Asmegin/Hin vordende Sod og So/Napalm Records/2003 CD Review

  Asmegin are a folk/black/death metal band from Norway and this is a review of their 2003 album "Hin vordende Sod og So" which was released by Napalm Records.

Drums mix some slow to mid paced parts with some fast playing and blast beats being utilized with some percussion being added at times, while there is a variety of different types of instruments being utilized throughput the album such as accordion,flutes, fiddle, mellotrons, Norwegian zither, Jew's Harp, country flutes, and Bajas that give the music a very heavy folk music edge.

Keyboards and pianos when there are added give the music a very atmospheric feel, while the bass playing has a very dark tone and it is all rhythm bass that follows the riffs coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars mix some heavy death metal that also has a doomy sound at times with some fast playing that is very black metal sounding and melodic, while the lead guitars are very melodic and have alot of influences from classic metal in the guitar solos, as for the acoustic guitars when they are brought into the music it brings out the feel of living in the dark ages.

Vocals are a mixture of deep death metal growls with as some high pitched black metal screams as well as some clean singing male and females vocals throughout the album, while the lyrics are all written in Norwegian and seem to cover Norse mythology and Germanic folklore, as for the production on this album which was recorded at Top Room Studoa through the months of Feb-Nov 2002 sounds very professional and you can hear all of the musical instruments.

In my opinion Asmegin are a very good folk metal band that is very original in the way that they bring a death metal edge to this genre, if you are a fan of the more heavy orientated folk metal you should check this band out. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Bruderov paa Haegtadtum" Over Aegird vidstragte Sletter" "Efterbyrden" and "Vargr i Veum". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/%C3%81smegin/3201

Cruachan/Pagan/Candlelight U.S.A/2004 CD Review

  Cruachan are a pagan/folk metal band from Ireland and this is a review of their 2004 album "Pagan" which was released by Candlelight U.S.A.

Drums are mostly mid paced beats with some percussion being used at times while the flute gives the music an Irish folk music feel, and there a lot of different instruments being used on this album such as bouzouki, Mandolin, Banjo, Cello, uillean pipes, fiddle and the Bodhran which brings out of the feel of being at an Irish festival drinking a Guinness.

Keyboards when they are utilized give the music an atmospheric feel while the bass playing is all rhythm bass that follows the riffs coming out of the guitars with a very powerful and dark sound.

Rhythm guitars use a lot of heavy riffs that are influenced by both death metal and black metal with a lot of melody being utilized and some thrash riffing, there is not a lot of lead guitars being used on this recording, as for the acoustic guitars when they are used utilize a lot of open chords and is used more as a background.

Male vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls as well as some cleaning, while the female vocals are clean sung with a lot of melody and a folk music feel, as for the lyrics they cover Irish paganism, with some other topics being discussed such as folklore, Lord Of The Rings trilogy, The war between the British army and fighting vikings, as for the production on this recording which was recorded and mixed in Sonic Studios in Dublin, Ireland during 1993 sounds very professional and you can hear all of the instruments.

In my opinion Cruachan are a very talented band and if you are a fan of folk metal you probably have already heard this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Pagan" "Some Say The Devil Is Dead" and "Erinsong". RECOMMENDED BUY>

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Nagelfar/Hunengrab im Herbst/Ketenhund Records/1997 CD Review

  Nagelfar where  an atmospheric/melodic/viking/black metal band from Germany and this is a review of their 1997 album "Hunengrab im Herbst" which was released by Kettenhund Records.


Drums are a mixture of slow to mid paced drumming with a lot of fast playing and blast beats, while the keyboards bring a lot of atmosphere and psychedelic/folk edges to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very powerful sound that is very noisy and distorted with some lead bass lines.

Rhythm guitars are mostly fast black metal riffs with some mid paced parts that are very melodic, while the lead guitars bring a lot of melodic pagan/black metal solos to the music, as for the acoustic guitars gave the music a very dark edge.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls and a lot of clean vocals, while the lyrics are in German and seem to cover Asataru themes, as for the production it has a very raw feel which gives the music an underground edge with capturing the sounds of the instruments perfectly.

