Abstracter/Cinereous Incarnate/Sentient Ruin Laboratories/2018 Full Length Review

  Oakland, California's  Abstracter  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  into a  mixture  of  black,  death,  sludge,  doom  metal,  dark  ambient,  drone  and  noise and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Cinereous  Incarnate"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Sentient  Ruin  Laboratories.

  Distorted  amp  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier musical  direction  while t he  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  along  with  the  vocals  also  utilizing  death  metal  growls  and  grim  black  metal  screams.  and  the  music  also  adds  in  elements  of  crust  and  d  beat.

  A  lot  of  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  are  heavily  rooted  in  sludge  and  doom  metal  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  songs  also  bringing  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  some  elements  of  harsh  noise,  dark  ambient  and  drone  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard.

  On  this  recording  Abstracter  mix  black,  death,  doom  and  sludge  metal  with  some  elements  of  drone,  dark  ambient  and  noise  to  take  their  sound  to  another  level,  the  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  apocalyptic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Abstracter  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  death,  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nether"  and  "Devouring  Night".  8  out  of  10.

https://sentientruin.bandcamp.com/album/cinereous-incarnate?utm_source=ALL&utm_campaign=8a2a0fb12e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3b1f609241-8a2a0fb12e-512509221    

Majesty Of Silence Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
First after finishing the music we had to take care of the artwork. To us that is important as well. And then of course we had to spread the news for we were absent for quite some time. Now we are really looking forward for the release and what feedback there might come.

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of May, 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?
We describe it as black metal with symphonic and melodic side. Musically guitars are now more of a central point and synths got a bit more to the background. We gave more weight and attention to lyrics than on earlier recordings for they are all in written in german, no more mixed with english like before.

3.This is your first album in 12 years, can you tell us a little bit more about the decision to get back together after a very long hiatus?
In 2012 there should have been the release of a forth album entitled "wie Licht nur dunkler". But we couldn't find any label or distributor that was interested in releasing it and finally the band went to the break and the album was put away. But even during that break we never turned away from music for we cannot let it go. Each one did his own thing be it alone or in other formation. Because we have a recording studio of our own we then thought that we could as well do something together again.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
What you can read in some preview of the album: "With lyrical themes encompassing everyday problems, an ongoing lack of humanity, and the control that wrath has over a person, the band works collaboratively to write music that truly resonates with listeners" is very true we think. We are getting older and think more about what is happening to the world in a critical way. It somehow mirrors human an social thinking nowadays.

5.Originally the band was called 'Culture Shock', what was the decision behind the name change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Majesty Of Silence'?
Well, Culture Shock was back when we were about 13 years old, we barely remember that. In 1994 the band was renamed for the first time to "Parsley" and in 1997 again, for spice wasn't that representing anymore for a metal band, to "Majesty of silence".

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Our best show was in a well known location called "Z7" where many bigger bands stop by in Switzerland when touring. But at that time we where only thre members so we couldn't perform so well. When we were four we had some more show-potential but we were mostly playing at smaller venues where possibilities for special show effect were not so good.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We did thnk about playing live shows but at the moment we are just two and to play live we'd need at least a drummer. Let's see if there is a demand for shows when the album is out.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your recordings by fans of black metal?
Our two first releases were self produced and slef distributed so there was not so much feedback from abroad about them. With the third album "Lichtsille" which was istributed worldwide there was quite some good feedback with mailings from listeners from the US, Cuba and Korea to name a few. For the coming album resonance is already quite big which of course makes us very happy.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We unfortunately don't have a crystal ball that tells the future let's wait and see what's to come when the album is actually out. For sure we'll stick with doing music anyway as long as we having fun making some but there is no pressure for nobody relies on us.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We like listening to unknown bands and new stuff but if we need to tell some big names they are for sure Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and Immortal as well as In Flames, Nightwish and Sonate Arctica. But also music movie soundtracks and classic music influences us.

11.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?
No, definitely not. There is enough talking and arguing about religion going on and there are also enough opinions out there. We actually think it is quite boring to sing about it too.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
When we're not doing music ourselfs we are visiting concerts of other bands. But we too are collectors, video games and guitars are in focus mainly. But most of our free time goes for doing music ourselfes..

