Exiled Hope Interview

 

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

 I have the 4th album pretty much done, the 5th album is in progress, and I have a bunch of covers that might make their way onto a separate album or EP. I also just released some new merch designs (which you can find in my online merch store here: https://www.bonfire.com/store/exiled-hope-virtual-merch-booth/). There's always a lot going on behind the scenes.

2.You have a new full length coming out early in 2025, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

It's at a much higher quality than my previous releases in terms of production and performances. Before finishing the album, I took several months off of working on original music to take lessons and work on covers in order to develop my skills, because I felt like I had plateaued and wasn't able to make the music I wanted to make. I'm a much better musician than I was on the first 2 albums and EP, and I had a professional mix engineer work on Apocrypha as well. Stylistically, this album strays a bit from the folk and progressive influences that were on the first Exiled Hope albums and plays up the black metal and power metal influences; it feels more like Kamelot and Cradle Of Filth than Eluveitie and Ensiferum.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover dark fantasy themes, can you tell us a little bit about your interest in this genre?

I love this genre because it uses escapism as a vehicle for working through real, personal emotions. When you take a feeling and turn it into something concrete in the form of music and/or lyrics, it's easier to process, understand, and work through that feeling. It becomes something you can choose to perceive instead of something that's vaguely perceptible and always there. As a result, my fantasy-inspired lyrics serve a purpose similar to that of fables or fairytales: they impart life lessons through storytelling.

4.You have also done soundtracks for films, what type of films have you contributed music to so far?

. I've done a vast array of short films for YouTuber John H. Shelton, generally in the urban fantasy or thriller genre. Most recently, I released a soundtrack album for the indie horror film What Happens After Midnight. I also recorded a folk-inspired soundtrack for Hallowed Paths (still in development), which is a loose retelling of a Finnish folktale. I would love to continue doing soundtrack work!

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

On a surface level, Hope is the name of the main protagonist of the first album, and she is exiled from her city after she learns dark secrets that the city's corrupt leaders would rather keep hidden. On a deeper level, the name Exiled Hope represents the hope for a better world that the fantasy genre instills in us, and reminds listeners that too often, we "exile" this hope from our spirits when we grow up and are forced to abandon things that inspired us as kids. The name is a reminder to keep pursuing the hope that society exiles from us, and to hold onto our passions.

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

 The cover artwork is The Deluge by John Martin (1834). I chose this piece to represent the turmoil that defines the protagonist's journey on this album, as he strives to find his own path in a world where he feels forced to choose sides and abandon different parts of himself.

7.You have worked both solo and with other musicians, do you prefer to work by yourself?

Generally, working by myself is easier because I'm fully in control of the project and can get the work done more efficiently. Working with other musicians requires compromise, discussion, scheduling, and waiting on everyone to send their parts over. I love working with other musicians, but I need my own personal outlet where I can work at my own pace and control the direction of the project. I also enjoy challenging myself to learn different parts, different skills, and different instruments, as I do in Exiled Hope; even though finishing a project is rewarding, the journey of creating the music is the fun part.

8.You have also collaborated on a few recordings with 'Steel Forge', musically how do you feel their style differs from yours?

Their style leans much harder in the melodeath direction than Exiled Hope has so far. It's a style that I've wanted to explore for a while, but that never really found its place in Exiled Hope. Working with Steel Forge and catering more to their members' skillsets and interests has given me the opportunity to tap into that creative energy. I wasn't just composing for myself, I was composing with other musicians and another vocalist in mind, and I think the challenge of building that seamless synergy between us resulted in some of my best work yet.

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

I am not looking to sign with a label. I am happy to create at my own pace, and I've built up a solid team and support system that cannot be easily replaced. There are many more paths to success in the music industry than there once were, and I think the metal scene in particular leans too hard on legacy thinking instead of taking advantage of the new opportunities that are available to musicians in the 21st century.

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

Extreme metal fans seem intrigued for the most part. Some people don't really understand the intent behind my genre blend, but that's ok; I'm not trying to appeal to a broad, general audience. My music is more for nerds (I say this lovingly, as a fellow music nerd) who like hearing unexpected twists and puzzle pieces in their music; I try to make it interesting to listen to. The people who get it, really do seem to get it. I've read multiple positive reviews that appear to perfectly understand my vision and ideas. I love seeing various interpretations of my music that, while all different, are often all correct at the same time. The emotional core of my music and the joy of creating something multifaceted and ambitious seem to resonate with people, and that's what matters to me.

