Friday, April 27, 2012

Dark End/Grand Guignol Book I/Crash And Burn Records/2012 CD Review


  Dark  End  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays   a  very  gothic,  horror  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Grand  Guignol Book  I"  which  was  released  by  Crah  And  Burn  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  synths  bring  a  very  epic,  horror  film,  atmospheric,  gothic  and  symphonic  sound  to  the  music  with  some  parts  that  are  influenced  by  classical  and  orchestra  music  along  with  some  violins,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  melodic  and  goes  for  more  of  the  mainstream  sound  instead  of  the  underground  one  with  some  traditional  metal  influences  with  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads  that  utilize  a  great  amount  of  skill  and  talent,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  add  an  ethnic  feeling  to  the  music.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  in  the  more  mainstream  tradition  along  with  some  deep  growls,  whispers  and  a  good  amount  of  clean  signing , while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Esoteric,  Philosophy  and  Spirituality,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.  

  In  my  opinion  Dark  End  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  gothic  and  symphonic  black  metal  band  with  a  mainstream  appeal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "AEinsoph: Flash  Forward  To  Obscurity"  "Spiritism:  The  Transmigration  Passage"  "Bleakness:  Of  Secrecy,  Haste  And  Shattered  Crystals"  and  "Dawn:  Black  Sun  Rises".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

http://www.facebook.com/darkendofficial 

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Catamenia/The Rewritten Chapters/Massacre Records/2012 CD Compilation Review


  Catamenia  are  a  band  from  Finland  which  had  their  previous  album  reviewed  as  well  as  being  interviewed  by  this  zine  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric,  symphonic,  gothic  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  cd  compilation  album  "The  Rewritten  Chapters"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

  Drums  range  from slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  keyboards  bring  in  a  very  dark,  atmospheric,  symphonic  and  gothic  sound  to  the  music,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful  an  heavy  sound  with  riffs  that  dominate  throughout  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  melodic  black  metal  riffs  that  utilize  a  great  amount  of  classic  metal  influences  as  well  as  gothic,  thrash  and  melodic  death  metal,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  heavy  metal guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  with  some  deep  growls  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing  vocals,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes  with  the  songs  being  written  in  English  but  there  are  a  couple  written  in  Finnish,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  great  compilation  from  Catamenia  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blackmension"  "Calvacade"  "Morning  Crimson"  and  "Lost  In  Bitterness".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Shturm Interview


1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Hi, there! I sing and play guitar in Shturm! Currently music label Darknagar records has just published our album Karmaruna! We made two music videos for the songs from this album and one of the videos is already on the internet. Our next plans are to make EP, gigs and recording of a new album!
2. How would you describe the musical sound of the newer album and how it differs from the older recordings?

The sound we worked out in Karmaruna is essentially different from the works we did in the past and even from the sound of many bands which you may now listen on the internet. At the very beginning we wanted our new album to have a cold and mighty sound, but at the same time the sound which resembles the bands of 80-s and we finally managed to work it out and we proud of it! Our past records are more up-to-date – they have drive, but doesn`t have an identity!
3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

The ponderous part of the lyrics is based on the ideas of the world around us, summed up under the influence of Tibetan Philosophy. The new material also has the lyrics inspired by our country`s past, some personal experience and everyday pleasances.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
The name of the bans reproduces the way the word “storm” sounds in Russian! So just the might of a storm, the rush of a hurricane are the things inspired us to call the band this way! A man is weak-handed before these mightiest acts of nature, so is there anything tougher?)))

5. What are some of the best that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

I would say that our gigs are always hard, fast and loud!!! Mostly every crowd we played for  welcomes us well and we just can`t play elsewise! So a gig of Shturm is always something we do at the breaking point!!! In the past we had more black metal appearance: spikes, leather, corpse paint, but in the course of time these things remained in the past and now our appearance is not so frightful and this force us to play better to not disappoint our fans.
6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

Yes, certainly, this summer we are going to make several gigs supporting our Brazilian and Norwegian friends UNEARTHLY and THYRUZ , where we will play songs of Karmaruna! I think that the tour is going to be the most impressing of all those we did!
7. Currently you are signed to Darknagar Records how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?

Our band manager Alexander Ermakov found the label Darknagar. We have no doubts of his choice and, I must say, we don`t regret! The label is young, but very ambitious and the management of the label really care about the bands it publish! Here is more of enthusiasm and desire to promote the bands than the music business itself and that`s the most important thing, because it defuses money, prestige and relations! So, that`s why we are with Darknagar now!
8. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of extreme metal?

