Dark Solstice Interview

 

Answers by Michael “RISTRIDI” Woess

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

Sure! We are Dark Solstice from Munich, Germany, and we play Dark Metal! 

This band pretty much evolved out of my Solo Project “RISTRIDI”, with which I’ve released one Prog/Power Metal EP. There was one release gig in 2023, and we had no real lasting “Live-Lineup”. We were short a Bassist at the time and after our one and only gig, Guitarist Daniel moved to another city far away and Drummer Felix said he couldn’t do more live gigs, as he already was member of 4 bands at the time and also had a full-time-job. So Johnny and me are basically what’s left of that Live-Lineup.

Johnny and I were looking for new musicians to join us - we found Jakob Burde (Ex-Hailstone), Maurice Gerczuk and Alex Meyer (Ex-Engera) who were eager to make music with us. And after I’ve left Agathodaimon I felt the need to write and release more “dark music”, so I proposed that we - instead of continuing as a Solo Project - take the step and form a new band. As our name, we decided to take the name of the RISTRIDI EP - “Dark Solstice”.

2.You have a new ep coming out later in May, can you tell us a little bit more about he musical style that you went for on the recording?

Oh it’s a pretty diverse mixture actually. Basically we make Dark Metal with influences of Symphonic Black Metal and also Melodic Death Metal. The three songs on the EP are all examples of facettes which are to be expected in our coming work. 

“Pathways” has a lot of “Melo-Death” Vibes, “Open” opens with a Groove-Metal / Doomy kinda Main Riff and develops into some thrashy passages, leading into a Black Metal Ending - and the title track “Where Black Stars Beckon” is the one that mostly goes in to the direction of traditional “Dark Metal” - it has a recurring Synth-Melody with a Breakdown-ish kind of Main Part, which also goes into a Black-Metal-ish kinda Verse Part and then into a more melodic Chorus.

So there are a lot of influences which lead to these songs and I can’t pinpoint exactly where all of that comes from, as it’s not an all conscious process.

3.Some of the band members are veterans from other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Dark Solstice', that you have not been able to do with your previous groups?

I was deeply involved in the songwriting for the latest “Agathodaimon” record “The Seven” - and I can definitely be creative more freely without that big “Back Catalogue” of what the band has already done in the past. I think that a lot of the material that is about to come is going to be more on the melodic side, not necessarily abiding to the “cliché” of Dark Metal. 

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

The topics we tried to cover in our EP range from political topics like in “Where Black Stars Beckon” - which is inspired by the abhorrent Trump-led MAGA movement in the USA - to personal topics like the loss of love and also to deeply personal problems like Depression and losing the will to live.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dark Solstice'?

Solstice, by definition, means the time when the sun reaches its maximum or minimum declination, twice a year. Dark Solstice we see as a metaphor for the times of crisis, in which we live - personally or also politically. So the question is: Have we already reached the maximum point of devastation? Are we on a tipping point of negative things to happen? Or will things become even worse? When will life and international crises start to shift into something positive again? That’s the question I ask myself regularly, so it seemed like a nice name for a band.

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

Sure. On the cover artwork we can see a devastated person who scourges himself in a city of ruins, with a lit hearth in front of him. This reflects pictures which are invoked through the lyrics of the songs on the EP. A person which has gone through severe stress because of his living conditions - a destroyed city which he lives in. It’s a kind of apocalyptic vision of where we might end up in on the verge of (nuclear) war and international crises

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

Our gigs in Freising and Munich were really something! In Freising we met a lot of old friends and the room was packed! And in Munich, despite the bad weather, the people were on fire!

Our stage performance is rather “classic” I would say. We don’t have any stage props or stuff like that yet. But it is always quite energetic!

8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new ep is released?

We have some gigs lined up. After the EP Release we now had three gigs. In July we’re again playing in Munich - on 19th of July at Szenerie Drehleier - and then our next gigs are on 15th November in Nuremberg and on 13th December in Dorfen.

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

For our debut album we’re on the lookout for a label, we were already in contact with a label that was interested in releasing this EP. But we decided to release this EP on our own now and go join a label for our debut album.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of dark metal?

I think it was received quite well, our videos and socials got quite some views. But we’re of course still at the very beginning of our journey.

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

We have already written quite some new material, but we can’t say yet when our first full length will be ready. The new music goes a bit more into the melodic and melancholic direction. I’m curious how that material will turn out - it’s still in a rather early state.

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?

I am a big fan of old-school metal, reaching way back to the origins of metal. I was always a big Megadeth fan for example. Nowadays, I like listening to all kinds of subgenres of Metal. Music I listened to a lot lately are Brymir’s “Voices in the Sky”, Assemble the Chariot’s “Unyielding Night” and Ghost’s “Skeletá”. So not stuff that is close to what we do actually, genre-wise.

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

First of all thank you for the interview! To everybody reading this, we’re looking forward to write and release new music for you. Also, if you’re attending one of our gigs, make sure to say hello!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darksolstice.official/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darksolstice.official/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@darksolstice.official
Bandcamp: https://darksolstice.bandcamp.com
Website: https://darksolstice.de

Maestitia Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album? 

