Old Moon Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Old Moon is a band that explores and tells the stories of depression, self loss and death and expresses those subjects through a sound that meets a middle ground of sadness and anger. 

2.In November you released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

While writing the music, I never found myself deliberately trying to accomplish a sound or style. Everything came very naturally.  I simply wanted to turn emotion into sound. 

That was accomplished fairly well with the EP but more so on the full length I think.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

Depression is a heavy topic in the music. And that ranges in a lot of different ways from grief to simple sadness, to self sabotage and suicide.

There are a lot of metaphors in the lyrics that represent emotional abuse and that paints a pretty good picture of how the story flows into the depression.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Old Moon'?

Old Moon is kind of a metaphor for living in the past. If a new moon represents change and new beginnings, this is the opposite.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

The art work stuck out to me greatly when I came across it. It was created by an artist on Instagram that goes by the name "Perervina_art"

For me it was a perfect representation that reflects the music. Isolation essentially.

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

The band has yet to preform live. We were planning for a tour for this winter but that unfortunately fell through.

As far as stage performance, its aggressive but has its calm moments. Just like the music.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2025?

I'm currently working on a tour for late spring. Likely mostly just a west coast run unfortunately.

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

We are currently looking for a respectable label. We have had a few interest but only one that I would consider.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of post black and melodic death metal?

Its been interesting. Mostly positive. I honestly didn't expect getting so many random messages from people that "praise" the music, especially with the band being so new and only having 3 tracks out.

That's been very heart warming for me. But on the other side of that, the first review we received said the music is "unexciting and predictable for something that comes out of the pacific northwest" which made me laugh.

But yeah, its been interesting but mostly very positive. 

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

For me, Gone in April is currently working on an album. I have another project that I've been working on as well but that's still in the early stages.

Tim, our drummer, is always busy with something or another. He has shows almost weekly with Back From Death. And I believe recently joined another band as well.

Grady I'm sure is working on something as well. He almost always is. At the moment he's been working on the mastering for the full length for us.

11.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Yes. We have a full length finished. Its been shopped to labels but I will shop it again after mastering is complete.

As far as when that album will be available, I hope for February/March but hopes and reality are two different things. It really depends on if there is a label involved and what their release plan would be.

Aside from that, as I mentioned earlier I'm working to get a tour booked. We'll have some music videos coming to help promote the album. For now, I've started the writing for the next album.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Gaerea and Wormwood have been my go to listening bands lately. Both recently have released new music. As well as Swallow the Sun.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Just a simple thank you to everyone that has given any kind of support to the music and that band and we hope to see you at a show in the future.

https://www.facebook.com/oldmoon.om

https://www.instagram.com/oldmoon.om

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4omelxYGETlKIijsJ1JeZI

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/old-moon/1759269442

https://www.youtube.com/@OldMoonMusic

Terramorta Interview

 

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

 

Hello, at the moment we are in the recording phase of our second album, which we can say is already recorded. We are now in the process of trying to make our work known and to reach beyond Portugal, aiming to share it with as many people as possible.

 

2.Earlier this year you released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

 

We know that humans tend to categorize and label everything, but we’ve never even thought about a specific musical style for the band. For us, it's just metal. Of course, we can say that our music relates to the symphonic black/death metal sub-genre.

 

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

 

            Seer - The concept itself arose from a disorder that has always tormented me, chronophobia precisely, that is, the fear of time and its passing through our miserably ephemeral and empty lives. I suffer from F.O.M.O., getting older kills me inside, I have a lot of difficulty facing, understanding and accepting the passing of time, not only in myself, but also in my loved ones, family and friends, and I honestly think that with each passing day we are becoming less happy, more vulnerable to isolation, depression, lack of motivation to continue, to blackness that accelerates this path until the inevitable and certain end. At the time we were looking for coherent themes for the album, something that we could unfold and continue, trying to avoid clichés, and behold, adapting this disorder made perfect sense. We've all been through bad times, we've lived a lot, enough to put a lot of ourselves into the album, which is why we think it's very coherent and sincere, because it literally shows our fears and problems.

 

 

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Terramorta'?

 

            First of all, Terramorta means Deadland. And it’s a place that we created and invite the listeners to visit. A place where bad things happen, a place of sorrow, deception and grief like everything that we as humans must endure in our day-to-day life. But also, a place where in the end you can find hope and strength to continue the journey.

 

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

 

To be honest, the artwork was changed numerous times until the image director, Oliver Jackson, presented us with the version that's now released. The decision was unanimous, as the image perfectly illustrated the concept of the album chronophobia. Regarding the new album, we are not in that phase yet.

 

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

 

            For us, every show has been special, from the launch show to the one with Benighted. Some of us have over 20 years of experience. Seer and Helvigario used to play in a band together, and Nero has been part of numerous projects, having recorded bands like Enthroned. We can say we’ve felt comfortable on stage, but you can check out some of our performances on our YouTube channel.

 

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2025?

 

            Yes, announced shows are already in our website www.terramorta.com and we are working to make possible a European tour during 2025. We also announce future shows in our social media pages.

 

8.The last album was released on 'Magnus Pike Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

 

            The label was created by Nero, because after facing so many "NOs," we decided to launch the project on our own, at our own risk. We can say that no one, outside of our close circle, believed in TERRAMORTA.

 

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of symphonic black and death metal?

 

            It's hard to say, as we are a small band, but we can share some of the statistics from our album sales, which, surprisingly, sold out quickly. We sent them to almost all of Europe, the United States, Canada, Japan, etc. On social media, fans from all corners of the world are starting to appear, and we are very grateful for the acceptance.

