Sivyj Yar/Burial Shrouds/Avantgarde Music/2015 CD Review

  Sivyj  Jar  are  a  solo  project  from  Russia  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this zine  and  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  pagan  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2015  album  "Burial  Shrouds"  which  was  released  by  Avantgarde  Music.

  A  very  epic  and  medieval  sound  starts  off  the  album  and  after  the  intro  clean  playing  and  drum  beats  are  brought  in  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  pagan/black  metal  direction  along  with  some  melodies  and  atmospheric  elements  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them while  the  fast  parts  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  raw  aggression  and  blast  beats.

  Vocals  are  mostly  done  the  angry  black  metal  shouting  direction  and  when  solos  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  direction  and  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic in  length  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  synths  and folk  instruments.

  Most  of  the  music  is  rooted  mostly  in  a  modern  black  metal  style  along  with  the  songs  heavy  a  perfect  balance  between  both  clean  and  heavy  parts  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  vocals  also  start  utilizing  more  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  and  some  of  the  melodies  also  add  in  a  touch  of  post  black  metal  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples  and  the  last song  also  brings  in  a  view  seconds  of  melodic  female  pagan  chants.

  Sivyj  Yar  plays  a  style  of pagan  black  metal  on  this  recording  that  is  very  melodic,  progressive  and  atmospheric  while  still  also  having  its  raw  moments,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  yet  powerful  at  the  same  time  while  the  lyrics  cover  Russian  Paganism.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Sivyj  Yar  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of pagan  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Burial  Shrouds"  and  "The  Snow  Shall  Fall  For  A  Long  While".  8  out  of  10. 

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Celtefog/Three Nights In The Mediterranean Sea/Old Graves Productions/2015 EP Review

  Celtefog  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  plays  a  pagan  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  ep  "Three  Nights  In  The  Mediterranean  Sea"  which  was  released  by  Old Graves  Productions.

  Nature sounds  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  whispered  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  a  few  seconds  ambient  sounds  are  added  onto  the  recording  which  also  leads  up  to  melodic  guitar  leads  and  blast  beats  that  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction  as  well  as  introducing  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  onto  the  recording.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  both  of  the  songs  use  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  at  times  and  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  the  faster  sections  also  have  a  raw  edge  to  them  at  times  and  they  close  the  recording  with  a  cover  of  Windir's  "Svartesmeden  Og  Lundamystrollet"  which  also  brings  in  a  few  seconds  of  clean  singing  pagan  vocals.

  Celtefog  plays  a  style  of  pagan  metal  that  is  very  epic,  melodic  and  atmospheric  sounding  as  well  as  displaying  a  great  amount  of  talent  and  skill  on  both  of  the  tracks,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism,  Nature,  Winter  and  Revenge  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Celtefog  are  a  very  great  sounding  pagan  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Three  Nights  In  The  Mediterranean  Sea".  8  out  of  10.

http://celtefog.bandcamp.com/album/three-nights-in-the-mediterranean-sea

Music Distroyer Interview

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

    Working mostly. Not playing as many shows as we should. With our lineup always changing it's been difficult to play shows and record new albums. Right now, we are down a bassist but, one might come on for the album we plan to release in October. Our guitarist was in a band called Sagorith from Many Farms, AZ. He moved up here and has been playing and helping me with Music Distroyer for two years now. Which has been awesome! We are planning another ritual for Sep. 9 so, hopefully it will get recorded and put out shortly after.

2.Recently you where a part of a split, 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?
  
   Music Distroyer is like two trash cans fucking. With a homeless guy puking into it. It's filthy, dirty, raw and unrehearsed.

    As for this recording I would say that it is more refined and we paid more attention to recording and writing. We actually have a beginning and an ending.   Having Mort'Ka on guitar has really helped give us a new sound of melody and chaos. My older  recordings over the years have either been heavily drug and alcohol induced or using sleep deprivation and caffeine over load to coax the music from within. So I guess our sound as musicians is evolving into something I'm not quite sure of still... which is exciting in itself.

3.According to the Metal Archives page the band has been around since 1998 and while I live in Colorado I never came across your music until a year ago and also I thought black metal bands did not exist in the state back then, can you tell us a little bit more about the early years?

      Well 91' is when I started this recording and playing. It was more punk, thrash, and noise abuse. I have old recordings that friends have told me sound like black metal, but I don't see the similarities.
      In 98' I played in a band called MVI, a thrash band out of Mammoth Lakes CA. The drummer (Lord Sxupeion) introduced me to several bands I had never heard of.
      Always wanting more out of music I started  to create more in the vein of Black Metal.
     The Black Metal scene was shit then. No one cared enough to stop you from playing which is something I miss.
     The first three albums/demos were horrible. I tried to play all the parts myself because Lord Sxuperion and I were too busy with life to continue recording. I had just moved back to CO in 01' and had no access to any musicians. I played each part with loops when playing live and recorded each part at my home studio.

