Showing posts with label blackened doom metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blackened doom metal. Show all posts

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Eyriahrk Nunshkar Interview

 


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

The solo project, in fact, has existed since 2014, but it was under a different name, A.M Ferrari Fradejas, and the music was very different, and considerably changed over the last four years. It became clearer when I released the previous EP, "Shiarkha," in 2022. It happened very spontaneously, over a guitar gifted to me on my birthday two years ago, my main instruments to write music for over thirty five years were the piano and keyboard. Why I didn't play guitar before is another story to tell, but when I plugged this one in, two months after the EP Shiarkha was released.


2.You released an ep in February, musically how does it differ from your previous release?  

Under this project, it already differs from its predecessor, Shiarkha, which was much rawer, possibly less structured, and probably less colourful, and an only-one-flavour EP. The Eyriahrk Nunshkar EP incorporates more elements of all the music I have created over the years. In some ways, it feels like working on a puzzle, though I only noticed it after making this EP; I didn't think about it while making it. It more dramatically differs from the music I released under my previous name, which was a blend of progressive rock, psychedelic rock, contemporary, neofolk, and avant-pop, even soul. I'm not great with labels and am not keen on them, but I understand their use.


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

Until 2019, I drew inspiration from various things, such as cinema, which is also important to me, a painting, a movie, someone I met in the street or something I witnessed, and personal experiences too. I didn't talk about a release in 2021, though now I feel like it belongs to this project. I considered it to be a bit of a side project at the time. I actually wanted to distance myself from it because it was a gift for the dead or the departed. I released my first experimental short movie, which accompanied an album of mantras and rituals; the making of it was a ritual in itself. I had given myself a bit more than a month to get it ready for October 31st, 2021. I was reading a lot on the importance of the work of psychopomps (guides of souls who escort deceased souls from Earth to the afterlife), which, regardless of one's belief system or non-belief, is very much needed in our world. If we don't want to call it a soul, call it energy or memory, and we don't want it trapped here. The idea was to recreate this ritual or process in music and visuals; it came to me while I was walking in one of my favorite spots, a beautiful graveyard with a view of the sea, and so, when it happened, I had very little time to get it ready. The intertwined idea is that any sales from this release are sent to charities supporting bereavement after suicide and suicide prevention. Shiarkha, which was released in 2022, is the name of an owl I encountered during an inner journey, or shamanic journey. So far, the inspiration for this project has been drawn from journeying, channelling, or whatever you may call it. We all have a different understanding, and this is one of my understandings.


4.On the ep you also written your lyrics in 3 different languages, can you tell us a little bit more about the languages you used in your songwriting?

One of the languages is an improvised one; some people call it glossolalia, or speaking tongues. I admire those who know in their hearts what they say or what is happening to them. I have an amazing friend who speaks a light language; I don't have that confidence; I just don't know; our brain works in mysterious ways; and while there are also unseen realms that we don't know about, well, I don't. I have an understanding, but that doesn't mean that I know. However, I am working consciously on the intention and the energy I put into the work I do because, regardless of whether my music reaches two ears or more, as musicians, but not only, also as human beings, we have a duty and a responsibility to choose what energy and what message we want to convey. Regarding the languages themselves, I've always been fascinated by their sounds, dialects, and words, and as a child, I loved to sing in made-up languages. My music partner and husband, Santiago, and I have also developed some sort of dialect over the last thirteen years we have been together. Anyway, I am far from being the first to make up languages; we had Magma, Tolkien, and the Cocteau Twins, to name a few. In the creative process of this EP, other lyrics came to me in French and in English, which are the two main languages that I speak. My Spanish is not fluent, though I used some in my previous EP, "Shiarkha." The Māori bit happened when I researched sentences and words that depict the silver cord, the silver cord linking the astral form to the physical body during astral projection or out-of-body experience. I found some Māori words that I loved and used, and probably the translation wouldn't be accurate, but I love the sound of "Taura Hiriwa," for example, and so I used it.  


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

Another made-up word became a name. In fact, it was only the title of the second track of the EP at first, and when I finished the EP, it felt natural and logical that the solo project should be renamed, and that was going to be the new project name or pseudonym.


