Hello
Here are a few new reviews a little bit of variety so hopefully you will find some metal to your liking.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357?hl=en
Azaghal-Helvetin Yhdeksan Piiria{Nine Circles Of Hell} {Moribund Rec.}
Moribund Rec. is getting ready to re-release this classic which was originally release d 1999.This is defintly a classic black metal release playing raw,fast Finnish black metal.The guitars are played with a lot of skill and crazed riffs.The guitarist is not all speed and aggressive riffs their are some slower guitars even mixed with some atmosphere elements.The drums are played with both a hyper speed drums and some mid-tempo guitars entertwined in a few of the songs.The vocals are harsh,raw black metal screams.If you are a fan of Azaghal's type of music then be sure to pick this re-release up today.
Label Contact
http://www.moribundcult.com/
Fornicus--Hymns Of Dominion cd {Negative Earth Rec.
Kentucky's own Fornicus return with their newest release featuring eleven songs of of violent black metal with elements of both thrash and death metal mixed into the guitar chords.The guitars are well written and performed going from a aggressive fast pace to a more mid paced controlled speed.The drums are well written and performed with a mix of violent blasting sections to a more controlled fast pattern.If you liked Fornicus's previous releases you should defintly pick up Hymns Of Dominion today.
Band Contact
https://www.facebook.com/fornicus666/?fref=ts
http://fornicus.bandcamp.com/music
Mordskog--XIII cd {Werewolf Rec./Hells Headbangers Rec.}
Mexico's Mordskog release their debut cd through the Finnish label Werewolf Rec. The band plays a semi fast black metal style that does go to a more mid paced style within a few songs.The guitars are done with some really well played and performed patterns.The guitarist does a good job performing both semi fast guitar riffs to a more controlled mid paced style.The vocals are black metal screams with some shrieks and gruff style death metal growls.If you are a fan of well written and performed black metal then be sure to pick up a copy of Mordskog debut XIII today.
Label Contatct
http://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/
Nebrus--Exta Malorvm cd {Razed Soul Prod.}
Nebrus are a duo from Italy that play a dark black metal style with some other metal elements used throughout the songs.The guitars are played at a heavy mid paced sound with some slower guitar chords in a few songs.The guitars do speed up to a faster pace but only in certain songs with some well written patterns and even a few solo's.The drums are in the same veing heavier,slow drum pattern but do speed up for a faster drum style.The vocals are a mix of low,grim death metal vocals and some raspy whispering type of vocals used in a few songs.Overall Nebrus play a great great style of heavy,dark black metal.
Band Contact
https://www.facebook.com/NEBRUSband/
http://nebrus.bandcamp.com/
Sorrowful Land--Of Ruins cd {Solitude Prod.}
Coming out of the Ukraine's atmospheric death,doom is Sorrowful Land with their debut cd.Sorrowful Land play a very mature style of atmospheric death,doom the guitars are well written and performed with mainly slow,heavy guitar patterns and riffs.The drums are done with some precise and well arranged drum patterns that are mainly in the slower vein but do go for a mid paced style in a few songs.The vocalist does a good job with both death metal growls and some spoken clean vocals used throughout a few songs.If you are a fan atmospheric death,doom then be sure to pick up Sorrowful Land'S debut Of Ruins today.
Label Contact
https://solitude-prod.com/
https://solitudeproductions.bandcamp.com/
Versifist--Cipher 7inch {Vault Of Dried Bones/Iron Bonehead Rec.
Canada's Versifist return with a new 7 inch E.P featuring two songs.The first song is Bring Back The Dark which is a aggressive and chaotic blackend death song.The guitars are played with a lot of skill and power going from an all out assult of frenzied guitar riffs to a more controlled mid paced guitar pattern.The drums are played in the same style with mid paced drums to start out the song but the drummer does go for a more violent and fast drum pattern.The second song is ...In Tongues which is another solid and well performed song starting off with a mid paced music but does speed up a little but not nearly as fast as Bring Back The Dark.The guitars are played in the mid tempoed style but does get a little faster in the middle of the song.If you are familiar with Versifist's previous E.P then you know what to expect but if you are new to the band and you like well written blackend death metal that goes from crazed,violent patterns to a more controlled and mid paced style then be sure tp check out Versifist today.
