Nomvdic 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?

James: Well since we released back in July I’ve been hard at work on press and promo for the album, to try and get the music in front of people. I’ve also been thinking hard on ideas to keep the band and album relevant since we can’t tour the record

2.A few months back you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

James: ‘Euphoria’ is definitely very different from our previous release “Horror” conceptually, so I think the biggest sound difference comes from the subject matter. So, Horror sounds like “horror” as a concept, and Euphoria sounds rather “euphoric”, haha.

3.The lyrics on the new recording are a concept album, can you tell us a little bit more about the story you have covered with this release?

James: From a very broad perspective, I guess I’m covering the general human experience of ups and downs, and how thoughtfulness and introspection can breed even deeper and darker experiences and feelings, as opposed to “ignorance is bliss”. Personally, the story in the album is sort of my justification for feeling like shit about certain things haha.

4.In the beginning you where known as 'As Crusaders Depart' then 'Nomadic' what was the cause of the name changes?

James: Haha, As Crusaders Depart is not this band. Two previous members of this band were in that band, but they’re not the same. Nomadic started in early 2016. We are still Nomadic but it’s branded with the V because there’s another artist called “Nomadic”. I still refer to it with the A though

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

James: I didn’t name the band unfortunately, so it doesn’t really mean anything to me. I think the ‘V’ is dumb but we had already garnered some attention as “Nomadic” so a total name change was out of question, and we just started stylizing it with the V. I guess the cool thing about it is we’re undeniably the only thing that will show up when you search “NOMVDIC”

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork on the new album cover?

James: Yes! I love our symbol! The “-∀-“ thing. I guess that’s the one good thing to come out of the upside-down A. I really made it a point to not put our band name on the front cover of the album or any of the album merch. Euphoria isn’t about us as a band, it’s about the music, and I want that symbol to embody that. It’s very intentional. Also, aesthetically, I wanted Euphoria to be very very colorful to represent feelings and the human experience.

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

James: Oh man. Our tour with The Faceless was phenomenal. The shows in Joliet IL, St. paul MN, and Kalamazoo MI really stand out. We headlined a festival that sold out back in 2018 and that’s one of the best shows I’ve ever played, so much fun. I just really enjoy playing shows. Our live performance is very active and very theatrical. We play to our album back track (we’re not cheating anything haha, I just mean all of the additional sounds are in the back track) so you still get the album experience, but you also get the added intensity of our high energy live show.

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

James: I’m very proud of my work as an independent artist and releasing this album independently, and the releases performance given that it was independent inspires me even more to continue DIY. however I’m always down to work with people who share the same creative vision. I don’t think I could ever give that up. I’m so proud of this album and I love it so much.

9.The new album also got a huge score on the billboard charts in the first week, do you feel this is a very great accomplishment for an unsigned band?

James: Huge accomplishment. I’m so proud. So so proud. I love this album and love our fans. I could cry, it’s so cool.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of extreme metal?

James: I definitely thought it would be more jarring. But we seem to have fans in all corners of metal. I think any elitist of any group would not enjoy it as it’s not specifically death metal or specifically black metal or specifically metalcore, etc etc, but it dabbles a little bit into every single thing. So I think people who have an open mind and appreciate music generally seem to enjoy it. I’m happy with that. I can’t wait for more people to hear it.

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

James: great question! I love blast beats, and I love big choruses and the pitched yelling-Gojira style vocal that I do. So i think all of that will remain. Other than that, we will see where the music takes us. I’ll be writing and collaborating with other people moving forward - people much more talented than me - so we’ll see how it’ll turn out. I have some cool concepts for records moving forward. I’d like to work on and release music at a higher frequency than before though.

12.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?

James: Another awesome question. Euphoria was super influenced by Gojira, The Contortionist, Deafheaven, Sleep Token, Now, Now, The Faceless, Fit For an Autopsy, Spiritbox, and Meshuggah.

As far as metal goes, I’ve been listening to a lot of Gojira to prepare for the new album. I’ve also been listening to Spiritbox and Oathbreaker. Fantastic bands. Uh, I recently revisited the most recent Vale of Pnath, that’s super good, and discovered Numenorean recently and think they’re great. Oh, and I’ve been on an Artificial Brain kick. Outside of metal, I’ve been listening to a lot of Incubus, Jacob Collier, Gamby, Angel Du$t, and Heilung.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

James: I love traveling a lot. I’m actually visiting North Carolina right now while writing this. Hard to do during the pandemic, but renting a car is safer than flying. I work full time as a producer and mixing engineer, so I spend a lot of time working on audio. I also enjoy going for walks, eating great food, and spending time with my friends and cats.

