Slowly We Rot 9 / 2016 by Slowly We Rot

Greetings everyone, and welcome to another issue of Slowly We Rot, another released with a couple months delay, but another one I'm very proud of, maybe even more this time because it started to turn more towards supporting underground bands and their new releases, which will happen in the future as well, as much as possible. Much happened in the meantime concerning me, with the most important event being me and my wife had our first baby, Dragos Andrei, a tremendous joy although he keeps us busy to the max; my label, Loud Rage Music, released more stuff and became focused on supporting the Romanian scene which I think was the best decision in a scene that's flooded with small labels nowadays, so if you want to meet a somehow exotic scene like ours, check loudragemusic.com or directly loudragemusic.bandcamp.com, we have the best bands and a little support is always more than welcome; Pest Webzine is getting stronger and busier than ever while reaching a decade of activity this year; Pest Distro becomes a place for finding fantastic underground titles at very low prices for more and more fanatics of the genre. So all in all these are busy but happy times, hope they'll last forever.  I'd like to thank all bands, labels, distros and individuals that supported and keep supporting Slowly We Rot, my devoted and hugely valuable writers / friends: Sonia, Chris, Heather, Leslie, and of course Wolfy from The Crystallomantic Art for the sampler CD artwork. Until next time enjoy Slowly We Rot #9, your feedback would be much appreciated, so please send your thoughts on email, FaceBook, Twitter. Bands/labels interested in being featured in next Slowly We Rot issues get in touch! \m/ Yours truly, Adrian

Contents: Front cover: Mortiis Compilation cover artwork by The Crystallomantic Art (facebook.com/crystallomantia) All reviews, articles and unsigned interviews by Adrian All reviews also published in Pest Webzine at www.pestwebzine.com Slowly We Rot Contact: www.facebook.com/swrzine slowlywerot.miiduu.com swrzine@yahoo.com Slowly We Rot Team: Adrian (Romania) – editor – layout/interviews/reviews Leslie David (Hungary) – interviews Sonia Fonseca (Portugal) – interviews Chris Forbes (USA) – interviews Heather Williams (USA) – interviews

3. Editorial 4. Mortiis 6. Opprobrium 10. Brutality 12. Excruciation 14. Obscenity 15. Corpsefucking Art 16. Bloodway 17. Zloslut 20. Amenophis 22. Verdict Denied 24. Ashtar De Vermis Formicarius

25. Grace Disgraced Neverworld 26. The Drowning 27. Bulletsize Hautajaisyo Hellwaffe 28. Reverend Kill Solitary 30. Wormreich 32. Isolert 34. Kult ov Azazel 35. Atroce 36. Reviews 56. Zines Scene

OUT NOW:

Slowly We Rot Compilation CD #9 01. Alastor - Lord of the Bohemian Forest 02. Ashtar - She was a Witch 03. Bulletsize - Abomination 04. De Vermis - Battlecry of Ancient Lore 05. Excruciation - Lutheran Psalms 06. Formicarius - Lake of the Dead 07. Grace Disgraced - Grave Among the Stars (Lasting Afterdeaths) 08. Hautajaisyö - Minä Olen Vain Puu 09. Haiduk - Azyr 10. Hellwaffe - Bestial Act of Divine Destruction 11. Isolert - Frozen Mist 12. Neverworld - Under The Asylum 13. Outre-Tombe - La Fosse 14. Reverend Kill - Scabbybutt 15. Solitary - Unidentified 16. The Drowning - Dawn of Sorrow 17. Tyrael - Sonnige Tage

This March your ninth album “The Great Deceiver” is being released via Omnipresence Records. Why have you opted for that title? Is your stage persona Mortiis the deceiver? initially it was just a title I liked. It was the title of a song we had going on for a while. As time went by and the album became a complicated thing, the band dissolved and I had to fire a lot of people around me, the image changed, the music was re-written, rerecorded, artwork and imagery was replaced and changed multiple times and so on, the title became more symbolic of something that just isn´t what it appears to be. According to the band, “The Great Deceiver” is Mortiis‟s greatest and most comprehensive effort to date and you also said that “It‟s a „headphones record‟… why is that? Can you ellaborate on that? What can people expect from it? You´ll probably get more details out of it by listening on heapdhones. There are so many layers and little things going on. It sort of depends what you´ve heard of Mortiis before…If you never heard it, it´s a densely layered record, sort of mutated version of metal and industrial crossover… I think it´s very dynamic, there´s a lot of atmospheric sort of ambient parts in it, next to punk inspired anger…

In a recent statement you said “I'm a sucker for visual shit, so obviously the mask was bound to come back at some point. I just wasn't ready to admit it to myself until now, and certainly not to some entitled ass hat yelling that he wants it back." Why was this the right time to bring it back? Do people try to interfere with your creativity? Haha, sometimes I wonder. But in all seriousness, there are certain types of people out there that seem to be into certain bands not for the music, but for the visual aspect. I can understand it, because I really enjoy bands that provide a whole experience so to speak, something that goes beyond just the music. When I said that, it was a big tongue in cheek from my side, but there has been people out there being very vocal about how they think we suck because the mask is gone, etc. I just think they´re into it for the wrong reasons when all they care about it is the visual aspect and clearly have no real interest in the music. That was my point when I said that, I wasn´t going to let a few people influence me. If it was going to come back, it would come back when I was comfortable with it.

Conceptually “The Great Deceiver” takes us back to the ‟70s and appeals to fans of Filter, Static X, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails and Rob Zombie. Are these your inspirations? Why? I don´t think I heard Static X in my life… I might have a CD by Filter, that I thought was pretty good. Ministry and NIN have always been huge influences for me… Ministry because they make the punk-ish pissed off metal industrial sound so easy, while in fact I think they did reinvent the wheel with their early 90´s sound. NIN because of awesome songwriting, programming and sound design. Rob Zombie has some brilliant use of grooves and programming going on that I find very inspiring.

What does Mortiis look like in 2016 after all? Who is Mortiis nowadays? I´m a 40 year old pissed off punk, haha! What does Mortiis look like? Every bit as handsome as always, haha!

Songwriting is a continual, never-ending process and it seems your songs are pieced together during long stretches of time. Are you perfectionists in terms of sound? I don´t know if we´re perfectionists, but it certainly took a very long time this time. I think we just kept feeling that we could do better. It would often be a case of having worked on a bunch of songs, and then realizing that the oldest material needed to be improved to match the newer material…Sometimes we´d just discover a way to make something sound cool, and we´d have to go back to older material and do the same stuff… So a lot of back and forth like that was going on. However „Bleed Like You‟ was composed entirely on a piano and is the only song that came together in one day. Who inspired this song? It didn’t come together in one day I think… I can´t really remember, but it´s true that it was more or less all made on a piano. To be honest I can´t recall what inspired that song musically, I probably heard some piano based songs and wanted to create something that sort of ominous and doomy sounding on a piano, surrounded by a dark and kind of metallic soundtrack. A lot of times a song come out completely different than the initial idea, because as you work away on it, at least in my case, sounds and melodies start appearing in my head and I´ll just go with the flow. I never worked in a rigid, methodical way. It´s always been flexible. “The Shining Lamp of God” has a different sound and many fans have compared the track “The Shining Lamp of God” to Ministry. How do you feel when people compare you to other artists? Why do you keep on reinventing yourself? It´s an interesting comparison, especially because that song was initially inspired by White/Rob Zombie (the chugger riffs) and The Prodigy (the drum programming). I don´t have a problem with being compared to other artists, like most other artists out there I have to get my ideas from somewhere, I just happen to be very honest about where my ideas come from. Actually songs like “Feed the Greed” and “Scalding the Burnt” are way more inspired by Ministry than The Shining Lamp Of God. As for the reinventing of myself… It just happens, a natural evolution I suppose. It´s not 100% planned, although of course I do have a certain interest in keeping it interesting and a bit unexpected. The video for this track is quite impressive. Who comes up with those ideas? Both the “Doppelganger” and “The shining lamp of God” were directed by Robyn Von Swank in the same weekend. We both came up with the main theme, the sort of 1800´s dark laboratory type environment. The quality of the videos are thanks to Robyn and her team of setbuilders, camera people, makeup and FX people and so on. Does your creativity flow easily? Apart from all the great music you‟ve created, you‟ve also created music for movies… is there something left for you to do? Do you use inspiration only for music or do you use it to create other kinds of art? I had several years of creative blackout actually, which was pretty terrible. I am only recently feeling the motivation to create anything again, which is a positive thing. I never tried to create any other art, because I´m pretty confident, it would suck terribly,

life actually gets rough, I´d probably be way more dedicated.

haha. Right now I´m starting to think about the next move musically, we are talking about possibly doing some cover songs, as we´ve never done that before. Might be fun.

Sometimes you use weird hashtags like #duranduran. Why? To mess with the fans‟ minds? Haha yeah… I honestly hate hashtags, but like most other people, you gotta work that social media. In the beginning we´d send people paper flyers by mail… these days it´s hashtags and promoted posts on Facebook. I once hashtagged Britney Spears, and someone from her fanclub (official or not I have no idea) wrote back and said they liked our picture. It was hilarious! I try to limit the amount of hashtags to just a handful, and only to Instagram. I see guys drown their posts in hashtags….20-30 of them…It just seems so desperate: “look at me! Over here! Everyone please look at me!” Haha!

This coming May the “Demons are back” tour will be available in the UK. How excited are you? What‟s the best thing about being on tour? And the worst? The worst is probably being away from my kids. They´re noisy, crazy creatures that drive me crazy at home, but I miss them as soon as we´re apart. Natural human emotion I guess. Apart from that, I´ve been on tour many times, so while there´s a lot of stuff that sucks about it, like stinky, small backstages with poor catering etc, that stuff is nothing new. The best thing of course is playing to a great energetic crowd. Any semiprofessional band will feed off that crowd and deliver that energy back in the form of a great show. Yeah pretty excited to be going back to the UK, it´s been a while. Hopefully we can get a European tour going after that.

As a father what‟s the lesson/value you think is most important to pass on to your kid(s)? Don´t be a bully, and don´t let people bully you. Be honest. I don´t have a lot of great philosophies to pass on to them unfortunately… I wish I was a wiser man.

The band played in the States late last year… how was the experience of playing live again? How are you received there? We got great feedback from people after the shows… We played with Mushroomhead in some really strange places in the US, almost no major cities or typical markets, so often it was a scenario where we´d play a great show, and the crowds were observing and listening. We almost always hang out after the shows though, so we get to talk to people and there were lots of handshakes and great feedback, so that was always cool. Of course there would be shows where the crowd just went wild: stage diving, crowd surfing, etc…

What‟s on your playlist these days? Very random. Today I listened to Missing Persons first EP from the early 1980´s… A bunch of NWOBHM singles: Crucifixion, Tygers of Pan Tang, Heavy Load, Sledgehammer, etc … I´m on this weird mix of old heavy metal and old synth/pop/new wave thing at the moment, but it varies greatly. I almost never listen to anything new. Please share a message with our readers. Thanks for your interest. The Great deceiver is out, and we have a bunch of ordering links over at www.mortiis.com - we also have a very cool double LP with triple gatefold sleeve and 12 page 12” booklet coming out May 20th. We will have the setup for preorders ready in a few days. Also over at www.mortiis.com - the LP will come in 3 different colors: black, brown and a sort of green. All very limited.

I read you don‟t tolerate mistakes live. Is that so? Why? Sounds like you must have read some interviews where I got badly misquoted. That happens when I do phoners…Language barriers, you know. I don´t have a problem with playing mistakes live…Fuck I make them all the time. I´ve come in too early or too late, forgotten lyrics etc…It´s all part of reality on stage.

Interview by Sonia Fonseca - March 2016 You have a punk attitude and you grew up on hard rock bands and Kiss and Wasp have had a great influence on you… did hard rock help create who you are today? When in life did you realize you needed to fight the system? Haha I am sure real punks would laugh at me. Mr family man that I am, haha! I just fucking hate liars, in any shape or form, dishonesty, greed, etc. I have been fucked badly in past record contracts by some very greedy people. Not always dishonest, there´s honest greed too. But it still is a quality I have no time for. My family has been the victim of many a crazed monologue in front of the TV when bullshit toothpaste or hair product commercial claims to be miracle products… It´s all lies, lies, lies. I´m not really a politically minded person, but I fucking hate politician talk, especially when people outside of politics start talking like politicians. Just be fucking straight. I live in Norway, though, at the end of the day, very expensive and I´m pissed off at all the fees and taxes they impose on us, but regardless, it is maybe the safest place in the world… I really can´t complain too much. I am very thankful that my kids get to grow up here, and not in Swaziland or some batshit crazy place. If I was living somewhere else where

MORTIIS – The Great Deceiver is out now on Omnipresence 5

What was it like living in Brazil? How long were you there for before you came to Louisiana? What were some of the big differences between the 2 places? Francis: We left Brazil when we were really young, back in 1981. Since we use to live in Rio, from what I could remember it felt like NY, but with Beaches. There isn't much difference, since Brazilians are a lot like Americans in many ways.

Now where you based out of was it easy to get your hands on underground metal stuff? Was there a local store that carried metal or was there many metal tours that came in the area that you could go to? Francis: There was no record store, we had to look for metal magazines and see where they would sale the music that we liked thru ads in these magazines. Back then Fanzines was a big thing, and we use to get information from word of mouth or fanzines when it came to our style of music, since back then this type of music was none existent in the mainstream metal media.

What were you like growing up as a kid? Did you come from a big or small family? Moyses: Big family. It was great. I remember me and my brothers watching lots of cartoons and TV series. Also going to the beach to body surf and play soccer at the beach or local parks.

At what point did you decide to pick up and instrument and at the time was that the idea to go and form and underground metal band? What did your parents think of that idea and over the years did they ever listen to your music or see the band play live? Moyses: I remember just wanting to play the drums along with the records that I had, I didn't even think to play in a band or anything, then after my brother Francis learned how to play guitar, we used to play cover songs just for fun, then after that we thought to form a band and play just for fun. Our parents did not like at first, but after they came to our first show they were impressed.

What did you want to be as a kid growing up? Were you always into music at a young age or did that come later on? Francis: Music came to me naturally. I've always wanted to make a living with music when I was young. But since the internet I think that dream will not be a reality, since no one is buying music anymore. The music industry is in trouble. It's extremely rare for a band to make money and still be able to sustain a family in music nowadays. Some bands do make money touring and are still able to sustain a family. What were some fun things you did as a kid while you were growing up? Did you have many friends and was the city Metairie a big or small town? Moyses: Play video games, collecting cards, etc. Yes we had many friends from school, Metairie is not a big town like New Orleans, things there is not too far but Metairie grew a lot over the last few years.

Was there a solid underground metal scene back then in your area at the time? Now was it easy to find other musicians into underground metal music and how did you guys find each other and did the band go through many line-up changes before you came to the line-up that recorded the Supernatural Death demo? Francis: In the beginning no, there was no death / thrash metal scene back then. We had to play with heavy metal bands or punk rock bands if we wanted to play live since there we no other bands that play Death / Thrash, there were a few but back then they played with rock bands or punk bands also. When it came to musicians, it wasn't difficult. But as you know, Scot, Moyses and I started playing heavy metal and then we decided to play a different style of music, we all agreed concerning this change musically back then, it was a natural occurrence.

When did music start to enter your life? What were some of the early bands that you heard on the radio? Francis: I think that what made me start thinking about music back then, was when MTV back in the 80s and College radio stations. The music videos back then had a great influence on me back then when it came to music. Early bands I liked was Wall of Vodoo, Flock of Seagulls, lot of punk bands back then, and of course rock bands like DIO, And many other metal bands like Sabbath, etc. If it sounded good I would listen to.

Were you friends with the other bands that were around back then and were there any music stores that underground stuff from labels like Combat, Megaforce, etc? Moyses: Yes we kinda knew many bands from back then from our local scene. We had a few cool local shops that used to have LP's from bands from those labels, it was cool.

Now do you remember your 1st record that you brought? Do you remember where you got it at and do you still have it after all these years? Moyses: Yes I remember, but it wasn't metal, I forgot the name of the band, it was a long time ago, but no I don't have it anymore.

Now before I continue how long was the band called Opprobrium before you changed your name to Incubus? Where did you come up with the name of Opprobrium? Why did you change the name of the band so quickly? How did you come up with the name of Incubus? Francis: The name OPPROBRIUM was picked by me; I got the name OPPROBRIUM from the Bible. The name change came about the release of Discerning Forces. The name Incubus (Our old band name) was picked by my brother Reginaldo, and back then we liked that name. But to tell you the truth, I prefer OPPROBRIUM, because it fits better with our lyrics and it has a futuristic sound to it. Moyses: We used to be called Incubus from 1986 until 1999, then in the year 2000 we changed the name to Opprobrium.

Now what were some of the 1st bands that you got into as far as music goes and are you still fans of any of these bands these days or have you moved on from them? Francis: When it came to guitars, I use to love DIO, since Vivian Campbell was the guitarist for DIO back then. I still jam to those songs till this day. As far as moving on, well, I still listen to all songs that made part of my life growing up, a great song last forever. How did you end up discovering heavy metal music in general? Was it a particular friend or a family member? Did you like metal music at 1st or did it take a few listens to get into it? Moyses: The heaviest bands I heard as a kid was Cheap Trick, then Queen, Boston, then in school I heard my friends listening to Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Rush, etc, then the more I listened to it I liked.

What were some of your influences back then music wise and tell me something that might surprise people about you? Moyses: So many...Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Rush, Motorhead, Black Sabbath and many more. What might surprise people about me? Not much really, just love metal ha, ha, ha!

Now we get to move onto the underground he he. How did you discover the underground metal scene? Was this from a friend or several friends? What were some of the 1st bands that you heard? Did you like it right away or did it take a few listens to get into this new style of metal? Francis: When we started, the underground was none existent, we just did our thing and people liked it, and from there many other bands followed their own path in their own way. We just decided to play Metal, and play live; we never thought about a scene, we only saw ourselves as musicians that had a new style to offer to the people so they could have a great time enjoying the music. Back then this style of music was looked down upon, but I am happy to see how it is accepted nowadays, this style of music came a long way. I am happy to see that people respect this style of music now like any other style.

Now you are back to the name of Opprobrium because there is some other asshole band with the name of Incubus these days from CA. Now did you also now back then that there was a band from Georgia with the same name that recorded just a demo that also had the name of Incubus and that they were a death metal name? Did either one of you come across each other over the years? Francis: Back then there was no way to have known. Since information was hard to come by, there was no internet back then LOL. And no, we never came across them, we were young and all we wanted was to play music and have fun. Now you released your 1st demo in May of 1987. What was the line-up of the band back then and looking back what are your thoughts on this demo these days? Did you know about the whole tape trading and fanzine thing back then? If so did you send the demo out to many fanzines back then and if so what

Now when you started listening to underground metal, was it like a drug that you wanted to hear more and more bands?

Where did you record this release and how did the recording process go and what was the line-up of the band these days? How easy did the songs come together for this release? When you gave it a listen after it was released what were you thoughts on it? What were the reviews like? Looking back was there anything you would try and change on this release? Moyses: We recorded and mixed the second album 'Beyond The Unknown' at Morrisound Studio in Tampa, the recording process went great, me and Francis rehearsed a lot and we were very prepared when we entered the studio to record. The line-up at that moment were just me and my brother Francis, we did not had time to find a new bass player at the time. We were still living in Louisiana 2 years before we moved to Florida that we me and Francis had all the songs completed, I remember it was a very difficult record to write, we kept fine tuning and changing the songs for a long time until we were really satisfied. After me and Francis gave it a listen after it was released, we were very happy and very proud of the hard work that we invested in it. The reviews were great worldwide. No, we would not try to change nothing on 'B.T.U.'. Those songs were written and performed from the heart on this record.

What studio did you record the demo at and were you nervous at all going into the studio? Back then how did a song come together and what were the early practices for the band like? What would you say were the early influences of the band back then? Francis: It was an underground studio when we recorded the Supernatural Death demo. But since it was expensive, we had to record it all live, not like it is done today were band goes to the studio and record piece by piece. Back then you had to know your stuff before going to the studio since studio time was expensive. It was brutal recording back then LOL.

How did you come up with the cover and title for this release? Now your time with Nuclear Blast was for only one album. How did they treat you while you were on the label and did you get to do any type of touring? Francis: Beyond The Unknown album title was due to the album cover design, it had to match the album cover that we choose. I can't remember how many albums we signed with them at this moment, but they did do a good job when it came to releasing the Beyond the unknown and our 1991 Tour in Europe to support the Beyond the unknown release.

Your next release was released in August of 1987 and was a live soundboard tape. Whose idea was it to release this and seeing a picture of it on a Maxell tape brought back memories. Why a live soundboard so quick in your career? Where was it recorded at and don‟t you think that at an hour and 22 minutes is a bit long for an underground bands live tape? Moyses: We've never officially released this tape, I think it leaked somehow, but that show was at the now closed legendary VFW Hall in New Orleans if that's the one that I'm thinking of, we used to record those live soundboard cassettes for personal enjoyment and to review our live performances, that's all, but it was never intended to be released.

Did you think you were a good live band and did you get to play many shows over your career during this time? Are any clips or shows on sites like You Tube these days? What are some of the bands that you shared the stage with over the bands? Have you ever played overseas and if you have not do you hope to now that the band is back in action? Moyses: Opprobrium always deliver when we play live, we always play live with fury and power. Yes we played many, many shows and also European tour. Yes you can find the clips online. We shared the stage with many awesome bands, too many to mention. We've played and tour overseas before, now we hope to land another tour soon so we can play for the old and new fans of the band and play the full 'Serpent Temptation' album live on stage to promote the re-release by Relapse.

Now did you send this tape out for reviews and such or was this something just to set at local shows and stuff? Around how many of these were printed up and do you have your original copy? Francis: We use to sell in our live shows and give to friends, and from there the word got out and people really liked the songs. As far as copies I do not remember, and yes we do have an original copy in our bands archives.

Ok what led to the band breaking up? Was it a number of things or just one thing in particular? Did either of you join any other bands while Incubus was dormant at this time in the 90”s? Did you follow the underground scene at the time as the music business was changing big time with the demise, sadly, of fanzines and cds sales and the internet making a big blast and labels even just releasing stuff as digital releases only. Francis: The band never broke up; we were just at a lost due to the name change of the band at that time. And we had to in many ways to start all over again do to the name change. We never did join another band back then. Concerning the music industry, I really do not see any money to be made in music anymore, unless someone releases an software that blocks all forms of piracy online LOL, until then, I really do not see anyway to make money in music anymore. The bad thing about this is that, what young artist would want to spend days and hours like I did learning guitar, knowing that there is no money to be made in music? I feel sad for the future musicians, since money is a great motivator and with no money, there is no motivation to do a great job. No one should work for free. With no good musicians in the far future because of this, music will only repeat itself and music will be dumb down, and the NEW creative process will be lost because no one will want to be a musician since there is no money to be made. Moyses: Francis is correct. Again, a band can only make money if they tour all year round and sell their merch, like Francis said a band cannot make a decent living from only LP's, Cd's and digital sales, it's not enough, they will have to go on the road if they want to make money, the music industry nowadays is not like it used to be decades ago.

In April of 1988 you released “Serpent Temptation” on Brutal Records. Was this an actual label or was this your label with a name of Brutal Records? If Brutal was a real label how did you find them or how did they find you and where did you record this now classic release? How did the writing of these songs come together and did you know when the release came out that you had something special in your hands so to speak? Moyses: I think they got in touch with our old management, probably because of the demo if I'm not mistaken. We recorded the album in Metairie (New Orleans), at Southlake Studio, it no longer exist now, and we mixed it at the legendary Track Record Studio in Hollywood (Los Angeles) and we was very happy with the production. We had some more songs written after the 'Supenatural Death' demo that we decided to include in the album along with some songs from the demo. After me, Francis and Scot heard the final product playback in the studio in Los Angeles; we kinda felt the power of the songs from the album. How did you come up with the name for the album and also the killer artwork? When the album came out what was reaction to it? I think it is simply amazing did some feel it was too fast ha ha? Francis: The name "Serpent Temptation" we choose because it would make it easier to make an album cover, this song title. My brother Reginaldo did the album cover. Back then it was all done with spray paint (The album cover).

Now in 1996 Radiation Records, which was part of Nuclear Blast Records, reissued your „Serpent Temptation”release. This is not the same record as the 1988 release on Brutal Records in the US and on Metalworks in the UK. The rerelease has many lyrics changed to be less violent and new vocals from Guitarist

Who wrote the songs and the lyrics back then? The songs on Serpent Temptation are so fuckin catchy and the songs are so memorable and the blast beats will beat you into oblivion. Is that what you were trying to capture when you were recording this classic album? When someone calls this album a “classic”, what would you say to them? Moyses: Francis wrote all the riffs, then I assisted him with all the arrangements and song structures, being a drummer I kinda felt the different tempos of each chord and helped combine the riffs to flow musically within each song. Yeah, the blast beats combined really well with Francis riffs, and the way the songs where written it served the songs well. Yes, we captured the intensity and the power in the album that we were looking for, it was great, very similar to what a movie director seeks to capture in a motion picture. We never thought that 'Serpent' would become a classic death metal / thrash metal album, it really stood the test of time.

Now at what point did the band decide to get back together? Is this when you found about that other shitty band named Incubus in CA? Was it a pretty easy decision to just go back to your original name? Now I read that your original bass player Scot W. Latour rejoined after not being in the band almost 20 years? That is amazing. So what is the current line-up of the band these days? Francis: Like I’ve said, we never broke up as a band (Moyses and I). With Scot, It would be great to do as many shows live with him and play Serpent Temptation live, but we are still waiting for a tour offer, until then, many fans will not be able to see the band live, since we all know that is not cheap to tour and it takes money, and we also want to make money, like I said, it has to be a good tour offer. Since labels aren't making that much money like they used to and bands are not making money, it will become harder for bands to tour since albums sales are super low.

Do you think you‟re an original band and at what time do you think you found your sound so to speak? Francis: Yes, I've always wanted to be original when it came to our sound. Looking back, what are some of the highlights and lowlights of the bands career? Moyses: I think all the albums that we put out and past shows and tours were some of the highlights. I can't find that many lowlights on the bands career, we are all thankful and very happy with everything that we do as a band. Does the technology of today in some ways amaze you as now there is now no more writing letters, dubbing tapes, etc? Do you miss those days because I sure do? I just feel the underground is not what it used to be and all bands care about is getting likes on their Facebook page and stuff. Francis: The digital age has changed a lot of things. I like the old ways that when you bought an album you would see the art work, read the lyrics, etc.., it had a great feeling. Digital music is good, but with a touch of a button it vanishes in our IPhone or Android phones, there is no art work, only a digital album cover. I never did care about Faceboook likes, likes does not make band money, only true album sales do. But like I said, no one is buying music anymore like they used to.

Now how did Francis Howard and Scot Latour end up signing background vocals on Sepultura album Beneath the Remains? How about Francis Howard did guest session vocals on two Cannibal Corpse songs on the album Eaten Back to Life? Moyses: On the Sepultura album, it happened in 1989 when we got in touch with Max and we went to visit him in Tampa since he was doing the vocals for 'Beneath The Remains' there at Morrisound Studio, we went to see one of the sessions and he called Francis and Scot to see if they wanted to do the backing vocals and they all went behind the mike and did it right there on the spot. On the Cannibal Corpse album, me and Francis were living in Tampa at that time, I can't remember too well, but I think that their producer Scot Burns called us one evening and told us that the guys from Cannibal Corpse were recording their album and asked us if we could to go to the studio to meet the guys and that they wanted to find out if Francis could do some backing vocals with Chris Barnes, so me and Francis went there, met the band, then Francis and Chris went to record the vocal tracks.

When can we expect to hear some new music from the band and I hope it is in the same style as your previous stuff? Sadly many bands after a couple releases would change their style and not stay the same path as their previous stuff. Moyses: We will be trying to release the new album before 2017 hopefully. The new material is awesome and yes it very close to the early previous stuff; it will be a monster album! Opprobrium will continue to play our original style of death metal as we ever did.

What was the 1st practice like and how fun has it been getting back together and learning your old songs again and how hard has it been if it has been hard at all and Moyses how hard has it been doing blast beats after all this time? Moyses: It was great fun! We knew most of the songs already, so we kinda just had to review the minor details. About the blast beats, I'm always practicing so the blast beats just comes naturally for me, I feel I'm playing better and faster now then when I was in my mid 20's.

Mega metal thanks for doing this interview and last words you would care to say before we wrap this up? Francis: Thank you for this great interview, and I would also like to invite all our OPPROBRIUM fans throughout the world to check out an instrumental rock album that I’ve recently released entitled "Let Your Light Shine" in digital format only, Band name: And It Echoed In Every Part. It's a different style, many fans will enjoy it. Also I would like to thank you once again and all our fans for the support. Thank you very much. Moyses: Thank you for the interview! Also thanks to all the Opprobrium fans around the world for the support over the years, we really appreciate it! Take care everyone and keep on metal!

Now what happened to Luiz Carlos, who has sadly passed away? Did he play on any releases or many live shows at all? Francis: Did Luiz passed away? Are you sure? It's been since 2009 since I last spoke with him. If you have any information concerning him, please let me know. Luiz never did play any shows with us, since we did not have any tour support for Discerning Forces at that time. Does the band have any goals at all? Are you still on Metal Mind Records or are you looking for a new label these days? Moyses: Yes we still lots of goals; we want to tour to support the 'Serpent Temptation' (1988) re-release from Relapse, release the new album and continue touring. No we no longer with Metal Mind.

Interview by Chris Forbes - May 2016

How are your fans reacting to this new album? How are the reviews so far? Reviews have been great and so have the fans we did this for them. Do you all have regular jobs outside of the music business? Do your colleagues know about the band? What do they think about it? What about your families, I know you are married and with kids, I guess they all support your work with Brutality, am I right? All of our families and coworkers in our daily live support us this was all possible because of them and their support. How's life in Florida nowadays? How's the Metal scene over there at the moment? Do you know any local upcoming Death Metal talented bands? Koroidia and Murder Suicide from South Florida are two band to look out for and are also on Ceremonial Records. The scene here is still pretty good but nothing like the Glorious Days. Florida living is great if you like the sunshine and heat. What do your guts tell you, who will be the next US president? I personally don’t keep up with politics I don’t think it matters who’s president.

How come you chose Repulsive Echo instead of a major label? In last year's interview you were saying you're not interested in any labels, what changed in the meantime? Nothing changed we have been talking with Kostas at Repulsive about other projects we didn’t want major deal with a label so we let Repulsive license it in Europe.

Thanks a lot for your time and best of luck with the new album! Thank you and all of our fans this is for you guys without you we are nothing stay brutal.

Do you feel underground labels offer more support to their bands? I know you're still mad on Nuclear Blast for the period you were signed with them, why is that? We are not mad at Nuclear Blast, we just didn’t get the push from them like we had expected back 93’-97’. Repulsive is underground like Brutality so we thought it would be more personal than with a bigger label.

April 2016

What does Sea of Ignorance means to you? I mean the album title. It basically means that the world around us is just a mass of total stupidity and the human race is in for a terrible storm of destruction, What are the link between the cover artwork and the general concept of the album? By the way, which topics were "on the table" for this album's lyrics? Who did the cover artwork? Max Winter and Art Hammer did the cover art and layout designs. Most of the lyrics are about the everyday topics in the world around us that are far more brutal than the fairy tale lyrics a lot of death metal lyrics are about. I think the cover art shows that if something isn’t done our world as we know it wont exist much longer. You were supposed to record with Alex Marquez on drums, yet you added Ruston Grosse to the line-up. What happened? Who is Ruston Grosse? Is he a permanent member of the band now? Ruston came in when Alex wasn’t able to rerecord tracks due to Don exiting the band in the middle of recording! We met him a few times when he came through town with Master on tour so we asked him if he was interested in recording the album. Right now we are working with another local drummer to play live shows. How did it feel recording a full-length album after 20 years since your previous opus? Where have you recorded and who was the producer? We recorded at New Constellation in Orlando FL with Jarrett Pritchard. Recording was great we had a great time and impressed ourselves in the end. As you already stated in your other interviews this year, you haven't changed much on this album in terms of composition, what do you respond to those who will accuse you for being outdated? We just did what we always have done while writing we weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel. Why have you decided to record a cover of Bathory's Shores in Flames track? Are you Bathory fans? What other old-school bands are on your all time favorite lists? Was it hard to get the necessary rights to feature the cover on your album? Will you play it live, too? We won’t be playing it live, we gave them all the credits for the song writing for the recording. Our favorite band stem from Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Hell Hammer, Merciful Fate, Queensryche the list goes on into other music genres like Blues and classical. We’ve been Bathory since the early 80’s we picked Shores because we all really liked the Hammer Heart LP. Despite of its name Brutality was always one of those bands that prefered to add a bit of melody and atmosphere in their compositions, am I right? Why not chosing to go as fast or as brutal as possible like many other bands do in Death Metal nowadays? Do you think there's still room for development in this genre? There is always room to do something different in extreme music. We could write super tech/fast songs all day but those kind of songs have no feeling and most likely won’t be vey memorable. All music should have a melody brutal or not.

BRUTALITY – Sea of Ignorance is out on Repulsive Echo Records 10

Back in the days were you in contact or even friends with nowadays legendary Celtic Frost / Hellhammer, Coroner, Samael or even Alastis? How were your contacts outside of the country? As told before, the scene was small and we all knew each other and with most of them we had a great friendship and had the same group of friends. Especially with Coroner we were hanging out on almost a daily basis. Or Messiah, with whom we even bought a tour bus together. Less with Samael and Alastis, they live in the French part of Switzerland. But whenever we met we had a great time together, some crazy parties done. Outside Switzerland we had a close friendship with Destruction, at least in the beginning, and with Wicca, Minotaur, Agressor, Witches, Outburst, Extrema and with some Italian Hardcore-bands like Negazione, Crash Box, Kina, etc... It was sometimes a bit more difficult than today, considering that we just had snail mail. Is it true that you haven‘t released anything between those years? On what was your activity based on? I wouldn't say that, as we released something every year, mostly demos. After having released three tapes we recorded "Last Judgement" in '86, that was later on released by Chainsaw Murder on vinyl. After that we recorded our first full-length "Prophecy of Immortality", but Chainsaw Murder ceased to exist and although we had several offers, even from bigger companies, we failed to get a deal. Mostly because we didn't want to sell our soul, you may ask some bands that had a deal during that time how those contracts were..... And partly because we were still very young and naive and maybe even a little bigheaded. You know, even before "Last Judgement", was released, still a demo band, we played gigs in Germany, Italy and some great gigs in Switzerland. For instance with The Young Gods in front of 1400 people, in Milan in front of 800 etc.... And as a 17year old you start to dream, haha. We usually played up to 20 gigs a year, even though we were not going on tours. So you see, it wasn't boring at all.

What happened in ‘91 and how come it took so many years (until 2005) for the band to come back? The usual thing, musical and personal differences. Each one wanted the band to head into another direction. Some more extreme, other more mainstream and others wanted to include electronic elements etc.... I also was not happy at all that "Anno Domini - An Anthology of the Past" was released by Turbo. This led to some discussions. And don't forget, we had spent most of our teenage time together and maybe were also fed up with with each other. So even Turbo Music had already booked the Morisound Studios for our next album, we decided to call it quit. In 2005 Andy was wondering what we were all up to and managed to contact everyone and we went for a dinner and had a few drinks. We had completely lost contact over the years so there was a lot of talking but still it felt like in the early years again. Andy was managing a young band at this time and he could use their rehearsal room and asked if we would be willing to meet once for the old time's sake and play some songs. He was missing playing drums. So it all started, without the idea of a reunion, just have some fun and have some beers. It took a few months until we decided to go on. For me it was important that we decided to write new music and not ending up as a cover band of our early stuff.

How will you promote this new album? Doing some gigs, interviews, spreading it as much as we can and hopefully WormHoleDeath are doing their homework too. [c]rust is released only 2 years after the previous full-length, [g]host, so pretty quick. How would you explain this intense enthousiasm within the band even after so many years of activity? We still like what we do, it‘s a big part in our life. Usually the writing for an album takes no longer than a year. It took us longer between [t]horns and [g]host because we wrote most of the album twice. Due some line up-changes we decided to trash most of the songs and restart, especially when José left who was our main songwriter. It felt wrong using his songs for the album. Also I don‘t like it if it takes too much time to get something finished. I like it done quickly as it is the most sincere way to do something. It should be like a „musical“ photograph reflecting a period in your life. What‘s with the square brackets in your latest 3 albums and how come the debut album doesn‘t have them? The title should try to describe an album and usually there are more facets than one word can depict. So maketwo out of one word. I like to play with metaphors, that one thing can also mean something else, kinda dualism, good/bad etc.... In [t]horns for example, you got thorns that can stand for pain, blood, death, humilation but it's also a symbol, especially in a religious way, for forgiveness, love, devotion. Horns on the other side can stand for evil or sexuality, satanism and the free will to do whatever you like. Summing this up you get our album. It's also on our first records "Angels to some, demons to others", we just used a few words more than on the following records, haha.

What‘s the band line-up at the moment? Are you friends and hang out even outside of the band? How do you spend your days? It's Andy, Marcel, D.D. and me from the 1985 line up and HNS who joined in 2009 and brought some fresh air into the band. Of course we are friends or wouldn't do it otherwise. But due to family, work etc., we don't hang out together as much it used to be. Apart from the band, me and Hannes have our own little label Auric Records which also takes some time. And some side-projects are planned (Christhammer, Auric Exciton) some with all members, some not. Now getting back to [c]rust, could you please tell us a bit about the concept behind it? Or is it that every track has its own story? How important are lyrics for Excruciation? What we wanted to achieve this time, to get back to our earliest roots, to that music that influenced us in the very beginning, apart from Metal, and let it flow into our sound. Allowing Punk, Post-Punk and Crust to have it's room. Hence the title. There was no main concept, the songs are about Death and the decay of life, man and morals. That is being symbolised by "rust". Most of the lyrics are about things that happen around me, my family or friends, about my personal view of what is going wrong in this world, my ever growing lack of understanding the church and it's dogmas and the people behind it.

The band was active between ‚84 and ‚91, correct? How do you recall those years? How was the Swiss Metal scene in those years? Who came up with the band name back then and what impressions did you get from friends/listeners? Yes, that's correct, and hell, we've been there while a whole new scene was born. It was great discovering all those new bands that brought Metal to a new level, it was like going on a hunt chasing for new and unheard music. This was an exciting time. I may sound like an old fart, but I miss this. Nowadays you can get everything in seconds and somehow it all sounds the same, well mostly. In the beginning there was no big extreme metal scene and of course not many bands apart from Celtic Frost/Hellhammer, Necromancer and us. Most of the metalheads thought we would just produce noise and the more they hated it, the better we felt. Back then we had more followers in the Punk and Hardcore-scene than in the Metal-scene. Of course all our friends liked it, but they were all connected with these three bands in one way or another. Originally the band was called Fate Blade, looks like the founding members were huge fans of Mercyful Fate and Tokyo Blade. It was Martin Ain who suggested to change the name to Excruciation as this would be more "evil", and of course you don't say no to him. Looking back I'm sure he just wanted us to have a name no one can pronounce or even remember. One rival less for Celtic Frost, haha.

You recorded the album in Italy and mastered it in USA, how come? How was the whole process? Wao from RealSound Studios contacted us, that he would like to work with us so we checked the studio out. And we love Italy, the food, the relaxing way of life. Not the first time that we went to record to Italy and we were always satisfied and hda a great time. Which is something really important to us. We also checked several mastering studios and Nick from New Alliance did the best test master and the price was also right. We tend to have our records mastered by someone who hasn't been involved in the recording process. Just to have a fresh pair of ears.

EXCRUCIATION - [c]rust

Interest in physical products is probably at a lowest point ever yet you decided to release this new album in a lot of versions and formats, how come? Do you think it‘s still important for a band to release its music in physical format? Where is this practice heading to? You're absolutely right. Saleswise it doesn't really matter anymore but we're just too oldschool to be satisfied with a digital only release. If I don't have anything in my hand it feels like it's not out there at all. And as long the sales are high enough that the initial pressing costs are covered, so why not. And yes, I think it's important or I wouldn't buy any records anymore. Digital only releases devaluate the music itself and people do not appreciate it anymore like they should and stop buying. And there's also the point, that there are albums that should be listened the way they come, one song after the other in the order how it was meant to get the real feel of the record.

is out on Auric Records Do you have any plans to touring Europe or at least scoring some gigs / fests in the near future? How tough is it for a mature band like yours to arrange tours and long trips with families at home and I guess stable jobs that require more attention than in your teens? We're doing a few smaller festival gigs right now, but do not intendto go on tour, we've always been a band doing single gigs, don't think that we would survive each other if we would have to stay weeks together on tour, haha. Of course, some of us have families and jobs you can't quit for several weeks a year. August 2016

very cool. We were taught by every step he does.. So we were very comfortable with Kolony !

Are you going to do some tours as well, or stick to weekend gigs and festivals only to promote the album? Are you guys married, with kids? How much of your spare time gets devoted to the band? We are in negotiation with a booking company at this time to play the European sector..Beside that we play weekendgigs and single shows … I am the only one who has got children.. They are between teenage and adult ages and are living together with my ex wife.. So , I don´t have to consider ….

Your previous album, Atrophied in Anguish, was out in 2012, so there are 4 years in between your latest releases. How much of this time was dedicated to promoting the previous album and how much working on the new album? We have recorded „ Retaliation“ in April/ May 2015 and were looking for the right label to release it. It takes its time to communicate with labels and choose the right one. And before a CD gets released ,you will have 3 month for preparation the advertisings in magazines and stuff like that.Before that ,the album must have been pressed and running trough distribution. So this was the year before the release. For songwriting , arrangements and rehearsing the new songs we needed almost 2 years. And after the release from „ AiA“ we promoted our stuff by playing gigs and shows...

Obscenity went steady from its inception, keeping the same path (I'd say a kind of German Cannibal Corpse), I'm curious how respected are you (or how respected do you feel you are) in the German scene. How's the new generation responding to your tunes? I guess you have all ages in your audiences at shows now, am I right? We are still well known here in our home country, but there are a shitload of bands who are coming up at this time who got more attention because they are new. People are courious and always looking out for new stuff. But most of them are doing this old school style. The fans are absolutely crazy about that shit. Everybody has got a full beard , a bald head and this battle vests...Really don´t know what´s going on here ...You are right when you say we have some similar elements like Cannibal Corpse.. but I don´t compare us to them. We are more influenced in tighter stuff like for example Malevolent Creation , Monstrosity or maybe Vader...Shure, we have all ages on our gigs.. but I think the average ages are between 25 and 35 years...The problem are the younger ones at the age of 18 or 20... because we had a break in Obscenity for a couple of years and most people forgot about us...

Tobias is your new vocalist, what's his background? What are the differences between him and Oliver or Jeff? Are his vocals teh only novelty in Obscenity's music on Retaliation? He was in the band for a temporary time after Jeff leaves. He was in for some shows and the album „ Retaliation“ because he was living far away from our homebase. He was also a friend of our bassplayer and they both left the band end / beginning of2015/2016 because of their jobs .The difference was his deeper voice and the vocal phrasings and patterns. He had a band before ,that was not very succesfull . They did some DM in the vein of Napalm Death , I think... Jeff was in the band for „ AiA“ and some shows until he quit for his family life .. He got married and has got children in between. So he was not able to do that shit anymore. Another reason was to build up a private Dojo for martial arts. He was doing it for some time …

Do you still remember how was your debut album received back in 1992? Were you doing lots of trades back then? And how important were fanzines for spreading a band's name back then? I can remember like yesterday... How could you forget your first time ,hahaha... There are a lot of requests in the past years for a re-release. And we actually did it last year via a small Dutch Label( VIC Rec.s). Fanzines are really important for bands..In my opinion the printed ones are more important than the online zines. These guys often research better than their online mates.. and it seems more warmly . They invest more time and heart in it, and of course more money in the distribution. The printed word counts !

What can you tell us about the recording, mixing and mastering processes? Were there any influences from outside the band or at this point you pretty much don't accept any more input from others and keep it your own way? No, we didn´t have any influences from the outside! The complete recording session was done by ourself or our direction. The mix and mastering was done by Stefano Morabito in his 16th Cellar Studio in Rome.. We could not have been there but he got our instructions and wishes and he was exactly doing what we were talking about before.. Same was by Paolo Girardi who was responsible for the coverpainting.. He was given some track names , lyrics and a small idea of what we were thinking about. The rest was done by his interpretation. But we were absolutly satisfied with it. Also with Stefanos mix and mastering works of course !

Thanks a lot for your time and answer. You´re welcome , man. Thanx for having us at your zine . We are very excited about it! Stay obscene..... August 2016

Some might say the lyrics are the usual clichees. How important are they for Obscenity? Do you have anything to transmit through your lyrical themes? For me , the lyrical works comes at second position. The sound of the voice and the vocal patterns and phrases are much more important. But if you really read between the lines you can feel a horrible atmosphere of fear , scorn and rage in it.. The cover artwork is pretty artistic I'd say, who did it and how related is it to the lyrics / music on Retaliation? The creature stands for the retaliation against the worlds menace ..Everybody can interprete it for its own. It looks very cool, I think. We choose a painted cover for „Retaliation“ , because it was time to do some handcrafted in the artwork. Most bands prefer photoshop stuff because it is faster to realize and not to expensive . But we wanted to do something special for the album, and so we decided for a painted one... Back in the days the band was going steady with Morbid Records up to a point, but the rest of your albums are all under different roofs. What does the band look for in a label? What's the critaria you make your choices? Any choices you regret so far? How's the collaboration with Kolony so far? Kolony is a young label from Italy. Lorenzo Marcello, the owner, is a metalhead ,too. On the other side , he is a businessmen, what is very important for the structure and the business plan. The most important thing is the distribution. Without that you can´t sell cd´s.. A label must be reachable for the artist.. When you have questions or need advice, a label has to give solutions . Some labels are into booking stuff or passing on interviews and stuff like that. It depends on the label. We did not regret our label decisions in the bands history.. They all released our stuff .. But what did happend behind the curtain, we did not now.. Sometimes it is better …The work with Kolony is

OBSCENITY – Retaliation is out now on Kolony Records 14

So there are 20 years of Corpsefucking Art this year, a hell of a lot of time. You're the only founding member still in the band, how was it all these years when you look back? What were the biggest successes and what were the biggest disappointments for yourself personally, and for the band? Exactly are 23 years, eheh a long trip into death metal. Anyway during the years the band has always developed positively. The highest point i believe was the tour in the Usa in the 2014, to travel and bring our music on stages it is the best

How come you decided to release it on two South American labels? Ever been to South America? Do you plan to visit it with the band sometime soon? In the last years we collaborated with several labels to release our official merchandise, one of those was the Rotten Cemetery Records from Chile that was immediately interested to release our official DVD, and will print also the official shirt of the release and other promo materials. The Grinder Cirujano Records Records from Argentina choosed also to support the release. It was just by case that the 2 labels are from South America, i have never been there but i have some friends there and would love to visit that area one day.

You have a new line-up since 2014, after the release of your latest album. Why the line-up change right after the release? Who are the current members and how steady do you see this new group? Before the recording of the album "Quel Cimitero Accanto Alla Villa" our second guitarist Marco moved to Los Angeles for working reasons, and the old singer just after the master degree had to do a choice, he also lives in another city and was complicate for him to follow the many live concerts. Now, with Mario (Devangelic/Vulvectomy) and Francesco, the line up is stable, and we are working hard for the future.

Who took care of the cover artwork? Why this title for the DVD? The cover of the Dvd, as all the layout, was created from Francesco, our singer. He is a professional graphic designer with many years of experience. The title is taken from a song that is included in our third full length "Zombiefuck" and was supposed to be a tribute to the movie "Beverly Hills Cops", the cover looks very similar to the one of the original movie, there is only one mask more eheh.

The band haven't released anything new since 2014, so what did you guys do in the meantime, only live shows in support of Quel cimitero accanto alla villa, or also composing new stuff? When can we expect a new album? Will there be any major (or even minor) changes in Corpsefucking Art's music? We focused on the promotion of the last album. After the tour in Usa we played in several European fests and did also some shows in our country. Actually we are working on the songwriting of the songs for the new album and the lyrics. Certainly after the summer we will be ready for the recording of the new album. The first 3 songs of the new album are ready and they sound like the natural evolution of the songs in "Quel Cimitero..", it is not a secret we love first albums 'Cannibal Corpse and so we will get inspired trying to elaborate different solutions.

Tell us about Mr. Daisy - The Movie. Mr-Daisy the movie is a short movie of the hero that is on all our album covers, named intact Mr. Daisy. Lately i started to collaborate con la Headbanging Production, they really believed in my first screenplay and we started to create this serial, a kind of psichological splatter grotesque story that will be developed in several episodes. We have almost concluded the first pilot episode. What's in plan for the band in what concerns live gigs this year? What's the even you expect the most? We will do some European festivals and some concerts in our country to promote the release of the DVD. As i said before, we are already working at the new album and we are planning a 2017 Usa tour to support the following release.

Is the band still on Sevared or are you looking for other options? We have still not decided, Sevared was always great with us and helped us for our requests, for sure it is the label that will have priority, but to valuate eventual other offers has not to be excluded.

Please recommend us some upcoming names from the Italian Death Metal scene. Lately with my label Despise the Sun Records i printed the first album of the band "Fulci" a new band that definitely i recommend. I wanted also to talk about my other projects "Morbo", Death metal style more focused on early 90's , we already released our first album. The italian death metal scene is really very alive, there are many quality bands around.

Where does the band name come from and what does it mean? The name of the band is a clear tribute to the master diector Buttgereit and his masterpiece Nekromantik. Corpsefucking Art it is a documentary in funny style, where actors laugh and joke before filming scenes of decapitations or weird sex. The author present this work, his magic and the behind the scene of a movie that describe the morbid perversions of necrophilia, primordial chaos.

May 2016

Greetings Costin, thanks for taking your time to answer

What inspired your vocal tone? Was it a trial and error process until you finally stick to it? Well, is actually my tone. Since late 90's when I had my first band(s), when I was taking care aslo of teh vocals I was trying different techniques, and most of them sounded quite bad. I discovered few tones which are very familiar for my body, liek the one I am using mainly in Bloodway , one which is close to what Attila is doing in Mayhem and one closest to Sentenced. So far, I got stuck into teh main one, because can fit most of my music. I will see what future brings.

Who came up with the band's name, Bloodway, and what's the meaning behind it? When you fist started it, what were the dreams and what percent of them were fulfilled by now? What's left? I came up with the name. BLOODWAY represents all experiences and paths that somebody can achieve and discover during a lifetime. Is a good name for a gathering of explorers, don't you think? When we started we wanted to make some really cool metal which to present our particular view about this music. We are continuing to develor this, with every new song or skecth which we are building in the rehearsal room.

What's the best thing that happened to the band after the release of this debut album? What would be the next level to achieve for Bloodway as a band? The release tour with Valborg was amazing, as also our latest show with Aura Noir , in Bucharest. That was the best show so far, at many levels. What is most important for us is to develop our wild character adn to be able to fly all 3 together, in a high level of musicianship coherence while we play live. We are discovering ourselves with every show in this matter, so I am very excited to see what level we can reach!

Mapping the Moment with the Logic of Dreams is your debut album, released last year, how was it received? As an outsider I saw things being done extremely professional and thorough, how much time was spent on its conception, recording and production? Thank you. Yes, we had tones of great reviews and very nice feedback. It is a step further at all levels, comparng with the previous material, which was an EP. As for conception, first song we finished in December 2013 I think. So until September 2014, we worked on the rest and payed some shows with the old songs. In the studio we recorded the drums live, without any click track in one day and each instrument had one day for recording. We went prepared in teh studio, like also our sound engineer Marius Costache said once. The guy is fantastic, the studio 148 is great as well, so we felt like home. We made aslo some very small addons in the studio, but most of music and lyrics remained the way we created it in our rehearsal room.

Talking about underground Metal musicians, how frustrating is it for a good one to be forced to take care of the business aspect of his work instead of only focusing on creating his art? What does it takes to become a professional, to be able to only focus on your craft? Is it even possible? It might be possible, but depends. My life so far shown me the total opposite, lots of scums, untrusted people, appearing to be as big proffesionals and so on...yes, is damn frustrating to take care of the paperwork, booking, business discussions when you are an artist. There are still musical genres whcih can cope well with that. But for me, as a guy who needs before every show to get into the right mood, to meditate and enter into a specific state of mind....yes, is beyond horrible. Because I took care of booking bymyself I had lots of nerves all the time as I am not a person who likes to fight with people. I do not stand this obssession of people of mocking and trying to steal at least a bit from other people. Is all about the attitude and respect. Why the hell you cannot stick to agreed arangements until the fucking end? I will never undesratdn that. But, at the same time, I experienced with other bands moments when we had a booking agent and in the end the guy vanished and still there was somebody needed there, to

What would be the closest definition for Bloodway's music in your opinion? Is it what you aimed for or is it work in progress? Bloodway will always be a work in progress. Like the name says, is an experience, same as life. You have no idea where it can go. Explorest with good taste can be the closest definition of what we are doing. Tell us about the album title and track's names, they all seem pretty personal and well thought, with in depth meanings to you (I guess you wrote them), correct? Is there a concept behind the album's lyrics?

What's next for Bloodway this year? Are you planning maybe a new video? We will see about the video, so far we released our collaboration EP with Valborg, 2 songs which all 6 members of both bands composed and recorded together....we are now planning the live schedule for autumn, a very special concert in Bucharest with the biggest production we ever had, Blood & Fire Production will release a de-luxe limited edition of cassettes of our both releases (with bonus tracks, maximum booklet pages and so on...). There are actually lots of plans.

The album title (please tell us its exact translation) seems to be closely linked with the album artwork, correct? Who did the artwork? The album translates to "In Trance with the Unknown Silhouettes", you are right the album name is very linked to the cover. It's the engraving made by Martin Schongauer called "Saint Anthony Tormented by Demons", I find that piece of art very reflecting to my music and lyrics... I was thinking of contacting an artist to make something similar, but in the end it would have been ridiculous, or maybe even to say rip off... So I choosed to take the original, and I think it's a great tribute to the artist, in this way his art continue to live.

How about the work for your next opus, have you already started it? How do the new track sound? Yeah, we started, but this year was beyond strange. Everything got fucked up in our lifes after the tragic events from Bucharest last year, so we consumed many months just by trying to get back on shape, as we almost lost our will to play back then. So from one point we started to work again on things, using that as a group therapy. Yes, we already have some new tunes, but from record to record I see taht we need more and more time, because we become more and more pretentious with the final result. So we are working on songs adn working, and working, and sometimes we decide to drop it off, completely or to radically change the structure, because is not teh way we feel as it's best....and all of this is happening because our obsession with coherence. Composition, story, vibe, lyrics, everything is like a standalone thing, each song like a being. We do not like to see the poor being looking like an abortion. And, by time I guess we developed higher standads of appreciation the level of abortion hahahah

What about the lyrics on this new album, what are they about? Why have you chosen to sing in native tongue only and not in English? There is not a specific reason why I have choosed to sing in Serbian... I must have felt more comfortable to do it in Serbian, I guess. The lyrics deals with life and death mysteries, but as well the omnipresent negative part of the self. And a slight spiritual approach inspired by occult doctrines. Some reviews are pointing your music as sounding traditional (Black Metal), do you agree with that? What does Zloslut bring new to the table, what do you think makes your music different in any way? Yes, musically it is traditional black metal, but we do not stick to the standards imposed by stereotyped people from the genre. So you can hear instrumentals as well, as I think that they are very essential to make an ensemble to finish the puzzle and make a whole. Take for exemple our first album and the closing track "NiĹĄtavilo", 10 minutes long guitar voyage... But to go back on our latest opus, I think it brings a new vision and perspective, which one? It depends of the person, each one feels different when art comes in.

Any chance Satanochio will ever get back on track? No. August 2016

The album has an organic, "real" sound, was it something you planned? How come you chose multiple studios to record the album? How "Black Metal friendly" are the studios in Serbia? I wanted a natural sound, nothing synthetic... Serbia is not black metal friendly, so neither are the studios, and that is why I had to mix between two or three of them. And it was also a budget question, so finding quality for cheap is not a pleasant journey. But now, looking backwards, I am very satisfied of the outcome. Nothing to add or remove! I know you were planning a tour for March 2016, did it happen? What's in plan for the remainder of the year, maybe some Summer festivals? Yes, there was a tour planned for this March, I mentioned that in a previous interview... I can't tell any details, but it is just postponed. For now there are no summer festivals planned, we are working on the third album, but also the promotion of the actual album that shall see soon the light also on tape and vinyl! But we do plan several concerts later this year.

BLOODWAY - Mapping The Moment With The Logic Of Dreams is out on I, Voidhanger Records 17

ZLOSLUT - U transu sa nepoznatim siluetama

The Serbian scene has grown a lot over the past few years, how do you see it now, what should be improved and what's its best feature? Any bands you'd recommend us? I think that Metal is finally taking shape here, but very slowly, it is due to many factors of course... The best feature are the artists, we have many creative musicians, I would recommend the legendary The Stone, Infest... But also our brother bands Paimonia, Ophidian Coil, Triumfall, Propast, MrĹžnja, Svartgren... In the non metal scene I would recommend Ana Never.

is out on Winterblast Halls

April 2016

1990 but it wasn’t finished until the next year.

Was it recorded in a studio or at your rehearsal room? How was it recorded at all? No studio involved, it was strictly recorded in our rehearsal place. We used a four-track cassette recorder, which somewhat explains the lo-fi quality. Very primitive. For some unknown reason we decided to record the drums last! This is why they sound out of sync at times. With this in mind, our drummer Mikael did a great job. How would you described this first demo? What kind of memories did you have in terms of songwriting, recording, cover artwork, sound etc.? Most of the songs which ended up on the first demo were composed early on. For instance, the song “Obscure Apotheosis” contain some of the earliest riffs I wrote. Those with a keen sense of hearing can without much difficulty trace its origins, at least partially. “The Church of Abaddon” was the first song co-written by Esa, and it’s also, I think, the most diverse composition on the recording. As for the artwork and lyrics, I was the main protagonist. Besides the usual horror movies, I took much inspiration from horror/occult fiction with writers such as H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, and Algernon Blackwood. I’ve always liked the tales of the uncanny and supernatural, and most of the lyrics were written in this style. Not very original though, I must confess. We didn’t have a specific sound in mind when we put those first songs on tape. It was more of an anything goes attitude.

What were your most important musical influences? When we first started I think our main influences were bands such as Slayer, Possessed, Bathory, Death, and Kreator. Speaking for myself, I also liked punk like Discharge, The Exploited, and Septic Death. Although not so apparent in the music, I was stirred by such bands equally. We never said that we were going to sound like a specific band; we didn’t have a blueprint so to speak. I was certainly inspired, or maybe affected is the right word, by the spirit of the underground metal scene in Sweden, but in terms of our music, none of the Swedish bands really served as inspiration. With that said, I must add that I liked some of the Swedish groups on a musical level. If I’ve to name my favourites it would be Obscurity, Merciless, Grotesque, Grave, and Treblinka/Tiamat (the early recordings). Without hesitation, I must say that the most defining death metal band for me was Morbid Angel. When I first heard Altars of Madness in 1989 it changed everything. This was THE album that made me aspire to play faster and more brutal death metal. I still listen to it regularly. Utter perfection!

Do you agree with, that the demo shows a rather rough and rudimentary sound, incorporates some slight black metal influences and dark atmosphere? Yes, I agree, it sounds rather rough and rudimentary. I like those words – “rough” and “rudimentary”. This is also what defined the Östergötland sound of early extreme metal; it had a more “rural” (in Swedish “bondsk”) or primitive feeling than for example the raw and melodic sound associated with Stockholm and Gothenburg, respectively. Black metal influences? Very slightly if you ask me. We all worshipped Bathory like gods, but in my mind the first recording is pure death metal. In hindsight, I can see some similarities, primarily in the vocals, but they were quite unintentional. I was trying to sound like a young David Vincent or Jeff Becerra. I’ve to admit, the first recording has a certain eerie feeling to it all.

Would you say, that you belonged to the first generation of Swedish death metal along with the likes of DISMEMBER, CARNAGE, NIHILIST/ENTOMBED, GRAVE, MEFISTO, OBSCURITY to name a few? We didn’t start as early as Mefisto and Obscurity. I consider them pioneers in the Swedish underground and certainly among the first to follow in Bathory’s footsteps. As for the rest of the lot, we were active around the same time, so it’s safe to say that we fall into that category.

Could have easily been the band snatched up for other lower tier bands like SORCERY, EPITAPH etc.? Well, like those bands we kind of worked in the outskirts of the established ones. Does this answer your question?

Stockholm and Gothenburg were the centers of the Swedish death metal movement, but what about your hometown Norrköping? Was it a great and healthy scene in your town? The extreme metal scene in Norrköping was very small in the beginning. If I remember correctly, Amenophis and Marduk were formed around the same time. There were a few other bands around, but they played more or less traditional thrash metal. If you take the whole region of Östergötland in account it’s a different matter. I guess the scene started fairly early in Linköping with bands such as Satanic Slaughter, Morbidity,Total Death, and Orchriste. The nearby town of Söderköping had bands like Allegiance and Grimorium early on. Finspång soon became the death metal centre with an abundance of bands, to numerous to mention. As for the rest of the region, I’m not knowledgeable enough to comment in detail. I guess the main centre for the whole scene was the place Nya Strömmen in Norrköping, at least in the early days. Most of the concerts arranged by Power Hour (a local radio program devoted to metal and hardcore/punk) were held there. The building also housed rehearsal rooms for the local clientele. I’ve very fond memories of this place, where I used to hang out and watch great bands like Merciless and Invocator thrashing away. I like to visit the old venue time and again and take a stroll down the memory lane, thinking about when Carcass played there around the time of their second album. They’d the great taste to use a slideshow of autopsy pictures as a stage backdrop. It caused quite a stir among the locals. Fun times!

Before the second demo was released you decided to focus on your guitar playing and Martin Gustavsson joined the band, how did he get in the picture exactly? What about his musical background? We were part of the same metal community. The crowd from Söderköping, where he came from, and Norrköping was basically the same. I think we first met up at Nya Strömmen during some “Thrash Bash” concert or similar. I know that Darkified used to rehearse in those venues, so that's probably the location for our first encounter. But really, I don’t remember. It’s all a bit hazy. In addition to Darkified he also sang with Grimorium and Allegiance. Did he also take part in the songcomposing? No, maybe he did some suggestions, but the music was solely written by me, Esa and Robert. In 1992 you released your second demo titled “The Twelfth Hour”, would you say, that you turned in a more mature and technical direction? Yes, I like to think so. By the time of our second recording, most of the baby fat had fallen off the bone, so a more technical approach was only natural. The sound was also a clear improvement compared to our first effort. In addition it captures more of my personal imagination regarding the musical development of the band. When we started to write new songs for the second demo, I’d become increasingly tired of the stale sound of death metal. As I wrote in the liner notes to the compilation CD, I wanted to go back to the black/thrash/speed metal roots but still retain the aggressive and brutal side. At this time I was mostly listening to early Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Possessed, Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost, and similar acts – the bloody family tree of death metal! I think this becomes apparent when you listen to the two songs “Eyes of Fire” and “In the Dead of Night”, mainly written by myself.

What do you recall of your rehearsals? Did you start writing originals right from the start or were you jamming mostly on covers? I remember that we initially did some covers such as Bathory’s “Call from the Grave”, Possessed’s “March to Die”, and Slayer’s “Raining Blood”. Later on we also tried to do Mercyful Fate’s “Come to the Sabbath”, but it didn’t sound right in our version so thankfully we never played it live. There’s a lesson to be told here, don’t EVER try to do a cover by Mercyful Fate! Their legacy is a sanctuary that should be left untouched by human hands. More to the point, we didn’t have the intention to be a cover band and started to write our own material early on.

Do you think, that the general obscure, occult atmosphere of the first demo is lost, and in its place the band decided to concentrate more on delivering a more technical output? I don’t think the atmosphere is lost, it’s merely different. The lyrical themes were more or less the same, usually based on subjects such as demonic possession, black magic sorcery, ghostly hauntings, and other niceties. That eerie feeling is also still there, at least I think so.

Your first effort was a four tracks affair, that was released in 1991, in your opinion, did this demo come out too late compared to the birth of the band? Why did it pass three years between the foundation of the band and the releasing of the demo? As I told earlier, we were still trying to perfect our instruments. We did record some rehearsals previously, but I didn’t think we were ready to release a demo until then. I like to add that we started to record Amenophis in

Was the fresh version of “Church of Abaddon” a clear improvement on your 1991 sound? “The Church of Abaddon” was one of those songs which we always did live. A real

This year I Hate Records released a compilation titled “Demos 1991-1992” featuring your two demos, how came up with the idea to release this material? It was Robert who initiated the whole thing and got in touch with I Hate Records. Originally, we intended only to release the second demo on CD, but the record label also convinced us to include the first one, which I’m very pleased with now. In addition, the CD took some time to finish since the original master tapes suffered from old age, but I’m glad we didn’t hasten it. The sound on the CD is very close to the cassettes. Very authentic.

How often did you play live? We played live on several occasions. I think we were first and foremost a live band. I guess the most memorable gig was the one we did with Marduk at Vilbergen’s youth centre in our hometown in 1991. This was originally intended to be a youth music festival, but without consent from the main organizers we did most of the booking. Eventually, the whole event turned into an extreme metal and punk extravaganza. Imagine all the families with children having to endure loud hellish music with distorted guitars, blasting drums, and screaming vocals. Fun times indeed!

Did you have songs written, that didn’t make up on the demos at the end? I’ve a few cassette recordings of our first rehearsals, which contain some unique material as well as early drafts of the songs on the first demo, but they sound way too – hmm, what’s the word? – “rudimentary”. Needless to say, they didn’t make it to the compilation CD. We also recorded another song called “House by the Cemetery” when we did our first demo. It just didn't sound right so we discarded it from the finished version of Amenophis. We played it live on a few occasions though.

The band split up in 1993, what kind of reasons did lead to the demise of the group? Why couldn’t go further, like other bands, such as DISMEMBER, UNLEASHED, GRAVE etc.? The band didn’t actually split up in 1993. Esa decided to quit the band that year and the rest of us continued as a quartet. We kept on rehearsing and writing new songs until early 1995. By then I think most of the fire was gone.

Was it done only for old, die hard fanatics or do you think, is it a good chance, possibility to discover AMENOPHIS for younger fans as well? There’s still hope for the young. Do you still follow what’s going on in the underground scene? No, I haven’t followed the scene for years. These days I’m more into progressive rock from the early 70’s, in particular Zeuhl and bands connected with the Rock In Opposition movement, such as MAGMA, Henry Cow, Univers Zero, and Art Zoyd. I still love metal, but I prefer the old stuff. Sadistik Exekution still makes me purr like a FUKKING cat!

Nowadays Martin is in PLAGUE WARHEAD, Robert is playing in DEATHQUINTET, but what about you, drummer Mikael Eriksson and second guitarist Esa Sorsa? Did they stop playing metal and stepped out of the metal scene?

Tim, thanks a lot for your answers, anything to add? Thanks for the interview. Great to hear from Transylvania/Romania. I love E.M. Cioran by the way. Is he like your national hero? Interview by Leslie David

June 2016

AMENOPHIS – Demos 1991 – 1992 Is out now on I Hate Records

For State To End All Terror you decided to keep working with Secret Port, how important is a label for a band like yours nowadays when anyone can record an album at home and release it a click's distance from his own bedroom? Secret Port Records came to our radar a few years back when our original label bankrupted. They offered a good deal and since then it is a mutual co-operation. We deal with the music, they deal with the release, distribution promotion etc. They have their network and we get a chance to reach all its branches. What’s the big difference from most labels nowadays is that we do not pay for our music’s promotion where you have to pay and cross your fingers that they will bother to get you somewhere. As for the “one click away” thing that’s pretty common today and all I can say is that maybe the middle man will get to the side and what I mean is the labels as they were known till recently. For bands like us, maybe the future lies to the DIY method more than ever but this time it reaches higher levels of sales than before. So I kind of believe that the Indie labels will be finished, as their most significant part, which is the “indie” element, will be controlled by the bands. I do not mean that in any mean way, it’s just what I believe might happen. In a way websites like bandcamp etc. are kind of like that in cooperation with the artists. They offer their webpage and the artist does the rest, they get their fee and everybody’s happy. As for the big labels, I believe that they will survive as they will adjust themselves into new standards. This world as we know it will change and they will make it through. Don’t kid yourself that big organizations and companies “will get what they deserve” cause they won’t.

