Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Midnight Rites/Tales From The North/Inferno Records/2016 EP Review






  Midnight  Rites  are  a  duo  from  Sweden  that  plays  an  old  school  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016 ep  "Tales  From  The  North"  which  was  released  by  Inferno  Records.

  A  very  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  leads  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  you  can  also  hear  a  lot  of  90's  Swedish  death  metal  influences  in  the  bands  musical style  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  clean  singing.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  acoustic  guitars while  the  vocals  also  get  very  grim  at  times  and  when  keyboards  are  added  into  the  music  they  give  the  songs  more  of  an  evil  and  ritualistic  sound.

  Midnight  Rites  plays  a  musical  style  that  goes  back  to  the  melodic  styles  of  both  the  90's  Swedish  and Finnish  styles  of  black  and  death  metal  and  updates  it  for  the  modern  days,  the  production  sounds  very  old  school  yet  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  Paganism  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Midnight  Rites  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  and  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lvcifer"  and  "Raven's  Cry".  8  out  of  10.

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Monday, January 25, 2016

Against The Plagues Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

Shaun ~ Currently the band is preparing to hit the road and do some touring in support of our recent album "Purified Through Devastation" which was released December 18th on Non Serviam Records in the Netherlands. We are doing as much independent promotion as we can to showcase the new lineup and updated music. We are very excited to get on the road and perform live. We have been taking time to launch the album and prepare everything for a strong 2016!

2.You have a new full length coming out in December, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Shaun ~ The sound we strived for on this album was something brutal, but catchy and memorable. ATP has always embraced a darker and dramatic, melodic style, which we wanted to preserve, but with new members and new times, we ended up with something more punishing than the last. We don't really try to fit any one type of mold,. We are an Extreme Metal Band, covering many facets of the brutal, dark and melodic spectrum. Purified Through Devastation is kind of self explanatory in that we as individuals, as a band, as a race, are constantly destroying and rebuilding. A sick cathartic measure in means of survival.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

Shaun ~ Purified Through Devastation is comprised of songs from a demo called Quaternion that ATP released before I joined the band and newer material written by the current lineup. I wrote the lyrics for TerrorForm, Enblightened, Extermination Event and All Flesh Had Corrupted. I was given the freedom to make some adjustments to Man's Modern, World, Theokratia, Enemy Herein and Praetorian Icon. I basically turned the album into a concept album that talks about the modern age and how Mankind on the brink of extinction. A failed creation (the human race), a vile species that plagues the earth with their self destructive ways. The only chance for survival is to eradicate the virus and exterminate everything. Only then can we rebuild. Man's Modern World is the thesis song of the album, setting the scene for the terror which unfolds. All Flesh Had Corrupted is a tale of the first time man was corrupted by divine knowledge, thus becoming a catalyst for lust, greed, war and self destruction. Abandoned by our creators we lash out in defiance. Praetorian Icon is a song of rebellion. Revolting against the brutal dictators who are enslaving our species. Theokratia is about corruption in religion and religious law implanted in government and state. Controlling through religion is a method of enslaving weak minds and has been responsible for countless innocent lives throughout history. TerrorForm is a hybrid word I created as a play on words inspired by terraform. TerrorForm bares multiple meanings but the idea is a planet enveloped in terror. Chaos, war and disease. Extermination Event is the brutal decision to wipe out mankind and send it into oblivion. Falling Further is a calm note after the destruction of everything. Enblightened is the dim light of darkened hope. The larva phase. Submerged in darkness and writhing in the pain of the sacrifice needed to survive. Lastly The Enemy Herein is a recap on how we have been the enemy all along. Self destructive and set out for power, driven by greed and fueled by a disgust for our creators.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Against The Plagues'?

Shaun ~ The inspiration behind the name Against The Plagues comes from the constant battle to survive, advance, evolve and thrive throughout time Against The Plagues which threaten our existence.

