Sunday, March 27, 2011

Tryblith/The Light Fades Upon A Darkening Horizon/ColorLess Records/2011 EP Review


 Tryblith are a band from Ohio that has been interviewed buy this zine a few months back and play a style hat I would describe as being a raw form of satanic black metal with an ambient/atmospheric edge and this is a review of their 2011 ep "The Light Fades Upon Darkening Horizon"  which was released by ColorLess Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a good amount of blast beats being utilized, while the bass playing has a very dark tone which is mixed down low and the mix and seems to follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars, as for the synth when it is utilized on the first song it has a very dark ambient and atmospheric feel to it.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast black/war metal riffing that is very raw, dark and brutal with some soft playing being used briefly on a couple of songs which adds to the darkness of the music and also has somewhat of a progressive feel and there are little to no guitar solos or leads present on the recording.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams with some goat metal growls being used at times and on one song there is a brief spoken word passage, while the lyrics cover paganism, satanism, occultism darkness and the war against the white light, as for the production it is very dark and raw sounding.

In my opinion Tryblith are a very good black/war metal band that adds a lot of originality to the music, and if you are looking for something that is very evil, dark, heavy, raw but still original sounding, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Converence  of Eternal Winter" and "Visions Of A Long Dead Past". RECOMMENDED BUY

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Vried/V/Indie Recordings 2011 CD Review


  Vried are a band from Norway that plays a style that i would describe as being progressive black metal with a rock edge and this is a review of their 2011 album "V" which was released by Indie Recordings.

Drums range from mid paced to fast playing with some blast beats being utilized at times, while the bass playing sounds very professional with riffs that are very easy to hear at times, as for the synths when they re utilized they have a very dark and progressive feel to them.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast black metal riffs that also have a great amount of thrash and rock influences with a good amount of melody, while he lead guitars are very melodic and progressive sounding solos that have a classic metal feel to them, as for the acoustic guitars when they are utilized they full chords to give the music a dark and progressive feel.

Vocals are very high pitched black metal screams with some clean singing being used on a couple of songs and on one song there is a spoken word passage, while the lyrics cover dark themes with a very nature orientated feel and on  one song there are lyrics about a monotheistic cult and also there seems to be a focus on war, as for the production it has a raw but still very professional sound and you can hear all of the musical instruments on this recording.

In my opinion Vried are a very good progressive black metal band, and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Wolverine Bastards" "Fire On The Mountain" "Welcome o The Aslyum and "Slave". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://www.vreid.no

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Infestus/E_x_I_s_t/Debembur Morti Productions/2011 CD Review


  Infestus are a one man project from Germany that plays a very dark and experimental form of black metal and this is a review of their 2011 album "E_x_I_s_t" which will be released by Debember Morti Productions.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a good amount of blast beats, while the synths when they are utilized bring a very dark ambient feel to the music and at times it has a very weird and unholy sound to it, as for the bass playing it has a very dark tone which is kind of mixed down low in the mix and seems to follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast black metal riffs that have a melodic edge at times with a lot of weird sounding distortion and on one song there is some thrash style riffing, while the lead guitars are very distorted sounding black metal guitar solos that are also very dark in sound, as for the classical guitars when they are utilized they use a lot of finger picking to give the music a more ancient sound.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams with some deep growls, while the lyrics cover Darkness, nocturnal woods, and spiritual abyss with one song being written in the German language, as for the production it has a very dark, heavy and raw feel to it.

In my opinion Infestus a re a very good and original modern day sounding black metal band and iy you are looking for something different, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Down Spiral Depersonifacation" "Mirror Mond Reality" and "Descend Direction Void". RECOMMENDED BUY.


Blut Aus Nord/777-Sect(s)/Debembur Morti Productions/2011 CD Review


  Blut Aus Nord are a band from France that has had their previous material reviewed as well as interviewed by this zine with a musical style that I would describe as being very dark, experimental and raw form of black metal and this is a review of their 2011 album "777-Sect(s)" which was released by Debembur Morti Productions.

