Reviews part 2 9/28/2009 for AZM

Enemy Reign- Means to an end-CD (Self Released)

Remember Skinless orignal front man for all those amazing early releases. Well this is his new band . Well That vocalist Sherwood is the mastermind behind this new unit. Its a good mix of Thrash , Grind and Brutal Death Metal... If you could mix Skinless and Soilent Green into one band your getting a fantastic idea of where this band is coming from. The artwork reminds me of something you would see from a kickass Post hardcore band like Deadguy, Dillinger Escape Plan or Kiss it Goodbye you know where I'm going form. The music is razor sharp , complex and balls out. There is a strong hardcore love here too. Sherwood's vocals are just so on its beyond words. The only bad thing I can say about this its too damn short but it just makes you want more so thats a good thing right??? Everything is just done top notch here. The power over the monsterous vocals and massive break downs are just so tasty here. If they want a label I'm sure they have several knocking. Check this out or miss out..

http://enemyreign.com/




Azaghal- Teraphim-CD (Moribund Cult)

I hate using words like solid or wall of sound but with a band like Azaghal its what they are all about . This is Black Death with some avant elements going in and out of the track then they hit the King Diamond sound as I call it Classic Metal with a black metal touch. There are some riffs you would hear in bands like Slayer or Megadeth at time then they go to the cluster fuck wall of raw blistering Black metal with the torn throat vocals that only a Black metal will ever in vocal. They are more in tune with bands like Absu, Dark Funeral , Immortal etc for the way the like to present there Black metal sickness. I'll be honest there is nothing ground breaking or altering here and that changes nothing in the talent or skill of this band just another solid Moribund band..

http://moribundcult.com/



Whiplash- Unborn Again-CD (Pulverised Records)

Growing up in NJ and playing Metal and Hardcore in the Clubs in 90's/ early 21st century there are a few band from the state that were metallic legends Overkill, Hades and Whiplash. There were to NJ Thrash what Exodus and Testament were to San Fran scene. Though Whiplash had much more success in Europe as did many of the Thrash and Metal bands in the 80's/ 90's this band always had a core of crazy fans in the tri state area (NJ, NY, PA) . It's like the band just took up the mantel from 10 yrs ago like it was yesterday. The chugging riffs, Raspy vocals and rumbling double kick drumming. There was always a a bit more technical side to whiplash and I think this way they didnt hit on as big as say Anthrax or Nuclear Assault from NYC. They have now aligned themselves with Asian power house label Pulverised and this is a good home as they seem to really support and love the old thrash and extreme band ways of bands that were part of Combat/ Roadracer metal force of the 80's and 90's. If you love thrash with more then just speed and blasting riffs this is all about you ... Great release and much needed band to come back...

http://www.pulverised.net/

DIMENSIONAL PSYCHOSIS - Architecture Of Realities-CD (Daemon Worship)

So I received several releases from this label out of Russia I clearly have never heard of and Just by cover art alone I pick this one as my 1st review. Dimensional Psychosis is Avant brutal death/black metal in the same way bands like Code, DHG and VBE are or where. The difference is they like to add a spacial/sci fi element into the music in the same way Voivod or Arcturus did and you know what it work very well as this release is kicking my ass. There is a lot of Synth worked into the mix with a heavy progressive flavor. The vocals are very much in the DHG style to my ears where the mix of music is Arcturus meets Code . If you like the Post Black metal sound this will win you over very quickly. I hear a lot of more modern Dimmu Borgir going on here as well. I would say goto to there label site and learn more about this project as there interesting as hell.

http://www.daemonworship.org

INSULT - Abysmal Incantations-CD (Daemon Worship)

Where the Hell has Insult been all my life. This is old school Death Metal with a War/Doom metal overtone. If you are into bands like Incantation , Bolt Thrower and Entombed this is a release not to miss. from what I'm reading this is 2 demos release on CD. I don't know if the band did anything other them these demos and honestly it doesn't matter. These Demos are some of the best Death metal I've heard in over 15 yrs. This would have been an elite band on the Earache or Roadrunner roster back in the 90's. Insult's battle cry can be heard in every down tuned note and guttural word. I miss this kind of death metal as it was just so complex and interesting without going into the gurgle metal vocals that all extreme bands think they need today. The single notes the rumble so low, The build ups on guitar,bass and drums that go into the bombastic assault of sound and senses. Daemon Worship has a legendary release in the making here. All Bow to the sounds of Insult.......

