#18-Inside the darkness

Edition for true metalfans

s18 of T

#18†30.09.2021

rve MetalZines

News•Reviews•Interviews•Exclusive

1

CREW

Evgeny-Destroyer Editor-in-chief, design https://www.facebook.com/ evgeny.dubovskoy Mail: destroyerr78@mail.ru WhatsApp: +79180242178

Olga «Blackie» Schneider Editor, interviewer, text corrector, reviewer https://www.facebook.com/ olga.metalheart Mail: olgaschneider.1997@gmail.com Inst:https://www.instagram.com/blackie_metalheart/

Jay Parker - Editor, Interviewer, Reviewer Luc St-Clair - Editor, Reviewer of Melodeath albums

Andrew Stanton Editor, interviewer, text corrector corrector, reviewer https://www.facebook.com/ andrew.stanton.71216 WhatsApp: 0044 07527 362762

A special thanks to...

Helmuth Lehner (Belphegor) for his TOTAL support ...and especial y to these people for the interviews https://destroyerr78.wixsite.com/insidethedarkness Velnias (Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult) https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheDarknessMetalZine Gentleman (A Forest of Stars) https://www.instagram.com/inside_the_darkness_webzine Rex (Awicha) https://vk.com/insidethedarknessmetalwebzine Yianna Bekris (Vouna) https://twitter.com/metal_webzine Bruno (Thy Dying Star) Dark Cosmos (Lobregos) Hails to everyone!

Nikolay Sikeritsky (Astarium) As you guys could notice, getting some fresh blood M. W. Daniels and Natalia (Sister Memon) on board brought us lots real moving forward, and we Asithara (Dei Tetra) won’t say anything new, but we would like to express our Ulfrmir Svarti (Austral Wolf) eternal gratitude to you once again. Thanks to everyone Camilo (Fearless End) for taking your part in sharing our content and spreading Black Winter (Nastrond) the world!

Edd Jimenez (Brainblast) Since the world is awakening from slumber and bands are Heathen Deity (Dagon) restarting their active concert life, feel free to contact us & Yama Darkblaze (Ethereal Sin) share some killer memories from concerts in your locations.

Mariia Sue (Mariia Sue) In Metal, Olga Schneider, editor.

Krasta (Forsaken Legion) Kai (Vrykolakas) Xavier and Guy (Hangman’s Hymn) Midgard (Ouija)

Editor’s brief

2

News from hell..........................................6

CONTENT

Fearless End Interview with Camilo......42 Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult Nastrond Interview with Velnias.......8 Interview with Black Winter....44 A Forest of Stars Brainblast Interview with The Gentleman..............14 Interview with Edd Jimenez.......46 Awicha Heathen Deity Interview with Rex...20 Interview with Dagon......48 Vouna/ Interview with Yianna Bekris........24 Ethereal Sin Thy Dying Star Interview with Yama Darkblaze...50 Interview with Bruno........26 Interview with Mariia Sue...................56 Lobregos Forsaken Legion Interview with Dark Cosmos........28 Interview with Krasta....58 Vrykolakas Astarium Interview with Nikolay Sikeritsky.....32 Interview with Kai........60 Hangman’s Hymn Sisters Memon Interview with M. W. Daniels and Natalia......36 Interview with Xavier and Guy.....64 Ouija Dei Tetra Interview with Midgard........66 Interview with Asithara.....38 Austral Wolf Interview with Ulfrmir Svarti......40 Best Metal releases..............68

Stories about Metal bands..............98

Inside The Darkness reviews............102

Metalheads are waiting for it............128

3

ATTENTION! AN EDITOR NEEDED. Since our edition is actively growing, we

have

realized that we need more people to our board.

We’re

looking for an editor for reviews, active

contact with bands and labels and for making interviews.

The main thing we demand is being a true Extreme Metal fan. If you’re really one of them, other things simply go by themselves.

If you’re open for such kind of work, feel free to contact us: https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheDarknessMetalZine https://www.instagram.com/inside_the_darkness_webzine https://twitter.com/metal_webzine

Also you can contact with all our editors personally on our personal pages.

IMPORTANT! We’re pure enthusiasts,

and the payment is

strong experience of collaboration with massive

Extreme Metal

4

bands and lots of new killer

contacts in general.

Inside the Darkness issues

5

World Metal News Russia 2021 Oct 23 RUS Moscow / Crystal Hall Oct 24 RUS St:Petersburg / Opera

Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov Nov

6

6

19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27

30th Anniversary Tour – Europe 2021 Marduk + Valkyrja + Doodswens Oct 28 POL Lodz / Magnetofon Oct 29 POL Poznan / U Bazyla Oct 30 POL Gdansk / B90 Oct 31 POL Bydgoszcz / Fabryka Lloyda Nov 02 GER Berlin / Orwo House Nov 03 GER Leipzig / Hellraiser Nov 04 GER Weiher / Live Music Hall Nov 05 SUI Orbe / Le Puisoir Nov 06 SUI Wetzikon, Zurich / Hall Of Fame Nov 08 ESP Bilbao / Stage Live Nov 09 ESP Madrid / Caracol Nov 10 ESP Barcelona / Boveda Nov 11 FRA Montpellier / Secret Place Nov 12 ITA Milan / Slaughter Club Nov 13 ITA Rome / Traffic Nov 14 ITA San Dona di Piave / Revolver Nov 16 NED Tilburg / o13 Nov 17 NED Nijmegen / Doornrosje Nov 18 NED Enschede / Metropool

GER Essen / Turock GER Bad Oeynhausen / Druckerei AUT Wien / Viper Room SVK Bratislava / Randall HUN Budapest / Blue Hell POL Bielsko Biala / Rude Boy POL Kraków /Hol POL Warszawa / Progresja

‘THE CATHEDRAL OF RECKONING’ Tour of the UK. Mork are pleased to join forces as special guests with Winterfylleth in October for an exclusive run of the UK. Winterfylleth vocalist Chris Naughton informs: “After two thwarted attempts to get a new album tour off the ground, we are pleased to announce that we have reorganised a fresh run of shows with our friends in Mork.

18 months after the release of The Reckoning Dawn we will finally be able to bring our newest songs to an audience for the first time.

With Mork having released their fantastic new album Katedralen in the meantime as well, we are coming back stronger than ever, with a wealth of new material for our fans. We look forward to seeing you all in October.

Until then!»

Thomas Eriksen of Mork comments: “Mork has visited the UK on a couple of occasions, all of the shows were such a brilliant experience for us. To be able to go back and do a longer run is such a privilege and to be able to do it together with the lads in Winterfylleth is the icing on top of the cake! See all of you during the reckoning! “ Tickets go on sale on Friday, 16th July at 10am BST. Winterfylleth and Mork tour dates: Oct 18 - Rebellion, Manchester Oct 19 - Stereo, Glasgow Oct 20 - Castle & Falcon, Birmingham Oct 21 - Club Ifor Bach, Cardiff Oct 22 - The Anvil, Bournemouth Oct 23 - Boston Music Room, London

77

Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult - Black Metal from Germany

Interview with Velnias

8

Interview by Jay Parker

1) Tell us about DNS… Why, when and where was the band formed?

Who is in the current line up?

DNS: To be honest this when/why question has been asked a tiring amount of times

before. D. N. Slaughtercult was spawned

been doing interviews p r e t t y much since our debut release in 1999. Bas i c a l l y that’s over twenty years this very question has been asked.

Therefore I’ll be brief about the reason why

e r i f e h t g n niti g i s n a e m at h t g n i h t To inspire e som r o f e n o e . r o f within som n r u b y l iteral l f l e s r u o y you back in the cold wintery months 1997. We have

the band was formed. It was simply our intention to call forth a band which would contribute its music to the old traditional vein of black metal. Our line-up has been stable for many years.

Onielar and Velnias are two of the founding members, Horrn on drums has been with us since 2001.

R.K. has replaced Adversarius on bass, who left the band for personal reasons after many, m a n y years with us. That’s the status quo.

2) Your last release, mardom, 2019, is an absolute better, and has had great reviews all over. run us through your admirable discography...(my personal favorite is Saldorian Spell) DNS: Well, the debut mCD

“The Pest Called Humanity” was released in 1999. The sophomore release or second chapter as we would say came out in 2001. It was the first full length album

and goes by the name “Follow the Calls for Battle”. Two years later a split LP “Underneath Stars of the East” was released. The next album “Nocturnal March” followed

in 2004. “Hora Nocturna” was birthed in 2006.

The aforementioned Saldorian Spell was released three years later in 2009.

If I am not mistaken our second split LP “The Legion of Chaos” came out in between that album and Necrovision in 2011.

Necrovision i t s e l f was unleashed in 2012.

The latest release has been Mardom, which was late 2018 / early 2019.

Concerning reviews and acceptance by the scene there has never been a bad release, however, there are of course personal favorites.

Mine would be Necrovision as well as Mardom as both of these albums feature a vast variety of what a D. N. Slaughtercult song can be like without being repetitious in itself.

9

Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult - Black Metal from Germany 10

Obviously it is not really possible to compare a debut album with something a band has released twenty years later. Each release breathes that specific moment in time.

A moment that will be gone immediately after it. What I like about a band is that certain catchiness. A specific trademark that makes a band unique. Say you just know the first two albums and skip the next ones and then discover a newer album some years later. If you’re able to immediately say “hey, that’s them” than this band has done every-

thing right. Personal I think that is something we have achieved with every album.

We’ve stayed loyal to ourselves and what D. N. Slaughtercult stands for.

3) Tell us about Mardom…

When and where was it recorded? How was the experience? What inspired the album?

DNS: The recordings for Mardom started some time in 2018. We’re not the type of band that rents a studio for some weeks – we usually record an instrument for some days and contin-

ue at some other time.

That definitely slows done the recordings but allows us to really get what we want. There is no need to rush things or make any other compromise. Our producer Armin Rave has recorded all of our material starting with The Pest Called Humanity. Actually that was his and our very first recording. With every new album we returned to his Soundsight Studio. Due to this longtime relationship as friends and musicians it is a very relaxed and productive atmosphere. That’s defi-

nitely the experience you get out of multiple recording sessions.

Necrovision was the first album with a pre-existing concept. Mardom as the successor takes the idea of the necrocosmic vision yet another step further.

So to some extend Necrovision was the inspiration for Mardom.

4) Tell us about composition...

Who writes the songs? How do you do it? Do you write together? What is the inspiration behind the music and lyrics?

DNS: It is not really important who is contributing what within D. N. Slaughtercult or for that matter if one person is composing everything or not. Creativity can’t be forced.

That’s not how it works for us. So, whoever has an idea is certainly allowed to introduce it to the rest of the band. For instance, nowadays it is easy to do a complete ar-

rangement even without being able to play drums.

So, we are always starting with a rough composition arranged for the

entire band and moving on to adjusting it with the actual band members during rehearsals.

So, in the beginning there is a secluded moment which represents

the actual process of stirring up the ocean of tranquility – which is the entry point into the source of inspiration and thus also creativity. Usually the music stands before the lyrics are worked out. The scrolls of lyrical enlightenment have always been equally important, however, especially during the last albums we have put more emphasis on the very shape of the lyrics. It is shifting more towards an anthology of Occult prose.

5) What inspired your sound? Which bands did you listen to growing up in Poland/Germany?

Is it strange for you when bands today cite DNS as an influence in their sound?

DNS: The common denominator is Scandinavian Black Metal a la Emperor, Enslaved, Ancient, Immortal, Ulver and so

Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult - Black Metal from Germany 12

on. Of course referring to their early works. Due to our origin and personal background there are other bands like KAT, Slayer, Kreator and the likes that definitely had an impact on our decision to pick up an instrument.

Idolization is a normal process growing up. It is usually defines our personal standards and regulations sort of our own codex of behavior.

Perhaps behavior is not the right term for it. It is more something that we value for what we think it stands for and thus justifies our personal beliefs.

Having someone say “hey I started my own band because of you” is truly flattering.

To inspire means igniting the fire within someone for something that you yourself literally burn for. That can only

be achieved through passion and sincerity.

6) As musicians, when did you start playing your instrument?

Do you play any oth-

same time sometime in the mid-nineties. Horrn has been playing drums for ages. He started in the 80ies. We’re sticking to our main instruments – there’s still plenty of stuff to be learned and mastered.

Therefore, there is no need to learn any new instrument.

7) Which tunings do you use for recording?

Which guitars/bass/ effects/amps do you use?

DNS: We have been using solely standard E-Tuning on all but albums except Mardom. Mardom features two songs which are tuned down a whole step.

Our guitars were made by ES Guitars located in the US. Unfortunately they are no longer manufacturing any instruments.

Concerning the equipment you need to differener instruments? tiate between live and DNS: studio settings. For live Onielar and Velnias performances we’re usmore or less started ing Engl tube amps as playing guitar at the well as Engl preamps.

Lexicon is our choice for a slight reverb. Aside that there are no effects.

Studio wise we’re trusting our producer. Soundsight Studio is definitely equipped with some high end equipment.

8) It would be impossible to interview you without mentioning Onielar. She is a symbol of inspiration for all female black metal musicians around the world.

Tell us about Onielar...

What is she like?

How did you meet?

DNS: Personally I think Onielar is not just an inspiration for female musicians. It is crazy what kind of fan art you can find of her. What is she like? Well of course she is always the same screaming and blood spilling banshee on and off stage. Jokes aside, of course the artist is one side of her personality but as simple as that just one side. Our paths crossed in the currently ongoing life span back in 1996 or 1997. I had moved back to Germany from the US and started looking for possible band mates to form a black metal band. Concurrently she and Ario-

vist (drums on The Pest Called Humanity) were looking for a guitarist.

They saw my posting at a local music store and decided to meet. Their first impression of myself nearly lead to them leaving before we even talked. It was very interesting to find out all the details what each of us really thought of the other when we talked about it many years later. Anyhow, from there we grew together both as musicians as well as companions.

9) What is your opinion of the current black metal scene?

How do you think it will evolve in the future? What new bands would you recommend for our readers?

DNS: That’s something we never really cared about in all these years. I mean we all have our favorite albums – it is impossible for any other band to top that. It is our favorite album for specific reasons. It is a time capsule.

Nothing ever created after it can capture the same spirit. Of course there are great albums being released even nowadays but for some

reason they are not as exciting anymore. They are missing nostalgia.

10) What are DNS plans for the future?? Are you writing/recording new material?

When will it be released?

DNS: That’s difficult to say.

Before the still ongoing pandemic situation we started rehearsing post Mardom material. Currently to some unforeseen events everything is put on ice.

For the moment everything is uncertain. Let’s just leave it at that.

11) Do you have any advice for up and coming guitarists/bands that are reading?

DNS: It is an advice in general not just for upcoming musicians. Be authentic and sincere.

12) Do you have anything you’d like to add???

DNS: Not really, this interview has been a welcome change to the otherwise monotone daily routine… thanks.

13

A Forest of Stars- Avant-garde/Progressive Black Metal from UK

Interview with The Gentleman

14

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi this Jay… Today I’ve been fortunate to talk to The Gentleman (and he most certainly is) from the UK leviathan that is A FOREST OF STARS… Hi Mr. Gentleman... thanks for taking the time to talk to me...

1) When, where and why was A Forest Of Stars formed? Who is in the current line-up?

The Gentleman: Goodness me, now that is a memory-rattling question!

It all seems so distant now… To sum up as quickly as possible: Curse and myself had the ambition to create a Black Metal band a long, long time ago. I mean, a really long time ago, like pre-inter-

net (if you can believe such a time existed - I know I can’t).

Then various things got in the way for years, but the idea never left us, and sometime later (about, ooooh, 2007, I think?) we rekindled the idea, recruited a couple of our friends (we realised we

leased was about half a year.

Bonkers. As for “why?”, well, that’s one of those eternal questions, I suppose. The best explanation I could give is the drive to create. That doesn’t explain anything, but that’s best I can do. There’s just this drive inside of you that requires sating and being in a band, creating and performing music is the only thing that will do, I suppose. It’s either that or, you know, succumb to reality, and, well, no thank you, we’re not that stupid.

to e s u c x e d o o g The album is a g n i h t e m o s n o e t a r t n e c n o c er. t t e b e g a n a we can m might need some talent) and that was it. After the initial delay, it came together remarkably quickly: From formation to first album being re-

Current line-up is (deep breath): Curse - mouth-piece, philosophising force for [in] sanity and voice stuff John “The Resurrectionist” Bishop - Body snatcher elite, slayer of danger-cider and hitting things in time Titus Lungbutter - Rambler of the unfocused righteousness and bass Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts - Memory wipes, loss, recovery, rewiring of basic electric principles, violin and voice stuff William Wight-Barrow - Purveyor of grim determination, wry sardonic observation and wielder of six strings TS Kettleburner - Left hand of dark arts, master of multi-dimensional pedal summation and wielder of six strings; sometimes four large ones too The Gentleman - Arch Ludo champion and absolutely nothing else of note; also tinkling the ivories and hitting things out of time.

2) One thing I personally love about your music is that it transports the listener back in time, like a portal, or a vortex back to Victorian England...I close my eyes and I’m there in those shadowy, misty cob-

ble-stoned streets of yonder days...What is the inspiration behind your sound?

Why Victorian England?

The Gentleman: My stock and trade answer to this question is simply “That’s all my fault”.

Which, while true, doesn’t exactly excuse or explain anything. I mean, for a start off, we *are* Victorian, so that sort of seeps in naturally, whether we want it to or not. You can’t deny your own being, I suppose.

The thing about the Victorian era is the inescapable fact that for the majority of people living through it, life was relentlessly grim. I mean, really, really bad.

Crippling poverty on a mass scale; massive social injustice; high mortality rates; a seemingly gleeful willingness to allow people to die in swathes

in the name of progress; an almost psychotically myopic morality (the poor are criminals and deserve everything they get; id est, it’s their own fault) and wilful ignorance (not to mention hefty pushback) of such matters by those in charge or with influence.

Now, of course, there was great progress made too, and a lot of great philanthropists and crusaders who worked tirelessly to change the above list, but the problems were so firmly entrenched, it took several lifetimes way beyond the era and two world wars (with a worldwide depression in between) to even begin make a dent in it. And to some extent, we are still grappling with those issues today. Heavy stuff indeed.

15

A Forest of Stars- Avant-garde/Progressive Black Metal from UK 16

All of which is to say, I don’t know why, but that era fascinates me - it’s like a strange, alien world made of scabs you want to keep picking at. I’m amazed that when I suggested it as a framework for the band, it was accepted; and, well, here we are, fourteen years later.

3) The guitars, pianos, violins and vocals are all very ghastly and haunting, like an old ghost from yesteryear telling us how he suffered in life and now in death... where does that come from? Who were your influences?

When did you start playing your instruments?

The Gentleman: That’s a very good question.

We’ve talked about this a lot as friends over the years - where does it all come from - internally - and how lucky are we that the muses bless us with their presence?

For instance, there was a point where I used to sit at my piano and write a song. Then I used to write at the piano, but also ideas for songs would pop into my head unbidden. Gradually over the years, the slide on the scale has shifted so that now about 90% of the songs I write spring directly from my head almost fully formed. What is that about?

And what happens if it should

stop? I’ve spent far too much time pondering that, all the while being eternally grateful.

The sound of our music is just what we hear when we write we know what it should sound like to make it “right” and do it justice - that pro-

duction is just “us”, I guess. We have tried other ways of interpreting it (just to push the boat out and not be complacent), but it always comes back to that, as it just seems to be what the music demands of us.

And who would deny it that?

In terms of influences, there are honestly so many, it would be tedious to list. For my own part: Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Swans, GSY!BE, Arcturus, Ved Buens Ende, In The Woods…, Kate Bush, Ulver, Burzum (duh!), Emperor (duh!), Mayhem (duh!) Peter Gabriel/Genesis, Steeleye Span, Sigh, The 3rd and the Mortal, MZ412 (and pretty much all of the CMI roster), Sigh, Neptune Towers, Blut Aus Nord, Deathspell Omega, Drudkh and Type O Negative. But it’s really so much more than that - everything can be an influence, even if it’s not immediately obvious.

In terms of playing stuff - I can only speak for myself, but I was a late starter.

I only began playing drums when I was nine, and piano (I think) at around fourteen.

Taught for the former and self-taught at the latter. And it shows! It’s not really something I think about, to be honest. It doesn’t really mean anything when so much time has passed at this point it’s just something I do and have done for forever.

4) You released your last album, the awesomely epic slab of time-travelling tales of suffering and despair, Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes in 2018... tell us about your experiences recording the album...

What is your own personal favourite album by AFOS? (mine is Shadowplays...btw) The Gentleman: My memories of that album are a great big muddle, with a huge dash of panic. As I engineered the vast majority of it, I was so focused getting the sound right, and there was so much to do, that I didn’t spend much time taking a step back to look at it. Other people had a lot more fun, I imagine!

There was the constant electrical issues we had up at the farm house we using. Endless, depressing re-recording of the damn guitars due to those issues. Then there was the home brewed cider that properly destroyed you in two glasses; that was a lot of fun. But really, all I can remember was the 3-4 months, 10-12 hour, 6-7 days a week run I did to get the hand-made special edition made and all the troubles we ran into doing that. I’ve never come as close to breaking

as in that time; it was a mixture of repetitive tedium and soul-destroying terror. I’m just glad it got done and to the high standard we’d set. Never again!

As to the other half of your question, my favourite album is probably The Corpse of Re-

birth. We’ve come a long way since our debut, and have written better songs, improved in every single metric possible, but still that’s the one for me.

Largely, I think, because it was unbelievably fun to make. There was no pressure, no expectation (no one knew we existed) and no desire to get anything out of it other than making an album for the sheer love of creativity.

We barely knew what we were doing, the whole thing was an un-organised mess, but goodness me, it was fun. I’ve never forgotten that time, and it always makes me smile when I think back on it. We released it, shared it with our friends, and never expected anything else to happen. Oh, how wrong can you be?

5) What does the future hold for AFOS? The Gentleman: We started writing the next album back in 2019. We were set to record it in 2020, but then, well, I’m sure you know what happened next. We’ve had limited success at working remotely, but now that things are (starting, hesitantly) to get back to normal, we’ve had a couple of meet ups to jam, and to get more songs put down and ready. We have a beast of an album to come, I can feel it in my bones, but there’s no rush - we’re just getting our heads 17

A Forest of Stars- Avant-garde/Progressive Black Metal from UK 18

down and working hard now.

