Dave Phillips/Post Homo Sapiens/Attenuation Circuit/2020 CD Review

  Dave  Phillips  is  a  solo  artist  from  Switzerland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  experimental  and  harsh  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2020  album  "Post  Homo  sapiens"  which  was  released  by  Attentuation  Circuit.

  Distorted  sounding  drones  start  off  the  album  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  At  time s the  music  also  gets  very  avant  garde  and  experimental  sounding  along  with  some  screams  also  being  used  briefly  which  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  black  metal.

  Home  made  instruments  also  take  the  place  of  a  percussion  along  with  some harsh  noises  and  power  electronics  also  being  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording.  Throat  voices  are  also  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  programmed  beats  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the tracks  also sound  very  different  from  each  other,  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  good  amount  of  field  recordings,  pianos  and  whispered  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  Dave  Phillips  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  experimental,  drone,  field  recordings  and  harsh  noise  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Dave  Phillips  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  experimental,  drone,  field  recordings  and  harsh  noise  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  artist.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Biosemiotics"  and  "Metamorphosis".  8 out  of  10.

https://emerge.bandcamp.com/album/post-homo-sapiens

  

William St. Hugh/Weasels Devour The Sun/2020 CD Review

  William  St.  Hugh  is  a  solo  artist  from  Fairhaven,  Massachusetts  that  has  had  an  album  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  experimental,  ambient,  drone  and  neo-classical  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2020  album "Weasels  Devour  The  Sun"  which  will  be  released  in  February.

  Ambient  style  synths  and  atmospheric sounding  drones  start  off  the  album   while  the  music  also  brings  in  elements  of  neo-classical.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  instrumental  as  well  as  the  songs  also  getting  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  sounding  at  times  and  the  music  also  shows  an  influence  of  earlier  experimental  and  ambient  artists.

  All  of  the  tracks  sound  very  different  from  each  other  while  also  capturing  a  cinematic  atmosphere  at  times.  Sting  compositions  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  one  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  tracks  also  utilizing  a  great  amount  of  soundscapes,  the  synths  also  bring  in  a  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  percussion  can  also  be  heard

  On  this  recording  William  St.  Hugh  takes  experimental,  ambient,  drone  and  neo-classical  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  something  different  while  being  more  calmer  than  the  previous  release  while  also  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  William  St.  High  and  if  you are  a  fan  of  experimental,  ambient,  drone  and  neo-classical,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Thin  As  A  Whisper"  "Forgotten  Way"  "Future  Alchemist"  and  "Weasels  Devour  The  Sun".  8  out  of  10.

https://williamsthugh.bandcamp.com/.        

The Voices/If Nightmares Could Sing/Masked Dead Records/2020 Full Length Review

  The  Voices  is  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  experimental,  avant  garde  and  A  Capella  and  this  is  a  review of  his  2020  album  "If  Nightmares  Could  Sing"  which  was released  by  Masked  Dead  Records.

  Operatic  vocals  start  off  the album  along  with  some  grim  spoken  word  parts  also  being  used  at  times  while  demonic  death  metal  growls  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording,  militant  beats  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  briefly  as  well  as  some  normal  sounding  spoken  word  parts  also  being  added  in  some  parts  of  the  recording.

  Throat  singing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  they  give  the  music  more  of  a  shamanistic  feeling  while  the  songs  also  have  their  experimental  and  avant  garde  moments.  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  a  great  amount  of  A  Capella  style  vocals  being  utilized

  Grim  black  metal  screams  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  the  songs  also  mixing  in  elements  of  ambient,  ethnic,  dark  rock,  industrial,  dance,  space,  jazz  and  classical  music  and  vocals  are  also  the  main  instrument  on  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  nightmare  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  The  Voices  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  experimental,  avant  garde,  A  Capella  and  extreme  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Prison  of  Fear"  "Soulless"  "What  I  Hate"  and  "Let's  Not  Pretend".  8 out  of 10.

https://maskedeadrecords.bandcamp.com/album/if-nightmares-could-sing
https://www.facebook.com/TheVoices-344132869254232/
https://thevoices2.bandcamp.com/

Horror Italiani/Torso/Vntistvndvrd Records/2019 Full Length Review

  Horror Italiani  are  a  duo  with  members  from  Brazil  and  Switzerland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  noise,  experimental,  drone  and  Italian  horror  soundtrack  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "Torso"  which  was  released  by  Vntistvndvrd  Records.

  Dark  soundsccpaes  and  horror  movie  style  synths  start  off  the  album  while  all  of  the tracks  are  also very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Atmospheric  sounding  drones  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  as  well  as  the  music  also  getting  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  sounding  at  times.

  All  of  the  music  is  instrumental  while  elements  of  dark  ambient  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording.  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  the  atmosphere  of  a  horrifying  nightmare  at  times  as  well  some  noises  also  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording.

  Horror  Italiani  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  experimental,  drone,  noise  and  Italian  horror  soundtrack  music  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  while  also  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Horror  Italiani  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  experimental,  drone,  noise,  and  Italian  horror  soundtrack  music  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Parte  I -Atto  II"  and  Parte  II  -Atto  II".  8  out  of  10.

https://open.spotify.com/album/2JxPgSCnYIGOynBhuroJYF

    

Autumn Tears/The Air Below The Water/2020 Double CD Review

  Autumn  Tears  are  a  band  from  Billerica,  Massachusetts  that  has been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  neo-classical,  cinematic  score  and  world  music  and this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  double  album  "The  Air  Below  The  Water".

  Operatic  female  vocals  start  off  the album  while  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  cinematic  soundscapes.  Violins  and  cellos  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  along  with  some  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  tragic  sounding  pianos  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  lot  of  neo-classical  elements.