In my opinion Nagelfar where a very underrated band and if you are a fan of underground melodic black metal you should check this band out. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Schwanengesang" Hunengrab in Herbst" and "Srontgorrth (Das dritte Kapitel". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Mithotyn/Knight Of The Distant Forest/Death Records/Invasion/1999 CD Review

 Mithotyn where a melodic pagan/viking/black/death metal band from Sweden and this is a review of their 1997 album "King Of The Distant Forest" which was released by Death Records in collaboration with Invasion Records.

Drums have a mixture of slow and mid paced playing with some fast drumming and blast beats, while the keyboards have a very atmospheric and medieval  feel with a pan flute as well as some other folk instruments being utilized on occasions, while the bass playing has a very powerful and dark feel to it and you can actually hear that instrument on this album.

Rhythm guitars are very melodic with some fast black metal riffing and some slow parts that have a doom metal feel, while the lead guitars are very pagan/epic sounding with a lot of melody that is heavily influenced by classic metal.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some death metal growls being utilized at times and there are also a lot of clean singing viking choir vocals being used at times, while the lyrics cover mostly Asataru style themes with some anti christian lyrics, as for the production on this recording which was recorded at Los Angered Recording during November of 1997 sounds very professional and you can hear all of the instruments that are present on this album.

In my opinion Mithotyn where a very talented and underrated viking metal band and this is a classic album, if you are a fan of melodic viking/black/death metal you should check this band out. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Hail Me" "On Misty Pathways" "Under The Banner" and "The Vengeance". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Mithotyn/364

Interview with Robert of Third World Abortion, Amadeus St. Vitus, Wicked Stench and Exterminate The Brutes Records.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your projects and record label?

1. Hi this is Robert Johnson, founder of Exterminate the Brutes Records, singer/bassist in Third World Abortion, Octagon, and Amadeus st. Vitus. I began playing in punk bands when I was really young and eventually delved into heavier and more underground stuff after discovering Morbid Angel. Back when the record industry thought death metal was going to be the next big thing and you had major labels like Warner Bros. putting out satanic music. I started Amadeus st. Vitus back in 2003 and we have had several independent records that we have put out ourselves. Third World Abortion came along later when I wanted to go in a different direction and couldn't see dragging the other project across the coals. I needed someone to release my stuff so I started my own label, which has grown much and includes many more projects other than my own as many artists are sending in their demos for review and release. The name comes from the novella "Heart of Darkness." Get it and read it. Its worth it.

2. How would you describe the differences between the 3 bands you are in?
2. Really, its just a question chronology. I write based on my mood and the projects tend to reflect that. Amadeus st. Vitus was inspired by many different artists that are not immediately apparent in the music. They hide behind the lines. With Third World Abortion I have been in a black metal mood and also love the sound of tape. Wicked Stench is a project fronted by one of my old friends. It is very doomy death metal.

3. How have the live shows been for the bands so far?
3. Live shows fluctuate everywhere you go. You can pack one night then play to two people the next. Shows have gone well though.

4. What was it that inspired you to create your own record label?
4. There are not enough labels out there that truly cater to the underground. It is my goal to do just that.

5. How has the feedback been to your releases so far from extreme music fans worldwide?
5. Our responses have been excellent and encouraging. It's almost as if everyone was waiting for someone to step up to the plate. With the dying, corporate music world, music is being put back in the hands of the artists. It's a very exciting time.

6. Out off all the bands that you have which one would you consider your main project?
6. Third World Abortion is my main focus right now. The others are no less important to me however.

7. What is the inspiration between your lyrics?
7. My lyrics are inspired by everyday life. Whatever you put into your brain will grow and yield something else. That's something they don't teach you in school. If you learn something for a history test in third grade it sticks with you and you think about that and it can even come out later in the creative process. Look at Iron Maiden if you need an example. Not that they are underground but they are a prime example.

