Julie Christmas (Front Woman of Made out of Babies) Interview is up ...

JULIE CHRISTMAS

http://www.myspace.com/juliechristmas

1. Julie you have been making music under Made out of Babies, Battle of Mice for years now. What made a solo release come about in 2010?

When we started working on the album, I was involved in a few different projects that were rough, angry and involved a lot of screaming. The project started as a way to show the importance of other feelings that are as powerful and overwhelming, like love. Once the heavier projects ended, though, I noticed that the songs on The Bad Wife started to get heavier. I don’t think I will ever be able to totally give up screaming. It scratches my itches in a special way.

2. You have worked with Neurot, The End and other. Rising Pulse seem to be a new label tell us how you came to work with them?

John LaMacchia (Candiria) played on the album and, though Rising Pulse is his fledgling label, I knew he would work hard to do right by the record and treat it respectably. At the time, someone who would just tell the fucking truth seemed like an amazing chance.  I also knew he would give me a chance to see what it was like to release a record from the perspective of the label. I have learned a great deal from the whole process. I am happy to have done it. It was an invaluable experience. I did have other offers, though, and there are labels I would love to work with and have respect for. Rising Pulse was the right choice for this project.

3. The video for Bow is a very cool twisted tale of Riding Hood... Are you happy with the outcome?

Making the video was a totally new experience. Except that I fell down about fifty times…nothing new about that…But I AM happy with the outcome. I was lucky enough to work with James O’Brien and his very talented crew.  He is a graphic designer and relatively new to making videos for release. He showed me a short he’d made for himself – just for fun - and I knew he would be perfect. I was right. …We went to his friends’ house to film. The couple had two amazing children that they’d gotten early because of the Earthquake in Haiti. The little boy put on the Yeti head and ran around. A giant yeti head and little boy feet.  It’s something everyone should see.

Anyway, about the video, we had to cut corners because we’re all poor, but it came out way better than it should have because that’s what happens when people are truly talented. I feeling like I’m rambling and making no sense…blah, blah, blah…

4. As the Creator of " The Bad Wife" .. what do you feel are the major differences between this release and Made out of Babies? I hear a much more experimetal and metal side to you on Solo release...

You wrote “experimetal” in the question. Genre Genius.  

 In this project, I got to pick people because of what I thought they would bring to the song they worked on. Most people had total freedom, but I always had final say. When you work in a band you compromise more. Also, this project is a bit more atmospheric, which I am looking forward to playing with in the stage show.   

5. Will you be performing live for Solo material live or do you want this to be a recorded out put only??

I’m going to tour on this. Everyone should see it.  You do not want to miss this one.

6. Julie you seem to have the members of your other projects and bands guest on the album is this just one big musical adventure for you and your friends?

I worked on every song with John LaMacchia and Andrew Schneider. Then, we found other musicians that would be able to play instruments and add their own perspective to the music. Some of the people we worked with we knew, and some we knew through friends. There were total strangers on the album as well, though. There are a hundred more people I would love to work with. Some of them I already know and some of them I haven’t met yet.

7. My favorite track off the CD is "Headless Hawks" this is so much power and expression in that track.... Julie what is your favorite song and how it came out on the album?

That song was played with all members of Made Out of Babies! I couldn’t make this record without asking them to do something. My favorite track? I think I have a love/hate relationship with all of them. Some of them mean more to me because of the messages in them. “secrets all men keep” is very personal.

8. Is it still a trying issue to be female in extreme music . I feel you waving the banner for the next gen of powerful women. Like Karyn Crisis, Jarboe, Kat  (Babes in toyland) did a well...

There are lots of ladies in music now, and there are men who rightfully don’t give a shit either way.  But I definitely can tell at times that men in heavy music just don’t respect me. Maybe they honestly think I suck…or maybe it’s because I’m harder than they are. I read audience and press responses to my music that you NEVER see in response to male singers. Vicious nastiness that they would never say to my face..some things about rape, even. I carry a knife now and I didn’t used to. If someone wants to hurt me, they are going to feel it too. But I can’t worry about gender politics. I just want to put my head down and do the work.