11.What is going on with 'Forgotten Shrine' these days?

We're working on some new music, but we're still a bit unsure whether it will lead to an EP or a full album this year. We've both contributed songs to the project, and we're very excited to show them all off in one format or another.

12.Where do you see herself heading into as a musician during the future?

I see myself: 1) making a decent side income from my royalties, album sales, and merch sales; and 2) licensing my music to and recording original soundtracks for TV, film, and game producers. I'd say those are my main goals at the moment.

13.What are some of bands or musical styles that you are currently listening to nowadays?

I've been listening to a lot of early-2000s post-grunge and alt-metal (such as Three Days Grace, Breaking Benjamin, and Daughtry), and some more recent power metal (such as Arion, Frozen Crown, Kalidia, and Visions Of Atlantis)

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

Thank you for your thoughtful questions and your positive reviews! I appreciate you taking the time to check out my music and put this interview together.

  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/exiled-hope/1563587153

https://exiledhope.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ExiledHope

https://www.instagram.com/legally_metal/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/024Bd5ViU3F8gRFe9lnCth?si=cbd9c556aa4d441d&nd=1&dlsi=221e6a99ea844729

https://www.tiktok.com/@exiled.hope

https://x.com/exiledhope99

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

Shrykull/Beyond Subconscious Realms/Road To Masochist/Eggy Tapes/2024 Full Length Review

 

   Shrykull  are  a  duo  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death  metal  and  grindcore  with  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Beyond  Subconscious  Realms"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Road  To  Masochist  and  Eggy  Tapes.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking,  blast  beats  and  grindcore  elements  can  be  heard  and  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  Dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Shouts  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  album  also  having  its  brutal  moments,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are finally  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  chaotic  style as  well as  the  slower  sections  of  the  recording  mixing  in  touches  of  sludge  and  doom  metal, synths  and  harsh  noises  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Shrykull  takes  black,  sludge,  doom,  death  metal  and  grindcore  and  mixes  them  together  to  a  very  heavy  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Shrykull  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  sludge,  doom,  death  metal  and  grindcore,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blocking  The  Kingdom  Of  Infinite  State"  "Gateway  Of  Nightmares"  "Chaotic  Disforms  Of  Cosmic  Misalignment"  and  "Collective  Fugue  State".  8  out  of  10.

  

https://www.facebook.com/shrykull

https://youtu.be/BI12FJVn6oU

Shores Of Null/The Loss Of Beauty/Spikerot Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Shores  Of  Null  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "The  Loss  Of  Beauty"  which  was  released  by  Spikerot  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  clean  vocals  also  add  in  more  of  a  gothic  metal  style.

  Death  metal  growls  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  blast  beats  also  being  utilized  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  on  a  couple  of  tracks  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  keyboards,  spoken  words  are  also  introduced  briefly  and  most  of  the  album  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  On  this  recording  Shores  Of  Null  takes  the  melodic  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  with  doom  and  gothic  metal  to  create  a  very  diverse  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  life,  death  and  sorrow  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Shores  Of  Null  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  death,  doom  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Destination  Woe"  "Nothing  Left  To  Burn"  "My  Darkest  Years"  and  "Underwater  Oddity".  8  out  of  10.

  YouTube - https://youtu.be/vWOcwJYjhq8​

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3ZckbMW​

Album order (Digital, CD, Vinyl) - https://linktr.ee/thelossofbeauty 

Ghost Hollow/Examinations Of The Heart/2025 Full length Review

 

  Ghost  Hollow  are  a  band  from  Arkansas  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom,  death  metal  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Examinations  Of  The  Heart"  which  will  be  released  in  February.

  A  very  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  heavy  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  and  sludge  metal.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  parts  of  the  album  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody,  at  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  as  well  as  the  mid  tempo  sections  also  adding  in  touches  of  hardcore.

  On  this  recording  Ghost  Hallow  takes  black,  sludge,  doom,  death  metal  and  hardcore  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  album.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  anguish,  introspection  and  catharsis.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Ghost  Hollow  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  sludge,  doom,  death  metal  and  hardcore,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Formless  Apparitions"  "Lay  Down  The  Sword"  and  "Examinations  Of  The  Heart".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/GhostHollowAR

https://www.instagram.com/ghosthollowar/

https://ghosthollow.bandcamp.com/

https://linktr.ee/ghosthollowar

    

Possessive/Res Ipsa Loquitur/Brucia Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Possessive  are  a  band  from  Boise,  Idaho  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  d  beat  and  power  violence  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Res  Ipsa  Loquitur"  which  was  released  by  Brucia  Records.