5.In the beginning the band had more of an international line up but on the new album all of the band members are from the U.S, is it a lot more easier to get music recorded and play live shows this way?

Shaun ~ Yes. We are all centralized in the Chicagoland/Northwest Indiana region. Our main headquarters are in Calumet City Illinois, which is convenient for all of us to get together and have regular rehearsal, in person discussions and build the much needed momentum to take our chemistry and musicianship to the next level.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

Shaun ~ The shows that stand out for me have to be our show with Nile as direct support. We played right before Nile in Joliet IL at a venue that was known as Mojoes at the time. It was a packed house, very involved and responsive crowd full of energy! It was a great night and Nile was amazing! Very cool guys too. We also had the honor of opening for Destruction and Sepultura on Sepultura's last Anniversary tour. Our more recent show was opening for Cannibal Corpse, Cattle Decapitation and Soreption this past Halloween! It was a sold out show and one of the most memorable shows to date! Our live performance is evolving more and more as we continue to add to our arsenal. We have a full color backdrop, and two full color stage scrims. We use  the obligatory foggers and lights to set the mood. Each song is complimented by ambient interludes and segues. We try to incorporate an element of drama and suspense to our live performance. As we evolve we hope to increase the dynamics of our show.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

Shaun ~ We have several touring options in the works and will include dates all over the US and Canada. We are booked to play several Festivals across the US for 2016 and many more in the works! All tour dates will be officially announced through Varyen Entertainment and Non Serviam Records so be sure to like us on your preferred social media network and stay updated on all developments!

8.The new album is coming out on 'Non Serviam Records' can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

Shaun ~ Ricardo Gelok and the team at Non Serviam Records have been very supportive and professional in helping to push this album and promote us to the fullest. We are very grateful to have a personal relationship with Ricardo. He is always reaching out to each of us personally and working with us to achieve the best  results for all parties involved. We are very happy to be working with Non Serviam!

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?

Shaun ~ Honestly so far I am very pleased and kind of shocked at the enthusiasm behind our recent album! We have been contacted by several fans from all over the globe expressing their appreciation for our art and we couldn't be happier. We literally walked through infernos to get this album released. We wanted this album to have high quality production and spent alot of time rehearsing as a band to be tight. For the most part this album is very raw in contradiction to the polished final product. Vocally, most of these tracks are live straight through one take runs. Of course I took time to layer a few things and add backgrounds but all in all, I strived to capture the aggression I put out in our live performances.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Shaun ~ Currently everyone in ATP is fully focused and involved in only ATP. Although Milo our bassist does fill in for bands like Wolfpack 44 and Coven, as well as tribute bands in our local area.

11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Shaun ~ Against The Plagues will always be an Extreme Metal band. Expect heavy, epic, melodic, and versatile. Our next album will most likely have alot of different elements to it, for it will tell a new story. We don't stick to one formula. We write and play what we feel and what is true to us. Our music is driven by intense stories of real conflicts and full of pure emotion. Our passion to create music is wild and free, the way it should be.

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Shaun ~ I will always be inspired by Iron Maiden, GWAR and Pantera. As a kid these bands pulled me into the world of metal. Ozzy, Slayer and Cannibal Corpse came shortly after. Now I have listened and enjoyed so many bands I could write a whole article on them alone!  I love all types of music and do not limit my listening to just metal. I am inspired by music that captures an emotion familiar to my soul. We all have a story to tell.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

Shaun ~ I am very interested in writing short stories and poetry. I love history and so does the rest of the band. We enjoy visiting historical places and sites. Science and the universe is of great interest to us. We also have an affinity for craft micro brewed beer, lager, ales, stouts, scotch, whiskey and many other fine spirits.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Shaun ~ I would like to thank you very much for taking the time to interview us! We appreciate your support! Be on the lookout for many new developments and announcements coming soon regarding tours and festival appearances! We want to see you all come out and help us Devastate your town! Thank you so much! Horns High! \m/ \m/


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Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Tragacanth/Anthology Of The East/Loud Rage Music/2015 CD Review


  Tragacanth  are  a  band  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  a  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Anthology  Of  the  East"  which  was  released  by  Loud  Rage  Music.

