HellRipper done by Patrick posted up on 8-29-17

Interview  with  James Mcbain  vocals,all  instruments  of  HellRipper  done  by  Patrick

1.Hello  James  how  are  things  going  in Scotland  these   days?Please  introduce  yourself to  the  readers?

Things are OK at the moment, thank you. I am from Aberdeen, Scotland and am the sole-member of Hellripper, Lock Howl and Lord Rot and I am the guitarist/vocalist for crust band Rats of Reality.


2.When did you  first  become interested in  writing  and  playing  music?What  was the  first  instrument you  learned to  play?

I think I first started writing music when I was about 13/14 around about the time I started taking guitar more seriously which was the first instrument I learned how to play.

3.Are you  self taught or  did you take  lessons  when  first  starting  out?Are their  any  new  instruments you  would  like to  learn to  play  one  day?

I am mostly self-taught. I did receive a few guitar lessons when I was at school, but it was more focused on classical playing and I did not enjoy it at all so I stopped after a while. I really want to learn how to play piano and have been interested in learning for ages now. I will stop being lazy and will get around to it eventually.


4.James  you  formed  HellRipper  in 2014  what  gave  you  the  idea to  start this  band?Who  would you  say  are  some  of HellRipper's biggest influences ?

The idea to start Hellripper was just because I wanted to write music that I was into and the fact that it is a solo project is simply because there was nobody else around that was into or willing to play that kind of music at the time.  The biggest influences for the Hellripper sound would be bands such as; Sabbat [JPN], Toxic Holocaust, Kreator, Midnight, TANK, Mercyful Fate, Venom etc. I could go on and on but those are probably the main ones.


5.Coagulating Darkness  is  the  bands debut release which  was released  through Barbarian Wrath Rec. how  did you  first  come in  contact  with this  label?

They messaged me and expressed an interest in releasing the debut album when I got around to recording it. Barbarian Wrath, along with partner label Witches Brew are excellent labels both in terms of how they are to work with and the calibre of their releases so I was very happy to be part of that. The 'Coagulating Darkness' CDs turned out amazingly as well so I am very pleased with that.




6.I believe  i  read their  will  be  a  vinyl  release  will  this  be  released  through  Barbarian Wrath  or  will you  work  with  another  label?

The vinyl edition of the album was just recently released but through another German label 'Diabolic Might Records'. Again, very cool people to work with and they have put out some amazing releases despite being a relatively new label. I worked with them last year on the vinyl edition of the compilation 'Complete and Total Fucking Mayhem' and that turned out great so I was happy to work with them again. The 'Coagulating Darkness' vinyls turned out amazingly to.



7.Besides  the  debut  release  does  the  band  have  any  past  releases  still  availible  for the readers?Besides physical releases is  their  any  other  merchandise  availible  for the  readers if  yes what  is  availible  and  where can  the readers  buy  it?

Indeed, there are a number of releases still available at various labels/distros online. Just visit the Hellripper bandcamp page for a list of releases that I personally have available and check out the websites of the labels who put out each release. Alternatively, a quick google search will give you all the places that have Hellripper stuff in stock.  Regarding merchandise, there are a couple of t-shirt designs available at the moment as well as a couple of patches. These can be found on the bandcamp page. (http://www.hellripper.bandcamp.com).

8.In your  opinion  what is  the  best  and  worst  thing  about the underground  scene today?And  what  does underground  metal  mean  to  you?

The best thing about the underground scene today is that there is so many good bands. Almost everyday I discover a new band that I become a fan of. The worst thing would be all of the elitists that refuse to get out of their comfort zone and then spout shit as if their opinion is gospel.

Underground to me is just the community of metal bands and fans that are in it for the music. Supporting other bands, buying their merch, going to shows, sharing new bands with friends.


9.I know you  have  session  members to  play  live  show when  did you  decide  to  start  playing  live?What  have  been  some  of the  most  memorable  show you  have  played  so  far?

I always thought it would be cool to play live shows with Hellripper but didn't have a willing line-up. When I found a bunch of friends that were keen on playing live shows, we got a few local shows booked quite quickly. We have only played a couple of shows so far and I would say the first gig we played was the best because it was in a small rehearsal room and the energy in there was nuts. We have a show in October at Old Grave Fest in Romania with a couple of my favourite bands such as Necrophobic and Blackevil. So, if all goes to plan, that will hopefully be the most memorable show so far.

10.Are  their  any  tours or  shows  coming  up  in  support  of  Coagulating Darkness? If  yes  where  will  the  band  be  playing  and  who  are  some  bands you  will  share the  stage  with?


We have the show in Romania that I mentioned previously which is our only planned show for the moment.


11.Have  you  started  working  on  new  music for the  next  full length? 

I have got a few riffs and ideas for the next full-length but that's a long way from being ready at the moment as I have a specific vision in mind for the album. 
I have however, got a bunch of songs ready for upcoming splits and possibly an EP for the next year or so. So there should be no shortage of Hellripper releases for the near future haha.


12.When  not  working  on  new  music  or  band  business  what  do you  like to  do  in your  free  time?

To be honest, that's basically all I do. If not working on music, I will be listening to it or will be at a local show. Other than that, I'll be watching some shit on TV haha.


13.Besides  HellRipper  do you  currently  work  with  any  other  bands or solo  projects?If  yes  please  tell the readers  a  little  about  them?