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

Thanks so much for taking the time to interview me, this is really cool. Also I hope everyone checks out Euphoria! We have CDs and merch for sale at store.nomvdic.com.

Thanks again and I’ll talk to you later!

Website: https://nomvdic.com
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/34XRjMu
Facebook: https://facebook.com/NOMVDIC
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nomvdicofficial
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nomvdic

Kosmogonia Interview

1. Hello everybody, we are Kosmogonia, we come from Greece and we play folk, melodic, death metal. Our name comes from the Greek word κοσμογονία (cosmogony= birth of the world). It is an ancient, pagan word that symbolizes the world’s creation and sacred harmony. Our music and lyrics are inspired by Greek and generally European mythology and history.

2.Recently you have released your first full length, musically how does it differ from your previous demos?
2. We started as a thrash, death metal band however, from 2017 we started playing folk metal. Our first album “Enthrone the gods” is the outcome of a three-year long journey which includes our first demos “Elysian fields” and “Triiris”.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Greek Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
3. As we mentioned before, our music is inspired by the ancient, pagan Europe. “Enthrone the gods” has an ancient Greek theme which is a mixture of Greek mythology and ancient Greek historic moments. Ancient Greece is the perfect way for us, since we are Greek, to start our journey through the ancient world and its numerous civilizations.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Kosmogonia'?
4. Kosmogonia which comes from the Greek word κοσμογονία (cosmogony) as we mentioned before, symbolizes the world’s birth and the power of renewal and these symbolisms are the key to our music. This word symbolizes our connection with the ancient world and its gods and goddesses through a “tool” and that tool for us is our instruments with which we give life to something new.

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
5. The album’s artwork (made by Cosmas Hiolos) has many symbolisms. The young lady symbolizes the rebirth of the ancient spirit while the eagle that flies behind her is eternal Zeus which symbolizes the return of gods to Mount Olympus. The volcanic background symbolizes rebirth.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
6. There have been plenty of lives in which we have participated in. We enjoyed all of them as much as our fans did and we believe that our presence on stage takes them on the journey that we do every time we play live.

7.The new album was released on 'Cronus Productions',can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
7. Cronus Productions is a freelance company founded by the members of the band and its goal is to help other metal bands come to the spotlight. It helped us majorly for our first album’s release.

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of folk and extreme metal?
8. “Enthrone the gods” was a big success worldwide. We already have fans from many countries and we can’t wait to play live for them. The critiques around the world about the album are exquisite and we can’t thank everybody enough for their support!

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
9. We hope that we continue to evolve as a band and as musicians and that is our goal. So far we thing that we’re going to that direction.

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?
10. Great famous bands such as Eluveitie, Esiferum and lots of others are a big inspiration for us. We listen to folk metal and other subgenre of metal music as well as neofolk music from many different European countries. For us, ancient civilizations are magical and we think that music may be the only way to travel there.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11. We like sports, reading and watching series and movies but of course we all have different tastes.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. We hope that the corona virus pandemic ends in order for us to travel, meet our fans and play live for them. In conclusion, we would like to give our thanks to all of those who support us in every way possible as well as Dinos Lavrentakis from Woodstock Studios, Marinos Tokas and OGrego (Athanasios Karapanos) who worked hard for our album’s recording, symphonic orcestration, mixing and mastering respectively.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAJINgBopaU

Nocturn/Like A Seed Of Dust/Sliptrick Records/2020 CD Review

  Nocturn  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Like  A  Seed  Of  Dust"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Sliptrick  Records.

  Symphonic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  vocals  being  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  Clean  male  and  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Spoken  word  passages  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  songs  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  a  progressive  touch  at  times.

  all  of  the  musical instruments  also  have  a  very powerful  sound  to  them  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks  as  well  as  a  later  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  saxophones.  The  production  sounds  very professional  while the lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Nocturn  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  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  "The  Wraith  in  Bloodred  Wings"  "Liberhate"  "Wasted  Earth"  and  "Odyssey".  8  out  of  10.

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Eshtadur/From The Abyss/Blood Blast Distribution/2020 Full Length Review

  Columbia's  Eshtadur  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  melodic  and  blackened  style  of  death  metal  from  their  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "From  The  Abyss"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Blood  Blast  Distribution.

  A  very  heavy  and  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly death  metal  growls  along  with  some  blackened  screams  also  being  utilized  at  times.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow, mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  music  also  brings  in a   great  amount  of  Swedish  influences.  The  symphonic  elements  also  make  a  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  they  also  add  in  a  cover  of  Firehouse's  "All  She Wrote"  which  also  introduces  clean  vocals  into  the  music.

