Noctis Imperium/Nihil/Abyss Records/2010 CD Review

  Noctis Imperium are a band from Caracas, Venezuela that plays black metal with a strong death metal edge and this is a review of their 2010 album "Nihil" which was released by Abyss Records.

Drums range from being mid paced to fast with a lot of brutal blast beats while the bass playing has a very powerful sound of it own with a lot of fast and dark riffs, as for the keyboards they are rarely used but when utilized they are only there to enhance atmosphere..

Rhythm guitars combine the heaviest and fastest elements of black and death metal together while staying on the more dark side, while the lead guitars are very melodic and contain a lot of early 90's satanic death metal influences.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls, while the lyrics cover some Thelemic occultism, darkness, war, and imperialism, as for the production it has a very professional sound and you can hear all of the instruments that are present on this album.

In my opinion Noctis Imperium are good for what they do with the way they mix modern black metal with some death metal influences, and I can see this band getting mixed reviews in the underground since they are too primal for the mainstream black metal audience but probably would not be considered true by some of the more underground black metal audience, but other than that this is still a good metal album that would appeal to fans of Dark Funeral, Belphegor and other bands similar.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Bring Me Sacrifice" and "Unus In Nihil". RECOMMENDED  BUY.

www.myspace.com/noctisimperium

Stonehaven/Of Oak And Iron/2010 CD Review

  Stonehaven are a band from Kansas that plays a very raw form of black metal that has a heavy pagan feel to it and this is a review of their 2010 album "Of Oak And Iron" which they released by themselves with no record label.

Drums range from mid paced to fast with a lot of brutal blast beats being thrown in, while the bass playing has a very powerful and dark sound that gives the music a more mystical atmosphere.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast black metal riffing that is very primal and contains a small amount of melody mixed in with a thrash feel at times,while the lead guitars have a depressive feel that also seems to be influenced by older pagan bands, as for the acoustic guitars when they are used they have a medieval feel that calls up the pagan gods.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams while the lyrics cover pagan philosophy, battles, and folklore, as for the production it is a very raw and heavy feel which gives all of the musical instruments a very heavy and powerful sound.

In my opinion Stonehaven are a very good band that should appeal to all fans of raw, primitive black/pagan metal and you should also check this band out live, they put on a very good show. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Corpse Birds" "Longehrpe Arising" and "Fury Of The Seafaerer". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Waste Of Life Interview

1. Can you tell us a little about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Well, Waste of Life was started because I used to have a solo project called Brennuvarg, which played Pagan Black Metal, and I became more interested in Depressive Metal, and became Atheist. Brennuvarg was ended, and Waste of Life became my focus, among a few other solo projects.
Waste is a solo project, and will be forever. It is suicidal music for suicidal people. For me, it's therapy, as well as a general "fuck you" to humanity.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?
I would describe it as...I don't know...Suicidal Black Metal influenced by bands such as Nyktalgia, Happy Days, Black Hate, and Thy Light, among others. Other influences of mine are personal, and lie outside of music, such as certain parts of my past that I don't want to discuss.

3. What is the meaning behind the bands name?
I chose Waste of Life as this projects name because it is how I feel about not only myself, but a general majority of humanity, and anyone who is serious about the Suicidal Black Metal scene either wants to, or already has killed themselves, so obviously, they too feel they are wastes of life. I just believe it's a name that suits the music style and message perfectly.

4. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
Suicidal, depressive, and hateful.

5. Do you have any other projects besides this band?
Yes, many, so get ready for a long list.
Necrovomit- Raw black metal
Infernal Horde- Raw black metal
Upon Ice Rivers- Naturistic black metal
Gorefucked- Death metal
Final Solitude- Ambient/electronic
And two others that are now dead, Brennuvarg, and Berg der Verwustung.

6. On your myspace page, you put BMWA behind your band's name, how would you describe the support that they have given to the project so far?
I am good friends with the guy who runs the Illinois Chapter, Suedomza, and he has put me on his label to help me release my material easier. Normally I just print a limited amount of copies and have a tough time getting rid of them. So, I greatly appreciate his help. I also like the ideals behind the BMWA and support it, it's great to see the underground is getting connected, even if it's through stupid social networking sites...

7. What kind of equipment do you use to get that dark sound that you have in your music?
Recently, it's been a simple set up. A keyboard where I program my drums and synth, a guitar, and a mic, and record it live onto a cassette. I used to record multi track on garage band, but my computer crashed, so I'm stuck in the stone age, so to speak.
For example, the song on my page, "In a Better Place..." was recorded on multi track, with acoustic drums, instead of programmed ones, and multi tracked guitars and vocals, done on my computer.

