Sangre Eterna/Asphyxia/Maple Metal Records/2012 CD Review

  Sangre Eterna are a band from Serbia that started as a more symphonic gothic black metal band but evolved into a more melodic death/black metal band with this release and this is a review of their 2012 album "Asphyxia" which was released by Maple Metal Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with some blast beats, while the keyboards bring a very atmospheric and symphonic feeling to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful sound to them.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast melodic death metal riffs that have a black metal edge to them, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding guitar solos and leads.

Vocals are a mixture of deep death metal growls and high pitched melodic death/black metal screams with some samples being thrown in at times as well as a brief use of clean singing male and female vocals, while the lyrics cover dark themes, as for the production it has a very strong, powerful and professional sound to it.

In my opinion Sangre Eterna are a very good sounding symphonic melodic death/black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you shoulod check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "The Masquerade" "Seventh Angel" "Shattered Sun" and "Asphyxia"> RECOMMENDED BUY.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCz8EJJHeEM

Thunderkraft/Totentanz/Svarga Music/2012 CD Review

  Thunderkraft are a band from Ukraine that plays a mixture of industrial, folk, death and symphonic black metal and this is a review of their 2012 album "Totenanz" which was released by Svarga Music.

Drums range from slow to mid paced drumming with some fast playing and blast beats, while the keyboards bring a very dark, industrial, atmospheric and symphonic sound to the music with some folk instruments being thrown in at times, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful sound to them.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast riffs that combine folk, thrash, industrial death and black metal together to create their own sound, while the lead guitars when they are utilized are very chaotic sounding heavy metal guitar solos and leads with a good amount of melody.

Vocals range from gruff vocals, deep death metal growls, high pitched black metal screams, clean singing and some spoken word parts, while the lyrics are written in a mixture of Ukrainian, Russian and German with themes that cover problems of mankind’s relation to the past, ideas of greatness and boundless possibilities of the human spirit, and the strength of will and character. Cosmology concepts are also represented, albeit leaning toward the social aspects, as for the production it has a very strong, heavy, powerful and professional sound to it.

In my opinion Thunderkraft are a very great sounding industrial/folk/death/symphonic black metal with their own sound and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Hacathe Yac(A Time Will Come)" "Totentanz(Dance Of The Dead)" "Habctpeuy hobon Sape(Towards A New Dawn)" and "Tbopeub Xnttr(The Creator Of Life)". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V93VeXeOSsA&feature=youtu.be

Wykked Wytch/The Ultimate Deception/Goomba Music/2012 CD Review

  Wykked Wytch are a band from Florida that plays a very gothic form of symphonic black metal and this is a review of their 2012 album "The Ultimate Deception" which was released by Goomba Music.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with some blast beats being thrown in at times, while the keyboards and prograamming bring a very dark gothic and symphonic feeling to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very dark sound with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast riffs that combine black metal with death and thrash metal with some dark sounding melodies being thrown in at times with a brief use of clean playing, while the lead guitars are very technical and melodic sounding guitar solos and leads.

Vocals range from high pitched black metal screams,,deep death metal growls, spoken word parts and a brief use of clean singing, while the lyrics cover dark themes and witchcraft, as for the production it has a very strong, professional and powerful sound to it.

In my opinion Wykked Wytch are a very good sounding symphonic/gothic/black/death metal hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Birthing The Beast" "Serpents Among Us" "Prayers Of The Decapitated" and "Abolish The Weak". RECOMMENDED BUY.

www.wykkedwytch.com
www.facebook.com/wykkedwytch
www.myspace.com/wykkedwytch
www.youtube.com/wykkedwytch

Abigail Williams/Becoming/Candlelight Records/2012 CD Review

  Abigail Williams are a band from New York that has had their previous recording reviewed before in this zine that plays a very mainstream form of atmospheric black metal and this is a review of their 2012 album "Becoming" which will be released by Candlelight Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a good amount of blast beats being thrown into the music, while the keyboards have a very dark, progressive and atmospheric sound with some violins being thrown in at times, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast mainstream black metal riffs that also have some progressive, thrash and death metal influences with some dark sounding melodies and clean playing being thrown in at times and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on this recording.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams mixed in with a small amount of deep growls and clean singing, while the lyrics cover dark themes, as for the production it has a very strong, powerful and professional sound to it.

