Julii/Taste Of Truimph/2021 Full Length Review

 

  Julii  are  a  solo  project  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  ambient,  neo  classical,  martial  and  industrial  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  2021  album  "Taste  Of  Triumph".

  Martial  style  drum  beats  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  ambient  style  synths  and  soundscapes  a  few  seconds  later.  At  times  the  music  also  captures  the  atmosphere  of  an  epic  music  soundtrack  while  the  second  track  also  introduces  elements  of  neo  classical  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the  music  is  also  instrumental.

  At  times  the  music  also  brings  in  touches  of  post  industrial  while  some  tracks  also  capture  a  medieval  or  iron  age  style  atmosphere.  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  the  synths  also  adding  in  a  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys  as  well  as  some  of  the  drum  beats  also  being  programmed.

  Julii  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  ambient,  neo-classical,  martial  and  industrial  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  while  the  song  themes  revolve  around  Roman  events,  gods  and  legends.

  In  my  opinion  Julii  is  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  ambient,  neo-classical,  martial  and  industrial  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "World  Destroyer"  "Taste  Of  Triumph"  "Jupiter  Calls"  and  "Endless  March".  8  out  of  10.

https://julii.bandcamp.com/album/taste-of-triumph    

Boban Ristevski/Occupied Head/The Secret Treachers/Attenuation Circuit/2021 CD Review

 

  Bobban  Risttevski  is  a  solo  artist  from  Macedonia  and  Occupied  Head  is  a  solo  project  from  Germany  and  together  they  team  up  to  create  a  mixture  of  drone,  ambient,  psychedelic  and  electroacoustic  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  collaboration  album  "The  Secret  Teachers"  which  was  released  by  Attenuation  Circuit.

  Atmospheric  soundscapes  and  drones  start  off  the  album  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  field  recordings.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  avant  garde  and  experimental  sounding  along  with  the  music  being  all  instrumental  and  when  synths  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  ambient.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  programmed  beats.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  great  amount  of  electroacoustic  sounds  along  with  each  song  also  sounding  very  different  from  each  other  and  the  music  also  has  its  psychedelic  moments.

  Boibban  Risttevski  and  Occupied  head  team  up  together  and  bring  in a   mixture  of  avant  garde,  experimental,  ambient,  drone,  field  recordings,  electroacoustic  music  and  psychedelic  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  Wicca,  Alchemy,  Tibetan  and  Egyptian  Mysticism.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collaboration  between  Bobban  Risttevski  and  Occupied  Head  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  avant  garde,  experimental,  ambient,  drone,  field  recordings,  electroacoustic  music  and  psychedelic.  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Experience  Of  The  Ba  While  Awake"  and  "What  Lies  Ahead  of  us".  8  out  of  10.

https://emerge.bandcamp.com/album/the-secret-teachers        

  

  

Rack/Gridfailure/The Sun Exploded/2021 Collaboration Album Review

 

    New  York solo  projects  Rack  and  Gridfailure  team  up  and  bring  in  a  mixture  of  harsh  noise  and  experimental  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  collaboration  album  "The  Sun  Exploded"  which  will  be  released  in  February.

  Atmospheric  sounding  drones  and  field  recordings  start  off  the  album  while  also  mixing  in  some  experimental  style  soundscapes.  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  music  also   mixing  in  a  great  amount  of  power  electronics  and  harsh  noises    and  the  music  also h as  its  avant  garde  moments.

  When  elements  of  ambient  are  utilized  they  also  give  the  music  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling  while  demonic  and  tortured  voices  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording.  Synths  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  album  along  with  the  music  also  capturing  a  very  apocalyptic  atmosphere.

  When  programmed  beats  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  some  touches  of  industrial  along  with  some  electric  and  bass  guitars  also  being  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  music  also  bringing  in  more  of  an  improv  vibe,  influences  of  extreme  metal  and  black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  and  all  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  lo-fi.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collaboration  between  Rack  and  Gridfailure  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental,  extreme  metal  and  harsh  noise,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I"  and  "III".  8  out  of  10.

 

https://rack.bandcamp.com

http://www.facebook.com/gridfailure

http://www.gridfailure.bandcamp.com

https://twitter.com/GRIDFAILURE

https://www.instagram.com/gridfailure

   

Rome/Parlez-Vous Hate?/Trisol Music Group/2021 CD Review

 

  Luxembourg's  solo  project  Rome  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  him  expanding  on   his  mixture  of  neo-folk,  industrial  and  martial  from  his  previous  release  with  elements  of  punk  and  European  pop  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Parlez-Vous  Hate?"  which  was  released  by  Trisol  Music  Group.

