Occult Bleeding Zine #3 review

OCCULT BLEEDING ‘Zine #3 (Bosnia)
2007
38 pages A4 – English written
Yeah a zine totally devoted to death metal with an amount of unknown hordes from the East of Europe. This deserves some horns up without any doubt my friend!
Coming with a glossy cover, the editor Milan put down on paper some interesting international chats with underground bands like OPHIOLATRY, ARSEBREED, DEAD CONGREGATION, JASAD & DEADBORN. More entertaining is the presence of more confidential bands from Ukraine or Serbia. I guess you don’t know too much outfits from those countries and that’s not a problem because you will discover DATURA, FLESHRIPPER, DEFILEMENT, DAGGERSPAWN and some more. The chats have the main infos about the bands but personally I would have added more questions as Milan usually ask just a dozen of questions. There are often the same asked between the inties so it lacks a bit of investigation.
The reviews are taken from two webzines (Brutalism and TMO) and some are written by Milan and some contributors. They deal with CD, demos and some zines. They are well written in the whole and I would just reproach about the waste of space between the columns that made the reading a bit uncomfortable.
I had a blast reading that zine and wish it to keep doing his job and offering some bloody doses of death metal.
Contact: Milan Mandić – D.Karajzovci 38A – 78418 Nova Topola – Republic of Srpska (BOSNIA)

occultbleeding@lpwireless.net occultbleeding@hotmail.com

Vicomte de Neurasthénie Zine #12 review

VICOMTE DE NEURASTHENIE ‘Zine #12 (France)
Winter 2007
32 pages A4 – French written
This regularly released and dedicated fanzine doesn’t change that much since I know it. I own some previous issues and I must say I don’t see any real improvement but just a single will to support the scene.
Beside metallic culture and his involvement in the black metal band ANCETRES, the editor is a complete obsessed maniac of Atari (described as his own world) so his zine is made through an Atari computer (lay out is done in an ok manner although it lacks a bit of bloody intentions) and so he includes articles about everything concerning Atari from games to annual games meeting. To be honest I don’t give a fuck about it.
About the musical content you find the usual interviews (far too short if you ask me; you can feel lucky when the guy answering is talkative because it’s often far too short and using the same conventional questions), a bunch of reviews (Demos,CD, LP, zines) you also can read articles about….Atari (of course), torture (cool idea!), poetry and demons (it sucks!).
The editor has the bad habit to make some awful mistakes concerning the French language which is sometimes purely slaughtered…
Interviews featured are USTHEN, CROSSINGATE, FRENCH METAL Webzine, RAIMES FEST, NAASTRAND, etc…
Contact: Huysman Emmanuel – Centre émetteur TDF – 60130 ST JUST EN CHAUSSEE - FRANCE
neurasthenie@wanadoo.fr

Hellpike Zine #15 review

HELLPIKE ‘Zine #15 (Germany)
2005
Double issue 46 pages (X2) A5 – English written
Germany is a country that homes a lot of fanzines into metal and this 15th issue of HELLPIKE is another good example of dedication. The editor Hurricane (ZARATHUSTRA – black metal) is into black metal, black thrash or black death metal mostly, especially the old way and released on vinyl is better. Trendy should avoid this writings or will get their eyes bleeding.
Hurricane is a real and intolerant maniac who doesn’t hesitate to write down on paper if something is good or completely sucks! The underground is supported especially if it’s dark, satanic and antihuman. So don’t be surprised to read conversation with OLD, IMPALED NAZARENE, RAZOR OF OCCAM, VICTIMIZER, ANAL VOMIT, SIN IS THERE ‘Zine, ISVIND, BLASPHEMIC LUST, TEPHERET, etc… The interviews remains well led with in depth questions but you must be a die hard fan of the bands featured which for me is rarely the case.
The reviews keep the same spirit, are quite descriptive when the editor is into the stuff or on the contrary unmerciful when he dislikes it. Some of them seems to have done quickly or are strangely written: BLOODY SIGN a brutal death band??
As well you can read ‘Zines reviews, a Romanian scene report and gigs reports.
A good zine if you are into the bands featured with a lay out done in the cut & paste way, I don’t like the felt tip pen on some pages that looked ugly and botched.
Kuntakt: HELLPIKE ‘Zine c/o Hurricane – Grabenstr. 17 – 56575 WEISSENTHURM – GERMANY

