IATT/Magnum Opus/Black Lion Records/2022 CD Review

 

  IATT  are  a  band  from  Pennsylvania  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  melodic  and  progressive  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Magnum  Opus"  which  was  released  by  Black   Lion  Records.

  Acoustic  guitars  and  stringed  instruments  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  musical  direction.  Orchestra  sounds  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  progressive  sounding  while  clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Tremolo  picking  is  also  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing  along  with  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  saxophones,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  songs  and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  esoteric  sciences  of  Alchemy  from  the  17th  century.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  IATT  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  progressive  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Servitude,  Subjagate"  "Elixir  Of  Immortality"  "Planes  Of  Our  Existence"  and  'Chrysopoeia".  8  out  of  10.

https://linktr.ee/IATT_Official 
https://facebook.com/iamthetrireme 
https://www.instagram.com/iatt_official 
https://twitter.com/iamthetrireme 

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

A Lie Nation/Sociopathology/Inverse Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  A  Lie  Nation  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  melodic  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Sociopathology"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Inverse  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  aggressive  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls along  with  some  clear  singing  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  sow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  fast  riffing.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  keyboards  can  also  be  heard.

  On  this  recording  A  Lie  Nation remains  true  to  the  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  emtal t hat  they  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  hate,  misanthropy,  yearning  and  despondency  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  A  Lie  Nation  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Underton"  "21st"  and  "Conclusion  Of  A  Thought".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alienationofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alienationband
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUVkaIeuSJ7XXxvq3bVjWQg
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alienationmetal
Website: https://alienationmetal.com
Bandcamp: https://alienationmetal.bandcamp.com

   

    

  

Insurrexion/Self Titled/Sinistrari Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Insurrexion  are  a  band  from  Chile  that  plays  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2022  album  which  was  released  by  Sinistrari  Records.

  A  very  fast  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very melodic  style.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  good  balance  between  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  melody,  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  are  also  utilized.

  Insurrexion  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  melodic  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  90's  era  South  American  death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Spanish  and  cover  astral  paths,  dreams,  death  and  beyond. 

  In  my  opinion  Insurrexion  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  "La  Espada  de  la  Esencia"  and  "Funeral  Celeste".  8  out  of  10.

Website: https://www.magic-metal.com/insurrexion/
Bandcamp: https://insurrexion.bandcamp.com/releases
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDMb4I4T_Sc

Other: http://sinistrarirecords.com/atrocities 

Trollfest/Flamingo Overload/Napalm Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Trollfest  are  a  band  from  Norway  that h as  had  music  reviewed  before  in   this  zine  and  plays  folk  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Flamingo  Overload"  which  was  released  by  Napalm  Records.

  Spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  clear  vocals  and  aggressive  screams  which  also  add  in  a  touch  of  black  metal.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  folk  instruments  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.

  Saxophones  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  slide  guitars.

  Back  up  vocals  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  some  pop  music  style  choruses  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  hip  hop  style  vocals  and  funk  beats  onto  the  album,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  drinking,  partying  and  humorous  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  decent  sounding  album  from  Trollfest  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  folk  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Dance  Like  A  Pink  Flamingo"  "Twenty  Miles  An  Hour"  "Rule  The  Country"  and  "Bob  Venke".  7/5  out  of  10.

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Napalm Records

https://youtu.be/XrCtxzL-ByI    

Ashenspire/Hostile Architecture/Aural Music/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Ashenspire  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  an  avant  garde  and  progressive  form  of  post  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Hostile  Architecture"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Aural  Music.

  Avant  garde  style  pianos  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  playing  and  saxophones  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Shouting  style  vocals  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  stringed  instruments  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  are  also  utilized  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  progressive  moment  and  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  black  and  post  metal  elements.

  Touches  of  jazz  music  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized,  operatic  choirs  and  clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  on  later  tracks  the  music  goes  into  more  of  an  experimental  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  contradictions  inherit  in  the  capitalistic  world.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Ashenspire  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde  and  progressive  post  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Law  Of  Asbestos"  "How  The  Mighty  Have  Vision"  and  "Cable  Street  Again".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBNY-l3NT9s 

https://ashenspire.bandcamp.com/album/hostile-architecture

Website: ashenspire.official@gmail.com 
Bandcamp: ashenspire.bandcamp.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ashenspire_
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashenspire_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashenspire

  

Spectral Darkwave/Live Fire Exorcise/Occidental Records/2022 Live Album Review

 

  Spectral  Darkwave  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black,  dark,  doom,  death  and  industrial  metal   and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  live  album  "Live  Fire  Exorcise"  which  will  be  released  on  June  3th  by  Occidental  Records.

  Live  audience  reaction  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  samples  and  symphonic  elements  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.

  The  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  show  some  influences  of  dark  and  doom  metal  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  industrial  touches.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Death  metal  growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals,  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction  and  a  couple  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Alien  Technology  and  Ancient  Magick  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  great  sounding  recording  from  Spectral  Darkwave  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  symphonic  black,  dark,  doom,  death  and  industrial  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  live  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  March  Of  Sses"  "The  Last  Red  Hypergiant"  and  "At  Outher  Dark".  8  out  of  10.

www.spectraldarkwave.com

https://youtu.be/6Rb2wFdJFKY        

Metakosmia Interview

 

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

VASILIS: Hello, we are METAKOSMIA, a metal band from Greece, Athens. The band was created about 2 years ago by two persons -Vasilis Kakafikas and Petros Geromarkakis. The aim was to create music that is both unique and that would represent the concept behind the name of the band: METAKOSMIA.