   Started playing more open mic nights, calling it acoustic black metal. Nobody stopped me for a while because my daughter was with me and they just thought that it was so cute. She would scream and I would play.

Found a few people on the road here and there who would help play live shows so I made a game of it. It helped me write more...

    I just started pumping out material and playing wherever anybody would let me. House shows were good.
And open fields, mountain tops with generators, it was definitely a very chaotic and inebriated number of years.

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

   Human emotion, philosophy, and religion as a whole. (Sadomasochism, Satanic Critical Thinking, Occultism).


5.In the early years the music on the recordings was all solo, are you still recording everything on the albums by yourself?

    No, the last 5 releases I have had guest musicians help me out now and then. I'm not a creepy loner anymore, hiding from the world. Then on occasions going and spewing my filth to see a reaction. The early recordings were a lot more powerful and angry. When I collaborate now with others, I seam to have lost a little of that luster but the sound and ideology is also changing.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Music Distroyer'?

   Well I played in a band called MVI (Modular, Vortical, Informatics) Which means to pull from three ideas to make one, it's a vortex of ideas. I just changed the name to Music Distroyer, using the same symbol I used on that band.
 
7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

   The best shows are the open fields with a bonfire going. I've had so many of those.
   The 6-6-06 show was pretty sick. We all took a bunch of acid and shrooms then tried to play a show, after that fiasco we all took off into the woods, I think it was only four bands and us. Iberg played drums for me at that time.
    We played at the Durango Art Center one time not sure the day or year but we got kicked out for saying " all you hippies out there fucking die", and some kid broke a window with his head, which I thought was funny.

As for stage presence, we prefer the dark. We understand that the audience needs visuals, but we think listening to the show in the dark is the best way our music can be heard.

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

    Well that is a great question. I would love to but it costs so much to travel and it's not like we get paid enough to cover the travel time. Playing a show shouldn't be about the money but it is hard to get to shows without money. So, you save for however long just to play a show for a half hour. And to get a response from the fans saying "It  was so great man! Thanks for comin' out!" If we could sell more merchandise, we would definitely tour more

9.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Nathanas', what are your thoughts on the solos project the  have participated on the recording?

     Natanas is torture to me. I feel alone and ready to die without hope of return.
His DSBM is destruction to the mind but just soothing enough to lure you in for the kill.
      I'm very proud to be a part of this split with Natanas.

10.Can you tell us a little bit more about Death Portal Studio?

We were a nonprofit recording and production company/label out of Durango, CO. We have helped bands in the past get on there feet and understand the ropes of touring or making merchandise.

Now, we are revising the company as a whole and what we are and what we offer. There has been a lack of funds from previously released bands and merchandise to keep the nonprofit part afloat. We are having a mutiny on our hands the minions are getting hungry and thirsty!!

     Our volunteers make this company. As we hope they stick around though, that is never the case. We are constantly changing. Again, I'm teaching, back to the basics right! While holding down a full time job that is the sole funding for Death Portal Studio. We are soon to start (again) Silk Screening our own merch to help generate funds for the label. We are trying to make it not just for the label but a Merchandise Production Company for small custom orders.
   
We hand make cases for your cd's ,vinyl's and tape releases. We print your custom art on all your merch needs. Help you learn how to do it yourself or provide that service for you. We also provide mobile recording, or come to our studio in Durango. At a reasonable rate.
    
 
11.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?

     Over seas is great! I think America is shitty when it comes to support, they don't know the meaning of camaraderie. Great supporters in the states have been few and far between but they do exist.
     
12.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
      Most of Death Portal bands are affiliated with each other.

Rattusk, is out of Maine. He has tons of new material on his bandcamp page.

Exoteric Rift, is out of CO. He is putting together more instrumental material at this time.

Ashes, is out of CO. I will be releasing another album in September

Olde Tome, is out of CO. He is talking about a release in the new year.

Aetranok, is out of NM. They will be releasing there album hopefully very soon.

ITNOTK, is out of NM and CO. Releasing soon!

Blood Wizard, is out of CO and MA. Hopefully some time in the winter we will have another shitty release.

Thrymheym, is out of Italy. They have 2 albums and a new one coming soon!

Mollehoj, is out of Washington state. She has a split release with Twilight Fauna under her name Jennifer Christensen. Out Now!!!
     
 
13.Where do you see the band heading musically in the future?

