interview w/tom guitarist for cardiac arrest&vocals/guitars for severed.

Interview with Tom, rhythm guitarist for Cardiac Arrest and vocalist/guitars for Severed. Done by Patrick.


1. Metal hails brother! How’s your weekend been for you? Please tell the readers a little about yourself.

Cheers Patrick and thanks for getting in touch. Weekend was ok. Just finishing up in the studio. More on that later though. About me, nothing special. Lifelong horror and metal fan. Lucky enough to have been in a few bands that people seem to dig. I’ve been doing the tape trading/band thing for over 20 years now, although I did have a few absences here and there. Worked in the corporate world for a long time and I’m currently trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up now that I am in between jobs. I’m back in college for the third time in life too. Pretty boring, but that’s what happens as you get older.

2. When did you first discover metal? Who were some of the first metal bands you listened to? Who are some of your favorite bands from today's scene?

Well I discovered Kiss at a very young age. After seeing Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park on TV, I begged my mom to get me Kiss albums. I still had to wait a couple of years though. So probably when I was 6 or 7 I got my first Kiss album. I had some older cousins that listened to Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Motorhead and stuff like that. So I was pretty much hooked. I started getting into heavier stuff as I was getting older…Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Venom etc…I think I started getting into the underground around 87 or so. Did the tape trading thing and had a pretty respectable demo collection going. So it around this time I was getting into the more extreme stuff…Celtic Frost, Death, Master, Repulsion, Massacre, Slaughter, etc. And those are still the bands I am into most. I am very stuck in the past, almost to a fault.

As far as newer bands today, to be honest I don’t really keep tabs on anyone. Fondlecorpse is excellent. Cianide is still doing what they do best. Gravehill are also awesome. I’m sure there are a lot of great bands out there, but I really have to have someone recommend them to me…I don’t really seek anything out. Basically if it sounds like the old stuff and they have the ideals of the past, I’m game.

3. At what age did you become interested in playing guitar? Are you self-taught or did you take lessons? Who are some of your influences/favorite guitarists?

I’ve been interested in playing since I got into music. It didn’t become a reality until I was 13. I figured that I was writing to a lot of bands and into what they were doing and figured I can do the same thing. I took lessons for about 6 months…I went once a week for a half hour…once I started being able to figure out songs from my favorite bands at the time, I said bye bye to lessons…I got into my first band when I was about 15…of course we sucked. But my first serious band was called Dogod and I was around 17 once that started going.
As far as my favorite guitarist, that will always be Ace Frehley. He is why I started playing guitar after all. I’m not so much a guitar nut though. I don’t really care much for all that wanky stuff.

4. You are the rhythm guitarist for the mighty Cardiac Arrest! When did you join the band? What is the current line-up? For the readers who may have not heard the band how would you describe the music?

Yup. I joined in 2006. Lineup has been the same ever since…Adam Scott-Guitar/Vocals, David Holland-Bass, Jim Deabenderfer-Drums, and yours truly on guitar and sometimes vocals. We’re just death metal in its true form. We all have our different influences and it just melds together well.

5. I know the band released it 2nd full-length CD "Cadaverous Presence" last year through Epitomite Prod. Are you guys satisfied with how it turned out? Do you have a personal favorite song off the CD? How has response been from the fans/press?

Yeah, Cadaverous came out in April and we were all happy with it. We worked hard on it and I think it shows. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite song though…I like all of them. If I didn’t I wouldn’t play them. The response has been very positive. Sounds kind of cliché, but I haven’t heard anything bad about it yet.

6. It was released through Von Young's label Epitomite Prod. How did you guys get signed to the label? Are you all satisfied with the job he and the label have done so far? Do you all plan to work with him on future releases or was it only for a single release deal?

I have known Von for a long time and we reconnected once I joined Cardiac. Adam knew him pretty well also. We had played a show with Deaden and Von told us if we were ever interested in working with him to let him know. Well, we were interested and started to get the ball rolling. We are satisfied with what Von and Epitomite has done. We are always in constant contact with him which is nice. Our upcoming full length will also be released through Epitomite, so that should give everyone a hint on how we like working with him.

7. Speaking of releases, has the band begun writing new musick for the next release? How many songs does the band have written and completed? Would you say the new songs are in the same vein as your previous releases?

We are always writing…plain and simple. We practice 2 times a week and riffs will just happen. We’ll work on arrangements and boom, a shell of a song is born…We’ll refine and whatever, but it is a pretty quick process. Once a band has retained the same lineup for awhile, things really gel. Everyone just brings their ideas to the table and if it works and we all like it, we just keep working at it.

The upcoming full length will be called Haven For The Insane. 13 tracks on this one. A little different than Cadaverous as this one is a bit more stripped down. It is Cardiac Arrest though, no mistaking that. We just finished in the studio this past weekend and are in mixing mode right now. We are very happy with it.

8. In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground today and what does the term "metal underground" mean to you?

Well, that’s a loaded question…People will probably get mad at for this, but fuck it. There really isn’t an underground any more. Sure, there are some of the same people still around and doing stuff, and that’s cool. But the old spirit is not there anymore. And of course, like anything, there are exceptions. But there are too many genres, too many bands, to many “retro” kinds of stuff going on…I guess since metal is somewhat popular now that is to be expected. Let’s see in a few years when it is not and see if some of these people that claim they are underground are still around doing the same thing.

9. I know like me you have been into metal and the underground since late 80's/early 90's. How do you feel the scene has changed over the years? Do you feel it is better or worse or stayed the same for the most part?

Well, the obvious thing is the internet and technology. It has its good points and bad points though. I like the convenience of the internet because it is so easy to get ahold of people now. In the past, you had to wait and wait. But there was still something really killer about getting home, checking the mail, and getting a demo, fanzine and multiple letters from people all over the world. I really believe people who never did that (and in some cases no fault of their own) really missed out on what the true spirit of the underground was.

10. You live in the state of Illinois. I have been a huge fan of the Illinois scene since the mid-90's. What is your opinion of the scene in your state? Who are some of your favorite bands from your state/area? Are there any new bands the underground should keep an eye out for?

Illinois has always been great as far as bands go. Chicago in particular. Unfortunately, Chicago seems to never get any recognition. There are quite a few legendary bands that help create the death metal sound. You always hear about the “Florida style” and the “New York style” but never a Chicago style. Maybe that’s because all the bands were a bit different from each other so people couldn’t really pigeonhole a style. I dunno…

None of these bands are really new, but the ones around here I have been digging are Malas (Danny from Severed’s other band)…Deadnight is really cool…kind of an old Kreator meets Dissection kind of thing. Kommandant is a war/black kind of thing that is really aggressive. They just put their debut out and it is really good.

11. I notice a variety in metal styles {death,thrash,black and everything in between} so do all the bands get along pretty well or is their lot of competition?

See, that’s what I was alluding to before. Everyone is different in some way. The older bands all get along fine. Lots of us hang out together and just chill out…drink beer and listen to records…that kind of stuff. The newer bands, well, there are only a few around that are cool like that. But most think everything is a competition. It is a pain in the ass to plan shows. Once you do, it turns out that there are 10 other shows going on in the area. Nothing is an “event” anymore. Bands and promoters need to get their heads out of their asses and if they want any kind of “scene” start working together instead of against.