  Orchestras  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  album  while  also  giving  the  music  more  of  a  symphonic  feeling.  When  snare  drums  and  percussion  are  utilized  they  bring  in  more  of  an  epic  atmosphere  along  with  all  of  the  tracks  sounding  very  different  from  each  other  as  well  as  adding  in some  goth  and  ethereal  touches.

  Trumpets,  French  horns,  flutes,  clarinets  and  trombones  are  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  some  male  vocals  also  being  utilized  at  times.  Some  of  the  songs  are  also  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  nature  orientated  field  recordings  onto  the  album,  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  whispered  vocals  can  also  be  heard  and  the  recording  also  adds in  a  good  amount  of  world  music  influences.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  esoteric  and  mythological  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is another  great  sounding  recording  from Autumn  Tears  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  neo-classical,  cinematic  score  and  world  music,  you  should  check  out  this  double  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sentient  Idols"  "The  Air  Below  the  Water"  "Closer  to  the  Sun"  and  "And  The  We  Disappear". 8  out  of  10.

https://autumntears.bandcamp.com/.

      

Dark Awake/The Last Hypnagogue/Steinklang Industries/2020 CD Review

  Greece's  Dark  Awake  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  his  mixture  of  martial,  dark  ambient, neo-folk  and  neo-classical  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2020 album  "The  Last  Hypnagogue"  which  was  released  by  Steinklang  Industries.

  Ambient  style  synths  and  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  drum  beats  a  few  seconds  later. When  whispered  vocals  are  utilized  they  give  the  songs  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling  as  well  as  adding  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  while  touches  of  goth  can  also  be heard  at  times.

  Elements  of  martial  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  some  of  the  songs  are  instrumentals.  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  some  operatic  female  vocals,  spoken  word  parts  and  ethnic  instruments  being  added  on  the  recording  as  the  album  progresses.

  When  percussion  is  utilized  it  gives  the  music  more  of  a  shamanistic  and  martial  atmosphere  along  with  one  song  mixing  the  percussion  with  neo-classical  style  synths,  touches  of  neo-folk  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  the  album  closes  with  a  cover  of  Throbbing  Gristle's  "Persuasion"  which  also  introduces  clean  male  vocals  onto  the  recording.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  an  invocation  to  reincarnation  and  the  continuing  awareness  that  every  moment  of  life  is  lived  to  the  fullest  potential.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Dark  Awake  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  martial,  dark  ambient,  neo-folk  and  neo-classical   RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Visuddha  (Chakra  Drinking)"  "Voudon"  and  "Einsoph".  8  out  of  10.

https://darkawake.bandcamp.com/album/the-last-hypnagogue       

Brenner & Molenaar/Uninvited Savior/Nefarious Industries/2020 Full Length Review

  Brenner  &  Molenaar  are  2  musicians  with  one  being  from  New  York  and  the  other  California  that  are  better  known  for  their  work  in  Gridfailure  and  Those  Darn  Gnomes  and  they  team  up  on  this  recording  to  create  a  mixture  of  experimental,  field  recordings,  noise  and  power  electronics  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Uninvited  Savior"  which  will  be  released  on  January  31st  by  Nefarious  Industries.

  Organs  start  off  the  album  and  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  psychedelic  feeling  along  with  all  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  sounding  while  also  mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  distorted  sounds.

  Synths  and  keyboards  can  also  be  heard  in  some parts  of  the  recording  while  also  adding  elements  of  ambient  into  the  music.  Power  electronics  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  one  track  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  steel  guitars  and  distorted  guitars  are  also  utilized  in  some  parts  of  the  recording.

  Elements  of  jazz  can  also  be  heard  briefly  as  well as  all  of  the  tracks  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other,  Field  recordings  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  album  along  with  the  bass  guitars  also  adding  in  a  very  powerful  sound  when  they  are  added  into  the  music  briefly.

  Most of  the  tracks  are  also  instrumentals  along  with  some  distorted  noises  and  drones  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  Voices,  singing  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  throughout  the  closing  track  closing  track  and  they  also  add  in  more  of  a  ritualistic  atmosphere  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Brenner  &  Molenaar  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  experimental,  field  recordings,  noise  and  power  electronics  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Transfixed".  8  out  of  10.

https://christianmolenaar.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/christian.molenaar

http://www.facebook.com/gridfailure

http://www.gridfailure.bandcamp.com

   

     

Pombajira Interview

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

We´ve been composing new songs for the next album. We are managing to release it until June 2020, but as all things here may have some delays and problems as ever, I can´t tell you exactly if this prognostic will occur.

2.In 2019 you had released both a demo and a full length, musically how do they differ from each other?

We didn´t release a demo, but a promo cd-r instead. Proselytism rec(Chile) and Cianeto Discos (Bra) pressed some copies in this format including two of our released songs in pré-mastered and raw mixed versions. So, they sound a little bit different but are the same tracks present in the debut album. Of course, you have the definitive versions and more 4 songs in the CD.

3.The bands name and some of the lyrics are inspired by Afro-Brazilian cults, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these fields and do you lean more towards the left hand path of Quimbanda or do you learn more towards the other sides such as Macumba, Umbanda or Candomble?

Actually the lyrics aren´t exclusively inspired in the Afro-Brazilian cults, but of course it may have part of the entire context. I chose the name Pombajira cos´ it fits much better with my reality and represents a powerful, free but feared female entity that surrounds the imaginary of the ordinary brazilian society, positively or negatively. The prejudice and racism are an unconscious part of our feeble structures in Brazil, as part of the historical slave-owning catholical/christian domination since our “discovery”. We do not have the goal of being a kind of religious band, neither no pretentious of being a herald of this very complex and ancient culture even that we, of course, have been in contact with it since our childhood. There´re much better persons for it. Maybe the random essence of these cults in my experienced life, have awaken a flick of interest on me in order to express artistically and musically something which deals with this central concept. The idea of an imperative band is not for us, since we do not pledged loyalty to any kind of dogma or doctrine. Musically, it´s ever good to remind that we´re not a Black Metal band. Of course that it may take part of our influences, but we are not part of this style definitively. We do play Heavy music and it´s enough for us! In the lyrics of “The Lost Exit of Darkness” for example, I wrote about choices, voices from inside which can save or corrupt you to death or even a life condemned with conformism.