I am also the sole-member of Lock Howl which is a post-punk/goth band influenced by bands like Type O Negative, Beastmilk, Opeth, Editors. I released the debut album for that in February of this year.
 I am the sole-member of Lord Rot, a death metal project influenced mainly by the Swedish scene such as Unleashed, Repugnant, Entombed, Dismember. So far only an EP has been released but a split with American band VHS is planned for later in the year and will be followed by a full-length hopefully sometime in 2018.
I play guitar and perform vocals in crust band Rats of Reality. We have released 3 EP's with each differing in sound slightly. Our latest, 'Obsequies' incorporates some influences from bands such as Oathbreaker and Converge to our style originally inspired by Darkthrone, Celtic Frost and the likes.

14.Thank  you  James  for  taking the  time  to  fill this  interview  out  do you  have  any  final  comments  for the  readers?

Thank you for taking the time to conduct this interview! If anyone is still reading, check out Hellripper on facebook and bandcamp!

                                                                    Band  Contacts
                                                            https://www.facebook.com/Hellripper1
                                                             https://hellripper.bandcamp.com/
                                                                      Label  Contacts
                                                              http://www.barbarianwrath.org/
                                                             https://barbarianwrath.bandcamp.com/
                                                            https://plus.google.com/u/0/+BarbarianWrathOrg
                                                               

Draghkar interview done by Patrick posted on 8-21-17

Interview  with  BW.  vocalist and  guitarist   of  Draghkar   done  by  Patrick



1. Hello  please  introduce yourself  to the  readers?
BW: Hello, I’m BW, the guitarist, vocalist, main songwriter, and founder of Draghkar, a death metal band from Los Angeles, California. 


2. When  did you  first  discover  metal  music  and  who  were  some  of the  first  bands you listened  to?

BW: I was actually raised on metal; my dad isn’t really into extreme metal (with some exceptions), but I grew up on a steady diet of Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sleep, and whatever he happened to be into over the years. Some of the first bands that I had an independent interest in were Metallica and Slayer as a kid, neither of which my dad is into- he mostly loves things that are slow and heavy, and that means that he stopped listening to thrash in probably ’85 or ’86, according to him. He was definitely extremely formative to my taste (in particular my love of doom metal, but just in general as well), and introduced me to bands like Celtic Frost and Rotting Christ a bit later down the line.


3. When did  you  first  get the  idea  to  form  this  band? How did you choose  Draghkar   as the name  of  this  band?

BW: I’ve only been playing guitar for a couple of years (started halfway through December 2013), but I knew pretty soon after starting that I wanted to write and play music. I started doing vocals right around the same time as I picked up the guitar at the urging of a good friend (“how the hell can you listen to so much death metal and not try growling yourself?”) and was well on my way to writing music within the year. The summer before releasing World Unraveled, I was driving and listening to Massacre’s “From Beyond” and had the idea for a song pop into my head. From there, I went home and wrote the first Draghkar song in a period of about four hours. Though I ended up scrapping the song in the end, I was able to use it to recruit a bassist and drummer (neither of which ended up staying in the band through the recording of the demo), and the band came from there. The name comes from a monster from a classic epic fantasy series, Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time.” 


4. Draghkar   is   getting  ready  to  release  their  debut demo  World Unraveled which  will  be  released  through Blood Harvest Rec. how  did you come  in contact with this  great  label?

BW: After digitally releasing the demo back in February, I asked a couple of friends with a lot of experience for advice on finding a label. One of the promos I sent out went to Rodrigo, and to my immense shock, he emailed me back about putting it out. Given how good the label and their roster are, I had no expectation at all of ending up on Blood Harvest, and I’m extraordinarily proud and grateful for the opportunity. 


5. How  long  did it  take  the  band to  write  the music for  the  debut  release? Where  did  you  draw  inspiration  for  the  lyrics  on  the  debut and  what  are  some  subjects  you  wrote  about  on the  debut

BW: I wrote the music for the demo more or less on my own over a period of three or four months. The lyrics come from the same book series as the band name, and cover a conceptual storyline from the novels that culminates in the end of the world. This was mostly as a homage to Robert Jordan, whose literature was foundational for the development of my taste in fantasy; future releases will not be inspired by the same material except insofar as all of the things that I love come together to influence my songwriting.


6. Besides  the  debut  World Unraveled  does  the  band  have  any  other merchandise  available? If yes  what  is  available and  where  can the readers  buy  it?

BW: We have shirts, a small amount of longsleeves, and patches available on our bandcamp page, and when we start gigging in the near future, all of those will also be available at shows.

7. I believe  Draghkar  is  a  two  man  band  are their  any  plans to  add more  members to make  a  full band  or  do you  prefer to  work  as  a two man  band?

BW: The lineup has changed again since the demo, and has been filled out to form a full band for writing, recording, and live purposes. I enjoyed functioning as a two-piece, but I have nothing against larger lineups.


8. What does underground metal mean to you?

BW: It represents a spirit of discovery and love towards music more than any single other thing. There’s a wild variety of people involved with making metal music, and I’ve met people making well-respected underground music that range from bartenders to teachers to engineers to cashiers to attorneys, with personality types that range as widely as their careers do. Between the introverts, extroverts, extraordinarily kind and intelligent people, and the moronic assholes, there’s always at the very least a deep shared love for this music that goes beyond aesthetic or style. As much as I like other types of music, metal is and likely always will be the dearest to my heart, and especially where the pulse of the underground lies.


