Draagyn/Bent Rib/2022 EP Review

 

  Draagyn  is  a  solo  artist  from  Los  Angeles,  California  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  more  of  an  avant  garde  and  experimental  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  her  self  released  2022  ep  "Bent  Rib".

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  avant  garde  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  clear  vocals  a  few  seconds  later.  Keyboards  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  some  whispers  and  spoken  word  parts  also  being  used  briefly  and  the  music  also  has  its  experimental  moments.

  Elements  of  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Black  metal  screams  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style,  the  whole  ep  also  sticks to  a  slower  direction  and clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  the  closing  track..     

  On  this  recording  Draagyn  takes  avant  garde  black  and  doom  metal  and  takes  them  into  more  of  an  experimental  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  beauty  and  decay  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Draagyn  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of experimental,  avant  garde  black  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Beating  heart  Cadaver".  8  out  of  10. 

  Apple Music - https://apple.co/3wwEzN2

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3QUnUv0

Youtube - https://youtu.be/lGA3DwACT00  

Wormgod/Where Old Curses Rest/Void Wanderer Records/War Productions/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Wormgod  are  a  band  from  Romania  that  plays  a  very  traditional form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Where  Old  Curses  Rest"  which  will  be  released  in  October  as  a  joint  effort  between  War  Productions  and  Void  Wanderer  Productions.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast beats.  melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  The  songs  also  mix  in  a  great  amount  of  mid  90's  influences  as  well  as  remaining  very  modern  at  the  same  time  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  synths  onto  the  recording,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks.

  Wormgod  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  style  of  black  metal  which  they  also  update  for  the  modern  era.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  hate  and  apocalyptic  themes.      

  In  my  opinion  Wormgod  are  a  very  great  sounding  traditional  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "My  Blood"  "In  Vale"  "Olden  Crusade"  and  "Postselfapocalypse".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l75MftrmaCs 

Wormgod's Facebook

For preorders:
https://voidwanderer.com/product/wormgod-where-old-curses-rest-cd/

https://voidwandererproductions.bandcamp.com/album/where-old-curses-rest  

Hagetisse/De verminkte stilte van het zijn/Babylon Doom Cult Records/2022 Full length Review

 

  Hagetisse  are  a  solo  project  form  the  Netherlands  that  plays  an  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2022  album  "De  verminkte  stilte  van  het  zijn"  which  will be  released  in  October  by  Babylon  Doom  Cult  Records.

  Heavy  yet  melodic  riffing  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can b e  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  90's  influences.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark ,  melodic  and  old  school  style.  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  tracks  along  with  the  vocals  also  going  in  a  deeper  direction  on  some  of  the songs,  keyboards  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Hagetisse  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  era.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Dutch  and  cover  existential  dread,  death,  religion,  grief  and  devastation  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  Hagetisse  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sleur  mij  maar  mee  in  de  vuurze"  "Daar  komt  het  licht"  and  "Een  stille  schemering".  8 out  of  10.

  www.gnawtheirtongues.bandcamp.com 

https://youtu.be/j5PKB55qIOo      

    

Lunar Kingdom/Gateway To Higher Mysteries.../Primitive Blood2022 Cassette Review

 

  Lunar  Kingdom  are  a  solo  project  form  Brazil  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2022  album  "Gateway  To  Higher  Mysteries..."  which  was  released  on  cassette  by  Primitive  Blood.

  Raw  tremolo  picking  starts  off  the  album  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  ad d in  a great  amount  of  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  done  in  more  of  a  demonic  style  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  early  90's  occult  era  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of t he  recording.

 

 When  spoken  word  parts  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling  while  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized,  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  ambient  orientated  instrumental

  Lunar  Kingdom  plays  a  style  of  occult  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Luciferian,  occultism,  Mysticism  and  Darkness  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  Lunar  Kingdom  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  old  school  occult  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  cassette.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lucifer  Triumphant  (The  Unholy  Fire)"  and  "Tartarean  Communion  (The  Primordial  Darkness)".  8/5  out  of  10.

  https://tranceoftheundead.bandcamp.com/album/gateway-to-higher-mysteries

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH6NRLWeB18   

Hanghedief/Overduyvelsche Boosheit/Iron Bonehead Productions/2022 EP Review

 

    Hanghedief  are  a  duo  from  Belgium  that  plays  an  old  school  and  epic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  ep  "/Overduyvelsche  Boosheit"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Iron  Bonehead  Productions.

