Monday, July 31, 2023

Broken Pillars/Of Pillars And Primordial Myth/Ardawahist Kollective/2023 EP Review

 


  Broken  Pillars  are  a  duo  from  Iran  that  plays  an  epic  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  ep  Of  Pillars  And  Primordial  Myth"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Ardawahist  Kollective.  .


  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal.  When  orchestration  is  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  an  epic  and  symphonic  feeling  and  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  growls  and  black  metal s creams.


  Both  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  A  lot  of  the  music  also  shows  some  influences  of  the  classic   Hellenic  style  mixed  in  with  a  more  modern  sound  and  the  whole  ep  also  sticks  to  a  slower  musical  direction.


  Broken  Pillars  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  an  epic  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  doom  metal  along  with  some  symphonic  touches  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  ancient  landscapes  and  the  myths  of  Iran.


  In  my  opinion  Broken  Pillars  are  a  very  great  sounding  epic  mixture  of  black  and  doom  emtal  and  if  you  are  a f an  of t hose  musical  genres,  you  should c heck  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "We  Come  To  Cleanse".  8  out  of  10


 https://brokenpillars.bandcamp.com/album/of-pillars-and-primordial-myth      

Náttligr/Ravatal/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Náttligr  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black  and  doom  emtal  with  elements  of  folk  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2023  album  "Ravatal".


  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  emtal  screams.  Clear  chants  and  singing  can  also be  heard  on  a  few  songs  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bringing  in  elements  of  doom  emtal.


  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also b ring  in  more  of  an  old  school  extreme  metal  style  and  dark  sounding  melodies  can  also b e  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.


  Influences  of  folk  music  can  also b e  heard  at  times  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  also being  utilized  briefly.  A  lot  of  the  album  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  as  well  as  a  couple  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  and  some  tracks  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  of  Norwegian  and  English  and  cover  death  and  darkness  themes. 


  In  my  opinion  Náttligr  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  with  elements  of  folk  music  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Engulfed  In  Flames  Dies  our  World  Tonight"  and  "Svart  sol".  8  out  of  10.


  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/nttligr/ravatal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh6kTYxIMi4&ab_channel=N%C3%A1ttligr-Topic    

Sapientia Ov Atlantis/Agwaati With Ancient Rites/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Sri  Lanka's  solo  project  Sapientia  Ov  Atlantis  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  a  satanic  and  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2023  album  "Agwaati  With  Ancient  Rites".


  Synths  which  also  mix  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  start  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  melodic  style.


  Most  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in t he  90's  era  while  clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  on  one  of  the  tracks.  Death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  as  well  as  the  album  also  having  its  symphonic  moments,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  one  track  is  also  an  instrumental.


  On  this  recording  Sapientia   Ov  Atlantis  goes  for  more  of  a  satanic  and  occult  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  early  90's  era.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Hermitic  Principles,  Demonology,,  Cosmic  Rituals,  Astral  Travel, Egyptian/Sumerian  Gods,  Atlantis  and  Ancient  Ritual  Summonings.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Sapienttia  Ov  Atlantis  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  old  school  occult  and  satanic  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Aye  The  Image  ov  Sun"  "Summoning  My  Dukes  Of  Hell"  "Demons  of  Trees  Manifest  The  Earth"  and  "Ritual  of  Death  Sacrifice  For  Apophis".  8  out  of  10.


  Bandcamp


       


      

Autrest Interview

 

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

The solo project has been making great progress since the recording of the album. 

The new album is already in the works and currently being recorded. I've been fully immersed in the creative process, crafting new songs and exploring different musical elements to bring the project to life. It's an exciting phase, and I can't wait to share the final result with everyone once it's completed.



 


2.You have a new album coming out in June, musically how does it differ from your previous demo?

The new album differs musically from my previous demo in several ways. While the demo served as an initial exploration of the atmospheric black metal sound, the new album represents a significant evolution in terms of songwriting, production, and overall depth. The compositions are more intricate.


 


3.You are also involved with 3 other solo projects, how does 'Autrest' differ musically from your other projects?

'Autrest' sets itself apart from my other solo projects through its focus on nature-themed music and introspection. While my other projects explore different themes and styles, 'Autrest' is dedicated to capturing the essence of misty forests and icy peaks, creating a unique and immersive sonic journey.


 


4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with the music?

The lyrical topics and subjects in my music revolve around nature, solitude, introspection, and the profound emotions evoked by the natural world.


