Interview with Maestus done by Patrick posted on 12-30-18

Interview with Maestus done by Patrick

1. Hello, how are things going in Oregon this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?


SP:
Hello, Patrick. Things are going well in Portland. It’s the rainy season here, but that’s good for inspiration.

2. When did you first meet
the other members of the band and was it long before you all started Maestus? How did you choose Maestus as the name of the band does it have a special meaning?


SP:
I started Maestus in 2013 after wanting to explore a more melodic and deliberate side of my creative outlets. At first, the band was solely a studio project with myself and a friend/collaborator who goes by the name Sophos. Because we weren’t concerned about performing in a live setting,
it wasn’t until we had an option to perform that we sought out other musicians. Most of us in Maestus
have been writing and collaborating for the better part of 10 years. Kenneth and I are brothers and were previously in Arkhum, a black/death metal project that featured both NK (guitars) and CL (drums) at one time or another. Our keyboardist, SB, performed with many Californian black metal and progressive bands during the early-to-mid 2000s.

3.Deliquesce is the bands second full length which is being released through Code666 in Feb.2019 when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?


SP:
When we were recording the album in early 2018 we were thinking of many different options for labels. We reached out to some who weren’t interested, and then some that had full schedules for the next 12-15 months. After a productive dialog, Code666 reached out to us about releasing Deliquesce and we were very excited. They’ve had a great roster over the years. Amesours, Fen, Dynfari, Imperial Triumphant, etc etc. On and on. They’re a great label.

4. Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything? The songs are very long and epic in length so I was curious how long does it usually take to complete one song?
SP:
For Deliquesce, the majority of the creative collaborations were between myself and SB. One, or both, of us would “hear” a riff, or keyboard part and then begin building off of that. I handled the majority of the guitar parts but there were times where she would sound out a guitar part
that was floating in her head, then I would interpret that. SB handled all of the piano & keyboard compositions. The fundamental aspect of the drums is something I lay out via MIDI, but ultimately, Cordell takes those basic ideas and crafts something that
will complement the music far better than I ever could.


The length of time it takes to complete a song varies. The ‘Black Oake’ rack took months to get to its current state, and for a while, I contemplated throwing it out entirely. But SB persisted, so the composition continued and we changed it probably 50 separate times to get it where it is today. Now it’s my favorite song to perform from Deliquesce.

5. Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music what are some topics written about on the new release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?


SP:
The music definitely comes first in our process. Often I’ll have an idea for a lyrical theme, but the writing process doesn’t usually begin until I’m prepared to begin building the vocal arrangements. SB and I will usually come up with an idea, maybe a handful of stanzas that fit to the music, and then KRP will help us to smooth them out so they flow better. He has a great eye for lyrics, as he writes them in most of the bands he works with.

6.Besides the upcoming Deliquesce
release are there any copies of the debut release still available to purchase? Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?


SP:
Yes, we have a small number of copies of our record Voir Dire available through Glossolalia
Records here. We also have a Deliquesce t-shirt available here
which features artwork by Misanthropic Art. That one’s available in all sizes. More t-shirts, patches, and stickers are in the works and will be available nearer to the release of the album.

7.Has the band ever thought of making a music video for any of the bands songs? If you had the opportunity to make a video for any of the songs off of the Deliquesce release which song would you like to see made into a video?
SP:
Yes, we’ve definitely thought of making a music video for one of the songs. In a perfect world, I’d love to make videos for the majority of our songs. The length and arrangements of these songs allow for a lot of visuals & creative expression. In the future, we will absolutely make videos to accompany our music.

8.Does Maestus play live very often or do you prefer working in the studio? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?


SP:
I don’t usually like to lump
playing live and working in the studio together. Only because they’re completely different beasts. I enjoy playing live just as much as I enjoy writing and recording in the studio. I also handle all the engineering and recording for the band, so it’s fun in a different way, and we get to approach it from yet another creative angle. Both live and studio work are enjoyable, for different reasons.

9. Are there any tours or shows planned in 2019 in support of the new release? If yes where will the band be playing and who are some bands you will be sharing the stage with?


SP:
Yes, we are in the process of planning some unique lineups for select shows throughout the year. I shouldn’t say exactly which bands we’ve spoken to about tours, but we’re all excited about the possibilities that are in the works.

10. Besides working in Maestus
do you or the other members currently play in any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?


SP:
The majority of our members have their hands in plenty of other pots. My other full-time focus is Pillorian and a close second would be my solo project
The Will of A Million. Both projects are working on new records this winter, hopefully for releases later in 2019.KRP, CL, and NK have a project called Lodge of the Empty Bed, with a couple of them playing in Grst. Another related project is Gash, a death metal band. Many of these releases can be found on Glossolalia Records, a label run by KRP.

11.2018 is almost over what
have been some of your favorite bands and releases in 2018?


SP:
We’ve been listening to the new material from YOB, Infernal Coil, Thy Catafalque, Aphex Twin, Behemoth, Akitsa, Sumac, Ellorsith, Yellow Eyes, Hyperdontia, Convulsing. There’s been a lot of good records this year, and of course, this list isn’t exhaustive. In addition to 2018 release, we’ve also been listening to a heap of Kauan, Armagedda, and Skogen.

12.
Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
SP:
Thanks to any who read this far. Enjoy your winters.

                                                     Band  Contacts
                                             https://maestus.bandcamp.com/
                                          https://www.facebook.com/maestusdoom
                                                     Label Contacts
                                                http://www.code666.net/
                                               https://auralmusic.bandcamp.com/

Interview with Critical Defiance done by Patrick posted on 12-22-18

Interview with Critical Defiance done by Patrick


1.Hello how are things going in Chile this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?

Hello, I’m Felipe Alvarado from Critical Defiance, a thrash metal band from Villa Alemana, Chile. We decided to create this band in order to play aggressive and violent thrash metal that reflects our deepest emotions and to condemn an increasingly decadent society and generation. Lately, things are going great here in Chile. We had a show last Friday and it was amazing, people reacted with lots of energy to our music. So for us it is cool that they like what we are doing.

2.When did you first start listening to thrash metal and who were the first bands you discovered? Who are some of your current favorite bands in the scene today?
We started listening heavy metal and rock when we were in school (I was in a catholic school by the way). At that time I used to listen to bands like AC/DC, Black Sabbath, Slayer, Iron Maiden, Queen, Metallica and Megadeth; then I met the former guitar player of the band and we started listening thrash metal, basically from the bay area SF and the Chilean scene. Bands like Toxic, Annihilator, Razor and Vio-Lence were and continue to be among our favorites.

3.When did you first meet the other members of the band and was it long before you all started Critical Defiance? How did you all choose Critical Defiance as the name of the band?
All the members of Critical Defiance are devoted thrashers. So, we met at local shows. The guitar player, Felipe Espinoza, was my best friend from school and we both shared the same interest in heavy metal music. And talking about the name, Critical Defiance, it means our resistance against a corrupt society and commercial music that rules the world today.

4.What is the current line up for the band and who would you say are the bands biggest influences?
The current line-up is: Ignacio Arévalo (Bass player), Nicolas Pastene (Drums), Felipe Espinoza (Lead guitar) and finally me, Felipe Alvarado, (Vocals and Rythm/Lead guitar). Our main Influences are Megadeth, Metallica, Voivod, Slayer and Annihilator, also other bands like Yes, Rush, King Crimson, The Beatles and Los Jaivas from Chile.

