Burst Magazine, Issue 5, May 2013

May 2013, Issue 5

Ryan Key “We never imagined that we’d reach a level like that”

lars von trier The art of provoking!

depeche mode a story of faith and devotion

bill tsamis

9 772241 538000

ISSN 2241-5386

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exposed special tribute on the legendary

kurt cobain

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3 Burst Magazine

Ryan Key

If there is a band that clearly stands out in the music world today because of its uniqueness it is definitely the American pop punk/alternative rock band Yellowcard. Formed in 1997 the quintet has a rare musical connection to its fans and a signature

pages 6-18 Tributes

pages 20-54

sound. Yellowcard comprises of five young people, very down-

Interviews

to-earth and extremely talented...

pages 56-61

Read the full story and interview on page 20.

Album/EP reviews

pages 62-63 Pop Corner

Karolina Pacan On Voices of The Soul

Miss Lakune

“How awesome can the macabre be!”

ge Page The Pa Tu rn Th Turn

ner r o C p Po

Director’s Cut

Cover photo process

by Dimitris Anastasiadis www.artisan3.gr

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publisher/editor in chief

Raphael Aretakis

managing editor

Spiros Smyrnis

art advisor

Aikate D.

editors

Andy Phelps Byron S. Orestis Cristina Alossi Dimitris Tsantoulas Eleni Lampraki Eleni Leonida Hope Vnz Korina P. Pana Apostolidou Sobieski Sisters Stathia S. Pedioti

contributing editors

David Anthony G. Elias J. Kay Emm Den Giorgos Kotrozinis Gogo Apostolaki Jo Gogou J.Roberto Zenteno Jimenez Kalliope Tsouroupidou Matina Katsarakou Sissy Dragonfly Sophie Tsekoura Sotiris Stilianos Vana Valma

editor/proofreading

Marianna Kofinaki Matina Katsarakou

photographers

Apostolis Kalliakmanis Byron S. Orestis Eileen Von D Jo Gogou Myrto Cat Raphael Aretakis

int. photographer

Kalliope Tsouroupidou

special guest

Karolina Pacan

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www.argophotography.com Burst { music magazine }

6 The youngest ones might know Chris Cornell from his solo career (that’s how I got to know him in the first place), while the hardest ones surely know Audioslave.

In any case, if it weren’t for Soundgarden, we couldn’t probably talk today of neither

OK”, Soundgarden signing with A&M records caused controversy and divided their audience. Thayil stated at that time “In the beginning, our fans came from the punk rock crowd. They abandoned us when they thought we had sold out

and “Ten” by Pearl Jam, brought grunge/ alternative rock music closer to mainstream. Three singles came out of this album “Jesus Christ Pose”, “Outshined” and “Rusty Cage”, as well as a limited edition of the album containing the EP with

SOUNDGARDEN WRITTEN BY ELENI LAMPRAKI

of them. Soundgarden come straight from Seattle’s music scene in 1984, reach their hiatus in the mid 90’s, break up in 1997 and announce their reunion in 2010. And the story goes on…

Let’s travel back in 1984 and check out a band called “The Shemps”, which featured Chris Cornell as drummer and vocalist and Hiro Yamamoto (and after his departure Kim Thayhil) as bassist. Cornell, Yamamoto and Thayhill will form Soundgarden in 1984. Cornell continues to be both vocalist and drummer, Yamamoto plays the bass and Thayhill the guitar, until drummer Scott Sundquist joined in 1985. The band continued with this line-up for a year, until Sundquist was replaced by Matt Cameron, former drummer of Skin Yard.

Soundgarden recorded their first songs for album compilations (C/Z Records Deep Six) while touring, until KCMU DJ Jonathan Poneman saw them performing and decided to fund their release.

Poneman and Bruce Pavitt, old friend of Thayhil and Yamamoto, founded the legendary record label Sub Pop, which will manage and promote almost all the important bands of the grunge/alternative rock era. Soundgarden signed to Sub Pop and released their first single “Hunted Life” in 1987. The band also released two EPs (Screaming Life/ Fopp) between 1987-1988.

The release day of Soundgarden’s first album “Ultramega OK” took place on October 31 1988, now signed to SST Records.

Cornell later stated that the choice of the record label was a huge mistake because STT “didn’t know what was happening in Seattle”. The band’s first music video “Flower” aired in MTV’s “120 minutes” and the band earned a Grammy Award for “Best Metal Performance” in 1990.

The album contained elements of heavy metal, psychedelic rock, classic rock and hardcore punk.

After completing the tour of “Ultramega Burst { music magazine }

A tribute to the grunge of the ‘90’s till today the punk tenets, getting on a major label and touring with Guns N’ Roses. There were fashion issues and social issues, and people thought we no longer belonged to their scene, to their particular sub-culture”. On the 5th of September of 1989, the band released their second album “Louder than Love”. Louder Than Love became the band’s first album to chart on the Billboard 200, peaking at number 108 on the chart in 1990. Because of some of the song lyrics (mostly “Hands All Over” and “Big Dumb Sex”), a Parental Advisory sticker was placed on the album packaging and it was the last one to feature Yamamoto on the bass. Cornell in fact said about the recording period of this album that at that time Yamamoto had excommunicated himself of the band and that Cornell himself did the most writing. One month before the beginning of the promo touring of the album, Yamamoto left to return to college and he was replaced by Jason Everman of Nirvana, but he was fired just after completing the tour. On this tour Soundgarden along with Faith No More, served as opening act for Voivod on “Nothingface” tour. Two singles were released “Loud Love” and “Hands All Over”, EP “Loudest Love” and video compilation “Louder Than Live”.

With bassist Ben Shepherd becoming the newest member of the band, Soundgarden entered the studio once again for the recordings of their third album.

Shepherd brought fresh elements to the band and the other members stated that his music and writing skills redefined them. “Badmotorfinger” was released on October 8, 1991. The first single “Jesus Christ Pose” gained publicity, when MTV decided to ban its video while many listeners received it as anti-Christian (the band received death threats while on tour). Cornell explained that their intention was to criticize public figures who use religion for manipulation. At the same time Nirvana released “Nevermind” which gathered much more attention but the public eye focused on Seattle music scene and Soundgarden gained publicity as well. “Nevermind”, “Badmotorfinger”

the palindrome title “Satanoscillatemymetallicsonatas”, featuring three covers, a Soundgarden original and a live song.

After their American tour which lasted for a month, they served as the opening act for Guns N’ Roses twice and Skid Row. In 1992 they were invited to play at the Lollapalooza along with bands like RHCP, Ministry and Pearl Jam. The band’s fourth album was meant to become the band’s more successful album ever. “Superunknown” was released on March 8, 1994 and debuted as number 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart.

“Spoonman”, “The day I tried to live”, “My Wave”, “Fell on Black Days” and of course the band’s most popular song till today, “Black Hole Sun”, were the singles that were released from this album. Their sound was more experimental and the lyrics Cornell wrote, under the influence of Sylvia Plath’s poetry, spoke of suicide and depression. The video clip for “Black Hole Sun” became a major hit and won the “Best Metal/ Hard Rock Video Award” in 1994 Mtv Awards, while the band won two Grammys in 1995: Best Hard Rock Performance for “Black Hole Sun” and Best Metal Performance for “Spoonman”. In 1994, the band toured for the first time in Oceania and Japan, but after some months, Soundgarden cancelled some shows because Cornell was diagnosed with severe damage in his vocal cords.

After the major success of “Superunknown”, Soundgarden recorded one more album before their break up. Their fifth album “Down on the Upside” was released in 21st of May, 1996. The band made the whole production of the album.

However, despite the high sales and the positive reviews, the album didn’t reach the success of its predecessor. The sound now varied much from their original grunge style and was more experimental with acoustic instrumentation, emphasizing on vocals and melody. It spawned four singles “Pretty Noose”, “Burden in My Hand”, “Blow Up the Outside

7 World” and “Ty Cobb”. The summer after, Soundgarden went on the Lollapalooza tour along with Metallica. Tension and strained relationship between the band members, which started during the latest album’s recording session, came on the surface. At the tour’s final stop at Honolulu, Hawaii, on the 9th of February 1997, Shepherd threw his bass in the air and left the stage. Two months later, the band announced their splitting up, which was followed by a greatest hits collection, “A-sides”.

The band member had been pursuing a solo career for over a decade. On October 6, 2009, all the members of Soundgarden attended Night 3 of Pearl Jam’s fournight stand at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, and were reunited on

stage for the first time after their splitting up.

On January 1st 2010, after months of rumors, Chris Cornell announced via his Twitter account the Soundgarden reunion. The band made a few re-releases and performed its first show in April.

They also headlined for the Lollapalooza festival on the 8th of August. “Telephantasm: A Retrospective” a new compilation album, appeared on stores at the same time and a week earlier it was featured on the “Guitar Hero” videogame. The band included a new song titled “Live to Rise” on the “Avengers” soundtrack and continued with numerous live appearances.

Their newest album “King Animal” was released on the 12th of November, 2012.

The album received positive reviews;

during its very first week of release, it landed in position No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Soundgarden were called “neo-Zeppelins”, as the influence of Led Zeppelin is pretty evident in their music. During their evolution, they were also influenced by post punk British bands and psychedelic music. Soundgarden is the first grunge band ever to have signed sign to a major label, although they didn’t achieve the huge commercial success of bands like Nirvana.

Burst { music magazine }

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depeche mode A Story of Faith and Devotion

By Marianna Kofinaki, Eleni Leonida and Georgina Papada Official Depeche mode Photos from pressherenow.com

Burst { music magazine }

9 For more than thirty years, too much ink has been spilled by music fans and critics alike in order to describe the contribution of Depeche Mode to the music scene, both literally and figuratively. Maybe by reading these lines you’d initially think that everything is said by fans and critics and done by the band respectively. Faith and devotion are, in my opinion, the most interesting parts of the band’s history, so today, ladies and gentlemen, we’ll do our best to shed some light in the least “well-known” aspects of the legendary band. Faith would be defined as the fans’ and critics’ support and encouragement towards the band, as for devotion, it would involve all those artists and people actively involved in making music citing Depeche Mode as their major influence.

Here’s some food for thought: Have you ever thought how many people had paid tribute to the band not only by means of continuous praise, but also by means of direct influences in their own music?

So let’s start with faith. For some people talk is cheap, so they can summarize their opinion on the band in just a short, but at the same time spot-on, statement: Depeche Mode became “The most popular electronic band the world has ever known” according to Q magazine, “One of the greatest British pop groups of all time” according to the Sunday Telegraph and “The quintessential Eighties techno-pop band” according to Rolling Stone magazine and MTV. I think the characterization that describes the huge contribution of the band in the best possible way is, to quote Alan Wilder on the birth on some of the sounds featured on Songs of Faith and Devotion (Pulse!

Magazine, May 1993), “There’s so many sounds that are created from the voice that you wouldn’t know were taken from the voice, like rhythm sounds. The number of times I’ve been sitting in the studio and said, ‘I wish I could get a bass that would just go [mimics wet, thick hip-hop bass-drum sound].’ Then I think, ‘Why can’t I just go [repeats noise] into a mic and sample it?’ It’s obvious; you spend all day trying to get a synthesizer to try and create this sound but you can just go [repeats noise] and you’ve got it. Then you can send it through some other device after that, and you’ve got something that sounds absolutely nothing like a voice, but the source was a voice. ... It is a very interesting process.”

But how has it all started? Allow us to take you back in time for a while. Thirty six years from now, in 1977, schoolmates Vince Clarke and Andy Fletcher formed a The-Cure-influenced band called No Romance In China, with Clarke on vocals and guitar and Fletcher on bass. Fletcher would later recall, “Why am I in the band? It was accidental right from the beginning. I was actually forced to be in the band. I played the guitar and I had

a bass; it was a question of them roping me in”. In 1979, Clarke played guitar in an “Ultravox rip-off band”, The Plan, along with friends Robert Marlow and Paul Langwith. In 1978–79, Martin Gore played guitar in an acoustic duo, Norman and The Worms, with school friend Phil Burdett on vocals. In 1979, Marlow, Gore, and friend Paul Redmond formed a band called The French Look, with Marlow on vocals/keyboards, Gore on guitar and Redmond on keyboards. In March 1980, Clarke, Gore and Fletcher formed a band called Composition of Sound, with Clarke on vocals/guitar, Gore on keyboards, and Fletcher on bass.

Soon after the formation of Composition of Sound, Clarke and Fletcher switched to synths, working odd jobs in order to buy or borrow the instruments from friends. Dave Gahan joined the band in 1980 after Clarke heard him perform at a local scout hut jam session, singing a cover of David Bowie’s classic “Heroes”; that was, let’s say, the official genesis of Depeche Mode. How did the name come up? It was taken from a French fashion magazine, Dépêche mode (roughly translated from French as “share/dispatch the fashion”). Gore said, “It means hurried fashion or fashion dispatch. I like the sound of that.” Gore recollects that the first time the band played as Depeche Mode was a school gig in May 1980.

Does this name sound somehow prophetic to you? Prophecy fulfilled, so if you’re still a doubting Thomas figures speak for themselves: Depeche Mode have had 48 songs in the UK Singles Chart and twelve top 10 albums in the UK charts, two of which debuted at No. 1. According to EMI, Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million albums and singles worldwide, making them the most successful electronic band in music history. Q magazine included the band in the list of the “50 Bands That Changed The World!”.

VH1 ranked the group no. 98 on his list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”.

Still not impressed by numbers? Let’s talk about heritage, or, in other words devotion: One of the most influential groups over the last 30 years, Depeche Mode have inspired generations of new musicians while consolidating their considerable reputation. In the process they have sold over 100 million records and played to audiences in excess of 30 million. Have you ever wondered how many popular recording artists have been hugely influenced by the band, due to their recording techniques and innovative use of sampling? The list is long, you have been warned!

Let’s start by mentioning Pet Shop Boys.

The London duo, aka Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, cited Violator (and Enjoy the Silence in particular) as one of the main sources of inspiration during record-

ing of their critically acclaimed album, Behaviour. In Neil’s own words “We were listening to Violator by Depeche Mode, which was a very good album and we were deeply jealous of it”. As for Chris, he totally agrees with his bandmate “They had raised the stakes”.

Brandon Flowers, the famous vocalist and frontman of The Killers, stated “Before I even thought of myself as a musician, I was affected by Depeche Mode as a person. I think about Some Great Reward or Songs of Faith and Devotion and they shaped me as an individual before I even wrote a song.” According to Matt Smith, the former music director of the modern-rock radio station KROQ, “The Killers, The Bravery, Franz Ferdinand — that whole wave of music owes a tremendous amount to Depeche Mode.”

In August 2008, Coldplay released an alternative music video for their single “Viva la Vida” which was inspired by the “Enjoy the Silence” video. On their website the band are quoted as saying, “This is our attempt at a video cover version, made out of love for Depeche Mode and the genius of Anton Corbijn...”. The video shows frontman Chris Martin dressed as a king walking through The Hague.

“I feel more connected to Depeche Mode” (compared to other acts of the 1980s) claimed Magne Furuholmen, the guitarist/keyboardist of a-ha. In July 2009, a-ha performed a cover of “A Question of Lust” during a live performance for BBC Radio 2 – The Dermot O’Leary Show.

In 2010, while promoting their latest album The Suburbs, Win Butler of Arcade Fire cited Depeche Mode as an influence.

In his own words: “I grew up listening to bands like Depeche Mode and New Order and bands that used a lot of sequences and synth stuff [...] there are songs to me on this new record that sound like Depeche Mode mixed with Neil Young” Colombian singer Shakira is also highly influenced by Depeche Mode. Ximena Diego, the author of the book Shakira – Woman Full of Grace wrote in this book: “At thirteen Shakira especially liked Depeche Mode, an electronic rock band from Great Britain. One day she was listening to the band’s song, “Enjoy the Silence”.

She noticed that not only was she hearing the music but also feeling the music in her body. She said to her mother, “Every time I hear that guitar riff, I feel this weird thing in my stomach”.” When she grew up, Shakira herself also stated that the best concert she has ever attended was a Depeche Mode one, and called Dave Gahan “the best live singer I’ve ever heard”.

Both Ken Jordan, member of the LA electronic duo The Crystal Method and Roger Rose, lead singer of Christian rock band Mad at the World, have also Burst { music magazine }

10 declared their faith to the Depeche Mode cult, as a major influence in their music.

Religious or not, techno pioneers Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson and Juan Atkins regularly characterized Depeche Mode as an influence on the development of techno music during the Detroit Techno explosion in the mid-1980s. Furthermore, appreciation of Depeche Mode within today’s electronic music scene is demonstrated by the numerous Depeche Mode remixes by contemporary DJs such as Ricardo Villalobos’’ remix of “The Sinner in Me” or Kruder & Dorfmeister’s remix of “Useless” (not useless at all, for that matter).

What now, still not impressed? We’re mostly talking to you, hard rockers and metallers of the world! At first, let’s focus on the case of Chester Bennington, vocalist and frontman of Linking Park, who cites the band as an inspiration. Chester is not the only member of the band to show his devotion for Depeche Mode.

Mike Shinoda has once said, “Depeche Mode are one of the most influential groups of our time. Their music is an inspiration to me...”. Shinoda did more than just say the words above: He’s also remixed the band’s song “Enjoy the Silence” in 2004.

Italian gothic metallers Lacuna Coil are no exception to the rule. Not only has the band cited Depeche Mode as an influence, but also performed a cover of the hit “Enjoy the Silence”.

Nu-metallers Deftones also worship the Depeche Mode cult. To be more precise, the band’s vocalist and frontman Chino Moreno has cited Depeche Mode as a huge influence lyrics-wise. As for guitarist Stephen Carpenter, he has expressed his admiration in his own way, with his own quieter guitar playing in White Pony being inspired by Depeche Mode. Stephen is not the only guitarist paying his tribute to Depeche Mode: According to Darren Smith, the guitarist of the post-hardcore band Funeral For A Friend, “dark, moodier stuff” in his band’s music was “Depeche Mode-influenced.”

Burst { music magazine }

Raymond Herrera, the drummer of the heavy/industrial metal band Fear Factory is another devotee of Depeche Mode. In his own words: “A lot of different music influenced the way I play now. Like the band Depeche Mode. If I could sound like Depeche Mode, but be fast like Slayer, I think I might be onto something”.

German industrial masters Rammstein, who covered “Stripped” in 1997, have cited Depeche Mode as one of their biggest inspirations. Richard Kruspe, the band’s lead guitarist, said that growing up his influence was “heavy metal on the one side and pop on the other. (...) I was afraid to tell my friends I was listening to Depeche Mode. I loved the band. I loved their melodies. That’s why in Rammstein,

you can hear a lot of melodies in our music. (...) Personally, the band I thought did the best at changing themselves was Depeche Mode. If you follow there [sic] career, it’s excellent.”

Faith received by the fans, devotion expressed by the artists (after all, which is a better indication of devotion from an artist to an artist than inspiration itself?)

Quoting music critic Sasha Frere-Jones, “probably the last serious English influence was Depeche Mode, who seem more and more significant as time passes.” as featured in his article in The New Yorker on evaluating the impact of British acts on the US market. In other words, Depeche Mode ended up being many artists’

“Own Personal Jesus”, who saved them from lack of inspiration both musicwise and lyric-wise. Do you think this statement is too far-fetched? In March 2012 issue of Mojo magazine, Gary Nyman cited Songs of Faith and Devotion as the album that saved his career noting, “[after listening to this album] [my] music changed dramatically. It became much darker. At School I was excused from religious instruction because I had no faith and Songs of Faith and Devotion suddenly gave me something to write about and something to be bothered about. [...]

I love Depeche Mode, always will.”

Last but not least, Depeche Mode has also provided the inspiration for “a film about music, about those who sell it and those who buy it. Those who direct it and those who write and perform it.

Those who just listen and those who listen and never forget, Master and Servant…But which is which”.

The film in question, premiered on April 1st in Badminton Theater, Athens Greece and on April 6th on Olympion, Salonica for the very first time on the “silver screen”. “101” is a documentary on a group of Depeche Mode fans, following the band to the very last gig of their U.S. tour.

The documentary is based on the spur of the moment; its viewers get the feeling that they’re travelling back in time along with the band themselves: backstage, joking, sharing the stress of the tour crew, getting on the bus with them, till the very special Moment Dave Gahan sends all his positive vibes to the audience while on stage, while performing songs like “Behind The Wheel”, “Black Celebration”, “Shake the Disease”, “Everything Counts”. Gahan appears to be a singer larger than life, not just a rock star but a true icon for more than three decades.

We, the fans, still express our devotion to the band and our faith that Dave’s last statements that another album release remains uncertain will lead to his change of heart in creating another musical masterpiece.

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Burst { music magazine }

12 Kurt Cobain was born on 20th February 1967 in Hoquiam, Washington DC, where he spent his early years along with his family, till he later moved to Aberdeen.

From an early age, Curt had started to develop a vast interest in music. According to his aunt Marie, “He had been singing from the age of two. He had been singing songs by The Beatles, like “Hey Jude”.

He was very charismatic even in such an early age. When, on his 14th birthday, his uncle made him choose between a guitar and a bicycle as a gift, Curt opted for the guitar. He started taking up a few songs, including “Back in Black” by AC/ DC and The Cars’ “My Best Friend’s Girl”, and soon he started working on his own songs.

At the age of eight, a devastating incident had a strong impact on his life: His parents’ divorce was something that influenced his life deeply. His mother became fully aware of the dramatic change in his personality, with Curt being more anti-social. During an interview in 1993, Kurt said, “I remember feeling ashamed for some reason. I was embarrassed for my parents. I couldn’t face some of my friends from school because I desperately wanted to have the classic, you know, typical family, a mother, a father. I wanted this safety, so my parents didn’t feel right to me for several years because of that.”

After spending a year living with his mother after the divorce, Cobain moved to Montesano, Washington, in order to

to the abuse he received by other team members. Later, he was enrolled by his father in the local baseball team, where Kurt avoided playing.

On the contrary, art classes were his favorite, since he used to sketch during other classes, even inspired by themes relative to the human anatomy. Cobain had a homosexual friend in school.

Sometimes, he was the victim of bullying and harassment by homophobic students.

This friendship let some people to believe that even Kurt himself was a homosexual.

During an interview in 1993 for The Advocate Magazine, Cobain stated that he was “gay in spirit” and that he “might have become bisexual”. Plus, he declared that he used to spray paint tags like “God is Gay” in open trucks in Aberdeen. In one of his personal diaries, he wrote, “I’m not gay, although I wish I were, just because I’d like to piss off people who hate homosexuals.” As a teenager growing up in a small city of Washington, Cobain finally found his way through the blooming punk scene of the Pacific Northwest, by attending punk rock shows in Seattle.

The reason for entering the world of music wasn’t far. Kurt started hanging out in the practice sessions of his fellow musicians from Montesano, the Melvins.

In the middle of tenth grade, Kurt aban-

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live with his father. However, a few years later, his teenage revolution became too vast so he ended up being messed up with his family and friends.

In school he wasn’t really interested in sports. To him, sports were some kind of torture, since violent behavior and bullying became part of his everyday school life. Due to his father’s insisting only, he took part in the wrestling team in junior high school. Although he was good, he started neglecting his involvement due Burst { music magazine }

In the end of 1986, Kurt finally moved to his own house and he started working in a beach resort approx. 32 klm far from his mother’s house in order to pay the rent.

At the same time, he became a frequent traveler to Olympia, Washington, in order to attend in local rock shows. During those visits, he started a relationship with Tracy Marander.

A living sister we don’t know about, little Kimberly Dawn Cobain, still uses her brother’s name along with her own. Since their parents’ divorce, things between the brother and sister were rough, since

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to stay, he lived under a bridge of the river Wishkah, an experience which gave him the inspiration of the song “Something in the Way” featured in Nevermind album. However, Krist Novoselic claimed that, in reality, Cobain never lived there saying, “He used to hang out there but you couldn’t live in those muddy banks, with the tide coming and going. That was a version of his own.”

doned his father’s home and moved back to his mother’s place. Problems came up a short while after, since two weeks before his graduation, Kurt dropped out of school realizing he didn’t have the necessary grades to finish.

His mother gave him the following choice: either find a job or leave the house. A week later, Kurt found his clothes and the rest of his possessions packed up in cardboard boxes waiting him outside the house. He was often forced to stay at friends’ places and occasionally sneaked in his mother’s storage area.

According to his own statements, Kurt revealed that when he had no other place

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this break-up wanted to divide them but never actually separated them.

Kurt’s involvement in music begins in High School, when he rarely found someone to practice together. His acquaintance with Krist Novoselic began back at the time when he used to hang up in the Melvins’ place. Novoselic’s mother had a hairdresser salon, where Cobain and Novoselic occasionally practiced together in the room of the upper floor. A few years later, Κurt tried to convince Novoselic that they should form a band, by borrowing him a copy of the demo Cobain has recorded with his former band, Fecal Matter. After several months of listening to Kurt’s pleading, Νovoselic finally agreed, and this is how Nirvana was born.

During the first years of their collaboration, they have been reviewing a long list of drummers. They finally opted for Chad Channing, with whom Nirvana recorded their first album, “Bleach”, released by Sub Pop Records in 1989. However, Cobain wasn’t happy with Channing’s

13 style, so he led the band in search of a replacement, ending up in hiring Dave Grohl. It was with Grohl when the group reached the peak of their success through the release of their first album released by a major record company, the famous Nevermind.

the couple first met. In 1991 they announced being officially together.

