Dunwich/Tail-Tied Hearts/Caligari Records/2020 CD Review

  Dunwich  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom  metal,  prog,  darkwave  and  post  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Tail-Tied  Hearts"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Caligari  Records.

  Dark  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  returns  on  later  songs  while  the  music  also  mixes  in  elements  of  darkwave.  Melodic  vocals  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  along  with  the  slower  riffing  also  adding  in  the  heaviness  of  doom  metal.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  psychedelic  sides  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  grim  black  emtal  screams  also  being  utilized  at  times.

  Some  of  the  songs  also  show  the  music  bringing  in  more  of  a  progressive  style  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  some  of  the  mid  tempo  riffing  also  shows  an  influence  of  post  punk  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror  and  occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Dunwich  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  doom  metal prog,  darkwave  and  post  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Through  The  Dense  Woods"  "Mouth  Of  Darkness"  and  "The  Sea".  8  out  of  10.

http://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/tail-tied-hearts 



  

Dead Bronco Interview

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


We were supposed to have a full European tour this summer and a US/Canada tour in the fall but COVID-19 destroyed all plans, so we had to postpone our Euro tour for the summer of 2021 and we are still rescheduling our North American tour since their out break occurred later than ours so we'll see when that can happen. On a positive note, I was able to take advantage of the lock down and wrote a bunch of new material for our up coming album due in 2021, which I'm very excited to get into the studio and get that going.


2.In 2020 you have released 2 albums, musically how do they differ from the stuff you have released in the past?


Dead Bronco started off as a cow punk band but since the beginning we've had numerous changes in the line up due to our tendency to tour heavily. Many people can't handle the life style of long periods of time away from home with out much of a benefit. Every time I had to bring in a new member the music would change, obviously because of the influence each one would bring to the table. I always saw DB as an aggressive dark band even if we did play country, but once we released our third album “Bedridden & Hellbound” I saw that the music we were making was very cheerful and that wasn't what I was trying to go for, so I decided to reconstruct everything and form an entirely new line up which came with “Driven By Frustration”. I was very happy with the result of the album but I was very disappointed with my band members. They were in it for the wrong reasons, thinking they would make a lot of money or get famous. They would make outrageous demands that basically bankrupted the band, that formation almost destroyed my dream and my band which I worked so hard to create. Again, I decided to throw them all to the curb and remake the band with straight up friends and create what ever came out naturally. THE ANNUNCIATION was planned as my final farewell album but I enjoyed touring and creating with these guys that I've decided to keep it going. I've upset a lot of country rockabilly people with the change, I've been threatened at shows and have had things thrown at me on stage and one dude tried to fight me calling me a “traitor”. Luckily I've lost all those closed minded finds and have made new ones in a totally different scene. I'm a lot happier now where I'm at with my music and can't wait to see where it takes me.


3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore wit the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?


I guess you can say my lyrics are a bit darker and more violent now but they kind of have always been that way. I come from Florida from a very religious, right winged house hold where I grew up with domestic violence and the guilt of sin bestowed on everything I thought or did. I write a lot about my past and what my stepfather used to do to us and how it still affects me. Doesn't matter if the music is happy or dark sounding, I sing about my demons. I've seen how my writing has evolved over the years and I have lyrics that are better than others but I do see that what I write now is way more coherent than what I've written in previous albums. Practice makes perfect.


4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dead Bronco'?


When I first arrived to the Basque Country I saw a few guys playing Johnny Cash outside of a bar and I asked them if I could play as well. They were called “Mis Amigos Me Llaman Bronco” (my friends call me Bronco), they said yes so we started playing in front of all the bars in town for free beer. The band started to gain recognition around town and I wanted to start something more serious but the singer of the band seemed like he wanted to do his cover songs forever, so I decided to go my own way and take those who were willing to make original music. Pretty much all the good members of the band decided to join me so after that the Broncos died and that is why I named the band Dead Bronco because I killed the band.


5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork on the newer album covers?


