Interview with Bestia Ater done on 3-30-21

 

1.Hello please introduce yourself to the readers?

Dinko: Greetings , my name is Dinko Dimov , the basist and main composer of Bestia Ater. I also did the album artwork and logo.

Kiril: Hello,I'm Kiril Kirilov - vocalist for Bestia Ater.

2.When did you first discover death metal music and who were the first bands you discovered?Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?

Dinko: It was back in 90's , when I've discovered this kind of music. Monstrosity,Suffocation, Death, Morbid Angel, Detest, Cannibal Corpse are among the first death metal bands I've listened to. Nowadays we have some great bands such as Diskord, A Million Dead Birds Laughing, Necrot, Perdition Temple.

Kiril: I have started with Messiah , but still listening to Deicide, Obituary, Morbid Angel. I prefer their early albums.

3.Bestia Ater was started in 2020 what gave you the idea to start this band? How did you choose Bestia Ater as the name for the band and does it have a special meaning?

Kiril: The band sarted in 2018. I just wanted to make music again. I asked Dinko Dimov ( the bass player in our previous band ) if he would like to join the project.

4.What is the current line-up of the band?Who would you say are the bands biggest influences?For the readers unfamilar with Bestia Ater music how would you best describe it?

Dinko: The current line-up is: Kiril Kirilov - vocals, Dinko Dimov - bass (we are the core of the band) and session musicians - Villy Neshev and Deyan Videv - guitars, Ivo Ivanov - drums. Our influences are countless, from US Death metal to Scandinavian death and black metal. Bands and musicians such as Anata, Divine Empire, early Morbid Angel, Deicide, Monstrosity and Cannibal Corpse, Cadaver, Ihsahn/Emperor, Nidingr, Satyricon ... just to name a few. Bestia ater's music is very energetic and ferocious death metal with a healthy dose of black metal melodies.

5.Anno Bestia Chrysallis is the bands debut full-length 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 usually write everything?

Dinko: I wrote all the songs and all arrangements as well. Songwriting process took about six months.

6.Where does the band draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the debut release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?

Kiril: I have a great interest in occultism and demonology. Our album is a collection of eight conceptually linked tracks touching in the relationships between humans and demonic entities, both beneficial and detrimental. Dinko wrote the music first , then the lyrics were added.

7.I believe the debut was self-released would you like to find a label to work with or do you prefer to self-release your music and merchadise?

Kiril: It will be a great thing if a label could distribute the final product. But if it doesn't happen , we will do it ourselves.

8.Besides the debut Anno Bestia Chrysallis does the band have any other releases or merchandise currently availible to purchase?If yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase the bands merchandise?

 Kiril: We offer our CD and T-shirts on Bandcamp : https://bestiaater.bandcamp.com/releases

9.What does Underground Metal mean to you?

Dinko: Underground Metal is one of our all-time favorite music styles. The dark melodies, complex and precise rhythms, odd time changes, and sheer brutality. It's a language to communicate with the others who share similar music preferences.

10.Bestia Ater comes out of Bulgaria's death metal scene what are your thoughts on the scene in Bulgaria ovver the years?

Kiril: Here, in Bulgaria, death metal scene is pretty small , but has it's roots back in the early 90's. Unfortunately not many bulgarian bands are popular worldwide.

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

Kiril: It's hard for us to name some favorite bands, but please check out Enthrallment, Terravore, Concrete.

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

Kiril: Our guitarist - Villy Neshev played in some other bands throughout the years : F.A.C.E., Project Arcadia, our second guitarist - Deyan Videv plays in Ciroza and Maltworm, Ivo Ivanov is a longtime drummer in Enthrallment. For me and Dinko, Bestia Ater is our current band.

13,When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Dinko: I am a professional artist, but I also love to cook. My other hobbies are zoology automotive design, Sci Fi Literature... But first and foremost - music !

Kiril: I'm a pigeon fancier.

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

Dinko: Thank you very much ! Keep Death Metal alive and support your favorite bands. Check out our new album " Anno.Bestia.Chrysallis "!

Kiril: Death Metal Forever!                                                                                                                           Band Contacts                                                                                                                                             https://bestiaater.bandcamp.com/releases                                                                                                     https://www.facebook.com/BestiaAter.deathmetal                                                                                       https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl9v5TCh2wUMT8GidE8HAkg

Interview with Woe Unto Me posted on 3-29-21

 

1. Hello please introduce yourself to the readers?

I’m Artyom – guitar player and vocalist (growls) in Belarusian doom metal band Woe Unto Me.

2. When did you first discover funeral doom metal and what is about this genre that you like so much?

I listen to a lot of different music, various genres, and funeral doom metal and doom metal in general are among them. I can’t remember when I discovered funeral doom metal for the first time; it was long ago, probably somewhere around the beginning of 2000s. Well first and foremost funeral doom is all about the atmosphere, which embraces the listener and let him flow on the waves of overwhelming sorrow which oddly enough but soothes and comforts you and gives you the feeling that you are not alone in the world of dark and bleak emotions. That’s what I like in it.

3. Who were the first bands that caught your attention? Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?

I think the first funeral doom metal band that I heard was Shape Of Despair. And their music really spoke to me. After that I discovered other bands in this genre, like Skepticism, Thergothon, Funeral, Esoteric, Evoken and many others, but for me Shape Of Despair were the first and probably most influential to me personally.

Currently I listen to a lot of other genres of music, not only doom metal, at the present moment I listen to such bands as Klone, Pain Of Salvation, Ulver, The Ocean Collective, the last Ulcerate album, Opeth, Katatonia, the last Cattle Decapitation album, a lot of different as I may say already classical metal and rock stuff like Death, Paradise Lost, Pink Floyd, etc. When I listen to funeral doom metal it’s more often Eye Of Solitude or Shape Of Despair.

4. Woe Unto Me was started in 2008 when did you all get the idea to start this band? Are you satisfied with how things have progressed with the band over the years?

The idea to start a doom metal band was born in the end of 2007. Me and Dzmitry, our second guitarist, had a common decision to create Woe Unto Me. Dzmitry had some riffs, I had some ideas too, so we just said let’s do that and that’s it. I’m definitely satisfied with what we are doing and how the band is evolving. We’re doing what we like, what we feel, we’ve released two full-length albums, one EP and we are planning to release a third album soon. We’ve done quite a few tours, festivals. And we’ll be even more active as soon as all this pandemic madness will be over. So everything’s great.

