Totengefluster/The Faceless Divine/Black Lion Records/2019 CD Review

  Totengefluster  are  a  band  from Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  symphonic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "The  Faceless  Divine"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Black  Lion  Records.

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  and  also  introduces  symphonic  elements  onto  the  recording  which  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  as  well as  the  vocals  being  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  good  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  mostly  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  symphonic  style.

 A  couple  of  tracks  also  introduces  spoken  word  parts  onto  the  recording  along  with  a  couple  of  songs    also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  very  long  and  epic  in  length and  as  the  album  progress  guttural  growls  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  music,  one  of  the later  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental  and  clean  vocals  are  also  added  on  the  closing  bonus  track.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  sorrow,  death  an  insanity  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Totengefluster  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "On  Carrion  Wings"  "Affliction"  "Vermin"  and  "The  Hollow  Wanderer".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/eD_smf7fjw4

Selenite/Mahasamadhi/Seance Records/2019 CD Review

  Selenite  are  a  solo  project  from  Austria  that  plays  a  mixture  of  symphonic  black  and  funeral  doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2019  album  "Mahasamadhi"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Seance  Records.

  A  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  funeral  doom  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  dark  yet  depressive  sounding  melodies  along  with  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  death  metal  growls.

  Keyboards  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  90's  era  doom/death  metal  influences.  Spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  music  also  adding  in  symphonic  elements  at  times.

  One  track  also  introduces  clean  male  vocals and  grim  black  metal  screams  onto  the  recording  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  when t hey  are  utilized  and  all  of  the  music  sticks  to  a  slower  direction,  as  the  album  progresses  operatic  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly.   The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Sanskrit  Mantras  and  Eastern  Spirituality  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Selenite  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  symphonic  black  and  funeral  doom/death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Requiem  For  a  Soul"  and  "Final  Reckoning".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/sNQ9sW0isBY

Kurgan/Yggdrasil Burns/Massacre Records/2019 CD Review

  Kurgan  are  a  band  from  Denmark  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019 album  "Yggdrasil  Burns"  which  will  be  released  on  September  20th  by  Massacre  Records.

  Thunderstorm  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  classical  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  before  introducing  melodic  guitar  leads  onto  the  recording.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Elements  of  viking  music  are  also  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  Scandinavian  style,  classical  guitars  also  make  a  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks.

  Kurgan  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic forms  of  viking,   black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Death,  Norse  Mythology,  Battles,  Blood,  Gore  and  Medieval  character  themes.

  In  my opinion  Kurgan  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  viking,  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Fall  Of  Asgard"  "Kill  The Enemy"  "Evil  Dead"  and  "Over  the  Lands,  Into  The  Sea".  8  out  of  10.

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Singularity/Place Of Chains/The Artisan Era/2019 CD Review

  Singularity  are  a  band  from  Tempe,  Arizona  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  symphonic  and  technical  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "Place  Of  Chains"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  the  Artisan  Era.

  Symphonic  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  and  technical  style  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  head.

  Vocals  bring  in a  mixture  of  grim  black  metal  screams  and  guttural  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  riffs  also  getting  very  technical  at  times.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  some  of  the  faster  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  and  a  small  amount  of  clean  vocals  are  also  added  onto  the  closing  track.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  enslavement  and  science  fiction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Singularity  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  and  technical  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Victory  Or  Death"  "Consume  And  Assume"  and  "As  Dark  As  This  Nefarious  Night".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/_ew4XwrAlVM

Astaroth Incarnate/Ascendance/2019 EP Review

  Astaroth  Incarnate  are  a  band  from  Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  along  with  some  elements  of  goth  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of t heir  self  released  2019  ep  "Ascendance"which  will  be  released  in  December.

  A  very  dark  sound  along  with  some  clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep before  going  into  a  faster  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Symphonic  elements  are  also  mixed  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  balance  between  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  elements  of  goth,  avant  garde  and  doom  metal,  clean  playing  also  returns  on  the  later  tracks  as  well  as  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clear  vocals  and  the  ep  closes  with  a  cover  of  Cradle  Of  Filth's  "Her  Ghost  In  The  Fog"  which  also  introduces  female  vocals  onto  the  recording.