http://www.daemonworship.org

FUNERAL GOAT - Mass Ov Perversion-CD (Daemon Worship)

Holy KVLT Black metal Batman. Remember when Black metal needed to be raw, primitive and just full of so much verb that everthing echoed to the gates of hell. Well this is what Funeral Goat is. There is not much to say here other then Bestial warlust , Beherit and Mythos would be damn proud to add them to there collective of madness. To me this is a band that just is trying to be over the top even to the point of the booklet folding out to inverted cross. Do we really need bands anymore that scream 666!!! Its was scary as shit in 1991 not in 2009. Enjoy this for the extremity of this alone...

http://www.daemonworship.org

SADISTIC GRIMNESS - ASTENI-CD (Daemon Worship)

Death Metal over the yrs as taken turns into Black metal, Doom metal and then even into electronic or Industrial elements. This is were Sadistic Grimness is my friends. This band likes to had experimental and machine like elements into the sounds that come forth from a wall of guitars, buzzsaw of Bass and Man machine of a drummer. This reminds me a lot of Where bands like Septic Flesh and Samael have taken there sound even to a lesser extent Rotting Christ. There is sometime very unnerving and just still wanting me to dig in deeper for more. Its like a Roller Coaster you ride it to scare the shit out of you. You have to like the unsettling tones to like a band like this and you know what I do. You can just feel the Hate in this music and in the essence of it all that is where great death metal comes from...

http://www.daemonworship.org

New Reviews 9/27/2009 2 for now more to come

Weapon - Drakonian paradigm-CD (Ajna Offensive)

Blackened Death metal seems to be a common place these days with many bands that have moved from being more a War metal force this is were I hear Weapon coming from they were in love with bands like Marduk, Slayer, Absu and Old Man Child but have moved into a more Classic metal sound mix with the the elements of Black, Death and Thrash. As with all Ajna releases the packaging, production and Occult feelings are very high and strong on Weapons with Drakonian paradigm. At time I hear elements of bands like Testament, Sepultura and Sodom bringing the old school extreme sounds into play. Weapon is a wall of Epic metal sounds with some very killer eastern influenced solo work going on almost in a Nile way but all there own. If Nile mixed with Orphaned Land this is very close to what Weapon is.... The Drumming is straight out of Dave Lombardo's schemes. This really where the slayer comes in strong . I you like you Metallic sounds Dark, Eriee and Complex then this is one band not to miss on. The multi vocal attack is very cool as well I know there Invoking something. Only time will tell..

http://theajnaoffensive.com/



Secrets of the moon- Privilegium-CD (Lupus Lounge)

Secrets of the moon is one of those bands that is more then parts of the whole. They create an epic and orchestral element within the Black metal scene but then like to add Gothic and Progressive . Secerts of the moon are like if Opeth, Katatonia and Emperor were compounded all into one project but then there are moments where they remind me very much of bands like Khold, Thorns and Satyricon. Where ever this band comes to me they are at home on one of the Best Experimental Metal, Goth , Folk labels around as Lupus Lounge is just a Black metal sub label for the mighty Prophecy Productions. The more I listen to this release the band have a lot in common in sound and structire with label mates The Bleak Vision just that Secrets of the moon likes to hit the Blackened realm in sound and style a bit more where The Bleak vision uses there gothic side a bit more. The guitars and string arrangements with Secrets of the moon are heartachingly powerful and flowing in talent and beauty. There is a wall of sonic power behind this band that make them all more mysterious of a listen. Secrets of the Moon is Massive, Beautiful, Dark, Expressive and Mysterious all in the same track . I love the male and female vocal mixing as well. Another great release from this project...

http://lupuslounge.com/

3 Reviews from The End Records 9/21/2009

DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER- LICHT-CD (The End Records)

D A R are the more viking metal/ power metal less industrial/ Folk brothers of In Extremo or Rammstein this what they have always reminded me of and with Licht they have a stronger then ever power metal song to the mix I want to say at time if Blind Guardian, Rage or Angra went viking they would sound like this. Its very very catchy material going on here . Then from time to time the get more industrial and extreme viking metal driven but at the heart its the amazing vocals and melodies that have made this band work so well overseas for many yrs now. There is only one issue I can see from this band getting huge in the USA. Its very similar and sad at the same time none of it is in English (Its in the powerful and Majestic German!!!) now for us underground music fans we could care less just the American Idol crowd will just not relate and its a shame as this is just as powerful and any heavy rock band out there. I thought that curse was going to break with Rammstein but it was more a novelty here in USA ... The lush pianos, Guitars that would make Slash or Joe Perry weep, Organs and strings with massive drum and bass lines and a good dose of Prog Rock. I just hope The End can break this band in North American as there just simply fantastic and always have been. This is the new Arena rock in the making.....