5. How did you choose Woe Unto Me as the name of this band? What is the current line-up?

Actually the first idea was to name a band Woe Is Me, and we had this name for a while, but then in 2009 appeared a metalcore-emo-screamo whatever band with the same name in the US, so we decided to change it and found a similar option with the other preposition but the same meaning, and that’s how Woe Unto Me came into existence. I think this name perfectly reflects our music and atmosphere. The current line-up looks as following: Igor Kovalyov – vocals, samples; Dzmitry Shchyhlinski – rhythm guitars; Ivan Skrundevskiy –bass, Pavel Shmyga – drums, Olga Apisheva – keyboards and your humble servant Artyom Serdyuk – guitars and growl vocals.

6. For the readers unfamiliar with the band’s music, how would you best describe it? And have the band’s influences stayed the same over the years or have they changed with time?

Our music is heavy, sullen, grieving and devastating. And it’s full of emotions and atmosphere. The second question is a difficult one. We are influenced by something during the whole life. The influences change all the time, we keep discovering some more great new music which can have an immediate impact on each of us. Sometimes the old influences are coming back, the things that you liked many years ago and maybe stopped listening to some stuff and then rediscover it again. So basically I think influences are changing with time, but sometimes they can make a full circle and come back to a starting point.

7. Spiral-Shaped Hopewreck 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 the band to complete one song?

Well, “Spiral-Shaped Hopewreck” is just an EP and there is only one song that belongs to Woe Unto Me in it, plus some interludes. Two other songs are covers so obviously we were not composing them, just changed some arrangements. I composed the title songs probably within one week or something like that. Everything depends on inspiration, you know. Sometimes you can compose 1-2 riffs and then take a break and finish the song couple of weeks or even months later, and sometimes you can just write the whole song during 2-3 hours.

8. Where does the band draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the new release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?

We draw inspiration from everywhere where it’s possible. The main source is our life of course, everything that is happening around us, everything that stays in our hearts and minds, it’s a reflection of ourselves, our feelings and emotions. The lyrical concpet of the new song “Spiral-Shaped Hopewreck” was inspired by the most eminent art by Ivan Aivazovsky “The Ninth Wave”. The unbridled and powerful forces of nature against the vain ambitions of a human-being. The main character tries to escape from himself, to hide from the despair and suffering of his mortal existence. He desperately stands against the wild and mighty waves in his tiny and fragile boat of life. But in the end this raging storm crushes his hope and these waters devour him. There are no rules in terms of what should come first, the music or the lyrics. Both options are fine. In my experience I usually compose music first and then the lyrics, but many times it happened the opposite way.

9. Besides the upcoming Spiral-Shaped Hopewreck release are the bands previous releases still available for the readers to purchase? Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?

At the moment our debut album “A Step Into The Waters Of Forgetfulness” is completely sold out. So you can buy it only in digital format. Our second album and the new EP of course are available on our Bandcamp as well as other merchandise like t-shirts for example. We had some hoodies and longsleeves too but they are also sold out. We’ll be adding some new stuff to our merchandise soon. You can take a look at what we have and purchase digital and physical releases and apparel here - https://woeuntome.bandcamp.com/

10. Has the band ever made a music video for any of the band’s songs? If you could do a music video for any song off the new release which song would you like to see made into a music video?

You can check all the videos that we have on our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/woeuntomeband We have a music video on our song “Angels To Die”, we have couple of lyric videos and live videos, the newest one is the live video of our new song “Spiral-Shaped Hopewreck” performed at Brutal Assault festival in Czech Republic. We are planning to make a new story video clip in the nearest months on one of the songs from the forthcoming album, can’t say which one right now, so just subscribe to our YouTube channel and stay tuned.

11. Besides working in Woe Unto Me do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?

I play in several bands. A technical progressive death metal band DEATHBRINGER has recorded a second full-length album after several years of silence. This band is originally from Belarus, but now mostly consists of musicians from Poland. The band had a long break in the concert and studio activity. But now we are back to the front and it’s awesome. This new stuff is very technical and brutal. At the moment mixing and mastering are almost finished and we’ll be looking for a new label. DISLOYAL is an old band from Poland, which performs also technical death metal. We’ve just recorded 5th full-length album called “Divine Miasmata”. We are mixing it right now and are planning to release it this year. And one more project is called AMENTIA, also from Belarus. It’s a progressive, sometimes even avant-garde brutal death metal. It’s a studio project, at least at the present moment. We are planning to record a 4th album this year.

Concerning other members of Woe Unto Me our vocalist Igor has a band called NEBULAE COME SWEET. A very good post doom/post metal and they are recording their second album at the moment. I also perform as a session musician with different bands when needed.

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

Spending time with my family, my wife, reading books, watching movies, hanging out with friends, travelling when you have no damn pandemic restrictions of course.

13. Woe Unto Me comes out of Belarus funeral doom scene what are your thoughts of the doom scene in Belarus over the years?

I would say that there is no real doom scene in Belarus. There are very few bands that are releasing doom metal albums like for example REIDO, but they do not play live and most of such bands are one-man or two-man projects. And usually when I say the word “scene” for me personally it means that the band should at least sometimes appear also on the stage. That’s my personal opinion of course but still. There are also some bands that have elements of doom in their music but their main genre is different, it can be DSBM or folk or pagan. It’s hard for me to say that such bands belong to the doom metal scene. There is a promising young band THE AGONY COLUMN which plays gothic/symphonic doom metal. And that’s it I think. At least from what I know.

14. Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Belarus and are there any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?

I would recommend checking out the band SERDCE for those who like good and intellectual progressive death metal, and the band KHANDRA for fans of aggressive and uncompromising black metal. And I will not repeat the names of the other bands of Woe Unto Me members and Belarusian doom representatives mentioned above, but be sure to check them out too.

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

Keep supporting underground music, keep buying records and attending the shows, this is the only way to show your appreciation to the bands for what they do and help them to survive. Thank you very much for your interest and support! Stay doomed!                                                                                       Band Contacts                                                                                                                                               https://woeuntome.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                              https://www.facebook.com/woeuntome                                                                                                      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGVs1ULXidB9jSSETgnt7Fw                                                        Label Contacts                                                                                                                                               https://solitude-prod.com/                                                                                                                             https://solitudeproductions.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                 https://www.facebook.com/solitudeprod                                                                                                      https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClwNBIBuQglLOYKz9TWXCcA

Interview with Aron Vocalist and guitarist of Anarkhon done on 3-21-21

 

1.Hello Aron please introduce yourself to the readers?

Aron – Hello, I’m a Brazilian guitarist and vocalist in the extreme metal bands “Anarkhon & Power From Hell”.

2.When did you first discover death metal music and who were the first bands you listened to?Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?

Aron - My first contact with death metal was when I was 13 years old watching MTV Headbangers Ball and saw a music video by Cannibal Corpse, the song was “Staring Through The Eyes Of The Dead” and that was so cool for me, the voice , the riffs, the video, everything caught my attention and after that I became an addict to extreme metal music. Nowadays I'm listening to bands like Sulphur Aeon, Krypts, Dead Congregation etc...

