In Silentio Noctis Interview

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

 -Since the EP was recorded with session musicians,that leaves me as the only         original member in the band. At the moment all is in the open and there are no definite plans for the future. Now we are just waiting to see what happens and what the future will bring.


How would you describe the musical sound  of the new ep and how it differs from previous releases?

-The new EP is in my opinion a lot darker, harder and definitely more symphonic than our debut album. The atmosphere and the all around production is very different from before,for example the guitars are more on the surface as well as the vocals and the drums have a little bit of a more natural sound.

The band uses all operatic vocals, instead of growls and screams, do you feel this gives the music alot more power?

-Well, the use of only clean vocals definitely gives our music a different dimension than using growls and screams.In some sense it can give the music more power and in some sense take it away a little bit.That's really more of a question of everyones personal preferences.I don't think that the use of only clean vocals should affect the meaning behind lyrics though.

The song lyrics are based on a concept, can you tell us a little bit more about it?

-I have a little bit of a problem with explaining my lyrics afterwards since I have a tendency to go in a bit of a daze while writing and I tend to forget what I was thinking of at the time.I guess the full story is really for everyone to interpret as they please but the main concept is kind of blind leading the blind,which in this case is more of a hypocrite leading a hypocrite to their own destruction.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

-After throwing some ideas around we came to the conclusion that In silentio noctis, which means in the silence of the night, would be a nice fit to describe our music.
There's really no deeper inspiration behind the name.



The band broke up for a short time, can you tell us the cause of the split and the decision to reform?

-The cause of the split was really due to lack of motivation and time from other members of the band and it seemed like the best decision just to call it quits.
I didn't really like the idea that some of our best songs would be left unrealeased, so when the time was right I started working on towards getting them recorded.
I managed to find some great musicians to do this with and I'm really pleased with the end result.


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

-We have only played one gig during our seven year existence which is mostly due to the lack of a drummer.

Do you have any touring or show plans for the future/

-There has been no discussions of any touring for the future.At the moment we are just going with the flow and see what happens.Everything is possible though.

On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and symphonic metal?

-Most of it has been great and some not that great.It's always good to hear that people appreciate what you do,it really gives you energy to keep going.Since the new EP isn't out yet there hasn't been a lot of feedback but I really hope that people will like it.

10.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

-Well see,if we decide to release another full-length it will most likely be more in the line of the EP than our debut.



11.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

-I can really only speak on my own behalf and since Elias is the main composer of our music I can't really say what his main influences are. The first metal band that I started listening to was Cradle of filth, so that has influenced a lot in what type of music I want to make and also had a lot to do with the birth of In silentio noctis.
Nowadays I mainly listen to bands such as Belphegor, Carach angren, Azarath,Dark funeral and so on.Most of the albums that I have are black metal in some form or the other.







13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

-Thank you very much for the interview and stay black metal!

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In Silentio Noctis/Disenchant The Hypocrites/My Kingdom Music/2013 EP Review

  In  Silentio  Noctis  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  and  gothic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  ep  "Disenchant  The  Hypocrites"  which  was  released  by  My  Kingdom  Music.

  The songs  are  divided  into  3  different  songs  with  the  music  being  a  concept  album  about  the  hypocrisy  of  God  and  his  servants.

  Song  one  "The  Pit"  combines  fast  drumming  and  fast  beats  with  some  symphonic  and  gothic  sounding  keyboards,  with  the  vocals  being  all clean  singing  female  vocals  along  with  some  melodic  sounding  black  metal  riffing  that  goes  back  to  the  mid  90's  era  of  the  genre.

  Song  two  "Of  Deception"  starts  off  being  a  real  slow  symphonic  song  then  the  melodic  black  metal  guitar  riffs  kick  and  start  speeding  up  around  the  time  the  vocals  start  along  with  the  drums  throwing  in  some  blast  beats  while  switching  back  to  the  slower  riffs  which  fit  in  with  the  operatic  vocals  which  also  never  use  any  growls  or  screams  throughout  the  ep.

