New Reviews @ Absolute Zero Media 11/7/2009

RAISE THE RED LANTERN S/T CD (At a loss records)

At a loss is a label that just kick ass to me they have all the great Post Hardcore, Sludge and Noise Rock bands before the goto the major indie leagues Raise the red lantern is no different. Kylesa, Black Cobra, Dead Bird and Baroness have all made this label home before the move to bigger and more poweful. Raise the red latern remind me a mix of the best sludge and most under rated of all bands Crowbar mix with a heavy dose of Prog Metal mix with Experimental elements from bands like Mastodon , Zombi and Giant Squid. I think you get the idea I'm going with here there a strong Voivod style in the guitar and drumming arrangements too. The point being that this band kicks ass and it won't be long till the sign to Relapse, Hydrahead or Century Media and take over the world.

http://www.atalossrecordings.com/

AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS- Black Medicine / Fekete Orvossag CD (Paragon Records)

Experimental Black Death is what we have from AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS . There is a strong love of Khold, Satyricon and Taake for my ears. There is a raw yet Progessive BM vibe going on here all in the same track . I really enjoy the clean melodic moments then they go to a raw blasting riff with the deep guttural Black Death vocal and back to the torn throat style. Then at the next turn I swear there is something you would hear out of a Edge of Sanity track. AETHERIUS OBSCURITAS are a band from hungry they only other kick ass band from Hungry I know are Negura Bunget and both are in the black metal realm but very different. I do hear a strong Immortal love going on here as well. Paragon is a US label that very rarely dissapoints and that is very rare these days. Hell they even do a great cover of the Marduk song "Black Demon"

http://paragonrecords.org/

Defiance- The Prophecy-CD (Candlelight Records)

Remember this band they were a good solid bay area thrash band bay in the 80/90's. Well with the trash revival at its peak again this unit with members that went on to Skinlab, Violence and Forbidden to name a few are back. The Prophecy CD reminds me a mix of old days Testament and Dark Angel. Steev the vocals is in love with Chuck Billy's vocals as at times I swear he sounds like Practice what you preach period vox. There is nothing ground breaking here but for fans of good thrash metal is is actually a more powerful statement then anything they have done before this. I would say if he has a choice stick with Defiance as Skinlab really ran it course a few albums ago. I'm really a sucker for melodic thrash guitar with a technical rhythm section and this has all that and more..

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Månegarm - Nattväsen-CD (Regain Records)

Swedish Viking metal with a strong touch of Black metal hell ya get the ale horns raised high and sign the praises to Wodan and all the Asguardians above.. If you have a love for good viking metal Older Thrfying, Mithotyn, Falkenbach and Einherjer then you have the very essence of what Manegarm is going for the seem to have found a strong home with Regain and they have a strong love for the sounds of the heathen and viking as well. This Manegarm as a bit more of a power metal vibe in the Blind Guardian/ Angra feeling but that just adds to the magic of the release as well. There is great acoustic and sing along viking moments going on through out this majestic title. This is a title not to miss out on I will be adding this to my digital audio player tonight for repeat listening.

http://www.regainrecords.com/

Ideamen -May You Live In Interesting Times-CD (Rotten Records)

Rotten Records has beens all over the place Punk, Indie, Metal and just down right avant. I fucking love Ideamen!!! If you can mix 4 of my fave bands into one band you have this in Ideamen. You have Faith No More, Tub Ring, Polka Dot Cadaver and Kings X . There are so many more styles then this too ( Ben folds five comes to mind ) but Ideamen mix Pop, Metal, Jazz, shoegazer, electro, blues and post rock elements all into one band that just blows my mind. This band should be huge they should rule the world but as we all know band this fantastic all just get cult following and get pick apart by a watered down verison of the similar idea and they sell 10,000,000 cds. My case and post is Dog Disco Fashion a band that was so amazing and never broke through. Rotten Records you need to get this to commerical radio and videos on M2 and get them to play on shows like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon.... Mark my words this band could be the saviors of the indie music scene they are just that god damn good..... I'm floored by this band a must own or your missing out on our generation of the Beatles or Beach boys....

http://rottenrecords.com/

Insomnium- Across the dark-CD (Candlelight Records)

