Interview with Nick owner of Funeral Hymns Rec. done on 1-29-21

.1.Hello Nick please introduce yourself to the readers?

Hi Patrick,First, I’d like to thank you for interest of Funeral Hymns Records. 

My name is Nick I am the person behind Funeral Hymns Records. My passion is death metal but I enjoy black, doom and thrash metal as well.

2.When did you first discover metal music and who were the first bands you listened to? Who are some of the current bands and artists that have caught your attention?

I discovered death metal when I was 13 years old. My first touch to this genre were bands like Benediction, Gorefest, Napalm Death, Cannibal Corpse, Sepultura and Slayer of course.

After the albums like Transcend the Rubicon (Benediction) and False (Gorefest) I was hooked up for live.

The new death, black, doom and thrash metal scene is very interesting and I can compare it to the one that we had during 90s.Some bands that I really like are Gatecreeper, Expunged, Necrot and many more.

3.Nick what have been some of the most memorable concerts that you have had the opportunity to witness over the years? Who are some of your favorite bands to watch live?

Here in Canada, we are lucky to be able to see so many grate bands.

One of the best memories probably is from the Tomb Mold and Bleeding Out concert. I remember this was organised as a birthday party for the Bleeding Out’s guitarist. There were no more than 40 people and the atmosphere was great.Some of the killer live bands that I have witnessed are Kataklism, Gorguts, Outre Tombe, Katatonia, Nile, Krisun, Vader.

4.What gave you the idea to start a label and are you satisfied with how things are going so far with it? How did you choose Funeral Hymns Rec. as the name for the label?

I am originally from Bulgaria and before I moved to Canada, I was a member of the Bulgarian death metal act - UnHumanity. In Canada, I didn’t have a chance to connect with other people either to start a new band or to join a band. But I still wanted to be connected to the scene and more specifically to be able to support the Bulgarian underground. My real passion are the vinyl records, so that’s why I decided my first release to be on vinyl and to be a band that I knew and liked. That’s how Dark Incognito’s second album came out as my first release.

Releasing records is very expensive endeavour and shortly after my second vinyl release, I decided to proceed with audio cassettes. So far, I have released almost 30 titles. My first official CD release is now in production.The label’s name came up to me as thinking of how I could summarize the music that I like and would like to release as a label, and Funeral Hymns fit perfectly.

5.Do you run the label by yourself or do you have some friends that help you out with the label? How many hours a day would you say you work on label business?

Yes, it’s only me. I don’t spend enough time for the label if I have to me honest. I have full time job and family so the label is a hobby. The only time that I dedicate is a few hours during weekends.

6.What are some of your current releases that the readers can purchase? What are some bands you will be releasing in 2021?

My latest releases are the newest Valgrind album as well as Nemesis – The War is On, VHS – Gore From Beyond The Space, Evil Incarnate – Depopulation Agenda, Hak-Ed Damm – Nekrowristfucked

The upcoming release for now is the Mortiferoth and Mass Cremation split on CD. On cassette I am working on 3 new releases which are not 100% confirmed, so I’d rather not say anything for now.

7. Are you currently looking for new bands to sign and release or is the roster full for this year? What are some things you look for when signing and releasing a band?

I prefer to work with bands which music I really like. Most of the time I contact the bands that I like asking them if they ‘d like to work with me, but I review all the bands’ requests that I get.

8.Do you usually trade with other labels and distro's or do you prefer to buy wholesale? If there are any labels or distro's reading this what styles of metal do you carry in your distro and how can they get in touch with you about trades?

Yes, I mainly trade with other labels. I think this is the best way for distribution. I am always open for trade offers.

The best way to contact with me is through my facebook page or to email me directly at funeralhymns@yahoo.com

9.What does Underground Metal mean to you?

Underground metal is my passion. I love discovering good bands. I feel happy to contribute to the underground as much as I can.

10.Nick you live in the great country of Canada what is your opinion of Canada's metal scene over the years?

Yes! Canada is one of the best countries when we talk about extreme metal.I recently have released multiple Canadian bands and I am really proud of that.Some of them are Expunged – killer old school death metal, VHS – Gore grind horror band,Hak-ed Damm – war black metal band from Quebec and Aepoch which are one of the best among technical death metal bands. The Canadian scene now is really strong and we have bands like Tomb Mold, Outre Tombe, Fumes, Gutvoid, Altered Dead and many more.