12. Besides being in Cardiac Arrest you also play guitars and do vocals in Severed. When did the band form? What is current line-up for this band? Do you have any releases or merchandise available for the fans?

Severed formed in 1995. There hasn’t been too many changes over the years. We stopped playing from 2001 but started going again in 04. I was no longer living in the area and it became too difficult to coordinate things. But I missed it too much and eventually figured things out. Danny (drums) and I have been in Severed since the beginning. Bill, our original vocalist quit in 98 I think…I can’t quite remember. It wasn’t bad or anything, he just didn’t want to do it anymore. Bill was in my first band Dogod that I mentioned earlier. We remained close over the years. Unfortunately, he passed away in 06, and I’m still not quite over it. Our original bass player quit late last year, but we have been jamming with a dude named John. I have known him for 20 years, and we never really jammed together, so he came aboard. So current lineup is Danny-Drums, John-Bass and myself on guitars and vocals.

We only ever did one 7 song demo and that was released in 96. On cassette only. We were behind the curve a little bit as most bands did CDs. We were supposed to do a free promo with a lot of our past songs and the demo tracks re-recorded, but that ain’t going to happen now. There is some drama going on with the old bass player that I’d rather not go into. But we have started live shows again and are in writing mode. We plan on doing a new promo with all new material soon. And like the last one, it will be a freebie.

I’m also in Convulsions with Stevo. Gregg from Lincoln Love Log is also on board. Logistically, right now things are just so busy for everyone, but something will happen.

13. Do you find it difficult to do both guitar and vocals in a live situation? Do you do anything special to keep your throat healthy? Who are some of your favorite vocalists?

Sometimes…I have gotten better at it over the years. I actually do vocals on some of the Cardiac tracks as well. But Severed is kind of a different animal. In a live situation, I’m known for being quite blitzed when I play. So, depending how bombed I am it can be very difficult to do both. The last show was like that…I took out the drum set twice. I try not to get that bad, but it happens. That’s what happens when we get stuck playing last I guess. But people still have fun anyway…we must pull it off ok.

I’m not really a vocalist per se…I just do it. I have no technique. I chain smoke and drink a lot, so I don’t take care of my throat at all. I just need to work on range. Favorite vocalists for me are Cronos (Venom), Chris Refiert (Autopsy), Chuck Schuldiner (SBG era Death), Scott Carlson (Repulsion), Kam Lee (Massacre) Paul Speckmann (in Master and Deathstrike especially) and a few others…at least those are the ones I try most to sound like…



14. Well man thank you for taking the time to fill out this interview. Do you have anything you would like to add before we end the interview?


Thanks for wanting to do an interview with me. I don’t do very many, so it is nice to talk about all that kind of stuff.

Cardiac Arrest will be very busy this year. More live shows throughout the US. New album, Haven For The Insane, will be out by summer hopefully. We’ll have a split 7” with our pals Gravehill coming out on Relapse. We also have a few other splits in the work.

Hopefully Severed will get a release out this year. And I’m hoping Convulsions will start working this year.

If anyone ever wants to get in touch, feel free. I’m online a lot and always like talking to people, especially about anything horror related.

Cheers and thanks again and take it queasy!!


anyone who wants to contact tom or his bands please check out the "official" myspace pages

tom's personal page
http://www.myspace.com/tomkwarrior

cardiac arrest
http://www.myspace.com/deathrot

severed
http://www.myspace.com/severedil

interview w/hagalaz vocalist,bassist,synths for streben done by patrick

dark hails!!!
we have a new interview done with a new up and coming italian band streben.the band has released 1 demo so far and is finishing up their new full-length.if you enjoy melodic black metal with some experimental passages intertwined within the music.streben is a band for you!!
check out the interview with hagalaz founder,vocalist,bassist,synths



interview with hagalaz vocalist,bassist,synths for the band streben done by patrick


1. Hello Hagalaz how is your week been going so far? Please tell the readers a little about yourself ?

Hello there, thank you very very much for this interview! My week? Well, I’ve just had a little sister about three days ago, but, apart from this, my week has exactly been as the previous ones. Sure, I can tell them! I am 20 years old, I’ve got two legs, two years, an enormous nose and I bite my nails.


2. When did you first begin listening to music? Who are some of your all-time favorite bands? Who are some of your "current" favorite bands.


I began very early, because, since I was born and until I was 18, I used to live in the same house with my two aunts, which were very young at that time, and so, of course, they used to listen to a lot of music, especially the older one, who was about the same age I am now. The whole house was always full of music, so I began familiar with it when I was a child and easily learnt how to love it and make it a part of my life. My all – time favourite bands are Pink Floyd, the Who, Blur, Dornenreich, and Windir. Currently, I am listening a lot to Fear Factory’s first two albums, In Flames’ early stuff (from their 1st album to Clayman included), Beach Boys, Fabrizio de Andrè (an Italian artist), Genesis, David Bowie, and… many others I don’t remember.


3. I know in Streben you play bass, snyths and do vocals. Out of all the instruments you learned to play which one was the hardest? Which one was the easiest to learn?


Oh well, I don’t know if I can really say that I have learnt how to play an instrument! I’m basically a self – taught person, and my approach to keyboards and bass is definitely amateurish, as for vocals. However, the voice is maybe the easier instrument because your vocal chords are a part of your body; I manage to find a way out with bass because I’ve played guitar for some years when I was a child, but my keyboard skills are totally crap.


4. You have some pretty intense vocals that fit Streben's more black metal roots. Is it hard to keep up with this style of vocals for long periods of time? Do you do anything special to keep your vocals/throat healthy?


Oh no, man, no training, no constant exercise, nothing at all; in fact, I’m not so fond of my vocals, I handle vocals in Streben because it’s my own personal project and I don’t want any stranger to be involved in that. But this doesn’t mean I don’t have fun while singing; on the contrary, I love to perform screaming vocals and I wish I could do it often.


5. I mentioned above you are a part of the band Streben. Please give us a brief history of the band? What is the "current" line-up? For the readers who have never heard the band how would you describe the music of your band ?



The project Streben was already outlined in my mind since some years, even though at an embryonic stage. Anyhow, in the autumn of 2007 I finally found the courage to start it, and so I made Valker hear some material I had composed. He accepted to be part of the line – up as the guitarist of the band, and, some weeks later, Dark Shadow joined us as a guest member on drums. We started at once to work on “… of Melancholic Elegies and Wanderlust”, our first demo, which has been published in the spring of 2008. However, the new music from Streben will sound different from what people heard on that demo, which has been recorded in an enthusiastical, instinctive way and with a very low budget, this is why I cannot completely answer your question. But, by the way, the current line up is the same since the beginning: me and Valker as actual members, and Dark Shadow as a guest.



6. The demo "…of Melancholic Elegies and Wanderlust" is a amazing work of experimental melodic black metal. How long did it take to create the songs on the demo? Are you satisfied with how the demo turned out? Do you have a "personal" favorite song off the demo.


It took a very short time; we were excited, and impatient, so we did everything hastily and instinctively, so of course we have been satisfied of our work right after the releasing of it, but I think it’s pretty normal for a young band to revalue a past work, and to wish to bring the music to another level. My favourite demo songs are “In the Woods of the Satyr” and “Laguz”.




7. I know the demo has only been out a short while. But has the band begun work on the next demo or full-length? Any idea when it might be released? Have you all found a label to work with or are you all still looking?


