Zine #39 Washington State, U.S

Home , Breeding the Spawn, Dark Tranquillity, Deeds of Flesh, Defeated Sanity, Despise the Sun, Pierced from Within

Zine #39 Washington state, U.S. www.metalbulletin.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/pages/The-Metal-Bulletin-paper-zine in this issue: reviews, reports, news, interviews on: Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the Dilapidation (Japan) Dimicandum (Ukraine) Mortal Soul (Kenya)

Deeds of Flesh (U.S.) Ghost Bath (China) Subterror (Brazil) Mist (Slovenia)

Theoria (Syria) The Great Gamble (U.S.) Eye of Solitude (U.K.) Secret of Ankh (Iran)

also: DEATH METAL traditional: Cleric (U.S.), Derogatory (U.S.), Harm (Germany), Torchure (Germany) technical/blast: Deprecated (U.S.), Oblivion (U.S.), Pestilence (Holland)

HEAVY/POWER METAL Argus (U.S.), Cyntia (Japan)

MELODIC/GROWL METAL Nightfall (Greece), Noumena (Finland)

PROG METAL Withem (Norway)

THRASH Skeletonwitch (U.S.), Toxic Holocaust (U.S.)

WEIRD/EXPERIMENTAL The Meads of Asphodel (U.K.), Mephistopheles (Australia) www.fuglymaniacs.com (issues online, concert videos, interviews, reviews)

history of Metal Bulletin Zine Then in 2011 their EP “Kakusei” destroyed any Issue 1 to 20: (2006-2009): Wisconsin doubts about where this band was heading. In a way, Issue 21 to 26: (2009-2010): Texas the EP solidifies the achievement of the debut. Of Issue 27 (2010) -- now; Washington state course, it’s an EP, so it’s short, even within a context of -- grind. Metal Bullletin Zine (MBZ) is a homemade publication That brings us to the present. The name of the and it is not a business enterprise in any way. MBZ is not album is “Wallow.” Clearly presenting their best- business partners with any band, sounding recording to date, “Wallow” is also another record/management/publicity company, club/bar, or loud scream of sonic yaaarg-blaaarg that continues any kind of for-profit organizations/individuals. MBZ is what this has band has been doing for all these years not paid money for reviews and interviews. Neither now. It’s quite the racket the way that F.I.D. goes about does MBZ seek to sell any product to anyone for destroying people’s hearing. Everybody’s going to money. need hearing aids after listening to this. -- It’s not just in the studio, either. For instance, look metal on the radio/internet (Pacific Time) up this band on YouTube performing live in concert Metal Shop (Seattle, WA): Saturday 11pm-3am and you will find several frenzy-whipping performances. KISW 99.9fm www.kisw.com F.I.D. is here to chew bubble gum and to play grind, FOUR ridiculous hours of the heavy stuff! and they are all out of bubble gum. Whether it’s Obscene Extreme Fest in the Europe or Asia, or some Sweet Nightmares (Houston, TX): Thursday night club in the middle of nowhere USA, the people who 9pm-midnight KPFT 90.1 fm www.kpft.org witness the band leave very moshed up and most likely Bill The Master and his pirates take over Texas! in some form of bodily pain. — F.I.D. has made a couple of appearances in the — U.S., such as in L.A. and Oakland. Here’s a picture of Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the F.I.D. with those lumberjack trainhopping hoboes from Capitalist Casualties and Slight Slappers. Dilapidation (Japan)

The hills are alive with the sound of grind and Flagitious Idiosyncrasy in the Dilapidation. Besides possibly having the greatest name for a band ever, this group is made up of geniuses of grind. Instantly likeable, and efficiently People into Nasum, Rotten Sound, Napalm Death and to the point, with no time-a-wasting, the F.I.D. sound grind in general, this one’s for you. has taken over my “house” (a van down by the river). www.facebook.com/Flagitious.Idiosyncrasy.in.th The band has demos from 2003, 2004 and 2006. e.Dilapidation THE END Then, in 2008, that’s when the grind hit the windmill, the -- band’s debut self-titled album was released. Dimicandum (Ukraine) Ridonculous: an outrageous collection of growling, screaming, animal sounds, thundering bass, stomping In the previous issue of this zine, the review noted, beats, blasting…and lots of yaaarrgg woof-woof amongst other things, about Dimicandum’s album “The aaarrrgg! Legacy of Gaia”: Bits, segments and pieces in the songs suggest “Listeners into modern melodic heavy/power metal all sorts of genre mixing, yet it all sounds very grind. For and big choruses should look into Dimicandum today.” short moments, you may think that they are going to do “There are eight songs on here. No filler, just hit a slow doom song, and it all gets busted up in grind; after hit.” some riffs sound kind of “rock and roll,” only to get “Starting with the first song, ‘The Legacy of jacked up by grind. A lot of times F.I.D. sounds like Gaia,’ things just get better and sooner than you “brutal death metal,” but it’s so hyper that it all turns realize, the album is over with ‘When the Sun Burns into grind the F.I.D. way. Immensely enjoyable and Out.’ What is a person to do? Have to play it again.” boatloads of fun; F.I.D. has a certain punk rock flair that charms up the grind, too. Dimicandum sounds like melodic, traditional heavy/power metal, with atmospheric elements and a bit of growling, but framed contextually, and keeping the music very catchy. Roman (vocals, guitars) answers some questions about the band. -- Hello, you are based in Kiev, correct? How is the metal scene in Kiev for Dimicandum? Hi! That's right, we're from Kiev, Ukraine. Our scene is lagging behind the West and now just getting on its feet. We do not have the infrastructure for the development of metal music, all that is done, is done by enthusiast forces alone. The situation with the clubs is stable, it is not always quality concert halls, but there is All your songs are in English. Can your ideas for the where to play, there are some cool clubs. In general, songs be expressed just as well in Ukrainian? each year the development of the scene is enhanced! No, we do not have the songs in Ukrainian, Russian was [used on] a couple [of songs] at the beginning of our What are your current objectives? career. But we came to the conclusion that it is better In 2013/2014 we plan to release one more video, new to sing in English. This opens up more possibilities, after single, and start writing the album, the material for all, it’s the language of the original rock n roll. which is now composing. The process is slow, but steady. In the summer we’ll play some festival shows. What are the problems that Dimicandum confronts for Also, we plan a concert in Poland (autumn 2014). The reaching Western Europe, and the Americas or Japan? new album will be a logical continuation of the Previously, the main audience was in Ukraine, then previous one, both in music and in the lyrics. We found Russia and Belarus. But, after release of our album, the style that does not limit our scope and our sound, so geography of our fans greatly expanded. Currently it’s we'll stay the course. Poland, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Japan, France, Canada and USA. You have played more than 60 concerts, correct? This year, two of our members must complete What have you learned about functioning as a band? clearance of foreign passport, and then remains the Yeah, right. In total, we played more than 60 concerts. case for [a] small [detail]: to finance our first European Geographically, it is Ukraine and Belarus. The main tour. For a start it will be Ukraine's neighbors, because thing on the tour is to avoid conflicts with each other :) going on a big tour with one album and without large- For us, it was very easy, because in our team is very scale promotional support makes no sense, everything friendly relationships between the musicians. must be gradual.

