DEATH, THRASH, BLACK, HEAVY, DOOM AND ROCK METAL ZINE

- REVIEWS, REPORTS, INTERVIEWS - SUPPORT METAL UNDERGROUND

úterý 27. června 2017

Few questions – interview with doom metal band from Sweden - DWOOM.


Few questions – interview with doom metal band from Sweden - DWOOM.
Answered David.
Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play , etc.?
I’m David Nilsson, second guitarist of DWOOM. We’re and epic doom metal band from Skellefteå, north Sweden. The first idea for the band was sprung somewhere around 2009 or 2010 when me and bassist Viktor Klingstedt got home to the apartment where we lived at the time after an afterparty and got the idea that we should start a doom metal project inspired by the bands from the 80’ties and 90’ties, on the side of our main band FERAL where we play death metal. We were huge fans of the retro-rock revival that was happening then, but had started to grow tired of the new bands popping up and we wanted to do something that was clearly doom METAL and not rock. The problem was to find a vocalist, as we didn’t want to use growls and none of us could sing. We got in touch with Gustav Lund from BLISTER BRIGADE rather immediately when he got off the stage after having played a show in our hometown with the band he was fronting at the time, and luckily he was into doing it even if he didn’t know either me or Viktor at that point. It took us several years to get some material done, as our main bands and life in general demanded most of our time. Later we needed a strong lead guitarist and Markus Lindahl, also from FERAL, was a natural choice for us as he is very much into doom and a great guy as well as a great guitar player.
Where and under what conditions were you recording the demo? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
This being a demo release it had to be done with as low budget as possible. All instruments were recorded in FERAL’s home-studio, Pagan Hell Studios, and that is no problem because we have high quality stuff and all that. However, it was then mixed by me to save us some money and I had to learn a lot of new stuff that I hadn’t been thinking about before when it comes to sound production. But I came out on the other end as a slightly better engineer, and that’s always good. I think I could to a better job now with that which I have learned, but we’ll have to see next time. Petter Nilsson at Sonner Produktion did the mastering, really putting the final and most important touches to it, and it’s thanks to him that the sound is as massive as it is on the final product.
How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
The demo will be out on June 30th through Swedish label BLOODSOAKED RECORDS on a limited edition cassette of 100 copies. It’s a real high quality product and comes in a boxed set including an embroidered patch and a mini poster printed on gold layer paper. It’s also available for streaming and download already on the labels bandcamp-site, but on the 30th it will also be available on all digital platforms like Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, etc.
Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?
The lyrics have all been written by me. We aren’t locked into a particular lyrical theme, or maybe a theme will be more visible when we have released the album that we are currently working on. But at this point we are free to write about whatever we like. Opening track “Fallen Again” deals with the angst you might feel waking up in the morning after drinking too much when you’ve promised yourself that you wouldn’t let that happen again, “Pale Mare” is about the plague and “Empty Temples” is about the pointlessness of gods and that all religions are no more than superstition and are bound to fall eventually, like all have done in the past.
Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?
Our logo was also done by me actually. I’m just an amateur when it comes to this kind of graphical stuff, but sometimes I get lucky and do things right. I am really happy about how the logo turned out. The art for the demo itself was done my Mathilda Almgren who is very talented and comes from the same part of Sweden as we do. I believe it was an existing piece of art she had done a couple of years earlier and as soon as I saw it I thought that it would make excellent cover art. So I contacted her when the demo was about to be finished about using it and she delivered the materials very professionally. As for social networking, we at the moment only use Facebook and that will probably be enough for a long time. I do however think it is very important! Most bands these days don’t even have a website of their own and only rely on social media, I think it is because people want all their stuff centralized. They want ALL of their band-related news on Facebook or whatever, instead of having to surf on to several separate sites. It’s also easier for the bands to post small updates on social media, like what’s going on at the moment or a picture of what they are doing in the rehearsalroom etc.
Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takes care of you?
We contacted BLOODSOAKED RECORDS immediately when the demo was about to be finished because we had worked with them before on a release with FERAL and we know that Joachim who runs the label a great guys. He gets things done, and never promises anything that he can’t deliver and has that kind of fire that you need to be able to do this kind of stuff. So far we are very happy and Joachim has a lot of great ideas, as well as the ability to come through with them.
Which bands do you idolize and where do you get your inspiration?
Obviously CANDLEMASS are the first ones that come to mind, but I am also very inspired by the Tony Martin-era of BLACK SABBATH personally. I love the albums “Headless Cross” and “Tyr”, they are probably among the album I have listened the most to in my entire life. Also MANOWAR’s early material that hint at doom metal, songs like “The Secret of Steel” and “Guyana”. But other than those more obvious inspirations when it comes to DWOOM there are bands like RUNEMAGICK and when it comes to our productions we have taken more hints from Swedish death metal bands like DISMEMBER and ENTOMBED.
Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
We didn’t send to any others than BLOODSOAKED, as mentioned above. They were the only ones we felt like we would really like to work with, and that they would be up for the challenge. I think we are the only band of this particular genre that they have released, and they probably appreciate the variety in the end. They were a bit hesitant to begin with, initially he didn’t receive the mastered tracks, but once Petter had finished the master and we had explained what our plan was for the band they were onboard. They have put out a lot of death metal and crust punk before, but there is no denying how heavy DWOOM is.
How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
We have not played any shows at the moment, and currently don’t plan to. Of course we have the idea in the back of our heads and I don’t think it impossible for us to arrange a live line-up and pull it off, but everything has to be right for it to happen. The hardest challenge might be to find someone to play the organ, as I would be handling the rhythm guitar in live situations. But that is a “problem” for the future.


