Interstitia Interview

 

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

Interstitia has been something I've done for the past few years. I moved away from a city I'd lived in for decades to a place where I didn't know anyone and didn't have anyone to make music with so I bought a cheap laptop and taught myself how to make sounds on it.

2.You have a new album coming out in July, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

I think that previous releases were somewhat more mannered and clean-sounding with more emphasis on melody. On the newest release I worked more with samples and textures to make something simultaneously noisier and more ecstatic.

3.So far all of your music has been instrumental, are you open to working with vocals on future releases?

Absolutely. I did a remix for a great post-punk band called Secret Shame and it was a really fun experience. While I've done a few collaborations with other projects I've never done one with Interstitia and I'd certainly be open to it.

4.The songs themes on the album are inspired by Lewis Hyde's "Trickster Makes This World" and Brian Muraresku's "The Immortality Key", can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these novels?

So both books are in the vein of alternative history and anthropology. Hyde's book is a study of the trickster god in polytheistic religion and the ways that those figures helped to propel culture forward in an amoral, mischievous fashion. Muraresku's book is a little more speculative, dealing with the idea that ancient Greek religion (specifically the Eleusynian Mysteries), ideas that planted the seed for so much of Western religion and philosophy, were part of an entheogenic cult that traces back before recorded history.

I read both books around the same time and they both seemed complementary in the sense of providing a fuller understanding of the more arcane corners of human history. Some of the material was credible, some was a bit of a stretch but each book provided a fascinating glimpse into the hidden machinations of the world.

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

First and foremost it wasn't claimed by somebody else already, which is hard to do now. But the idea came from the way that so many of the sounds in my music don't come from the actual notes I play but from the way that the echoes and spacial effects interact with each other. The notes do what they're supposed to do but the space between the notes is where the interesting moments occur.

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

The title itself was a chapter in Lewis Hyde's book that really grabbed me and I wanted to reflect the Hermes character in a way that befitted the music. I used a centuries-old print as a starting point then tried to imbue it with some of the colorful, chaotic vibes of the music.

7.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians on future releases?

Oh definitely. I love collaboration. It's still amazing to me how easy it is to collaborate long-distance now. Even a decade ago, the technology would've been prohibitively expensive.

8.You also have a background playing in punk and hardcore bands, how would you compare what you are doing now musically to what you have done in the fast?

It's all part of the same mosaic. Everything I make on some level is messy and weird so making noisy electronic music isn't too far removed from making aggressive music with spacey qualities. 

9.Have you done any live shows with this project or are you open to the idea?

I haven't and I don't know how I would. All of it is made on an old laptop that always seems like it's a couple keystrokes away from self-destructing. Maybe someday if I get better equipment and learn how to handle it I might.

10.The album is going to be released on 'Pax Aeternum'. how did you get in contact with this label?

Pax is the digital subsidiary of Dark Operative records which is run by a close friend and bandmate. I've known Brent for fifteen years now and we've worked together on dozens of releases in all genres. He's open to a lot of different things so it was a natural fit. 

11.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your recordings by fans of ambient and electronic music?

Not exactly rousing support. The people who've heard it seemed to like it, but it's hard to get it in front of electronic fans. As a musician coming from a rock background, on a label that features more rock music than anything it can be hard to be accepted as an outsider in that scene, especially when making music that doesn't really fit into any neat genre category (I've referred to it as "punk ambient" which I don't think does me any favors). Sometimes it feels like I'm a painter that lives on a mountaintop. Every day I wake up and I paint and every time I finish a painting I roll it up and throw it over the mountain's edge hoping that somebody will find it. Occasionally people do find them but very often they just get stuck in treetops or carried off by raccoons.

12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I'm fortunate to have a lot of incredible musicians with whom I associate, a label that's really supportive, and the means to try anything that might catch my ear. I may not be a successful musician in terms of money or a huge fanbase but I do think I'm a success in the sense that I can do whatever the fuck I want whenever the fuck I want to do it and even if I have to put it on Bandcamp for five people to listen to then I still made something I love.

