Ibex Moon Artist Avulsed Interview is up 1/31/2010

www.avulsed.com

1. Tell us a bit about Avulsed and how they came to work with Ibex Moon?

Hum… I dunno what to say about AVULSED… we’ve been together since 1991, so I guess more or less every Death Metal fan should have heard about us in one way or another and if any still hasn’t, then I guess he’s not such a real Death Metal fan. In that case, the easiest and quickest way to know about is to visit our website www.avulsed.com and there he can find anything he needs to know about AVULSED.

As for how came our collaboration with Ibex Moon Rec., well, I already knew John McEntee from INCANTATION since many years, in fact I released their “Forsaken mourning…” mini CD back in ’97 as well as we did an European tour with them the same year, so when the new album “Nullo” was about to come out, I was looking for a reliable label in the US who could handle the album in terms of distribution and promotion. I asked John about the possibility and he was immediately into it, so the rest is what you see and so far we’re happy with it despite some fuck ups in the CD release.

2. Dave what is the major difference between Avulsed and the other projects you create?

The main difference is that AVULSED is the only REAL band which I regularly practice, play live, answer interviews, release albums… The other projects are just that, projects that every now and then I do with one friend or another, normally trying to do something different than what I do with AVULSED. It’ not that the projects are not important for me, it’s just that I don’t have more time to practice with other bands and running my label at the same time. Also, normally these projects are done with guys from other cities/countries, so the practicing is not possible in any way. So let’s mention some of these projects with whom I have already recorded some albums: CHRIST DENIED, GOLGOTHA, PUTREVORE, ANAEMIA, YSKELGROTH, UNWOM, SAD EYES…

3. Avulsed reminds me of the good old days of powerful Death Metal. What are your thoughts on the more guttural and ultra gore Death Metal?

Haha… well, most probably it reminds you that, because we started playing right during these good old times, so it’s natural that we got that sound & feeling, and we have always kept this, we didn’t want to adapt our riffing to the modern tendencies like for example bands like ABORTED did, neither we wanted to get into the brutal Death field. AVULSED means Death Metal and this, in our opinion, must be related to brutal vocals, brutal lyrics and brutal imagery.

4. Will Avulsed be coming to USA to perform at all?

We already did that, although it was long time ago. We played two shows in Los Angeles in 2000 and two shows in New Jersey in 2001. Anyway, the US seems to be a difficult country to play unless you pay the flight tickets yourself, of course, and since we have our own lives & jobs, we don’t have money enough to afford that. We already talked to some festivals, but they can’t offer us basically anything.

5. You seem to have released you CD on your own label in Europe Xtreem Music. Do you find it better for bands in this day and age to self release their material?

Well, the fact that I have my own label doesn’t mean that AVULSED has released the album itself. Many bands release their albums themselves without any label behind, but in this case, Xtreem Music wasn’t created to release AVULSED stuff. I’m running the label since 1990 although under different previous monickers, so it’s already a well established label with a proper distribution and promotion.

I don’t find good for bands to release the stuff themselves, basically because a band doesn’t have any experience in promoting and distributing CD’s, so they finally end up giving their CD’s for free to their friends and pilling them under their beds. Also, they’re loosing that special feeling that means to be signed to a label and having someone helping you to spread your music. In the past it was even a miracle to get a deal for a 7”EP, not to mention an album!! But on the other hand, today there are thousands of bands around and they can’t all get a deal, although there are also thousands of labels. In general there’s a saturation of bands & labels and it’s very difficult to outstand.

The reason why we decided to release the new album on Xtreem Music it’s because we weren’t sure about the work that our previous label Metal Age was going to be good enough, so we decided to directly license the album to other labels in different territories to ensure a proper distribution & promotion.

6. How is an Avulsed show like, and do you perform live often?

It’s funny, but still to this date, an AVULSED show seems something different and many people gets surprised to see such a violent & energetic band on stage. For us is this is something normal, we’ve always been like this, and we think that if you play brutal music, you should also express yourself the same way on stage. I still see 20-years-old boys playing like a statue on stage, they have no feeling at all and of course after the 2^nd song, you know how it’s going to be, because they don’t transmit anything. We play around 20-30 shows every year, not too much, not too less. This depends on our jobs, you know, but even with this we’ve managed to play all over the world from Japan to America (North, Central & South).

7. On “Nullo” CD you seem to have a few covers on the Promo I received is there a reason for so many cover tracks???

Like I said before, this was a fuck-up from Ibex Moon, because there are 4 pages missing on the booklet, the ones containing all the info & artwork about the 6 bonus tracks which are taken from the “Reanimations” CD and also the 6 bonus tracks are on reverse order on the disc… Now, anyone getting this release, will find 6 tracks after the album just marked with an asterisk with absolutely on info about where these tracks come from!! And even they’re not in the same order as listed on the back of the CD. It’s quite frustrating, to be honest, but well, john told me that will be fixe don the next pressing.

8. What are your thoughts on the digital age do you it hurts the artist or do you find it a strong way to get new bands out there?