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We'd like to say thank you for being interested in what we do. We wish you a lot of fun listening the album and all the best.

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Churchburn/None Shall Live...The Hymns Of Misery/2018 Full Length Review

  Churchburn  are  a  band  from  Rhode  Island  that  plays  a  blackened  mixture  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "None  Shall  Live...The  Hymns  Of  Misery"  which  will  be  released  in  June.

  Atmospheric  soundscpaes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  distorted  drones  before  going  into  a  heavier  doom  metal  direction  which  also  captures  the  heaviness  of sludge  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  adding  clean  playing  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music.

  Vocals  are  mostly  blackened  screams  while  growls  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  at  times  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  finally  speeds  up  for  a  few  seconds  on  a  couple  of  the  tracks  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  and  as  the  album  progresses  spoken  word  samples  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  exotic  sounding  acoustic  guitars  are  added  onto  the  closing  track  which  is  also  an  instrumental.

  Churchburn  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  doom  and  sludge  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  occultism  and  misery  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Churchburn  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  mixture  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a fan  of  those  musical  genres, you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lines  Of  Red"  "Before  The  Inferno"  and  "Kaustos".  8  out  of  10.

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Verilun/Through Fire... In The Sun/Sliptrick Records/2018 CD Review

Verilun  are  a  band  from  Hungary  that  plays  an  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album "Through  Fire...  In  The  Sun"  which  was  released  by  Sliptrick  Records.

  Wind  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  epic  sounding  synths  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard  as  well  as  the  music  being heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  Swedish  style

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  in  epic  in  length  while  the  vocals  are mostly  grim  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  riffs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  they  also  bring  in  a  synth  instrumental  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction  and  some  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  symphonic  elements.

  Verilun  plays  a  music  style  that  takes  atmospheric  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  melodic  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Nature  and  Hungarian  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Verilun  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  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  "Upon  The  Mountain"  "Seven  years  And  Seven  Winks"  and  "Through  Fire... In  he  Sun".  8 out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/verilun

  

Torii/A Judgement Divine/2018 Full Length Review

  Torii  are  a  duo  form  Arkansas  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  post,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2018  album  "A  Judgement  Divine"  which  will  be  released  in  June.

  Heavy  yet  melodic  riffing  starts  off  the  album  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  use  a  great  amount  of  melody  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  bringing  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  after  awhile  grim  black  metal  screams  start  to  make  their  presence  known.

  At  times  elements  of  post  metal  can  be  heard  in  the  music  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  death  metal growls  also  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  songs  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitar  playing.

  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  one  of  the  tracks  is  an  instrumental  and  also  introduces  synths  onto  the  recording  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction.

  Torii  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  doom,  sludge,  death  and  post  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  Conspiracy,  Fantasy,  Social  Issues  and  Mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Torii  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  sludge,  doom,  death  and  post  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Army  Of  Sand"  and  "A  Judgement  Divine".  8  out  of  10.

torii.bandcamp.com/album/a-judgement-divine

  

Sciolism Interview

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



The band was formed after Allan filled in on Bass for a show with MetalTower and the three of us decided to have some fun playing some covers. However, we ended up writing some songs quite quickly instead and decided to to record them and released the EP.



2.Recently you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?



Death metal with elements of black metal. The style progresses somewhat as the EP progresses, with more black metal elements forming the main thrust of the style where the last song is possibly a bit more progressive with some thash metal influence. The vocal delivery is mainly in the realms of death metal, although there are some more black metal vocal parts here and there.



3.The band formed out of the flames of 'MetalTower' and 'Nullifier', what was the decision behind leaving those bands and forming a new one?



Those bands still exist, although Nullifier is without a guitar player at the moment. None of us left those bands, more that we formed Sciolism as a side project as something to do while those bands were taking a break and other members went on long holidays.



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



The main theme of the album is the process of losing belief and shunning rigid ideology while embracing  unrestricted thought and freedom of the mind. The theme of the lyrics roughly follow on from each other as the EP progresses, building a consistent narrative throughout all of the songs.



