Mephorash/Krystl-AH/Shadow Records/Regain Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Sweden's  Mephorash  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  them  expanding  on  their  style  of  occult  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Krystl-AH"  which  will  be  released  in  November  as  a  joint  effort  between  Shadow  and  Regain  Records.

  Ritualistic  drum  beats  and  chants  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clear  vocals  and  synths  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Grim  black  metal  screams  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  lot  of  choirs.  Throat  singing  is  also  introduced  on  one  of  the  tracks,  string  instruments,  spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  also  also  utilized  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  mysteries  of  krystl-AH,  the  gnosis  of  light,  divine  narcissism  and  tantric  sexual  magick.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Mephorash  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Gnosis"  "Chrysalis"  and  "Mephoriam".  8  out  of  10.

  https://regainrecords.bandcamp.com/album/krystl-ah

www.mephorash.com 

    

Mephorash/1557 - Rites Of Nullification/Odium Records/2015 CD Review

   Mephorash  are  a  band from  Sweden  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  form  of  occult  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "1557 - Rites Of Nullification"  which  was  released  by  Odium  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric  sounding  synth  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  drum  beats  before  adding  into   growls  and  heavier  guitars  that  also  adds  a  touch  of  blackened  death  metal  onto  the recording  and  after  awhile  melodies  and grim  black  metal  screams  make  their  presence  known  in  the  music.

 All  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  remain  true  to  a  melodic  style  of  black  metal  while  the  clean  playing gives  the songs  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  it  brings  in  more  of  a  raw  style  of  black  metal  and  also  utilizes  a  decent amount  of  blast  beats.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  clean  singing  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  some  tracks  also  use  a  small  amount  of  nature  sounds and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a   great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  some  of  the  riffs  have  more  of  an  avant  garde  and  technical  feeling.

  With  this  recording  Mephorash  change  their  sound  around  quite  a  bit  adding  in  more  death  metal  influences  as  well  as  displaying  a  great  amount  of  progress  as  musician's  while  the  music  still  has  it  fast  and  grim  moments,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Qabalah  and  Qlipitoth  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Mephorash  and  if  you  area  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Riphyon  -  The  Tree  Of  Life  Putrescent"  and  "Cheidolun  -  Destroying  The  Blade  Of  Beriah".  8  out  of  10.  

https://youtu.be/VefPsf1B2vc

 

Ashencult/Mephorash/Opus Serpens/Unholy Anarchy Records/2013 Split EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  ep  between  Philadelphia's  Ashencult  and  Sweden's  Mephorash,  both  bands  which  have  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  play  occult  black  metal  with  the  ep  being  called  "Opus  Serpens"  and  released  by  Unholy  Anarchy  Records  and  we  will start  off  the  review  with  Ashencult.

  "My  Tenth  Death"  begins  with  occult  sound  effects  which  leads  to  some  heavy occult  black  metal  guitar  riffing  and  drums  setting  up  the mood  for  some  grim  vocals  with  some  bass  playing  in  the  background  as  well  as  the  riffing  utilizing  dark  sounding  melodies  and  going  into  a  faster  direction  along  with  blast  beats  and  high  pitched  screams  before  heading  into  a  mid  paced  direction  and  utilizing  deep growls  before  returning  to  its  faster  roots  and  making  switches  back  and  forth  between  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  and  the  song  closes  with  the  sound  effects.

  Song  lyrics  cover  occultism  and  darkness,  while  the  production  has  a  very  heavy,  raw  and primitive  sound  while  you  can  still  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on t heir side  of  the  recording  along  with  the  song  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  song from  Ashencult  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED.

  Next  up  is  Mephorash.

 "Atrmentous  Ungod  Aspect"  begins  with  deep  demonic  chanting  and  tribal  drums  which  leads  to  some  powerful  organ  playing  setting  up  the  mood  for  some  heavy  guitar  riffs,  dark  melodies  and  drums  leading  up  to  a  scream  that  takes  to  song  in  a  more  fast  and  primitive  direction  as  well  as introducing  deep  demonic  growls  and  keeping  around  dark melodies  as  well  as  mixing  in  brutal  blast  beats,  after  awhile  the  music  goes  into  a  more  mid  paced  and  dark  direction  before  heading  in  a  slower  direction  and  combining  organs  with  the  heavier  elements  while  also  mixing  in  a  brief  spoken  word  part  before  returning  to  its  fast  and  primitive  roots  before  slowing  down  again  and  bringing  in  some  powerful bass  playing  which  leads  it  reverting  back  to  the  organs  and  spoken  word  parts  before  getting  heavy  again  along  with  some  grim  deep  vocals.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  heavy  raw  and  primitive  sound  along  with  the  song  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  track  from  Mephorash  as  well  as  the  best  music  on  the  split  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  ep.  RECOMMENDED.

