Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Ultimaratio/And The Ground Was Covered With Eternal Snow Layer/Satanath Records/Dead Dog Skull/Heil Hell Productions/2012 CD Re-Issue Review


  Ultimaratio  are  a  solo  project  from  Russia  that  plays  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  010  album  "And  The  Ground  Was  Covered  With  Eternal  Snow  Layer"  which  was  re-issued  in  2012  between Satanath  Records,  Dead  Dog  Skull  and  Heil  Hell  Productions.

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric  ambient  soundscape  starts  off  the  album  and  also brings  in  a  great  amount  of  diverse  sounds  and  a  great  portion  of t he  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  all  of  the songs  are  instrumental  with  no  vocals  or  songwriting  ever  being  utilized.

  All  of  the  tracks  sound  very  different  from  each  other  and  the  music  can  also  be  very  epic  at  times  along  with  a  touch  of  neo-classical  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  violins  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  synths  get  more  organic  and  also  bring  in  many  different  sounding  keys  which  also  gives  the  music  more  variety  and  acoustic  guitars  along  with  dornes  make  their  presence  known  on  the  hidden  track.

  Ultimaratio  plays  a  style  of  dark  ambient  that  is  very  diverse  and  instrumental  while  adding  in  a  touch  of  neo-classical  while  the  bonus  track  has  an  avant  garde  sound  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw.

  In  my  opinion  Ultimaratio  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  ambient  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Radiated"  and  "Nuclear  Winter".  8  out  of  10.

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat004-ultimaratio-and-the-ground-was-covered-with-eternal-snow-layer-re-release-2012

Nekrosadik/Folie A Deux/Satanath Records/Dead Dog Skull/Heil Hell Productions/2012 Compilation Album Review


  Necrosadik  are  a  solo  project  from  Mexico  that  has  been  recently  featured  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  noise  and  experimental  with  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2012  compilation  album  "Folie A Deux"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Satanath  Records,  Dead  Dog  Skull,  and  Heil  Hell  Productions.

  A  very  dark  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some drones  and  depressive  black  metal  screams  as  well  as  some  harsh  noises  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  an  avant  garde  feeling  while  electic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  at  times.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  all  of  the  music  sticking  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  keyboards  while  they  are  done  in  more  of  a  primitive  fashion  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  as  the  compilation progresses  and  the  compilation  closes  with  a  cover  of  Marylin  Manson's  "The  Man  That  You  Hear".

  On  this  compilation  Necrosadik  plays  a  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  style  of  music  with  elements  of  noise  and  black  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  depression  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  album  from  Necrosadik  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  noise,  experimental  and  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  compilation.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "It  Hurts  To  Be  In  Pain"  "Cold  Is  Everywhere"  "Reacher  Of  Blood"  and  "Severe  Depression".  8  out  of  10.

http://necrosadik.blogspot.mx

Monday, January 11, 2016

Necrosadik Interview


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

Necrosadik has been in a lethargy state since two years ago, due to the little -almost null- time at my day to day activities as a lawyer; however the composition and recording for the 11th album "Scars Are Sexy", as long as one EP "Delirium Tremens" and several splits.

Necrosadik itself closed a cycle with the last full-length "We Are All Wounds", with this 10th album, Necrosadik explored his own history, experiences, mistakes and improvements; with this last album a self-destructive and existentialist cycle was closed, and for this reason Necrosadik chose to collaborate with 9 different talents, 9 different voices.

Necrosadik's new path would support the perversion of the human being, the self-mutilation as a essential part of hedonism; Necrosadik has a new flesh.

2.How would you describe the musical sound of the current music and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

As everything, Necrosadik has been in a constant evolution, always reshaping to suit my will; if we go back to 2008 at the first and second album "Destroying Your Life!!!" & "The Portrait Of My Sorrow", the sound behind Necrosadik's mind was chaos, simple as that, pure and total chaos; if yes, Necrosadik has tried to melt chaos with other human emotions as hatred, suffering, desolation and the almost psychotic need of self-destruction, the sound itself was very raw, very dissonant; this was the line till the 5th album "Speak In Silence", so for that I could name it as Dissonant Experimental Black Metal.

For the 6th album "Assisted Suicide" a inner change took shape and sharp, something change, something died.

Since the 7th album "Casket Of Pain" till nowadays, Necrosadik has been working in a more complex and introspective atmosphere, trying to create new dimensions and new emotions through tunes and gasping voices, I think that Necrosadik's sound shall be described as you mentioned it at the review: Ritualistic Experimental Black Metal.

3.Over the years you have released a great amount of material, do you put a great amount of time and effort into writing and creating music?

The recordings arose as part of specific moments of inspiration, sometimes I had more lucidity, and for that reason some years I have released more than one album, however I am sure that in these seven years of existence, and after 10 albums, 15 splits, 13 compilations, 3 EPs and 3 Box Sets I have develop pure devotion, and sooner new offerings would be unleashed.

4.Wat are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your newer music?