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



Sciolism is the act of pretentiously expressing opinions about subjects on which one has limited knowledge or superficial understanding .



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



So far we have played only one live show, which was just before the release of the EP in January this year. Leading up to this we spent all of our time writing, recording, rehearsing and mixing the EP. Stage performance is straight forward, no gimmicks or anything.



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



Yes, we are playing at "Under the Southern Cross"  very soon and are playing as a support act for the upcoming Belphegor show in Auckland in May.



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



We're not actively looking. There has been some interest, but nothing worthwhile for us.



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



Pretty good, and more than what we've seen locally. That might change after playing more shows locally this year, we'll see.



10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?



Not sure at this stage, but we do have some new material ready to go. We're debating whether we should perhaps just do another EP or a split release in order to get a follow up release out faster.



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?



As for influences, bands like Anata, Dissection, Voices and Thy Primordial. We listen to a range of different music, Dan listens to a lot of Ambient, Punk and Black Metal, Steve is into Power and Death Metal and Allan listens to Thrash/Death Metal and Prog.



12.What are some of your non musical interests?



Movies/TV shows, reading, making beer.



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



Cheers for the interview, hopefully there will be a new Sciolism release soon.

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Unflesh Interview

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

Ryan Beevers: Unflesh is an extreme metal band that is driven by a need to express several thoughts and emotions and the spiritual aspect of these thoughts that I feel binds all of them together. The band both musically and lyrically is extremely dark and seeks to channel nothing but darkness.

2.So far you have released an ep and have your first full length coming out, how wold you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?

Ryan Beevers: I’d say the sound of the band is quite chaotic and relentless with an underlying sense of rawness to it. The material on the new album differs from the first EP in terms of just the style of Unflesh expanding and morphing into a clearer vision than the first EP.

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

Ryan Beevers: The bands lyrics deal with the praising of Death and the inevitable downfall and deterioration of Creation.

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

Ryan Beevers: The Unflesh name was inspired by the Dark Fortress song “The Unflesh”. The meaning of the band name has a strong relation to the lyrical subject matter. I’ll leave it to the listener to draw their own conclusions in regards to what the name means

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

Ryan Beevers: I had several talks with the guy who designed the cover “Junki Sakuraba” and after explaining to him extensively what the album was about and telling him what I thought would be appropriate visually, he then created the album cover you see now. He did a fantastic job and he’s extraordinarily talented.

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

Ryan Beevers: So far I think each show we’ve played has been special in their own way. Our stage performance mainly is just to present the music to the best of our abilities and to channel the energies that reside within the music.

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

Ryan Beevers: We are playing a special CD release show on May 19th and we have some tour plans in support of the new album that will be during the summer of this year. We will be announcing the dates very soon.

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

Ryan Beevers: We haven’t gotten any offers at the moment and we are sailing by our own winds at the moment in terms of being unsigned.


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

Ryan Beevers: The response generally has been quite positive towards our music. This is great to see but I’m hoping to see in the future a little bit stronger opinions of the music whether it be positive of negative.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Ryan Beevers: My other band Solium Fatalis is getting ready to release our forth record called “Genetically Engineered to Enslave” which should be out around August. In regards to the other guys I know Chris Dovas and Pete De Reyna are busy with Seven Spires stuff and they are supporting their latest record “Solveig”. Chris Gardino just released a new album with one of his bands called Wolfsmyth and it’s a self titled album, it kicks ass.

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

Ryan Beevers: To deeper and darker depths and expanding the sound of Unflesh through more records and more live shows.

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?

Ryan Beevers: Myself personally its always been bands like Dissection, Mayhem, Angel Corpse, Necrophagist, Iron Maiden, Judas Preist, ect… I still listen to all those records these days as well. I’m also a huge classical music fan. Composers such as Shostakovich, Beethoven, Hayden, Elgar, Mozart ect….

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

Ryan Beevers: Not too much for me personally, music takes up so much of my time that I don’t have time for much else really.

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

Ryan Beevers: I’d encourage fans of true extreme metal to go and pre order our new album on unfleshband.com or on bandcamp. We will hopefully see you on tour, thanks for the interview.

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