Shadowdream Interview

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

Just recently I have signed with Italian label WormHole Death Records which will release my sixth full length album titled Um. This album also marks my 10 year musical work under the name Shadowdream. I must add that I am more than happy with collaboration with the WormHole Death, as they are very honest and professional label.

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

I was preparing this album for three years, as not only the concept for it but the whole process of materializing this concept into the right sound was very exhausting. As with previous Shadowdream work, the album is dealing with certain themes I find mesmerizing and worth exploring.

The theme here are the struggles of a schizophrenic mind, the process of losing the touch with the reality and crossing the line into the deepest disturbances a human mind can produce. Therefore, the album title is Um, which is Serbian word for mind and the music I describe as “psychotic jazz”, but in a metaphorical way, as it is not, for example, psychotic in a free-jazz way. The music is a mixture of dark ambient and jazz.

On every Shadowdream record the music comes from within the theme, so some Shadowdream albums are more neoclassical, some electronic, some metal, but the core is the same – eclectic musical expression in order to enlighten me and individuals who want to think, as the music is always a two way process – It is not just what I compose, it is how the spectator on the other end perceive it. And everyone who thinks with their own mind will perceive it differently, that is the beauty of it.

3.The earlier material was more black metal but the newer stuff  is more ambient, what was the decision behind going into this musical direction?

First three releases were black metal, but as the concepts for the albums became more complex and my thirst for artistic exploration bloomed, I have progressed into ambient / neoclassical / jazz style, which still has black metal influences, they are just played and expressed differently.

4.What are some of the  concepts  and images you bring out with your newer music?

As for the latest album, I have already explained the concept behind it. Previous two albums were dealing with artistic and scientific spheres I hold very dear and close to me – Renaissance and Astronomy. With music I tried to evoke the human imagination in order to experience, if only for a minute, the greatness of the achievements these two themes brought to us.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Shadowdream'/

The inspiration and meaning behind the Shadowdream lies in the idea that Art gives an answer to what cannot be answered. Therefore, it gives me and people who listen to the music, a new dimension which could help understand as well as to pose new questions on the ideas and themes I am dealing with.

6.With this project you work all solo, do you feel this adds to the creativity of the music?

Absolutely, as I have freedom to work at my own pace and there are no restrictions in how to approach the matter in question. As the themes are quite complex and require good background preparation i.e. reading and exploring the matter, the time and subjectivism is really important.

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

The feedback was great. I am very happy with that as I am not composing music to please anyone’s taste but mine.

8.What is going on with your other musical projects these days?

Currently, there are two more bands I am involved in. First is a Serbian Black metal act Ancient Sorrow (https://myspace.com/ancientsorrowhorde), which is working on the upcoming EP, while second one is a Swedish Deaosophic Death/Black Metal Dys Inbunden (https://www.facebook.com/DysInbunden13), that is currently working on second album and is in the progress of promoting the first album worldwide.

9.Where do you see the project heading into musically during the future?

I will need some time to clear my mind from the current album and concept behind it and search some new challenging ideas and themes in order to continue the Shadowdream. When I find the ideas, the musical style will start to come on it’s own.

10.According to the bio you have an interest in astronomy, can you tell us a little bit more about it?

That is correct. Astronomy was always a thing of interest for me, not just because it puts in perspective some of the greatest scientific questions, but because it shows us how insignificant we actually are on a grand scale. The whole symphony and cacophony happening at the same time is amazing to follow first hand and it inspires me in my Artistic journey.

11.Also the bio said you had an interest in Mayan Civilization and have written many essays about it, what is it that interests you about this ancient tribe?

The main interest behind the Mayas is their scientific achievements, which again brings me to the astronomical themes, but also the cultural and artistic features of this great civilization. However, the fall of the Mayas and the mysticism behind it is a driving force in my exploration of them.

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?

I basically listen to all sorts of musical styles and bands, as I can find something interesting in any number of them. Mainly, I listen to metal music, jazz, classical, electronic, rock etc., but am always open to exploring new horizons. Just now I am enjoying in the brooding atmosphere of Dale Cooper Quartet & The Dictaphones and Paimonia’s Disease Named Humanity, an excellent death/black record from this Serbian band.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

As I have an MA degree in Cinema, one of my greatest passions are moving images. I am a massive film collector as well as the owner of Sunsettlers Cinema, where I work as a film director, editor and director of photography. That is the reason why I create conceptual albums based on the program music style, as I want to create a film without moving images, just with music tones.

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

Thank you for the interview and to those few who read this to the very end.

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The Great Old Ones 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?

Jeff: Since the recording, we have worked on a new live show for a tour we made in april (Roadburn festival, Belgium...), which went very well. the new album was released recently, we already have some nice reviews and we look forward for more.

2. So far the band has released 2 albums and a single, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical sound that is presented on all of thew recordings and also how do they differ from each other?

We recorded 2 albums with Cyrille Gachet. For the first one, we experimented the sound. The sound of the first album is aerial, drums may be a little setback, it's a raw album. The second one has a much more powerful sound, we spent more days to record, drums are better mixed and the whole sound is more consistent.

3.The bands name and song lyrics come form the writings of H/.P Lovecraft, can you tell us a little bit more about your interested in this author?