Drum programming ranges from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with some programmed blast beats, while the synths are very dark and ambient sounding and has a soundtrack feel to it, as for the bass plying it has a very dark and distorted tone with a lot of heavy riffing.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs mixed in with lot of distorted parts while the lead guitars have a very distorted sound to them without doing guitar solos.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams, while the lyrics cover Mysticism, Philosophy, and Individualism, as for the production it has a very heavy, raw and powerful sound to it with all of the instruments having a good sound.

In my opinion this is another great album from Blut Aus Nord, and if you where a fan of their previous albums, you will not be disappointed. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Epitome II" and "Epitome V". RECOMMENDED BUY.


Friday, March 18, 2011

Old Wainds/Where The Snows Are Never Gone/Negative Existence/2011 CD Review


 Old Wainds are a band from Russia that has also had their previous album reviewed in this zine and plays a style I would describe as being raw, cold, and heathenistic black metal and this is a review of their 1997 demo "Where The Winters Are Gone" which was originally released in 1997 but re-issued by Negative Existence in 2011.

Drums range from mid paced to fast with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the bass playing which is kind of mixed down low in the mix has a dark sound with a lot of raw and primal black metal riffing which is what this demo is all about.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast raw black metal riffs that have some weird effects at times as well as a small amount of melody and here are little to no guitar solos or leads present on this recording and this demo has a lot more focus of the 90's raw black metal sound.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams with only a small amount of deep growls which are used very rarely and there are a lot of grim style vocals, while the lyrics touch on darkness, winter and heathenism, as for the production it has a very dark and raw sound to it but still sounds very powerful for a demo.

In my opinion this is a great demo from Old Wainds, and if you are a fan of the stuff they put out in later years, you should hunt down this demo. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Winter Warriors" "Where The Snows Are Never Gone" and "Guardians Of The Icy Kingdom". RECOMMENDED BUY.


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Obsidian Tongue Interview


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

We are a band whose primary inspiration lies in the Black Metal sound, and everything we do in this project is an extension of a personal vision of the Black Metal Ritual conceived in the band's genesis. We aim to manifest as much of our inner selves as possible in every song we write; every song is another step forward, another progression into emotional and spiritual realms reached through the courage of confronting the darkness inherent in the human design.



2. How would you describe the musical sound of the demo?

The demo is a thorough cultivation of our love for the low fidelity cassette tape Metal sound. The songs were composed with the intent of being dubbed onto cassette; therefore this demo sounds perfect to us in the cassette form. With that being said, our subesquent recordings will most likely progress into a full and clear Metal sound, bringing to life a Stereo rendition of the Obsidian Tongue sound.



3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the demo explores?

Life after Death is the topic within Dissociation and The Noble. Dissociation is a psychedelic introduction song to the tape, illustrating the beginning of an afterlife shared with all other expired human souls, and depicting this reflective period following death as an experience very similar to a dissociative or trance-like state experienced here on Earth. Observing the other souls' desperation to find pride in their mortal life, when all they have to show for themselves is life-long grief. On the other hand The Noble is a fantasy song about someone who chooses to drown themselves in a lake, in hopes to move on to a better realm. The choice to die is inspired by the ancient civilization of the Mayans, who reportedly disappeared without a trace, as if they left this world for a better plane. However this individual learns that an early death was not their personal destiny, and in consequence for betraying their purpose, their soul is banished to wander the same lake on Earth in which they ended their life.

The Kinship As A Wound songs are musically, some of the angriest songs ever written in Obsidian Tongue. To match this music, which is a psychedelic observation of pure anger, the lyrics concern the manipulative tactics that men can play on each other, and the parasitic quality that some humans can display. Mankind is but one species, one extended family, and this fact is often exploited by some; using this intimate familial relationship as the ultimate vulnerability, through which one person can feed off others.



4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Obsidian is a black glass formed from the lava of volcanic eruptions. It is a substance that is organically black. In the belief that music is a language through which people connect on a very deep and fundamental level, we decided that blackened music can be called the Obsidian Tongue, born through interior eruptions. Obsidian is also believed to absorb the negative energies in the space in which it is placed. Being in this band feels like a purifying practice to us; it summons all our inner darkness. We hope it does the same for our listeners. Face your fears.



