Begrime Exemious Interview

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

BEGRIME EXEMIOUS is gearing up to go on our Western Canada tour to promote our new album "Visions of the Scourge". We have recently acquired a new guitarist, F. Thibaudeau, and already have some new songs in the works.

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the newer album and how it differs from the older releases?

"Visions of the Scourge" is probably our most savage offering to date. With the addition of T. McClellund, the writing sessions for the record proved to flow out a lot more naturally, and the riffs certainly did flow. This album is less melodic compared to "Impending Funeral of Man", but in place is a more eerie sound due to things like experimenting with various guitar effects. It's definitely what we've all wanted to accomplish.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

Perversions, horror, poisons... just things that make us feel the same way that our music does. We aim to write music that will repulse the average person, and we want that same sort of repulsion to exist within our lyrics.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

The origins of our name lay within the breakdown of the two words. "Begrime" means to darken or make filthy, and "exemious" is a Latin term for light. We are here to cast filth upon the light. Whatever that "light" is to someone... their religion, their hopes, whatever false pretexts have been said to shine on them, we are here to desecrate it.

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

We have played quite a lot of shows over the past 6 years since we started hitting the stage. We've played with bands we enjoy from around the world like EXHUMED, ARES KINGDOM, SUFFOCATION, DESTROYER 666 and that's always a thrilling time. I especially have enjoyed shows we've played with alongside our peers in western Canada, such as MITOCHONDRION, ANTEDILUVIAN, HOOPSNAKE, ISKRA, HAND OF THE HORSEWITCH, MESSIAHLATOR, and FALSEHOOD. Our goal with every show is to make them high energy and intense, because no one wants to watch the garage band next door stare at their hands the whole show. We want people to feel our energy, and with the style of music we play, it is just a natural process that both ourselves and the audience get rowdy.

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

We have a 10 date tour, the "Scourge Across Western Canada Tour 2012" that we have put together. We will be hitting some favourite spots and some new territory with this tour, which hits as many places as we can from Victoria, BC to Winnipeg, MB. This tour will have us playing with some of our favourite Canadian bands like HOOPSNAKE, ISKRA, CHAPEL, INFECT PROPAGANDA, and AUTARIC.

7. I have noticed towards the end of the album there was a cover  of Evil Dead from Death what was the decision behind doing this cover tune?

"Evil Dead" was a song we used to jam when B. Harbak was playing guitar. Being fans of Death and especially Chris Reifert, we kept jamming it when Harbak left, and it eventually made its way into our live set and into the studio.

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

I've read a few really flattering reviews of our new record already from various web zines, and people seem to share our sentiments that it is our best material to date. We often get compared to several other modern black/death metal bands such as ADVERSARIAL, MITOCHONDRION, and ANTEDILUVIAN, which is quite a compliment in itself, although I feel all of us have our strengths and niches that make us all different.

9. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

BEGRIME EXEMIOUS is a full time band for all participants, but we all have other projects, and in T. McClellund's case, a couple other full time bands. T. McClellund has a one man black metal band called BRULVAHNATU, and also plays bass in ANTEDILUVIAN in addition to another project called NOXIOUS NEX. L. Norland currently has no other projects but has contributed many of his skills to bands such as A.M.S.G. and GLORIA DIABOLI. F. Thibaudeau also plays in a black/doom/crust band called FALSEHOOD. D. Orthner plays in a doom/sludge band called CYGNUS in addition to drumming for a grind/d-beat band, DYSPLASIA.

10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

The band has discussed our future path, and not wanting to give too much away, we're hoping to experiment a little more with touching on some of our other influences while retaining our core maniac style of death metal. We won't be playing more melodic material, but we definitely want to revisit some of our doom stylings and push that to different boundaries.

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

While writing "Visions of the Scourge", we were listeing to our usual mixture of extreme metal - AUTOPSY, CARCASS, DARKTHRONE, INCANTATION, ORDER FROM CHAOS - and a good amount of 70's music such as HAWKWIND, PINK FLOYD, BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST. I'm always listening to tons of music, from black, death, thrash, and doom metal, to d-beat/crust/grind, to jazz. Lately I've been enjoying the new ASPHYX and NAPALM DEATH records, as well as our labelmates ANHEDONIST's debut.

12.How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism?

