Raven Wundis Interview

 

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

The solo project was conceived to pave the way for a more diverse and personal musical exploration, having the freedom to create art without the boundaries of anything or anyone. Somehow, it liberates myself from the limitation of a band setup and gives me a fresh perspective.

2.So far you have released 2 full lengths, musically how do they both differ from each other?

In actuality, I have released just one concept album comprised of 7 previously released singles, chapters if I may say. The third chapter “A Glimpse of Being” is a 35-minute epic track, which some streaming platforms see as a full length or an EP. So it may seem that I have released to separate full lengths  but it’s actually just one. The 7 seven chapters have their own story to tell and has their own identity but all are connected.

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

“In Shadows Summons Divinity” is a 1 hour and 27 minutes long concept album which took 3 years to complete. The story is about an ancient god named Orhyd, his creations, his doubts, his failures and triumphs. It began in darkness and his journey towards the formation of the celestial sphere, eventually leading to the evolution of existence, its struggles, its expansive resilience, the vicious cycle of death and rebirth, creation and destruction. In its conclusion, existence is fully developed yet Orhyd seem to doubt his creation if it is truly a gift or a curse. The lyrical content between chapters presents a chain in which the last word of a preceding chapter is also the beginning word of the next chapter, adding to the connection and binding of the concept tale. The whole album is a single track with the same title as the album title, comprised of 7 chapters.  I am extremely confident that I have done justice to the voices in my head with this release, they are actually not pissed

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Raven Wundis'/

Raven Wundis is an anagram of my real name and I am a confessed sucker for such. It somehow depicts the meaning of shadows shrouded in mystery, and it has the nice ring to it, don’t you think?

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

The artwork is a collage of concept and mysticism as well. It has the divine hands that represent Orhyd, his creation, the firmament and the abyss, the progessing time representing the evolution, existence and darkness

6.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

I am open to working with other musicians. In fact, I am currently involved with 2 bands, Corporate Fiction and The Muted Squalls. Both are also from the Philippines but it is in the opposite side of the musical spectrum

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

Yes  I am curranty unsigned and am looking for a label that could help me put out a physical distribution. 3 record labels have shown interest but somehow financial terms seem to be a little confusing so I am still on the lookout for a label, perhaps you can point me to the right direction with this

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

So far so good, and they seem to appreciate the works that I have put out with this release. Pretty much a positive reception and I really appreciate it. It has been fun and humbling at the same time.

9.Are you also involved with any other bands or musical projects?

Yup, with Corporate Fiction and The Muted Squals

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

The musical direction of the upcoming releases that I cannot divulge as of yet since I write as the creative machine begins spinning, when the savage itch needed to be taken cared of. Hopefully, by that time, I am able to find the appropriate label

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?

Opeth has been a huge influence. Also Bjork, Ne Obliviscaris, Death Spell Omega, The Ocean Colective, Pain of Salvation, The Church, The Cure, Depeche Mode. I practically listen to any music that tingles my ears, regardless of genre

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

A massive thanks to ADifferentShadeOfBlackMetalZine for this opportunity. Continue showing support to original music and keep the fire burning by raising the horns!

Official Site: https://ravenwundis.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/raven.wundis.music

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ravenwundis/?hl=en

X formerly Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWundis

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4M8inNwbtLAvU5sIWvnhqR

BANDCAMP: https://ravenwundis.bandcamp.com/album/in-shadows-summons-divinity

APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/raven-wundis/1511447052

Tele.S.Therion/Black Paintings VIII-XI/Radical Matters/2020 Full Length Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  an  earlier  recording  from  Italy's  Tele.S.Therion  which  shows  their  early  style  of  acoustomatic  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Black  Painting  VIII-XI"  which  was  originally  produced  in  2011  and  released  in  2020  by  Radical  Matters.

  Dark  soundscapes  and  noises  start  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  At  times  the  music  captures  a  very  lo-fi  atmosphere  along  with  some  drones  also  being  utilized  in  certain  sections  of t he  recording  and  the  bass  guitars  add  in  the  heaviness  of  black  and  doom  metal.

  All  of  the  music  is  also  instrumental  while  all  of  the  songs  also  sound  improvised  while  the  percussions  also  add  in  some  ritualistic  touches.  All  of t he  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  the  album  also  adding  in  harsh  noises  that  are  done  by  amplifiers   mixed  in  with  some  power  electronics.

  On  this  recording  Tele.S.Therion  took  black,  doom  metal,  noise,  experimental  and  drone  and  mixed  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  recording  that  was  heavier  than  current  releases  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Tele.S.Therion  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom  metal,  drone,  noise  and  experimental,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Black  Paining  VIII"  and  "Black  Painting  XI".  8  out  of  10.

  https://telestherion.bandcamp.com/album/black-paintings-viii-xi

Apoplexy/Destiny/HladoHlas/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Apoplexy  are  a  band  from  Slovakia  that  plays  an  atmospheric  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Destiny"  which  was  released  by  HladoHlas.