We received more and more good comments on our new album Karmaruna! We sometimes receive some ambiguous comments as the style of the album is quite indistinct! But the most important thing is the album doesn`t come inconspicuous!
9. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?

Now Shturm is the basic project for each of us! But not long ago our drummer Petreno and bass guitarist Kane had their own band where they choogled earnestly complex death metal!
10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

It’s hard to say like what exactly it is going to be, but soon we will be in our rehearsal room to write the material for upcoming EP, and we have no any fixed ideas, we just will be jamming and trying some new things! The style we were mixing are death, black, thrash and heavy, now we are still going to keep this direction and broaden the limits of our music! I think that we will manage to work out of it something interesting! But there`s the one thing I must promise – it still be as hard, fast and unique as it was earlier!
11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I was influenced mostly by the old wave bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Megadeath, also I was inspired by death and black metal! Now I began listening to the bands I was fond of in my childhood, but also I have interest towards some new bands, for example Trivium.
12. How would you describe your views on Tibetan Mythology and Buddhism?
Tibetan Buddhism has seriously influenced our works. Tibetan mythology and culture has a bit lesser influence on us. This theme is very interesting for us and especially for Omuth as when he wrote his lyrics, he wagered basically on the concepts of Tibetan Buddhism, on the interpretation of simple things which are familiar to everyone but through such perspective. But still, Karmaruna unlike Kalahia, is ideologically a symbiosis of our personal experience, remebrances and thoughts on the one hand and inspired by the philosophy of Buddhism on the other.
13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Each of us has his own interests outside of music. I fond of the history of the Second World War, I like collecting the things of those times, combat equipment and awards! Omuth, the guitarist, pays attention to the wildlife protection, he has his own website through which he fights with the injustice towards the wildlife and animals. Bass guitarist Kane is keen on thai boxing and its more than just a hobby for him! Drummer Petreno loves bicycling and sport bikes! Also the majority of us like to pass the time in a noisy crew, drinking some hard drinks)
14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanks for an interesting interview and for everything you do to metal scene! I wish good luck and health to everyone who reads this lines! Just keep on listening to metal and Shturm! Follow our news!!!!
Heavy!

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Monday, April 16, 2012

Cauldron Black Ram/The Poisoner/Abysmal Sounds/2012 EP Review


Cauldron Black Ram are a band from Australia that plays a mixture of black, doom, sludge and thrash metal and this is a review of their 2012 ep "The Poisoner" which was released by Abysmal Sounds.

Drums range from slow to mid paced to fast drumming with some blast beats being used at times, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming that combines influences from black, sludge, doom, thrash and death metal to create a sound of their own along with some dark sounding melodies while the lead guitars are very primitive sounding black/death metal guitar solos and leads.

Vocals are a mixture of black/thrash style growls, high pitched screams and shouting gang vocals along with a brief use of spoken word ritualistic parts, while the lyrics cover occult, dark and horror themes, as for the production it has a very dark, rw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Cauldron Black Ram are a very great sounding mixture of black, sludge, doom, death and thrash metal and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "The Poisoner" and "Infernal Interjections". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Dreaming Dead/Midnightmares/2012 CD Review


   Dreaming Dead are a band from California that plays a micture of black metal, melodic death metal,thrash and progressive metal and this is a review of their self released 2012 album "Midnightmares".

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a great amount of brutal sounding blast beats being thrown into the music, while the bass playing has a very strong and powerful tone with riffs that dominate throughout the recording.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast riffs that combine melodic death metal, black, thrash and progressive metal together to create a sound of their own, while the lead guitars are very melodic, progressive and technical sounding death metal guitar solos and leads, as for the acoustic guitars when they are utilized they use finger picking and full chords to bring jazz and progressive rock elements to the music.

Vocals range from high pitched screams that combine black and melodic death metal together along with some deep death metal growls being utilized at times, while the lyrics cover dark and philosophical themes, as for the production it has a very strong, powerful, heavy and professional sound for being a self released recording where you can hear all of the musical instruments that are present on this recording.