We’ve talked back and forth about a time frame, and we’ve not reached any conclusion, but realistically, I can see us recording in maybe early spring of next year - and I’ve no idea what that will translate into for a release date. Soon, I hope. But we’ll see. As for gigs - that’s a thornier problem. Club shows are difficult (with the best will in the world, lots of people crammed into an airless room seems like the least acceptable idea at the moment, even when vaccinated).

We’ve had offers coming in (which is incredible), but we’re still taking it one day at a time, and watching the lay of the land. The album is a good excuse to concentrate on something we can manage better a n d still be creative and have something to give to people, I feel.

6) What bands do you listen to? Recommend some new bands for our readers...

The Gentleman: I’m probably not the best person to ask about this; my listening tastes have

gone off the deep end in recent years and other members of the band are far more tuned in to the tastes and trends than I am.

I will offer up (probably very obvious stuff): Emma Ruth Rundle, Anna Von Hausswolf, Mrs Piss, Nicole Saboune, Oathbreaker; ooh and the new Dordeduh album (wow is that good!) as the stuff I’m listening to

that will get me only partially ostracised.

UPDATE! Curse has very helpfully added that he’s currently listening to a steady diet of Autechre, Peste Noire and Pungent Stench.

7) Do you have a message for our readers?

The Gentleman: I don’t know!

Err, thank you for reading our

ramblings? Thank you for listening to our poky little band?

Thank you for trying and no hard feelings (if you didn’t like what you heard)? I guess, on a more basic level, I do hope everyone is staying safe & well!

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

The Gentleman: No problem, the pleasure was all ours!

A FOREST OF STARS… Thank You

Our radio station Spider Music was born from the Metal group All Roads Lead To Metal, which has been active for two years. Spider Music is a radio station conceived to broadcast the best of the metal scene in the world. Both the station and the group are spaces designed to know the best of the underground

Metal

bands from all over the continent.

In

our programming you will find a

selection of music designed for those extreme listeners, with extreme tastes for extreme metal. sounds of

We want Spider Music.

to expand our web so that everyone gets caught in the

All Roads Lead To Metal II https://www.facebook.com/groups/1076102342807748 Radio station: https://zeno.fm/spider-music

19

19

Awicha-Black/Metal from Thailand

Interview with Rex

20

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi to all our readers, this is Jay. Today I’ll be talking to the legendary Black Metal musician and producer Rex from Awicha, in Bangkok Thailand.

Awicha is a well-established band in Asia and is currently promoting various new releases…

Hi Rex, thanks for taking the time to talk to us.

1) Tell our readers about Awicha? When and where was the band formed? What

have you released so far?

Awicha is my solo Black Metal project. It was formed right after we founded Dei Tetra in 2008.

ing raw crushing Black Metal music with influences from my Thrash Metal and Death Metal background.

So far, I have released 7 main releases (1 full length ablum, 4 demos, 1 EP, and 1 single). There are also 6 other Split Albums, collaborating with amazing bands like Galpedar (Italy), All (Morocco), and the most recent, Morkhgrat from the Philippines.

came e b I , r e d l o t me a bi a c e b I n e h music.

W l a t e m h t i ssed w deeply obse Both of the bands were formed in Bangkok, Thailand. Awicha is me, Rex Viperon alone.

The music focuses on produc-

2) Tell us about the inspiration behind your songs and lyrics?

Most of Awicha’s material is based on my own perspectives about life, humans, society, religions and beliefs.

Events around me play a significant role in how I portray my music and art.

3) Who were your influences growing up?

What inspired you to play Black Metal?

Luckily, my musical journey started when I was very young.

My parents would put on different genres of music every time we were in the car. There were songs and bands from the 60s all the way to the 90s, and anything from “ballad” to “rock”.

Artists and bands like Elvis Presley, the Carpenters, and The Rolling Stones were among some of them.

When I became a bit older, I became deeply ob-

sessed with metal music.

Bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Rammstein were my favorites. I started playing Black Metal in 2007-2008.

There has always been something about Black Metal that fascinated me, whether it’s

the sounds, the atmosphere, or the rawness of the music.

Some of the bands that I praise are Dark Funeral, Gorgoroth, Behemoth, and Emperor.

4) Are you planning to expand Awicha and play live? Why? Yes, with the experience of playing live with Dei Tetra, I can imagine how Awicha would be doing live shows.

When Dei Tetra was playing live, we delivered. There were real blood, spikes, nails, candles, bones, and even pig heads. I would definitely bring these up on stage for Awicha as well. Playing live is special. It helps connect the fans to the music, to the band, to the band members on a different level. People would have a better understanding about what Awicha truly is.

Maybe they will also have a different experience through personal interactions.

21

Awicha-Black/Metal from Thailand 22

5) Which bands do you listen to today?

Same old bands that I have been listening to for years; Metallica, Rammstein, Slayer, Behemoth, Dark Funeral, Nile, Cannibal Corpse, and Gorgoroth. Out of the metal genre, I also listen to some jazz, underground drum n bass, orchestral music, and psychedelic trance from the 90s. These other genres are very helpful when you want to compose something different.

6) What is the black metal scene like in Thailand? How do people outside the scene perceive the music?

Recommend some Thai bands for our readers...

Thailand Black Metal scene is coming back from what I consider a long pause. There are more new bands in the scene, showing their abilities for this extreme art. Black metal bands are now working and supporting each other more than before, which is a really good thing.

Black Metal, Death Metal, and Thrash Metal are the extreme genres for extreme listeners. People outside the scene probably find it hard to accept our art and music. And I personally have

no problem with that. If I do, I would have played pop music.

For Thai Black Metal bands, I highly recommend Northern Darkness, Leftmuenang, Sumis, Vajra, Dark Mystery

Ihllus, Satanic of Phuphan, and Lotus of Darkness.

7) What are Awicha’s plans for the future? Are you recording new material?

Awicha is in the process of

releasing the 13th anniversary album this year. Most probably in either August or September. It will be a special release with old songs (remastered) from the first demo, and unreleased songs recorded between 2009 and 2020. Moreover, I have already written and recorded some new material for 2021. So be prepared! Apart from that, if everything works out, AWICHA may have its first live show very soon.

8) Do you have a message for our readers?

First of all, I would like to thank Jason, my good brother, for this opportunity and for the interview. For the readers, I would like to say thank you for anyone who has read this interview, and maybe would look up Awicha and listen to the songs on bandcamp and youtube. Check Awicha out if you can! Hails!

Thanks Rex... black blood my brothers!

The Ocularis Infernum “Booking & Promotion” Association was founded in 2002 dealing only with extreme metal Founded by musicians for musicians... The primary desire of the Association is to create a valid network in Italy and abroad through a booking and a targeted promotion to offer the bands the opportunity to make themselves known without prohibitive costs. In 2004 the Association celebrated the first two years of activity with the first edition of the OCULARIS INFERNUM FEST in Rimini, in 2009 the second edition in Milan, including both bands on the roster than world famous artists. Many artists have collaborated with Ocularis Infernum over the years, for example: Deicide, Vital Remains, Order of Ennead, Ancient, Opera ix, Necrodeath, Cadaveria, Mortuary Drape, Rain, Angel of Anger, etc. performing both in events organized by the Association itself and in various clubs in Italy and abroad. The third edition of the Ocularis Infernum Fest will be on April 9th 2022 at the Alchemica Music Club in Bologna (Italy) with: Ancient (Black Metal) from Norway and special Guest.

Currently the Ocularis Infernum Booking & Promotion in collaboration with BLACK TEARS LABEL is making a compilation г for Underground Black and Death Metal bands, entitled «A TIME OF SORROW». It will be published in 500 physical copies and distributed digitally all over the world. There will be a huge promotion for all participating bands through many radio interviews / Webzine’s and Fanzine’s worldwide.

Physical copies will be distributed in Italy by WINE & FOG Distribution. In September we will be announced all project participants, including several bands of our Roster.

A big greeting from Italy to all lovers of real METAL!!!

Contacts: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/OcularisInfernum BookingandPromotion/ Instagram - andredocularisinfernum E-mail - oinfernum8@gmail.com Phone number: 0039.333.8300372

Andred - Head Manager Of Ocularis Infernum.

23

Vouna - Atmospheric Black/Metal from United States

Interview with Yianna Bekris

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Vouna is a cool Black Metal solo artist from the United States.

Andrew Stanton talked to Yianna Bekris about her new album.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

I’ve been writing doom songs and recording demos for a long time, but it wasn’t something that I thought I would turn into a “project” until my Black Metal band Eigenlicht went on indefinite hiatus.

A few years ago I decided to record an album, which turned into my debut. I also started getting the itch to play live so I formed a live line-up and booked a few tours for the first album as well,

24

all in 2018-2019. In 2020 I recorded Atropos which was released by Profound Lore Records this year.

- Is it easier or harder for solo artists in Black Metal?

I don’t necessarily think one is easier or harder than the other, but different. It is more difficult to have a band on your own, logis-

promotion. When you record you have to do everything on your own too which can be extremely time-consuming. But when you are dealing with band members, there is often a lot of negotiation going on so playing solo you can truly be uncompromising in realizing your vision.

- Have bands like Marilyn Manson and Limp Bizkit made it very difficult for people to take American Metal bands seriously?

Ha, I don’t know anyone who considers those Metal bands except maybe someone’s grandma. So I would say no.

ly u r t n a c u lo yo o s g n i y a l in P g n i s i m pro m o c n u be on. i s i v r u o y realizing tically, in many ways. There isn’t really anyone else to book tours, conceptualize art, do interviews or keep up with social media for

- What bands did you like growing up?

I had pretty eclectic tastes growing up. My favorite Metal bands were Suffocation, Carcass, My Dying Bride, Slayer, Dissection, Mercyful Fate. I loved Death Metal especially but started getting into Black Metal in my later teen years.

Some non-Metal that I loved was Depeche Mode, Alice in Chains, Nine Inch Nails, Souixsie and the Banshees, and other goth stuff like Dead Can Dance and the Cure.

I also listened to a lot of Greek music as a kid, especially the hugest singers, like Anna Vissi, Stelios Kazantzidis. And I started getting into Rebetiko back then because I thought it sounded so old and fucked-up, and in many ways is the most honest and purest expression of pain I have ever heard. I would say Vouna is me getting in touch with a lot of these musical roots, so to speak, as in the music I listened to when I was getting really excited about discovering new music for the first time.

- Why do so many Black Metal bands prefer songs to be so epic?

Because it’s awesome.

- What can fans expect from your new album?

It’s more developed and there-

fore more epic and cohesive than worked out in the woods for a long anything I’ve done previously. I time including identifying how became more comfortable writ- trees died I learned to find great beauty in death. He used a piece of wood with beetle galleries for the backdrop, and dried up flowers and leaves infected with various pathogens, as well as a snake skin that he found. I don’t think people often appreciate that wood is dead but I definitely do.

- What is the Washington Black Metal scene like?

It is pretty bustling.

There are a bunch of bands here, I would say right now there is a good mix of Black Metal and Death Metal as well as Heavy Metal. A lot of really great bands. There are a few Doom bands that are really great too but it seems like maybe we are the odd ones out.

- Will you tour Europe? ing and recording by myself as I hope so, I love Europe opposed to the first album where and I love touring there.

I didn’t really know what I was - Do you have a message doing so I feel the songs were for our readers? somewhat inhibited in their Respect the natural world, we growth by that. This album re- are part of it and it is all we have. ally captures the moment I came Thank you for your time. into my own as a solo artist. Thank you for the interview!

- What is on the cover of your new album?

The photographer Amjad Faur took the photo and it is a bunch of dead things. As someone who 25

Thy Dying Star - Black/Doom/Metal from Brazil

Interview with Bruno

26

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi, this is Jay reporting from Colombia....

Today I will be talking to Brazilian Doom/black monsters THY DYING STAR. I grew up in England on a diet of Paradise Lost, Cathedral, Decomposed, My Dying Bride and Anathema, and these guys really touched by black rotten heart.

Fantastically orchestrated, slow, gloomy riffs with massive chugging riffs. Keep it coming guys!

1) When and where was

THY DYING STAR founded? Who are the members?

Thy Dying Star was founded early in 2021 by Bruno Bomfim and Daniel Sanchez, more specifically in February and quickly we composed our first song, The

music in 5 words.

Introspection, Intimacy Feeling, Love and Hate.

3) Tell me about your EP? When and where was it recorded? Are you currently recording new material?

We have already released two singles (Ashes and Last Verses) and both of them can be found on the platform streaming and YouTube, on our Channel.

We take care of all the recording processes and the musical

t s r i f r u o e s a e We hope itsoyreealr and that this album th es as far as possible. album go Verses.

2) Describe

L a s t your

production, even with almost 200 kilometres between us.

Once all the instruments and the vocals are recorded, Daniel is in charge of the mixing process and Bruno takes care of the mastering.

We do everything in our home studios, we call them Havoc Records.

Currently we are working on our debut album AD OMNIA FINEM and we have plans to release it by the end of this year. We have all the music done and we are working on the recording process right now.

4) Are you i n v o l v e d in any other projects?

Although both of us have other projects we are giving Thy Dying Star all the attention it deserves. TDS is bigger than us, it is a scream of a mute... we do that or we both will suffocate.

5) Who are your influences and which new bands do you listen to? Recommend some underground Brazilian bands for our readers...

Our main influences are bands like Paradise Lost, Anathema,

Novembers Doom, Swallow the Sun, Thy Light, Harakiri for the Sky and ColdWorld. About the Brazilians bands, Brazil proudly is some kind of a cradle of

influential bands of a lot of different subgenres of metal (like Sarcofago, Sepultura, Krisiun, Angra...) and we are lucky to be surrounded by bands like Vazio, Corpse ov Christ, LegioInferi, Head Krusher, Chaos Synopsis, Amantikir and so many others.

6) What are THY DYING STAR’s plans for the future?

We are eagerly awaiting the end of this pandemic to present our music live around the world.

We hope to release our first al-

bum this year and that this album goes as far as possible.

7) Do you have anything to say to our readers?

First of all we would like to thank you for this opportunity to present our work, we are very grateful for the space you gave to us.

Everyone who wants to know more about Thy Dying Star can find us at the main streaming platform or on YouTube, we are also on Facebook and Instagram. Greetings from Brazil!!!

A massive thanks and a massive embrace for our friends at THY DYING STAR!

27

Lobregos - Atmospheric Black/Metal from Colombia

Interview with Dark Cosmos

28

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Lóbregos is a cool new band from Colombia. Andrew Stanton talked to his friend Dark Cosmos about his new project.

- Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

“Kind regards to Andrew and all Inside the Darkness readers.”

- Can you tell our readers a little about his story, please?

“Lóbregos was born at the beginning of the pandemic, it can be said that its existence was accidental, since the intention was to participate by performing a poet-

ry with a background sound with its own composition in the radio program the underworld of the word on the Wolfgang Records station, The radio listeners believed that it was a

vation was born and I decided to start recording with that sound of Atmospheric Metal mixed with poetry and that is there where I decided to call the band Lóbregos, a shady sound with its own genre defined as atmospheric Black Metal.”

- Is the band just you?

“If this project has had a composition, recording, mixing and mastering process under my own hand.”

- What bands did you like when you were little?

ning e k a w a e h t bout a s k l ng, i a e t b s o n g a e r m b u o h L the f o s s e be n s u o i t c s s u n o m c f o that s e ath. t e a d t s d n a e the f n li e e w t e b d e accept band with a long history and began to contact the announcer to find out where the work was obtained, from there the moti-

“The bands that I started listening to at the age of 11 Ángeles del infierno, Evol, Balsagoth, Messiah, Pantera, Sepultura, Mortal Sin, Col Massacre, Neurosis and other bands of great trajectory.”

- Is Lobregos very different from Necrocruz?

“Although both bands are my own and have a pagan theme, it can be said that they differ in their musical style and lyrical part since Necrocruz talks more about pagan battles, ancestral revenge and Lóbregos talks more about awakening conscience, spiritual ascension and on the perception of true magic.”

- What are the lyrics and themes about?

“As I said before, Lóbregos talks about the awakening of consciousness of the human being, the states that must be accepted between life and death and the afterlife, having a more objective vision about magic

and duality. These lyrics are based on free verses defined as poetry. It also talks about ancient Gods of different cultures and different points of view in the face of suicide and the ruptures of civili-

zation that we see today.”

- Do guest musicians appear on the album?

“Of course, in the tracks Under the stem of duality, Outro: The Perception of Magic II and Shield Maiden, the beautiful Arkana Kluzt vocalizes, in the track When Odin traveled to the West the beautiful Isabella Zamudio participates in a lyrical voice and in the

Bonus track: Maiden Escudera, Robert from the band Grim Pilgrim participates in musical composition as a special guest.”

- Do you have a release date?

“In Lóbregos I recorded 9 songs of which 8 were of my total composition, after mixing the 9 tracks I made a digital release on July 17, 2021 by bandcamp which can be purchased through https://lobregos. bandcamp.com/ album/la-percepci-n-de-la-magia, the physical release will be made when the Wolfgang Records label completes the production process.”

- Most South American bands never tour outside of South America and often never bother to release albums.

Will this ever change?

“It is a concept that cannot be generalized, because some bands prefer to be underground and play in their environment, but I dare to say that many of the bands from my country if they wanted to be in an international environment, outside of South America 29

Lobregos - Atmospheric Black/Metal from Colombia 30

but taking into account that we live in third world countries where there are scarce economic resources and little support for artists, many times we do not have the economic resources to leave our own countries to other continents. Another situation is the restrictions placed on the people of our countries to be able to travel. At the moment many labels are b e i n g created that have already begun w i t h t h e task of distributing outside of South America and not only albums but also online stations and other South American metal products that are exalting our music.”

- Why are Colombian bands more accepted out-

side of South America?

“Although in our Colombian scene there is a sense of belonging to our music, I cannot deny that I have also seen some divisions that generate apathy and a lack of support among

the country’s metalheads themselves, therefore many choose to want to seek support more optimal in the foreign world as there has been more appreciation for the elabo-

rate material of our bands.”

- Do you have a message for our readers?

“Thank you very much to all who wish to support Lóbregos and I hope you like this proposal and remember that there is only one metal regardless of its origin and the support must be national and international.

Horns raised!”

Thanks for your time.

“To you Andrew my friend for inviting Lóbregos to this exc e l l e n t magazine.”

Subscribe to our channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmLDw_n39t3M_Loc3hgzX1g

31

Astarium - Symphonic Black/Metal from Russia

Interview with Nikolay Sikeritsky

32

Interview by Jay Parker

1. When and where was Astarium formed? what is the line up?

Astarium was born in August 2005 in Novosibirsk (Russia).

During 16 years of the project’s existence, I (SiN) have been acting as the only one participant (all instruments and vocals).

2. Your latest ep, red rose, is soothingly melodic with

some fantastic synth and guitar work. tell us about red rose...

ly a compilation that includes several tracks recorded during the sessions for “Hyperborea” album; several tracks recorded during testing of new sound equipment in the spring of 2018 and old version of the title track recorded back in 2012 for unreleased compilation “Tribute to Marsh Goblins”.

h g u o h t l a , a i r e b i S n i e r e a v i l s o t n o e i k t i i d Il n o c r e n i h t a C e 0 w 4 e h t om mmer. r f : e r e v e s quite r to +40C in su winte what was the inspirations behind it? tell us about your previous releases…

“Red Rose” EP is essential-

It’s very difficult to say about the inspiration for this mini-album - it’s just that the stars apparently came together so, that I caught 7 excellent highspeed, conjoined with each other and easy to perceive songs into my hands. And subconscious told me to combine it all on one release. So, EP “Red Rose” appeared in 2018. Well, after, it was more interesting... For 3 years this work was waiting for the release, during this time several labels were changed, but for various reasons release still could not take place. I have already jokingly started calling this EP “Damned”. Until in the end of winter 2021, I enlisted the support of Moonworshipper Records, and all starts to going well – on July 30, the release still took place!

Just a month before release of “Red Rose”, 9th full-length album of Astarium was out on cassettes, it called “Solar Despair”. This is completely different work. It became slower, heavier, thoughtful and apocalyptic. When I created music for it, I was inspired by the demo-tape of legendary Brazilians Evil “Depression and Mourning” – magnificent and truly hopeless-gloomy

work. The releasers of “Solar Despair “ cassettes were tandem of labels Brotherhood Of Light and Unholy War Productions (US and Brazil), the CD was out by More Hate Productions (Russia).

Also, in the spring of this year “Eternal Occultation” EP was out – this is compilation of remastered tracks of the project dedicated to space themes. There is complete aesthetic of sound engineering here - the charm of sounding in a mono channel and at low bitrates. In fact, the sound has

changed quite a lot, and for the better. The EP was released by NitroAtmosfericum Records (Russia) on 3.5’’ floppy.

And, by the way, the entire edition of it has already been sold out.

3. When I listen to your music, it kind of takes me away, and I can almost feel the bitter Siberian cold of your homeland...tell us what it’s like living working and recording in such a beautifully cold and dark place and how it inspires your sound...

I like to live in Siberia, although the weather conditions are quite severe: from-40C in winter to +40C in summer.

Basically, the whole landscape is reduced to fields and forests, fields and forests again, sometimes there are low mountains, but very rarely. And of course, nature leaves its mark on creativity – for example, the “Winter Growths” cycle is written under the impression of winter forest walks. The “Reverie” demo was recorded to the sound of rain that was hitting the metal roof.

I can’t say that nature affects the sound of material itself, but there is definitely certain connection with inspiration as it was with singles - “Chthonian Miasma” and “Permafrost”.

33

Astarium - Symphonic Black/Metal from Russia 34

In the future, I would like to record ambient demo dedicated to the mysterious and sometimes frightening places of the Novosibirsk region, such as the dead lake Ash Dump, the Buchilo waterfall hidden from the eyes of the layman, the abandoned quarry in the Iskitim, the steep Berdsk rocks, Badger caves, etc.

4. What are your musical influences? when did you first start as a musician, and what instruments do you play?

I started my black metal way from Burzum, Nokturnal Mortum, Bal-Sagoth, I was about 20 years old at that time. Later I learned about such wonderful hordes as Kataxu, Eisenwinter and Grausamkeit.