9. Besides  working  in  Draghkar do  you  currently  play  in  any  other  bands? If yes  please  tell  the readers about  them?

BW: Yes, actually! I’m releasing a black metal demo with a couple of friends under the project name of Grave Spirit in the extremely near future and working on a traditional heavy metal project with a couple of other guys. Both of those are firm studio projects with no intention of playing live; I like to have a way to write music without the concern for being able to replicate it live or having to dump the time into rehearsing it. Though the heavy metal project is still unnamed and seems far from a release, Grave Spirit’s first demo, Beast Unburdened By Flesh, will hopefully be out within a month of me responding to this interview. I am extremely excited for its release, and think it’s some of the best material I’ve written to date.


10. Draghkar  comes  out  of California's death metal  scene  what  is your  opinion  of   the metal  scene in  California?

BW: I think that it’s been getting better and better in the last few years. It’s always had a ton of creativity in the Bay Area, and Los Angeles had a massive scene in the ‘80s of course, but Southern California had relatively little going on for years. These days, the Bay Area is among the foremost death metal scenes in the world in my opinion, and Southern California has had good bands popping up faster than I ever would have believed.


11. Who  are your  all-time  favorite  Californian bands  and  are  their  any  new  bands you  feel the  readers  should  check  out  soon?

BW: I almost feel like being from California is cheating when asking about all time bands from the state because so many of my all time favorites in general are from here. Bands like Tyrant, Slough Feg, Possessed, Terrorizer, Hexx, Slayer, and Autopsy make up a lot of the backbone of my listening, and always will. For newer bands, though, I can’t recommend Ascended Dead or Necrosic enough, and though they’re technically a reformation, Ruin is a big recent favorite as well. Some other bands to check out include the mighty Rude, Ancient Empire, Vastum, Acephalix, and Skeletal Remains, and for bands that just popped up in the last couple of years, there’s Crematory Stench, the aforementioned Necrosic, Ensepulcher, and Funeral Chant, off the top of my head. 


12. BW  you  handle  the  vocals  for the band  when  did you  start growling? Do  you  do  anything  special  to  keep your  throat and voice  healthy?


BW: Like I mentioned earlier in the interview, I started around the same time that I picked up the guitar, so either in late 2013 or early 2014. Other than just making sure that I don’t strain myself to the point where it hurts, I have nothing particularly special that I do; I was taking singing lessons for regular clean singing for a bit to protect my voice when I do that, but I was growling before I was singing, and my habits for the style remain unchanged.


13. Who  are  some  of your  favorite  vocalists?

BW: David Vincent on the classic Morbid Angel stuff, Martin Van Drunen across all of his bands, Rob Halford who needs no introduction, James Rivera from Helstar and a slew of side projects, Chris Reifert from Autopsy, Jukka Kolehmainen from Abhorrence, and the mighty Bruce Dickinson come to mind. I’m also a huge fan of Johan Langquist, who sang on Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, as well as Robert Lowe, the vocalist of Solitude Aeturnus. Really too many to name.


14. Besides  the  vocals  you also  take care  of the  guitars when  did you become  interested in  playing the  guitars? Are you self-taught or  did you  take  lessons  when  first  starting out?


BW: The same friend who convinced me to start doing vocals got me interested in playing guitar. He was always playing when we hung out, and after harassing him to play the same cool riffs over and over again, he got fed up and told me that if I got a guitar, he’d just show me how to play them myself. I ended up taking lessons for a couple of months, but for the most part am self taught aside from some valuable lessons on how to properly hold the guitar and pick (turns out I’d initially been doing it wrong) as well as on how to warm up, stretch, and minor details like that. 



15. Who  are  some  of your influences and  favorite guitarists? Besides  the vocals and guitars do you currently  play  any other  instruments?

BW: If I had to point at just a handful of influences as a musician and guitar player, I’d point first to Trey Azagthoth, Tony Iommi, and Tom Warrior. I learned a lot of guitar from Morbid Angel, Black Sabbath, and Frost/Hellhammer riffs, and couldn’t separate them from my guitar playing even if I wanted to. Some other massive influences are Eric Cutler from Autopsy, the guys behind Abhorrence and early Amorphis, Chuck Schuldiner from Death, and Bolt Thrower as a whole both for my guitar playing and for how I do vocals.  As of right now, I only play guitar and do vocals.

16. Thank  you  BW. for  taking the  time to  fill this  interview  out  do you  have  any final  comments for  the  readers?

BW: Stay morbid, stay death, stay metal, buy some Draghkar merch, and check out Grave Spirit. 