What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
Our main goal right now is to get a good spread of the demo. The tracks on the demo was initially just part of a much larger recording of the pre-productions for our debut album, but we were so satisfied with the results that we decided to release a couple of the tracks. We have something like 10+ tracks written at the moment and more are in the works as well. Labels these days rarely pick up a band that they have never heard of before, so hopefully this demo will help create enough of a buzz to help us land a label to release the full length album in the future. Either way we will continue to create doom of the most crushing kind.
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
We are always happy to receive messages and comments from our fans at our facebook-page: www.facebook.com/dwoom
Other than that we can be reached on dwoommusic@gmail.com
Thanx for the interview.

Thank you a lot as well! Doom on!
DWOOM online:
Youtube: Dwoom Official

BLOODSOAKED RECORDS online:

pondělí 26. června 2017

Recenze/review - VALLENFYRE - Fear Those Who Fear Him (2017)


VALLENFYRE - Fear Those Who Fear Him
CD 2017, Century Media Records

for english scroll down please

Železo se musí kout, dokud je žhavé. Jinak s ním nepřeseknete ani plesnivou lebku. Je nutné dodržet postup, přidat tu správnou záhrobní temnotu. Pravý metal má bolet, drásat, trhat vám maso od kostí. Musíte mít pocit, že jste zavaleni hromadou kostí, že se dusíte hnisem a vaše duše musí zčernat. Tohle všechno splňuje nová deska VALLENFYRE bezezbytku.



Mám pro kapelu mistra Grega Mackintoshe a jeho riffy velkou slabost. Obdivuji schopnost kapely složit skladby, ve kterých se mísí death metal s crustem a doomem takovým způsobem, že nadskakují víka od rakví. Novinka je hodně naléhavým, mrazivě znějícím albem. Je v něm obsažena černá esence namíchaná z bolesti, strachu, smrti a temnoty. Chutná jako otrávený koktejl, který je vám podáván za mrazivého rána. Jsem ztracený v záhrobí!