  Choirs  and  clean  vocals  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  some  acoustic  guitars  which  also brings  in  elements  of  neo-folk,.  Electric  guitars  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  the  music  also  shows  an  influence  of  punk  rock  at  times  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Industrial  style  beats  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  recording  while  the  guitars  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Some  of  the  tracks  also  show  an  influence  of  pop  music  along  with  some  keyboards  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  and  some  tracks  also  add  in  martial  style  beats.

  Most  of  the  tracks  also  sounds  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  most  of  the  drum beats  also  being  programmed  as  well  as  one  of  the  tracks  also  introducing  whispered  vocals  onto  the  recording,  some  songs  also  add  in  spoken  word  parts  and  slide  guitars.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  World  War  II  and  Totalitarian  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Rome  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  neo-folk,  martial  and  industrial,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Parlez-Vous  Hate"  "Death  From  Above"  "You  Owe  me  A  Whole  World"  and  "Alesia".  8  out  of  10.

  

  

The Joy Of Nature/Goddies/2021 Compilation EP Review

 

  Portugal's  The  Joy  Of  nature  have  returned  with  a  compilation  which  continues  their  mixture  of  experimental  and  neo-folk  form  their  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  ep  "Goodies"  which  consists  of  unreleased  and  compilation  tracks.

  A  very  dark  and  experimental  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  acoustic  guitars  are  utilized  they  also b ring  in  elements  of  neo  folk  along  with t he  vocals  being  done  mostly in  a  clean  style  and  the  music  also  adds  in  some  ambient  style  soundscapes.

  The  acoustic  guitars  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  finger  picking  and  full  chords  while  percussions  can  also b e  heard  in  the  background.  The  music  also  has  its  psychedelic  moments  along  with  the  tracks  also  mixing  in  flutes  and  other  folk  instruments  and  the  guitar  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  On  these  tracks  The  Joy  Of  Nature  brings  in  a  mixture  of  neo-folk,  psychedelia,  experimental  and  ambient  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  nature  and  esoteric  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  compilation  from  The  Joy  of  Nature  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental,  neo-folk,  psychedelia  and  ambient,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Knife  Reflects  The  Smile"  and  "Glass  And  Smoke".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.facebook.com/thejoyofnature/      

NCT333 Interview

 

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

I am currently writing new songs and refining other compositions that are going to be released soon.

I combine music composition with the study of the topics covered, merging myself as much as

possible with a specific psychic environment.

2.In December you had released a new ep, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

"Aion" has more metaphysical and ascetic temper; that's the reason why I used less rhythmic drive,

since rhythm is more linked to the instinctive human nature. Regarding the harmonic structure, I

followed concepts of dronic and hypnotic composition to better achieve the psychic tension and

monoideism, pivotal of the ascetic process.

3.This is also your first release since 2015, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

Actually in July 2020 an anthology entitled "Dead Friends Dream Coldriver" was released for the

"Golden Catrame" label. In there I have collected compositions produced between 2012 and 2020 but

absent in the 2015 album "Black Summer of Trisomic Lovers". True to be told, in recent years I have

been quite erratic in composition due to the economic and job instabilities I had to face.

4.The song themes on the new ep cover Occultism, Gnosticism and Alchemy, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

Since I was a teenager, I had the suspicion that the totality of existence does not resolve itself inthe mere

material aspect. Therefore I have been attracted to books, comics and films that concern topics such as

supernatural, magic and occultism.

At my 20's, I discovered Julius Evola and the cultural movement of Traditionalism (authors such as Guenon,

Schuon and others). Thus, I integrated these interests into a more organic concept of spiritual evolution by

approaching doctrines as Alchemy, Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic asceticism. Recently I have tried to

bring these studies back into the category of the Christian tradition in which I grew up and so I tried to

deepen the Gnostic and esoteric thought of the first centuries of Christianity.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'NCT333'?

The "NCT333" moniker combines two elements.

"NCT" is the beginning of my tax code.

The number "333" is taken from Crowley's kabbalistic exegesis in reference to the entity “Choronzon”,

whose function is to nullify the ego. The name therefore represents the purpose of dissolution of the false

ego, referring to the social and psychic aspect of profane individuality, linked to "name" and "form".

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

The artwork for "Aion" is edited by Ubu Khan. The image was chosen because it encloses the colors of

the three alchemical phases recalled as track title's names.

The concept we wanted to point up is the bursting of the dimension of otherness into the contingent

manifestation during the contemplation of a void corner, an image strictly close to mental stillness as a

necessary mean to perceive the subtlest aspects of reality.

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

So far I have never managed to find legitimacy for my electronic live. For about 20 years I have been

wondering what form it could take to acquire meaning. I played my own compositions while performing

as a DJ, but I never did a real live show with this project. It is my intention to do a full live when I'll find

the right answer.

