Antartandes/Illvsio Machina/Australis Records/2019 EP Review

  Antartandes  are  a  band  from  Chile  that  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  ep  "Illvsio  Machina"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Australis  Records.

  Ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  musical  direction.  At  times  the  vocals  sound  very  deep  while  synths  and  symphonic  elements  are  also  mixed  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  and  after  awhile  black  metal  screams  are  added  onto  the  recording.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Antartandes  plays  a  style  of  black  emtal  that  is  very  dark,  symphonic  and  melodic  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  Luciferian, Occultism,  Battles  and  Death  themes.

In  my  opinion  Antartandes  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of t his  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out t his  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lucifer  Arquetipo  Acorporeo"  and  "This  Is  The  Flame".  8  out  of  10.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcwHeh5hb7k&fbclid=IwAR0Y7Glz9dkc6xr3TYF2CXXjwpv9HRtf66UQSIZijSRcMvRgXJ6uI2xzydQ&app=desktop    

Tyrmfar 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 played 5 shows in Germany and Switzerland. Managing digital distribution and our new brand merch. The release party will be the 22 of June in Martigny.

2. You have a new album coming out in June, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
The diversity of the riffs is even more noticeable in this new album. Indeed, these are more sought-after and correspond as closely as possible to the style we want to make appear.
We have also the sound quality that we want.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?
In this album the lyrics are talking about how and why the humankind is destroying itself. It talks about chaos and desolation. It’s a kind of story who follows the track number. It starts with the arrival of evil forces and ends with the end of the world.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Tyrmfar'?
It’s a secret ;)

5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
We asked our friend from Venezuela, John Quevedo Janssens, to draw the artwork for our new album. We send him a description of what we wanted and what the albums talks about and he did this awesome painting for us. We’re really satisfied about that.

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?
Last year we played on the second stage of the Metaldays. It was such a great experience. We also played at the mighty Z7 in Pratteln.
On stage we’re all full of energy, headbanging the most we can and trying to give our best performance on each show. For all of us it’s always exciting to play a show, wherever it is.

7. Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We have 3 shows planned in Germany and 2 in Switzerland. Other shows will be soon confirmed for France, Germany and Italy. No touring yet.

8. Currently the band is signed to 'MTAF Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
MTAF is the 2nd label of our friend Asterix. The first one, Asgaard Hass, being intended for black metal projects, so the 2nd label has been created to allow other bands in other kinds of metal to be under a label.

9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
Pretty well. I mean, we’re not a big band but we sold our merch worldwide and we have good feeedbacks all around the world. For the new album, we have pre orders in England, Ireland, Denmark, Canada, Germany and Switzerland.

10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We will continue to compose in the same vein as our last two albums because that is what makes Tyrmfar so strong. Trying to improve the diversity of the riffs, the quality of the lyrics and the structure of the songs.

11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and what are you listening to nowadays?
Most of the people will tell you Amon Amarth but they are wrong. We are mainly influenced by bands like Kataklysm, At the Gates or Hypocrisy for the Death Metal parts of our music and inspired by Sargeist, Angantyr, Imperium Dekadenz… for the Black Metal passage.

12. What are some of your non musical interests?
We live in the South of Switzerland, in the mountains.. so we all like hiking and enjoy the wilderness with beers or some wine and good stuff. I think it’s part of our music influences too.

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
First thanks for the opportunity to write those few words and express ourselves.
We are extremely motivated and we already working on the next album. It will probably be recorded at the beginning of next year.
Cheers.

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Ov Lustra/Tempestas/Black Lion Records/2019 CD Review

  Ov  Lustra  are  a  band  from  Arizona  that  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "Tempestas"  which  will  be  released  on  June  9th  by  Black  Lion  Records.

  A  very  cinematic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  orchestral and symphonic  sounds  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music.  Vocals  bring  in  a  decent  mixture  of  both  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while t he  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Choir  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  music  while  one  track  also  introduces  stringed  instruments  onto  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  some  of t he  mid  tempo  sections  add  in  slam  style  breakdowns  and  the  last  4  tracks  are  orchestral  instrumentals.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics are  a  concept  album  involving  a  character known  as  'The  Speaker'  and  his  journey.