All these bands have had a huge influence on my music. In general, I started playing guitar at the age of 12 under the impression from song “Until It Sleeps” of Metallica band. In last grades school and institute, I played guitar and sang in several grunge / punk rock bands. But nothing serious came of it. Now I’m trying to revive the material of those years as part of my side project Wendigo (https://wendigo2.bandcamp.com), it is a mix of grunge / punk / garage rock and metal. Well, at the last courses of the institute in

2005, I started Astarium, and for this project I had to learn how to play keyboards, how to programming drum machine, sing with extreme vocals, and using sound engineering. In general, I had to learn a lot of new interesting things and put a lot of effort, but the result is worth it! I like what I do! In addition, I’m still ready for something new.

5. Tell us about the black metal scene in Siberia... recommend some bands for our Siberian listeners.

This is question that I don’t even know what to answer. To be honest, I am very bad to know with the Siberian scene. Of the

existing bands, I would probably single out only Spell of Dark, Sibireal, Eoront and Frozenwoods.

6. What are Astariums plans for the future?

This year I had the opportunity to write and record official soundtrack for the board game “PROTEUS - Into the Dragon’s Domain”. It will be released on cassettes by label Heimat Der Katastrophe on Halloween. Also in the autumn will be out tape issue of EP “Eternal Occultation” by Moonworshipper Records and digipak-CD / tape editions of the album “Fragments of Nightmares” by NitroAtmosfericum Records. There are also plans to release EP Red Rose at 7`` during 2021-2022. I will not say anything about more longterm plans for now, but there is still absolutely new material that is patiently waiting for its release in 2022. But let everything go on...

7. Do you have a message for our readers?

Thank you and your readers for their interest in Astarium. I was glad to scratch my tongue on topical issues for the project and share some details. Keep your black flame with honor! Stay metal! Stay black fucking metal!

Best regards, Nikolay.

Subscribe to our channel

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmLDw_n39t3M_Loc3hgzX1g

Information for bands, labels and metal fans: If you have a video and want to see it in our channel, just send it to us and we will promote it and support you!!!

35

Sisters Memon-Nihilistic Infernal Black Metal from United Kingdom

Interview with M. W. Daniels and Natalia

Interview by Andrew Stanton

Sisters Memon are a very cool new band hailing from the UK and Poland. Andrew Stanton talked to them about their new career.

- Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

M W Daniels: “I was seeking a female Black Metal vocalist for some tracks that I had written and after a few false starts found Natalia and we began recording. I record all the music and send it over to Poland where Natalia adds her vocals, sends it back and I mix the tracks.

We have over 3 albums done and our debut album is out in September on Plague Demon Records, our second album The Terrorist Antichrist also on Plague Demon will

36

be released in the new year. I have been a drummer in Metal and Hardcore bands since the mid80s and also play guitar, bass, piano, synths etc. So Sisters Memon formed in the winter of 2021.”

- Who is in Sisters Memon?

Natalia: “Daniels knows better so I don’t have to say anything else.”

- What does Sisters Memon mean?

M W Daniels: “It’s loosely based on 2 women who were involved with terrorist acts in the middle east.”

What bands did you like growing up?

M W Daniels: “I grew up on bands like Venom, Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Sodom, Destruction, Iron Angel etc. I was right there when all that music first came out and it was a really exciting time in Metal and one N a t a l i a which now will never be repeated.”

Natalia: “Metal music was ille- vocals M W Daniels – All music, gal in my house. Back then, everyone in Poland listened to Rap. production and mixing.

ns g i e r m s i e c i l o h t Ca y country. hTih in mch is everytthnisg. chure and I hate ther

It is a post-Soviet country full of gray blocks with Rap music.

I started with Arch Enemy with Angela Gossow on vocals. Then I fell in love with Metal. I went straight to Burzum and Deicide.”

- What are your lyrics and themes about?

M W Daniels: “The themes of Sisters Memon are Terrorism, Chemical and biological warfare, Satanism, sadism and a huge hatred of a majority of the human race.”

Natalia: “Our songs are a commentary on the current situation.

Catholicism reigns in my country. The church is everything there and I hate this.”

- What is it like for new Black Metal bands? Are veteran bands very welcoming?

M W Daniels: “No idea as I don’t keep up with anything new really so I don’t really know how easy or hard work it is to get your music heard nowadays.

I would imagine some veteran bands are welcoming if they like what you do. Black Metal has changed so much from the 80s into the second wave of the 90s and beyond. There is far more quality in the first wave than anything that came after, some of the second wave is absolutely brilliant and groundbreaking but it did unfortunately get hip-

sters name dropping bands to make them look cool and they probably have not sat through an entire album of any band.”

Natalia: “The world is changing and the music is changing. Back in the day, Black Metal was really black. Everything was underground - it’s exciting. Now you can listen to music online.

Hardly anyone wants to listen to music with a crackle due to poor quality. I’m glad, after all, there are bands that are really good and duplicate the good old style or use the possibilities of technology and create works.”

- What do you think of bands who refuse to support Black Metal?

M W Daniels: “Couldn’t give a fuck about them.”

Natalia: “Let them fuck off. I will sing until my false jaw drops out. I don’t care about other species. i got it deep in my ass.”

- Where was the ‘Black Magic Charlene’ video filmed?

Natalia: “In a poor neighborhood in my city. The woman died of cancer in this house. She had malignant breast and bone cancer (I found her medical records and an X-ray). Shes name was Mary (In my language it will be Maria) The building is old and in danger of collapsing, so it’s a great place to walk.”

- What will listeners get from your first album?

M W Daniels: “Joy? Well I do anyway but I’ve no idea what they would get from it, the urge to go out and kill possibly?”

Natalia: “Emotions vent. Listeners can shout with me. It’s Catharsis” - Do you have a message for our readers?

M W Daniels: “Enjoy the album or don’t enjoy the album.”

Natalia: “Satan is real and you must remember about this. Also stay tuned i’m gonna do a huge fuck.”

Thank you for your time.

M W Daniels: “Thank you for the interview.”

Natalia: “Thank you so much. Big kiss from me.”

37

Dei Tetra - Black Metal from Thailand

Interview with Asithara

38

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi, this is Jay… Today I am lucky enough to be talking with Asithara, lead vocalist with the Thai monsters of Black Metal, DEI TETRA… ASITHARA, it’s a pleasure to talk to you and thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for our readers at INSIDE THE DARKNESS 1) Where was Dei Tetra formed and why? Who

is in the band today?

At first we had a thrash/ death metal band called Antiht. The same line up as Dei Tetra. It started with

then. Me on vocals, Rex (Viperon) on guitar, Ben (Aboroth) on bass and Jil (Kaosis) on drums.

2)Your latest EP, Prevail, is an absolute masterpiece. Tell us where and when it was rec o r d e d and run us through the songs...who writes the songs?

Rex did all the instrumental parts. I do the lyrics and vocals. Me and Rex, we have studios at our place.

in e n e c s l Meta k c a l more B s i The day o t d n a Thail . d n a b n a of one-m the idea that we wanted to play black metal after a year of Antiht. We still have the same line up since

We mostly work online and finalize at Rex’s (The Viper’s Studio).

3) Tell us about your previous releases...

In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanas (Demo) 2009 Luciferi Excelsi (Demo) 2010 El fuego (EP) 2010 Godless Rituals (Demo) 2010 Revelations of Blasphemy (Split) 2011 Devotees to Flames (Single) 2012 P r e v a i l (EP) 2020 Thailand’s Blasphemers (Split) 2 0 2 1 4) What inspires y o u r lyrics?

Paganism, world history, ancient history. I like to figure out what is behind those stories and symbols. Then I interpret them and put them in the lyrics.

5) Which bands did you listen to growing up?

When I was 10 I joined a marching band, back then I grew up with scores of John Williams (as i can remember). Then the Nu Metal wave came, that’s when I started to listen to metal and dig

deep to any genre of metal as much as I could. So I couldn’t specify the band I grew up.

Dei Tetra is a goliath of Asian black metal... tell us where you’ve played and your experiences...

We played in Singapore a couple of times, it was great.

But the most memorable is

we know almost everybody. We have good relationships with most of the musicians. So being a female musician is like any other musicians. No different.

7) Recommend some Thai bands...

Northern Darkness - Abuse with Consent. just released in June. You should check them out.

8) Tell us about Dei Tetra’s plans for the future…

Due to our times and responsibility in our lives, we plan to release s o n g s from time to time, as much as we can.

9) D o you have a message for our readers?

Please check the show in us out in any Hanoi, Vietnam openmedia plating for Nargaroth in 2013. The form. We hope scene there was great. We had you like our songs and kinda warm welcome from peo- ly support us. Thank you! ple there. It was impressive.

6) Tell us about the A massive thanks to amazBlack Metal scene in Thai- ing Asithara. Hails to our land and about your experi- Black Blooded sisters and ences as a female musician… brothers in Thailand!!!!!

The Black Metal scene in Thailand today is more of oneman band. The overall Thai metal scene is quite narrow so 39

Austral Wolf - Atmospheric Melodic Black Metal from Colombia

Interview with Ulfrmir Svarti

40

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi this is Jay in Bogota, Colombia…

Today I’m lucky enough to be talking with Ulfrmir Svarti from the up and coming Black Metal band from Bogota, AUSTRAL WOLF. AUSTRAL WOLF released the mind blowing full-length album ‘COLD SOUTHERN B L O O D ’ this year, I highly recommend it…

1) When, where and why was AUS-

TRAL WOLF formed?

AUSTRAL WOLF was born in 2015, in February, founded by myself and a bassist, who played with me until 2018.

formed to reignite Black Metal, the ancient Pagan visions (or some part of them) and to awaken the consciousness of bygone times, superior in abysmic proportions, far superior to the modern world of today.

2) AUSTRAL WOLF is just you, you play every instrument…How do you manage that? Have you thought of expanding the project and perhaps playing live?

y l t n a t s n o c s i Man ing and changing decidwn path. its’ o Since then, the band has followed a different route for personal reasons.

AUSTRAL WOLF was

I play all the instruments and I write all the songs. I am not planning to play live, it is a one-man project just for studio recording.

3) The album, COLD SOUTHERN BLOOD, is amazing.

You have captured the essence of the Andean Forests, very much like Emperor captured the atmosphere of the Norwegian Forests in the 90s… What inspired you? Where and how was the album recorded?

All music has inspiration, my main influences are Immortal, Burzum, Ulver, Summoning,Skogen, and, in essence many bands that express melody with anti-christian, pagan, magical, mythical and warlike ideologies. The album COLD SOUTHERN BLOOD was recorded at ESTRUENDOS INFERNALES STUDIOS in Bogota, Colombia in May 2020 and released in 2021.

4) Tell us your plans for AUSTRAL WOLF in the future…

The future in uncertain, only will determine that. AUSTRAL WOLF will be realizing a split LP with a band called LUGUBRE, from Duitama, Colombia later in 2021…and we are planning to re-

cord the second d album in 2022, and in many aspects, the realibattling for the resurgence of pagan ty in our country, internal and and anti-materialist cosmovisions. external battles and our lives.

6) Recommend some new Colombian bands for our readers…

In Colombia there are many excellent Black Metal hordes. However, there are others that, for me, don’t follow the significance nor the essence of Black Metal. I would personally recommend Somnum, Abscision, Atrium, Insurreccion, Mantra Anguis, Luciferian Werewolfs among many others, it would take too much space to name them all…

7) Is there anything else you’d like to add for our readers?

I would like to add that our music is one of the few fronts that still resists the weakness and sickness of a world in ruins, modern and monetized, our labours must be focused on preserving nature, mystical ways, developing our own will and the resurgence of pagan ways. The Darkness is the only true existential reality.

5) Tell us about your ex- Hail Heathenism! periences as a Black Metal Hail true Black Metal! musician in Colombia…

Thanks, and Brotherly Greetings Being a Black Metal musi- from Bogota, Colombia. cian in Colombia is simple…our Ulfrmir Svarti , Austral Wolf. war is fought with will and passion, the work is hard, a rebellion against the modern world…

41

Fearless End - Black Thrash Metal from Colombia

Interview with Camilo

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi this is Jay with INSIDE THE DARKNESS in Bogota, Colombia…

Today I am talking to Camilo from FEARLESS END... a Black/ Thrash band from Cali, Colombia…

1) Tell us about Fearless End? When and where was the band formed?

First of all, thanks for this interview, we really appreciate it, and hails to all your profane readers on the other side of the world.

Fearless End is a Metal Band located in Cali - Colombia - South America, we are four gentlemen in the band, two guitars, drums

42

and bass/ vocals. We are reaching a sound you can find in classic metal bands from the 90’s, with new elements that help us to integrate in our music, black metal, thrash metal, death metal and heavy metal in a

Fearless End album was recorded in a live session back in 2019, we are proud of the sound we accomplished in this recording, this demo debut was released in a professional deluxe CD format, and we have had good feedback from Metalheads, especially in our country and we had some reviews from people from other countries like Peru, Panama, Chile, Paraguay and Portugal.

3) You have a unique black/ thrash/punk sound which you execute perfectly...

tion a r i p s n i The rom the usual c o m e s fe a r e l i v i n g . life w unique, technical, solid and strong sound.

2) Tell us about your self-titled debut album, Fearless End...

what bands influenced you as a kid?

Thanks for your words, we are deeply influenced by classic metal bands like Emperor, Dissection, Bathory, Death, Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Metallica (Early Metallica albums only of course) and Manowar.

4) Where does the inspiration for your lyrics come from...tell us about a couple of your songs...

It is really interesting, the inspiration comes from the usual life we are living. We work a lot in our daily jobs and also we see many different kinds of people.

We see greed in many ways, also we see some kindness, as well we see rage and hatred. Some of our lyrics come from this kind of thing we experience every day.

On the other hand, we admire legends about warriors and brave people who inspire us to reach strength and courage in our lives as well with our band. We are always giving the best we can.

Also, we see many tragedies, sadness, and loneliness.

Some of our lyrics can come from that kind of feeling. We try to put in our songs all

those sensations and feelings.

For example our song, Consumed by Darkness, we think we did a perfect match between music, feelings and lyrics, you can find this song on almost all digital platforms: Consumed by Darkness Feeling the anger from years of confusion and pain Freezing humanity that is still in my veins Darkness the real mirror of souls Nothing more than silence just darkness is all Consuming all Nothing is everything and darkness is clear Happiness an illusion that will never perdure No matter the changes, darkness is true No matter the colors, black will endure Walk alone in emotions feeling the cold in the soul Coldness of humanity money and power are all Consumed by darkness murdered soul.

5) What are your plans for the future?

Next month we’ve got our first live show after the COVID-19 pandemic, the concert will be

performed here in Cali, and we expect to play in other Colombian cities like Medellin and Bogota this year, we are also working on our first full length album to be released this

year too.

6) Tell us about the metal scene in Cali... Recommend some bands for our readers...

We have an exclusive and a strong metal scene here, you would be surprised of how many metal bands we got here. I can recommend everyone to search and listen to the bands Nameless, and Nazgul, who will be playing with us this next august show.

Together we Fight…

Together we die…

Fearless End !!

Camilo A. Garcia M. Rhythmic guitar and screams.

Fearless End

A massive thanks to Camilo Garcia for taking the time to talk to us, and I, for one, can’t wait to get down and see FEARLESS END play live!

43

Nastrond - Black Metal from Colombia

Interview with Black Winter

44

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi, this is Jay…Today I’ll be talking with Black Winter from Nastrond, from Medellin, Colombia, a band with a long history, experience and wisdom in Black Metal.

Thanks for taking the time to talk to me Winter…

Greetings to the editing team and to all the macabre readers!

1) Tell us about Nastrond…

When and where was the band formed?

What is the line up?

The band was formed in Medellin, Colombia, in 2002 by Black Winter

and Lord Lagash, where we both took charge of all the artillery… in 2004 our lead vocalist Hibernum joined and in 2007 we recorded our studio demo, “The Arrival Of Misan-

from Mysteriis, giving us a heavier sound. In 2012 lord Lagash was replaced by Lord Azazel, taking over the lead guitar and participating in our 10th anniversary compilation, “The Horde Of The Last eclipse”. After that, we rested for a while, and our members continued with other projects. Lord Azazel started with his project, Dismal, raw Satanic Black Metal, and in 2015 along with Black Winter, he released “Vobsicum lux Ex tenebris”.

e l d a r c e h t n e e b s a h risen , n i l Medel eat bands who have w e v a t r s g r i f r e fo h t e c n i . l s a , t e e d i M w a d r l t r l o U w as n w o n k , s 0 8 in the thropic Kingdom, and in 2008 the Ep “ Apparitia Spell of Black Magic… then, in 2009 we were joined by guitarist, Gusthav

In 2018 we started writing again, for Nastrond, and released the demo “Cruzando Las Puertas Negras”, and in 2020, the most recent and fulllength album, “Obumbratus Spiritus” 2) The name of the band comes from Norse Mythology, the giant who chewed the corpses in Hel, Does your music have a lot of Nordic inspiration?

Before we formed the band, we were inspired greatly by Scandinavian bands, not just the music but the mythology too, and that helped us find a name for our horde. 10 years ago there was a Swedish band with the same name (Nastrond 666), with many years of music behind them. However, we decided to use it because it represents punishment, suffering, agony and death, topics which encompass our ideology and the music we wish to transmit…

3) The new track, “Lux Ferre”, (The Bearer Of Light) is a fantastic work of dark art. Tell us about the new album.

Lux Ferre is a sonorous Ode that enhances the flame that dwells in the abyss of our mind, Luciferian fire embodied in our souls, and which is from our album, Obumbratus Spiritus (The Darkened Spirit) and alchemic record with 8 Black Metal odes to Occultism, death, all sealed in the arms of the Kaosphere, luciferian doctrine, from the low frequency plains, the Shadow Spirits.

The total comes from a medieval Latin phrase from the work of Carl Orff, Imperatrix Mundi, Obumbrata, and modified to create the title.

4) Who were your musical

influences? Why did you decide to play Black Metal?

The influences will always be in an indirect manner; the process of composition comes directly from the soul. In our case, our influences are very wide and varied, not just from Metal, but from other genres…we could say that chamber music has contributed a lot in the process, along with Metal and Black metal in their various waves…

A few to mention would be… Jerry Goldsmith, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Howard Leslie Shore, Saint-Saens, Carl Orff, Amadeus Mozart, Sergei Prokofiev, Paganini, Tartini y Vivaldi, Karl Jenkins… Bands like Bathory, Celtic Frost, Tormentor, King Diamond, Darkthrone, Isengard, Emperor, Moonblood, Demoniac, Tenebre in Perpetuum.

5) What are your plans for the future?

At the moment we are recording tracks for a Split between both hordes, entitled Maleficis Tenebris.

6) Tell us about Medellin… What is the Black Metal scene like there?

Recommend some bands for readers of Inside The Darkness, please.

I think that Colombia, especially Medellin, has been the cradle for great bands who have risen worldwide, since the first wave in the 80s, known as Ultra Metal. Referring to the Black Metal scene, we would be generalizing… there was a massive wave in the 90s, and at the turn of the new century, The first wave in the 90s was divided by radical sectors, like the Legion de Las cabras (The Goat Legion), El Culto de Los Lobos en Contra de Cristo (The Anti-Christ Wolf

Cult) who were really pioneers, with raw, brutal groups, also there were smaller groups, and without titles and names… it was a warrior’s lifestyle.

The Medellin underground scene now spans the generations, the old school is still present, but there are new faces, bands and ideas, forming smaller circles, although if we look hard, many of the bands share members.

I personally recommend… Mullebarp “Parabellum”, Astaroth, Profanacion, Danger y Reencarnacion, Kraken el I &II although it’s not Ultra metal; from the 90s BM wave Erzebet, Nebiros, Thypon, the first album by Infernal, Lemures, Mysteriis, Maleficarum Tenebrarum; and from the 90s and the surrounding areas of Medellin: Tzelmoth, Oscuridad, Nox y Mantra Anguis, Agrestia, Hellion, Perplejica, Felonias, Atrium, Bosques y Unlastiath.

7) Do you have anything else you’d like to add for our readers?

A massive Horns Up in gratitude to Inside The Darkness for this space and to the readers, may they invoke the occult and advance in their descent into the abyss… Keep the black flame lit, with force, from your guts and your soul… Vobiscum lux Ex tenebris (May the light be with you in Darkness) Thank you, Winter.

A massive thanks to Winter for sharing the darkness of his soul and his wisdom of music with us today. Black Fucking Blood my brother, a horns up and a massive hail for COLOMBIAN BLACK METAL.

45

Brainblast - Technical Death Metal from Colombia

Interview with Edd Jimenez

46

Interview by Jay Parker

1)When and where was BRAINBLAST formed?

Who is in the current line up?

I came up with the concept of forming a band around 2015 when mostly at that time I was a very young dude mostly focused on playing drums for other bands, then I wanted to form my own, but it wasn’t until 2018 that I came up with a new line up focusing exclusively on the techni-

cal level that demanded the style of the band, since then the band has never stopped working a single day. The band right now is in a

our page in the near future!

2) The technical level, from a musician’s and a listener’s point of view, in your music is outstanding. Tell us about the band members and their experience and training…

Well as you said, we focus and prior mostly on the musicianship and interpretation inside the band, it’s required for every member to have a

n o y l t s o m s u ip c o We f musiciansth the interpreta inodn. and e the ba insid private process of finding some new members, we will make announcements on

full complete skill of their instrument and to be able to understand what he is playing, so we try that all of the members of the band have an intimate experience with the academic understanding of their own instrument, basically after that, we only enjoy & focus playing the show!

3) What inspired you to form BRAINB L A S T ?

Since very early age I found a strong connection with a piano I used to play since I was a child, naturally I grew up feeling in love with extreme forms of musical virtuosity that started for me with metal bands & mostly bands in the line of Death & Necrophagist, those were pillar foundations for the main influence of the sound that Brainblast is evolving constantly.

And also as musicians our aspiration of having a project that would be like no other, our goal is to bring something new & fresh on the table and raise the bar for death metal musically & conceptually!

4) Your first EP, primal impulse, is a real cracker and has been received with open arms both in Colombia and internationally. Tell us about primal impulse... When and where was it recorded? Who wrote the tracks? What was

the inspiration behind it?

Around late 2016 I started writing “Primal Impulse ‘’ when I was the only member in the band. So I decided I will need to come up with some serious material before looking to complete the lineup of the band. Around 2018 when the writing process was done, we started recording the material in our local city Bogotá but with the supervision of Tom Fountainhead from Germany supporting us in the process.

