Plaguebreeder Interview

 

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

Plaguebreeder is a symphonic extreme metal band from Finland. Current line up is a trio: Ardeath (vocals/bass/orchestras), Klaath (guitars) and Kalmisto (drums).

2.Recently you have released a new ep, musically how does it differ from the previous demos? 

I think it’s more diverse and ruthless. We spent more time on planning and recording the guitars and vocals than before, so we could get most out of them. Also adding the orchestras makes a big difference to the previous recordings.

3.This is also the first release in 7 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span? 

During the 7 years the line-up has changed a couple of times. Two previous guitarists, Hornthrone and Mr. Bleedy, left and Klaath joined the band. There was a different bass player, Azagrath, for a while but things didn’t work quite well, so I decided to take the bass again. Also my personal life has been quite busy these years, so I had to re-schedule a lot of band related things.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years? 

The new EP deals with topics like war, nuclear destruction and ecocatastrophe. I’d say that war in different perspectives is the binding theme in all of the songs. 

Our songwriting process has been quite the same all these years: I write basic skeleton at home and we all add some meat and blood on it at our rehearsal place. It usually takes 3-5 different variations to get the track good enough. On this EP the most straightforward track was I Believe in Misanthropy, which I wrote entirely at one session. The Arrival of Fire took 8 different versions to get it right if I remember correctly. The writing process always starts with a killer guitar riff or a kick ass melody. When the track has been tested enough at rehearsal’s I start composing the orchestras and writing the lyrics.

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

When I came up with the name, I wanted to create music that would be as brutal and vile as the black death back in 1347-1351. So breeding the plague is breeding our music. 

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

I’ve always made the covers myself. This time I wanted to create a symbol that you can recognize instantly as the symbol of Plaguebreeder. The symbol consists of nuclear and chaos symbols and it has 12 spikes which symbolize time. Since most of the lyrics were ready and their theme was quite violent, I came up with the idea of making our symbol as the Earth itself in the breaking point. In the cover Earth’s seas have turned to blood, rivers to fire and continents as ash. Total annihilation that is.

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? 

On stage we try to be as ruthless as possible. You can get an idea of what we are about live if you watch our music video The Root of Extinction on youtube.  It was filmed at our rehearsal place on live like situation. We have done quite a few good gigs. I think you can get a really good show even with a small audience (in this Covid-19 time especially) if the crowd is fully with you in the music. I always get a real energy boost when the crowd is screaming. Our biggest gig was at Steelfest Open Air which was also pretty awesome. 

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

I think we have reached the global audience better than before. Big thanks goes of course to our record label Inverse Records since they have done quite good job with the marketing. I can’t really say how black, death and symphonic metal fans have reacted to our music since our stuff is a mixture of all of these genres, but all in all, the feedback has been very positive. 

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical styles these days that some of the band members are a part of? 

I’m currently writing lyrics to MMD which is an old band. Years ago, I was a bass player in the band but Abyss (guitarist) asked me to rejoin the group as a vocalist. We released a single Seeds of Evil last summer and we are currently working on our debut album. I’m working with Plaguebreeder’s Klaath on Northern Genocide, an industrial melodic death metal band, and we are also writing a new album. We released our debut album Genesis vol. 666 over a year ago and got a really good response from the audience. Kalmisto is also working on a new album with his pornogrind band Inferia, which is one of the oldest, if not the oldest grind band in Finland. So we are quite busy all the time. 

10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future? 

We have been working on new tracks quite some time already and we have 4 songs completely ready. Also there’s roughly 3 good skeletons on the way. I hope we can start recording next Summer or Autumn maybe. Musically we are going towards more diverse, orchestral and melodic direction. In general we have slowed the tempo a bit but we still have some really vicious things coming up.

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? 

We as a trio, listen to variety of material from black metal to power metal and even ebm and synthpop. But the stuff that influence our music and have always influenced are such bands as Immortal, Vader, Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Anaal Nathrakh and Marduk.

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

Check out our music videos on youtube, our Spotify and keep listening to metal and spread the plague! 

https://www.facebook.com/Plaguebreeder
https://www.youtube.com/user/Plaguebreederband
https://www.instagram.com/plaguebreeder
https://plaguebreeder.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/plaguebreeder

Fordomth/I.N.D.N.S.L.E/Endless Winter Records/2018 CD Review

  Fordomth  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "I.N.D.N.S.L.E"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Endless  Winter  Records.

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times  before  adding  in  some  clean  playing  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  riffs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful.

  Vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  clean  singing,  guttural  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal screams  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  are  very  heavily  rooted  in  funeral  doom  metal  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  spoken  word  parts  onto  the  recording  and  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  poetic  atmosphere,  all  of the  music  sticks  to  a  slower  direction  and  also  captures  the  heaviness  of  sludge  metal  and  as  the  album   progresses  slide  guitars  and  stringed  instruments  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Forndomth  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  covering  based  upon  eternal  damnation,  developed  under  it's  satanic  perspectives.

  In  my  opinion  Forndomth  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Chapter  II  Abyss  Of  Hell"  and  "Chapter  V  I.N.D.S.L.E".  8  out  of  10.

fordomthband@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/fordomth666
www.instagram.com/fordomth.666
http://endless-winter.org/
www.facebook.com/EndlessWinterDoomMetal

    

Stortregn/Impermanence/The Artisan Era/2021 CD Review

 

  Switzerland's  Stortregn  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  from  their  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Impermanence"  which  will  be  released  in  march  by  the  Artisan  Era.

  Synths,  classical  guitars,  rain  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  some  drum  beats  and  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads.  The  heavier  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  progressive  moments  as  well  as  acoustic  guitars  also  being  added  on  some  of  the  tracks.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  technical  sounding  along  with  some  influences  form  the  90's  Swedish  era  but  keeping  it  modern  at  the  same  time.  A  decent  amount of  jazz  influences  can  also  be  heard  in  the  way  the  music  is  being  structured  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  spoken  word  parts  onto  the  recording,  tremolo  picking  can  also b e  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  scientific  and  cosmos  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Stortregn  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ghosts  Of  The  Past"  "Grand  Nexion  Abyss"  and  "Timeless  Splendor".  8  out  of  10.

Social Media Links http://www.stortregn.com
Instagram: @stortregn_official
 https://www.facebook.com/Stortregn

https://youtu.be/DURn6it0P6I

Orkrist 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?

After releasing the new album (January 2023) we of course tried to promote it and played few gigs in Czech republic and Slovakia. There was one special concert in our hometown, just very recently (end of June) where we played on a small courtyard, so open air, old walls, and own sound production (little bit underground style) 😊

 

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

We have a typical footprint from the late 90’s – melodic black/doom metal, with keyboards, flute, female voice and male grunts, melodic or slow doom guitars. This is something what media is telling us is wrong – that we do not change ourselves. However I am not taking that so badly, you need to have a typical footprint (Iron Maiden has, it, AC/DC as well, ...) and evolve even. We try to bring always some small elements on top – in this case it was more acoustic guitar playing in parallel with the electric one, male clean voice in few songs and live (not much to be heard in the recording) we use a timpan (hit orchestral instrument) which is very rare. (also expensive 😊 )

3.The band was also broken yup for a few years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?

We have this question in almost every interview 😊. It was simply the destiny – me (as a composer) was empty of ideas, few band members started their own families or travelled abroad. We met together after 14 years, with having family life little bit stable and tried to put something together. Since the comeback (2018) we released 2 albums, what we did not expect. We somehow thought we will only play the old songs, as we have seen many people wishing our comeback, but we had luck there were ideas even for 2 albums. 

4.The lyrics and the band name comes from the writings of J.R.R Tolkien, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his writings and also do you have any interest in other fantasy authors?

Apologies if you got wrong information. Inspiration by Tolkien was with us in 2003 on our 2nd album „Grond“. The last album is inspired by old Slovak (our country) faerytales and castle legends. Do you know that Slovakia is the country with most of castles / ruins per one citizen? With that lot of old legends come and we try to use them in the lyrics. Normally these are stories about unhappy love, romantic topics, wizards, dragons, witches, prophecies, curses .... all the themes from the new album are captured on the album layout if you watch carefully.

The stories normally end sadly, therefore also the album name LUEA (Living Unhappily Ever After).

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

I touched this topic in the previous answer. It is a collage of all various tales and legends being used in the song lyrics. You will find an abandoned cursed castle, maid jumping from a cliff because ending her life due to an unhappy love, wizard calling a dragon, witches flying above the mountains and few others. In te part with the mountains we incorporated the highest hill of our country, which has a typical abyss seen on the first look.

We like the artwork much and it was created by a talented guy Joan Llopis Domenech.

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

We have mainly small underground concerts (70 – 250 people in the audience) and they have one thing in common – great atmosphere coming from the fans. We try to communicate with people and lead them to support us by clapping some rhythmical parts.

 

What is maybe unusual is ( I mentioned already earlier) – using  timpani, which is a great instrument – if visually or sound wise. 

 

It is not easy to set up the sound for it, therefore we rather use it for the open air concerts. For smaller or indoor events we have an alternative – a tom hidden in  piece of wood. People always ask us if that is real. It is.

