Reviews done by Patrick posted up on 10-29-17

Crypts Of  Despair--The Stench Of The Earth cd  {Testimony  Rec.}

Crypts Of  Despair are a new death metal band  coming out of Lithuania.Their debut cd  The Stench Of The Earth  is great release featuring  ten  tracks of heavy old-school death metal madness.The  guitars are played with  both crazed assult of  riffs  and a more controlled  mid paced heavier sound.The guitarist can write and play some well performed patterns and even mixes in some solo's.The vocals  are a mix of raw,gruff growls and some deeper  death growls.If you  are a  fan of  slid death metal  then be sure to  pick up a  copy  of  The Stench Of The Earth  today.
                                                                                    Label  Contacts
                                                          http://testimonyrecords.bigcartel.com/
                                                  https://testimonyrecords.bandcamp.com/music
                                                    https://www.facebook.com/testimonyrecords

Limbsplitter--Chloroform Cocktail   cd  {Unmatched  Brutality Rec.}

Coming out  of  Cleveland Ohio  is Limbsplitter  with  their debut  full length Chloroform Cocktail.Featuring eight tracks of  brutal and gore  filled  death metal.The vocals  are deep death metal growls and some raw thrashy screams are used in  a few tracks.The guitars  are played  with  alot  alot of  skills that go from an all out assult of  fast  riffs and patterns  but  do slow to a more  calmer and mid paced  guitar  parts.If you  are  a  fan of brutal death metal then  be sure to check  out  the  new  release   Chloroform Cocktail  today.
                                                                                
                                                                              Label  Contact
                                                                               http://ubrecords.com/

Rites Of  Daath--Hexing  Graves Mcd  {Godz Ov War Prod.}
Rites Of  Daath  are a  death,doom metal band coming out  of the Polish  scene.Hexing  Graves is the  bands  debut Mcd  featuring five songs of   doomish death metal.The  band does  a  great job of  playing  both  mid paced and  some faster sections.The drums  range from  heavy mid paced to a  faster  drum pace.The vocals  are heavy death growls  that  fit  Rites Of  Daath style perfectly.If you  are a fan of  solid death metal mixed with  some doomish  elements  then be sure to pick up  the debut Mcd of  Rites Of  Daath  today
                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                           

                                                                        Label   Contacts

                                                              http://godzovwar.com/

                                                     https://twitter.com/GodzOvWar

                                        https://godzovwarproductions.bandcamp.com/

Interview with MKM vocalist of Aosoth done by Patrick posted on 10-22-17

Interview  with MKM vocalist  of  Aosoth   done  by  Patrick

1.Hails  MKM  please introduce  yourself to  the  readers? When  did you  first  start listening  to  black  metal?

42 – Male – French – Used to be a die hard “closed minded” active individual in the scene. First time I heard black metal? Outside venom which I hated & still dislike, I guess it was in 91 or so… I don’t recall, back then I was doing a fanzine & tape trading – mostly death metal and from time to time there were recordings sent to me that were “different” & going away from what went mainstream some years after (with the major death metal tours & all that US scene…)   I do remember not being too keen on the second darkthrone album when it came out, since I was really into the first one for instance…. I was young – now I consider this album among the faves of those years.


2.Who   were  some  of  the  first  bands you listened to  and  who  are  some of your  current  favorites?

First bands : usual heavy metal bands from the 80s, garage bands from high school trying to copy them, having also myself a band of that vein then – out of those teenage years, I guess only the drummer & I are still involved in the musical scene, he went into violent hxc & well… here I am now.           Among bands I did listen to when young : I guess there is none I still listen to. Apart from the 1st g’n’r maybe?!     Nowadays : hexen holocaust, impure ziggurat, saqra’s cult, possession are among the ug bands I do listen to lately & non metal : Emma Ruth Rundle latest album.


3.MKM you  formed  Aosoth  in 2002  when  did you first  get  the idea to  start this band?And how  did you  choose  Aosoth as the name of the band does  it  have a  special  meaning?

We used to rent a reh’ room in Paris for some hours per week with Antaeus, those places are expensive as you can guess & since we were all dispatched around the area, it was the only way for us to get a place with all the equipment already present. Our drummer back then kept on missing reh’ and we would end up having a place for two hours – after a while : working on Antaeus riff was enough and we were anyway performing the same setlist at least 3 to 4 times per week. We decided to switch places & our then second guitar player (thorgon) would go behind the drumkit and we would work on more improvised minimalist mid tempo black metal with lyrics taken from chants of the O9A. This is where the name cames from, a poem linked to that order I did read when I was 16 or so and the image did stick to me for years, up to now.


4.What  is the  current line up of  the band?And  who  are  some of  Aosoth's  biggest  influences?

Line up for this recording : Bst for all music & myself for lyrics/visuals.    Influences? Could be anything experienced, to life, from mundane anger to Divine wrath.     Abuse, trust, traitors, deception, all of those could be inspiration.    Music wise : I have no idea, we kept on being compared to Antaeus on the first two releases while I was just the singer on both – it made no sense especially since those reviews were done for the 3rd era of Aosoth : thus with NO other Antaeus member.      When we just had the split mlp & demo : indeed it was a full ANTAEUS line up (minus the drummer) and could have displayed similarities. But when BST came in (after the ambient noise demo time) – I did not feel much of Antaeus. There were even “solos” or thrash elements or speed even at times, which are NOTHING I was or would be into.


