Malicious Wonderland/Wasteland/2017 Full Length Review

  Malicious  Wasteland  are  a  solo  project  from  Michigan  that  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient  and  industrial  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2017  album  "Wasteland".

  Dark  ambient  style  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  a  few  field  recordings  as  well  as  some  programmed  beats  a  few  seconds  later  and  all  of  the  tracks  are  instrumental  and  also  have  the  dark  atmosphere  of  a  post  apocalyptic  soundtrack  along  with  a  great  amount  of  underground  industrial  elements  and  the  synths  also gives  the  songs  a  more  atmospheric  feeling.

  Malicious  Wasteland  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient  and  industrial  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Malicious  Wasteland  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  ambient  and  industrial  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  8  out of  10. 

https://maliciouswonderland.ba ndcamp.com/album/wasteland

Vornoff/The Blindsided/Floodgate Moods Productions/2017 EP Review

  Vornoff  are  a  solo  project  from  Denmark  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient  and  dungeon  synth  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2017  ep "The Blindsided"  which  was  released  by  Floodgate  Moods  Productions.

  Bell  sounds  start  off  the  ep  and  after  awhile  ambient  style  synths  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with  some  programmed  beats  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  lo-fi  feeling  and  on  the  second  track  the  music  incorporated  more  elements  of  dungeon  synth.

  Most  of  the  songs  are  instrumental  and  clean  yet  distorted  guitars  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  grim  whispers  which  also gives  the  songs  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  most  of  the  tracks sound  different  from  each  other  and  one  track  also  samples  a  small  amount  of  tortured  screams.

  Vornoff  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  the  dark  ambient  and  dungeon  synth  mixture  of  previous  releases  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Vornoff  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient  and  dungeon  synth,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Orlok"  and  "The  Dark  Lantern".  8  out  of  10.

https://floodgatemoodsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-blindsided-ep

 

Burke And Hare Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
We are a two piece sludge/stoner metal band from Hertfordshire, UK. The band consists of me (Tom) on guitar and vocals and Jack on drums.

2.So far you have released an ep, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
Heavy as fuck haha! We were basically concentrating on getting the best riffs that we could but also making it interesting. Like we love to have heavy swing timings to get your hips moving but also some brutal breakdowns where possible.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
To be honest we don’t really focus too much on the lyrics. Its mostly what comes to mind when we’re jamming the songs out in practise. Rhino Ket is a just a surreal one about what if a Lion had a fight with a Rhino on ketamine? A1M is about driving up and down a motorway while stoned. Those two songs I didn’t really think too much about lyrical content. Suburban Coven was the exception though. It was inspired by an old women who lives round the corner from me and she has her three bins lined up outside her house, she lives at number 6, so when the bins are out they say 666. It just got my imagination going about her being a witch and being part of a coven in the heart of suburban England.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Burke And Hare',?
William Burke and William Hare were two serial killers in Edinburgh in 1828 who robbed graves and murdered people to sell their corpses to a doctor at the Royal College of Surgeons, so he could use them in his anatomy lectures. It sounds like a good basis for a metal band name don’t you think?

5.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you chose to remain a duo?
We have talked about maybe adding another member but when you get down to it me and Jack have this telepathy with each other. We’ve been in bands together for a long time and its made us tight as a musical unit. We have both done separate things of course but when we get back into that rehearsal space together and back on stage, its like nothings changed and your ready to take on the world together. God that makes us sound like a married couple haha!

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
I think we’ve enjoyed every single show we’ve done. We’d always come home from a gig and say to each other “that was the best one” only to say the same thing after the next gig. Locally though in Hertfordshire there’s a great metal scene. You always feel the love at the gigs and you end up making friends at every show, whether its yours or someone else's. London is always a treat to play as well. In terms of stage performance, we just try to have fun. Not take ourselves seriously and just have a laugh.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
We are trying to get some shows together for later this year. Our last show was in April but it feels like an eternity has past so we want to get back to gigging ASAP.