  A  very  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  epic  sounding  synths  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of t he  guitar  riffing.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  Polish  style.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also   hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  adding  in  a  very  raw  yet  melodic  style  as  well  as  some  spoken  word  parts  also  being  utilized  briefly  and  the  ep  closes  with  an  Ancient  Rites  cover.

  Hanghedeif  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  early  90's  Polish  style.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  medieval  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Hanghedeif  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  and  old  school  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "1634,  K.M"  and  "Longing  For  The  Ancient Kingdom  II".  8  out  of  10.

  http://soundcloud.com/iron-bonehead-productions/hanghedief-1634-km

    

  

Hail Conjurer Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new full length?

- I recorded the album in January 2022 and since that two demo tapes - Anti-Dualist recorded in January 2022 and Lunar Action recorded in 2021 - were released (in March). I also recorded some new Hail Conjurer stuff this summer, to be announced and released later. 

2. In September you also have a new full length coming out, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

- All the albums differ form each other and this is not an exception. Compared to some of the other albums, Earth Penetration is a bit more synth-oriented. From my perspective it's closer to Carnal Light (2020 album) and Disrobed for the Devil (a song on split with Absolute Key) than the other releases. 

3. You are also involved with a few other bands and musical projects, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Hail Conjurer' that you are not able to do with your other groups?

- Hail Conjurer is the most personal of all the musical entities I've worked with, so I could say it's not necessarily about the musical content that I'm able to do with Hail Conjurer as much as the way of doing things. With HC I can explore the musical spheres in a way that is not possible when there is inter-personal communication involved and required.

4.You also have experience working with other metal genres, do you feel this has been very helpful when it comes to being a musician?

- I don't feel I'm a musician anyway, at least when it comes to terms of playing musical instruments. Creating art is the main thing and musical instruments are just, well, instruments for doing that. Thus the result can be quite crude sometimes. And it is not just other metal genres or other music genres that can serve as inspiration or starting point for musical pieces I work with. Other forms of art or reality can do that as well. So all the experience I have "helps" in a way.

5.Some of your lyrics cover Occultism themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

- I'd rather answer to more straight-forward questions. "A little bit more" is just too vague and pointless.

6.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored over the years with your music?

- Well, the lyrical approach is most of the times less essential than the non-lyrical sides, even when it comes to actual lyrics. I tend to work outside the language and even with the lyrics there are usually a lot of non-lyrical aspects I try to dig into. The main motivation is to surpass the dualist limitations and reach the being as a whole. On Earth Penetration I continue exploring the concepts of sin and carnal will and how they manifest in the world. 

7.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Hail Conjurer'?

- Hagal

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

- The artwork is done by me, based on the photography of Timo Ketola. You can find some of the themes of the album presented on it.

9.With this project you record everything by yourself but also have experience playing with full bands, do you feel you are able to accomplish more musically working solo?

- I'm referring to answer to Q.3. 

10.Since 2017 you have released a good amount of released with this project, do you spend most of your time writing and creating music?

- More or less.

11.What are some of the best shows that you have done with this project and also how would you describe your stage performance?

- Not the best but the first one in July 2017 was a special one as it wasn't sure at all that I'd be doing live shows with Hail Conjurer at all, due to fact that it's just me. I play the gigs just by myself too, so I have to use the backing track I've recorded. But it is still me playing on the backing track as well, with drums and all. The last gig I played was in Copenhagen this summer and it turned out to be of a special kind, by accident. I had major technical problems with guitar gear and instead of stopping the gig I played drums in a very primitive manner while doing vocals. It was chaotic for sure. 