      Well, we put no bounds on the music we play so we could become a cover band for all I know.

      We will just continue as we always have, playing music, recording, having fun, gettin' drunk and do it all again. I don't think we will change much except maybe more refined recordings.

14.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?

      For the rock influences -  Lou Reed (Velvet Ungerground) ,The Doors, Pink Floyd, Sonic Youth, Frank Zappa, and many more....

      For Metal influences  - Sarcofago, King Diamond, Valdur, Sxuperion, Odz Monouk, Arizmenda, Horna, Satanic Warmaster, Striborg, Cryfemal, Deathspell Omega, and a FUCK ton more!!!

These days I listen to, Nybbas, Igni Dare, Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, Fedra, Blood Empire, and  too many to list.

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

Thank you for this interview!
   To all who read this come check out our stuff at deathportalstudio.bandcamp.com or email us at deathportalstudio@gmail.com

Krallice/Ygg Huur/AvanardeMusic/2015 CD Review

  Krallice are  a  band  from  New  York   that   has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  technical  and  avant  garde  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Ygg  Huur"  which  was  released  by  Avantgarde  Music.

  A  very  dark  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  and  after  a  few  seconds  blast  beats  and grim  black  metal  screams  start  becoming  a  huge  part  of  the  recording  and  the  songs   also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  faster  sections  being  in  more  of  a  raw  black  metal  direction.

  Elements  of  post  metal  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  riffs  also  get  very  technical  at  times  and  also  adds  a  touch  of  avant  garde to  the  bands  musical  style  and  all  of  the  tracks  also  remain  true  to  a  heavy  musical  style.

  Krallice  creates  an  album  that  is  still  in  a  black  metal  direction  while  also  getting  a  lot  more  technical  over  the  years  and  they  manage  to  avoid  the  cascadian  style  that  was  present  on  earlier  recordings,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  Esoteric  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Krallice  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Wastes  of  ocean"  and  "Bitter  meditation".  8  out  of  10.

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K.L.L.K Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1. First of all, thank you for your review of our EP on OccultBlackMetalZine as well as the attention that you give to our work. KLLK was born from the musical alliance of my friend SkSk and myself. At that time we were both eager for lore and underground music. That is how in 2009 we came with this idea of an hermetic black metal in abidance with a mystic background. This is how our firsts notes 'I' and then 'Terra Apsens Lux' were released between 2009 and 2012 with the support of musicians who were receptive to our musical approach.

2.In July you had released a new ep, 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?
2. Our current work is indubitably quite different from our firsts two demo. these were made on impulse following a cathartic composition process. At that time the musicians who surrounded us were not involved in the composition process as they are nowadays. It would be interesting to add that our influences evolved and became more specific leading us to some more ritualistic and progressive aspects. This we owe to the symbiotic work of each musician in the band.

 3.Over the years your lyrics have covered Indo Europeanism, Celtic Rituals, Cosmologies, the occultist Julius Evola and Mithraism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the different pantheons and also the works of Evola?
3. We grant great importance to the thematics. I will try by this brief sketch to represent the essence of our project. In our thematics occultism generally isn't presented as abstract as is new-age, Steiner's 'vitalistic' esoterism and doesn't approch Blavatsky's syncretism. It is rather based on doctrines, substantive analyzes and cultural transmissions. In essence, lineage. This is why these subjects draw their influences from indo-european conceptions, ancient cosmogonies and cults from vanished civilizations. This attraction is especially oriented on our multi-millennium Europe because it is our birthplace, so the origin of all our deep concepts. Julius Evola is a great source of inspiration as well since he, in my opinion, plays one of the most important role in the search for transcendence and brings a metaphysical look over a modern, materialistic and anarchic era. Among the other authors that inspire us I could name Mircea Eliade, Savitri Devi, Rene Guenon, Nietzsche and George Soules.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name K.L.L.K'?
4. It will never be unveiled.

5.Has the band done any live shows or this strictly a studio project?
5. It was not part of our original plan, but since, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. More information will come to you soon, but we already have some good suggestions!

6.The ep was released on Mithra! Infrasound, can you tell us  a little bit more about this label?
6. Mithra! Infrasound is a subdivision of the French webzine Mithra! Templezine in which I officiates as editor. This is a particularly small structure that produces analog formats into very neat editions looking like relics. More productions will emerge soon, including a French neofolk duo and even Power Electronics!

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
7. For the moment we have got some good feedback and encouraging recepetions from activists of the underground scene, we are sometimes surprised by the requests that may be extended to Australia, Canada and Russia. We owe this distribution to the brave support of GZ from Underground Soundscapes, Space Black Metal, LF from  NKVD / Autokrator or M. Tinnemans from  Tabula Obscura, and many others. All these supports drew us on carrying on this path and we thank them for it.