I don’t know if other kind of music, but in Metal and specially underground bands & labels, this is totally hurting us. If it wasn’t cheap enough to get your music recorded on CD-R’s, the internet offers you, through all these nice blogger-bastards, to get music totally for free. They think they’re on their right to destroy others job by offering for free the hard work and hard-earned money to create music. In some way, the positive thing if for example that on MySpace you can get your band promoted easily, but on the other hand people is losing the essence.

9. Is there a running theme on “Nullo”?

Well, it’s basically the same theme we’ve always spread since our beginnings, which is gore, blood and macabre subjects. If you read the definition of “Nullo” in our CD, then you’ll perfectly understand the concept about the album.

10. How have you seen Avulsed progress over 5 releases?

Yes, of course!! Anyone can see it, not only us. Our music although still keeping the same spirit as always, has become much heavier and intense as well as our shows are definitely more crushing that before. We still keep the same blend of brutality & melody as always, thing that’s not done by many bands by the way. In general, bands tend to keep it or totally brutal or totally melodic, becoming quite predictably after all. But in AVULSED, our stuff is quite varied in terms of composition and keeping the listener interested in what’s coming next, and if you see these songs performed live, then everything gets total sense!!

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

Thanx to you for the interview and support, it’s highly appreciated!! Anyone interested in listening to some real Death Metal, please, check our new album “Nullo”. You can listen to some songs from that album as well as some older tunes ay www.myspace.com/avulsed

Death Metal rules!! Keep it gore!!

New Reviews 1/30/2010

Sectioned- Purulent Reality-CD ( Paragon Records)

For some reason this style of death metal has never done much for me I do like Dismember and they do sound a bit like them but for me Sectioned is one of those 3rd tier Death metal bands that were all lumped and signed to Nuclear Blast, Earache and Roadrunner in the 90's and just lost there way. They almost have that JL American or Wild Rags vibe to them where if you wanted a new death metal release you could pick any of those as they were so similar. Sorry folks but this just doesnt work for me at all..

http://paragonrecords.org/

ALDAARON-Nous reviendrons Immortels -CD (Paragon Records)

Raw, Grim Black metal the way you would want it from a band and Aldaaron has all the touches done right. The grim and tortured vocals. The very trebled and reverbed guitars, the low rumble of the bass and the drums on one mission to take out all that is in their way. Paragon Records is very good at finding very cult sounding Black metal projects . There are very epic moments of this project as well. If Graveland, Immortal and Falkenbach could mix into one very powerful force you would have a very clear picture of what is going on here. Aldaaron is perfect for those cold winter nights in the old forests of Northern Europe where you are one with the Gods of old. This CD draws you in and will not let you go. Very blown away by the majesty this CD holds.

http://paragonrecords.org/

PTAHIL-Ortus-CD (Stronghold Records)

This is a 2 track Avant freak show of Occult Black metal that borders on Circus music or Caberet music to me at times. The vocals are invokations and you know this from the moment you hear the way and style they are presented. This is fucking black metal ... Its not blistering fast and it does not need to be in anyway. There is a cold ambience about Ortus as well. I love the very dissident guitar sounds used and the long track build and fall to make the release all the more unique. There is a very strong punk element to all of PTAHIL sound as well . from what I'm reading this is a very limited release as well just a mere 100 copies are out there. Bands like this are what children nightmares or black desires are born from. I look forward to more from this band as a title like this limited to 100 copies is a crime in itself. The digi wallet format worked well with the very occult element the music has in store for you... Stronghold as a major release on its hands if it can release it wider in the future...

http://www.strongholdrecords.net/

Simulacra- There is a fountain filled with blood-CD ( Consouling Sounds/ No Angel prod)

So its been a while that I have gotten a true dark ambient release , You know back when labels like Cold meat and Hypnos would give you chills with the releases that came out. Simulacra ebbs and flows into the neither regions of sounds. With this release we have a very kindred spirit to Raison d etre and lustmord is down right amazing. The subtle sounds and layers going on here. I respect more then you know that Simulacra stays true to the Dark ambient sounds and doesn't go into the noise or electronica themes. Yes there is a fine line of ambient to drone and we have a very pleasing middle level here. If you miss the days of haunting and unnerving synths and tones then this is going to let you put the headphones in close your eyes and drift off the another place. Over the 5 long track you will never grow board or want to leave this project and for Simulacra this is the best complement I can give them. Stellar release.

http://consouling.be/

The Bastard Noise/ The Endless Blockade- The Red List -Split CD (20 buck spin)

