Mirzam Antidotum Ov Marazm Interview

 

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

Hello, we are very pleased that thanks to you we can present ourselves to a wider audience. The history of MAOM is quite short, so we don't have much to tell, but we have much more to show, and we prefer to do it at concerts. The name itself refers to one of the brightest stars in the constellation Canis Major, which is approximately 493 light-years away from the Sun.

The beginnings of our common path date back to 2019, when the first seeds of energy were born on the initiative of Magnetar and Ikar, which gradually grew, resulting in an EP recorded in 2022. Following suit, we started preparing for a full album while looking for musicians to play together and later they joined our constellation: IGTL on bass and Alioth as the pulsar of our star.

2.Towards the end of November you have your first full length coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep?

 Musically, it's primarily the sound. Only songs played in D-drop tuning were recorded on the EP. Currently, we play in standard tuning to E. The textual layer can be said to be similar - a philosophical interpretation of the universe surrounding us.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

The album covers topics most closely related to our feelings about the world around us. We are philosophers in our being, filled with the spirit of the universe, which we pour into our texts. We write about changes, transformations and feelings related to it, there are cosmic thoughts, sometimes spiritual, mental, and sometimes it's a free rein of the imagination.

4.I know the band was named after one the brightest stars in the constellation of the Great Dog, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

 The star Mirzam belongs to the type of bright giants, it is thousands of times brighter than the sun. This translates into our music through the shine and radiance of MIRZAM AOM which we want to convey, clearly suggest, listen to US.

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

  The cover is a real painting that was created by our IGTL bassist. In fact, when we saw it for the first time, we immediately knew it would be our cover. And what does it represent? Tell me, what do you see there? Let's leave it to any interpretation ;)

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

  Due to the fact that we are a young band whose concert line-up was formed recently, we were only able to play a few pieces. We played the first concert without a drummer and it will definitely be remembered, even though the audience wasn't great :) then we played in our city where we were very well received, the audience was great and they weren't disappointed :) A moment later Alioth joined us, with whom we have played 3 or 4 concerts so far. Needless to say, our performances have only improved in quality since then :)

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

We are planning, we hope that we will manage to finalize all the details and, above all, do our first tour next year. We are willing to share our energy and play wherever we can :D

8.The new album is coming out on 'Via Nocturna', how did you get in contact with this label?

  Already during the EP, we were looking for potential publishers and that's how we found VN. The rest was a matter of time.

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

  Honestly, it's hard to say, I don't think we've gone that far yet ;) we're getting various feedback signals, 99% of them are good ;)

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

  Play, play and play again. We are already focused on new compositions that are already materializing. You know, it's worth mentioning that our music is created together, by playing together during rehearsals, systematically, with a certain amount of discipline. This is what MAOM shapes, shared energy, and this is what we want to convey in the near future, preferably at concerts, directly.

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?

  Each of us listens to different music and different music/bands may have had some influence on our work. Nevertheless, we do not force anything, because someone plays this way and we play this way. As we mentioned, we create from the energy flowing from us during rehearsals :D However it may sound.

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

 Be and abide in MIRZAM\m/

Pozdrawiamy / Regards

Mirzam Antidotum Ov Marazm 

https://www.instagram.com/mirzamantidotumovmarazm/

https://www.youtube.com/@MirzamAntidotumOvMarazm

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086909431413

CMPT/Na utrini/Osmose Productions/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Serbia's  solo  project  CMPT  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  raw  and  atmospheric  form  of  pagan  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2024  album  "Na  utrini"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Osmose  Productions.

  Nature  orientated  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk  instruments  which  also  return  in  certain  parts  of  the  album  a  few  seconds  later  before  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  melodies  also  being  added  into  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  synths  also  giving  the  music  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling  when  they  are  added  onto  the  album.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  One  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental  and  the  album  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  classic  Eastern  European  tradition  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  clear  pagan  vocals  onto  the  recording  and  the  cd  version  also  has  a  Darkthone  cover  as  the  bonus  track.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Serbian  and  cover  Balkan  Paganism  and  Folklore.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  CMPT  and  if  you  are a  fan  of  raw  and  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Na  utrini"  "Campus  de  Maxond"  and  "Kao  srp  u  noci".  8  out  of  10.

  Bandcamp: https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/na-utrini

All Digital Links: https://bfan.link/CMPT-Na-utrini 

Natzahu/Under The Light/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Natzahu  are  a  solo  project  from  Mexico  that  plays  an  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2024  album  "Under  The  Light".