In my opinion this is another good album from Abigail Williams and if you where a fan of their previous recordings, you will not be disappointed. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Ascension Sickness" and "Bestial". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://www.facebook.com/abigailwilliamsofficial

http://www.myspace.com/abigailwilliams

Krampus/Kronos Heritage/2011 EP Review

  Krampus are a band from Italy that plays a mixture of folk metal mixed with melodic black/death and this is a review of their self released 2011 e.p "Kronos Heritage".

Drums range from slow to mid paced drumming with not much in the way of fast playing or blast beats, while the keyboards and folk instruments bring a very atmospheric and medievel feeling to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow to mid paced riffs that combine folk metal with melodic death and black metal, while the lead guitars have a very melodic sound to the guitar solos and leads.

Vocals are a mixture of high pitched melodic black/death screams and growls mixed in with some clean singing, while the lyrics cover Moral Principles and Values In The Ancient Times, as for the production it has a very strong and powerful sound to it.

In my opinion Krampus are a very good melodic sounding folk/death/black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACK "Aftermath". RECOMMENDED BUY.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFC4U6bs9MU&list=PLF04AA3E3C774EB2F&feature=plpp  

Nordheim Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

We are a folk metal band with strong black metal influences. We are talking here about the Modern Black Metal sound, not the old black metal and poorly produced sound we used to listen to in the 90s. We mix the catchy side of folk metal with the speed and ambiance of black metal. We also strive to create the stunning guitar sound of modern metal artist such as Children Of Bodem and Black Dahlia Murder to put us aside from other folk metal bands.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album?
Brutal, heavy, fast and so fucking festive :)

3. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
The lyrics refer to everybody's life. We write about sad times, good times, all disguised in pagan themes and metaphors so that nobody really gets what we are actually writing
about hahaha... Some of the songs are actually WAY MORE depressing than they may sound like.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Well... it just kinda sounded great and epic hahaha! Nothing special with any particular meaning.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
The show at the Bar Octobre in Quebec City was particularly awesome... we managed to give a kick-ass performance with bodysurfing and stage diving despite having a few technical problems! The power-bar where our amps were plugged into burned down and we still managed to finish the show with honours, and we even caught the eye of a local manager! We also did some f***ing awesome shows in the Province of Quebec with our friends from Valcknacht and Valfreya... what a great tour it was!

6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
Hahaha... We wish to tour for f***ing ever and ever! That's what metal is all about! A European tour would be awesome... isn't that the goal of every American metal band :D

7. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by folk/pagan metal fans?
Well... if we refer to the Youtube views... it is WAY MORE than what we expected! It's actually amazing how much attention we have received from European metalheads! We have over 23,000 views for ‘Beer, Metal, Trolls and Vomit!’ I mean if we compare ourselves to other Quebec metal bands we are among the most famous and well known for our Genre! It is such an honour!
Our label Maple Metal Records has just announced that they have released ‘Beer, Metal, Trolls and Vomit!’ for gameplay on RockBand 3 via the Xbox 360 & PS3 platforms. So look out for the song in the next few months via the Rock Band Network!

8. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases? For sure faster riffs with more blastbeats and energy!
The epic side of our music will always be primordial, so I would say expect a folk metal album with REALLY STRONG modern black metal influences like Keep of Kalessin or Watain mixed up with accordion and flutes hahahahaha!

9. Are there any side projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?
Not really, we concentrate all our energy on Nordheim!

