Drunkelweizen Interview

 

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

Being our debut album, I would assume we fall into the "never heard of before" category for most! Haha. Drunkelweizen is what we are proud to call "Drunken Folk Metal" and is a blend of metal styles along with classical and folk influences. The name itself was brewed from an inside joke between  founding members/life long friends, and our love of beer.

2.You have an album coming out in September, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

We were really inspired by some of the pioneers of folk metal such as Korpiklaani, Trollfest, and Ensiferum, to name only a few, that made us want to play a similar style of music. However, we also wanted to incorporate our backgrounds being classically trained to our black/death metal roots. We really wanted to blend havey metal with big orchestral arrangements, and varying vocal styles to ensure each track stands apart while being cohesive as an album.

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

Our debut album is an ode to those in history whose life was ever entwined with the godly nectar, alcohol. From legendary poet to notorious outlaw turned folk hero, spectacular miracles or a death that coined an unfortunate phrase, these songs are an homage to the legacy they brewed. Our opening songs tell the tale of such individuals throughout history, whereas the final songs are offered in tribute to those we did not recount, and fueled by their memory and more than a few drinks of our own.

4.I know that the bands name is related to alcohol, can you tell us a little bit more about the types of alcohol the band members consume?

We are primarily beer connoisseurs, however we appreciate most forms of alcohol. Except for gin. Never gin. Here in Portland Oregon we have quite a few craft breweries offering up a wide selection from hefeweizens (though we are partial for the true German imports), IPAs, or barrel aged stouts.  Honorable mention goes out to mead and bourbon!

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

Similar to our music, the artwork is a bit out of the norm for your standard metal album. It depicts our Beer Guarding Gnome - who as you would guess, guards our beer - on his own voyage through the ages as a Pioneer of Alcohol.

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

Drunkelweizen has yet to hit the stage but are open to the possibilities. Currently, we would love to find potential members for live violin, brass, woodwinds, or other unique/interesting instruments we could incorporate with our music both live and on future releases.

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

Thus far we are enjoying drinking some beers and making whatever we feel like musically. If an opportunity came around, we would certainly be interested in the possibilities.

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

Folk metal is interesting here in the states, as it isn't quite as common for the general metal population. For an older folk metal project of ours, it wasn't uncommon for new fans to think we were from some far distant land. As for Drunkelweizen and on a worldwide level, we are still waiting to see how exactly it is received. Here's to hoping listeners will lift up a glass for a toast with us!

9.Do any of the band members have experience playing in other bands or groups?

All the current members have played both together and with other projects in the past. I would say the more interesting tale would be for our upright bassist who is also part of a bagpipe ensemble. I hope to never be in the room while they are performing, but kudos to them and any that endure it.

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

We are already digging into our sophomore album and want to continue to feature a variety of various metal styles. Some tracks will be the heaviest to date, while others will have even more melodic and orchestral elements. Lyrically we will be venturing into a wide variety of topics where nothing is off limits.

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?

All forms of metal from black, death, folk, power, and every conceivable sub-genre that exists these days. Between members, there likely isn't a style of music (non-metal) that at least one of us listens to, and we hope to find ways to tie it to our music in future releases.

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

We have an initial teaser track (Pioneers of Alcohol Medley) live now on most streaming platforms and will be releasing photos, lyrics, songs, and more info as we near the debut album release. We would like to lift our steins to you and your readers for the time and hope everyone enjoys the music! Cheers!

Cheers!

Chris (Lead vocals/guitar for Drunkelweizen)

facebook.com/drunkelweizen

https://twitter.com/drunkelweizen

https://www.instagram.com/drunkelweizen/

www.youtube.com/@Drunkelweizen

https://drunkelweizen.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/62dZbLDdYy8BYzktXD27E1

https://soundcloud.com/drunkelweizen

Mycena 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?

Currently, we are still promoting our latest album "Serendisarray" and brainstorming concepts for our next album. I've also switched focus to my other musical projects (Vrhovec, Grinded Grin, Acid Hags). We've started collecting ideas, riffs, and themes for the new album. Once we gather a good number, we'll begin compiling and arranging them into a concept that best suits the new album. We plan to start working on the album this fall, and the writing and recording process is expected to take about six months.