Although some of us take interest in it as a source of lyrical inspiration, I personally am more into nihilistic and existential schools of thought.

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

Film and literature, I especially am a fan of anything mafia or dystopian. The Godfather Parts I & II are the best things ever put to film, and the book is even better. Of course, complete alcoholism and cannabis consumption occurs often, sometimes with other curve balls. I try to spend the nicer days here in Canada outside, exploring what I can find.

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

Thank you for your interest in the band and for the interview! We cannot wait to hit the road and play some great shows this year. The future is wide open for us and we don't plan on letting up any time soon! For those who would like to get in touch with us, emailbegrime@gmail.com.

Iapethos Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the project for those that have never heard of you before?
Iapethos is a one-man band from Finland formed in 2010. Band has just released a first demo entitled "Shrines of Chaos". Demo contains an intro + 6 songs of Black Metal with an industrial touch. The main goal with Iapethos is to create the unique sounding black art and spread the anti-christianity on the ways of music.

2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the demo?I tried to make a sound for guitars that would work with the lifeless and cold programmed drumming. I also tried to generate the rhytms that would differ from the black metal mainstream. Basically on theShrines of Chaos I wanted to create a whole new dark world that would open up with the music. The artwork on the cover booklet is too an important factor for the final ensemble. Have I succeeded or not is a thing for a listener to decide...

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you bring out in your music?
Lyrics are mostly about on death, occultism and anti-christianity. The song "The Call of the Necropolis" is presenting the scenario of welcoming and accepting the death. On "Unleash the Gift of Prometheus" the ancient deities are summoned to set the christian world aflame. Lyrics and music are and will be strongly bound on Iapethos.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?The name Iapethos originates from "Iapetus" the titan. According to Greek mythology Iapetus is the father of Prometheus, the one that created a man and the one that brought the fire from gods to man. So Iapethos is the grand father of the human race. I chose this name because of my passion to old myths and stories it comes from the times before christianity and actually the part of the band name has also a connection with my name.

5. Currently there is only one member, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you prefer to remain solo?
Iapethos will most likely remain as a solo project. However on the future releases there might be some guest musicians as a session members.

6. Currently you are unsigned are you looking for a label and if so, what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for the music?I haven't given much thoughts on it. Personally it's the same for me if I'll just stick to releasing stuff myself. Iapethos will remain underground that's for sure but as the first demo has been just out for a month now, I don't even know are there a labels at the moment interested in BM based on drum programming. Seems like there is a wave of old-school BM going on now.

7. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of black metal?
Well as I am writing these answers, the demo hasn't really been out for long. Only for something like a month. At the moment there are more promotional copies out than sold ones and I haven't had much feedback yet. But so far the response that I've had has been good. Of course I am aware of the fact that some people on the Black Metal scene have a hard time accepting a band with a programmed drumming.  

8.Are there any other projects besides this one, or is this full time?There are some but right now I could say that this one is definitely the main one. 

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?I think Iapethos will grow darker and more weird and original but also definitely will always be Black Metal. There will be more self-made industrial percussion sounds and most likely there will be some key added. The production will also be better.

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

Influences are propably from everything I've listened and read and seen. I mostly listen to black metal, some old death metal, funeral doom and some classical stuff including operas. Main influences of Iapethos are propably coming from the early to mid nineties Black Metal that I grow up with. The interest to create Black Metal with the programmed drumming came from the great bands that have succesfully used such drumming as Mysticum, Octinomos, The Helheim Society, Manes and Summoning. But my personal goal with Iapethos is to create own style and sound unique.

11. How would you describe your views on Occultism and Anti Christianity?Christianity or any other Middle-East born religion should have nothing to do with Finland or Europe. Christianity has already destroyed our own cultures and enslaved enough generations. The laws and morals of the religions have been developed on their source of origin. These religious laws made for the people of the desert thousands of years ago have very little to do with for example Northern Europe today. I think it is time for these force fed religions to dissappear.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Reading about mythologies, religions and some philosphy. for example I am at the moment reading an interesting book called "The Kojiki" that could be called as an epos of Japan. Great ancient art and kinda sad I can't read it on the original language. I also do photographing and making some graphics such as Iapethos's demo covers.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?Thank you very much for the interview and support! Any questions related to the demo or the band can be sent on iapethos666@gmail.com. 
-I-

Grimoire/In The Darkwoods Sovereignity/1995 Demo Review

  Grimoire  where  a  band  from  Israel  that  played  a  very  dark  and  atmospheric  form  of  occult black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  1995  demo  "In  The  Darkwoods  Soverignity".

