Sektor 304 Interview 12/29/2009

http://www.myspace.com/sektor304

1.To most of us Sektor 304 is a new name tell us a bit about how the project
came to be..

André: It started in July 2007 when me and João decided to do a rehearsal to test equipment and to make some noise. We are both fans of old-school industrial, things like Linija Mass, Neubauten, Esplendor Geometrico, etc but at the time we were a bit bored with our own bands because we didn’t develop that kind of sound.

So, in that afternoon we recorded the rehearsal and it turned out something with some cool ideas, some of them are featured on “Primary Interface” cdr, our first one. Late that night we came up with a name, Sektor 304 and a few weeks later came our first concert in a squat opening for this rock band from Chile ahah.

2. Your sound on " Soul Cleansing" is a mix of Noise, post industrial and Doom metal to my ears how did the sound come to be? Are you fans of Swans or Godflesh I hear these two bands strongly in your sound?

André: yeah, we are. I’m very impressed with that high pressure and tense atmospheres and weight that both those bands have, especially Swans. Godflesh actually impresses me more due to the way the machine-like sounds and programmings are mixed with the human factor. In Sektor 304, the main issue is actually power, tension, and scale. Swans explore that perfectly. It’s like “man vs everything”, very confrontational and as in every confrontation, you have to deal with the environment it causes and the weight of your own actions. It’s a heavy burden to take with you and Swans carry a lot of that feeling to their music.

3. How did you come to work with Malignant Records?

André: It was actually because of Wolfskin. I was doing the artwork for Wolfskin’s “Ajuntar das Sombras” on Malignant and Jason listened to my band by suggestion of J.A.. Apparently he got blown away by it and since we are nice handsome lads, we got to work with Malignant. We are very pleased with Malignant’s work!

4. What is a live show like for Sektor 304?

André: We try to make as intense and “real” as possible. All the percussions are live, we take junk metal, power tools, contact mics, fx pedals and more stuff to the stage. We try to be the most similar to the records possible, trying to show the process behind each track. Of course that there is a lot of room for improvisation, but we try to keep a structure. There is a very physical aspect in our performances.

João: We are just two, so it’s difficult to reproduce live all the stuff that actually goes on the records. For instances I can not play live percussions and bass at the same time... wish I could! But in the the near future our friend Henrique Fernandes a double bass player will do the bass live. So I think the next live shows will be more powerfull, and the songs will sound more close to the original ones. Of course improvisation it’s an important part live and we will keep it that way.

5. How is the musical environment in Portugal your home for the music you create? Is there a strong Avant/ Experimental music scene?

André: There are a lot of interesting projects. When it comes to Industrial music, things tend to go towards the field of harsh electro, “danceable industrial” and stuff like that, but in the experimental scene you can find really cool stuff. In that field, you have people that actually try very hard to experiment new stuff, with lots of mixed influences and usually with quite unique results. But don’t get me wrong: this isn’t paradise. There aren’t many places to play and there aren’t many people involved. Usually, most projects are just made by the same people.

João: Actually in our hometown Porto there’s lots of very good projects, bands in the field of experimental music. I can give you some names, like “Most People Have Been Trained To Be Bored”, “HHY”, “Lost Gorbachevs”, “Stealing Orchestra”, “Wolfskin”, just to name a few.

6. The Artwork for "Soul Cleansing " is very interesting to say the least. Where did it come about and what is the relation to the music and ideals on the CD?

André: The basic idea was to explore the idea of exhaustion, of noise, of ritualistic excess. That why there is so much noise in the artwork. There is also this connection to oldschool industrial and punk/crust by using collage of found photography and traces of paint. It’s a rough imagery assemblage. Then, there is this focus on African faces and war spears. It’s the return to basics, to primary form, a connection to the ritual base of most of the tracks in the record.

Besides… it also works as a nice alternative to the whole “white power iconic fashion” that seems to be attending the industrial scene nowadays.

7. I ask this to most artist do you feel today a myspace page is all thats
needed for musicals to get there promotional needs out to the world?

André: No. Myspace is getting filled with so many bands and no one is listening to you even if you add as friends. That’s the reality. Myspace is a tool but it’s not the only tool. Work hard, make good music, send it to labels, magazines, show it to your friends, print stickers, BE everywhere! etc etc… all those steps are needed.