When did Bastard noise become a Prog Post Metallic Hardcore/Doom band??? Where is the Noise and Power electronics. This is more like Man is the Bastard 2.0. I really dig what there doing but I nothing like anything they have done before. To me its like Eyehategod/ Rush and Wolf eyes all came together and formed a project. The vocals are amazing there are super prog bass and druming going on here with electronic elements. I'm really blown away by this there is even a strong crusty punk element to all of this. At times it even sound Like Naked city or John Zorn more aggressive material.. Now onto The Endless Blockade who I'm never heard much of before besides in name from what I'm getting on the 1st of 3 tracks they give to this split is a Doom/ Crust/ Grind unit very similar to bands like Cavity, Old Floor, Noothgrush and Kylesa. Bands like this use to make the homes a labels like Theologean, Slap a ham and even Hydra head . Where I could very well see this band in the future. They are one pissed off noisy doom and destructive force. The Endless Blockade also like to add broken electronic and Drum and bass elements in to there sound as well to make it even more fucking cool to this reviewer. Hell yea there 2nd track here rules the highest to me and the last track is 14 mins of harsh noise. What a release we have here. hats off to 20 buck spin making interesting release choices in a very troubled time..

http://20buckspin.com/

SOKROVENNO - De Rerum Natura-CD (Bleak Art Records)

what is going on here is an artistic / avant Dark/ Black metal unit in the same way bands like Wolves in the throne room, Agalloch and Azrael great a texture to there music a feeling an meaning behind it all so do Sokrovenno. There are many layers going on here there is atmosphere, ritualistic sound, Prog elements and a strong love of the Nordic Black metal arts esp bands like Emperor and Enslaved. The have a lot in common with Nugura Bunget & Alcest the more I listen to them as well. This is not an easy listen as its not going to be for the Tru Black metal fans or Symphonic ones either as they have acoustic, epic, post rock elements all going on at the same time. De Rerum Natura will take most listeners many listens to fully see where this project wants to take you. They are a fringe band and most times bands like this impress me most and you know by this review they have. SOKROVENNO you have been added to my play list.

http://bleakartrecords.com/

Aenaon: Phenomenon-CD (Bleak Art Records)

Aenanon is a mix of 2 worlds in the extreme metal sound they like to mix the post black metal sound of bands like Arcturus, Ihsahn and DHG with the sounds of old school black metal like Satyricon, Dark throne and Thorns. Then they like to sci fi the sound up a bit with the way the drums and guitars are produced on the release. They come closest to where I see bands like Code and Marduk are these day. If you like your black metal with a modern twist and a strong love a death metal then this will make you smile for days on end . If not this will be one long journey not to take my friends. I wonder where this band will go as this is just a short MCD . If Aenanon stay on this path they may be the next Satyricon in sound and fan base. Very impressed here ...

http://bleakartrecords.com/

Tin little Blackouts Interview is up 1/27/2010

http://www.myspace.com/tinylittleblackouts

1. Tell us how Tiny little blackouts came to be?

C: I asked Anthony (Koutsos-drums) to come down to play with me, and later Michael (Papenburg-lead guitar). The three of us used to play in the Embers together before we had a terrible break-up. Michael brought in Gregory Merriman to play bass, which has worked out really well. Back in the Embers I played banjo because I was too chicken to try to play guitar.

M: I heard about you from my guitar tech who put me in touch with Paul. While he & I didn't hit it off, our mutual love of the Cocteau Twins brought us together. Greg & I played in a handful of bands over the years including Lilyvolt and Carrots & Peas. I've always loved playing with him and he's one of the funniest people that I know.

2. If looks like Robot 123 Records is your own label just for the band is that correct?

C: Yes, just invented it.

3. The Sounds of the band to me is a mix of Curve, The Gathering and Low. Are you fan of those bands the female vocals are very sultry to say the least...

C: I like Low very much, but I am not too familiar with Curve or The Gathering. I will check those out though.

M: I used to like Curve but was mostly a fan of their bass player (who was a very intense player). I haven't listened to the other bands much.

4. Is there a them behind " Idea of Alice " or just a strong collection of songs?

C: Just the usual themes I guess: sadness, loss, alienation, depression, metaphysics, anger and loneliness, among other things. Neglect is one of my favorites.

5. Does Tiny little blackouts perform live much?

C: We do some shows, but only according to demand. If there were insane demand, we would play out all the time. Soon, hopefully.

6. I really think the band would fit on a label like Kranky, Matador, Neurot, 1/4 Stick or even a label like Merge. have you shopped material to other labels or just like the DIY side?

C: We are not really trying to actively shop for a label. If we end up on a label then that's ok. Not against a label and again, thanks for the suggestions on those. 4AD was my favorite a long time ago, so Bella Union might also be a good option. But I'm also interested in running a label as a business, if I can figure out what connections are really needed. It seems like promotion is a must.

7. San Fran as a great musical history for last 50 yrs or so. Are there any stand out bands there that people don't know you would like to tell us about?

C: My friend Rachel Wonder writes good songs. But we are pretty busy and don't spend too much time checking out other bands, unless we play with them.

8. " Idea of Alice" was the recorded in layers or more a live band as it sounds very fragile and delicate like it was recorded more live as a band with vocal overdubs?

C: We recorded a lot of it live, in this garage called the Catacombs. Then overdubs. We had a really good engineer who produced with us. He had a lot of ideas and tons of experience- Damien Rasmussen.

9. The guitar sound will sweet and bluesy it still has that fuzzed out tone. Who or what has influenced the sound ?

C: I will have to let Michael answer that, as he is the main guitarist. For me I was heavily into Cocteau Twins, and I also like the Punk and Goth aesthetics. That being said, I don't consider myself to be a highly skilled guitar player. That's why I like fuzz. It's forgiving.