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  keyboards  bring  a  very  dark,  atmospheric  and  pagan  sound  to  the  music,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  tone  with  primitive  riffs  that  dominate  throughout  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow, mid paced  to  fast  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  raw  and  primitive  sounding  with  some  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times  and  there  are  no guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  add  another  dimension  of  darkness  to  the  music.

  Vocals  are  mostly  hateful  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  a  brief  spoken  word  part,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Mysticism, Philosophy, and  Personal Struggles,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it  while  you  can  still  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

   In  my  opinion  Grimoire  where  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  primitive  atmospheric  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In  The  Darkwoods  Sovereignity"  and  "Conjuration".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Grimoire/4194

SadoCrawl/The Confession Tapes/2004 Demo Review

  SadoCrawl  are  a  band  from  San  Diego,  California  that  plays  a  very  hateful,  raw  and  primitive  form of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2004  demo  "The  Confession  Tapes".

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  great  amount  of  brutal sounding  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  raw  and  primitive sounding  with  some  dark  sounding  melodies  and  influences  from  death  metal  being  thrown  into  the  music  in  addition  the  last  song  is  10  minutes  long  and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  mixed  in  with  some  deep  sounding  death  metal growls  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  being  utilized  on  the  last  song,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Death,  Destruction  and  Despair,  as  for  the  production  it  has a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  SadoCrawl  are  a  very  great  sounding  hateful,  raw  and  primitive  black  metal  band  with  a  death  metal  edge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Homicidal  Vortex"  and  "Strapped  To  A  Chair".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Trist/Stiny/Insikt/2006 CD Review

  Trist  are  a  one  man  band  from  the  Chezch  Republic  that  plays  a  very  depressive  from  of  black  metal  mixed  in  with  some  doom  metal  influences  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2006  album  "Stiny"  which  was  released  by  Insikt.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  fast  playing  or  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  to  mid  paced  depressive,  suicidal  black  metal  riffs  that  utilize  some  doom  metal  influences  and  dark sounding  melodies  with  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  variety  in  addition  the  music  is  very  raw  and  primitive  when  it  comes  to  the  riffing and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  are  all  grim  sounding  depressive,  suicidal  black  metal  screams,  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in their  native  tongue  with  themes  that  cover  melancholy,  pain,  negativity  and  dark  abstract  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion Trist  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  primitive  depressive, suicidal  black  metal band with  a  doom  metal  edge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Samota"  and  "Stiny".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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A Ravens Forest/Werewolves Chants/2004 Demo Review

  A  Ravens  Forest  are  a  band  from  Quebec,  Canada  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  primitive  form  of  black  metal  with  a  melodic  edge  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2004  demo"Werewolves  Chants".

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  some  primitive  and  melodic  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  as  for  the  synths  when  they  are  used  they  add  an  atmospheric  sound  to  the  music  without  being  a  lead  instrument.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sounding  with  a  good  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  that  bring  a  pagan  feeling  to  the  music  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  raw,  primitive  and  melodic  sounding  black  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when t hey  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  add  a  feeling  of  darkness  and  nature  to  the  music.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black metal  screams  with  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing  vocals  as  well  as  some  deep  growls  being  utilized  on  one  song  in  addition  there  are  a  small  amount  of  whispers,  while  the  lyrics  cover nature,  hate,  power  and  black  magick,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  A  Ravens  Forest  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  primitive  black  metal  band  with a  melodic  edge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "1837"  and  "Werewolves  Chant".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/A_Ravens_Forest/34717

