Abysmal Growls Of Despair/Worst Putrid Tongue/Symbol Of Domination Productions/More Hate Productions/2016 CD Review

  France's  solo  project  Abysmal  Growls  Of  Despair  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  that  continues  the  funeral  doom  metal  style  of  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review of  his  2016  album  "Worst  Putrid  Tongue"  which  was released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Symbol  Of  Domination  and  More  Hate  Productions.

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  after  a  minute  bass  guitars  kick  in  and  are  also  use  as  a  lead  instrument  replacing  traditional  guitars  as  well  as  adding  in  more  of  a  funeral  doom  style  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  deep  yet  guttural  death  metal  growls  and  the  atmospheric  and  heavy  parts  are  also  mixed  together.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  elements  of  ambient  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  as  the  album  progresses  acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  on  a  few  tracks  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction.

  Abysmal  Growls  Of  Despair  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  the  funeral  doom  metal  style  he  has  established  on  previous  releases,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  Sumerian  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Abysmal  Growls  Of  Despair  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  funeral  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Enlil"  and  "Enki".  8  out  of  10.

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Arnwald Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

Arnwald combines Dark Ambient and Industrial sounds with some Black Metal influences. It’s only a brief description but I guess to really understand what Arnwald is, you better get an ear on it on a calm moment focusing on the emotions I tried to share. Maybe you succeed to feel what I wanted to say, maybe not. It’s surely no music for the masses but I think at least that some people could find some familiar mood elements. I absolutely have no pretension with this project, it’s just like a psychotherapy for myself.

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

Chaotic, sad, angry, painful, depressive, melancholic… I guess “Primal Expurgation” doesn’t have only one sound shade but a large spectrum of hard feelings. There are no texts but screams because what I need to spit out of my head through this music is so extreme that I couldn’t compile it with words. So, for me, the music I created here is a raw emotional flow, spontaneously eructed.

3.What are some of the themes or concepts you bring out musically with this project?

The thing is that Arnwald is like a self-exorcism, trying to save my mind from madness through music composition. I don’t think these compositions, they’re coming from alone when I sit in front of the computer or take an instrument. My head is a mess where a lot of things are boiling inside so all the tracks are loaded with several themes like desperation, fear, insanity, melancholy, depression, the feeling to be prisoner inside a completely formatted society which don’t mean anything good to you, loneliness, hate and rage, … These are the main points, but I guess if I would analyze what I did, I could find much more about myself.

4.Most of your experience has been in black metal bands but on the album you went for more o a dark ambient and industrial style, how would you compare the different genres?

For me, both scenes are linked by their spirit and the emotions they transport. The difference resides in the way to transcript them in music. Black metal is more the bestial way, direct and without compromise, even if good bands succeed to play on several plans combining the brutal aspect with some very subtle feelings elements. In the Dark Ambient/Industrial scene, you dive much deeper in an introspective world, all is happening in your head. If the musician give you his emotional input, you have thousand ways to interpret this journey. With black metal, the possibilities are diminished, still numerous. I love both arts and they give me something different and common at the same time. I guess if I choose one or the other one, is more a matter of mood.

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

Arnwald is the Germanic root from my real surname Arnaud. The meaning combine power and freedom with two old German words “Arn” (eagle) and “walden” (govern, command). So, the eagle governor or the eagle which governs (depending on the source). As I am analyzing myself trough music, trying to find who I am, it made sense to me to go back to the roots of my name and use it for this project. The meaning is also tightly linked to my personality. It was a logic and really personal choice.

6.With this project you record everything by yourself, how would you compare it with working with a full band?

It’s much more easy and less complicated but also sometimes frustrating. If I really enjoy the fact that I’m alone to take decisions, make everything like I want without hearing someone complaining about this or that, not being compatible with his own taste; being alone demands much more energy and much more inspiration. I’m also not a guitar hero and I sometimes have ideas which I can’t transcript on the 6-strings. This is really pissing me off but it pushes me also to learn and go beyond my own limits.

