Interview with Blood Raises Blood

 

1. Hello Miguel and Johnny, please introduce yourselves to the readers?

Johnny: Hi everyone, I'm Jhony (Rith Pedrazoli), one of the creators of Blood Raises Blood.

Miguel: Hello everyone, greetings! I'm Miguel Silva, co-founder of the band. Thank you very much for the opportunity!

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

Johnny: I think the first extreme metal band I heard was Cannibal Corpse, back in 2013, but I had already been listening to more traditional stuff too, like Metallica, Megadeth, and Judas Priest.

But currently I listen to a lot of Testament, Kreator, Death, Sodom, Sepultura, Cancer, Inhuman Condition, Immolation, and Autopsy.

Miguel: You could say that I started with some lighter stuff, such as Cradle of Filth at the end of 2012. But when it comes to extreme metal, some of the first bands I listened to were local bands from my region, such as Os Capial.

Nowadays, I've been listening to a lot of different things. I'd like to highlight Cerberus Attack, a crossover band from Brazil, a style that I really enjoy! Also Left to Die, an amazing death metal band featuring former members of Death, a band I have a huge affection for.

3. Miguel, you handle writing the music for the band. At what age did you become interested in writing and performing music?

Miguel: I would say that most of Blood Raises Blood's songs were co-written with Johnny. He was essential in the composition of some of the riffs and lyrics.

Personally, I believe I've always had the desire to write music. Ever since I started playing guitar at the age of 14, back in 2015, I've been writing things, so I think songwriting just comes naturally to me.

4. What are the current instruments that you play? Are you self-taught or did you take lessons when first starting out? Are there any instruments that you would like to learn to play one day?

Johnny: Currently we play guitar. I even took a month of guitar lessons, but Miguel learned on his own.

I'm starting to play drums, but Miguel already has some knowledge of bass and keyboards; he's the one who composed the drum parts.

Miguel: As mentioned, I'm self-taught. I've never taken guitar lessons or lessons for any other instrument. I believe I already play the instruments I enjoy, but I would like to have the opportunity to improve my drumming skills.

5. When did you first get the idea to start the band Blood Raises Blood? How did you choose the name for this band?

Johnny: As a project, Blood Raises Blood has existed more or less since 2014, but we only named the band in 2015 when we were on a call discussing compositions.

Initially, we wanted to name it Blood for Blood, but we did some research and found that something with that name already existed.

That's when we had the idea to do something like "blood begets blood," and that's how Blood Raises Blood was born.

6. The band seems to draw influence from traditional heavy metal, thrash and  death metal. Who would you say are the band's biggest influences? For the readers who have never heard the band, how would you best describe the band's musical style?

Johnny: We created Blood Raises Blood with the intention of making heavy metal using influences from everything we like, and it varies quite a bit from thrash to power metal.

So we're heavily influenced by Metallica, Sepultura, Angra, Helloween, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, Death, Kreator, Black Sabbath, etc.

7. I believe it is a two-man band. When you started out, did you plan to work as a duo or would you like to find more members to create a full lineup?

Johnny: Yes, Miguel and I are Blood Raises Blood. It's like Megadeth: although it has other musicians, Megadeth is Mustaine.

The others are hired musicians, and we intend to have another musician participate, in this case a bassist, but he will only be a contracted musician, although of course he will participate in the compositions.

As long as they fit the Blood proposal, that's it. Blood Raises Blood is Miguel and Rith Pedrazoli.

8. If you had the opportunity to work with any musicians, who would you like to work with?

Miguel: That's an interesting question. There are several musicians we would love to work with. Obviously, my favorite bassist, Jason Newsted, and also Mille Petrozza from Kreator.

They are musicians who inspire us, and if we ever had the opportunity to work together, it would be amazing.

9. The Wall of Souls is the debut full-length that was released earlier this year.How long did it take to write the music for this release? How long would you say it usually takes to complete one song?

Miguel: The songwriting itself was quite quick. We started at the beginning of 2022, and I remember we wrote around six or seven songs.

Then, because of personal commitments and things like that, we took a break and returned in 2023 to write the final three songs that were still missing.

10. Where did you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some topics you both wrote about on the debut? What usually comes first, the music or the lyrics?

Miguel: It's difficult to say what comes first. For some songs, it was the music, while for others, it was the lyrics.

But the idea for the album's theme came after we finished the first song, which was "Nuclear Warheads." After that, we adopted the apocalyptic concept surrounding the myth of "Mirith," an infernal entity that defeated the Devil himself and rules over Hell.

11. The Wall of Souls is a digital-only release. Would you like to release it on a physical format someday? Are you interested in working with a label or do you prefer to release your own music?

Miguel: We are definitely interested in that. But for now, we're keeping things as they are because of logistics and other bureaucratic matters.