http://theendrecords.com/

These Are They- Who Linger-CD (The End Records)

So 2 founding members of Novembers Doom come together Vocalist Paul and Ex Guitarist Steve and bring back a Death metal sound of the 90's in a way that only someone around at that time could do so do you miss the days of Dismembers, Entombed and Bolt Thrower ruling the Earache and Nuclear blast rosters well this this is your gift this year. Melodic Death metal with a very Swedish sound. There is a war machine feeling to it as well with all good Death metal. The vocals are not guttural but Deep and Powerful and you know in a moment its Paul from ND doing them is voice is those like Dan Swano or Peter of Hypocrisy know in an instant. Who lingers is a full on Death metal Novembers Doom plan and simple take the orchestral and acoustic/ Opeth elements from ND and its These Are They. This is just good damn Death Metal and you need nothing more if your a fan... The harmony guitars are what got me to love them...

http://theendrecords.com/

Vreid- milorg-CD (The End Records)

If you remember the viking black metal force Windir the tragic loss of the founding member. This is were the ashes of that band were reborn . There are many similar elements here and now it looks like Indie Recordings out of Norway as partnered with The End for North america to release a CD I reviewed for the mighty Indie Recording some time back. So I'm not going to do a review as much as say this is a great Melodic Black/ Viking metal release that needs to finally get the press in the US that this band gets across the sea. If you are into bands like Ruins, Immortal or Khold then this is a release not to miss out on Some will call this Black and Roll but it is so much more . Enough said...

http://theendrecords.com/

Until the sky dies is born...

UNTIL THE SKY DIES.....

This is just happened today so were I'm collabing with a friend in a well known Black Doom band (will let you know if he wants his band or name mentioned yet) on a new project were tenatively titling " Until the Sky Dies" it will be Funeral doom on the levels of Thergothon, Skepticism, Early Funeral and shape of Despair...

This is the very early stages of the process were both working on a track both will be 8-10 mins in length to start. once they are completed we will let the world hear them and will move on to what be hope to be a full length CD/ Vinyl release... This will be a Studio project only and we want to keep it that way. Were not social people and we get along as we have the same hatred for most of mankind and the way the world is turning out to be.

I will post the 1st track on Clint Listing Myspace page when we are completed which could be 2 weeks, 2 months or ????

End of Line...
Clint

Tesco USA will now Carry Absolute Zero Media titles

http://www.tesco-distro.com/

I spoke with Jane and the 2 latest AZM titles Black Depths Grey Waves- Tumor throne and Noir Magnetik- No Room in Hell CD's will be distroed by Tesco USA as well. I'm very proud to let you all know. Look for them in the next week or so there

Also they are still proudly distroed by



http://malignantrecords.com/



Thank you
Clint

http://thedoorwayto.com/

A Storm of Light Interview 9/15/2009

http://www.astormoflight.com/

http://www.myspace.com/astormoflight



1. Can you please tell us about A Storm of light and how the project came to be?

A Storm of Light began for me as an outlet to play heavier music. I had played in a "post rock" instrumental band for a while

and grew extremely bored with it. I also wanted the band to be more open to having guest musicians as well as just genuinely

playing with people that i like and respect.

2. A storm of light mixes a lot of sound and styles not limited to Post Rock, Orchestral and Hardcore elements. Do you find it hard to have a good balance or does it come
naturally?.

i really think this balance comes naturally for us. we all listen to a lot of different music, and really none of it being post rock. i grew up listening to punk and post punk Black Flag / Joy Division / Swans , as well as classic rock stuff like pink floyd's Meddle and Black Sabbath. today i am listening to more americana and weird folk music, along with stuff like meshugga and old metallica. i kinda feel like we are channeling those vibes through what we want to play, which

is heavier music, but based in melody and direct song structures....no noodling bits.


