LES HURLEMENTS DE LA MEUTE Zine #1 (France)
2009
20 pages A4 – French written
The zine mania seems to still have its adepts, I regularly see new zines popping here and there from all around the world and France has its own paper addicts. This first issue headed by Gilles reminds me In Extremis Zine (what? It's not a zine?) for the lay-out look alike. It cames in a A4 format with cut and paste, the whole is clear and not overcharged with useless pictures or ads. I just don't like the vertical texts and beware some parts or words are missing, not comfortable to have to guess the answers...
In these pages are gathered 4 interviews of French UG soldiers: SUBCONSCIENCE (after such a reading I think I won't go into further investigation...), TUMOR NECROSIS, AFFLICTION GATE and Abel of Invasions Barbares Zine (probably an inspiration for Gilles). The editor tries to conduct his inties with a motivated state of mind and variated questions, a good point when you know how french bands are reluctant to talk about themselves.
A bunch of around 60 reviews are written about many stuff (demos, CD, zines...), with a lot of underground unknown bands from punk to black metal; the reviews are rather short and longer when the editor is really into the release, sometimes I think it lacks of a check point to really catch the band's style but as the raw black metal on tape got a laxative effect on me I guess I don't feel ashamed losing the point...
Not a bad start in the paper madness, things can be improved (a more critical approach, more content, less black metal crap, and maybe interviews of foreign bands?) but that's a cool beginning, good luck dude!
Contact: Gilles TORCOL – La Montain 58400 BULCY – FRANCE
gilles.torcol@yahoo.fr
dimanche 30 mai 2010
vendredi 28 mai 2010
INFERNAL DOMINION Salvation through infinite suffering Review
INFERNAL DOMINION (US) – Salvation through infinite sufferingCD 2009 – Burning Dogma Records
14 tracks - 65'18
Rated: 7/10
Originally released by TXDM Underground, this new version comes with the tracks from the split with OPHIOLATRY and a track from demo 99 (don't get mistaken by the so called tracks from 2004, in fact they are from the split, a printing mistake I guess). Once again prepare to face more than one hour of infernal Texas death metal. INFERNAL DOMINION plays this particular evil abrasive brutal death metal with low guttural vocals. Think about INCANTATION being native from Texas. Nevertheless, both bands don't share the same sound and ID got those heavy slamming pounding parts. The tracks from the album are quite good if you're into obscure brutal blasphemous death metal, you definitely won't waste your money. The highlight for me are the tracks from the split with OPHIOLATRY. I don't know why, but the tracks are more insane maybe because they add screamed vocals. Everything sounds more brutal and malevolent. The band also increases the speed and the tracks look like a flood of brutality right on you. The slower parts are more judiciously displayed between the fast ones so those tracks really have a catchy impact and you really have here a soundtrack for burning in hell in the death metal way (the track « By darkness blessed » kills!)! The last demo track is anecdotic but it will please any collectors (the CD also comes in a red as blood jewel case).
Contact: Burning Dogma Records c/o Ricky Lockett – 635 Astoria – Azle TX 76020 – USA
dogmaburning@aol.com
http://www.myspace.com/infernaldominion
MALARIAH The cult of devastation Review
MALARIAH (France) – The cult of devastation
MCD 2008 – Self released
5 tracks – 31'50
Rated: 2/10
Another young band from my homeland, created in 2007, MALARIAH released this MCD in 2008 though a demo would have been a better idea. So let's consider this MCD as a demo eventhough the production is quite powerful. I think MALARIAH has not a precise idea of their style yet, so these 5 tracks are lacking of coherence and craziness. The music here is of an absolute boredom, with predictable riffs and structures and no real atmospheres except while they used keyboards or clear guitars. The guys are competent, no doubt about that, but their music lacks of mindblowing moments. MALARIAH reminds me the Czech band KRABHATOR on « Orthodox » album (though I never really like this band very much) due to the pounding side of these awful triggered drums. The plastic drums take away the organic side of their death metal (yes, that seems contradictory, hu?). The lead guitar sound is also just horrible but not in the good way, they are just too common and doesn't make you feel anything coz they often don't fit the riff they're in. The heavy/death Gothenburp soundlike attemps on the last instrumental track are also clumsy and end the MCD in a strange if not saying in a bad manner for a death metal band!
MALARIAH should have taken their time to elaborate more efficient death metal. Let's consider this MCD as a try and let's wait for something better.
http://www.myspace.com/malariah
MCD 2008 – Self released
5 tracks – 31'50
Rated: 2/10
Another young band from my homeland, created in 2007, MALARIAH released this MCD in 2008 though a demo would have been a better idea. So let's consider this MCD as a demo eventhough the production is quite powerful. I think MALARIAH has not a precise idea of their style yet, so these 5 tracks are lacking of coherence and craziness. The music here is of an absolute boredom, with predictable riffs and structures and no real atmospheres except while they used keyboards or clear guitars. The guys are competent, no doubt about that, but their music lacks of mindblowing moments. MALARIAH reminds me the Czech band KRABHATOR on « Orthodox » album (though I never really like this band very much) due to the pounding side of these awful triggered drums. The plastic drums take away the organic side of their death metal (yes, that seems contradictory, hu?). The lead guitar sound is also just horrible but not in the good way, they are just too common and doesn't make you feel anything coz they often don't fit the riff they're in. The heavy/death Gothenburp soundlike attemps on the last instrumental track are also clumsy and end the MCD in a strange if not saying in a bad manner for a death metal band!
MALARIAH should have taken their time to elaborate more efficient death metal. Let's consider this MCD as a try and let's wait for something better.
http://www.myspace.com/malariah
NECROS / ABNORM split Review
NECROS / ABNORM (France/France) – S/TSplit Tape 2009 – Nihilistic Holocaust
8 tracks – 30'30
Rated: 6/10 - 6/10
You can count on Gab's deep interest on unknown bands to release some pestilential metal of death. This time, here are two french acts into old school death metal and death/black metal.
NECROS is the death metallic representative. They are into old school US inspired death metal, the early recordings of INCANTATION & IMMOLATION plus some pieces of AUTOPSY for the slower parts. NECROS add their personal touch through their death metal with more personal riff though.
The music isn't groundbreaking, but you can find enough satisfying catchiness and morbidity to quench your thirst of death metal from the 90's. Vocally, I can't help it, but it reminds me Hagend of BLOODY SIGN. Unconsciously they are probably influenced by their landmates, even if most people disagree with this, I guess it's due to common influences from both bands, ahah! They covered « Anoint the chosen » by the mighty INCANTATION, it differs a bit from the original, not an easy song to play, I know what I'm talking about.
ABNORM, the death/black challenger is also rooted in the 90's, with some fast and evil music. Fortunately, the death metallic side of ABNORM prevails in their music, and you can think about the Austrian BELPHEGOR in their mid-period (Necrodemon Terrorsatan) and their landmates of VORKREIST (first album). ABNORM mixes fast parts with slower, medium grunts with screamed ones, some SLAYER-esque guitar solos, black metal sounding riffs, etc... The last track « The dead end path passenger » is my favourite and where the bands is efficient when playing on slower pace with decadent and hauting riffs.
Two bands at the eve of their putrid and dark art, but it's some promising debut.
Contact: Nihilistic Holocaust c/o Gabriel S – 9 rue de la Scarpe – 59552 LAMBRES LEZ DOUAI – FRANCE
gabsk@wanadoo.fr
http://www.myspace.com/necrosband
http://www.myspace.com/thetrueabnormband
lundi 24 mai 2010
BLACK BLEEDING The great satan Review
BLACK BLEEDING (Belgium) – The great SatanMCD 2009 – Self Released
8 tracks – 26'37
Rated: 7/10
Great to hear new material by BLACK BLEEDING almost 4 years after « The awakening » demo. Probably not well known in the UG, BLACK BLEEDING is a blackened death metal band a bit apart from the usual black/death bands, mainly because of their freaky image, by this I mean they don't take them too seriously, not the basical spiked metal warriors if you see what I mean. But does this affect their music? Certainly not. BLACK BLEEDING's music has the impact and intensity of evil sounding bands. I found similarities with bands like old VITAL REMAINS, early DIABOLIC, even some black metal (some hints of MAYHEM) but here we have mostly death metal for my greatest pleasure. Here and there you can hear more heavy metal influences reminding old stuff by EDGE OF SANITY, it makes the whole listening quite pleasant and create some diversity.
I guess the band won't have much recognition and will remain underrated probably because of lack of curiosity or maybe the band's image, a real mistake as BLACK BLEEDING is worth your attention (as good as belgian beer!). You can get this MCD directly from the band or the most skeptical can download it from their website.
Contact: blackbleeding@hotmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/beerbleeding
HYPOKRAS / BY THE SWORD split LP review
HYPOKRAS (France) / BY THE SWORD (France) – Brutal, deadly, insane / Metal 'til death
Split LP 2008 – D.U.K.E
2 tracks / 3 tracks
Rated: 6/10 - 4/10
Great to hear new stuff by HYPOKRAS, coz' there was no news about them since their MCD « Dead & hungry » released on Warpath Records. If I remember well, this was some good death metal, quite brutal with a bunch a cool tracks, even if the band didn't get much attention. Two new tracks on black wax, with a rawer sound, probably a will to get back to the roots. The first track « Strategik grim murder » reminds me the same kind of old school atmosphere you can find on Blessed are the sick, this kind of old school death metal with evil vibe. On the second track « The death wish » HYPOKRAS goes a bit thrashier in the old SEPULTURA vein (Bestial devastation/morbid visions) and in the DESTRUCTION vein, with slower melodic parts and keeping the death metal vocals though. HYPOKRAS turns into some death/thrash, I miss the brutal side of the MCD, but the stuff here is quite decent for the old school freaks who loves their metal that stinks sweat, blood and beer.
The chainsaw on the first tracks of BY THE SWORD, reminds the butchering intents of BESTIAL MOCKERY, and musically speaking « Metal 'til death » contains all the thrash/black/death clichés of this kind of band. It' well done, nothing outstanding but just a good strike in the head.
The following track « Prat del cramats » came with a quite crappy and fuzzy sound. It's more a kind of epic or doomy track, in the BATHORY vein (Blood, fire, death) with choirs and dealing with Occitan land and its medieval religious conflicts (according to the info sheet). The last track « annihilation » is a instrumental track with a sound similar to the previous one, that is to say quite horrible. The BY THE SWORD side is really not my cup of beer, but here is a cool split LP of underground french hordes even if they remains studio projects.
Contact: DUKE Cidex 1010 – 39800 LE FIED – FRANCE
http://www.myspace.com/hypokras666
Split LP 2008 – D.U.K.E
2 tracks / 3 tracks
Rated: 6/10 - 4/10
Great to hear new stuff by HYPOKRAS, coz' there was no news about them since their MCD « Dead & hungry » released on Warpath Records. If I remember well, this was some good death metal, quite brutal with a bunch a cool tracks, even if the band didn't get much attention. Two new tracks on black wax, with a rawer sound, probably a will to get back to the roots. The first track « Strategik grim murder » reminds me the same kind of old school atmosphere you can find on Blessed are the sick, this kind of old school death metal with evil vibe. On the second track « The death wish » HYPOKRAS goes a bit thrashier in the old SEPULTURA vein (Bestial devastation/morbid visions) and in the DESTRUCTION vein, with slower melodic parts and keeping the death metal vocals though. HYPOKRAS turns into some death/thrash, I miss the brutal side of the MCD, but the stuff here is quite decent for the old school freaks who loves their metal that stinks sweat, blood and beer.
The chainsaw on the first tracks of BY THE SWORD, reminds the butchering intents of BESTIAL MOCKERY, and musically speaking « Metal 'til death » contains all the thrash/black/death clichés of this kind of band. It' well done, nothing outstanding but just a good strike in the head.
The following track « Prat del cramats » came with a quite crappy and fuzzy sound. It's more a kind of epic or doomy track, in the BATHORY vein (Blood, fire, death) with choirs and dealing with Occitan land and its medieval religious conflicts (according to the info sheet). The last track « annihilation » is a instrumental track with a sound similar to the previous one, that is to say quite horrible. The BY THE SWORD side is really not my cup of beer, but here is a cool split LP of underground french hordes even if they remains studio projects.