5.Misconception is the bands debut which will be released in Feb.2019 through Unspeakable Axe Rec. when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?
Our first contact with UAR was back in 2016 when we had the urgent necessity to find a label that shared our same vision. Not only related to music but also related to the message. In UAR we found the loyalty and respect that we were looking for.

6.How long did it take the band to write the music for the debut release? Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member write everything?
Basically, the writing process for the debut release was a work that took almost all of our lives and it encompasses all of our experiences. Life lessons, feelings and desires are compacted and putted together in Misconception. The songwriting is made by Felipe Alvarado and each member of the band participates in the arrangements.

7.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music and what are some subjects written about on the debut release?
The lyrics were written by Joaquín Muñoz (former member) and Felipe Alvarado. Some of the subjects in the album are violence, war, corruption, political tyranny, the self and our deepest emotions as well as misconceptions rooted in collective thought.

8.Besides the upcoming debut release early next year does the band have any other merchandise currently available for the readers to buy?If yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?
No, we haven’t yet.

9.Has Critical Defiance had the opportunity to play very many live shows over the last few years? What have been some of the bands most memorable shows so far?
We enjoy every show we do. Here in Chile, the metalheads are fucking insane.

10.Are their any tours or shows planned in 2019 in support of the debut release? If yes where will the band be playing and who are some bands you will be sharing the stage with?
Yes, we want to do a show for our debut release here in Valparaíso. But we have nothing clear yet.

11.When you need to take a break from working on new music and band business what do you like to do in your free time?
Songwriting is a full time job (the second album is almost completed). And we spend our free time playing football, trekking and hanging out with family and friends.

12. Critical Defiance comes out of the Chilean thrash metal scene. What is your opinion of the thrash metal scene in Chile over the years?
We have excellent exponents in the thrash and death metal scene here in Chile, old school bands like Necrosis, Pentagram, Massakre, Warpath; and newer bands like, Mental Devastation, Terror Strike, Demoniac and Ripper which are the best in the local scene. The underground Chilean scene is really passionate about the music.

13.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Chile and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
You should definitely check a lot of bands from the Chilean scene we mentioned.

14.Besides playing in Critical Defiance do you or any of the members currently play in any other bands? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
Felipe Espinoza also plays in Mental Devastation, The Aggressor and Unholyness. Nicolas Pastene is currently in Armored Knight, Unholyness and The Aggressor.

15.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
We are really looking forward to the release of the album; it is a really wonderful experience to have the opportunity to capture our deepest thoughts and turn them into the music that we have loved for many years of our lives.

                                                             Band  Contact
                                                    https://www.facebook.com/criticaldefiance/
                                                            Label Contact
                                                      http://unspeakableaxerecords.com
                                                     http://unspeakableaxerecords.bandcamp.com
                                                    http://www.facebook.com/unspeakableaxerecords

Interview with Rigor Sardonicous done by Patrick posted on 12-18-18

Interview with Rigor Sardonicous  done by Patrick

1. Hello how are things going in New York these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Greetings Patrick and thank you. We are Joe Fogarazzo and Glenn Hampton of Rigor Sardonicous. New York is not the bastion it once was and is getting very expensive to live, but what would one expect from a leader of the criminal state.

2. Rigor Sardonicous was started in 1988 what gave you the idea to start this band? How did you choose the name Rigor Sardonicous as the name of the band?
Glenn founded and named the band years before I came into the fold. And yes we feel that the name very much is in line with our visions. He derived the name from a short story called Mr. Sardonicus and is about the body contorting a smile after passing into death caused by the rigidity of the muscles and tissues.

3. Who would you say are the bands biggest influences over the years and have they remained the same since the beginning til present day?
Slayer, Autopsy, Bach, post-Ozzy Black Sabbath, have been among our highest influences.

4. I know Rigor Sardonicous is a two man band would you like to find new musicians to make a full line up or do you prefer to work as two piece?
We have made many attempts to get a drummer, even if only for live performances such as Mortician does, but a competent drummer is hard to find. We did have Steve Moran, ex-Evoken, who recorded on our Apocalypsis Damnare album and played a few shows, but otherwise Rigor will likely remain Glenn and I.

5. Ridenti Mortuus is the bands newest release how long did it take the band to write the music for the new release? How long does it usually take to complete one song?
Everything for this release was composed over a weekend. It all just fell into place while another band I was involved with faltered on a recording session.

6. I believe that Ridenti Mortuus is a digital only release. Are their any plans to do a physical release in 2019? If yes will it be self released or would you like to work with a label?
We would prefer a label to do a physical release but we will see in time if we will do a small run on our own. I have gone nearly broke with postage in the past as many others have struggled with that as well.


7. Rigor Sardonicous has released quite a few full lengths and splits and EP's are these still available for the readers to purchase? Besides releases does the band have any other merchandise available if yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?
Only digital downloads are available on our Bandcamp site. All else is sold out.

8. The band comes out of the New York doom metal scene what is your opinion of New York's death, doom metal scene over the years?
The doom scene in this area doesn’t really exist. Many other bands of this style here are no more, such as Winter and Symphony Of Grief. It’s just us and Evoken that I know of who are in an adjacent state. I hope to see more bands like this rise from this area.

9. Who are your all-time favorite metal bands coming out of New York and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
The New York sound, as it was known, was never an inspiration to us. We sought to go entirely left-field from that. But some bands worth looking into are Artificial Brain, Braindead, and Steel Wolf.

10. Besides working in Rigor Sardonicous do either of you work in any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
I was in Dimentianon for years and more recently Teloch Vovin, which has just gone into hiatus. I was also in a rock band called Pink Chameleon for a little while and a classical guitar ensemble. I like doing differing bands and styles as I find it can help to direct focus.

11. When you need take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
I love going into nature and separating from the world as often as I am able.

12. 2018 is about to come to a close what have been some of your favorite releases this year?
While not new to this year as I recently heardthem, I go with Shape Of Despair’s Monotony Fields and Hail Of Bullets The Rommel Chronicles.

13. Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
Thank you to all for reading to this point. Find us on Bandcamp where all of our music is and some of it free .https://rigorsardonicous1.bandcamp.com/

                                                        Band Contacts
                                               https://rigorsardonicous1.bandcamp.com/
                                              https://www.facebook.com/RigorSardonicous.Official

Interview with Riven done by Patrick posted up on 12-18-18

Interview with Zeromus vocalist and all instruments of Riven done by Patrick


1.Hello Zeromus how are things going in Belgium this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers.
Hello, my real name is Tom and I live in the city of Antwerpen, Belgium. I'm 31 years old.

2.When did you first become interested in playing and writing music?What was the first instrument you learned to play?Are you self taught or did you have lessons when first starting out?
My interst already started when I was about 12-13 years old, when I listened to some metal compilation albums. I wanted to play guitars, but never did until I was 18 years old and bought my first guitar in a local electronics store with some money I got for my birthday. I taught it myself because I did not want to start music school when I went to college.

3.You also handle the vocals for the band when did you first start growling and singing?Do you do anything special to keep your throat and voice healthy?
I used to sing in other bands/projects but it was always clean singing. My voice could handle that perfectly. I always try to sing in a way that my voice doesn't hurt, so I can keep it up. I didn't have much experience in growling, but managed to do it at home with some practice. I can't do it really loud (more practice will be needed for that), but it was good enough to do the record where I can turn up the volume, but not for live shows. I tend to sing only once per week, so my voice doesn't
need to work too hard.