State To End All Terror is the name of your new EP, the first official release after the band's resurrection, how does it feel to be back on tracks? How big are your expectations after such a long hiatus and what's your opinion on the final outcome of this EP? It feels great to release a new album or an EP like in this case. Like any band struggling to get noticed we feel hopeful and optimistic when it comes to give new music to the public. Apart from the hiatus period I have to say that we have already written the music for our next full length. We made a pre-production demo of 13 songs and 2 of them appear in this EP. We have our own studio now and we record and rehearse there. In the shadows, we learned to use our equipment and wrote 70 minutes of music. So we weren’t inactive for as much time as the public believes. As for the expectations part, we are ambitious of course and hope for the best. Keeping my feet on the ground, I 'd say that we want to add a few more fans and be given more opportunities by promoters.

If you were to describe Verdict Denied's music in three words, which ones would they be? Metal Thrash Progressive like the Myspace profile options. How important is for the band to up to date with equipment? Are you all obsessed with your instruments and gear? What do you use at the moment and how important is to use good gear in order to produce good music? The gear issue is a big deal for any band. We have some decent recording equipment and off course there are limitations as we pay from our own money. Each one of us though has a high quality thing in their gear like a guitar or an amp. There is always something that good each one of us maybe has the luxury to own.

If I'm not mistaken there is a concept behind this album, would you care to explain? How important are lyrics for Verdict Denied? There is a concept behind the EP and it is connected with the next full length. It’s not a concept album like let’s say “Operation: Mindcrime” or “The Crimson Idol” because there are no characters like in a movie so to speak. You can’t make a movie out of it. You could, though, make a documentary out of it. It’s like “Heresy” of Paradox which also doesn’t rely in central characters. Let’s say that it is a study of how a rebellion/revolution may evolve and it is based in actual facts and local myths. They are placed in such a way that they serve the narrative so to speak and they do not appear in their original chronological order. I hope it isn’t so pretentious and one wouldn’t see it as some dinosaurs concept albums. As for the lyrics, they are another way of expression or can be used as an additional tool to spread the message of the music or it works the other way around meaning that they carry a message that with the help of music and it can be given a more intense nature.

What's the best compliment you ever got in regards to your music? We do not differ to that. Anyone reacting passionately to a gig or telling you which songs or record enjoys is among those moments. Sometimes you get the “each time I listen to a song of yours, I know it’s you” comment which means that you may have your “own sound” That’s always the best. I am sure most bands have heard those. August 2016

The band had plenty of line-up problems along the 20+ years since its foundation, so what's the current line-up and how tight are you guys as a band in this new formula? What do you guys do beside playing in this band? Let me tell you that our drum stool is empty at this very moment, so you get the picture…the curse lives on. It is very difficult to keep an honest band going with such a high level of musicianship. Outside music some of us have day jobs or search for one at least. The band devoted its activity to a progressive, intricate form of Thrash Metal without compromises, how do you see this decision now? How important is for you to stay true to your beliefs and make no compromises? It was and still is a very easy decision as it is what we feel like doing. The actual work is not easy off course as most of the parts we play are kind of technical compared to the average heavy music performed nowadays and off course to walk such a path is a very lonely experience. Since we do not make a living of music and we do it “from the heart”, it is expected to act in such a way. We do it for ourselves and with the hope and ambition to reach as many people as possible and we do believe strongly that there are listeners that would be attracted to our songs. So why even bother make any compromises. Imagine how many bands do make compromises to please an audience and end up to the “where are they now?” section and spent all this time and energy without expressing themselves to the max.

VERDICT DENIED – State to End All Terror is out on Secret Port Records 22

Fresh Assaults – Fresh Assaults – Fresh Assaults Questions: 1. Please tell us a few words about the new release, about the music on it as a whole or a few words on each track in part. How are you happy with the final release? 2. How would you describe/label the music on it? Does it sounds like anything we might have heard before? 3. Where was it recorded and how much time did it take you to record it? Any interesting stories from the recording/producing the material? 4. What can you tell us about the cover artwork? Is there a link between the artwork and the lyrics? What are the topics of your lyrics? 5. What do you expect to gain through this release? What are the band's aims at the moment? 6. Is there a special format the material is released in? Or is it released in multiple formats? How many copies were pressed? 7. Where and how will you promote this new release? 8. Where can we order it from? ASHTAR – Ilmasaari 1. Marko: «Ilmasaari» is our first record and it was released in summer 2015. The vinyl version came out half a year later. Witch N. and I recorded all the instruments by ourselves, without guest musicians. And we're still very happy with the result.

4. Witch N.: It’s a modified picture of the Czech artist Alfons Mucha. I wrote the lyrics before the album artwork was done, so they are not inspired by it. But it represents perfectly the sinister atmosphere on «Ilmasaari», we think: It’s not just black and white, but magically colored and a bit bizarre too… Regarding the topics of my lyrics, they are some sort of poems about dreams and other-worldly experiences, often situated in fantastic realms.

7. Marko: For example here, by doing interviews like this one… And some other people are helping us: For example Tom Fischer of Celtic Frost and Triptykon made some kind of promotion for us by mentioning the album in his top-ten of 2015 in a big German print magazine! 8. Witch N.: You can buy the album on our bandcamp site (ashtar1.bandcamp.com), in the webshops of our labels Throne Records, Czar of Bullets, Antiq – or in the usual metal online shops.

5. Marko: Of course we'd like as many people as possible to take notice of «Ilmasaari», but we're both too June 2016 experienced to think we'd get famous now… Maybe some bigger labels hear and like the album. And maybe they'll release the next one. That would be great. For the moment we enjoy playing live in Europe as a quartet – with two 3. Marko: We recorded «Ilmasaari» at the Osa Crypt guest guitarists. And in autumn we'll start to work on new studio in Greifensee, Switzerland. That's a small but nice songs for the second album. studio, where other Swiss metal bands like Bölzer have recorded as well. It took us about 12 days, devided in 6. Witch N.: «Ilmasaari» has been released in three three sessions, to record the basics, overdubs, vocals and formats on three different labels: A vinyl edition of 300 additional instruments such as violin and didgeridoo. via Throne Records from Spain, 500 copies on CD via Then we sent the stuff to Greg Chandler of Esoteric to Swiss label Czar of Bullets and a limited edition of 100 tapes through Antiq from France. mix it in Birmingham.

2. Witch N.: We call the sound blackened doom or black sludge doom. Of course there are similar bands, we do not claim having invented a completely new style – but we think that our sound has a certain particular atmosphere.

De Vermis – Black Wolf Pride

I wanted the overall sound of the album to have an organic feel to it, like true black metal should sound... unpolished, unedited, but clean enough to hear whats 1. The album is something I going on, and I feel this was achieved. (OrmrNar) have been wanting to put together since the early 4. The art work was done by Arzryth from Winter Deluge, 2000's, and after a very long search for suitable musicians with the right attitude we released a demo in 2012, and recorded Black Wolf Pride in 2014, and We're stoked with how it turned out.

7. Print and Webzines worldwide, Social media 8. Frozen Blood Industries (NZ, Australia, Asia, America), Darkland Records (Europe, America)

3. We had the gear handy during one of our rehearsals about 2 years ago, so we just thrashed it out and recorded it.

1. The single 'Lake of the Dead' is taken from our forthcoming album 'Black Mass Ritual'. It feels inane to talk about the music on the record when it's so easy to stream and listen to new music. I will say that we couldn't be happier with the final product – it sounds huge, punchy and crushingly heavy, which is exactly what we wanted from a single. 2. With regards to labels we like to just leave it at black metal. Context tells you a lot more information with regards to a band; we're from England and recorded this

5. Basically we want to get this album out there for those who are interested. The band is on hold at the moment as I have moved to the other end of New Zealand (life stuff), but would like to start up again in a few years when I've got shit sorted. 6. The first edition will be a CD limited to 444 copies.Tape should come soon after.

2. The album/band is war/black metal influenced by 90's black, death and thrash metal, with fast, aggressive and reasonably complex song structures, and ugly scathing vocals.

Formicarius - Lake of the Dead

and some's up very well what De Vermis is about, war and nature/paganism. The lyrics are from a fictional individuals perspective rather than an overall ideology. Boots on the ground!

June 2016

release in 2015, it's obviously not going to sound like an early 90s bm record recorded on a 4 track in a shed in Norway. To that end we always try to be with the times and do the best with what we have – that's very much what black metal means to us. Does it sound like anything you've heard before? Yes and no. We're a black metal band and draw influence from our predecessors, but we're not interested in replicating the past - we're part of the future of this style of music. Again, the best thing one can do is download / stream the music yourself and make your own mind up. To my mind, there isn't another band which sounds like us. We've combined elements from a myriad of influences and bands we've been inspired by to make this music – isn't that entirely the point of creating?

3. The album, from which 'Lake of the Dead' is taken from, was recorded between my studio and Parlour Studios (Dimmu Borgir, Napalm Death...). We wanted to do a record right with the resources we had, and thus opened a dialogue with Neil Haynes at Parlour. We figured out how to use my recording expertise to save on money and bring the overall costs down significantly. From there we were committed to doing the album and jumped straight into the deep end. The record took a solid 3 months to record. Formicarius being an extremely personal project for me to work on, I unsurprisingly took a perfectionist approach and went entirely insane during that time. Everyone was still working full time jobs whilst balancing recording outside of that, which made organizing the sessions very difficult. In the last 4 weeks about half the lyrics and vocals still

meet them. In the end it strengthened our resolve and character, and we have a killer record to show for it!

needed writing, and some of the arrangements were very last minute. By the end I wound up working a 100 hour week in order to get the record finished in time. It was definitely a trial by fire and a real labour of love, but in my opinion this is how great art gets done – comfort is the absolute killer of creativity, you've got to push yourself. We had hard deadlines and did anything and everything to

Grace Disgraced - Lasting Afterdeaths 1. Our new full-length album (the third one) is called "Lasting Afterdeaths" and deals with the themes of the impact of Death on our lives. In psychological, historical, social and many other terms. Its diversity, paradox and commonplace, which makes our perception to evolve because of the awareness of her presence in our lives. We are very happy with the new release! This time, we think we managed to achieve that balance between heaviness and melody, aggression and sadness. And the sound is just killer! Dry, sharp, heavy. This time we have raised the bar of our music, lyrics and concepts higher and are proud of this album. So, a little bit in general terms about each of the tracks: The first track Grave Among the Stars immerses us in the space race, when the states put armies of beings in the millstones of their ambition and thirst for discovering new spaces. This track is dedicated to those who died during the tests and space flights, animals and people. Their life and death are important for the science, and that did not stop anyone on the way of progress. Next goes Childhood of the Dead , which brings us into the depths of psychology, in the complex world of the future that affects the present. How does the awareness of the inevitability of death affect our life? Here we will try to philosophize on this topic! Wheels Demоnical Spin – our cynical interpretation, paraphrasing the novel of E. M. Remarque "Heaven has no Favorites". We pictured a raced obsessed with speed who doesn't care about future victims of his mistakes. What if something fatal happens? Fans of speed, beware! You are not alone in this world! It is followed by The Mute - the most mournful and poignant song on the album. The song is about the pain from the loss of a beloved one, about the impossibility to understand the suicide motives, infinite and mad sense of guilt and regret about missed opportunities. Death in the family changes us and our life forever… Then let us give you some historical opus! Part of the History will tell you about the ongoing struggle for power and domination, as humankind shakes, tosses and turns in a huge cauldron of history, and our death, laid in the Foundation of something worthwhile or completely meaningless is also only a part of the history. Now it is turn for compositions based on real events! The death of a Dyatlov tourists group is one of the most enigmatic mysteries of the twentieth century. The ruined

4. The artwork designed by Morath has more of a connection to the band-name. It was made to look like an ancient tome because the Formicarius is one of the first texts documenting and discussing witchcraft in 15th Century Europe. The lyrics for 'Lake of the Dead' are instead a twist on Egyptian mythology, depicting Nephthys, the goddess of the dead, as an evil and insane villain. The lyrics were written to the music, following the phrygian harmonies and matching the evil and epic overtones of the score.

considering rereleasing it with a bonus track in the run up to the album towards the end of the year. Right now our aims are to spread the word and wake people up to our presence whilst we work behind the scenes to release the full album. You'll want to be watching this space. 6. It was released on bandcamp and soundcloud at a 'pay what you want' price tag. We have a limited physical release of 100 CDs, but does not feature our Emperor cover. 7. The physical versions of our single are only available at our live exhibitions! They're running out fast.

5. We released 'Lake...' at the same time as we unveiled the band to the world. We wanted to hit hard when we announced our existence to the world, and we achieved that with the single. It holds up nearly a year later as a fine representation of our band and brand. We're

8. The download version of our single is available from: formicariusband.bandcamp.com, soundcloud.com/formicariusband

lives of 9 young tourists in strange circumstances, negligence and concealment of the investigation details, the secrecy, mysteriousness and uncertainty still haunt the minds of the researchers. In Captured in Snow we tried to depict our point of view on the events of February 2, 1959, occurred in the Northern Urals. And finally, the epic narrative about the Gevaudan Beast! No less mysterious What Hide the Woods of Gevaudan tells you about the incredible phenomenon of the killer from the French province. And, most importantly, how the deaths of a countless number of children were used in selfish ends of the Church and the State. And how abound the monuments to the Beast-killer in the modern Gevaudan. But it is still unknown whether it was a man or a beast.

has its own illustration that should help the listener dive deeper into our ideas and feelings. Those who buy our album on a physical media will receive a colorful booklet with all these works of art.

2. Yes, probably we have all heard something similar before!) So like everything in our world is somehow secondary, our material is no exception. This is what we want to say to those who like to compare and find parallels. Our music is extremely personal, we try to put all of our mind and experience, but it has its roots and influences. We don’t like to put a lot of labels (there are a lot of lovers to do so), and call our music succinctly: death metal. Overall, the sound and the concept refer to the best years of death metal, the late '80s, early' 90s. But I'm afraid that many people do not like this description for the style we achieved over some time. So it's up to you, dear fans, write to us, how you would describe what we are creating now. 3. This time our approach to the recording was a little different comparing to our previous releases. This was due to the fact that we wanted to reach a new level of sound, to present more detailed material, to improve the overall feeling. There were 3 stages of recording this time. It took us 10 days, but lasted 3 months. As with all our releases, our legendary Moscow sound engineer Arkady Navaho helped us in his NAVAHOHUT STUDIO. I can say that everything went smoothly and without incidents this time, it was very convenient!)

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5. At the moment, our goal was the production and promotion of the new album. What do we expect to get from it? Hope there will be some positive feedback from our fans!) We have done everything we could not to disappoint them and to take our music to a new level. 6. Right now we do not know exactly how many copies will be printed. First there will be only CD format. Further, we hope that very soon our publisher will print a vinyl records edition. We are sure that this beauty will look and sound great on vinyl! And of course there is a digital format.

7. Oh, we'll do a mass mailing to the world's information portals. Send promotional materials to our contacts. We’ll contact guys from promotional agencies, nothing unusual... Let's hope for the label’s active assistance and put all the forces to promote our new album!

8. First and foremost, you can contact us! You can order the whole range of our merch, all of our releases. It is most convenient to order through our Bandcamp (https://gracedisgraced.bandcamp.com/album/lasting4. This cover artwork is one of the strong points of this afterdeaths) or contact us through Facebook, for example. album! Stunning, disturbing, gloomy picture by Velio You can also order our new album via the label - Razed Josto (Italy) have become an integral part of this Soul Productions (USA). There will be the distributors conceptual work! Yes, as in previous releases – this is a who cooperate with us and with our label worldwide.). conceptual work, and all the songs are connected by one Soon the official merch for "Lasting Afterdeaths" is to be common idea. The idea of the influence of death at our published. So follow our news and we wish you all the existence. And on the main cover we can see a bat – the best! symbol that embodies the dark and patronizing death, which is in close symbiosis with our world. It conceals, June 2016 protects and vigilantly watch all the living (particularly, the human creatures). And as a good tradition, each song

progressive side. This album is a true reflection of where and who we are right now and for that reason alone I am 1. Hey there. 'Dreamsnatcher' is very happy with it our second release and we are very happy with it. Our debut 2. Neverworld is a band that all listen to metal and many album 'Visions Of Another of the sub genres. Our influences are from the same or World' came out pretty much similar ilk but are all different. For example Jack the other bang on 2 years ago and we've guitar player is big on Dream Theater where as I am more spent the last 18 months Fates Warning. Consequently you get a unique sound writing, recording and bettering it. That was our main when writing because it's a melting pot that everyone is focus and goal with 'Dreamsnatcher'. It had to be a step up throwing stuff into. If I had to describe our sound I would from the musicianship to the songs to the artwork. The say it's traditional heavy metal with elements of prog and whole package. Song wise there is plenty of depth. Light power thrown in to keep it fresh and interesting. We get a and shade. A song for every mood I think. Some feel lot of comparisons and they are all quite different! From good up beat rockers and then there's our more King Diamond to Redemption to Megadeth to Iron Neverworld - Dreamsnatcher

Maiden to Judas Priest! It's strange but I guess people can hear different things within our music. Personally I don't think I've ever heard anyone 'sound' like us. We all have our own styles and that's what makes Neverworld what it is. Our main thing is melody. Our brand of metal is very melodic and that is very important. We do do some pretty heavy stuff but there's always a hook or melody there too 3. We are very lucky because we have our own studio. It makes writing and recording a lot easier because there aren't really any time limits and we can just rock up every week to crack on with stuff. From the very first writing session to the final mix it probably took 18 months to do which was a lot quicker than the first which took about 3 years! The first album was a bastard to make and I have to

admit I didn't really enjoy making it. This one was the complete opposite. It was fun and refreshing. Everything just clicked this time. We had a really good laugh doing it too which is so important because you don't wanna be all uptight and stressed when recording. Being relaxed helps the flow and you don't fuck up so much! 4. The cover is a concept we dreamed up as a band and made into a breath taking reality by a brilliant Brazilian artist Caio Caldes. He's done work for a lot of great bands like Dragon Force. He actually did the cover of our friends The Deep's debut album. So I looked him up and was blown away by his work. He did an amazing job on all the artwork. The link is the title track 'Dreamsnatcher' which is basically a little take on what Neverworld is. The dream world we all visit when we sleep. It's a place where literally anything can happen. We love that notion. I like to think of us being an audio visual band as in we like to tell a story with music. The title track is basically about the King Of Crows, the Dreamsnatcher if you will, he feeds off people's fears and traps them in Neverworld and uses their energy to fuel his ever growing powers. Lyric wise on this album we have a couple of movie tributes, much like 'They Live' on the first album. This time we honor In The Mouth Of Madness and The Warriors, 2 of my favorite films. There's a couple of songs about being who you are and being happy with that. Kinda like finding yourself and saying fuck you if you don't like it! The song 'The Grand Illusion' is loosely based on a film too. The concept anyway. The illusion being that magic is real but portrayed as 'an illusion' to conceal its true power. There's a song about falling in love with a girl in a dream and desperately wanting that dream to never end. 'Passion Killers' is about two serial killers who fall in love and form a formidable killing team! 'Under The Asylum' was inspired by the second season of American Horror Story. I also grew up very close to a Victorian mental institution and you can imagine all the crazy dark shit that went on in places like that. The album is a mixture of little horror

I've seen us play shithole pubs to no one and then go to Greece and play in a packed club. We have had a taste of success and it feels great. Honestly we have worked so hard at this. Blood, sweat and tears. We will always give it 100% and just keep hoping we can keep evolving. We are already writing again and the plan is to release an EP maybe at the end of the year and then we will begin working on a concept album. What with it being our third album it just feels like the right time to do that. Very excited about the future

stories and songs about life in general I think. Something I hope every metalhead will appreciate! 5. Our aims are to always put out the best material we can. We've been doing this band for 6 and a half years and we have come a long, long way. I'm very proud of my bandmates and our achievements. Remember we are a small fish in a sea of sharks. We are self-financed, selfrecorded, book our own shows, produce our own merch. Everything is in house with us. We are very lucky to have an amazing fanbase who have helped us out a lot along the way by attending shows, buying our stuff and helping us spread the word. We are working with Imperative PR who are great at getting us out there to a wider audience and it's taken a lot of the pressure off me in terms of getting us reviews, exposure etc. We also have been helped out a lot by Stephanie Hughes who is kinda our unofficial manager! She has come in and organized us and opened our eyes to the business side of things. She's awesome and because of her we have grown a lot over the last couple of years. I'd really like this release to get us on the next level. I don't know if it will. A lot of that kinda thing is about luck. Being in the right place at the right time. Neverworld is a serious band however and we are determined to grow all the time. I have seen us go from playing to 3 people to 400+ and supporting Freedom Call.

This allowed us to start again fresh in November 2013. This second attempt came with fresh new ideas and we now believe as a band it was for the better. 1. The Senescent Signs album The whole affair has taken us two and a half years to in definitely a progression for complete Senescent Signs due to studio availability the band after being established for 10 years, it’s probably the 4. The name of the album Senescent Signs means the toughest album we’ve put signs of decay as in the effects of the march of time upon together and yet the most aspects of a person and on perception of reality. complex of our releases. That being said its still well in The artwork for Senescent Sings we put forward to Matt Vickerstaff who came up with the art concept for the the vein of the classic Drowning style. album and has captured the diminished face of time and 2. Although the band is categorised as Doom/Death as a the sorrow of aging. whole we’ve classed our particular style of music as Dark Lyrically there's an overall theme of the break down of Metal, which allows us to explore other styles within the things, society, relationships the sense of self; of decay metal genre, as various members of the band draw and the passage of time, the fact that you can reflect on influence from a wide variety of different metal genres. what has gone before and the helplessness experienced when you realise you are a victim of what has gone We still try to retain a British style of heavy metal. before. The individual tracks fundamentally are based in 3. Well, this is a very interesting question. After recruiting person experience and the artwork reflects the themes of new front man Matt Small in 2012 we instantly started the decay and of being haunted by what has gone before. writing process for Senescent signs which both lyrically and musically came together with ease. This led us into 5. Being what we believe to be our strongest release to the studio in the spring of 2013. We recorder at a local date we hope to reach a wider audience in the metal scene studio called Sonic Forge. With half of the album thus giving the band more recognition and open the gates recorded the studio brought us some bad news in the early to bigger shows and festivals throughout Europe and summer saying all data on the recordings had been lost hopefully the world. due to damaged hard drives in an unexpected heat wave that year. There was no backup available and the album 6. Senescent Signs will be available as a CD and digital was completely gone. This knocked the band off track and downloads. There are no plans as yet to release Senescent we continued to spend the next few months playing Signs on vinyl. shows.

6. Because it's us doing it we always only press 1000 copies of physical CDs. When we break even we put it up on iTunes and other net based platforms. So far we do better with CD's than digital. Not sure why that is but i'm really happy about it! I'm a CD collector myself so it's nice to see i'm not alone! The trick is don't rip people off! Too many people are selling there albums for silly prices. Ours will always be affordable because we actually really do appreciate it when someone parts with their cash for our music. In fact it means the world to us 7. Like I mentioned earlier Imperative PR are on the case getting us out there. We have some staggered shows around the UK lined up and then we are shooting a video for 'Armies Of The Night' in May and then hopefully following all this up with a little UK tour in October. Basically our aim is to have as big a presence as we can and to keep playing live. That's what we love to do and what seems to work best for us in terms of getting our name out there 8. You can get the album direct from us at our brand new website www.neverworldmetal.co.uk and if you do buy it i'd just like to say a metal heartfelt thank you! Neverworld fans rule!

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The Drowning - Senescent Signs

7. The band will do a certain amount of self-promotion as will our PR management team Imperative PR. This will include Magazines, WebPages, Radio air time and also through our label Copro/Casket . 8. With Plastic Head worldwide distribution the album will be available from several online suppliers as well as through the labels website. Alternatively you can order directly from us via our contact at Facebook, Bandcamp or at a live show.

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Rising Demons – Rising Demons – Rising Demons Questions: 1. Please tell us about the history of your band and its members. 2. How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music? 3. Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums? 4. What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media? 26

5. Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far? 6. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it? 7. What plans do you have for the near future as a band? 8. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff? 2008 self-titled album Bulletsize (nightroserecords) 2010 The apokalpse single 2011 The Apokalypse 2013 The Apokalypse (remastered) (Sliptrickrecords) 2013 Numb (sliptrickrecords) 2016 Pansar (Iron,Blood and death corp) Because we don’t play mainstream rock/metal of course media haven’t been so interested what we do.

BULLETSIZE 1. A Bulletsize started in 2004 (with the name) but the first recording came out in 2006 and the full length album came out in 2008,Im the only original member from the band, today I have Kjell Berg on the guitar, and David Nexéus from the band Tsarath and Jonas Carlén from Condemtory, I’m very pleased with this line up and i think it’s the best so far.

5. A we always have one 10-30 shows in a year, but at the moment we take it easy and wait see how things going. 6. A we are the real deal no bullshit we are old school, we deliver. 7. A at the moment we wait for the album to be released and we will have a gig of course we will do some videos and if people are interested i guess we go on tour again.

2. It’s a hybrid of Thrash/Black and Death Metal with tons of influences of 80 heavy metal, I always try to do my own thing and don’t want it to be any special genre.

8. You could order the new album at ibdclabel666.bigcartel.com or check spotify, deezer or Itunes, facebook/Bulletsize, homepage Bulletsize.se

3. They have to if they are True. June 2016 4. In 2006 single March for the devil

it’s going to be a lot of fun making new record next winter. Witch these ingredients our songs are made.

HAUTAJAISYO 1. Band was formerly working under title REDEYE. Music was more of a thrash and growling was done in English. Sometime in 2014 band had difficulties with bass player and suddenly they found themselves in situation that there was a gig goming and no bass player. So Sami from Oulu (other side of Finland) was called to help them out. It was such a fun gig that this idiot decided to join the band for good. Sometime after that there was new songs coming and for some reasons singing language was in Finnish. This started to feel like a good idea, “Why the hell not change in Finnish altogether”. So as language changed we decided to change the name of the band as well. So Hautajaisyö was born. Drummer Sami, singer Janne and Guitarist (other)Sami was originally from REDEYE. New Sami from Oulu plays bass. It seems that the band should have been named as a “Lot of Sami’s” What the fuck is this witchery? Anyway we made a record and it started to seem, that we really need another guitarist. So when we found Ville in 2015 and his guitar skills were superb, the final line up was ready. Boy I’m I glad that he’s name wasn’t Sami. That would probably have led to the destruction of the world.

3. If you like our music, buy it. If you don’t like it, don’t buy. There’s really no reason to make this matter more complicated than that. 4. With Hautajaisyö we have released one self-titled album. We’ve got some pretty good reviews from all around world. But as there is a lot of bands nowadays, especially in Finland, it seems that good reviews won’t do you a much. Oh well, more work to be made making the band “bigger” and more known. 5. Yes we play live. Last year we had a good six gigs, which was nice. As bass player lives in Oulu, there’s sometimes difficulties for a smaller gigs as he can’t always join. Especially on weeks gigs are a no no. Weekends are usually ok. At the moment is seems that metal music is yet again in downfall, so there’s been a dramatic drop on other metal band gigs as well. Younger audiences seems to demand for a some reason core this and core that shitmetal and older audience stays home to die. Well maybe after a few years there’s again more demand for a this kind of a music. 6. When we’re on gig we’re performing like a pro. No alcohol related stupid fuck ups, no acting divalike. Our word is something you can trust for. We play with intensity and loud. Crowds have been liking our gigs so we’re of course always interested to play more. And since the music itself is not copy of something else, but sounds like our own, then why hell not. If you like it, book us! 7. We’re currently composing new material for a new record and searching place to record it. At this moment we have 5 new songs ready and more is coming. Somehow it seems to go a bit epic, which is nice. I can’t wait to get to record new album and play new songs live. 8. We are all around the interwebs! Spotify,amazon,itunes,deezer, youtube etc. From there and many more places you can buy our album digitally. The only physical release is a 3 band split tape released by Mass Cathrasis Productions. There are 3 songs from us. One of our songs you get with this magazine oh joy Our merch is sold by Uno mas collection. All links, info and other stuff you can find at facebook.com/Hautajaisyo.

2. It’s a mix up of different styles. It’s not intentional but how our music just “comes out”. There’s a nice piece of thrash, blood stains from death metal, serious veins on black metal and as we’re now composing new songs for our next record, there’s something new as well. At this point it seems that our music is evolving altogether so

June 2016

HELLWAFFE 1. The Band was formed in autumn of 2013 by Me (Aamon) and Abygrel. Basically, Hellwaffe was founded on the ashes of our previous band - Ov plagues. After few rehearsals as a duo, B.Stovhell joined the line-up. At the beginning of 2014 the band released the two-track demo "Waffen Inferno". At the same time Hellwaffe was already in possession of several new songs which aimed to create a new debut EP. In the meantime, polish underground label Hell is Here Prod. became interested in our demo and as a result, they released in 2015 our new songs plus twotrack demo as a debut CD entitled " Worship of Anxiety ."

3. I'm not sure if everyone should buy our album, above all, we play our music to please ourselves. Don't get me wrong - I don't mean I'm passing the potential recipients of our music. We create these sounds because we like it, We like this music and We are big fans of Black, Death and so on Metal, and if in the process of doing so someone else appreciates our efforts, that is certainly good thing for Us! Personally I would prefer our CD to go to only a few maniacs out there who are truly and sincerely delighted with this stuff. Also ...if you are interested in a mass annihilation given in a bestial way possible, if you want to hear the lamentation downtrodden christian race, if you want to join the hell branches of Hellwaffe, this material is definitely for you!

2. Hellwaffe is & plays Hellish Black Metal.

4. As I mentioned before, We released "Waffen Infernum" demo in 2014 and in 2015 debut CD "Worship Of Anxiety".

5. So far Hellwaffe is not an active concert band. At this point, we are just focusing on our next recording material, so there are no plans for any shows. We take into account the possible gigs after the release of this material, but we don't treat this as a priority. To be honest we don't like to play concerts, but that doesn't mean We never will. With Ov Plagues we had time to play only two gigs haha. On the other hand if a good offer comes in, we definitely will take it under consideration. As a fan I am the concert maniac and I've seen many gigs, so when the playing concerts for Hellwaffe becomes a reality, we will for sure try not to disappoint.

7. To complete, record and release our brand new material. 8. You can buy our CD directly from "Hell is Here Productions" website: hellishereprod.republika.pl and/or you can get it via a number of underground labels and distros like: Behold Barbarity, Dark Horizon Records, Moribund Records, Abyss records, Black Plague records and many more I think... but if You just want to listen to a track or two You should go to hellwaffe.com

6. I follow the metal underground for many many years, and for me being a part of it is something very important. As far as promoters and official labels go, I have no illusions and do not count on any specific support. In fact, we don't even try hard to reach out.

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4. The biggest thing for this band is playing live, since the beginning its always been a goal to play lots of shows and get better, we also have a 4 sets of cover songs from the 70-90s all metal, that we play in smaller pubs to have people sing with us. Usually play our home town of Calgary, and neighboring cities such as medicine hat, Edmonton, lethbridge, Saskatoon, and Kelowna, Vancouver. shows are usually smaller 40-50 people. As with many bands we occasionally get an opportunity to play with awesome bands from out of town such as Mystifer, Marduk, and Obituary. 5. We don't really do this for any labels, it’s always nice when someone wants to work with you and likes your music, but it’s so many bad deals out there and it’s so easy to release your music on your own label and work off your own name, that you don't really need a label, or an agency, or any of that shit if you choose. we plan on releasing tons of albums and if someone’s interested then that's great if not then we continue on our own path.

2. 3. Well, I guess we definitely aren't the type of band that goes for any clichés, or keeps up with the new hip times in metal, so if people are into just listing to cool heavy songs that have a bit lots of twists and turns, then our album might work for them. We love playing as fast as we can and as heavy crushing as we can. I truly believe not one album is the same and we try to express in our own originality, the vast types of heaviness that can be put together to make a song. Also we try not make music that's not to complex for people to relate to and can learn from, or laugh at the stories.

6. Just keep forging ahead and pushing in different directions. We would love to see some different areas of the world, and get the opportunity to crush live wherever a reverend kill fan might be. I think with learning the recording process ourselves, over the upcoming years, we will be able to put out releases at a steady rate.

3. Our four albums have all been released on CD , and Digital Format. The first album was a bit of a cleaning singing style closer motorhead, slayer, just a real fucking classic metal sound. I wasn't on the first album but as a fan it always kind of reminded me of older speed metal bands like old Slayer, exciter, or tyrant. After the first album the bands vocalist left and decided on to change to a death metal vocal style after recording most of the second album with the first vocalist, the riffing style began bringing more

7. Reverbnation, YouTube, and through band pages on Facebook and the internet, contacting the band is the only way to get physical copies. August 2016

5. We do, for many years we played the pubs and club circuit in the UK but we have now decided that there’s more benefit to be had by playing higher profile supports and festival/all day shows so that’s been the focus for the last couple of years really 6. The live experience is intense we tailor the set to ensure we get the maximum impact across to the crowd so we stick with the fast paced songs and keep it bouncing along. We always aim to people moving basically we want to create the feeling that you get when you listen to Reign in Blood for the first time.

2. We are predominantly a Thrash Band but we haven’t taken a retro approach to writing music our material sounds modern and relevant to the point in time it was released. In terms of influence Slayer, Testament, God Forbid, and the Gothenburg sound are probably our biggest influences, we’ve always been focused on getting songs that flow well and have memorable hooks which people can relate too.

7. We have some festival appearances coming up at Funeral Fest in April, Mosh against Cancer in May, Wildfire in June and Beermageddon in August. We have just finished recording our New album with legendary producer Simon Efemey (Paradise Lost, Crow Bar, Napalm Death) we tracked all the instruments at our studio and then went to Foel Studio’s in Wales to record the vocals and mix the album. Hopefully it will be out later in the year dependant on the label’s release schedule.

3. So that when they see us live they know the songs, we’ve always worked on a good concept with the covers and packaging to tie with the lyrical subject matters. The CD’s are a good listening experience by all accounts at the time when they came out we had them on in our cars so they must be okay.

8. We have our website www.solitary.org.uk which has an online store and also has tracks off all three releases and video’s.

4. Nothing Changes 1998 re-released in 2004 – The reviews for that were great and we’ve only three copies left of the repress. Requiem 2008 – Again we had a lot of good press all over the world for this one it’s got a more Death Metal edge than the first album which went down well at the time

August 2016

Since we're talking about new stuff please tell us what's next for Wormreich in terms of releases, a new split is in sight for this Summer, right? Yes, this coming May 28th will see the release of a four-way split CD between ourselves, Vesterian, Diabolus Amator, and Gravespawn entitled “Infirmos Vocat Deus Fidei”, due out through Black Plague Records (USA) and Symbol of Domination (Belarus). Afterwards we plan on releasing those tracks on 12” vinyl in the form of a split with Kult ov Azazel. We will also be releasing a split 7” with Hod sometime in the near future as well.

Will this be like a continuation of the last year tour? Does it feel like closing a circle, closing a chapter? This tour is not a continuation of the Reich ov Khaos tour, at least not for us. The fact is that we have a different lineup for obvious reasons. It does, however, feel like we are wiping the slate clean and as you said, closing a circle. It feels like redemption and a way to set right some of the tragedy that we were involved in previously.

You also have a name for the upcoming full-length album, "Vril: Elixir of Death and the Void". Please tell us something about it, about its tracks and lyrical themes. Is it already recorded? What label will release it? “Vril” is an album that we have been working on for quite some time, that was unfortunately delayed for over a year due to the wreck. So far, I have been doing a lot of the writing for the album by myself, but soon I will be taking the material to my bandmates for arranging and additional input. The album is promising to be our most intense and extreme effort to date. Lyrically, as before, I have been focused on my own interpretations of my own particular Satanic beliefs, however I have also been expanding on the ideas of mortality, legacy, and the hereafter, due to the events that occurred. The album itself will be entirely dedicated to the memory of Ian (N. Vathron), Paul (Vidarr), and Nick Crisostomo (Dyret) of Khaotika, who also perished in the tragedy. Currently Moribund Records is set to release the album, but we shall see what opportunities come our way before we enter the studio to record the master version of the release.

How did the other members of the band involved in that accident manage to continue with their day to day life? How was your first rehearsal after it? Our first rehearsal after the accident felt awkward for sure, and there was of course a sense of sadness that our brothers whom we lost were not there with us, but as we continued to play, we felt the sense of reinvigoration and (almost) normalcy. Those of us in the band who did not pass away were all injured to varying degrees, with my injuries being relatively minor compared to Profana and Wyvern, who were both in critical condition and almost didn’t make it. However, there was never any question as to whether or not we would continue. We walk the path of no return and we have fully committed ourselves to this vision and creation. Wormreich will only die when the rest of us are shoveled into our graves. Wyvern plays live in a wheelchair? How is he recovering? Yes, currently Wyvern is wheelchair-bound due to spinal injuries sustained in the wreck, but he is improving every day. The good news is that he will walk again, the only question is how long it will take before that happens. Despite this, he has been incredibly upbeat and optimistic, and as I previously alluded to, he has made great strides in his recovery, even to the point where he is able to stand for short periods of time. I don’t think that I have met anyone with more passion and resolve than Wyvern.

How's the current Black Metal scene in USA and how's the audience of this genre? How is it for a Black Metal band to tour the States nowadays? How do you manage to transpose your message on stage? Unfortunately the Black Metal “scene” in the USA has always been fairly weak, with some notable exceptions. There are countless bands, but most seem to be soulless carbon-copy clones of the more influential and worthwhile European bands. Touring as a black metal band in the US is extremely difficult, as the support (financial or otherwise) is simply hard to come by. I am sure that if we were a tech-death band or something along those lines, it would be easier to embark on worthwhile US tours, however we only wish to do what we are passionate about, regardless of the obstacles. We have always tried to focus our physical and spiritual energies on stage in order to channel that which we are attempting to invoke. We simply serve as a gateway to the spectacular horrors and aweinspiring power of the beyond.

Although it sounds cynical, the popularity of the band went through the roof after the accident, I'm curious if you received more positive, sympathethic thoughts, or on the contrary, more hate and insults from the ones who don't approve your vision. Most of what we had received from people has been very positive and supportive, even from many of those who hold opposite beliefs from our own. Of course, there were some small-minded, cowardly fuckers who used the event as an opportunity to show the world how idiotic and hypocritical they truly are. This only motivated us more and strengthened our resolve to continue on, to only become more extreme in both our sound and ideology, and to essentially say “fuck you” to those moronic wastes of space and oxygen. Our music is fueled by passion and hatred, and will forever remain that way! Nobody wants to be known as the band who fell victim to a horrible tragedy, but we have endured. What happened cannot be erased and all we can do is move forward and focus our energies on creating new works of evil and Satanic devotion.

Are you planning more tours for this year? Maybe outside of the States, too? Yes, definitely. As some may know, we’ve recently signed on with Alpha Omega Management, a touring / management company based out of Italy. Strategically, I believe that this was a very good move for us. More US tours are currently in the works, and, aside from our scheduled appearance at Under the Black Sun festival in Berlin, Germany this summer, more European, and even possibly some South American shows are all on the agenda. As far as what actually happens and will be confirmed, it’s hard to say until we receive word that these tours / shows are set in stone, but what I can say is that it will definitely be a very busy year for Wormreich. We will continue to scar the earth with our fury and total devotion to the black flame, so all should beware!

Please tell us a few words on the new members of the band, Tezrian and Thorgrin. Are they already involved in composing music for the band, or so far it was only about rehearsing old stuff? As far as the new members are concerned, guitarist Thorgrin is a close friend of the band who was one of the primary members of Profana’s band prior to Wormreich called Blood Stained Dusk, and was also until recently the vocalist of the death metal band Chaos Inception. He

April 2016

As far as I know you've only had one show, and in Cyprus, how come? Isn't the local scene supportive enough? How was this gig? Are you planning any new ones, maybe a tour in support of this release? We are not looking very hard for places to play live in. We don’t want to be like some bands that perform every month for an audience of their 10 bets friends just to hear them say that they “Kick ass”. We’d rather not play at all. We would like very much to tour in Europe, but that needs time and money. Since we live in Greece we don’t have either. We have talked about it, but we decided we cannot do it yet. Maybe after we release the next record we will be better off so that we can make a tour happen. A Balkan tour sounds perfect! In the future I hope we get to do more lives but until now there is nothing planned.

bands played black metal but some of them did. Please tell us where the band name comes from and what's its meaning. And since we're talking about this, tell us what's the concept behind Isolert, what are you trying to express with and through your music. We considered many names before setting on Isolert. At first the band was to be named Secretum, but there existed a thrash metal band with that name. We wanted something very unique that could fit our music and need for expression, so we ended up in Isolert, which means isolated in Norwegian and used the title Secretum for our first song. Yes there is a concept behind the music and that is to express our dark feelings. We don’t like to please the masses, telling them what they want to hear and we don’t want to pretend to be “evil” or “true”. Isolert is our therapy, our antidote to what modern society puts us through every day.

August 2016

No Hope, No Light… Only Death is your debut album, and looking at the reviews (mine included), things look promising. How would you describe what's happening on it to someone who never heard your band's music? To me it sounds more influenced by the Scandinavian Black Metal of the '90's instead of the Greeke scene, do you agree? Thank you for your observation on the reviews we have received. Getting good reviews is encouraging for every band, but you can’t appeal to everyone, right? We’ve received all kinds of reviews and we respect them all. Good reviews encourage us and bad reviews make us more poised to better ourselves as a band. I would describe as a weird band. We want variety in our music. In our Demo and in the Full Length there is Doom-Black, Punk-Black, Atmospheric-Black, clean vocals, whispers, slow parts, fast parts and generally we are a blended black metal band, as I like to say often. Of course the band reeks of Scandinavian influences from miles away, but that is not absolute, we have other influences too. How well do you think you managed to transpose the album title in/through its music? I think we could not have done it better. The title was chosen before a single song was written. All of the songs were composed, orchestrated, mixed and mastered with this title in mind. When we finally finished we could all say “Yes, we did it”. You know it is very difficult to deliver a message through music, at least for us since we are inexperienced. If you listen to one or two tracks from “No Hope, No Light…Only Death”, you may not get the title’s message and feeling so well. But if you listen to all of the album from beginning to end you will definitely feel it. We set up the album to have a flow.

ISOLERT - No Hope, No Light… Only Death is out on Ogmios Underground

Who did the cover artwork and is it linked with the lyrics somehow? By the way, how did your excellent band logo? The album cover was done by Vojtech Dudek. I liked his previous work very much so when we knew who to call to. We are very satisfied with the end result. The music, title, lyrics and artwork of the album are all coherent with each other. Our logo was done by Khaos Diktator, a guy you can easily come to an understanding with. The last track has some Greek lyrics as well, is it maybe a hint for the future? Do you plan on adding more Greek lyrics to your future works? Music has no limits-you can do whatever you like. In the last song we used a poem written by ours session guitarist Fiende. You guessed correctly. We have written some new songs and all the lyrics are in Greek. It is just our language and we are proud of it. Where have you recorded and mixed/mastered the album and how happy are you of the final result? All recordings took place to our own studio in Volos (I Studio – 2/8 Studio), except for the drums, which were

Music wise will there be any major changes or will you follow the path already presented by the recent demo? Our direction has never wavered so one can expect the same as what is heard on the new demo. You've got new booking, new management, probably will have a new label, too, so is this like a new beginning for the band? I don't know if I would say it's like the beginning of the band but it is definitely a step up in the game. Having Alpha Omega on our side will only benefit us in stepping up to the next level label and touring wise.

How did the Wormreich / Khaotika accident from last year affected Kult ov Azazel as a band and as individuals? As a band, I would say it affected Wormreich and Khaotika more so than us. They lost members. We were in our own vehicle ahead of them so we had minimal loss as far as instruments go since they were hauling some of our gear in their trailer. The individual effects, I can only speak for myself. It was a difficult time for a few months after returning. An unknown fact is that myself and Hag were the ones that had to identify the body of Nick, Khaotika's drummer. It was then that we both knew three people had died on scene since Nick lay next to two covered bodies. So that made things a bit difficult a few months afterwards for me. I saw that kid's face every day, not the face I had seen from the venues or shows, but his face after that moment of death. That shit will stay with me forever.

You're pretty active on social media and very close to your supproters from what I saw, is this an important aspect for the band? A lot of BM bands prefer to keep a mystical, hidden aura around them and never reply to comments or emails in order to enhance their scary image, while you seem to be quite friendly... Friendly may be an over exaggerated adjective used to describe me. I would say I am social, meaning if someone that is into the band has a question then I will respond. Personally, I am not one to shun those that lend their support to this band so if answering a question or responding to a post makes all the difference to them then I will oblige. Outside of the band page I am a shit stirrer on the internet. Why do you use pseudonyms/aliases and not real names? Do they have a specific meaning, or how you chose them? Does one of you pick the pseudonym for each in the band or each member comes with his own name? Each member has chosen their own infernal name in the band. Some came into the band from their previous bands using the same alias. I chose mine because like I previous said I am a shit stirrer and that's exactly what Xaphan was. He was the one angel to suggest that Lucifer set Heaven ablaze in the tale of the war in Heaven. He was then reduced to fan the flames of Hell after the casting out. Like corpse paint, the infernal name helps in the transformation into that entity before live rituals.

Your motorcycle accident followed later in the year, are you still recovering from it? That was Hag who had a motorcycle accident last year. In fact, he had two of them. Both he has recovered fully from so all is good on that front. The Dawn of Luciferian Enlightenment demo was released by yourselves this year, how are the reactions so far? It was released digitally only, why not on CD or tape? Will these track be featured on the album as well? The four tracks on the demo will be on the full length album, Violators of the Covenant. The reactions so far have been quite positive so far. The original intent of the demo was and still is to shop it to labels for a new recording contract since we are free agents at this point. We figured since it would be circulated around to labels that we might as well make it available to our fans since it had been six years since we had released any new material. We also wanted people to hear what we are creating with this new lineup as well. We may end up releasing it on CD or tape format at some point but for now it's only available in a digital release at kultovazazel.bandcamp.com.

In your early days you had Finnish band Azazel confronting you regarding the band name. They are still alive as a band, but so are many other new Azazel bands, so looking back to it are you glad you changed moniker back then? I am. Even then in the beginning there were like I think last count before we changed the band name somewhere close to 8 other bands using Azazel as a band name. By adding to the name at the time it helped us keep the identity we had established but from that point on separated us from all the other bands using the same moniker.

Is your deal with Arctic Music over? If so I believe you're still in good relations with them, correct? At least Phil (Malevolent Creation and founder of Arctic Music) did a solo on the demo... Our contract with Arctic Music was up in 2010. I am still tight with Phil. In fact I see him just about every day when I am at the studio my buddy owns and Kult ov Azazel works out of. I actually was going to buy the label in 2014 and ran it for a year and released albums by Hod, Ptahil, and Vein Collector. After a year of running it I decided it was way too much work and ultimately seemed like an endless money pit I was throwing cash into.

You're from South Florida, definitely not a place that makes you think Black Metal when you hear of it. How's the local BM scene over there? And I'm also curious how's the support you're getting from the local fans? That is true, Florida is not known as a hotbed for black metal. On the scene, there's not really a black metal one here. A metal scene, yes, black metal, no. That still doesn't stop us from drawing decent attendances when we do play locally. I also think we are the only South Florida band playing traditional black metal with the imagery and corpse paint. I can't think of any others here doing that. There are black thrash and black death bands but none that stick specifically to the blueprint set forth by the elders.

I saw you were looking for labels to release the upcoming album, have you found a suitable one? I'm curious, what means a good label deal for KoA, what do you have to be offered to agree with a label? At this point we have not found a label home. I believe Alpha Omega is waiting to shop the demo until these dates are done and over with. Label wise, we are looking for one that will give us a decent budget to record the album and future albums, have major distribution and can supply tour support when needed. So basically we are looking to go with a bigger label than say a label like Arctic Music was.

Since your next tour is approaching tell us if you're preparing anything special for your live appearances. What props do you use in live shows? Have you ever had problems because of your Satanic image and attitude? Those that saw us last year with the new lineup will know what to expect. Those that did not will have to show up to find out or wait for videos of the shows to surface on the internet. And we have never had any problems due to our image or beliefs. Thanks a lot for your time, best of luck for the upcoming shows and we're all eagerly waiting for the new album to drop! We are looking forward to the album dropping too! In the meantime, those interested in new music from us can find "The Dawn of Luciferian Enlightenment" at kultovazazel.bandcamp.com. Thank you for the interview and interest in Kult ov Azazel.

Violators of the Covenant is the name of the upcoming album, what can you tell us about the title and the tracks featured on it? Have you already decided a studio where to record it? What about an artist to do the cover artwork? Are you set to release it this year? The title comes from something I was reading years ago about The Nephilim, Azazel being one of them, which had said they had violated their covenant with the Lord when they began intermingling sexually and having offspring with the human race. So that's where the idea for the album title came from. Track wise, the album will contain ten and we'll be recording it at S.B.S. Studio here in Fort Lauderdale. The same place I tracked and mixed the demo versions and where I enginnered the tracking of guitars and bass on Malevolent Creation's "Dead Man's Path" album. We have not decided on an artist yet for the artwork. That's something we're still working on. As for its release, we are hoping to have it out by this year but that all depends on if we find a suitable label or not over the next couple of months.

April 2016

Lyrics are very important for KoA, please tell us about the lyrical part of the new album. The album will be a presentation of sonic black magick, each song differing in lyrical criteria whether it covers traveling the dark

Hi guys and welcome to Slowly We Rot zine, how's the band these days? It's now half a year after your debut album was released, how was the response so far? The band is going well actually, thank you for asking. You are right, 7 Moons have passed actually since the release of our first Opus: In Obscuritas. For the response, it has been quite intense. We received a lot of reactions throughout these 7 months in which we found inspiration from both the negative and the positive side. We performed a lot of live rituals, from the winter solstice until the spring equinox, and from this travel, we made new contacts with great underground artists who share our artistic and spiritual visions and help us in many ways in order to strenghten the potential of Atroce.

Canada has never been a great country to make a tour because there is just specific places, generally in a metropol, were the metal culture has been developped enough to grow a metal community being able to keep an underground movement who supports bands and promotes gigs. Yes, it's a large territory, but it's mostly empty of people. About the travel in general, its never boring when you know where to keep your focus.

Quebec is known for its Black Metal offsprings, how come you chose Death Metal? And how come you chose to sing in French / Quebecoise rather than English which is a more universal language for this style? We do Death Metal because it is a synthesis of what we are all inside, every individuals in Atroce have a different background but are all there for the same focus, the medium of music, which is Dark, Spiritual & Evil Death Metal. We decided to sing in French because of linguistic convictions. Despite the fact that as I said, we are all from different cultural background, we all live in Quebec since a lot of time and are proud of expressing ourselves daily in this language, we don't care what is conventional or not, so it was just natural to keep it this way.

know what's your tastes. We don't have any feelings about being Canadians or Quebecois, its just a name attaching to a geo-socio-political standpoint, as we said, we feel proud of expressing Atroce by the means of french poetry but we do not bring any importance to a futile classification by a mere name.

Quebec has a lot of bands, how do you all get along? Any upcoming names you'd recommend? By the way, do you feel you're Quebecoise or Canadian, or that doesn't really matter? Quebec has for sure a lot of bands, but most of them are not of our interest, so we don't ''All'' get along. Nothing to recommend actually, considering we don't

What's the plan for the rest of the year? Are there any chances for you to tour the US or Europe sometime in the near future? Thanks a lot for your time. For the rest of the year, the onslaught of chaos will vibrate within the walls of our temples as we will perform live rituals again starting around the autumnal equinox while keeping an eye on the ''breeding process'' of our second Opus. We try to do our best to get out of Canada and perform our rituals specially in south america and europe, because it's the most easiest places to go for us from a certain point of view. Touring the US could be possible but its very complicated to do what we do there, but we would like for sure, considering the fact that we support many acts from this country. To all the dark maniacs out there, keep the black flame burning! Thank you for the interview.

In Obscuritas, the album's title, but also its track titles and I guess lyrics, too, all lead to an in depth exploration of the occult, of the obscurity. Is there a unique concept behind your lyrics? There is a unique ideal behind Atroce, and it's called: Liberation. About the concept of the band, there is in fact, of course many "concepts", many "works" behind what we do, but they all do converge from and towards the same sources. Since we're here I would ask if the band logo and your stage props have a close link with the lyrics, better said, are they all linked with Satanism? Is symbolism important for Atroce? Without taking consideration of your interpretation of what "Satanism" is, because you didn't told me; the answer is yes, Atroce is devoted to many dark spiritual practices & ideologies, including Satanism. So of course, symbolism is important for us and everything related far or near from Atroce is related in a way or another to the dark essence.

August 2016

In my opinion you guys play a brutal and vicious Thrash infused classic Death Metal, do you agree? Was it the band's aim to sound like that or it just simply happened? What do you guys listen to at home nowadays and what influenced you as musicians? Yes we could agree, but at the same time no. Why? Because we do feel that when the first waves of extreme metal appeared, no matter thrash, black or death, there was a feeling of no compromises, a urge to express something deeper in a way that everything was just blended. It was not about the "style" that you played that was important to know, but much more your attitude towards the music itself that you actually played, so that's why we play our metal the way it was in the 80's and the 90's. We call oursevles the purveryors of Evil Death Metal because once again, in it's essence, it's the best definition to describe our works behind Atroce, and also just to see people getting fucked at trying to classify us. Have you recorded the album at a real studio or at home like many bands do nowadays? How was the recording process? Do you need any special substances to "get in the mood"? In Obscuritas was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Maxime Boucher, a talented musician playing in many well known metal band here in Quebec as Aeternam and Iron Trap. The recording process was absolutely great, considering that all members were already involved in a variety of musical projects in the past, it was not something new and working with Maxime was a great experience of learning the process deeper. Like everything we do in Atroce, the recording process was of course a spiritual experience , so of course candles,incense, etc... was burning during the process. And no, we do not need any substances in order to get in a mood to record an album. Everything we need stems from the inside, no need to seek outside.

ATROCE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; In Obscuritas is out on HSP Productions

How is for a Canadian band to do a tour for example? In such a large territory I guess you have to be on the road a lot in order to get from a location to another. Are these tour trips boring (until you reach the gig location, of course)?

REVIEWS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; REVIEWS - REVIEWS 0N0 (Slovakia) - Reconstruction and Synthesis The House of What You See - 2016 - Psychedelic Industrial Doom Death Metal Founded back ibn 2005 as a one man project, 0N0 became a trio and so a live band in 2013 and this is the band's second full-length album, the first with this line-up. It's the first time I meet this band so I had no expectations whatsoever, but to tell you the truth they kind of impressed me with their thirst for twisting and twirling their music in all imaginable shapes and forms to a degree it's almost impossible to pinpoint their music to a certain genre. Still I'd say their compositions are orbiting around a mix of Doom Death and Progressive Industrial Metal atracting influences and elements from all around the music sphere. 6 tracks in almost 50 minutes of playing time, an oppressive and experimental music that feels boundless and wide but at the same time claustrophobic, dreamy and ethereal but at the same time abrasive and offensive, with high attention to details (especially on the drums part), but unfortunately with a poor production not fit for this band's potential. A schizophrenic, totally mindfucked and terminal slab of Industrial Doom Death well worth a chance. With a proper production this would have been among my top 10 releases of this year! 9 3RD MACHINE (Holland) - Quantified Self Into the Limelight - 2016 - Metal After more than a decade of activity, Dutch quitet 3rd Machine finally release their debut album, Quantified Self, a 9 tracks effort clocking a bit over 50 minutes of playing time. 3rd Machine's music is pretty loose, gathering anything they found suitable in genres like Power Metal, Heavy Metal, Industrial Metal, regular, USinspired Metal, and mostly from Progressive Metal, and the final result is really good, a serious and perfectly targeted Metal punch. The whole has a sci-fi wibe to it, and it seems there's a well-thought concept behind the 9 tracks, but unfortunately they decided not to feature a booklet with lyrics in this digipak CD release. From my point of view the guitar work is the absolute highlight of this album, but I also have to mention the clear vocal potential of John Ruiter, the interesting bass lines and the perfectly supportive drumming; but the most potential on this release comes from the band's ability to melt all these influences into a curdled, strong, inventive final product, an album that deserves your attention from start to finish. 8.5 A FOREST (Italy) - Worn Out Satanic - 2014 - Black Metal A compilation of 2 demos from this Italian underground Black Metal act, namely their 2006 Worn Out Pt.1 and their unreleased Worn Out Pt.2, 5 tracks each of them, so we get here 10 tracks totaling 54 minutes of playing time. Raw, fast and mystical Black Metal recorded in awful conditions but sounding ok for a demo, that's what we have on the first demo. Unfortunately except for their ferocious brutality on both the instrumental and vocal parts, A Forest bring nothing new or interesting to the table, you've heard this lots of times, especially if you were around in the second part of the '90's, the South American bands were delivering such devastating Black Metal back then, I'd say Thrash and Grind influenced Black Metal only for the initiated. The second demo has an even rawer, more stuffed, more brutal sound, it sounds like a rehearsal tape if you ask me, but somehow this fits with the overly aggressive music. If this band would have had war topics I would have easily said we're dealing with Italy's ugliest and most animalic War Metal band, so if you're into that stuff you should definitely give their music a try, if not, avoid at all costs!

national pride (not NS though) and seemingly patriotism; that's weird because usually in such music you're used to deal with totally different, more decadent, topics. The music is very interesting: using traditional, raw sounding Black Metal as backbone, D.H., the man behind AMBS, builds many, different structures and rhythms ranging from slow to fast paced and everything in between, but the main attraction of this act are, of course, the vocals, very expressive, free, and as razor sharp as the music is. There are no set in stone templates when it comes to the instrumental part either and that makes it an adventure, you never know where the next riff might take you, although at times, because of its organic, rough recording technique, the music might seem a bit underworked. If you think Raw Black Metal mixed with Ambient Melodic Depressive Black Metal is the thing for you AMBS might just be the right choice. 7.5

instrumental part, on the other hand, is a bit different than what Obituary used to do, and a bit more complex in rhythms if I can add that, too, with some modern influences here and there, but still keeping it old-school sounding and still reminding of Obituary, various stages of the Obi history. I very much like the fact that the band uses choruses that stick to the listener's mind, because I feel this is what modern Death Metal lacks, then I like the use of atmospheric effects that enhance the dramatic effect of the music and give the impression the band is not rushing things. The rhythms on this album range from fast and assaulting, to slow and decaying, the production is absolutely great, and the fact that it was released on CD, vinyl and tape gives a wide range of options to the fans of the genre. I have here the tape version, released on professional green tape with luxurious 12 panels booklet, very well done. 8

ABROGATION (Germany) - Tief schwarz blutig rot Medusa / Einheit 2011 - Melodic Death

ABYSSUS / SLAUGHTERDAY (Greece / Greece) Split Chaos and Hell - 2016 - Death Metal / Thrash Death Metal Another release featuring this new Greek sensation, Abyssus, so for me as a fan of their work is only a matter of joy. The Athens based Death Metallers open this split tape with an own track and a cover of Death Strike's Pay to Die, and once again I say they are the perfect resurrection of the monstrous music used to be played by Obituary and Master in the '90's, and Kostas' vocals and the other Kostas' solid bass lines are only enhancing this impression. An excellent band, if you're not looking for innovation or avantgarde in your Death Metal and if Obituary, Master or Deicide made your days sometime, you should definitely give them a listen. Slaughterday from Alexandroupolis are less experienced and known as a band, but they seems to have their ideas straight and well defined. Old-school, ugly, horrifying Thrash Death Metal mostly mid-tempoed, but with slow and fast paced parts as well. They offer us 2 own tracks and a cover of Rudimentary Peni, to be frank a Punk Rock band I've never heard of until now. I like the drums work the most on their part, although the tracks are enjoyable as well, but not impressive. Organic, traditional, dark and scary at times, and lead by a screaming vocal on the forefront supported by a growling vocal on the background at times, this is what Slaughterday has to offer, an energetic band that hopefully will continue to grow. The tape is released by Chaos and Hell in limited edition of only 100 copies, professional tapes with booklet featuring all lyrics, well worth your money especially if you're a tape collector. 8 / 7

Metal 21 years and still counting, Abrogation are slowly approaching a quarter of a century of activity, and that's more than impressive especially for a band that remained true to the genre they first started playing, Melodic Death Metal. What I have here is the band's fifth full-length album but not their latest since this year the band returned with another opus. This one was released back in 2011 and features 13 tracks clocking 52 minutes of Melodic Death Metal based on powerful and catchy guitar riffs, Heavy Metal influenced leads and solos, intense rhythm section and a German-sung Bethlehem-like rough voice from one of the two remaining founding members, Schwarte, although this album also marks the last release with him in the band since a couple of years later he decided to quit. The instrumental part balances between Gothemburg-like Melodic Death Metal and traditional, sometimes even brutal Death Metal to keep things interesting and I have to admit this mix brought a breath of fresh air in their music avoiding monotony, although not enough to be surprising or innovative though. A good album, especially if you know German and can understand the lyrics in order to get a closer insight; a band that doesn't break any boundaries but a band that keeps offering good quality material even after so many years on the barricades. 8

ABSENT/MINDED (Germany) - Alight Selfreleased - 2015 - Sludge Doom Post Metal These guys seem to have a really solid DIY attitude since this is their third full-length album and all of them are self-released and not because of the bad quality of the music, that's not the case here, I simply believe they have turned down all received offers... but I don't think that's in their advantage in the end. This newest album kind of left a "cheap" impression on me in the beginning, and here I mean the look of it (a mere 4 pages booklet with dull looking fonts for the lyrics, no pics, no nothing else) and the first track which to be honest I had to skip, I didn't understand that (way too) repetitive guitar lead and tone one bit, but then the album started to grow on me track by track and in the end I had to replay it, well, most part of it, of course. 6 tracks, 45 minutes of playing time, a calm at times, explosive at others atmosphere mixing good chunks of Sludge, Doom and Post Metal, and lead by a Death Metal type of growling vocal with enough versatility to avoid becoming boring. The TV news inserts, the amazing semi-acoustic guitar parts, the absolutely devastating guitar riffs tone, and the Post Metal avantgarde attitude are all making this album stand out and become something to long for. After my not so happy first impression on it, this album grew on me in order to A MONUMENTAL build myself a final conclusion that this is a heck of a BLACK STATUE good release recommended for fans of all genres mentioned above. 8 (Italy) - Excelsior Lower Silesian Stronghold - 2015 - ABYSSUS (Greece) - Into the Abyss Chaos and Hell - 2016 - Death Metal Black Metal Third studio album from this Italian Black Metal band, or Wow, impressive debut album by this Greek combo. One better said one-man-project, that could be easily placed in can't stop comparing them with Obituary, and that's the same category as for example Shining or most of the because of the vocals, Kostas (also in Cryptic Realms) nowadays French Black Metal scene, mainly Peste Noir, a sounds like John Tardy all the way, well, maybe a bit "fuck you all, fuck everything, fuck live" attitude that's more comprehensive and a bit less savage, but definitely quite contagious. Yet AMBS also takes a strange turn on the same timbre, with even the effects used on vocals when it comes to lyrical themes, mainly speaking about very similar to what Obituary did in their beginnings. The

