Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Interview with Italy's Abhor done by Patrick done on 3-25-15

Dark Greetings!!
Here  is  a new  interview  with the  long running  Italian  black  metal  band  Abhor.The  band  is  getting  ready  to  release  their  sixth  studio  album  "Ritualia  Stramonium"  through  Moribund Rec. if  your  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal  then  you  will want  to  add this  to your  collection  today.
Regards
Patrick






Interview   with  Abhor    done  by    Patrick





1. Hails  I  believe  you  started  Abhor  in  1995  when  did  you  all  get  the  idea  to  form  this  band? How did you come up with the name Abhor for the band?



 Savum: ABHOR is the concretisation in music of my esoteric studies. At that time, around the beginning of the ‘90 I was very interested in Goetia and the Salomonic Magic. The name Abhor were choose for its phonetic expressivity and because our belief is to abhor all what is pure and chaste. 




2.What  is  the  current  line  up  of   Abhor? How  would  you  say  Abhor  music  has  changed  over  the  years?


Kvasir: Abhor has been a trio in the last years:
Saevum: Guitars and bass
Kvasir: Guitars and bass
Ulfhedhnir: vocals
Then we have a fourth man in the shadow who is anyway always around and takes the church organ duty. His name is Leonardo Lonnerbach.
We are also taking in consideration the coming back of our previous drummer Arhin Von Past.
Abhor’s music has naturally evolved and matured over the years, just like good wines do in the barrels, gaining its maximum peak on «Ritualia Stramonium». However, the essential concept and the powerful esoteric charge has remained unchanged.





3.  Abhor  is  getting  ready  to  release  the  new  cd  "Ritualia  Stramonium"  through  Moribund  Rec.  How  long  did  it  take  the  band  to  write  and  record  the  new  cd? Do  all  of the  members  usually  take  part  in  the  writing  of a  song  or does  one  member  usually  write  everything?



Kvasir: It took almost 4 years, which might seems like a long period. You know we are getting old and with a bunch of releases behind our shoulders, so we enjoy taking our time, be the masters of our time, play in the rehearsal room, study different musical solutions and finally deliver! We want to be sure to unleash the best we can and be 100% satisfied even after years from the release. There is no point for us to send out lots of cds, as we do believe in quality instead of quantity.
Kvasir and Saevum are responsible for the whole song writing. Usually we write half of the songs of a full-lenght each. After years of playing together, we have found the right balance. It is extremely pleasant to switch guitars and bass during rehearsal and trying different arrangements.





4.I  believe  you  all base  your  lyrics  around  Occult subjects  when  did  you  become interested  in  the  occult?



 Saevum: The propensity toward the Black Arts has always been in me since I was a child... I have taken full consciousness in the early stages of my adolescence when I realized that I needed alongside me a Master... Later, with maturity I also realized that it was better to break away from any type of organization or pseudo sect, to continue the journey alone in total freedom. There was not something in particular that caught my attention or fascinated me but I consider it like a natural propensity to "certain things" instead... indeed magic in my family has always been common. Black metal arrived later; it was the link between my occult world and my passion for music. 




5.Who  are  some  Occult  authors  you  all  enjoy  studying?


 Saevum: I have always tried to expand as more as possible my visions in order to capture the principles   and the fundamentals and develop my own ones. I studied all the classical authors and I have appreciated many parts of the bible and the gospels. My opinion and my suggestion is not to preclude any path, but read between the lines and dig inside ourselves instead, because intra nobis regnum dei... et inferi...




6.Does  Abhor  play  live  very  often  or  do  you  prefer  to  work  in the  studio? What have been some of your most memorable shows to date?



Kvasir: We used to play live back in the time. Not really so often, but selected and intelligent performances here and there instead. 
Unfortunately, we dropped out to studio dimension in the last years, due partially to the fact that we have resided quite far each other for some period.
We’ve shared the stage mainly with other black metal acts trying to have the same concept and achieve the same esoteric purposes. Open-air festivals or big concerts are hardly suitable to reach the right atmosphere our ritual needs.




7. Are there any shows or tours planned for 2015? If  so,  who  are  some  bands  you  will  be  sharing  the  stages with?


Kvasir: There are some rumours about our coming back on the stage. We also have had some interesting offers from the US but I cannot really say anything more at this point.