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

- There is only one confirmed gig ahead at the moment. I'll do a collaborational show with Metsäkirkko at Blow Up Festival Opening Ceremony in October at Suomenlinna sea fortress in Helsinki. The gig is an adaptation of collaboration we had on "Maailmansyöjä" album. I'll do more Hail Conjurer shows when I get offered interesting ones.

13.You also have been a part of a few splits over the years, can you tell us a little bit more about the bands or musical projects that you have shared these recordings with?

- Just two splits: one with Ceremonial Torture and another one with Absolute Key. Bot of them Finnish one man acts. Ceremonial Torture plays dark mythical black metal inspired by the hellenic bm and Absolute Key wanders in realms of electronic music. "Maailmansyöjä" wasn't a split release but a collaborational album I did with Finnish ritual ambient duo Metsäkirkko.

14.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of black metal?

- Like with the older music as well, some people like, some don't.

15.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

- I keep on feeding the flame.

16.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you are currently listening to nowadays?

- I tend to listen to old favourites a lot. Recently it's been mostly Beherit, Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, Necromantia, Amebix and Vesa-Matti Loiri (RIP).

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

- Thanks for your interest.

facebook.com/hailconjurer

Zatemno/In Hell/Heidens Hart Records/2022 Full length Review

 

  Zatemno  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  of  folk  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "In  hell"  which  will b e  released  in  September  by  Heidens  Hart  Records.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  folk  instruments  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  return  on  later  songs.  Clear  yet  rough  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording while  acoustic  guitars  and  bells  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  black  metal screams  along  with  some  shouts  and  spoken  word  parts  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  experimental  and  avant  garde  touches.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  aggressive  style  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Russian  and  cover  obscurantism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Zatemno  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  an  avant  garde  black  metal  with  some  touches  of  folk  music,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED   TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Seperated"  and  "Cymeteric".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU382omUnas

    

V.E.I.N/Blood Oaths/Eternal Death/2022 Full Length Review

 

  V.E.I.N  are  a  band  from  Massachusetts  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  goes  for  a  bestial  mixture  of  war,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Blood  Oaths"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Eternal  Death.

  Spoken  word  samples  which  also  returns  on  later  tracks  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  also  introducing  bestial  growls  and  black  metal  screams  onto  the  recording.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking,  brutal  blast  beats  and  war  metal  elements  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  chaotic old  school  style.  A  lot  of  the  music  has  its  roots  in  the  90's  along  with  some  power  electronics  also  being  utilized  briefly,  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing,  at  times  the  music  also  captures  a  drug  induced  atmosphere  as  well  as  one  track  also  showing  an  influence  of  thrash  metal

  On  this  recording  V.E.I.N  take  their  bestial  mixture  of  war,  black  and  death  metal  into  more  of  creative  direction  which  is  more  original  sounding  than  a  lot  of  the  bands  in  the  same  genre.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and r aw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Left  Hand  Path,  Darkness  and  Drug  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  V.E.I.N  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  war  and  bestial  black/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Malign  Blood  Oath"  "L.S.D"  and  "Bloodstained  Symmetry".  8  out  of  10.

  http://eternaldeath.bandcamp.com/album/blood-oaths    

  

Diabolic Oath/Aischroklatreia/Sentient Ruin Laboratories/2022 EP Review

 

  Diabolic  Oath  are  a  band  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  has  had  music reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  bestial,  esoteric  and  occult  mixture  of  war,  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  ep  "Aischroklatreia"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Sentient  Ruin  Laboratories.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to t hem.  Bestial growls  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  the  songs  also  mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  black  metal  screams  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  lot  of  blast  beats  can be  heard.

  Elements  of  war  metal  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  tremolo  picking  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a r aw  feeling.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  chaotic  style  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing. 

  On  this  recording  Diabolic  oath  sticks  to  more  of  a  brutal  and  raw  war  and  bestial  black/death  metal  style.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  Esotericism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Diabolic  oath  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  war,  bestial  black/death  and  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Before  The  Thrones  Of  Slobbering  Gods"  and  "Wrathful  Portals".  8  out  of  10.

   BANDCAMP RELEASE   

        

Mara 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?