4.When did you first get the idea to start this band?And how did you choose Riven as the name of the band does it have a special meaning?
I bought a new music mixing program with a lot of options to program classical instruments (piano, violins and of course church organs) and drones. I was already experimenting with it, but then I saw a live show of the Finnish band Skepticism, which blew me away and then I knew I wanted to make this kind of music with the options I had. The name Riven comes from a cult video game on the first Playstation, it had such a weird setting and I always thought it would be a perfect name for a experimental music project.

5.You are the sole member of the band when you first got the idea to start this project did you plan to work alone?What do you feel is the easiest and hardest part of being a one man band?
I chose to be a one-man band because then I can decide everything. It's all about experimenting for me and I just wanted to do the stuff I like on my own. This project is perfect for that. The only negative thing is that I can't perform live. At this time I don't feel the need to play Riven as a live band, but maybe in the future I might get asked to do a live performance and then I'd have to look for musicians who want to perform Riven with me.

6.Would you like to find some new members to make a full line-up or do you prefer working alone?If you had the opportunity to work with any musicians{past or present} who would you like to work with?
As I explained earlier I don't really feel the need to have a full band around Riven, but maybe it will be the case in the later stage. I would like to work with John, the singer of Evoken, once. He has such a great voice and his way of doing his thing on stage was always an inspiration for me.

7.Hail To The King is the debut release from the band how long did it take you to write the music for the debut release?
About a year. I was experimenting a lot and once I got into the flow of a song I just kept writing until it was done. And then I just experimented until I found the flow for the next song. Basically one day I didn't have the inspiration and the other day I just came up with an idea and went on with that. It was all about the right moment.

8.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some topics you wrote about on the debut?
It's basically some kind of story where a medieval village was caught by the plague. The king did everything to defend his people, but in the end he dies.

9.I believe Hail To The King is a digital release are their any plans to do a physical release soon?Besides the Hail To The King release does the band have any other merchandise available for the readers to buy If yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?
There is only the digital download. I wanted to release that first to see what I response I get from it (because it is so experimental, you never know how it turns out) and maybe release it physical in the future if there are fans out there who would want it, because I know a lot of people (including me) still prefer music on a physical format. There is no other merchandise.

10.Have you ever thought of making a video for any of your songs if you had the opportunity to make a video for any of Riven's songs which one would you like to see made into a video?
Haven't really thought of that, but it would be an interesting idea! I know some guys who are amateur movie maker, maybe I could ask them. I don't know which song it will be, maybe the title track?

11.Besides playing in Riven do you currently work in any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?
I play in Svarthart, a doom/death metal band. We played quite some shows last month and released 2 records. And also Generaal Onzin (which means General Bullshit), a one-man band with dutch lyrics that focus on jokes. I only play in my area for fun.

12.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
Mostly listening to music, play video games or board games and going out with friends in the weekend. I also like going to festivals in the summer, with Metaldays in Slovenia as my all-time favorite.

13.Besides funeral doom metal do you listen to any other forms of metal or music in general? If yes what are some of your favorite genre's and who are some bands you enjoy listening to?
I basically have 3 favourite genres: Doom metal, power metal and grindcore. But I have a lot of different records going from Aborted to Powerwolf and from Tankard to Elis. I also enjoy more popular bands like Foo Fighters, Queen and the Beatles.

14.Thank you Zeromus for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?
Well, thanks for the interview and keep supporting underground bands, because they need it!

                                                     Band Contacts
                                           https://rivendoom.bandcamp.com/releases
                                      https://www.facebook.com/Riven-1800758369937308/

Interview with Branislav, vocalist & guitarist for Bane, done by Patrick. posted on 12-10-18

Interview with Branislav, vocalist & guitarist for Bane, done by Patrick.

1. Hello Branislav! How are things going in Canada these days? Please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hails Patrick! Thanks for asking - pretty cold these days, hehe. My name is Branislav, I am the singer and guitar player of Blackened Death Metal band BANE.

2. When did you first start listening to metal music?Who were the first bands you heard and who are some of your current favourite bands?

I got my first Slayer CD when I was around 11 years old which obviously had a huge impact on me. However, soon afterwards I quickly gravitated towards the most Extreme of genres. I remember getting a burned compilation CD that had bands like Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Cryptopsy...and that was basically where it all started. Lately I've been listening to quite a lot of music, specially now days since I was asked to do my Top 10 list of 2018 releases for another magazine. Only few of the bands I have been spinning a lot recently are A Hill To Die Upon, Mortuorial Eclipse, Décembre Noir, Ov Shadows, Sear Bliss, Katatonia, Paradise Lost...and of course the one and only Steel Panther, haha!

3. Branislav, you originally started Bane in Serbia. What gave you the idea to start this band? How did you choose Bane as the name of the band does it have a special meaning?
After playing in several other bands, I wanted to pursue a specific vision that I have had but could not express it in any of the other bands I was apart of. That's when BANE was born. I wanted to have a band that would mix Black and Death Metal, which was heavily influenced by the Swedish Metal bands of the early/mid 90's. BANE, by definition is a source of harm, ruin or death. It somewhat defines the music we play, at least to a certain extent.

4.How do you feel the bands musical style has evolved over the years? And who would you say are Bane's biggest influences?
I think that the songwriting has progressed quite a bit since our first recordings, but in general we kept the same genre/style which we started playing about a decade ago or so. Honestly, I am really glad we did, as this is my favourite kind of Metal! The biggest and most obvious influence would be Dissection, but there's a lot more bands whom I owe a lot for shaping our music and sound, some of them being Dark Funeral, Naglfar, Behemoth, Saturnus, Hate, Temple Of Baal, Setherial, Aeternus, etc...I listen to a lot of bands out there and all of them contribute to my inspiration, weather directly or indirectly.

5. Branislav, you re-located to Canada a few years ago - when did you first get the idea to move to Canada? How do you like living in Canada so far?
That's correct. I got the idea after I felt that I had hit somewhat of a wall (figuratively speaking), and was in search of broader horizons in order to pursue my passion - which is music, not only as a hobby but also professionally. I had very limited opportunities in the Balkans, and I knew that Montreal had a pretty great Metal scene, so I decided to pack my back pack and that was it. So far, so good. Everything has it's pros and cons. I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity to Tour quite a bit so I never get to stay at one place for too long, hehe.

6. You reformed Bane in Canada. When did you decide to reform the band? And what is the current line up of the band?
When I had moved here in 2012, I already had a new line-up together by 2013. However, after playing a few shows in 2014, problems with that line-up started occurring, so I decided to put everything on ice for a while, which allowed me to regain focus, perspective and energy in order to finish writing and recording what eventually became our third full-length album, 'Esoteric Formulae'. The current line-up of the band consist of myself on vocals/guitars, Max Allard on Guitars & backing vocals, and Stef Deschenes on bass. In the last year we have been working with session drummers, but I am happy to say that we have found the right fit and will announce our new drummer sometime in 2019.

7. Esoteric Formulae is the bands third full length release. How long did it take you to write the music for the new release? How long would you say it takes to complete one song? That's right. This album actually took the longest to complete, unlike the first two which were done fairly quickly. I had written most of the music back in 2014-2015, but then took a break from the material and did no re-listen to it until 2017. Then I revised all the songs, corrected some arrangements and wrote the majority of the lyrics, which also took quite a it of time.

8. What are some subjects you wrote about on Esoteric Formulae?
Mainly Anti-Cosmic philosophy and Chaos-Gnosticism.

9.Where can the readers buy the newest release and are the previous two releases still available for the readers to buy? Besides physical releases do you have any other merchandise currently available if yes, what is available and where can the readers buy it?
All our 3 full-lengths releases are currently in stock through the band's Bandcamp profile, as well as some other limited edition releases we have released over the years such as 7'' vinyls, cassettes, etc. We also have some T-Shirt designs that are still available. All our merch can be purchased through our official Bandcamp page: https://baneband.bandcamp.com/

10. I know Bane has had the opportunity to play many shows and tours over the years. What have been some of your most memorable shows over the years? And who have been some of your favourite bands to share the stage with?