9. Is your Solo release just a one off or will there be more??? Something artist just want to get it out of there system and prefer the full band experience?

I was trying to find my way with the first album. The next one will be even closer to what I want. There will be more.  I feel very deeply for these songs and the ones that haven’t been made yet.

10.  Do you feel the digital age  (Mp3's, Myspace, Facebook, Webzines, Internet Radio) is helping or hurting the indie scene??? Really looking for feedback on this?

I like the idea of people freely sharing music – in a perfect world, that’s how it should be. It hurts musicians though, for sure – especially small ones like myself. You literally cannot eat sometimes in order to pay for it all. But I understand why people download music for free, and I am grateful for people who support the music and musicians they want to hear from. If you like what I do, go buy one of my records right now so I can make more of it. www.risingpulse.com or itunes.  If you don’t want to hear me, support someone you do.

11. Is there a theme or story line on " The Bad Wife"?

The Bad Wife was an imaginary friend that my sister and I blamed our mischievous behavior on when we were little. We would get caught doing something wrong and blame it on her… “The Bad Wife did it, the Bad Wife did it”..we would say. Sometimes we would even spank ourselves after we said it so our parents would laugh instead of punishing us. I became obsessed with this character. She was the right person to name the album after. She’s in the music.

12. Julie is there a style of music you have not done that you would like to try and create?

I’m not sure… I hear Country, Blues, Bluegrass and Opera singers that make me shiver. There is a limit to what I can do though, even though I forget that sometimes. I will just go ahead. If it seems right to try something new – it will come to me naturally.

13.  The Album cover is awesome as it's twisted.. Tell use who did it and how it came about.. Is it a wedding cake??? because thats what it looks like to me?

I came across the image by Scott Hove - the Cake Vault photo on the CD- and I could relate to it instantly. A room made of icing that has taxidermy teeth and eyes in it! I can’t quite explain, but to me it is the perfect pictorial representation of the overall sentiment of the album. A cake that eats YOU first. I begged him to use it and he was amazingly cool about it even though we didn’t know each other at all.

Nix Turner’s illustrations for the Vinyl worked in a different way. I love that her work exhibits menace and grace with equal force. She is very talented. For me, the girl on the cover of the Vinyl captures one of the faces of The Bad Wife. I am going to sound like a pompous ass if I keep explaining, so I’ll leave it at that.

14. Julie? what are the bands that are currently your listening to and is there anything new impressing you?

I’ve heard some soundtracks lately that I thought were amazing. I thought the movie Black Swan was a beautiful but laughable buffoon romp, but it reminded me what a great piece of music “Swan Lake” is.  The movie Tom Ford made had an amazing soundtrack.  I am always inspired by people who can elicit an emotional response from their audience through music – whatever “genre” they fit into.

15. Thanks for the time any closing thought's here?

Thank you so much for letting me do the interview! Please support the arts – even if it’s just by making some yourself.  Go online to Risingpulse.com, bandcamp  or itunes to buy the album in vinyl, CD or digital format… I apologize for the sales pitch, but I think everyone should hear this album – so much so, that people can hear all songs for free on bandcamp.  We know people leak the album and trade it, but we wanted to make that unnecessary. Also, Juliechristmas.org is coming soon, but for now people can check the interweb (facebook, etc..) for upcoming shows and updates.

There will be No Interview with The Project Hate from Absolute Zero Media

( I want to start this off with saying thank you to  Lauren/Season of Mist Pr . For the respect and kindness after seeing what was sent to me)

I tried to do an interview for my Zine Absolute Zero Media  with The Project Hate and the interview I got back was so unprofessional I got any apology from Thier label Season of Mist on how rude they were. Never in my 15 yrs have I been talked to like this . Sorry for any of you waiting on this but This band is not welcome in my zine or any article I write any longer.

Be well alll

Clint 

New Reviews 1/29/2011...

