Metal Bulletin Zine #43 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:

Astral Domine (Italy) Lucifer’s Hammer (Chile)

Tabahi (Pakistan) Obelyskkh (Germany)

DEATH METAL Blasphemyth (Morocco/Switzerland), Humiliation (Malaysia), The Kennedy Veil (U.S.), Near Death Condition (Switzerland), Obscure Infinity (Germany), Otargos (France), Warfather (Holland/Brazil/U.S.), Warmaster (Holland)

BACK TO THE FUTURE Manilla Road (U.S.), Revelation (U.S.), Sarcófago (Brazil), “Warfare Noise” (Brazil) www.fuglymaniacs.com (issues online, concert videos, interviews, reviews)

history of Metal Bulletin Zine #1-20: (2006-2009): Wisconsin #21-26: (2009-2010): Texas #27(2010)-- now; Washington state

Metal Bullletin Zine (MBZ) is a homemade publication, think will happen because these riffs, this attitude, this and not a business enterprise in any way. MBZ is not vibe, these songs are originate from the book of heavy business partners with any band, metal. record/management/publicity company, club/bar, or Highly recommend for said listeners. any kind of for-profit organizations/individuals. MBZ is www.lucifershammer.bandcamp.com not paid money and does not sell any product to www.facebook.com/Lucifershammerband anyone for money/profit. -- -— Tabahi metal on the radio/internet (Pacific Time) Tabahi is all-out headbanging, moshing thrash, the way Metal Shop (Seattle, WA): Saturday 11pm-3am that both old and new thrashers can understand: KISW 99.9fm www.kisw.com shredding metal. Good news: the self-titled album is FOUR ridiculous hours of the heavy stuff! also a free pay-what-you-want release. The guitar player Faiq took the time to answer these questions. As Sweet Nightmares (Houston, TX): Thursday night you will see, Tabahi is fast thrash, but it’s also a thinking 9pm-midnight KPFT 90.1 fm www.kpft.org person’s thrash. Bill The Master and his pirates take over Texas! — Astral Domine: "Arcanum Gloriae” (Bakerteam Records) Someone who thinks highly of all things related to the epic symphonic neoclassical power metal of Rhapsody, and who, presumably, really enjoys the style in general, including giving a chance to new bands, would find Astral Domine as a worthy subject of investigation and time investment. I have to tell you the situation right away: Astral Domine is a “baby Rhapsody.” From the orchestral arrangements, to the epic-style singing, to the neoclassical guitar playing, to the overall “filmscore -- metal,” it is Rhapsody that I hear as the fundamental Hello, Momo here. How is life for your band in Karachi? element. Momo, my friend, first of all we would like to thank you As you may have surmised by now, this is for appreciating our efforts! We’ve been getting really neoclassical symphonic modern power metal. In my great responses from all over the world. It does means case, I have heard the album many times now, and I a lot for the band when people contact us and have found it a professional recording, with good appreciate our debut album! And this is what metal is songwriting that leaves an impression for people into all about, no matter how far we are but we all connect the style, and with lots of talent. Of course, they and unite through metal! probably do not have the kind of financial resources Life is pretty tough for a metal band here in that the two Rhapsodies have, as this is Astral Domine’s Karachi, Pakistan. Only 20-30 percent of the population debut, but the album is noteworthy, or at the very least, living in Pakistan can relate to the genre, metal. Metal is very enjoyable to the supporters of the style, with a a genre that is in the initial process of growth here in our partial ear to the happy-glorious nature of the music. country. Metal concerts and gigs are on a hiatus as Total grouchos will criticize it for the same things well in the country. Despite of all of that, still there are that Rhapsody supporters enjoy it. Now, what remains many bands who are now focused onto recording and to be seen is what happens with Astral Domine in the releasing material independently. Tabahi is one of the future and where they go musically. This is a good first thrash metal band in Pakistan that has released a beginning, from my perspective. 13-song album independently without the support of www.facebook.com/astraldomine any record label. 