Strix Artist Hollow Branches Interview is up

Hollow Branches

1. So its been a few years since Anchored in Sleep and the new album in 2012. The last was in 2009... What has Hollow Branches been doing?

Anchored in Sleep came out around December 2009, and Okanagana Waves came out just over two years later in January 2012. It's been longer than we would have liked, but that's how it goes when you're an independent artist footing all expenses. For our part, Marius and I finished tracking the music and vocals by July 2010 at his studio in Norway. Unfortunately it took some time to find a replacement for Jason, which we eventually did in Mathew Kennedy from Phideaux. He finished tracking bass around mid-2011 at which point Marius started the mixing process. The CDs should be arriving from press any day now.

2. I see you have a new bassist and are no longer working with Jason from Agalloch/Nothing. Was Jason never a full time member?

No, Jason was never a full time member. He has a lot of commitments, and we were lucky to have him help us out on four Strix Records releases between Hollow Branches and Indelible.

3. The new album Okanagana Waves seems to have much in common with the sounds Ulver and Tenhi are creating. This album has a more Post Rock/ Folk element then the last as well. Where did the new sound come from?

On Anchored in Sleep and Words are Fire the writing was shared 50/50. This time Marius wrote all of the music, so I've asked him to answer this question.

I haven't really listened much to Tenhi, so that must be coincidental, or we might have the same inspirational sources? As for Ulver, we are both fans of their music, but I prefer the newer material, especially Shadows of the Sun, which is pretty far from Okanagana Waves musically, but pretty close thematically. Although I feel the themes on Okanagana Waves are taken down to a more direct and personal level.

While writing for Okanagana Waves much of the inspiration came from various Neofolk acts. I was also listening a lot to Änglagård and other prog bands at the time which can explain why the album at times mix up the two genres, and also why there are some hints of Scandinavian folk there.

4. Will Hollow Branches be performing or touring for Okanagana Waves?

Not at this time. Marius lives in Norway, I live on the west coast of the US, while Mathew lives on the east coast. We'd need a drummer, and about a years worth of rehearsal before we got anywhere near the stage.

5. You seem to be very into the digital age with the use of Last.fm, Bandcamp , Facebook etc. Do you feel the physical format for album is close to over?

I think for some people it certainly is (and in some cases never existed.) Many of the people I work with, for example, have never purchased a CD, record, cassette, etc. The idea is completely foreign to them because they were born at a different time.

I still purchase albums that I enjoy, but I nearly always preview a record before doing so. I completely respect other people's desire to do the same. Stream or download our album, and if you like it, throw a couple of dollars our way. For the collectors, we also have CDs. If you want high quality MP3s of Okanagana Waves and for one reason or another don't have any money to spend on music, send me an email and I'll give you a link to download our album. Music should be shared.

6. How did you come to create Strix Records which seems to be a digital label with limited physical album releases? http://www.strixrecords.com

Creating Strix Records has allowed us to release our music on our own timeline, without having to worry about a labels release dates. To give you an example, Marius' first band, Formloff, recently recorded their second album. When I say recently, I mean well over a year ago. The album was mixed, mastered, and the artwork was complete when Eisenwald agreed to release it. Unfortunately there were several releases scheduled to come out beforehand. It's not the fault of the label or the band, but as you know, labels rarely have just one artist to promote.

7.Robert you were working in few other projects are they still going on or is Hollow Branches the main focus these days?

Marius and I are both working on the next Hollow Branches album at this time. It's still early in the writing process, but I can tell you the next album will have a bit more rock. We're also finishing the recording of the next Indelible album, which Marius will begin mixing soon.

We also have the Self Spiller album coming out soon on Vendlus Records. Self Spiller is Jason's new(ish) side project which evolved out of Especially Likely Sloth. The band is made up of Jason, Marius and myself, along with Mirai and Dr. Mikannibal from Sigh, Andy Winter, Rob Kleiner, Zweizz, Don Anderson, and a bunch of other contributors. Outside of all of that, Marius is also involved in the black metal band, Formloff, and creates experimental ambient sounds under the Sjøli monicker.

8. Will we be seeing any videos for the new album again? Okanagana Waves seems to work very well for video formats?

We have talked about it, but we don't have the time or money to create a video at this time. Personally, I have an even greater desire to score a short film instead of creating a video for a song. We both have experience scoring, whether it be for software, which I have done, or commercials and student films, as Marius has done. Putting music to pictures is a lot more fun than putting images to sound.

9. What are your thoughts on the indie music scene in 2012? Do you see digital music as the new tape trading and webzines the new mouthpiece for the underground?

There are many great bands, both independent and on bigger labels. I don't like to focus on indie vs. major, but on what pleases me.

Similarities exist between digital culture and tape trading, but there was a permanence with tape trading and physical zines that just doesn't exist in the digital era. There is essentially no effort in downloading an album, so if you listen to 20 seconds and don't like what you're hearing it's pretty easy to just delete it from your computer/iPod. Our albums are for people that can get past their initial reactions and invest a bit of time listening, looking at the artwork, and reading through the lyrics. That's why every release since "Anchored in Sleep" has come with a digital booklet; to lend a little bit of permanence to a format that is easily discarded.