8. How has your music been received so far by ambient/black metal fans worldwise?
I'm not exactly branched out like I'd like to be, but one of the guys behind Black Hate in Mexico has complimented me, as well as Vrangsinn from Carpathian Forest. Waste of Life isn't anywhere near what Brennuvarg was, but I don't go out of my way too much to promote my projects. I don't want the wrong people getting into my art.

9. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?
I listen to a wide variety of music, from Lamb of God to Burzum, as well as classical music.
However, the bands that really influence me black metal wise are the obvious Norwegian bands, but also more unknown music, like Thy Light, Trist, Black Hate, Happy Days, Nyktalgia, Sterbend, When Mine Eyes Blacken, and Exiled from Light.

10. Does Occultism or Satanism play any role in the music?
Absolutely not. I am not religious, in any way.

11. What are some of your interests outside of music?
I don't really have any to be honest.

12. Any final words or thoughts?
Listen to Waste of Life, and check the page for my other solo projects.
Thank you for the interview, have a good one.
-Atrabilious

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Yaotl Mictlan/Dentro Del Manto Griss De Chaac/Candlelight Records/2010 CD Review

  Yaotl Mictlan are a band originally from Mexico know living in Utah that plays a very primitive form of black metal that is influenced by the native pagan traditions of Mexico and South America and this is a review of their 2010 album "Dentro Del Manto Griss De Chaac" which was released by Candlelight Records.

Drums are very fast and primal with a lot of blast beats mixed in with some more slower shamanistic/tribal drumming, while the bass playing has a dark sound that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars and the instrument has a very powerful sound at times, as for the flute when it is utilized it conjures up the spirits of the Native American gods with some keyboard effects being used at times.

Rhythm guitars mix slow and fast primal black metal riffs together that also have a melodic edge to them at times,as for the lead guitars when they are utilized they mix melodic and primitive black metal guitar solos together.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams mixed in with some clean singing Native American chanting, while the lyrics are written in Spanish and cover the pagan traditions of the Aztec and Mayan cultures, as for the production it has a somewhat professional yet still primal sound to it that makes the music sound very dark.

In my opinion Yaotl Mictlan are a very good band that has a very original sound of their own and I see a great future for this band and this will probably go down in history as an album that will give birth to a black metal movement that covers Aztec and Mayan mythology, and while there are some bands that have experimented with this style I feel this band will become one of the best known bands for this genre.
RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Cihuacoatl" "Garra De Jaguar" "Huelityotl Mexica" and "Nada Verde Creece A". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://www.myspace.com/yaotlmictlan

Blood Of Kingu/Sun In The House Of The Scorpion/Candlelight Records/2010 CD Review

  Blood Of Kingu are a band from Ukraine that is led by the mastermind behind Hate Forest and Drudkh and this is a review of their 2010 album "Sun In The House Of The Scorpion" which was released by Candlelight Records.

Drums are very fast with a lot of blast beats mixed in with some slow and mid paced drumming that sounds ritualistic at times in a shamanic sense, while the bass playing is mixed down low in the mix and has a dark sound that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars, as for the synths when they are used they bring an esoteric ambient vibe to the music.

Rhythm guitars are mostly black metal riffs that range from slow, mid paced and fast with some dark primitive melodies being used at times, and there are little to no lead guitars present on this recording.

Vocals range from deep growls, black metal screams and shamanistic chanting while the lyrics cover Sumerian, Egyptian, and Tibetan occultism, as for the production it has a very professional but still raw sound to it that keeps the music very primitive.

In my opinion this is another good album and fans of raw occult sounding black metal will enjoy this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Ceremonies To Take Away Thy Ageless" "Guardians Of Gateways To Outer Void" "Incantation Of He Who Sleeps" and "Those That Wander Admist The Stars". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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Armagedda/I Am/Nordvis Produktion/2010 CD Review

  Armagedda are a band from Sweden that plays a raw and evil form of black metal and this is a review of their 2010 EP "I Am" which was released by Nordvis Produktion.


Drums are mostly fast and primal with a lot of blast beats and some slow to mid paced parts, while the bass playing is mixed down low in the mix and has a dark sound that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are mostly raw black metal riffs that mix slow, mid paced and fast riffing together, lead guitars when they are utilized are very dark and primal black metal guitar solos.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams that contain a good amount of agony, while the lyrics are written in a mixture of Swedish and English that cover some dark and satanic themes with an anti christian edge, as for the production it is very raw sounding in the classic black metal tradition.