It's a fantasy author we read, mostly in our childness and we have pleasure in reading the stories again. We think that he really created a very special atmosphere, and with his own style he let something in his time, surely one of the greatest horror writer. "Mountains of Madness" is the perfect name, with this special dreammood. We also would recommend the Call of Cthulhu", "The Dream-Quest of Unknown Kadath" and many others.

4.Does the band have any interest in Occultism?

We are not involved in occultism but we love everything around this subject in cinema, literature and art in general

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

We believe that every set is a unique moment. So it is really difficult to choose a better show on an another. We discuss after each concert in order to improve ourselves. We can say that the Hellfest 2013 and Roadburn 2014 gigs were exceptional in terms of quality. During the show, we want to create a dark atmosphere using smoke, black dresscode and recently we add a lightman in the crew in a way to really have our own atmosphere on stage.

6.Do you have nay touring or show plans for the new album?

We will make the release party of the album in our county, we also have a gig in Toulouse with Kylesa and the Under The Black Sun festival near Berlin in July, the Motocultor Festival in August and maybe a european tour in October or November .....

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

At the moment, the return is more than favorable ..  We have a loyal fans following us in many concerts.

8.What is going on with the other musical projects these days that some of the band members are involved with?

Benjamin et I have a doom project called Drame, It's a project who speeks about the loss of the loved ones and it will be instrumental. I also have an accoustical project called « Frileuse ». Leo plays in a funk band called Massada and a jazz project, he also have a grind one named Obélix, Xavier has a drone project.

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

At the moment, we focus on the promotion of the new album, and in the future, we already have some ideas, but you will know about in the right time.

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

We are influenced by black metal in general and bands like "Neurosis", "Cult of Luna", "Year of No Light", but we listen to many different styles,

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

I am also an illustrator and painter.

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

Thank you for this interview, you are invited to listen our new album on our bandcamp : thegreatoldones.bandcamp.com

Dimholt Interview

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

The idea about Dimholt came in 2003 when we first discussed the subject with Woundheir (vocals). We shared some thoughts on a possible co-operation and soon the band was born, at least as project in its initial form. It was not until the next year, 2004, when the first musical ideas came into form, and in 2005 Rumen (guitars) joined Dimholt to mark the completion of the band that was to come. Later Yavor (bass) joined the band too, and soon after that Stanimir was auditioned and invited to the band as well. One of the things that slowed down the whole process of creating music and rehearsing was the fact that I was residing in Germany for most of the time and spent just a couple of months in Bulgaria each year. Until 2010, when I came back home for good.

2.Recently you had released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from your previous demo and ep?

The debut album captures our view on black metal and the ideas that we had developed throughout the years. Some of the songs had already been composed in 2005/2006 but found their place in the album as we thought they fit properly to the overall sound.
We didn't have any particular concept about the album. Our main desire was to create music in terms of black metal that carries a variety of emotions and that shows as much possible intensity with regard to the sound. Yet we never closed the door to influences from other genres that each of us enjoys in some way.
The difference in comparison to the prevous releases is that we improved some of the arrangements and the sound in technical terms since we felt it neccessary in some of the songs.

3.This is the first release in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time?

The period 2010 – 2012 was intense regarding gigs, so we did everything possible to play live and work on new songs for a debut album. The actual recordings for "Liberation Funeral" started in 2012 but we had different kind of obstacles (technical ones and sometimes just ordinary daily life stuff) that came in our way and pushed the release of the debut further. But finally it saw the light of day.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

The dominant part of the lyrics deal with inner emotions and one's soul journey through the darker side of reality. Some of the songs describe scenes of loss and pain, others try to elaborate on some philosophical topics.

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

Dimholt is the wood situated before the entrace to the Paths of the dead in the "Lord Of The Rings" story. Woundheir came up with the idea to name the band afer it, as it also translates into something like a dark, obscure wood, if we take the direct meaning of the words dim and holt.

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

Our gigs with Cradle Of Filth in 2013 in Sofia and more recently – Rotting Christ – were  one of our most memorable experiences, not olnly because of the bands with played with, but also due to the fact that we managed to play on a larger stage which gave us a lot more energy and presented our music in a different way. But larger stage is not a must – recently on a mini-tour in Romania we played in some clubs with the size of a regular pub and the acceptance and energy from the visitors was indescribable.

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

Right now we are preparing ourselves for an official album promotion and after that we will check the opportunities to play in different plaes in Bulgaria to present "Liberation Funeral". Gigs abroad will also be considered, especially after the summer when club are more active and schedule live performances.

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

We are looking for a label and we will check the opportunity to come in contact with anyone interested. With the release of the album we will consider any offers.

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

So far the debut has received positive feedback, or at least on an underground level, so to say. We don't aim at major media exclusively but at anyone interested to check the band is more than welcome. In general, the feedback has been mostly positive – by reviewers and by fans during gigs.

10.Are the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?

Woundheir is also the vocalist of Bulgarian death metal band Impenitence and Yavor, our bass player, fronts the sludge/post metallers Trysth where he handles vocals and bass too. Both bands are preparing releases which well be  a fact very soon.

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

As far as black metal is considered, for know it seems a solid foundation for us. Yet we will not hesitate to bring in other influences, if we feel it fits our purpose. For us black metal brings a soundscape with a specific feeling and it naturally appears, no matter what stylistical approaches  are being used in a song.

