Truthseeker Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording and new release of the new album?

I've just been working on getting the CD and cassette editions of the album printed. I'm working with a label on that endeavor, and we should have them printed in the next couple of months.

2.You recently released a new album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taking and also how much progress do you feel you have made since the last ep?

The new album is rooted in the same primary elements as the EP, and expands on them in several different ways. The songs on "Weightless at Dawn" were the first songs ever written for the project, but there was a distinct style to them that needed to be elaborated on. I had plenty of time to reflect on the EP before making the album, and that helped make a lot of progress as far as identifying what the Truthseeker sound is, and how to expand on it properly.

3.The music is all instrumental, you are planning on adding vocals in the future?

I consider it sometimes. Even if I started singing there would still be some instrumental pieces. That's just the way I write with this project.

4.What are some of the themes and images you bring out with your music?

I guess a "theme" I've worked with so far is is capturing a single emotion or a certain state of mind with each song, and staying on that single emotion/mindframe to the end, instead of bouncing around to different feelings. This way each song encapsulates a significant feeling or perspective that can be easily revisited by listening to the song again.

The imagery for me is, in the case of the new album, always a dark blue piece of scenery, of a place that's important to me personally. However it's as if I'm looking at it from the afterlife, and I'm observing these old places and these feelings that defined me when I was alive, but now I can look at them the same way we look at paintings and photographs right now, and draw a meaning from them as such.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Truthseeker'?

The name came from a conversation with a friend I had for a short while. She was something of an adviser and teacher to me on a spiritual level, but she had cancer when I met her which she succumbed to just a few months later. In one of our conversations she told me I "have the soul of a Truthseeker." I don't know how deep the meaning was behind her saying that, but it was a nice thing to hear...so naming my solo project Truthseeker was a way of honoring and remembering the fact that this brilliant person believed in me on that level.

6.Currently the music project is solo but there was another band member in the past, are you planning on using using musicians again for this project or do you choose to remain solo?

Remaining solo just feels right. However I am interested in playing live at some point, which of course I would need other musicians for. As far as writing and recording goes, I feel really comfortable doing it alone.

7.According to the fb page, the project is signed to Dissociation Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

That is my personal label, for the music I put out. It's not really a fully functional label (signing other acts, etc.) as it is just a moniker for all my independent releases.

8.What is going on with your other musical projects these days?

I'm in a progressive rock band called Vine with my friend Justin, and we are putting our first album together right now, which I'm very excited about. Other than that, I have just been writing a lot of new stuff, for Obsidian Tongue and Truthseeker.

9.What direction do you see Truthseeker heading into on future releases?

I'm always just chasing the sounds and melodies that are in my head, which I feel I'm getting closer and closer to. All I can say is future releases will be the style of music I hear in my mind all the time. I can't really explain the sound right now.

10.What are some bands or musical style that have had an influence on this musical project?

The sound is influenced by hard rock/classic rock, progressive rock, doom metal, classical music, and ambient music. The primary artists that inspire me with the band are Pink Floyd, Rush, Robert Fripp, Led Zeppelin, Anathema, Morne, and Cliff Burton's work with Metallica.

11.Has there ever been any live shows with this musical project?

Not yet. Hopefully soon!

12.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thank you for your interest, and for inviting me to do this interview. It was a pleasure.

https://truthseeker1.bandcamp.com/

Descend Into Despair/The Bearer Of All Storms/Domestic Genocide/2014 CD Review

  Descend  Into  Despair  are  a  band  from  Romania  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "The  Bearer  Of  All  Storms"  which  was  released  by  Domestic  Genocide  Records.

  The  album  starts  out  with  atmospheric  synths  and  a  few  seconds  alter  drums  are  added  into  the  music  which  leads  up  to  dark,  melodic  and  heavy  guitars  along  with  growls  which  also  bring  in  black  metal  elements  and  they  also  keep  around  the  atmospheric  parts  and  add  in  drones  at  times.

  As   the album  progresses  the  music  gets  more  dark,  depressive,  tragic  and  melodic  with  a  melancholic  atmosphere  which  brings  an  epic  feeling  to  the  recording  while  also  remaining  heavy  and  slow  all  at  the  same  time  and  clean  singing  vocals  are  added  onto  the  record  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  small  amounts  of  clean  playing  and  symphonic  elements.