  On  this  recording  Eshtadur  adds  more  symphonic  elements  in  their  melodic  style of  blackened  death  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  despair  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Eshtadur  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  blackened  death  metal,you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lowborn  Bastard"  "The  Fall"  "The  Oathbreaker"  and  "Disphased  Dimension".  8  out  of  10.

 https://www.facebook.com/EshtadurOfficial/    

Aeons Confer/Zero Elysium/2019 Full Length Review

  Aeons  Confer  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  industrial,  dark,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2019  album  "Zero  Elysium".

  Sci-fi  and  cinematic  orientated  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  symphonic  musical  direction.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  Clean  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Elements  of  industrial  and  dark  metal  can  also  be heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Aeons  Confer  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  industrial,  dark,  symphonic  black  and  death  metal  and mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  science  fiction  and  dystopian  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Aeons  Confer  are a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  industrial,  dark, black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out t his  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Impactors"  "Plasmoid"  "Nemesis"  and  "Pandemonium".8  out  of  10.

https://de-de.facebook.com/AeonsConfer
https://www.instagram.com/aeonsconfer
https://www.youtube.com/AeonsConferChannel

https://youtu.be/HaECHYqU1G4    

Protokult Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?



The recording took longer than usual, studio obligations, funding, other projects, and I think COVID actually benefitted us finally releasing it, however, all the bookings and potential dates for supporting it this year have gone out the window. We’ve been looking at new merch in the meantime, writing new material and everyone has some extra time to focus on their own projects at the moment.



2.You have a new album coming out in October, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?



I’d say it’s the most consistent. There’s an appropriate “breathing room” here and there but it’s a banger from start to end. The age-old formula works so we try to stay true to what makes metal great in the first place,

Heavy metal is alive and well. Perhaps it’s meant to thrive in a more underground subculture and that’s part of what makes it rewarding. Specifically, musically, it’s a rush meant to be enjoyed either as a whole journey or at any entry point, we’ve ensured that.



We felt the tracks flowed really well and gelled with each other, every time we play them, we still get that rush and wanted to capture that energy and voyage on record. We approached this record with a bit more maturity and consistency so the result is heavier, faster, darker. Of course there are still some party-themed, fun moments but we never wanted to be a one-trick pony.



With Transcending The Ruins, it’s like a mature, refined version of the first record, it’s heavy where it has to be, and there are female parts (exclusively) where they have to be, so it’s not a forced fit.



3. This is also your first release since 2016, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?



Two summers were spent recording the album, we didn’t wrap up until 2019! Some members chose career paths, mortgages, so as fun as that life stuff is, it’s time-consuming. We started demoing for the album around 2017 and playing the odd gig here and there. We’re hometown heroes and faves but it’s nice to try and get out of that circle when possible, so a few out-of-town gigs, some fun acoustic ones too were played as well as some bigger ones around Toronto.



4. A lot of your lyrics cover Paganism themes, which forms of paganism do you connect with the most?



Slavonic/Eastern-European primarily, as that is where the majority of the band originates from and associates with. A lot of us have heard tales from childhood, have seen films with references, or even operas, so those forms, rituals, and superstitions tend to stick.

I’d love to explore (and admire those who do) Canadian-First Nation/Aboriginal forms but I do not think it would be genuine for us – we are still on THEIR land – the real Canadians.





5. What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with the music?



The best teacher is experience, so there are a few personal songs like Feed Your Demons, Troubled Lad and Valley Of Thorns, so of course life experience and reflection play a role. Otherwise, the fascination with folklore, history, and nature is still persistent in tracks like Mark Of Thunder, Oy Kanada, 1516, and Rusalka.





6. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Protokult'?





Inspired and fascinated by various metal genres alongside folk-culture, after a few years of experimenting, Protokult was meant to fuse the two together while paying homage to the past and honoring the underground. Essentially, it’s a tribute to all the loners, delinquents, misfits who never fit in and want to do their own thing, musically or anything else. It’s about standing up for what you believe in and hopefully bonding with like-minded individuals; a preliminary cult, so to speak.



7. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?





The front cover and back were painted by Ukrainian-Canadian artist, Marie Cherniy and depicts a siren-like figure in a pool of blood. She is holding a dove, which represents either the possibility for peace or peace coming to an end. The blood itself acts as a portal to Transcendence (through one's own blood or that of others) and the crumbling ruins behind her evoke a need to move on and leave the past (or current state) behind.



We didn’t want something typically “metal”, but somewhat dreamy, thought-provoking, artsy, and just metal enough.