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

On our previous albums, we relied heavily on improvisation. We didn't have finished themes, and they were recorded spontaneously when we all got together without prior arrangements or rehearsals. It was classic jamming. Our new album "Serendisarray" took about a year to record, spread across 10 sessions, with constant work on the concept. Every riff was tested and refined to fit the concept. Some songs started with a guitar riff, while others began with a drum pattern.

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?

Some of the lyrical themes include Nostradamus' predictions, Pythagoras and Pythagorean teachings, cosmic chaos and serenity, and emotional disturbances and passions. Progress as a songwriter is very evident in Mycena. However, since Mycena isn't the only band I'm in, the writing styles intertwine and improve through my other projects, making everything look different when I return to Mycena. With each album, the writing style evolves, and the art of songwriting is honed into the unique expression that each of us possesses.

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

The name Mycena was taken from a hallucinogenic mushroom, which perfectly fit the initial concept of a psychedelic band. An added bonus is that no one had used this name for a band before. Nowadays, it's challenging to find a super cool band name that hasn't already been taken.

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

The artwork for the album was created by the phenomenal artist Vhan. It perfectly represents the album, which has chaos as its main theme, with a psychedelic touch, space, mantra, the human in the center, and the third eye—everything you can hear and feel on the album.

6. Currently there are onyl 2 members in the band. are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

Currently, we are a duo when creating the album, but for concerts and recording, we have several musicians who join us depending on the concept of the concert or album. Moving forward, we will continue writing and recording as a duo, serving as the core idea center, and then we will use session musicians to enrich the album's sound.

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

The best concert, in my opinion, was in Koprivnica at FUNK Day when the festival was held outdoors. There were six of us on stage, and we created quite a scene with tons of smoke. I wore a white rabbit mask while playing the synth.

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

No, we don't tour; we only play occasional concerts at local festivals. We don't have that obligation or need because we are on our own label, and we don't make a living from music. But we live for music.

9. Currently the band is singed to 'Olde Scratch Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Olde Scratch is my label, covering all my bands and allowing me to keep everything under one umbrella. It's easier to reach journalists and promote our music, and the audience knows what to expect when they see an Olde Scratch release.

10. On  a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your albums by fans of underground music?

With the exception of one of my black metal project, Mycena has reached the furthest of all my endeavors. The response has been phenomenal and very surprising. Both journalists and the audience have reacted excellently. It's a great motivation for us to continue our work.

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

I think we'll be moving towards less improvisation in the future and aim to work more on concept and arrangement. Our goal is also to ensure each song has vocals and melody, while still embracing tension through dissonance. That's our current plan, and we'll see in a few months how much of it we can achieve and how well our current ideas will come to life.

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

My all-time favorites are Croatian Seven That Spells, Oranssi Pazuzu, Deathspell Omega, King Crimson, and Master Musicians of Bukkake. They embody that psychedelic dissonance with a unique atmosphere that I crave when listening to and creating music.

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

Nothing more, thank you very much for the interview, and thanks to everyone for listening to the "Serendisarray" album :)

(Aleksandar Vrhovec, Mycena)

https://mycena.bandcamp.com/album/serendisarray
https://youtu.be/STyy8PQ-fvc?si=eZm794NnY5bnSmK1

Locusts And Honey Interview

 

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

Stephen: We are a doom band from the UK.

Tomás: I’ll go along with that! With some black metal and dark ambient flourishes. 

So far you have released one album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

Stephen: It's a sort of blackened funeral doom with a cinematic bent. There's more of a mix of influences and styles in there than that, but essentially we wanted to write and play slow, heavy, bleak and sorrowful metal.

Tomás: I went for a dense, suffocating, wall of sound production style… not sure I achieved this but it was certainly my intention.

Both of the band members are also involved with other bands and projects, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Locusts And Honey' that you have not been able to do with your other groups?

Stephen: Slow, heavy music has been a go-to for me since I was a kid. My previous bands have been on the sludge side, so it's been great to shift over to doom. It's a different palette to work from and can be very emotionally charged. In the last few years I've had to come to grips with some mental health stuff, so it's a great release for me.

Tomás: I too have been playing loud music since I was young, black metal in particular. I currently have two other working projects, Gergesenes and Penitent Whisper. They are black metal and dark ambient respectively. I wanted to be freer of some of the constraints self imposed within those genres when starting Locusts and Honey I guess. 