What is your opinion about auto-tune, drum Does the radio in Ukraine play Dimicandum? programming/drum sound replacement technology, Unfortunately, in Ukraine there is only one rock radio and other such things? Do you sing the chorus every station. And they play Iron Maiden, Scorpions, etc., but time on the album or do you "copy and paste"? nothing with growl/scream vocals. All radio stations We think that for some bands, modern technology is a playing extreme metal broadcast are on the internet. real solution. For example, when there is no way to record live drums. In our case, we wrote everything In the U.S., some musicians, when they have a serious completely, all the instrumental parts, without copy- illness, they do not have the money because metal paste; vocals without auto-tune, with minimal musicians are often not as wealthy as other musical processing, etc. All lyrics in the songs also recorded styles. Sometimes their audience donates money for completely, including repeating parts. the sick musician. Can you explain something: If you are sick in Ukraine, what happens when you go to a How is “The Legacy of Gaia” a concept album? clinic or hospital? Yes, it's a concept album. All the songs are related to We have a relatively free medical care, but it is each other and placed in a playlist within the meaning effective for simple diseases. If you’re sick with cancer and mood. The overall message of the album is legacy or something like that, you have to pay a huge pile of of our planet, what we have now and what will be left money for treatment, and the state then does not help. for our children. Sources of inspiration are very different, Only charitable funds are doing something useful. from movies, books to ancient myths and legends. 3