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

It was a picture taken on a very very windy day. I am very blessed to be living by the sea, and I was messing around like a 5-year-old trapped in a 49-year-old body, taking pictures of my hair in the wind. One shot was of the hair covering my eyes. I posted the picture, and someone said, "It should be an album art cover." This was before I even started working on the last EP. Now the EP art cover looks nothing like the original picture because I did some work on it, but once I finished the artwork, I realised it was an eye curtain made of hair. In some shamanic cultures, such as in Siberia, for example, one of the purposes of the eye curtains is to hide their eyes from ordinary people when they merge with their spirit helpers and also to act as a screen in order to help them go into trance. It also helps with journeying and helps to reach and maintain a specific altered state of consciousness, which makes sense in this context.


7.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?  

I feel very lucky to have been collaborating with many musicians and artists. I am still collaborating with other musicians at this time. It's not that I prefer to work solo; there are just different experiences. When I work solo, I am in a different realm, and the creative process is different as well. It's a bit like being in a dream state, and when I finish a recording, I don't remember the whole process. I am not trying to be mysterious or cryptic; it's just how I experience it. I also work very fast when I am alone—not that I am better than anyone; it's just that there is a stream of information that passes through me, and it's fast when it happens. I have to follow and materialise as it happens. In fact, it is anxiety-inducing for me, and I get impatient, though as I am growing older, I am dealing much better with it, and I am much more disciplined about it these days. When I work in collaboration, I am much more aware, and it's the work and energy of the people I work with that fuel me. I am always open to working with other musicians, not only for the experience of sharing but also for the opportunity of learning and growing as a musician. In the context of Eyriahrk Nunshkar, I don't know where this is going; I am experiencing and experimenting.


8.You also release your own music on your own label, are you open to working with other labels?  

Yes, I actually contacted two record labels already because I really like the artists they are working with. For years, I didn't want to be signed, mainly due to bad past experiences, but I am not against it today.


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

I have been quite under the radar since working as a solo artist, and I would say even more with this project. But the few pieces of feedback I received have been very positive, which I am grateful for.


10.Can you tell us a little bit more about your other musical projects?  

Current or past ones? I collaborated with many people, but currently I have a joint project, and since we're not revealing our identities for the time being, I won't say more on this one. We have already released an EP, and we are planning some new material. There is also the Fradejas & Fradejas duo with Santiago Fradejas, my music partner and husband; we released one free-form experimental EP and another free-form experimental album during COVID called OUM. We released our last EP in 2022 called "Los Nueve Buhos," which is more song-oriented but is a bonkers blend of old-fashioned crooning, extreme metal, and cowboy music with lyrics made up of the mixed-up language we created over the years. Some of our sources of inspiration were drawn by the White family of West Virginia, and other sources are beings from other alternative realms who we have given life to. I also collaborated more closely on Layma Azur's albums "Zeii" and "The Lower Sky.". Layma Azur is a rock-in-opposition, prog rock project founded in Buenos Aires by Santiago in 2005. Other recent collaborations include some vocal arrangements for Jeff Eacho, a great musician and friend, and vocal arrangements for Tribes of Medusa alongside the musicians, songwriters, and vocalists Valenteen and Evi Vine, also all dear friends. I collaborated with the production, arrangements, and backing vocals on a song called "The Legacy," written by a musician and friend, Tannith Storm, which we released last year. Past and current collaborations as a guest vocalist include the UK-based Goth crossover band The Eden House between 2009 and 2011, Sand Snowman, who is an amazing artist and musician that creates very unique music, a blend of experimental psychedelic prog folk, and also the equally amazing, unique, and talented Phi-Yaan-Zek.


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

As to when there will be a full-length album, I have no idea at this time, but then I said that last summer, and I released an EP last February, so who knows? I have written a lot of music over the years. I also attempted on a few occasions to put a set together and play live, but what happened instead while rehearsing were new songs, albums, and EPs, and it's not like I had an audience waiting for me to play anyway. Where do I see myself heading as a musician in the future? Well, if all goes well, I will turn 50 next year. Over the last few years, I have lost friends, some younger than me. I live in the present more than ever! I am alive now, my husband is alive, and so are some of my loved ones, and that has become the most important thing in these times of uncertainty. I am just grateful for what I have, for the luxury of being able to create at home, and for the luxury of not compromising what I do. I live with the consequences of it, which might be that I am not able to make a living from what I do. The younger me would be frustrated and filled with feelings of unfairness. Luckily, I am older and taking on my responsibilities, and I am also admiring the fresh blood taking over! The metal and avant-garde fields are crowded, and the music field is also full of young, amazing musicians. I hear people saying, "Music is not as good as it used to be." I respectfully disagree; it's just that we have to search for it in this internet ocean. There are many fantastic artists and musicians under the radar who took the teachings from their ancestors and took it to the next level with better technique and craft in creating hybrids. If I can reach an audience and have the health to keep creating and maybe playing live again, if I can overcome my anxiety, but I would if the opportunity happened, then great! I would love to. I have amazing musician friends, and we spoke about creating our own network and scene and collaborating. I would love that, but if it doesn't happen, I am at peace with it and will enjoy and honour what I have, prioritise my loved ones, and see how I can be of better service to others.


