Precaria/Precaria Ex Humanitas/Desavenencia/CD Review

  Precaria  are  a  band  from  Mexico  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  extreme  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Precaria  Ex  Humanitas"  which  was  released  by  Desavenencia.

  A  very  fast,  raw  and  lo-fi  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  a  few  seconds  later  grim  screams  are  added  into  the  music  and  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  amount  of  melody  being  used  in  the  songs  along  with  all  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  band  bringing  in  a  lot  of  90's  influences.

  Melodic  chanting  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  in  more  of  a  chaotic  feeling  to  the  recording  while  they  also  have  their  melodic  moments  at  times  along  with  the  screams  getting  more  high  pitched  and  the  few  seconds  of  acoustic  guitars  on  some  of  the  track  add  in  some  atmospheric  elements.

  There  is  a  great  mixture  between  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  present  throughout  the  recording  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  gets  more  dark  and  desolate  while  also  keeping  a  very  raw  and  heavy  sound  along  with  the  music  also  bringing  in  a  touch  of  early  2000's  black  metal  and  when  clean  playing  is  added into  one  of  the  tracks  they  also  bring  in  more  of  a  depressive  and  grim  feeling  to  the  bands  musical  sound.

  Precaria  plays  a  very  misanthropic  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  extreme  as  well  as  being  very  true  to  this  genre  and  avoiding  all  modern  trends  to  play  black  metal  the  way  it  is  meant  to  play,  the  production  is  very  dark,  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Spanish  and  cover  Illumination Of  Self,  Occultism,  Hatred,  Mankind's  Misery  and  Chaos  Beyond  Order  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Precaria  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  extreme  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Esturpo  a  la  Conciencia"  and  "Violencia  Como  Pan  De  Cada  Dia".  8  out  of  10.

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Exquisite Ending Interview

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

Exquisite Ending are a three piece black metal group from the United Kingdom. We seek to take the many diverse sides of the Black Metal genre, and seek to combine them into one darkened sound that emanates the influences of old while embracing the new. While conveying an introspective self-loathing catastrophe of melodic movement and unrelenting rawness, combined with occult and ritualistic ideologies of "Misanthropism".

2.You have a new ep coming out in 2015, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from your previous material?

"The Rite Of Misanthropism Psalms I-IV" is the first part of a long running conceptual work between us, based around the cult of "Misanthropism" which we practice.
It is a hate filled record, and 'audible tome' if you like to our misanthropic practices. They are the hymns of which we preach, towards the hatred of ourselves and mankind as a whole.

It differs significantly from "The Pain Of Passing I embrace" (our first record) as that album focuses much more deeply on self hated, suicide and depression. While "The Rite Of Misanthropism" is entirely extroverted hated, and a true awakening to the worthlessness of humanity.

Our music is equally as important as our message, we take great lengths to cultivate and refine our sound. We wish to take inspiration from the black metal groups that came before, but rather then imitate, we seek to add our own alterations. We are versed in musical theory, and use that to create our calculated dissonance and tension, coupled with technical ability in order to better convey this dark message we have set out to broadcast.

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

Our lyrical themes all stem from hatred, depression and isolation. However from our first record we have evolved, and the Misanthropism took hold of us, and now that hatred is turned outwards towards civilisation, and occult and ritualistic practices.

4.On the album cover you had quite a few occult symbols, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

As I have said, we are creating the foundations for the cult of "Misanthropism", which is a paradoxical religion that preaches the hatred and eradication of mankind. Like most religions we take influence from others, Thelema, Satanism, Solomon's works, while all being inherently human, and flawed, have important aspects that we wished to incorporate into Misanthropism.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name  "Exquisite  Ending'?

The name, like the band, has evolved. It began as a relishing in ones own demise, a beauty found in suicide. However it now has taken on a new form, in the appreciation of death as a whole, how Exquisite the Ending of ones life can be, be it our own or others. Because we will all return to the void eventually, and that will truly be exquisite.

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

Every performance is valuable, because it gains experience for us. And we are able to preach to a new group of people. The most recent show we undertook with Black Shoals in Worthing was extremely rewarding for us, as we had the pleasure to witness a very talented group and be able to express our creativity and message to a lot of willing people.

We wish our stage show to be striking, we have an old television playing clips that I have selected from various films/documentaries/snuff/etc. In an attempt to open up the audiences aural and visual pathways to achieve a higher understanding of the complete worthlessness and emptiness that is felt by all.

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

For shows we have a few big ones coming up; Eradication festival in April, Sermon of Underground Brutality in October. As well as other shows we cannot sadly announce yet. In terms of tours we have a few potential plans on the horizon, but nothing has been planned as of yet.

8.A few months back you where a part of a split with Written In Torment, what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the album?

We admire the creative works of Written In Torment. It was good to collaborate on a release with him, and feedback on the various artwork ideas.

9.The band is signed to Hibernacula Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Hibernacula Records is a UK record label run by Danny Page. They wish to be a dwelling for artists to create and grow, as opposed to a harsh corporate system. They don't deal in contracts, and practice complete transparency with their artists. We find the label works well for us because they are artists themselves, and understand both the creative and business sides needed to help musicians grow. While the bands grow, the label grows, and visa versa, We're all together for the same common goal.

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

We have had positive feedback from the UK black metal scene, being that its our place of residence, we have also had a lot of positive praise from a black metal collective in Russia, Indonesia, and of course the Norwegian masters.

11.Are any of the band members involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

We are involved in other projects, however as to why we have chosen to go by other names, we also wish to not let those projects be judged unfairly or out of context with Exquisite Ending.