 

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

Currently we have set a summer break. We are a small band, without label – it is not easy to get to festivals, speaking about some known ones. We can rely only on luck and friendship / support of some local promoters. Here we had a great opportunity to play as support of Eluveitie last year, the last band before they started. That was great, you do not have this kind of luck normally. (we had something similar long time ago when we played in front of Nightwish). If you are successful to get to some festival, band of our size, which is completely unknown normally gets playtime very early when not much people are in.

Our dream was to get to some bigger festivals in Germany, however not successful there. Nevermind, we know that music is business as well. 

8.Currently the band is unsigned but has worked with a label in the past, are you open to working with another label again in the future or do you prefer to be independent?

We released our last 2 albums by ourselves. There are pros and cons to be with some label.

Pros – much better promotion, distribution, chance to get to better concerts.

Cons – you are somehow bound, and we do not prefer that. In the current situation we have complete freedom (but of course losing the pros)

We do our music from heart, it is not our money income (rather money absorber 😊 ).

I am not saying label yes or no, but feeling fine where we are.

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

We are a small band from a country which is not that known on the worldwide metal map. We have a small, but strong and heartful fan base in our country. If I take a look where did we send our albums, then it is Czech republic, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, UK, US, Japan, Russia, .... But very small quantities – every country to be counted on fingers of one hand.

Still, it is very hard to get successful nowadays. There are so many bands, so much competition. Some of them are more stronger virtually (reactions on facebook, views on youtube), but what we learned from smaller bands – strong virtul presence does not mean autoamtically success.

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

Nobody knows. Ideas are coming as they are. There is no band with never ending source of ideas – everybody will start to repeat themselves. Here is the advantage to be not contracted with a label and feel the pressure to produce even being not convinced about well deserved result. 

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

Every of us liks something different. Schwarzwald (guitarist) likes more power bands like Statovarius, Evergrey, Kabi (bass guitar) likes Finntroll, XIII, stoleti, Rob (drums) some old Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth and of course some drum strong bands like Behemoth, Lydia (female voice, flute) likes not only metal. Myself, Crom (keyboards, male vox) loves bands from mid of 90’s – Summoning, Bal Sagoth, Therion, Hecate Enthroned, .... in the last year I listen much to old friend band from Germany – Ancient Ceremony.

 

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

What else I can do instead of – thanking you (for space for our band, and interest) and to everybody who reads this. If we are new to you and you like atmospheric melodic metal music (with emotions, little bit medieval/folk touch – flute, with keyboards, beauty and the beast vocal style, ...) drop some minutes to listen to us where you can find us online.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orkristofficial/

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

Cultus Sabbati/Descent Into The Maelstorm/Buh Records/2011 CD Review

Cultus Sabbati are a band from Norway that plays black metal mixed with experimental ritualistic noise and this is a review of their 2011 album "Descent Into The Maelstorm" which was released by Buh Records.

There is not much in the way of drums on this recording but there are some tribal ritualistic beats being utilized at times throughout the recording, as for the bass playing there is none present on this album>

Rhythm guitars are all slow riffs that utilize a lot of heavy distorted ritualistic noises and there are no led guitars or solos present on this recording, as for the noise effects they are very brutal, dark, ritualistic and evil sounding with a great amount of reverb.

Vocals are a mixture of high pitched black metal screams and ritualistic chanting, while the lyrics are based on an Edgar Allan Poe story that this recording is named after, as for the production it has a very dark, raw and brutal sound to it.

In my opinion Cultus Sabbati are a very good black/ritualistic/noise band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Mouth Of The Beast" and "Walls Of The Abyss". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cultus_Sabbati_(band)

Aethyr Interview

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

D - We've got the master of the album in our hands by the end of the summer 2014. Since then we've been doing some gigs & making new tracks, thinking about making a record for the future split or EP. New tracks are very different from the CORPUS! Also we were making video for CVLT single.

W - Also we were drawing a new artwork for the release.


2.You have a new album coming out this year, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

D - Aethyr has started as a duo, but now we are four-piece band. It was a long way from blackened-industrial-drone with only Aleister Crowley on the vocals, to the thing we've recorded for CORPUS.

W - I think that we are still trying to find out our own musical sound. We continue to try new things and mix styles in different proportions.


3.This is to be the first full length since 2010 and the first release since the split since 2012, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

D - After the split came out in 2012 we became full four-piece band and started making all the music together, also making live shows. Music became more and more difficult and when we had enough material we went to the studio, but wasn't really ready. So we've re-recorded the album in 3 different studios during 2013 & 2014. During that time Aethyr came stronger as a band & have made some new tracks that we've decided also to record for the album and leave some old (more drone sounded) tracks behind.