                                                             Band  Contacts

                                                         https://draghkar.bandcamp.com/releases

                                                         https://www.facebook.com/DraghkarBand/

                                                            Label  Contacts

                                                     http://www.bloodharvest.se/

                                                  https://bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com/

Reviews done by Patrick posted on 8-20-17

Draghkar--World  Unraveled  cassette {Blood Harvest  Rec.}
California's Draghkar  are a band  who  are  getting ready to  release  their debut  demo  cassette.World  Unraveled  is  three songs of heavy,aggressive  old school  death metal.The vocals  are low,deep  death  metal  growls.The  drums  are a mix  of  well played mid  paced drum  patterns mixed  with  some some hyperspeed blast beats used in a  few of the  songs.If you are  a  fan  of  {early} Autopsy,Exhumed and other  90's death metal  then  don't  miss  out on  World  Unraveled.
                                                                                                                          Label  Contacts
                                                                                                                  http://www.bloodharvest.se/
                                                                                                          https://bloodharvestrecords.bandcamp.com/



Letal  Cross--Maldita  Nacion  cd {Self-Released}
Letal  Cross are blackend thrash metal  band coming  out  of  the Chilean  metal  scene.And  this is  a  review of  the bands  second demo  featuring  four  tracks.The guitars  are done  with extremely fast and chaotic riffs but  do  slow to  a more  calmer and  mid paced range.The  guitarist  does play  a lot of  aggressive and violent patterns  but  can also  write well executed  slower parts mixed in with the music.The  vocals  are  raw,grim  black metal screams.If you are  a  fan  of  old-school blackend thrash  metal  then  be  sure to  check  out  Letal  Cross  today.
                                                                 Band  Contact
                                                     https://letalcrossmetal.bandcamp.com/
                                                        https://www.facebook.com/letalcross




Narbeleth--Indomitvs   cd  {Folter Rec.}
Cuba's   Narbeleth  are back  with their  fourth  release  Indomitvs featuring eight tracks of  cold black  metal.The  guitar  work  is done with  a lot  of  skill and  experience.Going from  a raw fast and frenzied  guitar  pattern  to  a  more  controlled mid paced  guitar  pace  throughout the songs.The  drums  are played with the  same  style  going  from a  controlled mid paced  to  a more  crazed  fast  drumming  style.The vocals are black metal  screams  that  are done with  a lot  of  power.
                                                                                     Label  Contacts
                                                                               http://www.folter666.de/
                                                                         https://folterrecords.bandcamp.com/





Profundis Tenebrarum--Disciples Of  Venomous Death  cd {Egregor  Rec.}
Profundis Tenebrarum are a band  who  come  out of  Spain's  black metal  scene with  their  newest  full length  Disciples Of  Venomous Death.Starting  the  release  off with a well  written and  performed  intro  the  music  wastes little  time in going  full force with  raging,fast black metal.The music  is  played  with  a lot  of  intense fast  black metal but  does slow to  a  more  mid paced  range  in  a  few of the  songs.The  vocals  are  raw black  metal  screams  that  fit  the  band  very  well.If you  are familiar  with  Profundis Tenebrarum past  releases  then you know  what  to  expect  but if you  have never heard the  band and  like occult  black  metal  then  be  sure to  pick  this release  up today.
                                                                     Label  Contact
                                                                https://egregor-records.bandcamp.com/
                                                         https://www.facebook.com/egregorrecords


Putrid  Offal--Anatomy  cd {Xenokorp  Rec}
Putrid  Offal are  a  long running French brutal death,gore  band who  released  their  newest  release Anatomy.The first  two  songs  are  brand new  songs are Anatomy  and  Didactic Exploration.Both  songs  are  played  in the  same as previous Putrid Offal's releases combing both powerful,heavy  riffs.Besides  the  two new songs  their  are  re-recorded  versions  of Rotted Flesh  and Gurgling  Prey  featuring  some  of the best death,grind  out there today.The  music  is  played  with a lot  of  skill  and  chaotic fast  drumming  and  guitars.If  you are  a  fan  of  Putrid  Offal's  previous  releases then  be  sure to  pick  this  cd  up today.
                                                                                                              Label   Contacts
                                                                                                         http://www.xenokorp.com/
                                                                                                         https://twitter.com/xenokorp

Purtenance interview done by Patrick Posted on 8-20-17

Interview  with  Purtenance  done  by   Patrick

1.Hello  how  are  things  going  with you  these days? Please introduce  yourself  to  the  readers?

- Hi, we are doing pretty fine these days. I am Ville Koskela, vocalist of Purtenance. Other members of Purtenance are Harri Salo - drums, Juha Rannikko - guitar, Tero Aalto - bass and Simo Rouvinen - guitar. Harri and Juha are original members of Purtenance, they started the band back in the late 80’s. I Joined Purtenance in 2011 and Tero and Simo came along in 2015.

2.When  did you  first  discover  metal  music  and  who  were  some  of the first  bands you  listened to?

- Harri and Juha discovered metal in the early 80’s, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Slayer, Metallica etc. The usual ones that, guys of that time listened. My first experience with metal was in 88’ when I stole my brothers cassette of Twisted Sisters! But my mind was blown when Purtenance released ”Member of Immortal Damnation” in 1991. Harri is my cousin and I was so amazed of the sound that I heard, that still, this day, I get shivers when I listen that album and sing songs from it!

3.Back in  the early  90's  tape trading  was  a big  part of the  underground  scene  did you  ever  do  much  tape trading?

- Juha used to do that. He has remembered that time occasionally and tells that he used, at some point, record a cassette or two daily. He sent letters and cassettes around the world a lot. Fun times he has said, but very time consuming. 

4.Purtenance  was  formed  back  in  1991   what  gave  you  the  idea  to  form this  band?And  who  would  you  say  are the bands  biggest  influences?

- Actually Purtenance was formed in 1989 by the name Purtenance Avulsion. Death metal was just the most extreme music to play and it was just the thing the guys were searching for. What I’ve been told, Napalm Death, Obituary, Cannibal Corpse and the like have been big influences for Purtenance. Even though, you can’t really found those bands from us, do you? At least very obviously.