  Symphonic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  sounding  guitar  leads  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  the  intro  the  music  gets  a  lot  more  heavier  along  with  some  grim  black  metal  screams  while  also  retaining  the  symphonic  elements  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  Death  metal  growls  and  melodic  riffing  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  clean  playing  along  with  classical  guitars  and  a  touch  of  middle  eastern  music  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  songs  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Tragacanth  plays  a  style  that  takes  black  and  death  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  melodic,  symphonic  and  epic  elements  to  create  a  style  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Ancient  Babylon  tales,  times,  spiritual  wars,  long  forgotten  lore  and  mythical  creatures.

  In  my  opinion  Tragacanth  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Birth  of  A  Goddess"  "God  Of  Hell"  and  "Edimmu".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb_q3lOdVZY

Unbowed/Dogma/2016 EP Review


  Unbowed  are  a  band  from  Ontario,  Canada  that  plays  a  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2016  ep  "Dogma"  which  will  be  released  in  February.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  symphonic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  before going  into  more  of  a  fast  direction  that  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  as  well  as  adding  in  death  metal  growls  and  also  mixing  the  heavy  and  symphonic  parts  together  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  dark  and  melodic  style  and  back  up  gang  shouts  as  well  as  acoustic  guitars  can  be  heard  in  the  music  at  times  adding  in  a  progressive  touch  along  with  the  vocals  also  having  a  melodic  tone  to them  in  some  parts  of  the  songs  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Unbowed  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly rooted  in  symphonic  and  melodic  black  metal  and  they  mix  in  the  growling  style  of  death  metal  to  create  a  style  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature,  religion  and  mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Unbowed  are  a  very great  sounding  melodic  and  symphonic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Bleeding  Throne"  and  "Echoes  Of  Cernunnos".  8  out  of  10.

facebook.com/UnbowedOfficial
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Monday, January 18, 2016

Illusions Dead Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?



As you know, our debut album will be released in February 8th, and the band's activity is currently centered on that. We're rehearsing songs, planning a new album to be recorded some time in the future, as well as recording one song later in February. Currently we don't have a bassist, so we're looking for one.





2.You have an album coming out in February, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the demo you had released in 2013?



Celestial Decadence balances dark and aggressive elements of death and black metal with more philosphical and introspective aspects. It's definitely a continuation of the same sound as heard on the demo, though the new album is more intense and aggressive on the whole, and the calmer and more melodic parts are more subtle and strongly embedded into the overall atmosphere.



3.the band has been around since 2009 but so far have only released a demo and a full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the gaps in between releases?



When we founded the band in 2009, we were still only learning to play our instruments. Though we did record some material between 2009 and 2013, it wasn't good enough to warrant a proper release. Recording is expensive and time-consuming, and it's not for the shortage of material or rehearsing that we don't release more material. We're determined to release music quite frequently in the future, though - it's one of my major goals with this band to release a whole bunch of (great) albums.



4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?



The lyrics explore various existential and religious themes. It's about the decay of faith in the modern world, and the lyrics portray different forms of faithful insanity, be it savagely violent, intellectually pathetic, or warlike and dangerous in an ordered way. Celestial Decadence refers to the lavisciousness of religion and the decadent monuments build in its celebration, as well as the degeneration and loss of meaning of faith. Religion, Abrahamic particularly, is becoming increasingly anachronistic in our age, and we are left less and less excuses for our barbarism, and more incentive for rational and humanistic ways of governing our world.



5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Illusions Dead?



It simply means disillusionment. Incidentally, it fits the concept of Celestial Decadence quite conveniently - if you look at it from a religious point of view.



6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?



In my opinion, the best show we've played was at Lepakkomies in August, together with Cauldron of Hate and God Disease. The audience was fantastic, and it was a real joy.



