Troll/The Last Predators/Head Not Found Records/2000 CD Review

  Troll are a band from Norway that consists of many well known members of the Norwegian black metal, which started out as an ambient/industrial style of symphonic black metal but went for a more straight forward black/thrash sound with this release while retaining some industrial elements and this is a review of their 2000 album "The Last Predators" which was released by Head Not Found Records.

Drums are mostly mid paced to fast with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the bass  playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they sound really powerful, as for the loops and synths when they are utilized they bring an ambient/industrial as well as a symphonic feel to the music.

Rhythm guitars are mostly mid paced to fast Norwegian style black metal riffs that also take a lot of influences from thrash, while the lead guitars have a classic metal/rock feel to the guitar solos.

Vocals are a mixture of high pitched black metal screams and industrial style vocals and the occasional death metal growl, while the lyrics cover hateful style themes with a dose of anti Christianity with the songs being written in a mixture of Norwegian and English that also have somewhat of a sci-fi feel, as for the production it has a very powerful sound that gives all of the musical instruments a brutal sound.

In my opinion this was a very good album from Troll and if you are a fan of classic Norwegian black metal, you should check this band out if you have not yet already done that. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Fall Of The Marbled Galaxy" "Mending The Instincts" "Eyes As In I" and "The Last Predators". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Dissection/Reinkaos/BlackHorizon Music/The End Records/2006 CD Review

  Dissection where a band from Sweden that played a very melodic form of black/death metal and this is a review of their 2006 album "Reinkaos" which was release as a joint effort between Black Horizon Music and The End Records.

Drums alternate between slow, mid paced to fast with a lot of blast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follows the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are a mixture of slow, mid paced to fast melodic black/death riffs that are very melodic sounding that also take influences from thrash and traditional metal, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding guitar solos, as for the acoustic guitars they bring a lot of darkness and melody to the music as well as some classical influences.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with the last song having clean singing female vocals, while the lyrics cover Anti Cosmic Satanism, Left Hand Path, Qlipoth, Sumerian, Egyptian, Norde and Eastern Occultism as well as alchemy, as for the production it has a very heavy and professional sound to it.

In my opinion this was a very good album from Dissection and while some of their more hardcore fans did not enjoy this album, I still liked it a lot because it went deeper into the occult than their previous albums. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Black Dragon" "Dark Mother Divine "God Of Forbidden Light" and "Maha Kali". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Conspiracy Interview

1. Can you update us with what is going on with the project these days?


We are thinking about making an original video clip. So if anybody can help us with that or can suggest someone, please get in touch with us at www.myspace.com/metalconspiracy



2. How would you describe the musical style of the new album?


CONSPIRACY is a lifelong quest to create original blend of dark and extreme, yet harmoniously enjoyable material with the main ingredient – Black Metal.


This time I can add the word “progressive” to the description, because of the unorthodox arrangements spiced up by orchestration, proper heavy metal solo guitars and different style of vocals, which are not always the traditional BM raspy scream.



3. What are some of the lyrical topics and concepts the new album explores?


Generally speaking the album title is about fate. Humans take life for granted, but in fact nobody is guiding and everything is chaos – consequences of occasional coincidences.


Many songs on this album contain classical poetry by authors like Aleister Crowley and Charles Baudelaire. Most of the songs feature some satanic horror episodes for the purpose of the dark mystic entertainment.



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


I think I came up with that name in 1994. I meant the obvious grip on power by the religious authorities that subdue and slow down progress and enlightenment all over the world.


The name is a protest against the monotheistic dogma.



5. You where a member of Meleschech for a long time what made you decide to quit that band and concentrate on this project?


Melechesh was going to leave Osmose Productions and sign the record deal with Nuclear Blast in 2008. It became obvious to all of us that I couldn’t participate any longer because I wasn’t ready to commit to the schedule from 90 to 150 tour dates per year!!! Besides that issue I had to move away from the main Melechesh concept – Middle Eastern music flavor. Just got tired of it. Final and the main reason was the creative autocracy within Melechesh. In that band only one person decides which riffs and concepts are good and which aren’t usable. I am a composer, not just a musician who is happy to be in a famous band. Despite all that I am happy that Ashmedi and Moloch are still my friends and I even got to help them a little bit with their new album which was released on the 1st of October.






