Wednesday, May 7, 2014

April-June 2012 reviews/interviews

new reviews 6-29-12

greetings,
thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read the latest batch of new reviews!! we have some great ones this time around. a little bit of everything everything from slow doom,brutal death,and of course black metal and other metal genres mixed in just for fun so defintly take the time to check out the band,buy the release if you like and support the music scene!!! {it's the only we,we as "metal fans" will keep the flames of metal burning for eternity!}
enjoy the reviews,keep reading alot of new reviews and interviews will be posted very soon!! so keep watching the zine.
regards,
winter torment web-zine




ahab-the giant cd {napalm records}{review by patrick}
the doom masters ahab return with their third release of sorrowful,painful,depressive doom.the band has always impressed with me it's ability to play to slow funeral-style doom but at the same time keep the music interesting and never gets boring.the members of ahab continue on their path to doom metal greatness with the giant heavy,slow guitar riffs that are entertwined with some well crafted and placed acoustic guitars that give a dark eerie atmosphere within the crushing death/doom guitars and drums.the drums are as mentioned slow and pounding but do have some different patterns to mix it up in the song structure.daniel's vocals are heavy,deep growls but also will surprise the listener with some amazing well-done melodic clean vocals both vocal patterns are done perfectly and fit ahab's style nicely.if you have heard ahab's past releases you know the greatness this doom metal band possesses but if you are new to their music,and you enjoy crushing,sorrowful death/doom then defintly check these german doom masters out today!

label contact
www.napalmrecords.com



antropofagus--architecture of lust cd {comatose music}{review by patrick}
italy's antropofagus return after a ten year silence the band doesnt waste any time going straight for the kill.with whirlwind,furious guitar riffs that are nice mix of complex,some technical riffs in areas.but are also ear shattering and intense with riffs and solo's that usually lack in alot of the newer bands.the drumming is equally as fast,complex with some really well done blast beats ,but also the drummer is not all about speed as he slows to a mid-paced range and shows off his skills with some equally great patterns and beats,before picking up the pace again and going into blast mode.the vocals are sick,deep growls and are a perfect match for the brutal death metal style that these italian maniacs play.recomended to fans of early to mid 90's style brutality.

label contact
www.comatosemusic.com



candlemass-psalms for the dead cd {napalm records}{review by patrick}
psalms for the dead is candlemass's final "studio" cd and what a release! the doom legends have certainly outdone themselves and released their best most memorable release to date.heavy,traditional doom riffs that are both extremly heavy and powerful but also extremly catchy and will be stuck in your head long after the cd is over.vocals are performed by the great robert lowe {of solitude aeturnus fame} are sung in amazing each note is delievered masterfully and sounds perfectly.the production for the release is just as great as it is not too over-produced but it is done just well enough for each musician to shine with their individual instrument.it is a shame that this is the end of one of the doom greats recording days but psalms for the dead is about as perfect of a cd as you will ever you hear.so nothing like going out on top! {Special Note:the band is Not breaking up but will not be recording anymore studio-releases from here on out instead just focusing on touring and playing live so keep an eye out on the napalm and candlemass web-sites for all the latest updates and news concerning this great doom band.

label contact
www.napalmrecords.com




cardiac arrest--vortex of violence cd {ibex moon rec.}{reviewed by patrick}
i have been lucky enough to follow this great band since their debut cd 2006 "morgue mutilations". now up to their fourth masterpiece of old-school horror-gore drenched style of death rot. the band has unleashed "vortex of violence the bands most devestating release to date featuring 11 songs of uncompromising,aggressive death metal in it's truest form heavy,straight forward riffs and solo's that are both relentless but also original and varied as you can tell each of the songs apart of one another which is not easy task in this form of metal.adam scott's vocals have never sounded more sick or vicious growls that are defintly some of the best of the best in scene today. vortex of violence will defintly go down as one of 2012's best death metal releases of the year. so do yourself a favor and buy this it will please both long-time and new fans of this great illinois band.

label contact
www.ibexmoonrecords.com





diseim-holy wrath cd {abyss cd}{review by patrick}
ehh latvia's diseim are ok,but not what i was expecting.i'm not sure if my expectations were to high but i've listened to "holy wrath" about 3 times and just can't get into it.boring and bland death metal that really doesnt really stand out,their are some doomish parts but that really can't help the bands sound.maybe on the next release diseim will have a better standing of musicanship or musical direction. personally i'd say pass on this and grab yourself one of abyss's rec. many other great releases that are availble.
label contact
http://www.officialabyssrecords.com







donn the philosophy-horns curve into broken circles cd {peregrination records}{review by patrick}
donn the philosophy features donn who some remember him from his previous band/project "teutoburg forest".it is great to hear/see continue his musical journey.donn the philosophy is a dark,occult black metal.musically donn has a little thicker guitar on these songs then on his previous band.fierce,uncompromising riffs,drumming is equally as impressive with chaotic,fast blast beats and some really well played patterns. the vocals are a combination of deeper growls,and black metal shrieks.the lyrics {for those who are interested in occult studies} are very well written and show donn's knowledge of the occult.horns curve into broken circles is a really good debut and should defintly be checked out by anyone into occult,black metal.