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?

Each of us enjoys a variety of music genres and sub-genres. Our main influence have been the classic black metal bands of the 90s but recent prominent acts such as Wolves In The Throne Room or Deathspell Omega have also had a great influence on us.

Personal tastes vary within the band – from classic black and death metal to doom and even post- rock/sludge acts of these days.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

We all have daily jobs and it consumes a lot of our personal life so the music takes most part of the time that's left of a regular daily life. I would say, although it may sound cliche but any outgoing activities that brings us closer to nature is a good choice, at least for me. It is not so about the inspiration people always say it provides but more like  an escape from the rashness and routine of modern life. But ultimately we are human beings, so anything like books/movies or other art is present in our interests list.

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

First of all I would like to thank you for the opportunity to share some thoughts about Dimholt. We wish your zine the best of luck and give you kudos for exploring different bands from various regions/backgrounds.
"Liberation Funeral" is already out and anyone interested is more than welcome to check our exploration of the black metal art.

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Fordarv Interview

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

GAST: At the moment we are preparing to release our full length album Between the Eternities.
The starting point in this will be to release a song from the album in advance on youtube, which will happen on the night of Walpurga. Alongside with that we are working on new material for a third release.

2.I have read that you recently finished recording your second album and already working on material for a third album, can you tell us a little bit more about your current musical direction and also how does it differ from the music that was presented on your ep? What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

GAST: The second album (that is, our full length Between the Eternities) will be somewhat different than Echo. The musical approach this time will be more aggressive. We have some shorter songs with a fiercer style, alongside with a couple of longer songs which may remind more of Echo due to their more epic sound.The subject on this album will be that of Death, from different perspectives.

EN: The music is also less melodic than on Echo and uses more grim chords and chordprogressions such as dim7, +5, m-9 chords and so on. This we think contributes to a more sinister and/or uncanny wibe to the whole music. Also the sound of the recording is quite different from Echo.Between the Eternites sound more claustrophobic and caged compared to Echo which had a more open and thin sound...


GAST: When it comes to our third release, we will divulge more information in time. But at this point I still think it is safe to say that this music will be more minimalistic and epic sounding than Between the Eternities.



3.Can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in occultism, mythology and philosophy?

GAST: We find that these subjects do a pretty good job in giving words to those things that can not be expressed in words, for instance ideas about the state of Death. These are old ideas and thoughts which we find still have a lot of relevance today.
Some ideas are eternal and timeless, as we find our music. The subjects mentioned above goes well with our aim to create music to put the listener into a trancelike state so that he/she may dig deeper into himself/herself to find the personal treasures hidden in the darkness.

4.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?

GAST: To present new members to the band poses a risk we think. We have a certain chemistry as a duo which we would like to remain, so no, we do not feel the need to add new members to this project.

5.The ep came out on Nigredo Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

GAST: Nigredo Records is a newborn label run by Katia Losanno, a true devotee to darker music.
The name Nigredo itself is an alchemic term describing the first step of many to find the Philosopher's Stone.
This is a painful state, "blacker than black" which requires a lot from the practicing magician.
Katia's aim is that the music she presents is to correspond to this state. And we feel that this is really the right label for us, not only when it comes to our agenda, but the collaboration with Katia has been great. She is really passionate about her music
and our relationship has become intimate in the sense that she contributes not only with musical advices but also with lyrics and promo photos for example (not to mention the excellent food and wine).

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

GAST: Nothing but positive! So far at least. It seems that many people have been craving this raw, primitive old school black metal which we want to create. More people in fact, than we initially thought. So yes, it has been a great support for what we want to do so far.

7.When will the new album be released?

GAST: It will be released sometime during the Summer.But there is no exact date set yet.

8.What are some of the bands or musical that have had an influence on your music?

GAST & EN: We are always influenced by the old stuff, that is first and second wave of black metal. This includes classic bands like Bathory, Mayhem, Darkthrone, Burzum, Dissection, Master's Hammer etc.
We are also influnced by other types of music like classical and medieval music.

9.On your blogspot you mention the hermetic philosopher Giordano Bruno who was burned at the stake,
can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this philosopher?

GAST: Apart from Bruno's philosophical works, based on the hermetic perception of the world, we see him as a strong symbol of free speech and a man who had a firm faith of his own ideas. So firm, in fact, that he oppossed the papal state and for that was burned. Needles to say, the papal state was probably more frightened than he was and this is a classic example of "the pen is mightier than the sword"; Bruno's ideas lives on whereas the acts of the papal state are being looked down upon nowadays. The reason why we mentioned him was simply because our final mix of Between the Eternities was finished on the day of his death,
the 17th of February, which coincedentally is the day of birth of Quorthon. We like to underline coincidences, to us they are meaningful.

10.What are some of your non musical interests?

GAST & EN: Literature, philosophy, religion

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

GAST: We thank you for the oppurtunity for this interview and the support! Follow us on our official blog www.fordarvsweden.blogspot.se or our label www.nigredorecords.com (which now also exist on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NigredoRecords ).
New material will be announced soon! Support the Underground and let's keep the Flame alive! 