8.Can you tell us a little bit more about 'Moon Song Records'.?
Moon Song Records was a label started by a couple of mates of ours at university. We recorded and released our first song through them last year and we also recorded a couple of other songs with them and released them as the Moon Song Sessions. The label is sadly no longer running but they had a very eclectic roster of artists and we were proud to be the only metal band to have released music through them.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of stoner and sludge metal?
I don’t know about the rest of the world but we’ve had a very positive reaction whenever we’ve played somewhere. People always seem sceptical about whether a two piece metal band can work but they always come up to us and say how massive we’ve sounded for just two guys.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Probably tuning lower. We are suckers for tuning low. Maybe drop Q if we can managed that haha!

11.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?
Eyehategod are the biggest influence on the band, no question about that. But also fuzzy stoner bands like Fu Manchu and Kyuss. The Melvins too, we mustn't forget them. Jack and me love our deathcore as well, so thats why we love our breakdowns. Bands like Suicide Silence, early Thy Art is Murder and Carnifex we listen to all the time on our journeys to practise and gigs. What I’m listening to nowadays is mostly industrial stuff like Throbbing Gristle and Godflesh. Jack I know is partial to some indie and emo like Mac DeMarco and Sunny Day Real Estate. To be fair I love those bands too.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Jack is the cool one out of the two of us. He’s a proper good skater. I’m the boring one who likes to read and watch films all day.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
My final words are to shamelessly plug the EP! You can download it through our Bandcamp: https://burkeandhareband.bandcamp.com/album/burke-and-hare-ep
Hail the Riff!

Vacuum Aeterna/Project:Soundscapes/Cyclic Law/2017 CD Review

  Vacuum  Aeterna  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  tribal,  industrial,  dark  ambient  and  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of their  2017 album  "Project:Soundcapes"  which  was  released  by  Cyclic  Law.

  Atmospheric  drones  and  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  nature  sounds  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  awhile  harsh  noises  and  elements  of  dark  ambient  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  ritualistic  chants  can  also be  heard  in  the  background  briefly  and  the  songs  also  incorporate  a  great  amount  of  field  recordings.

  At  times  the  music  gets  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  along  with  a  few  tracks  being  very long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  later  songs  introducing  more underground  industrial  elements  and  after  awhile  the  music  gets  more  tribal  and  shamanistic  and  most  of  the  music  is  instrumental  along  with  most  of the  songs  sounding  different  from  each  other.

  Vacuum  Aeterna  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient,  drone,  tribal,  industrial  and  noise  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  something  very  original,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  ancient  tales  and  myths.

  In  my  opinion  Vacuum  Aeterna  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  tribal,  industrial,  dark  ambient  and  noise  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Kurtz"  "Liminal  Rites"  "Parasites  Fell"  and  "Enenra".  8  out  of  10.

https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/project-darkscapes

Phurpa/Gyer Ro/Cyclic Law/2017 Double CD Review

  Phurpa  are  a  solo  project  from  Russia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  experimental,  drone,  ritual  and  shamanistic  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  217  double  album  "Gyer  Ro"  which  was  released  by  Cyclic  Law.

  Percussions  and  Tibetan  style  folk  instruments  start  off the  album  along  with  some  ritualistic  chanting  that  has  almost  a  very  dark  and  demonic  feeling  and  after  awhile  shamanistic  and  tribal  style  drumming  is  also  added  into  certain sections  of  the  recording  and  all  of  the  songs  are  very  long  and  epic in  length.


  Spoken  word  parts can  also be  heard  at  times  and  coughs  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  briefly  and  when  cymbals a re  utilized  they  give  the  songs  a  more  experimental  and  avant  garde  feeling  and  the  ritualistic  Tibetan  horns  conjure up  the  Bon  spirits  and  the  songs  also  utilize  a  great  amount  of  mantras.

  Phurpa  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  an  ancient  Bon  Po  ritual  and  mixes  it  with  dark  ambient,  experimental  and  drone  to  create  something  original,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  around  Tibetan  Bon  Shamanism.