3.Aron when did you first become interested in playing the guitars?Are you self taught or did you take lessons when first starting out?

Aron – I started playing acoustic guitar at age 13 and when I was 15 I got my first electric guitar and I took lessons for 2 years in the beginning, after that I started following my musical instincts.

4.Who would you say are your influences and favorite guitarists?

Aron – As a guitarist I like the same guitar players that everyone else like, Steve Vai, Satriani, Malmsteen, Steve Morse etc... , inside extreme metal I remember when I listened to for the first time the album Heartwork from Carcass and the guitar riffs and solos in that album definitely blew up my mind, Michael Amott and Bill Steer were great guitar players.

5. Aron you also handle the vocal duties for the band when did you first start growling and screaming? Do you do anything special to keep your voice and throat healthy?

Aron - I got my first experience as a vocalist in 2001 in the black metal band Power From Hell, in the Anarkhon I took over the vocals in 2006 after the death of our previous vocalist and I had to manage a way to singing in a guttural way that for me it's completly different from black metal way to scream, but I don't use any special trick, I just to avoid cold drinks during a tour.

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

Aron - Ronnie James Dio is the greatest vocalist of all time in my opinion, nowadays I don't play any instruments besides guitar.

7.Anarkhon was started back in 1999 when did you and the other members first get the idea to start this band? How did you choose Anarkhon as the name of the band and does it have a special meaning?

Aron – The band was created for our former guitarist and the previous vocalist that died back in 2006, I joined to the band in late 1999 six months after they started, the name's idea came from the Lovecraft influence, we wanted a name with no meaning in human tongue, exactly like the creatures and realms created by the author.

8.What is the current line-up of the band?For the readers who have never heard the bands music how would you best describe Anarkhon's musical style?

Aron - The current line-up is: Aron Romero (Guitar & Vocals), Kleber Hastur (Guitars), Jean Raimi (Bass) , Wellington Backer (Drums) , the Anarkhon's musical style is simply Death Metal, but of course in the end people always label a band's sound in the way they want, we don't care about that.

9.Phantasmagorical Personification Of The Death Temple is the bands newest full length which is being released through DebemurMorti Prod. when did you and the band first come in contact with this label?

Aron - We exchanged some emails about 7 months ago, they listened to the album and they liked and we reached a deal for this release, they are an important label inside extreme metal scene.

10.Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write everything?

Aron – Since 2006 I became the main songwriter in the band, doing 90% of the riffs and 100% of the lyrics.

11.Aron you handle the vocals for the band so i would guess you write the lyrics for the music what are some subjects written about on the new release?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?

Aron - Basically all lyrics in the album was inspired by H.P Lovecraft, we're trying to follow the same conception of creating in the reader's mind something unthinkable, something completely beyond intellect and human perception, the key here is exactly to create the gaps that cannot be filled in a real and explainable way trapping the reader in the tangle of cosmic madness. Music comes first and then lyrics.

12.Besides the Phantasmagorical Personification Of The Death Temple are the bands previous releases still availible for the readers to purchase? Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently availible if yes what is availible and where can the readers purchase it?

Aron – In the moment we don’t have any CD or merch, but we'll have it soon.

13,Has Anarkhon had the opportunity to play very many live shows over the years or do you prefer to work in the studio?What have been some of the bands most memorable shows and who are some bands you all have shared the stage with?

Aron – Along the years we shared the stage here in Brazil with great bands, some memorable concerts playing with bands such as Dark Funeral, Incantation, Immolation, Aborted, Obituary etc…nowadays we're more focus on working on studio than live performances.

14.Anarkhon comes out of Brazil's death metal scene what are your thoughts on Brazil's death metal scene over the years?

Aron - Our biggest name in terms of death metal in the worldwide metal scene is the band Krisiun, for some reason Brazil has always exported more black and thrash metal bands than death metal ones.

15.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Brazil and are their any new bands you could recomend to the readers?

Aron - My favourite brazilian band of all times is old Sepultura, about the new bands from Brazil I like Outlaw and Jupiterian.

16.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?

Aron - I like to practice sports and to read some books.

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

Aron - Thank you for your support and I hope people out there be prepared for the nightmare that will be released in LP format through Debemur Morti Productions next March 26th.                                        Band  Contacts                                                                                                                                               https://anarkhonband.bandcamp.com/releases                                                                                             https://www.facebook.com/anarkhon                                                                                                           Label Contacts                                                                                                                                              https://www.debemur-morti.com/en/                                                                                                           https://dmp666.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/debemurmorti                                                                                                   https://twitter.com/debemurmorti

Anarkhon--Phantasmagorical Personification Of The Death Temple LP{Debemur Morti Prod.} posted on 3-20-21

 I remember hearing this bands debut release 2006's Obesidade Morbida and being very impressed.But this bandhas grown in all aspects of the writing ability and structures.Debemur Morti Prod is releasing the new release on vinyl format.Phantasmagorical Personification Of The Death Temple contains seven songs of well crafted and performed death metal intensity.Mainly played with mid paced guitars the guitarist does speed up to a faster tempo throughout the songs.The guitarist does write some memorable guitar patterns even adding some well played solo's into the music.The drums are handled with some impressive drum patterns going from a mid paced drum range to an allout assault on the drum kit.The vocals are heavy death metal growls that fit Anarkhon's music perfectly.If you are looking for a band that delievers intense and memorable death metal then be sure to pick up a copy of Phantasmagorical Personification Of The Death Temple  today you will not be disapointed.

                                                                  Band  Contacts                                                                                                                          https://anarkhonband.bandcamp.com/releases                                                                                             https://www.facebook.com/anarkhon                                                                                                                                Label Contacts                                                                                                                            https://www.debemur-morti.com/en/                                                                                                           https://dmp666.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                                     https://www.facebook.com/debemurmorti                                                                                                    https://twitter.com/debemurmorti

Interview with Mark dj of the shows Audio Aggression and Metal Mark's Vault shows posted on 3-16-21

 

1.Hello Mark please introduce yourself to the readers?
 
Hi Patrick, I am "Metal Mark" James host of the online metal radio shows "Metal Mark's Audio Aggression" and "Metal Mark's Vault that has been on air since June 1992. I started out at a college radio station as a non-student volunteer DJ at WNYO in SUNY Oswego and was there till 2001. After I left there, I took a break and then in late 2001, decided to start doing my show on the internet and started out on my own and I have also been a DJ at Open Grave Radio/Records(RIP) and I was also a DJ at a Christian metal station called Blabberjesus Radio(RIP Dale Huffman) then after OGR/BR folded I joined Brutal Existence Radio in 2008(RIP Fowler who was GM/Owner) and was there till 2015 and after BER folded, I decided to go back on my own and do the shows DIY style.