13.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 all over the place - d-beat, krautrock, dub, ambient, afrobeat, shoegaze, hip hop etc. - all get a lot of play in my house. I think with this particular album I had been listening to a lot of spiritual/ecstatic free jazz like Alice Coltrane and Don Cherry and trying to come up with something that had a similar vibe without mimicking the sound - something that could be harsh and beautiful at the same time.

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

Thanks for taking the time to speak with me!

https://www.facebook.com/interstitia

https://interstitia.bandcamp.com

Quarantine Interview

 

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

Quarantine is a solo project that I embarked upon during the horrific global

Pandemic. I needed a creative outlet while the world ground to a halt. I was aiming to create  the least musical music that I could possibly muster while still maintaining dynamics and structure to keep things intriguing to the listener. 

 

2.You have a new album coming out in July, musically how does it differ from your previous release?

The previous album was very much an idea of a sound that I was experimenting with. The songs were much longer and developed quite organically. This new album is very much a refinement of this sound that pushes the aggression into new realms. It’s much more acerbic. It’s fucking horrible. 

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

Lyrically themes range from the inner turmoil that one experiences from being trapped in an uncontrollable scenario to the external hypocrisy of a world that controls events. Kind of ‘Self VS System.’ There’s so much distortion and reverb going on with the vocals they are mostly reduced to unintelligible expulsions of rage...just the way I like it.

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

The name ‘Quarantine’ relates directly to the pandemic while also reflecting the personal feeling of being mentally isolated from the world. It is both a mental state of being and a physical enforcement that people experienced worldwide.

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

I came across an incredible artist known as ‘Deedless Art’ on Instagram. I knew immediately his style was perfect for my sound so I contacted him and he came up with the concept of the art almost instantaneously. He used a London tube scene, layered with distorted imagery. If you listen to the final track ‘Chronic Suffering’ there is a heavily distorted soundscape of a London Underground train amidst all the aural chaos. He was the direct inspiration for this. An absolute pleasure to work with. 

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

I love collaborating with other musicians! My other band ‘Existence Dysphoria’ is my main musical project and we are hoping to enter the studio in September to record our next EP. That being said I enjoy working alone...only child syndrome haha!

7.The new album is going to be released on 'Trepanation Recordings', how did you get in contact with this label?

Dan from Trepanation Recordings is fantastic guy!  One of the hardest working dudes in the scene today and a genuinely pleasant human being. I responded to an Instagram invitation in which he stated that he wanted to master some tracks to keep himself occupied during lockdown. To my delight he said he really loved what I was doing and wanted to unleash it into the world! He’s been a great source of inspiration and support throughout the process. Can’t thank him enough!

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of industrial, harsh noise and doom metal?

The response has been very positive so far. It’s not easy music to listen to but those who have been brave enough to endure it have appreciated what I’m trying to do. It means the world to me that someone else would like what I created. Thank you all!

9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I’ve always been a firm advocate in pushing the boundaries of music. I have my influences but never want to rehash old ideas. I absolutely plan on exploring new depths of sonic depravity and if people are into that then that’s just a huge bonus. 

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?

So many bands have influenced me down the line. It really starts with my parents getting me into folk and rock music as a kid. I love music that thinks outside of the box and challenges the listener in some way. I’m a huge fan of Electric Wizard, Ufomammut, Mastiff, Sleep, Oxbow, SOAD, RATM, Autopsy, Annal Nathrakh and HALO to name a few. Nobody talks about, Australian band, HALO but they were light years ahead of their time and still don’t get the recognition they deserve. Check out ‘Body of Light’ and get your head blown out of your arse! 

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Heavy weights and heavy music keep me sane! I got into lifting to help me out of a particularly bleak period of my life and have never looked back. It’s an essential part of venting my aggression and is one of the main reasons I’m still around today. I’m also a massive mid-to-late 90’s wrestling nerd. I find the industry fascinating. 

