Epic Death 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 the recording and release of 'The Seer,' our focus has been squarely on promotion. We intentionally kept our live performances minimal during the recording phase to dedicate our energy to this album's launch. To amplify our reach, we've brought on Metal Devastation PR, who are doing an incredible job helping us spread the word and connect with our audience on a broader scale. The momentum is building, and we're excited to see 'The Seer' resonate with fans."

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

"'The Seer' definitely takes a more progressive turn compared to 'Witchcraft.' While 'Witchcraft' established our core sound, 'The Seer' incorporates more intricate progressive metal elements, pushing our boundaries musically. However, both albums remain undeniably and emphatically METAL. We embrace the diverse sub-genres within metal, but at our heart, we are about delivering raw, powerful, and authentic metal music."

3. This is also your first album in 10 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

"That ten-year gap was a period of crucial internal refinement. You know the saying, 'having the right pieces to the puzzle'? That's exactly what we were focused on. We dedicated ourselves to ensuring the band's lineup was absolutely solid and cohesive. Once we had that synergy, the songwriting process truly began. While unforeseen circumstances did extend the timeline beyond our initial hopes, we firmly believe the wait has been more than worth it for 'The Seer.' We did manage to break the silence with a successful week-long tour in 2023, hitting Texas, Vegas, and two fantastic shows in Arizona, which was a great way to reconnect with our live audience."

4. So far lyrically you have covered Witchcraft and Norse Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

"Our passion lies in crafting compelling narratives through our music, and what better subjects than the rich tapestry of the supernatural and ancient mythology? These themes offer an endless well of inspiration for storytelling, allowing us to delve into deep, often dark, and always captivating lore. They provide a powerful backdrop for the intensity of our music, creating an immersive experience for our listeners."

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Epic Death'?

"The name 'Epic Death' actually has a rather serendipitous origin. Back in 2010, when it was just Dennis and Becky, we were brainstorming band names. Dennis, a huge fan, lamented, 'Death took the best band name in the history of band names.' Becky, with a flash of inspiration, immediately countered, 'What about Epic Death?' It just clicked. From that moment, it became the band's moniker, partly as a respectful nod to the legendary Chuck Schuldiner and the band Death, embodying both the grand scale of our music and a tribute to one of metal's true pioneers."

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

"We're thrilled to feature Lady India, the same phenomenal model from our 'Witchcraft' cover, on 'The Seer.' She's an extraordinary artist in her own right, known for her captivating fire artistry and unique performances. We approached Lady India with the album title and overarching theme, giving her complete creative freedom to interpret and create the visuals she felt best represented 'The Seer.' The images you see now are just a glimpse of the incredible work she delivered. We'll be gradually releasing more of these stunning photographs as part of our ongoing promotion for 'The Seer,' not only to enhance the album's presence but also to showcase Lady India's exceptional talent."

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?

"Over our 15 years, we've had the privilege of playing countless memorable shows, but some truly stand out. Sharing the stage with bands like Mushroomhead, Gemini Syndrome, Carach Angren, Nile, and Finntroll were unforgettable experiences. Our 2023 tour also featured two absolutely phenomenal shows in Arizona that truly energized us. As for our stage performance, we strive for an intense and immersive experience. We aim to translate the power and emotion of our music into a visually captivating and high-energy live show that leaves a lasting impression on the audience."

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

"Our primary focus right now is on strategic opportunities. We're actively keeping our eyes open for festival appearances. Festivals offer an incredible platform to reach a broad and dedicated audience, and we believe our sound will resonate strongly in that environment. We're eager to bring 'The Seer' to the stage and connect with fans live."

9. The new album was self-released, but the band has worked with a label before in the past. Are you open to working with another label in the future?

"Both 'Witchcraft' and 'The Seer' were released under our own imprint, Bast Records. While we've always harbored the ambition of securing distribution with a larger, more established name, the landscape of the music industry is incredibly competitive. With so many talented bands vying for attention, it can be challenging for an independent band like ours to gain the same visibility as more mainstream acts. That said, we remain open to opportunities. If a partnership with a label aligns with our vision and offers significant benefits, we would certainly consider it."

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

"The reaction to our new music has been overwhelmingly positive, which is incredibly validating. We even consider it a badge of honor when our music starts circulating on Russian torrent sites – it's a clear indicator that you've created something impactful enough to capture global attention, even if it's not always through official channels! It shows our music is reaching a wide audience and resonating with them."

11. 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?

"Our rhythm section is quite active! Reece, our drummer, and Justin, our bass player, are both integral members of the band Omen. They are currently deep in the creative process, actively writing new music for Omen, which is exciting for them and for fans of their work."