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

Darker, more complex, potentially more avant garde. We wish to let the void grip us, and we mould it to whatever shape we wish.

13.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 cannot speak for the others, but personally I listen to a large variety of music. In terms of black metal bands I have listened to the obvious choices. But I also indulge in the more outlandish bands. Urfaust, Acherontas, Satanic Warmaster, Taake, Blut Aus Nord, Shining etc.

In terms of other genres I indulge in, they are far too vast to list. I love jazz, classical music, the multitude of subgenres in metal music. Anything that has been created for a purpose.

14.What are some of your non musical interests?

Photography, particularly trees. I read very regularly, primarily occult literature, but also factual and fiction depending on where the mood takes me. Other then that I devote most of my life to music.

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

We hope this has been informative to anyone seeking answers, and that they wish to explore our music and our message. We are all worthless, and in that we are equal. We hope you die exquisitely.

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Iubaris 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?

Antares: we have released Code on CD format. I took all the effort tomake the artwork 100% linked to the album. Each song has a special sigil created from key words, to match it's meaning. There are some more
surprises to discover, but I'll leave that to the purchaser.


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

A: The sound is just our own patented mixture of things we like. The best thing you can do, is try to create a record which you yourself would like to hear, but doesn't exist. You try to fill sort of a gap, so to speak. The more different stuff you listen to, the more original this mixture will be. How good you mix all the elements is key. This new record isn't that much different from the first two Eps at it's musicalroots. All the basic ideas were already there, we just expanded them.
Previously, especially on the first Ep, I was trying to limit some of our music so it could fit a raw particular style. This time there weren't any limits. We just pushed ourselves and our abilities to write and play. Some of the songs went a long way to their final version, since we started writing for this album in 2009. Almost all the songs from the Magnum Coeptum compilation were finished by 2008, maybe except the lyrics part. So we had a lot of time to focus on the new material.
This was way back, when Erthun was still our rhythm guitarist. As for the production and mixing, me and Mjolnir took things in our own hands.
After all the work we have done, I can't imagine any other way of producing records. It would be impossible using a hired stuido. We would be fucking broke. I walked in at 5pm on friday, and walked out saturday
7 am. Listened to the mix a couple of times on the way home, sleep for 3 hour, return for our rehearsal, then mix again. We were going ape shit to make the album sound exactly the way we wanted. At one point we just decided that we hit a wall when it comes to our possibilites with producing the album, and we decided it was time to unleash it into the world.


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

A: The album is continuing the story started by the first two Eps. A man finds himself at a turning point in his life, which leads him into isolation. This isolation results in a delusional state, where he can't quite distinguish fiction from reality, and enters an altered state of mind. Ars Sathanae I and II were about insanity, depression and maltheism, rejecting everything that could be described as a life in daylight. It marked the beginning of a search for forces and powers beyond this realm. Imagine you have two parallel streams of your own
self. Something happens, and your second self leaves somewhere. Then it returns, and you have to rebuild your own world with all the new knowledge the process brought. That's where Code comes in. It's the
Coagula part. It's also very personal for me in that it's linked with how I was writing our album.


4.On your past releases you had covered some satanic and anti christian themes, do any of the band members still  have any interest in those topics?

A: That's actually a really interesting and important question. All that satanic and anti christian stuff was good in the beginning, but it's something you have to process into something more. You can't keep negating something over and over without progressing, evolving. Negation is not a goal in itself, it's a tool for moving forward. The new record has nothing to do with demons or christianity, it covers an eniterily new level of problems. Once you cut yourself away from the herd, it's time to build your own temple, your own monolith. I consider this to be a much more important direction.


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

A: In one word: ferocious. There were a lot of shows, especially here in Tricity area. We played the best ones when we traveled deeper into Poland though. Summer 2014 we played a small tour of 6 shows across the country to promote Code, one of them in Warsaw. That has to be the best one yet. I couldn't even say anything between songs, becuase the crowd was so fucking loud. We played as the main act. It was an amazing show.


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

A: No tours planned at this moment. One release party for the physical release of Code, where we will play the album live in it's entirety.
We're not much of a touring band to be honest. Maybe it will change in the future.


7.The new album was self released, are you open to working with a label again in the future or do you prefer the DIY method?

A: We are only open to propositions if a label will still let us have full control of every single thing. And by that, I mean every single fucking thing. From the compositions, mixing and production, to the album artwork and control of the printing process. Everything has to be done right, no errors or mistakes allowed. We take our music extremely serious.


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

A: I have heard only positive things about the album from people that were into all sorts of different genres, thrash/progressive/black metal.
Which is pretty amazing. The general feedback has been overwhelmingly positive so far.


9.Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

A: I'm still recording different solo stuff, which I don't plan releasing. Mjolnir is the guitarist in Cyanide Kiss, a band we made a whole tour with this summer. Vulpus plays in a band called Earthfall.
Check our website's band section for more details.


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

A: That's a really difficult thing for me to foresee now. We are all really satisfied with Code. I can't say which direction we will take in the future. This is the first time since I founded Iubaris, when I don't have any idea or plans for  further developing our music. When the time comes, I'll have to take all my new riffs, all the new riffs and beats the guys will send to me, and find a new formula. Then me and Mjolnir will have to sit and think about how we want to record everything. Music is a sort of alchemy for me, so I'll keep smithing that fucking metal till we'll a perfect alloy once again.