5.Why  did you  all  stop  the  band  back in the mid 90's? And  what  gave you  the idea to  reform  Purtenance  in 2012?

- The very common answer why Purtenance went to hibernation - guys grew up. Work, families and lack of spare time were the biggest reasons. When in 2011, ”Member of Immortal Damnation” had it’s 20 year anniversary, Dave Rotten was contacting Harri and Juha, with whom I had been playing for a year together (I’ve played with Harri from 2006, in different project) at that point, and gave them proposal. He said that if Purtenance would return, he would sign a deal with us to release new stuff. So Harri and Juha asked me to join them in new lineup of Purtenance (they did ask other old members, but they had no interest, nor intention to join the band again) to play bass and do vocals. What can one say to that!!?? Of course! They were the first death metal band I’ve heard ever (I was 11 when they released their first album).

6.Paradox  Of Existence  is  the  bands  newest  release  how  long  did it  take  to  write the  music for this  release?

- Music was written during the first half of 2016. We started to record the song in autumn of 2016 and it took like couple of months. We had no deadlines and we took our time with it. We did the recording and mixing by ourselves and only mastering was done by someone else. It was mastered by Jaakko Virtalähde at Virtalähde Mastering. We have worked with him with ”Awaken from Slumber” and ”…to Spread the Flame of Ancients”. He just does the final touch to our sound on records. We are amazes every time by his work, he ”cleans” the filth of our mixes! Hah!

7.Who  usually  takes  care  of  writing the lyrics  and  what  are  some topics you  all  wrote  about on the  new  release?

- I usually handle the duties of writing lyrics. At this release, Simo wrote lyrics for two of the songs, ”Vicious Seeds of Mortality” and ”Paradox of Existence”. My topics, as usual, wander around death, death and death. I’m simple and death provides endless stories to be told. As for topics concerning Simo’s lyrics, as far as I know, tells stories of deep dark aspects of life and everything. He’s writing style differs from mine and it gives us more diversity. He’s roots are more in black metal and mine are in punk and hardcore.

8.Besides   the  Paradox  Of Existence  release  are  any of the  bands previous  releases  still  available to  buy? Besides  the releases  does the band  have  any  other merchandise available for the readers  if yes what  is  available  and  where  can the  readers  buy  it?

- Good question. We have no knowledge other that in Xtreem Music’s webstore is the only official place to buy our stuff, www.xtreemmusic.com . Of course many other place maybe sells our stuff, but that’s the only one we know for sure. Selling is not our stuff, obviously as you can see…

9.What  have  been  some  of  Purtenance's  most  memorable  shows  over  the  years?

- Well, both of our shows outside of Finland, Ritual Zombi Fest 2013 in Madrid and Obscene Extreme 2017 in Czech Republic, will surely be the most memorable, in my opinion. Our show at Finnish Death Metal Maniacs Festival will have very special in my mind also. It might not been our best performance, but the fact that Timo Häyrinen sang same time with Harri and Juha, for the first time in 20 years and last time ever, was pretty amazing for a fan that has listened Purtenance since he was 11…

10.Are  their  any  tours or  shows  planned  in support  of  the  new  release? If  yes  where  will the  band  be  playing?

- We only have one show booked at this moment. 15th of September we will play at Tampere, Finland, with Lucifericon and Lantern. No other shows are currently coming. Just last week we hooked up with Etrurian Legion Promotion and with them we have something in planning but nothing to tell at this point.

11.Purtenance  comes  out  of  the  Finnish  death metal  scene  what  is your  opinon  of  Finland's metal  scene  over  the  years?

- Finland’s metal scene has been, is and hopefully continues to be, very original. I mean, bands sound as themselves, most of the time. In the past death metal bands, even from the same town, used to sound something completely different than for example Swedish bands. Nowadays standards may have flatten the difference, but as long as there are the ”fuck that” attitude around, bands continue to have their distinctive sound and way of doing things.

12.Who  are  some of your  all-time  favorite  bands  coming  out  of  Finland's  metal  scene? And  are  there  any  new  bands you  feel  the  readers  should  check  out  soon?

- Call me lame or anything you like but I really like old Amorphis and Sentenced. Before they were anything big, that is. From newer bands I definitely have to mention Galvanizer and Kruor (well they might not be that new but anyway). Galvanizer kick so much ass that it’s always to pleasure to see them play (I’ve seen them like seven times!).

13.In your  opinion  what  is the  best  and  worst  thing  about  the  underground  scene  today? And  what  does  underground  metal  mean  to you?

- Worst thing is the narrow mindedness of people. They refuse to see anything but themselves. Best thing is that underground is alive. It has always been and it always will be. It does not follow trends and it does not care anything else. So the worst and best things are almost the same! Hah! Underground metal means to me total freedom to do what I want, almost like punk and hardcore scene let’s you. There are still too much ”rules” to follow to have that freedom that it’s absurd. To do what you want and enjoy don’t need to have rules, just respect and honesty for others and to yourself.

14.When  not  working  on  new  music  or  band  business what  do  you  enjoy  doing  in your  free  time?

- Spend time with my family, watch movies, walk outside in forests and sleep! Even that Purtenance isn’t that big band, it takes a lot of my spare time. Maybe it’s the sacrifice you have to make, to have a band that you care about.