7.What are some of the best shows that you have done so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Arnwald was never thought as a live act. I only made one gig because my label asked to when organizing its first festival. As a fan, I love Ambient/Industrial music but live there are so few bands which are able to stay interesting more than 5 minutes for me. The most part of the time, you see a guy or two turning some knobs for 30-45 minutes. When you’re alone it’s not easy to entertain and bring your music to life but this I don’t need to do. So I was really brainstorming myself a lot to find something which could be special enough to please me if I would be in front of the stage.
This only one experience was quite extreme for me as the first show ever without being behind the drums and also with no really optimal sound conditions. I did a lot of vocals without hearing me that much, doing real percussion without hearing the music loud enough… Anyway I got really great feedback from people, finding the performance really cool, as a special experience. I also have to thanks my friend Déhà (Yhdarl, Merda Mundi, Imber Luminis, …), which came also on stage to help me giving more presence and more live music. If you want to have a little insight about the ambiance, there is a live pic on the Arnwald facebook.

If I will return on stage with this project… only the future will tell...

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

No.

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

As the promo campaign just began, it’s hard to say which impact it will have but the few feedback I got till now is really positive. I’m always glad when people can find something pleasant in my musical sufferings.

10.What is going on with your black metal projects these days?

With Humanitas Error Est, we have several really good concerts coming, really nice festivals and we are working on the second album.

With Lebenssucht, we’re basically composing for the first album and have few gigs here and there. It’s more complicated as the band members live quiet far away from each other.

With Throne Of Shiva, we’re restructuring the band and we’re working on a split with the Columbian band Enter Hell. Gigs are also planned in Europe, but still nothing confirmed at 100% till now.

With Absolutus, I’m more like a session drummer but I recorded 2 Ep’s with them last year and I guess they should see the light in 2017 as far as I know.

11.Where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?

To be honest, I don’t really know. I’m more living day after day and taking every good opportunity to make my way into the music world. I’m still optimistic (or at least I try) and hope to soon have enough work in this field of activity to be able to survive financially with it.

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

As I already said, Arnwald is a mirror of myself and if no particular band influenced this work directly, I guess my general musical influences worked with me together in a way… even if some I will name here are far far away from what you can hear on “Primal Expurgation”. There are a lot, very a lot and in very different styles...

All began with all the bands my parents were listening to (Led Zepplin, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Queen, The Beatles, …) and then when I came to the age to decide what I wanted to listen to, Guns n’ Roses, Metallica, Sepultura, Billy Idol, … Then I discovered several declinations of the metal world with Grip Inc., Pantera, Korn, Slipknot, Hatebreed, Biohazard, Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, Testament, Mudvayne, Mayhem, Deftones, Machine Head, Strapping Young Lad, Dog eat Dog, Gojira, Opeth, Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Emperor, Absu, Napalm Death, Gronibard, Burzum, Grief Of Emerald, Manes, Anaal Nathrakh which is one of my favorite bands… Then I had the chance to be introduced to the obscure world of Dark Ambient/Industrial/Neo-Folk with bands like Blood Axis, Les Joyaux De La Princesse, Der Blutharsch, Rome, Weh, In Slaughter Natives…

I’m always searching new microcosm to explore and I really enjoy to listen to really different sounds. Following this path, I came into the Electro scene with Suicidal Commando, Hocico, NoisuF-X, …

Nowadays, I’m listening to a melting-pot from all of these plus what I discover every day. My last really big revelation is Die Antwoord, a really twisted band evolving in a really crazy universe. Otherwise, the last times I’m listening to a lot of this band mixed with Manes, Korn, Strife, Anaal Nathrakh, Snowgoons, Fantômas, Dyscarnate, Satic-X, Death In Rome, Ordo Rosario Equilibrio, Pleymo, Burzum, Xotox,…

As you can see, I don’t know genre limits and I don’t give a fuck to people who think it’s not true to listen to that or that. I love music in any of its form as soon as it contains something to feel. Even if I’m more often roaming in the obscure depths of black metal.

13.Does Occultism play any role in your music?

Unconsciously, yes. Consciously a bit also. I’m fascinated by occultism and use it a lot in everything I do, so yes it influenced me making this album but here, in subtle dose, I guess.

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

I guess I would have a lot to say, but here and now, I will stay traditional and thank you a lot for your questions and your interest in my work.

https://www.facebook.com/arnwaldofficial/

F.ormal L.ogic D.ecay/Origamystical/Beyond Productions/2017 CD Review

  F.ormal  L.ogic  D.ecay  are  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  ritual  and  Kraut  electronics  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2017  album  "Origamystical"  which  was  released  by  Beyond  Productions.

