Ash Of Ashes Interview

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

Skaldir: Hello! The release of our debut album was quite successful, so we're in a good mood and I have already started to write new songs for the follow-up album that hopefully will not take as much time as the debut.
We also wanna start rehearsing for live shows in 2019.

2. A few months back you had released your first album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?

Skaldir: It's a rather melodic metal style, rooting in Black Metal. We call our music “Epic Skaldic Metal”. You could also call it Pagan Metal, Viking Metal or Epic Metal, but since our music has this storyteller vibe, we wanted to have the word “skald” in there, too.

3. You label your music as 'epic skaldic metal', how would you say your music differs from bands that play more of a pagan metal style?

Skaldir: We surely aren't on the “funny” side music-wise. We don't play party or drinking music. We're rather on the path old bands like BATHORY took, when the whole thing started.

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?

Skaldir: It's a mixture between mythological, historical as well as tales and legends. We also have four songs on the album which are based on “The Lay of Wayland” – an old Germanic legend found in Anglo-Saxon, German and Scandinavian sources.

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

Skaldir: The ship on the ocean scenery fits the title and leaves a lot open for imagination, because you don't see men on it, nor sails.

6. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

Skaldir: We'll see. Personally I like to work as a duo, and like to compose song on my own. It worked really well, so I don't think that for the albums the line-up will be expanded. But I surely want to have our drummer Dennis on the next album as well!

7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Skaldir: We’ve chosen to be without label on purpose. The music industry has changed, and I don't really know what an indie label could offer us. But it's also a lot of work to do everything on your own, so maybe in the future there will be collaborations with labels again.

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

Skaldir: For a newcomer band there is really nothing more we could ask for. The album was extremely well received. We got tons of great reviews and a lot of plays on Spotify. It was like a dream start.

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

Morten: I’ve been involved in four bands or projects for quite some time now: THULR, SKARDUS, HERNE and GRAVEHAMMER.
Skaldir: I'm in a few other bands as well. The most known might be ELANE, then I have an Irish Folk Project called OVER THE HILL and a Death Metal band ABSCESSION.

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

Skaldir: The style will more or less stay the same. The songs on the debut are maybe a bit too simple, so maybe we will have some longer and more progressive songs in the future. But I'm not sure yet.

11. How would you describe your views on Paganism?

Morten: I guess it would take too long to describe my personal views on paganism in detail here. Also, I think, that religious - or better spiritual matters – should remain something personal, something private as far as ones daily life is concerned. As it is clear from the lyrics, northern European mythology and lore are things I feel a close connection to, yet I do find similarities and very interesting aspects in other “pagan” or animistic beliefs, e.g. in the mythology of the Native Americans of present day USA and Canada. In general, I think that there is far more to explore and to discover than the usual stories of the two Eddas.

12. What are some of your non-musical interests?

Skaldir: I'm a sound engineer, that's my job and also my passion besides music. In my free time I like to be outside hiking.
Morten: I like to be outside in the woods or on the beach and spend time with my friends and family. And I’m interested in history, so this offers lots of chances to visit interesting places.

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

Skaldir: As the year is ending and winter is near people naturally think about what happened in their lives this year and what might happens in the next year.
I just wanna say thanks to all the people interested in our music and hope we'll have some new tunes for them next year.

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Damnation Army/Death Macabre/2019 Full Length Review

  Damnation  Army  are  a  solo  project  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  melodic form  of  black metal  with  some  elements  of  death,  speed  and  heavy  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2019  album  "Death  Macabre".

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  Swedish  style.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Nature  sounds  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  influences  of  death,  thrash,  speed  and  heavy  metal.

  Most  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  Swedish  style  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  atmospheric  sounding  synths  onto  the  recording.  Tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  fast  riffing  and  as  the  album  progresses  an  instrumental  is  also  added  onto  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  album  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  death  and  occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Damnation  Army  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  black  metal  solo  project  with  elements  of  death,  thrash,  speed  and  heavy  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ancient  Evil  Rituals"  "Enter  the  Blood  Massacre"  and  "Shadowed".  8  out  of  10.   

