Withering Soul/Last Contact/Mortal Music/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Chicago,  Illinois's  Withering  Soul  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  a  melodic  style  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Last  Contact"  which  will  be  released  in September  by  Mortal  Music.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  along  with  some  keyboards  also  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  album.

  One  of  the  tracks  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  music  also  moving  away  from  the  gothic  elements  that  where  more  present  on  their  previous  releases  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording,  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  melodic  vocals  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  communications  between  the  living  and  the  deceased.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Withering  Soul  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Allergy  Of  The  Void"  "Ascent  To  Madness"  and  "Uncharted  Course".  8  out  of  10.

https://witheringsoul.bandcamp.com/ 

https://www.facebook.com/witheringsoulband 

https://youtu.be/q9HanvXiWlw

  

Hexenklad/Heathenheart/CDN Records/2021 CD Review

 

    Hexenklad  are  a  band  from  Ontario,  Canada  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Heathenheart"  which  will  be  released  on  July  23rd  by  CDN  Records.

  Melodic  riffing  starts  off  the  album  while  clear  chants  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  black  metal  screams,.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  When  keyboards  and  orchestrations  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  symphonic  feeling.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  clean  pagan  vocals  also  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  and  acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  Elements  of  folk  music  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  as  well  as  some  tribal  style  percussion  also  being  used  briefly,  one  of  the  later  tracks is  also  an instrumental  and  towards  the  end  clarinets  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Norse  Paganism  and  heathenism  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hexenklad  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black  and  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Heathenheart"  "Dark  Moon  In  Capricorn"  "A  Thousand  Paths  To  Wisdom"  and  "Upon  The  Wings  of  Valkyries".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook.com/hexenklad 
Instagram.com/hexenklad
Hexenklad.bandcamp.com
Spotify

Psychomancy Interview

 

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

 

Psychomancy is a musical project that emerged in Medellín Colombia in 2020. It is a function of different trends such as Black Metal, Death Metal, Industrial and Symphonic Metal. The lyrics speaks mystical and ancestral themes in conjunction with lost memories of ancient cultures.

 

2.You have a new album coming out in July, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

 

We started production of a second full-length, currently we are in the pre-production stage. We hope to release it at the end of this year. It is a continuation of our first album Divine Archetype in which we will deal with themes associated with the shamanic spiritual world and darkness from ritual magic.

 

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

 

The general concept of the album is the mysticism of ancient cultures and the archetypes about the origin of the human being. In Our Divine Archetype album, themes related to the archetype of God and Gods from other cultures, visitors from other worlds, the power of faith over man and the origin of darkness are addressed.

 

4.You also made some reference to 'Vimina's and Eliphas Levi, do you have some interests in Vedic Mythology and Western occultism?

 

We do not deal directly with themes related to the occultism but some of our lyrics were inspired by a book of traditional fables by the famous occultist Eliphas Levi, for example the song Exiled from our album and the song Dead Tree. Regarding Vedic mythology, it is a culture that awakens our interest, especially because of the ritual magic that surrounds its knowledge. Although we have not delved much into their beliefs, we do deal with some issues related to visitors from other worlds and the idea of superior beings that have populated the earth in other times.

 

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

 

Psychomancy is an ancient ritual magic practice where matter is controlled through thought and mental power. Very strongly practiced by shamans in different cultures. We gave this name to the project because it translates very well the atmosphere we want to give to the music.

 

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

 

The album cover was thought before the lyrical construction of the album, each element refers to the different songs, for example the shaman has a fusion of cultures in his composition from the eastern to the western in the posture and accessories. The elements where the shaman is sitting speak of the archetype of time and the stars of our solar system, the ruins are typical of the Hindu religion creating a little that mystical environment that we want to represent.

 

 

7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

 

We are thinking of increasing our line-up for this next album in order to deliver a better quality product, we have been working to find the right musicians for the project that allow us to continue with the sonic essence created.

 

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

 

At the moment it is not a priority for us, but of course we are looking for a label that can help us grow and reach more audience.

 

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

 

Our music is a combination of many genres, among these those previously mentioned, we try to give a broader perspective to what we do and from our perception regarding what the audience can contribute, we consider that it has been well accepted by listeners of different genres. we would dare to say that the listeners of the symphonic and melodic metal are the ones who had the best reaction to our music

 

10.What is going on with 'Gaias Pendulum' these days, a band that also shares a couple of the same members?

 

 

Gaias Pendulum is a currently active band, with more than 20 years of experience and that released their last album called "Arhat" last November 2020 and is a very important reference of gothic metal in South and Central America. Psychomancy was born from two of the members of this band in order to project and create new musical proposals and project a more mature and versatile sound than Gaias Pendulum is.

 

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

 

Our projection into the future is to be able to position our music worldwide and show that in countries like ours there are also musical proposals that can compete with the European and Asian markets.

 

 

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 main musical influences are bands like Samael, Rotting Christ, Septicflesh, Moonspell among others and recently we have discovered very good bands according to our musical tastes such as Ex Deo, In Vain, October Tide, My Dying Bride. 

 

 

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

 

Psychomnancy is a new project that currently consists of only two members, which was born under a world in a pandemic. For which it has not been possible to reach any scenario yet and it is not our objective either. We would rather see this project as a projection of new ideas and sounds designed mainly to reach and beheard by people all over the world.

Website: https://psychomancy.info
Bandcamp: https://psychomancy.bandcamp. com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Psychomancy.band
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ psychomancy
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ artist/14rDuMIdUdtjWTqmVXXyxz? si=DfFHUoR_TVeK-NMv6zscFw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ psychomancy.band/

Ænigmatum/Deconsecrate/20 Buck Spin/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Ænigmatum  are  a  band  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Deconsecrate"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  20  Buck  Spin.