3. You've been working with Neurot for while now . How has the partnership going I would assume they are strong force to your cause

This is the 5th full length record i have put out on Neurot which is pretty crazy. They have been amazingly supportive of everything i have

been doing, which is great. Storm will still work with other labels here and there but Neurot is family for sure.

4. The new CD "forgive us our trespasses" has a much more expansive sound then earlier titles. What was the influence on the much more epic style?

I think a lot of the expanse comes from using different instrumentation. banjo, accordion and cellos are all influences from the americana

bands i have been into (munly, 16 horsepower, woven hand), and there are a lot of little influences from stuff like nick cave/pj harvey floating around the mix as well. I sort of attribute the sound of our band to the fact that we dont really listen to a lot of heavy music.

5. Does A Storm of light want to perform often or will it be more a special event for live performances?

We actually tour quite a bit in Europe and are beginning to tour more in the US. We will be in AZ soon I hope.

6. Are the members into a very visual side for the band as well. I would love to see a full length video or dvd come from your releases.

we just shot a video for the song Tempest. It's primarily performance but with a twist. It should debut within a couple of

days. so yes, the visual side is very important to us. the videos, live projections, music, and artwork all serve to make one large piece of

artwork.

7. What your thoughts on the digital media age? Is it a blessing or curse?

i think it's just different. things are changing everyday so we all have to go with the flow. i think while

digital downloads/file sharing may hurt album sales, they may actually help touring bands. more people hear the

music now than ever before, and i think that brings more people out to the shows. with the video we just shot,

we'll be able to premiere it in 3 continents in the same day, and that could not happen without the current

digital age. we all just have to adapt and keep moving forward.

8. Do you find that Myspace is the new promotional media force currently?

to me it seems like myspace is actually slowing down. who knows i could be wrong. i hate that their music players only allow very compressed

versions of the songs. we have been branching out and looking at ways to promote our material with better quality

and without the bombardment of advertising. we are streaming songs in cd quality on our own website now, using

a player from reverbnation. it is much more customizable and suitable to our aesthetic. we're also using Vimeo instead of Youtube

to premiere the video because you can get rid of the advertising and just allow people to focus on our content,

not the 8 million other things everyone wants to sell you.

9. Is there a running theme for the band or is a collections of songs at that point in life?

No I dont think we really have a running theme. So far, we have been focusing on more sort of environmental issues

and themes, but we may feel the need to branch away from that a some point. i think it will all depend on where we are

at when the next record beings to come together. i guess either way, i wouldn't want to limit ourselves to anything

in particular.

10. Could a band like A Storm of light ever want to be or succeed on Major label as it seem Mastodon is really breaking through to the mass media?

I met with Atlantic records when the Battle of Mice cd came out. They said that the band could succeed commercially if we were willing

to write short and songs and structure them like pop songs. We talked about Tool and Radiohead, and I asked about they success without

using those rules. I was told that basically if you listen to the first records by both of those bands they were in fact radio friendly. with their

success, they both adapted and changed while still keeping their fan base. That said, we're are going to keep writing the way we want

to and if for some reason that catches on a larger scale then i could see something like that working i supposed. I am however, not willing to cater to

a formula to try and "get famous." If it happens it happens, if not it doesn't.

11. Where do you see the underground music movement going in the next few years as sales are falling do to digital media ?

i have no idea. i do know that it is hurting labels. it is also effecting how much money labels are willing to invest into recording

a new record. i am afraid that it may end up making bands record quicker, and for less money, and possibly hurt the final

sound of the records themselves. Of course this is also contradicted by computerized recording, in that it's easier now for

bands to record themselves. i guess it all fits into that adaptation idea from above.

12. How does A Storm of light record material is it at once in studio or pieces at time in home studios / studio pieced together?

every record is recorded differently, though most of the keyboard tracks are recorded at home. this last record we recorded in

pieces between my house, and two different recording studios. it works out nicely and i sort of prefer the process to be spread

out over more time, it gives you more perspective on what is actually getting recorded and more time to address things you

may not like.

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

thanks for the interview Clint.

Cheers,

Josh

New Reviews Sept 12th 2009....

