St. Unholyness Interview

 

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

Of course! We are a band from Pfarrkirchen, Germany. We are searching for a drummer, because for live gigs we play as a power trio. Atm we are a two-piece with Mac Carrigan on Bass and me, Christina Earlymorn on Guitar & Vocals. We play an unique mixture of Stonerdoom, Black Metal & Blues Rock, because we are so fed up limiting ourselves to only one genre forever. We try to play every style we like and make it our own. We label our music with this debut as "Chromed Stoner Doom with Groove & Style" , because our guitars are chromed, our clothing is stylish and our riffs are heavy grooving with HM2 (classic swedish death metal) growl.

2.You have your first full length coming out towards the end of December, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

As I stated earlier, that we are so fed up in only being at home in one genre, I started back in 2017 to collect some of these odd riffs that didn't properly fit in my previous black metal only - projects. On and off (from 2017 until 2025) I did write for the album in between life situations that happened. (Covid, Loss of Job, My dad died) In that period of time I crafted my own personal style for our band, St. Unholy which Mac and I now run.

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

As a bullying & sexual abuse survivor back in my childhood when I was 6, of course it is very important to me to be very vocal against bullies & pedophiles. A nun raped me every Thursday from 1996-1998 we had in school as an handicraft teacher for she wanted to know what's in my pants, because of me being a trans child back then. Because of that I am not very religious anymore, because I still get so much hate from religious people claiming to be good people, but showing otherwise. So, because of that we have the subject of anti religion in our lyrics, BUT! We clearly differentiate between in blindly hating the religious people and hating the religious organizations backing its predators, which we set our focus onto. We don't fight decent people who believe in god. We fight against evil people who hide behind a religious power structure. Then, we also wanna focus on positive topics like enjoying life to the fullest, being proud of oneself and even stretching into Carl Jung's psychology topics or into the interesting electronic frequency works of Nikola Tesla. Basically, we sing about topics that either have something to do with our past personally, or we sing about stuff that interests or inspires us of which we think could also be interesting for the listener to broaden up his/her horizons.

4.You have mentioned an interest in Carl Jung and Nikola Tesla,  can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in their work?

When I was reading about Carl Jung, I was introduced by his shadow work technique in which the shadow (Your repressed dark side) gets integrated without causing destruction to oneself or others. I like his theory, because due to the sexual abuse, the hate I get and bullying I had to endure in school I carry a massive amount of hate & desire for revenge deep in my stomach. Alot of so called "Good vibes only" people often snap someday, because they completely suppress their shadow-self every day. It's like a barrel that over time explodes. I learned with Carl Jung to dance with my shadows, to recognize them and to release them into something constructive that I call healthy agression. Playing music is one of the methods I use. Nikola Tesla on the other hand fully inspires me, because he says that everything is energy, vibration & frequency. If I am depressed I have to have low energy. I don't vibe (vibrate) very much and my frequency to be interesting for other people is very low. If I am happy however, I got a high energy, so I vibrate stronger and people will be drawn at me, because of my frequency. I personally find this very interesting if you personally examine your past and see how it over time has influenced you. Alot of adult people carry their childhood wounds / childhood traumas still around with them which completely dominates their every day life & fucks up their future, because these poor people act out of the energy from the past when the trauma in childhood took place. That's what I experienced, too. It bothered me so much that I wanted to dominate my life again killing that invisible force which held me back.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'St. Unholyness"?

Since 20 years I am a devoted satanist walking my way through life. That is my very personal (for me) healthy way of spirituality. The name St. Unholyness came like an lightning bolt into my head as I thought to myself, that I, as a person are loved by many and hated by others for being myself. Because of me being a long time satanist who worked for 10 years as a nurse and sometimes donates some of my spare money to homeless people, I feel more christ like as I can see in other so called "christian" people. Basically in other words I am a "Saint" to many & considered as "Unholy" by strangers. That's what St. Unholyness means. Basically someone who does look like a villain, but does good onto others.

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

The original artwork was actually me as an baphomet figure posing on the cover. But as I listened to the tracks and looked at the cover it didn't match properly with the sound of the debut album. So I creARTed the actual cover artwork and postponed the one with me as baphomet on it for another album in the future. As a debut album I wanted something simple but with a clear message. The cross of peter already says it what "Through High Holy Haze" is about. We oppose unconscious religious herd mentality and support individuality that is aware of oneself.