Love and drugs both came into Kurt’s life, the latter about to cause unpleasant outcomes.

In 1992, at about the time of Nirvana appearance in Saturday Night Live, Love found out she was carrying Cobain’s child. A few days after the end of Nirvana’s West Coast Tour leg, on Monday 24

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of people claiming to be fans of the band, without being at all familiar with the band’s ideology.

Let’s refer to a sad event, the rape of a young woman by two men, while Nirvana had been performing their song Polly on stage. Cobain condemned the incident in the booklet featured in the American version of the Incesticide album: “Last year, a girl was raped by two sperm and balls wasters while singing the lyrics of our song “Polly”. I have a problem to accept that there are such plankton species among our audience. I’m sorry for abusing political correctness but that’s how I feel.”

Being accustomed from his school years and his friendships, or should we say his only friendship with his homosexual classmate, Cobain had one extra reason to loathe sexists and he was proud of Nirvana’s live performance in an event for homosexual rights, supporting No On Nine in Oregon, 1992. Plus, Nirvana were involved in Rock On Choice L7campaign since its beginning. An article from his diaries published posthumously, declares that sexual revolution is only feasible through the abolition of sexism.

His acquaintance and falling love with Courtney Love didn’t take long to happen.

It all started in a live show in 1989, where

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February 1992, Kurt and Courtney were joined in matrimony in Hawaii. “I was engaged during the last couple of months and my attitude has drastically changed”, said Kurt himself in an interview for Sassy Magazine. “I can’t believe how happy I am. Sometimes I even forget that I’m in a band, I’m so blinded by love. I know it sounds corny but it’s true. I would quit the band right here and now. It doesn’t matter, but I’m bound by a contract.” On August 18, the couple’s daughter, Frances Bean Cobain, was born. Her unusual middle name was given to her because Cobain thought she looked like a bean when he first saw her in the ultrasound. Her first name was given as a tribute to Frances McKee of the British band The Vaselines and not as a tribute to Frances Farmer, as occasionally claimed by some.

Love has received (and still receives) her fair share of negative criticism on many aspects, mainly due to the fact that she took full advantage of the publicity she gained through Kurt. Being unknown in showbiz herself, she was looking for something to make her band famous. Many people compared Love and Cobain with Lennon and Ono. Rumor has it that Kurt wrote most of the songs of the album that made her a star, Live Through This

by Love’s band, Hole, however such allegations are not valid based on actual evidence and facts.

At the same time, it was revealed

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performed by Nirvana became public through Seattle newspaper The Stanger.

In this article, Novoselic confirmed that the recording session of the song in question took place in 1991 and that “Old Age” was a Nirvana song indeed, leading to more speculation on Cobain’s participation in Hole’s songs. Nirvana had started recording “Old Age” for their Nevermind album, but remained unfinished because Cobain had yet to finish the lyrics and the group was running out of time in the studio. As for Hole’s version, guitarist Eric Erlandson stated that he believed that things were totally different, claiming that Kurt was behind the music and Love behind the lyrics .

In a Vanity Fair article, published in 1992, Love admitted that she was addicted to heroin during her pregnancy (before she found out she was pregnant).

photo: Nicola Pittam/ www.splashnews.com

Kurt’s struggle to bring the huge success of Nirvana, together with the band’s underground roots was huge and painful.

It was the time when he felt pursued by the Media, comparing himself with Frances Farmer (writer’s note: Frances Elena Farmer (1913-1970): An American film actress driven to a mental institution because of too much publicity). He also kept on showing his indignation in cases

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that one of the Hole’s songs was initially written for Nirvana. The song in question, “Old Age” was featured as a secondary track in Hole’s album Beautiful Son. In fact, a recorded version of the song

Burst { music magazine }

14 She accused Vαnity Fair for distorting her words, however this confession caused a huge conflict among the couple. Since Kurt and Courtney’s relationship had always been in the spotlight by the media, the couple was found chased by tabloid reporters after the article was published, in order to find out if Frances was born as a drug addict herself. The division of children care of Los Angeles took the Cobain family to court, claiming that drug abuse made them inappropriate parents.

The custody of the two-week old Frances Bean Cobain was removed and the baby

girl was given to Love’s sister Jamie for several weeks, till the couple won the custody back, provided they should be submitted for urine tests and to receive a call from a social worker on a weekly basis. After several months of trials in court, the couple finally won the full custody of their daughter.

Kurt’s life and emotional stability started falling apart dramatically. His first suicide attempt, according to Love, took place in 1994.

After a show in Munich, Germany on March 1, 1994, it was diagnosed that Cobain suffered from bronchitis and acute laryngitis. On the next day, Kurt flew to Rome to receive medical treatment. His wife went to Rome in order to be by his side on March 3. On the next morning, Love woke up and found Cobain unconscious due to combining a large dosage of champagne and Rohypnol (Love had a prescription for Rohypnol, which she received when she arrived in Rome). Cobain was transferred to the hospital immediately and spent the rest of his day unconscious. After five days in hospital, he was allowed to leave and he returned to Seattle. Love Burst { music magazine }

later declared that this was Cobain’s first suicide attempt.

This mixed up game between life and death goes on when on March 18, Love calls the police to inform them that Cobain wanted to commit suicide and he locked himself in a room with a gun in hand. The police arrived and confiscated several weapons, as well as a bottle of pills from Cobain, who insisted that he had no intention to commit suicide but he was just locked in the room in order to get away from Love. When love was interrogated by the police, she said that she

never mentioned Kurt wanting to commit suicide and that she has never seen him with a gun.

Love, being a good wife, arranged for counseling in order to deal with Cobain’s drug addiction, which took place in March 25. The ten participants were Cobain’s fellow musicians, record label representatives and one of Kurt’s best friends, Dylan Carlson. However, bass-

ist Krist Novoselic turned out the idea as “foolish”. In any case, before the day was over, Cobain agreed in entering rehab and he arrived in Exodus Recovery Center, Los Angeles, California on March 30.

Obstacles and negativity are obvious from the very first night.

Stepping out of the building to have a smoke, Kurt climbed the 2-meter high fence in order to get away from the establishment. He took a taxi to LA Airport, where he took a flight back to Seattle.

Between 2 and 3 April, he was spotted on several locations in Seattle, although most of his friends and family had no idea of his actual whereabouts. On 3 April, Love got in touch with private eye Tom Grant and hired him in order to find Cobain. On April 7, the band announced that they weren’t to participate in this year’s Lollapalooza music festival, causing rumors to spread like wildfire on the band’s imminent breakup.

On April 8 1994, Cobain’s body was found in his home in Lake Washington by an electrician who went there in order to install a security system. Except for a tiny amount of blood running from Kurt’s ear, the electrician mentioned that he saw no other sign of wound and that at first he thought Kurt was asleep, till he noticed the gun pointing at his chin. A suicide note was found, stating “I haven’t felt the stimulation caused by listening and writing music, along with actual writing... for so many years”. High concentration of heroin and traces of Valium were found in the body, which had remained there for 3 days. Autopsy report states that Cobain passed away in April 5 1994.

On April 10, a wake took place in a park in downtown Seattle, where approximately seven thousand people came to mourn.

Recorded messages by Love and Krist Novoselic were played during the memorial. Love read excerpts from Cobain’s note to the crowd and then fell apart

15 crying and cursing at the same time because Kurt left her. At the end of the wake, Love arrived at the park and gave Kurt’s remaining clothes to the remaining mourners.

Cobain’s voice, which is just fucking caramel–a beautiful rock voice.

Lou Barlow, quoted by Marc Hawthorne in “Interview: Dinosaur Jr.”, The A.V. Club (2005-07-20).

All that time, his friend, partner and best man Michael Stipe (R.E.M), had been trying to figure out a solution , a help to Kurt. Wanting Kurt to forget the drugs during his attempt of rehabilitation, Stipe recommended him working on a new album. The song was never released and Cobain gave up both in arms and in life.

“Let me in” is a song dedicated by R.E.M, one of Kurt’s favorite bands, to the fan they loved the most.

He had a touch most guitarists would kill for.

Chuck Berry, according to Kurt Cobain by Christopher Sandford, Orion Press, 1995.

People were trying to call me to do interviews on the anniversary of Kurt Co-

Ironically enough, during Nirvana’s last live performance on MTV in 1994, Kurt had one sole request: he wanted the entire studio and stage to be filled with white lilies and candles. This reminded of a funeral to many. The last song for the evening was Lead Belly’s “Where did you sleep last night”.

Secret soft spots, a child’s heart and a love which surely led Cobain to the inner peace he had always been looking for.

Messages that made Kurt Cobain write his own pages of history in music: Genius is a weird and inappropriate word, and hard work is underrated, but Kurt Cobain had a distinct and personal take on the world, and generally, when someone strikes a chord with his audience, that’s what people respond to...I have to admit that I wasn’t particularly a fan of Nirvana when I was asked to work on In Utero, but during the course of making the record I came to appreciate that they were genuine about their band and their music, that Kurt was capable of sophisticated thinking, and that they and their music were unique.

Steve Albini, quoted in “Steve Albini Drops Anonymity, Answers Questions In Poker Forum”, Stereogum (2007-10-06).

Nirvana were like...power-chord music with the occasional Sonic Youth-y flip-out in it. But the power of that band is Kurt

and thinking, “God, this music is nuclear,” This is really splitting the atom. They raised the temperature for everybody.

Manufactured pop never looked so cold as when that heat was around. Nirvana made everything else look silly.

Bono, quoted in Lorraine Ali, “Cries From The Heart,” Newsweek (2002-10-28).

I was simply blown away when I found out that Kurt Cobain liked my work, and I always wanted to talk to him about his reasons for covering “Man Who Sold The World.” It was a good straightforward rendition and sounded somehow very honest. It would have been nice to have worked with him, but just talking would have been real cool.

David Bowie, quoted in “A Fan’s Notes,” SPIN (1995-04).

Cobain was very shy, very polite, and obviously enjoyed the fact that I wasn’t awestruck at meeting him. There was something about him, fragile and engagingly lost.

bain’s death. They want me to say some poignant shit about some poor guy who blew his head off. It’s just like, “Give me a fuckin’ break, man”...Just say the guy made some good records, and let’s get on with it.

Frank Black, quoted by Scott Gordon in “Interview: Frank Black”, The A.V. Club (2006-10-19).

I remember watching Kurt come through

William S. Burroughs, according to Nirvana: The Day-By-Day Chronicle by Carrie Borzillo.

I’m sorry I couldn’t have spoken to the young man. I see a lot of people at the Zen Center, who have gone through drugs and found a way out that is not just Sunday school. There are always alternatives, and I might have been able to lay something on him. Or maybe not.

Leonard Cohen, quoted

by Peter Howell, Addicted To Noise (199508-06).

That kid has heart.

Bob Dylan, after hearing the Nirvana song “Polly”, according to Heavier Than Heaven by Charles R. Cross, Hyperion, 2001.

The only person I have any respect for as a songwriter over the last 10 years is Kurt Cobain. He was the perfect cross between Lennon and McCartney. He belted it out like Lennon, but his melodies were so Paul McCartney. They were dead bouncy up and down - jolly melodies - but he was a miserable fuck at the same time.

Noel Gallagher, quoted in Guitar World Burst { music magazine }

16 (1996-05).

A couple weeks ago, one of my students gave me a mixed tape of Kurt Cobain and there was a version of “Black Girl” of great artistry. Great vocal control and subtlety, it’s almost as good as Leadbelly’s.

Allen Ginsberg, quoted by George Petros in “ALLEN GINSBERG. GROOVIN’ GURU. Beat laureate ALLEN GINSBERG goes bananas,” Seconds, Issue 28 (1994).

He’s the most talented person I ever worked with because he was talented in so many different ways. He’s a guitar player and a lead singer and he wrote all the songs. He did everything for Nirvana that it took Jimmy Page and Robert Plant

to do for Led Zeppelin. Kurt also designed the album covers and wrote treatments for the videos. He even designed the t-shirts. He was really a comprehensive genius when it came to the art of rock and roll.

Danny Goldberg, quoted by Stephen Elliott in “The Shorty Q&A with Kurt Cobain’s Former Manager Danny Goldberg”, The Rumpus, (2009-01-30).

I suddenly realized Michael [Pitt] was much taller than Kurt, and much more buff, actually. Kurt was a wee little man, with these big piercing blue eyes and this Burst { music magazine }

tremendous smile — and that’s one thing that nobody can replicate.

himself enough credit. I mean, he knew he was the shit.

Kim Gordon, quoted by Rodrigo Perez and Courtney Reimer in “Sonic Youth Revisit Their Friend Kurt Cobain In ‘Last Days’”, MTV.com (2005-07-22).

I still dream about Kurt. Every time I see him in a dream, I’ll be amazed and I get this feeling that everyone else thinks he’s dead. It always feels totally real, probably because I’m a very vivid dreamer. But, in my dreams, Kurt’s usually been hiding we’ll get together and I’ll end up asking him, “God, where have you been” Dave Grohl, quoted in “I still dream about Kurt” NME (2007-10-31).

Courtney Love, in an interview with Kurt Loder, broadcast on MTV (1994-09-08).

Rage and aggression were elements for Kurt to play with as an artist, but he was profoundly gentle and intelligent.

Thurston Moore, quoted in “When The Edge Moved To The Middle,” The New York Times (2004-04-08).

He was a revealing symbol [of Generation X]. He called himself passive-aggressive.

There was self-pity, whining. There was a diminishment, a diminution. He was sitting there in his sweater, hunched over his guitar, looking like a little lost boy. Compare that with the great figures of my generation: Jimi Hendrix. Pete

Kurt really reminded me a lot of John

[Lennon] in his writing, singing, and guitar playing. More attitude than technique, but he had incredibly strong rhythm and a great solo sense.

Jim Keltner, according to Classic Rock Albums: Nevermind by Jim Berkenstadt and Charles Cross, Schirmer, 1998.

And he could be a real grumpy bastard, but that was part of his power. You know, without saying a word he could make the whole room feel like shit. You know?

And he also had an intense narcissism...

But he also didn’t have one ATOM of rock star ego, and he needed it. He didn’t give

Townshend. Keith Richards. The great achievements of rock--of the Sixties, in fact--were done by assertion and energy.

This is why I’m worried about the future.

Camille Paglia, quoted in Playboy (199505).

I went to see Nirvana at a small club called the Pyramid on Avenue A in New York City. It was hard to hear the guitar, but the guy playing and singing had a vibe; he hopped around like a muppet or an elf or something, hunched over his guitar, hop hop hop, hippety hippety hop.

I loved that. When he sang, he put his voice in this really grating place, and it

17 was kind of devilish sounding. At the end of the set he attacked the drum kit and threw the cymbals, other bits and finally himself into the audience. Later I saw the same guy passing the bar. He was little, with stringy blond hair and a Stooges Tshirt. I felt proud.

Iggy Pop, quoted in “A Fan’s Notes,” SPIN (1995-04).

Cobain changed the course of where the music went. There are certain people where you can see the axis of musical history twisting on them: Hendrix was pivotal, Prince was pivotal, Cobain was pivotal.

Vernon Reid, quoted in The “Immortals The Greatest Artists Of All Time”, Rolling Stone (2004-04-15).

In Kurt’s voice I could hear his love of bluegrass music, of Bill Monroe and Leadbelly. It’s in the twang of his voice.

Patti Smith, quoted by Jim Farber in “Patti Smith still doesn’t change horses midstream,” Pop Matters (2007-10-13).

Yeah, he talked a lot about what direction he was heading in. I mean, I know what the next Nirvana recording was going to sound like. It was going to be very quiet and acoustic, with lots of stringed instruments. It was going to be an amazing fucking record, and I’m a little bit angry at him for killing himself. He and I were going to record a trial run of the album, a demo tape. It was all set up. He had a plane ticket. He had a car picking him up.

And at the last minute he called and said, “I can’t come.”

He was very quiet and subdued. He said, “Thanks - that means a lot coming from you. Consider yourself our biggest influence.”

Kim Thayil, quoted by Greg Prato in Grunge Is Dead: The Oral History of Seattle Rock Music, ECW Press, 2009.

I mourn for Kurt. A once beautiful, then pathetic, lost and heroically stupid boy.

Pete Townshend, quoted in “Why he died before he got old,” The Observer, (200211-03).

And like I said I love Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, the lyrics are so deep--stuff like “The animals I’ve trapped have now become my pets”.

Tricky, quoted by David Trueman in “Tricky Business - An interview with Tricky” on Amazon.co.uk.

He’s your archetypal small guy - wiry, defiantly working class and fiery.

Everett True, in “Everett True Thrashes It Out With The Latest Wizards From Seattle’s Sub Pop Label Who Arrive In Britain Next Week,” Melody Maker (1989-10-21).

Kurt’s wounds were so deep that when the music floated to the surface after being filtered through his soul, it was incorporeal.

Michael Stipe, quoted by Jeff Giles in “Everybody Hurts Sometimes,” Newsweek (1994-09-26).

Steven Tyler, quoted in “A Fan’s Notes,” SPIN (1995-04). ...With Kurt Cobain you felt you were connecting to the real person, not to a perception of who he was - you were not connecting to an image or a manufactured cut-out.

Lars Ulrich, quoted in “Lars Ulrich: Kurt Cobain Didn’t Want to Share the Stage with Guns N’ Roses,” Blabbermouth.net (2004-04-01)

I was in Pioneer Square - I went to see some band, I don’t know if it was the the Melvins. Kurt was there - I think Kurt was by himself and I was by myself. I went over to tell him how much I loved Bleach.

You know, I always thought I’d go first.

I don’t know why I thought that, it just seemed like I would. I mean, I didn’t know him on a daily basis - far from it.

But, in a way, I don’t even feel right being

here without him. It’s so difficult to really believe he’s gone. I still talk about him like he’s still here, you know. I can’t figure it out. It doesn’t make any sense.

Eddie Vedder, quoted in “I’m Not Your Fuckin’ Messiah”, Melody Maker Magazine (1994-05-21) He really, really inspired me. He was so great. Wonderful. One of the best, but more than that. Kurt was one of the absolute best of all time for me.

Neil Young, quoted in “Reflective Glory” NME (1995-07-15)

Songs dedicated and inspired by Kurt: 1. Kurt - Dan Bern 2. About A Boy - Patti Smith 3. Love Love Love - Mountain Goats 4. Let Me In - R.E.M. 5. The Day Seattle Died - Cold 6. Am I High - N.E.R.D. 7. Devils Night - D12 8. I Try - Talib Kweli 9. Do You Wanna Go Our Way?? - Public Enemy 10. Sleeps With Angels - Neil Young 11. I’m Still Remembering - The Cranberries 12. Dimebag - Cross Canadian Ragweed 13. Mighty K.C. - For Squirrels 14. Kurt Cobain - Wesley Willis 15. Innocent - Our Lady Peace 16. Nothing As It Seems - Pearl Jam 17. Just Let Me Breathe - Dream Theater 18. Coattails Of A Dead Man - Primus 19. Maybe Angels - Sheryl Crow 20. Malibu - Hole 21. Me And My Monkey - Robbie Williams 22. Put Down The Gun - James Kochalka Superstar 23. Fire Water Burn - The Bloodhound Gang 24. Here’s To Life - Streetlight Manifesto 25. Headless Boogie - Insane Clown Posse 26. Creamer (Radio Is Dead) - Limp Bizkit 27. Hurricane Fresh - MC Lars

© Seattle Rex/www.seattlerex.com Burst { music magazine }

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This elvis has not left the building

elvis costello Written by Eleni Lampraki / Photo from Wikipedia

If you were born and your parents gave you the name Declan Patrick McManus would you keep it or not? Well, young Declan decided that this name wasn’t suitable for his music career and quickly picked up the stage name D.P. Costello; as a tribute to his father, the musician and trumpet player Ross McManus who performed under the stage name Day Costello. It was his manager in the mid70s who suggested the adoption of Elvis Presley‘s first name. And that’s how Elvis Costello appeared.

Costello released his first album, “My Aim Is True”, in 1977 with the independent label, Stiff Records, and in his picture on the cover, his oversized glasses he wore, were set as his trademark ever since. Costello wrote most of the songs late at night, in order not to wake his wife or his son, or on the way to work (data-entry clerk on Elizabeth Arden) in the Underground.

The first 1000 copies in the UK contained a form asking the buyer to send the address of a friend, who then, would receive a free copy. Later, in the same year Elvis formed his permanent backing band “The Attractions” (Steve Nieve, Bruce Thomas and Pete Thomas). Costello at that time was characterized as a “very angry young man”. Soon, he signed with Columbia records. Costello recorded his second album (and first to be with the Attractions) a year later, entitled “This Year’s Model”.

But it was the next one “Armed Forces” that was both a commercial success and a success in the world of critics.

During the ‘80s Costello experimented with new sounds and genres from soul to country. Significantly he released “Almost Blue” in 1981, an album with country music songs, as a tribute to the music with Burst { music magazine }

which he grew up with. Two years later, Elvis adopted another pseudonym “The Imposter” and released “Pills and Soap” as a political statement versus Thatcherism, which concurred with the 1983 UK general elections - Thatcher’s most decisive election victory. At the same time tensions were growing inside the band, between Bruce and Pete Thomas at first, and between Bruce and Costello himself later, which led to the second’s retirement and the breakup of the band. Luckily it was a short retirement to take. He made his comeback two years later, but this would be the last collaboration with the Attractions for many years. Later in the same year he recorded “Blood and Chocolate” and went back to his post-punk roots. Although “Blood and Chocolate” failed to contain a hit single at that time, it featured “I want you”, one of Costello’s most significant songs. The success continued with his next album “Spike” (and his new contract with Warner Bros) and his biggest single in America, “Veronica” in 1989.

The 1990’s found Elvis Costello experimenting with instrumental, orchestral and classical music. He composed the tittle and incidental music for the miniseries G.B.H., for which in 1991, he won a BAFTA with his pair co-composer, Richard Harvey. A few years later, after an acclaimed collaboration with Brodsky Quarter on “Juliet Letters”, he reunited with the Attractions in 1995, for the album “Brutal Youth” (this was one among the six Elvis Costello album’s featured in “1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Die”). Next year’s tour proved to be the last for the band. Tension between Costello and Bruce Thomas grew once more and Costello split up with the Attractions

once again. In 1998 he signed a multilabel contract with Polygram Records, later part of Universal Music Group. He started collaboration with Burt Bacharach and they released the critically acclaimed album “Painted from Memory”. At the same time he appeared in a couple of soundtracks, for the films “Austin Powers: The spy who shagged me”, “The Rugrats Movie”, “The long journey home” and of course “Notting Hill” with his version of Charles Aznavour’s “She”.

The new millennium found Elvis Costello once again experimenting with more jazzy and classical music styles. He appeared in Steve Nieve’s opera “Welcome to the Voice” and he also wrote music for a new ballet, as an artist and in residence in UCLA. In 2002 he toured with his “new” band, the “Imposters”, which had the same members with the Attraction but a different bass player. In 2003 he released “North”, an album consisting of piano ballads, much closer to the style we know him for nowadays. In 2004, the song he wrote with T-Bone Burnett “Scarlet Tide” was used in the film “Cold Mountain” and nominated for an Academy Award. Far away from his new wave or post punk roots, he continued with classical and orchestral work with “Il Sogno”. He contributed to a jazz project in 2005 and then attempted to write a chamber opera which remained unfinished, but material can be found in 2009 album “Secret, Profane and Sugarcane”.

In the last decade he has made numerous appearances in television shows portraying himself but he never quit music. In fact we are expecting his new album either late 2013 or early 2014!