8.The new ep was released on 'Ukhan Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

"UKhan Records" is a small and new label with a very clear and strong idea about musical and aesthetic

style which get correspondences with my works. For this reason I decided to collaborate with them as an

artist and as artistic producer for other artists's releases under the label, scheduled in 2021.

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

Thanks to the work of the label, this is the first time that my works are known abroad. I have received

interest good feedback from America to Eastern Europe and this makes me very proud.

I was recognised an original and not conventional approach to these genres and this is a source of

satisfaction for me.

Obviously the name NCT333 is rather unknown outside Italy and a new label has not too consideration

on magazines and webzines at the moment. For this reason, I sincerely thank those who like you, with

sincere interest and genuine passion, has give me space to

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

Lately I have been interested in some archaic musical traditions characteristic of southern Italy whose

origins can be traced back to residues of the pagan Bacchic and Dionysian rites of the Greek-Roman

tradition. I would like to be able take possession of these expressive codes and combine them in my

musical production. Also I would like to write soundtracks for videogames which, in many case, have

become a new art form that I really appreciate and has a lot of expressive potential

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 basic music culture can be traced back to post-punk and the seminal bands of darkwave and

industrial. In the first teen-age I was also listening to extreme metal (mainly black, death and doom)

influenced by a dear friend (owner of the black metal band "Fear of Eternity") who was very passionate about this genres.

I started to like electronic music in my late teens thanks to the influence of my friends "Loozoo" a band

that dealt with these sounds. My favorite electronics bands are Scorn, Coil and Pan Sonic. Nowadays I

am very interested in some aspects of the louder and noisy Shoegaze, for example I am literally in love

with the sound of "A Place To Bury Strangers" and I really appreciate some works of "Raveonettes",

"Singapore Sling" or the Italians "Kill Your Boyfriend ". I'm also intrigued by the sound of so-called

Trap-Metal by artists like Ghostemane, Bones, Scarlxrd and Suicideboys.

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

We are all experiencing difficult times in which the material and psychic conditions of existence have

become, and are likely to become more, harder and it is easy to get discouraged and collapse. In this

situation, my humble advice is to take advantage of it to discern the most futile aspects from the important

ones of existence and work on it, not letting yourself be involved, more than necessary, by the silly

diatribes and false problems that characterize and substantiate this era of chaos and dissolution. In

conclusion, I would like to thank my woman and close friends who have supported me so far in this

project.

https://www.facebook.com/NCT333NCT333/

Aura Hiemis Interview

 

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

R: almost completely slept for the reasons of covid. It has been really difficult to rehearse, a lot of problems that also started before, in the social revolution, we have a lot of difficulties to do things all together. So we could end the album release last year and we are not doing anything new for the moment. 

 

2.In 2020 you had released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

R: not much different than others, in fact songs are older than the album before. We have a lot of songs done a long time ago and in close time between each other, so this new album is a piece of what will come… each time we can we record, we have a lot of long songs, in any moment could be release a new album or split, we would like to do more splits to use songs in something.

 

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

R: Lyrics kept the topic over the years, is what came from the head, there are no plan for them, as the music, we leave that born without think about it, so that means that maybe is not a progress, or change, but there are a lot of songs without lyrics yet, so anything could happen in the future.

 

4.Onwe of your lyrical topics is also 'mysticism', can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

R: lyrics are more humanistic topics, about relationships, broken heart, sad love, loss… romantic shits but not happy things, not good relationships, loss of a couple, etc. 

 

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

R: It had to be dark, cold… and you feel it in a winter breeze.

 

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

R: As almost all AH work is something that came up in the moment, not much thought about it, so it has what we like to see, darkness, the night, the moon, the forest… a lonely witch… we will try to replicate the style of the cover on the next albums, but is something that could change cause nothing is done yet

 

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

R: All of them have been good, playing with big bands of the scene of course has some other taste, as there are some ones in better places with more public, but we try to have a good time every time we play a gig. We played a few times in a year so we enjoyed all we could.

 

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

R: We don't really know… at least nobody has said it sucks.

 

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

R: in the same way that AH, they are trying to resume the work in the best possible way

 

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

R: We can't say anything about it, cause the next 4 albums are written and they are in the same direction as the last one, it's like one really long album in chapters. So in any moment we could make new songs that we don't know how they will be and they can change until they get recorded some day...

 

11.What are you currently listening to nowadays?

R: Almost the same as a few years… Katatonia, Wolfheart, HIM, and so many other bands that i don't even remember everyday could be something new

 

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

R: I want to thank you for the space and the interesting questions. Thanks to the readers and I hope some of them listen to the band and enjoy it.

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