5.V:The Inside Scriptures  is  Aosoth's newest  release  how long  did  it  take the band to  write the music for the new release?

More or less 3 years to compose & record & master the whole album + that split track we did on TERRATUR POSSESSION with Norway’s RITUAL DEATH.



6.MKM you  handle the  vocals  for the band so I figure you  write the lyrics for the music? What are  some of  the topics you  wrote  about  on  V:The Inside Scriptures?

Lyrics will be enclosed this time. Each recording is a personal expression of events occurring in my life, engraved with “sounds” & music around it. We are closer to “spoken words” than the “sing along the chorus” type of band.


7.Besides  the new release  are  any of the bands previous  releases  or other merchandise still  available?If  yes  what is  available and where  can the readers buy it?

I think they are… Most are available through Agonia webstore (merch & cd & some vinyls), the latest album will be repressed (IV Arrow in Heart) on vinyl for this November.     Apart from this, all the split release we did are mostly sold out, maybe WTC has some leftovers from the split lp with Order of Orias. And am confident that there  are still copies of the split with RITUAL DEATH there : https://terraturpossessions.com/product/ep/ritual-deathaosoth-split-ep-black-vinyl/

8.MKM I  know you  have  been  a part of  the black metal  scene  for  many years  how do you  feel  the black metal scene  has  evolved  over the  years?

Without considering it to be dead, it’s obviously not matching my vision & what I experienced back in the early 90s. No nostalgic though, it did happen that way, it died somehow & there is something new going on. It has its interesting points but also way too many bullshits I don’t relate to.   Black Metal : SATAN.    All those crust/anarcho/Antifa/Emo/pagan



9.Besides  working in  Aosoth I  know you  have  been  active with many other bands over the years. Are you  currently  working  with any other bands or projects  at  this  time?

Antaeus has had Condemnation out on CD/LP last year. 
Martröð just had its tape version out of the mlp we released a while back, it seems like a new recording might happen in the near future.
No time for anything else for now (nor the cash either tbh)


10.Aosoth  comes  out  of  France's black metal  scene  what is your  opinion  of  France's  black metal  scene?


No opinion about any scene in general. I only take in consideration bands in which individuals I respect are involved. Your music can be as impressive as it is, if I consider the individual as lame : I wont pay attention.   We are not in contact with much bands from around here anyway.


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

DEATHSPELL OMEGA / MASSACRA / MUTILATED – then : Hell Militia, Blacklodge, Temple of Baal, Belektre - Satanicum Tenebrae…. New bands : NECROBLOOD obviously & Impure Ziggurat / Hexen Holocaust.  Ritualization also has had quite its impact lately in their genre.


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

AMSG


                                  Band  Contacts
                             https://www.facebook.com/aosoth/
                            https://soundcloud.com/aosoth
                                 Label  Contacts
                             http://agoniarecords.com/
                           https://www.facebook.com/agoniarecords
                           

Reviews done by Anders posted on 10-21-17

Darkfall - "At The End Of Times" - 2017 (Review by Anders Trim The Fat With A Blow-Torch)

Lame. Bit rate at 160 kbps? For review or not - lame. Anything below 320 kbps and the production is very noticeably depreciated. Even at 320 kbps, there's a difference. Far less but still diminished. Afraid of your music being stolen or don't want to pay for a better form of storage/retrieval? You'd think you'd want to present yourselves or your "clients" in the highest fashion possible. Whatever. On to the music. So, far...boring. Kind of basic "Swedish" sounding mild Old School Death Metal laden Thrash. I'm only on track three out of ten tracks (a total of - almost - fifty-four and a half minutes, to this release?). Oh, the potential agony, therein. I like the "symphonic" intros to the first and fourth song, thus far. That said fourth track - titled "Deathcult Debauchery" has a decent "classical" element to it, that I kind of like (guitars). It's not a "flawless" track, however. It has various meandering spots in it that detracts from the "interesting" portions. Can't really salvage this one for my benefit. I like the beginning to the next track ("Ashes Of Dead Gods") but once the vocals come in...nah. If this music was faster and the vocals were replaced by someone like Chuck Billy (of TestAmenT), Glen Benton (of Deicide), or Erik Rutan (of Hate Eternal), I might find it worthwhile. Ugh...puke...the next song, here, to comment on is titled "Blutgott"...that's what it feels like I have, too! I'm starting to get a bad case of "Blutgott" (guts are churning...is it gonna come out my mouth or anus? Or both?). Goddamn, this is boring. "At The End Of Times"? What does that even mean? Hopefully, it means "total obliteration" and that there will be no memory of sitting here slowly growing older - exponentially - as this music thuds and flops around in my headphones, like a fresh fish out of water trapped in an hourglass destined to rot and stink up the vicinity. Run-on sentences? Run-on "music". This release has the personality of a wet blanket draped on the shoulders of an Episcopalian. I can't delete this fast enough.

