Metal Bulletin Zine #56 www.metalbulletin.blogspot.com Sept. 23, 2015 www.twitter.com/MetalBulletinZn www.fuglymaniacs.com (issues online, videos, …) four bands from Washington state, U.S.: Black Breath Addaura Tygerrs Lair Ghostblood

Warkvlt Melted Space Horrendous Hibria

Amorphis Insanity

and Dark Delirium, Blood free metal music

Sanhedrin, Winter Blood, Fornicus, Eternal Forest, Psyclopus, Dispellment

(continuation of the interview with) AXEMASTER

— of tech-death drumming. The guitar tone, Metal Bulletin Zine naturally, is similar to the classic/famous P.O. Box 1339 sound, and the Lake Stevens WA 98258 USA band utilizes a sense of well-timed melodies and catchy parts. The vocals are expressive, www.facebook.com/pages/The-Metal-Bulletin-paper- almost intelligible, not monotonous growling, zine not microphone cupping nor one-tone low Metal Bulletin Zine #1-20: (2006-2009): Wisconsin growling. #21-26: (2009-2010): Texas #27(2010)--now;

Washington state To me, the most impressive aspect of the All reviews, news, updates below are album is that the band has melody, catchy by MMB, unless stated otherwise. riffs and songs that connect with the listener -— that wants to remember the songs. If metal programs (these are Pacific Times) anything, the band is still a bit too shy to show Mosh Pit (Madison, WI): Monday night 9:30pm- off how good they really are because they 12am WORT 89.9 fm www.wortfm.org save some of the best material for last. The last song “Chains of the Afterlife” is an Sweet Nightmares (Houston, TX): Thursday instrumental piece and the band really shines night 9pm-12am KPFT 90.1 fm www.kpft.org on this number, unafraid to bring out the melodies. Excuse All the Blood (Olympia, WA): Friday night 11pm-1am www.kaosradio.org

Metal Shop (Seattle, WA): Saturday 11pm- 3am KISW 99.9fm www.kisw.com — bands from Washington state

Black Breath: Slaves Beyond Death (Southern Lord Recordings) In my opinion, Black Breath has broken away from the overcrowded field of death metal in a major way and has delivered a top quality album that picky listeners should consider if said public is searching for bands that have The important thing is that they have asked something special to offer. I think it is good themselves how to make memorable songs, that they are pushing themselves to higher how to make them interesting to themselves standards. They are demonstrating that they as musicians. The band is becoming braver have the songs, the knowledge, the skills, the and braver by adding melody, in the way that confidence and the quality to stand out the classic, late 80s bands had melody, amongst death metal bands. whether it was Sepultura, Death, Entombed, Dismember, , Obituary, Black Breath formed in 2006 and this 2015 Pestilence, Carcass, so on and so forth. album is their third. The music is a bit reminiscent of Stockholm-style old death Looking for classic-style death metal with metal of the late 80s/early 90s. The drumming songs that you can remember? Searching for is direct, steady and decidedly the opposite death metal that is confident enough to play a variety of tempos and incorporate melody? 4.Solace Beneath a Greying Sky 13:36 This is it right here. Black Breath. total time 52:11 www.blackbreath.com Yet, the songs appear connected in such a www.blackbreathsl.bandcamp.com way that it does sound like one big song, in www.facebook.com/BLACKBREATH.MUSIC the sense that people listen to the album, and www.southernlord.bandcamp.com just ride out the songs. Is it the simplicity of the music? Calling “simple” seems incorrect Addaura because this is not two-chord, monotonous Addaura is melodic/atmospheric/symphonic music. Rather, it could be the fundamental . They have a new EP in 2015. The principle of transitioning smoothly from one band’s discography is as follows: segment to the next in such a way that people do not even notice. Demo 2010 Demo 2010 Burning for the Ancient full-length 2012 ... and the Lamps Expire EP 2015

The band started in 2008 and Facebook gives this lineup:

Ryan – vocals, guitars, keys Brandon - bass Jesse - guitar Brandon - drums

You can listen to the new music at the band’s Bandcamp page, which also has the 2012 album. In terms of the music itself, it is remarkable how well the band’s black metal has been received. There is no question that Now, the 2015 recording ”... and the Lamps the 2012 album “Burning for the Ancient” Expire” continues the aesthetics upon which carries an undeniable charm. Addaura’s the band is building a reputation. The new music is structured to run smoothly through the music establishes that the band is well on its tempo changes. It is interesting that people way in terms of identity. If anything, this 2015 say that Addaura is “repetitive” and when EP leaves the listener wanting more. Perhaps they say that, they say it as a positive the band had sensed that the time gap comment, as a compliment. Why? Because between the previous album and the new EP the songs flow so smoothly that some listeners was getting too long. They may be working on view the album as one long composition. Just a much bigger project. Regardless, the EP is a to clarify, the album is not one song. It is: satisfying listen and it’s good to hear that the spirit is still there. The thing now is that listeners 1.City Light (In Still Dark Forenoon Silence) around this region have their sights set on the 10:25 band delivering an epic album. We’ll have to 2.The Muses Thro' Their Bowers 14:24 wait a bit longer for that. Meanwhile, the EP is 3.The Baring Admission of Weakness 13:46 available at Bandcamp for the 1 dollar 3 starting price, which is a good reason to Vegas where they recorded our 6-song demo check it out and to begin the process of that garnered the immediate attention of communicating with the band and asking Sony Records.” However, according to the about that full-length album! That’s the hope bio, very serious health problems prevented that the EP has revived, that the follow-up to that incarnation of the band to come to full 2012’s “Burning for the Ancient” is indeed fruition at the time. Later on, Tygerr, now in being planned. Seattle, begins the band again in 2007. The bio lists the band’s accomplishments thus far, If you have an interest in black metal, and and states they are working on an album that atmospheric black metal in particular, spend will be out soon. For more information, check some time with Addaura today. Get in out the pages below. The band lists Seattle as contact with the band. its hometown and the Facebook page says www.addaura.bandcamp.com the current members of the band are: www.facebook.com/pages/Addaura/117676 Tygerr--Vocals 111578266 Cody Nash--Guitars/ Vocals Max Jordan--Drums Tygerrs Lair Nick Smith--Guitars On the ReverbNation site the band says that www.reverbnation.com/tygerrslair1 they sound like “Bullet for My Valentine, All www.tygerrslair.com That Remains, Kiss, , .” www.facebook.com/tygerrslair I have heard the songs on ReverbNation, and from the sounds of it, I would say that they Ghostblood: Blood from beyond the play modern metal, with some traits of more Grave traditional metal, like melodic singing and soloing. The singer Tygerr sings the melodic, more traditional style, while the songs get backup with more aggro screaming in the background, a bit of gang shouts. Online the band says that they are preparing their debut full-length album “De- Volution” for the fall of 2015. The band’s contemporary, modern metal should appeal to a wide range of the metal public because they put effort into making catchy songs, and the combination of aggro/melody. On the band’s website there is an interesting history of the band. The bio states The day that the three thrashing mutants of that the singer “Tygerr has also played in Ghostblood run into the Dream Theater guys several bands some of which opened for acts at a Starbucks in Seattle, the Ghostblood such as Alice Cooper, David Lee Roth and thrashers will steal Dream Theater’s lunch Stryper in the 80’s.” The bio continues: “In money, throw a hot cup of dirty coffee at 1996, Las Vegas sensation Tygerrs Lair was James whatshisname’s shiny shoes, and these formed with Tygerr and Richie Scarlet, from mutants will proceed to pelt that John nerd the Ace Frehley band. They were based in Las and that Jordan egghead with day-old stiff