M: I've listened to many guitarists but have ultimately tried to develop my own style. Robin Guthrie from the Cocteau Twins was an early influence. I also really like Daniel Ash from Bauhaus, David Gilmour, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith, Daniel Lanois, Buddy Miller, Mick Ronson, Marc Ribot, PJ Harvey, Nels Cline, and lots of others. I'm a very melodic player who loves mathematical parts that fit together nicely but I'm also really into very abstract, noisy solos that are more about sound and texture. Feedback is a close and personal friend of mine.

10. Are Tiny little blackouts fans of the digital age or do you miss the more print and fm radio days for band???

C: Digital is crazy how everything happens so fast! It makes you impatient too, I think. You expect results right away, and that doesn't necessarily happen. FM Radio has always seemed impentrable to me, while college radio still seems like a good venue today.

11. If you could collab with just one artist who would it be any way?

C: Robert Smith! Or maybe somebody like Cheb Khaled or L. Shankar. But it would depend on their personality once I met them.

12. Where do you see the band going for future releases is there a darker more aggressive side to the band or will it just be extension to what we have with " idea of alice"?

C: Hey, you have a lot of good ideas. I think getting a little heavier might be nice. Also, faster! I don't know about darker. I think a lot of my songs are really about trying to resolve, understand or escape darkness.

13. You seem to focus on just a myspace page for the band is the best way to promote bands online these days??

C: It may seem stupid but sometimes I feel like I am being productive when I am adding friends. I think being on websites that other people do, like yours, is more important than either myspace or our personal website at this point.

14. Any closing thoughts place here.

None really. Thanks so much for taking an interest in us!

New Reviews 1/23/2010

Tiny Little Blackouts- Idea of Alice-CD (Robot 123 Records)

This is very much a shoegazer meets Dream pop sound that Tiny Little Blackout create. The lush soft but very well sung female vocal with the droney, lazy, bluesy fuzzed out guitars a warm deep bass line and very jazz meets post rock drumming is whats going on. Think bands like Belly, Curve, The Gathering and The Cardigans is all the bands that really come to mind here. Tiny Little Blackouts have a very 60's Pop feeling to the over all sound to what there creating . I'm really impressed by what I'm hearing. The production is monstrous as well " Idea of Alice" as that Phil Spector production to it if you know where I'm going from. This is another label I'm not heard from before on any regular basis but if there material is all like this then more power and send more releases for review as Tiny Little Blackouts are making me fall in love with pop music for the 1st time in years. As I go through this review you know who this band most sounds like to me is when the band LOW has female vocals going on. I finally got to pinpoint the sound I was hearing. Fantastic work here.

http://robot123records.com/

LUX DIVINA- From the tomb to natures blood-CD (Ars Magna Recordings)

I'm going to start with this as my 8 yrs old niece Mackenzie walking by will I was listening to the new LUX DIVINA told me Uncle this sounds freaking awesome and you know what I agree. This band holds all the elements that good if not great Pagan Black/Post Black metal needs. The Atmosphere, Grim and Clean vocals , Cold and melodic guitar and bass lines and the progressive sound that bands like Borknagar, Code, DHG and Arcturus all have had and still do. This is the league I would put LUX DIVINA into. There are very strong Power metal tone at times too in which the band starts going into almost a nature based mode like Agalloch and Falkenbach have at time. I would say there Viking metal in any way but very kindred spirits to say the least. They do show there Black metal teeth often on "nature's blood" but more in Avant black nature this is not lo fi raw black metal at all. The Acoustic remind me of early Ulver at times too. LUX DIVINA are a complex project to say the least and something that is very very pleasurable to this listener and reviewer. This will be a stand out of 2010 for sure .

http://arsmagnarecordings.com/

Fear Factory- Mechanized-CD (Candlelight Records)

So the main writing force of Fear Factory has gotten back together Dino and Burton to stoke the fire of the days of yor .. This time out they bring in the Strapping young lad rhythm section of Gene Hoglan (maybe the best drummer ever) and Bryon on bass. well on to what really matter and that the songs well . you like the 1st few proper Fear Factory releases then your going to love this as this is much more the Industrial metal force that we remember think of Godflesh, Ministry, Old Pitch Shifter mixed with bands like Front Line Assembly and Laibach. This is a balls out power house affair going on here. Were metal and electronics meet. I'm shocked to see them not return to a larger label like Roadrunner again but not the less this is very much in the Demanufacture style we all remember and love from this band. Candlelight has a major star back out and in there roster they seem to pick up all the Roadrunner bands that are making stronger comebacks then before look they have Obituary as well now too. I was worried as the last few Fear Factory albums were getting way to groove in element but not with this. Welcome back gentlemen..