8. Abhor   comes out of the mighty Italian black metal scene. What is your opinion on Italy’s black metal scene?


  Saevum: The old Italian Metal scene is magnificent and unique regarding style and quality proposed. We have had many excellent bands in every kind of music, from Mortuary Drape to the old Death SS, old Necrodeath, Paul Chain, Jacula / Antonius Rex, Goblin, etc. etc. etc... 
I cannot really say anything of the situation today as I am stuck back in time. I’m not following the scene as I used to do cause the original principles and the feelings of the past are lost. 
Nowadays all seems artificial, superficial and well-packaged just for selling, the spirit is missing...with some good exceptions…



9.Who  are  some  of  your  all-time  favourite  Italian  bands?  Are  there  any  new  bands  you  feel  the  readers  should  check  out   soon?



Kvasir: difficult to name some instead of others…there are many good names if you love digging into the underground. I can mention Maldoror «Ars Magika» as one of the most underrated album, Nashehrhum «Remember the shining moons of the black autumns» and Sinoath’s demo «Forged in blood».
As for the newies I enjoyed the comeback of The Magick Way! 
Hands of Orlac, Into Darkness and Saturnine are also acts to keep an eye on.




10.What   does  the  term  "Black  Metal"   mean  to you all?


Kvasir: Black Metal is the dark side of our ego, dwelling in the depth of our subcounsciouss. An eternal attraction for everything dark and obscure. A way of life devoted to our eternal Lord.




11.Are  any  of  the  members  of   Abhor  currently  working  with  other  bands  or  solo  projects?  If  yes  can  you  please  tell  the  readers  about  them?


Kvasir: surely the cauldron is boiling as we are part of the Vinum Sabbati Congregation, a trademark that features high-quality products characterized by a real Black Metal standard...under the flag of the Cult, Fire and true Satanic Devotion.
The 1st Profezia full-lenght will soon be re-pressed by Moribund Cult and we’re also working on a new full-lenght, probably out early 2016.
A:S: is another creature slowly maturing in the underwood. A kind of dark folklorish black metal.
Check out for Mourning Mist as well, an avant-doom project with ABHOR members which has just been released via Forever Plagued Recods.
+ many more...so stay tuned.



12.Thank  you  for  taking  the  time  to  fill  out  this  interview  do  you  have  any  final  words  for  the   readers?



Saevum: Many thanks to you... Enjoy “Ritualia Stramonium”, another thorn in the crown of Christ!!!



                                                            Moribund   Rec.
                                                    http://www.moribundcult.com/
                                                    https://www.facebook.com/MoribundRecords

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Interview with Poland's Blackhorned Saga done by Patrick on 3-18-15

Metal  Hails
Here  is  a  new  interview  with  the  Polish  blackend,death/thrash  band  Blackhorned  Saga  who  recently  released their  new  cd  "Setan"  through  the  Polish  label  "Seven Gates  Of  Hell"  defintly  pick  this  cd  up  if you  are   into  old-school  blackend death with  some thrash  influences.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com






Interview  with  Set  vocalist    of  Blackhorned  Saga  done  by   Patrick



.


1.Hails Set how is 2015 starting out for you and the band? When did you first discover metal music? Who were some of the first bands you listened to?

 
Hi Patrick! This year is going well so far, can't really see the difference, except of getting older and older haha.. As for Blackhorned Saga, I know there is some work in progress, some new songs are being composed, but it is a way too early to say anything specific about our next step. A first contact with metal music was for sure in mid 80's, older brother of my friend had collection of Lp's Iron Maiden, Venom, ACDC, but this wasn't a love yet. 89/90 was actually the time, when I started listening heavier sounds and that was because of Napalm Death "from enslavement to obliteration", and I still love it. For sure this one changed my life for good, even if over all these years I went into more "hellish" sounds.




2.When did you first meet the other members of Blackhorned Saga ? What is the current line up of the band?
 
I met my Brothers in late 1994, they already had a Death Metal band back then, so they knew each other much longer than I do.. Also, that was the time when Lathspell (former band’s name) was funded. I joined them in early 1995. Line up is same since; Set, Abygrel, Godek, Argal



3.For the readers who have never heard "Blackhorned Saga's" music how would you best describe it?
 
We call our sounds Metal of Death and Doom, but I guess anybody else will name it simply Death/ Black Metal. Fierce and crude Death/ Black Metal.



4.Blackhorned Saga recently released their second cd "Setan" through the label Seven Gates Of Hell how did you come in contact with this label?
 