The Nightstalker 2014 Interview

1.Can you give us an update with what is going on with both Sercati and the Nightstalker these days?
1. A lot of things. We have release our new albums with the both project and we start the promotion. I finish and release the second book about the story of the Nightstalker. I'm very happy. And one of our friend translate the book in english to export it. We finally find two news guitar players. Florian Hardy and Olivier Clément. Very nice guys and with us in the story of The Nightstalker. They are some friends and they already supported us before join the band.

2.Recently you have put out new albums with both projects, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recordings and also how do they differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

2. For the second album of Sercati, the most important thing was that there was only Yan and me for the recording. We worked together to find some new sound. We illustrated the fight of the nightstalker against the hound from hell. The track are more energic and epic. We worked in a very good collaboration between Yannick, Jonny Mazzeo (our session guitarist for this album) and me. We can feel it when we listen the track. The writing of the songs were more complete.

For the second album of The Nightstalker, i didn't know what would be the subject of the tracks. So, i finally choose the most important thing to do. Speak about the other character and what's happening in the city. So, i go deeper in the story and illustrate all the characters with some songs. The ambiance are different to correspond of the mind of the character that the nightstalker explains. It's how the nightstalker see them and the world around him, it's all the album like that. It's not a step in the story but an explanation of the context.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical concept of The Nightstalker with these 2 new albums and where it picks up from on the past albums?

3. For Sercati, at the end of the tales of the fallen, a new character comes and warn the nightstalker about a future struggle with him. It's the first real ennemi who Lucifer send to destroy him. It's a physical and mind fight between them. We follow all the doubt of The Nightstalker. It's the direct next part of the story.

For the Nightstalker, it's different. There is a lot of thing to tell about the other character and the universe, so it's more like a explicative album and a way to discover the context of the story and the future character that the Nightstalker will see in his adventure in Sercati and in the next album of The Nightstalker.

4.Are there any touring plans for Serecati with the new album and also will you also be bringing in more live songs from the solo project?

4. We have some live show in Belgium and yes we play two or three songs from The Nightstalker project

5.How do you feel black metal fans will react to the new albums that you have released and also have the reviews also been positive?

5. For Sercati, there is a lot of good feedback but for The Nightstalker i'ts different. The people like or don't like there is no equilibrium, it's yes or not. Sometimes it's difficult for the review.

6.Where do you see the concept of the Nightstalker picking up on future albums and also what musical direction can we expect from future albums?

6. I hope to write three books more and follow the story with Sercati. The other project, i think to give him some orginal stories, maybe, or continue to explore the other face of the story. We thought to tell the story of one cop of the Natural City police Departement.

7.Out of the 2 albums that you have released which one are you the most happy with?

7. The both, it's all my work. I'm very glad because some people believe in my work and my character, so i want to give him a lot of adventure.

8.Have you discovered any good music during the last year?

8. Sword at hymns. The single and the full album are very good. The new Heathen Foray too. I discover "Happy Days" too and Sombre Labyrinthe.

9.Are there any plans in the future do introduce any other concepts in your song writing besides the ones you already have written about?

9. Yes, we really thought to tell a parralel story. See the story behind other eyes. We have a character in the book. A cop, the Sergent Patrick Matennen. He don't know that there is some angels and demons in his city (and in the world). He follows the action but without the truth. I wrote the second book about his story.

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

10. Thanks to Occultblackmetalzine to support us. I invite all people to go on our facebook page's and support us. And we hope to continue the story.

Thanks to you for this opportunity. We are very glad of this. Have a nice day

Steve

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Yass-Waddah/Cities Of The Red Night/2012 EP Review

  Yass-Waddah  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2012  ep  "Cities  Of  The  Red  Night".

  A  very  fast,  raw,  dark  and  old  school  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  grim  vocals/screams  and  you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  background  along  with  the  band  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  On  some  of  the  other  tracks  melody  is  added  into  certain  parts  of  the  recording  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  early  90's  black  metal  sound  and  the  melodic  guitar  leads  enhance  the  dark  atmosphere  this  band  creates  with  their  music  and  you  can  also  hear  some  death  metal  elements  being  utilized  in  the  guitar  riffing  at  times  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  growls  and  you  can  hear  a  good  amount  of  thrash  elements  being  utilized  on  the  last  track  along  with  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.

  Yass-Waddah  bring  out  a  very  raw  and  true  90's  form  of  black  metal  with  their  music  ignoring  all  of  the  modern  sounds  and  bringing  in  a  death  metal  edge  to  enhance  the  heaviness  of  the  recording,  while  the  production  has  a  very  heavy,  raw  and  old  school  sound  to  it  and  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  based  on  William  Burroughs's  novel  "Cities  Of  the  Red  Night".

  In  my  opinion  Yass-Waddah  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Invocation"  and  "Casbah".  8  out  of  10.

http://yass-waddah.bandcamp.com/album/cities-of-the-red-night    

Daemonheim Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Well, after finishing the new record called “Tidian” we made a contract with Naturmacht Productions to release the album in 2014. We also did some smaller promotional things because 6 years between the releases are a long time. And then we will see what happens after the release is done.