  In  my  opinion  Phurpa  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of dark  ambient,  experimental,  drone,  ritual  and  shamanistic music  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Laughter  Of  To-Nag-Ma"  and  "Mu-Ye".  8  out  of  10. 

http://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/gyer-ro    

Svartsinn/Collected Obscurities/Cyclic Law/2017 CD Compilation Album

  Svartsinn  are  a  solo  project  from  Norway  that  plays  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2017  compilation  album  "Collected  Obscurities"  which  was  released  by  Cyclic  Law.

  Atmospheric  synths  and  soundscapes  start  off  the  compilation  along  with some  elements  of  dark  ambient  and  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  at  times  along  with  some  field  recordings  and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  elements  of  noise  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  Drones  can  also  be  heard  in certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  most  of t he  music  being  instrumental  and  as  the  compilation  progresses  the  music  gets  more  diverse  and  a  couple  of  track  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  parts  and  on  some  of t he  later  songs  they  are  some  tracks  that include  some  studio  work  from  Northhaunt,  Allseits,  Gydja,  and  Psychomanteum.

  Svartsinn  plays  a  style  of  dark  ambient  that  also  gets  very  experimental  at  times  along  with  touches  of  drone  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Svartsinn  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  ambient  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  compilation.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Fading  Horizon"  "Form  Is  Emptiness"  "Cold  But  Strong" and  "September  Dirge".  8  out  of  10. 

https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/collected-obscurities

Sektarism/La Mort de I' infidele/Necrocosm/2017 CD Review

  Sektarism  are  a band  from  France  that  plays  a  mixture  of  funeral  doom  metal  and  drone  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "La  Mort  de  I'  Infidele"  which  was  released  by  Necrocosm.

  Atmospheric  drones  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  bass  guitars  and  percussions  a  few seconds  later  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  are added  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  slow  riffing  being  influenced  by  funeral  doom metal.

  Black  metal  screams  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  on  the  second  track  heavy  guitar  riffs  are  added  onto  the  recording  while  also  adding  in  death  metal  growls  and  all  3  of  the  tracks  stick  to    very  slow musical  direction.

  Sektarism  plays  a  style  of  funeral  doom  metal  that  is  very  ritualistic  and  also  mixes  in  elements  of  drone,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Religion,  and  Submission  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Sektarism  are  a  very  great  sounding  ritualistic  mixture  of  drone  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Brule  I  Hertique".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMEsYu6hKe0&feature=youtu.be

Burke And Hare/Self Titled/2017 EP Review

  Burke  And  Hare  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  stoner and  sludge  metal  with  touches  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self  titled  2017  ep.

  A  very  heavy  stoner  metal  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  and  sludge  elements  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  awhile  high  pitched  screams  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  they  also  add  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  while  touches  of doom  metal  can  be  heard in  the  slow  riffs.

  At  times  the  riffs  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  briefly  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  mixture  of  both  slow  and  mid  paced  parts  as  well  as  adding  in  the  energy  of  punk  rock  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful  and  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  are  added  on  the  closing  track.

  Burk  And  Hurke  plays  a  musical  style  that takes  stoner  and  sludge  metal  and  mixes  it  with  touches  of  black,  death  metal  and  punk  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Burke  And  Hurke  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  stoner  and  sludge  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "A1m". 8   out  of  10.

https://burkeandhareband.bandcamp.com/album/burke-and-hare-ep

Erang/Echoes From A Past That Never Was/2017 Compilation Album Review

  Erang  are  a  solo project  from  France  that  has  been  featured  before in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  dungeon  synth  and  medieval  fantasy  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2017  compilation  "Echoes  From A  Past  That  Never  Was".

  Covers  by  This  Mortal  Night,  Alex  Lamia  and  Arathgoth  start  off  the  compilation along  with  some  synths  that  also  use  a  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys  along  with  a  medical  atmosphere  and  elements  of  dungeon  synth  and  dark  ambient  as  well  as  some  programmed  beats.