  On  this  recording  Astaroth  Incarnate  goes  into  more  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  while  also  adding  in  some  avant  garde,  doom  and  goth  emtal  influences  to  takes  their  style  to  another  level.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  involving  the  alpha  and  the  omega.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Astaroth  Incarnate  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  symphonic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "I  Am  Death  (Alpha)".  8  out  of  10.

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Doom Rot Interview

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

Before this project I played in many bands. But my problem of communicating with people made itself felt. Six months ago I started playing music in my home Studio. I had the idea to start a one man project. I originally planned to play Groove/Death Metal. But when I started writing music, there were a lot of Black Metal elements in it. I really liked how it all blends and I decided to act. And so the story of my project began.

2.Can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you have went for on your recordings so far?

I'm a big fan of Swedish school of Melodic Death Metal and Black Metal. I liked the way they blends, I also liked the addition of Groove elements. Groove riffs that "rocks", melancholy of Melodic Death Metal, anger and darkness of Black Metal. In addition, I listen to a lot of different music and each in its own way influenced all this.

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

Of course death and destruction! (Joke.) In the lyrics most often I write about my misanthropy, human lust, the loss of people that were close to me, and about feelings of loneliness. Also sometimes about the mythical and mystical themes. In the lyrics I most often write "as is", without hidden meanings. I want to communicate my thoughts and feelings to the audience more clearly.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Doom Rot'/

The meaning of the most banal. Doom represents the destructive activities of people. Rot - that people are just soulless meat that will die and rot. And I'm also a fan of game Doom.

5.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 ready to work with other people in the recording and production of other musicians. I have two dreams and one of them is to work with sound and help others with it. I get wild pleasure from it, ready to sit in the Studio all day and night. As part of my project, I don't want to work with anyone. It is only mine and only I can Express my thoughts correctly.

6.You have also done an 'Immortal' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

Immortal once pushed me to make music alone. I was very inspired by them. And just recently, I decided to cover the song "Tyrants", thereby paying tribute to them. If it wasn't for them, maybe my project wouldn't have happened.

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

You know, before I didn't see the point in subscribing to the label, because I could solve all my problems and questions myself. But now I'm open to suggestions. I have more work, less time to do other things. For example: to make CDs, organize concerts and so on. It's getting harder to do everything alone. So yeah, I wouldn't mind working with someone on that.

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

Honestly, I was surprised how well people perceived my work. I haven't heard any negative reviews yet, which is strange nowadays. I am eternally grateful to all of them, I wish them only good from the bottom of my heart.

9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I rush from one thought to another, but it would be a pleasure for me to sit in the Studio and work with my music, to work with other musicians. Engage in sound engineering. Sometimes to give concerts. I just want to make music as much, as good, and as long as possible. I'll do it until I die.

10.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/

From Black Metal: Immortal, Burzum, Darkthrone, Watain. Of Melodic/Death Metal: Death, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, The Duskfall, At The Gates, Insomnium, Amon Amarth, Helltrain. From Groove/Death: Feared, Machine Head, DevilDriver. Currently I often listen to Sylosis, In Flames, Celldweller, The Prodigy, Strapping Young Lad, Hypocrisy, Children Of Bodom. So many things, I am always with music.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

I love to take pictures, to cook, I also love computer games. But all this is given little time due to the heavy workload.

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

Yes. Thank you very much for the interview!
I want to say that I will continue to try to please people with my creativity.
And a couple of off-topic thoughts: happiness is doing what you really like. And when it is estimated by people, it is doubly happiness.

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Scimitar/Shadows Of Man/2019 CD Review

  Scimitar  are  a  band  from  Victoria  B.C,  Canada  that  plays  a  mixture  of  melodic  black,  death  and  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2019  album  "Shadows  Of  Man".

  Nature  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk  instruments  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  Vocals  also  bring  in  a  decent  mixture  of  both  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Clear  pagan  vocals  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  as  the  album  progresses  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  power  metal  screams,  clean  playing,  keyboards  and  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a s elf  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  human  experiences  and  history  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Scimitar  are  a  very great  sounding  mixture  of  melodic  black,  death  and  folk  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "State  of  Nature"  "Flayed  On  The  Birth  Rack"  "Where  Ancient  Spectres  Lie"  and  "Mysterium,  Tremendum  et  Fascinans".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/qG53V8EKH1E