4 muffins until those prog dorks run away … to a different Starbucks. “Blood from beyond the Grave” 1.Blood From Beyond the Grave 00:54 “All gore, no core” is the slogan of the band. 2.Dungeon Ripper 03:06 They play sewer death punk thrash with 3.Red Snow 02:45 mutant melodies, which is a new genre that is 4.Cleaver Fever 03:17 taking Seattle by storm. My grandmother and 5.Bloodstormer 03:09 I really love this hot new style of music. You, 6.Haunting the Swamp 02:35 too, will either love them, or hate them, or 7.Beast of the Darkest Woods 02:47 think they are ok. Young metal 8.Recapitator 03:07 whippersnappers today just don’t give a flip 9.Disasteroid 03:00 about categories. Imagine the jerks from D.R.I. 10.Open the Grave 03:06 and Municipal Waste jamming with the 11.Smash and Burn 02:24 scumbags of Six Feet Under for some Sex total time ….?! Pistols covers of versions of Kiss and Motorhead classics played by a joint project I am unable to tell you the total time of the of Venom and S.O.D. paying tribute to album. Hey, what do you expect, I’m not a Autopsy interpreting drunk. wizard of mathematics to calculate the total WTF?! Why The Face, right?! You know what?! running time. It sounds just as lovely as I describe it. No, it’s lovely and neat, in a sick and disgusting way However, I am, in fact, very able to tell you that is endearing, like a zombie hanging out that this is an album of dirty thrash made for with you at your birthday party at Chuck E. you to bang your head. This band writes songs Cheese. Well, more like, my birthday party at about resolving the pressing problems of the Chuck E. Cheese. Forget your stupid birthday world (like red snow) that you and your whole party. I’m not going to yours. family can enjoy together, and discuss at the dinner table. Just this evening my This brand new album is released officially on grandmother and I had a very nice dinner Friday the 18th of September in the year 2015, and we talked about the merits of the mutant A.D, not B.C. Today I have been listening to thrash of Ghostblood. After the discussion, I this album because I have never heard this gave my grandmother a nice big hug and we band before. They claim that they started in said our long goodbyes. After that, I came 2013, but I was not there, so this piece of down to the basement where I’m staying with information can only be an unsubstantiated her temporarily for the last 14 years, while I get rumor at this point. They also claim that they my life in order. I have been listening to are handsome, and after seeing some sexy Ghostblood the whole day today. The whole pictures of them at Ashley Madison dot com, I day. Because I am an overachiever. I’m not a have to agree, and I will start accounts for all quitter. Don’t be a loser. Listen to Ghostblood three musicians at Harmony dot com so that right now. Right now! Or maybe tomorrow they can find true love. Because their good when you have more time. looks should not go to waste. www.ghostbloodmetal.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/ghostbloodmetal These are the songs that comprise this hot www.twitter.com/GHOSTBLOODMETAL new album that will sell by the millions. This phone: 206 948 8393 album is so hot right now. email: [email protected] 5

Warkvlt (Indonesia) programmed as on “Merdeka.” In conclusion, In a world where traditional-necro black in terms of this style and execution of the metal needs zealot-fanatical bands to defend songs, Warkvlt is worthy of your time if you it, the time for Warkvlt is right to deliver 100 desire to find true black metal from Indonesia percent grim black metal as true as they in 2015. possibly can. discography: Warkvlt Full-length 2013 In nomine odium Single 2013 Blasphemous Alliance Split 2014 Maju, Serbu, Serang, Hancurkan !!! EP 2014 Merdeka Single 2015 Merdeka Full-length 2015 Serangan Umum 8 Maret (Live) 2015

www.warkvlt.bandcamp.com On Bandcamp you can hear the 2015 album www.twitter.com/warkvltlegion “Merdeka,” a raw black metal work of speed, www.facebook.com/WarkvltLegion guitar rifforama and necrovocal intensity. www.reverbnation.com/warkvltlegion Warkvlt is for those whose idea of black metal is early Bathory and necro . The band is new only in a technical sense Melted Space: The Great Lie because the band’s forerunner was Impish, a (Sensory Records) black metal band that began in 2010 (and Melted Space is a metal opera, with which according to Metal Archives, continues traditional and extreme metal vocals. The today). Really, the history goes even back music is, overall, more on the side of further because, for instance, Metal Archives traditional prog and heavy metal, with some lists many bands for guitarist Abah extreme metal influences. If in your music “Desecrator” Supriyanto, bands such as collection you already own metal operas and Crusade, Dismaster, Hallucination, Hellgods you treasure them, then Melted Space is for and Neurotic of . Some of those bands’ you. On the other hand, if you have not heard origins go back to the early 90s, actually, so a metal opera and you are wondering what it there is a lot experience consolidated in is, Melted Space features a great amount of Warkvlt. This wide knowledge of metal music work for the self-respecting, open-minded all- gives this band a great, vibing feel when you metal public that appreciates music that is a listen to the music. The guitar work bit more intellectual and elegant. demonstrates how to make fast black metal while still injecting necromelody to make the This album utilizes a wide variety of singing songs memorable. The album sounds great for and vocal styles that deserves to be the style and for the supporters of the genre. mentioned: David Vincent (Morbid Angel), Personally, I believe that the earlier recording Attila Csihar (Sunn O))), Mayhem), Mikael “In Nomine Odium” (2013) also represents the Stanne (Dark Tranquillity), Arjen Lucassen band’s black metal identity and allegiance (Ayreon), Ailyn Gimenéz (Sirenia), Kobi Fahri very well. I like the drum sound on that earlier (), Mariangela Demurtas recording better, as it does not sound so (Tristania), Guillaume Bideau (Mnemic), Niklas 6