8. Are you fans of digital release or do you feel a physical release CD, Tape or Vinyl is needed to really get the complete thought out to world?

André: Well, if you asked me this a few years ago, I would say that and mp3 release on the internet is the same thing as doing it on a physical one, but from my experience gained since then I can surely say: it is not.

The physical relation with the format is very important. It’s an object, you have careful with it, you try to keep it safe and it has a value. I mean, there are certain records that I still remember the day when I bought then and listened to them. I don’t recall when I downloaded a specific album. Perhaps it’s a fetishist thing, but hey! it works for me. When you deal with a physical format, you have to engage with it, be part of the process and therefore the content gains more value.

9. How does older material from Sektor 304 Differ from " Soul Cleansing" ?

André: I guess all of our releases are different from each other, even though they can be all defined with the term “industrial”. “Primary Interface” is a lot more noisy and has quite a lo-fi production. It’s a very primal outburst much more into the field of noise and power electronics, but with some junk metal and drum beats in some occasions. I guess we were trying to apply our biggest influences in the equation, so although being a very “industrial” record, it’s actually very diverse from track to track.

“Transmissions” is actually very ambient in a rather psychedelic way. It was an improvised session recorded directly into a mini-disc, but it turned out a very interesting journey. It has a very spatial exploration of sound and effects.

Comparing it with the previous releases, “Soul Cleansing” sounds a lot more structured, with a heavier dose of percussions and bass. Also, the input of João brought some afro-cuban rhythmic influences that give an excellent feeling of primitivism and ritual.

10. What are the current sounds that influence Sektor 304????

André: Lately I’ve been listening to Test Dept. “Beating the Retreat”, SPK “Leichenschrei”, Bodychoke “Cold River Songs”, Khanate “Clean Hands Go Foul”, Automaton “Dub Terror”, King Tubby “Essencial Dubs”, Locrian “Drenched Lands”, Gnaw “This Face”, early Godflesh, Swans “Cop”, P.H.O.B.O.S. “Tectonics”, Process of Guilt “Erosion” and Techno Animal ”Brotherhood of the Bomb”. I’m also listening a lot to Manilla Road and Gates of Slumber but I guess that won’t inspire Sektor a lot…

João: We listen to very different kinds of music. So all that influences come together when we create something new. I think it’s very important to any musician to have an open mind. It helps a lot to find your own identity as a musician.

I’ve been studying African and Afro-Cuban percussion, and I have used that in some of the songs in the last record. This, together with André’s sounds and samples, created a very intense atmosphere in the record, quite different from the other two records. So it’s very important to always look for something new.

11. What inspires Sektor 304 to create their sounds ?

André: to me, it’s mostly a visual inspiration. I see images, sights and situations that interest me and I try to invoke them in my music. Honestly, cinema like Cronenberg, Lynch, Tsukamoto are major influences. Ballard’s always a good thing. Oh, and watching the news ahah reality always provides a good input for the songs.

12. Thanks for the interview any closing thoughts here..

André: buy the cd… buy the cd… yes… buy the cd… I should probably say something like “Armageddon is coming”, right?

João: Thank you!

3 New Reviews @ Absolute Zero Media 12/27/2009

Life's Decay-Dysrieuses-CD (Abstraktsens Produktions)

Neoclassic music has always been near and dear to my heart esp if it has a folk or Martial element because of my yrs in As All Die. With Dysrieuses there seems to be a much more pop and caberet element as least on the start of the release. Love the sultry female vocals as well. They have a lot in common this time with bands like Novy Svet and Spiritual Front . There is a major change for Life's Decay in sound there is also an elements of Dead can dance and Third and the mortal which I love very much here. Dysrieuses is a beautiful and delicate release well into the 4th track . Life Decay is also very much getting in Post Industrial sounds here again as in the last few releases. I could see them working with labels like 4AD or Mute now . I'm really floored by the song arrangements and soundscape's that Life's Decay has presented to us. I know the French will limit the potential of this outside of Europe and that is very sad. I would love to see a DVD by this project as the music is very visual. I'm going to end the review like this Etasthesie is by far the best record of there career and they have found there original sound here and I hope the grow by leaps and bounds from here. This release is Brilliant......

http://www.abstraktsens.com

The Kandidate- Until We Are Outnumbered-CD (Napalm Records)

