Monday, November 27, 2017

Vesperal/Conqueror Of Emptiness/Le Recours aux Forets/2017 CD Review


  Vesperal  are  a  trio  from  France  that  plays  a  mixture  of  neo  folk  and  coldwave  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Conqueror  Of  Emptiness"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Le  Recours  aux  Forets.

  Ambient  style  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  ritualistic  whispers  a  few  seconds  later  before  adding  folk  music  style  acoustic  guitars  and  coldwave  elements  while  a  lot  of the  vocals  are  a  mixture  of  spoken  words  and  melodic  singing  and  at  times  the  music  gets  very  experimental  as  well  as  most  of  the  tracks  sounding  different  from  each  other.

  Vesperal  plays  a musical style  that  takes  a very dark  form  of  neo-folk  and  mixes  it  with  coldwave  to  create  a  sound  of t heir  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Giallo's  cinematographic  universe  and  the  writings  of  Lautreamont.

  In  my  opinion  Vesperal  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  mixture  of  neo  folk  and  coldwave  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  trio.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I  AM  The  Silence"  "Solace"  and  "Conquerr  Of  Emptiness".  8  out  of  10. 

https://lerecoursauxforets.bandcamp.com/album/conqueror-of-emptiness

Kruksog/Foster Prudence/Le Recours aux Forêts Productions/2017 EP Review


  Kruksog  are  a  solo  project  from  Bulgaria  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  medieval  form of  neo-folk  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2017  ep  "Foster  Prudence  which  was  released  by  Le  Recoours  aux  Forets  Productions.

  Acoustic  guitars  which  also  bring  in  a  mixture  of  finger  picking  and  full  chords  start  off  the  ep  and  also  bring in  elements  of  folk  music  along  with  some  female  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  while  atmospheric  soundscapes  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  folk  instruments  and  all  of  the  tracks  sound  different  from  each  other.

  Kruksog  plays  a  style  of  neo-folk  that  is  very  dark  and  medieval  sounding,  the  production  sound s very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Nature  and  Slavic  Paganism  themes.

  In my  opinion  Kruksog  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  and  medieval  neo-folk  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Driftwood  Tavern"  and  "Perun".  8  out  of  10.

 https://solar-asceticists-productions.bandcamp.com/album/foster-prudence

Saturday, November 25, 2017

Skinweaver/Gratification Eternal/Great Dane Records/2017 CD Review


  Skinweaver  are  a  band  from  Belgium  that  plays  an  old  school  form  of  death  metal  with  touches  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Gratification  Eternal"  which  was  released  by  Great  Dane  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  old  school  90's  influenced  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  a  few  seconds  later  while  the  screams  also  add  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  along  with  the  riffs  also  bringing  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  are  heavily  influenced  by  doom metal.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  being  done  in  a  very  dark yet  melodic  fashion  and  some  of  the  fast  riffs  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  the  music  always  remains  very  heavy.

  Skinweaver  plays  a musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  early  90's  death  metal  while  the  black  and  doom  metal  elements  gives  the  songs  more  originality,  the  production  sound s very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  death  and  gore  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Skinweaver  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  death  metal  band  with  elements  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Skinweaver"  "Kneedeep  Into  Flesh"  "Suffer  Endless"  and  "Plague  Bearer".  8  out  of  10. 

 https://greatdanerecords.bandcamp.com/album/gratification-eternal

Friday, November 24, 2017

Katarina Gubanova/Replays By Miss Key # 1/2017 Full Length Review


  Katarina  Gubanova  is  a  solo  artist  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  ambient  and  piano  music  as  well  as  doing  metal  covers  and  this  is  a  review  of  her  self  released  2017  album  "Replays  By  Miss  Key  #  1"  and  consists  of  covers  from  Amon  Amarth,  Arch  Enemy,  Satyricon,  Slipjknot  and  Volbeat.