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

I would like to thank you here at this blog for taking the time to listen to my music and talk to me. To the rest of you I implore you to be kind to those around you who deserve it and be considerate of one another. It really makes a difference to the world. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quarantinenoise/

Eeli Helin/The Lurks/Trepanation Recordings/2021 Double Album Review

 

  Eeli  Helin  are  a  solo  project  form  Finland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  drone,  dark  ambient,  experimental  and  industrial  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "The  Lurks"  which  was  released  by  Trepanation  Recordings.

  Atmospheric  sounding  drones  start  off  the  album  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  the  20  minute  length.  Guitar  sounds  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  and  also  take  the  music  into  more  of  an  experimental  direction  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  programmed  beats.

  Cinematic  soundscapes  are  also  utilized  at  times  while  the  beats  also  bring  in  elements  of  industrial  when  they  are utilized.  All  of  the  music  is  also  improvised  and  mostly  instrumental  along  with  some  of  the  guitars  also  adding  in  touches  of  metal  and  each  track  also  adds  in  a  different  style,  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  and  towards  the  end  screams  are  also  added  into  the  background.

  Eeli  Helin  plays  a  musical  style  that  mixes  drone,  dark  ambient,  experimental  and  industrial  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  as  well  as  keeping  most  of  the  music  instrumental  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Eeli  Helin  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  drone,  dark  ambient,  experimental  and  industrial  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical g enres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Migration  Patterns"  and  "The  Well".  8  out  of  10.

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

  

O Saala Sakraal/Heven/Cyclic Law/2021 EP Review

 

  O  Saala  Sakraal  are  a  collective  from  the  Netherlands  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  drone  and  electroacoustic  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  ep  "Heven"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Cyclic  Law.

  Atmospheric  sounding  drones  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  programmed  beats  and  ambient  style  soundscapes  a  few  seconds  later.  Tribal  style  percussion  is  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  some  screams  also  being  utilized  briefly  and  the  music  also  has  its  experimental  moments.

  When  melodic  chants  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling  while  each  track  also  sounds  very  different  from  each  other.  Whispers  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  most  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  clean  vocals  are  added  on  the  closing  song.

  On  this  recording  O  Saala  Sakraal  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  drone,electroacoustic,  dark  ambient  and  ritual  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  metaphysics,  perversion,  denial  and  nihilism  and  religion. 

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  O  Saala  Sakraal    and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  of  drone, electroacoustic,  dark  ambient  and  ritual  and  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Heven:  Etherwende".  8  out  of  10.

  https://cycliclaw.bandcamp.com/album/heven   

Hemorrhage Murder/Weeping Wounds/Trepanation Recordings/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Hemorrhage  Murder  are  an  international  duo  with  members  from  Greece  and  Ukraine  that  plays  a  mixture  of  death  industrial,  harsh  noise,  experimental,  drone  and  ambient  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Weeping  Wounds"  which  was  released  by  Trepanation  Recordings.

  Static  sounds  and  harsh  noises  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  word  samples  a  few  seconds  later.  The  songs  also  mix  in  the  brutality  of  death  industrial  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  programmed  beats  and  most  of  the  album  is  done  in  more  of  an  instrumental  direction.

  Each  song  also  sounds  very  different  from  each  other  while  some  tracks  also  show  the  music  going  into  more  of  an  experimental  direction.  Spoken  word  samples  also  make  a  return  on  some  of  the  later  songs  along  with  some  electronic  style  drones  also  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  and  when  synths  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  ambient  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Hemorrhage  Murder  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  death  industrial,  harsh  noise,  experimental,  drone  and  ambient  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  Hemorrhage  Murder  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  death  industrial,  harsh  noise,  experimental,  drone  and  ambient  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Diamond"  "My  Love  For  You  Was  Read"  "The  Light  Inside"  and  "Save  The  Last  Breath".  8  out  of  10.

https://trepanationrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/weeping-wounds

https://www.facebook.com/HemorrhageM      

Earthflesh/Embrace/Short Run Industries/Harsh Noise Wall Netlabel/2021 Full Length Review

 

  This  is  a review  of another  recording  from  Switzerland's  solo  project  Earthflesh  which  shows  the  music  going  into  more  of  a  poetic  harsh  noise  wall  style  and  the  album  was  released  in  2021  as  a  joint  effort  between  Short  Run  Industries  and  Harsh  Noise  Wall  Netlabel  and  called  "Embrace".