Is there a big problem of unemployment for young Dying, Bullet for My Valentine, and Metallica, as well as people in Kiev and Ukraine in general? I ask because Creed, Foo Fighters and Linkin Park, amongst others. Be unemployment is a serious problem in the U.S. now. that as it may, I think listeners into the Killswitch Engage In our country, it’s also an actual problem, a lot of style of rocking segments and melodic components young people after completion of higher education would find Mortal Soul as a new interesting group. don’t know where to attach themselves. We would like For Mortal Soul, determined to play this music in to earn a living making music, but for now it's their particular circumstances, it is always nice to hear impossible. Everyone has a job in the office. I am an from listeners that support and enjoy the band’s work, internet marketer, the drummer is a web programmer, so remember to send them greetings. This is a band the bass guitarist tunes cars, the keyboardist works in an working on finding its sound, and things are looking up. airline, and the second guitarist is a builder. Let’s see what happens on their journey and where they decide to take their music. Hopefully, it only gets Final question: what do you think about the videos of heavier and more metal. This is a good, solid beginning. Dimicandum on YouTube? Check it out: www.reverbnation.com/mortalsoulke YouTube is a great tool to promote your music. And Another way to be in contact: there's nothing bad, when fans posts video from the www.facebook.com/mortalsoulke shows with bad sound, if the band sounds good, it can -- be seen and heard in any case. Deeds of Flesh (U.S.) www.dimicandum.com.ua official website At this stage of the game, Deeds of Flesh has www.vk.com/dimicandum_official official VKontakte accumulated enough musical capital to be www.facebook.com/dimicandum.official Facebook considered an institution of intense/heavy/technical www.youtube.com/user/DimicandumTV YouTube death metal, and not just a good band within the www.reverbnation.com/dimicandum Reverbnation genre. For instance, look up reviews by people who www.metalscraprecords.com Metal Scrap Records know and you will find a general consensus that Deeds THE END. of Flesh is right up there with Suffocation, Decrepit Birth, -- Defeated Sanity, Origin and all the other main names Mortal Soul (Kenya) of the style. Actually, Deeds of Flesh is an older name The name of this metalcore band keeps popping up in than most of those bands, with the big exception of articles, interviews and comments by bands. For Suffocation, of course. instance, in issue 38 of this zine the band Skinflint Their first EP is from 1995 and it was called (Botswana) mentioned Mortal Soul. This band started in “Gradually Melted.” That was followed by their debut 2010 and is based in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. “Trading Pieces” in 1996. Well, the 90s was a long time Mortal Soul is Peter (guitars), Leon (vocals and guitars), ago, and much has changed, including in the Celeste (drums), and Young (bass). membership of Deeds of Flesh. However, with the passing of time, their solid reputation has grown; and in 2013 the band has an album called “Portals to Canaan,” which follows 2008’s “Of What’s to Come.” “Portals to Canaan” presents several matters that might surprise the listener. For instance, would you believe that “brutal/technical” blasting death metal Mortal accommodates large shares of guitar melody? That’s Soul exactly what this album demonstrates in its 40 minutes has a of music (including a Gorguts cover). recording called “Ashes in the Unfortunately, it would appear that some, Wind.” Fortunately for those interested, Mortal Soul has including those that enjoy the style, have painted posted some tracks on ReverbNation for everyone to Deeds of Flesh into a corner when describing the hear and download. Also, you can stream the sound. Really, that’s too bad. Deeds of Flesh may be complete EP on YouTube, just type the following: “brutal” or “technical” music, but there is much more “Ashes in the Wind – Mortal Soul (complete Ep stream).” here than nonstop blasting, zombie woof-woof. Cheers to Mortal Soul for doing what they want I would say that you do not need to be a math to do. They sound like a young band, learning the genius to understand Deeds of Flesh; the songs have ropes, and getting experience. A quick way to enough guitar melody that it is quite easy to approach describe their sound is to say that they are a “baby the compositions in that manner, as a gateway to the Killswitch Engage band,” although on this matter, the complexity. Still demanding of the listener, but it helps band specifically cites as influences: Trivium, As I Lay that Dees of Flesh has incorporated components that 4 liven up the monolith of death metal. Subterror! I would submit that “Portals to Canaan” is “Awesome” and “excellent” does not even begin to indeed a strong album. If you like “brutal/technical” explain how exciting Subterror sounds. but you have high standards, you demand great guitar If you want to hear a band with an honest work and attention to songwriting, then Deeds of Flesh mentality about recording, politics and music, then is worth your time. The album can appear abstruse and Subterror is for you. cold, but once you listen a few times, that notion is Plus, how cool is this? Their three recordings are easily dispelled. available for free, which is how I got them, and so can The only thing that the band is probably too you: “Desespero” (2011), “Subterror/Do You Think I conservative on is the vocals. The growling is a bit too Care?” split (2012), “Human Beings Should Have Never restricted, and could stand to be looser and rage in Evolved … at All!!” (2013). wilder, unhinged ways. All in all, the album should be Get the free music here: checked out because the quality is high. www.subterror.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/DeedsofFleshOfficial Don’t be a stranger. Send them a “thank you” note for -- making the existence on this miserable, violent and Ghost Bath (China) disgusting planet a bit more bearable with this music. Ghost Bath oscillates between random-screaming www.facebook.com/Subterror shrieking/howling “black metal”-ish rage, on one hand. contact: [email protected] On the other, the music brings on the somber moments, Samuel (drums) was kind to give answers to the spitting image of a cave-recorded musical these questions. As you will see, Subterror has a lot to endeavor for a specialized public. Ghost Bath lets loose say about music and politics. the melancholic post-rock, like some sort of more -- depressive version of The Smiths—angry but in a How are you all? You have three recordings? That's different, more subtle way. In these sounds, you will also what it says on Metal Archives. Is that correct? find substantial portions of piano-sad music. Hello! Thanks for the contact and the interview! We are fine, despite the hot weather of the city. It’s beautifully ugly lo-fi unstable somber angry. Well, these informations are correct. We started To the so-called average “person on the street” this the band in 2009 and we made our first release in 2010, sounds like absolute, hands-down garbage trash. Case a demo called “Desespero” (“Despair” in English). In in point, one song has lots of coughing. Yes, like when 2012 we released a split with a crust band from you have a cough. That coughing. Hungary called "Do you think I care?" and in 2013 we Yet, if when you read the first paragraph of this released our split with another crust band, "Defy" from review, Ghost Bath peaks your interest, then it might São Paulo (Brasil). At the moment we’re preparing our mean that you are the audience that this music seeks. first full-length which will be released in 2014 by the label Black Hole productions into CD format and on You never know, you might think that Ghost vinyl by other labels. Bath is the worst thing you have heard all year. Ghost Bath could be a hoax, too: the identities are not known Subterror sounds honest. How do you record? and they are from a place called “China,” or so they We try to avoid a computerized record. Our preference claim. This might be some high school kid in Nebraska, is to record raw and honest tracks, recording without U.S. or Istanbul, Turkey. Could be my neighbor next door triggers or replacements. For us these details are in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where I am right now. important because we care how the sound can Ghost Bath has made this recording available appear when someone listens and how we play alive, for free at Bandcamp. It’s only four songs, but that just how someone see our gig. So, we try to make a record means that it’s easy to do repeated listens. If you like similar to our concert. weird experimental cave post-black metal, then pack We aren't "instrument players", we are not your bags, we’re going on a road trip to Ghost Bath. virtuous guys when we play. We play with the intention There will be some coughing involved. of spending what we feel, pain and anger. Just that. At www.ghostbath.bandcamp.com the first two releases, all the instruments were recorded www.facebook.com/blackghostbath in the studio, but this latest record we just recorded the -- drums at the studio and the guitar and the bass at a friend's home. Subterror (Brazil) Just this last recording we use triggered drums, What happens when you mix Hellhammer with not so much triggered, and some things replaced. We Discharge? 