7 Gates of Hell is actually one of the longest existing labels in Poland, and they are doing pretty well. Abygrel used to deal with Zibi (7 Gates owner) earlier, releasing His other band Ov Plagues, so they were in contact. Zibi heard the music, offered clean and simple contract.. done.



5.Do all of the members of Blackhorned Saga work on the music or does one member usually write everything? Who usually writes the lyrics for the band what are some topics/subjects you all write about?
 
Composing is Argal’s and Godek’s job, they both play guitars and they still live in Poland in our town so it’s coming kind of naturally. Godek is also responsible for recording and mastering of our music, so guys are very busy out there. Obviously, if there is something that Abygrel or myself can add (which is not happening really now, because we both live in different countries for years) , it is more than welcome, final arrangement has to be "approved" by all of us.. If we are all happy, then all is going to be ok, if you like it or not. Lyrics are my things… No one even tries to suggest me what about to write or sing haha.. I deal with typical themes for this kind of music, I would say. Angel of death and sorrow, genocide desolation, fucking doom, antichristianity and hypocrisy.. I know that topic is extremely worn out, but I don’t give a fuck about it, this is all about Death/ Black Metal should be! Anyway, lyrics are not included in the booklet and probably will not be in the future as well.



6.How has the response been from the fans? What about the press?
 
We do not know how and don’t really care how "setan" is selling, response is rather Ok as for such a small and relatively not very well known band as Blackhorned Saga, these several reviews we got so far are actually very good, we can hear and read some really good words here and there. The other thing is that promotion is poor, there is no mugs or condoms with bands logo (that’s good actually haha), so..



7.Besides the new cd "Setan" does Blackhorned Saga have any other merchandise available for the fans? If yes where can the fans buy it?
 
No, we don’t have any. There were plans for some t-shirts with simple design, but due to lack of time at some stage, plan has gone. However we still want to make some merch, surely we will in upcoming weeks.. Proper info will be spread through the mails, our website, facebook profile and other shit.. No worries, we won’t let You to forget about us haha..
 


8.Does Blackhorned Saga play live very often? What have been some of your most memorable shows?
 
We don’t play live at all. Not as a Blackhorned Saga anyway… Reason is simple, Abygrel lives in U.S., Godek and Argal In Poland and myself in Ireland. We can only meet all together during the summer holidays, this is the time for us to record something and is spent mostly in our Grave Room practicising and stuff..



9.Are their any plans for a tour or shows this year? Where will the band be playing?
 
Unfortunatelly no plans at all. Probably won’t happen, which is ok for me because I don’t like play live haha 



10.Blackhorned Saga comes out of Poland's metal scene what is your opinion of Poland's metal scene?
 
I think our scene is very good, we have many (if not even too many) bands from all metal subgenres , whatever you wish to hear. A lot of bands from my beautiful country is well known around the world, however You will find some shit as well, just like in every other country…



11.Who are your all-time favorite Polish bands? Are their any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?
 
From the deep past I adore Vehement Thrower, Betrayer, old Vader, Armagedon (actually they still crushing after their re-union), old Pandemonium, Christ Agony (first three albums plus demos), Infernum, Imperator (demos mostly), Rotting Head, Damnable..I think that for the moment our best bands are Infernal War (new album coming in a few days), Voidhanger, Azarath, Blaze of Perdition, Kriegsmaschine, Plaga, Bestial Raids, Doombringer, Anima Damnata, Deus Mortem, completely underrated Gortal, Dead Infection. Also, check newest killer releases of such bands like Neolith, Kurhan, Odraza, Abusiveness and fuck knows what else haha, too many to name.




12.Set you handle the vocals for the band when did you become interested in becoming a vocalist? Do you do anything special to keep your throat/voice healthy?
 
To be honest I had no choice, line up was actually complete when i met guys for the first time, I was coming down to their rehearsal place just to listen them, there was a vocalist already but soon he fucked out and then somebody asked me to try the mic. I was drunk, so it was easy to convince me. I tried, all were happy, me too, end of story. Don’t get me wrong, but i’m not looking for influence anywhere. Simply, I don’t practice on the daily basis and I scream my words only once a year when we all meet together, so it’s impossible even to try sound like somebody else. Just a pure bloody doom. Getting my voice chords torn to fiery pain, extinguished by beer and spirits. No hidden tips, no hidden tricks. To the blood


13.Who are some of your influences/favorite vocalists?
 