10. Are there any running themes on Okanagana Waves?

There are a lot of references to nature, skepticism, anxiety, and memory on Okanagana Waves. Because I have a terrible time sleeping through the night, my relationship with the morning is complicated, so many of my references to the sun and sleep are not very cheerful. The first, fourth, and final tracks on the album are about time, and the impermanence of life, the universe and everything.

11. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here?

Thanks for reading. You can stream and purchase Strix Records releases at http://hollowbranches.bandcamp.com/ orhttp://indeliblenor.bandcamp.com/

New Reviews 2/11/2012

Dimesland- Creepmoon- CD (Vendlus )

This band is truly all over the place. If you could mix Voivod with Testament and Strapping young lad all being influenced by Mike Patton and John Zorn then you have a close idea of whats going on crazy jazzy, scifi thrashing avant metal with a strong does of the punk way of making music. Dimesland is something when you hear it will know the band sounds similar but is doing something all their own. If you like Melvins or  Polkadot Cadaver this will get your blood racing with the very creative way the noisy and blur of sounds and layers are presented. Vendlus you have impressed me again with Creepmoon I hope to hear more from this band soon.

http://vendlus.com/

I Exist- II The Broken Passage-CD (Lost Shepard/ Prosthetic)

Mmmmm  Dirty Crusty Sludge Doom punk from these merchants of sound. If your into Crowbar, Eyehategod, Cavity and Buzzoven then this is going to knock you ass on the floor. The Hardcore vocals, Bluesy sludge and low end attack is just what the doctor ordered for this reviewer. All that is missing for me is the walls of feedback before and at the end of the songs. They good for more a punk rock element in the way the songs are recorded.  This would have been a Bacteria Sour or  Pesimester release for sure. Turn your amp to 11 and circle pit my friends....

http://prostheticrecords.com/

Stormcrow- Enslaved in Darkness-CD ( Self Made God)

Self Made God has been so very hit or miss with me over the years I never know if this is a love or hate moment. Well for the luck of  Self Made God " WE HAVE A WINNER!!".. This is full of  Grindcore, Doomy Death metal and a Crusty edge that makes me think of  Napalm Death, Bolt Thrower and Incantation melding into a sound that is massive and crushing at the same time. I may even have to throw a band like The Chasm into where I hear a band like Stormcrow getting inspiration from. There is a strong hardcore backdrop going on with this band but its just a part of the whole. The full on grindcore vocals the deep kind are what we have here. Check them out as live I would have to say if they sound anything like the album that is going to be there true power...

http://selfmadegod.com/

Enthroned- Obsidium-CD ( Agonia )

This Belgium based force is what I call Epic Black metal. Over to close to 20 years now they have been making  the Blackened sound that bands like Dimmu Borgir, Old mans child, Emperor, Marduk, Dark Funeral etc have done but the one main difference is that Enthroned add Heathen, Viking and Thrash elements into there sound. Don't be fooled for a minute this is Black metal there is just an added layer to it all. Enthroned never dissapoint they are a great band I could never understand why they have gone through so many different labels. The production on Obisidium is a shining moment. Agonia is becoming a major force for the Blackened arts of metal I think this is a great pairing for label and artist.

http://www.agoniarecords.com/

Lord Mantis- Pervertor-CD (Candlelight)

This interested me from the 1st riff .. Its Sludgy Black metal not something you hear everyday its almost like Black Cobra and Celtic Frost got together and had a slimey hateful little bastard to rule the underground airwaves. I just saw that there are members of Indian and  Nachtmystium in the band as well. Lord Mantis is a wall of nails in the face of all that are not ready. Pervertor has elements of Thrash and Doom metal in the low end it presents as well. There is a odd off key melody going on through out this album as well. Love the late 80/90's Bathory vibe the flows in and out of the album too. Though this is never what I would call a retro album the love the past and add to it in their own way of the bizarre. Check out Lord Mantis is going to be a powerful ride none the least.

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Erevos- Descensus Ad Inferus-CD (Orkestral Promenade Productions)

Wow I never thought these two bands would come to my mind when I reviewed a band  but if you put  Bal Sagoth and Limbonic art together as one band you would have 100% on what Erevos is creating here. Symphonic, Industrial , Alt  Black metal. This album is as massive as its complex and refreshing. I was not ready for this . I know some say its not fully Black metal they are very wrong this is just the next phase where Black metal can go to be original and interesting again. We will always need the raw, low fi and hatred for all things towards the light. This is not that its so much more . Mere words can not explain this band. You will need several listens to even get where this band is going. Wow Erevos Wow. This reviewer is more then pleased.

http://www.orkestral.gr/

Shroud of Despondency-Pine-CD/Digital (Self Released)

Every time I hear a new release from Rory and crew I never know to what level of insanity will come next this time out its Prog Black metal with Folk elements who thought that you could mix  Slough Feg with Bathory and Tenhi to make an album that is not only a blast to listen to but also something I think we will see other emulate into a genre.. SoD is best set as a self released band as its not something a label would have the resources to promote and its knows how the underground will react to a band like this. They are not about selling 100,000 records and the band is very clear on that. with Pine they are about the true essence of what the underground music world is. Independent thought, ideals and making music you have to as its the way to leave your legacy on this realm and maybe others..