  In  my  opinion  Ov  Lustra  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Ritual"  "The  Orator"  and  "Ov  Lustra".  8  out  of  10.

https://ovlustrablacklion.bandcamp.com/album/tempestas     

Orquilux Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
1. Orquìlux is a duo band from Italy more specifically Abruzzo, Teramo, we combine emotional sound with folk, symphonic and metal, creating a "cinematic sound". We've been together for 3 years, we did different projects that's never showed up, the first one was "Hiraeth" a progressive metal/rock band & the other one "Nortia" Progressive Sci-fi Metal. we wasn't pleased with this two and after some time we decided to start again and name us "Orquìlux" an Atmospheric Black Metal band or as we prefer Cinematic Metal.

2.So far you have released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
2. so yes for "the Sunset of my last breath" we wanted to figure a harmonious dream that goes from a peaceful spring to how the title say at "last breaths" of the life with all emotions flow inside the brain in the last seconds of life.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with your music?
3. well, we try to describe the feeling of the song i mean, all album/ep have a story inside and can reach from sorrow to romantic topic, is all based on what the concept of the album/ep is

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Oqquilux'?
4. The Meaning of "Orquìlux" is Eyes of brightness. Orquì is from the spanish word "Orquìdea"= "Orchid" we take "Orquì" and make is meaning "Eyes".
lux is from latin and meaning "Light/bright" so we unite Orquìdea and lux to make = Orquìlux.
the ispiration behind that is to take everyone in this part of brightness, like a multi-feeling moment when you watch someone you maybe love( or things like that) and it's like every sounds/moments becomes harmonious and with a sense of peace and warm.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
5. yes, the artwork is a image of how a last sunset can be in our life, immersed in a nature place with nothing else but only our monument that reflect every memory in the rays of the sun.

6.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to work as a duo?
6. mmh for the part of composing we stay a duo couse we prefer it, but we are up to find a drummer for recording parts. (anyway we have other two members, two singer: a female one and a male one.)

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
7. well, some months ago we signed a contract with the label "This Winter Will Last Forever"
we are just waiting for finalize some important parts.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, folk and symphonic metal?
8. we received good and precious reviews from underground magazines/blog, i'm impressed how every review i read was so good, motivating and really helpful, i love reads how other people thinks about our music.

9.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?
9. only me the main composer, i have my solo-project "Aralus" that i'm starting to process when we finish this Debut album.

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

10. how i said at the previous answer, we are working on our debut album named "The Desire to vanish myself" a concept album based on a emotional trip with various sound influences.
for the upcomings albums we are probably trying to reach the "Cinematic experience" a great focused concepts both lyrically and audibly.

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?
11. our inspiration grow with band like xanthochroid,alcest,arstidir,ulvesang,agalloch,aquilus,opeth,two steps from hell and some Soundtracks from Final Fantasy games and many other. i've listening some various artist like cinematic,black/progressive metal,prog rock,pop,jazz and folk.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
12. some of mine non musical interests is art,photography,bodybuilding,videogames and the long walk in nature and i spend most of my free time with my girlfriend. Drake(the second composer) spend his time on writing poetry or story or just spend his time with videogames is a good chef too.

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

13. Thanks for the interview and the support you give to us, we hope the people will like our future albums and ideas and have an opportunity to discover our music!.

https://www.facebook.com/Orquilux/

Orquilux/The Sunset Of My Last Breath/2019 EP Review

  Orquilux  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2019  ep  "The  Sunset  Of  My  Last  Breath".

  Nature  sounds  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  bring  elements  of  folk  into  the  music.  When  synths  are  utilized  they  give  the  songs  more  of  a  symphonic  feeling  as  well  as  some  stringed  instruments  also  being  utilized  in  some  parts  of  the  recording.

  The  folk  and  symphonic  elements  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  throughout  the  recording.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  instrumentals  while  one  song  also  introduces  clean  vocals  into  the  music  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  also  being  utilized  at  times.