  Drums  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  The  songs  also  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  both  modern  and  old  school  influences  along  with  the  faster  riffing  also  adding  in  some  tremolo  picking.

  One  track  also  introduces  clean  playing  onto  the  recording  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  one  song  also  being  an  instrumental  which  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  synths  and symphonic  sounds  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  esoteric  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Ænigmatum  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  deat h metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Forged  From  Bedlam"  "Fracturing  Proclivity"  and  "Animus  Reflection".  8  out  of  10.

  https://aenigmatum.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/aenigmatum_pdx

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063560651573  

8 Hour Animal/Resigner/Sentient Ruin Laboratories/2021 Full Length Review

 

  8  Hour  Animal  are  a  solo  project  from  the  United  States  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  metal,  punk,  harsh  noise,  power  electronics,  industrial,  drone  and  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Resigner"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Sentient  Ruin  Laboratories.

  Spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  a  very  powerful  sounding  bass  guitar  a  few  seconds  later.  Industrial  style  beats  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording    while  the  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  also being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Samples  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  songs  also   mix  in  a  great  amount  of  power  electronics  and  harsh  noises.  Clean  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  all  of  the  drum  beats  also  being  programmed  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  adding  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  and  drone,  at  times  the  tracks  also  mix  in  the  raw  energy  of  punk  rock.

  8  Hour  Animal  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black  metal,  punk,  harsh  noise,  power  electronics,  industrial,  drone  and  dark  ambient  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  disturbing  themes.

  In  my  opinion  8  Hour  Animal  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black  metal,  punk,  harsh  noise,  power  electronics,  industrial,  drone  and  dark  ambient  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Almost  Free"  and  "Wake".  8  out  of  10.

BANDCAMP RELEASE      

  

Oscenrad/Beyond The Fells/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Oscenrad  are  a  solo  project  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  folk,  viking, pagan,  melodic  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Beyond  The  Feels".

  Ocean  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  epic  sounding  keyboards  and  tribal  beats  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Black  metal  screams  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Death  metal  growls  also  have  a  very  powerful  presence  on  the  songs  along  with  the  acoustic  guitars  bringing  in  elements  of  folk  music  when  they  are  utilized  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  clean  pagan  vocals.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  and  flutes  as  well  as  some  blast  beats  also  being  utilized  when  the  music  speeds  up,  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  History,  Paganism,  Norse/Anglo Saxon Mythology,  Folklore,  Philosophy,  Poetry  and  Introspection  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Oscenrad  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of f olk,  viking,  melodic  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Across   The  Waves"  and  "Of  Wolf  And  Blood".  8 out  of  10.

Website: oscenrad.com
Bandcamp: https://oscenrad.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ oscenrad
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/ UCyagK0s53BG7cG84CdDc6Jg
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ artist/001G1BJcqW125huqZJVK6H? si=6h2AbqbeTFysnqzDozcPOA&dl_ branch=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ oscenrad/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oscenrad
VK: https://vk.com/oscenrad

Moon Reaper Interview

 

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

We're a 4 piece cosmic themed post/black/doom band from Bristol, our music is designed to portray a true sense of absolute desolation, destruction and desertion

2.You have an ep coming out towards the end of July, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording? 

We intended to mix the melodic and majestic elements of post metal, with the atmosphere of blackened influences, combined with crushing, unforgiving  breakdowns to boot your soul out of this galaxy. We went for a modern production sound to break the genre/sonic barriers of black and doom metal.

3.Some of your lyrics cover Occultism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic? 

Our interest in astronomy and astrophysics drives our lyrical concepts, I'd argue these are not occultist, but based in scientific theory, although we breach boundaries concerning metaphysics and the experience of the self in relation to the universe. Our conceptual themes orbit around the theories and philosophy of destructive deep space entities.

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

The destruction and cosmic enslavement of mankind, as well as the obliteration of the universe by supermassive black holes. We aim to tap into the most decimating and absurd destructionional topics, for example Spiralism, our latest single, portrays the experience of spaghettification within a black hole

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

 The 'Moon Reaper' in question may be defined as a black hole, devouring and reaping rogue moons as they hurl through space.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

 The artwork personifies an ineffable vortex, with the representation of the reaper figure overseeing damned souls, awaiting their doom. The eye imagery from the reaper's scythe emulates the ever watching universe, its awareness of us and dominance over 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?

 Our best show was played at the sold out Atheris Promotions Crofters Rights show on 18/01/20 in Bristol supporting Poison Crow (with our old line up). Our stage performance is largely immersive and interactive, atmospheric and very intense.

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

We're open to any offers of organisations, companies or labels interested in working with us.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black, sludge and doom metal? 

Positive so far, although we can update you when our EP has been released!

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

Hopefully within the next few years. Musically, further into the realms of post black metal and beatdown.

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?

 Gojira, MØL, Altars of Grief, Thou, Emperor, Conjurer, Black Tongue, My Dying Bride, Malevolence, Opeth and Swallow the Sun.

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

We aspire to play shows, release music, meet people and do as much awesome stuff for as long as we can, so if you like our stuff, want to know more or wish to work with us then please get in touch and let us know. Moon Reaper are about awareness of everything non earthly, we urge anyone reading this to recognise and appreciate the universe(s?) out there and all that it may hold.

Visit Moon Reaper on Facebook
Hear Moon Reaper on YouTube
Listen to Moon Reaper on Bandcamp
Follow Moon Reaper on Instagram
Moon Reaper on Spotify
Moon Reaper on Soundcloud