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

A: I don't listen to 'regular' metal at all. 90% of it is too mechanical for me. Maybe except bands that really have their own flow and style, like Opeth for example. They had a big impact on this album. Some of the
other bands that had a heavy influence on Code, mainly in how we blended and mixed all the instruments together, were grunge bands from thenineties, like Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam. One of the amazing things
that I discovered, since I started using only open strings for all the main riffs and guitar parts in our music, was how classic rock guitar can easily blend with the black metal guitar style, and with folk.
Viking era Bathory was still a big influence, mainly for the sound.
Music wise not as much as for our first two Eps. Also the classic death metal Behemoth, from albums Zos Kia Cultus and Demigod, which was what got me into oriental scales. My personal guitar heroes are Billy
Howerdel and Lindsey Buckingham. You can hear a great A Perfect Circle inspiration on both clean and lead guitar on Code, mainly from their first album, Mer De Noms. There were a lot of vocal inspirations, too
many to count, though I still mark Quorthon and Fernando Ribeiro as the highest two on my list. Which again, isn't that black metal at all.


12.What are some of your non musical interests?

A: Fishing. We are all maniacs of fishing.. just kidding. I'm involved with graphic design and writing lyrics, traveling, photography.
Also some of the more weirder topics, like spiritualism and occultism.
Mjolnir is interested in geocaching, hiking and road cycling. Vulpus likes classic pen and paper rpg games and martial arts. Hipnagog has similar interests to mine, besides that him and Vulpus are real party
animals.



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


A: Cheers! Thanks for the interview!

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Hell Poemer Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band in the past year?

First of all, Hell Poemer is a black metal band from Ioannina, Northwest Greece. We have released 1 demo, 1 MCD, 1 split tape and a full-length CD.
Last year, we were focused on the promotion of our latest release with 2 live appearances, also the line-up changed once more with the departure of our longtime guitarist Neron. Nowadays, the line-up is: INFERNAL LORD: Vocals, synths, GRAGONITH: bass, KNAFOS :guitar, DARK ARCHON :drums and DEMONIOUS (Infected Blood, Obscene Evisceration) as session live guitarist.

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

Our latest release “Arcane mysteries of Dead Ancestors” can be described as an old-school melodic black metal album with minimalistic synths, primitive riffs and some epic atmospheres. Our previous MCD “worshipers of the apocryphal ages” released in 2010 was a typical sound of atmospheric Greek black metal with raw majestic influences and a little bit weak production, but it has good melodies. As for the first entitled demo of 2007, I would describe the music as a dedication to the early Greek scene of 90’s (Necromantia, Varathron, Rotting Christ), if you listen to it, the production reminds the dark atmospheres of the famous “storm studios”. Of course there is a Nordic touch everywhere in our music influenced by Dissection, Emperor and Old Man’s Child.

3.Your lyrics go very deep into Greek Paganism and Occultism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

You are right, our lyrics are inspired by the occult aspects of Ancient Greek and Medieval religious practices that are connected to the fertility of nature, and the mysteries of the Underworld. Also, I would like to mention that Homeric and Orphic Necromancy as well as the ruins of the Archaic Oracles are the main lyrical concepts behind our latest releases. Finally, there is always a deep meaning behind our lyrics that is inspired by the darkest emotions of human soul.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name "Hell Poemer"?

The name “Hell Poemer” was an inspiration of the moment back in 2004 – 2005 by our first bassist Fivos who was a maniac with strategy games and dark magical card games. Of course as teenagers we were impressed by words like “hell” and to tell you the truth the figures of these cards were similar to some Bal Sagoth’s artworks, so it is a little bit funny if you consider this. During the years, the word’s meaning became metaphorical for us, however “Hell Poemer” is a nocturnal poet or musician who lives in his own dark World, disgusted by the rules of the sick societies and the mediocrity of modern human.

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

During our existence as a band since 2005, we made 10 live shows with bands like Septic Flesh, Rotting Christ, Varathron, Twilight and some other great underground bands.  Every show had its own atmosphere. Our stage performance is a normal live performance, nothing special or ritualistic apart from some background images and introductions.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future? Not yet.

7.The last album was released on Tenebrd Music, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Tenebrd music is a new French label that specializes in black metal. It was found by Noktu (Mortifera, Celestia, Drakkar productions) among others in 2013 with the goal to promote small underground bands. We sent a promo and the label was interested in releasing our album.

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

Generally, we get encouraging comments about our music. I believe that a big amount of typical black metal listeners can listen to our music, because it is a true effort from our heart. Of course there are always people who don’t like keyboards in black metal.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part off?
We have been involved in some other bands  the last few years, like Varg Order (black metal in the vein of darkthrone/Carpathian forest), Chaotic Symmetry (raw majestic black metal in the vein of Mayhem/emperor/Drudkh) and Crowdance (industrial –electro).

10.When can we expect new music and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We have just recorded the keyboards/guitars for two new songs that will be a part of an upcoming split in 2015. More infos coming soon.