2.In March you had released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

V: Yes. From the very beginning, what we had in mind when creating our debut album -Aperantos Kosmos, was that musically, the medium through which we would let our artistic selves to unfold, would be that of the metal sound for sure. But with no boundaries. 

We knew that we should use lots of keyboards and sounds, combined with a more harsh directions, to the extend of reaching the death and black metal territory. In every step of the process of creating and recording, we would ask ourselves: Ïs this really METAKOSMIA? Does it give to the listener (us for start) this otherwordly sense? Is it truly a METAKOSMIA sound? Does it take you there? If the answer was "no", we would immediately delete and go for a new start. If the answer was "YES!", we then knew we were on the right track and that we should move forward to that same direction.

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Greek Philosophy, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

V: We have always been interested in philosophy. We consider ourselves to be philosophers as well. Being a friend with wisdom also has a practical side inside the meaning of the word. Philos - Sophia. It is a way of life, not just an empty idea. In the early years reading Plato about Socrates, and then moving to all the rest of the giants of thought. It has been said that everything you can think or imagine, has already been talked about from one or more of our weirdly smart ancestors. Every culture has its own wisdom. At the same Golden times of Greece (500 BC), Chinese philosophy was also at its greatest peak.

The truths are universal.

4.Lyrically you also go into Science and Mysticism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these paths have evolved over the years?

V: Science becomes more and more obscure with every new step it takes. Especially after the "new" quantum physics evolving, new interesting ideas and realizations like the string theory, the multifaceted universes, the discovery of dark matter and dark energy, science has humbly lowered the head and admitted that knows only 5% of what is out there. And this is a stance that science ought's to maintain. Otherwise it may very easily transform into a totalitarian monster, a godlike Authority like -unfortunately- it tends to have  become in some of its aspects, in the past few years, for example in the medicine field... 

So science, by admitting that knows nothing really, and furthermore reassures that the observer IS the observed, opens again the gates for mysticism to pass through and enter the realm, in all its past glory. Magic is again a reality, not just by the future that technology may imply, but by the role of perseptionin the game and how it shapes reality. An ancient knowledge that gets lost and resurrects through the passing of aeons.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Metakosmia'?

V: One of the greatest of all times, Epicurus, following the teachings of Democritus, who further built on the system of his teacher Leucippus, who shaped the atomic theory, figured out between other things, that Gods exist, but have nothing to do with the common image of the gods, that the every day man imagines, or had been led to believe as such. Metakosmia are those relatively empty- of ordinary matter- places, vast voids of almost perfect emptiness between the galaxies. There they live and prosper. They have nothing to do with humans and they don't intervene. They are almost indestructible beings. To us, they look Godly-like. Unfortunately, so little of the works of Epicurus has been saved. But do a favor to yourself and read Lucretius' "De rerum natura". It hides inside

more than one book of Epicurus.

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

V: On the top there is a photo I shot, of a sculpture from the archaeological museum of Peiraius in Greece. It is a scene depicting theurgy, part of the Eleusis mysteries. One can see the symbolic gestures, symbolic hand shapes from the high-priest and the high-priestess while they whisper the mystic language of the ancient mysteries. It is well known that the truths were revealed there by gestures, symbolic images, unknown -to the common listener- words, etc. that "worked" with the subconscious mind of the initiate. 

At the lower side of the cover, one can see the sea. And the endless sky. The logo and the title stand in the middle of the picture, in a way that reminds us and increases the feeling of the enormous size of infinite space... Aperantos Kosmos (World without end - infinite cosmos)

7.On the album you worked as a duo, how do both of your styles different from each other and what impact did it have on the musical style?

V: I would say that Petros was more experienced in ambient music and sounds and more on the black metal aesthetic, while I am into a more death metal and melodic expression of feelings. We both like almost every kind of metal in general as well as everything that sounds inspiring, interesting, innovative etc. 

Having myself participated in various musical projects in the past, I think that METAKOSMIA - Aperantos Kosmos is the best one yet.

8.Currently you are unsigned, have you received any label interest?

V: We are currently in contact with a few labels. There is a great possibility that there is going to be an agreement. We have to be a little patient for the moment. We would to see the album released in double vinyl and cassette tape formats.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of extreme metal and the more experimental and ambient musical genres? 

V: The truth is that from the 2-3 reviews that are on the net and from the 2-3 youtube channels that it has been on, the feedback has so far been very positive. 

People seem to appreciate and understand the concept of the album. Back when we were creating the songs, we wanted the album to be an experience, not just another listen. I believe we have succeeded in this, it is an emotional journey, an initiation almost to another world.

10.With the death of the other member of the project what affect does this have on the future of the musical project?

V: Although the album was ready, it took me about a year after the passing of my good friend and bandmate, to release it. My first thoughts was that, that was it, there was going to be nothing more, after this one album. After some more thought, a few days ago to be honest, I decided that METAKOSMIA are here to stay.

I feel I ought it to Petros too. Alone or with the help of others, METAKOSMIA will continue to be and create unique music in every step. A never-ending journey in a never-ending world...

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?

V: So many bands that one can mention. The classics from the swedish melodic death, like: Dark tranquillity and the gallery, In flames wth the jester race, Edge of sanity etc. Heavy metal bands like Manowar or judas priest. Celtic frost, Arcturus, Pan thy monium, Diana Ankudinova, Babymetal, Dark millenium, Perfect bliss, Terrasound with abstract portrait and more...

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

V: Thank you for this interesting questions and thanks for the nice review of Aperantos Kosmos, I wish you and all your readers, the best.

Bandcamp: https://metakosmia1.bandcamp.com/album/aperantos-kosmos
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBc5TTJs5oxT4YcVjTqD4hw
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Hy5rQ3E5SFiF0WqVbTd2o
Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/metakosmia/aperantos-kosmos