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  tradition  as  well  as  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  also  remaining  true  to  more  of  an  old  school  style.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  A  small  amount  of  melody  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  at  times  along  with  a  lot  of  the  music  also  sounding  like  it  could  of  easily  been  recorded  and  released  more  then  30  years  ago.

  One  song  is  an  instrumental  and  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  as  well  as  a  later  track  also  adding  in  some  nature  sounds  and  acoustic  instruments  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction,  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature,  winter,  darkness  and  witchcraft  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Natzahu  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Forgotten  Witch"  "Black  Lake"  and  "Midnight".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/j29JeJN2HZw?si=ofPsx2rGOF-DgJCn

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natzahu/

Metal-archives: https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Natzahu/3540549984

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/artist/1IJRUVbOjdAmjOmYRMdbe3?si=PDmErI_eSDqg-jh_R04Qfw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Natzahu

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/mx/artist/natzahu/1630895853

Arkuum Interview

 

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

We recorded the album this summer. I have to admit, I hate recording. I’m an average guitarist, and recording reveals every little mistake. I’m just always relieved when everything is done. It was, once again, a turbulent time with highs and many lows. The release was only a few days ago. The first feedback has been very positive. The album does sound a bit different from the last one, so I was really curious about the response. I’m even more pleased that many of our old listeners like the new album. And there are already many new listeners as well. 

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

 With our last album Die letzte Agonie, we went for a much rougher and a very washed-out sound compared to our debut album Trostlos. I’d say with our new record Hier ist kein Licht, we’ve gone back to our roots in terms of sound. We wanted to bring back more clarity and pressure, but without losing the Arkuum atmosphere. I think we’ve managed that quite well. Hier ist kein Licht combines the best of our first two albums. From a compositional point of view, this album goes more in the direction of our debut. That wasn't really planned. It just came about naturally. Hier ist kein Licht is definitely our most varied album so far. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to release it on the Black Metal Promotion channel on YouTube the our previous albums. “It wouldn't have enough black metal elements”. Of course, we are a little disappointed about that. But Arkuum has always intentionally defined itself as a genre-crossing band that combines diverse influences with Black Metal. So, I take it as a sign that we’ve done a pretty good job of integrating different influences.

 3. This is also the first album you have released in 6 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

 Actually, not that much. Like probably everyone, we were strongly affected by the restrictions of the pandemic. This also had a huge negative impact on my motivation. During that time, there were like no cultural events. And I basically had no inspiration at all. I focused heavily on my professional career during that time. Working 24/7. There wasn’t much else to do anyway. But it really exhausted me and I was pretty mentally drained by the end. Thankfully, I managed to get out of this phase at some point. After the pandemic was officially over, I was able to get inspired by cultural events again. That was so fantastic. And then, of course, there was plenty of energy to put everything that had happened over the last few years into the new album.

 4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

 I don’t see myself as a great lyricist. I simply write about my life, my feelings and my condition. In recent years, I’ve been searching for the light myself. And I still haven’t found it. The album is about this journey and all the negative aspects of this search that I have experienced.

 5. Some of your earlier lyrics covered the writings of 'Elizabeth Kubler Ross', do you also have an interest in other writers that also cover the dame topics she explores?

 I discovered Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and her work by accident. Death and dying have always been topics that weigh heavily on me, so it was a very fitting match. To be honest, I don’t read much and don’t really have any other books in mind that influence me. 

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

 I’m really glad that I get in touch with such an amazing artist like Laura Lindstrom. I like to give artists a lot of room so they can express themselves. Just like I like to work. And I really don’t like being told what to do. I talked to Laura about the album and my thoughts on the songs. She also had the chance to listen to the demo tracks. The idea of the moth had been in my head as a metaphor for quite a while, and it also appears lyrically on the album. The image of the moth fits perfectly - searching for the light, for the truth. That journey is difficult. It can also hurt. And some will never see the real light. And she really captured this metaphor perfectly. 

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?

 Last year, we had the opportunity to support Ellende. It was truly amazing, as I’ve been a fan of Ellende since their first album. His music and artworks are really inspiring. On stage, we’re just ourselves. We don’t have a dress code or coordinated performances. We simply live and feel every second while we’re on stage.

 8. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album? 

For the first time, we’ve planned a release tour. We’ll be playing a total of 11 concerts over the next few months until March 2025. Most of them will be in southern Germany and neighboring countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands. You can find the tour dates and pre-sale at https://arkuum.de/hier-ist-kein-licht-tour-arkuum/ :) We’re really looking forward to it!