2.When did you first start listening to metal music and who were the first bands and artists you listened to?Who are some of the current bands that you are enjoying?
 
I started getting into hard rock/metal around the late 70's and grew up on bands like Kiss, Rush, Blue Oyster Cult, Van Halen(RIP EVH), Black Sabbath and then in the early 80's bands like Saxon(all time NWOBHM favorite), Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, AC/DC, Dio(RIP Ronnie) then in mid to late 80's I started getting into heavier bands like Slayer, Metallica, King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Anthrax, Piledriver and more. Then in the early 90's, I started getting into death metal from that era, bands like Cannibal Corpse, Entombed(RIP LG Petrov), Massacre, Benediction, Asphyx, Massacra, Protector, Pestilence, Dismember, No Return, Malevolent Creation(RIP Bret), Suffocation and tons more. Currently these days I have been listening to Deranged(Canada), the new Benediction album, a lot of the newer and classic OSDM(Old School Death Metal) bands like Kurnugia, Wombripper, Disrupted, Darkthrone(debut album only), new Asphyx, and loads more. Thrash metal wise, Heathen, Razor, Sacrifice(Canada), Witches Hammer(Canada),Evildead, Blood Feast, and more. Doom metal wise, Elliott's Keep, Capilla Ardiente, Doomocracy, Dantesco(RIP Eric) and more. Heavy/Traditional/Power Metal stuff too like Attacker(US-NJ), Hexx, Metal Church and more. I would be here forever typing all the bands I listen to, hahaha!
 
 

3.I believe you started your journey into the underground metal music scene back in the early 90's. What is it that has kept you going after all these years?
 
My start in underground metal actually goes back to the mid 80's with the now classic bands, Metallica/Slayer/Exodus/Anthrax as well as many other 80's independent label underground bands and then in early 90's I jumped into death metal as well. What keeps me going after almost 30 years(as of June 2022) is the passion I have for this music. It was a dream of mine to have a metal radio show and remaining loyal to the music and being true to the music. Overall I am a old school metal diehard and I do not cater to nu-metal/modern metal at all and I have no interest in those subgenres. I wave the flag of old school true metal with no regrets and no shame.

4.Back in the 90's i know fanzines were huge did you read alot of fanzines back in the day?What do you feel made a good fanzine?What were some of your favorite fanzines to read back then?
 
Well fanzine wise, Metalcore Fanzine run by Chris Forbes and still going strong! I was a subscriber to the Wild Rags zine that Richard C had out, he ran a distro and his zine at a shop out in California. A friend of mine told me about the zine and later on I featured some of his distros' bands on Audio Aggression as well. His zine was informative, the layouts were cool, and his distro prices were affordable as well. I did a zine with a friend of mine in Oswego NY called "Into The Void", old school cut and paste style! hahaha! But as time went on, it only lasted for 3 issues due to high costs of putting it together. I learned a lot from that. Overall, if you have a nice layout and everything looks good, that's what makes a zine stand out I think. For magazines, I used to read RIP Magazine and then Metal Maniacs which i was a subscriber to both. I have TONS of Maniacs and Wild Rags zines sitting in my closet! LOL!

5.Are their any current fanzines that you read?Do you try to keep up with any of the web-zine's that are out these days?If yes, what are some web-zines that you like to read and keep up with?
 
Not really, I have been so focused on the metal radio side of things and have been out of the loop for awhile for zines.

6.Besides fanzines i know tape-trading was huge as well did you ever do much tape trading?What were some of the early demo's and releases that you traded for?
 
Well to be honest, I wasn't aware of tape trading at first but I heard about it later reading in Wild Rags and Metal Maniacs. I didn't trade tapes at all and later I learned when you wrote to bands overseas, you sent a IRC(international reply coupon) and you waited for a response from the band. However, I have a good friend of mine(West Side Dave) who used to send me mixtape compilation cassettes of bands he turned me on to and was part of learning more about the underground bands on those tapes he sent me. I would call him weekly and tell him I would mail him blank cassettes and then he dubbed them for me and sent them back and I have still have all those tapes he did for me and I appreciate what he did for me.

7.When did you first become interested in being a dj of a radio show?How did you choose Audio Aggression and Metal Mark's Vault  as the name's for your shows?
 
Well I always wanted to be a radio DJ since the mid 80's and then around that same time, 2 friends of mine told me about 2 radio stations that had metal radio shows. The first one was a show called "The Rock Shop" on WSFW in Seneca Falls, NY(RIP Bob Appell) and the other was an underground metal show called Metal Mayhem on WBER in Rochester NY. Then around 1987, there was a show that also influenced me to be a DJ and that show was Metallic Overdrive also on WBER in Rochester NY and that show pretty much introduced me to the underground/independent metal label artists as well as import releases. I was an avid listener of all those shows on Saturday nights from the mid 80's to Metallic Overdrive's final show in 1994.  My show was originally called Audio Aggression until a few years ago, there was another show with that same name, so I changed it to "Metal Mark's Audio Aggression" to avoid any legal issues. But the name of the show fits pretty much with how metal should be, powerful, heavy, brutal, aggressive, you get the idea. That's how I came up with that name. As far as "Metal Mark's Vault, well seeing that I have a large collection of older releases as well as reissues I either purchase or promos I receive from labels for airplay that send digital reissues, I felt that it was important to have a show to look at the past of the metal underground so I decided to start that show as well.           

8.I believe you have been a dj for many years now what is it about doing a radio show that you enjoy so much?Would you have any advice to anyone reading this who might be thinking of starting their own show?
                                                                                 
It will be exactly 30 years on June 5, 2022 that I started the show and I enjoy it so much because I am an old school metal die hard with a great deal of passion and I love interacting with fellow metalheads around the world during my shows and even when I am not on air. So overall simply, a passion and a love for metal music.   My advice to those who want to start doing their own show is to make sure you are passionate and willing to work hard and if there's a college radio station or independent FM station in your city that allows community volunteer DJ's, take advantage of it and learn the process step by step. It's a great experience, or if you prefer doing an internet only show, surf online and check all the online metal radio stations that are out there and see what works best for you.

9.Are you happy with how things have progressed over the years with both shows?
 