label contact
www.peregrinationrecords.com



enthrallment-people from lands of vit cd {united guttural rec.}{review by patrick}
bulgaria's enthrallment play u.s style brutal death metal in the vein of devourment,newer cannibal corpse etc..fast,furious guitars with some technical riffs thrown in the mix {but personally not enough i would not label enthrallment a "technical" d.m band} drums are a barrage of blast beats that will pummel your senses and leave you begging for more! deep death growls with some sick sreechy/screams mixed into the deeper vocals for a nice mix.enthrallment are not really breaking any new ground,or the most original band around today but i must admit the songs on people from lands of vit are catchy,and worth checking out. fans of {early} dying fetus, suffocation,devourment,etc.. should give these guys a chance.
label contact
http://www.unitedguttural.com





eternal helcaraxe-against all odds cd {abyss records}{review by patrick}
ireland has always had a great metal scene whether it was black,doom,death. and eternal helcaraxe are no different.eternal helcaraxe fall into the epic,pagan black metal metal genre.Against all odds is eternal helcaraxe's debut and is very impressive for a debut.fast,intense music with some well done keyboards that are nicely mixed into chaotic,violent black metal for a nice blend of traditional,fast black metal and parts of epic,pagan blackness.guitars are blazing fast with some good riffs,drumming is fast blast beats with some mid-paced beats.the vocals are blackend metal screams but their are some really well-done and sung melodic clean vocals.it will be nice if the band uses more of the clean vocal patterns on the next eternal helcaraxe as they seem to fit the bands style very well.highly recomended to all fans of quality,pagan black metal
label contact
www.officialabyssrecords.com





horrid-the final massacre cd {black tears rec.}{review by patrick}
horrid have been in the death metal underground since the late 1980's and describing their style as "old-school swedish style death metal. this is fairly good description of the bands musical style over the years.the final massacre is a mix of horrid's old and new musical journeys their are some differences in the delievery.starting with four brand new tracks the duo play alot of early swedish style raw guitars and fast non-stop drumming,but the band doesnt live completly in the past as they have alot of good ideas and writing ideas and mix in some of their own heavy and brutal ideas to keep the music interesting without getting boring.tracks 5 through 8 are taken from the bands 1998 mcd entitled "blasphemic creatures".these four tracks are a little more rawer produced and defintly more straight-forward ,faster in the vein of early dismember {1st two releases},entombed{left hand path},carnage etc..th the final two songs {9-10} are taken from the bands "awaiting the truth" the bands debut 1996 7inch.italy's horrid will defintly impress and leave fans of old-school death metal wanting more!
label contact
www.blacktears.it



huntress-spelleater cd {napalm rec.}{reviewed by patrick}
california's huntress are here to prove once and for all that "classic" heavy metal is alive and well within the metal scene that is filled currently with the more extreme styles of black,death,grind,and doom.to me it seems it seems like alot of the bands that play this style or claim to be "classic" end sounding to much like priest,maiden,and the likes. which isnt bad but why do we another clone band in an already over crowded scene? anyways getting back to huntress the musicians in this band are all trained and know their instruments and their metal well enough to keep the songs edgy,catchy and memorable and most importantly they are able to write songs that sound different in style and don't sound like the same song over and over. jill janus will surprise alot with her vocal range going from high-pitched screams/screeches to a deeper,gruff scream hitting every note and lyric perfectly.if your a fan of a "fan" of 80's style heavy metal then defintly take the time to check out huntress you won't hear a better band in the scene right now.

label contact
www.napalmrecords.com




icethrone-see you in valhalhalla cd {black tears rec.}{review by patrick}
coming out of the italian death metal underground icethrone combine classic early 90's style death metal {hypocrisy,unleashed} and mix elements of epic,viking metal.the guitars are mid-paced and well delievered.their are some excellent somber passages with acoustic guitars and beautifully layered keyboards.vocals are mixed and blended nicely old school growls,to a more aggressive/angry scream,deeper growl but the vocalist even has a melodic voice and has a really well-sung clean-vocal patterns he uses on see you in valhalla.fans of viking death metal,with influences from old-school swedish death metal entertwined in the mix should defintly give icethrone a listen you won't be disapointed.

label contact
www.blacktears.it





kraanium-post mortal coiltal fixation cd {comatose music}{review by patrick}
Norway is not the first place place that comes to mind when you think of brutal,slam death metal.but thats exactly where kraanium hail from,and the style these norse brutal death metallers play on their third masterpiece of sickness post mortal coiltal fixation.heavy bass,guitar chords which moves from aggressive,whirlwind guitar riffs to a slower,crunchier guitar and heavier bass lines.much line the bass and guitars the drums are all-over the musical scope going from slow,pounding to all-out blast beats.kraanium are nothing original or really standing out with this release but i must admit the songs are catchy and non-repettive in areas. so fans of slam,brutal u.s style death metal will defintly love kraanium's style.
label contact
www.comatosemusic.com




lelahell-AL intihar e.p {self-released} {review by patrick}
in all my years of working on zines {whether doing my own,or "writing" for others"} i think lelahell may be the first one i've heard from algeria.the band plays death metal with both alot of old-school influences but also some modern touches as well that seem to work well together.guitars that simplistic yet effective and catchy played at mid-paced range with some faster,aggressive riffs.the drumming is done in same manner with some aggressive,faster beats but also slows to a mid-paced structure. lelahell seem musically to have some faster death metal parts but for the most parts the musicans seem to be more relaxed with the slower,mid-paced heavier old-school style of the early 90's.the vocals are very well done and fit perfectly into lelahell's heavier,mid paced death metal style with deep death growls,and some shrieks/screams for a thrashy element.this is a really good release and band and should defintly be checked out by fans who appreciate and enjoy the old-school,raw death metal of the late 80's,early 90's.
band contact
h http://www.myspace.com/lelahellband