Label Contact
http://www.vaultofdriedbones.com/
https://www.facebook.com/VaultOfDriedBonesOfficial
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Self-Hatred interview done by Patrick on 11-13-16
Hello
Here is a new interview with the Czech Republic's death,doom band "Self-Hatred" who just released their debut cd "Theia" through the Russian label Solitude Prod. if you enjoy great death,doom with some atmosphere and other genres.Then be sure to pick this release up today.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357?hl=en
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher
Interview with Michal S. keyboardist of Self-Hatred done by Patrick
1.Hello Michal please introduce yourself to the readers?How are things going with you these days?
First of all thank you for this interview invitation. We are Self Hatred - doom/death metal band from Pilsen – Czech Republic. I play the keyboards and take second place in our band for the oldest member. J Number one is our drummer Datel. We just played 2 last gigs of the year where we finally had a chance to introduce our debut album Theia to the audience in real. The real CD I mean J Things are going well nowadays. Personally I am looking forward to 2017. There is a couple of great gigs ahead of us. Most of them in abroad. Currently we work on new album which should be recorded in March 2017 (Hellsound studio).
2.When did you first meet the other members of the band and was it long before you all formed Self-Hatred?
It is roughly 7 years since I first met Aleš and Štěpán. I just started a new job in Pilsen. During the break I went for a fag and the Smoking area outside of the building was the place were we seen each other for the first time. I could hear them speaking of some doom metal band they played at and asked more about it. This is how it has started. Between this moment and forming Self-Hatred also Stollice arised, where Aleš, me and Štěpán played together.
3.What is the current line-up of the band? And for the readers who have never heard Self-Hatred's music how would you best describe it?
Kaťas / growls, whispers, Pavel Janouškovec / guitars, Aleš Vilingr / guitars, Štěpán Eret / bass,Michal "Datel" Rak / drums, Michal Šanda / keyboards. If you are into a spirit of the 90’s doom scene, combining it with modern sound and specific interpretation, this is what you will get.Our music is dark, black, and cold. On the other hand even more romantic or sensitive people might be pleased.
4. Self-Hatred is signed to Solitude Prod. how did you all come in contact with this label?
Solitude Prod. also released album for Et Moriemur where Aleš, Pavel and Datel play. So we knew what they are capable of and when we sent out our materials to the labels, Solitude reacted in 2 days.
5.The band is getting ready to release the debut cd "Theia" does the whole band work on writing the music or does one member usually write everything?
Well, "Theia" is alive already. Writing the music is process of all of us. Normaly what we do is that Aleš or me come with an idea and we all work on it.
6.Who usually writes the lyrics for the music and what are some topics the band writes about?
Katas is the lyrics master The ideas come out from what we experienced or what we are interested in. But if you want to point out some topics. It would be fears, melancholy, universe, love.
7.Besides the debut cd "Theia" does the band have any other merchandise available for the readers? If yes what is available and where can the readers buy your release and merchandise?
There are two T-shirt versions. You can go to our facebook web site to find out more. You can also purchase a sticker if the CD or the T-shirts are not enough and show the whole world that Self-Hatred is the way you chose.Alternatively you can order all above also through the following e-mail: selfhatred.doom@gmail.com. You can use Bandcamp and webshop if that is more suitable. The webshop will be offering merchandise of our befriended bands and ours of course. Et Moriemur and Quercus among others.
8. Michal you play the keyboards for the band at what age did you start playing the keyboards?Who are some of your favorite keyboard players?
It is a long time ago since I started. I think I was arround 20. That makes it 18 years back in time. To be honest I do not have any idols or icons I would obey. But I respect a lot of musicians. Especially classical music performers. If you want a name I will give you Lindsay Schoolcraft - Cradle Of Filth, Joakim Svalberg-Opeth. I adore Depeche Mode and what Ihsahn does with the keys for Emperor.
9.Besides the keyboards do you currently play any other instruments if yes what instruments do you play? Are their any instruments you would like to learn one day?