As many people can see, our music since the first record is highly inspired musically

by European classical music and polyphonic complexity that we tried to blend up with death metal & conceptually we wanted to develop a transcendental topic for us which is the intelligent design of the universe.

5) What is BRAINBLAST doing at the moment?

Are you recording new material?

Right now we’re finishing what will be our debut album, we have the highest expectations because all we can say is that this first album will be something the tech death metal scene won’t expect at all, we’ve gone to the most virtuous and complex material we could have ever bring for now, and we are planning the release with an international label at the moment we are negotiating with 3 different ones!

47

Heathen Deity - Black Metal from United Kingdom

Interview with Dagon

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi Dagon thanks for taking the time to talk to me...

1) When and where was HD formed? What motivated you to create the band?

Dagon: Heathen Deity was formed in 1998 out of a common respect for the music the scene and its musicians.

We initially started covering the bands we listened to, Mayhem, Dissection and Tormentor etc, covering the classics and gradually writing our own music, finding our feet and our sound. The same ‘how we started’ story as most in all honesty.

48

2) I grew up in UK, and your sound is very nostalgic for me, it transports me back to those cold winter forests and dark evenings...what was the inspiration behind your sound?

main source of inspiration are my personal views on religion. I am against Christianity in all its many tainted forms, and I use my lyrics to voice some of my thoughts and views on the subject, granted most of the ideas and song themes usually culminate in fire or some kind of mass Christian burning, but that’s just how my mind works.

3) Your new album TEBM is exactly what it says on the label, over an hour of classic BM straight from the blackened heart of the English woodlands... tell us about the album...

s and d n e i r f f o ircle c l t l s a a v m s e a h t e , v e a I h e scen h t n i ns h t a i i c w i s s u r m e h e t r o a br eople p e s o h t ast. p f o e y h t t i r o n j i a h m d wit e m r o f r e p I have Dagon: Aside from the musical influences mentioned above, to me personally in regard to the vocals and lyrics, my

when and where was it recorded? How was the experience?

Dagon: To me the album is more of an anthology, or a ‘best of’ in regard to our journey so far with Heathen Deity, even if this is our first actual studio album, saying that, at the same time it is also just the beginning.

The music was recorded at ‘Mirkwood’ which is Azrael’s home studio.

The drums were recorded at the now closed legendary ‘Academy studios.’

And the vocals were recorded at ‘HDHQ’ which is my home studio.

The recording experience, well let’s just say lengthy, arduous, stressful, highly gratifying and tempestuous.

But it needed to be that way, we have poured our last twenty years into this album, when bands say, “We have put our sweat, tears and blood into this.” It’s usually meant on a figurative sense, I can assure you on our behalf there couldn’t be more of a literal description.

4) Tell us about your extensive back catalogue...

Dagon: Well, I wouldn’t call it extensive haha. We have never been a band that feels the need to follow the trend of write, release, tour year in year out. When the time is right and the feelings within us are there we will do what we have to, whatever is needed to scratch that particular itch.

We have released Eps, demos, and a live album, all of which have been met with positive feedback from the followers of the band, which is always good to hear. We have been lucky enough to have the backing of ‘Death Kvlt Productions’

for the last few years, to release our music on physical formats, ‘DKP’ have manufactured cassette tapes and vinyl versions of our releases. The new album ‘True English Black Metal’ is due to be released by ‘DKP’ as a double gatefold later on in the year. For the new album we have the added backing from ‘Cult Never Dies.’

‘CND’ have released the CD version of ‘TEBM’ which as come out great, and I hope we can continue to work with both of these labels in the future. Like I touched on before, I don’t see the point releasing material you are not one hundred percent happy with, this isn’t a competition or a game to bang out as much half arsed music on media outlets as possible. And if that is your goal, then to me you lack musical integrity. Each to their own I guess.

5) What are HD’s plans for the future?

Dagon: Who knows. We will keep doing what we do, we have already started writing for the next release, the release of the current album has given us a certain vigour at the moment, so we will ride that wave as long as it lasts. We have shows booked for this year, and a few things in the pipeline for next if the state of the world will allow us to play them.

6) How do you perceive the current state of BM? Dagon: You are asking the wrong guy in all honesty. I don’t really get involved in the politics of Black metal, everyone has their own

opinions just like they have a hole they defecate out of daily. I don’t have the time nor do I have the energy to build a solid educated conversation about it. I’m more focused on what I am doing on my own path to be concerned about other people.

7) Tell us about the UK scene...

Dagon: Again, I don’t really have an opinion. I don’t get involved with other bands if I can help it. If we play a live show, I try to turn up, play and stay out of the way.

Not that I don’t support the scene in which I am apart of, of course I do, I am just not very active in it, especially as I am growing older and my time is becoming more and more of a premium asset. I am not into keeping up to date with other people’s business. If someone shows me something new, I’ll listen to it, but I will very rarely seek out new music myself. I have a small circle of friends and brothers within the scene, the vast majority of those people are musicians I have performed with in the past.

8) Do you have a message for our readers?

Dagon: Thank you for the opportunity of saying a few words to your readers.

Support the war against Christianity.

Support the underground scene.

Remain true to yourselves.

And Gut the Fucking Church...

Thanks Dagon...

Black blood my brother.

49

Ethereal Sin - Symphonic / Melodic Black Metal from Japan

Interview with Yama Darkblaze

50

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi, this is Jay. Today ‘ll be talking to Mr. Yama dark Blaze from Japanese Black Metal legends ETHEREAL SIN… Hi Yama, thanks for taking the time to talk to our readers…

1.

When and where was Ethereal Sin formed?

What inspired you to form the band? Who is in the current line up?

Okay, Ethereal Sin formed at 1997 in Kobe/Japan. Before it, I played in other

band and formed new one.

Current lineup is following.

Y a m a Darkblaze Grim & Male Vocal K i k k a Schwarzfleet - Lead Guitar, Chorus S y n golet Nollrune - Rhythm Guitar, Chorus Seth Maelstrom - Bass, Chorus Gensui Fitzgerald - Drums, Chorus

e m e r t x e e h t , t s e n o h To be scene in Japan isthneort. music h good shape ei in suc D e a t h / Gothic metal band. but I’d like to play more Black metal sounds. so I left the

Hal Purprite - Keyboard, Chorus Lord Wilhelm Support Violin 2. Your latest release is fast, frenetic, melodic, historic... it’s a great listen!

Every track is like a nightmarish fairytale of old...I especially love the traditional instruments... tell us about the album... when and where was it recorded? what’s the story behind the songs?

Thanks, man. This album recorded at our home studio in Tokyo on Apr - July/2020.

Mixed and Mastered by Stefano Morabito/16th Cellar Studio. He’s also known as the engineer for the Fleshgod Apocalypse album, and he’s done almost all of our albums.

Then, I write a description of all the songs as following.

01. Time of Invocation.

The song was written by Shiroumaru, who was the support G, and Morgan, a

former member of the band, participated as a guest female vocalist. The theme is a ritual to invoke the gods in Japanese Shintoism.

02. Beyond the Love and Hate.

This song is based on a Japanese short story written

about 100 years ago, and the theme is revenge and repentance. M. Pneuma of Dark Mirror ov Tragedy is the guest vocalist on this song. In the last part of the chorus, he interacts with me to express the two main characters (one who wants to take revenge and the other who does penance).

03. Like a Garuda.

This is the first song that Kikka provided to Ethereal

Sin. It is a catchy song like a melodic death metal on the theme of thinking about a lover who died in an accident.

04.

Into the Misty Rain.

The song featured in the lyric video, a symphonic/ melodic black song in the style of just Ethereal Sin. The verse features a guest appearance by Yuri of Rakshasa.

The theme is a legend about a forest that is always covered in drizzle.

05.

Dash across the Sky and Sea. It also has a guest appearance by Yuri in the verse.

This song has a positive theme that is not found in other songs that like a young lady in a deep window or a prisoner in a jail, a person who is trapped in the current environment will escape.

06. Braveheart again.

This is like a Viking metal song, with a bit of experimentation in the vocals by mixing in more rough sounding natural voice.

51

Ethereal Sin - Symphonic / Melodic Black Metal from Japan 52

The theme of the song is the story of an old retired soldier who returns to the battlefield to help his hometown/family.

07. Ouka.

The theme is the suicide attack weapons used by the Japanese Navy during World War II. The song is a mid-tempo number and Yuri makes a guest appearance in the verse. The song ends with a part of the radio broadcast by the Emperor at the time of Japan’s defeat in the war.

08. Faraway scene.

The theme of this song is that a person who is only going to die quietly in old age is longing for the hometown in his memories, the distant scene he saw one day, and even though his body may die here, only his soul is going to return there.

I was expecting it to be a depressive black song at first, but as it turns out, it’s more like typical Ethereal Sin. 09. Hagakure.

A long song provided by Kikka. The theme of this song is a book called “Hagakure”, which explains the Japanese Bushido. We put some Japanese instrument named Koto. and Morgan is a guest on this track.

10. Transparent Twins.

This is the first song I wrote for this album, a mid-tempo song with a violin that was

intended to be the album’s closing number. The theme of the song is unforgettable sorrow, which I wrote based on my own personal experience.

11.Time of Requiem.

An instrumental song that

serves as the album’s ending and also the title track. Like the opening track, it was written

by Shiroumaru, with Morgan as the guest female vocalist.

It is a requiem for the various stories of death covered in this album. It is also a prayer for the world that was strangely struck by the unprecedented disaster of Corona.

3. Who writes the songs?

How do you write them?

What tunings and instruments do you use?

I’m the main songwriter for Ethereal Sin, and I wrote most of the music on this album as well. 03 and 09 are by Kikka.

Basically, I write the songs on guitar and give rough demos to the other members.

After they arrange the individual parts, we play it in the studio to make it consistent and fine-tuning. Whole Tone

Down Tuning and a supporting member plays the violin. In addition, we put some Japanese traditional instruments to it. For example, Koto, Kagurasuzu etc...

4. Tell us about your previous releases...

We’ve released many music materials than I can remember exactly. It’s been almost a quarter of a century since we started, Ha-ha maybe...

1st material released at 1998 as Cassette tape incl. 5 songs.

1st Full-length album released at 2009, 2nd was 2013.

Up until this time, the music was symphonic and melodic black metal, not much different from what it is now, but the looks and theme was more European Vampiric or Dark Fantasy.

In 2014, We released Split album with our Asian brother band “Dark Mirror ov Tragedy”. and same time, we shift our concept to more Japanese Traditional Style. Later, when we had a change of members, we decided to eliminate the female vocals that we had always used since the beginning

of the band, and instead shifted to focus more violin, piano and some Japanese traditional instruments.

3rd album “Kakuriyo” at 2019 is from that transition

period. Of course, this album is also full of our own melodic, symphonic, fast and evil songs that have the power to take the listener into a world of dark tales.

So don’t forget to check it.

And we were able to make our 4th album that released in Aug/2021, the very sound we had been pur-

suing for the past 5 years.

5. Who were your influences growing up in Japan?

Umm...My musical influences might be the folk songs my parents listened to, back in the 1970s - 1980s.

6. What’s the scene like in Japan? Recommend some bands for our readers...

To be honest, the extreme music scene in Japan is not in such good shape either.

Most of the well-established black metal bands have ceased to exist or long sleep, except for us, and for the younger generation, melodic death metal and metalcore have become the mainstream.

If I had to name names, I’d say “Wirbelwind”, our guitarist Kikka’s other band, and “Galundo Tennvulance”, who just released their first EP, have interesting sounds. “Sable Hills” is also good, but as mentioned above, all the bands are in the style of Melodic Death or Metal Core, so if you are expecting Black Metal, I would recommend “Zxui Moskvha”. They are still in their infancy, but they are legitimate black met53

Ethereal Sin - Symphonic / Melodic Black Metal from Japan 54

al with lyrical melodies.

7. Tell us about your plans for the future.

We have often toured outside of Japan in the past. like China, Korea, and other Asian countries, as well as the W.O.A. in Germany, a festival in Norway, and did the UK tour in 2020. So as soon as the corona dies down a bit next year, we’ll be back on the road.

At the moment we are scheduled to play a festival in Finland in June 2022. After that, maybe a tour of Russia? In the fall we’ll be touring France, Portugal and Spain as support of Fleshgod Apocalypse.

Please come and see us!

8. Do you have a message for our readers?

Sure.

Hail to dark fellow soldiers!

We are Elegiac Black Metal horde from Japan.

Our sounds are not for only Black Metal fans,

but also Melodic Death Metal, Viking Metal, Folk Metal and Melodic

power metalheads. The story of Extreme Metal definitely exists also in Japan, the Far East of Asia, where not many people come into contact with it on a regular basis. I hope you will take this opportunity to experience a part of it.

When the problems that

cover the world with Corona have been cleared up, please come to our show and see us directly.

Until then, Keep the Black Flame Burning!!!

It’s over.

A massive thanks to Yama…

Keep the black flame burning my brother…

Here can be your ads. Just contact us and we discuss it.

55

Mariia Sue - Black Metal Poledancer from Russia

Interview with Mariia Sue

56

Interview by Jay Parker

1) Tell our readers a little about yourself...

My Name is Maria Sue, I’m a poledancer a metalhead, so I dance with Black Metal and other styles of Metal.

2) When did you first get into Black M e t a l ?

When I was about 15 years old.

3) What bands do you listen to when you are not dancing?

I love Marduk, Watain, Belphegor since I was a teenager.

4) What inspires your dances? What in-

and I love metal music, so I’m happy to combine it and enjoy life.

5) You have some breatht a k i n g v i d e o s on social m e d i a , and you are clearly very talented, tell us some bands that you have made videos for... have you performed live on stage with bands?

nd a , y b b o h y m s i ve o l g e l p Dancin o pe y p p a oing h g m ’ I I’m so , g n i c n a my d fit. n o f l e s y to keep m spired you to become a BM pole dancer?

Dancing is my passion

I danced with Zornheym, Heads For the Dead, Thamuzifer, Bloodeternal and many more.

Once I performed on one bike fest but not with life band’s concert.

6) What are your plans for the future?

Are you planning to move into playing or producing music?

Dancing is my hobby, and I’m happy people love my dancing, so I’m going to keep myself on fit ;) 7) Tell us about the Black

Metal scene in Russia...

We have an amount of bands, I like Grond, Pyre, for example.

8) Do you have a message for our readers?

Just watch and enjoy.

My pages:

My profile https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006745360062 My group https://www.facebook.com/groups/671495906879529 My page https://www.facebook.com/mariiasue Instagram mariiasue 57

Forsaken Legion - Black Metal from Switzerland

Interview with Krasta

58

Interview by Andrew Stanton

1. Hello and welcome to Inside the Darkness.

Hello and thank you for having us.

2. Can you tell our readers a bit about your history, please?

We are a Swiss Black Metal band from Lugano since 2012. In the same year we published our first fulllength entitled “Seeds of Black Dawn”. In the successive years we worked on making ourselves known by play-

ing live across Switzerland and even in northern Italy. In 2019 we published our second full-length entitled “Bloodline” with a new line-

Krasta - vocals and guitar Tifeo - guitar A. - bass Warmaster Kron - drums.

4.

What bands did you like growing up?

We come from different early music backgrounds, but when it comes to black metal we are all inspired by the great Scandinavian classics like Immortal, Tsjuder and Dissection.

ess l e r a e r e mes th i t g n i g aller n a m h s c r n i u o In pecially s e ( s e i ve. i t l i y a l p o t s opportun e band m o s r o f ) s countrie up, refined lyrics and topics.

3. Who are the members of Forsaken Legion?

5. Why was there such a big gap between your first two albums?

Between 2014 and 2016 we had an important change in our line-up since our first vocalist and our first drummer parted ways with us. We spent those years resizing our line-up while working on Bloodline.

6. What are your lyrics about?

Our lyrics are inspired by some of the contemporary philosophy currents such as nihilism and existentialism. Our goal is to offer a personal interpretation of our aggressive and powerful narratives with hermetic lyrics.

7. Why do you think some

We don’t speak for every black metal artist, but we can guess that in our changing times there are less opportunities (especially in smaller countries) for some bands to play live. And this may be a convenient solution if there isn’t a solid audience.

8. Can Black Metal live forever without support from magazines?

This question would have been different if it was asked in the ‘90s. We live in a connected world; everyone may discover new artists just by randomly scrolling music online. But after all, magazines are still a viable source

Black Metal bands fuse to play live?

of reviews and discoveries.

9. What can fans expect

re-

from your new album?

We are working on a mighty and fiery third album.

10. Do you have a message for our readers?

Stay tuned, something great is coming forth.

Contacts FORSAKEN LEGION: https://www.facebook. com/ForsakenLegion6666 https://forsakenlegion.bandcamp.com f o r s a k e n - l e g i o n . c h @ h o t m a i l . c o m Contacts Krasta Records https://web.facebook. com/KrastaRecords Contacts Management: https://www.facebook. com/OcularisInfernumBookingandPromotion oinfernum8@ g m a i l . c o m

59

Vrykolakas-Brutal Death Metal from Singapore

Interview with Kai

60

Interview by Jay Parker

1-Tell us about Vrykolakas... When and where was the band formed? What inspired you to form the band? Who is in the current line-up?

VRYKOLAKAS was formed by former members of DEMONIAC and BESTIAL COLONY way back in July 1991.

The first lineup was Shafiee Sathanas on guitars and Khairil Nefarious on drums. We didn’t have a name and decided to use the name TUMULUS at

first. We eventually chose the name VRYKOLAKAS which we found in a book about occultism and demonology. We liked how the word

tration. Both of us were getting bored of the lack of activity and direction with our previous bands. Ironically, the band went through another period of inactivity and disappeared from the scene between 1993 to 1998.

Shafiee had totally left the metal scene, concentrating on his day job. I felt the urge to play music again and got Iman, my cousin, to help me out. This was in 1995.

want y l n o e w ent, m o m s i ve, a h r G At t f o mix a e k i l d n. o i t to soun a t n a c and In n o i t a l o Imm sounded and decided to use it. I remember forming the band not out of inspiration but because of frus-

It was Iman on guitars and me on drums. I then went to fulfil my national service in the army and when I ended my national service, I asked Iman, who was playing in NEUROTIC VILE, to help me reform VRYKOLAKAS. He pulled in Zainal, (from NECREOUS / XENOPHOBIA) to play drums and Andy (from OBSEQUIES / NEUROTIC VILE) on vocals. We quickly got to work and recorded 5 songs which appeared in the “Nuthfah” Promo 1999, “Buried In Filthy Vomits” Demo and EP, and the “c 2000” MCD. Zainal left after these recordings and 2 shows, replaced by Edi (from HOMICIDE / CASTIGATE). Iman left the band in 2006, after the recording of “Unleashing Vrykolakas Upon Mankind”. We had friends from other bands to help us out on guitars when we play shows. Currently, and since 2007, the Eternal Trinity consists of Andy (Vocals), Khairil (Guitars) and Edi (Drums).

2-Describe your music in five words.

American and European Death Metal.

3-Tell us about your new releases in chronological order...

July 2021 was the band’s 30th anniversary. The original plan was to record 30 songs to commemorate 30 years of existence and start releasing them in various formats such as demos, Eps and splits, and even com-

pilation tracks. But we received an offer to record an album. So we excavated our plan made in 2000 – to release 5 full-length albums before slowing things down and release shorter formats. We shelved our 3rd album due to many factors and obstacles which prevented its completion

and release. We then decided to continue the 5-album plan and re-record the 3rd album. Now we are working hard to complete songs for the 4th and 5th albums.

As we write the new songs, we thought that we needed to revive the past albums. We managed to convince a few labels to help us with this anniversary plan.

So in chronological order since February 2020, here the releases and reissues: August 2020 – “Into The Shadow Of Death” Tape EP by Evil Damnations Records. Reissue of our songs which were featured in the 3-Way Chaos Split CD and Tape, previously under Metal Industries and Depressive Illusions Records.

November 2020 – “Unleashing Vrykolakas Upon Mankind” CD and Tape by East Gothic Productions. Reissue of the Tape previously released by Atomik Nuclear Desolation Productions.

June 2021 – “The Cult Of Nocturnal Death” Demo Tape by Bleeding Concrete Records. We streamed 2 songs which were written back in 1995 but only recently recorded in December 2020.

61

Requiem-Death Metal from Switzerland 62

The tape also included the Demo 1992 tracks because the reissued version was sold out.

July 2021 – “And Vrykolakas Brings Chaos And Destruction” CD by Dark Blasphemies Records.

July 2021 - “And Vrykolakas Brings Chaos And Destruction” Special Tape by Evil Damnations Records. American version of the album on Tape in a special outer board design.

August 2021 – “Spawned From Hellfire And Brimstone” Tape by Goatlordth Records.

Reissue of our 1st album previously released under Vrykoblast Productions. This tape also features 2 unreleased tracks from the album recording sessions in 2004 and the “Into The Shadow Of Death” songs.

Coming soon – “And Vrykolakas Brings Chaos And Destruction” CD and Tape by Sadist Records. This is the Asian version featuring alternate coloured artwork and some features in the songs not available in the Dark Blasphemies Records version.

4-your new album, and Vrykolakas brings chaos and destruction, is a nostalgic trip back to classic 90s death metal, fast, furious, fat riffs, growling, spitting vocals, perfect tempo changes... tell us about the album…when and where was it recorded?

Run us through the tracks...

This is indeed a special album for us. We had started recording

this album between 2008-2010.

We had recorded everything except for Andy’s vocals. Many obstacles appeared and hindered the completion of the album.

There were 9 songs originally.

The songs were recorded using a faster bpm and we only managed to record my vocal guides. While waiting for Andy’s availability, the studio moved location and eventually became a home-based recording endeavour. We had to make the decision to leave the songs as they are and the sound engineer gave us the master in its basic and unfinished version. So when we wanted to record our next album last year in 2020, we decided to redo this unfinished album. We changed the tempo, the drum patterns and kept 5 songs from the previous set.

We already have songs when we were recording the “3-Way Chaos / Into The Shadow Of Death” songs. We added 3 new songs to make it an 8-song album instead of the original 9. The recording started in December 2020 and completed in February 2021. Actually, we only recorded during the weekends, in total about 10 days. We left the mixing to the studio engineer, Nizam Aziz, the IMPIETY guitarist. Nizam Aziz owns Studio 47. It took Nizam up to May 2021 to finish mixing the album due to other recording projects he had to complete. But it was worth waiting because the result was beyond our expectations. And so far,

those who have listened to the album enjoyed the death metal we were trying to convey. The 8 songs are 1. Silkhannas Falls From Grace, about the fallen angel. 2. Kaf-Fa-Ra, about the antichrist. 3. Yajuj Majuj Versus The World, about Gog and Magog. 4. The Dajjal Brings Chaos, the continuation of the story of the antichrist in the 2nd song. 5.

