Tundra/The Darkening Sky/Corrupted Flesh Records/Bitter Misery Records/2022 Album Re-issue Review

 

  Tundra  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  very  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "The  Darkening  Sky"  which  will  be  re-issued  in  March  as  a  joint  effort  between  Corrupted  Flesh  and  Bitter  Misery  Records.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  while  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  synths  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  second  wave  influences.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  good  amount  of  melody.  Acoustic  guitars  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  remaining  true  to  an  old  school  style  when  they  are utilized,  on  later  tracks  the  vocals  also  start  utilizing  a  more  grim  approach.

  On  this  recording  Tundra  remained  true  to  the  raw  and  old  school  style  of  black  metal  that  they  had  established  and  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Death,  Decay  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Tundra  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of r aw  and  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Darkening  Sky"  and  "Ghostwood".  8  out  of  10.

https://corruptedfleshrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-darkening-sky

https://www.corrupted-flesh.com/product/tundra-the-darkening-sky-ltd-edition-12-black-vinyl-incl-digital-download     

Tundra/The Mirror Of Elizabeth/Corrupted Flesh Records/2021 EP Review

 

  Tundra  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  an  old  school  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  an  ep  they  recorded  in  2013  but  unreleased  until  may  14th,  2021  and  is  called  "The  Mirror  Of  Elizabeth"  and  will  be  released  by  Corrupted  Flesh  Records.

  A  very  dark  synth  orientated  intro  starts  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  utilized  it  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  tradition.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  yet  old  school  style  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  clear  vocals  as  well  as  the  ep  also  closing  with  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  album  based  upon  the  life  of  Elizabeth  Bathory.

   In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Tundra  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Death  From  Above"  and  "The  Mirror  of  Elizabeth".  8  out  of  10.

https://corruptedfleshrecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-mirror-of-elizabeth    

