Act Of Impalement/Infernal Ordinance/Caligari Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Nashville  Tennessee's  Act  of  Impalement  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  blackened  mixture  of  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  with  some  elements  of  crust  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Infernal  Ordinance"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Caligari  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  being  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats,  thrash  metal  and  crust  influences  can  also  be  heard  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls  while  the  riffing  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  more  of  an  old  school  style  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in a   decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

   When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  show  a  a  very  heavy  influence  of  black  metal  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  grim  screams  and  all  of  the  music  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  History  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Act  Of  Impalement  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  black,  sludge,  doom,  death,  thrash  metal  and  crust,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Summoning  The  Final  Conflagration"  "Specters  of  Unlight"  "Blasphemous  Rebirth"  and  "Erased".  8  out  of  10.

  http://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/infernal-ordinance

www.actofimpalement.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/actofimpalement   

  

Cløudy Skies Interview

 

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the musical project these days

[Nico] Cløudy Skies is waiting for the album release of course ! First gift of 2023 ;)

We have 2 more songs to reveal. The 1st one (Nebulous Reflections) before the official release and the 2nd one just after ...  a video this time.  

Next, we will start to rehearse to be ready for gigs and shape the sound we want to deliver on stage. This is a major criteria for us... to give the audience a great sound experience !  Lionel and I are already composing for the 2nd Album...What is good for the goose is good for the gander. 

2. You have a new album coming out in early 2023, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical styles that you went for on the recording?

[Nico] Metal is a very interesting style of music in the way that you can transform it... you can alter it a bit and "voilà" it becomes something else ! When we started Cløudy Skies we always said that we didn't want to be "closed" to any experimentation. In fact it is impossible ^^, as we love so many styles ... So we began with classic Metal/Post-Metal/Hardcore/Grunge/Doom/Black roots and added a little of rock, a little of indie, a little of pop, a little of post-rock, a little of Shoegaze etc. We also tried to suggest with our music the lyrics themes we developed in our songs such as dreams, sweet melancholia, sadness and contemplative moments. In fact, in our previous bands it was all about riffs, you know what I mean ;) "Hey Nico, give me that riff ..." We never took time to give time and more space for music. Our vision was also to make sounds and project listeners into a special "mood" and/or "place". So we let room for music adding lots of effects (vibrato, delays and reverbs) and lots of synths to enhance that immersive sensation. We also used a lot more clean vocals and clean guitars than before and the result is really interesting. Cløudy Skies style was born ... Dreamgaze Atmospheric Post-Metal.

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

[Nico] We gave a special place to lyrics. I mean lyrics that bring something to listeners, that you can hear, that you can remember, that can touch you. We explore both the realist and surrealist side of life. We talk a lot about dreams, life, hope, expectations, meaning of life, time, love and death . Our album "CHANGES" has to be seen as a life lived through dreams. No one really knows where dreams lead. A good example is Dale Cooper's replica in Twin Peaks TV Show "I have no idea where this will lead us. But I have a definite feeling it will be a place both wonderful and strange".

We can reveal it now but CHANGES is actually just 7 letters of the alphabet : C.H.A.N.G.E.S. ,  or  A.N.C.E.G.S.H. the 7 tracks of our album ;)

01. A  nother Dream

02. N  ebulous Reflections

03. C  urrents

04. E  choes Of The Ocean

05. G  leams And Ghosts

06. S  tars Still Shine

07. H  aze On The Way

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

[Nico] We worked with our friend and talented freelance photographer Gilles Niez. He takes fantastic pictures and "makes" Collodion photography (wet plate photography technic from the 19th century). We were looking for a good photo to evoke both our band name and our album's name and when we saw this one on his catalog, we both thought : "this one matches perfectly". If you look at the picture, the sky is cloudy and seems to be about to change. And the bird which is flying in the cloudy sky brings that sensation of change... we had the cloudy skies and the change .

