Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Father Murphy/Pain Is On Our Side Now/Aagoo/2014 EP Review


  Father  Murphy  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  an  occult  form  of  psychedelic  pop  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Pain  Is  On  Our  Side  Now"  which  was  released  by  Aagoo.

  Heavy  and  distorted  drones  and  harsh  noises  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  industrial  sounds  and  after  awhile  the  music  gets  more  avant  garde  and  experimental  along  with  some  psychedelic  sounds  being  utilized  from  the  keyboards  and  percussion's  are  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  bring  a  very  militant  feeling  to  the  record.

  The  music  starts  getting  more  diverse  on  the  other  tracks  with  some  spoken  word  parts  being  added  in  along  with  some  distorted  guitars  and  melodic  singing  as  well  as  some  movie  samples  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  they  also  have  a  bonus  ep  that  contains  the  edited  versions  of  the  track  and  they  also  have  a  more  dark  and  evil  sound  than  the  original  versions  as  well as  adding  in  elements  of  neo  classical  and  chamber  music.

  Father  Murphy  have  a  very  original  and  ritualistic  sound  with  their  music  taking  an  occult  form  of  psychedelic  music  and  adding  in  some  pop  elements  along  with  a  good  amount  of  drones  and  harsh  noises  to  create  their  own  sound,  the  production  has  a  very  dark  and  raw  sound  and  the  song  themes  cover Occultism  and  the  Catholic  sense  of  guilt.

  In  my  opinion  Father  Murphy  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  psychedelic  pop  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bones  All  Gone"  and  "Despite  All  The  Grief".  8/5  out  of  10.  

http://www.facebook.com/fathermurphyband?fref=ts

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Dreamfire Interview


Dreamfire interview with Osirion.


1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the project these days?
I’m just getting everything finalised for the re-release of Atlantean Symphony, out 05-05-14, which includes 2 bonus tracks. It comes in as a lavish antique book style pressing on CD – perfect for collectors (like myself). The bonus tracks are CD only, the rest are available as a download from all the usual places.
Beyond that, I’m also working on Resonance of the Pyramids for an album release in 2015, and also a sequel to Atlantean Symphony, which will pick up where the concept of the current release ends. I’m also re-working the first Dreamfire demo – Through Shades of Eternity – so there is plenty going on at the moment.


2.How would you describe the musical sound of the newer material and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Essentially, the demo material was like a sketch, something on which I built many layers and textures to bring what was the ultimate realisation of the concept to fruition. The advances in music technology helped to complete the vision, to give life to what my imagination began to form all those years ago. It would have been impossible for me to do anything like what became the final album when I began to write the Atlantean Symphony demo back in 2001.


3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the Atlantean concept you have on the new release?
The music takes you through the journey from creation to the end of a cycle of existence, ending with the release of the accumulated knowledge, left to drift away upon the metaphorical tide. Ultimately, there is no real end, all knowledge remains, in some form, waiting for those that can hear the call.


4.Your music over the years has explored ancient mysteries, magick, legends and majestic themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
I have a huge interest in ancient myths, legends and the esoteric, from all parts of the world. And it’s surprising to find so many common themes from what should be, in ancient times, entirely isolated cultures. There is so much to draw on that inspires the writing of music that I have an almost limitless supply of inspiration for starting points, then, once you get inside the concept, become attuned to it, you realise that there really is no limit to where things can take you.


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dreamfire'?
The name Dreamfire signifies the illumination of the eternal circle of existence beyond the physical, beyond space and reality, within the boundless and timeless expanses of the macrocosmic universe


6.With this project you work all solo, do you feel this gives you more room to be creative with your albums?
Exactly. This is a personal and expansive journey – it simply would not work if I had to reach a communal agreement with other musicians who perhaps would not understand the feelings behind the concepts that are to be explored.


7.This project has been around since 1999, what is it that motivates you to keep going after all these years?
To put it simply, it is something I have to do. Something that has to come out. Though as I write on my own terms, I never seek to have anything that even resembles a fixed schedule. The art comes at its own pace. Seeking to force it can’t work, it would dilute the essence of what it should be.


8. Imperative PR has been promoting the new album, how did you get in contact with them and also how would you describe the support they have given you so far?
Dreamfire is unique, and I definitely didn’t want to be just one of 100 acts being represented by various agencies. Imperative have a combined experience of over 2 decades working in major print media, as well as many other parts of the music industry, so it really was a simple choice to throw all that experience and professionalism behind the release.


9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your albums by fans of symphonic and ambient music?
Very good. The music seems to have found a natural home with people who enjoy everything from black metal to ambient music. And a number of excellent reviews from some major publications are always a good thing to receive too.


10.Where do you see the project heading into musically during the future?
Each release will be different, as I explore different themes with each recording. Different themes require different sounds, different dynamics. They will, of course, always be under the general heading of ambient/neoclassical – even though I really dislike using a generic term to describe music that is so expansive and immersive. However, buried beneath the surface of all my releases, there will be the Dreamfire constant, the one thing that binds everything together. Nothing is ever truly isolated when dealing with such important themes.