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

We were always influenced by the Second wave of Greek and Scandinavian Black metal, along with some ambient  influences. Our main inspirations are bands like: Dissection, Varathron, Rotting Christ, Summoning, In the Woods, Emperor, Limbonic art, Immortal, Sorcier des Glaces and many others. Nowadays we are listening to many kinds of metal (thrash,death,epic) and music generally like ambient, folk music (like Loreena Makennit, Daemonia Nymphe),Classical Music, Traditional music of Greece and post-rock.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
 Mountain Climbing and hiking, beers, movies, literature, PC games, lake fishing and camping on isolated forests…

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

Thanks a lot for the interview! Infernal hails to Occult black metal zine and all supporters around the World! Support the Underground!
For more information about Hell Poemer:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hell-Poemer-Official/276164329161420?ref=hl

http://www.reverbnation.com/hellpoemerblackmetalgr

https://myspace.com/hellpoemerlegions

Infernal Lord besides of Hell Poemer

Melkor/Irrlicht/2014 CD Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  album  from  Melkor  which  continues  the  atmospheric  black  metal  sound  of  his  previous  recordings  with  the  album  being  self  released  in  2014  and  called  "Irrlicht".

  A  very  dark  and  melodic  sound  starts off  the  album  before  adding  in  more  of  a  heavier  and  atmospheric  direction  which  also  keeps  the  melody  and  after  a  minute  grim  screams  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  music  they  bring  in  more  of  a  modern  atmospheric  black  metal  sound.

  A  good  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  can  be  heard  throughout  the  recording  and a good portion of the tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  a  good  portion  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  folk  influences  and  some  of  the  tracks  bring  in  more  of  a  doom  and  post  black  metal  feeling  and  most  of  the  music  sticks  to  more  of  a  slow  to  mid  paced  direction  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  gets  more  epic.

  Melkor  continuing  the  atmospheric  black  metal  sound  of  previous  recordings  while  also  adding  in  a  post  metal  feeling  and  a  doom  metal  element  while  the  music  remains   true  to  his  style  while  also  expanding,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  nature,  solitude  and  grief.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Melkor  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Spiegalwand"  "Pangaea"  and  "The  Great  Defender".  8  out   of  10.

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Melkor/Ferne/2009 CD Review

  Melkor  are  a  1  man  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2009  album  "Ferne".

  A  very  dark  and  epic  atmospheric  synth  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  raw  and  melodic  riffing  and  leads  a  few  seconds  later  which  leads  up  to  more  of  a  black  metal direction  along  with  some  grim  screams  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  good  balance  between  synths  and  heavy  parts  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  to  bring  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  In  the  faster  sections  of  the  recording  blast  beats  can be  heard  at  times  and  there  are  also  acoustic  guitars  being  added  into  the  music  at  times  and  there  are  also  a  few  tracks  that  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  songs  have  more  of  a  90's  European  atmospheric  black  metal  approach  which  also  brings  in  more  of  a  nature  orientated  feeling  and  at  times  you  can progressive  elements  in  the  clean  parts  and  there  is  also  a  brief  instrumental  before  the  music  makes  a  return  back  to  a  heavy  and  atmospheric  sound.

  Melkor  creates  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  raw,  atmospheric,  progressive  and  melodic  sounding  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  90's  influences  to  create  some  very  interesting,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  along  with  a  couple  tracks  having  English  titles  and  cover  nature  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Melkor  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Winter"  "Ferne"  "Narben"  and  "The  Sun  Denies  All  Sleep".  8  out  of  10.

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Order Of Thelema Interview

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

We are an atmospheric black doom metal band from the US (Cincinnati, Ohio, area). We formed in the winter of 2013. It started off with Adam, Jason, and Gary playing around with some ideas and jamming together. I was the third one to join the band; I joined in late February 2014. Matt, was the last of us to join; he came in in late summer 2014.

Gary – Guitar/Vocals (ex-Thorns of the Carrion)
Adam – Guitar/Vocals (ex- Thorns of the Carrion)
Amie – Keyboard/Vocals
Jason – Percussion
Matt – Bass/Acoustic Guitar


2.Recently you have released a demo, how would you describe the musical sound that us presented on the recording?

The best way to describe our sound is: atmospheric, dark, and droning. We try to meld the atmosphere and melodies of doom metal with the raw aggression of black metal. Other than that, we leave it up to the listener to decide.


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

Our lyrics are heavily based on the occult, the left hand path, and metaphysical subject matter. We also delve into the dark side of human emotion; sorrow, despair, and the disdain for the world around us. Every song has a meaning and many are derived from personal experiences.


4.I know that the name 'Order Of Thelema' is related to Crowley, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the occult and Aliester Crowley?

Adam and Jason were reading quite a few books on the occult at the time that Order of Thelema was conceived. The content had a huge impact on the writing process and the inspiration just flowed from it. It made sense for us to run with it and continue to draw from the material. For Adam, Crowley has always been a major interest going back into his early teens. Crowley is kind of like the name everyone knows and at least for Adam, was his introduction into the occult. It started with Crowley and LaVey and went on from there. We are always on a quest for further knowledge related to the occult. Adam has quite the library of books and is always reading and finding new inspiration. The band is not focused strictly around Thelema; for instance, Adam is currently reading Peter Carroll’s “Liber Kaos” and he just finished Terence McKenna’s “Lectures on Alchemy.” McKenna, although not totally occult related, is also a huge influence on us as well. Pychonautics and altered states of minds are extremely interesting fields.

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 haven’t played out live yet; as a group we decided that we were going to take things slow and really focus on writing quality songs before playing out. Listening back to early versions of the songs on our demo, there is a very noticeable difference, the songs changed considerably and for the better. We didn’t want to go out and play songs that we weren’t completely happy with, that wouldn’t have been fair to the fans. We are planning on starting our live rituals within the next few months.


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

Definitely! We have been offered spots in a couple metal festivals as well as quite a few shows around the country. Locally, here in Cincinnati, we have a very good metal scene with shows happening pretty frequently.