8. What are some bans or music styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?
8. I grew up listening to classic rock with parents that had a bad prejudice to country music. I stole my first metallica tape, And Justice For All, when I was 9. I got into punk rock as young kid and started playing guitar in a band. I got into Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Exodus, Morbid Angel, etc. when I was 15 or 16. I discovered Black Metal shortly after that and have had a love for the underground for many years. I am currently spinning Burzum-"Belus" Darkthrone-"Under a Funeral Moon" Eyehategod-"Confederacy of Ruined Lives" and Gorgoroth-"Destroyer"

9. Out off all the releases that you have put out so far which one are you the most satisfied with?
9. I really love the Wicked Stench-"Spreading the Word. The riffs really get stuck in my head and I catch myself humming them all day. I think that makes it great. It sticks out in your mind.

10. What are some upcoming releases on your record label?
10. I have a split with Octagon and Fjelstad coming out on cassette next month. Great black metal. I have a split with Churner and Last Rape. The Vomit Arsonist is putting out a 20 minute cassette, really brutal stuff. Also, Morbid Anal Fog will be putting out their debut full-length, "Gartgoroth."

11. What are some goals that you have set out so far for your bands and record label?
11. We are going to push things as far as they can go. I tend to never give up. Watch it go!

12. How would you describe the underground scene in your home state of Mississippi?
12. It is actually more passionate than most of the scenes I have experienced. There are so many cover bands here covering "Brown Eyed Girl" that when a band plays originals, people tend to stick together. The metal scene is building at an unbelievable rate here.


13. What are some of your interests outside of metal?
13. I enjoy reading, cooking, and drinking beer. I also enjoy art, as long as it is strange. I'm a big fan of surrealism.

14. Any final words or thoughts?
14. Contact Exterminate the Brutes Records via email at ETBRecordings@Gmail.com
Stay on the lookout. This will not be the last time you hear this name. We are accepting demos at the time to boost our distribution and discography so if you have a project and need a label, we might be able to help you. This won't last so don't wait around. Join the Brute Squad today.
--Rob aka Brute A1a

Amadeus St. Vitus/Codex Diabolus/Exterminate The Brutes Records/2009/CD Review

 Amadeus St. Vitus are a band from Mississippi that plays a mixture of black metal, sludge metal and crust punk and this is a review of their 2009 album "Codex Diabolus" which was released by Exterminate The Brute Records.

Drums are mostly slow to mid paced beats with some fast playing as well as some occasional blast beats that sound very heavy and crushing while the bass playing sounds very powerful and is easy to hear despite having a raw production and it has a very powerful rhythm with some lead bass parts.

Guitars mixed elements of black metal, sludgy doom metal and crust punk together with a mixture of slow to fast riffs that are very heavy with some guitar leads that sound very distorted.

Vocals are a mixture of black metal screams and some screams that remind me of the legendary Acid Bath and some thrash style vocals, while the lyrics touch on humorous topics, as for the production it has a very raw feel but you can still hear all of the instruments.

In my opinion Amadeus St. Vitus are a very good band that sounds very underground and original, and if you are a fan of punk orientated sludgy metal with a black metal edge. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Emptiness" "Severriously" "Sick and Destroyed" and "The Shorter Sex". RECOMMENDED BUY

https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=175235

Speaker Ritual Interview

1. Can You tell us a little bit about your project for those that are not familiar with your music?
Speaker Ritual itself came to be by default. I am the soul creator for the Black Metal band Ssenkrad. During the summer of 2009, Ssenkrad was on a sort of hiatus. I had created many intros and outros for the past and present Ssenkrad albums. While reviewing said Intros/outros, I began to listen to them differently, and fortunately became a starting point to creating more of the like, hence Speaker Ritual was born.

2. Where did you come up with the band name?
I have always been a fan of Drone, Sunn))), Boris, Earth, just to name a few. There was a Boris record called Amplifier Worship, I thought that was a stellar name for a band. I was afraid that if I used that title people would think I was riding the coat tails of Boris. So basically I used the same meaning, just different words. But Speaker Ritual is just that really, using the speakers as a forum to produce music for a form of invocation/conjuration of the song titles. Feelings, and places, realms so to speak. Not words and music, like eddie and the cruisers movie stated.