4.Do you also have an interest in western or eastern forms of occultism?

Of course that as almost all young metalhead guys down here, excited in “discovering” occult things, and flooded with an imported vision and comprehension of the world, I used to have a lot of interest and contact to Satanism, Thelema and occult orders back then, as well as with alternative literature and all rampage it may occur to outline our personality. I do not regret or have bad feelings on it though, but I must tell you that I´m very far to feel the same impact and interest on it, except for the use of occasional symbolism's that may happen. I don´t want to blur the work of the others, but I don´t see with good eyes the searching for some gratification or disputing with egocentric self-glorification as something which may have some greater result, including the appearance of several trendy subcultures or ideologies/philosophies or whatever form of self-proclaimed conviction you want. In the current last years I was more interested to focus on myself and what´s all about my environment, my mistakes and in what´s leading me to a personal evolution in many aspects. It´s not a matter of arrogance, but western or eastern perspectives are not the channels that I´m into or looking for nowadays.

5.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

I´ve noticed about “The Lost Exit of Darkness” in the above question. “Vital Lucifer” is about an uncontrolled and very real “dream” I had when I was a child. “Queen of the Night” is homage to Pomba Gira, very simple and honest homage. The others speak in different manners which you´ll have to enter our world to have some perception. Nothing intricate or pseudo poetical, but words conceived with mature synergy.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

It´s interesting that this very simple and iconic artwork had a major reaction. I could have commissioned some cool artists to draw a killer artwork for us, but I was ever a fan of simplistic designs since it´s cool and effective. So, I did it for myself, within what the band represents and stands for. Of course that many will hate and laugh at it, others will love and praise it. Actually, that´s the idea. Thanks for asking.

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

We never played alive yet.

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for 2020?

No tour. Maybe a few gigs. Maybe…

9.A couple of the band members have a background in playing black and death metal, what was the decision behind going into more of a doom metal direction with this band?

 I had played for almost 20 years in a Black/Death Metal band called Grave Desecrator, that maybe you´ve heard about. I´m not interested to play or express myself with extreme Metal anymore, so I decided to quit. The guys are still my friends so, but I wanted another alternative for my life I music. And also, to write some different things with different concepts as well. Thiago Splatter, the drummer, plays hallucinated in a lot of bands in different styles such as Death, Black, Gore Metal etc. He´s very friendly and easy guy to work with. And the guitarist, Blizzard, has been my friend for a long time, but his background was more into Heavy/Hard Rock/Blues bands, playing around the night in Rio. We could never imagine that we´d play together some day, and it has been really great so far! He´s also the guitarist of a post-Punk band called Arte no Escuro! I don´t consider our songs as extremely Doom, since I like to call it Heavy Doomed Rock music, but it´s only my interpretation.

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

I don´t know. Things are still in the very beginning. It seems to be good so, not only with Doom fans, but fans of Heavy music at all. Cd´s and tapes are selling better than I expected here in Brazil at least. Take in mind that we´re not rich bitches, have nobody than us working for the band, no advertisements, no pressing, and we are a brand new unknown band. And actually, we´re much more a project than a band (maybe it can change, anyway), even that we´d be really happy if a huge amount of people enjoy and support our music, we are not looking for instant success or something. I mean, we prefer to stand in our way if a kind of “success” comes to us naturally, instead to search desperate for it like insane adolescents into Rock. We´re already old guys for it. Let´s see what future will bring to us.


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

Man, I have no idea…

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?

I don´t know but maybe Black Sabbath, Hellhammer are the main cornerstones of our music at all, but of course that we had been affected by others bands and artists naturally. We listen to all kinds of good music from pop to what we call “extreme Metal” and bla, bla, bla… The same cliché, but it´s the only truth possible! Nunslaughter to Raul Seixas, Death SS to Turbonegro.. I don´t have too much interest on nowadays Black or Death Metal scene (with exceptions of course), but I still love the oldest underground bands from 80´s and 90´s, as well as for the heroes of 70´s, some great Progressive Rock (King Crimson and italian bands), Blues, Brazilian Rock, Punk, hardcore etc.. If you ask me more recent bands that I like (even that some are not too recent) I´d quote Electric Wizard, The Devil´s Blood, Lucifer, The Oath, …Please check out cool brazilian bands like Velho, Cult of Horror, Necro, Jupiterian…Communion from Chile is ever a killer South American Death/Black devoted band! Well, it´s an overview of few things I can recommend..
Last CD that I bought was from the band Demon Pact, an obscure and raw, but talented old NWOBHM band!!!


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

Thanks for the interview! We´re looking for a label to release the vinyl version, get in touch!

Facebook.com/pombajira
Pombajira.bandcamp.com

Pyewacket/Witches/2020 Full Length Review

  Pyewacket  is  a  solo  project  from  is  a  solo  project  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2020  album  "Witches".

 Field  recordings  start  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Atmospheric  sounding  drones  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  when  they  are  utilized  and  all  of  the  songs  are  instrumentals.

  All  of  the  songs  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  while  the  music  also  gets  very  repetitive  and  primitive  sounding  at  times.  Programmed  yet militant  beats  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  album  as  well  as  all  of  the  tracks  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  and  as  the  album  progresses  atmospheric  soundscapes  are  also  utilized  more.


  Pyewacket  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient,  atmospheric  soundscapes  drone  and  field  recordings  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  while  also  keeping  everything  instrumental.  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  revolve  around  individuals  convicted  and  tried  for  witchcraft  during  the  16th  and  17th  centuries.