I do play the guitar a bit. And I should be supporting Katas with my vocal on the next album. The instrument I would like to learn one day is the cello. Because of it’s sound and the vibrations you get from the instrument while playing it.
10.Besides playing in Self-Hatred do you or any of the members of the band currently work in any other bands or projects?
Et Moriemur – Paja, Datel, Aleš. The rest of the members are only focused on SH.
11.Self-Hatred comes out of the Czech Republic's death/doom scene.I know that the Czech Republic has a strong death,black scene but don't know much of the doom metal scene.What is your opininon of the doom scene in the Czech Republic?
It actually moved from the North of Moravia to the west part of Bohemia (both are parts of the Czech Republic). Some years ago there were doom metal bands playing perhaps in around Moravia. Bands I would like to mentioned are: DISSOLVING OF PRODIGY, BLACK HEAVEN, HYPNOTIC SCENERY, R.E.T., SILENT STREAM OF GODLESS ELEGY, ENDLESS and MYTHOPOEIA. Doom metal as we know it dissappeared in it’s traditional way. Our debut basicaly links with this era. Theia should pull up the memories of the good old times.
12.Who are your all-time favorite bands from the Czech Republic? Are their any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?
SIlent Stream Of Godless Elegy, Dissolving Of Prodigy, Krabathor, Mythopoeia, Sorath , Et Moriemur, Somnus Aeternus.
13.Besides bands are their any good labels or distro's you can recommend to the readers?
It would be Pařát Productions. It‘s benefit for the czech doom metal scene is enormous. Thanks to Pařát the DISSOLVING OF PRODIGY vinyl reedition was released. But the credits are more. Apart from publishing printed magazine, I also recomend to visit the eshop. There is a tribute CD to be released soon. You will have a chance to hear one unreleased song we made especially for this project and never played live so far. More info to be found on Facebook or our website soon.
14.When not working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
Drinking Becherovka. But because my lady is into sport a lot, I do also biking and hiking. Reading of books makes my day also. And my life is totally affected by Monty Python's Flying Circus.
15.Thank you Michal for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
Live in joy
Band Contact
https://www.facebook.com/selfhatreddoom/
selfhatred.doom@gmail.com
Label Contact
https://solitude-prod.com/
https://solitudeproductions.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/solitude_bmm
Here is a new interview with the Czech Republic's death,doom band "Self-Hatred" who just released their debut cd "Theia" through the Russian label Solitude Prod. if you enjoy great death,doom with some atmosphere and other genres.Then be sure to pick this release up today.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357?hl=en
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher
Interview with Michal S. keyboardist of Self-Hatred done by Patrick
1.Hello Michal please introduce yourself to the readers?How are things going with you these days?
First of all thank you for this interview invitation. We are Self Hatred - doom/death metal band from Pilsen – Czech Republic. I play the keyboards and take second place in our band for the oldest member. J Number one is our drummer Datel. We just played 2 last gigs of the year where we finally had a chance to introduce our debut album Theia to the audience in real. The real CD I mean J Things are going well nowadays. Personally I am looking forward to 2017. There is a couple of great gigs ahead of us. Most of them in abroad. Currently we work on new album which should be recorded in March 2017 (Hellsound studio).
2.When did you first meet the other members of the band and was it long before you all formed Self-Hatred?
It is roughly 7 years since I first met Aleš and Štěpán. I just started a new job in Pilsen. During the break I went for a fag and the Smoking area outside of the building was the place were we seen each other for the first time. I could hear them speaking of some doom metal band they played at and asked more about it. This is how it has started. Between this moment and forming Self-Hatred also Stollice arised, where Aleš, me and Štěpán played together.
3.What is the current line-up of the band? And for the readers who have never heard Self-Hatred's music how would you best describe it?
Kaťas / growls, whispers, Pavel Janouškovec / guitars, Aleš Vilingr / guitars, Štěpán Eret / bass,Michal "Datel" Rak / drums, Michal Šanda / keyboards. If you are into a spirit of the 90’s doom scene, combining it with modern sound and specific interpretation, this is what you will get.Our music is dark, black, and cold. On the other hand even more romantic or sensitive people might be pleased.