5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Every live performance feels sacred; indeed the band was not fully conceived until we played live. So I'd say our first show is one of the best shows, I felt completely uniquely outside of myself during the entire set, and for hours following the performance. Basically every show we've done since then has felt special and trance-inducing. It's impossible to pick and choose.

We would describe our stage performance as the strongest conveyor of the band's vision. With the music flying around the room coupled with the subtle-energies channelled through our bodies, the musical and emotional alchemy of Obsidian Tongue is fully palpable to those willing to connect. We play loud and hard, meditating on both the raw and beautiful qualities of Metal music.



6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?

Yes. We will travel and perform whenever and wherever possible and will book our first tours within this year.



7. What is going on with the other bands these days?

The other bands in the metal scene? Some of them have pure intentions of rejuvenating the music movement with genuine new energy...but a lot of them aim to appease the bratty mainstream audience. It is a duality of positive and negative energies, just like anything else. We just love real Metal in many forms, but obstain from computerized trendy strains of Metal.



8. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, do you plan on adding more members in the future or are you going to remain a duo?

We are most likely going to remain a duo. We may hire session musicians to play other instruments live, but there is no saying whether or not that will be necessary. We are going to create as much sound as we can live with just the 2 of us. The exchange of creativity and passion between us is in good condition, and I feel that bringing another man into the fold just to follow our orders would be a hindrance to the passion we put out through our records and concerts.



9. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label, and if so what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for your band?

We are currently looking for a label in order to bring the substantial exposure and distribution that our music needs. We have a lot of material written and we refuse to let it be compromised by a crappy recording/packaging job and lack of worldwide exposure.



10. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by black metal fans worldwide?

We are not very world-renown at this point, though we have received feedback from individuals in places like France and Scandinavia. With those places as well as here in the United States and New England specifically, our reception has been overwhelmingly positive and we feel blessed every day for the enthusiasm that we receive.



11. What direction do you see the music heading into during the future?

On future recordings things will become more 3-Dimensional and melodic. Every song speaks for itself and they all retain a story-telling quality. Less anger and more mystic and fantastical qualities. Still very dark however.



12. What are some band or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Like I said before the band is rooted in a personal vision of the Black Metal musical style, influenced specifically by pioneers such as Burzum, Immortal, Darkthrone, Ildjarn, Emperor, Bathory, Abigor and many more. Another influence is Opeth for their unwavering dedication to a specific and sophisticated personal vision of extreme metal music. There's also Agalloch, Neurosis, Katatonia and Drudkh for the same reason.



13. What role does Occultism play in your music, and how would you describe your views on these topics?

Occultism has not been integrated into our music. Neither of us practice or study much Occultism. It is not a necessary tool for us to channel ourselves into our compositions. It is fascinating, and is inspiring generally, but I don't see the point of studying a movement that I have nothing to do with, in order to inspire my creation of music. Music for us is a practice of the internal worlds, learned about through constant introspection and the retainment of pure imagination.



14. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Nature, reading, movies, spirituality, etc.



15. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Keep in touch with us through the internet, plenty more progessions in the Obsidian Tongue world to come soon.

http://obsidiantongue1.bandcamp.com

http://www.myspace.com/obsidiantongue666

http://obsidiantongue.bigcartel.com

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Obsidian Tongue/2010 Demo Review


 Obsidian Tongue are a band from Massachusetts that plays a very raw and atmospheric form of black metal and this is a review of heir 2010 demo.

Drums range from slow to mid paced to fast drumming with not much in the way of blast beats and there is no bass guitar present on this recording since the band is only 2 members and the only instruments that re included are vocals, guitars and drums.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast black metal riffs that are very atmospheric sounding and at times ave a thrashy feel, and there are no guitar solos or leads present on this recording, as for the acoustic guitars when they are utilized they use finger picking to create a dark sound with some synths being used in the background that have psychedelic effects.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal growls with some clean singing and deep growls being used at times, while the lyrics cover dark themes that have a medieval and alchemic feel to them, as for the production it has a very dark and raw sound to it.

In my opinion Obsidian Tongue are a very good and dark sounding black metal band that has an original sound, and if you are looking for a black metal band that is doing something different, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Dissocation" and "Kingship As Wound-I". RECOMMENDED BUY.

http://obsidiantongue1.bandcamp.com

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Anaal Nathrakh/Passion/Candlelight Records/2011 CD Review


 Anaal Nathrakh are a band from the U.K that plays a very chaotic form of black metal with a grindcore edge and have a long history and this is a review of their 2011 album "Passion" which will be released by Candlelight Records.

