Versatile Interview

 

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

Famine : We have focused all our energy on promoting our new album after having the opportunity to sign a new partnership with the French label "Les Acteurs de l'Ombre." While waiting for the release scheduled for April 11, 2025, several new updates will continue to appear on our social media. In parallel, we have also participated in several concerts and festivals, including the Apocalypse Metal Fest 2024 in France alongside Seth, Ten56 and Crisix, and “Traumatica - Festival of Fear” held in the heart of Europa Park in Germany, which welcomes thousands of people every day. 

2.In April you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep ?

Famine : We wanted to explore our universe further and the characters of our fictional world called "l'Envers" in French. In the beginning, the EP has been our first business card to share within our networks. The idea was to showcase several directions in each track that we were already ready to embrace and explore further in the future. Today, with the album, our roots still being black metal and electronic music, we’ve expanded into several new sounds, highlighting genres like symphonic music, deathcore, death metal, and more. We also decided to increase the BPM to play more intense tracks during our shows, without wanting to make mid-tempo exclusively part of our approach. Everyone in the band felt the need to create more powerful compositions. Each track can be considered a single, as it also brings its own theme and unique sounds between cathedral bells, gas mask breaths, harpsichord & more.

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

Hatred: The main idea is to tell stories and transport the listener into a fictional universe of our own creation. Despite the fantastical aspect, there are underlying themes that address topics such as alterity, monstrosity and alienation, identity and individuality, exaggeration, vices, social classes, and the endless cycle of destruction and creation.

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

Hatred: The name Versatile is directly taken from our eponymous track. It refers to a shapeshifting creature capable of taking on the features of other individuals. As it transforms over and over, it forgets its original identity and drowns in solitude when no one is there to look at it.

Once again, the fantastical creature serves as an allegory, representing manipulative individuals who can adapt their image to suit their victims.

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

Hatred: The album begins with the end of one world, giving way to the emergence of the universe in which our characters evolve.

The artwork depicts this cataclysm, the final moment before the fall. The cathedral we see is on the verge of annihilation, and with it, every memory of its dogma and the old world

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the masks the band members wear in the promo pictures?

Famine : In a few words, Famine is a wild, cannibalistic beast with an insatiable hunger. His fate leads him to devour all forms of life, leaving nothing behind. Starting from these origins, I wanted to create a filthy and bloodthirsty character, barefoot, wearing only vague black cloths wrapping his form. Today, I draw more inspiration from Aztec culture, particularly from the god "Mictlantecuhtli". He is often depicted with a feathered adornment, symbols of his high status, and tribal pendants made of human remains or bones. I would like to deepen my inspiration in this culture, which is rarely represented in the metal world. On a personal level, I’m beginning to believe that I’ve come to represent all my repressed anger and disgust in the creation of my character. I’m a zen guy, I’ve gotten into the habit of repressing my primitive impulses a lot. 

Cinis : The costume we wear are integral to our identity as a band and to the character I portray, Cinis, the Priestess of Ashes. My headpiece is designed with cathedral-inspired elements, which evoke a sense of the sacred and the mysterious, reflecting the religious undertones of our music and themes. The mask itself, crafted by the same designer, adds an additional layer of intrigue. It’s a symbol of the enigma surrounding our music and characters. The mystery of the mask invites our audience to interpret the persona we present, allowing them to engage with our art on a deeper level. In addition to the mask, my outfit includes a long black cape adorned with skull shoulder pads, emphasizing a gothic aesthetic that complements the darker themes of our music. This entire look combining elements of the sacred and the macabre embodies the essence of Versatile and helps to create a captivating atmosphere during our performances.

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

Famine : Personally, “La Fête de la Musique 2024” in Geneva was a very positive and surprising experience—I had an absolute blast. Even before the concert began, it was the first time the audience was shouting our name during our line check on stage before we even started playing. The tension was palpable, and the atmosphere was very electric. It only took a few minutes to put everyone into a trance state , and those moments will always be very precious to me when such beautiful synergy is created between the artist and the audience.