8.Between 2012 and 2015 there was no new music being released, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
8. Indeed, We froze the activity for a year, from 2014 to 2015, and before this we recorded the EP 'Between the Heliocentric First Wind and the Great Devourer of Light' which was supposed to come out on an American label along with a Drone music project, Iron Gavel. We will not disclose the name of the label.

9.Early this year you had released your first 2 demo's on a compilation, can you tell us a little bit more about this release?
9. This compilation is primarily a gateway to the release of our EP and it allows to officially put 'Terra Apsens Lux' back on the agenda. The idea to add tracks collected from our many experiments - some dating back to 2010 - came much later, we wanted to immortalise these lost compositions. This kind of anthology is only available in digital format.

10.What is going on with the other musical project these days that 3/4th of the band members are a part of?
10. Indeed, we work on other projects that have no link with KLLK. N.Sol Invictus and me are part of a declinist Black Metal project named Avitum, a demo was released this year on Atavism Records. Other projects are in preparation and will be ruled by the same intention of transcendental research.

11.Where would you like to see the band heading into musically during the future?
11. Our work will remain impregnated by the atmospheric Black Metal and led in a ritualistic way. We have no intention of moderating ourselves now that we have a real drummer among us; Sleap aka B.Abysse. our possibilities have definitely expanded.

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?
12. Our first influences came from groups practicing a deep and occult Black Metal like Deathspell Omega ('If Monumentum Requires, Circumspice' being one of our favorites), Portal, Blood of Kingu, Alrakis, Darkspace, Vrolok and Urfaust. We also had a distinct preference for industrial and experimental music, I think of SPK, Swans, Zero Kama, Militia (especially the tribalism vibe on the album 'Power.Propaganda.Production!') Allerseelen, the first Lustmord and Mz 412. There is currently a more diversified synergy among the band members, we particularly worship Crepusculo Negro, the bands labeled as 'Cascadian Black Metal'. We also have an attraction for dissonance and labels like Prison Tatt, Pesanta Urfolk, Sol y Nieve, or Beläten and Lost Pilgrims. Most recently we have been marked by bands like Vanum, Maléfices (Canada), Yussuf Jerusalem and the album 'The Lone Descent' from :of the wand and the moon: .

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. Once again thank you for this interview, we're hoping that the answers are interesting enough. We are currently on the composition of a more consistent release, the details will be revealed in the coming weeks!


Regards!


Carl Neomalthusian / K.L.L.K

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Yuyvr/Incinerated Gods/Throatruiner Records/201 EP Review

  Vuvyr  are  a  band  from  Switzerland  that  has  been  featured  before in  this  zine  and  plays  a  raw  mixture  of  black  metal  and  crust  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Incinerated   Gods"  which  was  released  by  Throatruiner  Records.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  old  school  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  a  few  seconds  later  high  pitched  screams  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding.

  A  lot  of  the  riffs  use  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  elements  of  crust  and  hardcore  can  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  songs  along  with  a  touch  of  post  black  metal  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  part and  the  influences  are  perfectly  balnced  between  both  old  school  and  modern  styles.

  Vuyvr plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  while  also  bringing  in  elements  of  crust  and  hardcore  and  using  post  black  metal  style  solos  to  make  their  music  stand  out  a  bit  more,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Vuyvr  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of crust  influenced  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hate  is  A  Black  Hole"  and  "Devoured".  8  out of  10. 

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Nesseria/Fractures/Throatruiner Records/2015 CD Review

  Nesseria  are  a  band  from  France  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  that  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  raw  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  sludge  and  crust  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  ''Fractures"  which  was  released  by  Throatruiner  Records.

  AM  radio  noises  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavy  and  melodic  sludge  metal  along  with  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  after  awhile  more  fast  and  raw  parts  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have a  very  powerful  sound  to  them..

  Elements  of  post  hardcore  and  crust  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  very  dark  and  melodic  and  the  songs   also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and   some  songs  bring  in  thrash  influences  and  the  music  also  gets  atmospheric  at  times  while  some of  the  brutal  sections  bring  in  grind  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts.

  Nesseria  remains  true  to  the  modern  raw  black  metal  sound  of  previous  recordings  and  also  continues  to  mix  in  elements  of  post  hardcore,  crust  and  sludge,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  yet  powerful  at  the  same  time  while  the lyrics  are  written  in  French  and  cover  angry  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Nesseria  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED   TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Leurs   Histories"  "Fractures"  "Civitas"  and  "Omayra".  8  out  of  10.   