Contact: DUKE Cidex 1010 – 39800 LE FIED – FRANCE
http://www.myspace.com/hypokras666
ROT demo 2008 review
ROT (Poland) – Pedophile maniac + tracks from the split with MORTICUM
Demo tape 2008 – Demented Omen of masochism
13 tracks
Rated: 3/10
This release is the first production by Peter of DOOM Zine and with ROT you can expect something as dirty and ugly as Polish underground can spawn. The ROT entity is a primitive black/death fiend raping the actual crystal sounding productions coming from Poland. Here you a rehearsal-like sounding production, quite listenable though, even the drum programming sounds as ugly and basic drumming, in fact only the snare drum is perceived. Personally I didn't keep anything from this release, but probably spiked metal-headz could enjoy this gathering of VON, BEHERIT, BLASPHEMY, ARCHGOAT, DARKTHRONE influences with some thrashy parts à la 1st SLAYER album or even BATHORY. The bestial vocals used to get on my nerves as it lacks a bit of variation but this is how they wanted them to be I guess. The tracks from the split with MORTICUM are really weak and ridiculous, you can just hear the drums and the bass, the guitar is banished and the vocals sound more like an asthmatic dude than an evil fire-breathing demon Not the kind of stuff I enjoy, probably people into basic black/death may be interestedc by the « Pedophile maniac » tape, but forget the split part, it sucks!
http://www.myspace.com/rot666
Demo tape 2008 – Demented Omen of masochism
13 tracks
Rated: 3/10
This release is the first production by Peter of DOOM Zine and with ROT you can expect something as dirty and ugly as Polish underground can spawn. The ROT entity is a primitive black/death fiend raping the actual crystal sounding productions coming from Poland. Here you a rehearsal-like sounding production, quite listenable though, even the drum programming sounds as ugly and basic drumming, in fact only the snare drum is perceived. Personally I didn't keep anything from this release, but probably spiked metal-headz could enjoy this gathering of VON, BEHERIT, BLASPHEMY, ARCHGOAT, DARKTHRONE influences with some thrashy parts à la 1st SLAYER album or even BATHORY. The bestial vocals used to get on my nerves as it lacks a bit of variation but this is how they wanted them to be I guess. The tracks from the split with MORTICUM are really weak and ridiculous, you can just hear the drums and the bass, the guitar is banished and the vocals sound more like an asthmatic dude than an evil fire-breathing demon Not the kind of stuff I enjoy, probably people into basic black/death may be interestedc by the « Pedophile maniac » tape, but forget the split part, it sucks!
http://www.myspace.com/rot666
samedi 22 mai 2010
YDIN Sastaa demo 2008 review
YDIN (Finland) – SaastaDemo CD 2008 – Self released
5 tracks - 18'20
Rated: 6,5/10
The cold and pestilent wind of Finland returns with their third demo. I enjoyed the previous works of YDIN and this third one kept the icy flame of their particular death metal. YDIN doesn't play it old school but is a rather brutal death metal act playing a very precise and murderous death metal with influences from the US and European scene (DIABOLIC, PESSIMIST, PANZERCHRIST, EXMORTEM...). This demo is probably less catchy than the previous one but it keeps a frozen atmosphere. The drumming is always as tight as a scalpel cut and sometimes it really plays fast (reminding KATAKLYSM in « Serenity in fire » with the ultrablast parts, eventhought I hate this album) but YDIN use these parts with parcimony, in fact there are very few.
Not their best stuff but it's above the average and certainly more valuable than all this bunch of technical deathcore bands. YDIN has established it's trademark and now I think a full album would be the following logical step.
Info: http://www.ydinband.com/
DR DOOM S/T MCD review
DR DOOM (Netherlands) – S/TMCD 2007 – Scrotum Jus Records / Crash Landing Records
8 tracks – 15'35
Rated: 7,5/10
Beware the name doesn't reflect the band's style! DR DOOM is a surprising grindcore explosion in the way that they don't stick to the basic grindcore brand. Hard to not think about the modern wave of grindcore while listening to DR DOOM, with of course the unavoidable NASUM or one of his numerous children like SPLITTER. DR DOOM is somekind of modern grindcore, even if BRUTAL TRUTH is certainly among their influences, but the doc in fact simply loves to experiment or let's say adding elements from death or black metal. Would I mention the word post-hardcore? Pfff fuck the brands! DR DOOM is grindcore but they display many dissonant parts or riffs close to some black metal (MAYHEM is a good example especially latest records). It results of many dark and oppressing atmospheres that really set DR DOOM apart the vulgar grindcore bands that seem to play the same track for half an hour.
Only the screaming vocals could be tiring on a longer basis, but they strengthened the madness and fits the whole mood of this MCD. I think it's an unusual grindcore release, not original, but a mind catching one at least.
Contact: Mart WIJNHOLDS – Veemarkt 34 A – 8011 AJ ZWOLLE – Netherlands
doctordoom@live.nl
http://www.myspace.com/drdoomgrind
DECEPTION Nails sticking offensive Review
DECEPTION (Poland) - Nails sticking offensive
CD 2007 – Sevared Records
10 tracks - 28'23
Rated: 5,5/10
I didn't know DECEPTION before, probably heard about them but that's all. The only fact is that underground artist Deather plays bass and sings within. This is their third album and what is interesting or let's say different with DECEPTION is that they don't come with a clean and powerful production like most of their compatriots. DECEPTION is an antithesis of crystal sounding production, their album is so chaotic and disgusting it would make some fag-gothic metalheads run away. DECEPTION is blasphemous death metal without compromises, even in the songwriting. I mean there's no refinement, it's almost half an hour of sonic aggression. Their satanic death metal is an insane mixture of BEHEMOTH (« Satanica » for the brutal side), REVENGE (for the chaotic side but DECEPTION is a bit more captivating, which wasn't so hard!) and even some US black metal à la PROFANATICA (for the evil and messy side). This kind of apocalyptic death metal could even please war metal freaks into AXIS OF ADVANCE. But there's nothing more to seek into DECEPTION's blasphemies, just pure aggression, chaos and evil intents.
Contact: Sevared Records c/o Barrett Amiss II – 19 East Main St. - Leroy, NY 14482 – USA
http://sevared.com/
http://www.myspace.com/deception667
CD 2007 – Sevared Records
10 tracks - 28'23
Rated: 5,5/10
I didn't know DECEPTION before, probably heard about them but that's all. The only fact is that underground artist Deather plays bass and sings within. This is their third album and what is interesting or let's say different with DECEPTION is that they don't come with a clean and powerful production like most of their compatriots. DECEPTION is an antithesis of crystal sounding production, their album is so chaotic and disgusting it would make some fag-gothic metalheads run away. DECEPTION is blasphemous death metal without compromises, even in the songwriting. I mean there's no refinement, it's almost half an hour of sonic aggression. Their satanic death metal is an insane mixture of BEHEMOTH (« Satanica » for the brutal side), REVENGE (for the chaotic side but DECEPTION is a bit more captivating, which wasn't so hard!) and even some US black metal à la PROFANATICA (for the evil and messy side). This kind of apocalyptic death metal could even please war metal freaks into AXIS OF ADVANCE. But there's nothing more to seek into DECEPTION's blasphemies, just pure aggression, chaos and evil intents.
Contact: Sevared Records c/o Barrett Amiss II – 19 East Main St. - Leroy, NY 14482 – USA
http://sevared.com/
http://www.myspace.com/deception667
TERRORDROME Vehement convulsion Review
TERRORDROME (Greece) – Vehement convulsionCD 2008 – Grindethic Records
11 tracks – 29'14
Rated: 5/10
Alongside with INVERACITY and EXTREME VIOLENCE comes TERRORDROME who also want their piece of the death metal pie. They can even challenge the US bands as TERRORDROME is exactly playing in the US brutal death style, quite technical but not too much, very fast but not always, with some traditional mosh-parts but without falling in the basic slammming death metal. If you dig extreme shit like GORGASM or INHERIT DISEASE this stuff will fully satisfy you. Add some technical touches à la ORIGIN, gory/pigs vocals in the most common way (quite boring on a longer basis but the album is short so it's not that hard to bear it), and a drummer who sometimes can reach really fast blasting or fast parts close to VISCERAL BLEEDING, and I think you could get a cool brutal death album. On the side of originality, well, that's the utter desert.
Contact: Sakis CHATZITAKIS – G. Gennimata 13 – 57013 OREOKASTRO – THESSALONIKI – GREECE
info@terrordrome.net
http://www.myspace.com/terrordrome
PERVERTUM OBSCURUM demo 2007 review
PERVERTUM OBSCURUM (Australia) – Mass murder mutilation
Demo tape 2007 – Evil Speaks Records
6 tracks
Rated: 6/10
Side project of Chris Newell from SANGUINEOUS (read back the intie in PEZ#4 for further infos) PERVERTUM OBSCURUM is a black/death metal manifestation (you can label it as war metal if you will) where Chris plays all the instruments. The music itself is quite basic, bestial and intense due to the almost incessant drums blasting in the first track for example which reminds me a mix between ABOMINATOR, old DEICIDE and old IMMOLATION. Fortunately the second track is a mid paced one with an interesting mood reminding old stuff like HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST with hints of AUTOPSY, a nice track with the famous « hu! », ahah great shit anyway! Third track is again a black/death metal one in the vein of the first one but shorter with an haunting lead at the end, not bad.
The other side (of blasphemy) starts with another black/death onslaught, pretty common, but there are some cool slowdowns and lead guitar again, coz this would be pretty boring without those elements. Fifth track is probably the fastest and the most primitive, a kind of early DEICIDE under crack with a nice solo. This demo ends with an old INCANTATION alike tune, with a doomy parts with evil leads, then you get attacked once again by the black/death basis of PERVERTUM OBSCURUM. Chris has a wide range of influences and he bathes his black/death metal into those and here is his first effort. This stuff has nice dark moments and that occurs an interesting full length for any black/death maniacs.
Contact: PERVERTUM OBSCURUM – PO BOX 442 – Brunswick – Victoria 3056 – AUSTRALIA
Evil Speaks Records – PO BOX 5093 – Moreland West – Victoria 3055 – AUSTRALIA
http://www.myspace.com/pervertumobscurum
Demo tape 2007 – Evil Speaks Records
6 tracks
Rated: 6/10
Side project of Chris Newell from SANGUINEOUS (read back the intie in PEZ#4 for further infos) PERVERTUM OBSCURUM is a black/death metal manifestation (you can label it as war metal if you will) where Chris plays all the instruments. The music itself is quite basic, bestial and intense due to the almost incessant drums blasting in the first track for example which reminds me a mix between ABOMINATOR, old DEICIDE and old IMMOLATION. Fortunately the second track is a mid paced one with an interesting mood reminding old stuff like HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST with hints of AUTOPSY, a nice track with the famous « hu! », ahah great shit anyway! Third track is again a black/death metal one in the vein of the first one but shorter with an haunting lead at the end, not bad.
The other side (of blasphemy) starts with another black/death onslaught, pretty common, but there are some cool slowdowns and lead guitar again, coz this would be pretty boring without those elements. Fifth track is probably the fastest and the most primitive, a kind of early DEICIDE under crack with a nice solo. This demo ends with an old INCANTATION alike tune, with a doomy parts with evil leads, then you get attacked once again by the black/death basis of PERVERTUM OBSCURUM. Chris has a wide range of influences and he bathes his black/death metal into those and here is his first effort. This stuff has nice dark moments and that occurs an interesting full length for any black/death maniacs.
Contact: PERVERTUM OBSCURUM – PO BOX 442 – Brunswick – Victoria 3056 – AUSTRALIA
Evil Speaks Records – PO BOX 5093 – Moreland West – Victoria 3055 – AUSTRALIA
http://www.myspace.com/pervertumobscurum
dimanche 16 mai 2010
THY FUNERAL demo 2008 review
THY FUNERAL (Hungary) – Master of rebellion
Demo Tape 2008 – Karpatia Productions
3 tracks
Rated: 2/10
Second demo by this one-man-band into black metal highly inspired by the Norvegian scene. It's always a pleasure to review that kind of material as I'm almost half aware in advance of how it sounds like. Typical raw atmospheric black metal reminding the early works of EMPEROR for the atmospheric side and DARKTHRONE for the vocals and some riffs. This is just overheard stuff according to me but probably black metal freaks would disagree. They would have to bear those unbearable and terrible keyboards though (the third track with synths and gremlins screams is just ridiculous). Fortunately they are not omnipresent, the guy added some acoustic/clean sound parts to create cold and sad atmospheres from the forgotten kingdom of absolute freeze where demons lie within to possess your souls and set the world on fire so as Satan could make the biggest barbecue and the hottest party ever..... One track is okay but three? And they're fucking long (boring?)!! If you like that kind of mid paced frozen black metal, drop me a line and I would be more than happy to give you this tape.
