Atrabilis/Negativa/MMX/Nebular Carcoma Records/2015 Split 7 Inch Review

  Once  again  Spain's  Atrabilis   and  Negativa  team  up  to  create  another  split  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  7 inch  which  was  released  by  Nebular  Carcoma  Records  and we  will  start  of  the  review  with  Atrabilis  who  also  continues  is  experimental  black  metal  sound  of  previous  recordings.

  His  side  of the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  heavy  and  distorted  sound  along  with  his  song  being  over  6 minutes  in  length  and  after  a  few  seconds  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  make  their  presence  known  on  the  track  and  the  whole  song  sticks  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  while  also  retaining  a  very  heavy  and  atmospheric  side  and  spoken  word  samples  can  also  be  heard  at  times,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Isolation  and  Dadaism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  track  from  Atrabilis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  his  side  of  the  split.

  Next  up  is  Negativa  who  also  create  another  track  of experimental black  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  avant  garde  soundscapes  and  a  few  seconds  later  spoken  word  parts  are  added  onto  the  track  along  with  some  distorted  revers  which  leads  up  to  more  of  a  heavy ,  dark  and  atmospheric  sound  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  black  metal  direction  that  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  high  pitched  depressive  screams  and  the  song  is  6  minutes  in  length  and  after  a  few  minutes  the  music  starts  slowing  down  a  bit,  the  production  sound s very  dark  and r aw  while  the  lyrics  cover  hateful  and depressive  themes.

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  another  great  sounding  track  from  Negativa  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental,  depressive  black  metal, you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.

  In  conclusion  i  feel this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  experimental  and  depressive  black  metal.  8  out  of  10.   

http://negativa0.bandcamp.com/album/mmxv

Atrabilis/Uno/Bestiare/2014 EP Review

  Spain's  1  man  band  Atrabilis  returns  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  his  music  combining  chaotic  sounding  black  metal  with  improv,  industrial  and  and  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2014  ep  "Uno"  which  was  released  by  Bestiare.

  A  very  atmospheric,  raw  and  melodic  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  weird  sounding  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  that  evolve  into  high  pitched  screams  which  also  have  a  depressive  feeling  to  them  and  the  music  also  starts  to  get  a  lot  more  raw  and  incorporate  blast  beats  before  slowing  down  and  adding  in  natural  noise  sounds  and  it  stays  in  that  direction  for  a  few  minutes  before  going  into  a  more  heavy  and  slow  depressive  black  metal  direction  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  end  of  the  song  shows  an  experimental  side  being  added  into  the  music.

  On  the  second  track  the  music  starts  out  with  some  distorted  reverb before  adding  in  more  dark  black  metal  elements  as  well  as  going  into  a  fast  and  raw  direction  along  with  some  blast beats  as  well  as  retaining  an  experimental  atmosphere  and  depressive  screams  are  added into  the  music  which  also  brings  in  a  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced and  fast  parts,  as  the  song  progresses  the  music  starts  to  incorporate  melodic  guitar  leads  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  saxophones  a  few  seconds  later  and   the last  minutes  of  the  song  use  more  ambient,  noise  and  industrial  style  sounds  to  close  the  ep.

  Atrabilis  once  again  creates  a  very  dark  style  of  black  metal  that  combines  the  raw  and  depressive  side  with  more  experimental  elements  as  well  as  continuing  the  creative  direction  of  his  past  work  onto  both  of  these  tracks  which  are  both  12  minutes  in  length,  the  production  sounds  very  dark,  heavy  and  raw  sound  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Spanish  and  cover  abstract  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Atrabilis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Undecima  Parte".  8  out  of  10.  

http://bestiarie.bandcamp.com/album/uno

Atrabilis/Negativa/MMXIII Split EP Review

  Spain's  Atrabilis  and  Negativa  return  with  their  follow  to  last  years  split  ep  with  this  self  released  recording  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Atrabilis  which  also  continues  their  experimental  black  metal  sound  of  previous  recordings.

  "Decima  Parte"  starts  off  with  some  melodic,  fast  and  primitive  black  metal  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drum  beats  before  slowing  down  shortly  after  that which  also  leads  to  the  song  alternating  between  slow  and  fast  parts  while  also adding  in  experimental  sounds  and  guitar  leads  to  add  more  diversity  to  the  song  and  the  song  is  all  instrumental  with  no  vocals  being  utilized.

  "Xnanabsop"  which  is  a Brainikald  cover  begins   with    some  atmospheric  sounding  synths  and  the  song  is  another  instrumental.


  Song  themes  cover  darkness,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  with  the  first  song  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Atrabilis  and  if  you  are  into  instrumental,  experimental  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Decima  Parte".  RECOMMENDED.