6. Do you have any plans in the future to use other musicians and do live shows?


My music is not made for the stage. Best place to listen to my music is in the car, during a long drive when you can reflect on things, when nothing disturbs your imagination, when the subject of that dark episode is not interfering with a reality of some ridiculous nerd sipping his beer in apathy and picking his nose while I transmit the demonic harmonies from the stage...
Some alcoholic beverages, like beer, enjoyed better in a crowded, cozy pub – others, like Remy Martin XO are for the dark evenings by the fireplace.


As for using other musicians – yes, this album is collaboration between me and Aryan Blaze, a brilliant guitarist and composer. Who knows, maybe we’ll use more talented musicians next time.



7. How has the new album been received so far by metal fans worldwide?


To be honest, I didn’t expect so many nice comments on myspace and e-mails from people who call it awesome and tell me that they listen to it every day. This is the best reward for me.





8. how would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?



Over the years I went deeper into more intricate arrangements and moved away from just exhibiting cool nasty riffs. Good technical skills and correct sound without songwriting talent mean nothing to me. I create different song structures and strive to make the album interesting as a whole. Not just one success formula repeated, not a salad of riffs, empty brutality, monotonic harmonies and squashed overproduced mixes. CONSPIRACY will not be to your taste, if you like to hear the same concept one track after another.


Future albums will deffinitely have more epic depth, catchy melodies and more dark mysticism.


9. What are some band or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?


Main influences in the 80’s and 90’s where Judas Priest, King Diamond, Black Sabbath with Dio and Tony Martin, Venom, Celtic Frost and to some extent Death, Deicide and Marduk.


Today I listened to Tyrantz Empire, ABSU, Assassin and Onslaught


I listen to many heavy metal bands when I work out: Helloween, Grave Digger, Accept, Running Wild, Saxon, etc. I also like old thrash like Overkill, Exodus, Testament, Destruction and Kreator.


The albums of the 80’s bands are still as much enjoyable as they were then. For me at least. So if the music is good and honest – it is timeless!









10. What role does Occultism and Paganism play in the music?


I hate monotheism in all forms. I embrace Satanism as a form of protest and the true Occult as a form of research of what exists beyond the material reality surrounding us.


Paganism means “polytheism” – worshiping of many deities. It is an ancient custom from the times when humans were not aware about the universe we know today.



11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?


I travel a lot. I am interested in other cultures and history in general. Every day I spend about one hour in the gym, pumping iron. I shoot big guns at the shooting range 1-3 times a week. I’d like to dedicate more time to kick box.



12. Any final words or thoughts before we close this interview?
I’d like to thank all the people who support CONSPIRACY, buy albums and find time to send those nice comments about CONSPIRACY music on myspace.

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Neron Kaisar Interview

1. Can you update us with what is going on with the band these days?
1. Now, we’ve started to work on a new material, and also occupied by preparation of the concert program for tour in support of an album across Russia, but if any organizers outside Russia have wish to see us on their stages, we will accept their offers with pleasure.


2. How would you describe the musical style that you are going for with the new album?
2. We will make more hard and more black, we’re planning to work with ethnic instruments of ancient times and with colour of that epoch, but the album won’t be positioned as “ethno”. Our genre will stay the same.


3. What are some of the lyrical topics that you explore with the new release?
3. For sure it’s Nero’s dark side and everything that connected with his history.


4. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
4. We think our last performance which was in our native city – Ufa. We have organized this black metal festival ourselves, having invited bands from other big cities of Russia and it should be said that concert has passed with the great success. When we appearing on stage we always prepare surprises for fans in making covers on their favorite bands, making show, trying to present a quality sound and execution with external attributes of our performance, such as costumes and live behavior on a scene.


5. Do you have any other side projects besides this band, or is this a full time project?
5. Now we give all free time and forces to this project, for the time being we don't have any thoughts to create parallel projects. We are supporters of concrete work in one group.

6. How has your music been recieved so far by symphonic black metal fans worldwide?
6.Thanks to our label GP in particular, and also to our diligence and performances. If the band plays a worthy material, eventually, it will notice.