4.Your lyrics cover Occultism and Esoteric Disciplines, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?

W – As for me, it all has as metaphysical and as poetic sense. In order to understand the world we think of metaphors and signs. It's a way and attempt to look beyond reality. Staying alone with Abyss and comprehend himself and alone with the absolute.


5.I know that the bands name means the fifth element or spirit in occultism, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

D – Our music – is the Aethyr for this world.

W - All our efforts in band it is a way to understand what is it Aethyr.


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

W - We have not a many gigs during this time. We play usually where coincides with the spirit and atmosphere of the place and other musicians in small clubs. There was also a memorable experience - a concert in the woods, it was the video material for the video of the single "CVLT" (www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnhaDGprw_I ).


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

D – Supporting Primordial (IRL) is the nearest one. Tour – maybe.

W - We don’t thinking about that, but we open for any offers.


8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal, doom and drone?

W - We are just beginning to assert itself, but nevertheless, thanks for the efforts of our label Cimmerian Shade Recordings - more people know about our music. And there are a few positive reviews already. This is very encouraging.


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

D - Our new tracks sounds more in melodic-black-death style. We speed up more and more)) Though we have one new classic doom-black track. But anyway - we don't want/don't like to make borders. If someone got a great drone/sludge riff - we'll make it, followed by great death riff, etc.


10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

D – Oh, there are so many of them…Nihilist, Le Mystere Des Voix Bulgares, Ceremonial Oath, Behemoth, Slayer, Amenra, Celeste, Clint Mansell, Gunter Kallmann Chorus, The Ocean, SepticFlesh, Under Byen – to name a few.

W - There are too many. From bands playing dark ambient and drone to True Norwegian Black Metal. Old and relative new. And it's impossible to select one or two. I suppose it is a mixture of all of them )


11.What are some of your non musical interests?

D – Graphic design & photo, but music is the main interest all the time (with other projects & music styles).

W - We involved in art project http://rottenfantom.com/ together with my beautiful wife Elena. We making a dark and mysterious black and white illustrations. It is a second part of my life on a par with Aethyr.


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

W - Thanks a lot for the interesting questions. Music is an important part of human culture. It is a mixture that unites people across the globe. Listen to the good music and try not to do anything stupid! )

D – Ave A!

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Abhorrent Expanse/Gateways To Resplendence/Amalgram Music/Lurker Bias/2022 Full length Review

 

  Abhorrent  Expanse  are  a  band  with  members  from  Minnesota  and  Illinois  that  plays  an  avant  garde  mixture  of  blackened  death,  funeral  doom  metal,  noise,  drone  and  free  jazz  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Gateways  To  Resplendence"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Amalgram  Music  and  Lurker  Bias.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  distorted  sounding  drones  can  also be  heard  at  times.  Elements  of  funeral  doom  metal  can  also be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  giving t he  album  more  of  a  primitive  edge  when  they  are  utilized.

  Harsh  noises  are  also  added  into  the  background  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  riffing  as  well  as  the  home  made  percussion  also  giving  the  album  more  of  an  avant  garde  feeling  when  they  are  utilized.

  A  lot  of t he  clean  sections  also  show  an  influence  of  free  jazz  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  instrumentals.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  few  songs  also  introducing  organs,  synths  acoustic  guitars  onto  the  album  and  the  production  also  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Abhorrent  Expanse  are  a  very  great  sounding  avant  garde  mixture  of  blackened  death,  funeral  doom  metal,  noise,  drone  and  free  jazz  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cloak  Of  Ancients"  "Gateways  To  Resplendence"  "Baleful  Reminders"  and  "Arcturian  Nano  Diamonds  From  The  Tranquil  Abyss".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.instagram.com/abhorrent_expanse

          

Where The Children Play/Poems From The Solemn Black/2023 Full Length Review

 

   Where  The  Children  Play  are  an  international  band  with  embers  from t he  united  States  and  France  that  plays  an  atmospheric  and  symphonic  mixture  of  blackened  death  metal  and  deathcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2023  album  "Poems  From  The  Solemn  Black".

  Rain  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  symphonic  sounding  keyboards  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.

  Elements  of  deathcore  can  also  be  heard  in t he  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.

  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clear  vocals  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  fast  riffing.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Murder  and  Violence  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Where  The  Children  Play  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  death  metal  and  deathcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Great  Abyss  In  The  Sky"  "Wrath  Of  The  Dead"  A  Demons  Lament"  and  "The  Sorrowful  Hymn".  8 out  of  10.

  https://wherethechildrenplay.bandcamp.com/track/a-church-a-slaughterhouse  .