a  small  amount  of melodic  chants  that  also  gives  the  music  a  pagan  metal  feeling  while  some  of  the  screams  bring  in  some  traces  of  depressive  black  metal  on  one  of  the  later  songs  and  on  the  last  track  you  can  also  hear  some  elements  of  doom  metal  in  the  slower  sections.

  Beautality  plays  a  style  of  post  black  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  atmospheric  sounding  while  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  progressive  elements  and  influences  from  a  variety  of  many  different  genres  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  close  to  20  minutes  in  length,  the  production sounds  very  powerful  and  heavy  sounding  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  that  deals  with  both  the  mental  and  astral  planes.

  In  my  opinion  Beautality  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  post  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Devil's  Elixir"  and  "Messias".  8  out  of  10.

www.nordavindrecords.bandcamp.com/album/einfallen-a-tale-ov-torment-triumph
www.facebook.com/beautality777?fref=ts

      

Apocryphal Voice Interview


1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band these days?

- We have finalised the release of Pain & Pleasure with Inverse, after going through lenghty negotiation rounds with lots of labels. Our priority was to keep the copyright of the work to ourselves, which in today's music industry climate requires bands themselves to take the financial risk of release. We were also busy creating the cover artwork, which the drummer Ville ended up doing three versions of, although even the first version looked good to me.

And there's all these other bands we are involved in, such as 0xist and Sata Kaskelottia. Both of which have been doing number of live shows, and are preparing releases for new albums.


2.So far you have released a demo and 2 full length's, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?

- All releases have a different personality from one another. At least, that's our intention. When an album during its writing process reveals its direction it wants to head to, we explore that direction as far as we can. Of course, there will be unavoidable similarities between them. For example, in type of song structures, chords, and playing feel. But we have never chosen any particular "band concept" and stuck to it, perhaps a little to our detriment. Making music just for the sake of making music has never appealed to me.

Our first work, the demo/MiniCD The Sickening was all about unleashing all the musical weirdness I was getting into that time. The result is jagged uncomfortable oddball of an EP. The sound production, although done in a proper studio, ended up sounding very sterile digital and harsh, partly to my own blame. I nowadays get uncomfortable when anyone compliments the sound production on that release.

The full-lenght Stilltrapped is a bit easier on the ear on surface, but musically it's one of the most depressive albums ever made. That sounds like a big statement, but sitting through it really sucks the life force out of you. However, that was never the intention unto itself, but rather reflects the slow downward spiral I was personally trapped in. The sound production on it is somewhat interesting. We still didn't quite know what we were doing, but the sound ended up having this snow-storm-sweeping-over-desolate-field type of feel to it, which I have rarely heard in a non-black metal release.

Compared to Stilltrapped, this latest one, Pain & Pleasure, has a lot more energy and warmth to it. Both musically and sonically. There's some death metal influences which we previously didn't have, and all in all there's just more riffs going on. Sound is sought out to be earthy and muscular, although keeping the guitars tuned in standard E, as they were before. Still, the production sounds nicely different from the majority of modern metal production. Not so super clean and in-your-face, but more subtle and luring, letting the music do the talking.


3.The band has been around since 1999  but  so far only  has  a  demo  and  2  album's, can you tell us a little bit more about the gap between releases?

- Like I said, I have never sought out activity just for the sake of activity, like so many other bands do. I want the musical ideas to be strong and timeless. For that, I have to allow them time, I cannot force them out.

Also we have full-time jobs in order to survive. And as there's only 2 members in the band, there's a lot of aspects of band activity to be learned and maintained just for the two of us. And every now and then life throws a curveball that forces the band on a short hiatus. The list goes on. Someone might view these as excuses, but in this world of metal where there's clearly an overabundance of just-another-releases, I want every Apocryphal Voice release to something special and substantial. So I feel no guilt over our apparent slowness, even though it might make us get lost in the noise.