AETHERNAEUM (Germany) Naturmystik Einheit - 2015 Melodic Folk Black Metal After activating for a year between 2012 and 2013 as a solo project, Alexander Paul Blake decided to move forward as a real band and gathered a few talented musicians to form what now is Aethernaeum, a quintet that released its second full-length album almost a year ago. Naturmystik is an awesome 9 tracks effort clocking a wooping 66 minutes of playing time, and it perfectly reminds me and somehow continues the work started in the second part of the '90's by legendary bands like Empyrium, In The Woods and maybe even Dornenreich, a melodic, Folk-influenced, melancholic, heavily inspired by nature type of (Black) Metal. The slow to mid-tempo rhythms highlighted by a wonderful cello and a very expressive vocal part, are taking their time to guid you through these imaginary woods, to develop and "paint" a real journey with its ups and downs if referring that way to soft parts and the more aggressive, Black Metaloriented parts. Acoustic guitars, keys, various percussions, whispers, choirs, female vocals, nature sounds, there's plenty to enjoy here, the compositions are carefully built and structured, there's a certain simple template as backbone, but the kills these guys demonstrate make this album to blossom into something wonderful. Every instrument has its own important role in this story, and I'm sure the lyrical part is as important, too, but unfortunately I don't know German in order to

understand them. Fantastic production, too! If you're into idea thrown inhere are the repetitive, memorable the bands mentioned above don't waste any more time, choruses; underground nowadays seems to deliberately avoid memorable choruses in fear of becoming these guys are your new heroes! 10 commercial, but that's absurd in my opinion, take AFRAID OF DESTINY (Italy) - Akashah for example, their choruses are memorable yet still manly, raw and have nothing to do with commercial Hatred Towards Myself Adimere - 2015 - Depressive attitude. I love this album, although for Today's standards and according to where Black Metal is moving towards Black Metal One man project from Treviso, nowadays Akashah is far off the charts. Your call. 8 which at the moment of the recording and release of this EP AMENOPHIS was actually a duo having Adimere taking (Sweden) - Demos care of the instrumental part and Ayperos writing and 1991-1992 I Hate - 2016 - Death singing the lyrical part. Two years after the release of its Metal debut full-length album AoD is back with this 3 tracks EP I Hate Records decided to released on CD 9and digipak) in three different versions, all of them limited to a few dozen copies, not more. The pay tribute to this obscure, deep underground band active music is mostly slow, depressive with severs suicidal only between 1989 and 1995, by releasing this CD intents, heavily inspired by Black Metal, of course by compilation of the only two demos released by them. Burzum and the DSBM scene as well, no necessarily the With both demos featuring 4 tracks each, the total 8 songs new wave though. Repetitive riffs, semi-acoustic guitars, are clocking 35 minutes of playing time, and I guess all programmed drums (on the second tracks they are awful, fanatics of old-school Death Metal or even better, the sync, or better said the lack of it, between drums and Swedish Death Metal, including me here, will be at least guitars is excruciating), distant, desperate but still curious to find out more about this band's work. I've impressively comprehensive screams, that's what you'll always liked such releases that come with a booklet get on this new EP, 3 tracks (on other version 4), 22 featuring an interview or a story told directly by one of minutes of playing time, nothing impressive but not bad the members, preferably the leader, and this compilation either; the best part on it are the vocals, the riffs are way is no exception as Tim Pettersson, founding member, too repetitive and feel stretched too much, and the lyrics talks about the band lifetime. could have been a bit more challenging if you ask me, The first demo, originally released in 1991, features 3 especially since you can perfectly follow them throughout tracks of traditional, fat sounding Swedish Death Metal still heavily inspired by the thriving US scene; the vocals the audition. There's potential though... 6 and guitars are upfront in the mix, having drums AGAINST THE somehow left behind, but in my opinion that's not a PLAGUES (USA) - problem at all, the general atmosphere is pretty eerie and Purified Through menacing, it's pretty clear they were also heavily inspired by Horror flicks at the time. Ending this demo is an outro Devastation Non Serviam - 2015 - track on acoustic guitar, a track I would have better had as intro, one that reminds me of Tristitia to tell you the Black Death Metal Initially founded in 2005 by 2 members of now defunct truth... Forest of Impaled, Altar of Plagues released 2 full-length The following year they managed to release a second and 2 EP prior to this album I'm currently listening to, and demo on which the production is a bit more polished, the somehow I feel their band name familiar. Their first style turned towards a Techno Thrash Death with a album was a self-released effort, their second was out on different vocalist this time, Tim (who was the singer on Dutch Vic Records and now, this new one, on another the debut) decided to focus on guitar only, and everything Dutch label, Non Serviam, so they seem to have a real sounds a bit more clear, but honestly I don't know if that's affinity for Holland, or at least for its labels. After spining for the best... The band tried to be more technical than it a couple of times already I think the album title fits the they could under those conditions and at some points they music absolutely perfectly, the 9 tracks featured here seem to have sync problems, I also guess this was (almost 50 minutes of playing time) are like a purification recorded in one take only. The second track, In the Dead through devastation, the first 6 of them are a complete of the Night, features also female vocals reciting devastation, a relentless, brutal, technical, merciless something in the background and they sound so damn assault of Thrash, Black and Death Metal, with good coupled with the animal insane screams of the new Extermination Event, the 6th track, being the climax point vocalist. The general obscure, occult atmosphere of the of all brutality, followed by a 7th track, Falling Further, first demo is lost, and in its place the band decided to that's actually an intermezzo, a soft, atmospheric, concentrate more on delivering a more technical output, somehow nostalgic and meditative track that portrays the the progression in composition is obvious, although I can purified World with not much left behind. The last 2 see maniacs enjoying their first demo more than this one. tracks of the album are a bit more technical and Who knows what would have become of this band if they progressive than the rest so some change happened in the would have worked harder and followed up with another meantime. I'm impressed by their technical skills, by the release in '94. This CD is a good tesstimony of their perfect, polished but still organic sounding production, by existence and after what I've heard here it would have their compositional abilities and last but not least, by their been a shame not to expose these tracks to the masses. brutal singer that sounds like he can easily harm you (not like a kid trying to sound tough), menacing, manly, brutal, ANCIENT MYTH and pissed off. Highly recommended release if you're into (Japan) technical and fast Extreme Metal with a slight touch of Aberration: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ptâ&#x20AC;? Fastball - 2016 - Symphonic Metal melody here and there. World class act! 9 Third full-length album from this liong-lasting (14 years AKASHAH (USA) - Eagna na and counting) Symphonic Metal combo from Japan, Aberration is released in two versions, digital with Marbh Wolftyr / Darker Than Black - Japanese lyrics, and CD (I guess digital, too) with English version, actually the CD booklet features the lyrics 2014 - Pagan Black Metal Third studio album from this written in both languages which is a cool idea for their Washington based one man fans. Since it was my first encounter with their music I band started in 2001, Eagna na had no idea what to expect but somehow I wasn't at all Marbh features 8 tracks but lasts surprised to get a fast paced, uplifting, technical for almost an hour of playing time. Symphonic Metal with female vocals. The production is The material on this album reminds me of the beginning weird at first, the vocals are way too in front of the of the 2000's when Pagan Black Metal was beginning to instruments, or at least that's how it seems, but after a take its peak form, when it wasn't yet over-polished and while you'll get used to it and focus on the actual commercial, it was still raw and aggressive, but at the compositions. The guitars, in my opinion, are the same time the epic, majestic atmospheres sounded highlight of this band, very technical, expressive and genuine and honest. This album sounds like forged in catchy, but the vocals are not to be left aside, either. A those years, it's abrasive, still very influenced by plethora of keys and synths accompany and support the traditional Black Metal yet it has plenty of Pagan compositions to build a fairytale-like atmosphere elements to reconcile fans of both genres and even more throughout the whole running time. Aside the weird by adding plenty of Heavy Metal touches all over. The production, in the "I don't like" category I'd also mention vocals are not the finest around, but they have their own some moments when the instrumental part becomes too charm anyway, especially the clean vocals that reminded stuffed and you feel like they are trying to add too much, me of the beginnings of Lake of Tears. Another excellent and also I have to mention I like the Japanese version

better than the English one, pronunciation plays a serious role in this. All in all an interesting release, professional and thoroughly crafted, but not actually a masterpiece of the genre. 7.5 ANGELSEED (Croatia) Crimson Dyed Abyss Slitrick - 2015 Symphonic Power Metal Although formed in 2007, Angelseed became active on discographic level only in 2014 with the release of their first EP, and here we are, a year later, with this debut album, a full hour effort featuring 11 tracks, each of them around 5-6 minutes long. At first the heavy digipak with its 24 pages booklet and the eye catching cover artwork are enough to spark your interest, then the professional band image and the tremendous good looking female vocalist are something extra for a perfect welcome to the band's music. Talking about music maybe Power Metal is not the right or the complete definition for their music, but a mix of it with heavy dose of Gothic Metal and generic Melodic Metal, a strong symphonic backbone and even some healthy guitar and drums Heavy Thrash elements would make you see things clearer, or maybe not but at least get a better picture of what this band is capable of offering, and their technical skills, completed with good abilities in coming up with some nice arrangements are making Angelseed a proud representative of the current Croatian Metal scene. Luckily enough the good looking Ivana is more than just looks and she is at least at the same level as the instrumentists are, her voice timbre is both enchanting and strong but definitely well worked out. A beautiful album, an excellent debut, and a band to keep your eyes on if you're a follower of female fronted Metal bands, or simply Melodic Metal bands, they have the ability to reach the top of their game, no doubt. 8.5 AODON (France) Sharphood Antinomie - 2016 Atmospheric Black Metal Debut album from this young project that seems to have been founded this year, so we're looking at a less than half a year career for Aodon, and it already benefits of a record deal and here, its debut fulllength album released on 3 panels Digipak CD format (honestly I hate the what seems to be low image quality of the front cover artwork, but also how dark the lyrics are printed on a black background, I had a hard time reading them). Pretty cool, isn't it? Well, M-Kha, the guy behind this moniker seems to have had the ideas of these 12 (!) tracks in his head for a long time since the album in itself sound pretty good, well matured and lyrically interesting, I guess you cannot do that in less than a year though... The music is a combination of fast paced, blastbeats-lead Black Metal with Atmospheric parts all over, a strong influence I would say from the '90's UK Doom Death scene, and even some Hardcore influences here and there when the rhythms become quite groovy or when a male choir appears in the background and sounds like fuckin' Biohazard, but don't get fooled, this is a full-on Black Metal release, closer to the melodic and dark Doom Death atmospheres from the '90's, but sounding quite modern I'd say. The vocals have a certain abrasive and organic timbre that might separate this project from others similar and give it an own sound, but except for that there's not much to surprise you on this debut album, which is damn understandable for a less than half a year outfit. Promising. 7.5 ARABS IN ASPIC (Norway) - Victim of Your Father's Agony Black Widow - 2015 - Heavy Progressive Rock Way softer than what we usually feature here Arabs in Aspic's music is a very pleasant meeting. This Norwegian quartet seem to be firmly rooted in '70's Prog Rock, and from my point of view sounds like a good mix of Pink Floyd and Uriah Heep influences, based on a complex and tasty guitar work supported by a mostly mid-tempo rhythm section (intricate drumming, intense bass lines that gives a Heavy impression all the way), impressive keyboard / organ parts and leads by an excellent vocalist ranging from soothing, light parts to heavier, more energetic ones, with plenty of soft male choirs and background vocals to emphasize and offer more expressivity. Very eclectic gathering of tracks when it

comes to length, they are ranging from one minute to good and talented musicians, but I feel the need of more more than 8 minutes, and the total amount for the 9 tracks emotions in (or from) their music. 7.5 featured here is around 37 minutes. I'm sure this comes in vinyl format, but the CD version comes with 8 pages ASTARIUM (Russia) booklet and nice paintings whose links with the actual In the Nebulous Sky Frozen Light - 2016 music I haven't really understood. Fans of '60's and '70's Dark Ambient Rock, not only prog Rock, will definitely enjoy this, I New material from know my wife does and can't wait to get her hands on this SiN, although I'm not disc after I'm done with it. 8 sure what's the criteria for naming this a demo ARKENTYPE (Norway) not an EP or even full-length because it would meet all Disorientated criteria to be that: it's released on a label, features 6 own Crime - 2015 - Progressive Metal Oh man, here's another compositions and a cover track, and the total duration is masterpiece I'm blessed with the 45 minutes... Anyway, getting to the music on it, this time chance to review/listen to. At SiN offers us 6 Dark Ambient tracks made on synths first I gave it a couple of spins creating an ethereal, even cosmic atmosphere, supported in order to get what's these Norge Progressive Metallers by slight (low volume) rhythm beats from programmed music all about, and I can say it's a kind of Modern drums. The atmosphere is abysmal and oppressive most Progressive Metal melting elements from traditional of the time, with some rays of hope here and there when Heavy / Power Metal, Metalcore / Djent even, and even the music becomes a bit lighter and hope-springing. The Extreme Metal, plus special elements like female vocals seventh track here is a cover of Burzum's Hvis lyset tar here and there (some of them are absolutely heart- oss, but on synths only, no vocals, no guitars; it sounds melting...), violins, excellent synth backgrounds, piano, weird, I wouldn't ever say this is a Burzum track, and flutes, cello, baroque guitar, into one very ambitious honestly I prefer the originals from Astarium. The debut album. So yes, the music on it is pretty promising, material is released on nice 3 panels gatefold Digipak the band demonstrates good capability to develop CDR limited to only 51 hand numbered copies, hurry up. interesting and at the same time modern and fresh- 7 sounding compositions, with a major highlight in the vocalist versatile approach, and the clever guitar work, ATARAH (Switzerland) - Atarah but in my opinion this album has its best part on the Auric - 2015 - Dark Ambient lyrical level where everything circles around a central Weird, weird stuff on this tape from Switzerland... This element, Erica, it's a concept work about a man (not sure debut album from Atarah features 4 tracks, clocks over 40 actually) and his turning points in life, but I still wasn't minutes of playing time, and it was released by the band able to figure out if Erica is the main character's lover, in digital format in 2014, a year after the band's (or sister, relative or his alter-ego...and that makes it project, I'm not sure if this is a real band or a one man interesting. I won't spoil things out for you, but if you project although I'd incline towards the second) inception. decide to give this band/album a try I urge you to listen Instrumental only, no vocals, just desolate, ethereal with the lyrics in front of you, you'll get much, much soundscapes portraying a dark, post-apocalyptic I would say, post-industrial, maybe a bit melancholic atmosphere. more than a simple audition. I loved it. 9 During the audition you'll most certainly imagine being the only person on earth and pretty much face all your ARKHE (Hungary) - A fears in your mine and I'm sure moments of pure and utter Nail - 2016 - Experimental Music Not sure why but to me it seems almost normal for a guy panic won't avoid you either... Although simple and not like Andras Nagy to start his own project at some point in polished whatsoever this material is highly expressive and a totally different area than what he was used to, meaning impressive at the same time, so if you're into Dark outside of his Black Metal field that polished him as a Ambient soundscapes make sure to give it a chance. 8 musician in Sear Bliss and Nefarious so far, and here we have his newborn project, Arkhe, with its debut album, ?. ATRA VETOSUS (Australia) Mixing all sort of elements from within and mostly Ius Vitae Necisque Immortal Frost - 2016 outside the Metal field, Arkhe's music and especially the Melodic Black Metal vocal part makes you feel like you're part of Andras' quest Once in a while is cool to see in search for his musical identity, and although such a underground bands sticking to statement would make one think of unfinished business, of incomplete music, which is not the case here. Andras the same underground labels as on their previous releases, seems to have done everything he wanted on this album that means stability and also that both sides were/are and so we get pieces of Alternative Rock, Gothic Rock, happy with their collaboration. That's the case of Electronic, Ambiental, Dark Rock, Metal, and a hint Australian Atra Vetosus and Belgian label Immortal towards the UK Doom Death Metal scene after they Frost, which after a 2013 debut album decided to extend stopped being Doom Death if you know what I mean. It their collaboration and here we have the followup, an EP sounds mature, interesting, borderless, ingenious and full (or single...) featuring only 1 track but clocking 23 of potential, a project to keep an eye on if you're into minutes of music, tracks that seems to end around the 17th minutes and being followed by another, a soothing, either Rock or Metal with an experimental wibe. 8.5 acoustic guitars / keyboards made track. Oh well, they say ARSIRIUS it's an EP and it's one track only so that's what it is. It all (Germany) - Lvdi starts with an atmospheric intro made by keyboards and nature effects (storms) and at some point guitars and Incipiant Medusa / Einheit - drums start to build up the tension to end in a technical and melodic type of mid-tempo to fast paced Black Metal 2016 - Death Metal Formed from the ashes of Dead which I enjoyed a lot, maybe except for the vocals that, Emotions in 2010, Arsirius are a new name, at least to me, although inventive and versatile (the background laments so I had no clue what to expect when popping this CD and screams are perfect), lack of power and a steady pace, into my player. This is the band's debut album, a 10 tracks the vocalist at times sounds like a Metalcore frontman and effort clocking almost 45 minutes of playing time. at others simply looses his voice, or at least that's how it Modern sounding Death Metal with plenty of technical sounds, and that's never a good thing. The guitar work is and melodic features to impress, but unfortunately excellent, the drums are complex and powerful, too, but bringing nothing new or original to the table, throughout the main highlight of Atra Vetosus is the atmosphere it the audition I had the constant feeling I've already heard manages to build, one that's very much in harmony with all these riffs, and the leads are not different either, niot the excellent cover artwork, just look at the artwork and managing to inspire any emotions (at least to me). On the you might imagine the music on this EP at perfection... 7 other hand the mix of Modern and Melodic Death Metal with some more brutal parts, with a good level of Thrash ATROCE (Canada) - In and even Black Metal (well, Black Death that is) Obscuritas HSP - 2015 - Death influences thrown inthere, with the band's technical Metal abilities and skills to avoid monotony, with the overall I'm used to listen to new intensity of the music and the few parts when the Black Metal, Heavy Metal compositions offer some surprising rhythms, all these are and Power Metal bands compensating for the lack of originality, and all in all I'd say we're served a powerful (read tight) debut album that coming out of Canada lately, but here I have the debut plants some good seeds for the future. They are some album from a traditional Death Metal that is capable of making some waves in the underground in the near future.

Atroce were founded in 2012 and after a self-released demo in 2014 they got a deal with HSP Productions and here I have the first fruit of their collaboration, a 9 tracks effort clocking a bit over half an hour of playing time, the perfect duration not to become boring and keep things to the point. And that's exactly what Atroce are doing, the album starts like a hurricane and ends in the same fashion, no intros, no additional movie effects, no nothing to give you time to breathe, just pure, straight-to-your-face classic Death Metal with some occasional old-school Thrash Metal guitar riffs and leads. Brutal as fuck, lead by a vicious, razor-sharp vocalist that feels like he'll manage to bite your head off until the end of this CD or at least that's what it seems he's trying to do, In Obscuritas sounds like an energetic, enthusiastic piece of Extreme Metal that's ready to conquer the World. The lyrical part of this album seems to be more than just simple addition to the music, the occult, left hand path topics addressed here might have a deeper substrate. Recommended if you're into a Thrashy type of fast-paced Death Metal the traditional way. 8 AVITAS (Canada) Pioneers Bud Metal - 2016 Black Metal Solo project of Myrtroen, also owner of Bud Metal Records, Avitas offers us here its fifth full-length, released only 2 years after the previous work. Avitas has a political agenda for sure, I never discuss a band/project's political approach, but in this case I'm not sure if the concept of this album is more political or more satanic as both topics are intensively present here. Anyway, speaking about the music on this new album we get 8 tracks (one of them being a cover of Ministry's N.W.O., and the last one being a hidden acoustic version of the 7th) clocking 45 minutes of playing time, a harsh, raw and primitive offer highlighted by an organic and unpolished production, stuffed and fat sounding bringing the guitars in front of everything. The last two tracks (or one if you want, as it's the same track but different versions), with the heavy addition of acoustic guitar and subtle choirs, are the best and most expressive in my opinion giving a strong Pagan vibe to the whole. I find the rest of the album a bit too chaotic and rushed (some lacks of synchronization are obvious at times) and the lack of a proper booklet to help with the lyrics is not helping either. A raw, barbaric album strictly limited to 300 copies. 5.5 AWAKE THE SUN (Italy) - The Barren Sleep Sliptrick - 2015 - Dark Metal Formed in 2010 on the ashed of Avantgarde Gothic Metallers Ensoph, Awake the Sun are not very far away from that path maintaining that bold, courageous attitude to incorporate as many influences as possible and melt them into something as progressive as possible. This debut EP, that comes after quite a long waiting if you ask me, proves the band's thirst in discovering new sonorities, and at first audition I have to admit I found it quite weird sounding, quite al over the place, but it grew on me slowly along the way. I'm not sure how come this is labeled as EP since it features no less than 8 tracks and clocks 45 minutes of playing time, in my books this is a proper full-length album, no doubt, but who cares for these catalogs nowadays. Awake the Sun are melting together Dark Metal, Doom Metal, Melodic Modern Metal, Atmospheric and Electro influences and a few Groove Metal touches, too, into a solid, emotional and powerful final material. In its peak points (read tracks) the band sounds amazing, really up to hit the highest tops in Atmospheric Metal, but there are also some tracks and parts that are fairly good but not interesting, not groundbreaking, so I guess the final outcome is what matters and that's definitely positive, even more since it's a debut. Powerful, heavy guitar riffs supported by emotional leads, complex bass lines, inventive drumming, and a constant layer of atmospheric keyboards seconded at times by electro synths, topped by a capable vocalist that reminded me of the beginnings of The Gathering. Impressive debut, let's not wait another 5 years for the followup. 8 BALFLARE (Japan) - Downpour Fastball - 2016 - Melodic Power Metal Initially released by local Black-listed Productions back in 2012, the fourth full-length and at the same time the latest by Japanese Power Metallers Balflare, is made of 12 tracks clocking a bit over 50 minutes of playing time. Fast, epic, synthetic, symphonic and uplifting Melodic

Power Metal is what we get here, delivered by an undoubtedly talented group of instrumentists, but unfortunately for me with an awfully synthetic drums sound that get on my nerves most of the time. The vocalist is good but clearly not pushing himself to max only here and there and on other parts sounding like he's on a break from good vocals. The rhythms are most of the times fast to very fast but manage to build an epic, fairytales-like atmosphere throughout and here I would mention the complex symphonic keyboard work and the exquisite guitar leads and solos as main artisans of this atmosphere. I'd compare this band to Dragonforce, just think the same insane speed, but a bit more symphony and a more synthetic approach. Music you can't listen just standing still. 8 BARUS (France) Barus Emanations - 2016 Progressive Death Metal I've already spinned this a few times before doing any research on the band and I was ready to bet anything they have a strong connection with Doom and/or Black Metal. I was right, this young Grenoble based quintet features 2 members from the excellent Doom Black Metal band Maieutiste. This one is Barus selftitled debut EP, a 4 tracks effort clocking 23 minutes of progressive, theatrical, occult and sick Death Metal; ranging from doomy, almost ritualistic passages to devastatingly brutal and intricate as hell fast tracks (or parts of tracks), and highlighted by an excellent, versatile vocalist that, coupled with some well-done and expressive lyrics, manages to transmit intense emotions to the listener, Barus offers an interesting take on Death Metal, one that i would like to hear more and also one that would also like to hear dissected and delivered in more depth. Besides the expressive vocals the massive guitar riffs and complex leads, the tremendous wall of drums and fat sounding bass lines are something to admire on this EP, a promise for the future, so with the band's potential unveiled it only remains for us to wait for their debut album. Released as 6 panels digipak CD with memorable artwork. 8.5 BELLS OF DOOM (Sweden) The Death of God Auric - 2015 (re-release) - Doom Metal Now this recording has an interesting story around it: both the band and its music are the one day worth of work by Runemagick's frontman and founding member, Nicklas Rudolfsson. One day guys! It means he got up in the morning with a few tunes and decided to record them the same day, but not with his other bands and projects, but with a new one, with the initial intention to get a vocalist to take care of that part and Nicklas to do the instruments only. The other vocalist didn't reply in time so Nicklas decided to do everything by himself. I guess the same day he even uploaded the tracks on mp3.com and soon after he released some CDRs, too, but here we are almost 15 years later and the material sees the light of the day again under Auric Records, as professional cassette tape. I'd say this is traditional Doom Metal with a hint of Funeral Doom, not boring at all, quite expressive and able to create an epic, mysterious atmosphere around it, but I'm not that convinced by the sound quality to tell you the truth, it's too stuffed although it allows a good audition experience all in all. As a one day work of work I'd say this turned out great and there are even some guitar leads, riffs and solos that impress, but it's still a one day worth of work, it could have been probably much more interesting if a bit more thought out. 7.5 BLACK GOAT (Russia) - V Years of Absolute Eclipse Nomos Dei - 2015 - Black Metal This Russian band was spawned back in 1999 but only laster a year and in 2000 they split up only to resurrect 6 years later and since then they seem to be going strong, releasing countless demos, splits and compilations, so basically staying true to the deepest underground; my respect for this attitude. This new compilation features 18 tracks from various demos, splits and or course, also some unreleased material recorded in the harshest conditions possible. Black Metal with no trace of compromise, raw, bestial, abrasive, and with no intention of coming up with something new or innovative, so if you're looking for progressive, avantgarde stuff you should avoid this at all costs. The sound quality is really shitty, you'll have a hard time understanding what's what, and on top of that on some tracks the drums sound so synthetic and annoying that I always feel the urge to skip them. The compositions

whole, how they recorded, hoe they came up with the ideas, and ultimately how proud are they of the final result; to me this says a lot about their tremendous passion and desire to actually express themselves through music, create something that the audience will understand and finally embrace. The music itself is absolutely top notch and features many, many twists and turns, many little things to discover throughout the playing time. Highly recommended if you're open-minded and in search for something fresh in this nowadays stale genre, a true piece BLERTHRUNG (Australia) - Blindvei of art and one of the best Melodic Death Metal albums Selfreleased - 2016 - Black Metal Straight from Australia comes this young duo founded I've had the chance to listen; if you decide to give it a just last year but which already managed to release their chance make sure you buy the physical release and debut full-length album. I have to admit I had a hard time actually read what in the booklet while enjoying the taking them seriously after only seeing their band promo audition. 10 picture, it's one of the absolute worst I've see in this genre since the '90's and I have the feeling if the band gets CAUSTIC further with their career this will become a constant in (Switzerland) "worst" tops of Black Metal. But passing over my awful Caustic prejudices (yes, I admit that too) I discovered a fantastic Auric - 2015 (reband, maybe the surprise was bigger exactly for that release) - Thrash reason... Blerthrung are offering here 9 excellent tracks, Metal very complex in rhythms and feelings transmitted, very Nice of Auric Records to offer to the world re-releases of versatile from track to track, imaginative and intelligently old influential Swiss releases, like Vic Records are doing structured, honest-sounding, following the '90's (second with Dutch oldies or I Hate Records with Swedish part) Melodic and Depressive European Black Metal releases, and other such labels. I would have liked this patterns and at the same time trying hard to determine tape's booklet to feature the band's bio or at least a few their own path. This album is a constant delivery of info on them as they seem to have been a serious potential surprises from start to finish, and although it doesn't have major surprise coming out of Switzerland at the beginning the power, the sound, the production required to reach any of the '90's but unfortunately one of their guitarists and tops, it's nonetheless a highly entertaining piece of Black seemingly the band's leader, Chris Renggli, died in '93 Metal without boundaries. The atmospheres range from (after the band has just released their debut album) from a calm and soothing built by acoustic parts, to terrific, drug overdose at only 21 years of age. This tape re-release devastating fast Black Metal parts, with enough balance is dedicated to Chris' memory. This debut EP features 4 to keep you interested. Wow, what a trip... 8 tracks of aggressive, technical, groovy and well written Thrash Metal sung with both energy and good skills so BRUTALITY (USA) - Sea of that the final result is very interesting and manage to display a band that had tremendous potential but has not Ignorance Repulsive Echo - 2016 - reached a professional level of "catchiness" yet. The Death Metal production is also very good, for a debut EP it's I've been listening to impressive how well it sorted out, and the cover artwork this new Brutality record is fantastic, not sure where it is taken from though, most for the past two months probably it's a classic painting. I'll now search for the plus, and I still find it fuckin' album that was released a year later, I'm curious to see flawless, I love it to death! The brutal trio Jeff (b, v), Jay how the band has evolved. (g) and Scott (v), now joined by young but experienced drummer Ruston Grosse, delivers a hell of an excellent CELTIC DANCE (Portugal) - Regressus ad Uterum come-back album, although the band was not completely Lower Silesian Stronghold - 2016 - Black Metal dead at least over the past half a decade. Anyway, we get As the band clearly states about it, this is not a release here 8 tracks (one is a fantastic cover of Bathory's Shores made of new material but rather a re-release of their side in Flames - what???) full of all those good things the band of the 2004 split with Wolfthrone, and it was needed used their fans (including me): long, melodic and catchy because of the "shitty work done concerning promotion & guitar solos, ferocious yet comprehensive vocals, lots of distribution by the previous label" (country mates from rhythm changes with enough focus on each to make Ethereal Sound Works). LSS re-released it this year as 3 things both steady flowing and interesting, demolishing panels gatefold Digipak CD limited to 500 handbass lines highly influential on the overall outcome, and numbered copies. Since this is my first meeting with this last but not least the exact drumming this band needed, band and its music I wasn't sure what to expect, I was Ruston proving he's a fuckin' beast and at the same time betting on Folk Metal or Pagan Metal, but I was not proving he's the right man for the band. It all sounds like expecting some traditional, angry Black Metal, and that's the perfect soundtrack for any old-school Florida Death what I got. The instrumental part is absolutely great, Metal fanatics, as I said I'm hooked with it for a couple of starting from the insanely fast and intricate drumming of months and there's no doubt this will be one of my very Rolando Barros (also known from Grog, Neoplasmah or best for 2016. Repulsive Echo did a great job releasing Scent of Death), and continuing with the well-structured, this as Digipak CD that comes with a 12 pages booklet intense guitar work, the perfectly supportive bass lines, that unfolds with the lyrics on one side and the complete and the simple but very effective keyboard parts, but in artwork on the other, like a mini-poster. Not a fan of the my opinion it is bashed almost completely by a poor vocal artwork though, makes me thing of Obituary's Wold tone that really gets on my nerves when not sounding Demise on one hand and on the other I hate seeing TVs completely hilarious. Sorry, but although the vocalist on Death Metal coversm, somehow they don't fit well in seems like a true underground supporter (owns a label and my views... 10 a fanzine) and has all my honest respect, his vocals are really ruining what could be a very, very good release. Again, the instrumental part, including the unpolished and BURDEN OF LIFE dirty sounding production, is excellent, I would listen to (Germany) - In this technical, intelligent, epic sounding Black Metal all day, but... 6 Cycles Noizgate - 2016 - Melodic Death Metal Fourth full-length album from these Bavarian Death CEPHEIDE (France) - Respire Metallers, In Cycles features 8 tracks clocking almost 50 Sick Man Getting Sick - 2016 - Atmospheric Black Metal minutes of playing time, and I'm sure it's the band's best Featuring only 2 tracks but lasting for more than half an work to date, although this always sounds like an hour, the debut EP of this French duo was first released understatement. At least in my opinion this is a fantastic by themselves in 2015 in digital and tape format, then by album and has everything I could ask for from such a Ogmios Underground on CD version a few months later, starting from lots of aggression, excellent technical skills, and finally by Sick Man Getting Sick Records as vinyl amazing progressive touches all over intertwined with this year, almost a year after its initial launch, so if a looks back in time ('70's Psychedelic influences), lots and material is lasting that long and still turning heads you lots of melodic elements, fresh and involving ideas, know there's something about it that might interest you, versatile vocals, and ending with a little touch that make a too. And after spinning this EP a few times already I have whole lot for me, the fact that Christian, vocalist/guitarist a word in mind: tight; the music on it is so tight after a and leader (main composer) of the band decided to devote while you actually start to feel claustrophobic, the 2 pages of the booklet to explaining what he/they wanted monotonous (read hypnotic) yet extremely intensive to express through each track and through the album as a drumming coupled with Atmospheric Post-Metal kind of are quite simple as well, without surprises, without interesting parts you haven't heard before, so all in all although the atmospheres these guys manage to create are spot on sinister and horrific and the tracks pretty different one from another (being taken from various releases), this release was boring and I don't think I'll give it another go in the future. Try it only if you're into totally raw, primitive Black Metal. 4

Death would have sounded if they'd turn Black Metal back then, a cold, depressive and melancholic piece of Extreme Metal that's impossible not to touch you, a mix of (as said before) Scandinavian (Swedish and Finnish) Black Metal with French Melancholic Black Metal. There were only a few (really few) parts where the music gets mid-paced and the guitars are based on riffs and stop creating melodic leads, where I felt bored, but overall I felt good listening to this material, I'll do it again for sure. I really hope this band continues to create and release stuff, their technical skills and creative potential give me CHALICE OF hope they can release true masterpieces. 8.5 SUFFERING (USA) COBER ORD (France) - Le Revers du Soleil - For You I Die Times End - 2016 - Nomos Dei - 2015 - Ritual Ambient Industrial Drone Atmospheric Doom Another project from a Stille Volk member, I'm amazed Metal by this band's (or at least of some of its members) Debut album from Minneapolis based Chalice of connection with the underground despite the band's Suffering, a young band founded a year ago which Worldwide success and fame, kudos for that! The front managed to complete and record 8 long tracks that cover picture is one of the most effective and impressive deserve your attention if you're into '90's Doom Metal or I've seen lately, it stucks to my mind and I can see it even Funeral Doom Metal. The band's music is pretty complex if I close my eyes. The music presented on these 8 tracks and its repetitive parts are not as monotonous as one could (46 minutes playing time) is a depressive, disturbing, think when seeing the band advertised as Funeral Doom terrifying at times Dark Drone Ambient with Industrial Metal; to me it seems the band starts as Atmospheric sounds, different percussion types, vocals ranging from Doom and progressively passes into Funeral Doom whispers, inhales/exhales, shamanic-like throat sounds, to throughout this album, with the pinnacle of Funeral in the inhuman growls and grins, and an interesting use of 7th and 8th tracks. It feels like the music becomes darker silence to enhance the effect of all sounds. Sounds like a and heavier as the album progresses. During the 72 nightmare happening on an industrial platform where minutes of playing time there's much to discover and you're kept hostage by a pack of ghouls and your end is enjoy, the band offers many feelings and emotions to the constantly and unavoidably approaching. By the end, on listener and no small influence comes from the versatile the 5th, 6th and 7th tracks the terror reaches its climax, vocal part ranging from clean, warm vocals to funeral, followed by an 8th track where you're already dead, in cryptic growls, but I have to also mention the good guitar another dimension. Very interesting release but most work, the subtle but important keyboard background definitely not for the faint of heart or for those of you who layers, the steady and methodical rhythm section, and the give up easily, this one needs more spins to be fantastic impact of the addition of flutes and bagpipes in understood. 8 parts of this album; at times I felt like in a sequel of Braveheart, haha. Very cool and interesting release, I COUNTESS hope they will add more flutes and bagpipes on their next (Holland) - Fires of works, that will give them an identity. 7.5 Destiny Selfreleased - 2016 - Epic Black Metal CHURCH OF NECROLUST If you're one of those who consider different as being (Austria) - Church of Necrolust interesting, the new (fifteenth!) album from Dutch Black Selfreleased - 2015 - Death Metal legends Countess is just the right treat! Actually Countess hasn't changed that much along the years, but as Metal Young band from Austria far as I'm concerned they are now doing what could well featuring experienced be considered as Proto Epic Black Metal a la '80's, with members, most prominent the same organic and unpolished production as the being Oliver Neussl (aka underground releases from those years, with the same DisPater) who played bass on Disastrous type of keyboard backgrounds that remind you of Conan Murmur's 2001 album ...and Hungry Are the Lost, and and such epic/legendary characters; comprehensive, who plays drums in this new band. A quartet that seems to raspy, angry and inflammatory vocals, blasphemous and be devoted to delivering an ugly, demonic, organic and at the same time fantasy lyrics, catchy as hell guitar riffs abrasive form of Death Metal, and the good thing is they and incisive bass lines, all these combined to create a succeed in releasing a kick ass debut EP here, 6 tracks in damn fine record you HAVE to give a chance to, and if almost 25 minutes, a Black Metal influenced vicious and you'll find it weird and weak at first, you'll soon discover bestial Death Metal highlighted by the excellent vocal duo an almost ingĂŠnue kind of charm in this really old-school of bass player Blasphemic Berzerker and guitarist Black Metal, much more old-school than many of those Reverend Necrolust who are creating a violent and evil pretending to be that way nowadays. It's impressive and atmosphere from start to finish, very visceral, very honest curious at the same time that a band of this experience sounding. What I liked a lot were the catchy choruses, and caliber decided to release their new album especially on the title track which is the best on this independently, but I guess we'll find out more in an release by my standards. The guitars are delivering good interview with them soon. 9 riffs, and the bass lines are pretty incisive, too, nothing spectacular though. The drums have an organic sound I CRYPTIC REALMS like, even though maybe a bit more polishing wouldn't (International) - Eve have hurt in this case. To complete this with the band's of Fatality Weed Hunter - 2015 rotten image and old-school looking cover artwork, I'd Death Metal say Church of Necrolust delivered a promising debut EP, This international no doubt the next release will be on a label. 7.5 project was founded last year by members CIEN (Poland) - Ecce from Mexico, Brazil, Greece and USA, and here we have Homo Old Temple - 2014 - their debut demo already released in 3 different formats: CD by the band, vinyl by Bloody Productions and tape by Black Metal 5 years after their Weed Hunter Records from Germany. I have here the tape foundation Cien version and I have to say for a demo it's as professional as manage to release this debut album, a 7 you can get, professional to a full-length album level, and tracks effort totaling 45 minutes of mid-tempo to fast it's worth every penny if you like to have good looking paced Black Metal, quite traditional to the second wave of tapes in your collection. Judging it by the music on it I'd Scandinavian Black Metal I'd say, with quite a few say although the members are all experienced and mature melodic, even melancholic insertions all over the place. musicians, this recording shows it's a debut demo; the At first I was impressed by the good quality of both guitar production, although fat and traditional, sounds synthetic work and bass lines, offering some good taste passages at times (especially the drums, but also the guitars sound a throughout the material, but the drums are here to make a bit lifeless, too). The compositions present us a band with difference, too; the vocals, although not very versatile, are clear potential, a tape that reminds me of the early Tampa traditional Black Metal shrieks that at times, together with Bay Death Metal recordings, especially Obituary, and some slow / mid-paced instrumental lines, create quite a that's so very cool. If they keep on the same path and depressive atmosphere, one that I feel is the highligh of come up with one or two memorable tracks on the next this album. This is how the UK school of '90's Doom recording, coupled with these great marketing skills I've guitar riffs, leads that keep things sparkling and interesting, and a distant screaming vocal that doesn't rest for a bit, are building up a monolithic material that allows you to actually respire only during the atmospheric synth based parts that are some sort of intros/passages links with the actual tracks. As a debut EP in the nowadays overwhelmingly crowded scene this is not outstanding, but it proves a tremendous potential from Cepheide and I know for sure I'll be looking out for their upcoming release. 8.5

seen in this band lately (their name seem to come up everywhere), I can see Cryptic Realms provoking some waves in the scene. The tape version comes with a 3 panels booklet featuring lyrics and is limited to 166 handnumbered copies. 7.5 CYDIA (Russia) - Victims Of System Metal Scrap - 2015 - Groove Metal Here's a Metal genre I don't like to listen to at home (or wherever, I mean recorded) more than seeing live, and if the bands manage to deliver live what they are doing on the recordings than it's with great pleasure I attend such a gig. Cydia presents us here their second full-length album, an 11 tracks effort clocking 45 minutes of quite complex Groove Metal highlighted by a massive amount of riffs projecting different atmospheres on each track, from melodic to mysterious, from energetic to progressive, from groovy to aggressive, but all this with complete support from a strong synth / keyboard driven background that makes things sound fresh and entertaining for the younger generation as well, as the backbone seems to be on Groove / Alternative / Electro Metal, genres that used to be (are they still?) very popular in Europe at the beginning of the 2000's. The vocals are more aggressive than the actual music, but with the benefit of a good production everything sounds quite balanced. I also have to mention the (very few though) guitar solos I have enjoyed a lot, very melodic, very Heavy Metal-like, but all in all I'd still prefer to see his live than listen to on CD. 7 DAKHMA (Switzerland) - Passageways to Daena (The Concomitant Blessings of Putrescing Impurity) Godz ov War - 2016 - Blackened Death Metal According to the Zoroastrian rite Dakhma, or the Tower of Silence, is a funerary tower erected on a hill for the disposal of the dead, a perfect fit with what this new Swiss act offers in terms of music and seemingly lyrics as well, although I wouldn't be sure, this debut album doesn't feature a booklet with lyrics. Anyway, from the absolutely sinister and tremendously dense atmospheres of their debut album one can easily let himself/herself plunge towards a decaying, putrid abyss; yes, the music inhere is that expressive, I'm not just using creepy words for nothing. Throughout the more than an hour of playing time, Dakhma builds and offers a fantastic horrifying, oldschool, organic sounding mix of Black and Death Metal with an exceptionally obscure and repellent feeling from start to finish, and even if one by hearing the description so far might expect a simple, primitive compositional level, Kerberos, the one man behind this moniker really demonstrates good technical skills and appetite to offer something new; in this direction I would say the shaky and swirling guitar riffs (like played on an old, out of tune tape) are an excellent find, something I've never heard before to be honest and that adds up to the wall of dirty, terrifying constructions inhere. Give this album a chance, it's something else. 9 DALLA NEBBIA (USA) - Felix Culpa Razed Soul - 2015 Progressive Black Metal Wow, this is an excellent material that from the dull cover artwork I honestly wasn't expecting, especially since this is the first time I'm meeting this band and its music. Dalla Nebbia, contrary of what you'd expect (me included), is not an Italian band, but actually comes from South Carolina, and sounds like the 90's Peaceville relocated and started to sign US bands. To me it sounds like My Dying Bride, Anathema, Paradise Lost and similar bands all mixed up with the current Post Black Metal and Atmospheric Black Metal genres, with also a healthy dose of Progressive Metal here and there, a melancholic, almost romantic type of current Extreme Metal spiced with violins, but unfortunately with such a raw, "trv" sound quality that will discourage many of their potential listeners. The compositions are really, really interesting, each of them with its own personal charm, each building up a tremendous final result but again I would have enjoyed it much better with a more polished, more professional sound; I can appreciate the fact that drums are live recorded, and everything sounds organic and honest, but contrary to my usual belief, this time I would have liked something different, less "aggressive". The same raw sound makes some parts of this excellent album sound too crowded, way too chaotic, they should sound simpler

although the band's music is not simple at all. The vocals, as the sound, are keeping it as aggressive and oppressive as possible, and the few times where clean vocals are present to calm things down a bit, the whole sounds chaotic. I think this band has tremendous potential, but at least this second full-length album of theirs is only a frustrating audition for me, it could have been presented way better than this; nonetheless a band that needs to be at least given a chance! 8 DARK FURY (Poland) - This Story Happened Before Lower Silesian Stronghold - 2016 - Black Metal Wow, this is the 9th full-length album from Dark Fury, a 7 tracks effort clocking a bit over half an hour of playing time. Straight, mid-tempo, traditional Black Metal is the name of the game here, highlighted by an almost sinister bass line, catchy riffs, organic drumming and a vocal type I'm not too fond of, recorded way in the back of everything to make it absolutely impossible to understand the lyrics (that if you're already used to the Black Metal raspy type of vocals), and last but not least, they incissive, offensive to some, lyrical concept you can easily get from its title. My fave part of this new opus are the putrid, decaying atmospheres resembling more the old-school Death Metal scene rather than the Black Metal one, but with a much clearer sound quality and small effects (like the funeral guitar leads) that resemble the current Polish thriving Black Metal scene. Overall an interesting album that's both offensive and ugly, just like it should be. Released on 3 panels Digipak CD by Lower Silesian Stronghold. 7.5 DARKNESS / EARTH PLAGUE (Italy / Hungary) Demonic Blessings Satanic - 2016 - Black Thrash Metal / Black Metal A joint venture for monotheistic destruction, or at least that's how the label presents this split between Italian Darkness (the Novara based Darkness) and Hungarian Earth Plague, both bands contributing with 4 tracks each for a total of 35 minutes of destructive Black Metal. Opening are Darkness, a traditional, mid-tempo to fast paced Black Metal with occasional melodic guitar work, a hint of Thrash Metal as influence, but not the raw, dirty side, but rather a powerful, polished one, on guitars. The drums sound a bit too synthetic, not sure if they were programmed or really recorded in a studio, but I'd say it's the first. Their 4 tracks are pretty varied, energetic and entertaining, based on repetitive but not boring guitar riffs that will catch your attention. The vocals have a good, raspy tone, but a bit more versatility wouldn't hurt. Hungarians Earth Plague are around since 2012 and this split is a follow-up to their debut album released 3 years ago. The music is simpler but also more ferocious, it makes you feel the wrath but that's mostly because of the highly intense rhythms and hateful vocals. The drums are pretty straight-firward from start to finish and except for the intensity they bring, ther's not much else they express, and the guitars walk on the same path: repetitive riffs all the way, with less versatility than needed. As a conclusion Earth Plague only quenches your thirst for fast, brutal and blasphemic Black Metal, but there's not much it brings in terms of composition. 7 / 6 DE VERMIS (New Zealand) - Black Wolf Pride Selfreleased (?) - 2016 - Black Metal Honestly I was expecting such a raw, extreme, uncompromising release coming out of New Zealand, but I have no idea how come. Anyway, De Vermis are right that kind of a band, or better said their music is that right kind of music: fast, devastating, chaotic, and absolutely abrasive, so much that I guess War Metal fanatics will have plenty to sink their teeth into. Even the mid-tempo, somehow melodic-hinting parts are like sand paper rubbed straight on raw flesh, mostly because of the organic, not polished sound, but also because of the disgusting & disgusted shrieks the vocalist treats us throughout the whole playing time of the release. The guitars have slight touches of Death and even old-school Thrash Metal in their straight, traditional Black Metal path, just to make things more spicy, but unfortunately my last impression is of a band that doesn't have an own, defined way to follow, doesn't have much personality and I wouldn't be able to distinguish anything representative in their music. The good part on the other hand are the ferocious, highly energetic, and hateful material delivery that unveils a seemingly thirsty Black Metal newcomer with potential. 6 DEEP DESOLATION (Poland) - Possession

Old Temple - 2015 - Doom Black Metal Although featuring only 5 tracks, this new (third) album from Polish Deep Desolation clocks no less than 45 minutes, but when being reminded one of the genres they are blending in their music is Doom, it all comes together. Three years after the release of their second album Deep Desolation are ready for another attack, an album that can be considered both simplistic and complex, simplistic because of its rhythms, the music flows steadily and without major surprises throughout the 45 minutes, and complex mostly because of the guitar work that at times reaches progressive elements as well. The weird (and good at the same time) part in Deep Desolation's music is the addition of some rather groovy old-school Doomy rhythms on both drums and guitars, and this spices things us, makes them more interesting, gives the band a certain advantage, an identity. This Groove element is not matured enough yet in order to sound both natural and fully catchy, but if the band progresses on the same path I'm sure they'll do it, and this won't be something to overlook, at least I haven't heard of such a combination yet (or I don't remember). The production could have been better, and the cover artwork, although sight-catchy at first, if you look closer is quite amateurish. Anyway, a new step for Deep Desolation towards the completion of their own genre, a band to keep an eye on. 7.5 DEFIANT (Coatia) Morbid Spiritual Illness Miner - 2015 Melodic Black Death Metal After a 3 years hiatus since their previous album, Croatia based Defiant return with their third full-length album that sees the band angrier and more determined than ever, maybe in no small part due to the new vocalist's gushing energy and enthusiasm. Along the years the band has shifted from Melodic Death Metal to a visceral, aggressive, technical and demonic sounding mix of Black and Death Metal and what we get here are 11 tracks in almost 45 minutes of playing time where Defiant manages to convince the listeners of their potential. The instrumental part is quite technical, these guys don't miss any chance to show their skills, but they also work well together so that the compositions sound curdled and benefiting from a powerful and crystal clear (although highly organic and not over-polished) production manage to deliver a mature, professional and entertaining fulllength album. Powerful is the word that first comes to mind after spinning this disc, one that I recommend to you too. 8.5

Celebrating almost 15 years (well, 15 years this year) of activity, Chile based Demonic Rage released this compilation of 20 tracks from all these years, so a fine overview on their complete evolution as a band. If we're talking strictly about the compositions the band pretty much kept its initial path, a raw, bestial, demonic and mostly fast paced Death Metal with complex guitar riffs, chaotic guitar solos, organic, aggressive drumming, and absolutely terrifying vocals. The difference between all these songs is basically the production, but still the band preferred an organic, unpolished production, with dark, cavernous atmospheres. My absolute favorite track from this release is Shadows of Prophecy, from the band's 2011 EP, a slow, haunting, decaying and putrid track highlighted by drums that sound like death's callings, and a vocalist that sounds like death's emissary coming for you; one of the best Death Metal tracks I've ever heard! In the end I have to mention Mark Riddick's absolutely fabulous cover artwork perfectly portraying what you'll find on the CD in terms of music. Highly recommended! DESERT DRAGON (USA) - Before the Storm Sliptrick - 2015 - Progressive Rock Melodic Metal For an award winning band like this one I have to be honest I find the presentation of this CD as poor to say the least: no booklet, so no lyrics printed, only a 2 sides insert that makes the cover, I would have expected more... And since I mentioned the band as being award winning I have to mention that their track Save My World was winner of the Best Rock Song at the Malibu Music Awards, but there's much more to discover on this album. The tracks inhere (11 tracks, 43 minutes) are very diverse one from another ranging from Blues Rock to '90's Hard Rock to '70's Progressive Rock to Melodic Metal to Southern Rock, totaling into a very enjoyable, very interesting album that will most certainly impress a wide range of listeners, a light album for light days. I very much liked the fact the band clearly plays exactly what they want without any trace of barriers but in the end the final result sounds tight and unitary. To sum it up the band's music is way above the CD presentation; I hope they get the deserved credit from the listeners. 8

DIESEAR (Taiwan) - Ashes of the Dawn Total Metal - 2015 - Melodic Death Metal Total Metal are marketing this release as the band's debut album, but Metal Archives says it's their second; I'd incline towards Total Metal being right because the 2009 release, The Inner Sear, lasts only a bit over 25 minutes, so it would be better considered as EP rather than LP. Anyway, the band is around since 2007 and it seems they've grown into the most respected and biggest Melodic Death Metal band in Taiwan. This album was DEGIAL (Sweden) - initially released for the Asian market in 2013, and now picked up by the Ukrainian label for a Worldwide release, Savage Mutiny Sepulchral Voice - and they did good as Diesear are a truly worthy band. Following roads open by band like Childern of Bodom or 2015 - Death Metal I feel like the current Arch Enemy, Diesear are one of those bands that rely Retro Death Metal movement is slowly becoming a stale heavily on melodic guitar leads and solos all over their genre lately, like in the beginning of the '90's, when Black material, and their advantage is that their guitarists are Metal took over the banner of blasphemy, but there are exceptional in both composition and execution, delivering still some bands that have the potential of turning things some of the best guitar work I've heard in a while. The over and actually make this genre a bit more fetid and vocals are ok but could have been a bit more versatile to decaying than it was, pushing further the barriers of reach the guitars' level, and maybe a bit more rotting Death Metal, and so getting back cohorts of fans comprehensive, too, in order to make tracks a bit more who are obviously looking for genuine, honest memorable, but I guess the guy did his best on this release experiences inspired by death in a genre that is named and he can't any more than this; not that it's bad what he after it... And since we're talking about a band from doesn, but it's not enough, just listen to the last tracks Uppsala, city mates and close friends with the guys from where he's clearly overwhelmed by what he tries. The Watain (both Erik Danielsson and Set Teitan contributed rhythm section does a good job remaining subtle yet still on this album, too), Degial are one of those bands capable supporting very well the great guitar work. A very good of becoming the next big thing in Death Metal, and I'd say debut album that should be followed by a second fullcapable of reaching a Watain-like status in this scene. length asap as it's already old although re-released. 8 Their image is definitely interesting and intriguing in order to catch the kid's attention, and their music is a DIVINE BLASPHEMY perfect blend of US and Swedish fast paced old-school (Greece) - Beyond the Death Metal, highlighted by its constant intensity, Portal Lower Silesian decaying, miasmal atmospheres, a good vocalist (that Stronghold - 2015 could and should have been a bit more versatile though), Black Metal catchy and haunting guitar riffs supported by intelligent and even melodic at times leads, fat-ass devastating bass Trio from the capital of Greece founded in 2014, Divine lines and organic, angry drumming. All in all Savage Blasphemy managed to release their debut album via LSS Mutiny is an excellent album, the second attempt of this last year, and here I have a copy of it. The first impression Swedish band, an album that has the capacity of turning is quite common for this type of releases, nothing to be some heads and creating a steady, devoted following. out of the ordinary, and I'm referring to the cover and Comes on CD with 12 pages booklet featuring all lyrics, booklet artwork, black/white, blasphemic, evil winning but it seems Sepulchral Voice has released or will release over the good, old-school and kind of childish in a way. it on vinyl as well. Definitely worth your time and cash. 9 Passing over to the music on it, unfortunately I have the same feeling, of a deja-vu, a music I've heard before a lot of times namely fast paced Black Metal with drums DEMONIC RAGE (Chile) - Omen of Doom Old Temple - 2015 - Death Metal blasting all the way and vocals somewhere between

growls and raspy screams, vicious and evil sounding. And this deja-vu amplifies along the way because of a mix between obsessively repetitive Black'n'Roll guitar riffs, which I hate the most here, blasting drums with very few variations, lack of versatility on vocals (even though Gothmog from Thou Art Lord appears as special guest on two tracks) and the very long duration of the tracks featured here. What I liked the most about it were the sinister guitar leads and solos, and the evil atmospheres it emanates when it's not overly groovy and headbangingfriendly. Maybe I've heard too many of these releases lately to be easily impressed by them, and that's why if you're into fast paced hellish Black Metal you should give this a chance, maybe you'll like it more. 6.5 DIVINE WEEP (Poland) - Tears of the Ages Total Metal - 2016 - Power Metal This second album from Divine Weep celebrates the band's 20 years of activity, and although not being very active until now, it seems they have finally decided to take the bull by the horns and after releasing the album by themselves they signed with Stormspell Records for a US territory release, and this year here I have the new version of this album released by Total Metal / Metal Scrap Records from Ukraine. The Polish band seems to have left their initial style (Melodic Black Metal) behind and are now a pure Power Metal band complete with catchy guitar riffs, long melodic guitar leads and solos, technical rhythm section and a stand-out vocalist, all in place to impress the True Metal community. The vocalist has a strong Eastern European accent to his English lyrics, but if you think you won't be bothered by that you'll discover a really interesting voice and a frontman who really gives all he's got reaching impressive heights at times and always keeping your attention high, that's why, despite the mentioned strong accent I believe his voice is the band's highlight and leading element. I have already mentioned the technical rhythm section, but the guitar work is as technical as well, very versatile and open to testing and offering new horizons, mostly inspired by Power Metal and Heavy Metal, of course. So all in all I think Divine Weep made the right choice when signing with two different labels for this new album, it deserves to be listened by as many fans as possible and maybe, who knows, it might be their long-awaited break, too. 8.5 DOMINANZ (Norway) - Noxious (re-release) Fastball - 2016 - Blackened Industrial Extreme Metal A couple of years after it was initially released, Noxious, the second Dominanz full-length, is now out on Fastball Music and hence a whole new life it's instilled in it, not in small part due to the seemingly tremendous (at least for the underground) Fastball potential in what concerns promotion and distribution, exactly what any band needs. 9 tracks, 45 minutes of playing time, an album that proves to be highly professional from all points of view. The Industrial term in the genre labeling might be a bit too much, but there's a definite Industrial and Symphonic atmosphere throughout the album, and not necessarily all over the place but highly impacting. Think of a mix between Dimmu Borgir, The Kovenant and Abbath and you'll be close to how Dominanz's music sounds like, a dark, vicious, cold and ruthless atmosphere that surrounds carefully structured and quite complex compositions. The vocals tend to become a bit boring after a while and maybe the versatility level on this release isn't what the instrumental part requires, but it heads towards a good target. I also liked the usage of catchy, memorable choruses, something that should be used more in Metal music nowadays. The highlight of this album is t6he guitar work, no doubt; the drums, although programmed are not annoying at all, actually they don't even sound synthetic or unnatural in this environment, kudos for that. A powerful album that deserves your attention. 8 DSM (France) - DSM Selfreleased - 2016 - Death Metal Deathcore No, DSM doesn't come from Depressive Suicidal Metal as one might think nowadays with this term (actually DSBM) being so popular, but it stands for Delicate Sound of Murder which in my opinion would sound better than simply DSM, anyway, it's the band's choice. This is their debut album, released 5 years after the band's foundation, a 10 tracks effort clocking almost 40 minutes, a mix between Modern Death Metal, Progressive Death Metal and Deathcore, quite technical, mid-tempo to fast paced most times, with loads of rhythm changes that could be tasted by fans of Progressive, but I doubt will be enjoyed by fans of clean, smooth flow in their Metal. All in all the

tracks are complex, varied and interesting enough, with an Industrial flavor, with a good production, so all in all I think DSM made a good first impression. 7.5 EAR SLAUGHTER (Slovenia) - Fuck You All Kaos - 2015 - Grindcore Got this CD a while back and started writing this review a few times already but never got to properly get to it for some reason or another, but now it's the moment. Ear Slaughter were a short-term band from Slovenia that activated as a trio between 93 and 95 but decided to broke up because of line-up and rehearsal place problems. In 2011 two founding members got together and recorded this demo under the Roka Smrti title, which eventually got re-named and re-released last year in the actual form (professional CDR in DVD case with A5 a cool 16 pages booklet featuring the band's story and all lyrics, limited to only 50 hand-numbered copies) by Kaos Records. 9 tracks recorded in a studio (or at someone's house) plus a live track and a cover of Napalm Death's Scum, all this in 18 minutes of playing time. The production is not polished, very organic and visceral I'd say, but sounds perfect for this genre, and even the live track sounds acceptable, the compositions are good enough, and the overall impression is quite good, it's nothing new or original, but it definitely sounds good, and the short chaotic Death Metal type guitar solos are just a very nice addition to the flavor here. It reminds me a bit of the Czech band Pigsty, and although not as catchy, Ear Slaughter brings a heavy and healthy dose of Death Metal influenced Grindcore, the traditional, ugly and pissed off way. 7.5

into this music I have no restraints to warmly recommend it to you, too. 9.5 ELVARON (France) - Ghost of a Blood Tie Fantai'Zic - 2016 - Progressive Thrash Metal After 9 years of silence (at least on discographic level), France based combo Elvaron releases their fifth fulllength album in their 23 years of activity, what an achievement despite the band has numerous line-up problems in the meantime. This album also marks the band's comeback to Fantai'zic Productions, their previous collaboration being dated 11 years ago, the 2005 The Buried Crown album. The newest member of the band, keyboard player Shuguang Li has a tremendous impact on their music, adding all sorts of classical influences perfectly fit with their already intricate and largely open minded music. I'm personally not too fond of the vocal tone, I find it quite unimpressive in regard to the instrumental work and I honestly think the band could do much better with a different vocalist, but except for that I find the whole album overwhelming, very laborious, complex, expressive and challenging, especially since it has a concept behind based on the poetry of Melanie Fazi, poetry that also makes the album's lyrics. The guitar work is tremendous, the keyboards are working hand in hand with the guitars, and the rhythm section seems like a beast on its own, starting with the unrelenting and highly imaginative drum patterns and ending with a subtle yet very influential bass line. An album that takes time to digest, not an easy listening for sure, this one oozes dedication and hard work from all its pores. 8.5

EMPHASIS (Estonia) Revival EFPIX (Russia) Underground Evil Sides Symphony - 2016 Sliptrick - 2016 Industrial Modern Death Symphonic Progressive Metal It's not every day I come across a female fronted Metal Even if not as aggressive as Black Metal has, Death Metal Progressive Metal band so this Estonian outfit is also mutated in lots of different directions over the years something out of the ordinary in this sense. Coming out of and comparing the different corners of this mutation now the capital Tallinn, Emphasis wwere formed in 2010 and is like listening to totally different genres. Efpix (man, I this is their debut album released after a few Single really dislike the band name) are still a Death Metal teasers that tested the "waters" in the previous years. So as rooted group, but their music is highly influenced by other I was saying, we get here a female fronted Progressive genres, too, most importantly by Industrial and Electro, Metal highlighted by intricate composition structures, a but in the end, this debut album of theirs is still pretty mix of Power Metal and Progressive Metal on the guitar heavy and aggressive in order to be still considered Death riffs, amazing solos and leads, complex rhythm section, Metal. To me it sounds like a mix of Hypocrisy, Tiamat sci-fi-like keyboards and synth work, and last but (the third part of their activity), Pain and maybe In definitely not least a female vocalist, Anna, who at first I Flames, with a heavy dose of Electro Industrial thrown found to be a bit too operatic and powerful for the overall inthere. From the band's image to their music everything music, but it grew on my track by track and at the end I seems to be highly professional and carefully assembled can honestly say her voice amazingly compliments the in order to impress. Versatile and expressive vocals results of her hardworking band mates. The label ranging from clean, manly tones to Death Metal growls, recommends this album to fans of Within Temptation, to Black Metal shrieks, sci-fi synths all over, aggressive Nightwish and Opeth, but I would replace the last name riffing, melodic leads, intense rhythm section, and above with Dream Theater and then I'd say they're spot on, just all complex and varied compositions, this is what Epfix give a listen to the track Every Time which benefits from are offering on their debut album, and I really hope they the guest appearance of a saxophone player, too, and you'll know what I mean. Not an easy listening overall, get a chance outside of the Russian territory, too. 8 but a damn interesting and captivating one if you're looking for well-thought, intelligent structures in your EILERA (France) - Face Your Demons music. The production is absolutely perfect; the Digipak Echozone - 2016 - Gothic Metal Got mislead by this album cover, I CD packing professional to the bone and the cover / thought I was going to listen to booklet artwork is stunning. Excellent! 9.5 some sort of Pop music by a lady called Eilera. Well, ENDARKER I wasn't totally off (Sweden) - Among because the main the Shadows character of this project is indeed a I Hate - 2016 - Thrash Black Death Metal lady called Eilera, but she's joined by a few musicians on I've always wondered why these compilations are always this recording and what they produced is a very good starting with the most recent material and end with the Gothic Metal record complete with loads of influences oldest, and that because the obvious interest in such a from other styles like Folk Rock, Gothic Rock, and even release is to get to know the band it presents and Power Metal. Eilera is, of course, a vocalist; her vocals especially understand their progress, if any. This is a are not over the top impressive when it comes to tonality compilation of all recorded material by this old Swedish at first sight/listen, but she carefully composed these band that was was active between '86 and '93, for some tracks in order to compliment her abilities and put her the golden years of Death and Black Metal, and totally voice in the best light possible. You know what? She did lead and conceived by current Marduk bass player Devo. it! She sounds amazing, just the perfect amount of In this band/project Devo took care of bass, drums and everything thrown into this pot of music, with the right vocals and was joined by two friends, Peter and amount of versatility and the right amount of spotlight, Necrotech. To me it seems the music evolves from a too, in order to leave space to the instrumental part to primitive, Hellhammer, Bathory, Venom influenced make its mark, too. And the musicians she chose to join Speed Thrash Black Metal towards a more aggressive and her on this recording seem to have the best taste and Death Metal oriented music, so it seemed like the band potential since they managed to deliver a tremendous was trying to get on a wave, any wave, but failed in the material. I tell you, by the end of this 12 tracks (2 of them end. Actually the music is not impressive at all for and Finnvox covers) album I can't decide which of them I nowadays standards, but I can see it back then turing like best since each of them has its own sound and some heads as it features a few cool elements like catchy identity, but I can say for sure it's a charming, elegant, guitar riffs, weird vocals (a mix between Thrash and professionally produced and delivered piece of Gothic Abbath-like vocals), a pretty dark atmosphere and a good Rock Metal, one of the best I've heard lately, and if you're production on the last release. All in all it's a good way to

get to know another band from those effervescent and so influential years of Swedish Extreme Metal scene, and also I have no doubt Marduk fans will want to know it as well. ERADIKAL INSANE (France) Mithra Selfreleased - 2015 Modern Death Metal They've waited for more than a decade to release this debut full-length, and luckily enough this fact only made them angrier and thirstier to express their art; the result, Mithra, is extremely energetic, expressive, brutal, vibrant, demanding and at the same time offerer. This mix of Melodic Death Metal, Brutal Death Metal, Deathcore and smaller quantities of other influences, is devastating, the 11 tracks (46 minutes playing time) featured here are all making me think of the start to a dog race, that's how tense the atmosphere is throughout this album. The guys' technical skills and at the same time their compositional potential and imagination built an incredible material, impossible to bore you, presenting us a band that finally gets their break, and although this is a Digipak CD released by themselves I hope it will get the attention it deserves and maybe even get re-released by a strong label, Eradikal Insane are insanely good! 9 ETERITUS (Poland) Following the Ancient Path Godz ov War - 2016 Death Metal Old-school Death Metal to the bone, I wouldn't expect any other from this band's debut album, their logo and the cover artwork perfectly prepare the listener to what he's about to witness. Good and oppressive production, chunky guitar riffs, loads of leads and solos, an angry, comprehensive roaring vocal, and tight rhythm section, that's what we get on these 9 tracks of mid-tempo to mostly fast-paced Death Metal with serious Swedish (Stockholm) Death Metal influences sprinkled all over. The best part of the album are the guitar leads and solos, and maybe the meaty riffs, too, not overly complex, but enough to avoid boredom, and also enough to create a dense, obscure and brutal atmosphere. The album is quite short, only a bit over half an hour, but Eteritus manage to prove everything in this half an hour, and especially to make themselves a name as promise of the Polish Death Metal scene, just imagine a mix of old Dismember and Bolt Thrower and you get the picture here. CD comes with 12 pages booklet featuring all lyrics. 8 EXHUMATION (Indonesia) - Opus Death Dunkelheit - 2014 - Death Metal Exhumation, the one hailing from Indonesia, seems to have succeeded to spark some interest after the selfrelease of their debut album in 2012, and here's how this second full-length is out on Germany based Dunkelheit Prod., a major step up for the band I'd say, but from what I was able to browse on the net it's a well-deserved achievement since the debut was so well received. And here we have their second opus, a 10 tracks effort clocking 40 minutes of Bestial Death Metal splashed with a good dose of Thrash and Black Metal a la '80's, dirty, aggressive, blasphemic, managing to create a death infected atmosphere that will give you the chills. Oldschool or traditional are perfect words for this release as Exhumation are following old patterns, without trying to be innovative in any way, but from my point of view I like tghe fact that they decided to push the instrumental in front of the vocals and this because the vocals, as demonic and ghoulish they sound, have nothing catchy, while on the instrumental part you can find some pretty rad guitar leads and solos, the drumming is energetic and intense as fuck, and the bass lines are also a good element towards the final outcome. In what concerns the current revival Extreme Metal scene this is absolutely a top notch release, but nothing to push any boundaries, too. 8.5 EXTREME SMOKE 57 (Slovenia) - Who Sold the Scene? Live DVD Pharmafabrik - 2014 - Noisecore Grind Like in Ear Slaughter's case, I visited this DVD a few times already and somehow I wasn't ready to write a review, but now I'm in perfect mood for this genre, so "nota bene", I am as well recommending you to experience this only when you're in the mood for the most violent, hateful, chaotic, bestial, obliterating noise that's somehow close to music, Noise Grindcore that is. This

the grandma from the cover artwork. The music sounds more like Hard'n'Heavy most of the time than Heavy Thrash, it constantly gave me the impression it should have been more powerful, more aggressive, but maybe that's only me. On the other hand the set is very entertaining, it's already the fifth time I play the CD and I'm still not bored. The sound quality is as you'd expect, faultless. The vocalist might give you the impression he's about to lose the control of his voice, but he seems to be very aware of what he can and what he can't do, there are only a few high-pitched parts that could have been done better or not tried at all since he's not that gifted to say the truth, but he manages to keep thing interesting even without sounding impressive. The compositions are also FALLEN ICON (Malta) more complex and offer much more that I would have expected so here's another reason to give this a try. 7 - North of Nowhere Selfreleased - 2015 Groove Death Metal GENUS ORDINIS DEI (Italy) By the looks of this The Middle Mighty - 2016 (re-release) EP's cover / booklet Symphonic Death Metal artwork I wouldn't in a million years expect a groovy type Ok, from the first of Death Metal from Fallen Icon, but that's exactly what I sounds of this album got to experience here. These 6 tracks (almost 25 minutes) you can easily see constitute the debut release of Fallen Icon, a Maltese trio why Mighty Music founded back in 2010, so it took them some time to come up with something to shop for labels (I guess). The 6 decided to re-release this debut album from Genus compositions are exactly like the band's logo expresses, Ordinis Dei after the band first released it in 2013, the fresh and modern, yet still paying tribute to the old professional production and massive sound quality is a patterns of this style (Death Metal that is), a perfect mix major win for the band and its debut album. The Middle of Groove and Death Metal with important yet not features 10 tracks in 45 minutes of playing time, a fresh, overwhelming influences from Stoner, Thrash, Brutal dynamic, entertaining and expressive Melodic Death Death Metal and I think I've heard some Progressive Metal, the Children of Bodom, In Flames type, with Metal somewhere inhere, too, but as stuffed as it may all melodic guitar leads and long solos with roots in Heavy this seem, the tracks are pretty aired and tight to be and Thrash Metal, energetic rhythm section, subtle but headbanging friendly, too. I can see this as potential good important keyboard backgrounds, and two types of vocals entertainment for both old-school and new-school Death with growls as lead and screams as support. It sounds and Metallers, the musicianship is top-notch, the compositions flows very good, well thought and intelligently delivered, are interesting and quite varied, the presentation and but unfortunately this genre is quite overwhelmed attitude strict and professional, only good things. The only nowadays, it's hard for something or someone to come up part I'd do different would be the vocals, a bit more with something new or surprising and G.O.D. haven't versatility won't hurt for sure, at least in my case these either. The band is very promising though. 7.5 raspy screams tend to get boring and even annoying after a while. I have to also mention the excellent by Etienne GOATSLAVE (France) Bugeja, excellent indeed. 8 Procession of Doom Atavism - 2016 FUCK THEM ALL (Poland) - Last Feast with the Black Metal Beast Debut album from this Old Temple - 2015 - Thrash Black Death Metal A mix of the m,ost important Extreme Metal subgenres mysterious (at least for us, non-French) duo from France, and not only, that's what we're getting from this debut Procession of Doom is made of 8 tracks and clocks a bit album from Poland's most pissed off group, Fuck Them over 40 minutes. Bestial, satanic and highly aggressive All. After serving the underground with plenty of demos Black Metal with a fat as hell sound. Organic and not and splits for the first 5 years of their existence as a band, polished production but perfectly fit for this style I would Fuck Them All finally manage to record and release 12 better call Death Metal sounding Black Metal although I tracks on the same material, and here we have a bit over know that's not orthodox, but who cares? Atavism half an hour of mid-tempo to fast paced dirty Metal, Records names Archgoat, Sadomator, Necroblood and simpler than you'd expect from the mix of Thrash, Black Blasphemy as major influences for Goatslave and I can and Death Metal, an old-fashioned outburst of dirty and hear that in their music, but their music is a bit less raw Metal that goes hand in hand with the nowadays "old- chaotic and a bit more technical although keeping things fashioned" Metal revival. The compositions are simple simple and straight to your face; Goatslave music is less but entertaining and not boring at all, although I would abrasive and catchier than the bands mentioned above. have liked a bit more versatility from the hateful vocals. The tracks are long and sometime give the impression Unfortunately there are also some subtle bass lines or they were artificially stretched becoming repetitive and guitar leads that will pass unobserved because of the raw less interesting, although most of the time the band mix, but all in all I'd say it won't disappoint the fans of impresses through some good riffs, intense rhythm section this genre. Not original or challenging, but a fun and and cavernous growling vocals. I would have liked some enjoying piece of Metal, if that's what they wanted to more surprising elements and hooks like some chaotic offer it's perfect, but if they wanted to push some guitar solos or some more of those nice guitar harmonies boundaries they certainly need more work. I'd be curious like on the track Goatslave. I see no reason for this band to know if the drummer plays in a Hardcore-like band, not to become a cult name in this already cult scene that is Bestial Metal, the logo, the cover artwork on this album, too, he has the right grooves for sure. 6.5 the music, all are straight on that alley, so if you're a fan GANG (France) - Live is of it, give these guys a chance you might be surprised. 7.5 All Selfreleased - 2015 GORT (Italy) - Pestiferous Heavy Thrash Metal Worms Miasma Lupus Niger - 2016 - Black Metal French veterans GANG (founded back I shouldn't be so excited after in 1990) have been listening to this second album quite active since their 2010 album, their fifth, releasing from Italian Gort, because this is new stuff every year, and 2015 made no exception with traditional Black Metal, nothing the release of their second live album to date, an 11 tracks more than that, but fuck, it effort clocking almost 35 minutes playing time. The sounds so right, everything sounds curious thing is that the band decided to work again on so fit and perfect for this type of music that their own, like for the first live album, without the it's impossible for me not to replay it (this is backing of a label, which might be a usual choice for a already the fourth time I'm spinning it). It's clear these young band nowadays, but not for one that tops 25 years guys are devoted to the underground Black Metal scene, of existence... The tracks here were recorded during their all of them being previosly or currently involved in other set at the SOS Festival in Manchester; the intro and outro bands or projects, and all of them obscure, and when features something like an announcement read by a lady meeting their music as well you're convinced this is the who fits perfectly with the cover, it seems like the lady is right thing for them. Heavily influenced by the '90's seems to be the band's set at the Ljubljana Noise Fest in 2013, about 10 minutes of total devastation produced by drums samples, bass, guitars and two demented and totally wasted vocalists, a fantastic experience of complete and utter disgust, something you have to experience to understand, so I'm actually glad this was produced on DVD, it gives the whole a better effect, and I must say the production is top notch, the gig being filmed by three cameras and professionally edited and mastered after. Very cool DVD, recommended if you're into Grind and Noise, for sure. A a side note I found it hillarious when one of the vocalists presented a track "this song is about", then the next tracks "this song is not about". :) 8