septekh-the seth avalanche Mcd {abyss records}{review by patrick}
i didn't really knoq what to expect to from this swedish band of metal fanatics.the band plays a very a chaotic,frenzied style of death,thrash metal with some punk rock mixed in the insanity.the guitarist like to keep the listeners attention by from heavy,mid-paced riffs,to hyper speed whirlwind riffs.vocals are more in the black metal realm with raw screams their are some death metal growls used to keep the listeners attention {but as fast and chaotic as septkh play keeping the listeners attention should not be a problem} if you enjoy and appreciate chaotic,raw death/thrash with some punk and even rock influences then septekh is a band worth checking out and adding to your collection!
label contact
http://www.officialabyssrecords.com



through these gates--church of a thousand sorrows cd {self-released}{review done by patrick}
through these gates is a one man band from the u.s playing atmospheric black metal.now i know that in a scene full of one-man bands it's hard to get excited or even take a new one seriously but honestly i would give michael p. {all vocals,music} a chance as he has alot of potential and good ideas shown on church of a thousand sorrows.11 songs of mid-paced black metal with some thicker,death metal guitar guitar riffs but i defintly would label the band a black metal.michael even has some surprises in the vocal pattern by using a clean-vocal that sounds really well done and sung i'm not sure if he has had lessons in the past or not but both the blackend shrieks and the clean vocal patterns sound very well together.the drums are programmed but you can't really tell the mid-paced drum patterns are pretty good and fit good with the guitars and vocals.when he goes for the blast,fast beats is where you can hear the programmed/mechanical sound.the vocals are divided nicely {and all done done by michael as far as i know} between slow death growls,clean vocal patterns in the more melodic/atmospheric parts {which are done great,hopefully michael uses more clean vocals in the future} and the raw,scratchy black metal vocals.church of a thousand sorrows is a great debut and is defintly recomended to all fans of darkend,atmospheric black metal!!
band contact
http//www.cdbaby.com/cd/throughthesegates





Sunday, May 27, 2012

interview with d.j baphomet d.j of the left hand path {core of destruction radio}

hello to all,
last but CERTAINTLY NOT LEAST is the final interview of the day baphomet who is the d.j for the internet-radio show "the left hand path" which can be heard on the great underground,diy. internet-radio staion core of destion.pretty much baphomet sums up what he and the show are all about. but i would like to say thanks to him as he has been a big support and help with winter torment the last few months. actually practicing what he preaches what a concept in the underground.
enjoy the interview and be sure to check out core of destruction dot.com for all the latest stations news,show-times,d.j/show bio's etc...etc...
regards..
patrick and winter torment web-zine




interview with d.j baphomet d.j for "the left hand path" on coreofdestructionradio.com done by patrick..



1. Hello Baphom3t, how is your week starting out so far? Please introduce yourself to the readers?

Doing good man.... I could complain but it won't help. :D
Well.....I'm known around the net as Baphom3t, first name is Troy, I live in Columbus, Ohio and I do the show The Left Hand Path on Core of Destruction Radio. (insert plug for the station here...http://www.coreofdestructionradio.com :D )
I have a Bio page here http://www.coreofdestructionradio.com/dj-baphom3t.htm



2. When did you first start listening to metal and rock? Who were some of the first bands that caught your ears? Who are some of your "current" favorites?

Oh shit man..... some of the first stuff rock/metal I started jamming to was Love Gun, Destroyer by Kiss on freakin 8-tracks way back in the 70's when I was like 6..... (say it with me now..... Aaaattteee Trrrraaacckksss !!!) Damn.... that's been a long time.
Honestly, some of the first bands that really caught my attention was, Possessed, Venom, Slayer, Death Angel, Excorsist, Dark Angel, and Metallica.

I see your putting me on the spot with this one.... but, It's really hard to sit and pull out current favorites with so much good music of many genres showing up all the time, but if I had to name a few, Vulture (Pittsuburgh,PA.), White Orange (Portland, Or.), Love Sex Machine ( Saint Brieuc, Fr.), The Loathsome Couple (Seattle, Wa.), oh man, the list can go on and on.



3. When did you meet grave,and lizard messiah? {owners of core of destruction radio} was it long until you decided to try your own show? are you happy with everything so far?

I met Grave and Lizardmessiah back in January of this year. I think I met them both at the same time while DJ Teabag_Stallone was playing a broadcast I made for CoDR. I actually started playing a show like one week after I met them. Yeah I'm happy with the way everything is, the staff, support, and group of DJ's we have at CoDR are all knowledgable about the music they play and are very approachable when another user may have a issue, we're just a bunch of music junkies that like to turn on and help out other music junkies.



4.Is the left hand path your first ever radio show? What would you say is the hardest and the easiest part about doing the radio show?

No, The Left Hand Path (TLHP), is not my first radio show, I been DJ'ing around 7 - 8 years, I use to do a show called Stoner Metal Sunday for Metal-Legions (R.I.P), then off and on I did just independent broadcasts until I ran back into the folks at CoDR.

The hardest part of doing a show isn't really just one thing. But if I had anything to pick out as one of the hardest things to do, it would be picking out killer song, after killer song, after killer song. It can get a little difficult when there are so many kick ass bands with kick ass songs.
The easiest part of doing a show would probably be just having fun being myself, sharing and supporting the music I love to share with the listeners.



