Cairriss Interview

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

We are Cairiss, we play Blackgaze. We formed the band when we were at University together about 13 years ago.

2. In July you have your first full length album coming out, musically how does it differ from your previous ep and demo?

It’s a fair bit more progressive and refined than the EP, and the lyrical themes are more personal and emotional.

3. This is also going to be your first release in 10 years, can you tell us a little bit more about the long wait in between releases?

Primarily just life got in the way really, but many of us are also in other projects that have been busy during the gap (Mountainscape and Asira).

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with the music?

Our lyrics primarily deal with different aspects of trauma and trauma recovery.

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

At the time we didn’t think it would gain any traction, so we pretty much just made up a word that we thought sounded interesting and fitted the music!

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

It was all the work of our vocalist Freya Brown, she wanted to capture the artistic essence of “Wilderness” and the meshed connectivity between different aspects of the psyche.

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

Probably the best shows we’ve had are Warhorns Winterfest and Atmosfest! We’d like to think our stage performance is very emotive and deeply personal. We always love to chat to everyone afterwards!

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

We intend to play some UK shows in the latter half of the year and we have some plans in the works.

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

We’re definitely open to the right label helping us in the future! We have received some interest from a few labels but we felt we were in a better position to release independently this time.

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

We have had a fairly consistent underground following since Disgraced was released that have always been amazing, but we’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how widely in the scene it’s reached!

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

We have ideas in the works for more music which builds upon the same themes and feelings we’ve always drawn from!

12. 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?

We’re heavily inspired by Blackgaze, Post-metal, pretty much all branches of Extreme Metal, alongside prog rock, jazz, classical, film & video game score and pretty much anything else in-between! These days we’re enjoying Ethel Cain, Angine De Poitrine, Corey Wong and reminiscing with Linkin Park.

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

Thank you for having us!

https://linktr.ee/cairiss
https://www.instagram.com/cairiss_band/
https://www.facebook.com/Cairiss/
https://www.youtube.com/@CairissUK
https://cairiss.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2d1UsJ7a6PT3hN9yb87bNg?si=J5aT6TdhSDyqJEmmq9AQxw 

Soulgrind/Ad Pulchram Mortem/Inverse Records/2026 Full Length Review

 

  Soulgrind  are  a  band  from  Finland  that h as  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black,  dark  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Ad  Pulcharm  Mortem"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Inverse  Records.

  Keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times  while  the  female  vocals  also  bring  in  elements  of  gothic  metal.  Some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  the  recording  also  being  heavily  rooted  in  dark  metal.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  harsh  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  slow  riffs  also  showing  an  influence  of  doom  metal.

 The  album  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  along  with all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard,  clear  male  vocals  are  also  used  on  a  couple  of  tracks.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  darker  aspects  of  Finnish  History  and  the  psyche. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Soulgrind  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black, d ark,  doom  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Origin  Of  The  White  Serpent"  "In  The  Circus  of  Tuonela"  "Tears  Of  The  Earth"  and  "Into  The  Shadows  of  Devotion".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/SoulgrindFinland 

https://soulgrind.bandcamp.com 

https://youtu.be/aoBIyV44VOY?si=B2Re1BOzSpLleeK0

https://youtu.be/TfVEp2ia900?si=TNqPJ1NU6av3M2lI

https://youtu.be/rgogd6hifI8?si=exYzAwbBD8PnnCvh   

    

Trollband/Batlord Preservation Society Pt. 1/2025 EP Review

 

  Vancouver  B.C,  Canada's  Trollband  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  them  moving  away  from  the  folk  influenced  style  of  pagan  black  metal  from  earlier  recordings  and  does  covers  of  Bathory  from  the  viking  metal  phase  and  this  is  a  review  of t heir  self  released  2025  ep  "Batlord  Preservation  Society".