  Harsh  noises  and  distorted  drones  and  power  electronics  start  off  the  album  while  the  only  song  that  is  presented  on  the  recording  is  almost  an  hour  long.  Static  sounds  and  a  harsh  noise  wall  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  along  with  the  music  also  getting  more  diverse  as  the  tracks  progresses,  the  song  also  has  its  repetitive  and  primitive  moments.

  On  this  recording  Earthlesh  sticks  mostly  to  a  harsh  noise  wall  style  along  with  some  touches  of  drone  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  are  based  upon  a  poem  from  classic  Portuguese  literature  Nobel  Prize  Winner  Jose  Saramago.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  form  Earthflesh  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  harsh  noise  wall,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  8  out  of  10.

https://harshnoisewall.bandcamp.com/album/embrace

https://youtu.be/_pZHfw-MhSI

EARTHFLESH: https://earthflesh.bandcamp.com   

Depleted/Onus/Nailbat Tapes/2021 EP Review

 

  Depleted  are  a  solo  project  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  harsh  noise  and   funeral  doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  ep  "Onus"  which  was  released  by  Nailbat  Tapes.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  while  elements  of  harsh  noise  are  also  utilized  at  times.  The  slower  and  heavier  sections  of  the  music  are  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  funeral  doom  metal  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  deep  death  metal  growls.  Both  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  dark  and  melodic  style  as  well  as  the  screams  also  adding  in  touches  of  black  metal  when  they  are  utilized  and  the  second  track  is  a  cover  of  Nick  Cave's  "The  Mercy  Seat"  which  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples  and  the  whole  recording  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction.

  On  this  recording  Depleted  remAins  true  to  the  mixture  of  harsh  noise  and  funeral  doom/death  metal  that  he  had  established  on  his  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Depleted  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  harsh  noise  and  funeral  doom/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Onus".  8  out  of  10.

 Stream "The Mercy Seat" here

Preorders available on Bandcamp   

Earthflesh/Revelations In Dust/Basement Corner Emissions/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Switzerland's  solo  project  Earthflesh  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  a  mixture  of  ambient,  drone  and  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Revelations  In  Dust"  which  was  released  by  Basement  Corner  Emissions.

  An  almost  silent  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  introducing  some  atmospheric  sounding  drones  onto  the  recording  while  the  synths  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  ambient  elements.  The  only  track  that  is  presented  on  this  recording  is  over  38  minutes  in  length  and  all  of  the  music  sticks  to  an  instrumental  direction.

  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  repetitive  sounding  while  more  electronic  sounds  are  also  utilized  as  the  track  progresses.  Harsh  noises  can  also b e  heard  at  time s mixed  in  with  a  more  calm  ambient  orientated  soundscape.

  On  this  recording  Earthflesh  moves  away  from  the  harsh  noise  wall  style  of  previous  releases  and  goes  into  more  of  an  ambient  noise  and  drone  direction  which  is  different  from  past  recordings  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark  along  with  all  of  the  music  being  recorded  live.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  track  from  Earthfleash  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  ambient,  drone  and  noise,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  8  out  of  10.

 https://earthflesh.bandcamp.com

https://earthflesh.tumblr.com
http://facebook.com/earthfleshnoise

Noisepoetnobody/Insanity Mirror/Scry Recordings/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Noisepoetnobody  are  a  solo  project  from  Seattle,  Washington  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  noise,  experimental,  drone,  minimalism,  field  recordings  and  industrial  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Insanity  Mirror"  which  was  released  by  Scry  Recordings.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  while  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  and  avant  garde  sounding  at  times.  Industrial  style  beats  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  the  music  also  mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  noise  elements  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  also  instrumentals.

