Servant/Death Devil Magick/AOP Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Germany's  Servant  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  very  aggressive  and  melodic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Death  Devil  Magick"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  AOP  Records.

  

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  synths  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.

 

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  fast  riffing  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  vocals  are mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  songs  also  mixing  in  influences  from  both  the  old  school  and  modern  era's  of  the  genre,  one  of  the  tracks  is  also  an  instrumental  and  spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  in  the  closing  song.    

  

  On  this  recording  Servant  expand  on  their  aggressive  and  melodic  style  of  occult  black  metal  taking  the  music  into  a  different  direction  as  well  as  keeping  all  the  aggression  of  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  occultism,  magick,  poetry,  philosophy,  emotions.  beliefs,  addiction  and  depths  of  human  nature.  

  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Servant  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  melodic  and  aggressive  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Void" "Devil"  "Death"  and  "Magick".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/ServantMagick

https://youtu.be/_k7aMA4y7ZQ  

    

Servant/Aetas Ascensus/MDD Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Servant  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  majestic  form  of  occult  black  metal  with  some  symphonic  touches  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2023  album  "Aetus  Ascensus"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  MDD  Records.

  Synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  at  times  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  At  times  the  album  also  gets  very  atmospheric  and  symphonic  sounding  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  when  they  are  utilized  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  influenced  by  the  classic  Scandinavian  style  but  keeping  it  modern  at  the  same  time,  angry  shouts  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks. Clean  playing  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  a  couple  of  the  songs  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length,  clear  vocals  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while the  lyrics  cover  Satanism  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Servant  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  majestic  occult  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  Aetus  Ascensus"  "Mater  Hominis"  and  "Seven  Sins  To  End  The  World".  8 out  of  10.

  

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Servant Interview

 

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

(Servant is a German Black Metal Band)

The Band was formed at the end of 2016. Before that time I had written some collages for a planned reunion for my former Band 'Ancient Wargod'. This reunion never happened and the songs remained unpublished. Years later I teamed up with Samael and we started to work on the material. I did the musical part and he supported me with lyrics and ideas. Suddenly we realized that this material could be the foundation for a new Band. We teamed up with two other good friends of us und so 'Servant' was born.

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

There has never been the question if this is going to be a Black Metal Release or not. 

For us, everything this album represents is Black Metal, however we never thought within a specific space. Some of the songs your hear on the album are based on ideas, that were born in 2007. But within the work on the arrangement of those and the lyrics coming to the collages, they transformed into something bigger. Everything within the process was made with instinct, so to speak. But the main-driver about all the work was the idea to sound right and we worked with maximum effort to give the music the space it claimed. Therefore we did not head for a raw production but a very clear sound that can carry all the different lines, melodies and vocals you hear. 

3.A lot of your lyrics cover Satanic and Occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

The lyrics of 'Servant' cover a big range of modern Satanism, like the Elevation of the Self for example, but we are also highly interested in teachings of the so called big religions. There has always been a huge interest for the question of if there is something more than the immanent existence for mankind. And to wrap that up, it is the question all cults, teachings or religions have in common. Therefore there is the question who you are, the seeking for sense; so philosophy and art in general.

The members of 'Servant' don't see them self as cultist of a specific teaching but maybe as people who are interested in different religious ideas and philosophy. 

Black Metal always had the freedom to discuss different religious themes like Transcendence and also occult themes, philosophies and give them a new shape. This is also how art works.

And we show the world our perspective. 

4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

The desire for transience, which is a very romantic topic and the search for the meaning of life in general. But this could be also an answer to question three. 

'Negate the I' for example was never intended to be a negative or destructive title.

During the main-time of recording some members of 'Servant' faced personal struggles. 

This song is a example for this time: Although the title could be read as very negative, the opposite was intended. It discusses the option to break free from your personal negative thoughts and feelings. Even if this means to change something fundamental within your personal setting of life. 

This also covers thinking and living in general. The seeking for peace and personal freedom. 

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

Simply as what it means. When we speak about the band we try to leave our social personalities  behind (although this is impossible) and serve the band and the art we create with it. There is nothing more ineffective and destructive to try to involve your ego when it comes to music.

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

The artwork was done by Karmazid and the Logo by Ihasan. We were stunned when they told us they would be willed to draw something for us.

The idea for the album cover was born within the main-time of recording and Karmazid simply took the fundamental idea and made it his own. 

It shows a human silhouette in the night sky. Seven of the shining stars represent the chakras and an Ouroboros embraces the silhouette. It simply represents the universe of 'Servant': Enhancement of the self, transience, but also something greater than the existence of mankind. Overall something very positive, we think.

7.Has the band done any live shows or open to the idea?

Not yet, since the band is a new one and we need to release the album. But we are definitively willed to play live shows. We are now work on our set and prepare our live show. Also we discuss options with different people to get this band on stage.

8.The new album is going to be released on 'MDD Records'. how did you get in contact with this label?

We made a promo package and sent it to several labels. MDD Records answered right away and offered us a deal. They believe in us and made us some special bundles which can be pre-ordered at their shop. This covers t-shirt bundles and a special metal box including exclusive items. We are very happy to have such an experienced label to help as with all the upcoming stuff. 

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

Honestly answered I can't tell you, since the album is not released yet. Time will tell...

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

We try to flow with time and ourselves. 'Servant' will always be a Black Metal Band, but the shape maybe will differ in the future. It depends on the ideas. We try to accept the rules of art. 

11.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?

Samael and I musically grew up with Scandinavian Black Metal. Therefore it is no surprise you can hear such influences on this release. We will always be  fans of that style of music. 

But personally I would be not the musician who I am if haven't had discovered bands and musicians like Yngwie Malmsteen and 'White Snake'. Samael is very in classical guitar composers like Sor or Tarrega at the moment, I think.

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

Thank you very much to give us the opportunity for this interview. We are really looking forward to the future and what it will bring it for 'Servant'. We are going to work even harder to bring this band to live and of course set the direction for the second album.

facebook.com/ServantMagick

Servant/Blessed By The Light Of A Thousand Star/MDD Records/2021 CD Review

 

  Servant  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  an  occult  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Blessed  By  The  Light  Of  A  Thousand  Star"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  MDD  Records.

  Rain  and  thunder  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  acoustic  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  which  also  have  their  deep  yet  grim  moments  while  keyboards  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well as  the  music  also  getting  very  atmospheric  sounding  at  times.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  some  clear  vocals.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length ,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Clean  playing  can  also be  heard  briefly  as  well  as  some  songs  also  adding  in  orchestration  and  choirs  along  with  some classical  guitars  also  being  utilized  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Modern  Satanism,  Occultism,  Religious  Teachings,  The  Longing  For  Death.  The  Desire  For  Transience,  Elevation  Of  The  Self  and  the  Search  For  The  Meaning  Of  Life.

  In  my  opinion  Servant  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Negate  The  I"  "The  Ultimate  Occult  Worship"  "Incantation  Of  The  Old  Ones"  and  "Blessed  By  The  light  Of  a  Thousand  Stars".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/ServantMagick/