  Song  three  "Haunted"  starts  out  really  slow  and  symphonic  while  the  riffs  are  still  very  heavy  for  this  genre  of  music,  then  the  vocals  started  kicking  in  to make  this  song  sound  alot  more  powerful  and  are  the  perfect  closing  for  the  ep,  then  the  drums  start  going  fast  for  a  few  seconds  before  going  into  some  slow  and  melodic  sounding  riffing  as  well  as  the  drumming  switching  to  blast  beats  again  with  the  music  turning  into  a  very  powerful  sounding  melodic  black  metal  song.

  In  my  opinion  In  Silentio  Noctis  are  a v ery  great  and  original  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  band  that  dont  use  screams  or  growls,  and  have  great  production  while  you  still  cant  hear  any  bass  at  all  and  if  you  are  looking  for  something  different,  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Of  Deception".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OHdDolE22g

Toad Interview

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

We just released Endless Night and are already hard at work on the next record.  We're going to tour extensively in support of Endless Night later on this year, and will be playing songs from the record as well as material no one has heard. 

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

Our sound is what would happen if a 1970's American rock & roll band shared a practice space somewhere in the cosmos with a 1990's Scandinavian metal band.  One night both bands are at the practice space at the same time and they watch horror films together. Then both bands end up subconsciously influencing one another. As far as how this record compares to others, Endless Night is our most powerful output to date. It's the culmination of everything we've been involved with in the past.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?

In short, the themes of Endless Night deal with darkness, the unknown, and the power held within. We've described this idea in more detail, and that can be found in our Earsplit press releases.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Take Over And Destroy is both the meaning and the inspiration behind the name.

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

Every show is different, so we learn new things and are fulfilled in new ways every time we play. It's impossible to pick a best or favorite performance.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?

Yes. The plan is to tour extensively. We have several things in the works.

7.Currently you are signed to Comfort Point Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

"Comfort Point is very private. I own it all."

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer album by fans of underground music?

People feel the energy we put into the album, which will always be our goal.

9. Are there any other musical projects going on these days?

Certainly. Everyone has to stay busy.

10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Only time will tell.

11.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We're inspired by far too many bands and styles of music to get into specifics.  Lately we've been listening to a lot of Dio when we're all together.

12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Horror films.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanks for the interview, we'll see you soon.

>^..^<

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Agathodaimon/In Darkness/Massacre Records/2013 CD Review

  Agathodaimon  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  style  I  would  describe  as  being  gothic,  symphonic  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "In  Darkness"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  keyboards  bring  a  very  dark,  atmospheric,  gothic  and  symphonic  sound  to  the  music,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  melodic  black  metal  riffs  that  also  utilize  a  great  amount  of  gothic  influences  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the   lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  gothic/black  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  use  full  chords  and  finger  picking  to  enhance  the  dark  atmosphere  of  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  to  clean  singing  gothic  vocals  as  well  as  some  spoken  word  parts  and  deep  death  metal  growls,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  dark  and  professional  sound  to  it  and  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  along  with  a  couple  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Agathodaimon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In  Darkness  We  Shall  Be  Reborn"  "Favourite  Sin"  and  "Dusk  Of  An  Infinite  Shade  (Amurg)".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

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Nordheim/Refill/Maple Metal Records/2013 CD Review

  Nordheim  are  a  band  from  Montreal,  Quebec,  Canada  that  plays  a  mixture  of  folk  and  melodic  black/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Refill"  which  was  released  by  Maple  Metal  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  keyboards  bring  a  very  dark,  atmospheric,  symphonic  and  medieval  sound  to  the  recording,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  melodic  black  and  death  metal  with  folk  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  pagan  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  which  are  only  utilized  briefly  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  enhance  the  folk music  elements  of  the  album.