Oh I am very happy since I went DIY, I'm my own boss and it feels great, haha! Everyone loves the shows I do and I understand not everyone can listen live at the same time because of the time zones hence why I make the shows available for streaming to listen to at mixcloud.com/Metalmark52    

10.What styles of metal do you support and play on your shows?If their are any bands,Labels or PR.Companies interested in submitting music how can they get in contact with you?
 
the subgenres of metal I feature are :heavy/power/progressive/thrash/death/doom/speed metal
any subgenres I did not mention I don't play and also do not play modern/nu-metal either. Remember I am a old school metalhead, haha!  Bands/labels/PR companies can submit their material to metalmark41@gmail.com or they can find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MJP50

11.If anyone is interested in listening to your shows What days and times are they on?Where can they readers tune in to your shows?
                                                                                                                                               Metal Mark's Vault is on Friday nights and Metal Mark's Audio Aggression is on Saturday nights, both shows are live and on at 10pm till 1am(EDT-USA) and you can listen live at http://metalmark.myl2mr.com  If you miss the live shows, they can be listened to as streaming only podcasts and you can follow at http://mixcloud.com/Metalmark52 where you'll find my massive podcast archive of over 500 shows going back as far as 2015 from the Brutal Existence Radio days!

12.When you need to take a break from working on your radio shows what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
  I prep the shows in advance during the week and check email submissions from bands/labels/PR companies so during the week I am busy doing all that. When I am not doing the radio stuff,  well since CO-VID started I've been watching a lot of TV, movies/documentaries and my family got me a nice Fire TV 2 years ago on Xmas so pretty much I like to stay entertained from that. I see my Mom once in awhile and we'll go shopping and stuff like that. I also like to meditate and it helps with my stress and anxiety as well.  Since CO-VID, I only go out for 3 reasons, shopping/doctors/and seeing my Mom  that's it. Hopefully things will open back up and get back to normal soon.

13.What does Underground Metal mean to you?And how do you feel it has changed over the years do you feel it has gotten better or worse or just changing with the times?
 
Underground metal to me means a lot. Going to shows(before CO-VID) and I have made many new friendships in the underground, discovering new bands on an almost daily basis, the fun of shopping online and buying the artists' releases and surfing online looking for new bands in the underground. The internet pretty much makes it easier now as opposed to the pre-internet days when you had to write to a band and wait for a response. Overall, it is better since the pre-internet days I think because now you have easier access than before.

14.I know before the Covid pandemic you used to promote shows and tours on your facebook page what were some of the most memorable concerts you had the pleasure of witnessing over the years?
                                                                                                                                                  The past several years before CO-VID I got to see bands such as Morta Skuld, Morpheus Descends, Solstice(US-FL), Hobbs' Angel Of Death(RIP Peter), the reunion of Baphomet(US-NY), Derketa, Embalmer, Deceased, October 31, Funerus, Prime Evil, Absconder, Cardiac Arrest, Warcurse, Scorched, Faithxtractror, Funeral Nation, Atomic Aggressor, Grave Descent, Hellcannon, Rottrevore, Oz, Wehrmacht, Master, Cain(US-NY), and tons more.

15.Who are some of your favorite bands that you have had the pleasure of seeing live?Are there any bands that you hope to see play live when bands are able to do so again?
 
my top favorites I got to see live were Judas Priest/Iron Maiden(Vengeance/Beast tour), Rush(twice, Moving Pictures and Hold Your Fire tour), Judas Priest/Great White(Defenders tour and GW's debut album tour which btw the debut kicks ass!!)
 
One band on my bucket list that I hope to see before they retire-SAXON! \m/

16..Mark i believe you live in the great state of New York what is your opinion of the metal scene in New York over the years?
 
Yes, I live in the Central Upstate NY region in a small city called Fulton which is approx 1/2 hour NW of Syracuse.  There are a lot of great metal bands from Syracuse/Rochester/Buffalo/Albany/NYC. Before CO-VID, shows were always happening in all these areas and the scene is great. After CO-VID, I think the scene will come back stronger than ever once the shows start back up again hopefully soon.

17.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of New York and are their any new bands you could recommend to the readers?
 All time favorite bands from NY....whew a lot, LOL! Suffocation, Baphomet, The Rods, Dio(RIP-Cortland NY native), Manowar(from Auburn NY), older Anthrax, man I could go on, LOL! Too many!

18.Thank you Mark  for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final comments for the readers?
 
First of all I want to say thank you Patrick for this interview and your support of my shows all these years and wish you continued success with your zine and Underground Metal Promotions as well. I also want to say thank you to my family and friends worldwide for your support of my shows all these years and supporting the metal underground. I will continue to wave the flag of old school metal forever! \m/

 Metal Mark's

 metalmark41@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/MJP50                                                                                                                https://metalmark.radiostream123.com/

https://www.mixcloud.com/Metalmark52/

Interview with Holly dj of the radio show Diabolus Templum Posted on 3-14-21

 

1.Hello Holly please introduce yourself to the readers?

I am Holly Fox from the cold North of the Canadian Maritimes. The creator of Diabolus Templum and wielder of the darkness.

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

I was raised in an Xi'an cult and wasn't allowed to listen to any music but gospel for most of my childhood so I was late in the realm of metal but delved hard into it when I was 13 through friends in Jr High. Back then most of us didn't have the internet so we relied on finding music through recording mixed tapes from the local college station CHSR in Fredericton on a show called "The Crazy Train" which was a great source for finding stuff that wasn't your basic metal like Metallica ect. from the local record stores that only had popular music. I started out with hair metal like Motley Crue and Dokken and thrash like Sacrifi ce and Sepultura but discovered death metal when I was 15 and that changed my life entirely. I moved to Moncton and my friend Bobby introduced me to a band called Gorguts...from there I discoveredCarcass ...Obituary...Entombed..Death.. ect from watching the Power Hour on Much MusicI still have some VHS tapes from recording that and later the Power 30....a half hour less. Booooo! It was later when I moved to Halifax in my 20s that I discovered black metal like Emperor through local band friends...which enriched my life even further. I was still primarily into Oldscool DM and Thrash for most of my life until my 30s when I started to slow down a bit and appreciate the slower but darker more beautiful aspects of Black Metal...that's about when I started Diabolus Templum. Current music I listen to are Blut Aus Nord...Leviathan...Coldworld...Evilfeast...Moon(Aus)...Evilnox...Moon and Azure Shadow ...and Wretch to name only afew that I religiously play on the daily

3.When did you first become interested in being a dj of a radio show?How did you choose Diabolus Templum as the name for your show?

I used to listen to a dark ambient show called "Nightscaping" and I really liked how the DJ put the show together and how it flowed...I didn't actually think of doing it until a guy from a site called Metal Monthly was looking for DJs so I decided to go for it and got it. I needed a name for the show and wanted it to pertain to a gathering of dark minds. Since I had already made a Satanic church in a game called Second Life that I titled Diabolus Templum..I decided to use that. It means  the Devils Temple ..and everything sounds better in Latin so I translated it.

