Astrum Malum Interview

Interview - ASTRUM MALUM
For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
Astrum Malum was created in the autumn of 2014. The first songs were created quite fast since I had a very clear picture of how this project should sound like. The music is done completely with a single software, except for the guitars and vocals. This is how I plan to work in the future as well.

Recently you have released an Ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
 In my view, about half of the music is a combination of quite minimalistic “Neo Classical” sounds combined with electronic Ambient and Industrial sounds. The other half is a combination of Doom, Sludge and Black Metal. In the future I intend to include more Noise and electronics in general, as well as more Symphonic orchestral feelings.

What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?
The themes of the Ep deal with the loops and mirror-houses of human consciousness, and on the other hand spiritual death. Very Alchemical and Buddhist actually, although most of the world’s spiritual systems deal with these same topics, ideally.

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Astrum Malum'?
 The name in Latin means “Evil Star”, at least that’s how I’ve meant it, and is a symbol of basically two things: The human consciousness itself, and the cultures it produces. The project wants to fuse the ancient with the modern, and the destructiveness of Western culture and the spirituality of the East, on some levels.

 With this project you record all of the instruments while you have some help with the lyrics and vocals, are there any plans to hire a full time line up in the future?
 I have had so much bad experiences with working as a “band” with many people in the past, that with this project I try to handle things as much as possible on my own. I am however fortunate to have two individuals co-operating with me with on the Ep with the lyrics, the other one of these also speaking Latin. I hope this will continue in the future as well.

 Recently SisSixSix Music have released your Ep and another recording from one of your other projects. Are you happy with the support they have given you so far?
 Actually Astrum Malum is the only project I have that’s been released by SixSixSix Music. Steve has been very helpful, and has many years of experience in label-work. He’s a pro!

 On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to this musical project by fans of black metal?
 It’s hard to tell, since the Ep has been out for such little time, but there have been a few positive reviews at this point. This is the first interview I’m answering with Astrum Malum.

 What is going on with some of the other musical projects these days that you are involved with?
 I have been doing Black Metal -related music since the mid-nineties, and there have been a lot of small projects, but may main bands at the moment besides Astrum Malum are: Taatsi (creating Nature Mystical Black Metal), and Vinoristi (formerly known as TKNKNTJ, Punk-influenced impetuous Blackened Metal)

Where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?
With Astrum Malum, I will continue along the paths begun with the Ep, releasing a full-length album in 2015.

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?
I listen to so many different styles of music, it would be a long answer to list all the things I love, but in the case of Astrum Malum I have (always) wanted to create feelings mixing Dead Can Dance with the Tron: Legacy OST by Daft Punk (if you know what I mean), mixed also of course with Sludgy Black Metal.

How would you describe your views on Satanism, Luciferianism, and Occultism?
The proper nouns Satan and Lucifer mean today in peoples mind quite the different things they originally stand for, but I have been fascinated by the characters in the works of for example Milton, Dante, Bulgakov and Goethe since a kid. I have also quite liked the sense of humour Anton LaVey had. There have been periods in my life when terms like “Luciferian” or “Satanist” have meant a lot to me, but now at the age of 34 these would not be my first choices of words describing myself.
I have been into Ritual Magick, studying different religions and spiritual systems etc. since my early teens, but these days my practice revolves mostly around Yoga, Meditation, and Kabbalah.

 What are some of your non musical interests?
Besides the above-mentioned activities, I am for example into reading psychology and neurology, psychedelic themes, lifting weights and training boxing, as well as raising my daughter.

Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Like I mentioned earlier, this was the first interview I’ve done with Astrum Malum, many thanks for that, and your support in general! The Ep “Nether Knot” is available from SixSixSix Music, and a full-length album will be released by an yet unnamed label in 2015!

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Abstruse Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the release of the 2 albums?

I am currently working with the promotion of the albums and also dealing a live performance for them.

2.In July, you had released 2 albums, how would you describe the musical sound that is present on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The sound has more space as it is intended through the concept of the albums. This is
elaborated by using the binaural (3d) recording technique which gives the listener the perception of a three dimensional space surrounding him. It is more diverse than the previous works, many instruments, styles in a working whole, a ‘’gestalt’.


3.What was the decision behind releasing 2 albums instead of one?

I had many pieces that would not fit in a single work. Also each album works as a complement for the other. They are one work in essence.

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

The space within us and the void surrounding us or inversely the void within us and the space surrounding us. The different perspectives and philosophical views over life
that shape the mood and our intentions.

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

It means difficult to comprehend, inspired by the statement that truth is hard to grasp, it lies behind the curtains of our illusory world.


6.There are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?

Since 2007 it’s only me. No plans for the future, just wait and see.



7.The band was formed in 2002 but it took 5 years to release any material and it took till 2012 to release a full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the gap between releases?