http://darkfall.at
http://facebook.com/darkfallmetal

Devangelic - "Phlegethon" - 2017 (Review by Anders Thought It Was Phlegm-a-thon)

Well. Oddly enough, I saw a couple of this band's album covers a day or two ago (before I got this release to review) and was interested in hearing these guys just from that. Two previous releases with Jesus (the supposed "Christ") being chopped to bits on a crucifix and another with him being force fed fecal pudding/sewer sludge - if I remember correctly. However, upon blasting this new album (with a super-mundane cover, at that), umm...well...I'm - definitely - underwhelmed. That's disappointing. Goddamn! I'm on the sixth out of ten tracks and it just sounds like the same song it started out with. Boring. Initially, I thought it sounded like I was on a clanking train (and it still does). I'm imagining we're traveling through a very desolate and hell infested dystopian landscape (think "The End Complete" album cover of Obituary and that scene in "A Nightmare On Elm Street: Part II" where Freddy becomes the school bus driver and they end up perched on a teeter-tottering jagged cliff - man, I should watch that again - it's been a long time since I have...oh...and, maybe, it's like some of those scenes in the movie "Constantine"), which is "cool"...but I'm starting to fall asleep instead of taking in the dire beauty of that said environment - from the unceasing clamor of (and being on) the tracks - going nowhere (and not even THAT fast), here. "Wretched Incantations" is FINALLY something different...but it's just an "intro" of sorts. Ugh...back to the monotonous pounding of the snare drum. There's some fun "cymbal/ride" work going on with the drumming but the rest is that fucking "click, clack, click, clack" of the rickety train rhythm. If I wasn't reviewing this, I'd have turned this one off and jumped from this abomination of a ride a long while back - maybe when we were over a bridge? Hopefully, if I didn't succumb from the impact of hitting the water below - there'd be some crocodiles to finish the job! This release is a solid slab of "something"...and they're skilled in the mechanics of what that "something" is...but there's just not much "creativity" going on, here, to my ears. I just realized there aren't any guitar "solos", either. I don't think. This would be good music to make a "prisoner of war" listen to along side a loaded gun - giving them the ultimatum of either listening to it, in it's entirety, one time (like I did) and go free - or taking a "rug slug" to the noggin. BANG!!!

Official Bandcamp
Comatose Music Site
Devangelic Facebook
Comatose Music Facebook

 Forged In Black - "Sinner Sanctorum" - 2017 (Review by Anders Ain't Got Time To Breed)

I'm surprised I'm liking this thus far. When I sampled it a few seconds here and there to see if it was gonna be an instant "no thanks", I was "on the fence", to use a cliche phrase. I'm giving it a chance and am pleasantly glad I did. The first song is sort of a slow/mid-paced broodingly powerful track. It reminds me of elements of bands such as Metal Church, Savatage, Flotsam and Jetsam, Trouble, and - maybe - later mid-career Black Sabbath. The second song continues in that way. Really heavy rock stylings. Yeah, this is pretty enjoyable, actually. The tuning of the guitars seems "odd". Like they are down-tuned, slightly, but not in whole and half steps, only. They have a bit of a "sick" and "off kilter" way about them. Though, not in a garbage way. Not like sour milk or anything. Kind of like how Immolation has that "atmospheric" tone/tuning that no one else has, if that makes sense? Maybe, it's subtle overdubs doing it? It, actually, helps to add a unique touch to what could be kind of "basic/standard" structures/presentation overall. Track three has a little bit of Judas Priest type leanings in it. Track four rounds out the consistency of this e.p. I'm not "super stoked" about this offering but I can't say anything negative about it, either. It's a little better than "middle of the road" to me...but, I'll - probably - not listen to it again. I still appreciate it for what it's worth!

www.facebook.com/forgedinblacks

Glass Mind - "Dodecaedro" - 2017 (Review by Anders Plagued By Taxidermy)

This is an instrumental album - if you despise instrumental albums, read no further! Or continue reading. I don't care. The first track off this release has heavy elements of Dream Theater, to me. Could be 'cuz that's the most prevalent "Progressive Rock/Metal" band I've enjoyed listening to for decades and I'm familiar with their stylings. The second track is kind of a short piece. Already forgot it. The third track has that Dream Theater element, once again. Not that they have ripped them off...or have they? Either way, this is some fine quality musicianship and presentation. Another short track, next. Track four. Kind of has a Van Halen like drum beat to it. On to the next long track. Over eight minutes on this one. Yeah, anyone who likes Dream Theater should dig this album. Unless they find that it's a little TOO similar? I'm not a complete "fanboy", as it's said, so I don't mind - I guess. One thing that separates these guys from D.T. is these guys don't have any incredible guitar solos (unlike Petrucci). Or ANY guitar solos, for that matter. Just noticed that. Duh! But this is really nice stuff. Oops! Spoke too soon. Guitar solo, here. "Inside the Whale". It's not "incredible"...but it's a solo! Reminds me of someone holding intestines and pretending to play an accordion! Another short "interlude". "Detritus", also has a guitar solo. Nothing special but has a mild flair, to it. Wow...this is total Dream Theater worship, here. 24/7 Dream Theater absorption? Could happen... Second to final track is another short piece. Long, short, long, short... Yep, last track is another longer song. Interesting. Another couple of guitar solos intermingled in there. Did I miss them in the first half of the album? Well. To finish out, here...these muchachos are fantastic musicians! It might be worth finding/exploring/crafting their own "true" style - but I'm not complaining. Good on them.