4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

- They can be anything that speaks to me. Venting inner daemons to achieve catharsis and to get some weight off my shoulders, texts open and fertile to different interpretations whether it originally meant something to me and I then hid the original meaning or or just being stream of thoughts, symbolic, even fictional stories... et cetera.

It's really easier to answer which kind of lyrics I'm not interested in writing. Those include anything mundane everyday life stuff, gore just for the sake of gore, anything overtly political or current day topical, urban topics, partying, chest puffing, anything materialistic, and so on.


5.On your last album you had a song about Kali, are the band members interested in Occultism or Eastern Mysticism?

- We have always been interested in anything underneath the surface, more than meets the eye. Though I try to keep a critical approach and not swallow anything unchewed. A lot of esotericism is highly symbolic anyway, and once you study a bit of everything from all over the world you start recognising underlying common truths and archetypes that reoccurr in different sources.

Kali also can, and should, be taken symbolically as a force of perpetual flux of change and renewal. She is the goddess of chaos after all, and you can't have creation without chaos, without dying of all things stagnated thus giving room for something new and progression.


6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Apocryphal Voice'?

- A voice that isn't recognised as a part of canonical mainstream "truth" by the established powers that be. A voice of dissent. The name can apply to pretty much any musical direction we might take, although it has proven not to roll off your tongue very nicely, unfortunately.


7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future, or do you chose to remain a duo?

- We are planning to add a third member for possible live shows. Most likely a bassist, since I have developed very unique style of guitar playing. The bass has always been an important instrument in our music, very melodic and thus should be fun to play. The main core of the band as far as the delicate process of creating and recording new music will still be us two.


8.Recently Inverse Records, re-issued your 2013 album, what are your thoughts on the final product?

- It always was the intention to have a physical release, not just a Bandcamp release. We view that the streamable release was just a showcase for the proper album.


9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of avant garde and black metal?

- From the day one it's always been love-it-or-hate-it by those who have encountered our music. The exposure itself has been quite limited. It's very difficult get a word out there unless your band has a marketable "story", or rather an extramusical gimmick. We on the other hand, are just interested in exploring fresh angles to metal music itself.


10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

- I play second guitar in 0xist (a.k.a. Zero Exist). It's very much a vehicle of Jani Koskela, formerly from Let Me Dream, and plays a bit in the vein of Triptykon

http://www.zeroexist.net/

Ville has been involved in number of bands, most famously Black Crucifixion, but nowadays plays drums in Sata Kaskelottia, metal/rock a bit in the vein of Mastodon in finnish language. I helped the guys record their upcoming album with the same equipment as with Apocryphal Voice's Pain & Pleasure. The equipment itself is nothing fancy, but I'm pleased with the result which proves that if you're unafraid of the learning curve you can these days have a nice enough production without renting time from a big studio.

http://satakaskelottia.fi/?page_id=49

Also throughout all these years I have had a number of personal side projects recorded in demo quality just for the fun of it. I don't know yet if I'm going to release any of it. But if I do, they will be free downloads.


11.When can we expect new music and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

- Let's let the dust from the release of Pain & Pleasure settle down first. I'm entertaining the ideas of someday making a not so extreme album with a deep in the pine forest feel to it, and a more prog death metal album with an interstellar space feel to it, but I can't tell which will be made sooner. All in all, I always have very large recorded riff library as pool to draw ideas for further development from. Right now I think it contains literally hundreds of riffs in varying styles, and simply going through them will be a lot of work unto itself.


12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

- It's difficult to self-analyse, which bands have been how much influence. I have always listened to widely varying styles of artists. But there are a couple of important musical revelations that have blown my mind and charged me with "I've got to something like that too!" -feeling. Emperor when I was about 16, Ved Buens Ende when I was about 20, and Gorguts around the age of 28-30.


13.What are some of your non musical interests?

- I'm very much into latest scientific discoveries in cosmology, particle physics, biology... The more mind-boggling, the better! I also enjoy nature documentaries, especially on big cats such as tigers and leopards, etc.