This is the perfect mix of gothic, doom metal and melodic death metal to mix your very soul weep. The mix the elements of a few very well know projects to my ears, Amorphis, Dark Tranquility and Katatonia into a mix of sounds that are almost hypnotic at times . The guitars are massive and subdued all at the same time. There is the warm mid tempo that all good gothenburg death metal has and the delicate piano and string movement work so well with the raspy almost haunting death vocals. There are moments I swear this band is little brothers of many of Swedish bands in the metal scene. Insomnium also have a large love of Dan Swano and Opeth don't fool yourself for a moment. I can see why Candlelight is hyping this band so much they can fit so many metallic side of many many scene and bring them all together. Winner Winner here.

http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Temple of Baal Interview 11/1/2009

Temple of Baal

http://www.myspace.com/templeofbaal

1. For those of use new to Temple of Baal tell us bit about the project?
Amduscias : It started in 98. At that time Black Metal took a turn we didn’t like, very soft and polished, and we wanted to bring back real darkness and aggression, with a somehow “old school” feeling. It resulted in two albums on Oaken Shield/Adipocere, and a load of split releases on labels such as End All Life… Uncompromising attitude and flawless honesty regarding our creation brought us recognition from true maniacs of the scene and we played shows with Angelcorpse, Watain, Arkhon Infaustus, Behemoth… All this leads us to today, with our new album “Lightslaying Rituals” out on Agonia Records…

2. There is a heavy occult element to the Black metal you create. Are you Pagans or just into Crowleyan ways?
Amduscias : My spirituality is a mix between different ones, I don’t want to be labeled “this or that”. I’m indeed pretty much influenced by Crowley, whose books are a must read, but the basis of my beliefs is deeply rooted in Satanism. Then I have to define a bit what I mean : I refuse the shallow, materialistic Laveyan ways, but I don’t buy into a childish “wannabe super evil” comedy that tends to be so hype within the wanna be Black Metal circus of today. My spirituality, as I call it such (and not as a religion or philosophy) is defined by a high critical sense and not a blind acceptance of truths, whatever they come from. Then there is the unspeakable, connections to other dimensions one can reach through meditation etc which I give an insight of through songs referring to “The Void”, like “Vectors To The Void” on this release.

3. Your sound reminds me a lot of a more obscure band called Mythos. Are you fans of the project at all?
Amduscias : You mean the Mythos that released “Pain Amplifier” ? I wouldn’t call myself a fan, but I consider it as an important Underground release, and it’s pretty fuckin’ good, yeah.

4. Temple of Baal is 10 years old now and has worked with many label it seems. Why the move from Oaken Shield to Agonia??
Amduscias : Oaken Shield couldn’t release anything anymore because they got into huge money problems. That’s one of the reasons why our previous record “Traitors To Mankind” wasn’t promoted enough. We understood the situation of course but then we had to move on and to take a step up. I think Agonia was the right move to do, the label has more financial means for promotion and the guys are 666% behind us.

5. What is the like show like for Temple of Baal?
Amduscias : The show is very Metal in its approach. So far, it’s been spikes, leather, bullet belts, headbanging and maniacs going wild. The more the crowd reacts, the better. It’s a massive burst of energy and I see it as a ceremony directed towards the forces we compel in our lyrics. But we’re planning to develop even more the visual aspect, getting stage gear to enhance the overall feeling.

6. If someone was to ask what the sound of Temple of Baal was, how would you tell them?
Amduscias : A blend between the mystic and somehow atmospheric approach of debut 90’s Black Metal, and the straight forward Death Metal violence and aggression. We’re influenced by Darkthrone, Mayhem or Dodheimsgard as much as we’re fans of Incantation, Carcass, Morbid Angel or early Swedish scene like Dismember/Entombed, etc. Add to this the urgent energy of Thrash Metal, like Slayer or Sodom, you get something that gets close to us.

7. Do you find it important for corpse paint to play a role in the black metal performance and overall mood?
Amduscias : It depends on your approach of the thing. We chose to stop using it on this album, we think it fits more our art in its globality this way. Corpse paint, if it’s used correctly, enhances the ritual aspect of Black Metal, but it wouldn’t fit the defiant attitude expressed in “Lightslaying Rituals”.