Your lyrics are inspired by the bog bodies that were found in Denmark and Ireland, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

Stephen: Tom messaged me and said he was getting inspired by the bog bodies and asked if I wanted to be involved in what he was writing. So I started reading up on the phenomenon a bit. There's still a lot of mystery around the sacrificial practice, but also a lot we can deduce. However, when I heard the music Tom had written, what I heard was dark but very human and relatable, and immediately it made me think of how death sharpens our appetite for living, especially living well.

Tomás: The inspiration came from a reading of Glob’s seminal The Bog People: Iron-Age Man Preserved. If I’m honest it was the grainy photos therein that really affected me. Some rereading of Seamus Heaney’s bog poems, The Grauballe Man was perhaps the starting point. I visited the National Archaeology Museum in Dublin a few years back - viewing the remnants of those bodies on display there whilst suffering from a corruscating hangover left me wanting to create something for some reason! 

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Locusts And Honey'?

Stephen: It's a Biblical reference that Tom used for a previous project of his, and we both still quite liked how it sounded.

Tomás: Yes, the name was used almost twenty years ago for a rather maudlin slowcore project I had at the time. I mainly resurrected it to avoid the rigamarole of settling on a new name. Somewhat strangely, the two friends I was working with back then are now in this current version of the band. 

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

Tomás: The artwork was created for us by Samuel Guillet or Sam Rictus (https://www.instagram.com/samrictus). Sam was given a fairly loose brief to be honest - I’m very happy with how it turned out and strongly recommend others to check out his work. 

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

Stephen: We’ve recently been recruiting for a full line-up, which is great. When you get the right people it's a real pleasure to come together to create music, and I'm pretty excited to see the impact it will have for us in the near future.

Tomás: Yes, we have nearly solidified a full conventional band lineup. 

The album was released on 'Hypaethral Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Tomás: I sent the recording to various labels who I felt may be interested in working with us. I had heard some of the bands on Hypaethral before, like QAALM. so I was happy when Chris from Hypaethral said he was interested and it has been a pleasure to collaborate with him ever since! I’ll actually let Chris chime in himself here and let him give you some further information…

Chris: We started up Hypaethral Records back in 2012, with the goal of helping underground bands get their music out in physical and digital formats. We mostly work with doom and blackened metal. Locusts and Honey have been the first international band that we’ve worked with (outside of North America), which was an exciting new step for the label. 

Tomás sent me a cold email with a stream for the full EP and I knew immediately that it was something that we wanted to release. It absolutely blew me away on the first listen!

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

Stephen: The feedback I've got so far has been pretty positive. I think a lot of people understood what we were going for with the record and the band in general, and that is incredibly gratifying. We’re extremely grateful for all the support and love we’ve received so far.

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

Stephen: I see us just slowly evolving. We have a strong idea of the themes and feelings we want to evoke with our music, so however we progress it will be with these in mind.

Tomás: We have been writing new material with our new members. A totally new approach and one I am personally enjoying very much. I hope the future involves new music and touring too. 

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?

Stephen: Our influences are pretty varied, but I suppose the most apparent influences would be the likes of Bell Witch, Cough, Corrupted, The Body, Asunder… I don't ever have a band or record in mind when I'm writing, I just trust the influence of the music I love will come through naturally, filtered by my own thinking and emotions.

As to what I'm currently listening to, I quite often go back and listen to old favourites. At the time of writing this, I’ve just revisited the small but cracking discography of Carol Ann. Of new releases on the heavier side of things that I've been enjoying, there's Thou’s Umbilical, Cowardice’s Atavist, Simian Steel’s Missing Fucking Link… But it's always down to where my mood takes me.

Tomás: I feel I have less of the conventional ‘doom’ influences than perhaps Stephen does. I guess I draw most of my influences from the black metal spectrum… I have been close to the genre since I was a teenager in the mid nineties. Much as I have tried with lots of recent raw black metal it does still feel like my primary influences are those names from the Norway we all know so well. Also, I guess The Caretaker, William Basinski, Deathprod have influenced our more ambient moments.

I don’t listen to huge amounts of new heavy music I must say. That said, I enjoyed watching Sanguine Relic and Black Cilice play in London the other evening… Some other stuff I’ve recently enjoyed listening to of late have been Myriam Gendron, Warren Zevon, Jackie Edwards, Joanna Sternberg, Carme Lopez, Spirogyra, Washington Phillips, Tucker Zimmerman, Peter Bellamy… always a lot of Dylan too & lots of classical music - I’m getting on in years. 