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Suffering Souls Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new album?

Immediately after the recordings, of course, as with every album, the mastering came and immediately afterwards the concept for marketing, advertising, organization and the tuning of a release date.
We, Patrick especially and I, are working really hard to bring the album to a very high level, and the worldwide reviews and ongoing interview requests prove us right. So far we are doing everything right and things are going very well.

2.You have a new album coming out during the beginning of 2019, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

There are nine symphonically arranged Black Metal songs in the usual Suffering Souls style.
The main difference to the previous albums is that this album is going to be much more structured, catchy and towards medium tempo. However, still satanic and inhuman.

3.This is the first release in 10 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time span?

At the end of 2009, after the release of "Sadistic Goat Complex" I started to work on new songs right in the middle of 2010, which I was working on until the end of 2014.
After the pre-production in September 2015, which was created in my studio, I decided to let the almost finished album rest. In November it was time that I went to a longtime companion from Nuremberg in a very familiar studio, where I once again played all the instruments from scratch for months and reorganized the orchestral parts with him.
In the autumn of 2016, I then started with the vocals, but something was missing, right: Vocals are sometimes "clean". Like listening to "In Synergy Obscene" now, I also wanted to try the "normal" vocals, which I think I coped quite well with. I also brought in Joe Jones, a guy from an Irish folk band, to help out, which is on the album now. Writing, arranging and recording the whole album took from January 2010 to autumn 2017. Afterwards, the tracks were mixed and mastered by me for about nine months until mid-2018, in a local studio (Musikomm) in my hometown of Amberg.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore on the new album?

As with all Suffering Souls albums, it's about inhumane themes, satanism, occultism, and the end of the human race throughout. Of course, death and the devil in their most beautiful and abominable form, as the world has earned.
I love it...


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Suffering Souls’?

The name of the band is self-explanatory if you and especially the followers deal with the topic, the lyrics and especially with the music and deal with it intensively.

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

The artwork was made by the Frenchman Remy C. from Headsplit Design, just like for the 2009 album "Sadistic Goat Complex".
A few ideas of me in a sketch packed, the album title and a "have fun" were sufficient that I had two months later, the first serious drafts on the table.
It has become absolutely fantastic and reflects the complete album in its gloom. Every single song is visually united in this picture. Listen to it intensively and you will understand what I mean.

7.Currently the band is a solo project but had a full line up in the past, are you open to adding other members in the band again or do you prefer to work alone?

Since completion of the second album "Incarnated Perfection" in 2003, I do everything in complete solo. Since I was responsible for most of our riffs from the beginning, that is, since our founding in 1994, it has taken endless years from the first official demos, "In the Moonshadow of Dispair" and "When Silence Cries Eternally" MCD "Cries of Silence" on the first full-length album "Twilight Ripping Souls Apart" to the "Incarnated Perfection" the second longplayer, forced us to be a band. Eternal discussions about riffs, length, structure and type of lyrics have limited me in all too much what I wanted to express with "Suffering Souls". Although "Incarnated Perfection" already came completely from my pen, both musically and lyrically, I needed the then members as extras and means to the end of the album. Ultimately, my own studio and the advances in technology were the logical consequence: "It was not nice with you, Fuck Off, dictator Esgaroth is now sole ruler over the Suffering Souls."
.... and the burden of having to endure other people had also been dealt with.
It will remain so in the future, that I will do everything alone, except it should eventually be a big gig or a long tour pending, then of course I will have to work with some session musicians together.

8.Was there any live shows back when there was a full line up?

Yes, of course, every band wants to play live and that's what happened to us back in 1994 when Suffering Souls was founded. On March 16, 1996, we had our first appearance in a local pub and were absolutely sold out. However, at that time there were only about 110 people. From then on we were unstoppable and until our little European tour in 2000, after the release of "Twilight Ripping Souls Apart", we played permanently live.