  Some  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  field  recordings  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  amount  of  homemade  instruments  and  synths.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  improvised  along  with  the  tracks  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  electronic  drones  as  well  as  each  song  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other,  the  album  also  mixes  in  a  good  amount  of  minimalist  structures  and  tape  manipulation.

  On  this  recording  Noisepoetnobody  takes  noise,  experimental,  drone,  minimalism,  filed  recordings  and  industrial  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  something  very  different  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  lo-fi.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Noisepoetnobody  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  noise,  experimental,  drone,  minimalism,  field  recordings  and  industrial,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Can't  See  It  Now"  and  "Zero  Focus  Angle".  8  out  of  10.

  http://www.facebook.com/noisepoetnobody

http://noisepoetnobody1.bandcamp.com
http://soundcloud.com/noisepoetnobody

http://www.scryrecordings.com/posts/artist/noisepoetnobody  

Interstitia/Hermes Slips The Trap/Pax Aeturnum/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Interstitia  are  a  solo  project  from  North  Carolina  that  plays  a  mixture  of  ambient,  electronic  and  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Hermes  Slips  the  Trap"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Pax  Aeturnum.

  Electronic  music  sounds  and  ambient  style  synths  start  off  the  album  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  programmed  beats.  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  whole  recording  also  sticking  to  an  instrumental  direction  as  well  as  adding  in  some  touches  of  dance  music.

  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  while  some  songs  also  add  in psycroptic  noise  textures  which  also  shows  the  programmed  beats  also  getting  more  aggressive.  Break  beats  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  and  at  times  the  music  also  captures  a  sci-fi  orientated  atmosphere.

  Interstitia  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  ambient,  electronic  and  noise  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  takes  conceptual  inspiration  from  Lewis  hyde's  "Trickster  Makes  The  World'  and  Brian  Muraresku's  "The  Immortality  Key".

  In  my  opinion  Interstitia  is  a v ery  great  sounding  mixture  of  ambient,  electronic  and  noise  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical g enres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Monument  Eternal"  and  "The  Truly  Angelic  Must  install  Fear".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/interstitia

https://interstitia.bandcamp.com

  

Gridfailure Featuring Mac Gollehon/ Dismemberment Cabaret/Nefarious Industries/2021 Collaboration Album Review

 

  New  York's  solo  project  Gridfailure  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  where  he  teams  up  with  Mac  Gollehon  to  create  a  mixture  of  harsh  noise,  post  industrial  and  experimental  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  collaboration  album  "Dismemberment  Cafe"  which  was  released  by  Nefarious  Industries.

  Power  electronics  and  the  sounds  of  torture  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  synths  and  programmed  beats  a  few  seconds  later.  Demonic  voices  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  music  also  has  its  experimental  and  avant  garde  moments  as  well  as  some  pianos  also being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  High  pitched  screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  music  also  captures  the  dark  atmospheric  of  a  classic  horror  movie  soundtrack.  Industrial  style  beats  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  songs  along  with  trumpets  also  being  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  album  and  harsh  noises  are  also  brought  into  some  parts  of  the  tracks.

  All  of  the  songs  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  some tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  samples.  When  synths  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  as  well  as  some  field  recordings  and  bass  guitars  also  being  used  more  as  the  album  progresses.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  horror,  slasher  and  detective  films  of  the  70's  and  80's.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collaboration  between  Gridfailure  and  Mac  Gollehon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  harsh  noise,  post  industrial,  experimental  and  avant  jazz,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Evisceration  Guest  List"  "A  Diet  of  Maggots"  "Gusher"  and  "Pieces".  8  out  of  10.

http://www.facebook.com/gridfailure

http://www.gridfailure.bandcamp.com

https://twitter.com/GRIDFAILURE

https://www.instagram.com/gridfailure

https://www.instagram.com/macgollehon

https://www.facebook.com/mac.gollehon

https://twitter.com/mgollehon    

    

Institution D.O.L/The Thelema Tales/Edged Circle Productions/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Institution  D.O.L  are  a  duo  from  Austria  that  plays  a  mixture  of  power  electronics,  industrial,  ritual,  dark  ambient,  electronica  and  field  recordings  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "The  Thelema  Tapes"  which  will  be  released  on  June  25th  by  Edged  Circle  Productions.