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

I wish I had more time; there is so much music to listen to and discover. At the moment, I try to make time to listen to what my friends release on Bandcamp. I listen to Zeresh, a one female band with a very unique tone, sound and atmosphere. I also listen to Kate Arnold, who does electro-mediaeval loopery on hammered dulcimer, violin, and vocals, also unique and beautiful. I try as well to make time to listen to new artists or artists I don't know on Bandcamp, YouTube, etc. I am listening to this fabulous artist called Kakushin Nishihara, a performer of a traditional instrument, the Satsuma Biwa (a five-stringed Japanese lute). She blends that with noise and experimental music. When I can make time to listen to more music, because life can get in the way, there will be Thantifaxath, Tom Yorke. A few days ago, I was introduced to Oranssi Pazuzu, and I loved it. I know they have been around for some time, but I didn't know them. Last week I listened to the last Sleepytime Gorilla Museum album, and as I expected from them, it was mind-blowing! I listen to black metal, death metal, contemporary classical, avant-garde, British 80's new wave, punk, pop, traditional folk music from various countries, fusion, grunge, electro, trance, goth, soul, industrial and the list goes on.


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

Yes, thank you so very much for inviting me to this interview and for giving musicians and artists exposure and the opportunity to express themselves.


 https://www.fradejasproductions.com/

Friday, March 15, 2024

Keygen Church/Nel Nome Del Codice/Metal Blade Recordfs/2024 Full Length Review

 


  Keygen  Church  are  a  solo  project  from  italy  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  and  avant  garde  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2024  album  "Nel  Nome  Del  Codice"  which  will b e  released  on  March  22nd  by  Metal  Blade  Records.


  Choirs  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  synths  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  A  lot  of  the  music  also  sounds  electronic  while  the  symphonic  side  of  the  music  also  mixes  in  some  avant  garde  and  classical  music  elements  and  some  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.


  All  of  the  songs  also  avoid  the  use  of  traditional  extreme  metal  vocals  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  album   also  add  in  influences  of  doom  and  gothic  metal.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  the  music  gets  more  aggressive  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard.


  Keygen  Church  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  symphonic  and  avant  garde  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  doom,  gothic  metal  and  classical  music  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  while  the  production  sounds  very  professional.


  In  my  opinion  Keygen  Church  is  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  and  avant  garde  mixture  of  black,  doom,  gothic  metal  and  classical  music  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Se  hal  Timore  Del  Vero"  "Nel  Nome  Del  Codice"  "La  VOce  Del  Destino"  and  "Sempre  Nel  Mio  Pensiero".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/keygenchurch

https://keygenchurch.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHgbw5cuDIas28eMvbI8Nqg

https://twitter.com/keygenchurch

https://open.spotify.com/artist/49yTs5PHrOjyslAqSF2iCG

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/keygen-church/1450170610    


  

Eyriahrk Nunshkar/Self Titled/2024 EP Review

 


  Eyriahrk  Nunshkar  are  a  solo  project  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  an  avant  garde,  experimental,  progressive  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  and  self  released  2024  ep.


  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  clear  singing  also  gives  the  music  more  of  an  avant  garde  feeling.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  elements  of  doom  metal  can  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  and  a  couple  of  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.


  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  clean  sections  also takes  the  music  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction.  At  times  the  recording  also  gets  very  experimental  sounding  along  with  some  synths  also  being  utilized  on  a  couple  of  tracks.


O)one  song  also  adds  in  some  spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  as  well as  the  music   also  adding  in some  industrial,  drone  and  ritualistic  touches  and  on  the  closing  track  a  brief  use  of  fast  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  English,  French  and  Maori  and  cover  the  human  psyche.     