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

No shows yet, because I didn't think that I would ever be able to find people who wanted to join a band where a "tranny" is fronting the band with a weird sound that isn't anything near mainstream. We still search for a drummer, because of course we would love to play live shows in the near future!

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

Not yet.

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

We did receive interest, but I am not yet sure if I should sign my life away.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, doom and stoner metal?

Well, to my surprise the comments on our two on YouTube released music videos are positive. I received messages on my Facebook page & Instagram account of people telling me that they like it alot. Personally I am always very critical of myself, because when I learned to play music my environment wasn't supportive and made fun of me. See, that's one of my childhood wounds that still controls me, BTW. Thank you for making me realize this with this interview Mr. Larson! I will have some self work to do :)

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

I would love to build the band up, gaining international reputation and forming a fanbase where everyone regardless of how they dress, looks like is welcome. I hate gatekeepers and I would love as a band leader, to have a community that has glued together many walks of fans, just like Motörhead managed to untite Rockers, Punks & Metalheads. That's why my guitars are chromed. I hope the audience can mirror themselves into the guitars to make them realize that we are all part of this as a whole!

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 nowadatys?

Nowadays I don't really listen to much music. After finishing an album I am drained & need silence to recharge my creativity. But bands like ZZ Top, Pantera, Goatwhore, Crowbar, Megadeth and artists like BB King, S.R.V., Zakk Wylde, Joe Bonamassa & Yngwie Malmsteen do influence me still.

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

My father passed away this may 2025 at the age of 61. What I wanna say to finish this interview off is the following: Say "I love you" more often to your loved ones, because no one knows when time's up.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StUnholynessOfficial
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@st.unholynessofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st.unholyness.official
Bandcamp: http://www.stunholyness.bandcamp.com/
More info: https://www.christinaearlymorn.com/St.Unholyness/

St. Unholyness/Through High Holy Haze/2025 Full Length Review

 

  St.  Unholyness  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom,  stoner,  thrash  metal  and  blues  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  album  "Through  High  Holt  Haze"  which  will  be  released  on  Christmas.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  while  also  adding  in  some  psychedelic   touches  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Elements  of  doom  and  stoner  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  recording  and  the  solos  and  leads  bring  in  more  of  a  melodic  blues  rock,  proto  metal  style.

  Vocals  bring  in  more  of  a  clear  stoner  rock  style  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Whispers  are  also  utilized  briefly  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  and  the  harsh  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  A  lot  of  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  album  also  bring  in  the  aggression  of  thrash  metal,  synths  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  some  of  the  vocals  also  add  in  shouts  and  death  metal  growls.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  survival,  empowerment  and  resilience.  

  In  my  opinion  St.  Unholyness  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death,  doom,  stoner,  thrash  metal  and  blues  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Heaven's  Harem"  "Alchemist  Blues"  and  "St.  Unholyness".  8  out  of  10.

  

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Throne Interview

 

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

We had taken a period of full immersion in the composition of Ossarium for this reason last year we played little live concentrating all our energy in the new album . So for this 2025 I foresee a year full of live performances starting immediately .

Bringing our music around

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

Ossarium, unlike the previous two chapters, is more mature, more intense and much darker.

Many things change in 15 years of music and let's say that with this third album we have reached another maturity and another level of musical intensity

3.The band formed out of the ashes of Coxa&Margot, what was the cause of splitting up the old band and forming a new one?

To tell the truth, we never broke up, four-fifths of us are still coke-addicted hippies

In fact, back in 2012, Moonlight Records from Parma, led by Dorian Bones (Caronte, Whisky Ritual), had heard us and offered us the chance to collaborate together.

The new challenge and above all the significant number of live performances in those years had changed us but from a musical point of view without denying anything we decided to change our name from Cocaemargot to Throne as if they were two completely different entities but managed by the same people

4.Most of the albums are released 4 years apart, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait in between releases?

Alas, we are already slow on our own, and between avpid the light, the first chapter of 2012, and consecrates of 2017, 5 years passed. Now we are back in the limelight, a good 8 years later.

The reasons for these long waits are various: some evictions from our rehearsal rooms, and even Covid, which kept us away for months before we could play together.

We just hope it was worth waiting so long

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

Each of our records deals with subtle themes of everyday life, from depression to addiction, up to the difficult coexistence between man and religion.