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The following artists already promised their appearance: <1979> (D) G A SPLIT SECOND (B) G ABNEY PARK (USA) – exclusive German show 2013 G ALEXANDER PAUL BLAKE‘S AETHERNAEUM (D) – world premiere (D) G ALTAR OF PLAGUES (IRL) G ASLAN FACTION (GB) G BANANE METALIK (F) G BLOODY, DEAD & SEXY (D) G BRIGADE WERTHER (D) G BRUDERSCHAFT (USA) G BURN (D) G C-LEKKTOR (D) G COPPELIUS (D) G CREMATORY (D) G DARKWOOD (D) G DAS ICH (D) G DESIRELESS & OPERATION OF THE SUN (F) G DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS (PL) G DIE SELEKTION (D) G DIGITALIS PURPUREA (I) G DUNKELSCHÖN (D) G ECHO WEST (D) G ENABLED DISASTER (D) G END OF GREEN (D) G ENSIFERUM (FIN) G FEJD (S) G FIRE+ICE (GB) G FORMALIN (D) G FRANK (JUST FRANK) (F) G GITANE DEMONE (USA) G GOD MODULE (USA) G GRAUSAME TÖCHTER (D) G HAGGARD (D) G HALO EFFECT (I) G HAUTVILLE (I) G HECATE ENTHRONED (GB) G HENRIC DE LA COUR (S) G HYPNOSKULL (B) G I LIKE TRAINS (GB) G IAMX (GB) G IN MITRA MEDUSA INRI (D) G IN STRICT CONFIDENCE (D) G INCITE/ (D) G INCUBITE (D) G IRM (S) G ISZOLOSCOPE (CDN) G K-BEREIT (F) G KARIN PARK (S) G KMFDM (USA) G KOFFIN KATS (USA) G LACRIMOSA (D) G LEAETHER STRIP (DK) G LETZTE INSTANZ (D) G LORD OF THE LOST (D) G LUX INTERNA (USA) G MARTIAL CANTEREL (USA) G METALLSPÜRHUNDE (D) G NACHTGESCHREI (D) G NAMNAMBULU (D) – reunion G NAUGHTY WHISPER (I) G NIN KUJI (D) G NOISUF-X (D) G NOMANS LAND (RUS) G OBJEKT/ URIAN (D) G ORANGE SECTOR (D) G OTHER DAY (D) G PASSION PLAY (GB) G PATENBRIGADE WOLFF (D) G PATRICK WOLF (GB) G PHOSGORE (D) G POKEMON REAKTOR (D) G PREDOMINANCE (D) G PROYECTO MIRAGE (E) G READJUST (D) G REFORMED FACTION (GB) G ROBOTIKO REJEKTO (D) G – exclusive world premiere G SALTATIO MORTIS (D) G SEX GANG C H I L D R E N (GB) G SHE PAST AWAY (TR) G SHIV-R (AUS) G SKELETAL FAMILY (GB) G SLEEPING DOGS WAKE perform “Understanding“ – worldwide exclusive show (NZ/D) G SOFT KILL (USA) G SORIAH (USA) G STILL PATIENT? (D) G SUICIDE COMMANDO (B) G SUTCLIFFE JÜGEND (GB) G TALVEKOIDIK (D) G TEARS OF OTHILA (I) G TERMINAL GODS (GB) G THE 69 EYES (FIN) G THE BIRTHDAY MASSACRE (USA) – exclusive German show 2013 G THE BLUE ANGEL LOUNGE (D) G THE BREATH OF LIFE (B) G THE KVB (GB) G THE MESCALINE BABIES (I) G THE OTHER (D) G THE SPIRITUAL BAT (I) G THE SPOOK (D) G THE TWILIGHT GARDEN (USA) G THEATRES DES VAMPIRES (I) G THUNDRA (N) G UNITARY (S) G UNZUCHT (D) G VELVET ACID CHRIST (USA) – exclusive German show 2013 G VERMALEDEYT (D) G VNV NATION (GB) G WELLE:ERDBALL (D) G WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW (A) G WINTERKÄLTE (D) G WIPEOUT (A) G X-IMPROVISO (NZ) G X-IN JUNE (D) G XANDRIA (D) G XENO & OAKLANDER (USA)

© goeart 2013

Furthermore we recommend to you: three soirees at the Opera House G Richard Wagner soiree G baroque ballroom dancing G Victorian ball G Readings G videoshow G live adventure role playing G autograph-shows G exhibitions G motion pictures in the CINESTAR G concerts in sacred venues G organ concerts G theatre & variety G Aftershow parties with well known DJs G Gothic-scene-fair in the agra exhibition hall No.1 G medieval mile “Celebrant 2013” G pagan village G horse-drawn buggy rides G knight performances G medieval acrobats G fashion shows G fetish party “Obsession Bizarre” G fetish performances G fire and light performance G esotericism More details will be published soon!

The following tickets, including the below listed range of services, you can acquire in advance sale. Ticket-Order at www.wave-gotik-treffen.com or call **49.341.2120862

Treffen-Event-Ticket:

Obsorge-Karte:

The Treffen-Event-Ticket includes free using of public transport (tram, city-busses, regional trains, suburban trains) within the zone 110 of MDV (”Mitteldeutscher Verkehrs Verbund”) from 17th of june, 8.00 am to the 21st of june, 12.00 am (except for special routes)

Limited up to 9999 Tickets for 25,- € each (including advance sale charge), contains the following service-package: • Camping at the Treffen-Campingground (agra-fairground) • “Pfingstbote” (“Whitsun-herald”) - the Treffen-programbook

Please note:

Entrance and usage of the campingsite is not possible without the ”Obsorgekarte“. The ”Obsorgekarte“ is only valid in connection with the Treffen-Event-Ticket.

4-Days-Ticket for all events within the 22nd Wave-Gotik-Treffen Whitsun 2013, 89,- € each in advance ticket sale (including advance sale charges).

Parking Vignette:

For car parking at the Treffen-area you have to purchase a Parking Vignette for 15,- € (including advance sale charges). Please note: Parking at the Treffen-area (agra-fairground) is definitely not possible without a Parking Vignette.

Treffen & Festspielgesellsaft für Mitteldeutsland mbH

Fernruf: 0341/2120862 G Weltnetz: www.wave-gotik-treffen.de G Elektronise Post: info@wave-gotik-treffen.de Burst { music magazine }

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burst presents

Ryan Key Interview by Hope VNZ

Burst { music magazine }

21 If there is a band that clearly stands out in the music world today because of its uniqueness it is definitely the American pop punk/ alternative rock band Yellowcard. Formed in 1997 the quintet has a rare musical connection to its fans and a signature sound.

Yellowcard comprises of five young people, very down-to-earth and extremely talented, -Ryan Key (vocals, guitars), Sean Mackin (violin, vocals), Ryan Mendez (guitar, vocals), Longineu Parsons (drums) and Josh Portman (bass).

Not a typical punk band, using the violin in their music masterpieces, unusual for the genre. An almost overnight success, with their single “Ocean Avenue” peaking at #37 on the Billboard Hot 100! In 2012, after signing with Hopeless Records, Yellowcard released their 8th studio album called “Southern Air”, which Alter the Press ranked album number 1, Album of the Year.

We’ve had the pleasure of speaking with Ryan Key, lead singer and rhythm guitarist.

Enjoy!

How did you come up with your band’s name? Does it have any special meaning for you guys?

I was not in the band when that was decided. But I think the original meaning didn’t hold a whole lot of weight. As I understand it was a last minute decision before the band’s first show. Now it means everything to us. It is a way of life for us and our fans. I think it stands for our relationship with them more than anything.

and I think that inspiration found a place in the studio in a big way. We are extremely proud of this record, and amazed by the positive feedback it has received.

You have mentioned that you had decided to write about family in your latest album. What other issues inspired you during that process?

I thought a lot about all the things that

Do you remember the first time you went on stage and you said to yourself this is what I want to do?

Well, I knew I wanted to be on stage when I played Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol at age 6. But it actually wasn’t a stage but a rehearsal room with Yellowcard that I realized I wanted to play music forever.

I just knew somehow that it was what I was supposed to do next.

You had such a little amount of time to record your latest album, but the outcome was far than amazing! How did you feel about that?

We went into the writing and recording process for Southern Air so quickly because we felt that there was a moment we didn’t want to lose. We were really inspired to keep moving the band forward

a band and you will never forget?

I think winning an MTV Video Music Award in 2004 will always be something we remember. It was such a surreal experience for us. We never imagined that we’d reach a level like that.

Tell us more about your cooperation with your producer Neal Avron.

Neal has produced every record we’ve made since Ocean Avenue. He is very much like a sixth member of Yellowcard.

We have an amazing relationship with him which allows us to have a high level of trust and friendship, but also professional respect. Neal knows how to get the best out of each member of the band.

How was your experience of collaborating with Silverstein?

Nowadays you can find music all over the internet, music is more accessible, in your opinion is this good or bad?

Personally I think it is more of a bad thing. I think it has taken a lot of the magic away from records. So many things about an album are not important anymore. The artwork, the sequence of the songs, the build up to the release date, all have been defeated by the Internet. I think we are on our way back to the time when artists just recorded and released singles a few times a year.

interview

had brought Yellowcard to the place it was. This album was something we needed, I think, to prove to ourselves that we are here to stay. So I found inspiration in lots of different places, but all of them related to our journey in some way.

Did spending a lot of time as a band in Jacksonville, Florida affect your writing style?

Jacksonville provided a common thread of musical influence, I think. We are all interested in very different types of music individually, but collectively we will always have the punk sound we grew up listening to.

Any experience you had together as

Unfortunately I didn’t get to go into the studio with them.

They sent me the song and I recorded my part while we were in the studio for When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes Acoustic. The song came out great though. I was stoked to be a part of the record.

Did you have any musical influences or people that inspired you while composing your own music?

I think our influences are always with us when we write. One thing about Yellowcard is that while the band was formed around a common interest in the same type of sound, individually our influences are very different. I think that brings a lot of diversity into the room when we are writing music.

You have been writing for a long time together. Does this make it easier to create and experiment?

It does. We are always progressing as songwriters, but we have learned how to work together to get the best songs we Burst { music magazine }

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23 can over the years.

Violin parts in pop-punk are a rare thing to find but you guys do it extremely well! How do you combine it with your sound?

Sean has been a part of the band from the start. We don’t have a science for it. It comes very natural for us. The violin is just a part of what we do.

Should a band always be on the alert so as not to disappoint its fans?

I think honesty is the most important thing. True fans will understand you if you are honest with them. You will never be able to please everyone so you can’t get too caught up in worrying about who is disappointed.

Are you touring this period? How is that going for you?

This particular tour is the longest we’ve ever done as band.

It has been a full 8 weeks with no sign of home. So we are all pretty ready for a break. But I know Yellowcard and it won’t be long before we are all itching to get back on the road again.

Who else, band or artist you would like to work with, even make a CD?

way possible. Just the chance to soak up an ounce of their knowledge would be amazing.

How difficult is it to have personal life and keep things private when you are in the public eye?

It is a challenge these days with the internet. It seems sometimes like fans are not happy with just music any more. They need to have total access to every aspect of your life. We try and keep it about the music. That’s why we are here, not to post pictures of our private parts to gain notoriety.

What is your advice for new bands who dream of success?

Hard work. As obvious as that may sound, it’s true. If you’re willing to work harder than everyone else, then you can achieve anything you want. The only ingredient for success I cannot provide, is the songs. You can work super hard but you have to have great songs as well. And there’s no instruction manual for that.

One last question, what is more inspiring for you, long session in the recording studio or the experience of a live concert?

I love them both. Making records is such an exciting and creative experience. Live shows are the fruits of all our labor.

I would love to work with Dave Grohl or Chris Martin in any

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Warlord An interview with Bill Tsamis

By Elias J. Kay

Burst { music magazine }

27 Hello Bill and welcome to Burst.

During the last year everywhere I look I see the name “Warlord”.

New merchandise, record reissues, Warlord anthology, the “Sons Of A Dream” management company, live shows for 2013, etc… how do you deal with this publicity? How much have things changed since the “Destroyer” days?

Well, the demand for Warlord to play festivals in Europe hasn’t really stopped for the past 10 years. We’ve been offered to play everywhere. However, I had a career as a college professor and there was only a couple months during the year when I could do anything apart from the academic life. Actually, I had “no time” because even during those 2 summer months when there was no school I was doing research and acquainting myself with the latest scholarly works. It wasn’t until Oct 2011 when I was hospitalized for a severe “digestive illness” (I lost 70 pounds in one year). I personally thought my life was over because I was so sick.

Although my college would have taken me back no matter what and whenever (and if) I got better, during that time I did a lot of thinking and decided that if I was going to survive this deathly illness, I would return to music and just enjoy myself - thus I would retire from the college life and play music. It just so happened that the attention was all about Warlord so I decided to go forward with a “new” Warlord project which would incorporate many ideas I had as well. It’s Warlord, but it’s different. More medieval and epic than the earlier Warlord. Very dark.

You’ve always dealt with religious subjects in Warlord, from parables to the battle of Good and Evil. What was the story behind the “darker” side of the band? What inspired you to write songs like the “Black Mass”, which by the way is one of my favorite heavy metal songs of all time?

Nothing. I wrote songs like Black Mass and Child of the Damned when I was 18 and I just tried to use dark themes in order to convey an image of power. The songs are completely meaningless and reflect my songwriting when I was at the end of my high school years.

In the past, have you ever been badly criticized by the fans or the press, about a song or a decision that you’ve made?

I’ve been criticized for lots of things. I was criticized for the song “Deliver Us From Evil” because it was too Christian. I was criticized for Lordian Guard because my wife wasn’t a perfect singer and the lyrics were Christian. I was criticized for choos-

ing Joacim Cans to sing on “Rising out of the Ashes.” I’ve already been criticized for using Rick Anderson to sing on the new album. Ironically, those are the only two singers who love Warlord. I could care less about the criticism. People don’t know the whole story. Metal fans are “quick to judge and slow to understand.”

Warlord reunited in 2001, released the “Rising Out Of The Ashes” record in 2002 and played in Wacken Open Air. Sadly, this reunion didn’t last long either and you disbanded once more. What happened back then?

It was kind of a combination of things. In May 2003 when I was working on some themes for a new Warlord album, we were driving home late at night (around 11:00pm). As we were sitting at a stop light, I looked in the rear view mirror and a Mercedes Benz came crashing into our vehicle at 55 miles per hour. We were stationary. It was a massive car accident. My wife’s hip was shattered and I received some damage to my spine. So it was very difficult for a few years for me to even sit down for long periods and play the guitar. It was difficult for me to stand up for long periods and play the guitar. Even to this day it is difficult but my spine has healed as much as possible so it’s not too painful. At the same time Joacim was attacked and mugged in Sweden and he received knife wounds to the face and he was hospitalized. So the “stars fell out of alignment for Warlord” at that time.

Personally I loved “Rising Out Of The Ashes” record as well as the voice of Joacim Cans. Was Joacim your first choice for the singer’s position or not? Have you ever considered working with him again?

I knew Joacim from the Hammer Fall “Glory to the Brave” days when they contacted me to get my permission to do “Child of the Damned.” We were already good friends at that time. I think he’s a great vocalist. Mark and I were ready to do a new project in 2001 and Mark asked me, “Who do you want to sing?”

And I didn’t even think twice about it. I told him “Joacim Cans from this Swedish band HammerFall.” *This was before HF was well-known so Mark didn’t know who he was. I sent Mark “The Dragon Lies Bleeding,” “The Metal Age,” and “Child of the Damned” and Mark said, “Yes, this is our man.” I was shocked when he received so much criticism from Greek fans. Very “mean-spirited” criticism.

People can criticize whoever they want but they don’t have to be “mean-spirited” and call musicians “terrible names.” I would love to work with Joacim again but I wouldn’t want to subject him to these “mean-spirited” attacks. The northern

Europeans had no problem with Joacim singing for Warlord - they loved the “Rising out of the Ashes” album, but the Greeks basically “hated” the guy. They thought he was a poser, when, in fact, it was Joacim’s dream since he was 12 years old to sing for Warlord. Like I said, the only other singer who loved Warlord that much is Rick Anderson. Jack Rucker and Rick Cunningham didn’t care or understand what Warlord was all about. They would have worked with any band that was doing a record. And they were just “parroting” my lines in the studio. We put those old songs together sometimes one line at a time. I would sing the melody for them and then they would practice it a few times in the studio for 5 minutes and record it right there. I remember the song “Aliens” was done “one line at a time.”

People praise the first two Damien Kings as if these singers loved Warlord when, in truth, they could care less about Warlord apart from the fact that we were recording an album. They had no idea they were singing classic heavy metal songs.

How is the scene right now for heavy metal bands? Are things better than they were back in the 80s or about the same?

I really don’t pay much attention to the metal scene right now although I have noticed that many classic metal bands are being discovered among young people and, of course, greatly appreciated by the older crowd. It may be possible that a lot of young metal bands aren’t offering the quality of metal that the classic metal bands did. I certainly know that this is the case with Warlord. The popularity of Warlord has grown largely because there has been a vacuum for this type of melodic power epic metal in the contemporary scene.

Lately you’ve been using a lot the internet and social media. This includes a lot of sharing, from personal info to file sharing (music, photos, etc). In your opinion, internet can help or harm a band?

Definitely. In this age of ‘social media’ this is probably one of the best ways to market your band (or music) to the most amount of people with very little cost. In fact, back in March 2012 I was told by an old Warlord fan, who is now a professor of Marketing at the esteemed Loyola Marymount University that we should do as much “social media” as possible. It has certainly brought in a lot of people from all over the world into our network.

Further, it gives fans the opportunity to exchange stories, etc. in a kind of discussion forum. Although the official Warlord website is Warlord-Official.com, it is the last thing we are preparing. It only exists as a link to our Merchandise Store. But Burst { music magazine }

28 the real Warlord Fan Club (Warlord Battle Choir) is right there on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/warlordbattlechoir/ Anyway, ‘social media’ has worked wonders in naturally promoting Warlord with little cost, although we also go the conventional route with some ads in magazines, etc.

I know that you’re a fan of movies and movie soundtracks. Actually, the music in your solo album “Sea Of Tranquility”, reminds me a lot of a soundtrack for some fantasy/ epic/sci-fi movie. What’s the story behind that album?

Very simply, because it is a long story around 1990-1994 I went on a personal quest to teach myself the piano. I first started by transposing certain renais-

and I always loved melody (even when I was a kid). At age 11-12, add some Black Sabbath and Deep Purple influences.

At age 14, start adding Rainbow w/Dio, early Scorpions, and some Judas Priest and I just became a metal guitarist and songwriter but I always maintained the melodic aspect of music. As I became older I was very interested in “epic” music (especially film scores) so I wanted my music to sound huge and powerful. You will hear what I mean when you listen to the new Warlord album (to be released in mid-March 2013). So it was a natural progression for me, even adding elements of ecclesiastical music (which I always loved), whether Gregorian or Byzantine, into the mix. Some of my influences come from Greek folk music from when I was a kid and I used to hear my dad play that deep minor music all the time. So,

epic, and powerful music in a metal format. It is like Lordian Guard on steroids.

I’ve always considered you to be a Christian as well as a philosopher and a thinker. However, we both know that Christianity condemned freedom of thought throughout history. Have you somehow found the perfect balance between organized religion and free thinking?

Well, I don’t want to get into a religious discussion but the statement that “Christianity condemned freedom of thought throughout history” is a generalization that is representative of some of the power politics played throughout history by the church. That is NOT Christianity.

THAT is “Christendom.” One example, Martin Luther, though a Roman

“People can criticize whoever they want but they don’t have to be “mean-spirited” and call musicians “terrible names” sance songs I knew from the guitar to the piano. At first, it was difficult using both hands on the piano (it is unlike the guitar). But as I became better and better, I progressed to Baroque music, playing Bach and the like. I’ll never forget the day when I was play a “Two Part Invention” by Bach and I thought to myself, I should write “my own” piano/keyboard music. With a good synthesizer and sound bank I started composing melodies and utilizing different sounds. I thought I would put some guitar leads or melodies in there too, but it sounded so pure to me just as instrumental keyboards that I didn’t use the guitar. The music was totally for myself. I never expected anyone to hear it. So, in that sense it is pure and full of emotion, taking the listener to distant places of the imagination. The release by No Remorse Records is something I never planned on or expected. But in remastered form is sounds wonderful.

I am happy that it was released on CD. It’s not metal, but anyone who loves great melodies and soundtrack type music will enjoy it.

Your music work in Warlord and Lordian Guard, shows that you’ve experimented a lot and enriched your compositions with a lot of elements. How much have your influences as a musician changed through the years?

Well, my musical venture started when I was 8 years old learning “melodic” music, whether it was Simon and Garfunkel, Peter, Paul, and Mary, renaissance music or baroque music. In that sense I started off “right away” playing melodic music Burst { music magazine }

essentially, I’ve blended all these styles, maintaining a metal sound, but I always put “music” before “metal.” The more I grow, the more the music becomes grand and epic, always retaining its melodic flavor.

Between the time of the first Warlord split-up in 1985 and the reunion back in 2001, you had a project called Lordian Guard. In this project you kept all the familiar Warlord melodies, but you’ve added a lot of chants, hymns, keyboards and orchestral parts. One can really tell that you’ve put a big part of your soul in this music as well. What’s the story behind Lordian Guard?

Would you ever consider playing Lordian Guard songs in the future?

Well, some Lordian Guard songs or themes have been transferred onto the Warlord canvass. “Pure” Lordian Guard can never be done again because my wife, who did all the vocals and narration has suffered from numerous failed spinal surgeries and she simply can’t do it anymore. However, if you hear the new Warlord you will hear plenty of Lordian Guard elements in the music. Now, it just has that Warlord ‘bite,’ with Mark Zonder on drums and Rick Anderson on vocals.

However, it still retains the grand epic vision that I had during the Lordian Guard years. Back then, in 1995-97 I didn’t have the advanced pro recording studio that I have now so Lordian Guard always sounded under produced. Now, though, things have changed. My studio is totally pro and I’m using a lot of “virtual instruments” as well. The new Warlord is dark,

Catholic Augustinian monk was hardly someone who didn’t express “freedom of thought.” We “protested” many of the human teachings of the Roman Catholic church when that element of the Church was at its highest level of power and control. Anyway, I can go on, but simply put, Christianity, founded by Jesus, was a completely new way of thinking about the world. I’m highly educated in theology, philosophy, history and the like and “generalizations” as the one you mentioned are fallacies. Atheists, for instance, are NOT all “freethinkers.” They adopt a “naturalistic” or “materialistic” philosophy. Thus, they view the world through certain presuppositions and their conclusions are predictable. Everyone views the world through presuppositions. Christian theism presupposes that God exists that’s all. And Christianity, of all the great religions, though it lays down guidelines, simply gives one “free will” to think within that context. I ALWAYS examine both sides of every issue. I know as much about atheism as any atheistic philosopher. So, am I “not allowed” the “freedom to think” because I am a Christian? People use stereotypes and, for the most part, it’s probably Christianity’s fault for helping create these stereotypes. But “true Christianity” is not a faith where one can reign it in and give it a stereotype. The measure of determining true Christianity from false Christianity is Jesus. If one’s faith conforms to his teachings it is truly Christian. And Jesus never taught that one should “check his brain at the door.”

If anything, he invited probing and thinking - very deep thinking. Whatever stereotype you have of Christians (from your comment) I can assure you that I

29 am not of that ilk.

One thing that saddens me deeply is that you’ve dealt with major health problems in your life. You fought your way through them though, and always managed to come on top.

How is your health right now?

Well, not only my health but my wife’s health. Like I said, she’s suffered from numerous failed spinal procedures and she is essentially bedridden with little mobility. However, she has a strong will and a strong spirit - plus, she is naturally an optimistic person so she has learned to deal with her situation and adapt. She is a person of great courage and strength. As for me, I’m more pessimistic and more of a complainer. My health problem started in Jan 2010 and I discovered that I was losing weight. I’m 6 foot 1 inches tall and I weighed 180 lbs. (which is not heavy) for my height. In one year I lost about 60-70 lbs. and they wanted to put me on a feeding tube. I thought I was a gonner, but that was okay if it was God’s will (as strange as that might sound to you). Anyway, after going through numerous tests and specialists it was discovered that I have a rare digestive illness which has “no known cause” and “no known cure.” I am being seen on a monthly basis by a top expert in that field (digestive diseases) and she has helped me greatly in “managing” my problem so I can have a decent quality of life. Little by little I started gaining weight by following a nutrition regimen and going along with her advice and I now find myself at 172 lbs (which is perfectly fine).

So, although I still have this problem and always will - I have learned how to manage it so I can proceed with music or whatever I want to do, although I am limited in certain ways. For example, my diet is very restrictive. But I was once near death and now I’m pretty much alive and kicking - I can’t complain. Everybody dies sometime anyway. I’ve lived a half century which is far longer than most of the people who have inhabited this planet so I am grateful. I believe that “struggle” is a good thing. I’m very much a Stoic Christian. “Struggle” can either cause you to perseevere with great determination or it can cause you to “give up.” With all the problems we have faced over the years I have become a strong person with great

will and determination to move forward no matter the circumstances.

I believe that the decision to record new songs and play a few concerts with Warlord, was definitely not an easy one to make, considering all the health problems that you’re dealing with. What was the main reason that once more breathed life into Warlord? Did Mark Zonder have something to do with it?

You’re right. It wasn’t easy. Mark didn’t have anything to do with it apart from when I gave the “green light” to everything he was more than willing to

in Warlord comes first. Having said that, who is your favorite Warlord singer?

I don’t really have a favorite. As far as I’m concerned they were all just “instruments” that I was using. Every single word and melody line was dictated by me either in the studio or on a scratch track.

The vocal melodies are just another instrument presenting my lyrics. I can work with any singer and it would be the same thing. I write everything even the vocal melodies and harmonies. As a songwriter I have always wanted 100% control over my compositions.

Looking back in time, is there something about Warlord that you don’t like and that you would change if given the chance?

Well, until the past couple albums we never had the production quality that we wanted because our financial resources were limited and Metal Blade was a small label with no money. Now, however, we all have our own professional studios, we use a Grammy Award winning engineer, so the music is well-produced and sounds better than ever.

Still, though, even though we recorded the “Deliver Us” album on an 8 track for $500-800, it remains pretty much a classic. Good metal listeners have always been able to hear beyond the production quality. But again, “now” we are very pleased because our music is sounding the way we envision it to sound.

participate. But it was a hard year - but life is hard for everyone. You just have to “press forward” like a Roman legion and “not give up.” So that’s what I’m doing.

When my health fails utterly or I can no longer do it then I will probably just do some recording. But since there is an interest in seeing Warlord live, and since we’ve been able to put together a top notch act, we will go out and play (as well as record). Personally, I don’t know what the future holds.