5 still enjoy this recording, but we won't do it anymore. interesting because we create mechanisms of We really prefer a natural record. interaction with the other states. We played much outside of Brasilia and many bands also play here. It's What was happening in 2009 when you formed the like a cooperation, not competition. The bands help band? What was going on in Brasilia and music? each other. In 2009 we were still learning many things with the contact with several friends and underground festivals. How long has Harry been playing guitar? For example, we learned a lot watching Violator and Harry plays guitar a few years. Well, until now the guitar other bands in Brasilia and in Brasil. The cool thing of this had not fixed the tone, the way to specify sound. The city we live, especially in the period 2000 to 2006 is that result was always the sound of the test with the the underground has always been a great mix of styles. tentative to sound like old death metal style and The town never had a specific scene of punk or metal, Discharge. Sometimes we fulfill our goal. everything was always mixed, punk and metal together, with some exceptions, of course. Where can people read the lyrics? At that time we listened to crustcore, death Good question. I think we don’t have the lyrics metal and grindcore. We had some projects before available on the internet, but that wasn’t a thing on forming Subterror, but none worked for several purpose. Soon we’ll put the lyrics on Bandcamp and if unforeseen, so we did a break and after a while we possible on Metal Archives. About the lyrics, I write most began to think to try something again. of them, but the whole band tries to help. If someone We always liked to live here and enjoy the gigs, doesn't like a lyric or some part, we try to fix. but we searched a raw position. A space that doesn't speak only about European problems, North American How would you describe the themes of "Alimentando o political, wars and how life could be better if we think abismo" ("Feeding the Abyss"?) or "Funeral"? How would positively. We respect those positions, but we don't see you explain the title "Human Beings Should Have Never the world that way. Evolved at All!!"? So, in 2009, we formed Subterror with the “Alimentando o abismo” (or Feeding the abyss in proposal to play a raw crust. A kind of song that we English) is about the feeling of nothing – the abyss of always liked. After some time we started to mix metal nothing, created by the elimination of any support or and crust. Was not a change on purpose, just crumb that life can offer. Ideals of peacefulness, happened. harmony and stuff. Think about how a life would be without meaning, value and truth, false hopes that How is it recording where you live, for instance, the split numb us and alienate the weight of existence, a life in 2013? that oscillates between boredom and suffering, elation We recorded the drums at a studio and the rest of the and despair. Without illusions we fell into a kind of abyss instruments at a friend's house. We decided to test of nothingness. some possibilities for various reasons, one of which was “Funeral” is about a failure that will follow us money. Studios in Brazil are very expensive. The until the end of our life. Regardless of our choices, all of recording process was not very long because there them have consequences, the question is, how many were just 2 songs. We recorded everything in 3 weeks wouldn't hurt anyone? Imagine the fact that you were and 2 months to finish the mix and master. born was enough to harm another person. Funeral is about that, a failure as a living being, an inevitable Subterror is based in Brasilia. How is the scene for failure. Subterror there in that city and the rest of Brazil? “Human Beings Should Have Never Evolved at The scene is not so big, but we have a strong friendship. All!” is a sentence from the song "Hands That Mold" of We have many cool bands in the city, a scene without Dystopia, Oakland (USA). We really enjoy this band. The divisions. We played with bands of thrash metal, death song is about the progress of man and his ability to metal, hardcore and grindcore, and other people. segregate disaster with this false ideal of progress and Always with much respect. Everybody together peace between us and the world. because we don't have a specific crust scene, punk or metal scene. We are a small group of great friends. I like the fact that I can hear the bass in your music. Obviously we don’t associate with bands of How long has Luan been doing vocals and playing character sexist, racist, homophobic and so on. We bass? Luan used to do vocals only, correct?! But now don't play with this kind of bands. We usually play a lot he plays bass, too. in Brasilia and always is a great experience, playing on Yes, we started the band with four members, but in punk or metal concerts. About the rest of Brazil, it's 2012 our bass player had to leave the band and Luan 6 took over bass and vocals. In fact, he had never been professionals are the media and they want you stay a singer, he had always played bass. So, I think to play where you born. Born to die in the gutter. the bass and sing was easier to him. It was nice because he brought some kind of specific way to play What would you like for listeners of Subterror to do? Do the bass and sound, a brutal and heavy way to sound, you have t-shirts? Do you update your webpage great for the kind of music that we play. frequently? Thank you for interview! Well, we would like to say for Do you think that Brazil needs revolution? Is there a type listeners of Subterror that each choice carries a guilt, of change that you would like to see? Is all politics take care with people and with yourself. We're not nonsense, in your opinion? Do you think there is nothing worthy of anything. Don't be fooled, by false security, that can be done about the poverty in Brazil? we're weak. If you came here thinking that we are a It's difficult to use the word "revolution". We have metal band that like to put nude girls in our cd covers libertarian positions, but we are not anarchists or or that we accept fascist people sharing the same socialists. At the moment, we think that any attempt to space with us, probably you will feel better dead. revolution or freedom can create a new prison. Social Nazi metal and nazi punks, fuck off! If you are or individual. At moment we have a critical point in interested in the band, we always update the page on human existence where the subjectivity of the Facebook and there you can check the informations, individual is controlled in such an absurd way that is merch and talk to us. Again, thank you for everything! hard to believe that together we can make a Subterror/Samuel. considerable change in Brazil or worldwide. -- About the poverty, it is possible and an Mist (Slovenia) obligation to reduce it, but in the current capitalist Mist totally surprised me with this golden oldie classic- system which we live, while this shit continue existing, style original-fountain doom. Whenever a band wants together with the apparatus of the police, state, to play doom in the old style of Sabbath and church and other forms of oppression, will surely be Pentagram, that’s a deal that I will take any time of impossible to refrain from any form of poverty or day. Besides, it’s a break from 24-7 woof-woof barrage inequality in Brazil and worldwide. in this zine. Want to hear doom in the old style, with traditional vocals and songwriting, with the feel of Do you think that soccer plays the role of a "second Sabbath’s “Volume 4”? religion" in Brazil? To keep the masses entertained so Mist has a two-song recording simply titled that they do not rebel? Maybe television in general is “Demo” and it sounds honest, without lots of studio the "second religion"? It's probably correct in the U.S., trickery. It’s certainly a very nice beginning for Mist. too. "Don't worry about politics. Leave it to the www.soundcloud.com/mist-doom 'professionals.' Just watch your tv show and be happy." www.facebook.com/mist.doom In the meantime, the corporations and politicians do email: [email protected] what they want: steal and exploit and kill. -- I agree but I need to say that not only soccer is the responsible for the control here. The media has Theoria (Syria) enormous power over the population, probably bigger The black metal of Theoria, as found on the album than soccer. The Brazilian media is controlled by only “Mantra” (2013; five songs; 34 minutes), showcases one broadcaster, the same which supported the certain two-lane structures enhanced with memorable Brazilian dictatorship. The other channels are headed elements that make sense to the listener relatively by churches or banks owners. quickly. The sound quality is not the most polished The Brazilian media is fascist and manipulative. fancy, and of course, the primal sound identity might They control news and create stereotypes. We don’t not change the minds of some skeptics; however, if you know how it works in the USA, but in Brazil we have a like to search out different bands in black metal, then big problem with sexist, homophobic and racist this is worth investigating. programs at most of the channels. Every Saturday you Consider, for instance, how Theoria seamlessly can join your family to watch a comedy and laugh at a goes from raw, fast black metal with instant energy, joke about rape, about gays or black people. That's and then transitions to midtempo and some doom-like horrible and nobody cares. shades. As a result, Theoria goes for a grim vibe, In fact, that’s really happen. We learn this kind balanced out by atmospherics as an indispensable of thing in our whole life, how you say, “Don't worry component. The glue holding things together for about politics. Leave it to the ‘professionals’ – the Theoria consists of clever incorporations of bits of melody smoothing out the overall songwriting, which all 7 makes the album one that justifies repeated listens in to absorb the album, which is a pretty good feeling, order to discover nuances throughout the recording. giving you reasons to come back to this ambitious self- release by a young band struggling to make a name Theoria is based in Aleppo, Syria, according to Metal for itself. Archives. Syria is a country that has been in the news in Some very pleasant economic news: this album the recent period due to the civil war taking place is available for free at Bandcamp. there. I don’t know if Ahmad and Besher—the people In other news related to The Great Gamble, the of Theoria—still live in Syria. Meanwhile, Theoria is very band’s guitar player Al Joseph has an instrumental generous and has made this album available for free shred album called “Out in the Open” and it’s definitely at Bandcamp. for listeners into guitar-centered shred. If you buy shred albums by Joe Satriani, Tony MacAlpine, Steve Vai and As if that weren’t gift enough, there’s another surprise other legendary guitar wizards, AJ will be a new artist from Ahmad and Besher: they have a second musical interesting to you. AJ’s guitar power cannot be denied, project together called Crescent Moon, an and although he is not yet a guitar jedi, he is on his atmospheric doom death entity that has a two-song way. As Yoda would say, “Patience young one, be the recording called “The Wall of Light” (about 18 minutes) guitar kingdom keys yours they cannot yet. Yes, hmmm, that is also available for free at Bandcamp. but yours and the treasure you will find will soon they be. Yeessssss.” If you like to seek out metal, Theoria and Crescent In any case, if you are a tolerant and patient Moon present a nice opportunity for doing so. Why not music listener into prog and shred, then look into The get in contact with Theoria/Crescent Moon, too? As I Great Gamble and Al Joseph. said, I can’t give definites on the personal information or the location of Theoria/Crescent Moon, only the music, which is really what matters, anyway. Hopefully this is not the last that we hear from this duo. www.theoria1.bandcamp.com www.crescentmoon-sy.