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Ihsahn-After-CD (Candlelight Records)

So we are a few album post Emperor now and the major difference I hear with Ihsahn solo verses the old days is the more progressive and Post rock elements in his music mixed with the Post Black metal that emperor in essence really started with Anthem Release and now with "After" Ihsahn has moved more into were artists like Devin Townsend, Dan Swano and Opeth have a much more personal sound with blistering moments but are the song structures go they become very delicate and avant at time to the point of crazy horns, amazing melodies and touching acoustic moments. I really feel the Peccatum releases really help change his views on music for the positive. Ishahn still has a strong love for King Diamond and Prog Metal as you can hear it in almost every track. With "After" I really hear more experimentation almost in the way bands like Sleepy time gorilla Museum, Neurosis, Mr Bungle and Pokadot Cadaver. Ishahn has matured a lot on this release and this is not a bad thing at all. There is a 50/50 mix of metal and non metal sounds this time out I can see a move away from the more abrasive and now just doing what he loves and its about time this is a genre defining release for him and then the metallic sounds on the Northen European scenes. "After" will be listened to many many times with me. Where the last release AngL had great moments but was much more disjointed. Candlelight this is the release you have been waiting for from The voice of Emperor...

http://candlelightrecordsusa.com/

Karen Page- S/T-CD (Rotten Records)

Karen Page threw me for a loop folk this is not a poppy or alt record band at all with a name like Karen Page I was not expecting equal parts Avant Metal, Grind and Jazzcore music but then again if you assume what does it do to ya. Well here we are and Karen page is all men and one hell of a vocal and musical assault on the senses. We've got shredding guitar, guttural vocals and a drummer on a mission to play blast beats as fast a possible at time. Where the hell do the reggae riffs and beats come from at times but they do. Rotten records is a label to never wait for the ordinary and you know what I was the fool on this one and came out very surprised and smiling at the end again. Karen Page live must be a hell of a live show so if they come to your town check them out I'm going too.

http://rottenrecords.com/

Troll Interview is up 1/11/2010

TROLL

http://www.myspace.com/troll

1.Troll has been out of the scene for close to 10 yrs now . What is the reason for the return

to the Black Metal Pantheon?

Ygg: The reason that Troll is back is that we wanted to play black metal like it once was.

Nagash Vold and I was in a more nostalgic mood that time we met in the rehearsal room the

first time.

2. Your working with Napalm after yrs of working the now defunct Head not found. How did you

come to work with Napalm.

Ygg: We were the only band that even had a record deal left, on the legendary head not found.

Neo-Satanic Supremacy was recorded in terms of release on head not found. We had some

communication problems and things did not go according to set plan, one can say. Then we

realized that we had to switch label to get something done with Troll. Napalm proved to be

right for us after much back and forth with several ohter labels.

3. With Neo Satanic Supremacy to my ears has a very Dimmu borgir element ( Stormblast era) to

the release with a very grim sound all its own did that Dimmu record spark anything for this

Troll release?

Ygg: Both Dimmu and Troll comes from the more melodic part of the Norwegian black metal scene.

Nagash was also a member of Dimmu, so he's written a lot of the older material in the catalog

of Dimmu Borgir. So it is clear that some of his musical references have been included in the

Troll. A little important to remember that Drep De Kristne came out that year Nagsh joined

Dimmu. So the sound and the way we write songs in Troll was alleready there. We have never had

an idea to create something similar to Dimmu. But if people compare the Troll with this Dimmu

period. We have nothing against that.

4. Troll seems to keep the Corpse Paint with the Bands Ideals do you feel this give the band a

power or force live that is much needed in Black metal?

Ygg: Corpse Paint has become part of the tradition of Norwegian black metal. We can certainly

go on stage without corpsepaint. But it is a little like the original Kiss without the makeup.

Are not quite the same experience for the audience I can imagine. (No, I refer not to this

Kiss cover band, Paul and Gene are doing at the moment hahahaha. That is too cynical and

disrespectful for Kiss fans, I think. Alice Cooper does not have to do makeup as he used too,

he does look rather like he was trying to look like in the 70s hehehe.)

But there is something about the tradition that makes us choose to continue with the paint. We

have a more nostalgic, perhaps conservative view of what the Norwegian black metal is about.

What we noticed after our performances is that people who were part of the scene in the early

90's. Says Troll gives them the old feeling, like it once was. The dark raw "necro" feeling

from that period. A black metal concert should not be a happy event. Troll is about anti-

religious, pagan and Nordic mythology in the same brutal package. So corpse paint you will get

if you ever come to a Troll concert.

5. Is Troll your main focus again Nagash or will you be working on a new Kovenant release as

well?

Ygg: I can not answer for Nagash, we'll see what The Kovenant choose to do after the

performance on the Inferno Festival in Oslo, Easter 2010.

6.What is a live Troll show like? is there a stage show or is it just the band down and dirty

on stage?

Ygg: A good question. We have not arranged any special moves for the performance. It is not a

set template for what a Troll concert should be, or act on stage. We are a metal band, not a

theater. It is the classic, plug in, give absolutely everything. plug out. Party on the

backstage after. Get out on the road, and do the same package a new place the day after

Theatre hehehe.

7. Whats your thoughts on the current digital age of media do you miss the days of print

zines, radio and vinyl/tapes???