Let's say that with ossarium we tried to create an interview between the listener and a higher entity, ranging from self-criticism for selfishness and greed to baring all in front of one's own mistakes

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

We also entrusted the task to the best on the scene in the ossuary, ADRIAN BAXTER, who had already created the previous Consecrates cover.

Being very good at understanding us and being inspired by our songs, he always manages to put into design what we try to convey with our music.

The cover is dark and gloomy but at the same time orderly, there are no subjects that could mess up one's ideas. It was very strong: wickedness and order, horror and organisation, up to the most classic of the sacred and profane

7.Out of all the shows and tours the band has played over the years which one stands out the most?

We have many of them, from small live shows that you wouldn't bet a penny on, but which turn into real human pandemoniums, to festivals in the biggest and most important venues in Europe.

Personally, however, the most beautiful and satisfying experiences are the evenings with high-profile bands, both local and foreign, such as the live shows with the HEXIS band, which are amazing

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

We'll be starting at the end of February with a few dates in Italy and then we'll try to play in almost all the major European cities until September, when we should go on tour for about ten days.

However, as we're constantly updating, just take a look at our pages to come and meet us at one of our live shows for a few beers together, which never hurts

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

We've just released our new album but reviews and the public are currently enjoying our fusion.

In the end, we never try to make music for others, we do what we do best and then hope to have great visibility and feedback.

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

Who can say at the moment, we are very mature in our music and lyrics, we have also improved a lot with our merchandise and our social media pages.

We have reached a very high level of maturity, but that doesn't mean that in the future we might not make a new album with other influences, death metal for example, who knows?

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

Nowadays we really listen to a lot of bands and of the most diverse genres,

Celeste, hexis, behemoth, amenra, eyehategood, morast and even meshuggah. We look for inspiration from everyone without ever copying anyone.

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

We really hope that 2025 will be a great year for us, full of live performances and satisfaction, and we hope that a lot of people really like our album ossarium.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALvBwTlMWMw&feature=youtu.be

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

  incinerationintheinfinite.bandcamp.com

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

Throne/Ossarium/Dusktone/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Throne  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  sludge  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Ossarium"  which  will b e  released  in  February  by  Dusktone.

  A  very  dark  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  heavier  sludge  metal  riffing  a  few  seconds  later.  Vocals  are  mostly  growls  mixed  in  with  a  few  blackened  metal  screams  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  some  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Some  of  the  riffing  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  stoner  metal,  whispered  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  most  of  the  album  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Throne  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black  and  sludge  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Throne  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  sludge  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Morrigan"  and  "The  All  Father".  8  out  of  10.

 https://youtu.be/ALvBwTlMWMw

Summoning Saturn Voids/Self Titled/Argonauta Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Summoning  Saturn  Voids  are  an  international  band  with  embers  from  Norway  and  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death,  doom  and  stoner  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  album  which  was  released  by  Argonauta  Records.

  Synths  and  atmospheric  sounding  drones  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  bring  in  elements  of  doom  and  stoner  metal  and  the  solos  and  leads  bring  in  more  of  a 70's  rock  style.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  psychedelic  moments  along  with  one  song  also  being  an  instrumental  and  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  most  of  the  album  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Summoning  Saturn  Voids  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  doom  and  stoner  metal  as  well  as  mixing  in  the  aggression  of  black  and  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Lovecraftian,  Cosmic  Horror,  Science  Fiction  and  Space  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Summoning  Saturn  Voids  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death,  doom  and  stoner  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cosmic  Sabbath"  "Technical  Heresy"  and "Siggy  Starsmoke  And  The  Bongsters  From  Mars".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/ summoningsaturnvoids

Mycena Interview

 

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

Currently, we are still promoting our latest album "Serendisarray" and brainstorming concepts for our next album. I've also switched focus to my other musical projects (Vrhovec, Grinded Grin, Acid Hags). We've started collecting ideas, riffs, and themes for the new album. Once we gather a good number, we'll begin compiling and arranging them into a concept that best suits the new album. We plan to start working on the album this fall, and the writing and recording process is expected to take about six months.

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

On our previous albums, we relied heavily on improvisation. We didn't have finished themes, and they were recorded spontaneously when we all got together without prior arrangements or rehearsals. It was classic jamming. Our new album "Serendisarray" took about a year to record, spread across 10 sessions, with constant work on the concept. Every riff was tested and refined to fit the concept. Some songs started with a guitar riff, while others began with a drum pattern.

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?