Since the 6th album, Necrosadik left behind the self-destructive path and was instructed to teach how to spread this feeling toward the rest of the humanity; then since the 8th album the lyrical topic has been the devotion to the Death itself, pure and total devotion.

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

To understand the root behind Necrosadik's name, it is important to point out the reason of the creation of Necrosadik; at 2007 and 2008 I have experienced the most difficult moments in my life, and many emotions and anxiety episodes began to arise into my day to day activities, and after many years following the Black Metal scene, I realized that giving birth to Necrosadik would be the most healthy way to funnel all those feelings. The name came throughout my mind when I saw how life's will could be so sadist and lacking of mercy, giving pain and suffering to the people, giving them a "sadistic death".

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

Since 2008 I have recorded everything only by myself, except for some tracks at the 3rd album "The Pain Between Birth & Death", in which I collaborate with three session musicians; also a session musician was used for some tracks in a few splits; then at the last album "We Are All Wounds" I asked for the collaboration of 9 vocalists, from around the globe: Scum Noise from Scum Noise (Belgium), Kai Grimmsberg from Kai Grimmsberg (Belarus), Vald from Inner Disease (Mexico), Meister Müller from Dead Trooper/Trollfest (Norway), Bukkakeiser from Azaghal (Finland), Vitios from Vil (Mexico), Balpehor H.C. from Balpehor/Morbid Funeral (Costa Rica), SS66 from Härääys (Finland) and Einarr from Fortress of Negativity (United Kindgom).

Regarding that I prefer to work by myself, because I am an egocentric asshole (as the common opinion out there) or because I feel more comfortable working within my schedule, my structure and my will.

7.Over the years you have worked with a variety of many different record labels, can you tell us a little bit more about the lesser known record labels you have worked with?

Normally the labels have contacted me, and the relationship has been very fruitful, without any problem; working with lesser known labels is always an exciting experience, I mean, as an artist you have the risk of being rip off from the label, however I have never experienced that fortunately.

Working with lessen known labels is a win-win business, as an artist you are always looking for some labels to release your stuff, with quality and without noticing if the run-out is lower or just a few copies will be made; the important fact is to gain new territories, and then the label would be get exposure too.

8.On a worldwide elvel how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal, noise and experimental?

The feedback has been very pleasant for me, since the first months of Necrosadik back at 2008, many critics reached me at the almost extinct "myspace", in which many people express their admiration for my creation, calling it as chaotic, sick-fuck, etc.

Also, and it is understandable I have received negative critics, regarding that Necrosadik's music is pure sound without any logic, and I respect this kind opinion.

I have been banned at some towns in Germany, been forbidden in some places of South America and the Middle East; a French label has refused to released one of my EP "Endlösung" (Final Solution) with the original cover, due to the fact that I used a picture of a National-Socialist Concentration Camp, "Auschwitz".

The feedback has been good, in a black metal standard point of view of course; but at the end the most important thing is to play and compose whatever you want and feel, without focus in if this new recording will be good for anyone else.

9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musicain in the future?

Necrosadik will be alive as long as I feel comfortable with his existence, this shall be perfectly melted with my professional career and my personal environment.

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

Since Necrosadik creation, my main inspiration has been Abruptum; nowadays many other inspiration has been coming through, Stalaggh, Gulaggh, Ulver, Deathspell Omega, etc.

What I have been listening nowadays?, well I listen Black Metal mostly all day, these last days I have been listening Darkthrone's first albums, and well I also enjoy other kind of music, as Frank Sinatra, Chris Cornell, for example.

11.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?

Not at all; just at the first album I had a minimum contact with it, and at the last albums I have been more a strictly death worshipper.

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

I just want to express my gratitude for your time and interest in Necrosadik; Necrosadik shall awake from this lethargic trance, and will be arise with a new flesh.

http://necrosadik.blogspot.mx

Picture Ann/Mountains, Myth, And Murder/Floodgate Moods Productions/2016 Full Length Album Review


  Denmark's  Picture  Ann  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  that continues  the  experimental  metal  sound  that  has  been  established  on  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Mountains,  Myth  and  Murder"  which  was  released  by  Floodgate  Moods  Productions.

  Clean  yet  distorted  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  whispered  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  evolve  into  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  music  can  also  get  very  progressive  at  times  along  with  some  raw  yet  melodic  guitar  leads while  some  songs  bring  in  a  touch  of  psychedelia.

  At  times  the  music  can  be  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  while  synths  also  have  a  very  dominant  presence  throughout  the  recording  and  they also  bring  in  a  few  instrumental  tracks  and  nature  sounds  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  when  electric  guitars  are  utilized  they  add  more  elements  of  metal  onto  the  album  and  each  song  also  sounds  very  different  from  each  other.