Norwegian scene, Gort deliver what can be called traditional Black Metal, mostly fast paced, with occasional slow yet still freezing cold and dark passages, highlighted by an excellent artillery of guitar riffs, an upfront, intense bass line, an organic and incessant drum work, and a perfect shrieking vocalist. The only thing I'm not too fond of, or better said I'm a bit disappointed of, are the lyrics, which at times soom a bit too simple and almost childish, and other the English knowledge of the writer (lyrics are written by different members) is insufficient to develop a better story. The balance between intensity and cold melodic passages makes this one of my fave such releases for this year already. No innovation, just pure '90's Black Metal done and delivered with excellent taste and skills, recommended! 9

vocalist with good tone but not experienced enough to be versatile as well although at times a growling voice seems to support the main vocals in the background. Anyway, definitely not a debut to be ashamed of, but not something interesting either. Released as slim pro-CDR with 4 pages booklet limited to 100 hand-numbered copies. 6 HECATE (Italy) - Ultima Specie Revalve - 2013 - Brutal Death Metal Having released only this EP at the end of 2013 although the band was formed back in 2009 makes of the Italian combo Hecate a not so productive one, even though this EP features no less than 7 tracks plus an intro. It's about time they should follow-up with new material to prove they are serious about this. Ultima Specie, as said, features 8 tracks and clocks 19 minutes, a mix of Brutal Death Metal with devastating blasting drums, intelligent guitar riffs all over the place, abrasive bass lines, and a main growling vocal seconded by a screaming one here and there, with a mid-tempo, steady and quite groovy American type Death Metal that made me think of a jam between Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse and Autopsy, plus a hint of Grind on a couple of tracks. Not at all bad stuff, and offered with good production; actually the short timing of this EP might be positive after all as after a 3-4 spins I'm not not bored at all by it. The CD comes with 8 pages booklet featuring all lyrics. 7

GREY HEAVEN FALL (Russia) Black Wisdom Aesthetics of Devastation - 2015 Black Death Metal Although this band's name sounds familiar to me, this is the first time I meet them and their music and after listening to this second full-length album of theirs my first and most honest conclusion is: wow, this is crazy good stuff! The album features only 6 tracks but clocks 51 minutes of Extreme Metal devastation, an album I would easily compare to Mgla's 2015 masterpiece at any given time, but this is probably more technical than atmospheric, and also has a slightly more influences outside of Black Metal, but if we talk about the overall ingenuity Grey Heaven Fall is at par with Mgla. Some of the guitar riffs are absolutely fabulous making the music HEIMSGARD (France) sound eerie and absolutely demonic, the drumming is Ordrag Epicural - 2015 fantastic (even jazzy), and the bass lines are subtle but Pagan Black Metal very important in the overall equation; the vocals could One man band of have been a bit more versatile, but they are still powerful Raido, also guitarist in and impressive. There are some Doomy parts here and Malevolentia, there but that's absolutely obvious since all three members Heimsgard was of GHF are also the three members of Funeral Doom founded in 2012 and outfit Comatose Vigil, and these parts, combined with the ferocious, fast rest of the album result in one of the best this is its debut full-length album. More than an hour of quite "friendly" and epic sounding Pagan Black Metal the albums I've heard lately, hands down. Don't miss it! 9.5 sort I used to review a lot 10-15 years ago, mid-tempo to HARM (Norway) - Devil (re- fast paced, highlighted by a raspy Black Metal-like vocal, abundant keyboard arrangements and Power Metal release) Battlegod - 2015 - influenced guitar work. Overall a successful album with good atmosphere but speaking for myself this is far too Thrash Metal At first sight I quite light and happy, also I tried to follow the lyrics... big wondered why would mistake, apart the fact they are quite generic and Battlegod re-release unprovoking, Raido's cadence and pronunciation are Harm's debut album awful even though some would say this is not important from a decade ago, but my guess is: initially it was for a vocal part you can't really understand. The released on the obscure Sublife record label and I guess it absolutely best element in Heimsgard's music is the tasty lacked important promotion. Now, re-released as double and complex guitar work and the fact that all in all the CD, with a second CD being a compilation of demo and music gives me an organic, honest impression, so there's unreleased tracks with less solid production than this full- hope here. Try it if you're into Ensiferum, Wintersun, length album that stretches for 37 minutes. Harm are a Amon Amarth or Falkenbach, bands their label mentions traditional Thrash Metal fast paced rhythms, violent, as major influences. 6 desperate vocals, low, metallic bass lines, pounding, relentless drums, catchy guitar riffs and slick leads and HELLSING solos, but without something to really stand out and (Indonesia) - The define the band's sound as original. What impresses on Fallen: A Sinister this record are the excellent, fresh and meaty production, Declaration of Fire Adimere - 2015 and the overall cohesion of the band that gives the impression of a really technical and well worked band, Melodic Black Metal Good idea to release but again, the problem comes when we're talking about this EP in such something to define the band. For their fans, and for unconventional format (CDR in a traditional Thrash Metallers, this re-release will be a fine treat, undoubtedly it's highly enjoyable and entertaining, cassette tape-like case, limited to only 100 handand it comes with a 16 pages booklet featuring lyrics and numbered copies), it will most certainly attract the an even better cover artwork than the initial release attention. The band was founded back in 2010 as although keeping the same style. 7.5 Immortal Creatures, and a year after changed its name to the current one. After a single in 2013 and a demo in 2014 HATEFUL DESOLATION (International) - here's the moment for the band to release its first official material, this 4 tracks EP lasting for a full 15 minutes and Withering in Dust presenting us a melodic and somehow technical (good Adimere - 2014 - Depressive Black Metal International duo founded in 2013 by Void from Egypt technical skills for the 2 guitarists) Black Metal. The and Gray Ravenmoon from Italy, the first being already whole material reminds me of the effervescent end of the an experienced musician (also member of Astray, '90's - beginning of the '00's Melodic Black Metal scene, Frostagrath, Hecate), and the second still experimenting from the gothic-like cover (a religious statue), to the (also member of Grindcore band An-Al Gore, not so sure vampire-inspired intro, to the music itself, but the about its seriousness though). This is their debut demo, a compositions are pretty good, entertaining, and the band 3 tracks effort clocking 23 minutes of playing time, and demonstrates a clear thirst and joy of playing this music which, except for some depressive, melancholic guitar making this EP a honest, trustworthy one. The production leads, doesn't have much to enjoy. Slow to mid-tempo is not polished or professional like the Last Episode bands DSBM with awful synthetic sounding drum-machine, rich used to have back in the days, but it's clear and good symphonic-like keyboard backgrounds, cold guitar riffs enough not to disturb the audition, and that's all what completed with the above mentioned good and expressive matters. The highlights of this band are in my opinion the guitar leads, a bass line you can actually hear, and a excellent guitar solos and the vicious, evil, yet

comprehensive vocals. Good debut, can't wait to hear more from this band, really. 7 HELLWAFFE (USA) - Worship of Anxiety Hell Is Here - 2015 - Black Metal Recently founded (2013) trio from Chicago, IL, that seems to have strong ties with the Polish underground if not Polish themselves, Hellwaffe present us their debut full-length CD made of 5 new tracks plus 2 as bonus taken from their previous demo, Waffen Infernum, totaling 28 minutes of devastating, relentless, highly demonic and anti-Christian Black Metal, traditional in composition and with no intent of creating anything innovative. The band uses its music to deliver their statement, and that's as blunt, as brutal and uncompromising as possible; sickening traditional guitar riffs (with my complaint of way too few guitar solos, actually I think there's only one, very good solos, Death Metal influenced), organic and complex rhythm section, hellish vocals and an excellent underground sound quality, that's what you'll get here. Fans of brutal Black Metal will definitely enjoy this album, but if you're looking for something innovative or melodic be sure to check elsewhere. Released on CD with 4 pages booklet featuring lyrics. 7.5 HERETIC (Holland) - Underdogs of the Underworld Vรกn - 2016 - Punk Metal Rock'n'Roll Former Black Metallers Heretic are back with their 5th full-length album, a 10 tracks effort clocking a bit over half an hour continuing their recent tradition (since their 2009 album Gods over Humans, Slaves Under Satan at least) of blending Punk, Metal and Rock'n'Roll or if you want Ramones, Misfits and Motorhead influences all in one single pot. The Digipak CD version I have here impresses through it's 24 pages booklet full of no short of amazing graphics, some of the best and most complete I've seen in a long time, and moving over to the music on this album I'd say the Dutch quartet have moved up a notch in what concerns production, if until now they have used their public with a dirty, fuzzy production, this time we're dealing with crystal quality sound that fits the music better in my opinion. The lyrics are as blasphemic and offensive as ever, and although I'm not the biggest expert or fan of these genres I'd say their compositions are complex enough if you have the time to disect them. Anyway, a big step up for the band, I'm sure this will be their biggest success. 8.5 HOLY BATTALION (Poland) - Cosmic War / Breaking the Face Thrashing Madness - 2010 Thrash Metal Thrashing Madness seems commited to unburying old Metal gems from Poland, or at least they were because I have no idea if the label is still active nowadays, all promos they sent are a few years old at least and there's no active contact for the label either... Anyway, Slawno based Holy Battalion were active between '88 and '94 when, because of the improper conditions of the local scene they decided to split up and never reunited again. Speed Thrash Metal is the name of the game here, aggressive, as fast as possible, quite complex and technical I might add. This compilation is made of all three band's demos: Cosmic War from '89 (clear sound but lots of execution mistakes along the way, it's clear it was all recorded in a hurry; the music is very organic, honest and enthusiastic), Breaking the Face from '90 (again recorded in a hurry, an even worse recording unfortunately; the music becomes even faster and more technical, I'm sure I would have been a massive fan back then) and Mr. Dolly from '94 (the recordings are better, but the mix is awful having the bass lines way too in front of the other instruments; the music becomes groovier but still keeps its roots firm). Even if the first demo impresses only through the band's energy and enthusiasm, maybe with their technical abilities, too, the next compositions become interesting and catchier, I'm sure if the band have had the chance to record in a proper studio they would have been a massive name in those years, not only locally. HOLY DEATH (Poland) - The Knight, Death and the Devil Luciforus Art - 2005 - Black Metal Another ancient release that hits my mail for a review, so once again I can't say no to say a few words on it. This is the band's third and final full-length album, a 12 tracks effort clocking a bit over 50 minutes of playing time, offering an interesting take on Black Metal, mixed with

Thrash and Death Metal, raw, mostly fast paced, organic, almost primitive sounding, and what surprised me the most, with plenty of catchy elements all over, just listen to the slick guitars on "The Battlefield Act I and II" and "Fallen Angel", the Bathory-esque "Standing Under the Cross", or the closing calm Lucyfer with its Polish lyrics. After 9 of their own tracks Holy Death offer 3 covers, too: Bathory (of course), Hellias and Accept, well done, well received. An excellent album that has its fair share of value even Today, give it a listen yourselves. HUMAN VIVISECTION (Belgium) - The Perpetual Gap Rising Nemesis - 2016 - Brutal Death Metal 4 years into their career young Belgian quintet Human Vivisection release their debut full-length album, with nothing previously released to prepare us for it, so this one drops like from nowhere. 11 tracks, 35 minutes, Brutal Death Metal, that's what you'll get on The Perpetual Gap, and album that fails to satisfy my taste in what concerns cover artwork and production (way too thin for this music), but wins me over when it comes to compositions and execution, and maybe to boldness, too. Gathering elements from all Death Metal spectre but definitely keeping the same Brutal Death direction, I have no doubt The Perpetual Gap will win the fans of this genre in an instant as it sounds daring, easy flowing and laid back and at the same time well though, tight and brutal as fuck. The highlight inhere is the complex and technical guitar work, but again, the production is dragging it back, it sounds too synthetic, too bedroommade, not professional enough for these tracks, but anyway if you're into Brutal Slam Death Metal you'll find this album interesting for sure. 7.5 HYPERION (Sweden) Seraphical Euphony Black Lion - 2016 Black Death Metal 10 years after their foundation, Swedes Hyperion manage to record and release their debut album, one that hopefully for them will unchain their thirst for more. 9 tracks, a bit over 50 minutes of playing time, long compositions that are based on the nowadays traditional type of melodic and technical Swedish Black Metal with plenty of (Gothemburg type) Death Metal influences all over; from epic mid-tempos to fast and furious paces, from acoustic guitar underlines to symphonic and majestic atmospheres built by keyboard backgrounds, from the rich and well-crafted compositions to the perfect execution, Hyperion offers a lesson in melodic, technical and extreme Metal and demonstrate they could be the new torch bearers of Swedish Black Metal. Not sure if the band has what it takes to storm the stages (the 10 years waiting must have marked them pretty rough), but such an amazing debut album should be followed by tours and tours, and maybe a follow-up fulllength in a year or two. Anyway, we'll see, but in the meantime don't miss this album, it will probably be featured in the year end tops. 10 HYPNOS (Czech Republic) - Heretic Commando – Rise of the New Antikrist Einheit - 2012 - Death Metal After more than a decade under the Morbid Records banner where they released their first 3 albums, Czech Death Metal maniacs Hypnos finally released their fourth full-length under another label, Einheit, but they still remained hooked to German lands, where actually everything happens. This is an old album by now, released in 2012, but at the same time it's the latest release by the band, even if they weren't the most productive before either. Hypnos at the moment were Bruno and Pegas from the legendary Krabathor, joined by Igorr on guitars and bass, so a power-trio delivering what Krabathor used to do on their latest albums, that is traditional, brutal, dark and expressive, technical, midtempo to (mostly) fast paced Death Metal. I'm sure fans of this bands won't be disappointed by the latest Hypnos release, and because of the excellent production it may have also brought in new fans, too, but if you're not familiar with this material don't expect something highly innovative or surprising, this is strictly devoted to '90's Death Metal, including the acoustic guitar inserts and the melodic guitar solos that pop up from time to time; it's an enjoyable, professional, well-structured full-length for the die-hard fanatics, but unfortunately not enough to stand

the test of time in comparison to what the scene currently has to offer. Released as jewel-case CD with 24 pages booklet featuring all lyrics and stills from the band's video, Inverted (good, efficient idea!). 7.5 IDIS ORLOG (Norway) - The Spiral Tide of Seasons WolfTyr - 2013 - Pagan Folk I have recently reviewed this project's latest album released in 2015, I have no idea how come I didn't actually start with this one, released in 2013, but here I am listening to its debut album. As on the most recent work lady Siv Idis has some guests on fiddle, flute and drums, on a couple of tracks, but the rest is her alone, on guitars, flute, violin and of course vocals. I have to say I enjoyed this debut album much better than its follow-up although I still had some moments of boredom caused by the simplicity and repetitive nature of some parts of Idis Orlog's compositions. The organic recordings really give you a peaceful state of mind and manage to successfully paint a pagan atmosphere; some of the tracks are better than others, which is quite normal, of course, but in conclusion I think I prefer the ones with guest musicians to others like the awfully childish Wintersun for example. If you're into Pagan Folk music I guess you can find more interesting things in lady Idis' recordings, but to be honest I find nothing to make me return, especially the parts where her lyrics miss the song's pace and she has to say the remaining words quicker than normal in order to catch up with the song (not sure if I make myself clear here)...

It seems like full line-up bands are appearing less and less nowadays since it's so easy to record by yourself, at home, and basically everyone does that, a band implies more work and the road is arduous. Here we have a new quartet from Greece founded in 2015 and presenting us their debut album, an excellent 6 tracks (+ intro) effort following the Scandinavian '90's way much more than the Greek one as many (including me) might expect; so we get a mix of Norwegian Black Metal with good technical display a la Swedish Black Metal, with good harmonies on guitars, energetic rhythm section, versatile, expressive and well-toned vocals, and good compositions that follow the old-way of doing things while still keeping things fresh and interesting. Traditional Black Metal delivered with good taste and definite passion, I'd say it's the perfect debut for a band that wants to honor the old-school and at the same time make a statement for the future. 7.5

KAIRA (Belarus) - Roots of Veles Sliptrick - 2015 - Modern Metal This band was founded back in 1999 and since 2006 they started a steady activity in releasing a new album almost every other year, this new one, Roots of Veles, being their 8 full-length to date; after 6 albums on Russian Molot Records they decided to attack a wide cut of the market and the following was released on German RecordJet, and finally this new album stepped up and was released by US based Sliptrick Records, a label that seems to be extremely serious and efficient lately, so probably the band will get more exposure as well, especially since apparently this album was released in no less than 20k copies, and that's fairly ambitious I'd say. Getting to the music on it, Keira presents us 8 new tracks in 40 minutes playing time, a mix of symphonic and groovy Modern INCONCESSUS LUX LUCIS (UK) - Disintegration: Metal complete with catchy and inventive guitar riffs, epic keyboards, industrial/electro effects, a powerful Psalms of Veneration for the Nefarious Elite Nomos Dei - 2014 - Black Metal rhythm section and a very capable and versatile female Started listening to this debut full-length (under the vocalist that leads the band not only through her sexcurrent moniker, as they released another one when they appeal (that's actually very upfront and fructified were Whorethorn) with the 8th track, Severed from throughout the band's career) but also through a dominant Sephiroth, also featured on the previous EP with the same atitude that captures the listener's attention and keeps it on title, and the difference between the two releases are a leash the whole time. So I'd say Roots of Veles is a mix huge, this time the band has a really good sound and the of Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, Groove Metal, Symphonic increases their brutality and aggression. The compositions and even Goth Metal, and even a hint of Power Metal are way better structured, the guitars have a major role here and there, a modern release capable of pushing the and bring forth some pretty rad riffs and leads that make band towards higher peaks in this scene. Well, they this album absolutely delicious. Then the vocals, with this deserve it after almost 2 decades of playing music... 8 new recording quality, sound much more vicious, demonic and expressive, yet still keeping things KAUSALGIA comprehensive and quite clear. The bass lines are actually (Finland) creating their own contribution to the compositions and Dreamquest you'll be able to follow them throughout the whole album Saarni - 2016 - Atmospheric Dark Black Metal discovering a careful work. The subtle keyboard work in After a laborious 3 years’ time recording these 8 tracks, the background brings more atmosphere to the whole, and Kausalgia finally managed to finish the process and as a conclusion this album is an excellent debut, sounds release what now is their debut full-length album, fresh, well-thought, carefully programmed and executed, followup to their 2012 EP, Farewell. I'm sure it was all a huge difference since their previous EP. Angry, satanic, worth the wait for both the band and its supporters since hateful Technical Black Metal with plenty to enjoy. can't this album is an excellent proof of the band's current wait to see what's next from this band, their potential is potential and in my case it managed to fully satisfy my tremendous. 8 needs I tell you. It sounds like a merge of Lake of Tears / Anathema (right after their departure from the more INCONCESSUS Extreme type of Metal) and the end of '90's - beginning of LUX LUCIS (UK) - the '00's Melodic Black Metal made in Finland, it's full of Severed from emotions, nature sounds, energy and poetry, it's a real journey through this World created by the band; sorrow, Sephiroth Nomos Dei - 2012 - grief, dreams, projections, desires, all of these are Black Metal carefully and patiently gathered under one roof titled Debut EP recorded in Dreamquest (even the album title is spot on). Yes, it 2011 and released a might not have the perfect production, it might seem year later by Nomos outdated to some, it might even be too slow most of the Dei, Severed from Sephiroth features only 3 tracks, yet time (when they are not Black Metal blasting all the way) clocks over 25 minutes of playing time. Although this in these fast-forward days, but if you're like me, always duo, Malphas and Baal have been together since 2006 looking for intense emotions and clever compositions in when the band was activating as Whorethorn, this EP your music, you should definitely try this album out, I doesn't seem mature or well developed at all, on the fully recommend it as being one of my 2016 faves contrary, it sounds both a rushed work and a tired already. Released as digipak CD with an 8 pages booklet execution, not sure why, but that's how it sounds to me featuring 3 of the album's tracks lyrics; I'm not too fond of until the 3rd track kicks in, where the guitar comes up the cover artwork though... 9 with some interesting leads worth listening to. The vocals sound mediocre as well, the drumming, although a good KENAZ (Canada) - Volonté work, are mixed way too in front of the other instruments, de fer ancestrale capturing all attention and leaving none for the guitars Wolftyr / Virus - 2014 - Pagan and bass. The few Death Metal insertions don't save the Black Metal situation and my findl impression on this EP is of a band This is my first encounter with that seems to have potential and composed these tracks in Kenaz and its musci and a hurry and stretched them for as much as possible in although this is the band's second order to appear more interesting. Brutal, devastating full-length album, to me they don't sound mature at all music, but mediocre compositions. 5 and that especially because of the raw, almost unbearable sound quality, just think of the whole War Metal ISOLERT (Greece) - No Hope, No Light...Only Death movement and its sound and combine it with a band that Ogmios Underground - 2016 - Black Metal tries to deliver some Pagan atmospheres, too. It's just

awful noise masking some of the riffs that seem interesting, and this noise is amplified by the relentless nonsense drumming. Basically this album, apart for the very vicious and abrasive sounding Black Metal shrieks, is a total failure, at least in my opinion. Try it yourselves but only if you're used to a raw sound. 3 KHADAVER (Slovakia) - Exstinctio Mundi Selfreleased - 2015 - Blackened Industrial Metal Although I myself run a little underground label, I'm perfectly aware that bands can nowadays release the same or even better quality material on their own nowadays, they don't need to have that much special insights on how this is done, the net is full of information, hence I see the label's role purely in promotion and distribution of the materials, and probaly in taking burden off the band's agenda. Here Khadaver did an excellent job with offering this final product that is their second full-length album, and unfortunately their last since they have just announced their demise as a band... Too bad because it's obvious they (or at least the only founding member still in the band) put a lot of work and soul in this new album, it's obvious from the booklet where each of the words from their lyrics are treated in a unique way, each track has its own graphic, and ending with the band's image, almost Behemoth-like professional. Musicwise Khadaver don't impress much unfortunately, at least not on this album; the sound is way too soft for a mix of styles involving Black Metal and hints of Death Metal, and the compositions, although displaying the good technical skills of the guitarists, and interesting but a bit too inconsistent, whenever you start feeling a metallic, headbanging friendly part it gets cut by some keyboard interlude; the vocals are ok as well although I say they lack versatility and this could lead to boredom at times; the drums are too synthetic for my taste. All in all I have enjoyed the band's professional approach and a few parts of this album that are really good sounding, but overall this wouldn't be able to compete with the top of the scene. Probably Nihil Nix, now that the band is split-up, needs to find himself a band that challenges him, not one where he's the main composer, this could lead to good things. 6 KHALDERA (Switzerland) - Alteration Czar of Criskets - 2016 - Experimental Psychedelic Post Metal Hailing from Switzerland, Khaldera offer 3 new tracks in 18 minutes on this second EP of theirs released 3 years distance from their debut. This power trio produces an experimental, psychedelic and quite relaxing music, Post Metal that is, instrumental only, without the use of any type of vocals (although I have to confess I felt the need for vocals most of the time here). The three tracks featured here are varied and at the same time sound unitary, both psychedelic and powerful / metallic, and even if the beginning of the first track and the complete third track is more Space Ambient than Metal, this EP gives the impression the trio is looking to deliver a strong and heavy music rather than a dreamy, synth based ambient soundscape, the drums playing a major role here. Still this EP is not enough for the listener to form a concrete opinion on Khaldera so my suggestion is to take it as an advance for things to come. 8 KORPSE (Holland) - Unethical Rising Nemesis 2016 - Brutal Death Metal ...the fuck! My first meeting with this band and it's music, this second album of theirs totally blown me away right from the start. After seeing this awful, childish cover artwork I had no high expectations, but right after I pressed Play it totally annihilated me! Fast, groovy, vicious, hateful and totally brutal Slam Death Metal at its best, no doubt about it, 11 tracks in a bit over half an hour of playing time would make the PERFECT soundtrack for your training if you're a gym maniac, and if you're a fat ass like me it would still make the perfect soundtrack for an atrocious meat feast. Fat and memorable guitar riffs, low tuned, explosion like bass lines, insane drumming and inhuman vocals, a big, fat WOW. If there would have been some guitar solos to top this up it would have been a perfect 10 release for me, but it's still close; one of the best in this genre for 2016, this has to make the year end tops! 9.5 KOSMOKRATOR (Belgium) - To the Svmmit Vรกn - 2015 - Black Death Metal This is a good example of how fast things are moving nowadays, even in this Underground Metal scene we're all

veil, with a crown of thorns on her head and holding a red (I suppose) apple in her hands is simply sight capturing, very, very successful. Released as A5 format digipak with hard covers, limited to only 300 copies, this 4-way split presents us 4 mystical and obscure bands. Opening are La Breiche with a Ritual Drone Ambient track clocking 12 and a half minutes and made by shamanistic-like and distorted vocals, percussions and all kinds of industrial sounds that together form a terrifying, desolate, post-apocalyptic atmosphere; exquisite I'd say. Huata are next producing a slow, dirty, highly oppressive form of Sludge Doom highlighted by slow, devastating guitar riffs, clean vocals somewhere in the background, organic drums, and a creepy organ enhancing the occult, esoteric atmosphere. Sektarism are next with a 13 minutes Funeral Doom track definitely highlighted by the comprehensive, expressive, disgusting and desperate at times and proud at others, but contrary to what you might expect Sektarism are not that monotone either, they have plenty of rhythm changes and interesting ideas in their Funeral music. Vichy is a side-project of members from Mhonos (highly regarded French Drone Doom act), and in this case the apple does not fall from the tree, so they keep it "in the same family" of Drone Doom, with Black Metal tremolo picking - like guitar riffs, abrasive vocals supported (or better said introduced) by guttural, suffocating vocal sounds, militaristic drums and an overall apocalyptic and KULTO MALDITO (Bolivia) - Jodete Jesus claustrophobic atmosphere. Nomos Dei - 2013 - Death Black Metal Wow, although quite old by now, everything about this A perfect split title and a perfect cover for this material. release makes me say "wow!", starting with the Highly recommended release for fans of weird, scary, presentation, an A5 gatefold digipak complete with a 12 ritualistic and occult music. pages (A5 format as well) booklet featuring all lyrics and amazing artworks and an A4 format mini-poster with the LANDSKAP (UK) - II band, and ending with the absolutely devastating, Black Widow - 2015 obliterating, terrifyingly offensive music of Kulto Psychedelic Doom Maldito, a band I haven't heard before. Kulto maldito are Rock around since 2002 and have released 3 full-length albums Wow, another so far, or better said until 2012 because after there seem to surprise, I totally didn't be no more recordings, not sure if the band is still alive. expect such music from a This is their third full-length, initially released in 2012 on band with this name and cassette tapes, with different artwork, an 8 tracks (+ intro) especially from a release with such a dark cover / booklet effort clocking almost 45 minutes of one of the most design, I was expecting something at least influenced by blasphemic, brutal, disgusting music to ever come out of Black Metal or at least Depressive, maybe Funeral Doom South America; I compare the effect their music had on Metal, but knowing the traditional, old-school doctrine of me with the effect Peruvian Goat semen had when I first Black Widow I was also expecting something different heard their music, back in 2002, and I really think these from what I'm used to. Landskap's second full-length two bands are similar in level of brutality and horror. album is a fantastic mix of Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock Kulto Maldito mixes bestial Death Metal with raw, and old, incipient Doom Metal a la Black Sabbath but uncompromising Black Metal and a bit of brutal Thrash highlighted by a modern Jim Morrison... the guy sounds Metal too, their tracks are more technical that I would so similar to Door's icon that you start wondering if have expected, the atmosphere the two animalic sounding there's any links, anything at all to relate the two. The vocalists are absolutely vicious, and the whole music is combination is absolutely delicious, these types of just a complete delight for any fans of Bestial Metal I melodic, phlegmatic, laid back, proud, and even defiant think. Kick ass release! 8.5 type of vocals supported by a '70's psychedelic organ in the background, by an energetic rhythm section and by a KVALVAAG complex, even jazzy at times guitar work, sounds amazing. Maybe most of the 6 tracks featured here are (Norway) - Malum Dusktone - 2016 - way too long (the total duration of this record is 43 Black Metal minutes) and I would have liked a bit more, shorter tracks, Norway is still but my overall impression is that this album needs to be producing fast and listened by as many persons as possible, and even if traditional sounding Black Metal, and the new Kvalvaag you're inbto Extreme Metal (like I am), an escape from album is a proof, 7 tracks continuing the '90's Norwegian time to time with such a brilliant release is goddamn Black Metal trademark. I'd say the additional icy synths healthy. Yet I see no links between the colorful, stoned and the guitar riffs sounding like inspired straight from music of this album and the bleak, cold and depressing the Italian mafia movies and the band's outstanding images from the cover and booking... 9 elements, although I wouldn't call the synths original in no way, but definitely a touch of difference in a current LAST DECLINE scene that tries either to sound as raw and simplistic or as (Latvia) - Escape avantgarde and forward-thinking as possible. The album Beverina - 2016 was composed and recorded over a period of almost 2 Black Metal years and indeed there are some differences between the Last Decline is a duo tracks featured, the whole sounds varied and balanced founded back in 2004 between the fast as fuck parts and the mysterious, and it seems the music expressive mid-tempo ones; unfortunately I think the for this debut album was composed during all these years, production is way too dirty for the music featured here, so what we get here are 9 tracks (45 minutes) that and that's also the main reason I'm not impressed by it constitute either the quintessence of the band's music, or overall. An enjoyable release clocking 40 minutes of their complete playlist... playing time, including a Troll cover version, and released I would have never thought I'd end up saying about a as Digipak CD version, unfortunately with no lyrics / release that it has the bass volume too high, usually you booklet. The title track is also my face track and probably can barely hear the bass, but in this case it's so loud it the most interesting here. 7 almost leaves the guitars behind... It wouldn't be a bad thing necessarily, but the bass lines here are good but LA BREICHE / HUATA / SEKTARISM / VICHY nothing spectacular or overly creative in order to be considered a progressive element. The band plays a (France) - The Darkness Nomos Dei - 2016 - Ritual Ambient Drone Doom Black traditional type of Black Metal ranging from mid-tempo Metal to fast paced parts, and even some slower ones that This must be one of the most expressive and attractive resemble the DSBM attitude, but without any "modern" cover pictures I've seen in a while, although black/white, insertions if I may say so, without keyboards, synths, or this picture of a lady dressed in black clothes with a white other effects. The slow, depressive parts are quite ok, lurking in. Kosmokrator was founded in 2013, composed 3 tracks, recorded a demo a year later, released it on tape, got picked up by Van Records and re-released on vinyl, and probably in 2015 re-recorded the same three tracks (or at least that's the year indicated on the inside cover of this digipak) and re-released them as Digipak CD. To me it seems it all went too fast for this band, I mean to be released on vinyl after only 3 tracks seems surreal to me. Anyway, this half an hour recording starts with a very long atmospheric intro (4 minutes seemed too long even to me who enjoy these atmospheric passages to music building the scenery) that flows right into a brutal, demonic, cryptic, and incredibly heavy sounding Black Death Metal. The atmospheres this band create are definitely spot on, terrifying, oppressive like a ton of bricks, obscure and menacing, and I have to highlight here the excellent drumming and expressive, dreadful vocals. The guitars are ok, but I would have expected a bit more variety and a bit more emphasis on creating something else beside the already generic riffs; not bad guitar work, don't get me wrong, but I think this band can become a leading name in the scene if they incorporate some juicy harmonies and solos. Anyway, if you're looking for highly obscure sounding Black Death Metal with acceptable production this release might just be what you're looking for. 7.5

up release. The band is quite far away from the Gothic Metal genre that used to label their music and delivering now what I would call a mix between Rock and Metal, or better said a genre that balances between the two territories without really picking sides. The compositions seem to be more focused on giving space and highlight Lorena's vocals, and the production confirms that, it feels like at a theatre where there's only one spotlight and it's most of the time following the vocalist, the instrumental part being the stage support. Anyway, maybe that's only my impression, but I stand for it. It's clear the band targets the mainstream, or at least the purgatory between underground and mainstream, blending all you may frequently hear on the regular Rock stations, and that's not a bad thing, of course, but not for us here, and honestly it's not for me. What I liked the most about it were the few LASTWAR (Poland) attempts of delivering some progressive structures at times and the fact they chose to deliver lyrics in both - Darkness in Eden Thrashing Madness - Spanish and English, but that's not enough to make me 2011 - Thrash Death Metal come back, sorry. 7 This is a compilation of all material released by this band that at the time (early to mid '90's) seemed very promising LIFESTREAM (France) for the local scene but later proved to be too lazy or Post Ecstatic incredulous to step up a notch and get to the next level. Experience Well, at least they did try with their '94 demo, tracks 8-11 Emanations - 2015 on this compilation, to find a label, but the lack of a Black Metal I've listened to this favorable response I guess led to the band demise. The first 7 tracks are taken from the band's '92 very successful album for the past 2 days already and I'm demo with the same name, demo released on local Carnage Records that at the time was releasing stuff like still not convinced if I like it or not, or better said if I Vader, Turbo, Magnus or Necrophobic and many found something interesting in it or just used it as amazing licenses, so was at the peak of its game. This background music in my routine activities. The debut demo also benefits from a very good production, crystal album of this French quintet is for sure a good Black clear and at the same time as dirty as this genre required; Metal effort, but let's start with the bad points: the vocals Thrash Death Metal, mid-tempo to fast paced, based on a are way too monotone, some versatility would make quite technical guitar work, intricate drumming and things more expressive on the next release, then I'd say excellent vocals. The second demo, the one from '94 they the keyboards are on the same level of monotony, were trying to shop for a label has an infected sound, and although "hidden" in the background I wouldn't say they to be honest the compositions don't have the same energy are building any interest in the atmosphere they create and catchiness as the previous work, so there's no wonder (something a la UK scene at the beginning of the '00's). they remained unsigned, although they've added a bit The good points on this release would be the guitar work, more complexity in their game this time. The last 2 tracks quite complex and fresh, and the compositions in general, are recorded in 2010 by the only member still interested an effort that demonstrates this band's potential and even in keeping this project alive, Maciej Wasewicz, as a solo technical skills. The 9 tracks featured here in a bit over an project and display a faster paced but still very complex hour of playing time are a good choice if you're into the Thrash Death Metal on the same old-school patterns, with second wave of Norwegian Black Metal mixed with the the same vocals, and better sound quality. Not impressive UK Black Metal atmospheres as mentioned before, plus a good dose of new (French?) Black Metal (a hint of Post but very good for nostalgics. 6.5 Black) influences, and if I've spinned this album for 2 LEGION (Philippines) - consecutive days it means in no way this is a bad effort, just a bit puzzling I'd say. 7 Righteous Killing Selfreleased - 2015 - Death Metal Holy shit fuck-storm! This band LIHHAMON (Germany) hailing from the Philippines might Doctrine Auto de Fe - 2016 - Black Death probably be one of the best kept Metal secrets of the Southeast Asian New band, new (first) album, new Extreme Metal scene! Desipte the awfully unoriginal band name, Legion label, are the new offers from Germany's Bestial Metal scene. from Philippines are teaching us here a fantastic lesson in how to play Death Metal nowadays and still sound Lihhamon presents us 10 tracks in an hour os relentless and excruciating credible and interesting. This is their debut full-length half album that comes out at the right time, after they tested assault on all senses, a devastating mix of primitive Black the reactions through an EP in 2013 and a split with and Death Metal with chaotic but fit production, Canadian Death Metallers Necrodios in 2014, a correct highlighted by this aggressive, monstrous and ultra-heavy and old-school trajectory for the band so far. What atmosphere, incomprehensive vocals (growls on the front, impresses on this debut album are multiple things, so let's screams in the background), but with tracks titles like take them one by one: the production is absolutely Decimation, Genocide Crusade or Cadaver Synod, you gor(e)geous, the compositions sound complex and fresh can easily guess the band's a valid contender to fit in the balancing between old-school Brutal Death Metal and War Metal scene. What I appreciate the most about this modern Black Death Metal, but with a firm grip on the album is that contrary to my expectations it's not full traditional Death Metal path, the execution is flawless, the speed all the way, it has its "slow" moments that I'd better vocals are raspy and appalling but at the same time call horrifying atmospheres to enhance the whole cryptic comprehensive and somehow catchy, the rhythm section impression of the album. I also liked the cut & paste style is complex and imaginative, and the overall atmosphere is of the booklet and the impressive cover artwork design, as crushing and brutal as anyone could expect from a pretty "in line" with the music on it. 7.5 good Death Metal release. A professional album selfreleased, offering also intelligent lyrics and impressive MALEFIC MIST (Italy) - Il illustrations in its 12 pages booklet; interesting enough the richiamo dell'inverno CD comes with an alternative cover, bloodier than the Adimere - 2016 - Black Metal main one, so I guess this is for censorship reasons after This is my first encounter with all. All in all this is certainly one of the best Extreme Milan based Malefic Mist, so Metal debut I've had the pleasure to assist to; fantastic I'm not sure if Mors Taetra, the band! 9 man behind this moniker, made a voluntary decision to move forward instrumentally, without any vocals, or if it was a L'ENDEVI (Spain) - Don't Go Back Art Gates - 2015 - Rock Metal forced decision by the lack of a proper vocalist, but I have Here's the third studio effort from this Spanish quintet, to admit it's not every day I stumble upon such a released 3 years after the previous one. In the meantime project/band, especially if they follow a genre like Black L'Endevi replaced its female vocalist and one of the two Metal which traditionally wouldn't be complete without guitarists, a massive change in every band's life yet they vocals. Anyway, Il richiamo dell'inverno (The Calling of still managed to come up with 10 new tracks for a follow- Winter) is the sixth demo of this project since its nothing original or impressive, but well executed, the mid-tempo parts are extremely boring and in my opinion the band should think of losing them fast, and the real strength in Last Decline's music comes in the fast parts, really, really powerful and very effective, there's where the band sounds like they have confidence and have potential of nailing it. The production is organic and crystal clear at the same time, but as I said earlier I'm not too keen on the mix and master of the whole material, besides the loud bass lines, the drums sound too synthetic and really annoying at times, too. The cover artwork is excellent, simple and effective like the music. If you're into traditional fast, grim and disgusting Black Metal this might be your thing; comes in a limited edition of only 100 hand-numbered Digipak CDs... 7

foundation in 2004, and features 2 very long tracks clocking a stunning 50 minutes of playing time. We're dealing here with proper Black Metal, melancholic and depressive to the bone, but still Black Metal, highlighted by freezing-cold guitar tremolo riffs, enchanting / hypnotizing leads and melodic bass lines, organic sounding drums (although quite raw and not with the best of mixes...), but what I like the most about it is how well the cover artwork is in sync with the music, or better said how well the music "describes" what's on the cover, the only thing missing in this "painting" would be a wolf howling, but oh well, you can't have them all. So to sum it up this new demo is a melancholic and cold at the same time, an incursion into the snowy mountain forests but from the cozy warmth of your lounge. Don't expect something overly professional or polished, this is done in the man's house and it sounds like it, but is way more expressive them many such demos. 7.5 MALEVOLENTIA (France) Repvbliqve Epictural - 2016 Symphonic Black Death Metal Not sure if that's only my impression, but I feel like French Black Metal bands are getting prouder and prouder of their country and of showing their heritage day by day, and to be honest I think this is absolutely normal, it's a question why are there so few French bands at the moment venturing on such territories, and probably an answer would be this profound phobia of being labeled as nationalists / ns I personally find stupid as fuck. Anyway, enough digressions, the third full-length from Malevolentia offers us 14 new tracks in almost an hour of playing time. Deeply symphonic and tragic orchestrations are wrapping an otherwise raw and ferocious, even brutal I'd say, Black Metal structure with heavy Death Metal influences, technical and somehow melodic on its own, lead by a demented female vocalist that sounds like a fuckin' wounded rabid animal that's about to get you anytime. The music is rich of interesting and involving elements including epic choirs, theatrical sopranos, horns, percussions, and an overall fantastic keyboards work, it's very expressive and seems to build a final monumental concept I personally would like to see continued on future releases as well. The French lyrics are also very interesting sounding, a perfect addition to the concept, and here I can name the excellent booklet artwork as well. Excellent album to prove the effervescence of the current French Black Metal scene, probably my fave now. 8.5 MARIO GRONNERT AND COMMONSEN5E (Germany) - Nightmares and Dreamscapes: Silhouettes of Urbia Selfreleased - 2016 - Drone Ambient Opening with a 22 long track and featuring 6 other, might make you think we're dealing here with a very long fulllength, but it's actually normal size (53 minutes), which is less normal for a genre like this though. Anyway, Mario Gronnert structures his musical expression on keyboards, piano and synths, and manages to deliver what he describes as nightmares and dreamscapes; I would agree with the second one, but not actually with the first. Yes, the music is like a dreamscape, continuously floating over and through weird, undefined atmospheres that are changing all the time, but not actually as scary as being nightmarish, I would better say dark, desolate, maybe even depressive, with a post-industrial shade all over, but not as far as creating discomfort. Anyway, a very nice trip through Mario's imagination, not overly original, but fairly suggestive and quite interesting I would say. 6.5 MARIUS DANIELSEN'S LEGEND OF VALLEY DOOM (Norway) - Marius Danielsen's Legend of Valley Doom Part 1 Crime - 2015 - Symphonic Power Metal What this young fellow, Marius Danielsen, succeeded with this debut album is most probably every Metal kid/teenager's dream, including mine when I was that age: to release an album with his own compositions but helped by his Metal heroes. And here we have a gathering of guest musicians of astronomical proportions: Tim Ripper, Edu Falaschi, Mark Boals, Timo Tolkki, Chris Caffery, Ross the Boss, Robb Weir, Barend Courbois, Mike LePond, Alex Holzwarth, just to name a few from the 30+ musicians featured here! Marius is vocalist / guitarist in Norwegian Heavy Metal band Darkest Sins, so it's no surprise this solo album was built having the band as backbone. The music is melodic, symphonic, epic and at the same time proud, energetic and highly Metal, a perfect mix of everything Power Metal brought to the scene at the

end of the '90's - beginning of the 2000's, that complex, very technical, grandiose genre that took the World by storm back in those years, and that probably nowadays can be considered as old-school since it features no Electro, Industrial or other such influences to make it modern. Fans of bands like Rhapsody (old Italian Rhapsody), Blind Giardian, Vision Divine, Angra, or Stratovarius will most probably enjoy this album to its last drop, it's a constant delivery of melodic, expressive vocals, operatic choirs, epic keyboards, melodic guitar leads and long solos, catchy guitar riffs, intense bass lines and complex drumming, all mixed with good and professional taste. 9 MARTYRIUM (Malta) - Destiny Wore a Bondage Mask Art Gates - 2016 Melodic Black Metal With only 2 original members (from the 6 current) Martyrium continues its saga switching labels for the first time from Mexico based American Line to Spanish Art Gates; I guess this is a totally new beginning for the band and a step up even though American Line has many years of experience underbelt. Anyway, the fourth full-length album continues the same path, a melodic, symphonic, theatrical Extreme Metal (mix of Black and Death Metal, of course, with multiple other influences), the band are known for. Lead by a very versatile female vocalist Vanja Obscure, who's spitting her soul out throughout the whole album, Martyrium are also offering a very complex, technical and melodic guitar work, and the drums, although the band works with drum-machine and it sounds totally synthetic, are well programmed to enhance that progressive, intricate feeling, and on top of that the keys & synths are also a very important element in this band's music, adding a mysterious, symphonic and even goth touch. Some of the tracks are a bit too complicated and the rhythms are way too broken preventing the compositions to flow steadily, but overall I get that they wanted to add as much stuff in every track as possible, and to tell you the truth to me it sounds quite original. This "push" to add as much stuff as possible brings them to complete Goth territories at times, and the listener starts to wonder if this is the genre they are aiming for in the future (at least that's what I did). I would have liked Pandemonia, the soprano singer, to have a bigger role in the compositions, and the production to be less chaotic, but even so my overall impression is good, the album is interesting, part of it made me curious, part of it was really catchy, and part left me a bit puzzled, but it sounds like the fruit of a hard work in the end. If you think you'd enjoy a Symphonic and Gothic sounding Extreme Metal with very synthetic drums this album would be a good choice. 7.5 MAZE OF TERROR (Peru) Ready to Kill Empire - 2015 - Thrash Metal Straight from the Peruvian capital, Maze of Terror were formed by two ex-members of another Thrash Metal band, R.I.P., whom are still active at the moment but it seems with less activity lately. So the drummer and bassist/vocalist formed Maze of Terror and to this day they are still the main composers of the group although in the meantime they were joined by two new guitarists. This is their debut album, a 10 tracks effort clocking almost an hour of oldschool Thrash Death Metal with an emphasis on the Thrash Metal part of things, a fast and catchy material full of hooks everywhere that will glue the listener to it throughout the full spin. The vocalist has it's own, very special and kick-ass way of singing that will stick to your mind even after the audition, but his problem is the English pronunciation, extremely poor and hard to follow even with the lyrics in front of you; hopefully he'll work more on this pronunciation part as his vocals are absolutely killer. The guitars are top notch, offering some very good guitar riffs and solos, with the mention that the solos could have been a bit more interesting, they have the technical ability and potential to offer better solos. The bass lines are fat and incisive and are clearly leaving a mark on the whole composition, and the drums are excellent, without too much headache they deliver what they should and I have nothing bad to say about them. All in all Ready to Kill is an impressive debut album and

Maze of Terror is one perfect band to keep an eye on if you're a maniac of old-school Thrash Metal. 8

audio tracks recorded live, a must have release for any follower of Polish scene and not only.

MENTAL DISASTER (Norway) - Raping the Symbol of Humanity Selfreleased - 2016 Thrash Death Metal Hailing from Norway, Mental Disaster are a quartet decided to follow a Thrash Death Metal path instead of the usual Black Metal we're all used to hear popping out of Norway all the time. This is their second full-length album, and as a novelty again, the band is not signed yet, another unusual thing for the nowadays scene, especially for a band with a debut album already out three years ago; that doesn't mean the band is a disaster, not at all, I guess they were more interested in composing stuff than shopping for labels, or they simply want to take care of everything by themselves. Raping the Symbol of Humanity first surprises or even shocks with the offensive cover artwork especially for those most sensitive to religious topics. The music on the 10 tracks featured in a bit over half an hour of playing time, is a brutal, fast and aggressive Thrash Metal heavily influenced by Death Metal, with double vocals that unfortunately don't impress at all (production is to blame on this one, but not only), drums that at times sound too thin, but definitely brutal to the bone and as technical as needed, a supportive, subtle bass line, and the highlight, in my opinion, the guitar work, really heavy, catchy and varied ranging and balancing from Thrash to Death all the time. As an overall impression I'd say the band is great, the production on this album not so much, but at least it's cystal clear and won't make you problems in enjoying the compositions. An album that deserves some attention for sure. 7

MHONOS (France) Miserere Nostri Zanjeer Zani / Necrocosm - 2016 Ritual Drone Doom This is the debut album from French six-piece Mhonos, but it's not a new release actually, it was first released independently in 2010 and re-released this year by unknown to ne so far Zanjeer Zani Productions as digipak with extremely simplistic but highly efficient artwork, one that advances the atmosphere you'll find in this band's music. And we get 4 tracks in 40 minutes of playing time, a weird mix of Ritual Doom, Drone, Dungeon Ambient, Noise and even Black Metal building towards a somber, desolate, claustrophobic yet less monotone that it might sound after this description. No guitars are used here, but instead there's plenty of basses, amplifiers, synths, multiple layers of vocals ranging from creepy whispers to dreadful growls, to ritual choirs. At times (especially on the third track), it reminds of Burzum's Ambient recordings, but this one if far more obscure, more oppressive sounding and more demonic than anything Burzum ever did so don't take it as a major influence though. If you're into the above mentioned genres you should definitely check this out, but I'd only recommend it if you're not a profane of Drone Doom sounds. 8

MIDNIGHT CALLINGS (Germany) - Pilgrims of the Black Hole Into Dungeons - 2016 - Black Metal The second full-length album from this mysterious German band is made of only 4 tracks but clocks almost 45 minutes of playing time. After an atmospheric / cosmic intro relentless, pummeling drumming, evil guitar riffs and a distant, demonic vocal start assaulting your senses; the production is very minimal, raw and as close to an MERCILESS DEATH (Poland) - Holocaust Thrashing Madness - 2009 - Thrash Death Metal early '90's Black Metal demo as possible, but I'm sure this I have received this release that by now can be considered is exactly what the band wanted and what will attract antique, directly from the label that released it, together exactly only the targeted audience, fanatics of obscure, with some other old releases, so my guess is they haven't filthy, freezing cold Black Metal without compromises. sold out these CDs and you can still order them. Merciless The drums are so fast and repetitive that one might feel Death are around from the '80s and this Holocaust bored at times, but seconded by an almost melodic guitar material was initially released by the band in 1992 as a riffing and those ghostly distant screams they manage to demo, their second demo according to Metal Archives. create a terrifying, claustrophobic atmosphere. I find this Thrashing Madness re-released it in 2009 including album primitive and complex at the same time, not sure multimedia bonus material and a few live tracks recorded how to express it, but if you decide to give it a try make in 1988, in memory of the band's guitarist Jaroslaw who sure you follow the note on the back of the booklet: passed away earlier that year (2009). The total of 11 "Listen in total darkness under the nightsky!", it will tracks are clocking 40 minutes of fast, aggressive, quite make a major difference, believe me. 8.5 technical mix of Thrash and Death Metal, presenting a mature band with talented musicians that were probably MIND all over their local tops of the time. In my opinion this is AFFLICTION an excellent demo, well composed, with hooks all over, a (Poland) - Into the mix of the Slayer, Sepultura, Death, Dark Angel of the Void time, very brutal but at the same time technical and Metal Scrap - 2016 capable to deliver an organic and evil atmosphere you'll Black Death Metal have a hard time finding in Today's scene, but I also have 3 years after a very good debut album Mind Affliction are to mention the excellent production, for a demo this is following up with a second full-length that advances on absolutely top-notch, so I'm not surprised why Thrashing the same path as the opener but somehow settles things Madness decided to release it on CD. The live bonus down and demonstrates the band's potential and maturity. tracks are not as top notch sounding, but you still get the Into the Void is made of 7 tracks totaling over 40 minutes feeling of their live shows as they prove they are of tight and technical Black Death Metal with a melodic absolutely worthy of this band name. edge all over, an album where the band doesn't explore other territories but decides to deepen their initial way: a brutal, technical, almost mathematic in precision Death MERCILESS DEATH (Poland) - Sick Sanctities Thrashing Madness - 2009 - Thrash Death Metal Metal with Black Metal influences sprinkled here and And here's the follow-up to the band's excellent Holocaust there and as said earlier, a very tasty melodic edge that demo, released a year after, Sick Sanctities is Merciless doesn't take away anything from the overall massiveness Death's debut full-length album initially out on cassette and brutality of the compositions. I've spinned this for 5 tape, and re-released in 2009 by Thrashing Madness as or 6 times and I promise you I'm discovering new thing CD. Unfortunately this debut album marked the beginning with each new audition, it grows on me like a wild weed of the end (or of the first end) for the band, as they split- and I'm not sure if it's only my impression but I begin to up a year after its release for continuous personal tensions understand the link between the cover artwork, album title within the band. The album continues the brutal and and the music on this album, all of them sugest an technical Thrash Death tradition the band were known abyssal, claustrophobic fall into a dark, unknown pit. A for, but somehow didn't manage to top their second demo definite success for the Polish band, highly recommended in what concerns compositions and atmosphere, Sick by me. 9.5 Sanctities sounds a bit more fragmented and although overall it's still a fine album, it's not something to impress. MOLOCH LETALIS Floridian Death seems to be the major influence for the (Poland) - Zgliszcza band on Sick Sanctities, the technical level they reached is Old Temple - 2015 indeed impressive and the band sounds like being able to Black Death Metal take the World by storm with their music, it's a shame There's nothing better they split up shortly after. They are back in business since than celebrating 10 2009 and have released a second full-length in 2011. This years of activity through CD version from Thrashing Madness comes with the release of a full-length multimedia bonus again, a live video of a band's gig (too album, even if, as in bad the sound is not the original one), pics, and again 6 Moloch Letalis' case, it is the debut album, and even if

this might indicate that the band is quite a lazy bunch, I've always seen their name here and there lately and to me they seemed hard-working and eager to spread their disease called music. Fast paced, organic sounding, traditional, and abrasive as hell mix of Black and Death Metal with no particular emphasis on any of these two genres, a smooth, natural sounding blend. Their music reminds me of my Czech fave group, Avenger, although Moloch Letalis are not as catchy and use more traditional patterns from both Black Metal and Death Metal than trying to create their own identity, they seem to be fine with just being old-school and sounding good without being innovative. Anyway, the guitar work is very good here, and I'd say it constitutes the highlight of this band's music, the bass lines are also above average when it comes to how influential they are on the final outcome, the drums are good but nothing special, and the vocals comprehensive, raspy and hateful, but not my fave style though. All in all I can appreciate the release as being a honest, uncompromising and tributary to the old-school way, but again, nothing special to make me thirsty for more, sorry. Amazing cover artwork though... 6.5 MUSSORGSKI (Poland) - Creatio Cosmicam Bestiae Godz ov War - 2016 - Ambient Industrial Black Metal Founding member of one of the most savage and longlasting Black Metal bands in Poland, Arkona, Khorzon is also the only member still active in Mussorgski (not sure if Ronus, the vocalist listed on this CD's back tray is a permanent member though), a project started back in 1990 but laid to rest 5 years after only to take shape again in 2009. It's already 5 years since we last heard from Mussorgski, but somehow, not sure how and why, I kept hearing this name in the meantime, too, not sure if from other musicians talking about it or if Khorzon was indeed active in this time. Anyway, the latest, third full-length from Mussorgski offers 8 new tracks in 50 minutes of playing time, a deep journey through a dreamy, highly atmospheric, Ambient Metal that slowly separates and distances itself from the traditional Black Metal and somehow reminds me of Sci-Fi movies' soundtracks even if the Extreme Metal element is still active and kicking. So the new album has two distinct parts that at times intersect and blend together, an extreme, brutal and terrifying Metal characterized by ultra-fast blastbeats, razor-sharp vocals, tremolo guitar riffs, and the other more into Dark Ambient, Space Ambient, and Industrial, an interesting attempt that at times sounds really, really good and succeeds in creating a story, a soundscape full of futuristic / extraterrestrial elements, this until you link it with the cover design and start wondering if Khorzon actually meant to "display" the chaos in one's mind. Interesting concept, interesting music, interesting project. 8 NORNS (Finland) Pazuzu Deviant - 2016 Black Metal Although the cover picture might make you think you're dealing here with a one man band, Norns are actually a trio, and what we have here is their debut EP released after a huge period of silence of almost 10 years. 4 tracks, 18 minutes are enough to get to know this outfit and what's their path: traditional second wave Black Metal built on a backbone of very well thought and delivered melodic and expressive guitar riffs, with a distant shrieking vocal and drums that interleave blastbeats with groovy (yes, not the right word in this contexts, but that's how they sound to me) rhythms on top of the skeleton. Nothing overly impressive or innovative in any way, but definitely very well composed and created, with potential to be on the liking of most of the '90's Scandinavian Black Metal. The sound quality is not polished to sound crystal clear, but this kind of raw, abrasive production is prefect for Norns music, I wouldn't like it better any other way. 8 NORTHWINDS (France) - Eternal Winter Black Widow - 2015 - Doom Rock Metal With almost 30 (!!!) years of experience under their belt, Northwinds managed to release their fifth full-length album, also the fifth on Black Widow with whom they seem to get along perfectly. 8 tracks, 50 minutes of playing time, the album opens with two tracks that seem to be the continuation of Black Sabbath with Ozzy, but soon after add more influences and the abnd's music

becomes a mix of Doom Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock and even Folk if we count the Jethro Tull-like flute as Folk, it's all back to '70's, with the powerful sound of Today and a crystal-clear yet organic production. The tracks are mostly long, but luckily they are not boring at all, on the contrary, this joint between Doom and Hard Rock sounds really entertaining, and the band comes up with some catchy hooks on almost all the tracks. A very good album proving that the band is technically capable of performing good quality music, while also keeping their passion for experimenting intact. 9

direction. Great packaging by Lower Silesian Stronghold, the EP is released in 3 panels gatefold Digipak with lyrics listed and looks excellent. 7.5

OFGHOST (Finland) The Awakening Selfreleased - 2016 - Industrial Extreme Metal Cool, Sami is back with his 5th (4th under this moniker) full-length album to date, and since I'm lucky enough to have had the opportunity to listen to them all at the time they were released I can clearly say this is his best work to date. Sami does everything by himself, that's not OATH (Finland) - Mustan liekin veljeskunta Immortal Frost - 2016 - Black Metal impressive anymore in the nowadays scene, but what's Finnish Oath seem to be getting along pretty well with impressive about his music is that he follows no particular Belgian Immortal Frost Productions, this would explain path, I couldn't say he's fixed on Black, Death or this already third collaboration between the to parties, and Industrial Metal, he does his own thing and keeps getting this is, of course, a good thing, it proves underground better at expressing himself. This new album features 7 labels can cater uprising names like this for a longer tracks and clocks a bit over 25 minutes only, but it's period of time rather than just being a launching ramp. enough to fully enjoy it and avoid any traces of boredom. Anyway, getting to this second full-length from Oath, it The Finnish lyrics this time make the vocal part sharper, comes after a high-profile split with more well-known even more abrasive, keeping the same Industrial vibe country mates Azaghal, a perfect time to nail the spotlight Sami used his followers, the guitar part is very well for sure. There are only 5 new tracks presented here but thought, complex and ranges from straight-on brutal the total duration is well over half an hour, and the music Extreme Metal to melodic stuff, the drums are blasting will certainly satisfy the band's followers as it continues from start to finish and the energy they transmit is the same traditional Finnish Black Metal path, mostly fast contagious, and the keyboard backgrounds section is very paced, with occasional mid-tempo passages, highlighted important in the overall equation. There are also traces of by melodic and charming guitar riffs and leads, bast beats Punk, Rock'n'Roll, old-school Peaceville-like Doom all over, heavy bass lines and hoarse vocals singing in Death, dirty Thrash, basically everything the man thought Finnish language, all trademarks for this country's Black of, but the final result sounds curdled, strong and very Metal scene. The music on it won't be innovative, or well-done. Ofghost needs more exposure, I keep saying surprising, or original in any way, but it's perfectly this for the past 2-3 albums... 8.5 delivered, catchy as hell, well structured, technical, and above all (in my opinion) it offers a mesmerizing ORDER TO RUIN (Germany) - Where Future atmosphere, one of the best I've heard lately. Traditional Shadows Unfold Finnish Black Metal at its best, don't miss it! 9.5 Selfreleased - 2016 - Melodic Death Metal When I saw they were thanking their "small group of fans for their support" I thought "oh, that's nice, a young band OCCULTUM (Poland) - Towards Eternal Chaos Old Temple - 2016 - Black Metal being humble, finally", but then I saw this band is active Previously known as Amarok since 2011 and this is already their 5th studio album to (2003-2015), this duo (?) date, so we're not exactly dealing with a debutant here. basically reinvents itself and This album is made of 11 new tracks and gets released gets straight to attack with this only a year after the previous work, again a selfreleased debut full-length album that's material, which seems to be the preferred method of meant to devastate everything in its path, and from my working in Order To Ruin, or at least they still haven't point of view it fully succeeds. Starting with the excellent found a suitable label to be their home yet. The Munster band logo, continuing with the terrifying band image, and based duo has some guests on this album but ending with a top notch music, I have to say I like unfortunately none on drums which are computer everything about this new Occultum. This album features programmed and again unfortunately they sound like crap 7 tracks and clocks 40 minutes of fast paced, highly bringing their work down, at least for my taste. Order To technical, melodious at times, truly vicious all the time Ruin are a Gothemburg Death Metal influenced band with Black Metal that reminds me of the (nowadays vintage) loads of incursions within the Heavy Metal genre, Swedish scene of the end '90's - beginning '00's, plus a especially on guitar leads and solos; actually the guitars few artifices from the current Polish scene. Apart from the are top class here, the highlight of this album, well done, fine composed and delivered guitar work and the uplifting, melodic, tight and technical, exactly what's tremendous drumming, the vocals are all over the place, needed in such a band. The vocals are quite versatile and the amount of effort this guy puts into it is amazing and try to avoid monotony, but that's a tough task in this deserves respect. Everything on this debut album makes genre... The bass lines are intense and audible really being me already place it between my fave releases of 2016, a a good support for the guitar work, but now I come back fantastic work to push the band towards the elite, a release to the drums part that makes the album sound thin and not that made me discover it more and more with each polished enough. These guys' music would deserve a audition and I'm still not bored one bit, on the contrary, really good drummer and a professional studio recording, I'm becoming ecstatic of how good it is. Highly with a bombastic sound, then the overall impression recommended! 9.5 would be much better. As a conclusion we're dealing here with a talented duo, but that's not enough to make a ODOUR OF complete band. 6 DEATH (UK) Odour of Death OVERUNIT MACHINE (Italy) - Aldaraja Lower Silesian Sliptrick - 2016 - Electro Experimental Progressive Metal Stronghold - 2016 - I'm starting to get used to the high quality releases Black Metal Sliptrick Records offers so far and I only hope they'll have Although listed as a the potential and ability to continue doing so for long time UK project, both band to come. Here's another excellent find, a band that was members are formed back in 2000 and released two full-lengths and an originally from Poland, one of them, Kolan, being pretty EP prior to this third studio album but at least for me it's a much experienced on the scene, and the other, R.Hate as new name so the surprise is even bigger. Overunit mysterious as his pseudonym. The band was formed this Machine are a quintet from the North of Italy and so far year and here we have their debut EP, a 4 tracks material they've gained plenty of experience; with this third album lasting for 25 minutes of hateful and vicious Black Metal they manage to display a totally professional and highlighted by almost melodic guitar leads here and there attractive music, a mix of Electro, Metal, Alternative and a ferocious vocalist that reminds me of Honza from Rock, Progressive, or as they call it Experimental Metal, a Avenger. The subtle keyboard player in the background modern type of music that can blend listeners from creates a dark, funeral atmosphere, the guitar work is multiple niches without problems. There's plenty of typical to the new Polish scene, repetitive and almost complexity here but overall the album sounds curdled, mesmerizing, with an evil hint, and the rhythm section is mature and interesting, the band the both technical ability quite solid I must say, so all in all a good debut material. and good potential for coming up with catchy There are some parts that need to and should be improved compositions, and although this is not really my cup of for the future, meaning the overuse of repetitive elements tea I can admit it's well done and I'll most probably spin it and the unnecessary stretching of the tracks, but apart again in the future whenever in search for a light attitude from that the bands seems to be headed in the right and good quality Progressive Metal. 7.5