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/Theoria.SY www.facebook.com/Crescent.Moon.sy -- The Great Gamble (U.S.) Would you be interested in hearing a prog metal band that really is prog? One of those bands that writes www.thegreatgamble.bandcamp.com lengthy compositions without much regard to making www.facebook.com/thegreatgambleofficialpage “simple” music for the “average listener”? If your www.aljosephofficial.com answer is a positive one, then look into: The Great -- Gamble and its album “Book 1.” This bunch is Eye of Solitude (U.K.) supposedly planning a return to action in 2014, given The previous album by Eye of Solitude, “Sui Caedere” that 2013 seemed to be a year of low activity. (2012), impressed me beyond expectations because You could justifiably make the case that “Book said work is a bit different from what I imagine within 1” (2012) is elitist brainiac prog. Besides a very brief “funeral death doom.” Although “Sui Caedere” is track (1:34), there are five full songs: four are about 10 definitely very slow and heavy, it uses enough melody minutes on average, and the last is some 16 minutes. to catch the listener’s attention. Let’s not kid around. The Great Gamble is music Logically, when I found out that the band has a for musicians, for people with lots of patience, for metal new album called “Canto III,” I couldn’t help but seekers, for the selective prog listeners, and new expect low-growl, super heavy duty funeral death listeners whose minds are receptive to something more doom. However, I was wrong. Or, at least, I was wrong complex. about several important aspects. You can imagine that it takes repeated listens The main overall element about “Canto III” that for all of this music to make sense. These songs go into distances the album from its predecessor is how wide meandering paths, on tangents, and it’s only minutes Eye of Solitude has cast its net. The big umbrella under later that the band may return to the chorus. Expect which all of the band’s sounds can be labeled is still guitar solos, long instrumental segments, and very “death doom.” Nevertheless, that’s not entirely correct, proggy passages. Personally, I do remember certain given the variety found throughout the songs. Namely, passages from songs, but it takes at least a few listens 8 blasting speed comprises a crucial ingredient in the much more) info. Metal Archives says that this duo is music. Black metal energy has been embraced, and based in Iran, but check it out for yourself and try to both the speed and the guitar work have mutated the contact them and see what happens. frame in which the band’s sound operates. These www.facebook.com/pages/Secret-of- “symphonic, blasting black metal” passages have Ankh/557965170922285 altered the way that the listener will understand Eye of -- Solitude here. more REVIEWS/NEWS by MMB (unless otherwise noted) Of course, there are other aspects, such as the DEATH METAL (traditional) guitar melodies in some segments, that add bright Cleric (U.S.): "Gratum Inferno” (Tofu Carnage Records) spots to the depressive doom. In addition, a small to Cleric (Texas) follows the left-hand path where they are moderate use of “clean” vocals brings new dimensions, supposed to rot, and when life has ceased, they will as if Eye of Solitude has thrown open the doors to its find the truth beyond that has drowned in morbid music. Seeing that the growling by this band is low, devourment. The premature autopsy will reveal the guttural and indecipherable, the “clean” vocals add a carnal leftovers. It’s a bitter loss, but revel in flesh, for life discernable contrast. goes on, even after being abnormally deceased. All in all, this album is a tad “accessible” due to Can’t enough of that olde tyme deathe the variety of styles. Yet, it still demands patience and metalle? Neither does Cleric. In particular, only for the trust from the listener. For instance, one has to wait truly serious Stockholm-style voracious listeners. about three minutes of introductory atmosphere, www.facebook.com/666cleric666 before the first song gets going. This six-track album is over an hour of music, meaning that instant Derogatory (U.S.): "Above All Else” (FDA Rekotz) gratification is not the objective. Rather, it’s meant to Devotees into those old Earache and Roadrunner take several listens and lots of time before the clouds bands, you better buckle up your seatbelt for a trip and dust of death doom clear up a bit and give way to back in time to early 90s death metal. I will limit this the melody, nuances and intelligibility. review to three observations. The riffs are clear yet As we know, It’s difficult to be perfect, and sure heavy, with some thrashiness. Two: the songs are fairly enough, my ears have had a bit of trouble on a couple traditional and linear. It’s definitely fun and you don’t of different points. In my opinion, when the music is have to be a wizard to understand it. going fast, the drums sound too plastic, like a drum Finally, Derogatory plays fast. They blast and machine. My ears also noticed the “modern” also play at speed-metal velocity. Derogatory is not a production: the “wall of loud noise” approach seems to “melodic” band but a sick, heavy one. The melody that drown out the contrasts and shades too much, is heard comes from the only place in traditional death creating the sensation of an album that is a bit too loud metal: in some moments of the guitar solos. It’s for its own good. “melody,” but it’s not sweet, sugary stuff. Despite these subjective matters, I do not Death metal: “baby Malevolent Creation” or hesitate to recommend this monster of an album to “baby Monstrosity.” death doom listeners, who will be pleased with the www.facebook.com/DerogatoryDeath Metal heaviness, melodies and the effort on the part of Eye of Solitude, which has again achieved a strong success Harm (Germany): "Cadaver Christi” (FDA Rekotz) for itself. Is there a company more obsessed with classic www.facebook.com/eyeofsolitudeband Stockholm death metal in the style of Entombed and www.facebook.com/kaotoxinrecords Dismember? FDA keeps releasing these Entombed- -- worship albums and there’s no stopping now. The Secret of Ankh (Iran) cynics won’t be happy about this new “trend.” Really, Secret of Ankh is about a blasphemous spirit that would though, it’s not like this music will make Harm make King Diamond blush. “Frozen Forest” is the name millionaires. Plus, it’s death metal, I’m not going to of the recording and it does in fact sound like it was complain. recorded in a cave. It’s not blasting, raging If you like old-time death metal and you want black/death metal, although some of the music is more of it. Yes, you are a love-it-all death metaller, then exactly that, but by far the most important element is consider the latest result by another reliable FDA band. the evil-dark chanting and atmosphere. Look at it as an www.facebook.com/pages/Harm experiment in sick underground music. In this case, underground might actually be a correct description of Torchure (Germany): "Beyond the Veil” (1992; reissue) this duo. Go to the Facebook page and from there you (Vic Records) can access the free downloads, as well as a bit (not Vic Records reissues the 1992 album by the death 9 metallers Torchure, a band that evidently broke up in the volts just go wild. Moreover, the clarity of the sound the early-mid 90s. In the early 90s not many death helps those of us mere mortals to comprehend the metal bands from Germany received international wavelengths we are hearing. The bassering is not press; not as much as bands from Florida and New York, always upfront, but it does show up all the time, Stockholm and the UK. thundering and rumbling all over the place. Today, this album still sounds good, like a bit of a Generally speaking, Oblivion’s strength, more lost gem. If you have hundreds of early 90s bands, you than anything, in terms of listenability, probably is the probably have this album, or at least may have heard clarity of the guitar playing. Oblivion seeks to fool no it. In contrast, if you have not heard this band, and you one: any and all able ears can hear the riffs being really enjoy old death metal: the sound, the feel, the used, as the band is not hiding behind trickery in that headbanging vibes and the no-nonsense heaviness, department. The chord progression can and do go Torchure should be fun. More specifically, check it out if fast, yet how is it that it sounds decipherable and you are partial to bands like Asphyx, Morgoth and intelligible? Well, it’s not that I have especially good Obituary and other bands that balance heaviness with ears or that I have any particular intelligence; it’s that uptempo segments. Oblivion makes the music that way. Oblivion sounds The melody found on the album originates from approachable. On the account of the guitar playing, the guitar soloing, but of course, the rhythm/riffs stay as it’s easy to say well done. heavy as possible. As an album from that particular period, the music shows some thrash leanings, but played at a much heavier spectrum. Moreover, Torchure also exhibits a tendency for forays into doom, in a balanced way, combining all of these factors into a death metal entity. Stylistically on the vocals, Torchure has long- syllable roaring-growling that’s guttural and that extends the sounds: no fast-quick shouting/screaming here, only super heavy monstrous growling. Torchure does have fast, blasting moments, but those parts are not the centerpiece of this midpaced death metal band, although the blasting certainly enlivens the Further, the songwriting, I’ll just limit myself to proceedings. saying that the first time I listened to the full album at a The old death metallers have most likely already reasonable, comfortable volume, I had the feeling that heard this album back in the 90s, especially in the songs functioned well. Part memorable, part Germany. Alas, 1992 was more than two decades ago. technical/prog, part shredding, on-point drumming If you love old death metal, then Torchure should be and great vibes all around: that’s more than enough put on the to-look-up list. www.vicrecords.com strengths for an