Hooded Eagle/Nightscapes From The Abyssal Plane/Swamp Metal Records/2015 Full length Review

  Hooded  Eagle  are  a  band  from  South  Carolina  that  plays  a  blackened  mixture  of  doom  and  sludge  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Nightscapes From The Abyssal Plane"  which  was  released  by  Swamp Metal  Records.

  A  very  distorted  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sounding  very  powerful  and  a  few  seconds  later  the  music  goes  into  more  of  a  slow  doom/sludge  metal  direction  along  with  some  screams  that  have  a  black  metal  tinge  to  them  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

   When  solos  and  leads are  utilized  they  are  dark  and  melodic  sounding  and  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  an  atmospheric  and  post  black  metal  touch  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  death metal  growls  can also  be  heard  at  times  while  some  of  the  slower  riffing  adds  in  touches  of  funeral  doom.

  Clean playing  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections of  the  recording and  they  also  bring  in  a  track  that  is all  instrumental  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  both  slow  and  fast  parts  a  the  album  progresses  almost  bringing  in  a  Cascadian  style  of  black  metal  and  some  riffs  also  bring  in  a  touch  of  crust  punk.

  Hooded  Eagle  plays  a  musical style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  sludge  and  doom  metal  while also  adding  in  influences  of  atmospheric  and  post  black  metal  to  create  a  sound of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  based  upon  a  man's  journey  into  madness.

  In  my  opinion  Hooded  Eagle  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  sludge  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I  Have  Dreams"  "The  Path  Of  Eternal  Sorrow"  and  "The  Sleeper  Will  Wake  And  the  World  Will  bleed".  8  out  of  10.

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Illusions Dead/Celestial Decadence/2016 CD Review

 Illusions  Dead  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  form  of  black  and death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of their  self  released  2016  album  "Celestial  Decadence" which  will  be  released  in  February.

  A  very  fast,  heavy  and  brutal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  riffing  and  you  can  also  hear  all of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  a  few  seconds  later  growls  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Black  metal  screams  can  be  heard  in  quite  a  bit throughout  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  a  lot  more  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  melodic  traditions  of  black  and  death  metal  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  classical  guitars  on  the  last  song.

  Illusions  Dead  plays a  musical  style  that  takes  melodic  black  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  blackened  death  metal  to  create  a  style  of t heir  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  anti  religion,  fantasy  and  history  themes.

  In   my  opinion  Illusions  Dead  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Devoured  By  Hatred"  "Hour  Of  The  Raven"  and  "the  Way  Of  The  Deceiver".  8  out  of  10.   


https://www.facebook.com/ illusionsdeadofficial/
https://illusionsdead. bandcamp.com/releases
https://www.youtube.com/user/ IllusionsDead/
https://soundcloud.com/ illusions-dead

Hyperion/Seraphical Euphony/Black Lion Productions/2015 Full Length Review

  Hyperion  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015 album  "Seraphical  Euphony"  which  was  released  by  Black  Lion  Productions.

  Classical  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  and  after  a  few  seconds  the  music  gets  more  heavy  and  melodic  along  with  some  atmospheric  synths  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  an  epic  feeling  and  after  the  intro  melodic  guitar  leads,  blast  beats  and  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  make t heir  presence  known  on  the  recording.

  You  can  hear  a  lot  of  influences  from  both  the  more  melodic  sides  of  the  Swedish  black  and  death  metal  scenes  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  all  of  the  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  classical  guitars  also  make  their  return  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  some  songs  also  add  in  symphonic  elements  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  on  the  last  track  clean  singing  vocals  are  added  into the  music.

  Hyperion  plays  a  musical  style  that  mixes  the  melodic  sides  of  black  and  death  metal  together  to  create  some  very  dark  and  heavy  sounding  music,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  Legends.

  In  my  opinion  Hyperion  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.   RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Novus  Ordo  Seclorum"  "Moral  Evasion"  and  "Blood  Of  the  Ancients".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/user/hyperionsweofficial

Tranquillizer Interview

INTERVIEWEE: Madelaine Kühn / Tranquillizer

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

Tranquillizer is a mixture of Melodic Death and Black Metal, influenced by diverse other subgenres and partially enriched with the use of a trombone. Founded in 2008, we started playing concerts in eastern Germany.

So far you have released an ep and a full length, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings?

To be honest, the EP production was quite simple and the quality is not so high. But it was our first small release so I think it´s okay. On the full length album you can listen to Melodic Death and Black Metal sometimes hit by other sub genres.

The band has been around since 2008 and have only released 2 recordings, can you tell us a little bit more about the gap in between releases?