  When  we  get  more  into  the  album  you  can  hear  melodic  guitar  leads  making  their  presence  known   and  you  can  also  hear  acoustic  guitars  being  added  into  the  music  at  times  and  they  bring  a  progressive  feeling  to  the  recording  and  on  the  4th  song  spoken  word  parts  are  added  in  and  the  album  starts  having  a  ritualistic  quality  to  it  and  on  later  tracks  ambient  elements  are  brought  in  and  there  is  not  one  short  song  present  on  this  album.

  Throughout  the  recording  the  music  remains  in  a  slow  direction  and  never  speeds  up  while  still  offering  a  great  amount  of  variety  and  diversity  and  the  music  can  be  soft  at  times  and  heavy  at  others  but  always  retaining  a  very  dark  atmosphere  and  on  one  of  the  songs  depressive  black  metal  screams  are  added  in  briefly  and  on  the  last  song  the  bass  guitars  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Descend  Into  Despair  take  the  funeral  doom  genre  and  add  in  a  great  amount  of  atmospheric  as  well  as  diversity  to  create  an  epic  that  is  very  epic  and  melancholic  and  they  use  more  variety  than  most  bands  of  this  genre.

  Song  lyrics  cover  dark,  depressive  and  metaphysical  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  dark  sound  along  with  all  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Descend  Into  Despair  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  funeral  doom  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Portrait  Of  Rust"  "The  Horrific  Pale  Awakening"  and  "Embrace  Of  Earth".  8/5  out  of  10.

http://domesticgenocide.bandcamp.co

Order Of Victory/Calamitis Virtutis Occasio Est/Casus Belli Musica/2014 EP Review

  Order  of  Victory  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  style  that  combines  martial  and  neo  folk  music  together  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Calamitis  Virtutis Occasio  Est"  which  was  released  by  Casus  Belli  Musica.

  The  ep  starts  out  with  flutes  and  spoken  word  parts  and  a  few  seconds  later  acoustic  guitars  and  melodic  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  tribal  style  drums  and  synths  a  few  seconds  later  and  the  second  song  starts  out  with  World  War  II  samples  before  adding  in  folk  instruments  as  well  as  going  into  a  more  atmospheric  direction  while  also  having  militant  drums.

  Song  lyrics are  written  in  Russian  and  cover  the  writings  of  Yurily  P.  Voronov,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  and  powerful  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Order  Of  Victory  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  martial  and  neo-folk  music,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Memory".  8/5  out  of  10.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXHPMSccDs8   

Immundus Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new release?

2013 was a very busy year, which keep me away from Immundus music most of the time, although I been working with Immundus, mainly 2013 was a year for exclusive music for media for Resource Sound. Im now back on track composing a new Immundus release that has been set for April 2014, even though is still not 100% sure about the exact date, things are going great on the background and moving towards this main goal.

2.You have a new album coming out this year, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it will be taken and also how does it differ from your past recordings?

Im never good expressing the music direction, but I can assure will definitely have more music aspects and less experimental features. Im not so sure if it will differ too much about the past recordings because I would like to keep the Immundus musical identity on all my recordings, so I guess it will have a nice blend of previews and new elements to it. For fans and listeners who have related more to earlier releases should have something too look forward too.

3.What are some of the themes and concepts the newer music explores?

The new coming album will be entitled “Insomnia” . Will be a conceptual album as well, as I prefer to create stories through music and make meaning on my releases rather than just throwing in tracks to fill in spots. I have moved on from the previous concepts though and am creating a new one for this. It will be based on a more personal level and experiences and mind hauntings if one could say that. Will have less “terror” themes to it but with a more Ghost / Tense Ambient Approach. At the moment I am writing the music as Im going along and will have more feeling and less technical aspects to it. Im really happy how it is turning out at the moment so Im looking forward to put up some samples soon.

4.A couple of years back you released on ep based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this author?

Edgar A. Poe was one of the biggest and is one of the most famous poets when it comes to dark, macabre and romantic poetry who has influenced many music artists within the gothic and dark music. I am not particular familiar to all of his work, but what I have read has also inspired me to create music, even before the EP. But was a great opportunity to create this EP, which first started actually as a song I had submitted to a compilation based on his works, that got me so inspired to write more, so I simply did it and made this EP, even though is quite short, seems to have had a huge impact on a lot of listeners, considering the amount of downloads it has gotten on different platforms around the web.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Immundus'?

