Sick To The Back Teeth Interview

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

yes. sick to the back teeth is a solo music project where i record all kinds of different music. i put no restrictions on myself in terms of style or concept or rules. it's just whatever music i feel like doing. i started using the name in 2002, so this is the tenth year of doing this.


2. How would you describe your musical sound?

there's no one sound for me. i make rock, metal, noise, folk, electronic music, sometimes all in the same piece of music. there are no limitations. i will say that some of it takes an experimental approach but not all of it. and that most of my music is conceptual. especially if it doesn't sound like there's a concept. some of my music isn't about music at all.


3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the project explores with the music?

so many. i have some albums which deal with very specific subjects and i think these are relatively obvious. i don't like to explain them, though. they are meant to be interpreted by the listener. but speaking very broadly, i tend to come back to some themes often: love, sadness, nature, fantasy.


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

sick to the back teeth is an expression that means to be completely fed up of something. i just liked it.


5. Are there any other members involved with the project or is this solo?

it's just me. there are some rare cases where i've had guest musicians or collaborated with people and they are given credit on those songs. but it's mostly me writing all the songs and performing all the music.


6. Currently you are signed to Drowning, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?

well, i am not signed to any label. but Drowning is great. i liked the releases that i heard and i liked the aesthetic so i sent in an album. i was glad that they decided to include it. i think it's a good fit.


7. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of underground music?

i don't think it has been received much at all. this is the first interview i've been asked to do in five or six years so i don't think anyone is aware of me. about once a year i get an email from someone who says they liked something i did and that's nice. that's about all.


8. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this full time?

i just played in a metal band for a couple of years called Pegasus Void. i played guitar, sang and wrote the songs. our album is coming out soon. it's mostly doom metal but there are are elements of space rock and black metal as well. now i play in a rock duo called the Starling Quintet. it's not metal at all. but i'm never going to stop doing music as sick to the back teeth.


9. What direction do you see your music heaning into on futre releases?

hopefully all different directions. currently i have been recording and releasing one song every week on this blog: http://sick-to-the-back-teeth.tumblr.com/ i also put old releases and previously unreleased material on there.

i will be releasing a new musical score for a film very soon. probably a rock album after that. then, who knows?


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

all different kinds of stuff. although instead of musical influences, i would say that sick to the back teeth is most connected to the surrealist art movement and i would describe most of my music as surrealist music. i'm influenced by dreams.


11. Does Occultism play a role in the music?

no, but that is not to say that i haven't at some point been inspired by the idea of something related to occultism. i'm inspired by all sorts of different things.


12.Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

currently i have a weekly radio show on the greatest radio station in the world, WFMU. my show airs sundays at 3-6am EST and you can listen online at http://www.wfmu.org/

i also enjoy building instruments and effects. i'm writing my second novel.


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

thank you for taking an interest and i wish you the best of luck with your zine!

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Tersivel/Far Away In The Distant Skies/2010 EP Review

  Tersival are a band from Argentina that plays a very atmospheric and symphonic form of folk metal mixed in with some melodic black/death metal and this is a review of their self released 2010 demo "Far Away In The Distant Skies".

Drums range from slow, mid paced to some fast drumming that utilizes a brief use of blast beats, while the keyboards bring in a very dark, symphonic, and atmospheric sound with some epic folk music melodies mixed in with some more traditional folk metal instruments, 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 riffing that combines folk metal with melodic black/death metal, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding guitar solos and leads, as for the classical guitars when they are utilized they bring a feeling of the dark ages to the music.

Vocals range from clean singing folk metal vocals, high pitched black metal screams and deep death metal growls with a brief use of gang shout vocals, while the lyrics cover Pagan,Folklore and Heathen themes, as for the production it has a very powerful, heavy and professional sound for being a self released ep.

In my opinion Tersivel are a very great sounding folk/melodic black/death metal hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACK "We Are The Fading Sun". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tersivel

Netherbird/Shadows And Snow/2010 EP Review

  Netherbird are a band from Sweden that plays a very melodic, gothic and symphonic form of black metal and this is a review of their self released 2011 ep "Shadows And Snow".