4.I believe you have been a dj for many years now what is it about doing a radio show that you enjoy so much?Would you have any advice to anyone reading this who might be thinking of starting their own show?

Yes...over a decade ago now. I do it obviously for my love of music and also to keep us up to date on current music...to help artists I enjoy get exposure...to help people not feel alone .. make connections and to spread beautiful darkness around the world.

My advice for anyone interested in being a DJ is only this"HAVE ZERO EXPECTATIONS"...there are times you might think there is nobody listening but even if one person is...you just might change their life by introducing them to their new fave band! It took me a decade to get the listeners I get now so don't just give up after a couple months. If you are playing obscure genres for the most part like I do...don't expect a huge following ever. The shows that play basic shit are the popular ones..so dont do it for popularity unless you play Ac/DC or other overhyped music. You also need to have basic computer knowledge...if you are like me and arent the best then join an already established station that has a station manager that is good at explaining how to use the program. Don't expect things to always go smoothly because often it will not. Sometimes it is beyond your control like the internet or a program error...other times we are only stupid humans and make mistakes. For instance when I was new to doing live shows on Brutal Existence Radio...I left the broadcast button on after my show and I didnt get cut off as I was the last show of the night...it was late and my computer was in the bedroom...my boyfriend at the time was a really loud snorer...so the people listening could hear that all night...which seems funny now but wasn't at the time. But yeah...these things happen. Dont ever expect it to be perfect unless you are working for a station with lots of money with people getting paid well. Again...expect to play basic popular music if you do that. Also just go with the flow and try not to be nervous...just pretend you are talking to a friend. If  you do sound nervous it dont matter..most of us DJs are just music nerds anyways and sound a bit silly ;)

5.I believe the Diabolus Templum radio show is on Pure Rock radio station when did you first come in contact with this radio station?

I joined purerockradio.net almost a year ago when the slowing down in the world because of covid gave me time to look into a station to host DT again after a years hiatus. My friend Thomas from Evisceradio has a show on there so he snatched me up and put me in contact with Rich the station manager. It's a great station thats been around for a very long time ..like 20 yrs. I love the chatroom and the fact that my shows are podcasted on the site so you can check out shows you may have missed. Rich also introduced and taught me how to use a different broadcaster than I was used to that I find way easier than before.

6.What styles of metal do you support and play on your show? If there are any bands,Labels or PR.Companies interested in submitting music how can they get in contact with you?

Currently I mostly play Atmospheric Black Metal...Funeral Doom... D.S.B.M and Dungeon Synth. Anything really dark and moody that takes you from where you are and puts you into some dark fantasy land.

Anyone interested in submitting music that can do that.. contact me at diabolus_templum@live.com

7.What day and time does the show air for the readers who are interested in listening to it?

Sundays @ 7- 9 PM Mountain // 10PM- 12AM Atlantic // 1-3am GMT on purerockradio.net

8.Holly when you need to take a break from working on the shows what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy my dark ambient baths...creating art...yoga...spending time with my people and cat watching nature or true crime docs.. I like educational games and reading occult books...doing rituals....and learning all the things I can before I leave this life.

9.I believe you live in the great country of Canada what are your thoughts of the Canadian Metal scene over the years?

There has always been great metal here since the 90s. Bands like Gorguts..Sacrifice...Voivod...Annihilator...Cryptopsy and Kataklysm to name the popular ones who come from Quebec and Ontario because those provinces get the most exposure from being so huge and big bands touring there. Out here in the "actual East" of Canada in the Atlantic provinces we had lots of very talented metal bands like Terratomb...Burning Moon...Gorbage.. .Funeral Fog...Cephalectomy...Thy Flesh Consumed..Earth A.D....Gruesome Feast...Ignightor...Spinesplitter...Pagan Hellfire...Black Frost and of course Hellacaust!

I find progressive ...sludge doom and hair metal bands are getting popular here now but there are still some new black and death acts popping up but I am a bit out of the loop lately. As we all are since we haven't been to live shows in a year.

10.Who are your alll-time favorite bands coming out of Canada and are there any new bands you could recommend to the readers?

The Canadian bands that I haven't mentioned in my prior answer that I recommend are Versifist...Cottus...Root Cellar..Path..Ritual Warfare..Ancient Reign...Select and Dismember...Forteresse..Panzerfaust...Hexenklad...Wilt...Sombres Forêts...Neige et Noirceur..Gris..Erimha...Wormreign...Akitsa..Monarque...Sorcier des Glaces and Csejthe to name a few

.11.What have been some of the most memorable concerts that you have witnessed over the years?Who are some of your favorite bands and artists to watch live?

My first memorable show was Sacrifice when they came to Fredericton. I was the only chick there and I never saw a band I  knew all the songs of before. They were great! Another time that stands out is the first time I saw Terratomb...they opened for the Misfits in like 2000 and stole the show here in Halifax! There are countless memorable shows I been to locally but I am already being very long winded here.

Another great show was in Slovenia for Metal Camp 08. I traveled there alone for the first time and had a week of amazing bands...it was the 1st time I saw Carcass...I was really hoping to see my other favorite band Negura Bunget for something called Castlefest in Serbia at that time but it was cancelled. Which brings me to seeing Negura 3 times here in the maritimes!!! Would have been at least one more time but our metal brother Negru died before his return. :(

I travelled to see Carcass again with the Hellacaust guys to Montreal..that was my first time in Quebec. Another great festival I go to every chance I get is Messe Des Morts in Montreal. I saw countless Canadian and European Black Metal acts I never thought I'd have the chance to see on this continent. Stuff like Taake...Lifelover...Horna...Tsjuder...Mortiis...Ancient..Gaahl's Wyrd....MGLA...sooo many great bands in the lineup every year. 2020 would have been the 10th MDM anniversary but of course covid happened.

12.Besides black metal do you listen to any other forms of underground music if yes what are some of your favorite genres?Who are some of your favorite bands and artists? 

I really enjoy Funeral Doom like Frowning and of course Evoken ..and Dark Ambient such as Lustmord and of course the music I speak over on DT, Arcana. Some of my fave out of the DT aspect I listen to is Danzig ...Type O Negative...NIN ...Skinny Puppy...Alice In Chains..Soundgarden...The Tea Party...Portishead and 80s darkwave. I love dancing and singing to it. My fave 80s bands are of course Depeche Mode...Pet Shop Boys...Killing Joke( whom I only recently discovered) and INXS who were my first fave band at 10 yrs old when I was allowed to be a sinner lol. Some old punk music like The Ramones. I also like to listen to Bach while I'm painting and chill ambient radio...stuff like Boards of Canada and Deadmouse when Im cleaning my dungeon in DT. ;)

13.Besides the radio show I believe you have also worked with a couple of bands as a singer when did you first become interested in singing? Do you do anything special to keep your voice and throat healthy?