  Field  recordings  start  off  the  album  and  after awhile  soundscapes  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with  some  drones  and  the  music  also  gets  very  avant  garde  and  experimental  at  times  and  on  the  second  track  the  music  starts  incorporating  more  ambient  and  ritualistic  elements  along  with  some  synths.

  Traces  of  krautrock  can  be  heard  in  the  music  at  times  and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  one  song  also  introduces  spoken  word  parts  and  melodic  vocals  onto  the  recording  and  ritualistic  chanting  is  also  utilized  at  times  and  as  the  album  progresses  elements  of  industrial, musique  concrete, and  apocalyptic  folk  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  when  whispers  are  added  onto  the  recording  they  give  the  song  more  of  a  black  metal  feeling  and  there  is  also  a  great  amount  of  diversity  presented  throughout  the  recording  and  a  later  track  adds  in  a  touch  of  harsh  noise  and  power  electronics.

  F.ormal  L.ogic  D.ecay  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted in  a ritualistic  style  of  dark  ambient  while  the  krautrock,  industrial  and  musique  concrete  elements  gives  the  songs  more  originality,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  ritualistic  themes.

   In  my  opinion  F.ormal  L.ogic  D,ecay  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  ritual  and  Kraut  electronics  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Introspection"  "Meditation"  and  "Abadonment".  8  out  of  10.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2xkxHWyFk0&feature=youtu.be

Moribond/Craving/Depressive Illusions/2012 EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Moribond  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  a  funeral  doom  and  stoner  metal  mixture  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  the  ep  is  called  "Craving"  and  was  released  by  Depressive  Illusions  Records.

  A very  dark  and  melodic  funeral  doom  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  grim  black  metal  vocals  and  elements  of  stoner  rock  can  also  be  heard  at  times  in  both  the  riffing  and  guitar  solos  and  the  second  track  is  a  remastered song  from  the  demo  and  also  keeps  the  acoustic  guitars  and  psychedelic  elements  of  the  original  and  both  of  the  tracks  stick  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Moribond  remained  true  to  the  stoner  and  funeral  doom  metal  mixture  of  the  demo  while  also  using  more  black  metal  vocals  this  time  around,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Moribond  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  funeral  doom  and  stoner  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Craving".  8  out  of  10.

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Moribond/The Wild Ride/Depressive Illusions Records/2011 Demo Review

 Moribond  are  an  international  duo  with  members  from  both  Canada  and  the  United  States  that  plays  a  mixture  of  funeral  doom  and  stoner  metal  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  demo  "The  Wild  Ride"  which  was  released  by  Depressive  Illusions  Records.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  demo  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  a  few  seconds  later  and  elements  of  stoner  metal  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  have  a  retro  70's  vibe  to  them  and  black  metal  screams  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  songs.

  While  a  lot  of  the  riffing  has  a  stoner  vibe t he  heaviness  is  more  closer  to  funeral  doom  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  all  3  of  the  tracks  stick  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  and  the  last  track  brings  in  clean  guitars  and  psychedelic  elements.

  Moribond  on  this  recording  played  a  style  of  stoner/doom  metal  that  also  had  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  funeral  doom,  the production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Moribond  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  stoner  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Wheel  Of  Life".  8  out  of  10.    

Bandcamp

 

Arnwald/Primal Expurgation/Abstruse Eerie Radiance/2016 Full Length Review

  Arnwald  are  a  solo  project  from  Germany  with  a  member  from  black  metal  bands  Lebenssucht,  and  Black  Tormentor  and  plays  more  of  a  dark  ambient  and  industrial  style  with  this  project  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2016  album  "Primal  Expurgation"  which  was  released  by  Abstruce  Eerie  Radiance.

  Drones  and  ambient  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  and  a  lot  of  the  music  is  done  on  synths  while  elements  of  noise  also  appear  at  times  and  grim  black  metal  screams  which  also  have  a  depressive  edge  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  music  also  mixes  in  a  great  amount  of  experimental  elements.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  some  tracks  add  in  a more  underground  and  ritualistic  style  of  industrial  and  clean  guitars  are  also  added  into  the  music  briefly  while  most  of  the  beats  are  programmed  and  some  tracks  add  in  the  more  harsh  side  of  noise  while  most  of  the  tracks  sound  different  from  each  other  and  when  melodic  chants  are  utilized  they  give  the  music  more  of  an  esoteric  feeling  and  there  is  also  a  song  that  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats.

  Arnwald  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient  and  the  more  dark,  ritualistic  and  underground  side  of  industrial  and mixes  it  in  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw.