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

"We're always looking ahead, and we've already solidified the theme for our next album. Without giving too much away, I can confidently say that it will strongly appeal to anyone who enjoys horror movies. We're excited to delve into a darker, more cinematic sonic landscape, and we believe it will be a thrilling evolution for Epic Death's sound."

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

"Our collective listening habits are quite diverse, reflecting the varied influences within the band. You'll find everything from the raw intensity of Slayer and Cannibal Corpse, to the epic power of Amon Amarth, and the technicality of Dream Theater. This broad palette of musical tastes undoubtedly contributes to the unique blend that defines Epic Death's sound."

"Absolutely. We sincerely hope that anyone reading this will take the time to check out our music and, if it resonates with them, share it with their friends. Every band, regardless of how successful they become, starts as a 'local' band with the same fundamental dream: to be known for their music and to cultivate a dedicated fanbase. We invite everyone to visit our social media pages, stream our music on Spotify, Pandora, and YouTube, and keep an eye out for our developing TikTok content. We're deeply committed to connecting with our listeners and building a thriving community. Stay tuned for what comes next from Epic Death – we've got a lot more in store!"

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

https://www.facebook.com/EpicDeathOfficial

http://www.instagram.com/epicdeathband

https://x.com/EpicDeathBand

https://www.youtube.com/epicdeath

Existentialist/Terminal/Seek & Shake/2025 EP Review

 

  Existentialist  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  ep  "Terminal"  which  will b e  released  in  June  by  Seek  &  Shake.

  Symphonic  style  keyboards  and  orchestration  start  off  the  ep  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  elements  of  deathcore  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  ep.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  clean  playing  is  also  added  on  a  couple  of  tracks  and  a  couple  of  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  bonus  track  also  adding  in  some  choirs.

  Existentialist  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  symphonic  black,  death  metal  and  deathcore  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  human  condition.

  In  my  opinion  Existentialist  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  black, death metal  and  deathcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUD E "Death  Before  Death'  and  "Wraithchild".  

https://www.facebook.com/ExistentialistUK

https://www.instagram.com/existentialist.uk/#

https://open.spotify.com/artist/4wLNwOLv2VRH88SncD9yD5?si=TZQ10QjWSgin4Hceb7HkSg&nd=1&dlsi=efcf9b7616334bae

Lacabra Interview

 

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

We are staying very busy and about to drop our debut album Self titled LACABRA. Also staying busy doing Album release shows and a showcase in Las Vegas for MTheory Audio, the label we are signed to.

2.You have your first full length coming out in June, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

We just went with our musical influences for this first album and smashed them all together and it created a really unique sound. Our influences range from Black Metal to Melodic Death Metal to Punk. 

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

All of the lyrics are written about personal experiences, ranging from friends that have OD’d to personal drug abuse in the past to cult leaders which we could dig into that one later.

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

I almost opened a punk metal bar with a friend and we were going to call it La Cabra Negra. The name just rolled off the tongue really nicely and at the Same time we were forming LACABRA so I thought it would be a cool name meaning the goat. Doesn’t get much more metal than that.

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

Yes, it’s a beautiful creation by one of my favorite artists Nestor Avalos Who has done work for Exodus, rotting Christ and Diecide among tons of other bands. He is doing the artwork for our sophomore release as well, which we are currently working on.

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

I think two of the shows that stick out for me personally were opening for Crypta at a legendary venue in Seattle, our hometown called El Corazón. The pit was huge and people brought their kids and were putting them up on their shoulders in the pit. It was fucking nuts! Another one would have been Spézet in France with our good friends Anthares (French Thrash Metal), that crowd was so fucking crazy! France goes off!

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

Yes, we have a couple short runs after the album release regionally and another European tour in October that includes Germany, Netherlands and France again, we absolutely love France so we’re going to keep going over there as much as possible.

The guys from Anthares have been so good to us and got us such good shows. How could we refuse and we’re going to try to do the same for them for next year in the states. So yes, we will be staying busy!

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

There’s so many different genres of those two types of music now we’ve gotten really good reception from all of them, not exactly sure how they true black metal crowd feels about us, they usually don’t like too much outside of their own realm, but that’s OK with us, as long as we know what we do is fucking real and we are happy with what we do that’s all we care about. We don’t really pay much attention to what’s going on around us or how people feel about us. We just do our thing. But so far the reactions have been really good.

9.What is going on with 'Locisteller' these days which also shares a lot of the same band members?

Never count Locistellar out! hopefully, we’ll be able to put together a couple shows in the future, I’m very proud of that album and Didier and I are in constant contact. We are good friends and talk about putting something together someday when the timing is right, we are both busy with our own projects now, so who knows? He has a killer doom band called EXDESTRIER out of Edinburgh, Scotland. Hopefully, they put an album out soon!