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

We really haven’t put fourth the effort into finding a label just yet, but going forward we hope to work with a label for sure. We will probably hold off on contacting labels until we release the full length album though.

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

It has been surprisingly great; better than we had expected so early on. The support has been amazing. We have been getting a lot of positive feedback through the underground worldwide and from different reviews.

9.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We plan on having the new album available early into the New Year. Going forward, we plan to continue writing and producing new material. We definitely see ourselves touring in the future as well. We’ve always talked about vinyl; I would really like to see a 7” or maybe a full length vinyl release. We already have a lot of ideas for future releases, but right now our main focus is finishing the full length.


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 all bring different musical influences to the table, but we try to keep them as influences only and not let too much of it spill over into our own music. Each member has such a wide taste in music; each of us is constantly discovering new bands and our musical libraries are always expanding. It’s hard to say what each member is listening to at any given point of time. Adam is into mostly black and doom metal and is currently listening to a lot of French Canadian bands such as, Sorcier des Glaces and Monarque. Gary is also really into doom and black metal; he’s currently been listening to My Dying Bride, Behemoth, and Twilight (US). Jason is a little more varied in his musical taste; he’s into atmospheric black metal such as, Drudkh and Agalloch, but he’s also into a lot of psychedelic rock and stoner doom. Matt and I are more varied with our musical tastes as well. For me, personally, if it’s atmospheric and dark then chances are that I’m listening to it.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

The occult, the left hand path, and the expansion of the mind. We are all explorers and always looking for things to expand our current knowledge. Ultimately, that knowledge will inspire us and come back around to the music.

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

Thank you tremendously for the review and interview; we truly appreciate it. For anyone who might be interested, our demo is still available as a free download over at http://orderofthelema.bandcamp.com so go download it. Also, be on the lookout for our full length to be released within the next couple of months. Horns up! Stay true and stay underground! 93!

Sedna Interview

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

Sedna is a three pieces black metal project born in 2009 in Cesena, Italy.
The sound is a mix of post black metal, sludge and doom metal with some ambient and drone parts that give at the results much more sense of perdition and immersion.
From furious blast-beats, passing through cadenced heavy parts, reaching soft and expanded clean parts, the band try to carry emotions and feelings to create music organic and alive.
We have released our first demo “O” in 2011 and our debut album in october 2014 via Drown Within Record (Ita) and Unquiet records (Pol).
From 2009 to now we’ve played a lot of gigs in Italy (with bands like Taake, Celeste, Forgotten Tomb and many more), this year we’ ve done our first euro tour in Austria and Czech Republic.

2.In October you released a full length, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the demo you had released in 2011?

Our first release is very different from “Sedna” because we’ve changed our lineup. In 2011 we was four (with Eric at guitars), in 2013 he left so Nil is passed to play guitar and sing.
Changing the guitar player everything is turned from a blackned/swedish sound to a more modern direction with post black metal influences. The result is ”Sedna”, a mix of black metal/sludge/post and doom metal with some drone/ambient parts useful to increase the atmosphere and make everything more organic.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about your song lyrics, I noticed most of the tracks on the album started out with the word "Sons', is there a certain type of concept the band went for on the new album?

Two years ago we was in a critical situation. Without a guitarist, without idea, without a certain future. We see ”Sedna” like a rebirth and a new point of zero. We see it like a gift from a divinity that say to us “Believe”. So, the concept of the album is about us like sons of a divinity (Sedna, in the inuit culture, is like a woman version of Poseidon) and at the same time like sons of a planet (Sedna is an extrasolar planet too). “Sons of the ocean” talk about our rebirth from a new mother, ”Sons of isolation” talk about our necessary loneliness to create our new form, ”Sons of the ancients” is like the end of the evolution, the take of conscience to be something strong. To be something alive.
We are started writing new stuff, but is too early to understand what the sound is meaning in this moment.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Sedna'?
Ahah it’ s a cool story. In a normal evening five years ago, Mattia and Elyza were watching a documentary on Discovery Channel. It was talking about extrasolar planets, especially on Sedna. The history of the planet was immediately  charming for various reason, but especially for one: the orbit. Sedna have a very strange orbit that move the planet after and before Pluto, so it’s an anomaly. Something that should not exist. Alone but at the same time alive. In the second time, been interesting the surface of the planet. It’s red, but very cold. That was our representation of our sound: warm and enveloper, but at the same time cold and remote.

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 live the show experience in some different ways, so there are many nights that we like to remember. One of this was in october in Linz, during our euro tour with our friends Abaton. A very great place, with huge sound, a lot of people full of energy. Incredible. Next was when we been in Rome every time, in 2011 (with Taake, when we was four) and in october 2014 (with Forgotten Tomb and our new formation). Great city where do a gig because there was everything a lot of people interested to us the first and the second time too, in the next days we have received many positive feedback from new fans and it’s amazing for an underground band like us.
The last but the more particular was in september 2012 at “Urlo nero Fest” in Ferrara. It was very intense for us because the last gig with our old guitarist Eric. So, play with this kind of awareness gave to us a mix of melancholy and rage never proved before. We played a track with our friend Marco from Abaton too, so had two guitars (the first and last time for now ahah) gave much more expression to a show full of emotions.

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

In this moment no, because we have chosen to write new stuff. For the new album we have already done an euro tour in october (Austria, Czech Republic, Italy) with our friends Abaton and others single shows in our country (in Rome with Forgotten Tomb and in Bologna with Dragged into Sunlight for example).  Anyway we are confirmed ad the Santa Maria Summer fest in Portugal for next June.