Sure. I started composing the new songs right after the publication of the demo, and I readapted three old songs as well; this material will be part of a full – length that we are currently recording. We are still looking for a label to release it, but, in the case we will not find any, we are going to self – release the album.


8. I noticed on the demo cover that you write all the lyrics yourself. So I was wondering where do you draw inspiration for your lyrics? Do they have a special meaning or message you try to bring out in your lyrics?


My inner world is what I draw inspiration from; the lyrics deal with the contrast between reality and this inner world of mine: I haven’t any particular message to bring out because I basically make music for myself, but, if there was a voluntary message in what I do, it would be related to the concept of this project, which is about the juxtaposition I told you above: individuality contraposed to a dull reality, the inner world against the outer one.




9. Do you or Valker {guitarist,clean vocals} play in any other bands or side projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them.


Ah ah, that of the clean vocals is a mistake! Valker was actually to record some clean vocals from Breidhablik, but then something went wrong with the software and stuff we were using and we had to leave it alone; but the layout for the demo was already done and printed, so I couldn’t correct that. You’re the first one that mentions it! Anyway yes, Valker is the guitarist and songwriter of Cold Empire, where also Dark Shadow plays drums. Cold Empire are a raw melodic black metal band which released a demo in 2007 entitled “… And the Cold Arrived” and they are currently working on a full – length album. I haven’t any side project or other bands at the moment.




10. The band comes out of the mighty italian black metal scene. What is your opinon of Italy's metal scene? Who are some of your favorite italian bands? Any new bands you think the readers should watch out for.


To tell the truth, I am not very interested in Italian scene, but I appreciate very much the work of Vultur, a black/thrash band in the vein of Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, early Bathory and Mayhem, and the music of Fearbringer, a black metal one – man band which only member, Fearbringer, is the mainman of several other projects as well.
Everyone should watch out for those two bands!



11. In your opinion what is the best and worst thing about the underground today? And what does the term "underground metal" mean to you ?


Both underground and mainstream metal scene nowadays lack of passion and sincereness so the word underground doesn't actually mean much anymore.



12. Well my friend thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to fill out this interview. Do you have any final comments for the readers?



Busy schedule? Ah, ah, come on! I have to thank you for letting me express a few things about my music, and, of course, thanks also to the readers that spent some minutes of their time to read.
Cheers!


to contact hagalaz and the band go to their "official" page.or check out the bands u.s street team.

http://www.myspace.com/strebenband

u.s street team
http://www.myspace.com/strebenusastreetteam

doom metal alliance interview submitted/done by ed.of earthdog promotions.

metal hails to you all!!
thanks alot for checking out our updates!! this time we have a treat for all of you doom metal supporters. a interview with the mighty doom metal alliance!! done by another true supporter of doom ed of earthdog
promotions.thanks alot to both ed and derek for taking the time to do this is interview!!!
patrick



interview with derek owner/creator of doom metal alliance.done by ed-who does the mighty earthdog promotions.support/add these guys!


Ed:When did you start the DMA?

Derek:I started the DMA in September of 2007, about a week after I got my computer.


Ed: Did you have a Myspace page before the DMA?

Derek: I had a myspace page about a year and a half before then, but it was just my personal profile. It sorta was like the DMA. I hunted down doom metal bands, and posted videos on my page. But it wasnt nearly like what you will see now, and i only did it for a couple months as I moved and had no access to a computer.

Ed: Cool so what made you want to promote Doom Metal?

Derek: It just sort of happened. I picked up my old myspace page when I got my computer. But I wanted it to be different. So I thought of a name, and started a new page. It was more just looking for bands than promoting them. I had started listening to doom in the summer of 2005 after I was shown Electric Wizards Dopethrone. I knew there had to be alot more, but my city sucks for music,so I used myspace.
The page was more designed for me to find it and hope others would use it to find doom as well. Then it just started to grow. I was having bands post me in their top friends, people made banners for me. Next thing I know, bands are asking for interviews, reviews and what not. It really just exploded on me.

Ed: It sure did,it seems to be growing all the time much like the scene itself.

Derek: The DMA will only be as good as the scene. since it got big, I have made it my intention be revolve around the bands who want the scene to expand.

Ed: Doom Metal has been like the under dog of the Metal scene,it will never be totally mainstream but what bands do you think have the most chance of getting some if any mainstream support?

Derek: The one band I think will lead the way is Pale Divine. I fucking love that band. Traditional doom that pushes the limits. With proper promotion, that band could accomplish so much.

Derek: Candlemass will always be our link to the metal mainstream when its said and done.

Ed: They are the most well known in the Doom Metal world it seems.

Derek: Especially since Rob Lowe is the vocalist. They are a completely solid unit with him.

Ed: I think he is the best vocalist they have ever had.

Derek: I definitely agree. I honestly think Messiah was a bit over the top, but that is only one mans opinion.

Ed: I agree with that one,how to you get inspire to do all the work you do seeing as it is all for free.

Derek: Sometimes its really hard. I have stopped doing the DMA a couple times as I had troubles getting inspired.A lot of it comes from fans telling me how good of a job I'm doing. Feedback is always good. I get some free music out of the deal and have also received a couple of really nice shirts, which helps.

Derek: I think doom might have the tightest scene around as we need to stick together. How many times Ive been told that other bands are the only audience at a show, and that is a pity.


Ed: Yes i have been to some shows like that which is a real shame.

Derek: There is no scene where I live. Not even a stoner rock band. I am pretty sure I am the only Doom fanatic in town.

Ed: Doom Metal heads tend to hide away in their homes,have you thought about doing a radio show in your town?DMA radio would be killer!

Derek: There was a chance at me doing a show on BER, but I think that ship has sailed. I could get on the local indy station, but the waiting list is like two years, and they dont put much metal on it. There actually isnt even a metal scene here. There are tons of fans, but no local bands. Two that I can think of, but they will go nowhere.


Ed:Well the DMA site is well known all over the world because of Myspace.Any chance soon of making a official DMA website.I don't want to be on Myspace forever.

Derek: I can say I have some very big plans involving the DMA. I just need to work my finances out first, but a dot com is going to happen,but Myspace will always remain a vital part of the DMA.

Ed: Its a great way of promoting that's for sure.

Derek: Its the best way of finding bands as well. They actually find me. One of my favorite acts at the moment, Sanctus Infernum, found me. I don't know if i would have heard them other wise.

Ed: I have found shit loads of great bands from the DMA site,it is like we dont have to look anymore.You supply the bands!

Derek: I am glad that the site does this. It was the intention to begin with, and its a pain in the ass really categorizing all of them in my friends list, and hoping I don't misrepresent them.

Ed: That's one thing i wanted to talk about,all these different labels people put on bands.Do you think its gone too far?

Derek: That is such a tough question. I can only imagine the frustration some bands feel when they are tagged with a style when they are trying to be completely innovative. But at the same time, its a good way to get noticed. I made a tag myself as some know. Sonic Doom. At least I think its my term, who really know. But I know if i hear someone say "we play sonic doom" I'm going to check that shit out.
I think its more fitting for bands like Acid King, Sons of Otis and the new sound of Toner Low that are all labeled as Stoner. When i think of stoner, i think Kyuss, Church of Misery and the likes.

Ed: That is something that has changed over the years.When i first heard of Stoner Rock it was Fu Manchu type riff rock now Doom Bands get that tag.