Pokud bychom měli tvorbu a novou desku "Fear Those Who Fear Him" k někomu připodobnit, volil bych první demo nahrávky PARADISE LOST v kombinaci se švédskou death metalovou školou (DISMEMBER, ENTOMBED). Občas na povrch vyplavou i vlivy NAPALM DEATH, CELTIC FROST, a osobně slyším chvilkami i BOLT THROWER. VALLENFYRE zkrátka bezezbytku ctí starou smrtící metalovou školu a výsledkem je neskutečně natlakované album. Už jen ten hnilobný zvuk, masivní hluboký Gregův vokál, tohle všechno dělá z novinky desku, která mi kroutí vnitřnostmi v těle. Vezměte do ruky sekyru a běžte udělat do podzemí pořádek! Cestou potkáte stovky oběšených, utopených, zavražděných a budete se těšit, až navěky zmizíte v močálech nového alba "Fear Those Who Fear Him". Pro mě osobně jeden z adeptů na album roku. Masakr, tma, smrt! Vynikající nahrávka, u které potkáte své vlastní démony! 


Asphyx says:



There is a saying in the Czech Republic and it says that iron has to be cut until it´s hot (Similar to English one: make hay while the sun shines). Otherwise, you will not even cut a mouldy skull with it. It is necessary to follow instructions, to add the right darkness from the beyond world. The right metal has to hurt, tear your meat from your bones. You have feel that you are stuck under a pile of bones, you are choke with pus and your soul must to get black. All of this is done thanks to this new album by VALLENFYRE.


I really like Master Greg Mackintosh´s band and their riffs. I admire the band´s ability to compose songs which are the mixture of death metal with crust and doom and they do it so well that coffin lids are popping up. The new album is very urgent album which sounds very cold. It contains black essence mixed with pain, fear, death and darkness. It tastes like poisoned cocktail that is served in the cold morning. I am lost in the beyond world.




If I had to compare this new album “Fear Those Who Fear Him” and work of those guys to someone, I would probably choose the demo records of PARADISE LOST in the combination with Swedish death metal school (DISMEMBER, ENTOMBED). There are some effects of NAPALM DEATH, CELTIC FROST and I even sometimes hear BOLT THROWER. VALLENFYRE just revered the old metal school and the result is a massively pressured album. Just the rotten sound, massively deep Greg´s vocal. All of this makes this new album a weapon which makes the guts in my body to turn. Take an axe and go underground to do something with that world! On your way you will meet hundreds of hanged, drowned, murdered people and you will be looking forward to disappear forever in the marshes of the new album “Fear Those Who Fear Him”. For me, personally, this is a candidate for this year´s album of the year. Massacre, darkness, death! An excellent album which will allow you to meet all your demons!



Tracklist:
1. Born To Decay
2. Messiah
3. Degeneration
4. An Apathetic Grave
5. Nihilist
6. Amongst The Filth
7. Kill All Your Masters
8. The Merciless Tide
9. Dead World Breathes
10. Soldier Of Christ
11. Cursed From The Womb
12. Temple Of Rats

band:
Greg Mackintosh (vocals / guitars)
Hamish Glencross (guitars / bass)
Waltteri Väyrynen (drums )
Sam Kelly-Wallace (guitar (live))
Chris Casket (bass (live))

Recenze/review - INCINERATOR - Stench of Distress (2017)


INCINERATOR - Stench of Distress
CD 2017, Raw Skull Recordz

Měl jsem za úkol odstranit všechny kdysi živé tkáně od kostí. Chopil jsem se svého úkolu s vervou sobě vlastní. Zaujat Bohu protivnou prací jsem rozjímal nad smrtí, životem a hlavně hranicí, kterou je nutné překročit, aby se člověk mohl poklonit stínům. Odřízl jsem kousek shnilého masa, seškrábal z očních důlků vzpomínky a nasával s obrovskou nadějí pachuť a zápach rozkládajících se těl. Byl jsem ve svém živlu, uprostřed podzemí a poslouchal jsem novou desku holandských INCINERATOR.