  Next  up  is  Negativa  with  their  music  continuing  their  depressive  approach  to  black  metal.

  "II"  kicks  off  with  some  dark  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drum  beats  and  melodic  riffing  and  a  few  seconds  later  tortured  screams  start  making   their  presence  known  in  the  song  and  as  the  song  moves  on  melodic  guitar  leads  start  coming  in  and  out  of  the  music  along  with  some  faster  parts  being  added  in  certain  sections  and shortly  after  that  the  song goes  into  a  softer  direction  along  with  some  pianos  and  spoken  word  parts  for  a  few seconds  before  getting  heavy  again.

  "Bleeding  Hope"  which  is  a  Life  Neglected  cover  starts off  with  some  melodic  and  depressive  sounding  black  metal  guitar  riffs  along  with  some drum  beats  and  a  minute  later  high  pitched  suicidal screams  start  to  kick  in  and  you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  certain  sections  of  the  song  as well  as  throwing  in  some  dark  atmospheric  sounds.

  Song  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes,  while   the  production  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound.

In  my  opinion   this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Negativa  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  depressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Bleeding  Hope".  RECOMMENDED.

  In  conclusion I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  if  you  are  a  fan of  experimental and  depressive  black  metal,  you  should  check out  this  split.  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Atrabilis/3540313211
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Negativa/3540343812

Atrabilis/Cero/2013 Demo Compilation Review

  Spain's  own  Atrabilis  are  back  this  time  with  a  self  released  demo  compilation  "Cero"  which  displays  their  experimental  black  metal  songs  from  past  releases.

  "Primera  Parte"  opens  up  the  compilation  with  some  drone  style  sound  effects as  well  as some  ambient  synths  which  also  leads up  to  some  clean  guitar  playing  which  later  start  utilizing  distortion  and  going  into  a  more  black metal  orientated  direction  as  well  as  mixing  in  the  drone  elements  to  make  the  music  more  creative.

  "Parte  Segunda"  starts  off  with  some  old  school  black  metal  style  guitar riffing,  fast  drum  beats  and grim  screams  before  slowing  down  a  bit  and  adding  in  some  depressive  elements  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  there  is  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats  being  utilized  and  the  song  alternates  between  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  towards the  end  synths  start  becoming  a  part  of  the  song  and  bring  in  experimental  elements.

  "Terce  Parte"  begins  with  some  experimental  drone  sounds  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  you  can  hear  some spoken  words  in  the  background  and  the  song  is  all  instrumental.

  "Parte  Cuarta"  kicks  in  with  some  heavy  and  primitive  black  metal  guitar  riffs  and  drums  along  with  some  depressive  and  suicidal  screams  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  awhile  the  music  goes  into  a  slower  direction  but  only  stays  there  briefly  before  alternating between  fast and  slow  parts  as  well  as  adding  blast  beats  in  certain  sections  of  the  song  and  during  the  last  minute  of  the  song  it  goes  more  into  a  dark  ambient  direction.

  "Quanta Parte"  has  its  beginning  with  some  dark  ambient  sounds  and  avant  garde  synths  and  the  song  is  another  instrumental  with  no  vocals  or  heavy  guitars  being  present.

  "Sexte  Parte"  is  a  return  to  the  black  metal  sound  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drum  beats  and  after  a  few  seconds  high  pitched  depressive  screams  kick  in  along  with  some  more  fast  and  primitive  riffing  while  also  utilizing  some  melody  and  after  awhile  the  song  starts  utilizing  a  combination  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts and  halfway  through  the  song  clean  and  soft  guitars  kick  in along  with  some  spoken  parts  while  also  retaining  the depressive  elements  and  then  returning  to  being  heavy  again  shortly  after that.

  "Parte  Octava"  is  introduced  with  some  ambient  sounding  black  metal  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  dark  sounding  melodies  and  the  song  is  another  instrumental  but  more  in  the  metal  direction  this  time  around.

  "Sexta  Parte  V2"  is  a  remade  version  of  an  earlier  song  but  with  more  depressive  and  suicidal  elements  and  this  version  is  also  a  lot  more  darker  sounding  than  the  original.

  "I"  which  is  also  a  Velvet Cacoon  cover  starts  off  with  some  ambient  style  black  metal  guitar riffs  along  with  some  drum  beats  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  high  pitched  screams  start  coming  in  and  out  of  the  song  and  after  awhile  you  can  hear  some  nature  sounds  in  the background  before  going  into  a  more  fast and  primitive  direction  for  a  few  seconds  before  returning  to  its  normal  pace.