Kvarforth (Shining), Sylvain Coudret (), Vincent, Attila Csihar, Mikael Stanne, Arno Adrien Grousset (Hacride), Christine Rhoades Strobl, Clémentine Delauney, Virginie (Jeff Loomis), Manuel Munoz (The Old Dead Goncalves, Lucie Blatrier Tree), Arnaud Strobl (Carnival In Coal), Clémentine Delauney (Visions Of Atlantis), 04 “Terrible Fight” Virginie Goncalves (Kells), in addition to the Featuring vocalists David Vincent, Guillaume work of The City of Philarmonic Bideau, Manuel Munoz, Clémentine Orchestra. Delauney, Virginie Goncalves, Lucie Blatrier, and guitar solo by Adrian Martinot

05 “A Is Dead” Featuring vocalist Manuel Munoz

06 “Trust And Betrayal” Featuring vocalists Mikael Stanne, Guillaume Bideau

07 “Glass Castle's Beast” Featuring vocalists , Niklas Kvarforth, Guillaume Bideau, Clémentine Delauney, Virginie Goncalves, Lucie Blatrier The album is the brainchild of mastermind Pierre le Pape, who does piano, keyboards 08 “Hopeless Crime” and orchestration. He works with guitarist Featuring vocalists Christine Rhoades, Mikael Adrien Grousset, bassist Brice Guillon and Stanne, Niklas Kvarforth, Clémentine drummer Michael Saccoman. Delauney, Virginie Goncalves, Lucie Blatrier, and guitar solo by Adrian Martinot This album comes out on Sensory Records on October 16th, 2015. Due to the fact that the 09 “The One Who Lost The Faith” album has such an interesting cast, you might Featuring vocalists Niklas Kvarforth, Arno Strobl find it worthwhile to look into this album in and guitar, synth and dulcimer solos by Arjen more detail. The songs on the album are: A Lucassen

01 “Listen To The Song Of Despair” 10 “Titania” Featuring vocalists Ailyn Giménez, Arno Strobl, Featuring vocalists Ailyn Giménez, Guillaume Clémentine Delauney, Virginie Goncalves, Bideau, Mikael Stanne and guitar solo by Lucie Blatrier Sylvain Coudret

02 “Called By The Queen” 11 “Lost Souls From The Other Side” Featuring vocalists Guillaume Bideau, Christine Featuring vocalists Attila Csihar, David Rhoades Vincent, Mikael Stanne, Ailyn Giménez, Guillaume Bideau, Maria,tea Demurtas, 03 “No Need To Fear” Manuel Munoz, Christine Featuring vocalists Mariangela Demurtas, Rhoades, Clémentine Delauney, Virginie Guillaume Bideau, Christine Rhoades, David Goncalves, Lucie Blatrier 7

The excellent musicianship, the quality of the The shiny guitar solos bring home the point songwriting and the work that it has taken to that they have been thinking about the ever- put together this album speaks volumes about changing sounds of the band. Melody is a big the high standards that Melted Space seeks. part of the Horrendous guitar aesthetics. The drumming changes from uptempo, to www.facebook.com/meltedspace midtempo and to proggy all over the place. www.lasersedgegroup.com/labels/sensory- My impression is that the band is just very records unhappy with the idea that the previous www.facebook.com/TheLasersEdge album should dictate where the new album www.twitter.com/thelasersedge goes.

Horrendous (U.S.): Anareta (Dark Descent Records) Horrendous is a very restless form of death metal. I documented this trait about their previous album “Ecdysis” (2014), about which I pointed out: “Horrendous seems to get a kick out of tripping people’s expectations. Horrendous was known for playing ‘old school Swedish death metal’ when they formed in 2009, with their demo and with the 2012 album.”