4. Self-Hatred is signed to Solitude Prod. how did you all come in contact with this label?
Solitude Prod. also released album for Et Moriemur where Aleš, Pavel and Datel play. So we knew what they are capable of and when we sent out our materials to the labels, Solitude reacted in 2 days.
5.The band is getting ready to release the debut cd "Theia" does the whole band work on writing the music or does one member usually write everything?
Well, "Theia" is alive already. Writing the music is process of all of us. Normaly what we do is that Aleš or me come with an idea and we all work on it.
6.Who usually writes the lyrics for the music and what are some topics the band writes about?
Katas is the lyrics master The ideas come out from what we experienced or what we are interested in. But if you want to point out some topics. It would be fears, melancholy, universe, love.
7.Besides the debut cd "Theia" does the band have any other merchandise available for the readers? If yes what is available and where can the readers buy your release and merchandise?
There are two T-shirt versions. You can go to our facebook web site to find out more. You can also purchase a sticker if the CD or the T-shirts are not enough and show the whole world that Self-Hatred is the way you chose.Alternatively you can order all above also through the following e-mail: selfhatred.doom@gmail.com. You can use Bandcamp and webshop if that is more suitable. The webshop will be offering merchandise of our befriended bands and ours of course. Et Moriemur and Quercus among others.
8. Michal you play the keyboards for the band at what age did you start playing the keyboards?Who are some of your favorite keyboard players?
It is a long time ago since I started. I think I was arround 20. That makes it 18 years back in time. To be honest I do not have any idols or icons I would obey. But I respect a lot of musicians. Especially classical music performers. If you want a name I will give you Lindsay Schoolcraft - Cradle Of Filth, Joakim Svalberg-Opeth. I adore Depeche Mode and what Ihsahn does with the keys for Emperor.
9.Besides the keyboards do you currently play any other instruments if yes what instruments do you play? Are their any instruments you would like to learn one day?
I do play the guitar a bit. And I should be supporting Katas with my vocal on the next album. The instrument I would like to learn one day is the cello. Because of it’s sound and the vibrations you get from the instrument while playing it.
10.Besides playing in Self-Hatred do you or any of the members of the band currently work in any other bands or projects?
Et Moriemur – Paja, Datel, Aleš. The rest of the members are only focused on SH.
11.Self-Hatred comes out of the Czech Republic's death/doom scene.I know that the Czech Republic has a strong death,black scene but don't know much of the doom metal scene.What is your opininon of the doom scene in the Czech Republic?
It actually moved from the North of Moravia to the west part of Bohemia (both are parts of the Czech Republic). Some years ago there were doom metal bands playing perhaps in around Moravia. Bands I would like to mentioned are: DISSOLVING OF PRODIGY, BLACK HEAVEN, HYPNOTIC SCENERY, R.E.T., SILENT STREAM OF GODLESS ELEGY, ENDLESS and MYTHOPOEIA. Doom metal as we know it dissappeared in it’s traditional way. Our debut basicaly links with this era. Theia should pull up the memories of the good old times.
12.Who are your all-time favorite bands from the Czech Republic? Are their any new bands you feel the readers should watch out for?
SIlent Stream Of Godless Elegy, Dissolving Of Prodigy, Krabathor, Mythopoeia, Sorath , Et Moriemur, Somnus Aeternus.
13.Besides bands are their any good labels or distro's you can recommend to the readers?
It would be Pařát Productions. It‘s benefit for the czech doom metal scene is enormous. Thanks to Pařát the DISSOLVING OF PRODIGY vinyl reedition was released. But the credits are more. Apart from publishing printed magazine, I also recomend to visit the eshop. There is a tribute CD to be released soon. You will have a chance to hear one unreleased song we made especially for this project and never played live so far. More info to be found on Facebook or our website soon.
14.When not working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
Drinking Becherovka. But because my lady is into sport a lot, I do also biking and hiking. Reading of books makes my day also. And my life is totally affected by Monty Python's Flying Circus.