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?
My tastes are wide, everything from Bathory to Beethoven, Wagner to Venom, Vangelis to Iron Maiden and so on. I suspect some of my metal side has influenced the bigger parts of what Dreamfire does, and helps to give it an extra dimension. As for what I’m listening to right now, the advance of the upcoming Agalloch album is just incredible!


12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Music, naturally, takes up most of my time - from writing to recording to going to shows etc…etc…but I always manage to make time to sample many fine European lagers with friends whenever possible. I aim to sample beers from every country on Earth!


13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the interview. Check out the website for all the latest news and merchandise from the Dreamfire realm at www.dreamfiremusic.co.uk – and of course, there are many music samples and videos to explore for those new to the works of Dreamfire.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Narrow House/Thanathonaut/Solitude Productions/2014 CD Review


  Narrow  House  are  a  band  from  Ukraine  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  funeral  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Thanathonaut"  which  was  released  by  Solitude  Productions.

  Ambient  style  synths  start  off  the  album  and  they  bring  an  atmospheric  sound  to  the  recording  and  a  minute  later  guitars  start  to  kick  in  along  with  violins  and  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  samples  which  are  also  used  on  the  later  tracks  as  well  and  on  the  following  track  melodic  vocals  become  a  part  of  the  music  with  some  of  the  later  tracks  having  a  more  stoner  vibe  due  to  this  style  of  singing  and  the  album  really  starts  going  for  more  of  an  atmospheric  doom  metal  sound  along  with  some  avant  garde  elements.

  As  the  album  progresses  death  metal  growls  start  becoming  more  a  part  of  the  music  along  with  a  small  amount  of  cellos  and  saxophones  which  sound  like  a  perfect  mix  for  the  funeral  doom  sound  this  band  creates  which  also  leads  to  some  psychedelic  style  sounds,  halfway  through  the  album  acoustic  guitars  are  introduced  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  they  enhance  the  tragic  and  melancholic  moments  of  the  music  and  towards  the  end  the  music  gets  more  ritualistic  and  heavy  and  they  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  female  vocals,  on  the  last  track  black  metal  screams  are  added  in  for  a  few  seconds.

  Narrow  House create  a  very  original  sound  with  their  music  with  a  great  amount  of  atmospheric  funeral  doom  metal  elements  but  with  much  shorter  songs  than  most  of   the  bands  of  the  genre  and  they  band  also  brings  in  influences  from  all  styles  of  doom  metal   and  stoner  rock  as  well  as  being  very  experimental,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  and  the  lyrics  cover  solitude,  self  destruction,  death  and  apocalypse  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Narrow  House  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  funeral  doom  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Crossroads"  "The  Mid  Life  To  Sorrow"  "Crushing  The  Old  Empire"  and  "Doom  Over  Valiria".  8  out  of  10.

http://narrowhouse.net/thanathonaut-promo

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Abre Ojos/Gates/Secrets Of Giza/2014 CD Review


  Abre  Ojos  is  a  solo  artist  from  Australia  that  plays  a  very  occult  and  ritualistic  form  of  dark  experimental  muisc  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2014  album  "Gates"  which  will  be  released  by  Secrets  of  Giza.

  Harsh  electronic  music  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  atmospheric  elements  which  also  leads  up  to  heavy  distortion  and  drones  an d the  songs  have  a  ritualistic  feeling  to  them  along  with  some  ambient  elements  being  added  onto  the  later  tracks  and  each  song  has  a  very  different  sound  to  them  and  the  songs  would  be  perfect  to  listen  to  while  meditating  for  and  astral  journey  and  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  there  is  a  small  amount  of  ritualistic  chanting  being  utilized  in  the  background  along  with  some  tribal  elements.

  Abre  Ojos  shows  a  great  amount  of  diversity  with  his  music  taking  avant  garde  soundscapes  and  adding  in  a  feeling  of  travelling  through  the  astral  body  on  all  11  of  the  tracks  with  the  music  being  mostly  instrumental  and  the  production  also  has  a  very  dark  and  powerful  sound  to  it  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Abre  Ojos  is  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  solo  artist  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Falling  Suns,  Dark  Stars"  "Revealed  In  Strange  Glows"  "The  Priests  Dethroned"  and  "The  Knowing  Of  Truth".  8  out  of  10.  

https://abre-ojos.bandcamp.com/
  

Friday, April 18, 2014

Abyssvsaenvs/Abyssum Abyssus Invocation/The true Blackevil/2014 EP Review


  Abyssvsaenvs  are  a  1  man  band  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  ritualistic  form  of  experimental  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2014  ep  "Abyssum  Abyssus  Invocation"  which  was  released  by  The True  Blackevil.

  Ambient  style  loops  start  off  the  recording  and  start  going  into  a  more  experimental  direction  along  with  some  harsh  noises  along  with  a  dark  organic  sound  and  the  track  starts  getting  more  diverse  during  its  13  minutes  along  with  a  mixture  of  both  calm  and  harsh  parts  being  added  into  the  music.

