New Reviews 12/31/2008

The Amenta-Non-CD (Listenable Records)

Listenable is one of those labels that like to have a very extreme element in all the bands the release. even bands like Gojira and Textures just for example. With The Amenta this project seems to mixing the Brutal sounds on Bands like Mastodon and Neurosis with sounds of Voivod, DHG , The Kovenant, Nin and Atari Teenage riot all mixed into a little package of chaos. The electronic element is very strong in the metallic overtones on The Amenta and make it all more interesting to listening to . The drums are like a robot on crack at times and I just love it. The harsh noise and loops feedback with glee as the very melodic and haunting guitars and bass lines work well with the over effected and distorted vocals. The mix of Death, Black and Prog Metal all becomes a blur with this force of nature. A huge thumbs up for this project and Listenable for getting this band out to the world.

http://listenable.net/

THE EYES OF A TRAITOR- A Clear Perception-CD (Listenable Records)

Remember when bands were doing Metallic Hardcore and it wasn't metalcore. Bands like Integrity, Bloodlet and Iceburn mix that with Bands like Kill Switch Engage, All the Remains and then add a healthy dose of Post Hardcore and you should have a good idea of what your getting here. Jazzy control Metallic madness with Hardcore and Screamo vocals. The Eyes of a traitor are not a one trick pony like a lot of the Post Dillinger Escape Plan/ Deadguy Bands out there. They try and very successfully mix it up in every song several different movements and styles. While not always my thing. I have to say this band is a juggernaut in the field of music they are in . Which is rather crowded these days. Well worth the time to check out.

http://listenable.net/

Sepultura- A-Lex-CD (SPV USA)


Sepultura for me over the last two releases have been trying to recapture a past sound and to me it seems foolish as this Sepultura is not the same ceature by any mind it was in the 90's and never will be with Max out of the picture Max's guitar and vocals are something you know in 10 seconds if you a fan. Lets face it you love or hate the new Sepultura and lets not call them new Sepultura as Derek Green vocalist has been with them for 10 yrs now, longer then most band's last. A-Lex there 10th full length is based on the book A Clockwork Orange (man I'm getting old as I got Beneath the remains in Highschool) . Derek , Paulo and Andreas with new Drummer Jean are going in a more experimental / Post Punk/ hardcore sound with some of the best element of the old days of Sepultura that bass and guitar tone. I really feel that A-Lex which means " No law" is the best work they have done since Arise for my money and Sepultura will embrace the all the more if the listen to them again. For the 1st time in over 5 yrs to me they sound like a band having fun and making music there way and this is what the Brazilian force needed. A-Lex is major winner.

http://spvusa.com/

Bloodsworn- All Hylest Till Satan-CD (Agonia Records)

Noisy raw black metal in the old ways of Norway . Is what we have here. This title was recording in the 90's and due to a label folding and other so called curses on Bloodsworn they have not found the proper label to release it till 2008 with Agonia Records. Bloodsworn are fast, punk like and pissed of. There are synths in the mix of this CD but in the same way early Emperor, Mayhem or Burzum used them as pure bleak and cheap atmosphere. The vocals are buried in the mix screamed and way over effected but that all but add to the more raw pissed off side of this project. There is nothing original in anyway about this but so what its over 10 yrs old and if it had come out then. It would have scared the shit out of many the new listeners to Black metal. This is not easy listening for one second I warn you up front.

http://agoniarecords.com/



Necroblaspheme - Destination : Nulle Part -CD (Agonia Records)

Brutal intense Death metal with a blasting riffs, ultra guttural vocals and a sound the reminds me of the best grind and death metal I've heard in long time remember the days of Macabre, Early Napalm Death and Carcass you have a close vibe of what Necroblaspheme are trying to create and have done with major success. The remind me alot of bands like The Chasm and Incantation at times as well. The guitar work and bass line are complex but always stay heavy and with focus that is much harder to do them one can imagine. There are even a few time listening this they remind me if Impaled in theme and sound. Agonia is trying to break out with some new bands and styles and I think this is a really good step forward. Chist Necroblaspheme even have some black and doom moments which makes me want to listen to the next release as I think they will grow even more.

http://agoniarecords.com/

The Hanson Brothers- Its a living- Live CD (Wrong Records)

I'm not sure what to make of this as I know nothing of the Hanson Brothers but they seem to be a band from Canada that has been around for years and love to sing about Hockey. To me they sound like The Ramones meets Bad Religion with a bit of All thrown in for good measure. Its Punk rock fun as hell and silly and its seems a nation of drunk hockey loving Kids and Adults are fans for life. If they sound this good live why record just make live CD's. If you miss the ramones this would be the band to carry on you punk love with as there 3 cords and one minded in there 2-3 mins song.. Punk can kick ass to my friends.

http://www.southern.net/southern/label/WRO/

2 New Collabs in Works with Clint Listing for 2009 and Beyond

I've been lucky enough to talk with two old friends and were going to work on Collab releases again and one for the very 1st time.

Karsten Hamre (Penitent, Dense Vision Shrine, Veiled Allusions, Arcane Art) and I are working on a Electronic Dark Beat Driven project not a split but a collab its the 1st time were working together on on project. Look for old Wax trax styled sounds with a harsher edge.

1st off its with my long time friend Maor Appelbaum of ( Screening, M.A.P.S and Sleepless) Fame. Were working on a soundscape / Musique Konkret release. This should be a dense layered release for your cold lonely nights.