Since 2010 , an album comes every two years. I think this is not a large gap for a solo project that has many demands of technical, structure-wise nature. In  the beginning things were more difficult and also demands from universities kept things hard .

Actually a demo was released in 2003 but we decided not to let it out.

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

No, the music is very underground for a label to release. They also seek for live concerts that are not doable right now. I prefer the DIY view for now.

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

There has been a lot of feedback from all over the world , such as U.S. , Germany
and it is always a nice surprise to see the albums featured on talks in forums by fans suggesting them to others.

10.What musically direction do you see yourself heading into during the future?

I can speak for the next album which will have a tribal feeling in it. The future is unknown…

11.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?

In the past, Mayhem, Thorns, Bolt Thrower,from the extreme metal scene, Stravinsky, Scriabin, Debussy from the 20th century classical, later Amon Tobin, Bong Ra from electronica. I am listening to a lot of different genres; one particular band that walks great on the crossover path is the Norwegian Manes.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Reading, Writing, in specific a paper for a new musical system I am developing through the years, called the ‘rational system’

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

Thanks for the questions, people can check out the albums and download them for free in bandcamp , here is the link : http://abstruse.bandcamp.com

Mudbath/Corrado Zeller/Lost Pilgrims Records/2015 CD Review

  Mudbath  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  metal,  sludge,  doom  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Corrado  Zeller"  which  will  be  released  in  2015  by  Lost  Pilgrims  Records.

  A  very  dark  drone  done  by  synths  starts  off  the  album  before  getting  more  distorted  and  after  a  minute  the  music  goes  into  more  of  a  heavy  sludge/doom  metal  direction  and  the  music  starts  to  add  in  high  pitched  screams  that  are  very  heavily  black  metal  influenced  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  At  times  melodies  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  all  3  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  on  the  second  track  the  music  starts  to  speed  up  a  bit  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  black  metal  style  tremolo  picking  while  also  keeping  around  the  slower  parts  and  bringing  in  elements  of  hardcore and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  a  melodic  post  metal  feeling  to  the  recording.

   Mudbath  plays  a  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  sludge/doom  metal  sound  that  also  brings  in  elements  of  black  metal,  hardcore  and  post  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sound s very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Mudbath  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black  metal,  sludge,  doom  and  hardcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Shrim  Alternative  Healing  Center".  8  out  of  10.    

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Astrum Malum/Nether Knot/SixSixSix Music/2014 EP Review

  Astrum  Malum  are  a  1  man  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  neo-classical,  dark  ambient,  black  metal  and  sludge  and  this  is  a  review  of    2014  ep  "Nether  Knot"  which  was  released  by  SixSixSix  Music.

  A  very  symphonic  and  epic  neo-classical  sound  starts  off  the  ep  and  they  also  mix  it  in  with  heavy  guitars  and  grim  yet  deep  black  metal  growls  and  screams  and  the  programmed  beats  bring  in  a  militant  and  industrial  feeling  and  at  times  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  At  times  you  can  hear  a  great  amount  of  melody  being  utilized  on  this  recording  along  with  the  slower  riffing  bringing  in  a  very  heavy  sludge/doom  metal  feeling  and  when  solos  are  utilized  they  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  melody,  talent  and  skill  and  on  the  last  track  there  is  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  aprts.

  Astrum  Malum  creates  a  very  original  sound  with  his  music  taking  a  symphonic  style  of  black  metal  which  he  mixes  in  with  the  slower  riffing  of  sludge/doom  metal  and  the  atmosphere  of  dark  ambient  and  neo-classical,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  are  divided  into  a  3  song  concept  and  have  a  very  dark  subject  content  to  them.

  In  my  opinion  Astrum  Malum  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  symphonic  black  metal,  sludge,  dark  ambient  and  neo-classical  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Part  II".  8  out  10.

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Abstruse/Outer Void-Inner Void/2014 Full Length Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  album  from  Abstruse  which  was  released  the  same  day  as  the  previous  one  reviewed  and  also  continues  the  experimental  and  avant  garde  sound  of  the  previous  recording  while  still  retaining  some  black  metal  roots  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  album  "Outer  Void-Inner  Void".

  Dark  ambient  drones  and  atmospheric  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  and  avant  garde  clean  singing  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  get  more  aggressive  at  times  as  the  album  progresses  and  the  distorted  parts  bring  in  elements  of  industrial  while  also  having  the  heaviness  of  metal  and  you  can  also  hear  a  small  amount  of  grim  voices  being  utilized  in  the  background  at  times.

  Guitars  at  times  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  solos  and  leads  that  demonstrate  a  great  amount  of  talent  and  skill  and  just  like  with  the  previous  recording  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  the  vocals  bring  in  a  black  metal  feeling  and  a  lot  of  the  music  brings  in  traces  of  early  1900's  musical  genres  while  they  never  forget  there  metal  roots.