We recently had the pleasure to open for UADA, which was also our very first time touring in the USA. We have many good memories from that Tour, to say the least. It's very difficult to single out shows as they are all an experience of their own. Opening for Insomnium at a sold out show in Toronto was awesome. Playing with Wolfheart in Montreal earlier this year was a very fun show, too. Our headlining hometown show this Summer in Novi Sad kicked some serious ass, and playing Belgrade again for the first time in 6 years was also an incredible feeling. As far as the older shows go, opening for Malevolent Creation in Bulgaria in the summer of 2011 will always have a special place in my heart, and opening for Decapitated on a sold out show in Belgrade, Serbia the same year was also wicked. I could go on and on, really, as there have been so many good ones over the years.

11. Are their any shows or tours planned for the rest of 2018 or early 2019 in support of Esoteric Formulae? If yes where will Bane be playing and who are some bands you will be sharing the stage with?
Throughout 2018 we've toured in 8 European countries, Canada and the USA, so we'll be taking a short break this winter and will focus on promoting the new album through various online sources and social media. However, we are currently in the midst of confirming shows and Festivals for 2019. So far the only thing I can say is that will be coming back to the USA next year, and we have already confirmed a few Canadian shows as well - all of which we will be announcing shorty.

12. Branislav, when you need to take a break from writing new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Besides listening to music, really not much. I enjoy trading merch with other bands and smaller labels from all over the world. In general I just like buying music on physical formats as I have quite a collection here at home, hehe.

13. Besides Bane, are you currently working with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?

Usually, I always have at least one side project, but since last year BANE has been my main and only focus. I do have some plans to record some guest appearances next year, so will start working on those soon enough.

14. Thank you Branislav for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers? Thanks a lot for the support Patrick, means a lot! And special thanks to those of you who took the time to read this interview. Keep on supporting Winter Torment Webzine and Metal in general! Be sure to check out & follow BANE on our Social Media for updates & upcoming Tour Dates. HAIL CHAOS!

                                                                    Bane Contacts
                                                       https://baneband.bandcamp.com/
                                                           https://twitter.com/baneband
                                                         https://youtube.com/baneband
                                                       https://facebook.com/baneband

Meathook--Crypts,Coffins,Corpses cd {Unmatched Brutality Records} posted on 12-9-18

Meathook--Crypts,Coffins,Corpses cd {Unmatched Brutality Records}
Coming out of Arizona's brutal death metal scene is Meathook  with their third full length release.Crypts,Coffins,Corpses is nine vicious and brutal songs that range from intense fast music to a more controlled mid paced range.The vocals are guttural,deep growls that fit Meathook's brutal style perfectly.The guitars are played with chaotic and extremely fast guitar patterns.The guitarist does play with a lightning fast pace can also write some memorable and well executed guitar parts even adding in some solo's throughout the songs.The drumming is done with violent and intense blast beats but the drummer can write and perform some well structured drum patterns.
 If you are looking for a great sick,brutal release to start off 2019 with then do yourself a favor and be sure to pick up Crypts,Coffins,Corpeses once it is released.
                                         
                                                             Label  Contacts
                                                            http://ubrecords.com/
                                                         https://unmatchedbrutalityrecords.bandcamp.com/

Rigor Sardonicous--Ridenti Mortuus digital release{Self-Released} posted by Patrick on 11-26-18

Rigor Sardonicous--Ridenti Mortuus digital release{Self-Released}
New York's Rigor Sardonicous has been releasing bleak,funeral doom since the early 90's.Ridenti Mortuus is the bands newest ep.featuring four tracks of apocalyptic funeral doom.The vocals are very low and deep death metal growls and even some screams are used throughout the songs.The music is extremely slow and heavy with a raw sound and production but honestly the rawness adds to the bands sound.If you are a fan of true funeral doom that is extremely slow and bleak sounding then do yourself a favor  and be sure to check this band  out today.
                                                                     Band  Contacts
                                                               https://rigorsardonicous1.bandcamp.com/
                                          https://www.facebook.com/RigorSardonicous.Official

Interview with Dave Kibler vocals and guitarist of Lividity done by Patrick posted on 11-14-18

Interview with Dave Kibler vocals and guitarist of Lividity done by Patrick

1. Hello Dave how are things going with you this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?


D- Everything is fucking great this week my friend! The new album campaign is at full force and street date set for November 30th! Exciting times since this is the first album in 9 years! We haven't been involved like this with promotions for quite some time... so this is a great week. Introduce myself? I am Dave Kibler, guitarist and screamer for the brutal porn grind band LIVIDITY. I am a neurotic psychopath!

2. Dave you started Lividity in 1993 as a one man band when did you first get the idea to start a band?


D- We have had the name LIVIDITY since 1993, which actually developed July 1993 at Milwaukee Metal Fest. Went home to Central Illinois and bought a drum machine, microphone and 4 track recorder. Started writing... I would imagine that 75% of your readers may not have pooped outta the womb yet. Hell, I wanted to be in a band as early as 8-9 years old when I was listening to Black Sabbath, AC/DC, ZZ Top... I would sit there with my head phones on every day and dream. Personal situations, school, girls, parents and whatever else I wanted to head butt made me always stay on the extreme side of music. Motorhead late 70's... Iron Maiden, Slayer and Venom early 80's... Napalm Death, Metallica, Megadeth mid 80's... THEN THE FUCKING 90'S HIT!!! Obituary, Suffocation, Cannibal Corpse, Morbid Angel, Deicide!!!!!!! USA started getting wind of the Europe scene that was already ahead of us with bands like Carcass, Entombed, Carnage, Unleashed, Cancer, Hypocrisy... I had all this music in my head and influence from 3 decades... I had to do it! I had to get a band together!! I felt like I had something to contribute to the new and fresh sounds of the death metal scene! I wanted to make a band that would embrace energy and chaos! Like the bands I want to see!! Everyone can listen to the albums, but when you come to see Lividity, we want to make sure you get “The Show”

3. When did you first decide to add more members for a full line up? And what is the current line up of the band?


D- I was trying to acquire like minded metal heads to jam and form a band when I was doing the one man project. That wasn't easy in my area as death metal really wasn't in Champaign, Illinois yet... The ones that were able to play a little faster than the rest were all in thrash bands and playing already. So, I joined a kick ass thrash band called Section 8 in 1994. That proved to be the stepping stone to meet and mingle with the metal community and go out of town to play gigs and still talk the Lividity idea. Section 8 drummer, Tommy Davis, and I started jamming on the side with the Lividity project and my 4 track recorder. Once we were able to get a rough demo together that showcased some incredible emotion and energy, it was easier to get people on board. Section 8 and another local metal band, Desecration, split ways at the same time so Aaron and Matt joined Tommy and I. Then Rejoice In Morbidity 4 song EP poked it's stink fist right up out of the bowels of Champaign in 1996! The current line up of great brothers are Von Young- vocals / guitar, Garrett Scanlan- drums, Jake Lahniers- bass / vocals, Dave Kibler- guitar / screams. Garrett has played drums for CorpseVomit, Cumchrist, Evil Incarnate, Kommandant and more.. He currently drums with Sons Of Famine and Imperial Savagery. Garrett been with us since 2006. Von and Jake both played (guitars / bass) in Deaden. Von joined 2005 and Jake joined 2008. Jake played bass for The Vile Impurity and currently plays bass / vocals for Dead Shore.