2. You have a new album coming out during the end of May, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the new recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Musically it is a mixture Black Metal with some elements of Death Metal, folk influences and some other (non-) Metal styles. Mostly in high tempo but also with lots of mid-tempo atmosphere-passages. The main difference between “Tidian” and the former albums is that it is really more progressive but still in the way Daemonheim created the last 15 years. It is brutal, in some way also raw but no less intense and atmospheric. The production is also more powerful than our former releases but still in a raw way that Black Metal should be.

3. This is going to be the first album released since 2007, can you tell us a little bit more about the 7 year gap?

It was no real gap rather than a developing process. If we had “Tidian” released a few years earlier it would be a completely different album than it is today. Of course there were several problems with equipment and spare time but nothing uncommon like other bands have. In conclusion it was a good decision to create this album for such a long time. It is really the best work we have ever done and the third album in history
of a band is the most significant one (if you believe in such things).

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

“Tidian” is the conceptional second part that began with “Hexentanz” in 2007. It goes on with myths and legends of old German lore that depends on the landscape of Harz, our homeland. “Hexentanz” dedicated itself on the myths that are quite known by many people who are interested in lore. “Tidian” is more on the minor known legends. It is also more regional than “Hexentanz” was. “Tidian” is about hunting dragons, mythical phenomena, revenge and such things that mostly happened in the early middle ages. A journey between fantasy and reality.

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

The name itself means nothing special. I invented it 15 years ago. It was in a time Black Metal was more mystical and not mass-beloved than it is today. It should have been a name that is unique, not depending on a book, film or something like this. The inspiration behind Daemonheim was to create our own vision of Black Metal, to make our own unique interpretation of an art style that it is in my opinion that best one to express the most emotional feelings.

6. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to working with a full line up again in the future or do you chose to remain a duo?

I think Daemonheim will remain a duo consisting of TH and me. We play together for more than 12 years and every line-up went be back to this stable formation. I don’t want to exclude that it will grow bigger again if we meet someone who is in the same way as we are and who is worth to be along with us, musically and personally. But the chance that this will happen is very low. We are able to play all instruments that are needed for our music and have a really good way to compose the music with which each other so that there is no need for another one. But time will show the way.

7. The band has never done any live shows, do you feel this adds up to the
mystique of the band?

Yes. Maybe a little bit. There is nothing against live gigs but I never felt that Daemonheim should have stand on stage. Why should we do this? Because most of the other bands do? No way. It is no music to get drunk in a crowd and should not be cried along by the masses. It would destroy the kind of misanthropy that stands behind Daemonheim. And to play the songs just down on stage is disgusting. The material was never written to be performed live and it would no be the same feeling as it should be. So it is improbable that you will see us on stage.

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

It’s really hard to say. I don’t much about the feedback of Daemonheim outside our homeland. I think it is still not well-known out of Germany and of course inside it is also at best an underground hint. But this is nothing to regret. It is quite ok when more people listen to our music and may understand what we are standing for, what lyrical themes we try to spread. On the other side it won’t change a thing if less people listen to it. We will always be the same ones and do the same style of art.

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

Another point that is hard to say. Daemonheim ever stood for its own style of unique interpretation of Black Metal. What kind of progression of our own style it will be on the next album is impossible to predict. The only thing I can say for sure is that the lyrics are in some kind back to the first album but also in a completely other way. The lore lyrics were just written for the last two albums and were just an excurse. It was never meant to go on with these themes because we are not such a type of band
(see question 11).

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

There does not exist a special band that had a main influence on the style of Black Metal we play. You just need to hear into our music (also the older ones) and you will understand that point. We both like the bands of the 2nd wave of Black Metal in the mid of the 90s until nowadays but also all the other metal and non-metal styles. If music expresses feelings in a quite great way it is worth to be listened to!

11. How would you describe your views on paganism?

At first Daemonheim is NO pagan band. We don’t play Pagan/ Heathen- or any other style of this (Black) Metal. It is just Black Metal. We don’t have any pagan views. The last two albums might be deceptive in a way but they have nothing in common with paganism. I know that our last label and many mailorders sell our albums as Pagan or Heathen Metal. We have never been asked if this is the right description of our style. It is just wrong. To worship nature and a part of our homeland lore does not automatically make pagans out of us. Daemonheim is a nature-worshipping, misanthropic (and in the past also anti-christian) band at all. The next album will lead back to the main themes and show again what the main lyrical topics are. “Tidan” and
“Hexentanz” were (only) monuments to our homeland and just an excurse.

12. What are some of your non musical interests?

I don’t think that it is a place for our belongings beside Daemonheim. People that we are in acquaintance with know who we are. All others shouldn’t. It is maybe a part of mysticism of Daemonheim that we are trying to keep.

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

Thanks for the interview. On May 30th “Tidian” will be released by Naturmacht Productions. So listen to it and get your copy. Be part of our worship to German Harz!

(Questions were answered by b. of Daemonheim at end of April 2014)

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Eisregen/Flotenfre/Massacre Records/2014 EP Review

  Germany's  Eisregen  have  return  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  band  continuing  their  original  sounding  mixture  of  dark  and  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Fletenfre"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

  Drums  beats  start  off  the  ep  being  adding  in  synths,  heavy  guitars  and  bass  and    grim  black  metal  vocals/screams  and  the  music  also  has  elements  of  symphonic,  synth  pop  and  electronic  music  and  the  music  sticks  to  mostly  a  mid  paced  black'n'roll  direction.