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Movimento d'Avanguardia Ermetico/Torri Del Silenzio/Avantgarde Music/2015 CD Review

  Movimento  D'  Avantguardia  Emetico  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  very  complex  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  3025  album  "Torri  Del  Silenzio"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Avantgarde  Music.

  A  very  distorted  yet  modern  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  and  a  few  seconds  later  spoken  word  parts  which  are  also  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  are  added  onto  the recording  and  on  the second  track  the  music  speeds  up  a  bit  and also  adds  in  more  of  a  raw  style  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  grim  screams  while  a  decent  amount  of  melodies  are  still  utilized.

  Throughout  the  recording  there  is  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  in  more  of  an  atmospheric  and  melodic  black  metal  direction  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  incorporating  more  experimental  and  ambient  elements  and  most of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  a  couple  of  the  later  tracks  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  which  also  gives  the  song  more  of a  progressive  feeling.

  Movimento  D'  Avantguardia  Emetico  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  modern,  complex  and  sometimes  raw  while  also  managing  to  be  atmospheric  and  avant  garde  in  more  of  a  grim  approach,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  yet  powerful  at  the  same  time  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Italian  and  cover  poetic  and  philosophical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Movimento  D'  Avantguardia  Emetico are  a  very  great  sounding  complex  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "La  cresta  verso  Grauhaupt"  and  "Torri  Del  Silenzio".  8  out  of  10.  

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Kirkebrann Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
 These days we are preparing and doing last arrangements on the material for our next album. I guess in september we will be ready to go to studio and record our 12 tracks. We are also preparing for a small concert in Oslo 14 sep.

2.In April you where a part of a split, how would you describe the musical sound of the newer material and also how does it differ from  the stuff you have released in the past?
Well it's still our sound but on this next album the majority of the members participated in the composition so it will be a bit different. On our earlier releases i wrote most of the material and we arrange it together on rehersals, now we still arrange it together but different writers. I guess the new album will be more solid, a bit scizho, but still Kirkebrann he he. It's Black Metal still, the way we like it, in your fucking face.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
I guess we are a bit sick of the world... it's full of arrogant people believing we are better than the universe itself, but most of all we are anti religious. Religion is the big plague in this world and that's one of the big message in our lyrics. All is fucked up... I can not fucking understand how people can believe in that crap. Just read those damn books and see how fucked up it is. Take a look at the universe and understand how small you really are.

4.I know that the bands name means church burning', how would you describe your anti Christian and Satanic views?
I guess i answered this already he he. We are not just anti christian but anti religion. And church of satan? Who needs a damn book to learn how to think... fuck it.

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?
I get fucked on stage and I release the hatred he he. We had a few line up changes so i guess there have been some different performances but it all over quite good i think. We always get good feedback from the audience; I do my best to fuck them up he he. I enjoyed most of our shows. I guess, one of my favorite is of course when we played at Inferno Festival Club Day with full house. It was great... there was not room for more people. The gigs in Tønsberg our, “hometown”, have always been good and of course in Spain on our mini tour we had some good crowded, specially in Palencia he he Yes, you guys were crazy.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Well now we will focus on the album during few moths except for the gig in Oslo, so i guess it will not be so many gigs this year, but we started booking and hopfully have many gigs next year. We have confirmed a gig at a festival in Wales april next year. Finally we have a manager now so I don't have to do all the work myself he he.

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the bands that where also a part of the current split?
There is Visegaard from Skien, a good Black Metal band; I think they have some trouble with their debut album but i hope it works out for them he he. I haven't talked so mutch with those guys but they are a good gang. We will hopefully play together again. And of cpurse, there are our good friends of Djevelkult... they released their full length last year i think (don't kill me Jan) and we have played lots of gigs with them. We toured together with them in Spain and will co-headline with them next year on the festival in Wales. They are working on some new meterial now and it sounds good. We will still work together with them.

8.The split was released by VempireChrist & Visual Assault, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
To be honest i dont know much about it ha ha ha. As far as i know it's a fan made split in a very limited copies and i still have a few left if someone like to order just contact me on the Kirkebrann page on Facebook.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by black metal?
I guess it has been good. Our first album was not very good promoted but all feedback i get is good. We will do better on the promotion in the future and get Kirkebrann out to the masses he he. As i said before the live feedback is always good, so more touring must be done.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects that the band members are a part of?
It's a bit quiet in all of them he he. I think Svidd is finished with an EP and Svikt is working in some new songs for recording. There has been some trouble with lineup changes and a break in the rehearsal room. So it's a bit quiet but something will happen eventually. My other projects are on ice so I will focus on Kirkebrann for a while.

