Monday, January 31, 2011

Fen/De Arma/Towards The Shores On The End/Nordvis Productions/2011 CD Review


 This is a review of the split album between Fen and DeArma which was released by  Nordvis Productions and we will start of the review with Fen a band from England that plays an ambient form of black metal with a post rock edge.

Drums range from slow to mid paced playing with not much in the way of fast drumming or blast beats, while the keyboards sound very tragic and atmospheric, as for the bass playing it has very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and on a couple of songs they have a very powerful sound.

Rhythm guitars range from slow to mid paced ambient black metal riffs that have a very depressing sound with some melodies being used at times, while the lead guitars have a really depressing and tragic feel to them with a doomy edge, a for the acoustic guitars when they are used briefly they use finger picking and full chords to enhance the darkness.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some clean singing vocals being thrown in at times as well as the occasional deep growl, while the lyrics cover depressive and melancholic themes, as for the production it has a very dark sound to it.

In my opinion Fen are a very good ambient black metal band and if you are a fan of this style you should check out this band.

Now we are going to review DeArma, little is known about this band and they play a raw form of ambient black metal with an avant garde edge.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast with some blast beats, while the synths very atmospheric and ambient sounding, as for the bass playing it is mixed down low in the mix and seems to follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast raw ambient black metal riffs, while the lead guitars have a very dark and tragic sound to them.

Vocals range from clean singing to high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics touch on dark themes, as for the production it has a very primal and dark feeling to it.

In my opinion DE Arma have he best songs on this album, and I would recommended this album to all fans of black metal that is more directed towards to ambient, shoegaze and post rock genres.

RECOMMENDED TRACKS FROM FEN "Soilbound" and "Towards The Shores Of The End. RECOMMENDED TRACKS FROM DE ARMA "Noemeta" and "From Horizon To Oblivion". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Nethermancy/Weakening Divinity/Hiberica/2003 CD Review


 Nethermancy are a band from Portugal that plays a very raw form of atmospheric black metal and this is a review of their 2003 album "Weakening Divinity" which was released by Hiberica.

Drums are mostly fast with a good amount of blast beats thrown in and on the instrumentals there is a slow repetitive beat going on, while the keyboards have a very atmospheric sound that does not overpower the raw music that is presented on this recording and on the instrumentals they bring out a dark ambient sound, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are very fast and very primal raw black metal riffs with a small amount of slow and soft playing being used on one song as well as a slow repetitive riff being used on the instrumental and there are no lead guitars or solos present on the recording which makes the music a lot more darker.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics cover evilness, black magick and anti christianity, as for the production it is very dark, primal, heavy and raw sounding.

In my opinion Nethermancy are a very good raw atmospheric black metal band, and if you are a fan of this genre, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Torments From The Hellish Beasts" "cosmic Apocalypse" and "Cursed Thorns Of Christ". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Melechesh/Emissaries/Osmose Productions/2007 CD Review


 Melechesh are a band from Israel that later relocated to The Netherlands with a music style that I would describe as being Middle Eastern influenced occult black metal and this is a review of their 2007 album "Emissaries" which was released by Osmose Productions.


Drums range from slow, mid  paced to fast drumming with a  lot of brutal blast beats being thrown in and some percussion being used at times, while the bass playing has a very heavy tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars  along  with some   powerful bass lines being used at times, as for the middle eastern instruments when they are utilized they bring an Arabic feel to the music.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid  paced to fast black metal riffs that also take influences from middle eastern music as well as thrash and traditional metal, while the lead guitars have a traditional metal feeling  to them, as for the 12 string guitars when they are used, they bring a darker feel to the music.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some clean singing vocals being thrown in at times and some pagan/occult chants mixed in with some occasional death metal growling, while the lyrics cover Sumerian Occultism and Cabalistic Magick, as for the production it has a very professional and heavy sound to it.