  On  the  later  tracks  guitar  leads  and  spoken  word  parts  become  a  part  of  the  music  along  with  a  small  amount  of  clean  singing  and  the  band  also  adds  folk  instruments  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  all  5  of  the  songs  have  a  very  different  sound  to  them  while  you  can  still  tell  it  is  the  same  band  on  all  of  them  and  on  the  last  song  the  band  speeds  up  a  bit  and  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats.

  Eisregen  remain  true  to  their  sound  and  this  recording  only  came  out  months  after  the  full  length  which  must  of  meant  they  had  plenty  of  material  written  during  the  time,  the  production   sounds  very  professional  and  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  death,  gore,  cannibalism,  necrophilia  and  murder  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Eisregen  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band, you  should  enjoy  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tausendschweiner'  and  "Mordlust".  8  out  of  10.  

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Dimholt/Liberation Funeral/2014 CD Review

  Dimholt  are  a  band  from  Bulgaria  that  plays  a  very  psychedelic  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  death  metal  and  this   is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  album  "Liberation  Funeral".

  A  very  fast  and  raw  black  metal  sound  along  with  blast  beats  and  melodies  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  grim  vocals  which  have  a  deeper  edge  to  them  and  after  awhile  the  band  starts  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  adding  in  some  death  metal  growls  and  bringing  that  influence  into  the  riffing  along  with  some  more  progressive  structures  and  when  they  add  in  clean  vocals  the  album  starts  evoking  a  more  avant  garde  feeling.

  On  the other  tracks  the  black  metal  sound  is  the  most  dominant  part  of  the  recording  and  the  band  brings  in  a  mixture  of  slow, mid  paced  and  fast  parts  to  make  the  music  more  diverse  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  leads  and  the  band  also  starts  adding  in  more  psychedelic  structures  into  the  music  and  also  mix  it  in  with  a  good  amount  of  old  school  black  metal  influences  as  well  as  adding  in  both  clean  and  heavy  parts.

  As  the  album  progresses  the  music  gets  more  diverse  mixing  both  modern  and  old  school  black  metal  sounds  together  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  some  of  the  catchier  parts  of  the  guitar  riffing  have  a  black'n'roll  feeling  to  them  at  times,  on  some  of  the  tracks  spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  are  brought  in  briefly.

  Dimholt  create  a  very  interesting  sound  with  their  music  bringing  in  psychedelic  elements  but  with  guitars  and  making  them  heavier  and  bringing  in  a  true  black  metal  sound  to  mix  them  with  as  well  as  some  avant  garde  and  death  metal  element s which  make  the  music  sound  very  original,  the  production  sound s very  powerful  and  the  lyrics  cover  death,  darkness  and  Armageddon  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Dimholt  are  a  very  great  sounding  psychedelic  black  metal  band  with  elements  of  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blindead"  "Chaos  Reborn"  "Ruins"  and  "Theodicy".  8  out  of  10.

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Black Anvil/Hail Death/Relapse Records/2014 CD Review

  Black  Anvil  are  a  band  from  New  York  that  plays  black  metal  with  elements  of  hardcore  and  thrash  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Hail  Death"  which  will  be  released  by  Relapse  Records.

  Classical  guitars  start  off  the  album  and  after  a  minute  the  music  starts  going  for  a  more  heavy  and  melodic  direction  which  leads  up  to  black  metal  screams  becoming  a  part  of  the  album  along  with  some  raw  elements  and  blast  beats,  after  awhile  the  band  brings  in  a  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  melodic  back  up  vocals  being  utilized  briefly  along  with  some  thrash  style  guitar  riffing  and  powerful  sounding  bass.

  The  guitar  leads  on  the  album  bring  a  traditional  metal  feeling  to  the  recording  while  also  having  a  melodic  black  metal  edge  to  them  and  most  of  the  songs  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  you  can  hear  a  small  amount  of  hardcore  style  gang  vocals  in  the  background  and  the  clean  singing  parts  also  starts  having  a  more  powerful  presence  when  they  are  utilized.

  In  some  of  the  faster  sections  of  the  guitar  riffing  you  can  hear  some  old  school  raw  black  metal  elements  being  utilized  and  the  thrash  metal  influence  becomes  a  very  huge  part  of  the  later  tracks  while  the  main  focus  is  still  on  a  very  fast  and  melodic  black  metal  sound  and  they  also  bring  in  clean  elements  at  times  which  also  gives  the  music  a  more  70's  heavy/hard  rock  feeling  and  as  the  album  progresses  more  punk  rock  elements  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  some  of  the  slower  sections  also  start  evoking  a  more  doom  metal  like  atmosphere,  the  last  track  on  the  album  is  a  cover  of  Kiss's  "Under  the  Rose".  

  Black  Anvil  show  a  great  amount  of  diversity  and  talent  with  their  music  taking  the  raw  and  melodic  elements  of  black  metal  as  their  core  sound  and  mixing  in  elements  of  hardcore  and  thrash  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  which  is  diverse  enough  to  appeal  to  fans  of  both  Watain  or  a  more  mainstream  band  like  Lamb  of  God,  the  production  is  very  professional  sounding  and  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  hatred  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Black  Anvil  are  a  very  great  sounding  black  metal  band  with  elements  of  melodic,  death,  thrash  and  hardcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Still  Reborn"  "Seven  Stars  Unseen"  "My  Hate  is  Pure"  and  "Next  Level  Black".  8  out  of  10.