15.Thank you Michal for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
Live in joy
Band Contact
https://www.facebook.com/selfhatreddoom/
selfhatred.doom@gmail.com
Label Contact
https://solitude-prod.com/
https://solitudeproductions.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/solitude_bmm
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Interview with Germany's Barbarian Wrath Rec. done by Patrick on 11-6-16
Hello
Here is a new interview with the legendary German record label Barbarian Wrath.The owner BW. talks about the label's early days and current label work along with other topics.If you are a fan of old-school death,black and thrash metal then be sure to check this label and distro selection out.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357?hl=en
Interview with BG. owner of Barbarian Wrath Rec. done by Patrick
1.Hello BG please introduce yourself to the readers? At what age did you find yourself getting into metal music and who were some of the early bands you listened to?
You mean there's still people out there who don't know me...? O_o I got into Metal at the age of 12 through a class mate at school. That was back in 1979. He had a slightly older cousin who already was into Metal and we started listening to his AC/DC and MOT�RHEAD albums while playing "Defender" on our ATARI 2600 video games. Those were the times... :) I got into other bands mostly by chance since there was nothing even remotely resembling a Metal press or Hell forbid, a Metal radio in Germany. I got into ACCEPT in 1983 when I had a class mate record me a FOREIGNER album and he put "Restless And Wild" on the flip side. It was his Dad's record and he thought I'd like it.... Needless to say the ACCEPT side got a lot more playing time, hahaha. There are similar stories about how I got into IRON MAIDEN or SAXON in those years. All that changed in 1984 with the advent of Metal Hammer which was quickly followed by fanzines which used to be sold in one of the local record stores.
2.I believe before you started Barbarian Wrath you were owner and operater of Nazgul's Eyrie how long was this label open for? And what made you decide to stop it?
Guilty. NAZGULS EYRIE lasted (on paper) from 1993 to 1999 and was directly followed by BARBARIAN WRATH. When you look at release dates however you'll see that the really active time was between July 1994 and July 1996 followed by a long period of agony caused by bad business decisions which cost me a lot of money and my sanity. When I had finally paid off the financial aftermath I changed the name and gave it another go which I'm happy to say went somewhat more smoothly. However, the name of NAZGULS EYRIE was burnt and spent so I came up with something more personal instead. The fact that everyone and their grandmothers were running around with pseudonymes based on Tolkien may have also played a minor role in my decision.
3.In 2000 you formed Barbarian Wrath Rec. what gave you the idea to start up a different label? And how did you choose Barbarian Wrath as the name for your new label?
I sort of explained that in the previous question already. It's not a different label in my mind, it's the same thing, just run in a slightly more professional way :D The name came up at some point based on my nickname at the time. My gentleman-like behaviour caused me to be referred to as the "Bavarian Barbarian" by the guys of COUNTESS at first and by pretty much everyone soon after. Since I was coming back (well, trying to) with a vengeance from the NEP disaster the "Wrath" part just fell into place :)
4.What have been some of your personal favorite releases over the years?And are their any upcoming releases the readers should watch out for?
I feel like a father to all my releases and like a father I love them all for what they are even when they annoy me at times. Since I have returned from a well deserved time out in January 2014 (This time without bothering to change the name...) there has been a steady stream of 24 releases so far which is more than I managed to release in the entire decade before. Of course people should watch out for all my releases as well as those of my darling wife through WITCHES BREW. :)
5.What are some things you look for when signing and releasing a band? And are you still on the look out for new bands to work with or is the Barbarian Wrath Rec roster full at this time?
I want to be surprised. The big cancer of today is predictability. Be that movies, books or bands, if I already know how things will end 10 minutes in, why bother ? Of course a band may still be entertaining in a live situation (Usually because I drink them better...) but why would I bother to release something by those guys. It's sometimes rough to have to tell that to people and not all take it gracefully either but it's my damn money and I decide what to spend it on :) I'm always looking for bands who manage to make me perk up. It doesn't happen often anymore since I'm a jaded old bastard but it does happen and when it does I usually find a way to place such a band in my roster.
6.Do you run the label by yourself or do you have some help from friends or family? Would you have any advice to the readers who might be thinking of starting a distro or a label themselves?