11.You are getting record to record a new album, what can we expect musically when it comes out?
Guess i have answered this already again he he. As i said it will be a bit different with 12 songs but still Black Punk fucking Metal. So if you don't fuck off and listen to something else he he.

12.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?
I guess my biggest inspiration is old Darkthrone (A Blaze in the Nothern Sky 'til Panzerfaust) and old Gorgoroth (Pentagram til Under the Sign of Hell). Fantastic albums and will always be. Still I listen to them nowadays he he. I'm not so good at checking out new bands but i think Svarthauge from Oslo is great. I mostly listen to old black metal,punk and rock and roll. There is no black metal without rock and roll.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
The world will end and everything will die and that is a good thing!!

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Nybbas/Azerate/2015 EP Review

  Nybbas  are  a  band  from  Colorado  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  depressive  form  of  occult  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their self  released  2015  ep  "Azerate".

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric  synth  intro  starts  off  the  ep  and  after  the  intro  the  music  starts  going  for  more  of  a  heavier  and  raw  style  of  black  metal  and  once  the  high  pitched  screams  kick  in  the  music  starts  getting  very  fast  and  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  After  awhile  the  vocals  start  bringing  in  more  of  a  grim  atmosphere  and  some  of  the  riffs  also  bring  in  depressive  melodies  at  times  along  with  a  few  tracks  being  long  and  epic in  length  and mostly of  the  tracks  avoid  using  solos  and  leads  except  for the  last  track  and  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  fashion  while  the  main  focus  is  more  on  a  raw  style  of  black  metal  which  is  mostly  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  era and  the  ep  closes  with  thunder  and  rain  sounds.

  Nybbas  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw,  aggressive  and  mostly old  school  while some  elements  of  the  more  modern  depressive  and  occult  sides  of  the  genre  are  also  a  part  of  the  musical  style,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Left  Hand  Path,  Anti  Cosmic  Satanism  and  Depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Nybbas  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  depressive  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Burning  Down  The  Tree  Of  Life"  and  "Emanations  Of  Chaos".  8  out  of 10.

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Meuchelmord/Apathie/2015 EP Review

  Meuchelmord  are  a  solo  project  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2015  ep  "Apathie".

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  ep  and  after  a  few  seconds  elements  of  electronic  music  are  added  onto  the  recording  before  adding  in  more  of  a  heavy  and  depressive  black  metal  sound  that  also  uses  very  melodic  and  atmospheric  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads  and  on  the  second  track  the  music  gets  more  structured.

  When  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  very  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  songs  have  a  very  modern  approach  to  the  genre  and  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  can  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  songs  and  also  adds  to  a  touch  of  post  rock  to  the  tracks  and  as  the  ep  progresses clear  singing can  be  heard  briefly  and  the  whole  recording  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  musical  direction.

  Meuchelmord  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  depressive  while  also  mixing  the  post,  atmospheric  and  melodic  sides  of  the  genre  into  the  songs  to  make  the  music  stand  out  a  bit  more,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  depressive  themes.

  In my  opinion  Meuchelmord  are  a  very  great  sounding  depressive,  post  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Jahr"  and  "Regeneration".  8  out  of  10.

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Show Me Wolves Interview

 1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
1: Show Me Wolves is a solo project that I, Hörður Lúðvíksson, started early this year. The reason i wanted to do a solo project is that I had a bunch of songs that didn't fit into anything that i had been doing in the past, i wanted to try working alone and see how it would go, so far it has been great.

    2.Recently you have released an album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
2: When i started working on the album i didn't focus much on following a specific genre, instead i wanted to write music that i would listen to. Personally I would describe the album as a mix of black metal and death metal with some elements of metalcore. i however do not think of metalcore as a group of guys singing about how their girlfriends left them and using autotune as much as they can. for me metalcore is a genre where you mix together metal and hardcore.

    3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?
3: The lyrics i wrote for Between Man, God And False Idols are about corruption, mythical/demonic beings/places and depression and how these things affect the minds of men. 

    4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Show Me Wolves'?
4: I came up with the name when i was watching a show about wolves on TV. I have been fascinated by wolves for some time now, they are courageous and fierce animals. the word wolf in the name of the band however does not necessarily refer to the animal but rather means show me someone or something that is not afraid to speak its mind and does not take any shit from other beings.

    5.With this project you record everything by yourself but have worked with a full band in other projects, how would you compare the two?
5: well, both things has its perks and flaws, for instance, when you are working alone you have the freedom to do anything you want without other people commenting on it or telling you that you should do this and that. Dont get me wrong, hearing opinions and working with other people can also be great but you do not get the same freedom as you do when working alone. but being in a full band is also great, especially when it comes to playing live shows. when i will play live shows with Show Me Wolves i will have to hire some session musicians to assist me.

