Friday, February 28, 2014

Odem/The Valley Of Cut Tongues/Daemon Worship/2013 EP Review


  Odem  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  a  very  fast  and  aggressive  form  of  satanic  black/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  ep  "The  Valley  of  Cut  Tongues"  which  was  released  by  Daemon  Worship.

  The  ep  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  and  heavy  black/death  metal  sound  along  with  blast  beats  and  a  mixture  of  growls  and  screams  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  sections  and  you  can  also  hear  a  good  amount  of  melody  in the  music  and  after  awhile  solos  are  added  into  the  music.

  As  the  album  progresses  spoken  word  parts  and  avant  garde  soundscapes  are  added  into  certain sections  of  the  recording  and  the  band  also  bring  in  a  more  brutal  and  technical  death  metal  sound  which  is  different  than  their  early  material  which  was  in  a  more  black  metal  direction.

  With  this  recording  Odem  move  away  from  the  more  traditional  sounding  black  metal  of  their  earlier  material  and  go  into  a  more  brutal  blackened  death  metal  direction  while  also  keeping  around  a  dark  occult  atmosphere.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Satanism  and  Occultism  themes,  while  the  production h as  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  dark  and  brutal  sound  along  wit h the  bass  guitars  being  mixed  down  low  in  the  mix.  

  In  my  opinion  Odem  are  a  very  great  sounding  satanic  black/death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cult  Of  Flesh"  and  "Satanskin".  8  out  of  10.

http://daemonworship.bandcamp.com/album/the-valley-of-cut-tongues

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Suffering/Chaosatanas/Mort Productions/2014 EP Review


  Suffering  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  very  fast,  melodic,  satanic  and  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Chaosatanas"  which  was  released  by  Mort  Productions.

  The  ep  starts  out  with  a  very  fast,  raw  and  melodic  black  metal  sound  along  with  blast  beats  and  grim  screams  before  slowing  down  a  bit  and  letting  the  darkness  kick  in  more  before  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  slow  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts.

  When  the  ep  goes  into  other  songs  the  band  sticks  to  their  fast  and  melodic  satanic  black  metal  direction  and  after  awhile  they  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  before  returning  to  a  heavier  direction  as  well  as  bringing  in  slow  depressive  parts  on  one  track  while  still  keeping  a  great  amount  of  the  faster  material  around  as  well  as  bringing  in  more  old  school  black  metal  elements.

  Suffering  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  darkness  with  their  approach  to  fast  satanic  black  metal  and  while  they  probably  do  not  have  the  most  original  sound  out  there  they  make  up  for  it  with  their  skill  and  the  way  the  songs  are  executed.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Chaos  Magick,  Occult,  Anti  Christian,  Witchcraft  and  Devil  Worship  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark, r aw  and  old  school  sound  along  with  the  bass  guitars  being  mixed  down  low  in  the  mix.  

  In  my  opinion  Suffering  are  a  very  great  sounding  fast,  melodic,  satanic/occult  black  metal b and  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Suicide  For  Satan"  and  "Leviathan  Rises".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/sufferingbm
  

Tenebrositas Interview


1.  For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
Tenebrositas is a one man band from Croatia, activated in 2013.

2. You released a demo and single a few months back, can you tell us a little bit more about your musical sound?
Transilvanian Hunger, first 3 albums by Gorgoroth and Immortal, Nattens Madrigal, and stuff like that pretty much defines my style. It just came as natural for my taste in BM and me as musician.

3. According to your website you are also working on a new album, what can we expect from your newer material once it is released?
Just a little more variations needed for full length, but still the same old raw, dark and cold BM. Trendy styles don’t work for me, so I am keeping it as I think it should be, rather than playing something that I don’t enjoy.

4. Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?
“Malism - the doctrine that the world is evil”. A dark mirror of it all, BM metaphors as grotesque kaleidoscope of existential horrors and forgotten dreams.

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Tenebrositas'?
Shadows manifested through music. The music should speak for itself.

6. Currently there is only 1 person involved with the musical project, do you feel this adds to the creativity of the music?
To keep the vision clear, yes.  This type of BM is rare around here, and I am fine with it. Even if style is really strict I am not trying to fit in. Also, this way is the most practical for me.

7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
For now I am satisfied with demo and file sharing level. Nothing wrong with it, not pretending to be elite or something, and I am not interested in being on label just for the sake of it.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
Not much feedback so far, but I am satisfied.

9. Are you also involved with any other musical projects?
I got into underground as mid 80’s hardcore punk zinemaker. Played in many local bands since 90’s, also on old extreme noise, experimental side. Here’s the last thing I have done with my old metal punk comrades - http://nuclearaltar.bandcamp.com/

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?
I mentioned some bands already, also newer and smaller bands. Other genres as well, but they aren’t directly influential for Tenebrositas.