  In  my  opinion  Eyriahrk  Nunshkar  are  a  very  great  sounding  avant  garde,  progressive,  experimental  and  melodic  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  "Oblivious  Etymology"  and  "Taura  Hiriwa".  8  out  of  10.


  https://youtu.be/3KB-bSMKwI8

https://youtu.be/k4vkwucbek4

https://www.facebook.com/EyriahrkNunshkar

https://www.instagram.com/eyriahrk.nunshkar_/

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

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

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ef2MXyExtaxhDqwhBvGi3

https://eyriahrknunshkar.bandcamp.com/

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/eyriahrk-nunshkar/1733739020

https://soundcloud.com/eyriahrk-nunshkar  

Saturday, March 2, 2024

Moonoises/She - The Void/These Hands Melt/2024 Full Length Review

 


  Moonoises  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  blackgaze,  post  black  and  doom  metal  with  elements  of  post  punk  and  darkwave  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "She  -  the  Void"  which  will  be  released  on  march  8th  by  These  Hands  Melt.


  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.  Melodies  are also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  clean  sections  also  mix  in  elements  of  post  punk  and  darkwave  and  some  of  the  clear  vocals  add  in  touches  of  80's  deathrock.


  The  slower  sections  of  the  songs  are  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  doom  metal  and  doomgaze  while  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  lot  of  post  rock  and  shoegaze  touches.  Synths  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are introduced  into  the  music.


  Some  of  the  music  also  captures  the  dark  atmosphere  of  black  metal  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats  as  well  as  most  of  the  album  sticking  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  melancholic  themes.


  In  my  opinion  Moonoises  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  blackgaze,  post  black  and  doom  metal  with  elements  of  post  punk  and  darkwave  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Black  Beyond"  "Creepy  31"  "Cold  Grey"  and  "Mirror".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/moonoisesband

https://moonoises.bandcamp.com    

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Grey Skies Fallen/Molded By Broken Hands/Profound Lore Records/2024 Full Length Review

 


  New  York's  Grey  Skies  Fallen  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going for  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black,  dark,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Molded  By  Broken  Hands"  which  will  be  released  in  march  by  Profound  Lore  Records.


  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  synths  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  Vocals  are mostly  black  metal  screams  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.


  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  while  death  metal  growls  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  90's  era  dark  metal  influences.


  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  clean  sections  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  melodic  vocals  onto  the  album,  when  the  music  speeds  up  briefly  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  most  of  the  album  sticks  to  a  slower  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  despair  and  bleakness  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Grey  Skies  Fallen  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  dark,  doom  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Twisted  Place  In  Time"  "I  Can  Hear  Your  Voice"  and  "Knowing  That  You're  There".  8  out  of  10.


  https://greyskiesfallen.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/greyskiesfallen

https://www.instagram.com/greyskiesfallen

https://twitter.com/greyskiesfallen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUZMyX5suao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q964xa-1Mt4            

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Nothing Is Real/Acts of Despair And Faith/2024 Full Length Review

 


  Los  Angeles,  California's  solo  project   Nothing  Is  Real  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  progressive,  psychedelic  and  technical  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  metal  and  experimental  noise  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2024  album  "Acts  of  Despair  And  Faith"  which  will  be  released  in  April.


  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  distorted  and  heavier  direction  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats.


  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  psychedelic  sounds  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.


  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  technical,  progressive  and  experimental  sounding  as  well  as  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  noise  rock  touches.  All  of  the  songs  also  sticks  to  an  instrumental  direction   and  a  lot  of  the  music  also  adds  in  more  of  an  improvised  atmosphere  while  the  production  also  sounds  very  professional.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Nothing  Is  Real  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  progressive,  psychedelic, technical  black,  sludge,  doom  metal  and  experimental  noise  rock,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Block  The  light"  and  "Split".  8  out  of  10.


  

Bandcamp
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Sunday, January 21, 2024

Iterum Nata/From The Infinite Light/Nordvis Produktion/2024 Full Length Review

 


  Iterum  Nata  is  a  solo  project  from  Finalnd  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  mixture  of  black,  doom  metal,  neo-folk  and  progressive  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  album  "From  The  Infinite  Light"  which  will  be  released  in  2024  by  Nordvis  Produktion.


  Spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  and  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  ritualistic  atmosphere  before  going  into  more  of  a  neo-folk  direction.  Synths,  folk  instruments  and  percussion  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  slower  heavier  riffs  also  add  in  elements  of  doom  metal.


  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  acoustic  guitar  sections  also  takes  the  music  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are utilized.


