Arctora/The Storm Is Over/WormHoleDeath Records/2022 Full length Review

 

  Arctora  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  melodic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "The  Storm  Is  Over"  which  will  be  released  on  September  30th  by  WormHoleDeath  Records.

  Classical  guitars  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  faster  black  metal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  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  vocals are  mostly  death  metal  growls.  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  in certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  small  amount  of  operatic  female  vocals  also  being  utilized  briefly  and  some  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  synths.   

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  as  well  as  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  also  being  utilized  at  times,  clear  male  vocals  are  also  added  on  one  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature  and  melancholy  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  Arctora  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hearts  Ever  Restless"  "I  Am  Human"  and  "Haarksi".  8 out  of  10.

  YT: www.youtube.com/Arctora

IG: www.instagram.com/arctoraband
FB: www.facebook.com/Arctoraband

    

Scars Of The Flesh/In Darkness Alone/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Scars  Of  The  Flesh  are  a  band  from  San  Antonio,  Texas  that  plays  a  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2022  album  "In  Darkness  Alone"  which  will  be  released  in  November.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  some  of t he  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  while t he  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a very  melodic  style.  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  clean  guitars  also  giving  the  songs  more  of  a  progressive  feeling  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  some  keyboards  are  also  utilized  on  a  couple  of  tracks,  one  song  is  also  an  instrumental  and  they  also b ring  in  some  Behemoth,  Dimension  Zero,  Amon  Amarth  and  Metallica  covers.

  Scars  of  the  Flesh  plays  a  musical  st6yle  that  takes  the melodic  and  progressive  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  philosophical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Scars  Of  The  Flesh  are  a  very  great  sounding  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  "The  Hooded  one"  "Memory  Unknown"  and  "Victorious  March".  8 out  of  10.

  https://linktr.ee/scarsoftheflesh     

  

Gales Of Avalon/Oblivion/2022 EP Review

 

  Gales  Of  Avalon  are  a  band  from  Calgary,  Alberta,  Canada  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  pagan  black  metal  and  death''n'roll  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2022  ep  "Oblivion"  which  will  be  released  on  September  23rd.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  synths  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  are mostly  death  metal  growls and  influences  of  black  metal  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  Elements  of  death'n'roll  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  clear  pagan  vocals  can  also are  also  utilized  on  a  couple  of  tracks.  Some  of  the  music  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  classic  rock  at  times  along  with  all  of  the  songs  also  sticking  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Gales  Of  Avalong  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic  forms  of  black,  pagan  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  with  death'n'roll  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Celtic  mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Gales  Of  Avalon  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  pagan  black  metal  and  death'n'roll  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "No  Going  Back"  and  "Purgatory".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/zJdCirHA03c

https://www.facebook.com/galesofavalon

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrl933ulYmmHoz8iK5NDiQg/about

https://galesofavalon.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HcJFK2G9Y3g6EmV6hhhiw  

        

  

Darconigan/Helm, Shield, And Spear/2022 EP Review

 

    Darconigan  are  a  band  from  Rye,  Colorado  that  plays  a  very  epic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2022  demo  "Helm,  Shield  And  Spear".

  A  very  dark  sound  starts  off  the  demo  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instrument's  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast  beats  can b e  heard.

  The  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  death  metal  elements  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  heavily  influenced  by  the  90's  era  along  with  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  some   growls  also  being  utilized  at  times.

  Darconigan  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic  forms  of  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  war  and  fantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Darconigan  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "It  Comes"  and  "Enrapturing  Dark".  8  out  of  10.

  https://darconigan.bandcamp.com/album/helm-shield-and-spear

https://www.facebook.com/darconigan/

https://www.instagram.com/darconigan/  

Renunciation Interview

 

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

The band was established in 2019 as a side-project of four skilled and experienced musicians. The main music idea was to mix elements of different heavy metal subgenres (especially black and death metal) in an inventive cocktail and still remain comprehensible without falling into an experimental and eclectic approach. At this moment Renunciation has released 2 singles and one EP, the full-length album will be out in October. More on that below.

2. In October you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?

The album will be more technical, intensive and solid than our music was before. The EP was more experimental and now we are on the way to find our unique style.

3. According to the Facebook page you refer to your music as being 'Desecrative Black metal', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?