8. Lightslaying Rituals has a lot of layers and elements even eastern sounding ones at time. Is this very different from your earlier releases?
Amduscias : It is different in the way that our Death Metal side is much more developed than before. Eastern vibes, if I get what you mean correctly, have always been present in some of my solos, and riffs from time to time, as these scales bring up a very ritualistic mood to my mind. I’ve lived for ten years in Egypt and visited lots of ancient places, graves, pyramids. I know what it is to wake up in the desert, get out of your tent and watch the sunrise listening to the sound of silence, in total solitude, without any human being interfering. I bear this mark forever, and even if we don’t develop anything like Nile does concerning ancient Egyptian mythology, some things are deeply rooted within me and sometimes come to surface in the music I compose.

9. Is there a running theme on Lightslaying Rituals or a collection of dark tracks?
Amduscias : Lightslaying Rituals deals with the defiance one must have concerning the Power, be it of divine or human origin. It’s in direct connection with my spirituality. “Light” is an allegory for power, as the power brings “light” in the direction it needs global opinions to be, through mass medias or propaganda. Anything labeled as “truth” by the power should be questioned and criticized, to forge your own opinion. It is in direct connection with a Satanic or Luciferian attitude, to bring doubt and raise questions towards the Power. In ancient days, scientific books were regarded as “works of Darkness” and their authors were burnt alive as heretics because their teachings were not those of the “light of God”. On a more down to earth approach : Man is made to live under the rays of the sun, which bring comfort to him. Light shows what man needs to live, nothing “more”. In darkness, senses are alert and brains function even more, to prevent from any danger that can be lurking in the shadows. The allegory of “Slaying light”, then, bringing darkness, finds its meaning. “Lightslaying Rituals” is a manifest of critical sense and spiritual awakening.

10. Are the old Pagan ways missing far too much in the modern age for Temple of Baal?
Amduscias : No they don’t, but I’m concerned when I see how shallow and materialistic our world has become. I’m not hoping for a return of religion at all, to Hell with this – I’m afraid one can witness today the return of some religious forms in their most hideous, backward looking forms, and it is something one must fight against. But the denial of any free thinking, the denial of any alternative to what dominant forces of society impose us, this I find highly worrying.

11. Do you feel that Myspace is more than enough exposure to the internet for Temple of Baal as you website seems to have disappeared?
Amduscias : Well myspace is a very useful and convenient tool. I don’t think bands websites are that useful now, everyone goes to Myspace to get infos. But on the other hand, I don’t really like that aspect of things, like “Myspace and nothing else”. It doesn’t really fit my philosophy as you might have guessed. There MUST be an alternative. So I have a project of building a new Temple Of Baal website, but it will have to be as informative as it can be, and the visual aspect will be highly taken care of as well, I refuse any amateur approach, I strive for excellence in anything Temple Of Baal does, and this is indeed a part of it. I guess it won’t be online tomorrow as I still have to figure out a lot of things, but it will be worth the wait.

12. If you have any closing thoughts please place them here.
Amduscias : Take a listen to “Lightslaying Rituals”, as it is an album made with our spirits, blood and guts. If you’re looking for a massive release of sinister spiritual energies, chances are you might find it there. There is no truth that can’t be tested through the Heretic flames of Baal, these flames you have in your mind are only awaiting for your sign to awaken… And reveal ! AMSG !

10/26/2009 AZM Reviews part 2 ....

MR Death- Detached from life-CD (Agonia Records)

Mr Death is on one mission and its very clear from the 1st track to be a brutal and ultra heavy death metal force with bombastic and harmonic elements all in one. Some of the members have been in the Goth Metal masters Tiamat but this is nothing like that band minus there 1st release in there formative early metal stages . Mr Death has more in common with bands like Bolt Thrower, Panzerchrist, Marduk and Mid Period Napalm Death as I all it the War Death Metal sound. The low end is massive on this release the vocals are full on violent growled attack like in the early Nuke Blast and Roadracer days... Mr Death makes me love Death metal all over again. If you missed the 90's florida Death metal scene then you can very much relive the glory sounds with a band like Mr Death well well done !!!!

http://agoniarecords.com/



Die Hard- Nihilistic Vision-CD (Agonia Records)