Hagalaz Occult black metal zine! Well much has happened, mostly in personal life who are reflecting and making things more difficult for the band. This is nothing new in my opinion when everything regarding my music has been about conquering obstacles. 

At the moment we are working on a new album. Lack of real opportunities to play live have made things really easy for us to focus on our spiritual path.

2.In March you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

MARA has a new lineup that is bringing strong energy into the band. We have not left our old school ways. It is really the opposite when Loka Maer is the first album to be live recorded, that is for me something big, to know that everything you hear is live and not millions of recordings.

I see it as we are marching on to a more darker aspects of the meaning and essence of what MARA is, we are not trying to change the band, the new take comes just naturally as everything is evolving, so are we. This is the first time I have a full lineup and that burning energy brings something extra for the album that you can hear and feel. 

3.A lot of your lyrics focus more on Thurisian Sorcery, can you tell us a little bit more about how you got interested in this path and also how does it differ from the more traditional forms of Norse Magick that are more well known?

The fascination regarding my culture and mythology goes all the way back to childhood. Later in life I started to read and study much more regarding old Scandinavian belief and I have a thirst to find the old primitive Germanic spirituality long before it was affected by eastern religion. 

Thursatru is a step in that direction to find the old primitive essence in tradition and belief that have gone missing. I strongly don't believe that people in the old Norse past did blot and honour in cults to just the Asa gods. Spirits and nature was something that they strongly respected and all the sides of Ragnarok are playing an important role, something they did know. That is why I believe that thurs were also praised in different forms. 

We have to remember back in the old pagan times beliefs were much more Individualistic and that is something I strongly propagate that black metal is and should be. 

In my view thursatru focuses on the thursian giants. That is gods and goddesses, the bloodline from Ymir: Loki, Angerboda, Hel, Jörmungandr, Fenrir, Surtur are some of the many gods/ goddesses that are reflecting the construction of the universe and us humans. In my view the gods are good and bad, they have human desires and that is why we are created from/ by and of them. But to become truly free we need to find the energy that we are made of, that thursian black flame we have from Ymir that Loki is channeling in us. 

The thursian bloodline is also much reflected in different animals and spirits such as wolves from the iron woods: the children of Angerboda. snakes with the connection to death with the goddess Hel. Maror (witches) that are using seiðr to bring thursian galder who we can see in different goddesses. 

I chose to honor the bloodline that have the old knowledge, the bloodline that will create the world ending, the bloodline that knows the hidden knowledge of freedom.

4.Another topic you also cover is 'Chaos Gnosticism', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in left hand path or anti cosmic forms of magick?

I am focusing on the construction of Ragnarök, in the physical and spiritual, that is the form to destroy all and to become free mentally and physically. To find my primitive heritage in its true form. 

In old Norse mythology you can find all this going back into old magic such as seiðr and galder different forms of magic to break the physical chains to see other spiritual sides and to find knowledge and to conquer. I did say that all this is individualistic and that is the truest form of magic, it all has one coming goal to find back to ginnungagap and chaos. 

I have always had an interest in magic and the occult so it comes natural when I find out how much magic it is in my culture that is all reflecting thursaseiðr. I have understood that I have walked in this gnostic approach for a long time. I just did not have the words of it back in the days.

5.What are some of the other forms of occultism, magick or spirituality that you have an interest in that you have not cover lyrically?

I'm interested in all sort of pagan culture. Greek mythology is something I find interesting such as slavic mythology and Hindu religion so there is much old occultism from thos cultures that is intriguing. Something I will never be able to cover because it is not my ancestory or culture.

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

The album cover represent the album in it's spiritual meaning and also bringing all the primordial galder and thursian energy we have put in to the album. The album cover represents many years of research when I have try to find the meaning and essence of the word/meaning of what MARA stands for. 

In my Scandinavian/ Swedish culture MARA  

goes veiled as the force of nightmares, the face of death, the energy of anti-cosmos, the keeper of the :ᚦ: flame. Today many seem to use her name with false intentions and signification. The sheep of the masses have forgotten the primitive meaning behind MARA. We are here to change that and to praise her as the Myrkriða she is. 