  Epic  sounding  pianos  start  off  the  album  while also  capturing  the  atmosphere  of  melodic  black/pagan  and  death  metal  and  all  of  the  music  is  instrumental  and  done  on  piano  alone  but  also  capturing t he  melody  of  the  original  metal  version  of  the  tracks  and  also  mixing  in  elements  of  ambient  and  classical  music.

  Katarina  Gubanova  takes  5  different  metal  tracks  that  sound  different  from  each  other  and  takes  into  into  more  of  a  mixture  of  pianos  music,  ambient  and  classical  music  to  create  something  very  original  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Katarina  Guboanova  is  a  very  great  sounding  instrumental  mixture  of  metal,  ambient,  classical  and  piano  music  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Guardians  Of  Asgaard"  and  "Phoenix".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2ABJtHIlHI

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Aires/Naturalismo/Collectivo Casa Amarela/2017 FULL Length Review


  Portugal's  Aires  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  into  more  of  a  mixture  of  harsh  noise  and  melancholy  yet  moody  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album "Naturalismo"  which  was  released  by  Collectivo  Casa Amarela.

  Field  recordings  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  nature  sounds  and  after  awhile  atmospheric  ambient  soundscapes  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with  all  3  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  most  of  the  tracks  being  instrumental.

  Elements  of  harsh  noise  and  drone  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  great  amount  of  dark  ambient  style  synths  while  all  3  of  the  tracks  sound  very  different  from  each  other  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  on  the  closing  track.

  Aires  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  their  mixture  of  field  recordings,  dark  ambient  and  harsh  noise  from  previous  releases  while  also  keeping  most  of  the  music  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  m  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Aires  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient  and  harsh  noise,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Precisamos  De  Espelhos  2".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIJmShMMSe4&t=&utm_source=Colectivo+Casa+Amarela&utm_campaign=9748607d24-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_30&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5c31029d00-9748607d24-27455861

 


  

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Slow/V - Oceans/Code666/2018 CD Review


  Slow  are  a  solo  project  from  Belgium  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  funeral doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2018  album  "V  -  Oceans"  which  will b e  released  in  2018  by  Code666.

  Atmospheric  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  synths  while  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  after  awhile  the  music  goes  into  more  of  a  heavier  funeral  doom  metal  direction  while  also  introducing  death  metal  growls  into the  songs.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  music  also  mixes  both  the  heavy  and  atmospheric  parts  together  along  with  the  guitar  solos  and  leads  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  fashion  and  one  track  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  and  when  the  music  finally  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  Slow  plays  a  style  of  funeral  doom  metal  which  is  very  slow,  heavy,  melodic  and  atmospheric  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  loneliness  and  death  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Slow  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  funeral  doom  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tenebres"  and  "Mort".  8  out  of  10.

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Saturday, November 18, 2017

Perturbator/The Uncanny Valley/Blood Music/2017 CD Review


 Perturbator  are  a  solo  project  from  France  that  plays  a  very  horror  and  sci-fi  orientated  form  of  dark  synth  music  and  this is  a  review  of  his  2017  album  "The  Uncanny  Valley"  which  was  released  by  Blood  Music.

  Industrial  style  beats  start  off  the  album  along with  some  synths  that  also  mix  in  elements  of  80's  era  synth  pop  while  also  sounding  very  modern  at  the  same  time  as  well  as  mixing  in  the  atmosphere  of  some  classic  horror  and  science  fiction  movies  and  one  track  also  introduces robotic  voices  onto  the  recording.

  A  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  all  instrumental  while  elements  of  ambient  and  experimental  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  some  songs  also  show  an  influence  of  metal  but  capturing  the  atmosphere  with  synths  instead  of  guitars  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  the  tracks  and  melodic  guitar  leads are also  used  briefly  and  some  of  the  songs  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Perturbator  plays  a  style  of  dark synth  music  that  captures  the  atmosphere  of 80's  horror  and  science  fiction  movies  while  also  mixing  in  some  metal  influences  and  modern  electronic  music  elements,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  lyrics  when  they  are utilized  cover  science  fiction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Perturbator  are  a  very  great  sounding  sci-fi  orientated  dark  synth  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Neo  Tokyo"  "Venger"  "Assault"  and  "The  Uncanny  Valley".  8  out  of  10.

https://blood-music.bandcamp.com/album/the-uncanny-valley-bonus

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Coffin Haze/Rehearsal Ritual 2/Caligari Records/2017 EP Review


  Coffin  Haze  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  death  surf  and  blackabilly  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  ep  "Rehearsal Ritual  2"  which  was  released  by  Caligari  Records.