4. Perverseverance is the bands seventh full length release how long did it take the band to write the music for the new release?How long does it usually take the band to complete one song?


D- We took all of 2017 to write the album. We didn't do any shows, only focus on writing this album. We entered Iron Hand Audio in Chicago October 2017 to start tracking. So it took a solid 8-10 months to put all the ideas together. Keep in mind though, all of us in the band live approximately 3 hours from each other every direction. We don't get the chance to jam with each other every day or even once a week. We write notes with riff patterns and beats on paper so we remember our shit. Everybody writes down the same ghetto notes and goes home with it to rehearse. If we lived in the same city or house we would probably write a song a week.

5. I know over the years that Lividity has played many shows around the world what have been some of your most memorable shows over the years?And who have been some of your most favorite bands to tour and share the stage with?


D- Give ya a few key shows / opportunities that are monuMETAL to me.

-First show ever as Lividity, in Champaign, Illinois August 5, 1995. with Dying Fetus & Deaden! We only had learned 4 short songs and was on and off the stage in 10 minutes. They were Graveyard Delicacy, The Urge To Splurge, Process Of Disembowelment and Feasting On Mankind. It was amazing! Crowd with broken finger, bloody lip, etc... battle wounds!

-First out of state gig was 10-11 hour trip to Moosic, Pennsylvania October 1996. Drogheda (US) was in relations with a club there, they had to cancel out of that and told the club they had a replacement, as Buddy and Dan had asked us... we booked it, made a road party out of it and opened for Grave (Swe), Insatanity and Ossuary! Brutal fucking show and being in the right spots at the right time... Opening these doors of opportunity.

-All of our appearances at Milwaukee Metal Fest every July!! By the 3rd one we did in ('98 or '99) we had evening slot and played the same time DRI (US) was playing across the hall. We had a packed room of 800 as all 3 other bands playing same time, different stages, had only hand fulls.. Powerful moment.

-All the Ohio Death Fest appearances with the greatest underground brutal death bands like Exhumed, Mortician, Vomit Remnants (Jap), Aborted (Bel), Regurgitation, Deaden, Internal Bleeding, Goat Whore, Repudilation, Disfigured, Dying Fetus and tons more!!

-The fucking killer show with Deicide, Peoria, Illinois December 5, 1998 with Deaden. Von was in Deaden at that time, he got us hooked up with that show! I have always been a huge Deicide fan from their beginning. That was an honor and a good spot to be in.
-First Europe mini tour June 1999 with Fleshless (Cz) and Sanatorium (Slk). Was brilliant. “Fetish For The Sick” had been out on Ablated Records (US) for a couple years. We purchased all arrangements for being in Europe! No label, no organizer... Just like setting up local shows haha. 8 shows total (Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia). We stayed in Decin, Cz. As home on off days and hiked the mountains, got to know the community. Very spiritual moment for me!

-2002, we were on Morbid Records (Ger) label with their 1st release by us, “Til Only The Sick Remains”. March 2003 we did a 4 week Europe tour with Master (US/Cz), Damnable (Pol) and Mastic Scum (A). That tour put us in a much larger realm of things to come. That was our first headlining coach liner tour. It was really special.

-May 2005, co-headlining Fuck The Commerce Fest (Ger) with Entombed on that Friday! Fucking honored and in front of 5000 metal heads!

-August 2008, Party.San Open Air (Ger) in front of 10,000 metal heads and we played right after the awesome Hail Of Bullets! A lot of people didn't know who we were. Fan base really took off from that point... and here we are... still talking about the great Lividity moments, but the list goes on with Bogota, Colombia (South America) @ Bogota Death Grind Fest 2009 with Bloodsoaked and 2016 with Gorgasm! Las Vegas Death Fest 2015 and 2018! More Europe tours with Lower Than Zero (Ger) 2015 and Dictated (NL) 2016! Festivals, tours, and the people!



6. As mentioned Lividity has had the chance to play around the world what have been some of your most favorite countries and places to play?Are their any countries that the band has not had the chance to play that you would like to play one day?


D- You heard a lot of it from last answer, as most of our Europe tours are consistent in the central area. Germany seems to always be home base because you can jump in and out of that country to get to the surrounding countries like Austria, Netherlands, Czeh Republic, Poland, Denmark... and always have a show in Germany. This is home 90% of the time, Places we want to play real bad are Australia, Japan, Spain, Indonesia, Brazil... just to name a few. Hell, I would like to play Los Angeles, California and Tampa,Florida here in the states.

7. Are their any tours or shows coming up in support of the new release Perverseverance? If yes where is the band playing and who will you be sharing the stage with?


D- We just played Full Terror Assault Open Air here in Illinois September 8 and Ontario Death Fest in Toronto,, Canada October 6. Our next adventure will be the “European Perversion Tour” May 10-26, 2019 with Sacrificial Slaughter (US), Devine Defilement (Iceland) and Bastard Asylum (US). Only confirmations we have received are two killer fests... Nice To Eat You Death Fest (Cz) and Rock The Hell Fest (Swiss). It will be a fucking sick ass tour! We just confirmed headlining Monterrey Death Fest in Monterrey, Mexico July 19-20, 2019!! Just confirmed Chicago Domination Fest August 8-10, 2019... The fests are a mega party... you can see the posters of all the sick and great acts that will be there.

8. Are the bands previous releases still available for the readers to buy Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise available if yes what is available and where can the readers buy it?


D- ALL previous studio releases are reissued now through Metal Age Productions (Slovakia). New sick covers, all with matching limited edition vinyl. Check them out at www.metalage.sk … contact us at www.facebook.com/lividityofficial and there is a photo album of all merch we have and the info to get it with descriptions. Let's get sick people!!

9. Dave i know you have been active in the Illinois brutal death metal scene since the early 90's. What are your thoughts on the scene in Illinois over the years?
D- Man, it was strong as fuck in the early and mid 90's. Even if you were a local band of any metal Iin the Champaign, Illinois area) people would travel to be at a show. I am pretty sure youtube fucked it all up for everybody these days... You don't have to leave your house to see a killer concert when you can see anybody you want perform on the computer!! I still enjoy it here now. Chicago has the killer scene and great bands run through there all the time and a lot of great metal bands to open and promote. Back in the day when we were all young it was heavy as fuck!! Bands like Waco Jesus, Slough, Fleshgrind, Oppressor, Canabyss, CorpseVomit, Deaden, Broken Hope, Asmodeus, Evil Incarnate, Macabre, Num Skull, Gorgasm, Avernus, Demented Ted, Syndrome and many more... The scene is strong, depending on who you are, and there are great bands today here like Imperial Savagery, Sons Of Famine, Dead Shore, Macabre (still), Broken Hope (again), Gorgasm (split in 2 – 3 states), Waco Jesus and a ton of the “new crew” of death metal. A lot of talent....


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


D- All the early 90's bands were my favorites... I really played the fuck out of my Fleshgrind demos! Deaden and Waco Jesus are favorites! Oppressor! Slough was the sickest!!


11. When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?


D- Who's got free time!?? I like cooking food on the grill, drinking Icehouse Beer from Plank Road Brewery, favorite football team Pittsburgh Steelers, favorite baseball team St. Louis Cardinals, and I do all this while watching pornography!!

