Re Issuing Both Black Depth Grey Waves CDs on one CD July 2010
on
Absolute Zero Media Recordings
As a reawakening for 3rd Black Depths Release this Fall..
Friday, May 28, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
6 New Reviews 5/22/2010
Necronomicon - The Return of the Witch-CD (Napalm)
Symphonic Black Metal with a strong Gothic overtone this is the material that Napalm has ruled over
for many years now Necronomicon is just brilliant at it as well flowing synths, heavy
bass and guitar passages and army of triggered Drums and the Deep grim and sung vocals
(esp the lush female vox) that are needed in this kind of material and the organs you need the organs
and there is full force. The production is 2nd to none as well. If your a fan of bands like Dimmu Borgir,
Emperor, Mid Period Behemoth and even celtic frost you will not want to miss out on this. Black
metal excellence is just in the waiting.
OV HELL- The Underworld Regime-CD (Prosthetic Records)
With members of Dimmu Borgir and Gorgoroth you would think you have a good Idea of where OV HELL is going to be coming from and you know what . We are all going to be very pleased as its truly is a mix of the two into something Melodic and Deadly all at the same time. I would say 1st off OV HELL is more electronic and Industrial in sound then either of there projects . I can hear elements of The Kovenant in what there doing here as well. And there are some full on Bombastic moment where its much more raw then Dimmu or Gorgoroth at times. There is also with must Norway Black metal supergroups as they call them a Thrash element that seems always come out as I feel that is the true root of all good Black metal music. This is the kind of CD I can listen to time and time again and just thrash out to in Car or at one. The Songs are just very well crafted and layered with some many things going on . Shagrath vocals are more powerful then ever from what Ive heard on OV HELL. I truly hope there will be another release by this project as its classy and dark all at the same time.
1349- Demonoir-CD (Prosthetic Records)
I've this this band live and had the honour to interview them and they happen to be one of the most brutal and powerful live shows I've seen in black metal scene. 1349 is equal parts old and new Black metal. They give you the classic Nordic Black metal sound of bands like Saytricon and Thorns mix with the more modern sounds of bands like Code, DHG and Emperor. 1349 are almost hypnotic in the way they create the soundscapes around them. Between Blistering Blast beats and melodic spoken passages comes the raw harsh vocals and the high end guitars you are waiting to hear is classic blackened assaults. 1349 is a ritual experience all itself and it has nothing to do with the music that is just a bonus that they are so breath taking at the art they create. I know 1349 said this is going to be a return to a more classic BM sound but I really feel they have reach a new level in experimenting and that is what makes this all the more interesting..
Landmine Marathon- Sovereign Descent-CD (Prosthetic Records)
Thrash Grinding Hardcore in a metallic overtone. This was the sound of the late 90's that got me back into the world of Metal... Remember bands like Cavity, NoothGrush, Spazz, Man is the Bastard, Damad & Eyehategod well you know what this band keeps good company will all those band. Landmine Marathon are on one simple mission to play fast, angry and to crush your ears with a ultra oppressive sound. nothing more. The recording is down tuned and almost doomy in the Sludge/Crust fashion. The are the missing link between Hardcore and Doom one step less metal then bands like Cavity... I really like this release and will be giving it many listens . At times it just gets so fast and violent it makes me want to break shit and I'm almost 40 lol...
Ezurate- Eve of Desecration-CD (Rotting Corpse Records)
Old School Scandinavian Black metal is what I hear . This reminds me of the Osmose , Candlelight and Misanthropy days of Black metal when it was dirty raw and very thrash in its undertaking. There are even acoustic moments like Ulver and Emperor threw in for good measure back when. There is an almost viking or folk element in whatt Ezurate is creating as well but it all comes back to the down and dirty BM sound and you know we all need to black thrash it out more then once and a while. I really love the raw and nasal vocals that you don't always get anymore its very much in the early Marduk sound . Chicago for a few yrs now has been a large USBM force and this band is without fail keeping that going..
Locusta-Locusta-CD (Pragmatic Records)
Locusta is a band on many different levels. They are most clearly a death metal band with the love of brutality and the razor sharp guitar and drum elements that come from there but with this in mind they like Grind, Black and Doom metal as well as its all incorporated into there sound. Locusta like the sound to be more low end and muddy in production but you can still hear everything. It's just there approach to keep everything so brutal in sound. The members of Locusta are very technical players as well as there are many layers of guitar , drum and bass works going on here and in most songs there are 5-7 different arrangements being performed. Locusta does not like you getting bored that is for sure. They are one of the better more original Death metal forces out there right now. Check them out they will not disappoint..