 


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

Autrest was something that came to my mind, it's a combination of two words, Autumn and Forest and also is derived from the French word "autre," meaning "other" or "different." It represents the distinct and individualistic approach


 


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

The artwork on the new album cover is a representation of the album's theme and atmosphere. It features a mesmerizing scene of misty forests and icy peaks, visually conveying the immersive experience of the music. The cover art serves as a window into the world created by the album.


 


7.With all of your projects you record everything by yourself, do you prefer working solo?

Working solo has its advantages, as it allows me complete creative control over the music and the freedom to experiment without compromise. It also provides a deeply personal and introspective approach to the artistic process. While collaborating with others can be enriching, I find that working solo grants me the opportunity to fully express my musical vision.


 


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

The reaction to my music by fans of atmospheric black metal on a worldwide level has been truly humbling. I've received positive feedback and support from listeners who appreciate my music. It's gratifying to see how the music resonates with people from different parts of the world.


 


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

My other musical projects are also thriving. Each project explores different aspects of my musical expression, ranging from ambient soundscapes to experimental compositions. I continue to work on new material and engage with listeners who follow these projects.


 


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

As a musician, I see myself constantly evolving and growing. I aim to continue pushing the boundaries of my creativity and honing my craft.


 


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

Currently, I'm listening to a diverse range of bands and musical styles, from classic black metal acts to avant-garde, ambient artists and modern metal. I have been obsessed with post black metal bands like Olhava, Violet Cold and Harakiri for the Sky.



 


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

In conclusion, I'd like to express my gratitude to all the listeners and fans who have supported my music. Your appreciation motivates me to keep exploring new musical territories and creating meaningful experiences through my compositions.

Thank you for this interview opportunity!


Bandcamp: autrest.bandcamp.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/autrest
Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Autrest

Sunday, July 30, 2023

Athiel/Destroy The Laws Of Good/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Athiel  are  a  band  from  Italy  that   has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recoding plays  a  very  satanic  and  occult  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2023  album  "Destroy  The  Laws  Of  Good".


  A  synth  orientated  intro  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast,  raw  and  brutal  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Melodies'  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.


  Vocals a re  mostly  high  pitched  black  emtal  screams  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also   being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times,  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental  and  synths  also  make  a  brief  return.


  On  this  recording  Athiel  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  satanic  and  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own   The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Anti  Cosmic  Satanism,  Necromancy,  Chaos  and  Death  themes.


  In  my  opinion this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Athiel  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  satanic  and  occult  black  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sitra  Achra"  and  "Chant  For  Azagoth".  8  out  of  10.


  https://instagram.com/athiel_band_218

https://open.spotify.com/album/7zaC69XCjvD9RPGOAL3wf4
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI_OkwmXcByXb4MN8JitAIm79O1xU3WHf

https://athiel.bandcamp.com/album/destroy-the-laws-of-good 

Augur/Omen/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Augur  are  a  band  from  Denver,  Colorado  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  aggressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2023  album  "Omen".


  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  while  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  heavier  riffing.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  vocals  also  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.


  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  songs  also  add  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Clear  chants  and  angry  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on a   couple  of  tracks  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized.  

  The  songs  also  bring  in  a  lot  of  old  school  influences  as  well  as  remaining  modern  at  the  same  time  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  some  clear  vocals  also  being  utilized  briefly,  acoustic  guitars  also  return  as  the  album  progresses  and  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing.   The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  pain,  passion,  the  inevitable  triumph  of  death  and  occultism  themes.  


  In  my  opinion  Augur  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  aggressive  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Beyond  The  Veil"  "Echoes  Of  The  Unknown"  "King  of  Rats"  and  "In  Glory  of  Fire".  8/5  out  of  10.


  https://youtu.be/NdMTkkYMtRk


https://augur.bandcamp.com/album/omen


https://www.instagram.com/jusaugurate/

https://augur.bandcamp.com/   


  

Aset/Astral Rape/Les Acteurs de L'Ombre Productions/2023 Full length Review

 


  Aset  are  a  band  from  France  that  consists  of  members  from  Seth  and  Oranssi  Pazuzu  that  plays  an  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Astral  Rape"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  les  Acteurs  de  L'Ombre  Productions.


  Synths  and  ritualistic  chants  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  a  few  seconds  later.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  which  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  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  dissonant  sounding  along  with  the  music  being  more  rooted  in  the  modern  era,  clear  vocals  can  also b e  heard  briefly  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  ritualistic  sounds  also  make  a  return  on  one  of  the  later  songs.