Winterfylleth/The Ghost Of Heritage/Candlelight Records/2012 CD Re-Issue Review

  Winterfylleth  are  a  band  from  Manchester,  England  that  has  had  their  previous  album  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  sound  that  I  would  describe  as  being  atmospheric  pagan/black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2008  album  "The  Ghost  of  Heritage"  which  was  re-issued  by  Candlelight  Records  during  the  year  of  2012.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  synths  bring  a  very  dark  and  atmospheric  sound  to  the  music when  they  are  utilized,  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  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  epic  pagan/black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  raw  and  primitive  sounding  at  times  long  with  a  brief  use  of  dark  sounding  melodies  with  the  songs  being  long  in  length  along  with  a  couple  of  instrumentals  and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  full  chords  and  finger  picking  to  bring  an  epic  medieval  pagan  feeling  to  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  hateful  and  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  that  have  a  depressive  feeling  to  them  at  times  to  clean singing  pagan  metal  vocals  along  with  some  Gregorian  themes  and  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  in  addition  there  is  a  small  use  of  deep  growls  being  utilized  on  a  song  as  well  as  some  whispers  on  the  bonus  track,  while the  lyrics  cover  Runes,  Anglo  Saxon  Paganism,  Heritage,  History  and  Battles,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful.  professional  and  heavy  sound  to  it  while  still  retaining  the  raw  and  primitive  nature  of  the  music.

  In  my  opinion  this  was  a  a  great  album  from  Winterfylleth  and  if  you  where  a  fan  of  their  last  album,  you  should  check  this  one  out.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Mam  Tor  (The  Shivering  Mountain)"  "The  Ghost  Of  Heritage"  "Forging  The  Iron  Of  England"  and  "Casting  The  Runes".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Vanhelga Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Vanhelga is just another fucked up creation in this fucked up world. If you like atmospheric, obscure and melancholic music maybe you will like what you hear.

For inspiration I like to taste and feel blood (preferably my own). You can use the pain from selfmutilation together with drugs and music to reach beautiful levels of consciousness.  I also think that the taste and feel of blood is inevitable when obtaining this state of euphoria. At least that is the case for me.

Note that these are just my personal predelictions and many other people would certainly disagree. But it's their loss and I doubt they've ever tried things like that.

Why do I tell you this? I don't know, maybe because it might give you a picture of Vanhelga. I don't want to describe the music with words or categories like ”black metal” because stuff like that aren't enough to describe the music.

Actions speak louder than words.. Or what was it? I can't remember.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the newer stuff and how it differs from the older recordings?
The old stuff is less complex and more straight forward. It's more primitive but not in a bad way. I think all the material is equally good, it just reflects different states of mind.

On the new album “Höst”, that will be released by Art Of Propaganda and Obscure Abhorrence Productions, I use another style of recording, both for the instruments and the vocals. The album feels like a natural progression for Vanhelga.

I would say it's definately more experimental and I would hate to release stuff that sound exactly like the other stuff I've already created. What's the point in that?

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
The older stuff deals a lot with different occult theories. Philosophy have always been a part of the music and always will be. 'Mortem Illuminate Mea' is a reflection of some experiences I had while working with the Draconian Current. It also sums up a lot of the philosophical thoughts I had at that point.

You could say that the newer stuff deal with topics of a more personal nature. Anxiety, depression and death. The things I embrace and love.  I've read somewhere that “Blessed are the sick”  and I must say that it's a correct statement.

I don't have any certain rules or directions when I create stuff for Vanhelga. I do what feels right at the moment and I don't care about anything else.

4. I know that the band name means desecrate in Swedish, why did you decide to pick this name for the band?

It's about finding your own way.  You go against the stream. Realizing that there's no right or wrong in life. That you are the creator of your own reality. (One can say that to desecrate something holy is equal with the concept of “going your own way”). You don't care about other peoples rules or morality.  You create your own morality - knowing that in the end it's worth nothing anyway.

There's nothing special about true or false, right or wrong, good or evil. It's just something we've invented and then decided it's meaning. The only thing that truly gives it meaning is ourselves. Thats why in some cultures it's considered an act of goodness to celebrate when someone have died while in other cultures it's an act of evil and considered as sick.

Unfortunately most people don't see this. They're stuck in the illusory state of dualism.  Limiting their minds with unnecessary rules that they've been brainwashed with since birth.

I wanted the band name to be a statement saying “Fuck you” to all the worthless human slaves out there and also like an exhortation.

5. Has the band had any opportunities to do any live shows, if so what are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
No live shows yet. However I have some ideas and I think Vanhelga will start doing shows in the near future. I want to take the music to new dimensions by performing it live. I say new dimensions because you can reach different states of mind while performing live. Trancelike states. And of course, there will be a lot of blood and alcohol used.

6.The last release came out on Art Of Propaganda, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?
I was looking for a label to work with for Vanhelgas upcoming releases  when I got in contact with Art Of Propaganda. They're great support and I'm very pleased with the co-operation. I think we will work together for a long while.

7. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by fans of black metal?
To be honest, I don't know.

8. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this full time?
No other projects that are worth mentioning here.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Only the future will know. As I feel at the moment I want to do more complex rhythms and experiment some more when recording. For the live part - you'll see when we do our first live show.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I guess  the music is influenced  to some degree by Metallica, Iron Maiden, Dissection, Mayhem, Burzum, Meshuggah, LifeLover and Arckanum to name a few. They're bands I listen to nowadays. I also listen to Vildhjarta and King Diamond/Mercyful Fate.

11. How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism?
I've studied them a lot. If I would write down all my conclusions, experiences and opinions about them, well, then this interview would become a book.

However, it's just words. Words are poor and insufficient when describing things. You only  end up limiting the thing you try to describe. Therefor I suggest that you start doing  and experiencing  things instead of reading/writing about them. The only thing you do when using words is to limit yourself.

To really start experiencing reality you'll need to let go of your logic thinking and all these 'Words'. I know it's hard but listening to music can be a good way of achieving this (especially combined with other things – make it more ritualistic).

That's my view.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Philosophy. Lying down in a chair, numbed out by alcohol and listening to music while the blood runs fresh from different parts of the body. Taking sleeping pills. That's one of my new favorite things to do.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Only when you embrace death you truly start living!
Thanks for the support and keep destroying your lives - it's the only sane thing to do.

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Sarcofago/Decade Of Decay/Greyhaze Records/Cogumelo/2012 CD Compilation Re-Issue Review

  Sarcofago  where  a  band  from  Brazil  that  where  one  of  the  first  war  metal  bands  than  evolved  more  into  black/thrash  and  death  metal  over  the  years  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  1995  compilation album  "Decade  Of  Decay"  which  was  re-issued  in  2012  as  a  joint  effort  between  Greyhaze  Records and  Cogumelo  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  along  with  some  brutal  sounding  blast  beats  as  well  as  a  variety  of  extreme  metal genres  since  the  band  experimented  alot  over  the  years,  while  the  synths  when  they  are  utilized  add  a  dark  atmosphere  to  the  music  without  being  a  lead  instrument,  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  at  times  they  have  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  cover  a  variety  of  genres  over  the  years  such  as  war  metal,  black  metal,  black/thrash  and  technical  death  metal  along  with  some  dark sounding  melodies  in  addition  the  songs  from  the  later  material  are  alot  longer  than  the  earlier  stuff  that  is  presented  towards  the  end  of  the  album,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  raw,  chaotic  and  primitive  sounding  black/death/thrash  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  add  another  dimension  of  darkness  to  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  high  pitched  black/thrash  metal  screams  and  deep  death  metal  growls  along  with  a  brief  use  of  Tom Araya  type  melodic  screams  in  addition  there  are  also  some  thrash  gang  shouting  back  up  vocals,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  hateful,  satanic,  occult  and  anti  christian  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  ranges  over  the  years  with  the  early  stuff  having  a  very  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it  while  the  later  material  has  a  very  strong,  powerful  and  heavy  sound.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  great  compilation  album  from  Sarcofago  that  covers  their  first  10  years  of  metal,  and  if  you  are  into  the  variety  of  musical  styles  that  they  have  experimented  with  during  that  time,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Midnight  Queen"  "Rotting"  "Desecration  Of  Virgin"  and  "Satanas".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Iapethos/Shrines Of Chaos/Demo 2012 Review

  Iapethos  are  a  1  man  band  that  plays  a  mixture  of  raw  anti  christian/occult  black  metal  and  industrial  percussion  with  the  music  focusing  more  on black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2012  demo  "Shrines  Of  Chaos".

  Drum  programming  ranges  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  programmed  beats  with  some  brutal  blast  beats  being  added  to  the  music  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sounding  with  a  good  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  music  along  with  a  brief  use  of  thrash/industrial  riffing  in  addition  the  songs  are  not  too  long  or  short  providing  a  great  balance  and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording  except  for  certain  parts  and  they  have  a  raw,  chaotic  and  primitive  feeling  to  them.