No Bullshit Zine #7 review

NO BULLSHIT ‘Zine #7 (Phillipines)
2007
20 pages A4 – English written
A zine from Phillipines but actually the editor Corix with the help of his wife Fonda released this issue in Saudi Arabia because of their jobs. Can you imagine a few seconds to release a metal fanzine in such a country? I couldn’t think of living there a single day!
So NO BULLSHIT gathers a fanzine section as well a poems, thoughts written as it was a diary, about life in Saudi Arabia, pictures of the editor in the desert, which is also a musical desert according to him.
The zine parts featured the usual interviews (BLACK WINTER, BLOODY SIGN, FARASU, WATCH ME BURN, EXTROVERT ‘Zine, …), as well as some well written reviews. The inties turn to be quite enjoyable depending on the answerer’s mood. Some questions about religion or ideologies are quite lame, certainly because I don’t ask this type of useless questions.
The articles about the editors’ life out there are informative; sometimes surprising like the way you cannot buy alcohol. People use to do it themselves! The metal scene is also very small, almost non-existent. They complained about some middle age behaviour: public execution, woman discrimination, the fact you don’t wear beard makes you being gay so you get ass fucked!!!
NO BULLSHIT kept some roots in their homeland featuring inties and reviews about there and you can read about how they are missing their country.
A modest zine indded but taking in consideration where and how it is done, I may say it’s a good therapy for not being nut in this silly country.
Info: http://nbzine.cjb.net/

Normandie Invasion Zine #1 review

NORMANDIE INVASION ‘zine #1 (France)
Summer 2007 – Inhuman Homicide Records
22 pages A5 – French written
Another newcomer in the fanzine edition, this small ‘zine decides to cover the Norman (North-East France) metal/hardcore/grind scene in a way of bands presentation. So each bands is featured with 6 or 7 questions, that’s a bit short according to me coz’ that hardly could quench the thirst of the average metal-head I think. Some bands have definitively hit the spirit of the usual undergrounder like SICKBAG, HEADCHARGER or ROTTING FAITH, on the contrary more unknown ones like BBARBAPAPPA BUTCHERY (the most stupid moniker on earth!), STRONGHOLD or URGL who are said to be well known in the underground according to the editor, seems to be more considered as a joke to me (B. BUTCHERY and their stupid grind with unbearable drum machine). I even wonder if the editor didn’t feature his own band in the ‘zine, I would find this quite strange if you see what I mean, but after all it’s his own ‘zine.
A good point is that the ‘zine comes with a compilation CDR featuring 2 tracks of each bands interviewed. Pretty cool idea that enables you to know what is good and what you should avoid!
Each band has its actual release reviewed but in the end you have only 11 reviews done in a too much positive way if you ask me.
All in all, I like the principle of N. INVASION but I think the content must be thickened to really kick ass. I wonder if the next issue will still focus on the same region of will dig another French ground.
Contact: Yoann GAUTIER – 55 rue Lacordaire – 75015 PARIS – FRANCE
http://inhumanhomicide.ifrance.com