5.When can people tune-in to your show? if their are any labels or bands interested in submitting music to you for air-play how can they get in contact with you?

Folks can tune into my show every Sunday 7 - 10 pm est. You can also pick up past broadcasts of TLHP on the show's page at https://www.facebook.com/666TheLeftHandPath666, CoDR forum and Sludgehenge forum.
If any labels or bands wish to submit music to me for airplay they are more than welcome to send it to baphom3t@coreofdestructionradio.com or leave me a private message at https://www.facebook.com/666TheLeftHandPath666


6.If anybody reading this is thinking about trying their show. would you have any advice for new d.j's out there?

If any advice I could give to a new DJ, it'd be, be yourself and relax, have fun with what your doing.



7.You live in the great state of Ohio,how long have you lived in this state? What is your opinion of ohio's music scene?

I've lived in Columbus going on 3 years now, I personally think Ohio and the rust belt as a whole is one of the newer hubs for the Sludge/Doom/Stoner Metal genres producing a multitude of new rifftastic bands while exsisting bands continue to pound out monster jams.



8.Who are some of your all-time favorite bands from Ohio? Are their any new bands you think the readers should check out soon?

Hmm....all-time favorite bands from Ohio, that's a tough question, there's quite a few, like, Fistula, Rue, Lo-Pan, Mockingbird, Red Sun, Keelhaul, Rebreather, Bridesmaid, Churches Burn, EYE, man.... this list could get big if I go on.
Again this list could get big because there is alot of talent throughout Ohio, but, some of the bands to check out for sure if you haven't would be, Before the Eyewall, Traitors Return To Earth, Mephitic Husk, Brujas Del Sol, The Tarpeian Fall, Tank Destroyer, Struck by Lightning, those are just some of the Ohio bands I could recommened, other bands to check out I'd have to say would be, White Orange, Dead Southern Bishop, Vulture, The Christpunchers, Black Moth, Love Sex Machine, The Loathsome Couple just to name a few.



9. In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the music/metal underground today? And, what does the term "underground metal" mean to you?

I can't really say what the best thing is.....there is many things that make being apart of the music/metal underground community good but if anything it'd be, being able to approach the bands and talk with them. That to me makes it one of the best things I suppose.
The worst thing would probablly be the person trying to put you/ get you in the pit when you just don't want to. I still headbang and all, just, I gave up pits and all that shit years ago and those type douchebags I just mentioned aggrivate me, I could tell you a story about what happened at the Weedeater/Cough show that came through Columbus on 4/20.

Underground metal means many things to me, one of the biggest is the fact that most the bands have decided to say "fuck you" to the so called bigger companies and have found they can do the same without the aid of those bigger companies, opting to work with smaller, more independent labels that allow full artistic expression and more $$ for the band, and to get their material out to the public, of course this is nothing new, but it is a staple of DIY/Underground music. There are many things like I said, but to me, that is one that's very important.



10.When you need to take a break from your show what do you enjoy in your spare-time? Any hobbies?

I do my show once a week, so taking a break is never really a issue, but throughout the rest of the week that I'm not on the air, I do other junk like, find new music, graphics work where/when needed,look for a better job, play my guitar, goto shows, eat, sleep, poo and pee, burn incense, sip a little brew, you know.... things and stuff.
The above mentioned would happen to be my hobbies for the most part. :D




11.Well Baphom3t,thank you for taking the time to fill out this interview good luck to you and your show!! Do you have anything you would like to add before we close the interview?

Thank you for taking the time to make this happen, it's been a pleasure.
Be sure to check out my show every Sunday 7 - 10 pm est. you can also follow me and chat with me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/666TheLeftHandPath666
Also, be sure to check the other DJ's and shows we have at Core of Destruction Radio, we have alot of great DJ's spinning alot of good Underground/DIY metal and music 24/7 only at http://www.coreofdestructionradio.com/
Support the underground !!!

interview with immolith done by patrick 5-27-12

here is an interview with one of my long-time friends and one my favorite underground u.s.b.m Immolith!!! isiamon started the band around the same time i started winter torment. and great to see he is still going strong with the mighty immolith. if you have never heard immolith YOU aare MISSING OUT! on some quality,great black metal straight-forward black metal.
immolith have released their new,full-length debut cd "storm dragon" a few months ago via the u.s label {both as a digi-pak cd.and download}
if you know this bands previous demo's and e.p's you know their greatness. but if you have never heard them i highly recomend them to fans to fans of old-school,straight-forward black metal
regards,
patrick and winter torment web-zine
fiendformetal@live.com







interview withe isaimon guitarist and vocalist for immolith,done by patrick


1.metal hails! how have things been going with you this week? please introduce yourself to the readers?


I’m Isaimon, founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the black metal band Immolith.



2.when did black metal first take ahold of your soul and lead you down it's dark path? what is it about this type of music you love so much?what does black metal mean to you?


I’m an old fucking metal head from way back in metal’s earliest days in the 80’s. I saw Venom live in 1986, and have been hooked ever since. I was there for the birth of thrash, death, and black metal. Black Metal is evil, raw, music. And that’s exactly why I am drawn to it first as a listener, and later as a musician.



3.who are some of your all-time favorite metal band {both black,and other genres}? are their any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?