  Aset  plays  a  style  of  occult  black  metal  that  is  very  modern,  dissonant  and  aggressive  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Egyptian  Occult  Rites.  


  In  my  opinion  Aset  are  a  very  great  sounding  modern  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Abusive  Metempsychosis"  "Astral  Dominancy"  and  "Serpent  Concordant".  8  out  of  10.


  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiqnRzU8RYk&feature=youtu.be


Facebook // Instagram

  


 

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Sielunvihollinen/Helvetinkone/Hammer Of Hate/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Sielunvihollinen  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  melodic  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Helvetinkone"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Hammer  Of  Hate.


  A  very  fast  and r aw  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  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.


  Most  of  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  era  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  growls  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  some  of  the  music  also  showing  an  influence  of  traditional  metal,  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  whole  album  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.


  On  this  recording  Sielunvihollinen  take s their  music  into  more  of  a  melodic  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Finnish  and  cover  occultism  and  darkness  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Sielunvihollinen  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sinetti  ja  symboli"  "Veitssenteralla" and  "Lapi  harmaan  kiven".  8 out  of  10.


  www.facebook.com/sielunvihollinen  

Gosforth/Scourge of Dark Dominion/Odium Records/Underground Kvlt Records/2023 Full length Review

 


  Gosforth  are  a  duo  from  Italy  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Scourge  Of  Dark  Dominion"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Odium  and  Underground  Kvlt  Records.


  Ritualistic  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  a  brief  use  of  evil  chants  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  old  school  era.


  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  synths  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  finally  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.


  Gosforth  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  Luciferian,  Left  Hand  Path,  Occultism,  Darkness  and  Astral  themes. 


  In  my  opinion  Gosforth  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  old  school  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Luciferian  Gnosis"  and  "Legion  of  The  Adversary".  8  out  of  10.


  https://youtu.be/5efEMyhLKok


https://odiumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/scourge-of-dark-dominion


https://www.facebook.com/gosforth.official
https://www.instagram.com/gosforth_blackmetal/


      


    

Friday, July 28, 2023

Rorcal/Silence/Hummus Records/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Switzerland's  Rorcal  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of  dissonant  black,  sludge,  doom  metal,  drone,  industrial  and  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Silence"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Hummus  Records.


  Industrial  style  soundscapes  and  harsh  noises  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  dissonant  structures.


  Elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Drones  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  parts  of  the  album  along  with  the  songs  also  bringing  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,


  Growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  samples.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  one  song  also  adding  in  a  very  brief  use  of  clean  yet  aggressive  sounding  industrial  metal  vocals.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  tragedy  and  horror  stories.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Rorcal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dissonant  black,  sludge,  doom  metal,  drone,  industrial  and  noise,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Childhood  Is  A  Knife  In  The  Throat"  "Constant  Void"  and  "No  Alleviation,  Even  in  Death".  8  out  of  10.


  https://ww.rorcal.com

https://ww.facebook.com/Rorcal    

Iōhannēs/Vindicta Hominis/Syrup Moose Records/2023 EP Review

 


  Iōhannēs  are  a  solo  project  from  North  Carolina  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  progressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  ep  "Vindicta  Hominis"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Syrup  Moose  Records.


  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  At  times  the  music  gets  very  progressive  sounding  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.


  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  riffs  also  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  melody.


  On  this  recording  Iōhannēs  remains  true  to  the  progressive  style  of  black  emtal  that  he  has  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  and  cover  a  man  who  makes  a  pact  with  a  vengeful  moon  goddess  to  seek  revenge  upon  those  who  have  wronged  him.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Iōhannēs  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  progressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lament  And  Revenge"  and  "Vow  of  Destruction".  8  out  of  10.


  Instagram    


  


  

My Dearest Wound/The Burial/Tragedy Productions/2023 Full Length Review

 


  My  Dearest  Wound  are  a  solo  project  from  Chile  that  plays  a  very  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his   2023  album  "The  Burial"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Tragedy  productions.


  Static  sounds  and  synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  musical  direction.  The  solos  and  leads  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody  along  with  all  of  the  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  emtal  screams.


  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can be   heard  which  also  gives  the  album  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  words.


  Most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  growls  also being  utilized  at  times.  When  synths  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  songs  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling  as  well  as  some  of  the  slower  sections  also  showing  an  influence  of  the  90's  melodic  doom/death  metal  era,  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  female  vocals  are  added  on  the  closing  track.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  sadness,  loneliness  and  depression  themes.