https://www.facebook.com/shroudofdespondency

3 New Reviews 1/29/2012

Sektor 304- Subliminal Actions- Digipak CD (Malignant Records)

Are you into Old Swans, Godflesh, Foetus, Killing Joke and E.N. then this is the monster for you a mix of Old school Industrial, Noise, Doom and Tribal elements. This is not a simple project period. the machines, vocals, percussion and loops and layers going on are powerful and oppressive to say the least. They remind me a lot of Liabach at times as well. There is something very sinister about what these Portuguese noise  mongers are creating. All I know is this is their 2nd album and I want to see them live or on DVD as a show from Sektor 304 will be things of legends. Subliminal Action makes there debut shadow this and their debut on Malignant kicked me in the ass. Two large thumbs up for this brilliant release.

http://malignantrecords.com/

Hollow Branches- Okanagana Waves- Digital/CD (Strix Records)

So what we have is the 2nd release I've been give to release by the Portland OR based Prog, Jazz, Post Rock force. What I hear is a continuation of what I got with " Anchored in Sleep". If you could mix  Katatonia, Ulver, Alcest all into one band then give it a very melodic post rock over tone you would have all the beauty that Hollow Branches creates. With the last album they had Jason Walton of Agalloch and Nothing fame perform bass and produce a lot the album this time the have a new bassist named Matt and I would say the vibe and feeling has not changed at all. I swear at times this band could be the U.S. version of  Tenhi . They seem almost kindred spirits. Robert you band is something that is very personal and special to me and I thank you every time you give me the time and change to review you music.

http://www.strixrecords.com/

Akphaezya- Anthology IV-CD (Code666)

More form the Avant and Prog rock side of Post rock music that also mixes elements of Black and Doom metal . Akphaezya is just plain odd all the way around if you could mix Arcturus, Mayhem, Third and the Mortal and The Gathering all into one studio them decided to let Mike of Opeth and Dan Swano master and produce the album you what have this skitzo force on a CD. The mix of Angelic female vocals and tormented Blackened male vox all over a classical prog/avant metal backdrop. If you could call a band  Eastern Oriental Black n Jazz then I would say that Akphaezya has just create that genre. Anthology IV is something your going to see the beauty in or hate after the 3rd track . Its just one of those bands. 2012 is turning into a yr of the underground music as so many new bands have impressed me in 3-4 weeks.

http://code666.net/

Metalville Artist Opera Diabolicus Interview is up

http://operadiabolicus.com/

1.Tell us a bit about Opera Diabolicus as with 1614 this is the 1st

time I've heard of this Avant Prog Metal force..

Opera Diabolicus was formed as a concept in 2006. It all began when I (David Grimoire) met Adrian (de Crow) during a stage play of Umberto Eco’s “In the name of the Rose” in Gothenburg Sweden in 2006. We began to talk about music and theater and what it would be like to combine those two things together. I’ve always been into musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Miserables and theatrical metal bands so I was very pleased when I met Adrian who had almost the same conceptual ideas.  

2. With listening to 1614 a few times now actually many times I hear

elements of Goth, Prog, Symphonic Doom Metal and some Death metal going

on. I get the same feelings form bands like Dimmu Borgir, Arcturus and

Therion. These bands must play a role in the bands sounds.

In a matter of fact none of the mentioned bands is really an influence because I’ve never really listened to them (I’ve never even heard of the band name Arcturus before). My main influences (when it comes to metal music) are King Diamond, Mercyful Fate and Candlemass and perhaps a pinch of old school death and black metal from the early nineties. Old 70s stuff like old Alice Cooper and Uriah Heep is also an influence. The symphonic influences perhaps comes more from movies and stuff like that.

3. I read its says that Opera Diabolicus has been around since 2006 but

the 1st release is in 2012 . What have the last 6 yrs been setting up

this massive release?

Yes, we started this journey back in 2006. The main reason that it has taken us so long spells “record label related problems”. First back in 2006/2007 we were signed to a little French label called Mourning Records. Unfortunately the owner of the label died in a car accident. After a year or so we signed to Dutch label Vic Records and after that everything stagnated. The label kept us on hold for almost 2 years before I pushed them until they admitted they didn’t have any money so they didn’t know when they would be able to release the album. After some discussion we agreed to rip up the contract so we would find another label, and we did, Metalville Records.

4. I see your working with Snowy Shaw of King Diamond and Therion fame

is he a full time member or is the main band just the duo of David and

Adrian?

Opera Diabolicus is not a regular band in the sense that it’s five guys standing in a rehearsal room practicing once a week. Very early on we decided that for us to be able to do anything that we want and to be so creative as possible we shouldn’t be restricted by the normal band standard and the limitations and pitfalls that lie there in. It was a real aha experience when I realized that I now could write any music that I wanted without the interfering of others and I guess Adrian felt the same thing regarding the lyrics. Opera Diabolicus should more be seen as an act/ensemble with me and Adrian as the foundation.