PAGAN FLAME (Canada) Symbole de Vie et de Lumiere Wolftyr - 2011 Pagan Black Metal Probably because of their language and birth place, but also a bit because of their music, these Canadian Pagan Black Metallers remind me of the amazing also Quebec based, Frozen Shadows, a band I used to like a lot (and most probably i still do but haven't listened to in a while). There's the same freezing cold yet epic atmosphere in Pagan Flame's music, too, and I think French language has a particular way to blend with Black Metal, the icy music contrasting with the poetic, somehow melancholic and royal sound of this language makes this blend quite exotic, undoubtedly interesting. Pagan Flames mixes traditional mid-tempo to fast paced Black Metal parts with epic melodic acoustic guitar parts spiced with an old-fashioned ('90's era) keyboard and nature sounds; the music is entertaining and not boring at all, but sometimes I find the vocals really annoying, both the Viking-like vocals and the Black Metal shrieks, and that's maybe the only area where Pagan Flame failed to be on my taste. This is already an old release, but from what they say it seems the band is gearing up for a follow-up; I guess you can still order this CD from Wolftyr since I have received it for a review 5 years after it was released. 7 PANYCHIDA (Czech Republic) Haereticalia - The Night Battles Cursed - 2016 - Pagan Metal Panychida is one of the most serious and hard-working bands on the current Czech Metal scene, or at least that's the exact impression they give me by keep releasing a new material every 2-3 years since their foundation in 2004, and here I have their fourth full-length made of 9 new tracks and 2 live recorded ones. Normally I don't like live recordings added as bonus on official releases, I find them worthless, but in this case I can see why they decided to do it: although the sound is not perfectly polished, the tracks are great, their execution faultless, the atmosphere is spot on and the public's reaction seems to be at the same level, so all good things, it makes sense. Now about the new tracks I could say they keep the band's tradition in delivering epic, melodic Extreme Metal with a distinctive Pagan influence all over, the production is perfect I'd say, not overly polished but not very raw either, just the right amount of bestial harshness to complement the compositions in their aggressive points. Even the most melodic parts, the slower ones, are touched by a raspy yet comprehensible voice that balances things, well, except the acoustic parts delivered like to heal the wounds after a fierce battle just enough to be able to stand tall for the rest of the battle (read tracks). There's plenty of emotion, plenty of expressiveness throughout the whole album, it's a varied offer that will capture and keep you attention high from start to finish. Most definitely the band's best work to date, an album that deserves your attention if you like good, epic Metal; from my point of view it's an almost perfect work! 9.5 PATH OF DAMNATION (USA) Live Rehearsal Demo MMXV Selfreleased - 2015 Selfreleased I'm a nostalgic, I know, but I think it's great to still see bands releasing demo tapes and spreading them to zines and labels for feedback, this is probably the most genuine and organic way to get impressions on your work and improve what you did so far. It seems the 4 tracks featured here will be featured on the band's upcoming album, too, so this tape acts like a preview, too. Unfortunately the sound quality is pretty bad, it's clear they recorded in improper conditions, but hey, it's a rehearsal demo, I wouldn't expect more. The music is pretty good, with occasional catchy elements, fast paced most of the times and quite technical, too, the only area where it failed to convince me were the vocals, which, although quite versatile, are recorded like with fear of

being heard by the neighbors, cuffing the mic and trying to sound evil. The guitars on the other hand are great, and the addition of long, chaotic (and not only) solos is a plus in my books for sure, many bands overlook this element nowadays. For a demo it shows potential, but of course the band needs more quality in both recording and execution in order to convince. Let's wait and see. 6.5 PATHOGEN / DEATHEVOKER (Philippines / Malaysia) - Consecrated in Morbidity Old Temple - 2015 - Death Metal / Death Metal A very well done cover artwork that can sell this split by itself, here's the "start" of a good release. Splitting this CD are Pathogen from the Philippines, a veteran of the local scene and at the same time a hard-working band that if you're at least a bit into Underground Metal it's impossible you haven't at least heard of, and the Malaysia based Deathevoker, younger but seemingly with the same apettite for releases and getting ahead. Pathogen open with 2 studio recorded tracks, a cover of Bathory's Blood and Soil, and a live recorded track. Unfortunately although the band seems honest about what they do, their work cannot stand out from the crowd of similar bands, it's just mid-tempo to fast paced traditional Death Metal without any real highlights. The Bathory cover sounds cool enough, but the vocalist loses pace at times and makes it sound amateurish. The live track... better not talk about it, 5 minutes of fast Death Metal with awful sound, you'll have a hard time understating what's happening there. Sorry, no go for me, probably I was expecting too much from this band. The 5 tracks on Deathevoker's part of this split are shorter but also more effective; the band plays a traditional Death Metal with Swedish distorted-like guitar riffs, savage vocals, intensive drumming and mostly fast paced rhythms. I'd say the band's highlights are the guitar solos and leads that come up here and there. The fifth track is a cover of Sepultura's Troops of Doom, actually a good take of it. As a conclusion I liked more the band I had no expectations from than the band I was sure they're going to kick ass, but that doesn't mean I disconsider Pathogen, I know how dedicated they are and they definitely deserve all possible support. Good release for Deathevoker though, one that will consolidate their ascension. 4 / 6 PEDOPHILE PRIESTS (Ireland) Dark Transgression of the Soul Metal Scrap - 2015 Death Metal One should never judge a band's music before listening to it based solely on its provenience, but somehow when you hear Poland and Death Metal in the same sentence you immediately think of well-done music mostly because of Vader, Hate and the likes. This duo bearing a highly offensive band name was founded in 2014 and here we have already their debut full-length album made of 9 tracks that will definitely impress everyone especially since the band appears out of nowhere, and this confirms the "good Death Metal out of Poland rule" (even if they moved to Ireland in the meantime). This debut album displays a fantastic intensity mostly because of the highly energetic and complex drumming of Krystian Mistarz, a drummer I'm sure we'll hear more about in the future. The rest of the instruments, plus the vocals and I include here the compositions too, are the work of the other part of the band, Piotr Niemczewski, a very gifted musician and vocalist at the same time. The guitar part is progressive, technical and sophisticated, traditional and avantgarde at the same time, and supported by an incisive bass line and a subtle but menacing keyboard background here and there manages to create a devastating atmosphere a la Vader / Morbid Angel, yet without being a copycat. The vocals are hateful and disgusted perfectly topping up one of the best Death Metal releases I've heard lately. The band has recruited a third member in the meantime and started playing live gigs; if they are close to what we can hear on this recording I'm sure this band will reach impressive heights in this genre. 9.5

highlighted by excellent bass lines, quite memorable guitar riffs, laid back guitar leads, intense drums work, and a versatile vocal that manages to perfectly lead the band's sound wherever he wants and enhance the dark atmospheres, but that doesn't mean the compositions are left dry like that, lots and lots of effects and sounds accompany the band's music throughout and at times it becomes really drony if I may say so, at others the whole is just psychedelic, so all in all we're dealing here with a complex, varied piece of work, one that should satisfy not only fans of the above mentioned genres, I'm just curious how well this band will do in this nowadays overcrowded Doom scene. 7.5 PHIDION (Sweden) Mother Pestilence Selfreleased - 2016 Thrash Death Metal This Single is made of 3 tracks and clocks only 8 minutes, but it's enough to understand what these guys are all about. Phidion were formed as a band in 2003 but have been quite lazy during the first decade of activity in what concerns discographic activity. Starting 2012 they started recording more and this Single is an advance to their first album to be released sometime soon hopefully. A solid Death Metal with Thrash influences, traditional and sinister, complete with excellent creepy bass lines, doomy bells to enhance the atmosphere, ferocious yet comprehensive and easy to follow vocals, powerful guitar riffs, strong rhythm section and a crystal clear production. I'd say they nailed it with this Split, let's hope the album will feature more of these goodies. Oh, I also have to mention the awesome, tragic and expressive cover art of this Single, I hope they'll use the same artist for the album, too. 8 PHOBOS PREACHER (Spain) - Asfixia Art Gates - 2015 Thrash Death Metal Two years after the release of their debut album, Phobos Preacher follows up with a second attack, a 14 tracks work clocking 44 minutes of Thrash Death Metal. If overall the impression is that Phobos Preacher tends to emphasize on the Death Metal part, there are some tracks that can actually be labeled as Thrash more than Death, but on the other hand there are some elements of Brutal Death Metal and some Progressive, too, so it's a pretty varied album that seems to test all territories before eventually settling somewhere, but I'm not sure if the band has decided where exactly to settle yet. The lyrics are in Spanish, so Latin countries will definitely appreciate the release more than others, the production is actually very good, offering an impressive clarity in sound plus an overall organic atmosphere. The compositions are pretty technical, but not impressive, not offering something of their own, something to remember the band after the audition, so here's a n area that requires more work for the future. I don't like the vocals either, the growls are lacking volume giving you the impression they are recorded in some room in fear of disturbing the neighbors' peace and tranquility, it's either that or the vocalist is not for this type of vocals; the rare screams are, on the other hand, much more ferocious, much more aggressive. As a last element I'd like to notice the excellent solos and leads, probably my favorite part on this album. All in all not impressed, sorry. 6

PICTURE ANN (Denmark) - Blaspheme 2009 (Remastered & Reinforced) Floodgate Moods - 2016 (re-release) - Ambient Black Metal Picture Ann is a one man band from Denmark and this is its debut album, initially released in 2010 and now remastered and re-released by J.N.'s own label not sure if on physical format, too, but for sure digital. What we get here are 8 tracks in almost 50 minutes of playing time following a path initially opened by Burzum with its buzzing, repetitive, almost ritualistic guitar riffs supported by crystal clear, shiny and ethereal synths, or better said a combination of Dungeon Synth Ambient with Lo-Fi Black Metal, with a clear emphasis on the first. Not bad at PHASED (Switzerland) - Aeon Czar of Bullets - 2015 - Psychedelic Doom Metal all, I must confess I found myself dreaming with open It seems this Swiss band was founded in 1997 as Phased eyes by the third track, and by the end I still hadn't 4Â°F but switched to a simpler Phased in 2001 while also enough of it. Each track has its own identity and slowly shifting from Stoner towards more Metal expression, some are really dreamy, some are depressive territories and this latest album, their fifth, offers only and melancholic, and although there's not much to slight traces of what they used to play. Aeon is a 7 tracks impress on the technical level, the atmospheres J.N. effort clocking 44 minutes of Psychedelic Doom Metal

Opening this split are Ravnkald, a Mexican / American duo offering 4 tracks of raw, war-like Black Metal with Pagan attitude and epic atmosphere. Razor-sharp guitar riffs, unrelenting drums and a bass that's mixed a bit too in front of everything, all these lead by distant shrieking vocals that if mixed a bit more in front would have been really comprehensive and could have given a totally different image to the music. So 4 tracks of raw Pagan Black Metal a la beginning of the '00's. Gjallarhorn from Ukraine have already more than a decade and two full-length albums underbelt and their maturity is shown on these 3 own compositions plus two covers (Absurd and Immortal). Colorful and expressive guitar work, synthetic sounding but not annoying drums, versatile vocals, and good compositions that will please fans of Russian / Ukrainian Pagan Metal. Not impressive but well done. Closing this union are Canadian Fjord with their 4 tracks with rehearsal-like (awful) sound quality; not even on the third track, which is acoustic, the band delivers a clean sound, and even if the vocals are clean, Viking-like, you won't be able to understand what they are singing about. It seems these tracks were recorded in 2007, I really hope they managed to change their studio or recording habits since then as this is not right, it's like listening to a midpaced Folk Metal band with War Metal fuzzy guitars and bass lines that almost cover the drums... 6 / 7 / 5 RAZEND (Holland) White Goat II Selfreleased - 2016 Thrash Metal If you can pass over the absolutely childish (read awful) cover artwork, probably one of the worst for 2016, and actually decide to buy this CD after learning that Corinne from Acrostichon is a member, you might have a good surprise like I had. First of all the band is not as new as their bio shows, they are actually all the members from a former Tilburg based Melodic Death Metal band called Outburst, active since the '90's, with only one line-up change in person of Corinne van den Brand who took over the vocal duties in Razend since they got the new name. Labelling Razend as Thrash Metal doesn't do justice to either the band and the genre, but that's the closest to what they are playing, so just imagine a base of traditional Thrash Metal with Melodic Death Metal, a bit of Heavy Metal and even Progressive Metal thrown on top of it, with a Corinne that's really versatile and extremely expressive, doing an excellent job. Then the guitar work is complex and interesting from start to finish, the drumming is top notch too, and I have to mention the intense and heavy bass lines too, all these delivered with a professional yet somehow traditional and unpolished production. There are plenty of melodic parts to air things up, but the whole is crazy intense and energetic just like it was meant to be. If you don't look at the stupid front cover and actually turn this digipak CD to a picture of the band (the back of the case), mixed with the amazing music on it, you might have just discovered one of your favorite releases for 2016, I know I did. Hell yeah! 9

PROTEAN (Latvia) - The Burning Centuries Beverina - 2015 - Black Metal Debut full-length release from this Latvian quartet founded in 2012, The Burning Centuries is a 7 tracks effort clocking 45 minutes of playing time. Labeling their music as Black Metal wouldn't be sufficient for what you get on this release, yes, it's all based and built on a Black Metal skeleton, but there are plenty of directions Protean reaches the limits of this genre and try to even stretch them towards Pagan / Folk at times, Majestic / Symphonic at others, and even Death Metal territories. The compositions are quite different one from another and even in the same track there are multiple layers but all in all they are successfully building a solid, monolithic atmosphere, with each track a piece of the same puzzle. The technical abilities of these guys are obvious, with emphasis on the sick drumming, killer guitar leads and, well, overall composition potential. Although the cover artwork attracts the eye, I feel it's a bit below what you get on this CD in terms of music so if you're in search of some melodic, technical yet brutal Black Metal releases try this one too, you might have a nice surprise. Released as Digipak CD limited to only 300 copies. 8

REAL CHAOS (Italy) - Consumo interiore Selfreleased - 2015 Death Metal Foggia based trio Real Chaos was founded back in 2010 and this is already their second full-length album, again self-released like the debut one, and continuing their quest for rediscovering the old way of Death Metal, offering the traditional way of Death Metal to their fellow countrymen, or at least mostly to them since their lyrics are in Italian language exclusively and at least this second album doesn't come with the lyrics listed in the CD booklet. Even is you know Italian and are not a native speaker you'll only understand part of what Enzo sings about (mostly social topics, that, from what I understand, are not that challenging, so you're not missing much), although his vocal tone is not really that growling, that incomprehensive. Speaking about the instrumental part of it, this album has teh benefit of a very good, crystal clear sound quality that will allow the listeners to absorb and digest every little effect on it; midtempo to fast paced rhythms, destructive bass lines (probably the best element in Real Chaos' music) and angry vocals, that's how one could sum up the music on RAVNKALD / GJALLARHORN / FJORD these 16 (!) tracks that last for less than 35 minutes in total; for some reason they remind me especially of Paul (International / Ukraine / Canada) - Split Wolftyr / Azermedoth - 2015 - Pagan Black Metal / Pagan Speckman's Master. The word that comes to mind after spinning this disc for a couple of times is: correct; correct Black Metal / Folk Metal

because everything inhere seems to be composed and executed correctly for a Traditional Death Metal with subtle Thrash and Grind influences. The album brings nothing new and at times it sounds quite generic, but it's entertaining and because of the mother tongue lyrics I think Italian fans of '90's Death Metal will particularly enjoy it. A bass solo, or a semi-acoustic track or something like that would have given this release more power although it sounds improbable. 7.5 REVERIES END (Finland) Edge of Dark Waters Slptrick - 2016 Progressive Gothic Doom Metal The band was founded in 2011 and a year later they already released 2 demos, but since then silence... Until this year when they managed to sign with Sliptrick and release their debut full-length album, and what an impressive album it is, oh boy, oh boy. To me their music sounds like a combination of The Gathering (especially the period with Anneke but not only) and Evanescence (for real), plus some more, from Progressive to Post Metal even to Black Metal at times although vaguely, through part of the vocals. The absolutely fantastic vocals of Sariina Tani (warm, enchanting, fairy-like) are doubled at times by background Black Metal-like screams still sung by her, and supported by a catchy, simple and effective at times and complex, thorough and progressive at other, instrumental section that impresses through its cohesion, it really feels like the band members are getting along pretty well when it comes to composing stuff, and starting with the melodic guitar work, with a strong and influential bass line and ending with an intricate drumming, everything sounds like it fits perfectly. After about 4-5 auditions I'm still not bored a bit and I'm sure I'll still spin this album for a few more times in the future, but I don't have a fave track yet, and maybe that's what the material lacks more, a couple of hits, of tracks to stand out, as this band is mainstream material for sure. 8.5 RIPPER (USA) Third Witness Black Widow - 2015 Heavy Doom Metal This Houston, Texas based Heavy Metal ensemble has been around since 1977 (!!!), with a 15 years hiatus though between 1990 and 2005, but still with more than 20 years of activity and three full-length albums (including this one) under their belt. I have to admit I didn't know the band and when I got this I browsed Youtube a bit for their debut album and I discovered an amazing band, from their impressive look to the versatility and theatrical attitude on the vocal compartment, to the catchy compositions. Now talking about this new album, it might be the first time I see a band admitting to do a record taking into consideration their label's wishes, kudos to them for this honesty. So according to the band, they went for their label's suggestions and took a more retro, Doom / Progressive path yet still keeping the band's touch intact, and after spinning the tracks from their debut I have to agree with this. What we get here are 7 new tracks plus an excellent Black Sabbath cover (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath), all orbiting around a mix between Doom and early Heavy Metal, with subtle but important spooky keyboard backgrounds. The tracks range from slow, atmospheric like "Morphinia", to more alert, more Heavy Metal ones like "Geneticide", to heavier and doomier like Goin' Green, a healthy dose of everything in order to make things spicy; although the description takes your mind to an old-school sound, I'd say it's much more modern than I would have expected, but the attitude is, indeed, traditional. What I liked the most on this album were the excellent guitar solos and leads, I would have liked the band's compositions to be built with more emphasis on those. 7.5 SAXORIOR (Germany) - Saksen Einheit - 2015 - Pagan Black Metal If there's such a thing called Viking Metal, adopted by everyone and everywhere, there should be a thing called Saxonian Metal, too, and Saxorior could be a proud purveyor of this genre, no doubts. Their new album, the 7th in a 20+ years career, shows they have

matured, and even if they are not that Melodic Black Metal band they started out as, they still keep elements from that genre and mix them well with epic, simple but effective compositions, clean vocals and the result is very catchy and easily digestible. The simple but uplifting keyboard backgrounds are mandatory for Saxorior, they manage to support an Epic Heavy Metal type of guitar work, and the relentless drumming keeps things manly and powerful as they should be, even during the midtempo parts of the album which are the majority inhere. An expressive full-length album that transmits the band's pride in singing about their forefathers. Released as Digipak CD with 16 pages booklet featuring all lyrics with English translations as a bonus. 8

the drums are mostly blasting all the way, the guitars may seem repetitive but they reach their goal successfully, and last but not least the vocals are excellent, versatile, hateful and interesting from start to finish, they are the leading tools of all darkness hidden evil things you'll meet here. You won't find anything innovative here, but my general impression is awesome, the dark, evil, almost forbidden territories you'll walk while immersed into this audition will definitely be worth your time and money, I fully enjoyed it and warmly recommend it to you too. 9

SILENT IMAGES (Sweden) - Knightfall Art Gates - 2016 - Progressive Death Thrash Metalcore Founded in 2011, Silent Images SCARLETH (Ukraine) - The Silver Lining managed to release The Leaders - 2015 - Symphonic Gothic Metal their debut EP in 2014 and Interesting choice for a two female vocals, one for the we are 2 years later gothic, operatic, soft vocals, and the other one for here extreme, growling vocals, and both are very, very good, witnessing the release of their debut full-length album, Irina, the first one is absolutely enchanting, but at the too, everything pretty standard and without surprises I'd same time she sounds powerful and perfectly qualified to say, but that can't be said about the band's music and they lead a band, and Oksana, the second one, is an absolute try to deliver their compositions as intricate, as beast (not talking about her looks here, on the contrary), boundaries-pushing and even as weird as possible. 11 usually I can tell from the first sounds if an extreme tracks, 55 minutes of playing time, a tasteful mix of vocalist is a lady, but not in her case. This is the second Thrash, Death and even Metalcore, with plenty of full-length album released by the Donetsk, Ukraine based melodies, loads of blastbeats, breakdowns, too, and all band, recorded during October 2014 and March 2015 in these lead by a heavily versatile vocalist that doesn't have Kiev though as their hometown was a complete mess (I the best tone in the world, but he tries to reach all corners think) during those days because of the war... even more of his abilities and definitely succeeds in giving his best reasons to respect the band, coming up with such joyful, (the listener will get that and appreciate it, I'm sure); the positive music in such an atmosphere... Oh well, getting guitar work is split between technical riffs, melodic leads, back to the material on this album, we're treated with 9 long solos and most of the time sounds as daring as the tracks, 50 minutes of playing time, a Symphonic Gothic vocals; the bass lines are subtle but very supportive and Metal with Power Metal influences, with diverse self-building; the drumming is among the best things on compositions, excellent production, and truly inspiring this album, complex, yet delivered with feelings. All in all cover artwork. From the oriental infused The Gates of this band offers us a heavily progressive album proving Dark Sun, to the Nighwish influenced One Short Life, to they are capable of reaching high ranks in this scene, in the melancholic Before the Night Falls, to the electro my opinion they should only work more on finding and synth touched Pure Desire, this album is a complete implementing more hooks in their music to make it Symphonic Gothic experience lead by Power Metal memorable, not just impressive. 8 quality guitar riffs and solos, excellent vocals, powerful attitude, and rich, almost progressive at times SINOATH (Italy) - Meanders of arrangements, the band's only "fault" in this case is their Doom Final Earthbeat - 2015 - Doom location, I bet they would have been seen as a top act by Metal now if born in the West of Europe. Highly recommended Sinoath were first founded back for fans of Nightwish, Epica, Xandria and not only, in 1990 (!), but broke up after 6 beautiful album! 10 years. The second installation was in 2003 and it seems they SEPULCHRAL CURSE (Finland) - are active since then although not really productive I'd say; the band only released two albums and a couple of A Birth in Death Chaos and Hell - 2014 demos in almost 20 years of activity, plus this EP I have here and that hopefully will fire them to start releasing - Death Metal Young Finnish quintet founded in 2013 by musicians with more stuff. The music on these 2 tracks (+ an intro) is a at least a few years of Black Death experience underbelt strange combination of all types of Doom and not only, I although I have to admit I don't know any bands they play can even sense a subtle Industrial presence although not or used to play in, except for the vocalist who's Kari in its traditional form. The compositions are ok but a bit Kankaanpaa, already known from his main band, Doom outdated I'd say, the riffs, in major part, are way less than Death champions Solothus. Sepulchral Curse seems to be I was expecting, simple and beaten up, the guitars bring a new enterprise for all of them as the band leans more on no interesting elements to the game here (well, maybe the the old-school Death Metal path, heavily inspired by the leads are a different story); the vocals are a mix of Gothic old Swedish Death Metal scene maybe adding a bit more Rock and Black Metal, comprehensive and scarrygroove from time to time, a more technical approach, and wannabe, but they become monotone after a while; the even some hints of Thrash and Black here and there, so drums sound tied and lazy. The heavy bass lines, on the the overall result is definitely interesting and not boring at other hand, are killer and together with the creepy all. The highlights are Kari's extreme growls and the keyboard backgrounds are the highlight of this band in supporting background screams here and there, the great my opinion, but unfortunately not enough to make them guitar solos and the general atmosphere they all manage interesting. Sorry, not my cup of tea at all. 5 to create. A promising debut EP consisting of 4 tracks and clocking 15 minutes of playing time. 7 SKOLL (Italy) - Of Misty Fire We Are Fallen Angels - 2016 - Pagan SHROUD OF SATAN (Germany) - At the Behest of Black Metal Time The Italian Skoll was founded Sol - 2015 - Black Metal more than 20 years ago and this Wow, everything about this release screams evil and is their fourth full-length album darkness, starting from the band's name, the band's to date, a 7 tracks effort sombre and blasphemic images, mysterious title, simple and grim cover artwork and booklet lay-out, and ending clocking almost 50 minutes of playing time. The band with the lyrics and music on it, of course, it really feels features members with serious experience on the Italian like this band is genuine, and that doesn't happen so often. Black Metal scene from bands like Opera IX or The True Founded in 2012, the band released an EP a year later and Endless, bands that shouldn't be a mystery to anyone at here I have their debut album, out in 2015 on Sol the moment, so both the band's longevity and its band Records, a truly traditional ('90's) Satanic Black Metal members experience leads us to think we're dealing with a release that unveils a band that seems to be honest and mature, serious band that has passed the test of time. The absolutely dedicated to their craft. At first I was a bit music on this new album is not innovative or highly puzzled by the low sounding drums but got used to this complex, but it's exactly what you'd expect from a midsound pretty fast and kind of understood its role after a tempo Black Metal with important Pagan influences and while, it adds a lot to the deeply oppressive atmosphere lyrical topics about epic battles and situations. The this album has. The rhythm section is mostly fast paced, atmospheres are mostly epic and quite uplifing, but there but there are some somber mid-tempo moments as well, are some parts of the album when the music becomes

quite melancholic and even bleak, and some others when everything becomes symphonic and majestic, preety neat, isn't it? The technical display is ok although not impressive, the production is nothing to argue about, and the general impression after spinning this album a few times already is a good one, maybe even sparkling a question in the listener's mind: why aren't these guys more known after so many years on the scene? 7 SLAUGHTBBATH (Chile) - Hail to Fire Old Temple - 2015 (rerelease) - Black Metal Holy fuck, this debut album from Chilean Slaughtbbath was released in no less than 9 different versions (!!!) according to Metal Archives, so it means this band and especially this album must be a gold mine, and judging by the fact Old Temple sent me a copy that's almost the 900th, it proves my point. The cover alone, the choice of colours (red-black-white) is absolutely sight-stealing and a massive selling point, too, then the band's "trv" attitude is also a good incentive to check out their music, and when it comes to the 9 tracks on this debut album originally released in 2013, I'd say they don't disappoint the already high expectations either, so we're dealing here with a successful debut album, but one that was previously prepared by the band since 2002 when they were formed. Since then the band released many demos, splits and an EP, so they must have built a steady following to make this album a long-waited release. The compositions are made of mostly fast paced rhythms, blastbeats, fat sounding traditional tremolo picking guitar riffs, old-school chaotic guitar solos, mostly subtle but well supporting bass lines, and excellent evil sounding vocals, but the perfect production makes this album be highly enjoyable for both fans into more polished Black Metal and fans of rough and bestial Black Metal. Although the band still needs an own identity from the compositions point of view, this album is a nobrainer for fanatics of aggressive Black Metal and not only. 7.5 SONS OF SOUNDS (Germany) - In the Circle of the Universe Fastball - 2016 - Heavy Metal It's all in the family here as this band is actually a trio made of brothers, three brothers playing together as Sons of Sounds since 2006 and reaching their third album with In the Circle of the Universe. 13 tracks in 74 minutes of playing time, a genre I wouldn't be able to label in a way or another, that's why I chose the generic Heavy Metal, but actually it's a combination of Hard Rock, Hard'n'Heavy, Heavy Metal, Progressive Metal, Rock'n'Roll and in smaller doses some other breeds of Rock and Metal, too, just think of a combination of Ozzy Osbourne, Dio, Iron Maiden, WASP, Megadeth and Helloween, or simply how they label it, Free Rock. These guys are doing a very good job and despite the fact they are only three you won't ever feel there's something missing and that means excellent composition potential. The guitar work is top-notch, the bass is bad-ass, the drums are not spectacular but definitely precise and Metal to the bone, and the vocals, even if at first might seem dull and not special at all, manage to be so versatile and expressive that by mid-CD they become the highlight of the band. A solid effort from a band that's certainly living the dream, just take a look at their Facebook and see how much fun these guys have all the time. 8 STORMSTONE (Spain) - Heirs of All Fights Lower Silesian Stronghold - 2014 Pagan Black Metal Initially released by the band (well, band is a bit too much to say since this is a one man project, but anyway) in 2013, the same year it was founded, this debut demo was later picked up by LSS and released in 2014 on professional CD with 8 pages booklet featuring all lyrics and additional info, so it must have had an impact on LSS's owner at least. Stormstone's music is traditional mid-tempo Black Metal, with Norwegian inspiration, and except for an accoustic segment in the third track, brings no surprising or innovative/original elements whatsoever. It's good this kept the Demo format since there are some mistakes in execution, especially on drums, that wouldn't allow it to be an EP, so respect for the modesty and

honesty. The last part where I was not impressed at all, on the contrary I'd say, was the lyrical part, none of the tracks' lyrics makes sense except for being an array of dark phrases about evil, ancestors, night, fog, forest, you get the point, there's no substance althgough I get what Erun wants to "display". So after slamming it to the ground by saying all these nasty things about it, you might be inclined to skip it, but let's pass to the good side of it. I was mentioning that I understand what Erun wants to express and that's mainly due to the fact this album manages to create a misty, dark, mysterious atmosphere that makes you envision what he wants to talk about in his lyrics. The guitar work is not impressively technical, but sounds very good, the background keyboards give that well needed mystical atmosphere to the whole, and Erun's vocals are as organic and honest as they should be, so all in all although it's not groundbreaking this debut demo constitutes a nice audition for all into traditional secondwave of Norwegian Black Metal mixed with the first wave of Pagan Black Metal, and as a debut it's quite promising (although Erun has been in this "business" for over two decades by now...). 6 SUNRUNNER (USA) - Heliodromus Minotauro - 2015 - Progressive Metal The third full-length from Maine based Sunrunner is an excellent treat for any Progressive Metal fans, especially for the traditional Progressive Metal fans if I can say so, the ones who enjoy a healthy mix of their fave style with Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Psychedelic Rock, Doom Metal and Folk / Ethnic Rock. 8 "normal" tracks followed by one that is more than 21 minutes long, the title track, the track that best sums up everything Sunrunner is about and that shows the band is not afraid to try everything is on their mind whatever the costs; nowadays when everyone is in a permanent rush and we struggle to find time to listen to a simple track from start to finish, this 21+ minutes long track is also a statement, a bold statement from a tenacious band. Great! The band's technical skills are perfectly displayed throughout these intelligently crafted compositions that will keep you glued to your player for at least an hour, everything is done with style and even if the band has allowed so many influences and genre elements to gather under one roof, it all sounds perfectly balanced and well thought. I wouldn't say something is the highlight here, but I was especially impressed by the versatile guitar work and the excellent folk and acoustic instruments' addition. A perfect album! 10 SUS SCROFA (France) - Sinistre Sylve Nomos Dei - 2016 Pagan Black Metal First a short background on Sus Scrofa: featuring two current Stille Volk members, the Toulouse based trio was initially founded in 1991 and released 2 demos until 1994 when it split-up, and seems to be one of the very first French Black Metal bands; they are back since 2014 and this EP is their first testimony, a 4 tracks effort clocking almost 25 minutes of music. Released as a very cool looking yet simple and grave A5 Digipak limited to only 300 copies, Sinistre Sylve opens with a long (9 minutes) Black Metal track with subtle Pagan influences that I had to revisit in order to get a grip on, the first time I've heard it I had to soon skip to the next one as it bored me, that's why I think it should have been better placed in the middle of this release when the release atmosphere is already built and you kinda know what to expect. Then the pagan influences make their way a bit more incisive in Sus Scrofa's music and a new world totally opens to your... ears. The music becomes majestic and highly expressive yet keeping the production organic and as primitive as possible, it reminds me of the '90's Pagan Black Metal when this style wasn't yet all happy and shiny and you could have still link it to Black Metal, it has the same organic production and the same type of sinister atmosphere around it, but at the same time there are some slight progressive elements (especially on guitars) that make it sound fresh and promising. Definitely a band that will turn more and more heads. 8 SVARTELDER (Norway) - Pyres Dusktone - 2016 - Black Metal It seems this band's roots are way back in 2005 when Doedsadmiral started it as a one man project; a few years after he was joined by Maletoth on guitars and bass, and last year two famous names in the Norwegian Black

Metal community were added to the line-up, AK-47 on drums and Kobold on keys, former or current members of bands like In the Woods..., Carpathian Forest, green Carnation or den Saakaldte, so the the moment the band can be also considered some sort of super-group of the Black Metal made in Norway. This is their debut fulllength album made of only 6 tracks but the total duration is 45 minutes, so we're treated with long, torturous tracks here, enough for the band to build and express their vision. The backbone of their compositions is traditional Black Metal, of course, and the overall impression doesn't distance itself a lot from this genre, but the good thing about it is their openness to experimentation, their ability to add loads of influences without actually driving their music away from Black Metal. The album actually starts like a fairytale (horror tale would be a better analogy though) where nothing impressive happens at the beginning, but you soon realize the whole is starting to build tension and momentum, it all comes together as a powerful, open, highly mysterious and hypnotic at times Black Metal lead by a razor-sharp but almost choked sounding vocalist that if a bit more versatile (like the instrumental part is), would be amazing. Interesting debut, try it out if you're looking for traditional Black Metal with a twist. 8

enjoy and be interested in, so from this point of view this is an excellent debut album. The problem is that it lacks something memorable, something to pinpoint the band after, but if they would have been a hard-working band by now we'd seen a step up... 7 TEMTRIS (Australia) - Enter the Asylum Battlegod - 2016 -

Heavy Metal By the look of it I was expecting some sort of Death Metal, no softer music, I tell you; the cover artwork is sinister enough, the band's logo pretty Death Metal-ish, too, and somehow the album title leads you that way, too. But of course I was wrong, Australian Temtris are playing a mid-tempo to (mostly) fast paced Heavy Metal, female fronted, with occasional growling vocals in the backgrounds to emphasize the horror atmosphere. This is the band's fourth full-length since '99 when it was founded, a 12 tracks effort totaling 52 minutes of melodic yet powerful Heavy Metal; although it's lead by a female vocalist and that might lead your thoughts to mellow stuff, that's another mislead, Temtris' music and Genevieve's vocals are pretty rough at the edges, and especially her vocals are fierce and commanding, nothing TANKRUST like a girl but rather a real woman, not sure if I can (France) - The Fast transmit the point this way. The occasional Thrash Metal influences are excellent, more on my liking, more of Solace Selfreleased - 2015 - energetic and even angrier than the general attitude of the album. The band's music and vocalist reminds me of Thrash Hardcore Death Metal Followup to their 2013 EP, this debut album from Bulgaria's Rampart, an American-inspired tough Heavy Tankrust features 10 tracks spread over 35 minutes of Metal only for the fanatics of this genre, definitely not Thrash, Hardcore, Death Metal and a bit of Deathcore too, mainstream. 7.5 a cool and refreshing mix for an old-schooler like me. The album opens with the excellent DMZ track, that also TERRORFRONT benefits of a professional videoclip, a track that absolutely (Italy) - We Don't deserves to be the first single off of this album, and Come in Peace Lupus Niger - 2015 judging by how the rest of the tracks are following, I'd say Thrash Black Metal it shouldn't be the only one either, at least 2 or 3 other Debut EP by this tracks would deserve a video and be promoted like hell hailing from the beautiful and brutal for the simple fact that they are catchy; these talented quartet musicians have found a good middle way to mix melody, Napoli, a recording made of 3 of their own tracks, a groove, aggression and keep things interesting at the same Bestial Mockery cover, and an intro that's pretty much the time. The guitar work is absolutely killer here offering only thing connected with the war-like cover picture. The some of the best riffs I've heard in a while, the drummer music is quite primitive, live recorded, very raw in quality does a good job as well, and the bass, although subtle, but better sounding than your usual rehearsal demo, and keeps things heavy; the vocal parts are excellently frankly doesn't impress much. By the cover artwork and thought, but I think a bit more comprehension in tone tracks titles I was expecting some War Metal, but actually wouldn't hurt at all, kids would have something more than this is a mix of aggressive and old-school Thrash, Black just catchy rythms and attitude, words are equally and maybe even some Death Metal, played at high important, but they need to be understood even if you're a intensity, but without any special moments to keep for Death Metal band (well, not talking about the brutal bands you after the audition. I liked the ferocious vocals, both here, of course). The production is clear and professional the main vocals and the supporting screams, and the but not as powerful as this material would deserve, yet energy and hate the band managed to deliver on this debut that's not a problem in enjoying the record. As their EP, EP, hope their next release will have more hooks, more this debut album is also self-released, in digipak format things to enjoy. This EP was released as slim case prowith an 8 pages booklet featuring all lyrics, and an CDR and comes with a 4 pages booklet featuring all intriguing cover artwork most probably made with real lyrics. 6 blood. A band to keep an eye on for the future, but in the meantime I recommend this album, give it a chance at TERRORHAMMER least for a free audition on the net. 8 (Serbia) - Under the Unholy Command Deathrune - 2015 TANVARPMENKV (Russia) - Goatizm Speed Thrash Black Nomos Dei - 2012 - Black Death Metal Metal A new old release from Nomos Dei if I may say so, the I wanted to start this debut album of a band with an impossible name, review with a rant about Tanvarpmenkv, I have to check letter by letter when writing their name, I wouldn't even dare to pronounce it... how superficial this "true metal revival" became in such The CD comes with a massive 28 pages booklet, but after short time and how many posers "support" this type of seeing multiple other Nomos Dei releases I wouldn't call bands online but "forget" to support them when it comes this an exception, this label likes to offer out of the to buying their stuff and actually supporting them, but I ordinary productions. The band (see, I'm done even guess saying what I just said should be enough, noone writing their name, haha) offers 8 tracks in a total playing cares anyway. time of 37 minutes, a debut album that comes after 5 Terrorhammer's debut album comes out 5 years after the years since the band was founded (they activated under a foundation of the band, 5 years with plenty of drama and different name since 2007, and this album was out in tension that left the band in its current form, a duo with 2012), and now, when I'm writing this, 4 years after its Pentagramator on vocals and guitars and B.B.K. Necro release they still haven't followed up with a new material, Doctor on bass. For this debut album they invited Butcher so we're dealing with either an extremely lazy group or (aka. Honza Kapak from Avenger and Panychida, one of with one that doesn't take their activity that serious; either my fave Czech musicians) to track the drums and the end way for them it will be impossible to build a following result I'm sure delighted both members of the band as this way. Tanvarpmenkv are making a technical and drums play a major (if not the biggest) role on this album. intricate form of Black Death Metal with walls after walls Under the Unholy Command features 8 tracks + intro and of massive guitar riffs, blasting drums all over, demonic clocks 35 minutes of fast to insanely fast paced old-school vocals, and what impressed me the most, a lot of traces of evil metal, a mix of Speed, Heavy, Thrash, Black and Progressive Death Metal, too, something I wouldn't even incipient Death Metal, fast music with plenty of expect from a band that seems to take the traditional, old- blasphemy and disgust in their lyrics, highlighted by a school way as path to follow. The whole material sounds raw sounding evil vocalist, thrashing guitar riffs, heavy well done, carefully planned and structured, and if you'll pounding bass lines and almost relentless drums, all listen carefully you'll discover plenty of little things to supported by an organic yet crystal clear production. For

follow each and every instrument while still enjoying the overall experience; the organic drumming is also a plus, even more since the drummer is excellent; the bass lines are intense and very influential on the final outcome; the vocals could have been a bit more versatile, but the guys sounds passionate and has a sick tone, perfect for thsi type of music. Two tracks didn't made up a complete impression on the new The Everscathed, but as a whole this EP is well worth your time; a good slab of mid-tempo to fast paced US style Death Metal, ugly and direct to the THE BURNING DOGMA bone. 8 (Italy) - No Shores of Hope Sliptrick - 2016 - Electro THE OLD CRONE (Poland) Blackened Death Metal Monsters Selfreleased - 2016 - Stoner Rock Wow, very far from what I Not sure if this is an EP or a demo, expected when finding the but my guess is it's a demo since band's profile on Metal the production is quite limited if Archives, The Burning not even live recorded in a single Dogma's music, or at least the take. Anyway, the production fits one the band offers on this debut full-length, has nothing well with the music, I'm of the to do with Doom Metal, but I would rather pinpoint their compositions between a Blackened Death Metal and a opinion Stoner music needs to be a bit (if not more) dirty Melodic Death Metal with lots of Electronic inserts all and of course organic sounding. The Old Crone are over the place yet not influencing the actual tracks but hailing from Poland and this is the follow-up to their rather managing to calm things down between a track and debut album, The Undertaker Blues, released in 2014, another. The overall impression is of a highly energetic, album I haven't had the chance to listen to, but again this even aggressive band (there are some parts when you can is not one of my fave styles either. The guitars are pure say you're dealing with a Brutal Death Metal band...) and Stoner Rock, abrasive and laid back, the drums are quite the atmosphere that dominates on this disc is mysterious groovy, the bass lines have a precise and important role in and dark, always in expectance of the worst creatures to the overall atmosphere, and last but not least the female crawl out of the shadows at any time; very successful vocalist tries her best to be as versatile as possible, and he atmosphere I have to stress out. Although at first I thought succeeds to offer an interesting display influenced in my the Black Metal type of vocals would go on forever opinion by the Alternative and Grunge movements, but without any fluctuations I was wrong, there's plenty of not only. The material sounds interesting but not curdled versatility on the vocal level of this album reaching even and complete enough to stand out, but for sure it's the addition of a female vocalist as guest; the guitar work promising. 6.5 is impressive, with emphasis on the amazing long and expressive solos; the rhythm section is faultless I'd say, THE SHIVA HYPOTHESIS (Holland) - Promo 2015 and last but not least the keyboards (a la Dimmu Borgir at Selfreleased - 2015 - Black Death Metal times) are absolutely perfect, from subtle and supportive I thought this was a young band since this is their debut to leading and influential they manage to evoke the dark EP, but it seems they were formed back in 2012, so not feelings throughout the album. I have to mention the that young anymore... This debut features 3 long tracks interesting, well thought lyrics as well as the impressive totaling 20 minutes of mid-tempo to fast paced Black cover artwork, all leading towards an excellent debut Death Metal. After the first audition I have to say it didn't album I recommend you to give a chance to. 8.5 impress me, the music is good, the compositions are complex and technical, but the nowadays overcrowded Black Death scene made me imune to a lot of such bands, THE EVERSCATHED (USA) - Scars to Bare In Death - 2015 - Death Metal but I decided to give the EP another listen, and then Here we are, 7 years after the release of the EP I just another, this time with the booklet in front, reading its reviewed and The Everscathed are still alive and kicking, lyrics, and it started to grow on me, I started to get it or at although with only one member still on the barricades, W. least to form myself an atmosphere, a story to go along Frickenstein, the band's leader, supported by John with the music and it made sense, especially since I saw Contreras on drums and Allen Mate on guitars. This is the the vocals and wording are right on the music, are band's third full-length, an 8 tracks effort totaling 40 following the music's rhythm, not sure if I make myself minutes of Death Metal a bit more Thrash-influenced than clear here, but many of the nowadays bands' vocalist just what I heard earlier, and honestly I don't think I like this recite (well, better said scream, growl, roar) the words to new version of the band more. Definitely the synthetic get it over with, they have nothing in common with the drums' sound on this album is a major minus for me, it actual rhythms simply because they believe the tonality acts like an aggression reducer, and I'm sure that wasn't should do the work, but that's not true. So this guy (or the intention of the band. The bass lines are as intense and guys, as all of the 4 members have their share of vocals it influential as before, and the vocals continue on the same seems) is laying his vocals the right way, in perfect demented line proving they are fit for this music, but all in harmony with the music, which made it easier for me to all this album didn't convinced me as much as the EP did. "get" the lyrics and blend them with the whole The good thing about it is that it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stick to a composition. The band's music is technical, complex, particular path, the compositions are pretty different one melodic, and energetic mix of Black and Death with an from the other but in the end you still get the impression emphasis on the Black Metal side though, and after a few the band sounds curdled and works towards a well- (maybe even 10 now) spins of this disc I can easily say defined outcome. 6.5 they have potential, they are a band to follow closely and be attentive at what they'll have to offer on their debut THE album. 7 EVERSCATHED THOKKIAN (USA) - The Devil's VORTEX (USA) Cross Selfreleased - 2008 - Death Metal Into the Nagual Founded in 2003 from the ashes of local Death Metal act Unexploded - 2016 - Black Metal Enmortem which didn't manage to get out too much with Finally, after many, many years of more or less activity, their demos and 1 EP, The Everscathed are a pretty active Kaiaphas, well-known ex-member in Ancient and Grand band on discographic level, but this material I'm currently Belial's Key, is back with a new album of his project, writing about is a 2008 EP which probably is still Thokkian Vortex, formerly known as Thokk until 2006. available for ordering directly from the band. Made of 2 Now as a trio, Thokkian Vortex deliver a traditional Black originals, 2 covers (Samael's Baphomet's Throne and Metal album that I'm sure many will have on their Cancer's Hung, Drawn and Quartered), plus a track left purchase list. 11 tracks, 51 minutes of playing time, guest from the defunct Enmortem, The Devil's Cross clocks 21 appearances by Lord Ahriman (Dark Funeral), Scorpios minutes of playing time and is pretty entertaining but still (Melechesh, Zemial, Crimson Moon), Mantus (Patria, sounding unpolished and unpretentious. The organic, Mysteriis) and Vargblod (Draugul, Kaospath), and music almost live-rehearsal-sounding yet keeping things that could be labeled as theatrical and expressive impressively crystal-clear, might work as a charm for traditional (a la Dark Funeral mostly) and organic Black many or as an impediment for others, I personally Metal with loads of influences some of good taste, recognize this US style of recording (heard it to lots of improving the dark, mysterious and highly evil bands from over there) and have nothing against it, atmosphere of this album and some completely out of the especially since everything sounds so clear and you can picture, like on the Industrial'n'Roll track Evil Sluts of this genre I really have no bad comments on this album, I'm sure real fans of it will find Under the Unholy Command an extremely tasty material and won't regret their spent money, speaking for my taste I wanted to hear something to remember the band on after the audition, but I'm afraid I won't remember any track after. Released on CD, Vynil and digital versions by Deathrune, and what I have here is the CD version that features a nice 12 pages booklet with all lyrics. 8

Satan, the Gothic inspired En Kamp I Skogen, or the groovy and happy sounding 11th track, Huginn and Muninn in the Realms of Mist, which is not even mentioned in the booklet/inlay. Yes, I get it, Kaiaphas and co. experimented a lot and did exactly what they wanted, but the overall impression is of an album split in two, one theatrical, serious and grave, a pleasure to immerse into, and the other an experiment and nothing more. Anyway, an album that deserves your attention even only for the names of the musicians involved. 7.5 THOU SHALT FALL (Belarus) Rejoice and Laugh, Doomed to Be Sacrificed Nomos Dei - 2013 - Black Metal Already an old release, this 7 tracks (half an hour of playing time) effort is the band's second full-length album. Thou Shalt Fall was founded back in 2005 as the one man project Krumkach which changed its name in 2009 and since 2011 became a duo. The best feature of this band are the vocals, very decaying, putrid, perfect for this ugly form of Black Metal, then the drums are really good, organic sounding and energetic, they give TSF's music a brutal edge, but the worst part in my opinion are the guitars, I really hate the effect they used on this release, they fuckin' sound like in a Grunge band, mixed way too upfront, and bringing nothing but generic riffing, nothing surprising, nothing original. Unfortunately the guitars impression ruins the whole audition for me, I don't think I'll spin this disk again soon, sorry to say that. The look of this Digipak CD is again top notch made by Nomos Dei. 5 THROES (Australia) - This Viper Womb Aesthetic Death - 2016 - Dissident Metal Hailing from the small Australian island Tasmania, Throes started in 2003 as project of Trent Griggs who immediately started working on its debut EP who was released in limited number of only 50 copies in 2005 and distributed to labels but nothing noteworthy happened after that since 2011 when Trent approached drummer Kevin Talley (Daath, Suffocation, Feared, Sylencer and Nothnegal) to record for Throes' debut album, then in 2012 he welcomed James Ludbrooke (ex. Damaged/Terrorust) as the second member of the band, on vocals, and by Autumn of 2014 the debut album, this one I'm talking about here, was completed. Another almost 2 years and here's this piece of art finally being released through cult underground label Aesthetic Death, in the end of June 2016. I feel like this is a tremendous gathering of really expressive artists, for some reason, after listening to this work, Trent and James seem to be similar and their working together seems very natural, plus releasing it on Aestetic Death, a label that praises nonconformism and originality, gives it the perfect medium. 10 tracks, 66 minutes of playing time, an astonishing work, a mix of all things Metal and nonMetal, basically it's an extremely complex and at the same time repetitive and mesmerizing instrumental work with two abrasive and desperate screaming vocals recorded like in antithesis. This sounds like nothing I've heard before, it's some sort of mix between traditional and progressive, between Post-Metal and '90's Metal (from the Peaceville , between disturbing, hateful music and calm, almost serene structures, I wouldn't dare labelling it anyway, so Dissident Metal seems like the perfect definition for it. I'm very impressed by three elements on this album: the absolutely delicious bass lines, the complex drumming, and the overall weird yet somehow warm and welcoming atmosphere. An absolute must for all of you in search for originality, a perfect 10! 10 THUNDRA (Norway) - Angstens Salt Einheit - 2014 (rerelease) - Viking Black Metal Featuring former members from Enslaved (drummer Harald) and Einherjer (bassist Stain), and bearing such a band name, it was only natural for Thundra to follow the Pagan / Viking Metal path, but unfortunately after 17 years on the barricades the band called it quits last year, maybe frustrated by the little attention the World gave it so far. This is their fourth and last full-length album, initially released by themselves in 2013 and re-released

by Einheit a year later as CD with 8 pages booklet featuring all lyrics and melancholic, solitary pictures that maybe were predicting something. From the first track of this album it's obvious we're dealing with highly experienced musicians, the drumming is fantastic, the guitar work is varied, fresh and entertaining, the bass is subtle and supportive, and the vocals angry, hoarse and comprehensive but maybe a bit less varied that they should have been (I would have preferred them more varied, like on the second track, Silence Welcomed). The guitarists and drummer really let themselves (or better said their imagination) loose and had no restraints or boundaries in composition and this resulted in a varied, complex and surprising full hour of melodic, aggressive and fierce Viking Black Metal. It's a real shame this band is now extinct... 9 UNDERDAMPED SYSTEM (Poland) - Phantom Pain Metal Scrap - 2016 - Technical Groove Metal Underdamped System or in short UDS are a quintet hailing from poland and this is their debut full-length album, a 9 tracks effort clocking almost 45 minutes of playing time. What we get here is a very powerful, inyour-face, fat sounding mix of Groove Metal, Industrial Metal and Progressive Technical Metal, just think of influences from Meshuggah, Fear Factory, Pantera, Gojira and Ministy all melted together and presented on rhythms as intricate as possible, but with a heavy layer of mesmerizing, repetitive, almost bewitching guitar leads glue them all together. The result is impressive, especially from the technical point of view, the debut album from these guys slays and although there are some parts when the compositions become a bit redundant and might loose the listener for a moment, and the vocals are a lacking flexibility and versatility, Phantom Pain is an overall successful album, I'm sure if you're into at least one the the above mentioned genres or bands you will find something to enjoy here. Not sure why it took the band almost 2 years to release it, but it was worth the waiting, a debut that presents an interesting, intelligent and potentially successful new name from Poland. Released on classy Digipak CD format with 8 pages booklet. 8 UNDILUTED (Germany) - The Withering Path STF - 2015 - Doom Metal Started in 2010 as a solo project of Hanzi Herrmann, Undiluted gradually evolved into what nowadays is a four piece band yet this debut album was recorded and originally released in 2014 when Undiluted was a duo with drummer Rico Skerra completing the line-up so by now I think it isn't very representative for the band anymore. Anyway, since the album was picked up and rereleased by SFT Records late last year, and since it's my first encounter with the band's music, The Withering Path is the perfect occasion to get to know the Hanzi's ideas. We're treated here with 6 long tracks clocking over 50 minutes of playing time, a melodic and melancholic slab of Doom Metal reminding me mostly of Lake of Tears but also Anathema and My Dying Bride, a mix of all these in their middle-periods, a deep, depressive at times, always intrinsic music reflecting a troubled and dreamy mind. From the instrumental point of view there's not much to be considered original or innovative in any way (actually retro would be a better description for its direction), and the highlight are always on the clean and troubled vocals of Hanzi, with a deep, incisive bass line, repetitive guitar riffs and drums that have nowhere to progress that make the album sound dull at times and maybe some tracks could have been shortened as they feel a bit too artificially and forcedly stretched. Anyway, for fans of above mentioned bands Undilutem might prove to be an interesting choice, I'm just curious where the band is heading now that it's a complete line-up. 7 UNOTHERA (Holland) - Broken Big Bad Wolf - 2016 - Melodic Doom Death Metal Born from the ashes of Alice Day, Unothera decided to continue as a trio at least for the moment, and stop searching for a female vocalist which probably was the leading element in Alice Day. Unothera are in for a fresh start although their music clearly reminds of the good old days of the '90's in Doom Death and especially of the Peaceville bands of course. Here we get 2 real tracks and three piano intermezzos totaling 14 minutes of playing time, and although not enough to form a coherent opinion

on the band's music, I'd say they have full potential and this comes from a big fan of the '90's Peaceville releases. Slow to mid-tempo rhythms, two vocal types (clean and raspy - although I admit I'd see the band complete by an additional female vocal), synthetic but not annoying drum programmings, melodic guitars and atmospheric keyboards on the background, with a second track (The Sun of Contradictions) highlighted by a perfect, haunting, dreamy, melancholic leading guitar as closure, a guitar (well supported by keys) I would love to hear more in the band's future music. Really psyched about this band's future, can't wait to hear some more of their stuff. 7 VAMPYROMORPHA (Norway) - Fiendish Tales of Doom Trollzorn - 2016 - Heavy Doom Metal This is actually a re-release of the band's debut album, Six Fiendish Tales of Doom and Horror..., with an extra track, a cover of Fleetwood Mac's I'm so Afraid, as bonus, so we get 7 tracks in almost 40 minutes of playing time. Vampyromorpha was formed in 2014 by two members of Heavy Metal act Runamok with pretty serious experience underbelt, and here we have their debut album, an excellent mix of '70's Doom Rock, Gothic Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Doom Metal and Heavy Doom Metal, with tremendous compositional potential. Each of their 6 tracks has an own identity and creates its own story, and the best thing about them is they manage to convince the listener that he's dealing with a proper, curdled, mature band. The guitar work is excellent, very varied and complex while still following traditional patterns of these genres, the rhythm section is angry and energetic marching ahead with no remorse, the main vocal has an own, memorable timbre and supported by growling vocals here and there manage to create that Horror movies atmosphere, and last but not least the psychedelic '70's like organ in the background are the decisive touch in order for Vampyromorpha to deliver an almost perfect debut album. This release will manage to reconcile both Rock and Metal followers, I have no doubts. The Fleetwood Mac cover is cool as fuck, too! Don't miss this album for the World! 9

a band whose music can be easily added to this genre's follow-up. Polish Warbell, although founded in 2007, managed to release their debut album, the one I'm talking about now, almost a decade later, but the wait was all worth it for their fans, this 15 (!) tracks effort proves to be highly mature sounding, well-structured and delivered, with the benefit of an excellent production. Being a female fronted band might be a turn off for many oldschool Death Metal fans, but it can and is also a major point of interest for many, many other Metal followers, and although in many cases I'd be in the first category, Gigi, the female vocalist of Warbell, does an excellent job on this album, I wouldn't have guessed it's a girl only by listening to these tracks because her voice is extremely powerful, well defined (a mix of Melodic Death and Metalcore) and perfectly cut for this type of music I'd say. The guitar work is absolutely delicious, very rich in composition and expressive in delivery, the two guitarists manage to be the central point of interest on this album. The rhythm section is also well thought and as rich as the guitars, ranging from slow, almost Amorphis-inspired rhythms (well, the guitars play a major part in this comparison) to mid-paced and fast, energetic rhythms, so we got everything we might expect from such a release. At a certain point Gigi, beside her usually growling vocals adds a second, clean, enchanting timbre that does only well for the flowing of the album and makes things more interesting for the listeners. All in all this is one hell of an album, recommended if you're into the above mentioned bands. 8

WARCHEST (Chile) - Downfall Digmetalworld - 2015 Thrash Metal If there's the need to name one thing South Americans do well, go with Thrash Metal, it's impossible to go wrong with it. Warchest from Chile are yet another proof of how well old-school Thrash Metal can be done and how well and energetic it can be still delivered after decades since its inception. The band celebrates their first 5 years of activity with this second full-length release, a 9 tracks effort clocking a bit over 35 minutes of old-school, fast paced Thrash Metal, I'd say a mix of Testament, Exodus and Slayer with excellent production, tight-ass VULTURINE / TRONO - (Brazil / Brazil) - Antigos compositions, pissed-off attitude and mature compositions with everything you can imagine from such a band. Ritos da Neblina e da Lua Cheia Nomos Dei - 2013 - Black Metal / Black Metal Traditional and modern sounding at the same time, This split was originally released in 2011 on cassette Downfall sounds very good for a band that doesn't aim at tapes, but in 2013 Russian Nomos Dei Productions being innovative but rather at keeping it simple and to the decided to release the version I have in my hands now, a point. All tracks have their own identity and I don't see CD with nice looking A5 cardboard covers and I don't this album boring in no way, so if you're looking for a mean that much the artwork, which is quite simple and traditional Thrash Metal album done well, with passion, childish looking, but the dark feelings it generates look no further, Downfall won't surprise you in any way, especially with the two band's logos on it. Opening the but will certainly quenche your thirst. Released in both hostilities are Vulturine, a serious, hardworking band that jewel case CD and Digipak by Digmetalworld. 8 has made themselves noted throughout the underground scene by releasing as many demos, splits, EPs and even WEDERGANGER / LASTER (Holland / Holland) albums as possible, a band that proves here once again Wederganger - Laster they know their craft, they have their own agenda and are Vรกn Records - 2016 - Black Metal / Black Metal following it to the bone. Sinister, expressive, well thought A split between two Black Metal bands from Holland I've and well executed mid-tempo to fast paced Black Metal never heard before, so it's exciting even more than after highlighted by a good, memorable guitar work, organic looking at the classy and at the same time sinister rhythm section and demonic vocals. A mature band presentation of this Digipak CD. altogether. Opening are Wederganger from Arnhem, a band made of Trono (or Throne in English) is a band I've never heard five members alrhough I'm not sure if all of them are before of; founded back in 2001, they have released 3 permanent members or if some of them are only guests on demo tapes prior to this split, and since then (since 2011), this recording. They present us a 15 minutes long track they are lost again in the shadows, don't even know if they that ranges from psychedelic, intoxicated mid-tempo exist anymore. Their type of Black Metal is mostly mid- Black Metal to straight-on fast as fuck Black Metal based tempo, with some violent outbursts of fast paced on repetitive and mesmerizing guitar riffs and blastbeats. aggression, heavily inspired by the Norwegian scene from Very imaginative and varied piece of music fronted by a the beginnings of the '90's, especially when it comes to versatile vocal part where 4 of the members are production which is raw, abrasive as hell, and quite contributing. Dark, eerie, creepy and disturbing Black though to penetrate through. The compositions are really Metal at a good technical level, definitely worth a spin or ok, not monotonous at all, expressive, and deeply two. disturbing for the uninitiated, they really remind me of the Laster from Utrecht are next, again with one track only, initial Norwegian movement, so if you're into such raw, an 18 minutes long composition that's enough to unpolished music you should give this band a chance, understand what's this band all about, at least at this they might surprise you. moment. This trio comes up with an impermeable wall of Excellent release for maniacs of ugly, uncompromising, razor-sharp riffs, blastbeats and vocals that are tenebrous Black Metal. 8 / 7 impressively expressive pointing towards extreme desperation and madness, and all this blended with WARBELL (Poland) - Havoc atmospheric subtle keyboards and melodic Post MetalGoressimo - 2015 - Melodic like guitar leads, building a curious creature that ranges Death Metal between extremely ugly and deformed and almost In Flames / Dark Tranquillity delicate, fragile and ethereal forms. A massive effort, a triggered a huge trend with their band that needs to be given a chance. 7.5 / 8.5 Melodic Death Metal heavily influenced by Power Metal and other melodic styles, and here we have

WILDERNESSKING (South Africa) - Mystical Future Les Acteurs de l'Ombre - 2016 - Post Black Metal 4 years after their debut album South African Wildernessking manage to come up with a followup, a 5 tracks record totaling 42 minutes of Post (Black) Metal. After a first track that didn't impress me at all, the band manage to stir things up and come up with hooks to keep the listener glued till the end of the audition. One thing that got my attention at first was the band's choice to sound so organic and "oldschool" although their stylistic choice would point for a more polished, over-produced direction. The album ranges between ethereal, relaxing Post Metal parts and fast, abrasive Black Metal but the compositions are well thought in order to give the overall impression of a unified, solid album. The genral atmosphere is rather depressing and melancholic than offensive so I would better recommend this to the new wave of Black Metal fans that to the old-schoolers, and although some part of it might lead to the second wave of Nordic Black Metal, most part of this album points towards (and actually is) a Post Metal with vast and open horizons that will make you dream with open eyes. Released as three panels Digipak CD with all lyrics printed. 9

WOLF COUNSEL (Switzerland) - Ironclad Czar of Crickets - 2016 - Doom Metal Wolf Counsel seems to be a hard-working band as they were formed only 2 years ago and already their second full-length album is ready to be released by Czar of Crickets in September, complete with solid distribution and promotion. Although the band's promo picture shows a duo, and the band was actually started as a duo, this year it is getting to hit the stages as a quartet and things seem brighter than ever for them. Getting to the music on this new opus, Ironclad is made of 7 tracks dominated by an avalanche of heavy and catchy guitar riffs rooted in the '80's Sludge and Doom Metal, killer solos here and there, impozing bass lines, quite a complex drums section and a solid vocal performance from founding members Ralf Winzer Garcia giving the whole an epic, uplifting feeling, not that the rest is in any way depressing or such. It's not an innovative material and I don't think they are even aiming to be innovative in any way, but it's a highly entertaining release I'm sure traditional Doom and Sludge Metal followers will find on their liking. A release that demands and imposes respect, no doubt about it! 9

By foundation date (sometime in 2015) you'd say X Pus are a young band, but actually the trio continues what was left from the ashes of Soulphureus (2009-2015), band that in its turn continues on the ashes of Unholy Land (19982009), so basically one could also say this band was founded in 1998 and released 3 full-length album before reaching this new point in their career. I'm not familiar with the first 2 band's music, but from what I can guess their music became meaner and meaner in time reaching a point where this "new" album could be referred to as raw, brutal and offensive Black Death Metal. Although their image indicate a S&M related lyrics topic the band actually deals with profound and rabid anti-Christianity and ferocious Satanism, so from this point of view the music accompanies well the lyrical aspect, they blend well and offer a complete image. The music sounds organic and I'd say has a good production with my only complaint that the vocals are mixed a bit too in front of the instruments. As said earlier we're treated with some brutal, low tuned, mid-tempo to fast paced Black Death Metal (with emphasis on Black Metal when it comes to the instruments, and on Death Metal when we talk about vocals) with a tempest of guitar riffs and organic drums, but except for the extreme brutality, it brings nothing new to the table, nothing to be able to pinpoint the band on in the future. Anyway, if you're into extreme Black Death give this a listen, you might like it. 6.5

WOLFHOWL (Greece) - The Purity of Mother Nature War - 2016 - Black Metal One man band hailing from one of the beautiful Greek islands, Kefalonia, started in 2009 by Faethon, Wolfhowl offers us its second EP to date, a 4 tracks effort clocking 21 minutes. Gathering influences from the Norwegian Black Metal scene, the Greek Black Metal scene and even Pagan Metal, and keeping things quite simple and objective, Wolfhowl impresses nonetheless through the expressivity of its guitar riffs, which in my opinion are the highlight at least of this EP. The vocals are ok, raspy screams on the front supported by growling screams in the background, and on a track like the third, which is faster and more aggressive, they are working pretty well with the instrumental part, but the problem comes when you try to get into the lyrics and realize how simple and, oh well, childish they are, not offering anything challenging or at least thought-provoking. The drum programming is ok, didn't bother me at all, although I'm a fervent opposer of this practice. The fourth track is sung in native tongue which sounded cool, hope Faethon makes up his mind on singing only in Greek on next releases. If you like your Black Metal simple, traditional and as direct as possible, with hints of Pagan / Heathen influences, this EP and band are well worth your while, the potential is definitely there, especially judging by the guitar riffs. 6.5

ZAANG (France) - Perdition M&O Music - 2016 - Progressive Thrash Metal The Progressive Thrash Metal label of Zaang's music is certainly not enough nor accurate to describe their music, but I felt as the best and closest term to what these guys delive on this debut album. This sextet (!) from the North of France (as a side note I've just seen a funny movie related to the North of France, with Dany Boon, where the northerners are described as primitive, drunkards, violent and so on, have no idea if that's the case in real life though) present us here 7 tracks in half an hour of playing time, and quite frankly this is probably the 7th time I'm listening to it and I'm not bored yet, this must be a good sign. The biggest challenge in Zaang's music is the weird mix between the Metal instrumental part and the Alternative / Hardcore type of vocals; the instrumental part ranges from Thrash to Progressive Metal with hints of Death Metal, Electro and even Hardcore, while the vocals are 100% on the Hardcore / Alternative side of things, and the combination is weird, definitely not for all, so I'd suggest you to give it a listen on the net before eventually buying it. Other important aspects: the pace of this album is generally alert, energetic, but there are also some light parts here and there to spice things up, the lyrics are all in Frence, which will facilitate their acceptance on local level, the production is absolutely top-notch, as well the presentation, professional digipak with an 8 pages booklet. Interesting debut album. 8

WITCHFIELD (Italy) Sabbatai Zevi Black Widow - 2015 Psychedelic Doom Metal Witchfield is a project of Thomas Chaste, initial drummer of Death SS (back in the 70's and 80's), started out in 2006 as a band with full line-up, and reaching at this point a one man band status with Thomas taking care of almost everything and involving other musicians only as guests. It took him quite some time to follow-up the band's debut album from 2009, but here we have the latest full-length, a 9 tracks effort clocking 50 minutes of Doom Rock / Metal highlighted by psychedelic '70's like organ, very rich and influential bass lines, slow, mesmerizing rhythms and atmospheres ranging from mid-tempo positive to slow, almost depressive ones, to other more Horror flicks influenced. Unfortunately Thomas' voice is nothing I'd like to listen to again, it's not annoying but not good either, and I feel there's where this album loses a lot of points; on a couple of tracks he invited a lady to lead the vocals and she's doing a much better work for sure. The guitar work, except for a few harmonies here and there, is also quite unimpressive, so all in all, despite the mastermind’s impressive name and background, Witchfield is not something I'd like to listen to soon, probably except for the last track which seems to be from another movie altogether (female vocals, plenty of heavy atmospheres, good guitars, bewitching repetitive X PUS (Italy) - Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth Another Side - 2016 - Black Death Metal rhythms). 6

ZINES SCENE – ZINES SCENE – ZINES SCENE This time around I gave up writing reviews on underground zines simply because I feel every editor of a paper zine needs and deserves our support, and honestly I like them all, so it wouldn’t be fair writing only good reviews. Nowadays it's harder than ever keeping a printed zine alive, first because of the lack of interest and support from the Metal community, and then because of the absurd post fees, so conducting an underground zine becomes an expensive hobby and not many have the guts (and pockets) to move ahead. It would be a massive satisfaction if you'd order at least a few zines from the list below, all of them have at least a new issue during the past 2 years so get in touch with the editors and ask for more info. I have traded or bought one or more issues of these zines and I really hope you'll do it too even if you're not that much into this hobby, 10 USD or Euro wouldn't get you broke but it would mean the world for the editors, not that much for the money, but for the feeling someone supports and acknowledges their work. Thanks in advance! \m/ Arch Vile (Hungary) English written, A5 format, glossy pages, professional print, layout based on old PC games like Wolfenstein or Doom, with pixels intentionally scattered all over, very original; Grindcore, Noise and Powerviolence focused Contact: posthumanzine@gmail.com, kbtv@freemail.hu, posthuman.hu Arise (Finland) English written, A4 format, good print, black/white pages, simple layout with lots of dead spaces though; focused mostly full articles about all sort of topics rather than standard band interviews Contact: antti.klemi@kolumbus.fi Black Blood (Greece) English written, A4 format, good print, cut&paste layout, normal size fonts, black on yellow covers; Black & Death focused

Contact: Ayfandis Dimitrios, P.O.Box 3350, 10210-Athens, Greece Chronicles (Norway) English written, A4 format, stapled black/white photocopied pages, simple print, big fonts, old-school attitude; focused mostly on Traditional Extreme Metal Contact: steinar.selsto@gmail.com Dehumanized (Scotland) English writte, A5 format, old-school simple layout with typewritter-like fonts, black/white pages with black on yellow covers; Death Metal zine Contact: Ross Sinclair, 4C Morris Lane, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, KA3 1DR, Scotland Existence Denied (Singapore) English written, A4 format, good print, focused on Death Metal; highly interesting zine!