Ygg: No not really, vinyles are coming back. That is kinda cool.

8. Did you record Neo Satanic Supremacy as a full band in studio as its sound very much like a

group and not piece by piece recording?

Ygg: The music of Neo-Satanic Supremacy album is created and made in the Troll rehearsal room

in Oslo. So the recording has a good old-fashioned band feel to it. The whole point of the

Troll's comeback is that there should be a band. The time when Troll was Nagash solo project

is over. We all contribute both to the text to music in the band. And this I think people

notice when they hear the record. This is not a planned product, put together by musicians in

a studio for someone that wrote and planed it all. It is a record where the music is made by a

band. Recorded by the same members of the band in studio. Really old school way to do it I

suppose.

9. If the members were asked what the continual running theme of Troll was how would your

explain it to someone that has never seen or heard the band?

Ygg: Troll is Norwegian Black Metal. Brutal uncompromising melodic BM. A mix of Norwegian folk

music, classical music. Also, older types of metal, prog, punk that is the melting pot that

made Norwegian Black Metal what it is today. Lyricly Troll is, pagan and mythologica. Anti-

religious, satanic, as in the word satan. based on the pre Arabic meaning of the word satan,

that means: Rebel or opponent. In many ways, Norwegian black metal as we think it should be.

10. Will Troll be touring the USA at all or just going to work the European shores in 2010?

Ygg: We hope to tour as much as possible in 2010, so I hope we will find an opening for

touring US in 2010.

11. The Synths seem to play a large part in all projects with Nagash do you feel the

electronic/synthetic works well with the grim and cult black metal sounds with everything you

have do I really respect the Future vs primitive that all your projects seem to create.

Ygg: Nagash without synths, is not going to happend. At least not these days. Its a part of

how he/we lake to work with the sound of Black metal.

12. Is there a story behind Neo Satanic Supremacy or just a collection of Blistering Black

Metal tracks?

Ygg: We did not have a red line, or template, we worked for when we made the music of Neo,

album. The only thing we wanted was to play black metal the Troll way. So the truth is. We

were a little surprised how well the songs fit together as a package when we made the album in

Abyss Studios.

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

nothing answered

Borknagar Interview is up 1/07/2010

http://www.myspace.com/borknagar

Answered by Øystein G. Brun, January 2010

1. For those of us that have missed Borknagar why has there been so many yrs between Universal and last release?

---- Different reasons. First off, time flies as you may have noticed as well. But the most important factor is the fact that we work according to our own schemes. We don’t rush anything just in order to get an album out and so forth. This time around we basically needed the time to re-organize the band as well as the mental side of things. And we did not rush into studio before we were sure that we had a great album up the sleeve. I am pretty sure the gap between UNIVERSAL and the next album will be way shorter. We have already started to work on new songs.

2. You left Century Media and now working with Indie Recordings how did this come about?

---- When we released ORIGIN our deal with Century Media Records was fulfilled. CM is by all means a great label in many ways, but I somehow felt that we came to a dead end with them. I had been working with the label for over 10 years and I just felt the urge to “climb another mountain”. On the other hand Indie recordings came up with a deal that in general terms suited us much better, both economically and artistically. Also we have known the Indie guy’s for ages as they have been our main distributor in Norway since the beginning of our career- and did a great job! So considering all the options we had on the table in front of us, the choice where pretty obvious. So far Indie recordings have done a great job and I am sure they will do as well in the future.

3. Borknagar seems to be a family again with some members returning into the fold even if just a vocal track (like ICS Vortex)

---- Yeah, we are all a big happy family…haha… Even if Mr. Vortex quit the band about ten years ago, we have always been good friends, before and since. So when we finally decided to record “My Domain” this time around we had to get Vortex to do that. The song was written back in the mid/late ’90 and he has always been digging that song, so it was totally natural to ask him to do it….

4. With Universal it sounds like a band has come back full circle with the sounds that are the most powerful since The Archaic Course and Quintessence. Did these 2 amazing releases come into mind with Universal release?

---- Yeah, you nailed it there! This time we really allowed ourselves to be inspired by ourselves. It’s not that we wanted to jump back to the ’90 and repeat ourselves in any way, but I really felt the urge to somehow rediscover our musical core so to speak. The album really belongs to 2010 but you’ll definitely find some nerve that is reminiscent of our past career. In fact, I have always thought of this album as something between “The Archaic Course” and “Quintessence”…. Also I must admit that the song UNIVERSAL really inspired the whole album, atleast on a personal level.

5. Vintersorg vocals sound so brilliant on Universal for the 1st time I can hear his full range from clean to growls. I always knew that he was the right guy for the Borknagar job and with Universal he truly shines was anything do different this time?