5. Your video for "Blood Countess Bathory" is as visually stunning as

musically will be be seeing a long form DVD at all your music fits it

so well?

That would have been awesome to do a long form DVD. We really liked to work with the visual elements and the guys that helped us with the video production (11Frames Production) were great, but as for now we have to put that idea on hold because it would be too expensive, but in the future with a good budget then who knows. Hopefully we could make that kind of thing happen.

6. I really wondering is Opera Diabolicus a full time touring project

or most a grandious studio event?

We have intentions of taking this to the stage. Everything depends on demand and economy.

7. How did you come to work with Metalville ( A very up and coming

label in Metal world)?

When we were signed to Vic Records Chris Bolthendal (front man in Grave Digger and former employee of Metalville) contacted me to see if we were interested in a deal with them, but we were under contract with Vic Records at the time. After the break up with Vic Records I remembered his proposal and so I contacted Metalville to see of they still were interested in collaboration, and luckily for us they were.

8. The mix of Clean and Harsh Male vocals and Classical Female vocals

works so well with the complexity of the music from Delicate acoustics

to full on Symphonic black metal. Is this how the band has been since

2006 or have there been many changes?

The songs and the music has more or less been the same since 2006.

9. Before 1614 album where there demos or smaller releases for people

to hear?

We did a pre-production thing that we used when contacting records labels and so on, but no official demos or any other releases are available.

10. The artwork of the album 1614 is very impressive how does it play

into the theme of the record?

Yes, the concept of the art work is related to the lyrical concept of the album, which is the story of Countess Elisabeth Bathory. She’s the main figure on the cover and it’s Adrian and I standing beside her. The art work was made by Gyula Havancsákand and we think he really captured the essence of Opera Diabolicus and the album †1614. 

11. Your website http://operadiabolicus.com/ seems to be just a portal

to social media sites do you feel this is the best way to promote music

in 2012?

We haven’t really given that any special thought. I guess the social media is very important nowadays. The reason our website is like a portal is that we wanted be able to direct the fans in the right direction and make it easy for them to find the right information.

12. You have a theatrical side many bands in this genre have used in

the past.. Do you feel image and sound need to go hand in hand to make

things more interesting?

It doesn’t have to be so, but I think that for this kind of music it really helps.

13. What is the vision you see for Opera Diabolicus in future releases?

We’re working on material for a sequel at the moment, but we don’t want to give away anything so early on in the process, but I can assure you, it will be a killer.

14. Thank you for your time any closing thoughts here..

Thanks for the interview and I would really recommend people to go to YouTube and look up the video clip for the song “Blood Countess Bathory”, put it on HD and with full screen because it’s a real thrill to watch. And of course if you like the music, buy the album. That’s the best way to ensure that there will be a sequel. 

Opera Diabolicus - Blood Countess Bathory

This band is really impressing me avant Black Doom with heavy prog elements.

New Reviews Jan 22nd 2012

Earth- Angels of Darkness, Demons of Light II-CD (Southern Lord)

Earth has become a Post Rock/ Post Metal force where the band conveys emotion , power and passion in a way few bands do anymore. Yes at one time the were a crushing doom force but as the band found there direction over the last 20 yrs they have over I would say 4 releases gelled and become modern classical music. with lush strings, flowing guitars, simple percussion and the understanding that less can really be so much more in music. This is the 2nd part to an album that in no way could have been topped and with this its not its just added to the majestic nature of all things Dylan and his crew does. If you like bands like  Silver Mt Zion, Polvo, Later Sonic Youth and American music then you will be drawn in with the Blues, Bluegrass and very avant tuning's that are used here. Earth is a band that will change the way you think about how music can be presented and created. 

http://southernlord.com/

Monarch- Omen- CD (At A Loss)

THIS IS DOOM!! SOUL CRUSHING SLOW DRONING DOOM!!!!. I BOW DOWN TO THEE AND SIT AT THE ALTAR OF SONIC CREATION AND DESTRUCTION AT THE VERY SAME MOMENT... SLOW, PAINFUL, HOPELESS and TORTURED . WHAT MORE REALLY NEED TO BE SAID... YES THIS IS ALL IN CAPS BECAUSE THIS ALBUM IS THAT IMPORTANT TO DOOM/DEATH AND DRONE DOOM FANS. YOU LIKE KHANATE, SUNN00)), GNAW, ESOTERIC AND GRIEF THEN YOU MUST GET THIS AT ALL COST. MONARCH IS LIKE MOLASSES TO THE DOOMED SOULS OUT THERE WOW!!!! 3 SONGS OVER 30 MINS LONG YOU CAN NOT ASK FOR MORE OTHER THEN THE NEXT RELEASE ....

http://atalossrecordings.com/

Rising- To Solemn Ash-CD(Exile on Mainstream)

So what we have here is a mix of Mastodon, Crowbar and Celtic Frost thrown in for that Death/Thrash element that Frost is so known for. This is a massive sounding release that loves to add Thrash metal elements into Sludge Doom something that as said the two above bands have been doing for years. this is not something I expected from Exile on Mainstream a more Post Rock, Heavy Indie record label but you know what I going to say damn glad to hear it. Love the guitars they are so dirty and nasty in tone they work amazing with the throaty vocal yelling that the vocalist is working on. Rising at times makes me want to circle pit as well. This unit needs to tour with Mastodon as they are the perfect paring. 