Some of the lyrical themes include Nostradamus' predictions, Pythagoras and Pythagorean teachings, cosmic chaos and serenity, and emotional disturbances and passions. Progress as a songwriter is very evident in Mycena. However, since Mycena isn't the only band I'm in, the writing styles intertwine and improve through my other projects, making everything look different when I return to Mycena. With each album, the writing style evolves, and the art of songwriting is honed into the unique expression that each of us possesses.

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

The name Mycena was taken from a hallucinogenic mushroom, which perfectly fit the initial concept of a psychedelic band. An added bonus is that no one had used this name for a band before. Nowadays, it's challenging to find a super cool band name that hasn't already been taken.

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

The artwork for the album was created by the phenomenal artist Vhan. It perfectly represents the album, which has chaos as its main theme, with a psychedelic touch, space, mantra, the human in the center, and the third eye—everything you can hear and feel on the album.

6. Currently there are onyl 2 members in the band. are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

Currently, we are a duo when creating the album, but for concerts and recording, we have several musicians who join us depending on the concept of the concert or album. Moving forward, we will continue writing and recording as a duo, serving as the core idea center, and then we will use session musicians to enrich the album's sound.

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

The best concert, in my opinion, was in Koprivnica at FUNK Day when the festival was held outdoors. There were six of us on stage, and we created quite a scene with tons of smoke. I wore a white rabbit mask while playing the synth.

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

No, we don't tour; we only play occasional concerts at local festivals. We don't have that obligation or need because we are on our own label, and we don't make a living from music. But we live for music.

9. Currently the band is singed to 'Olde Scratch Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Olde Scratch is my label, covering all my bands and allowing me to keep everything under one umbrella. It's easier to reach journalists and promote our music, and the audience knows what to expect when they see an Olde Scratch release.

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

With the exception of one of my black metal project, Mycena has reached the furthest of all my endeavors. The response has been phenomenal and very surprising. Both journalists and the audience have reacted excellently. It's a great motivation for us to continue our work.

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

I think we'll be moving towards less improvisation in the future and aim to work more on concept and arrangement. Our goal is also to ensure each song has vocals and melody, while still embracing tension through dissonance. That's our current plan, and we'll see in a few months how much of it we can achieve and how well our current ideas will come to life.

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

My all-time favorites are Croatian Seven That Spells, Oranssi Pazuzu, Deathspell Omega, King Crimson, and Master Musicians of Bukkake. They embody that psychedelic dissonance with a unique atmosphere that I crave when listening to and creating music.

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

Nothing more, thank you very much for the interview, and thanks to everyone for listening to the "Serendisarray" album :)

(Aleksandar Vrhovec, Mycena)

https://mycena.bandcamp.com/album/serendisarray
https://youtu.be/STyy8PQ-fvc?si=eZm794NnY5bnSmK1

Mycenia/Serendisarray/Olde Scratch Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Mycena  are  a  duo  from  Croatia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  metal,  stoner  rock,  jazz,  avant  garde,  experimental,  psychedelic  and  prog  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Serendisarray"  which  was  released  by  Olde  Scratch  Records.

  Psychedelic  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  clean  sections  also  take  the  music  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction  when  they  are  added  in  the  music.

  High  pitched  black  metal  screams  can  be  heard  briefly  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  elements  of  stoner  metal.  at  times  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  sounding  along  with  a  lot  of  the  vocals  adding  in  more  of  a  spoken  demonic  style,  saxophones  and  clarinets  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  The  album  also  adds  in  a  few  instrumentals  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  introduced  into  the  music,  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  most  of  the  songs  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.   The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  esoteric  themes.

  In  mu  opinion  Mycena  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  stoner  metal,  jazz,  avant  garde,  experimental,  psychedelic  and  prog  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lacrima  Futurum"  "Erato"  and  "Apatheia".  8  out  of  10.

  https://mycena.bandcamp.com/album/serendisarray

https://youtu.be/STyy8PQ-fvc?si=eZm794NnY5bnSmK1 

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

   

      

Wizards Of Wiznan Interview

 

Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Yes, of course, we are currently in a creative phase, working on new songs! As for upcoming shows, we have a few planned in the next months, abroad in Germany and Belgium but also in our area. 

Recently you have released your first full length, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?

Our way of composing songs has been refined since the release of our EP. Musically “No Light Has No Shadow” is more intense and darker. We looked deep in our guts in order to best express it through our music. This album leans more towards the Sludge and Post Black style, unlike our EP which combined more Stoner and Doom influences.