Be well
Clint

Dreaming Dead Interview is up 12/22/2008

DREAMING DEAD

http://www.myspace.com/dreamingdead

1.Dreaming Dead to most of us is a brand new project; tell us a brief history please?

Dreaming Dead is a Los Angeles based blackened death/thrash metal band, founded in July ‘06 by members Elizabeth Schall (vocals/guitars) & Michael Caffell (drums).

We were originally called Manslaughter but after our first year together decided to change our name.

Together we’ve recorded the ep ‘Through the Eyes of Insanity’ & ‘Within One’, and to this date we’ve recruited Juan Ramirez on bass.

2. How did you come to sign to the very quickly growing Ibex Moon Records?

They seem to be a force in the Metal scene quickly.

Absolutely, Ibex Moon Records is a quickly growing force that is also an important addition in today’s metal community. John McEntee approached the band after returning from our 07’ U.S. tour and after hearing about us through people related to the entertainment media. We remained in touch and finally signed with the label in Sept. ’08.

3. Your sound is a mix of Doom, Black, Death, Prog and Classical element. The mix styles are very impressive esp with the harsh vocals and melodic elements. Has this been a progression to the sound now or has the band always had this vision?
Thank you, we really try and bring out a wide variety of styles just to keep things fresh

and interesting. I suppose it’s only natural that our sound progresses with time, but in the

beginning and now I think it’s fare to say that we just play what we like, what feels & sounds good to us, therefore gives us the drive to continue making music together.

4. I see your going to be touring with Master. Is this your 1st proper tour or have you trekked across the USA before?

Yes and yes haha. The upcoming Master/Pathology tour is our first proper tour and we’re very excited to be a part of it. We’ve gone out and put together our own full U.S. tours in 07’ and 08’ with some surprising success, which we feel very lucky and grateful for the folks that have supported us then.

5. Do you feel being a Female front person on vocals and guitar is still an issue in Metal today or with bands like Arch Enemy, Lacuna Coil, Walls of Jericho this is commonplace now?

I don’t think it’s an issue nor do I care what people think of me, or any female fronted band for that matter. If anything I thinks it’s awesome so see ladies rock out just as hard

as the boys. J

6. Does Dreaming Dead have a message of theme on ‘Within One’ or just a collection of killer metal tunes?

Just a collection of killer metal tunes!

7. The band is from California. Is there still a thriving metal seen like in 80's / 90's or has everything become more underground?

I believe there is a strong and thriving metal seen here in L.A., which at the same time

remains underground. It’s hard to imagine this genre ever selling-out.

8. Are the members of Dreaming Dead fans of the Digital age (Myspace, Mp3s, Webcasts, Blogs) Etc or do you miss the days of Vinyl / Radio and Fanzines?
I would say we’re fans of both eras. We are very grateful of internet tools such as Myspace & Facebook, these being our main sources when putting together our tours.

Without them I don’t know how we could have done it.

I never was a part of the vinyl/radio days but I do have many friends that prefer their music on vinyl. Some say after the whole mp3 craze gets old, the vinyl will be back.

9. Being a newer signed artist do you feel bands can still make a living on purely music anymore?
As a musician that only plays in a underground metal band and I think I speak for all small underground bands, probably not and especially in L.A. where the cost of living is so high.

In my case and the ones of my band we definitely have day jobs that keep us financially afloat hoping someday to become financially independent through our music.

10. If someone asked Dreaming Dead what did you sound like how would you describe it to them?

An avalanche of pure metal!

11. Have you gotten any feedback in USA or Europe on the release via promos or press? Will you be touring Europe at all?

The promos were sent out recently so no feedback as of yet. We hope to tour Europe! And real soon… oh gawd please!

12. Dreaming Dead is an interesting name how did it come about?

The name came about after months of research and after reading tales written in H.P. Lovecraft’s “Bloodcurdling tales of horror & macabre”, specifically ‘The Dreams in the Witch House’. A phrase in that tale was referenced as, “those who dream yet not realize are dead”…something interesting along those lines.

I jumped from my chair and checked online to see if the name was taken and to my surprise wasn’t. Lucky day for me!

13. Thank you for your time any closing thoughts place here.

Absolutely, thank you for your time as well. Happy Holidays and have an awesome 2009 filled with metal! Please make sure to remind all your readers ‘Within One’ is out 1.20.09!

New Reviews December 20th ,2008

Pantheist- Journey through lands unknown-CD (Firedoom Music)

This would be the third release for Doom metal force Pantheist on the Firebox labels Extreme doom sublabel. Pantheist has gone into more atmospheric side of the doom realm with Journey through lands unknown. This Belgium by way of UK now projects has a lot in common with Dolorian , Skepticism and Morgion even at times earlier Amorphis in sound and textures. I really like the Proggish organs and keys going on with the gutteral and painful gothic vocals. The guitars/ bass are those epic slow deep doom guitars that just fill sorrow through ones soul. I feel a kinship with the greatest doom band ever Thergothon as well. Pantheist need to get a strong push for once as they are a fantastic unit which ebb and flow through many different Doom stages, Doom/Death, Funeral Doom, Avant Doom etc. Firebox has an amazing winning CD and should raise the chalice high in pride.

http://firebox.fi/

Sara Lee-Damnation to Salvation-CD (Firebox Music)

So were do we begin with a poppy goth metal band that reminds me of H.I.M , Paradise Lost or even Fall of the Leafe at time to me. There is a prog element to this band and there are some down right Doomy moments. As a whole they try to keep the style massive and huge in sound and feeling. Sounds like an army of guitars and strings are playing most time. The vocals as goth metal standard fair melodic sung/ spoken vocals there are a few moments of growls but never much. There is a very catchy nature to all that Sara Lee does but the name is just going to make most think of the pastry company I'm sorry to say. Sara Lee are really radio ready out of the box and if they could get some US/ Canadian airplay they could be the next Evanessance.