  In  my  opinion  Pyewacket  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  drone  and  atmospheric  soundscapes  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Elizabeth  Clarke"  and  "Ruth  Osborne".  8  out  of  10.

Bandcamp: https://pyewacket.bandcamp.com/releases

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pyewacket/  

Eisenlager Interview

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

EISENLAGER was founded by me in 1999. in the eighties I started experimenting with music, that I manipulated and changed. I didn't do that seriously. The tapes from this period have all been lost. At the end of the nineties I got the urge again to start new experiments, and as the age of the affordable computer had come, I bought a computer and started to express myself with sounds. Twenty years have passed now, and it will always go on.

2.You have put out over a hundred albums, how would you describe your musical progress over the years?

I hope that I have made no progress because I want to remain the same as I did on the first day when I proudly put my first EISENLAGER album on the internet. There was no bandcamp, only were forums and websites. I had my own website and wrote in countless forums. My album could be downloaded from my webspace. In the last 20 years I have never tried to develop on the technical side. I still want to make it pure and simple. I am not a technology freak and quickly lose patience in these matters. My tool was and is simple. Of course you learn a lot about it, but I couldn't name it. I think I am still a kindergarden electronics technician.

3.When I looked at the bandcamp page, you had plenty of material do you spend a great amount of time writing and creating music?

Yes, I spend a lot of time with it. but these are phases. Sometimes nothing happens for a while, then suddenly I hear a word in a netflix series, that I like and I want to make an album called like it. I jump up and sit down at the machine and start. Or I hear a noise while driving with the elevator, which I absolutely have to record with my iphone, and then I often want to make a track out of it very quickly. But there were also periods of very long downtimes. During these times I built websites for nights. But the internet has changed and so have my interests. I just became a music worker much more. In addition, making music helps me to keep my balance and drive out inner demons.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Eisenlager'?

In German, EISENLAGER means a storage for iron. For example, a factory that processes iron will have a warehouse somewhere where it will bring the finished products. Iron is heavy and cold and I felt that my music is cold and difficult to consume aswell. In recent years I have also been producing warm tones like ambient and dark ambient. Sometimes I thought the name didn't suit me anymore. But that is the beginning and should also be the way and the end. If you name your daughter Emily and she becomes a footballer or construction worker, you will not rename her either. I also liked the clear structure of the name. That goes well with German electronic music.

5.With this project you record everything by yourself, do you have any experience working with other musicians?

Oh yes, I have had a lot of experiences with that. It has become part of EISENLAGER. There is also an EISENLAGER HIMMELHOLZSTEG. Artists send me pieces or sounds and then I am a cook and tinker pieces from several musicians to a whole new piece. Sometimes I ask a musician if we should make an album together, sometimes musicians ask me if I want to do anything with them. It happens that musicians send me a piece or a very long one and tell me, that they don't know what to do with it and whether I can use it or whatever. Albums have already been created this way.

6.Have you done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

There has never been and never will be live shows. EISENLAGER is a studio project. If there should be a live show, I would have to sit there with big sunglasses and a cigarette in my mouth and fog and slide my hands back and forth on a computer. A friend from behind starts the CD or bandcamp ;-)

7.What are some of the record labels you have worked with other the years?

I think i forgot a few but that should get around. Lately I have been working less with netlabel,  because I produce so much and am impatient and want to publish the music quickly. A netlabel can't do that. My two house labels, which regularly publish my music, are attenuation circuit and Kalamine Records. Everything else is on my bandcamp website. You can find everything I have ever produced on my bandcamp page even if one or the other album has also been published by a netlabel.
PETROGLYPH MUSIC
M.I.S.T. Records
Hortus Conclusus Records
attenuation circuit
Kalamine Records
Studio 4632 Netlabel
BFW recordings
Fraction Studio
God hates God Records
dhatūrā records
Cian Orbe Netlabel
suRRism-Phonoethics

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of experimental and ambient?

Oh it always surprises me, that there are people all over the world who appreciate my music. That goes around the earth. There are people, who even buy my music. That makes me really proud. I don't want to make any money with it, but bandcamp forces me to enter something, otherwise the 200 free downloads are quickly used up and I have to change every album for hours. 0.50 cent is almost free. I always look incredulous and grateful, when someone spends 0.50 cents or more in order to own my album. I am grateful to everyone who loves and wants to listen to my music. You are the best! I am also very touched, when someone on Facebook or in an email expresses a positive opinion of my music, or when I read a nice review. Sometimes I have tears in my eyes.

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

There will always be a mix of experimental industrial and ambient / dark ambient. This is my world, this is my home, and I think, I bring a German touch, the German experiment into my work. I love to create music for films that never have been made. The best thing is to lie down in bed or on the sofa or a comfortable armchair and close your eyes. If you like, you can of course lean against the wall. I believe, that my music can create a different film in every person. I hope so. That is my goal. I want to achieve this. This is my life and my digital diary. EISENLAGER is my bloodstream.

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?

La Düsseldorf and Neu! (klaus dinger is god)!!!
I grew up with all of the seventies and eighties electronic music. Germany has electronic music in its bloodstream. KRAFTWERK, TANGERINE DREAM, KLAUS SCHLUZE, and and and. We listened to this, I listened to this. I also listened to gothic and pop but the electronics built a nest in my body. There are so many bands that I love. I don't know if they influence me. I try not to imitate anything but I admire, adore and love so many. I can list a few bands that I appreciate and love.
French 79, Daft Punk, Aes Dana, Aphex Twin, Arcana, Biosphere, GAS, Bohren & der Club of Gore, Brian Eno, Endraum, Silke Bischoff, Global Communication, H.U.V.A. Network, I N A D E, La Düsseldorf, Harmonia, Neu!, Lustmord, Pete Namlook, Sephiroth, Solar Fields, The Field, Winterberg, and many many more.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Ok, I am a netflix junkie, I build websites, I take pictures and I like to spend time with friends. I have to look at all music documentaries and like to read biographies from or about musicians, Lemmy R.I.P
I like to prepare food in iron pans and pots. I'm open to everything.