If Dismember and Hypocrisy could have had a metallic child of doom then this is who it would be. They have such a heavy groove here that it makes me want to slam into the walls and bleed hard about 5 yrs after I've really been into a pit. The Kandidate have a very strong thrash element going on too in the way that bands like Testament and Exodus did it with style in the 80/90's . The Guitars are huge here just know they have what sounds like a wall of guitars kicking you in the face. The heavy and punishing bass and drums have that very Dismember feeling to my ears. The vocals go from a Thrashing grimmace to Sung Classic metal style to guttural growls. There is a strong complexity to them almost like Frolic in the Park/ Act III Death Angel to me as well. I wish Napalm would have sent me non voice overs for years but they just refused to do so. I'm so happy to have them back in my reviewing roster...

http://napalmrecords.com/

TROLL- Neo Satanic Supremacy-CD (Napalm Records)

So Lex Icon aka Nagash from is Dimmu Borgir Bass playing days is back with a Symphonic Black Metal force that reminds me very much of the Stormblast days of Dimmu Borgir and you know what that is what I think the world needs a fast, pissed off Symphonic Black metal band again. I really thought Nagash had ended his metallic realm with some very electronic releases of the last 4-5 yrs with The Kovenant. This reminds me very much of a mix of DHG and and Mid Period Dimmu . There are even moments they have a layer that reminds me very much of Emperor. Troll is a band that can take back a scene that has been watered down and over synthed out by bands that should have never entered the arena to start with. Troll have a strong neoclassic element going on as well with the ripping guitars and bass lines, The full on Black metal vocals of those that are damned. The Drumming is never over done its always at the time and style that the song asks for. Black metal drums can be so over played and that can ruin a release. Troll is Grim , Melodic and Hateful all in the same track. This is a must listen for any fan of the 90's Symphonic BM style.

http://napalmrecords.com/

Semen Datura Interview is Up. 12/23/2009

http://www.semendatura.com/

http://www.myspace.com/semendatura

1. Tell us a bit about semen datura as you are very new project to most of us?

We found the band 1997 to play a dark and mysterious form of metal. In the first years we were mostly inspired by the second wave of european Black Metal...later we discovered other atmospheric and 'dark' music like Post Rock, Ambient and so on...

Up today we released one tape 'MXVII', one EP 'Black Wings' and three full length. Because of different problems (line up, labels, depression...) a lot of time passed between our releases. The new album 'EINSAMKEIT' is our personal 'top of the mountain' so far. We invested a lot of energy, time and blood to make this work happen...to find our purest expression and to push inner and outer boundaries. The name SEMEN DATURA is our metapher for 'origin of the night'. The Datura is a nightshade-plant and Semen is the latin word for the seed you put into the earth. The name has nothing to do with the seed of a man or other stupid pornographic interpretations.

2. How did you come to work with ATMF Label?

We observed some selected labels, listened to their backcataloque and send them a personal promo-package. We got three or four positive answers and then we decided for ATMF because of their unique releases, the quality and our impression that ATMF is more than another recordlabel.

3. Would you call Semen Datura Black metal or are you more a mix of style with Martial, Prog and Black metal elements?

I think SD is Black Metal (sometimes I personally prefer the term Dark Metal). It's not our ambition to mix styles. But I think I'm a 'split personality' and I'm always searching for something that is given me freedom and appreciation. So it's more about the atmoshere than a genre. Sometimes people told me about parallels to bands I never heared. Another point is the distance of four years between the records. In this time you get a lot of different impressions and so it's normaly that you find more than one element on our releases.

4. Your new album EINSAMKEIT is very experimental in sound are the early 2 releases similar??

No, they are different but always with the ambition to make something original and to avoid the mainstream. The first album 'this love is dead' was written in a different line-up with a lot of 'session musicians'. There was a second guitarplayer, a other vocalist, a female vocalist and a fixed keyboarder. I played the drums on this album. The second album 'Vineta' was more structured and a bit cold and mechanical because we wrote the album as a two-man-project without rehearsals and without this 'organical' development in the session room. Interesting too. I think it's more blackened Death Metal. For the new album 'EINSAMKEIT' we worked very organic with a fixed drummer, a bass player, guitars and vocals. Without doing lot concerts or thoughts about future or other people. Just three guys isolated for the outerworld. Month for month, year for year. Reduced to the essence. Like disillusioned monks in a dark monastery.