12. Are there any plans to hire some session musicians to do some live shows someday, or do you prefer to work as a studio-only band?

Miguel: We definitely have plans for that, but for now, we'll continue working in the studio.

13. Blood Raises Blood comes out of Brazil's death and thrash metal scene. What  is your opinion of the scene in Brazil over the years?

Johnny: Unfortunately, Brazil isn't a country that values or supports this more aggressive musical genre very much, but we do have some good bands that have reached a high level.

Miguel: Although the Brazilian scene is somewhat undervalued and doesn't get much exposure in the mainstream media, it has given us excellent bands for many different tastes.

Especially within our scene, we have outstanding bands such as Cerberus Attack, Hellside, NW77, and many others!

14. Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Brazil? Are there any new bands you could recommend to the readers?

Johnny: Angra and Sepultura, but there are also Dr. Sin, Krisiun, Korzus, Shaman, Almah, and Ratos de Porão.

Miguel: There are many bands, including all the ones Johnny mentioned, but I'd like to highlight a few others such as Salário Mínimo, Cerberus Attack, NW77, Hellside, D.F.C., Corazones Muertos, and Saruê.

15. When you two need to take a break from working on new music, what do you like to do in your free time?

Johnny: I can speak for myself. I, Rith Pedrazoli, am more of a family man, so I spend most of my free time with my family.

Nothing beats a weekend barbecue and a game of pool.

Miguel: I usually really enjoy playing video games, reading books, and studying philosophical subjects, but I also spend some time with my family.

16. Thank you Johnny and Miguel for taking the time to do this interview. Do you have any final comments for the readers?

Johnny: Don't let rock and metal die, this energy that has crossed centuries bringing joy to so many lives, and listen to The Wall Of Souls.

Miguel: Thank you very much, Patrick, and thank you to everyone! Thank you for the support. Listen to The Wall of Souls and stay tuned for more news!                                                                                      Blood Raises Blood                                                                                                                                      https://bloodraisesblood.bandcamp.com/album/the-wall-of-souls                                                            https://www.facebook.com/bloodraisesblood                                                                                              https://www.instagram.com/bloodraisesblood                                                                                            https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4HwFycz217nyPHbBL5w6fg                                                          

Mutation--Esoteric Order Of Debauchery CD&LP and CS{Hells Headbangers}

 

Mutation is a  band coming out of Sweden's old school thrashy death metal scene and this is a review of their debut.Esoteric  Order Of Debauchery  is eight tracks of raw,primitive death metal with a healthy dose of thrashy guitars.The guitars are raw and aggressive with some extremly fast paced patterns.The guitarist does write and perform some well played patterns and solo's throughout the songs.The drums are equally as fast and intense in their delievery.Like the guitars the drummer does present some well executed drum passages.If you are a fan of the late 80's  raw and filthy death metal style then you  need to hear Esoteric  Order Of Debauchery  you  won't  be  disapointed.                                                          Mutation                                                                                                                                                         https://www.facebook.com/people/Mutation-Swe/100092156979717/                                                         Hells Headbangers                                                                                                                                    https://www.hellsheadbangers.com/                                                                                                          https://mutation-sweden.bandcamp.com/album/esoteric-order-of-debauchery                                            https://www.facebook.com/hellsheadbangers                                                                                              https://www.instagram.com/hellsheadbangers                                                                                                

Rigor Sardonicous--Diatriba Deorum CD&digital Remorseless Rec.{U.S}/Meuse Music Rec.{Europe}

 

Long Island's  funeral doom death metal band return with their  eighth full length.Diatriba Deorum contains seven tracks of  funeral doom that is extremly slow and primitive and powerful in it's delievery. The music is delivered with powerful heavy drums and slow guitar passages.The vocals are powerful and dreadful growls of despair.Rigor Sardonicous has been creating funeral death doom since the late 90's and still is going strong.If you are a fan of music that is full of despair and anguish then defintly don't hesitate and pick this up today.                                                                                                              Rigor Sardonicous                                                                                                                                        https://rigorsardonicous1.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                  https://www.facebook.com/RigorSardonicous.Official                                                                                Remorseless Rec.{U.S Label}                                                                                                                    https://www.remorselessrecords.com/                                                                                                        https://remorselessrecords.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/remorseless_records?igsh=MWEwZWtpNml4bDJoaQ%3D%3D                Meuse Music Rec{European label}                                                                                                               https://www.meusemusicrecords.eu/                                                                                                             https://meusemusicrecords.bandcamp.com/merch                                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/meusemusicrecords/                                                                                         https://www.instagram.com/meusemusicrecords/                                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/user/jef330CD

Interview with Trench Warfare

 

1. Hello. Please introduce yourself to the readers?

Hello, readers of Winter Torment and fellow metal maniacs. I’m Jay H. Gorania, singer and frontman of Trench Warfare.