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

Thanks to all people who listen to music. Music is life, and life is beautiful. Thanks to all musicians who make music, you help to make life beautiful. Thanks to all people who listen to EISENLAGER. I thank you from the heart, because every artist wants to be heard and seen. You are the most important part in the chain. I also thank you for doing this interview with me, that means a lot to me. Thank you very much. to all who hate Greta, stop hating Greta. We have to stick together. Music will continue to carry ideas. nobbi aka EISENLAGER

https://www.facebook.com/eisenlager.net/

Kalmo Interview

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

After releasing debut EP Demoni I was pretty worn out from all the work done for recording, art work, releasing, marketing, working on press releases etc. I took a few months’ rest from playing and working on Kalmo. During autumn 2019 I worked on few new songs and recorded demo versions of those. Early December I released the Khreestmas song and music video. The song is a traditional Khreestmas carol that I dragged through the dark dungeons of hell and mutated it in the darkness into a Kalmo version. That was a tasty small musical and video production snack before diving into working new material. Here is the link to the music video: https://youtu.be/p8EM1XT2ufI

2.In 2019 you had released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?

The Demoni is a sinful absolution for Kalmo’s early history. It summarizes and concludes an episode in Kalmo’s story. Some of the EP’s songs are from very early years and some have been written within the past two years. I felt internal pressure to get some of the songs recorded and published as a release in order to be able to move forward to something new.  And that new material I am working on at the moment.

3.Some of your lyrics touch on Satanism and Occultism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?

Darkness is more attractive than light. It is mystical, unpredictable and unexplained. People tend to fear it. Where there is fear there is also an element of temptation into that. That two-folded mix of feelings draws the human mind towards darker topics and stories. I do not consider myself satanist as such. I am more of an atheist who is very much interested in the darker forms and stories.

4.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored so far with your music?

The hollowness and the two co-existing sides of human nature are an excellent source for lyrics. It is difficult to say exactly where the ideas come from. It may sometimes even be a nice akward word that triggers the idea for the lyrics. Back to the human mind. Even if someone claims to be pure good, there is darkness somewhere inside. For some people it is in deeper than others, but everyone has that dark corner in the soul. The end and the void after the ultimate end, the creeping feeling of despair carving you inside when you realise that there is nothing after this is something I am exploring and learning to capsulate into the lyrics.

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

Kalmo a relatively new word in Finnish derived from the old word kalma meaning death. Kalmo means cadaver in English. When thinking of a proper name, instead of a work-in-process intermediate names, for the project I wanted it to be short, simple and brutal. A pile of flesh and bones with no life in it is brutal enough, isn’t it. It encapsulates also human’s fear of death. Once selfhood has ended, there is only cold body. That is all that is left, until it turns to dust and all you were a moment ago is gone and soon forgotten.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

I consider cover art to be animportant part of music releases. Unfortunately, during the digital age cover art is not that important anymore. However, the rise of interest in vinyl brings this important aspect back. For the cover of Demoni EP I wanted to have a demonic character to match to the EP’s name. Demoni means Demon in English. The other thing I wanted was for the style to be more of an old school kind of art style. What colors better match this purpose than red and black and a small dose of white as highlight color? For the CD version of Demoni, which is 4 panel digipack including a booklet, there is also inside cover art.

Already at this point of time, I have a draft idea for the next release’s cover image. And there is a cunning plan to introduce the idea of that cover art as part of something else before releasing the record itself. Watch out you metalheads out there! \m/

7.With this musical project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

I have worked with other people on other music related projects. I did play bass in a blues band for 17 years. We had the same group through that 17 years. Then I was a board member of a local blues association for about 5 years. After that when thinking about where to direct my musical energy, I was thinking, what about taking the doom metal project out from the drawer. I thought that I would keep this all mine and only mine. At this moment Kalmo is my kingdom. Perhaps in the very distant future there might be a slight possibility to have other musicians working with me. Of course, there are other people involved already now as I cannot do all and everything on my own and I also need teaching in music to be able to develop further. Mari, my loved one, she helps me with press releases, checks interview texts, and has done masking and taken all promo pictures so far. Then Kalmo’s trusted and well-praised master behind mixing and mastering: Runar Magnussen. He has realized the vision of the sound for Kalmo extremely well. I am very happy to work with him. Then, my guitar teacher and singing teacher both are excellent mentors guiding me on my way learning music and how to express myself and Kalmo’s musical vision.

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

That can be considered at some point in the future. It would be very nice to get signed to a label. However, I think Kalmo needs to mature bit more before it is ready for signing for a label. Anyway, Kalmo is open for ideas and proposals.

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

The reactions have been two-fold. Some people and reviewers have received it well and have given quite good reviews. On the flip side, there have been people who have not liked the style or the songs. And that all is fine. Kalmo pushes towards the end of this all with the chosen path of doom. Distils dark hymns from the darkness and vomits them to releases from time to time, no matter how people take them.

I am very humbled, happy and grateful for the support Kalmo and its music has received from the metal community, reviewers, bloggers and heavy metal publications. Kalmo raises a skull to you all! \m/

10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

The next release is in the works. The goal is to release a 5 or 6 tracks EP during 2020. With all the daily work and other duties it will most likely be late 2020. Hopefully the creative process will be fed with dismal visions and murky tunes!

The intention is to work on more releases as Kalmo goes on and evolves. The desire is to develop even more dark and brutal sound, lyrics and music over time. If everything goes well and humanity keeps going towards its doom, perhaps then the 3rd release will be full length. In addition, I have a vision to produce a vinyl release. Perhaps, that may be the 3rd one. We will see what will happen.