14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

- Not really. I hope everyone reading this had a nice Yule (I'm finishing this interview on the Christmas Day).

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Torture Chamber/Qayin/Black Lion Productions/2014 EP Review


  Torture  Chamber  are  a  band  from  California  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  misanthropic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Qayin"  which  was  released  by  Black  Lion  Productions.

  A  very  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  high  pitched  screams  and  brutal  blast  beats  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  open  note  riffs  that  bring  in  more  of  a  dark  atmosphere  to  the  songs  and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  At  times  deep  death  metal  growls  can  be  heard in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  some  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  adding  in  an  influence  of  thrash  at  times  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  a  couple  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  before  making  a  return  back  to  more  of  a  raw  and  chaotic  black  metal  direction.

  Torture  Chamber  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  misanthropic  with  some  war  metal  elements  while  also  having  a  good  sense  of  melody  at  times,  the  production  sound s very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Luciferian,  Occultism,  Blasphemous,  and  Misanthropic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Torture  Chamber  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  misanthropic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Defiling  The  Throne"  and  "Drowning  In  the  Blood  Of  vermin".  8/5  out  of  10.    

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Human Putrefaction Interview


1.Can you give us an update on what has been going  on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
  H.P.: In the mean time, the pack changed some members and this was the main cause, why it took us so long to release the „Anti-Human Nekro Kvlt“.

2.In October you had released your first album, how would you describe the musicla sound that is presented on the recording?
  H.P.: Through out the Album, the sound represent the way we wanted to express our music. Raw rhythm section with nervous guitars and agressive/psychotic vocals. We are very satisfied with the production by S.S. from Quercus Park Studios.

3.The band has been around since 2009 but so far this is the first album, can you tell us a little bit more about the first 5 years?
  H.P.: Mostly we had problems with the line up, which took a lot of time, but in the meantime the core of the band was making new material (... a lot of alcohol was wasted).

4.Your lyrics cover some satanic and anti christian topics, how would you describe your views on Satanism?
  H.P.: As a unity, we had agreed on a consensus, what Human Putrefaction stands for, but every member has his own view on this subject. As long as we have common goals, the Anti-Human Nekro Kvlt will be alive.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
  H.P.: Every performance gave us it's own feelings, but so far, one of the most remarkable for us was the show at Trainstation squat in Kranj on April 2013, where J.D. From Somrak, who also recorded the back vocals and vocals for sixth track on the album, again joined us on the stage.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
  H.P.: Till now we only had the release ritual, but we have plans for more gigs in future. Regarding touring things are still in mist.

7.The new album was released on Mater Tenebrarum Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
  H.P.: The guys from the Slovenian underground label MTR are very dedicated individuals whith a great feel for music and scene and we hope that we started a hellish relationship with them.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
  H.P.: Till now we did not get many feedback, also because we dont have the intention to force our music, not that we would not appreciate fans or critics from the globe. But till now the reviews of the album from some web-zines are promising.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part off?
  H.P.: Nothing special which would change the path of Human Putrefaction and its intentions, although some of us have other projects.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
  H.P.: Our vision grows, but future is still posessed by misantrophy.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
  H.P.: We follow our own principles and feelings, with no special influence from the artists we appreciate.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
  H.P.: Too much questions, Whiskey bottle is dry so we better fuckin' shut up!
  A.M.S.G.

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Chaoscraft Interview


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
1. Chaoscraft started as a solo project by me, Isolator on 2013, with the purpose to play Black Metal, mainly influenced by old Scandinavian Black Metal bands like Emperor, Dissection, Dark Funeral and many more.

2.A year back you had released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
2. Well, first of all the production of the album is not like the typical Black Metal production. It is more clean, but without being overproduced. The music I write contains fast guitar riffs, screaming mid-pitched vocals and blastbeats. It is recommended for fans of fast Black Metal.