Fen & De Arma-Towards the Shores ofthe End-CD (Nordvis)
This project is one of the more interesting I've heard in a while the mix a lot of th Post/ Avant Black metal that has always impressed. It a mix of Manes, In the Woods and Borknagar with some elements of Monumentum and Ved  Buen Ende . I love the more ethereal / Sweeping moments that then come in to a full on Post Black metal jazzy dissident guitar, guttural vocal and epic rhythmic style. Fen & De Arma are a chilling example of what can be done when the Bleak Occult sounding metal, Industrial ideals and Avant music merge at a crossroads of taste, creativity and originality . The Synth and very prog Bass lines make the undertaking all the more massive in achievement. They really have the full on In the woods sound esp from Omnio period. I don't say this much but I love this fucking release and think this maybe the album of 2010, 2011 and beyond. I was not ready for what I've gotten here. I've gotten chills like this when I heard Arcturus. Ulvers (themes), Therogothon and Swans the 1st time  and this is what is happening to be now. Nordvis this album is beyond fantastic .. I hope it stay my dirty little secret for my pleasure but it done right the world will know who Fen & De Arma are very very soon.
http://www.nordvis.eu/

Beehoover- Concrete Catalyst-CD ( Exile on Mainstream)
If you like your rock dirty, heavy with a backbeat and groove that doesnt bridge on stoner then you have found the promised land my friends. This is for us sick mothers out there that love Melvins, Mr Bungle, Clutch and Lungfish. If like this bands then you will know the point I'm coming across with. There is a left of center approach going on with this duo that is just so Discord Records to me . They remind me of a lot of the Touch and go and Amrep stuff from the 90's as well like Surgery and Hammerhead and Cows. The guitars are so in your face and the drums are so tastefully done which is very hard to present most of the time. I swear Beehoover are channeling King Buzzo (Melvins) on vocals its frightening how much this vocalist sounds like him. Beehoover is another reason for me to still want to seek out new bands.
http://www.mainstreamrecords.de

WIVE-PVLL-CD (Exile on Mainstream)
I know nothing of this band in anyway other then listening to them for the 1st time and after just a few songs this band has a vision in the Indie Rock/ Jazzcore scene. They have elements of The Beatles, Rein Sanction (Sub Pop), Low and Rachel's in there sound and vision. I love the strings, guitars and very loose drumming. Wive have a strong love of  bands like Sunny Day Realestate and Sense Field in what they are recording and production. At times this feels more like Indie Rock Hymns then songs. Love the off kilter vocals and the loops and layers of other non musical sounds. WIVE is something all there own yet having that sound you swear you have heard before too. If Post rock was more laid back as more showtune based I would say they could fit into that genre at well. All I can really say is this band is all over the place and love it. There are even some noise rock moment but never full on...  Another very impressive band from Exile on Mainstream..
http://www.mainstreamrecords.de



EKTOMORF-Redemption-CD (AFM Records)
Man this band sounds like a strong mix of Hypocrisy, Messuggah and Strapping Young Lads.. You know the sound Bombastic with a Death and Power metal mix and that Industrial and very cutting edge production and technical sound that if not done right it sound horrible will my readers EKTOMORF have this sound down and are mastering it with every note. This album is hands  down punishing is sound and delivery. Love the throaty vocals that verge on full on Death metal but always stay on this side of melody and sung. Bands like EKTOMORF in the 90's use to have the most brutal of pits as both the hardcore and metal kids could respect it. Throw you horns in the air for  " Redemption" as it maybe just that the revival of this amazing sound. This with new Fear Factory its a piece of brilliant work.
www.afm-records.de
Jag Panzer- The Scourge of the Light-CD  (SPV Records)
This is what US Power metal is all about if you have not heard of them before where the hell have you been? This is everything Nevermore, Iced Earth, Armored Saint, Angra, Kamelot etc all are and more. I know they have never been given the respect of the others I've mentioned but they saint toe to toe with them and legends like Saxon and Blind Guardian. Jag Panzer is Metal they bleed  and breathe it and this is just another example of how well and powerful a melodic metal band can be with a singer that has the pipes to push it through. Check this out or you will be missing a lot my metal brothers and sisters...
http://www.myspace.com/spvmusic