  In  my  opinion  Arnwald  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  ambient  and  industrial  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I"  "IV"  "VIII"  and  "X".  8  out  of  10. 

 https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=tg33uXvyjPA&t=34s

Tervahaat/Kalmonsaie/Nordvis Produktion/2017 CD Review

  Tervahaat  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  avant  garde  folk  music  and  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Kalmonsaie"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Nordvis  Produktion.

  Melodic  chanting  and  vocals  start  off  the  album  and  after  the  intro  folk  instruments  and  electric  guitars  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  some  of  the  instruments  sound  home  made  and  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  an  avant  garde  feeling  and  a  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  On  some of  the  tracks  ritualistic  style  drumming  can  be  heard  and  guitar  leads a re also  used  at  times  and  they  also  add  in  more  of  a  metal  influence  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  screaming  vocals  that  also  add  in  a  touch  of  black  metal and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  while   the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  diversity  and  ambient  soundscapes  are  also  utilized  in  some  parts  of the  recording.

  Tervahaat  plays  a  musical  style  that takes  avant  garde,  folk  music,  metal  and  ambient  soundscapes  and  mix  them together  to  create  something  very  original,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Finnish  Mysticism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Tervahaat  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  avant  garde  folk  music  and  ambient  soundscapes  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Kalmonsae"  "Huolainniekka"  and  "Saattaja". 8 out  of  10.

https://nordvis.bandcamp.com/album/kalmons-ie

 

Draugirrin/Mykraverk/Nordvis Produktion/2017 CD Review

  Draugirrin  are  a  solo  project  from Sweden  that  plays  a  ritualistic  and  pagan  form  of  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  her  2017  album  "Mykraverk"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Nordvis  Produktion.

  Fire  burning  and  female  vocals  start  off  the  album  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  adding  in  more  tribal  and  ritualistic  elements  and  grim  black  metal  vocals  are  also  used  at  times  and  after  the  intro  atmospheric  synths  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Whispers  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  music  is  mostly  rooted  in  a  dark  style  of  ambient  and  percussion's  are  also  added  into  the  music  at  times  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  occult  style  chanting  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  diversity.

  Draugirinn  plays  a  style  of  pagan  dark/ambient  that  is  very  ritualistic,  tribal,  occult  and  shamanistic  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  revolve  around  Icelandic  Paganism,  rituals,  and  folklore.

  In  my  opinion  Draugirinn  are  a  very  great  sounding  ritualistic  pagan/dark  ambient  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Udarmani"  "Nornaskapur"  and  "Aska".  8  out  of  10.

https://draugurinn.bandcamp.com/
https://www.nordvis.com/draugurinn-a-5

https://www.facebook.com/Draugurinn-443709549025637 

All Else Fails/The Forever Lie/2017 EP Review

  Alberta,  Canada's  All  Else  Fails  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  that  continues  the  melodic  death  metal,  metalcore  and  experimental  mixture  of  previous  releases  and  this is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2017  ep  "The  Forever  Lie"  which will  be  released  in  February.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  ep  before  adding  in  a  heavier  metalcore  style  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  leads  and  after  awhile  growling  vocals  make  their  presence  known  along  with  some  high  pitched screams  which  also gives  the  music  a  touch  of  death  metal  and  clear  vocals  are  also  used  at  times.

  Elements  of  groove  metal,  djent  and  mainstream  radio  rock  can  be  heard  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  blast  beats  and  old  school  hardcore  influences  can  be  heard  as  well  as  some  shouting  vocals  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  one  track  also  brings  in  spoken  word  samples.

  On  this  recording  All  Else  Fails  moves  away  from  the  experimental  elements  and  focuses  more  on  a  melodic  metalcore  style  that  also  mixes  in  influences  of  death  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  decent  sounding  recording  from  All  Else  Fails  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  melodic  death  metal  and  metalcore,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Beneath  The  Waves"  and  "Terracide".  7/5  out  of  10. 

 http://geargods.net/music-videos/all-else-fails-the-sons-of-plenty-official-music-video-premiere/

Clark Ashton Smith/The Muse Of Hyperborea/Cadabra Records/2017 LP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  reading  from  Clark  Ashton  Smith  which  is  done  by  S.T  Joshi  who  reads  some  poems  from  this  author  along  with  a  soundtrack  once  again  being  provided  by  Theologian  with  the  album  being  called  "The  Mask  Of  Hyperboarea"  which  was  also  released  by  Cadabra  Records.