http://firebox.fi/




Forest of Shadows-Six waves of woe-CD (Firedoom Music)

Here is a project that use to annoy the hell out of me esp the main musician with his flamboyan ways and beliefs. I don't know what or where Nick is now as a person but he has made one hell of a Doom metal release this time out. If your a fan of The very Atmospheric side of the genre then you will be floored as its not 100% doom there are Folk, Jazz and Rock elements layered through out Six waves of woe. The closest musically to Forest of Shadows to my ears would be Katatonia and Anathema with a good touch of later Amorphis and Cannan going on here. There is an electronic feeling like the last Brilliant Katatonia has on it as well. Forest of Shadows will break the Katatonia clone stigma very quickly if it continues on this path. There is so much more to this project then sorry this time out.

http://firebox.fi/



Wino-"Punctuated Equilibrium" CD (Southern Lord)

Does Saint Vitus mean anything to ya if it doesn't then just walk away now. As this is the band that mastered the Sabbath sound and made it all there own for 20 yrs. Well Scott Wino is the guitarist and vocalist (at times) that help created the Classic Doom/ Stoner sound that bands all over the world love there would not be labels like Rise Above, Meteor City etc without Mr Wino and Scott is no different I think he is even adding the Fuzzed out 70's guitar sound more to his 1st real solo CD. Punctuated Equilibrium is Heavy, Funky, Raw and just down right Bluesy to say the least. The solo's are thouse that Bands like Trouble, Sabbath, Cathedral would all be blown away by. It's nice to see a label show some respect to the legends of a genre and ideal of music. You keep kicking the worlds ass with your guitars sludgy sound Mr Wino...

http://southernlord.com/



Velvet Cacoon - Genevieve-CD (Southern Lord)

Folk I know there is close to 10 yrs of bullshit about this band both Josh and Angela seem to like to confuse and cause mass hatred for them and there craft. This release was orignally on Full Moon productions in 2004 but Southern Lord see's what I do with this release . It's a hypnotic Black Ambient journey into one's own madness. If you a fan of Burzum, Ulver, Xasthur then this is a must listen. Genevieve 's melodic Static and noise is almost a symphonic manner. The drums are primitive the riffs are monotone and the vocals are grim and buried in the mix. Then there are post rock moments that match the bands like Devil Doll or Slint int here complexity and brillance. Its just perfection to my ears. There is a magic about this and we all know that the new release is coming soon on Full Moon but we have no Idea what to expect. Other Velvet Cacoon releases just have not lived up to this . So all we can do is wait and see. Though for now we have Genevieve a masterpiece in Black Ambient Metal that will keep the world talking for another 10 yrs I'm sure.

http://southernlord.com/

Maegashira - The Stark Arctic -CD (Spare Change Records)

Maegashira is a difficult pill to swallow for me as there are moments where they sound like Earth, Eyehategod and the Melvins and just kick major ass. Then come they jammy stoner groove moments that just make me want to tear my fucking eyes out. Don't become Clutch or Orange fucking Goblin to me. This band needs to follow its own path I understand but 50% of the time of me hating whats going on is just to much for me to say much more then. I'll see where they go in the future right now this is a pass.

http://www.sparechangerecords.com

Black Depths, Grey Waves 2nd CD Done....

New Black Depths, Grey Waves " Tumor Throne" vocals are now completed and I will mix the album in the coming days. We have a few labels interviewed in this title more info soon. This release is similar to early MZ412 material very occult and very dark!!!

There will Be Samples soon on New Black Depths Myspace site

Clint

Ofermod Interview 12/16/2008

http://www.myspace.com/ofermodofficial

1. Ofermod is a very new project to most of my reader how did the band come to be?

I started Ofermod in 1996, after I laid my first band Nefandus to rest(which by the way has risen from the dead recently) due to my disappointment with the debut album of the aforementioned band, as I found the vocals as well as the entire production unworthy. In 97 I was joined by our vocalist Nebiros in Ofermod, and in 98 we released our legendarry 7"EP "Mysterion Tes Anomias", which was the startingpoint of the entire Orthodox Black Metal Cult, us being the first band to label our art "orthodox", and have afterwards been joined by many a worthy band, some very successful and some more obscure, but each belonging to the same cult. In 2005 we released "Mysterion Tes Anomias" anew in the form of a MCD with 2 extra tracks, and now finally in late September of 2008 we released our debut fullength album "Tiamtü" through Norma Evangelium Diaboli, as was the case with the MCD.

2. Your sound seems to be akin to bands like Deathspell Omega and Watain - label mates of yours on Norma Evangelium Diaboli. Is there something different about the Swedish Black metal sound?

In my ears Deathspell Omega and Watain sound nothing alike, and neither does Ofermod to these bands. The similarity is that behind the art of the mentioned bands is a similar spiritual devotion to the forces of Chaos. In the early years of their existence, especially on Casus Luciferi, I can here that Watain were influenced by Ofermod, yet always maintaining their own sound. On Sworn To The Dark they have found a style that suites them perfectly. There is nothing special about the Swedish sound, as every worthy band have developed their own sound. There is no other band that sounds like Marduk or Dissection(R.I.P), nor is there any band that sounds like Watain, Mortuus, Kaamos or Ofermod, or even Therion, which for me is Black/Death Metal, as what they deal with lyrically are the same qliphothic forces as Ofermod. Perhaps it is this that makes the swedish cult so unique. The strong bands consist of composers that take their influences from within themselves rather than listen to other bands and try to copy them.