I have help. My wife does all the tedious background work so I can concentrate on signing bands and smoking cigars. Which suits me just fine, hehehe. Seriously though, since I have a full time job besides running BW and she doesn't it makes sense that she runs the distro and her own label WITCHES BREW. The distro is exclusively hers and she decides what to carry. Usually she goes for the more exotic stuff (as in from an exotic place, not an exotic mix of musical styles with a hint of Metal as an afterthought...). Seeing that there are more distros than buying fans in Germany and they all carry the same stuff I think she's right trying to stick out and do something original for a change.
7. BG are you currently looking for new labels or bands to work and trade with? If yes what styles of metal do you carry in your distro?
As I just typed, I always look for new stuff that I find impressive and surprising. All distro questions go to my wife :)
8. BG you live in the metal filled country of Germany what is your opinion of the German metal scene over the years to present day?
I think Germany is vastly overrated. I'm sick of Germans strutting around like their shit don't stink and all they really do is buy what glossy magazines serve them and treck to Wacken every year. There are real people besides me of course (quite a few actually) but this picture of Germany being the great Metal nation is inherently wrong. You don't see any Metalheads on the streets and when you do they won't talk to you because they don't like (or, more likely don't know) the band on the shirt you're wearing. So, as far a scene (as in people working together to achieve a common goal) goes, Germany is burnt and salted ground. If you count the number of role-playing fools who'll simply consume whatever glossy magazines tell them to, we got a few million of those.
9.Who are your all-time favorite German bands? And are their any new bands that you feel the readers should watch out for?
All time favorite German band... hmmm.... Nope, I don't really have a favorite band but I can list you favorite albums by German bands. The thing is, every band seems to come to a point eventually where they lose me. For instance, I worship AVENGERs "Prayers Of Steel" album but I find RAGE just barely tolerable even though it's the same people who wrote those songs and recorded the album.
I can't tell you about new bands because I'm trying to sign them and I don't want any competition.
10.Besides bands are their any good labels or distro's you feel the readers should check out soon?
I feel that WITCHES BREW get's far to little attention. There is a bunch of fucking brilliant bands there continously releasing jewels of Metal and WB get neither glory nor sales for it and it's a bloody shame.
11.Do you still try to go out to local shows or do you prefer to stay in?
I still go to shows when I can though mostly I go to small festivals. We got an entire string of those that we go to every year. Seeing a cool band whom you previously had not known is the high point of every festival. Local shows to me are going to N�rnberg or M�nchen which both are 1 hour trips. Really local shows don't exist because my area is pretty much exclusively settled by the types I described in question # 8.
12.When not working on label business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
What is this "free time" you speak about...?
13.In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground metal scene today? And what does underground metal mean to you?
The best and worst thing is the internet and computers in general and for pretty much the same reason. Life has sped up incredibly since the 90s and everybody has access to everything. Underground to me means to do something for passion with monetary gain being a nice side effect should it happen, but not a driving force. Which is the exact reason why I never tried going "pro". I enjoy the freedom of releasing whatever I want, I don't have to worry about sales because the money to pay for our beer comes from a different source.
14.Were can the readers find Barbarian Wrath news and releases to purchase?
There are a number of social media pages for the label that I keep up to date, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, the usual. Just type "Barbarian Wrath" in a search engine and you'll get 3 pages of links :)
As for buying my releases, the first and foremost spot to do so is WITCHES BREW. Besides German postage being rather cheap even for worldwide shipping she has a constant stream of other releases going through her distro so you have to be deaf and blind (Which, apparently you're not or is this text in Braille, eh ?) to not find something interesting.
In the USA (and North America) we are officially distributed by HELL'S HEADBANGERS and in Japan (and East Asia) by ROCK STAKK and we are looking for other partners in territories not yet covered.
15.Thank you BG for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
You're welcome :) I haven't done one of those in quite a while so I enjoy the chance to talk. Well, type :D As a final word I would ask you all to give small bands and labels a chance and look beyond the circle jerk you find in your magazines. It's worth it. Trust me.