Then the 2014 album hit and some people found the combination of death metal and melody different from the usual sounds. I also wrote that: “This band might turn out to be as I have previously stated that the band is unpredictable as was from 1990 to unhappy to be trapped in a box and this is 1996, when they finally started to settle down another step in the ongoing saga that is into a predictable style. The next Horrendous Horrendous. One day this band will totally album is going to have some people running shock its listeners. This album is a step in that down street all confused.” direction, but the growled vocals serve to avoid giving people a heart attack. Just you Well, here it is now. This is the new Horrendous wait. The big shocker is coming. Nobody in 2015. On the surface, this album walks and knows where this band is going, not even the talks like death metal, but it is not as simple as band. They are beginning to show their that type of duck. The vocals are definitely confidence to change a lot. That confidence death metal, a bit more Schuldinerian than will only grow with time and at some point in ever before, to my ears. More expressive, the future, Horrendous will manage to surprise more enunciated, more extended. After that, themselves big time and its audience won’t though, all bets are off. The old Opethian even see it coming. heavy prog riffing reveals, that, yes, this band is not happy unless they feel that they are moving and making changes to their sound.

8

For now, forget the melancholic death metal sprinkle some new elements on previous from previous . Forget the classic albums but this time is obvious. A couple of Entombed/Dismember-like guitar tone, also. songs, Pain and Ashamed, both include horns, saxophone and trumpet. Go figure… This new album is a different chapter. Join Horrendous for a brand new trip into the world Fuglymaniacs does likes the new the sound of metal music, from their imagination to your and different elements. It's not overly done mind. I hope that this band has a bright future. and they keep in check for the most part. I hope that they don’t break up soon. I want to hear what will happen next. As for this The one constant is the level of skill involved album? Well, the sky’s the limit. Buckle up and on this release. The solos rage, the vocals put your helmet on. The new Horrendous is deliver and all the tempo changes are fluid. scheduled for October 30th, 2015. www.darkdescentrecords.com www.facebook.com/HorrendousDeathMetal

Hibria (Brazil): Hibria (Test Your Metal Records) review by Jojo from Fuglymaniacs

Hibria is back with a new release. It's a self- titled album even though it’s their fifth. The band feels they have reached a new level The foundation of Hibria's metal, is still present with the current line up, musically they all front and center. You'll still find the speed & a know each other's strengths making the lil bit of thrashiness, melodies, lots of riffage creative process a lot stronger. Some will and technical solos. More of this straight up argue that this release is more "mature". comes “Within Abyss,” Fuglymaniacs hates the word more "mature". “Tightrope,” and “Fame.” It's usually "code" for slow and change of trajectory of the band's sound. Followed by an Bottom line....Hibria manages to pull this off over produced and layered with high tech and Fuglymaniacs approves. nonsense. Shit the band can't play live so it's pre-recorded. Where others have tried and failed Hibria stands tall and makes metalheads proud. This release certainly contains those elements and arrangements. Keyboard and Buy, support, ENJOY! programming, Orchestral parts, sax, trumpets, hell even a choir. More success and bigger www.facebook.com/HIBRIAOFFICIAL budgets bands usually do this and get carried www.twitter.com/HIBRIA away with this crap. www.hibria.com.br/site

It's called "evolution" we get it. Hibria has

9 review by Matt Spall, Man of Much digress… Metal Artist: I’m now presented with album number 12, the ominously-titled ‘Under The Red Cloud’ with its Album Title: Under The Red Cloud striking stylised front-cover artwork. And, in a Label: year that has been dominated by bands Year Of Release: 2015 releasing the strongest material of their careers, the trend arguably continues here. I Throughout their career, Amorphis have been mean, if this record isn’t their best, it’s very one of those bands that have achieved very close. something rather special. Theirs is an approach and a sound that has evolved over As is the Amorphis way, the record is a little the years from more of a dark/death metal deceiving. Listen superficially and you’re blueprint, to the self-titled ‘melancholic rock’ confronted with ten tracks of well-crafted that dominates their more current output. And heavy rock/metal with big choruses, the gruff- yet, the evolution of the sextet has been meets-clean vocal approach of entirely natural, extremely smooth and, in spite and those archetypal folk-inspired of a few surprises here and there along the embellishments. It’s a powerful set of melodic way, the Finns have always created instantly and instantly engaging heavy songs that recognisable music; there’s never any doubt delivers plenty of head-nodding fodder to get when you listen to an Amorphis record, be it the blood really pumping. And, frankly, what’s ‘Tales From A Thousand Lakes’ or ‘Am not to like about that? Universam’, that you’re listening to Amorphis. However, if you’re prepared to listen more Personally-speaking, I’ve been a fan ever carefully, ‘Under The Red Cloud’ can be even since I discovered their 1999 release, more rewarding. Do so, and that initial ‘Tuonela’. It wasn’t love at first listen but it has simplicity and apparent economy of song become a firm favourite within my collection. writing within the compositions give way to From the simple and effective artwork, right something entirely different. Amorphis, through to the dark, brooding and immensely comprised of vocalist Tomi Joutsen, guitarists powerful, folk-tinged musical output, it ticks Tomi Koivusaari and , almost all of the boxes for me. If truth be told, keyboardist Santeri Kallio, bassist Niclas ‘Tuonela’ remains my favourite within the Etalövuori and drummer Jan Rechberger are entire 11-disc back catalogue despite some a more complex band than many give them real gems of songs found littered throughout credit for and this record demonstrates this their extensive discography. comprehensively.