Martin Van Drunnen, Tom Araya, Craig Pillard, Ross Dolan, Impurath, Barghest did AMAZING voices on Tortorum’s "katabasis"… In Poland Necrosodom from Anima Damnata/ Azarath/ Deus Mortem. In my opinion he is the best Black/Death Metal vocalist in my country. Long live Necrosodom! 


14.Set in your opinion what does the Metal underground mean to you?
 
I never wonder about it. For sure it’s not a movement, rather abyss where most of the bands, editors and fans are starting their adventure with music, some believes probably too.. Some stay there, some going further… I’m glad to be still here for over a quarter of century now, so I think it means a lot to me.



15.Besides Blackhorned Saga are you or any of the members currently working with other bands or solo projects?
 
Godek and Argal are also playing in Rarog’g and Porphyria (currently on hold, I used to do drums there), Abygrel plays in Adhuk and Hellwaffe. All these bands crushing, check them out if you dare.



16.Thank you Set for taking the time to fill out this interview.Do you have any final comments for the readers?
 
Thank You Patrick for spreading the name of Blackhorned Saga, it was a pleasure to write few words here. We really appreciate this. To the blood!


                                                        Band   Contact
                                                       http://www.blackhornedsaga.com/
                                                    https://www.facebook.com/BlackhornedSaga

                                                                 Label   Contact
                                                http://www.hellshop.eu/nowosci.html
                                                      
 

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Metal reviews done on 3-14-15

Metal  Regards
Here  is  a   new  batch  of  Metal reviews   for  everyone  to  read  and  hopefully   find  some  metal  that  they  will  enjoy  and  support.Expect  a lot  of  new  Interviews  and  reviews  coming  soon.
Patrick




Acero  Letal--Veloz  Invencible/Duro Metal   7Inch   {Witches  Brew  Rec.}
Chile's  Acero  Letal  have  released  their  new  two song  seven inch  through Witches  Brew Rec. The  band  plays  a  nice  mix  of  heavy  metal  with  some thrash  elements  in the  songs.The  guitars  are done  with a lot  of  talent  and  experience  with  some  very  well  played  solos  mixed in  with  the  semi fast to  mid-paced  riffs throughout  the  two songs.Drumming  is done  in the  mid paced range  with  a few   moments  of  faster beats.The vocalist  does a  good job  with  screaming  and  some  hollering type  of  vocals.This is  a  good  band  and release  if your  into  heavy metal  and  thrash combined this  would be a  good  band for you to  check  out.
                                                              Label  Contact
                                                       http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/
                                               https://www.facebook.com/witchesbrewthrashes
 
 
 
 
Amezarak--Daemonolat  Reia  cd  {Metallic  Media/Satanath  Rec.}
This is  Amezarak's   fourth  black  metal  release to date wnad what  good solid  release  it  is.The  guitars  are done  with  a lot  of  skill  and experience through out  each  song.The guitarist  never  really goes  into  hyper-speed  blasts  but  prefer to  stay  in the  mid paced  range  with a  few outbursts  of  faster  arrangements.Vocals  are done  with  extreme  blackend  shrieks  and  screams through out the  entire  cd.This  is  a  very good  solid  black  metal  release  if you  are a fan  of the  underground  black metal  then do yourself  a favor  and  pick  this  up  today.
 
                                                                      Label   Contact
                                                                     http://w.metallic-media.blogspot.com/
                                                                     http://satanath.com/
 
 
 
 
Blackend--Underground  Attack Mcd  {Witches  Brew  Rec.}
Brazil's  Blackend  play  a good  style  of  heavy  metal  with toches  of thrash  entertwined  in a few of the songs.The guitars are done  with a  nice blend  of  mid paced riffs  and  a few faster parts  within  a few  tracks  but  mainly use  a nice mid paced  range.The vocals  are  screams  and  some  shouting type vocals the  vocals remind me  of  early era tom  Arraya {slayer} if your  a fan  of thrashy  heavy  metal  then  defintly   pick  this  Mcd  up  before  their  gone.
                                                            Label  Contact
                                                http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/
                                            https://www.facebook.com/witchesbrewthrashes
 
 
 
 
 
 

