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

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

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

http://agoniarecords.com/



Die Hard- Nihilistic Vision-CD (Agonia Records)

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

http://agoniarecords.com/





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

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

http://agoniarecords.com/




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

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

http://moribundcult.com/





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

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

http://moribundcult.com/

New Reviews 10/25/2009 Part 1

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

Javelina- Beast among sheep- CD (Translation Loss)

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

http://www.translationloss.com/

Struck by lighting- Serpents-CD (Translation Loss)

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

http://www.translationloss.com/


Salt the wound- Ares-CD (Rotten Records)

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

http://rottenrecords.com/




Vampire Moose- The Reel-CD (Rotten Records)

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

http://rottenrecords.com/




BloodThrist-Sanctity Denied-CD (Pagan Records)

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

http://paganrecords.com.pl/

The few against many Interview 10/16/2009

The few Against Many

http://www.myspace.com/thefewagainstmany


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Reviews for 10/12/2009

White Mice - GANJAHOVAHDOSE -CD (20 Buck Spin)

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

http://20buckspin.com/




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

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

http://southernlord.com/



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

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

http://mainstreamrecords.de/

Witchmaster - Trücizna-CD (Ibex Moon)

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

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/

Acheron- the final conflict-CD (Ibex Moon)

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

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/





Avulsed-Nullo-CD (Ibex Moon)

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


http://ibexmoonrecords.com/




Throneum - Deathcult Conspiracy-CD (Pagan Records)

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

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

Insult Interview is up @ AZM 10/9/2009

http://www.myspace.com/insultband


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Antikaroshi Interview is up 10/5/2009

The Antikaroshi

http://www.myspace.com/theantikaroshi

1. For those of new to The Antikaroshi tell us a bit about the band and how it came to be.

The band is thea(g,voc,keys), ntik (bg,voc,keys) and aroshi (dr) We started out in spring 2007 right after we decided to have a break with our old band. It was clear to ask aroshi to join us on drums as we knew him for a long time. We recorded a 4-track demo in summer 2007 and played our first show with our friends DIARIO on Oct the 13^th, 2007

We recorded most of the tracks for “crushed neocons” during Febr 08 and played our first 10 day tour through Germany and czech rep. in May the same year.

2. To my ears there is mix of old school DC/ Discord bands sounds like Fugazi & Lungfish mix with the more Indie sounds of bands like Slint, killdozer,Tar and Polvo... Are you fans of any of these old school 90's indie bands??

Sure we like the whole dischord thing including its politics. It's a big influence. But we all listen to a lot of music. Personally I started playing music along with old eastgerman punk bands like PAPIERKRIEG, AG GEIGE etc.

But indeed, it seems as when it comes to music and our perspective on it, it's our most common ground we are starting from and from there on incorporating all the other things we personally like and can all arrange with.

3. You’re working with Exile on Mainstream - how did that come to be?

After recording most of the tracks for “crushed neocons” Andreas Kohl of Exile offered us to promote our “demo cd-r” to find a label who's willing to release it. We knew him from shows we've been putting up for some of his bands and stayed in touch. He invited us for his “south of mainstream” festival and offered us right after the show to release the recording on eom. It was stunning! I mean we like all the bands on eom and there's definitely nothing similar in germany.

4. What is a live show like for The Antikaroshi?

It is the truest moment for a band.

5. I love the mix of fragile delicate sounds with the funky aggressive sounds of Post Hardcore. Did it take you a while to get to this sound?

Hm, we did not much think about that. It just happened. We all are into music for 20 years and after playing for so long with the typical line-up it was time for something new. We like bands like TRANS AM and although I can’t play keyboards at all it’s good fun to play around.

6. Is there a story behind why the band was named The Antikaroshi???

Not really. The last song of our old band was named “The Antikaroshi”- we liked the idea of bringing something to an end with starting something new. Bit like El guapo and supersystem did. But basically we needed a name. “Karoshi” is a japanes phrase. You can google for that and yes although we all gotta work to pay the bills-working 9-5 sucks.