album. As you can see, this is on Unique Leader, which DEATH METAL (technical/blasting) says that it’s modern death metal performed at a Deprecated (U.S.): "Deriding His Creation” strong level. This is my first time experiencing Oblivion, (1998 reissue) (Unique Leader) but I have the feeling that we all are going to hear this Deprecated seeks the tracks for mass obliteration that name more in connection to technical and modern will make the deity weep upon the effigy of the death metal. www.facebook.com/OBLIVION forgotten. Deprecated infects the crypts and cannot avoid the involuntary manslaughter. The act of Pestilence (Holland): "Obsideo” (Candlelight Records) reincremation will condemn them to habitual infamy, The music of Pestilence seems to cause many differing living the seeds of the suffering, within a liege of views, most likely on account of the constant style inveracity for breeding the spawn to despise the sun changes from album to album. Nevertheless, the 2009- that is pierced from within. “Worship music,” indeed. to-the-present Pestilence appears to have settled on www.facebook.com/DeprecatedUSA continuing on the path of brutal/technical/blasting death metal. Oblivion (U.S.): "Called to Rise” (Unique Leader) As expected, this post-reformation Pestilence The überteknikall karpaltunnel neckbracebreakers chugging stop-start style is praised by some, while Oblivion is to be heard, not to be read about. The totally rejected by others. Closer to the truth is that it guitarring, drummering and growlscreamering brings depends on one’s views on fast, blasting, intense woof- down the cloud of extremity right to your door, and lets woof music. If the listener wants memorable riffs like on 10 the 1988, 89 and 91 albums, then, Houston, we have a telling me that Argus is ripping off this or that classic serious problem of unmet expectations. This is lots of band; my ears only hear echoes of influences, in a chugging, zig/zag rhythms, low-string plucking in a good way. mosquito-attention-span manner. Better than good, Argus is a special treat for What does all the foregoing reveal? Well, those devoted to heavy metal that demands talent to actually, not as much as one would think. It might play this style. The singer has to sing for real, and the mean that this is too wacky even for some death metal guitar must have the riffs, and the band must have the listeners; or that Pestilence cannot/will not for the life of songs. There is an air of serious talent to Argus and it them figure out how to do a memorable riff anymore; would be very revealing to see this band perform in or, that this music is for musicians; or, that this is great order to find out if they have the goods live (including stuff mostly for moshing when it is played live. the singer), as this album is very impressive. Nor is it completely correct that one cannot You will know a good thing when you hear this remember this music. I don’t have a particularly good band. www.argusmetal.com memory, but I certainly do remember parts of these songs, certain rhythms, solos, vocal and drum patterns. Cyntia (Japan): “Endless World” (2012); “Lady It’s easy to complain about Pestilence. It is also Made” (2013) (Victor Entertainment) probably true that no album with the name Pestilence Cyntia believes in making songs rocking in a heavy will ever reach the level of classic as “Consuming metal way, but Cyntia also constructs super catchy, Impulse” because that was a special time. Approach happy-joyous compositions, with a very pop, television- this as Pestilence 2013, different era and lineup making friendly style. As a result, the music depends on both music and one will find that “Obsideo” has many the rocking and the sugary melodies to make its point. positive elements. Cyntia also happens to be very good at its chosen www.facebook.com/Pestilenceofficial field. It seems that this style is popular in Japan, but I HEAVY/POWER METAL (traditional) don’t know in particular how much of a chart-topping Argus (U.S.): “Beyond the Martyrs” (Cruz del Sur Music) success Cyntia is. At any rate, it is clear that the What is heavy metal? Argus is, in the sense of classic, combination of chocolate-sweet rocking songs and a traditional heavy metal. In the near past this zine has tv-friendly image would inevitably find a sizeable reported about several classy albums of heavy metal audience. with singing, riffs that you can appreciate as guitar work (not just chugging rhythms) and with guitar melodies/harmonies; bass guitar that you can distinguish, with a good, solid heartbeat drumming. Some of these more recent albums include the ones by Pharaoh, Surgeon and Power Theory, who all apparently have Pennsylvania connections. Argus (also, with a Pennsylvania relation) must be added to that list. Listeners of traditional heavy metal, in the classic, basic Judas Priest/Iron Maiden (and forms/styles/bands associated with that tradition) would do well to seek this album. Just to explain further, this is NOT keyboard/happy power metal. It’s Cyntia works the upbeat guitar vibe, including some guitar/bass/drums/singing heavy metal. The riffs are not crisp, fast guitar melodies for the uptempo songs. The happy but gritty Priest/Sabbath riffs, and a clear, solid guitar is from the power metal style, something like a rhythm section that keeps the songs in place, and Sonata Arctica/Yngwie-sounding feel. During these upper midrange singing (not thin, high, happy-go- songs, the drumming goes at a matching speed, too. lucky) and with personality. These songs are topped off with Saki’s vocal melodies, Argus, here and there, shows moments of as well as catchy choruses. As expected, some tracks doom/Sabbath/Candlemass, but is not really a doom go at a more midtempo, radio-friendly ear candy beat. band. Rather, it’s selected moments in songs, and it’s Recommended for people into super melodic all placed very well. In addition, Argus displays the happy power metal and rock. FYI: Cyntia has a more element of Thin Lizzy-ish guitar melodies, a wise recent EP called “Return to Myself” and it appears that component to the band’s sound. the band might be going in a more midtempo Don’t get the wrong impression, though. Argus is direction, an even more hit-oriented style. It’s an EP, so no tribute group. For instance, my old ears are not let’s see what happens in the future. 11 www.cyntia.jp Tranquillity? Perhaps you think of Amorphis? Maybe www.facebook.com/Cyntia.BrightStarRecords your thoughts gravitate in the direction of the sounds of bands with growled vocals, memorable hooks, and melancholic tendencies? MELODIC GROWL METAL What about the continuation of that style Nightfall (Greece): “Cassiopeia” (Metal Blade Records) nowadays? Do you enjoy the aesthetics of Insomnium, (review contributed by JJ: www.fuglymaniacs.com) and possibly Omnium Gatherum, Be’lakor, Eternal Tears Nightfall’s ninth studio album: Cassiopeia; 11 songs, 50 of Sorrow, and of course, Dark Tranquillity? minutes. Nightfall was formed in 1991 by frontman and If your answer is in the affirmative, then, add bassist Efthimis Karadimas. Lineup changes were Noumena to your list. This band, however, is no novices, effected in almost every release, with Karadimas so worry not about Noumena being an acolyte entity. remaining the only constant. Nightfall and lineup For instance, according to Metal Archives, this band changes go together like peanut butter and jelly, has been active since 1998. It seems that, in addition, apparently. Fans shouldn't be surprised if you follow this several of the band members were in metal bands in band. Cassiopeia is a conceptual record based on our the mid 90s; therefore, as you can see, Noumena has arrogant human race and they used metaphors from been around the block. Greek mythology. Cassiopeia is opened with “Phaethon,” the track which showcases all faces of this troop as it starts in more modern midtempo melodic note, but as it reaches the other half it gets much faster. As the album progresses one will understand that “Phaethon” represents the whole of Cassiopeia in a nutshell. We were pleasantly surprised and it should be noted that Cassiopeia is a very atmospheric release; keyboards are nonstop laying emotional parts, while the guitarists Evan Hensley’s and Constantine's riffs, leads and melodies are fast, short and sweet; plus, not knowing when and where they are going to jump at you is a The first thing that I noticed is that the music is new trait for us. Usually they are predictable and expertly done in all phases: a professional sound, expected, but not here. In addition they are carrying capable (and non-barked) growling, good traditional those distinct Greek riffs which connoisseurs will singing, and catchy songs. This is the band’s fourth full- recognize right away. length album, and with it, Noumena runs the gamut of Cassiopeia carries elements of gothic, upbeat riffs and growling, while also working midtempo symphonic death and black metal, and even old catchy segments and gothic/melancholic traditional heavy metal yet somehow brought together nicely. singing and mellower moments. Songs have the Cassiopeia is original and a must have for 2013. It does multiple guitar approach: the low-tuned semi-thrashy demand the full attention from the listener but it pays riffs, which are then topped off with a layer of very ear- off big time. The saga of Nightfall continues to evolve friendly guitar notes. This method of writing is and for the better. Rarely do you find an album that represented throughout the album, and evinces a has this many elements and yet sounds so great. great deal of care taken in the compositions. Production is excellent and at 50 minutes, it's perfect. The band’s previous “Anatomy of Life” album is Most of the time we will know if we like from 2006, and this one is from 2013. As for this long something after the first listen. After one spin we knew pause in action, I do not know if the band broke up we needed to dive in for a closer inspection. We knew and then reunited, but the results here speak to a band there was much more to hear. Sure enough, it got working hard on each song, and it’s readily clear that nonstop rotation for days and we are sure glad we did. Noumena has crafted a work that goes very well with We really like and recommend this album. Do yourself a the classics of this particular style, namely In Flames, favor and get it at your favorite store. Let’s hope Dark Tranquillity and Amorphis. Whether it’s Amorphis’ Nightfall keeps this up. www.facebook.com/nightfallgr “Tales from the Thousand Lakes,” or Dark Tranquillity’s