Corpus   Christii--Palemoon   cd   {Folter  Rec.}
Portugual's   Corpus   Christii  return  with  the  brand  new  release "Palemoon" this  is  a  very  good  release.starting  off   with  fast  guitars that  have  a lot  of  crazed  guitar  patterns but  are  also  played with  a lot  of  experience and creativity.The  drumming  is done in the  same  vein  as  the guitars  extremely  fast  with  some  slower-mid  paced  drum  patterns  mixed  into  the  songs.The vocals  are  all over the  place  with  some  raspy black metal  screams  and  some  gruff  styled  screaming vocals.If  you  are  a black  metal  fanatic  I  defintly  would  check  this  great  band  out  today.
                                                                           Label    Contact
                                                                         http://www.folter666.de/
                                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Folter-Records/167406606752748      
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hagl--Lenket Til  Livet  cd  {Folter  Rec.}
Norway's  Hagl  play  a  nice   blend  of  mid-paced  black metal  with  some  faster  parts  mixed into the songs.The  guitars  are  played  with  a lot  of  precision and skill.The  band  knows  how to  create  a  brilliant  and  cold  style  blackness  within  their  music.The  vocals  are  cold  and dark b.m  screams with  some  raspy talking  style  vocal  patterns  in a  few  of  the  tracks.If  you  are a fan  of  cold,mid-paced  blackness with  some  atmosphere  within  the  songs  then  Hagl  are  defintly  a  band  for  you.
                                                                     Label    Contact
                                                                http://www.folter666.de/
                                        https://www.facebook.com/pages/FolterRecords/167406606752748
 
 
 
 
 
 
Infer/Sepsis  Chronicles  Of  Bloodshed  split  cd  {Black  Plague Rec/Metallic  Media}
Slovakia's  Infer  start  off this double  dose  of  barbaric and  brutal death  metal.Infer  play  heavy  and  fast  guitars that  are done  with a lot  of great riffs  and few solo's thrown into the  songs.The  drumming  is  equally  as brutal  and  fast  with  some  good  blasts  and  heavy  patterns.The  vocals  are  deep death  growls  that  go  with the  music  extremely  well.Up  next  is  the  Czech Republic's   Sepsis  playing  brutal slammin  death  metal.The  guitars  are  chuncky  with  some  well played  riffs  and  patterns and  even a few  solo's  mixed  into the  brutality.The  vocalist  does  a  good  job  of  keeping the vocals  deep growls  with  some  gruff growls and  even  some  screams  entertwined  in  the  songs.This  is  a very  good  double-dose   of  brutal  death metal  so  if you  are  a  fan  of  the  more brutal side  of  death metal  then  defintly  check  this  out  today
 
                                                                  Label  Contacts
                                                           http://www.blackplaguerecords.com/
                                                           http://www.metallic-media.blogspot.com/
 
 
 
 
 
 
Infernal  War--Axiom  cd  {Agonia  Rec.}
Infernal War  return  after  eight   years of  silence   with their  newest cd "Axiom".This  release  has  it  all  some  of the  most  violent  and  vicious blackend death  metal I  have  heard  in  quite some  time.Heavy  blasting  drums  that  are  chaotic  but the drummer  also  knows  how  to  play  as he does  some  excellent  patterns.The  guitarist   are  played  at  extreme  fast  and chaotic  riffs  and  pattrns but the  guitarists do  know  how to  slow down  when  needed.This  is  a great return  for  Infernal War  so  if your  a  fan  of chaotic,violent blackend death metal  then  do  yourself  a  favor  and  pick  this  up  soon.
                                                                           Label    Contact
                                                                     http://agoniarecords.com/
                                                                 https://www.facebook.com/agoniarecords
 
 
 
Infernus--Grinding Christian  Flesh  cd  {Moribund  Rec.}
Oregon's Infernus  play  a  very violent and  crazed  form  of  blackend grind  metal fast  chaotic  blast beats  that rage  through each  song .The  guitars  are  just  as  effective  with  extremely fast  guitar  patterns  and riffs that  do  slow to  a  more  mid-paced  guitar  tone  in  a few  of the songs  before going into  hyper-speed  again.The  vocals  are  harsh  black metal  screams with  a  little  industrial style vocal  pattern in  a few  of the  songs.This  is a  very  good  release  of  mid nineties  black metal  defintly  worth  a  listen.
 