3. Do you have any contact with the amazing Ajna Offensive label in US at all? Will the band be coming to play here at all in 2009?

I have contact with Tyler from Ajna Offensive at least in a weekly basis, and we collaborate on many different levels. About Ofermod coming to USA for conserts; this would be a difficult task as I have spent time in prison, and what I´ve heard, one is not wellcome in your country if one has a criminal record. Although I have left my criminal lifestyle in the past, in these ways it will haunt me for a long time, if not for the rest of my life, which is a bit sad, because I would love to spread some qliphothic Death Magic in the United States. We will have to concentrate on touring in Europe, the first tour being as a supporting act for Marduk next autumn.

4. There is melancholy melody and harmony to the sound of Ofermod. There is a doom and death metal sound coming through as well. Is this just an afterthought?

Everything you hear on the record is rigorously planned, and no afterthought. When I compose, I put myself in a state of semi-trance, and let the forces of the Chaos Emanations of Sitra Ahra use my body as a vessel, like I use Ofermod as my vessel into which I channel these demonic forces. The rigorous planning is done when I put away my guitar and arrange the riffs in a certain order, so as to create a natural flow in my music.

5. The complexity of arrangements and styles must make it a powerful journey in the studio. Do you prefer Studio or Live rituals?

In the studio I perform every instrument myself, as well as the rituals connected to each song, which is something I do at home, performing only meditations in the studio. As we are yet to do our first live ritual with Ofermod, I really cannot answer this question. But we have great plans for our live appearances, to make them a REAL magical experience, instead of the theatre most "Black" Metal bands degrade themselves to.

6. To someone that has not hear Ofermod how would you explain it to them?

I would say that it is the closest thing you can come to Left Hand Path magic for someone who has not experienced the power of ceremonial magic for themselves. Our album, "Tiamtü", is an invitation to our listeners to behold the dark wonders of Sitra Ahara, looking into the Anti Emanations through the initiating womb of Mother Lilith, mostly into the dark astral world of Gamaliel. That is why this album has this dreamish atmosphere, while our next opus will be more insane, a musical reflection of the qliphah Samael, the poison of God, that is the destroyer of all cosmic illusions of what is wrong and what is right.

7. Does Ofermod feel that Black metal is an art form or a very magical journey? Is Corpse paint a mandatory need or can you create the effect and sounds without it?

Ofermod is magic. On photo sessions I sometimes wear corpse paint, and sometimes not. The paint is merely a shallow expression of the demonic forces this form of music represents, and has naught to do with the forces summoned into the music. On our live appearances, some of us may paint their faces and some of us may not. With "us" I am talking about the entire Holy Union of Ofermod, which includes our live musicians as well as Nebiros and myself.

8. Is there a major Difference between Mystérion Tés Anomias and Tiamtü as I have never heard your releases before this?

There are some minor differences, but an Ofermod fan can immediately hear that it is the same band as back in 1998. Buy our MCD "Mysterion Tes Anomias" from NoEvDia and decide for yourself.

The main difference is on a lyrical level, as on our material from 98 I had recently started studying the occult sciences, so our lyrics today are much more profoundly esoteric.

9. I do like the Chanting and Pagan ritualistic singing brings to the overall release. Are the themes being recited very personal or its there a running theme on Tiamtü?

The theme is the Primal Chaos Dragon, so the chanting is connected to this in one way or another, as are the rest of the lyrics and vocals. In my lyrics there are layer upon layer of esoteric meanings, so that each reader can contemplate upon the words, and according to their own spiritual state find keys to higher understanding in them.

10. Ofermod seems much more aligned with the Occult then Pure Satanism would this be true? Is the Pure Demonic/Dark side of Belief the path your looking to speak about.

Ofermod channels very destructive, demonic forces, but in an occult way, because I am myself approaching these forces in this way in my personal spiritual life, forces that for me become constructive instead of destructive, because through these forces I am in search of Luciferian Gnosis and illumination, which in the end results in godhood attained, according to the promise of Lord Lucifer in the shape of the serpent in the book of Berashith/Genesis when he offered mankind the potentiality to become gods themselves by tasting the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, that is the shadow side of the Tree of Life. It is this northern shadow side that I explore to achieve Self-Deification. A long and demanding process, but each treasure of the underworld is worth the effort required by him or her who have chosen this path.

11. Are you anti digital age of getting the word out on underground music. Do you miss the tape trading and fanzine word of mouth for Black metal?

In a way I miss tape trading and writing letters by hand, but today I would not have time to involve myself in this type of activity. But I remember the feeling one got when writing a letter to for instance Euronymous of the TRUE Mayhem, and the bastard actually returned one´s letter, heh heh, and even was polite. This is one of the reasons that I have included my address in the "Tiamtü" booklet, so that those who live for the old ways of our cult can reach me through mail, and perhaps send me a demo of their band, and maybe, just maybe I will forward it to some of my underground connections, or even release an album with them through my own planned underground label Left Light Emanations. I return most letters i receive, if there is some intellectual substance in them. A simple "Hail Satan" won´t impress me...