Retro 80's Black Thrash and Proto Black metal seems to be a big thing in Europe again. As with Die Hard they seem to worship at the alter or Bathory, Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost and Venom. Not that changes for one moment they are a kick ass metallic force as this much is plainly clear. Where I find it amazing is that the vocalist sounds like a mix of Cronos and Mr Warrior. Let be honest too my friend the Extreme thrash flag is worn like a badge of honor with these madness. The songs fast, powerful , raw, hateful and full of all the elements that made this style 20 + yrs ago so forbidden and wrong but oh so right for us in the underground to hunt out via tape trading and hand made fanzines.... Agonia has hit the mark with this one Aces High!!!!

http://agoniarecords.com/





Temple of Baal- Lightslaying Rituals-CD (Agonia Records)

Ritualistic Black Death is what we have here. This is not for average or typical BM or Death metal fan. Temple of Baal is the kind of band you take you time and absorb every layer and theme of what the project is giving to you for an aural experience. Lightslaying Rituals is fast yet hypnotic, punishing yet melodic and haunting all at the same time. The release has a massive production full of echo and verb effects on the guitars and bass but the vocals and drums are kept more raw and primitive in that ideal ( there still effected for fullness needed). Temple of Baal to me are a band that are here to become masters of there craft. This is not a paint by numbers unit. They remind me a lot of 2 projects of days gone by Mythos (very underated Black Death band) and Early Altar in sound and style. Temple of Baal is a mandatory listen for fans on the more brutal occult Black Death sound. Enough Said...

http://agoniarecords.com/




Nocturnal Fear- Metal of Honor-CD (Moribund Cult)

Really what else can be set about this band. They are Thrash metal lets just face it. They fell in love with German thrash metal and have lived the sound since the day they were formed. Kreator, Sodom etc in the sounds that came from those bands have made them all that they are and you know what Nocturnal fear just kicks thrash metal ass. If you love your thrash fast, raw and over the top then get Metal of Honor if not then go enjoy your dave matthew's band album to go running for. Thrash for life !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://moribundcult.com/





Satans Host- Power Purity Perfection 999-CD (Moribund Cult)

Satans host is a band that has been around for long time went dorment and then came back on the Moribund Cult flag to give the world another dose of Death metal inspired Extreme thrash with the last 2 release I heard from them there is a Black metal element mixed in as well but at the root of all of there madness its a mix of Testament, Slayer and The eastern flavors bands like Nile create. Satan's host is a hell of a band . Full on and in your face with a production to match. Satans host is just metal tride and true. There is nothing flashy about this project. They mix many elements into there very catchy and sometime haunting mix of Death, Black, Thrash and Prog elements. Come on any band the can be ultra brutal then goto an acoustic moment many us metal heads can learn from. The vocals remind me so much of Chuck Billy of Testament they make me smile. Satan's host is a fantastic metal unit that need more exposure...

http://moribundcult.com/

New Reviews 10/25/2009 Part 1

here is the 1st batch of reviews I will have 4-5 more coming today or tomorrow..
Clint..

Javelina- Beast among sheep- CD (Translation Loss)

Translation Loss is one of those labels that love Post Hardcore mix with metal and grind more and more with each release. Javelina is a wall of passion , aggression and one swift kick in the ass. If you mixed the best elements of bands like Mastodon, Eyehategod, Crowbar and Cathedral all into one band you would very much have where Javelina is coming for you. There are these ultra heavy driving grooves but them the sub muddy bass line and the cries and screams of pain and anguish from the vocals make the whole journey not Stoner or Hippie sound at all were sometimes thos becomes way to retro for my ears but not with Javelina. There is also a speed to all of this but with how ultra heavy the sound is the speed seems to slow down in an odd way. Javelina are just a wall of sonic holy fuck!!!!

http://www.translationloss.com/

Struck by lighting- Serpents-CD (Translation Loss)

So with this release we have more a punk/hardcore overtone with metallic elements. The vocals are much more clean with screamo moments . I would call this Metalcore almost if it wasnt still so damn doomy in the riff dept. Struck by lighting have a very Motorhead meets Sick of it all sound if that makes any sense to you at all. If hatebreed was more metallic too. I really think they want to be a Hardcore band but the Punk and Metal is just to ingrained into what they are and its what makes Serpents all the more interesting and yes they have a heavy Neurosis worship at times but all bands like this always do and its what draws them to me like moths to a flame. I just live that beyond heavy Doomy Hardcore sound. Live this band must make you deaf and or blind within a few songs as they sonicaly could break rib cages... Struck by Lighting is a band not to miss if you like your Hardcore Doomy and bit more metallic.

