Hvile I Kaos/Lower Guide Manifestations/Vitae Manifestatio/Eisenwald/House of Inkantation/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Los  Angeles,  California's  solo  project  Hvile  I  Kaos  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of  occult  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2024  album  "Lower  Guide  Manifestations"  which  will  be  released  in  July  as  a  joint  effort  between  Vitae  Manifestatio,  Eisenwald  and  House  Of  Inkantation.

  Ritualistic  drum  beats  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  cellos  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  an  avant  garde  feeling  while  also  introducing  elements  of  chamber  music  onto  the  recording.  The  vocals  are  mostly  chants  that  also  capture  the  grim  atmosphere  of  black  metal.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  some  of  the  cellos  get  more  aggressive  they make  for  the  lack  of  traditional  metal  instruments  being  utilized.  Acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  album  also  having  its  experimental  moments,  one  song  also  adds  in  some  spoken  voices  into  the  background,  some  of  the  songs  are  also  instrumentals.  as  the  album  progresses  the  sounds  of  torture  can  also  introduced  into  the  music.

  On  this  recording  Hvile  I  Kaos  takes  occult  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  diverse  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focused  on  a  practice  of  Sinsiter  Magick  known  as  Vendatic  Nihilism.

  In  mu  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hvile  I  Kaos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "My  Hatred  Is  Just"  "Panic  Sun"  and  "Verify  Thy  Path".  8  out  of  10.

 https://hvileikaos.bandcamp.com/album/lower-order-manifestations  

   

Grave Gnosis/Hvile I Kaos/Towards The Nameless Darkness/Red Nebula/2022 Split EP Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  ep  between  Florida's  Grave  Gnosis  and  California's  Hvile  I  Kaos  called  "Towards  The  Nameless  Darkness"  which  was  released  by  Red  Nebula  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Grave  Gnosis  who  return  with  their  occult  style  of  black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  ritualistic  soundscapes  before  going  into  a  heavier  musical  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal s creams  while  the  keyboards  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  symphonic  touch  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  utilized  they  also  give  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on t heir  side  of  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow, mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  riffing  and  both  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  Death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Grave  Gnosis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Vultures".

  Next  up  is  Hvile  I  Kaos  who  returns  with  his  cellestic  mixture  of  occult  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music.    

  His  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  tribal  style  drumming  along  with  some  cello's  a  few  seconds  later.  Elements  of  chamber  music  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  his  side  of  the  recording  and  take  the  role  as  being  the  lead  instrument  and  the  ritualistic  chants  also  add  in  touches  of  black  metal  as  well  as  some  acoustic  guitars  also being  utilized  on  both  songs and  both  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  the  Left  Hand  Path  and  the Occult.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording f rom  Hvile  I  Kaos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal  and  ritualistic  chamber  music,  you  should  check  out  his  side  of t he  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Locusts".  

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  occult  black  metal  and  ritualistic  chamber  music.  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/gravegnosis/

https://www.facebook.com/HvileIKaos

      

Hvile I Kaos/Emerson Sinclair/Never Without The Pentagram/Metal Assault Records/2020 Split Album Review

    This  is  a  review  of  a  split  album  between  California's  Hvile  I  Kaos  and  Ohio's  Emerson  Sinclair  called  "Never  Without  The  Pentagram"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  metal  Assault  Records  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Hvile I  Kaos  who  returns  with  his  mixture  of  occult  cellestic  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music.

  His  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  cellos  which  also  brings  avant  garde,  classical  and  chamber  music  elements  onto  the  recording,  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  ritualistic  sounding  while  both  of his  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  persuasion  style  instruments  also  being  utilized  at  times.

  Both  of  the  tracks  are  also  instrumental  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  the  darkness  of  occult  black  metal.  The  cello's  also  get  very  diverse  sounding  at  times  as  well  as  some  acoustic  guitars  also  being  utilized  briefly,  the  closing  track  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  psychedelia.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  revolve  around  the  occult  and  left  hand  path.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hvile  I  Kaos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  cellestic  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music,  you  should  check  out  his  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Rise,  Engulf,  Envenom".