I loved old Venom, Mercyful Fate, Kreator, Sodom, Bathory, Emperor, Immortal, Dissection, and Gorgoroth. You know all the typical legendary bands of thrash and early black metal. New bands? I still mainly listen to all the classics from my early days. If I listen to any new bands, they are bands that carry on the traditional sounds of late 80’s and early 90’s. Bands like Humut Tabal, Spectral Manifest, Plutonian Shore, Leper Lord to name a few…





4.when did you first get the idea to form immolith? how did you come up with the name for the band? does it have a special meaning for you?


I started writing Immolith around 2008, when the death of a long time friend put me back in touch with other old friends who were also musicians. We started jamming together again after a long lay off from playing in bands. We put together a more traditional death/thrash band called Coffin. I started writing some material on my own that was much more black metal inspired. I was using the name “Immolith” as my stage name in Coffin. And when I realized I had material that wouldn’t fit Coffin, I decided to start Immolith as a side project. Immolith quickly took on a life of it’s own, and became my sole focus for the last several years.



5.what is the "current" line-up for the band? for the readers who have not had the chance to hear immolith's music yet,how would you best describe it?


If you’ve never heard us, many reviewers compare us to old second wave Scandinavian black metal. I think fans of early Marduk, Mayhem, Emperor, and Immortal would enjoy the style of black metal I write and play. Right now, I’m the sole member of Immolith. The band started out with me and drummer Chris Warhead back in 2008 and we recorded the Hymns to the Countess EP. We added a bassist Ahazu and second guitarist Prolixus back then for a live line up. After that, Warhead left to focus on his original band Abazagorath and Ahazu left to start his own band Malcanthet, we recruited drummer Void and bassist Tizon. That was the line up that recorded the debut full length album Storm Dragon, Me, Prolixus, Tizon, and Void. After the release of the album, I decided that live shows were no longer a priority for me or Immolith, and I’ve decided to go back to writing alone in my home studio for the next album. If people were actually clamor to see the band live again, I’d consider putting a full line up together down the road. But I don’t know that this will ever happen.




6.the band released it's debut cd stormdragon through metal hitdot.com how did you come in contact with the label? happy with them so far? are you planning to work to work with them for the next immolith release or have you all even thought that far ahead?



I’m extremely happy with Metalhit’s support. Storm Dragon has had great distribution and support from Metalhit. They got our Digipack CD into the hands of many reviewers and made it available from a lot of big retailers, and of course all the standard online digital retailers as well. Yes the next album will be released on Metalhit, as I’ve already discussed this with them. I’ll spend the next year writing and recording it, and hopefully have a second album ready to be released through Metalhit sometime in 2013.


7.how long did it take you guys to write,record the music for the songs on stormdragon? did the whole band take part in the writing process or did you handle it all? which usually comes first the lyrics or the music? what are some topics you write/sing about?


Two of the songs included on Storm Dragon are several years old. Ghost Tower of Inverness and Hymns to the Countess were originally on the first EP. So those were written back in 2008. The first EP was recorded in my home studio using an electronic drum kit. We recorded Storm Dragon in a much more professional studio using acoustic drums. So I really wanted to do some of those older songs justice just in terms of quality of recording. The remaining six songs were probably written the span of about 4 or 5 months. I’ve always written everything myself in my home studio. I start with titles and lyrics usually. I’ve spent years reading occult literature, fantasy fiction, and studying history, so I draw inspiration from these things for most of my lyrics. These last few years I would write everything and record scratch versions of each of the songs at home. Then when I had finished versions of the songs I’d bring them to the band to start working on together. So that’s not to say the other guys that were involved in the band didn’t contribute at all to any of the songs, because they did. Clearly the drummer would bring his own style, beats and fills to songs. And often times they will be very different to what I might have had in mind when I programmed software drums to my scratch versions of the songs. Also Prolixus would contribute some extra layers to what he was playing on guitar to some of the songs and so forth. But the foundations of everything on any of the Immolith releases have always been laid by me in my home studio.


8.i believe i read awhile back on your web-pages you were thinking of possibly stopping immolith as a live-band. is this is going to happen? what made you decide to stop playing live?



After four years of playing out live with Immolith, and getting the chance to share some big stages in NY, NJ, and PA with some pretty amazing bands like Triptykon, Enthroned, Destroyer 666, Black Anvil, and so on, we still struggled to draw on our own. We could very rarely get paid anything to play because we could never draw an audience on our own. So the cost of playing shows out of our own pockets just outweighed the results. For the most part the band was always older guys with careers, so the idea of getting in a Van and trying to tour to reach new audiences was never really an option for us. It seemed like after four years of playing shows in our Tri-State area for the same small audience of friends (I could name most of the people who attended our shows for the last four years by first names) there was nothing to be gained from playing live. So I decided after the string of shows we did in March 2012 following the release of Storm Dragon, to put an end to our live appearances..



9.what were some of your some of your most memorable shows? and who were some of your favorite bands to play with? if you could have the chance to play with any bands past or present for a "dream" show/tour,who are some bands you would love to play with?



I met Tom G. Warrior when we opened for Triptykon at the Gramercy Theater in NYC. That was a highlight of my career for sure. I listened to Celtic Frost since Morbid Tales was a new release, so that was mighty to meet and open for them. The best turnout for us was the Destroyer 666/Enthroned tour show we opened in Brooklyn. There were probably a few hundred people in the room that night when we played. And the other career highlight for me was when we opened for Trident, which is Johan Norman’s band from Sweden. As a huge Dissection and Necrophobic fan it was a huge honor to share the stage with those guys. We were supposed to open for a Dark Funeral/Inquisition tour that got cancelled. I would have loved to play with those guys. Other bands I would have liked to play with? Any of the legends of black metal of course, Gorgoroth, Marduk, Immortal, Kult ov Azazel, Absu, would all be killer bands to open for.