5. Semen Datura seem to like to add images and theatrical elements into the band do you feel underground extreme is something that need to shock the eyes and ears??

In generally I think art should catch eyes and ears...in different ways. It's not our ambition to shock. I personally never was 'shocked' by something like music or pictures etc. because I'm not interessted in simple shock effects. I'm maybe shocked by real happenings like suicide (Dead of Mayhem, Ian Curtis of Joy Divison or Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and a lot of 'ordinary' people), the church burnings in Norway or the murder of the Mayhem guitarist. With our images or 'theatrical elements' we try to underline the concept of the band in a artistic way.

6.Is there a running theme on EINSAMKEIT release or is it just a collection of Dark themed songs?

The main theme is 'exploring the depths of the own psychology“. What has brought me so far away from the light and how can I handle the situation. There are a lot of aspects. I'm searching for answers by study history, society, philosophy, religion, occultism... Every answer offers ten new questions. So yes, it's more a collection of dark themed songs than a whole story or concept. We tried to find a concept with our last album „Vineta“ which was a sunken island in the baltic sea. A kind of atlantis that was destroyed by selfishness, greed and dekadenz. But we note that it's important for us to break the chains of a concept because life is a collection of themes. I mean four years passed since our last album and so a lot of things happened that makes us confused. If you have one release in four years you have to put the essence into the lyrics. It's not a musical project it's our life and our death.

7.What are you thoughts on the modern digital age and being and underground artist? Do you feel this is helping expand the scene or is it just a good promotional tool?

Betwixt and between. I'm afraid that the digital age will kill a lot of music and culture. I like to own vinyl and reading a well layout booklet. To hold a physical output in my hands and to collect real high valuable works. The mp3-world is for kids who drink coke every day and watching stupid daily soaps. It doesn't help to expand the underground scene.

As a musician you can not download a guitar or a drumset for free...

Alone the term 'friends' on myspace shows the lie. A big grey mass without personality or response. The digital age will people isolate more and more. You have to go out into the nature, the storm is blowing into your face and you're freezing, vistit concerts, meet real girls and own real vinyl or CD releases in good quality. In my opinion two real friends are better than twothousand virtual 'friends' and twenty gramophone records are more satisfying than 2 GB mp3. On the other hand, the kids can do what the kids wanna do.

8. Will Semen Datura being touring or playng any shows for support of this release?

We hope to do some shown in europe. It depends on organizers and the feedback we get related to the new album. We are totally underground and furthermore we are not a 'party band'. If we get a good offer we will make things happen but we are not able to pay for play or something. This stupid entertaiment sector is not really part of our world.

9. your website is very well done http://www.semendatura.com/ . Do you feel its important to have more then myspace today for a band to properly get there voice to the world?

For us personally it's important to have a own, autarchic website. It's a little statment against the overwhelming conformity of todays world. Also the myspace-continuum is observing you. Do you really think that the 'News Corporation' is interested in culture or support underground music and art? They are interested to spread the plague of stupidity, standardization and strong imperialism. All the advertisment of mainstream labels and music television abuses my eyes. But that are just my personal thoughts...it's not the main theme of my musical work or something.

10. Do the members of Semen Datura follow a Heathen Doctrine or does religion play no place in your musical output? Is it more just an occult side...

I think heathendom is a kind of religion and Atheism means that you're not religious. I believe in magnetism, the power of stellar constellations, the energy between people, nature and culture. If the moon is able to move the oceans the stars are also able to move the blood, the water and the hormons into humans. They guide our life...call it fate. I'm very sensitive for seasons, for the nature, for the environment. If I was a teenager I thought I know the truth. As older I am I feel that I know nothing. I'm searching, reading books and so on...but most important is that I create my own life that touches me everyday. This is sometimes very difficult because the dark energies are so overwhelming like a unseen voice that speaks „be negative, be dark, do suicide...“. I which there would be a god or something who is responsible for all and is given eternal hope. But I'm not able to believe.

11. Do the members of Semen Datura play in other projects as well? or Is this your main and only focus?

I have two other projects. I play drums in an instrumental, post rock influenced band called EMPTY OCEAN together with a very talented guitarist from rome. Also there is my solo project 'FALLENDE MODERNE', acoustic, sad and meditative. Our drummer left the band because he moved to another town. I don't know if he has a new project. He just told me that his future is not in the metal scene.