In my opinion Dreaming Dead are a very great sounding black/melodic death/thrash and progressive metal hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Overlord" "Midnightmares" "Into The Depths" and "Corpse Mountain". RECOMMENDED BUY.

www.dreamingdead.com
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Shturm/Karmaruna/Darknagar Records/2012 CD Review


  Shturm are a band from Russia that plays a very ethnic form of blackened death metal with a melodic edge and this is a review of their 2012 album "Karmaruna" which was released by Darknagar Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a great amount of brutal sounding blast beats being thrown into the music, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful sound to them, as for the synths when they are utilized they bring in influences from ethnic music as well as some sounds from nature.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast death metal riffs that utilize a great amount of black and thrash metal influences along with some melodic riffing as well as a brief use of soft and clean playing, while the lead guitars are very melodic and technical sounding guitar solos and leads with some use of ethnic scales, as for the acoustic guitars when they are utilized they use full chords and finger picking to add some darkness to the music.

Vocals range from deep death metal growls, high pitched screams and some clean singing as well as a brief spoken word part, while the lyrics cover Tibetan Mythology and Buddhism, as for the production it has a very strong, powerful, heavy and professional sound to it.

In my opinion Shturm are a very great sounding ethnic melodic blackened death metal band and if you are looking for something that is very original, you should check this band out. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Eagles Above Tibet" "Karmaruna" "In Us" and "Metal Music Artefact". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://youtu.be/KLG4_pgBYfw 

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Sun Through A Telescope/Summer Darkyard/2011 EP Review


  The Sun Through A Telescope are a 1 man project from Canada that plays a mixture of black metal, drone, noise and sludge and this is a review of their elf released 2011 ep "Summer Darkyard".

Drums are absent from t his recording, while the sound effects bring in a psychedelic, drone, noise and dark ambient sound to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very strong and powerful tone with sludge/doom metal riffing that dominates throughout the recording.

Rhythm guitars are slow to mid paced riffs that combine black metal with noise, sludge and doom metal with the songs being very long and there are no guitar solos or leads present on this recording, as for the acoustic guitars when they are utilized they bring a post rock sound to the music.

Vocals are a mixture of high pitched black metal screams, deep growls, weird vocals, clean singing and spoken word parts, while the lyrics cover dark themes, as for the production it has a very dark, heavy, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion The Sun Through A Telescope are a very great sounding black metal/doom/sludge/noise/drone hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Cro-Magnon Nightmare". RECOMMENDED BUY.
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Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Sick To The Back Teeth Interview


1. Can you tell us a little bit about the project for those that have never heard of you before?

yes. sick to the back teeth is a solo music project where i record all kinds of different music. i put no restrictions on myself in terms of style or concept or rules. it's just whatever music i feel like doing. i started using the name in 2002, so this is the tenth year of doing this.


2. How would you describe your musical sound?

there's no one sound for me. i make rock, metal, noise, folk, electronic music, sometimes all in the same piece of music. there are no limitations. i will say that some of it takes an experimental approach but not all of it. and that most of my music is conceptual. especially if it doesn't sound like there's a concept. some of my music isn't about music at all.


3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the project explores with the music?

so many. i have some albums which deal with very specific subjects and i think these are relatively obvious. i don't like to explain them, though. they are meant to be interpreted by the listener. but speaking very broadly, i tend to come back to some themes often: love, sadness, nature, fantasy.


4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

sick to the back teeth is an expression that means to be completely fed up of something. i just liked it.


5. Are there any other members involved with the project or is this solo?

it's just me. there are some rare cases where i've had guest musicians or collaborated with people and they are given credit on those songs. but it's mostly me writing all the songs and performing all the music.


6. Currently you are signed to Drowning, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?

well, i am not signed to any label. but Drowning is great. i liked the releases that i heard and i liked the aesthetic so i sent in an album. i was glad that they decided to include it. i think it's a good fit.


7. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of underground music?

i don't think it has been received much at all. this is the first interview i've been asked to do in five or six years so i don't think anyone is aware of me. about once a year i get an email from someone who says they liked something i did and that's nice. that's about all.


8. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this full time?

i just played in a metal band for a couple of years called Pegasus Void. i played guitar, sang and wrote the songs. our album is coming out soon. it's mostly doom metal but there are are elements of space rock and black metal as well. now i play in a rock duo called the Starling Quintet. it's not metal at all. but i'm never going to stop doing music as sick to the back teeth.


9. What direction do you see your music heaning into on futre releases?

hopefully all different directions. currently i have been recording and releasing one song every week on this blog: http://sick-to-the-back-teeth.tumblr.com/ i also put old releases and previously unreleased material on there.

i will be releasing a new musical score for a film very soon. probably a rock album after that. then, who knows?