Temple of Adoration (Germany) English written, A4 pages, cut & paste, acceptable print; focused on Extreme Metal Contact: evisc666@hotmail.com, endlessperception.blogspot.com The Intermission (Romania) Romanian written, A4 format, colour glossy print, soft Rock/Metal focused Contact: contact@theintermission.ro, theintermission.ro The Past Is Alive (Canada) French written, A4 format, professional print on black/white glossy pages, clean layout, black on white and white on black alternating contents; Black Metal zine Contact: contact.thepastisalive@gmail.com, thepastisalive.free.fr Thrash Attack (Germany) English written, A4 format, last issue has 200+ pages (!!!), cut&paste, old-school print with glossy covers, black/white; amazing encyclopedia of German Thrash Metal, a definite must! Contact: thrashingvictims@gmail.com, dyingvictims.com Throne of Chaos (Portugal) English written, A5 format, professional print, clean layout, black/white; mostly focused on Black Metal, but features other stuff, too Contact: pgrave73@gmail.com Tribal Convictions (Poland) Polish written, A4 format, quality print and lay-out; focused on Thrash Black Death Contact: robert@wydawnictwopsycho.com, wydawnictwopsycho.com

InExtremis (France) English written, A5 format, professional print, black/white pages, clean layout, small fonts; Black Metal focused, but featuring all sorts of Extreme Metal Contact: extremis666@hotmail.com Knife (Denmark) English written, cut&paste layout, black/white pages, lots of dead spaces; focused on Traditional and Extreme Metal; I kinda expected way more from it... Contact: kongerneafkaos@gmail.com Metal Horde (Portugal) English written, A5 format, professional print, clean layout, small fonts, black/white pages with black on yellow / green / red / brown, etc. covers; featuring all sortd of Metal, one of the most ambitious and hard-working zine editors out there! Contact: metalhordezine@gmail.com NecroMortem Tormentor (Poland) English written, A4 format, stapledphotocopied black/white pages; Extreme Metal of all sorts except modern stuff; released by three already known editors Contact: knokkelmann1@yahoo.com.au, pawlak666@poczta.onet.pl, necroscope1@wp.pl Panzerfaust (Poland) English written, A4 format, stapled photocopied pages (good quality), black/white, cut&paste, small fonts; focused on Death Metal but not only Contact: m_olczak@wp.pl, facebook.com/panzerfaust.zine Perverse Gospel (Finland) English written, A4 format, professional print, black on purple covers, cut&paste layout, funny way of writing the articles; Black, Death and Traditional Metal focused Contact: facebook.com/PerverseGospelzine Posthuman (Hungary) English written, A5 format, professional print, cut&paste layout, small fonts, black/white pages; Metal, Grind, Punk, Crust and others Contact: posthumanzine@gmail.com, posthuman.hu Quadrivium (Finland)

3. Editorial 4. Mortiis 6. Opprobrium 10. Brutality 12. Excruciation 14. Obscenity 15. Corpsefucking Art 16. Bloodway 17. Zloslut 20. Amenophis 22. Verdict Denied 24. Ashtar De Vermis Formicarius

25. Grace Disgraced Neverworld 26. The Drowning 27. Bulletsize Hautajaisyo Hellwaffe 28. Reverend Kill Solitary 30. Wormreich 32. Isolert 34. Kult ov Azazel 35. Atroce 36. Reviews 56. Zines Scene

OUT NOW:

Mortiis is a name immediately recognizable by the underground fans. The recently released 9th album “The Great Deceiver” is a mind blowing piece of art. We have asked the band‟s mentor, Havard Ellefsen, some questions about the new album, the upcoming tour and other issues. Mortiis is a persona created in order to deal with your inner demons. Has this “therapy” worked for you? Have you been able to deal better with them? Well, I never came up with the image for Mortiis in order to deal with personal issues, Mortiis as a visual thing has evolved out of my growing up with larger than life image bands like Kiss, Alice Cooper and WASP, as well as my latter involvement in the early Norwegian black metal scene, where image was a very important aspect. The inner demons, the psychic weaknesses, or whatever you want to call it, reared its ugly head in the mid 90´s, and have ever since sort of come and gone. I eventually started attacking these sides of myself through music and lyrics, and I guess to some extent it has helped. If nothing else it has forced me to analyze myself and to know those shittier sides of myself better, and to some extent, also to know how to handle them, and avoid them from dominating my life. In a recent statement you said “I'm a sucker for visual shit, so obviously the mask was bound to come back at some point. I just wasn't ready to admit it to myself until now, and certainly not to some entitled ass hat yelling that he wants it back." Why was this the right time to bring it back? Do people try to interfere with your creativity? Haha, sometimes I wonder. But in all seriousness, there are certain types of people out there that seem to be into certain bands not for the music, but for the visual aspect. I can understand it, because I really enjoy bands that provide a whole experience so to speak, something that goes beyond just the music. When I said that, it was a big tongue in cheek from my side, but there has been people out there being very vocal about how they think we suck because the mask is gone, etc. I just think they´re into it for the wrong reasons when all they care about it is the visual aspect and clearly have no real interest in the music. That was my point when I said that, I wasn´t going to let a few people influence me. If it was going to come back, it would come back when I was comfortable with it. What does Mortiis look like in 2016 after all? Who is Mortiis nowadays? I´m a 40 year old pissed off punk, haha! What does Mortiis look like? Every bit as handsome as always, haha!

I read somewhere that you said that “Image these days is just a bit of eyeliner”. Did you actually say this? Do you think it is true? It´s a bit taken out of context so not sure what I may have been talking about. The Mortiis image has always been make-up and effects heavy so to speak. I must have been talking about the image most other bands and artists out there were doing, I just find it boring. Obviously there are image heavy bands out there but it kind of all tends to look the same… We aren´t reinventing the wheel in any way either, but I don´t look at the next guy and think “I´ll just do whatever he´s doing” – that is my point, people seem lazy or just more into trendhopping in order to hopefully catch the next successful wave of whatever. This March your ninth album “The Great Deceiver” is being released via Omnipresence Records. Why have you opted for that title? Is your stage persona Mortiis the deceiver? initially it was just a title I liked. It was the title of a song we had going on for a while. As time went by and the album became a complicated thing, the band dissolved and I had to fire a lot of people around me, the image changed, the music was re-written, rerecorded, artwork and imagery was replaced and changed multiple times and so on, the title became more symbolic of something that just isn´t what it appears to be. According to the band, “The Great Deceiver” is Mortiis‟s greatest and most comprehensive effort to date and you also said that “It‟s a „headphones record‟… why is that? Can you ellaborate on that? What can people expect from it? You´ll probably get more details out of it by listening on heapdhones. There are so many layers and little things going on. It sort of depends what you´ve heard of Mortiis before…If you never heard it, it´s a densely layered record, sort of mutated version of metal and industrial crossover… I think it´s very dynamic, there´s a lot of atmospheric sort of ambient parts in it, next to punk inspired anger… Conceptually “The Great Deceiver” takes us back to the ‟70s and appeals to fans of Filter, Static X, Ministry, Nine Inch Nails and Rob Zombie. Are these your inspirations? Why? I don´t think I heard Static X in my life… I might have a CD by Filter, that I thought was pretty good. Ministry and NIN have always been huge influences for me… Ministry because they make the punk-ish pissed off metal industrial sound so easy, while in fact I think they did reinvent the wheel with their early 90´s sound. NIN because of awesome songwriting, programming and sound design. Rob Zombie has some brilliant use of grooves and programming going on that I find very inspiring. Songwriting is a continual, never-ending process and it seems your songs are pieced together during long stretches of time. Are you perfectionists in terms of sound? I don´t know if we´re perfectionists, but it certainly took a very long time this time. I think we just kept feeling that we could do better. It would often be a case of having worked on a bunch of songs, and then realizing that the oldest material needed to be improved to match the newer material…Sometimes we´d just discover a way to make something sound cool, and we´d have to go back to older material and do the same stuff… So a lot of back and forth like that was going on. However „Bleed Like You‟ was composed entirely on a piano and is the only song that came together in one day. Who inspired this song? It didn’t come together in one day I think… I can´t really remember, but it´s true that it was more or less all made on a piano. To be honest I can´t recall what inspired that song musically, I probably heard some piano based songs and wanted to create something that sort of ominous and doomy sounding on a piano, surrounded by a dark and kind of metallic soundtrack. A lot of times a song come out completely different than the initial idea, because as you work away on it, at least in my case, sounds and melodies start appearing in my head and I´ll just go with the flow. I never worked in a rigid, methodical way. It´s always been flexible. “The Shining Lamp of God” has a different sound and many fans have compared the track “The Shining Lamp of God” to Ministry. How do you feel when people compare you to other artists? Why do you keep on reinventing yourself? It´s an interesting comparison, especially because that song was initially inspired by White/Rob Zombie (the chugger riffs) and The Prodigy (the drum programming). I don´t have a problem with being compared to other artists, like most other artists out there I have to get my ideas from somewhere, I just happen to be very honest about where my ideas come from. Actually songs like “Feed the Greed” and “Scalding the Burnt” are way more inspired by Ministry than The Shining Lamp Of God. As for the reinventing of myself… It just happens, a natural evolution I suppose. It´s not 100% planned, although of course I do have a certain interest in keeping it interesting and a bit unexpected. The video for this track is quite impressive. Who comes up with those ideas? Both the “Doppelganger” and “The shining lamp of God” were directed by Robyn Von Swank in the same weekend. We both came up with the main theme, the sort of 1800´s dark laboratory type environment. The quality of the videos are thanks to Robyn and her team of setbuilders, camera people, makeup and FX people and so on. Does your creativity flow easily? Apart from all the great music you‟ve created, you‟ve also created music for movies… is there something left for you to do? Do you use inspiration only for music or do you use it to create other kinds of art? I had several years of creative blackout actually, which was pretty terrible. I am only recently feeling the motivation to create anything again, which is a positive thing. I never tried to create any other art, because I´m pretty confident, it would suck terribly,

haha. Right now I´m starting to think about the next move musically, we are talking about possibly doing some cover songs, as we´ve never done that before. Might be fun. This coming May the “Demons are back” tour will be available in the UK. How excited are you? What‟s the best thing about being on tour? And the worst? The worst is probably being away from my kids. They´re noisy, crazy creatures that drive me crazy at home, but I miss them as soon as we´re apart. Natural human emotion I guess. Apart from that, I´ve been on tour many times, so while there´s a lot of stuff that sucks about it, like stinky, small backstages with poor catering etc, that stuff is nothing new. The best thing of course is playing to a great energetic crowd. Any semiprofessional band will feed off that crowd and deliver that energy back in the form of a great show. Yeah pretty excited to be going back to the UK, it´s been a while. Hopefully we can get a European tour going after that. The band played in the States late last year… how was the experience of playing live again? How are you received there? We got great feedback from people after the shows… We played with Mushroomhead in some really strange places in the US, almost no major cities or typical markets, so often it was a scenario where we´d play a great show, and the crowds were observing and listening. We almost always hang out after the shows though, so we get to talk to people and there were lots of handshakes and great feedback, so that was always cool. Of course there would be shows where the crowd just went wild: stage diving, crowd surfing, etc… I read you don‟t tolerate mistakes live. Is that so? Why? Sounds like you must have read some interviews where I got badly misquoted. That happens when I do phoners…Language barriers, you know. I don´t have a problem with playing mistakes live…Fuck I make them all the time. I´ve come in too early or too late, forgotten lyrics etc…It´s all part of reality on stage.

life actually gets rough, I´d probably be way more dedicated. Sometimes you use weird hashtags like #duranduran. Why? To mess with the fans‟ minds? Haha yeah… I honestly hate hashtags, but like most other people, you gotta work that social media. In the beginning we´d send people paper flyers by mail… these days it´s hashtags and promoted posts on Facebook. I once hashtagged Britney Spears, and someone from her fanclub (official or not I have no idea) wrote back and said they liked our picture. It was hilarious! I try to limit the amount of hashtags to just a handful, and only to Instagram. I see guys drown their posts in hashtags….20-30 of them…It just seems so desperate: “look at me! Over here! Everyone please look at me!” Haha! As a father what‟s the lesson/value you think is most important to pass on to your kid(s)? Don´t be a bully, and don´t let people bully you. Be honest. I don´t have a lot of great philosophies to pass on to them unfortunately… I wish I was a wiser man. What‟s on your playlist these days? Very random. Today I listened to Missing Persons first EP from the early 1980´s… A bunch of NWOBHM singles: Crucifixion, Tygers of Pan Tang, Heavy Load, Sledgehammer, etc … I´m on this weird mix of old heavy metal and old synth/pop/new wave thing at the moment, but it varies greatly. I almost never listen to anything new. Please share a message with our readers. Thanks for your interest. The Great deceiver is out, and we have a bunch of ordering links over at www.mortiis.com - we also have a very cool double LP with triple gatefold sleeve and 12 page 12” booklet coming out May 20th. We will have the setup for preorders ready in a few days. Also over at www.mortiis.com - the LP will come in 3 different colors: black, brown and a sort of green. All very limited. Interview by Sonia Fonseca - March 2016

You have a punk attitude and you grew up on hard rock bands and Kiss and Wasp have had a great influence on you… did hard rock help create who you are today? When in life did you realize you needed to fight the system? Haha I am sure real punks would laugh at me. Mr family man that I am, haha! I just fucking hate liars, in any shape or form, dishonesty, greed, etc. I have been fucked badly in past record contracts by some very greedy people. Not always dishonest, there´s honest greed too. But it still is a quality I have no time for. My family has been the victim of many a crazed monologue in front of the TV when bullshit toothpaste or hair product commercial claims to be miracle products… It´s all lies, lies, lies. I´m not really a politically minded person, but I fucking hate politician talk, especially when people outside of politics start talking like politicians. Just be fucking straight. I live in Norway, though, at the end of the day, very expensive and I´m pissed off at all the fees and taxes they impose on us, but regardless, it is maybe the safest place in the world… I really can´t complain too much. I am very thankful that my kids get to grow up here, and not in Swaziland or some batshit crazy place. If I was living somewhere else where

MORTIIS – The Great Deceiver is out now on Omnipresence

Opprobrium (also known as Incubus) are one of the classic bands back in the day and they are back as Relapse has reissued their classic release “Serpent Temptation” that came out in 1988 and if you don‟t have it you‟re a fool and here is a nice long interview I did with band members Francis M Howard guitars/vocals and some also answered by Moyses (drums) What was it like living in Brazil? How long were you there for before you came to Louisiana? What were some of the big differences between the 2 places? Francis: We left Brazil when we were really young, back in 1981. Since we use to live in Rio, from what I could remember it felt like NY, but with Beaches. There isn't much difference, since Brazilians are a lot like Americans in many ways. What were you like growing up as a kid? Did you come from a big or small family? Moyses: Big family. It was great. I remember me and my brothers watching lots of cartoons and TV series. Also going to the beach to body surf and play soccer at the beach or local parks. What did you want to be as a kid growing up? Were you always into music at a young age or did that come later on? Francis: Music came to me naturally. I've always wanted to make a living with music when I was young. But since the internet I think that dream will not be a reality, since no one is buying music anymore. The music industry is in trouble. It's extremely rare for a band to make money and still be able to sustain a family in music nowadays. Some bands do make money touring and are still able to sustain a family. What were some fun things you did as a kid while you were growing up? Did you have many friends and was the city Metairie a big or small town? Moyses: Play video games, collecting cards, etc. Yes we had many friends from school, Metairie is not a big town like New Orleans, things there is not too far but Metairie grew a lot over the last few years. When did music start to enter your life? What were some of the early bands that you heard on the radio? Francis: I think that what made me start thinking about music back then, was when MTV back in the 80s and College radio stations. The music videos back then had a great influence on me back then when it came to music. Early bands I liked was Wall of Vodoo, Flock of Seagulls, lot of punk bands back then, and of course rock bands like DIO, And many other metal bands like Sabbath, etc. If it sounded good I would listen to. Now do you remember your 1st record that you brought? Do you remember where you got it at and do you still have it after all these years? Moyses: Yes I remember, but it wasn't metal, I forgot the name of the band, it was a long time ago, but no I don't have it anymore. Now what were some of the 1st bands that you got into as far as music goes and are you still fans of any of these bands these days or have you moved on from them? Francis: When it came to guitars, I use to love DIO, since Vivian Campbell was the guitarist for DIO back then. I still jam to those songs till this day. As far as moving on, well, I still listen to all songs that made part of my life growing up, a great song last forever. How did you end up discovering heavy metal music in general? Was it a particular friend or a family member? Did you like metal music at 1st or did it take a few listens to get into it? Moyses: The heaviest bands I heard as a kid was Cheap Trick, then Queen, Boston, then in school I heard my friends listening to Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Rush, etc, then the more I listened to it I liked. Now we get to move onto the underground he he. How did you discover the underground metal scene? Was this from a friend or several friends? What were some of the 1st bands that you heard? Did you like it right away or did it take a few listens to get into this new style of metal? Francis: When we started, the underground was none existent, we just did our thing and people liked it, and from there many other bands followed their own path in their own way. We just decided to play Metal, and play live; we never thought about a scene, we only saw ourselves as musicians that had a new style to offer to the people so they could have a great time enjoying the music. Back then this style of music was looked down upon, but I am happy to see how it is accepted nowadays, this style of music came a long way. I am happy to see that people respect this style of music now like any other style. Now when you started listening to underground metal, was it like a drug that you wanted to hear more and more bands?

Moyses: Yes, after I heard bands like Motorhead, Exciter I started to look for more LP's from more underground metal bands. Now where you based out of was it easy to get your hands on underground metal stuff? Was there a local store that carried metal or was there many metal tours that came in the area that you could go to? Francis: There was no record store, we had to look for metal magazines and see where they would sale the music that we liked thru ads in these magazines. Back then Fanzines was a big thing, and we use to get information from word of mouth or fanzines when it came to our style of music, since back then this type of music was none existent in the mainstream metal media. At what point did you decide to pick up and instrument and at the time was that the idea to go and form and underground metal band? What did your parents think of that idea and over the years did they ever listen to your music or see the band play live? Moyses: I remember just wanting to play the drums along with the records that I had, I didn't even think to play in a band or anything, then after my brother Francis learned how to play guitar, we used to play cover songs just for fun, then after that we thought to form a band and play just for fun. Our parents did not like at first, but after they came to our first show they were impressed. Was there a solid underground metal scene back then in your area at the time? Now was it easy to find other musicians into underground metal music and how did you guys find each other and did the band go through many line-up changes before you came to the line-up that recorded the Supernatural Death demo? Francis: In the beginning no, there was no death / thrash metal scene back then. We had to play with heavy metal bands or punk rock bands if we wanted to play live since there we no other bands that play Death / Thrash, there were a few but back then they played with rock bands or punk bands also. When it came to musicians, it wasn't difficult. But as you know, Scot, Moyses and I started playing heavy metal and then we decided to play a different style of music, we all agreed concerning this change musically back then, it was a natural occurrence. Were you friends with the other bands that were around back then and were there any music stores that underground stuff from labels like Combat, Megaforce, etc? Moyses: Yes we kinda knew many bands from back then from our local scene. We had a few cool local shops that used to have LP's from bands from those labels, it was cool. Now before I continue how long was the band called Opprobrium before you changed your name to Incubus? Where did you come up with the name of Opprobrium? Why did you change the name of the band so quickly? How did you come up with the name of Incubus? Francis: The name OPPROBRIUM was picked by me; I got the name OPPROBRIUM from the Bible. The name change came about the release of Discerning Forces. The name Incubus (Our old band name) was picked by my brother Reginaldo, and back then we liked that name. But to tell you the truth, I prefer OPPROBRIUM, because it fits better with our lyrics and it has a futuristic sound to it. Moyses: We used to be called Incubus from 1986 until 1999, then in the year 2000 we changed the name to Opprobrium. What were some of your influences back then music wise and tell me something that might surprise people about you? Moyses: So many...Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Rush, Motorhead, Black Sabbath and many more. What might surprise people about me? Not much really, just love metal ha, ha, ha! Now you are back to the name of Opprobrium because there is some other asshole band with the name of Incubus these days from CA. Now did you also now back then that there was a band from Georgia with the same name that recorded just a demo that also had the name of Incubus and that they were a death metal name? Did either one of you come across each other over the years? Francis: Back then there was no way to have known. Since information was hard to come by, there was no internet back then LOL. And no, we never came across them, we were young and all we wanted was to play music and have fun. Now you released your 1st demo in May of 1987. What was the line-up of the band back then and looking back what are your thoughts on this demo these days? Did you know about the whole tape trading and fanzine thing back then? If so did you send the demo out to many fanzines back then and if so what

were the reviews like? Around how many copies do you think were sold and do you have your original copy of it these days? Moyses: The line-up was the original line-up, me on drums, Francis on the guitars and Scot on bass and vocals. I still love that demo, it came out very brutal, eerie and very dark, 'Supernatural Death' demo was fantastic! Yes we sent to many underground fanzines to promote the band and it had great reviews worldwide. We lost count of how many copies we sold and gave away. We used to sell them at the gigs and thru mail order. Yes we still have the original copy kept in our band vaults, it's on as bonus tracks on the 1988 'Serpent Temptation' re-release 2016 out now on Relapse, and it’s awesome. What studio did you record the demo at and were you nervous at all going into the studio? Back then how did a song come together and what were the early practices for the band like? What would you say were the early influences of the band back then? Francis: It was an underground studio when we recorded the Supernatural Death demo. But since it was expensive, we had to record it all live, not like it is done today were band goes to the studio and record piece by piece. Back then you had to know your stuff before going to the studio since studio time was expensive. It was brutal recording back then LOL. Your next release was released in August of 1987 and was a live soundboard tape. Whose idea was it to release this and seeing a picture of it on a Maxell tape brought back memories. Why a live soundboard so quick in your career? Where was it recorded at and don‟t you think that at an hour and 22 minutes is a bit long for an underground bands live tape? Moyses: We've never officially released this tape, I think it leaked somehow, but that show was at the now closed legendary VFW Hall in New Orleans if that's the one that I'm thinking of, we used to record those live soundboard cassettes for personal enjoyment and to review our live performances, that's all, but it was never intended to be released. Now did you send this tape out for reviews and such or was this something just to set at local shows and stuff? Around how many of these were printed up and do you have your original copy? Francis: We use to sell in our live shows and give to friends, and from there the word got out and people really liked the songs. As far as copies I do not remember, and yes we do have an original copy in our bands archives. In April of 1988 you released “Serpent Temptation” on Brutal Records. Was this an actual label or was this your label with a name of Brutal Records? If Brutal was a real label how did you find them or how did they find you and where did you record this now classic release? How did the writing of these songs come together and did you know when the release came out that you had something special in your hands so to speak? Moyses: I think they got in touch with our old management, probably because of the demo if I'm not mistaken. We recorded the album in Metairie (New Orleans), at Southlake Studio, it no longer exist now, and we mixed it at the legendary Track Record Studio in Hollywood (Los Angeles) and we was very happy with the production. We had some more songs written after the 'Supenatural Death' demo that we decided to include in the album along with some songs from the demo. After me, Francis and Scot heard the final product playback in the studio in Los Angeles; we kinda felt the power of the songs from the album. How did you come up with the name for the album and also the killer artwork? When the album came out what was reaction to it? I think it is simply amazing did some feel it was too fast ha ha? Francis: The name "Serpent Temptation" we choose because it would make it easier to make an album cover, this song title. My brother Reginaldo did the album cover. Back then it was all done with spray paint (The album cover). Who wrote the songs and the lyrics back then? The songs on Serpent Temptation are so fuckin catchy and the songs are so memorable and the blast beats will beat you into oblivion. Is that what you were trying to capture when you were recording this classic album? When someone calls this album a “classic”, what would you say to them? Moyses: Francis wrote all the riffs, then I assisted him with all the arrangements and song structures, being a drummer I kinda felt the different tempos of each chord and helped combine the riffs to flow musically within each song. Yeah, the blast beats combined really well with Francis riffs, and the way the songs where written it served the songs well. Yes, we captured the intensity and the power in the album that we were looking for, it was great, very similar to what a movie director seeks to capture in a motion picture. We never thought that 'Serpent' would become a classic death metal / thrash metal album, it really stood the test of time.

Now in 1990 you hit the jackpot so to speak as you were picked up by big indie label Nuclear Blast Records and you released “Beyond the Unknown”. Now did you as a band feel any pressure to deliver the goods so to speak as now you were not recording a demo or putting something on some small label as you were on one of the biggest indie labels around at the time? Francis: When we signed with Nuclear Blast Back then, Nuclear Blast was an unknown label. We signed with them back then because Markus was a fan of the band and he really liked the Serpent Temptation album. We liked how he treated the band, he is a great guy, God bless him. It is amazing how big they've had become, I would never had thought they would grow so much in the music industry. I wish them all the best and prosperity. Where did you record this release and how did the recording process go and what was the line-up of the band these days? How easy did the songs come together for this release? When you gave it a listen after it was released what were you thoughts on it? What were the reviews like? Looking back was there anything you would try and change on this release? Moyses: We recorded and mixed the second album 'Beyond The Unknown' at Morrisound Studio in Tampa, the recording process went great, me and Francis rehearsed a lot and we were very prepared when we entered the studio to record. The line-up at that moment were just me and my brother Francis, we did not had time to find a new bass player at the time. We were still living in Louisiana 2 years before we moved to Florida that we me and Francis had all the songs completed, I remember it was a very difficult record to write, we kept fine tuning and changing the songs for a long time until we were really satisfied. After me and Francis gave it a listen after it was released, we were very happy and very proud of the hard work that we invested in it. The reviews were great worldwide. No, we would not try to change nothing on 'B.T.U.'. Those songs were written and performed from the heart on this record. How did you come up with the cover and title for this release? Now your time with Nuclear Blast was for only one album. How did they treat you while you were on the label and did you get to do any type of touring? Francis: Beyond The Unknown album title was due to the album cover design, it had to match the album cover that we choose. I can't remember how many albums we signed with them at this moment, but they did do a good job when it came to releasing the Beyond the unknown and our 1991 Tour in Europe to support the Beyond the unknown release. Did you think you were a good live band and did you get to play many shows over your career during this time? Are any clips or shows on sites like You Tube these days? What are some of the bands that you shared the stage with over the bands? Have you ever played overseas and if you have not do you hope to now that the band is back in action? Moyses: Opprobrium always deliver when we play live, we always play live with fury and power. Yes we played many, many shows and also European tour. Yes you can find the clips online. We shared the stage with many awesome bands, too many to mention. We've played and tour overseas before, now we hope to land another tour soon so we can play for the old and new fans of the band and play the full 'Serpent Temptation' album live on stage to promote the re-release by Relapse. Ok what led to the band breaking up? Was it a number of things or just one thing in particular? Did either of you join any other bands while Incubus was dormant at this time in the 90”s? Did you follow the underground scene at the time as the music business was changing big time with the demise, sadly, of fanzines and cds sales and the internet making a big blast and labels even just releasing stuff as digital releases only. Francis: The band never broke up; we were just at a lost due to the name change of the band at that time. And we had to in many ways to start all over again do to the name change. We never did join another band back then. Concerning the music industry, I really do not see any money to be made in music anymore, unless someone releases an software that blocks all forms of piracy online LOL, until then, I really do not see anyway to make money in music anymore. The bad thing about this is that, what young artist would want to spend days and hours like I did learning guitar, knowing that there is no money to be made in music? I feel sad for the future musicians, since money is a great motivator and with no money, there is no motivation to do a great job. No one should work for free. With no good musicians in the far future because of this, music will only repeat itself and music will be dumb down, and the NEW creative process will be lost because no one will want to be a musician since there is no money to be made. Moyses: Francis is correct. Again, a band can only make money if they tour all year round and sell their merch, like Francis said a band cannot make a decent living from only LP's, Cd's and digital sales, it's not enough, they will have to go on the road if they want to make money, the music industry nowadays is not like it used to be decades ago. Now in 1996 Radiation Records, which was part of Nuclear Blast Records, reissued your „Serpent Temptation”release. This is not the same record as the 1988 release on Brutal Records in the US and on Metalworks in the UK. The rerelease has many lyrics changed to be less violent and new vocals from Guitarist

Francis Howard, whose style is a bit too close to Max Cavalera to be considered unique sounding. Also the guitar tracks were re-recorded and are cleaner, but has less "bite" than the original guitar tracks. Why was this done? Are there any bonus tracks on this release and did you guys do any shows to support this release? Moyses: We did not had any new material written yet for the third new record for Nuclear Blast back in 1994, so we had this idea to re-release a new version of 'S.T.' while we were still writing the new stuff, which would be the music for 'Discerning Forces' in 2000, Nuclear Blast liked 'S.T.' a lot and they liked the suggestion so they released the album in 1996. No there were not any bonus on that release, we also did the album so the fans would hear it with Francis vocals on 'S.T.' 1996 remake version so they can have those songs with Francis vocals, and no we did not played any shows or went on tour to support it because we felt that this 1996 remake version was more of an experimental side project for the band then a part of the Incubus/Opprobrium discography, it was pretty cool and all, but me and Francis still prefer the original 1988 'Serpent Temptation' with Scot's vocals, the power, the brutality and the atmosphere of the original can't be beat. Now at what point did the band decide to get back together? Is this when you found about that other shitty band named Incubus in CA? Was it a pretty easy decision to just go back to your original name? Now I read that your original bass player Scot W. Latour rejoined after not being in the band almost 20 years? That is amazing. So what is the current line-up of the band these days? Francis: Like I’ve said, we never broke up as a band (Moyses and I). With Scot, It would be great to do as many shows live with him and play Serpent Temptation live, but we are still waiting for a tour offer, until then, many fans will not be able to see the band live, since we all know that is not cheap to tour and it takes money, and we also want to make money, like I said, it has to be a good tour offer. Since labels aren't making that much money like they used to and bands are not making money, it will become harder for bands to tour since albums sales are super low. Now how did Francis Howard and Scot Latour end up signing background vocals on Sepultura album Beneath the Remains? How about Francis Howard did guest session vocals on two Cannibal Corpse songs on the album Eaten Back to Life? Moyses: On the Sepultura album, it happened in 1989 when we got in touch with Max and we went to visit him in Tampa since he was doing the vocals for 'Beneath The Remains' there at Morrisound Studio, we went to see one of the sessions and he called Francis and Scot to see if they wanted to do the backing vocals and they all went behind the mike and did it right there on the spot. On the Cannibal Corpse album, me and Francis were living in Tampa at that time, I can't remember too well, but I think that their producer Scot Burns called us one evening and told us that the guys from Cannibal Corpse were recording their album and asked us if we could to go to the studio to meet the guys and that they wanted to find out if Francis could do some backing vocals with Chris Barnes, so me and Francis went there, met the band, then Francis and Chris went to record the vocal tracks.

Over the years did you ever go on sites like Ebay and see how much some of your stuff was going for I mean like original copies of your release on Brutal Records? If so what was the going rate? Do you feel if the band had stuck around longer you would have had much more success that you did at the time? Francis: We could have been like major bands are nowadays, but we had many obstacles, that did affect our music career. But since the music industry is in such a bad shape today, I doubt we will ever be able to fix that. All we can do is write music as long as we can and if a great tour offer comes along we would love to tour the world and make money doing it. Moyses: We just have to write the best material that we can and keep on putting out great records to make out for the lost time. Also as soon as Opprobrium starts touring again things will take off from there, it's just a matter of time for Opprobrium to start touring again, and the fans will have a great time when they see us ripping on the stage. To your knowledge, do you know if any band has covered an Opprobrium or Incubus song? Moyses: I think we heard more than 3 bands doing a cover from songs from the 'Serpent Temptation' album and the 'Discerning Forces' album. Do you think you‟re an original band and at what time do you think you found your sound so to speak? Francis: Yes, I've always wanted to be original when it came to our sound. Looking back, what are some of the highlights and lowlights of the bands career? Moyses: I think all the albums that we put out and past shows and tours were some of the highlights. I can't find that many lowlights on the bands career, we are all thankful and very happy with everything that we do as a band. Does the technology of today in some ways amaze you as now there is now no more writing letters, dubbing tapes, etc? Do you miss those days because I sure do? I just feel the underground is not what it used to be and all bands care about is getting likes on their Facebook page and stuff. Francis: The digital age has changed a lot of things. I like the old ways that when you bought an album you would see the art work, read the lyrics, etc.., it had a great feeling. Digital music is good, but with a touch of a button it vanishes in our IPhone or Android phones, there is no art work, only a digital album cover. I never did care about Faceboook likes, likes does not make band money, only true album sales do. But like I said, no one is buying music anymore like they used to. When can we expect to hear some new music from the band and I hope it is in the same style as your previous stuff? Sadly many bands after a couple releases would change their style and not stay the same path as their previous stuff. Moyses: We will be trying to release the new album before 2017 hopefully. The new material is awesome and yes it very close to the early previous stuff; it will be a monster album! Opprobrium will continue to play our original style of death metal as we ever did.

Now in 2000 Nuclear Blast re-issued both of your releases on one cd. Did you have anything to do with this and did this sort of speak the idea of getting back together? Francis: If I remember correctly, that was Nuclear Blast's idea, I really can't remember. In 2000 we did release Discerning Forces in order for the fans to know our new band name. If I am not mistaken, those re-releases was also to push the new band name, so that our fans might know that we are the same band but under a different name. What was the 1st practice like and how fun has it been getting back together and learning your old songs again and how hard has it been if it has been hard at all and Moyses how hard has it been doing blast beats after all this time? Moyses: It was great fun! We knew most of the songs already, so we kinda just had to review the minor details. About the blast beats, I'm always practicing so the blast beats just comes naturally for me, I feel I'm playing better and faster now then when I was in my mid 20's. Now what happened to Luiz Carlos, who has sadly passed away? Did he play on any releases or many live shows at all? Francis: Did Luiz passed away? Are you sure? It's been since 2009 since I last spoke with him. If you have any information concerning him, please let me know. Luiz never did play any shows with us, since we did not have any tour support for Discerning Forces at that time. Does the band have any goals at all? Are you still on Metal Mind Records or are you looking for a new label these days? Moyses: Yes we still lots of goals; we want to tour to support the 'Serpent Temptation' (1988) re-release from Relapse, release the new album and continue touring. No we no longer with Metal Mind.

Is the band still based in Louisiana these days? If not where is the band at these days? Francis: We've recently moved back to Louisiana from Florida. Been here for two years now. Please plug any websites or anything else you might have. Moyses: Yes, please all the fans come and visit our Facebook page for band news and updates at: facebook.com/opprobriumofficial, we are also on Twitter, Instagram and ReverbNation. Don't forget to get the newly released 'Serpent Temptation' (1988) reissue 2016 on Relapse Records out now! Also check out Francis new instrumental solo guitar album from his solo project/band; And It Echoed In Every Part, it sounds great, you can check his music at his following YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa9CKmpWHqf4IpCBEumdl1A Mega metal thanks for doing this interview and last words you would care to say before we wrap this up? Francis: Thank you for this great interview, and I would also like to invite all our OPPROBRIUM fans throughout the world to check out an instrumental rock album that I’ve recently released entitled "Let Your Light Shine" in digital format only, Band name: And It Echoed In Every Part. It's a different style, many fans will enjoy it. Also I would like to thank you once again and all our fans for the support. Thank you very much. Moyses: Thank you for the interview! Also thanks to all the Opprobrium fans around the world for the support over the years, we really appreciate it! Take care everyone and keep on metal! Interview by Chris Forbes - May 2016

Greetings Scott, we talked last year about the same time for Slowly We Rot, and then you were about to record your latest album. Now it's out already, so it all went smooth, right? Actually we hit a lot of bumps along the way but we just kept moving forward toward our goal! How come you chose Repulsive Echo instead of a major label? In last year's interview you were saying you're not interested in any labels, what changed in the meantime? Nothing changed we have been talking with Kostas at Repulsive about other projects we didn’t want major deal with a label so we let Repulsive license it in Europe. Do you feel underground labels offer more support to their bands? I know you're still mad on Nuclear Blast for the period you were signed with them, why is that? We are not mad at Nuclear Blast, we just didn’t get the push from them like we had expected back 93’-97’. Repulsive is underground like Brutality so we thought it would be more personal than with a bigger label.

BRUTALITY – Sea of Ignorance is out on Repulsive Echo Records

Greetings Eugenio, and welcome to Slowly We Rot zine. How‘s the band lately? Hi Adrian, thanks for inviting us! We took it easy lately. We all had our holidays and now we start rehearsing for some festivals. You‘ve just released your fourth album, [c]rust, what are your expectations about it? Well, the same expectations as I have for every album. To have released the best album ever, haha. No, seriously. I‘m hoping to have released something that people will still enjoy in 10, 20 years. Some music ages better than others, like a good wine. I hope for the better, but only time will tell. How will you promote this new album? Doing some gigs, interviews, spreading it as much as we can and hopefully WormHoleDeath are doing their homework too. [c]rust is released only 2 years after the previous full-length, [g]host, so pretty quick. How would you explain this intense enthousiasm within the band even after so many years of activity? We still like what we do, it‘s a big part in our life. Usually the writing for an album takes no longer than a year. It took us longer between [t]horns and [g]host because we wrote most of the album twice. Due some line up-changes we decided to trash most of the songs and restart, especially when José left who was our main songwriter. It felt wrong using his songs for the album. Also I don‘t like it if it takes too much time to get something finished. I like it done quickly as it is the most sincere way to do something. It should be like a „musical“ photograph reflecting a period in your life. What‘s with the square brackets in your latest 3 albums and how come the debut album doesn‘t have them? The title should try to describe an album and usually there are more facets than one word can depict. So maketwo out of one word. I like to play with metaphors, that one thing can also mean something else, kinda dualism, good/bad etc.... In [t]horns for example, you got thorns that can stand for pain, blood, death, humilation but it's also a symbol, especially in a religious way, for forgiveness, love, devotion. Horns on the other side can stand for evil or sexuality, satanism and the free will to do whatever you like. Summing this up you get our album. It's also on our first records "Angels to some, demons to others", we just used a few words more than on the following records, haha. The band was active between ‚84 and ‚91, correct? How do you recall those years? How was the Swiss Metal scene in those years? Who came up with the band name back then and what impressions did you get from friends/listeners? Yes, that's correct, and hell, we've been there while a whole new scene was born. It was great discovering all those new bands that brought Metal to a new level, it was like going on a hunt chasing for new and unheard music. This was an exciting time. I may sound like an old fart, but I miss this. Nowadays you can get everything in seconds and somehow it all sounds the same, well mostly. In the beginning there was no big extreme metal scene and of course not many bands apart from Celtic Frost/Hellhammer, Necromancer and us. Most of the metalheads thought we would just produce noise and the more they hated it, the better we felt. Back then we had more followers in the Punk and Hardcore-scene than in the Metal-scene. Of course all our friends liked it, but they were all connected with these three bands in one way or another. Originally the band was called Fate Blade, looks like the founding members were huge fans of Mercyful Fate and Tokyo Blade. It was Martin Ain who suggested to change the name to Excruciation as this would be more "evil", and of course you don't say no to him. Looking back I'm sure he just wanted us to have a name no one can pronounce or even remember. One rival less for Celtic Frost, haha.

Is it true that you haven‘t released anything between those years? On what was your activity based on? I wouldn't say that, as we released something every year, mostly demos. After having released three tapes we recorded "Last Judgement" in '86, that was later on released by Chainsaw Murder on vinyl. After that we recorded our first full-length "Prophecy of Immortality", but Chainsaw Murder ceased to exist and although we had several offers, even from bigger companies, we failed to get a deal. Mostly because we didn't want to sell our soul, you may ask some bands that had a deal during that time how those contracts were..... And partly because we were still very young and naive and maybe even a little bigheaded. You know, even before "Last Judgement", was released, still a demo band, we played gigs in Germany, Italy and some great gigs in Switzerland. For instance with The Young Gods in front of 1400 people, in Milan in front of 800 etc.... And as a 17year old you start to dream, haha. We usually played up to 20 gigs a year, even though we were not going on tours. So you see, it wasn't boring at all. What happened in ‘91 and how come it took so many years (until 2005) for the band to come back? The usual thing, musical and personal differences. Each one wanted the band to head into another direction. Some more extreme, other more mainstream and others wanted to include electronic elements etc.... I also was not happy at all that "Anno Domini - An Anthology of the Past" was released by Turbo. This led to some discussions. And don't forget, we had spent most of our teenage time together and maybe were also fed up with with each other. So even Turbo Music had already booked the Morisound Studios for our next album, we decided to call it quit. In 2005 Andy was wondering what we were all up to and managed to contact everyone and we went for a dinner and had a few drinks. We had completely lost contact over the years so there was a lot of talking but still it felt like in the early years again. Andy was managing a young band at this time and he could use their rehearsal room and asked if we would be willing to meet once for the old time's sake and play some songs. He was missing playing drums. So it all started, without the idea of a reunion, just have some fun and have some beers. It took a few months until we decided to go on. For me it was important that we decided to write new music and not ending up as a cover band of our early stuff. What‘s the band line-up at the moment? Are you friends and hang out even outside of the band? How do you spend your days? It's Andy, Marcel, D.D. and me from the 1985 line up and HNS who joined in 2009 and brought some fresh air into the band. Of course we are friends or wouldn't do it otherwise. But due to family, work etc., we don't hang out together as much it used to be. Apart from the band, me and Hannes have our own little label Auric Records which also takes some time. And some side-projects are planned (Christhammer, Auric Exciton) some with all members, some not. Now getting back to [c]rust, could you please tell us a bit about the concept behind it? Or is it that every track has its own story? How important are lyrics for Excruciation? What we wanted to achieve this time, to get back to our earliest roots, to that music that influenced us in the very beginning, apart from Metal, and let it flow into our sound. Allowing Punk, Post-Punk and Crust to have it's room. Hence the title. There was no main concept, the songs are about Death and the decay of life, man and morals. That is being symbolised by "rust". Most of the lyrics are about things that happen around me, my family or friends, about my personal view of what is going wrong in this world, my ever growing lack of understanding the church and it's dogmas and the people behind it. You recorded the album in Italy and mastered it in USA, how come? How was the whole process? Wao from RealSound Studios contacted us, that he would like to work with us so we checked the studio out. And we love Italy, the food, the relaxing way of life. Not the first time that we went to record to Italy and we were always satisfied and hda a great time. Which is something really important to us. We also checked several mastering studios and Nick from New Alliance did the best test master and the price was also right. We tend to have our records mastered by someone who hasn't been involved in the recording process. Just to have a fresh pair of ears.

I‘d say your music is deeply inspired by the ‚90‘s UK Doom Death Metal scene, whould you agree? Yet your vocals are quite original and definitely memorable, do you follow any patterns? Who are your fave vocalists ever and why? Of course I love that kind of sound but we didn't sit down and decided to go that way. But obviously we can't deny some influences. As a side note, I know that some of those bands were also listening to Excruciation in their early days, so maybe they took a little bit from us and then it got back to us. I don't think about how I should sing something, I just let it flow the way I feel about certain passages. There are thing that need to be screamed and others need to be sung more delicately and that develops while being in the writing process. The vocalist that influenced me in the early days, even if I don't sound like them, are Wattie (Exploited), Rob Miller (Amebix), Cronos (Venom), Rock 'n' Rolf (especially on the first Runnig Wild), Scott Reagers (Saint Vitus) because I thought and still think they were perfect in what they did. But of course, there are a lot of great vocalists around, like Diamanda Galas, Beth Gibbons, Ian Curtis, Andrew Eldritch etc. Interest in physical products is probably at a lowest point ever yet you decided to release this new album in a lot of versions and formats, how come? Do you think it‘s still important for a band to release its music in physical format? Where is this practice heading to? You're absolutely right. Saleswise it doesn't really matter anymore but we're just too oldschool to be satisfied with a digital only release. If I don't have anything in my hand it feels like it's not out there at all. And as long the sales are high enough that the initial pressing costs are covered, so why not. And yes, I think it's important or I wouldn't buy any records anymore. Digital only releases devaluate the music itself and people do not appreciate it anymore like they should and stop buying. And there's also the point, that there are albums that should be listened the way they come, one song after the other in the order how it was meant to get the real feel of the record.

EXCRUCIATION - [c]rust is out on Auric Records Do you have any plans to touring Europe or at least scoring some gigs / fests in the near future? How tough is it for a mature band like yours to arrange tours and long trips with families at home and I guess stable jobs that require more attention than in your teens? We're doing a few smaller festival gigs right now, but do not intendto go on tour, we've always been a band doing single gigs, don't think that we would survive each other if we would have to stay weeks together on tour, haha. Of course, some of us have families and jobs you can't quit for several weeks a year. August 2016

Hi guys, your 9th full-length, Retaliation, was recently released. After so many years (almost 30) as a band, do you still get excited before receiving the final product from the label/factory? How does it feels finally holding your new album in your hands? Hi , SWR Mag and everybody out there. It feels good as always. This time we have been completly responsable for the whole production including the cover artwork. So we did not expect bad surprises. But it is really exciting to have the finished result in your hands. Feeling proud anyway...even after 27 years of band history . Your previous album, Atrophied in Anguish, was out in 2012, so there are 4 years in between your latest releases. How much of this time was dedicated to promoting the previous album and how much working on the new album? We have recorded „ Retaliation“ in April/ May 2015 and were looking for the right label to release it. It takes its time to communicate with labels and choose the right one. And before a CD gets released ,you will have 3 month for preparation the advertisings in magazines and stuff like that.Before that ,the album must have been pressed and running trough distribution. So this was the year before the release. For songwriting , arrangements and rehearsing the new songs we needed almost 2 years. And after the release from „ AiA“ we promoted our stuff by playing gigs and shows... Tobias is your new vocalist, what's his background? What are the differences between him and Oliver or Jeff? Are his vocals teh only novelty in Obscenity's music on Retaliation? He was in the band for a temporary time after Jeff leaves. He was in for some shows and the album „ Retaliation“ because he was living far away from our homebase. He was also a friend of our bassplayer and they both left the band end / beginning of2015/2016 because of their jobs .The difference was his deeper voice and the vocal phrasings and patterns. He had a band before ,that was not very succesfull . They did some DM in the vein of Napalm Death , I think... Jeff was in the band for „ AiA“ and some shows until he quit for his family life .. He got married and has got children in between. So he was not able to do that shit anymore. Another reason was to build up a private Dojo for martial arts. He was doing it for some time … What can you tell us about the recording, mixing and mastering processes? Were there any influences from outside the band or at this point you pretty much don't accept any more input from others and keep it your own way? No, we didn´t have any influences from the outside! The complete recording session was done by ourself or our direction. The mix and mastering was done by Stefano Morabito in his 16th Cellar Studio in Rome.. We could not have been there but he got our instructions and wishes and he was exactly doing what we were talking about before.. Same was by Paolo Girardi who was responsible for the coverpainting.. He was given some track names , lyrics and a small idea of what we were thinking about. The rest was done by his interpretation. But we were absolutly satisfied with it. Also with Stefanos mix and mastering works of course !

very cool. We were taught by every step he does.. So we were very comfortable with Kolony ! Are you going to do some tours as well, or stick to weekend gigs and festivals only to promote the album? Are you guys married, with kids? How much of your spare time gets devoted to the band? We are in negotiation with a booking company at this time to play the European sector..Beside that we play weekendgigs and single shows … I am the only one who has got children.. They are between teenage and adult ages and are living together with my ex wife.. So , I don´t have to consider …. Obscenity went steady from its inception, keeping the same path (I'd say a kind of German Cannibal Corpse), I'm curious how respected are you (or how respected do you feel you are) in the German scene. How's the new generation responding to your tunes? I guess you have all ages in your audiences at shows now, am I right? We are still well known here in our home country, but there are a shitload of bands who are coming up at this time who got more attention because they are new. People are courious and always looking out for new stuff. But most of them are doing this old school style. The fans are absolutely crazy about that shit. Everybody has got a full beard , a bald head and this battle vests...Really don´t know what´s going on here ...You are right when you say we have some similar elements like Cannibal Corpse.. but I don´t compare us to them. We are more influenced in tighter stuff like for example Malevolent Creation , Monstrosity or maybe Vader...Shure, we have all ages on our gigs.. but I think the average ages are between 25 and 35 years...The problem are the younger ones at the age of 18 or 20... because we had a break in Obscenity for a couple of years and most people forgot about us... Do you still remember how was your debut album received back in 1992? Were you doing lots of trades back then? And how important were fanzines for spreading a band's name back then? I can remember like yesterday... How could you forget your first time ,hahaha... There are a lot of requests in the past years for a re-release. And we actually did it last year via a small Dutch Label( VIC Rec.s). Fanzines are really important for bands..In my opinion the printed ones are more important than the online zines. These guys often research better than their online mates.. and it seems more warmly . They invest more time and heart in it, and of course more money in the distribution. The printed word counts ! Thanks a lot for your time and answer. You´re welcome , man. Thanx for having us at your zine . We are very excited about it! Stay obscene..... August 2016

OBSCENITY – Retaliation is out now on Kolony Records

Greetings Andrea, how's life in Italy nowadays? Are you guys football fans (although probably all Italians are...)? What teams are your faves in the band? How did you enjoy this season with Juventus almost unbeatable? Greetings, i have a bad news for you i do not love football, but as you say in italy almost everyone love it. It is an optimal control of the masses, as any other religion or political movement. Apparently we are free persons, but whatever we do is guided by media, we matter just as consumers. So there are 20 years of Corpsefucking Art this year, a hell of a lot of time. You're the only founding member still in the band, how was it all these years when you look back? What were the biggest successes and what were the biggest disappointments for yourself personally, and for the band? Exactly are 23 years, eheh a long trip into death metal. Anyway during the years the band has always developed positively. The highest point i believe was the tour in the Usa in the 2014, to travel and bring our music on stages it is the best You have a new line-up since 2014, after the release of your latest album. Why the line-up change right after the release? Who are the current members and how steady do you see this new group? Before the recording of the album "Quel Cimitero Accanto Alla Villa" our second guitarist Marco moved to Los Angeles for working reasons, and the old singer just after the master degree had to do a choice, he also lives in another city and was complicate for him to follow the many live concerts. Now, with Mario (Devangelic/Vulvectomy) and Francesco, the line up is stable, and we are working hard for the future. The band haven't released anything new since 2014, so what did you guys do in the meantime, only live shows in support of Quel cimitero accanto alla villa, or also composing new stuff? When can we expect a new album? Will there be any major (or even minor) changes in Corpsefucking Art's music? We focused on the promotion of the last album. After the tour in Usa we played in several European fests and did also some shows in our country. Actually we are working on the songwriting of the songs for the new album and the lyrics. Certainly after the summer we will be ready for the recording of the new album. The first 3 songs of the new album are ready and they sound like the natural evolution of the songs in "Quel Cimitero..", it is not a secret we love first albums 'Cannibal Corpse and so we will get inspired trying to elaborate different solutions. Is the band still on Sevared or are you looking for other options? We have still not decided, Sevared was always great with us and helped us for our requests, for sure it is the label that will have priority, but to valuate eventual other offers has not to be excluded. Where does the band name come from and what does it mean? The name of the band is a clear tribute to the master diector Buttgereit and his masterpiece Nekromantik. Corpsefucking Art it is a documentary in funny style, where actors laugh and joke before filming scenes of decapitations or weird sex. The author present this work, his magic and the behind the scene of a movie that describe the morbid perversions of necrophilia, primordial chaos.

You've just announed the release of a DVD. Do you think fans are still looking for this format? Are Italian fans still buying physical releases? Yes the dvd will be released very soon. In italy it is a format that still people are looking for, and i liked the idea to give to our fans an official live with a good audio and a professional filming. The physical copies are regularly bought in italy but also in other countries, the passion for death metal is still alive. Please tell us something about what this DVD features. In the dvd are included 2 full concerts realized in 2013 and 2014, filmed professionally by Headbanging Production, that is the same team that is collaborating for realizing "Mr. Daisy - The Movie". The first concert it is the release party for "Quel Cimitero Accanto Alla Villa" and the second is a concert with the band DEAD. 70 minutes of pure brutal death metal. How come you decided to release it on two South American labels? Ever been to South America? Do you plan to visit it with the band sometime soon? In the last years we collaborated with several labels to release our official merchandise, one of those was the Rotten Cemetery Records from Chile that was immediately interested to release our official DVD, and will print also the official shirt of the release and other promo materials. The Grinder Cirujano Records Records from Argentina choosed also to support the release. It was just by case that the 2 labels are from South America, i have never been there but i have some friends there and would love to visit that area one day. Who took care of the cover artwork? Why this title for the DVD? The cover of the Dvd, as all the layout, was created from Francesco, our singer. He is a professional graphic designer with many years of experience. The title is taken from a song that is included in our third full length "Zombiefuck" and was supposed to be a tribute to the movie "Beverly Hills Cops", the cover looks very similar to the one of the original movie, there is only one mask more eheh. Tell us about Mr. Daisy - The Movie. Mr-Daisy the movie is a short movie of the hero that is on all our album covers, named intact Mr. Daisy. Lately i started to collaborate con la Headbanging Production, they really believed in my first screenplay and we started to create this serial, a kind of psichological splatter grotesque story that will be developed in several episodes. We have almost concluded the first pilot episode. What's in plan for the band in what concerns live gigs this year? What's the even you expect the most? We will do some European festivals and some concerts in our country to promote the release of the DVD. As i said before, we are already working at the new album and we are planning a 2017 Usa tour to support the following release. Please recommend us some upcoming names from the Italian Death Metal scene. Lately with my label Despise the Sun Records i printed the first album of the band "Fulci" a new band that definitely i recommend. I wanted also to talk about my other projects "Morbo", Death metal style more focused on early 90's , we already released our first album. The italian death metal scene is really very alive, there are many quality bands around. May 2016

Greetings Costin, thanks for taking your time to answer

questions! How are you lately? How's the band? Hello Adrian! I am personally busy as fuck with tones of deadlines and projects while the band is now fine...finally. Everyone knows you for your graphic art, but you're also a very active musician. Honestly, are you living the dream now? To reach this stage, do you think it's enough to have talent? What else is needed? Yes, I cna say I am living my dream, at several levels. Mostly concerning the graphic part. Musically speaking, yes, I have finally a great band where I can express myself the way I like. We started with zero expectations and we can say that we achieve something great in these 3 years of existence, lots of great memories together, we created 2 fantastic records, we have now 2 record labels taking care of us (on cd and digital distribution the almighty I.Voidhanger records from Italy and on cassettes Blood & Fire from Romania. Both of them have great distribution so we can say we are well covered. We played also on main festival stages as we played in totally undegreound small ones. This fall will lead our path finally abroad with live shows...but I did not create this band to be cool or to be the next "wow" thing. I know damn well how everything is prepared behind the big courtain and I wanted to stay true to myself and to my ideas. Of course I could create Bloodway on a template of such "wanna be the next wow band" and have attention, success (whatever that means)...but I preffer to play my stuff. If this way nobody cares about our music, so be it. I know that we are not doing sht music. If the big supermarket is complaining, I preffer to stay outside but to be happy with what I am doing. Very few metal bands are still doing music like in teh 90's , for the sake of being particular and original. I like to have my identity and at the same time I know people nowadays are damn scarred about particular things. Fuck them. Besides talent you need paience to survive all the crap you will get, from people who don't believe in you and from people who are simply disgusted by somebody who can dream and also fight for his dreams. You need looots of mental batteries for surviving all this shit. Who came up with the band's name, Bloodway, and what's the meaning behind it? When you fist started it, what were the dreams and what percent of them were fulfilled by now? What's left? I came up with the name. BLOODWAY represents all experiences and paths that somebody can achieve and discover during a lifetime. Is a good name for a gathering of explorers, don't you think? When we started we wanted to make some really cool metal which to present our particular view about this music. We are continuing to develor this, with every new song or skecth which we are building in the rehearsal room. Mapping the Moment with the Logic of Dreams is your debut album, released last year, how was it received? As an outsider I saw things being done extremely professional and thorough, how much time was spent on its conception, recording and production? Thank you. Yes, we had tones of great reviews and very nice feedback. It is a step further at all levels, comparng with the previous material, which was an EP. As for conception, first song we finished in December 2013 I think. So until September 2014, we worked on the rest and payed some shows with the old songs. In the studio we recorded the drums live, without any click track in one day and each instrument had one day for recording. We went prepared in teh studio, like also our sound engineer Marius Costache said once. The guy is fantastic, the studio 148 is great as well, so we felt like home. We made aslo some very small addons in the studio, but most of music and lyrics remained the way we created it in our rehearsal room. What would be the closest definition for Bloodway's music in your opinion? Is it what you aimed for or is it work in progress? Bloodway will always be a work in progress. Like the name says, is an experience, same as life. You have no idea where it can go. Explorest with good taste can be the closest definition of what we are doing. Tell us about the album title and track's names, they all seem pretty personal and well thought, with in depth meanings to you (I guess you wrote them), correct? Is there a concept behind the album's lyrics?

Yes, of course is a cocnept there, that is why we are working that much on songs, hahaha. "Mapping The Moment With The Logic Of Dreams" is the title of our lates release. You cna just simply change "mapping" with "change" and you will get the point of the title. Is all about living the moment, but in a specific way of undesrtadning, and here are the dreams appearing. The story from our previous release, "Sunstone Voyager And The Clandestine Horizon" was ending with the moment when our character was falling from the whale of illusions directly into outer space. The new release start with the moment when our character is flying through cosmos with a big desire to have the big picture of entire Universe. So he is trying to go as far possible to reach the spot for having that image. He is going out from space into nothingness and then, for a second he has the big picture, but at the same time he gets swallowed by the infinite absence....and this is the moment presented by the intro, named "Seeding Distance". The next song, entitled "The Transifinite Castaway" is about him floating into absence...then he remains alone with his thoughts, memories and experiences. Imagine teh best place you can ever have for meditation. On this enviromnet he starts to travel just using his mind, into different realms of time. "Walking Past Near The Lighthouse" is a song about a meditation of past and it's teachings. In the end the past becomes a character like a father of the revelations of present. "Mirror Twins" is the story of the mind and the eyes. Is a song about perception and about the games played by the mind with perception. The video we did for that song is a very good definition, even that is still probably surreal so bit difficult to penetrate, apaprently. "Early Glade Test Pilot" is a song about the childhood and about how time destroys ellements which are like totems of childhood. "A Hallow Bridge" is a song about a certain experience, even it is instrumental. It was the most brutal mental breakdown caused by revelations I ever had. Is about the moment wehn I realized the depth of space we are actually living. Very strange experience, can be very easy compared to those experiences had by Cosmonauts when they are going in space and they realize....everything. Is a song where we have Mikannibal from Japanese legendary Sigh, as guest on saxophone. I don't think is any other person I knew who could express better the insanity than a japanese woman playing in a avantgarde black metal band. "Garden Of Diurnal Fractals" is talking about the fight with the mind in order to achieve peace with the space around. The lyrics have many faces and the subject gets to very abstract realms at some points, when the fractals are saying: "The Space Between Us Is The Shape Of This Garden". Our character remeber the occult beauty of nature. The last song is the title song and talks about how our character is getting out of that absence: by using the power of "dream". What inspired your vocal tone? Was it a trial and error process until you finally stick to it? Well, is actually my tone. Since late 90's when I had my first band(s), when I was taking care aslo of teh vocals I was trying different techniques, and most of them sounded quite bad. I discovered few tones which are very familiar for my body, liek the one I am using mainly in Bloodway , one which is close to what Attila is doing in Mayhem and one closest to Sentenced. So far, I got stuck into teh main one, because can fit most of my music. I will see what future brings. What's the best thing that happened to the band after the release of this debut album? What would be the next level to achieve for Bloodway as a band? The release tour with Valborg was amazing, as also our latest show with Aura Noir , in Bucharest. That was the best show so far, at many levels. What is most important for us is to develop our wild character adn to be able to fly all 3 together, in a high level of musicianship coherence while we play live. We are discovering ourselves with every show in this matter, so I am very excited to see what level we can reach! Talking about underground Metal musicians, how frustrating is it for a good one to be forced to take care of the business aspect of his work instead of only focusing on creating his art? What does it takes to become a professional, to be able to only focus on your craft? Is it even possible? It might be possible, but depends. My life so far shown me the total opposite, lots of scums, untrusted people, appearing to be as big proffesionals and so on...yes, is damn frustrating to take care of the paperwork, booking, business discussions when you are an artist. There are still musical genres whcih can cope well with that. But for me, as a guy who needs before every show to get into the right mood, to meditate and enter into a specific state of mind....yes, is beyond horrible. Because I took care of booking bymyself I had lots of nerves all the time as I am not a person who likes to fight with people. I do not stand this obssession of people of mocking and trying to steal at least a bit from other people. Is all about the attitude and respect. Why the hell you cannot stick to agreed arangements until the fucking end? I will never undesratdn that. But, at the same time, I experienced with other bands moments when we had a booking agent and in the end the guy vanished and still there was somebody needed there, to

take attitude or to do that crappy job. Guess who was taking care of that, hahahaha With the staeady reduction of sales for the physical material of a band and with digital sales in their infancy, how do you see the future of the Metal "business" and the bands involved in it? Will it be reduced to only the ones who can afford to continue as a hobby? The world is fucked up, people are fucked up, internet is not anymore taken as a tool, so phones and any crappy device which can have any connection with dumb playing. Everything is going down because people are just obsesssed to make money and afterwords to relax by acting as retard as possible. With this background I think the main problem is just the lack of interest of people to have a passin and to believe in it. Everything is related only to retard fleshy fun and if at one point, something pops up from somewhere by being a serious thing, everybody labels that thing as not interesting and boring. Because is all about excitement, wow, fast sensorial experience and no interest for throughness. That is the problem. That is the seed from which all the shit grown. That's why we have today millions of bands without at least ONE interesting riff, just doing same all crap like another millions, that's why we have millions of peopel dressing in Spider man with the dick out and go at Wacken or Hellfest to show themselves to masses, not to listen music, not to experience a very rare live performance. Just to "have fun". What's next for Bloodway this year? Are you planning maybe a new video? We will see about the video, so far we released our collaboration EP with Valborg, 2 songs which all 6 members of both bands composed and recorded together....we are now planning the live schedule for autumn, a very special concert in Bucharest with the biggest production we ever had, Blood & Fire Production will release a de-luxe limited edition of cassettes of our both releases (with bonus tracks, maximum booklet pages and so on...). There are actually lots of plans. How about the work for your next opus, have you already started it? How do the new track sound? Yeah, we started, but this year was beyond strange. Everything got fucked up in our lifes after the tragic events from Bucharest last year, so we consumed many months just by trying to get back on shape, as we almost lost our will to play back then. So from one point we started to work again on things, using that as a group therapy. Yes, we already have some new tunes, but from record to record I see taht we need more and more time, because we become more and more pretentious with the final result. So we are working on songs adn working, and working, and sometimes we decide to drop it off, completely or to radically change the structure, because is not teh way we feel as it's best....and all of this is happening because our obsession with coherence. Composition, story, vibe, lyrics, everything is like a standalone thing, each song like a being. We do not like to see the poor being looking like an abortion. And, by time I guess we developed higher standads of appreciation the level of abortion hahahah Any chance Satanochio will ever get back on track? No. August 2016

Hail! It's half a year already since your latest album was released, how are the reactions so far and how are you satisfied of the final result? I'm very satisfied overall! The reactions were mostly positive, and it's still actual, so the feedback is still present. The album title (please tell us its exact translation) seems to be closely linked with the album artwork, correct? Who did the artwork? The album translates to "In Trance with the Unknown Silhouettes", you are right the album name is very linked to the cover. It's the engraving made by Martin Schongauer called "Saint Anthony Tormented by Demons", I find that piece of art very reflecting to my music and lyrics... I was thinking of contacting an artist to make something similar, but in the end it would have been ridiculous, or maybe even to say rip off... So I choosed to take the original, and I think it's a great tribute to the artist, in this way his art continue to live. What about the lyrics on this new album, what are they about? Why have you chosen to sing in native tongue only and not in English? There is not a specific reason why I have choosed to sing in Serbian... I must have felt more comfortable to do it in Serbian, I guess. The lyrics deals with life and death mysteries, but as well the omnipresent negative part of the self. And a slight spiritual approach inspired by occult doctrines. Some reviews are pointing your music as sounding traditional (Black Metal), do you agree with that? What does Zloslut bring new to the table, what do you think makes your music different in any way? Yes, musically it is traditional black metal, but we do not stick to the standards imposed by stereotyped people from the genre. So you can hear instrumentals as well, as I think that they are very essential to make an ensemble to finish the puzzle and make a whole. Take for exemple our first album and the closing track "NiĹĄtavilo", 10 minutes long guitar voyage... But to go back on our latest opus, I think it brings a new vision and perspective, which one? It depends of the person, each one feels different when art comes in. The album has an organic, "real" sound, was it something you planned? How come you chose multiple studios to record the album? How "Black Metal friendly" are the studios in Serbia? I wanted a natural sound, nothing synthetic... Serbia is not black metal friendly, so neither are the studios, and that is why I had to mix between two or three of them. And it was also a budget question, so finding quality for cheap is not a pleasant journey. But now, looking backwards, I am very satisfied of the outcome. Nothing to add or remove!

BLOODWAY - Mapping The Moment With The Logic Of Dreams is out on I, Voidhanger Records

I know you were planning a tour for March 2016, did it happen? What's in plan for the remainder of the year, maybe some Summer festivals? Yes, there was a tour planned for this March, I mentioned that in a previous interview... I can't tell any details, but it is just postponed. For now there are no summer festivals planned, we are working on the third album, but also the promotion of the actual album that shall see soon the light also on tape and vinyl! But we do plan several concerts later this year.