12. Are there any project out there that Impress the members of Semen Datura.

Today I listen a lot to bands like Joy Division or Portishead. Also GYBE, HRSTA and Woven Hand are very impressive. Also I can't stop to suggest german BM bands like Lunar Aurora or Todtgelichter.

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

Thanks for the interest in our work.

New Reviews 12/20/2009@ AZM

Savage Messiah-Insurrection Rising-CD (Candlelight Records)

Power Metal and Thrash have never sounded so damn tasty to this reviewers ears. This is a band that would have rules the metal scene in the late 80's and 90's as they mix the elements of bands Dream Theater, Sanctuary, Testament and Iced Earth all into a combo one two punch straight at your ears. There are some very strong Prog elements going on in which you hear Devin Townsend/ Strapping Young lad elements happening here are well. I would have more thought a band like this would have signed with Sensory, Spv or Inside out as they are a lot more complex then most. The songs are so layered and the vocals are very very powerful and sound like a mix of Matt of Iced Earth meets Devin Townsend Oddly enough lol. The Balance of Delicate sounds mixed with full of Thrashing metallic guitars and drums works very well. Savage Messiah have a very Armored Saint vibe about them as well. There really isnt much more to say other then if you like the Power/ Thrash metal sound this is a band not to miss...

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Headhunter CD- God's Spreading Cancer-CD (Ibex Moon)

This is Brazilian Death Metal at its best with a strong Thrash roots esp in the guitar and drum patterns. Headhunter DC also have a love for older symphonic Black metal from time to time on this release. I really have to say the guitar solo remind me a lot of Testament or Forbidden and that is a great style as they have always impressed me in their guitar work.. I like the very raspy vocal style going on this is where some of the more Black metal sound and feeling comes into the mix. Don't think for a second that Headhunter DC is not a Death metal power house as they clearly are. They are just more then one part of the whole.. Another well recorded, produced and well written release from a new power house metallic indie label Ibex Moon. There are some very catchy riffs going on in this band. I can see myself giving God's Spreading Cancer several more listens at any time... Nice work ...

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/

Ingested- Surpassing the boundaries of human suffering-CD (Siege of amida/ Candlelight USA)

I surely the wrong guy to review or understand this I not a fan of Gore/Grind or Gurgle Death Metal as I call it. This is just blast beats and a bear growling into a a mic for me with some breakdowns in a very hardcore fashion. All the songs sound the same to me . I going to make this very short please write a different fucking song as I can make it past track 3!!!!!

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Divine Eve- Vengeful and Obstinate-CD (Ibex Moon)

I know this band has one hell of a history but I never really heard anything by them before I know they have worked with Nuke Blast and Candlelight labels and sub label. I'm going in on this release totally fresh and to me Divine Eve are a Black Doom band with a very health old school death metal love. If you like bands like Incantation, old Ceremonium in the style and should they create but they very much has a love for Bolt Thrower and Early Cathedral as well. I love the slow dark plodding sounds that mix with the more mid tempo war like themes and the horns in places are just such a nice touch. There is a black metal sound so much in the guitars and drums at time that remind me of Satyricon or Earlier Dimmy Borgir.. Divine Eve have that throaty Bolt Thrower vocal ideal going on that I love so. Ibex moon has a real winner in the metal realm again with Divine Eve check them out you will not be disappointed...

http://ibexmoonrecords.com/

Buzzoven- Violence from the vault-CD (Relapse Records)

Lets just start off with that " Sore " CD on Roadrunner in the mid 90's was the hands down best example of Crusty Sludge Doom ever!!!! and I had it in my CD play every day for 2 yrs with Eyehategod and Grief releases... Well this is unearthed tracks 5 of them from 1995 and these tracks have the same dirty, punkish, noise rock elements mixed with that southern Sludge doom sound. Kirk Voice is always filled with such venom to the world that hates his very being... This band fell way too short due to drugs and mental issues. If they were able to keep it together and did make a proper follow up to " Sore " this band would be legendary just from these tracks alone. The would have been a big as White Zombie became as they have a lot in common with them in Sound and Groove factor in a very good way. Buzzoven if it was even possible to reform in this line up would just destroy most of the bands today trying to give that Crust or Nola Doomy sound. I'm in pure bliss here folks as when I was 19-20 yrs old this was the music I was trying to make and puke out to the world. Even the Samples before each song just Kick MAJOR ASS!!!!! BUZZOVEN you are SORELY MISSED!!!!

http://relapse.com/

Manegarm Interview is up 12/19/2009

Manegarm Interview

http://www.manegarm.com/

1. your music is a strong mix of Heathen Metal, power metal and Viking folk sounds . Do you feel this is becoming a lost art to be done properly?