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

My all-time favourite Canadian band is Gorguts. I already mentioned some Canadian bands but I can always add more. Votov for example is a killer new band as well as Cryophilic.

12.When you need to take a break from working on label business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I don’t have too much free time but maybe listening to music and hiking are my favorite things.

13.Since 2020 has just ended what would you say were your ten favorite releases of the last year?

As I huge Benediction fan I must say that this is Benediction – Scripture. But I have to be honest 2020 was a great year for death metal and not only. Testament for example or Undeath – what an album.

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

Thanks again for the great interview.I would like to thank to everyone who has supported the label and all the bands that I work with. Stay brutal and keep the underground alive!Cheers!                                    Label Contacts                                                                                                                                              https://funeralhymns.storenvy.com/fbclid=IwAR0rB6YF3T0GBWktfUkpGAXBDIREosmlzuC5GBq2_s_1PXkTNk9dNK3VFpg             

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Interview with Infected Humans done on 1-12-21

 1.Hello please introduce yourself to the readers?

Thank you for giving us the space Patrick, a pleasure to be in this environment at the same time I send a cordial greeting from the Andes of Ecuador to all that staff of the world fanatics of the extreme.

2.When did you first discover death metal music and who were the first bands you heard?Who are some of the current bands that have caught your attention?

At the age of 12 entering adolescence for reasons of life I came to my hands the album Ecuador underground 1 where they integrated bands such as: Chancro duro (grindcore) and Ente (death metal) these bands caused impact on my ears by speed (blast beats) and raw voices defining and identifying what I would like later. Within the first bands I will cite Epidemia, Flagellation, Cry, Entombed, Cancer, Obituary, Eskhaton on the other hand currently with the new opportunities that technology provides you can meet extreme bands from all parts of the world I think that quoting them all I will not be able to, the bands that now resonate in my mind are: Reptilium, INSECT INSIDE, Revocation, Naegleria Fowleri, A PRETEXT TO.

3.When did you first meet the other members of the band and was it long before you all started Infected Humans?What is the current line-up of the band?

With Pablo (Bass) we basically have a friendship long ago before creating Infected and with Andrew for his part we have shared platform on many occasions he is also a close colleague who likes the extreme and adapted to the idea that is had, currently I.H. we are: Andrew (Guitar), Pablo (Bass), Sebastian (Drums) and my person in the voices.

4.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences?For the readers unfamilar with Infected Humans music how would you best describe the bands musicial style?

The influences are varied since Andrés leans into genres such as: black metal, progressive, etc., for his part Pablo loves noise, grindcore, brutal death, personal I like bands like Degrade, Inheret Disease, Death, Beheaded, Jasad, in which the sum of all wills projects our first album.

The band's style was initially for a brutal classic death, currently with Sebastian's ingress he has headed to brutal death with progressive variations, techniques which can be evident on the next album that we estimated for 2022.

5.Unexpected Traumatic Experiences is the bands debut full length that will be released through Gore House Prod. when did you and the band come in contact with this great label?

We had in mind many labels to release our music however we had good references about Gore House with which we came into contact with Carlos in the middle of 2020 after negotiations we reached an agreement between both parties and to this day has proven to be very professional in his work.

6.Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything? How long did it take the band to complete the music for the debut release?

With regard to the creation process it has had ups and downs due to parallel projects with the members, however, the contribution in composition is by Paul and mine, on drums suggestions were given to Andrew and the rest was his creativity.

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

Basically the lyrics are input from all the members inspired by cult films, own experiences, etc. in the same way the first thing you work on are the lyrics and then harmonize cruelly bombing with the music.

8.Besides the upcoming debut Unexpected Traumatic Experiences does the band have any other merchandise currently availible?If yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase your merchandise?

There are indeed 2 demos launched Mutilation scene (2009) we have knowledge that some people have, and THE REBELLION OF SUBDUED HUMANS (2020) similarly few demos were printed and distributed to close Friends.

9.Infected Humans comes out of Ecuador's brutal death metal scene what are your thoughts on the scene in Ecuador?

In Ecuador there is a movement called Ecuadorian Brutal death metal that brings together death metal bands and brutal death from which we also belong, we believe that the movement of extreme music in all its aspects has been growing hopefully in a few years new bands, new and better musicians will emerge with the passion and attachment to this of death metal.

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

There are good bands, but I will quote: Solipsismo, Ente, Gastrorrexis, Colapso, Total Death

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?

