Istidraj/Bhinneka Tungall Ika/2024 EP Re-Issue Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Singapore's  Istidraj  which  showed  the  music  going  for  a  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  the  ep  was  originally  released  in  2001  and  called  "Bhinneka  Tungall  Ika"  which  was  re-issued  and  re-mastered  in  2024.

  Harsh  soundscapes  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  very  fast,  raw  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  second  wave  era  of  the  genre  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  A  couple  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  slow  and  mid  temp  sections  keeping  the  main  focus  on  a  faster  direction  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  ritualistic  sounds  and  the  closing  track  was  recorded  live.

  On  this  recording  Istidraj  went  for  a  very  raw  and  aggressive  form  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness,  Blasphemy  and  Anti  Religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Istidraj  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Thy  Whisper  Of  Eternal  Shadow"  and  "Istidraj".  8  out  of  10.

  https://istidraj666.bandcamp.com/album/bhinneka-tunggal-ika-remastered-2024  

    

Istidraj/As Sahar/Conqueror Of Syonan - To Part II/B.M.S.S Productions/2024 Split Album Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  album  between  Singapore's  Istidraj  and  As  Sahar  called  "Conqueror  Of  Syonnan  -  To  Part  II"  which  was  released  by  B.M.SS  Productions  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Istidraj  who  return  with  a  very  raw,  old  school  and  blasphemous  form  of  black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  Eastern  style  chants  and  singing  which  evolve  into  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  when  the  music  goes  into  a  heavier  direction.  During  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  their  side  of  the  recording  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  

  Melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  All  of  the  music  is  also  recorded  live  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in a  brief  use  of  synths  and  clean  playing  as  well  as  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  On  this  recording  Istidraj  takes  their  raw  style  of  black  metal  to  the  live  stage.  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Blasphemy  and  Anti  Abrahamic  Religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Istidraj  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw,  old  school  and  blasphemous  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Black  Flags  Of  Khorason"  and  "Goat  Fukkin'  Sodomy".

  Next  up  is  As  Shar  who  return  with  an  old  school  and  satanic  style  of  black  metal  with  songs  that  where  originally  released  in  2003  as  the  demo  "Devillation  Masters".

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  dark,  heavy  and  melodic  sound  while  the  songs  are  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  style.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  When  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  one  of  the  songs  is  an  instrumental  and   also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  keyboards  and  the  music  sticks  to  either  a  mid  tempo  or  fast  direction,  clear  vocals  are  also  added  towards  the  end  when  the  song  adds  in  some  slow  sections.

  On  this  recording  As  Sahar  played  a  style  of  black  metal  that  was  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  second  wave  era  of  the  genre.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  an  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Darkness  and  Evil  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  As  Sahar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school  satanic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Evil  In  Grace"  and  "Satan's  Requittance".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  Asian  black  metal.

  https://bmssproductions.bandcamp.com/album/bmss-cd04-as-sahar-istidraj-conqueror-of-syonan-to-part-ii

Istidraj/Metafizika Remastered/2024 Album Re-Issue Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  an  earlier  recording  from  Singapore's  Istidraj  and  was  originally  released  in  1999  and  went  for  more  of  a  raw,  mid  tempo  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  and  the  album  was  remastered  and  re-issued  in  2024  and  called  "Metafizika".

  Synths  and  demonic  voices  start  off  the  album  along  with  the  sounds  of  breaking  glass  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  also  captures  a  very  lo-fi  atmosphere  at  times  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  most  of  the  songs  go  for  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  Dark  soundscapes  are  also  mixed  in with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  album  at  times  along  with  some  melodies  also  being  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing,  synths,  clean  playing,  chants  and  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks.

  On  this  recording  Istidraj  went  for  more  of  a  mid  tempo  style  of  black  metal  which  is  also  very  different  from  the  sound  of  later  releases  which  showed  the  music  getting  more  aggressive.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  death  and  mythological  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Istidraj  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw,  old  school  and  mid  tempo  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  remastered  version.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Kiss  Of  Death"  "The  Shining  Ones"  and  "Odes  of  Aeshon".  8  out  of  10.