  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  grim  sounding,  hateful  and  high  pitched  black  metal  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover dark,  occult  and  anti  christian  themes,  as  for  the  production it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Iapethos  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  primitive  anti  christian/occult  black  metal  project  with  an  industrial  edge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Unleash  The  Gift  Of  Prometheus"  "Iapethos  Xul"  and  "Enter  The  World  Of  Silhouettes".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Martolea Interview

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

There is not much going with the project these days, as I did not yet start working on anything new. But this may change in a few days or a few months, we’ll have to see about this. I do not plan things. They just happen.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new material and how it differs from the previous recordings?

I spent more time into getting the sound that I wanted. I wanted to have something aggressive, more harsh, raw and crude but in the same time to allow for serene moments introduced by the wind instruments. I have also tried adding more variety in the rhythmic section and exploring non-conventional song structures.Furthermore, the whole album is faster paced than the previous recordings and definitely more aggressive. The overall production brought much more detail and besides the pipes, all instruments have a major contribution to the overall soundscape. As I am doing everything myself in terms of recording, mixing and production, I learned a lot since the beginnings of Marțolea and this has made it easier to get exactly what I wanted.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the music?

The album was thought as a "Night of the Beasts" concept, where demonic entities come in, appear and disappear in a remotely located area, in the middle of the mountains. Their actions are most times terrifying for the humans that they encounter. The lyrics deal with horror stories of these Beasts, with passages taken from traditional rituals and chants or from old stories that transpose the listener in the middle of this terrifying dark and haunted forest. Each song adds to this conceptual image, with the intention of luring the listener into the dark abyss from where there is no return. The third song of the rooster will vanish the demonical appearances and will mark the end of the evil supremacy. The exit is envisioned by the instrumental song ‘Zorii’(The dawn), which is a death allegory that brings peace and rest in a serene soundscape. The atmosphere turns dark again with the presence of the ravens, messengers of death.

4. I know that the project was named after a demon out of Romanian folklore, what was it that you interested about this particular deity in order to name the project after that?

Many of the demons in the Romanian folklore have impressed me but I like Marțolea because it is the image of the punisher that can take any form in order to deceive its victims. And the forms it takes are quite a few. Besides, the name is something totally unexpected for anything, thus confusing people, but in the same time captivating their interest. This is my intention exactly.

5. Currently there is only one member, have you thought of expanding the line-up or do you choose to remain solo?

I have thought about having guest musicians at one point, but nothing seriously. Who knows, maybe in the future, there may be room for experimenting with guest musicians…it’s hard to tell. I have not started working on anything new, so I am not sure if this will happen. But the musical project is personal and it will remain that way.

6. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label and if so what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for the music?

I am not interested in this stuff. This is for the music industry that makes money (or not) out of bands or fans. I have received some offers from labels, but I would very much like to stay independent. 

7. You have released music for free download, how do you feel that it gets the word out and do you plan on releasing an album in the future that people have to pay for?

My intention is not to make any money out of my music. Therefore everything is available for free download and I plan to have it in the same way in the future. Of course many people are interested in having a physical product so I have released my music as such, but I am trying to keep the costs to the bare minimum. So interested people can also buy the CD directly from me at a marginal cost. As I said, I do not make a profit out of this; therefore I wouldn’t care less if I sold more or less.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black/pagan/folk metal?

I have to say the feedback was very good, definitely exceeding my expectations! I guess Marțolea brings something new and original to the black metal genre and I am glad people see it like this. Besides the people from Romania, who can relate and easier understand the concept, I had feedback from all over the world, ranging from Greenland to South America and Australia. I think it’s amazing to get the music so far out, without any label to promote you or any worldwide distribution. It’s just the word of mouth and people sharing music!

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

It’s hard to talk about the future right now and I am not sure how to describe at this point any future release. When the right time will come, there will be a new concept. The future is really dark right now…

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

I listen to a mix of different styles, mostly black metal, horror heavy metal or Viking/pagan but recently added more death metal in the pool. It all depends on the mood and I have periods when I just listen to neoclassic folk/ambient. Even though I try to keep up with the new releases, I am still digging up music from the nineties and give them a chance. I was listening to mostly Kampfar and Iron Maiden when I worked on the last album, but these days I am listening to some nineties classic death metal albums and some more progressive bands like Arcturus or Diablo Swing Orchestra. These days I was listening to some older Helheim albums and a band that I recently found named Ghost, which are great by the way!