http://www.rockshots.eu/
http://glassmind.mx/
http://www.facebook.com/glassmind

Gutslit - "Amputheatre" - 2017 (Review by Anders Tugs 'Til Minus The Apostrophe)

This mother of a baboon fucker clocks in at about fifteen seconds shorter than Slayer's - "Reign in Blood" (just as a conversation starter - not that it matters). This is a fast/brutal/creative/fun breath of fresh (fetid?) air, so far! I'm not a "fan" of "pig squeal" vocals but these guys pulled off a short round of those in the middle of "Brazen Bull" that segued into a tasty little guitar solo (in the same octave range!), seamlessly and enjoyably. Let's see if they can keep the momentum of the first real song (track two) throughout. Yep! Some interesting slinky riffs within the hyper-blasts of song three! I'm really liking this so far! Killer solo in "Necktie Party"! They used some interesting panning/mixing choices, on this album. Dynamic! Man, this is unrelenting! Fantastic! Top form...inspired! I should've known these guys would be "sophisticated" musicians when they spell "theatre" like that and not "theater". High quality bludgeoning, fellows! Two thumbs up from me (just don't hack them off before, OR after, I can put them back in my pockets!). This is a fine piece of artistic brutality! I'll listen to this again! Highly recommended if you like fast and frantic music! I give you my approval in your arena with a mallet to the mullet of anyone who disagrees!

Official Bandcamp
Official Facebook
Transcending Obscurity Site
Transcending Obscurity Records Facebook

Reviews done by Anders posted on 10-18-17

Annihilation - "The Undivided Wholeness of All Things" (Review By Anders Like Tears In Rain)
So, this album starts off with an over four minute instrumental? That seems pretty bold on their part. It sounds good, for sure. Has sort of a slow Suffocation meets Immolation vibe to it...but not a rip-off of either band. The second song starts off with a slightly peculiar speedy opening, then - transitions into the more mid-paced mesmerizing churning of ghostly vapors and mist - that expounds throughout this release's entirety. A thick swirling fog in a rocky and desolate (yet, paradoxically, alive and vibrant) forest of unknown lands exudes forth. Vocals, now. Deep and somewhat guttural. They rise up, a bit, in pitch - throughout the song - matching, nicely, with the flowing purple darkness of undulating guitars. There's sort of an opaquely ethereal atmosphere overall - with the drums offering varied combinations to keep the concoction alluring and interesting. They, sort of, have a "jazz" type signature to them. It seems like percussion that could've/would've been in/on those great Death albums...and Control Denied if it would've continued (sans Chuck Schuldiner's "premature" passing). Track four ("The Illusion of Space and Time") has some guitar riffing that reminds me of some of the presentation on Hate Eternal's "Conquering the Throne" (though, played at half speed). There's some Morbid Angel "Gateways to Annihilation" reminiscence going on in "Emptiness Defiled". All the songs are rather "slow", really. Almost pensive. Contemplative. But not - at all - boring. They are powerfully demonstrative with many things going on with each instrument - even if just subtly woven. Again, there's a strong Suffocation type presence interlaced in these songs, primarily. "Omniverse", also, has a tinge of Mithras thrown it to add some cosmically eerie spice. I recommend this album to anyone who likes the other bands mentioned and/or to those who want to listen to something intricately heavy in-between sessions of pure blasting - to "take a breather" or "cleanse the palette", so to speak.

https://www.facebook.com/annihilationpt/

https://annihilationband.bandcamp.com/

Come Back From The Dead - "Caro Data Vermibus" - 2017 (Review by Anders Smelly Whores The Banishment Dew)

So, according to an internet translation device - the title of this e.p. is Latin for "was given to worms". Interesting. Funny! The latter, also, being for the music and concept of this band! Welcome back to 1991! Or 1992! Or 1993! Maybe, 1989, you say? When Death Metal was in its infancy and heralding its point of interest and creativity. Not to mean anything beyond that was and isn't significant, of course. Leaps and bounds, creeps and hounds! "Jinkies and zoinks!" There's just a certain "nostalgia" related to those early years that a lot of "old timers", today, look back at with fondness and irreplaceable certainty of being. This release holds up well as an homage and slightly absurd tongue-in-cheek reverence to those yesterdays of youthful abandonment. It's reminiscent of Entombed and Necrophagia, for the most part, I'd say. Maybe, Unleashed. Maybe, Asphyx. Maybe, early Morgoth. That ilk. The songs, here, are "okay" on their own...nothing "special". Only "endearing" in the sense that the sound/images is/are "retro" without much effort. These guys aren't the Steel Panther of Death Metal. No overt "wink, wink, nudge, nudge" going on here. This e.p. seems like it's for those who were there at the beginning. The days of tape trading. Even the cover art is very much representative of that hey-day (much like the "hey-day of hair spray" in the glam vein). It makes me chuckle in a good way. Though, it seems if these guys are "serious" about what they are doing - it will be intriguing to know where they might go with this. Conceptually? Will it be more about selling t-shirts than music? Novelty? I guess we'll see in another 20 years, if these guys survive and thrive. Though, a lot of us will be literally dead by then...so, how will we know? Enjoy it while you can, I guess. Get a few laughs in, 'cuz you won't get the last laugh - that you can count on!