Contact: thyfuneral666@gmail.com
Demo Tape 2008 – Karpatia Productions
3 tracks
Rated: 2/10
Second demo by this one-man-band into black metal highly inspired by the Norvegian scene. It's always a pleasure to review that kind of material as I'm almost half aware in advance of how it sounds like. Typical raw atmospheric black metal reminding the early works of EMPEROR for the atmospheric side and DARKTHRONE for the vocals and some riffs. This is just overheard stuff according to me but probably black metal freaks would disagree. They would have to bear those unbearable and terrible keyboards though (the third track with synths and gremlins screams is just ridiculous). Fortunately they are not omnipresent, the guy added some acoustic/clean sound parts to create cold and sad atmospheres from the forgotten kingdom of absolute freeze where demons lie within to possess your souls and set the world on fire so as Satan could make the biggest barbecue and the hottest party ever..... One track is okay but three? And they're fucking long (boring?)!! If you like that kind of mid paced frozen black metal, drop me a line and I would be more than happy to give you this tape.
Contact: thyfuneral666@gmail.com
KATALYSATOR demo 2007 review
KATALYSATOR (Sweden) – Mass genocide ritual
Demo tape 2007 – Zombie Ritual
3 tracks – 15'00
Rated: 6/10
The swedish old school death metal mafia introduces us to one of their numerous filth spawn. Some people may be tired by all these bands popping from here, pillaging shamelessly the inheritance of VERMINOUS, REPUGNANT, KAAMOS, NECROVATION , but one must admit that KATALYSATOR (now named INVIDIOUS) learnt well from their masters who themselves learn from NIHILIST/ENTOMBED, GROTESQUE, CARNAGE, DISMEMBER...
You have here some typical swedish death metal embalmed with putrid remains, the evil mood (the guitar leads are ultra typical but create a great dark vibe!), the decadent rock n' roll touch and a bit or reverb on the necrotic vocals. The typical recipe, it's overheard these days (it was still the case almost 20 years ago), but the guys play it with the guts. A cool second demo but absolutely not essential.
Contact: INVIDIOUS – Pelle AHMAN – Rörbäcksvägen 27 – 75752 UPPSALA – SWEDEN
http://www.myspace.com/katalysator
Demo tape 2007 – Zombie Ritual
3 tracks – 15'00
Rated: 6/10
The swedish old school death metal mafia introduces us to one of their numerous filth spawn. Some people may be tired by all these bands popping from here, pillaging shamelessly the inheritance of VERMINOUS, REPUGNANT, KAAMOS, NECROVATION , but one must admit that KATALYSATOR (now named INVIDIOUS) learnt well from their masters who themselves learn from NIHILIST/ENTOMBED, GROTESQUE, CARNAGE, DISMEMBER...
You have here some typical swedish death metal embalmed with putrid remains, the evil mood (the guitar leads are ultra typical but create a great dark vibe!), the decadent rock n' roll touch and a bit or reverb on the necrotic vocals. The typical recipe, it's overheard these days (it was still the case almost 20 years ago), but the guys play it with the guts. A cool second demo but absolutely not essential.
Contact: INVIDIOUS – Pelle AHMAN – Rörbäcksvägen 27 – 75752 UPPSALA – SWEDEN
http://www.myspace.com/katalysator
GOSPEL OF THE HORNS Realm of the dead Review
GOSPEL OF THE HORNS (Australia) – Realm of the dead
CD 2007 – Hell's Headbangers
10 tracks - 38'10
Rated: 6,5/10
This is probably the best effort of GOSPEL OF THE HORNS so far. After a really average « A call to arms » I wasn't expecting anything from our Australian black/thrashers. I was wrong as this « Realm of the dead » is following a path established by DESTROYER 666 (Phoenix rising), I mean some catchy tunes of black/thrash metal with many headbanging rhythms, warrior hymns and great solos. The inheritance is clearly the early stuff of CELTIC FROST, SLAYER, POSSESSED, and probably more bands whose names are unknown to the common mortals.
A good album for any thrash maniac looking for good songwriting. The only bad point according to me are the vocals which are just unbearable. Some scorched vocals that sound powerless and do not fit the music. A matter of taste though as the music compensates this detail.
A must have for our young patched-jackets warriors who eagerly wait for their heros to reform until they split up, then reform and split up again...
Contact: Hell's Headbangers – 3593 Medina Rd #109 – MEDINA, OH 44256 – USA
www.hellsheadbangers.com
http://www.myspace.com/gospelofthehorns
CD 2007 – Hell's Headbangers
10 tracks - 38'10
Rated: 6,5/10
This is probably the best effort of GOSPEL OF THE HORNS so far. After a really average « A call to arms » I wasn't expecting anything from our Australian black/thrashers. I was wrong as this « Realm of the dead » is following a path established by DESTROYER 666 (Phoenix rising), I mean some catchy tunes of black/thrash metal with many headbanging rhythms, warrior hymns and great solos. The inheritance is clearly the early stuff of CELTIC FROST, SLAYER, POSSESSED, and probably more bands whose names are unknown to the common mortals.
A good album for any thrash maniac looking for good songwriting. The only bad point according to me are the vocals which are just unbearable. Some scorched vocals that sound powerless and do not fit the music. A matter of taste though as the music compensates this detail.
A must have for our young patched-jackets warriors who eagerly wait for their heros to reform until they split up, then reform and split up again...
Contact: Hell's Headbangers – 3593 Medina Rd #109 – MEDINA, OH 44256 – USA
www.hellsheadbangers.com
http://www.myspace.com/gospelofthehorns
HOUWITSER promo 2009 review
HOUWITSER (Nederland) – Sledgehammer redemption
Promo 2009 – Self released
2 tracks – 7'00
Rated: 6/10
Freshly reformed the brutal dutch warmachine doesn't lose their killing intents. This two-track promo release is a foretaste of a upcoming album. Old school brutal death they were before their split, they keep the same style today but with a skilfull drummer this time (as Mr Kloosterwaard is so busy in SINISTER, INFINITED HATE, SUPREME PAIN, … and so many interviews to answer!). The drum-work here the the most significant change in HOUWITSER, there's a bit more variety and more aggression, a good point when you play death metal. On the other hand if like me you like their previous works, this is a pleasant foretaste, but if you don't like their shit this new material won't change your mind. HOUWITSER plays basic brutal death metal in the CANNIBAL CORPSE vein, no more, no less.
http://www.myspace.com/houwitser
Promo 2009 – Self released
2 tracks – 7'00
Rated: 6/10
Freshly reformed the brutal dutch warmachine doesn't lose their killing intents. This two-track promo release is a foretaste of a upcoming album. Old school brutal death they were before their split, they keep the same style today but with a skilfull drummer this time (as Mr Kloosterwaard is so busy in SINISTER, INFINITED HATE, SUPREME PAIN, … and so many interviews to answer!). The drum-work here the the most significant change in HOUWITSER, there's a bit more variety and more aggression, a good point when you play death metal. On the other hand if like me you like their previous works, this is a pleasant foretaste, but if you don't like their shit this new material won't change your mind. HOUWITSER plays basic brutal death metal in the CANNIBAL CORPSE vein, no more, no less.
http://www.myspace.com/houwitser
jeudi 13 mai 2010
AVICULARIA interview 2009
It's my first contact with a Croatian metal band, I must admit my incompetence about naming any bands from this country, and AVICULARIA is an amazing discovery believe me. AVICULARIA is a death metal band, with a high technical level and able to create great epic tunes. Fans of MORBID ANGEL, NILE, CRYPTOPSY and GORGUTS shall check it right now!-Hi Domagoj, hope you're doing well. Let's talk about your band AVICULARIA where you handle the guitar. You created the band with the help of your friend Kreso (drums) in 2003 and then later you recruited the other musicians Igor (guitar) Sergej (bass) and so AVICULARIA could spread its web! What is your musical background? Did you play in other bands before? What led you to extreme music?
Kreso, my younger brother, and I wanted to play some brutal music...at that point we were listening bands like Immolation, Nile, Gorguts, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Kataklysm, Immortal, Cradle of filth etc., so we naturally started to play in death/black metal style. Of course, we never wanted to limit ourselves, musically speaking, we were always open minded and liked other kinds of music, but at that point death metal was our main focus. It took some time to find right bass player and guitarist, few people passed through band. In late 2007 lineup was stable, and we started to play live. It is interesting to mention that band named „Avicularia” already existed somewhere from 1999 till 2002. It was a high school Metallica/Slayer/Sepultura cover band where Kreso & Igor (guitar) played. After band broke up, Kreso played drums with Blackthorn (thrash metal) and Malformed – legendary death metal band from Zagreb. Myself played only in one band before Avicularia, that was Serpent Sun from Osijek, Croatia (melodic DM in style of At The Gates and early In Flames) and in 2003. I left the band to form „new“ Avicularia with my bro.
When talking about extreme music, Kreso and I discovered that passion together. I remember Carcass „Heartwork“, Deicide „Serpents of the light“ as our first discoveries and fascinations. I can't tell why, I think it was natural progression from Metallica/Sepultura/Slayer/Pantera/Machine Head stuff to something more extreme, more intense. I liked the speed and complexity in that music, it was interesting to me as musician. I would repeat songs over and over until I could remember every note.
-AVICULARIA plays some kind of technical death metal where I distinguish 2 prominent influences like NILE and GORGUTS. Of course, as mentioned in your biography one can also find some diverse touches of CRYPTOPSY, IMMOLATION or MORBID ANGEL. Your music is quite technical but it remains quite listenable and not boring (at least if you are into technical stuff). You kept a good balance between technical aspect and some more atmospheric parts. Was it a clear idea at the early beginnings of the band to play this complex music? The band started in 2003, but your first album is just released in 2009, why such a delay? Did you record any demos before?
No, we had no demos. Now, looking back I think that was mistake because in 2005. we already finished 4 songs. But somehow, brother and I were never quite satisfied how they sounded, so the songs and lyrics changed quite a bit until January 2008 when we entered the studio. You are right, the songs weren't so much complex in the beginning. Since I had no songwriting experienced before Avicularia so it was quite new territory to me. Also, during past 5 years we changed a lot as persons, so naturally the music changed.
-You chose a curious moniker AVICULARIA which is the name of a species of tarantula if i'm right. Why such an uncommon band name? What is the link with your music/lyrics? Never think of using a moniker like MORBID CORPSE or CANNIBAL ANGEL, ahaha!! Seriously, is it a way to take distance with the "common" death metal scene? Why such an obsession for this spider?
Yeah, we wanted to play uncommon music so we needed uncommon name to make the point. Kreso came with the name, as it perfectly describes music we wanted to create. Avicularia is Latin name for one exotic animal, that is often misunderstood by many people. It is actually very gentle creature and is not aggressive at all. It also has its unique beauty, looks strange, has impressive body structure and physical abilities, almost like an alien creature. Also, the word „Avicularia“sounded exotic, strong and intelligent at the same time. I still like saying that name up loud, it always gives me that feel.
When talking of obsession with an spiders, Kreso used to have one Brachypelma Albopilosum, and our bass player Sergej still keeps few of different species in his bedroom.
-Your musical approach is a bit similar to bands like YATTERING or SHADOWS LAND who combines technical and brutal music with some more avant-garde ones. Do you feel belonging to this today wave of technical death metal bands? The problem is that some bands like BRAINDRILL for example mistakes brutality, speediness and boredom. You listen to them but at the end you cannot remember anything. What's your point of view concerning extreme music and its technical aspect? Don't you think some bands forget to compose a track but they only gather riffs without real coherence?
I think it is hard to compare Avicularia to any of these bands. I never considered Avicularia as technical band; we really aren't that good technicians like guys from Brain Drill, Spawn of Possesion, Necrophagist or Origin. I can agree with you there are some bands that go to unlistenable extremes. By forcing speed and technicality music looses dynamics, there are no easy, moody or slower parts, so listener can rest a second or enjoy some catchy groove. At some point technique looses its meaning. In my opinion, point of music is to express emotions, about how you feel in your heart, not about how fast and insanely you can play. From my point of view that term „extreme metal“ is not only about extreme technique but rather extreme variations between fast, technical, brutal and slower, more mellow parts within a song. It is that we are trying to make interesting music that can challenge listener and ourselves as musicians.