Immundus name came up in the late 90s early 2000s as a stage name I had Necrokult Of Kronos, a black / death metal band which I was vocalist and bassist. After I moved to Norway the band ended and I decided to keep the name Immundus with me to this music project, as I saw it very fitting the the music I was intending to create. Immundus comes from latin which means, foul, impure, unclean, which I can relate the music I create to it on a more philosophical level.

6.You have worked with both metal and ambient projects over the years, how would you compare the 2 genres?

Well, these are two completely different worlds and by coincidence seems to be a lot of metal artists that moves on from a band into creating ambient music, myself included. Although these are completely separate worlds, I guess the fact that the dark and heavy moods they create would be possibly the strong elements that combine both genres, I know it does for me, not because of the music elements that are included, but most because of the intense atmosphere these genres can create around those who listen to it.

7.With this musical project you work solo, do you feel this adds to the creativity of the music?

Yeah, being able to create whatever goes on my mind, most of all. It was great to play with the band and we always got along great and had no problems composing music and making the sound, we were a good family there, but the fact that when Im composing my own music, I’m creating my own world and not only that, I can express myself through music, the way I want too without having to answer to anything or anyone, is the most important factor, this brings my creativity to the max.

8.You call your music Ghost and Cinematic Horror Music, can you tell us a little bit more about it?

haha, yes, well, my music has been called many things, at some point people entitled me as one of the pioneers of Ghost Ambient music along with Tor Lundvall. I guess i can live with that and yes, I do feel I write my music under that main concept when it comes to Immundus. But because I include more elements to it, more than ghostly atmospheres I decided to add cinematic and horror my music description, which are the main elements on which I base my compositions.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of dark ambient?

The Feedback has been outstanding, and I see more and more people listening to this music. I can also see by the amounts of downloads I am getting on several online stores, apparently not all fans of dark ambient but also people who listens to completely different music listens to it. I can always say..mehh..it could be better, well, it can always be better, but I also see a lot of artists afraid that dark ambient music will become mainstream, I don’t get it, everyone wants their music heard, but want to make it difficult to get it……idiotic. I decided to bring my music to the audience, and despite having more listeners nowadays I still feel my music the same way and do what I want without thinking how fans will react….Im glad the reaction has been great, but that is not the most important.

10.What is going on with your other musical projects these days?

Nowadays, I have them all every other projects on ice. I am 100% focused on Immundus as these music is what gives me most pleasure composing. Im not sure if the other projects will be back again, but as I see it at the moment, most likely they remain underwater.

11.Music wise, where do you see yourself heading into during the future?

I will keep on writing more Immundus music, that is for sure, and also since I joined Resource Sound, I will be writing more exclusive music for TV, Films and other Media as well and hope I can continue on the same path as I am right now, since it is definitely heading the right way. Moving onwards always.

12.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I try not to think nor listen too much music when I am composing as this usually might interfere to my own music. I know it is unavoidable but still I prefer to keep it as original as possible, non the less, Dark Ambient elements and others within dark genres will still be in my music, not through any particular artist or sound, is just the nature of Ambient Music.

I listen to a lot of variety, from extreme to experimental and more alternative genres. I try to avoid radio as much as I can, but now and then come cool 80s tunes pops up and is so much better than the music that is being commercialised on the radios today. They have ruined the music and all we can do we bring up ours and show them something new….and different. Im still optimistic with the hope that this pop trend will end and all nature will be back to its due course.

13.How would you describe your views on Occultism?

Don’t take me wrong, but I never discuss, politics, religions nor related subjects. I am interested on the occult on more on a quest for knowledge, and the mysterious side of life, other than practice itself. I done my share….

14.Do you have any non musical interests?

When Im not working on any music, I really like to snowboard, is a great sport and gives a good thrill!!

15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

I wanted to say thanks for this…been a long while since my last interview.

For listeners: get music directly from the artists so we can fund more releases and don’t be afraid to like us on Facebook

For music artists: don’t be afraid to expose your music to the masses, it will not make you more or less underground, by the end of the day with will still be all about You and your Music and what you want to do with it.

Visit my site at: http://www.immundusofficial.weebly.com facebook: www.facebook.com/immundusnorway or listen to some of my music on reverbnation: reverbnation.com/immundus

:novemthree:/Of My Mother's Wearing Wanderings/2006 CD Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  :novemthree:  which  continues  their  psychedelic  approach  to  neo  folk  music  with  the  album  being  self  released  in  2006  and  called  "Of  My  Mother's  Wearing  Wanderings".