https://cbftd.bandcamp.com/

Jupiterian - "Terraforming" - 2017 (Review by Anders Thought Expansion Is The Key In The Doorway of Transcendence While The Mind Is The Foot In That Said Doorway That Was Unlocked The Whole Time But Imagined Not To Be)
It's really starting to amaze me that the musical flavors I've been tasting, lately - with regard to "old preferences" and "solidified unsubstantiated biases" have no particular hold on "reality" and "truth". For instance, I "never" liked "Doom Metal" and would furl my brow, sneer, and cringe with disgust when that sub-genre was spoken of. Even "Sabbath" was gag worthy, most of the time. Yes, yes...I know. Blasphemy and treachery! How dare I speak in such ways! I've had a couple of "friends" who gravitated toward that side of the spectrum (one of whom also gravitated toward "BBW's" - a.k.a. Fat Fuckin' Barely Human Females). Planetary destruction in double and triple X entendre proportions? Where am I going with this? The weight? The heaviness? The Doooooooooom! Rhymes with woooooooooomb! And tooooooooomb! But not comb. Why? I don't know. And I don't know why I like what I'm hearing right now. This is classified as "Atmospheric Sludge Doom" and I'm fully ensnared and captivated by it. "Stockholm Syndrome"? I think not... I really have no idea. This is some powerful undulating hypnotic soundscapes. Cleverly crafted. I will recommend this to the second "old friend" that I'm still in contact with - if I remember to, that is. I think there would be a rejoicing upon the mountain of fathomless foundations rising above the sea of mediocrity! The cover art says it all.

https://jupiterian.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jupiteriandoom/

A new writer is helping out the web-zine

Hello
Thanks for  taking the   time to  read  this  post  I  am  posting this  to  introduce  a  new writer  for  this web-zine  his name  is  Anders  and  he  is a  part  of  the  metal/rock band Declared Dead {Check  below  for his bandcamp and  other  sites}  he  has  a  variety  of  influences and favorite genres  so  each  of his  releases  are  different  and  very  original.
I will  be  posting  some  of  Anders reviews  here in a  minute  so  be  sure to  check them  out  and keep  watching the  zine  for more  of Anders  reviews.
Regards
Patrick

Here  are  Declared Dead's  web-sites

Declared  Dead

 DeclaredDead666@aol.com

http://declareddead.weebly.com/

https://declareddead.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXbOyfLZIIUoIN_VoDUS1HA

AND if you  are  a  fan of metal/rock and are looking for something different be sure to download or just listen to his releases.And if you  run a  web-zine or  radio-station  or  show  be  sure to  contact  Anders  about  reviews  or  airplay.

Two New reviews done by Patrick posted up on 10-8-17

Ayat-Carry On,Carrion  cd{Moribund  Rec.}

After a nine year slumber Ayat  return  with their third  full length. Carry On,Carrion  is the bands  newest release featuring ten songs of cold,violent  black metal insanity.The  guitars range  from a raw controlled mid paced style to  a  faster  guitar pace.The guitarist does a  great  job  of playing both mid paced and  a faster guitar pace with some well executed solo's and  patterns mixed into the music.The  vocals are raw,raspy screams and in a few songs some heavier gruff growls are used.If you  are a  fanatic of cold,grim  black metal then  be sure to  pick up  a  copy  of   Carry On,Carrion when it  is released.

                                                                                       Label   Contact

                                                                              http://www.moribundcult.com/

                                                              https://moribundrecords.bandcamp.com

Lycanthropy--A.V.R.E.I.L  cd  {Lower  Silesian Stronghold}

Returning  with  their  sixth full length  release  A.V.R.E.I.L featuring nine tracks of powerful and solid blackend death metal.The  guitar work is great mix of  both a frenzied,fast pace to  a more controlled mid paced pace.The  guitarist  can write some well  written and played  patterns  and even  some solo's mixed into a few  of the songs.The  vocals are a mix of gruff growls and screams mixed with  some higher pitched  black metal screams.If you  have  heard and liked the last  few releases  from  Lycanthropy  then  be  sure to  pick up  a  copy  of the  new  cd  today.

                                                                  Label   Contacts

                                                  http://www.trueunderground.cba.pl/

                                                               Band  Contacts

                                               https://www.facebook.com/LycanthopyBM/

                                                 https://lycanthropy.bandcamp.com/

Interview with Terror Empire done by Patrick posted on 10-8-17

Interview  with  Terror  Empire  done  by  Patrick


1.Hello  please introduce yourself to the  readers? And how  are  things  in  Portugal  these  days? 

Hi, my name is Rui Alexandre, and I’m the guitarist for Terror Empire. I’m also a designer and the founder of Mosher Clothing, a brand metalheads should get to know! Portugal is a wonderful country with a rich History. However, we f-ed up good time and eventually reality took its toll on our economy. As PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain), we’re slaves to debt and to bank. If you think about money has an effect on people’s happiness, things aren’t looking so bright. People are fighting to see who gets the biggest crumble - nobody’s thinking about the whole cake, anymore.