  In  my  opinion  My  Dearest  Wound  are  a  very  great  sounding  depressive  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "When  Did  i  Die"  "A  Thousand  Goodbyes"  and  "Life  Was  pain".  8  out  of  10.


    https://tragedyproductions.bandcamp.com/


  

Weald And Woe/For The Good Of The Realm/Fiadh Productions/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Weald  And  Woe  are  a  band f rom  Boise,  Idaho  that  plays  a  medieval  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "For  The  Good  Of  The  Realm"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Fiadh  Productions.


  Folk  instruments  which  also  return  on  later  tracks  start  off  the  album  and  also  gives  the  recording  more  of  a  medieval  atmosphere  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  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  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  album  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments,  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  they  also  bring  in  a  cove r of  Joanie  Madden's  "Lord  Mayo"  which  is  also  an  instrumental.. 


  Weald  And  Woe  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  medieval  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  bygone  eras  of  courtly  love  and  epic  battles.   


  In  my  opinion  Weald  And  Woe  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  medieval  black  metal b and  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bless  The  Stone"  "Like  A  Scythe  Through  Wheat"  and  "Rite  Of  Thorns".  8  out  of  10.


  Weald and Woe       

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Lepra/Devil's Blood In Her Tongue/Fiadh Productions/Vita Detestabilis Records/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Lepra  are  a  band  from  Portland,  Maine  that  plays  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  metal  and  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of t heir  2023  album  "Devil's  Blood  In  Her  Tongue"  which  will b e  released  in  August  as  a  joint  effort  between  Fiadh  Productions  and  Vita  Detestabilis  Records.


  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  start  of  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  while  also  adding  in  a  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys.  Choirs  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.


  Clear  vocals  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  music  also  brings  in  elements  of  punk  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length.


   Flutes  and  nature  sounds  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  during  the  faster  sections  of  the  album  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  tracks  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  at  times,  one  song  is  also  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  involving  an  outcast's  journey  as  she  grapples  with  exile,  plague,  carnage,  revenge,  desire  and  dark  magick.  


  In  my  opinion  Lepra  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  metal  and  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Hibernacula"  and  "Mandragora  (Spell  of  Enchantment)".  8  out  of  10.


  Lepra


  .             

Spellsword interview

 

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


A: Greetings. Spellsword is my solo-project. I have participated in different Portuguese metal projects (Antichthon, Existence:Void), yet always as a vocalist. Spellsword is my means of showing my world my personal compositions and work as an instrumentalist. I have written all music and lyrics for this first album, and performed all instruments with the exception of the drums, which were recorded by the tremendously talented João Dourado, although written by me.


2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of July, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?


A: That was a curious turn of events. I started Spellsword expecting it to be a "pure" Black Metal project. Yet I could not escape the influence of my other bands' style, which is more polished than the former. Additionally, when I walked into Dourado's Golden Jack Studios with the intention of "recording raw"...He did not accept, and managed to persuade me to try something more modern. The same happened with the drums, which I expected to have programmed, yet Dourado refused to let that happen and offered to record the drums himself.

Concerning the final product, I suppose it's a rather melodic form of extreme metal, with an undeniable influence of Black Metal, my favourite genre. The album has been considered "atmospheric" and "progressive" by reviewers, labels that I am happy to accept. I am a musician and composer, but can't say I'm a better metal connoisseur than reviewers, so I hold their labeling skills on higher regard than mine.  

Although heavy, you can expect some clean vocals and solos more akin to heavy and power metal. This ties to the very concept of the album: it's the telling of a story, and a story isn't ought to be all gloom and darkness.


3.A lot of your lyrics cover Pagan themes, what are some of the forms of paganism and mythology you covered with your lyrics?


A: Although I wouldn't consider "paganism" the main theme of my lyrics, there are clear pagan elements, particularly centered around the figure of Woden. I chose the spelling of "Woden" as opposed to "Odin" or "Wotan" as I saw more fitting to use the Anglo-saxon designation for the god, given that the lyrics were written in the English language. I do suppose Odin would have been fine too, but I associate that name more with the tradition of the Eddas, while I had the Wagnerian "Wotan" in mind for this story.

Woden is appears in four songs as a character, yet two other characters have ties to him: the "Knights of Woden", which are a (fictional) group of pagan knights inspired by the Einherjar (the dead warriors of Valhalla); and the main character, Beornand, who is one of the very last believers in Woden in this medieval setting. 