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  black  metal,  you  should  add  this  ep  to your  collection.  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Ashencult/3540357608
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Mephorash/3540336082


  

Mephorash Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Mephorash is a Black/Death metal act that is here to bring our dark arts to those around us, either you like it or you don't, It Does not really matter to us.
Our goal is not to be loved by everyone, our goal is to present our visions and goals to those who cross our path.


2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the e.p?

Our goal with the record was to create a unique sound with very different variables.
We tried to create a new feeling in each song, which together became a great mixture of Pleasure and discomfort at the same time as the final result.

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

The lyrical topics with the record was mainly Misanthropic and Morbid.
We tried to show our aspect of what we think and believe.
We have since the release of that CD changed our lyrical theme in the following material, although that is for future release and i will not reveal anything at this time.

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

The meaning of Mephorash is an Esoteric element, with the goal to spit at Christianity.
The name has it's origin in the name "Shemhamphorash" which is one of gods secret names that under no circumstances shall be uttered,
A variable to that name is "Shem ha-Mephorash" which means "The explicit name".
So every time we utter our name, we spread the name who is not allowed to be spoken.
Although people should Interpret our name as they whish.

5. Has the band had any oppurtunities to do any live shows?

Yes, we have done plenty of live shows here in Sweden, which can be seen on youtube by just searching on our name.
We are planning a European tour in Mars/April with our Brothers on the grom horde, Infest!
Hopefully everything will go as planned and we can contaminate more parts of the world.

6. Currently you are singed to Grom Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support that the label has given you so far?

I contacted Grom Records with a goal of collaberating with them.
The Support from Grom has been splendid and hopefully we can work with them in the future.

7. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by fans of black/death metal?

The Feedback has so far been very good, we have had several reviews and they are all very positive.
Hopefully more fans of the Extreme-metal scene will catch up on us and give us their thoughts about us.

8. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?

The main members of Mephorash is working on a Black/Doom project, although that is very secret and i can not tell you anything more about that.
Besides that our main goal and focus is always Mephorash.

9. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

Our direction is strictly heading to a even more serious, brutal and fast sound.
We will start the recording of our next album at the beginning of next year and i assure you, fans of black and death metal will not be dissapointed.
You have only seen the beginning of our pestilence.

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

At the beginning we felt a strong influence to bands such as Watain, Marduk, Dissection.
But now we have floated in to our own path instead of treading someone elses ground we have created our own.
The band that we mostly listen to right now must be Nightbringer, great band from the US.
My personal favorite i believe. So be sure to check them out.

11. How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism and from where do you find your inspiration from the black arts?

Our view on Satanism and Occultism is very broad, we do not like to call ourself "Satanists" since it is a very, very broad subject.
Occultists would be a much better name since we are interested in all the dark arts and teachings.
Chaos-gnostic satanism although is a very interresting subject and something that we all in the band are close to, Qliphotic arts and necromancy are also a subject which catch our interests

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

Learning Occult teachings, collecting bones, learning language and painting.
And of course everything that will give us more dark wisdom.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
This is just the beginning.

Bandcamp

Facebook

Homepage

Myspace

ReverbNation

YouTube

Mephorash/Death Awakens/Grom Records/2011 CD Review

 Mephorash are a band from Sweden that plays a very dark, raw and primitive form of satanic/occult black metal and this is a review of their 2011 album "Death Awaits" which was released by Grom Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a good amount of blast blasts being thrown into the music, while the sound effects which are used on the intro and outro bring a very dark occult, ritualistic avant garde feeling to the music with some piano being thrown in, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone with riffs that follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars and at times they sound very powerful.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast black metal riffs that are very raw and primitive sounding with some death metal influences being mixed in, while the lead guitars when they are utilized are very dark sounding guitar solos and leads that utilize some melodies.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with a brief use of deep growls, while the lyrics cover Darkness, Evil, Satanism and Occultism, as for the production it has a very dark raw and primitive sound to it.

In my Opinion Mephorash are a very good raw and primitive sounding satanic/occult black metal band and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "The Black Path" and "Death Awakens". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Bandcamp

Facebook

Homepage

Myspace

ReverbNation

YouTube