Epoch Of Unlight/At War With The Multiverse/Dark Horizon Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Epoch  Of  Unlight  are  a  band  from  Memphis,  Tennessee  that  has  a  history  that  goes  back  to  the  90's  and  plays  a  very  melodic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "At  War  With  the  Multiverse"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Dark  Horizon  Records.

  A  very  heavy  yet  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  technical  sounding  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  One  of  the  tracks  also  introduces  synths  and  clean  playing  onto  the  recording  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  brutal  moments  as  well  as  the  music  also  mixing  the  90's  style  in  with  a  more  modern  day  brutality.

  On  this  recording  Epoch  Of  Un light  expands  on  their  more  death  metal  side  of  their  musical  style  as  well  as  retaining  the  melodic  black  metal  elements  of  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  fantasy  and  science  fiction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Epoch  Of  Unlight  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Numbing  Stillness"  "Beneath  A  Dying  Sun"  :Night  Hunt"  and  "The  Lie  of  Tomorrow's  Dream".  8  out  of  10.

https://epochofunlight.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/EpochOfUnlight

https://www.instagram.com/epochofunlight/

Epoch of Unlight Spotify

https://youtu.be/xBRwNb5XE4Q

  

    

Hegemone/Voyance/Brucia Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Hegemone  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a mixture  of  post  black,  sludge  metal  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their 2022  album  "Voyance"  which  will  be  released  in  September.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  metal.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  some  of  the  vocals  also  show  an  influence  of  hardcore.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  some  clear  vocals  also  being  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  post  metal.

  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  a  small  amount  of  synths  also  being  utilized  at  times.  The  music  also  adds  some  dissonant  touches  on  one  of  the  tracks  as  well  as  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  blast  beats  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up,  folk  instruments  and  electronic  frequencies  can  also b e  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  rage,  tension,  pain  and  disquiet  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hegemone  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  post  black,  sludge  metal  and  hardcore,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nourishment"  "Sermon"  and  "After  Demise".  8  out  of  10.

  https://hegemone.bandcamp.com/  

An Abstract Illusion/Woe/Willowtip Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  An  Abstract  Illusion  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric,  progressive  and  melodic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Woe"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Willowtip  Records.

  Atmospheric  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  clear  vocals  can  also b e  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  touches  of  electronica  can  also b e  heard  at  times.

  Death  metal  growls  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  black  metal  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  progressive  moments  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  melody  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  as  well  as  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  folk  instruments,  spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  and  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  poetic  atmosphere  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature,  death  and  humanity  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  An  Abstract  Illusion  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  melodic  and  progressive  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  "Slaves"  and  "In  The  Heavens  Above,  You  Will  Become  A  Monster".  8  out  fo  10.

  https://anabstractillusion.bandcamp.com/album/woe    

Abhorrent Expanse/Gateways To Resplendence/Amalgram Music/Lurker Bias/2022 Full length Review

 

  Abhorrent  Expanse  are  a  band  with  members  from  Minnesota  and  Illinois  that  plays  an  avant  garde  mixture  of  blackened  death,  funeral  doom  metal,  noise,  drone  and  free  jazz  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Gateways  To  Resplendence"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Amalgram  Music  and  Lurker  Bias.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  distorted  sounding  drones  can  also be  heard  at  times.  Elements  of  funeral  doom  metal  can  also be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  giving t he  album  more  of  a  primitive  edge  when  they  are  utilized.

  Harsh  noises  are  also  added  into  the  background  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  riffing  as  well  as  the  home  made  percussion  also  giving  the  album  more  of  an  avant  garde  feeling  when  they  are  utilized.