From the beginning we started playing shows. That was our focus. We started two recording sessions before our EP but we had to abort because of leaving members. During the time many musicians leaved. Since three years we have a self confident line up. It's the first time , we feel as a whole band. For that reason we needed time to produce the LP.

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

In general, human being. We have lyrics about war and death, but also about love. All lyrics of our LP are written to show us that all will come to an end. Whatever Life, friendship, the world. Nothing lasts forever.

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Tranquillizer'?

Some time ago I found the term in a book and while I red the description about it I had to think on my best girlfriend, which once told me, that music is like a tranquillizer. The band especially the singer let´s off steam in place of yourself and this helps to come down. Yeah, that´s why I think tranquillizer is a good fitting name for a metal band, cause who let´s off steam better then a metal band?!

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

I think our shows are energetic. Good shows to let it all out and to mosh. But in every concert you will find time just to listen, for example when the trombone starts to play.
 I remember two great shows: the " Wonnemond Open Air" - Great Festival and one show with Illdisposed from Denmark in our Hometown.

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

Of course: 2015 we played our " Des Endes Anfang Tour" with some concerts in Germany and Poland and 2016 we will continue the tour with club and festival shows.

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

We have not received any interest. We are looking for a label. We'll see what happens.

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

We have not discovered the whole world but we have positive feedback from Poland, England and also some friends in Argentina and Czech Republic.

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

With this line up it's possible to create something really epic! We are just starting!

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 think i can name bands like Dissection or Behemoth but we are also sometimes influenced by sub genres like Metalcore. We are open-minded.

What are some of your non musical interests?

Our Vocalist is a sick motorcycle racetrack rider. In his spear time you will find him with his GSX-R on the track, pushing for lap times. Our guitarist Fabian and our drummer have a fable for computer games and our other guitarist Aleks and myself are the sports fans in our combo. He likes to play soccer. I´m more attracted to volleyball.

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

Go out and support your local metal scene!

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Deathronic Interview

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

Deathronic is a Studio / Solo Project, I composed some tracks few years ago, and wanted to release those songs through an album. Deathronic Project experiments with Symphonic Black Death Metal by combining several influences such as electronic music, oriental…


2.In 2013 you had released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

I have many influences spanning over various Metal periods, from Old School heavy Metal, to 90’s Death Metal, Modern Black Metal, etc. With “Duality Chaos”, I wanted to express my seamless view of Metal, where all the styles are permitted, without focusing on one specific trend of style. The track Bloody Lust for example, has a heavy metal influence while Kalila Wa Dimna is more symphonic. I also experiment clean vocals in the track Anno 1423 which can be considered more gothic or doom.


Regarding the recording process of “Duality Chaos”, it took place at the Parlour Studios, in Kettering, UK, and it was produced by Neil Haynes. The vocals were recorded at the Audio Sound Art Studio in Berlin and engineered by Laurentx Etxemendi (Former Gojira’s Live Sound Engineer.). "Duality Chaos" was mixed & mastered by Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman, the famous Gothenburg Sound!


3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?

The Concept behind Duality Chaos is human violence. The idea is to denounce how humans are still, today, bestial beings. The unending conflicts and wars are a perfect example of this. Mankind continues to kill for irrational reasons. I think that the origin of that violence is the internal duality of human beings (the struggle between Good and Evil). Many of the worst atrocities are perpetrated in the name of subjective notions of good or bad… A duality that gives birth to chaos…We still see every day, unsupportable choking images of  bloody wars, killed children… that violence cycle is still the cancer of Humanity… and this is not the progress!



4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the 'Deathronic'?

Well, The name “Deathronic” is, first of all, an homage to Chuck Schuldiner, an artist who influenced several generations with his masterpiece project « Death ». The other part of the name refers to my electronic music influences, which I wanted to introduce into my compositions.




5.With this musical project you play all the instruments, do you ever plan on expanding the line up or ever doing shows?

I have a side band project “Heavyction” (Industrial Death Trash Metal) and we are currently preparing an EP and also live shows during which we could play, may be, Deathronic’s Songs…

6.The ep was released on Mighty Music, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?


My collaboration with Mighty Music a Danish Label, started after the producing process of the Mini Album. They really realize a good job promoting Duality Chaos!
I would like to thank here all the Mighty Team.

7.The album cover was designed by Seth Siro Anton of Septic Flesh, can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork who brought onto your album?

…Seth Siro Anton is a great artist and he is really supporting debut project like Deathronic. It was an honor for me to have my album’s cover made by him. The Artwork, he created, describes very well the album theme.. and also the atmosphere I wanted to transmit.


8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of the symphonic, melodic and extreme genres of metal?