  Drum  beats  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  elements  of  surf  music  and  rockabilly  style  guitar  riffs  which  also  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  fashion.

  Most  of  the  music  has  an  improv  feeling  while  elements  of  black  and  death  metal  are  also  added  into  the  music  at  times  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  most  of t he  music  sticks  to  ether  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental.

  Coffin  Haze  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  their  mixture  of  death  surf  and  blackabilly  and  also  keeps  everything  in  an  instrumental  and  improv  direction  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Coffin  Haze  and  if  you  are  looking  for  something  original,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "In  All  Her  Cancer"  and  "Revealed,  Revered".  8  out  of  10.

https://caligarirecords.bandcamp.com/album/rehearsal-ritual-2


Sunday, November 12, 2017

Luna/Swallow Me Leaden Sky/Solitude Productions/2017 CD Review


  Luna  are  a  band  from  Ukraine  that  plays  a  symphonic  and  instrumental  mixture  of  funeral  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Swallow  Me  Leaden  Sky"  which  will  be  released  by  Solitude  Productions.

  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  start off  the  album  while  also  bringing  in  symphonic  elements  at  times  as  well  as  mixing  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs  which  are  mostly done  in  a  slow  funeral  doom  metal  fashion  and  both  of  the tracks  that  are  present  on  the  recording  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length

  All  of  the  songs  are instrumental  with  no  vocals  or  song  writing  ever  being  utilized  while  elements  of  death  metal are  also  utilized  at  times  and  on  the  second  track  the  synths  also  start  bringing  in  a  variety  of  more  keys  along  with  all  of  the  music  sticking  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  as  well  as  the  drums  speeding  up  briefly  and  adding  in  more  aggression  and  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  fashion.

  Luna  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  funeral  doom  metal  while  the  symphonic  and  death  metal  elements  gives  the  songs  more  originality  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  professional.

  In  my  opinion  Luna  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  and  instrumental  mixture  of  funeral  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Everything  Becomes  Dust".  8  out  of  10.

https://lunametal.bandcamp.com/album/swallow-me-leaden-sky

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Ba'al/In Gallows By Mass/APF Records/2017 EP Review


  Ba'al  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  post,  sludge  and  doom  metal  with  some  touches of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  ep  "In  Gallows  By  Mass"  which  was  released  by  APF  Records.

  Clean  guitars  start  off  the  ep  and  also  bring  in  elements  of  post  rock  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  leads  and  clean  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  after  awhile  sludge  style  screams  are  added  onto  the  recording.

  All  3  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  screams  also  add  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  being  very  heavily  influenced  by  doom  metal  and  the  main  focus  is  more  on  a  slow  musical  style.

  Ba'al  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  sludge,  doom  and  post  metal  while  elements  of  black  metal  are  utilized  at  times,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Ba'al  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  sludge,  doom  and  post  metal  with  some  black  metal  touches  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Days  of  Yore".  8  out  of  10.

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Thursday, November 9, 2017

Flames Of Genesis/Interstellar Transmigration Part 1: A Bridge To Further Realms/Minotauro Records/2017 CD Review



  Flames  Of  Genesis  are  a  solo project  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  cinematic  dark  ambient  soundscapes  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2017  album  "Interstellar  Transmigration  Part  1  :  A  Bridge  To  Further  Realms"  which  was  released  by  Minotauro  Records.

  Dark  ambient  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  drones  a  few  seconds  later  while  synths  are  also  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  sticks  mostly  to  an  instrumental  direction.