Shrunken & Mummified Zine #9 review

SHRUNKEN & MUMMIFIED ‘zine #9 (Hungary)
Summer 2007
40 pages A4 – English written
If I say this is the best effort released by Erik, it can sound lame as I only own his two previous issues, but this is his most entertaining or at least my favourite so far. Despite the fact we share common interviews (DEATHEVOCATION & DISKORD) with my third issue (buy it before it’s too late, ahah!) Erik offers once again some worthy chats with undergrounds bands, be it thrash metal, deathmetal, grindcore or black metal. The ones focusing my interests of course are the moments with ETERNAL BLEEDING, STYGIAN SHADOWS zine, KILL YOUR FAITH, MOONFOG or MURK EXORBITANCE. The other acts featured (IRON BATASUNA, MARBLEBOG, OBSCENE GESTURE…) remains mostly interesting to read even if I would bet I wouldn’t be satisfied with their stuff.
The amount of reviews is impressive (around 200) in all format (CD, LP, EP, demo as well as fanzines/magazines). This is a majority of really underground stuff (do not expect the late DEICIDE CD review, you’ll be disappointed!), in a will of passionate investigation to find “the” underground jewel.
A freaky but funny interview with the biggest rip-off in the worldwide metal scene, unfortunately answered by Erik himself as Mr Paucar didn’t want to play the game as he’s definitively the worst shit covered scumbag of the earth.
Two foreign scene reports appear: Lebanon (written by an OATH TO VANQUISH member) and France (Guess who wrote it?). This is a cool article Erik featured regularly in his past issues and I like the idea a lot).
I just miss some gigs reports (I know there was some in the previous issues) just to have an idea of the mood at foreign gigs, to make me feel my country sucks, ahah!
A pure product from European underground, maybe not evil enough for some narrow-minded cunts, but a good fanzine indeed. Next issue will be an anniversary, and I’ll be ready to drink some beers Erik!
Contact:
korpsefire@gmail.com

DARK REMAINS interview 2008

Spawned at the end of 1998, DARK REMAINS is a classical old skull death metal band from Netherlands. Surely not innovative but I like the way they play death metal in the vein of the 90’s death metal wave: INCANTATION, IMMOLATION and the likes who keep it dark and heavy without top notch and soulless nowadays powerful production.

-Greetings to you Frank and your mates in DARK REMAINS. I think that to avoid the usual boredom of the biography cut and paste could you can present us the actual line up of DARK REMAINS and describe your musical style? What people who don’t know DARK REMAINS can expect from you in terms of musical aggression?
We like to play old school death metal, it’s not easy to say what's like it or compare it with, but when I write songs I’m influenced by Immolation, Autopsy and slow stuff from Cannibal Corpse/Incantation without trying to be a copy of those bands. I’m the guitarist of the band, Andre is our drummer, Rik our bass player and Erwin our vocalist. At this moment a second guitarist is founded and hopefully he will join in soon!

-Next year, DARK REMAINS will celebrate 10 years of existence. Will you take the opportunity to release your third album or an album gathering old demos or live shit?
Yes, well bring out a brand new album next year with some live shit as well I think. The release is at the end of the summer when the darker days of the months are coming.

-As surprising as it could be, DARK REMAINS hails from Netherlands which is well known for its brutal death scene: MANGLED, PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT, DISAVOWED, ARSEBREED, and dozens more. But your country has also some glorious band more old school oriented like SINISTER, ACROSTICHON, PESTILENCE, ASPHYX, PENTACLE, etc… and DARK REMAINS! The fact is that there are more brutal death metal bands today but I’m glad to hear bands like yours playing that obscure death metal. Why do you keep high the flag of old school death metal? Why don’t you follow the brutal death trend?
I don't like following trends, but besides that you have to do what you’re doing best. We started as an old school death metal band and well keep it that way. It's also I think all about the feeling you have, when you’re making and playing death metal.

-I was quite enthusiastic to listen to your second album “Planet earth scourged” as the tunes played reminded me various American acts such as old IMMOLATION, old INCANTATION and old VITAL REMAINS. Do you still follow those bands’ careers? Which actual bands do you use to listen to? Have you heard such bands like DRAWN AND QUARTERED or IMPURITY (US)?
When i was a little kid my brother, he was10 years older than me, let me listen to Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, so I grew up with that time of music, later on I bought my first records of Venom, Slayer, Celtic Frost and then Death Metal came up. Immolation caught my attention but also Autopsy, Incantation ect ect. In Holland Pestilence, Asphyx , Sinister were rising. Today I discovered a band from Germany called Deny the Urge, they are very good! I’ve heard from Drawn and Quartered too, they are very brutal! Good bands with quality death metal I think.