http://mainstreamrecords.de/

SYVEN-Aikaintaite-CD (Vendlus Records)

As I read about this my heathen side became very interested in this as its a new project from Nest member and as we dig into this is a very ethereal pagan journey with ritualistic and nature based elements running through out . What I hear at this time is a mix of  Ruhr Hunter, Skepticism and Tenhi with moments of bands like Of the wand and the moon . I do not want to think its neo folk in anyway its more Ambient Heathen Folk Doom. The chants and innovations are so powerful to say the lease with the acoustic wind instruments , organs and doomy guitars, death vox and primal percussion. This is for the forgotten part of you memory of when the world look to the sky's and mother nature as the providers and parents of the children of this world. SYVEN gives me chills and it should do the very same to you if you have any kind of humanity left in you. Remember you roots as they will save you in the end. 

http://vendlus.com/

Mondrian Oak- Aeon- CD (Eibon Records)

Its been far too long since I've heard from Eibon home to some brilliant release Canaan, Nothing, Gruntsplatter, Control, Esoteric etc. Well with this release we have a very dark  Post Rock album with gothic and metallic overtone. You can feel the heaviness in this album and the layers and the time they took to create  Aeon if your a fan of Earth or Russian Circles this is a must own as they are very much in the same Doomy Post Rock world that these artist have created or even the more aggressive side of Mogwai. Mondrian Oak have a talent that many do not in this day and age. They have a way to make the sounds of Isis and Neurosis mix the Post rock world and not sound clone like. Eibon is a label that cares about every release and clearly not in it for the fame or massive $$$$$$. I hope this becomes a classic like many of thier other releases.

http://www.eibonrecords.com/

Opera Diabolicus- + 1614-CD (Metalville)

Wow more Sci fi, Prog Death/Black metal I was not ready for this if you like bands like Oxiplegatz, Therion, Ayreon and Dimmu Borgir all mixed into one stew then Opera Diabolicus is for you a mix of Operatic Sung male and female vocals, death vox and prog elements all going to a symphonic death metal release that could have been created by Savatage or Yes at the same time. While this band is everywhere at once it all works so well. Its a play set to metallic /prog music. Opera Diabolic is going to take the world by storm with the right promotion. This could be the next big underground force. If you like bands like T.S.O and Nevermore  and Older Iced Earth it will win you over as well Symphonic Black metal crowd. This is not a simple listen but its not suppose to be. You feel like you've been part of something greater after listening to this album. A must listen!!!

http://metalville.de/

Stop American Censorship — a campaign from Fight for the Future

Stop American Censorship — a campaign from Fight for the Future

Season of Mist Artist Kells Interview is up

http://kellsofficial.com/

1. For those of us new to Kells tell us how you came to be?

Virg : Kells really became a band when Fabrice (ex-keyboarder and co-founder) and I met Patrick (Guitar) in 2004. We composed the whole « Gaia » album together in nearly 6 months and it was released in November 2005. To be able to tour, Guillaume (drums) and Jérémie (bass) joined the band. In 2007, The line-up changed considerably : Jérémie was replaced by Laurent, Guillaume by Jano, and Fabrice left, each one because Kells was growing too fast and their personal lives couldn’t fit anymore.
For more than a year, while touring in the meantime, we composed the « Lueurs » album, which was released on February 2009. And for the same reasons as Guillaume, Fabrice and Jérémie, Jano happened to leave us in 2010. Julien Nicolas (Drums) joined and we began touring all around Europe with Tarja Turunen, Epica, Leave’s eyes and Revamp, but never ending to write the songs that are part of « Anachromie », out on January 20, 2012.

2. I know this is your 2nd album for Seasons of Mist how did you come to

work with them?

Virg : Season of Mist were already willing to distribute « Gaia » in 2007, but for some reasons (« Gaia » was already distributed by Adipocere Records), it was not possible… So when I offered Season of Mist to distribute « Lueurs », they accepted immediately, without even listenning to it. Then, « Lueurs » sold quite well and that’s why they accepted to add us fully to their artist roster ! And we are really proud of this !

3. Your song to my ears on Anachromie is a mix of Gothic, and doom and

prog metal with some very eastern elements. It's like mixing In this

moment, The Gathering and Third and the mortal together. Has the moved

to this song or has it always been this complex?

Pat : Actually, we do not limit ourselves in the writing process, and this allows us to explore various musical horizons. In the previous albums, I kind of restrained myself when I composed because in Kells, we have always mixed the ideas of each members and we were not all in the same musical direction before Julien Nicolas joined. That’s why « Anachromie » is stronger, because we’re all tending to the same direction, and creating a kind of unity. But that’s just the beginning, because the more we work together, the more we create a style that is just us.