Finally, the structure of the tale itself could be considered pagan, as it is Greek-style tragedy. Ancient Greco-Roman literature has an inescapable influence in my writing.


4.You also cover The Holy Grail, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?


A: The Grail has fascinated me as far as I can remember. On one hand, the medieval legend of the Grail is undeniably Christian. Yet, on the other, we can trace archetypal elements of that legend back to pagan myth. Take, for instance, the cauldron of the Dagda, chief among Celtic gods, or the the Norse "Mead of Poetry", which was brewed of the blood of a divine being, Kvasir, similarly to how the Grail bore the blood of Christ. In each instance, drinking from such vessel brought upon supernatural consequences beyond human comprehension.

The way I see it, the legend of the Grail imbued medieval Christianity, a foreign religion, with a peculiarly European spirit. The chivalrous tales of Parsifal, Gawain, Arthur (...) and their wondrous pursuit of the Holy Grail were a distant echo of an ancestral heroic archetype present in the European Volksgeist, as Savigny would put it, yet from a Jungian perspective. A kind of tale where the knight replaces the saint as the paragon of virtue.

This mythos of the Holy Grail is, perhaps, a faint synthesis between Paganism and Christianity, with both sides bound to eternally fight for its ownership. It is precisely that debate that I sought to capture in my story, with both the Pagan Woden and the Christian Amfortas (literally) fighting for the ownership of the Grail in the last song, "Longinus and Gungnir".


5.On the facebook page you also mentioned one of the projects main interests is history, which aspects of history do you study the most?


A: My enjoyment of History is no secret for those who know me. I am particularly drawn to Pre-History, Classical Antiquity, and the Dark Ages, that is, the period between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the High Middle Ages. This is precisely the period wherein the story of "Night of the Grail" takes place. The same time legend purportedly places the reign of King Arthur over Camelot, and when the very last remnants of Paganism still survived.

For the time being, Spellsword will be a project inseparable from History. I already have the drafted two more stories for upcoming releases, with one being a sequel to "Night of the Grail", and the other taking place in the Levant and centered around the presence of the Knights Templar in that region.


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


A: Spellsword is a simple, memorable name. That in itself was enough reason to choose it. However, there are two more elements to it. Firstly, it is a shoutout to my affinity for High Fantasy, be it in the form of literature (such as Lord of the Rings) or video games (such as Dark Souls). Secondly, in storyline of each release, a supernatural sword will be featured, a "spellsword", if you will. In this case, there were two: Stjarnablóm, given to the hero Beornand by Woden, and Caladbolg, carried by the knight Anselm. 


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


A: The artwork, a master piece by Khaos Diktator Design, portrays the aftermath of this album story. It shows the uncorrupted body of a fallen knight holding the Holy Grail, with the statues of both Woden and Amfortas on each side (right and left, respectively). Its epic yet dark and slightly hazy art style seeks to invoke the wonder conveyed by a haunting image from a dream.


8.With the exception of a session drummer you record most of the music by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?


A: That was indeed the case. As talented as they are, I sought to rely as little as possible on the bandmates from my other projects. I initially planned to use programmed drums, yet, as said above, João Dourado did not allow it in his studio and offered to record the drums himself. Knowing how well Dourado plays, this is an offer one can't refuse. Dourado also "materialized" the orchestral intro to the first song based on my composition. Although he is not technically a member of Spellsword, his invaluable role cannot be understated.

As for the rest, it was all my doing. I quite enjoyed the uncompromising freedom of composing these songs alone, and I expect to keep Spellsword a solo project for this reason. I cannot say, however, that I am totally closed to the idea of assimilating other musicians in the future, especially if Spellsword is to ever play live, in which case these musicians will probably be the bandmates of my other bands. Regardless of that, I expect to always remain the main songwriter behind Spellsword, with the songs revolving around my stories.


9.The new album is coming out on 'Nox Liberatio Records', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?


A: Nox Liberatio Records is the label of Filipe Gomes, a friend and band mate from Existence:Void. It is a smaller yet selective label from Portugal. I have worked with Nox Liberatio Records before, for the release of Existence:Void's "Anatman". Given that this is Spellsword's first release, I preferred to collaborate with those I know and trust.


