Ash Of Ashes/Down The White Waters/2018 Full Length Review

  Ash  Of  Ashes  are  a  duo  from  Germany  that  plays  a  musical  style  they  describe  as  being  'epic  skaldic  metal'  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2018  album  "Down  The  White  Waters".

  Epic  sounding  synths  and  acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  pagan  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  which  are  also  added  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  pagan  chants  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  some  blast  beats  when  the  music  speeds  up  as  well  as  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody,  folk  instruments  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  short  instrumental  can  also  be  heard.

  Ash  Of  Ashes  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  pagan,  melodic  black  and  folk  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  fro  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism and  Nature  themes  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Ash  Of  Ashes  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  pagan  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Down  The  White  Waters" "Sea  of  Stones" and  "Chambers  Of  Stone  (The  Lay  Of  Wayland)". 8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NyM2H9BgRU    

Bolthorn/Across The Human Path/Broken Bones Records/Envenomed Music/2018 Full Length Review

  Bolthorn  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  viking  and  melodic  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Across  the  Human  Path"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Broken  Bones  Records  and  Envenomed  Music.

  Battle  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  nature  sounds  and  epic  sounding  synths  a  few  seconds  later  while  spoken  word  parts  are  also  used  briefly  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  musical  direction  which  also  introduces  death  metal  growls  onto  the  recording  and  the  music  also  has  a  lot  of  Swedish  influences.

  When  clean  vocals  are  utilized  they  give  the  music  more  of  a  pagan  metal  feeling  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  melodic  style  along  with  the  screams  also  adding  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  synths  and  spoken  word  parts  also  return  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Bolthorn  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  viking,  black  and  melodic  death  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  Norse  Paganism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Bolthorn  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  viking  and  melodic  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sentinel"  "Thor"  and  "The  Lair  of  The  Beast".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/K9gnP7dbhjs

Suffering Souls/In Synergy Obscene/Schwarzdorn Production/2019 CD Review

  Suffering  Souls  are  a  solo  project  from  Germany  that  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2018  album  "In  Synergy  Obscene"  which  will  be  released  in  2019 by  Schwarzdorn  Production.

  A  very  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  after  the  intro  while  spoken  word  parts  are  also  used  briefly  along  with  some  programmed  beats  also  being  used  at  times  as  well  as  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  as  well  as  some  clean  vocals  are  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music.

  Back  up  shouts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  some  of  the  fast  riffing  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  growls  can  also  be  heard  and  acoustic  guitars  and  female  vocals  are  also  added  onto  the  closing  track.

  Suffering  Souls  plays  a  style  of  symphonic  black  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  modern  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Anti  Christianity,  Death  and  Misanthropy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Suffering  Souls  is  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In  Synergy  Obscene"  "As  The  Truth  Unfolds"  and  "Unseen  Phenomenon".  8  out  of  10.


https://www.facebook.com/SUFFERING-SOULS-Official-155361931188672/

      

Lemuria/The Hysterical Hunt/Massacre Records/2019 CD Review

  Lemuria  are  a  band  from  Belgium  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "The  Hysterical  Hunt"  which  will  be  reelased  in  2019  by  Massacre  Records.

  A  very  epic  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  and  also  captures  the  atmosphere  of  a  fantasy  movie  soundtrack  while  whispers  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording along  with  some  symphonic  elements  being  added  onto  the  recording  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  heat  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of   female  vocals  on  a  couple  of  songs  as  well  as  a  couple  of  songs also introducing  folk  instruments  and  acoustic  guitars  onto  the  recording  and  they  also  bring  in  a  couple  of  interludes.

  Lemuria  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  epic,  melodic  and  symphonic  style,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  inspired  inspired  by  true  events  and  involves    a  hunt  for  werewolves  along  with  some  horror  and  occult  elements.

  In  my  opinion  Lemuria  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Plague  Upon  The  Land" "Of  Winter  ANd  Hell"  and  "Endcame  (The  Impending  Truth)".  8  out  of  10.