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
It really depends on each member of the band! Everyone has individual influences that they bring into the creative process.  I mean Fred is more into Melodic Metal such as Mors Principium Est and Varg. Benfok is into Cheesy Folk metal such as Alestorm and Ensiferum. Thom is nowadays into Symphonic metal such as Fleshgod Apocalypse and metalcore like Unearth. As for myself ( Warraxe ) I'm now in an old school mood such as Toxic Holocaust, Darkthrone, Nekromantheon ( you gotta check this out thrash metal fans) and other black-thrash metal bands! We all have individual influences in writing music and that's what makes this band so special and interesting!

11. What role does Paganism play in your music and how would you describe your views on this topic?
Eeeee... Absolutely nothing... it is just the fact that we play folk metal that has put us in the same barrel with paganism! I mean we are just some ordinary metalheads playing the music we love and we just don't give a f*** about Odin, Thor or other Scandinavian deities... Some of our lyrics mention Thor or Odin but it is not in eulogy or honour that we talk about them... Can't we just shred the shit out of our guitars while being drunk and not giving a shit about anything… hahahahahaha!

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Beer, booze, lifting weights and naked girls... yeah...

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
? We just hope that we will be able to keep on doing the music we love with the people we like! I mean nothing is more worthy than being drunk with our bandmates and friends! Thanks to ALL our fans and keep on supporting NORDHEIM! NUKE THE CROSS!!!

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Thousand Year War Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
We had a line up change right before the official release of our debut
'Tyrants and Men'
Kellen who had played bass/guitar and helped with songwriting was
removed from the band for personal reasons and I took on Pablo
Magallanes(Guitar/Bass- Live Demonical, Live Internment) and am using
our session drummer from the first album, Fredrik Widigs(Live
Drums-Witchery, Live Drums-Demonical, The Ugly, Ex- Angrepp)

I just finished working on 5 new songs and a misfits cover of London
Dungeon for an EP entitled "Vulture Eyes"
The artwork is in the process is being finished and I believe Pablo
and Fredrik will be recording soon and I will be jumping into the
studio once that is all done for vocals. Right now its a pretty hard
time for me. Just moved back to the states and really struggling hard
to keep my head afloat and get Thousand Year War live. Trying to push
for a mini tour in the States!

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

Its much much different....The influences are significantly more
subtle than Tyrants and Men and I doubt anyone will be thinking of
Amon Amarth when listening to the new tunes. Its very rocking and dark
metal! Title track vulture eyes almost has this black'n'roll feel to
it and its a really catchy song. Then you have Sombre as the Nightly
Shrouds is very dark, slow, but with riffs that really hook you in,
while bloodlines just rips you apart with aggression and melody. My
vocal approach is also much different in that Im straying away from
the lows while using mainly highs and a sort of low gravely singing
voice ....its very original but also fits the songs really well. When
you think some of the riffs are poppy my vocals will come in to being
a certain darkness and desperation to the mix.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explore with
the music?

The lyrical topics all have to do with opposition of Government, world
leaders, and organized religion. My lyrics hold as much importance as
to the music I write. I believe in every single word I write down!
When I look around I see a people that are being warped and
manipulated to function under control of the ruling powers. It is
really disheartening and dispiriting, but also inspirational as far as
lyrics are concerned. Seems like people are becoming the product the
new world order wants them to be.

Here is an excerpt from a new song Vulture Eyes that I especially like:

Take in what you see, below your black wings, a kingdom built on ruin
now laid in tragedy

The founders of this land, lay buried in the waste, memories of them
now the legacy of hate

Betray all that you know, soar high above the lands, rip flesh from
all the bodies, in this country of the damned!


America is simply one of the foundations of a sadistic kingdom murder
obsessed and power hungry....our founders were nothing but villains
and theives with intent on building an empire of injustice, and the
best democracy money can buy

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

The name Thousand Year War is inspired by the holy war the crusaders
waged close to a Thousand Years Ago and how that war or crusade is
simply continuing on in the Middle East and orchestrated by the
leaders of the United States, England, and other countries....so
Thousand Year War

5. Are there any touring plans for the future?

Absolutely....but none of its really solidified at all. I really need
some session guys in the U.S.A to work with and we need a booking
agency. I 100% want to get a tour going to spread the word, get some
funding coming in, and gather up a broader audience. Desperately want
to get the music live in Europe. I hope summer 2012....

6. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by melodic
death/black metal fans?

It seems like its been very well received so far! I'm happy with the
response. There have been the typical Amon Amarth comparisons, but
everything has been real positive. Abyss Records and Clawhammer PR are
really doing a good job getting the word out there...I hear from
people all over the world that are enjoying the sound of TYW:)

7. Are there any projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?

For me my focus is Thousand Year War right now...I just don't have
any time or energy for anything else. I have 2 kids and am married, so
this is plenty for me to concentrate on. Although I would do vocals
for anyone wanting someone to lay down some tracks studio wise of
course. Long as its just writing lyrics and and doing vocals I would
gladly take part in something else. But writing guitars takes a lot
out of me and I want to just do that in TYW. I really could see myself
eventually working on some old school black metal with an eerie
atmosphere. Something like Arckanum/Wolves in the Throne Room,
Gorgoroth. I enjoy alot of raw but well produced black metal. Its
great art and expression of the natural world.

8. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

I see TYW taking on a sort of more black metal style and very
emotional.....a lot of feeling and depth. Sort of taking a step away
from the Swedish Death Metal while circling around it and embracing
certain elements of it. There is something very original in this
upcoming Vulture Eyes but its hard to say exactly what it is, if that
makes sense. I think I am finding our very own style....which is a
great thing!

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

Some bands that have influenced my music are Old Man's Child, Amon
Amarth, In Battle, Rotting Christ, Satariel, Composer Phillip
Glass...to name a few. But now I really don't find bands as being an
influence anymore. Feelings, anger, hope, despair, the great
wilderness, wars, human emotion, these are all being translated into
TYW's music.

Nowadays I am enjoying Astriaal, Cradle of Filth's new album,
Summoning,Heaven and Hell, Dio, Gorgoroth, Windir, the Misfits,
Primordial, Iron Maiden, Arckanum, Three Inches of Blood, Demonical,
Diabolical, Bane(BM band), Nordman, and some traditional scandinavian
folk.

There is this style of music called Deathcore and I FUCKING HATE IT.
Can't wait until it passes. Its just a stupid trend and a pissing
contest to see how complicated of a shit ass riff you can write and
throw together in one huge shit pile of a song. uhggg
Hopefully those bandana wearing, above the knee shorts sporting, penny
picking model styled half assed long haired d bags dance their dumb
asses out of the metal scene and onto the next dumb ass trend.
Necrophagist chartered those territories years before this trend with
tasteful songwriting and skill. Get a clue!

10. Does Paganism play any role in your music?
.
No, not at all. To me paganism is just a spin off of modern day
Christianity. They both feed off each other and I find them both
unappealing and just a tool used by people to control other people.
Concerning spirituality what I find I find attractive is the movements
by buddhist, tibetan monks, and the ways and beliefs of native
americans and other native tribes throughout the world. Power and
positivity through our minds is more impressive than having somebody
shove a bible, koran, or whatever and tell you what to believe and
think.

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

My interest is first of all my two kids and wife.....and I love being
out in old growth forests and away from people. I'm pretty much
obsessed with Disc Golf in a big way. Play at least an hour or more a
day...its a great game once you get really into it! I like studying
about Freemasonry, natural medicine, illuminati,ancient alien
existence, and any and all lost or deceased civilizations. We have so
much to learn from these people if we approach them with an open mind.
Used to do subsistence fishing in Alaska which I really
enjoyed....basically anytime I can hunt and gather I'm truly happy.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

I would like to thank you very much for the priviledge of this
interview!! If you enjoy TYW's music please purchase a cd from me
through paypal@ thousandyearwar@gmail.com 11$ including shipping(send
shipping info!)
And of course support our label and buy TYW Merch/CD's and other great
abyss records bands @ http://www.officialabyssrecords.com
Download our demo for free at http://www.thousandyearwar.com and
'Like' TYW at http://facebook.com/tyrantsandmen
Check out http://www.infowars.com for more info on the New World
Order......HAILS!!!