Tundra Interview

>
> 1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
>
> First of all, thanx for your interest in our band.
>
> The new album "The Burning Fanatism" is completed from some times but will be released in the next days by Avantgarde Music. The recordings started in december 2011, and due to many shit happened during the following years, it seems that only now we have arrived at the end of this tunnel. Of course in the meantime we have done some other split releases as usual, ad there were many line-up changes as always in the story of the band. Actually we are putting the last touches on the material for a split album with italian band Vardan that will be released probably at the end of the year, and we have already completed works for a new full lenght album. There is always lot of ideas and stuff coming.
>
> 2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
>
> Due to some delay with the pressing plant, the album will be released during the last week of october. The music is always the same, as everything in the album was written by me (except one riff). The differences of course are into performance, as the musicians involved are the top for this genre: I found useless to write any kind of adjectives regarding Shatraug and Thorns. They are just the best. Differences can be found also into recording: we are raw as usual, but in a more professional way thanx to the help of the friends involved like Davide from Frostmoon Eclipse.
>
> 3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
>
> I usually write always about the same things: hate towards the society surrounding me. Its the same since the beginning, sometimes it comes in a different way and wrapped into a sort of little fiction story, but most of the time I go straight to the point. I don't like this philosophical way into black metal, I prefer a fist in the face. New stuff is more or less the same, also if the subjects could seems different. For example, the next full length is a concept album based on tv series Twin Peaks, exploring the human side of it, the connection between the evil and obscure subjects with the humans.
>
> 4.A few months back you where a part of a split with 'Korium', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?
>
> I simply love Korium. I feel a deep respect for Koronas, one of the few individual totally devoted to to a certain way to intend black metal. We need more projects like this into the black metal music.
>
> 5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
>
> Since the beginning of the band, our live activity is too little to pick up a best show. I can say at a personal level that I will never forget playing some of our old gigs because we shared the night with some of my favourite bands, but its just something regarding me, its not about a memorable concert for fans, like Kiss or Maiden. We go on the stage and we just try to unleash the same vibes that we have when we create our music.
>
> 6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
>
> The idea is to organize a number of selected shows to support the new album during the year 2016. One is already confirmed for June the 2nd, the Howling At The Moon Festival, together with our czech brothers Inferno and others bands to be confirmed. We hope to confirm some other gigs in the next months. Actually I am trying to work on a more solid stage persona image for the whole band, to support visually the same impact of the music. Nothing particular anyway, we don't need and nobody need it.
>
> 7.I know that one of the band members also runs 'Slava Satan Records', can you give us an update on what is going on with that label these days?
>
> I am behind the label, that was, is and will be always an hobby. As every little underground label, the activities are strictly connected with the problems related to  private life, so actually is in a sort of "on-hold" status. I will release for sure Tundra stuff under this name, and some other little things strictly connected with my close contacts, but for the rest I am not searching new bands and new releases to press.
>
> 8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer music by fans of black metal?
>
> The term "worldwide" seems so weird when connected with my band. We are a very little entity, of course we have our little amount of followers (and I am glad and honoured of it), so I can't really talk about a worldwide feedback. I can say that everytime we have a new release out, some maniacs are interested to get it, so I am feeling great.
>
> 9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
>
> I sometimes help a friend of mine with the black metal project Agonia Blackvomit: there is a new album based on an interesting concept out on the end of the year. I also help my brothers in Lost Reflection, an hard \ rock bands, so I can entertain myself playing my Precision Bass as my hero Steve Harris. The actual Tundra guitar player is involved into the black metal project Under (they have a split cd out the past september) and also play bass into the hardcore band Galera, they have a strong sound and a very dedicated underground approach.
>
> 10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
>
> We are heading nowhere. As usually most of the music and lyrics are coming from me, and I am not going to change my style, I don't feel the need. Sometimes stuff will be more raw and lo-fi, sometimes will be more atmospheric, but its always the same story: we have a strong derivative and unoriginal style, but with every new releases people tell me that it sounds Tundra. 80% of my lifetime I listen to Iron Maiden, so for sure you will forever find melodies in our music.
>
> 11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
>
> As I have already wrote, I listen mainly Iron Maiden since I was a child, I totally worship their works, also the new ones and the Blaze-era. Of course I am a sort of music-addicted, I buy cds every week, most of the times I don't pay the bills of my house to buy cds. I like many styles, but Black Metal is still my favourite, and I smile when I read or listen people telling that the genre is dead. My musical influences are all here, into Iron Maiden and into Black Metal. Films and books are also an inspiration, but mainly the daily shitty life.
>
> 12.How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism?
>
> Regarding Occultism, I was always fascinated by this topic. Unfortunately I never had the time, and probably the guts, to examinate it in a deep way. Talking about Satanism, I use this word to convey a personal way to intend all the aspects of my life. I don't tend to be part of any religious circle (apart when we talk about my favourite soccer team).
>
>
> 13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
>
>
> Again, thank you for interest in Tundra and for the interview, really appreciated. You can find info about our activities through our official website or following our facebook page. My last thought is for Vlad Blasphemer from Maniac Butcher, that recently left us forever.

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Tundra/The Burning Fanatism/Avantgarde Music/2015 CD Review

  Tundra  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  traditional form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "The  Burning  Fanatism"  which  was  released  by  Avantgarde  Music.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  drum  beats  and  a  few  seconds  later  rough  yet  melodic  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  which  also  takes  the  album  going  into  a  heavier  direction  and  the  vocals  start  going  for  more  of  a  grim  yet  hateful  black  metal  screaming  style  while  also  mixing  the  heavy  and  clean  parts  together.

   Once  the  music  speeds  up  it  brings  in  more  of  a  raw  style  of  black  metal  that  also  incorporates  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and fast  parts  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted in  the  90's  second  wave  style  the  production  makes  the  music  sound  a  lot  more  modern,

   Some  of  the  riffs  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  while  a  later  track  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  spoken  word  parts  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  briefly  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  tradition  while  the  main  focus  remains  more  on  a  raw  style  of  black  metal  and  there  are  also  a  few  tracks  that  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  they  close  the  album  with  an  instrumental  track.

  Tundra  takes  a  very  raw,  traditional  and  old  school style of  second  wave  black  metal  and  makes  the  genre  sound  modern  again  with  the  advanced  technology  of  the  past  20  years,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Darkness,  and  Hateful  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Tundra  are  a  very  great  sounding  traditional  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  n  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Disgust"  "Insanity"  "Wrath"  and  "Fanatism".  8  out  of  10.   

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