This refers to our lyric themes. We try to fight religious illusions in a broad sense in a more intelligent ways that it is usually done in extreme metal. As regards the term, we found the word 'desecrative' in a dictionary and decided that it sounds cool.

4. All of the band members are also in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Renunciation' that you are not able to do with your other groups?

Some bands that the members play in are more technical and progressive than Renunciation, some are more traditional. Renunciation is an attempt to be at the margin of perspicuity, so to say.

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

As we said before, main topic is intellectual criticism of religious and magic worldview. We don't sing about nuns masturbating with crucifix or obscurant occult things. Songs with Russian lyrics are mostly about fate and personal choice.

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

Band name is related to the main lyric concept: renunciation of dogmas, illusions and invalid constructs that spoil human consciousness.

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

The cover art isn't just a strange feast. It shows symbols of main religions in state of decay and destruction: rotting fish (christianity), crescent piece of moldy cheese (islam), broken menorah (judaism), faded lotuses (hinduism and buddhism). They are situated in art over earth regions which are usually associated with the corresponding religion. Spilled wine of course symbolizes the blood of mankind.

8. Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?

We never played live but definitely age going to. Renunciation was a side project for everyone involved but now becomes the main band for some of us. So live shows are highly expected in 1-2 years.

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

The reaction was very positive but limited of course. We have only one EP released but hope that the album will consolidate this success.

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

We have distributed our EP via Portuguese label Brutal Cave Productions, the album will be released via Russian label Sound Age. We are open to other proposals but realize that we don't live in 80's and no one will provide us with a tour bus full of whores and cocaine just for good music. Let us become more than just another underground band from "the rest of the world" and then we will see...

11. What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that the band members are a part of?

Alexey (guitar) and Vadim (bass) play together in technical/progressive death metal band Humaniac, which released a new album this August. Insane stuff (without too much modesty we say), but not for all. Our vocalist Demether has three own projects: Zmey Gorynich (slavonic folk deathcore), Bes (heathen black metal), Grailight (symphonic epic metal) and also sings in many other death metal and sympho-black metal bands. Polina (drums) is also playing in all-female extreme metal band Blackthorn and melodic death metal band Instorm, both bands are preparing new LP's.

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

It depends on reaction to the album, we want to analyze the feedback we will get. But Renunciation definitely won't be more primitive or lighter.

13.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?

Main influences are technical death and black metal classics, however, we don't ignore modern tendencies and sometimes incorporate them in our music. As regards our music tastes, we still mostly listen to black and death metal in all variations but also like less extreme types of metal and non-metal music too: post-rock, folk, classical music, darkwave etc.

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

Thank you for your interest and not cliched questions. Check out our new album in October, there's a lot interesting to hear.

https://renunciation.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Renunciation.band/

https://www.instagram.com/renunciation.band/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6I6upPO89YthG7Bbvpnk3a

Brymir 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?

Since release we have been practicing the new material and started general preparations for our upcoming shows. Even though the band has performed the new songs in the studio it is, however, a quite different beast adapting them to a live setting. Other than that, it’s just been an absolute pleasure to see our new creation take flight and follow the positive response to the new album.

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

In the past we had a sound that leaned even more on synthesizers and orchestral elements, this time we wanted to focus on getting the most out of our own instruments and voices. Thus, we reinvented our sonic identity and came out with a heavier sound than ever before!

3.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?

Most of our lyrics are based on personal and real world issues, for example Fly With Me discusses the dark side of social media, Heral of Aegir is about pollution and destruction our waters and Borderland is a stance for the Ukrainian people suffering under Russias invasion. Other than that, many songs are about travel and conquest – things we missed dearly during the depths of the Covid pandemic.

Our process of writing for this album was altered by Covid restrictions as it forced us to work apart and alone. I used to write by programming my melodies and ideas directly into the recording software and have our guitarist Joona Björkroth adapt the riffs to work for a real guitar, but as we couldn’t meet for months I started learning more guitar myself and thus established a new method for composing directly with a guitar in my lap – hence the new, guitar-heavy approach on our songs. Lyrically we used to base lyrics purely on mythological concepts and personal issues but as the world feels like its falling apart around us I’ve had a stronger need to write about current issues plaguing humanity and this blue oasis of life we live in.