In my opinion this was another great album from Melechesh, and if you are a fan of this band, you probably already own this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Ladders To Sumeria" "Touching The Spheres Of Sephiroth" "The Scribes Of Kur" and "Emissaries And The Mysterium Magnum". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Nokturnal Mortum/NeChrist/The End Records/2000 CD Review


  Nokturnal Mortum are a band from Ukraine that plays a ns form of folk influenced atmospheric pagan/black metal and this is a review of their classic 2000 album "NeChrist" which was released by The End Records.

Drums range from mid paced to fast drumming with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the keyboards give the music a very symphonic sound mixed in with a lot of folk instruments that bring a pagan feel to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and on a couple of songs they have a very strong sound.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that utilize thrash influences at times with some melodies being used at times that have a classic metal feel to them while the lead guitars have a very distorted extreme metal sound without overdoing the guitar solos, as for the acoustic guitars when they are utilized they bring an ancient sounding medieval pagan sound to the music.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some pagan chants and the occasional clean singing female vocals, while the lyrics are written in a mixture of English and their native tongue with the subjects covering Slavic Paganism, NS and Anti-Christianity, as for the production it has a very raw, dark bu still somewhat of a professional sound to it.

In my opinion this was a classic album from Nokturnal Mortum, and if you are a fan of this band, you should already own this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "The Funeral Wind Born In Orinia" "The Call Of The Aryan Spirit" "Jesus Blood" and "Perun's Celestial Silver". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Nargaroth/Black Metal ist Krieg/No Colours Records/2001 CD Review



 Nargaroth are a band from Germany that claims to have been around since 1989 although other sources would say somewhere in the early to mid 90's which plays a very raw form of black metal and this is a review of their classic 2001 album "Back Metal ist Krieg" which was released by No Colours Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast playing with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars which you can actually hear at times.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that are very dark sounding with an old school sound as well as the occasional slow dark sounding riff that has a depressive feel to it before it became a huge genre and there are little to no lead guitars or solos present on this recording, as for the acoustic guitars when they are utilized, they bring a depressing and tragic feel to the music with a touch of the primitive side.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some samples taking out of movies and documentaries as well as some clean vocals being used briefly on one song, while the lyrics are written in a mixture of German and English and cover Satanism, Occultism and Black Metal, as for the production it has a very dark, heavy and raw feel to it.

In my opinion this was a classic album from Nargaroth and if you are a fan of this band, you probably already own this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Black Metal is Krieg" "I Burn For You" "Erik, May You Rape The Angels" and "Possessed By Black Fucking Metal". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Brumalis/Vengeance Admist The Snow/Graveyard Records Australia/2003 CD Review


 Brumalis where a ns black metal band from the state of Wyoming and this is a review of their underrated  2003  album "Vengeance Admist The Snow" which was released by Graveyard Records Australia".

Drums range from mid  paced to fast with a  lot of primitive sounding blast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with dark sounding riffs which follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and on one of the songs they have a very strong bite to them.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast raw sounding black metal riffs that have a thrashy feel at times and some occasional soft playing which is only used for a few seconds, while the lead guitars are very chaotic and primal sounding black metal guitar solos.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls thrown in at times and a small amount of spoken word passages on one song, while the lyrics cover Occult, Aryan Race, and Darkness, as for the production it has a very dark and raw feel to it, which was what made black metal in that era sound really great.

In my opinion Brumalis where a very great ns black metal band, and if you are a fan of this genre and never heard this group, you should check them out. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Kriegswind" "Freihiet" "Lost Wisdom" which is a Burzum cover and "Elegies Of The Voluptuary Nostrum'. RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Emerna/Silent Like Lie/Thorn Lacreation Records/2009 CD Review


 Emerna are a 1 man project from Iran that plays a very depressive from of  ambient/black metal and this is a review of their 2009 album "Silent Like Me" which was released by Thorn Lacreation Records.

Drum programming is mostly slow to mid paced beats with not not much in fast parts, while the bass playing has a very dark tone which follows the riffing that is coming out of the guitars, as for the synths when they are utilized they bring a dark ambient depressive feel to the music.

Rhythm guitars are mostly slow to mid paced ambient/black metal riffs that have a very depressive feel to them and there is not much in the way of lead guitars and solos.