12. Does it make it less important with any bedroom black metal band trying to create their sounds?

First of all, if you still live at your parents place(I interpret your phraze "bedroom BM" as someone who still lives at home with their physichal parents), you are most propably just too young to really have developed a sound of your own. Practice a few more years on your instruments, and do for the love of Lucifer NOT use computer drums for Black/Death Metal if you intend to release your material. This makes me loose interest immediately. If you are over 20, and still live at home, it´s about time you get your own place. I got my first own appartment when I was 16, which gave my religious life a kick in the right direction. If you mean Black Metal created in one´s home, instead of the rehearsal room, I am of the opinion that this is the only place where brilliant music is composed, alone, after meditation, in the privacy of one´s home, which for the occultist is one´s private Temple, where the breath of the Dragon pulsates with vital force, and the Draconian presence can be sensed at all times. The rehearsal room is a place where you get tight together as a band, and not a place for composing.

13. If there was one Band or Project that brought Ofermod to making and creating the Black sounds you do who would it be and why?

Alfred Schnittke, Carl Orff, Richard Wagner and much of the early medieval pilgrim music composed by anonymous composers. Some russian orthodox christian masses, some early semitic music, the soundtrack to the movie "Conan the Barbarian" etc. I am not influenced, at least not consciously, by Metal music. I simply don´t allow myself to listen to it, to avoid being influenced. Ofermod is classical music perfomed on traditional metal instruments. I love true Black and Death Metal, but it is very seldom I allow myself to listen to it, no matter how brilliant it is. I´m a composer, not a music lover

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

Thank you for this interview,

Ride on the Breath of the Dragon...Hail Lucifer!

New Reviews 12/13/2008 Absolute Zero Media

Nameless Orchestral Project-Darker than Darkness-CD (Self Releases)

This Demo was sent to me at request of the band and I always love to hear what the real underground has to offer and N.O.P are a France Industrial Metal project that like to use Black metal, Classical and Electronic element in creating at time a lo fi Ved Buen Ende or Fleurety to this reviewer. Darker than Darkness sounds very much like the 1st Fleurety release esp with the way the avant guitars and bass work is layered. There is a dissidence to it all . At times I think the drum programing could be a bit stronger but it does work well in electronic atmosphere of the whole release. The vocals are minimal at best but seem to welcome the same feelings bands like Alcest, Fleurety, Solefald all do. If you like Post Black metal this is a very haunting and chilling look into this style. Well worth the listen.

http://www.myspace.com/namelessop  

Architect-Ghost of the Saltwater Machines-CD (Black Market Activities)

This band is in love with 3 projects and live for the music the make . Neurosis, Sick of it all and Hatebreed and with those 3 bands have made a CD of Good Post Hardcore release. Nothing your going to die without but a very agressive Hardcore band branching out a bit in sound and idea's and that is always a good thing to me. Architect need some more space to breathe I feel and I time this may happen. They need to not be so pissed off at the world and see that there are other things that make the world and life around you worth more. 

http://blackmarketactivites.com/

Dreaming Dead- Within One-CD (Ibex Moon)

Dreaming Dead are an interesting addition to the Ibex Moon Family. They have a lot more layers then most bands on the label known for more extreme Death and Black music. The Melody and Classical elements in the guitars and progressive bass and drum lines mixed with Doom, Death, Black and even Hard Rock at time is very very impressive. The vocals are very razor sharp and biting even more so because of the vemon that is spewed by a Female vocalist. Elizabeth's not only one amazing black/death styled vocals but a mind-blowing Guitarist in her own right. Dreaming Dead has floored me with equal parts if Mythic and Demonic Christ  both from the Amazing mind of  Dana Duffy put there styles together with Dose of Prog Metal this is what we would have to a tee.  Bands like this are alway hard to break through as there not one style. All I can do is write and say if you pass by Dreaming Dead and like your Metal creative, never boring and talented your missing out on a whole lot here. Stellar release. 

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/

Nervochaos-Quarrel in Hell-CD (Ibex Moon)

So are friends at Ibex Moon have launched a few new Death Metal goodies my way  in the name of Nervochaos. Remember the days of old when Death Metal was Blistering, Hateful, Fast and just face ripping. This is the school this South American force follows. Blast Beats, Guitars coming from all directions as 80 mph. The Heavy driving low bass line needed to fill out the rhythm side of thing and then those sick guttural vocals that are mandatory to make the sound complete. They remind me a lot of Napalm Death and Deicide with a strong love for John and the boys of Obituary. There is a very war like vibe in the drums and guitar too that harking back to Bolt Thrower and Morbid Angel at times. Regardless of what the sounds and evolution of Death metal sounds that have brought Nervochaos to us. This is one hell of a Extreme Metal release. With a few sweet Doom riffs like Incantation loves to throw in. Excellent work...

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/

Dance Club Massacre-Circle of Death-CD (Black Market Activities)

???????? Dance Club Massacre is just a odd as the band name it's self. I never though I would hear Post Hardcore, Nu-Metal and Black metal mixed but my fine readers of AZM if Dillenger Escape Plan, Cradle of Filth and Slipknot  members all formed what I would call the end of creation band then guess what the apocolypse is upon us. The thing that is fucking me up the most is that I like it. The elements the use are all the good parts of each band so this is where the winning elements come from. The Synths and epic feel from Cradle, the vocals are mix of Slipknot and Cradle and the guitars and bass lines are total Post Hardcore bliss.  Dance Party Massacre videos must be things of legends. This is a band made for the video age with the grand scale everything sounds like here. I'm going to end it with the following. You have to love any extreme heavy band that uses organ!!!!

http://blackmarketactivites.com/

Ross the Boss-New Metal Leader-CD (Candlelight USA/ AFM)

What can really be said about a man that has played guitar for bands like Manowar, Dictators etc. This is just another in the long line of Classic heavy metal/ Hard Rock that  Ross the Boss has brought to us over the last 20 plus years. Ross has that trademark guitar sound of Blues, Power and Class that you can always hear. The leads are very in the Vai, Satriani way as I'm sure they grew up listening to him as well. The vocals are other operatic clean power metal ones you either love or hate. If you into bands like Rhapsody, Blind Guardian and Angra. Then Let Ross's Metal Flag fly so very high for you ears!!!!