  Next  up  is  Emerson  Sinclair  a  solo  artist  that  plays  a  musical  style  that  mixes  classic  rock,  extreme  metal,  grunge,  electronic,  baroque  and  traditional  liturgical  music.

  Her  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  stringed  instruments  while  the  clean  vocals  also  gives  the  music  more  of  an  operatic  atmosphere.  Synths  and  electronic  music  elements  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  spoken  word  parts  giving  the  music  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling.

  Touches  of  black  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  spoken  word  parts  along  with  some  atmospheric  sounding  drones  also  being  utilized  at  times.  Programmed  beats  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  as  well  as  all  of  the  tracks  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  psychoanalytic  character  studies,  metal  illness,  drams,  occultism,  the  glory  of  the  old  gods  and  the  relationship  between  humans  and  the  natural  world.

  In  my  opinion  Emerson  Sinclair  is  a  very  great  sounding  experimental,  ritualistic,  neo-classical  and  avant  garde  solo  artist  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  her  side  of  the  split.   RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Graphite"  and  "Singularity".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  ritualistic  occult  black  metal,  avant  garde,  neo-classical,  and  avant  garde  music.  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/HvileIKaos/

https://www.facebook.com/emersonsinclair/           

Hvile I Kaos/Black Morning, Winter GreenRed Nebula/2019 EP Review

  Hvile  I  Kaos  are  a  musical  project  from  southern  California  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  cellestic  black metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2019  ep  "Black  Morning,  Winter  Green"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Red  Nebula,

  Cello's  start  off  the  album  and  are  also  used  as  a  lead  instrument  throughout  the  recording  while  also  capturing  the  aggression  of  black  metal  at  times.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  The  songs  also  add  in  elements  of  ritual  and  chamber  music  while  one  track  also  introduces  classical  guitars  onto  the  recording.  Most  of  the  music  is  instrumental  along  with  the  percussion  also  giving  the  songs  more  of  a  tribal  feeling  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  the  tracks  also  having  their  avant  garde  moments,  spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  onto  the  outro.

  On  this  recording  Hvile  O  Kaos  remains  true  to  his  mixture  of  cellestic  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music  which  he  established on  his  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  Satanism  and  Occultism.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hvile  I  Kaos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  ritual  and  chamber  music,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Grand  Darkness  Engulfs".  8  out  of  10.

https://hvileikaos.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HvileIKaos/

          

Hvile I Khaos/Strange Gateways Beckon(Tribulation Cover)/2019 Single Review

  Hvile  I  Khaos  are  a  duo  from  Southern  California  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  cellistic  black  metal  and  ritual  chamber  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2019  single  "Strange  Gateways  Beckon"  which is  also  a  Tribulation  cover.

  Cell's  start  off  the  track  and  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  classical  music  feeling  along  with  some  elements  of  ritual  chamber  music.  Influences  of  black  metal  are  also  brought  into  the  song  without  the  use  of  any  traditional  metal  instruments  and  all  of  the  music  is  done  in  an  instrumental  direction.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  track  from  Hvile  I  Khaos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black  metal,  classical  and  ritual  chamber  music,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  8  out  of  10.

https://soundcloud.com/user-732508397/strange-gateways-beckon-tribulation-cover  

Hvile I Khaos Interview

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

Hvile I Kaos in 2017 is easily the strongest it’s ever been. I brought it back from an extended haitus with two EPs, Beholden: Thy Olde Birch Gibbet and the Cellistic Black Metal Tyranny split with Angmar. Now with a fresh live lineup and several live rituals under our belt, we’re ready to confront the world with Agios O Fotiá.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

In the past everything on recording was pretty scripted and through-composed. Always extremely symmetrical in the way the phrases were divided. The new material has a much more organic flow to it. The writing process allows for more spontaneity, and just some generally weirder sounds. Also, the incorporation of acoustic guitar and bass as a rhythm section is still a fairly recent development. The early EPs from 2013/2014 didn’t have that.