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

 Honestly, we haven’t actively looked for a label yet. We’re not opposed to it in principle, but it has to be a good fit for both sides. The whole planning, preparation, release, promo, and all the organizational work has been very exhausting this year. And unfortunately, we can’t afford vinyl production financially. I could definitely imagine a collaboration in the future regarding that.

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

 We’re obviously not playing at worldwide level. We have an amazing fanbase in southern Germany and a few fans across the globe. I think Arkuum is more for open-minded Black Metal fans who are willing to look beyond the genre’s boundaries. I just make the music that I like. Of course, not everyone likes that. But on the other hand, there are just as many people who appreciate exactly that and respond positively to the new album because of it.

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

I don’t really overthink it. When inspiration strikes, a new album will come out, even if it takes another 6 years. Right now, I’m definitely super motivated and in the flow. Hopefully, it will last for a while. 

12. What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

 Right now, I’m mainly inspired by the new album from Miserere Luminis. It’s incredibly atmospheric and powerful, which is exactly what we aim for with Arkuum. I’m also really fascinated by their drumming work. I love their experimental style. I discovered Sunken at a festival. Their album Livslede is something I’ve been listening to non-stop lately! I know our drummer Simon also listens to a lot of atmospheric and doom-oriented stuff. The other band members are often more into classic and rougher black metal with less atmospheric parts. 13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? I’m truly grateful for every message from every Arkuum listener! I can only say thank you. Thank you to all the fans out there who support us, and thanks to my bandmates who bring my creativity and music to life, both on record and on stage

https://www.facebook.com/Arkuum

Terror Interview

 

1.For those that have neve heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

TERROR is a one-man Black/Death project, the sound is a mix of oldschool elements with current stuff and a touch of noise (a characteristic that will become more evident in the next releases). All the instruments are real, no simulation or programming, this aspect is part of the proposal, because in addition to the theme and sound, the creative and recording process also extends its conception and stance towards the extreme music that has been made lately.

2.You have an ep coming out in December, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?

The EP Hymni Belli Occultum in terms of sound is this mix of Black and Death Metal, with a more primitive sound alternating between oldschool elements and current things, the EP is heavy and brutal with a raw production but not lowfi unlike what is usually done in terms of War/Bestial Black Metal, all this with a contextualization through samples and vignettes that reflect a subtle influence of Noise.

3.Some of your lyrics cover Occultism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

I am an independent seeker of the Occult and I am definitely not a materialist, my belief is that existence has several layers and that there are several forces, some we can learn to control, others we cannot, this is around us in all things, TERROR addresses this issue from the perspective of war, geopolitics and the cosmos x anti-cosmos.

4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

In general, traumas of war, tyranny, theocracy, end times, nuclear war among other things, but the central theme of the lyrics is a prophetic tone about war and how this is linked to a metaphysical dimension.

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

An interesting fact about the name is that in Portuguese the spelling and meaning are the same as in English, only the pronunciation changes, and this was one of the factors that led to it being chosen. Another factor is the weight that the word carries both in terms of human reaction and in the modern sense of the word, where the practice of terror is a means to an end or even when there is no end to be achieved and the objective is to practice terror for terror's sake.

We could go into more detail about why this name was chosen and what it means to me, but in short, that's it.

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

TERROR is conceived as if it were a Hyper Sigil, and all the things that are in the sound, lyrics, art and the persona that governs it are parts of this whole, at the same time the cover indicates an allusion that we see in our daily lives, such as a coat of arms of police forces, army, terrorist organizations and etc...

These elements present in the art refer to other symbols that are present in the story and can also be interpreted as a corruption of the same.

7.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

Yes, the entire creative process, recording and art is done by me except for the music production part. The premise of the project is to be a one-man project, but eventually something with collaborations can be done.

But whether this solo project format will continue in the future is still too early to say.

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

The project is recent and has not yet released its debut material, I believe it is still too early to think about it, but the impressions of close people and a few that I had the opportunity to have contact with are positive.

9.Do you have any experience playing in other bands or musical projects?

Yes, I have recorded drums for some bands, most of them from the Black Metal axis, I participate in other bands currently, some of them old projects that are being revived like Imperious Symphonic & Noisy, but my main focus is TERROR.

10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

There will certainly be a Full Album, some things for this release have already started to be done, but before that a split will be released with BestialGoat, another Black/Death band from my city, which will probably be released at the end of 2025.

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?

