Spectral Darkwave/Live Fire Exorcise/Occidental Records/2022 Live Album Review

 

  Spectral  Darkwave  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  dark,  doom,  death  and  industrial  metal   and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  live  album  "Live  Fire  Exorcise"  which  will  be  released  on  June  3th  by  Occidental  Records.

  Live  audience  reaction  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  samples  and  symphonic  elements  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.

  The  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  show  some  influences  of  dark  and  doom  metal  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  industrial  touches.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals,  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction  and  a  couple  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Alien  Technology  and  Ancient  Magick  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  great  sounding  recording  from  Spectral  Darkwave  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black,  dark,  doom,  death  and  industrial  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  live  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  March  Of  Sses"  "The  Last  Red  Hypergiant"  and  "At  Outher  Dark".  8  out  of  10.

www.spectraldarkwave.com

https://youtu.be/6Rb2wFdJFKY        

Spectral Darkwave Interview

 

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

We are Spectral Darkwave, harvesters of pain across time and space - in tribute to gods most dark. We collect the suffering in vessels made of death doom metal ornamented by orchestras and the tragic events themselves. They are pulsing exhibits to the terror of existence.

2.In October you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The new album 'At Outer Dark' furthers the collection of suffering first put together in 'Last First Contact', but with a great leap in the production values. Musically, it is thicker in tone and slightly more complex in it's arrangements, to offer deeper immersion in the scenes we capture.

3.This is also your first full length since 2015, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

The first record was very much a proof of concept that stories could be told, this then allowed us to recruit The Gunner on bass and perfect our live show, considering every possible angle. This culminated in our invitation to Bloodstock 2021. Our lord Cthulu has clearly recognized our work.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer release and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

The song lyrics focus on setting the scene in the wants, needs and desires of the human suffering on offer at a point in space time. For example, the lead single '731' focusses on the emotional turmoil of surgery on live victims in the name of Japanese patriotism. The March Of Saes focuses on the exhilaration and fear of Elephant riders in ancient Persia. The album culminates in the song 'At Outer Dark' - a paean to our quest as a crew to join with our lord Cthulu as he passed through the material realm and it's... consequences.

5.On one of your singles you also cover Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

Our interest is only in the amount of pain that could be harvested from the shores of Lindisfarne in AD 793. It's essence ages well in our vaults. 

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Spectral Darkwave'?

The good ship Darkwave is the ship in which we as a crew travel through time and space. We emerge, take the horror available, sometimes milk the situation for a little more, then disappear as quickly as we came - but not entirely without trace.

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

The artwork captures our encounter with our Lord Cthulu beyond the furthest spiral arm of this galaxy. We sought to join with him, sampling but a fraction of his power. This moment of misadventure can be heard in the epic, final song of the album 'At Outer Dark'.

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

We offer, theatre, spectacle and immersion. As a result, we have been lucky to play more than few performances where the energy of band and crowd has crackled with devotion to the dark - the shared catharsis of looking into the abyss and having it stare back in musical form. Clearly, the highlight for was this year's Bloodstock performance.

9.The new album is coming out on 'Occidental Records'. can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Sadly, in more mundane matters, to release records these days has become the responsibility of the artist. Investment, promotion, distribution and monetization - all of it. With the digitization of music came the simple fact that there is a huge supply of music and the ability to record it. Supply has outstripped demand. In the capitalist system, the monetary value is low, yet the artistic value is higher than ever. So, it is our label, named after an industrial disaster and the power of empire - it reminds us making sure we do the right things to keep the good ship Darkwave afloat.

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

We genuinely believe we have an experience of high quality with which to engage audiences - but there is an awful lot of noise out there that our signal must penetrate. When people see us we are remembered, we've already had pre-orders for people from half a decade ago. However, we feel that perhaps with the length of time between albums, that this for many will be the first time - and they will hear us at our most potent.

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

Well, it would seem that after nearly 2 dozen tales of human suffering and our final encounter with HIM on the new record, that the consequences of our meeting will play out in the narrative of the next record. Musically, we will always seek to pulse, doom and terrify with arrangements that bring a grand scale to our tracks.

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?

It started as early some of the darkest theme tunes from 80's video games, TV shows and films. We seek to chase that sense of scale and adventure. Metal is the only genre that sense of infinite power other than the darker orchestrations of Gorecki or the choral work of Tallis. Yet we cannot say we do not admire the work of artists such as Septic Flesh, Draconian or the Vision Bleak where they too seek a sense of scale. But we seek the narrative moments themselves. 

13.Does occultism play any role in your music?

Indirectly. Our obsession with the dark gods of the universe, a reaching out to the infinite, the unknowable other beyond human perception interests us deeply. You might say it is the thoughts of historical occultism illuminated by scientific insights that more than ever declare 'there is more out there than we can ever know'.

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

Thank you for taking the time to speak to us. May this be the first step upon your conversion.

For more information on Spectral Darkwave click here
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Spectral Darkwave/At Outer Dark/Occidental Records/2021 CD Review

 

  Spectral  Darkwave  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  dark,  doom,  death  and  industrial  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "At  Outer  Dark"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Occidental  Records.

  Dark  soundscapes  and  spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  some  symphonic  sounds  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Vocals are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  elements  of  dark  and  doom  metal.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.

  Acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  spoken  word  parts  also  making  a  brief  return  as  well  as  the  music  also  capturing  a  sci-fi  atmosphere  at  times,  operatic  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  as  the  album  progresses  touches  of  industrial  can  also  be  heard  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  style.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Alien  Technology  and  Ancient  Magick  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Spectral  Darkwave  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  dark,  doom,  death  and  industrial  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "731"  "The  Founding  of  Man"  "A  Season  of  Abyssal  Screams"  and  "At  Outer  Dark".  8  out  of  10.

www.spectraldarkwave.com

https://youtu.be/-Z5WQozY028