“The Gallery” or “Projector,” Noumena has many Noumena (Finland): “Death Walks with Me” (Haunted qualities that also appeal to those attentive to the Zoo Productions) current practitioners of this sound, such as Insomnium. What is your idea of 1990s metal? Does your To end, give this album a few serious listens in order for imagination move towards In Flames and Dark 12 the complete picture to emerge, and I believe that you Whenever a band goes beyond the novelty will agree that Noumena has delivered quality. aspect or when the www.noumena.info “new band” shine wears off, then we can start to see www.facebook.com/Noumenaband what we have: a band to forget or remember? Well, www.noumena.bandcamp.com five albums since 2004, that’s no one-and-done deal. Metallers who have not given a chance to PROG METAL Skeletonwitch certainly should do so now as the ship Withem (Norway): “Point of You” (Sensory Records) sailed a long time ago, but it’s not too late to find out People knowledgeable are already familiar with the what you have been missing. batch of high quality traditional, melodic prog metal What does this band have to do for you to give bands from Norway, headed by veterans such as them a chance: show up at your door and play your Pagan’s Mind and Circus Maximus. Bands in this genre backyard vegan barbecue party? build reputations for talent, making their names www.skeletonwitch.com appreciated amongst the listeners of the style. Withem’s debut puts the band in a good Toxic Holocaust (U.S.): “Chemistry of Consciousness” situation vis-à-vis the genre and its public. Those who (Relapse Records) will become part of the audience are the picky, elitist, All the rumors are true, Toxic Holocaust is an aggressive traditional-talent-demanding listeners who prefer potion of Motorhead rough-gut vocals and speedfreak singers that can really sing and that do the soaring energy, plus early Bathory black thrashing primal riffs. vocals that touch the sky. Such listeners demand guitar On this album, like their previous ones, it’s total black players that shred, solo and play fluid melodies, and thrashing punk growl metal, and all the songs sound like skilled rhythm sections, of course. part of one big thrashfest. One song just flows right into With this album the band has done a great job the next one, and in such fashion the recording is of executing three phases of the traditional, melodic suddenly finished: 28 minutes, 11 songs. prog metal game: ability, songwriting and production. Listeners already familiar could be pleased that This album is on Sensory Records, a top place for prog they got more of what they wanted, or could just as metal, which means that before this music is published, easily complain that it’s more of the same; and it is the band has done serious quality control. more of the same. Well, what else is a band called Withem is prog, but all the songs are Toxic Holocaust supposed to do? No “jazzing it up” manageable for simple-minded listeners like myself. The here, no “experimenting” with the tuba and banjo songs are very easy to remember, and that’s a nice here, it’s thrash. It’s not the most mind-boggling thing in break from all the woof-woof zombie metal that I have the world and it sounds like this band could have been listening to today. It’s not an exaggeration that recorded the album in a week, in a riff-after-riff nonstop Withem writes songs that sound like “hits.” In short, barrage. highly recommended for the genre’s public. From the perspective of this listener, this music is www.withemsite.com a-ok, tons of great vibes and tunes. Definitely recommended for un-uptight thrashing maniacs who THRASH want music to be a good time. Skeletonwitch (U.S.): “Serpents Unleashed” (Prosthetic www.facebook.com/ToxicHolocaust Records) The melodic black thrashings of Skeletonwitch abate WEIRD/EXPERIMENTAL not, unknowing of sea changes or directions of the The Meads of Asphodel (U.K.): “Sonderkommando” winds. Thrash riffs, black metal leanings, shriek vocals, (Candlelight Records) speedy always, blasting often, and on-mark energy For as long as I can remember, this band has always songwriting. To my ears, Skeletonwitch delivers quality been weird and experimental. They show that they can once again, and this time with some surprises. The write catchy stuff, with almost pop or punk sensibilities, if biggest one this time around, I’d say, is the dedication they wanted, but they prefer to throw themselves into spent on more memorable guitar soloing and melodies; the eye of the storm of the weird. It sounds that for the and on that score, the band registers a solid success. black metal punk Pink Floyd moments of this album Those traditional heavy metal melodies are showing they have tons of guests. It also sounds like they have their presence in the midst of the big thrashing riffs and spent lots of time into this project. It is 1 hour and 10 the black metal tendencies. All of this makes minutes long. Skeletonwitch a most interesting, well-organized puzzle It is extremely vulgar, and also beautiful; poppy of metal periodization, all condensed into their at times, demented at others. Approach only and only signature structures. if you like the very weird side of metal: at times they 13 sound like geniuses, and at others they sound like a bunch of street punks who in their fantasy dreams wish they could write those classic concept albums like Pink Floyd and the Beatles; but alas, they are a bunch of black metal punks, and they can’t help but make quality fuglyeautiful sounds. www.themeadsofasphodel.com