Derek:and stoner is too bogged down. Kyuss, CoM, Masters of Reality, Brant Bjork are all tagged as stoner, yet their styles are completely different. Its like the new Grunge.

I like to call Fu Manchu and that style desert rock myself.

Ed: Yeah it is in a way.You also trying to get the Doom Metal catergory happening on Myspace,how is that been going?

Derek: its not !

Myspace i don't think could give two shits about it. I would like to try and get big bands involved like Electric Wizard, Cathedral and Candlemass involved, but i don't think they would care too much.
I can see it as a minor detail.

Ed: I think bands like that don't really need Myspace,its more for the underground.

Derek: those bands have so many fans on myspace, that it automatically accepts friends. they don't use myspace too much. more of a billboard than anything.

Ed:True,how long do you think you can keep the DMA going?Hopefully it will be around for a long time.

Derek: Well in the past as i said earlier, i quit doing the DMA twice. A lot had to do with stress in my personal life. Everything has worked out for me, so I don't see myself dropping the DMA anytime soon. Not with what I'm wanting to do with it.

Ed: Do you want to tell us your future plans or should we just wait and be surprised.

Derek: I want to do anything I can with the site. If I could manage a way to do it, I would love it if I could make a living off of this stuff. I see myself distributing and possibly having a label this time next year.

Ed: That would be awesome,hope it all happens for you.

Derek: Anything to get out of cleaning 70 toilets a day!

Ed: Wow man,that sucks!

Derek: I agree

Ed: You have done some great interviews too,do you have a favorite?

Derek: i lost my favorite one. it was redone, but only by email. I sat down and talked to Joe Hasselvander for three hours. I got enough from him to write a book. when the interview was over, i closed the window without copying it all. I felt sick. I just wasted three hours of Joes life for nothing. But being the cool cat that he is, he let me send him my main list of questions and he redid it via email.

Ed: Yeah Joe is a cool dude,one of the true legends of Doom.


Ed:Is there anything you want to add?

Derek: Support the bands you like. If you have a myspace page, repost their bulletins. The fans are the best promotion for bands.
I agree,everybody needs to support all the bands.

to contact these 2 guys and their support/promotions check here
derek and the doom metal alliance
www.myspace.com/doommetalunion
and
ed and the earthdog promotions
http://www.myspace.com/aussierocka

new metal reviews for 1-18-09

metal hails to you all!!!
thanks for taking the time to check out morbid minds.if u are new to the zine. we hope you will find some metal to your liking!! if you are return reader thanks for coming back!!!
well enjoy the new reviews&hypnotic dirge interview.keep checking back here or at our myspace page.we are working on some new/big interviews we hope to post real soon..
metal regards!!!
morbid minds web-zine



Aethereal sky- 2008 EP
Ravenous Cadaver Records

Reviewed by Lori

After many past failed projects, This U.S. band, Aethereal sky was formed in '07. During that year they split up and united once again in '08 releasing their EP.
Their style of music is Pagan black metal. When I think of "Pagan Black metal" bands eastern European bands come to mind, Graveland, (old) Behemoth and the like. This EP, the sound and production does fit in the Pagan black metal style. Soooo when I say this I am meaning the production is not clean, it is very raw, has the thick underground black metal feel.
Vocally it is the typical black metal scream/screech while at time some agonizing moaning "agonizing" for me, to add to the mood. Music wise, the sound is very typical, nothing unique. While listening to the instruments during the songs, I do hear talent, the members do know what they are doing so I bet when they release their full album it will kick ass.
For those that are into black metal you should keep and eye and ear out for this band because I have a feeling they are going to blow your mind with their next release.

Aethereal sky myspace
www. myspace. com/aetherealsky

ancient tundra--requiems of a world lost pro cdr {hypnotic dirge rec.}


ancient tundra have created the perfect soundtrack to winter and all it's glory and dreary,gloomy presence.beautiful ambient passeges mixed with some more harsher darker metal influence.leaving the listener with both a sensoe of how beautiful this season is.but also leaving a cold chill of despair within your soul at it's pure darkness. for fans of dark ambient music or fans of more obscure soundtrack type of dark music should appreciate this bands genius.

http://www. myspace. com/hypnoticdirgerecords
http://www. myspace. com/ancienttundra


beyond terrorbeyondgrace--extinction/salvation cd {grindhead rec.}
{reviewed by patrick}
straight forward old-school grinding brutality is what these australian sicko's attack your eardrums with. non stop blasting insanity,vicious shrieks with the occasional deeper growl.the guitars are equally as intensly played with with riffs and some really well played chords.i would also like to add that b.t.b.g has a human drummer!! so it does not have that mechanical sound that alot of drum machines give off.this is a band that most extreme grinding freaks will love.anyone else who is only "kinda" into grind will have to judge for themselves.
www.grindheadrecords.com


coffin-s/t mcd {carrion crawler rec.}
{reviewed by patrick}
coffin are a thrash lovers dream come true!! if you thought all pure thrash metal was dead with the 80's.well think again!! this u.s thrash horde seems to draw influence from both the u.s and german thrash elders of the 80's. morgue {vocalist} kinda reminds me of tom araya with maybe a little gruffer/scratchy voice.the music is mid paced to all-out thrash attacks.if you are a fan of early slayer,kreator,destruction. will want to find this masterpiece of pure thrash metal.
http://www.myspace.com/coffinnj


created to kill-worship or die cd {ruptured records}
{reviewed by patrick}
sick,brutal death metal is what created to kill have delievered on "worship or die" cd.9 tracks of brutal intense mid-paced u.s styled death metal. the vocals which are mix of shrieks/screams and more the typical brutal growls.but that is only part of the brutal attack.the guitars/bass are mid-pace slammin style to the more faster brutal death style of early/mid 90's with some influences from todays scene as well.fans of sick brutal death metal will love created to kill.
www.ruptured-records.com
www.createdtokill.com




Dodsferd "Death set the beginning on my journey"
Moribund

reviewed by Lori

It amazing me when a band is just one member and the music does not suck. Wrath is one of those artist. Raging, dark, and raw Hellenic Black Metal is greatly influenced by Judas Iscariot, & Katharsis.
This album is Part 1 of a Trilogy and Part 2 should soon follow.

While listening to the CD dont be surprise if your throat ends up hurting. His voice has the harshest screams, at times reminds me of Burzum (vocally, not musically) but no other style of vocals would fit with the nordic style black metal. This underground band is and will always be a classic for true black metalers.

If you have heard his 07 release you will find "death set..." is about the same for the most part, maybe more cleaner sounding.