-Who wrote AVICULARIA's lyrics? Are they linked together to form a kind of story or theme, if so, can you sum up it please, as I'm afraid I didn't fully understand it because some parts are quite obscure concerning interpretation?
No, this is not conceptual album. Every song has its own story. The lyrics were written by three of us and have different thematic. Just to make a few quick notes about the lyrics to get the point: Kreso wrote „Born to be vile“ that is a song about a way of life that is basically an ode to individuality. Igor wrote „Succubus“, a funny brutal song about evil succubus whatever that meant to him; basic and kick ass lyrics for a kick ass song! He also wrote „Spiraling Doom“ that is ecological song about world's insanity and men’s obsession with power and destruction. I wrote „Anthem to arms“ that is anti war song but also includes anti religion ideas, „Confrontation“ talks about a man confronting with himself, with his demons & final „Requiem for ego“ is a hymn about the evil side of human ego and what we truly are when our ego diminishes.
-AVICULARIA is a Croatian band. If I mention this, it's because your scene is almost unknown to me. Can you raise the veil on the Croatian metal scene and recommend us some good bands? Do you have some veteran bands into heavy, death or black metal? Is foreign metal music popular in Croatia? Do you also have to bear this terrible wave of deathcore/neodeath/emoshit bands?
Yeah, sure! When talking generally about history of Croatian metal bands, there were many of them but only few international successful like Anesthesia, Ashes You Leave, Forlorn Legacy, Father... I would recommend to listen to „Ultimate Croatian Metal“that is collection of 5 CD you can download for free here: http://rapidshare.com/users/GY8F1V . And yes we have lots of deathcore/emo crap as everywhere. In my opinion some of the finest underground metal acts that still exist are: USUD (www.myspace.com/kultkrvi), INSOLITVS (www.myspace.com/insolitvs) , TRUE (www.myspace.com/truezrud), DRAMA (www.myspace.com/dramadoom), CZAAR (www.myspace.com/bandczaar), EXCUSE FOR PAIN (www.myspace.com/excuseforpain), INFERNAL TENEBRA (www.myspace.com/infernaltenebra).
-Do you have good equipment and rehearsal places for music in Croatia? How is considered extreme music out there? Is this considered as something marginal or is it accepted as any kind of music?
Metal music is not well accepted in Croatia. We are still very traditional country, people mostly listen to national folk music and MTV crap, so you can imagine how people react on extreme metal music. In capital Zagreb situation is a bit better, just like in every big city there is decent number of rehearsal places and about 4-5 clubs and 2 big venues where you can hear metal music. In last 5 years we had acts like Nile, Suffocation, Necrophagist, Sepultura, Iron Maiden, Machine Head...etc. This year was extremely filled with metal concerts so I guess situation is getting better. I think metal will always stay marginal music in our society. You know it is not easy to be musician here, it is very expensive sport. I was saving money for years to get some decent amp and guitars; we are really on our own.
-Looking at some pictures on your MySpace page you guys seem really to have fun playing together. You play brutal and complex music but don't take yourself too seriously. You don't hesitate to distort or deformed your faces, taking funny pictures, etc...Why don't you play the tough guys with spikes and evil poses in the snow at night? Is it a way to piss the evil dudes off because they don't consider you as "true" if you see what I mean ahah!!
No, we don't really give a damn. We enjoy doing our music and don't care about how people will react. Like us, hate us – it is same to me. Avicularia is not the kind of band that is trying to look true on stage, although I think stage presence is very important. It is just, when playing live we are more concentrated on our musical performance than on stage acting. Talking about goofy faces, I'm usually the most serious guy in the band – blame it on other three hahaha!!!
-I would keep talking about the Eastern metal scene, which is more known for the grindcore stream (mostly from Czech Rep) with for example CARNAL DIAFRAGMA, MALIGNANT TUMOUR, MINCING FURY, PIGSTY and hundreds more. The death metal is less represented with bands like DESTROYING DIVINITY (Czech), ENTHRALLMENT (Bulgaria), ARHONT (Macedonia), DAGGERSPAWN (Serbia), etc... According to you why death metal is less represented in Eastern countries? Is this a less popular style beside grindcore? I think things are changing because bands find labels to release their music.
I really don't know why is grindcore more accepted in Eastern Europe than death metal. I guess people like to jump around and get wild on it. Maybe it is because grind is all about few guys jumping on the stage and making noise. Many of these countries still have bad post transition difficulties, especially when talking about economy. Socialist regime repressed people for so many years, and then brutal neo-capitalism came…I guess it is the way for people to say „fuck the system“! Since grind derivates from punk and punk by its nature is all about rebellion...I think this makes sense. I think death metal is more introverted music style, it is the music you want to listen alone in your bedroom, and grindcore is more social, more like drinking music when you hang out with your crew. Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it is just the way the people are.
-"Born to be vile" is released by Croatia Records. Who are the people involved in this label? How is the promotion working? How people can get your album and merchandising? Do you find any distributors worldwide? How is the feedback about "Born to be vile"?
Croatia Records is major label in Croatia that usually does not distribute metal music. We got studio to record this album and limited edition of CDs, but not promotion and distribution. We still do these things on our own and currently are looking for an international label that is willing to distribute merch and promote us. Right now you can buy album and t-shirts directly from us on our email: avicularia.band@gmail.com . We sent CDs to numerous webzines and magazines and so far reactions are very positive all-around. I think we shall have no problem finding the right label.
-Do you still believe in the physical musical format, that is to say vinyl, tape or CD? We can see today bands selling their music on mp3 platforms like I-tunes or things like that. Personally even if the mp3 quality increases quite well sound wise, I can't limit myself getting a virtual release. I like looking at the CD booklet or LP layout. What do you think about all of this?
MP3 format is extremely practical, you can carry great amount of music with you, access to huge amount of different music you otherwise would never hear and the most important - it is free. I know that most of them are not legal, I know all about the authors’ rights, hell I am one of them now! So, if you google phrase “Avicularia torrent” you’ll get at least 30 direct links to download our album. And you can’t stop it, and I don’t want to stop it because it is the way for people around the world to hear our music. And some people, who liked it, send us mail and order CDs and t-shirts. I personally like having CDs but don’t buy them much because of two practical reasons: First, I don’t have anymore free time to sit down in front of some nice Hi-Fi and enjoy the music, and second - it is expensive. Like it or not you can’t change this. And don’t get me wrong, I used to be that kid that spent his last money on brand new CD rather than going to pub with friends. But physical format will survive for sure, you have to have a CD, especially at live shows.
-How many shows did AVICULARIA play? Do you share the stages with foreign bands? Is it easy to organize concerts and festivals and how is usually the people affluence at gigs? Are the metalheads supportive?
As I said previously, Croatia has very small metal scene. Our state has only about 4,5 million inhabitants, so it is natural to go internationally it is the only way. So far we played only in Croatia, and this fall/winter some international gigs are coming. We shared stage with some names you might know like Quo Vadis(Can), Disinfect(DE), Distaste(A), and some local “bigger” names like Stonebride, The Rite of Retaliation, Usud, Inciter…There are bunch of people, I could say fans, that attend our show regularly and are very supportive – they make us feel worthy and proud of music we do. As Far as I know, Avicularia is the only band in Croatia doing this kind of extreme metal music.
-Please react or say something about the following records:
-ATHEIST "Elements": One awesome album! Man I should listen that old stuff more often, you just reminded me on time when I intensively enjoined bands like Cynic, Death, Pestilence and I always put Atheist there. Amazing concept in general, musicianship and AN IDEA, one of the most amazing jazz/death metal fusions. Album is very fluid and dynamic and this is the same thing I want to happen with our music in the future.
-DEATH "The sound of perseverance": It was always hard for me to pick the favorite Death album, but their last masterpiece is the real crown of Chuck’s work. Most technical album to me, also the first Death album I’ve ever hearted back in 1998, and album I’ve listened many, many times. It instantly reminds me on Chuck and his tragic fate and what kind of genious stuff would we listen from Death today if he was still around. These are the last words of the father of death metal – it is a Bible to me!
-AGHORA "Aghora": Awesome fusion of prog/thrash metal with oriental/ambient stuff. I always get the trills from guitar work of Santiago Dobles on that album. This guy is one of the most impressive players I’ve ever heard and other musicians follow him tightly. But I never liked the way the vocals were done. I would like to hear her screaming from her guts on heavier parts. To me her vocal lacks dynamics and it gets me bored when listening a while. But Santiago, he is the man!
-GORGUTS "Obscura": First when I heard this album it took me some time to digest it, to understand it. Very complex and original album, definitely on my top 10 list. It inspired me to take different approach to playing and was and still is great influence on Avicularia’s music. There is a song “Clouded” that lasts for almost 10 minutes and when I come to that song it feels like it lasts an hour! It is that sick and disturbing, like everlasting agony. It makes me nervous sometimes…hahahah
-CRYPTOPSY "the unspoken king": After that album people started to call them Craptopsy but it is not that bad. I’ve listened many times and liked it like every Cryptopsy album. New vocal style was quite the shock, but hey, Cryptopsy was always about innovations and this is the reason I’ve been following them for years. This band has no two same albums; every one has different vibe and is original. For a long time they were my favorite band and if I had to pick the worst album it would be “Once was not”. To me golden era ended with “...And than you’ll beg” when Jon left the band. That is the last masterpiece of Cryptopsy, and I hope they’ll get on that road again with next album.
-SUFFOCATION "Blood oath": The best production Suffocation ever had, but not my favorite album. It is funny that I can’t tell why, but album after 15-20 minutes of playing becomes boring. It lacks something but I can’t tell what, it sounds so perfect but does not give me that thrills like “Despise the sun” does.
-PORTAL "Outre": Man, I haven’t heard of this guys until now(God bless mp3). Interesting post/black metal stuff! On first listening it instantly reminded me on Mayhem “Ordo ab Chao” because its atmosphere and Lo-Fi production. Not bad indeed, but I’ll give them a few more listenings for better insight.
-Let us know about your recent musical purchases. What records would you recommend to our narrow-minded readers? On the contrary what's the most terrible stuff you have heard recently and we should avoid?
Recently I’m intensively listening to local demo bands and there are lots of great talents, so have a listen to some of than I recommended. Lately, beside metal, I’m listening lots of post rock and experimental stuff, instrumental stuff like Terry Bozzio, Frank Gambale. There are some impressive bands your readers might find interesting like King Crimson. They have been great inspiration to me. It is one of the most amazing bands in music generally and everyone should give them a chance. I suggest to start with albums “Red” and “Power to believe”. If you like instrumental acoustic guitar try to anything from “Miroslav Tadic & Vlatko Stefanovski”, there are virtuosos from Serbia and Macedonia that can easily be compared with guitar greats like Al DiMeola, Paco DeLucia, Joe Satriani…etc. Talking about new metal releases I hope everyone heard “Ulcerate – Everything is fire”. If not, this one is a must! I think they are Immolation of new era, the most intense and original death metal band I’ve heard in years. “Obscura – Cosmogenesics”is also awesome, “Augury - Fragmentary_Evidence”, “Gorod - Process of a new decline”, of course new Nile album…dude, there are too many of them. Stuff I don’t like I usually don’t remember, so – none!
-It's over now, thank you very much for your kind cooperation answering my questions. Let us know what we can expect from AVICULARIA in a near future. You also can end this chat the way you want. Keep on being vile!
It was my pleasure answering your questions that were precise and interesting. I am happy that you gave us a chance for promotion in France and I’m sure we’ll manage to make few live gigs around your country. It is very nice to see international interest for our music, thank you for your attention and best wishes to keep Putrefactive Effect active and strong! And to all you metalheads: metal up you ass and keep the metal faith alive! Haha…No, this is too much cliché…Listen to Avicularia at www.myspace.com/aviculariaband and if you dig us, ordering our album. Thank you all!
Kreso, my younger brother, and I wanted to play some brutal music...at that point we were listening bands like Immolation, Nile, Gorguts, Deicide, Morbid Angel, Kataklysm, Immortal, Cradle of filth etc., so we naturally started to play in death/black metal style. Of course, we never wanted to limit ourselves, musically speaking, we were always open minded and liked other kinds of music, but at that point death metal was our main focus. It took some time to find right bass player and guitarist, few people passed through band. In late 2007 lineup was stable, and we started to play live. It is interesting to mention that band named „Avicularia” already existed somewhere from 1999 till 2002. It was a high school Metallica/Slayer/Sepultura cover band where Kreso & Igor (guitar) played. After band broke up, Kreso played drums with Blackthorn (thrash metal) and Malformed – legendary death metal band from Zagreb. Myself played only in one band before Avicularia, that was Serpent Sun from Osijek, Croatia (melodic DM in style of At The Gates and early In Flames) and in 2003. I left the band to form „new“ Avicularia with my bro.