  Most  of  the  vocals  are  done  in  a  melodic  style  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  recording  also  adding  in  black  metal  style  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  as  well  as  each  song  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other..  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  Darkness  and  Death  with  some  inspiration  from  the  Qabbalah  to  explain  cosmic  genesis.    


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Iterum  Nata  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom  metal,  neo-folk  and  progressive  rock,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Gleaming  Eternity"  "The  Drifter"  and  "The  Crown  of  All".  8  out  of  10.


  https://music.apple.com/se/artist/iterum-nata/1316451649

https://iterumnata.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/IterumNata93/

https://www.instagram.com/iterumnata/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2haCAnM4Yi8B2lhUTT0rbY?si=sWEfeLy5TJ2KpoUr8R29qQ&nd=1&dlsi=6b2bc79102d841cc


    


  

Saturday, January 13, 2024

The Mountain King/Apostasyn/2024 Full Length Review

 


  The  Mountain  King  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death.  post  metal.  drone  and  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  album  "Apostasyn"  which  will be   released  in  February.


  Avant  garde  style  percussion  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  post  metal  style  melodies  and  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  being  in  elements  of  doom  metal.


  Clear  female  and  male  vocals  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  harsh  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  touches  of  drone  and  ambient  also  being  utilized  at  times.


 Synths  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  some death  metal  growls  also  being  utilized briefly.  Spoken  word  samples  are  also  added  on  one  song  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard,  half  of  the  album  is  also  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Anti  Religion  themes,


  In  my  opinion  The  Mountain  King  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  doom,  death,  post  metal,  ambient  and  drone  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Apostasyn"  and  "Axoloti  Messiah".  8  out  of  10.


  

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Litosth/Cesariana/Personal Records/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Litosth  are  a  duo  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Cesariana"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Personal  Records.


  Symphonic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.


  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  elements  of  death,  doom  and  dark  metal.


  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  album,  one  track  also  adds  in  touches  of  80's  era  dark  pop.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  existence  themes


  In  my  opinion  Litosth  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In  Waves"  "The  Clay  Messiah"  and  "The  Vacuum  Extractor  Paradigm".  8  out  of  10.


  http://personal-records.bandcamp.com/album/litosth-cesariana

www.facebook.com/litosthofficial   .    


  

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Acid Throne/Kingdom's Death/Trepanation Recordings/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Acid  Throne  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  with  elements  of  stoner  rock  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Kingdom's  Death"  which  was  released  by  Trepanation  Recordings.


  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  doom  metal  direction.  The  slower  riffs  also  add  in  elements  of  sludge  metal  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.


  A  lot  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  stoner  rock  style  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  black  metal  and  hardcore  influences  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast b eats  can  also  be  heard.


  Acid  throne  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge,  doom  metal,  stoner  rock  and hardcore  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  misanthropy  and  anti  establishment  themes.


  In  my  opinion  Acid  Throne  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  metal,  stoner  rock  and  hardcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Death  Is  Not  The  End"  and  "Last  Will  And  Testament".  8  out  of  10.


   https://acidthroneband.bandcamp.com/album/kingdoms-death

   


      

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

Breaths/Melt Away/2024 EP Review

 


  Rchmond,  Virginia's  solo  project  Breaths  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  experimental  shoegaze  direction  with  elements  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  ep  "Melt  Away"  which  will  be  released  in  2024.


  Synths  start  off  the  album  while  also  adding  in  elements  of  post  rock  and  shoegaze  along  with  the  vocals  adding  in  more  of  a  clear  style.  Electric  guitars  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  as  well  as  the  slower  riffs  also  adding  in  the  heaviness  and  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.


  Some  of  the  music  also  captures  the  dark  atmosphere  of  post  black  metal  while  the  songs  also  mix  in  a  lot  of  touches  of  alternative  rock   and  all  of  the  tracks  stick  to  a  slower  direction  and  also  adds  in  some  90's  era  influences.


  On  this  recording  Breaths  moves  away  from  the  black  metal  influences  of  previous  releases  and  goes  for  more  of  a  shoegaze  and  alternative  rock  direction  which  also  adds  in  some  of  the  heavier  side  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  melancholic  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  decent  sounding  recording  from  Breaths  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  shoegaze,  alternative,  post  rock,  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fade  Apart"  and  "Shaken".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/BreathsBand/    


  

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Everson Poe/The Tower/Trepanation Recordings/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Chicago,  Illinois's  solo  project  Everson  Poe  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of  post  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  her  2023  album  "The  Tower"  which  was  released  by  Trepanation  Recordings.