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?

I love to listen the old school bands and bring that sound and style to Kalmo’s music. Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, and Triptykon are on the top of my list. In addition to that, to mention a few, Black Sabbath, Candlemass, Slayer, King Diamond are very important bands for me. Then Vorum, Galvanizer, Death Breath, Master, Immortal the list could go on and on. The latest additions to my list of bands in rotation are Cianide, Ossuarium, Putrid Offal and Depravity.

In addition to different genres of metal I love to listen to blues, old school rock’n’roll, psychobilly and some classical music. The Cramps is a band that was able to express so much with so little. The way the Cramps arranged their music pleases my ear. I want to harvest some inspiration to Kalmo’s musical style from that.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

I love to do things by hand. Classic American cars have been a part of my life for quite a long time. At the moment I have 1958 Buick Century. Unfortunately, I haven’t had that much time to work on it and it has been sitting in the garage for about 3 years now. We’ll see when the V8 roars again. 3D graphics and animation is something I am obsessed now. I see it as an excellent capability to be utilized for Kalmo’s music video production. Some of the results of this can be found from music videos Mustaa and the Hell Awaits Ye Rotten Servants. And also the quick and dirty Demon quality, Low fidelity version of Show Me Your Face music video. Continuing with doing by hand: currently I am renovating my 3rd oldish house. That takes a lot of time and burns nerves from both ends :-D

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

I do not want to sound like I’m an on a soapbox when saying this, but I consider this to be an important message.

Just would like to urge you all to support your local bands. Go listen to their live gigs and buy their records. That 10 bucks they ask for a ticket or a record is not much, but it means a lot a local act. Like and share their social media feed, that is free support you all can give.

Thank you all who have supported Kalmo on its journey so far!

And, yes….. Stay doomed! \m/

https://doom.kalmo.fi/
https://kalmo.fi/
https://www.facebook.com/kalmodoom/
https://twitter.com/KalmoDoom
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmHZ-ik8iwJwMVzs_ml8sgA

Dysemblem Interview

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

   Material for the next album is in the works, probably to be preceded by some musical experiments that could form an EP as well. We’re also looking at the possibility of putting together a live version of the band. 

2.A few months back you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

    “Autotomy” is a direct continuation of what we have built with past releases. This time we felt like being a bit more adventurous with riffs, melodies and song-structures though! We worked hard on the material to find the best way to present what the vibes express. The sound is also something we worked on harder this time. I am very happy with the sound on “Strength of Giants” – thin and dry, this is how I envisioned that album. A similar sonic approach would not fit the new material, however.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new album and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

    Dysemblem lyrics explore the darkest corners of the human mind and soul. Loss of agency, edge of sanity, terrifying power, fear, emptiness, despair… Our approach gives voice to these states and lets them speak for themselves, hoping to express and soothe our own experiences. “Autotomy” is the intentional removal of a part of oneself, and this is what the making of this album felt like – the release from insufferable negativity. I found myself in several very dark places over the past few years and put great effort into getting out of there, so that is reflected in the lyrics of the album. From the ode to self-defeat that is narrated in Funerary Sceptre, to Charge and its scream of defiance, to the ecstasy of pain expressed in Death Sabbath.

4.Some of your earlier lyrics also touches on the occult and mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?

   These fields exercise a great fascination on us. Our point of fixation is how they utilize images and words to express deep and complicated issues of the human psyche.

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

   The affix “dys” signifies unpleasantness and obstacles – think of dysphoria, dysmorphia and dysfunction. The band is therefore the emblem under which these life experiences find expression.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

   The artwork made by Viral Graphics depicts a person exhausted in the middle of a hostile desert and reflects how I felt while making this album. What it brings forward is an interplay between defeat and attack, darkness and hope, death and transcendence.

7.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?

   Everything is possible!


8.Can you tell us a little bit more about 'Immortal Bytes'?

   You’ll have to ask the people at the label! I guess the name is a nod to the classic Morbid Angel song and I’m surely thankful to them and to III Damnation for their interest and support.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of doom and death metal?

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

    More death, metal, and doom! Dysemblem is dedicated to expressing that particular feeling and will remain so – a fun rock n’ roll album, for example, or a bestial war metal album are not in the cards. We are curious to see what other structures and tones could come into the picture, however. As I said earlier, we would be willing to try out new things as long as they fit the band profile.

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?
 
   Our main purpose from day one was to give a death metal face to the introverted black metal of the early 90s – or a black metal face to the dark death metal of the late 80s. Main influences include Autopsy, Darkthrone, Bolt Thrower, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Beherit and Necrophagia. Other favourites include classic masters like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slayer and Metallica; extreme artists like Morbid Angel, Blasphemy, Napalm Death and Aura Noir; the Peaceville sound of early Paradise Lost, Anathema and At The Gates; and filthy metal like Sodom, Possessed, Entombed and Antaeus. From recent releases, “I” by Epitaphe from France blew me away.

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

    Nah… Thanks for the interview! Aees.

www.dysemblem.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/thedysemblem

Gladden Fields/Menace Of Despair/2020 Album Review

  Gladden  Fields  is  a  solo  project  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  ambient,    neo-medieval  music  and  folk  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2020  album  "Menace  Of  Despair".

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  ep  while  the  music  also  captures  a  very  ritualistic atmosphere  at  times.  When  synths  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  while  elements  of  neo-folk  and  medieval  music  can  be  heard  when  acoustic  guitars  are  added  onto  the  recording.

  All  of  the  songs  are  instrumental  while  the  music  also  captures  the  dark  atmosphere  of  black  metal.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  sounding  while  the  drum  beats  when  they  are  utilized  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  shamanistic  atmosphere  and  all  of  the  songs  also sound  very  different  from  each  other.