  Abyssvsaenvs  bring in  a  very  primitive   and  ritualistic  sound  with  the  epic  track  that  they  bring  onto  the  ep,  with  the  music  being  all  instrumental  and  occult  sounding  and  the  production  has  a  very  dark  sound  that  enhances  the  evil  atmosphere  of  the  track.

  In  my  opinion  Abyssvsaenvs  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark,  ritualistic  experimental  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  8  out  of  10.  

 

  

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Dreamfire/Atlantean Symphony/2014 CD Review


  Dreamfire  are  a  project  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  ambient,  neo-classical,  atmospheric  and  new  age  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  album  "Atlantean  Symphony  which  will  be  released  on  May  5,  2014.

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  elements  of  neo-classical  and  water  sounds,  the  music  on  this  album  has  a  very  epic  and  new  age  feeling  style  of  sound  and  after  awhile  classical  guitars  make  their  way  into  the  music  and  bring  a  dark  age  medieval  pagan  feeling  to  the  album.

  When  we  get  more  into the  album  you  can  hear  small  amounts  of  rain  and  thunder  sound s being  utilized  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  some  traces  of  fantasy  film  soundtracks  being  used  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  some  ritualistic  sounding  bells  and  later  in  the album  there  is  a  3  part  saga  about  Atlantis  which  also  leads  to  more  orchestra  and  symphonic  sounds  finding  their  way  onto  the  recording  and  in  some  of  the  darker  sections  you  can  hear  traces  of  dungeon  synth.

  Dreamfire  have  a  very  interesting  yet  minimal  sound  with  this  album  with  all  of  the  tracks  being  very  atmospheric  and  combing  new  age,  neo  classical  and  ambient  to  create  their  own  sound  with  these  instrumental  tracks,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  and  the  song  themes  cover  Atlantic,  Esoteric  and  the  Arcane  topics.

  In  my  opinion  Dreamfire  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  neo-  classical,  atmospheric,  dark  ambient  and  new  age  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Across  the  Ageless  Ocean"  "A  Reflection  of  Rebirth  Through  The  Eyes  Of  The  Forlorn"  "Into  The  Temple  Of  Elements"  and  "The  Opening  Of  Eternity".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/Dreamfireband/

  

Monday, April 7, 2014

502/Screams In The Endless Void/The True Blackevil/2014 EP Review


  502  are  a  project  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  experimental  form  of  ambient  drone  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  ep  "Screams  In  the  Endless  Void"  which  was  released  by  the  True  Blackevil.

   Experimental  soundscapes  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  noises  and  human  tortured  voices  and  after  awhile  the music  gets  more  evil   and  has  a  sound  close  to  black  metal  with  the  vocals  using  some  grim  high  pitched  screams along  with  some  melodic  chanting  being  utilized  in  some  parts  of  the  recording.

  The  ep  is  divided  into  2  different  parts  with  the  second  chapter  having  more  reverb  and  harsh  noises  sounds  while  also  keeping  the  grim  black  metal  vocals  and  after  awhile  the  music  gets  more  tribal  sounding  and  the second  track  is  over  16  minutes  which  is  also  2  minutes  longer  than  the  first  track.

  502  have  a  very  interesting  sound  to  them with  their  music  combing  drone,  experimental  and  ritualistic  noise  with  black  metal  vocals  to  create  their  own  sound  along  with  a  very  dark  and  raw  production  and  lyrics  that  cover  darkness  and  occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  502  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  ritual  noise  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out t his  ep.  8  out  of  10.

  

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Among Gods/Monument/PRC Music/2014 CD Review


  Among  Gods  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  that  plays  a  mixture  of  death  and  doom  metal  with  some  black  metal  influences  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Monument"  which  will  be  released  by  PRC  Music.

   Drums  a  melodic  yet  melodic  sound  and  death  metal  growls  start  off  the  album  along  with  a  heavy  dose  of  doom  and  when  solos  are  utilized  the  recording  has  a  more  modern  feeling  to  it  while  the  music  for  the  most  part  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  early  90's  along  with  some  powerful  sounding  bass  lines  and  the  screams  add  in  traces  of  black  metal.

  In  certain  sections  of  the  recording  you  can  hear  a  small  amount  of  out  of  key  clean  singing  being  utilized  for  a  few  seconds  and  in  later  tracks  the  music  speeds  up  a  bit  and  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  along  with  some  element s of  melodic  death  metal  while  the  main  focus  is  on  a  more  slow  doom/death  metal  sound  and  at  times  you  can  hear  thrash  metal  style  guitar  being  added  in  some  of  the  riffing  and  on  one  of  the  tracks  you  can  also  hear  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars.

  Among  Gods  stick  to  the  sound  they  had  on  the  last  recording  and  create  another  heavy  old  school  doom/death  metal  album  while  also  having  a  good  amount  of  diversity  to t hem,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  and  makes  the  old  school  elements  sound  even  heavier  along  with  some  lyrics  that  cover  some  really  dark  topics.

  In  my  opinion  this  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Among  Gods  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school  doom/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Malstrom"  "Summon  Them  Black"  "Eternal"  and  "Feathers  Of  Doom".  8  out  of  10.

http://prcmusic.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=252