3.Your lyrics cover some Anti Christian topics, can you tell us a little bit more about your hatred for Christianity and also do you have any interest in Satanism or Occultism?
3. I wouldn't say that my lyrics are only about anti christianity, but against all kinds of organized religion which want humans to be slaves. I hate religious people, especially when they pray to their fucking god asking for mercy because they did bad things in their life. All these cunts, are pretending to be good and innocent, but inside they are the worst people alive. I am not interested in satanism or occultism, I am here because of music.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Chaoscraft'?
4. The name Chaoscraft actually describes the whole vibe of my lyrics, which mostly have no order, no cohesion and they hide subliminal messages.

5.On the album you recorded all of the musical instruments and vocals by yourself, do you feel you get your point across a lot better by working solo than with a band?
5. I recorded all the vocals, all the guitars and the bass, but I used a drum machine. I think working by myself is better for me, because I can do whatever I want, I can record everything that I want, I can do the production that I like, so the final product will be like the way I wanted to be from the first time.

6.The album was released on War Against yourself Records, are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?
6. Yes, W.A.Y is a great label, with very good promotion. The album was released in the most European countries, I don't know about the U.S yet.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
7. So far, so good.

8.You have a very interesting cover for the album, can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that was presented on the cover?
8. The cover shows a dead angel emerging from a graveyard. It symbolizes creation through destruction, procreation through disaster in general.

9.When can we expect new music and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?
9. Right now, I am trying to find some session members for some live shows, to promote the album as much as possible.
After that, I think I am gonna write material for the next album.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
10. Dissection, Mayhem, Emperor, Dark Funeral, Thorns are some of my biggest influences. Today I prefer to listen to the underground stuff, more than the crap that ''major'' metal labels ,like metal blade or nuclear blast, release.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11. Sometimes I catch myself dawdling on the fucking internet for many hours. I like watching movies too.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. Thanks a lot for this interview, keep up the good work with your webzine.

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Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Rotting Bull Interview


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Rotting Bulls a raw crusty black metal band from Newcastle Upon Tyne.

2.How would you describe your musical sound?

Raw Crusty Black Metal

3.The ep you recently released is a part of a trilogy, can you tell us a little bit more about it?

Well we wanted to release something on the first day of Winter, something in the middle of Winter and something else on the last day then retire the band until next Winter. It's not quite worked out that way though. Equipment broke and people fell ill. Seemed kind of pointless sticking to arbitrary calender dates though, the musics getting released whenever its done. Most of part two is recorded, just needs the finishing touches then it will be getting added to the Beyond Ragnarok album. Trying to keep it at three nine minute sections, each section representing another nine steps into Ragnarok. Then again, songs last as long as songs last. The next section is somewhere around the ten minute mark right now.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Its pretty simple. Hatred and violence. Real earthly hatred. The real hatred that you feel day to day just paying attention to what's going on in the world. Watching the news and seeing drones blowing civilians to bits and seeing all the right wing cunts grow a larger hoard in the Uk. Makes me want to go out and brutally destroy every selfish thoughtless miserable cunt in my path. Well that's me, don't really know about the other guys. When we speak about it we agree that we wont be singing about forests and trolls and all that bollocks. Everyday hell, that's where its at with Rotting Bull.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Rotting Bull'?

I can't really remember. It probably came up when we were hammered. We originally had another name and a full live band line up with an ep written. I scrapped the songs for the ep, wrote Violent Death Hymns and renamed the band. Most of the band quit to concentrate on doing more drugs and other things. The singer and I finished off the demo and put it up online and we kept the name change. All Hail The Rotting Bull God! That had something to do with it. I dunno, beer. Beer had something to do with it.

6.has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

Nah, we've been asked but there's so much freedom by never playing live. You can record songs and then forget how to play them... Maybe in the future.