4.Over the years you also have covered Norse/Finnish mythology and the Nephilim with your lyrics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

As we are from the North, we have always identified strongly with our mythologies and draw a lot of inspiration from that realm. As the actual subjects of our lyrics have evolved, we still like to dress them up in mythological themes or use mythological concepts as metaphors.

5.Orignally the band was called 'Lai Lai Hei', what was the cause of the new change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Brymir'?

We actually only went under the name Lai Lai Hei for a few weeks, it was just a hastily picked name as we performed one Ensiferum cover in a competition when we were 16 years old. Soon after that we decided that we want to keep playing together and after some consideration landed on the name Brymir, which is a combination of two words or concepts from Norse mythology: Brimir is a table or hall in Valhalla where the heroes of Ragnarök feast forever after the end of the world, and Ymir is an ice giant from whose flesh the world of men was created. So in short, Brymir equals to somethin akin to Alpha-Omega – before the beginning and after the end.

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

We wanted the colors and themes of the cover art to reflect the dark times of the past years which strongly influenced the tone of the album. There is also the image of sacrificing yourself at the altar of creation – making, releasing and performing music is often emotionally very demanding and requires immense personal sacrifice.

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?

I think our best memories from shows are our 2019 appearance at Tuska Festival in our home town Helsinki, and our first tour in Japan. However, there have been so many epic adventures, like touring with Children of Bodom, that it’s difficult to choose which ones meant the most.

Brymir is definitely a live band and in my opinion you haven't truly heard Brymir before you’ve seen us on stage! We bring such a relentless onslaught that the crowd is left shell-shocked after our performance.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

Yes! We finally have a big European tour opening for Finntroll scheduled for November-December. We’ve dreamt about this moment our whole career and couldn’t have hoped for a better slot to kick off touring with our new record. We also have a big bunch of shows in Finland for 2022-2023. Touring is what we missed most during lockdown and we are so excited to head out again.

9.The new album was released on 'Napalm Records', how would you compare working with this label to other labels you have been a part of in the past?

Our signing with Napalm Records is our first proper partnership with a label and it has opened up so many opportunities that we’re inaccessible before. Previously we have done everything ourselves with labels only really releasing the music once completed. With this new ally in Napalm Records we feel that we can finally unlock the true potential of Brymir.

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

We’ve been quite stunned by the positive feedback and it feels as if we managed get our musical message across. It’s also very rewarding to see that our renewed sound and style has been recieved so well!

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

Our music is very diverse and I think that will always be a part if Brymir. We had several very heavy, fast and dark songs that didn’t get quite finished for this album so it might be that our next release has some more black metal vibes! We also successfully integrated power metal into our new sound and I’m sure that aspect will also evolve to new heights.

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

I’ve been listening to a lot of pretty brutal stuff, such as Decapitated and Aborted. But our musical tastes range from classical music through metal all the way to psychedelic trance.

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

Thanks for the interview! We really hope to make it over to the United Kingdom during this album cycle for some shows and when we do… hold on to your hats!

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The Magik Way/Dracula(25 Years Anniversary/My Kingdom Music/2022 Full length Review

 

  Italy's  The  Magik  Way  has  returned  with  a  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of   ambient,  ritual,  experimental,  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Dracula(25  Years  Anniversary)"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  my  Kingdom  Music.

  A  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  keyboards  onto  the  recording  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  darker  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  some  tracks  also  add  in  female  vocals.  

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  ritualistic  sounding  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  the  atmosphere  of  a  horror  movie  soundtrack.  Touches  of  ambient  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  male  vocals  also  adding  in a  mixture  of  clear  singing  and  grim  black  metal  screams  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal  as  well  as  the  spoken  word  parts  also  enhancing  the  occult  side  of  the  music  when  they  are utilized,  melodic  guitar  leads  can  also b e  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  The  Magik  Way  takes  ambient,  ritual,  experimental,  black  and  doom  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  are  based  upon  Bram  Stoker's  "Dracula'.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  The  Magik  Way  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  ambient,  ritual,  experimental,  black  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Castel  Dracula"  "Lucy"  and  "Van  Helsing".  8  out  of  10.

  ttp://facebook.com/themagikway