2.When  did you  first  start listening to  metal music and  who  were the first  bands you  listened to? 

I started listening to metal back in the early nineties, influenced by an older cousin who had access to all the cool records by Metallica, Megadeth and Sepultura. Sepultura was definitely the trigger that got me into this lifestyle. As soon as I heard “Inner Self”, I was hooked for life.

3.Terror  Empire  formed in  2009  when  did you  first get the idea  to  start this  band?And how did you  all choose  Terror  Empire  as the name of the  band? 

The core of the band used to play together for a few years, but we eventually stopped, which sucks. Kids, don’t stop playing in your early 20’s. There is no better period in life to be rocking. We picked up the name “Terror Empire” by the depth of it’s meaning, instead of using yet another generic word ending in “-ion”, we actually gave it a thought. If you think of the media and the governments around the globe (eastern and western), we’re subjects to a permanent state of fear and terror. Is the threat real? I don’t know, but there’s this whole terror empire among us. After we started the band, I started paying attention for its use in the news, and I’ve seen it being used in articles, so that’s that for validation, I guess.

4.What  is the current  line up  of the  band?And  who  would you  say  are Terror  Empire's biggest  influences? 

Apart from me and Nuno Oliveira on guitars, Rui Puga handles bass duties, João Dourado plays the drums and Ricardo Martins is the band’s throat. Our influences range from old-school thrash to 90’s death metal, but we’re not afraid to experiment with groove. We don’t do melodic stuff, much; we try to go as corrosive as possible.

5.Obscurity  Rising is the bands second  full length release which  was released  through Mosher Rec.How did the  band come  in contact  with this  label?

 

Well… I run Mosher Records. The label started after our second full-length and it’d seem a waste of resources (aka “stupid”) not to make the most out of it. The whole band agreed to it, and there have been zero conflict of interests, so far. We’re all rowing to the same side.

6.How  long  did  it  take  the  band to write the music for this  release?Does the whole band work on  writing the music or does one member write  everything? 

It’s random, the writing process. We either come up with a killer riff on the rehearsal place (Burn the Flags, for example), or we write new stuff on purpose. Inspiration means transpiration, you know? If you put your mind into the the riff-craft, something cool should come up. Then, there’s the old songs we had never used, but still fit like a glove, like Death Wish or Lust. Since our previous guitar player left the band in between albums, I had to write it all, mostly with the help of the amazing drummer this band has. A great riff without great percussion is wasted music.

7.Who  usually  handles  writing the lyrics  for the band  and  what  are some  topics  you  all wrote  about  on  Obscurity  Rising ? 

There isn’t a specific rule for who writes lyrics, but Ricardo is the main author. I also help out here and there. His topics revolve mostly around society’s problems of current times, like wars and corruption. It seems like a cliché, but it’s how you express your disscontempt that makes or breaks the message, you know? I think we pull it off rather nicely.

8.Besides  the  new  release  are their  any  copies  of the debut  release still  available?What  about  other merchandise  if yes what  is  available  and where can the readers  buy it? 

“Face the Terror” (EP, 2009) is sold out, and there’s just a few copies left of “The Empire Strikes Black”. We always have plenty of merch available, just send us a message on facebook/twitter or email us. Check out our website www.terrorempire.net.

9.Does  Terror  Empire   play  live  very  often if yes  what  have  been some of the  bands most  memorable  shows? 

We’re lucky enough to be invited to play shows very often, and we promote our own gigs if needed. I’m the type of guy who thinks the glass is half-empty, so I remember the worse gigs the most - not many, though! We played at one of the biggest metal fests in Portugal, this summer, and we had a blast. I remember playing the Moita Metal Fest shows and they’re always so good, we feel like home every time we go there. I remember the third time we went to Spain, and we were reluctant to go there (the first couple of shows sucked), but it was completely awesome. I hope Grovios Fest makes a comeback.

10.Are  their  any shows or tours  coming up  in  support  of  Obscurity  Rising if  yes  where  will the  band  be  playing?And  who  are some  bands you  will be  playing with? 

We’ll be playing as much as we can, because we only make records to have an excuse to play live. We’ve played with thrash bands, black metal bands, death metal bands, hardcore, punk… we’ll play with anyone and try to make new friends every time. Please visit our website for tour dates!

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

I live for Mosher Clothing. Everything else feels like a a timeout from my true passion and I always feel like I’m wasting time when I’m doing something else. I play the occasional FIFA, but that’s it.

12.Terror  Empire  comes  out  of  Portugal's thrash metal  scene what  is your  opinion  of  the  metal scene  in Portugal? 

Portugal has great bands, and it surprises me when people are surprised by this. We have plenty of venues and shows, and the country if small enough to play a gig and return home in less than 24 hours driving, but big and diverse enough to play to different crowds throughout the year. Our festivals are also quite nice. SWR Barroselas has got to be one of the coolest festivals in the world, period.  We also have the oldest metal festival in the Iberian peninsula, that’s always cool. In terms of media, there’s plenty of weblogs and we have two different metal magazines, which is great. Luckily, we have promoters who are crazy enough to keep bringing great bands here (we’re the doors to Europe, when flying from the West).

