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

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

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

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. 

http://www.facebook.com/gridfailure

http://www.gridfailure.bandcamp.com

https://twitter.com/GRIDFAILURE

https://www.instagram.com/gridfailure  

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