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



We’ve played a few Paganfests in our hometown over the years, often we’ll play with Arkona when they’re passing through. Great band. In 2018 we did a wild show with Alestorm and Gloryhammer at the Danforth Music Hall which was an unrelenting ritualistic assault, all night!



I guess that’s one way of describing our performance: Relentless, an intoxicating nightly assault.





9. Currently, the band is unsigned, are you open to working with another label again in the future?



We are always on the lookout and willing to review offers, as much as I support and admire smaller DIY labels, there has to be a plan and a sense of dedication, looking out for your artist/client. It’s almost like if you’re not with a major label these days, you’re probably better off being independent. And even then, a lot of “artists” would be willing to do their own thing,





10. On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of folk metal?



   The fans who actually listen a little deeper to the records can attest that we’re more than some drinking-metal gimmick band (I.E people who listen to more than just a single or Get Me A Beer hah!), I don’t usually care for reviews but there have been some kind words of how we are a bit darker, more progressive than initially presented/perceived. It’s a total niche genre/market so I am grateful for all the fans and listeners willing to tune in and appreciate our art, South America, Europe, America, and of course all our dedicated Canucks! (Canadians)





11. 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?



Our young guitar star, Jack has a few things he is a part of. Vias, Pterodactyl Problems, more rock-based but they are always keeping busy and active.

He and Kaveh (drums) actually have a great new thrash band as well- Korrosive. Very riff-based and proper.

Kaveh also has this epic-black metal thing he’s been doing for years, Into Oblivion

And Ekaterina has been focusing more on the folk-groups, which is her specialty.

Meden Glas is a group of scholars who focus usually on traditional songs from the Balkans and Blisk is a group of awesome ladies who do more of the Eastern-European tunes.



Myself, I try to honor Type O Negative with a few tribute gigs every year in a band called Xero Tolerance and I also play keyboards and compose in a symphonic-goth-doom local act, Mortalfall who have just released their first demo/EP. Highly recommended for fans of those genres.



All those groups are available online at the usual sources/links.





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



  Despite the odd experimentation or fascination, most of us are heavy metal fans/traditionalists at heart (Thrash metal, black, death) so that foundation and essence will always be there. With this new release, it’s definitely more in your face and at the forefront. We’ve already started to write a few new heavy tunes in that more blackened-thrash-speed direction (with melodic-folk finesse of course) so whether we’ll release them as singles, a split or even a possible EP we’ll see what happens over the next year or so with the industry and interests.





13. 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?



Of course the pioneers of the folk-heathen genres, Arkona, Skyclad, Skyforger, Bathory, Pagan Reign, Drudkh, Nokturnal Mortum as well as the traditional forefathers I.E Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Emperor, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Sodom to name a few.



There’s tons of new music being released and unfortunately, we cannot keep up! There’s a theory that the best music you keep coming back to is from your nostalgic pre-teen to young adult years, so obviously we still party and listen to bands/albums we listened to 20+ years ago.



New(ish) music that some of us take a fancy to these days include bands like Legend, Solstafir (both unique Icelandic groups), Midnight, Mgla, Ruins of Beverast, Tarot, Black Magick SS and Blut Aus Nord.



14. What are some of your non-musical interests?



With age, it’s essential you stay fit, both mentally and physically in this modern crazy age. I hit the gym, regularly lift weights, go bike riding or hiking in our beautiful Canadian nature, play the odd tennis game, and hit the hills/mountains snowboarding in the winter months. Traveling the world and exploring history and culture is strived for at least once or twice a year.

  I’m constantly engaged in literature, often reading 2-3 books at once, all the while trying not to get bogged down in the fear tactics and politics of the day. Family time and spending time with loved ones is mandatory too.



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


Thank you for supporting underground metal music! We will get through this and don’t let the “powers that be” bring you down! Hails!

Protokult.com
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Skyless Aeons/Drain The Sun/2020 Full Length Review

  Skyless  Aeons  are  a  band  from  London,  Ontario,  Canada  that  plays  a  melodic,  technical,  progressive  and  dissonant  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2020  album  "Drain  The  Sun" which  will  be  released  in  October.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  dissonant  structures  along  with  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  death  metal  growls.

  Black  metal  screams  are  also  a  very huge  part  of  the  recording  while  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  at  times.  Elements  of  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  and  technical  style.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  whispered  spoken  word  parts  also  being  utilized  briefly  as  well  as  some  melodies  also  being  added  in  some  of  the  riffing  and  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments,  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  space,  death  and  corruption  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Skyless  Aeons  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic,  technical,  progressive  and  dissonant  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE "Ascension  Towards  Nothing"  "Dimensional  Entrapment"  and  "Drain  The  Sun".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook.com/SkylessAeons