Marduk-Wormwood-CD (Regain Records)

Those what we really have just a guitarist and founder as the only original member of the Mighty Marduk and there sound has changed greatly from "Fuck me Jesus" demos to the days of Legion singing to now as I call it Marduk phase III. Marduk isnt about blasting beats again this release is more in line with " Those of the unlight" where punk and mid tempo had as much to do with the disgust and anguish as did the black metal theme. Do no get me wrong as there are many blasting BM treats here. Just once again Marduk mixes it up to make a much more interesting CD then "ROM 512". Also this is the 1st time I can say that Mortuus vocals fit with what Marduk is doing. Mortuus has a much more punk/crust vibe to his vocals where Legion was full on Black metal/ Extreme Death Metal angst..... Wormwood is a move a brave move for Marduk as this will make long time fan really listen to where they are going. There is a very strong Industrial Martial element coming here is almost like If Puissance or MZ412 have influenced there sound to me this is an excellent and much need punch to an already very important and impressive Swedish BM force. Morgan and Marduk are back on track with vengence and its about god damn time...

http://www.regainrecords.com/


A storm of light- forgive us our trespasses-CD (Neurot Records)

How the hell to explain a band that is genre defying??? This will be my mission for the following review. If you can mix Industrial Rock, Post Rock and the Anti Rock movements all at the same time then add a melody that is hypnotic and stunning all at the same time we maybe half way there. A storm of light are one of those bands that just get better time after time just like a fine wine... Banjos, Orchestral movments, Moog's, Metallic guitars, Theater arrangements all in the same song. There are some bands that work off the same ideals.. Neurosis, Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum, Jesu, Godspeed your black emperor and Made out of Babies all come to mind with A Storm of light . There is the bomastic , romantic an suicidal all in the same riff at times. I know this doesnt help much but what it means its this band is so F'ing fantastic you need to get off your lazy fat ass and get this. Neurot is a label to always support as they release music with passion and understanding to the darkness and light. THIS IS A MUST OWN.........

http://www.neurotrecordings.com/

Shrinebuilder-Shrinebuilder-CD (Neurot Recordings)

So what do you get with St Vitus, Melvins, Sleep and Neurosis members put a band together and record a EP . What the hell do you think you get a Sludgy, Dirgy Doom band. Did we really need to tell you this. There are some earth shaking riffs and husky vocal movements going on here my friends I here in Shrinebuilders a live for Melvins and Neurosis the most. Oh then track two hits us with a anthem that would rival anything from a Sleep or St Vitus release.... There is a quiet cool about this that only can from Wino folks and here got the mountain of guitars again. There is an NYC Avant rock element to this as well in the Stoner way if you know what I mean think Monster Magnet or Nudeswirl and you got whats going on here. Shrinebuilders is definitely all equal parts of the whole and you know what good for them... Nice stuff here indeed...

http://www.neurotrecordings.com/

Black cobra- Chronomega-CD (Southern Lord)

This would be the 2nd release I've heard from Black cobra and with this new title the seems to be a bit more crusty and dirge and less Noise and Sludge. There is a very hardcore approach to what is going on here if you like bands like His hero is gone, Deadguy and Bigblack then you will fall in love with Black cobra. Their sound is rooted in Doom but it seems to be moving more into textures and experiments in the low end spectrum. Then at moments its a full on noise burst then we go into the Post hardcore style that the bands above have mastered. I would see a unit like Black Cobra working more with Relapse Willowtip or Revelation then Southern lord but I mean The Accused is there now so Southern lord is really opening the doors to many new sounds and influences which can be a blessing or curse. I don't know if I love this release but there are moments that are really kicking my ass and only time will tell how this album wins be over. I will say this , There are more listens in my future for sure...

http://southernlord.com/

Diablo Swing Orchestra Damned & Delirious-CD (Sensory Records)

Swing, Big Band and Metal mmmm I think Ive heard this before of course have any of you out there heard or remember Demonspeed (Sensory look this band up and get them to reform!!!).... This is like the 2nd coming of Demonspeed . with a few other elements thrown in like B rate movie soundtracks and Mr Bungle for good measure. I swear if you listen to this they love Nick Cave and TSO as there are many elements of both here.. Diablo Swing Orchestra are invented, talented and down right great at what they do. I'm shocked a label like The End or Ipecac didn't pick them up . I won't be shocked if there on either label in the future either though. Love the Operatic female vocal, Deep male vocal and The " Youre a mean one mister grinch" vocals . You all know what I'm talking about youve heard that song and they have a vocalist that sounds just like that. If you lucky enough to see this band live they must be a mind blowing evening on the stage. The should tour with Sleepy time gorilla museum ( mmmm that band in two reviews of mind tonight) and Tubring would make for a hell of a show.. I know this will not be for everyone and some will find it goofy but for those of us that like there music avant and odd this is a must own...