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In Shadows And Dust Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new album?
Since the end of te recording in mid-October I’ve been focus and gather material to promote the album and get everything ready for the release day. I also continue to records ideas for the next album and working on a Black Metal project with a French band from Paris.

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of December, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
“Enlightened by Darkness” is lyrically more focused on the Darkness of my minds, life experiences and what I’ve been through/ On the music side, it’s less fast/grinded than the previous one, there are more mid paced moment but the aggressive sound still remains on each track.

3.Your music is very heavily rooted in the 90's era of Swedish black and death metal, do you feel you stand out as being different form the other bands and musical projects from your home country of France?
In. Fact I was playing this music in 97/98 with my previous bands Pelvic Bones and The Evil One, we had a HM-2 sound. When I started In Shadows and Dust back in 2014, I took my HM-2 and started riffing with it, this sound is how I love music. Its sounds indeed different from what’s happening in France on the Metal side, France is more Black Metal oriented (at least in the underground) but I don’t feel different as I just do what I want to do and not looking around to apply the French Black Metal code.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore on the newer album?
As I mention a bit in a previous question, this is all about Darkness. Darkness of my own mind and my experiences in life. Everyone is going through shit in life and I am no exception, I just use my feeling and hell I’ve been through to build around with lyrics and music. I also use some external stories and past event as in Deathlike Silence (just by the name of the song you’ll guess what it’s about)

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'In Shadows And Dust'?
“In Shadows and Dust” comes from Kataklysm song. Kataklysm are a band I really dig because they do music without compromise. They continue to play the music they love and they are true with themselves, that’s what I appreciate with this band.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album?
The artwork is done by Manel-Song Ollé Chin (@woodcvtter_illustration) from Barcelona and drummer for “Expel the Grace” I found very cool his work around the HM-2 / Swedish Chainsaw design, I think it was a good fit for “In Shadows and Dust” HM-2 infused Metal. There are many details on the cover like a HM-2 grave designed and few other items around. I had a vision for this cover, I’ll describe it to Manel-Song and he did the work. He also did past and future t-shirt design for ISAD.

7.On the new album you recorded everything by yourself, are you still open to finding a full line up to play the songs live?
I do have friends willing to play with me live but I prefer to focus on writing new stuff for now. We already rehearsed few songs together and it’s pretty bad ass working with other people on “In Shadows and Dust” material. Live might happen, sooner or later.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
It has been great and I’m always surprise when I send music on the other side of the world ! The first people that supported “In Shadows and Dust” are still here and lived the evolution of the music. More and more people are supporting the band by sending messages, sharing music or buying merchandising. I don’t know if they are Black Metal fans or Death Metal fans, what I know it’s the are Metal fans and appreciate the hard work and heart that I put in In Shadows and Dust music.

9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?
First there will be a next ISAD album out the 21st of December 2019, I already recorded stuff since October and I will continue to do so. I’m also working with another band as a singer / drummer on a very very dark Black Metal project, this will be raw and reminded me of the early Mayhem stuffs.

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?
Influences come from the late 90’ with bands like Entombed, Dismember, Necrophobic, Night in Gales, A Canorous Quintet, Ablaze my Sorrow and all the Swedish Death Metal wave.I listen to different favour of Metal and lately I’ve been into Obscenity, the re release of A Canorous Quintet, Unearth, Inert, Nightbearer, Organic and Revel the Flesh for example, but the list would be very long if I had to list everything.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Tits

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for you support and spreading the work around, we are the Metal Underground

Stephane

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Dark Reverence Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Yes, we are a duo. Lord of Horns creates and records all of the music and Legion sings in various styles. We both contribute with lyrics and Legion focuses on our visual marketing.

2.Recently you have released a demo, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
We chose 3 songs that we felt displayed our talents and influences the best. It has a good mix of goth, black metal, ambient, and industrial. We were able to prominently display Legion's vocal capabilities, which is a key factor of our music.