Klaníme se s kapelou stejným death metalových bohům, spolu obdivujeme SLAUGHTER, DISMEMBER, CARNAGE, CELTIC FROST, ASPHYX, POSSESSED, SLAYER. Holanďané hudbou a já slovy. Jsme plně oddáni základním myšlenkám smrti a vychutnáváme si všechnu tu prašivinu starých časů. Převaluji se na zvukových vlnách, jako mrtvola ve shnilé rakvi. Ano, takhle se má hrát death metal!




"Stench of Distress" je albem, které má v sobě velký kus temnoty, je odpovědí na všechnu nenávist světa. Z nahrávky doslova čiší oddanost záhrobí, poctivost, šílenství. Pojďme, půjdeme spolu tančit na hrobech padlých mnichů! Chce se mi řvát do tmy. Kombinace chřestivého death metalu, natlakovaného thrashe a hnisu musí dělat dobře snad každému, kdo jen někdy alespoň pootevřel dveře na starý hřbitov. Už jste někdy chrchlali černou krev? Už vás pálily kosti chladem? Už jste někdy ochutnali zkažené vnitřnosti nemrtvých? Pokud ne, tak neváhejte a poslouchejte -  INCINERATOR jsou zde, aby zapálili tento svět plný temnoty. Přehrávám desku stále dokola a nemůžu se zbavit dojmu, že už na mě někde čeká otevřený hrob. Smrtící kov par excellence!


sumarizace:

První dlouhohrající album INCINERATOR se opravdu povedlo. Kombinace studených melodií, krutého zpěvu a neskutečné energie na mě opět funguje. Ze záhrobí povstali všichni nemrtví a svět je doslova zahalen krví. Nahrávka působí jako rozkládající se mršina. Old schoolové motivy, smrt v očích a nekonečné utrpení. Tohle všechno při poslechu zažijete. Budete odcházet od svých hi-fi věží rozsekáni na malé kousky, vaše mysl bude čistá a krev nakažená. CD s klidem mohu doporučit všem poctivým fanouškům reálného death metalu, kteří se rádi prohrabují starými kostmi. Exhumujte staré mrtvoly, vypusťte zombie na tento svět! Přijdu si jako v nějakém hodně krutém hororu. Morbidita, špína, hnus a neskutečný tlak. To všechno na "Stench of Distress" naleznete. Tento masakr jen tak někdo nepřežije. Old school death metal, u kterého praskají víka od rakví! Vynikající záležitost!

Asphyx says:

The first full-length album INCINERATOR came really off. The combination of cold melodies, harsh vocals and incredible energy works again. The dead and undead rose from the beyond and the world is wrapped in blood. The recording acts like a decomposing carcass. Old school motifs, death in the eyes and endless suffering. All this you'll experience during listening. You'll leave from your hi-fis cut into small pieces, your mind will be clear and blood infected. I can recommend this cd to all honest real death metal fans who likes rummaging in old bones. Exhume old corpses, let zombies out into this world! I'm coming like in very brutal horror. Morbidity, dirt, filth and surreal pressure. This all you'll find on "Stench of Distress". This massacre can survive only someone. When you are listening this old school death metal, the lids from the coffins are cracking! Excellent thing!

tracklist:
1. At the Gates
2. Nerveless
3. Slaughter
4. Feed the Soul
5. Arisen in Blood
6. Repentance
7. Traumatic
8. The Stench of Distress
9. Swiersettiche Riten


band:
Jackhammer - Guitars, Drums
The Necromancer - Bass 
Bonesaw - Vocals

Few questions – interview with death metal band from Netherlands - INCINERATOR.

Few questions – interview with death metal band from  Netherlands - INCINERATOR.
Answered Dietrik (bonesaw).
Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play , etc.?
Incinerator was founded 3 years ago. just to make raw in your face oldstyle thrash/ deathmetal!
Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
Just like our 7" we did all the recordings by our selves. mixing and mastering was done by studio doubleimpact.
How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
For now there are 500 cd's released. en there are plans to release a vinyl version in the future.
Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with ?
All the lyrics are done by me (bonesaw). there about fictional horror. And the horror from the real life.
Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?
I'v drawn the logo by myself. cover was created by raul fuentes (mortuus). and i must say he did an awesome job.
Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care about you?