2. When did you first discover death and black metal and what is it about these styles of music that drew you in over the years?

Like many kids who like to copy their older brothers, a nice way of saying that I was receptive to influence, I liked loitering in and around my brother’s bedroom when I was small. So, when I was in first grade, I was drawn to the bands he was into, early heavy metal. I’m talking about early Ozzy, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, some of the obvious big players back then. I love all of that stuff to this day. Some of us into heavy music like to see where the art can go as far as being heavier and more extreme. Over time that led me to thrash, grindcore and death metal. Black metal came a little bit later for me, aside from Celtic Frost who I liked in my early teens. I’m also into other forms of extreme music like industrial and harsh electronic noise. I remain drawn to it because I’m far from being a “normie,” so to speak. I can dip my toes into that world as far as daily living, work necessities, et cetera. And I certainly enjoy it. But my proper home is off the beaten path, the essence of who I am. As far as death and black metal, these art forms certainly scratch my itch for those darker aspects of life, but, again, I’m into other forms of musical extremity that in their own ways satiate different cravings or interests. I’m not a one-dimensional caricature as some people in death and black metal are, most of whom in this undesirable camp aren’t even that exactly. What I mean is that they like to present themselves as being demons or whatever. I have no interest in fake BS. Life is complex, most people including myself are complex. The darker side of extreme metal is just something that offers me enduring appeal because the underlying topics connect with me. And regarding all forms of extreme music, it helps keep me sane. It’s a healthy outlet for me, both as a listener and as a singer.

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

In addition to the bands I mentioned already, I loved Dokken, Ratt, Def Leppard and artists like that before I drifted toward thrash bands and more. In my early years, I was also a nut for bands like Duran Duran and Tears For Fears, the latter of whom came up in conversation during a call I had with Terry from Wargrinder recently. He brought up the Ramones as his main “guilty pleasure,” to which I said I don’t have guilty pleasures. But as soon as I mentioned Tears For Fears, he was laughing and utterly disgusted. It was amusing. But I digress…

I’m currently enjoying Nuclearhammer, Abominator, Atomic Aggressor, Atomicide and Triumph—the death/black metal band from Nevada featuring members of Ritual Genocide, not the Canadian band who I did like as a kid. Napalm Death is one of my all time favorites, so they’re always on rotation. I’ve really been enjoying Shane Embury’s solo album. I’ve also been enjoying some hard-hitting African hip hop lately which has been really exciting for me. Nigeria’s ODUMODUBLVCK is great. Kenya’s Wakadinali is another. As a music journalist, focused on heavy stuff, I’m always listening to music, which means I need a break from it from time-to-time. That’s partially why I listen to a lot of talk radio, news radio.

Ah, lest I forget, the new Neurosis is amazing, so is the new Butthole Surfers. Actually, the “new” Butthole Surfers’ album was shelved by their dumb label back in the late nineties. So it isn’t new per se, but it sure as hell sounds inventive and fresh all these years later.

4. Trench Warfare was started in 2015. What gave you all the idea to start this band? Are you satisfied with how things have gone over the years?

We emerged from the barren wasteland of West Texas—Midland, to be particular. The bassist who later performed on our demo, Kelly Bogues, invited me to a jam at Tony Goyang Jr.’s place for what was a project that crumbled before it started. A member of that ill-fated band later shot a part of someone's hand off in an act of self-defense, but that's neither here nor there. Bizarre anecdotes aside, upon finding out at that first meeting that Tony was also into bands like Blasphemy and Beherit, artists essentially unheard of in West Texas, I asked him if he wanted to start a band in that vein. Voilà. Trench Warfare was born.As with most adult bands who are not rock stars, real life challenges have gotten in the way: jobs, work schedules, familial deaths, et cetera. But with that said, we have created some great art that we are tremendously proud of. So while we may not have been the most prolific band out there up to this point, we really do focus upon quality over quantity. Now, with the current lineup and our personal circumstances, we are looking toward playing much more than we ever have before, in spite of my move out of state, interestingly enough

5. What is the current line up of the band? Who would you say are Trench Warfare's biggest influences and have they stayed the same over the years? For the readers who might be new to Trench Warfare, how would you best describe your music?

Trench Warfare is currently myself, longtime guitarist Dustin Putz and newcomer JP Campo on drums. We can and have operated as a three piece before, but we are actively looking to recruit a second guitarist and a bassist.

Collectively, we listen to a variety of music. Tony is obviously worth mentioning because I started the band with him. And on the new album, aside from “Dissenter” which Dustin wrote, Tony wrote the rest of the music. He’s into a lot of great, raw war metal as well as evil death metal and black metal, all of which bled into his writing. He and I are both fans of eighties and early nineties extreme metal and hardcore punk demos, clearly finding their way into our own music. I think Jarrett Pritchard did a great job in his mixing and mastering to properly capture the harsh bite of the music with clarity, and without losing the underlying rawness. The preliminary tracking of the songs took place in Austin at Come And Track It Studios by John Petri who did a stellar job. There was some madness and debauchery during those sessions, to say the least.