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

We're looking for a label to put out Beyond Ragnarok once it's completed. We have offers from a couple labels but we want to get the album complete first and then see if anyone offers us anything interesting. Maybe everyone will retract their offers when part two comes out haha.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

Pretty cool. People get in touch from all the place which is great. My email address is goatsheadrecords@gmail.com . Anyones welcome to get in touch.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We're probably going to degenerate into utter filth. It will be glorious.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Oof, too much to mention. Ash Borer, I keep listening to the Ash Borer album these days.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Drinking. The band drinks a lot.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Drink more and nurture hatred.

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Disharmonic/II Ritual Dei Non Mortis/Beyond Productions/2014 EP Review


  Disharmonic  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  very  occult  and  ritualistic  form  of  black/doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "II  Ritual  Dei  Non  Mortis"  which  was  released  by  Beyond  Productions.

  A  very  slow,  dark  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  grim  vocals  and  screams  as  well  as  some  solos  and  leads  that  also  bring  in  a  good  amount  of  melody  and  once  the  riffs  kick  in  the  music  goes  for  more  of  a  black/doom  metal  sound  which  also  brings  in  clean  singing  vocals  and  chant s at  times  that  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling.

  At time s spoken  word  ritualistic  parts  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  one  of  the  tracks  being  long  and  epic  in  length  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow  and  ritualistic  musical  direction  and  at  times  they  also  add  in  some  experimental  and  avant  garde  elements  along  with  a  small  amount  of  synths  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Disharmonic  creates  a  style  of  black/doom  metal  that  is  very  grim,  ritualistic  and  occult  sounding  as  well  as  being  very  avant  garde  and  experimental  at  time,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Witches,  Evil,  Spirits  And  Hell.

  In  my  opinion  Disharmonic  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  and  ritualistic  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK "Ritual Dei Non Morti  I".  8  out  of  10.  

  

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Viranesir/Raping Lesbians For Freedom/Merdumgiriz/2014 CD Review


  Viranesir  are  a  duo  from  Turkey  that  plays  a  very  politically  incorrect  form  of  experimental  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Raping  Lesbians  For  Freedom"  which  was  released  by  Merdumgiriz.

  Distorted  guitar  noises  and  melodic  chants  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  slow  yet  heavy  riffing  which  also  uses  some  melody  at times  and  deep  yet  grim  black  metal  screams  which  also  have  a  depressive  feeling  at  times  start  making  their  presence  known  on  the  recording  which  leads  up  to  more  fast  parts  being  added  into  the  music  that  also  bring  in  the  energy  of  punk.

  The  slower  sections  of  the  music  have  a  doom  metal  feeling  to  them  and  some  of  the  alter  tracks  also  add  clean  playing  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  good  portion  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  music  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  with  the  faster  sections  bringing  a  very  raw  black  metal  sound  to  the  recording.

  Throughout  the  album  the  melodic  vocals  mix  in  with  the  more  extreme  vocals  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  an  experimental  and  avant  garde  black  metal  feeling  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  at  times  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  finally  added  into  the  music  they  are  in  a  few  and  melodic  musical  direction.

  Viranesir  plays  a  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  form  of  music  that  also  mixes  in  a  great  amount  of  raw  and  depressive  black  metal  elements  along  with  a  touch  of  doom  and  punk  to  create  a  very  original  sounding  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  most  disturbing,  offensive  and  politically incorrect  themes  you  can  possibly  think  off  but  done  in  more  of  a  humorous  fashion.

  In  my  opinion  Viranesir  are  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Heil  Hitler"  "I  Only  Like  Jews  When  They  Kill  Muslims"  "Fuck  Your  Parents,  Kill  Them,  Cook  Them  Up  And  Eat  Them"  and  "Intoleran,  National  Imperialist,  Racist  Hate  Metal  Therapist,  The  Rapist".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/viranesirBandcamp: http://viranesir.bandcamp.com/            

Monday, December 22, 2014

Dawn Of A Dark Age/The Six Elements Vol.2 Water/2015 CD Review


  Dawn  Of  A  Dark  Age  are  a  duo  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  raw,  experimental  and  avant  garde  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2015  album  "The  Six  Elements  Vol.  2  Water".