How's the collaboration with Winterblast Halls so far, and why chosing to still keep Dark Chants Productions, your label, now that you found an "outside" company to work with? The collaboration I have with Winterblast Halls is fantastic, it's worthless to comment labels today, rare are the truthful and honest people behind. Dark Chants Productions is the name I use to work on my projects, events. DCP is not my main preoccupation so that is why it goes slow. You have a complete new line-up since this year, who are the new members and how did you find them? Do you plan on keeping this line-up or continuing as oneman-band? Zloslut is no more a one man band, I work now with B.V (guitar), Inomatanas (bass) and our recent drummer Nav. B.V and Inomatanas were primely live session members since 2014, and above all brothers. In that time our drummer was Lord Gryma, but our road separated last year, that's when Nav came in, an old friend of mine. Together we are lifting Zloslut to a complete new level, stronger and higher! The Serbian scene has grown a lot over the past few years, how do you see it now, what should be improved and what's its best feature? Any bands you'd recommend us? I think that Metal is finally taking shape here, but very slowly, it is due to many factors of course... The best feature are the artists, we have many creative musicians, I would recommend the legendary The Stone, Infest... But also our brother bands Paimonia, Ophidian Coil, Triumfall, Propast, MrĹžnja, Svartgren... In the non metal scene I would recommend Ana Never. April 2016

ZLOSLUT - U transu sa nepoznatim siluetama is out on Winterblast Halls

So Tim, the band was founded in 1988, how did you get together exactly? Was AMENOPHIS the first band for all of you, where you were involved in? I’m not a big fan of long introductions so let’s keep it short. Amenophis was formed in Norrköping in 1989 by me (guitars and vocals), Robert Hylen (bass), and Mikael Eriksson (drums). We did a few gigs before Esa Sorsa joined as second guitarist in 1990. Shortly thereafter, we started to work on our first demo, entitled Amenophis, recorded in 1991. Later that year Martin Gustavsson joined as lead vocalist. We finished recording our second demo The Twelfth Hour in 1992. Afterwards we started to play live more frequently. After Esa left in 1993, we continued as a quartet until around 1995, when we decided to call it quits. That’s basically the story. In the past, Robert and I played in a kind of Slayer rip-off band. I think we called the group Induction or something shitty like that. However, back then we were still trying to learn our instruments, so I wouldn’t call it an actual band. What were your most important musical influences? When we first started I think our main influences were bands such as Slayer, Possessed, Bathory, Death, and Kreator. Speaking for myself, I also liked punk like Discharge, The Exploited, and Septic Death. Although not so apparent in the music, I was stirred by such bands equally. We never said that we were going to sound like a specific band; we didn’t have a blueprint so to speak. I was certainly inspired, or maybe affected is the right word, by the spirit of the underground metal scene in Sweden, but in terms of our music, none of the Swedish bands really served as inspiration. With that said, I must add that I liked some of the Swedish groups on a musical level. If I’ve to name my favourites it would be Obscurity, Merciless, Grotesque, Grave, and Treblinka/Tiamat (the early recordings). Without hesitation, I must say that the most defining death metal band for me was Morbid Angel. When I first heard Altars of Madness in 1989 it changed everything. This was THE album that made me aspire to play faster and more brutal death metal. I still listen to it regularly. Utter perfection! Would you say, that you belonged to the first generation of Swedish death metal along with the likes of DISMEMBER, CARNAGE, NIHILIST/ENTOMBED, GRAVE, MEFISTO, OBSCURITY to name a few? We didn’t start as early as Mefisto and Obscurity. I consider them pioneers in the Swedish underground and certainly among the first to follow in Bathory’s footsteps. As for the rest of the lot, we were active around the same time, so it’s safe to say that we fall into that category. Stockholm and Gothenburg were the centers of the Swedish death metal movement, but what about your hometown Norrköping? Was it a great and healthy scene in your town? The extreme metal scene in Norrköping was very small in the beginning. If I remember correctly, Amenophis and Marduk were formed around the same time. There were a few other bands around, but they played more or less traditional thrash metal. If you take the whole region of Östergötland in account it’s a different matter. I guess the scene started fairly early in Linköping with bands such as Satanic Slaughter, Morbidity,Total Death, and Orchriste. The nearby town of Söderköping had bands like Allegiance and Grimorium early on. Finspång soon became the death metal centre with an abundance of bands, to numerous to mention. As for the rest of the region, I’m not knowledgeable enough to comment in detail. I guess the main centre for the whole scene was the place Nya Strömmen in Norrköping, at least in the early days. Most of the concerts arranged by Power Hour (a local radio program devoted to metal and hardcore/punk) were held there. The building also housed rehearsal rooms for the local clientele. I’ve very fond memories of this place, where I used to hang out and watch great bands like Merciless and Invocator thrashing away. I like to visit the old venue time and again and take a stroll down the memory lane, thinking about when Carcass played there around the time of their second album. They’d the great taste to use a slideshow of autopsy pictures as a stage backdrop. It caused quite a stir among the locals. Fun times! What do you recall of your rehearsals? Did you start writing originals right from the start or were you jamming mostly on covers? I remember that we initially did some covers such as Bathory’s “Call from the Grave”, Possessed’s “March to Die”, and Slayer’s “Raining Blood”. Later on we also tried to do Mercyful Fate’s “Come to the Sabbath”, but it didn’t sound right in our version so thankfully we never played it live. There’s a lesson to be told here, don’t EVER try to do a cover by Mercyful Fate! Their legacy is a sanctuary that should be left untouched by human hands. More to the point, we didn’t have the intention to be a cover band and started to write our own material early on. Your first effort was a four tracks affair, that was released in 1991, in your opinion, did this demo come out too late compared to the birth of the band? Why did it pass three years between the foundation of the band and the releasing of the demo? As I told earlier, we were still trying to perfect our instruments. We did record some rehearsals previously, but I didn’t think we were ready to release a demo until then. I like to add that we started to record Amenophis in

1990 but it wasn’t finished until the next year. Was it recorded in a studio or at your rehearsal room? How was it recorded at all? No studio involved, it was strictly recorded in our rehearsal place. We used a four-track cassette recorder, which somewhat explains the lo-fi quality. Very primitive. For some unknown reason we decided to record the drums last! This is why they sound out of sync at times. With this in mind, our drummer Mikael did a great job. How would you described this first demo? What kind of memories did you have in terms of songwriting, recording, cover artwork, sound etc.? Most of the songs which ended up on the first demo were composed early on. For instance, the song “Obscure Apotheosis” contain some of the earliest riffs I wrote. Those with a keen sense of hearing can without much difficulty trace its origins, at least partially. “The Church of Abaddon” was the first song co-written by Esa, and it’s also, I think, the most diverse composition on the recording. As for the artwork and lyrics, I was the main protagonist. Besides the usual horror movies, I took much inspiration from horror/occult fiction with writers such as H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen, and Algernon Blackwood. I’ve always liked the tales of the uncanny and supernatural, and most of the lyrics were written in this style. Not very original though, I must confess. We didn’t have a specific sound in mind when we put those first songs on tape. It was more of an anything goes attitude. Do you agree with, that the demo shows a rather rough and rudimentary sound, incorporates some slight black metal influences and dark atmosphere? Yes, I agree, it sounds rather rough and rudimentary. I like those words – “rough” and “rudimentary”. This is also what defined the Östergötland sound of early extreme metal; it had a more “rural” (in Swedish “bondsk”) or primitive feeling than for example the raw and melodic sound associated with Stockholm and Gothenburg, respectively. Black metal influences? Very slightly if you ask me. We all worshipped Bathory like gods, but in my mind the first recording is pure death metal. In hindsight, I can see some similarities, primarily in the vocals, but they were quite unintentional. I was trying to sound like a young David Vincent or Jeff Becerra. I’ve to admit, the first recording has a certain eerie feeling to it all. Could have easily been the band snatched up for other lower tier bands like SORCERY, EPITAPH etc.? Well, like those bands we kind of worked in the outskirts of the established ones. Does this answer your question? Before the second demo was released you decided to focus on your guitar playing and Martin Gustavsson joined the band, how did he get in the picture exactly? What about his musical background? We were part of the same metal community. The crowd from Söderköping, where he came from, and Norrköping was basically the same. I think we first met up at Nya Strömmen during some “Thrash Bash” concert or similar. I know that Darkified used to rehearse in those venues, so that's probably the location for our first encounter. But really, I don’t remember. It’s all a bit hazy. In addition to Darkified he also sang with Grimorium and Allegiance. Did he also take part in the songcomposing? No, maybe he did some suggestions, but the music was solely written by me, Esa and Robert. In 1992 you released your second demo titled “The Twelfth Hour”, would you say, that you turned in a more mature and technical direction? Yes, I like to think so. By the time of our second recording, most of the baby fat had fallen off the bone, so a more technical approach was only natural. The sound was also a clear improvement compared to our first effort. In addition it captures more of my personal imagination regarding the musical development of the band. When we started to write new songs for the second demo, I’d become increasingly tired of the stale sound of death metal. As I wrote in the liner notes to the compilation CD, I wanted to go back to the black/thrash/speed metal roots but still retain the aggressive and brutal side. At this time I was mostly listening to early Kreator, Destruction, Sodom, Possessed, Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost, and similar acts – the bloody family tree of death metal! I think this becomes apparent when you listen to the two songs “Eyes of Fire” and “In the Dead of Night”, mainly written by myself. Do you think, that the general obscure, occult atmosphere of the first demo is lost, and in its place the band decided to concentrate more on delivering a more technical output? I don’t think the atmosphere is lost, it’s merely different. The lyrical themes were more or less the same, usually based on subjects such as demonic possession, black magic sorcery, ghostly hauntings, and other niceties. That eerie feeling is also still there, at least I think so. Was the fresh version of “Church of Abaddon” a clear improvement on your 1991 sound? “The Church of Abaddon” was one of those songs which we always did live. A real

crowd-pleaser if you ask me. We all liked the song and decided to re-record it when we did our second demo. Since the first demo was so poorly spread, we thought it was a good idea to give the old “Church” another spin. Were the demos shopped around to attract labels interests and to draw the fan’s attention? I did very little promotion for the band. I was incredibly involved in the creative process of writing music and lyrics, but I sucked at the business side of things. The first demo didn’t make it much beyond our circle of friends and the like. I do remember we sent one copy to Close-Up Magazine for review. It was not well-received. They thought it sounded too crude or rudimentary. There’s that word again – “rudimentary”! At the times, all Swedish death metal bands were supposed to sound like they came straight out of the Sunlight studio in Stockholm. Entombed’s Left Hand Path was the measurement of all new recordings. I can honestly say, I’ve never craved success or desired to be a fucking rock star. I felt very content in the underground scene. However, overall the second demo was more ambitious and spread fairly well in the metal community. We also got some good reviews and fine response from the underground scene. I even received a fan letter from Japan, which I thought was very cool. I haven’t the slightest idea how the demo ended up there. Shortly after dissolving the band in 1995, a couple of record labels expressed interest, but none of us felt like continuing. How often did you play live? We played live on several occasions. I think we were first and foremost a live band. I guess the most memorable gig was the one we did with Marduk at Vilbergen’s youth centre in our hometown in 1991. This was originally intended to be a youth music festival, but without consent from the main organizers we did most of the booking. Eventually, the whole event turned into an extreme metal and punk extravaganza. Imagine all the families with children having to endure loud hellish music with distorted guitars, blasting drums, and screaming vocals. Fun times indeed! The band split up in 1993, what kind of reasons did lead to the demise of the group? Why couldn’t go further, like other bands, such as DISMEMBER, UNLEASHED, GRAVE etc.? The band didn’t actually split up in 1993. Esa decided to quit the band that year and the rest of us continued as a quartet. We kept on rehearsing and writing new songs until early 1995. By then I think most of the fire was gone. Nowadays Martin is in PLAGUE WARHEAD, Robert is playing in DEATHQUINTET, but what about you, drummer Mikael Eriksson and second guitarist Esa Sorsa? Did they stop playing metal and stepped out of the metal scene?

After Amenophis folded, I sort of drifted out from the metal scene altogether. I became more involved in industrial/noise movement, where I felt more at home at the time. I played guitar as well as other instruments in Sharon’s Last Party until 2004. Although we haven’t been active in a while it’s not a closed chapter. Just to clarify, by “industrial/noise” I mean music with roots in Throbbing Gristle, S.P.K., Whitehouse and similar stuff, not that crossover bullshit. Mikael is somewhat of an enigma. After the split-up he devoted himself to painting. I know he held at least two exhibitions in our hometown in the late 90’s. He was very gifted, so I hope he’s continued on this path. In later years he’s become increasingly reclusive and impossible to reach. Believe me, we’ve all tried! To my knowledge he hasn’t played in a metal band ever since. Esa and I didn’t have much contact until we started to finalize the CD compilation. These days we’re on good speaking terms and have been out boozing a couple of times. I know he played in Morgue from Linköping after he left Amenophis. He’s still making music on his own in Northern Darkness. Very Bathory inspired and old school sounding. This year I Hate Records released a compilation titled “Demos 1991-1992” featuring your two demos, how came up with the idea to release this material? It was Robert who initiated the whole thing and got in touch with I Hate Records. Originally, we intended only to release the second demo on CD, but the record label also convinced us to include the first one, which I’m very pleased with now. In addition, the CD took some time to finish since the original master tapes suffered from old age, but I’m glad we didn’t hasten it. The sound on the CD is very close to the cassettes. Very authentic. Did you have songs written, that didn’t make up on the demos at the end? I’ve a few cassette recordings of our first rehearsals, which contain some unique material as well as early drafts of the songs on the first demo, but they sound way too – hmm, what’s the word? – “rudimentary”. Needless to say, they didn’t make it to the compilation CD. We also recorded another song called “House by the Cemetery” when we did our first demo. It just didn't sound right so we discarded it from the finished version of Amenophis. We played it live on a few occasions though. Was it done only for old, die hard fanatics or do you think, is it a good chance, possibility to discover AMENOPHIS for younger fans as well? There’s still hope for the young. Do you still follow what’s going on in the underground scene? No, I haven’t followed the scene for years. These days I’m more into progressive rock from the early 70’s, in particular Zeuhl and bands connected with the Rock In Opposition movement, such as MAGMA, Henry Cow, Univers Zero, and Art Zoyd. I still love metal, but I prefer the old stuff. Sadistik Exekution still makes me purr like a FUKKING cat! Tim, thanks a lot for your answers, anything to add? Thanks for the interview. Great to hear from Transylvania/Romania. I love E.M. Cioran by the way. Is he like your national hero? Interview by Leslie David

June 2016

AMENOPHIS – Demos 1991 – 1992 Is out now on I Hate Records

Hey guys, how are things in Greece's Metal scene nowadays? Outside of it we only hear news about the financial problems in your country, how do you feel the current situation and how do you see the country's future? What feature do you value the most to the Greek people? Hello. The Greek Metal Scene has many good bands that are trying hard against all odds to make it. Although heavy metal is a very popular music style here and one would expect a fruitful market, what happens is the exact opposite. You do not sell that may units around here. The live shows are not predictable meaning that sometimes contrary to the record selling thing they may have much bigger appeal but I wouldn’t put my finger on that. The economic depression makes everyday life look like struggle. The unemployment is a big issue and it seems that gives the opportunity to anyone who calls himself a boss to offer the worst working environment he can because it became a luxury and “big opportunity” to get yourself a job and a wage. The taxes here are so unjust and heavy that make any effort to start a new business a struggle and with no future. Everyday’s needs, like food, healthcare, having a home and education are hard to get. The people pay their own mistakes, all goverments’ mistakes and the profit made on their back by big companies and organizations. We are in a hostage situation and it seems like a vicious cycle. The way I see it: in a way we failed in our country’s management to the extent where we handed the keys to our salvation to others and we see our dignity and ownerships being pillaged. Like owing to a usurer. The country’s future is a really big question to be honest. Greek people have its advantages and its flows like any other country. State To End All Terror is the name of your new EP, the first official release after the band's resurrection, how does it feel to be back on tracks? How big are your expectations after such a long hiatus and what's your opinion on the final outcome of this EP? It feels great to release a new album or an EP like in this case. Like any band struggling to get noticed we feel hopeful and optimistic when it comes to give new music to the public. Apart from the hiatus period I have to say that we have already written the music for our next full length. We made a pre-production demo of 13 songs and 2 of them appear in this EP. We have our own studio now and we record and rehearse there. In the shadows, we learned to use our equipment and wrote 70 minutes of music. So we weren’t inactive for as much time as the public believes. As for the expectations part, we are ambitious of course and hope for the best. Keeping my feet on the ground, I 'd say that we want to add a few more fans and be given more opportunities by promoters. If I'm not mistaken there is a concept behind this album, would you care to explain? How important are lyrics for Verdict Denied? There is a concept behind the EP and it is connected with the next full length. It’s not a concept album like let’s say “Operation: Mindcrime” or “The Crimson Idol” because there are no characters like in a movie so to speak. You can’t make a movie out of it. You could, though, make a documentary out of it. It’s like “Heresy” of Paradox which also doesn’t rely in central characters. Let’s say that it is a study of how a rebellion/revolution may evolve and it is based in actual facts and local myths. They are placed in such a way that they serve the narrative so to speak and they do not appear in their original chronological order. I hope it isn’t so pretentious and one wouldn’t see it as some dinosaurs concept albums. As for the lyrics, they are another way of expression or can be used as an additional tool to spread the message of the music or it works the other way around meaning that they carry a message that with the help of music and it can be given a more intense nature.

Along the years you were always close to break into the International scene but always had many drawbacks. Are you guys ready now? What's the plan now, after the release of this taste of your upcoming album? Any time we made a step, we felt ready. Things just didn’t work out and it happens all the time with many artists, especially the most avant-garde….we consolate ourselves by looking at it that way…haha Our plan is to find a drummer as soon as possible and get in the studio to record the songs we have already written. We have made contact with a handful of players already and we check who will join. After that, we'll pursue live shows to promote the album. For State To End All Terror you decided to keep working with Secret Port, how important is a label for a band like yours nowadays when anyone can record an album at home and release it a click's distance from his own bedroom? Secret Port Records came to our radar a few years back when our original label bankrupted. They offered a good deal and since then it is a mutual co-operation. We deal with the music, they deal with the release, distribution promotion etc. They have their network and we get a chance to reach all its branches. What’s the big difference from most labels nowadays is that we do not pay for our music’s promotion where you have to pay and cross your fingers that they will bother to get you somewhere. As for the “one click away” thing that’s pretty common today and all I can say is that maybe the middle man will get to the side and what I mean is the labels as they were known till recently. For bands like us, maybe the future lies to the DIY method more than ever but this time it reaches higher levels of sales than before. So I kind of believe that the Indie labels will be finished, as their most significant part, which is the “indie” element, will be controlled by the bands. I do not mean that in any mean way, it’s just what I believe might happen. In a way websites like bandcamp etc. are kind of like that in cooperation with the artists. They offer their webpage and the artist does the rest, they get their fee and everybody’s happy. As for the big labels, I believe that they will survive as they will adjust themselves into new standards. This world as we know it will change and they will make it through. Don’t kid yourself that big organizations and companies “will get what they deserve” cause they won’t. If you were to describe Verdict Denied's music in three words, which ones would they be? Metal Thrash Progressive like the Myspace profile options. How important is for the band to up to date with equipment? Are you all obsessed with your instruments and gear? What do you use at the moment and how important is to use good gear in order to produce good music? The gear issue is a big deal for any band. We have some decent recording equipment and off course there are limitations as we pay from our own money. Each one of us though has a high quality thing in their gear like a guitar or an amp. There is always something that good each one of us maybe has the luxury to own. What's the best compliment you ever got in regards to your music? We do not differ to that. Anyone reacting passionately to a gig or telling you which songs or record enjoys is among those moments. Sometimes you get the “each time I listen to a song of yours, I know it’s you” comment which means that you may have your “own sound” That’s always the best. I am sure most bands have heard those. August 2016

VERDICT DENIED – State to End All Terror is out on Secret Port Records

5. Marko: Of course we'd like as many people as possible to take notice of «Ilmasaari», but we're both too June 2016 experienced to think we'd get famous now… Maybe some bigger labels hear and like the album. And maybe they'll release the next one. That would be great. For the moment we enjoy playing live in Europe as a quartet – with two 3. Marko: We recorded «Ilmasaari» at the Osa Crypt guest guitarists. And in autumn we'll start to work on new studio in Greifensee, Switzerland. That's a small but nice songs for the second album. studio, where other Swiss metal bands like Bölzer have recorded as well. It took us about 12 days, devided in 6. Witch N.: «Ilmasaari» has been released in three three sessions, to record the basics, overdubs, vocals and formats on three different labels: A vinyl edition of 300 additional instruments such as violin and didgeridoo. via Throne Records from Spain, 500 copies on CD via Then we sent the stuff to Greg Chandler of Esoteric to Swiss label Czar of Bullets and a limited edition of 100 mix it in Birmingham. tapes through Antiq from France. 2. Witch N.: We call the sound blackened doom or black sludge doom. Of course there are similar bands, we do not claim having invented a completely new style – but we think that our sound has a certain particular atmosphere.

De Vermis – Black Wolf Pride

7. Print and Webzines worldwide, Social media 8. Frozen Blood Industries (NZ, Australia, Asia, America), Darkland Records (Europe, America)

3. We had the gear handy during one of our rehearsals about 2 years ago, so we just thrashed it out and recorded it.

2. The album/band is war/black metal influenced by 90's black, death and thrash metal, with fast, aggressive and reasonably complex song structures, and ugly scathing vocals.

Formicarius - Lake of the Dead

and some's up very well what De Vermis is about, war and nature/paganism. The lyrics are from a fictional individuals perspective rather than an overall ideology. Boots on the ground!

June 2016

meet them. In the end it strengthened our resolve and character, and we have a killer record to show for it!

6. It was released on bandcamp and soundcloud at a 'pay what you want' price tag. We have a limited physical release of 100 CDs, but does not feature our Emperor cover. 7. The physical versions of our single are only available at our live exhibitions! They're running out fast.

8. The download version of our single is available from: formicariusband.bandcamp.com, soundcloud.com/formicariusband

August 2016

This allowed us to start again fresh in November 2013. This second attempt came with fresh new ideas and we now believe as a band it was for the better. 1. The Senescent Signs album The whole affair has taken us two and a half years to in definitely a progression for complete Senescent Signs due to studio availability the band after being established for 10 years, it’s probably the 4. The name of the album Senescent Signs means the toughest album we’ve put signs of decay as in the effects of the march of time upon together and yet the most aspects of a person and on perception of reality. complex of our releases. That being said its still well in The artwork for Senescent Sings we put forward to Matt the vein of the classic Drowning style. Vickerstaff who came up with the art concept for the album and has captured the diminished face of time and 2. Although the band is categorised as Doom/Death as a the sorrow of aging. whole we’ve classed our particular style of music as Dark Lyrically there's an overall theme of the break down of Metal, which allows us to explore other styles within the things, society, relationships the sense of self; of decay metal genre, as various members of the band draw and the passage of time, the fact that you can reflect on influence from a wide variety of different metal genres. what has gone before and the helplessness experienced We still try to retain a British style of heavy metal. when you realise you are a victim of what has gone before. The individual tracks fundamentally are based in 3. Well, this is a very interesting question. After recruiting person experience and the artwork reflects the themes of new front man Matt Small in 2012 we instantly started the decay and of being haunted by what has gone before. writing process for Senescent signs which both lyrically and musically came together with ease. This led us into 5. Being what we believe to be our strongest release to the studio in the spring of 2013. We recorder at a local date we hope to reach a wider audience in the metal scene studio called Sonic Forge. With half of the album thus giving the band more recognition and open the gates recorded the studio brought us some bad news in the early to bigger shows and festivals throughout Europe and summer saying all data on the recordings had been lost hopefully the world. due to damaged hard drives in an unexpected heat wave that year. There was no backup available and the album 6. Senescent Signs will be available as a CD and digital was completely gone. This knocked the band off track and downloads. There are no plans as yet to release Senescent we continued to spend the next few months playing Signs on vinyl. shows.

August 2016

The Drowning - Senescent Signs

August 2016

5. Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far? 6. What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it? 7. What plans do you have for the near future as a band? 8. Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff? BULLETSIZE 1. A Bulletsize started in 2004 (with the name) but the first recording came out in 2006 and the full length album came out in 2008,Im the only original member from the band, today I have Kjell Berg on the guitar, and David Nexéus from the band Tsarath and Jonas Carlén from Condemtory, I’m very pleased with this line up and i think it’s the best so far. 2. It’s a hybrid of Thrash/Black and Death Metal with tons of influences of 80 heavy metal, I always try to do my own thing and don’t want it to be any special genre.

2008 self-titled album Bulletsize (nightroserecords) 2010 The apokalpse single 2011 The Apokalypse 2013 The Apokalypse (remastered) (Sliptrickrecords) 2013 Numb (sliptrickrecords) 2016 Pansar (Iron,Blood and death corp) Because we don’t play mainstream rock/metal of course media haven’t been so interested what we do. 5. A we always have one 10-30 shows in a year, but at the moment we take it easy and wait see how things going. 6. A we are the real deal no bullshit we are old school, we deliver. 7. A at the moment we wait for the album to be released and we will have a gig of course we will do some videos and if people are interested i guess we go on tour again. 8. You could order the new album at ibdclabel666.bigcartel.com or check spotify, deezer or Itunes, facebook/Bulletsize, homepage Bulletsize.se

3. They have to if they are True. June 2016 4. In 2006 single March for the devil

it’s going to be a lot of fun making new record next winter. Witch these ingredients our songs are made. 3. If you like our music, buy it. If you don’t like it, don’t buy. There’s really no reason to make this matter more complicated than that. 4. With Hautajaisyö we have released one self-titled album. We’ve got some pretty good reviews from all around world. But as there is a lot of bands nowadays, especially in Finland, it seems that good reviews won’t do you a much. Oh well, more work to be made making the band “bigger” and more known. 5. Yes we play live. Last year we had a good six gigs, which was nice. As bass player lives in Oulu, there’s sometimes difficulties for a smaller gigs as he can’t always join. Especially on weeks gigs are a no no. Weekends are usually ok. At the moment is seems that metal music is yet again in downfall, so there’s been a dramatic drop on other metal band gigs as well. Younger audiences seems to demand for a some reason core this and core that shitmetal and older audience stays home to die. Well maybe after a few years there’s again more demand for a this kind of a music. 6. When we’re on gig we’re performing like a pro. No alcohol related stupid fuck ups, no acting divalike. Our word is something you can trust for. We play with intensity and loud. Crowds have been liking our gigs so we’re of course always interested to play more. And since the music itself is not copy of something else, but sounds like our own, then why hell not. If you like it, book us! 7. We’re currently composing new material for a new record and searching place to record it. At this moment we have 5 new songs ready and more is coming. Somehow it seems to go a bit epic, which is nice. I can’t wait to get to record new album and play new songs live. 8. We are all around the interwebs! Spotify,amazon,itunes,deezer, youtube etc. From there and many more places you can buy our album digitally. The only physical release is a 3 band split tape released by Mass Cathrasis Productions. There are 3 songs from us. One of our songs you get with this magazine oh joy Our merch is sold by Uno mas collection. All links, info and other stuff you can find at facebook.com/Hautajaisyo. June 2016

However, I personally am not interested in calling our style in any specific way. Metal music has been present in my life for three decades now and many of its styles and bands can affect my inspiration. When you listen to Hellwaffe You can probably hear some Black, Death or Thrash Metal influences but the most important thing here is the character of this band, and that is why I think Hellish Black Metal is what Hellwaffe is. 3. I'm not sure if everyone should buy our album, above all, we play our music to please ourselves. Don't get me wrong - I don't mean I'm passing the potential recipients of our music. We create these sounds because we like it, We like this music and We are big fans of Black, Death and so on Metal, and if in the process of doing so someone else appreciates our efforts, that is certainly good thing for Us! Personally I would prefer our CD to go to only a few maniacs out there who are truly and sincerely delighted with this stuff. Also ...if you are interested in a mass annihilation given in a bestial way possible, if you want to hear the lamentation downtrodden christian race, if you want to join the hell branches of Hellwaffe, this material is definitely for you!

4. As I mentioned before, We released "Waffen Infernum" demo in 2014 and in 2015 debut CD "Worship Of Anxiety". 5. So far Hellwaffe is not an active concert band. At this point, we are just focusing on our next recording material, so there are no plans for any shows. We take into account the possible gigs after the release of this material, but we don't treat this as a priority. To be honest we don't like to play concerts, but that doesn't mean We never will. With Ov Plagues we had time to play only two gigs haha. On the other hand if a good offer comes in, we definitely will take it under consideration. As a fan I am the concert maniac and I've seen many gigs, so when the playing concerts for Hellwaffe becomes a reality, we will for sure try not to disappoint. 6. I follow the metal underground for many many years, and for me being a part of it is something very important. As far as promoters and official labels go, I have no illusions and do not count on any specific support. In fact, we don't even try hard to reach out.

REVEREND KILL 1. Reverend Kill began in 2004, With Don Stenhouse as the bands founder and main songwriter. The first selftitled release was out by 2006, throughout we've been influenced by true heavy metal bands, such as Jimi Hendrix, thin lizzy, cannibal corpse, Nile, Slayer, and Mercyful fate. We've gone through past lineup changes, but for the last few years its been: Don Guitars, A.J (bass,Vox), Spencer Kraft (guitars), and Cam O'Hara (drums). We mainly play in the western Canadian Metal scenes, and have released 4 albums. 2. 3. Well, I guess we definitely aren't the type of band that goes for any clichés, or keeps up with the new hip times in metal, so if people are into just listing to cool heavy songs that have a bit lots of twists and turns, then our album might work for them. We love playing as fast as we can and as heavy crushing as we can. I truly believe not one album is the same and we try to express in our own originality, the vast types of heaviness that can be put together to make a song. Also we try not make music that's not to complex for people to relate to and can learn from, or laugh at the stories. 3. Our four albums have all been released on CD , and Digital Format. The first album was a bit of a cleaning singing style closer motorhead, slayer, just a real fucking classic metal sound. I wasn't on the first album but as a fan it always kind of reminded me of older speed metal bands like old Slayer, exciter, or tyrant. After the first album the bands vocalist left and decided on to change to a death metal vocal style after recording most of the second album with the first vocalist, the riffing style began bringing more

SOLITARY 1. We formed in 1994 a couple of years after the demise of the first wave of UK Thrash Bands, the band comprises of Rich on Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Roy on Drums, Andy on Lead Guitar and Dave on Bass. We have toured the UK a number of times and have played with Hirax, Xentrix, Lawnmower Deth, Cerebral Fix, Re- Animator, D.A.M, Vomitory and Deranged. 2. We are predominantly a Thrash Band but we haven’t taken a retro approach to writing music our material sounds modern and relevant to the point in time it was released. In terms of influence Slayer, Testament, God Forbid, and the Gothenburg sound are probably our biggest influences, we’ve always been focused on getting songs that flow well and have memorable hooks which people can relate too. 3. So that when they see us live they know the songs, we’ve always worked on a good concept with the covers and packaging to tie with the lyrical subject matters. The CD’s are a good listening experience by all accounts at the time when they came out we had them on in our cars so they must be okay. 4. Nothing Changes 1998 re-released in 2004 – The reviews for that were great and we’ve only three copies left of the repress. Requiem 2008 – Again we had a lot of good press all over the world for this one it’s got a more Death Metal edge than the first album which went down well at the time

All we just did was to provide us a fairly good distribution so metal maniacs like us were able to obtain our CD if desired. Any other propaganda concerning Hellwaffe is the result of communication among people involved in the metal underground, mainly the polish one. This is our natural environment. 7. To complete, record and release our brand new material. 8. You can buy our CD directly from "Hell is Here Productions" website: hellishereprod.republika.pl and/or you can get it via a number of underground labels and distros like: Behold Barbarity, Dark Horizon Records, Moribund Records, Abyss records, Black Plague records and many more I think... but if You just want to listen to a track or two You should go to hellwaffe.com June 2016

intensity's, to it, more of a focus on fast blast sections, and harmonies, that album was His Blood Our Victory. The War and Conflict album was a very strong push in a death metal direction, and this new album Plight of the Hunted has elements of outlaw, country guitar styles, brutal death and black metal, and more traditional metal styles. I think some people hate our music some people like it, just like any other true metal band we really write music for ourselves so if someone likes every album of ours or if someone likes only 1 song of ours, that makes no difference to us. We just hope to get heavier with each album, and keep originality always at the forefront of our musical goal. 4. The biggest thing for this band is playing live, since the beginning its always been a goal to play lots of shows and get better, we also have a 4 sets of cover songs from the 70-90s all metal, that we play in smaller pubs to have people sing with us. Usually play our home town of Calgary, and neighboring cities such as medicine hat, Edmonton, lethbridge, Saskatoon, and Kelowna, Vancouver. shows are usually smaller 40-50 people. As with many bands we occasionally get an opportunity to play with awesome bands from out of town such as Mystifer, Marduk, and Obituary. 5. We don't really do this for any labels, it’s always nice when someone wants to work with you and likes your music, but it’s so many bad deals out there and it’s so easy to release your music on your own label and work off your own name, that you don't really need a label, or an agency, or any of that shit if you choose. we plan on releasing tons of albums and if someone’s interested then that's great if not then we continue on our own path. 6. Just keep forging ahead and pushing in different directions. We would love to see some different areas of the world, and get the opportunity to crush live wherever a reverend kill fan might be. I think with learning the recording process ourselves, over the upcoming years, we will be able to put out releases at a steady rate. 7. Reverbnation, YouTube, and through band pages on Facebook and the internet, contacting the band is the only way to get physical copies. August 2016

I Promise to Thrash Forever 2014 – This is a live album to mark our 20th anniversary the track on the Cover mount CD Unidentified is off that album and will appear on our next studio album “The Diseased Heart of Society” it’s sold really well for a live album and had many positive reviews the UK Magazine Terrorizer even streamed it in full on their website. 5. We do, for many years we played the pubs and club circuit in the UK but we have now decided that there’s more benefit to be had by playing higher profile supports and festival/all day shows so that’s been the focus for the last couple of years really 6. The live experience is intense we tailor the set to ensure we get the maximum impact across to the crowd so we stick with the fast paced songs and keep it bouncing along. We always aim to people moving basically we want to create the feeling that you get when you listen to Reign in Blood for the first time. 7. We have some festival appearances coming up at Funeral Fest in April, Mosh against Cancer in May, Wildfire in June and Beermageddon in August. We have just finished recording our New album with legendary producer Simon Efemey (Paradise Lost, Crow Bar, Napalm Death) we tracked all the instruments at our studio and then went to Foel Studio’s in Wales to record the vocals and mix the album. Hopefully it will be out later in the year dependant on the label’s release schedule. 8. We have our website www.solitary.org.uk which has an online store and also has tracks off all three releases and video’s. August 2016

Greetings Vulk, it's already a year since the tragic accident that took away two of your band members and most probably very good friends, how are your feelings towards the upcoming mini-tour with Kult ov Azazel? Greetings Adrian! Yes, it’s been over a year, though it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long at all. The wreck took my best friend and creative partner, Ian McKinney (better known as N. Vathron), as well as our live bassist and good friend, Paul Truesdell. The upcoming Archons ov Darkness mini-tour with Kult ov Azazel is something that we have wanted to do for quite some time, and we are very excited to go back out on the road with a band who we consider to be brothers and close allies. Will this be like a continuation of the last year tour? Does it feel like closing a circle, closing a chapter? This tour is not a continuation of the Reich ov Khaos tour, at least not for us. The fact is that we have a different lineup for obvious reasons. It does, however, feel like we are wiping the slate clean and as you said, closing a circle. It feels like redemption and a way to set right some of the tragedy that we were involved in previously. How did the other members of the band involved in that accident manage to continue with their day to day life? How was your first rehearsal after it? Our first rehearsal after the accident felt awkward for sure, and there was of course a sense of sadness that our brothers whom we lost were not there with us, but as we continued to play, we felt the sense of reinvigoration and (almost) normalcy. Those of us in the band who did not pass away were all injured to varying degrees, with my injuries being relatively minor compared to Profana and Wyvern, who were both in critical condition and almost didn’t make it. However, there was never any question as to whether or not we would continue. We walk the path of no return and we have fully committed ourselves to this vision and creation. Wormreich will only die when the rest of us are shoveled into our graves. Wyvern plays live in a wheelchair? How is he recovering? Yes, currently Wyvern is wheelchair-bound due to spinal injuries sustained in the wreck, but he is improving every day. The good news is that he will walk again, the only question is how long it will take before that happens. Despite this, he has been incredibly upbeat and optimistic, and as I previously alluded to, he has made great strides in his recovery, even to the point where he is able to stand for short periods of time. I don’t think that I have met anyone with more passion and resolve than Wyvern. Although it sounds cynical, the popularity of the band went through the roof after the accident, I'm curious if you received more positive, sympathethic thoughts, or on the contrary, more hate and insults from the ones who don't approve your vision. Most of what we had received from people has been very positive and supportive, even from many of those who hold opposite beliefs from our own. Of course, there were some small-minded, cowardly fuckers who used the event as an opportunity to show the world how idiotic and hypocritical they truly are. This only motivated us more and strengthened our resolve to continue on, to only become more extreme in both our sound and ideology, and to essentially say “fuck you” to those moronic wastes of space and oxygen. Our music is fueled by passion and hatred, and will forever remain that way! Nobody wants to be known as the band who fell victim to a horrible tragedy, but we have endured. What happened cannot be erased and all we can do is move forward and focus our energies on creating new works of evil and Satanic devotion. Please tell us a few words on the new members of the band, Tezrian and Thorgrin. Are they already involved in composing music for the band, or so far it was only about rehearsing old stuff? As far as the new members are concerned, guitarist Thorgrin is a close friend of the band who was one of the primary members of Profana’s band prior to Wormreich called Blood Stained Dusk, and was also until recently the vocalist of the death metal band Chaos Inception. He

played with us in 2013 for one show on keyboards, though due to his schedule at the time, he was unable to participate with us anymore. That situation has changed and we brought him in not only as someone to play the parts I have written, but to contribute his own creative input to future works. Our new bassist Tezrian, despite being fairly young, is an extremely impressive musician and is diehard about working with us. She will also be adding her input to new material when needed. Currently we have been working mainly to catch them up and have them well-versed in our previous, as well as live, material. Since we're talking about new stuff please tell us what's next for Wormreich in terms of releases, a new split is in sight for this Summer, right? Yes, this coming May 28th will see the release of a four-way split CD between ourselves, Vesterian, Diabolus Amator, and Gravespawn entitled “Infirmos Vocat Deus Fidei”, due out through Black Plague Records (USA) and Symbol of Domination (Belarus). Afterwards we plan on releasing those tracks on 12” vinyl in the form of a split with Kult ov Azazel. We will also be releasing a split 7” with Hod sometime in the near future as well. You also have a name for the upcoming full-length album, "Vril: Elixir of Death and the Void". Please tell us something about it, about its tracks and lyrical themes. Is it already recorded? What label will release it? “Vril” is an album that we have been working on for quite some time, that was unfortunately delayed for over a year due to the wreck. So far, I have been doing a lot of the writing for the album by myself, but soon I will be taking the material to my bandmates for arranging and additional input. The album is promising to be our most intense and extreme effort to date. Lyrically, as before, I have been focused on my own interpretations of my own particular Satanic beliefs, however I have also been expanding on the ideas of mortality, legacy, and the hereafter, due to the events that occurred. The album itself will be entirely dedicated to the memory of Ian (N. Vathron), Paul (Vidarr), and Nick Crisostomo (Dyret) of Khaotika, who also perished in the tragedy. Currently Moribund Records is set to release the album, but we shall see what opportunities come our way before we enter the studio to record the master version of the release. How's the current Black Metal scene in USA and how's the audience of this genre? How is it for a Black Metal band to tour the States nowadays? How do you manage to transpose your message on stage? Unfortunately the Black Metal “scene” in the USA has always been fairly weak, with some notable exceptions. There are countless bands, but most seem to be soulless carbon-copy clones of the more influential and worthwhile European bands. Touring as a black metal band in the US is extremely difficult, as the support (financial or otherwise) is simply hard to come by. I am sure that if we were a tech-death band or something along those lines, it would be easier to embark on worthwhile US tours, however we only wish to do what we are passionate about, regardless of the obstacles. We have always tried to focus our physical and spiritual energies on stage in order to channel that which we are attempting to invoke. We simply serve as a gateway to the spectacular horrors and aweinspiring power of the beyond. Are you planning more tours for this year? Maybe outside of the States, too? Yes, definitely. As some may know, we’ve recently signed on with Alpha Omega Management, a touring / management company based out of Italy. Strategically, I believe that this was a very good move for us. More US tours are currently in the works, and, aside from our scheduled appearance at Under the Black Sun festival in Berlin, Germany this summer, more European, and even possibly some South American shows are all on the agenda. As far as what actually happens and will be confirmed, it’s hard to say until we receive word that these tours / shows are set in stone, but what I can say is that it will definitely be a very busy year for Wormreich. We will continue to scar the earth with our fury and total devotion to the black flame, so all should beware! April 2016

Isolert is a relatively new band, founded only last year, is this your first attempt with a band, or were you guys involved in Black Metal before, in other bands? No it is not our first try. We all have played music in local bands from our teenage years and on but it was never this serious. All of the band members have played together in some of those bands from now and then. Not all the bands played black metal but some of them did. Please tell us where the band name comes from and what's its meaning. And since we're talking about this, tell us what's the concept behind Isolert, what are you trying to express with and through your music. We considered many names before setting on Isolert. At first the band was to be named Secretum, but there existed a thrash metal band with that name. We wanted something very unique that could fit our music and need for expression, so we ended up in Isolert, which means isolated in Norwegian and used the title Secretum for our first song. Yes there is a concept behind the music and that is to express our dark feelings. We don’t like to please the masses, telling them what they want to hear and we don’t want to pretend to be “evil” or “true”. Isolert is our therapy, our antidote to what modern society puts us through every day. No Hope, No Light… Only Death is your debut album, and looking at the reviews (mine included), things look promising. How would you describe what's happening on it to someone who never heard your band's music? To me it sounds more influenced by the Scandinavian Black Metal of the '90's instead of the Greeke scene, do you agree? Thank you for your observation on the reviews we have received. Getting good reviews is encouraging for every band, but you can’t appeal to everyone, right? We’ve received all kinds of reviews and we respect them all. Good reviews encourage us and bad reviews make us more poised to better ourselves as a band. I would describe as a weird band. We want variety in our music. In our Demo and in the Full Length there is Doom-Black, Punk-Black, Atmospheric-Black, clean vocals, whispers, slow parts, fast parts and generally we are a blended black metal band, as I like to say often. Of course the band reeks of Scandinavian influences from miles away, but that is not absolute, we have other influences too. How well do you think you managed to transpose the album title in/through its music? I think we could not have done it better. The title was chosen before a single song was written. All of the songs were composed, orchestrated, mixed and mastered with this title in mind. When we finally finished we could all say “Yes, we did it”. You know it is very difficult to deliver a message through music, at least for us since we are inexperienced. If you listen to one or two tracks from “No Hope, No Light…Only Death”, you may not get the title’s message and feeling so well. But if you listen to all of the album from beginning to end you will definitely feel it. We set up the album to have a flow. Who did the cover artwork and is it linked with the lyrics somehow? By the way, how did your excellent band logo? The album cover was done by Vojtech Dudek. I liked his previous work very much so when we knew who to call to. We are very satisfied with the end result. The music, title, lyrics and artwork of the album are all coherent with each other. Our logo was done by Khaos Diktator, a guy you can easily come to an understanding with. The last track has some Greek lyrics as well, is it maybe a hint for the future? Do you plan on adding more Greek lyrics to your future works? Music has no limits-you can do whatever you like. In the last song we used a poem written by ours session guitarist Fiende. You guessed correctly. We have written some new songs and all the lyrics are in Greek. It is just our language and we are proud of it. Where have you recorded and mixed/mastered the album and how happy are you of the final result? All recordings took place to our own studio in Volos (I Studio – 2/8 Studio), except for the drums, which were

recorded in D studio in Athens. The mixing was done by my brother Iordanis Sidiropoulos and the mastering was done by Dionisis Dimitrakos. Judging by the fact that the album was rushed, I believe it could not have been better. So yes, I am very happy with the end result. Of course we had a lot of difficulties in the process, but any band gets that. As far as I know you've only had one show, and in Cyprus, how come? Isn't the local scene supportive enough? How was this gig? Are you planning any new ones, maybe a tour in support of this release? We are not looking very hard for places to play live in. We don’t want to be like some bands that perform every month for an audience of their 10 bets friends just to hear them say that they “Kick ass”. We’d rather not play at all. We would like very much to tour in Europe, but that needs time and money. Since we live in Greece we don’t have either. We have talked about it, but we decided we cannot do it yet. Maybe after we release the next record we will be better off so that we can make a tour happen. A Balkan tour sounds perfect! In the future I hope we get to do more lives but until now there is nothing planned. August 2016

ISOLERT - No Hope, No Light… Only Death is out on Ogmios Underground

Greetings Xaphan, as far as I know you rejected interviews for 6 years until 2015, why was that and what made you be more open to press in 2015? Hey Adrian. Yeah, it's been a while since we've done any interviews. There's been a few here and there since 2009 but for the most part we've stayed silent. More so because there wasn't much to say. Now we have a new album in the works and are active again there's no reason not to take on interviews. You're gearing up for a new tour with Wormreich, how do you feel? What's your current line-up and how stable do you think it is? I'm looking forward to getting back out there with Wormreich as our direct support for these dates. As many know, they along with Khaotika were our support acts last year when we had to cancel the last show of the mini tour due to the accident both bands were involved in. So it's fucking awesome that almost a year later we'll be doing it again with them. I only wish that Ian and Paul were still around to be doing it. As for our lineup, it's still myself on guitar/vocals and Hammer on drums and rounded out by Hag (ex-Pact) on vocals, Armanen on bass, and Necrol on guitar. The lineup is the most stable and devastating one this band has had to date. However due to Hammer's work schedule we'll be using Sin from Secrets She Kept to fill on drums. How did the Wormreich / Khaotika accident from last year affected Kult ov Azazel as a band and as individuals? As a band, I would say it affected Wormreich and Khaotika more so than us. They lost members. We were in our own vehicle ahead of them so we had minimal loss as far as instruments go since they were hauling some of our gear in their trailer. The individual effects, I can only speak for myself. It was a difficult time for a few months after returning. An unknown fact is that myself and Hag were the ones that had to identify the body of Nick, Khaotika's drummer. It was then that we both knew three people had died on scene since Nick lay next to two covered bodies. So that made things a bit difficult a few months afterwards for me. I saw that kid's face every day, not the face I had seen from the venues or shows, but his face after that moment of death. That shit will stay with me forever. Your motorcycle accident followed later in the year, are you still recovering from it? That was Hag who had a motorcycle accident last year. In fact, he had two of them. Both he has recovered fully from so all is good on that front. The Dawn of Luciferian Enlightenment demo was released by yourselves this year, how are the reactions so far? It was released digitally only, why not on CD or tape? Will these track be featured on the album as well? The four tracks on the demo will be on the full length album, Violators of the Covenant. The reactions so far have been quite positive so far. The original intent of the demo was and still is to shop it to labels for a new recording contract since we are free agents at this point. We figured since it would be circulated around to labels that we might as well make it available to our fans since it had been six years since we had released any new material. We also wanted people to hear what we are creating with this new lineup as well. We may end up releasing it on CD or tape format at some point but for now it's only available in a digital release at kultovazazel.bandcamp.com.

Qlippothic spheres of abyssic consciousness or channeling the energy currents of the Dark Gods. For example, the song “Into The Belly of The Beast” on the new demo theme wise is about astral thought projection and ego transcendence with meditation and self reflection as the vehicle by which the subconscious mind is explored as a descent into the dark spheres of the mind. With “Corpus Edimus, Sanguinem Bibimus” we make note of the symbolic cannibalism and flocking together of Christ’s sheep. But for the most part the reoccurring themes within the album are homage’s to the ancient Dark Gods and the destruction and disdain those forces harbor towards humanity. Music wise will there be any major changes or will you follow the path already presented by the recent demo? Our direction has never wavered so one can expect the same as what is heard on the new demo. You've got new booking, new management, probably will have a new label, too, so is this like a new beginning for the band? I don't know if I would say it's like the beginning of the band but it is definitely a step up in the game. Having Alpha Omega on our side will only benefit us in stepping up to the next level label and touring wise. You're pretty active on social media and very close to your supproters from what I saw, is this an important aspect for the band? A lot of BM bands prefer to keep a mystical, hidden aura around them and never reply to comments or emails in order to enhance their scary image, while you seem to be quite friendly... Friendly may be an over exaggerated adjective used to describe me. I would say I am social, meaning if someone that is into the band has a question then I will respond. Personally, I am not one to shun those that lend their support to this band so if answering a question or responding to a post makes all the difference to them then I will oblige. Outside of the band page I am a shit stirrer on the internet. Why do you use pseudonyms/aliases and not real names? Do they have a specific meaning, or how you chose them? Does one of you pick the pseudonym for each in the band or each member comes with his own name? Each member has chosen their own infernal name in the band. Some came into the band from their previous bands using the same alias. I chose mine because like I previous said I am a shit stirrer and that's exactly what Xaphan was. He was the one angel to suggest that Lucifer set Heaven ablaze in the tale of the war in Heaven. He was then reduced to fan the flames of Hell after the casting out. Like corpse paint, the infernal name helps in the transformation into that entity before live rituals. In your early days you had Finnish band Azazel confronting you regarding the band name. They are still alive as a band, but so are many other new Azazel bands, so looking back to it are you glad you changed moniker back then? I am. Even then in the beginning there were like I think last count before we changed the band name somewhere close to 8 other bands using Azazel as a band name. By adding to the name at the time it helped us keep the identity we had established but from that point on separated us from all the other bands using the same moniker.

Thanks a lot for your time, best of luck for the upcoming shows and we're all eagerly waiting for the new album to drop! We are looking forward to the album dropping too! In the meantime, those interested in new music from us can find "The Dawn of Luciferian Enlightenment" at kultovazazel.bandcamp.com. Thank you for the interview and interest in Kult ov Azazel. April 2016

ATROCE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; In Obscuritas is out on HSP Productions

ABROGATION (Germany) - Tief schwarz blutig rot Medusa / Einheit 2011 - Melodic Death

ABSENT/MINDED (Germany) - Alight Selfreleased - 2015 - Sludge Doom Post Metal These guys seem to have a really solid DIY attitude since this is their third full-length album and all of them are self-released and not because of the bad quality of the music, that's not the case here, I simply believe they have turned down all received offers... but I don't think that's in their advantage in the end. This newest album kind of left a "cheap" impression on me in the beginning, and here I mean the look of it (a mere 4 pages booklet with dull looking fonts for the lyrics, no pics, no nothing else) and the first track which to be honest I had to skip, I didn't understand that (way too) repetitive guitar lead and tone one bit, but then the album started to grow on me track by track and in the end I had to replay it, well, most part of it, of course. 6 tracks, 45 minutes of playing time, a calm at times, explosive at others atmosphere mixing good chunks of Sludge, Doom and Post Metal, and lead by a Death Metal type of growling vocal with enough versatility to avoid becoming boring. The TV news inserts, the amazing semi-acoustic guitar parts, the absolutely devastating guitar riffs tone, and the Post Metal avantgarde attitude are all making this album stand out and become something to long for. After my not so happy first impression on it, this album grew on me in order to A MONUMENTAL build myself a final conclusion that this is a heck of a BLACK STATUE good release recommended for fans of all genres mentioned above. 8 (Italy) - Excelsior Lower Silesian Stronghold - 2015 - ABYSSUS (Greece) - Into the Abyss Black Metal Chaos and Hell - 2016 - Death Metal Third studio album from this Italian Black Metal band, or Wow, impressive debut album by this Greek combo. One better said one-man-project, that could be easily placed in can't stop comparing them with Obituary, and that's the same category as for example Shining or most of the because of the vocals, Kostas (also in Cryptic Realms) nowadays French Black Metal scene, mainly Peste Noir, a sounds like John Tardy all the way, well, maybe a bit "fuck you all, fuck everything, fuck live" attitude that's more comprehensive and a bit less savage, but definitely quite contagious. Yet AMBS also takes a strange turn on the same timbre, with even the effects used on vocals when it comes to lyrical themes, mainly speaking about very similar to what Obituary did in their beginnings. The

understand them. Fantastic production, too! If you're into idea thrown inhere are the repetitive, memorable the bands mentioned above don't waste any more time, choruses; underground nowadays seems to deliberately these guys are your new heroes! 10 avoid memorable choruses in fear of becoming commercial, but that's absurd in my opinion, take AFRAID OF DESTINY (Italy) - Akashah for example, their choruses are memorable yet still manly, raw and have nothing to do with commercial Hatred Towards Myself Adimere - 2015 - Depressive attitude. I love this album, although for Today's standards Black Metal and according to where Black Metal is moving towards One man project from Treviso, nowadays Akashah is far off the charts. Your call. 8 which at the moment of the recording and release of this EP AMENOPHIS was actually a duo having Adimere taking (Sweden) - Demos care of the instrumental part and Ayperos writing and 1991-1992 singing the lyrical part. Two years after the release of its I Hate - 2016 - Death debut full-length album AoD is back with this 3 tracks EP Metal released on CD 9and digipak) in three different versions, I Hate Records decided to all of them limited to a few dozen copies, not more. The pay tribute to this obscure, deep underground band active music is mostly slow, depressive with severs suicidal only between 1989 and 1995, by releasing this CD intents, heavily inspired by Black Metal, of course by compilation of the only two demos released by them. Burzum and the DSBM scene as well, no necessarily the With both demos featuring 4 tracks each, the total 8 songs new wave though. Repetitive riffs, semi-acoustic guitars, are clocking 35 minutes of playing time, and I guess all programmed drums (on the second tracks they are awful, fanatics of old-school Death Metal or even better, the sync, or better said the lack of it, between drums and Swedish Death Metal, including me here, will be at least guitars is excruciating), distant, desperate but still curious to find out more about this band's work. I've impressively comprehensive screams, that's what you'll always liked such releases that come with a booklet get on this new EP, 3 tracks (on other version 4), 22 featuring an interview or a story told directly by one of minutes of playing time, nothing impressive but not bad the members, preferably the leader, and this compilation either; the best part on it are the vocals, the riffs are way is no exception as Tim Pettersson, founding member, too repetitive and feel stretched too much, and the lyrics talks about the band lifetime. could have been a bit more challenging if you ask me, The first demo, originally released in 1991, features 3 especially since you can perfectly follow them throughout tracks of traditional, fat sounding Swedish Death Metal the audition. There's potential though... 6 still heavily inspired by the thriving US scene; the vocals and guitars are upfront in the mix, having drums AGAINST THE somehow left behind, but in my opinion that's not a PLAGUES (USA) - problem at all, the general atmosphere is pretty eerie and Purified Through menacing, it's pretty clear they were also heavily inspired by Horror flicks at the time. Ending this demo is an outro Devastation Non Serviam - 2015 - track on acoustic guitar, a track I would have better had as Black Death Metal intro, one that reminds me of Tristitia to tell you the Initially founded in 2005 by 2 members of now defunct truth... Forest of Impaled, Altar of Plagues released 2 full-length The following year they managed to release a second and 2 EP prior to this album I'm currently listening to, and demo on which the production is a bit more polished, the somehow I feel their band name familiar. Their first style turned towards a Techno Thrash Death with a album was a self-released effort, their second was out on different vocalist this time, Tim (who was the singer on Dutch Vic Records and now, this new one, on another the debut) decided to focus on guitar only, and everything Dutch label, Non Serviam, so they seem to have a real sounds a bit more clear, but honestly I don't know if that's affinity for Holland, or at least for its labels. After spining for the best... The band tried to be more technical than it a couple of times already I think the album title fits the they could under those conditions and at some points they music absolutely perfectly, the 9 tracks featured here seem to have sync problems, I also guess this was (almost 50 minutes of playing time) are like a purification recorded in one take only. The second track, In the Dead through devastation, the first 6 of them are a complete of the Night, features also female vocals reciting devastation, a relentless, brutal, technical, merciless something in the background and they sound so damn assault of Thrash, Black and Death Metal, with good coupled with the animal insane screams of the new Extermination Event, the 6th track, being the climax point vocalist. The general obscure, occult atmosphere of the of all brutality, followed by a 7th track, Falling Further, first demo is lost, and in its place the band decided to that's actually an intermezzo, a soft, atmospheric, concentrate more on delivering a more technical output, somehow nostalgic and meditative track that portrays the the progression in composition is obvious, although I can purified World with not much left behind. The last 2 see maniacs enjoying their first demo more than this one. tracks of the album are a bit more technical and Who knows what would have become of this band if they progressive than the rest so some change happened in the would have worked harder and followed up with another meantime. I'm impressed by their technical skills, by the release in '94. This CD is a good tesstimony of their perfect, polished but still organic sounding production, by existence and after what I've heard here it would have their compositional abilities and last but not least, by their been a shame not to expose these tracks to the masses. brutal singer that sounds like he can easily harm you (not like a kid trying to sound tough), menacing, manly, brutal, ANCIENT MYTH and pissed off. Highly recommended release if you're into (Japan) technical and fast Extreme Metal with a slight touch of Aberration: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ptâ&#x20AC;? melody here and there. World class act! 9 Fastball - 2016 - Symphonic Metal Third full-length album from this liong-lasting (14 years AKASHAH (USA) - Eagna na and counting) Symphonic Metal combo from Japan, Aberration is released in two versions, digital with Marbh Wolftyr / Darker Than Black - Japanese lyrics, and CD (I guess digital, too) with English 2014 - Pagan Black Metal version, actually the CD booklet features the lyrics Third studio album from this written in both languages which is a cool idea for their Washington based one man fans. Since it was my first encounter with their music I band started in 2001, Eagna na had no idea what to expect but somehow I wasn't at all Marbh features 8 tracks but lasts surprised to get a fast paced, uplifting, technical for almost an hour of playing time. Symphonic Metal with female vocals. The production is The material on this album reminds me of the beginning weird at first, the vocals are way too in front of the of the 2000's when Pagan Black Metal was beginning to instruments, or at least that's how it seems, but after a take its peak form, when it wasn't yet over-polished and while you'll get used to it and focus on the actual commercial, it was still raw and aggressive, but at the compositions. The guitars, in my opinion, are the same time the epic, majestic atmospheres sounded highlight of this band, very technical, expressive and genuine and honest. This album sounds like forged in catchy, but the vocals are not to be left aside, either. A those years, it's abrasive, still very influenced by plethora of keys and synths accompany and support the traditional Black Metal yet it has plenty of Pagan compositions to build a fairytale-like atmosphere elements to reconcile fans of both genres and even more throughout the whole running time. Aside the weird by adding plenty of Heavy Metal touches all over. The production, in the "I don't like" category I'd also mention vocals are not the finest around, but they have their own some moments when the instrumental part becomes too charm anyway, especially the clean vocals that reminded stuffed and you feel like they are trying to add too much, me of the beginnings of Lake of Tears. Another excellent and also I have to mention I like the Japanese version

comes to length, they are ranging from one minute to good and talented musicians, but I feel the need of more more than 8 minutes, and the total amount for the 9 tracks emotions in (or from) their music. 7.5 featured here is around 37 minutes. I'm sure this comes in vinyl format, but the CD version comes with 8 pages ASTARIUM (Russia) booklet and nice paintings whose links with the actual In the Nebulous Sky music I haven't really understood. Fans of '60's and '70's Frozen Light - 2016 Rock, not only prog Rock, will definitely enjoy this, I Dark Ambient know my wife does and can't wait to get her hands on this New material from disc after I'm done with it. 8 SiN, although I'm not sure what's the criteria for naming this a demo ARKENTYPE (Norway) not an EP or even full-length because it would meet all Disorientated Crime - 2015 - Progressive Metal criteria to be that: it's released on a label, features 6 own Oh man, here's another compositions and a cover track, and the total duration is masterpiece I'm blessed with the 45 minutes... Anyway, getting to the music on it, this time chance to review/listen to. At SiN offers us 6 Dark Ambient tracks made on synths first I gave it a couple of spins creating an ethereal, even cosmic atmosphere, supported in order to get what's these Norge Progressive Metallers by slight (low volume) rhythm beats from programmed music all about, and I can say it's a kind of Modern drums. The atmosphere is abysmal and oppressive most Progressive Metal melting elements from traditional of the time, with some rays of hope here and there when Heavy / Power Metal, Metalcore / Djent even, and even the music becomes a bit lighter and hope-springing. The Extreme Metal, plus special elements like female vocals seventh track here is a cover of Burzum's Hvis lyset tar here and there (some of them are absolutely heart- oss, but on synths only, no vocals, no guitars; it sounds melting...), violins, excellent synth backgrounds, piano, weird, I wouldn't ever say this is a Burzum track, and flutes, cello, baroque guitar, into one very ambitious honestly I prefer the originals from Astarium. The debut album. So yes, the music on it is pretty promising, material is released on nice 3 panels gatefold Digipak the band demonstrates good capability to develop CDR limited to only 51 hand numbered copies, hurry up. interesting and at the same time modern and fresh- 7 sounding compositions, with a major highlight in the vocalist versatile approach, and the clever guitar work, ATARAH (Switzerland) - Atarah but in my opinion this album has its best part on the Auric - 2015 - Dark Ambient lyrical level where everything circles around a central Weird, weird stuff on this tape from Switzerland... This element, Erica, it's a concept work about a man (not sure debut album from Atarah features 4 tracks, clocks over 40 actually) and his turning points in life, but I still wasn't minutes of playing time, and it was released by the band able to figure out if Erica is the main character's lover, in digital format in 2014, a year after the band's (or sister, relative or his alter-ego...and that makes it project, I'm not sure if this is a real band or a one man interesting. I won't spoil things out for you, but if you project although I'd incline towards the second) inception. decide to give this band/album a try I urge you to listen Instrumental only, no vocals, just desolate, ethereal with the lyrics in front of you, you'll get much, much soundscapes portraying a dark, post-apocalyptic I would more than a simple audition. I loved it. 9 say, post-industrial, maybe a bit melancholic atmosphere. During the audition you'll most certainly imagine being the only person on earth and pretty much face all your ARKHE (Hungary) - A Nail - 2016 - Experimental Music fears in your mine and I'm sure moments of pure and utter Not sure why but to me it seems almost normal for a guy panic won't avoid you either... Although simple and not like Andras Nagy to start his own project at some point in polished whatsoever this material is highly expressive and a totally different area than what he was used to, meaning impressive at the same time, so if you're into Dark outside of his Black Metal field that polished him as a Ambient soundscapes make sure to give it a chance. 8 musician in Sear Bliss and Nefarious so far, and here we have his newborn project, Arkhe, with its debut album, ?. ATRA VETOSUS (Australia) Mixing all sort of elements from within and mostly Ius Vitae Necisque outside the Metal field, Arkhe's music and especially the Immortal Frost - 2016 vocal part makes you feel like you're part of Andras' quest Melodic Black Metal in search for his musical identity, and although such a Once in a while is cool to see statement would make one think of unfinished business, underground bands sticking to of incomplete music, which is not the case here. Andras the same underground labels as on their previous releases, seems to have done everything he wanted on this album that means stability and also that both sides were/are and so we get pieces of Alternative Rock, Gothic Rock, happy with their collaboration. That's the case of Electronic, Ambiental, Dark Rock, Metal, and a hint Australian Atra Vetosus and Belgian label Immortal towards the UK Doom Death Metal scene after they Frost, which after a 2013 debut album decided to extend stopped being Doom Death if you know what I mean. It their collaboration and here we have the followup, an EP sounds mature, interesting, borderless, ingenious and full (or single...) featuring only 1 track but clocking 23 of potential, a project to keep an eye on if you're into minutes of music, tracks that seems to end around the either Rock or Metal with an experimental wibe. 8.5 17th minutes and being followed by another, a soothing, acoustic guitars / keyboards made track. Oh well, they say ARSIRIUS it's an EP and it's one track only so that's what it is. It all (Germany) - Lvdi starts with an atmospheric intro made by keyboards and nature effects (storms) and at some point guitars and Incipiant Medusa / Einheit - drums start to build up the tension to end in a technical 2016 - Death Metal and melodic type of mid-tempo to fast paced Black Metal Formed from the ashes of Dead which I enjoyed a lot, maybe except for the vocals that, Emotions in 2010, Arsirius are a new name, at least to me, although inventive and versatile (the background laments so I had no clue what to expect when popping this CD and screams are perfect), lack of power and a steady pace, into my player. This is the band's debut album, a 10 tracks the vocalist at times sounds like a Metalcore frontman and effort clocking almost 45 minutes of playing time. at others simply looses his voice, or at least that's how it Modern sounding Death Metal with plenty of technical sounds, and that's never a good thing. The guitar work is and melodic features to impress, but unfortunately excellent, the drums are complex and powerful, too, but bringing nothing new or original to the table, throughout the main highlight of Atra Vetosus is the atmosphere it the audition I had the constant feeling I've already heard manages to build, one that's very much in harmony with all these riffs, and the leads are not different either, niot the excellent cover artwork, just look at the artwork and managing to inspire any emotions (at least to me). On the you might imagine the music on this EP at perfection... 7 other hand the mix of Modern and Melodic Death Metal with some more brutal parts, with a good level of Thrash ATROCE (Canada) - In and even Black Metal (well, Black Death that is) Obscuritas influences thrown inthere, with the band's technical HSP - 2015 - Death abilities and skills to avoid monotony, with the overall Metal intensity of the music and the few parts when the I'm used to listen to new compositions offer some surprising rhythms, all these are Black Metal, Heavy Metal compensating for the lack of originality, and all in all I'd and Power Metal bands say we're served a powerful (read tight) debut album that coming out of Canada lately, but here I have the debut plants some good seeds for the future. They are some album from a traditional Death Metal that is capable of making some waves in the underground in the near future.

are quite simple as well, without surprises, without interesting parts you haven't heard before, so all in all although the atmospheres these guys manage to create are spot on sinister and horrific and the tracks pretty different one from another (being taken from various releases), this release was boring and I don't think I'll give it another go in the future. Try it only if you're into totally raw, primitive Black Metal. 4 BLERTHRUNG (Australia) - Blindvei Selfreleased - 2016 - Black Metal Straight from Australia comes this young duo founded just last year but which already managed to release their debut full-length album. I have to admit I had a hard time taking them seriously after only seeing their band promo picture, it's one of the absolute worst I've see in this genre since the '90's and I have the feeling if the band gets further with their career this will become a constant in "worst" tops of Black Metal. But passing over my awful prejudices (yes, I admit that too) I discovered a fantastic band, maybe the surprise was bigger exactly for that reason... Blerthrung are offering here 9 excellent tracks, very complex in rhythms and feelings transmitted, very versatile from track to track, imaginative and intelligently structured, honest-sounding, following the '90's (second part) Melodic and Depressive European Black Metal patterns and at the same time trying hard to determine their own path. This album is a constant delivery of surprises from start to finish, and although it doesn't have the power, the sound, the production required to reach any tops, it's nonetheless a highly entertaining piece of Black Metal without boundaries. The atmospheres range from calm and soothing built by acoustic parts, to terrific, devastating fast Black Metal parts, with enough balance to keep you interested. Wow, what a trip... 8 BRUTALITY (USA) - Sea of Ignorance Repulsive Echo - 2016 Death Metal I've been listening to this new Brutality record for the past two months plus, and I still find it fuckin' flawless, I love it to death! The brutal trio Jeff (b, v), Jay (g) and Scott (v), now joined by young but experienced drummer Ruston Grosse, delivers a hell of an excellent come-back album, although the band was not completely dead at least over the past half a decade. Anyway, we get here 8 tracks (one is a fantastic cover of Bathory's Shores in Flames - what???) full of all those good things the band used their fans (including me): long, melodic and catchy guitar solos, ferocious yet comprehensive vocals, lots of rhythm changes with enough focus on each to make things both steady flowing and interesting, demolishing bass lines highly influential on the overall outcome, and last but not least the exact drumming this band needed, Ruston proving he's a fuckin' beast and at the same time proving he's the right man for the band. It all sounds like the perfect soundtrack for any old-school Florida Death Metal fanatics, as I said I'm hooked with it for a couple of months and there's no doubt this will be one of my very best for 2016. Repulsive Echo did a great job releasing this as Digipak CD that comes with a 12 pages booklet that unfolds with the lyrics on one side and the complete artwork on the other, like a mini-poster. Not a fan of the artwork though, makes me thing of Obituary's Wold Demise on one hand and on the other I hate seeing TVs on Death Metal coversm, somehow they don't fit well in my views... 10

CELTIC DANCE (Portugal) - Regressus ad Uterum Lower Silesian Stronghold - 2016 - Black Metal As the band clearly states about it, this is not a release made of new material but rather a re-release of their side of the 2004 split with Wolfthrone, and it was needed because of the "shitty work done concerning promotion & distribution by the previous label" (country mates from Ethereal Sound Works). LSS re-released it this year as 3 panels gatefold Digipak CD limited to 500 handnumbered copies. Since this is my first meeting with this band and its music I wasn't sure what to expect, I was betting on Folk Metal or Pagan Metal, but I was not expecting some traditional, angry Black Metal, and that's what I got. The instrumental part is absolutely great, starting from the insanely fast and intricate drumming of Rolando Barros (also known from Grog, Neoplasmah or Scent of Death), and continuing with the well-structured, intense guitar work, the perfectly supportive bass lines, and the simple but very effective keyboard parts, but in my opinion it is bashed almost completely by a poor vocal tone that really gets on my nerves when not sounding completely hilarious. Sorry, but although the vocalist seems like a true underground supporter (owns a label and a fanzine) and has all my honest respect, his vocals are really ruining what could be a very, very good release. Again, the instrumental part, including the unpolished and BURDEN OF LIFE dirty sounding production, is excellent, I would listen to BLACK GOAT (Russia) - V Years of Absolute Eclipse (Germany) - In this technical, intelligent, epic sounding Black Metal all Nomos Dei - 2015 - Black Metal day, but... 6 Cycles This Russian band was spawned back in 1999 but only Noizgate - 2016 - Melodic Death Metal laster a year and in 2000 they split up only to resurrect 6 Fourth full-length album from these Bavarian Death CEPHEIDE (France) - Respire years later and since then they seem to be going strong, Metallers, In Cycles features 8 tracks clocking almost 50 Sick Man Getting Sick - 2016 - Atmospheric Black Metal releasing countless demos, splits and compilations, so minutes of playing time, and I'm sure it's the band's best Featuring only 2 tracks but lasting for more than half an basically staying true to the deepest underground; my work to date, although this always sounds like an hour, the debut EP of this French duo was first released respect for this attitude. This new compilation features 18 understatement. At least in my opinion this is a fantastic by themselves in 2015 in digital and tape format, then by tracks from various demos, splits and or course, also some album and has everything I could ask for from such a Ogmios Underground on CD version a few months later, unreleased material recorded in the harshest conditions starting from lots of aggression, excellent technical skills, and finally by Sick Man Getting Sick Records as vinyl possible. Black Metal with no trace of compromise, raw, amazing progressive touches all over intertwined with this year, almost a year after its initial launch, so if a bestial, abrasive, and with no intention of coming up with looks back in time ('70's Psychedelic influences), lots and material is lasting that long and still turning heads you something new or innovative, so if you're looking for lots of melodic elements, fresh and involving ideas, know there's something about it that might interest you, progressive, avantgarde stuff you should avoid this at all versatile vocals, and ending with a little touch that make a too. And after spinning this EP a few times already I have costs. The sound quality is really shitty, you'll have a hard whole lot for me, the fact that Christian, vocalist/guitarist a word in mind: tight; the music on it is so tight after a time understanding what's what, and on top of that on and leader (main composer) of the band decided to devote while you actually start to feel claustrophobic, the some tracks the drums sound so synthetic and annoying 2 pages of the booklet to explaining what he/they wanted monotonous (read hypnotic) yet extremely intensive that I always feel the urge to skip them. The compositions to express through each track and through the album as a drumming coupled with Atmospheric Post-Metal kind of

guitar riffs, leads that keep things sparkling and interesting, and a distant screaming vocal that doesn't rest for a bit, are building up a monolithic material that allows you to actually respire only during the atmospheric synth based parts that are some sort of intros/passages links with the actual tracks. As a debut EP in the nowadays overwhelmingly crowded scene this is not outstanding, but it proves a tremendous potential from Cepheide and I know for sure I'll be looking out for their upcoming release. 8.5