7. How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
7. We worked a lot on the project and it was not easy sometimes, but, we consider we’ve made everything right and in a short space of time. At present we are happy with the done work, but we will not stop. Time will show, but definitely we want to please with excellent works fans of "black art».


8. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
8. For sure it’s black metal. We really like Finnish school of black metal and even we’ve recorded a cover on band Thyrane which we truly respect. And we certainly we like, to listen guru’s of heavy music.


9. What role does Occultism or Satanism play in the music?
9. Well, probably atmosphere is carry by these two concepts. Atmosphere which is inherent only for such special musical direction as black metal. In other directions these two concepts can face, but reveal only superficially. It’s same like an iceberg top which is above water when the iceberg’s most part is under.

10. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
10. Self-development, sports, travel, the nature and mankind’s nayward is interesting to us. And also chick’s and booze :-D


11. Any final words or thoughts before we close this interview?
11. It was interesting to answer your questions. We thank readers of magazine and connoisseur’s of our creativity all over the world supporting us.

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Conspiracy/Irremediable/Pulverized Records/2010 CD Review

  Conspiracy are a band from the Netherlands that plays a very symphonic form of black metal and this is a review of their 2010 album "Irremediable" which was released by Pulverized Records.

Drums alternate from slow playing to some fast drumming with a lot of blast beats, while the keyboards are very dark and symphonic sounding with the feel of a horror movie soundtrack, as for the bass playing it is mixed down low in the music and seems to follow the riffs that are coming out of the guitars and at times they have a powerful sound.

Rhythm guitars are a mixture of slow, mid paced to fast black metal riffs that have a good amount of melody and influences from death metal as well as traditional metal,
while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding guitar solos that have a classic metal feel to them.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls thrown in mixed with the occasional clean singing, while the lyrics cover Satanism, Occultism, Witchcraft, Anti Religion, darkness, evil, and war, as for the production it has a very professional sound to it while retaining a little bit of rawness.

In my opinion Conspiracy are a very talented and original band that mixes symphonic metal with traditional metal and should appeal to fans of symphonic black metal. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Black Mass" "Pentagram" "The Invocation Of Hecate" and "The Hag". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Svarrogh Interview

1. Can you update us with what is going on with the project these days?
1. Hi, I am still waiting for the final mix and mastering of the new full length album "Aether" which was recorded in 2009 and it might be the best Svarrogh album up to now with a very coherent concept and compositions. Currently I am working on very new material which is going to be released as a mini-album afther "Aether".
Svarrogh didn´t enter live stages since 2 years because of lack of time, as well as the session musicians have their own bands themselves, like Helfahrt and Secrets of the Moon.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the newer material?
2. Svarrogh was never easy to categorize. It has always an individual sound. Thats the matter of making music these days. I could not imagine doing something common which has already been done. Svarrogh is always changing, like experiences and life situations are changing themselves. Every album is an instant expression of my thoughts in different stages through time. When art defines itself with stagnation - there is no art at all. But maybe the newer material is the most atmospheric up to now with a lot of post rock and black metal and somber folk or ambient atmosphere. I try to make my music as oppressive as I can by using many stylistic devices. Actually after 5 years of smooth atmosphere of neofolk and ambient, I am thirsty for the harsh sounds of black metal again, as this is the only music that I listen to right now.

3. What are some of the lyrical concepts that you are working on these days?
3. It is hard to describe. Everything is very individual-mythological. It is not a personified mythology. It is something ancient, unspoken, unseen, archaic.
I use fragments of slavic mythology and embed them in a very poetic text concept.
"Aether" is about a floating, sub-conscient archaic art of existence and it is influenced a lot by the american writer Ezra Pound. A human being is totally lost in
an environment of beautiful, violent and powerful nature, struggling his way and path to the very self knowledge of his existence. Aether is the shape of his status -
a dismal and sallow material atmosphere. The last album "Yer Su" was similar, but with more association to heathen slavic and old-bulgarian mythology.

4. What is going on with the other projects these days?
4. I stopped the most projects as I saw, that this is just bringing you away from the things that are more important. Next to Svarrogh, I have now only Fahl, a dark ambient project with members of the german neoclassic band Sagittarius.
We are also working on the new release of my other project Miel Noir, which is more electronic/surreal dark wave. When there is time, we will work also on new songs for my drony black metal project Schwarzwasserbrunnen.