  Spoken  word  parts  are  used  briefly  while  one  track  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  operatic  female  vocals  and  there is  also  a  brief  use  of  melodic  guitar  leads  along  with  some  heavy  riffs  and  programmed  blast  beats  that  are  influenced  by  black  metal  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  instrumental  and  almost  towards  the end  a track  also  brings  in  black  metal  screams  and  clean  male  vocals  are  used  on  the  closing  song.

  On  this  compilation  Erang  brings  in  some  of  his  best  dungeon  synth  and  medieval  fantasy  music  he  has  recorded  over  the  years  while  also  adding  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  at  times  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great sounding  collection  from  Erang  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dungeon  synth,  you  should check  out  this  compilation.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I  Dreamt  Of  AN  Emerald  Forest"  "Golden  Age  Of  the  Underwater  Kingdom"  and  "All  Te  Beauty  We  Lost",  8  out  of  10.

https://erang.bandcamp.com/album/echoes-from-a-past-that-never-was-compilation
 

Evil Sex Party/Self Titled/2017 Full Length Review

  Evil  Sex  Party  are  a  duo  from  New Hampshire  that  plays  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self  titled  2017  album,

  Ambient  style  synths  start  off  the  album  and  they  also  mix  in  a  psychedelic  feeling  at  times  along  with  a  few  drones  while  most  of t he  music  is  instrumental and  at  times  the  music  brings  in  a  sci-fi  atmosphere  as  well  as  having  its  experimental  and  avant  garde  moments  and  one  tracks  brings  in  porno  samples  and  all  of  the  tracks  also  sound different  from  each  other  which  also  gives  the  recording  a  lot  more  diversity  and  one  song  also  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  guitars.

  Evil  Sex  Party  plays  a  style  of  dark  ambient  that  is  very  diverse  and  experimental  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  lo-fi  while  the  song  themes  centers  around  a  story  that  those  listen  to  and  become  victims  of  strange  happenings  and  hauntings.

  In  my  opinion  Evil  Sex  Party  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  ambient  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bonus"  "Return  To  Light"  and  "Transmogrification".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNU5teKXZ4E&list=PL_eQwYTfdN0m06EQ0lRlYXGdaIzNaIb-g&index=1

 

Descend Into Despair/Synaptic Veil/Loud Rage Music/2017 CD Review

  Descend  Into  Despair  are  a  band  from  Romania  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Synaptic  Veil"  which  was released  by  Loud  Rage  Music.

  Clean  guitars  start  off  the  album  and  a  few  seconds  later  atmospheric  synths  and  melodic  guitar  leads are  added  onto  the  recording  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  after  awhile  the  music  goes  into  a  heavier  funeral  doom  direction.

  Melodic  vocals  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  main  focus  is  on  death  metal  growls  and  symphonic  elements  are  also  used  at  times  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  classical  guitars  can  be  heard  and  one  track  also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  female  vocals  and  the  album  sticks  to  a  very  slow  style  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Descend  Into  Despair  creates  another  recording that  remains  true  to  the  atmospheric  style  of  funeral  doom  metal  from  previous releases,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  despondency,  despair,  misanthropy,  heartache  and  solitude  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Descend  Into  Despair  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  funeral  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS INCLUDE  "Alone With  My  Thoughts"  and  "Silence  In  Sable  Acrotism".  8  out  of  10.   

https://loudragemusic.bandcamp.com/album/descend-into-despair-synaptic-veil

Moribundo/Raiz Amarga/Satanath Records/More Hate Productions/2017 CD Review

  Moribundo  are  a  band  from  Spain  that  plays  funeral  doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Raiz  Amarga"  which  will  be  released  on  June  18th  as  a  joint  effort  between  Satanath  Records  and  More  Hate  Productions.

  A  very  heavy  doom  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  dark  sounding  melodies  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the recording  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  fashion  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Grim  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  atmospheric sounding  synths  and  after  awhile  guttural  death  metal  growls  make  their  presence  known  along  with  a  small  amount  of  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  stringed  instruments  are  also  used  briefly  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  main  focus  is  on  a  very  slow  musical  style  and  one  track  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars.