An influence upon Tony that’s probably going to surprise some people is neo soul artist Erykah Badu. He has said that her music affects the way that he phrases certain parts of songs. During some of our boozing sessions at his place many years ago, during which time we typically listened to chaotic war and death metal, he played her for me and I was hooked. Her music is great. I’m not sure that he would want me to have spilled those beans, but, you know…And I really do love hardcore, from the eighties through today, bands and scenes from America to Sweden, Finland, England and Japan. I think it’s pretty obvious that some of my vocal parts reflect a lot of that.

As far as specific, enduring influences, I can point to bands like Blasphemy, Beherit, Deiphago, Diocletian, Conqueror, Sadistik Exekution, Order From Chaos, Angelcorpse, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Napalm Death, Brutal Truth, Nyogthaeblisz, Genocide Shrines, Tetragrammacide, Wargrinder, Ritual Genocide, Obeisance and Satanik Goat Ritual.

But looking ahead with Dustin and JP, Dustin is very passionate about timeless death metal. Artists like Autopsy, Dismember and Pestilence come to mind. And JP’s strongly associated with brutal death metal. Going forward, a lot of that energy will affect our writing. But it’s important that we never lose our raw approach and foundation that is very much steeped in war metal.

I’d describe us as being a black/death metal band with roots in war metal. We want to take things to the next level of extremity but make sure that it’s memorable and catchy amidst all of the chaos.

6. “Achtung! Destroy The Weak" is the band’s second full length. How long did it take the band to complete this release? Does the whole band take part in the writing, or does one member usually write everything?

Things took too long! I want to focus on the future more than anything, but in short, there were discussions with several labels, familial deaths, job and career changes and even more than that which impacted the long wait between 2019’s “Hatred Prayer” and “Achtung! Destroy The Weak.” We can operate as a three-piece. Some of our best shows have been in that format, but we are most definitely on the hunt for a second guitarist and a bassist. But the lineup we have now is hungry and ready to take a bite out of the apple. There will not be such extensive waits between releases, and we will be much more active on the live front.

Regarding your second question here, as mentioned, Tony was the primary songwriter for everything up until now, aside from Dustin’s track on the album. As always, I was at the helm of the lyrical and conceptual direction. We would then all record our respective parts. Going forward, the songwriting will likely involve some jam sessions amongst the entire band, and Dustin will be taking the reins as far as musical creation with additional input from others.

7. 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?

To this point, the music has always come first, and then I’d listen to it, be inspired by the songs and I’d also just independently create ideas upon which I’d write the lyrics.

I love war metal, death metal and black metal. I despise try-hards who write fictional lyrics and prance around claiming they are so “cult and true.” Those people are just inauthentic, they lack self-awareness, and they literally look like clowns. It’s friggin’ vampire cosplay. Lame. It’s the epitome of being a poser, essentially. Love us or hate us, there’s no denying that we are real. Our message and meaning is pure, heartfelt and true. “Hatred Prayer” was nothing short of exactly that.

Now, with “Achtung! Destroy The Weak,” we are continuing to celebrate individualism and we are attacking this modern culture of victimhood that celebrates weakness. No matter what one’s background is, we all have choices and can either excel or fail in life. There are no promises that life will be fair. There is no such thing as equality. The impulse to find inner strength needs to be nurtured and celebrated. Be ambitious. Be a wolf. Be a lion. To quote some lyrics from the first album, “Smash the chessboard and claim the queen.”

There is more to the album than that, but that’s the underlying essence.

8. Besides the upcoming “Achtung! Destroy The Weak” release, are the band’s past releases still available for readers to purchase?Besides physical releases, does the band have any other merchandise currently available? If yes, what is available and where can readers purchase it?

We have very few copies of our self-released 2015 demo CD “Perversion Warfare,” but whether it’s that or any other merch item or inquiry, people can contact us through our Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/trenchwarfaretexas) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/trench_warfare_texas/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet) pages.

There are even fewer copies of the multi-band, double-disk split/comp that we were on that was released by Surrealistic Fatality Releases in 2016. That’s called “Houses of the Unholy / Of Vultures and Vermin,” and that, too, can be purchased through us.

Transcending Obscurity Records sold out of our debut album “Hatred Prayer,” but they still have shirts depicting that album’s artwork. (https://tometal.com/) We still have copies of that album, so, again, we can be contacted via Facebook and Instagram.

Nuclear War Now Productions! re-issued our demo on cassette, but I no longer see it on their online store. I’m assuming they’re sold out, but we still have some copies.