Stay in the loop
@ https://www.facebook.com/BarbarianWrath666
@ https://plus.google.com/+BarbarianwrathOrg
@ https://www.linkedin.com/company/barbarian-wrath
@ https://twitter.com/BarbarianWrath
@ https://www.youtube.com/c/BarbarianwrathOrg
@ https://barbarianwrath.bandcamp.com
@ https://soundcloud.com/barbarianwrath
@ https://soundcloud.com/barbarian-wrath-ii
@ https://barbarian-wrath.tumblr.com
@ https://www.pinterest.com/BarbarianWrath/
Here is a new interview with the legendary German record label Barbarian Wrath.The owner BW. talks about the label's early days and current label work along with other topics.If you are a fan of old-school death,black and thrash metal then be sure to check this label and distro selection out.
Regards
Patrick
fiendformetal@live.com
https://twitter.com/PDeathrasher
https://plus.google.com/110515263288050247357?hl=en
Interview with BG. owner of Barbarian Wrath Rec. done by Patrick
1.Hello BG please introduce yourself to the readers? At what age did you find yourself getting into metal music and who were some of the early bands you listened to?
You mean there's still people out there who don't know me...? O_o I got into Metal at the age of 12 through a class mate at school. That was back in 1979. He had a slightly older cousin who already was into Metal and we started listening to his AC/DC and MOT�RHEAD albums while playing "Defender" on our ATARI 2600 video games. Those were the times... :) I got into other bands mostly by chance since there was nothing even remotely resembling a Metal press or Hell forbid, a Metal radio in Germany. I got into ACCEPT in 1983 when I had a class mate record me a FOREIGNER album and he put "Restless And Wild" on the flip side. It was his Dad's record and he thought I'd like it.... Needless to say the ACCEPT side got a lot more playing time, hahaha. There are similar stories about how I got into IRON MAIDEN or SAXON in those years. All that changed in 1984 with the advent of Metal Hammer which was quickly followed by fanzines which used to be sold in one of the local record stores.
2.I believe before you started Barbarian Wrath you were owner and operater of Nazgul's Eyrie how long was this label open for? And what made you decide to stop it?
Guilty. NAZGULS EYRIE lasted (on paper) from 1993 to 1999 and was directly followed by BARBARIAN WRATH. When you look at release dates however you'll see that the really active time was between July 1994 and July 1996 followed by a long period of agony caused by bad business decisions which cost me a lot of money and my sanity. When I had finally paid off the financial aftermath I changed the name and gave it another go which I'm happy to say went somewhat more smoothly. However, the name of NAZGULS EYRIE was burnt and spent so I came up with something more personal instead. The fact that everyone and their grandmothers were running around with pseudonymes based on Tolkien may have also played a minor role in my decision.
3.In 2000 you formed Barbarian Wrath Rec. what gave you the idea to start up a different label? And how did you choose Barbarian Wrath as the name for your new label?
I sort of explained that in the previous question already. It's not a different label in my mind, it's the same thing, just run in a slightly more professional way :D The name came up at some point based on my nickname at the time. My gentleman-like behaviour caused me to be referred to as the "Bavarian Barbarian" by the guys of COUNTESS at first and by pretty much everyone soon after. Since I was coming back (well, trying to) with a vengeance from the NEP disaster the "Wrath" part just fell into place :)
4.What have been some of your personal favorite releases over the years?And are their any upcoming releases the readers should watch out for?
I feel like a father to all my releases and like a father I love them all for what they are even when they annoy me at times. Since I have returned from a well deserved time out in January 2014 (This time without bothering to change the name...) there has been a steady stream of 24 releases so far which is more than I managed to release in the entire decade before. Of course people should watch out for all my releases as well as those of my darling wife through WITCHES BREW. :)
5.What are some things you look for when signing and releasing a band? And are you still on the look out for new bands to work with or is the Barbarian Wrath Rec roster full at this time?
I want to be surprised. The big cancer of today is predictability. Be that movies, books or bands, if I already know how things will end 10 minutes in, why bother ? Of course a band may still be entertaining in a live situation (Usually because I drink them better...) but why would I bother to release something by those guys. It's sometimes rough to have to tell that to people and not all take it gracefully either but it's my damn money and I decide what to spend it on :) I'm always looking for bands who manage to make me perk up. It doesn't happen often anymore since I'm a jaded old bastard but it does happen and when it does I usually find a way to place such a band in my roster.