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

Tomás: Many thanks for the interview and interest. 

https://instagram.com/_locustsandhoney_

Drunkelweizen/Pioneers Of Alcohol/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Drunkelweizen  are  a  band  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  plays  a  drunken  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2024  album  "Pioneers  of  Alcohol"  which  will  be  released  in  September.

  Ocean  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk  instruments  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  while  the  harsh  vocals  also  bring  in  more  of  a  grim  black  metal  style.

  Clear  pagan  metal  style  vocals  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats,  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  

  Drunkelweizen  plays  a  style  of  folk  metal  that  also  mixes  in  elements  of  black  and  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  alcohol  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Drunkenlweizen  are  a  very  great  sounding  folk  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Robinhood  Of  Moonshine"  "Pioneers  Of  Alcohol"  and  "Ein  Frosch".  8  out  of  10.

  facebook.com/drunkelweizen

https://twitter.com/drunkelweizen

https://www.instagram.com/drunkelweizen/

www.youtube.com/@Drunkelweizen

https://drunkelweizen.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/62dZbLDdYy8BYzktXD27E1

https://soundcloud.com/drunkelweizen    

Mycenia/Serendisarray/Olde Scratch Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Mycena  are  a  duo  from  Croatia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  metal,  stoner  rock,  jazz,  avant  garde,  experimental,  psychedelic  and  prog  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Serendisarray"  which  was  released  by  Olde  Scratch  Records.

  Psychedelic  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  clean  sections  also  take  the  music  into  more  of  a  progressive  direction  when  they  are  added  in  the  music.

  High  pitched  black  metal  screams  can  be  heard  briefly  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  elements  of  stoner  metal.  at  times  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  sounding  along  with  a  lot  of  the  vocals  adding  in  more  of  a  spoken  demonic  style,  saxophones  and  clarinets  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  The  album  also  adds  in  a  few  instrumentals  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  introduced  into  the  music,  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  most  of  the  songs  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.   The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  esoteric  themes.

  In  mu  opinion  Mycena  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  stoner  metal,  jazz,  avant  garde,  experimental,  psychedelic  and  prog  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lacrima  Futurum"  "Erato"  and  "Apatheia".  8  out  of  10.

  https://mycena.bandcamp.com/album/serendisarray

https://youtu.be/STyy8PQ-fvc?si=eZm794NnY5bnSmK1 

Octoploid/Beyond The Aeons/Reigning Phoenix Music/2024 Full length Review

 

  Octoploid  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  psychedelic  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Beyond  The  Aeons"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Reigning  Phoenix  Music.

  Nature  sounds ,  keyboards  and  folk  instruments  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  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  psychedelic  and  70's  progressive  rock  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Clear  vocals  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in    small  amount  of  clean  playing.

    When  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  and  most  of  the  album  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  humanity  and  mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Octoploid  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  with  elements  of  progressive  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Dawns  In  Nothingness"  "Shattered  Wings"  and  "A  Dusk  Of  Vex".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/octoploidmusic

https://www.instagram.com/octoploidmusic
https://twitter.com/octoploidmusic
https://www.tiktok.com/@octoploidmusic

https://www.reigningphoenixmusic.com/artists/octoploid        

Breaths/Self Titled/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Richmond,  Virginia's  solo  project  Breaths  has  returned  with  a  new  album  which  shows  him  moving  away  from  the  post  black  and  doom  metal  elements  of  earlier  releases  and  focusing  on  a  heavier  shoegaze  style  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  and  self  titled  2024  album  which  will  be  released  in  July.

  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  shoegaze  direction  while  all  of  the  drum  beats  are  programmed.  Vocals are  done  in  more  of  a  clear  style  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  heavier  riffing  also  shows  an  influence  of  doom  metal.

  Elements  of  post  and  alternative  rock  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  clean  playing  is  also  a  very  huge  part  of  th4e  album.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  along  with  the  guitar  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  introduced  into  the  music  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction.

  On  this  recording  Brteaths  focuses  more  on  a  heavy  shoegaze  style  as  well  as  adding  in  the  heaviness  of  shoegaze  at  times.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  personal  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Breaths  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  shoegaze,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fade  Apart"  "Dream  Walking"  "Hide  In  Starlight"  and "Embody".  8  out  of  10.

  https://breaths.bandcamp.com/album/breaths