13.Who  are your  all-time favorite  Portugese  bands?And  are their any  new  bands you  feel  the readers  should  check  out soon? 

I’ll probably forget about someone and that isn’t fair. I wish Pitch Black would make a triumphant return, they’re no-nonsense oldschool thrash. Switchtense (thrash/groove) are portuguese underground icons, and I have much respect for them. As for new bands, or rather unknown bands, everybody should check out Analepsy (slam) and Destroyers of All, who are on Mosher Records. Search for these on Spotify/YouTube and keep checking the related artists, it’s easier!

14.Besides  playing  in  Terror  Empire  do  any  of the  members  currently  play  in  any other  bands?If  yes  please tell the  readers  a  little  about  them? 

Only Nuno Oliveira has another band, which is Tales for the Unspoken. I can’t label their style, but it’s definitely metal, check them out.

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

Metal is a way of life. It can help you throughout your best and your worst moments, and you can always rely on it (and I can’t say that about most people), so help out your local scene. Go to shows and share stuff on social media. Reach and engagement are like a modern day currency, use it with those who need it the most!

                                                                             Band  Contact

                                                                      http://www.terrorempire.net/

                                                                    https://twitter.com/terrorempire

                                                                            Label   Contacts

                                                                  http://www.mosherrecords.com/

                                                                  https://twitter.com/mosherrecords

                                                          https://www.facebook.com/mosherrecords

Interview with Vitreoous done by Patrick posted on 10-8-17

Interview  with  Vitreoous   done  by  Patrick


1.Hails please introduce yourself to  the  readers  and  how  are  things  going in  Spain  these  days?

Hi, here M. from Vitreoous, guitars, vocals and concept of the band, glad to share some words. Well Spain is growing in terms of quality, death, black and grind are the three
main standars that are getting a notorious lurk abroad. Also glad of take the right steps towards sonic malformations.


2.When  did you  first  get the idea  to  start this band  and how did you  choose  Vitreoous as the name of the band?

Well, it was fortuitous yet unexpected, the project was in my head for ages and frozen. Just got in touch with NHT, the other potential member of Vitreoous and both thought that
could be quite interesting to deform the old school BM  canon. The band name is merely the multilayered perspective of music and its human feelings behind it. We are observers, we mistake, we deform
and malform whatever on our hands.


3.I  believe  Vitreoous  is a  two man  band  are you  currently looking for  new members to join the band or do you  prefer to work  as a two man band?

Yes you are right, we are just two. I think we are not close to welcome a third entity but by now we are working pretty well like this. If someone understands the message and target
just drop some lines of interest via facebook or bandcamp and we will see.


4.Chants Of  Deprecation is the bands  debut EP. how long  did it  take  you two to  write  the music  for the debut EP.?Do  you  both  work on  the music or does one member  usually  write everything?


The Ep as I pointed out above, was written long time ago, the writing of it was really intense and made the most of the momentum. Both of us write the music, my layer is guitars, noises, vocals and art, while NHT is the master
who plays drums, bass, noises, synths. This dual atoli assembly gathers tightly. We are working on the coming full length and will take a different dimension....expectant.



5.Who usually  takes  care of writing  the lyrics  and  what  are some topics written  about  on  Chants Of  Deprecation ?

I do usually take care of this, NHT has other beautiful skills behind tools I am not well doctrinated of. So my duty is to write and choose topics such as
malformed deities, obsolete creed, nothingness, despise and sorrow.


6.Where  can  the  readers buy  the debut EP. and  does  the band have  any other  merchandise  available or coming  soon?


Do please take a look to these to websites. Digital version would be great if any labels offer a good deal, by now the Ep will be only released on tape by Flesh Vessel (Usa) and Vertebrae (Europe).
https://www.facebook.com/Vitreoous/
https://vitreoous.bandcamp.com/releases


7.Have  you  started  working on  new music for the next EP. or  would you  like to  work towards a  full-length?


The next logical step is to release a full length, it will contain different ingredients, harsh harmonies, darker vibes yet disgusting and
intense riffing without respecting certain roots.



8.Will you  look  for  a label  to  work  with  or do you  prefer  to  self-release your own music?

Well the Ep will be released by two labels but we would like to push it, no boundaries, no enemies.


9.Vitreoous   comes out  of  Spain's black,death metal scene what  is your  opinion  of  Spain's blackend death scene?

Well the so called word scene is quite tricky here. Worst: bands and most of them do not normally care about others, probably selfishness, who knows and who cares.
Best: good potential in few of them, serious and determined. Besides getting ideas and message clear. Through years we both hae seen that if you trust your
project and you work seriously you will be rewarded sooner or later. We destroy than construct, pitiful, but we dont care. Past years do not matter.


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

Hard to say, many to mention and many to forget, just kidding.From past to future:  Foscor are great even they took other path (to me a better one), Necroven, Atrexial, Aversio Humanitatis, Osmosis,
Finally the future bands, who knows, Balmog, Mathryrium, these two are good bands who follow the standard and refresh the genre. Graveyard is quite dense too and vivid. So many.... I am addicted to
music.


