Cunabula Interview

 

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

Goda: In some non-artistic and rather technical terms, we’re having small tasks for the album PR and also for the upcoming album release show that needs to be organized. Mentally, we’re trying to look forward and not take the album release fact as some result after which we can finally rest. And it’s not an easy task.

Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?

Jurgis: I would say that the recent release has a more consistent and defined sound than the previous EP. Also, musically the new album has some recurring rhythmic composition techniques that in my opinion plays a strong role in overall musicality of this album.  Whereas the first EP was more experimental and dedicated for bands musical research. 

Tadas: The album production is less polished and more raw/live. Musically every song on the album is like a journey, everything is more coherent. And the vocals are much more important now.

This is also your first release since 2017, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

Goda: After the EP release we were into live performances more, rehearsing, bringing our audience together, and when we started developing our recent album, we actually faced lots and lots of waiting in every single phase of it. Not mentioning the pandemics that wasn‘t very grateful for the band.

Tadas: On the other hand, we had an opportunity to try the songs live before the recordings. Only two tracks in this album were never performed live.

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?

Tadas: Our lyrics are very abstract, it’s the atmosphere that matters, not the story. As the sole songwriter (so far), I wish other band members would get themselves involved in the songwriting more, it would be nice to explore collaborative songwriting. 

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Cunabula'?

Goda: The name came from Kurt Vonnegut's „Cat‘s Cradle“ and the word cradle had a special meaning for us at the time the band formed. Cunabula is Latin for cradle.

Tadas: I don’t know why, but this book is very highly regarded in Lithuania. Maybe it’s the same in other countries too.

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

Goda: Nojus Petrauskas, the author of the painting in the artwork, is a Lithuanian painter, an amazing surrealist, which was noticed by us accidentally after we spent hours searching for what could be an organic fit for our album visually. We just saw the painting named ‘Heart’ and we knew.

What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Goda: We vividly remember the gig when we were given a chance to support Conan band – the evening was insane. Also, it is Something Else to play at an open-air festival. And what’s regarding the listeners – we always receive some unexpected feedback about how gigs make people feel. For me, those words are exactly how I’d wish to feel as a listener in some heavy gig myself: partly hypnotized, partly scared, and energetically crushed to the ground. That kind of feedback is definitely inspiring.

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

Goda: Not sure about the touring, but we definitely want to have an album release show in Lithuania.

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

Goda: We are happy to have some worldwide fans reaching out to us personally to express their gratitude for what we do. In general, the feedback is greatly motivating to keep doing what we do.

Tadas: Yes, the feedback was mainly positive so far. Our style is a tough cookie to crack, so it’s hard to fit it into one simple description. The music like this probably will never be popular, but if someone likes it, we are happy.  

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

Jurgis: I think Cunabula has potential for the unexpected, I would not be surprised that we would take more experimental turns in the band's musical future. However, at this moment it is fair to say that some essential elements of our music would still be transferred to our future works, especially harmonic, and textural qualities of our sound. Which in my opinion has a big role in defining Cunabula as a band and are hugely responsible for the emotional weight of our music.  

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

Jurgis: I think the overall musical spectrum of what we listen to is very wide, but regarding Cunabula style I strangely find much resemblance from 20th century’s academic minimalists or even some of the composers from New Simplicity wave. For example, works of Steve Reich, David Lang or Arvo Part. Though the similarity with such music is more of primal musical ideas level.  As for stylistically similar artists I think bands like: Cult of Luna, Russian Circles, Meshuggah plays a big role in our development. Also, i’d like to mention Polish post metal band Entropia, especially their album “Vacuum” which was a very fortunate discovery for me personally a few years ago.

Tadas: Old Norwegian black metal, new French black metal, classic sludge metal bands, some old prog rock, some random classical music.

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

Goda: We enjoyed reading such personal and deep questions, thank you for that.

https://youtu.be/vw77kywj4dk

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Old Ruins Interview

 

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

(Kraje)

A lot of things happened in that time because the recording was finished one year ago also in September.

We had no label at this time and decided to send our complete album to some labels to find out if anyone is interested in a deal with us.

And when we finally got the deal we knew that we have to be patient because of the long time period for a vinyl pressing.

So we had enough time to practice, play some shows and of course we already wrote some new songs in that time.

2.You have a new album coming out later in September, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?

(Kraje)

First of all this time we were in a professional studio.

The EP was recorded, mixed and mastered by myself.

So the sound is much fatter than on the EP.

Musically it is not so different. Four songs from the EP are also on our album, to complete the whole concept.

