Enthroned/Pentagrammaton/Regain Records/2010 CD Review

Enthroned are a band from Belgium that has been around since the early 90's and are a very well known band among black metaller's and this is a review of their 2010 album "Pentagrammaton" which was released by Regain Records.

Drums alternate between being slow, mid paced to fast with a lot of brutal blast beats, has a dark tone that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars and at times the instrument has a very powerful sound of it's own, as for the effects when they are utilized they bring an avant garde edge to the music which gives the music a more occult sound.

Rhythm guitars cover a good amount of variety with a mixture of slow, mid paced to fast black metal riffs that contain a good amount of melody, while the lead guitars are very dark sounding black metal guitar solos that are very melodic mixed in with some more traditional metal influences.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with a small amount of deep growls and some chanting, while the lyrics cover the classic grimoires, Goetic demons, Cabbalistic and Egyptian Occultism instead of the more Satanic topics that where used on the earlier albums, as for the production it sounds very professional and all of the instruments have a very good sound to them.

In my opinion this is another good album from Enthroned that goes even more deeper into the occult than previous albums, it while it is as not as raw sounding as their earlier material, fans of their last album should enjoy this new recording. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "The Vitalized Shell" "Magnvs Princeps Leopardi" "Pentagrammaton" and "Unconsious Minds". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://www.enthroned.be http://www.myspace.com/enthronedhorde

Thorngoth/Leere/Folter Records/2010 CD Review

  Thorngoth are a band from Germany that plays a raw and fast form of black metal that has been around since the early 2000's and also has a couple of members that have played in some well known German black metal bands and this is a review of their 2010 album "Leere" which was released by Folter Records.

Drums range from being slow, mid paced to fast with a lot of blast beats, while the bass playing has a dark tone which follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars and at times they have a very powerful sound of it's own, as for the keyboards they are only used for a few seconds and they bring a dark edge to the music.

Rhythm guitars are very primal and raw black metal riffs that are slow and depressive at times with some mid paced to fast riffing with a small amount of melody and a thrash edge being used at times, while the lead guitars are very raw and sometimes depressing black metal guitar solos, as for the acoustic guitars when they are used on the last song they use open chords that give the music a darker sound.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls and a small amount of clean singing, while the lyrics cover occultism, sorrow and death, as for the production it is very dark and raw sounding.

In my opinion Thorngoth are a very good band that should appeal to all fans of true raw black metal. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Leere I, III, IV and VII". RECOMMENDED BUY.

www.thorngoth.de

Undivine Essence/Nature's Elements Interview

Phenex on behalf of Nature's Elements.
Shay and Mike from Undivine Essence

1. Can you tell us a little bit about both of the bands for those that have never heard of you before?
Phenex: We Met Ipos (vocalist & creator of the songs) in 2001 and made some records and gigs. In 2005 he's gone and after that we released "beyond the dunes". Now in this split we recorded two last songs of his creation with another vocalist. And this release is dedicated to Ipos. Now we're free and only wearied cloak of memories make us look same. We're ready to conquer through Undivine times!
Shay and Mike: UE was started as a studio project in 2006, with Shay on guitars and bass and Mike on vocals. We've worked with several session drummers and so far recorded drum tracks for a full length. Also, recently we joined a new Bassist to the band.

2.How would you describe the musical styles of both of the bands?
Phenex: Dark sounding black metal© .. far far on the east it could be sweaty! In this split we have a different sound from before, I like it more, its freshly.
Shay and Mike: UE is mainly, and over all, a black metal band. But we infuse a lot of our various influences to create a sound that's our own.

3. What is the meaning behind the name Undivine Essence?
Shay: For me "undivine essence" refers to the human being itself. The corruption, foulness and weakness of the physical existence that we are. The name reflects a materialistic view by which I scorn the earthly life and both supernatural beings.

4. What is the meaning behind the name Nature's Elements?
Phenex: NE is some harmony, split for elements, for harmony. Some harmony which we don't have, a lot of chaos around us and inside us. So it's like a journey on the river of chaos in a boat of sorrow.

5. How would you describe the lyrical content of both of the bands?
Phenex: We use a symbolism of Nordic mythology for inner psychological process like a trip. Maybe it's a wrong way; but we know shit about the Greek mythology. Half of our lyrics are written in Russian.
Shay: Main Lyricist for our songs is Mike, but sometimes I write and some songs we write together. On my lyrics I try to get a more introspective point of view, and deal mainly with mental processes through demonic imagery.
Mike: I like to use more occult, horror and dark fantasy related motives in my lyrics.