http://www.translationloss.com/


Salt the wound- Ares-CD (Rotten Records)

Rotten records just threw me for a major loop with Salt the wound as this is a mix of 3 very different elements. Swedish Death metal in the way Dismember and Soilwork created it the very warlike and mechicanical in sound. Then we have the Grindcore of ultra sickness you know what I mean the glass throat vocals and blistering speed and the final element in the mix is full on speed metal riffing that comes out of no where. If you could mix Dismember, Impaled and Megadeth in the same band this is very odd mix indeed. The mix of so many styles in one song can take listeners a bit off track and make them unhappy but with me I like the very interesting results that come from this. At time they sound like a Hardcore Pantera then the next minute they sound like Marduk if they were Grindcore. I know totally f'ed up but it is what it is. Salt the wound are a sick and powerful unit and well worth major exposure... Check them out.

http://rottenrecords.com/




Vampire Moose- The Reel-CD (Rotten Records)

If you a Meshuggah fan then take note for a band with now there 3rd album but Vampire Moose is so much more then just that this unit mixes Death metal, jazzcore, post hardcore, grindcore, black metal and even prog metal for good measure. I want to say they have more in common with bands like SOD, Mr Bungle, Polkadot Cadaver and the likes but Vampire Moose is so fucking heavy they come across to me like a maniac and over the top Meshuggah... I love the crazy off time riffs and the pure madness they bring to all that Vampire moose create. There songs are so damn short too I just wish at times they were 6-7 mins long and not 2-3 mins in length. Though that maybe the magic to the bizzare chaotic draw to this band. With The Reel I need to go back and revisit Vampire Moose earlier releases as this will not be leaving my audio player for while Rotten records with this and Polkadot Cadaver You have 2 of my most listened to bands in while now ....

http://rottenrecords.com/




BloodThrist-Sanctity Denied-CD (Pagan Records)

Pagan records like many other labels over the last decade have gotten a style and sound that fits with there mold of bands that is Blackened Thrash and with Bloodthrist this has not changed in any way. If you like your bands in this style you will love 90 % of what Pagan records does. The dive bomb guitar solo of Exodus, Testament and Sadus are all here. The Throaty vocal style. The bombastic bass and drum lines all with that satanic vocal and blackened production to make it a bit more raw, treble in sound and slightly faster then were thrash normally goes. There is nothing wrong with Bloodthrist its just been done many many times before I was just hoping for something a bit more original with this.

http://paganrecords.com.pl/

The few against many Interview 10/16/2009

The few Against Many

http://www.myspace.com/thefewagainstmany


Answered by: Anders Edlund, except for question nr.2 by Christian Älvestam

1. Tell us new to The few against the many how you came to be?
Christian had a lot of ideas and finished songs and wanted to do something with them. But they didn´t quite fit into any of the bands he had at the time. So he formed TFAM and asked a bunch of old friends if they wanted to join him on that journey.
So the band was formed in 2008.

2. You were a member of Scar Symmerty for awhile what is the major different in your eyes between The few against the many and the former.

The way I see it the only connection between the bands, is my involvement with both of them. Sound- and style-wise I'd say
they are almost diametrically opposed. In fact, if I had not have been involved with SS in the past, I am pretty sure no
one would ever draw a comparison between the bands, since they sound nothing alike. At the same time, I do understand
people's need to bring the matter up, considering my past and the fact that both bands are releasing new albums now.
It's perfectly natural!

3. You have worked with Pulveriser Records before the label seems to know death and black metal week . Do you like being a more personal indie then a bigger indie? Does it help create want you want more?
I don´t think it matters weater you are on a smaller or bigger label. It all depends on what kind of music you write. If you do music that people like you will sell even if you are based on a smaller label. Of course there is bigger oportunities to get exposure on a bigger label since they have more money. But I think it´s easier for the big labels to ruin your carreer if you don´t sell albums as well.

4. Will The few against the many be playing live must or most a studio creation or side project for right now?
We will be playing live. We have nothing booked right now, but it´ll come. Our hope is to get on a tourpackage to promote "SOT" and the sooner the better, I think.