10.the band comes out of the great state of new jersey what is your opinion of new jersey's metal scene? who are some of your all-time favorite new jersey bands? are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out?



I’m an old man, so I when I think New Jersey metal, I think Overkill, Blood Feast, Ripping Corpse, and so on… I guess there is a bigger New Jersey metal scene going on, but I think I’m not really involved in it because it is the younger guys playing modern metal styles that I don’t listen to. There are still some New Jersey bands like Mortum, Death Sick, Abazagorath, and Raining Murder that have the old traditional death and black metal sound, but I think the audience for the old styles is more limited.


11. what about the over u.s black metal scene? it seems more people take it seriously now {unlike back in the mid-90's} favorite u.s.b.m bands?



I don’t know if USBM gets’ more respect then it did in the 90s. Maybe it does? I’m not sure. I still like Absu, Kult ov Azazel, Judas Iscariot, and so on as some of my favorite US bands. I know “post” black metal seems to be on the rise in the US, with a lot of bands and fans all having that vibe. I don’t really care for that at all. I like the traditional ugly black metal with all its traditional clichés, spikes, blood, Satan, and death.



12.you handle the guitars for the band when did you start playing guitars? are you self-taught or did you take lessons when you started out?



I took lessons a long long time ago for about a year when I was like 14. I played in bands from then until I was about 20. Then I took a long time off and didn’t play at all until about around 1999- 2000. I’ve been playing pretty steady again since then. I’m a lousy guitar player by most people’s standards, but when I’m writing basic black metal that isn’t much of an issue.



13.who are some of your influences/favorite guitarists? do you play any other instruments?



My favorite guitarists as far as lead players go were always Hank Sherman and Michael Denner from Mercyful Fate and Adrian Smith and Dave Murray from Iron Maiden. I play bass when I’m writing and recording Immolith songs, but only out of necessity. I’ve never played bass in a band or anything. And drums are only programmed when I have to do them for recording and writing. I can’t play real drums to save my life, but I wish I could. Drummers are rare and always hard to find.





14.you also do vocals for immolith,when did you start singing? do you do anything special to keep your throat/voice healthy?



I had always done scratch vocals for the songs as I wrote them starting back in 2008. However on the first EP and the early days live, I let our drummer Warhead handle the majority of the vocals back then. When he left at the end of 2010 to concentrate on Abazagorath, I auditioned some vocalists. Nobody really worked out, or could commit to the band full time. So I just decided since I was writing all the lyrics and recording scratch vocals as I wrote the songs, I might as well just take over full time. So I’ve been doing that since 2011. It is still a role I’m growing into. I don’t really do anything special. The drummer Void that played in the band for the Storm Dragon album is a pretty amazing death metal vocalist in his own band, and he would give me some tips. He’d suggest drinking lots of room temperature water and to avoid alcohol to help maintain my voice. But I’m old school metal, I grew up with Venom, so I was usually like “fuck it, I’ll just keep drinking my beer!” I guess maybe if I were to ever have to do a tour I’d have to be a little more sensible about it, but since Immolith was never a touring band, I didn’t have to worry about it much.





15.well brother, we have reached the end of the interview thank you for taking the time to fill out this interview. do you have any final words for the readers?



Tbanks to you and Winter Torment for your continuous and unyielding support of Immolith since our inception! Hopefully some of your readers will check out the album on Metalhit and support the band and the label with some purchases. If underground music fans don’t support the music they claim to love by actually spending a few dollars on the music or merch, we are all fucked.{very true words my friend-patrick}


label address
www.metalhit.com





interview with Antropofagus done patrick 5-27-12

metal hails!!
the italian metal scene has always impressed me whether it's the violent blasphemous spewing black metal,doom/dark metal or brutal,violent death metal.well after a 10 year hiatus italy's Antropofagus have reformed and released a new cd through the mighty us. label comatose label titled "architecture of lust".the band mixes early 90's death metal with some technical guitars into the mix but the band does not over-board with technical guitar work. if you enjoy fast,catchy, brutal death metal look no further then Antropofagus!!!
enjoy the interview and then click then comatose "link" at the end of the interview to order "architecture of lust".
regards..
patrick and winter torment web-zine
fiendformetal@live.com




Interview with francesco "meatgrinder" guitarist of antropofagus, done by patrick s.



1.hello Francesco how are things in italy? please introduce yourself to the readers.




Hello everyone! This is Francesco aka Meatgrinder, and I play guitars in Antropofagus. We were born in 1998, and we released our debut album "No Waste Of Flesh" that became a cult album especially in Europe. We went on hiatus for many years but now we are back with a new album on Comatose Music. "Architecture Of Lust" is a mental journey into the depths of pain, accompanied by really brutal but never obvious music!




2.i read on the band's bio and site,that the band had been broken up for almost ten years.what gave you guys the idea, to reform Antropofagus? what is the "current" line-up? for the readers who are unfamilar with the band,how would you describe Antropofagus's music?




As mentioned before, we went on hiatus for many years. It was a very difficult period, we were very young, we did not have a job and Antropofagus was becoming a very serious and important project. Not believing in this was a mistake. After many years, I found many fans who were waiting for our return. Our debut album became very popular on brutal death metal scene. I took the sound of Antropofagus, and I brought it to another level, very modern, faster, more technical, but without destroying our soul.