---- Hmm… I think the main key here is the fact that we were all very focused on what we wanted to achieve with this album in terms of music. When it comes to the vocals Vintersorg and I had long discussion on how we should do the things. For this album we simply decided to think of the grim vocals as the main vocal and the clean vocals more as an addition instrument. Pretty similar to what we did on “The Olden Domain”…

6. Is there a story line or theme the Universal release??

---- This is not a concept album, personally I don’t like that. But the album definitely has some sort of underlying theme, even though the songs have a different approach lyrically. In simple terms you can boil it down the album title. I have always between interested in the encounter between man and nature, in different manners and perspectives. One of the songs on the new album, WORLDWIDE, deals with the fact that nature play by its rules whatsoever. Man can think, believe or acts however they want. Different cultural or geographical background and so forth, it does just not matter. The point is that nature play by its own rules whatsoever; there is no compromise or remorse. Man basically has two options in life, to play by these rules or not. You may say that this is an attitude or perspective that underlies the album in some or another way.

7. Will Borknagar be coming to USA for shows in 2010 at all?

---- We have no specific plans, but there are some options we are looking into right now. I have a vague but positive feeling that we’ll actually manage to cross the sea this year…..would be cool!

8. Are you working with The End Directly for North America or is that just an agreement with Indie Recordings?

---- Indie Recordings has a distribution deal with The End records for the US territory, so it is first and foremost a general cooperation between our label and The End. But still, we in the band have regular contact with them in order to work out the promotion in the States. First time for us working with this label, but so far the cooperation have worked really well, so looking forward to the rest..

9. There is a strong string and organ element on this release again I really think that works so well with the very Avant/Progressive guitar sounds. The sounds are so layered this time. How was Universal recorded at a band or part at a time?

---- The album was mainly recorded in Toproom studio during from January- May 2009. We did most of the recordings there but Lars (keys) and Vintersorg (vocals) did their work in their respective home studios. They felt more convenient doing that. The music being multi-layered was fully intentional from our side, so that was basically something we worked out during the pre-productions. I would definitely say that the album where recorded as a band this time around. During the period in studio everybody came by studio to work in one or another way, even though Lars and Vintersorg did most of their recordings at home.

10.Your official website has not been updated in a while do you feel MySpace is the place most goto these days and just need to update that??

---- Well, we have planned to mute and redirect the official site to our official myspace site for a long time. Of some or another reason we had some troubles doing that, even our former webmaster tried to redirect the site, but it would just not work. But then our previous drummer Asgeir Mickelson popped up the other day and fixed it….haha… Right now we’ll just focus on the MySpace site, which seems to be the thing these days!

11. There will be 4 different packages for Universal I see The Dragon and Vinyl packages look amazing. It nice to see a band care to put out an amazing vinyl product the sound on record is just amazing esp with a great record player. How limited are the Dragon Box set as well??

---- Yeah, we really wanted to spend some time and money on a great package this time around. It comes in 4 different versions, which all looks amazing. But personally I thing the LP really is the highlight. It comes with double vinyl’s to make sure the sound is optimal and gatefold, a really goodie for the good old veterans like me…haha… The Dragon Box set is limited, but I am not really sure yet, I think it is 3000 copies worldwide or something like that. I would argue that it is a must for every long run BORK- fan….it will be so great!

12. Thank you for your time any closing thoughts here?

---- Greetings to all our fans in the US! Make sure to check out the new album when it arrives, I am sure you will enjoy it! Take care folks!

Aosoth Interview is up 1/6/2010

http://www.myspace.com/aosoth616

1. MKM tell us the birth of the very Grim Occult/Ritualistic unit called Aosoth.

*** this birth was mostly due to Antaeus being locked in the reh’ room and having always a missing band member not showing up, so we wouldnt waste the time & create something different than what we used to perform, also slower and well, to those who wants to give it a listen, it’s still easy to find... in the mean time, the band had to undergo drastic line up changes, different musical direction & got reborn when Antaeus went to record “blood libels” at BST studio, with the sound engineer (bst) we did discuss about doing again a band together (we’ve known each other for over a decade & also shared a band some years ago) so it all made sense.

2. Aosoth seems to have a few splits on Debemur Morti Productions and a full length out on Total Holocaust Records. Is the material very different from Ashes of Angels release?

*** ? we just had one split on debemur morti, with french act TEMPLE OF BAAL, in the past we also had a mlp split with ANTAEUS on paleur mortelle (reissued lately by Battleskrs on cd format), two demos I mostly didnt spread (one is enclosed in the reissue on cd), then the first full lenght on THR. All those materials are indeed VERY different from each other and all this is due mostly to the line up changes, I was & am the only link in between those releases. Even one of the tape was mostly dark ambiant & rituals whispered/screamed. The work we just achieved is somehow the one of a more matured work combination with BST, since we got to perform live with the first album for the first time since Aosoth got created, that somehow did create the wish to express ourselves in this more sinister way, while the first album was more “built to be performed live”, more catchy riffs I guess...

3. You seem to work with different labels on each release; is Agonia going to be your home now or will you continue to work on a label by label release ideal?

*** Thing is, Aosoth or Antaeus are very small acts & barely noticed, we had to go from label to label just to have our releases out, just like we also were to have a split with sargeist out some years ago & that never happened... it’s always been the same I guess, being a french band gets you to be considered as pure shit to most label & not worth the attention. (unless recently & only for a few selected bands like DSO for instance). So far all is going very well with Agonia & the next release will be done under their banner.