3.You label your music as 'cellistic black metal', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?

In essence, Cellistic Black Metal is a descriptor for Black Metal with the cello as its primary foundational instrument. Of course this does not mean other instruments can’t be used. I’ve taken to recording acoustic guitar and bass for rhythmic support on the more recent releases, and live Hvile I Kaos also features violin playing the lead melodies. But the cello is always the foundation.

4.So far your music has been instrumental and avoids the traditional instruments found in black metal, can you tell us a little bit more about taking this musical direction?

I feel like a true musician shouldn’t need to use lyrics as a crutch to communicate a message. Of course this doesn’t discount the value of great lyrics or libretto applied to music. But the music itself be able to stand on its own as a communicative tool.

5.On the albums you record everything by yourself, would you be open to working with a full band on the recordings?

Not at the moment. At this point I’ve kind of just embraced how much of a control freak I am when it comes to my own music. When I’ve been in other bands I’d show up with a song I’d written more or less complete, and then it would get altered by the rest of the band and I’d get pretty bent out of shape over that. I always have something super specific in mind when I write something of my own. I don’t like that being fucked with. I’m just an asshole like that.

Of course, when it comes to the full band I’ve assembled for Hvile I Kaos, their own creativity is expressed on the live front. There are some long sections of improvisation in a few of the pieces we perform, and if a member has an idea for how to do something differently live, I’m by no means opposed to that. I’m of the mindset that the live experience is fundamentally different from the studio recording. That should be exploited to its fullest extent.

6.What are some of the best shows that the live line up has played and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Our live performances are rituals in a very real sense. We play around an evocation triangle with lit candles, and transfer our energy towards the triangle via the music, and then out towards the audience. When performed correctly, a gateway is opened.

Every live ritual we’ve done has been special in its own right. So far my favorite of 2017 would be our date at the Regal Inn in Lakewood with Valkyrium. The energy there was really special.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We do have some live rituals lined up for 2018, which will stay undisclosed for the time being. Touring will come when it makes sense for us.

8.On the first ep you had done a 'Dissection' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

Jon Nodtveidt and Dissection were a primary influence of mine to form Hvile I Kaos. The band name actually translates directly to “Rest in Chaos”, a term often used in reference to Jon. It seemed only fitting to acknowledge that influence on the eponymous debut EP.

9.You have also been a part of splits with 'Northsong' and 'Angmar', what are your thoughts on the other bands that had participated on the recordings?

Both of those artists are two extremely valued colleagues of mine. Northsong was one of the first projects I ever got in touch with during the earliest days of my involvement in the scene. I always thought Cortland’s music had a really special atmosphere. Before that split came out I actually appeared as a session musician on Northsong’s “The Final Journey” album.

Angmar is the only other project in existence (to my knowledge at least) to ascribes to the term Cellistic Black Metal. Cameron’s take on the genre, and how to use the cello in a Black Metal context, is pretty distinct from my own, which I appreciate. He and I have exchanged a lot of ideas on music and other matters over the years.

10.The new album was released on 'Deathwave Nexion', a label that also releases occult books, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

The working relationship between Hvile I Kaos and Deathwave Nexion has been fantastic. Both are comprised entirely of individuals who prize integrity over commercial appeal. They exclusively sign artists and writers whose work pertains to the more abstract truths that dwell beneath the surface. I’m glad to work with people whose goals are complimentary to my own.

11.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal and other forms of underground music?

Hard to say. A lot of people don’t really know what to make of a project like Hvile I Kaos. I’m always happy and grateful for those who are able to really get into it. Or at least appreciate it on an aesthetic level.

12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?