Roger Miret and the Disasters-Gotta Get Up Now-CD (People like You)

The man the myth the legend ... The voice behind Agnostic Front is back with is other project. This to me hold all of th Hardcore swagger that Mr Miret has always given but mixes in the punk element that hads melody and a noisy side to is work think if bands like Nofx, H20 and Social D all came to him and said lets make some music then you would have this stellar really. There are some songs a swear Face to Face could have writting and given to Roger. There is a snarl to his vocal on this that has never been heard before. This album is just down right fun and kick ass all at the same time. Love the sing along choruses and the straight out street punk vibe that you can hear bands like the Kinks and Clash just screaming out of the speakers. Roger for me and tens of thousands of others I know I can say this without fail please never stop making music sir.
http://www.peoplelikeyourecords.com/ .

Armoury/Mystic Records Artist Votum Interview is up

http://www.votumband.pl/

1.     For us new to Votum tell us a bit about the band?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: The band started in 2003 as a strictly heavy metal group. Before “Time must have a stop” the guys decided that it’s time for a change, hehe. They wanted to create something different, more complicated and emotional, but without losing the metal aggressiveness of their previous tracks. We started working on some new compositions classifying them, at that time, as experimental metal (being to atmospheric for metal and at the same time to brutal and not progressive enough for progrock or art rock).

The debut album “Time must have a stop” was released in Poland by Insanity Records in 2007 and after that with slightly changed cover art by Progrock Records world-wide. For the next two years we played lots of gigs (hundreds of places including publicly acclaimed Jarocin Festival, Artus Progrock Festival, Hunterfest and quite recently Inorock – with Anathema and Ozric Tentacles and Metal Hammer Fest with Korn, Opeth, Katatonia, Riverside, Pain of Salvation and Jurojin). We toured with such bands as Black River (featuring members of Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth and Vesania) or Unsun (ex-members of Vader, Inducti and Rootwater), we had dozens of gigs with plenty well-acknowledged amazing groups (f.e. Motorhead, Sabaton or polish jazz-rock stars VooVoo).

We were trying to promote our music everywhere possible and on the brink of 2010 we released our second album called “Metafiction”. The second piece was slightly more mellow and downbeat than its predecessor - showing a kind of our “softer side”. Right now we are preparing to hit the studio again - with have just started working on some material for the 3^rd album.

2. So your working with Armoury Records now looks like Metafiction was original released by Mystic in Poland how did you come to work with Armoury?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: A bit of luck most probably. We were looking for a proper, well-established label having some specific criteria in mind (I don’t want to bore anyone with details, but one of such factors was for example quality of communication). Our experience shows that good contact with our partners and trust is essential to promote music. Sustainability and thinking ahead always benefits both sides.

3. Your music has a very Prog Rock meets Metal sound it sounds very much like a mix of Savatage, Dream Theater and Opeth all in one do these bands influence you at all?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: You can be inspired by almost everything – all it takes is to look around with your eyes open (not that easy though). We prefer to work with concepts and we try to craft emotions into music. I must admit it is hard to point out specific influences to what we do (perhaps too many of them?). We are often said or even accused of having lots of elements on our CDs similar to Opeth, Porcupine Tree or DT, but when Votum started neither I nor most of the guys knew of those bands’ grand achievements. (Well... perhaps not in detail, the general knowledge of their existence and their most popular works was in place). There are some tracks where Maciej’s voice makes our music similar to DT, but we are nothing like them in other aspects of what we play. I understand the need to categorise bands – it allows listeners to skip all the browsing through loads of crap in order to find something to their liking. Having that in mind I have to say: yes, we might be a little bit similar to ‘some-other-metal-meets-prog bands-out-there’. Just with a little twist.

4. What is a live show with Votum like is it hard to perform live what is on the release?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: Not really. We are well prepared to every show we perform.  The most difficult part is to capture the feel and the atmosphere of the record, but we tend to manage that just fine. The best part is that the whole subtlety of „Metafiction” gains an immense amount of power when performed live. When taking into consideration our previous record we can mush up a pretty decent set for almost every type of audience - regardless of their music preferences.