  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  that  deal  with  a  harlot  and  the  readings  are  very  poetic  and  after  awhile  the  poems  start  getting  more  dark  and  occult  along  with  some  mythological  references  as  well  as  being  scientific  at  times  while  the  soundtrack  music  adds  in  an  avant  garde  touch.

  Some  of  the  poems  have  a  science  fiction  style  to  them  along  with  a  touch  of  gothic  horror  and  most  of  the  poems  are  very  short  in  length  and  some  pagan  orientated  references  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  some  of  the  stories  also  bring  in  a  very  tragic  feeling  and  after  awhile  the  soundtrack  music  brings  in  a  touch  of  industrial  while  the  narrations  mixed  in  with  the  music  gives  the  readings  a  very  haunting  atmosphere  and  as  the  album  progresses  some  of  the  stories  start  getting  more  philosophical  while  later  poems  bring  in  romantic  and  lost  continents  themes.

  S.T  Joshi  creates  another  very  haunting  narration  of  Clark  Ashton  Smith's  writings  while  this  time  focusing  more  of  his  poetic  works  and  Theologian  sticks  to  the  dark  ambient  style  they  have  established  on  previous  soundtracks  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding   recording  of  the  writings  from  Clark  Ashton  Smith  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  poetry,  science  fiction,  gothic  horror  and  dark  ambient,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  8  out  of  10. 

http://www.facebook.com/cadabrarecords

http://www.cadabrarecords.com

http://www.twitter.com/cadabra_records

http://www.instagram.com/cadabrarecords

Twinesuns Interview

> 1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Hey, I am Christian from Twinesuns and Shitshifter. Me and Florian formed Twinesuns out of the desire to make music together. We know each other for a long time but didn´t have the time to form a band in a classic lineup. Because of that, we choose to just perform as a duo. While we recorded our first album „The Leaving“ we realized, that we needed some more low-end and depth to the music so we asked Renzo from Abraham (whom I have known before) to play Moog. After the recordings he joined as a regular member.
>
> 2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?
Well, it´s two very low tuned guitars, a ton of amps, cabinets, pedals and a bunch of vintage moog synthezisers. We play very slow music, mostly without any rhythm and with no precise timing. It´s all about the atmosphere, the volume and the emotion of the music. Our songs are very long and I think, the beauty of this type of music lays in all the fine details. The breackup of a feedback, the modulation of a delay or the evolution of sub-harmonic standing waves - that is what our music is about. A big part of the music on THE EMPIRE NEVER ENDED is the production. We recorded the album live in one room to keep that raw live feeling. We worked with Raphael Bovey as a producer on this record and he did and awesome job! I think, the production contributes a lot on the overall vibe of the music.
>
> 3.So far most of the music has been instrumental but you had a little bit of vocals on the new album, are you planning on expanding with that in the future?
This short vocal part was recorded right at the end of the recording sessions for THE EMPIRE NEVER ENDED. It was more of a spontaneous idea. I don´t think that we will expand on this in the future.
>
> 4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Twinesuns‘?
The name comes from a german poem by Paul Celan who is one of the most important german poets of the post-WWII-era. He wrote a piece named „Fadensonnen“ (Twinesuns in english). Another very famous piece he wrote is the „Todesfuge“. I am very much into german poetry and Paul Celan is an all time favorite of mine. We struggled pretty hard to find a good name for this band and Twinesuns was something we all liked from a phonetic and atmospheric standpoint.
>
> 5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We don´t play to many shows because it is pretty hard to find a good environment for this type of music. People usually want to party on a Friday night and not listen to some super slow music with almost zero tempo.
My personal favorite was the show we played with Eagle Twin last year. These dudes are one of the best bands of our time plus they are super nice dudes. We have no special stage show like Sunn O))) or something like that.
>
> 6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Yeah, we have some shows planed already. We hope to play some shows in Switzerland next year and even some in Germany. But I don´t see us becoming a full touring band because everybody in this group is pretty busy with other stuff. Playling live with this band is a logistic nightmare because we have so much gear to move. On stage we use  tons of equipment, probably enough to suit three bands.
>
> 7.The new album came out on 'Pelagic Records', are you happy with the support they have given you so far?
I think it is pretty amazing that they signed us. We are a very small band that just played a handful of shows and I think, the label still proves to sign bands they really like. Robin has a pretty wide taste in music and he was pretty into our music right from the beginning. I am glad they choose to take the risk and work with us.
>
> 8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of ambient, drone and doom metal?
I really don´t know because I do not care too much about what people think about what we do. The music we make is pretty far out and I think, most people will get pretty bored by the lack of rhythm. We got some pretty good reviews on our first record „The Leaving“ but to be honest, I don´t even read them all.