Saturday, May 15, 2010
6 New Reviews 5/15/2010
I SHALT BECOME - POISON-CD (Moribund Cult )
Do any of you remember a band called Profanum that was on Pagan records . Well this I Shalt Become reminds me of them very much and I've missed the very Orchestral Synth and Piano based Black metal sound that Profanum created with just Synths, bass drums and vocals. There is a very haunting almost cinematic journey going on here. I Shalt Become are one of those bands you are going to love or hate the moment this CD comes on and you know what we really need more bands like this as so many are just trying to be raw, grim or weird just for the cred of it all and its just become bullshit. Poison takes you on a symphonic nightmare as well as a one with hope for the future all at the same time. Sometime it takes massive destruction to create from the ashes something of longing value.
Kruger- For death, glory and the end of the world-CD (Listenable)
This is the next generation of the Post Metal movement for sure as Kruger has a love for bands like Dillinger Escape Plan, Neurosis, Isis , Jesu and Deadguy. Kruger as that otherworldly element that all of the band use so well. Its almost a hypnotic sound but a bit more spacial and drifting in a horror movie based way. There are some very Industrial moments here as well and they always work well on the Listenable sound as I call it . The Recording as a whole just sounds so huge and massive you can hear every note and bass tone. You have to love that. There is a Jazzy element to this all in the same way bands like Polkadot Cadaver, Mr Bungle and Yakuza have. Listenable with Ajna Offensive are just making the metal world that more impressive....
NOCTIFERIA - DEATH CULTURE-CD (Listenable)
With Noctiferia Listenable as going into a bit more prog a bit less futuristic sound but that modern industrial / bright mechanical sound is still very there. Noctiferia though I not heard of them have been around a decade in eastern europe and if they are anything like " Death Culture" on older releases I need to hear a lot more. Noctiferia mix elements of Hypocrisy, Strapping Young lad, Puissance and Dream Theater for a very strong and powerful mix. There are times I swear they are an off shoot of Dimmu Borgir as well but they never become that Blackened in approach. I really like the Heavy Prog metal side of this band it works so well. Noctiferia should be a Major metal band after this release as Listenable is powerfully enough to get there name out world wide now...
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Feel The Pain - Life Is Pain And Pain Is Our Life -CD (Self Released)
Holy Shit this is one balls out Metal release . Feel the Pain is the Fan of Thrash and Melodic Death with a Heavy does of Metallic Hardcore. This is a mosh pit or Circle pit waiting to happen as they just have thick and heavy grooves going on . There are 3 very clear Bands I hear from Feel the Pain . Kreator, Inflames and Meshuggah there are moments of bands like Lamb of God and All the Remains going on here but they are just on much more a pissed of mission the the others just spoken about. Feel The Pain will not be an indie unsigned band soon unless by choice alone and they want to keep there band un tainted by the claws of the indie metal machine. I will be keeping an eye on this band they are one of the bands in 2010 that are really impressing me.
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Blasphemous- Bearer Of The Darkest Plagues- CD (Baars Records)
So from a new label in times from when most labels are folding or closing there doors come Blasphemous . A band to my ears that mixing the elements of Black and Dark Metal into a stew that is very much there own. There is a love of the Death metal guitar tone here but the vocals go for a much more black metal over tone as does the drumming were it is very raw and unprocessed. If you like Current Darkthrone and Saytricon this will very much be your cup of tea. There are moments of Legion period Marduk going on here as well. Blasphemous know what they want and how to do it.
CARDIAC ARREST - Haven For The Insane - CD (Ibex Moon)
Well well well brutal grinding Death metal from Ibex moon lol. This is what they have been releasing best as of late . The more extreme low end Death metal that goes for the harmonics as much as the throat. There is a catchy overtone to Cardiac Arrest in the same way 90's Death metal had before it all became gore and full on over the top Burp metal.. If your into Vital Remains or Deicide then this is right up your alley . Cardiac Arrest is just well done Death metal on the more aggressive side but they have the chops and skills to take this in the more Heavy Thrash realm at times too.
Friday, May 7, 2010
New Reviews 5/7/2010
TWILIGHT- Monument to end time-CD (Southern Lord)
So what to you get when you mix Krieg, Nachtmystium, Isis and Leviathan and Buried at Sea members a very different Twilight then there debut for sure. Monument maybe 3 members from the original line up but were the debut was more about raw spacial black metal. Monument is more about Post Rock, Ethereal sounds and The Scandinavian Post Black metal hypnotic elements. Imperials vocals are as biting as every over a sonic landscape that Blake from Nachtmystium seems to have brought over here the new members very non metal approach to Black metal. Twilight 2nd full release is yrs later so can you really expect the same thing again . The answer was and always will be no. Monument fits very at home with Wolves in the Throne room , earth and Pelican. There are ambient and electronic moments as well then they Twilight does get Raw BM in places but as a whole this is a very Prog/ Post everything release with a Black metal back drop. I will be listening to it for weeks to come to try and fully understand all its ebbs and flows. A must for fans of DHG and Code...