We are a few bands that have been making this kind of music since it’s beginning around 1995. Since then, especially in the last 3-5 years, many bands have submerged but few have the elementary roots or origins as these few bands have. (Manegarm, Skyforger and Thyrfing just to name two others). Although our music is truly heavy metal it is none the less based on historical myths and fables of the Viking era. In this sense, our music is truly original and yes, perhaps a dying art. Although this is an art in many fazes of change, it is still worthy of preserving for generations to come.

2. Your working with Regain now after have several albums on Displeased and one on Black Lodge labels do you feel Regain is the best home especially with so many heathen or pagan influenced bands??

Yes I think so. Our old label didn’t really have the money to push us further I think. Our collaboration with Regain Records is quite new but it seems to be a good record label. It’s a well-known label with several good bands and a good back catalogue and hopefully this collaboration will contribute in making Manegarm an even better and more popular metal band. The scene is all about money it seems. It’s not enough these days to release a great album, you also must have a label that push you forward to reach out to the listeners.

3. Nattevason seems to a bit more melodic and polished then earlier releases was this done on purpose or just came out that way?

I don’t know about more melodic...Overall I think Nattvasen is darker oriented then our last releases in many ways. The album is more straight forward and we have added a big dose of darkness as well as powerful riffs with classic metal heaviness.....AND some wonderful and sticking melodies as well =)

I agree with you that it’s more polished. We have worked a lot on the arrangements in every song and this time we had the time to sit down in the studio and go through every recorded song just to see if there was something missing or something that we could get rid of. Pelle Saether (Studio Underground) did an amazing job and I think that the production is super!!

4. Is there a story line behin Nattevason?

Nattväsen is about the night and the scary creatures that dwell within the night; the creatures that have hunted your mind in your fantasies and dreams...you have all met them…

People have in all times had a curious mind but also some sorts of respect and fear for those “abstract things” that we can’t explain and don’t fully understand.

5. Will Manegarm be coming to US to tour on this release or no I think you played the Heathen Crusade fest here correct?

We played the Heathen Crusade fest in 2007, that’s right!

Right now we have no tour planned in the US but we are working on some contacts and hopefully we will able to do a tour over there in the nearest future, it would be great!!
…..wouldn’t it be cool with some real Pagan metal in the US!! =)

6. Are there other projects the members of Manegarm perform in or is Manegarm the only focus for its members?

Janne (violin) has always some other music project going on and sometimes I (Erik) helps out a bit in other projects but besides from that it’s only Manegarm for all of us. We don’t have time for anything else…

7. Do you find it difficult being an indie extreme metal band in 21st century with digital promos and pirating of music .Where do you see the future of extreme music in general?
Extreme music has always seemed to attract people. Some extreme genres are born and some fade away but if you look at the extreme music in total it’s always present in some form. I think that this will continue, at least I hope so…

About digital promos and pirating of music I really don’t know…One part of me thinks that it’s crap and I’m like “stop downloading and buy our CD you cheap bastard, we wanna get rich…” =), but on the other hand I think of it as a good thing; our music reach out to a lot more people worldwide than it should have if we only would sell CD’s…

8. Do you feel as each member of the band the ways of old heathen beliefs are very lacking in the modern world or do you see the ways of old coming back?

A bit of both I guess. A lot of people don’t have a clue about their heritage or where they come from; they’re rootless and seek meaning in other things which in some cases can be destructive activities. I salute those who are interested and curious and seek their roots. I think it’s important for the personal growth to know who you are and from where you come…

9. Sorry if this is old news but I very curious after working with displeased for so long you left ? They seem to really support the band you were one of them main supports form my eyes being outside of europe ..

We had a contract with Displeased Records for five albums and five albums we did...Displeased is a good label but when we released the last record we had collaborated with them for nearly 10 years and we really thought that we needed a change.

10. Are there any bands out there currently that really impress the members on Manegarm they can be any genre just wondering what the members currently listen to that influence your current sounds?