> 9.Where do you see yourself heading into musically during the future?
We have some plans for recording some new music but I have no clue when that will happen. We are pretty open to collaborate with other artists but as I said earlier, we all are pretty busy.
>
> 10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
In my opinion everything you listen to, affects the music you play. I can´t speak for the other guys but I have a very wide taste in music. Of course I am into bands like Sunn O))), Sleep or Earth but I also like stuff like the new Sumac, Deathspell Omega, Converge, Trap Them or even Black Flag. As I said, my taste is pretty wide.
>
> 11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Florian does a lot martial arts and learns japanese just for fun. He also runs a youtube channel about different kinds of sports.  Renzo is very much into Si-Fi literature and is pretty busy with his other band Abraham. For me, there is pretty much no non-musical-life. I have a lot of interests but I don´t put to much effort into it. I play in another band named SHITSHIFTER and we are about to release our second album. This band is pretty much the opposite of Twinesuns. We play music in the vain of early Dismember, Napalm Death, Neurosis or Black Flag.


>
> 12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for checking out our music we really appreciate your interest in what we do.

https://twinesuns.bandcamp.com/

Picture Ann/Katarsis/Floodgate Moods Productions/2017 EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Denmark's  Picture  Ann  which  is  done  in  more  of  a  dungeon  synth  style  and  the  ep  is  called  "Katarsis"  and  was  released  by  Floodgate  Moods  Productions.

  Ambient  style  syths  start  off  the  ep  and  also  gives  the  music  an  ambient  feeling  along  with  some  touches  of  dungeon  synth  and  acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  onto  the  recording after  awhile and  all  3  of  the  tracks  are  instrumental  while  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other  and  the  last  track  is  more  organic  and  experimental.

  On this  recording  Picture  Ann  plays  a  style  of  dungeon  synth  which  also  uses  acoustic  guitars which  also  adds  some  originality  to  the  genre  while  everything  remains  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  ep  from  Picture  Ann  and  if  you  are  a fan  of  dark  ambient,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED TRACK  "The  Speer Cathedral".  8  out  of  10.

https://floodgatemoodsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/katarsis

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf0lcLIard2OyHbFqb5q6hm7sYxRatPHu

Picture Ann/Imperial/Floodgate Moods Productions/2017EP Review

  Denmark's  Picture  Ann  have  returned  with  another  recording  which  continues  the  experimental,  ambient,  dungeon  synth  and  metal  mixture  of  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  ep  "Imperial"  which  was  released  by  Floodgate  Moods  Productions.

 Classical guitars  start off the  ep  along with  some  atmospheric  sounds  in  the  background  before  adding  in  some  ambient  style  synths  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  incorporating  more  experimental  elements.

  A  touch  of  psychedelia  can  be  heard  briefly  and  traces  of  dungeon  synth  can  be  heard  at  times  along  with  all  of  the  music being  instrumental  and  programmed  drum  beats  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  songs and  the  last  track  is  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Picture  Ann  creates  a  recording  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  ambient  this  time  around  while  still h hing  traces  of  dungeon  synth  and  adding  in  more  classical  guitars  and  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is another  great  sounding  recording  from  Picture  Ann  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Conquest".  8  out  of  10. 

https://floodgatemoodsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/imperial

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf0lcLIard2NAd8XCiL_t1TJQbRXGjo9N

Illimitable Dolor/Self Titled/Transcending Obscurity Records/2017 CD Review

 Illimitable  Dolor  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  funeral  doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  album  which  will  be  released  in  March  by  Transcending  Obscurity  Records.

  A  very  heavy  sound  along  with  some  depressive  yet  melodic  guitar  leads  start  off  the  album  and  after  awhile  death  metal  growls  start  making  their  presence  known  and  the  music  goes  for  more  of  a  funeral  doom  style  and  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  A  great  amount  of  90's  doom/death  metal  influences  can  be  heard  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  when  keyboards  are  utilized  they  give  the  songs  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  grim  screams  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  musical  direction  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording  and  clean  singing  is  added  onto  the  last  track.