Myspace adress

www. myspace. com/dodsferdmisanthropy

label contact
www.moribundcult.com



dreaming dead-within one cd {ibex moon cd}
dreaming dead are are newer band out of los angles,california area.and on listen to "within one" and you will hear why ibex moon signed this talented band.the music starts out with a early 90's death/thrash feel/influence.but this young band refuses to be catagorized in one genre.as they also add some melodic black metal parts within the guitar tones and drums.the vocals of elizabeth schall are gruff but also like the music of her band she refuses to be just one dimensional as she also has some screchy/gruff vocals.the band will sweep you away in a whirlwind of thrashing mayhem and in the next minute you will be soothed with a darker more melodic tone. this is a band i expect the underground will be hearing/seeing alot of in the near future.
www.ibexmoonrecords.com
www.dreamingdead.com



godslave-out of the ashes cd {self-released/demo}
wow the germans are just releasing some good intense bands this last 2 yrs!! godslave can now be added to the evergrowing list!! out of the ashes cd is 5 tracks of 80's influenced thrash.but before u think oh great another german band ripping off the thrash masters before them.give this band a chance because in the 2nd and most of the cd godslave showcase a heavy death metal guitar sound,heavier pounding drums and while the vocals are not extremly brutal they defintly are deeprer than the usual thrash screams or gruff vocals that the earlier bands used. fans of thrash,old-school death metal should defintly look for godslave.
www.godslave.de
http://www.myspace.com/godslaveband


gutted with broken glass-beaten to a bloody pulp cd {grindhead rec.}
{reviewed by patrick}

i guess with all the positive reviews,comments etc. i had read about this band i was expecting more. but this is just not grind it's not really music.i would say it maybe could fall into the style of "noise metal".but thats about it.short blasts beats with screams.i think they could be a decent grindcore or grind/death band if they worked on actually making songs instead of 30-60 seconds noise and try to pass it off as music of any kind. only for the real extreme noise/grind fans.
www.grindheadrecords.com
www.guttedwithbrokenglass.com



hadez-ready to suffer cd {eternal blasphemy prod.}
hadez are old-school death netal band from peru.and looking at their bio on their myspace page it says the band has been around in one form or another for 20 years! and listening to the tracks on ready to suffer you can defintly hear the early influences coming through in the bands music.mid paced drums,mid-paced guitars to a speedier/thrashier sound in a few tracks.the vocals are growls similar to old incantaion.if you are a fan of old-school death metal like incantation,{old} grave,maybe even a little asphyx. this is a band for you!!!
www.eternalblasphemy.com
http://www.myspace.com/hadezattack



Rapture "Sinister creation"
American line prod.

reviewed by Lori

If anyone has heard Mexican death before than you will understand just how brutal this band is. Right off I give this band 10 stars, the music is death metal in its truest form, nothing fancy, ugly, brutal death that slaps you in the face while you bang you head, whipping your hair in a ferocious manner, screaming killer!! You will find the best drumming in death metal and this release is no different. If you want speed, technical sounding drumming heres a band for you. The guitars is just madness, just as equally fast as the drums along with the guttural.
If you have heard the Rapture from Finland, this band is nothing like them. This band has balls.
9 songs that will satisfy your lust for awesome metal!!
Get off your ass and buy the CD

Rapture myspace

www. myspace. com/rapture9mmcom



winds of sorrow--through twilight....pro cdr {hypnotic dirge rec.}
{reviewed by patrick}

new zelands dark/experimental/black metal band.winds of sorrow unleash over 45 min.of majestic dark metal combining many different genres.from the harsher side of black metal to more atmospheric doom passeges all entertwined with some experimental/atmospheric music.winds of sorrow is a band that is nearly impossible to put into any one genre.but i recomend this band to all fans of cold,desolate,blackend doom with atmospheric passages.i for one look forward to hearing what winds of sorrow put out next!
http://www.myspace.com/hypnoticdirgerecords

interview with skogg owner of hypnotic dirge rec.&vocals,all instruments for ancient tundra

INTERVIEW WITH SKOGG OWNER OF HYPNOTIC DIRGE RECORDS AND VOCALIST,ALL INSTRUMENTS FOR ANCIENT TUNDRA,DONE BY PATRICK



1.hello skog how is your new year starting out? please tell the readers a little about yourself.
Well hello. The new year is going fine. A bit hectic at the moment trying to find time for everything going on, but I like to stay busy. Hmm my name is nick skog, I have a project entitled 'Ancient Tundra' and I am now also running Hypnotic Dirge Records.

2.at what age did you become interested in playing/creating music? what were the first instruments you learned to play?
I've been playing music since the age of three when I was forced into taking piano lessons, I had created 'songs' in my early days as well, but it was not until 2005 or 2006 that I began to start writing something at least somewhat similar to what I am doing nowadays. I just began writing keyboard melodies in the vein of old cradle of filth , nightwish and dare I say, even marilyn manson at the time. Mostly it started from a friend and I, wanting to start up a 'band' sort of in between old-cradle and gothic metal type stuff. It was/is called 'A Dark Fantasy' and it is still up on myspace actually at www.myspace.com/adarkfantasy but nothing too much really came out of it. We wrote a lot of songs and did a lot of demo recordings but never really took anythin to the next step...sadly enough as I do still like most of the material and would one day like to record it profesionally. Keyboards remain the only instrument I can play well. I can get by playing minimalist stuff on guitar but that is it.

3.when did you decide to start ancient tundra? how did you come up with the name? doe it have a special meaning. for the readers who have never heard ancient tundra how would you describe the bands music?
I started Ancient Tundra in January of 2007...so it is the two-year anniversary right about now actually! To be honest, it has been a while now and I don't remember exactly how I came up with the name. Obviously this would take away from the theory that it has a special meaning. Either that or I just have a really bad memory! As for describing the music, how about the readers that have not heard Ancient Tundra before go onto the myspace page and discover for themselves! hehe ... Well, simply put I would describe it as Dark Ambient but with a hint of neo-classical, film-scores, and blackmetal/doom. Also within are both clean and harsh vocals, even a guest vocal spot from japanese lyricist 'Kenji Siratori' Defidently not a straight dark ambient project as a lot of the purists have already let me know, but others have seemed to enjoy it and I don't feel I should hole myself into one genre anyway. It is better to push the envelope, experiment, and try to find an individual sound.

4.the music on the new cd "requiems of a world lost" is very well written.how long did it take to create/write the tracks for this release? do you have a personal favorite track?
Thank you for the compliment. Umm If I remember correctly, I began the writing process around the fall of 2007 and kept on writing until about April or May 2008... It all came at different stages though. Unfortunetely I do not have the time away from other responsibilities like the 'famous bands and artists' to just drop everything else and set aside 2 or 3 months to write a new album. I would work on it whenever I could, and try to keep things progressing. Luckily it worked out alright and it was released in November 2008, pretty much exactly one year after the debut, which is what I wanted! My favourite track , defidently would have to be 'The Natural Landscape of December' but I also really like The Feeble Sickness and Depressive Rot, Et Demain Apporte Pas De Esperer, and Across the Valley , Wherein Nature Speaks.

5.how has the response been from the underground press/fans?
So far, everything has been very positive. Better than I suspected. All the reviews I have gotten have been positive...however there was a comment from the vilenoise.com review that they thought I added too much new-age influence into the music on certain tracks...they named 'The Natural Landscape of December' as an example, which is funny actually because that is my favourite Ancient Tundra track thus far. Like I said, I want to experiment and would rather be known for doing something different rather than being 'an other dark ambient project' The 'fans'(so to speak) so far that have contacted me after buying the CD, has all had good things to say about it as well, but who knows about the ones that did not let me know their thoughts. haha

6.have you had much time to begin work on the follow-up release? do you have to be in a certain mood or anything to create such dark,haunting music?
I have had no time whatsoever. Things are crazy at the moment. The good news however is that I already have the next release written and recorded (That was done between July-September 2008), and I honeslty say this is my best material yet. I have showed the music to Immundus as well and he has agreed with me. It is going to be a split release, but I am not sure when exactly it will be out. This time around I am going to get the CD profesionally mastered at Cyclic law Studios! At the moment I am working on the artwork/design for the release, taking photography and putting concepts together. Depraved Designs will be doing the editing and designing the booklet with my help in order to make things as profesional and complete as possible. So far , just from the initial stages, it looks like it is going to come out beautifully! It is going to be an 8 page booklet filled with winter landscapes, and imagery and the CD itself will be on Pro-CD this time around. In order to make everything perfect and to get funds together for this,(not to mention the other project getting his side ready) I don't foresee this being released until August or September, but either way that is only a 10 month separation from the last release!