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

- Stay True! Stay as yourself! Death will take us all someday, don’t let it surprise you, live while you can!"

                                                   Band    Contacts  

                                            https://www.facebook.com/Purtenance

                                             https://www.instagram.com/purtenanceofficial/

                                                  Label   Contacts

                                              http://shop.xtreemmusic.com/english.main.index.php

                                                    https://xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com/

Interview with Ignominious done by Patrick posted on 8-13-17

Interview  with  Ignominious  done  by  Patrick



1.Hails  when  did you  first  get  the idea  to  form  this band?And  how  did you  choose  the name  Ignominious does it  have a special  meaning?

Hails! After some failed musical attempts I decided to take matters into my own hands and I got the idea to form Ignominious in winter of 2007. I always wanted a name that has negative meaning and not reserved by other bands. It's in English but it looks like a Latin word. Perfect for the band.

2.What is  the  current line up  of the  band and  who  would  you  say  are  the bands   biggest  influences?

We all are founding members the line up hasn't changed over the years. Mephyriz - bass / vocals, Netherial - guitars, Haermoth - guitars, Alastor - drums. The biggest influences of the band are 90's black metal albums. Without completness, Gorgoroth's first three albums, Obtained Enslavement's first, Taake's first, Those of the unlight and Opus nocturne from Marduk, demo of Strid and so on.

3.The Throne And The  Altar  is  being  released  through Hidden Marly Prod. how  did you  come  in  contact  with this  label?

When we were looking for label who release Death walks amongst mortals we made a list. That was in 2011. If I remember well, our drummer, Alastor found it on the internet. We asked Shota Oishi, the owner of the label to release our material and he agreed. That was the first time we came in contact with Hidden Marly Productions.

4.How  long  did  it take  the  band to  write the  music  for  The Throne And The  Altar?Does  the  whole  band  take  part in  the  writing  process or does  one  member  usually  write  everything?

The throne and the altar writing process took at least two years. I started to write the songs before the release of Death walks amongst mortals. The songs and the lyrics needed time to reach their final form. I'm the songwriter I have written every song.

5.Who   usually  takes  care  of  writing the lyrics and   what  are  some  subjects  you all wrote  about  on  the  new release?

I have written every lyrics. The main lyrical line is death and passing later on. The lyrical topics on our new album include the fall of royal and ecclesiastical power, too.

6.Besides  the  new  cd  coming  out  does the band  have  any of the  previous  releases  still  available  for purchase?Besides  physical releases is  their  any  other  merchandise  available if  yes  what  is  available and  where  can  the readers  buy  it?

Yes we have a lot of demo CDs at home and some of the Death walks amongst mortals album. We don't know how to sell them at the moment. We have a bandcamp page: https://ignominiousofficial.bandcamp.com/ . There you can download our two demos for free and you can listen or buy our albums in digital format.

7.Ignominious  comes out of  the  Hungarian black metal  scene  what  is your  opinion  of the  metal scene in  Hungary?

I have not followed the evolution of the Hungarian black metal scene for a long time so I don't have any opinion about it.

8.Who  are your  all-time  favorite  bands  coming out of  Hungary?And  are  their  any  new  bands you  feel  the  readers  should  check  out?

I don't have any favourite Hungarian band but I can recommend you some. Old thrash metal / proto black metal bands like Tormentor, Fantom, Antichrist, Detonátor. A black metal band I like is Witchcraft. You should check them out. They have been active since 1996 and I played two shows with them between 2013 and 2014 as bass player.

9.Besides  bands  are  their  any honest and reliable distro's or  labels  you  could  recommend  to the  readers?

The only reliable distro / label I know that you should check is Neverheard Distro.

10.What  does  black  metal  mean  to you?

Black metal has the perfect melodic world and atmosphere that assists me to express my views and feelings in musical way.

11.Besides  playing  in  Ignominious  do  you  or any  of the  members  currently work  with  any other  bands  or  solo  projects?

Only our drummer, Alastor plays in a goregrind band called Enema Shower.

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

Thank you for the opportunity! Keep the black art alive! Mephyriz / Ignominious - Heralds of passing since 2007.

                                                           Band  Contacts

                                                      https://www.facebook.com/ignominiousmetal/

                                                       https://ignominiousofficial.bandcamp.com/

                                                                 Label  Contact

                                                            http://hidden-marly.org/

                                                           https://hiddenmarlyproduction.bandcamp.com/

Syn Ze Sase Tri done by Patrick on 8-13-17

Interview  with  Syn  Ze  Sase Tri   done  by  Patrick

1.Hello  please  introduce  yourself  to  the  readers?

Hello there! I am Corb guitarist and vocalist of the most bloody and powerful metal band from Transylvania-Romania. And not only! Haha

2. Syn  Ze  Sase Tri   was  formed  in  2007  when  did you  all  get the idea to  start this  band?And  how  did you  choose   Syn  Ze  Sase Tri   as the name of the  band  does it  have a  special  meaning?