2014 is a great year for the band, www.astraldomine.altervista.org released album in March, got great responses from all over the world, got signed by two record labels (Turkey Lucifer’s Hammer: "Night Sacrifice” (Shadow Kingdom) and Italy) which are already promoting and releasing Lucifer's Hammer has a hot three-song demo that is for our cds and cassettes worldwide! those who love the New Wave of British Heavy Metal along the lines of classic Blitzkrieg, Raven, Angel Witch, How is the metal scene for thrashers in Karachi? Satan; and other cult bands like Manilla Road. The metal scene here in Pakistan has been on and off I mention those names because these Chileans since the 90s; mainly because of the decline of socio are very well versed in early 80s classic and cult heavy and economical situations happening in Pakistan. metal. If you love old heavy metal, then this band will Bands in Pakistan (every genre) have a very struggling appeal to you immediately. Or at least that's what I life and especially for the bands which doesn’t have the support of their parents. All of the students here are These albums literally changed our lives. These albums meant to be doctors, engineers and serve for their are immortal, and no matter how old you get, these country, there is a very strict ethical and value believes albums will always be immortal and can change one’s in our country. Therefore, most of the bands struggle to life! Same happened with Tabahi, we all three are big ever form out and play. When it comes to metal, the followers of the old school thrash era, 80s and 90s and golden era for the underground metal scene in from bands like Destruction, Slayer, Sodom, Metallica, Pakistan was probably between 2002-2005 and then Kreator. Also, our vocalist (Daniyal) is heavily inspired by 2008-2010. the legendary Teutonic thrash metal bands, and in our As I said, it’s been on and off. Tabahi has been vocal style for this album, you can hear some of the a part of all the struggles I’ve mentioned! But 2013 was vocal influences from Mille Petrozza and Schmier. a great time for the band as we decided on the final Thrash is in our blood, when any of the songs gets lineup of the band and started focusing on writing our played, the adrenaline rush is there and it’s like having originals. We got to record all of the 13 songs of the best feeling in the world for us three! Thrash and Tabahi’s album in our home studio, but yes we got metal is a genre that still is in its growing stage here so a some production support from Italy and U.K. Thrashers couple of other Pakistani bands like Mob Rulz, Dionysus, here are always supporting Tabahi, from buying us Foreskin and Multinational Corporations are some of burgers to cigarettes to banging their heads on our our favorite bands here! There are no old school thrash songs when we’re playing live! And also from all around metal bands from the 90s and 80s here in Pakistan. the world, we’ve been getting great responses! However, there are a bunch of rock/pop artists that we were inspired by when we were growing up, some of Your band started in 2008. According to Metal them include, Junoon, Milestones, Saleem Javed. Archives, all three memebers of Tabahi (Faiq, Daniyal and Hyder) used to play in Khorne. I have the EP "We Begin", actually. What is the relation between Khorne and Tabahi now? Yes, Tabahi has been serving for the underground metal scene here in Pakistan for around 5 years now. We started back in 2008 with a five people lineup, covering songs by Metallica, Sodom, Slayer. Then Tabahi had to be paused and be stalled because all the members had left the band to continue their further studies, and I (Faiq Ahmed) was left alone with Tabahi, but still kept on making originals for the band hoping to be releasing these originals. In this time, the frontman for Khorne was a school friend and literally “Idolized” Faiq, asked to form a doom metal band. As Tabahi was on a stall, me, Daniyal Buksh Soomro, Hyder Ali all three composed all songs of “We Begin” (EP), except “Resurrection.” Vocals and lyrics were written by the frontman of Khorne himself. After “We Begin” was released, it gained much popularity among the audience and we all three were very excited for Khorne, too, but when fame gets to you for the first time, it is one greedy thing! Anyhows, the frontman Your song "Democrazy" says, "We elect our leaders; with then decided to dissolve Khorne and dismember us our votes; they feed us lies, terrorized, brutalized, three. We, Tabahi then focused onto making our stigmatized." You also say, "Power earn money; money originals and produce an album to makes a big manages the power." Strong words! impact/footprint in the worldwide Thrash metal industry! Democrazy is a song that is related to all the countries who are leading by using democracy. For us, Can you explain how the thrash inspiration started? Are democracy is a form of legalized corruption. They feed there thrash bands from Pakistan that you like? Are you lies in their presidential campaign to get votes, and there old thrash bands form the 80s or 90s from when they get to be elected, the innocent people who Pakistan? are made fools are then brutalized and tortured. That Thrash inspiration for Tabahi mainly started with the really is the sad reality, all of this can be ended if only albums “Kill’em All,” “Show no mercy,” “Pleasure to Kill.” the human mind can possess that democracy will not 3 come, no matter how hard we strive it, democrazy will mostly in every song, like “Twisted Minds” is about always serve, do they not hear cries and realize?? women’s oppression here in our country. Many of the metalheads here in