  Dark  and  atmospheric  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  doom  metal  direction  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Elements  of  d  beat  and  power  violence  are  also  added  in  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  album  while  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  are  also  utilized  when  the  music  speeds  up.  Some  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  one  song  is  also  a  drone  orientated  instrumental.

  Possessive  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  doom,  death  metal,  d  beat  and  power  violence  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Possessive  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death  metal,  d  beat  and  power  violence  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sun  And  Moon"  and  "Sure  Sign  of  The  Nail".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/possessiveband      

Norilisk/Antipole/Hypnotic Dirge Records/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Quebec,  Canada's  Norilisk  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Antipole"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records.

  A  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  which  also  brings  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  blackened  metal  screams  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Spoken  words  and  whispers  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing,  some  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  whole  album  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction,  clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Norilisk  remain  true  to  the  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  post  metal  that  they  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  the  concept  of  duality.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Norilisk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  post  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Antipole"  "Nunataks"  and  "Un  chant  pour  les  morts".  8  out  of  10.

   https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/antipole

  

Cephyre Interview

 

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

I would love to: The band was formed in Hesse, Germany in early 2021 although we have known each other for decades and shared school desks, rehearsal rooms and stages in various constitutions in the past. Therefore it just felt right when it all came together. Unfortunately it was quite a challenging time to start a band as the pandemic kind of peaked exactly when we all waited in the wings. That is one reason why it took us a while to really get our shit together, but here we are at last.

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

We came up with the term „Dark Extreme Melodic Metal“ because the common genre-descriptions did not seem to fully meet our demands. Given the fact that we have our roots in different subgenres our music turns out to be a mixture of quite a lot extreme Metal influences reaching from Death to Black and Melodic Doom with a pinch of Gothic Metal in the polyphonic vocal parts, but if I had to put it into only one well-known box I would probably say, that the influence we all have in common is good old Swedish Melodic Death. 

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

The lyrics of the EP approach several aspects of Platos Allegory of the cave. Of course we do not offer a highly sophisticated deep-dive into ancient greek philosophy, but looking at the topic from different perspectives can still create really exciting views into the concepts of individual freedom and self-awareness. It also makes you question, how far we have really evolved as mankind. Isn‘t it almost hilarious to think of an old bearded greek dude wrapped in white sheets and brooding over exactly the same issues we still struggle with today?

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

CEPHYRE is a „Frankenword“ assembled from „Zephyr“, which resembles natural creation and procreation on one side and „Fire“, resembling the oppositional forces of destruction but also symbolizing progress and knowledge. The name therefore verbalizes the principles of duality, the merging of polar opposites into something new and distinct.

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

We tried to capture the lyrical concept of the allegory of the cave in different scalings throughout the artwork of the digipak. The cover artwork shows one of the key scenes in the narrative: A prisoner escapes the darkness of the cave and steps into the light, facing new challenges.

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

In late 2023 year we organized a little festival called „Roots of Metal“ with our resident friends „Oracle of Worms“ and „Concrete Cold“. We also invited our friends „War Engine“ from Novi Sad, Serbia. I have absolutely no idea, if that was our best show. But it was probably our most fun weekend so far. The last gig we played was at a Halloween-Party, so it would have been almost rude, not to put on a little corpsepaint. We normally don‘t do that, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. Generally spoken our stage presence depends a lot on the on-site conditions. Our bassplayer Chris for example tends to do a lot of meters on stage, but at one show he was forced to stand in the doorframe to the restroom due to lack of space. So you always have to adjust a little to the circumstances and try to get the best out of each situation. By the way: Chris handled his situation a lot better than I did when I found myself next to something that highly resembled a stripper pole on stage.

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

We have some shows scheduled for early 2025. our original plan was to make „Roots of Metal“ an annual event. This plan unfortunately only lasted a little less than one year, because the venue let us down badly. The billing however was already booked and we still want to play with all the bands, that were involved, so there are some more shows to be announced before long. And then there is still a visit to pay back, so we really hope to make it to Serbia this year and maybe add some gigs on the way. 