  At  times  the  music gets  very  distorted  while  also  bringing  in  a  sci-fi  orientated  atmosphere  along  with  a  great  amount  of  cinematic  elements  and  all  of  the  tracks  sound  very  different  from  each  other.

  Flames  Of  Genesis  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient  and  soundscapes  and  mixes  it  with  cinematic  elements  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  while  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Flames  Of  Genesis  are  a  very  great  sounding  cinematic  dark  ambient  soundscape  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Entering  The  Breathing  Spaces  Between  Worlds"  "Attuning  To  Th  Voices  Beyond the  Vacuum"  and  "Journey  To  Where  The  Silence  Begins".  8  out  of  10.

www.flamesofgenesis.co.uk

  

Spectrale/Self Titled/Les Acteurs deL' Ombre Productions/2017 CD Review


  Spectrale  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  very  hypnotic  and  acoustic  form  of  esoteric  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2017  album  which  was  released  by  Les Acteurs  deL'  Ombre  Productions.

  Acoustic  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  elements  of  folk  as  well  as  utilizing  both  finger  picking  and  full  chords  while the  guitar  solos  and  leads  bring  in  a  melodic  post  metal  style  along  with  some  touches  of  shoegaze  and  cellos  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  tracks.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  instrumental  with  not  much  vocals  or  song  writing  ever  utilized  while  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  at  times  along  with  some  elements  of  noise  being  added  onto  some  of  the  tracks  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  melodic  chants  and  as  the  album  progresses  heavy  and  melodic  riffs  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  a  couple  of  tracks also  adds  in  a  small  amount  of  tragic  and  ambient  sounding  keyboards  and  the  closing  track  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Spectrale  plays  a  style  of  acoustic  music  that  is  very  esoteric  and  hypnotic  sounding  as  well  as  adding  in  a  touch  of  post  metal  at  times  along  with  most  of  the  music  being  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Spectrale  are  a  very  great  sounding  esoteric  and  hypnotic  acoustic music  project  with  a  touch  of  post  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Contact"  "Magellan"  and  "Retour  sur  Terre".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6fH5WSM1ow&feature=youtu.be

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

We Hate You Too/Howling Scars/Grimm Distribution/2017 CD Review


  We Hate  You  Too  are  a  duo  from  France  that  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  jazz,  ambient,  classical  and  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Howling  Scars"  which  was  released  by  Grimm  Distribution.

   Tragic  style  pianos  along  with  some  rough  clean  vocals  start  off  the  album  while  also  having  a  grim  black  metal  edge  at  times  along  with  the  music  also  mixing  in  elements  of  classical,  ambient  and  jazz  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  starts  bringing  in  a  lot  more  diversity.

  At  times  the  music  gets  very  avant  garde  and  experimental  sounding  while  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  after  awhile  the  songs  start  incorporating  more keyboards,  horned,  woodwind  and  brass  instruments  and  on  the  closing  track  percussion  is  also  added  into  the  music  and  they  also  bring  in  more  of  a  tribal  feeling.

  We  Hate  You  Too  plays  a  musical  style  that  mixes  jazz,  dark  ambient,  classical  and  avant  garde  together  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  poetic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  We  Hate  You  Too  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  jazz,  classical, ambient  and  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bone's  Ground"  and  "Fear".  8 out  of  10. 

https://www.facebook.com/WeHateYouTooFrenchDuo/

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Satanath/Your Personal Copy/Grimm Distribution/Craneo Negro Records/2017 CD Review


  Russia's  solo  project  Satanath  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  dark  ambient  style  of  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2017  album  "Your  Personal  Copy"  which  was  released  a  a  joint  effort  between  Grimm  Distribution  and  Craneo  Negro  Records.

  Dark  ambient  style  synths  start  off  the  album  and  also  use  a  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys  while  also  adding  drones  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  some  elements  of  space  music  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  short  in  length  as  well  as  being  mostly  instrumental.