http://www.lasercd.com/

Emile Autumn- Opheliac-CD (The End Records)

Ok The End has lost me on this electro Goth sillness... This is just pop music for the techo goth crowd how can the label that gives us Made out of babies, Novembers Doom, Ulver , Sigh and Sleepytime Gorilla Musuem even think for a second this fits well they do have Mindless Self Indulgence which I just don't get either. This should be on some 3rd rate label like Cleopatra or Metropolis this is not even in the same level of what brilliance The End records had. Your trying too hard to become a major label now. Do what you good at don't let what happened to Roadrunner happen you . Look there going back heavy and metallic again too. They learned there lessons. In one of the lines of a song on this rat trap " Are you suffering???" yes I'm suffering even to just review this crap.... I'm done...

http://theendrecords.com/

Hacride Interview is up 9/8/2009

http://www.hacride.com/

http://www.myspace.com/hacrideV2

1. As your a new band to most of us tell us a bit about Hacride.

The band is around since 2001, we released a first album on Listenable in 2004 called “Deviant Current Signal”, the second “Amoeba” came out in 2007 it is the one who really helped us going aboard, we played European festivals like Brutal Assault, Summer Breeze, Graspop, Metal Camp… and did two tours with Dying Fetus and Divine Heresy. Here we come again with our new album “Lazarus” which had a good response so far. We are very happy about it.

2. Your debut CD just came out on Listenable tell us how you came to work with the label?
So as I said in the question before it’s our third album, and the third one on the label ;). In 2004, we just sent a demo like everyone and the label was interested, he wanted to release a CD fast which was “Deviant Current Signal” made of songs from the demo. That’s why we consider “Deviant Current Signal” sometimes more like a rerecorded demo even if it has every sound and composition quality of an album but the concept side is not pushed as in “Amoeba” or “Lazarus”.

3. the 1st track To walk among them is amazing did you get any grief for putting a 15 min track as the 1st song?

The funny thing here is that when I composed this song it was even longer than 15 minutes and I had to cut some parts. But yes it was kind of hard to work on it. This song is like a summary of the whole album, it sets the scene for the tracks coming after. It’s like a skeleton so it was very crucial for us.

4. You sound is a mix of MESHUGGAH , SOLEFALD, ULVER, ISIS, DREAM THEATER and NEUROSIS to my ears have any of these bands influenced you?

We like those bands you named, except SOLEFALD which I don’t really know (will check it out then). Meshuggah have been a big influence on the two previous albums but less on “Lazarus”. We all listen to different kind of music anyway so it’s hard to tell, our bassist Ben is really into Metal from Symphony X to Dimmu Borgir, our drummer, Olivier listens to lot of jazz, the singer, Sam has a hardcore and electro background and I listen myself to a lot of world music and progressive rock. The main core for everyone is metal though but with lot of variety.

5. France seems to be a strong home to avant metal these days with bands like Old Dead Tree & Gojira and labels like Season of Mist & Holy & Listenable etc. Do you have a good live scene for the more experimental styles as well?

Modern Metal is doing good in France, we have lot of very good bands and something is really happening. There are not that many progressive but a lot of polyrythmical bands lately. It’s very nice to be part of a scene which is evolving and changing.

6. How has Hacride sound changed form demo days to your CD on Listenable?

Again it’s our third album ;) so compared to the previous albums we wanted to have a more organic sound. That’s why we went to a jazz rock studio to record the drums. We didn’t want to have this compressed heavy metal sound but something still massive but much more natural.

7. Will there be any videos for Larazus CD or maybe a DVD???

We did one for the previous album and the song “Perturbed” ( which you can see here : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv9MqXcOhIM) we have a project for the new album but nothing sure so I can’t say. No DVD planned but you’ll be able to find one track live on the Brutal Assault Festival 2007 DVD which will be released soon.

8. What is a live show like for Hacride is it raw and just music or is there a stage show involved?
We don’t have that much fancy stuff on stage but two side drops inspired by the album cover and hiding the bass and guitars stuff to make the scene more clean if I can say. We also travel with our sound and light engineer who know us by heart and they do a great job. Our job as musicians is to provide the energy. You have to come and see so you can judge, that’s not something I can tell.