11. Does occultism play any role in the music?
Occult themes may be very inspiring but so are the real life experiences.

12. What are some of your non musical interests?
Not much, usual hard working class worries, I guess.

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
 This is first Tenebrositas interview. Thanx and keep it real.
 For interested;

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Episatis/Light Through Dead Glass/Crucial Blast/2014 CD Review

 
   Episatasis  are  a  band  from  Maryland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  experimental,  classical,  noise  and  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Light  Through  Dead  Glass"  which  was  released  by  Crucial  Blast.

    The  album  starts  out  with  drone  and  noise  sounds  before  adding  in  some  dark  and  heavier  parts  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to t hem  as  well  as  going  into  a  more  fast,  technical  black  metal  along  with  grim  screams  and  blast  beats  and  the  band  also  brings  in  elements  of  noise  rock  and  psychedelia.

  As  the  album  progresses  acoustic  guitars  become  a  part  of  the  music  while  also  keeping  around  a  great  amount  of  the  heaviness  and  grim  parts  as  well  as  bringing  melody  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  mixture  of  clean,  progressive  and  heavy  parts   and  after  awhile  traces  of  doom  and  sludge  metal  make  their  way  into  the  music  along  with  ethnic  sounds.

  While  Episatasis  is  more  rooted  in  black  metal  more  than  anything  they  also  bring  in  a  variety  of  influences  from  a  variety  of  many  different  musical  genres  to  create  a  sound  that  is  very  dark,  diverse,  heavy,  experimental  and  original  all  at  the  same  time.

  Song  lyrics  cover  dark  and  surrealistic  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  dark  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Episatasis  are  a  very  great  sounding  diverse,  original  and  experimental  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  looking  for  something  that  is  very  different,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Time's  Vomiting  Forth"  and  "Witch".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/epistasis
http://epistasis.bandcamp.com

Menschheitsdämmerung Interview


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

Menschheitsdämmerung is, plain and simple, a one-man project. It has come into existence because I needed to articulate a feral emotion. That need has been solaced by expressing it through music and words. 

2.A year back you had released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about your musical sound?

That EP, "Cleaver of Skies and Tenets", consolidates the unnamable hatred I felt at that period. Musically, we're not talking about extreme dissonances and pure evil (like, for example, Svartidaudi). The venom is in the lyrics - the instrumentals are trying to imitate and support the ideas. That's why the songs are -mostly- high-paced black metal; they have been composed with nothing but fury and relentlessness on my mind.

3.Your last recording was a concept album, can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrics that where on the last release?

The concept is a case study on human instincts, the perversion of the mind, the toothsomeness of domination and deceit. The lyrics, as you might guess by now, are the residue of past contemplations - I never had the intentions of publishing them or rehashing them after the release.

4.What is the meaning and and inspiration behind the name 'Menschheitsdämmerung'?

The moniker is based on the word Götterdämmerung, which means "twilight of the gods". Given the conceptual approach, a "twilight of humanity" seemed fitting. Later, I found out that Menschheitsdämmerung is also the title of a 1919 publication by Kurt Pinthus.

5.Currently there is only 1 person in this project, are you open to working with other musicians with this project, or do you chose to remain solo?

For the debut EP, there was no other option but to complete everything myself - for the reasons stated above. I never had the ambition to turn MHD into a live act, and all the instruments can be provided by me. Since composing and lyric-writing is the most singular and challenging experience in the process, I want to put my own soul in the music, not someone else's. Menschheitsdämmerung will remain my musical alter ego, for now.
6.The ep was released on No Sleep Till Megiddo Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Just like MHD, that label is a one-man thing. Behind the label is a great German guy, who is regularly releasing underground acts in small CD print runs. It's definitely rewarding to check out the catalog, there are some top-notch albums to be found (way better than MHD)!

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

That's quite a dual situation really. Judging from the responses, people seem to either love it or hate it. Some have nothing but praise for the production and compositions, while others find it almost an abhorrence. Of course, the release wasn't actually promoted as such, apart from a few forum posts. All in all, not that wide an audience was reached.

8.Are you still involved with any other musical projects these days?

Yes, I'm a session guitarist and composer for the death metal band "Strange Facts in the Scalpel Case". I have participated on all the releases and gigs so far, although I can't predict how long the cooperation will continue.

9.When can we expect new material and where do you see this project heading into music wise in the future?