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with some blast beats being used at times, while the keyboards bring a very dark, atmospheric and symphonic sound to the music along with some use of a violin being played, 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 tone with gothic rock riffs.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast melodic black metal guitar riffs with a brief use of soft and clean playing being utilized on the last song, while the lead guitars are very melodic and skilled sounding guitar solos and leads that utilize a great amount of talent.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls being used at times as well as some spoken word parts and a brief use of clean singing chanting being utilized on the last song, while the lyrics cover very dark themes, as for the production it has a very strong, heavy, powerful and professional sound and you can hear all of the musical instruments that are present on this recording.

In my opinion Netherbird are a very great sounding atmospheric/gothic/symphonic melodic black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Shadows And Snow" and "Nightwards". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Sick To The Back Teeth/Full Body Heartache/Drowning Productions/2010 Digital Album Review

  Sick To The Back Teeth are a project from New York that combines drone doom with black metal, improv and noise and this is a review of their 2010 album "Full Body Heartache" which was released by Drowning Productions.

Drums and bass guitar are all absent from the music with guitars being the only instrument on this recording.

Guitars are all slow riffs that combine drone/doom with black metal and noise with alot of heavy distortion and there are no guitar solos or leads present on this recording, in addition the whole album is a 30 minute long song.

Vocals and song writing are all absent from the recording with the music being all instrumental, as for the production it has a very dark, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Sick To The Back Teeth are a very great sounding black/drone/doom metal/improv/noise hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should  check out this band. RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Wyrm/Paramount/Drowning Productions/2011 CD Review

  Wyrm are a 1 man band from Texas that plays a mixture of drone/doom metal and black metal and this is a review of their 2011 album "Paramount" which was released by Drowning Productions.

Drums and bass guitar are absent from the recording with the music being all guitar noises, while the keyboards bring a very dark and ambient sound to the music as well as some kraut rock and experimental influences.

Rhythm guitars are all riffs and distortion effects which are in the drone/doom metal vein mixed in with some darker black metal influences as well as shoegaze, in addition the songs are very long and epic sounding.

Vocals are absent from the music with all of the music being instrumental, while the song themes cover dark themes with one song having an alchemy approach, as for the production it has a very, dark, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Wyrm are a very great sounding drone/black/doom metal hybrid project and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Cursed Ground Above Which Even A Murder Will Not Fly" and "Ouroborous Harpengnathos". RECOMMENDED BUY

https://drowningcc.bandcamp.com/album/paramount

Black Messiah/The Final Journey/AFM Records/2012 CD Review

  Black Messiah are a band from Germany that plays a very symphonic form of melodic black/folk metal and this is a review of their 2012 album "The Final Journey" which was released by AFM Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming, while the keyboards bring a very dark, atmospheric and symphonic sound to the music mixed in with some folk instruments and violins that bring a very Germanic and Pagan sound 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, mid paced to fast riffs that combine melodic black metal with folk metal, while the lead guitars are very melodic sounding pagan metal guitar solos and leads that also have a traditional/power metal feeling to them, as for the acoustic guitars which are utilized on a few of the songs they use finger picking to enhance the darkness of the darkness.



Vocals are a mixture of high pitched black metal screams mixed in with some clean singing folk metal vocals with one song using a female singer and a brief spoken word part being utilized on one song, while the lyrics cover Teutonic Mythology and Battles with a couple of songs being written in German, as for the production it has a very strong, powerful, heavy and professional sound to it.

In my opinion this is another great album from Black Messiah and if you are a fan of symphonic melodic black/folk metal, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Windloni" "Into The Unfanthomed Tower" "Mother Hel" and "Sailing Into Eternity". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di7cnlbv_Go

  

