Horse Drawn/Amongst Ghosts/2020 EP Review

  Ohio's  duo  Horse  Drawn  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  a  raw  and  melodic  black  metal  style  with  some  elements  of  traditional  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2020  ep  "Amongst  Ghosts"  which  will  be  released  on  August  4th.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  angry  sounding  black  metal screams  a  few  seconds  later.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  tracks  also  bring  in  a  more  modern  style.

  You  can  also  hear  some  elements  of  traditional  rock  in  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  songs.  Melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  the  raw  aggression  of  the  90's  era  at  times  as  well  as  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized,  some  of t he  tracks  also a dd  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  a  later  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  psychedelic  elements.

  On  this  recording  Horse  Drawn  brings  in  more  of  a  raw  and  melodic  style along  with  a  small  amount  of  traditional  rock  and  psychedelic  elements.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  faithless  despair  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Horse  Drawn  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  melodic  black  emtal  with  some  elements  of  traditional  rock, you should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bleak  Existence"  and  "Wasting  Faith".  8  out  of  10.

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Horse Drawn 2019 Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new ep?
Jonny: We’re working on recording the rest of the material for the full release. The two songs are just a demo of what’s coming.

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

Jonny: this is a more stripped down straight forward approach. Nothing complicated, no more doom/sludge/genre blending/whatever else we tried before. Just black metal.

3.This is also your first release in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

Jonny: Major life events and focusing on our other projects.
Plaguewielder and Coldfells have both released material in that time.

4.On the new ep, you cover your Midwest origins, depression and psychedelic experiences, can you tell us a little bit more about the songwriting that is presented on the new recording?

Jonny: I can’t speak for the lyrics, but as far as the music goes the Midwest is where we came from in every sense. The area has fallen apart, it’s bleak, it’s underwhelming, it’s sad. It’s got all the makings to influence black metal. Bryce and I both have been surrounded by and influenced by depression in many ways from personally to family members, but also in our physical surroundings. Economic collapse, addiction, deaths, unemployment, etc...
As for psychedelic experiences, a lot of our bonding came from smoking DMT, dropping acid and eating mushrooms. You really get to know someone laying on the floor in filth for an entire night tripping balls and having total breakdowns. That’ll grow a bond like nothing else. Some of those experiences were very early on in this band, and still influence us to this day.


5.On the new ep you also work as a duo, do you feel the music has gotten a lot more personal with only 2 members ?

Jonny: Regardless of the lineup, Horse Drawn has always at its core been a duo. So this isn’t really new, this is just the first time we’re acknowledging it.

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

Jonny: there’s not much to tell honestly. There is a lake not far from my home in NJ at a park called Ramapo Reservation. My wife and I were out for a walk. Almost a year later, it’s a little scary how unintentionally appropriate the photo became.

7.Is the new ep also going to be self released as the previous releases where?

Jonny: we haven’t made any attempts to get it released, so probably, but it’s not out of the question that we will contact someone to try and release it. Sometimes DIY is just easier. We’ve both worked with various labels before and less hands in the pot means we can do things at our own pace.

8.On a worldwide level how have your fans reacted to the newer music that have heard it so far?

Jonny: the reaction to this recording has been more positive than anything else we’ve done, so I think it’s going over well. People always have varying opinions though, so it’s easy to get lost in it. We didn’t make the changes to appeal to anyone specifically, it’s just where we are right now.

9.What can we expect from the band musically during the future?

Jonny: it’s hard to say for sure, but what you can expect is more focused material.

10.Are there any musical influences that you bring onto the new recording that you where not able to do on past releases?

Jonny: We had a drummer previously who wasn’t a big metal guy. We still are very fond of him, but it made us write a certain way. That’s why I really wanted to reuse some of the old material (early graves was previously recorded on No Light, and we’re redoing another from that era) to show that HD has always been a black metal band at its core. The approach was molded to what it needed to be.

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

Jonny: just to say thank you for taking time to do this, and to thank anyone who has checked out our music.

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Horse Drawn/Nonbeliever/2019 EP Review

  Horse  Drawn  are  a  duo  from  Ohio  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  aggressive  form  of  black  metal   and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2019  ep  "Nonbeliever".