5. Most of the songs are sung is swedish what is the reason behind this?
We thought we got a more harsh feeling in the growls by using our native language instead of english. Also the lyric are pretty poetic written why there is a cooler vibe over the sung words.

6. There are man avant and experimental elements mix with the Swedish Death metal sound as a call it. You seem to have a strong love for Opeth, Amorphis and Dan Swano in style and sound would you disagree?
Well, I wouldn´t say you are completely wrong there. Christian, who wrote all material, has always been a great fan of Dan Swanö and Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth so of course some of the influences are taken from there. But I wouldn´t say Amorphis is a big source of inspiration for any of us, except for me...ha ha.

7. How did you come to work with members of Katatonia and Dark Tranquility members in the song writing process?
Christian did some touring back when he was in Scar Symmetry, together with Katatonia and Dark Tranquillity so I guess he became good friend with the singers in the bands. And to honor and show his respect to them he let them write one lyric each for our album. I think it´s a cool gesture and great that they wanted to participate. :-)

8. Is there a running theme on Sot or more a collection of metal anthems?
I´d say there is some sort of concept behind it. It´s mostly lyrics based on medieval happenings allthou I know Pär´s thought was more to make a good atmosphere for the lyrics to suit the musical approach.

9. Whats the bands thoughts on the modern digital age . Are you fans of Myspace, webzine, digital audio and internet radio/promotion or do you miss the days of old?
I guess you make your self standing in a corner if you don´t try to catch up with what´s new. So of course we use internet, mp3 and all of that things. But at the same time of course I miss the old days when a record was what you were strifing to get a hold of. And I still rather buy albums than download it. When it comes to promotion I think all ways are positive ways in the long run.

10. Was there a style or sound in mind when you started The few against the many or was it just a few guys in a rehearsal studio writing what may come?
It was all songs that has been waiting to see the light of day for a couple of years, so it wasn´t some kind of rehearsal studio written material. We tried to do something different from our earlier engagements and we wanted to "flirt" with the old swedish scene, since that is our roots.

11. How is the European scene for metal in 2009 is it more underground like in North America or can you sell get major push and shows and press there?
Well, it´s pretty hard to say. I think the scene is pretty similar to the north american scene with the big difference that European tend to search more for trends and hypes. I guess the European metal fan is more interested in finding new music. With that said I don´t mean that they are "not true" to their favorite bands but they search more for new music. And I think the interest for music goes down in ages when it comes to Europe compared to North America and that is I guess a result of a big source of native music in the different european countries. We are raised with music, much more than the north americans. I´d say!

12. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts please place here...
Thank you very much for your interest in The Few Against Many. Check the album out if you are a fan of the old swedish death metal scene. You won´t be dissapointed and hopefully we´ll see you on tour!

New Reviews for 10/12/2009

White Mice - GANJAHOVAHDOSE -CD (20 Buck Spin)

This is loud, noisey, Industrial, Blackened and just out right over the top. White Mice remind me if Eyehategod and MZ412 formed a band over listening to a lot of Godflesh and Swans.. This band is just fucking crazy. I've had the displeasure of performing live with them in 2004 in Providence RI and it was an event for all. They have become much much better since them and all bands should over 5 releases. This one has what a lot of the others are missing the production value and songs. They use to be just a wall of Noise rock not so much anymore . Well at least on this CD live they could still be that wall of static that didn't win me over. White Mice are to me what the class war of Providence RI was all about as I lived there for 7 yrs. It was the wealthy older trust fund people vs the liberal art types that went to Brown and RISD. I don't think this will ever change. You can hear the confusion and chaos in all of this from GANJAHOVAHDOSE. So enough already just get it ..

http://20buckspin.com/




Pelican- What we all come to need-CD (Southern Lord)
Guest Reviewer (Mackenzie Morgan age 7)

With 4 album under this Chicago Indie Rock unit they have become a Post Doom/Avant Rock band Force and I thought it would be cool for someone in the next generation to give there thoughts on this. So with this review I'm going have my 7 yrs old Niece Mackenzie review this for me. She thinks the guitars and drums are awesome to start with... Sometime is a bit to slow for her but says the 2nd track sound like Black Sabbath's Iron Man to here which a high compilment. She says the 3rs song rocks and she want to jump and dance around with this track. She say some of the tracks sound to similar but still likes them. Mackenzie says the 5th track is great because it sounds like its in slow motion. She says it sounds like the drums are being hit with thors hammer. With Track 6 she say its very cool because it builds up from quiet to loud and high to low. Mackenize likes the mellow and then metallic sound she say( its like Not heavy metal then its heavy metal!!!). After listening to all the tracks Mackenzie says there are some great songs and ok songs but over all she liked the CD . Track 3 and 4 were her least favorites. I would say from a 7 yrs olf girl this is a major thumbs up....