    6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the deal you have signed with Merdumgiriz?
6: Merdumgiriz are now designing some merch for Show Me Wolves, CD´s, Cassettes, T-shirts and some other stuff, which will be available hopefully in the coming weeks. They are also doing a PR campaign for Show Me Wolves. we are on a mission to spread Show Me Wolves music worldwide. I would recommend that people go check out all the cool stuff they are doing on merdumgiriz.org and on facebook.

    7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
7: It has been good so far, i have heard many positive things and gotten a lot of great comments which means a lot. Many people have already downloaded the album on my bandcamp site which is great and i would recommend that people head on over to bandcamp and get their free copy of the album. 

    8.Are you also involved with any other musical projects these days?
8: Yeah i am also in a hardcore/grindcore band called Grit Teeth with some fantastic musicians. We are online both on Bandcamp and Facebook so people can go check it out.

    9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?

9: I will keep on making new music for as long as i live, Show Me Wolves are here to stay so i will keep working on that hopefully for years to come. We are also doing a lot of cool stuff in my other band, Grit Teeth, so i will keep working on that as well. The rest remains to be seen.

    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?
10: I listen to a great variety of music which all influence me in some ways. The past few days i have been listening to some local bands like Misþyrming, Muck, Mannveira, Beneath and so on but also to foreign bands like Mechina, Behemoth, Nader Sadek, Trash Talk, LLNN and more.

    11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11: When i am not working on music or checking out new bands i often watch soccer or basketball games.

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

12: Yeah i would recommend that people like Show Me Wolves on facebook to stay updated with everything i am doing and also get your free download of my album on www.showmewolves.bandcamp.com . Check out Merdumgiriz online, they are doing some cool stuff over there and finally thanks for having me in this interview, stay metal!

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Stellar Master Elite/III: Eternalism - The Psycholospherical Chapter/Essential Purification Records/2015 CD Review

  Stellar  Master  Elite  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  with  elements  of  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "III: Eternalism - The Psycholospherical Chapter"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Essential  Purification  Records.

  A  very  powerful  bass  guitar  and  ambient  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  a  few  seconds  later  melodies  and  military  style  drum  beats  are  added  into  the  music  which  leads  up  to  more  of  a  black  metal  style  along  with  some  deep  and  grim  screams  that  also  use  growls  at  times  and a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Most  of  the  music  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  paced  musical  direction  while  there  are  also  some  fast  parts  and  blast  beats  and  also gets  atmospheric  at  times  and  after  awhile  the  vocals  get  more  high  pitched  and  you  can  also  hear  elements  of  industrial  at  times  and  some  tracks  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  samples.

   The  songs  at  times  also  bring  in  elements  of  death  metal  while  a  later track  also  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  singing  and  tribal  parts  giving  the  song  more  of  a  goth  feeling  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  gets  more  experimental  and  the  synths  also makes  the  music  sound  a  lot  more  powerful  while  a  later  track  brings  in  elements  of  black'n'roll.

  Stellar  Master  Elite  continue  their  ambient  and  atmospheric  approach  to  black  and  doom  metal  from  the  previous  recording  while  the  blackened  parts  dominate  most  of  the  heavier  sections  and  they  also  get  more  experimental  with  the  songs  and  display  a  great  amount  of progress  as  musicians,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  a  harsh  reflection  of  man's  own  relationship  with  the  sky  above  and  the passage  of  ages.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Stellar  Master  Elite  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Desperate  Grandeur"  "Hologram Temple"  and  "Mark  Of  The  Beast".  8  out  of  10.

http://www.stellarmasterelite.com/
https://www.facebook.com/smemusic
http://stellarmasterelite.bandcamp.com/

Show Me Wolves/Between Man, God And False Idols/2015 Full Length Review

 Show  Me  Wolves  are  a  solo  project  from  Iceland  that  plays  a  progressive  mixture  of  black,  death  metal  and  metalcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2015  album  "Between  Man,  God  And  False  Idols".

  Dark  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  word  samples  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  leads  up  to  a  heavier  musical  direction  that  also  incorporates  solos  and  leads  that  use  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Most  of  the  music  is  very  progressive  and  when  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  very  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  and  hen  the  music  speeds  up  it  brings  in blast  beats  along  with  a  more  raw  style  of  post  black  metal  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Elements  of  metalcore  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  a  touch  of  melodic  death  metal  and  the  music  can also  get  very  technical  at  times  and  also  brings  in  growls  in  some  parts  of  the  album  and  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  at  times  along  with  a  few  tracks  that  are  long  and  epic  in  length  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount of  clean  singing  vocals  and  spoken  word  parts  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  screamo  style  vocals.