4. MKM, you had a long run with Antaeus; why was the project put on hold?

*** It became nearly impossible to go on, too many issues, and this european tour we did after the release of blood libels really did drain the remaining energy I would have had left. I felt like this tour RUINED all I did in “blood libels” & this was my most precious release and the feeling of “betrayal” towards my own work really made me more bitter than ever. Also we did have the usual line up issues, which leads us to the actual situation : just Seth (main guitar) & myself : being the core of the band & remaining like this. We will use a session drummer in case we record anything else, but NO, we will not perform live anymore, it just doesnt make sense. Too much effort & money lost for such a fucking shit result...

5. Aosoth has a very Dirty Grim Dissident Black metal sound with a strong Ritualistic feel almost in the same way bands like earlier Marduk, Deathspell Omega and a more obscure band called V.E.G.A. Was this a progression or is this what Aosoth was intended to sound like all along?

*** VEGA for instance, I am not familiar with, did listen to one track or something like “cocaine”, I’m not too sure... there is no discussion with BST during which we would name bands we would be interested to “copy” or be in the vein of. I guess both our musical backgrounds just gets to influence us into this writting but the main direction was to create something that we wouldnt necessarly perform live (on the opposite of the first album which was way more simple in the structure)

6. Is there a theme on the very powerful " Ashes of Angels"?

*** Lyric wise, this album got written in the same kind of process as “blood libels” from Antaeus, those who did get to listen to that album can get an idea or a glimpse of what it is about. Mostly an exposition, like a window inside my world, my words, an offering somehow.

7. Does Aosoth have any real alignment with " Order of Nine Angels" or is the name just taken from that belief as it fits you feeling and view of the world?

*** The earlier releases were strongly related to the ONA principles but the band does not claim to belong nor to be doing any kind of propaganda on that field, those willing to be educated or know more can look for themselves.

8. With Aosoth be doing many shows in 2010 and for someone that has never seen the band before is there a stage show or is just raw Black metal fury live on stage?

*** So far, there has been a talk for a mini european tour in april 2010 & that would be it. I doubt we could afford to do anything else for that year but who knows... maybe nothing will be done in the end. No there is no stage show nor anything planned, this is just adreline and exposition. There are some videos online I guess with “ok” result and you can get to see the difference in between the first gigs with the earlier line up (first album era) & the latest we did (gigs at the frontline in belgium).

Ah and some gigs in Belgium got secured as well, but that will depend on if we do find a suitable session drummer by then, since the latest we had is now impossible to afford it seems...

9. What are your thoughts on the current digital age with Black or Extreme metal? Do you feel it's too easy to get exposure to bands that are not ready or does it weed out the garbage to the world before the labels see or hear them?

*** I seriously dont care. In the end, the bands from scandinavia will get interests from the listeners & labels and will mostly be it.

10. It's very timely right now so I'm asking most BM bands this: what are your thoughts on all the hype with new Burzum release and do you feel that in 2010 Varg holds any importance to the scene any more after a decade out of the sound or vision on Black metal?

*** Just got to read one sentence of the man saying that he has nothing to do with “black metal” but yet his music will be affiliated with the genre.

To each its own, I did play a good amount of times the first two releases on my vinyl player but never got much in the rest... Just like I never heard anything after “hvys...” I will not give a listen to this piece either, be it well written or not, I just dont care – if I want dark folk or ambiant industrial, I go check with tesco or cold meat industry...

11. Will Aosoth be touring or performing in the USA at all in 2010?

*** Impossible. How could we? Just like this one time Antaeus performed in New York, was such a mistake... the promoter must still be pissed on how ridiculous the turn out was. There is no reason to go and do gigs for us there, who would care anyway? It’s already like 20 people showing up in europe, so I guess it would be 5 in the USA. We’re not anything “hype” or having the support from bands over there, so no. Nothing, yet I have great memories of my stays in the USA but not with Antaeus, on a more personal level. But trust me, if some promoters would show interest, we would agree, but DOUBT IT.

12. Do you feel Corpse paint is a needed element to the live ritual of Black metal music? I just saw Marduk tour and the bands with corpse paint seem to have a more powerful showing.

*** I did perform ONCE without paint since I felt like the whole gig was just a pathetic joke and I couldnt stand the idea to be part of that, I still wonder why I even did the gig myself, I guess I wouldnt let the others down... but yes I do consider the paint as an emphasis somehow – though with all the sweat and anger & me always having hair in my face, it doesnt get to be seen much.

Marduk really managed to get an amazing turn out with Mortuus on vocals, when Antaeus toured with them in 2002 or 2003, really thought that the band was soon to be dead. And now they’re stronger than ever.

13. If you have any closing thoughts please place them here:

616 all hails to you Clint for the coverage in your zine.

Give a listen to the french act VI, the guy is also our second live guitarist & we shall soon do a split ep with him, great work !!

Also in the latest releases, the demo tape from Ascension from Germany is a must have.