On the fourth album: Loka Mær we are going deeper into the essence of the female darkness that has formed our Scandinavian language and sorcery. Bringing back the old Thursaseiðr. All this you can see in different bind runes on the album that represents different :ᚦ: energy's, but they all have the same meaning.That is why the logo of MARA is slashed to show the representation of what the anagram and meaning Loka Mær stands for. 

It has the meaning (daughter of Loki) you can find the word Mær which is another speech for MARA, so in conclusion Loka Mær represents death, the goddess of death and MARA the bringer of nightmares. In Slavic culture there is a death goddess with the name ( Morana) she also has the name MARA. I see a connection to all this and it all is binded to the old primordial energy of the :ᚦ: they all have one connection and that is a female representation: that is death. 

7.Origianlly the band started out as a solo project, what was the decision behind expanding into a full line up and what are some of the things you have been able to accomplish musically with a whole band that you where not able to do solo?

For the first time more ideas can be tested and also there is more will in the band that makes things more untamed, how black metal should be. I strongly believe that black metal is about the individual and in this case it is 4 individuals that are marching on the same road. 

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

I will say the first live show MARA ever did on gamrocken in 2019. Much music is in the (now) and the energy is strongest when the iron is hot, to create old energy and galder live is difficult even if it burns strong yet. 

9.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2022?

At the moment we have no shows booked for this year. We have never toured and I don't know if we ever will. 

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

We have seen a positive response but honestly did I believe the album should get more attention than it has received.

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

I don't like to do the same album over and over, I focus on the energy I want to reflect on the album. But lately much anger and irritation is about how things are in the black metal scene so we are bringing back some old energy from thursian flame album but not letting go of Loka Mær, it will be something you haven't heard before but you will be able to recognize that it is MARA

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you are currently listening to nowadays?

Lately it is much dark and spiritual, I am not interested in name dropping bands but it is much underground. Bands that are burning strongly in their Spirituality. 

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

Let the thursian flame burn. 

Website: https://www.galderofmara.com
Bandcamp: https://mara-sweden.bandcamp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MARAblackmetal
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy6x-7WbcsX8bxGcSqCUX_A
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4KlUYorJkS3ocKwqt46EN5?si=q-IrcUpgQZuSqwKWXFJaTg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mara.sweden

Daedric Armor/Self Titled/Bitter Loss Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Daedric  Armor  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  very  fast  and  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2022  album  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Bitter  Loss  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  Growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

 

 Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also h ear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  along  with  a  couple  of  tracks also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  a  couple  of  songs  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  synths.

  Daedric  Armor  plays  a  style  of  black  emtal t hat  is  very  fast,  raw  and  savage  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while t he  lyrics  cover  the  land  of  Tamrield  from  The  Elder  Scrolls.

  In  my  opinion  Daedric  Armor  are  a  very  great  sounding  fast  and  raw  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of t his  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Innocence  Lost"  "Interregnum"  and  "Collapsing  Sky".  8  out  of  10.

   Instagram, Bandcamp 

Cainan Dawn Interview

 

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

 

We prepare some stuff for future shows in order to promote the upcoming album “LAGU”. We haven't played live since 2019 !

 

2.You have a new album coming out in September, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

 

I think that “LAGU” is more ambient compared to our previous albums. We wanted to create something where the melancholy of the Dark Wave genre and the reverie of the seas come together.

This makes an album easier to listen to and perhaps less violent.

 

3.This is also your first album to be released in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

 

A lot of time to compose and take the time to do it. We could have released an album earlier and scrapped it, but that's not our style. We're proud of the result because that's exactly what the band is intrinsically.

 

4.One of the songs on the album are inspired by the writings of H.P Lovecraft, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his writings and do you feel he had some hidden occult secrets that he brought into the fiction?

 

Many people love Lovecraft's writings. Who hasn't been influenced by him whether through books, movies or music? Dagon's story is something that has fascinated me for a long time and writing a song based on it was a must. It fits perfectly into the album which has, among other things, the theme of the seas and the oceans.