                                                                       Label   Contact
                                                        http://www.moribundcult.com                                             
                                                    https://www.facebook.com/MoribundRecordsOfficial
 
 
 
 
 
Sabotor--Saboter  Mcd   {Witches  Brew Rec.}
Saboter  come  out  of Greece's  Heavy  metal  scene with  some  thrash  influences.The  guitars  are done  with  a lot  of  skill and  talent  ranging from  heavy  metal  style riffs  to  a  mor  heavier and faster  thrashy style.the  drumming  is done  with  a lot  of  good  drum  patterns and  beats that   like the  guitars range from  the more faster thrashier  beats to  a  more  controlled  speed.If you  are  a  metal  maniac  who  enjoys  heavy  metal  music  done  in  the  early to  mid  80's  style  then  defintly  give this  band  a  listen  you  will  not  be  disappointed.
                                                                                                                            
                                                               Label  Contact
                                                           http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/
                                                   https://www.facebook.com/witchesbrewthrashes
 
 
 

Friday, March 6, 2015

Interview with the U.S Label Eternal-Death Records done by Patrick on 3-6-15

Dark  Greetings
Here  is  a  new  interview  with  the  U.S  label  Eternal  Death Rec. main man  Valder. Who  is  also  in  the  Black  metal  band  "One  Master"   anyone  into  black metal  or  ambient,dark  styles  should  defintly  take  some time  to  read this  great  interview   and  check  out  his  web-site.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com







Interview with Valder owner of Eternal Death Rec. and vocalist, guitarist of One Master done by  Patrick.





1. Hails Valder. Thank you for taking the time to fill out this interview. Please introduce yourself to the readers. 

Thanks for the interest and the interview.  I run the underground label Eternal Death and play in the bands One Master, Lustrum, and Fatalism.





2.When did you first get into rock/metal music? Who were some of the early bands you listened to? Who are some of your current favorites?

My first real memory of getting into music is watching the video for “Welcome to the Jungle” when I was 10 years old and feeling like I was doing something wrong...  Of course I immediately went out and bought the “Appetite for Destruction” tape and loved it.  

There was a strong underground punk / hardcore scene in the area where I was growing up and I got interested in that when I was a teenager.  There were a lot of gigs and new bands, an interesting time. I'd say Converge was probably my favorite local band – they're still going strong.

When I got a bit older and went away to college, punk wasn't as interesting to me and I started getting into underground metal.  The first underground metal show I went to was Gorguts (right after Obscura came out), Cryptopsy, and Vader. It had a feel / power that I wasn't getting from punk.

Some bands I've been listening to recently:
Charnel House (eerie and creepy)
Gath Smane (filthy death metal)
Youth Code (proper industrial)
Gost (satanic electro-unparty)




3.What gave you the idea to start a label? How did you come up with the name Eternal Death Rec. for the label name?


To be honest, I started a label because I was getting frustrated with trying to find reliable people to release my own bands and decided it was easier to just do it myself.  The more I got involved in releasing records I figured out why its so hard for new/small bands to find a label – its quite a leap of faith to dump a thousand dollars or more into a band and just hope that their records will sell.  Even if something is good, getting sales is not always easy – there are so many bands around right now, getting recognition can be difficult.

The name Eternal Death is borrowed from the renowned occultist Eliphas Levi.  It captures the essence of the label's ideology:

“He who isolates himself is given over to death thereby, and an eternity of isolation would be eternal death.”





4.What are some things you look for when signing and releasing a band? What is the hardest and easiest part of running a label?

First and foremost a band has to write music I find compelling for me to be interested in working with them.  I didn't get into the business of releasing underground metal to make money (anyone who does is fooling themselves...) I don't try to ride trends or figure out what the crowd likes – I just want to work with bands who “get it” and see where it can go.

I also want to work with bands with whom I have some kind of personal connection/common point of view. So far, all of the bands I've put out (except for one) I had a personal connection to before the record came out.  The only band I didn't meet/know before putting them out (TKNKNTJ from Finland) I've grown to know over time and seen that we have similar ideas/viewpoints and become friends.

The easiest part of running a label is finding bands – there are so many bands forming that it isn't terribly hard to find a project worthy of release to get behind.  The hard part is making sure the bands you work with have the drive to follow through.  Luckily, the bands I've worked with have mostly stayed together/kept functioning.  It can also be hard to get titles in distros and coverage of releases – there are so many labels/bands, trying to stand out can sometimes be difficult.  The money aspect can sometimes be difficult as well, but luckily I have somewhat of a penchant for saving and a real job so I can afford to run a label (for now at least...)