We always try out to give our songs something special, like a smooth guitar solo, or a part and style of riffing, you wouldn’t expect. And especially not in a black metal band.

So you can see the whole album as a story, lyrically and musically.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover the video game 'Diablo' can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this game'?

(Kraje)

That’s right, we are all great fans of the diablo videogames.

In my youth the was it Diablo 2 – Lord of Destruction what captivated me and nowadays we are all play Diablo 4.

Maybe that sounds a little bit crazy, but this game influenced me for all of our lyrics.

The dark atmosphere of the game, the great story without an happy ending, the tragic…

Can it more perfect for a black metal band?

The lyrics on “Always Heading East” are about the Dark Wanderer and his tragic story in Diablo 2.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Old Ruins'?

(Kraje)

That’s a funny story

Our drummer Alex and our guitarist Ersin hang around to think about a band name and Alex was talking about Tyrael’s Sword Aldruin. (For those who knot know, Tyrael is a character from the videogame.)

And Aldruin sounds very similar to old ruins. So ersin asked him why he is talking about old ruins and our band name was born.

I think the name fits very good because a lot of scenes we describe in our songs, happening in old ruins our graves.

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

(Kraje)

The Artwork is from the great German artist Timon Kokott.

He did our Artwork for the EP as well.

The Artwork shows the dark wanderer on his way through the desert and of course he is heading east as you can see.

Every time I look at this artwork I am travelling back in time when I first entered the second act of diablo 2.

That’s exactly the scene and there where so many scenes we had in mind for the album artwork, but this one is perfect.

If you don’t know him, check out Timon Kokott Artwork.

He is awesome

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

(Kraje)

So imagine yourself you made a band with no plans to play live.

Only creating cool songs, record them and that’s it.

But our EP was very successful and so we got the chance to play as substitute on an open air event in July 2021. It was in the middle of the pandemic and so it was one of the first concerts after a long time. 

Then this moment when we started the show

There were about 400 people on the place , and some of them wore our shirts.

And all that on our first live performance ever.

That was crazy

Our stage performance includes normally headbanging and some posing.

But not as wild as in a thrash band for example.

First of all we want to create a dark atmosphere and transmit it to the crowd

And of course we prefer to play tight and without great mistakes before acting like maniacs on stage.

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

(Kraje)

Right now we have no plans for big tours but we still have a few shows left this year.

8.Cyrrently the band is signed to 'Doc Gator Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

(Kraje)

Doc Gator Records is a Label from Switzerland.

When someone says Doc Gator Records is an underground label, then you should know that there is always the motto : quality before quantity.

They signed Bands from Brazil, Bulgaria, Wales, England, Canada, India, USA, Switzerland and at least Germany.

And that is what makes them very special.

They give bands like us a chance to spread the music all over the globe.

For me this is more than underground work.

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

(Kraje)

Very different.

You know the old school black metal fans would say our music isn’t rough and fast enough.

Then you have these guys expecting nothing when they first heard our EP on Youtube, and later that day ,they bought it digital on bandcamp to support us.

Others are the same videogame freaks as we are, so they are totally hyped

10.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?

(Kraje)

Right now there is only me playing in another Band

It’s called Smorrah and in this band I play bass and do some backing vocals.

We recorded our first album in the same studio we were with old ruins.

I told the guys about the awesome time in the studio and the awesome sound Michael creates.

At the Moment we are planning our release.

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

(Kraje)

I can’t say where we are going in the future.

When we start a song, we never now what journey we will go on.

Some new parts are very 90’s black metal and then there are some breaks that you would never expect.

The only thing that will stay is our lyrical inspiration about the videogame and everything else only the time will tell.

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?

(Kraje)

Immortal and the Sideprojects from Abbath and Demonaz were big influence to me over the years. But there are a lot of other bands I prefer.

So on the one week I listen to iron maiden all the time, and the next week I listen to dissection.

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

(Kraje)

When I look back to the last 10 years ,

Never give up your dreams, there is always a way to reach what you are dreaming about.

And when you check out our Music…. Stay awhile…. and listen

https://www.instagram.com/oldruins.official/

https://www.facebook.com/OldRuinsGE

https://twitter.com/therealOldRuins

https://open.spotify.com/artist/16B7r7ccFBc2CGIdwzxSWA?si=40mlzhJsSlKidNDuGm5iEQ&nd=1

Putrascension/Forever Below/Horror Pain Gore Death Records/2023 FUll Length Review

 

  Putrascension  are  a  band  from  New  Jersey  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Forever  Below"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Horror  Gore  Pain  Death  Records.    