I do have to be in a certain mood for sure. Sometimes I am inspired, sometimes I am not, it is pretty simple regarding this. I am ussally pretty inspired though. Especially these past few weeks or so when the temparature up here in Canada has gone all the way to -50 celcius with the wind chill.

7.is ancient tundra the only band/project you are currently working on?if no please tell us of your other projects.
Let's just put it this way. It is the only project of mine that is relevent. There are/were about 3 or 4 other things going on, but other than a possible revival of the 'A Dark Fantasy' project with a friend of mine, that is really the only thing worth mentioning. I have other stuff recorded as well in a symphonic black metal type of vein but I do not have a name for the project yet, so that might come up in the future once I have more time on my hands. We will see how things go...

Besides I am busy enough as it is with Ancient Tundra and Hypnotic Dirge Records

8.if you had the chance to work with any musicans past or present who would you like to work with?
Number one by far would be Tuomas Holopainen from Nightwish, He is my idol as far as playing keys go, and I have always been influenced by his style of composing, (obviously not in Ancient Tundra though...) Others would include Fenriz(Darkthrone), Northaunt, Svartsinn, Symbiosis, Immundus, Mort(Exiled from Light) and also perhaps even with members of Cradle of filth, and dimmu borgir for the talent aspect, Ville Valo from HIM, angela gossow...some of the more obscure atirsts from the Depressive Black Metal scene. etc. etc. There are tons of artists I would love to work with in many different styles and genres.

9.besides the band you also own/run hypnotic dirge records.when did you first start the label? do you currently do it by yourself or do you have help with various parts of the label.
I first started getting everything planned out and in order to begin around the end of September/beginning of October 2008 and officially opened it October 20th,2008. There was only a few distro items at that point, and it was not until November 24th that the first two HDR releases were finally released! At first there was me and a friend running the lable , but after about a week, he decided he wanted out, because it was too much work for him and cost him too much money. Ha! There was 1/100th of the work at that point on a daily basis as there is now so I find it kind of pathetic that it was too much for him within the first week. So now I run all aspects of HDR by myself, I put in anywhere from 4-8 hours a day on it, but I have lots of collegues and allies within the scene that are very helpful and it is always nice to talk/discuss things with them.

10.please tell the readers a little about each of your releases.do you have any upcoming releases the readers should know to watch out for?
Well, our first two official releases came out on November 24th. Ancient Tundra's newest release(which I've talked enough about) and Winds of Sorrow's debut album. Winds of Sorrow is a side project from Mort who's main project is the amazing Exiled From Light (which has just recently signed to HDR by the way!) The Winds of Sorrow material has been described as a unique mixture of older Dimmu Borgir with a hint of Katatonia and Xasthur. I personally find it to be a very well-written album and so far, all of the reviewers have agreed as well, so the general concensus on that is defidently positive. As I write this to you right now, we have now also released the third HDR official album which is Echoes of Silence's latest. As far as upcoming releases, we have Astral Luminous- Lunaric Tide, and Neige et Noirceur - Demo V coming up on February 27th and March 6th respectively. These are in my opinion, probably the best HDR items yet! they are both amazing releases and some of my favourite ambient/depressive black metal releases in quite some time. The Astral Luminous release for example has some really beautiful and inspiring artwork as well. I would defidently recommend anyone who has not heard of these two great projects to look them up and hear what their music has to offer. ( www.myspace.com/astralluminous www.myspace.com/neigeetnoirceur )

11.if any bands are reading this what styles of metal/music do you release? do you only carry ambient/experimental in the distro or do you carry all styles of metal?
What I want on the lable is something thoughtful, innovative, inteligent and/or depressive. As far as genres go, I am fairly open-minded. It doesn''t neccesarily have to be depressive black metal or ambient music, and it doesn't have to be 'dark' either, but what I am not realy interested in is the typical evil or satanic black metal, not because I can not appeciate it, but simply because it does not fit into what the lable stands for. In the distro, some of these 'policies' lighten up a little bit , generally I still go by the same guidelines, but there are a couple items on there that do not represent at all what HDR is about. However, If someone happens to stumple across the website and finds these albums they were looking for and decides to buy them, then I am glad I could do them a service. That is why it is distribution rather than an HDR official album which comes only from HDR roster artists and is financed 100% from HDR.

12.what do you feel is the easiest part of doing a label? what would you say is the hardest part?
The easiest part is the good contacts and friendships you make and the appeciation from people who know and understand what you are trying to do. The hardest part is everything else and the constant workload that comes with it. It is all worth it in the end though, nomatter how much money it costs and how much time it takes up...If I am releasing albums that I like and feel is a work of art and at the same time helping out fellow musicians and friends get their music to those who want it, then I get a certain satisfaction from that. There are some amazing albums coming up from amazing people and artists that need to be available to the listeners of our genre.

13.in your opinon what is the best and worst thing about the underground? and what does the term "metal underground" mean to you.
The best thing is that only in the underground will music/films/artwork /etc. be judged upon by the quality of the material rather than dollar value or sales. People help each other out in the underground. Underground musicians and lables are not going to making money from their work, so you know that they are sincere about what they are doing and are not just looking to get rich. You know they are passionate and there is generally not as much worry about 'fake people' This goes to all my friends, and fellow musicians/lables. Also to all the people running zines, doing radio shows, doing promotions, photographers, etc. People are all helping each other out and it is a wonderful thing to see, really. Most of these people are not looking for payments, or maybe they just want a copy of a CD that they do artwork for, for example. I have had offers from some offering to make an HDR website and everything (This was E. from EEE Recordings - great guy and great lable!)

The worst thing about the underground I would say is that while we are not in it for the money, we are also constrained sometimes by the fact that we do not have the money we need to truly bring our artistic visions to life and sometimes are forced to 'tone things down' just because we can't do fulfill our intentions - financially.

14.well skogg thank you for taking the time to fill out this interview.good luck with your band,and label in the future.do you have any final words for the readers?

Thank You for the interview. It's appeciated at this end as well. Be on the lookout for news from HDR and Ancient Tundra. I have some exiting things planned for the future, so keep posted, and for anyone that has any questions/comments, please get in touch.

'Wherein Beauty Lies in Depression'

to contact hypnotic dirge records

http://www.myspace.com/hypnoticdirgerecords

metal hails!!!
thank you for taking the time to read/check out our first blog of reviews and interview with the mighty necronoclast!! we are currently working on new reviews,and interviews so keep watching for more updates to be posted soon!! we cover/support most types of extreme metal.everything from traditional heavy metal/thrash to harsh black metal and all styles in-between.
if you are band/label and you have a myspace page please feel free to write us for guaranteed honest review and possible here:
http://www.myspace.com/morbidmindszine

until next time keep the flames of metal burning bright!!!
patrick and lori


abigail williams--in the shadow of a thousand sun cd
candlelight rec.