Me and the first members of Syn Ze Sase Tri we had sung together before Syn Ze Sase Tri, in several bands approaching genres of extreme metal generally, bands that have influenced and led to the birth of this band. The name itself is inspired by a pre-Christian prayer dedicated to a deity, prayer carved on a gravestone which was discovered by archaeologists here in Romania, which translated would mean “I’m with triple six”.  This number, 666, being away from the occult meaning, in many cases in the pre-Christian mythology being assigned as the limit between the world of gods and men, a sacred number. The prayer itself was incorporated into the song “Ruga” (The Prayer) a song that ends our first album. The prayer became the perfect starting point for the whole concept of the band and the name gave the identity of who we are today as a band.

3.What  is  the  current  line-up  of  the  band  and who  would you  say  are the  bands  biggest  influences are?

On this album Syn Ze Sase Tri is:

Corb - vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion, traditional instruments, synth and programables

Mos - electric guitars

Dor - drums

Suier - vocals

On this album we had an army of musicians which are playing in some of the greatests bands from Romania as guests, which I would like to mention with this occasion:

Ovidiu Ioncu "Kempes" (facebook.com/Kempes.Official)

Andy Ghost (facebook.com/altar.ro)

Robert Dohar 

Constantin "Castor" Lapusneanu (facebook.com/GODtheHorde)

Dudu Isabel (facebook.com/duduisabel) 

Alin Moise (facebook.com/AlinMoiseOfficial)

Andy Ionescu (facebook.com/taineband)

Cristi Gram (facebook.com/CristiGramOfficial)

Aura Danciulescu (facebook.com/scarletaura)

Adrian "Geagea" Marias (facebook.com/marias.adrian)

Nicolae Covaci (facebook.com/nicucovaciphoenix)

Costin Adam (facebook.com/TranssylvaniaPhoenixOficial)

Titi Dragomir(facebook.com/vestphoenix.cover)

Andrei Oltean (facebook.com/eanna.romania)

Me as the composer and founder of the band, i was very moved by the conceptual music. The Wall of Pink Floyd, or the music of King Diamond, Avantasia or even better Scenes From A Memory of Dream Theater were my guiding point. I always wanted to make music which has a story. I like to listen to something that keeps me nailed to the music for the entire album, not just on some tracks. But of course other bands from extreme music such as Dimmu Borgir, Emperor or Cradle of Filth, had a big impact over me so from all those Syn Ze Sase Tri was born. I listen to anything that sends an emotion, that has something to say. Otherwise is a waste of energy and time.

4.The  band  is  signed  to  Code 666 Rec.  How  did you  all come  contact  with this  label?

In 2009 i joined Negura Bunget as full time member for 2 years, and in this time I got to knew Emi from Aural Music, and that was the moment when we started this collaboration which now is at the 4'th album and going on.

5.Zaul Mos  is  the band's  fourth  full length release  how  long  did  it  take  the  band to  write  the  music  for  this  release?

I started working on it at the end of 2015 and it took me until the end of the recordings in May 2017. It was a continuous process of creation and recordings.

6.Who  usually  handles  writing  the lyrics  for the  band and  what  are  some  subjects  you  wrote  about  on  Zaul Mos ?

I compose the music and the lyrics as well. For this album as for the previous 3 albums, the subjects are taken from the Romanian mythology, folklore and history. It is a fantasy, a fabulation, but it contains facts that have a deep foundation in our culture.

7.Does  Syn  Ze  Sase Tri    play  live  very  often  or do you  prefer to  work  in the  studio? What  have  been  some  of the  bands most memorable  shows  over the  years?

Yea, we like to play live as much as we can. It is hard to book shows nowadays because the industry is overwhelmed, but we try to get to as many shows as possible. 

 The best shows so far for us were the ones in which we opened for the biggest names in metal, such as Dimmu Borgir, Mayhem, Dark Funeral or Carach Angren. Why? Because at that level of organisation and the importance of the events, we had our chance to prove in the same conditions and to the same public that we are close to their level, a fact that the public shared with us, and was somehow our certitude that we are doing the right thing.

8.Are  there  any  tours  or  shows  planned  for  the new release? If  yes  where  will  the band be  playing?

In september we will have a european tour, THE ELDER GOD TOUR, which will be the first leg of the promotional tour of the new album, tour that will be continued in the spring and throughout the rest of the 2018.

You can see us live in september as follows:

16/09/2017 - Osijek, HR - Exit Club

17/09/2017 - Bjelovar, HR - Mario Pub

18/09/2017 - Wien, AT - Viper Room Club

19/09/2017 - Zurich, CH - Ebrietas Pub

20/09/2017 - Munich, DE - Garage Deluxe Club

21/09/2017 - Praha, CZ - Fatal Music Club

22/09/2017 - Bratislava, SK - Fuga Music Club

23/09/2017 - Poprad, SK - Rock Fabric Club

24/09/2017 - Kosice, SK - Colloseum 

9.Has   Syn  Ze  Sase Tri    ever  made  a  video  for  any of their songs? Are there  plans to  make one  for  any  of the songs off  the  new release? If you  could  which  song  would you  like to  see made into  a  video?

Sadly until now we did not manage to make any real music video, and we will not make one until we will be able to make a professional one. We have in plan to make one but it will take a lot of time, effort and money because it will be very cinematic. Something like our version of Lord Of The Rings. Haha. I hope that next year we will make it, and for sure you will hear about it too.

10.Besides  working  in  Syn  Ze  Sase Tri   do  any  of the  members  currently  work with  any other  bands or  solo  projects? If  yes  could you  please tell the readers  a  little  about  them?