And this brings us up to “Achtung! Destroy The Weak.” Conjuring Records has the CD available for purchase via Bandcamp: https://darkunitedmedia.bandcamp.com/album/achtung-destroy-the-weak-2.

9. Has Trench Warfare had the opportunity to play very many live shows over the years? If yes, what have been some of the band’s most memorable shows? Who have been some of the bands you have shared the stage with?

Yes, we have played a bunch of shows around the state and fests in New Jersey, Denver and Chicago. I’d like to think that our star shines brightest in the live arena. Our shows can be pretty wild and intense. We have shared the stage with numerous bands who we are both friends with and who have influenced us. Some that come to mind are Deiphago, Absu, Heresiarch, Imprecation, Obeisance, Satanik Goat Ritual, Engorge, Disma, Crucifier, Manticore, Antisma, Morbosidad, Bestial Whore, Antichrist Siege Machine, Caveman Cult, Abysmal Lord, Mortem, Grand Belial’s Key, Nexul, Perversion and House of Atreus.

10. Are there any shows or tours planned in support of the new release? Where will the band be performing?

We played a show in Austin opening up for our friends in Imprecation right before I moved from Texas to a cabin in the Oregonian woods. So once I soon get properly settled, we can hit the ground running on the live front. That may seem odd since I’m now on the other side of the country, but with our lineup now, we have never been as hungry and able to play out and about. So we will be doing shows, fests and brief tours. We will now essentially be operating out of both Austin and Portland, since I’ll be back in Texas often, and my new home is just outside of Portland.

11. Trench Warfare comes out of the Texas black and death metal scene. What is your opinion of the scene in Texas over the years?

Texas’ black and death metal scenes are fantastic! It’s been great historically and it continues to kick ass. We can look back at a band like Necrovore. They’ve influenced the likes of Morbid Angel and Incantation, for Pete’s sake. Absu is definitely one of the best black metal bands of all time. And while King Diamond isn’t exactly death nor black metal, his music as a solo artist and with Mercyful Fate has been a profound influence that helped define what would become dark extreme metal. The reason I’m bringing him up is because while it’s well known that he’s from Denmark, a lot of folks don’t realize that nearly half his life has been spent living in the Lone Star State. You’re damn right there are bragging rights with that!

Anyway, I mentioned many solid bands like Imprecation, Morbosidad, Obeisance, Antisma, Satanik Goat Ritual, and there are others like Pious Levus, Hexella and Serpentian. I’d be remiss if I failed to mention those from the mysterious collective Ordo Satanae Imperium—Nyogthaeblisz and Nexul, to be particular. The bassist for the latter two exceptionally intense and evil bands has filled in for us on numerous occasions. Rob is a true maniac. There is a great deal of friendship and brotherhood amongst Texan extreme metal bands.

Outside of bands of this ilk, Texas boasts some of the best brutal death metal bands out there like Devourment, Flesh Hoarder and Stabbing.

And I’m a huge grindcore fan. There have been greats like Kill The Client and Insect Warfare. PLF is of course still running strong. And there’s a newer band made up of seasoned dudes called ETD.  Looking at other forms of heavy metal, Texas boasts prog legends Watchtower and the epic doom band Solitude Aeturnus.

12. Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Texas? Are there any new bands you could recommend to the readers?

I’m an absolute nut for Pantera. ZZ Top is great, too. The bands I mentioned in the previous question are all badass. There’s a new band led by Joe who used to be in Morbosidad. They’re called Necro Blade, and they are definitely worth checking out.

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?

I am a gym rat. I love exercising, pushing myself and making myself as strong as possible. I mean that here in terms of physical fitness, of course, but beyond that, I also mean that I do my best daily to sharpen my tools to be strong spiritually and mentally. I love to read and learn. I’m very close with my family and my dogs. So time spent with them really means more than anything to me. And whenever we can, me and my better half love to travel.

14. Besides working in Trench Warfare do you or any of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects? If yes, please tell our readers a little about them.

Dustin is also in a punk band called D.O.S. JP is in several bands like VX, Extremely Rotten and Sadistic Force, the latter of whom were our rehearsal spot roommates, actually. We have all been in numerous bands over the years. I’m doing Trench exclusively at the moment, but when the time is right, I’d like to do more. I definitely want to do darker hardcore, grindcore and something melodic and heavy at some point. To be clear, I want those all to be distinct bands, not one and same.