There always was a certain fuss about the singers in Warlord. As far as I’m concerned though, the music

Last question. Judging from what you’ve already been through with Warlord, the current response from the fans towards the band as well as the current state of the music industry and yourself as a productive musician, how do you feel about the band’s future right now? Has Warlord risen from the ashes once more here to stay?

Simply put, as long as fans want to hear more Warlord, and as long as I am able to produce it (that is, with regard to my health), I will continue to compose and record more Warlord material.

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getting to know Joshua Adams Interview by Hope VNZ

How did you fall in love with music? Who cast the spell on you?

Your famil, a musician, a friend or a teacher?

My first inspiration to learn how to play the guitar was from Eddie Van Halen of the legendary rock band Van Halen. I wanted to be just like him, so at 13 years old my parents bought me an electric guitar from a pawn shop and it all started.

Soon after, I began writing songs and then singing them.

in a quiet room with just a guitar and lap top.

Is there a specific background or any story behind your songs or do you just sit and wait for the music to come?

There are times when I sit down and try very hard to write something great, but the best songs happen without planning.

My favorite songs come to me without warning while I’m driving in the car.

Is America still the Promised Land for musicians or are things rough there too?

Are there any musicians you’ve always looked up to and affected you while writing your own music?

I think the United States of America provides many opportunities for musicians and talented people in general. The country seems to be very entertainment-driven. I also think the internet can provide anyone in almost every part of the world the opportunity to share their music and talents. Even though I am located in the USA, many of my amazing fans are in other countries because of worldwide access through Twitter, Facebook, my web site, and YouTube.

I definitely have some favorite musicians and artists in my iPod, however when writing, I just let my fingers and the guitar lead me to something special. I can’t think of specific musicians who inspire my writing, but a few who inspire my vocal performances include Myles Kennedy, Chris Cornell, and Scott Weiland (to name just a few).

In the past you formed a band, and if you had talent and originality you stood out. Nowadays with so many educated and talented musicians, do you believe it is more difficult to succeed? Is persisting your dream enough?

I’d love to open for some living legends like KISS, Foo Fighters, or Bon Jovi. I’m also a big fan of what Slash is doing as well as Alter Bridge.

I think it is definitely more difficult to become an international mega-star like The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Michael Jackson, Madonna, etc., but feel it’s easier to find success. Labels just are not what they used to be. Their budgets have become smaller and the deals are not as good for the artist anymore. However with digital distribution and social media outlets, it’s easier for an artist to make a living at an independent level.

You write all of your own music; where do you draw inspiration from during songwriting and what’s your favorite part in this process?

I try to find inspiration in almost everything around me...the world news, love, my own personal struggles or successes, friends, fans, etc. My favorite part about the writing process is creating something that expresses an emotion, feeling, and ideas through melody. I love just sitting Burst { music magazine }

If you could tour with an artist or band, who would it be and why?

I’ve noticed you are taking part in the VeeWall Vocals video contest and if you win, you are gonna donate to Breast Cancer Research.

How important do you consider charity is for a musician?

I think as a human being, charity should be important. If you have the opportunity to help those less fortunate, I say help. I don’t normally do online contests, but the VeeWall Vocals contest has a grand prize of $100,000 USD and I see that as an opportunity to do something great for others. If anyone wants to help the cause and vote daily for my video “I Promise You”, the link is veewall.com/vocals/video/ joshuaadams Voting ends April 29th.

Tell us more about your forthcoming album.

It’s definitely different from any of my previous releases with a lot more electronic sounds, but still very simple production. It incorporates rock, pop, acoustic, dubstep, and dance sounds, so

I’m excited to see what people think of it. I also solely wrote, produced, played, engineered, mixed, and mastered all of the songs. It should be released in early spring on iTunes worldwide and through my web site as a hard copy.

Any live shows on schedule?

I played over 320 dates over the past few years, however there’s nothing on the calendar at this time. I’ve decided to focus on finishing up the new album and promoting the VeeWall Vocals contest.

Dates will definitely be posted soon, most of which will include solo-acoustic performances at many Hard Rocks throughout the USA. I am also hoping to visit a few parts of Europe toward the end of the year.

What does success means to you?

How would you define it?

This is a good question with a very simple answer. Success to me is being happy and feeling fulfilled. Many people go their entire lives trying to find success, but should realize that success may be sitting on a secluded beach in the Caribbean or enjoying time at home with their beautiful family and friends.

If you had a wish for the future, what would it be?

My wish and hope is that I continue to find success and joy throughout my journey in life and music. I also hope to share my music and happiness with many more amazing fans. http://www.JoshuaAdamsMusic.com

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Aherusia is a very interesting Greek black metal band, which combines traditional Greek music elements with the pagan essence and the frozen riffs of black metal. The band is about to release the successor of “And Then Tides Shall Reveal”, named “As I cross the Seas of My Soul”. We met Voreas Faethon, the front-man of Aherusia, at Absente Cafe and talked about everything we should know about Aherusia.

Read that loud!

Voreas FaethoN

Burst presents

Interview by Spiros Smyrnis / Photos by Raphael and Byron Aretakis

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34 Give us a brief bio of Aherusia.

Aherusia were formed by Voreas Faethon in Athens,Greece in 1997, with Evrynomos in guitars, Foibos Apollyon in keyboards, Pontos Oceanos in pipes and bagpipes, Lyda Faesforos in female vocals and Polypimon Damnameneus in battery. During that first period of Aherusia, Voreas Faethon was the main vocalist and also played the bass. The aesthetic principles the band holds until the present day, were forged from the combination

of the traditional Hellenic sound and the pro-gregorian, European, folkloric tunes under the music manifest of Majestic Black Metal. The band played some underground shows and released independently the “Whispers of Moon” mini LP in 1999 for a very small number of copies.

During 2000-2003 the band’s activity was frozen, the first line up broke and Voreas Faethon entered the cult north Aegean black metal band of Panselinos (based in Mytilene, Lesvos and originally created by Orion Arctorios). Eventually in 2004 the Aherusian dawn host gathered again: From the ashes of Panselinos, Aherusia were formed again. Two years later, an unsuccessful recording of the first album and too many shows across the entire Aegean Sea, Polypimon Damnameneus and Ichoria left the band, to be succeeded by Aidhor and Charon. In 2007 the band’s seat returned back to Athens, where Alchemist and Esperos Burst { music magazine }

took the orphaned positions of Orion Arctorios and Ierax, since they could not follow the band due to serious obligations.

“And the tides shall reveal” was your first album. Which was the feedback you got?

For our début album we worked at Devasoundz studios. The album has great reviews and sold 3000 copies. It went really well. We also gave many gigs, more than 80 shows around Greece with “ΣΥΝΑΞΙΣ

tour”, we played everywhere and the vibes we got were more than satisfying.

So, “As I cross the seas of my soul” is your second album. Who did the production of the new album and who is responsible for the mixing and mastering process?

I did the production of the new album, while the mixing and mastering process took place at Lunatech Studios, Katerini, Greece by a great professional and amazing man like Dimitrios Ntouvras.

Would you characterize “As I cross the seas of my soul” as the music successor of “And the tides shall reveal”?

You can call it that way. Each listener would share with us his opinion. We tried to perfect ionize the sound of “And the tides shall reveal” on our second album.

As far as the lyrics’ part, we deal with the senses of freedom and sea.

The front cover of “As I cross the seas of my soul” is awesome. Who is responsible for it?

I will be honest with you. When we finished the recordings of the album, we approached Seth Siro Anton, who did the artwork of our first album but due to workload, he couldn’t do it. So we contacted Raphael Aretakis, a great photographer, who took some shots and then

Manthos Stergiou (mainman of Tardive Dyskinesia) did the layout.

Your first album was released from Emotion Arts. How about the “As I cross the seas of my soul”?

We signed with Bowel of Noise records this time and we are very happy about it.

Bowel of Noise is not the biggest label in the world but they are really interested in promoting the music of Aherusia the best way they can. We have a very good collaboration with them.

Din’t you think the possibility of self-releasing your second album as you are the ones who financed it?

We just wanted someone else to run a few things for us, so we can have a better distribution, to book some gigs and some interviews in order to make our music “accessible” to more people.

35 Aherusia is probably the only band in black metal worldwide, which has a lyrist as a full time member.

How would you feel about it?

I really like it but I want to clear some things out. Aherusia did not have a lyrist as a full time member in their line up, just to draw attention. Lyre is vital to Aherusia’s music and her marriage with black metal is something that comes naturally.

Tell us more about the connection f Black Metal with the traditional Greek music.

quality. When I first came in touch with the Greek metal in the early 90s here in Greece we have a great death/black scene. The Hellenic Black Metal scene on the other hand is along with the Scandinavian scene the best and most historic ones worldwide. The interesting thing that Greece has broken the black metal barrels too. Firewind, are one of the top-5 power metal bands today and they are Greeks. Rotting Christ and Septic Flesh are not underground since the early 90s

To me music of Aherusia is Hellenic. We said before that you have filtered some traditional Greek elements in your music, but your black metal riffs also bring up the Hellenic Black Metal Wave as we learned it fro Early Rotting Christ, Thou Art Lord, Varathron, Necromantia e.t.c. On the other hand you choose to use corpse-paint, a Scandinavian Black Metal characteristic. To me this is a bit contradictory.

I have always felt that the traditional music is the best way to describe the inner thoughts and agonies of society. Music is the most honest impression of a group of people. If you have to learn the history of a country you should probably listen to their music.

If you listen to Latin-american melodies, or Celtic melodies you can understand a lot about these people’s life. I grew up with the sound of traditional music in my ears. The one someone may call as folk, like Martin Walkyier of Skyclad, a band that influenced us. Let’s stick to the connection between heavy metal and traditional Greek music. No matter how strange it may sound there is a strong connection between the American blues and the tones of Epirus. Socrates (an historic rock group) used the minore from Epirus in their melodies.

Aphrodite’s Child too.

Of course. The European music is not far away from the heavy metal sound basics. When I was a child, I grew up with Byzantine music and traditional Greek music. I learned tabura first and then an electric guitar. To Sum Up there are Greek traditional elements from Socrates, Aphrodite’s Child, the amazing psychedelic rock band Four Level of Existence, to Bliss, Rot and Rotting Christ and many more.

The Greek metal scene has made big steps within the last years and has broken the underground barrels. How would you see the Greek metal scene as a part of her?

The Greek Metal scene is in the metal front line nowadays. The fact that Gus G is the guitarist of Ozzy is the proof that Greece has guitar virtuosos. George Kollias the drummer of Nile is another great example. Even in the 80s Greece had some great musicians like Bill Tsamis, the mastermind of Warlord. This is what I believe as far as the Greek musicians’

Septic Flesh, seems unwilling to make a front cover another Greek band. If you read an issue of Terrorizer, or Kerrang you will realize that foreign magazines give excellent reviews to a newcomer band from Greece, while the Greek magazines and web-zines didn’t. Sweden of 6 million residents support their local bands, so the musician could focus on their artistic vision and also could make some money from it. Here, things are different.

but front line bands. Greek bands, tour around the world presenting their professional, yet exceptional music. Tardive Dyskinesia are an excellent band too.

Lucky Funeral, Phase Reverse, Poem and Universe 217 to name a few are amazing bands who deserve recognition and have gained some. If I have to change something in the Greek metal scene, that will be the misery we fell into comparing ourselves with foreign bands. We lack of organization here in Greece, as well as we lack of major labels. The last one I can recall is Black Lotus, which is “broke up” many years ago. There is also a wrong perception of not supporting the Greek bands from our audience.

I think that this is has changed within the last years.

I think that this perception is still going on. The metal press here in Greece leaving aside bands like Rotting Christ and

I like the term Hellenic, because as you said I am influenced from the Hellenic Black Metal , and the tradition of our country too. I don’t feel Swedish or Norwegian, Danish, I am Greek. It is also true that the Scandinavian Black metal bands used to put corpse-paint on their faces, while the Hellenic Black Metal bands didn’t.

The reasons that Aherusia choose to put corpse paint on are different. I wanna say here, that Scandinavian people used to put corpse paint as a ritual, when they worshiped Odin. It was a war tactic so they could be better adjusted to the misty climate of their countries. Not many of us know that there were European people who did the same thing at war-time. Celts put the common blue color on their faces, while ancient Greek painted black their eyes and mouth when they put their helmet on so they couldn’t be recognized from their opponents. Aherusia put corpse-paint on because we are fans of horror rock, or stage rock as well as of Ancient Greek drama. We do it for stage-show reasons.

You cannot play ecstatic themes and melodies where dark atmosphere rules your music and named your band Tralala at the same time when your singer’s name is Little George. When you seek methexis, corpse-paint gives an extra effect on scene and on your performance. We follow the motive of Ancient Greek Tragedy.

Apart from that, there are matters of lighting that corpse-paint serves too.

Burst { music magazine }

36 The music of Aherusia has a theatrical approach that is more suitable for old theaters than rock clubs. What do you think about it?

I would be very glad if Aherusia, played in an ancient Greek theater or in a catacomb of a medieval castle, but unfortunately something like this is not easy. I think that the music of Aherusia could be presented the same great way on small clubs too. That happened for two reasons. The first one is personal cause if you know your music, if you know how to present it aesthetically then you can do it even you played on Diogenes Jar. On the other hand if you don’t know this stuff it makes no difference if you

Burst { music magazine }

play in Wembley. There is something special playing in small clubs in front of 100-150 people. You feel them so close to you. There is an intimacy among the band and the audience, a special, magical connection. I know my music and I know how I could take advantage of the equipment I have. We also make a video-art film for every album, which accompanies our music as an extra visual effect.

How did you come up with the idea of making a video art film?

When we were in Mytilini we used to deal with video-art process. It is also very interesting to watch a show, where the band performed in

front of the audience while there is a recorded video we made ourselves behind us.

How would you support your new album on stage?

We’re gonna do it the way we did it with our first album. Back then we gave 81 shows. We played everywhere, overcoming distance, stage difficulties and many more. It is natural that we are going to focus on “As I cross the seas of my soul”.

We are going to play everywhere they ask for us. We wanna give some shows but if we gonna do it, we are going to do it in our terms. I am not going to kneel down in front of anyone, just to give one show.

Thank you very much man!

Thank you too!

37

Andreas of Chthonian Alchemy on burst Interview by Spiros Smyrnis

Give us a small bio about Chthonian Alchemy Well, the first approach of the Chthonian idea came up in 2006. A year later, the debut demo cd was released, entitled “The Awakening” that included 2 tracks, “Moirai” and “Renaissance”. In 2008, the first line-up of the band was a fact. New songs were ready and the first live shows in summer festivals and venues came true. The next two years the band concentrated in the production of the first album and after the fulfilment of military obligations the band came back by signing a contract with “FM Records” and finally the album “Beyond the Acheron” was released.

Influences and favorite bands?

The truth is that we have many influences from many different genres. For sure someone can understand that we like black, gothic or death metal but in our music you can find many other elements reflected through our melodies and atmosphere. So, I can’t mention specific bands.

Besides, each of us may have a little bit different answer on this, something that is usually interesting in a band.

What is the story behind band’s name?

The initial concept of the band was the synthesis of dark metal riffs and melodies enhanced with lyrics referred to the alchemy of the underworld. A way of occultism in the name of chthonian deities, who were the gods of the underworld according to the ancient Greek mythology and were deciding about mortals’ luck, mainly after their death.

So, Chthonian Alchemy was an ideal name for us that describes this concept.

Is dark metal the appropriate term for someone to describe your music?

Yes, we could say that. There are many elements in our music, black, gothic, even death but the whole atmosphere and feeling is sure dark.

Your debut album Beyond the Acheron is available from FM records.

What is the feedback you got so far?

We are very satisfied from the feedback we are getting for “Beyond the Acheron”.

We receive many e-mails and messages from people that find something unique in our music and this is the best feeling that a band can get.

“Beyond the Acheron”.

More info about this one!!! Production, mixing, mastering, music and

lyrics. Tell us everything.

The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by John Makris at BaseLine Studios and the whole production was made by the band and John Makris. The music in the first album was mainly written

by Andreas as also the lyrics, but every member had its own contribution to the final result.

Are you satisfied by your label?

Nowadays the contracts between labels and new bands are pretty similar. Most of the times bands sign DIY (Do It Yourself) contracts that contain manufacturing and distribution and in some cases basic promotion.

We were about to release the album ourselves after many expensive offers by other labels but FM Records gave us an interesting offer and we finally signed with this historical label.

You have a woman behind your drum-kit. Not the most usual thing for an extreme metal band?

It’s true that you don’t see women behind drums often.

Of course Mechblastess could cope with the needs of the band from the beginning so she gained her drum throne

rightfully. Unfortunately, due to personal reasons she won’t be with us in our next steps.

You have shot an official video for Mortal Lust song. Any stories or trivia for this shooting?

Yes, we wanted to make a video clip that would show the story of the chosen song like a short film. We didn’t want to make just a static video showing the band playing indoors.

So, Mortal Lust was a song that seemed interesting to be shown as a story. The video clip finally filmed, directed & edited by Vangelis Yalamas / Fragile Studios. We had a really great time at the shootings even though the whole project was exhausting.

Any tour plans for the upcoming future?

At the moment the band is working with new members that will be announced soon.

After that, some gigs will follow for sure.

The last words are yours...

We would like to thank you once again for this interview.

We wish you all the best.

Hope to see you soon in our upcoming shows. Take care.

Burst { music magazine }

38

DANGER ANGEL Marianna Kofinaki

chatting with

Minas Tsigos the voice of

Danger Angel PHOTOS BY MANOS KOUKAKIS

Burst { music magazine }

39 Welcome to Burst magazine and thank you in advance for your time.

First of all, could you please provide us with a brief bio of the band?

How everything started back in 2006? How have the lineup changes affected the band?

Well as you said it started in 2006 with a lineup quite different to what Danger Angel are now. The structure of the band was different (2 guitars), the sound was different, almost everything changed.

After the debut album, when I came on board, the band moved to a more modern, contemporary direction, the new music was more suited to what I can do and what they wanted me to do in the first

place. Besides, with one guitar less, we thought of “upgrading” the keyboards as a first-line instrument for the band which also affected both the sound and the band’s on stage image. Things will keep evolving, you know, that’s how we see it, more of an evolution than a change.

So, Danger Angel…How did you come up with the name? Do you think your music is a “dangerous business” especially in the hard times we live in now in Greece?

I really don’t know, this was decided way before I came into the picture but from what I can understand the guys liked the controversy between the “angel”

and the “danger” down to the words’ core meaning. No real story behind it, I would know, I’m sure haha! No, music is not dangerous; it’s a really happy and compelling place for all of us. How our music takes form definitely has to do with what’s going on in our lives and in our friends’ and families’ lives but that’s how it goes, you just sing for what you feel and for how you feel.

All the band members have been an integral part of the Greek music scene for years even before the “birth” of Danger Angel. Could you shed some more light on that? Does this mean that you have a diverse range of influences music-wise?

Indeed, all of us have a background that

goes back a while, several bands and different styles. I believe that this shows in the new album. “Revolutia” is something that happened as it was written and conceived, opposed to the debut album that had several songs written way before it was released. Personally I had a more classic heavy background and I was singing a lot of Greek stuff before I joined the band, Ahas is a funk/soul die-hard fan while he loves the 70s rock bands, Tony is a Beatles aficionado but also loves other stuff like disco or glam rock and even swing, Rudy has a strange thing for Spanish heavy metal but also hard rock while Ethan is all into classic heavy but also very into things like Nickelback, the Foo Fighters, 30 seconds to Mars, Muse and

all that stuff. I suppose that this diversity is what makes “Revolutia” interesting.

You can find all (or most of those things) in there and as our sound evolves into what we really want you will pick up more of those influences.

Anger, Melancholy, desperation, protest and yearn for a change during the hard times we’re currently live in are the feelings that come to mind when listening to your music.

Which are the sources of inspiration for your music and lyrics?

Just those: As I said before, we feel and sing and express ourselves influenced and inspired by what’s going on around us.

We’re a rock band and a rock band has

an obligation to speak for what’s going on and for those who can’t speak their own voice about what’s happening to them. No matter how compromised rock music can be in our days, it still is and will always be a voice for revolution and protest and social awareness. It can’t be any other way.

Either it is “Street Fighting Man” and “Power to the People” and even “Dead

By Christmas” or “I Wanna Know What Love Is”, it always has that radical quality in its core, that strong social influence that inspired a series of generations into speaking their minds. Of course there will be protest songs, angry songs, love songs, stupid songs but it all takes form within the social circumstances of its times. So did “Revolutia”. We spoke of our lives Burst { music magazine }

40 and the lives of our own people, of our friends that took their own lives, of our feelings as a band, of stories that seemed nice or appropriate at the time. It’s about everything we live for, everything we live through and all things we hope for.

Tell us a few things about “Revolutia”…Do you consider it a “revolutionary” album? In what way?

Yes we do actually, again in the way that I described above. It is “revolutionary” for us because it points to that new direction we want to move towards, it is also evolutionary because of that. It is “revolutionary” because of its message and its story; it’s a concept if you prefer that term. It’s also revolutionary because it is one of the albums that come at a time that the Greek rock scene is booming with bands that really shine and have things to say.

Look at the Greek bands out there touring Europe and the world, from established bands like Firewind and Rotting Christ to Danger Angel and 4Bitten to Redrum and Wild Rose, to Nightstalker and Suicidal Angels and Outloud and Junkyard 69 and

so many others that are out there or been there or will follow, signing for international labels and touring and playing their music to the world. This IS a revolution and people had better watch out for us because we’re on our way.

Did the album fulfill your expectations? Are you satisfied with the outcome?

Burst { music magazine }

Totally. It’s exactly what we wanted to do in the first place and it came out wonderfully. We had a plan and it worked out perfectly. There was a plan when we arranged the new lineup, there was a plan when we asked Jeff Scott Soto to produce it and John Ellis to mix and master it, there was a plan when we tagged along for the tour where we are right now as we speak. It’s all part of a big, hopeful, crazy plan. The first part of the plan has been done and has been done well. When we come back we will move on to the next part and so forth until we reach that point where we will need a new plan. And we’ll let you know when that is haha!

to. You know, people in England and Germany (so far) that had no knowledge of us whatsoever, now come to us and tell us how pleasantly surprised they are, how they would like to follow our thing and that they will tell others about us.

This is absolutely fantastic for us because we knew we had something good in our hands and we were nervous and anxious for other people to see it.

You’re embarking on a European tour. Can you share a few more details on this tour with us? Which was the best live moment so far?

We were a bit held back as far as the fans were concerned, with the change in the sound and so on but in the end we see we needed to worry about nothing. “Revolutia” is welcomed by all those people that discovered us with the debut album and it attracts a “ton” of new fans as it seems. As far as the press, feedback

Well, we’re only starting, we’ve played a couple of dates in the UK and we’ve just wrapped up the first German gig. It’s a great experience, we’re playing along Jeff Scott Soto who is not only a force to be reckoned with and a fantastic artist but also a great person to live with and a great friend. He supports us in a way we could never hope and we are most thankful! And then there are his bandmates, BJ and Edu and Dave Z and Jorge Salan, a bunch of amazingly talented musicians

so far is excellent, either it is reviews or press people we meet these days during the tour. We understand, though, that we can’t be favored by everybody, it’s only natural. The most encouraging thing, though, is that now that the tour started we see people coming to us after the show to shake our hands and buy our CD and our merch and they want autographs and photos and all that stuff we were not used

that we’re proud to share the stage with.

Jorge’s own band is with us, exceptional musicians as well, Carlos Exposito and Luisma Fernandez, Carlos being one of the best drummers you could ever have the luck to see play. We’ll be covering most of the continental Europe apart from the UK, which is something really interesting and land in Greece, Thessaloniki and Athens, for the final two

What’s the feedback you’ve received so far by fans and the press?

41 shows, April 25th and 26th. Best thing so far is the reactions of the people that come to the shows. Right at the front from the beginning, (something we’re not so accustomed with…), cheering and clapping and wanting to meet us and get to know us… The life on the road, on the tour bus, a new city every day, It’s great, a marvelous experience all around, one we hope to re-live very soon.

Do you prefer performing in small venues or in big festivals? For example, you performed in the historic “Underworld” pub in Camden Town, London a while ago (April 6), one of the favorite venues of many rock and metal bands for decades.

It’s Camden man, the craziest, the most rock ‘n’ roll place in the world! The Underworld was simply amazing in its raggedness and old fashion! It’s a minute Roman arena of sorts in its roundness, the smells, the surroundings and decorations and carvings on the walls; the vibe is so classic you think you’re travelling back and forth in time! In that sense, playing in such venues and having them packed is something so intimate that it’s hard to replace with anything. On the other hand, festivals provide you with a

huge stage, big crowds, a rock star feeling that lifts you up, even though we have done a couple of such big stages in the past, we haven’t done a real, proper festival yet and we are surely looking forward to it!

How do the new technologies affect you?

We use every bit we can lay our hands on.

Either in the studio or on stage, we’re not so much classic when it comes to that. It’s amazing what technology can give you to better your sound and the whole experience you give people. On the promotion front, we would be naïve to deny the help technology gives to bands big and small alike. It affects us big time. And you know what? If people go and download our songs and albums, so what? Of course we would like to sell more CDs but there are people that can’t afford to buy all the CDs they might want and others that don’t even have a CD player anymore.