  Dog  barking  sounds  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  some  elements  of  noise  music  and  with  each  track  the  album  gets  more  diverse  and  original  sounding  and  they  also  bring  in  more  of  a  metal  sound  on  this  recording  than  than  the  previous  one  reviewed  whilr  also  being  very  experimental  at  the  same  time.

  Abstrucs  creates  another  album  that  is  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  while  also  having  a  small  amount  of  black  metal  as  well  as  being  very  heavy  and  adding  an  industrial  influence  into  their  sound  to  create  a  very  original  sounding  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  illusion  and  reality  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Abstruse  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde,  experimental  and  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Inner  Void"  "Acid  Rain"  "Underground"  and  "Outer  Space".  8  out  of  10.

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abstruse/378911368826393
BANDCAMP: http://abstruse.bandcamp.com/music

Abstruse/Inner Space-Outer Void/2014 Full Length Review

  Abstruse  are  a  duo  form  Greece  that  plays  a  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  thrash  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  "inner  Space-Outer  Void".

  Dark  background  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  keyboards  and  clean  singing  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  use  spoken  word  parts  and  get  aggressive  at  times  and  there  are  also  some  heavy  guitars,  after  awhile  the  music  starts  to  speed  up  a  bit  and  you  can  hear  blast  beats  being  utilized  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  slight  thrash  feeling  on  some  of  the  later  tracks.

  The  music  can  be  very  heavy  and  avant  garde  both  at  the  same  time  as  well  as  adding  in  psychedelic  and  symphonic  elements  at  times  along  with  a  good  amount  of  technical  guitar  leads  and  a  small  amount  of  death  metal  growls  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  you  can  hear  a  great  amount  of  ambient  sounds  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  when  acoustic  guitars  are  added  into  the  music  they  bring  in  a  heavy  weird  style  of  sound.

  At  times  you  can  hear  some  80's  style  death  rock  in  the  songs  along  with  small  amounts  of  whispers  being  brought  in  at  times  and  all  of  the  tracks  are  very  diverse  with  the  heavier  part s bringing   in  a  bit  of  the  90's  avant  garde  sound  that  some  of  the  bands  where  experimenting  with  in  these  days  and  they  also  bring  in  a  few  seconds  of  grim  screams  briefly  and  the  later  songs  go  for  more  of  an  un-commercialized  form  of  experimental  music

  Abstruse  creates  a  very  weird  style  of  music  with  their  sound  having  some  roots  in  avant  garde  black  metal  and  thrash  which  is  still  a part  of  their  sound  while  the  later  half  of  the  album  really  goes  for  a  very  experimental  direction,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  yet  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  Illusion  and  Reality  themes.

 In  my  opinion  Anstruse  are  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  act  that  have  their  roots  in  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Outer  Void"  :Enchanting  The  Snake"  "Temple  Of  The  Android"  and  "Inner  Space".  8  out  of  10.

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Nervochaos/The Art Of Vengeance/Greyhaze Records/2014 CD Review

  Nervochaos  are  a  band  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  metal, doom,  death,  thrash  and  hardcore  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "The  Art  Of  Vengeance"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Greyhaze  Records.

   A  very  old  school  thrash  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  before  speeding  up  and  adding  in  hardcore  punk  style  shouts  and  the  music  sticks  mostly  to  a  mid  80's  to  early  90's  style  of  extreme  metal  along  with  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  raw  energy  of  grindcore  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them..

  You  can  tell  the  band  is  heavily  influenced  by  the  Brazilian  thrash,  death  and  black  metal  bands  of the  80's  in  the  way  they  structure  there  songs  and  a  lot  of  their  fast  riffing  and  screams  bring  in  an  old  school  black  metal  feeling  while  the thrash  and  death  metal  elements  are  still  a  very  strong  part  of  the  bands  musical  style  and  at  time s they  also  add  in  small  amounts  of  melody  to  their  aggressive  sound.  

  When  the  music  slows  down  the  album  starts  showing  more  of  an  early  90's  doom/death  metal  feeling  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  but  remain  true  to  an  old  school  style  of  death  metal,  one  some  of  the  later  tracks  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  at  times.

  Nervochaos  go  back  to  the  mid  80's  and  early  90's  styles  of  death,  thrash,  black  and  doom  metal  and  combine  them  to  create   a  sound  of  their  own  along  with  the  energy  of  grindcore  and  punk,  the  production  sounds  very  old  school  yet  professional  at  the  same  times  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Anti  Christian,  Dark  and  Violent  themes.


  In  my  opinion  Nervochaos  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  death,  thrash,  black  metal,  doom,  grind  and  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Harvest"  "The  Devil's  Work"  "Blood  Ritual"  and  "The  Legacy  Is  Pain".  8  out  of  10.

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