3.You refer to your music as 'savage goth', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?
I came up with the term to describe our sound. We are a little too soft for metal and way too hard for traditional goth. I wanted a term that represented our sound as soon as you heard it. Metal in general and especially black metal is known to be savage sounding. Goth is more dreary and slower paced, but we use elements of each to attain our sound. I didn't want to go by 'goth metal' because that's still not exactly what we are doing. I really wanted something that represented our black metal influences, so I chose the word savage.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
We have a range of topics that we enjoy writing about. They include, but not limited to, serial killers, dark fantasy/ mysticism, psychological torture, classic horror tropes, etc.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dark Reverence'?
We revere all that is dark, we live in a harsh world and we feel dark themes are more realistic and representative of life. For this project, we wanted to incorporate many different types of dark music that we each are influenced by. Some people like goth, or industrial, or thrash metal. We like it all, so long as it's dark sounding. It's also another take away from our black metal influences. Many bands are Dark this or Dark that. So, the name works well to promote our sound.

6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding your line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
For the time, we are happy with how we work. We would love to share the stage with other musicians, but we don't want to compromise on our craft. I think if we are ever signed by a major record label, studio musicians would work best for us.

7.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 only had one show with a good turn out. We started slow and didn't promote much. Now we are promoting constantly. Our last show was the best, we opened for the Vampirefreak's monthly Cybertron event last month. For being an unknown opening band, we played for about 60 people, half of which we personally sold tickets to. Our stage performance is rather reserved. We wear hoods and have mysterious presences. That's the aesthetic we are going for.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We have 2 shows coming up next weekend. One is in Ardmore, PA at the Rusty Nail. That's a metal show. The night after we will be in Mystic Islands, NJ at the last Castle Corridors event. That's a goth dance event. In the summer we just got accepted to perform at Steampunk Fest. Before then, however, we want to do some weekend touring around the northeast region of the US to spread our name. We are thinking that would go from March-May

9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
We are still only 4 months old, so no interest has come to us. We aren't really looking for a label right now. We want to gain exposure first to make ourselves more marketable for bigger labels.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and goth metal?
We received a good amount of positive feedback by fans of those types of music. These are people I am friending on facebook and promoting to all over the world.

11.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We want to do a few more demos first and then focus on getting a record or distribution deal. Once we have that we would be game to do a full length release.

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?
Legion enjoys traditional goth, industrial, and tribal; bands like Depeche Mode, Eisbrecher, Dead Can Dance, are just a few. I like a lot of styles from blues to hard rock, metal of all kinds, punk and goth. We continue to listen to much of the same as we always have.

13.How would you describe your views on Occultism?
We embrace occultism. I am a nordic pagan and Legion is spiritual, but unaffiliated with religion.

14.What are some of your non musical interests?
We like being out in nature and creating art. We enjoy going out to goth clubs and metal concerts.

15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
It was a pleasure to take part in this interview and we thank you for taking interest in our project!

https://www.facebook.com/darkreverenceband/

Wolfhorde/Hounds Of Perdition/Inverse Records/2019 CD Review

  Finland's  Wolfhorde  heave  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  black  metal  influenced  style  of  folk  metal  from  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Hounds  Of  Perdition"  which  will  be  released  in  2019  by  Inverse  Records.

  Acoustic  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  while  folk  instruments  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  the  clean  vocals  giving  the  music  more  of  a  pagan  metal  feeling  and  they  are  also  mixed  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  as  well  as  some  symphonic  sounding  synths  also  being  used  at  times.

  Blackened  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  some  blast  beats  also  being  utilized  when  the  music  speeds  up,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard.

  Wolfhorde  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  the  black  metal  influenced  style  of  folk  metal  from  previous  releases,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism,  Mythology,  History,  Nature  and  Death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Wolfhorde  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Chimera"  "Towers  Of  Silence"  and "Hounds  Of  Perdition".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/3gDW3NOl_24