http://southernlord.com/



DYSE-Lieder sind Brüder der Revolution-CD (Exile on Mainstream)
Guest Reviewer (Mackenzie Morgan age 7)

So I let my Niece review these 2 Cds for this issue as she really want to do so. She is not a fan of DYSE Prog/Avant Indie rock sound. She say it burns her ears... I find this to be a perfect reason that sometimes there is a major gap in musical taste. She hated the vocals most of all. DYSE to me is a great mix of Avant guitar, jazz rhythms and indie rock elements . She likes the bands to rock and not be so open sounding and bass driven . Mackenzie is not a fan of this style . Though she did say the guitar and drums were cool on 3 of the tracks she listened to before not wanting to go any further. I thank her for her open ideas and the fun time we had reviewing these Cds.

http://mainstreamrecords.de/

Witchmaster - Trücizna-CD (Ibex Moon)

Black Thrash the way of old 90's band raw fast and full on with disgust. The drumming, guitars and vocals are a force all there own the low end bass lines just make the sound a wall of sonic destruction. I reminds me of the late 80's /Early 90's Punk /Black metal movement. I can hear the strong Misfits and Dead Kennedy's influence through out this with elements of ever Motley Crue and Ratt came from in the early days before the really added the pop element. I know you will hear it to if you just listen. There is some major Motorhead worship going on here as well with all band in this sound that seems to shine through. If your a metal fan this band will inspire you once more that even a retro sound can kick your ass..

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/

Acheron- the final conflict-CD (Ibex Moon)

So here is a band that has been on and off for well over 10 yrs and the best way to explain there sound if you have not heard of them yet (being an extreme metal fan I have a hard time you have not). Is Satanic Death Metal... They at times go into a Thrash or Black metal sound but at the core of this beast they are a solid and impressive Death metal unit that has seem to always found better luck overseas then in the home nation. With this release its been out for a while on Euro label Displeased that seem to ignore the US market all time. We are lucky enough to have Ibex Moon get this very strong title out on american shores. As I said there is a hate for all Christian thought as always and ex drummer of Incantation Kyle is on this gem he is a fantastic drummer in anyone right. There is a melodic and catchy element to the sickness that Acheron is presenting. This is the way Death metal should sound plain and simple fantastic release...

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/





Avulsed-Nullo-CD (Ibex Moon)

FUCKING DEATH METAL. IF you like your death metal guttural, fast, complex and full on pissed off then there is no need to look further this is the 5th release by Dave Rotten and his Death metal force. Dave founded Repulse Records and Xtreem Music (who are the euro label for this release. There is again a catchy / Heavy Thrash nature to the Death metal extremity going on here. The Riffs are crushing and the over all production is clear and powerful you can hear everything very rare in extreme music like this. At time Avulsed almost has a proggish nature in the way the song are complexly structured not so music in the musical sound. Avulsed are a talented force and should impress all Death metal fans. Enough said if you like your Death metal over the top then buy buy buy...


http://ibexmoonrecords.com/




Throneum - Deathcult Conspiracy-CD (Pagan Records)

Raw Necro Retro Black Death is what I have coming from this Cult unit. The drums and bass are thin but on purpose as they fit the mood and feeling of what these heathen's are trying to create . They want that early nordic metal sound and Throneum have created just that think of Bathory or Sodom and you know where this Duo is coming from. This reminds me a lot of Celtic frost at times too just bythe progression and guitar tones. If you looking for ultra production and symphonic element this is as far as one can go. Though if you like to sit alone with the candles lit on cold winters night then my friends you have soundtrack to set the mood. As its rarely blistering it likes to attack your mind with the rituals it releases. This will grow on you...

http://www.paganrecords.com.pl/

Insult Interview is up @ AZM 10/9/2009

http://www.myspace.com/insultband


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

Erik G.: I formed the band in 2004 with the ambition to create
sinister, old-school Death Metal. Kalle W. and Johan T. joined, and
the first demo called "Decree" was recorded.