7.The new album was released on Drown Within Records, how did you get in contact with this label and also how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
Drown Within Records is a DIY label based in Italy and managed by Cristian from the italian post/death metal band Dementia Senex. Cristian is our good friend from many years, he supports and helps us from the beginning, so knowing how he works we have chosen to trust in his label. His support is great because is based on friendship and support, so he is doing a great works giving us a good visibility in many countries.

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

The feedback was great. We was a little scared because our sound is in the middle of many genres, is an hybrid of many sounds…not black metal, not sludge, not doom, but Sedna, so not easy to catalogue in an exact contest. At least we are proud of our works because we have received a lot of good reviews from many countries and from very different kind of site/webzine. It’s mean that’s our sound is good, no?

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

We don’t know. In this moment our thought is to create new songs. We don’t have a long vision about our future, we only think to play and spread our emotions. More black metal? More sludge or post metal? Only the future can know the answers. Off course we dream to become a point of reference for people like Altar of Plagues or Amenra for us.

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 try to listen many kind of music as we can, from dark-ambient to Death metal. Everyone of us comes from different school of music (Elyza has a base of old school black metal and industrial music like Immortal or Rammstein, Mattia bands like Dark Funeral or Gojira, Alex some drone/ambient music for example), but growing together we have uncovered some bands commons to our preferences: Altar of Plagues (over all and everyone), Isis, Amenra, Deathspell Omega, Neurosis, Omega Massif, Ulcerate, Lento.. and many more out of metal (Borhen & Der Club of Gore, SunnO))), and Pink Floyd for example )

11.Does Occultism play any role in your music?

Nope.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Astronomy, science, film, history and everything that can be interesting in every way. We like to have party, but at the same time we trip through woods to take pictures and do excursions on mountain.

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

Keep supporting the underground music, go to the concerts and help the bands to spread the music..!"

Cold Crypt/Utter Contempt For Life/Senseless Life Records/2014 CD Review

  Cold  Crypt  are  a  1  man  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  ambient  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2014  album  "Utter  Contempt  For  Life"  which  was  released  by  Senseless  Life  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric  ambient  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  sounds  of  a  newborn  child  and  after  a  minute  spoken  word  samples  which  are  also  used  regularly  throughout  the  recording  are  added  into  the  music  before  the  album  starts  getting  a  lot  more  heavier  and  brings  in  a  raw  black  metal  sound  that  also  uses  grim  suicidal  screams  and  blast  beats.

  There  is  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  present  throughout  the  recording  and  the  ambient  sounds  are  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  black  metal  parts  and  a  good  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  some  of  the  tracks  bring  in  some  industrial  style  noises  and  mix  in  with  some  of  the  rawest  black  metal  that  there  is  in  existence.

  When  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  add  a  good  amount  of  talent  and  skill  to  the  tracks  they  are  utilized  on  and  a  good  amount  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  depressive  sounding  melodies  at  times  and  as  the  album  progresses  more  power  electronic  and  underground  electronic  elements  are  brought  onto  the  recording  which  also  leads  to  the  album  getting  more  avant  garde  and  experimental  while  the  music  also  keeps  it's  black  metal  roots  and  brings  in  even  more  demonic  growls.

  Cold  Crypt  keeps  the  atmospheric  and  depressive  ambient  black  metal  sound  while  also  being  more  experimental  this  time  around,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  th e lyrics  cover  hate,  madness,  suicide  and  murder.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Cold  Crypt  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  the  depressive,  ambient  and  experimental  black  metal  genres,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Born  To  Abhor"  "Purest  Negative  Thoughts"  "Ugly  Passion"  and  "Farewell  TO  Innocence".  8  out  of  10.      

Unsacred/False Light/Forcefield Records/2014 CD Review

  Unsacred  are  a  band  from  Virginia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  raw  black  metal  and  crust  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "False  Light"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Forcefield  Records.

  A  very  distorted  sound  along  with  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  direction  along  with  some  brutal  blast  beats  and  the  energy  of  crust  punk  while  you can  also  hear some  technical  parts  in  their  musical  sound  along  with  some  melodies  and  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  You  can  hear  a  lot  of  modern  Scandinavian  influences  in  the  bands  musical  style  along  with  a  decent  amount  of  d-beats  and  all  of  the  songs  remain  true  to  a  very  fast,  heavy,  raw  and  brutal  direction  throughout  the  recording  and  there  is  never  a  soft  or  weak  moment  to  be  found  anywhere  in  the  tracks  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  bass  guitars  bring  in  more  of  a  powerful  sound.

  Unsacred  plays a  very  fast  and  extreme  style  that  combines  some  of  the  rawest and  most  talented  black  metal  with  crust  punk  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  and  this  is  probably  one  of  the  heaviest  US  black  metal  records  to  be  released  in  a  long  time,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  yet  brutal  and  dark  at  the  same  time  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  philosophical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Unsacred  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  brutal  mixture  of  black  metal  and  crust  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "False Light"  "Erode"  and  "Cage".  8/5  out  of  10.  

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Exquisite Ending/The Rites Of Misanthropism Psalms I to IV/Hibernacula Records/2015 EP Review

  Exquisite Ending  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  misanthropic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  ep  "The  Rites  Of  Misanthropism  Psalms  I  to  IV"  which  will  be  released  by  Hibernacula  Records.