Apart from music in moments of leisure I am attracted to travel to different cities, to know cultures.

12.Besides working in Infected Humans do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?

Due to composition for our second board currently our 5 senses are focused on I.H however personally I have other bands such as HUESA CADÁVER (BDM) and Criptor (DM) meanwhile Andrew, Pablo and Sebastian are currently encapsulated in the composition of INFECTED HUMANS.

13.What does Underground Metal mean to you?

For my underground metal it is something that marches countercurrent and does not seek approval, it is a way to manter and defend in time a thought through music, clothes, concerts, etc.

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

Thank you very much for this interview, to the present readers keep the extreme in their different scenarios, we are motivated to create the second plaque to be worthy of a demanding audience in the meantime acquire our present material loaded with an atmosphere that will gun you down from start to finish visit Gore House Productions and follow our social pages on fb, Instagram, twitter.                                                                         Band Contacts                                                                                                                                                https://www.facebook.com/InfectedHumans                                                                                               Label Contacts                                                                                                                                              https://gorehouseproductions.com/                                                                                                              https://gorehouseproductions.bandcamp.com/                                                                                            https://www.facebook.com/GoreHouseProductionsOfficial/                                                                         https://twitter.com/GoreHouse

Revulsion--Self-Titled cd,Lp{Transcending Obscurity Rec.} posted on 1-10-21

 

Coming out of Finland's death metal scene is Revulsion after releasing one demo and EP. the band signed a deal with Transcending Obscurity Rec.The self-titled debut contains ten songs of old-school death metal that is both intense and well executed musically.The guitars are done with a mix of heavier mid paced guitar patterns and some faster passages.The guitarist can write some memorable guitar patterns even adding some well played solo's throughout a few of the songs.The drums are handled with heavy mid paced drum patterns but the drummer does cut loose and plays more aggressive and faster drum patterns entertwined within the music.If you are a fan of well performed and delievered death metal that is both intense and well executed then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Revulsion's debut when it is released.                                                                                                                                                                                         Band  Contacts                                                                                                                                            https://www.facebook.com/RevulsionFin                                                                                                    https://revulsion.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                                       Label Contacts                                                                                                                                          https://tometal.com/                                                                                                                                 https://transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com/                                                                                               https://www.facebook.com/transcendingobscurityrecords                                                                             https://twitter.com/transcendingobs

Sepulcros--Vazio cd,Lp{Transcending Obscurity Rec.} posted on 1-6-21

Vazio is Sepulcros debut release featuring a intro and outro and four majestic hymns of death,doometal.The music is crafted together with powerful drums and guitar passages that are playedflawlessly.The musicians do play some faster paced passages but still keeps the music perfectly balanced.The vocals are heavy death metal growls and some black metal screams are used in a few of the songs.If you are looking for a band that has created a masterpiece of death doom metal then be sure to pick up a copy of Vazio when it is released.                                                                                                                                              Band Contacts                                                                                                                                              https://www.facebook.com/sepulcrosdoom                                                                                                    https://sepulcrosdoom.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                                  Label Contacts                                                                                                                                       https://tometal.com/                                                                                                                                 https://transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com/                                                                                           https://www.facebook.com/transcendingobscurityrecords                                          https://twitter.com/transcendingobs

Infected Humans-Unexpected Traumatic Experiences cd{Gorehouse Prod.} done on 1-1-21

Coming out of Ecuador's brutal death metal scene is the new band Infected Humans with their debut full-length.Unexpected Traumatic Experiences contains ten tracks of intense and brutal death metal that draws from both the 90's death metal gods to a more modern brutal style.The vocals are low,deep death metal growls that are done with powerful vocal patterns.The guitars are played with a mix of chaotic fast guitar passages but the guitarist does slow to a more mid paced range in a few of the songs.The drums are about the same with heavy and powerful mid paced drum patterns but the drummer seems to be more at home delievering the faster and crazed blast beats.Infected Humans have crafted and delievered a well executed debut release of brutal and intense death metal.                                                                                                             Band Contacts                                                                                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/InfectedHumans                                                                                                        Label Contacts                                                                                                                                       https://gorehouseproductions.com/                                                                                                             https://www.facebook.com/GoreHouseProductionsOfficial                                                                        https://gorehouseproductions.bandcamp.com/                                                                                             https://twitter.com/GoreHouse