Just like our compositions, we are committed to enhancing the immersion of our universe both musically and visually during our stage performance. Each of us portrays our own character, moving and communicating with the audience in this way. For example, you'll always see me hitting my chest and head with my fist, while stomping brutally on the floor with my foot. We are also supported by several visual elements, including lighting effects, smoke, and pyrotechnic effects

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

Famine : At this moment, we have planned a big event for the release of our upcoming album on April 26th in our hometown of Geneva, alongside "Morgarten" (Epic Black Metal) and "De l'Abîme Naît l'Aube" (Ritualistic Post Metal). This evening is exclusive because we will play the full tracklist, keeping some new visual surprises under wraps. Since we recently signed with our new French label, "Les Acteurs de l'Ombre," we are collaborating with them to promote the album. We will also participate  on May 2  in the "Rituel Noir" festival in France with major bands such as Wiegedood, BORGNE, and more.

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

Hatred: It is still difficult for us to grasp our notoriety beyond Europe. We know that some people follow us from farther away, and we are happy to share our music as much as possible.

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

Hatred: I think we will stay true to our original intent while pushing the limits of madness and violence even further.

11.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 ?

There are two of us composing, so we each have our own perspective and sensitivity. As for me, I will probably sound presumptuous, but I can't really associate the influences of the bands I listen to with my composing work. Or at least, maybe I do it in a completely unconscious way. I work much more with my emotions and the inspiration of the moment rather than trying to find a specific style. When Hatred and I open ourselves up to composition, it's quite an emotional challenge sometimes. The idea has never been to put ourselves into an exclusive category, but rather to let our inspirations explode depending on the chosen theme. The main challenge is then putting together the different pieces of the puzzle to make them fit. That's why we really did in-depth work, keeping or discarding the parts that interested us the most. That's why the album takes a different direction, as it brings more maturity by presenting both novelty and more assertive Death Metal & Deathcore parts than in the EP. We are sincerely satisfied with the result.

What I'm listening to right now brings a contrast that always makes me laugh. At the moment, I'm revisiting albums from Regarde les Hommes Tomber (Post Black Metal) while also listening to The Green Kingdom (Electronic Ambient) or atmospheres with Tibetan gongs.

Hatred: I particularly appreciate bands that blend different subgenres of metal and strive to create something unique and powerful.

Among our initial influences, there’s Psyclon Nine for the electronic elements, Wormfood for the atmosphere and lyrics, and Dimmu Borgir for their orchestral power.

Some other bands I deeply enjoy: Carach Angren, Septicflesh, Dark Tranquillity, and Shade Empire.

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

Famine : We sincerely thank you for your interest in our music and our universe !  We are truly excited to present our first album and, in the future, to come to the USA to spread our darkness ! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QTIYezdtDg

Aexylium/Myth Of Mankind/Rockshot Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Aexylium  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Myth  of  mankind"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Rockshot  Records.

  A  very  epic  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  keyboards  onto  the  recording  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Symphonic  orchestration  and choirs  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  folk  instruments  are  also  added  on  a  lot  of  the  tracks.

  A  lot  of  the  harsh  vocals  also  bring  in black  metal  screams,  death  metal  growls  and  angry  shouts  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Some  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.

  Clear  female  and  male  vocals  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  are  also  utilized  and  a  couple  of  songs  also  add  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  spoken  words  are  also  introduced  on  a  later  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Celtic/Norse  Mythology,  Folk  Tales  and  legends.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Aexylium  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Queen"  "In  Sorrow"  "Wild  Hunt"  and  "Eternity".  8 out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/aexylium_official​

​https://www.facebook.com/aexylium

     

Xavernah Interview

 

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

For Xavernah I’ve been mostly focusing on extending further exposure for ‘Absence’. However, of course I have developing new concepts and working on new material, but besides ‘Absence’ my priorities currently lies with getting albums out for both my bands Epistulum (Keytar-driven melodeath) and Signs of Extinction (Symphonic Deathcore/Tech Death) later this year.

2.In February 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?

Personally I tried to do something completely new for myself. Until the point of writing this record I worked/wrote predominantly on Death Metal/Deathcore, so this was an experiment to try something new with a very atmospheric approach to Black/Doom. Whilst a lot of different flavors seeped into the music, Black/Doom was still the foundation. Funnily enough, after release, the album is seemingly taking a life of its own and is regarded more as an atmospheric Blackened Death Metal-record. I'm not complaining, but I do find it funny and interesting how the album has been categorized so far! 