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

Up to now we tried to do almost everything by ourselves which gave us a lot of freedom in approaching different processes, but of course there are also downsides to that mode of operation. For example: We recorded almost all the tracks for „Gleam“ in our rehearsal room, our living rooms, bedrooms and even kitchens. When it came to mixing we had the hybris of even doing that completely by ourselves. This took quite some time just to realize, that we were not completely happy with the results. So we finally scrapped our own mixes and gave the recorded tracks to our friend Sascha Stange, who completely nailed our desired sound in about the time it took ourselves to figure out the right reverb-settings for background vocals. What I am trying to say is, that some things just should be done by people who teally know how to do them in order to prevent yourselves from getting stuck in a rut. So a label would absolutely make things much easier for us and we hope to get in touch with people to support our next releases.

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

So far we have only played shows in Germany, which makes it a little difficult to talk about worldwide reactions. There have been quite a few positive reactions as yet and of course there is social media and all that comes with it. But a thumb on facebook or a heart on Instagram does not really get you into conversations. But who knows ... Maybe this interview might also help to connect with some more people out there. We would love that.

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

Our bassplayer Chris is vocalist in his Hardcore-bands „Business as Usual“ and „Blind Youth“. Our drummer Manu also plays in the Thrash-Metal-band „Centrate“.

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

We had actively decided to put the first songs we wrote on the EP, so there will almost naturally be an audible development. Actually we have already written approximately 80% of the material for our full-length-album alongside two a little more experimental projects, which will most likely end up on additional EPs in the future. At the moment we are still figuring out the exact schedule, but the tendency is to start recordings for the full-length within the next few months as we are really excited to see the pieces come together and add the final touch.

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

As I mentioned before we have a lot of various influences, but most of them are to be found in different types of 90s extreme metal, which is why we wanted our sound to partially be kind of a reminiscence to that era. Our mixing engineer Sascha did a great job in helping us create this atmosphere and adding just the right amount of a modern touch. Nowadays I am personally most excited about listening to bands that somehow push their boundaries. The latest album that really got under my skin is the new Gaerea.

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

I guess, that I already got a little carried away at some points, so I will cut this one short and just go with „Thank you for having us, it was a pleasure“.

www.cephyre.band

www.cephyre.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/cephyre.band
www.instagram.com/cephyre.band

Burning Creation Interview

 

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

1. First, I want to say hello to everyone reading this interview. Burning Creation is a band we've been playing together since early 2022. Our music is a mix of melodic death metal, and our lyrics are mostly about Vikings and their beliefs. So far, we've released an EP "Never Dead Nation" and a full album "Sea Of Dead Bodies".

2.So far you have released an ep and a full length, musically how do they both differ from each other?

2. Never Dead Nation was our first release, and at that time we were still figuring out our sound and style. With Sea Of Dead Bodies, we knew exactly what we wanted. We decided to go for a rawer sound, more towards death metal. I think that’s the main difference between the two releases.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Nordic Mythology and Vikings, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this subject?

3. We got interested in Vikings and Norse mythology mainly from listening to bands like Amon Amarth, Unleashed, Ensiferum, etc., and also from watching the show "Vikings". Later on, this interest grew after reading book "Mitos Nordicos" by Neil Gaiman .

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

4. The name of the band was thought up by our guitarist Marek. In the beginning, we played a lot of Amon Amarth covers, and one of them was Burning Creation. The name represents the start of something new for us, leaving behind the past.

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

5. The artwork for the album, made by Damian Bydliński, shows four Vikings who crossed the "Sea of Dead Bodies," and now they're ready to continue their conquest. It’s a continuation of the story from Never Dead Nation, where we introduced the Viking army coming back from the afterlife.

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

6. The concert I remember the most was at Leśniczówka in Chorzów in 2023. Even though it was cold, because it was December, the crowd was big and we had a lot of energy on stage.

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

7. Next year, we plan to play three concerts with All Sars, and also take part in "Brutal Valentine’s" in Garage Pub in Kraków.

8.On the new album you also had done an 'Amon Amarth' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of once of their songs?

8. This song is really special to us. It represents the beginning of our band. We owe not only our name to it but also the style we’ve developed through these two releases. Another reason for this cover is to show that we’re not afraid to admit we’re inspired by Amon Amarth. It’s a kind of tribute to them for the inspiration their music gave us.

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

9. The reactions were mixed, but this mix of melody and brutal playing has been accepted quite well. The main criticism we got with the EP was that we were copying Amon Amarth, but with the second release, I think we’ve created our own style.