9. Are the lyrics written 1st or is the music created then the words around the emotion of the sounds??
The music is written first, Sam is writing the lyrics from the concept we took and his inspiration is coming from the music. He kind of dives completely in the music and then comes with feelings and the lyrics that go with it.

10. Do the members of Hacride perform in other projects metal or non metal?

Sam has another band which is called Mistaken Element where he is guitarist this time but it’s hard for him to tour with that band cause for exemple we are touring every weekend except one before Christmas. It’s nearly impossible to have another band then.

11. If you were asked 5 yrs from now where do you see the band ? will you still be a band then or can you not see another 5 yrs as Hacride..

We did 8 years total, 2 as a band touring quite a lot in Europe so if we passed that I guess we can do more, We are a family. I think no one in the band imagines to do something else anyway. When we don’t tour during one month it feels very weird. We use to be together with our technicians and tour manager, it’s hard to imagine our life without it now even if sometimes it’s hard. Specially cause we have to tour every weekend and work in the week to pay the bills which are not covered by the concerts. I’m a guitar teacher anyway so I’m still playing even for my job.

12. for each of the band members what was the band or album that made you want to play music and why?
I can’t say for the others sorry but for me it is when I was a young teenage and listened to Nirvana. I though it was very cool and that’s why I started to play guitar.

13. If there was any band you could tour with who would it be and why?
We’d like to tour with Mastodon, Opeth, Porcupine Tree or Enslaved. Why? Cause we all love their music of course J

14. Whats you thoughts on the digital age of music, promotion and internet radio. Do you miss the days of old were radio, print magazines and CD/ Vinyl promotion?

I think it’s a pity to make so much in an album to get the sound we want when the people will listen to it on mp3 on a computer cause the quality is then just gone. But apart from that I’m not against technology. The idea of having access to everything on a computer is nice but it’s also generalising music and people tend to pass to quickly to another song, cause there’s just too much to listen to J

15 are you fans of Myspace, Facebook and twitter or do they annoy you?

I got a myspace and a facebook, I have to admit but I don’t spend that much time on it. Actually I’m not so lucky with internet so I tend not to go that much. Our bassist is more into this stuff, he is the one taking care of the myspace.

16. thanks you for your time any closing thoughts here

Thank you for your questions and your support. We just hope to see you on the road one day.

The Doorway To... New Portal new Begining

I've made life easy bought a domain name and created a single entry point for all my musical projects I work with bands and webzine/label goto http://thedoorwayto.com/ I'm going to fazing out all other domains/emails in a short while as this just makes most sense...




Thanks
Clint

New Reviews Sept 6th 2009

Howl- S/t-MCD (Relapse Records)

A 3 song Mini CD seems to be an odd place to start with a new band on label like relapse but what am I to know. Howl is from Providence RI a place I called home for several yrs. The music scene when I was there was thriving and played many shows in the area with both metal and non metal projects. Howl is everything the underbelly of Onleyville has to offer . Onelyville was a artist community in Providence's " Other side of the tracks " world. Howl is crusty, grooving, heavy, dirty and monstrous in sound. They sound a lot like some the Boston Hardcore bands that liked to mix the metal into there music. Also have a strong love for bands like Isis, Mastodon and Brutal Truth to this reviewer. There is a doom element but the death metal and crusty punk comes in very music in the drumming and guitar arrangements. There are some great harmonies in the music that is created with the screamo/ growling vocal movements. I hate to use the term but Post Metal is a good word for bands like this that mix Hardcore, Death metal and Sludgy Doom. Howl I look forward to a full length from thee..

http://relapse.com/




REVOCATION-Existence Is Futile-CD (Relapse Records)

Thrash FUCKIN Metal this is what we have here folk. If you miss the days of 87-91 then this is a slice of heaven for you.... Remember Exodus, Testament, Sadus, Sodom, Kreator its all here and more . The massive riffs, The throaty vocal snarl. The aggression and fire that extreme thrash metal all had. Even the punk element of fast and blurry is better at time. Revocation is a retro thrash band that add 21st century production and post hardcore vocal elements at time you make Existence is futile "metal up your ass" brilliance. There is even a groove feeling like bands like Cathedral use to give us but in a very heavy and brutal fashion. I didnt think I missed the amazing guitar leads and complexity that came with really working out a song but I clearly did. There are moments of a Nu metal sound but this is a very young band and they need to get there own Identity which will happen in time but for a debut release. There is a lot going on here moments of Opeth and Katatonia in the Jazzy and fragile too. Well worth picking this one up if you just love metal period....