Vocals are a mixture of high pitched black metal screams with some mournful spoken word passages and deep growls with some clean singing being used on the last song, while the lyrics cover dark, gloomy and depressive themes, as for the production it has a very dark and raw feel to it.

In my opinion Emerna are a very good ambient black metal band, and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Silent Like Lie" and "Empty Hell". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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The Silver Chord Interview


1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
We formed in 2006 to create a dark music that is open to various influences and ideas as an expression of our darker thoughts. We used to have different members but as times gone on theyve gone the way of dinosaurs, leaving us to just a two piece, but with the advent of having our own recording software and computers we can be a whole band just by ourselves. Our music is essentially dark rock/metal, strongly influenced by black metal as well as bleak rock music. Our musical landscape is a ravaged one of pain, longing, desolation and despair.

2. How would you describe the musical style that you go for on the new releasese?
The musical style is a mixture of dark metal with gothic elements, we decided to go for a more metal element on our newer releases, where the older ones had a more gothic, post punk sound.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics that the band explores on the new releases?
Sex, murder, hatred, betrayl, child abduction, depression.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?
The silver cord is that which binds our spirit to our flesh and is a fragile link that can be easily broken.

5. I have noticed that both of the members come from different generations, how do you feel that contributes to the music?
The biggest thing is that we have a bigger range, because both of us are coming from different musical backgrounds, giving us a wider source of influences and sounds to pull from. Obviously we have certain musical tastes in common, but the differences help to expand our musical horizons.

6. Have you had any oppurtunities to play outside of Colorado, and what are some of the best shows that the band has enjoyed playing the most?
We have yet to play in other states, though that is something we are looking to do in the near future. We enjoy playing at the Larimer Lounge mainly because theyve been supportive of us since the beginning and their sound and stage are well set up.

7. What is going on with the side projects these days?
Karl: Well we have a few side projects, for Karl there is primarily Pesten Reich, a black metal project centered around WW2 and ghost phenomena as well as his older projects like Taliesin which are pretty much on hold, though I'm looking to get some underground releases on labels for those projects. Ken: Art of Malice finished the full length cd recently, Art Of Malice is basically a personal side project about intimiate perspectives of my life for people who are interested, but wont be released to the public.

8. Right now the band is unsigned, do you have any plans to sign to a label, and if so, what kind of label do you think would be the perfect fit for the music?
A label who is supportive of our musical genre, and will help to get our music out there. We are mainly looking to get exposure in places outside of the US because the US isnt particularly receptive or supportive of dark metal.

9.How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
Our musical progress has been from a more gothic post-punk beginning to adding in harder elements, and focusing on more disturbing subject matter. We're working on new material that is turning out to be more moody and melancholy, but still retaining elements of the dark metallic approach we have had in the recent past.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music, and also what are you listening to nowadays?
A list of albums and/or artists that have influenced us: The Cure's Pornography, Joy Division's Closer, Manic St. Preacher's The Holy Bible, Burzum, Silencer, Marilyn Manson's Mechanical Animals, Depeche Mode, Katatonia, Swans, Deftones. As far as listening to now? Ken: Kylie Minogue's Aphrodite, Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Be Persecuted, Quicksand, Kraftwerk. Karl: Placebo, Cursive, Suede, Hypothermia, William Control, Dir En Grey, Marilyn Manson, Pulp, Be Persecuted, Endstille, Prince, The Swans, Deftones.

11. Does Occultism or Paganism play any role in the music?
No.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Art and sex.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we close this interview? Contact us on facebook or myspace to get a cd if you're interested.

https://www.facebook.com/thesilvercorddenver/

Shroud Of Despondency Interview


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

"Right now we are preparing for the official release of "Dark Meditations in Monastic Seclusion." Our cd release show is scheduled for Feb 12th at the annual DIY against Domestic Abuse show here in Milwaukee. We will be performing the 4 black metal songs and possibly debuting a new one. So we've pretty much been practicing for that. Jeremiah and I have written the skeleton for the aforementioned new song and we've captured some promising jams which will end up being organized for a cassette release on Poison Infiltration records later in the year.