>> https://www.instagram.com/crystallized_pictures/?hl=en 

>> https://crystallizedpictures.com/ 

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

[Nico] To be honest we don't want to replace drums with machines (samples) so we do need to recruit a real drummer. Hence we obviously will be 3. And if the live formula needs another musician we won't hesitate to expand to meet the best sound on stage.

For the moment Lionel and I are the main team for the composing part. It is very easy to work together... and he is my best friend ;)

6. The new album is going to be released on 'Argonauta Records', how did you get in contact with this label?

[Nico] We have known Argonautas' boss, Gero,  since 2016 when we released our first album with previous band Eyes Front North. Even if at that time we had good references (We produced our album at Deafheaven' studio), finding a label was very difficult. The moment we got in touch, Gero gave all his trust and support and helped us to release it. We were very happy. So years later, Lionel and I didn't hesitate long when we thought about releasing Cløudy Skies 1st album... "let's call Gero". It was like knocking at an old friend's door...  you're more than welcome to enter and to celebrate together again ;) 

7. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of atmospheric and post-metal?

[Nico] We had a really nice album review by #ADifferentShadeOfBlackMetalZine . It was really cool to have this feedback before the release.

It looks like the 1st track we launched on Youtube and Spotify was well received. I wish people commented more to have some details...  

We are in a hurry "you" discover the whole LP... it contains many unexpected moments ;) 

8. 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?

[Nico] We are mainly  focused on Cløudy Skies but Lionel did some vocals for our friends in "Nature Morte" (Blackgaze, PostBlack, Shoegaze - Paris)

You really should consider listening to them : They are soooo good !  (https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ESf7j2mFj9wwmRPHjqm8d) . 

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

[Nico] Same direction with more room for music of course and more analog synths... maybe more progressive. A "Cløudy I wish you were here Skies" :D

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

[Nico] here are the bands I have been listening the most this year : 

Deafheaven, Tame Impala, Shiner, Entombed, Swallow the Sun, Tenhi, Bohren Und Der Klub of Gore, Nature Morte, Alexandra Savior, Nothing, Deserta, True Widow, Russian Circles, Chelsea Wolfe, YOB, Israel Nash, Twin Peaks OST, Lana Del Rey, Marissa Nadler, Alice In Chains, Drab Majesty, Soft Kill, Cult Of Luna, Neil Young, Kurt Vile, The War On Drugs, Dungen, Weyes Blood, Kadavar (The Isolation Tapes), Eldovar, All Them Witches, Fuzz, Slowdive, Michael Stearns, Holy Sons... to name a few. Did I told you I was open-minded ??? :D LOL  

11. What are some of your non musical interests?

[Nico] Listening to music on my vintage analog equipment is my favorite pleasure !!! 

Watching movies and TV shows at night is my guilty pleasure (Brand New Cherry Flavor and The Watchers were my last good surprises on Netflix... for movies I like classics).

Reading but I am a bit lazy these days. Though when I am not, I read American authors of the 50's-00's. I am reading the Collected Letters from Neil Cassady. 

My wife is really into photography, so we often go to exhibitions and I am more and more interested and attracted to that art... capturing the moment and to suggest something is a real art ! 

Walking when I need to reconnect to nature ... I like walking in the fields with my headphones, it is one of my best moments... 

Sleeping because you can dream ;)

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

[Nico] Thank you for the interview. I hope it gives readers a look at our small universe.

keep on listening to music, going to shows, meeting people and of course dreaming...

All the best 

https://www.facebook.com/cloudyskies.fr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FSqDgwkiu4&ab_channel=ArgonautaRecords

Mylingen/At Night I See Demons/2023 EP Review

 

  Mylingern  are  a  duo  form  Sweden  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2023  ep  "At  Night  I  See  Demons".

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  death  metal  growls  can  also b e  heard  at  times.