Mephistopheles (Australia): “Sounds of the End” (Willowtip Records) The first impression might be “brutal death metal,” and while the growling/screaming and heaviness may further support that thesis, the realities of the sound complicate things. The guitar sounds very little like death metal, despite the low tuning. Really, the guitar sounds very little like norm-restricted metal, period. Is this jazz, prog and math guitar played in a heavy way? Mephistopheles is no “easy listening” experience. It’s a puzzle of heavy and technical jazzy math growl metal. Sometimes the music goes fast. Correction, make that: blasting fast. Just as likely, the drummer sounds like he’s doing a drum solo, inside of a bigger composition. Maybe the audience is the “brutal death metal” listeners, but anyone who likes dissonant and twisted songwriting will enjoy the band’s refusal to comply with strict rules by making off-putting, brainiac fast experimental metal. Shouldn’t Voivod listeners enjoy something like Mephistopheles? If a person wants more than linear, predictable songs, then Mephistopheles would be one band to look into for something a bit different. www.facebook.com/MephistophelesAustralia

-- CORRECTION: RE: The previous issue’s review of Sorrows Path (Greece) stated that the band’s debut album was published some 20 years after the band’s founding in 1993. That information is incorrect. The album “The Rough Path of Nihilism” was released in 2010, some 17 years—not 20—after the band’s founding, according to Metal Archives. -- December 30, 2013