  Picture  Ann  creates  an  album  that  is  very  diverse,  atmospheric  and  experimental  sounding  while  also  mixing in  elements  of  black  and  progressive  metal  which  also  makes  the  whole  recording  sound  very  original,  the  production  sounds  for  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  around  the  German  expedition  to  Tibet  in  1938,  the  writings  of  Edgar  Allan  Poe,  and  the  Royal  Conspiracy  Theories  dealing  with  Jack  The  Ripper.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Picture  Ann  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Anna  Liked  Dying  Places"  "Myth"  "Dystopian  Logic"  and  "The  Gasmask  Ballet  -  The  Extended  Cut".  8  out  of  10,

https://floodgatemoodsproductions.bandcamp.com/album/mountains-myth-and-murder 

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Aires/Fantasma/Bad Panda Records/2015 EP Review


  Portugal's  Aires  have  returned  with  another  recording  with  the  music  this  time  being  an  instrumental  mixture  of  experimental,  drone  and  dark  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015 ep  "Fantsma"  which  was  released  by  Bad  Panda  Records.

  A  very  dark  sounding  drone  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some elements  of  ambient  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  songs  never  use  any  songwriting  or  vocals  while  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  at  times  and  the  music  starts  getting  more  experimental  and  avant  garde  after  awhile.

  Elements  of  ambient  and  electronic  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  psychedelic  style  sounds  while  the  synths  bring  in  a  very  dark  and  atmospheric  feeling  when  they  are  utilized  and  all  3  of  the  tracks  sound  very  different  and  diverse  from  each  other.

  Aires  creates  another  dark  ambient  recording t hat  is  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  while  also  keeping  around  the  done  and  experimental  elements  of  the  previous  recordings  and  getting  the  music  mostly  instrumental  and  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and r aw.

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

https://badpandarecords.bandcamp.com/album/aires-fantasma

 

Monday, January 4, 2016

Les Jumeaux Discordants/Les Chimeres/Athanor/2015 CD Review


  Les Jumeaux Discordants  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  ritualistic  misture  of  electronic  and  goth  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015 album  "Les Chimeres"  which  was  released  by  Athanor.

  Breathing  noises  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  militant  drum  beats  and  operatic  female  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  and  the  music also  starts  getting  more  experimental  and  avant  garde  as  well  as  adding  in  ambient  style  synths  while  on other  tracks  they  also  bring  in  the  atmosphere  of  a  70's  horror  movie.

  You  n  hear  elements  of  goth,  darkwave  and  electronic  music  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  they  add  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling  to  the  songs  when  they  are  utilized  and  one  track  also  brings  in  grim  vocals  that  also  add  a  touch  of  black  metal  onto  the  recording.

  Les Jumeaux Discordants  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  darkwave,  goth  and  electronic  music  and  mix  it  in  with  ritualistic  elements  to  create  a  sound  of  their own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Latin  and  cover  poetic  and  mythological  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Les Jumeaux Discordant  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  ritual,  goth,  darkwave  and  electronic  music  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Mrytho"  :Delfica"  "Le  Destn"  and  "Wisdom".  8  out  of  10.  

https://lesjumeauxdiscordants.bandcamp.com/

  

Bosque Interview


1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the musical project since the recording of the new album?
The recordings were finished just a few weeks back, so I have been mostly dealing with the final adjustments of this release (artwork adjustments, etc).

2.You have a new album coming out in 2016, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
This time, the songs were recorded in a different way (which originated a different overall sound), no keyboards were added and all melodies are guitar based this time. Besides that, the essence of the music is the same as it always was.

3.This is the first album to be released since 2013, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?
During this time Bosque did a few live concerts with session members. All songs featured in Beyond were played live before recorded and the live experience somehow shaped the new songs, adding different dynamics, only possible when you rehearse as a live band.

4.I have noticed you use a regular style of singing instead of growling and screaming like most bands in the genre, what was the decision behind going into this direction?
Bosque, as a form of expression , naturally developed into this sound, vocally and instrumentally. It is simply the way it makes sense to me. 

5.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?
My own death, transcendence, the beyond.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name ‘Bosque’?
Bosque means woods/forest in Portuguese. It is a place of isolation and contemplation as this project is to me. 

7.On the albums you record everything by yourself, are you open to bringing other musicians on the recordings, or do you prefer to work solo?
Beyond had session drums played by DA, who also played live with Bosque in 2013/2014. Anything can happen, there are no rules. 

8.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
A live show of Bosque is a sort of ritual for me. The perceptions of others are not important to me.  

9.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
The stage is not the natural habitat of Bosque, as it is for many bands. We might play again but nothing is certain yet.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of funeral doom metal?
I don’t search for it. Personally music is a deep personal experience and doesn’t have to be shared.

11.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?
Going deeper into my own inner self. Any music without emotion is pointless.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had na influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Since the early beginning in 2005, the main references for Bosque are Skepticism, Morgion and early Mourning Beloveth… even if Bosque doesn’t sound like these bands, they helped to shape the idea of a doom project in my mind.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?
Reading and travelling within Portugal.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for your support.
www.endserver.com/bosque
http://bosquedoom.bandcamp.com/
www.dunkelheit.cc