 

5.You also bring some mythology into your songwriting, which mythologies around the world have had the most influence on your worldview?

 

Obviously Nordic mythology because it is an integral part of my life. Afterwards, all the mythologies must be studied because the universal truth is far from being known. Some similarities are staggering and the time of ignorance that we are living in, takes us terribly far from our ancestors. It is a real tragedy for humans.

 

6.You also have a song about 'Atlantis', can you tell us a little bit about your interests in lost continents and also its connection to Theosophy?

 

We had already written a piece on FOHAT called "Thule" which is inspired by the Hyperboreans and the connection with the city of Atlantis. The Theosophical point of view is not approached on "LAGU", we preferred to dwell on the magnificence and the mystery of this lost city.

 

7.In one interview you have mentioned some interest in the occult, can you tell us a little bit more about how long you have been interested in this path and also what occultists do you feel have had the most impact in the last century and also what are some of the modern occultists that you have an interest in? 

 

So much to say about the occult. All I can say is that the veil that stands before our eyes can be lifted if we pay attention, if we have the will to do so. I've been interested in the subject for about fifteen years and I'm only at the beginning of the journey. I can also say that writers like Eliphas Levy brought me a lot and that other people like Vexior218 or Thomas Karlsson lifted this veil for me...

 

8.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Cainan Dawn'?

 

This comes from several sources like the game "Vampire: The Masquerade" or the antediluvians. It doesn't really make sense anymore.

 

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

It represents infinity, birth and death, but also the big blue, the seas and oceans, the unknown...

 

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

 

Surely "Les Feux de Beltane" and the "Hellfest" in 2018 of course. But the group's last concert to date at Lyon's "Rock'n'eat" was just as memorable. We are not a band that wears all the stuffs of an occult or esoteric element. We could have done it but I think it should remain personal and not too theatrical. We are CAINAN DAWN and that's it, our music stands on its own.

 

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

 

Not yet but it will come !

 

12.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of black metal?

 

I don’t know, we will see. People who listen to black metal, I mean the real ones, are quite open-minded.

 

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

 

Maybe Dark Wave, we've been trying to compose it for four albums but the result remains in the black metal style!

 

14.What are some of the bands or musical styles that you are currently listening to nowadays?

 

Each member of the group listens to their own music. Personally, my favorite bands at the moment are Hangman's Chair and Type O Negative.

 

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

 

Thank you for this interview and for your work about it. And don’t forget, everything dies…

Online release page: https://osmoseproductions- label.com/cainan-dawn-lagu

- BANDCAMP: https://osmoseproductions.bandcamp.com/album/lagu

- All Digital Links: https://bfan.link/lagu

Hail Conjurer/Earth Penetration/Signal Rex/Bestial Burst/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Hail  Conjurer  are  a  solo  project  form  Finland  that  plays  a  very  old  school,  ritualistic  and  synth  orientated  form  of  black  metal  with  touches  of  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2022  album  "Earth  Penetration"  which  will  be  released  in  September  as  a  joint  effort  between  Signal  Rex  and  Bestial  Burst.

  A  very  powerful  sounding  bass  guitar  starts  off  the  album  while  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Elements  of  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style.

  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  while  synths  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  ritualistic  sounding  along  with  the  bass  guitars  also taking  over  the  role  of  a  lead  instrument  as  well  as  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  an  instrumental, when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  and  as  the  album  progresses  you  can  also  hear  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts.

  Hail  Conjurer  plays  a  style  of  black  emtal t hat  is  very  slow,  ritualistic,  synth  orientated  as  well  as  using  a  lead  bass  guitar  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  death  and  occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Hail  Conjurer  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school,  ritualistic  and  synth  orientated  black  metal  solo  project  with  some  touches  of  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Sun  And  The  Sweat"  "Come  Alive"  and  "Earth  Penetration".  8  out  of  10.

  facebook.com/hailconjurer

    

   

Nordjevel/Gnavhol/Indie Recordings/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Norway's  Nordjevel  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  a  fast  and  aggressive  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Gnavhol"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Indie  Recordings.