http://relapse.com/



Baroness- Blue Records-CD (Relapse Records)

Baroness start off with a little neoclassic/ jazzy movement then go full steam into there Stoner meets Post Hardcore anthems we all know them for. There love of bands like Cave in, Neurosis and Sleep is legendary .. If you like your sound catchy, bluesy and bombastic all at once you can not loose with Baroness they have a very 70's rock sound but not in the stoner way as much as boston and aerosmith to me. The stoner sound comes more from the 80's stuff to me . The vocals are clean and throaty but never go to death metal they stay more in that angry Neurosis vocal style you know what I mean if you heard later period Neurosis. There is an eastern and prog thing going on at times here too that just makes it all the more interesting this far more then rock or metal to me. Baroness is a force all there own... I swear they love Dinosaur JR a lot too maybe I'm nuts or maybe I'm spot on either way .... Stellar release here.....

http://relapse.com/


The Atlas Moth - A Glorified Piece of Blue Sky-CD (Candlelight USA)

Do you like doom/death I mean really like avant doom/death then this is a gem you will soon not for get. This of bands like Esoteric, Mindrot, Dolorian, Ras Algethi then mix in bands like Khanate, Jesu, Mastodon, Burning witch for good measure and in the final piece of the epic puzzle going on here add the textures and open space of bands like newer Katatonia and Elend to had the heavy verbs and otherworldly vocals mixed with the cries of torment. The Atlas Moth is one of those bands that must be heard to fully understand. There are so many styles and sounds going on This goes from Doom /Death to Prog Death metal to Space rock all in the same song. Candlelight has a force to be reckoned with here...

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/



Xerath-I-CD (Candlelight USA)

This may be a very short review for a very good band its because you don't need a lot of words to explain this release you need a lot of time to listen and love this release . Its very cut and dry and Candlelight for the 1st time in a bio has it all down if you made Meshuggah a symphonic Black metal band it would be Xerath. The orchestral arrangements are that of Dimmu Borgir , Elend or Therion and the bombastic metallic sound is of the prog Swedish death sound that Meshuggah has mastered years ago . Xerath is doing something that has been done before in 2 parts and made it one complete whole !!!!!

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/



Forest Stream - The Crown of Winter -CD (Candlelight USA)

This is not my 1st trip with the Russian unit known as Forest Stream on this new release as it opens up it reminds me very much of mid period Anathema with a bunch of a band called Silentium that I loved very much in the late 90's early 21st century. I know its a tired term by this is what I call Symphonic goth doom/death in all its majesty glory. Lush pianos, deep bass lines , armies of slow melodic guitars and very wonderful sung male vocal with the interplay of the doom growls. I use to play a style very similar to this when I was making doom metal a decade ago. Forest Stream is fantastic at what they do. Its a very limited market I'm sad to say as if more would give bands like this a listen they would find the magic in the sound. Another solid new release from Candlelight.

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/



Bleeding Fist - Bestial Kruzifix666ion-CD (Moribund Cult)

Dirty filthy raw thrashing black death with a complexity that makes it all the more interesting to listen to Bleeding Fist is yet another great find for USA extreme metal label Moribund. This is a band from a slavic nation and I really think the eastern world has more hate then us and its showing in there music these days/ Bleeding Fist is a bunch of corpse paint wearing , blasting noise in you face , war metal maniacs. That is really the best way to put a band like this. There here to give you and the world a giant " Fuck you" and with the tracks I'm hearing they give a run for the money with bands like Beastial warlust if your old enough to remember them. Bleeding Fist is another band that will help me through my dark themes of this shitty economy and struggles to just survive. HORNS UP HIGH !!! on this one....

http://moribundcult.com/




Merrimack- Grey Rigorism-CD (Moribund Cult)

Black Metal, War Metal, Battle Metal, Melodic Black/Death, Avant Black Death... I can go on and on where Merrimack stand but the one thing that holds true to this band is They are that damn good. If you like Gorgoroth, Marduk mixed with bands like Azrael and Death Spell Omega then there is on reason not to own every release Merrimack has created. All the great elements of Black metal are melded into one bleak and disturbing force with the mission on making the sickest music one band can create. Guess what Merrimack is done just that. No check it out you fuck wad.....

http://moribundcult.com/