  Drum  beats  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  bass  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Both  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.


  Clear  chants  and  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  the  clean  playing  also  adds  in  influences  of  post  rock.  Spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  on  both  of  the  tracks  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  also  being  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  and  the  guitar  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized,  saxophones  and  drones  can  also b e  heard  briefly.


  On  this  recording  Everson  Poe  takes  post  black,  doom  and  sludge  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while t he  lyrics  cover  politics  and  transgender  issues.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Everson  Poe  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  post  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Reversed".  8  out  of  10.


  https://eversonpoe.bandcamp.com/album/the-tower


   

Witching/Incedium/Translation Loss Records/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Witching  are  a  band  from  Pennsylvania  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  post  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Incedium"  which  was  released  by  Translation  Loss  Records.


  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  brutal  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.  


  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.


  Clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  clean  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  post  rock  touches  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  whispered  vocals.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  self  destruction  and  self  discovery  themes.


    In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  form  Witching  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  post  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Last  You,  Fell  From  Divinity"  "A  Grave  Mistake"  and  "So  Young,  So  Useless".  8  out  of  10.


  https://orcd.co/indenciumalbum

https://www.facebook.com/witchingband/about/

https://www.instagram.com/witching_philly/

 

Wells Valley/Achamoth/Lavadome Productions/2023 Full Length Review

 




  Wells  Valley  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  avant  garde  and  progressive  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Achamoth"  which  was  released  by  Lavadome  Productions.


  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.


  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats   and  tremolo  picking can  be  heard  when  the  music  speeds  up.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  the  music  also  having  its  avant  garde  moments  as  well  as  the  album  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  post  metal  touches,  growls  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  keyboards  are  also  added  towards  the  end.


  On  this  album  Wells  Valley  brings  more  more  of  a  progressive  and  avant  garde  blackened  sludge/doom  metal  style  with  some  elements  of  post  metal.  The  production   sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Hermeticism,  Philosophy,  Spirituality  and  theology  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Wells  Valley  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde  and  progressive  black,  sludge,  doom  and  post  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Princeps"  and  "Indwelling  In  Matter".  8  out  of  10.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/WellsValley/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wellsvalley/
BC: https://wellsvalley.bandcamp.com

https://youtu.be/sKmo2W1SuDI

  


  

Fraught/Transfixed On Dying Light/Argonauta Records/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Fraught  are  a  band  from  Ireland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Transfixed  On  Dying  Light"  which  was  released  by  Argonauta  Records.


  A  very  powerful  bass  guitar  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  heavier  and  melodic  riffing  a  few  seconds  later.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.


  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  introduced  onto  the  album  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  along  with  the  tracks  also  having  their  brutal  moments,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.


  On  this  recording  Fraught  remains  true  to  the   mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  emtal  that  they  had  established  on  their  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  misanthropic  themes.  


 In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Fraught  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Crimson  Trail"  "Atrocities  Of  Sin"  and  "Prey".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.facebook.com/Fraughtband/

https://www.instagram.com/fraught_official/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB2MiUZvN5U&ab_channel=RAYKMEDIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfA_HaK-do0&ab_channel=ArgonautaRecords  

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Dawnwalker/Human Ruins/Room 312/2023 Album Re-Issue Review

 


  Dawnwalker  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine and  on  this  recording  played  a  progressive  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  doom,  folk  and  post  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Human  Ruins"  which  was  re-issued  in  2023  by  Room  312.


  Nature  sounds  and  synths  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  A  lot  of  the  vocals  are  also  done  in  a  clear  style  while  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  at  times  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to t hem.


  The  slower  sections  of  the album  are  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  doom  metal  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style.  Black  metal  screams  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  folk  music  touches  onto  the  recording,  a  couple  of  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  


Death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  are  also  utilized  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  seasons  guided  by  myth  and  magick.


  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Dawnwalker  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  progressive  black,  doom,  death,  folk  and  post  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Pagan  Plains"  "Horus"  "Into  The  Night"  and  "Between  Worlds".  8  out  of  10.


  https://dawnwalker.uk

https://dawnwalker.bandcamp.com
https://facebook.com/dawnwalkeruk
https://instagram.com/dawnwalkeruk