7. Is Crushed Neocons a full story that unfolds or just a collection of thoughts and ideas?

It`s more a collection of thoughts I'd say. We wanted to have a political title of the record although the lyrics are quite abstract sometimes. The title track goes back to my childhood. When I was a little kid me and my friends messed up something. It all ended up with my parents asking what I would have in my hands. Although I haven’t had anything in they forced me to open my tiny fists which I refused to do so. I kept my clenched fist. It was the first time of real consciousness. Me against them. I was hiding a secret. No one should know what’s inside. It could be anything. It was such a great moment of power. It’s like riding down the slope at the age of 7. They will always tell you not to do so, but something deep within forces you to do so. Although we are old enough to believe that no one’s gonna change the big things/politics anymore, everybody should remember those days when we had the power and will of dreaming the impossible.

8. Are the members of The Antikaroshi fans of the digital age or do you miss the more traditional way music use to be presented?

Hm, don’t know. I’d rather buy a vinyl instead of a CD. But basically the whole music industry is so fucked. I don’t think about that much. I mean we use myspace, but I don’t like R.Murdoch at all. It’s a tool –that’s it. We encourage people to get in contact personally.

9. Will be see The Antikaroshi in thr USA anytime in 2009?

We’d love to come over but for now it seems not very realistic. Btw most of the bands from the US we played with prefer to play in europe. Who knows why…

10. Will there be any DVD or Videos coming from The Antikaroshi off this release?

If you know someone who wants to help us with that why not?! We’re quite lazy guys and to be honest: I do not even own a digital camera…I’m the guy from the stone age.

11. You seem to just have a myspace page like many bands today. Do you think it is the best promotional tool in 2009 for indie bands??
As I said: I think it’s only a tool. I don’t need “friends” to be added. I know who they are! Kids, go out and come to the shows. It’s way better than hiding behind a screen.

12. Where do you see The Antikaroshi exploring or expanding in sounds on future material?

Well, we all had several bands before. All the highs/lows. I think the chemistry is working well. Of course our own approach rises, but we’re really happy at the moment. There’s no specific plan. As we always did: we just keep going.

13. Is it hard as a three piece to create live what you create on CD?
It’s different, but also very refreshing. The focus is more on being a unit. Often we play parts differently after recording than it was actually meant to be. We even sometimes leave parts open intentionally, which gives space for coincidences, failures and everything between. The implicit question for us is then: how do we get that part across today? But it keeps the whole thing alive.

Btw, since most of the songs are, in great parts, recorded live, it's the same basis. The two or three missing overdubs we try to compensate with a fancy t-shirt here and a bit of sweat there. ok, the shirt thing is a joke, so it mostly breaks down into the physical experience.

14. thank you for your time any closing thoughts here..
Thank YOU, It’s actually the first interview of The Antikaroshi ever…

Few New Reviews from Malignant Records...

Hyios - Consuetudines-CD (Malignant Records)

Droning and Ritualistic sounding ambient music has drawn me in for many many yres and with Hyios we have another German force much like Troum/Maeror Tri . The difference here is the like to go into a bit more dark and haunting areas where projects like Schloss Tegal and Kerovinan have traveled. I really feel the sounds that Hyios create are the sounds and feelings you will hear when you travel between life and death. There is a kin ship to bands like Coph Nia, Nordvargr, Sleep Research Facility and even Aube from time to time. The tones are down right unnerving to say the least and it gives you a heavy low end in the bass mixed with odd percussive items that sound like bones and metal grinding at a few places through out the release. Malignant seems to be one of the few labels that really still care about experimental dark sounds any more CMI is going martial and noise and Dark Vinyl and Eibon seem to be sadly M.I.A these days and I haven't been following Cold Spring as they refuse to send me promotional material to review ... Again Jason from the wonderful digi-pak packaging to the stellar production of the audio . Hyios is just that a fabulous dark ritualistic ambient release needed for a scene that seems to have dug way underground again...

http://malignantrecords.com/




Collapsar- Beyond the event horizon-CD (Malignant Records)