When talking about extreme music, Kreso and I discovered that passion together. I remember Carcass „Heartwork“, Deicide „Serpents of the light“ as our first discoveries and fascinations. I can't tell why, I think it was natural progression from Metallica/Sepultura/Slayer/Pantera/Machine Head stuff to something more extreme, more intense. I liked the speed and complexity in that music, it was interesting to me as musician. I would repeat songs over and over until I could remember every note.
-AVICULARIA plays some kind of technical death metal where I distinguish 2 prominent influences like NILE and GORGUTS. Of course, as mentioned in your biography one can also find some diverse touches of CRYPTOPSY, IMMOLATION or MORBID ANGEL. Your music is quite technical but it remains quite listenable and not boring (at least if you are into technical stuff). You kept a good balance between technical aspect and some more atmospheric parts. Was it a clear idea at the early beginnings of the band to play this complex music? The band started in 2003, but your first album is just released in 2009, why such a delay? Did you record any demos before?
No, we had no demos. Now, looking back I think that was mistake because in 2005. we already finished 4 songs. But somehow, brother and I were never quite satisfied how they sounded, so the songs and lyrics changed quite a bit until January 2008 when we entered the studio. You are right, the songs weren't so much complex in the beginning. Since I had no songwriting experienced before Avicularia so it was quite new territory to me. Also, during past 5 years we changed a lot as persons, so naturally the music changed.
-You chose a curious moniker AVICULARIA which is the name of a species of tarantula if i'm right. Why such an uncommon band name? What is the link with your music/lyrics? Never think of using a moniker like MORBID CORPSE or CANNIBAL ANGEL, ahaha!! Seriously, is it a way to take distance with the "common" death metal scene? Why such an obsession for this spider?
Yeah, we wanted to play uncommon music so we needed uncommon name to make the point. Kreso came with the name, as it perfectly describes music we wanted to create. Avicularia is Latin name for one exotic animal, that is often misunderstood by many people. It is actually very gentle creature and is not aggressive at all. It also has its unique beauty, looks strange, has impressive body structure and physical abilities, almost like an alien creature. Also, the word „Avicularia“sounded exotic, strong and intelligent at the same time. I still like saying that name up loud, it always gives me that feel.
When talking of obsession with an spiders, Kreso used to have one Brachypelma Albopilosum, and our bass player Sergej still keeps few of different species in his bedroom.
-Your musical approach is a bit similar to bands like YATTERING or SHADOWS LAND who combines technical and brutal music with some more avant-garde ones. Do you feel belonging to this today wave of technical death metal bands? The problem is that some bands like BRAINDRILL for example mistakes brutality, speediness and boredom. You listen to them but at the end you cannot remember anything. What's your point of view concerning extreme music and its technical aspect? Don't you think some bands forget to compose a track but they only gather riffs without real coherence?
I think it is hard to compare Avicularia to any of these bands. I never considered Avicularia as technical band; we really aren't that good technicians like guys from Brain Drill, Spawn of Possesion, Necrophagist or Origin. I can agree with you there are some bands that go to unlistenable extremes. By forcing speed and technicality music looses dynamics, there are no easy, moody or slower parts, so listener can rest a second or enjoy some catchy groove. At some point technique looses its meaning. In my opinion, point of music is to express emotions, about how you feel in your heart, not about how fast and insanely you can play. From my point of view that term „extreme metal“ is not only about extreme technique but rather extreme variations between fast, technical, brutal and slower, more mellow parts within a song. It is that we are trying to make interesting music that can challenge listener and ourselves as musicians.
-Who wrote AVICULARIA's lyrics? Are they linked together to form a kind of story or theme, if so, can you sum up it please, as I'm afraid I didn't fully understand it because some parts are quite obscure concerning interpretation?No, this is not conceptual album. Every song has its own story. The lyrics were written by three of us and have different thematic. Just to make a few quick notes about the lyrics to get the point: Kreso wrote „Born to be vile“ that is a song about a way of life that is basically an ode to individuality. Igor wrote „Succubus“, a funny brutal song about evil succubus whatever that meant to him; basic and kick ass lyrics for a kick ass song! He also wrote „Spiraling Doom“ that is ecological song about world's insanity and men’s obsession with power and destruction. I wrote „Anthem to arms“ that is anti war song but also includes anti religion ideas, „Confrontation“ talks about a man confronting with himself, with his demons & final „Requiem for ego“ is a hymn about the evil side of human ego and what we truly are when our ego diminishes.
-AVICULARIA is a Croatian band. If I mention this, it's because your scene is almost unknown to me. Can you raise the veil on the Croatian metal scene and recommend us some good bands? Do you have some veteran bands into heavy, death or black metal? Is foreign metal music popular in Croatia? Do you also have to bear this terrible wave of deathcore/neodeath/emoshit bands?
Yeah, sure! When talking generally about history of Croatian metal bands, there were many of them but only few international successful like Anesthesia, Ashes You Leave, Forlorn Legacy, Father... I would recommend to listen to „Ultimate Croatian Metal“that is collection of 5 CD you can download for free here: http://rapidshare.com/users/GY8F1V . And yes we have lots of deathcore/emo crap as everywhere. In my opinion some of the finest underground metal acts that still exist are: USUD (www.myspace.com/kultkrvi), INSOLITVS (www.myspace.com/insolitvs) , TRUE (www.myspace.com/truezrud), DRAMA (www.myspace.com/dramadoom), CZAAR (www.myspace.com/bandczaar), EXCUSE FOR PAIN (www.myspace.com/excuseforpain), INFERNAL TENEBRA (www.myspace.com/infernaltenebra).
-Do you have good equipment and rehearsal places for music in Croatia? How is considered extreme music out there? Is this considered as something marginal or is it accepted as any kind of music?
Metal music is not well accepted in Croatia. We are still very traditional country, people mostly listen to national folk music and MTV crap, so you can imagine how people react on extreme metal music. In capital Zagreb situation is a bit better, just like in every big city there is decent number of rehearsal places and about 4-5 clubs and 2 big venues where you can hear metal music. In last 5 years we had acts like Nile, Suffocation, Necrophagist, Sepultura, Iron Maiden, Machine Head...etc. This year was extremely filled with metal concerts so I guess situation is getting better. I think metal will always stay marginal music in our society. You know it is not easy to be musician here, it is very expensive sport. I was saving money for years to get some decent amp and guitars; we are really on our own.
-Looking at some pictures on your MySpace page you guys seem really to have fun playing together. You play brutal and complex music but don't take yourself too seriously. You don't hesitate to distort or deformed your faces, taking funny pictures, etc...Why don't you play the tough guys with spikes and evil poses in the snow at night? Is it a way to piss the evil dudes off because they don't consider you as "true" if you see what I mean ahah!!
No, we don't really give a damn. We enjoy doing our music and don't care about how people will react. Like us, hate us – it is same to me. Avicularia is not the kind of band that is trying to look true on stage, although I think stage presence is very important. It is just, when playing live we are more concentrated on our musical performance than on stage acting. Talking about goofy faces, I'm usually the most serious guy in the band – blame it on other three hahaha!!!
-I would keep talking about the Eastern metal scene, which is more known for the grindcore stream (mostly from Czech Rep) with for example CARNAL DIAFRAGMA, MALIGNANT TUMOUR, MINCING FURY, PIGSTY and hundreds more. The death metal is less represented with bands like DESTROYING DIVINITY (Czech), ENTHRALLMENT (Bulgaria), ARHONT (Macedonia), DAGGERSPAWN (Serbia), etc... According to you why death metal is less represented in Eastern countries? Is this a less popular style beside grindcore? I think things are changing because bands find labels to release their music.
I really don't know why is grindcore more accepted in Eastern Europe than death metal. I guess people like to jump around and get wild on it. Maybe it is because grind is all about few guys jumping on the stage and making noise. Many of these countries still have bad post transition difficulties, especially when talking about economy. Socialist regime repressed people for so many years, and then brutal neo-capitalism came…I guess it is the way for people to say „fuck the system“! Since grind derivates from punk and punk by its nature is all about rebellion...I think this makes sense. I think death metal is more introverted music style, it is the music you want to listen alone in your bedroom, and grindcore is more social, more like drinking music when you hang out with your crew. Or maybe I’m wrong. Maybe it is just the way the people are.
-"Born to be vile" is released by Croatia Records. Who are the people involved in this label? How is the promotion working? How people can get your album and merchandising? Do you find any distributors worldwide? How is the feedback about "Born to be vile"?
Croatia Records is major label in Croatia that usually does not distribute metal music. We got studio to record this album and limited edition of CDs, but not promotion and distribution. We still do these things on our own and currently are looking for an international label that is willing to distribute merch and promote us. Right now you can buy album and t-shirts directly from us on our email: avicularia.band@gmail.com . We sent CDs to numerous webzines and magazines and so far reactions are very positive all-around. I think we shall have no problem finding the right label.
-Do you still believe in the physical musical format, that is to say vinyl, tape or CD? We can see today bands selling their music on mp3 platforms like I-tunes or things like that. Personally even if the mp3 quality increases quite well sound wise, I can't limit myself getting a virtual release. I like looking at the CD booklet or LP layout. What do you think about all of this?
MP3 format is extremely practical, you can carry great amount of music with you, access to huge amount of different music you otherwise would never hear and the most important - it is free. I know that most of them are not legal, I know all about the authors’ rights, hell I am one of them now! So, if you google phrase “Avicularia torrent” you’ll get at least 30 direct links to download our album. And you can’t stop it, and I don’t want to stop it because it is the way for people around the world to hear our music. And some people, who liked it, send us mail and order CDs and t-shirts. I personally like having CDs but don’t buy them much because of two practical reasons: First, I don’t have anymore free time to sit down in front of some nice Hi-Fi and enjoy the music, and second - it is expensive. Like it or not you can’t change this. And don’t get me wrong, I used to be that kid that spent his last money on brand new CD rather than going to pub with friends. But physical format will survive for sure, you have to have a CD, especially at live shows.
-How many shows did AVICULARIA play? Do you share the stages with foreign bands? Is it easy to organize concerts and festivals and how is usually the people affluence at gigs? Are the metalheads supportive?As I said previously, Croatia has very small metal scene. Our state has only about 4,5 million inhabitants, so it is natural to go internationally it is the only way. So far we played only in Croatia, and this fall/winter some international gigs are coming. We shared stage with some names you might know like Quo Vadis(Can), Disinfect(DE), Distaste(A), and some local “bigger” names like Stonebride, The Rite of Retaliation, Usud, Inciter…There are bunch of people, I could say fans, that attend our show regularly and are very supportive – they make us feel worthy and proud of music we do. As Far as I know, Avicularia is the only band in Croatia doing this kind of extreme metal music.
-Please react or say something about the following records:
-ATHEIST "Elements": One awesome album! Man I should listen that old stuff more often, you just reminded me on time when I intensively enjoined bands like Cynic, Death, Pestilence and I always put Atheist there. Amazing concept in general, musicianship and AN IDEA, one of the most amazing jazz/death metal fusions. Album is very fluid and dynamic and this is the same thing I want to happen with our music in the future.
-DEATH "The sound of perseverance": It was always hard for me to pick the favorite Death album, but their last masterpiece is the real crown of Chuck’s work. Most technical album to me, also the first Death album I’ve ever hearted back in 1998, and album I’ve listened many, many times. It instantly reminds me on Chuck and his tragic fate and what kind of genious stuff would we listen from Death today if he was still around. These are the last words of the father of death metal – it is a Bible to me!
-AGHORA "Aghora": Awesome fusion of prog/thrash metal with oriental/ambient stuff. I always get the trills from guitar work of Santiago Dobles on that album. This guy is one of the most impressive players I’ve ever heard and other musicians follow him tightly. But I never liked the way the vocals were done. I would like to hear her screaming from her guts on heavier parts. To me her vocal lacks dynamics and it gets me bored when listening a while. But Santiago, he is the man!