Karachi, do support our lyrical I like the way that Tabahi shows critical thinking. For themes cause they’re going through the same trouble instance, your song "Virgin Bomber" says, "Each act of that we’re going through! your violence; makes your enemies strong; each life you take weakens your cause; because of you, your Are there metal bands in Karachi with women? own people suffer; because of you, my religion reels in If you talk it internationally there are metal maidens shame." (women) that are entering into the industry, be it the “Virgin Bomber” is a tribute to all those who have lost all-women thrash metal band, Nervosa to Arch Enemy’s their lives in suicide bombings. The main theme revolves ex-vocalist Angela Glasgow. It’s mainly about the around a suicide bomber who is brainwashed and acceptance of the metal music, the way metal urged by preachers to kill innocent people and get into connects with you, your inner soul and demon hiding heaven. Most of the people have a very wrong inside! In Pakistan, yes, there are hardly a few women perception about our country that many of the I’ve seen who are appreciating metal but no all Pakistanis are in favor of suicide bombings or killing women metal bands as such, though we would love to people. Bombings are a reason that our religion is see one! reeling in shame, it’s literally the opposite of what our religion is supposed to be. The main culprits of What is the situation for a metal band that wants to producing these virgin bombers are the preachers plays shows in other cities in Pakistan? themselves who are constantly trying to portray a bad We all three, literally crave to perform live. And that’s image of our country. The lyrics are very appreciated what metal is all about, playing live performing all out in by the local thrashers/metalheads here and also the front of the people that we love (fans)! This is the best people who aren’t into metal, just listened to the song way to appreciate their support for the band! Tabahi because of the lyrics and the video that we’ve has mainly been playing in Karachi, but there aren’t a released. We all three first decide on the theme of the lot of metal concerts happening here because of the song, then start writing and compiling it all up! security issues. Metalheads in Karachi, haven’t seen a single metal international band coming here and Your song "Fatwa" has some of the coolest lyrics that I performing, most of the Pakistanis then have to go via have seen. You say, "A plan that tells what I can't and Dubai to see their idols. Security is the main issue for this; what I can be" and "You kill the people who expose hopefully this can be solved in the upcoming years. For your lies." How do you decide lyrics in English or Urdu? Tabahi, we are looking forward to perform worldwide Haha, first of all thanks for acknowledging the lyrics to and promote our album! We’ve been in talks with “Fatwa.” You might not know what fatwa is too. Fatwa Turkish promoters and also looking for international actually means: a ruling on a point of Islamic law given promoters to help us spread our album and mainly the by a recognized authority. In most of the Islamic message all around the world! countries, especially in our country “fatwa” has been used in applying all the stupid and the things which In the U.S. when Pakistan is in the news, it is patronizing, have no reason to get them banned. For example, a negative, racist stereotypes, with anti-Muslim overtones. few weeks back a fatwa was issued on the people who I wonder if in Pakistan you also see mostly negative would migrate to Mars the planet in the future just stereotypes about the U.S., as if everyone here is a because of the fact that we're only here to serve on millionaire, pro-war and pro-invasion. Maybe it is the planet Earth not any other planet. convenient for both governments to promote these Therefore our song is not negatively about images, to keep both populations ignorant, patriotic issuing fatwa, we believe in our religion, we just want and prejudiced? the ruling to be applied correctly and with thorough Yes, I completely agree with you. It’s the governments’ meaning like we have mentioned in our lyrics. We convenience to promote these images. It’s not like we decided to write our lyrics in English, cause it’s one of get up in the morning of hearing a drone blast nearby, the universal languages worldwide used and we didn’t life here is pretty much of a regular life just like a life that wanted to keep our album and songs limited you guys are living there in America. But then again, nationally, we wanted our message to spread there are difficulties in every country, its how you cope worldwide and let people know about Tabahi and up with these difficulties! And in the last, metal is what mainly Pakistan. unites us all together! This interview is an example, too! Also every song of ours has a different lyrical theme and a musical theme to it! You can notice that Keep thrashing! 4