15. Thank you for taking the time for this interview. Do you have any final comments?

You’re welcome, Patrick. Thank you for taking the time to conduct the interview and for your longtime support.Final comments for your readers? Purchase a copy of “Achtung! Destroy The Weak” and come to our shows, or FOAD.                                                                                                                                 Trench Warfare                                                                               https://trenchwarfaretx.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                        https://www.facebook.com/trenchwarfaretexas?fref=ts                                                                               https://www.instagram.com/trenchwarfaretexas/                                                                                          

Neyquam--Gospel Of The Gutted{digital}{Independent}

 

Coming out of  Tucson Arizona's death metal scene is Neyquam who was started in 2020.After releasing a EP in 2021 the band was silent until earlier this year when they released their debut full length.Gospel Of The Gutted is seven songs of old school death metal that is played with some memorable passages and patterns.The guitars are a mix of fast paced patterns and some well played solo's.The guitars do slow to a more mid paced range with some heavier memorable guitars.The drums are done in the same vein as the guitars with some fast drums that are powerful.The drummer does slow to a mid paced range with some well executed drum passages.The vocals are old school death metal growls that are done with some powerful vocals.Gospel Of The Gutted is a really good debut for the fans of traditional mid 90's style death metal should pick this up today. 

Neyquam

https://neyquam.bandcamp.com/album/gospel-of-the-gutted

https://www.facebook.com/Neyquam

https://www.instagram.com/neyquam_/

Blood Raises Blood--The Wall Of Souls{digital}{Independent}

 

Coming out of Brazil's  metal scene  Blood Raises Blood is a duo who performs a very interesting and unique traditional heavy metal mixed with thrash and even elements of early death metal. Miguel Silva handles writing and performing the instruments and does a great job.Playing some traditional heavy metal guitar passages and some impressive solo's and patterns.Their are some faster and heavier guitars in a few of the songs.The vocals are well sung traditional heavy metal vocals and some raw and aggressive thrashy vocals are also used.The Wall Of Souls  is a  great debut full of memorable songs that are well performed. If you are a fan of traditional heavy metal and thrash metal be sure to check this band out today you won't be disapointed. 

Blood Raises Blood

https://bloodraisesblood.bandcamp.com/album/the-wall-of-souls

https://www.facebook.com/bloodraisesblood

https://www.instagram.com/bloodraisesblood

Devil Master--Bloody Dreams (CD/LP/CS) (2026 Relapse Records)

This is the third album from this black metalpunk band. At the heart of their sound is second-wave black metal, but it's laid overtop a punk rock chassis. The guitars are fuzzed out in a very punk way, giving this an almost 1980s feel. The vocals are fairly standard black metal growls, but convincingly and forcefully sung. The band can do short sharp shocks of two minutes or so, but they can also pull off ten minute epics as the last track shows us, completely with a bunch of musical experimentation. This is quite a record, and one that deserves hearing.

www.relapse.com

Profanation--Ultra-Noise Warfare CD&LP{Iron Bonehead Prod.}

 

Coming out of France's black death grindcore scene is Profanation. And this is a review of the bands debut full length Ultra-Noise Warfare is nine songs of brutal and aggressive songs that are crazed and chaotic.The guitars and drums are a non stop barrage of razor sharp riffs and blasting drums.The vocals are insane eaw death metal growls.If you are a fan of vicious raw black death and grind mixed together for a insanely chaotic release then be sure to pick this up when it is released. 

Profanation

https://profanationband.bandcamp.com/merch

https://www.instagram.com/profanation_band/                                                                                       Iron Bonehead Prod.

https://ironbonehead.de/

https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

https://www.instagram.com/ironboneheadproductions/?hl=en

Nuclearhammer--Xaos 333 MLP&MCD{Iron Bonehead Prod}

 

Canada's extreme black death war metal band is back with a brand new EP. featuring three songs of aggressive and violent blackend death metal.The three songs capture both extremely fast and chaotic musicial passages,But the band also adds some raw,hypnotic passages that give this release a nice balance between relentless black and death and some rawer more well executed patterns.The vocals are raw gruff  growls that are powerful entertwined with the music.Xaos 333 is a really good release if you like your music savage and vicious defintly check this release. 

Nuclearhammer

https://www.facebook.com/NCLRHMMR/

Iron Bonehead Prod                                                                                                                                    https://ironbonehead.de/                                                                                                                                https://ironboneheadproductions.bandcamp.com/          https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

https://www.instagram.com/ironboneheadproductions/?hl=en

Barracuda--Barracuda (CD/LP/CS) (2026 Independent)

Here we have classic heavy metal from Germany with solid vocals and playing. This is very much in the vein of 80s European metal, with a little of speed that the Germans were known for sprinkled in. It's nice to hear a female vocalist  that sings in a true metal style, and not just a pop style put to metal music like some of the bigger bands. Oddly enough, I can hear some King Diamond in the vocals, due to her cadence and diction. Perhaps a more vocally melodic version of Savage Master is a good way to describe the band, without the occult overtones.

barracudaheavymetal.bandcamp.com

Archgoat--Nightbringer,Lightbringer CD,LP{Debemur Morti Prod.}

 