5.What are some of your newest releases that the fans should check out? Are their any new releases coming in the next few months/year that the readers should check out?
I have 4 releases coming out in the short-term future (probably May to June) that I'm really excited about: 

The Meads of Asphodel / Tjolgtjar split 12”
One Master “Reclusive Blasphemy” 12”
Haxen “s/t” 12”
Vinoristi (ex-TKNKNTJ) CD

Meads/Tjolgtjar is a dream project - my two favorite experimental/bizarre BM bands who both agreed to work with my label. 

One Master is my own band and (hopefully people agree...) this is our best recording/songs and takes the band to a new level.

Haxen is a band from New England that has been criminally overlooked.  So much aggression and hatred – when they sent me a recent mix of the record I called it “Rhode Island Bay Cult.”

Vinoristi is a new project from the main force behind TKNKNTJ.  The recording is absolutely vicious – Finnish BM with a punk in- your-face attitude.

More long-term, I want to do re-presses of the Fatalism and Tare cassettes.  Also on the agenda is a new Fatalism EP and a full length from Lustrum (a Venom-worship band I have with some friends).  Also looks like a new Bog of the Infidel full length will be on the horizon at some point.


6.Valder you have released bands on cd,cassette and a few vinyl releases. How do you choose which band should be released on which format?


Ideally I would like to put everything out on vinyl, but it is expensive to press and expensive to ship, so I have been judicious about it so far.  But I have 3 vinyl releases set up back-to back-to back in the next few months.  I have a feeling that they will either make or break the label. It will be so much money to spend in such a short period of time I need to come close to making it back to keep the label going.



7.What does black metal mean to you?  

Black metal means being the source of one's own values (essentially what Isaiah 14:12 – 14:14 unintentionally means).



8.I believe you live in Pennsylvania what is your opinion of the U.S Black metal scene?

I split my time between Connecticut and New Hampshire (trying spend more time in NH wandering in the white mountains...)

I'm a bit of a recluse / misanthrope so I'm probably not the best person to comment on the “scene” as such... 



9.Who are your all time favorite U.S black metal bands? Are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out?


My personal all-time favorite US black metal band is Nightbringer.  They do BM in the proper way – right atmosphere, right image, right riffs, they completely get it.  

The US bands that I've worked with so far (Sangus, Bog of the Infidel, Grue, Tare, Abazagorath) absolutely kill and have their own sound.

Other black metal bands from the US who come to mind that really get it: Morgirion, Yellow Eyes, Vorde, Human Bodies, Panopticon, Glass Coffin, and Pact. 




10.Besides running the label you are also the vocalist for One Master. When did you all form One Master? What is the current line-up?


I formed One Master as a solo project in 2002.  I recorded a demo by myself and figured that would be the end of it.  But in 2003, met some people interested in making it a full band and then it started progressing from there.  We've been through many different lineups (I went back and counted and its on Mark VIII at this point...)

Right now the lineup is myself on vocals/guitar, Blood Eagle (formerly known as Mahazael) on drums, Black Wolf (formerly known as Hellebore) on bass, and Doctor Messiah on guitar.



11.For the readers who have never heard One Master's music how would  you describe it?


I'm probably not the best person to describe my own music (my messed up combination of self-deprecation and arrogance doesn't lead to a necessarily fair perspective on things...)

The only term I could use is black metal and leave the rest to the listener...



12.Beside doing the vocals you also handle the guitars for the band when did you first start playing guitar? Ar you self taught or did you take lessons when first beginning?


I started playing guitar around 13 years old.  My uncle had an old hollowbody electric that I found in my grandmother's basement that I claimed as my own and started to play/learn guitar.  I have never taken any lessons – everything was self- taught or picked up from people I've played with.




13.Who are some of your influences/favorite guitarists? Besides the guitars and vocals do you currently play any other instruments?
I'd say my favorite guitarists are Adrian Smith and Dave Murray – any guitar player who doesn't hail them just doesn't get it.

I've been slowly trying to learn the drums but I'm still not very good at them...



14.Besides One Master do you currently have any other bands or solo projects you are working with?

I have two side projects I'm working one – Lustrum (venom-worship filled with lust and sleaze) and Fatalism (ethereal gloom).  A few friends and I are also putting together a dark ambient project Ledge Dweller.




15.Thank you Valder for taking the time to fill out this interview. Do you have any final comments for the readers?

“...evil is in its essence is a lonely thing, a passion of the solitary, individual soul...”




Eternal  Death  Records   web-sites
http://www.eternal-death.com/
https://www.facebook.com/eternaldeathUSA