  The  sounds  of  war,  chaos  and  destruction  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.  Vocals a re  mostly  high  pitched  black  emtal s creams  while  the  tremolo  picking  in  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  also  being  utilized  on  a  couple  of  songs.

  The  music  also h as  its  technical  moments  along  with  some  of the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  growls  and  touches  of  death  metal  into  the  music  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Anti  Christianity,  Occultism,  Esotericism,  War  and  Destruction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Nordjevel  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  fast  and  aggressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  ICNLUDE  "Of  Rats  And  men"  "Satan's  Manifest"  "Antichrist  Flesh"  and  "Endritual".  8  out  of  10.

  Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | Website | Youtube

Lord Valtgryftåke/Buried Under The Carved Runes/Inferna Profundus Records/2022 Full length Review

 

   Lord  Valtgryftåke  is  a  solo  project  from  Chile  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2022  album  "Buried  Under  The  Carved  Runes"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Inferna  Profundus  Records.  

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  A  small  amount  of  melody  can  also  be  heard  in  the  guitar  riffing  at  times  long  with  the  music  also  showing  influences  of  the  old  school  Nordic,  Geek  and  Polish  styles  of  the   genre.

  A  lot  of  the  music  also  sounds  like  it  could  of  easily  been  recorded  and  released  more  than  25  years  ago.  During  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the album  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  a  couple  of  tracks  being  acoustic  instrumentals  and  the  album  closes  with  a  cover  of  Zemial's  "Eclipse".

  Lord Valtgryftåke  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw,  old  school  and  traditional  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and   raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism,  Occultism,  Left  Hand  Path  and  Southern  mysticism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Lord Valtgryftåke  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nocturnal  Hate"  "Path  Of  The  Damned"  "Throne  of  Belial"  and  "March  For  Eternity".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/UJ9SpXIaba8  .    

Trembling Void/The Burning Question/Inferna Profundus Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Trembling  Void  are  a  solo  project  from  Canada  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  raw,  depressive  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2022  album  "The  Burning  Question"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Inferna  Profundus  Records.

   Field  recordings  start  off    the  demo  along  with  some  dark  soundscapes,  synths  and  demonic  spoken  word  parts  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  lo-fi  sounding  while  the  songs  also  mix  in  a  great  amount  of  second  wave  influences.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  synths  also  returning  on  one  of  the  later  tracks.,  melodic  guitar  leads  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Trembling  Void  goes  for  more  of  a  raw,  lo-fi,  melodic  and  depressive  style  of  black  metal  which  shows  influences  of  both  the  old  school  and  modern  era's  of  the  genre.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  a  soldier  of  darkness  into  the  Trembling  Void  where  he  seeks  an  answer  to  the  question  of  his  existence.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Trembling  Void  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of r aw,  lo-fi,  depressive  and  melodic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  ICNLUDE  "Voiceless  Whisper"  and  "The  Burning  Question".  8  out  of  10.

  https://youtu.be/WSx_cogx8wI  

Embrace Of Thorns/Entropy Dynamics/Nuclear Winter Records/2022 Full length Review

 

  Greece's  Embrace  Of  Thorns  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  takes  their   mixture  of  war,  black  and  death  metal  into  a  more  diverse  direction  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Entropy  Dynamics"  which  will  be  released  in  October  by  Nuclear  Winter  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast,  raw  and  brutal  war  metal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals a re  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  while t he  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a very  chaotic  yet  melodic  style.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced   and  fast  parts.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  synths  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of t he  album.

  One  song  is  also  an  instrumental  along  with  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  one  song  also  introducing  melodic  chants  and  vocals  onto  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  occultism,  Death  and  Darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Embrace  of  thorns  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  war, b lack  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blackest  Orthodoxy  Perpetuated"  "The  Breath  Of  The  Beast"  "The  Lament  Of  The  Destroyed"  and  "Vultures'  Ritual  Dance".  8  out  of  10.

  http://nuclearwinterrecords.bandcamp.com/track/entropy-dynamics-nucleus-dissolved

www.facebook.com/EmbraceOfThorns

www.embracethorns.bandcamp.com