  A  lot  of t he  clean  sections  also  show  an  influence  of  free  jazz  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  instrumentals.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  few  songs  also  introducing  organs,  synths  acoustic  guitars  onto  the  album  and  the  production  also  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Abhorrent  Expanse  are  a  very  great  sounding  avant  garde  mixture  of  blackened  death,  funeral  doom  metal,  noise,  drone  and  free  jazz  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cloak  Of  Ancients"  "Gateways  To  Resplendence"  "Baleful  Reminders"  and  "Arcturian  Nano  Diamonds  From  The  Tranquil  Abyss".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/abhorrent_expanse

          

Dawnwalker/House Of Sand/Room 132/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Dawnwalker  are  a  band  from  the  united  Kingdom  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  more  of  a  progressive  form  of  post  metal  with  elements  of  folk  and  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  theri  2022  album  "House  Of  Sand"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Room  132.

  Clear  vocals  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  heavier  post  metal  style  riffing  a  few  seconds  later  while  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  clean  playing.

  Black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  acoustic  guitars  also  add  in  touches  of  folk  music  when  they  are  utilized.  Female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  touches  of  indie  rock.

  One  of  the  tracks  is  also  a  cover  of  Elvis  Presley's  "House  Of  Sand"  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  violin's  and  piano's  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  slower  musical  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  darker  side  of  the  human  psyche.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Dawnwalker  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  progressive  post  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Demon  Of  Noontide"  "Egypt"  "Coming  Forth  By  Day"  and  "House  of  Sand".  8  out  of  10.

  https://dawnwalker.uk 

https://dawnwalker.bandcamp.com 
https://facebook.com/dawnwalkeruk 
https://instagram.com/dawnwalkeruk 

https://twitter.com/dawnwalkeruk   

  

Eldprov/Rift/Grind To Death Records/2022 CD Review

 

  Eldprov  are  a  duo  form  Sweden  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  theri  2022  album  "Rift"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Grind  To  Death  Records.

  Melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  thrash  metal  elements.

  Death  metal  growls  can  also b e  heard  at  times  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  vocals  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts, 

A  couple  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  clean  playing,  acoustic  guitars  and  female  vocals  onto  the  recording  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Eldprov  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Affliction''  "Third  Crow"  and  "Hunt".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/dGl5vgzzLXk

https://www.facebook.com/eldprovofficial

https://www.instagram.com/eldprov   

Sacrimonia 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?

Kuba: Well, it’s been less than a month since the release of “Anthems of Eclipse”, but we’ve already played 3 shows supporting Grima, Ultar and Bloody Tyrant on their European tour. We’ve also started collecting ideas for new songs, as well as planning a late-fall tour.

2.Recently you have released your first full length, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?

Kuba: I would say that new songs are catchier than the ones from the EP. Also, the arrangements are more transparent, so to speak, including a wider variety of styles and motifs. The EP was very much rooted in black metal, especially the guitar work - on the other hand, on the full length we decided to include bits of melodic death-, post-, heavy metal, you name it. There is even some metalcore to be found in a few parts, although it’s not so straightforward in your face.

Mariusz: We wanted to make sure we’re not producing generic black metal songs with a symphonic component, but rather start from thinking about the melodies and harmonies as such. As a result, on the new album the orchestrations often drive the songs, they don’t serve just as mere additions to the guitar content.

Kamila: Just as the boys said, less black metal in black metal. However, for us the genre is artificially given to us after the release, not something to be crucial during the creative process. There are some influences and motifs, not really an intention to play a certain genre. As long as something sounds good and fits the general vibe we give, it sits.

3.This is also your first release in 6 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

Kuba: Well, first of all we were gaining experience gigging and promoting the “New World Ascension” EP. From 2018 we were also writing the songs for the new album and by early 2020 we had it pretty much finished and ready to be recorded, but then the pandemic came and unnecessarily prolonged the entire process.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress  as songwriters over the years?

Kamila: The new album is strongly inspired by French modernists and symbolists: Baudelaire, Rimbaud, Verlaine. Other than that, the song “Modern Prometheus” is of course a reference to Mary Shelley’s novel – the concept of a god-like parent figure, the grief of a creature. “Katabasis”, the old song previously recorded on the EP, refers to Mikhail Bulgakov’s novels.