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Hellgoat/End Of Man/Boris Records/2014 7 Inch Review

  Hellgoat  are  a  band  from  Atlanta,  Georgia  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  satanic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  7  Inch  "End  Of  Man"  which  will  be  released  by  Boris  Records.

  Dark  sound  effects  start  off  the  ep  and  they  bring  a  ritualistic  feeling  to  the  recording  along  with  some  melodic  chants  which  lead  up  to  demonic  growls  and  chaos  and  then  the  band  brings  in  a  more  heavy  black/death  metal  sound  along  with  some  grim  screams  and  then  the  music  starts  getting  very  fast  and  raw  along  with  some  brutal  blast  beats  before  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  with  the  slower  parts  having  a  doom  metal  feeling  to  them  and  the  first  track  closes  with  spoken  word  ritualistic  parts.

  On  the  second  track  the  band  continue  with  the  ritualistic  parts  before  going  into  an  all  out  fast,  raw  and  bestial  black  metal  assault  with  the  music  being  very  brutal  with  some  death  and  war  metal  elements,  and  during  the  last  minute  of  the  song  the  music  gets  more  avant  garde  and  occult  sounding.

  Hellgoat  show  a  great  amount  of  darkness  and  heaviness  with  their  music  and  the  music  is  some  of  the  most  raw,  blasphemous  and  true  black  metal  that  has  been  released  this  year,  the  production  is  very  heavy  and  raw  and  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Hellgoat  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  satanic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  7  inch.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Demonic  Worship  of  The  Horned  Beast".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hellgoat/359498710801448

The Nightstalker/The Chronicles Of Natural City/Wolfshade Records/2014 CD Review

  The  Nightstalker  are  1  a  band  from  Belgium  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  continues  his  dark  ambient  approach  to  black  metal  on  this  new  recording  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2014  album  "The  Chronicles  of  Natural  City"  which  was  released  by  Wolfshade  Records.

  Classical  guitars  start  off  the  album  along  with  synths  and  grim  black  metal  vocals  and  after  the  intro  melodic  guitars  make  their  way  into  the  music  as  well  as  the  recording  getting  a  bit  heavier  and  the  guitars  have  more  of  a  dominant  sound  on  this  recording  than  the  previous  one  that  was  reviewed  and  the music  sticks  to  mostly  a  slow  or  mid  paced  direction  as  well  as  adding  in  guitar  leads.

  As  the  album  progresses  classical  guitars  make  their  return  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  synths  bringing  in  more  symphonic  and  dark  ambient  elements  to  the  recording  and  there  is  also  a  mixture  of  both  heavy  and  soft  songs  being  included  on  the  album  with  the  heavier  tracks  evoking  a  more  melodic  black  metal  atmosphere  and  on  some  of  the  later t racks  spoken  word  parts  become  a  part  of  the  music.

  The  Nightstalker  add  a  new  chapter  to  their  dark  ambient  black  metal  sound   and  remaining  true  to  the  musical  direction  of  the  previous  recordings  as  well  as  having  a  very  powerful  sounding  production  and  the  lyrics  continuing  the  concept  about  the  archangel  'The  Nightstalker'  and  his  story.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  The  Nightstalker  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Remember  The  War"  "Trouble  In  My  Head"  "The  Confrontation"  and  "Alone  Against  The  Apocalypse".  8  out  of  10.

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Fordarv/The Echo of Emptiness/Nigredo Records/2013 EP Review

  Fordarv  are  a  duo  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  very  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  ep  "The  Echo  Of  Emptiness"  which  was  released  by  Nigredo  Records.

    Dark  sounds  start  off  the  ep  before  the  music  starts  going  for  a  heavier,  slow  and  darker  black  metal  direction  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  the  instruments  start  speeding  up  a  bit  and  after  the  intro  the  music  finds  its  sound.

  Fast  and  old  school  black  metal  elements  along  with  blast  beats  start  dominating  the  tracks  on  the  ep  and  the  band  also  brings  in  some  slower  and  more  melodic  parts  along  with  some  grim  sounding  high  pitched  screams  which  also  leads  up  to  a  mixture  of  both  slow  and  fast  parts  and  you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the background.

  As  the  ep  progresses  acoustic  guitars  are  brought  in  briefly  on  one  of  the  tracks  with  the  song  being  an  all  instrumental  piece  and  the  band  returns  to  a  more  raw  black  metal  direction  on  the  following  track  and  sticks  to  that  concept  for  the  rest  of  the  ep  and  really  starts  evoking  the  true  90's  sound.

   Fordarv  are  another  younger  band  that  is  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  early  90's  black  metal  sound  and  they  stay  away  from  modern  trends  enough  up  to  the  point  where  you  could  tell  someone  this  is  an  album  from 1993  and  it  would  not  be  hard  to  believe,  the  production  has  a  very  raw  and  old  school  sound  and  the lyrics  cover  Philosophy,  occultism  and  Mythology  themes  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.    