  Elements  of  electronic  music  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  songs  while  a  later  track  also  introduces clean  guitars  onto  the  recording  along  with  some  programmed  beats  also  being  utilized  at  times  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  music  gets  more  diverse  and  as  the  album  progresses  some  of  the  tracks  also  start  getting  more  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Satanath  creates  another  recording t hat  remains  true  to the  dark  ambient,  space  and  electronic  music  mixture  of  previous  releases  while  keeping  almost  all of  the  music  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Satanath  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Peitefuv"  "Kiomlu"  "Hetatro"  and  "Univrasis".  8  out  of  10.

https://grimmdistribution.bandcamp.com/album/010gd-satanath-your-personal-copy-2017

Sunday, November 5, 2017

Tri-Function Million/Sprukket Jord/Dead Seed Productions/2017 Full length Review



  Tri-Function  Million  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  consists  of  members  from  Amok,  Gribberiket,  and  Utarm  and  play  a  mixture  of experimental,  avant  garde  and  hip  hop  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Sprukket  Jord"  which  will  be  released  on  November  19th  by  Dead  Seed  Productions.

  Experimental  and  avant  garde  sounds  start  off  the  album  while  rap  style  vocals  are  added  into  the  recording  a  few  seconds  later  along  with  some  hip  hop  beats  in  the  background  and  when  guitars  are utilized  they  ad d elements  of  metal  onto  the  recording as  well  as  some  songs  also  bringing  in  ambient  style  synths.

  One  of  the  tracks  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  spoken  word  parts  are  also  utilized  at  times  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  ethnic  music  elements  and  as  the  album  progresses  touches  of  drone  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  one  of  the  tracks  is  an  instrumental.

  Tri-Function  Million  plays  a  musical  style  that  mixes  hip  hop,  experimental  and  avant  garde  to  create  something  very original,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Norwegian  and  cover  dystopian  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Tri-Function  Million  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  experimental,  avant  garde  and  hip  hop  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sprukket  Jord"  "En  Grave  For  Alle"  "Avataren"  and  "Djevlenes  Hender".  8  out  of  10.   

https://www.facebook.com/trifunctionmillion/

      

Mhonos/LXXXVII/Dead Seed Productions/2017 CD Review


  Mhonos  are  a  band  from  France  that   has  been  featured  before  in   this  zine  and  plays  a  ritualistic  form  of  doom  metal  with  some  elements  of  drone,  industrial  and  black  metal  and  this is  a  review of  their  2017  album  "LXXXVII"  which  will  be  released  on  November  19th  by  Dead Seed  Productions.

  Ritualistic  drum  beats  start  off  the  album  while  drones  are  also  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  bass  guitars also  being  used  as  an  instruments  at  times  and  some  of the  vocals  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  grim  black  metal  vibe  as  well  as  all  of  the  tracks  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Element s of  industrial  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  small  amount  of  guitar  amp  noises  while  the  riffs  also  bring  in  the  heaviness  of  doom  and  sludge  metal  as  well  as  one  of  the  tracks  being  an  instrumental  and  all  of t he  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction.

  Mhonos  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  the  ritualistic  style  of  doom  metal  from  previous  releases  while  elements  of  drone,  industrial  and  black  metal  are  also  used  at  times,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Mhonos  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  ritualistic  doom  metal,  you  should check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I"  and  "III".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/Mh%C3%B6nos-153003594761766/

TeHOM Interview


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

Project just released live album “Live Assault” through Cyclic Law (CD) and La Esencia Records (LP vinyl picture disc + bonus CD “Extra Assault”), recorded 2016 at huge Brutal Assault Festival and Keep Ambient Lodge in Czech Republic. Also working on new studio album and hopefully will be released until middle of 2018. On CD and LP version at Cyclic Law Records again.

2.Recently you have released that live album, how would you the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

Musical sound is like on the last album into ritual dark ambient.. The tracks here are slower than the original album versions to give an even more sense of ritual and repetition deeper sound. Also into tracks are some extra sounds I made with the tube instrument, and ofcourse my own vocals..

3.What are some of the themes and images you bring out with your musical sound?