  Dark  ambient  style  pianos  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  a  few  seconds  later.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  Power  electronics  and  noises  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  experimental  and  avant  garde  moments.

  Samples  of  Aleister  Crowley  speaking  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  while  the  music  also  mixes  in  a  good  amount  of  electronica  and  industrial  sounds.  Chants  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  field  recordings  also  enhancing  the  occult  atmosphere  of  the  music  when  they  are  utilized.

  Synths  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  along  with  the  power  electronics  also  having  their  harsh  and  brutal  moments  as  well  as  each  track  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other,  choirs  can  also  be  heard  on  the  closing  song.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  Aleister  Crowley  and  the  religion  of  Thelema.

  In  my  opinion  Institution  D.O.L  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  power  electronics,  industrial,  ritual,  dark  ambient,  electronica  and  field  recordings  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Flight  of  Horus"  and "Sex  With  A  Satanist".  8/5  out  of  10.

http://edgedcircleproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-thelema-tales

www.facebook.com/institutiondolofficial     

Malvost Interview

 

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

Malvost is a project for me to experiment with abstract manipulated guitar sounds, trying to make drone pieces that intrigue me and coupling them with my poetry and lyrics. The project has been around for a few years before I put anything out to the public, it was during the pandemic and lockdown that I was really inspired to do more with these ideas and actually create some records with these sounds and words.

2.So far this year you have released 3 releases, musically how do they differ from each other?

The first release Invigningen was a simple raw demo, I had no idea if anyone would be interested at all in what I was doing, but a few people were and so I decided to self-release a short run tape release. I realised that the two tracks could sound better so I remastered them and put them together with a new track and an alternative version of one of the tracks, and this became the redux demo Återutgivningen. Alongside this I completed the EP Oljud, which is coming out on Trepanation Records in July. Oljud is definitely an expansion on the ideas on the demos, and it covers both the heavy drone-doom guitar and black metal vocals style as well as some more electronic ambient sounds too. The music on a couple of the tracks on Oljud had actually been around in an incomplete form since before I made the demos. Oljud is essentially the best four tracks I have made so far, both musically and lyrically, and in terms of sound are, I feel, a big step up from the demos.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have also explored so far with the music?

My lyrics in Malvost will always cover existentialist themes in some form, and the pandemic and lockdown has certainly inspired some words on depression and solitude, but I feel existentialism goes beyond that and doesn't have to be restricted to insular and introverted themes, so I have also delved into topics of environmentalism and culture. I also like exploring the nature of memory through particularly vivid imagery, reimagining certain places and time periods in poetry.

4.On both the bandcamp and facebook page there is a reference to 'Albert Camus', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in philosophy and existentialism?

I studied philosophy at university some years ago, and I have always been a big reader of existentialist writings in the broad sense, including the likes of Sartre, Nietzshce, Kierkegaard, Husserl, Heidegger, Levinas and others. Camus has always been my favourite in many ways, his ideas being as close to nihilism as possible. The particular quote I paired with the EP is one that I read again recently, and it just struck a chord with me when thinking about the nature of my music.

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

It was taken from an artist called Henry de Malvost who made sketchings of satanic rituals and black masses back in the 19th century. There isn't much information about them, but I just quite liked the word and I couldn't find it in use anywhere else, so I thought it would be a nice name for the project. 

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

The cover image is of the Kaiser Willhelm church in Berlin. It's a landmark I have visited many times and has a certain personal meaning to me. There are some other images in the cassette too, some were taken in Berlin and some in Helsinki, both places that inspired the EP.