And at the end of the day the more people that listen to our music the better for us.

And, you know, if they appreciate what they hear and if they like us a lot, some of them will go and buy the CD to have it as their own and they might as well buy a t-shirt or something else. Even bet-

ter, they might come to a show, which is what will give us incentive to move on.

So, for example, we urge people during our shows, to get their cameras out and film the show and put in on youtube or what have you and show their friends and facebook pals and whatever and spread the word of Danger Angel and have more people come to the next show and have a good time.

The final words are yours. What’s your message to the fans?

Well, it’s so much fun and we are so blessed that even a small bunch of people like our music and take the time to come see us or even buy our music and have a good time with it, we’d like to thank each and every one. So, please, come to our shows, we’re going to have so much fun and create some cool memories too.

And get those cameras rolling and show everybody that you had such a good time.

And after the show come and meet us and talk to us and let’s get to know each other and make plans for the next time we’ll be there to play for you. Let’s get the party bigger each and every time! It’s the best thing we can wish for!

New album OUT NOW

Contact info www.dangerangelband.com www.dangerangel.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/DangerAngelBand Burst { music magazine }

42

6strings from the land down under

Joe Matera Lucky Funeral

on burst!

by Eleni Leonida

Lucky Funeral is one of the most active Greek bands of the “heavy” music of today.

Forget the labels. They don’t care about them and so do we. We met them in their own new studio somewhere in Aigaleo City, Athens. We talked to Mikebass (vocals) and Lizard (bass) about their upcoming album, their own new label, vinyl, Beatles, Amanda and so much more.

Interview by Spiros Smyrnis Read that loud motheruckers!

Photos by Penelope Tripatzi

Burst { music magazine }

43 Give us a small bio of Lucky Funeral.

Lizard: The band was formed in 2007.

Since then we have released two full length albums and three splits. We have given many live shows during the last six years,. We have went on three European and two Greek tours, we have played in big festivals like Rockwave and have supported great bands as opening acts in their gigs. During the last year and a half, we have been focused on our new album, mainly giving our attention to the composition and preproduction part.

So you are about to release your third official full length album, after the Dirty History of Mankind.

More info please.

Mikebass: We have to organize ourselves so we can present ideologically and philosophically what we want and then play

it musically. The fact that in this album he didn’t need to read the lyrics from the booklet so he could understand them is a new experience for us, as well as for the listener.

Lizard: If you wanna make a bigger step with your music you have to work harder and harder. As time goes by, you start to mellow. When we formed the band we took the way other bands had already taken. Nowadays, however, in the internet era, the listener has to listen in forms, because there is so much stuff he could listen to. Musicians do it too! They either wanna make some money or they just wanna make their music well known.

Sometimes you have to stick to forms, but, when you grow up, you stop thinking that way. You “create” your music not caring about the feedback you would get.

Mikebass: We don’t want to be a band with the typical artwork, the typical lyrics,

and the typical vocals, because each one of us has great influences, so we can make something brilliant. The worst thing for a band is labeling its music. When we started the band, we have made such mistakes too, like screaming we are a sludge/ stoner group, but this is past and we have left it behind us.

Lizard: Our split releases have sound differences one from another.

We are in your own studio and the next question has to do with the technical stuff of new album: Production, mixing, mastering…

Lizard: We will do everything here. We wanted to make our own studio, so that we can rehearse. This studio will help us in the song-writing part as well. As we moved ahead, we felt the need to make it all on our own in order to have time and express the things we want, leaving aside

matter?

Mikebass: If you are not promoting your release yourself you cannot do anything.

You are going to miss it among the thousands of releases.

Lizard: Sometimes, labels make your life easier, but we have made our decision.

Deciding to release the new album on our own was a tough one. I wish we had a label which was going to pay the “cd and vinyl cut expenses” and give us some copies. As you may already know the band’s income is supported by the merchandise selling. There is no other income, leaving aside the live shows.

Mikebass: It is tragic to me for a musician to buy his own music. That’s why we thought of paying the new album ourselves and if a label gets interested in re-releasing it, then we will sell them the rights. *Our* terms. Acting this way we

the technical issues that might occur.

You save much time, by having your own studio. The preproduction of the new album started two years ago, when he had some ideas. George Leodis will be our producer, while Bill Scouras will be the sound engineer. We have some vocals to record and we will be ready. Mixing will take place here and mastering too.

don’t leave on somebody else’s hand our work.

What about the release of the new record? Have you found a label?

Nice. Let’s stay in the vinyl release.

You are vinyl lovers as far as I understand, right?

Lizard: As for the release we have founded our own label, Lyknopolis Records.

When we find the money we will cut the cd and vinyl copies. We hope that we catch the release date of May 17th.

Is self-release a one-way street for an underground band these days?

You have already collaborated with Greek and foreign labels alike.

Which are your thoughts on this

Lizard: Besides that, we can decrease the cost for the listener. According to schedule, the new release will be available in a 2 in 1 package of a vinyl and cd combo at the price of 12 Euro. So everyone’s going to be happy.

Lizard: Right. Someone who’d like to listen to our music, he’d naturally go for the vinyl. I personally grow up with cds, but I think that vinyl supports the underground bands and vice versa. I find it strange that Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers remembered to release in vinyl. “The big Guys” smelled money because the underground bands sell more copies in vinyl. The sound in vinyl is Burst { music magazine }

44 fucking great, the artwork too. The reason why we choose the vinyl/cd 2 in 1 release is to show someone who didn’t know what vinyl means.

Fuck labels…To me is heavy music based on Black Sabbath. Why do you think that this type of music has become more popular these days?

Which was the feedback about your last split with The Vagetarians?

Mikebass: We have great bands in Greece, that’s why the scene becomes more popular.

Mikebass: To tell you the truth, we haven’t promoted it very much because its release took so long. The song had been recorded more than a year ago, but we couldn’t afford cutting it in vinyl, so it had already been available through the internet. However the most comments I get insisted on our best songs being the ones featured in the split releases.

You could realize a sound turn from our previous releases. When we finished one album, we have two or three tracks that show the way for the next one.

We live in an era of severe economic crisis. The music industry is strongly affected by it. Could the crisis deter an underground band?

Mikebass: The process of making music is much more difficult without money.

Lizard: Nightstalker are the veterans of the scene, the ones that showed the way, but in my opinion the outbreak started in the mid-2000s, whem every week there was a new live on every corner.

You are definitely a live band, which has given hundreds of shows.

Which is the gig you will never forget?

Mikebass: Definitely Rockwave was a special gig to us, cause we played alongside many of our heavy metal idols. I enjoy very much the road trip experience. You cannot choose easily. There were gigs, where we played in front of many people and it was fucking amazing and there are others playing in front of 5 guys, where the atmosphere was very intense. The

There are “rich” bands that play great music and “poor’ that play ass-kicking music as well. Generally speaking, the income of an underground band is much less than the expenses.

Lizard: Another thing I’d like to mention is that the new trend in music is to promote and sell the idea of rebellion.

Greek bands are going to share with the audience something different. A rebellion that aims in the head, not in riots like the ones we see in video-clips, artwork etc.

The last one doesn’t make any difference in our lives.

awesome thing in live shows is when somebody from a foreign country knows the lyrics of your songs.

Sludge, stoner, heavy rock gain more and more fans in our country.

Lets get back to the new album.

What’s the title?

Burst { music magazine }

What about Amanda man (writer’s note: Amanda is a plastic doll head that pretties up the gigs of Lucky Funeral)?

Mikebass: Amanda is everywhere man. It belonged to a friend of the drummer’s, a hairdresser who make her look like my ex girlfriend. It started as a joke but now is a part of every Lucky Funeral gig.

Lizard: Find your soul in beautiful lunatics.

More info about the style of Find your soul in beautiful lunatics? Is it going to be the first Lucky Funeral album with clean vocals?

Mikebass: Correct.

Lizard: This record will have some progressive, post and avant-garde elements.

To me is a “progressive” album.

Mikebass: There will be of course some classic Lucky Funeral stuff.

You are a band with “American Sound” coming from Europe. Is this a restraining factor for a band like you?

Mikebass: That’s why we decided to go to the more “English” sound in this way.

There is a myth about that. Bands like Kylesa, for example, have more fans in Europe than in the States, where they come from. It’s much more difficult for a

band to stand out in U.S.A. Lizard: Europe is friendlier for sludge/ stoner/heavy rock bands.

What about the future plans of Lucky Funeral?

Mikebass: We have to complete the production of the new album and then we are going to promote it with many gigs. We are going to make a video-clip too.

Thank you very much guys Thank you too man!

45

holiness from the amazon to the world

Hello Stefanie and welcome to Burst. Tell us a little bit about Holiness, what have you guys prepared for this year?

Well, we are working on new songs, a new album and exploring some possibilities.

There will be a tour in Latin America? If so, when? What’s the lucky country?

Yes, we intend to. We’d love to visit Argentina, Chile and all countries from South America. Hope everything goes well with this tour.

Have you considered doing a duet or a collaboration with another band in a musical project?

We admire lots of bands and sure we think about it, but I guess for now we won’t do it, it’s too soon. We have to focus on our next album.

How will Stefanie Schirmbeck be on your next album??? More brutal or darker?

I guess I’m changing as a singer, and as a person. Everyone changes, I am exploring other sides of me I didn’t know, and I want to be soft, dark and brutal at the same time.

A single from DeadInside, tell us a little about it. How did it come up?

Behind the microphone and leading to the success of Holiness, is the magnificent voice of Stefanie Schirmbeck. recently, We had the chance for a quick talk with her... enjoy!

“Dead Inside” is about people that are doing nothing about their own life, but love to criticize other people’s work. Internet is full of this kind of people. They are faceless and feel safe behind the computer’s screen.

Who wrote the lyrics? What’s the idea behind the lyrical theme?

I did, I was thinking about Cyber Bullying and all of these horrible things; how it’s easier to destroy someone than getting a life.

interview by J.Roberto Zenteno Jimenez

What emotions will the new album bring out, which are the subjects of the songs?

A little bit of everything, but we always try to bring a positive message, no matter what.

Are there going to be other videos of songs featured in the new album or Beneath the Surface???

Yes, we’ll make videos from the new album. Actually, we are finishing one.

Are you going to release another single, a new song?

What is the meaning of DeadInside’s artwork?

Yes, and it will be released soon.

The skull on the cover represents those people who have nothing inside them but rage and envy.

This song is a sample of your next album. Is the new album going to be similar in terms of rhythm and lyrics?

Each song is unique and we intend to explore lots of subjects, but still, all of them related to our reality, things we see every day.

Tell us a little bit about Holiness’ next album. What awaits us?

You can wait for heavier songs, I guess we are more mature, learning new things, and the way we see life today is different.

It will be reflected on the album.

How can we classify Holiness, Power or Goth??

I don’t like to say “we are this, we are that”, because we have a lot of influences, not only from Power or Goth, but from Heavy Metal, Alternative, and Progressive as well. We’re whatever you like, hahaha.

Some final words for our readers!

Thanks for your attention, hope you guys enjoy our new stuff! Rock on!

Burst { music magazine }

46

A few months ago, Mahakala released their first full length album with the cool name “Devil’s Music”. The album was a finest example of heavy metal (fuck labels, this is heavy metal) so we asked Jim (bass, vocals) clarify a few things on Mahakala’s debut album, which is another proof that the Greek heavy metal scene is kickin’ some serious asses.

Read that loud! You, the devil’s children!

Interview by Spiros Smyrnis

Burst { music magazine }

47 Jim, give us a small bio about the story of Mahakala.

Mahakala “kicked-off” in 2005. Me and Nick (guitars) are the only founding members who are still in the band. We released our self-titled debut 5-track EP in 2007 by the Spanish independent label, Parade Records. Back then, we were some kind of a sludge metal band –as far as the press is concerned-, mostly because of our everlasting love for fast kick-inthe-nuts crust/ punk structures and slower-than-death Sabbath-ic guitar riffs.

In 2009 we released our second 3-track EP named “Pact With The Devil”, while our sound was turning into a Sabbath-ic amalgam of heavy rock, heavy metal and ‘70s rock. There’s been a few days since our first full length album, “Devil’s Music” was out by SMC and Secret Port Recs.

I believe that this one is probably the most complete and characteristic piece of work in our inventory, so I challenge everyone to listen to it and make up his own opinion!

So, this is your first full length album. You have released two EPs. Why did it take you so long to release a full length album?

A lot of line-up changes occurred over the years, plus we had to face lots of financial problems (just like everyone else in Greece nowadays). We feel lucky even for having the opportunity to release a full length album at all! The fact that it also sounds the way we wanted it to sound -in all aspects- is no less than a blessing.

There is a sound gap between Mahakala EP, your first official release and Devil’s Music. From the sludgy heavy rock style of your first EP you moved to heavy-occult metal. How did that happen?

First of all, I’d like to clarify that I don’t consider Mahakala as an “occult metal” band. We have nothing in common with –let’s say- Ghost, In Solitude or The Devil’s Blood. The fact that The Devil is part of our lyrical concepts has nothing to do with the musical categorization of our material, even back in the days I never considered us being a sludge metal band.

That’s what the press and the audience thought. I mostly thought of us as a hardcore band. I can say for sure that we’ll keep playing whatever feels right. Don’t be surprised if our next album sounds like Mercyful Fate or even Blue Oyster Cult.

The biggest achievement of Mahakala to me is that despite the oldschool feeling in your music, your sound is in the 2010s and I mean that in a good way!

As I told you before, we play whatever feels right. We all have a “rich” musical background and a lot of influences as well. I personally love the mystical sound of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, Nick likes whatever sounds Venom-ish, Steve is into modern metal and Kostas is a fan of any good-old-heavy-metal band that is. All merged in one make our music sound so complex and unique. We combine all 5 decades of heavy metal music in one!

Be my guest and speak to us, the rest of the devil’s children, about his music. Did The One himself inspire you?

The One himself inspired us a lot, not as an entity but mostly as a mythological figure. We have always been admirers of the dark arts and dark mythology. The usage of ritualistic sigils and satanic figures is mostly allegoric though. You have to be very shallow to think of us as Satanists.

What we are is sick of any religious belief.

Our music is somehow the gateway to the brand new belief that one can live his live without being religiously motivated, that one can achieve a lot if not controlled by such close-minded beliefs.

The band broke up in 2008 and reunited a few years later with a new guitarist and drummer. Did these decisions help the band?

All that we’ve done in the past had an impact in the present as it always happens in life. We’re pretty satisfied with the present, so as an overall rating, one can say that we made the right decisions.

What’s done is done though. Now we’re here to stay!

What is the feedback you’ve received so far?

The press and the people seem to be enjoying “Devil’s Music” but “It’s a long way to the top” as sung by AC/DC. We need to present the album to the people by playing all kinds of gigs and we definitely need to go on with composing even newer material. Things seem to work for us for now but if we stop working on it, we’ll probably go back to where we began from. There is no real success without duration.

The album is released by Supreme Music Creations and Secret Port Records. Are you satisfied by your labels’ work?

and that’s what the band needs right now.

We’d even think of releasing our next album with them too!

Who thought of this cool title and who did the amazing front cover?

The title was my idea and it’s a parody of the stereotypical beliefs and accusations that heavy metal is the Devil’s Music.

I’ve also come to think of our music as the Devil’s Music itself. I find the insistent usage of pentatonic scales, blue notes and groovy rhythms in our music pretty intriguing. It makes me wanna do “bad things” if you know what I mean. If the album has the same impact to others as well, then maybe I’m right… The front cover was designed by Anestis Goudas (www.anestisgoudas.com), a great artist and a great guy too. We only had a talk or two about the album’s concept and he came up with the cover idea in zero time.

We tried a lot of artists before we ended up with him. He appeared out of the blue.

I think that maybe he was destined to design the cover. It probably was a divine intervention. We’ll never know.

Devil’s Music is also available in vinyl. I guess that you are vinyl lovers like me. What intrigues you when it comes to vinyl?

I’ve always dreamt of my music printed in vinyl LP. I’m a vinyl lover and so are our label owners. This was meant to happen too! After all, Satan would not be equally satisfied otherwise.

The Greek scene gets bigger and bigger as the time goes by. Do you think that the time is right for a Greek metal outbreak or has the outbreak already happened?

The “outbreak” comes steadily and slowly just like all things happen in Greece right now. There are a lot of great bands here at the time, maybe the best ones that ever were in Greece. This is not the proper time for outbreaks or breakthroughs though. The sociopolitical and economical situation sucks globally! What we can do is compose some nice tunes and inspire as many people we can. Something good will definitely come out of it.

The last words are yours man!

That’s an easy one: Destroy everything.

Live forever.

SMC and Secret Port are owned by our good friends Antony Livanios and Theodosis Moiras. They are in no way the major labels that all bands dream of having their material released on, but they are willing and helpful. They’re doing great in promotional and distributional aspects Burst { music magazine }

48

new zero god

“There are some things that nobody can take from us and this is priceless.

Art is life and living is an art“ Interview by Stefanos Manousis Is the “artist” a special kind of man, or any man is some kind of an artist after all?

I believe that we are all some kind of artist in our own way. Some people are more talented in doing this and some others are more talented in doing that. Given the opportunity, we are all artists…

Who is “New Zero God really”?

Which “virus polluted its cells” and forced the band to use music creation as an “antibiotic”?

We just wanted to have some fun. That was all… Just play music without having any expectations. We didn’t have a name until our first gig. The same thing happened with our first album. We were recording it just for old time’s sake.

It turned out that the sound engineer played some of our songs to Puzzlemusik Records… and the rest is history. We suddenly found ourselves on English radio charts, as “Video of the Week” on Dominion Magazine [UK], having an English record label, English management… We only did it for fun and we still see it that way…

All four members of the band have been around for a long time in the Greek underground music scene.

Please tell us a few things about Burst { music magazine }

your musical background.

I (Mike Pougounas) was singing for the Flowers Of Romance from 1981 to 1998.

Somewhere around 1985 Harris Stavrakas joined the band as bass player and ended up being with us for 13 years. Lao also joined during the 80’s and remained as our guitarist for about 5-6 years.

When The Flowers Of Romance split up I formed Nexus. This is where Dimitris Steves, former drummer of The Drops joined me and after releasing four albums we put the band on hold.

In 2006 we formed New Zero God and today the four of us are together and about 3 weeks ago released our newest album, “MMXIII”.

Which were the main sources of inspiration in the making of MMXII? Love, hate, life, and death… The way things are right now, it’s a very inspiring era. Just look around you… You can come up with a song in no time…

It is announced that you will play some gigs to present and promote your new album in Greece and in the rest of Europe. How do you feel when you are up on the stage? How important do you find your live shows?

You’ve just released your second full length album through Secret Sin Records [UK], which is called “MMXIII”. Do you feel that the outcome lives up to your expectations?

Does this signify a clear return to your gothic rock origins?

A live show is like a party! You are always stressed out, asking yourself “Are they gonna like this? Is there something missing?” And when you are on stage, you enjoy it. You have to enjoy it. If you don’t, you better do something else and get a new life… The audience is getting the vibe of the stage. If you are having a good time, the audience is having a good time and that’s important! Do you remember any boring parties? Why should you? We all want to make a party to remember…

I think we did a good job with “MMXIII”.

People like the songs, so I guess we probably made a good album…haha… It is a fast-selling album. I don’t think we ever got away from our gothic rock origins, to be honest...

We are expecting confirmation for touring England, probably with Grooving In Green, Last July, Hollow Eve, and maybe more bands. We might do some dates in Germany and Switzerland…then back to Greece for more gigs…

49 How important do you find working with musicians such as Wayne Hussey of the Mission and playing the gig circuit with Sisters of Mercy, Christian Death, New Model Army and The Legendary Pink Dots?

We also worked with a lot of other musicians. For “Second Chance”, for example, we worked with Will Crewdson, who played with Adam Ant, Johnette Napolitano, Tom Jones, Celine Dion, supported Aerosmith and Alice Cooper and others.

We recorded with a lot of musicians from the U.K., U.S.A., South Africa, Spain, Germany… It expands your horizons. A musician can learn by working with artists from other countries. You are exchanging culture, kindness, and it gives you peace of mind. It is very important to do it. It always lifts you higher…

How difficult it is for a Greek English-speaking underground band to overcome the lack of financial support and communicate their music?

Do Social media and new technologies give a helping hand?

The Internet helps a lot. It’s the most effective tool when it comes to promotion. A lot of kids found a solution with computers and stuff. Nowadays, someone can sit in his bedroom and record an album just like that. It doesn’t mean that it will be a good one, but who is to judge that? By expressing himself, he is making his point.

Now, regarding the lack of financial support... when you want to play music just to take it out of your system, you will find the way. Financial support is needed if you want to be a star ‘cause stars are created, promoted, and make money for other people who put their money on these “stars”.

Usually you take what you give. But let’s

not forget that our main purpose is music itself and expression. The way the world turned out to be we all need a way out and music is the way of the musician…

bands support each other, there are always others who say shit about other bands. You can’t win them all. The same happens in Greece…

Can the “cultural product” called Greek English-speaking “Alternative” song stand “competitive” in the large music markets all over the world?

Greece 2013: Economic, social, institutional and cultural crisis. As far as making music is concerned can this crisis become a springboard for something else?

First of all, the Greek scene is completely unknown abroad. Back in the 90’s I was asked if Greek bands use electric guitars in order to play rock’n’roll. Exporting just a couple of bands is just a drop in the ocean.

The first thing I have to point out is that the “Arts” are not our strong point, isn’t that so? This cultural crisis has been here for years. We all know that. There are good Greek artists out there, in all forms of art, which were considered and treated as lepers. That was during the “good days”. So, you can imagine how it is now…

On the other hand, there are excellent Greek rock bands that release excellent CDs. But since you use terms like “competitive” and “markets”, which brings us to the cold-blooded “business” point of view, Greek bands are: 1. far away from the “markets”. A Greek band, apart from a couple of black metal bands, is not touring the world in order to promote a new release. 2. Usually there is no promotion at all ‘cause either the artist doesn’t care or there is no financial support to do that.

So what “competition” are we talking about? The “product” is fine and this is where the story ends…

There was never a serious rock “music industry” in Greece and Greek musicians never felt/saw/experienced someone close to them making a living by playing rock music… Rock musicians were always considered “fruit cakes” in Greece and this is putting you down since day one…

Greek English-speaking music scene ...Is it characterized by mutual support, collegiality and respect?

On the other hand, it’s during difficult times like these that the arts blossom.

People need to dream and to escape from reality and this is when we are getting good at it. In other words, don’t expect Greek society to embrace what you are doing BUT be sure that great artists will come out of it… To get out of at least this cultural crisis we have to search for them and support them… We won’t be rich but we will be rich inside ourselves…

Finally, would you like to send a message to all of the readers of Burst Magazine?

If you are into some form of art, keep doing it. If you like some artists keep supporting them. There are some things that nobody can take from us and this is priceless. Art is life and living is an art.

Thank you very much for this interview.

Take care and be safe!!!

It’s the same everywhere. While some

Burst { music magazine }

50

bella fuzz

...go figure Interview by Evangelia Voria Photos by aRGo Photography

Burst { music magazine }

51 Please give us a brief background of yourselves.

I grew up in Thessaloniki, studied Vocal Coaching and Performance at Rotterdam’s Conservatory/Netherlands and currently I am living in Athens.

What has impressed you most from your trip to Czech Republic Trutnov Open Air Festival 2012? Was it a valuable experience and if yes, why?

It was overall an awesome experience because it was the first time to play at a festival abroad with so many people attending and participating with such warmth! We met some great musicians there and had a blast with all the people that came after the gigs to talk with us and buy our merch.

Your music genre is electro-pop. Do you think you could fit in another genre as well?

Our music in not the “typical” electro pop music that one expects to hear from 2 girls on stage and this is something that we are told at each and every gig we give.

It is considered of course electro pop mainly due to the fact that we have pre recorded material at our laptop (drum machines, synths and some back up guitars), but it is clear that the music is based in heavy rock with many industrial and metal elements.

Of course we have poppy songs but the base is aways heavy.

Any future recording plans?

We are recording new ideas but we are not in a rush actually because we’ve recently released our 2nd ep plus we have side projects that we work on.

Whom would you like to perform with in Greece and abroad?

Faith No More, Nine Inch Nails, Tenacious D. and Tolis Tsimogiannis.

Do you seek a career in Greece or abroad? Is there something in particular keeping you home?

It would be an ideal situation to have a career with Bella Fuzz and if we ever have an opportunity to do so, we will grab it. In Greece it’s rather unlikely to do anything at this point, even to have the basics to live decently so we don’t even think about it. What keeps us here is our families and friends... Isn’t this the case most of the times?

You are very energetic and happy during your lives. Where is this energy coming from?

It’s our psychotherapy really. It helps us reload our energy levels and not get totally insane!

Someone can easily tell that you exaggerate through fashion styling, using vivid colours. Do you try to achieve something through your appearances or is this your everyday dressing style?

It is mostly the way we are. But sometimes when we want to emphasize on our mood or specific feelings or anger, we might wear costumes or something really out of the blue.

How did you start enabling professionally with music? Is something that you’ve always wanted to do or it just happened? For example, did one of you have plans to become an astronaut??