4. Is there a running theme on Anachromie?

Virg : In this album, I deal with many different themes: mirages (“Illusion d’une aire”), conflicting relations (“Se taire”, “Nuances”, “Addictions”, “L’autre rive”), alcoholism (“Quelque part”), psychological confinement (“Bleu”), my car accident (“L’asphalte”, “L’heure que le temps va figer”), pedophilia (“Le manège déchanté”), unsolved disappearances (“Emmurés”), loss of dearest ones (“Cristal”, “L’écho”) … But what makes the coherence of ANACHROMIE is that everything is written in a disjointed way, the space-time notion is broken, the reality mixes up with the dream, as in the surrealist genre... Globally, the lyrics are anachronistic. Also, I use many adjectives of color (ochre, silver, gold, amaranth, blue, white, black, saffron, amber, sapphire, sandy…), which gives the lyrics a very pictorial aspect. It is the mixture of these 2 concepts, the chromia and the anachronism, that gave birth to ANACHROMIE.

5. What is a live show like for Kells is it very theatrical or more just

more raw rock show?

Ju: Because we have some symphonic orchestrations, people often think that we will be theatrical on stage, like other gothic bands. The thing is that we do not consider ourselves gothic, but a mixture of rock and metal. We are really energetic on stage, jumping and headbanging around !

The songs are always thought for the live, for the dynamics, it is very important for us!

6. What's the bands thoughts on the modern digital age. Do you feel it

hurts artists with social media, and digital audio and websites

everywhere? Do you miss demo and tape trading with print zines?

Virg : Sometimes, downloads can be considered as a good advertising. People may hear from you on the internet and will be curious enough to download it illegally and have a listen. If they like what they hear, sometimes they will be fair enough to buy it to help the underground scene survive. In this case, it can be considered helpful and a means to discover bands. But most of the times, people that will like what they hear won’t buy, because why would they pay for something they can have for free ? So, it is also something killing the artists, because sad but true, no more art is possible if artists can’t afford it anymore… Playing music has a cost and it must be able to cover expanses otherwise they won’t produce anything more.

7. The artwork on Anachromie is very unique how does it play into the

ideas of the Album?

Pat: The cover artwork has been made by Blackthorns Design. We appreciated what he had made for other bands, this mixture of surrealism and modernity, that’s why we decided to work with him.

Virg: Anachronism and Achromia gave birth to "ANACHROMIE", so the frontcover and the booklet are an illustration of the lyrics… The girl with her bridal veil, with all her dreams, the tortured childhood, the nightmares, and the anachronism always there, with the hours of the clock, the tracklist in disorder … As in the surrealist universe, where nothing has any reasonable landmarks or points of reference…

8. Kells seem to mix modern sounds with old school metal. Do you find

your fan base very divide between metalheads, and nu metal and

experimental music fans?

Virg : It is true that our fans come from various musical horizons… Mostly Nu-Metal heads and Symphonic Metalheads… And we are glad our music reaches not only one kind of audience but gathers people of different tastes !

9. With there be any music videos coming from Kells for new album?

Lo: Actually, there’s already one that has been released on November ! The video exists

both in french and english, it is « Se taire » and « Furytale ». We are currently writing the

scenario for a second video extracted from « Anachromie » and the song is called

« Emmurés » (translation : immured).

10. The vocals a mix classically trained, death metal and melodic hard

rock all done by a powerful female voice. Do you feel that in 2012 that

gives the band a unique edge in extreme music scene?

Virg : I don’t think that my growls make Kells an extreme band because the clear voices are

too present, but yes, it gives the music a new agressive sound that fit Patrick’s guitar riffs

perfectly and highlight the soft passages.

11. Kells do have a slicker more commercial edge over all. Would you

ever want to move to a major label or is it much better on a larger

indie like S. O. M?

Virg : In France, Metal is not a music genre much appreciated. That’s why we do not interest major companies here. And indie record companies that sign metal bands, will rather sign an extreme metal band than Kells. So Season of Mist offered the perfect deal. They could promote us both in France and abroad. There were not many record companies ready to do that here in France, but THEY took the risk and I see no reasons why another record company should harvest the fruits now that they have done everything…

12. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts here?

KELLS: We wish we’ll be able to tour in the USA in the near future !
Thank you for your interest, time and support !  

New Reviews 1/7/2012

Corrosion of Conformity-Corrosion of Conformity-CD (Candlelight USA)

Its been a while since Mike Dean as been the Captain of the COC ship and with their new self titled album the 1st for Candlelight the trio that created Animosity is back. Mixing elements of Stoner, Punk, Thrash and Hardcore that is something all to its own like every version of COC.. There is always a heavy blues element is all that this band does and that but add the such a Sabbath vibe to them. The crust and hardcore is playing a much larger role into there new self titled release without Pepper on vox and guitar . Not much more to say here other then if you like the older and new mixed in COC then this going to kick you in the ass. Candlelight you have something that the COC tribe of fans have been waiting for with baited breathe for years a true crossover record..