Drums range from mid paced to fast playing with a lot of brutal blast beats, while the bass playing is mixed down low in the mix and seems to follow the riffing that is coming out of the guitars, a for the noise effects they add a feel of Armageddon to the music.

Rhythm guitars range from mid paced to fast black metal riffs with some grindcore influences and melodic parts mixed in with a lot of distorted effects, while the lead guitars are very chaotic sounding guitar solos that have a death metal feel to them.

Vocals are mostly high pitched black metal screams that have a grindcore feel to them at times, some deep death metal growls with some clean singing vocals, while the lyrics cover annihilation and Armageddon, as for the production it has a very heavy, powerful and professional feel to it.

In my opinion this is another good album from Anaal Nathrakh and if you where a fan of their previous releases, you will not be disappointed. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Drug-Fucking Abomination" "Locus Of Damnation" "Paragon Pariah" and "Ashes Screaming Silence". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Warfield Interview


1. Can you update us with what is going on with the band these days?

Before the start many thanks for the time and support to WARFIELD at the moment the band it's working in new music for the second album and booking dates on this 2011.


2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new release, and how does it differ from previous releases?

Speaking of the sound the word will be Obscure and anti-religious, and I think that there is no difference between what we did and what we do now, the music and lyrics are the same always anti-gods, anti-religion, anti-stupids, anti-fashion.


3. On the new release the first half is new songs and the other have is live tracks, what made you decide to combine the 2 together?

For my personal opinion, we record 3 tracks and we just want edit this 3 tracks but the label Chaos records it's asking us more stuff, and that tracks live are just bonus tracks, no are part of the Trivmvirat ep.


4. What are some of the lyrical topic and subjects that the new release explores?

The real topic of Warfield speaking of lyrics always be anti-christian, anti-god, anti-religious and witchcraft.


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Warfield is my life, my expression, and my style of life, I don't have secrets, and Warfield just is a perception of my life.


6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

I do not want sound presumptuous but all submissions are different and are very good; good and the presentations of the are direct and with great energy.

7. Do you have any touring plans for the upcoming fiuture?

We want to play in Europe but the reality is so far !!!!! In Europe its really hard making a tour for a Emerican band without name like Us, but I believe and hope someone will be interested in our music and they can do something for us.


8. The band members have played in both black and death metal bands, which style do you prefer playing?

BLACK METAL !!!! ALWAYS !!!!!


9. What is going on with the other bands these days?

Sorry bro but I don't know hahahaha Just I'm interested in Warfield, the other member plays in bands but me Hellfire, I have only Warfield.


10. Currently, you are signed to Chaos Records, how did you get in contact with this label, and how would you describe the support that they have given you so far?

To be honest the label is very new and support is total, Now with the departure of the disk we will see the response and we hope the support is as great as our expectations

11. On a worldwide level, how has your music been recieved by black/extreme metal fans worldwide?

So fucking great brother !!!! really the support is cool, many thanks to everyone of our fans thanks to do Warfield more real every day.


12. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

Warfield ever will be worked in my real feelings and perceptions to see this life.


13. What are some bands or musical styles tat have influenced your music, and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I'm listening now bands like Deathspell Omega, Merrimack, Cobalt, Faulnis, Antaeus, Slayer etc, And my influence are the old school black metal.


14. What role does Occultism, Satanism, and Anti-Christianity play in your music, and how would you describe your views on these topics?

Maybe no have nothing to do one thing with the other one, but here in Warfield, Here in warfield is only one thing, you can't do one without the other, this is what study , what I'm interested in which i live, what I think and what I am.

15.Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

I'm a tattoos, painting, reading and photo.


16. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Many thanks for your support, interested at Warfield, if you and your readers want listen Warfield, please visit: www.myspace.com/warfield666 or www.facebook.com/warfieldofficial and if you someone need other kind of information can do to: warfield666@gmail.com, many thanks



PD. I want to know information about your zine and have contact with the writer, I hope your answer and again many thanks.