I can’t really name any band that has influenced our sound. We all listen to metal so of course you’ll get influenced in some ways but I can’t point out special bands…

As a drummer and a singer I can mention two artists that are “top of the line”;

John Bonham – One of the best drummers ever!! Sick groove…..

David Coverdale – One of my favourite singers and probably the best singer in the world (according to me…)

11. Are Manegarm fans of myspace and facebook as promotion outlets for these days or do you see it as more a need ?

I guess it’s not a need but I don’t see why you shouldn’t have it these days. Everybody has MySpace and Facebook today and so do we…We put quite a lot of time in our MySpace site simply because it’s a good way to spread our music and news about Manegarm.

12. Thank you for the time of interview any closing thoughts here?
Thank you!! Buy our new album; You don’t want to miss the Pagan metal album of the century!!!!!

Rock N’ Roll // Erik - Manegarm

5 New Reviews @ AZM 12/13/2009

SEMEN DATURA - EINSAMKEIT-CD (ATMF)

So what do we have here? SEMEN DATURA are a black metal band but with many many elements mixed into the pot. They have a strong love for Neo Folk and Martial Industrial element as well as Prog and Heathen backdrops to make this a very interesting release to say the least. Now they are a black metal band but there a black metal band in the same way Code, A Forest of Stars or Wolves in the throne room are by the raw aggression and brutality of the blackened riffs that are within the context of the music as a whole. The Germanic vocal lines help even more with the extremity as a whole. I know very little about there label Aeternitas Tenebrarum Music Foundation but I will very much tell you if there bands outputs are half as strong as this you will never be dissapointed. Semen Datura have the spirit and haunting nature of Burzum, Graveland, Xasthur, Krieg and Leviathan all wrapped into one. I will keep a close eye on this Project and going to dig into there back catalog for sure

http://www.atmf.net/

Creature with the Atom Brain- Transylvania-CD (The End Records)

I don't seen where The End is going with some of these bands there signing now they seem to want to be an indie pop label as well as a metal and punk label all at the same time. I hope they can keep the metal with level output strong as they were the best avant metal label for years but with Creature with the atom brain they seem to have gone into a very trippy retro grunge pop element almost were The Scream Trees, Solomon Grundy and many other bands that worked with labels like SST, Subpop and Twintone did over the 80's and 90's . Creature have a garage rock sound as well does anyone remember a band called Big Chief as they have a very similar sound to this band as well as a band I use to really like early monster magnet. I see that the founded of this band is in Mr Lannegan of The Screaming Trees solo band so that makes a lot of sense in my early statement. I actually really like this release a lot but it is very different from many things The End has done before. I get the feeling The End may move the offices to Chicago or Portland one day soon as there getting more in coming with labels like Touch and go and K records then there old metallic beginnings with many of the new signings.

http://theendrecords.com/

Hunters Moon- The Serpents Lust-CD ( Hells Headbangers)

You know there is something just simply kick ass about good thrashing Black death and guess what Hunters Moon makes ... Thats right you got it just that style. This reminds me a lot of old Older Witchery , Samael or even at times the mighty Bathory!!! There is something so perfect about that retro guitar and vocal style that makes me remember when metal was something that only a few people really listened to when the world thought bands like Motley Crue and Judas Priest were extreme and over the top and us that did tape trades or get imports from Osmose or Redstream for $20 a CD and thought that was a steal... There is a love for the cold black sound of Northen Europe as well here and that is want makes this all the more special. Hunters Moon is just simply fantastic..

http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/

Havohej-Kembatinan Premaster- CD (Hells Headbangers)

There name is Jehovah backwards and this anti life, music, sound and human will band is just that . Havohej are a black noise force not to ever forget. There is a sonic brutality about this release that just rips through ones soul and will scar it on levels most are just not ready for. Kembatinan Premaster is just pure disguist and hatred on a CD. There is such an industrial element to this I just have a few bands that even come to mind when listening to this Beherit, Vondor and Staalagh... I will be listening this to sleep at night as i will scream the hell out of what ever dark forces are in the room as this clearly more pissed off then any of them. I don't remember listening to this band before but now I must and will follow up and check out there older material as this is mandatory listening for those into the Black occult sounds in the metal and industrial landscapes.

http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/

Victimizer-Resurrected Abominations-CD (Hells Headbangers)