I personally always wanted to be a musician. But like many people of my age, I ate the crap that having a higher education level diploma would secure me a “normal” job which means money to live and be able to have music as a serious hobby. When I realized that this is all bullshit and that I would be a full time musician no matter what, I quit from my job at a travel agency and went to study Singing at The Netherlands.

What is your relationship with

Christian traditions and especially with Orthodox fasting?

The only relation I have is that my ID says that I am christian orthodox.

What do you fear most?

That I don’t have enough time to do everything I want to do.

Chrysa tell us a good and a bad thing about Aggeliki’s personality.

The good thing about Aggeliki is that she lives at the same sphere of science fiction as I do so we can communicate. We are constantly having serious conversations of a gazilion things that one would think that we are total freaks to even discuss them, but we aren’t..I think..

The bad thing is that when she is bored it’s like you’ve pulled her out of the plug, totally nothing!

Is there anything that doesn’t fit in your aesthetics?

Almost everything that surrounds me.

But in this whole mess, there are really beautiful people that try to make a difference, and then awesome things happen!

What do you dislike most about yourself?

Let’s say that sometimes I would like to be able to stay calm when I hear people talk really really stupid and not fantasize that I am cutting their throats.

Is happiness out there? If yes, where can someone find it?

Happiness is indeed out there and most of the times is right beside us (and NO, this doesn’t happen because the whole universe conspires in it!)

What do you feel about the words below? God, Luck, Power.

Innerstrength, Work, Fearless.

Burst { music magazine }

52

Happy Deathday Dear An interview with SadDoLLs by Sissy Fanouraki Photos by Penelope Tripatzi

Burst { music magazine }

53 I met SadDoLLs in 2008, after having released the 1st EP “Dead in the Dollhouse” in 2007. Back then the band had a completely different line-up... The same year SadDoLLs signed with Emotion Art Music (Greece) for the release of their debut album “About Darkness” in 2009 and two video clips for the songs “Watch Me Crawl Behind” and “Misery”. In 2011 the band signed with Lunatic Asylum Records (Italy) for the release of their second full length album “Happy Deathday”. The album was released in 2012 along with one video clip for the song “Bloodred”. “Happy Deathday” was and still is an album with marvelous songs, both lyrically and musically, great production and great guest musicians such as Juska Salminen a.k.a. Zoltan Pluto (Ex-HIM), Roberth Karlsson (Scar Symmetry), Manos Fatsis (Dark Nova), Alex Flouros (Seduce The Heaven/Fragile Vastness) and Jape Peratalo (To/ Die/For). Let’s start from scratch though... Just a while ago, I met the two founding members of SadDoLLs, George Downloved (vocals) and Paul EviLrose (guitars) for an interview and a beer and we kept talking for hours...

For those who don’t know you, I would like you to introduce yourselves. You started as a HIM Tribute band and then you became a “real” band. Could you tell us how this transformation happened?

G: Actually the band SadDoLLs was created for one night only, for that HIM Tribute night. After that, its name shouldn’t have been SadDoLLs... It was decided to have another name and have a band with totally different sound. For some reason though we kept the name and started writing our lyrics and music; that was our initial goal after all, to create a band and play Finnish metal (we are great fans!). In time we evolved that music adding industrial elements, scream vocals (which are not very popular in Finnish Goth Metal) and we created our own style.

What about the name SadDoLLs, how did you came up with it?

P: I just woke one morning and it stroke me... [Laughs]... It’s not the result of an intense research or a certain emotion or disappointment.

P: I handle booking and management of the band and I’m quite busy. From the very first day I’m responsible for booking and management and promoting as far as management is concerned.

What’s your procedure for composing a song? Do you have a melody in your head and you start composing it alone or in the studio with the others or both?

P: We used to keep an idea or riff, collect other ideas and riffs during rehearsal and then we were trying to make a song out of them. In time, the procedure of writing and composing evolved. We quit the oldfashioned rehearsal thing; with the use of some music production programs for pc we now create songs from our homes and share with each other through email.

So, any additions or corrections are made from the comfort of our homes and when we go in a studio we know what to play and how to do it.

Who’s behind the lyrics of the songs?

P: It’s mostly George who writes lyrics...

G: and Paul of course...

So, it was a thought and a decision on the spur of the moment?

Nice! And the themes of your inspiration are...?

P: I thought it was an appropriate name for a band that plays melancholic music.

I knew that it didn’t exist so I said why not?

G: We selected and used a name that is registered to us, it’s solely ours. If you google SadDoLLs you’ll find us and some puppets.

P: Child molesting ...[Laughs]... Of course I’m joking!!! Themes such as the experience of a terrible break-up or the death of my dog or the blood on the razor from my careless shaving never inspired me to write a song... What I mean is that I don’t express my deepest emotions and inner feelings with each song. When it’s time to write a song you just go for it.

Paul, are you the commercial genius of the band?

P: Of course. The band relies on me as I’m the commercial genius... [Laughs]... and I’m the manager too.

So, are you the manager and promoter of the band? (Meanwhile our photographer Penelope arrived and the interview was smoothly interrupted with laughter) Did you handle such matters from the beginning?

G: Generally, we don’t consider ourselves GOTH. Our everyday lives have nothing in common with SadDoLLs on stage. We live as simple people; we do not go out wearing Goth clothing, black nails and eyeliner, drinking absentee and sleeping in coffins. It’s just the music style that expresses us. We could easily prefer black or death metal...

Your lyrics come from everyday life. It’s not grief, melancholy and misery that move you.

P: Apparently not. The style and sound of music is melancholic and our lyrics should be similar to that. We cannot write against-the-system or the police lyrics.

We write lyrics that match the music style and tone.

There have been multiple line-up changes since 2008. From the original members of the band how many of you are still in SadDoLLs? P: Only George and I. And the current line-up of the band consists of...?

G: Five members.

P: You mean six!

Five or six? And who’s the sixth?

G: It’s a beautiful beautiful iPod as the keyboard player.

P: For the samples. It’s 2013 and it’s impossible to find someone with 8 hands, playing in 4 different keyboards! So, we thought it’s better this way.

G: And its name is Manolis... [Laughs]...

SadDoLLs have now two albums and an EP. You’ve recently signed with the Italian Record Company “Lunatic Asylum Records”.

G: It’s not that recent, we signed in 2011 and we’ll remain there for the time being.

Our new album “Valentine’s Breakup” will be released sometime in early 2014.

Meanwhile in your 2nd album “Happy Deathday” there are a lot of guest appearances of various metal musicians and for which you’ve done an excellent job by the way. I have to ask you though, were these collaborations a result of your own initiative or were they recommended by a promoter or your record label?

P: No, no, no... I pulled the strings to make it happen. I personally knew some of them, not all of them but they were all very positive and without any financial motivation. This is something we have to put emphasis on. People might think that we paid them... Don’t be shocked if I told you that everything took “flesh and Burst { music magazine }

54 blood” with the blessings of facebook!

And how did you do it practically?

Did you send the songs and they added their part?

P: There was a time when we were making the pre-production of the album. At that time we had the entire album in a home-made-edition. Some were only instrumental and some others had only voice-guides we sent them to those who had agreed to “help” us. Consequently, they added what was needed in their own studios and sent them back.

George, can you think of a collaboration that amazed you the most?

G: Musically speaking, I was amazed by Jape (To/Die/For), as I’m a huge fan of the band. When I listened to the track I had a feeling I can’t describe; hearing your voice and then the voice of a singer you cherish the most in UNBELIEVABLE! Maybe To/ Die/For is not a well-known band in Greece but for me, as a fan and a singer it was significant.

As a person and as a professional musician I consider Robert Karlsson of Scar Symmetry to be the coolest person ever. He helped us so much. He recorded everything for both the track and the video clip in his studio and sent them to us ready to be used! He never asked us to pay him; we’re honored to have met him and worked with him.

Did the guest artists promote the album? Did they respond positively?

P: Of course they did. They shared the tracks in their official social networks.

Our fan base suddenly augmented. It’s a natural process.

G: Especially from To/Die/For fans, because two members of the band took part in our songs; both the keyboardist and the vocalist. So, two tracks were “pushed” all over internet and many fans checked us out!! But, there was also a HIM tribute live in Athens and our guest was Juska Salminen and as you imagine, that was another event that promoted SadDoLLs in Europe even more.

So far you have shared the stage with bands as Paradise Lost, Xandria, Lacrimas Profundere in Burst { music magazine }

Athens and Moonspell in both Thessaloniki and Athens, correct?

G: Yes, correct. Last year we supported Lacrimas Profundere for the second time and of course the live gig with Juska Salminen.

After these years in the Athenian metal scene, have you seen any different behaviors in live stages, audience or promoters?

P: It’s going from bad to worse. Crisis made things more difficult than before.

We’re deeply disappointed by bookers or promoters, live stages which lead to the general discouragement of both musicians and fans. Now with the crisis it’s difficult to convince somebody to pay a ticket of 10Eur...

G: I think nowadays fans prefer to buy the CD than coming to a live show. As simple as that... These days, buying a CD is getting more appealing than going to a

friend. Ever since, Juska frequently visits Greece for a holiday. He’s just a great friend.

And your worst moments are...? As far as live shows are concerned...

G: [Small pause, Ehmmmm...] Our last show with Lacrimas Profundere. We made the appropriate arrangements for them to come to Greece again. However the price of the ticket was a bit expensive for some fans and the concert was not nearly successful the first one. It was a bad experience for both bands, and I honestly believe that was their last appearance in Greece... Did the political scenery affect the show? No, the price of the ticket is the one to take the blame! Personally, I blame neither the fans nor the band; it’s a well-known band and the ticket should be of equivalent value.

Let’s go back to your recent release, “Happy Deathday”. Was it a selffinanced effort?

G: All our albums, including the EP, are self-produced and selffinanced. John Makris was the producer of our last album. But all the expenses were covered by the band members.

Our new album “Valentine’s Breakup” is also self-produced and self-financed and it will be released either by our current label or another, we don’t know yet.

But you still have a contract with Lunatic Asylum Records, haven’t you?

concert. Instead of improving we are going... down to the bottom...

Let’s change the subject. Who’s behind your CD artworks?

G: Myron Design aka Myron Theodoridis, who has designed the artworks of all our albums and EP. He’s the man behind our photography, video clips etc. He’s our man and we’re not going to change him EVER! Looking back, to your live performances so far, which are your best moments?

G: My finest experience was the HIM tribute live show with Juska. Apart from being the man who played the keys in “Join me in Death” he’s a truly amazing guy, with a great personality whom I now have in my heart and I consider him as a

G: Yes of course we have. Whatever Lunatic Asylum promised, was realized 100%. However, we need more things to be done. These are some “big steps” that a small company might not be ready to do.

But we want to do something better in the near future.

[While talking with George, Paul was outside talking on the phone... When he returned I was distracted by his ridiculous comments and forgot the last question to wrap up the interview... So, when Paul noted that I hadn’t asked them about their zodiac signs (horoscopes), I decided to record it and put it in the interview!!

Paul is Capricorn ascendant to Virgo, George is Pisces ascendant to Gemini, J.Vitu (guitar) is Taurus..., G.B (drums) is Scorpion ascendant to Sea Urchin, G.B (bass) is Virgo ascendant to Snake (aka Fidias)!! I can’t describe it in words, but was an exceptional closure!!!]

55

Absinthe Cafe

location: Herakledon 19, Thiseio tel: +302103424224 www.apsenticafe.gr info@apsenticafe.gr

Burst { music magazine }

ALBUM REVIEWS

56 Clutch - Earth Rocker “I may not got a lot of money, But I got self-esteem.”

There’s a song stuck in my head since I received my “Earth Rocker” copy a few days ago. Hmm... I’d better write this down again.

There’s only one album I wanna listen to again and again, since I’ve received my “Earth Rocker” copy.

You got that right. This is “Earth Rocker”, the last album, the Gods Incarnate, also known as Clutch. I am a huge Clutch fan myself so I cannot be objective with them. However, I will give it a shot by admitting that their previous album, Strange Cousins from the West is my least favorite among the Clutch albums.

Neil Fallon, sorry for that!

So I was a bit curious about what Clutch’s next step would be.

Now I hope that Neil Fallon forgives me for my losing faith.

There goes: “Earth Rocker” is an ass-kicking album, a record that only bands for the likes of Clutch could release. Although Clutch is one of the best rock bands of their generation, unfortunately they haven’t received the credit they truly deserve.

I totally respect their attitude, the ironic lyrics of Neil Fallon, their inspired riffs, everything. “Earth Rocker” is full of all those things. The very first notes of “Earth Rocker” song prepare you for what is about to come. I personally wanna scream from the top of my lungs: Let’s dance motherfuckers. Let’s dance with “Cyborg Bette” and wonder why she’s gotta run so hot.

“The Face” and “Book Saddle and Go” are not songs; they are more like micro-chip implants in your body and brain. There should be no other rational explanation since I cannot get them out of my head. To sum up, the masters of groove deliver us anthems like the closing track “The Wolf Man Kindly Requests” and “D.C Sound Attack!” teaching us all how we should move.

As for the blues dynamite “Gone Cold”, this one reveals the blues roots of Neil Fallon’s gang. This is the album that will rock the Earth.

Spiros Smyrnis

Hogg - Hogg Support your local music scene! I’ve just finished the third, oh no, the fourth time listening to Hogg’s first album. In other words, Hogg the new Greek heavy/ stoner/rock group I’m keen on during the last few days.

As I have already stated in “It’s Not Greek To Me” column, the Greek heavy rock scene (I’m sickof labeling a sound that pays respect to Black Sabbath with different names) is so fucking great. Bands like Nightstalker, Planet of Zeus, 1000 Mods, Lucky Funeral, Lord 13, Potergeist, Phase Reverse are the living proof of that.

And it gets better: The most encouraging thing is that there is also a new scene manned from bands like Stonebringer, Half Gramme of Soma, Hidden In the Basement, Audiobreed, Drunk Motherfuckers, Godsleep and … Hogg. I recommend you each and every band of the ones I mentioned above but, for now, let’s stick to Hogg.

Hogg, a quartet from Salonika released the debut album in question, by choosing the DIY (Do It Yourself) path. The album is available via bandcamp, where anyone could order it just by naming their price. You could contact the band and get your copy instead. Do not waste your time! Just listen to these guys!

Beware of those giant heavy rocks that will be thrown out of your stereo. Full of mud and sludge, they’re gonna soil your room. If you are a nice guy with a tidy room, you’d better think again before you put this record on…

And a story about Hogg: There are four men who had a “Smoking Tree” in their backyard and took really good care of it. They are hanging out drinking “Cheap Beers and Albanian Weed”.

They are just trying to get back on their feet and leave behind them this “Sick Love” they were into. How? They are gonna “Figure it Out” really soon. Sometimes you have to take an important call, a “Death Call” probably. Hogg decided to roll the “Loaded Dice” and set our “World on Fire”. Listen Carefully!

Spiros Smyrnis

on the 9th of April, once again by Roadrunner Records and contains 13 tracks.

Maintaining their previous album style, defined mostly by hardcore music and altering between clean vocals and screaming, Stone Sour came up with an album that could be pretty much considered as similar to their previous one.

Stone Sour - House of Gold & Bones pt 2 Few months after their previous album, House of Gold and Bones Part1, Stone Sour came up with its sequel - House of Gold and Bones Part2. After getting a taste of the first part, we were quite prepared for what was going to follow on the second one. The album was released Burst { music magazine }

On the other hand, it is also true that Corey’s other band, Slipknot ,haven’t put out an album since ‘All Hope is Gone’ (2008) which was followed by the death of the band’s bassist and Taylor’s best friend, Paul Gray. So, we could say as well that he concentrated mostly on his other band since then. Pessimistic but still hopeful, Corey Taylor burns down his dark past, willing to move on the next chapter of his life that seems to offer him the peace he never got in touch with. Also, Corey’s

concern about religion and God are clear and expressed directly through his songs.

While the majority of the songs are more harsh and heavy, there are also some songs like ‘Red City’ and ‘Stalemate, which are more about melody and contain some piano parts too.

However it is quite a miracle for a band to come up with two full albums in less than a year and still retain the inspiration they have, no matter whether it reaches up to the audience’s expectations or not.

Standing on his feet, letting go of everything that has hurt him, Corey Taylor, the aggressive beast with his hidden wounds, stands for what he believes and speaks out to everyone’s hopes and fears.

Hope VNZ

57 Device – Device While Disturbed’s future is quite uncertain, David Draiman remains in the spotlight with his new project called Device.

When Disturbed revealed that they are going to take a long break, Geno Lenardo approached David Draiman. Filter’s former guitarist was already working on some songs for the new Underworld soundtrack and asked Draiman to collaborate with him on a song. The two artists decided to enter the studio and work together on a project of their own instead. They called this project Device.

Finally, on April 9th the band released their self-titled debut album, which features many guest appearances by well-known rock stars: Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath), M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold), Serj Tankian (System of a Down), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine) and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm).

Draiman had stated that he always wanted to do a cover version for Lita Ford’s and Ozzy Osbourne’s original song “If I Close My Eyes Forever”. Well, his dream came true and the result is an amazing duet with Lzzy Hale full of passion and emotion.

Plus, “Out Of Line” is definitely a signature track performed by David and Serj Tankian in each one’s unique vocal style. As for “Opinion”, Tom Morello offers us his signature guitar riffs are signature ones. “Through It All” features a breathtaking vocal performance by Glenn Hughes, which is the best possible way of closing an album.

“Device” was produced by David Draiman and Geno Lenardo, mixed by Ben Grosse and mastered by Ted Jensen. The lyrics reminded me a little of David’s days with Disturbed. From the first until the last minute, the album reminds me of a soundtrack for a dark/action/fantasy/horror movie, so, since I consider myself as a sucker for such soundtracks, I could not help but totally enjoy this album.

Korina P.

Gamma Ray – Master Of Confusion After 3 years Gamma Ray are back with their brand new album entitled “Master Of Confusion”. Their previous studio album, “Master Of Death” was a very good album so, let’s dig a little deeper and see what we have here.

First of all, it should be noted that Daniel Zimmerman (drums) left the band and he was replaced by the renowned Michael Éhre. “Master Of Confusion” gives us a sign/taste of its follow-up Gamma Ray studio album which is set to be released by the end of 2013. According to the band, they have already started working on their new studio album however they did not want to embark on their worldwide Hellish Rock II tour (along with Helloween) without releasing any material recorded in the studio.

“Master Of Confusion” features 10 songs: 2 new ones (“Empire Of The Undead”, “Master Of Confusion”), 2 cover tracks which are Gamma Ray’s favorites (“Death Or Glory” by Holocaust, “Lost Angels” by Sweet) and 6 live versions of Gamma Ray’s original tracks performed and recorded live in Bochum. In fact, “Master Of Confusion” does not include any new stuff for fans who have already purchased the “Skeletons And Majesties” live DVD which includes these 6 live tracks but this is the only drawback of this album. The first song of the album (“Empire Of The Undead”) is a powerful song which features a rather aggressive riff in the beginning and gives the impression that had not been waiting in vain for about 3 years. It is a very good composition and Kai Hansen’s singing is supreme. The title track,“Master Of Confusion”, follows and it is more than obvious that its lyrics are referring to the Gamma Ray’s opinion on deadlines. The song reminded me of the “good old days” of Gamma Ray, it is actually a melodic song and one of the signature songs of the band.

Now we simply eager for their next studio album!

Petros Xatzistilianos

the first place. “Last Wish” is their debut, full length album, released some time ago

by IKKPRODUCTIONS records. I have some notifications to make about Me and Myself, but first let’s clear some things out. I am not the biggest fan of alternative melodic metal with female vocals, so I ‘m gonna write down what I think as a simple listener.

Me and Myself - Last Wish Me and Myself are a band, which was formed on April 2012 by Nikos Palivos (bassist) and Dimitra Vintsou (singer).

The band introduced themselves as a melodic heavy metal band with alternative elements. Me and Myself won the big buzz competition by music wave, where their song “Me and Myself” won

So let’s get back to notifications I’ve mentioned before. Number one: Strange name for a metal band. Number two: Nice and soothing voice by Dimitra.

Number Three: Very interesting guests on “Last Wish”. We’re gonna take a closer look now. The 9-track album is full of melodies, which lean on Dimitra’s wonderful voice and capture the listener’s attention. The songs I stick out are “I wonder how far” featuring the singer of

the amazing POEM, George Prokopiou and “Last Wish” featuring the Closer’s singer Johnny Camp. I think that the female/male vocals alternation helps the band to sound more stable.

The songs are in their majority wellconstructed, while some of them, like the ones I mentioned above have the potentials to be hits as they are radio-friendly (I don’t mean that in a bad way). Some people may like it but I am not into ballads and “Last Wish” has got some. I personally would like them a little bit harder and rougher, but generally Last Wish is a nice effort and the melodic metal fans should check them out!

Spiros Smyrnis

Burst { music magazine }

ALBUM REVIEWS

58 their first full length album; it is selfreleased, recorded and mixed at Esoteron Studios by George Emmanuel, while the mastering process was made by Chris.

from “This Ordeal”. Shameless smiles and tearful eyes may trick you ‘cause this is their game and they know how to play it. So you choose this “Uncomfortable Silence” (This is my second favorite song, featuring the one and only Sakis Tolis behind the mic, that could be a bonus track in Triarchy of The Lost Lovers album).

Sometimes you prefer not to say too much. Sometimes words are not enough and the music speaks for itself. The early days of Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride touched Nekkar’s music and lyrics as they approached delicate matters like shattered hopes and broken dreams, without following the easy way of weeping but with writing songs like Solemn Mind.

Give em a chance and they will invite you to their battle with Satan.

Spiros Smyrnis

Nekkar - Nekkar The band was formed in 2011 and they have been in league with Satan ever since. The Greek underground scene has already shown her teeth, it’s a fact. Plus, the fact that more and more bands appear and release excellent works is the proof that we are ready to make the next big step. At least Nekkar are for sure. This is

The album is available for free downloading via the band’s account on bandcamp.

Nekkar is a doom metal band with black metal elements, mainly on vocals. Down tempo melodies burst from your speakers as you put your record on. The melancholic sound of Nekkar is underlined by Thomas’ saxophone, which beautifully accompanies the cutting riffs. The starting instrumental track, “In your Absence” is the introduction to the music world of Nekkar. Quoting the title of debut Hedvika album, this is the evidence of absence.

We have to do with a professional work, a finest release. The light is fading, it’s trembling and you’re trying to walk away

Chthonian Alchemy - Beyond the Acheron Let me introduce you to Chthonian Alchemy. Quoting from band’s bio: Chthonian Alchemy were formed in early 2006

by Andreas and Grigoris, who combined their thoughts by exhuming some dusty ideas from the past. The concept behind

the band was the synthesis of dark metal riffs and melodies enhanced with lyrics referring to the alchemy of the underworld. A way of occultism in the name of chthonian deities who were the gods of the underworld according to the ancient Greek mythology and were decide about mortals’ luck mainly after their death.

If we wanna put a name on Chthonian’s music the most appropriate one will be atmospheric death metal. Walking in the steps of Paradise Lost, early Sentenced and My Dying Bride, Chthonian Alchemy filter the characteristic sound of Greek legends like Rotting Christ and Septic Flesh and present a professional work featuring interesting songs. I will personally opt for “Ourovoros”, the snake that eats its own tail and its beautiful guitar melodies, “Curse of the Erinyes” with the

majestic female vocals and the aggressive hit of “Eggelados”.

There is an epic feeling throughout the entire “Beyond The Acheron”, touched by the ancient Greek spirit, something obvious by the frequent use of Hellenic words like Eggelados, Ourovoros, Erinyes.

Chthonian Alchemy are capable of making the next big step and they seem to know how to play this game. They focus on the atmospheric parts, without forgetting the principles of extreme metal, which are the man growls, the cruel blastbeats (there’ a talented woman behind the drum kits) and the unholy riffs.

Marked by the sign of Zeus and his crew “Beyond the Acheron” here’s a descent to Hade’s underworld you should try.

Spiros Smyrnis

Aherusia - As I cross the seas of my soul Silence, the wind, the waves of a sea…

It’s been a while since I heard a themed album. Not only in track relevance, but in lyrics and spirit as well. That’s the story in the brand new album by Aherusia “As I Cross the Seas of my Soul”.

Not much in official discography from

them (there was a full length CD, the innovative “And the Tides Shall Reveal the Traces” back in 2009, you should definitely check out!), but they have been around the dark society since 1997 I think, mostly performing live.

From the intro you know there is a lot of work done for this album. The music is evenly distributed to each song, like the sequence in a theater play: Prelude, interlude, conclusion. The story escalates along with the tension in the songs, but without forgetting what metal is all about! Heavy riffs, brutal vocals, with a folkish touch deriving from our hell-enic routs!! For all you foreign listeners, get you dictionaries dusted ‘cause you’ll hear some greek poem reciting on some of the songs, which is awesome!!

The “Arbor Martyrum” track is amazing!

A mixture of feelings comes right out the

throat, that will make all you warmongers bang your head to the ground!

The sound touches more genres than black metal. It sure is epic, with power elements, it feels like it’s orchestrated but it’s not, pure heavy metal at times, with technical solos to follow the slow lyrics, and the multi-vocal chorus to exaggerate the drama, followed by down-tempo doom-like rhythms to lighten the burden!