5. There are some very mellow moments on Metafiction do you feel your Metallic side is leaving over the years?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: Not at all. We just had some specific concept in mind when working on this album. It most certainly does not mean that we are cutting off our Metal roots. We are beginning preparations for our next album and I assure you “there will be blood”.

6. Having only heard Metafiction . What does the early material sound like is it more aggressive?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: Slightly. Throughout the two albums you can find some strictly rockish ballad tracks (‘train back home’, ‘away’) a ballad-meets doom’  (‘indifferent’) , some ambient tracks (‘faces’), experimental with slight inclinations towards metal (‘hunt is on’, ‘time must have a stop’) or symphonic blend of metal with electronica (‘stranger than fiction’, ‘look at me now’) – the albums differ from each other and they sum up to what we want to be perceived as - “the unique Votum style”.

Overall ‘Time must have a stop’ is slightly more aggressive than ‘Metafiction’ but we haven’t said our last words yet.

7. http://www.votumband.pl/ is a very well done site most bands today live on myspace do you find this a mistake?,

Zbigniew Szatkowski:: Our web-site is rather a way of providing proper information on another channel . Myspace gives an amazing opportunity to promote you music and nowadays there’s no playing without it, but one should not settle for just one website. You should try to be as present in the media as possible. This starts with myspace, but it does not end there.

8. Votum seem to playing many large events do you prefer them over smaller shows?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: The more people the better, hehe. We absolutely love large scale events – the adrenaline is amazing. On the flipside there’s always trouble with managing big gigs: no time to make sure the gear is set up properly, other technical difficulties – these always play the most important part in such concerts, which is a shame, really. Being a musician is  a job like every other and it would be fantastic not to have to worry about, say, the length of the soundcheck when you’re warming up before hitting the stage.

9. What is the experimental or prog metal scene in Poland like?  Is there a lot of bands there or is it more  Black and Death metal now?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: Currently, there are hundreds of band in every genre. It’s impossible to actually count how many bands of each style live somewhere in the underground. One thing is certain: progressive style begins to flourish. When we were starting only a couple of groups tried to play along the experimental lines. The really sad part is that marketing research shows that metal CDs sell even worse than for example classical music. I guess that should not be at all surprising, I personally know a couple of lads who can headbang to Mozart as furiously as to Burzum. And a moshpit during one of Bach’s Brandenburgian concerts must be a view to die for...

10. Where do you See Votum over the next few releases are you moving more into Atmospheres and Progressive element like you seem to be talking about?

Zbigniew Szatkowski::: It’s pretty difficult not to be defined as progressive when you have a 10 minute track every now and then, but we honest  don’t know what will happen on the final version of the 3^rd release. Every band member has some different inspirations and we will fight like lions to sneakily incorporate them in our music (without anyone knowing). We’ll see.   

11.  Is there a story or theme on Metafiction as the songs are so amazingly crafted?

Zbigniew Szatkowski: The plot is pretty well thought through. It is a story about a writer, who is on the verge of creating a masterpiece. It’s also a story about a mind being caught between the reality it creates and the reality that surrounds it – and the difficulty of telling them apart. Our main character driven mad by what he writes cannot bear the responsibility for the actions he describes. He decides to take the final step to wipe the blood that stains his hands (‘stranger than fiction’). The main part of the story is what happens after he takes that step. “Glassy Essence” gives an insight on the events that follow.

12. Any closing thoughts place here...

Zbigniew Szatkowski: Dear readers. You are the humanity’s last hope.

Eh... I’ll start again... less pretentious this time... Perhaps not humanity’s as such, but at least the part of humanity who had this persistent dream to create music for you. Support your favourite bands. These fellas spent lots of time to bring you something to listen to and you can return the favour by dropping by every now and then to see them live. That might actually sound like a public service announcement, but the truth is, that you are the reason they started what they do. Do see those guys on the stage. (and while you’re at it – come see Votum live, or at least check out what we do – that’s cool too!)

Thanks a lot!