  The  album  starts  out  with  flutes  and  after  the  intro acoustic  guitars  which  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  as  well  as  melodic  vocals  make  their  way  onto  the  album  and  you  can  also  hear  percussion's  in  the  background  and  they  music  gets  more  psychedelic  as  time  goes  on  by  as  well  as  using  flutes  on  the  other  songs  as  well  which  brings  in  a  more  ritualistic  and  pagan  feeling  to  the  album  and  on  the  last  song  you  can  hear  elements  of  drone  being  added  onto  the  record.

  Song  lyrics cover  depressive  and  nature  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  and  old  school  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  album.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  :novemthree:  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  psychedelic  neo  folk,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Celebration  Of"  "Drifting"  and  "  A  Mother's  Wish".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://novemthree.bandcamp.com/

:novemthree:/Fog & Leaves/2004 EP Review

  :novemthree:  are  a  band  from  Washington  that  plays  a  ritualistic  form  of  psychedelic  folk  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2004  ep  "Fog  &  Leaves".

  The  ep  starts  off  with  acoustic  guitars  which  utilize  both  finger  picking  and  full  chords  and  on  the  second  song  percussion's,  psychedelic  rock  influences  and  melodic  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  and  on  the  follow  song  synths  are  added  onto  the  ep  and  they  bring  a  different  sound  to  each  of  the  5  songs  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  Song  themes  cover  nature,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  and  old  school  60's  sound  with  only  5  really  short  songs  being  present  on  this  ep.

  In  my  opinion  :novemthree:  are  a  very  great  sounding  psychedelic  neo-folk  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fog  &  Leaves"  and  "Gone".  8  out  of  10.

https://novemthree.bandcamp.com/

Sangre De Muerdago/Demo 2007 Review

  Sangre  De  Muerdago  are  a  band  from  Spain  that  plays  a  mixture  of   Galician  and  Neo  folk  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2007  demo.

  The  demo  starts  out  with  acoustic  guitar  playing  which  uses  both  full  chords  and  finger  picking  along  with  some  percussion  and  the  demo  is  all  improv  and  there  are  no  vocals  present  on  the  3  songs  and  the  recording  also  has  a  medieval  feeling  that  goes  back  to  the  pagan  days.

  Song  themes  cover  Galician  folklore,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  and  raw  sound  to  it  with  only  3  songs  being  present.

  In  my  opinion  Sangre  De  Muerdago  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  Galician  and  Neo  Folk  Music  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Sangue  da  Terra".  8  out  of  10.

https://sangredemuerdago.bandcamp.com/

NauseA/Nors'Klh/A Vision Of Nothingness/Hypnotic Dirge Records/2009 Split Album Review

   This  is  a  review  of  a  split  album  between  Poland's  NauseA  and  France's  Nors'Klh  called  "A  Vision  of  Nothingness"  which  was  released  in  2009  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Nors'Klh  which  plays  dark  ambient.

   There  side  of  the  album  starts  off  with  dark  ambient  drones  and  synths  and  a  minute  later  their  music  gets  a  little  more  louder  and  when  they  go  into  other  songs  you  can  hear  some  drum  programming  being  added  into  the  music  as  well  as  more  experimental  elements  and  each  song  they  bring  in  has  a  different  sound  while  also  utilizing  a  great  amount  of  drones  and  atmosphere.

  Song  themes  cover  science  and  astronomy,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  and  powerful  sound  to  it  along  with  a  couple  of  their  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Nors'Klh  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  ambient/drone  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Meet  the  Pulsar"  and  "The  Event  Horizon".

  Next  up  is  NauseA  another  dark  ambient  project.

  There  side  of  the  album  starts  up  with  experimental  noises  along  with  drones  and  atmospheric  ambient  synths  and  a  couple  of  minutes  later  you  can  hear  some  programmed  beats  start  to  kick  in  and  when  their  music  goes  into  other  songs  the  drones  get  more  dark  and  esoteric  sounding  and  every  song  has  its  own  dark  and  evil  sound  to  it.

  Song  themes  cover  darkness  and  metaphysical  topics,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  and  powerful  sound  with  the  last  song  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  NauseA  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  dark  ambient/drone  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Odyssey  To  The  Abyss"  and  "The  Birth  of  Light".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  dark  ambient  and  drone.  8/5  out  of  10.

https://www.hypnoticdirgerecords.com/download006.php   

Ancient Tundra/The Desolation Of An Artic Landscape/Dead Moon Records/2009 CD Review

  Ancient  Tundra  are  a  musical  project  from  the  United  States  that  plays  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2009  album  "The  Desolation  Of  An  Artic  Landscape"  which  was  released  by  Dead  Moon  Records.