TeHÔM's music recalls visions of ancient cultures, evoked by hypnotic, abstract and organic soundscapes wrapped in ritualistic and esoteric atmospheres. So that kind of images and themes are into it, mixed with ritual & spiritual realm ofcourse ..

4.I know that the band name is a Hebrew word for the primeval flood and also relates to Tiamat and Apsu in Babylonian Magick, how does this name fit in with the musical style you play?

TeHÔM was always related on that kind of atmosphere and historical moments.
TeHÔM is dark and perilous depth of everything existing, but also the creative potential of limitless power. Daring to enter TeHÔM i.e.Tiamat and kill the beast, as Marduk did in the Babylonian myth of creation, signifies the individuals' courage and wisdom to face all of the negative contents which bind his being. Literally the Deep or Abyss is exzakt what the right name fit in with the musical style TeHÔM is. 


5.In the beginning the band was a duo but is now a solo project, are you open to working with other musicians again in the future?

Yeah, could be possible.. but much better working alone now.. On the beginning my friend who died was alone in the project, I helped him on 2nd album with some sounds and that things.. Ofcourse possible working with someone on some extra project.. but not so much extra time. Also I have in plan maybe opening one new project for more deeper ambient and field recording stuff.. it is in preparation, we will see what will happen. All depends about time because so much work around TeHÔM and other stuff. I have already received several similar requests for collaboration with other artists, but simply lack of time does not allow this to happen.But ofcourse I'm honored always when someone sends such a thing ..

6.The project was put on hold for several years, what was the decision behind the reformation?

I always wanted to offer a “new” and fresh interesting ideas in the field of dark ritual ambient and experimental soundscapes, in the same vein as TeHÔM was and continuing on from where it stopped ’97 from last making material (who was released 3 years after 2000). With new level and approach to the music, new story and ofcourse new label(s) for all that. I want people remember album(s) and some track inbetween thousends of others today what is really hard but for this is important music in your mind.
The idea drop out somewhere 2007 when I got up firstly with TeHÔM’s MySpace page and put the player with old tracks. The whole time I had vision in my mind was that this project should continue acting and music publishing, and even have a live audio-video presentation when the opportunity arises, because my friend Siniša, who died ’97, could not do it and would certainly have liked to continue and do. Among other things that I made for our friendship who are always happy to remember, and therefore Siniša’s spirit. Decision at no time was not only difficult what was difficult was remembering some bad moments of his hard illness. But the glory of this, and from all that came the new TeHÔM music that I'm proud and I'm sure Siniša would be to.


7.The band was one of the first dark ambient groups in Croatia, do you feel you have had a lot of influence on the later Croatian dark ambient acts?

Many people know for TeHÔM ofcourse through some pages, informations and playing around; internet and facebook help here a lot, but not many new projects exist in this direction, actually I do not know for any other right now. It is closed scene and to her coming only people who really care for music and are open-minded.. Actualy croatian dark ambient and industrial scene is very small, not so much people making that stuff... maybe 2-3 projects I know but this isn’t exact direction to dark ambient, more into any kind of obscure dark sound. Best of them was Kerovnian, which released music for Cold Spring, UK label. But not sure if they still exist, they were present from 1999-2001 with 2 albums. Also one more band named Zagrob, released album for french occult-ritual ambient & industrial label Athanor.

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

Wave Gotik Treffen Festival 2015. It was definitely best Festival I ever was played, very professional attitude and big contract TeHÔM ever get. All items to the last little things are included in the contract, and all complied with to the last. I was there 5 days and I have met many interesting people and artists. The crowd there is amazing, people from all over the world come to enjoy the alternative music of all kinds and celebrate alltogether. The organizers are very professional and keep an eye on all the things, similar to great Wroclaw Industrial Festival in Poland and Brutal Assault Festival in Czech Republic, but this is even bigger. It was a great pride to play at such a top-notch Festival. Also I am very happy that I saw there last time John Murphy (SPK, Last Dominion Lost) and talked with him a lot in the backstage of Moritzbastei club where we performing together. He was really an extraordinary man and legendary artist, he liked TeHÔM very much from beginning, first album, and this “Live Assault” album is dedicated just to him.
Today I manage music mainly with the computer and some controller, keyboard.  Programs I use from time to time are: Sony Acid, Ableton Live, etc. With Ableton I use Akai APC40 controller, a very useful machine for composing, arrangements and especially for live shows, then one simple Evolution MK-249C2 midi keyboard-controller and couple of good VST synths. For live shows I have computer, an external soundcard NI Audio Kontrol 1, Edirol FireWire FA-101, microphone, some extern effects, tibetan singing bowl, spring tubes for making drone sounds live, then mentioned Akai APC40 controller, one Akai small LPK25 keyboard, etc. Improivising with my vocal and extra sounds in effects on original tracks.