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

We’re going to just keep doing us whatever we are feeling is what we put out. I think the next album will be a little bit more cohesive now that we’ve found our groove playing these songs live. I imagine some of the songs are going to be faster as well from what we’ve been writing so far. But it will all sound like LACABRA for sure.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles these days that some of the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

Some of the guys have been listening to immortal, Old In Flames, and stuff like that. I listen to Punk, Dark Wave and Metal (Nightfeeder, ACTORS and Bear Mace, but I’ve been listening to a lot of classic metal as well like Judas Priest and Bathory. There’s just so much out there. It’s really great to go down rabbit holes, and discover new music too.

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

We are really hoping to get out there and start touring and doing what we do best, so we hope to see you all at the shows! Cheers!

www.facebook.com/lacabrametal

www.instagram.com/lacabrametal

www.lacabrametal.bandcamp.com

Memories Of A Lost Soul/Songs From The Restless Oblivion/My Kingdom Music/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Memories  Of   A  Lost  Soul  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2025  album  "Songs  From  The  Restless  Oblivion"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  My  Kingdom  Music.

  Epic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  harsh  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  blast  beats  are  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  clear  vocals  also  bringing  in  elements  of  gothic  metal.

  Clean  playing  is  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  the  recording  also  having  its  symphonic  moments.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  as  well  as  some  female  vocals  and  spoken  words  also  being  utilized  on  a  few  tracks,  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  and  a  later  track  is  also  an  instrumental. The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  abstract,  death  and  darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Memories  Of  A  Lost  Soul  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  death  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Immortal  Rites"  "Two  Dividing  Souls"  "Into  This  Maze  Of  Torment"  and  "Prone  To  Revolting".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/memoriesofalostsoulofficial   

Rum Runners/Wreck And Revere/2025 EP Review

 

  Rum  Runners  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  very  epic  form  of  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2025  ep  "Wreck  And  Revere".

  Nature  sounds  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  folk  instruments  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  some  of  the  recording  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  classical  music  and  some  of  the  vocals  bring  in  more  of  a  power  metal  style.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  thrash  metal  elements.  Blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  black  metal  screams  are  also  introduced  in  a  later  song  and  the  recording  also h as  its  progressive  moments  as  well a s  some  clean  playing  also  being  added  on  the  closing  track.

  Rum  Runners  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  epic  folk,  black,  thrash,  power  and  progressive  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  pirate  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Rum  Runners  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  folk  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "The  Glory  Is  Mine".  8 out  of  10.

  https://rumrunners.bandcamp.com/album/the-quest-for-mead

https://www.facebook.com/rumrunnerspiratemetal

https://www.instagram.com/rumrunnersmetal/?igsh=MTcxYWZ5a2V4amg1cQ%3D%3D#

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ddQeQ4adwKYHErsqtkHrQ?si=dt5RpjkJSJy-TIIluzxrEQ&nd=1&dlsi=a8f991bbe31b4633

https://www.youtube.com/@RumRunnersau

  

Lacabra/Self Titled/M-Theory Audio/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Lacabra  are  a  band  from  Seattle,  Washington  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  progressive  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2025  album  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  M-Theory  Audio.

  A  very  dark  yet  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  at  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding.  

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  death  metal  growls  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  track.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  clear  singing  also  being  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  touches  of  darkwave  and  traditional  metal.  Spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  stringed  instruments  onto  the  album  and  tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing,  clean  playing  is  also  introduced  on  a  later  song.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  realistic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Lacabra  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  progressive  blackened  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blood  Of  The  Goat  1876"  "Nothing"  "Enemy"  and  "Fractured".  8  out  of  10.

  www.facebook.com/lacabrametal

www.instagram.com/lacabrametal

www.lacabrametal.bandcamp.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vvFCE7JcCI&ab_channel=M-TheoryAudio

  

Bryan Eckermann/The Fall Of Heaven/Bonespill Recordings/2025 Full Length Review

 

  Texas's  solo  artist  Bryan  Eckerman  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2025  album  "The  Fall  of  Heaven"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Bonespill  Recordings.

  Clean  playing  and  synths  start  off  the  album  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  at  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing.

  On  this  recording  Bryan  Eckermann  goes  for  a  very  melodic  and  progressive  form  of  blackened  death  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  afterlife  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Bryan  Eckermann  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  progressive  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Deafening  Silence"  "Death  By  Dream"  "Denied  Of  Grace"  and  "A  Darker  Grey".  8  out  of  10.

  

facebook.com/ bryaneckermannofficial

instagram.com/bryaneckermann

youtube.com/@ bryaneckermannofficial

bryaneckermann.bandcamp.com

linktr.ee/bryaneckermann