The Storms And The Shadows, about the djinns. 6. The Jasad On The Throne, about the antichrist coveting and inheriting Solomon’s secrets 7. Transcending The Quantum Realm Of Barzakh, about the purgatory.

8. Seven Steps Above Six Feet Under, about the whole funeral process, especially after the funeral. You can read the liner notes and lyrics for each song on our Bandcamp page: https:// vrykolakas666.bandcamp.com/ album/2021-and-vrykolakas-brings-chaos-and-destruction-dark-blasphemies-records 5-What are your plans for the future?

We are recording “The Necromantic Revocation” as we are doing this interview. This is a retrospective album, imagining what would have been in 1993 if we were a bit more serious with our music. We were offered an album deal but still being in school, we really couldn’t see ourselves having the discipline to finish and record a full-length album. We only had 2 new songs then.

Shafiee was missing rehearsals when we had found a solid drummer who wanted to commit himself to the band. So, during the recording of our 3rd album, I told Andy and Edi, I want to finish this project to reminisce the atmosphere of the 1992 when the metal scene in Singapore was thriving with many bands.

It will contain 7 songs – 3 from the 1992 demo, 2 songs started

by Shafiee Sathanas and 2 songs which were rehearsed by Iman and myself as a 2-piece band in 1995. Please follow our Facebook page for regular updates on this album. After this album, we will enter Studio 47 again to record our 4th album, “Nocturnal Dominion Of Death”. 8 songs of death metal. And then, our 5th and final album to complete our original plan, currently titled “Supreme Brutal Vrykolakas”.

6-Tell us about the metal scene in Singapore…recommend some bands for our readers...

I mentioned about the Singapore scene in the early 1990s.

During that time, many teenagers discovered metal music and fanzines and wanted to form bands, record demos and play gigs. The scene was very united.

Then, in 1993, problems started. DARKTHRONE became black metal and the Norwegians started their segregation strategy. A lot of Singaporean metal heads got very influenced and we became disunited, very judgemental, labelling individ-

uals and bands as “posers” and “trendies”, without realising we are the ones faithfully following a trend started by the Norwegian black metal zealots.

But things are better now.

We seemed to have returned to the 1990s. There are many bands with very different metal hybrid in their music. There is a lot of desire to improve the musicianship so you will find many bands with skilful musicians. I will only recommend a few based on my limited memory: DARAH (total death metal), NAFRAT (death metal supreme), DISPITEOUS (death metal), ABVULABASHY (black metal), OSHIEGO (brutal death metal), CARDIAC NECROPSY (death metal, but check out their goregrind releases as well), INUKA (doom), XANADOO (superb intense thrash), WITCHSEEKER (head banging and fist punching heavy metal), ASSAULT (melodic death metal), ANTOLOGI (death thrash featuring Edi!) and check out IRON FIST (mainly heavy metal with touches of black, punk and anything filthy!) and many more!

7- Tell us about your influences and what bands you listen to now...

At this moment, we only want to sound like a mix of GRAVE, IMMOLATION and INCANTATION. But we are influenced by many European and American death metal bands. In

terms of the band culture, we are greatly influenced by the 1990s Singaporean metal bands like NUCTEMERON, DREAD, ABHORER, INFIDEL and ANATHEMA. These are the bands that inspired us to start a band. As for song writing, generally, we always listen to the albums and demos of the abovementioned bands, also NILE, ABSU, SEANCE, INCUBUS (Florida and Illinois), VADER, MASSACRA, MX, early MORBID ANGEL, PHLEGETHON, FUNEBRE, a lot of Indonesian brutal death metal bands, a lot of Japanese death metal bands and ABHORER. 8 - Do you have a message for our readers?

First of all, we would like to appreciate the help of Jay Pee! Interviews like this has helped VRYKOLAKAS spread our name and music across the globe since 1992, even though we are not actively playing shows internationally. Keep up the great work spreading the music! To the readers, do your part as best as you can to support the scene – the bands, the zines. With internet and digital platforms, it is easier to help the bands whose music you enjoy. Form bands, write, record and release music, make zines, spread the music, start a label, release albums, eps, etc. Let’s keep on metal. Hail death \m/ https://vrykolakas666.bandcamp.com

63

Hangman’s Hymn-Black Metal from Belgium

Interview with Xavier and Guy

Interview by Jay Parker

1) When, where and why was HH formed? What is the current line up?

GVC and I have known each other for ages and were even in a few bands together, but had never really done our own thing.

We have a similar taste in music and humour so when I wanted to start a new band that would bring mid-tempo black metal, he was the first person I asked. He was on board immediately and started writing songs. We placed an ad and found FG to do the drums.

After the recordi n g s , JL joined us as second guitarist.

The current line-up is: - GVC: Guitar and bass (Wound

64

Collector, ex-Angeli di Pietra, ...)

- XDS: Vocals and synth (Nyrak, Lichfield, Plagueland, Akem Manah, ex-Saille, ...)

- FG: Drums (ex-Innervate) - JL: Guitars (Putrid Inbred, ...)

2) Your EP “The Misery March” is awesome. Doomy, melancholic, key-

What inspired the music and the lyrics?

Xavier: The intro, outro and all vocals were recorded in my home studio. The other instruments/songs were recorded at “The Rock Studio” in Belgium over the course of a few weekends in April 2020. We did the final mix ourselves and sent everything off to be mastered

by Dan Swano.

The lyrics for each song are different in nature.

“Heartworm” is a rather typical depressed metal text, “Ozymandias” is inspired by the Shelley classic and “Discarded” has some Bukowski influences.

Guy: My inspiration comes from a great many things. Usually either movies or books and comics, but it can just as

lack b ’ e u r t ‘ , w o but n , n i t a h g g a i R once g i b ws o s n i k l a o t h e w m ears, y w e f in a en. h t p o t n o be what will boards and riffs combined with melodic, lighter moments and some amazing guitar work...

When and where was it recorded?

well be something I have seen during the day. I tend to write an enormous amount of music in various styles, mostly metal. But melodic black metal is something I came into contact with during the 90s and it stuck with me, so in a way it is easier to write this sort of music. I just pick up a guitar and go, whereas if I have to write in a different style, it takes a bit more work tweaking everything. Of course, I just do the basic tracks, but it all comes to life as soon as Frederik adds his drumgrooves and Xavier brings the atmospherics and of course the vocals.

3) Who are your influences? Which bands do you listen to today?

Xavier: We basically play the type of music we grew up with and still like. So a lot of nineties black such as Old Man’s Child, Troll, Covenant, Dimmu Borgir, Ancient, Legenda, Eucharist, Rotting Christ,...

Between work and being in several bands, I do not get to listen to as much music as I once did. My playlist changes quite a lot, but at the moment it contains Oransso Pazzuzu, Aetheric Existence, Morgul, Incantation, Gate Creeper, Hackneyed, Suffocation, Black Hill, Battlebeast, ...

Guy: Guitarwise, my influences usually stem from classic hard rock and blues. There’s no doubt that AC/DC, Deep Purple, Ozzy/Black Sabbath, Stevie Ray Vaughan and BB King have left their mark. It is a bit different when it comes to metal and especially black metal. There, I usually gravitate towards bands with a certain atmosphere. So there’s no doubt that Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of Filth, Satyricon have all had their input, but I also

thoroughly enjoy the more brutal variant with Marduk, Dark Funeral and Darkthrone. Couple that with bands like Celtic Frost and there is a recipe for our variant of black metal.

Nowadays, I listen to a lot of metal from various styles. Currently, it’s a lot of the more old school black, like Cultus Profano or Cirith Gorgor and slam bands like Pathology, Abominable Putridity or Fatuous Rump.

And if I need something else, I usually put on something by Arjen Lucassen, as I have always loved his work.

4) What are the band’s plans for the future? Are you recording new material?

At the moment we are looking for a label and a booking agency. Planning concerts is a bit tricky at the moment -what with unclear Covid regulations and prospects as well as cancelled concerts from 2020 and early 2021 being prioritised - but we hope to be playing live soon. Meanwhile we are recording the pilots for our full album that we should hopefully record coming Winter.

After that, we want what most bands want. To share our music with as many people as possible by selling albums and playing some cool shows.

5) How do you see the evolution of Black Metal in the future?

Xavier: Over the past few years, Black metal has become, more or less, mainstream. Like all metal subgenres. Yet at the same time, getting your band noticed is harder than ever. I assume the current flood of new black metal bands will dwindle down to a trickle which will form a pool that sits in the pits

of the public’s subconsciousness.

Guy: Tough to answer. From what I can detect, now there’s this massive flow of old school grim black metal and the more melodic stuff is slowly disappearing into the wings again. There’s also a bigger focus on overly technical death metal (which I also appreciate). I guess like with all things, it always has ups and downs. Right now, ‘true’ black metal is big once again, but in a few years, who knows what will be on top then? We could have gone the old school route as well, as the time is now right, but who’s to say that will last? We’ll just stick to what music we want to play and write right now and take it from there.

6) Do you have any other projects apart from Hangman’s Hymn?

Xavier: I have quite a few. Lichfield (lichfield.de) is a dark metal band from Germany in the vein of Amorphis, Sentenced, Katatonia, ... Plagueland (plagueland.eu) is a horror themed blackened death metal band. Nyrak (nyrak.be) is a melodic black metal band. And VoidWork is a dark ambient project.

Guy: Yes, I’m the guitarist for Wound Collector, a technical and epic death metalband with a saxophone as the lead instrument (woundcollector.com). There are some other projects in the wings, but Wound Collector and Hangman’s Hymn are the main bands I contribute to.

7) Do you have a message for our readers?

Xavier: Simply to check out our music and share it.

65

Ou i j a - Bl ac k M e t a l fro m S p a in

Interview with Midgard

66

Interview by Jay Parker

Hi, this is Jay here with Midgard from the amazing old school legends, OUIJA, from Spain.

1) Tell us about Ouija. Where and when was the band formed?

Who are the members of the band?

The band was born in 1994, after the disappearance of Levial, our first band we decided to form Ouija, since we had other musical concerns at that time different from Levial and we thought it would be better to start from scratch with a new project. After several months of rehearsing, we recorded our first demo which did not even see the light of day, because we were quick-

ly signed by Repulse Records for the edition of our first album “Riding into the funeral paths”. After a few years of inactivity for different personal reasons, in 2009 the band regrouped and we recorded the EP “Adversary”, which

founding members of Ouija and JM 101 on the other guitar, to consolidate the band, Labelua also joined our ranks on drums and Shogoth on bass to close the circle. More or less that would be an abbreviated bio, I sincerely hate the bios because I think it bores people to read them, but as is obvious it is a procedure that has to be done in many interviews... hahaha...

2) What was the inspiration behind forming the band?

As I have already mentioned in the next question, we began to be influenced, we are going to call it that by the first wave of Black Metal,

ere h w s e tim n i ils e v We li ality is what preva superfici d. a e d e r a s l and idea would be followed by our album “Ave voluptatis carnis” released in 2013.

After another stop in time, the band In 2020, Map and I first joined the

in which we were totally involved and we needed to plan what we were generating in a new band, that is how the idea arose to form Ouija.

3) What influences does the demonic and different sound of Ouija have?

Our influences are very varied within Metal in general, I could mention endless bands, all the members have grown up listening to Metal ... hahaha and we are already from the old guard so the list would be very long going through many subgenres that this style encompasses musical.

4) Has a long and admirable musical career, with some classic albums of the genre. the most recent, SELENOPHILE IMPIA, is another true black jewel, suitable for the crown of the king of hell himself... tell us about the album... where and when was it recorded?

Tell us about the songs... tell us about the previous albums...

It was recorded and mixed at the Nomad Studio, then mastered by Magnus Andersson at the Endarker Studio... from the recording little to tell, everything was very correct, this is something mechanical and it only changes if you change studio. The EP consists of three songs, I would say quite different between them because each one has its own identity, I don’t really like talking about our work either because I think the listener should do that and give their verdict on it. Regarding the previous works, that is already part of

the past and now we have to focus on the present, only its legacy remains and I go back to what it was before, listen to them for yourself and if you like then enjoy them.

5) What are the plans for the future with Ouija?

At the moment the only fixed and immi-

nent plan is to compose new material and next year record it as soon as possible, the rest of the things will come by themselves.

6) As a pioneer of the genre, and having been recording and playing since the 90s, how have you seen the evolution of the scene, the music, the bands, over the years?

This question is very elastic, the scene moves by trends or fashions of the moment, there are bands that remain, others disappear, others are born... but very few with the passage

of time continue to keep their original essence both in sound and attitude, those They are the bands that have always interested me the ones that really love what they do and believe in their convictions tooth and nail and not sold in the fad of the moment.

7) How do you see the future of the genre, in Spain and internationally?

Ha-ha... at the moment I do not have a crystal ball to predict this issue, we live in times where superficiality is what prevails and ideals are dead. Therefore, time will speak and we will see what the future holds for this genre.

8) Which bands do you listen to today? Which Spanish bands would you recommend for our readers?

I listen to many bands, I still enjoy finding new bands which, if I listen to them, give me satisfaction. I don’t really listen to many Spanish bands, I am not the most suitable to recommend bands from here, I will quote Ered and Balmog, that my opinion is good bands and completely honest with their work.

9) Do you have anything else to say to our followers?

First of all, I would like to thank you for the interview, a pleasure to answer it... and finally, to continue strong and combative because turbulent times come in which we will not have to stop fighting.

Thank you very much Midgard.

67

Latest releases

Vassago Black/Death Metal band from Sweden released the second Full-length album Storm of Satan on August 1, 2021.

Sweden’s reputation in the world of underground black and death metal is a well-earned one.

Known for stellar musicianship, consistent quality and distinct production, it should be no surprise that many ancient Swedish hordes are still as potent today as ever. Formed in the late 1980s, VASSAGO released two demos in the mid-90s before recording their blasphemous 1999 full length KNIGHTS FROM HELL. The

6868

group established an identity with Tracklist: revered fellow countrymen LORD 1. Darkness of Satan BELIAL, sharing several members. 2. Elite of Satan While LORD BELIAL has earned a 3. Evil of Satan stellar reputation for their sweeping, 4. Fire of Satan melancholic grandiosity, VASSAGO 5. Grind of Satan approaches black and death metal from 6. Mayhem of Satan a maleficent angle. With biting, vicious 7. Metal of Satan intensity that calls to mind fellow 8. Sign of Satan northern gods IMPALED NAZARENE 9. Storm of Satan or NIFELHEIM, VASSAGO offers a 10. War of Satan full-scale attack of warlike staccato and a penchant for the disgusting and evil. Lineup STORM OF SATAN is thematically Pepa Andersson - Guitars, dominated by a pure worship of Satan; Bass a true devotional homage to the literal Micke Backelin - Vocals, essence of black metal art.

Drums

Grisly Death Metal band from Sweden released the second Full-length album Salting the Earth on August 3, 2021.

This swedish band led

by Rogga Johansson and featuring Håkan Stuvermark (WOMBBATH), that plays a catchy, melodic and heavy Death Metal with influences in the vein of DISMEMBER, EDGE OF SANITY, CARNAGE, ENTOMBED...

Tracklist 1. By Inferno’s Light 2. Dying Like Dogs in Winter 3. Mutilator 4. Wickedness that Lurks Within 5. Skymningssonaten 6.

Mexico (Reign of Bullets) 7. Last Days in Fear 8. Salting the Earth 9. Driver 10. Souls Last Caress

Lineup Dennis Blomberg Bass Henke Lundgren - Drums Rogga Johansson - Guitars

69 69

Latest releases

Bohemyst Black/Death Metal band from Czechia released the first Full-length album Čerň a smrt on August 13, 2021.

BOHEMYST arose from the ashes of the Czech dark horde named AVENGER. Various personal an practical reasons led to the end of AVENGER in 2017 after 25 years.

But their dark path lives on under the new moniker BOHEMYST and with new blackened metal tunes with touches of death metal!

7007

Čerň A Smrt” is without a doubt the album many people have been waiting for. Blackened metal with touches of death metal and hints of ancient Southern Bohemian heritage blend in together to create an album that borders pure magnificence.

Tracklist 1. Intro 2. Čerň a smrt 3. Krvehlas 4. Na umrlčích prknech 5. Paní lesa 6. Kosti 7. Co nelze zapomenout 8. Nekromantika 9. Do chřtánu smrti 10. Zvrácenosti zvědavosti Lineup Infernits - Bass Hellsound - Drums Ramus - Guitars Jirka Kocián - Guitars Radek Popel - Vocals

Diskord Death Metal band from Norway released the third Full-length album Degenerations on August 13, 2021.

Eccentric Norwegian death metal band Diskord have made quite a reputation for themselves over the years for playing some twisted, unhinged death metal that takes the best elements of old school death metal, dissonant death metal, technical death metal, even progressive and jazz music, and then some. Their death metal is wonderfully concocted, full of unpredictable twists and turns, while retaining ample causticity and drive throughout. There’s just so much happening at all times, it’s both mind-boggling and exhilarating as one attempts to decipher it all over the course of several listens - it’s impossible to fully wrap your head around this fascinating beast

of an album at one go. Seven years in the making, ‘Degenerations’, in addition to being a virtually perfect death metal album, is also one of the most exciting albums to come out in recent times, one that doesn’t conform to the standard template of death metal music and strives to create something altogether refreshing and unrestrained.

Tracklist 1. Loitering in the Portal 2. Bionic Tomb Eternal 3. Abnegations 4. The Endless Spiral 5. Dirigiste Radio Hit 6. Lone Survivor 7. Dragged for Coronation 8. Clawing at the Fabric of Space

9. Atoms Decay 10. Raging Berzerker in the Universe Rigid 11. Gnashing 12. Beyond the Grime Lineup Hans Jørgen - Drums, Vocals Eyvind - Bass, Electric upright bass, Cello, Theremin, Synth, Vocals Dmitry - Guitars, Vocals

71 71

Latest releases

Annihilus Black Metal band from United States released the second Full-length album Follow a Song from the Sky on August 13, 2021.

For Chicago-based musician Luca Cimarusti, black metal held the appeal that lures so many listeners into its caustic wavelengths—it exuded the power and primal spirit of metal with the no-frills delivery and raw performance of punk. The added element of the genre’s fixation on mystery and fantasy,

72 72

to mine the atmospheric essence of black metal while pushing the stylistic, thematic, and emotional boundaries of the genre.

Tracklist 1. The Grand Illusion 2. Twist Ending 3. Draw the Beast 4. Winter Song 5. The Voice of Shai-Hulud 6. AMA 7. Isolation Tracking 8. Song from the Sky

and the way so many artists in the field were shrouded in a veil of their own creation, was an added bonus. It was with these sonic, stylistic, and performative attributes that prompted Cimarusti to develop his own black metal project, Annihilus, back in 2019. Where the project once Lineup provided a refuge of self-reliant Luca Cimarusti - Bass, Drums, creativity, the toils of the last Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals year imbued the project with an even greater urgency and gravity. With his sophomore album Follow a Song From the Sky, Cimarusti continues

Wolves in the Throne Room Atmospheric Black Metal band from United States released the seventh Fulllength album Primordial Arcana on August 20, 2021.

Two decades into their journey as ritualistic black metal conjurers, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM have emerged from the forest with Primordial Arcana, their most majestic album to date.

Primordial Arcana sees WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM stay true to their unique vision. An album born out of the DIY ethos, Primordial Arcana proves to be the band’s most genuine and focused.

One of the year’s most ambitious recordings, Primordial Arcana c e m e n t s

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM’s legacy as one of US Black Metal’s most daring, unique, and quintessential bands.

Lineup Aaron Weaver - Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Vocals Nathan Weaver Vocals (lead), Guitars Kody Keyworth - Guitars, Vocals

Tracklist 1. Mountain Magick 2. Spirit of Lightning 3. Through Eternal Fields 4. Primal Chasm (Gift of Fire) 5. Underworld Aurora 6. Masters of Rain and Storm 7. Eostre 8. Skyclad Passage

73 73

Latest releases

Ethereal Sin BSymphonic/Melodic Black Metal band from Japan released the fourth Fulllength album Time of Requiem Part. 1 on August 25, 2021.

Ethereal Sin formed in 1997 at Kobe in Japan by Yama Darkblaze.

They are consistently based on the Animism and Pagan thought from the Initial Activity.

They are playing Symphonic and Melodic Black Metal that called «Elegiac Black Metal» by themselves.

It’s characterized by sound spectacular with the Fast and Dramatic configuration that based on the Melody of

7474

Oriental origin, including chorus.

Tracklist 1. Time of Invocation 2. Beyond the Love and Hate 3. Like a Garuda 4. Into the Misty Rain 5. Dash to Across the Sky and Sea 6. Braveheart Again 7. Ouka 8. Faraway Scene 9. Hagakure 10. Transparent Twins 11. Time of Requiem

Lineup Yama Darkblaze - Vocals (lead) Seth Maelstrom - Bass, Vocals (backing) Kikka Schwarzfleet - Guitars, Vocals (backing) Lord Wilhelm - Violin Gensui Fitzgerald - Drums

Maysaloon Melodic Death Metal band from Syria released the second Full-length album A Lip to Earth, a Lip to Heaven and a Tongue to the Stars on August 25, 2021.

The band formed in Syria in 2015 and now based in Beirut, Lebanon.

Entitled as “A Lip to Earth, a Lip to Heaven and a Tongue to the Stars” this record carries with it every shape and form of absolute rage and wickedness Maysaloon ever wrote. The album title was directly taken from a clay tablet that depicts the infamous Canaanite\Phoenician epic called the «Baal Cycle».

It represents in all its aspects the persevering life of human beings and their certain fate.

A never ending cycle and a pure reflection to a highly sophisticated nation which thrived in glory and faded into decay beneath these lands. The endless battle between the god of fertility and the god of death inspired band’s thoughts and visions towards music and history, and shaped their true value as artists from channeling everything they had been put through into art.