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

Will be some shows until end of  2017 and 2018. First one confirmed is 18.11.2017 in Norway at Blåsvart Aften Vol.9 together with legendary italian act New Risen Throne, norvegian Svartsinn, probably Frederic from Cyclic Law records, and like special norvegian guests Northaunt and Taphephobia, etc.. 2018 will be also some shows, one of them is at big czech well known 2-days festival “Hradby Samoty” at castle Rošice near Brno with some interesting acts like Treha Sektori, etc. And still few other possible gigs in 2018 for sure.

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

It is really good nowdays. TeHÔM is oldschool project and from beginning it was a good interraction inbetween fans and music. From before 20 years ago so much changed and actualy nothing is the same, internet time, marketing, different channels and ways of selling and promoting your music, much more projects, labels and all. So much things around what this makes all very different time. But TeHÔM always had their own audience still from ’96 when people lisetn 1st album which someone described like “ritualistic esoteric music”  whatever it means, but it sounds good to attract a wider range of people!  Ofcourse with new 3rd album TeHÔM collect some new fans and listener of genres you mentioned above. Labels are really imporrtant for this whole picture today, and I think Cyclic Law label (Frederic Arbour) and now La Esencia (David Garcia Carmona), where nice 1st vinyl release was out, are really strong labels for making nice work with them and good promotion they gave. I’m proud working with them, they have very nice artists on labels. So I’m sure in the future fans will grow and new people coming listen TeHÔM stuff..

11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?

I see myself as an artist making quality music, whether it's for CD / LP albums or for a movie or installation / exhibition. Sometimes present live in a concerts, audio-visual shows.

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?

My influence coming already from middle of 80’s and was for sure always mentioned Lustmord’s “Paradise Disowned” and all stuff after that, S.P.K. “Zamia Lehmanni” (both albums released ’86 for great label Side Effects from Brian Lustmord and both legendary albums and ofcourse I like also all around S.P.K. “Auto Da-Fe” era.
Then older Current 93 stuff and all around very cult Marc Monin’s great label “L.A.Y.L.A.H. Antireciords” with almost all amazing releases at that time, Coil older stuff and also one of my bigest influence Test Dept.project still from middle of 80’s when I saw them 1st time in Zagreb.
Ofcourse until nowadays ambient and experimental stuff from family label Cyclic Law, then Malignant Records, La Esencia Records, Aural Hypnox Records and projects, legendary Cold Meat Industry records stuff, Cryo Chamber great newer ambient and field recording cinematic music label to, etc. Also some electronic sound like latest Clock DVA stuff, is good comeback for Adi in couple of last 5-6 years. Like I heard his new T.A.G.C. upcoming album is also in preparation and it is good news, I like many stuff from these 2 projects from long time ago. 

13.How would you describe your views on Occultism and Philosophy?

I'm not so hard into occultism, I read some books and investigated but I'm not intensive practicioner. My friend ex-TeHÔM member Siniša was a part of it but also not so so much practicioner, reading a lot.. .

14.What are some of your non musical interests?