Good old kick ass thrash like mom used to made if your a fan of Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, Exodus or Testament then this going to squarely give you the 10 count for the pleasure factors. The Guitars are ripping with powerful not packed leads. We have a strong complex bass and drum team going on here and the vocals go from the very throaty Thrash style to the full on sung metallic vocal style. Victimizer is nothing ground breaking but again in so many bands like this you just really need to be good at the Thrash sound to make these kind of releases a great listening journey and you know that is just what a band like this does. They add a few flares of there on with a bit of a death/black edge over all but nothing that would make a true thrash head not want to listen to this over and over again another great release from Hells Headbangers here...

http://www.hellsheadbangers.com/

Skitliv Interview up 12/7/2009

Skitliv Interview BY Maniac

http://www.myspace.com/skitliv777

1. Its been some time since you departure from Mayhem . You have a limited release with Skitliv on Cold Spring label and now your working with Season of Mist. Tell us a bit how Skitliv came to be?

I started Skitliv in 2005. In the beginning it was mainly meant only for myself but as the songs developed I realized I needed some more members. After some changes we now have a steady line-up.

2. Why did you not continue to work with Cold Spring they seem to be really support to all they work with?

I never meant to release the full-length on CS. It was already decided it would be SoM. I talked to Michael Berberian a long time ago about this project. I did not stop working with CS though. They will release a Skitliv 10" picture disc and the debut album by my other band Sehnsucht.

3. Skitliv is much more Industrial meets Doom metal to my ears was Mayhem/BM just something you needed to distance yourself from right now?

I did not need to. I have always listened to a broad variety of music and this is how I wanted Skitliv to sound. I still have a lot of influences from old BM.
It's just that I can't be stuck with one genre. I don't really care much for putting labels on music.

4. Does Skitliv perform live or its it just more a studio creation right now?

We have done live shows and tours but it's been quite for a while now. We will hopefully play live again next year and I really want to tour again.

5. Your working with a few Shining members was this going to be Skitliv all along or did you just asked the Shining member to help out on new material and it became Skitliv?

I have only one member from Shining and that's Kvarforth. He's been with me for some time now and is a permanent member. It was named Skitliv before he joined.

6. There seems to be a bit strong metallic output on new CD ? Is this one of the reasons to work with Season of Mist . I'm sure the Mayhem connection help too correct?

Yeah. And I like SoM. They have good bands and they have good distribution.

7. Where do you see the future of Skitliv . Is this a long term project ?

This is my main band now and I'm working on new songs. I want to release more albums with Skitliv and go on tour again.

8. Whats you thoughts on the current digital age of music and are you pro Digital downloads and electronic zines and internet promotion or do you miss the days of old?

I think everything's too easy now. Too easy to make music. I never download anything without paying for it. To me that's like physically stealing a cd or a vinyl. Same shit. I don't spend much time on the Internet. I use it for what it's worth and of course it's very convenient for staying in touch with people abroad. I never read Zines on the net. I prefer physical formats.

9. If I may ask have you heard the new Mayhem material what is your thoughts on it do you think it would have been very similar if you were still doing vocals for them?

I have not heard anything from any coming releases but I seriously enjoyed the Ordo album. I think it's great. I don't want to speculate about how it would sound with me. Mayhem is part of my past now.

10. If you could collab with any artist in musical fashion who would it be and why?

I think I have to say Steven Stapleton from Nurse With Wound because of his amazing range in music and his knowledge about music. And of course Toni Iommi, hehe.

11. Your Myspace page seems to main official site do you feel that is all that is really needed for musician and bands these days??

I don't know. Maybe. Like I said; I don't spend much time on the Internet.

12. Are you working on other projects Maniac or is Skitliv your only focus in your musical journey right now?

I just released a very strange album with Andrew Liles from NWW and Czral from Virus/Aura Noir etc. It's called Maniac-Liles-Czral and was released on the English Dirter label. Cold Spring will release the debut of Sehnsuch very soon. Here I work with my fianceé Vivian Slaughter, Andrew Liles and Ingvar Magnusson.
It's hard to label.

13. Thanks for the interview any closing thoughts here...

I hope to see you all on tour.

Morgan of Marduk interview with Absolute Zero Media in Arizona 12/3/2009

Morgan of Marduk interview with AbsoluteZeroMedia in Tempe AZ 12/3/2009

Enjoy
CLint