  Song  lyrics  are  written  in  Spanish  and  cover  abstract  themes,  while  the production  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it  with  most  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Atrabilis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  compilation.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Primera  Parte"  "Parte  Cuarta"  "Sexte  Parte"  and  "I".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Atrabilis/3540313211  

Atrabilis/Negativa/MMXII Split EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  ep  between  Spain's  Atrabilis  and Negativa  which  was  self  released  in  2012  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Atrabilis  a  1  man  band  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  experimental  form  of  black metal.

  "Novena  Parte"  begins  with  some  dark  sounding  black  metal  guitar  riffs,  and  drums  along  with  the  riffing  utilizing  some  avant  garde   elements  which  leads  up  to  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  that  use  a  great  amount  of  depressive  elements  and  weird  sounding  vocals  and  after  awhile  some  melody  makes  its  way  into  the  song  an d towards  the  end  the  music  goes  more  into  an  experimental  noise  direction  along  with  some  drones  which  also  closes  the  song.

  "Der  Halbtoten  Dichters  Shein-Existenz" which  is  a  Urfaust  cover  begins with  some  raw  and  primitive  sounding  black  metal  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  after  awhile  melodic  avant  garde  vocals  start  coming  into  the  song  along  with  some  black  metal  screams  and  as  time  goes on  by  the  music  starts  adding  in  more  experimental  elements.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Abstract themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  with  both  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Atrabilis  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Novena  Parte".  RECOMMENDED.

  Next  up  is  Negatva  a  1  man  band  that  plays  a  very  depressive  form of  black  metal.

  "I"  begins  with  some  dark  sounding  black  metal  guitar  riffs  and  after  awhile  you  can  hear  some  synths  in  the  background  before  the  drums  kick  in  and  a  few  seconds  alter  melodic  riffing  and  high  pitched  depressive  screams  make  their  presence  known  in  the  song  and  towards  the  end  the  music  goes  more  into  a  dark  ambient  direction  while  also  keeping  around  the  black  metal  vocals  and  the  music  gets  heavy  again.

  "Painful  Assemble"  which  is  a  Be  Persecuted  cover  begins  with  some  melodic  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  after  awhile  the  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  make  their  way  into  the  song  and  you  can  also  hear  some  atmospheric  elements  being  utilized  in  the  background.

  Song  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  with  both  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Negativa  are  a  very  great  sounding  depressive  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "I".  RECOMMENDED.

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  experimental  and  depressive  black  metal.  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Atrabilis/3540313211
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Negativa/3540343812


                

Atrabilis Interview

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

I'm totally focused on a full-lenght. I just finished the last release weeks ago, so I'm not busy for a time, just answering mails and sending stuff here and there from time to time.


2. How would you describe the musical sound of the 2012 material and how it differs from the older recordings?

I'm behind the music yet so it's the same. It differs in some aspects... but there's no particular reasons. Atrabilis is in a continuous evolution with myself and I just can't control it. Maybe the sound is more powerful and complex now in some moments... but I think it remains primitive, the same essence. For sure, my sound is mine and not just another product of some cloning studios. Same with artwork... The personal touch is near extinction nowadays.


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

This is basically instrumental music. The vocals just work like an instrument, using words randomly with or without sense. I just make an experience of every recording session, becoming sick with the vocal interpretation without any previous preparation. I think anxiety is the main subject.


4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the projects name?

I think it fits with the emotional and psycho side (conduct and feelings related to the black bile concept) and with the dark side of this project.


5. Currently there is only 1 member, are you planning on adding other musicians in the future or do you choose to remain solo?

I used to look for live musicians... but that's all. If someone enter the project, it will be just as session member. I can't trust anymore in the “standard bm guy” just cause he listen to BM, too many fucked up tourists out there... so probably people I know or worked with for some time could be a solution for live acts.


6. Currently you are unsigned are you looking for a label and if so, what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for your music?

I already worked with LFDM Records. Recently, I talked with another spanish label (tba) for the upcoming full-lenght. Any serious label can contact me for a concrete release (instead of sign), in the meantime I appreciate the advantages of self-releasing, diy is definitely my cup of tea.


7. So far you have only put out splits and ep's are there any plans in the future to put out a full length?

Yes, like I said, the full-lenght is in progress right now. Probably, will be out after summer... (label to be announced), after that is already planned another EP for 2013 (just the idea).


8. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of black metal and dark ambient?

Atrabilis is growing slow with patience and work in the right way, if we consider my intentionally real and serious promotion, including: not write 2000 comments on last.fm or send 8000 friend requests on myspace, fucking pathetic attitude, always with wannabes and copycats involved looking for social “benefits” virtual pseudo-fans or simply fuckin' hustlers. Hi beggars out there.