  Show  Me  Wolves  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  progressive,  post  and  atmospheric styles  of  black  metal  and  mixes  them  in  with  a  touch  of  death  metal  and  metalcore  to  create  a  style  of  his  own,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  over  nature  and philosophical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Show me  Wolves  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  progressive  black  metal  and  metalcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Amongst  Us"  "Unknown  Reflection"  and  "Beyond  the  Sun".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showmewolves
Bandcamp: https://showmewolves.bandcamp.com

The Graven Sign/Transmission #001/Hibernacula Records/2015 EP Review

  The  Graven  Sign  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  ep  "Transmission #001"  which  will  be  released  on  August  28th  by  Hibernacula  Records.

  Emergency  alert  sounds  start  off  the  ep  before  adding  in  clean  and  acoustic  guitar  playing  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  progressive  feeling  and  they  also  utilize  both  finger  picking  and  full  chords  and  after  a  minute  the  music  goes  into  more  of  a  depressive  doom  metal  direction  along  with  some  melodic  leads  and  leads.

  All of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  and  brings  in  grim  screams  it  brings  in  more  of  a  raw  black  metal  feeling  without  losing  any  melody  and  all  3  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  and  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  both  clean  and  heavy  parts  and  the  music  also  sticks  to  mostly  a  slow  or  mid  paced musical  direction  and  adds  in  touches  of  post  metal  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  modern  atmosphere.  

  The  Graven  Sign  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  atmospheric  and  post  genres  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  melodic  doom  metal  to  create  some  very  original  sounding  music,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  nuclear  themes.

  In  my  opinion  The  Graven  Sign  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Source".  8  out  of  10.

http://facebook.com/thegravensign

 

Stagwounder/Invisible Radiance/2015 Full Length Review

  Stagwounder  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  grim  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2015  album  "Invisible  Radiance".

  Static  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  dark  and  melodic  guitar  riffing  and  a  few   seconds  later  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  are  added  into  the  music  and  the  riffs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  very  dark  and  melodic  and  all  of  the  songs  are  very  long  and epic  in  length.

  Clean  playing  and  clear  singing  can  be  heard  in  some  parts of  the songs  giving  the music  elements  of  stoner  rock  and  the  vocals  also  get  very  deep  and  grim  at  times  and  all  of  the musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  speeds  up  at  times  and  also  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  it  also  gives  the  music  a  raw  feeling  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  brings  in  a  few  seconds  of  spoken  word  parts.

  Stagwounder  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  grim  black  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  stoner  and  doom  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark,  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Stagwounder  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eos"  and  "Among  This  Place  Of  Skulls".  8  out  of  10.

http://stagwounder.bandcamp.com/releases

Natanas/Music Distroyer/Spitting The Serpent's Tongue/2015 Split Album Review

  This is  a  review  of  a  self  released  split  between  Wyoming's  Natanas  and  Colorado's  Music  Distroyer  called  "Spitting  The  Serpent's  Tongue"  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Natanas  a  solo  project  that  plays  an  occult  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal.

  His  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  distorted  soundscapes  and  a  few  seconds  later  melodic  guitar  riffs  and  grim  black  metal  screams  are  added  into  the  music  giving  the  songs  a  depressive  feeling  and  all  of  the  musical   instruments  have a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  after  awhile  nature sounds  can  be  heard  along  with  ambient  elements  can  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  songs.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in length  and  when solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  style  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  and  the  last  track  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  classical  guitars,  the  production   sounds  very  dark  an  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Misanthropy,  Esotericism  and  Suicide  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Natanas  are  a  very  great sounding  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Mercury  Haunting"  and  "Desperate  Hearts  Reside".

  Next  up  is  Music  Distroyer  a  band  that  plays  a  raw  mixture  of  black and  doom  metal.


  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  acoustic  guitar  playing  that  also  use  a  great  amount  of  finger  picking  and  after  the  intro  the  music  starts  getting  more  dark  and  heavy  and  also  adds  in  grim  black  metal  screams  as  will  as  mixing  in  morbid  sounding  melodies  and  deep  growls  can  be heard  at  times.

  Acoustic  guitars  also  make  their  return  at  times  and  there  is  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing  and  the  riffs  also  get  raw  at  times  and  most  of  their  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  also  sticks  mostly  to  very  slow  or  mid  paced  musical  direction  while  the  music  does  speed  up  a  bit  and  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats,  the  production   sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  philosophy,  human  emotion  and  religion  as  a  whole.

  In  my  opinion  Music  Distroyer  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "War  Among  Us".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  8  out  of  10.  

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Natanas/3540382144
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Music_Distroyer/3540335405