New Reviews 1/22/2011

Architects (UK)- The Here and Now-CD (Century Media)

Yes this has a very metalcore element to it and a screamo element. I really think this is the evolution of bands like Dillinger Escape Plan, Kill Switch Engage, Inflames, Deadguy etc . Where the add a more melodic / commercial element to the Post Hardcore sound. Architects are catchy as hell to say the least and musically very talented in the structure and arrangements. They seem to like to add the element of Sunny day Real-estate or My Chemical Romance.  The Here and Now could be an anthem for the new 20 something generation that is lost by digital realms and still trying to have a real rock and roll lifestyle. Power material  that is as thought provoking as mature in themes.

http://centurymedia.com/

Hexvessel- Dawnbringer-CD (Svart Records)

Wow a total Neofolk release in the vein of  A World Serpent or Tesco release.. Lush acoustic and clean bard like vocals from Kvohst of DHG/ Code fame . This is like a twisted journey down a road that Blood Axis, Spiritual Front or even King Andrew might have taken in the late 90's early 2000's . Love that its as mystical and it is dissident and blue grass in nature. Its something you may have heard in the 60's folk movement at times. Love the flowing strings they are almost heart breaking at times. If you like Anthony and the Johnstons then this is for you. Black metal man gone folk shocking to say the least..

http://svartrecords.com/

Deicide- To hell with God-CD (Century Media)

With Glen Benton what are you expecting to get . If you say one of the most kick ass Death Metal albums in years from Decide . Something about this line up and Century Media seeming to support them has awaken the beast from years gone by. I can hear the venom in Benton voice which has been missing in both Deicide and Vital Remains.  You can hear all the pieces of the puzzle  soaring guitars, brutal bass lines and a drumming frenzy produced to perfection and a bit of a complexity that was there in the early to mid period releases from the Roadrunner years.. The Anti Christian element could not be more in your face with this releases. If you want a Tampa/ Florida Death/Thrash force look no further then Deicide .. Welcome back .

http://centurymedia.com/ 




Srodek-Forfall-CD ( A Sad Sadness Song)

At times you hear an album and say its has touched you to very core and with Srodek I think it has even gone beyond that . This seems to be a solo project of Svarti Loghin member. This is so much more sinister then I was ready for. Its slow and plodding in Ethereal Post Black metal way. If you like bands like Xasthur and Twilight or the realms bands like Krieg or Negura Bunget and your going to get the Burzum  comparisons as the droning and hypnotic black metal elements are all there. Srodek is something that really sucks you in and will not let you out even at then end of the release you want to go back for more.  Forfall is perfect for those cold winters nights with the candles lit and the rituals about to begin...

http://atmf.net/







Shroud Of Despondency-Dark Meditations In Monastic Seclusion-CD (Self Released)
Right now this is the furthest from a black metal release ever. It have more in common with Tenhi or Anathema on the 1st track then anything even Blackened or metal.. Its all acoustic and introspective. The second track on other hand still not black at all sounds like a brutal death metal band on there 1st demo expressing the hate and frustration just of this. I hear more Folk, Prog and Death metal then black metal though at moments of the album the vocals do get to a very tortured BM style. There is more experiment-ion then anything else going on with the overall musical outtakes. The production on the metallic track is very raw to say the least . I would have thought they would not want something to bass heavy and oddly effected. Shroud of Despondency is really over the place with this release. They have a fondness for what Agalloch or Katatonia have been doing for a few yrs now. Mixing the nature based folk elements with Extreme metal and electronics. I really don't know if its working here but its interesting none the less. Give them a change they maybe that band the wins you over.I really like the more folk side of this band its much more impressive..
www.myspace.com/shroudofdespondency

Dornenreich- Flammentriebe-CD (Prophecy Productions)

