Molde Interview

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

Ollie: Molde have been an off/on band since the early 2000s. An earlier version blended post-metal with black metal. I put it to bed for a few years and then paired up with Lord Darkstorm a few years ago and decided to keep it in a more straightforward BM mode. There’s only 2 of us for now and we are based in Cork in Ireland. I take care of all the music while LD focuses on lyrics.



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

Ollie: Well, it differs a lot from the stuff from 10 years ago, but it’s similar to our material from the split EP with Cursed Coven “Journey Through the Enchanted Forest”



3.The band was broken up for 6 years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?

Ollie: That version of the band is gone now, all the previous members have moved on or moved away. It was a natural break with no acrimony, it was not an “end” as such but more of a “hiatus”. Also I started a family and that tends to dominate your time!

I had some material lying around that was more traditional BM and LD wanted to adapt it and add lyrics which worked really well and formed our EP from 2 years ago.



4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer album?

LD: Lyrics refer to the ancestral past on the Isles...when Gods thrived, when man was one with them and nature... they speak of returning to your heritage and roots, while taking you on a journey through the spiritual realm of the Ancients...

Ollie: What he said :)



5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Molde'?

Ollie: “Molde” is a Middle English word meaning “the dust to which human flesh returns after death” - I liked this as it reflected my personal atheism and the notion that life returns to nature. It’s also a really cool meaning!



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

Ollie: Lord Darkstorm represents an older world view and has interests in the ancestral past. I am more rooted in the modern world. LD is interested in keeping a link to the past in this modern world. The artwork represents a figure from the past struggling to fend off futuristic threats (if you look closely, it’s a robotic vulture). The message itself? Is open to interpretation :)



7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band while there was a full line up in the past, are you open to expanding your line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

Ollie: Right now I’m keeping it to a receding band only and don’t have immediate plans for touring.



8.The band members are from Ireland and Poland, what kind of impact does this have on your musical style?

LD: Given our two nations are much alike and we share similar history, the fascination for the music falls under the common interest section *laughs*

Ollie: That’s an interesting question, Poland had some strict conventions when it came to BM in the 90s but I feel Ireland has no burdens of the past and is open to different streams of influence. Which also reflects the nature of Irish people. So, this creates a natural creative tension in the band and forces us into new territories, a GOOD creative tension.



9.Has the band done any live shows in the past?

Ollie: In the previous iteration of the band Molde performed live, but it was mainly limited to the local scene.



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

LD: So far- positive feedback, some people would like the early 90's touch for a distinct change from all the 280/mph stuff that seems to be out there nowadays *laughs*

Ollie: Reaction has been quite positive. And we have over 3000 Youtube views combined, which is a good indication.



11.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that the band members are a part of?

LD: Darkstorm is currently working on a new upcoming LP which will be in the vein of "The Oath of Fire" LP. Whilst this is currently in progress, I have been focusing on a folk project - Ravensdale.

Ollie: I have another local band on the go, which is veering towards filthy death metal - currently recording and still deciding on a name :)



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

Ollie: I think we have hit a good balance between old and new. I am less traditional than LD *laughs* but I see a continuation of exploring the same creative space that brought us to this point.



13.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?

LD: Bathory, Falkenback, early Emperor, lately listening to the fantastic Lord Wind and Perunwit.

Ollie: Previously mid-period Enslaved had a big influence on me. Along with classic Emperor and Arcturus. Mixing this with Neurosis gave an individual style. Current listening keeps changing, I’m liking the latest MGLA and Father Befouled right now. And I’ve loved Elder for the last few years.



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

LD: Stay true to who you are!

Ollie: There are no rules, keep breaking and making!

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Molde/The Messenger/Satanath Records/The Ritual Productions/2019 CD Review

  Molde  are  a  duo  with  members  from  Ireland  and  Poland  that  plays  black  metal  with  some  doom metal  elements   and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "The  Messenger"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Satanath  Records  and  The  Ritual  Productions.

  A  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  which  also  introduces  elements  of  doom  metal  onto  the  recording.  The  riffs  also  use  a  decent  amount  of  melody  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  black  metal  screams  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  utilized  it  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  dark  and  melodic  style  as  well  as  one  track  also  adding  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  onto  the  recording  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  stringed  instruments,  winds  and  battle  sounds,  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  the  album  progresses  and  the  recording  also  closes  with  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Molde  are  a  very  great  sounding  black  metal  duo  with  some  touches  of  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Backed  By  The  Reckoning"  "Leaving  the  Mortal  Realm"  and  "Call  of  The  Ancient".  8  out  of  10.

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Moloch/Yudlugar/Dissonanz/Legs Akimbo Records/2012 Split EP Review

  This  ia  a  review  of  a  split  review  between  Ukraine's  Moloch  and  U.K's  Yudlugar  called  "Dissonanz"  which  was  released  by  Legs  Akimbo  Records  in  2012  and  we  will  start  of  the  review  with  Moloch  a b and  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a very  depressive  from  of  black  metal.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  fast  playing  or  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  depressive  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sounding  and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  their  side  of  the  recording.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  with  some  spoken  word  parts  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Ukrainian  and  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  track  from  Moloch  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  depressive  black  metal.  RECOMMENDED.

  Next  up  is  Yudlugar  a  band  that  combines  black  metal  with  breakcore  and  noise.

  Drum  programming  ranges  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  beats,  while  the  programming  and  samples  bring  in  breakcore,  speedcore  and  harsh  noise  elements  to  the  music.

  Vocals  are  all  high  pitched  black  metal  screams,  with  songwriting  not  really  being  utilized,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  heavy,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Yudlugar  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  black  metal,  breakcore  and  harsh  power electronics  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  this  style  of  music,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED.

  in  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  i  would  recommend  to  all  fans  of  black  metal  and  harsh  noise.  RECOMMENDED.

http://soundcloud.com/dubpirate/legs-recs-005-sample-moloch