A lot of the band members have also participated in black and death metal bands but with this group go for more of a blackened sludge metal direction, do you feel having a background playing different genres makes you music stand out a lot of more?

True, having musicians from different backgrounds allows us to explore more deeply and reach a wider range of listeners. It also helps us create atmospheres and textures blending different styles. We particularly received a lot of positive feedback regarding the mix between Black Metal and Sludge influences. This can create atmospheres that are both heavy and threatening, add to that nebulous melodies and you can build a sonic experience that envelops the listeners.

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?

We drew inspiration from local history but also from human emotions. Concerning the local historical dimension, one event in particular touched us. It’s the annihilation of a local hamlet by the Black Death which ravaged our lands long ago. The hamlet in question was called “Le Végenand”, our band name is directly inspired by it as well as many of our lyrics. The themes of death and loss are very present in the album. Some songs are more focused on human suffering, depression and the specter of death that floats among the living.

Concerning our songwriting process, it has been refined over time. We learned to better combine our different musical influences, allowing us to create an immersive album that is more focused than our first EP. The latter was called “Experimental Brew” because at that time we were still in a discovering / experimental process. With 'No Light Has No Shadow', we worked more deeply on our musical approach and found a sound that more closely resembled our own. Working more regularly and assiduously has developed new skills in all the members.  The process is becoming more refined and more in tune with our respective experiences, enabling us to convey our condition as best we can and share an even more immersive and authentic experience with our audience.

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

The artwork on our album cover was created by the talented Inken Stabell whom we discovered on Instagram. You can see observe a silhouette standing in the immensity of the mountains that surrounds him. Alone in the middle of this desolate landscape, this silhouette symbolizes the doubts and the loneliness that we all sometimes have to face.

Out of all the shows the band has played so far, which one stands out the most?

Of course! One show in particular comes to mind. We played in August in the PALP Festival. It’s a festival in our area that is kind of specializing in the Stoner – Doom and Psychedelic Rock scene. It was an incredible experience for us, to be able to plan in this festival that we had been attending as spectators for several years. In addition, being able to play outdoors in the mountains makes it an almost mystical experience ahah!

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

We haven’t currently planned a release party for the album. However, we will be performing the album as part of the “Argonauta Fest”, organized by our label Argonauta Records. The shows are scheduled on November 17th and 18th, respectively in Ghent (Belgium) and in Eisenhüttenstadt (Germany). We’re really looking forward to share the songs on stage with the public and our fellow friends from Argonauta Records.

  

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

It's not a simple question. It's clear that by mixing several influences, you expose yourself to a lot more criticism, positive or negative, from your audience. Above all, we want to offer something innovative, authentic and, above all, something that suits us. We regularly rub shoulders with all the different styles you mentioned, and I honestly think that people are receptive to this kind of concept. Personally, I'm extremely eclectic and I find this approach nourishing and enriching. But there's no doubt that for the purists, it's different, our style is less appreciated, but we're also aware that we can't please everyone. Overall, the feedback has been very positive about our choice of design, and we'll continue in this vein.

Recently one of the band members released a solo album under the name ' Félonie', can you tell us a little bit more about this solo project?

Yes! It’s the side-project of Marc, our rhythm guitarist and co-singer. Félonie is a one-man black metal band that he created at the end of 2022. To quote him:

“You know, the band songwriting process can be a bit tricky, it’s often a matter of compromise, especially when our respective horizons are so eclectic. Some guitar riffs were perhaps too much black metal or too many blast-beats for the direction we wanted to take with Wizards of Wiznan. I then said to myself, why not create a dedicated project for that kind of songs? And Félonie was born. It was also an great opportunity to bring music to some of my lyrics, all written in French. The album, named “De Sève et Sang” (Of Sap and Blood) draws inspiration from local history, tales and legends. Release date: October 13th through Aural Music / Code 666!”

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

Following the latest discussions we've had, our aim is to preserve this richness and its influences. Apart from the styles mentioned in your questions, we still have a huge number of external influences that we could incorporate into our compositional process. I don't think we want to impose any limits on ourselves, but the guiding principle for the future is to continue to perfect our style and find an even more intense harmony in the conception of an album. We want to offer an even more immersive experience for the listener and develop a raw, violent and coherent style that allows the natural expression of our condition through our music.