Death would have sounded if they'd turn Black Metal back then, a cold, depressive and melancholic piece of Extreme Metal that's impossible not to touch you, a mix of (as said before) Scandinavian (Swedish and Finnish) Black Metal with French Melancholic Black Metal. There were only a few (really few) parts where the music gets mid-paced and the guitars are based on riffs and stop creating melodic leads, where I felt bored, but overall I felt good listening to this material, I'll do it again for sure. I really hope this band continues to create and release stuff, their technical skills and creative potential give me CHALICE OF hope they can release true masterpieces. 8.5 SUFFERING (USA) - For You I Die COBER ORD (France) - Le Revers du Soleil Times End - 2016 - Nomos Dei - 2015 - Ritual Ambient Industrial Drone Atmospheric Doom Another project from a Stille Volk member, I'm amazed Metal by this band's (or at least of some of its members) Debut album from Minneapolis based Chalice of connection with the underground despite the band's Suffering, a young band founded a year ago which Worldwide success and fame, kudos for that! The front managed to complete and record 8 long tracks that cover picture is one of the most effective and impressive deserve your attention if you're into '90's Doom Metal or I've seen lately, it stucks to my mind and I can see it even Funeral Doom Metal. The band's music is pretty complex if I close my eyes. The music presented on these 8 tracks and its repetitive parts are not as monotonous as one could (46 minutes playing time) is a depressive, disturbing, think when seeing the band advertised as Funeral Doom terrifying at times Dark Drone Ambient with Industrial Metal; to me it seems the band starts as Atmospheric sounds, different percussion types, vocals ranging from Doom and progressively passes into Funeral Doom whispers, inhales/exhales, shamanic-like throat sounds, to throughout this album, with the pinnacle of Funeral in the inhuman growls and grins, and an interesting use of 7th and 8th tracks. It feels like the music becomes darker silence to enhance the effect of all sounds. Sounds like a and heavier as the album progresses. During the 72 nightmare happening on an industrial platform where minutes of playing time there's much to discover and you're kept hostage by a pack of ghouls and your end is enjoy, the band offers many feelings and emotions to the constantly and unavoidably approaching. By the end, on listener and no small influence comes from the versatile the 5th, 6th and 7th tracks the terror reaches its climax, vocal part ranging from clean, warm vocals to funeral, followed by an 8th track where you're already dead, in cryptic growls, but I have to also mention the good guitar another dimension. Very interesting release but most work, the subtle but important keyboard background definitely not for the faint of heart or for those of you who layers, the steady and methodical rhythm section, and the give up easily, this one needs more spins to be fantastic impact of the addition of flutes and bagpipes in understood. 8 parts of this album; at times I felt like in a sequel of Braveheart, haha. Very cool and interesting release, I COUNTESS hope they will add more flutes and bagpipes on their next (Holland) - Fires of works, that will give them an identity. 7.5 Destiny Selfreleased - 2016 - Epic Black Metal CHURCH OF NECROLUST If you're one of those who consider different as being (Austria) - Church of Necrolust interesting, the new (fifteenth!) album from Dutch Black Selfreleased - 2015 - Death Metal legends Countess is just the right treat! Actually Metal Countess hasn't changed that much along the years, but as Young band from Austria far as I'm concerned they are now doing what could well featuring experienced be considered as Proto Epic Black Metal a la '80's, with members, most prominent the same organic and unpolished production as the being Oliver Neussl (aka underground releases from those years, with the same DisPater) who played bass on Disastrous type of keyboard backgrounds that remind you of Conan Murmur's 2001 album ...and Hungry Are the Lost, and and such epic/legendary characters; comprehensive, who plays drums in this new band. A quartet that seems to raspy, angry and inflammatory vocals, blasphemous and be devoted to delivering an ugly, demonic, organic and at the same time fantasy lyrics, catchy as hell guitar riffs abrasive form of Death Metal, and the good thing is they and incisive bass lines, all these combined to create a succeed in releasing a kick ass debut EP here, 6 tracks in damn fine record you HAVE to give a chance to, and if almost 25 minutes, a Black Metal influenced vicious and you'll find it weird and weak at first, you'll soon discover bestial Death Metal highlighted by the excellent vocal duo an almost ingĂŠnue kind of charm in this really old-school of bass player Blasphemic Berzerker and guitarist Black Metal, much more old-school than many of those Reverend Necrolust who are creating a violent and evil pretending to be that way nowadays. It's impressive and atmosphere from start to finish, very visceral, very honest curious at the same time that a band of this experience sounding. What I liked a lot were the catchy choruses, and caliber decided to release their new album especially on the title track which is the best on this independently, but I guess we'll find out more in an release by my standards. The guitars are delivering good interview with them soon. 9 riffs, and the bass lines are pretty incisive, too, nothing spectacular though. The drums have an organic sound I CRYPTIC REALMS like, even though maybe a bit more polishing wouldn't (International) - Eve have hurt in this case. To complete this with the band's of Fatality rotten image and old-school looking cover artwork, I'd Weed Hunter - 2015 say Church of Necrolust delivered a promising debut EP, Death Metal no doubt the next release will be on a label. 7.5 This international project was founded last year by members CIEN (Poland) - Ecce from Mexico, Brazil, Greece and USA, and here we have Homo Old Temple - 2014 - their debut demo already released in 3 different formats: Black Metal CD by the band, vinyl by Bloody Productions and tape by 5 years after their Weed Hunter Records from Germany. I have here the tape foundation Cien version and I have to say for a demo it's as professional as manage to release this debut album, a 7 you can get, professional to a full-length album level, and tracks effort totaling 45 minutes of mid-tempo to fast it's worth every penny if you like to have good looking paced Black Metal, quite traditional to the second wave of tapes in your collection. Judging it by the music on it I'd Scandinavian Black Metal I'd say, with quite a few say although the members are all experienced and mature melodic, even melancholic insertions all over the place. musicians, this recording shows it's a debut demo; the At first I was impressed by the good quality of both guitar production, although fat and traditional, sounds synthetic work and bass lines, offering some good taste passages at times (especially the drums, but also the guitars sound a throughout the material, but the drums are here to make a bit lifeless, too). The compositions present us a band with difference, too; the vocals, although not very versatile, are clear potential, a tape that reminds me of the early Tampa traditional Black Metal shrieks that at times, together with Bay Death Metal recordings, especially Obituary, and some slow / mid-paced instrumental lines, create quite a that's so very cool. If they keep on the same path and depressive atmosphere, one that I feel is the highligh of come up with one or two memorable tracks on the next this album. This is how the UK school of '90's Doom recording, coupled with these great marketing skills I've

DIESEAR (Taiwan) - Ashes of the Dawn Total Metal - 2015 - Melodic Death Metal Total Metal are marketing this release as the band's debut album, but Metal Archives says it's their second; I'd incline towards Total Metal being right because the 2009 release, The Inner Sear, lasts only a bit over 25 minutes, so it would be better considered as EP rather than LP. Anyway, the band is around since 2007 and it seems they've grown into the most respected and biggest Melodic Death Metal band in Taiwan. This album was DEGIAL (Sweden) - initially released for the Asian market in 2013, and now picked up by the Ukrainian label for a Worldwide release, Savage Mutiny Sepulchral Voice - and they did good as Diesear are a truly worthy band. 2015 - Death Metal Following roads open by band like Childern of Bodom or I feel like the current Arch Enemy, Diesear are one of those bands that rely Retro Death Metal movement is slowly becoming a stale heavily on melodic guitar leads and solos all over their genre lately, like in the beginning of the '90's, when Black material, and their advantage is that their guitarists are Metal took over the banner of blasphemy, but there are exceptional in both composition and execution, delivering still some bands that have the potential of turning things some of the best guitar work I've heard in a while. The over and actually make this genre a bit more fetid and vocals are ok but could have been a bit more versatile to decaying than it was, pushing further the barriers of reach the guitars' level, and maybe a bit more rotting Death Metal, and so getting back cohorts of fans comprehensive, too, in order to make tracks a bit more who are obviously looking for genuine, honest memorable, but I guess the guy did his best on this release experiences inspired by death in a genre that is named and he can't any more than this; not that it's bad what he after it... And since we're talking about a band from doesn, but it's not enough, just listen to the last tracks Uppsala, city mates and close friends with the guys from where he's clearly overwhelmed by what he tries. The Watain (both Erik Danielsson and Set Teitan contributed rhythm section does a good job remaining subtle yet still on this album, too), Degial are one of those bands capable supporting very well the great guitar work. A very good of becoming the next big thing in Death Metal, and I'd say debut album that should be followed by a second fullcapable of reaching a Watain-like status in this scene. length asap as it's already old although re-released. 8 Their image is definitely interesting and intriguing in order to catch the kid's attention, and their music is a DIVINE BLASPHEMY perfect blend of US and Swedish fast paced old-school (Greece) - Beyond the Death Metal, highlighted by its constant intensity, Portal decaying, miasmal atmospheres, a good vocalist (that Lower Silesian could and should have been a bit more versatile though), Stronghold - 2015 catchy and haunting guitar riffs supported by intelligent Black Metal and even melodic at times leads, fat-ass devastating bass Trio from the capital of Greece founded in 2014, Divine lines and organic, angry drumming. All in all Savage Blasphemy managed to release their debut album via LSS Mutiny is an excellent album, the second attempt of this last year, and here I have a copy of it. The first impression Swedish band, an album that has the capacity of turning is quite common for this type of releases, nothing to be some heads and creating a steady, devoted following. out of the ordinary, and I'm referring to the cover and Comes on CD with 12 pages booklet featuring all lyrics, booklet artwork, black/white, blasphemic, evil winning but it seems Sepulchral Voice has released or will release over the good, old-school and kind of childish in a way. it on vinyl as well. Definitely worth your time and cash. 9 Passing over to the music on it, unfortunately I have the same feeling, of a deja-vu, a music I've heard before a lot of times namely fast paced Black Metal with drums DEMONIC RAGE (Chile) - Omen of Doom Old Temple - 2015 - Death Metal blasting all the way and vocals somewhere between

EMPHASIS (Estonia) EFPIX (Russia) Revival Underground Evil Sides Sliptrick - 2016 Symphony - 2016 Industrial Modern Death Symphonic Progressive Metal Metal It's not every day I come across a female fronted Even if not as aggressive as Black Metal has, Death Metal Progressive Metal band so this Estonian outfit is also mutated in lots of different directions over the years something out of the ordinary in this sense. Coming out of and comparing the different corners of this mutation now the capital Tallinn, Emphasis wwere formed in 2010 and is like listening to totally different genres. Efpix (man, I this is their debut album released after a few Single really dislike the band name) are still a Death Metal teasers that tested the "waters" in the previous years. So as rooted group, but their music is highly influenced by other I was saying, we get here a female fronted Progressive genres, too, most importantly by Industrial and Electro, Metal highlighted by intricate composition structures, a but in the end, this debut album of theirs is still pretty mix of Power Metal and Progressive Metal on the guitar heavy and aggressive in order to be still considered Death riffs, amazing solos and leads, complex rhythm section, Metal. To me it sounds like a mix of Hypocrisy, Tiamat sci-fi-like keyboards and synth work, and last but (the third part of their activity), Pain and maybe In definitely not least a female vocalist, Anna, who at first I Flames, with a heavy dose of Electro Industrial thrown found to be a bit too operatic and powerful for the overall inthere. From the band's image to their music everything music, but it grew on my track by track and at the end I seems to be highly professional and carefully assembled can honestly say her voice amazingly compliments the in order to impress. Versatile and expressive vocals results of her hardworking band mates. The label ranging from clean, manly tones to Death Metal growls, recommends this album to fans of Within Temptation, to Black Metal shrieks, sci-fi synths all over, aggressive Nightwish and Opeth, but I would replace the last name riffing, melodic leads, intense rhythm section, and above with Dream Theater and then I'd say they're spot on, just all complex and varied compositions, this is what Epfix give a listen to the track Every Time which benefits from are offering on their debut album, and I really hope they the guest appearance of a saxophone player, too, and get a chance outside of the Russian territory, too. 8 you'll know what I mean. Not an easy listening overall, but a damn interesting and captivating one if you're looking for well-thought, intelligent structures in your EILERA (France) - Face Your Demons Echozone - 2016 - Gothic Metal music. The production is absolutely perfect; the Digipak Got mislead by this album cover, I CD packing professional to the bone and the cover / thought I was going to listen to booklet artwork is stunning. Excellent! 9.5 some sort of Pop music by a lady called Eilera. Well, ENDARKER I wasn't totally off (Sweden) - Among because the main the Shadows character of this project is indeed a I Hate - 2016 - Thrash Black Death Metal lady called Eilera, but she's joined by a few musicians on I've always wondered why these compilations are always this recording and what they produced is a very good starting with the most recent material and end with the Gothic Metal record complete with loads of influences oldest, and that because the obvious interest in such a from other styles like Folk Rock, Gothic Rock, and even release is to get to know the band it presents and Power Metal. Eilera is, of course, a vocalist; her vocals especially understand their progress, if any. This is a are not over the top impressive when it comes to tonality compilation of all recorded material by this old Swedish at first sight/listen, but she carefully composed these band that was was active between '86 and '93, for some tracks in order to compliment her abilities and put her the golden years of Death and Black Metal, and totally voice in the best light possible. You know what? She did lead and conceived by current Marduk bass player Devo. it! She sounds amazing, just the perfect amount of In this band/project Devo took care of bass, drums and everything thrown into this pot of music, with the right vocals and was joined by two friends, Peter and amount of versatility and the right amount of spotlight, Necrotech. To me it seems the music evolves from a too, in order to leave space to the instrumental part to primitive, Hellhammer, Bathory, Venom influenced make its mark, too. And the musicians she chose to join Speed Thrash Black Metal towards a more aggressive and her on this recording seem to have the best taste and Death Metal oriented music, so it seemed like the band potential since they managed to deliver a tremendous was trying to get on a wave, any wave, but failed in the material. I tell you, by the end of this 12 tracks (2 of them end. Actually the music is not impressive at all for and Finnvox covers) album I can't decide which of them I nowadays standards, but I can see it back then turing like best since each of them has its own sound and some heads as it features a few cool elements like catchy identity, but I can say for sure it's a charming, elegant, guitar riffs, weird vocals (a mix between Thrash and professionally produced and delivered piece of Gothic Abbath-like vocals), a pretty dark atmosphere and a good Rock Metal, one of the best I've heard lately, and if you're production on the last release. All in all it's a good way to

seems to be the band's set at the Ljubljana Noise Fest in 2013, about 10 minutes of total devastation produced by drums samples, bass, guitars and two demented and totally wasted vocalists, a fantastic experience of complete and utter disgust, something you have to experience to understand, so I'm actually glad this was produced on DVD, it gives the whole a better effect, and I must say the production is top notch, the gig being filmed by three cameras and professionally edited and mastered after. Very cool DVD, recommended if you're into Grind and Noise, for sure. A a side note I found it hillarious when one of the vocalists presented a track "this song is about", then the next tracks "this song is not about". :) 8

the grandma from the cover artwork. The music sounds more like Hard'n'Heavy most of the time than Heavy Thrash, it constantly gave me the impression it should have been more powerful, more aggressive, but maybe that's only me. On the other hand the set is very entertaining, it's already the fifth time I play the CD and I'm still not bored. The sound quality is as you'd expect, faultless. The vocalist might give you the impression he's about to lose the control of his voice, but he seems to be very aware of what he can and what he can't do, there are only a few high-pitched parts that could have been done better or not tried at all since he's not that gifted to say the truth, but he manages to keep thing interesting even without sounding impressive. The compositions are also FALLEN ICON (Malta) more complex and offer much more that I would have expected so here's another reason to give this a try. 7 - North of Nowhere Selfreleased - 2015 Groove Death Metal GENUS ORDINIS DEI (Italy) By the looks of this The Middle EP's cover / booklet Mighty - 2016 (re-release) artwork I wouldn't in a million years expect a groovy type Symphonic Death Metal of Death Metal from Fallen Icon, but that's exactly what I Ok, from the first got to experience here. These 6 tracks (almost 25 minutes) sounds of this album constitute the debut release of Fallen Icon, a Maltese trio you can easily see founded back in 2010, so it took them some time to come why Mighty Music up with something to shop for labels (I guess). The 6 decided to re-release this debut album from Genus compositions are exactly like the band's logo expresses, Ordinis Dei after the band first released it in 2013, the fresh and modern, yet still paying tribute to the old professional production and massive sound quality is a patterns of this style (Death Metal that is), a perfect mix major win for the band and its debut album. The Middle of Groove and Death Metal with important yet not features 10 tracks in 45 minutes of playing time, a fresh, overwhelming influences from Stoner, Thrash, Brutal dynamic, entertaining and expressive Melodic Death Death Metal and I think I've heard some Progressive Metal, the Children of Bodom, In Flames type, with Metal somewhere inhere, too, but as stuffed as it may all melodic guitar leads and long solos with roots in Heavy this seem, the tracks are pretty aired and tight to be and Thrash Metal, energetic rhythm section, subtle but headbanging friendly, too. I can see this as potential good important keyboard backgrounds, and two types of vocals entertainment for both old-school and new-school Death with growls as lead and screams as support. It sounds and Metallers, the musicianship is top-notch, the compositions flows very good, well thought and intelligently delivered, are interesting and quite varied, the presentation and but unfortunately this genre is quite overwhelmed attitude strict and professional, only good things. The only nowadays, it's hard for something or someone to come up part I'd do different would be the vocals, a bit more with something new or surprising and G.O.D. haven't versatility won't hurt for sure, at least in my case these either. The band is very promising though. 7.5 raspy screams tend to get boring and even annoying after a while. I have to also mention the excellent by Etienne GOATSLAVE (France) Bugeja, excellent indeed. 8 Procession of Doom Atavism - 2016 FUCK THEM ALL (Poland) - Last Feast with the Black Metal Beast Old Temple - 2015 - Thrash Black Death Metal Debut album from this A mix of the m,ost important Extreme Metal subgenres mysterious (at least for us, non-French) duo from France, and not only, that's what we're getting from this debut Procession of Doom is made of 8 tracks and clocks a bit album from Poland's most pissed off group, Fuck Them over 40 minutes. Bestial, satanic and highly aggressive All. After serving the underground with plenty of demos Black Metal with a fat as hell sound. Organic and not and splits for the first 5 years of their existence as a band, polished production but perfectly fit for this style I would Fuck Them All finally manage to record and release 12 better call Death Metal sounding Black Metal although I tracks on the same material, and here we have a bit over know that's not orthodox, but who cares? Atavism half an hour of mid-tempo to fast paced dirty Metal, Records names Archgoat, Sadomator, Necroblood and simpler than you'd expect from the mix of Thrash, Black Blasphemy as major influences for Goatslave and I can and Death Metal, an old-fashioned outburst of dirty and hear that in their music, but their music is a bit less raw Metal that goes hand in hand with the nowadays "old- chaotic and a bit more technical although keeping things fashioned" Metal revival. The compositions are simple simple and straight to your face; Goatslave music is less but entertaining and not boring at all, although I would abrasive and catchier than the bands mentioned above. have liked a bit more versatility from the hateful vocals. The tracks are long and sometime give the impression Unfortunately there are also some subtle bass lines or they were artificially stretched becoming repetitive and guitar leads that will pass unobserved because of the raw less interesting, although most of the time the band mix, but all in all I'd say it won't disappoint the fans of impresses through some good riffs, intense rhythm section this genre. Not original or challenging, but a fun and and cavernous growling vocals. I would have liked some enjoying piece of Metal, if that's what they wanted to more surprising elements and hooks like some chaotic offer it's perfect, but if they wanted to push some guitar solos or some more of those nice guitar harmonies boundaries they certainly need more work. I'd be curious like on the track Goatslave. I see no reason for this band to know if the drummer plays in a Hardcore-like band, not to become a cult name in this already cult scene that is too, he has the right grooves for sure. 6.5 Bestial Metal, the logo, the cover artwork on this album, the music, all are straight on that alley, so if you're a fan GANG (France) - Live is of it, give these guys a chance you might be surprised. 7.5 All Selfreleased - 2015 GORT (Italy) - Pestiferous Heavy Thrash Metal Worms Miasma French veterans Lupus Niger - 2016 - Black Metal GANG (founded back I shouldn't be so excited after in 1990) have been listening to this second album quite active since their 2010 album, their fifth, releasing from Italian Gort, because this is new stuff every year, and 2015 made no exception with traditional Black Metal, nothing the release of their second live album to date, an 11 tracks more than that, but fuck, it effort clocking almost 35 minutes playing time. The sounds so right, everything sounds curious thing is that the band decided to work again on so fit and perfect for this type of music that their own, like for the first live album, without the it's impossible for me not to replay it (this is backing of a label, which might be a usual choice for a already the fourth time I'm spinning it). It's clear these young band nowadays, but not for one that tops 25 years guys are devoted to the underground Black Metal scene, of existence... The tracks here were recorded during their all of them being previosly or currently involved in other set at the SOS Festival in Manchester; the intro and outro bands or projects, and all of them obscure, and when features something like an announcement read by a lady meeting their music as well you're convinced this is the who fits perfectly with the cover, it seems like the lady is right thing for them. Heavily influenced by the '90's

GREY HEAVEN FALL (Russia) Black Wisdom Aesthetics of Devastation - 2015 Black Death Metal Although this band's name sounds familiar to me, this is the first time I meet them and their music and after listening to this second full-length album of theirs my first and most honest conclusion is: wow, this is crazy good stuff! The album features only 6 tracks but clocks 51 minutes of Extreme Metal devastation, an album I would easily compare to Mgla's 2015 masterpiece at any given time, but this is probably more technical than atmospheric, and also has a slightly more influences outside of Black Metal, but if we talk about the overall ingenuity Grey Heaven Fall is at par with Mgla. Some of the guitar riffs are absolutely fabulous making the music HEIMSGARD (France) sound eerie and absolutely demonic, the drumming is Ordrag fantastic (even jazzy), and the bass lines are subtle but Epicural - 2015 very important in the overall equation; the vocals could Pagan Black Metal have been a bit more versatile, but they are still powerful One man band of and impressive. There are some Doomy parts here and Raido, also guitarist in there but that's absolutely obvious since all three members Malevolentia, of GHF are also the three members of Funeral Doom Heimsgard was outfit Comatose Vigil, and these parts, combined with the founded in 2012 and ferocious, fast rest of the album result in one of the best this is its debut full-length album. More than an hour of albums I've heard lately, hands down. Don't miss it! 9.5 quite "friendly" and epic sounding Pagan Black Metal the sort I used to review a lot 10-15 years ago, mid-tempo to HARM (Norway) - Devil (re- fast paced, highlighted by a raspy Black Metal-like vocal, abundant keyboard arrangements and Power Metal release) Battlegod - 2015 - influenced guitar work. Overall a successful album with Thrash Metal good atmosphere but speaking for myself this is far too At first sight I quite light and happy, also I tried to follow the lyrics... big wondered why would mistake, apart the fact they are quite generic and Battlegod re-release unprovoking, Raido's cadence and pronunciation are Harm's debut album awful even though some would say this is not important from a decade ago, but my guess is: initially it was for a vocal part you can't really understand. The released on the obscure Sublife record label and I guess it absolutely best element in Heimsgard's music is the tasty lacked important promotion. Now, re-released as double and complex guitar work and the fact that all in all the CD, with a second CD being a compilation of demo and music gives me an organic, honest impression, so there's unreleased tracks with less solid production than this full- hope here. Try it if you're into Ensiferum, Wintersun, length album that stretches for 37 minutes. Harm are a Amon Amarth or Falkenbach, bands their label mentions traditional Thrash Metal fast paced rhythms, violent, as major influences. 6 desperate vocals, low, metallic bass lines, pounding, relentless drums, catchy guitar riffs and slick leads and HELLSING solos, but without something to really stand out and (Indonesia) - The define the band's sound as original. What impresses on Fallen: A Sinister this record are the excellent, fresh and meaty production, Declaration of Fire and the overall cohesion of the band that gives the Adimere - 2015 impression of a really technical and well worked band, Melodic Black Metal but again, the problem comes when we're talking about Good idea to release something to define the band. For their fans, and for this EP in such traditional Thrash Metallers, this re-release will be a fine unconventional format (CDR in a treat, undoubtedly it's highly enjoyable and entertaining, cassette tape-like case, limited to only 100 handand it comes with a 16 pages booklet featuring lyrics and numbered copies), it will most certainly attract the an even better cover artwork than the initial release attention. The band was founded back in 2010 as although keeping the same style. 7.5 Immortal Creatures, and a year after changed its name to the current one. After a single in 2013 and a demo in 2014 HATEFUL DESOLATION (International) - here's the moment for the band to release its first official material, this 4 tracks EP lasting for a full 15 minutes and Withering in Dust Adimere - 2014 - Depressive Black Metal presenting us a melodic and somehow technical (good International duo founded in 2013 by Void from Egypt technical skills for the 2 guitarists) Black Metal. The and Gray Ravenmoon from Italy, the first being already whole material reminds me of the effervescent end of the an experienced musician (also member of Astray, '90's - beginning of the '00's Melodic Black Metal scene, Frostagrath, Hecate), and the second still experimenting from the gothic-like cover (a religious statue), to the (also member of Grindcore band An-Al Gore, not so sure vampire-inspired intro, to the music itself, but the about its seriousness though). This is their debut demo, a compositions are pretty good, entertaining, and the band 3 tracks effort clocking 23 minutes of playing time, and demonstrates a clear thirst and joy of playing this music which, except for some depressive, melancholic guitar making this EP a honest, trustworthy one. The production leads, doesn't have much to enjoy. Slow to mid-tempo is not polished or professional like the Last Episode bands DSBM with awful synthetic sounding drum-machine, rich used to have back in the days, but it's clear and good symphonic-like keyboard backgrounds, cold guitar riffs enough not to disturb the audition, and that's all what completed with the above mentioned good and expressive matters. The highlights of this band are in my opinion the guitar leads, a bass line you can actually hear, and a excellent guitar solos and the vicious, evil, yet

lurking in. Kosmokrator was founded in 2013, composed 3 tracks, recorded a demo a year later, released it on tape, got picked up by Van Records and re-released on vinyl, and probably in 2015 re-recorded the same three tracks (or at least that's the year indicated on the inside cover of this digipak) and re-released them as Digipak CD. To me it seems it all went too fast for this band, I mean to be released on vinyl after only 3 tracks seems surreal to me. Anyway, this half an hour recording starts with a very long atmospheric intro (4 minutes seemed too long even to me who enjoy these atmospheric passages to music building the scenery) that flows right into a brutal, demonic, cryptic, and incredibly heavy sounding Black Death Metal. The atmospheres this band create are definitely spot on, terrifying, oppressive like a ton of bricks, obscure and menacing, and I have to highlight here the excellent drumming and expressive, dreadful vocals. The guitars are ok, but I would have expected a bit more variety and a bit more emphasis on creating something else beside the already generic riffs; not bad guitar work, don't get me wrong, but I think this band can become a leading name in the scene if they incorporate some juicy harmonies and solos. Anyway, if you're looking for highly obscure sounding Black Death Metal with acceptable production this release might just be what you're looking for. 7.5

veil, with a crown of thorns on her head and holding a red (I suppose) apple in her hands is simply sight capturing, very, very successful. Released as A5 format digipak with hard covers, limited to only 300 copies, this 4-way split presents us 4 mystical and obscure bands. Opening are La Breiche with a Ritual Drone Ambient track clocking 12 and a half minutes and made by shamanistic-like and distorted vocals, percussions and all kinds of industrial sounds that together form a terrifying, desolate, post-apocalyptic atmosphere; exquisite I'd say. Huata are next producing a slow, dirty, highly oppressive form of Sludge Doom highlighted by slow, devastating guitar riffs, clean vocals somewhere in the background, organic drums, and a creepy organ enhancing the occult, esoteric atmosphere. Sektarism are next with a 13 minutes Funeral Doom track definitely highlighted by the comprehensive, expressive, disgusting and desperate at times and proud at others, but contrary to what you might expect Sektarism are not that monotone either, they have plenty of rhythm changes and interesting ideas in their Funeral music. Vichy is a side-project of members from Mhonos (highly regarded French Drone Doom act), and in this case the apple does not fall from the tree, so they keep it "in the same family" of Drone Doom, with Black Metal tremolo picking - like guitar riffs, abrasive vocals supported (or better said introduced) by guttural, suffocating vocal sounds, militaristic drums and an overall apocalyptic and KULTO MALDITO (Bolivia) - Jodete Jesus Nomos Dei - 2013 - Death Black Metal claustrophobic atmosphere. Wow, although quite old by now, everything about this A perfect split title and a perfect cover for this material. release makes me say "wow!", starting with the Highly recommended release for fans of weird, scary, presentation, an A5 gatefold digipak complete with a 12 ritualistic and occult music. pages (A5 format as well) booklet featuring all lyrics and amazing artworks and an A4 format mini-poster with the LANDSKAP (UK) - II band, and ending with the absolutely devastating, Black Widow - 2015 obliterating, terrifyingly offensive music of Kulto Psychedelic Doom Maldito, a band I haven't heard before. Kulto maldito are Rock around since 2002 and have released 3 full-length albums Wow, another so far, or better said until 2012 because after there seem to surprise, I totally didn't be no more recordings, not sure if the band is still alive. expect such music from a This is their third full-length, initially released in 2012 on band with this name and cassette tapes, with different artwork, an 8 tracks (+ intro) especially from a release with such a dark cover / booklet effort clocking almost 45 minutes of one of the most design, I was expecting something at least influenced by blasphemic, brutal, disgusting music to ever come out of Black Metal or at least Depressive, maybe Funeral Doom South America; I compare the effect their music had on Metal, but knowing the traditional, old-school doctrine of me with the effect Peruvian Goat semen had when I first Black Widow I was also expecting something different heard their music, back in 2002, and I really think these from what I'm used to. Landskap's second full-length two bands are similar in level of brutality and horror. album is a fantastic mix of Psychedelic Rock, Hard Rock Kulto Maldito mixes bestial Death Metal with raw, and old, incipient Doom Metal a la Black Sabbath but uncompromising Black Metal and a bit of brutal Thrash highlighted by a modern Jim Morrison... the guy sounds Metal too, their tracks are more technical that I would so similar to Door's icon that you start wondering if have expected, the atmosphere the two animalic sounding there's any links, anything at all to relate the two. The vocalists are absolutely vicious, and the whole music is combination is absolutely delicious, these types of just a complete delight for any fans of Bestial Metal I melodic, phlegmatic, laid back, proud, and even defiant think. Kick ass release! 8.5 type of vocals supported by a '70's psychedelic organ in the background, by an energetic rhythm section and by a KVALVAAG complex, even jazzy at times guitar work, sounds amazing. Maybe most of the 6 tracks featured here are (Norway) - Malum Dusktone - 2016 - way too long (the total duration of this record is 43 Black Metal minutes) and I would have liked a bit more, shorter tracks, Norway is still but my overall impression is that this album needs to be producing fast and listened by as many persons as possible, and even if traditional sounding Black Metal, and the new Kvalvaag you're inbto Extreme Metal (like I am), an escape from album is a proof, 7 tracks continuing the '90's Norwegian time to time with such a brilliant release is goddamn Black Metal trademark. I'd say the additional icy synths healthy. Yet I see no links between the colorful, stoned and the guitar riffs sounding like inspired straight from music of this album and the bleak, cold and depressing the Italian mafia movies and the band's outstanding images from the cover and booking... 9 elements, although I wouldn't call the synths original in no way, but definitely a touch of difference in a current LAST DECLINE scene that tries either to sound as raw and simplistic or as (Latvia) - Escape avantgarde and forward-thinking as possible. The album Beverina - 2016 was composed and recorded over a period of almost 2 Black Metal years and indeed there are some differences between the Last Decline is a duo tracks featured, the whole sounds varied and balanced founded back in 2004 between the fast as fuck parts and the mysterious, and it seems the music expressive mid-tempo ones; unfortunately I think the for this debut album was composed during all these years, production is way too dirty for the music featured here, so what we get here are 9 tracks (45 minutes) that and that's also the main reason I'm not impressed by it constitute either the quintessence of the band's music, or overall. An enjoyable release clocking 40 minutes of their complete playlist... playing time, including a Troll cover version, and released I would have never thought I'd end up saying about a as Digipak CD version, unfortunately with no lyrics / release that it has the bass volume too high, usually you booklet. The title track is also my face track and probably can barely hear the bass, but in this case it's so loud it the most interesting here. 7 almost leaves the guitars behind... It wouldn't be a bad thing necessarily, but the bass lines here are good but LA BREICHE / HUATA / SEKTARISM / VICHY nothing spectacular or overly creative in order to be considered a progressive element. The band plays a (France) - The Darkness Nomos Dei - 2016 - Ritual Ambient Drone Doom Black traditional type of Black Metal ranging from mid-tempo Metal to fast paced parts, and even some slower ones that This must be one of the most expressive and attractive resemble the DSBM attitude, but without any "modern" cover pictures I've seen in a while, although black/white, insertions if I may say so, without keyboards, synths, or this picture of a lady dressed in black clothes with a white other effects. The slow, depressive parts are quite ok,

nothing original or impressive, but well executed, the mid-tempo parts are extremely boring and in my opinion the band should think of losing them fast, and the real strength in Last Decline's music comes in the fast parts, really, really powerful and very effective, there's where the band sounds like they have confidence and have potential of nailing it. The production is organic and crystal clear at the same time, but as I said earlier I'm not too keen on the mix and master of the whole material, besides the loud bass lines, the drums sound too synthetic and really annoying at times, too. The cover artwork is excellent, simple and effective like the music. If you're into traditional fast, grim and disgusting Black Metal this might be your thing; comes in a limited edition of only 100 hand-numbered Digipak CDs... 7

up release. The band is quite far away from the Gothic Metal genre that used to label their music and delivering now what I would call a mix between Rock and Metal, or better said a genre that balances between the two territories without really picking sides. The compositions seem to be more focused on giving space and highlight Lorena's vocals, and the production confirms that, it feels like at a theatre where there's only one spotlight and it's most of the time following the vocalist, the instrumental part being the stage support. Anyway, maybe that's only my impression, but I stand for it. It's clear the band targets the mainstream, or at least the purgatory between underground and mainstream, blending all you may frequently hear on the regular Rock stations, and that's not a bad thing, of course, but not for us here, and honestly it's not for me. What I liked the most about it were the few LASTWAR (Poland) attempts of delivering some progressive structures at times and the fact they chose to deliver lyrics in both - Darkness in Eden Thrashing Madness - Spanish and English, but that's not enough to make me 2011 - Thrash Death Metal come back, sorry. 7 This is a compilation of all material released by this band that at the time (early to mid '90's) seemed very promising LIFESTREAM (France) for the local scene but later proved to be too lazy or Post Ecstatic incredulous to step up a notch and get to the next level. Experience Well, at least they did try with their '94 demo, tracks 8-11 Emanations - 2015 on this compilation, to find a label, but the lack of a Black Metal favorable response I guess led to the band demise. The I've listened to this first 7 tracks are taken from the band's '92 very successful album for the past 2 demo with the same name, demo released on local days already and I'm Carnage Records that at the time was releasing stuff like still not convinced if I like it or not, or better said if I Vader, Turbo, Magnus or Necrophobic and many found something interesting in it or just used it as amazing licenses, so was at the peak of its game. This background music in my routine activities. The debut demo also benefits from a very good production, crystal album of this French quintet is for sure a good Black clear and at the same time as dirty as this genre required; Metal effort, but let's start with the bad points: the vocals Thrash Death Metal, mid-tempo to fast paced, based on a are way too monotone, some versatility would make quite technical guitar work, intricate drumming and things more expressive on the next release, then I'd say excellent vocals. The second demo, the one from '94 they the keyboards are on the same level of monotony, were trying to shop for a label has an infected sound, and although "hidden" in the background I wouldn't say they to be honest the compositions don't have the same energy are building any interest in the atmosphere they create and catchiness as the previous work, so there's no wonder (something a la UK scene at the beginning of the '00's). they remained unsigned, although they've added a bit The good points on this release would be the guitar work, more complexity in their game this time. The last 2 tracks quite complex and fresh, and the compositions in general, are recorded in 2010 by the only member still interested an effort that demonstrates this band's potential and even in keeping this project alive, Maciej Wasewicz, as a solo technical skills. The 9 tracks featured here in a bit over an project and display a faster paced but still very complex hour of playing time are a good choice if you're into the Thrash Death Metal on the same old-school patterns, with second wave of Norwegian Black Metal mixed with the the same vocals, and better sound quality. Not impressive UK Black Metal atmospheres as mentioned before, plus a but very good for nostalgics. 6.5 good dose of new (French?) Black Metal (a hint of Post Black) influences, and if I've spinned this album for 2 LEGION (Philippines) - consecutive days it means in no way this is a bad effort, just a bit puzzling I'd say. 7 Righteous Killing Selfreleased - 2015 - Death Metal Holy shit fuck-storm! This band LIHHAMON (Germany) hailing from the Philippines might Doctrine probably be one of the best kept Auto de Fe - 2016 - Black Death secrets of the Southeast Asian Metal Extreme Metal scene! Desipte the New band, new (first) album, new awfully unoriginal band name, Legion label, are the new offers from from Philippines are teaching us here a fantastic lesson in Germany's Bestial Metal scene. how to play Death Metal nowadays and still sound Lihhamon presents us 10 tracks in credible and interesting. This is their debut full-length half an hour os relentless and excruciating album that comes out at the right time, after they tested assault on all senses, a devastating mix of primitive Black the reactions through an EP in 2013 and a split with and Death Metal with chaotic but fit production, Canadian Death Metallers Necrodios in 2014, a correct highlighted by this aggressive, monstrous and ultra-heavy and old-school trajectory for the band so far. What atmosphere, incomprehensive vocals (growls on the front, impresses on this debut album are multiple things, so let's screams in the background), but with tracks titles like take them one by one: the production is absolutely Decimation, Genocide Crusade or Cadaver Synod, you gor(e)geous, the compositions sound complex and fresh can easily guess the band's a valid contender to fit in the balancing between old-school Brutal Death Metal and War Metal scene. What I appreciate the most about this modern Black Death Metal, but with a firm grip on the album is that contrary to my expectations it's not full traditional Death Metal path, the execution is flawless, the speed all the way, it has its "slow" moments that I'd better vocals are raspy and appalling but at the same time call horrifying atmospheres to enhance the whole cryptic comprehensive and somehow catchy, the rhythm section impression of the album. I also liked the cut & paste style is complex and imaginative, and the overall atmosphere is of the booklet and the impressive cover artwork design, as crushing and brutal as anyone could expect from a pretty "in line" with the music on it. 7.5 good Death Metal release. A professional album selfreleased, offering also intelligent lyrics and impressive MALEFIC MIST (Italy) - Il illustrations in its 12 pages booklet; interesting enough the richiamo dell'inverno CD comes with an alternative cover, bloodier than the Adimere - 2016 - Black Metal main one, so I guess this is for censorship reasons after This is my first encounter with all. All in all this is certainly one of the best Extreme Milan based Malefic Mist, so Metal debut I've had the pleasure to assist to; fantastic I'm not sure if Mors Taetra, the band! 9 man behind this moniker, made a voluntary decision to move forward instrumentally, without any vocals, or if it was a L'ENDEVI (Spain) - Don't Go Back Art Gates - 2015 - Rock Metal forced decision by the lack of a proper vocalist, but I have Here's the third studio effort from this Spanish quintet, to admit it's not every day I stumble upon such a released 3 years after the previous one. In the meantime project/band, especially if they follow a genre like Black L'Endevi replaced its female vocalist and one of the two Metal which traditionally wouldn't be complete without guitarists, a massive change in every band's life yet they vocals. Anyway, Il richiamo dell'inverno (The Calling of still managed to come up with 10 new tracks for a follow- Winter) is the sixth demo of this project since its

Maze of Terror is one perfect band to keep an eye on if you're a maniac of old-school Thrash Metal. 8

audio tracks recorded live, a must have release for any follower of Polish scene and not only.

direction. Great packaging by Lower Silesian Stronghold, the EP is released in 3 panels gatefold Digipak with lyrics listed and looks excellent. 7.5

manages to create inhere are really deep and touching. Interesting. 7 PLUTONIUM (Sweden) - Born Again Misanthrope Selfreleased - 2016 - Industrial Black Metal I still remember almost 5 years ago how much I liked this band's second album, Devilmentertainment Non-Stop, how avantgarde and experimental I found it at the time, so receiving its newest, third studio album Born Again Misanthrope, was of course a very nice surprise, especially since in the meantime this type of Black Metal grew on me quite a lot. The new album is made of 9 tracks, I found it less experimental than the previous, but definitely more mature, better thought and better flowing, yet at the same time still keeping intact that raw, inhuman, mechanical feeling Industrial gives to music. The drum program I found very strange and quite annoying at first, but I managed to understand it after a few tracks and in the end I found it perfectly fit for this music. I'd say now Plutonium is a mix of Mysticum (especially), Blacklodge, maybe even Thorns and Aborym, but resembling none in particular; Plutonium deserves its own spot between these established names and only the lack of a big label (right, why isn't this band signed yet???) might make this album fail to reach this new year's Black Metal top charts. Atmospheric, mystical, technical, interesting, varied, cruel, synthetic yet raw, traditional in its core but avantgarde in its result - that's how I could characterize this album I find magnificent. Not to miss if you enjoy this mix between Industrial and Black Metal! 10 PRAVIA (Poland) - Bestie ze Wschodu Art of the Night 2016 - Pagan Death Metal Debut album from this young (founded in 2014) Polish band, Bestie ze Wschodu seems to be directed both on symbolic and lyrical aspects towards a Panal path, and that's not so common especially since the band's music is following a Death Metal way, a modern one, with plenty of Deathcore (yes, you read it well) influences, so from this point of view Pravia seems to be quite original (I also met a Metalcore/Deathcore band from Poland that was mixing its music with Folk, but it sounded so awkward I wasn't able to listen to the whole release). The 9 tracks featured here (a bit over half an hour of playing time) sound quite well curdled, well composed and well executed, presenting us a technical, groovy and promising band, but I felt no Pagan influences whatsoever in their music and in the end it feels awkward to label their music Pagan. I think if they'll be able to incorporate some Folk influences in their music they would have better attraction to the Pagan community, now I don't know how keen is this community to support a Deathcore influenced band. Anyway, I stand by my opinion that this band is promising, they just need to dwelve deeper and find their own way. 7 PROTEAN (Latvia) - The Burning Centuries Beverina - 2015 - Black Metal Debut full-length release from this Latvian quartet founded in 2012, The Burning Centuries is a 7 tracks effort clocking 45 minutes of playing time. Labeling their music as Black Metal wouldn't be sufficient for what you get on this release, yes, it's all based and built on a Black Metal skeleton, but there are plenty of directions Protean reaches the limits of this genre and try to even stretch them towards Pagan / Folk at times, Majestic / Symphonic at others, and even Death Metal territories. The compositions are quite different one from another and even in the same track there are multiple layers but all in all they are successfully building a solid, monolithic atmosphere, with each track a piece of the same puzzle. The technical abilities of these guys are obvious, with emphasis on the sick drumming, killer guitar leads and, well, overall composition potential. Although the cover artwork attracts the eye, I feel it's a bit below what you get on this CD in terms of music so if you're in search of some melodic, technical yet brutal Black Metal releases try this one too, you might have a nice surprise. Released as Digipak CD limited to only 300 copies. 8

REAL CHAOS (Italy) - Consumo interiore Selfreleased - 2015 Death Metal Foggia based trio Real Chaos was founded back in 2010 and this is already their second full-length album, again self-released like the debut one, and continuing their quest for rediscovering the old way of Death Metal, offering the traditional way of Death Metal to their fellow countrymen, or at least mostly to them since their lyrics are in Italian language exclusively and at least this second album doesn't come with the lyrics listed in the CD booklet. Even is you know Italian and are not a native speaker you'll only understand part of what Enzo sings about (mostly social topics, that, from what I understand, are not that challenging, so you're not missing much), although his vocal tone is not really that growling, that incomprehensive. Speaking about the instrumental part of it, this album has teh benefit of a very good, crystal clear sound quality that will allow the listeners to absorb and digest every little effect on it; midtempo to fast paced rhythms, destructive bass lines (probably the best element in Real Chaos' music) and angry vocals, that's how one could sum up the music on RAVNKALD / GJALLARHORN / FJORD these 16 (!) tracks that last for less than 35 minutes in total; for some reason they remind me especially of Paul (International / Ukraine / Canada) - Split Wolftyr / Azermedoth - 2015 - Pagan Black Metal / Pagan Speckman's Master. The word that comes to mind after Black Metal / Folk Metal spinning this disc for a couple of times is: correct; correct

SILENT IMAGES (Sweden) - Knightfall Art Gates - 2016 - Progressive Death Thrash Metalcore Founded in 2011, Silent Images SCARLETH (Ukraine) - The Silver Lining The Leaders - 2015 - Symphonic Gothic Metal managed to release Interesting choice for a two female vocals, one for the their debut EP in 2014 and gothic, operatic, soft vocals, and the other one for here we are 2 years later extreme, growling vocals, and both are very, very good, witnessing the release of their debut full-length album, Irina, the first one is absolutely enchanting, but at the too, everything pretty standard and without surprises I'd same time she sounds powerful and perfectly qualified to say, but that can't be said about the band's music and they lead a band, and Oksana, the second one, is an absolute try to deliver their compositions as intricate, as beast (not talking about her looks here, on the contrary), boundaries-pushing and even as weird as possible. 11 usually I can tell from the first sounds if an extreme tracks, 55 minutes of playing time, a tasteful mix of vocalist is a lady, but not in her case. This is the second Thrash, Death and even Metalcore, with plenty of full-length album released by the Donetsk, Ukraine based melodies, loads of blastbeats, breakdowns, too, and all band, recorded during October 2014 and March 2015 in these lead by a heavily versatile vocalist that doesn't have Kiev though as their hometown was a complete mess (I the best tone in the world, but he tries to reach all corners think) during those days because of the war... even more of his abilities and definitely succeeds in giving his best reasons to respect the band, coming up with such joyful, (the listener will get that and appreciate it, I'm sure); the positive music in such an atmosphere... Oh well, getting guitar work is split between technical riffs, melodic leads, back to the material on this album, we're treated with 9 long solos and most of the time sounds as daring as the tracks, 50 minutes of playing time, a Symphonic Gothic vocals; the bass lines are subtle but very supportive and Metal with Power Metal influences, with diverse self-building; the drumming is among the best things on compositions, excellent production, and truly inspiring this album, complex, yet delivered with feelings. All in all cover artwork. From the oriental infused The Gates of this band offers us a heavily progressive album proving Dark Sun, to the Nighwish influenced One Short Life, to they are capable of reaching high ranks in this scene, in the melancholic Before the Night Falls, to the electro my opinion they should only work more on finding and synth touched Pure Desire, this album is a complete implementing more hooks in their music to make it Symphonic Gothic experience lead by Power Metal memorable, not just impressive. 8 quality guitar riffs and solos, excellent vocals, powerful attitude, and rich, almost progressive at times SINOATH (Italy) - Meanders of arrangements, the band's only "fault" in this case is their Doom location, I bet they would have been seen as a top act by Final Earthbeat - 2015 - Doom now if born in the West of Europe. Highly recommended Metal for fans of Nightwish, Epica, Xandria and not only, Sinoath were first founded back beautiful album! 10 in 1990 (!), but broke up after 6 years. The second installation was in 2003 and it seems they SEPULCHRAL CURSE (Finland) - are active since then although not really productive I'd say; the band only released two albums and a couple of A Birth in Death Chaos and Hell - 2014 demos in almost 20 years of activity, plus this EP I have - Death Metal here and that hopefully will fire them to start releasing Young Finnish quintet founded in 2013 by musicians with more stuff. The music on these 2 tracks (+ an intro) is a at least a few years of Black Death experience underbelt strange combination of all types of Doom and not only, I although I have to admit I don't know any bands they play can even sense a subtle Industrial presence although not or used to play in, except for the vocalist who's Kari in its traditional form. The compositions are ok but a bit Kankaanpaa, already known from his main band, Doom outdated I'd say, the riffs, in major part, are way less than Death champions Solothus. Sepulchral Curse seems to be I was expecting, simple and beaten up, the guitars bring a new enterprise for all of them as the band leans more on no interesting elements to the game here (well, maybe the the old-school Death Metal path, heavily inspired by the leads are a different story); the vocals are a mix of Gothic old Swedish Death Metal scene maybe adding a bit more Rock and Black Metal, comprehensive and scarrygroove from time to time, a more technical approach, and wannabe, but they become monotone after a while; the even some hints of Thrash and Black here and there, so drums sound tied and lazy. The heavy bass lines, on the the overall result is definitely interesting and not boring at other hand, are killer and together with the creepy all. The highlights are Kari's extreme growls and the keyboard backgrounds are the highlight of this band in supporting background screams here and there, the great my opinion, but unfortunately not enough to make them guitar solos and the general atmosphere they all manage interesting. Sorry, not my cup of tea at all. 5 to create. A promising debut EP consisting of 4 tracks and clocking 15 minutes of playing time. 7 SKOLL (Italy) - Of Misty Fire We Are Fallen Angels - 2016 - Pagan SHROUD OF SATAN (Germany) - At the Behest of Black Metal Time Sol - 2015 - Black Metal The Italian Skoll was founded Wow, everything about this release screams evil and more than 20 years ago and this darkness, starting from the band's name, the band's is their fourth full-length album sombre and blasphemic images, mysterious title, simple to date, a 7 tracks effort and grim cover artwork and booklet lay-out, and ending clocking almost 50 minutes of playing time. The band with the lyrics and music on it, of course, it really feels features members with serious experience on the Italian like this band is genuine, and that doesn't happen so often. Black Metal scene from bands like Opera IX or The True Founded in 2012, the band released an EP a year later and Endless, bands that shouldn't be a mystery to anyone at here I have their debut album, out in 2015 on Sol the moment, so both the band's longevity and its band Records, a truly traditional ('90's) Satanic Black Metal members experience leads us to think we're dealing with a release that unveils a band that seems to be honest and mature, serious band that has passed the test of time. The absolutely dedicated to their craft. At first I was a bit music on this new album is not innovative or highly puzzled by the low sounding drums but got used to this complex, but it's exactly what you'd expect from a midsound pretty fast and kind of understood its role after a tempo Black Metal with important Pagan influences and while, it adds a lot to the deeply oppressive atmosphere lyrical topics about epic battles and situations. The this album has. The rhythm section is mostly fast paced, atmospheres are mostly epic and quite uplifing, but there but there are some somber mid-tempo moments as well, are some parts of the album when the music becomes

Heavy Metal By the look of it I was expecting some sort of Death Metal, no softer music, I tell you; the cover artwork is sinister enough, the band's logo pretty Death Metal-ish, too, and somehow the album title leads you that way, too. But of course I was wrong, Australian Temtris are playing a mid-tempo to (mostly) fast paced Heavy Metal, female fronted, with occasional growling vocals in the backgrounds to emphasize the horror atmosphere. This is the band's fourth full-length since '99 when it was founded, a 12 tracks effort totaling 52 minutes of melodic yet powerful Heavy Metal; although it's lead by a female vocalist and that might lead your thoughts to mellow stuff, that's another mislead, Temtris' music and Genevieve's vocals are pretty rough at the edges, and especially her vocals are fierce and commanding, nothing TANKRUST like a girl but rather a real woman, not sure if I can (France) - The Fast transmit the point this way. The occasional Thrash Metal influences are excellent, more on my liking, more of Solace Selfreleased - 2015 - energetic and even angrier than the general attitude of the Thrash Hardcore Death Metal album. The band's music and vocalist reminds me of Followup to their 2013 EP, this debut album from Bulgaria's Rampart, an American-inspired tough Heavy Tankrust features 10 tracks spread over 35 minutes of Metal only for the fanatics of this genre, definitely not Thrash, Hardcore, Death Metal and a bit of Deathcore too, mainstream. 7.5 a cool and refreshing mix for an old-schooler like me. The album opens with the excellent DMZ track, that also TERRORFRONT benefits of a professional videoclip, a track that absolutely (Italy) - We Don't deserves to be the first single off of this album, and Come in Peace judging by how the rest of the tracks are following, I'd say Lupus Niger - 2015 it shouldn't be the only one either, at least 2 or 3 other Thrash Black Metal tracks would deserve a video and be promoted like hell Debut EP by this for the simple fact that they are catchy; these talented quartet hailing from the beautiful and brutal musicians have found a good middle way to mix melody, Napoli, a recording made of 3 of their own tracks, a groove, aggression and keep things interesting at the same Bestial Mockery cover, and an intro that's pretty much the time. The guitar work is absolutely killer here offering only thing connected with the war-like cover picture. The some of the best riffs I've heard in a while, the drummer music is quite primitive, live recorded, very raw in quality does a good job as well, and the bass, although subtle, but better sounding than your usual rehearsal demo, and keeps things heavy; the vocal parts are excellently frankly doesn't impress much. By the cover artwork and thought, but I think a bit more comprehension in tone tracks titles I was expecting some War Metal, but actually wouldn't hurt at all, kids would have something more than this is a mix of aggressive and old-school Thrash, Black just catchy rythms and attitude, words are equally and maybe even some Death Metal, played at high important, but they need to be understood even if you're a intensity, but without any special moments to keep for Death Metal band (well, not talking about the brutal bands you after the audition. I liked the ferocious vocals, both here, of course). The production is clear and professional the main vocals and the supporting screams, and the but not as powerful as this material would deserve, yet energy and hate the band managed to deliver on this debut that's not a problem in enjoying the record. As their EP, EP, hope their next release will have more hooks, more this debut album is also self-released, in digipak format things to enjoy. This EP was released as slim case prowith an 8 pages booklet featuring all lyrics, and an CDR and comes with a 4 pages booklet featuring all intriguing cover artwork most probably made with real lyrics. 6 blood. A band to keep an eye on for the future, but in the meantime I recommend this album, give it a chance at TERRORHAMMER least for a free audition on the net. 8 (Serbia) - Under the Unholy Command Deathrune - 2015 TANVARPMENKV (Russia) - Goatizm Nomos Dei - 2012 - Black Death Metal Speed Thrash Black A new old release from Nomos Dei if I may say so, the Metal debut album of a band with an impossible name, I wanted to start this Tanvarpmenkv, I have to check letter by letter when review with a rant about writing their name, I wouldn't even dare to pronounce it... how superficial this "true metal revival" became in such The CD comes with a massive 28 pages booklet, but after short time and how many posers "support" this type of seeing multiple other Nomos Dei releases I wouldn't call bands online but "forget" to support them when it comes this an exception, this label likes to offer out of the to buying their stuff and actually supporting them, but I ordinary productions. The band (see, I'm done even guess saying what I just said should be enough, noone writing their name, haha) offers 8 tracks in a total playing cares anyway. time of 37 minutes, a debut album that comes after 5 Terrorhammer's debut album comes out 5 years after the years since the band was founded (they activated under a foundation of the band, 5 years with plenty of drama and different name since 2007, and this album was out in tension that left the band in its current form, a duo with 2012), and now, when I'm writing this, 4 years after its Pentagramator on vocals and guitars and B.B.K. Necro release they still haven't followed up with a new material, Doctor on bass. For this debut album they invited Butcher so we're dealing with either an extremely lazy group or (aka. Honza Kapak from Avenger and Panychida, one of with one that doesn't take their activity that serious; either my fave Czech musicians) to track the drums and the end way for them it will be impossible to build a following result I'm sure delighted both members of the band as this way. Tanvarpmenkv are making a technical and drums play a major (if not the biggest) role on this album. intricate form of Black Death Metal with walls after walls Under the Unholy Command features 8 tracks + intro and of massive guitar riffs, blasting drums all over, demonic clocks 35 minutes of fast to insanely fast paced old-school vocals, and what impressed me the most, a lot of traces of evil metal, a mix of Speed, Heavy, Thrash, Black and Progressive Death Metal, too, something I wouldn't even incipient Death Metal, fast music with plenty of expect from a band that seems to take the traditional, old- blasphemy and disgust in their lyrics, highlighted by a school way as path to follow. The whole material sounds raw sounding evil vocalist, thrashing guitar riffs, heavy well done, carefully planned and structured, and if you'll pounding bass lines and almost relentless drums, all listen carefully you'll discover plenty of little things to supported by an organic yet crystal clear production. For

this genre I really have no bad comments on this album, I'm sure real fans of it will find Under the Unholy Command an extremely tasty material and won't regret their spent money, speaking for my taste I wanted to hear something to remember the band on after the audition, but I'm afraid I won't remember any track after. Released on CD, Vynil and digital versions by Deathrune, and what I have here is the CD version that features a nice 12 pages booklet with all lyrics. 8

follow each and every instrument while still enjoying the overall experience; the organic drumming is also a plus, even more since the drummer is excellent; the bass lines are intense and very influential on the final outcome; the vocals could have been a bit more versatile, but the guys sounds passionate and has a sick tone, perfect for thsi type of music. Two tracks didn't made up a complete impression on the new The Everscathed, but as a whole this EP is well worth your time; a good slab of mid-tempo to fast paced US style Death Metal, ugly and direct to the THE BURNING DOGMA bone. 8 (Italy) - No Shores of Hope Sliptrick - 2016 - Electro THE OLD CRONE (Poland) Blackened Death Metal Monsters Wow, very far from what I Selfreleased - 2016 - Stoner Rock expected when finding the Not sure if this is an EP or a demo, band's profile on Metal but my guess is it's a demo since Archives, The Burning the production is quite limited if Dogma's music, or at least the not even live recorded in a single one the band offers on this debut full-length, has nothing take. Anyway, the production fits to do with Doom Metal, but I would rather pinpoint their well with the music, I'm of the compositions between a Blackened Death Metal and a opinion Stoner music needs to be a bit (if not more) dirty Melodic Death Metal with lots of Electronic inserts all and of course organic sounding. The Old Crone are over the place yet not influencing the actual tracks but hailing from Poland and this is the follow-up to their rather managing to calm things down between a track and debut album, The Undertaker Blues, released in 2014, another. The overall impression is of a highly energetic, album I haven't had the chance to listen to, but again this even aggressive band (there are some parts when you can is not one of my fave styles either. The guitars are pure say you're dealing with a Brutal Death Metal band...) and Stoner Rock, abrasive and laid back, the drums are quite the atmosphere that dominates on this disc is mysterious groovy, the bass lines have a precise and important role in and dark, always in expectance of the worst creatures to the overall atmosphere, and last but not least the female crawl out of the shadows at any time; very successful vocalist tries her best to be as versatile as possible, and he atmosphere I have to stress out. Although at first I thought succeeds to offer an interesting display influenced in my the Black Metal type of vocals would go on forever opinion by the Alternative and Grunge movements, but without any fluctuations I was wrong, there's plenty of not only. The material sounds interesting but not curdled versatility on the vocal level of this album reaching even and complete enough to stand out, but for sure it's the addition of a female vocalist as guest; the guitar work promising. 6.5 is impressive, with emphasis on the amazing long and expressive solos; the rhythm section is faultless I'd say, THE SHIVA HYPOTHESIS (Holland) - Promo 2015 and last but not least the keyboards (a la Dimmu Borgir at Selfreleased - 2015 - Black Death Metal times) are absolutely perfect, from subtle and supportive I thought this was a young band since this is their debut to leading and influential they manage to evoke the dark EP, but it seems they were formed back in 2012, so not feelings throughout the album. I have to mention the that young anymore... This debut features 3 long tracks interesting, well thought lyrics as well as the impressive totaling 20 minutes of mid-tempo to fast paced Black cover artwork, all leading towards an excellent debut Death Metal. After the first audition I have to say it didn't album I recommend you to give a chance to. 8.5 impress me, the music is good, the compositions are complex and technical, but the nowadays overcrowded Black Death scene made me imune to a lot of such bands, THE EVERSCATHED (USA) - Scars to Bare In Death - 2015 - Death Metal but I decided to give the EP another listen, and then Here we are, 7 years after the release of the EP I just another, this time with the booklet in front, reading its reviewed and The Everscathed are still alive and kicking, lyrics, and it started to grow on me, I started to get it or at although with only one member still on the barricades, W. least to form myself an atmosphere, a story to go along Frickenstein, the band's leader, supported by John with the music and it made sense, especially since I saw Contreras on drums and Allen Mate on guitars. This is the the vocals and wording are right on the music, are band's third full-length, an 8 tracks effort totaling 40 following the music's rhythm, not sure if I make myself minutes of Death Metal a bit more Thrash-influenced than clear here, but many of the nowadays bands' vocalist just what I heard earlier, and honestly I don't think I like this recite (well, better said scream, growl, roar) the words to new version of the band more. Definitely the synthetic get it over with, they have nothing in common with the drums' sound on this album is a major minus for me, it actual rhythms simply because they believe the tonality acts like an aggression reducer, and I'm sure that wasn't should do the work, but that's not true. So this guy (or the intention of the band. The bass lines are as intense and guys, as all of the 4 members have their share of vocals it influential as before, and the vocals continue on the same seems) is laying his vocals the right way, in perfect demented line proving they are fit for this music, but all in harmony with the music, which made it easier for me to all this album didn't convinced me as much as the EP did. "get" the lyrics and blend them with the whole The good thing about it is that it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stick to a composition. The band's music is technical, complex, particular path, the compositions are pretty different one melodic, and energetic mix of Black and Death with an from the other but in the end you still get the impression emphasis on the Black Metal side though, and after a few the band sounds curdled and works towards a well- (maybe even 10 now) spins of this disc I can easily say defined outcome. 6.5 they have potential, they are a band to follow closely and be attentive at what they'll have to offer on their debut THE album. 7 EVERSCATHED (USA) - The Devil's THOKKIAN Cross VORTEX (USA) Selfreleased - 2008 - Death Metal Into the Nagual Founded in 2003 from the ashes of local Death Metal act Unexploded - 2016 - Black Metal Enmortem which didn't manage to get out too much with Finally, after many, many years of more or less activity, their demos and 1 EP, The Everscathed are a pretty active Kaiaphas, well-known ex-member in Ancient and Grand band on discographic level, but this material I'm currently Belial's Key, is back with a new album of his project, writing about is a 2008 EP which probably is still Thokkian Vortex, formerly known as Thokk until 2006. available for ordering directly from the band. Made of 2 Now as a trio, Thokkian Vortex deliver a traditional Black originals, 2 covers (Samael's Baphomet's Throne and Metal album that I'm sure many will have on their Cancer's Hung, Drawn and Quartered), plus a track left purchase list. 11 tracks, 51 minutes of playing time, guest from the defunct Enmortem, The Devil's Cross clocks 21 appearances by Lord Ahriman (Dark Funeral), Scorpios minutes of playing time and is pretty entertaining but still (Melechesh, Zemial, Crimson Moon), Mantus (Patria, sounding unpolished and unpretentious. The organic, Mysteriis) and Vargblod (Draugul, Kaospath), and music almost live-rehearsal-sounding yet keeping things that could be labeled as theatrical and expressive impressively crystal-clear, might work as a charm for traditional (a la Dark Funeral mostly) and organic Black many or as an impediment for others, I personally Metal with loads of influences some of good taste, recognize this US style of recording (heard it to lots of improving the dark, mysterious and highly evil bands from over there) and have nothing against it, atmosphere of this album and some completely out of the especially since everything sounds so clear and you can picture, like on the Industrial'n'Roll track Evil Sluts of

WITCHFIELD (Italy) Sabbatai Zevi Black Widow - 2015 Psychedelic Doom Metal Witchfield is a project of Thomas Chaste, initial drummer of Death SS (back in the 70's and 80's), started out in 2006 as a band with full line-up, and reaching at this point a one man band status with Thomas taking care of almost everything and involving other musicians only as guests. It took him quite some time to follow-up the band's debut album from 2009, but here we have the latest full-length, a 9 tracks effort clocking 50 minutes of Doom Rock / Metal highlighted by psychedelic '70's like organ, very rich and influential bass lines, slow, mesmerizing rhythms and atmospheres ranging from mid-tempo positive to slow, almost depressive ones, to other more Horror flicks influenced. Unfortunately Thomas' voice is nothing I'd like to listen to again, it's not annoying but not good either, and I feel there's where this album loses a lot of points; on a couple of tracks he invited a lady to lead the vocals and she's doing a much better work for sure. The guitar work, except for a few harmonies here and there, is also quite unimpressive, so all in all, despite the mastermind’s impressive name and background, Witchfield is not something I'd like to listen to soon, probably except for the last track which seems to be from another movie altogether (female vocals, plenty of heavy atmospheres, good guitars, bewitching repetitive X PUS (Italy) - Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth rhythms). 6 Another Side - 2016 - Black Death Metal

English written, last issue, the 6th, has 356 A4 pages (!!!); amazing quantity and quality of articles; features all types of Metal and comes with Finnish Death Metal compilation CDs! Contact: quadrivium.magazine@gmail.com, qvadrivivm.blogspot.com Sadistic Screams (UK) English written, A4 format, good print, clean layout, big fonts, maybe a bit too much dead space; focused on Traditional and Extreme Metal, Punk and Hardcore Contact: nuclearabominator@yahoo.com, facebook.com/S666Screams Sinister Stench (UK) English written, A4 format, professional print, black/white, clean layout; Black and Death Metal zine Contact: sinisterstench.co.uk Streetcleaner (Germany) German written, A4 pages, clean layout, lots of interviews and articles, reviews; an all Metal zine that makes me sorry I don't know German Contact: wolfgang.schmeer@gmx.de Contact: repudiate666@hotmail.com Forgotten Path (Lithuania) English written, A4 format, 100+ glossy black/white pages (!); one of the best if not THE best Underground Black Metal zine in Europe! A MUST! Contact: forgotten.path.mag@gmail.com, forgotten-path.lt Golgotha (Germany) English written, A5 format, normal fonts, black/white pages, professional print, clean layout; Traditional and Extreme Metal zine Contact: gnosis@hotmail.de Headbangers (Holland) English written, A5 format, 200+ pages (!!!), clean layout, professional print, colour cover, looking like a spiral notebook, very original look; one of my favorite zines all times, featuring all sort of Rock & Metal, written with so much enthusiasm and devition it's contagious! A MUST! Contact: headbangerszineandgigs.com Headsplit (USA) English written, A4 format, excellent cut&paste layout, tons of impressive drawings, good quality print on colored pages; magnificent zine for Old School Traditional and Extreme Metal! Contact: darklyastir@gmail.com, headsplitrecords.blogspot.com Hellfucking Metal (Greece) English written, A4 format, black/white print, combination of normal and cut&paste layout, acceptable print; focused on Traditional and Extreme Metal Contact: dynamite_prod@yahoo.gr InExtremis (France) English written, A5 format, professional print, black/white pages, clean layout, small fonts; Black Metal focused, but featuring all sorts of Extreme Metal Contact: extremis666@hotmail.com Knife (Denmark) English written, cut&paste layout, black/white pages, lots of dead spaces; focused on Traditional and Extreme Metal; I kinda expected way more from it... Contact: kongerneafkaos@gmail.com Metal Horde (Portugal) English written, A5 format, professional print, clean layout, small fonts, black/white pages with black on yellow / green / red / brown, etc. covers; featuring all sortd of Metal, one of the most ambitious and hard-working zine editors out there! Contact: metalhordezine@gmail.com NecroMortem Tormentor (Poland) English written, A4 format, stapledphotocopied black/white pages; Extreme Metal of all sorts except modern stuff; released by three already known editors Contact: knokkelmann1@yahoo.com.au, pawlak666@poczta.onet.pl, necroscope1@wp.pl Panzerfaust (Poland) English written, A4 format, stapled photocopied pages (good quality), black/white, cut&paste, small fonts; focused on Death Metal but not only Contact: m_olczak@wp.pl, facebook.com/panzerfaust.zine Perverse Gospel (Finland) English written, A4 format, professional print, black on purple covers, cut&paste layout, funny way of writing the articles; Black, Death and Traditional Metal focused Contact: facebook.com/PerverseGospelzine Posthuman (Hungary) English written, A5 format, professional print, cut&paste layout, small fonts, black/white pages; Metal, Grind, Punk, Crust and others Contact: posthumanzine@gmail.com, posthuman.hu Quadrivium (Finland)