2. i noticed that when I listened to your new album you went into a more progressive direction than thereabout recordings that I have heard in the past, what made you decide to go into this direction?
"The simple honest answer is I grew as a musician. I like to make the best of my time on this shit planet and that means avoiding some of the misguided social interaction alot of people seem to think necessary. A pretty regimental practice schedule as a guitarist and writer is a natural product of this and my band mates share this discipline as well, in and outside of Shroud, which is why I feel comfortable working with them. I should also say that even though we met as devoted metalheads with many similar favorites within the genre, wediscovered a pretty similar list of rock/prog bands we find inspiring, so its only natural that those influences creep in as well, but I feel safe in saying they will never dominate our music. Creating metal in its tired and true forms is very important to us."


3. What are some of the lyrical topics and concepts the new release explores?

"Dark Meditations in Monastic Seclusion" is a concept album involving a man, grown tired and disgusted with civilization, who seeks solitude and spiritual enlightenment(if such a thing is possible). He enters a cave with the intent of meditating on life and becomes trapped within it. He soon realized the cave has mystical powers and is forcing him, through a series of hallucinations, to face his own despair concerning life. Each song, except the first which is narrative, represents a hallucination. Topics dealt with are mans animal nature, suicide, apocalypse, fear of death, and reverence of self.


4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?

"Its a name that represents something much different to me now than when I started the band years ago. When I came up with the name I was relatively young and dealing with he suicide of a close friend. On top of that there was alot of natural teenage angst and alienation in my mind so depression was definitely the motivating factor. Nowadays this "Shroud of Despondency" is merely a tool that I use to empower me to myself. Its more of an artistic statement concerning the beauty of sublimation and self exploration. Its both less personal and more personal than it was before.


5. Have you had any opportunities to do any shows yet, if so what are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
"So far we've had a limited amount of live perforamnaces but we've shared the stage locally with Sacrificial Massacre(locally black metal 2 piece) and Northless(local sludge/doom greatness) a couple times as well as NY's Mutilation Rites. All three bands are worth your time. A potential observer could expect the usual. 5 sweaty guys playing instruments like they have something to prove to a world they wish to violate. You know....metal."


6. The new release was self released, you have worked with labels before, what happened with the ones that you worked with in the past and do you have plans on signing another contract in the future?

"We're not interested in working with anyone based on anything other than the supposed quality of our music. If we cant earn a spot on a decent labels roster then we dont deserve one and that doesn't necessarily bother us. It wont deter us from creating. That said we definitely hope someone will be interested as we took it on the chin financially to reealse the album. Also Im insanely grateful for the labels that have released Shroud material. In fact Marty/Bindrune, besides releasing some of our favorite albums, was an integral part in this cd being heard by ears that would promote it. So, much gratitude is due to him and Clawhammer PR."


7. On a worldwide level how has your newer music been received so far by black metal fans worldwide?
"Everyones response has been most flattering thus far. We feel honored to participate in the art form that has enhanced our lives so much. But even if/when hated by everyone we will continue our mission.


8. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

""I feel no limitations or restrictions as far as art is concerned. I know that statements like this are often met with animosity from metalheads, but I also would like to stress that metal in all its grimy underground forms has influenced each of us for over 10 years now and I never see that changing, no matter what outside influences may enter the fold. We will always give respect to heavy metal as an art form and Shroud of Despondency will always be primarily a metal band.


9. What is going on with the side projects these days?

"The only active metal band i Have is Shroud because I have found it to be the most fulfilling emotionally/creatively. I do, however have an active indie/folk band called The Drought and I have the material written for a solo album called "love songs about death" which has thte goal of crossing "Nebraska " by Springsteen with Simon and Garfunkle. Lyrics centering around the loss of loved ones. Also Ive been working back and forth with a friend in Upper Michigan and Phratry Records just put out our first album. Im really honored to be working with the group of people responsible for its creation. Its called The Terminal Orchestra and our cd is called "Performs The Seasons." Its all acoustic guitars, percussion, stand up bass, and some beautiful violin playing. Everyone in this band also has projects worth your time as well. Jon is pretty active with Face of Ruin. Tyler does Cholernik and plays with Never Ending Circle. I met Jeremiah and Mike because of their previous band, Owlscry, who are about to unleash their first full length. Jeremiah also has Sundown for acoustic fans and Mike has MZRX for noise fans. Music consumes us!