  Atmospheric  sounds  which  also  have  an  ambient  feeling  to  them  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some spoken  word  parts  and  after  a  minute  the  music  goes  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  black  metal  direction  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  grim  screams  and  after  awhile  the  band  starts  to  bring  a  good  amount  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  At  times  the  riffs  bring  out  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  you  can  hear  a  lot  of  hate  being  utilized  in  the  vocals  and  the  spoken  word  parts  also  make  a  return  on  a  couple  of  the  tracks  and  they  also  mix  some  technical  parts  into  a  very  raw  black  metal  sound  at  time  which  also  makes  their  music  stand  out  even  more.

  Exquisite Ending  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  misanthropic  capturing  a  lot  of  the  old  school  sound  while  also  mixing  in  some  of  the  more  modern  technical  sound  as  well as  keeping  everything  in  a  very  true  and  pure  style  of  black  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  misanthropic  and  occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Exquisite Ending  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  misanthropic  black  metal band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Ostracism  Of  Tormenting  Morality"  and  "We  Perish  As one  Vessle".  8  out  of  10.

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Hell Poemer/Arcane Mysteries Of Dead Ancestors/Tenebird Music/2013 CD Review

  Hell  Poemer  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric,  raw  and  melodic  form  of   black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Arcane  Mysteries  Of  Dead  Ancestors"  which  was  released  by  Tenebird  Music.

      A  very  dark  and  ritualistic  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  melodic  black  metal  direction  that  also  incorporates  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  and  grim  screams  and  the music  also  brings  in  very  epic  and  atmospheric  sounding  synths  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  which  also  have  an  ambient  influence to  them  and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  added into  the  music  they  continue  the  melodic  sound  this  band  focuses  on  a  great  amount  and  there  are  also  some  spoken  word  parts  being  utilized  at  times  and  a  good portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  you  can  also  hear  war  samples  being added  into  some  of  the  tracks.

  When  clean  parts  are  added into  the  music  they  bring  in  a  very  medieval  pagan  folk  music  feeling  while  the  main  focus  remains  on  an  epic  black  metal  sound  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  bring  in  nature  sounds  and  a  tragic  feeling  coming  out  of  the  synths  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  vocals  also  start  getting  deeper  on  some  of  the  tracks  and  bring  in  more  of  a  death  metal  feeling  to  the  songs  they  are  utilized  on.

  Hell  Poemer  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  fast,  raw,  melodic,  atmospheric  and  epic  sounding  and  they  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  talent  and  skill  on  the  musical  instruments,  the  production  has  a  very  raw,  heavy  and  powerful  sound  to  it  while  the  lyrics  cover  The  Dark  Side  Of  Nature,  Ancient  Pride,  Philosophy  and  Greek  Paganism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Hell  Poemer  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw,  melodic,  atmospheric  and  epic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Temple  of  the  Appollonian  Wisdom"  "Triumphant  battle  In  Hyperion's  Winter"  and  "When  Ichor  Calls  For  War".  8/5  out  of  10.

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Ctulu/Sarkomand/Black Blood Records/Human To Dust/2014 Vinyl Re-Issue Review

  Ctulu  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  fast,  raw  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of   their  2011  album  "Sarkomand"  which  will  be  re-issued  in  December  on  vinyl  as  a  joint  effort  between  Black  Blood  Records  and  Human  TO  Dust.

  A  very  fast,  raw  and  melodic  old  school  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  and  when  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  grim  sounding  screams  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  bringing  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  At  times  you  can  hear  some  ritualistic  and  nature  sounds being  added into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  some  old  school  melodies  that  bring  a  NWOBHM  to  the  album  and  after  awhile you  can  hear  a  small  amount  of  chants  in  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  a  few  tracks  that  are  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  acoustic  guitars  and  melodic  vocals  are  utilized  they  give  the  music  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling  and  you  can  also  hear  death  metal  growls  being  utilized  at  times  along  with  some  of  the  riffing  also  bringing  in  element s of  that  genre  and  a  good  portion  of  the  bands  musical  style  seems  to  be  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  90's  Swedish  black  metal  bands  while  some  of  the  tracks  also  bring  in  a  thrash  feeling  to  the  riffs  and  on  the  last  track  keyboards  are  added  into t he  music  while  the  song  also  still  brings  in  heavy  parts.

  Ctulu  plays  a  Swedish  style  of  black  metal  that is  very  old  school,   raw  and  melodic  and  also  incorporates  some  death metal  influences  which  also  gives  the  album  more  of  an  update  blackened  death metal  feeling,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  Lovecraft  and  Nightmare  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Ctulu  are  a  very  great  sounding  fast,  raw  and  melodic  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Arckanum  Der  Tiefen"  "Traumturm"  and  "Mondsucht".  8  out  of  10.

http://ctulu.bandcamp.com/album/sarkomand

     

Inchiuvatu/Via Matris/Inch Productions/2014 EP Review

  Inchiuvatu  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  an  acoustic  form  black  metal  with  elements  of  folk  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Via  Matris"  which  was  released  by  Inch  Productions.

  Acoustic  guitars  and  folk  instruments  start  off  the  ep  giving  the  recording  a  medieval  pagan  feeling   and  after  a  minute  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  which  also  evolve into  grim  black  metal  screams  and  they  also  add  fast  drumming  into  the  folk  music  parts  at  times  and  after  awhile  the  acoustic  guitars  also  start  getting  more  aggressive  with  the  black  metal  style  vocals.