We worked with the Russian artist Trofimova Alina Sergeyevna who had done the art work for “ Death Roots Syndicate” out in Texas which we were featured in a few times and they were a label that promoted dark country artists and I really liked her work. I wanted to get a rootsy feel keeping true to our folk base but leaning towards a black metal cover. I think she did a great job mixing the two textures together.


6.The band has members in both the United States and Spain, how does this work out in the recording process?


I'm actually the only one from the US. I've been based out in Spain since 2008 and have been working with Spanish musicians ever since.


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?


We've played our share of concerts over the years but I think the most memorable one was at Sziget Fest in Budapest where there were thousands of people but I think my favorite show was Tsunami Fest 2018 when we played with Bad Religion and Prodigy, the energy of the crowd was intense. I would say our stage performance is very high energy with a lot of attitude. I like to give a show that I myself would enjoy seeing and I'm very big fan of mosh pits and walls of death even though I'm trying very hard to not injure myself anymore. I've had a few accidents where I fell off the stage a few years back and broke my arm and wrist which is still giving me problems till this day.


8.The new albums where released on Sun & Moon Records, how would you compare working with this label to other labels you where a part of the past?


We've always self-released our albums except two which were released with Roots Union Records out in Nashville Tennessee but there's no comparison with Sun & Moon Records. They give complete artist freedom to create what the band wants and believes and our music is finally available world wide and reaching another type of audience which would have been more difficult to get to with out their help. I'm very happy to be part of the family.


9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your new recordings by fans of underground music?


We are receiving a very positive reaction. The change was a slow process and as I mentioned before we lost a lot of our fan base but gained a totally new one. Our shows are filling up with new faces and open minded people. We've also been receiving good reviews by music critics so I think over all its been good and I can't wait to finally get back on the road and show everyone what we do.


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

The future is so unclear but we do have a contract with Sun & Moon for two more albums and I will always make music as long as I am alive, it's my reason of being.


11.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?


I listen to a lot of different types of music but I guess the bands that have most influenced me in these last two albums have been “Those Poor Bastards”, “King Dude”, and “Capricorns”.

I love all types of music from classical, country, black metal, to cumbia. I often listen to Pergolesi and Vivaldi to start the day. I'm very big into Bethlahem, Scour, Silencer, and then I'll change it up and go to NoFx, Union 13. But I was just listening to Death in June as I was writing this.


12.What are some of your non musical interests?


Surfing is basically the only thing other than music that keeps me sane and makes living life a bit more easy. Being from Florida I was born and raised on or in the water, so I need to be by the ocean to feel that I'm ok. I also enjoy cutting hair very much, I've been doing it since I was 15, even though I haven't done it in a while.


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


I would like to thank all those who have supported us through all the changes and ups and downs in the band and I would also like to welcome the new listeners to the family. If it wasn't for you all we wouldn't be where we are and doing what we do. Thank you!

Website: https://www.deadbronco.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deadbronco

Bandcamp: https://deadbronco1.bandcamp.com

Irhagar/Sutra/2020 Full Length Review

  Irhagar  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  experimental,  black  and  sludge  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Sutra".

  Amp  style  drones  start  off  the  album  while  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  sounding  at  times.  High  pitched  black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  at  times  along  with  the  slow  yet  heavy  riffing  bringing  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

 A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Synths  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  an  amprov  atmosphere  at  times  as  well  as  most  of  the  music  also  being  instrumental,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  small  amount  of  atmospheric  sounding  drones  can  also  be  heard,'.

   Irhagar  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  black,  sludge  metal,  drone  and  experimental  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark

  In  my  opinion  Irhagar  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  sludge  metal,  drone  and  experimental  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  8  out  of  10.

https://irhagar.bandcamp.com/releases   

Primitive Man/Immersion/Relapse Records/2020 CD Review

  Denver,  Colorado's  Primitive  Man  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  blackened  mixture  of  sledge,  doom  metal  and  noise  from  their  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Immersion"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Relapse  Records.