I probably started to be interested in singing when I heard The Bangles when I was 10. Walk like an Egyptiaaaaaaaan.

I sang and wrote the lyrics for a couple bands. In 2008 I started Inmortis with my friend Lisa..we have an album out called Human Extinction. That ended in 2012 then me and Jolene from Inmortis started Vakvnt...the ep is self titled. You can find both bands on Bandcamp now.

Hvile I Kaos's Black Morning/Winter Green album. He discovered me from DT as I play him often and he liked my voice so I did a spoken word outro for that album which is also on bandcamp. I am also on my fave DSBM project Happy Days singing a song titled "Hollow" that I wrote the lyrics for. The album isn't out yet but the song was released on youtube so you can check it out on there.

Honestly...beer is the only thing that helps me sing cuz it takes away my inhibitions. I just don't have much confident energy without it. I hope I do someday....so I can do it in a healthy way.

14.Who are some of your favorite vocalists?Besides singing do you currently play any musicial instruments?

My fave well known vocalists would be Gaahl ..Huppogrammos Disiple....Georg Börner ...Peter Steele...Dave Gahan and Beth Gibbons.

Besides singing I dabble in keys...electric guitar ..theremin and my beautiful harpsicle.

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

Yes...I'd like to take the time to mention a couple people that pertain to the bands and radio station related people we have recently lost.

John Bertram who was my first and most loyal listener who was murdered while he was at work. Fowler Doxey who was the founder of Brutal Existence Radio where I DJed the longest and made so many friends through and this week LG Petrov from Entombed whose influence was huge on so many of us.

Remember you are never ever alone ...And "Stay Fuckin Dark"....which is how Negru ended his messages to me and I incorporated into my DT outro many moons ago.                                                    Links for Holly's show and sites                                                https://www.purerockradio.net/diabolustemplum                                                                                          https://www.facebook.com/DiabolusTemplumRadio                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/groups/BlackAmbientDarkness                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/hollyfox666                                                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/vakvnt                                                                                                              https://vakvnt.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                                     https://www.facebook.com/Inmortis                                                                                                             https://inmortis.bandcamp.com/releases?                                                                                                       Pure Rock Radio                                                                                                                                            https://www.purerockradio.net/                                                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/purerocklive                                                                                                      https://twitter.com/purerocklive                                                                 

Interview with Exterminated done on 3-8-21

 

1. Hello please introduce yourselves to the readers?

- Hey Patrick! Thank you for this interview! We are Exterminated, two piece Brutal Death Metal from the Philippines!

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

- Brutal Death Metal was introduced to me in the mid of 2000 by a friend. He introduced our local bands Pus Vomit, Down From The Wound, Human Mastication and foreign bands such as Disgorge, Devourment, Decrepit Birth and Deeds of Flesh. I was listening to some other Death Metal bands but BDM really caught my attention so I started to do my own research for more BDM bands back then.

3. When did you first get the idea to start the band Exterminated and are you satisfied with how things have progressed with the band so far?

- I started Exterminated as my solo project in the year 2016. I released a three track demo in the same year and the EP Elements of Obliteration featuring Giulio Galati (Hideous Divinity) on drums was released in 2018 by Brute Productions. 2 years after the EP was released, I started to write songs again during the height of the pandemic and I invited Myke to fill up the vocal part. We are definitely happy with our progress and results. Myke's low gutturals added intensity and it fits perfectly with the overall sound and approach of Exterminated.

4. I believe the band is a two man band when you started out did you plan to work as a duo or would you like to add more members to make a full-line up?

I started as a one man band then I decided to add Myke to spew his guts for the debut album. As of now, we plan to stick as a duo to make it easy for us to write songs and faster than a full band can do. I'll just work and make my drum programs to sound more human than machine as possible.

5. The Genesis Of Genocide is the debut full length that is being released through Comatose Music when did you and the band first come in contact with this great label?

- We started to contact several record labels when we had our promo materials recorded. One of the few labels who responded to our submission was Comatose Music. Steve responded positively with our promo song and decided to sign us after a few weeks of discussion. Comatose Music is our dream label so it was an easy decision for us. We are very proud and honoured that we are now a part of his roster. Thank you Steve!

6. How long did it take to write the music for the debut release? How long does it usually take to complete one song?

I wrote all the songs and it took almost 3 months between June to August 2020 for me to complete and record all the instrumentals. After that, we started to write lyrics, create patterns and the vocals were recorded in several occasions until they are completed.

7. Where does the band draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the debut release? Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?

The main concept of The Genesis of Genocide album is about World War 2 when the Japanese invaded our country in the 1940s. Our lyrics are all about oppression, cruelty, death and suffering of the masses during the war. Bin did a great job with the cover artwork as it clearly depicts and illustrate what this album is all about. We usually write and record the instrumentals before the lyrics.

8. Besides the upcoming debut The Genesis Of Genocide does the band have any other releases currently available? Besides physical releases is there any other merchandise currently available if yes what is available and where can the readers purchase it?

Yes, our EP Elements of Obliteration is still available via Brute Productions and I believe there are some other labels that are distributing our EP. It is available in Comatose Music website as well.

9. 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?

I have work during the day and I usually spend my afternoon cycling or relaxing here at home watching movies, listening to music or surfing the internet.

10. Exterminated comes out of the Philippines brutal death metal scene what is your opinion of the scene in the Philippines?

I am happy that the BDM scene here in the Philippines is starting to grow all over again with new bands coming out and releasing their own materials. We just have a small community unlike the golden age of brutal death before but still, we are keeping the scene alive somehow. There are a few old bands here that are still active and we're glad to see them writing new materials as well.

11. Who are your all-time favourite bands coming out of the Philippines and are there any new bands you could recommend to the readers?

 The bands which I also consider our roots are Down From The Wound, Pus Vomit and Human Mastication. There are lots of new and old bands out here that I can recommend. Firstly, Fatal Castration, Abeastmality, Desert Annihilation Project, To Dissect, Merge For The Kill, Detestabilis, Barang, Akeldama, Starved for Sodomy, Pulverized, Sagrado and Orgiastic Defleshment.

12. Besides working in Exterminated do either of you currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers little about them? 

Before Exterminated, Myke and I were also a member of Guillotined and Anal Fissure but unfortunately, both of them were already disbanded due to members having other priorities. Myke was featured to one of Desert Annihilation Project track but other than that, we are focused only on Exterminated.

13. Besides brutal death metal do you listen to any other forms of underground music? If yes what genres do you listen to and who are some of your favourite bands and artists? 

Yes we do listen to other genres, we also listen to hardcore, alternative, rock and some rap.