10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

"Making a list of set in stone influences is fucking impossible for this band. Id say the bands we share in common that influence creating in Shroud are the following: Emperor, Darkthrone,Burzum, King Crimson, Agalloch, Morbid Angel, Death, Immolation, Neurosis, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Randy Rhoads, Dissection, etc etc. I know Tyler and I have been playing Immortal and Absu a bunch recently to prepare for their Chicago show. I know Jeremiah has been on an old school death metal kick lately(Gorefest, Asphyx, Death, Morbid Angel, Hail of Bullets, etc). On top of that Ive jammed the following in the last weeks
I Shalt Become-Poison, Velnias-Sovereign Nocturnal, Of the Wand and the Moon-Emptiness Emptiness Emptiness, Bonnie "Prince" Billy-I See a Darkness, Tori Amos-Boys for Pele, Atheist-Jupiter, Danzig-Deathred Sabeoth, Bethlehem-Dictius de Necare


11. Does Paganism or occultism play any role in your music?

"I cant say that any specefic brand of paganism or occultism plays a role in our lives but each of us take time away from the world in our own way. Sending time in nature is a huge part of that. We also meet with open arms any philosophy that seeks to expose mainstream organized religion as the oppressive force that it can be. As far as the lyrics are concerned, I'm a pretty avid reader and I borrow from a lot of sources. Symbolism and mythology are very important for my writing, even when not specific to any specific brand name.


12. Originally you came from Michigan but know live in Wisconsin, what was the decision behind the move, and how would you compare the metal scenes in both states?

"I moved away from Upper Michigan 8 years ago, 2 of those years were spent living in Colorado. My girlfriend and I moved for better employment/schooling opportunities than da U.P could offer us. The Upper Michigan scene has grown with there being some actual metal bands recording some awesome material. Apocalyptic Session and Sons of Northern Thorns both rule. The Milwaukee scene rules and the following bands(active or inactive, metal or non) deserve attention in our opinion(excluding our bands of course):Northless, Sacrificial Massacre, This Specific Dream, Concentric, Half Gorilla, Gate, etc. Lots of great bands in Wi.



13.Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

"Music is my interest. Its my main hobby. I try to read alot but Im also a full time worker and a full time student. I volunteer and try to see my girlfriend and our dogs. Thats been my life for years and I cant say I desire too much of a change. Forcing myself to suffer civilization is the biggest part of the creative process, next to taking the time to practice my instrument. I know Jon and Tyler spend a great deal of time practicing/learning as well. I know I can speak for everyone in saying that music is the main interest.


14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

"Thank you for providing me with a space to be longwinded and boring. Cheers!"

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Monday, January 24, 2011

Semideus/We Are Heirs To An Ageless Wisdom/ 2009 EP Review


 Semideus where a 1 man band project from Pakistan that played a very raw and brutal form of black metal and this is a review of their 2009 E.P "We Are Heirs To An Ageless Wisdom".

Drums range from mid paced to fast drumming with a lot of brutal blast beats and the occasional doomy part, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that also have a lot of brutality and aggression to them with a lot of weird distorted effects along with a brief doom riff and there are no guitar solos or leads present on this recording.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics cover Vedic Mythology, Misanthropy and Sindhi Nationalism, as for the production it has a very dark under produced raw sound to it.

In my opinion Semideus where a very good raw and brutal black metal band, and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Once Home To The Sacred Waters" and "WE Are Heirs To An Ageless Wisdom". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Semideus/3540288810

Necktarium/Dremblur Demo 2010 Review



  Necktarium are a band from Pakistan that plays a very ambient form of depressive black metal and this is a review of their 2010 Demo Dremblur".