Yes, of course. We started promoting the album with two shows before the official release because we had planned for a faster schedule and already had confirmed dates. The first date was confirmed for January 10, 2025, in Roanne, but was postponed to September after our drummer fractured his shoulder in a car accident. Another in February in Châteauroux, which was still scheduled, as well as a subsequent one in March, a live broadcast on a local radio station in our region. Finally, the last date was in May. This time, the album was out, but unfortunately, we hadn't yet received the physical version of the digipack. We're looking for dates between now and September to maximize the energy we share with the audience, because that's what matters most. Without the audience, no band can exist, nor can the venues that organize it.

 2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ form your previous ep?

 Dave: The tracks on "Blood Tears" were a joint effort between Hervé and me. Often, I did the composition and arrangements, and Hervé wrote his guitar lines, then L. added the keyboards. For "Hate of Sorrow," I took charge of the guitar composition and arrangements. As for the keyboards, L. had started working on them. So I went back and completed everything from the audio rushes we had recorded. This album is more personal to me than the EP. Phil: It's more accomplished; some tracks were already in the works at the time of the EP, but not yet complete, so we had the time, and even more, to create them exactly according to our vision and the way we wanted the audience to experience them. The EP only had a mix without mastering, just like a demo would have been, which is what it actually was at the beginning. The album was made in the studio for the drums. The guitars, keyboards, and vocals were recorded in a home studio, together on-site for each session. The mixing and mastering were always handled in the studio; we spent some time there at the end to adjust certain levels between the instruments with the studio to our liking. 

3.This is also your first release since 2016, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame? 

Dave became very ill; he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, for which he is still undergoing treatment today. Then Covid, which everyone suffered so hard. This put a brake on the cultural world in general. The members of the line-up were also on the move. New energies, feelings constantly on an upward slope musically, and finally, we arrived today at this result. 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

 Dave: Whether it's "Blood Tears" or "Hate of Sorrow," each track represents a chapter in a story. The dominant theme is madness, schizophrenia, split personality. The struggle between two entities in the same body. Phil: The theme of the album is completely a continuation of the EP: after the character was driven by his demon to murder his family in the EP, this time he is launched into a battle against his demon, who is playing with him. It happens in three parts: first, he chases it away, fights it, then, seeing no solution, he tries to work on himself, even going so far as to attempt to kill himself to eliminate the evil within him, but nothing works, so he finally gives in to evil. It's a completely imaginary universe, but who knows what goes on in the minds of some humans, like serial killers? 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Maesitia'?

 In Latin, it means dejection, a weakening of physical or mental strength. An affliction, a moral pain, a deep pain that crushes the spirit. This is what the character who inspires our songs feels, and also reflects. It's not very joyful, but if we were making laughter, we would be working on a completely different repertoire, so here it's the emotional side that counts.

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

 Georges Grie is a fantastic artist; he's one of the first surrealist digital artists. Grie is known for his numerous 3D and 2D images. He was born in the USSR during the Soviet regime. We've only known him since 2015, when he was already living in Miami, USA. His art is so emotionally connected to our world that we went back to him to ask for the rights to use his work to represent the artwork for the current album.

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

I don't have much to say about the concerts surrounding the album release because we're only just beginning, and it seems essential to us to promote this album as much as possible on stage. On the other hand, I had a great time at the concerts for "Blood Tears," especially with Zornheym and Dunkelnatch in Lyon and Blazing War Machin in Eu during the Neptunalia. Regarding the stage performance, we still have a lot of work to do, but practice makes perfect!!! Afterward, we let the audience tell us if they enjoyed it. 

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

 Projects: Yes, we want to promote and bring this album to life on stage. If a promoter/tourist is interested, we're open to any realistic proposal. We have jobs that currently allow us to earn a living. But if something equivalent at least allows us as much in the long term, we'll go for it. A word to all promoters. 

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

We were extremely and pleasantly surprised by the reception of the title track "Hate of Sorrow." The number of views actually blew us away on the spot. We know that the rest of the album is of the same level, and that no one in the audience will be bored, because there is so much within each track that everyone can find something they like. We've received a few messages telling us to continue doing something off the beaten track with a true identity. We'll continue, I hope for their sake... 

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

 Dave: Right now, I can't say where we'll go musically. On the next album, we'll return to a more collaborative writing style. I'll still be composing, but I won't write all the instruments. Will it be more Black Metal or more Death Metal, with keyboards or without keyboards? I don't know. When I compose, I don't set any musical limits for myself; I simply write what pleases me, based on my aspirations and feelings at the time. Phil: Honestly, we don't know; dreams are dreams. Veni, veni, vinci… As long as we play for the public, we live, the rest is…