In my opinion this is another good release from Armagedda and this ep should appeal to fans of true raw black metal. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "I Am" and "Cold Eun". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://www.myspace.com/armageddaonline

Sanctimonius Interview

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

Greetings! First of all Sanctimonius – it’s a one-man band. I’m Gregory - leader of the band.

Sanctimonius band was formed in 2007. Initially it was a project playing atmospheric gothic/neo classic/enigmatic. The mixture of these styles can be heard in first works of Sanctimonious band. It was calm and mystical music with various classical and ethno musical instruments and Latin language lyrics. The main themes of lyrics were lost power of wise ancestors, degradation of humanity, destroying shrines of nature, enmity to everything earthly, contact with ancient spirits and conversation with elementals. Unfortunately project hasn’t got further development and has finished its existence after release of the third track "Jerusalem 1187 A.D.". First time Templars were mentioned in "Jerusalem 1187 A.D.". Later this theme got reflection in “Knight’s fall” song.



2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Initially music of Sanctimonius band could be described as atmospheric/depressive metal. After creation of new songs the genre of the band has been transformed to atmospheric/post black metal. Sanctimonius’s music particular features are slow rhythms, abundance of ambiance and keyboards. Gregory is the vocalist and the only musician (guitar, bass guitar, keys and drums).

3. What is the meaning behind the band's name?

As I said before - initially Sanctimonius music was atmospheric gothic/neoclassic. The main themes of lyrics were lost power of wise ancestors, degradation of humanity, destroying shrines of nature, enmity to everything earthly, contact with ancient spirits and conversation with elementals. Nature, ancestors, spirits and elementals for me like a temple for christian. Holy, pureness, sanctity - are synonymous with the word “Sanctimonius”. It’s a Latin language word. I think it’s a beautiful word and this name is suitable for my music.

4. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?

My good friend Alexander writes lyrics. Lyrics are important part of creative work. They reflect an internal state and the views of the participants on questions of being. It's like a soul scream, a cry of incomprehension, injustice and cruelty. Renunciation of all earthly, desire for freedom of body and soul, solitude, beauty in darkness ... Thoughts of eternal and incomprehensible for others, thoughts and dreams of a mad poet.



5. Has the band had any opportunities to do any live shows, if so what are some of the best shows that the group has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Sanctimonius is a one-man band for now and that’s why I don’t have any opportunity to do any live shows and I never had it with Sanctimonius. But in future, maybe in 2011 or 2012 I will start to look for a band members, so and then Sanctimonius will step to the stage.

6. How has the feedback been to your music so far from black.dark metal fans worldwide?

Usually if someone liked my music, they mail me and say what they think. Mainly people says that my music touches their hearts and stuff like that. And sometimes they even get to feel the atmosphere and mood that I try to convey through the melody and lyrics. But everyone has his own musical taste you know, and of course not everyone likes my music.

7 How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

I have been doing music for many years. About 12 or 13 years. I started with violin and piano and after it I started to play guitar. I was playing in many bands, growing up my guitar and music skills before Sanctimonius was born. First full-length release will be in this autumn or winter. After that I’ll start to compose new songs. And I want to change genre of my music to sympho black metal with slow rhythms and ambience. So will see what happens.



8. When I was reading your bio I noticed that there was a lot of talk about the Knights Templar, what interest do you have in this ancient heretical, mystical cult?

I’m interesting in Templars for a long time. Cause their cult wrapped of mystics and secrets. In song “Knight’s fall” I telling story about the last templar’s master - Jacques de Molay. I suppose that he was accused unfair and was burned in bonfire. You know, subject of unfairness constantly touches me and that’s why I composed a song about it.

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

I don’t have any influences. All the time since my childhood I was keep trying to compose music different from other. Now I listening a lot of music. Black metal, death metal , power, heavy, hard rock, alternative, doom metal, folk metal, classical music, gothic, industrial, darkwave and many other…

10. Are there any side projects besides this band?

No. Now I don’t have any side projects.

11. What role does Satanism, Occultism or Paganism play in the music and how would you describe your views on these topics?

Satanism, occultism or paganism plays no role in my music. I have agnostic and scientific views to any religion.

12. What are some of your interests outside of music?

Computers, books, science, history, ufo, ancient Russian paganism

13. Any final words or thoughts?

Thank you for this interview. I really appreciate it. And it is pleasure for me to be published in your zine.





Greg. Sanctimonius.