  The  album  begins  with  nature  sounds  and  dark  ambient  synths  which  also  use  of  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys  and  the  recording  gets  more  epic  and  atmospheric  as  times  goes  on  by  as  well  as  adding  drones  into  certain  sections  of  the  music  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  black  metal  vocals being  used  on  a  couple  of  songs  and  each  song  has  a  different  sound  to  it  while  also  remaining  true  to  dark  ambient.

  Song  themes cover  nature  and  darkness  along  with  one  of  the  song  titles  being  in  Norwegian,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  sound  with  the  synths  being  very  powerful  sounding  as  well  as  most  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Ancient  Tundra  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric,  dark  ambient  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bring  Forth  Winter"  Nostalgic  Depression"  "Triumphant  Nature"  and  "Journey  Across  The  Barren  lands".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://www.hypnoticdirgerecords.com/download003.php

Immundus.The Method Learned II/Hypnotic Dirge Records/2009 EP Review

  Immundus  is  a  solo  project  from  Norway  that  has  been  featured  recently  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  style  he  calls  Cinematic,  Horror  Music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2009  ep  "The  method  learned  II"  which  was  released  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records  and  also  has  some  session  musicians.

  The  ep  starts  out  with  some  dark  experimental  sounds  along  with  some  ambient  drones  and  the  music  gets  more  diverse  after  a  few  seconds  and  minutes  and  on  the  second  song  more  traditional  ambient  elements  are  added  into  the  music while  also  still  utilizing  a  great  amount  of  drones  and  there  are  quest  appearances  from  Frederick  Klingwall,  Nausea,  In(S)cissors,  and  Sphere-Sounds.

  Song  themes  are  based  on  the  writings  of  G.  James  Wyrick,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Immundus  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Decoy"  and  "Repentance  of  Midnight".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.hypnoticdirgerecords.com/download003.php

Requiem Nocturne/Hands Resist Him/Hypnotic Dirge Records/2009 CD Review

  Requiem  Nocturne  are  a  band  from  an  unknown  location  that  plays  a  dark  form  of  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2009  album  "Hands  Resist  Him"  which  was  released  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records.

  The  album  begins  with  some  dark  sounding  synths  which  also  use  a  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys  as  well  as  adding  in  influences  from  electronic  music  and  as  time  goes  on  by  the  music  starts  getting  a  lot  more  diverse  in  sound  and  you  can  also  hear  elements  of  neo  classical  being  added  onto  the  record  and  every  song  sounds  different  from  each  other  as  well  as  bring  in  a  tragic  and  melancholic  touch.

  Song  themes  cover  darkness,  depression  and  metaphysics,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  sound  with  synths  being  the  only  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  as  well  as  a  couple  of  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Requiem  Nocturne  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  ambient  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Celestial  Touch"  "Heart  of  Granite"  and  "Standing  In  The  Circles  of  Eight".  8  out  of  10.  

https://www.reverbnation.com/requiemnocturne 

  

Old Forgotten Lands Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the project since the recording of the new album?

Since completing the new album, I have attempted to take a step back to further examine the musical direction I wanted to take. This has been a gradual process between each album and I wish for it to evolve naturally and fluently. This has meant seeking out new musical instruments and seeing which of them strikes a chord with me, personally.

2.According to the fb page you have a new mini album coming out, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taken and also how does it differ from your past recordings?

I do! Essentially, I would not know what I would call it - not an EP, but not a full length - so I would just call it a short album of personal musical elaboration. It is actually a collection of short pieces themed around Homer's "Odyssey". It differs quite a bit to my previous recordings, as it is mostly performed on a replica of an ancient lyre, has very strange time signatures, and is the first of my material to be derived from literary themes. My music usually does not even have much of a 'human' element in the concepts, but I thought this to be a natural progression. It won't be the most polished and professional of releases, but I feel as if it carries the theme effectively and is enjoyable.

3.What are some of the themes and concepts you bring out with your music?