Ok so there a few bands that just floor me with each and ever release. Bethlehem, Neurosis, Ulver  well you get the point Dornenreich is another one of those forces. Mix elements of Doom, Black, Prog, Jazz , Noise and Folk and your getting somewhere close to the sickness that this band is. If you could make a viking, doom and black metal band all merge into one band then add elements of pain, madness and mental illness you may have the formula for this unit of masterful song writer. I can not even come close to full words on how amazing this band really is. Its a war on my very being not to shake with excitement for a new Dornenreich release. The are very much in what I would call Dark Metal realm (Deinonychus, Shining, Bethlehem,  The Vision Bleak, Beyond Dawn).  Flammentriebe is a massive undertaking to say the least. Its Orchestral, Bombastic, fragile, bleak and thought provoking all in the same song. Prophecy should sign this band to lifetime contract as they never fall short on this reviewer. Dornenreich thank you once more..

http://www.prophecyproductions.de

Black Depths Grey Waves News on Aesthetic Death Page

Black Depths Grey Waves
Last updated: 20 January 2011

I am very pleased to announce news of a forthcoming co-operation with US act - BLACK DEPTHS GREY WAVES.

BDGW is a black occult industrial project from the sickened minds of Clint Listing (As All Die, Long Winters Stare, When Joy Becomes Sadness) and Saint Ov Gravediggers (Ordo Tyrannis, Grim Pig)

Noise-filled, black industrial, occult evocations - music that will make you feel at one with your disturbed mind.

AD will release their 3rd album "Nightmare Of The Blackened Heart" during summer 2011 - this exceptional wall of noise will appealgreatly to those that have an inclination towards the grim art of MZ 412, Valefor, In Slaughter Natives, Schloss Tegal etc...

http://www.aestheticdeath.com/home.php

BURZUM’s Fallen To Be Released In North America On April 5

Fallen, the eighth album from BURZUM, will be released in North America on April 5. The album is the second to be released via Varg Vikernes’ imprint Byelobog Productions (via Candlelight for the territory).  Fallen features seven new compositions by the controversial Norwegian musician, each adding another storied journey to the celebrated BURZUM legacy.

Vikernes says of the new album, “Musically, Fallen is a cross between Belus and something new, inspired more by the debut album and Det Som Engang Var than by Hvis Lyset Tar Oss or Filosofem. The sound is more dynamic. We mastered the album as if it was classical music and I was more experimental than I was on Belus in all respects. Lyrically it is similar to the debut album, in the way that it is more personal and focuses on existential issues. But the mythological undertone known from Belus is still there. I have also included some ambient tracks, a short introduction and a longer conclusion.”

Fallen features artwork from renowned French painter William Adolphe Bouguereau. It is a striking contrast to art Vikernes has used for his albums in the past. He comments, “the cover is part of a painting called Elegy. I used it in this context because the album deals with the concept of falling, not least in a metaphysical sense. By definition, ‘elegy’ means a mournful, melancholy, or plaintive poem. It is a funeral song or a lament for the dead. It is a poem written in elegiac meter or a sad or mournful musical composition.”

Many credit BURZUM with influencing much of modern-day black metal. While his music has traveled roads often far removed from what many consider black metal to be (with parts ambient, electronic, and more), his compositions have immediately been taken to heart by countless legions of fans the world over. It is a “no fear” mentality that has made Varg Vikernes both an idol and a bastard.

Said Metal Army of 2010’s Belus, “Whatever you might think of Varg Vikernes, it’s impossible to deny the depressive brilliance of Belus, which recalls his classic albums Filosofem and Hvis Lyset Tar Oss yet shows a marked increase of maturity.” Fallen is the second album from the controversial recording artist since his release from the chains that bound him for nearly two decades. It is the first album from the musician to benefit from a proper North American release.

BURZUM was founded in 1991 by Vikernes. Under the pen name Count Grishnackh, the youthful musician quickly recorded four albums. During his lengthy incarceration, Vikernes recorded two additional albums, thus completing his initial series of compositions. Released from captivity in 2009, Vikernes immediately set out on a new path of creativity and quickly recorded/released Belus on his own label imprint, Byelobog Productions. Both CD and vinyl pressings of Belus quickly sold out with repressings of the album not coming quick enough to keep up with demand. Decibel Magazine featured a candid cover story with the musician while Guitar World and other key stateside magazines lined up for interview opportunities. He graced the cover of England’s Terrorizer and several other key international magazines.