BEISSERT - The Pusher-CD (Agonia Records)
This is an unusual release to say the least the are mixing Black , Doom and Avant metal all in a very Theatrical vibe going on here . If you could mix Devil Doll, Marduk and Dolorian into one band this would be very close but they the vocalist at times reminds me of Italian Power Metal if that can make any sense at all. The the next moment I think they want to be Hatebreed and don't turn you back as you do they become a stoner rock can or have some weird sick love for Gwar??? Beissert is very very fucked in the head to say the least . Agonia got a band that is as bizzare as out right talented. This band could be on many bills and still find an audience. The metallic groove that comes from Beissert is very cool as well. This band is clearly more then parts of the whole. I mandatory check of is needed here . This band is just that damn interesting..
Rosetta - A Determinism of Morality-CD (Translation Loss Records)
Rosetta is another band that I would put into the term Post Metal and they like a few other like to mix Hardcore , Post Rock, Prog Rock and Metal into a hybrid of of sounds, styles and textures. There is a Dark Looming Sadness with bands like Rosetta that does not come across from any other style. I think it has to do with the very oppressive overtone and the Neurosis meets Godspeed you black emperor worship that seems to go on often here. Rosetta loves to mix Pain, Power, Fragile and Bombastic all into the same track often. I love the almost tribal nature that comes across from the musical elements going on. I'm so many tride and true extreme metal fans there are moments that are just to expansive and almost hypnotic but I'm telling you bands like this are the 1st great hope for a second rebirth of a truly independent movement is underground music. Rosetta is a fantastic journey for any brave enough to do so...
DIS- Critical Failure -CD (Deep Six / Power It Up )
Ok maybe I'm nuts but this reminds me of all the Hardcore Punk metal / Spazz core bands that use to come across labels like Slam a ham, Bacteria Sour and Prank . You know who I speak of if you around at that time. There is a chaos about all of this just make you long the days for ABC RIO and CBGB's Sunday Matinees. DIS is just that equal parts Hardcore, Grind, Doom and Punk. The Guitars are all about that power violence movement. There's really not much more to say other get out you Demin with the pinned on patches and your Mohawk and circle in the pit you fools...
Lifeless-Beyond the Threshold of Death -CD (Ibex moon)
Death metal in the purest of all the forms is what we here if you are a fan of bands like Dismember, Entombed, Carcass and Grave then you know what your getting here. The production even has the very triggered drum sound you came to love with the Earache and Nuke Blast bands of the 90's. There is a power and urgency with Lifeless that is missing with most Death metal today. I'm really shocked getting this from Germany normally a home for amazing Thrash and Grind bands. Lifeless has a lot in common with Vader as well in sound and style. Simply do not pass this band up and they fill a very needed hole in the death metal world...
Wuthering Heights- Salt-CD (Sensory Records)
Prog and Power metal are very home at sensory records and Wuthering Heights does this as well as any on this label. The difference between this band and many on Sensory is this is more a classic Power metal force like Rhapody, Angra or Symphony X. The vocals are majestic and sung in a very clean operatic manner. The guitars are all about wowing you with the riffing skills and the anthems that this band presents are very much what your looking for from a band like this. They grew up listening to bands like Savatage, Blind Guardian and area rock like Asia and Rush as you can hear the pop elements in the over tones of what they record. Wuthering Heights is the kind of band that without a guitar , bass and drum solo in the show you would feel cheated. Sensory you have another winner here.
Mouth of the Architect Interview 5/7/2010
Mouth of the Architect
1. Its been 2 yrs since your last release . Why just a 4 song EP??? . The Tracks are brilliant mix of Post Hardcore, Doom and Avant Metal but why the short release?
When we signed up for Quietly, the contract was for an LP and an EP. The material for Quietly was all ready to go, so the EP was next. It was a pretty quick writing process, and the recording, mixing and layout were all done ourselves. It is a short but powerful release.
2. You have worked with Translation Loss since your beginning days. They seem to really support you how has the label grow over the years to Mouth of the Architect?
Working with Translation Loss has been a pleasure, and we've both grown respectively over the years.
3. Does the band get tired of The Neurosis and Mastodon Comparisons ever as you have a real kinship in sound to both...
Yeah. Next question.
4. The line up of Mouth of the Architect has been volatile to say the least why as there been such in influx of members?
Its been a mixture of things, none of which are appropriate to talk about in an interview.