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Hate Squad- Katharsis-CD (Massacre Records)

What do get if you mix old school UK Death metal with a groove and a back beat you get HATE SQUAD... The best way to say there sound is if  Dismember, Hypocrisy and Sepultura came together as one force.  The vocals remind me so much of Dismember.. The groove comes from that Roots Period Sepultura arrangement and the guitars are straight of Hypocrisy in the tonal and structure. Hate Squad is a bit of the left field in metal world some will call them Metalcore but they are far more a Death metal force with some hardcore elements mixed into it all. Your Rotten Life is a total Bolt Thrower worship as well.. I really dig what Hate Squad is doing and I think you If you mix Jazz, Avant Rock and Prog Metal with a heavy dose of the just plain bizarre what do you get?? Well let me tell you Morkobot should be in that path.. If Voivod was more Avant/Prog and less metal then you would call them Morkobot as well. Morbo is another band without the need of a vocalist as the raw power of this band is in the low end of the massive riffs they supply to there fans. If Mastadon and Voivod had a love child I swear it would be  Morkobot. Ok so if by now you don't get were this band is coming from you never will. Check them out or be a bit less complete in the new age of music.will as well let the Metal banner wave high with Katharsis...

http://massacre-records.com/

Morkobot-Morbo-CD (Supernatural Cat)

If you mix Jazz, Avant Rock and Prog Metal with a heavy dose of the just plain bizarre what do you get?? Well let me tell you Morkobot should be in that path.. If Voivod was more Avant/Prog and less metal then you would call them Morkobot as well. Morbo is another band without the need of a vocalist as the raw power of this band is in the low end of the massive riffs they supply to there fans. If Mastadon and Voivod had a love child I swear it would be  Morkobot. Ok so if by now you don't get were this band is coming from you never will. Check them out or be a bit less complete in the new age of music.

http://supernaturalcat.com/

Hail Spirit Noir- Pneuma-CD ( Code666)

We all should be prepared by what were going to get from the fine folk at Code666 . With Hail Spirit Noir this is ever more the truth. Post Avant Black metal this is akin with bands like DHG, Sigh, Abyorm, Bal Sagoth , Oxiplegatz..  If you have not heard of this bands you are missing out. I know this is a limited market for music as you have to like unsettling music that is mixed with odd jazz organ, growls, prog rock and full on black metal feedback or low fi guitar sounds all mixed into Symphonic Black metal backdrops. The Words can not begin to tell you how fucking cool this album is to me I swear the love Bogus Blimp and John Zorn as much as Mayhem and Saytricon.  This band is everywhere and no where at the same time. If you ever saw Emit Otters jugband christmas "The Nightmare Riverbottom band" song in that is all I need to say..

Get this and don't pass go !!!!!!!

http://code666.net/

Nothnegal- Decadence-CD (Season of Mist)

Progressive Death metal with a very modern sound and feel. If you like bands like Ihsahn, Dark Tranquility and Children of Bodom then you already know where we are going with this review before I even needed to start. The complexity on this is only matched by its brilliant production. Some with find the organs or the over all prog synth sounds to be a bit to much for me its a perfect mix. The Futuristic elements are what make this an album to listen to over and over again. Someone in this band love Prog metal very very much and Pain of Salvation even more .. The Death vocals work even better then I could ever imagine on a more up beat sound then I thought possible.  Amorphis would be be great touring partner for this band just food for thought..

http://season-of-mist.com/

Kells- Anachromie-CD (Season of Mist)

Wow just wow this is one hell of a female fronted metallic force if you can mix elements of The Gathering, Third and the Mortal and Lana Lane then you have all you need and more. I know some of you are going to say Evanescence but that is just because they are a mix of all I just mentioned. I would say there are some nightwish moments going on too but this is more aggressive in the over all approach to what Kells do. The also have a sound comparison to In this Moment. Kells like to throw in a very oriental flavor to there mix that you would get from bands like Orphaned Land or Dead can Dance (some call it an eastern sound). As with most SOM releases this has a massive sound and the songs are so much more complex then I expected . The Female vocals are never just selling point as this women can sing and that is very clear. Kells with the right push in the US market could be a major force here. Great and Creative release here support them if you can..

http://season-of-mist.com/

 

Dodecahedron- S/T-CD (Season of Mist Underground Activitist)

Sci Fi Black metal with a very Occult leaning going on here. If you want Post Black metal that makes you think as music and listen to the musical adventure then your looking in the right place. This reminds me of bands like Wolves in the Throne room, Mayhem, Watian and the Mighty Virus.. The layers on this album lean toward the obscure and fractured chord progressions that almost go toward drones and sub harmonics. Dodecahedron is a band you will take many listens to fully say whether this is a band you Love , Hate or just can not wrap your head around.  The Industrial element is very strong though out this self titled release as well. They have taken what the old Black metal guard has given them and what Post Black metal is doing now and made it all there own. Two major thumbs up on this release my friends..

http://season-of-mist.com/

Black Plagve/Malignant Artist Hypsiphrone Interview is up

http://www.reverbnation.com/hypsiphrone

1. For most of my reader this will be the 1st time they heard of Hypsiphrone . Tell how the project came to be?

Hypsiphrone was conceived almost three years ago, when I felt the need to manifest into sound a certain concept I had in my mind, very abstract but intense. It seemed that it was already there complete by itself, although I didn't know that at the moment. But as soon as I started recording everything fell immediately into place and every new idea that sprang into my mind harmonized perfectly with what I had already recorded.