 

10.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

            Some of them yes, but at the moment nothing is really going on regarding other musical projects. We are all fully committed to TERRAMORTA.

 

11.The next album is going to be released sometime in 2025, what can we expect musically once it is released?

           

            You can expect the same musical language as the previous album, but due to personal events and life's circumstances, the album has become more frantic and chaotic. We want to take a bold approach with the production. We know the market's rules, but don't expect a modern sound or something that follows current trends.

 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

 

            It depends from the band member, but what we hear is a mix of Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, KXM, Korn, Pantera, Carcass, Rammstein, Arcturus, Symphony X, Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Death, Dissection, etc.

 

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

 

            We hope you enjoy our work, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the world.

So you can check our social media pages, streaming platforms. And on YouTube you will find videoclips, the full album and live videos. And guess what, it’s for free, so what are you waiting for?

Cheers and see you on the road. \m/

https://terramorta.com/

https://www.facebook.com/terramorta.official/

https://www.instagram.com/terramorta.official/

https://www.youtube.com/@TERRAMORTAmusic

https://open.spotify.com/intl-pt/artist/45tDH8c6Lgm2hnsOqRV1O9

https://music.apple.com/pt/artist/terramorta/1728551178

https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/253888602

Timaeus/Redemption, Redemption!/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Timaeus  are  a  solo  project  from  Turkey  that  plays  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2024  album  "Redemption,  Redemption!".

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  a  lot  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  some  tracks  also  add  in  a small  amount  of  clean  playing.

  The  album  also  has  its  progressive  moments  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  keyboards  and  touches  of  classical  music  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  One  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  spoken  words  are  added  on  the  closing  track.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  trials  and  tribulations  of  Life  and  Death.

  In  my  opinion  Timaeus  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Who  We  Try  To  Be"  "Redemption,  Redemption!"  "Her  Majesty,  My  Shield"  and  "Terminus  Est".  8  out  of  10.

  https://timaeus.bandcamp.com/album/redemption-redemption

https://open.spotify.com/album/2N05XaobRLyXxPqO8jFfuu?si=wdpohP4bTFiv_uPuo6BzUA

https://www.youtube.com/@timaeusTR    

Qaalm/Grave Impressions Of An Unbroken Arc/Hypaethral Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Qaalm  are  a  band  from  Los  Angeles,  California  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  an  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  post  black,  sludge  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Grave  Impressions  Of  An  Unbroken  Arc"  which  was  released  by  Hyperthral  Records.

  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  funeral  doom  metal  which  also  captures  the  heaviness  of  sludge  metal.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  blackened  metal  screams.

  Some  of  the  deeper  vocals  also  add  in  a  touch  of  death  metal  while  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  When  clean  playing  is  utilized  they  also  take  the  album  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  bringing  in  more  of  a  melodic  rock  style ,  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  and  spoken  words  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.

  On  this  recording  Qaalm  takes  a  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  form  of  post  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  sludge,  funeral  doom  metal  and  progressive  rock  to  create  a  very  diverse  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  introspection  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Qaalm  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  post  black,  sludge  and  funeral  doom,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Shadows  Behind  The  Sun"  and  "Hangman's  Lament".  8  out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/qaalm    

Old Moon/Self Titled/2024 EP Review

 

  Old  Moon  are  a  band  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  post  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  self  titled  2024  ep.

  Post  rock  style  clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  before  going  into  more  of  a  fast  and  melodic  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast beats  while  the  vocals  also  bring  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  orchestration  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  spoken  words  also  being  utilized  at  times,  choirs  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.

  Old  Moon  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  post  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  melodic  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  depression,  grief,  loss  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Old  Moon  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  post  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Regret".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/oldmoon.om

https://www.instagram.com/oldmoon.om

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4omelxYGETlKIijsJ1JeZI

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/old-moon/1759269442

https://www.youtube.com/@OldMoonMusi  

Burning Creation/Sea Of Dead Bodies/Via Nocturna/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Burning  Creation  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Sea  Of  Dead  Bodies"  which  was  released  by  Via  Nocturna.

  Water  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  epic  sounding  keyboards  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  A  lot  of  the  album  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  closing  track  is  an  Amon  Amarth  cover.

  Burning  Creation  plays  a  viking  themed  form  of  melodic  blackened  death  metal  in  the  Swedish  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Nordic  Mythology,  Vikings,  Scandinavian  Folklore  and  Historical  Events.

  In  my  opinion  Burning  Creation  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eaten  By  Hulder"  "The  Einherjer's  Return"  "Under  The  Fading  Sun"  and  "As  The  ocean  Takes  us  Down".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/4b3kDcdS9rM

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Empty Throne/Unholy/Downfall Records/2024 Full Length Review

 
    Empty  Throne  are  a  band  from  the  United  States  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Unholy"  which  was  released  by  Downfall  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  thrash  metal  elements  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  clean  playing  is  also  used  briefly.  Some  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  tremolo  picking  also  being  added  into  the  faster  riffing  as  well as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  demonic  voices,  clear  singing,  spoken  words  and  whispers  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  songs.

  Empty  Throne  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  with  thrash  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Luciferian,  Thelema  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Empty  Throne  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Unholy"  and  "My  Flesh  The  Temptation".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/emptythroneband

https://emptythroneofficial.bandcamp.com/album/glossolalia

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6wz3wLAt8zu4zL7jImCIyJ