Tracklist 1. A Hymn to Ugarit 2. Mot 3. Pillars of Creation 4. Herald of Divinity 5. Hadad, Slayer Yamm 6. Of Gods and Decay 7. Downfall 8. The Truer One

of

Lineup Dio Al-Miqdad - Bass, Drum programming Jake Shuker - Vocals, Guitars Khodor Nashar - Guitars, Vocals (backing) Jamal Al-Mohrez - Drums

75 75

Latest releases

Nunslaughter Death Metal band from United States released the fifth Full-length album Red Is the Color of Ripping Death on August 27, 2021.

NUNSLAUGHTER requires no introduction.

Since 1987, these Ohio natives have prolifically perfected their own brand of Devil Metal: an evil blend of classic death metal and hardcore punk.

This album comprises material newly written with NUNSLAUGHTER’s current lineup, which is arguably the band’s best to date. And hearing is believing: over the course of the album’s 35 minutes, it becomes immediately

7676

apparent that NUNSLAUGHTER are a really good - and really ripping - DEATH METAL band above all . Largely gone (or least sublimated) is the hardcore punk influence, and in its place is an absolutely furious onslaught of catchiness and causticness.

Tracklist 1. Murmur 2. Broken and Alone 3. To a Whore

4. Banished 5. Red Is the Color of Ripping Death 6. Eat Your Heart 7. Annihilate the Kingdom of God 8. Beware of God 9. Black Cat Hanging 10. Dead in Ten 11. The Devil Will Not Stray 12. The Temptress 13. Casket Lid Creaks 14. Below the Cloven Hoof Lineup Don of the Dead Vocal Tormentor Guitar Wrath - Drums Detonate - Bass

Thyrfing Viking/Black Metal band from Sweden released the eighth Full-length album Vanagandr on August 27, 2021.

After eight years in the wilderness Swedish Viking/Pagan metal kings Thyrfing return with their brand-new album ‘Vanagandr’.

Thyrfing emerged from the evergrowing underground scene in Sweden back in 1995. After seven full-length albums and numerous live performances all over the world, the band have gained a strong following over the years and an exquisite standing within the metal scene.

Balancing brutality with melody, blast beats with groove, ‘Vanagandr’ is an album as grandiose as it is vicious, and Thyrfing are a band like no other.

Lineup Joakim «Jocke» Kristensson Keyboards, Bass Patrik Lindgren - Guitars Jens Rydén - Vocals Fredrik Hernborg - Guitars Dennis Ekdahl - Drums

Tracklist 1. Döp dem i eld 2. Undergångens länkar 3. Rötter 4. Fredlös 5. Järnhand 6. Håg och minne 7. Träldomsord 8. Jordafärd

77 77

Latest releases

Obscurity Melodic Black/ Viking/Death Metal band from Germany released the ninth Full-length album Skogarmaors on August 27, 2021.

With ‘Skogarmaors’ Obscurity forge their ninth studio album. At the first glance one might think there is nothing new in Obscurity, but with Skogarmaors there are several new elements within the band. Since their last album ‘Streitmacht’ Obscurity’s team changed severely. The quintet from the Bergisch Land with Askar (guitars) and Isarn (drums)

7878

welcome new brothers in their ranks. Askar followed the footsteps of Cortez and Isarn took place for Draugr. Both, Askar and Isarn did a great job on the new album which is significantly influenced by them.

The 13 new songs on the album will benefit from those influences. Obscurity will stay a bastion in continuity and they only create music they do stand for. Skogarmaors is not a concept album which is why there is such thematic diversity in the lyrics. Nordic mythology and contemporary social subjects take place in the sung words.

Tracklist: 1. Wodanaz Kriger 2. Niedertracht 3. Ethnogenese 4. Konstantinopel 5. Geist von Neuenberge 6. Skogarmaors 7. Glod en Isa 8. Blot 9. Legion 10. Bergische Löwen Pt.2 11. DiesAter 12. Schwertmission 13. Valkyria

Hooded Menace Death/Doom Metal band from Finland released the sixth Full-length album The Tritonus Bell on August 27, 2021.

With their new album ‘The Tritonus Bell’, the Finns continue to impress with immaculate songwriting skills and the perfect balance between harsh death metal fuelled outbursts, and exquisite melodic melancholy.

For fans of ACID WITCH, ASPHYX, (later) AUTOPSY, COFFINS, (later) RUNEMAGICK.

Ornaments 4. Those Who Absorb the Night 5. Corpus Asunder 6. Scattered into Dark 7. Instruments of Somber Finality

Lineup Lasse Pyykkö - Guitars (lead), Guitars (rhythm), Keyboards, Bass Pekka Koskelo - Drums Teemu Hannonen - Guitars (rhythm) Harri Kuokkanen - Vocals

Tracklist 1. Chthonic Exordium 2. Chime Diabolicus 3.

Blood

79 79

Latest releases

The Maledict Death/Doom Metal band from Australia released the third Full-length album Remembrance on August 29, 2021.

The Maledict is a death/doom band which formed in rural Victoria, Australia, in 2012.

Originally conceived as a small-scale death metal project between guitarist/ vocalist and principal songwriter Ian McLean and bassist Stuart McCarthy, over time the initial straight death metal approach continued to mutate, inheriting an

8080

increasing number of gothic, orchestral and doom metal influences.

The Maledict have come a long way and the ambition that the band show here is impressive as they effortlessly blend atmospheric doom and crushing death metal into an hour long effort that is hard to fault and worthy of recognition.

Tracklist 1. Remembrance 2. Dolor Nil Finis 3. Forever Adrift 4. The Maledict I 5. The Maledict II 6. Porous 7. Skies of Static 8. The River Ophidian

Aborted Death Metal band from Belgium released the eleventh Full-length album Maniacult on September 10, 2021.

Belgiums most infamous Death Metal crew ABORTED deliver a bone-crushing display of of unyielding and odious Death Metal with their 11th fulllength, ManiaCult. Standout tracks like “Impetus Odi” and “Dementophobia” prove the point that the band undisputedly earned their place within the cream of the crop of Death Metal.

ManiaCult is a whirring blender of Death Metal and further solidifies ABORTED’s stature as one of the

most dangerous death metal bands on the planet. You’ve been warned.

Tracklist 1. Verderf 2. Maniacult 3. Impetus Odi 4. Portal to Vacuity 5. Dementophobia 6. A Vulgar Quagmire 7. Verbolgen 8. Ceremonial Ineptitude

9. Drag Me to Hell 10. Grotesque 11. I Prediletti: The Folly of the Gods Lineup Sven de Caluwe - Vocals Ken Bedene - Drums Ian Jekelis - Guitars Stefano Franceschini - Bass

81 81

Latest releases

Hladomrak Black Metal band from Sweden released the third Full-length album Archaic Sacrifice on September 10, 2021.

«Hladomrak» (Хладомрак) can be translated from the Slavic languages as «cold darkness».

Hladomrak represents the dark side of nature, the one indifferent and ruthless to

8282

mankind. Hladomrak is You, when Your mind is cold and thoughts wander in darkness of consciousness searching for answers to eternal questions.

Born at the north Hladomrak has absorbed eternal winter atmosphere, stone hardness, spring water coldness and dark roots. This opus is an epic journey across black metal with the band’s very own, unique flare to it.

Tracklist: 1. Fozforos Insignia 2. I Zinew 3. Tiethu’m 4. Wistarbor 5. Saith 6. Asterial Well 7. Port End 8. Niel’n Lineup Evgenerator - Guitars, Vocals Talon - Vocals (lead)

Graveland Pagan/Viking Metal band from Poland released the twentieth Full-length album Hour of Ragnarok on September 13, 2021.

On the threshold of the coming Ragnarok, Graveland comes to you armed with a new full-length album, with music that was created from the ashes of past battles. The new songs that revived like a phoenix from legends and myths and the most epic Graveland works such as «Thousand Swords» are a continuation of this style of the band.

Epic Pagan Metal!

Here’s the music to prepare you for Ragnarok! Music from the beginning of the history of Graveland, when it was recorded in a full line-up! A sword, arrow and spear held in a strong hand, hardened in sweat, blood and battle. “Hour of Ragnarok” was forged by a three-person line-up.

The songs for the album were created during last three years, but it was 2020 when the work gained momentum. It took a long time to compose and record the symphonic back tracks that makes up the epic background in music. This is a development of an idea that you could have already heared on the album «1050 Years of Pagan Cult».

Tracklist 1. The Wolf of Twilight Wisdom of Runes 2. Hour of Ragnarok 8. River of Tears 3. Conspiracy of the Wizards Lineup 4.

Children of Skyth - Bass Hyperborea Rob Darken - Vocals, 5. Following the Azure Guitars, Keyboards Light Ahrin - Drums 6. The Three Gifts of the Gods 7.

Enlighted by the

83 83

Latest releases

Trigger Death Metal band from Russia released the fourth Full-length album Back to the Roots on September 15, 2021.

The band creation was started in Summer of 2004, at the time three friends (Mozhaev Artem, Myakishev Aleksei,Kulagin Dmitriy (R.I.P.)) had decided to set up a band. Had found most insignificant instruments, they started everyday hard work on material.

8484

Incidentally they called the band “TRIGGER” – this word, of cause, has more than one meaning, but they made an accent on trigger as a gun part!

All this stuff is strongly recommended for fans of TRIGGER first of all, fans of SIX FEET UNDER, OBITUARY, OBSCENITY and many other traditional death metal bands!

Tracklist: 1. Situation Is Tense 2. Back to the Roots 3. Rejection of Reality 4. Alcoholic Slavery 5. No More Lies 6. Expulsion of Pain 7. Blood Terror 8. Crystal Lake 9. Worn and Torn 10. Vomiting Flame Lineup Artem Mozhaev - Guitars Ramin Dragar - Vocals Vladimir Malakhov - Drums Ulyana Andreeva - Bass

Carcass Death Metal band from United Kingdom released the seventh Full-length album Torn Arteries on September 17, 2021.

Ferocious and uncompromising in their execution, CARCASS’s ability to intricately dissect the innards of death metal, and display them for us to sonically understand has been their point of excellence for over three decades. Last December (2019) the band released their first single in over 5 years “Under The Scalpel Blade,” followed by a 4 song EP entitled Despicable (October 2020), setting a potent precedent for the full length album to come in 2021: TORN ARTERIES. With the album title

itself referencing an old demo 6. Flesh Ripping Torment created by original drummer Limited Ken Ownback in the 80’s, TORN 7. Kelly’s Meat Emporium ARTERIES sits as a bookend on 8. In God We Trust the modern side of the CARCASS 9. Wake Up and Smell the discography, connecting directly Carcass / Caveat Emptor back to where everything began 10. The Scythe’s Remorseless over 30 years ago.

Swing Tracklist 1. Torn Arteries Lineup 2. Dance of IXTAB (Psychopomp & Jeff Walker - Bass, Vocals Circumstance March No.1 in B) Bill Steer - Guitars, Vocals 3. Eleanor Rigor Mortis Daniel Wilding - Drums 4. Under the Scalpel Blade Tom Draper - Guitars 5. The Devil Rides Out

85 85

Latest releases

Insomnium Melodic Death Metal band from Finland released the EP Argent Moon on September 17, 2021.

Frontman Niilo Sevänen about how the “Argent Moon” EP came to be: «When the Corona outbreak forced us to cancel all the tours and shows, we pretty soon adopted a mindset that we better do something and keep ourselves in motion. We wanted to try how the streaming shows might work. We wanted to see what kind of new music might grow in the darkness and misery of the quarantine. And soon these

8686

vibes were channeled into songs that came to be the “Argent Moon” EP. We wanted to try something a bit different so all the four songs on this release represent the softer side of Insomnium. The ballads and the mellow tunes. Acoustic guitars and clean vocals. The sorrow and agony that creeps into your heart when the nights grow longer. But fear not, we haven’t changed our style. Next album will be something different again. We used all the ballad ideas here so maybe it will be pure blast beats. We shall see.»

Tracklist 1. The Conjurer 2. The Reticent 3. The Antagonist 4. The Wanderer Lineup Niilo Sevänen - Bass, Vocals Markus Hirvonen - Drums Markus Vanhala - Guitars Jani Liimatainen - Guitars, Vocals (clean)

Saturnian Mist Black Metal band from Finland released the third Full-length album Shamatanic on September 17, 2021.

Saturnian Mist was formed in 2006 in Finland. The goal was clear from the start; to create occult black metal with the elements of ritual practices incorporated in their sound.

The eerie beginning were humble and raw but the band managed to create a buzz around them nevertheless.

Saturnian Mist decided to create the ultimate album to spread their occult message over the world. “Shamatanic” was created and is ready to be unleashed upon mankind in all its’ glory and magnificence.

Fast, dark, groovy and hypnotic occult black metal that will draw you into their circle of rituals and firm beliefs. Make no mistake; this

is not an album for the flock of sheep out there. This is an album for those who are ready to dedicate their whole being to the law. Chaos is the law! Black metal to dance away your days to or fall prey to wolves that hide in the shadows.

Tracklist 1. Ill-Mystic 2. Blood Magick 3. Chaos is the Law 4. The Manifestation 5. The End Times 6. Altar of Flesh And Blood 7. Arbatel of Black Magick 8. Ordo Templi Saturni 9. Shamatanic 10. Ipsissimus

Lineup fra. Zetekh - Vocals fra. Vile - Drums fra. Macabrum - Bass fra. Kult - Percussion fra. Ferreus - Guitars fra. Chaoswind - Guitars (lead) fra. Sota - Percussion

87 87

Latest releases

Shadecrown Melodic Death/Doom Metal band from Finland released the third Full-length album Solitarian on September 17, 2021.

Shadecrown (founded in 2012) is a melodic death metal band from the heart of Finland. The band consists of Jari Hokka on vocals, Tomi Tikka & Joonas Vesamaki on guitars, Saku Tammelin on keyboards, Janne Salmelin on bass & backing vocals and Kalle Varonen on drums.

8888

Lineup Jari Hokka - Vocals Joonas Vesamaki - Guitar Tomi Tikka - Guitar Saku Tammelin - Keyboards Janne Salmelin - Bass & clean vocals Kalle Varonen - Drums

Tracklist 1. The Awakening 2. Dark Heart Replica 3. Momentary Trails 4. Slivers 5. The Loss 6. Aeon’s Still 7. Crestfallen 8. Solitarian

Livløst Black Metal band from Norway released the third Full-length album Symphony of Flies on September 17, 2021.

«Symphony of Flies» is the third Livløst’s album, the two norwegians are playing an uncompromising, grimly dissonant and bewitched black metal with definitively sinster atmospheres.

Often difficult, frequently nightmarish, this stuff easily ranks as one of nordic lands’ more challenging and oblique offerings. And for us, one of his most fascinating.

With a mix of various norsk black metal traditions, atmospheric and mid-tempo practices, and a radical approach to traditional

notions of extreme music in its truest sense, ‘Symphony of Flies’ is undoubtedly highly demanding of the listener. ...a dreamlike descent into the realm of death.

Tracklist 1. Symphony of Flies 2. No Reason 3. Holy Night 4. Angelperfume 5 .

Red 6. Hostel

89 89

Latest releases

Orbit Culture Melodic Death Metal band from Sweden released the EP Shaman on September 24, 2021.

In the southern parts of Sweden, in between the two major revered metal cities, Gothenburg and Stockholm lie the small town of Eksjö, just about 60 kilometers from Jönköping.

From Eksjö, best known for its old wooden architecture dating back to the 14th century comes the four-piece metal band we know of today, Orbit Culture.

9090

Orbit Culture was founded in 2013 by member Niklas Karlsson and ex-member Maximilian Zinsmeister. Both singer and guitarist Niklas and lead guitarist Maximilian did participate in different music constellations back and forth across the county.

At the age of 17, Niklas and Maximilian met each other through mutual friends in Eksjö, and through the same love of heavy riffing and writing songs; Niklas and Maximilian decided to start a small jam group.

Tracklist 1. Mast of the World 2. Flight of the Fireflies 3. Carvings 4. Strangler 5. A Sailor’s Tale Lineup Niklas Karlsson - Vocals, Guitars Fredrik - Lennartsson Bass Richard Hansson - Guitars (lead) Christopher Wallerstedt Drums

Azazel Black Metal band from Finland released the third Full-length album Aegrum Satanas Tecum on September 24, 2021.

Formed in 1992, Azazel are among the first black metal bands to hail from Finland. Aegrus Satanas Tecum is a long-awaited third album and unique record in that it bridges all the band’s eras whilst opening new portals into the black beyond. Azazel may be predictably unpredictable, but Aegrus Satanas Tecum proves that their twisting saga is far from over. Aegrus Satanas Tecum is an album that’s equally early ’90s and now Azazel are more undead than ever.

Tracklist 1. Invocation (Hail the Ancient Ones) 2. Jesus Christ Impotent Rotting Saviour 3.

Welcome to Church Bizarre 4. I Worship Him 5. Demons Attack the Nun’s Chapel (Aegrum Satanas Tecum) 6.

Incubus R i s e s Again 7.

Succubus, My Infernal Vampire Spirit 8.

In Nomine Dei Nostri Satanas

Lineup Lord Satanachia - Vocals Mavrofos - Guitars Idimmu - Drums Raakalainen - Guitars Lucifuge Rofocale - Bass

91 91

Latest releases

Skepticism Funeral Doom Metal band from Finland released the sixth Fulllength album Companion on September 24, 2021.

The release of the album is a culmination of six years of work since the previous album Ordeal and a milestone in the 30year journey of the band.

Fittingly the morning in Finland greets us with subtle autumn rain in the dark before dawn.

9292

Lineup Lasse Pelkonen - Drums Jani Kekarainen - Guitars Eero Pöyry - Keyboards Matti Tilaeus - Vocals

Tracklist 1. Calla 2. The Intertwined 3. The March of the Four 4. Passage 5. The Inevitable 6. The Swan and the Raven

Surturs Lohe Viking/Folk Black Metal band from Germany released the fifth Full-length album Wielandstahl on September 24, 2021.

«Surturs Lohe» translates to «Surtur’s blaze». In Nordic mythology Surtr is the leader of the fire giants and the ruler of Muspelheim, the realm of fire.

Surturs Lohe can look back on 5 albums since their 25th anniversary, a split CD and many successful concerts. They are a constant size of the Thuringian Pagan Metal scene & some members of Surturs Lohe are also in other Pagan Metal bands like MENHIR, ODROERIR and FIMBULVET. On „Wielandstahl“ Surturs Lohe present nine songs, that could not be more epic and primeval. This is old school

Thuringian Pagan Metal. High velocity riffing is contrasted with mighty choirs and folky use of the flute embellishes acoustic guitar arrangements, reminiscent of early works of Ulver. Lyrically „Wielandstahl“ is an interpretation of the story of Wieland, the blacksmith. On „Wielandstahl“ the band reminds us of stories from days long gone, presenting them in a soundscape consisting of epic melodies, elated

rhythms but also speedy passages.

Tracklist 1. Sohn von Glut und Stahl 2. Mimes Reigen 3. Die Schwanenballade 4. Wielandstahl 5. Von albischer Hand 6. Nidungs Reich 7. Der Lahmende Schmied 8. Kelche von Gold 9. Nur ein Vogel Lineup Alraun - Vocals (female), Flute Ragnfalt - Guitars Nidhoggr Drums Heidenherz - Vocals (lead) Gram - Guitars Ralf Clemen - Bass

93 93

Latest releases

Wald Krypta Black Metal band from United States released the third Fulllength album Possessed by Nothingness on August 6, 2021.

Tracklist 1. Wind’s Anger 2.

Possessed by Nothingness 3. Drowned Into the Last Realm 4. Aglare of Burning Winds 5. Beneath a Dying Sun 6. Ruined Sanctuary 7. Corrupted in Eternal Lineup Heresiarch - Drums, Vocals Einsam - Guitars, Lyrics

9494

Midgard Black Metal band from El Salvador released the first Fulllength album Following the Ancient Spirits of Fire on August 10, 2021.

Miðgarðr (Old Icelandic for «Dwelling-Place in the middle») is the name used in germanic/ scandinavian mythology for the world/realm of men.

Tracklist 1. Intro 2. We Must Die in the Battlefield 3. Lights in the Dark Forest 4. Under of God 5. Sadness in my Soul 6. Entrance 7. Dying by the Book of Revelations 8. Valhalla 9. Outro Lineup Sadness - Bass Morbid - Guitars, Vocals Nekro-Perversor - Drums

Groza Black Metal band from Germany released the second Full-length album The Redemptive End on August 13, 2021.

«Groza» (or «Гроза» in Cyrillic) is «lightning storm», «horror» or «disgust» in few Slavic languages.

Founded in 2016.

Tracklist 1. Sunken in Styx - Part I: Submersion 2. Sunken in Styx - Part II: Descent 3. Elegance of Irony 4. The Redemptive End 5. Nil 6. Homewards

Vaelmyst Melodic Death Metal band from United States released the first Full-length album Secrypts of the Egochasm on August 13, 2021.

Tracklist 1. Espirit De Corps 2. Dawnless 3. Spineless Throne 4. The Ghost of Ire 5. Ghoulish Delight 6. Envenom the Sea 7. Into the Egochasm 8. The Coin of This Realm Lineup Ronny Lee Marks - Guitars, Bass Jonathan V - Vocals Wyatt Bentley - Drums

Act of Denial Melodic Death/Groove Metal band from Croatia released the first Full-length album Negative on August 13, 2021.

Act of Denial’s debut album ‘Negative’ is a project composed by musicians from all over the world, and offers powerful and melodic death metal that takes the listener back to the late 90s and early 2000s. Combining aggression with majestic and melancholic choruses, ‘Negative’ is an album that creates tension, both musically and lyrically, and keeps the listener there from start to finish.

Tracklist 1. Puzzle Heart 2. Controlled 3. Down That Line 4. Negative 5. Reflection Wall 6.

In the Depths of Destruction 7. Lost Circle 8. Your Dark Desires 9. Slave 10. Clutching at Rails of Light

Winter Nights Melodic Death Metal band from United States released the EP Sky Burial on August 18, 2021.

Founded in 2007.

Whether you feel like kicking your bosses Arse or jumping off a bridge today, Winter Nights is here to help with Bone Crushing Melodic Death Metal.

Tracklist 1.