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

Here's a list of the current state of play: 

-Gaerea, Colour Haze, Mantar, Aset, King Buffalo, Amelie Lens, Aorlac, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Sleep Token, Amenra, Amon Amarth, OM, Dissection, Alcest

That says a lot about the direction our compositions are going to take... We'll let you be the judge.

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

To begin with, we'd like to thank you for the time and opportunity you've given us, and we're very grateful.

 And to conclude, it's important for us to value our music and share it with everyone. It's through music that we transcend our condition and give the best version of ourselves.

Thank you.

Marc and Ludovic WoW

https://www.facebook.com/ wizardsofwiznan

Wizards Of Wiznan/No Light Has No Shadow/Argonauta Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Wizards  Of  Wiznan  are  a  band  from  Switzerland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "No  Light  Has  No  Shadow"  which  will  be  released  on  September  29th  by  Argonauta  Records.

  Dark  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  more  of  an  atmospheric  stoner  rock  style  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction.  Elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  more  of  a  retro  proto  metal  style.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  are  also  utilized.

  Wizards  of  Wiznan  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  doom,  death,  sludge  and  stoner  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  a  dark  and  misanthropic  exploration  of  the  human  condition.

  In  my  opinion  Wizards  of  Wiznan  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death,  doom,  sludge  and  stoner  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Seeds  Of  Light"  and  "Reign".  8  out  of  10.

   https://www.facebook.com/ wizardsofwiznan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5l5xe1nZiNk&ab_channel=ArgonautaRecords  

  

Karavan/Unholy Mountain/Evil Noise Recordings/Vinyltroden/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Karavan  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  plays  a  psychedelic  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  stoner  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Unholy  Mountain"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Evil  Noise  Recordings  and  Vinyltroden.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  psychedelic  soundscapes  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  Stone r metal  style  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  in  more  of  a  retro  proto  metal  style  and  most  of  the  recording  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction,  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Karavan  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge,  stoner  and  doom  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  occultism  and  the  mysteries  of  the  universe. 

  In  my  opinion  Karavan  are  a  very  great  sounding  psychedelic  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  stoner  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Throne"  "demon  Slime"  and  "Unholy  Mountain"{.  8  out  of  10.

  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karavandoom
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karavandoom
Bandcamp: https://karavandoom.bandcamp.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/karavandoom  

Exdestrier/Glorious Barbarism/2023 EP Review

 

  Exdestrier  are  a  band  from  Scotland  that  plays  a  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  sludge  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2023  ep  "Glorious  Barbarism"  which  will  be  released  in  April.

  A  very  powerful  sounding  bass  guitar  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  heavy  and  melodic  riffing  a  few  seconds  later  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  metal.  The  solos  and  leads  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental.

  Vocals  are  mostly  done  in  a  blackened  metal  style  along  with  some  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times  while  the  music  also  has  its  progressive  moments.  On  some  of  the  tracks  the  riffing  goes  into  more  of  a  technical  direction  as  well  as  a  a  couple  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  clear  stoner  vocals  and  shots  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.

  Exdestrier  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge  and  progressive  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  fantasy  realms,  tales  of  medieval  landscapes, gruesome  warriors  and  a  looming  gloom.

  In  my  opinion  Exdestrier  are  a  very  great  sounding  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  sludge  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Glorious  Oblivion"  and  "The  Place  Of  Grim  Reckoning".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/Exdestrier  

    

        

Born A Ghost/Stairway To An Empty Room/2023 EP Review

 

  Born  A  Ghost  are  a  band  from  Tacoma,  Washington  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death,  sludge,  doom,  stoner  metal  and  electronica  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  ep  "Stairway  To  An  Empty  Room"  which  will b e  self  released  in  2023.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  drum  beats  and  bass  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  while  electronic  sounds  can  also be  heard  at  times.  Vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls  as  well  as  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  the  heaviness  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  touches  of  stoner  metal  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  drones  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  Black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  the  music  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  elements  from  that  genre  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples  and  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction,  one  song  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  vocals.

  Born  A  Ghost  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  death,  doom,  sludge,  stoner  metal  and  electronica  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  drug  addiction,  suicide  and  faith  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  Born  A  Ghost  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death,  sludge,  doom,  stoner  metal  and  electronica  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Halls  Of  Disrepair"  and  "When  The  Last  Light  Fades".  8  out  of  10.

  https://born-a-ghost.bandcamp.com/album/stairway-to-an-empty-room

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5gC4ZGHswB6RoyytmbFa9y

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/born-a-ghost/659880804

https://www.facebook.com/bornghost

https://www.instagram.com/bornaghostofficial/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFOsF67RMhfogNSfnXnrG-w

https://bornaghost.com/   

Manic Abraxas Interview

 

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

Basically solidifying our live lineup and arranging material for shows.