Cold , Desolate, Massive and Noisy all in the same breathe. This is what Dark Industrial music is all about and this French unit is all that and more. Collapsar is a wall of sonic drones, drifts and low end rumbles and tones that you can feel to your very bones. I like the slow ebbing what sound like horns from ships passing in the sea's at night. I wonder if this is what the universe sounded like while it was forming. There is a chaos to this that seems to sound like creation itself and that is what makes it all the more interesting. This is much noisier then I expected but I like it all the more for this. There is a harsh almost punishing sound to it then it peaks and goes back to the more middle and calmer grounds again. Collapsar is a labor of love and you can feel it with every layer of this project. Collapsar isn't an easy listen even for the more adventurous industrial / noise fan. Collapsar is a CD that you need to give a few listen at minimal to fully hear all that is going on this is my 2nd full listen and I know there is much I am missing here. Just with the last CD the packaging is in an amazing digipak with a production second to none. This is a mandatory listen for this reviewer.

http://malignantrecords.com/

SUBARACHNOID SPACE Interview is up 10/4/2009

SUBARACHNOID SPACE

http://www.myspace.com/subarachnoidspace

1. SUBARACHNOID SPACE has been around over a decade now has the band done
all its wanted and what is the most memorable moment for the band?

because it's been around so long, the have been many most memorable
moments.....the first thing that comes to mind though is playing
knitting factory in nyc with khanate. i was blown away. also driving
from san francisco to minneapollis to start a tour only to wake up to
a television set on sept 11.

2. How did SUBARACHNOID SPACE come to work with Crucial Blast ?

i was drawn to crucial blast because of skull flower. i liked the
label and emailed about sending a demo we were working on when the
band was in sf about 3 years ago. i moved to portland and put
together a new lineup scrapped the old material and nate carson wrote
to adam when we had something ready. very happy to be on crucial
blast.....

3. DO you feel to be one of the founders of the Post Rock/ Experi-Metal
Movement Your sound seems to have spawned bands like Pelican, Isis, Mogwai
, Russian Circles etc or do you disagree?

i think that alot of folks started doing this kind of crossover at
roughly the same time.....i felt a sigh of recognition when these
bands appeared....all i can say is that we have been doing something
similar for roughly 13 years.

4. Youve worked with so many different label Charnel House, Relapse etc do
you feel you music is hard for any one label to really pin point or market
properly?

well yes, i think we are to harsh/loud to be included in the 'psych'
movement...adding delay to an indy rock progression is boring.....the
metal scene seems to be the most welcoming., metal heads seem to be
very open to crossover-namely instrumental and loud stuff. but
ultimately we are outsiders i think.


5. Is the guitar the key to the SUBARACHNOID SPACE sound?

hmm i think its the combination. no one instrument is as cool
without the others.

6. What is a live show with SUBARACHNOID SPACE like?

from my perspective its 40 minutes of intense concentration, with the
goal of actualization of that space in time. we seek nirvana.....not
sure if we reach it. i can't guess on audience perspective. its
subjective.

7. Does the band think they fit with both Metal and Rock worlds or do metal
fans seem uneasy with a band like SUBARACHNOID SPACE?

people of every genre seem uneasy with sas. thats half the point. we
seek to envelop and repel and caress.....all at once.

8. Will SUBARACHNOID SPACE be touring the US of Eight Bells CD?
we are half way through our tour now:
http://www.myspace.com/subarachnoidspace for dates

9. How does SUBARACHNOID SPACE create there sounds in the studio? is it
rough idea's or focus ideas when you begin recording?

we don't have the money to write in the studio.....eight bells is
material i have worked on with several lineup changes over the last 3
years. we had a studio drummer (lauren k newman) and alot of help
from engineer / producer steven wray lobdell to make this record
something we are proud of.

10. I know there are other projects members of SUBARACHNOID SPACE work in
tell us about them?

our bass player has a band called Brave Priest, our guitar player does
solo work in Bird Costumes. Both can be found on myspace.

11. Your Myspace site is your official site it seem do you feel Myspace is
all a band needs today for promotion on the internet?

uh no.

12. Portland seems to be a music hot bed with bands and labels why do you
think that reason is so?

basement culture-its cheap....and you can park a van.

13. Thanks for your time any closing thoughts here....

you are welcome....i am using a broken keyboard, and running late
leaving to drive on tour...gotta find a drum store, make sure we all
eat, find a music store ect....so no time for much of a 'closing
thought' but i think i miss my dog alot. also tripping on how when
touring how much work and effort goes toward that 40 minutes each
night when you get to do exactly what you want to do.
much thanks to the universe, as its a privilege to do this thing called music.
melynda