  Vocals  range  from  high  pitched  black  metal s creams  to  clean  singing  pagan  vocals  as  well  as  some  back  up  shouts  and  a  brief  use  of  deep  death  metal  growls,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism,  Fantasy  and  Drinking  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Nordheim  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ov  Frost  And  Ice"  "Get  Drunk  Or  Die  Tryin'"  "The  Grief"  and  "as  Shadows  Pass  By".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

http://youtu.be/-Vf9pBjmQT4 

Rituals/Self Titled/ Alerta Antifascista Records/2012 CD Review

  Rituals  are  a  band  from  Phoenix,  Arizona  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  metal,  doom,  sludge  and  post  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2012  album  which  was  released  by  Alerta  Antifascista  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  playing  with  no  fast  drumming  or  blast  beats  being  present on  this  recording,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  black  metal,  doom,  sludge  and  post  metal  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  along  with  some  soft  and  clean  playing  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  sounding  post  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  deep  doom/death  metal  growls  to  high  pitched  black  metal/sludge  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  writing  of  Elizabeth  Kubbler-Ross,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  dark  sound  with  most  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Rituals  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  black  metal,  doom,  sludge  and  post  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Kubbler-Ross  Model"  and  "Takotsubo  Cardiomyopathy". RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Moss Of Moonlight Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Jenn: Moss of Moonlight began as a story.  Cavan and I wanted to tell this tale about a bunch of Pacific Northwesterners going rogue and making the bioregional Republic of Cascadia—a concept that became our first album, SEED (released last year).  Listeners of black and folk metal (and music fans in general) met it with eager ears.  Most recently, we've been working on a ritualistic EP called Winterwheel.  It's set to be released in just a couple days—June 21, actually!

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Cavan: Despite my resentment for genre labeling, I suppose Moss of Moonlight can be described as a merging of black metal and neo-folk. Black metal has become a receptacle for bands without a specific genre, so we would probably get thrown in, too. Genres aside, Moss of Moonlight has a sometimes boisterous, sometimes untamed sound, yet it's welcoming, too. Essentially, we're striving to be the mouth and percussive heart of the earth.  Listening to Moss of Moonlight is like standing naked in the rain, knee-deep in the mud and moss of the Hoh Rainforest.

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

Jenn: Story, earth, Cascadia and Paganism, always.  But while SEED focused more on our Cascadian core (the bioregion's bloody, epic tale of rebellion), our forthcoming album Winterwheel was a step off our usual path.  We recreate and expand upon the rituals, songs, and rites of times past, with a focus on our Anglo Saxon ancestors—their gods, tales, and existential understanding.  The album itself is meant to be a cyclic ritual in all ways—rhythmic motifs, narrative cycles, the huge recurring soundscapes; even the song titles are reminiscent of the nature of sacrifice and reception.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?

Jenn: There's a couple different explanations.  First, of course, moss grows endlessly and everywhere in the Pacific Northwest, and both of us feel an affinity for its soggy, shaggy green.  To take the name's meaning a bit deeper, mosses are also known as epiphytes, plants that live a non-parasitic existence attached to other plants, all the while feeding upon air and rain.  So, a moss that feeds on moonlight is an epiphyte of ephemera, an epiphyte that feeds upon the every-dying, everlasting moon—an epiphyte that feeds on the raw power of life.

With all this in mind, Moss of Moonlight is symbolic of our attachment to the earth—deep, gentle (and, on occasion, violent), and beyond explanation.  Something only music can express, I suppose—ha!

5. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you choose to remain a duo?

Cavan: Being a duo has certainly had its benefits for Moss of Moonlight. Jenn and I are able to creatively play off of one another and really hone the underlying concepts behind the music without too much outside interference. In a world that incessantly promotes so much inattentive corporate-driven thought, it can be difficult to think independently from the bloated sheep herd that is society. Being the duo that we are, it allows us to sort of become hermits together (when writing music) and develop music in a calmer setting. With that said, having more band members has its advantages too, and we hope expand our rank in the next couple of years.