As an aside, I had the pleasure of meeting the The title track opens the record in relatively band during my first ever press trip to the quiet fashion with a piano melody that’s Nuclear Blast headquarters around the overlaid with some subtle and expressive release of ‘Silent Waters’ in 2007. It was a guitar work. However, the track builds and it’s weekend I’ll never forget, largely because the not long before it blasts into life and blossoms guys were so damn nice and also, in direct into a bona fide anthem. The chorus is huge opposition to their generally dark musical and there’s a smattering of Joutsen’s gruff output, very funny and light-hearted. But I vocals in and amongst an otherwise clean, 10 vibrant and soulful delivery which is full of The aforementioned Middle Eastern inspired dynamism fitting the sonic landscapes melodies are taken up a level on one of the perfectly. most prominent tracks, namely ‘Death Of A King’. A sitar adds authenticity and is a striking addition to the more standard metal instrumentation that accompanies it. This track also has more of a progressive feel to it by virtue of the way in which it flows from one idea to another, culminating in a sprawling chorus that is currently my favourite on the record, stopping me dead every time I hear it. Elsewhere, ‘Sacrifice’ is an up-tempo blood- pumping, catchy anthem that’s ubiquitous latter-day Amorphis. The moody ‘Dark Path’ displays more of an old-school Amorphis feel to it, toying as it does with hints of black metal The follow-up ‘The Four Wise Ones’, on the in the verses. And ‘Enemy At The Gates’ pulls other hand, is a full-on metal behemoth. The together the progressive elements, the folk vocals are exclusively gruff and the chunky influences and the hook-laden choruses, riffing and dark overtones are a joy to listen to. wrapping it up in a track that feels epic In fact, the intensity of it sends shivers down despite it’s relatively short five-minute length. my spine frequently, particularly the opening staccato riff and deep, almost inaudible ‘Tree Of Ages’ really goes to town with the folk growls that gives way to a chugging, melodies and authentic instrumentation and, stomping tempo. It’s during this track that the in something of a twist, the album is closed by first big hints at Amorphis’ folk influences ‘White Night’ which features soft and breathy emerge too, acting as a lovely counterpoint female vocals to great effect alongside to the metal onslaught elsewhere in the song. another catchy uplifting chorus to send us on With an album as strong as this, it’s impossible our way. to mention every composition individually. Suffice to say that every song has something Well, what do you know? As it turns out, within it to delight the listener. mentioning every track wasn’t impossible! In fact, I found it more impossible to miss any out ‘Bad Blood’ features another immense chorus in this review, thereby further underlining the and some of Joutsen’s most passionate and strength and consistency of the record. expansive vocals on the record as well as some interesting guitar and keyboard effects A review of an Amorphis record wouldn’t be that provide something a little different. ‘The complete without touching on the lyrics. I’m Skull’ benefits from a simple but effective not in possession of them so I can’t comment melody influenced by the , a with certainty, but it’s a safe bet that, in chorus that has a waltz-like tempo and a keeping with every record up until now, the quiet mid-section where the guitars sing and a lyrical content focuses upon the traditional beautifully-played piano adds further depth Finnish epic story of . If that’s indeed and sophistication. the case, then the folk embellishments fit the subject matter perfectly. 11