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

As it happens I am currently collaborating with another musician on a new record that will combine drones with electronic synth work and eclectic vocals. We hope to have it out before the end of the year, and I hope to collaborate with others in the future. With this kind of music I think solo artists can often have a very definitive sound, and sometimes when you combine these then some very interesting music can come into being.

8.You have put out 3 releases this year so far, do you spend a great amount of your time writing and creating music?

A fair amount, yes. I have had much more time during lockdown to make music than ever before. I play in a couple of metal bands too, so much of my free time is spent on being creative, whether it is music or words.

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

Everything I have seen so far has been positive, but I hope once Oljud is released there will be more people who discover it. This music is certainly niche and there are a fair amount of artists out there doing similar things, many of whom make up the fan base anyway, so it tends to be quite a positive scene from a critical standpoint. Ultimately we're trying to make unsettling, disturbing and abstract sounds, so for fans I think it comes down more to how much the music engages you rather than 'enjoyment' in the traditional sense.

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

I am in the process of completing a full length album, though when it will be released I am not quite sure - within the next year, but possibly sooner I hope. I am putting a lot into the themes and concepts for it, and I really want to make this something quite unique.

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?

When I started it was definitely the guitar drone stuff like Sunn O))), Earth, Boris and Nadja as well as the likes of Tim Hecker and Ben Frost and older drone stuff like Éliane Radigue and LaMonte Young. Merzbow is definitely a huge influence too, even if I don't create harsh noise so to speak. I write album reviews for several blogs too, so through that I am always listening to lots of new music, but in terms of drone, ambient and noise I have been particularly enjoying some newer artists like Gnarl, Catafalque, Clawing and The Owl.

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

Thank you for the interview and for your interest in my music, it's really appreciated, and I hope people check out Oljud when it comes out.

Bandcamp: malvost.bandcamp.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/malvost

Svart1/Circondati dai Petali da soli moriamo (Surrounded By Petals We Perish In Solitude)/Mask Of The Slave/2021 CD Review

 

  Svart1  are  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  electro,  experimental,  industrial,  power  electronics  and  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Circondati  dai  Petali  da  soli  moriamo  (Surrounded By  Petals  We  Perish  In  Solitude)"  which  was  released  by  Mask  Of  The  Slave.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  while  also  bringing  in  a  very  avant  garde  orientated  atmosphere.  At  times  the  music  gets  very  experimental  sounding  along  with  the  synths  also  bringing  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  onto  the  album  as  well  as  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  programmed  beats.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  instrumentals  while  field  recordings  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording.  One  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  Gregorian  chants  along  with  all  of  the  songs  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other  as  well  as  some  operatic  choirs  and  angelic  voices  also  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  album.

  Some  tracks  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  power  electronics  and  noises  along  with  some  electronic  sounds  also  being  added  in  certain  sections  of  the  album  as  well  as  a  couple  of  song  also  adding  in  some  underground  industrial  touches.  At  times  the  synths  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  cinematic  sounding  drones,  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  production  also  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Svart1  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dark  ambient,  elecro,  experimental,  industrial,  noise  and  power  electronics,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "#1"  "#4"  "#7"  and  "Red  Sector  A".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/RGsvart1/

  

        

Kadaver/Listing/Dead Game Records/Asethetic Death Records/2021 Collaboration Album Review

 

 This  is  a  review  of  a  collaboration  album  between  Israel's  Kadaver  and  U.S.A's  Listing  and  together  they  create  a  mixture  of  harsh  noise,  power  electronics  and  death  industrial  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Listing"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Dead  Game  and  Asethetic  Death  Records.

  Harsh  noises  and  power  electronics  start  off  the  album  and  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  death  industrial  style  brutality.  All  3  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  demonic  and  tortured  voices  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background  at  times  and  they  also  add  in  a  touch  of  black  metal.

  High  pitched  screams  and  growls  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music  while  sound  effects  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  some  soundscapes,  loops  and  synths  also  being  utilized  briefly  and  most  of  the  music  is  instrumental.