Time to Say Goodbye 2. Neither Faith Nor Fear 3. I Pray to I 4. Sky Burial Lineup Efrain Farfan - Guitars (lead), Vocals Jeremy Farfan - Vocals, Guitars (rhythm) Martin Tune - Bass James Yarusinsky - Drums

Lineup Steve Di Giorgio - Bass Krimh - Drums Voi Cox - Guitars (lead), Programming Luger - Guitars (rhythm) John Lönnmyr - Keyboards Björn «Speed» Strid - Vocals

95

95

Latest releases

Besatt Black Metal band from Poland released the eleventh Full-length album Supreme and True at Night on August 27, 2021.

Besatt is the Swedish/Norwegian word for «Possessed».

Four years after the release of the last album, Besatt is back with his 11th full-length album entitled: «Supreme and True at Night» (SaTaN).

The latest work includes 8 new blasphemic BLACK METAL hymns, recorded between April and May this year.

Tracklist 1. Satan 2. There He Comes 3. Goodless 4. Bafomet’s Legacy 5. Rex Satanas 6. Lilith 7. Brass Gates 8. Kyrie Eleison

9696

Crimson Bridge Melodic Death Metal band from Portugal released the first Fulllength album In Pitch Black on September 7, 2021.

Crimson Bridge met after a Sepultura show, which let’s face it, was already a good omen for the future. Always searching for a melting pot of sounds, Crimson Bridge deliver a collection of heavier sounds mixed with melodic parts, resulting from the band’s shared passion for music and the cultivation of skills.

Tracklist 1. Into the Unknown 2. Torment 3. At the Cliffs 4. Apostasy 5. In Pitch Black 6. The Disheartened 7. As my Time Fades 8. Years of Doubt 9. Tragedy Befalls 10. Ruthless Tides (feat. JoГЈo Miguel) 11. Fight for the Chance

Dimidium Mei Black Metal band from Poland released the second Full-length album Devil’s Tales on September 9, 2021.

Dimidium Mei is a black metal group formed in 2006 in Bytom. In 2010 band released first LP «Flames of hatred». After 10 years Fulmineus and Chaos decided to reform band with new members and record second LP...

Tracklist 1. I 2. It’s a Sin 3. Trustee 4. Moon and the Fog 5. That Glow 6. Unforgettable 7. Fiery Gemstone 8. Confessionless 9. From the Darkness into Abyss 10. Funeral Night Lineup Fulmineus - Vocals Chaos - Bass Cyanide - Drums Colossus - Guitars

Rupskallex

Melodic Death Metal band from United Kingdom released the second Full-length album Black Wings on September 10, 2021.

Science Fiction gone metal - heavy riffs, pounding double kick and screaming bloody space murder.

Rupskallex is a one-man band from County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a passion for making all things metal.

Tracklist 1. Black Wings 2. Night 3. Jokes On Me 4. N(o)ne 5. Unrest 6. Relentless 7. Blow Me Away 8. Get Fucked 9. Peanut 10. Nailbomb 11. Death Dance Lineup Dan Clarke - All instruments, Vocals

Nocturnal Sacrifice Black Metal band from Mexico released the first Fulllength album Paths of Unholy Consagration on September 11, 2021.

Recorded and masterized between September and November 2020 at «Lobodoomy Studio» and «ToreStu» (drums recording session only).

Pervertor Black Metal band from New Zealand released the third Fulllength album Putrid Dominion on September 13, 2021.

Tracklist 1. Slaughtered 2.

Perverted and Introverted 3. Psychosis 4. Sickening Tracklist 5. Trapped in the Blubber Beast’s 1. Miccacuicatl Nest 2. Promise of Destruction 6. Paedophile Priest 3. Cempolihui 7. Self-Destruction 4.

Egoism as Universe 8. Crush the Enemy Idolatry 5. Bones and Dust Lineup 6. True Sovereign of a Chaotic Carnage - Bass Cosmos Rots - Drums 7. Speaking to the Void Inebriator - Guitars 8. While Love Throws Me into Necroar - Vocals the Abyss Lineup Sorath - Bass, Chorus Tyrant Wolf - Guitars, Vocals Mephisto - Drums

97 97

Band Links https://www.facebook.com/AMomentInSolace https://vixentamusic.bandcamp.com/album/polarity-album https://open.spotify.com/album/3DOTHp3qF2gyxQYELpEgVg

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Vixenta Ambient/Post-Black Metal band from the Australia.

98 98

Vixenta is a 2-man Atmospheric/Post Black Metal band from Brisbane, Australia. Formed in 2010 by B. as a one man band, Vixenta quickly grew to a full lineup with a consistent DSBM/Atmospheric style releasing «A Moment In Solace» and «Predation» between 2012-2014 before culminating in a live show before reverting to a solo project. The band had surfaced in 2018 with a remaster of all of their material as a teaser and in preparation for a new album with the arrival of vocalist Moosh & session drummer Tim Yatras.

Vixenta released Polarity in August 2021 to positive reception. The band is currently working on a split with Vietnamese Melodic Black Metal trio Elcrost due out early September.

99 99

Band Links https://www.facebook.com/ForsakenLegion6666 https://forsakenlegion.bandcamp.com https://open.spotify.com/artist/5zh7B2CA95tsLUGYPOzAwC

We would like to tell you about musicians and bands not so well known around the world. This is the story of Forsaken Legion - Black Metal band from Switzerland.

100

100

Forsaken Legion is a Swiss Black metal band from Lugano formed in 2012; its first lineup featured Krasta and Tifeo as guitarists, A. as bass player, Andy as drummer and Anhell as vocalist.

The band’s name aims to glorify those mighty warriors that fight epic timeless battles. Their lyrics are defined by an aggressive narration inspired by the great contemporary philosophy current as nihilism and existentialism; the purpose of this choice is to offer hermetic contents through a perpetual feeling of conflict. Forsaken Legion possesses an individual compositional identity despite the influences from historic bands like Immortal, Tsjuder and Dissection. Their sound evokes mostly the great Scandinavian Black metal classics by featuring their tracks with violent and epic riffs and changing rhythms that create a tormented harmony.

In their first year of activity, Forsaken Legion released their first fulllength titled “Seeds of Black Dawn”, consisting of seven Black metal tracks with Death metal influences. 2014 marks a year of mutations in the line-up, as Anhell (vocals) and Andy (drums) leave the band.

During this arc of time some of the band members started two parallel Black metal projects like “Akasha”, with Krasta as drummer and Tifeo as guitarist, and “Preachers of Heresy” with Tifeo as guitarist. In 2016 Warmaster Kron joined Forsaken Legion as drummer and Krasta became also vocalist. In 2019 Forsaken Legion released their second full-length album titled “Bloodline”, featuring eight tracks marked by a change in their rhythmics and themes. In 2021 Forsaken Legion begin its collaboration with “Ocularis Infernum Booking&Promotion”, an organization that promotes the activities of the band. The band is currently working on the release of their third full-length and are ready to go back on stage.

101 101

https://www.facebook.com/skycrypt

Sky Crypt Incipit Anarchia Eternity.

Continuing in the Incipit Anarchia dilogy, Sky Crypt returns with their second album Eternity. They are a trio melodic death metal band from Russia.

Eternity is a concept album (I’m a sucker for concept albums) about a warrior, a prince, a king, a war, tyranny, betrayal and eventually, freedom.

Sky Crypt is a new edition for myself in the world of melodic death metal and it’s off to a good start. The album starts off with “Inception”, an instrumental hymn that calls forth the coming storm.

“The Dawn of Tyranny” pulls no punches with crunchy riffs and guitar hooks that would make Andy Gillion (formely of Mors Principium Est) so proud. Lead singer Alexander Mikhailov’s voice has that awesome growl in his voice that fits this style so well.

“The Solemn Rite” kicks

102 102

Review by Luc St-Clair off with wicked guitar licks and thunderous drums, this one has some Amon Amarth & Desultory influences, but I say that with love.

Things slow down a bit with “The Last Day”, a terrific number that has anthem written all o v e r it, it will have you

pumping your fists to the sky, something tells me this song would be excellent at a live show.

“King or Curse” is my favorite, fast and relentless, packed with melodic guitar leads & solos. The album ends with “Eternity”, an acoustic instrumental that wraps up this musical journey.

With everything I’ve mentioned with some well-placed keyboard moments, Incipit Anarchia: Eternity doesn’t reinvent the wheel for this style, but if you like the genre and with the music in the hands of talented musicians, it’s worth your time & money.

https://www.facebook.com/diabolizer

Diabolizer Khalkedonian Death.

Though they have been around for quite a long time, they haven’t exactly released much.

Right from the first bars, the sound just kicks you in the face.

The growls are good and deep. It gets a bit melodic once in a while, but mostly it’s just horrible. I’m tempted to call it Deicide with melodic parts.

Diabolizer came out in 2012 but only really released a few singles (that I never heard for the record), but this year we get to hear their first full length album. So far I would say it’s been worth the wait. This seems to be a band who are very proud to be a bit horrible. I think some old school Death Metal heads would really like this one.

The musicianship

Review by Andrew Stanton is very good here, all the band members really do their bit. It’s not super heavyweight, but it’s not boring at all. Even when the melodic parts kick in it still stays fairly horrible. It’s all in English, but I’m not too sure what it’s all about. This is pretty brutal Death Metal, but every so often some Black Metal screeches are

added to make it all even more horrible. Some of this IS super heavy actually.

Some of the songs go on a bit for my liking, but I am enjoying it. If these songs were 2 and 3 minutes long, I probably would have wet myself to be fair. It’s a great debut, but they’ve been going since 2012, so they clearly have a lot of experience already.

103 103

https://www.facebook.com/chestcrushband

Review by Andrew Stanton Chestcrush Vdelygmia Blackened Death Metal from Scotland. Certainly not for the fainthearted. The songs are quite short on this one, so I know I’m gonna love it. The Death parts are a bit slow and the Black parts seem to be a bit mid-paced.

Nothing particularly fast and crazy, or not yet at least. The more I listen, I am starting to think the Death parts are ruining these songs.

The whole thing really is very (newer) Deicide meets (newer) Gehenna (Norway’s

104 104

Gehenna). According to my notes, both vocals are done by the same person. A bit hard to believe if I’m honest, but I’ll take their word for it.

I’m struggling a bit, because I really want to love this, as a bit of a Scottish phile. It’s Blackened Death Metal, but I hear a hint of Industrial in there. Fans of Industrial Black Metal might like this. And maybe some fans of brutal Death Metal. There’s a few different flavours on here. But the Death parts are way too slow for my liking. If this was faster, I would have wet myself by now.

This could have been amazing.

The Black Metal parts really seem to be all that keeps this interesting.

Maybe you’re not like me, you might actually love the pace.

That’s why I mostly hate giving bad reviews. Well I’ve just heard the album in full now, and my opinion hasn’t really changed. But by all means, if this review sounds good to you, then buy it. What do I know? But one thing I will say is, this band have the potential to be amazing and blow people away. And I will say one last thing, I will definitely listen to their next album.

Review by Luc St-Clair instrumental number called Ingoldstatd. “Oration of Lies” blasts off like a rocket with its ripping guitars and speedy riffs, it’s a song about how politicians, tyrants or anyone with power feeds the public with its deceitful lies. Next is “Age of Enlightment” easily the catchiest song on the album and the one that will give you whiplash from all the headbanging you’ll be doing. “1788” is a heavy and politically motivated song peppered with ex-president George Bush’s speech of a new

world order. The last time I heard these words uttered in a metal context was with 1992’s New World Order by Ministry.

Finally, “Orders of the Bavarian”, a thrashy & groovy number that kicks supreme ass. Lead singer Clarence (couldn’t find his last name online) has that pitch perfect growl that hits you like a freight train. In the end, this album is another fine addition to the melodic death metal genre that keeps on growing.

105 105

https://www.facebook.com/ASSAULTSG

Assault - In Aevum Et Illustrata.

One of the perks of writing reviews for Inside the Darkness is that you get to review albums from bands from all over the world, i.e.

Assault, a melodic death metal band from Singapore.

They’re part of that modern melodeath metal genre similar to bands like Parasite Inc., Orbit Culture & Nothgard. The album absolutely pulls no punches, we get wicked guitar riffs, bone-crushing drums, break neck speed melodies & harsh vocals. The album delves in mythology and has themes of ancient conspiracies like the Illuminati and roman deities.

I’m not going analyze every single song, but here are a few of my favorites.

The album starts with a haunting

https://www.facebook.com/vassagosweden

Review by Andrew Stanton Vassago - Storm of Satan.

Even though they have been around since 1995, this is my first time hearing about this band. Apparently Blackened Death Metal, but I mostly just hear it as Black Metal personally. It’s not amazing, but it’s not crap either. A lot of it sounds the same. A bit o f g r o o v e comes in every now and then (and I mean a bit).

It’s mostly just very standard Black

106 106

Metal. The guitar work gets quite interesting at times, sometimes whirling around your head or little jangly parts here and there. I think mostly, it’s the guitars that make this album. I can’t believe I’m hearing myself say this, but I think the best song is the longest song. When you sit there reading the tracks: Storm of

Satan, Evil of Satan, Metal of Satan, Fire of Satan, it’s definitely not as quirky as it sounds. It’s an album that stays very simple.

The energy is quite good on this album. It’s one of those albums with very fast music and fairly midpaced vocals. The album has now finished and I still say the best part was the music or the guitars.

Sometimes it reminds me of Impaled Nazarene, but definitely not as good. Check it out if you want.

You might love it.

stays very enjoyable.

You can say what Review by Andrew Stanton you want about my review, but you really need to hear this.

Black parts are very Emperor I ’ m not even able to find a and the Death parts are very fault. Every second of the album Incantation. I’m absolutely loving is just perfect. Europe has been it. Sometimes the guitar parts get dominating the Metal scene a bit nice and fancy. It’s not super i n the last 20 years or so, and it’s because of bands like h e a v y,i t just this. I think I have become an obsessed fan. It’s one of the best albums I’ve heard f o r ages. There probably won’t be a better album released all year. Buy it or miss out. Amazing.

107 107

https://www.facebook.com/Bohemyst

Bohemyst - Čerň a smrt.

If my notes are anything to go by, this band have been around forever under the name Astaroth.

Recently they changed their name for whatever reason. Even though it’s all in Czech language, I wouldn’t let it put you off, this is very good. As far as I’m aware, this is the first Czechia album I have ever heard, but I like it. The songs are a bit long, but not boring.

This is Blackened Death Metal, but they’re not scared to do their own thing. The switch between the Black and Death parts are very cool and done very well. I’m loving the guitars and the energy on this album. I have to admit, I have never heard of Astaroth, but I think I need to check them out soon. The

https://www.facebook.com/RAVNKALD

Review by Andrew Stanton Ravnkald - The Pagan Resistance.

A truly international band with members hailing from everywhere.

And quite a prolific band, releasing albums in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Black Folk is always good, or at least decent and Ravnkald are no exception. The lyrics get a bit cringy at times, but the songs

108108

are good.

It should be fairly obvious what to expect. There are some quite long narrated parts on here, talking about fires and swords and arrows and gods.

Fans o f

E n s l a v e d , Ensiferum and Mjod will love this. It seems a bit charming at times, or maybe it’s just me. The Black Metal parts are all very good, but the Folk parts do go on a bit at times. The vocals are good throughout. A lot of different kinds of vocals on here.

The deep growls are awesome, but not used often enough. Am I enjoying this, but this is my thing. It lacks the big anthems of Ensiferum, but maybe that’s intentional.

Ravnkald seem more moody I would say. By no means DSBM, but they’re not a fun band like Ensiferum.

By the way, this is Pagan and folklore stuff. It’s not Viking Metal. This is the other style.

If you’re looking for Viking Metal, this isn’t for you. It’s 100% worth a few minutes to check out. It’s very good. If you’re a fan of Black Folk it’s probably impossible not to love.

Review by Andrew Stanton fans will love this. The energy has stayed good through up to now. I’m not entirely sure what these songs are about, but none of it sounds very nice. I would say it’s very much a Raw/atmospheric Black Metal album, but a bit of DSBM is noticeable.

As I keep saying, it’s very Ieschure. It’s an album for those people who take Black Metal very seriously.

A lot of the songs seem to end with little ambient pieces. Not really sure why, but I like them. There was two or three songs on here, back to back, that I would have put straight in the DSBM folder. Some of the music on this is very good.

It’s a Black Metal album for people who really love Black Metal. It’s not for anyone else. But it’s a good album.

109 109

https://www.facebook.com/sistersmemonblackmetal

Sisters Memon Sisters Memon.

New onto the scene is a British/Polish Black Metal two-piece. One thing I noticed early here is that the album just begins. An often rare start. I won’t bother lying, it’s not an easy listen ( and clearly very intentionally so ).

It’s very raw and sounds very underground. All the Raw Black Metal trademarks are here for you to enjoy. So far I would say it’s similar to Ieschure.

If you hate Black Metal, I doubt this will do much to change your mind. But one thing I personally love about Black Metal is the band’s passion to keep Metal alive by any means possible. They are clearly not trying to win Grammy’s or get on MTV. All they care about is Black Metal…

Simple.

This is super rough and raw, but the songs are cool.

Ieschure

https://www.facebook.com/Vaelmyst

Review by Luc St-Clair Vaelmyst - Secrypts of the Egochasm.

From Los Angeles, California comes Vaelmyst, a blackened death metal band with thrash influences & folk metal vibes.

“Secrypts of the Egochasm” is their first full-length album. Lyrically & musically, the band has themes of cosmic horror, folklore and creepy soundscapes.

Lead singer Jonathan V has that hollow harsh roar a la

110110

Martin van Drunen from Asphyx that sounds like it was recorded in some deep & dank cave, but it totally works. “Espirit De Corps” reminds me a little bit of Kalmah, it’s dirty & fast with wonderful guitar hooks, eerie-sounding instruments and thrash elements, one of my favorites on the album.

“Dawnless” has a very folk feeling more than any other song on the album with awesome guitar riffs.

“Ghoulish Delight” opens up with a spoken passage from a vampire

movie I think, I just can’t quite put my finger on it, but I know I’ve heard it before. Probably the catchiest song on the album, it’s got terrific shredding and a wicked solo by special guest Tyler Sturgill of Xoth.

“Into the Egochasm” is track #7, but feels out of place, it has acoustic guitar, followed by electric guitars and creepy noises, it would’ve been better at the very beginning. The album ends with “The Coin of This Realm”, at 7 minutes and 23 seconds, it’s definitely the longest track on the album. This one is a gem, heavy A.F, occasional thunderous double bass moments, the song changes tempos at one point, has wonderful guitar solos and hauntingly beautiful piano bits.

In the end, this is a very enjoyable album, my one complaint is that the production could’ve been better, the songs rock, the musicians are terrific, sign these guys to a major label like Napalm Records and watch them fly!

C onsumption Recursive Definitions of Suppuration.

Old school Death Metal from Sweden. This is a new band featuring members of Wombbath, Crossbow Suicide and Ghoulhouse. It’s very short and old school, but I don’t like it much, even though this is definitely my thing. I don’t like the songs much.

But if nothing else, they’re a band I respect. It’s definitely proper Metal. We have two different sorts of growls - deep and screeched. The

s c r e e c h e d vocals are very much the lead. The guitars seem to stay slow and melodic, the vocals seem a bit slow most of the time, hardly any blast beats. It’s like the slower version of Deicide’s Legion. I so wish this band added some good speed to their songs.

This would have been amazing, but saying that, you might really

love it. Maybe fans of slower Death Metal should check it out. Certainly not as good as their fellow Witchery.

Even though it’s certainly my sort of thing, I just find it a bit dull.

It’s all in English and apparently they’re a gore band. Not exactly understood a word of it so far though. The whole album is just way too laid back, but to be honest, there were some stand out parts (not songs, just parts of the songs).

I don’t like it. I’m just being honest.

Sorry guys.

111 111

https://www.facebook.com/Consumption-103380851501810

Review by Andrew Stanton

https://www.facebook.com/annihilus.sounds

Review by Andrew Stanton Annihilus - Follow a Song from the Sky. More Black Metal from America, this time a solo guy from Chicago.

I would call it atmospheric Black Metal, but I think there’s a bit of Industrial in there also.

Not an easy listen. So far it’s been a bit slow. It almost has a sludge feel to it. Apparently, he writes songs about comics. Not really getting any of it personally. The

112112

energy is okay in parts.

But the vocals are slow. But definitely a very hard listen.

It’s almost like a very slow version of Anaal Nathrakh at times. With faster vocals, I think I would have loved this. It all sort of sounds the same to me. I have just come to track 6 called ‘AMA’, this has been the fastest song so far, with a decent beat. The 5

songs before were very dull, and not really much going on with them. However, there’s only 2 more songs after this, so let’s see. Okay, it’s basically just gone back to the way the first 2 songs sounded. I have been reading online that some people actually like this. But it’s very dreary.

You know, we’ve all heard Anthrax, we’ve all heard Napalm Death, we’ve all heard Deicide, we’ve all heard Slayer. We have all heard the greatness of fast vocals, so why do it this way?

Review by Luc St-Clair the guts to live your own life without society’s pressure of religion. The song starts and finishes with hauntingly beautiful piano pieces, the middle is like a storm of guitars, thunderous drums with a symphonic flare.

The third track is “I Pray to I”, lyrically similar to “Neither Faith nor Fear”, it speaks about blind faith and how some people are just sheep. This song starts with a bang, it’s hard & heavy, it reminds me of Septicflesh & Fleshgod Apocalypse with that crazy guitar chugging and blast beats, but easing up a bit on the symphonic & orchestral

moments those groups are known for.

The final track is “Sky Burial”, the song asks the question What happens after we die? Does our faith have the answer? Are we alone? This is another hard-hitting song full of bombastic moments with the lead singer screaming his lyrics with heavy emotion like his life depended on it.

The EP has a great replayability, not just because it’s under 20 minutes, but because it’s very good with songs with soul-searching lyrics that will rattle you to your core. I can’t recommend this enough.

113 113

https://www.facebook.com/winternightsnyc

Winter Nights - Sky Burial.

Winter Nights are a melodic death metal quartet from New York with extreme metal influences. Sky Burial is their new EP. I stumbled upon this band through a friend’s recommendation and when it comes to this genre of metal, I’m always up for new discoveries.

Usually when I review fulllength albums, I pick a handful of my favorite songs and elaborate on them as part of my reviews. Because this is an EP with only 4 songs, I’ll cover all of them.

The group have a powerful sound with an agnostic theme, impending doom, tragedy, atmospheric & ominous sounds. Some parts are furiously fast and others slow down with doom metal-like elements. Lead singer Efrain Farfan has that specific growl that’s full of sorrow and remorse, but not a voice that is impossible to comprehend the lyrics thanks in part to a good production.