When performing our music, I want to express the passion I have for the music we play and the themes that go with the music. Some bands are really good with entertaining banter between the songs, but we don't do that much.





7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?



No. If an opportunity arises, we are willing.





8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?



No, but we are open to possibilities  if the opportunity presents itself.





9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and death metal?



We received a very positive review from Metal Observer, and some people who have received the promo have even told me personally that they liked the album very much, so I'd say the reception has been great so far!



10.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?



I am involved in an international death/doom band called Gloaming. We made an album last year called Keep Close the Watchfires. The others aren't currently in any bands other than Illusions Dead.





11.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Constant evolution. Finding and capitalising our strengths, exploring styles and expressing ourselves musically. I always want to make the kind of music that I wish there was more of, and I also deeply enjoy playing the sort of music that inspires me personally. Our style will evolve constantly, but that genuineness and inspiration will never change.



12.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?



Actually, we're influenced by a rather massive amount of bands, including Gorgoroth, Dissection, Insomnium, as well as some NYDM like Immolation, just to mention some major influences. It's a coctail of different styles that we combine into an entity of its own. I'd say that it comes very intuitively to us. Lately I've been on a big At the Gates kick, especially the first two albums. I've also binged on the first two Todtgelichter albums, which are really good German black metal. That band had a very interesting ability to invoke passion, drama and intensity with their music. It's extremely emotional, and yet still a deadly barrage of black metal. It's similar to what I'm listening right now, actually, which is the new Der Weg einer Freiheit album - also German black metal. Great stuff!





13.What are some of your non musical interests?

Reading, writing, good food and drink in the company of good friends.



14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?



Thanks for letting us share our music, and thanks for the interview as well!







https://www.facebook.com/illusionsdeadofficial

https://illusionsdead.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRdmov1KjIg

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Horrified/Of Despair/Stormspell Records/2016 CD Review


 Horrified  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  very  melodic  mixture  of  black and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their 2016  album  "Of  Despair"  which  will be  released  in  March  by  Stormspell  Records.

  Clean  guitars  start  off  the  album  and  a  few  seconds  later  the  music  starts  to  get  more heavy and  melodic  and  you  can  also  hear  elements  of  thrash  in  the  bands musical  style  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  death  metal  growls  along  with  blast  beats  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  th e musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  At times  the  music  can  be  atmospheric  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90'sand  clean  playing  also  makes  a  return  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  tremolo  picking  adds  a  great  amount  of  blackened  death  metal  elements  into  the  songs  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  one  song also  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  singing.

  Horrified  plays  a  musical  style that  goes  back  to  the  melodic  styles  of  90's  black  and  death  metal  to  create  an  album  that  is  very  retro  and  old  school  while  also  being  very  heavy  at  the  same  time,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

 In  my  opinion  Horrified  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Infernal  Lands"  "Dreamer  Of  Ages"  and  "The  Ruins  That  Remain".  8  out  of  10.

www.facebook.com/HorrifiedUK

Widower/The Unholy Oath/2016 EP Review


Widower  are  a  band  from  Texas  that  plays  a  melodic  form  of  blackened  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2016  ep  "The  Unholy  Oath".

  A  very  fast  black  metal  direction  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  high  pitched  screams  as  well  as  a  great  amount  of  melodies  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  very  melodic  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  riffs  also  mix  in  a  lot  of  thrash  influences.

  Throughout  the  recording  there  is  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  touch  of  German  thrash  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  growls  and  while  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  and  90's  while  having  more  of  a modern  take  and  the  whole  ep  remains  heavy  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Widower  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  melodic  black  metal  sound  of  the 90's   and  mixes  it  in  with  German  style  thrash  to  create  a  style of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  violent  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Widower  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of melodic  black  metal  and  thrash  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Unholy  Force" and  "Whore  Crusher".  8  out  of 10.

https://widoweratx.bandcamp.com/album/the-unholy-oath