12. As mentioned Dave you have been active in the underground since the early 90's were you a big reader of fanzines back in the 90's? If yes what were your favorite fanzines to read?Are their any current fanzines that you read?
D- With today's computer age everything is more web zine now, which is cool for convenience and nice graphics, but I am partial to receiving a cut and tape xerox rag any day from a fan

giving their whole heart and soul into each word. I used to work on a zine called Dreaded zine issues 4-8 (RIP) 1995-1997 and had a blast! I did all reviews of music and some interviews with Evil Incarnate, Numskull, Fleshgind to name a few. Was with our past bassist, Mike “Papa” Smith. I really enjoyed Simbiotic Magazine (Sp), Flesh Salad Fanzine (Sp), Metal-Core zine (US), Sickness zine (US), War Torn zine (US) and so many more, but I will have to pull out the boxes! So Many magazines.. I still thumb through some of the old ones every once in while and still a great read!

13. What is your opinion of web-zines and are their any web-zines that you try to keep up with?


D- Web zines are cool. There is less leg work involved but has great graphics and bright colors. It is always convenient to check anything out on the computer. I haven't really kept up with them all... only the a few mostly the ones that find me more through interviews or reviews and find out they have a kick ass zine.

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


D- Hail b for taking the time to ask questions! Hope to cross your path in the near future!! Everyone get a hold of Metal Age Productions and get get your swag sickened!! Cheers!

                                                                  Band Contacts
                                 https://lividity-map.bandcamp.com/album/perverseverance
                                  https://www.facebook.com/lividityofficial/
                                                                  Label Contacts
                                                        http://www.metalage.sk/
                                                    https://metalageproductions.bandcamp.com/
                                                 https://www.facebook.com/metalageproductions/

Godless-Swarm cd,digital {Self-Released} posted on 11-14-18

Godless-Swarm cd,digital {Self-Released}
Coming out of the ever growing scene in India is Godless with their brand new EP Swarm.Playing a form of aggressive and violent thrashing death metal insanity.The vocals are a mix of deeper death growls and some gruff screams that fit Godless's  style perfectly.The guitar work is done with extremly fast guitar patterns and some very well played solo's mixed into with the music.The guitarist is not all about speed and aggression as he does slow to a calmer mid paced range throughout the songs.If you are looking for a band that creates and plays relentless and aggressive form of thrashing death metal then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Swarm today.
                                                                      Band  Contacts
                                                           https://godlessindia.bandcamp.com/
                                                          https://twitter.com/godlessindia
                                                         https://www.facebook.com/godlessindia

Bane--Esoteric Formulae cd {Black Market Label} posted on 11-12-18

Bane--Esoteric Formulae  cd {Black Market Label}
Originally from Serbia Bane have now relocated to Canada.Esoteric Formule Is the bands third full length release featuring a intro and outro with eight well composed and performed songs.The music showcased on the new release is done with a lot of skill and experience within the writing.The guitars are played with both faster tempoed guitar but do slow to a more calmer,melodic guitar style.The vocals are a mix of raspy black metal screams and some deeper death metal growls.Each of the vocal styles fit perfectly with Bane's amazing writing ability.If you are a Bane's previous releases then defintly be sure to check out Esoteric Formulae when it is released.

                                                                       Band  Contacts
                                                            https://baneband.bandcamp.com/
                                                             https://twitter.com/baneband
                                                          https://www.facebook.com/baneband
                                                                     Label Contacts
                                                              http://www.blackmarketmetal.net/
                                                             https://blackmarketmetal.bandcamp.com/
                                                            https://www.facebook.com/blackmarketmetal/

Interview with Dave Matrise vocalist and guitarist of Jungle Rot done by Patrick posted on 11-4-18

Interview with Dave Matrise vocalist,guitarist of Jungle Rot done by Patrick

1.Hello Dave how are things going with you this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers?

Hi, I’m doing well, I love the fall weather and this time of the year. Hello, my name is Dave Matrise and I play guitar and vocals for over 24 years for the band Jungle Rot.

2.When did you first start listening to rock and metal music? Who were some of the first bands and artists that you listened to?

When I was around 12 or 13 years old I saw Ted Nugent at a local county fair. I remember hearing the power of a concert for the first time. Also seeing a true master on the guitar and Ted’s work just hooked me right there. Soon after I started to find all the greats like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and so on.

3.Was it long before you discovered underground death metal and who were some of the early bands you listened to? Who are some current bands you enjoy listening to?

I found the underground in 1985. The first death metal show I went to was The Ultimate Revenge Tour with Venom, Slayer, and Exodus. From there on I dug deeper and deeper into the underground scene, until I found Kreator, the band that made me want to start playing guitar and to start up a band. I’ve been listening to Skeletal Remains as well as Necrot, two up and coming bands that carry the old school flag.



4.Dave i know you have been listening to death metal and metal in general since the early 90's.So i was curious did you do much tape trading back in the day? If yes what were some of your most prized releases?


I did, I miss those days a lot. I remember I couldn't wait to get home from school to check the mail box every day. It was like X-mas every day. I used to trade with all kinds of bands like Sacrifice, Suffocation, Hatebreed, and lots more when we were all starting out.

5.Were you a reader of fanzines back in the day as well? What do you felt made a good fanzine?

I was, I used to really like The Pit as well as S.O. D. mag. We did a lot of stuff with them back in the day. They both always kept up on all the current bands and were both hard working at what they do to get there name out there like us and I respected that for their hard work.

6.What are your all-time favorite fanzines that you read? Are there any current fanzines or web-zines that you try to keep up with?

I’d probably say metal maniacs because it was one of the biggest at the time around me and everyone wanted to be in it at the time. I haven't been reading too many fanzines anymore because they just aren't around much. I don’t do too much web stuff, so I’m missing out on somethings, I guess.

7.Dave you started Jungle Rot back in 1992 when did you first get the idea to start the band? And how did you choose Jungle Rot for the name of the band?

The name came from the original drummer. He was in school at the time and was taking a test in history class one day. On one of his test there was a multiple-choice question asking what the soldiers in war used to get on their feet while being in their boots too long in the swamps of the jungle. And the answer was jungle rot. He called a band practice that night and couldn't wait to tell everyone the name he had for the band. It stuck, and here we are today.

8.Who would you say are Jungle Rot's biggest influences? And how do you feel the band’s music has changed over the decades?

My influences would be bands like Sodom, Destruction, Celtic Frost, Obituary, Bolt Thrower and so on. These where the some of the first bands I discovered and made me who I am today as a musician. Without these bands in my earlier days, there would never have been a Jungle Rot if I did not find these bands, they gave me a direction to go in music.

9.The Self-Titled release is the bands ninth full length release how long did it take the band to write the music for the new release? How long does it take the band to complete one song?

We spent around 8 or 9 months writing the newest release. We really know what we are doing these days while writing new songs. It helps having so many releases out, for sure. I’ve been with Geoff and James now for almost 15 years. With all the history and time, we spent together over these years, we really know our style of music. It comes very natural for us to do it over all the time spent together. It usually takes a couple of times getting together to finish a few song. We just let the songs flow and try not to make them too hard to play and keep the basic structures to the songs.

10.I know on the new release their a cover of Kreator's classic song Terrible Certainty why did you guys decide to do a cover of this song? Do you play any other cover songs? Is there a song that you have not covered yet that you would like to on a future release?

It’s a song I’ve always wanted to do some day and the timing was right. I feel it helps give the album a throwback feels of the late 80's that I grew up on, but with a more of a modern twist to it. That’s what I was going for while we were recording the song. We have done many covers in the past like Slayer, Destruction, Hallows Eve, Carnivore, Sodom, DRI, and some others. I love playing cover songs of the bands I first found in the underground. I have so many songs I would love to cover some day if the timing is right. In a perfect world i would like to do an all cover release someday down the road before I hang it up.