Fallen Track Listing:

1. Fra Verdenstreet

2. Jeg Faller

3. Valen

4. Vanvidd

5. Enhver til Sitt

6. Budstikken

7. Til Hel Og Tilbake Igjen

“Pounding, primitive rhythms are lashed by fizzing, frostbitten guitar which swirls in squalls around Vikernes’ inhuman, agonizing screech; a chilling, mersmerizing, unflinching mirror on a profoundly troubled soul.” — Review of Anthology, Decibel Magazine 2008

“Belus is steeped in classic Norwegian black metal hallmarks.  It is an album whose musical qualities are impossible to ignore.” — All Music

“Vikernes is one of the most creative forces in Norwegian black metal and Belus ample proof of his talent.” — Hellbound

“A reevaluated sense of purpose runs through the album…even in Belus‘ most jagged moments, there’s substance at its core.” — Metal Sucks

http://www.burzum.org
http://www.candlelightrecordsusa.com

Black Depths Grey Waves Signs with Aesthetic Death

Black Depths Grey Waves is a Black Occult Industrial Project Mixing elements of 

(MZ412, Endvra, Valefor & In Slaughter Natives) 

Signs with 

Sample of all  Black Depths Grey Waves Albums

Few New Reviews 1/15/2011

Augury-Consealed-CD ( Sonic Unyon)

So this a re-issue of a release from 2004 on Canada extreme music label Galy. Augury is Tech/ Prog Death metal with some crazy time changes. Male and Female vocals and arrangements to make bands like Opeth, Strapping Young Lads and Atheist wonder what the hell is this band doing. I can clearly see why this was re-issued if your a fan of Gojira then this is a must listen. The complexity going on here is beyond words. There like a more aggressive Old Dead Tree as well.. I'm really taken back by the majesty of this album. The remastering as made it sound all the more impressive I'm sure. This album is like few I have heard before there are even huge avant Jazz moments going on here esp in the Rhythm section. I think there is a strong love of Voivod as well. Ok I'm gone on enough about this album . Clearly its amazing now just get it....

www.sonicunyon.com

Clandestine- The Invalid-CD (Nightmare Records)

I must be in a very Prog Metal vibe on the brain right now as here we have another Prog metal band this time with a female vocalist fronting this unit... I sure this will come as an odd mix but if you have Lacuna Coil and Dream Theater with moments of Kings X all in a pot and mixed it with some of the more Prog Rock elements of The Gathering you would have a good place were Clandestine are coming from. This is quite in your face Prog hardrock/metal with some brutal vocals from time to time as well.  Clandestine is a catchy as it is complex and compelling. This is not any cookie cutter band. I would love to see them love as June Park vocals are stunning to say the least as well as powerful and melodic all at the same time. This band is just musically amazing the least. I would think a label like Inside Out or Sensory would have picked them up and turned the Heavy Rock/ Prog Scene on its ear.  If you know Lana Lane releases this reminds me a lot of this as well. Clandestine has a wow factor and glad to have had a chance to her it .. There are going to be many more to come..

http://nightmarerecords.com

Long Distance Calling- S/t-CD ( Superball Music)

Avant Post Metal with heavy electro and jazz overtones. This is very music like what Ulver does just in a post rock kind of vibe. These guys remind me of if you mixed Mogwai and Ulver together . The album sounds so full and massive with the guitar and bass line ebb and flowing over a very handlely train drummer to say the least. There is an very metallic side to Long Distance Calling but also a delicate one as well. A groove and melodic background feel like they grow as the album progresses. I like were the music does the talking at time . There are some cool samples and towards the end of the album John Bush of Anthrax and Armored Saint Fame does a very heavy song for the only real vocal track on the CD.  The more I dig into this band there is a very underlaying eastern element to it all. Do you remember Mindfunk or Nudeswirl ... If you like them you may really love LDC all the more. So many different style and flavors are going on this release that one or two listens will never come close to understanding what is going on here.  Give Long Distance Calling a Chance as if you do I think they will win you over musically very easily... 

http://www.superballmusic.com/