Thunderkraft Interview

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

Our band was organized in 2001. One spring evening four future participants of the band Thunderkraft, aka Us, came to the conclusion that every one of us is drawn to the creation of a new band, for the single purpose of expression of all that pent up creativity, which overwhelmed, blossomed and was overflowing us from within. Every one of us at that time was involved in various music projects, and their stylistical regimen would not allow us to unfold our creative potential fully. That way our band was born. During our existence a lot has changed, but our creative spirit has matured, and our dedication to improving our music has grown multifold. Our True Friends are always with us, they refine our worldly outlook and help our multifaceted development. Thuderkraft is a band which was founded in equal parts on both creativity and human qualities of its bandmembers, without this there would be no Thunderkraft.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?
If you listen to our music real well, then you will hear the sounds of endless space, ancient worlds and unforeseen future, on top of guitar riffs, keyboards and drums. You will be overwhelmed by the storm of emotions and vortex of feelings. The music from our subconscious will exactly translate the flight of our thoughts for you. Some listeners will hear tank cannonade and the flight of fine matter in our music, some will hear nuclear explosion and the quiet of cosmic vacuum, some will hear birds singing and the roar of a rocketship, some will hear the fluttering of butterfly wings next to a white lily and the noise of a diesel engine atop a nuclear icebreaking ship. The music of Our band is contradictory multifaceted, we believe that in our creations all areas of the universe are interwoven at the same time. Every listener will hear what he is thinking about and what he is living through, every emotion will find its reflection in our music.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Our songs are full of poetry inspired by our subconscious. Different worlds give birth to different information streams; past, future and current are all reflected in our lyrics. In equal part, the greatest events of various moments in time, as well as the unknown circumstances of any space in the universe, did not leave us indifferent; all of those things inspired us to write the poetry you are hearing. The topics you are hearing in our lyrics came through time and space and, as a result, were ground by our consciousness, compiled by our subconscious and sculpted by the point of a pen on the plane of infinity. The lyrics flowing in our music forcefully multiplied its meaning. Our boundless desire to convey to the listener the essence of our topics created unexplainable, yet definitely easy to capture, superfine connection between lyrics and music in our songs. This connection increased the energy charge which our creations carry multifold.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band name?
I will unveil a secret for you – Our band did not have the name Thuderkraft from the very beginning. We arrived at this moniker later, due to the growth in our outlook, through the manifestation of metaconsciousness. Powerful energy charge modulated by our desires generated the chain of sequential events, which influenced the understanding of the limitless. Multiple factors, created along the way, dissolved our doubts and increased our resolve. By bringing close the opposite and separating the unified, the name of our band was born. As much as you probably were able to understand the moniker Thunderkraft has a meaning which can be analyzed in different planes, it has diametrically opposite loaded meanings. The moniker of our band hides the unknown which can be understood by anyone, it has the infinity able to fit inside any man’s soul, and it obviously has an absolute meaning which carries in itself the solid nature of our universe, squeezed to the infinitesimal dimensions.

5. The new album will be out soon, what are your expectations of the new release?
We have moderate expectations. Of course, we would like for this album to create a stir in the music world, but I do not bear any illusions. In the modern world, where there is an enormous amount of various music, it is rather difficult for your creations to reach the ears of people who could possibly be interested in this material. Besides this is not an end in and of itself. We do not have a goal to be liked or suitable for everybody, and under no circumstances we are going to chase any trends or follow the public with questionable tastes. We create music first and foremost for ourselves and for our most dedicated fans.

6. Currently you are singed to Svarga Music, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
I am very happy that fate connected us with this label. This label is outstanding and it specializes only in Ukrainian metal. This label is run by our old and very good friend. These days the label offers our band tremendous amount of help and support, and also actively pushes our “product”.

7. I have noticed that the band sounds different than most bands from your home country, how are you received in Ukraine?
We are well accepted everywhere, including our homeland. The fact that our music is different from other bands from our region is actually an asset for us, since it makes our music both original and recognizable.

8. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by underground metal fans?
It is early to judge this. Still too much remains to be done. In any case, I think that everyone who will listen to the album will be rather surprised by this “product”.
This material can be listened to in one breath, in one sitting, yet at the same time this is not simple music, it will make you think. I assume that many will enjoy our material, especially those who value complex multifaceted music.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
I think that every future album will have some surprises. And every one of them will have its own inimitable uniqueness. In any case future albums will all have a pretty heavy sound, but also various accents in a way of live instruments and electronic arrangements. I think that the direction chosen by us is the one and only correct direction for this band. And we will definitely follow our own principles.

10. I have noticed that the songs where written in 3 different languages what was the decision behind that?
This is because every language has its own inimitable sound and rhythmic quality. So, using one language or the other one can influence the atmosphere of a whole track. When you are creating a topic, fairly early into the process you get an idea what language will make the lyrics sound the best. It is precisely because of this reason our music includes lyrics in multiple languages. This also underlines the multiple styles in our art.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced the music of Thunderkraft?
Every bandmember obviously has his/her own music preferences. Therefore, I will not name any specific bands. However, I can stress several styles which influenced us in one way or the other: this is, of course, classical music, metal, folk and electronic music.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
I recommend our new album Totentanz to all who like listening to unusual, non-standard and multifaceted music. The person who is capable of grasping the irrational will not be left untouched …

Interview with Master Alafern of THUNDERKRAFT, 16.03.2012

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