Currently, I'm writing a full album which will consist of eight tracks. Like the EP, it will tell a single story in the same conceptual framework. The thematic focus remains, but it will relate events in another cultural setting, in a different place and time.
My approach to songwriting has not been altered, and the idea persists to create compelling melodies with a basic one guitar configuration. Two tracks are already finished - the fast-paced elements are still prominent, but there are more mid-paced and atmospheric variations present as well.

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

I can't sum up specific names, as I'm not trying to imitate anyone. Of course, everything I've ever heard might be an influence in one way or another. Some riffs that might make it on the new album, are in the line of the typical dragging, sweeping melodies like a.o. Nargaroth's. But again, I just try finding and using anything that sounds fitting.
Extreme metal is the essence of my playlists, with a few exceptions.


11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Everything I deem necessary to acquire "mens sana in corpore sano".
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?


For those interested: the entire EP can be streamed athttp://menschheitsdaemmerung.bandcamp.com/ 
Thanks for your time.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Tenebrositas/Black Is The Empire Of Torture And Despair/2014 EP Review


  Tenebrositas  are  a  1  man  band  from  Croatia  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2014  ep  "Black  Is  The  Empire  Of  Torture  And  Despair".

   The  ep  starts  out  with  a  very  fast.  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  sound  along  with  some  grim  high  pitchedscreams  a  few  seconds  later  and  the music  sticks  to  an  early  90's  direction  as  well  as  bringing  in  blast  beats  at  times.

  As  the  ep  progresses the  music  gets  more  darker and  it  never  slows  down  and  sticks  mostly  to  fast  chords  and  tremolo  picking  throughout  the  recording   and  this  could  of  easily  been  recorded  in  1994  while  the  last  track  the  music  slows  down  a  bit  before  making  a  return  to  a  faster  direction.    


  With  this  ep  Tenebrositas  plays  the  early  90's  raw  and  primitive  black  metal  sound  and  while  there  is  not  much  in  the  way  of  originality  the  music  is  still  very  well  played  and  is  mostly  fast  from  beginning  to  end.

  Song  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  occultism  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  raw,  primitive  and  old  school  sound  in  the  early  90's  tradition.

  In  my  opinion  Tenebrositas  are  a  very  great  sounding  fast, raw,  old  school  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Darkness  Wrapped  In  Flesh".  8  out  of  10.

http://tenebrositas.bandcamp.com/album/black-is-the-empire-of-torture-and-despair 

Monday, February 24, 2014

AanomM Interview


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Band joined some time ago somewhere in Spain, we don’t give many details about this, it's not important for us.

2.Recently you have put out a demo, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction the band has taken on this recording?
We recorded demo in a semi-professional studio in a small village inSpainlost in the mountains! We recorded guitars and drums at the same time, all in one take, as liveAfter I added the bass and vocals.It isn´t “copy/paste” in our music, no edite our instruments,everything is natural.

3.When i listened to the demo the drums where the loudest instrument on the recording, was that the intention to make the drums over power the gutiars or vocals?
AanomM's music is natural over everythings, real, we sound like that in live as in studio. Drummer Mm has a strong punch, strong sound is natural! my guitar is very dissonant and agonizing, it is natural to be more difficult to hear, this is AanomM.

4.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Wellour thematic is based in the old western, death, loneliness, dust, dirt from the old western. Yes!! we are fans of this generefilms, I write dust poetry inspired in old western!!.

5.I have noticed with every song title they always start out with Tt  and  the following word would start with Ee or Dd, is there a concept that the band is trying to bring out with the music?
AanomM are obsessed with symmetry in letters and numbers, we express our anomie at this way.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name "AanomM?
From ANOMIA"lack of lawsin the old western no exists rules, do you understand me? Haha! Besides our real initials are MM and AA,everything fitsAanomM is real!

6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future, or do you choose to remain a duo?
AanomM is only two members forever and ever!

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
AanomM playing in the shadows, in the dustnot plays as all bands,not use corpse-paint or spikes! Do you remember those old menswaying in their rocking chairswe are them in live!

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Sure!! we have tours in Spain, we will play in February and March,also in June and September, you can read about this inwww.sadixmo.com

9.The demo was released on sadiXmo, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
Sadixmo is not a label, it confuses peoplesadixmo only helps their bands for music love, not commercial interest, it sells CDstapes and other items to afford concerts and other activities.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
Worldwide? we are not a splendours and wealthy band to get Worldwide! we move underground, we receive some good reviews and supports, and it is enough.

11.When can we expect a full length, and also where do you see your the musical direction heading into during the future?
We will record new album this year. Our black metal will be even more dissonantharshhurtful and nostalgic. Stay tuned towww.aanomm.bandcamp.com for news!