The cd is released by Rawskullrecords. and they are doing an awesome job.
Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
Slayer is offcourse one of our big faverits and a big inspiration for us. and for me personal a lot of deathmetal stuff from the late 80's early 90's .
How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
We don't play live.
What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
Creating a second album. as sick and brutal as possible.
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
Thanx for the interview.

Thanx for the support! Stay sick!

Recenze/review - APOPHANOUS - Obliteration Has Come (2016)


APOPHANOUS - Obliteration Has Come
EP 2016, Sangue Frio Produções

Na periferii našeho města zase prší kyselý déšť. Musím vyrazit ven a proplést se mezi šedivým panelem. Vše na mě působí beznadějně, neosobně. Stovky lidí kolem a přesto jsem tu sám. Našlapuji opatrně a přidávám hlasitost na přehrávači. Po tváři mi stékají kapky vody a v kostech chladí mráz. Je k večeru a já vím, že s touhle kapelou se vrátím domů hodně pozdě.

Brazilský thrashový útok v podobě skupiny APOPHANOUS přišel nečekaně. Byl pro mě jako úder palicí na dolní část čelisti. Najednou tu stojím, krvavý a bezprizorní a těším se na další skladbu. Do uší mi zní neutěšená, chladivá, temná hudba plná pnutí. Brazilci se nebojí lehce experimentovat, hrát si s melodiemi jako kočka s myší. Motivy postupně gradují, doslova zapáchají nadšením a já si připadám, že mě město zase pozřelo do svých spárů.



"Obliteration Has Come" v některých momentech lehce evokuje tvorbu NEVERMORE, VOIVOD, ale i třeba PANTERY. Ze skladeb doslova čiší radost z hraní jak takového. Jakoby kapelu někdo polil energetickým drinkem a zapálil černým ohněm. EP se poslouchá více méně samo, zanechává v člověku vzpomínky a vybroušené symboly v mozku. Pevně doufám, že APOPHANOUS vydají brzy dlouhohrající album, protože bych se rád znovu vydal na další procházku mlhavým deštivým městem. Progresivní thrash metal, ze kterého je cítit velká temná síla! Skvěle!


sumarizace:

Brazilská, progresivní thrash metalová kapela APOPHANOUS, je skupinou, ze které doslova tryská talent na všechny strany. Jejich album "Obliteration Has Come" je po okraj narvaný nápady, energií a tlakem. Pokud rádi u hudby přemýšlíte a ochutnáváte z pestré palety bohatého talíře extrémního metalu, bude vám určitě chutnat. Fascinuje mě lehkost a samozřejmost, s jakou je EP nahrané. Poslech je srovnatelný s pohledem do kaleidoskopu. Pestré riffy, zajímavé bicí a všemu nasazuje korunu vokál, vytažený až odněkud ze samého nitra. Songy působí velmi vyrovnaně, chutně, naléhavě a přesto jsou až uklidňující. Album se tak pro mě stává jakousi meditací. Progresivní thrash metal, který připomíná průlet vesmírem. Vynikající záležitost. Noblesníl! Velmi doporučuji!