11. How would you describe your views on Romanian Paganism and Folklore and do you have any interest in any other forms of Paganism Or Occultism?

Regarding Romanian Paganism it is very hard to draw a line, separating between christian influence and original, pre-christian heritage. Much of the pagan heritage has been corrupted or thinned in the last century by various influences. I am glad I was born in a region that is famous for it’s strong liaisons with the past, a region where tradition as well as old customs and ways of thinking have survived better than everywhere else. I am interested in my own heritage more than anything, without needing to put a label on it. There is a lot of wisdom in all these stories and folk tales. There is a special feeling when you can connect with your ancestors, and this is for me what I am mostly interested. With Marțolea I try to extract some of the dark feelings and emotions of this heritage and embrace them within dark music. I would not say I am interested in specific forms of Occultism although I was always fascinated and captivated by the dark side in all its aspects.

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

Perhaps surprising, I am an engineer and I am currently working with robotics, electronics and software and I do research within these fields. I also like audio equipment and I am actively trying to improve my gear. I like cars, some sports and I also like traveling quite a lot. There are many other things I would like to do if I had more time. Other than that, I love nature and prefer to spend as much time as possible within my home mountains just contemplating over the spectacular views with a cold beer in my hands and some good friends by my side. If that is not always possible, the Danish fjords are fascinating as well.

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

Thanks a lot for introducing Marțolea to your readers and thanks a lot for your interest in my project! My best wishes to you and your readers!

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Begrime Exemious/Visions Of The Scourge/Dark Descent Records/2012 CD Review

  Begrime Exemious are a band from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada that plays a mixture of black, thrash, death and war metal and this is a review of their 2012 album "Visions Of The Scourge" which was released by Dark Descent Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a great amount of brutal sounding blast beats being thrown into the music, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful sound to them.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast riffs that combine the rawest elements of black, war, death and thrash metal to create a sound of their own along with some dark sounding melodies with a cover of Death's Evil Dead being a hidden track towards the end of the recording, while the lead guitars are very chaotic sounding black/thrash guitar solos and leads that bring back memories of the underground 80's metal scene.

Vocals range from high pitched black/war metal screams and deep death metal growls along with a brief use of samples from films, while the lyrics cover Nihilism, Satanism, War and Horror, as for the production it has a very dark, heavy, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Begrime Exemious are a very great sounding hybrid of black, war, death and thrash metal and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Oath Of Impiety" "Sacrament Of Virgin Flesh" and "Relic Of Befouled Incantations". RECOMMENDED BUY.

www.begrime.orphy.net

www.begrimeexemious.bandcamp.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Begrime-Exemious/93434439354

Wheels Within Wheels/Merkaba/Split/The Flenser/2012 Cassette Review

  This is a review of a split about between 2 bands from Kentucky Wheels Within Wheels and Merkaba which was released by The Flenser in 2012 and we will start of the review with Wheels Within Wheels which plays atmospheric drone/doom metal/noise.

Drums range from slow to mid paced drumming with not much in the way of fast playing or blast beats, while the sound effects bring a very dark and avant garde sound 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.

Rhythm guitars range from slow to mid paced done/doom metal riffs that have some shoegaze and black metal influences with some dark sounding melodies being thrown into the 20 minute song and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present in the music.

Vocals are mixed down low in the mix and are used very rarely but the parts I heard where high pitched black metal/noise screams with some chanting at the end of the song, while the song concept revolves around body and blood themes, as for the production it has a very dark, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Wheels Within Wheels are a very great sounding atmospheric noise/drone/doom metal hybrid and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED.

Next up is Merkaba a band that plays a very atmospheric form of black metal.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with some blast beats being thrown into the music at times.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast atmospheric black metal riffs that have the modern sound and can be very raw and primitive sounding during the 20 minute sound with some weird distorted parts being thrown in at times in addition there is a brief use of soft and clean playingwhich brings a progressive music feeling to the music and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on their side of the recording.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics cover very dark themes, as for the production it has a very dark, raw and primitive sound to it which is perfect for this style.

In my opinion Merkaba are a very great sounding modern day atmospheric black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band and they have the best music on this split. RECOMMENDED.

In conclusion this is a very great split and I would recommend this to all fans of black metal, drone, doom and noise. RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Wheels_Within_Wheels/3540278836
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Merkaba/3540324668