Reviewed by Lori


Abigail Williams hails from the US and judging by all thousands of their friends on myspace they are a very popular band. I see why they are popular though, the same reason Dimmu Borgir, Old man's child, COF is popular with a lot of people in the black metal scene, the production is very good., jaw dropping good. It is better than the previous bands I mentioned.


There is actually nothing wrong with the music on this CD, very symphonic, killer piano, talented fast drumming, vocal style are the black metal screams and at times some gutturals. On a couple trax there are some male clean vocals that are nice.


What stands out to me the most is the piano. The piano brings a soft mystical side to the music along with power and strength . On song 10 you hear a beautiful violin with the piano creating a sombre atmosphere to end the CD.


Black metal fans that stick with the thick raw cold black metal bands like Dark Throne, Burzum, Manes, old Dimmu borgir, etc and shun bands that plays black metal with a more cleaner sound, I really think you should check this band out because you will be missing out on some great music if you dont.


This 6 member band created songs that will not disappoint in any way. My only problem is the CD was not long enough.


anael--from arcane fires cd {paragon records}
reviewed by patrick

this is my first encounter with this gloomy grim blackend doom band from germany.this is a band that does not appear to be satisified with staying to just one musical genre. their are touches of more straight forward harsh black metal.and in the next track you might have your energy drained away by the most depressing blackend/doom metal to be heard in some time.their are even some touches of the ambient scene being thrown in.this is a must have for all fans of dark metal such as {older} samael,arcturus,and maybe even older tiamat and rotting christ fans will appreciate this bands dark influences.
http://www.paragonrecords.net
www.anael.de











Anticosm "Alcoholic Darkness"


Reviewed by Lori


When I got this demo the case was in pieces and the booklet with the corpse paint band photos I did not have much faith in this band. I do judge a book by its cover... I popped the CD in and was extremely surprised, hey this is pretty good!


Anticosm is a 5 piece black thrash metal band from New Jersey that started in 05. The two main members enjoy almost all metal styles and have no problem involving them in their music. "Alcoholic Darkness" is a black thrash band with some death style vocals at times.


I am really liking the first song "Skinless". Near the end with the guitars wailing, drums pounding you hear raspy screams mixed with the deep vocals and then carries on with out the music and flows onto the second trax smoothly with heavy guitars more guttural. Each song has something different going on, this is not boring. Acoustic guitar and keyboard is used on the song Black Hearts and just shows how versatile this band can be.


When they put out a CD I hope to see you all buy it and support this band. I sure will.


Anticosm

anti_cosm@hotmail.com


Myspace

www.myspace.com/anticosm



bloodsworn-all hyllest til satan cd {agonia records}
now this is what black metal should sound like.dirty,harsh,fast,and just plain nasty from start to finish.the norweigan horde combine a nice mix of old-school norweigan black metal,with some newer influences for a good blend of pure blackness.thin/scratchy guitars,blasting drums and a vocalist that has some of the scratchiest/raw vocals to be heard.but also uses some effects {which as most who know i hate that} but thankfully the effects are not used alot.
i recomend bloodsworn but only to those who enjoy the older/harsher side of black metal.
http://ww.myspace.com/bloodsworn666
http://www.myspace.com/agoniarecords


darkall slaves-promo2008 cd {self-released}
reviewed by patrick

coming from the depths of france's brutal underground.darkall slaves have released one of the sickest,most intense death metal releases of 2008!.their is an intro plus 2 tracks of modern day brutal death metal.guttural growls with occasional shrieks of torment.the drummer is a machine that can blast with the best of them but can also slow to a more more mid-pace controlled {yet still heavy and intense} beats.not to be left out of the guitarist shred away at their instruments to add more sick sounds to this bands whirlwhind of chaotic destruction.fans of brutal death metal should not over-look this band. you will be sorry if you do!!
http://www.myspace.com/darkallslaves



darkestrah-the great silk road cd {paragon rec.}
reviewed by patrick

the guys at paragon never cease to amaze me whether it be mind-numbing slow doom,harsh black metal or crushing grind these guys know metal inside and out. germany's own darkestrah play a nice blend of atmospheric black metal and cold/pagan metal mix. the vocals are shrieks and some deeper growls blended in with the musicianship that is above average.mid paced semi-raw guitars and even some acoustic parts added in to keep the dark feelings alive.and mid paced drumming.i was a little worried when i saw the band had a syth player but the band uses them to their advantage mixing them right in with the other instruments to create a dark,haunting atmosphere.for fans of dark pagan blackness.
www.darkestrah.vze.com

Gigan "the order of the false god"

Reviewed by Lori

I reviewed Gigan's debut CD and it got a wonderful review so I was excited to hear their latest one. I am not a big fan of core, death core, math core, crap core, or grind core, but this band just blows me away. The guitar riffs are so chaotic, sometimes heavy, vocals the scratchy carcass style to death, drumming fast as all hell, amazing setup going on for them and for my ears.

As I mentioned in my first review that at times the almost alien guitar riffs remind me of the band Carbonized and with this new release the guitars still remind me of Carbonized

Here is how the label describes the CD "Abstract sounds, psychedelia (is that a real word?), extreme tempos and melodies abound in each of the nine songs"

This band IS unique and really, overall, they so have their own sound and its one whacked sound in a good way.

I so do recommend this band!!

Napalm Records

Gigan's myspace

www.myspace.com/gigianmusic


infinite defilement-promo cd 2008 {sevared rec.}
done by patrick

infinite defilement return!!! for those unfamilar with this australian band.it is the creation of jacob smith and he has created some of the sickest,most intense guttural death metal ever to be recorded.along with the guttural vokills of sickness.you get some mid-paced/slam guitar riffs.but also some more metal solo's and riffs mixed in that is usually not common with this style of brutality.the drums are programmed which i am not a fan of but jacob does a good job of keeping the beats in-range with the rest of the mid-paced brutal music that is infinite defilement.fans of {old} broken,hope,internal bleeding,or some of the newer guttural slam style bands should check out infinite defilement.i know he has some other releases/merch availble for those who are interested.
http://www.myspace.com/infinitedefilmnt


lividity-til only the sick remain cd {epitomite prod.}
reviewed by patrick

the sicko's at epitomite decided it was time to unleash the lividity "classick" disk "til only the sick remain"{originally released through germany's morbid rec.} if you were one of the lucky ones to find this in it's original pressing.then you know the sick brutality that awaits you. if you missed out then i urge you not to miss out again and buy this today!! lividity are one of the "originators" of brutal porno/gore grind in the u.s and only prove you can keep it sick even after being in the scene for more than 10 years!! sick,perverse death/prono gore-grind not for the easily offended but for everyone else who enjoys the brutal sounds of death metal. get this today.
lividity-live fornication cd {epitomite prod.}{reviewed by patrick
lividity are a band you should all be aware of by now if you call yourself a brutal death metal fan.this is a disk of 2 live lividity shows.the first
one is the bands set from central illinois d.m metal fest 2007. 8 tracks of pure brutality that only could come from the legendary sicko's themselves.the 2nd show is from their 2007 show in germany. the sound is a little rougher/rawer sounding than the c.i.m show. but still a decent quality for a live recording {i personally hate "live" cd's that sound like they were done in a studio}if you have all the lividity studio albums then i say buy this to hear them spew their sick and vile lyrics and music.but if your unfamilar with the band i would recomend then studio albums first.
www.epitomite.com


Mar de Grises "Draining the waterheart

Reviewed by Lori

Mar de Grises is a melodic depressing atmospheric "down-temple" doom/death band from Chili. "Draning the waterheart" is their latest release and it is not for every metal fan. The music does not have the intense metal vibe but more of a mellow stream of soft melodies with deep gutturals ever so often. This release at times remind me of Opeth and October Tides, the slower aspects of those bands come out while listening to "Draining the waterheart". A big problem I find with the songs is they just carry on and on and on sounding the same the whole way. The song "Wooden woodpecker conversion" (lol what a name) is a bit more exciting, good enough to keep me from skipping the song. I wish the whole CD was like this song. There is more passion and desperation in this song, not so boring.