3.A lot of your lyrics are inspired by writers of the 19th and 20th century, which authors had the most influence on your songwriting?

Definitely H.P. Lovecraft and Olaf Stapledon! Lovecraft for the more eerie and dreadful elements and Stapledon for the more sophisticated, thought-provoking "our-place-in-universe" elements. But with a song titled Ozymandias, and the lyrics being derived from the poem, I cannot go without mentioning Percy Bysshe Shelley too! 

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

'Xavernah', as far as I know, has no real meaning. I've taken it from the song 'Xavernah Glory' from the Romanian Black Metal band Katharos XIII, one of the many influences for this project. I really resonate with that song and the word itself is unique, sounds cool and happens to also look cool! 

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

The cover itself is 1/3 of the entire art piece! It is basically a panoramic amalgamation of the entire album’s story within a single piece of artwork, with the center being the climax of the record! Shout out to Nick Wilschut of Skycraft Productions for creating it! He really outdid himself and put down exactly the image I had in mind.

6.With this project you record a lot of the music by yourself but have experience working as a drummer with a full band, do you prefer to work solo?

Both have its pros and cons. Whilst I do relish the full un-compromised creative control when working solo, it does also ask a lot of you and whenever you get stuck or second guess yourself you don’t really have someone else to turn to. But that’s why I have multiple projects. With Xavernah I figure it out myself and at the end of the day have a product which is 100% me, and with my bands it is a different dynamic, leading to different results but just as fulfilling. 

7.On the new album you also have a few guests, can you tell us a little bit more about who they are and also their contributions to the recording? 

I wouldn’t consider guests, but integral session musicians. Without them, there wouldn’t be an album.

Most of the people involved on the record are fellow students back from my class of music college I have graduated from since. 

Martín Jaramillo, who recorded the electric guitars, is one of the many fellow students involved but also a band member within our band Signs of Extinction.

Thijs Ronteltap is one of the two who isn’t directly involved from my class! Frontman of Epistulum, which I drum for, I asked him to be part of the record and he ended up recording most of the vocals, some piano and acoustic guitars.

Siebe Sol Sijpkens, although an alumnus of the same college, far exceeds my year. Recommended last minute by the album’s mixer to record the bass, he is known primarily for playing with Blackbrair.

Whilst not actively “playing” on the record, also huge thanks to Jordy Hoogvliets (Vrøde) for the additional orchestration and Siebe van der Haring (Benchwarmers) for the additional programming on ’Thalassic Dream’.

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

I’m not actively seeking, if that's what you mean. I did, soon after release, get approached by a label and we discussed the possibility of Xavernah signing a deal but we couldn’t come to an agreement. For the time being I don’t mind being an independent artist, but if the right label comes around… Who knows.

9.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of underground metal?

Whilst it has been quite hard to break through the noise that is the current music industry, the people it has reached have generally responded very positively! Applying a niche take on an already niche genre, I was expecting way more of a mixed reception, but that hasn’t really been the case! Even more, critics have been overwhelmingly positive so far! 

10.What is going on with 'Epistulum' these days?

We have been working hard on a new album, and are putting the finishing touches on it! The album should see the light of day somewhere in the second half of this year!

11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

Oof, that’s a surprisingly deep question all the sudden. Honestly, I am not sure… Day by day the details change. But what remains consistent is that I want to make music that tells a story, moves people and pushes boundaries. Preferably for projects I am directly involved in, but I do think I would also do pretty well as a songwriter, producer or even some kind of (creative) consultant for other bands/artists.

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?

Consciously or subconsciously nearly everything that I enjoy listening and playing has had some influence on the record, in one way or the other. But honing in on the important elements for this record the Black Metal influences came from artists like Mare Cognitum and The Great Old Ones, the Doom elements from artists like Bell Witch and Bismuth. The atmospheric elements come from both metal acts and other artists/media like Hans Zimmer’s Dune soundtrack or ambient artists like Cryo Chamber. 

Whatever I’m listening to is kinda all over the place and changes weekly or even daily! However there is usually still a prominent metal element present. This week I’ve had Vildhjarta’s ‘måsstaden under vatten’ on repeat due to the recent album announcement, another (but very different) atmospheric metal journey!

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

First of all, thank you for having me!