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Sinner-Crash and  Burn-CD (Candlelight USA/ AFM )

This is really just watered down  metal in the German tradition. Nothing special at all . Like a 3rd level Accept, Scorpions or Warlock for that matter. I don't get how bands like this last 20 yrs playing the same song and sound over 6-7 albums. Maybe you have to be from Germany to get the full reason on this. Just plain boring enough said.

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Saxon-Into the Labyrinth-CD (SPV Records)

Saxon another veteran of the Metal world for over jesus 30 yrs now. Has come back with a new release for the Classic Metal fans to love and respect as unlike where Sinner took you. The Guitars are tasteful, Great Synth and Bass lines flowing and majesty. What sounds like an army of drums going on at times. Final to put it as simple as this Biff knows how to sing with hunger to make music like this work. The choir backing vocals are just a great touch at the right times as well. Saxon has been at this since 1977 for a reason. The know how to make Hard Rock/Metal really shine. I hope they can keep it up for another 20 yrs as we don't get enough great Metal albums anymore. Saxon you all were the crowns for  Into the Labyrinth!!!!

http://spvusa.com/

Black ELK- Always a six, Never a nine-CD (Crucial Blast)

Do any of you remember the Minneapolis/ Chicago  Indie  Scene of labels in the 90's with labels like Touch and Go, Skin Graft, Twin Tone, AmpRep and Thrill Jockey. Well this is where Black Elk sound comes from they remind me very much of bands like  Surgery, Jesus Lizard, Tar, Pegboy, etc. The dirge tones of the guitars that were so very expressive and the vocals that could be heard miles away as they were sung and shouted at the same time. The Rock meet Prog sounds of it all with the just hint of Metallic overdrive to take it to the next level. Black Elk is the real deal and you sound respect them for it all the more in 2008.

http://crucialblast.net/

Noism-+-CD (Crucial Blast)

Breakcore Death/Grind. It like Pig Destroyer and Anal Cunt working with Mac computer . This maybe be the most bizzare combo . I've heard . Its almost Phantomsmashers but James Plotkin adds more eletronics to the mix. Noism must br pure maddness to most but to me it just makes we want to break things and cause undue amounts of chaos. Breakcore is good when there is a heavy noise element and these out of control guitars are really just the answer for a new style to come out of this. I'm sure the Japanese have been doing this style for years as they are always the fore front of extreme electronic music. Another very interesting release from Crucial Blast.

http://crucialblast.net/

Deadlock-Manifesto-CD (Lifeforce)

Melodic Swedish Death metal has been growing in popularity over the years and with Deadlock this is just added by the element of clean female vocals and grunts by male vocals. The guitar dualing is all here. Full on synths going as well. If there was a such thing as Pop Melodic Death metal then Deadlock would be it. This German unit now on there 5th full length release have found a way to merge elements of The Gathering, Lacuna Coil and nightwish into bands like Inflames, Soilwork and Arch Enemy to make them something the Hot topic kids will fall in love with and Metal heads can respect as there is a brutality to it. Lifeforce has a band that could be huge if the get the word of mouth out there and major video support. Time to go viral with this one...

http://lifeforcerecords.com/

Samothrace Interview is up 12/11/2008

http://www.myspace.com/samothraceproject

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1. Samothrace is brand new to my ears give us a brief rundown of the project.

Dylan: In late 2005, Spinks and I started discussing the idea of our former guitarist Renata and himself moving to Lawrence KS from New Mexico where they were living. He and I had been entertaining the idea of jamming together since two old bands of ours played together in Oklahoma City sometime in 2002. So, when they moved to Lawrence in April of 2006, we immediately started trying drummers. By May of 2007, we were on the road with a demo CD. That same month we discussed collaborating with 20 Buck Spin while at Emissions from the Monolith Festival in Austin, Texas. In April of this year (2008) we recorded our full length album Life's Trade at Semaphore studios in Chicago with our good friend Sanford Parker. Currently, we're finishing up a 70 day full US tour for that album. Right now, we all need a shower and change of socks.

Spinks: Dylan’s summed it all up. We are very much still a fledgling band. We are new to a lot of folks ears.


2. Is Life's Trade your 1st release or was there material before this?

Dylan: We recorded a three song demo with our good friend Chris Hess in early 2007. We completed four tours with it over the course of a year before we recorded Life's Trade. The albums do share two songs and the demo has a really good track titled "When We Emerged" that we decided to leave alone when in the studio recording Life's Trade. We might try redoing that song one of these days, who knows? A major difference in the versions of "La Llorona" and "Cacophony," which appear on both the demo and Life's Trade is the tempo. We slowed it down on both songs when we recorded Life’s Trade. It opened them up a whole lot and elaborated the message.

Spinks: The 2007 demo was great, but we had always felt it a bit rushed. For “Life’s Trade” we were able to relax a bit and record the songs at the tempo, or close there to, we play live. This is our first official release and we are stoked folks are getting into the material. There has been a lot of positive feedback.