-GORGUTS "Obscura": First when I heard this album it took me some time to digest it, to understand it. Very complex and original album, definitely on my top 10 list. It inspired me to take different approach to playing and was and still is great influence on Avicularia’s music. There is a song “Clouded” that lasts for almost 10 minutes and when I come to that song it feels like it lasts an hour! It is that sick and disturbing, like everlasting agony. It makes me nervous sometimes…hahahah
-CRYPTOPSY "the unspoken king": After that album people started to call them Craptopsy but it is not that bad. I’ve listened many times and liked it like every Cryptopsy album. New vocal style was quite the shock, but hey, Cryptopsy was always about innovations and this is the reason I’ve been following them for years. This band has no two same albums; every one has different vibe and is original. For a long time they were my favorite band and if I had to pick the worst album it would be “Once was not”. To me golden era ended with “...And than you’ll beg” when Jon left the band. That is the last masterpiece of Cryptopsy, and I hope they’ll get on that road again with next album.
-SUFFOCATION "Blood oath": The best production Suffocation ever had, but not my favorite album. It is funny that I can’t tell why, but album after 15-20 minutes of playing becomes boring. It lacks something but I can’t tell what, it sounds so perfect but does not give me that thrills like “Despise the sun” does.
-PORTAL "Outre": Man, I haven’t heard of this guys until now(God bless mp3). Interesting post/black metal stuff! On first listening it instantly reminded me on Mayhem “Ordo ab Chao” because its atmosphere and Lo-Fi production. Not bad indeed, but I’ll give them a few more listenings for better insight.
-Let us know about your recent musical purchases. What records would you recommend to our narrow-minded readers? On the contrary what's the most terrible stuff you have heard recently and we should avoid?
Recently I’m intensively listening to local demo bands and there are lots of great talents, so have a listen to some of than I recommended. Lately, beside metal, I’m listening lots of post rock and experimental stuff, instrumental stuff like Terry Bozzio, Frank Gambale. There are some impressive bands your readers might find interesting like King Crimson. They have been great inspiration to me. It is one of the most amazing bands in music generally and everyone should give them a chance. I suggest to start with albums “Red” and “Power to believe”. If you like instrumental acoustic guitar try to anything from “Miroslav Tadic & Vlatko Stefanovski”, there are virtuosos from Serbia and Macedonia that can easily be compared with guitar greats like Al DiMeola, Paco DeLucia, Joe Satriani…etc. Talking about new metal releases I hope everyone heard “Ulcerate – Everything is fire”. If not, this one is a must! I think they are Immolation of new era, the most intense and original death metal band I’ve heard in years. “Obscura – Cosmogenesics”is also awesome, “Augury - Fragmentary_Evidence”, “Gorod - Process of a new decline”, of course new Nile album…dude, there are too many of them. Stuff I don’t like I usually don’t remember, so – none!
-It's over now, thank you very much for your kind cooperation answering my questions. Let us know what we can expect from AVICULARIA in a near future. You also can end this chat the way you want. Keep on being vile!
It was my pleasure answering your questions that were precise and interesting. I am happy that you gave us a chance for promotion in France and I’m sure we’ll manage to make few live gigs around your country. It is very nice to see international interest for our music, thank you for your attention and best wishes to keep Putrefactive Effect active and strong! And to all you metalheads: metal up you ass and keep the metal faith alive! Haha…No, this is too much cliché…Listen to Avicularia at www.myspace.com/aviculariaband and if you dig us, ordering our album. Thank you all!
lundi 10 mai 2010
CEMETERY URN Urn of blood Review
CEMETERY URN (Australia) – Urn of bloodCD 2007 – Modern Invasion Music
8 tracks - 31'29
Rated: 8/10
CEMETERY URN is the kind of band that makes my zine worth existing; the band features many great names of the Australian underground but that's not our main concern here, go on Metal Archives for that. We have pure death metal here, at least the way I consider it to be as intended: dirty, rotten, dark, brutal, heavy (this heaviness can remind early BOLT THROWER) and with low vocals, in the traditional 90's US death metal. I target here the early recordings of INCANTATION and IMMOLATION of course. CU assimilates the US style and turns it into some Australian death metal with the particular drum-style you can hear in bands like ABOMINATOR or DESTRUKTOR. CU adds some thrashy parts (à la POSSESSED) and manages to spawn a hellish death metal album. Nothing original though but you can't deny the soul catching effect.
The tracks are short, with many evil sounding guitar riffs and this is here the main force of CU: they are able to create this uncomfortable, dark and malevolent aura all along this half-an-hour of death metal. And all those fucking great lead guitars, how some bands can miss such important things in metal? Here these leads are developping the mood in such way it could make the Swedish death metal bands jealous.
You understand this release must be in any death metal collection.
Contact: Modern Invasion Music – PO BOX 777 Moorabbin – Melbourne AUSTRALIA 3189
http://www.myspace.com/cemeteryurn
HEAVING EARTH demo 2008 review
HEAVING EARTH (Czech Republic) – Vision of the vulturesDemo CD 2008 – Nihilistic Holocaust Records
3 tracks - 12'49
Rated: 7/10
Czech Republic is more the land of numerous grindcore or goregrind acts with unreadable logos, and death metal is something rare out there so let's welcome this demo gladly especially if it contains many qualities. HEAVING EARTH is a cunning student of the US death metal scene, not modern death metal but not old school death metal either. Homing ex-members of INTERVALLE BIZARRE, you can expect good musicianship, and that's the case here with 3 tracks of dark brutal death metal, with many twisted and complex riffs reminding IMMOLATION (the last records) or even some GORGUTS (the two last records but not as crazy and technical). The band is also quite brutal and fast and seems influenced by a band like HATE ETERNAL. The speed isn't seeked for fastness sake or to impress like the actual contest it seems to be in the US (probably to get signed by Unique Leader) no, HEAVING EARTH is looking for good compositions and if this demo only owns 3 tracks, they all have indeniable qualities (killer fucking guitar solos!). They should take their distance with the HATE ETERNAL influence to avoid being considered as a clone or a follower, but that's a satisfying debut and a promising one.
Contact: Nihilistic Holocaust c/o Gabriel S – 9 rue de la Scarpe – 59552 LAMBRES LEZ DOUAI – FRANCE
gabsk@wanadoo.fr
http://www.myspace.com/heavingearthcz
KHÖLD VALLEY demo 2009 review
KHÖLD VALLEY (France) – S/T
Demo Tape 2009 – Nuclear Thrash Prod
8 tracks - 23'05
Rated: 4/10
The hyperactive Jeff send me one of his numerous projects. This one is the second demo of his thrash metal oriented band KHÖLD VALLEY. Influenced by bands like SLAYER (whose « Agressive perfector » is the ending cover song), TESTAMENT, KREATOR and probably crossover bands like SUICIDAL TENDANCIES or SOD (whose "March of the SOD" is the opening covered track here). The result is some sonic ripping thrash metal with even some thrash/death touches sometimes, but that's just a cool demo. It's probably due to two things. First one is that KHÖLD VALLEY uses drum-programming, and even if it gives some tightness and coldness to the whole, I like my thrash metal with a human vibe, a sick motherfucker that beats the skin as if it was his last day on earth, sweating and bleeding!
Second point, the vocals are low mid-grunts that didn't fit the music according to me and they sound powerless, a bit like the guy got a cold and recorded his vocals ill with a scarf in a 10°C room. Beside this, it's ok musically, even if some silly half-drunk played solos would have been a nice option as well.
Contact: jeffboss07@hotmail.com
Demo Tape 2009 – Nuclear Thrash Prod
8 tracks - 23'05
Rated: 4/10
The hyperactive Jeff send me one of his numerous projects. This one is the second demo of his thrash metal oriented band KHÖLD VALLEY. Influenced by bands like SLAYER (whose « Agressive perfector » is the ending cover song), TESTAMENT, KREATOR and probably crossover bands like SUICIDAL TENDANCIES or SOD (whose "March of the SOD" is the opening covered track here). The result is some sonic ripping thrash metal with even some thrash/death touches sometimes, but that's just a cool demo. It's probably due to two things. First one is that KHÖLD VALLEY uses drum-programming, and even if it gives some tightness and coldness to the whole, I like my thrash metal with a human vibe, a sick motherfucker that beats the skin as if it was his last day on earth, sweating and bleeding!
Second point, the vocals are low mid-grunts that didn't fit the music according to me and they sound powerless, a bit like the guy got a cold and recorded his vocals ill with a scarf in a 10°C room. Beside this, it's ok musically, even if some silly half-drunk played solos would have been a nice option as well.
Contact: jeffboss07@hotmail.com
CRUCIFIX Threnody of the crucifix Review
CRUCIFIX (Denmark) – Threnody of the crucifixCD 2008 – Aural Offerings Records
12 tracks - 43'31
Rated: 6,5/10
Despite the fact that CRUCIFIX was born in 1993, this is just their first album after a handful of demos. Better late than never some may say, so what this record has to offer? I'm usually quite satisified with the death metal scene from Denmark with good bands like INIQUITY, CORPUS MORTALE, ECITON, DOWNLORD, EXMORTEM, PANZERCHRIST (although their use and abuse of keyboards are sometimes upsetting for my ears!), etc... CRUCIFIX could join the league easily with their interesting satanic and brutal death metal. They have the same intensity shared with EXMORTEM (the plastic drums as well) but CRUCIFIX thought it could be intelligent to add slower parts or breaks to prevent the listener from boredom. A major point with this instense release is the fury unleashed by CRUCIFIX than can remind the best days of DEICIDE or I would compare CRUCIFIX to the US band DISINTER. They have some good tracks like « Behind the veil of illusion » (ironically their slowest song) « The cleansing storm » (even if the opening riff reminds me a another's band's riff!) but not enough to achieve a killer release though. CRUCIFIX has still to improve the songwriting, the musical mastery and brutality are here but instead of killing the priest, put the crucifix straight in the nun's cunt.
Contact: AURAL OFFERINGS – BP 89 – 43003 LE PUY EN VELAY Cedex – FRANCE
auralofferings@hotmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/crucifix666
dimanche 9 mai 2010
RAPE, PILLAGE AND BURN Songs of death...songs of hell Review
RAPE PILLAGE AND BURN (US) – Songs of death...songs of hell
MCD 2009 – Obliteration Records
5 tracks - 16'31
Rated: 6/10
This name probably isn't familiar to you even if the band exists since 1997 and features two members of DIVINE EVE. This EP is released 12 years after and smells the old school death metal as expected.
You have here 5 tracks that go right to the point, catchy but not enough to stick in your mind. The music itself is inherited from the glorious days of bands like early DEATH, AUTOPSY, DISMEMBER, UNLEASHED, ENTOMBED, ASPHYX...
The funniest thing is that RP&B sounds more European to me, you have fast parts of course mixed with heavy ones, but the band never tried to sound modern or to reach fast tempos (no blast-beats!). A band is attached to the 90's death metal and that's probably why this EP was initially released by Ibex Moon Records. It's a cool death metal MCD with war themes for fans of the bands mentioned above plus stuff like PENTACLE or BOLT THROWER. But I'm not sure I could endure a full release as it lacks a bit of something to be really groundbreaking.
Contact: OBLITERATION records – 3-32-1-3F Higashi Ueno, Taito-Ku – TOKYO 110 0015 JAPAN
http://www.obliteration.jp/
http://www.myspace.com/rapepillageandburn666
MCD 2009 – Obliteration Records
5 tracks - 16'31
Rated: 6/10
This name probably isn't familiar to you even if the band exists since 1997 and features two members of DIVINE EVE. This EP is released 12 years after and smells the old school death metal as expected.
You have here 5 tracks that go right to the point, catchy but not enough to stick in your mind. The music itself is inherited from the glorious days of bands like early DEATH, AUTOPSY, DISMEMBER, UNLEASHED, ENTOMBED, ASPHYX...
The funniest thing is that RP&B sounds more European to me, you have fast parts of course mixed with heavy ones, but the band never tried to sound modern or to reach fast tempos (no blast-beats!). A band is attached to the 90's death metal and that's probably why this EP was initially released by Ibex Moon Records. It's a cool death metal MCD with war themes for fans of the bands mentioned above plus stuff like PENTACLE or BOLT THROWER. But I'm not sure I could endure a full release as it lacks a bit of something to be really groundbreaking.