Several things influenced TERROR, some of them are Sarcófago, Krisiun, Morbid Angel, Deicide, Suffocation, Impiety, Tsjuder, 1349, Celtic Frost, classical music and ISIS propaganda in general.

I've been listening to a lot of Krisiun, Morbid Angel, 1349, Cenotaph, Diocletian, Heresiarch, Hellfire Death Cult, GoatPenis, Bestial Goat, Ceremony, Death Worship, Pig's Blood, Goatsmegma, Genocide Shrines...

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

I am grateful for your interest in TERROR and for the space provided to discuss it.

V.C.R.T.

ΧΞΣ

 BANDCAMP RELEASE

An Axis Of Perdition 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?

Having had such a long period of inactivity I feel we have a lot of catching up to do, so we certainly haven’t been resting on our laurels. The next album is also mostly recorded, so I’ve had the opportunity to live with the material for a while and to patiently refine it. I’ve also been laying the foundations for a couple of new collaborations which I’m very excited about – so all told, there’s a lot a gunge in the tank waiting to be deposited. As always, we’re constantly searching for new angles of attack on our sound and to maintain the optimum quantity of creative instability. 

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

Given that we actively reformed rather than simply picking after a long hiatus, there’s extra impetus to make a decisive statement about what Axis is now, as opposed to then.  The last two albums we’d done – Urfe and Tenements – were designed to map the outer limits of the band’s identity. They represent how fully we are prepared to commit to industrial sounds to the exclusion of metal, and then vice versa, without diluting our character. Having done that, it makes sense to reassert the centre ground of our sound, which to our ears is a balanced and integrated hybrid of industrial and metal music. “Apertures” was about taking everything we had learned about composition and sound design in the intervening years, and using that to reclaim what we see as our primary territory.    

3.This is also your first album in 13 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

Well, to start with, we split up in 2013. At the time I was feeling burnt out and disillusioned, and managed to convince myself that continuing the band was having a negative effect on my mental health. It is the nature of Axis that we wallow in a great deal of ugliness, negativity and dysfunction, and I felt I was getting too entangled in that. In hindsight I think I was just having a rubbish time for other reasons and spun myself a yarn about how this decision would somehow fix other problems. I just needed a break and acted rashly because at the time it didn’t feel like a hiatus was a big enough step. Over time, however, the ideas crept back, the motivation built again and eventually I couldn’t deny them anymore. 

We announced our reformation in early 2019, but it took me the best part of that year to finish my PHD, so we didn’t really get the ball rolling until that Autumn. Then, once we were starting to gain momentum, the pandemic happened, so that threw a spanner in the works. Complications arising from that basically meant that the album took a lot longer to finish than planned. In the meantime Brooke moved to Europe for his career and besides being exceptionally busy because of that, also had difficulty accessing recording facilities. So for very boring logistical reasons I ended up doing the vocals. Likewise, the original plan was for our old drummer, Dan, to take part in the album, but for similarly uninteresting reasons that didn’t pan out either – no reflection on Dan’s talents, I hasten to add! 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as a songwriter over the years?

 

Our subject matter hasn’t really changed over the years. We are interested in isolation, alienation and the very dark places you go in your head when you’re not well, spiralling into irrationality and dysfunction. That underlies everything we do and the rest, whether it is draped in the aesthetic of science fiction, or urban horror, or whatever, is basically an elaborate extended metaphor for mental illness. Because the last couple of albums had been entirely defined by an overarching narrative concerning the Urfe character, we wanted to avoid a story element this time around. The goal for “Apertures” was to present a series of surrealist vignettes, almost like the soundscape equivalent of Beksinski paintings, addressing a variety of mental health-related topics in very abstract terms. I have very little to say about my own progress as a songwriter – I just try to do better every time, and if I fail, I try to fail interestingly. 

 5.I know you have been heavily inspired by the 'Silent Hill' videogames, what are your thoughts on the films and tv series based upon the game?

Around 2003-04 I got extremely fixated on the Silent Hill series as it was at the time (basically the first three games) and probably allowed it to impact on Axis a bit too much. Our aesthetic and the game obviously aligned and it remains a profoundly important creative touchstone for me, but there wasn’t really any need to namecheck it as much and pepper our releases with so many samples. The “Urfe” album came about largely because I wanted to move away from sampling films and games altogether, because I felt like I was trying to launder their impact instead of properly developing our own content; working with an actor seemed like that perfect way to address that, and Les was the perfect foil to help us achieve it. I enjoyed aspects of the first film, though I think it made some fairly crucial mistakes in how it handled the material. The second film was an absolute trainwreck and I haven’t checked out the more recent series, or any of the games after “Origins” for that matter (though I hear great things about the SH2 remake).   