3. How did you come to sign with 20 Buck Spin, a newer label to the scene?


Dylan: Dave, who runs 20 Buck Spin, wrote us an email in early 2007. Apparently, he was at a house party in Austin, Texas where our good friend Theron from "The Roller" was playing the demo CD. He dug it! We met him a few months later at the Emissions From the Monolith festival and set the deal in stone. Since then, we've had nothing but a great experience with him! We aren't the only one's, either. It's not uncommon that some one will come up to me at the merch table and ask how we're liking 20 Buck Spin and Dave. They always share my high opinion and have plenty of good experiences as well.

Spinks: We couldn’t be happier with our experience with 20 Buck Spin. Dave put in a lot of work to ensure a solid debut. I gotta admit, we were all a bit apprehensive about a double LP release for the first album, but this was the only way to ensure a high sound quality on the LP version. Dave’s commitment to the underground and DIY metal community is very apparent to us. He definitely took a chance on “Life’s Trade” and all parties involved are certainly impressed with the outcome thus far.



4. To my ears Samothrace is a mix of Doom, Sludge and Post-rock elements. How did this sound come to be?

Spinks: It must come out of our proposal to play heavy music in a comfortably different way than we had before. I don’t think we can stress this enough. We obviously have some nods thrown in to the traditionalists but we definitely try to put our spin on it. Not necessarily on a conscious level, either. This is the music that comes forth when we play together.

Dylan: We all listened to a lot of sludge and doom over the years, so their influence was immanent. The Post-rock feel, which I haven't yet heard mention of but definitely agree, might have happened in a sort of natural progression. I think a lot of that comes from experimenting with effects and sound textures. For example, the older Samothrace gets the bigger our pedal boards have gotten. You might say we've grown into them. I had a period where I was experimenting with any effect I could get my hands on. This led to some terrible ideas, I should say. But, it has also led to some great ideas that I think are crucial to Samothrace's sound. I think a lot of the Post Rock "sound" relies on overdrive, reverb and delays. We incorporate a lot of these into our songs as well, which gives a Post-rock feel.



5. I don't much doom that comes from Kansas. Was it hard starting out there?

Dylan: If you spent enough time in Kansas, you'd understand the true meaning of doom. Some things seem to work backwards there, making life seem bleak at times. Remember the evolution getting banned from public schools thing? That was Kansas. And they’d go waaay further if they could. But on a music note, Lawrence Kansas, which is different from the rest, has a really good underground music scene. I don’t know why doom metal hasn't been more prominent. There's been a handful of metal, sludge, crust and experimental bands over the years such as Wormwood, Oroku, The Esoteric, Jumbo's Killcrane, Derailer, This Building is Cursed etc. Also, I-70 and I-35 intersecting between Kansas City and Lawrence helps. Having a good music scene along the beaten path of touring bands in a somewhat sparse Midwest is awesome. It's been a huge aid in Samothrace getting onto it's feet and touring.

Spinks: Starting out, nah. Getting folks involved, yes. There is a fledgling community in Kansas for the doom and stoner movements/communities, as I like to call them. If we have had any part of that community growing then we are honored. Folks in Kansas have been very supportive of us and our music. I come from Oklahoma City originally, so it has been interesting to observe the community in Lawrence not only from a fan standpoint, but an active musician as well. Lawrence, KS is a great spot for music of every type. We happen to prefer it loud and heavy.


6. You seem to have some things in common sound wise with bands like Deadbird, Kylesa and SALOME. Is there a new wave of Sludge Doom coming out of the US again?


Dylan: That’s tough to say. I'd say it's never left in some cities. In others, sludge/doom might be having its first exposure. As far as the greater US, I've heard people describe a lot of the influx of sludge/doom bands playing in the underground now as "third wave." I personally try to stay away from labels like that, but maybe they're inevitable? I do see a growing number of sludgy bands playing over the past few years. Even between previous tours and the current one we're on now, there seems to be a growing number of doom, sludge and heavy psychedelic/stoner type bands around the US. I've heard people complain with the attitude that this "trend" is diluting the scene. But people should always be playing good music, so fuck yeah! More sludge/doom bands are quite alright by me. I look forward to seeing them.

Spinks: Definitely tough to say. I feel like a good handful of the old crust and hardcore punks have truly embraced the heavy side of things. I remember seeing pre-Deadbird and Kylesa bands BG and Damad, respectively, years ago. It is awesome to see where these friends have gone. Likewise, there is a large influx of fans and bands in the stoner and doom movements. Right on, but we gotta be careful it doesn’t get too stagnant. I’m not sure if it’s a wave of new bands as much as a wave of new ideas. There are many great bands out there pushing the boundaries of doom and stoner metal. This I definitely support.


7. You seem to have some members on the CD that are no longer in the project - what happened?

Dylan: After we recorded Life's Trade, Renata moved to Philadelphia. She had been contemplating the idea for a while and finally felt like it was the right moment in her life to do so. We were bummed! But what could we do but respect her choice? It was awesome to see her earlier this fall when we played in Philly! Our good buddy Daniel Nokes took her spot and has done great.

Spinks: It was sad to see her go. She is a great friend of ours and an integral part of Samothrace coming together and beginning to come into its own. Again, we had no choice but to respect her wishes and support her decision. She is an amazing guitarist/riff master. We wish her the absolute best. As for the replacement, we brought on our good friend Daniel Nokes, a.k.a. Roach. He and I have been great friends for years thru our involvement in the Oklahoma City underground/DIY punk and metal community. We played together in the band Oroku for some time so we were already comfortable with each others playing styles. It’ll be interesting to delve into the writing process with him and see what comes into being.