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later.  When  the  music  speeds  up a   decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Touches  of  post  and  metal  can  be  heard  in  the  music  but  done  in  more  an  aggressive  style  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  music  also  show  an  influence  of  sludge  metal  and  both  of  the  tracks  stick  to  a  very  heavy  musical  direction. 

  On  this  recording  Horse  Drawn  sticks  to  the  raw  black  metal  style  of  their  previous  release  while  also  adding  in  some  more  influences  of  sludge  and  post  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  depression  and  psychedelic  experiences.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Horse  Drawn  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  aggressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Cursed".  8  out  of  10.

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Horse Drawn Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Jonny - Sure, Horse Drawn has been around in concept and physically on and off since around 2007 (then under the name Horse Drawn Death Machine). I started recording music on my own around that time. In 2010/2011 Bryce and I started to form it as a full band and that went on for a few years. We went on a brief hiatus in which time we both did some work with various other bands. We decided to reform as a 2 piece (for now) and make some new music. Since stylistically were going in a different direction, we took out the "Death Machine" from our name since its a new phase of this band. We used to incorporate elements of doom, rock and roll, psychedelic rock, and southern rock into our music, but we decided to take a straight forward Black Metal approach this time and we're both much happier with the outcome.

2.Currently you are working on an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Jonny - We really wanted to take a straight forward Black Metal approach this time. We're not trying to reinvent the wheel here. We're not trying to be groundbreaking or genre defying. We just want to make some music in a genre we both love. No need for subgenres or any of that (although I'm sure once we release the EP, those will get thrown around haha).
Bryce - Very aggressive, faster than before and much more angry. There are melodic parts as well to me that feel very bleak but uplifting. It's really easy for me to tap into this music and bust out lyrics. Some of it is more unconventional at times which needs to happen so you stand out, instead of being repetitious.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Bryce - Good question. There isn't really a general theme from song to song on this EP. It varies. But if any of these songs have the same subject matter it's the first and last. They're both about how as a human being living in such a vast universe that's ever expanding, it makes me feel very small and insignificant. As if any of the dilemmas I've had in my life don't mean anything in the grand scheme of things. They also deal with how I feel as if I don't know where I belong sometimes. Feeling completely lost and out of touch with the person I've become. Wanting to just leave everything behind but realizing that this is where you belong. And anywhere else you go will become just like your home and you'll end up hating it. So they get very personal for me at times. The other lyrics have their own vibe. One is based heavily on my thoughts on religion. Just personal experiences with people that wear their crosses like a curse. Judgmental, hypocritical, everything you shouldent be. The other is about a satanic high priest who makes a sacrifice to conjure demons and release them into the world. kind of a dunwich vibe too it.

4.originally the band was known as 'Horse Drawn Death Machine', what was the decision behind shortening the name?
Jonny - Since its still technically the same band as long as Bryce and I are both involved, but we don't have the same members as before, and stylistically its different, we decided to shorten it. Most people ended up just calling us Horse Drawn anyway, and we got to a point where the "Death Machine" was just kind of cheesy.

5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band are you open to expaning the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
Jonny - At our core it will always probably be a duo. We do intend on finding a bassist and drummer, but we want to make sure its the right fit. We're not always the easiest guys to deal with, and we need to make sure everyone gets along.

6.Has the band done any live shows?
Jonny - In older versions of this band, yes. We've played many shows and have done a couple small tours together. This time around, we have some shows coming up in September, and plan to book more after the new year. Our focus right now is recording.