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

The massive and worldwide response to the new album "In Synergy Obscene" is so overwhelming that it takes Suffering Souls to a new level in Black Metal. Above all, the reactions, ratings and sales figures have skyrocketed in North America, South America, Asia and Europe. Inquiries from interviews and presentations in radio shows have increased so much that I am fully booked with my appointments.
The album teaser that Patrick from Schwarzdorn Production produced has also been a big help.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?

Suffering Souls will be the spearhead of German Symphonic Black Metal. Of course I expect a chart placement !!!
... only for this album, not for the next, because I'm back "true". It will always go on ...

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?

Brahms, Rachmaninow and I, the calm, the loneliness and the bringer of the light, it changes, promised, nothing!

12.How would you describe your views on Satanism?

He is always and everywhere, among us, in us and in every crappy religion.

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

Stop the Norwegian Incest, long live German Black Metal

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Fenrir Interview

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

In fact, the new album was recorded quite long ago now, but we had to face the departure of our two guitar players, Sylvère and Tristan. It took a moment to find our new musicians, but now we are complete again and our guitarists Alex and Kael are ready to play all our songs, old and new !



2.In 2019, you have a new album coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

This new album is a mix of all that the members of the band have brought : it is louder in the drums parts, with hints to pagan metal, but also closer to traditional folk, with acoustic parts and the use of flutes in addition to the violin in two songs.



3.This is going to be your first release since 2012, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?

Thanks to our previous album, we had the opportunity to play in many different places and festivals, so we tried to meet new fans and audiences in France and also in Belgium and Switzerland for example. We also took time to work on new songs again and again, in order to be sure they were exactly what we wanted.



4.The new recording is a concept album based on the King Arthur Legends, can you tell us us which stories you brought from these legends into the music?

Most of the new songs refer to the stories about Arthur himself : how he was hidden by Merlin as a child (A red sun rises), how he grew up and discovered his sword Excalibur (The son of Pendragon), how he married Guinevere (Camelot) and met Lancelot for the first time (La dame du lac), how he was killed by his son in battle (Mordred)... But we also created songs about other characters of the legends : Perceval, Gawain, Morgan.



5.I know that the bands name came from 'Norse Mythology', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in Paganism?

This interest comes firstly from our interest for history of the Middle Ages (that was my major at university) and from our love for mythology and old legends. We are into all kinds of legends (Celtic, Norse, Scottish...) but what is really fascinating in Norse Mythology and Paganism is that in fact we know very little about it, because these people did not write books, and stories about it were written later, with a different point of view. So it remains very mysterious !



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

This artwork, created by talented Edouard Noisette, alludes to the story of the Fisher king : Perceval meets the old man who takes him in a boat to his castle where he will see the Grail, but will not dare to ask anything about this marvellous object.



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?

I think our best shows are often festival ones, when we discover a new audience that did not know us before, for example at Cidre&Dragon in Normandy. But shows in small pubs, close to the fans, are also  really enjoyable ! On stage we wear medieval fantasy outfits and try to take the audience with us on a journey in old legends, with energy or melancholy, depending on the songs.



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

The shows are being prepared right now so we cannot announce a tour yet, but it will come soon ! And we are still looking for shows to complete the tour.



9.The new album is self released, would the band be interested in working with another label again in the future?

We are open to any proposal of a label, but it depends on the conditions !



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

We were really surprised to discover that people loved our music as far as in Japan or South America. As a matter of fact, there are not so many folk metal fans in France. Of course, fans of screamed vocals only may not enjoy our music that much, but we can move a rather large range of metalheads !



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

Our new guitar players will bring something new by writing some of the new songs. But we also want to keep our personal sound and atmosphere.



12.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?

We have influences of bands such as Ensiferum or Amon Amarth for the music, but my singing has been more inspired by folk singers such as Loreena MacKennitt or bands like Faun. And the violin is more influenced by Irish trad fiddle. Personally I listen nowadays to varied styles of music, and I enjoy metal opera projects such as Ayreon.