11.I know over the years Jungle Rot has played many shows and tours around the world. What have been some of the bands most memorable shows over the years?

For me playing Brutal Assault Festival in Czech Republic. Playing in front of 10,000 metal heads and seeing all the people waving flags high in the air supporting us and their country was a beautiful thing and I will always remember. We have been invited back to perform once again in 2019.
And who have been some of your favorite bands to tour and share the stage with?

Some that first come to mind would be Obituary, Immolation, Havok, Deicide, and so many more. All these bands are some of the most down to earth guys I had the pleasure to tour with in my career. They all make it that much easier to be out there on the road for so many days at a time. And I thank them all for that because if you don’t know, the road can be painful at times.

12.Are there any tours planned for the rest of 2018 or early 2019? If yes where will the band be playing and who are some bands, you will be touring with?

We will start up touring again in the Spring of 2019. First up is Europe in April for a headline run alongside a young thrash band called Ultra Violence. Then we will return to Europe in the summer for a festival run including stops at Stonehenge Festival, Brutal Assault Festival, and more. Somewhere in between that we will sneak some North American shows here and there as well.

13.Are there any countries that Jungle Rot has not had the opportunity to play yet that you hope to play someday?

Russia has always been a dream of mine to play one day. I’d love to see their country.

14.How do you feel the underground scene has changed over the years? And what does underground metal mean to you?

I feel it’s always been the same with scene. It’s always up and down when it comes to touring. It really helps being on a good package, it goes a long way today. We also have the next generation of bands stepping up and doing a good job and keeping the flag flying high. Underground music to me is my life, my therapy, and my identity as a musician today.

15.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I’ m really into hunting, That’s my get away from it all.

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

Thank you. Remember get out to a show and show some support. Try to buy some merch from the touring bands if you can. It goes along way.

Cheers!

Dave!!!

Facebook.com/igotjunglerot
Instagram.com/jungle_rot

Interview with Voidhaven done by Patrick posted up on 11-3-18

Interview with Voidhaven done by Patrick

1.Hello how are things going in Germany this week? Please introduce yourself to the readers? Simon: Hi, things are quite well, thanks for asking and doing this interview with us. We are Voidhaven from Hamburg in northern Germany. We play Doom Metal and just released our first EP.

2.When did you first meet the other members of the band? And was it long before you all started Voidhaven?
Martin: I met the other guys first in 2007, when we were all playing in other bands and shared the stage for a few times. In 2012 I joined Crimson Swan. After the head of the band called it quits, the rest decided to continue with the material we had left. All we needed was a new guitarist, and so we contacted Phil, whom I know since 2004.
 Simon: I can't exactly say when I met all the other guys, but as Martin said we all used to play together in other bands and constellations before Voidhaven. And partly we were friends even before that. I think I know Marcos the longest. Hell, I'm just realizing I've been playing in various bands with him for almost 14 years now!

3.What is the current line up of the band? Who would you say are Voidhaven's biggest influences and for the readers who have never heard the band how would you best describe the music?
 Simon: Our line-up consists of Martin on drums, Jakob on Bass, Marcos on keys, Phil on guitar and myself on vocals and guitar. Our style can be described as Doom Metal with some Death Metal elements, complemented by calmer parts. Our own influences reach beyond that but I think if you care for bands like Saturnus, Swallow The Sun, Hamferd, Officium Triste, Evadne or our former band Crimson Swan, there's a good chance that you will like us too.

4.The debut self-titled EP is being released through Solitude Productions when did you and the band first come in contact with the label?
Martin: Solitude is a name in the international Doom scene, so of course we knew about their work. Ophis released their Withered Shades album on Solitude and we also had talks about a Crimson Swan release, so it was a natural decision to ask them.
Simon: Yep, if you listen to Doom you should come across Solitude at some point. Moreover some of us had good experiences working with them in the past, so we were glad when they were interested in teaming up again.

5.How long did it take the band to write to write the music  for the debut EP? Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member write everything?
 Martin: That’s actually not easy to say. The EP has two tracks of a larger repertoire which we started writing in 2015. After Phil joined, the material got changed a lot, for the better, and we actually spent some time to refine and polish the older ideas. The songwriting process is quite simple, usually we find some nice riffs in the rehearsal room, then Simon or Phil continue finding a simple song structure at home, the rest is added and expanded upon by the band together.
Simon: Martin summed it up pretty good, although the process does not always feel that easy. It often takes a good amount of time, discussing and rewriting until everyone is happy with the final result. But in the end it's mostly worth it.

6.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music and what are some subjects written about on the debut?
Phil: Usually Simon writes the majority of the lyrics. I only wrote lyrics for two songs so far, but by pure coincidence these two songs are the ones we picked for the EP. Simon added some lines, though. The topics differ widely. “Beyond the Bounds of Sleep” is about suicidal thoughts, while “The Floating Grave” is about a strange incident that happened here in Germany. A young woman disappeared. Later, it was found out, that she was seemingly abducted by a man. They were seen walking through the town and even though they met many people on the way, not once she tried to flee or cried for help. The last time she was seen, she stood beside him in a river. Presumably he drowned her, but it remains uncertain.

7.Has Voidhaven played very many live shows yet or do you prefer to  work in the studio? Who are some bands you have shared the stage  with?
Phil: Voidhaven did not play much live yet, we are just starting to make a stand in the livecircuit. But that does not mean we’re newbies, as most band-members have played quite a few shows with other bands before. Me for example, I played about 200 shows before I even joined this band and fortunately I had the honor to share the stage with most of the bands I always loved, from Skepticism to My Dying Bride to Samael etc. But since Voidhaven is just starting live-work, all that was with different bands of course. I prefer live work over studio work.
 Martin: I love playing live and we had some great experiences together on tour. Studio work is important too, because that is what stays with the audience.
Simon: I like playing live and working in the studio equally, but for different reasons. Live is about the fun of playing your songs for and interacting with the audience. In the studio you can polish the results of your creativity and fix them permanently, which (at least for me) is very satisfying.

8.Are their any upcoming shows or tours in support of the debut? If yes where will the band be playing?
Phil: No full tour, that’s for sure at the moment. For single shows, we will see what comes our way. Simon: Our personal environments do not leave room for real touring at the moment, but we hope to play some gigs in the not too distant future.

9.Has Voidhaven ever thought of making a video for any of the songs? If you had the opportunity to make a  video which song would you like to seen made into a video?
 Martin: I’d like to make videos in the future, we’ll see if that’s possible.
Simon: I agree, it would be nice, but it's not that high on our priority list so we did not put much thought into it yet. We have some songs though whose lyrics would make a pretty cool storyboard for something visual.

10.Has Voidhaven started working on new music for the next release or are you just working on promoting the debut? Have you all decided if the next release will be a full length or EP?
Phil: “Decided” is a too strong word, but it would not make that much sense to us to release a second EP right away. A full-length is very likely to come next.
Martin: The EP was a “Hello, here we are.” Now we want to show the world what we’re really up to. Simon: We already have some promising song-fragments and even two finished songs in the bank and will continue to write material for a full-length album. But there's no set date in our minds, when we want to finalize it. It's done when it's done, depending on how content we are with the material.