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

Grace is an artist I met through one of my jobs, who had produced a very compelling exhibition earlier this year called “Mind and Judgement”, involving beautiful painted sculptures, which - as I understand it - were inspired by her experience of scrutiny as a queer, neurodivergent person. While developing the exhibition she made a series of photographs of her work sited in derelict spaces, which I found very haunting. She very kind allowed me to use some of her photographs in the “Apertures” sleeve and think they align very well with the both the aesthetic and the modus operandi of Axis. 

 7.On the new album you recorded everything by yourself but have worked with musicians in the past, do you prefer to work solo?

The core of Axis is, and will always be, the duo of me and Brooke. The fact that he wasn’t able to participate in “Apertures” is just a temporary glitch as far as I’m concerned. Beyond that I think it’s healthy to work with other people to keep us on our toes and to keep our music fresh. Since we reformed I am going to more effort to seek out people I admire to get involved, and to operate the band more as an extended family around the core duo. Our long-time compadre Saulius (also of Haeiresis and Sisyphean) is also an indispensable part of the family now – “Apertures” is about a 1000% better than it would have been without his involvement. 

 

 8.  With the live line up what are some of the best shows that you have played and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We have only played two shows – once in London supporting Anaal Nathrakh, which was utterly diabolical, a waking nightmare for all concerned. I wouldn’t be surprised if our set is still the worst show some of those in attendance have ever seen. The second, at Causing Chaos for Cancer festival in 2010, was OK – you can find footage of this on Youtube. Generally I don’t think the stage is the right environment for Axis. Our work is designed to be evocative and to play on the imagination, not to be reduced to a mere collection of nondescript people, partitioned from the audience.  

 

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

No. 

 

 10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of industrial and black metal?

I find it very hard to tell. I suspect, as Axis is neither fish nor fowl in this context, our audience occupy a niche within a niche. The people who follow our social media profiles have been very nice but beyond that it really remains to be seen. 

 

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

I very much hope I will continue getting better at what I do! Music being my raison d’etre, I have a number of projects and goals occurring simultaneously. The way people consume music seems to be in a state of intense fluctuation at present, so I find it very difficult to predict what adaptations will be necessary to allow us to continue to reach people. 

 

 12.What are some of the bands or musical styles you are currently listening to nowadays?

 

I got very disheartened by the victory of Trump the other week and since that happened I have listened almost exclusively to death/doom, primarily Evoken and Esoteric. I find their sense of discouragement and pessimism a very agreeable companion to wallowing in self-pity. Before that I was going through the discographies of Boards of Canada, Burial (the dubstep artist rather than my labelmates – sorry lads, you’re cool too!) and loads of Coil, who are a perennial favourite. 

My favourite album that I’ve heard this year (though it came out last year I think) is the debut Healthyliving album “Songs of Abundance, Psalms of Grief”, which is just a phenomenal, moving, effortlessly balanced record. I can only aspire to producing something as beautifully pared back and perfectly judged as that.  

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

Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana. 

https://www.facebook.com/AnAxisOfPerdition/
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A Thousand Sufferings/Kludde/Het Pact/Consouling Sounds/2024 Split Album Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  album  between  Belgium's  A  Thousand  Sufferings  and  Kludde  called   "Het  Pact"   which  will  be  released  by  Consouling  Sounds  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  A  Thousand  Sufferings  and  band  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal.

  Their  side  of t he  split  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  clear  singing  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  along  with  some  of  the  vocals  also  adding  in  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well as  some  angry  shouts  also  being  added  into  the  music  at  times.  Synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  both  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  real  life  story  of  the  infamous  Belgian  De  Vis  family.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  A  Thousand  Sufferings  and  if  you  are a  fan  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should c heck  out  their  side  of t he  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "De  Zotte".

  Next  up  is  Kludde  who  return  with  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  heavy  and  atmospheric  sounding  while  the  vocals  bring  in  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.  Elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  synths  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  songs.  When  the  music  speeds  up a   decent  amount  of  blast b eats  and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  their  side  of  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  both  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  real  life  story  of  the  infamous  Belgian  De  Vis  Family.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Kludde  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Slecht  Geldj  II  -  Pact  Verbroeken".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all f ans  of  black,  sludge  and  doom  metal.  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/a.thousand.sufferings/

https://www.facebook.com/kluddeband/