A  very  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  doom  metal  direction  which  also  captures  the  heaviness  of  sludge  metal.  Vocals  are  done  in  a  mostly  a  growling  style  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  blackened  screams  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  When  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them. During  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  guitar  amp  noises,  one  of  the  later  songs  is  also  a  harsh  noise  instrumental.

  On  this  recording  Primitive  Man  remains  true  to  the  blackened  mixture  of  sludge,  doom  metal  and  noise  that  was  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  hatred  and  misanthropy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Primitive  Man  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Entity"  and  "Consumption".  8  out  of  10.

http://www.primitivemandoom.com/
http://www.facebook.com/primitivemandoom/
http://www.instagram.com/primitivemandoom/
http://twitter.com/PRIMITIVEMANE
http://primitivemandoom.bandcamp.com/ 

Thyrant/Katabasis/Indie Recordings/2020 CD Review

  Thyrant  are  a  band  from  Spain  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  progressive  mixture  of  black,  death  and  groove  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Katabasis"  which  will  be  released  in  July  17th  by  Indie  Recordings.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.  Grim  black  metal  screams  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and epic  in  length.

  Clean  vocals  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  along  with  some  growling  style  vocals  also  being  used  in  certain  sections  of  the  songs  which  also  introduces  elements  of  death  metal  onto  the  recording.

  Some  of  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs  show  an  influence  of  groove  metal  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks  being  instrumental  as  well  as  one  of  them  introducing  acoustic  guitars  and  clean  playing  onto  the  album,  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  fast  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks  and  a  later  song  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  whispered  vocals.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  a  story  of  someone  going  through  difficult  moments  and  conquering  them.

  In  my  opinion  Thyrant  are  a  very  great  sounding  progressive  and  melodic  mixture  of  black,  death  and  groove  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Face  The Thyrant"  "Black  Oceans"  "KatabasisChapter  Iv".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook | Homepage | Spotify | Bandcamp       

Rumahoy/Time II: Party/Napalm Records/2020 CD Review

  Rumahoy  are  a  band  from  North  Carolina  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  folk  and  pirate  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Time  II:  Party"  which  will  be  released  on  July  17th  by  Napalm  Records.

  Water  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  musical  direction  along  with  some  chants  and  spoken  word  parts  while  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  folk  metal  elements.  Clean  vocals  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  rough  pirate  style  and  accordions  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavy  parts  of  the  songs.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  also  show  more  of  a  metal/rock  style  at  times  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  some  touches  of  electronic  music  and  hip  hop  style  vocals,  some  of  the  riffing  also  shows  an  influence  of  thrash  metal  and  most  of  the  tracks  also  stick  to  a  mid  tempo  style  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  demonic  voices  can  also  be  heard.

   On  this  recording  Rumahoy  removes  all  of  the  black  and  extreme  metal  elements  from  their  previous  releases  and  focuses  more  on  a  straightforward  pirate/folk  metal  style.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  pirates,  booty,  questing,  drinking  and  humor  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Rumahoy  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  folk  and  pirate  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cowboys  Of  The  Sea"  "The  Legend  Of  Captain  Yarrface"  "The  Beer  From  My  Town  Is  Better  Than  Yours"  and  "Stolen  Treasure".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/rkOPv626Nn4    

Disillumination/Return To Fire Fields/Entocomophobic Records/2020 Album Re-Issue Review

  Disillumination  are  a  band  from  Columbia  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "Return  To  Fire  Fields"  which  was  re-issued  in  2020  by  Entocomophobic  Records.

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  and  winds  start  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

 The  music  also  adds in  a  great  amount  of  Swedish  influences  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  acoustic  guitars  onto  the  recording  as  well  as  a  later  song  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  album,  keyboards  also  make  a  brief  return  on  an  instrumental  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  death  and  occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Disillumination  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Internal  Suffering"  "Azazel  Throne"  and  "The  Call  Of  The  Grave".  8  out  of  10.

https://entocomophobicrecords.bandcamp.com/album/return-to-fire-fields.  .