So, in summary, what is there left to say that vocalist/guitarist Joe DeZuniga roared out hasn’t been said about ‘Under The Red some of the most brutal death metal vocals of Cloud’ already? It’s a near flawless record that time. He was also one of the main that does what great music should do – it and the artist that created the transports me to another place away from the logo with the decapitated heads. The other humdrum and the mundane, it envelops me guitarist/ Dave Gorsuch seemed to in its warm embrace and it makes me smile, push the style of guitar riffs to a more enriching my life every time I immerse myself in technical edge while mixing in stomping it. heavy parts. With Joe's style progressing in The Score Of Much Metal: 9.5 that direction as well, it proved to be a great partnership and the two would go on to Read more of Matt Spall’s reviews and collaborate on most of the early material. interviews at: They tried to write songs that mixed in riffs that were technically intense and acheive a style that went beyond what was considered heavy and brutal. Dave's high school friend Keith Ellison played bass like a death metal version of Steve Harris and had been tring to www.manofmuchmetal.wordpress.com start a band with Dave since 1984. When drummer Bud Mills joined the band in September of 1985 and played faster than the normal thrash beat most bands used, Insanity Insanity (U.S.): Visions of Apocalypse was pioneering new levels of speed and (Unspeakable Axe / Dark Descent) intensity in early death metal. Release date: 13 November 2015 The first show was played on Oct. 19th 1985 Death metal band Insanity (California, U.S.), with Death and Sacrilege and the crowd has a new album, but before talking about maintained a frenzied pit which was the album, it is good to see a bit of the history admittedly short because the band only had of the band. five songs at the time. INSANITY then went on to play with many of the other great bands Long-championed by none other than that played Ruthies Inn including the likes of , death metal band Insanity Possessed.” began in 1985. The band’s bio states about the early days: Metal Archives gives the following discography, which I think in the case it is “INSANITY was formed in 1985 in the San instructive to list it: Francisco Bay Area and unleashed some of the most fast & brutal death metal of that Live Rehearsal Demo Demo 1985 time. 85 Reh. Demo Demo 1986 Demo Demo 1989 After being friends for years and going to see Rehearsal Demo 1989 Demo 1989 Pre-Production Demo '94 Demo 1994 bands like Motorhead, Metallica & , Joe Death After Death Full-length 1994 DeZuniga and Dave Gorsuch decided to form Sacrefixion EP 2001 a death metal band in 1985. The Ultimate Death - Rare Bits & Pieces of Unreleased 12

Insanity Compilation 2004 Pariah. After Pariah ended, Satan’s Graeme From the Grave Compilation 2005 English (bass) and Steve Ramsey (guitars) Demo 1985 Single 2006 Visions of Apocalypse Demo 2008 formed founding fathers Skyclad Chronicles of the Cursed Compilation 2009 with vocalist Martin Walkyier (from U.K. thrashers Sabbat). Despite all these details, Anyway, the band has not been lucky in life, the discography of Satan-related bands is out and they obviously have not been “at the of this world. To show you that this is not an right place, at the right time” because they exaggeration, look at this discography. have had many problems, too numerous to explain. Suffice to say that the band has had SATAN The First Demo Demo 1981 many set backs, such as prison time, illness, Into the Fire Demo 1982 death, long periods of inactivity and the like Kiss of Death Single 1982 that have not helped them. Court in the Act Full-length 1983 Dirt Demo '86 Demo 1986 That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news. Into the Future EP 1986 Suspended Sentence Full-length 1987 Live in the Act Live album 2004 The new album is the result of work that the Into the Fire / Kiss of Death Compilation 2011 band did years ago and now they have new The Early Demos Compilation 2011 album. All you have to do is listen to the first Life Sentence Full-length 2013 song to hear how this band knows how to Trail of Fire: Live in North America 2014 Atom by Atom Full-length 2015 write death metal. Given that there is such a long history and experience involved, the BLIND FURY band does not mess around with tomfoolery. Demo '84 Demo 1984 The growling has to be powerful, not just Out of Reach Full-length 1985 microphone cupping. The guitars have to PARIAH have more than chugging, it has to be real The Kindred Full-length 1988 riffs and the songs have to be the kind that Blaze of Obscurity Full-length 1989 you can remember. That’s the death metal Unity Full-length 1997 that they have in mind. Speed, brutality, heaviness, yup, it’s all there, but that’s not the SKYCLAD Lemming Project / Skyclad Split 1991 whole story. The real story is the songs. The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth 1991 Tracks from the Wilderness EP 1992 www.unspeakableaxerecords.com A Burnt Offering for the Bone Idol 1992 www.facebook.com/unspeakableaxerecords Thinking Allowed? Single 1993 www.facebook.com/pages/INSANITY/572084 Jonah's Ark Full-length 1993 Melodic Metal Strikes Back Split 1993 33713 Prince of the Poverty Line Full-length 1994 The Silent Whales of Lunar Sea 1995 Irrational Anthems Full-length 1996 5 Satan (U.K.): Atom by Atom (Listenable Oui Avant-garde á Chance Full-length 1996 Records) Old Rope Compilation 1997 Satan is a cult legendary name amongst the The Answer Machine? Full-length 1997 Outrageous Fourtunes EP 1998 fanatics of the New Wave of British Heavy Vintage Whine Full-length 1999 Metal. Unfortunately, Satan has had a bunch Massacre's Classix Shape Edition 1999 of name changes: from Satan to Blind Fury, Folkémon Full-length 2000 then back to Satan, then changed it to Poetic Wisdom Compilation 2001 13