  Kadaver  and  Listing  mixes  their  2  different  styles  together  which  cover  harsh  noise,  power  electronics  and  death  industrial  and  mix  them  together  to  create  a  something  very  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collaboration between  Kadaver  and  Listing   and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  harsh  noise,  power  electronics  and  death  industrial ,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Aquatic  Demonic".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/KadaverListing/

http://kadaverisdead.com/

Bandcamp- https://kadaverlisting.bandcamp.com/releases        

Quarantine/The Perception Of Pain/Trepanation Recordings/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Quarantine  are  a  solo  project  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  harsh  noise,  industrial,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "The  Perception  Of  Pain"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Trepanation  Recordings.

  Industrial  style  soundscapes  and  harsh  noises  start  off  the  album  and  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music  at  times.  The  slower  sections  of  the  songs  also  mix  in  the  heaviness  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  screams  and  spoken  word  parts  are  also  utilized  at  times.

  Drones  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  All  of  the  drum  beats  are  also  programmed  along  with  some  synths  also  being  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  clean  vocals  are  also  added  on one  of  the  tracks  and  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction  and  as  the  album  progresses  death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  briefly..

  Quarantine  plays  a  musical  style  that takes  harsh  noise,  drone,  industrial,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  lo-fi  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  process  of  an  individual  dealing  with  the  agony  of  a  dying  world. 

  In  my  opinion Quarantine  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  harsh  noise,  drone,  industrial,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Without  Intervention"  and  "Chronic  Suffering".  8  out  of  10.

  https://trepanationrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/the-perception-of-pain
     

Necronomicon/The FInal Chapter/El Puerto Records/2021 CD Review

 

  Germany's  Necronomicon  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  mixture  of  thrash,  power  and  first  wave  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "The  Final  Chapter"  which  was  released  by  El  Puerto  Records.

  A  very  heavy  German  thrash  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing. Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  first  wave  style  black  metal  growls and  clean  power  metal  vocals  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  yet  aggressive  style.

  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  in  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs.  Most  of  the  music  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  era  but  mixed  in  with  a  more  modern  day  aggression  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  on  a  couple  of  tracks  as  well  as  a  later  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  album  and  synths  and  classical  guitars  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.    

  On  this  recording  Necronomicon  continue  the  mixture  of  power  metal,  german  thrash  metal  and  first  wave  black  metal  that  they  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  evil,  death,  occultism  and  suffering  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Necronomicon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I  Am  The  Violence"  "Purgatory"   "World  On  Fire"  and  "Stormreaper".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_Pz_R4qUG8&feature=youtu.be      

Malvost/Oljud/Trepanation Recordings/2021 EP Review

 

  Malvost  are  a  solo  project  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  drone,  harsh  noise  and  doom  metal  with  some  touches  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  ep  "Oljud"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Trepanation  Recordings.

  Whistles  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  distorted  sounding  drones  a  few  seconds  later  while  the  guitar  riffs  also  add  in  the  heaviness  of  doom  metal.  Black  metal  screams  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  along  with  all  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  when  synths  are  added  onto  the  recording  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  and  spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  on  a  couple  of  tracks.

  Harsh  noises  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  all  of  the  songs  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other.  At  times  the  music  also  adds  in  some  atmospheric  and  cinematic  sounding  drones  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  dissonant  and  minimalistic  moments  and  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction  as  well  as  some  female  vocals  also  being  added  on  the  closing  track.

  Malvost  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  dark  ambient,  drone,  harsh  noise,  doom  metal  and  some  touches  of  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  depression,  isolation,  surrealism,  existentialism,  Norse  mythology,  the  nature  of  memory  and  the  environmental  crisis.

  In  my  opinion  Malvost  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  dark  ambient,  drone,  harsh  noise  and  doom  metal  with  some  touches  of  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lamentations  From  The  Menhir"  and  "The  Desecration  Of  Beavi".  8  out  of  10.

 https://malvost.bandcamp.com/album/oljud

Facebook: www.facebook.com/malvost