  Water  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  a  few  seconds  later  synths  and  people  noises  are  added  onto  the  recording  which  also  leads  up  to  whispers  and  melodic  vocals  along  with  a  small  amount  of  violins  and  then  heavy  guitars  start  to  make  their  presence  known  onto  the  recording  along  with  some  grim  black  metal  screams  and  deep  death  metal  growls.

      Once  the  album  gets  past  the  intro  the  music  gets  more  structured  and  starts  to  add  in  some  melodic  guitar  solos  while  also  going  even  more  into  a  black  metal  direction  as  well  as  adding  in  more  avant  garde  elements  with  both  saxophones  and  violins  and  a  few  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  gets  more  fast  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  bringing  in  blast  beats  and  more  of  a  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  sound  which  they  also  mix  in  with  the  more  experimental  side  of  their  musical  style  and  on  some  of  the  tracks  they  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  one  of  the  songs  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  classical  guitars  and  they  close  the  album  with  an  instrumental  and  outro.  

  Dawn  Of  A  Dark  Age  creates  some  very  original  sounding  music  on  this  recording  taking  a  raw  style  of  black  metal  and  mixing  in  elements  of  folk  music,  avant  garde  and  experimental  which  results  in  songs  that  take  the  black  metal  genre  into  a  different  direction,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Natural  World,  Human  Nature,  Despair,  Hatred  and  Seasons.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Dawn  of  A  Dark  Age  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw,  experimental  and  avant  garde  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Otzuni  (The  Black  City  In  Apulia)"  and  "The  Verrin's  Source  (On  Mount  Field)".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rd3biY6Ewvk&feature=youtu.be  

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Caina/Setter Of Unseen Snares/Broken Limb Recordings/2015 CD Review


  Caina  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  post  black  metal  with  elements  of  punk,  hardcore  and  d-beat  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Setter  Of  Unseen  Snares"  which  will  be  released  in  2015  by  Broken  Limb  Recordings.

  Spoken  word  samples  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  atmospheric  sounds  in  the  background  which  leads  up  to  a  heavier  guitar  sound  along  with  a  few  melodic  chants  which  are  also  used  again  on  one  of  the  later  tracks  and  after  the  intro  the  music  goes  for  more  of  a  raw  post  black  metal  sound  along  with  some  grim  screams  and  you  can  hear  a  lot  of  d-beat  structures  and  melody  in  the  songs.

  At  times  the  music  bring s in  the  energy  of  hardcore  punk  rock  as  well  as  adding  clean  playing  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  in  some  of  the  faster  sections  a  decent  amount  of  blast  bears  are  brought  in  which  also  adds  even  more  of  a  raw  black  metal  sound  to  the  bands  musical  style  an d the  last  track  is  over  15  minutes  in  length  and  shows  a  more  experimental  side  to  the  bands  musical  sound  along  with  some  elements  of  ambient  being  incorporated  into  the  song  along  with  a  heavy  doom  metal  influence  and  clean  singing  vocals.  

  As  the  album   progresses  the  band  starts  bringing  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  distorted  yet  melodic  guitar  leads  being  utilized  at  times  along  with  some  of  the  90's  atmospheric  black  metal  sound  being  added  into  the  song  structures  which  also  makes  the  music  sound  more  dark  and  grim.

  Caina  take s the  raw,  atmospheric  and  post  black  metal  genres  and  adds  in  the  energy  of  d-beat,  hardcore  and  punk  along  with  a  great  amount  of  melody  to  create  a  very  aggressive  and  dark  sounding  recording,  the  production  sound s very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Literary,  Human  Nature  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Caina  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw,  atmospheric  post  black  metal  band  with  elements  of  hardcore,  punk  and  d-beat  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I  Am  The  Flail  Of  The  Lord"  and  "Applicant/Supplicant".  8  out  of  10.

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