  Gladden  Fields  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient,  neo-folk  and  medieval  music  and  mixes  it  in  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  while  also  keeping  everything  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Gladden  Fields  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  neo-folk  and  medieval  music  with  seem  touches  of  experimental  and  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Winter  Sun"  and  "Walls  Of  Night".  8  out  of  10.


https://gladdenfields.bandcamp.com/album/menace-of-despair

         



  

Take Them To The Woods Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the musical project?
1. I decided to start a solo project early last year. I wasn't sure exactly where I was going with this project, I just picked up the guitar and started writing stuff. I don't know if this project is going to be a solo project till the very end... I might include other artists depending on where the music takes me. I knew I had to do the first EP solo, just to get things started.

2.In 2019 you had also released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?
2. I basically learned a few fingerstyle and flamenco techniques, tweaked it a little bit to fit my style of playing and started writing songs with no idea what the final result would sound like.
I wanted to create something very neutral (not specifically bound to any genre), slightly flavoured with some known styles but not to apparent. The idea in the back of my mind was to have this neutral foundation and start building on top of that towards where ever the music goes.

3.This ep is also the first chapter in a 3 part series, can you tell us a little bit more about it?
3. The 3 Chapters (EPs) are 'The gathering', 'The Journey' and 'The Woods'. I already wrote down all the song names for all 3 Chapters. I wanted to release the whole thing at once, but I didn't want to rush the project, so I decided to split it in 3 parts. I have only finished this first part and haven't started writing anything else yet, but I hope to release the second EP end of this year and the 3rd one a year after that. Again I am going to let the music grow and progress into something else as I go along... adding and taking away different techniques and styles. I have an idea of where the music needs to be on the 3rd EP, so it's basically getting from here to there. I hope that makes sense

4.All of the music on the ep was acoustic, do you have any plans to use vocals on previous releases?
4. This first release will stay as it is. The 3rd EP will definitely have vocals, I am not to sure about the 2nd EP.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Take Them To The Woods'?
5. I got the name 'Take them to the woods'  from my friend, who also made the cover art. This name gave me the idea of this musical journey towards the woods. The woods being the final destination and the main focus, but only revealed once there. The name can mean many things. I don't want to go into it too deep, but I think when I release the 3rd EP, it will all make sense.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?
6. This EP is 'The Gathering' The woman on the cover is summoning whoever is going to venture into the woods. She is in the woods and calling out to potential "adventurers".
Me as the writer of these songs and the listeners can all be seen as adventurers. We go on this journey together.

7.With this musical project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

7. I would love to work with other musicians on the 3rd EP, maybe even on the 2nd. depending on where the music goes.


8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
8. I am going to publish these 3 EPs whether I get signed or not. If a label approaches me, I'll most likely sign with them if all is well.

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your recording by fans of acoustic music?
9. Well I haven't really advertised anything and the EP only releases on all the major platforms like Spotify and iTunes etc on the 17th of January 2020.
I have only shared it with close friends and family and websites to review the EP before it releases. So far the little response I have received have all been good. People actually like these tunes.

10.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?
10. That depends on how well these 3 EPs are received. If everything go as I plan and the response is good, I might do something similar again or stick to the style that was best received... as I am going to progress through different styles over the course of these 3 EPs.

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?
11. I have always liked melancholy with dashes of angst and anger in my music. Bands that inspired me include Agalloch, Ulver, Murg, Comus, Drudkh and Cultes des Ghoules.
At the moment I am still working(listening) through 2019's massive list of releases. Right now I am still listening to Hour of Penance - Misotheism.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
12. I like to paint now and then, but my paintings are mostly awful. I like the outdoors. Going for walks, especially through forests.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. Thank you for reviewing my EP and for this interview, I really enjoyed your questions. It's hard work getting your music out there and people like you help a lot. I am looking forward to sending the next EP your way. And to the people reading this. Thank you for taking the time and supporting this page. You have made it this far, why not continue this journey and see what awaits you in the woods.

https://www.facebook.com/takethemtothewoods/

Nofilter Interview

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

Hello! This solo project was born in October 2018, to challenge myself and to fight the darkness of the Norwegian long nights of winter. I also wanted to get rid of some melodies that were haunting me for years, to make some space in my head. Doing this alone wasn’t really a choice but a necessity, everyone who ever played in a band knows how difficult it can be to find the right people, and moreover, to make schedules fit together. I was in need for some freedom, and I found it in this project.


2.So far you have released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?

I’m listening to a lot of different musical styles, but mainly rock/metal/hardcore, so to be honest ambiant & electronic music aren’t my favorite fields. But I began to understand better these styles these last years, by going to some shows and thanks to some friends of mine running a label called Hands in the Dark. I also discovered Lustmord in 2017 at the Maschinenfest and was really impressed by the minimalism of the music and visuals, opposed to the tons of feelings he can make you go through.


3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore on the tracks that had vocals?

My lyrics are just about everyday life and its troubles, relationships that are not easy to keep balanced, and as you mentioned it in your review, everything is maybe a bit dark. It was for sure an outlet for some sadness that I wanted to get out. When I'm writing lyrics, I tend to speak about what I’m going through, without being too precise so you have to read between the lines. Like when you read some classic French poets, the words may be mysterious but you can dive in and feel related to, with the light or your experience. 


4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nofilter’?

I remember this name came suddenly out of the blue, I feel like it chose me more than I chose it !
First, I wanted to find some freedom in music as I said, I didn’t want to know about anyone’s opinion about these songs, not before being able to release them. I wanted to see what could blossom with no interferences, with no ‘I don’t really like the verse, make something else’, with no compromise at all. It’s really wonderful to play with people and to share something together, but at that time this gave birth to some frustrations and I wanted something else with nofilter. And I was also (and still am) tired of all this social media thing, selfie(sh) people and so on. So it was also an oblique reference to this.