5. How has your newer material been received by both newer and older fans worldwide?
5. I don´t know - we will see. But I have heard a lot of positive opinions.

6.Out off all the releases that you have put out so far, which one are you the most satisfied with?
6. It would be "Aether", when it will be released in 2011. I like all Svarrogh albums, they are all different and have there own words. "Balkan Renaissance" is a very powerful and simple album, very mature.

7. How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
7. Svarrogh started as pagan black metal, developed to neofolk with industrial and ambient elements and now the black metal element is the most important part of the music. But Svarrogh was always more avantgarde and not really a simple style with common arrangements and compositions. Actually the lyrical concept never changed, it just grew and developed itself. Like the painter Edgard Degas said once:
"I am glad that I did not found my style - I would be bored to death!"

8. You are originally from Bulgaria but now live in Germany, what was the decision behind the move?
8. It is a long story, which began in 1992.

9. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
9. Of course it is impossible to stay away from influences. Generation after generation is influenced. However, I try to stay for my own.
I like the art of Hate Forest, Urfaust, Wolves in the throne room, Mono, Red Sparowes, Drudkh and some industrial, neofolk and ambient projects.
The greek dark folk band Defile des Ames is definitely awesome.

10. Where do you get must of your inspiration on Slavic and Bulgarian Paganism/Shamanism and are you into any other esoteric paths or philosophies as well?
10. There are so many interesting things and materials out there.
Actually I am interested in everything that has to do with european and asiatic
culture, mythology and esoteric. My inspiration comes from nature with all her
daughters like dew, fog and beautiful landscapes and mountains, especially in Bulgaria. Esoteric is maybe one of the most growing parts in society with a lot
of bullshit and orthodox believers. I think this has to be your own esoteric life philosophy. The transcendent way, how you are on this earth and how you feel your life. I am a very ambivalent person - atheist and somehow very nihilistic, but I feel the ancient roots of Hyperborea and also the yearning to the old knowledge. Actually everything is in a context, it is logical. But I don´t believe in a hollow earth.
However, you can reach a transcendent level of your life also with the nihilistic philosophy of Nietzsche or Sartre. It is just your point of view then.
Of course the bulgarian shamanism (Tangra) and slavic mythology is more next to me, I can feel the connection to the ancient in my heart. It is just sad, that we live in a such soulless world.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
11. Black & white photography, philosophy, drinking, mountains.
Unfortunately life is too short to reach all of your dreams.
I am also the editor of the printed mythological and cultural magazine Svarga which is released annually. The last issue #2 had also a lot of interviews with bands like Allerseelen and Dordeduh and dealed with european arts, cults and rituals. I have also an photography portfolio at www.dimo-dimov-photography.de.tl

12. Any final words or thoughts before we close this interview?
12. Thank you very much! Be ready for the 6th Svarrogh album "Aether" in 2011.

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Svarrogh/Yer Su/Ahnstern/2008 CD Review

 Svarrogh are a band originally from Bulgaria now residing in Germany that started out as a folk/black metal band but has evolved into more of a neo folk band over the years and this is a review of their 2008 album "Yer Su" which was released on Ahnstern but distributed by Stienklang Records.

There are a lot of folk instruments on this recording such asa bagpipe, balkan viola, big mandoline, Balkan Shepard flute, ocaria, and clarinet that gives the music a very medeival  feel that harkens big to the Pagan days mixed in with a lot of keyboards that sound very atmospheric.

Acoustic guitars use a lot of open chords played fast at times to give the music a folk music feel,while the electric guitars are fast black metal riffs that are melodic at times with some slow doom riffing, as for the drums when they are utilized they are fast beats.

Vocals are mostly clean singing and spoken word male vocals with some black metal screams being thrown in at times with some clean singing and spoken word female vocals, while the lyrics touch on Slavic and Bulgarian Paganism and Folklore with songs being written in both the English and Bulgarian languages with a concept being used in between songs, as for the production sounds very dark and raw.

In my opinion Svarggh are a very talented and original band that will appeal to both fans of folk/black metal and neo-fol. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "The Old Mill" "Stone" "Samodiva" and "Eternal Flame". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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