Thank you for the opportunity, man. It’s one of the first along with solid low growling, mixed in with a bit of interviews that is so detailed about the band and the shrieking. I hope this song is the beginning of more of album too, really appreciate the opportunity! As I’ve what the band will be bringing in the future. The first link mentioned zillion times that we’re getting awesome is how I got the EP; I hope it works for you, too. responses all over the world, a recent one is the biggest one, Jeff Waters from Annihilator got to listen to our whole album and he was really happy with the work that we’ve produced! You can read the shoutout on our Facebook page! You can listen to all of our songs on Facebook page. If you want to buy our cds and cassettes you can contact SWA PRODUCTIONS and DISTRIBUTIONS at [email protected].

Go to the FB page for the free download link: www.facebook.com/tabahi666 www.tabahi.bandcamp.com

Khorne (doom). Free EP at: www.khorne.bandcamp.com/releases -- www.sendspace.com/file/nmbwty Obelyskkh: Hymn To Pan (Exile On Mainstream) www.blasphemyth.bandcamp.com Would you say that heavy stoner growl/melodic doom email: [email protected] is your bag? The vibe is both stoner doom with growling, and traditional doom elements, including Humiliation/Obscure Infinity (split) (Brutal Art Records) melody, and spacey/psychedelic components. The Humiliation/Warmaster (split) (Dead Beat Media) album shows a lot of work put into it; five songs over eight minutes, and the last, sixth track over 20 minutes. What the band also does that is different is that they have lots of uptempo-ish vibes, and that’s not normal in doom; so, it’s actually rocking doom. It’s a heavy-duty guitar tone, but the music sounds like fun, and rocking, which, again, it’s not what one thinks of with doom. The vocals can sound kind of shouty at times, kind of punky, but switch to melodic vocals, too; not quite “smooth singing,” but surprisingly melodic and fitting, and providing a nice contrast with the other styles of vocals. After some 40 minutes, then it’s time for Humiliation the last song, which is technically over 20 minutes, but these guys could be a bunch of jokesters, though: the Here are three bands devoted to golden-age-style first three minutes are music, then some seven of death metal. (Malaysia) Humiliation’s “military death ambient/spacey sounds, then back to the main of the metal” focuses on history/war-themed classic-dm- song; and towards the end, the psychedelia trippiness influenced heaviness and groove. Listeners will detect returns big time. shades of Bolt Thrower, and perhaps Obituary and Doomheads that have not checked out this Death, too, as in their most recent full-length album band should put this one on the list. Looking for doom “Turbulence from the Deep,” which I recommend for that shows good songs and a good doom production? total Bolt Thrower/midpaced/golden-era dm fanatics. Seek. www.facebook.com/TheObelyskkhRitual The veterans guarantee “old school dm” with these -- two splits, one with Obscure Infinity (Germany) and DEATH METAL another one with Warmaster (Holland). Blasphemyth: “Blasphemous Hordes of Obliteration” For their part, Obscure Infinity’s two songs The EP is a quick intro and one song proper. Leaning highlight a death metal that probably sounds closer to more on the “old school” side of death metal, the song the very direct dm style of Deicide, it seems to me. has a very moshable, headbangable quality to it. The Upfront lyrics and attitude, OI shows a dm heart for the drumming is simple and direct, uptempo and fast, classics. Blasting sometimes, aggressively fast always, OI 5 is primal dm. supporters of this style, even though the band is not a big-name entity. At any rate, NDC, despite the technical wizardly, has a substantial amount of melody and catchiness, within this particular context of carpal tunnel tendonitis arthritis dm. www.facebook.com/officialneardeathcondition

Otargos: “Apex Terror” (Listenable Records). Otargos Obscure Infinity has brought its best game, serving notice to the modern/blasting death metal audiences that there is another player at the table. Otargos has been around for years, often seen as a black metal band. However, Warmaster’s two tracks of no-nonsense dm go for low it’s time to change that assessment, I believe. In vocals, but with some higher-pitched parts. The important ways, Otargos’ death metal template is, for drumming is of the hard-hitting type that anchors the reference purposes, Behemoth’s “Demigod.” Otargos songs rather well, and invites the listener to headbang, epitomizes modern clinical death metal: thick guitars, mosh or move; a very good characteristic, of course. perfect drumming and superblazing speeds. To Simple, direct, effective dm, that’s Warmaster. balance out the blasting, Otargos adds grooves/midpaced moments.