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

 Dave: Unfortunately, I'm not very open to the modern scene. I always listen to bands from the 90s and 2000s like Ablaze my Sorrow, Canorous Quintet, Gate of Ishtar, Unanimated, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Pain… There are plenty more, but I'll stop there. Mattéo: Cynic, Death, Dissection, Korol I Shut, Linkin Park, Silencer, Tribulation. Phil: Currently, it's more about great symphonic classical music like Ernest Chausson's 1875, it's really great, and on the metal side, always Malevolence, the best of hardcore. Re for him, Sepultura forever, Anthrax, and his friends from home, Benighted, Abcest, Aorlhac, Nephren-Ka, Jours Pales, Bovary, Profanity, Behemoth…………… etc… 

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

Dave: We're going to bring this album to life as much as possible on stage, thanks to you and to the people who support us and love our music – Stay Metal Phil: Yes, for the audience, always so close and receptive.

https://maestitia.bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.facebook.com/maestitia.officiel/

Shadows/Miseria/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Shadows  are  an  international  band  with  members  from  Germany  and  Sweden  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Miseria"  which  will  be  released  in  August.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later.  Elements  of  death  metal  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in a   great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  thme.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style.

   One  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  along  with a  couple  of  the  tracks    also   being long  and  epic  in  length,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  some  of  the  faster  riffing  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  occultism  and  misanthropy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Shadows  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "As  Above  So  Below"  "Spring  Sleepwalker"  "A  Seance"  and  "Unnamed  Sorrow".  8  out  of  10.

  https://shadows-official.com/  

Valdrin/Apex Violator/Avantgarde Music/2025 EP Review

 

 Ohio's  Valdrin  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  epic,  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  ep  "Apex  Violator"  which  will  be  released  on  June  20th  by  Avantgarde  Music.

  Dark  soundscapes  and  clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  some  symphonic  sounding  keyboards  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  spoken  words  also  being  utilized  on  a  couple  of  tracks  as  well  as  some  clear  singing  also  being  used  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Valdrin  continue  the  melodic,  epic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  from  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  covering  the  Ausadjur  Mythos.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Valdrin  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic,  melodic  and  symphonic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Poison  Soul  Vents"  and  "Veins  of  Akasha".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/valdrinausadjur

https://www.instagram.com/valdrin_ausadjur

https://valdrin.bandcamp.com

https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/apex-violator

https://youtu.be/G0e2-O2x2Dk 

Needless/Premonition/Inertial Music/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Needless  are  a  band  from  Hungary  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Premonition"  which  was  released  by  inertial  Music.

  A  very  fast  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  clear  singing  and  the  riffs  also  mix  in  elements  of  thrash  metal.

  At  times  the  ,music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Spoken  words  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  synths  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks.

  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also being  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  saxophones.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  a  cosmic-scale  reflection  on mankind  from introspective  thoughts  and  inner  thoughts  with  an  existential  outlook.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Needless  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  progressive  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Derelict"  "As  Our  Citadels  Burn"  and  "Worlds  Forgotten,  Dreams  Undone'.  8  out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/needless_metal

https://youtu.be/Od_0FJpgxLQ

Old Machines/The Cycles Of Extinction/Pale Magnus Productions/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Old  Machines  are  a  band  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "The  Cycles  Of  Extinction"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Pale  Magnus  Productions.

  A  sci-fi  orientated  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  ambient  style keyboards  a  few  seconds  later  before  adding  in  some  symphonic  elements  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  are  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  some  spoken  words  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  album  also  adds  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  The  album  also  adds  in  a  good  amount  of  thrash,  death  and  power  metal  elements  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  one  track  also  being  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  and  covers  science  fiction,  horror,  war  and  genocide.

  In  my  opinion  Old  Machines  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Twilight  Of  The  Old  Gods,  And  The  Dawning  Of  The  First"  "Dark  Space  And  Beyond  -  The  Continuing  Of  The  Evolution  Of  The  Final  Cycle"  and  "Glory  To  The  Terrans  Of  The  First  Contact  War".  8  out  of  10.

  https://oldmachines.bandcamp.com/album/the-cycles-of-extinction

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550689574647#

https://www.instagram.com/oldmachines_official/#

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

Sigh/I Saw The World's End (Hangman's Hymn MMXXV)/Peaceville Records/2025 Re-Recorded Album Review

 

  Japans'  Sig  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  avant  garde  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "I  Saw  The  World's  End  (Hangman's  Hymn  MMXXV)"  which  will  be  released  on  June 13th,  2025  by  Peaceville  Records  and  is  also  a  re-recorded  version  of  the  2007  album  "Hangman's  Hymn".

  A  very  heavy  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.  Elements  of  thrash  metal  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  operatic  choirs  also  taking  the  music  into  more  of  an  avant  garde  direction  when  they  are  utilized.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  more  of  a  melodic  and  old  school  metal  style.  some  of  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  touch  of  power/thrash  metal.

  Clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  back  up  shouts  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  the  music  also  updating  the  black/thrash  metal  style  for  the  modern  era,  spoken  words  are  also  used  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  and  cover   death  and  occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  from  Sigh  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  re-recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Inked  In  Blood"  "The  Master  Malice"  "In  Devils  Arms"  and  "Salvation  In  Flame/Confutatis".  8  out  of  10.

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