3. What is it that you are trying to accomplish with this project that you cannot do with your other band?
Alot of it has to do with the fact that when I was young and my mother let me watch Suspiria(Dario Argento)The music to that film scared the shit out of me. Of course others came along, John Carpenters own produced audio for Halloween and Precinct 13, to name a few. Those audio soundscapes took me somewhere, not like regular music, it gave me feeling, not just happiness or anger, but like a story was written in music form, and I could take it or it could take me anywhere it wanted to. They had so much presence. So I look to do those same things as well. If you read every title of a Speaker Ritual song, they mean something. Google them in your spare time, and you will learn the meaning behind every song that has ever be created.

4. How have your live shows been so far?
My home town has no scene at all for this style of music. Fortunately I've been excepted at alot of the College towns, because of there favor of ambient and noise/drone. So far I've played alot in Athens Ohio(Ohio University) the people except me, the clubs and bars except me as well so its been righteously received Their is more of a draw because of the diversity.

5. What are some goals that you have set out for this project?
Personally, I've never enjoyed producing/creating music more then I do for Speaker Ritual. I think I would fit in quite nicely opening up for Sunno))). But in lower more realistic expectations, I would like to be comfortable creating music for a certain fanbase that I could continue and make my sole aspiration in life. It would be nice to have Speaker Ritual be a full time job, it's that fun....

6. o you have any touring plans?
Right now I dont promote, so I take what ever is offered. Basically I get emails, and I show up.

7. According to your Myspace page you direct some movies and have a company dedicated to movies, what are some films that you have directed and how would someone be able to get ahold of some of them?
Film was my original muse, during early 2000 I made a few movies. They were mainly made for the sole purpose of friends and people in my home town, I've never tried to market them. I've made in the past a cartoon, dark evil stick style to live audio entitled "Born into Submission", a black and white silent live action film entitled "EVOL" and a series of compilation films entitled "Snuff Fuck" I currently have two Vols. Unfortunately I cant really advertise those, they are very graphic in nature. The series really took off for a while. For example, I would talk to someone on the internet about it and send them a copy, and with in a few days I'd get 50 emails stating that so and so showed them this sick ass film with reality death and porn mixed together, and wanted to know how to buy a copy. What can I say, faces of death had a huge barring on me as a child. You can see the trailers for the first two on the 60060 sixscore myspace page, but the Snuff Fuck, would be by mail order only. I guess if anyone was interested they could just message me.

8. What are some of the influences for Speaker Ritual music wise or non music wise?
First and foremost Goblin, the main staple of all Dario Argento films. They are a great ambient band from Italy. Sunno))), alot of people seem to see a connection there, recently I was told it reminded them of Abruptum? Maybe Danzig's Black Aria, and Burzum's Daudi Balders and Hildga...what ever? Early Boris, and Earth to name a few. But the biggest influence is my home town and county I live in. It is so rich in history and infamous characters(Mansfield Ohio/RichLand County) every song written so far has been a concept of said people or places with a story inter twined.
9. How has the feedback been to your music so far from extreme music fans worldwide?

I get the most praise from the Black Metal community, but some are Drone fans as well. People into the same things as me mostly.

10. Out off all the releases that you have done so far which one are you the most satisfied with?
So far the only Speaker Ritual album available is "Misteri Di contea di Richland" it is a concept record regarding any and all famous and infamous histories surrounding Richland county. Like I said before, google the names from the titles, to get a better understanding of what it is to be invoked. I'm close to finishing part 2 of Misteri...it should be ready by April.

11. Have you received any backlash from fans of your other band that expect to hear the same thing over and over with?
Not at all, most of them send praise. There has not been any limitations or expectation set.

12. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
Hopefully a more international audience were I can concept worldly happenings instead of soley representing my home town.

13. Any final words or thoughts?
Speaker Ritual creates a feeling that represents reality, not fiction. There are no fairy tales, everything is 100% real. Search what is given, then feel what was written......

www.myspace.com/speakerritual