10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

all different kinds of stuff. although instead of musical influences, i would say that sick to the back teeth is most connected to the surrealist art movement and i would describe most of my music as surrealist music. i'm influenced by dreams.


11. Does Occultism play a role in the music?

no, but that is not to say that i haven't at some point been inspired by the idea of something related to occultism. i'm inspired by all sorts of different things.


12.Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

currently i have a weekly radio show on the greatest radio station in the world, WFMU. my show airs sundays at 3-6am EST and you can listen online at http://www.wfmu.org/

i also enjoy building instruments and effects. i'm writing my second novel.


13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

thank you for taking an interest and i wish you the best of luck with your zine!

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Sunday, April 8, 2012

Tersivel/Far Away In The Distant Skies/2010 EP Review


  Tersival are a band from Argentina that plays a very atmospheric and symphonic form of folk metal mixed in with some melodic black/death metal and this is a review of their self released 2010 demo "Far Away In The Distant Skies".

Drums range from slow, mid paced to some fast drumming that utilizes a brief use of blast beats, while the keyboards bring in a very dark, symphonic, and atmospheric sound with some epic folk music melodies mixed in with some more traditional folk metal instruments, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful sound to them.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast riffing that combines folk metal with melodic black/death metal, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding guitar solos and leads, as for the classical guitars when they are utilized they bring a feeling of the dark ages to the music.

Vocals range from clean singing folk metal vocals, high pitched black metal screams and deep death metal growls with a brief use of gang shout vocals, while the lyrics cover Pagan,Folklore and Heathen themes, as for the production it has a very powerful, heavy and professional sound for being a self released ep.

In my opinion Tersivel are a very great sounding folk/melodic black/death metal hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACK "We Are The Fading Sun". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tersivel

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Netherbird/Shadows And Snow/2010 EP Review


  Netherbird are a band from Sweden that plays a very melodic, gothic and symphonic form of black metal and this is a review of their self released 2011 ep "Shadows And Snow".

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with some blast beats being used at times, while the keyboards bring a very dark, atmospheric and symphonic sound to the music along with some use of a violin being played, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful tone with gothic rock riffs.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast melodic black metal guitar riffs with a brief use of soft and clean playing being utilized on the last song, while the lead guitars are very melodic and skilled sounding guitar solos and leads that utilize a great amount of talent.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls being used at times as well as some spoken word parts and a brief use of clean singing chanting being utilized on the last song, while the lyrics cover very dark themes, as for the production it has a very strong, heavy, powerful and professional sound and you can hear all of the musical instruments that are present on this recording.

In my opinion Netherbird are a very great sounding atmospheric/gothic/symphonic melodic black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Shadows And Snow" and "Nightwards". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Sick To The Back Teeth/Full Body Heartache/Drowning Productions/2010 Digital Album Review


  Sick To The Back Teeth are a project from New York that combines drone doom with black metal, improv and noise and this is a review of their 2010 album "Full Body Heartache" which was released by Drowning Productions.

Drums and bass guitar are all absent from the music with guitars being the only instrument on this recording.

Guitars are all slow riffs that combine drone/doom with black metal and noise with alot of heavy distortion and there are no guitar solos or leads present on this recording, in addition the whole album is a 30 minute long song.

Vocals and song writing are all absent from the recording with the music being all instrumental, as for the production it has a very dark, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Sick To The Back Teeth are a very great sounding black/drone/doom metal/improv/noise hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should  check out this band. RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Wyrm/Paramount/Drowning Productions/2011 CD Review


  Wyrm are a 1 man band from Texas that plays a mixture of drone/doom metal and black metal and this is a review of their 2011 album "Paramount" which was released by Drowning Productions.

Drums and bass guitar are absent from the recording with the music being all guitar noises, while the keyboards bring a very dark and ambient sound to the music as well as some kraut rock and experimental influences.

Rhythm guitars are all riffs and distortion effects which are in the drone/doom metal vein mixed in with some darker black metal influences as well as shoegaze, in addition the songs are very long and epic sounding.

Vocals are absent from the music with all of the music being instrumental, while the song themes cover dark themes with one song having an alchemy approach, as for the production it has a very, dark, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Wyrm are a very great sounding drone/black/doom metal hybrid project and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Cursed Ground Above Which Even A Murder Will Not Fly" and "Ouroborous Harpengnathos". RECOMMENDED BUY

https://drowningcc.bandcamp.com/album/paramount