8. Do you prefer to record or to tour? is there one that you enjoy more or is it a mix of both?

Spinks: Recording is such an amazing process to undergo, but it is serious work. Not that touring isn’t, but I’ll take the road over the studio any day. If recording is the labor then touring are the fruits of that labor. I will say, we hit the road early on in our inception and have all toured with previous projects, but having just completed a 9 week Samothrace tour with an official release I realize the balance between the two is fairly equal. Tour is fun but it takes some hard work and some serious gusto. Especially in these times. We are very much more organized and watchful over tour expenses these days. We have to be.


Dylan: If I can forever teeter between one or the other, please show me where to sign up. Touring is great. Recording is great. In a perfect world, I would prefer to tour extensively a specific set then record it before writing another. Wash, rinse, repeat.


9. Were did the unusual name of Samothrace come from?

Dylan: "The Winged Victory of Samothrace" is a statue found on said island depicting the goddess Nike, or victory. What we found very alluring about the statue, is that her head and arms have been removed by either age or force. Who knows? We thought this gave the personification of victory an eerie twist. I find it intriguing that something could have such a definitive meaning at one point in time only to represent the exact opposite later. Along with this, we all preferred the name "Samothrace" over "The Winged Victory of Samothrace." I'm really glad we didn't pick that.

10. Is Samothrace embracing the digital age? Do you feel it helps or hurts a band more things like myspace, mp3s and internet radio, press etc?

Dylan: I've talked to several people at shows that say they found Life's Trade online for some sort of unregulated download. They're always either holding the album in their hand, or buying it at the table when telling me. Now, I dont know how many people dont tell me they downloaded it for free, but it's selling well regardless. If anything, I think the internet has really helped a lot of bands out. Spinks books our tours almost exclusively on myspace and emails. I think there are thousands of other bands doing the same thing.

Joe: Press, no matter good or bad, is going to benefit your band, that is just how it goes. I personally believe sites like myspace, purevolume, and hxcmp3. com have had an immeasureable effect on underground music. Any band you want to listen to at any time, it is all a few clicks away. There is still the whole issue of file sharing programs too. As far as I am concerned, if you hear a new band you like because you download their stuff and you pay to get into their show and buy a shirt 6 months later, file sharing is nothing you can complain about. There is no way to control it so if you want to compain about it my response is, "waaaa."

Spinks: Man, I remember booking tours thru snail mail and phone calls (pre-cell phones that is). It is much easier to either keep in touch with contacts or find new contacts in the “digital age.” Much faster results. That being said, I’m not sure how I feel about file sharing, etc… I would never deny someone that right, but I suppose I find it a bit frustrating. I personally do not download music from the internet but I have certainly listened to and enjoyed plenty of bands from folks that do. That’s all I wanna say about that.



11. I there a theme or story behind Life’s Trade CD?

Spinks: Not lyrically, but definitely musically. We wanted the album to flow along as a whole. The lyrics are all interconnected in that they are all socially aware and deal with abstract ideas of change and perseverance, so to speak, but this is just the way it is. Again, not a conscious happening. The music seems to portray a continuous theme to me more so than the lyrical content. So, while the album does flow it is not consciously themed or in any way trying to tell a story.

12. With who and when will Samothrace be touring the US?

Dylan: We're finishing up a full, 70 date US tour right now! After this, we're gonna do a few dates in December surrounding a doom fest at Kuma's. We're planning another big tour in the spring/summer, and entertaining the idea of going over the pond to Europe sometime before 2010.

Joe: We have had some very preliminary talks about doing some dates with Nachtmystium in the spring but anything can happen. We really like those guys and hope we can work that out. Regardless, we will be on the road quite a bit next year and a trip to Europe, as Dylan mentioned, is being eyed for summer/fall '09.

Spinks: We definitely have plans to tour the U.S. again in spring/summer 2009. We’d really like to go to Europe, but want to make sure the time is right.

13. Are the members of Samothrace working in other projects? If so talk about them a bit if you will.

Dylan: I'm in an instrumental stoner rock band called "Lethe." We have a full length album coming out on Reptile Records sometime before the end of 2008. It’s sort of like a proggy post-rockish take on The Melvins, Kyuss and Mastodon. Check it out at www. myspace. com/lethecult

Joe: I play guitar in a band from Lawrence, KS called "Sentient." We have just finished a full length that will be released soon via Sun Sea Sky records. It is space/doom/shoe-gaze. Think Jesu meets the Deftones. Unfortunately, these days I can't spend as much time doing that as I would like but I intend to focus on that again once I get home.

14. Do you feel the Doom metal sound and style will ever have the push or respect that Death and Black metal have gotten?

Dylan: I certainly hope so. For one, I think some of the initial "metal" bands were playing music that is more similar to doom than it is to death or black metal. Take Black Sabbath for example. The bluesy riffs and slower tempos are things not so common among death and black metal bands. Yet, these genres do seem to have acquired more respect than doom. I think this is due to the nature of art in that it is constantly changing. Everyone loves Sabbath of course, but everyone also wants to hear something new. But to be completely honest, at the end of the day, it’s not about the push or respect from the metal masses. It’s about playing what feels right at the right time. Of course, everyone wants to be respected, but that needs to come from within the individual before it can be properly taken in from another. I say the same applies to metal genres. So whatever that means about doom, so be it. Seems to be doing pretty good for itself these days as far as I can see.

Spinks: Damn. Dylan nailed it.

15. thank you for the interview any closing thoughts here.

Dylan: That last question was a ballbuster! Thanks for the interview!

Spinks: Thanks for the continued support!