Legendary black metal band Archgoat return with a new assault of brutal,uncomprimising black and death metal.Nightbringer,Lightbringer  contains  a intro and ten songs of well executed black death metal that is extreme in every sense of the word.The guitars are a mix of well played mid paced patterns and some insanely faster more brutal passages.The guitarist does write some memorable and well delievered patterns.The drums are a mix of the same with some intense fast and crazed drums.The drummer does slow to a more heavy and powerful  mid paced drum pace in a few of the songs.The vocals are death metal growls that are powerful in their delievery.Their are also some raw gruff growls used in a few of the songs. Nightbringer,Lightbringer is another great  release of quality well delievered black metal from one of  Finland's best.                                                                                                    Archgoat                                                                                                                                                         https://www.facebook.com/archgoat.official                                                                                              Debemur Morti Prod.                                                                                                                                    https://www.debemur-morti.com/en/                                                                                                            https://archgoat666.bandcamp.com/album/nightbringer-lightbringer                                                          https://www.facebook.com/debemurmorti                                                                                                    https://www.instagram.com/debemurmorti/ 

                                                                                                                        

Interview with Abysmal Growls Of Despair

 

1.Hello   Hangsvart please introduce yourself to the readers?
Hello Patrick, my first name is Aimeric, I was born in France in 1991 and moved to live in the UK in 2020. I am now located in the north east of England. I had a few other solo projects beside AGoD and sang for a few bands. I have been also a singer for hire for a while but I have diminished all of these things to focus on AGoD and now Abysmal Rage and personal things.


2.At what age did you become interested in writing and  performing  music?Who would you say are some of your all-time favorite  musiciaans and influences over the years?
I started playing bass and guitar in 2007. I had been suffering for a few months from schizophrenia and depression. It is really what got me into music and writing poetry. I have discovered metal at the same time but in some very unusual ways. The first bands I discovered were Ataraxie, Funeralium, Remembrance (three French bands of funeral doom), Shape of Despair, Skepticism, Comatose Vigil, Catacombs/Hierophant, SUNN O))), My Shameful, and other similar bands. They have stayed with me all these years. Amenra has been very present as well, but I discovered them a little later, more around 2010. Earth has been very present, some black metal bands such as Gris, Hate Forest, Siebenburgen. Beside metal, I have always listened a lot to dark ambient like Northaunt, dark folk, like Nebelung (which makes me think about Empyrium which I love too), Pop like Pink Floyd and London Grammar, a lot of classical music and film soundtracks, and a lot of traditional songs/bands like Huun Huur Tu. More recently I have been listening to more mainstream metal bands like Cannibal Corpse, Immolation and Behemoth, as I can find their tabs easily and I am now focusing on Abysmal Rage, death doom metal.

3.What  instruments do you  currently play?Are you self taught or did you take lesons when first starting out?
Currently I play 8 string guitars, 5 string bass and the Tsuur, an ancestral vertical flute from Mongolia. I am self taught in everything regarding music, playing, singing, composing, recording, mix/mastering.


4.Are their any instruments that you would like to learn to play one day?
If I had the money and the time, I would love to learn to play many ancestral flutes, musical horns and the carnyx.


5.You also handle the vocals for the band when did you first start growling and singing?Do you  do anything special to keep your throat and voice  healthy?


I started to growl/grunt very early on. I am not a good clean singer, I had taken a few lessons in lyrical singing around 2013/14, I am not sure of the date anymore, but I always felt too disconnected with clean singing to continue. I can only express myself through guttural singing. And now I have mastered 4 very different techniques of guttural singing. 
The grunt, that you hear in most metal bands, like Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth and such, can be high, mid and low pitch. 
The growl, that you almost never hear, I am only sure to have heard it in the band Devangelic. But I think some bands of brutal death/grind death and such, use it. It can be mid and ultra low, spoken, whispered or louder than normal speech but it is not as aggressive as grunt which is why it is rarely used. It has been my main type of guttural singing in AGoD.
The Kargyraa, which is an ancestral type of singing. It was used all over the world but now can only be heard in Mongolia/Tuva/Siberia, Tibetan Monks, and a few other groups. But bands like Heilung are using it a lot.
And what I call guttural harmonics, which is basically a mix between grunt and kargyraa and yet sounds very different, with amazing harmonics.
I try to sing everyday, and I often start with kargyraa or guttural harmonics to warm up my voice. But besides that, I do not do anything special.

6.Hangsvart you  started Abysmal Growls Of Despair back in  2013  when did you get  the idea to start this band? How did you choose Abysmal Growls Of Despair  as the name of the band? 

Since I started to play bass and guitar I started to compose as well. For one, at the time you could not find tabs of the bands I was listening to. I quickly discovered My Dying Bride and tabs were available of them but it is no funeral doom. I just had to do it, to put down what is in my mind, poetry or music.
For the name I wanted something to reflect the despair and the main type of vocals I was using, deep growls. And I thought that the word Abysmal was a good idea as it is conveying many different meanings. Where abyssal has only one, really.