The recent bands on my playlist other than death metal are Madball, Incendiary, Ice Pick, Terror, Rise of the North Star, Zakk Wilde, Black Label Society, Cigarettes After Sex, Immortal Technique, Illustrado.

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

Once again, we really thank and appreciate you having us on this interview! Our debut album The Genesis of Genocide is scheduled to be released on the 9th of April 2021 by Comatose Music. Pre order is now available! You can get yours through these links www.comatosemusic.com/ & https://comatosemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-genesis-of-genocide. Thank for the support!

Band Contacts                                                                                                                                                 https://exterminated.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                            https://www.facebook.com/ExterminatedPH/                                                                                             Label Contacts                                                                                                                                              http://www.comatosemusic.com/                                                                                                                 https://comatosemusic.bandcamp.com/album/the-genesis-of-genocide                                                       https://www.facebook.com/Comatosemusiclabel                                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdhNH28xk4bkRErckrNsovw                                                              

Exterminated--The Genesis Of Genocide cd {Comatose Music} done on 3-6-21

 Exterminated are a duo coming out of the Philippines brutal death metal scene.The Genesis Of Genocide is the bands debut featuring nine songs of insane and relentless brutal death metal.Myke Pardo handles the vocals which are guttural low growls the vocals are powerful in their delievery and fit the musicperfectly.  Ace Standian handles writing and performing the music which for the most part is played with extremly fast musicial passages.Ace does write some slower heavier parts that are done with both skill and powerful guitar and drum patterns.If you are a fan of modern brutal death metal that is delievered with skillful writing ability then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of The Genesis Of Genocide today.                                                                                                   

                                                                          Band  Contacts                                                                                                                                    https://www.facebook.com/ExterminatedPH/                                                                                          https://soundcloud.com/exterminatedph                                                                                                                    Label  Contacts                                                                                                                                http://www.comatosemusic.com/                                                                                                               https://comatosemusic.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/Comatosemusiclabel                                         

Interview with Sullen Guest Posted on 3-3-21

 

1.Hello please introduce yourselves to the readers?

Songwriter and guitarist Tenebra representing Lithuanian old-school death/doom band Sullen Guest

 

2.When did you first discover death and doom metal and who were the first bands you heard?Who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?

 Journey to metal began with father's vinyl of Black Sabbath records. But the main shift was inspired by these 3 albums I heard Novembers Doom - Amid Its Hallowed Mirth, Opeth – Orchid, Paradise Lost - Lost Paradise.

Nowadays I like a wide range of music genres with the bands like Nile, Deinonychus, Villagers of Ioannina City on top. Furthermore now I listen to minimal techno quite a lot too.

3.Sullen Guest was started in 2013 when did you all get the idea to start this band? How did you choose Sullen Guest as the name of the band and does it have a special meaning?

 After I finished university and started to work had a lot of free time, so decided to invest it into my feelings expressions via music.

We owned a studio in the street whose name begins with SG letters. So we stuck with the idea that the band name should begin with these letters. There is a meaning behind Sullen Guest, as dark emotions or thoughts do visit every person, every member in our band is the personification of those thoughts, states, or emotions, and has a Latin name of their choice to reflect that.

 

4.What is the current line-up of the band? Who would you say are the bands biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years?

 Influences left the same(Novembers Doom, Opeth, October Tide). But from the very I beginning had a clear vision of how SG should sound, and only in the last album(Chapter III) we reached this goal. I think we have some kind of own style of sound comparing to generic death/doom canon.

5.Chapter III is the band's newest full-length release which is being self-released by the band would you like to find a label to work with one day or do you prefer self-releasing your music?

 When your band is under a well-known label flag it become next-level player, without a doubt we want it and I'm sure that someday it will happen 😊 But now we have great support from “Metallurg Music”, and we are very happy about it

 

6.Does the whole band take part in the writing process or does one member usually write all the music?How long does it usually take to complete one song?

 I write songs by myself alone but in rehearsals band members sometimes add some corrections. One song creating took about 2 months and I only write one song at a time to keep concentrating on it.  Then I make a demo recording of a song, if band members like it, the next phase is to write down all instrument tabs. 

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

 The vocalist Inanitas covers this mostly, lyrics are never written beforehand. The method is rather strange, we play the music during a rehearsal and the vocalist growls random words, trying to see which sections of the song should be left alone or accompanied by voice, and matching the vocals to the atmosphere of the song using low, mid or high growls and interchanging between them, once decided, we know where vocals will be present and what kind of final sound we expect. Lyrics are written last, but according to the emotion the song itself is radiating, there are no pre-conceptions, the singer tries to express the meaning of the words with his tone and voice, so even if the listened cannot understand the lyrics, they can feel it through emotional expression.

 

8.Where can the readers purchase the.Chapther 1   release  and are the bands previous releases still availible to purchase?Besides physical releases does the band have any other merchandise currently availible for the readers to purchase? If yes what is availble and where can the readers buy it?

 All 3 releases are still available on Bandcamp. There also you can find T-shirts, patches. Our “Chapter III” cover art masterpiece by Arunas Staugaitis is on sale at Vilnius gallery for 1275eu. https://www.paveikslai.lt/en/fantastic/37571-.html

9.Has Sullen Guest  had the opportunity to play very many live shows over the years or do you prefer to work in the studio?What have been some of the bands most memorable shows and who are some bands you have shared the stage with?

 Last year(2020) was terrible, we had only 2 gigs because of Covid-19 and we missing them so badly. The day before our new program live show, our vocalist get big troubles with his voice, so we decided to play a whole show without vocals, it was a weird interesting experience. We played once with Mr Marcaille – crazy dude.

 

10.Sullen Guest  comes out of Lithuania's death,doom metal scene what is your opinion on the scene in Lithuania over the years?

 The metal genre, in general, is diminished compared to other music styles from 2000 till now. In Lithuania, the most popular style is black metal at the moment and just a few bands of the other metal sub-genres.

 

11.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Lithuania and are there any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?

 To be honest I'm not a big fan of the Lithuanian metal scene. Au-Desus and Awakening Sun are the biggest names in Lithuania at the moment. But personally, I prefer a more old-school sound like Stormgrey.

 

12.Besides working in Sullen Guest do any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects?

 All members apart from me have side music projects.

 

13.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?

The second passion for me is travel, but the cause of covid have to stick with local revels like riding a motorcycle, running, pc gaming - nothing unordinary 😊

 

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

There is no light in your window anymore - you have been visited by Sullen Guest.                                  Band Contacts                                                                                                                                                https://sullenguest.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                              https://www.facebook.com/SullenGuest                                                                                                      https://www.instagram.com/sullen_guest_official/                                                                                     https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv0xbKnDWrgJDFkgyqgwa6w?reload=9