Asphyx says:

Talent gushing right and left, this is the Brazil, progressive thrash metal band APOPHANOUS. Their album "Obliteration Has Come" is to the brim full of ideas, energy and pressure. If you like thinking by listening and tasting from a variet range of rich menu of extreme metal, you will definitely like it. I am fascinated by the lightness and obviousness the EP is recorded. Listening is comparable with the view into a kaleidoscope. Colourful riffs, interesting drums and vocals, pulled up from somewhere inside. Both songs are tasty, urgently, however, relaxing. The single is for me a kind of meditation. Progressive thrash metal, resembling the flight through the universe. Excellent stuff! I  recommend very much!

tracklist:
1. Origins of Violence
2. Bright Evil Eyes 
3. Like an Angel 
4. Death Drive


band:

Few questions – interview with progressive thrash metal band from Brazil - APOPHANOUS


Few questions – interview with progressive thrash metal band from Brazil - APOPHANOUS.
Answered Vitor.
Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play , etc.?
Vitor: Sure! We are Apophanous, a progressive Thrash Metal band from São Paulo – Brasil formed by Alvaro Albuq (Bass), Tiago Lima (Lead Guitars), Fabio Trevisan (Drums) and me (Vitor – Lead Vocals). We have been playing together since 2015. 
Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
Vitor: Out last recording was done at IMF (Instituto Musical Falaschi) and Tito Falaschi was the one responsible for the capturing and mastering processes. The production of the songs was done by the band and we have to say we are very proud of the results. For some guys at the band it was their first studio experience. It was very challenging but we learned a lot from it all!
How many copies  were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
Vitor: Obliteration Has Come EP was released for digital streaming on all available platforms (spotify, deezer, groove, apple music, and many more). Physical copies will arrive this year soon.
We have also released a lyrics video of Death Drive song on youtube.
Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with ? 
Vitor: I (Vitor) usually write the lyrics and the other members collab with me in doing so. The lyrical themes are based on psychological disorders and many other aspects of the dark side of humanity. You can find some references to horror movies and books too.
Death Drive is based on a Freud’s theory about why humans are drawn to repeat painful or traumatic events, for instance.

Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important? 
Vitor: All the artwork for the band was created by Bruno Guia from Tesgui Publicidade and Tesgui Films. He did a fantastic job including the Death Drive Lyrics Video.
We have a fanpage on facebook and an Instagram profile. Both are managed by the band itself.
Actually Social Media is our main promotion mechanism and allows us to bring our fans closer to our activities and also connects us with managers, clubs and other kinds of media in a easier way. Heavy metal isn’t a popular music genre in Brasil so the traditional media communication is very hard and almost impossible in many ways. Luckily, the Internet has come to break this barriers for bands and fans.
Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takes care of you?
Vitor: The digital release came via Sepulchral Silence Records from the UK and there‘s a good relationship between us. Recently we’ve achieved the mark of 1500 streams of the EP and we still have to drink a lot to celebrate that (cheers! :)
Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration from?
Vitor: Our main inspirations are Nevermore (We miss you guys!!!), Machine Head, Lamb of God, Arch Enemy and Pantera (We miss you Dimegod!) but you can find other elements on our music that varies from Goth Rock to Black Metal. There are some tribal and brazillian elements (such as baião) blended in the compositions too.
Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
Vitor: We don’t have physical releases yet so we haven’t sent our record so far but we’re planning to do it this year soon.
How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best? 
Vitor: From EP’s release (2016) to now we’ve played 6 times, and one of these at a festival on the coast of our city. This festival was our first live performance and I can still remember the feeling!
Our last performance was the best so far! It was on a club and we organized the gig with some bands from the city such as Chaos Inc, Crucifixion BR and Stonevil the crowd was crazy and moshed as hell too!
What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
Vitor: By now we are working on new songs for the upcoming album and gathering resources for the recording process and stuff. We are also looking for gigs and promotional actions for the current release. We want to play outside Brasil very soon!
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
Get in touch with us on facebook.com/apophanous and apophanous@gmail.com \,,/
Thanx for the interview.
Vitor: Thanks a lot for the opportunity and be advised: Obliteration has come! Listen to us on Spotify, Youtube, iTunes, Wherever you want.

neděle 25. června 2017

Photos - DIABOLICAL - METALGATE CZECH DEATH FEST 2017 - 17. 6. 2017



PHOTOS
author of photos – Michal Radoš
- for original size click on photos
- pro zvětšení klikněte na fotky



































TWITTER