6.Do you run the label by yourself or do you have some help from friends or family? Would you have any advice to the readers who might be thinking of starting a distro or a label themselves?
I have help. My wife does all the tedious background work so I can concentrate on signing bands and smoking cigars. Which suits me just fine, hehehe. Seriously though, since I have a full time job besides running BW and she doesn't it makes sense that she runs the distro and her own label WITCHES BREW. The distro is exclusively hers and she decides what to carry. Usually she goes for the more exotic stuff (as in from an exotic place, not an exotic mix of musical styles with a hint of Metal as an afterthought...). Seeing that there are more distros than buying fans in Germany and they all carry the same stuff I think she's right trying to stick out and do something original for a change.
7. BG are you currently looking for new labels or bands to work and trade with? If yes what styles of metal do you carry in your distro?
As I just typed, I always look for new stuff that I find impressive and surprising. All distro questions go to my wife :)
8. BG you live in the metal filled country of Germany what is your opinion of the German metal scene over the years to present day?
I think Germany is vastly overrated. I'm sick of Germans strutting around like their shit don't stink and all they really do is buy what glossy magazines serve them and treck to Wacken every year. There are real people besides me of course (quite a few actually) but this picture of Germany being the great Metal nation is inherently wrong. You don't see any Metalheads on the streets and when you do they won't talk to you because they don't like (or, more likely don't know) the band on the shirt you're wearing. So, as far a scene (as in people working together to achieve a common goal) goes, Germany is burnt and salted ground. If you count the number of role-playing fools who'll simply consume whatever glossy magazines tell them to, we got a few million of those.
9.Who are your all-time favorite German bands? And are their any new bands that you feel the readers should watch out for?
All time favorite German band... hmmm.... Nope, I don't really have a favorite band but I can list you favorite albums by German bands. The thing is, every band seems to come to a point eventually where they lose me. For instance, I worship AVENGERs "Prayers Of Steel" album but I find RAGE just barely tolerable even though it's the same people who wrote those songs and recorded the album.
I can't tell you about new bands because I'm trying to sign them and I don't want any competition.
10.Besides bands are their any good labels or distro's you feel the readers should check out soon?
I feel that WITCHES BREW get's far to little attention. There is a bunch of fucking brilliant bands there continously releasing jewels of Metal and WB get neither glory nor sales for it and it's a bloody shame.
11.Do you still try to go out to local shows or do you prefer to stay in?
I still go to shows when I can though mostly I go to small festivals. We got an entire string of those that we go to every year. Seeing a cool band whom you previously had not known is the high point of every festival. Local shows to me are going to N�rnberg or M�nchen which both are 1 hour trips. Really local shows don't exist because my area is pretty much exclusively settled by the types I described in question # 8.
12.When not working on label business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
What is this "free time" you speak about...?
13.In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground metal scene today? And what does underground metal mean to you?
The best and worst thing is the internet and computers in general and for pretty much the same reason. Life has sped up incredibly since the 90s and everybody has access to everything. Underground to me means to do something for passion with monetary gain being a nice side effect should it happen, but not a driving force. Which is the exact reason why I never tried going "pro". I enjoy the freedom of releasing whatever I want, I don't have to worry about sales because the money to pay for our beer comes from a different source.
14.Were can the readers find Barbarian Wrath news and releases to purchase?
There are a number of social media pages for the label that I keep up to date, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, the usual. Just type "Barbarian Wrath" in a search engine and you'll get 3 pages of links :)
As for buying my releases, the first and foremost spot to do so is WITCHES BREW. Besides German postage being rather cheap even for worldwide shipping she has a constant stream of other releases going through her distro so you have to be deaf and blind (Which, apparently you're not or is this text in Braille, eh ?) to not find something interesting.
In the USA (and North America) we are officially distributed by HELL'S HEADBANGERS and in Japan (and East Asia) by ROCK STAKK and we are looking for other partners in territories not yet covered.
15.Thank you BG for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
You're welcome :) I haven't done one of those in quite a while so I enjoy the chance to talk. Well, type :D As a final word I would ask you all to give small bands and labels a chance and look beyond the circle jerk you find in your magazines. It's worth it. Trust me.
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