For those still reading, please check out ‘Absence’ if you haven’t already! You can find it on Bandcamp, YouTube, Spotify or your preferred streaming devices. And if you liked what you heard and want to stay in the loop about Xavernah go follow the project on Instagram and Facebook! Thank you!

Now there’s nothing left, merely absence

Bandcamp: https://xavernah.bandcamp.com/album/absence
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pj2ChpqDBXM7QHwmSmrfe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Xavernah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xavernah_project/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569326456220

Incineration In The Infinite/Serpent's Tongue/WormHoleDeath Records/2025 EP Review

 

  Incineration  In  the  Infinite  are  a  solo  project  from  New  York  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  stoner  metal  with  elements  of  punk  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  ep  "Serpent's  Tongue"  which  was  released  by  WornHoleDeath  Records.

  Synths  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  and  stoner  metal.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  a  few  growls  along  with  some  melodies  also  being  added  into  the  guitar  riffing  at  times  

  At  times  the  music  also  captures  the  raw  energy  of  punk  rock  while  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  whole  recording  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction  and  melodic  guitar  leads  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.

  Incineration  In  The  Infinite  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  doom  and  stoner  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism, Occultism  and  Darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Incineration  In  The  Infinite  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  stoner  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Satanic  Ritual  In  the  Fog  Of  Night".  8  out  of  10.

  incinerationintheinfinite.bandcamp.com

www.youtube.com/@IncinerationintheInfinite
www.instagram.com/incineration_in_the_infinite

Chestcrush/ ΨΥΧΟΒΓΑΛΤΗΣ/2025 Full Length Review

 

  United  Kingdom's  Chestcrush  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of    black,  sludge,  death  metal  and  grindcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "ΨΥΧΟΒΓΑΛΤΗΣ"  which  will  be  released  in  April.

  Distorted  voices  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  the  heaviness  of  sludge  emtal.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  brutal  blast  beats  and  grindcore  elements  can  also  be  heard  and  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  lot  of  death  metal  growls.

  Black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  the  faster  riffing.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples as  well  as  some  of  the  riffing  also  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  melody.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  finally  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  chaotic  style  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  very  heavy  and  brutal  direction  as  well  as  one  song  also  being  a  Crowbar  cover.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  gore  and  violence  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Chestcrush  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  brutal  blackened  death  metal  with  a  touch  of  sludge  metal  and  grindcore,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Underneath  This  Rotten  Soil  Bodies  Are  Still  Bleeding"  "Existence  Is  Punishment"{  and  "As  The  Damned  Writhe  In  Eternal  Woe".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/chestcrushband    

Xavernah/Absence/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Xavernah  are  a  solo  project  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  an  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  ambient  and  dark  jazz  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2025  album  "Absence".

  Pianos  and  ambient  elements  start  off  the  album  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  whispered  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  slower  sections  of  the  album  are  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  doom  metal  along  with  the  harsh  vocals  bringing  in  a mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls,  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  desolation,  dread  and  nihilism  with  some  inspiration  from  the  poetry  of  Percy  Bysshe Shelly  and  other  writers  from  the  19th  and  early  20th  century.

  In  my  opinion  Xavernah  is  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Perpetual  Gloom  Across  The  Basaltic  Horizons"  and  "Celestial  Ruin".  8  out  of  10.

  Bandcamp: https://xavernah.bandcamp.com/album/absence

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2pj2ChpqDBXM7QHwmSmrfe
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Xavernah
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xavernah_project/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61569326456220

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Touches  of  dark  jazz  are  also  added  into  the  music  at  times  as  well  as  one  of  the  tracks  also  being  an  instrumental,  spoken  words  and  clear  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.    

Mylingen/Svartsyn/2025 EP Review

 

  Sweden's  Mylingern  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  ep  "Svartsyn".

  A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  clean  sections  of  the  recording  also  taking  the  music  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  Acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  on  a  couple  of  songs  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of   tremolo  picking  and blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  On  this  recording  Mylingen  brings  out  a  very  melodic  and  progressive  style  of  blackened  death  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Swedish  and  cover  the  depths  of  human  nature  focusing  on  themes  of  pessimism,  hate,  anger,  list  and  deception.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Mylingern  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  progressive  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Svartsyn"  and  "Manens  Kraft".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/mylingenswe

https://mylingen.bandcamp.com