11.Voidhaven comes out of the German death,doom metal scene  what is your opinion of Germany's death doom scene?
 Phil: There is not much of a Death Doom scene here. Ahab, Ophis, Decembrance, Doomed… that’s about it. Sure, there are some more, and some of them are even pretty good, such as Gorleben, Opium Divan or Calliophis, but those bands are very underground and only rarely play live, especially when it comes to different countries. So even though there are some great Death Doom bands in Germany, you can not really talk of a scene going on. There is a bit more when it comes to traditional Doom.

12.Who are your all-time favorite German bands and are their any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?
Simon: For all-time faves, I'm going with two total German-Metal classics and say Blind Guardian and Running Wild (only their respective mid-era releases though). As for newer bands, you should totally check out Cryptic Brood (rotten Death Metal with some doomy parts) and B.S.T. (a mix of Traditional Doom and Crowbar)
. Phil: Totenmond. One of the most brutal bands on earth! Like a tank storming your anus. Other german faves of mine: Sodom, Bethlehem, Forced To Decay, Dawn of Obliteration, Morbus, and the almost completely unknown but ultra-awesome L.Mynigwal
Martin: New bands? Check out 777.

13.Besides working in Voidhaven do you or any of the members currently play in any other bands or solo projects? If yes could you please tell the readers a little about them?
Martin: I play drums in a gothic rock band called Inmost Silence.
 Phil: I am still working full-time in Ophis. There is also a rumor that I am involved in a devious rotten little band called Fvneral Fvkk, but I am not further commenting on this, haha… I try to treat all bands I play in equally, but of course it is hard sometimes
Simon: As far as I'm concerned: “Yeah, what Phil said.”

14.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?
 Simon: I'm trying to spend as much of my free time as I can with my family and friends. While doing that, we often indulge in various sorts of gaming (online, board and card games, role-playing etc.). Moreover, I like to read, watch movies and series.
 Phil: My free time still goes into music, listening to records or going to concerts. I also love to spend time shooting friends in Nerf blaster battles. And my girlfriend needs a banging now and then, too. Martin: I like demonstrating Phil why drummers have the bigger guns. And I love dwelling in the more mystical realms of philosophy and spirituality.

15.Thank you for taking the time to fill  this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
 Simon: An obvious tip: Check out or EP, haha! And we are looking forward to hopefully meeting some of you readers on the road soon. Take care!

                                                          Band Contact
                                                      https://www.facebook.com/voidhaven/
                                                     https://voidhaven.bandcamp.com/releases
                                                    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_TcF5Z0aq1FwacA46NaAaw
                                                         Label Contacts
                                                   https://solitude-prod.com/
                                                https://solitudeproductions.bandcamp.com/
                                               https://twitter.com/solitude_bmm
                                             https://www.facebook.com/solitudeprod
                                                     

Interview with Rituals done by Patrick posted on 10-31-18

Interview with Joel from Rituals done by Patrick

1.Hello please introduce yourself to the readers?How is life in Australia this week?
Hi, my name is Joel and I play guitar in the Australian band Rituals.

Well, I am currently living in the UK and Jed is back-packing around Ireland and Europe so it is difficult to say! I am sure the weather back home in Melbourne is unpredictable but getting warm as Summer approaches.

2.When did you first start listening to metal music and who were the first bands you discovered?
Like a lot of people, the first metal band I ever got into was Metallica when I was quite young. I never really ventured far from Metallica until my early teens where I discovered Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Pantera etc.

3.Was it long before you discovered underground death metal and who were the first bands you listened to? Who are some of your current favorite bands?
It was quite a while before I discovered underground death metal, but the gateway bands when I was a teenager would have been Cannibal Corpse, Death and maybe Deicide. From there I discovered (at the time) lesser known death metal bands like Vile, Aborted and Severed Savior. The more bands I found, the more I dug deeper into more obscure and lesser known bands.

In terms of current favourite bands... Autopsy is probably the band I can always listen to no matter what mood I'm in.

4.When did you first meet the other members of the band? And was it long before you all started Rituals?
Jed and I have known each other for going on 7 years. We lived together and had worked on music together previously. We started working on Rituals in early 2017, and by June 2017 we had Pierre and Warren on board to complete the lineup.

5.What is the current line up of the band?And who would you say are Rituals biggest influences?
Currently we are Pierre on bass and vocals, Jed and myself on guitars and Warren on drums.

Our biggest influences would be At the Gates, Carcass and Dissection.

6. Neoteric Commencements is the debut release which is being released through Sleeping Church Rec when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?
As far as I recall, Pierre approached them sometime during the recording/final stages of the EP on the recommendation of a friend. They were into what we were doing and it all blossomed from there.

7.Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?
Jed and I will usually write songs, demo them and present them to the band to start learning. Pierre has also contributed a couple of songs and riff ideas as well, but he mostly focuses on the lyrics.

8.Who usually handles writing the lyrics for the music and what are some subjects written about on the debut?
All the lyrics to the songs on the EP are written by Pierre, and as far as I know they are mostly about death, religion, war and history.

9.Besides the upcoming Neoteric Commencements EP. does the band have any other merchandise availible for the readers to buy? If yes what is availible and where can the readers buy it?
Our first recording "Benumbed" is available as a digital single on our Bandcamp page, and we have logo shirts available as well. We can be contacted via e-mail/Facebook/Bandcamp to obtain either of these.

10.Has the band had the opportunity to play very many live shows yet or do you prefer working in the studio?What have been some of the bands most memorable shows so far?
I don't think we have played as many shows as we would have liked to, but we've given it a good slog in the last 12 months.
Driving to the regional border of Victoria/New South Wales to play a ripper show in Beechworth is definitely a highlight, immediately followed by a gig in Albury which was a terrible experience.

11.Are their any upcoming shows or tours in support of Neoteric Commencements?If yes where will Rituals be playing and who are some bands you will be sharing the stage with?
Shows have been a bit scarce since June due to myself being overseas. I dare say that any upcoming shows will probably include As Flesh Decays and/or Obsidian Monolith who are both great bands.

12. Rituals comes out of the legendary Australian death metal scene what is your opinion on Australia's death metal scene over the decades?
This is a great question.

I have a very high opinion of Australian death metal, both past and present. Anyone who has dug beneath the surface will know that Australia has had an incredible array of death metal bands for over 20 years. We have a lot of world-class modern death metal bands at the moment like Psycroptic, Disentomb and Thy Art is Murder, and we also have bands like Cemetery Urn, Ignivomous and Eskhaton keeping that bestial Australian sound alive.

We were incredibly lucky to play our first show opening for a one-off reunion of Misery. For any readers who don't know them, they are one of Australia's earliest and greatest death metal bands. Check them out!


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

Some of my all time favourite Australian metal bands (in no particular order): Sakkuth, Fuck I'm Dead, Portal, Astriaal, Nazxul, Mindsnare, Dungeon, Infernal Method, Gospel of the Horns and Transcending Mortality all come to mind. Most of those bands are now defunct.

Check out: As Flesh Decays, Contaminated, Faceless Burial, Internal Rot, The Kill, Golgothan Remains and Sewercide (RIP)

14.I know back in the 90's Australia had some really good labels and distro's.Are their any current labels or distro's you could recommend to the readers?

When I was younger I used to buy a lot of CDs from No Escape Records (RIP). I'm not too sure who is doing any independent distros at the moment...

15.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Havin' a sip of an ice cold frothie on a sunny arvo, mate. VB is my personal choice.

16.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
I hope some people who check out the EP dig what we are doing, and always remember to sink piss and smash riffs.

                                             Band Contacts
                                         https://www.facebook.com/ritualsau/
                                         https://ritualsau.bandcamp.com/
                                            Label Contacts
                                         https://sleepingchurchrds.com/index.php