  Atmospheric  and  symphonic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  Elements  of  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the music  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  90's  influences.  Clear  vocals  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  album  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  album  closes  with  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  mythological  and  esoteric  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Apoplexy  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In  The  Carpathian's  Woods"  "Morpheus"  and  "Mephistofeles".  8 out  of  10.  

  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Apoplexy.sk

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ apoplexy-band

Tele.S.Therion/Pho Ba Grong 'Jug - Acta incognitorum, r. g. i. v. VIII TA - Contemplatio Musicae In Musicae Absentia [For solo performer]/Radical Matters/2023 FUll Length Review

 

  Italy's  Tele.S.Therion  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  them  expanding  on  their  acoustomatic  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Pho  Ba  Grong  'Jug - Acta  incognitorum,  r. g. i. v.  VIII  TA  -  Contemplatio  Musicae  In  Musicae  Absentia  [For  solo performer]"  which  was  released  by  Radical  Matters.

  Field  recordings  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  an  experimental  and  avant  garde  musical  direction.  All  of  the  music  is  also  improvised  while  viola  bow's  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  along  with  the  electric  bass  also  being  utilized  more  as  a  lead  instrument  and  the  album  also h as  its  ritualistic  moments.

  Elements  of  black  and  doom  metal a re  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  noises  are  also  added  into  some  part  of  the  album.  When  percussion  is  utilized  it  is  also  done  in  a  very  aggressive  style  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  some  home  made  instruments,  evil  voices  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  On  this  recording  Tele.S.Therion  takes  black,  doom  metal,  experimental,  avant  garde  and  noise  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  album  as  well  as  keeping  everything  improvised  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark,

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Tele.S.Therion  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom  meta,  noise,  avant  garde  and  experimental  music,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  8  out  of  10.

  : https://telestherion.bandcamp.com

 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzJNIhYbowY    

    

Witches Hollow/Grimoire/Iron, Blood & Death Corporation/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Witches  Hollow  are  a  solo  project  form  Finland  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2023  album  "Grimoire"  which  was  released  by  iron,  Blood  &  Death  Corporation.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.  Symphonic  elements  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  90's  influences  and  blast  beats  are  also  added  in  the  faster  sections  of  the  recording.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Acoustic  guitars  and  stringed  instruments  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  ritualistic  chants  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  Witchcraft,  Horror  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Witches  Hollow  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  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Witch  And  The  Devil  Spoke"  "The  Witch  And  The  Midnights  Hour"  and  "The  Witch  And  Night  Eternal".  8/5  out  of  10.

  https://open.spotify.com/album/0dZclUVYJrYrHw0dkeddPA        

Mortis Cruentus/Destroyers Of Humanity/2023 EP Review

 

  Mortis  Cruentus  are  a  band  from  Spain  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  melodic  and  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2023  ep  "Destroyers  Of  Humanity".

  A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats   and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard  and  a  lot  of  the  recording  shows  a  lot  of  roots  in  the  classic  Swedish  style.

  Symphonic  sounds  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.

  On  this  recording  Mortis  Cruentus  adds  in  a  symphonic  touch  to  their  melodic  blackened  death  metal  style  without  losing  any  aggression.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  blood,  war  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Mortis  Cruentus  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "In  Your  Darkness...We  Will  Rise".  8  out  of  10.

  www.mortiscruentus.com

  http://mortiscruentus.bandcamp.com/     

    

Burden/Bidh mi mo dh​ò​chas fh​è​in/Fiadh Productions/2023 EP Review

 

  Burden  are  a  solo  project  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  folk  metal  on  previous  rleeases  and  goes  for  more  of  a  traditional  folk  music  direction  on  this  release  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2023  ep  "Bidh  mi  mo  dh​ò​chas  fh​è​in"  which  was  released  by  Fiadh  Productions.

  Folk  instruments  start  off  the  ep  while  the  music  also  brings  in  a  lot  of  elements  of  Scottish  folk  music.  All  of  the  songs  on  this  recording  stick  to  an  instrumental  direction  and  a  lot  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  short  in  length.

  On  this  recording  Burden  moves  away  from  the  metal  elements  of  previous  releases  and  does  covers  of  classic  Scottish  folk  tunes  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Burden  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  folk  metal  and  traditional  Scottish  folk  music,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Loch  Laomainn"  and  "Am  pìobaire  air  mhis".  8  out  of  10.

   Burden