  A  very  fast  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style  and  death  metal  growls  can  also b e  heard  at  times.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  brutal  sounding  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing,  synths  and  spoken  word  parts,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  closing  track  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Putrascension  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  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  apocalyptic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Putrascension  are  a  very  great  sounding  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  "Deeper  Hell"  "Stillness"  and  "Meslemtaea"..  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.putrascension.com/

  

Martikor/Soliloquy/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Martikor  are  a  solo  project  form  San  Francisco,  California  that  plays  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  post  metal  with  elements  of  ambient  and  this  is  a  revie w of  his  self  released  2023  album  "Soliloquy".

  ambient  style  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  drum  beats  and  post  rock  style  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  metal.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  post  metal  style  while  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  synths  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  vocals.  as  well  as  some  of  the  guitar  leads  also  adding  in  touches  of  blackgaze,  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard,  acoustic  guitars  and  stringed  instruments  are  also  utilized  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Martikor  is  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  post  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE "Aimless  Dance  In  The  Hallow"  an d "Somber  pace".  8  out  of  10.

  https://open.spotify.com/album/7CEsOb1Gy7MmJ3JWf6GQFl

https://music.apple.com/us/album/soliloquy/1704619144

https://martikor.bandcamp.com/album/soliloquy

https://www.youtube.com/@Martikor_Music/featured

https://www.instagram.com/martikor_music/

https://soundcloud.com/martikor

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550720735395     

Old Ruins/Always Heading East/Doc Gator/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Old  Ruins  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death,  doom  and  heavy  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Always  Heading  East"  which  will b e  released  on  September  15th  by  Doc  Gator.

  Clean  playing,  nature  sounds  and  spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  aster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording  and  the  slower  sections  of t he  tracks  also  bring  in  element s of  doom  metal.

  Some  of  the  guitar  leads  also  show  an  influence  of  traditional  metal  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  the  heaviness  of  death  metal  at  times  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  percussion,  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  and  keyboards  are  added  on  the  closing  track.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  video  game 'Diablo'.

  In  my  opinion  Old  Ruins  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death,  doom  and  heavy  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Dark  Wanderer"  "Risen  From  The  Grave"  and  "Lord  of  Hell".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/OldRuinsGE

https://www.instagram.com/oldruins.official/

https://twitter.com/therealOldRuins

https://open.spotify.com/artist/16B7r7ccFBc2CGIdwzxSWA?si=40mlzhJsSlKidNDuGm5iEQ&nd=1

Fallen Choir/The Malevolent Waltz/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Fallen  Choir  are  a  solo  project  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2023  album  "The  Malevolent  Waltz".

  Symphonic  and  orchestra  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal s creams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era  as  well  as  the  riffing  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  When  guitar  leads  ae  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  All  of  the  vocals  are  also  very  easy  to  understand  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blas  beats  can  be  heard.     

  Fallen  Choir  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  symphonic  in  the  90's  tradition.   The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Anti  Christianity,  Religion,  Greed  and Power  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Fallen  Choir  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Devil's  Plea"  "The  Malevolent  Waltz"  and  "Existence  Becomes  Disease".  8  out  of  10.

  Bandcamp: https://fallenchoir.bandcamp. com/album/the-malevolent-waltz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ profile.php?id= 100095799511031&mibextid= ZbWKwL
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ FallenChoir
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ artist/4BLdAa3yLtloj5UkcDuvV8? si=TOkofAfPTWOcdxjKzLgK6Q
Instagram: https://instagram.com/fallen_choir?utm_source=qr&igshid= MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg%3D%3D
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ FallenChoirBand?t= IU8Jz9qDDgEV6Hkdw_kaVg&s=09

Gotland/Rise/Earth And Sky Productions/2023 Full Length Review

 

 Gotland  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  play  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Rise"  which  will b e  released  on  September  15th  by  Earth  And  Sky  Productions.

  A  very  atmospheric  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  synths  onto  the  recording  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Shamanistic  sounding  beats  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  symphonic  moments  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  Melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  some  of  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  90's  era  and  death  metal  growls  are  also  added  in  certain  sections  of  the  album.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  some  folk  instruments.  Tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  clear  pagan  vocals  into  the  music ,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  some  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  a  later  track  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  female  vocals. The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  Roman  Empire,  Vikings,  Battles  and  Middle  Age  History.

  In  my  opinion  Gotalnd  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  folk  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Roman  And  Cheruscan"  "Traitor  Or  Saver"  "The  Same  Blood"  and  "Rise".  8/5  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/gotlandmetal/?ref=ts    .