Drum programming is mostly slow to mid paced beats, while the synths have a very dark atmospheric/ambient sound to them with a very tragic feel, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are mostly slow to mid paced raw ambient/black metal riffs and there are little to no lead guitars or solos present on the recording.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some spoken word passages being used at times, while the lyrics touch on night feelings and dreams, as for the production it has a very dark and raw feel to it.

In my opinion Necktarium are a very good ambient black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Fogdance Blue" and "The Dreamless Sun". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Forgive Me/Last Drop Of Life/Rigorism Records/2010 CD Review


 Forgive Me are a band from Jordan that plays a very depressive form of black metal and this is a review of their 2010 album "Last Drop Of Life" which was released by Rigorism Records.

Drums range from slow to mid paced drumming with some occasional fast playing and blast beats, while the synths when they are utilized have a dark ambient depressive feel to them, as for the bass playing it is mixed down low in the mix and seems to follow the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow to mid paced depressive black metal riffs and only a small amount of fast playing mixed in with some soft sounding playing that has a very tragic feel to it, while the lead guitars have a distorted depressing feel to them and there is not much in the way of guitars.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls being thrown in at times as well as some spoken word passages, while the lyrics cover Depression, melancholy and personal struggles, as for the production it has a very dark and raw feel to it.

In my opinion Forgive Me are a very good depressive black metal, and if you are a fan of this genre, you should check it out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Funerals Of Birth" "Life_Nightmare" and "My Wrecked Branch". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Friday, January 21, 2011

Tadness/Satans Of Mosques/2010 EP Review


 Tadness are a band from Saudi Arabia that plays an anti Islamic form of raw Satanic black metal and this is a review of their 2010 e.p "Satan's Of Mosques".

Drums are mostly mid paced to fast playing with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with some very raw riffing that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that have a very dark and evil sound to them, and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on the recording.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams with a lot of samples that come from anti-Islamic documentaries, while the lyrics attack Islam and are a more primitive form of Satanism, as for the production it sounds very dark and raw which is a great sound for this band.

In my opinion Tadness are a very good band, and if you are looking fro some raw and hateful Anti Islamic black metal, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Sacrilege Of Mosques"and "Dunkleheit" which is a Burzum cover. RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/%D8%AA%D8%AF%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%B3/3540328342

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Balfor/Barbaric Blood/Pulverised Rcords/2011 CD Review


Balfor are a band from Ukraine that plays an atmospheric form of black metal   with death and thrash metal influences and this is a review of their 2011 album "Barbaric Blood" which was released by Pulverised Records,

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a great amount of blast beats, while the keyboards when they are used briefly bring an atmospheric and orchestra sound to the music, as for the bass plying it sounds very strong and powerful with riffing that utilizes a lot of death metal influences.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast black metal riffs that are also very melodic at times and utilize influences from death and thrash metal, while the lead guitars are very professional sounding black metal guitar solos that also have a good sense of melody to them.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls being thrown in at times and some clean singing vocals being used on the last song, while the lyrics cover medieval and barbaric themes, as for the production it sounds very professional and heavy with ll of the musical instruments have a good sound to them.

In my opinion Balfor are very talented band and if you are a fan of black metal bands that use professional sounding production, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Behold My Hate" "In A Thunder Of Ancient Glory" and "Voices Of Wilderness"> RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Shroud Of Despondency/Dark Meditations In Monastic Seclusion/2011 CD Review


 Shroud Of Despondency are a band that was originally from Michigan and now reside in Wisconsin that has been around for 12 years with a style that I would describe as being raw black metal with a progressive edge and this is a review of their self released 2011 album "Dark Meditations In Monastic Seclusion".

Drums alternate between slow, mid paced to fast drumming with some brutal blast beats being thrown in at times, while the bass playing has a very dark one with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and they sound very strong and powerful at times.

Rhythm guitars are mostly slow, mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that also have a progressive feel at times as well as an upbeat feel with some catchy riffing, while the lead guitars have a classic rock feel in the guitar solos, as for the acoustic guitars they use a lot of full chords and being a progressive/folk feel to the music mixed in with some slide guitar effects.