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

To us it’s a progression from the last time.  We spent more time on details, nuances and getting tone dialed.  That’s not to say this is overly produced, the emphasis is still on a raw sound.

3.Some of your lyrics cover occultism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

To us the occult simply means hidden from the public, which describes a lot of our themes.  We aren’t a Satanic band, that shit is pretty much mainstream these days.  Where we’re coming from has no constraints.

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

There’s one song on the new album about a paranormal experience one of us had.  Overall the lyrics tend to be impersonal.  We have plenty of songs heavily influenced by some of our favorite fiction writers…SciFi, Fantasy, Horror etc.  Others can be about how peculiar it is to be alive.

5.I know that the band's name came from 'Gnosticism', can you tell us a little bit more about your research into this topic?

It’s just an interesting topic for us.  Abraxas seemed to be a clouded & unpredictable figure of unknown alignment and that’s the perfect umbrella for our music.

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

We are very proud to have album art by the amazing Gage Lindsten.

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

At this moment in 2022 playing shows seems like a distant memory.  Live is a barely contained torrent - we have forgotten all about society and being human summoning Abraxas in our own primitive way.

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

We have a handful of shows lined up for the fall.  We’ll probably never do real tours but weekends and the odd week now and then as we grow would be cool.

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

Unsigned - we have garnered no interest.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, sludge, stoner and doom metal?

Overall it’s been positive but we’ve also had plenty of hate.  We don’t fit in any boxes so that excites us.

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

That’s hard to say.  RIght now we have a huge backlog of unreleased & unrecorded songs all the way back to our beginning so that may be our next release, a regression of sorts.  

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?

Saturnalia Temple, Darkthrone, St Vitus, early High On Fire, Celtic Frost, Bolzer, Venom, Blue Oyster Cult, Unearthly Trance, ZZ Top - it’s endless really.

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

Thanks for having us.

https://manicabraxas.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/manic69abraxas

https://www.facebook.com/manicabraxas

Manic Abraxas/Foreign Winds/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Manic  Abraxis  are  a  band  from  Maine  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom,  stoner,  thrash  metal  and  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2022  album  "Foreign  Winds"  which  will  be  released  in  September.

 

 A  very  hard  and  heavy  stoner  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Synths  can  also be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  vocals  also b ringing  in  more  of  a  first  wave  black  metal  style  as  well  as  the  riffs  also  mixing  in  elements  of  thrash  metal  and  the  raw  energy  of  punk  rock  is  also  added in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  remain  true  to  an  old  school  style  while  growls  are  also  added  in  some  of  the  vocals.  Touches  of  doom  metal  are  also  added  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  also  being  utilized  briefly  as  well  as  the  music  also  having  its  psychedelic  moments.

  Clear  vocals  are  also  added  on  one  the  tracks  along  with  some  blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording,  some  of t he  riffing  adds  in  touches  of  classic  metal  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Manic  Abraxis  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  doom,  stoner,  thrash  metal  and  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Red  Camo  Rock"  "Foreign  Winds"  and  "Black  Destrier".  8  out  of  10.

  https://manicabraxas.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/manic69abraxas

https://www.facebook.com/manicabraxas  .  

  

Nothing Is Real/The End Is Near/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Nothing  Is  Real  are  a  band  from  Los  Angeles,  California  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  progressive  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  stoner  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2022  album  ":The  End  Is  Near"  which  will  be  released  on  Halloween.

  Distorted  sounding  drones  start  off  the  album  while  spoken  word  samples  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  stoner,  sludge  and  doom  metal.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  progressive  moments  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  add  in  more  of  a  stoner  vibe.

  Psychedelic  touches  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  the  drones  also  returning  on  a  couple  of  the  later  tracks  as  well  as  one  song  also  showing  the  music  also  adding  in  more  mid  tempo  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  covers  the  end  of  the  world  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Nothing  Is  Real  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  progressive  black,  sludge,  stoner  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "THE  (Pt.  1)"  "END"  and  "NEAR  (pt.  2)".  8  out  of  10.

  

Bandcamp

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