Contact: OBLITERATION records – 3-32-1-3F Higashi Ueno, Taito-Ku – TOKYO 110 0015 JAPAN
http://www.obliteration.jp/
http://www.myspace.com/rapepillageandburn666
CYPHOSIS Gods torned Review
CYPHOSIS (Finland) – Gods torned
CD 2008 – Self released
10 tracks - 41'04
Rated: 4,5/10
A finnish band playing some melodeath that's quite unusual for me as I usually expect death metal or even uncompromising black metal. These guys are into the Gothenburp style, the glorious days of IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILITY or SOILWORK. Not that it's completely bad, but nothing exciting really. They play a blend of heavy/death/thrash metal with nice melodies, cool solos, modern riffing somtimes to make you groove baby and even some brutality, but nothing to shock Grandma brutal death. CYPHOSIS isn't the worst melodic death metal band, it's just that I'm not too much into that style. They have cool moments but also some more lame ones. They have a balance between growls (really powerful) and clean vocals (these last ones remind me SENTENCED something between « Amok » and « Frozen » era). If you're into that kind of stuff it could be an interesting purchase, but CYPHOSIS is far from causing any metallic cirrhosis.....
http://www.myspace.com/cyphosis
CD 2008 – Self released
10 tracks - 41'04
Rated: 4,5/10
A finnish band playing some melodeath that's quite unusual for me as I usually expect death metal or even uncompromising black metal. These guys are into the Gothenburp style, the glorious days of IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILITY or SOILWORK. Not that it's completely bad, but nothing exciting really. They play a blend of heavy/death/thrash metal with nice melodies, cool solos, modern riffing somtimes to make you groove baby and even some brutality, but nothing to shock Grandma brutal death. CYPHOSIS isn't the worst melodic death metal band, it's just that I'm not too much into that style. They have cool moments but also some more lame ones. They have a balance between growls (really powerful) and clean vocals (these last ones remind me SENTENCED something between « Amok » and « Frozen » era). If you're into that kind of stuff it could be an interesting purchase, but CYPHOSIS is far from causing any metallic cirrhosis.....
http://www.myspace.com/cyphosis
KATHGOR demo 2009 Review
KATHGOR (Malaysia) – Descendants from the depthDemo tape 2009 – Self released
4 tracks
Rated: 8/10
Impressive demo tape; not that it crushes the established laws of death metal, but more in the way KATHGOR practices death metal. The chosen path is the 90's death metal, with a thrash metal edge, quite common stuff but at least they didn't chose the old school Swedish death metal ground as it's cool to do it today. After a clear sound introduction that set up a kind of haunting atmoshpere, you get engulfed in a death/thrash sphere reminding bands like INCUBUS, RESURRECTION or early MALEVOLENT CREATION. Many catchy heabanging parts appears as well as nice guitar solos (torture that whammy bar!!!), the band is conscious to incorporate memorable parts, a good point. The early works of MORBID ANGEL and SINISTER can help to situate the level of brutality KATHGOR can reach. The demo sound has a crude side I like, everything is audible maybe except the bass, drums are a bit too loud especially during the blasting parts, but still it's a detail.
Any voracious demo tape eater shall get this tape if they're into the brutal death/thrash metal with a die-hard spirit.
mardi 4 mai 2010
KATHGOR interview 2009
It's a hard task to get aware of what happened in the most exotic parts of the planet when it comes to metal of death. If South American countries get more exposure these last years, the same cannot be said about the a country like Malaysia; it's partly due to the unsafe postal services and the customs. A young but determined band called KATHGOR contacted me some time ago, and I was glad to hear a band practicing such good old thrashy metal of death. Read those words by Ratna SD about her band, and her impressive knowledge of the Malaysian undergroundscene.-My most putrid greetings to you Ratna! Welcome to the graveyard of Putrefactive Effect Zine! You're the vocalist of a young death metal band from Malaysia, so our readers need an introduction about KATHGOR. Tell us everything about the band's creation and the important dates. And what's the meaning behind your moniker?
Morbid greetings to you Jim! It is an honor for us to be interviewed by you in Putrefactive Effect Zine. Well, the idea of making KATHGOR existed quite sometime ago (1999-2000) actually, way before I helped and joined the other 2 bands. It was difficult back then to find suitable line ups with an underground spirits. While I was searching for band mates, I was being asked by a bassist from a death metal band in Singapore to join them. It wasn’t that long after I left them because I realized that they’re heading in the wrong path. At the same time I was busy completing my degree. Not later after that, a drummer from a grindcore band called me to join in with them. We managed to play gigs in Jakarta and several other places and recorded a split with a legendary grindcore band called AGATHOCLES. Nearing the end of 2008 (somewhere in July or August), I decided to quit and left the band immediately as I no longer have any interest to be involved with that band. The current bassist (Ayen) in KATHGOR (also in REAPER and VAULT) was also playing in that grindcore band and he was a new member at that time, also decided to call it a quit. The urge to form KATHGOR grew stronger and stronger each day and at last after few thoughts, I asked A’it, Ibi and Ayen to join me. They immediately agreed. The three of them are my friends and at the same have their own thrash metal band called REAPER. From that day onwards, we gather up at our usual place and practice new songs. Then in February 2009, “Descendants from The Depth” was born. The name KATHGOR was actually taken from an article of satan that I read quite sometime ago. KATHGOR is a Greek word which means “accuser”. Actually, the name itself has got nothing to do with our songs.
-Your first release is the demo tape « Descendants from the depth » limited to 200 copies. Why did you choose the tape format for your first demo? It would have been easier to spread it on CDR. Did you release this demo on your own or have you been helped by any label/distro/friends? Where did you press the tape?
I like the old underground way. TAPE IS KULT!!! (Even though nowadays most of them said that tape is not up to date and bla bla bla…fuck that crap!). During the good old underground days, most of the underground bands used and spread their demos in tape format and flyers while nowadays you can see new bands upload their songs for the whole world to listen without even releasing any official material at all. If financial is the matter, that’s bullshit! It is as if, what they have done all these while (making songs…setting up the band and so on and so forth) is worth to be uploaded only. I’m not against those who use myspace as a medium to be known or to spread their music for the whole world to listen, be it your way and it’s not going to be mine. To me, this spirit of the underground way should not be buried and should be preserved. I don’t have anything against bands who wants to spread their stuffs in cd-r, but personally I like the good old way of spreading demo in tape format (be it in pro-tape or dubbing in an empty tape…DIY RULES!). I sent this demo tape to several labels, distros and close comrades of mine. A local label “Basement Records” (Mal) did help me distribute the stuffs to other labels outside from Malaysia. I traded this tape with other labels like Deathrasharmageddon (Jpn), Nuclear Winter (Gr), Rockstakk Records (Jpn), Terror from Hell (Italy) and etc…Actually not many metalheads here knows the existence of KATHGOR, only to certain people…. some did asked me why did I want to press it in tape format instead because they thought it was expensive, but the truth is, it’s quite cheap here to press a tape. Don’t get me wrong, the reason I want to press this demo in a tape format is not because it is cheaper! To press a tape will cost you around RM 1.30 which in France Francs around 1.74 Francs. The tape was pressed at a local pressing store in Kuala Lumpur.
-KATHGOR is rooted in the 90's era of death metal, with some European but mostly American influences. Bands like MORBID ANGEL (old), POSSESSED, UNLEASHED, etc... come to mind as influences as well as thrash/death bands like INCUBUS, SOLSTICE or early MALEVOLENT CREATION. Actually, I find KATHGOR rather close to THRONEUM probably because of the the crude drums sound, fast parts, harsh screamed vocals... What are the major inspiration of the band members? Is KATHGOR your first band or did some of the band members play in other bands before?
Yes, it’s true when you said that our influences come from early death metal style. Close to Throneum? Well, if that’s what you think, then I respect your point of view. Every listener has different point of views. Our major inspirations comes from Death Metal Gods such as Obituary, Vomitory, Death, Mortem, Morbid, Benediction, Incubus, Morbid Angel, Malevolent Creation..…etc. Kathgor is not our first band. In fact, before Kathgor was born, I was involved in a death metal band from Singapore and an old styled grindcore band. ..a’it, ayen and ibi have their own thrash metal band called REAPER which is still active until now and they are also playing in VAULT now.
-KATHGOR is an old school deathmetal band, but why have you chosen the path of metal of death? What is particular to this style according to you and what is your definition of death metal? Give me also your milestones albums of death metal.
Because “only DEATH is REAL!!!”…I chose this path because of my interest in death metal music. I do listen to other genre as well like heavy metal, thrash metal, black metal, speed metal, old style grindcore (no fucking porn gore grind shit), crust and punk. There’s no restriction in to what I listen to. Death metal is simply death metal. Heavy fucking distorted guitar riffs doom morbid sound, and pounding drums. The best death metal albums to me are Possessed “Seven Churches”, Death “Scream Bloody Gore”/”Leprosy”/”Spiritual Healing”, Morbid Angel “Altars of Madness”, Dark Throne “Soulside Journey”, Obituary “Slowly We Rot”, Sepultura “Beneath the Remains”, Entombed “Left Hand Path”/”Clandestine”, Cancer “Death Shall Rise”, Carnage “Dark Recollections”, Comecon “Megatrends in brutality”/“Converging Conspiracies”, Grave “Into the Grave”/”You’ll never see….”,Dismember “Like an ever flowing stream”, Merciless “The Awakening”/”Unbound”,Vomitory “Raped in their own blood”, Mortem “Demon Tales”/”The devil speaks in tongues”, Dismember “Indecent and obscene”, Unleashed “Where no life dwells”, Edge of Sanity “The Spectral Sorrows”, Benediction “Subconscious Terror”, Disharmonic Orchestra “Not to be undimensional Conscious”,Tiamat “Sumerian Cry”, Cemetary “An evil shade of grey”, Afflicted “Prodigal Sun”, Carbonized “For the security”,Centinex “Subconscious Lobotomy”, Desultory “Bitterness”, Epitaph “Seeming Salvation”,God Macabre “The Winterlong”,Gorement “the ending quest”, Hypocrisy “Obsculum Obscenum”, Megaslaughter “Calls from the beyond”, Morpheus “Son of Hypnos”, Séance “Fornever laid to rest”, Sorcery ”Bloodchilling Tales”, In Aeternum “Forever Blasphemy”,Traumatic “Spasmodic Climax”,Uncanny “Splenium for nyktophobia”,Vader “the ultimate incantation”,Malevolent Creation “the ten commandments”,Deicide “Deicide”/”Legion”/”Once upon the cross”, Silent Death “Before the sunrise”, Bolt Thrower “Realm of Chaos”…It’s not in proper order…maybe I left out a few… but those are the best death metal albums to me that I can list out.
-Another proof of your infatuation to the old school way is the lay-out of the tape. You did a xeroxed cut & paste artwork. Can we say artwork goes along with the music and is at least, as important as the music itself? Would you say it can give an idea of the band's state of mind?I always like a xeroxed, cut and paste artwork. It reminds me of the old demo of an old school underground band during the era of 80’s and 90’s. Personally I think by doing everything by yourself (Xeroxed, cut and paste artwork) makes you appreciate more and you’ll feel more satisfied because you do everything by yourself. In a way, you will appreciate more on your own hard work in releasing your own demo. Yes, you can say that the artwork goes along with the music.
-A more general question about metal music, considering that it was a rejected style at the very beginning (from heavy metal to black metal), and today it becomes an almost accepted musical stream. How do you personally see the evolution of this impious music through the years and how do you foresee its future?
When bands such as Possessed and Onslaught came out at the same time in 1985 with “Seven Churches” and “Power from Hell”…they already started lyrically about death metal. Some said Possessed started Death Metal but some said it was Onslaught from their song “Death Metal”…it was a bit confusing…at that time, metalheads were banging their heads listening to it…why you said it was a rejected style when I never seen or known that it’s being rejected? But it is quite a norm when one genre evolves and some might not be ready to accept it at that time. Anyways, the evolution started from the early 80’s where death metal started to rise from bands such as Possessed, Onslaught, Death and etc until now where you can see death metal evolves to a more technical brutal death such as Nile. Some hate it and some like it. All I can say is if the spirits of death metal is there, then there will be no reason why there’s no future to it.
-KATHGOR has neither website nor Myspace page, so is it just a matter of time before you get one or will you remain at the email & snailmail stage?
I never like the idea of using myspace as a medium to introduce your band or songs to the metalheads all across the world. Yes, it is true if some may say that it is easier (only for those who want to be known as fast as possible…haha!) I have nothing against those who does that. I prefer the old underground way where those time people still appreciate things like flyers and demo tapes. I like to preserve that. Nowadays no doubt there are still metalheads that appreciate that kind of method… Now, I will remain at the e-mail and snail mail only….