Vocals are mostly deep and high pitched black metal screams/shouts that have a hateful/depressive feel to them with some clean singing male and female vocals which some lot a combination of classic metal and modern day progressive/folk metal mixed in at times with some spoken word passages, while the lyrics touch on philosophical as well as depressive themes and the occasional witchcraft/paganism, as for the production it has a very dark and raw feel.

In my opinion this is another good album from Shroud of Despondency and while it is a lot more progressive than the album that I heard from them years ago which was more black metal sounding, I still feel this is a good album that should appeal to the more open mined fans of black metal. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Homo Homini Lupus" and "To Glisten In All Colors Of Distress'. RECOMMENDED BUY.

www.myspace.com/shroudofdespondency

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Temple Abattoir/Sacrilege & Savagery/Nigra Mors/2010 Cassette Review


  Temple Abattoir are a band from Spain that has had their previous release reviewed in the zine with a musical style that I would describe as being raw black metal and this is a review of their 2010 cassette "Sacrilege & Savagery" which was released by Nigra Mors.

Drums range from mid paced to fast with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with a sound of its own that is very evil sounding.

Rhythm guitars alternate between mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that are also very brutal and contain a good amount of melody and on one track that use a slight thrash edge, while the lead guitars are very chaotic and melodic sounding black metal guitar solos.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls thrown in times and on a couple of tracks there is a small amount of spoken word female vocals, while the lyrics cover anti christian themes with a touch of Luciferian and Necromantic philosophies, as for the production on this recording it has a very dark and raw sound to it mixed in with a great amount of brutality.

In my opinion this is another great release from Temple Abattoir and if you where a fan of their previous recording, you should enjoy this one as well. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Luciferian Discipline" "Necromantic Amok" and "Seven Torments Over Megiddo". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Bandcamp
Official website

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Tortured Voice/A Hate To the Weak/2010 EP Review


  Tortured Voice are a one man project from Mongolia that plays a very depressive form of black metal and this is a review of their 2010 album "A Hate To the Weak.

Drums are mostly slow to mid paced drumming with not much in the way of fast playing or blast beats, while the bass playing is mixed down low in the mixing and seems to follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are mostly slow to mid paced depressing black metal riffs that have a very weird feel to them, and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on this recording.

Vocals are high pitched black metal screams with the other half of the demo being instrumental, while the lyrics cover very dark and depressive themes, as for the production it is very dark and raw sounding.

In my opinion Tortured Voice are a very good depressive black metal project, and if you are a fan of this genre, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "A Hate To The Weak" and "I Tarried My Thought". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Tortured_Voice/3540310282

Janaza/Burning Quran Ceremony/2010 EP Review


  Janaza are a 1 man female project from Iraq that plays a raw and brutal form of anti Islamic/Satanic black metal and this is a review of their self released 2010 demo "Burning Quran Ceremony".

Drums range from mid paced to fat drumming with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with some very raw sounding riffing.

Rhythm guitars are mostly mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that sound very dark and evil, and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on this recording.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some samples taken from Islamic rituals, while the lyrics cover Satanic and Islamic themes, as for the production it is very  dark and raw sounding.

In my opinion Janaza are a very good raw black metal band and if you are looking for black metal that attacks Islam, you should check out this group. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Burn The Pages Of The Quran" and "Islamic Lies". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Janaza/3540317706

Pale Chalice/Afflicting The Dichotomy Of Trepid Creation/Fenser Records/2011 CD Review


  Pale Chalice are a band from San Francisco that plays a very raw and brutal form of black metal and this is a review of their 2011 album "Afflicting The Dichotomy Of Afflicted Creation" which was released by Fenser Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a lot of blast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast black metal riffs that have somewhat of a depressive tone at times as well as somewhat of an ambient edge, and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on the recording.

Vocals are mostly very high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics cover dark themes, as for the production it has a very heavy and raw feel to it.

In my opinion Pale Chalice are a very good black metal band and if you are a fan of the black metal bands from the Bay Area, you should check out this group. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Command Of The Formless" and "Ascend Of the Idyllic Sphere". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://www.myspace.com/palechalice