Not so much time left for some other non-musical interests, but I like traveling sometimes, goin’ to mountains, going on concerts, exhibitions, audio-video instalations and events, etc..
Otherwise I have still one project from the 90’s named Principia Audiomatica with whom released ’95 a CD album for the legendary Italian experimental & electronic label Minus Habens Records. I have released new album 20 years after 1st one for french label Unknown Pleasures rec. I was also a Dj in various croatian and european clubs, where playing industrial, ebm, alter electronic of 80’s, until techno stuff, etc. Have also my own club programe “Art & Strategy” with those kind of music, working occasionaly in some places and clubs in Zagreb.

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

Thanks for the offer to your readers say something about TeHÔM project, the past, present and future plans. So, follow the TeHÔM news, music, concert performances and more. Much is being prepared.
WEB : www.tehom.org | www.facebook.com/tehom.croatia | www.tehom.bandcamp.com


Saturday, November 4, 2017

Promethean Misery/Ghosts/PRC Music/2018 CD Review


  Promethean  Misery  are  a  solo  project  from  Australia  that  plays  a  mixture  of neo-classical  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is a  review  of  her  album  "Ghosts"  which  will  be  released  in  2018  by  PRC  Music.

  Neo  classical  style  pianos  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  operatic  female  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  while  violins  and  other  stringed  instruments  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  after  awhile  the  music  adds  in  elements  of  funeral  doom  metal  as  well  as  some  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  Throughout  the  recording  the  music  also  mixes  the  neo-classical  and  doom  metal  elements  together  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks a re  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  male  vocals  also  being  utilized  briefly  and  at  times  they  music  also  brings  in  elements  of goth  and  darkwave  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction.

  Promethean  Misery  plays  a  musical  style  that  mixes  neo  classical,  darkwave  and  funeral  doom  metal  together  to  create  something  very  original,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  poetic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Promethean  Misery  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  neo-classical  and  funeral  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Darkness"  and  "Spirit's  Requiem".  8  out  of  10. 

https://prcmusic.bandcamp.com/album/promethean-misery-ghosts-cd

Friday, November 3, 2017

Gridfailure/When The Lights Go Out Vol. One/2017 EP Review


  New  York's  Gridfailure  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  into  more  of  a  mixture  of  ethereal,  ambient  and  abstract  soundscapes  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2017  ep  "When  The  Lights  Go  Out  Vol.  One".

  Dark  ambient  soundscapes  and  drones  start  off  the  ep  while  female  vocals  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  along  with  the  music  also  getting  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  at  times  and  after  awhile  spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  When  percussion  it  utilized  it gives  the  music  more  of  a  tribal  feeling  while  some  tracks  also  mix  in  elements  of  harsh  noise  along  with  some  theremin's  also  being  utilized  at times  and  as  the  ep  progresses  guitars,  synths  and  keyboards  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  music  capturing  the  atmosphere  of  a  horror  movie  soundtrack.

  On  this  recording  Gridfailure  creates  more  of  a  horror  movie  orientated  soundtrack  while  still  mixing  in  elements  of  ethereal,  ambient  and  experimental  music  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Gridfailure  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient,  drone  and  horror  soundscapes,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "It  Came  From  In  There"  "The  Path"  and  "Howling  Breed".  8  out  of  10. 

https://www.instagram.com/gridfailure  

Thursday, November 2, 2017

Neraterrae/The NHART Demo[n]s/2017 Compilation Album Review


   Neraterrae  are  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  death  industrial,  power  electronics,  noise  and  drone  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2017  compilation  album  "The  NHART  Demo[s]".

  Dark  ambient  style  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  elements  of  drone  while  the  music  also  mixes  in  more  power  electronic  and  noise  influences  as  the  album  progresses  as  well  as  keeping  everything  in  an  experimental  direction  while  later  tracks  also  bring  in  more  death  industrial  touches,  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  short  in  length  and  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other.

  Neraterrae  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient,  death  industrial,  drone,  noise  and  power  electronics  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  also  sounds  very  dark.

 In  my  opinion  Neraterrae  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  drone,  death  industrial,  noise  and power  electronics  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Core"  "Night  Visit"  and  "New  Faith".  8  out  of  10.

www.facebook.com/neraterrae