11.Besides bands  are their  any  honest,reliable label's or distro's you  could recommend to  the readers?

Damnatio ad Bestias, Krucyator, Fistbang, Vertebrae, Flesh Vessel, are the latest ones that come to my mind. I do normally like to know their protocol and principles as labels, they are
the other side of the mirror to see what works out or not.


12.What  does  black  metal  mean  to you?

My perspective comes from a more death metal subgenre but I do respect the oldies as portrayed in the Ep. Nowadays BM turned into a void of excess, Bm is undesrstood in
many ways, thats the beauty or the ogre of it. I do like to express it from depressive, violent, intense, dark, cosmic, ritualistic layers, just mixing those feelings we get what we want.
I think that BM has many ways to say we are here as generic death metal turned into slam hyper brutal bands and just a few like dead congregation, cruciamentum, energunem, sabbatic goat,
portal, impetuous ritual, diocletian and so learnt to evolve and dissolve the words of death metal and black into a new fresh chemical potion. Grimbergen speaks for me.


13.Besides  working  in  Vitreoous   do  either  of you  work  with other bands or  solo projects?

Yes, NHT is working on his solo project called Dee Em Tee, do keep an eye to avantgarde lovers of death metal and myself I left Osmosis dormant but working on a duo of dirty death metal blending
European and American sounds of the old school pattern.




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

You are welcome for sharing these words and showing your interest. Readers out there do please visit, listen and buy if you enjoy Vitreoous. The Continuum of Malformed Dual Entities
Lurks:
                                                                      Band  Contacrs
                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/Vitreoous/
                                                                       https://vitreoous.bandcamp.com/releases

Interview with Fyrecross done by Patrick posted on 10-4-17

Interview  with  Fyrecross done  by  Patrick

1.How are  things  in Greece  going these days?Hello   please
introduce  yourself  to  the  readers?

-Hails! Greece is very hot at this time of the year! We are Fyrecross and we play Heavy Metal.

2.At  what  age  did you  first  start  listening to  metal  music?And
who  were  some  of the  first bands you listened to?

-We all started listening to Rock and Metal from a very young age, around 10-15 years old. Some of the bands we listened to are Led Zeppelin, Scorpions, Iron Maiden and Deep Purple.


3.When  did you all get the  idea  to  start this  band and how  did
you  all  choose Fyrecross  as the  band  name?

-Our guitarist and our ex singer wanted to start a NWOBHM cover band so we all came together via an ad we posted on the internet. We chose the name later on, because we thought it was fitting for the style we wanted to play back then.

4.Who  would you  say are  Fyrecross biggest  influences?

Anything from 70s and 80s music is an influence, but the truth is we adore a little more the NWOBHM movement!

5.Burn Them To The Ground  is the  bands  debut  Mcd  how  long  did it take  the band to write  the music  for the  debut  release?

-We actually wrote the songs in a few months but the release was actually delayed for 2 years because of our ex-singer, Apostolis, departing and some issues beyond our control.

6.Who  usually  takes  care  of  writing  the  lyrics for  the band?

Anyone in the mood for it actually!

7.Does  Fyrecross play  live  very  often  if  yes  what  have  been some  of your  most  memorable  shows  over the  years?

-We try to play live as often as possible in any city in Greece. All of them were special to us, if we could, we'd choose them all!

8.Are  their  any upcoming  shows  or tours  coming up  in  support of  Burn Them To The Ground   release?If  yes  where  will  the  band be  playing  and  who  are  some  bands you will  be  sharing the  stage  with?

Our next assault is in Helsinki for Heavy Metal Cauldron in October, with some very special bands including Exciter and Venom inc.

9.What  does  underground  metal   mean  to  you?

True underground Metal means that you shouldn't pretend to be something you're not and always do whatever pleases you.

10.Besides  working  in  Fyrecross  do you  or  any  of the  members  work  with any other  bands?

We have worked with many bands over the years but currently we are focusing on the full album of Fyrecross.

11.I  know  Greece  has  a  huge  death,black metal  scene  but  what
is the  traditional heavy metal scene  like?

-It has a very small but dedicated audience. It is also very positive to see other young bands like us take the stage and play the music that we love!

12.Who  are  your  all-time  favorite  Greek  bands  and  are there any  new  bands you  feel  the  readers  should  check  out  soon?

Spitfire, Strikelight, Dark Nightmare, Sacral Rage and Speedrush. They should definitely check out bands like Serpent Lord and Hailsteel!

13.Besides   bands  are  their  any  honest,reliable Greek  labels or  distro's  you  feel  the  readers  should  check  out  soon?Are their  any  good  Greek fan,web-zines  you  could  recommend?

There are many great Greek labels like Eat Metal, No Remorse and Floga Records. Greek webzines are too many to choose only some!

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

Thanks for reading and keep banging that head! Heavy Metal!!

                                                      Band   Contacts
                                                 https://www.facebook.com/Fyrecross/
                                                 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRErn9-rNAQCsrIK-pMKzlg

                                                     Label  Contacts
                                               http://www.witchesbrewthrashes.eu/
                                              https://witchesbrewthrashes.bandcamp.com/
                                           https://plus.google.com/+WITCHESBREWthrashes