A favorite song has already become the “From Abyss”, with the distinctive lira following closely the guitars and drums to a heroic marching tune! Horns up to Aherusia!

This album will make you gaze out the window at a gloomy sunset, and you’ll surely remember its songs while travelling to the seven seas!

B.S. Orestis

Burst { music magazine }

59 the listener. The Swedish Death metal pioneers managed to keep my interest through the whole album while they made me bang my head with my personal favorite, 44 Double Zero. This chorus is meant to be sang and I am sure that will be the song that fans would ask more at the live concerts.

Hypocrisy - End of Disclosure I was sixteen years old I think. I had a Hypocrisy patch on my jacket and I was very proud of it. Years passed by, and nowadays, I cannot call myself a Hypocrisy fan. Although I lost them after the Catch 22 release, I still believe that “Abducted” is one f the most interesting records in the long history of death metal.

When we discussed with the Burst crew about who will be the one to write the review of “End of Disclosure” I said “Me.” and hopefully I wouldn’t regret it. When I finished the first listening of the “End of Disclosure” I just screamed. Hell yeah Hypocrisy are back man! Let’s clarify some things first. “End of Disclosure” is not the best Hypocrisy album, so you shouldn’t to expect an album that is going to change your life.

Nevertheless, the twelfth album of the Swedish Metallers is a more than a satisfying example of melodic death metal.

Peter Tagtgren (one of the most influential producers of extreme metal sound too) and his gang released an album that pays the honor to Thy name of Hypocrisy. Even by the starting track “End of Disclosure”, the flaming death metal riffs and the bombastic drumming welcome

Fall Out Boy - Save Rock And Roll To be completely honest, I haven’t seen such a musical variety in an album for many years now. Save Rock n Roll by Fall Out Boy was released at the 12th of April

by Island Record and consists of 11 tracks which are considered both as alternative

and experimental rock.

As soon as the album was released I was definitely enthusiastic about it, mostly because the band stated that it was as closest to them than all their previous albums. They preferred to record it secretly from the music industry, the critics, even the fans and they consider it the new chapter of Fall Out Boy. Unfortunately though, Save Rock n Roll is not quite what most fans would expect. Although the band used to have a more pop punk past, they preferred to stay on pop this time and develop on this kind of sound.

The first track of the album, ‘Phoenix’, is with no doubt a song that you will probably expect to hear in various remix versions at clubs any minute now. Apart from that though, Save Rock and Roll

also contains pop duets with female vocals such as Just one Yesterday or Rat a Tat featuring Courtney Love stating: ‘It’s Courtney b*tch’ in the beginning and reminding us something of Britney Spears. But the most unpleasant and unfortunate song of the whole album must be The Mighty Fall featuring Big Sean as nobody expected to see an RnB/ Hip Hop song in this album. Last song of the album is Save Rock n Roll which is also the album’s name and this time it features Elton John.

Having a more pop-friendly approach than we are accustomed to, Save Rock n Roll will be either loved or hated by the band’s audience.

Hope VNZ

Max Lilja – Plays Electronica By One Cello Max Lilja is a well-known artist. He founded the Finnish neo-classical metal band called Apocalyptica (along with Eicca Toppinen, Paavo Lötjönen and Antero Manninen) back in 1994 and he recorded 3 studio albums with them. In 2002, Max joined Hevein, a Finnish trash metal band with symphonic/neo-classical

influences. Also, I guess we all know that Max Lilja is a recording and touring member of Tarja Turunen’s solo band.

Not to mention that he studied for several years in Helsinki’s prestigious Sibelius Academy!

Max Lilja’s first solo album finally came out and I have to say that it was a real pleasure listening to it! It actually features 10 instrumental electronic songs, all performed by Max. He declared that he got the idea of a solo album since he left Apocalyptica (about 11 years ago).

He created this special album in order to express himself and also express his love for electronic music (he is a huge fan of Massive Attack’s, Moby’s and Kraftwerk’s music). Through the years Max wanted to “colour” his cello sound with some interesting effects and he finally reached the point of composing a whole album. One of his biggest dreams is to introduce the

cello to the listeners in a totally different way. According to him, producing his first solo album ever was a really big challenge and he is totally happy with the result.

During March a music video was released for the song “I Sound My Sound”. The video features Antti’s paintings that Max discovered in an exhibition. You can also find the same paintings in the album’s artwork.

“Plays Electronica By One Cello” is a self-financed album produced by Max Lilja himself. By recording this album Max wanted to create something new and take his instrument to a new level. “Plays Electronica By One Cello” is a really calm and smooth album. Max managed to introduce us in a totally new and innovative sound!

Korina P.

Nostalgic and melancholic melodies dress the music universe of “End of Disclosure” while fused and disturbed riffs set the cherry on top of the cake. The message is delivered my friends, Peter Tagtgren had great fun in the recordings of his new album and this is more than obvious. I am glad for his “Return”, four years after the weaker “A taste of Extreme Divinity”.

The band showed its teeth and I’d love to be bitten!

Spiros Smyrnis

Burst { music magazine }

60 album features the German Film Orchestra Babelsberg which plays a main role in the final result of the orchestrations of the album. “The Mystery Of Time” was recorded in parts at VOX Klangstudio (Germany) and of course it was produced

by Sascha Paeth (and Tobias Sammet) at Gate Studios (Germany).

Avantasia – The Mystery Of Time Avantasia, a super group/rock opera project created by Tobias Sammet (Edguy), came back with a new album entitled “The Mystery Of Time”. It features 10 songs (plus two bonus tracks included in the limited edition) and guest appearances by well-known metal “heroes” like: Bruce Kulick, Oliver Hartmann, Arjen Anthony Lucassen, Joe Lynn Turner, Michael Kiske, Biff Byford, Ronnie Atkins, Eric Martin, Bob Catley, Cloudy Yang, Russell Gilbrook. In addition, the

The album was released on March 30 via Nuclear Blast in many different formats.

The artwork was hand-painted by the famous British fantasy artist Rodney Matthews who has also cooperated with rock legends such as Thin Lizzy, Magnum, Asia, Nazareth.

But let’s dig a little deeper into the album.

Although, “The Mystery Of Time” features an all-star line-up, Tobias Sammet did not succeed in composing anything remarkable or extraordinary or different.

It seems to me that he is getting “trapped” as a composer. The lack of inspiration and the predictability are more than obvi2013, Delain signed with Napalm Records and released their new album.

Delain - Interlude Delain describe their new album entitled “Interlude” as the perfect introduction to the world of Delain. In fact, it is! First of all, the title of the album (interlude) actually means a musical composition inserted between the parts of a longer composition, a drama, or a religious service or an intervening/ interruptive period of time. The title of the album is quite characteristic: Delain released this album in order to point out the new era of the band. Their previous studio album release, “We Are The Others”, had been delayed due to issues with their previous label (Roadruner Records), so the band decided to search for a new label with which they would cooperate in a better way. This is the story so far and finally, in

Burst { music magazine }

The album includes some brand new songs (“Breathe On Me”, “Collars And Suits”), some cover versions of wellknown songs (“Such A Shame” by Talk Talk, “Cordell” by The Cranberries, “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat) and some live versions of songs from their previous album which were recorded in Metal Female Voices Festival 10 (“Mother Machine”, “Get The Devil Out Of Me”, “Milk And Honey”, “Invidia”, “Electricity”, “Not Enough”). Also, new versions of their previously released songs “Are You Done With Me” (brand new single mix) and “We Are The Others” (ballad version) are included here. We should mention that “Are You Done With Me” is Delain’s new single. Regarding the lyrics of the new songs, Delain’s frontlady, Charlotte Wessels, stated that “Collars And Suits” is a song written for their previous label, their frustration about the managers and the way the labels are treating the bands.

Also, “Breathe On Me” is a song dedicated to Nick Cave (Charlotte is a huge fan of his!) and it includes many references to Nick Cave’s songs. The song was actually named: “Breathe on Me: Things I Want to Do with Nick Cave.”, but Charlotte

ous in this album. However, there are still some good songs (“Invoke The Machine”, “Savior In The Clockwork”, “Death Is Just A Feeling” –which is one of the two bonus tracks in the limited edition-, Sleepwalking”). “Sleepwalking”, a duet with Cloudy Yang, is the first single released out of the album and also a video clip was filmed for this track.

Overall, “The Mystery Of Time” is an album which features quick power metal riffs, mid-tempo moments and ballads.

In my opinion, the album features some very nice vocal performances by Michael Kiske, Ronnie Atkins and Cloudy Yang.

Maybe the fans who were expecting a fantastic album will get a little disappointed.

But we can still hope for something much better in the future from Mr. Tobias Sammet’s side!

Petros Xatzistilianos

decided it was just too much.

The new tracks were actually recorded during the recording sessions of their previous album “We Are The Others” (which happened at TriPod Studios and Atlantis Studios, Stockholm, Sweden, during 2011) and produced by Jacob Hellner (Rammstein, Apocalyptica, Clawfinger).

Also, the album includes a special bonus DVD which features the songs which were recorded (and filmed) in Metal Female Voices Festival, backstage footage and official video clips. The artwork once again is created by Glenn Arthur. The “We Are The Others” ballad version is totally heartbreaking, the 3 cover songs are also cool and “Breathe On Me” is a totally fresh track which should be their next single in my humble opinion.

To be honest, I really enjoyed this album!

I was a Delain’s fan since their first studio album (“Lucidity”, 2006) and “Interlude” will keep very nice “company” to me until Delain are back with a new studio album (something that will happen very soon as the band declared that they are already working on a new one!).

Korina P.

61 trilogy. Actually, the title of the album describes the whole concept as the lyrics are related to occult magic, mysterious places, conspiracy theories and mysteries that are still unsolved.

Atrocity – Okkult The word atrocity actually means cruelty, monstrousness. Okkult is a German word and it means something of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena. After being an active band for 25 years, Atrocity decided to enter a brand new era by recording and releasing a special album trilogy. “Okkult” is the first album out of this album

Regarding the music itself, the album features melodic death metal anthems mixed with symphonic metal elements.

Actually, while listening to the record, I got the feeling that I was watching a dark horror film and the credits for this atmosphere created definitely go to the Canadian sound designer named Katie Halliday (she worked for movies like “Saw V”, “Saw VI”, “The Devils Carnival”, “Todd And The Book Of Pure Evil”) who collaborated with Atrocity for this album.

Also, the orchestral parts were recorded

by Victor Smolski (Rage) and the Lingua Mortis Orchestra in Minsk (Belarus). The album was produced by Alexander Krull at Mastersound Studio and the cover of

the album was created by Stefan Heilemann.

To be honest, I did not have very high expectations as I stopped following the band after the release of “Atlantis” (which is my personal favourite Atrocity album).

Alexander Krull literally spits out every single line, Thorsten Bauer and Sander Van Der Meer give their best selves and of course Joris Nijenhuis adds many points to the totally bombastic outcome.

The orchestral and choir parts appear only to add extra points to where it is necessary. The only drawback of this album is its cover which, in my humble opinion, is not very representative of the material of the whole album. In fact, Mr. Alexander Krull seems to have worked very carefully on this album. And he finally gets his reward for his hard work: “Okkult” is definitely one of the best albums of 2013!

Korina P.

EP REVIEW

Omega Monolith - Black Campaign E.P Omega Monolith is an instrumental heavy rock duo from Athens - Greece.

Their music is mainly driven by live

guitar loops and all chaos is controlled by the heavy drumming creating a monolithic, melodic and claustrophobic result.

This is a brief bio of Omega Monolith, available on bandcamp, where everyone can give their first EP a listen. I have to congratulate the band on their decision to release Black Campaign on cassette. We, the cassette lovers, thank you guys from the bottom of our hearts. As for those who may laugh or wonder about a cassette release, I’d like to inform you that the black cassette of Black Campaign has already been sold out and Catch The Soap records have re-released it on grey tape.

This is a difficult listening to start with.

Besides the fuckin’ cool name, Omega

Monolith has two members, both veterans of the Greek Metal scene: Exmembers of Violet Vortex, Noiselust and Tenderness of Wolves the Duo of Omega Monolith is experienced with the limits of heavy rock. We have to do with an excellent work that sets the bases for a bright future. The amazing artwork by Viral Graphics trips you in the post-industrial environment of Omega Monolith: 3 tracks, 30 minutes of instrumental post heavy rock, a stream of noises, echoes, and heavy riffs. Inspired, anti-radio friendly, shaped in black and white, sharp and doomy. Put your earphones on and enjoy!

Spiros Smyrnis

Greek, music portal www.in2music.gr

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er n r o C Pop

toulas

is Tsan

itr

By Dim

ADELE The white R&B Diva

Britain hasn’t placed such influential musicians and artists as Adele in the foreground for quite lot of time now.

She was the one who managed to do an incredible breakthrough, along with an unprecedented success in the world music scene that no British could even imagine.

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins was born in Tottenham, north London in 5th May, 1988. She grew up to a single parent family after her father abandoned her when she was two, an incident that she still hasn’t got over nor has she forgiven her father for. She remembers starting singing at the age of 4 and always experimented with voices that made impact to her. Adele has stated her first main influence towards her love and passion for music were the Spice Girls and while watching Pink, in a live show when she was 13 made her realise what she wanted to do in her life. She moved with her mother in south London and that was the period she discovered R’n’B. It was when accidentally, in the jazz section in the local record store, she stumbled on artists such as Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. Their great voices got her so obsessed with them so she started singing their style. After she graduated The London School for Performing Arts & Technology she decided to publish two songs in an online art magazine.

They were from a 3-track demo she had recorded for a class project. A close friend of hers also posted the demo on MySpace where it became unexpectedly successful, so successful that it caused the music label XL Recordings to offer her a deal. She got her very own representative manager and the support needed to accomplish her dream.

The road for her was now open.

In the autumn of 2008, after some vocal contributions to other artists of the same label, she completed and released her debut album titled “19”, a name taken from the age she was when wrote most of her songs. What it came down to was that it resulted in receiving the entire Britain’s recognition by the BRIT Awards Critics’ Choice, whilst simultaneously was named as the number-one predicted breakthrough act of 2008 in BBC Sound Of 2008 -an annual poll of music critics. At once it entered the charts and won 2 Grammy awards. Up till now it has been certified 4 times platinum in the UK and double platinum in USA. Her success seemed just like a domino effect, while she literally conquered the sceptical US audience and critics with her talent and voice, especially after making her TV’ appearance in NBC’s Saturday Night Live show. Her second album, “21”, which was released in early 2011, sealed her phenomenal and illusory success.

“21” was welcomed by the critics with great excitement, a more mature work that became even more successful and Burst { music magazine }

surpassed her debut’s glory breaking one record after another: first of all at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012 she won 6 Grammy’s in all six categories she was nominated equalling the record of a female artist winning so many awards in one night. Also Adele was the first artist ever in the UK who sold 3 millions copies in one year.

She had as well as 2 top-five songs in the charts of singles and albums both in UK and US, something that only The Beatles had achieved since 1964. Last but not least, Adele is the first female artist in the history of Billboard Hot 100 to have 3 singles in the top ten the same time. The absolute musical domination of Adele came with the Golden Globe awards in 2013 for the music theme song for the 33rd James Bond film “Skyfall” were she performed, a song that rightfully could only be sang by Adele and as she said, that was the thing she has been the proudest for so far in her career. Everything she has been doing is simply magically successful and her sequence seems more than promising in the near future, of course any comparisons with legendary R’n’B and Jazz Divas of the past would be just unfortunate but she definitely has made the difference amongst many other female artists worldwide and so she deserves all the focus of both the audience and music industry even with the exaggerations and overestimations that have been reported at times for her talent from the mainstream music press.

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LILY ALLEN The uncompromising rebel of pop

The phenomenon of Lily Allen in the international music scene has been very remarkable some years ago with music press and tabloids to focus onto her provocative and marginal in many cases persona which she portrayed through her music and helped her become famous at both coasts of the Atlantic. Of course her talent as a singer, musician and songwriter is unexceptionable with direct, outspoken and true songs taken out of daily life. That, along with her unconditional and out of respectability speech was what made her lovable and familiar to the public gaining recognition and success to all her attempts in discography.

Lily Allen was born in Hammersmith, West London and grew up in an artistic family, her father Keith Allen, a known British comedian and musician and her mother Alison Owen a film director. Lily Allen since her birth lived and grew up amongst artistry and famous people, just like Joe Strummer the legend guitarist and singer of the punk band Clash a close friend to her father- though she only considered Strummer as a huge artist after his death which warmth her passion to music, in fact the influence of Strummer is so obvious in her debut album with the ska and reggea music genres. At the age of 15 she decided to quit school because her tameless and uncompromising personality. Since her bad habits in

drinking and smoking inside the school caused her repeatable expels from several schools, she believed it was useless to carry on with school and waiting until she could accomplish her dreams, and that was music. For years all her attempts to find a label were unsuccessful something that she attributed to her addictions.

Finally in 2002, thanks to her father’s connections, London Records signed with her, but soon they lost interest on her and forced her to leave.

In 2005, she signed with Regal Recordings on a £25,000 contract deal but she had not the support she expected to have and her album remained unfinished.

Allen then created an account to the very popular back then social networking service MySpace where she began posting demos she recorded in November 2005.

To her surprise her songs attracted thousands of users and listeners, which encouraged her to produce herself a limited number of singles and mix tapes. Soon “The Observer” magazine made coverage on her and the success was just a matter of time. Her label at last got convinced and moved on completing and releasing her debut “Alright, still” in July 2006 which gained great reception with satisfying sellings and taking high positions in the charts (No. 2 in UK and No. 20 in USA). Also, she received positive critics, the American magazine “Entertainment

SLICK BEATS

Traditionally Greek Dance music scene hasn’t been popular before with representative bands to lead such a movement despite the fact that dance music fits the Greek temperament. There have been a bunch of Greek pop/dance bands around, though musically were all based on loops and samplers without any real composing, nor orchestrations with a beginning, middle and end structure. But in the face of the 2-member band of Slick Beats Greek dance music at last seems to have found its deserving ambassador with nice music and songs that can keep tirelessly the interest of a listener.

Slick Beats are consisted of Gabriel Russel and Issy, although they started to become known as a band just the last 1,5 half year, they have been involved with music for more than a decade and they have been equipped with many musical studies abroad, in order to get knowledge

Weekly” named and listed her work as one of the best 10 albums of 2006. Three years later in February 2009, she released her second studio album titled “It’s Not Me, It’s You” with even greater success and despite the new music style changes she presented, it was a more mature Lily Allen than her debut both musically and lyrically and as was expected topped at number 1 in UK and number 5 in US Billboard 200. By December 2009, the album had sold over two million copies worldwide. Ever since it has been a long hiatus for Lily Allen in music stuff, except of some friendly collaborations. It was her own decision though as she got disappointed from music industry and she wanted to focus onto her marriage and motherhood and out of music’s cruel commitments. She gave birth to a son and a daughter and got occupied with her own fashion rental clothing store she opened with her sister. But, the biggest bet for her is the record label she is launching.

On her official account on Twitter she confirms that she is in the studio with producer Greg Kurstin and in the making of a new album but it is uncertain when this will be out. We don’t know if her hiatus will continue for a long time but her absence in the music scene is visible and everyone is really missing her.

The Greek Dance scene has a name

and skills to do what they love most: good dance music.

The recognition for them came with the release of their 1st single entitled “Just Do Me Right”, featuring Crystallia -singer of another pop band, the Otherview. A totally different track with elements close to EBM genre, a bit strange from the familiar pop/dance productions the Greek mainstream audience is accustomed to.

In winter 2011, they released their 2nd single titled “Rock The Beat” that had was gladly welcomed by dance music lovers, with countless airplays on the radio and TV, as well as top positions in the charts. The successful sequence of the band seemed unstoppable, their 3rd single “You Say” a summer house track was also a big hit which put them for good on the map of the most successful Greek pop bands. In autumn 2012, they released their 4th single, an erotic dance

ballad with Greek lyrics titled “Ksereis Kala”, something they dared for the first time as they felt the need to make music for fans who fond Greek lyrics too. It was also followed by the English version titled “So Beautiful”. Earlier this year, the duo announced a collaboration with the known Greek dj Dino MFU and cowroted the dance hit “On Your Name”. In the meantime the duo is working as djs and producers, writing songs and doing remixes for other pop artists as they did with Shaya and Vegas, cuz’ as they claim they love writing songs and sharing with friends.

It is really hopeful that we see such serious productions and projects made out from Greeks and in the case of Slick Beats their horizon is open widely for them with much potential, even for an international career.

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e g a P e h T n Tur

by Hope Vnz

Trust me, I’m Dr. Ozzy:

Advice from Rock’s Ultimate Survivor “The Doctor is in... Sane”, opens the first chapter, following pages of warnings not to trust and not to take anything seriously before we enter the world of Doctor Ozzy. The one and only musician with the infinite number of fans all over the world, hundred of million records sold, numerous awards, the husband, the father of 5 children, the man who broke his neck, survived a near direct hit by a plane, had been declared clinically dead, had swallowed a bumble bee at 70 mph, had tested every possible drug on earth. Ozzy Osbourne is here to surprise us, once more.

This time by giving us….. health and heart advice, suggesting tips on How to Cure almost anything; even explaining Genetics and giving prescriptions! Who else but John Dr Ozzy Osbourne would dare to do this!

Trust me, the most unusual book by the most unusual person, the musician, the artist, the absolute survivor! Quite prejudiced, I had the book in my bookcase for about a month until one day I decided to browse through the pages, and that was it! I couldn’t put it down. The book is actually based on the advice columns in The Sunday Times and Rolling Stone and is divided in topics with chapters devoted to general health, nutrition, personal grooming, family, sex, pharmacology and a plethora of other issues.

Trust me, I’m Dr Ozzy comprises of a huge variety of questions people ask Dr Ozzy and the surprising fact is that most of the time he gives pretty good advice.

Humorous, witty, clever answers to the most outrageous questions one can imagine.

And always emphasizing, never follow my bad example! A survival manual of tips no sane person should follow. Each chapter ends with a quiz related to the topic and with reference to Ozzy’s own life experiences. This is an “advice book” from the ultimate survivor, the person who dared to map his own DNA in 2010 and to become the subject of scientific research. The man who lived through numerous near-death experiences, a 40-year history of drug abuse combined with extreme hypochondria, and who himself can’t believe he is still alive and calls himself “a genetic anomaly”.

of Darkness after a plate of rib eye.”

Besides the questions and the funny advice there is also a lot of material on Ozzy’s past and life experiences, his personal struggles, abuse, childhood wounds, anxiety, depression, dreams and his infinite love to Sharon. “The prince of Darkness” has an answer for everything, health issues, relationship issues, even home remedies, and also careful to humorously add “If you write to Dr Ozzy to ask if something is right or wrong....you know it is wrong.”

I enjoyed this book more than any other. It is clever, witty, funny, fresh, and sincere and I would dare to say, even educational. There is quite a lot to take from this book, a bit extreme, but very Ozzy-like, beyond any limits. Get it! It will be the experience of a life time!

“-We all know about the bat incident - but is there any animal you definitely would not consider eating?

-Actually I don’t eat much meat at all these days: I’m more likely to bite the head off a f**king lettuce than a bat - or any other animal for that matter. That’s what happens when you get to the age of 62: you order a medium-rare steak, and you can’t shit for a week, man. Pills don’t solve the problem, either.

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Karolina Pacan

Gentleman and Lady

My dear friends, Today I wanted to share with you my thoughts about being a Gentleman and a real Lady ;) I know we live in the 21st century and our modern world has put courtesy on the side.

Many of us like to be kind to others and to receive such behaviour but... yes, there is but...

Our times want to “teach” us that such manners are not “cool” and are only for old fashioned people...

Well, here I disagree ;) As a big fan of medieval/baroque/Victorian times, I must say, that etiquette will always have special place in my heart and I do respect all people who are real in this and practice such a beauty. :)

Nothing bad hidden, please ;) If you think that she looks beautiful, don’t say “you are hot!”, but say “I like the way you look” or ”you look beautiful, I appreciate that” and leave :).

If you just want to say a compliment, do it and not just when you have expectations…

If you don’t see visible signs of attraction, don’t bother women ;) Use safe words like “good morning”,”goodbye”,”how are you Madame?” instead of “yo girl , how ya doing?”

Show respect and you’ll also receive it back ;)

When I was in Ireland, I was shocked! Most of the people were so kind, friendly and helpful!

Ladies, if men open doors for you, please be kind and say thank you!

The greatest thing was that no one expected things in return!

Maybe he just wants to be kind? You don’t have to go for a date straight away :P

An older man came to me as I was lost in the town and he kindly asked if he could help me.

If a man tells you good morning, reply to him kindly and leave if you want. You don’t have to make a whole conversation with a man you don’t know ;)

Well, first you can think: “Run girl! He can be dangerous!”

But I let him show me the way, after he just wished me a nice day :) Everyday there, I received a “good morning, how are you?” without some evil hidden behind!

So, as you can see it is possible ;) I know that many of you are just scared of receiving kindness because of thinking “why the hell he/ she is kind to me?”

I understand that but...let’s give a try? Ok? Without expecting nothing in return ;) Guys...please open doors for a girl.