For the EP promotion I just send 13 cd's to zines and write some mails... I was looking for people really into this... and this way was enough to get an interview in probably the best spanish paperzine out there, some good reviews, some real followers and appreciation, half dozen labels interested in release something and some orders, starting from zero without any previous contact in the “scene” or favors, so I think is ok!

Moreover with the “non fit any sub-genre and quite difficult to listen” status Atrabilis have, I admit that the feedback received it's quite surprising for me.

9. Are there any other projects besides this one or is this a full time project?

This is a full time project cause I do what I fuckin' want with it and I don't need to create 28380923 projects fitting each tag/subgenre out there. Usually musicians have the standard project to be someone in the normal world to reach some kind of status easily, something they can show to their parents or something... to any fucking one out there, without scaring them. And then they create the weird sideproject doing what they really like. So, this project is full time cause it hasn't got limits and it doesn't care about anything.


10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

I don't know, cause I don't know my own direction in life. Atrabilis grow in/with me.


11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Obviously, BM give me the clues, the base, the floor... but I am who walk upon it.
And what I'm listening nowadays?
The list is eternal. I can't stop listening stuff. From Django Reinhardt to George Crumb, from Diapsiquir to Branikald, from Hell Militia to Nadja, from Klub des Loosers to Culprate, from Arckanum to Proclamation, from Hans Zimmer to Impetuous Ritual...
But if you're looking for something in common I think 90% of my listening fit darkness or at least primitivism & weirdness.


12. Does Occultism play any role in your music?

No really, just in terms of seriousness, gravity, spirituality, rituality etc. I'm quite grave with music and daily life, but not too much with the band appearance... I mean, I'm grave but I'm not a monk, nor a psychopath...


13. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

My studies of history & sciences of music... wait, that's music. I like fishing, geocaching, videogaming (underrated art of s.XXI) reading (basically essays around my professional discipline, not too much fiction) and watching movies.


14. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Visit www.atrabilis.es
Thanks.

D.

Atrabilis/Echancrure/Split/2011 EP Review

This is a review of a split between Spain's Atrabilis and France's Echancrure that was self released in 2011 and we will start off with Echancrure.

Drum programming is all slow to mid paced beats, while the synths bring a very dark ambient sound to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are all slow to mid paced depressive ambient black metal riffs with some melody that has a doom metal feeling to it as well as some shoegaze influences in addition the song is very long in length and epic sounding and there are no guitar solos or leads present on their song.

Vocals are all grim sounding depressive black metal screams and growls, while the lyrics are written in French and cover depressive themes, as for t he production it has a v ery dark, raw and primitve sound to it..

In my opinion Echancrure do a very good job with their depressive post black metal and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band.

Next up is Atrabilis a band I previously wrote about.

Drum programming ranges from slow, mid paced to fast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars, as for the sound effects they bring in the dark ambient elements into the music.

Rhythm guitars are all slow, mid paced to fast depressive black metal riffs that are very raw and primitive sounding with some weird and distorted sounding melodies in addition the song is very long and there are no guitar solos or leads present on the song.

Vocals are all high pitched depressive black metal screams and cries with a brief spoken word part, while the lyrics are written in Spanish and cover negative themes, as for the production it has a very raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Atrabilis have the best song on this recording and should appeal to depressive black metal fans.

In my opinion this is a very grat split and I would recommend this to all fans of DSBM, dark ambient and post black metal. RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Atrabilis/3540313211
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/%C3%89chancrure/3540328076

Atrabilis/Self Titled/2010 EP Review

 Atrabilis are a 1 man band from Spain that plays a very raw and primitive form of depressive black metal with some dark ambient influences and this is a review of their self released and self titled 2010 ep.

Drum programming ranges from slow, mid paced to fast beats, while the bass playing has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars, as for the sound effects and synths when they are utilized they bring a very dark and avant garde sound to the music and the last part of this recording goes into a more dark ambient/noise direction.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast ambient depressive black metal riffs that are very dark, raw and primitive sounding mixed in with some weird drone parts in addition some of the songs are very long and epic sounding while there are still shorter ones and there are no guitar solos or leads present on this recording.

Vocals range from deep growls to high pitched depressive black metal screams and cries, while the lyrics are written in Spanish with themes that cover negativism and natural born self isolation, as for the production it has a very dark, raw and primitive sound to it.

In my opinion Atrabilis are a very great sounding depressive dark ambient/black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Primera Parte" and "Tercera Parte". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Atrabilis/3540313211