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

10. Our drummer, Jarosław also plays in a thrash metal band called Consumer, which existed long before Burning Creation. That’s all.

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

11. On our next album, we plan to focus less on melodies and more on heavy riffs. We want to sound more like Unleashed than Amon Amarth. We’ve already written four songs, and two of them have lyrics. So, the work on the new stuff is going pretty smoothly.

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?

12. Most of our inspiration comes from Swedish bands that follow the Viking theme, but not only that. On the way to our concerts or other band’s gigs, we listen to all kinds of bands like Dark Tranquillity, Six Feet Under, Sylosis, Virgin Snatch, Septicflesh and a lot of  thrash metal.

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

13. Thanks to everyone for reading! Check out our social media and of course, listen to our music on streaming platforms! Cheers!

Facebook | Instagram | Spotify

Exiled Hope/Apocrypha/2025 Full Length Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  an  album  from  Maryland's  solo  project  Exiled  Hope  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  death,  gothic  and  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  her  self  released  album  "Apocrypha"  which  will  be  released  in  2025.

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  while  also  bringing  in  symphonic  elements  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  clear  vocals  are  utilized  they  add  in  touches  of  gothic  and  power  metal  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard along  with  one  song  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  most  of  the  album  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction,  one  song  is  also  an  instrumental.

  On  this  recording  Exiled  Hope  takes  a  very  melodic  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  death,  gothic  and  power  metal  to  create  something  very  original.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  fantasy  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Exiled  Hope  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  black,  death,  gothic  and  power  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Day  Will  Come"  "Altar  Of  Moloch"  "Deathslayer"  and  "Forbidden  majesties".  8  out  of  10.

  https://music.apple.com/us/artist/exiled-hope/1563587153

https://exiledhope.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ExiledHope

https://www.instagram.com/legally_metal/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/024Bd5ViU3F8gRFe9lnCth?si=cbd9c556aa4d441d&nd=1&dlsi=221e6a99ea844729

https://www.tiktok.com/@exiled.hope

https://x.com/exiledhope99

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

Exiled Hope/Steel Forge/Realm Of the Exiled/2025 Collaboration EP Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  a  collaboration  ep  between  U.S.A's  Exiled  Hope  and  United  Kingdom's  Steel  Forge  who  team  up  together  and  bring  out  a  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death,  power  and  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  ep  "Realm  of  the  Exiled"  which  will  be  released  in  2025.

  A  very  heavy,  melodic  and  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Harsh  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  elements  of  doom  metal.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  clean  sections  are  very  heavily  rooted  in  folk  music.  One  of  the  songs  also  introduce  clear  vocals  onto  the  recording  that  are  more  rooted  in  power  and  gothic  metal  as  well  as  one  track  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length, the  whole  ep  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Exiled  Hope  and  Steel  Forge  mix  their  two  different  styles  to  create  something  very  heavy,  melodic,  symphonic  and  epic  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  fantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collaboration  between  Exiled  Hope  and  Steel  Forge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  black,  doom,  death,  gothic,  power  and  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Light  In  the  Darkness"  and  "Beyond  The  Veil".  8  out  of  10.

  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legally_metal/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdZNNjK9ieVITFmcplPs1hA 

Bandcamp: https://exiledhope.bandcamp.com/ 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/024Bd5ViU3F8gRFe9lnCth 

Merch: https://www.bonfire.com/store/exiled-hope-virtual-merch-booth/

Bandcamp: https://steelforge1.bandcamp.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/steelforgeband/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelforge_band/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/steelforgeband?lang=en-GB

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steelforge8934

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3CNLoVLW2SVhYxd6aZsGyR

      

Hallbar/Nemesis/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Hallbar  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  metal  and  deathcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  album  "Nemesis"  which  will  be  released  in  2025.

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  clear  vocals  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  The  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  deathcore  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  also  adds  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  modern  era  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  one  song  also  introduces  clean  playing  and  keyboards  onto  the  recording  and  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Hallbar  plays  a  melodic  form  of  black  metal  which  they  also  mix  with  death  metal  and  deathcore  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  mental  illness,  codependency,  perfectionism,  patterns  of  unreflective  behavior  and  loneliness.

  In  my  opinion  Hallbar  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  metal  and  deathcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Mental  Apraxia"  "Love/Hate  Language"  "Voodoo  Doll"  and  "Possibilities".  8  out  of  10.