-I think more and more bands are looking for powerful and crystal clear productions to the detriment of darkness and morbidity. They’re looking for boundless brutality and forget the creation of morbid feelings. What’s your point of view? Would DARK REMAINS have the same impact with a top notch production?
That’s a good point. It is very personal of course but I like more the productions with a more obscure sound, like Incantation for example. They always have there own morbid sound. So we will always try to get that in our sound as well.

-You have released “Planet earth scourged” through Burning Misery Records. Checking on internet I saw that this is mostly a webzine and didn’t see any label section on it. Will they keep releasing records in the future on was it just a try with your record? Are you satisfied by their job so far? Their promotion seems to be quite limited.
You have said it right! It was a try for both sides, but unfortunately it didn't worked, so we had some good talks and decided to go our own way.
So we are in search for a new label or there are plans to create our own label with other local bands to get things right.

-“Planet earth scourged” was recorded in winter 2004 and released in 2006, quite some time though. Do you have some new stuff to come? Will you keep the DARK REMAINS trademark of obscure death metal? Are there any differences between RSD Xul’s voice and Erwin’s one?
Next year well bring out the new album with the same obscure old school death metal as always. On the new album is Erwin the new vocalist, we are very satisfied with him after the departure of RSD Xul. There both low voiced grunters, Erwin is fitting Dark Remains in a great way.

-DARK REMAINS members have been (some are still) active in various bands like ORDO DRACONIS (black metal), VUIST (thrash metal) and WARMASTER (death metal). I guess you all need a precise schedule to plan the rehearsals? Can you give us some words about these bands please?
Ordo is a very talented band I think, they are skilful musicians. Warmaster is a project of our drummer and bass player but already had stuff enough to become a grown up band and will release a album next year. Vuist is not very busy for the last 2 years now, I don't know their status for the moment.

-Except brutal death metal bands can you mention worthy bands from your area into death or black metal, not especially known, but that are going to be quite promising according to you?
Obscuris is a new band who will be quite promising I guess, you can link to their music on our myspace profile, but also Deny the Urge from Germany is really ready to conquer the world of death metal as far of my point of view.

-Beside metal which kind of music do you listen to? Do you think it’s necessary to have various influences so as to elaborate more personal music? How do you see the evolution of a band like ENTOMBED for example?
I listen to a lot of music, but I only buy death metal wahahaha!! Entombed had changed in their music over the years, I respect that but I don't think it will suit for Dark Remains. It is all very personal I think.

-About gigs it seems you have played many times in Holland right? Have you ever played abroad? Which bands did you share the stage with? Do you have in mind any special moment of a particular gig?
We hope to play abroad someday, a festival is most likely of course. But we’ll see what the future brings, in Holland was the gig with Houwitser and Officium Triste a special one. They are great bands in Holland and it was nice that they respect our music and for us it was great to share the stage with them.

-What’s the gig situation in Netherlands? Can bands like yours easily find places to play gigs? How is usually the metal heads affluence? In France we can witness less and less people going at gigs and staying more and more in front of their computer and just surfing on Myspace or You Tube sites. The new age of musical fast-food consumers?? Do you see what I mean?
Yeah. It's not good. It is very important that people/fans in their local scene come to shows to have "live" contact with the bands. When I hear a band on the internet that I like, I always check out if they will play in my area somewhere. Because I simply want to hear it "live". So everyone have to support their local scene by going to shows.

-I will let you end this chat. Thanks for answering. Keep on rotting with DARK REMAINS!
Thanks a lot (Merci beaucoup) for showing interest in us Jim.
Greetings and all the best to you.

Cheerz Frank.

http://www.myspace.com/darkremains