  In  my  opinion  Fordarv  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Echo  Of  Emptiness  Part  1"  and  "In  A  Neverending  Whisper".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/F%C3%B6rd%C3%A4rv/3540372748

Iugulatus/Satanic Pride/The End Of Times Records/2012 CD Review

  Iugulatus  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  very  satanic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Satanic  Pride"  which  was  released  by  The  End  Of  Times  Records.

  Grim  black  metal  screams  start  off  the  album  before  the  band  goes  into  a  more  heavy  and  melodic  direction  along  with  some  screams  that  go  more  into  a  high  pitched  mode  and  the  band  also  brings  in  faster  elements  and  the  music  has  an  old  school  feeling  that  is  updated  for  the  more  modern  era.

  On  one  of  the  tracks  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  ritualistic  parts  are  brought  onto  the  album  before  the  band  goes  into  a  very  fast  satanic  black  metal  assault  along  with  some  blast  beats  before  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  both  slow  and  fast  parts  and  the  music  never  loses  its  melodic  touch  on  any  of  the  songs  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  As  the  album  progresses  the  vocals  get  a  little  bit  deeper  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  band  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  death  metal  elements  while  the  main  focus  is  still  on  a  melodic  satanic  black  metal  sound  which  also  brings  in  a  Swedish  and  French  orthodox  sound  at  times,  once  guitar  leads  are  added  onto  the  album  they  enhance  the  melodic  and  fast  parts  of  the  recording  and  they  are  not  utilized  on  a  regular  basis,  on  the  last  couple  minutes  of  the  album  the  music  gets  a  little  bit  more  atmospheric  and  you  can  also  hear  some  melodic  chanting  being  utilized  in  the  background.

  Iugulatus  show  a  great  amount  of  talent  and  skill  with  their  ability  to  mix  fast,  slow  and  melodic  black  metal  together  along  with  a  great  amount  of  epic  structures  being  added  into  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  mixing  elements  of  both  the  modern  and  old  school  black  metal  genres,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  powerful  and  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  J.R.R  Tolkien,  Black  Magick,  and  Necromancy  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Iugulatus  are  a  very  great  sounding  satanic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Chaos  Invocation"  and  "Demon  Lust".  8  out  of  10.

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Lucifers Hammer/Mists of Time MMXIV/Destro Records/2014 CD Re-Issue

  Lucifers  Hammer  where  a  band  from  Michigan  that  played  an  atmospheric  form  of  black/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  1997  album  "Mists  of  Time"  which  was  re-issued  by  Destro  Records  in  2014  and  also  contains  their  1992  demo  "The  Burning  Church".

  Wind  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  and  synths  along  with  some  female  vocals  and  after  the  intro  the  music  goes  for  a  more  fast  and  raw  black  metal  sound  along  with  blast  beats  and  grim  screams  before  slowing  down  a  bit  and  adding  in  keyboards  while  also  keeping  around  the  faster  parts.

  The  band  start  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  death  and  doom  metal  influences  and  mix  them  in  with  their  black  metal  sound  and  when  they  add  in  solos  and  leads  they  enhance  the  primitive  black/death  metal  elements  of  the  recording,  as  the  album  progresses  acoustic  guitars  and  female  vocals  return  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  band  mostly  stick   a  heavier  and  atmospheric  direction  along  with  the  keyboards  bringing  in  a  feeling  of  an  old  horror  movie.

  As  the  album  progresses  Gregorian  chants  are  added  onto  one  of  the  tracks  and  the  guitar  riffing  starts  utilizing  more  thrash  elements  and  melody  in  the  heavier  and  darker  sections  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  a  great  amount  of  the  songs  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  they  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  ritualistic  parts  on  some  of  the  later  tracks,  and  the  band  also  adds  more  classical  music  elements  into  the  acoustic  guitars,  once  the  album  goes into  the  1992  demo  tracks  the  music  really  starts  going  for  the  raw  black/death  metal  sound  of  that  time  and  the  songs  have  a  different  style  production  than  the  tracks  that  where  presented  on  the  full length.

  On  the  demo  tracks   the  mostly  shows  the  beginnings  of  second  wave  black  metal  but  with  some  of  the  death  metal  influences  which  where  more  common  in  the  United  States  black  metal  bands  of  the  era,  and  the  band  had  a  sound  back  then  that  was  very  underrated  while  also  utilizing  the  dark  horror  film  style  keyboards  in  the  heavy  and  evil  approach  to   black/death  metal  and  the  bass  guitars  also  bring  a  very  powerful  sound  to  the  music.

  Lucifers  Hammer  show  they  where  a  very  underrated  band  for  their  time  with  their  music  being  among  some  of  the  earliest  black  metal  of  the  United  States  and  while  some  of  the  other bands  of  the  time  end  up  becoming  known,  this  band  somehow  got  forgotten  about  and  remain  obscure,  the  production  on  the  album  is  powerful  while  the  demo  tracks  have  a  rawer  sound  and  th e  lyrics  cover  evil,  occult  and  mysticism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Lucifers  Hammer  where  a  very  great  sounding  underrated  atmospheric  black/death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Woodland  Realm"  "Ethereal  Sea  of  Forever"  "Enter  the  Eternal  Fire"  and  "Eternally  Doomed".  8/5  out  of  10.  

http://destrorecords.bandcamp.com/