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
Bryce - Yes we have received interest from a few people. Which neither of us expected at all to be honest. We are working with a few labels on this release. Obviously I'm not gonna give away all of that information just yet. But we are very grateful to work with people that are understanding and supportive of us. I wouldn't say that we are a "signed" band by any means. I think if you have the funds (which not everyone does) being self reliant is the best way to go.
Jonny - I agree completely with Bryce. Labels are becoming more and more unneccesary as time goes on. Thats not to say I'm not eternally grateful for the labels who are working with us. I would prefer to work with smaller labels. They tend to care more, and work harder. Bryce and I are broke as hell, so when it comes time to cough up the money for pressing and PR, it's awesome to have some people on our side who are also invested in what we're doing. We have friends in some bands on some various big name labels, as well as some experience ourselves, and honestly, I feel like the smaller guys care more and are easier to deal with.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
Bryce - Honestly I don't think to many people have heard this new track yet. But everyone that has listened has shared nothing but positivity. Which is really cool. I don't think anyone that I've talked to has complained about it. Haha.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Bryce - I'm not sure to be honest. This band now is a lot different than it used to be. It's visceral and aggressive. It almost has some sort of a grind influence too me as well. So it can only go up from here. I don't personally think about what I want to write or anything. I just play and eventually It just happens. The riffs find you.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Bryce - For black metal I'd have to say the few big ones for me are Nachtmystium, Twilight, Kreig, Levaithan, Wolvhammer, Darkthrone (the cult is alive) Midnight. Shining. Naglafar, Xasthur, tribulation, I also like sludge a lot. Eyehategod, superjoint ritual, lord mantis, I've been listening to Time by Mercyful Fate on repeat. And besides that it's country. Hank Williams, Hank Jr. Hank 3, Always listening to this album straight to hell. Joebuck yourself. I also do like some pop music. It is what it is man. There isn't any shame in the shit you like. If some fuck tries to tell you other wise fuck them. I also enjoy old nu metal that I used to listen to when I was like 14. Slipknot, korn, mudvayne. No fucks given.

Jonny - As far as black metal goes, to this day Abigail Williams is hands down my favorite. Ken has been a big influence on me musically. Nachtmystium is also a big one for me as well. Assassins and Addicts changed how I approach Black Metal. Twilight was fantastic. I'm also really into Falls of Rauros lately. Wodensthrone has been a regular one for me lately too. Wolves In The Throne Room, Alcest, Taake, Shining, and the list goes on. Beyond that, outside of black metal, I'm also into doom and get nostalgic for early 2000's metalcore haha. Maybe I shouldn't admit that, but who cares! I'm also just as into The Allman Brothers, Country Music, Jack Johnson, John Mayer, and tons of other shit. It doesnt always have to be metal!

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Jonny - I work in a Tattoo shop, so that's a big part of my life. I also enjoy working on and repairing guitars. I don't really like a lot of things, so outside of making music, I don't have a ton of hobbies. If it wasn't for my girlfriend, I probably wouldn't leave my house much.

Bryce - I cook at a restaurant. I guess I like cooking sometimes. (Shrugs) I more or less like to cook for my girlfriend and Myself more than anything. Other than that I enjoying hanging out with her. I'm a home body and I don't like to be away for too long. Smoking buds. Haha. I don't really have many interests outside of music. Haha We are very simple people. Don't like to go out much at all. I'd rather sit at home than go to bars or anything.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Smoke Weed and Hail Satan

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Horse Drawn/Lingering Death, Shutturing Cold/2016 Single Review

  Horse  Drawn  are  a  band  from  Ohio  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2016  single  "Lingering  Death,  Shuttering  Cold".

  Grim  black  metal  screams  start  off  the  song  along  with  the  riffs  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  fast  tremolo  picking  along  with  some  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  an  old  school  second  wave  feeling  while  the  music  still  sounds  very  modern  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  melodic  guitar  leads  and  the  music  also  slows  down  for  a  few  seconds.

  Horse  Drawn  plays a  style  of  black  metal  on t his  song  that  is  very  heavy,  raw,  fast  and  aggressive,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  depressive  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Horse  Drawn  are a  very great  sounding  raw  black  metal  band  and  if  you are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  8  out  of  10

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Telchine/Punisher Myth/2012 CD Review

  Telchine  are  a  band  from  the  United  States  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  primitive  form  of  depressive,  suicidal  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2012  album  "Punisher  Myth".

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sounding  with  some  depressive  and  suicidal  elements  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  are  all  deep  black  metal  growls  and  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  lo-fi,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to it  with  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Telchine  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  primitive  depressive  suicidal  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should c heck  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Punisher"  "Sacrifice"  and  "Myth".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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