The lyrics are poetry like, very lovely and full of hopelessness. "One possessed" is as beautiful as the poetry. Whispering voice, soft velvet clean vocals carcass the music.

Everyone give this band a chance because it WILL grow on you as I think it will me.

Band's myspace
http://www.myspace.com/mardegrises2

Firebox
www.firebox.fi

necronoclast--haven cd {moribund rec.}
reviewed by patrick.

the dreary/dark scottish soul returns with a new masterpiece of dreary black metal.semi raw black metal guitars with touches of more melodic acoustic's.the drums are blasts beats but quickly slow to almost a doomish feel.and finally to finish off this masterpiece of original blackness are the vocals that are mid paced growls to the more blackend screechs depending on which mood is trying to be expressed.
http://www.moribundcult.com

the splatter and gore department-qagh mcd {self-released}
reviewed by patrick

the germans do it again!! and have another band of pure metal intensity and more grinding intensity!! this is a band that surprised me but in a good way.looking at their name and on the inside the cover shows the band members acting crazy/silly but once you turn on the cd you will just how serious these musicans are bout their art!! i would label the band brutal death/grind but also add thrash into the mix as well.the vocals are death growls/shrieks and music is straight forward and brutal for the most part .but on the 3rd and final track the band adds some really catchy and in your face style german thrash!! this is a band/release i would recomend to fans who enjoy well played/well-thought out brutal death/thrash with a healthy dose of old-school grind-core..
http://www.myspace.com/tsagd
www.splatterandgore.com

interview with greg vocalist,all instruments for necronoclast,done by patrick.

1.hails  greg!! thanks for taking  the time to fill this interview
out.please tell the readers a little about yourself,

I am the sole member of Necronoclast, from Glasgow in Scotland.  I have little
interest in talking about myself, but I'm fairly reclusive and I would say I
am a realist.  Necronoclast reflects and emphasises certain aspects of my
personality and outlook, and shows all which I wish to reveal.


2.at what age did you become interested in metal? when did you become
>>> drawn to black,darker side of metal? who were some of the first
bands you
heard/listened to? who are some of your current favorites?


I think I was probably 14 or so when I first became particularly interested,
soon getting into black metal through Mayhem and Burzum.  De Mysteriis Dom
Sathanas remains my favourite black metal album.  Among more modern
interests are Watain, Xasthur, Deathspell Omega, and I've been very
interested in the new Blood Stained Dusk album.

3.please give a brief history of necronoclast.when did you first get theidea
to create the band? the name is very interesting and original
sounding for a band.does it have a special meaning?

I started Necronoclast in 2003.  I didn't feel satisfied that any other
band or project was producing what I wanted to express, so I decided to create
my own compositions.  The name Necronoclast combined two major influences in
the initial phases, namely religion and death.  Religion is a topic I no
longer address much with Necronoclast... I have nothing more to add.  But death
and existence are two constant, obviously overlapping inspirations which
continue to shape the path of Necronoclast.


4.you are the  sole member for the band/project.when you first got theidea to
create necronoclast.did you plan on staying a one-man band?

Yes, Necronoclast is a vehicle for my visions and my tool to manipulate as I
feel necessary.  I have no interest in involving others in Necronoclast as no
further input is required.

5.what do you feel are the advantages and disadavantages to being the only
member? if you had the opportunity to work with any musicians past or
present who are some musicians you would like to work with?

There is no denying the control of being the sole member.  In terms of
disadvantages, I am limited by my own skill.  This is something which is
constantly evolving and progressing with each step, particularly with regard to
the production of the recordings.  As far as working with other artists, it
would be interesting to see what would result from collaborations with some of
the bands mentioned earlier, as well as the inhabitants of some other sub-genres
of metal such as the doom scene.  But it's not something I would pursue, at
least not at the moment.

6.the new cd "haven" is an amazing piece of blackend metal art!!how
long
did it take to write/record the new songs for this release? do you have a
personal favorite song off of haven?
 for the readers who have never heard necronoclast how would u describe
the sound?


I'm glad you have appreciated Haven.  It took about a year to go from the
first riffs to the completed recordings.  I think of the album as a whole and so
I couldn't really pick a favourite track as such.  I would describe
Necronoclast as being rooted somewhere between the realms of black metal and
doom, with an emphasis on mood and atmosphere.  Musically, I feel that
variation, particularly in tempo, is key to letting songs shift and flow in the
way that thoughts and environments change.  I don't want to create something
static or fixed.  Life and experiences are not composed of isolated thoughts,
but can be complex structures.  For Necronoclast to succeed in its purpose, it
needs to reflect that.

7.besides the music you also write the lyrics.what are some
subjects/topics you write about.where do you draw the most inspirationfor the
lyrics?

As I mentioned earlier, existence and death are two important themes.
"Haven" is loosely based around an eerie, old, run-down house in the
middle of nowhere, which I rented for a while in 2007 and where I wrote much of
the music.  The isolation and the dilapidation were very inspiring and made the
album flow.


8.is necronoclast your only project at the moment? if no please tell us a
little bout the others.

Yes, Necronoclast takes up all my writing time at the moment.

9.we had discussed earlier in the interview how necronoclast is a one-man
>>> band.so i was interested to know what was the hardest instrument
for you
to learn to play? easiest one?

Easiest would have to be vocals, which come partly with practice, but partly
with the mood of the music.  I think that it's easier to learn to play an
instrument (within reason) whereas vocals are often a case of can/can't.
Obviously there is room for development in each area in any individual, but that
is my personal experience.  I think the hardest thing for me to do is to program
the drums.  Without the experience of being a real, physical drummer, the
intricacies of playing drums are difficult to capture and appreciate.  I have
given some thought to trying a session drummer for the next album, something I
continue to consider.


10.do you do anything special to keep your vocals/throat healthy?
Nothing at all other than plenty of passive smoking.
11.what is your opinion of the current black metal scene today? and what
>>> does "black metal" mean to you personally?

To me, black metal is a study of the negatives of life.  It is about reality,
but whatever aspect of reality the individual choses to focus on. Some chose a
political path, some chose a depressive path, some a religious/anti-religious
path.  The musical styles vary, but the focus and enthusiasm are constant.
There is room for fantasy in the genre, but usually with metaphorical reference
to reality.  I think the current scene is saturated, as most sub-genres of metal
have become over time, but there are several active and significant bands and
projects around at the moment.


12.well greg thank you for taking the time to fill this out.do you have
any final comments before we end the interview?

Only to thank you for your time and interest.