  

• Spotify https://open.spotify.com/track/3PqPGGKYd6F3J2fnGpTWB1
• Youtube Music https://music.youtube.com/browse/MPREb_MMefLk19ZFg
• Bandcamp https://hallbar.bandcamp.com/track/voodoo-doll
• Deezer https://www.deezer.com/pl/album/675119501
• Tidal https://listen.tidal.com/album/401558859/track/401558862
• iTunes https://music.apple.com/pl/album/voodoo-doll-single/1781648408
• Amazon https://music.amazon.it/tracks/B0DNWTVT31
• Boomplay https://www.boomplay.com/songs/190633764
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• https://youtu.be/ZBfTauawJiU

Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

  

  

Winter Nights 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 ep?

Since the release we are in production for the next single release which will be this winter season. Recording in the Winter makes us feel at one with nature.

2.Recently you have released a new EP, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

I believe the evolution of the band can be heard on this EP. Music is what keeps us breathing and as musicians were constantly learning and showing our emotions through sound.

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

I try to keep a storyline as much as possible. I explored the notion of sky burial further. In this EP the vultures become our gods so to speak and we must look within ourselves to transfer to ultimate freedom. 

What also speaks of progress as a songwriter is the emotions I explored, the feeling of solitude within one's own mind. WInter can be a glorious festive season, but it also sees dread and overall depression as it can linger on to what seems like eternity.

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

We love vodka, vodka is best in winter to drink. The idea of the band was made in winter, under the heavy influence of vodka. It is also a song title of one of our most favorite bands, Iced Earth.

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

FendiRofi was amazing to work with as a hand drawn artist. We received many recommendations to go with Ai, but there's nothing like lines on a paper and true artwork.

The idea of the bleak, black and white cover and overall art is what we wanted to portray. A time of the year where things stall frozen and life thrives in unexpected ways.

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

Opening for many touring bands such as Morbid Angel in 2013, Omnium Gatherum in 2014, Dark Tranquility in 2015, Belphegor in 2016, Deicide in 2021 to name a few.

We try to give our viewers at our shows something to look at visually as well as musically. We run our own fog machines, stage lighting hardware and synchronization. 

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

We plan to do many out of town dates in 2025 from Canada down to Florida. And, for our hometown, so far we are set to support TYR on their NYC stop of their 2025 US tour.

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

Not actively looking. The offers we've had have not pleased us yet.

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

It's been lovely! And we thank everyone for the undying support. We’re seeing more listening from Europe and Scandinavia lately which makes us happy!

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

A full length will be another year. But in the meantime we will release numerous singles and EP’s.

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

We listen to everything from all genres of metal to reggae to salsa to country to house to 90 nostalgia. We love all music! And it helps us grow. As of late, some worthy bands to mention that have given us new vibes and good vibes are “Non Est Deus” “MGLA” & “Grima”

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

Just want to thank everyone that's ever had any interest in the band and we are all family in this world, connecting through the emotion of sounds. We hope people always feel free to chat with us. 

And as we always say, SMOKE IT UP, DRINK IT UP!

https://www.facebook.com/winternightsnyc/

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Winter_Nights/3540365924

https://www.instagram.com/winternightsmetal/

https://winternights.bandcamp.com/music

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

https://open.spotify.com/artist/09OiMXVWu7ykkRZrZGH0CT

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/winter-nights/884376517

Master Dy/FRUCTUS : The Master's Zodiac/DMG /2024 Full Length Review

 

  Master  Dy  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  plays  a  very  dark,  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  death,  gothic,  pop  and  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "FRUCTUS  :  The  Master's  Zodiac"  which  was  released  by  DMG.

  A  very  heavy  and  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in a   very  melodic  style  and  clean  playing  is  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  When  clear  vocals  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  power  and  gothic  metal  while  the  album  also  has  its  progressive  moments.  A  lot  of  the  music  also  captures  more  of  a  mainstream  style  along  with  the  harsh  vocals  adding  in  touches  of   black  and  death  metal  when  they  are  introduced  on  the  recording  as  well  as  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clear  male  vocals,  blast  beats  and  fast  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Master  Dy  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  more  rooted  in  the  melodic  symphonic  and  gothic/power  metal  style  as  well  as  mixing  in  the  heaviness  of  black  and  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  resilience,  self-reliance  and  the  human  spirit's  will  to  overcome.