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


A: Surprisingly good, from the most casual music listeners to the truest of Black Metal zealots. "Night of the Grail" has been spoken about in European pages, but I was also glad to see Spellsword especially noticed by Latin American metal fans. An Indonesian announcement of this release was particularly surprising. 

I am optimistic about the reception of this album, yet, being a first release from an unknown band, I do not expect it to reach as many people as I would like it to. Perhaps I will be proven wrong once the release happens. But I am aware of my promotional limitations.


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


A: I expect more releases. Perhaps EPs, perhaps more full-length albums, perhaps singles purely distributed online. Spellsword will likely remain a studio-centric project. As for me as a musician, I have been more and more drawn to more "acoustic" genres of music, having already written songs and planning to release them, though not under Spellsword. Regardless of that, I am adamant on sharing more of my stories in a metallic form.


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?


A: Both Black Metal and Symphonic Metal projects were central to my youth. Bands like Deathspell Omega, Blut Aus Nord, Darkthrone and Satyricon for the former, Sirenia, Nightwish and Arcturus for the latter, and Dimmu Borgir plus Cradle of Filth for an in-between. The soundtracks of films (John Williams, Hans Zimmer, Howard Shore) and video games (Nobuo Uematsu, Motoi Sakuraba, Toshihiko Horiyama) also had an undeniable role in shaping the way I approach composition.

I have not been listening to metal lately, if I might be honest. I have been listening to Polyphia and bands in the same vein, as well as other guitar-centric musicians such as Andy McKee. Nevertheless, I am always overjoyed to find a new metal project that is to my liking. Batushka was the last instance of this happening.


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


A: When listening to Spellsword, do not neglect the lyrics. The music itself was composed around them in a cinematographic manner. You will have the intended authentic experience that way.

Thank you for the chance to share my words.


https://youtu.be/ZlNe1rMiF24


The Watcher/Kaosaura/Spread Evil Productions/2023 Album Review

 


  The  Watcher  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  melodic  and  old  school  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "Kaosaura"  which  will b e  re-issued  in  September,  2023  by  Spread  Evil  Productions.


  A  very  dark  and  ritualistic  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  angry  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.


  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  heat  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  the  music  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  90's  and  2000's  era  influences.  


  The  Watcher  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  2000's  era  occult  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  mid  90's  melodic  black/death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while t he  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Luciferianism,  Occultism  and  Buddhism  themes.  


  In  my  opinion  the  Watcher  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  old  school  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  'Guru  Of  Hate  Yoga"  "Luciferian  Nirvana"  and  "Rebellion  Geometry".  8 out  of  10.


  www.thewatcherhorde.bandcamp.com 

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Lacrau/Axioma/Monumental Rex/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Lacrau  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  plays  a  mixture  of  depressive  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Axioma"  which  will b e  released  in  September  by  Monumental  Rex.


  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  clean  playing  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.


  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and fast  parts  and  clean  playing  can  be  heard  on  the  closing  track  which  is  also  an  instrumental       


  Lacrau  plays  a  musical  style  of  takes  a  depressive  form  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  doom  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Portuguese  and  is  a  concept  album  based  upon  the  legendary  Scandinavian  senicide  ritual.


  In  my  opinion  Lacrau  are  a  very  great  sounding  depressive  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  "Doenca"  and  "Veneno".  8  out  of  10.  


  Axioma @ Bandcamp

Lacrau @ Facebook

Marduk/Memento Mori/Century Media Records/2023 Full Length Review

 


  Sweden's  Marduk  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  2023  album  "Memento  Mori"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Century  Media  Records.


  Synths  and  grave  digging  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  you  can  also  hear all  of t he  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Vocals  are mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  sounding  black  emtal  screams  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  ad d in  a  lot  of  blast  beats.


  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  fast  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  bringing  in  more  of  an  aggressive,  old  school  and  chaotic  style  when  they  are  utilized  


  When  synths  make  their  return  they  are  done  in  more  of  an  apocalyptic  style  as  well  as  mixing  in  with  the  more  aggressive  and  brutal  side  of  the  music.  Angry  shouts  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also b e  heard  briefly  along  with  one  song  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  a  lot  of  the  faster  riffing  brings  back  the  aggression  of  their  90's  days.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death  and  funeral  themes.


  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Marduk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Heart  Of  The  Funeral"  "Charlatan"  "Year  of  The  Maggot"  and  "As  We  Are".  8/5  out  of  10.


  www.MARDUK.nu 

www.instagram.com/MARDUKofficial 

www.facebook.com/MARDUKofficial