13.What are some of your non musical interests? I practice medieval and folk dances, and medieval historical reenactment. I also read a lot of Heroic fantasy novels.



14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? Thanks for your questions, it is always a pleasure to expose our universe and explain our music !

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Diabolical/Eclipse/Indie Recordings/2019 CD Review

  Sweden's  Diabolical  have  returned  with  a  new  recording which  shows  the  music  going  into  more  of  a  symphonic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal   and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "Eclipse"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Indie  Recordings.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  choir  vocals  before  evolving  into  death  metal  growls.  Clean  guitars  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  heavier  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Black  metal  screams  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very melodic  style  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Clean  vocals  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music. At  times  the  riffing  also  gets  very  technical  sounding  and  choirs  also  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks.

  As  the  album  progresses  the  music  also  starts  to  speed  up  at  times  and  also  introduces  blast  beats  onto  the  recording  while  keeping  the  main  focus  on  more  of  a  slower  or  mid  tempo  direction.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  the  dark  side  of  humanity.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Diabolical  which  shows  the  music  going  into  more  of  a  symphonic  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "We  Are  Diabolical"  "Failure"  "Tyranni"  and  "Requiem".  8  out  of  10. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=repKhh998Io

 

  

Downcast Twilight/Wrath of The Anunnaki/Stygian Crypt Productions/2018 CD Review

  Downcast  Twilight  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  band  and  plays  a  mixture  of  melodic  black,  death  and  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Wrath  Of  The  Anunnaki"  which  was  released  by  Stygian  Crypt  Productions.

  Middle  eastern  style  instruments  start  off  the  album  and  also  mix  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  along  with  a  good  amount  of  orchestra  and  symphonic  elements.  A  great  amount  of  melody  can  also  be  heard  in  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  death  metal  growls.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  black  metal  influence.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  some  clean  vocals  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  music  also  mixes  in  folk  music  elements  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  clean  playing  is  also added  into  some  parts  of  the  music.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  as  the  album  progresses  aggressive  screams  are  also  added  into  the  music  along  with  one  song  also  bringing  in  female  vocals.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while the lyrics  are  based  upon  the  Epic  Of  Gilgamesh  and  Sumerian  Mythology.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Downcast  Twilight  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black,  death  and  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Snarling  Chaos"  "Wrath  Of  The  Anunnaki"  "Elder  Terrors  of The  Deep"  and  "Ereshkigal's  Throne".  8/5out  of  10.

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Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy/The Lord Of Shadows/Sliptrick Records/2019 CD Review

  Dark  Mirror  Ov  Tragedy  are  a  band  from  South  Korea  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  with  some  elements  of  goth  and  classical  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "The  Lord  Of  Shadows"  which  will  be  released  on  January  22nd  by  Sliptrick  Records.

  A  very  avant g arde  and  classical  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  keyboards  and  symphonic  elements  onto t he  recording  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Operatic  choirs  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  some classical  guitars  which  are  also  used  on  later  tracks.

  Vocals  are  mostly  aggressive  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  heavier  riffing  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  brought  into  the  music  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  also  adding  in  a  neo-classical  touch.

  Blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  music  while  clean  playing  can  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  as  well  as  some  violins  also  being  utilized  at  times,  When  female  vocals  are  brought  into t he  music  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  soprano  style  which  also  expands  on  the  classical  influence  of  the  bands  musical  style.

  Elements  of  goth  are  also  added  into  the  music  at  times  while  some  of  the  solos  and  leads  also  adopt  a  more  modern  atmospheric  black  metal  style  in  some  parts  of  the  music.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  heard  briefly.  The  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  a  story  of  a  man  who  becomes  the  Lord  Of  Shadows  himself  and  his  journey  to  rule  the  world  of  a  dark  mirror.

  In  my  opinion  Dark  Mirror  Ov  Tragedy  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Chapter  II.  Possession"  and  "Chapter  V.  I  Am  The  Lord  Of  Shadows".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/user/amorpis/

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