5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

For the artwork, I wanted something clean and pure, but still raw, organic and not too tight, to fit the music. The general shape is simple but not well defined on the edges, and it’s a bit hypnotic if you watch it for some seconds. Like as I feel about these songs, maybe naive at the first look but not only. The devil is in the details !


6.Originally you where from France but now reside in Norway, can you tell us a little bit more about the move?

I decided to move there 1 year and a half ago. That was not an easy choice to leave all my friends but we’re all in search of some adventures in life I guess, and I could so I did. I was in love with Scandinavia for a long time, so living here is part of a younger me's dream. I met some really nice people here, for instance Pål, also known as Erik Svarte, who took care of the master on this project.


7.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

I’m very open to collaborations, and this one was done alone because it was a kind of a secret thing. After this release, some people showed me some interest, and even if nothing is done, I have really good hopes for some beautiful people to join me on the next one. Fingers crossed!
Sadly, we live now in a digital world but that is a good point when it comes to that kind of subject. This way, I can do music with people from everywhere, not only from my physical place.


8.Have you done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?

No, I didn’t have the opportunity to play it live. This Ep has some improvised layers, and I’m not confident enough today to play live just by myself. But I think I will be more focus on this aspect on the next one, so I can find an abandoned church, put a thousand of candles everywhere and make a savage gig. Everyone is allowed to have a dream, no?


9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

I’m running with friends a label called Impure Muzik. But this label is more focus on rock/hxc music, and my Ep couldn’t fit in.
With my other band, Go Spleen, we had some labels as support and it was really much needed because we released vinyls and that costs a lot.
For Candle business, the plan wasn’t the same. I’m used to the diy culture, and Bandcamp is free, so let’s use this. I’m using my own money to buy and do things, that the best way to feel poor but independant.


10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of experimental and dark ambient?

I had some nice words here and there, some reviews but not that much. Some friends showed a real support and it deeply touched me.
I’m okay with that, music business nowadays is thinking with its feet. Famous bands are not the best ones, or the most sincere ones, they are the ones with the best network, the best PR and/or the best community manager... At the beginning of this project, my only goal was to make someone feels something. I know now for sure that it worked at least on 4 guys.girls, so I’m more than happy :)


11.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

This winter is for me the next opportunity to make something but I don't know yet about the shape it will have. I have another band/work in progress in France and I can’t wait also to record with them. Music can be the mother of so many passions and so many heartbreaks that I stopped wondering questions about it, I just want to let it go the way it wants to.


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?

Not easy to answer, everything is inspiring and influencing you, and you sometimes realize it later. My gods are Botch, but I don’t think they had an influence here obviously !
Some famous and not so famous names that come to my mind for this record would be Lustmord, Sunn O))), Pink Floyd, Broken Twin, Black Heart Procession, Kraftwerk, Moderat, Brian Eno, Sparklehorse, Tomaga, the XX, Jack and the bearded fishermen and the others great bands from my hometown I grew up with.
My lastest musical crush is for the last album of Darkthrone, ‘Old star’. I’m seriously jealous of the guitar riffs of 'The Hardship of the Scots', they are so obvious and yet so epic, you just have no choice but to try to conquer the world when you listen to that.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

Apart from music, I’m mainly into graphic design, as a freelance and as a volunteer. I love to draw gigposters, an art I discovered by promoting gigs in my hometown and it’s so rich and wide it will never ends. The rest of the time, I'm just trying to eat cheese, melted or not, as much as I can.

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

I would like to thank you a thousand times for your interest in my stuff, and for everyone’s time.
Sorry for my poor english but I have an excuse : I am French :)
Fuck 2019, and I wish you all a happy new year!

https://nofilternomaster.bandcamp.com

Bewailer/Where My Demise Dwells/Solitude Productions/2019 CD Review

  Bewailer  are  a  duo  from  Russia  that  plays  funeral  doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "Where  my  Demise  Dwells"  which  was  released  by  Solitude  Productions.

  A  very  slow,  dark  and  heavy  doom  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  depressive  style  along  with  the  vocals  also  being  done  in  more  of  a  death  metal  style.

  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  while  the  screams  also  add  in    touch  of  black  metal.  Acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  the  songs  also  mixing  in  a  decent  amount  of  funeral  doom  metal  elements  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  female  vocals  onto  the  album,  synths  and  stringed  instruments  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  music  and  all  of  the  songs  also  stick  to  a  slower  direction  and  the  album  closes  with  an  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  despair,  fate,  torment  and  contemplation  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Bewiler  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  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Thorngates"  "Moonspires"  and  "Nocturnal  Sacrifice".  8  out  of  10.

https://bewailer.bandcamp.com/    

Pombajira/Self Titled/Hellprod Records/2019 CD Review

  Pombajira  are  a  band  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  mixture  of  doom. death  and  heavy  metal  with  some  touches  of  black  and  dark  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2019  album  which  was  released  by  Hellprod  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  elements  of  doom  metal.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  old  school  style  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Vocals  are  done  in  a  very  grim  style  which  also  introduces  elements  of  black  metal  onto  the  recording.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow  and  mid  tempo  sections  along  with  the  songs  also  mixing  a  good  amount  of  80's  influences  with  a  more  modern  atmosphere  as well  as  capturing  the  heaviness  of  death  metal.

  Pombajira  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  doom,  death  and  heavy  metal  and  mixes  them  together  with  some  touches  of  black  and  dark  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  magick,  rebellion,  sarcasm  and  darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Pombajira  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  doom.  death  and  heavy  metal  with  some  touches  of  black  and  dark  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Vital  Lucifer"  and  "Queen  Of  The  Night". 8  out  of  10.

Soundcloud | Bandcamp