 2.Hypsiphrone seems to blur the lines of Black metal, Doom, Noise and Industrial music how did this sound come to happen?

As I already said the concept needed only the suitable medium in order to be expressed properly and since I am quite acquainted with these genres, my ideas had to merge with the suitable aspect of sound so as to evoke a certain feeling. I am a fan of many diverse musical genres and I have no inhibitions in merging one with the other if it helps me complete the puzzle of my vision. The only thing that worried me was whether the result would be successful or not.

 3. Your Current release is on Black Plagve home to Sewer Goddess how did you sign to this fantastic sub label of Malignant?

I was always a great fan of Malignant and that was why I got in touch with Jason through MySpace. When he told me that he heard my project and asked me if I was interested in releasing it through his label I felt more surprised than ever, since Hypsiphrone was a completely unknown project, without even a single demo! Needless to say I accepted immediately! Without his faith in Hypsiphrone and his professional attitude none of this would have happened. Our collaboration was flawless in every way and if it wasn't for him and Vitriol, who did the artwork and some of the vocal parts, Hypsiphrone would probably be almost nothing now...

 4. So Hypsiphrone perform live being a solo project or do you leave it to studio for all you do?

That is something I have yet to decide. I have no objections in playing live but it surely won't be an easy thing for me to do, since I have to work a lot on the arrangement of the sound on stage and use some more musicians, so that I don't have to rely only on prerecorded layers of music. But all depends on my desire to do it. If I feel that it is neccesary for me and I get the chance to do it, it will be done.

 5. Is there a theme or story line behind the release And The Void Shall Pierce Their Eyes?

Certainly. The whole project was created for this reason. From my personal point of view it refers to worship and ecstasy, though not to any particular deity, other than what inspired me to manifest this sound. As Aleister Crowley puts it “That which causes us to create is our true father and mother; we create in our own image, which is theirs”. And for me the means to feel this ecstasy was through these soundscapes and these particular themes. It had to do with plunging in the abyss of my own self, manifesting what I found there and using it as explanatory to the actual abstract meaning of the soundscapes. It is obviously considered abhorrent or sick by some, but if it was identical with the mundane none of us would have the need to transmute it into sound or listen to it. On the other hand the whole album deals with the acceptance that these things are around us and in us, and their knowledge really turns one's world upside down, even though most people want to convince themselves otherwise.

 6. What's  your thoughts on the current digital age for underground artists? Does it help or hurt with so many free download and social media outlets to over expose a new artist before they have time to develop?

On one hand it is something positive, since many bands and especially undeground ones have the means to become known and spread their music. On the other hand when there are so many releases appearing everyday most of them go unnoticed, and some of them surely have to be very good. Also it hurts most of the labels a lot, which are created by people who love this underground sound and try to keep it alive regardless of any financial profit. Now concerning the fact that artists are exposed before they have time to develop, I believe it is mostly their own decision, no one is obligated to release anything if they don't want to. But apart from all these, the most interesting thing in my opinion is that through all the social network pages artists and audience can communicate directly and more easily than in the past, when the only way to get in touch with someone was through regular post.

 7. Do you feel Myspace and Facebook are all bands need today to promote themselves or would you like to someday have a proper website and digital outlet just for Hypsiphrone?

Surely these social networks help a lot for promotion for all the obvious reasons, but I certainly want at some point to create a proper website for Hypsiphrone, that expresses also aesthetically what the project is all about and not just some webpage with a common design for all users.

 8. Where do you see Hypsiphrone heading in future releases?

I believe it is a little bit too early to comment on that. I don't know how the spirit will move me, but all the key elements of the debut album will be there.

 9. I like to ask to to all I interview. What music/ sounds  out there is impressing you currently?

I listen to a lot of music and many diverse genres as I've already said. These days I am listening to Rasalhauge by Malignant Records, some of the latest releases of Cyclic Law and Kalpamantra and a lot of Hermann Nitsch's music.

 10 Your from Greece what is the scene for Extreme like in 2011 I know at one time there was a huge Black/ Death metal scene going on..

There are still many good bands around, some of them quite interesting and with fresh ideas. I don't know a lot of people from the scene personally, since I am a bit of a recluse type myself. I was a huge fan of the whole early 90's extreme scene in Greece, one of the contemporary bands that I enjoy listening to these days is "Sun of Nothing".

 11.  Do you think Image and presentation are as important in Occult or Blackened themed music. I see Corpse paint, Blurred Images, Grim feels etc if done right add so much to the final ideals?

Sure, image is very important, even the absence of image is somehow a declaration of the theme surrounding a project. But image as with everything else is there to enrich and accompany the music, explain it in visual terms and help those who resonate to your stigma get attracted to your work. But to focus more on the presentation neglecting the music, falls to pure commercialism.

 12. If you could sum up what Hypsiphrone sound was in 3 words what  3 words would you use?

Ecstasy – Blood – Annihilation.

 13. Thank you for the time any close thoughts here..

Thank you very much for the interview, keep up the good work and support the underground.