My albums touch on various subjects, but the recurring theme which has stayed consistent is the admiration of nature, and of the pursuit of a primitive spirit. I often envy the beasts of the field which live for nothing other than their own survival - it is a life which would not be taken for granted, and a life of purity. I personally feel it is very important, and even cathartic, for me to take a step outside of the claustrophobic urban existence when writing for this project.

4.What id the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Old Forgotten Lands'?

'Old Forgotten Lands' is very straightforward - it is meant to just be a reminder of forgotten places. It is easy to be overwhelmed as a human being when one looks out into an urban environment, where even the trees are stacked neatly next to each other. My music is a way for me to conjure thoughts and images of the harsh, unruly, and spectacular wilderness which exists beyond human comfort zones - and I try to convey that we really should step outside of said comfort zones and examine our connectivity to such places.

5.You have also recorded albums under other names as well as a solo album, but would you say this is your main project?

I have had dozens of other bands or projects, yes, but I try not to focus on one project over another. I have a multitude of differing musical expressions to release, none of which are more important than the other. It would literally be like prioritizing joy over pensiveness, both of which I hold in the same level of esteem. However, I will say that Old Forgotten Lands has been the most successful project in terms of distribution, and it remains to be the oldest project I have - nearing seven years of an anniversary this coming summer.

6.For the most part you work solos with your music but on the fb page it says session musicians may vary, do you prefer working solos or with other people?

It depends on the situation. I often have to humble myself and realize I am not the most proficient musician with stringed instruments or brass. Therefore, if I cannot properly convey a certain sound, I summon my kindred friends to assist. On the 'Primal' album, I had many appearances from some of the most special people in my life, so it naturally felt as if they contributed to the music. I have never searched for any 'session' musicians... I only work with close friends. But yes - the primary goal of this project is to spread only my ideas, so it will always be a solo endeavor. There was one project which hosts a strong connectivity to Old Forgotten Lands, which involved me and several friends recording free-form folk music in outdoor environments. If one should be interested in this, it is called the Primal Collective, and there is a released double-CD available.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of dark ambient?

I must say I have been rather surprised. Within the origins of this project it was not a very technically-proficient endeavor at all... I simply made my sounds and felt I would share it with friends. The fact that I sometimes wake up to find reviews from places like California, Italy, Germany, or Russia is a surreal experience. I feel as if my music spreads a message which can be understood by people in all regions of the world, but I had never expected it to strike a cord with as many people as it does. For that, I am truly thankful.

8.Can you tell us a little bit more about the other musical projects that you have worked with?

Most of my other projects dabble in genres such as metal, or electronic, or the like. Currently I am aiming to work in the circuits of film scores or the neoclassical environment. I am very much interested in the two concepts of scoring film, and in recreating antiquated music. In the latter example, I will likely need to find others willing to help - I still consider myself a 'work in progress' when it comes to the subject.

9.Where do you see your music heading into during the future?

More full-circle, I hope, in terms of the history of music itself. The beginnings of this project were rooted in using very modern equipment as a means to exalt an ancient idea. Now I wish to pair and match that ancient idea with more ancient instrumentation. Furthermore, I only aim to enhance the atmosphere. Atmosphere is everything, no matter what is going on in a song.

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

There have been many... artists such as Ataraxia and Daemonia Nymphe have been challenging me to have patience in my own music, as theirs seem to be very well-orchestrated and evocative. The initial influences remain - the Wongraven album, some other similar minimalist projects. Above all, though - ambient music is my oldest musical love. Be it Brian Eno, or Harold Budd, or the like - I have always felt attached to the idea of having an atmospheric soundtrack to awe and wonder, and pensiveness. I hope to attain the power to compose such ethereal sounds in my future.

11.Do you have any non musical interests?

Absolutely, yet somehow or another my interests seem to intersect into my musical influence, be it for this project or another. I love reading of history and archaeology, and traveling to places so as to put 'the faces to the names', so to speak, of the subject matter. I am interested heavily in the fine arts - 19th Century impressionism/post-impressionism - and find much kinship with those of the Romanticism movement. Beyond that, one can usually find me just having a drink and having good conversation with good folk.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Certainly. Above all other expressions I have made, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude toward anyone who has ever supported this project. I consider each individual who finds anything meaningful in this music to be a kindred soul, and I hope to convey that I do not take that for granted at all. I do hope to continue to share this project with more and more people.

https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/band/Old_Forgotten_Lands

Erang Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the musical project these days?