-Until today, how many copies have you spread for promotion? H ow are the feedbacks about “Descendants...”? Are you into tape/CDR trading, sometimes it's better to spread music this way coz people are sometimes reluctant to send cash in a letter and prefer trading?
So far I’ve spread only around 50 copies of the demo. I received good feedbacks and I am very thankful for that. Some of them didn’t give me any feedbacks at all; most probably they don’t like our stuff? …I’ve never face any problem yet with those who are reluctant to send cash. I will always advice them to send the cash in a registered letter. But I’m much happier if they want to trade and I don’t accept tape trade with cd-r. It’s either way, trade or sending cash in a registered letter, is fine with me.
-What is you favorite format for the music; CD, tape, vinyl or MP3? Each one has good and bad sides, hasn't they? Vinyl is praised by die-hard metalheads but sometimes reaches absurd prices because of rare editions, whereas CD and mp3 are more convenient but “trendy” and “soulless” according to some people. What is your viewpoint?
Definitely tape and vinyl. I do have cds as well. I have some cd-r in which I got it from bands..haha! To me, the sound that you find on tapes and vinyl are totally different compared to the sound you listen on cds….don’t you agree? That’s because the sound on the tapes or vinyl’s are more analogue compared to cd which is more digital sound. MP3? I don’t support mp3 at all. I have nothing against those who support mp3, maybe it’s the easier way for them..i don’t know. Nowadays, you can see how easy it is for people to download songs on the internet. That’s because there are websites that provides downloading sections for songs to be downloaded. And metalkids nowadays are proud to say that they have listen to this and that and brag about it….but never own it. It is sick to watch all of these happens. To me, downloading is the poison that kills the underground scene!!!
-Now let's focus on your metal scene. Can you first give us a description of the maintream metal scene (what is the most popular & what is listened by the average metalkids) and then talk about the more underground side. I have not a big knowledge about metal music in Malaysia, I know very few bands like SILENT DEATH or NECROTIC CHAOS, as well as my main contact remains Wan Syamsul of Afterlife Prods / Deadhead Zine. What can you say about good actual bands, labels and zines? Please talk about it to give an overview to our curious readers!
I don’t really know what metalkids listen to nowadays. Most probably metal songs on myspace maybe. Haha! Some of the newcomer here in Malaysia spread their materials by uploading it on myspace. I think this happens in other countries as well, don’t you agree?... I have nothing against those who wants to do it that way, go ahead. But it’s a disappointment to know that people no longer appreciate flyers and demo tapes. Remember those days when you can see flyers here and there and bands came out with self-produced demo tape…why can’t it be like that now? We can’t blame the internet. It’s the mentality of some people that maybe do not know or appreciate the way that makes us appreciate more in what we do. Mainstream or underground is the matter of making own choices and knowing what you want. No one is blaming you if you belong in the mainstream or underground scene. To me, underground means community and unity in the scene and should be preserved and not to be destroyed!
In Malaysia, there are changes all throughout the years, from the early days of spreading flyers, tape trading, demos until the day where the metalkids only downloads or uploads their songs on the internet. Back then there were a lot of good bands during those days that I personally like here, besides the great SILENT DEATH and NECROTIC CHAOS are RATOR, NECROFIST (later changed their name to NEBIRAS), TORMENTOR, BRAINDEAD, NEMESIS, MUTILATION, MAZE OF TORMENT,LAMIA, SRI MANKAT (later changed their name to ARADIA), MISANTHROPE (later changed their name to RAVENLORD), ABSURD, BLASPHERIAN (later changed their name to NARSAMUM,) NUCLEAR DEATH (later changed their name to OPERATION CORPSE), ENDLESS, BLACK FIRE,KREMATION, SUFFERCATION, MANTRA, DIRTY COFFIN (later changed their name to IMMORTAL FLY), CREMATORY (Mal), BLACK JESUS, INFERNAL VOID, NAKARATUL KHAUM, KITANAICHI and also there are rare bands that released one or two demos in the early era of 1990’s such as IAK SAKKAH, MASCARA (black death), VULGA (black death…a demo was recently being re-released under Afterlife production in which their songs were taken from MASROHENDT/TEARS&PROMISE split), NOVATOR, WINNOWING WINDS, SAKARATUL, CARNEOUS, and INCREASES NOISE. As for zines, there are a lot of good zines existed around the year of 1987 until mid of 1990’s besides DEADHEAD ZINE that actually existed in the late 90’s early 2000.Good zines existed during the older days in Malaysia metal scene (around 1987 until mid of 90’s) are AEDES, THRASH ATTACK (later changed the zine’s name to VORTEX FROM THE EAST), HELL (the editor is one of the band member in a black death band called VULGA), EARSLAUGHTER,KRENMAUT, NOCTURNAL SLAVES, HORMALA, INFUSORIA (later changed it’s name to PUAKA ZINE), UNHOLY, THY UNHOLY ABYSS, ULTIMATE DARKNESS (the editor is no more in Malaysia, he migrated to UK), MINTAKULBURUJ, BRUTAL NOISE, MORTAL FLAMES, G.O.D (I forgot what it stands for), SWARM MAJESTY, GONDRONG, DEVOURMENT OF SOULS, FATAL LUCIFER, BLOKONG, ANGEL FROM HELL, PURI SILUMAN PEJAJARAN, CAPRICORN, RAHAB, NATHIAS, KROUT, UNHOLY PROPHECIES, KARAKATUAR, PUTREFYING REMAINS, SECTOR KROTONGKOL, ZULMAT, ABSURD EXISTENCE, DARK BOOK, and DARK WORDS. So far these are the good zines that I can still remember (layout and inlay are all cut and paste) and list it all out for you readers to know. There are a lot more good zines during that era that I may not even know because it’s too many. There are even zines that are actually in hand written! The birth of new zines nowadays is totally different than before. It seems like being an editor isn’t as easy as it looks…I didn’t say all, but some of the zines produced low quality reviews, information and even interview questions. I read a local zine which can be considered as a new zine from east Malaysia, made me want to throw it in a dust bin, the editor only talks about the layout and the artwork of the material without even giving any good details or any comparison on the bands songs. Well, I didn’t say that it is wrong to talk about layout and stuffs, but if all the reviews for every bands are the same (talking about layout, artwork and shit stuffs like that) what do you think? Is it worth to read such zines or is it worthless? This kind of zines bores me to death. I don’t even bother to read it again or to wait for the next issue…anyways, here’s the list of good labels that I know existed at that time: EVIL GRINDER (later changed their name to EAST GOTHIC PRODUCTION), SMALL BUDGET (later changed its name to MUZIKBOX PRODUCTION), NORTHPOEM RECORDS, PSYCHIC SCREAM and NEBIULA PRODUCTION. Those are the big labels in Malaysia. Beside big labels like that, there are also small distro labels such as KAPRIKORNUS and METALLATRIA RECORDS. I’m not really sure if these labels are still active or not. I don’t really keep much track on the latest Malaysian scene, but as far as I know, there are some good new bands,labels and small distros here.
-As far as I know, it is not an easy task being a metalhead, playing in a band or running a label in your country.20The government, religion and mainly the customs are among your worst enemies. What do you need to take care of to avoid being bothered? When sending or getting letters/packages, what people need to do to avoid disappearances or troubles? To which extent you could be punished by the law? Showing satanic symbols/beliefs can get you into troubles or mentalities have changed and today nobody cares?
As far as I know, there’s seems to be no problem at all now. Yes, it is true that some of the metalheads faced problems involving the customs and KDN…all the parcel must be as descent as possible or else it will be checked, confiscated and being charged of a penalty. Yes, it is a troublesome for us all. Some of them did order too many until the custom officer thought they’re escaping from tax charges! There’s risk, but so far, as long as the parcel looks decent enough, there won’t be any problem with it at all coz most of the parcels I received are all okay. There’s really nothing to be worried about…seriously. There’s nothing actually…Well, here u can walk along the streets with metal shirt and beer in your hands…nothing will happen to you as long as you didn’t make any chaotic scene on the streets. Nowadays, everything is quite okay because the mentalities of some narrow minded people have changed a bit.
-Concerning the gigs organization, is this something possible for small bands like KATHGOR or is it illegal and you have to arrange secret gigs? How many gigs did you perform? How is usually the people attendance at gigs? Do you have good beer in Kajang? What are the best alcohols out there?
As for gigs, the organizer must have a permit or license to organize a gig or else, there will be trouble before the gig ends. There are no secret gigs unless someone organize one...Haha! KATHGOR haven’t got the chance to perform any gig yet here because not many metalheads here in Malaysia knows the existence of KATHGOR. That’s because I only spread few copies of the demo to my close comrades in Malaysia. Some of them metalheads who got to know about us did ask about our demo, but when they got to know it’s in a tape format, they’re a bit reluctant and even asked us, why we didn’t release it on the cd instead. I totally fucking ignore them!
Anyways, the attendance of the metalheads here is considered okay. But if compared to the attendance of metalheads out there i.e. like in Europe countries for instance, we’re outnumbered and that’s because Malaysia is not a big country at all. If you happen to come to Malaysia someday, I will bring you to see one of the gigs here. Aha! The BEER!!! It’s good to drink beer while listening to TANKARD!!! Haha! the beers here are just the normal ones like Carlsberg, Guinness, Heineken and etc…some take an alcoholic drink called Taisong. The percentage of alcohol in Taisong is very high and you’ll get drunk by just drinking one bottle! It’s also the cheapest. It can be considered as rare to you. If you come here, I will definitely treat you to drink Taisong! Another rare one I can suggest is Montoku. This kind of drink you can find in the east part of Malaysia. Very rare and very strong. They said first timer will not stand Montoku….but who knows; maybe some of the first timer may survive.Haha!
-”Descendants from the depth” is your first demo tape, so what is the next step for KATHGOR? Will you release another demo or do you think about releasing a full album? Is KATHGOR the kind of band who want to spread its name as fast as possible or on the contrary spread it slowly as a corpse's putrefaction?
A full album will be later, now we are currently in the process of releasing our 2nd demo (still in a tape format) in which we have completely done one song and the other two songs are still halfway done. I will inform to you once this demo is out. Actually we are still looking for labels that are interested to release our materials in tape/vinyl format…..How fast or slow it all depends as I’m spreading our band’s materials through flyers that’ll be sent through snail mail or e-mail….it all depends…
-The putrefactive question now: what were you listening to while answering my fucking questions? What are you latest metallic purchases and things you could recommend to our readers?
I’m listening to “At War with Temujin” by IMPIETY in “DOMINATOR” album while answering this question…when I started to answer the first question of your interview I was halfway listening to Morbid “December Moon” demo... My latest purchases are Magnus Lp “Scarlet Slaughterer” , ANNIHILATED “Part of Destruction” Cd, Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult “Evoking a Decade” Cd, The Accused Lp “The Return of Martha Splatterhead” (first press, luckily I managed to get it).Well, I’d highly recommend you to get VAULT materials which will be released somewhere around july under dying victim production (in tape format). Good speed thrashing riffs with awesome sound…..REAPER, a thrash metal band reigning from Kajang also in which most of the members are playing in VAULT and KATHGOR. They are in the process of releasing their first full length titled “ETERNAL DAMAGE” which will be released soon under a local label called Empayar Music Prod. (Mal) …the other one I can suggest is “IMPIETY “Terrorreign” album. Personally I think it’s the best album so far ever released from them. Hail the Mighty IMPIETY! ….D.N.S “Evoking a Decade”, awesome pure black metal reigning from German….
-We have now reach the end of this interview and I will quote the sentence on you flyer “in the end only death is real”. Thank you Ratna for your time and keep up the flame of Malaysian death metal burning. Add whatever you want to close this intie.Thank you for this awesome interview Jim. We wish you and Putrefactive Effect Zine only the best!!! Keep the metal flames burning!!! Yearghhhhhhhh!!! For underground metal maniacs out there who wants to ask about our demo, merchandise, trade (most WELCOME!), lyrics or band infos please do write to us at this address:
Ratna S.D
P.O BOX NO.41,
POS 2020 KAJANG,
43007 SELANGOR,
MALAYSIA.
or email to: armyofhell666@hotmail.com (RATNA) . In the end only death is REAL!!!! And the underground RULES!!!HAILS!!!
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