Two of my band mates, the drummer and the lead singer are playing in some other bands like Malpraxis and An Theos, bands that are also very good and have their own identity and message. I cannot say much about their activity in those bands because i am focused on Syn Ze Sase Tri, but for sure i can recommend them to be listened. Check them out!

11. Syn  Ze  Sase Tri   comes  out  of  Romania's  black metal  scene  what  is your  opinion  of  the  Romanian  metal  scene?

I have a very good opinion. We have here a lot of good bands, take your time and search for Trooper, Bucovina, Gothic, Target, Kempes, Altar, Seven, God the barbarian horde, Alin Moise, Taine, Awake, Scarlet Aura, Transsylvania Phoenix, L.O.S.T., Malpraxis, Necrovile, Clitgore, E-an-na, Cargo, Resita Rocks, An Theos, Ashaena, and those are just a few that comes to my mind right now.

12.Who  are  your  all-time  favorite  bands coming out  of  Romania? And  are their  any  new  bands  you  feel  the  readers  should  check  out  soon?

All the bands i mentioned above. I strongly recomend them!

13.Besides  working on new  music or  band  business  what  do you  like to  do  in your  spare  time?

I love riding motorcycles, horse riding, carving, painting, working with leather and organic materials, nature, reading, anything that can give me a state of relaxation but in the same time to give me the opportunity to become much better as human. The good thing is that many of these things help me a lot with the band. So it combines the use with the pleasure.

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

Listen to our music and you will find out other great musicians who joined us on this album, buy our CD's, come to our gigs, and support our band. But don't forget to do this with all the bands. Without you, we cannot exist. Without us you have nothing to listen to. So try to support the metal scene as much as you can. Not just the big bands. Once they were like us. 

 Follow us on our facebook page and visit our website www.synzesasetri.ro

 Rock on and get bloodstained! \m/

                                                       Band  Contacts

                                                    www.synzesasetri.ro
                                     https://www.facebook.com/synzesasetri.ro/
                                      https://twitter.com/SynZeSaseTri

Metal reviews done by Patrick posted on 8-12-17

Angelcide--Black Metal Terrorism  cd  {Elegy  Rec.}

Angelcide return with  a  brand  new release containing their  brand  of  raw,violent  black metal.The  music  is is  played  with  both  razor  sharp fast sections mixed with some slower controlled sections within the music.The  guitars range from  cold mid paced  guitar parts but  the  guitarist  does speed up to  a  more aggressive fast guitar range.The  vocals  are  raw,grim black metal  screams.If you  enjoyed  Angelcide's  previous  releases  then  defintly  pick  up  a  copy  of  Black Metal Terrorism.

                                                                             Label  Contact

                                                                  http://www.elegyrecords.org/

                                                                                                                                            

Ignominious--The Throne And The  Altar  cd  {Hidden  Marly Prod.}

This  is  my  first  encounter  with  the Hungarian black metal  band  Ignominious who  play  a  great  style of raw early ninties black metal.The  music is a  blend of raw black metal with  some touches of melodic black metal passages.The  vocals  are done with  raw black metal  screams that done with  a lot of power and emotion.The  guitarist  mainly plays  the slower,mid paced range with  some  faster  guitar patterns in a  few songs.The  drumming is done in the  same  range with  some  very well  written and performed  patterns.If you  are a  fan  of raw early ninties black metal mixed with  some atmospheric parts  then  be  sure to  buy  a  copy  of  The Throne And The  Altar  today.

                                                                                                 Label   Contact

                                                                               http://hidden-marly.org/

                                                                 https://hiddenmarlyproduction.bandcamp.com/

Nuclear Warfare--Empowered By  Hate  cd {MDD Rec.}

Germany's  Nuclear Warfare play  a  very   intense  and violent form  of  thrash  metal.Empowered By  Hate  is a  very  well  written  and  performed  release.The  vocalist  does a  good  job with raw thrashy  screams with  some deeper  gruff vocals  that  really  fit  the  bands music.The  guitarist  can  write  and perform  some  very crazed and fast  guitars.The  guitarist is not  all speed  as their  are some very  well written solo's and mid paced  sections mixed with  the music.If  you  enjoy  well  written  and performed  thrash  metal  be sure to  pick up  Empowered By  Hate  today.

                                                                                                   Label  Contact

                                                                                  http://mdd-records.de/

                                                                         https://twitter.com/MDDRecords

Winds Of  Leng--Horrid Dominion  {digital  release  Self-Released}

Coming  out  of Arizona's black death metal scene  is  Winds Of  Leng with   their  debut  release Horrid Dominion.Starting  off  with a  intro  of  wind and  dark musical  soundscapes that is a perfect  intro to the bands brutal and vicious blackend death metal style.The  drumming  is a mix  of  heavy,pounding mid paced drum patterns  but  do  speed up to a more crazed hyperspeed blast beats throughout  the  songs.The  guitars  are played with extremely fast and  chaotic guitar  patterns.But  the  guitarist does slow to  a more controlled mid paced guitar tone and  some  well played  solo's .The  vocals are  low,deep death metal  growls  with  some raw thrashy  screams.If  you  are  a fan  of barbaric blackend  death  metal  then  defintly  pick up  a  copy  of  Horrid Dominion.

                                                                            Band  Contact

                                                      https://windsofleng.bandcamp.com/

                                                          https://www.facebook.com/WindsofLeng/