3.the band recently released it's newest cd "architecture of lust" through comatose music.how long did it take you all to write and record the songs for this release? are you all happy with how everything turned out?




"Architecture…" was composed beetween 2012 and 2012. It was a big challenge for us. We had two line-up changes, but we managed to do an excellent job. We got a modern and contemporary sound, despite our roots are in 90’s.





4.how has the response been from the press and fans?




It has been really unexpected. There was so much enthusiasm and the sales are very good. Now we just need to promote the album playing live so much as possible.





5. does the band have any upcoming shows or tours in support of architecture of lust? if yes where are some places you will be playing?




We’ll start from Europe at the beginning, as we want to expand our fanbase in those countries where our name is quite known and we want to strength our name. Next year thanks to Comatose Music we will try to play also in the U.S.





6. who are some bands you have shared the stage with in the past? if you could set-up a "dream" show/tour who are some bands{past or present} you would love to play with? is their any particular country you would love to play?




So far we have shared the stage with Deicide, Belphegor, Sinister and many other names. My dream since I was child is to play with Suffocation!





7. the lyrics are inspired by the legendary author clive barker.what are some of his stories that have influenced the lyrics on architecture of lust?




The stories that have influenced "AoL" are certainly Hellraiser and Cabal. We really like the style of Clive Barker, it is very dark and macabre and it reflects who we are.





8.what are some of your "personal" favorite books/stories written by clive barker? who are some other authors you enjoy reading?




Actually I like very much Clive Barker stories on videogames. They are really violent and very close to reality! They have a dark and deep side such as his books and his movies, but a fan of videogames like me they are the best! For example I love "Undying" and Clive Barker's Jericho.





9.the band comes out of the great italian metal underground.what is your opinion of italy's underground metal scene?




We are living a truly happy moment in our country thanks to artists who are bringing honor to Italy also outside, playing great tours. Italian releases have grown and have become very competitive. Our bands now don’t have anything to envy to the big names!





10.who are some of your all-time favorite italian metal bands? are their any new bands you think the readers should check out soon?




Hour of Penance, Putridity, Septycal Gorge, Vulvectomy, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hideous Divinity, and many others ...





11.in your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground today? and what does the term "underground metal" mean to you?




The best thing is the web, because it helped many bands to reach a good level of popularity. Social networks help a band to become more known. The worst thing is the web at the same time because it has ‘cooled’ the way to listen to music. Selling many CDs is very hard, people have assimilated themselves into the perfect media consumerism, they listen and throw it away without paying attention. This will kill our music.



12.you handle the guitars for the band,when did you first start playing the guitars? are you self-taught or have you had lessons in the past?




I started many years ago, at junior high school. I am a self-taught. My style of playing is not excellent, but I am mainly guided by my imagination and my instinct. I try to write music according to what I want to convey, not according to the notes and the technique that I want to show.





13. who are some of your influences/favorite guitarist? do you play any other instruments?




My influences come from the 90’s. I grew up with Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Death and Morbid Angel. My favorite guitarist has always been Trey Azagthoth.





14.when not working on new songs or band business,what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?




I love going out with friends, I love cars and motors. I like going to the gym. Only when I am at work I don’t have fun...





15.well francesco we have reached the end of the interview thank you for taking the time to fill this out. do you have any final comments before we end the interview?




I thank you on behalf of Antropofagus. I hope that you will have the opportunity to listen to our new record, I'm sure it will be greatly appreciated!


label contact
www.comatosemusic.com




Sunday, April 22, 2012

kommandmant--the draconian archetype cd {ATMF}{reviewed by patrick}

i have been patiently waiting for this release for a few months now. and i must say it was well worth the wait! for those unfamilar with kommandmant they are a u.s based blacked,war metal band that has been on the metal warpath for a few years now.mixing uncompromising,violent black metal their is also a strong thrash element within the chaotic riffs and structures. the drums are a non-stop barrage of blasts. the band does give itself and the listener a break with some mid-paced interludes,but quickly regroups for more chaotic metal onslaught.this is by far kommandmant's strongest and most mature music to date complex,yet chaotic.if you are familar with the bands previous e.p's you know what to expect from these sick warriors,if you are new to their insanity then expect nothing less of brillant,yet chaotic blackend,war,thrash with a healthy dose of war-metal insanity. label contact www.atmf.net band contact http://www.kommandant.us

legions of crows-stab me cd {funeral rain rec.}{reviewed by patrick}

this is a duo that mixes fuzzed out black metal and doom together.musically the band keep it in the slow to mid-paced doom range.the band does have some faster black metal guitar moments but they are few and far between.the vocals use alot of effects which i am not a fan of trying to create a darker,demonic effect on their voice {i assume} but doesnt really work for this band in fact i think it hurts,as the music is ok but the vocals totally ruined this release for me.i do respect the band for trying to be creative or whatever but it failed pretty miserably on stab me.hopefully they will try a different approach on the next release.