7.I believe you are the sole member of the band have you always  worked alone? Would you like to find more members to do some live shows or do you prefer to work alone?


I much prefer to work alone. I was extremely withdrawn from reality and to be around other people has always been very hard for me, triggering a lot of my symptoms. I need to live away from human interactions, as much as possible to feel well. Before living on my own I was pushed to be normal and have friends and do things with others. I tried. I tried hard and for so long. But every single band I have tried to be part of or to form quickly made my sickness worse and I had to quit. I have been a singer for others but via online/international collaborations, that was fine. But I much prefer working alone. Since living in the UK and having to handle both French and English in my daily life, I was not able to write anymore and that is why I stopped all poetry. However, I was/am very open to use other people's writings if they wished to. Especially when the texts/poems/lyrics are of good quality. Like for Torn, the lyrics were written by Jorg, a wonderful writer. And the first album of Abysmal Rage, soon out with Wormhole Death, is using my companion's poems.
I do not want to do any live shows. I had the chance to do some in Toulouse, France, as the singer of a death metal band. The concerts themselves were fun to do, but all the hours before where I had to be among humans were hard.


8.If you  had the opportunity to work with any musicians who would you  like to work with?

If I had the opportunity to work with other musicians it would be as a singer for them. I do not have any artist in mind. But I would be open to any ancestral music, or bands searching for ancestral singing. Bands who do not want to have any physical contact or live show.


9.Who would you  say are the bands biggest  influences and have they remained the same over the years? For the readers who have never heard Abysmal Growls Of Despair  how would you  best describe your music?


I would say the main influences that have remained the same until now are Ataraxie, Remembrance, Comatose Vigil, Amenra, Hate Forest and Northaunt.
It is not easy to describe AGoD because I have composed albums of funeral doom, of dark ambient and of drone. But I would think the main albums would be of funeral doom. I would say that AGoD is focused on slow overwhelming music with deep growls. The main themes are despair, madness, death, grief, ancient civilisations and spirituality and misanthropy. It is not a music for everybody and I know that most people won't like it and won't even sit through a full song, being often longer than 10 minutes. My music always focuses on feelings, it is made to make you feel something, it is emotional and ambient. It is not something you headbang along. It is something you experience because it is created from what I experience, because I do music to be myself, to express things that are inexpressible, things that haunt me.



10.Torn is the newest  full length  how long did it take you to write the music for this release?How long does it usually take you to complete one song?

I don't really remember, I would say between 4 and 6 months for the full album, from composition to master. For one song, it depends, but I'll say between one week and 3 weeks, from composition to master. But the master is always done last, once I have all the songs mixed. And before to have all the songs mixed, I can rerecord some instruments/vocals if needed to have the most coherent sound through the album.

11.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics and what are some subjects written about on the new release?

The last release's lyrics were written by Jorg Puschmann. They are autobiographical and relate what he went through while caring for his wife when she was fighting her cancers. 
For previous releases, my main inspiration has always been my own sickness and depression, but also in a general way despair, madness, death, grief, ancient civilisations and spirituality and misanthropy.


12.Besides Torn are the bands previous releases still availible for the readers to purchase? If yes  where can the readers purchase your releases?

 
Yes, of course, all the previous releases are on my bandcamp, to stream and download. And all the major releases are on all streaming platforms like youtube, spotify and such. 
Torn will soon be available in CDs, from my bandcamp and many online stores.
A few older releases in CDs/physicals must still be available here and there online.


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

I do not work with any other bands but I am currently working on my new solo project, Abysmal Rage. The first album, A House No One Could Live In, will be available with Wormhole Death Records the 6th of November. It will be only a digital release. The lyrics were written by my companion. Let me share with you the official description of the album:
A House No One Could Live In is an oppressive album of Death Doom Metal. The massive and crushing power of 8 string guitars and 5 string bass immerse the listener in hatred and rage. The vocals are drenched in desperation, rage, blasphemy and human terror. The lyrics of some tracks describe autobiographical events, others consist of spiritual metaphors.

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

Spirituality is very important to me and is a big part of my daily life. The shortest way to give you an idea is to let you imagine shamanic practices. 
I enjoy playing video games on PC as well, like The Elder Scrolls, The Witchers, Shadow of Mordor/Shadow of War, Diablo 3 and 4, Senua's Sagas, ...



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


Thank you for submitting this interview. I liked your questions, many of them are not often asked. I like to add to my interviews that people with financial difficulties and/or health issues can contact me via my bandcamp if they wish to download an album for free. I will gladly provide a download code.
Abysmal Growls Of Despair
https://abysmalgrowlsofdespair.bandcamp.com/album/torn                                            
https://www.facebook.com/abysmalgrowlsofdespairofficial/