I was very pleased with the positive feedback and the several encouraging press articles I received… especially with this being my debut release. The songs Kalila wa Dimna & Disharmonia Part II … was nominated in the Independent Music Awards (Metal Song Category). I was really surprised and pleased by this nomination.

9.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see t=yourself heading into as a musician in the future?

Well, I’m currently focusing on my side Project “Heavyction” but I’m also working on next Deathronic’s release, the next album, a full length one. Several songs are ready but I will take the necessary time to release it.



10.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?

As said before, regarding my influences, it’s spanning over various Metal periods, from Old School heavy Metal (King Diamond) to 90’s Death Metal (Of course Death Chuck Chuldiner’s Masterpiece) until Modern Black Metal, etc… also over some electronic & world music…

Currently I’m listening to some Friends releases. The French scene is really rich with talented bands… For example an awesome new release “Toxic Waste Blues” from the Death Thrash’n Roll Parisian band “Corrosive Elements”. I recommend that great album!

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Philosophy (especially Derrida’s Trend of thinking), Economics, Technology (I'm working in the field of Information Technology), History, Ecology… and I use some of those interests to build artistic concepts, for example on ”Anno 1423” Music Video that describes a projection of a post apocalyptic environment …


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

I would like to thank “A Different Shade Of Black” Webzine for supporting Deathronic and emerging projects…

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The Canyon Observer 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?
We are regrouping and getting our strength back as the release was really intense emotionaly , physically and financially.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
New stuff is much more aggressive. We just didn't care what kind of album we are making, genre speaking. We just played from the heart and FVCK is what happened. We experimented with new rhythms, new sound, vocal range and style. We just did what had to be done and this is what happened.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
We explore topics like self discovery, sex, BDSM & general mindfucks through the use of psychedelics.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'The Canyon Observer'?
Go on a psychedelic trip in a canyon listening to our music and than tell us.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We always go all-out during a show. Whether there is 5 people on the show or 500. We like it raw & without a lubricant. Just pure penetration of sound and visuals that give us a braingasm. There were so many great shows that i couldn't even pick just a few. We love it when the folks get into the music and get close to the stage, get close to the sound and participate in the show. It makes us give even more energy and the show is even more fucked up that way.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Nik?
Well, from 19th till 28th of February we are going on a Brutal Winter Fest 2016, which is a tour in Cuba. So that's a big thing for us now and we are really stoked about it.
And we are also playing some summer festivals.
Metal Days being one of them.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the deal you have signed with 'KAPA Records'?
Nik?
Jacuzzi and bitches. and also they've helped us a lot with promotion of "FVCK" and many times they've financially backed us up for our tours (also this Cuban one, we couldn't do it without them), CDs, vinyls, you name it! They are really great gals/guys and we are forever grateful to them.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your albums by fans of underground and extreme music?
The feedback was awesome. First VOX offered to co-release the album, the guys from No clean singing premiered our album, we got tons of reviews from abroad and we couldn't be happier with the result. We poured our hearts and souls into this album and the people took it with respect and love. We appreciate all the guys and gals that supported us and hope to see you at a show soon!

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Thats a trick question. We believe that if you decide strictly for a genre you can only make something that has already been done. If you think outside of the genre we believe you can still make something special and unique to what the initial idea of the music was. So I don't know. We will see where the music takes us.

10.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?
We have had so much different influences, from sludge bands up to black metal & noise so we just couldn't go into details what we use and what just flows out. We just go with the flow, the way music should be made.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Cats & drugs.

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

Regards,
Tine

https://www.facebook.com/TheCanyonObserver/

Nidafjoll/Endir/2015 Full Length Review

  Nidafjoll  are  a  solo  project  from  Iceland  that  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  pagan/black  metal  with elements  of  folk  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2015  album  "Endir".

  Thunder  and  rain  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk instruments  being  added  onto  the  recording  a  few  seconds  later  and  clean  singing  pagan  vocals  and  o   the  second  track  the  music  gets  more  heavy,  melodic  and  symphonic  along  with  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  use  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  some songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  they  also  mix  the  heavy,  symphonic  and  folk  elements  together  quite  a bit  throughout  the  tracks  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  one  of  the  tracks  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  a  couple  of  instrumentals  being  present  on  the recording  and  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Nidafjoll  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  epic  and  atmospheric  while  also  mixing  in  elements  of  folk  and  pagan  metal  to  create  s  style  of  his  own,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  a  tragic  love  story  that  revolves  around  the  Norse  myth  Ragnarok.

  In  my  opinion  Nidafjoll  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  pagan/black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Forsja  Frigger"  "Svart  Tar"  and  "Troda  Halir  Helveg".  8  out  of  10.

https://nidafjoll.bandcamp.com/releases