  Illimitable  Dolor  plays  a  style  of  funeral  doom/death  metal  that  is  very  slow,  dark  and  atmospheric  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Illimitable  Dolor  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  funeral  doom/death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rail  Of  Moon,  A  Stone"  and  "Abadoned  Cuts  Of  River".  8  out  of  10.

Illimitable Dolor Bandcamp
Illimitable Dolor Facebook    

Frowning/Extinct/Black Lion Productions/2017 CD Review

  Frowning  are  a  solo  project  from  Germany  that  plays  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Extinct"  which  will  be  released  in  February  by  Black  Lion  Productions.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  funeral  doom  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic guitar  leads  being introduced  onto  the  recording  and  after  awhile  death  metal  growls  make  their  presence  known  and  clean  guitars  along  with  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  briefly  and  there  is  also  a  small  amount  of  black  metal  screams.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  short  in  length  and  there  is  also  some  session  from  the  members  of  'Suffer  Yourself'  and  'Ad  Cinerem'  and  atmospheric  synths  are  also  used  in  the  music  at  times  along  with the  riffing  also  bringing  in  a  decent  amount  of  depressive  melodies  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to a  very  slow  musical  direction  and  the  album  closes  with  a  cover  of  Frederic  Chopin's  "Marche  Funebre"..

  Frowning  plays  a  style  of  funeral  doom  metal  that  is very  dark,  depressive,  slow,  and  heavy  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  suicide,  death,  depression,  sorrow,  funerals  and  graveyard  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Frowning  are  a  very  great  sounding  funeral  doom  metal  solos  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Nocturnal  Void"  and  "Buried  Deep".  8  out  of  10.

 https://frowningblacklion.bandcamp.com/?utm_source=Promo+List&utm_campaign=3b0615bcef-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_01_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b7d3bffdfc-3b0615bcef-159719745

The Cold View/Wounds/GS Productions/2017 CD Review

  Germany's  solo  project  The  Cold  View  have  returned  with a  new  recording  which  also  continues  the  drone  and  funeral  doom  metal  mixture  of  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Wounds"  which  was  released  by  GS  Productions.

  Distorted  drones  start  off  the  album  before going  into  more  of  a  heavy  and  lo-fi  musical  direction  as  well  as  adding  in  death  metal  growls  and  bass  guitars  are  also  used  as  a  lead  instrument  while  synths  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  songs  and  elements  of  ambient  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and all of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow musical direction.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  there  is  also  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  being  utilized  at  times  and  no  traditional electric  guitars  are ever utilized  and  their  music  brings  out  the  darkest  and  most  depressive  style  of  funeral  doom  metal and  there  is  also  an  instrumental  track  which  also  introduces stringed  instruments  onto  the  recording.

  The  Cold  View  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  the  funeral  doom  metal  and  drone  mixture  of  previous  releases,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while the  lyrics  cover  nature,  depression,  darkness  and  loneliness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  the  Cold  View  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  drone  and  funeral  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Inflammation"  and  "Scarring".  8  out  of  10.

http://www.thecoldview.com

http://thecoldview.bandcamp.com

Agonia Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?

Agonia is a musical project designed and composed by Rui Vrt(drums) and the live colaboration of  Daniel D. in voice and low guitar, and Gilberto F. in high guitar.


2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?

Agonia pretends to sound like agonizing corpses and mental cataclisms. Exploring the dark corners of the emotional side of the mind. It pretends to crush your soul into the depths of the earth and then erupt in a cataclysmic event…


3.You refer to your music as ' cataclysmic doom  metal', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?

I try to create an emotional cataclysmic event in the souls that listen, imploding and exploding dark emotions.



4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

I has no lyrics..the subjects are agony , emotions of despair, psychologic dissolution , pain, and cataclysmic emotions of epic proportions.

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

Agonia means Agony . the meaning and inspiration are despair and pain felt .


6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Shows like shelter nights, labyrinth doom fest (oporto), Under the doom Fest (Lisbon) , were all great shows because the show is an emotional display of sound and its like a meditation for us.


7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

No

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

The international bands with whom we played like marche funébre or mourning beloved really enjoyed the show. That’s the only feedback we have.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Heading to the abyss of doom. For eternity.

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

Non applicable

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Nature, general culture.


12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Stay down, and then explode.

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