6. Has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

Cavan: Our reasons for expansion are for the purpose of playing shows in the future. Our music has huge potential for powerful shows, and we would very much like to experience that kind of atmosphere and share it with our fans.

7. Currently the band is signed to Cascadian Alliance, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Cavan: Cascadian Alliance is our small independent label. It houses all of the music projects we’re involved in--Cerridwen, Gundabad, Moss of Moonlight. The overall purpose behind it is to assist in the conception and contribution to the ideological identity of our beautiful home region, Cascadia.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and folk metal?

Jenn: Very, very receptive.  Not only are people loving the music, but they're connecting to it on a gut-level, which is exactly what we're hoping for, as we're trying to craft songs that do more than make your ears happy.  Thus far, we've been lucky to hear—constantly—from people so deeply in thrall to this weird thing we call our music.  So in short—fans of black and folk metal seem to like the songs quite well.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Cavan: It is our intention to forge a seasonal counterpart to Winterwheel and bring this Heathen offering around full swing. I’ve already begun the writing process for a second EP to accompany the first and we’re hoping to get in the studio within the upcoming months. Following that, we’ll probably go back to exploring our Cascadian focal point.

Jenn: To play off of what Cavan said above, and basically just be a tease, we actually know the title of the full length that will follow the second EP.  But we're not saying what. ; )

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Cavan: There are a lot of bands that go above and beyond in epic quality, like Myrkgrav and Agalloch, but I also venture off into folkier bands too, like The moon and the night spirit, Omnia, and Stellamara. My influences change with the seasons and can certainly be found in metal and neo-folk alike. Lately, the new Amorphis and Wardruna albums have been ensnaring me with so much might!

Jenn: Yes, yes, yes, (etc) to all that Cavan said.  As for what I'm listening to these days…I love the raw, emotional honesty of Pain of Salvation's new albums, and I've been listening to Swallow the Sun pretty intensely.  I also just discovered Dalriada, so that's quickly becoming an obsession.

11.How would you describe your views on Paganism?

Cavan: Well, it is through Paganism that we as humans are able to rekindle our relation with the earth and our past roots. There is a serious disconnect between modern society and where we come from, and where we get our food, our energy. Paganism attempts to understand the source and process of providing ourselves with that energy and in turn, life. It is true that we have lost many of the old ways and truths to time, however it’s important to recognize that we Pagans have a duty to fill this recent aeon of forgotten knowledge, and build upon what remnants are left. Moss of Moonlight does exactly that. It taps into other realms, otherworlds, and expands upon those remains.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Cavan: There are many interests outside of music to which we tend to incorporate into Moss of Moonlight in some way or other. I like hiking the mountains and photographing nature, and usually some of the resulting images get used for promotional pics and album art. In this upcoming album, Winterwheel, I was able to apply my interests and studies in linguistics through the use of the Anglo-Saxon language.

Jenn: Cavan's too modest to say so, but he's actually (right this very moment) studying to get his Masters in linguistics.  So these 'studies' he speaks of are actually quite serious. : )

I, too, love being essentially any place I can't hear or see cities, or cars.  I'm also a devoted cyclist; except for extreme long distances that have to be covered quickly, I travel by bike, even in the deep of winter.  (My bike, by the way, is named Asfaloth.  The Tolkien fans reading this will understand. : )  Besides that, I'm a published writer—mostly poetry at the moment, but sometimes I write books about enraged earth goddesses and existentially confused aliens.  I also get paid to make people sandwiches.

13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Jenn:  We'll be releasing a music video for the EP in a couple of months, and—as Cavan mentioned earlier—will be entering the studio to work on the follow up to Winterwheel.  Find us on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MossofMoonlight), where we'll be sharing all the necessary details.

Also, I suppose a thank you is in order—so thank you!  Truly, thanks for taking the time to ask us these questions.

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