  

https://istidraj666.bandcamp.com/album/metafizika-remastered-2024

      

Santet/Istidraj/Verbis Diaboli (Raising High The Horns Ov Hell)/WP & RO Productions/Iron, Blood & Death Corp/2024 Split Album Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  split  album  between  Indonesia's  Santet  and  Singapore's  Istidraj  called  "Verbis  Diaboli  (Raising  High  The  Horns  Ov  Hell)"  which  will  be  released  in  2024  as  a  joint  effort  between  WP  &  RO  Productions  and  Iron,  Blood  &  Death  Corp  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Santet  a  band  that  plays  a  very  epic  form  of  black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  ritualistic  soundscapes  while  epic  sounding  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  their  side  of  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  their  side  of  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  clean  playing  is  also  utilized  briefly  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Spiritual  Black  Magick  and  Javanese  Ethics.     

  In  my  opinion  Santet  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Susuk  Curse  Of  The  Black  Witch"  and  "Black  Fuckin  Mist".

  Next  up  is  Istidraj  who  return  with  their  raw  style  of  black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  some  chants  and  synths  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  their  side  of  the  recording.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the tracks  more  of  a  raw  feeling  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  can  also  be  heard  at  times  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in the  old  school  era,  when  guitar  leads  are  introduced  on  the  recording  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  The  production  sound s very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover   Occultism,  Anti  Religion  and  Perversion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Istidraj  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "God  Fukkin  Sodomy"  and  "Verbis  Diaboli".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  Asian  black  metal.

  https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Santet/67092

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Istidraj/9155  

    

        

Istidraj/24 Years Of Blasphemic Supremacy/Anti Trends Records/2017 Compilation Album Review

  Singapore's  Istidraj  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  is  a  collection  of  their  material  from  the  last  2  and  a  half  decades  and  this  is a  review  of  their  2017  compilation  album  "24  Years  Of  Blasphemic  Supremacy"  which  was  released  by  Anti  Trend Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  old  school  sound  starts  off  the  compilation  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  as  well as  some  thrash  elements and  dark  sounding  melodies  also  bring  utilized  at  times.

  When  the  music  speeds  up a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  a  more  raw  feeling  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  some  tracks  also  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.

  At  times  the  vocals  get  very  grim  while  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  when  they  are  utilized  are  done  in  a very  dark  yet  melodic  fashion  along  with  some  tracks  also  bringing  in  elements  of  war  metal as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  bestial  growls  and  as  the  compilation  progresses  melodic  chants  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  a  couple  of  tracks  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  atmospheric  sounding  synths  and  they  also  bring  in  a  cover  of  Von's  "Satanic  Blood".

  On  this  compilation  Istridraj  brings  in  more  than  20  years  of  a  very  raw  black  metal  style,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Luciferian  and  Blasphemous  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collection  from  Istidraj  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  blasphemous  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  compilation.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Triumphant  Ends"  "Istidraj"  "Blackened  Prophecy  of  Doom"  and  "Luciferian  Vengeance".  8  out  of  10.

https://istidraj666.bandcamp.com/album/24-years-of-blasphemik-supremacy

  

Istidraj 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?

Hail! The band is writing a new materials for an upcoming mlp which shall be done by middle 2016.

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?

Progression is imminent.. It's more well structure now

3.So far all of the albums I have heard have been different from either while also always being true to black metal, how would you describe the musical progress over the years?

No point to produce similar album.. We are not bound to become static..


4.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your newer music?

Endtime prophecy & universal death.. For the Antichrist hath come to fulfill the final prophecy... Malak Al-maut (the angel of death) is here to claim every living creatures one by one...

5.I know that the band name means 'blasphemous ' in Arabic, how did you come across this name?

I've used to read books about eschatalogy thus i discovered it through one of the book called Istidraj which is about blasphemous deeds of humanity that will claim it tolls.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band ha splayed over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Holocaustik onslaught! So far we play with Dark Funeral, Hail, Eibon, Surrender of Divinity, Abigail & few more which i can't recall

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

Maybe with reasonable offer why not?

8.Over the years there has been many different line up changes, can you tell us a little bit more about it?

Basically the dismissal it's because they can't commit so therefore it occurs

9.I remember back in the Myspace days i read about one of the band members doing jail time and also there was the murder of a black metal musician in Thailand, do you feel black metal fans are a little bit more dangerous in the Eastern countries with all of the poverty than they are in the Western Countries?

The original drummer was sentence to jail for manslaughter.. Death is certain, life is not! For death is the liberation of souls, every souls will taste death!