But receiving respect is beautiful isn’t it? ;) When you have dinner instead of “cheers that was great”, say: “thank you, dinner was very nice. I enjoyed it a lot”. Doesn’t that sound better? :) Don’t give up so easy. Make some efforts and show to others that you can be a Gentleman or a Lady ;) Most importantly: be real with what you do, fake behaviour won’t have such a beautiful charm ;) LET’S MAKE THIS WORLD BEAUTIFUL AND CHARMING AGAIN!!! :) Got inspired ? ;) Karolina (your messenger of hope: D)

Even for the one you don’t know or don’t desire and just wish her nice day!

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Miss Lakune How awesome can the macabre be!

Written by B.S Orestis

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67 Now, let’s all take the moment to think about…art. They say art can last forever, and that art can be only for a few seconds, only for the keen eye. I say timeless and living.

After such thoughts I stayed on the ‘living’ part so at first I started looking into tattoos. I even got one myself. In the quest for the rare and weird I stumbled upon someone totally different and I was fascinated: Miss Lakune!

What I saw was not body art. Not prosthetic. Not inked. It was makeup! The concept of her facial art is to bring out the beauty of a living dead face. It’s really hard to describe, and I would suggest that you stick to the text, use up all your imagination with what I’m about to say and then turn the page to see some photos…

Even today when someone dies, there a specialist who tries using make up to give to the diseased a warm look so that the rest of us remember him/her/it(?) as best as possible. But what if the face was a wee bit deformed? What would you do in such a case? I would hire Miss Lakune!

She has an amazing talent to make the grotesque look sexy and beautiful. She has the vision to see the dead trying to look good for a cocktail party! The variation in colors, the styles and the haircuts all blend together in her own canvas: herself! You should see the ‘stripe queen’, the ‘golden’, the ‘flowers of evil’, the ‘divine mercy’. How awesome can the macabre be!!

That along with great photography has given us some of the best portraits out there that make you look into every little detail, from the eyebrows to the lipstick/blood on the mouth, and from the hollow eyes to the misplaced cheek dragged by wiring towards the ear! Faded surroundings with focused details of bleeding eyes or pearl vomiting all brought to a level of sensational aesthetics!

At first, as usual I thought I’s look her up, to figure this out, how she came to be, what was the first impression, what gave her the idea, but the I saw a saying of her that sums up all of the above: “Permanently in love with Manson, Bowie, Helnwein, Biork, Tarantino, Burton and many more don’t even try to understand. It’s a lost highway - to hell.”

On the road to hell you will also bump into Magdalena Piwosz the photographer of Miss Lakune.

I will leave you to that mystery: is Magdalena, Miss Lakune? The model and the photographer are the same?? Since that’s the case, think how rare a talent in makeup, photography, digital design and modeling can be…

All her works have depth, in story (especially if you have a vivid imagination like yours truly) and in technicalities making one stare for hours. I spend a lot of time in front of each and every photo of hers, trying to visualize the manner in which she applied the mechanics, the wiring, the eyeliners, the blood, the fake skin, the shadows on her own head, to accomplish a result that words are lesser to describe.

What we have here is one of the most creative and gloomy styled artist, with elements of the Victorian gothic era, with skills on photo manipulation and drama that captivates the eye, giving you women ghost figures to enrich your nightmares!

There is a small teaser throughout the internet that you should definitely not miss and of course be on the lookout for any exhibitions by that 24 year-old Polish girl to have the chance to sail with her vessel to the stars…

(Magdalena Piwosz) http://www.facebook.com/MissLakune/ http://lakune.tumblr.com/ http://www.behance.net/lakune Burst { music magazine }

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Feeling Numb?

Coming soon...

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It was one of the biggest hits for this year’s Academy Awards, with 8 nominations, including the big 5 (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Screenplay). “Silver Linings Playbook” is an American romantic comedy-drama film adapted from the same named novel by Matthew Quick and directed by David O. Russel (“Three Kings”, “I <3 Huckabees”). The leading roles are played by Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence (who won the Academy Award for “Best Actress”) and the supporting ones by Robert De Niro and Jacki Weaver.

Pat Solitano Jr (Bradley Cooper) is released from a mental health treating center after eight months of treatment for previously undiagnosed bipolar disorder. He returns home to find that his, also ill-tempered, dad has lost his job and has become a professional gambler in football games of his team “Eagles”, in order to win the money needed to open a restaurant. Pat constantly avoids taking his medicine and -unsuccessfully - tries to control his violent outbursts. But, his is determined to gain his life and his wife back. Pat makes a plan of self-improvement that includes regular jogging and fitness exercises and reading American literature, the one that Nikki teaches to her students.

In fact the reconciliation with his wife has become an obses-

“Great Expectations” is a 2012 British film adaptation of Charles Dickens ‘ novel. The film was directed by Mike Newell, with the adapted screenplay by David Nicholls, and starred Jeremy Irvine, Helena Bonham Carter, Holliday Grainger, Ralph Fiennes and Robbie Coltrane.

“Great Expectations is Dickens’ thirteenth novel, a classic of Victorian Literature genre which has many film and TV adaptations within the most well known is the 1998 film directed by

Written by Eleni Lampraki

Written by Eleni Lampraki

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Alfonso Cuarón.

Young Pip is a six year old orphan who lives with his abusive older sister and her good mannered husband Joe in an English village. On Christmas Eve, while wandering around the church’s graveyard he meets an escaped prisoner who scares him and convinces him to steal food from home and deliver it to him. At the next day the prisoner is caught again and sent back to prison. A few days later Pip’s uncle “Uncle Pumblechook” is asked

by Miss Havisham to find a young boy in order to play with Miss Havisham’s adopted daughter, Estella. Pip is introduced to the “Satis House”: Miss Havisham – a weird middle aged lady who lives in one room and is dressed up with her wedding dress and her astonishingly beautiful stepdaughter Estella, with whom Pip falls in love with immediately. Estella has been raised by Miss Havisham to have no feelings and break other peoples’ hearts, Burst { music magazine }

sion to him. After a convention with his psychiatrist he explains that he lost control when he had found his wife making love with a colleague of hers, while listening their wedding song. He went mad and hit the other man severely, something that led to his hospitalization. From that incident and after he continues hearing that song on his mind and cannot control himself. A few days later, during a dinner at a friend’s house he meets Tiffany, who suffers from depression and hyper sexuality after her husband’s death which caused her loss of job. Through their “madness” and neuroses they build a strained at first place, yet strong relationship. Pat tries to communicate to Nikki through Tiffany and Tiffany , as a favor, makes Pat her dance partner for a dance competition. At the same time his superstitious father almost forces him to attend the Eagles games with his brother, because he thinks that time with Tiffany is a loss. However, later on he will see that Pat is really finding himself again through the dance lessons…

Despite being an American romantic movie, it resembles more a kind of “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind” than a Hollywood romance. It achieves a close look to neurotic people and their effort to act normal and win their lives back. An all star cast plays its best and Jennifer Lawrence is just irresistible in this role.

Don’t miss it.

so she is proud, arrogant and offensive to Pip, who starts feeling guilty about his humble origin and blacksmith future and express the feeling to become a gentleman. When Miss Havisham notices that Estella becomes more kind to Pip, she pays him and tells him that she doesn’t need him anymore, so he won’t come again.

After some years Pip is grown up and is trained to be a blacksmith but is very dissatisfied with his life. He wants to become something better and always thinks of Estella. Then one night he has a visit from Mr Jaggers, a lawyer from London who informs him that he inherited a great amount of money from a benefactor who wants to remain unnamed, with the condition to leave Joe and go to London to become a gentleman. Pip of course accepts and he assumes that Miss Havisham is his benefactor. Soon he learns Mrs Havisham’s story, she was left in the altar on her wedding day and that’s why she taught Estella to have a heart of a monster. As time passes Pip becomes arrogant himself. He and Estella will meet again and Pip will also shockingly find out who is his real benefactor.

“Great Expectations” is a film about wealth and poverty, love and rejection, and the eventual triumph of good over evil. Excellent scenery, photography and costume, very faithful to the original writings of Dickens.

Written by Pana Apostolidou

73 In a dystopian city people are born to be unhappy and miserable. The urban environment is so grey, unpromising and smothering that almost none is dying off natural causes anymore. Suicide is the most typical cause of death and it has become almost a biological need.

A family started converting this necessity into a commercial product and ended up running a successful business.

The suicide shop is the only bright and colorful place in this dark state.

Mishima and Lucrece offer all kinds of equipment designed for a successful death.

Because a decadent life deserves –at least- a remarkable death.

And they are proud of their services; no customer has ever complained…This business needs desperately to continue to prosper. But Lucrece gives birth to their third child who has the charisma to smile and grows up to be a happy rebel. It turns out that happiness is insuppressible. A radical revision of life values is gradually developed in this family.

despised and not acceptable; wrongfully in my opinion. Their objections are based on the childish structure of the second part of the film and they are not taking into account that even the most astonishing animation movies involve naiveness as a major feature of the genre. Such contracts are the key to their success. I am sorry if I am wasting your time being judgmental to judgmental opinions, but in my humble perception of the film raises current issues, such as the incapability to cope with daily misery and alienation, in an unconventional way. Using suicide as a motif does not mean that the director is trying to deal with this phenomenon in terms of sociopathology, or detect the grounds leading to this.

The songs are the only weak part of “The suicide Shop” but they balance with really good direction of photography which strongly proves that the French are really good at making animation films. A really cute and underrated movie, not suggested for children, but for adults who need a push to smile in these desperate times.

Written by Pana Apostolidou

The versatile French director Patrice Leconte (“The Widow of Saint-Pierre” and “The Hairdresser’s Husband”) is making an ambitious effort. His first musical animation is highly compared to Tim Burton and Sylvain Chomet’s (“The Triplets of Belleville”) work; dark, poetic and pessimistic (which ends up to be educative and optimistic). For this reason, the film is Argentinean director Benjamin Avila made a solid start with his first film entering Cannes Film Festival, winning the Casa de America Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival and becoming Argentina’s official submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

With Luis Puenzo (“The Official History”) in the production, “Clandestine Childhood”, an autobiographical, historical film set during the Argentinean Dirty War, was embraced by critics and audience.

he is watching their daily routine being at stake. He is witnessing gunfights, meetings and rituals with blindfolded people, a secret room is waiting for him in the imminent case of an emergency, his relatives are getting killed by police. He is in the middle of a war, but he is too young to deal with it. He realizes he is different from others and growing up seems to be the only solution. But what is going to happen to his innocence? He has to keep up his second identity as well, as he also is Ernesto and he is in love with a classmate of his, Maria.

The highlights: Natalia Oreiro is impersonating the mother of Juan, renouncing her soap opera image, as she successfully performs her double role as well: from a sweet and caring mother she transforms to a tough partisan. Avila is illustrating the strongest moments using graphic images and comics to highlight the reception of cruelty from a young mind. The artistic direction of the 70s aesthetics is perspicuous. And what more do we need than an honest experiential deposit of a creator who witnessed a nation getting eaten by its own people?

1979. Horacio’s family is returning to Argentina after 3 years of political exile, to continue armed resistance. The family of Montoneros, including their children, lives in secret locations, cut off from families and acquaintances, using forged identities as they are persecuted by the cruel dictatorship still ruling the country.

Their oldest son, Juan, is starting attending school again, with a new name, Ernesto.

Their 12-year-old son is the vehicle of the story. The director chose his narrative angle in order to depict those dark times from a curious, instable and adolescent point of view. This ambitious move led to a well-aimed perspective. The “kiddo” has to respond to a double life: Juan is illegally living in a country where his parents are persecuted for their political beliefs and Burst { music magazine }

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Director’s Cut

Lars Von Trier Written by Pana Apostolidou & Spiros Smyrnis Photos by Christian Geisnæs

I swear to the following set of rules drawn up and confirmed by Dogme 95:

1. Shooting must be done on location. Props and sets must not be brought in.

2. The sound must never be produced apart from the image or vice-versa.

3. The camera must be hand-held. Any movement or mobility attainable in the hand is permitted.

4. The film must be in colour. Special lighting is not acceptable.

5. Optical work and filters are forbidden.

6. The film must not contain superficial action.

7. Temporal and geographical alienation are forbidden.

8. Genre movies are not acceptable.

9. The film format must be Academy 35mm.

10. The director must not be credited.

Furthermore I swear as a director to refrain from personal taste. I am no longer an artist. I swear to refrain from creating a ‘work’, as I regard the instant as more important than the whole. My supreme goal is to force the truth out of my characters and settings. I swear to do so by all the means available and at the cost of any good taste and any aesthetic considerations.

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Burst { music magazine }

76 Are you familiar with the vow of Chastity?

I think not. However, most of you, know the provocative persona of Lars Von Trier, probably one of the greatest European directors in the history of cinema. How would anyone describe this unconventional, inspired, avant-garde, anti-conformist, Danish bastard? L’enfant terrible of Cannes festival made his debut with the “Element of Crime” film. This was the first part of Europa trilogy, a nightmarish, Kafk-ish feature that some named it as a post-film noir. A detective plagued by headaches goes to a hypnotist and relives his investigation into a serial killer case in Lars von Trier’s first feature, The Element of Crime. Fisher (Michael Elphick), a retired policeman, returns to Europe at the behest of his mentor, Osborne (Esmond Knight of The Red Shoes). Osborne, the author of an influential textbook called The Element of Crime, has given up his investigation into the Lotto Murders, in

matter in cinema. It was the crucial year 1988, when Trier decided to direct his version of Medea, based on Carl Theodor Dreyer’s adaptation of Euripides’ play Medea. The film was shot for the Danish TV and is one of the most artistic works of Trier. Every cut is wonderful, every scene is delicate, every photo-frame is a piece of art. Trier shot a symbolic ancient tragedy, inspired by the story of Euripides and delivered an intense film, with unmemorable scenes like the poetic death scene of Medea’s children. A true masterpiece, indeed could be more than a reason for someone to explore into the provocative work of Lars von Trier.

which a number of lottery ticket salesgirls have been killed and mutilated. The film is influenced by the German expressionism, while futuristic and surrealistic elements are translucent through the film.

The sepia photography is astonishing and Trier introduced himself to the world film community in the better way.

of the two protagonists, screenwriters.

Trier seems not to care about others’ opinion, especially when the discussion reaches to film critics. “I am the best film director in the world,” stated at Cannes Film festival, while many critics bowed his entrance in the press conference room after the screening of Antichrist.

“This knowledge I have that I am the best director, I see it as true, I am sure other directors may feel the same, [but] maybe they don’t say it,” he said, never raising his voice. “I am not sure I am. I just think I am.’ The Danish film-maker continued.

Von Trier has mapped the changes that Burst { music magazine }

Epidemic is probably the most experimental version of Trier’s cinema. To me this is the weaker moment of “Europa” Trilogy yet a very interesting film. The Danish film-maker is sarcastic at the art of making films. Trier, himself plays one

Europa is one of the most underrated films in the history of cinema. They lucky ones who did explore through the scenes of Europa, they still remember the sensational voiceover of Max Von Sydow, the rebellious perspective of Trier and the avant-garde photography. Europa is an intense film, a post film-noir with 1940 atmosphere, probably the most academic moment in Trier’s filmography. Hard to watch indeed but imaginative is an example of transgressive imagery.

Lars Von Trier is a distinguishable director. A classic love it/hate it case with hardcore fans and sworn enemies. So we’ve reached “The Idiots” where Trier introduces us to another provocative story. A seemingly anti-bourgeois group of adults spend their time seeking their “inner idiot” to release their inhibitions.

They do so by behaving in public as if

they were developmentally disabled. They intervene on common people’s lives and “mess with” their ethical values. Idiots will create chaos by their actions, they will fool themselves as well as others.

Obeying to Dogme 95 principles Idiots is an unconventional manifesto, realistic yet tough, which takes the viewer off the hook.

Breaking the Waves is probably the ultimate Trier’s masterpiece, praised by fans and critics too. The touching story of Bess McNeil, a pretty young Scottish woman with a history of psychological problems, is one of the most interesting female portraits, filmed in the history of cinema. She marries Norwegian oil rig worker Jan, despite the apprehensions of her community and Calvinist church.

Bess is somewhat simple and childlike in her beliefs. During her regular visits to the church, she prays to God and

believes God answers through her using her voice. Associated by the unbelievable performance of Emily Watson the Danish director uses the magnificent landscape of Scotland, as a canvas to draw the greatest love story ever told. A breathless film experience, a piece of art, annoying and perverted, “Breaking the Waves” marked the European Cinema once and for all.

Trier chooses to “dress musically” the first film of The Golden Heart Trilogy with classic rock songs a different one for every movie chapter.

Although, they have blamed Trier, as a misogynist and misanthropist he created a film about love’s nature. Unique, seeking for redemption, the story of Bess mastered the viewer, by capturing his eyes.

Honestly words cannot describe this film, cause there won’t be enough, they won’t be accurate. That’s the reason why you should dive into “Breaking the Waves” universe. Violent and controversial the

77 cinema of the notorious film-maker is addictive. Once you’ve been in Trier’s world, there is no easy way out.

When “Breaking the Waves” entered Cannes Film Festival, Trier could not attend because he is afraid of flights! The protagonist of the movie, Emily Watson had to call him during the projection of the movie in order to hear the reactions of the audience. Once “The Idiots” and “Dancer in the Dark” were the official entries in Cannes, the director decided to cross Europe with a trailer…

“Golden Heart History” trilogy is completed with “Dancer in the Dark”. Trier chose a melodramatic/musical orientation which fits Dogme 95 principles. A working class woman, an immigrant, a mother who suffers from a degenerative disease that is also affecting her son, an inmate sentenced to death...All these roles are undertaken by an almost blind and fragile existence who finds comfort in daydreaming. Bjork is using the uniqueness of her physique and attitude and (of course) voice and she reaches her character on the best level expected.

The Danish director is approaching his permanent obsession: a world seeking for salvation completely denies recognising its sins. Half-shot with a hand-held camera to depict colourless reality and half-shot in bright colours while singing and dancing prevails, the film underlines a major fact of life: happiness and misery come from the same place. They coexist and complement each other. You can always have fun with your sadness and sadness often comes along with too much happiness. Allow me to confess that I have a tiny objection on this movie.

Trier is going too far with the ending. He pushes the audience to its limits, using every kind of melodramatic trick to crush our souls, ignoring the fact that the story itself has already much power. But that is what he does every time... That’s the way he rolls and that is why he is probably the director with the most fanatic admirers and haters.

“Dogville” is the peculiar first part of the trilogy “USA - Land of Opportunities”.

Using theatrical structures and having a minimalistic spirit, he created a dramatically flawless piece of art where an environment of violence is gradually despoiled. The well-aimed director is using means familiar and legitimate: the institution of work and the most cunning version of it, volunteering. Slowly, with a sadistic pace, the film results in the most loathsome and cruel form of oppression

and human demoralization. The aim of the creator is to have us revise what makes us feel secure. But first of all we have to accept the theatrical convention and get used to this form of narration.

And then, for once again, we have to dive into our darkest thoughts and explore them. It is the only way to renounce them.

Using the same aesthetic lines in “Manderlay”, he teaches us a part of the history of America, whose dirty past is based upon the exploitation of slaves. Correlations to today are obvious. Equivocal questions are rising: Is there actual freedom or are we dealing with a twisted form of slavery in any case? Is there actual freedom when we have to enforce it?

Innumerable comments about the nature of the human being are put side by side…

Although many critics are arguing about whether this film is anti-American or not, I will just approach it as educative and – of course- captivating.

After all this “heavy” filmography, Trier decided to make a…comedy. I was a bit confused when I first found out about “Boss of it all” and I thought “what is Trier’s perception of comedy?” My answer was that Trier has nothing to do with comedy. To my surprise the film was really good. Overly good. Typical situation comedy is mixed with Trier’s obsessions concerning cinematographic norms. What is comedy? It is moral when you make fun using art? In the opening scene we see Trier’s reflection commenting his work. And he does that many times during the film. His voice is popping out, either apologising or indicating something.

An eccentric actor with egocentric ideas about acting and drama is being hired to “play” the boss of a company. The real owner, unable to cope with his status, (especially when he has to announce that the company is being sold), is hiding under the identity of a simple manager who just execues the orders of the “big boss”.

Trier does not afraid to satirize theatre, the history of Danish people, stereotypes, even the comedy itself. His intellectual “brain” humour is making the viewer laugh unexpectedly from deep within. I think that the only reason he made this movie was just to prove that he is equally good at making comedy.

Antichrist. Paranoid, claustrophobic, stressful, sick. From a technical standpoint, it is flawless. The direction, photography and acting are astonishing.

It almost feels like the devil himself made

it. It did not manage to earn an award for Charlotte Gainsbourg’s outstanding performance in Cannes, but it did manage to become the major topic of debating and booing, it caused awkward comments and ambiguous reactions and left the audience and critics divided. A couple speckled by the death of their child, is resorting in an isolated house to explore their traumas. The bodily pleasures are excommunicated but being unable to resist in them, they are taking drastic measures to cut them out. The woman is impersonating the Evil which is enforced by strictly male-dominated societies.

Trier may as well be the Antichrist, suggesting that religion is the only limitation.

Nature is responsible for our sins and free will.

Von Trier was declared “persona non grata” at the 2011 Cannes Festival. At the “Melancholia” press conference he expressed sympathy for Hitler and therefore he is forever excluded from the Festival. “For a long time I thought I was a Jew and I was happy to be a Jew,” he claimed, “then I met (Danish and Jewish director) Susanne Bier and I wasn’t so happy. But then I found out I was actually a Nazi. My family was German. And that also gave me some pleasure. What can I say? I understand Hitler…I sympathize with him a bit.”

His last film “Melancholia” is an apocalyptic themed movie and the director deals with the destruction of the world.

Planet Melancholia is about to collide with the Earth. Two sisters with totally different temperaments are experiencing the imminent destruction and the director is showcasing his ability to present a parade of emotions, from composure and optimism to apathy and panic. The climax is just shocking. The viewer is surrounded by stifling emotions, poetic images, evocative music, which only make him suffocate. I clearly remember my cinematic experience, when I almost cried… Not because I felt sad but because I felt the weight of the circumstances smothering me…

“I am the best film director in the world,” Lars Von Trier proclaims. “I am sure other directors may feel the same, [but] maybe they don’t say it,” he said, “I am not sure I am. I just think I am.” Lars Von Trier is not interested in being neither conciliatory nor conventional.

And I firmly believe that his provocativeness kinda makes me accept the above statement. Ok, maybe not the best, what defines the best anyway? But one the best and one of his kind.

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Written by Spiros Smyrnis

In Greek mythology, Acherusia, was a name given by the ancients to several lakes or swamps, which, like the various rivers called Acheron, were at some time believed to be connected with the lower world, until at last the Acherusia came to be considered to be in the lower world itself. Aherusia is a black metal band from Greece. Aherusia was formed

by Voreas Faethon in Athens, Greece in 1997. The aesthetic principles, the band holds until the present day, were forged from the combination of the traditional hellenic sound and the progregorian european folkloric tunes under the music manifest of Majestic Black Metal.

Greece has an extended tradition in black metal, while the Hellenic Black Metal wave in the mid 90s drew more and more metalheads’ attention. The pioneers Rotting Christ, Necromantia, Varathron and Deviser just showed the way to younger Greek black metal bands, Ravencult, Enshadowed and Aherusia. Aherusia is a different case from most of the bands mentioned above. They combine elements from traditional Hellenic music with the sharp riffs of Hellenic black metal wave and the majestic atmosphere of Dimmu Borgir. In 2009 Aherusia released their debut album, titled “And The Tides Shall Reveal The Traces”. They worked together with Christos Antoniou, the guitarist of Septic Flesh and Chaostar, who was behind the helm of production, while the one and only Sakis Tolis of Rotting Christ was the mastermind behind the mixing and mastering process.

Working in Devasoundz studios for that end was a totally professional process, ending up in the sound on “And The Tides Shall Reveal The Traces” being flawless. Seth signs another beautiful obscure horrific artwork. The album features 7 tracks, all of which are 5 minutes plus, so “And The Tides Shall Reveal The Traces” has an epic, majestic aura.

“Birth of Immortals” is the opening track of the album, and the most characteristic one. Hellenic folk black metal is for me the right term to describe the music of Aherusia. Frozen black metal riffs balanced with the lyre melodies and presented to us in an unprecedented extreme metal sound. Just a year before the debut album of Aherusia was released, Rotting Christ released Theogonia, which has the first seeds of Christ’s turn to the different sonic landscape, which is completed on KATA TON DAIMONA EAYTOY album. I think that there is an obvious connection between the two bands.

Lux Occulta and Methexis that followed the first track are among my favourites. Mysterious and dark atmosphere, haunting whispers by Faethon and warlike drumming set a nightmarish landscape. Through the paths of abyss, Aherusia glorify the mighty “Archangels” who stand “Beyond Death and Time”. The spirit of Ancient Greece conquers the album, since the band was honouring their ancestors. The deep knowledge of paganism and black metal principles is responsible for a great album, a dive into darkness, into Hade’s underworld. You might not find peace there, but catharsis.

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195 million children worldwide suffer from the effects of malnutrition. In 2011, MSF treated 408,000 children in more than 30 countries.

Copyright: Francesco Zizola

Burst { music magazine }