Well, Erang is a part of my life and I’m still pretty active with it :  I’m going to release a new album “ Casting The Ancient Spell Again “ on http://erang.bandcamp.com Furthermore, some splits will probably come as well during February.

2.You have a new album coming out, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction it has taken and also how does it differ from your previous recordings?

I guess it still has the “Erang sound” to say so, but with some surprises and sometimes new sounds... I sing on one track, for instance. With each new album I try to incorporate few news elements. Not necessary a lot but I find that if you listen from “ Tome I “ to “Another World, Another Time”, you’ll find an evolution.

3.You have put out a lot of releases in the last couple of years, would you say that music takes up a lot of your time?

Yes, indeed.

4.What are some of the themes and concepts you have explored with your music over the years?

Mainly nostalgia and escapism.

5.You put out an ep a few months back based on the works of J.R.R Tolkien can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this author?

My father use to tell me stories from Bilbo to put me to bed so the world of Tolkien has always been very familiar to me.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the concept behind the name 'Erang'?

Erang is truly a part of me, a part of my past and my personal history.

7.So far you have worked all solo, are you interested in working with other musicians in the future?

I’ve already done a collaboration with Lord Lovidicus which was really fun (we covered each other songs) and you could listen to it here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo6kOtnUlc4

I’ve also done a 3 ways split with Drom and Stella Borealis :http://dromstellaborealiserang.bandcamp.com/

Erang will always be solo, it is to personal to share it with anybody. But I’m always open to splits if I like the music of the other band.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of dungeon synth?

I’m very touched by emails or message that sometimes people send to me saying how much they feel connected to my music. This is really important to me : having the feedback of people and knowing that, far from my home, an unknow person is enjoying my music and feel connected to my world.

9.What are some bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Mortiis / Vond, Burzum (the ambient ones) and I like very much Lord Lovidicus.

10.Does Paganism play any role in the music?

On my fourth album, the name of the last track is “Within The Land Of My Imagination I Am The Only God “… This sum up everything.

11.Do you have any non musical interests?

I like drawings and photo manipulation, and that’s why I do all my artworks. It is really part of the fun and of the whole “Erang experience”.

12.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?

I cant thanks enough all the people who support me here and there : I don’t do music to please people, I do the music that I want to hear, for myself… but when someone loves it, this is the best feeling ever ! So I thank you all.

https://www.facebook.com/kingdomoferang

Immundis/Poemia/Hypnotic Dirge/2012 EP Review

  Immundus  is  a  solo  artist  from  Norway  that  plays  a  musical  style  dark  and  cinematic  horror  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2012  ep  "Poemia"  which  was  released  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records.

  The  ep  starts  off  with  dark  ambient  sounds  and  synths  and  the  music  is  very  haunting  and  atmospheric  sounding  while  also  invoking  a  very  ritualistic  feeling  to  the  ep  and  the  songs  follow  a  concept  throughout  the  3  songs  that  are  present  on  this  recording  and  you  it  has  the  feeling  of  a  horror  film  along  with  a  small  amount  of  drones  as  well  as  all  of  the  songs  being  very  different  from  each  other.

  Song  themes  are  based  on  the  writings  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark  sound  with  synths  being  the  only  musical  instrument  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Immundis  are  a  very  great  sounding  horror  and  cinematic  music  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Spirits  Of  The  Dead".  8/5  out  of  10.

https://immundus.bandcamp.com/

Old Forgotten Lands/Risen Tide/Hypnotic Dirge Records/2012 EP Review

  Old  Forgotten  Lands  are  a  1  man  band  from  Illinois  that  plays   dark  ambient and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2012  ep  "Risen  tide"  which  was  released  by  Hypnotic  Dirge  Records.

  The  ep  begins  with  nature  sounds  and  a  few  seconds  later  synths  start  to  kick  in  and  the  music  goes  more  into  a  dark  ambient  direction  and  a  couple  of  minutes  later  they  start  bringing  in  atmospheric  and  experimental  elements  while  also  retaining  the  nature  sounds  and  as  time  goes  on  by  the  music  gets  more  diverse  and  the  synths  bring  in  different  sounding  keys  and  towards  the  end  the  nature  sounds  start  to  take  over  again.

  Song  themes  cover  darkness  and  nature,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  the  song  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  over  30  minutes.

  In  my  opinion  Old  Forgotten  Lands  are  a  very  decent  sounding  dark  ambient  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  7/9  out  of  10.  

https://www.hypnoticdirgerecords.com/ofl-main.php