First track is “Time to Say Goodbye” and no, it’s not an Andrea Bocelli remake, although that would’ve been interesting.

It starts with an eerie bell chime like Black Sabbath, the song is about mourning the death of a loved one and the hopelessness that follows. This one gives me shivers and has this killer guitar solo in the middle.

After that we have “Neither Faith nor Fear”, it’s about not giving in to fear, to have

https://www.facebook.com/wolvesinthethroneroom

Review by Andrew Stanton Wolves in the Throne Room Primordial Arcana.

Apparently this band became a bit controversial a few years ago, but I couldn’t find out why. This is some atmospheric Black Metal from America. They’re one of those nature/mythology bands. Already I can tell it’s a bit epic which usually puts me off a bit. The first three songs were over 15 minutes. If you’re a fan of epic Black Metal, this is probably right up your street. I’m reading other peoples

114 114

reviews and reading about how amazing this is to some people.

I’m not sure if I’m listening to the same album, but I’m falling asleep here.

The studio vibe is way too laid back. long, slow songs. The blast beats seem to stay ever present, but do nothing to add any energy.

It’s a very dull listen. I just h av e n’t got the patients for it, or

at least so far. If you’re one of those people who thinks this is amazing, contact me and tell me why please.

Because I’m not hearing what you’re hearing. Now, maybe I don’t know good music when I hear it, but I doubt it. It’s one of those albums where I actually dread the next song starting up. The album almost has a very dream-like sound if you know what I mean.

It’s very slow and doomy but never depressing.

Apparently, this is beyond amazing. I have even read a review calling it the best Black Metal album of the year. Well, I hate it, but you can make your own mind up.

https://avtotheismdeath.bandcamp.com

Avtotheism - The Sleeper Awakens. ​Even though they have been active since 2016, this is their first album.

They call themselves Brutal Death Metal, but Doom fans will love this. There is a definite Doom influence here. It’s a bit slow, but it has parts where it really picks up.

I think the slowness is ruining this for me. It’s nothing I haven’t heard a million times before, but I don’t think being fresh is their intention.

A lot of the time on this album, the blast beats really take off with good fast music and energy, but the vocals still stay slow. For me personally, the parts with the fast growls are the only great parts. This band definitely have the talent to be a great band, they just need a lot more fast vocals. I think Death Metal fans who hate Doom Metal should avoid this one.

With more fast singing,

Review by Andrew Stanton this would be great. As it stands, I’m not a fan (or at least not of their debut), but I truly b e l i e v e

these guys can do great stuff. Too many times on here, the energy of the music doesn’t match the energy of the growls. But the growls are good and deep. I hope Avtotheism read my review and take my advice, because this band can do great stuff when they want.

115 115

https://www.facebook.com/TheMaledict

The Maledict - Remembrance.

Some quite interesting Doom Metal from Australia.

Sometimes it has a bit of a Folk element to it. The songs go on a bit ( obviously ).

Despite its length, it has some quite beautiful parts on it.

I’ve been a Metalhead since around 1986 and I think this is only the 3rd or 4th Australian Metal band I have heard.

I’m not sure if that’s my fault or the Metal media’s fault. This is Doom Metal, but there seems to be a lot going on with this recording. Obviously Folk Metal, Death Metal, Melodic Metal, even Black

116116

Review by Andrew Stanton Metal. A lot of clean vocals on this one. For me personally, the length is a bit much, but Doom fans seem to like it a bit epic. And even though it goes on a bit, it’s not crap. I have enjoyed listening to this. Every now and then w e g e t

some fancy female singing which is quite nice.

Of course, this is Doom Metal, but saying that, they don’t really remind me of anyone else. They clearly do it their way. If you’re like me and the epic stuff puts you off a bit, I wouldn’t let it bother you with this album. The quality speaks for itself. The only band they remind me of is In The Woods…, but even then it’s very fresh. The album plays for over an hour, but in that time you get so many different sounds and styles, it’s hard not to appreciate it. Just buy, it’s worth a minute to check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/Maysaloon.band

Maysaloon - A Lip to Earth, A Lip to Heaven and a Tongue to the Stars.

I have to admit, I don’t know much about the Syrian Metal scene.

Nothing at all if I’m honest. They call themselves Melodic Death Metal, I think I disagree personally.

Or at least not overly melodic. They write songs about Middle Eastern mythology, something else I’m not too up on.

From what I can tell so far, Mayasaloon are very very cool.

The vocals are great on this album, a sort of cross between deep and screechy. As soon as he started singing, I knew this was gonna be great. The songs are all in

Review by Andrew Stanton English, but I’m not really any better off. The more I listen, the more I’m getting interested in the Syrian scene. I have heard a few bands from Egypt, this is like them. This album has good songs with a decent energy. If

you’re a fan of any kind of Death Metal, I think I would recommend this. It’s all been pretty perfect really. This is

definitely a high quality album.

Perfect production with great musicianship. Hardly any faults. Those people who actually follow the Middle Eastern scene will be standing very proud with this release. And for the people who don’t follow it, maybe you should start.

117 117

https://www.facebook.com/NUNSLAUGHTER

Review by Andrew Stanton Nunslaughter - Red is the Color of Ripping Death.

Some old school Death Metal from America.

It’s short and played with good energy. I will say right away, I have heard many better old school bands, but it’s not crap. Sometimes it sounds like Death’s Leprosy era. The songs are okay on this. The vocals seem to stay between mid-paced and fast-ish.

118118

It’s some quite easy Death Metal to quickly get into.

Nunslaughter have been around forever. Believe it or not, around the same time as Death and Morbid Angel.

Not a part of the Florida scene though. And with that in mind, I have to admit, I have never heard of them before. According

to my resources, they have absolutely millions of releases.

How they have avoided me for so long is very confusing to me.

It’s not a boring album, it’s just an old sound. Some of these songs are really good. I would say it’s mostly okay. It’s not quite amazing, but it’s very good. I imagine their other albums are more or less like this, I might be wrong. It’s a great album, it just hasn’t blown me away.

Obscurity Skogarmaors.

Some quite good Viking Metal from Germany. In fact, I have heard many great Viking Metal bands from this country. So far I’m not really finding any faults. It’s all been very good up to now. Very Amon Amarth. Obscurity have actually been around for a while, but I can’t comment on their albums before Skogarmaors. It’s all in German (I think). I have to admit, at the start, I did

actually think he was singing in English, but I am a bit of a retard to be fair. The guitars on this get a bit melodic at times, but it’s all good. They really have taken the effort to write some good songs on this album. Not a bad song so far, it’s all been pretty great. Good energy and

some good double growling parts. Fans of this genre will love this. It’s definitely more Amon Amarth than Enslaved, but it clearly has some Black Folk parts on here. Some of the vocals remind me of Deicide. Fans of this genre who hate this album are just very weird to me. The songs are shortish, but the album is on for nearly an hour, but don’t let it put you off. I love the songs on this. Take it from me, Obscurity have earned a minute of your time.

119 119

https://www.facebook.com/obscuritybergischland

Review by Andrew Stanton

https://www.facebook.com/thyrfingofficial

Review by Andrew Stanton Thyrfing - Vanagandr.

Viking Metal from Sweden.

First of all, you know it’s gonna be decent.

How many bad Viking Metal bands have you heard? None of this appears to be in English from what I can tell. So far, they don’t really remind me of Enslaved or Ensiferum.

But I know I have heard this sound many times before. I have to

120120

add, this already has one of my favourite album covers. The songwriting

a n d arrangement is very good on this album.

Some quite toe tapping stuff throughout. Though it’s hardly original, it’s a quality release. People who follow this scene will love this album. One thing that makes Viking Metal great, is that no matter what language they sing

in, you know they’re singing about swinging swords and cutting heads off and probably very little else. Quite a few times so far, the album has gone into full melodic mode. It gets very pretty very often. It’s quality Viking Metal from Sweden. You should pretty much know the score already. Definitely more Black Metal than Amon Amarth, but not exactly full on Black like Enslaved. Well I like it, but you can judge it for yourselves.

Review by Andrew Stanton of them before. So far, it’s all been very horrible and I imagine quite proudly.

Some of the guitars get a bit melodic and pretty, but it still stays horrible. A few different

vo ca ls

on here from deep growled to a more high pitched screech. There is also another vocal which is more like a Hardcore shout, which to me doesn’t really fit in.

All in all, a very good album.

It’s done properly, it never gets boring or pretentious.

Just a great album. Good energy. Very, very cool.

Enjoy guys

121 121

https://www.facebook.com/Abortedofficial

Aborted Maniacult.

First of all, I hated the first song, but now I’m getting into this album.

Very similar to Dying Fetus and also came out roughly around the same time.

C e r t a i n parts keep reminding me of D e i c i d e’s ‘Scars of the Crucifix’ era.

It’s a very lively album.

Very much Blackened Death Metal, but they are labeled as Brutal Death Metal. I will let you make your own minds up. I’m not very educated with the Belgian scene, but I should be, because it’s all been great from what I’ve heard.

Aborted have been around for a very long time and I’m almost embarrassed to admit that I have never heard

https://www.facebook.com/gravelandofficial

Review by Andrew Stanton Graveland - Hour of Ragnarok.

I’m almost embarrassed to say I’ve never heard of these guys before, because they have been around forever.

According to my notes, they used to be a Raw Black Metal band but now create Viking Metal. They came out around the same time as Enslaved.

This is their twentieth album (yes, twentieth).

I’m getting more embarrassed by the minute. It’s not an

122122

easy listen. The songs don’t seem enjoyable. So far I would say it’s like Enslaved without the beautiful parts. It all appears to be in English, but who knows? All the songs sort of sound the same.

It’s not amazing, but some might love it. The keyboards seem to play that medieval Greensleeves sort of stuff

(like constantly).

Every now and then we get some Gregorian chanting (the best parts of it in my opinion). With more of this stuff, I actually think this would have been pretty amazing. It’s easy to see why some fans of Black Folk would love this, but I just wished they concentrated on the song writing more. This band CAN do amazing stuff, I can tell just by listening to this, they just don’t do it here. The songs need more variety and more energy. This could have been a masterpiece.

artists in Metal rarely fail to impress me. It can’t be easy. And now on to Living Decomposition for the next 5 tracks. Well first of all, it couldn’t be much different. Brutal Death Metal from

https://www.facebook.com/Living-Decomposition-269373669758180

Review by Andrew Stanton Venezuela. The music seems very strange with this band, or is it just me? The drums sound like Woody Woodpecker.

The growls are deep and in English, but not easy to make out.

Sometimes it s ou nds robotic. It’s not great, but it will appeal to the right sort of Metalhead.

And now for the split. Living Decomposition aren’t really much faster than Asarmoth ( or not on this at least ).

Asarmoth really steals the

show here, with some great songs. Some of these songs have appeared on previous releases of both the bands featured. It’s a nice little split for your CD collection. And as for you Asarmoth fan’s, it’s a must buy. A nice one all ready for Halloween. Enjoy.

123 123

https://gigibrowns68.wixsite.com/asarmoth

As ar m ot h / Living Decomposition Alliance in Chaos split.

Starting off with Italy’s Asarmoth.

It’s very much a Death Doom solo project. It’s slow, but with a bit of melody and groove. I like it.

Asarmoth plays the first 4 songs on here. It never really gets beautiful like Doom Metal often does.

He seems to concentrate more on the other side of Doom Metal. Solo

https://triggerband.bandcamp.com/album/back-to-the-roots

Review by Andrew Stanton Trigger - Back to the Roots.

Some pretty high energy Death Metal from Russia. I’m on about song 4 and I’m loving it. It’s very much old school Death Metal from a band I’ve never actually heard of before. It’s all in English and you’re gonna love it.

The growls are deep on this one. Sometimes the growls remind me

124124

of Opeth. The songs range from 3 to 5 minutes. Fans of Infiltration would love

this. This band sometimes have a bit of a Doomy sound every now and then. But it’s all very good and never boring. If you’re like me and you really hate a lot of modern Death

Metal, make sure you check these guys out.

They came out in 2012 and I hope their previous albums are as good as this.

The songs seem to stay a bit simple. It’s very much in the vein of Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under. I probably could go on a bit more, but how many bad old school Death Metal albums have you ever heard? It’s basically just a winning formula. It’s perfect and basically just a lot of fun.

Not much more to really say. Enjoy.

Review by Luc St-Clair powerful even when their softer side is revealed.

Another thing that fascinates me with this group is the back and forth of both singers Niilo Sevanen & Ville Friman, the harsh and clean vocals they display, no other melodeath

do. During the past pandemic, a lot of metal bands produced very aggressive albums which reflects what we all felt inside, fear, anxiety and anger and that’s fine.

With Argent Moon, I was absolutely captivated and felt an over whelming sense of peace.

band strikes that perfect vocal balance quite like they

125 125

https://www.facebook.com/insomniumofficial

Insomnium Argent Moon.

Insomnium are a melodic death metal quartet from Finland.

Argent Moon is their new 2021 EP. With this new EP, the group has put aside faster songs with shredding guitars and focused more on slower numbers with acoustics & strings. Songs like “The Antagonist” & “The Wanderer” have moments where the beats accelerate gradually, but that is the extent of the speed you will hear. It’s a softer, very passionate and even romantic EP with themes of lost love, despair, folklore & soulsearching. The sense of balance between the acoustical parts and the slightly heavier ones reminds you that this band can still sound

http://www.facebook.com/shadecrownband

Review by Luc St-Clair Shadecrown - Solitarian.

Shadecrown are a melodic death metal band with folk influences from Finland.

“Solitarian” is their 3rd fulllength album. To say that an abundance of talented metal bands come from Finland is the understatement of the year. Bands like Amorphis, Insomnium, Mors Principium Est & Wolfheart are just a few of the fine Finnish groups that are proudly displayed in my best playlists.

Although a new discovery for

126126

me, I can say that right off the bat that Shadecrown has made a nice addition to said playlist.

The album is off to a fantastic start with the awesome beats and riffs of “The Awakening”, the song has a sound of fairytale-like keyboards, groovy guitar hooks and lead singer

Jari Hokka’s harsh vocals, which remind me a little bit of Stefanos Kintzoglou of On Thorns I Lay. On “Slivers” we get a thunderous drumming beginning with a little Amon Amarth feel to it with it’s thrash vibe and catchy chorus.

“The Loss” gets downright emotional and sorrowful with its violin beginnings and the lead singer’s growls, you can feel the sadness and pain behind every word.

Based on the lyrics, the song feels very personal to the singer or at least the band. And finally, and clocking at a whopping 15 minutes and 17 seconds, the title album “Solitarian” does its magic. Another emotional song with piano, keyboards, tempo changes, acoustic moments, beautiful guitar solos and lead singer Jari Hokka’s longwinded growls brings this album to a very satisfying conclusion. Check out this band, you will not be disappointed.

Review by Luc St-Clair does it so flawlessly. Another thing I noticed is with the clean voice, it sounds a bit like James Hetfield (if I have to tell you who that is, you’re not a real metalhead). Next up is “Flight of the Fireflies”, a very straight forward, but heavy song with a nu metal influenced chorus.

“Carvings” & “Strangler” are balls to the walls heavy with incredible catchy choruses, specifically “Strangler’s” Get Out! Get out!

G e t out!

chant. The last song is the most different and the best on the EP. “A Sailor’s Tale” starts off with orchestral & folk elements, but this ain’t no sea chanty ye scoundrels! Suddenly, it morphs into this heavy monster full of crunchy riffs and thunderous drums. The lyrics and chorus feel like they should belong to bands like Alestorm & Ensiferum, but feels right at home here. After some crazy solos, the song calms down momentarily with more string instruments and boils over into this epic marching finale.

“Shaman” is a fantastic addition to the Orbit Culture catalogue.

127 127

https://www.facebook.com/OrbitCulture

Orbit Culture Shaman.

Orbit Culture are a Swedish melodic death metal group with groove elements.

“Shaman” is their 3rd EP. With brutal guitar riffs and ground-shaking drums, Orbit Culture are back and as savage as ever, but with it comes a few new surprises.

With their previous effort, “Nija”, that album had a science-fiction and futuristic theme to it, where as “Shaman” has a nautical & spiritual feel. In my opinion, this band are part of a subgenre of melodic death metal with other bands like Assault, Parasite Inc. and some elements of Anaal Nathrak. Heavy and low guitar riffs, a strong bass presence, crushing drums & harsh and clean vocals that compliment each other.

“Mast of the World” starts off this EP with gusto and kick-ass guitars, bombastic drums and eventually string instruments. The title is a metaphor for we all have a mast of the world as in different ways to communicate with society, whether we use love, hate or indifference is up to the beholder. I’m always impressed with lead singer Niklas Karlsson’s vocal ability to go from harsh to clean vocals, he

Upcoming albums

CRADLE OF FILTH have hit an unmistakable hot streak of creativity and urgency. As a new line-up coalesced around the creation of 2015’s «Hammer Of The Witches», fresh impetus propelled the band to new heights, as the revitalised crew became more in demand around the world than ever before. 2017’s «Cryptoriana -The Seductiveness Of Decay» repeated the trick with even more explosive flamboyance. Until a global pandemic brought the music industry to a jarring halt, CRADLE OF FILTH were almost permanently on the road and absolutely fucking flying. As a result, it should surprise no one that the band’s brand new album, «Existence Is Futile», is yet another monumental and electrifying journey through the dark.

A bewitching, fearless nosedive into the abyss, the band’s thirteenth studio album confirms the ferocious efficacy of CRADLE OF FILTH in 2021. Bold, brave, wildly imaginative and heavy as hell, the band’s latest runaway trainride through the flames is the perfect album for these most imperfect of times.

«Existence Is Futile» will be released on October 22, 2021.

128 128

Florida-based death metal legends Massacre are back! Featuring the very same creatures that appeared on the Chamber of Ages (1986) demo, as well as some of death metal’s most prolific and malignant songwriters, new album Resurgence is the perfect soundtrack to the gruesome plague era in which we all reside. That’s right, returning to the fold are vocalist Kam Lee (Mantas, Bone Gnawer) and original bassist Mike Borders. Joining them in their journey between space-time are: inhuman death metal machine Rogga Johansson (Megascavenger, Rib Spreader) on guitars, Jonny Pettersson (Wombbath) on guitars, Brynjar Helgetun (Crypticus) on drums, and solo fiend Scott Fairfax (Memoriam, As the World Dies) on guitars. Normally, we’d call this profane configuration a ‘supergroup,’ but the Great Old Ones have spoken, hailing the new Massacre lineup a ‘stellargroup.’ With cosmic horrors reanimating and Resurgence emanating pure, unadulterated death metal, the Massacre principals couldn’t be more pleased.

The six-piece have retained the nasty nebullic strength and aggression they invoked all those years ago on cult classic debut From Beyond (1991), but multiplied it for Resurgence.Resurgence will be released on October 22, 2021.

Omnium Gatherum is a five-piece melodic death metal band from Finland, founded in the autumn of 1996. Although the band mainly follows the path of the melodic death metal genre, much of their work shows strong influences from progressive metal, especially their later albums.

Tracklist 1. Emergence 2. Prime 3. Paragon 4. Reckoning 5. Fortitude 6. Friction 7. Tempest 8. Unity 9. Solemn 10. In Front Of Me (cover version) ‘Origin’ will be released on November 5, 2021.

Lineup Markus Vanhala - Guitars Aapo Koivisto - Keyboards Jukka Pelkonen - Vocals Tuomo Latvala - Drums Mikko Kivistö - Bass

Finnish dark prog metal sextet Swallow The Sun have announced they will release a brand new studio album, Moonflowers, through Century Media.

The new album comes with a full bonus album featuring very special instrumental versions of all the regular album tracks.

This instrumental album has been composed for strings and recorded at Sipoo Church in Finland. The strings were performed by the group called Trio NOX from Finland.

Tracklist 1. Moonflowers Bloom in Misery 2. Enemy 3. Woven into Sorrow 4. Keep Your Heart Safe from Me 5. All Hallow’s Grieve 6. The Void 7. The Fight of Your Life 8. This House Has No Home Moonflowers will be released on November 19, 2021.

Plague Bringers is Bryan’s 8th full length release, and is a part 2 to the concept album «Winters Plague (The Final Eclipse)» released in 2018. As that original album detailed an alien invasion of earth by blocking out the sun with a giant ship and freezing the planet, in which humanity inevitably arises to defeat the aliens. This part 2 album details the aftermath in the aliens perspective as they resurrect their long dead queen, clone an army, and escape their dying planet to enter earth once more. Using the power of a magic orb they open a portal through space, then hide in the darkness, manipulating humans minds to force mass suicides in their attempt at revenge. The mission however is in itself a suicide mission without their ship anymore to block out the sun (which is their weakness), they know they will perish along with the humans, leaving earth as a mass grave of emptiness... «Tomorrow is a lie, we won’t survive» but revenge is sweet.

“Plague Bringers” will be released on November 5, 2021.

With governments finally admitting that UFOs do in fact exist, and humanity attempting to heal from a state of recent crisis, the timing couldn’t be more appropriate for the newest addition to the HYPOCRISY catalog: WORSHIP. Aptly titled, the album cover shows a mass of humans reaching up mindlessly to the sky as glowing spaceships shaped like the HYPOCRISY crosses sigil beam down to descend upon earthen civilizations and Mayan temples. Designed by artist Blake Armstrong (Kataklysm, In Flames, Carnifex, etc.), WORSHIP’s artwork speaks to the history of the relationship between humanity and extraterrestrials. “They’re coming back to collect,” explains founder and HYPOCRISY mastermind Peter Tägtgren.

It has been 8 long years since the last record, and HYPOCRISY fans can feel the itch. WORSHIP is 11 tracks of precise, ferocious musicianship.

Commonly inspired by the fusion of the modern and the ancient, HYPOCRISY has once more found a way to combine innovative ideas with classic sound in order to deliver something metalheads can enjoyably consume with awe and brutal vigor.

Worship will be released on November 26, 2021.

129 129

#1

8

https://destroyerr78.wixsite.com/insidethedarkness https://www.facebook.com/InsideTheDarknessMetalZine https://www.instagram.com/inside_the_darkness_webzine/ https://twitter.com/metal_webzine https://vk.com/insidethedarknessmetalwebzine https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmLDw_n39t3M_Loc3hgzX1g

130