  The  music  also  has  its  progressive  moments  while  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  which  also  adds  in  touches  of  folk  music.  Stringed  instruments  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  keyboards  onto  the  recording  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal.

   Fast  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  whispered  voices,  the  music  focuses  more  on  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction..  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  coldness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Mylingen  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Falling"  and  "Everything  Is  Cold".  8  out  of  10.

Bandcamp: https://mylingen.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mylingenswe

         

Self-Deceiver/Across The Styx/2022 Full length Review

 

  Self-Deceiver  are  a  duo  form  Columbia  that  plays  a  symphonic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2022  album  "Across  the  Styx".

  Dark  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  while  symphonic  elements  are  also  added  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast beats  can  also be  heard  along  with  the  album  also  mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  80's  and  90's  influences  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  along with  the  music  also  adding  some  modern  touches  to  and  old  school  style  as  well  as  one  track  also  adding  in a  brief  use  of  war  samples.   The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  violence,  the  search  for  glory,  war,  deceit  and  the  hypocrisy  of  religions.    

  In  my  opinion  Self-Deceiver  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  INCLUDE  "Closing  the  Circle"  "Lamb  Of  War"  and  "Our  Existence".  8  out  of  10.

  https://self-deceiver.bandcamp.com/

SPOTIFY
DEEZER
APPLE MUSIC
ITUNES
AMAZON MUSIC

https://www.instagram.com/self_deceiver_official/
https://www.facebook.com/Self.Deceiver/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTseRbncL8T8XwfwSPkahQg

Rise Of The Stateless Wolf/Year Of The Snake/Italian Extreme Underground/2022 EP Review

 

  Rise  Of  The  Stateless  Wolf  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black, death,  sludge  metal  and  crust  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  202  ep  "Year  Of  The  Snake"  which  was  released  by  Italian  Extreme  Underground.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  apocalyptic  sounding  synths  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  musical  direction.  Elements  of  doom  and  sludge  metal  can  also be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also b e  heard  briefly  while t he  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs  are  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  crust  and  d  beat.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  as  well  as  the  music  also  having  its  experimental  moments,  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental  and  clean  playing  can  also b e  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  journey  through  the  desert  of  the  modern  man.

  In  my  opinion  Rise  Of  The  Stateless  Wolf  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death,  sludge  metal  and  crust  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Year  Of  The  Snake"  and  "The  Woodsman  And  The  Corn  God  Ritual".  8  out  of  10.

  

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As Light Dies/The Laniakea Architecture, Volume II/Darkwoods/2023 Full length Review

 

  Spain's  As  Light  Dies  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  an  avant  garde  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "The  Laniakea  Architecture,  Voume  II"  which  will  be  released  in  March  by  Darkwoods.

  Spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  Death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  while  avant  garde  structures  are  also  mixed  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  vocals  and  add  in  touches  of  goth  metal.  Cello's,  violin's,  synths  and  piano's  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  slower  sections  of  the  tracks  also  bringing  in  elements  of  doom  metal,  female  vocals  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  math,  history  and  depression  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  As  Light  Dies  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Falling  Apart"  "The  Green"  and  "To  Finish".  8  out  of  10.

  http://www.aslightdies.com 

https://aslightdies.bandcamp.com

http://www.facebook.com/aslightdies    

Valvatar/Vanitas/2017 Full Length Review

 

  Valvatar  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2017  album  "Vanitas".

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  grim  yet  high  pitched  sounding  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later.  Symphonic  elements  are  also  added  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  music  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  along  with  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  one  song  also  introduces  growls  onto  the  recording  as  well  as the  album  also  adding  in  a  couple  of  instrumentals  and  some  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Valvatar  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  symphonic  sounding  in  the  mid  90's  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Valvatar  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  black  metal b and  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hymn  Of  Blood  And  Piss"  "Pioneer's  Courage"  "Maria"  and  "Consolation".  8  out  of  10.

https://vaivatar.bandcamp.com/