  Synths  start  off  the  ep  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  giving  the  music  more  of  an  epic  atmosphere.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  guitar  leads  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  style  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

 A  lot  of  the  music  takes  the  old  Bathory  material  and  mixes  it  with  the  bands  approach  to  black  metal  giving  the  songs  more  of  an  up  to  date  touch.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  some  clear  singing  also  being  used  at  times  and  most  of  the  recording  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  On  this  recording  Trollband  takes  3  songs  from  Bathory  and  mixes  it  with  their  approach  to  melodic  pagan  black  metal  to  make  the  songs  sound  more  modern.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  epic  gantasy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Trollband  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  pagan  black  metal  and  Bathory's  viking  metal  style,  you  should c heck  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "The  Stallion".  8  out  of  10.

https://trollband.bandcamp.com/album/batlord-preservation-society-pt-1    

Christ Agony/Demonoloy/Deformeathing Productions/2026 EP Re-issue Review

  This  is  a  review  of  an  earlier  recording  from  Poland's  Christ  Agony  which  showed  the  music  going  for  a  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  dark  metal  and  the  ep  was  originally  released  in  2007  and  called  "Demonology"  and  was  re-issued  in  2026  by  Deformeathing  Productions  with  4  bonus  tracks.

  Synths  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  dark  metal  direction  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams along  with  some  of  the  riffing  also  adding  in  a  touch  of  death  metal  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  most  of  the  ep  also  sticking  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.

  Growls  are  also  used  at  times.  On one  of  the  bonus  tracks  you  can  also  hear  a  brief  use  of  blast beats  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clear  singing,  ritualistic  spoken  words  are  also  added  towards  the  end. The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Demonology,  Luciferian,  Occultism,  Darkness  and  Death  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Christ  Agony  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  occult  black/dark  emtal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Demonology"  "Demonologia"  and  "Lucifer's  Adoration".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/ChristAgony

Chamber Of Unlight/Avernus/Werewolf Records/2026 Full Length Review

  Chamber  Of  Unlight  are  a band  from  Finland  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  an  old  school  form  of   Finnish  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2026  album  "Avernus"  which  will  be  released  on  July  31st  by  Werewolf  Records.

  High  pitched  black  metal  screams  start  off  the  album before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Synths  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era.

  Growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  the  album  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments  and  one  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clear  singing.,  spoken  words  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks.

  On  this  recording  Chamber  Of  Unlight  a  very  epic,  atmospheric,  melodic  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  magick  themes.   

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Chamber  of  Unlight  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic,  atmospheric  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "One  With  The  One"  and  "When  Light  Does  Not  Dare  To  Enter".  8  out  of  10.

https://shop-hellsheadbangers.com/item-group.asp?PgpID=41352

       

Örastimar/Zusammenbruch/Breaking The Chains/2026 Full Length Review

  This  is  the  final  review  of  a  recording  from  Germany's  Örastimar  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  the  album  was  released  in  2025  by  Breaking  The  Chains  and  called  "Zusammenbruch".

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  the  aggression  of  the  old  school  era  of  the  genre  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  all  of  the  songs  also  avoid  the  use  of  any  solos  and  leads  to  focus  more  on  a  heavier  direction,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  closing  track  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  On  this  recording  Örastimar  goes  for  more  of  a  faster  and  raw  style  of  black  metal  which  is  also  very  different  and  more  traditional  sounding  then  the  previous  recordings.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  misanthropy,  hatred  and  anti  society  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is another  great  sounding  album  from  Örastimar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  fast  and  raw  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Demotivatum"  and  "Katharse".  8 out  of  10.

https://oerastimar.bandcamp.com/album/zusammenbruch

   

Örastimar/Kalt/Breaking The Chains/2024 Full Length Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Germany's  Örastimar  which  also  shows  the  music  going  for  a  raw  style  of  black  metal  and  the  album  was  released  in  2024  by  breaking  The  Chains  and  called  "Kalt".

  A  very  distorted  drone  orientated  intro  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  some  of  the  music  also  captures  a  very  lo-fi  atmosphere.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style,  one  track  is  an  instrumental  and  also  adds  in  brief  use  of  synths  and  rain  and  thunder  sounds  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction,  piano's,  choirs  and  spoken  word  smaples  are  also  added  towards  the  end.

  On  this  recording  Örastimar  takes  their  style  of  raw  black  metal  into  a  different  direction  as  well  as  getting  more  aggressive  at  the  same  time.  The  production  sounds  very  dark,  raw  and  lo-fi  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and cover  misanthropy,  hatred  and  anti  society  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Örastimar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  raw  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Staubhallen"  and  "Gottesvieh".  8  out  of  10.

https://oerastimar.bandcamp.com/album/kalt