12.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We currently do not hear anythingI prefer reply your questions in total silence, only perturved by meowing of my cats! Haha!

13.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?
None, I hate all religions, including Satanic religion, all that is forbumpkins!

14.What are some of your non musical interests?
I like seeing how ear’s cats get up when they listen Black Metal! Glorious!

15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for your support comrade! we really appreciate it! You can listen my other bands:
ABÿFS, bass, vocals, lyrics www.abyfs.bandcamp.com
ICepressIVe, vocals, bass, lyrics www.icepressive.bandcamp.com
TrollfasthearT all instruments, vocals, lyricswww.abyfs.bandcamp.com
And the other band of Mm:
See you in dust!

Harda Skit Interview


1. Can you give us an introduction to the duo, for people that will be hearing of you for the first time?

Basically the idea of a black metal project formed somewhere in the spring of 2008. I scribbled together some riffs back then, but the project didn't fully start until T. joined the band as a drummer in 2010. Since then we have released two EP's (the first one by ourselves and the second one through Art of Propaganda) but we haven't really had the time to do anything else besides that, since we both have also several other musical projects going on.

2. So far you have put out 2 ep's, how would you describe the musical direction both of them have taken and also how do they differ from each other?

The first EP, Helvetes Ild, was quite a straight forward black metal record with mostly fast tempo riffs and occasional atmospheric moments here and there. On the second EP, Ros Rus, we decided to take our music into more atmospheric direction but still keep the black metal edge to it. Songs are longer and more progressive compared to the first EP, with influences from several different music styles.

3. Both of the band members also have a background in death metal, are you more comfortable playing black metal with this project or do you prefer playing death metal?

We both listen to quite a broad range of music styles, maybe even mostly outside of metal. Therefore it is pretty hard to dictate which one we prefer, since we like playing any music in general.

4. The lyrics are written in Norwegian and the band is from Finland, why did you choose this language over your native language?

Originally the idea of using Norwegian for the lyrics was a way to pay tribute to the Norwegian black metal bands from the early 90's. Norwegian language also fits the music quite well, being grim and cryptic to understand when heard by a random listener.

5. The song lyrics cover Gloom, Satanism, Alcohol and Black Comedy, can you tell us a little bit more about what those mean to you and also how would you describe your views on Satanism?

I don't really think there are any directly satanic views in the lyrics. Although Satan is used as an entity in the lyrics, it still represents the fallen angel as a light bearer, symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment, as in Luciferian outlook. Alcohol in this case is considered as an igniter for a process to move towards the said enlightenment or towards the exact opposite of it, depending on the subject. Lyrical content not being humorous by any means, the black comedy aspect is still always there.

6. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Harda Skit'?

Basically the goal of the band was to play as hard shit as we can. No further mystique to it. We have recently discussed about doing the next release under a new name but there isn't any certainty about it yet.

7. Do you have any plans in the future to add more members?

We have been talking about putting together a live line-up for gigs but it isn't a current issue right now, since we have so many other projects going on. The band works well with just the two of us so it is unlikely that we'll take any more official members.

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

The feedback has been mostly good, especially for the newest release. Of course there are always some people who don't get it or label it as "untrue" or some shit like that, which is typical. But we've had some great reviews of Ros Rus so I guess we've done something right anyway.

9. What is going on with your death metal band these days?

We are currently recording the first full-length album for Coffincraft. That's why we have been keeping a little low profile for some time now. The process has been quite slow due to lack of scheduling and other urgencies. We are also doing pretty much everything ourselves this time so it takes time. Anyway, the album should be ready sometime this year.

10. Are there any plans for a full length album in the future and also what direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Yes, almost all the music has been composed for a full-length album now. Lyrics and some adaptations are still to be done. Recording starts when we find the time and money for it, maybe in next fall or winter. The new album will take an even more atmospheric approach on black metal and there's an even greater amount of influences from different genres. I always like to try new things in music and won't easily stick to what I've already done. So I guess you'd better have an open mind towards what's coming next.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Personally I think that there is good music in every genre. You can find some inspirational stuff in the fields of folk, classical, jazz, rock, blues, metal or even pop music. I think we both just listen to whatever sounds good to us and ignore the rest. When it comes to Hårda Skit, the biggest influences I think come from the classic black metal bands, some post-rock and shoegaze bands, psychedelic and progressive rock, drone and downtempo, and sometimes from folk music. Surely you can't hear them all in the music, but they have definitely influenced the creating of it.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Movies, art, food, video games, tasting beers. To name a few of them. Basically anything that has something to do with culture.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thank you for an interesting interview and I hope these answers shed some light on things! If anyone should be interested, you can check out both of our EP's at Bandcamp. Thanks!

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