5. You're currently in Europe are the crowds much larger and strong for you there? How has the crowd reaction to the new material?
The crowds overall are really good, but just like any tour some areas are not so good. The response to our new material has been very good, and we are all excited to be traveling around Europe playing music.
7. Over the course of your 6-7 yrs of making music what are some of your favorite tracks to perform live and why?
We love playing almost all of our songs. On the other hand, some songs address some volatile periods in the band, and as a result we don play them anymore.
8. Will you be touring the USA on the new EP?
Probably not to the extent that we've done over the last few years, but yes.
9. What Bands are MOTA listening to currently traveling Europe?
Everyone has an iPod, so a lot of different stuff. The Beatles, Harry Belafonte, John Coltrane, Ween, stuff...
10. If someone was to ask MOTA what they sound like how would you all explain this?
rock.
11. Where do you see the current indie music scene going are digital music/ mp3 becoming a blessing or curse in your eyes?
My hope is that it crumbles the industry so people will start creating again.
12. Your website is very impressive http://mouthofthearchitect.com/ most bands done care about real websites anymore they all go the myspace route. Tell us about this very complete website came to be.
Steve, our guitarist, learned basic web design, bought the domain name, then made our website. I think it's the first and only website he's made. Mostly it was made because Myspace is no good for merchandise and Paypal and all that.
13. Thanks for the time any closing thoughts here?
rock.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sabbath Assembly Interview is up 5/4/2010
SABBATH ASSEMBLY
http://www.myspace.com/sabbathassembly
1. So SABBATH ASSEMBLY is a very interesting project in deed how did it come to be?
Restored to One the album was brought to fruition by the dedication of Jex and Xtian. The melodic grace and the devotion in the texts were the compelling points for resurrecting this music.
2. Music and Theme seems to be inspired byThe Process Church . What made you so interested in this ideal?
The songs on the album are the original hymns of The Process Church of the Final Judgment, reinterpreted. Never previously recorded, we adapted the hymns from the original sheet music in the way that felt most true to us.
3. Your working with Ajna Offensive and Feral House and Music label and Publishing Company was there always a book in mind with the music side of it all.
LOVE SEX FEAR DEATH, the book about The Process, was released prior to the inception of Sabbath Assembly. From the book was located the sheet music of the Process Hymns, and the band was born.
4. Will SABBATH ASSEMBLY be a live project or is it more of just a studio need now?
A LIVE project.
5. How did you come to work with Ajna Offensive a label more know for Black and Occult Metal projects?
Ajna approached us after a Process ritual performance in Oregon, we were heading into the studio the following day and our shared interest in occult themes led to our commitment to work together.
6. You worked with Genesis P-Orridge, Adam Parfrey, and Lydia Lunch a few months back how was that?
Genesis has been a Process enthusiast since the 70s so she was an important source for us in feeling the ongoing connection from Process past to Process present. She served as high priestess in several ritual performances. Adam Parfrey is of course the publisher of LOVE SEX FEAR DEATH and has been supportive of the development of the band since its inception. Lydia Lunch was recruited to read the part of “Satan” in recording of Process leader Robert De Grimston’s book “Gods on War.”
7. Are Sabbath Assembly a full time project now or is going to be more a traveling lineup of members from release to release?
Many have come and gone. Jex and Xtian remain. What began as a traveling line-up as we performed in various locations around the US, is slowly becoming a solidified line-up.
8. On your myspace page there is a link to reprocess.org but the page isnt active tell us what the site will be about if its still in the works?
It is still undefined.
9. Tell us about boxset featuring a live recording of the SABBATH ASSEMBLY. When is this coming and will it have video and audio or just audio soundtrack?
We did a recording of a live ritual which contained several of the hymns from the album, however, these versions were closer to what we imagined their original form to be – not our reprocessed versions. It is still undecided when and how we will present these recordings.
10. If there will be another release for Sabbath Assembly what direction and ideals will it hold?
We are beginning further work on a new cycle of Processean hymns; there are over 60 from which to cull.
11. The Members of Sabbath Assembly work in many other projects it seems tell us a bit about them?
Jex (Thoth) has a band of the same name, and Xtian is a seminary graduate and former hospital chaplain and drug abuse counselor.
12. Thank you for the time any closing thoughts please place here.
Although we do not agree with, nor wish to glorify ALL of the teachings and practices the Church, we do believe strongly in the power of their hymns. And though the inividual(s) who created these songs remain anonymous to this day, we are convinced that they were written with very pure intentions, from a place of complete sincerity and absolute devotion. We would like to leave you with these final teachings of the Church, words to which we hold true: As we give light, so shall we be given light. The gift of love is the healer of all ills, and we shall conquer fear with love.
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