2. Daemon Worship released 2 Demos on CD how did this happen . Ive
heard your working on new material as well.

Erik G.: They contacted us and told us what they thought was
interesting with Insult and why they thought so. We shared a lot of
thoughts concerning Death Metal in generall, so we choosed to work
with them. Our demos were first released in a very limited edition in
2005 respective 2007, so we thought it would be a good idea to release
the two demos on one singel CD to spread it once again. Yes, we are
working on the debut album right now, which hopefully will be recorded
later this year.

3. To this writers ears Insult is a mix of old school death metal with
some heavy doom elements like Incantation , Bolt Thrower and Entombed.
Do you feel this is a sound you are following.

Erik G.: Yes, I think that is - musicwice - the essence for Insult. We
try to do something which are both interesting to experince at home
and at a concert.

4. The 2 Demos have a very different sound the 1st demo on the CD is
very full and well produced almost sounds like an ep for a proper
label. The later tracks sound very low fi demo feel were they done
much earlier the the 1st half of the CD?

Erik G.: Well, we recorded the first demo "Decree" in late 2004/early
2005 I guess in a studio with a engineer who was not into metal so to
say. The other demo was recorded in 2006 with an engineer who had only
recorded metal, so the result was naturally very differnt. We really
liked the sound of them both when we recorded them, but today I think
the second demo sound so much better then the first one!

5. With the new release Insult is working on where is the sound going
more death metal or more a Doom/Death sound?

Erik G.: I would like to say that it will be more of them both. We
have two longer hymns, which are slower and more messing. And then we
have two songs which are faster and more brutal. The rest of the songs
are a cross of fast and slow riffs and arrangements, so I think we
keep the same theme as before.

6. Sweden where your from has a grand Metal history do you feel that
the metal scene is still thriving there and where do you feel you fit
in this long history?

Erik G.: I think that there are not so many interesting Death Metal
bands from Sweden today. Most of them sounds the same. Were we fit...
I don't know and I don't care either.

7. I see Insult performs Live. What is a live show like live. Are the
songs more experimental or raw live also have you played outside of
Europe ever and has the respond been?

Erik G.: We do not perform very often, but I think we will do some
more gigs next year. We do not experiment with the songs or improvise
when we play live. We just perform the songs as thay are ment to be,
with a lot of enery and passion.

8. The guitar tone on the tracks are really what caught my ears. There
a mix of Metal, Eastern and Prog styles going on. Who comes with the
songs is a a group effort or is there one mastermind behind the
project? The vocals also mix so well with the cold and eriee tones I
just have say..

Erik G.: Thanks a lot! We do really like the guitar sound on the
second demo to. I write all music and arrangement, and Johan S. and me
writes all lyrics separately from each other.

Erik G.: Yes, absolulte! We use pictures and art, which fits the music
and lyrics vey well, so we get a whole concept. And I guess our
concept are very much in the 90's style yes...

10. What is the running theme with your songs? Is there an ultimate
point to your lyrics or is it just about aggression and power?

Erik G.: It differs from lyrics to lyrics. Some lyrics has a very
clear, unpolished war theme and some other have a more philosophical
style. It depends on the atmosphere for just that song, you know.

11. How do you see the indie music world being on a smaller indie have
your music gotten to more people then you ever thought and if you
could would you sign to a major label or is this style made for the
underground only?

Erik G.: I think that to many get hold of extreme metal music, persons
who don't have a clue of what it is about. The whole underground term
is so diffuse nowdays, so I can't have a general answar for that. The
only thing I can say is that music of this kind most be created
without compromizes, and that is not so usual in the more "established
scene" I guess.

12. I see you have a myspace page but I don't see an official site is
myspace the best for bands to get out there these days?

Erik G.: It is very practical to show a couple of interested,
dedicated peoples what we are doing via that medium, so yes, I think
it can be good. But it has also a lot of bad propertys, which we just
refuse to be a part of!

13. Thanks for the time any closing thoughts place here.

Erik G.: Thank you very much for the support! "Abysmal Incantations"
can now be ordered from www.daemonworship.org or for those who lives
in Sweden via www.myspace.com/insultband.