  In  my  opinion  Master  Dy  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  death,  gothic,  pop  and  power  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bad  Omens  Of  January"  "Ephermal  Void"  "Regel  Eclipse"  and  "Nocturnal  Veil".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/@MasterDyBand
https://sptfy.com/MasterDy
https://master-dy.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/masterdy_band/
https://www.tiktok.com/@Master.Dy
https://www.facebook.com/masterdy.band/
https://www.masterdy.com

      

Greh Interview

 

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

Gjero: Since recording "Dysphoric Devotion," we've been busy rehearsing, refining our live show, and preparing for the album release in January. We're incredibly excited to finally share this music with the world and can't wait to see the reaction.

 

2. You have your first full-length coming out in 2025. Musically, how does it differ from your previous EPs?

"Dysphoric Devotion" builds on the foundation laid down by our debut EP "Reversion of the Repressed." While the EP showcased our blend of black and death metal with doom elements, the new album delves deeper into this sonic territory. We've incorporated more atmospheric passages to create a more immersive listening experience, while still retaining the raw aggression and intensity that defines our sound.

 

3. What are some of the lyrical themes and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

The lyrics on "Dysphoric Devotion" explore themes of despair, alienation, and the struggle to find meaning in a world filled with darkness. We delve into the human condition, confronting the abysses within ourselves and the external forces that threaten to consume us. There's also an undercurrent of hope and resilience that shines through the bleakness.

 

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

The name GREH is a play on the word "greh," which carries connotations of grief, sorrow, and despair in some Slavic languages. We felt this name encapsulated the emotional weight of our music and the themes we explore.

 

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

The artwork for "Dysphoric Devotion" is a visual representation of the album's themes. It's a dark and evocative piece that reflects the emotional turmoil and existential struggle explored in the music. We don't want to reveal too much, but we hope it will resonate with listeners and draw them deeper into the world of the album.

 

6. Originally the band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind expanding into a full band?

GREH began as a solo project to explore my musical vision. However, after recording the "Reversion of the Repressed" EP, I felt the potential for the project could be fully realized with a full band. Bringing Maurice and Martin on board allowed us to develop a more dynamic and powerful sound in our live performances and on this new album. 

Martin, our vocalist. He has a rich musical history and has played in various bands before joining GREH. His vocal abilities are second to none and he brings a depth and complexity to our music that makes it truly unique.

Mauirice, our drummer. He is the heart of our band and keeps us all in time. His energy and commitment is infectious and he always puts 100% into every rehearsal and every gig.

And I am the lead guitarist of the band. I have a deep passion for metal and have always dreamed of playing in a band that plays this type of music.

We all came to GREH through our shared love of music and our desire to create something unique and meaningful. It was a natural progression and we are proud of what we have achieved so far and look forward to what the future holds.

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

We've had some great shows so far, but a few that stand out include our performance with Hexis, and our set headlining alongside Coldspine, Dornen, Tristis, and Tourin Horse. Our stage presence is intense and energetic. We strive to create a consuming atmosphere that reflects the aggression and despair of our music.

 

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

Absolutely! We're currently booking shows for 2025 in support of "Dysphoric Devotion." We're eager to unleash the new album live and connect with fans on the road. We'll announce the tour dates as soon as they're finalized, so stay tuned!

 

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

The response to our music has been overwhelmingly positive. We've been fortunate to connect with fans of underground metal from all over the world. It's been incredibly rewarding to see our music resonate with listeners on a global scale.

 

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

We're all entirely focused on GREH at the moment. This band is our primary creative outlet, and we're pouring all of our energy into making it a success.  Maurice Müller is still active as drummer in HARD STRIKE and MILAN, and Martin Kocula is active as singer and guitarist in GRAU.

 

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

We're constantly looking to evolve and push our sound forward. While "Dysphoric Devotion" represents a significant step in our musical development, we see it as just the beginning. We're excited to experiment and explore new sonic territories in future releases.

 

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

Our musical influences are wide-ranging. We draw inspiration from classic black metal bands like Bathory and Darkthrone, as well as death metal innovators. But our inspiration goes beyond the genre. We are also influenced by bands outside of metal that have shown us how to bring emotional depth and musical complexity to our songs. Ultimately, our music is the result of all these influences and our own unique vision. We are proud to follow in the footsteps of these great bands while forging our own path.

https://linktr.ee/greh