label contact www.funeralrainrecords.com

nunslaughter-hells unholy fire double-lp. {hells headbangers rec.}{reviewed by patrick}

damn! hells headbangers have been busy this year releasing great,quality metal. this time re-releasing the legendary release hells unholy fire originally released in 2000 this is was the debut full-length {even though the band has countless bootlegs,e.p's,demo's, etc.} from the band. i would guess most reading this have atleast heard one release or one song from these guys but if no? well then you are missing out! nunslaughter embrace and embody all that made death metal great in the first place mid-paced,heavy guitars with some catchy riffs/solo's,drums are equally as catchy going from slower to mid-paced even moving to the fast paced for a few songs. and of course the sick,growls. this era of death metal {early/mid 90's} is probably my favorite in the metal scenes history due to the fact that bands didn't try to out play each other with over the top complex,technical riffs or blast a million beats into one song they just played from the heart and what they loved.not what others were doing or what the labels were pressuring them to. so to end this review before i bore the hell out of everyone. if you are a nunslaughter fan you will want this for two reasons no.1 it has been out print for many years,and no.2 the label and band were kind enough to add a bonus disk {for the cd version unsure about the lp. sorry} "An evening at war" live" Lp. recomended to metal fanatics!!!.

label release www.hellsheadbangers.com

profanatica--sickened by the holy host/the grand master sessions double LP.{hells headbangers}{reviewed by patrick}

if you consider yourself a "fan" of raw,dirty and blasphemous black metal you will want to get this new double-lp from the masters as soon as possible. this is not the new release profanatica but a double-12 inch.the first side entitled "sickened by the holy host" includes 5 new tracks in the grim,profanatica style at it's finest.among other re-recordings of past classic songs.the second side/part entitled "the grand master sessions"originally recorded in 2008. the songs on this release are still grim,filthy but also seem to have a thrashy element within the thin guitars that cut through your speakers and eardrums like sharp knives.fast drums that pummel your senses and keep your head banging to their rhythm.truly demonic,sick blackend vocals spew out some of the most blasphemous lyrics ever written. profanatica have stood the test the test time through all the trends,and bullshit that infected the black metal scene over the years. now get this great double-lp and hear why!! mandatory for fans of fans grim,filthyblack metal from this legendary band

label contact www.hellsheadbangers.com

pseudogod--deathwomb catechesis cd {hells headbangers rec.}{reviewed by patrick}

listening to deathwomb catechesis from russia's pseudogod it's hard to believe it's the bands debut release.eight songs of bass,guitars heavy with equally heavy,fast pounding drums combined to make a very noisy,angry style and sound. but don't write the band off as just another death metal band as that would be a mistake. just when you least expect it the band slows down to more controlled mid-paced death/doom style similar to older incantation or cianide. then speeds back up to the darkend,heavy style pseudogod is crafting to perfection.the vocals are just as angry and heavy as the music itself,deep growls that add another layer to pseudogod's already heavy sound.fans who enjoy straight forward death metal with touches of old-school mixed in should not miss pseudogod's debut cd on hells headbangers rec. label contact www.hellsheadbangers.com

ritual--the resurrection cd {funeral rain records}{reviewed by patrick}

after a long silence the u.s b.m band ritual returns with a new release for the fans.some of you might remember ritual from their beginnings in the mid 90's {the summoning 1995,demonic winter metal 1997,and 1998's soldiers under satans command} well present day,main man ian flemming {vocals,all instruments} returns with the resurrection. ritual's music is defintly within the black metal genre but ian is not afraid try and use some really well creative guitar structures to keep the listeners attention and to give each song a life of their own.musically ritual stays within the mid-paced almost doomish black metal specter.overall ritual's newest release is a good release of quality black metal.maybe not the most violent,extreme sounding band out there but still gets the point across.
label contact www.funeralrainrecords.com

sanguinary misanthropia- diabolic gnosis Mcd {self-released}{reviewed by patrick}

australia's satanic blackend thrash metal maniacs sanguinary misanthropia have released one of the most intense metal releases in some time.and done it with both uncompromising intensity and precision and flawless instruements.the vocals are mixed between shrieks and deeper growls and are delievered with alot of intensity and hateful aggression.sanguinary misanthropia have created satanic black metal the way it should sound and be played fast,uncompromising and evil. fans of satanic black/speed metal will defintly want to check out sanguinary misanthropia.

band contact http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/sanguinary_misanthropia/127725

witchtrap--vengeance is mine cd {hells headbangers rec.}{reviewed by patrick}

after six years of silence the masters of black/thrashNroll return with a new release for all headbangers to bang their heads to.the band does the hard job of mixing old-school thrash/black metal but also mixes in some mid-paced rockNroll guitars that are catchy and mixed very well in the bands metal style.the drummer does a good job keeping up with the changing tempo's going from faster beats to the more mid-pace rock styled ones. but always keeping the music tight and catchy which will keep the riffs,solo's and beats in your head long after the cd is shut off.vocals are old-school gruff,screams that you can understand what is being said. fans of 1980's thrashy,speed black metal mixed with some rock influence will love witchtrap and their lateste metal gem vengeance is mine..

label contact www.hellsheadbangers.com

zloslut--pustos i prevare izgubljen e.p {silent scream rec.}{reviewed by patrick}

zloslut is the creation of stefan "hunter"sucurovic. the music created by stefan is pure "classic" sounding black metal .razor sharp guitar chords,with fast to mid-paced drumming.the musical structures go from a cold,mid paced black metal style similar to the early 90's norwegian sound,to an all-out frenzied assult,vocals are harsh,screams.zloslut's music is not the most original sounding but stefan has enough heart and sheer talent for playing and creating good and memorable black metal.this is defintly a band to watch out for in the black metal underground.

label contact http://www.silentscreamrecords.webs.com
band contact http://www.zloslutserbia.webs.com