I would say that the simpler my inspiration and writing process is, the better the song comes out. Personally, I think the new album has better lyrics than the EP, while the writing process of every song was much easier and shorter. To be honest, I pretty much like the lyrics for “Into Darkness…”, but there was not really a certain reason to compose them like that. I just wrote what came into my mind while listening to the guitars Kuba composed for the new song. A few years ago, I needed a special motif, so many feelings, a certain vibe and a literary inspiration. Right now I just write what comes to my mind first and the rest comes to me eventually.

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

Kuba: There isn’t any specific meaning behind the name. From what I recall, the main inspiration was the song “Sacrimony (Angel of Afterlife)” by the band Kamelot. Anyway, we decided that the name “Sacrimonia” sounds atmospheric and dark and that it would be a good fit for us.

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

Kuba: The artwork was created by a young, yet very promising Polish artist – Dorota Bujak. She asked us for demo versions of the songs along with lyrics and somehow translated the vibe of the music into visual art. For me, the artwork is very oneiric, far from cliches so often found on metal albums and that is exactly what we wanted to achieve.

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?

Mariusz: The small tour in Czech Republic in 2019 was a blast. Cool cities, very good response from the audience and everybody we worked with there was a professional… which isn’t something you can always say about the music industry.

Kamila: Yes, the Czech tour and also  Łódź DeathFest for me. The audience got crazy and they didn’t want us to leave. They called us the best band of the event afterwards. That was probably the first bigger concert we had in the early days. I also recall the concert with Madmans Esprit organised by our friend, Antoine – I think he is a great tour manager and I hope to play more with him in the future.

Kuba: Damn, hard to choose, but I’ll probably stick with the Czech mini-tour. As for the stage performance, I don’t think it’s for us to judge, but I’d say we’re giving it everything we’ve got every time we’re on stage.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?

Mariusz: Yes, we’ve just finished a small, preliminary promo tour and we will continue this fall.

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

Mariusz: This won’t hurt of course, but we aren’t pressing ourselves to get signed. We’ve already rejected some rather uninteresting offers. In current times a label isn’t a must-have.

Kamila: It would be great to have a good label and a satisfying contract. But the thing is – “good” and “satisfying” are the clue words for that.

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

Mariusz: Judging by comments on the internet, the reaction has been mostly positive. People tend to mention that the album “sounds like symphonic black metal that they’re used to, but there’s something cool and refreshing about that”. Expectedly, the vocal performance gets a lot of praise.

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

Mariusz: It’s not a surprise that we want to decouple ourselves from the black metal cliches. I could definitely see us incorporating more gothic, cold wave and classic heavy metal elements.

Kamila: Less black metal, more experimental sounds and motifs. Gothic and coldwave is the way to go for me. Of course, staying with the brutality and heavy sound. I think the LP shows the right direction in some aspects.

Kuba: Genre-wise Kamila and Mariusz have already hinted in which direction we may evolve. I would also like our future songs to be even catchier, containing hooks that will stay in your head from the very first listen. 

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

Mariusz: I’m very much into dark folk and coldwave stuff. Think King Dude, Drab Majesty, VR Sex.

Kamila: Similar to Mariusz, I love coldwave and darkwave music, especially the one mixed with electronic sounds and synths – Boy Harsher, London After Midnight, Drab Majesty (as mentioned before). Also lighter classics like Lebanon Hanover or even The Cure. I am somehow into jazz sounds – from the funeral and doom jazz like Kilimanjaro DE, to free jazz jams and experimental concerts by various, smaller artists. 

Kuba: Well, apart from extreme metal and gothic stuff, I’m very much into the 80s  - both hair metal acts such as Motley Crue or Skid Row, and classic heavy metal like early Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Running Wild, Grave Digger etc. I also really dig the Scandinavian “glam revival” thing, including relatively new bands such as Crashdiet, Reckless Love, Gemini Five and so on. Oh, and let’s not forget about various soundtracks to both movies and video games.

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

Kamila: Don’t forget to follow us on social media to get the latest news from the band!

Mariusz: Thanks for the questions and your support!

Kuba: Thanks for the support, keep up the good work!

Facebook | Bandcamp | Youtube | Spotify