Warmaster

Humiliation email: [email protected] www.humiliation.my www.facebook.com/HumiliationMalaysiaDeathMetal Obscure Infinity www.facebook.com/obscureinfinitygermany Warmaster www.facebook.com/warmasterofficial Sometimes it’s a fast song, followed by a groove one; The Kennedy Veil: “Trinity of Falsehood” (Unique or, a combination of both within a song. The black Leader). The attack of hyperblasting robodeathmetal metal elements in Otargos nowadays are less obvious continues. Yes, they have been listening to lots of because of the death metal production, but there is no Origin, too. Modern heavy tech death = The Kennedy doubt that some of the guitar work is stamped with Veil. Of course, if you would not like a bit melody and black metal origins, although, beyond doubt, it is more catchy segments, fear not because there is zero of that than clear that Otargos is in the here. This band plays as if there is no tomorrow; like they Behemoth/Belphegor/Negator camp. In talent, are going back to jail after this recording, so they are songwriting and production, Otargos should be taken doing their best to bring their best, fastest, techiest, into account by those viewing this style favorably. heaviest, frenzied game because after this album, it’s www.facebook.com/OTARGOSband the end of the world. Go out with a big bang. You want fast? You got it. www.facebook.com/thekennedyveil Warfather: “Orchestrating the Apocalypse” (Greyhaze Records). If you wonder whatever happened to former Near Death Condition: “Evolving towards Extinction” Morbid Angel growler Steve Tucker, here’s a definitive (Unique Leader Records). NCD just about does it all in answer: Warfather. To tell the truth about how I hear death metal: technical, blazing, groove, midpace, this: there are many similarities between this title and heavy and a bit of melody. Often there are about 100 Morbid Angel’s “Heretic” with Steve Tucker. The million riffs of wrist-breaking technicality and speed, yet growling phrasings, the fast semi-black metal riffing, the NDC works various levels of dm, on this their third midpaced chug-chug, the general speed, and some album. According to Metal Archives, NDC formed in of the guitar solos/hooks/vibes have that “Heretic” feel. 2001, so the album is professional and it will please Nevertheless, the use of atmospherics and the slower 6 passages provide contrasting points. In addition, this difficult to argue. album is more clinically perfect/robotized than www.store.shadowkingdomrecords.com “Heretic.” I sense that Warfather believes that it is wise www.facebook.com/ShadowKingdomRecords not to freak out the listeners with something experimental, so this is a total modern death metal Sarcófago: “Rotting” (Greyhaze Records) album for the listener that likes fast/current death Sarcófago’s barbarian death/black/thrash “INRI” metal, with some melodies here and there. Nothing (1987) was followed by the still-primal-but-slightly-more- surprising, fully expected and overall competent: polished thrashing “Rotting” (1989). In a sense you recommended for Steve Tucker-era Morbid Angel could say that this was a transition that other bands supporters, the modern hi-tech death metal audience, were making, from raw death/black/thrash towards a such as Behemoth and Hate Eternal, especially if the thrashier, cleaner metal: Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, listener consumes large quantities of death metal Sepultura, Bathory, Sarcófago and others were frequently, and is not super critical/jaded, as long as it is sounding more “professional” in the late 80s. In the good for headbanging. case of Sarcófago, this recording actually sounds www.facebook.com/pages/WarFather/2409313660115 horrid, and it is only when compared with “INRI” that it is 21 clearer, but within the context of Sarcófago, mind you. In general, those into the old metal definitely like both BACK TO THE FUTURE “INRI” and “Rotting.” Both are worthy after all the time Manilla Road: “Mystification” (Shadow Kingdom Rec.) that has passed and are very enjoyable today. Curious to hear what Old Metal Al would tell me about this band, I checked with him. Maybe I shouldn’t have. He wouldn’t stop praising Manilla Road. There is something about this band that makes the old heavy metallers go bonkers. That “something” could be: (1) This Wichita, Kansas band’s demo is from 1979/debut from 1980; (2) their 1982 album is called “Metal”; (3) this album “Mystification” from 1987 is the sixth album; (4) they have a bunch of albums and their fanatics are very vocal about defending this band, whose latest album “Mysterium” is from 2013. As to the album at hand, “Mystification” combines dark/horror themes/imagery with fast, uptempo and a bit thrashy www.greyhazerecords.com (in places) headbanging cult heavy metal. The themes www.facebook.com/greyhazerecords have that old metal obsession with the occult, as you’d find in so much classic metal; and classic metal, this is. “Warfare Noise” (Greyhaze Records) Al is right. www.store.shadowkingdomrecords.com (reissue of 1986 compilation of bands from Brazil): www.facebook.com/ShadowKingdomRecords Chakal, Mutilator, Sarcófago, Holocausto “Warfare Noise” is an excellent introduction to Revelation: “Salvation’s Answer(Shadow Kingdom Rec.) the world of 80s underground thrash/death/black My friend Old Metal Al says that there are many metal, and it is 100% a must-have for those interested in reasons why supporters of traditional, melodic doom knowing the origins of the legends and myths of that do not have this title should get this 1990-recorded thrash/death/black metal from Brazil. It’s rough, album. He says that he remembers that when he unpolished metal, and it sounds excellent if you like that bought this album, when it came out, he had to old, raw mayhem. Props to Greyhaze Records for double check that it had not been recorded in 1980 or reissuing. www.greyhazerecords.com 1981 somewhere in the U.K., because to his ears it www.facebook.com/greyhazerecords sounded like it was straight out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, like some sort of sibling album to a band like doomsters Witchfinder General. (Revelation is from Maryland, U.S.) This is a no-filler album; every song April 25, 2014 has lots of charm; a classic doom charm. Al says that he remembers that this album sounded nothing— nothing—like the metal released in 1991. Now, in 2014, he says that this album has gotten better, if you like old doom. “What a special album,” he underlines. Well, it’s 7