Hopefully doing things I’m not capable of delivering at this point in my life. I’m constantly trying to push myself and put myself in environments that challenge me, both in terms of playing and composition. I still kind of feel like I’m just scratching the surface.

13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I didn’t make any deliberate effort to mimic any existing artist or style on Agios O Fotiá. I focused primarily on the spiritual significance of everything I was writing and kind of just let the music happen.

That said, classic Melodic Black Metal has always been a staple of the Hvile I Kaos sound. Dissection, Vinterland, Sacramentum, stuff like that. Also occult rock like The Devil’s Blood, In Solitude, Jess and the Ancient Ones. My latest obsession might just be the new Grave Pleasures album, that’s got a fantastic groove to it. Within the last year or two I’ve gotten super into the whole Orthodox Black Metal thing. Deathspell Omega, VI, Acherontas, Amestigon, etc.

As far as string playing and writing influences are concerned, obviously Apocalyptica opened the door for me to use the cello the way I do. I go back to that influence a lot. I enjoy the work of cellists like Zoe Keating, Matthew Schoening, and Maya Beiser who use the instrument in genre-bending ways. A lot of people tell me my music has a folky vibe to it. I really can’t claim any authentic folk influence in the way I write. However, I do enjoy the work of fiddlers and folk artists like Annbjorg Lien, Frigg, and Alasdair Fraser/Natalie Haas quite a bit. Maybe that’s rubbed off on me, who knows.

14.How would you describe your views on Occultism and The Left Hand Path?

The Left Hand Path certainly is not for everyone. It’s something that by default mandates confronting and embracing everything we’ve ever been conditioned to fear by civilization at large. Having the blinders ripped off can be quite traumatic. However, for those select few suited for it, the road less traveled by can be the most rewarding continuous experience imaginable. And the most punishing.

Concerning occultism, well, there’s a lot of bullshit out there. Finding the gold nuggets often requires panning through the muck. My own personal litmus test for whether or not I consider legitimate a system of occult thought and practice is twofold. Primarily, I seek tools to empower the individual rather than fear-riddled mechanisms of superstation and subjugation. Within that framework, I generally look for patterns, overlapping archetypes and concepts that compliment one another. Connecting the dots to help me reach my goals.

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

The greatest and clearest facilitator of evolution is suffering. Rise up and Become.

https://www.facebook.com/HvileIKaos/

Hvile I Kaos/Agios O Fotia/Deathwave Nexion/2017 CD Review

  Hvile  I  Kaos  are  a  musical  project  from  Southern  California  that  plays  a  mixture  of  cellistic  black  metal  and  ritual  chamber  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their 2017  album  "Agios  O  Fotia"  which  was  released  by  Deathwave  Nexion.

  Cellos  and  violins  start  off  the  album  along  with  all  of  the  music  being  instrumental  while  elements  of  classical  and  chamber  music  are also  utilized  at  times  while  also  capturing  the  atmospheric  of  occult  black  metal  without  the  use  of  the  traditional  instruments  from  that  genre  being  utilized.

  At  times  the  music  gets  very  ritualistic  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  acoustic  guitars  being  utilized  briefly  as  the  album  progresses  and  one  track  also  brings  in  spoken  word  parts  and  demonic  chanting  and  each  track  is  composed  as  a  sonic  invocation  to  a  specific  deity  or  group  of  deities.

  Hvil  I  Kaos  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  occult  black  metal  and  strips  it  of  its  traditional  instruments  and  vocals  and  replaces  it  with  cells  and  violins  as  well  as  mixing  in  elements  of  classical  and  ritual  chamber  music  to  create  something  very  original  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark. 

  In  my  opinion  Hvil  I  Kaos  are  a  very  great sounding  mixture  of  cellistic  black  metal  and  ritual  chamber  music  and  if  you  are  looking  for something  very  original,  you  should  check  out  this  musical  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Ride  Of  Kundak"  and  "Agios  O  Baphomet".  8 out  of 10.

https://www.facebook.com/HvileIKaos/