  Moribundo  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a modern  form  of  funeral  doom  and  mixes  it  with  90's  era  doom/death  and  a  touch  of  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Spanish  and  cover  melancholic  themes.

  In  my  Moribundo  are  a  very  great  sounding  funeral  doom/death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE "Vida"  and  "Suicido  Illustrado".  8  out  of  10. 

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The Soundbyte Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
The process of making Solitary IV was hard work and at the same time incredible inspiring. The Soundbyte went straight from recording to work on new material and ideas. The recording of the new album generated both new musical ideas as well as ways of working with sound. It generated so much material to dive into and explore further. So we will back in studio in June rehearsing like we have done more or less continuous for almost three decades.

2.You have a new album coming out during the end of June, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Solitary IV presents a variety of different soundscapes. Like the previous albums it has many layers. Listeners may find that Solitary IV stands out as even darker and more like an introspection, a dystopia than the previous albums. This album becomes visual, drawing on contrasts between a light etheric expression and a massive dark sound. The album does not fit into a defined style, it has become more of an expression in its own right.  Still it draws on different inspirational sources the listeners will notice. There are traces of metal and even Norwegian folk music in the music. The record demand something of the listener – some tracks hits immediately, other tracks takes more time. It is a sort of record you can listen to many times, and always find something new.

3.The band has been around since 1998 but have only released 4 full lengths, can you tell us a little bit more about the gap in between releases?
The gap between the albums is a result of exploring and developing musical technological tools to create music. Developing it for our use has taken a lot of time. To integrate it as a tool, an extension of the instruments we play has taken even longer.  All albums are a step further –the band can be seen upon like a research project where we explore different aspects from record to record. We never do new thing just to do it but learn it, practice it so it is a integral part of the sound and performance – like learning a new instrument every time.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
We have not worked with lyrics on the two last albums. There are no text or lyrics on Solitary IV.  The vocal is the result of an atmosphere created in the process. The vocal is improvised both in the rehearsing and recording settings. The intention behind that is to use the vocal as a part of the instrumentation, enabling the voice to take more and different roles by using effects, foreground, background and so on. We think the listener still would find lyrical meaning within the tracks through the expressions of the human voice. City of Glass was built upon lyrics by the Norwegian artist Paul Irgens, Rivers of broken Glass had lyrics – the last two albums we have explored without, but still with vocal.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'The Soundbyte'?
The Soundbyte refers to both the technological in soundbyte. It's a short phrase of a statement as it pictures the way we expand how music can be approached.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We play at different scenes and places. All the concerts are unique whether it is a small and more intimate concert or at a major arena. It is almost impossible to pick one performance and say that this was the best; the contact with the audience makes all these settings unique and satisfying. One of the really fine aspects of doing concerts is that we get to visit different places around the world and communicate through music.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We are working on new material, and are planning concerts and tours from January 2018. Doing (smaller) concerts before that time is not impossible, but not a main focus right now. Though some concerts we have been asked to do might be hard to say no to.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of Avant-garde metal?
The feedback has been overwhelming. It feels especially good to see that so many listeners embrace the music. The feedback we receive is from fans that comes from all sorts of different genres.

9.where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We are exploring music and create in our own style. We definitely push ourselves forward. We do not try to make the concept beforehand; all guest musicians contributing into the band also push us out of a predictable way of working. The ground base though will still consist of drums and guitar.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I am not sure if it is only music that is our main source of inspiration. We grew up with metal and rock music,  and of course we cannot underestimate what that meant to us. At the same time we grew up in and still live in a nature and surroundings that influence the way we form our lives and music. Grounded and torn at the same time.

11.What are some of your non-musical interests?
I like to be in activity or learning something new. That is relaxation to me. Skiing (down hill) is a relaxing activity.  So is reading. I find pleasure in all kinds of art, as well as science.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview, and hope you enjoy the album Solitary IV. All the best Trond

www.thesoundbyte.com