6. Have you had any opportunities to do live shows yet, if so what are some of the best shows that the bands have played so far and how would you describe the stage performance of both bands?
Phenex: We made some gigs here and there. It's almost always a good time. The last gig we made in the middle of the forest; it was a magic, strange sound, strange vibe, almost strangers.
Shay: So far we did not do a live show due to a lack of a permanent drummer. But I think that will be fixed soon!


7. Is that animal on the cover a chuppacabra?
Phenex: it could be! If you mean the Lucifer's demon dog, dog has a character of his master. So when you seek the light of Lucifer – Wisdom, he's your master haha..
Mike: The animal is a Hyena, and in our opinion one of the most Undivine creatures on earth!

8. What direction do you see both bands heading into during the future?
 Phenex: In the end of the river what waiting for us? Water fall, maybe a lake. hope it will be another river.
Shay and Mike: We are now half way from releasing a full length. It'll be ready sometime next year. We already have material for a second album, a concept album about death. Besides for that maybe another split & live gig sometime soon.

9. How has the split been received so far from black metal fans worldwide?
Shay: So far we had few Online reviews (including yours – thanks again), and all were very positive. Also, I hear very good things from people who got the split itself.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced both of the bands and what are you listening to nowadays?
Phenex: When I listen to NE, sometimes I wonder to hear Burzum & Bathory, it's a real wonder! It meets the hot climate and it feels like an expedition with sweat, desert and memories. Now I listen to Soft machine, it's heavy.
Mike: I know this sentence has been used so many times before but there are so many bands I cant name even few.. basically I hear stuff from Beatles up to Satyricon. Currently I hear the new Danzig and the latest Rotting Christ.
Shay: I'm influenced mainly by late 80's and mid 90's black metal. Stuff like Bathory, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Summoning, Celtic frost, Venom and many more. Besides for that I love some death and thrash metal bands, and some depressive 80's shit .. so that all blends here together. Recently I'm listening to: Lifelover, Hell Darkness, Nifelheim, Blodarv, The Meads of Asphodel, Lunar Aurora, Minimal Compact, and so on…

11. What role does Paganism or Occultism play in both of the bands music?
Phenex: Well, Occultism, it's a good basic for symbolism, I mean for using words: as & like something. When I think about paganism, I think about Russia, hard for words, so easy for feelings. You can use that link for music and especially for lyrics.
Shay and Mike: We tend not to use paganism, although we do not reject it. Occultism and dark feelings play bigger role on our lyrics right now.

12. What are some of your interests outside of music?
Phenex: Did you see "The holy mountain" and "stalker" movies?
Mike: Nuns beheading, books, movies and virgin disembowelment!
Shay: Sociology and Anthropology, but mainly I like to get stoned and mess around with the nun heads mike just beheaded


13. Any final words or thoughts?
Phenex: Thank you for asking! Questions create the answers!
Shay: Thanks for this interview, and also to all the people around us that help this project. Finally, to all, check out our myspace page for some sounds!
Mike: When I was 15, I had a thought sprang into my mind, but since it was long time ago I already forgot it.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Undivine_Essence/3540308900
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Nature%27s_Elements/9329

Adversarial/All Idols Fall Before The Hammer/Dark Descent Records/2010 CD Review

  Adversarial are a band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada that plays a brutal form of black/death/war metal and this is a review of their 2010 album "All Idols Fall Behind The Hammer" which was released by Dark Descent Records.

Drums are mostly fast with a  lot of brutal blasts being utilized mixed in with some mid  paced drumming, while the bass playing is mixed down low in the mix and seems to follow the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars mix the heaviest and fastest elements of black, war and death metal together to create a very brutal sound with one song having slower, doomy riffs and there are little to no lead guitars or solos present on this recording.

Vocals are a mixture of deep death metal growls and black metal screams, while the lyrics are very hateful and philosophical with a dose of anti Christianity, as for the production it has a very raw and heavy sound that brings out a  lot of chaos into the music.

In my opinion Adversarial are a very great band that should appeal to anyone looking for a mixture of Canadian War metal mixed with brutal death metal.RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Churning The Storm" "All Idols Fall Behind The Hammer" "Ruin Enshrined" and "Death.Rot.Monolith". RECOMMENDED BUY.

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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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