  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  music  also  adding  orchestra  touches  and  Irish  flutes  into  some  parts  of  the  recording,  the  music  mostly  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature  and  memory  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Orquilux  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  folk  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tempered  by  A  Tormenting  Memory"  and  "A  Land,  A  River,  That  Goes  With  Us".  8  out  of  10.

https://orquilux.bandcamp.com/releases

Wykan/Brigid: Of The Night/2019 EP Review

  Wykan  are  a  band  from  Montreal,  Quebec,  Canada  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  psychedelic  doom  metal,  stoner  rock  and  heavy  blues  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2019  ep  "Brigid:  Of  the  Night"  which  will  be  released  in  June.

  Clean  guitars  start  off  the  ep  while  the  solos  and  leads  add  in  touches  of  blues  rock  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful.

  Elements  of  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  use  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  The  music  also  adds  in  a  good  amount  of  stoner  rock  touches  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  growls  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  On  this  recording  Wykan  remains  true  to  their  mixture  lack,  psychedelic  doom  metal,  stoner  rock  and  heavy  blues  from t heir  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  Celtic  Paganism  and  Mythology.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Wykan  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  lack,  psychedelic  doom  metal,  stoner  rock  and  heavy  blues,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Breo  Saighead".  8  out  of  10.

http://bravewords.com/news/exclusive-wykan-premieres-breo-saighead-triple-goddess-single   

Ontborg Interview

BAND: ONTBORG
(Antworten von Ontborg)


1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Our Band is called Ontborg and an all the members are based in South Tyrol, which is situated in the North of Italy. Three of us were part of “Voices Of Decay” for 20 years, and after the split-up we decided to found this new band to take a different direction. Harald on bass guitar completes the lineup, he played with Graveworm for many years and is the same age as we are, so the band chemistry works fantastically.

2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
With this album we would like to pay homage to the sound of the albums we grew up with. We wanted to record a straightforward album, with the spirit of bands like dismember, benediction and dissection. Besides the rawness we tried to keep the songs melodic at the same time, so we think it`s a mix between old school death metal and blackened melodies.

3.The band formed out of the ashes of 'Voices Of Decay', what was the decision behind breaking up the band and forming a new one?
We all felt it was time for change in every way after this long time. We wanted to purify the sound, going back to our roots and restart with new energy and passion.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?
Most of the lyrics don‘t have a special story or background, the focus by writing the lyrics was more set on how they translate the dark feeling and atmosphere of the song.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ontborg'?
Ontborg is an imaginary name, composed by two swedish words: “ont” means pain and “borg” means castle. The idea behind that, was to convey the feeling of gloom.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The cover artwork was created by the very talented Juanjo Castellano from Spain. Figuring out how creating the cover was a matter of minutes. We send him 3 covers we liked, mentioned things we don’t like in general on covers, and he came back with that awesome painting! We changed nothing, it was just perfect for our music and he nailed our taste right away.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
To be honest, with Ontborg we didn`t play any show until now. With Voices Of Decay we were on stage for many times and we had a lot of shows to remember. Now we decided to record the album first. On the release day of the album we have our first gig, after that some shows are already confirmed and we are looking forward to perform our songs live on stage. We think we are, like with Voices Of Decay, a very energetic band on stage.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
As said before, some gigs are already confirmed, like the “Rock im Ring” Festival in Italy with Bands like Enter Shikari, Eskimo Callboy and Rise Of The Northstar. We ware looking forward to play as much as possible, maybe there will also be the possibility to do a small tour.

9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
For this album we didn`t look for a records label. We wanted to do all by our self. But for the next album it would be interesting and maybe there will be the possibility if this album is well received.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of melodic black and death metal?
We're getting the first reviews these days, so we are very curious how our sound will be received in the different countries. We must to remember that we are playing a kind of death metal sound that was popular 20 years ago, so we can't say what the reactions will be.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We have no concrete plans for the next release at this moment. For sure we will stay true to this old school sound, but still try to improve the songwriting and not to repeat ourselves.

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?
Our influences are clear to hear, Unleashed, Dismember, Necrophobic, Entombed, Dissection, all the great bands with a Scandinavian sound and unique spirit from the late nineties. Beside these influences every band member hears very different sounds today.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Also the non-musical interests of the band members are very different. Lukas runs a recording studio besides his work, Christoph writes books, and Harald is self-employed.


14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview and interest, and we are looking forward to see some of you somewhere live in front of the stage!

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