Hellfire - Guitar and vocal
www.myspace.com/warfield666
www.facebook.com/warfieldofficial

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Warfield/Trivmvirat/Chaos Records/2011 CD Review


 Warfield are a band from Mexico that plays a very raw and evil form of black metal and this is a review of their 2011 album "Trivmvirat" which will be released by Chaos Records.

Drums range from slow, mid paced to fast drumming with a lot of brutal blast beats while the bass playing has a very strong and heavy sound with a lot of distorted riffing that is very easy to hear at times.

Rhythm guitars range from slow, mid paced to fast raw black meta riffs that combine old school and modern black metal together with some Swedish influences and the occasional death metal/thrash riffing, while the lead guitars are very distorted sounding black metal guitar solos that have a melodic feel to them at times.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams with some deep death metal growls being used on one of the songs, while the lyrics cover satanic, occult and anti-Christianity themes, as for the production, it has a very dark, raw and heavy sound to it, and at times there is a live feel to the music with a couple of the songs being recorded live.

In my opinion Warfield are a very good raw and evil sounding black metal band, and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "The Initiate" "Vomit On The Cross" and "Satanic Legislation". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Blut Aus Nord Interview


1.Can you update us with what is going on with Blut Aus Nord these days?
We have just finished the recording of our new album, the first part of a trilogy entitled 777. The 3 albums will released this year, the first one “777-Sect(s)” in april, the second “777-The Desanctification” in September and the third “777-Cosmosophy” in November. This trilogy is a very exciting project, it allows us to cover a very large musical sphere.

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the newer release?
“777 – Sect(s)” is not really far from “The Work Which Transforms God” with more mechanical / industrial parts. A mix between crazy haunted riffs, deep melodies, blast & massive beats and hypnotic patterns. It’s a very “complete” album.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that the band has explore on both newer and older releases?
All our lyrics, writings, deal with the philosophical approach of religion and beliefs. The trilogy “777” is a concept about the consequences of the progressive negation of the pure instinct in favour of this fear generated by the time. We create this time and we undergo this time.

4.Recently Debembur Morti re-released  The Mystical Beast Of Rebellion how do you feel about the re-issue?
We have decided to propose something interesting for the listener with this reedition, not old material or old demos but a whole album. So we have composed and record three new chapters (about 40 minutes of music) especially for this re-release. It was very interesting to plunge into this particular feeling ten years after and give it a new interpretation after a decade of musical evolution.
So, The Mystical Beast Of Rebellion is now a double album which comes in a great packaging, with a new artwork, great reedition !

5.When can we expect new material?
As I told you, the first album of the trilogy will be released in april.

6.Are there any current side projects going on these days?
In 2012, I’ll probably release the first album Of VJESHITZA, an old project of technical and melodic black metal with three guitars, extremely dense on the harmonic plan. I also would like to release a second album with THE EYE.

7.How would you describe your musical progress over the years and what direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
We try to explore the music in a lot of different directions without limits, for this reason each album is unique and can’t be compare the others. I can’t describe you the musical direction of our next works, just because I don’t know, we want to explore and try a lot of new things and new instruments, it can be more jazzy, more electronic, more brutal, technical, trip hop, doomy, etc. Nevermind the form only the feeling is important. I’m proud to see “Ultima Thulee” and “MoRT” together in our discography, they are extremely different but they contain the same substance, this particular feeling.

8.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Bathory was our principal influence at the beginning but today we are our own influence. Actually I’m listening the new album of Autechre, the last Abigor, Dälek, Katharsis, Miles Davis, King Crimson, Jimmy Hendrix and the whole discography of Morbid Angel.
Void (the manager of Debemur Morti productions) sent me the new album of INFESTUS (“Ex Ist”) a few days ago (not released yet), and I can’t stop listening to it since three days, this band is incredibly talentuous and this album is a great piece of Black Metal.

9.How would you describe your views on Occultism and Paganism?
We don’t talk about Occultism and paganism but about Universe and cycles. The paganism is nothing but the reign of nature and instinct and the occult sciences are the veil which covered the magic of the fusion with the zero.

10.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Nature, books, philosophy.

11.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thank you for your support.

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