  The  keyboards  have  a  very  tragic  feeling  to  them  at  times  and  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  the  acoustic  guitars  start  utilizing  raw  tremolo  picking  while  they  still  keep  around  the  folk  music  influence  and  some  of  the  alter  songs  also  sees  the  music  using  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  along  with  some  psychedelic  elements  and  a  couple of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length  and  on  the  last  track  the  vocals  start  bringing  in  demonic  growls.

  On  this  ep  Inchiuvati  creates  a  very  grim  style  of  black  metal  that  is  done  with  acoustic  guitars  which  also  have  the  fast  picking  of  regular  black  metal  at  times  and  they  also  add  in  folk  music  to  their  music  sound  more  original,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Sicilian  and  cover  anti  Christianity,  sex  and  drama  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Inchiuvatu  are  a  very  great  sounding  acoustic  black  metal  band  with  folk  music  influences  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In Utero"  "Trafitta"  and  "Santa  Balata".  8  out  of  10.

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Goatchrist Interview

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Goatchrist is a mouthpiece for a range of diverse (yet related) thematic topics. We aim to build upon what is often described as 'the true essence of black metal' with magickal lyrical formulas and influences from other genres of music; thus far, I'm content with our progression towards this goal.
Goatchrist was 'formed' this year (2014) as a solo project by myself. This came after my brief time as an auditioning guitarist for Sathamel, a similar band to my own, which is comprised of some friends of mine. At the time, my skill with the guitar and attitude towards the music did not match their requirements, so I was declined the role; however, I'd already commenced writing material for them. These songs (both parts of Bloodletting, The Four Horsemen and Catacombs) were recorded alongside two other, older tracks (The Scrying Mirror and Inferno, then called 'Crushing Your Essence Under Fire and Brimstone') which were re-recorded and released under the Goatchrist name.
Shortly afterwards, I decided to turn the band into a live project, and recruited Kaahl (ex-Slaughter Throne) and Aamon-Vetis to complete the lineup.

2.So far you have released 2 demos this years, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both recordings and also how do they differ from each other?
The 'Legion' demo is a recording from 2013 created whilst I was under the spell of Xasthur, Leviathan and other excellent USBM bands. It had been sat on an old computer of mine until months after the first demo was released, and upon re-listening to my old recordings, I decided they were a sufficiently polished insight into my musical roots to release.
She Who Holds the Scrying Mirror differs greatly from this. The sound and production, though still raw, is more polished and certainly more fitting for the style of music. Whereas Legion is an attempt to recreate a specific sound, The Scrying Mirror is an exploration into my own sounds and ideas.

3.Your lyrics cover some Luciferian and Occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
I don't think there exists a single black metal fanatic that, at some point, has not identified as an adept or follower of some form of Sinister philosophy. My own path began in a very juvenile manner, with the label of 'Satanist' used for shock value alone. However, my interest in chaos magick began after the influence of my friend [Ryan Fleming, from Solitude Forest]. The Order of the Nine Angles, a belief system that mirrors the basic principles of chaos in its core values, soon became a useful tool to develop my beliefs.
The Luciferian imagery in the first demo comes as a result of my disdain towards other bands that promote "chaos" by presenting it in a dogmatic format, which I find absurd [it is for this reason that I despise groups like the Misanthropic Luciferian Order, who preach about Abrahamic rituals and Jewish dragons and expect to be taken seriously].
It should be noted that my own personal beliefs are more akin to Thelema and the ancient religion of Sumer, far more so than any type of 'Satanism'.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Goatchrist'?
The goat is the independent warrior; the sheep is the mindless follower. Thus, the 'Goatchrist' is the warrior-king, a prophet who declines to keep any followers or worshippers and instead teaches the strong to become stronger, and in time, banishes the weak.

 5.Are there any plans to do any live shows with this band or is this strictly a studio project?
We have a gig booked for February 20th at the Fenton in Leeds, supporting Sodomized Cadaver. As of now, the band is a live project.

6.Recently SixSixSix Music re-issued your first demo, are there any plans to also re-issue the second demo?
No. There'd be no reason to; it's available already for free to those who desire to trace our/my musical roots.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?
Fantastic, actually. We've had several excellent reviews of the Scrying Mirror demo and one good review of Legion. It seems that our music appeals to both the 'kvlt'-type black metaller and the brutal death metaller alike.

8.What is going on with some of your other bands or musical projects these days?
Kierkegaard, my ambient project, is taking a break from recording until the new year. Mors Voluntaria, my personal outlet for a different kind of message, is in the process of recording its first album [I've already recorded all guitars, and B. is in the process of recording drums and his own guitar parts].

9.Where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?
A far more melodic and faster sound. Previews of the new songs have already been sent around a few of my close inner circle of friends. I think we'll stay with SixSixSix too, as they've done a truly excellent job of promoting the release and, for now, are the perfect label to work with.

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?
Good black metal is my only direct influence for this project; the rest of the sound is my own ideas and experimentation. I'd say Leviathan is a definite influence, as are Absu, Destroyer 666 and Melechesh. Other than that, I don't really listen to much metal, and some of my preferred artists and bands include the Grateful Dead, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Shining (from Norway; Niklas Kvarforth isn't my cup of tea in the slightest), ELO, the Eagles, the Who, etc.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Reading philosophy and mathematics, and also experimenting with psychedelic/hallucinogenic substances in order to delve deeper into the acausal plane of unused universal energy (the 'spirit world' to the lay man). That's pretty much all I have time to do, and juggling those with the music can be a challenge at times, though all three of these activities enhance my musical skill in rather abstract ways.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Respect to all individuals who've supported our cause thus far. Agios O Noctulis!

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