10.The new album was released on Iron County Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Its fairly a new label which is from hungary.. They are doing a good job & promotion so far, horns up to Kevin Baltasson! The cd version is release on limited 500 copies by Iron Blood Death Corp of Mexico

11.The band has a history that goes back to 93, what is it that motivates you to keep going after all of these years?

The blasphemous fire that still burning, smouldering with hatred forever burns! The band has become my flesh & blood!

12.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of black metal?

So far so good! We are spreading the  black plague towards mankind & forth!

13.I know that in the past some of the band members where involved with other bands and musical project, are there any current side projects going on these days?

I'm active with Companions of Hellfire which shall release a debut soon. Z:c4 is still active in K.S.K

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

Still reigning in black death underworld

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

 For influence i can say Sarcofago, old Slayer, old Sepultura, old Mayhem.. Ad hominem, Funeral Mist, Deathspell Omega & New Behemoth album is interesting..

16.How would you describe your views on Anti Christianity, Satanism and Occultism?

Christianity is just a roman product.. Too many contradictions.. Many may not know that it's a scam cult to deceive people.. It's invention of Council of Nicea after 325 years of the death of their saviour jesus christ.. Other religions follow next in line.. Satanism/occultism  is more of a tool being used by the freemasons, illuminati & others which is tool to succeed & enslave the weaks

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

Thanks  for this interview & your honest yet great review of our "Muerte Mundi Militia" album! To the mass do obtain when it's unleash for every souls shall taste death! Death is liberation of souls! Those interested getting our previous releases "Blasphemized Perversion" digi mcd & split cd/tape Thornspawn/Istidraj( last few copies available though) can order thru: istidraj666@gmail.com

Istidraj/Muerte Mundi Militia/Iron County Records/2015 Cassette Review

  Istidraj  are  a  band  from  Singapore  that  has  had  an  album  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  raw  and  satanic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Muerte Mundi Militia"  which  was  released  on  cassette  by  Iron  Country  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  evil  sounding  synth  starts  off  the  album  bringing  in  a  very  epic  atmosphere  and  a  few  seconds  later  drum  beats  and  spoken  word  parts  are  added  onto  the  recording  before  going  into  a  heavier  musical  direction  which  also  introduces  grim  black  metal  screams  into t he  songs  and  some  of  the  riffs  also  bring  in  melodies  at  times.

  All  of  the musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to t hem  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  it  goes  for  more  of  a  raw  black  metal  style  that  also  utilizes a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  songs also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

   Some  tracks  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  laying and  the  solos  and  leads  the  band  uses  are  very  dark  and  melodic sound  while  some  of  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  touch  of  thrash  and  as  the  album  progresses  spoken  word  parts also  make  a  return  briefly  on  a  couple  of  the  songs  while  a  couple  of  later  tracks  also  bring  in  a  few  seconds  of  ritualistic  sound  effects  an  they  close  the  album  with  a  remix  track  that  brings  elements  of  electronic  music  to  the  bands  musical  style.

  Istidraj  creates  more  of  a  straightforward  approach  to  black  metal  on  this  recording  slowing  down  the  music  a  bit  while  still  being  true  to  the  genre  while  also showing  a  great  amount  of  progress  and  skills  as  musicians,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Occultism  and  Anti  Christian  themes.

 In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Istidraj  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  and  satanic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  cassette.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lux  Noir"  "The  Destroyer  Of  Life"  "Illuminating  Darkness"  and  "Earth's  Crematoria".  8  out  of  10.

Bandcamp

Facebook

Myspace

Official website

Istidraj/Blasphemous Ritual/Satan's Millennium Records/2007 CD Review

 Istidraj are a band from Singapore that plays a very raw and brutal form of Satanic war/black metal and this is a review of their 2007 album "Blasphemous Ritual" which was released by Satan's Millennium Records.

Drums are very fast with a  lot of brutal blast beats that are also very heavy and skull crushing, while the bass playing sounds very dark with a lot of fast riffing.

Rhythm guitars are very fast, heavy and brutal war/black metal riffs that also utilize some melodies at times and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on this recording.

Vocals are all very high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics cover Satanism, Luciferian, Black Magick and a little bit of Nietzsche philosophy, as for the production it is very heavy, brutal, dark and raw sounding.

In my opinion Istidraj are a very good raw and brutal satanic/war/black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Bidarari Desekration" "The Burning Twilight" and "Morbid Blasphemic Cult". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Bandcamp

Facebook

Myspace

Official website