Another Fine Mess Live album 2001 2011-present) Swords of a Thousand Men Single 2001 (ex-Blind Fury, ex-Blitzkrieg, ex-Raven, ex- History Lessens: An Introduction to the Artist 2002 No Daylights nor Heeltaps Full-length 2002 Warrior, ex-Pariah) Live at the Dynamo Live album 2002 A Semblance of Normality Full-length 2004 Brian Ross vocals (1983-1984, 2004, 2011- Platinum Edition Boxed set 2004 present) Jig-a-Jig EP 2006 (Blitzkrieg, ex-Lone Wolf, ex-Avenger, ex-Anvil, In the... All Together Full-length 2009 ex-Kashmir)

Let me put it to you this way: According to Metal Archives, Graeme English (bass) and Satan is known for a particular sound. Steve Ramsey (guitars) have worked on all of Essentially, before thrash/ the above recordings. became a thing, a genre, there were bands playing fast heavy metal. Satan is one of those bands. The band is also known for a tendency to write songs that sound like classic metal. Thus, it is no surprise that at this point in the history of this band and these musicians, it’s all killer, no filler, quality heavy metal. Highly recommended for those into classic heavy metal and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

www.satanmusic.com www.facebook.com/officialsatanpage www.listenable.net I have many of those recordings, but, I do not www.facebook.com/listenablerecs actually own all of the above titles, not even close. Having said all that, the important news Dark Delirium (Morocco) is that Satan has a new album. The current Instrumental, one–person project of “prog lineup is: metal with Oriental influences.” Given that I know nothing about the music of Morocco, I Steve Ramsey guitars (1979-1984, 1985- am not qualified to say anything about the 1988, 2004, 2011-present) origins or influences of the melodies found on (Skyclad, ex-Blind Fury, ex-Pariah) this recording.

Russ Tippins guitars (1979-1984, 1985-1988, “Mediaeval Blood” 2015 recording 2004, 2011-present) 1.Mediaeval Blood 03:24 (ex-Blind Fury, ex-Pariah, The Russ Tippins 2.The Caliphate 03:07 Electric Band, ex-Tysondog) 3.Odium 04:03 4.The Individual Reaction 03:01 Graeme English bass (1980-1984, 1985-1988, 5.During the Inevitable Battle 02:41 2004, 2011-present) 6.From Ashes We Rise 03:28 (Skyclad, ex-Blind Fury, ex-Pariah) 7.Feral Burial 03:08 total time 22:52 Sean Taylor drums (1983-1984, 1985-1988, 14

Nowadays the band is active and on their Facebook page they have some shows planned from now and until the end of the year. Blood has a storied discography, so don’t mistake them for a one-hit wonder grind However, if you are interested in hearing prog band. This 1992 album has 20 songs and the metal from Morocco, this could be something music is as heavy as Incantation or Deicide, for you. It has those “Middle Eastern” but it’s more direct, more grind that gets to melodies, as far as I can tell, which is not very the point quickly. If anything, Blood on this far. Of course, this is not a full band, but a solo album has a sound in the general project. Don’t you just appreciate the neighborhood of Napalm Death’s “Utopia stubbornness of this musician to keep making Banished”: the guitar tone, vocals and vibe this music? It’s prog, it’s instrumental, it’s got to shares some similarities. According to Metal be a person with lots of willpower, right? Archives, both albums came out the same Persevere. year, actually. www.bloood.de www.darkdelirium.bandcamp.com www.vicrecords.com www.facebook.com/Jamal.Coral www.facebook.com/blood.de

Blood (Germany): Christbait (Vic Records) In 2015 Vic Records is re-releasing Blood’s 1992 FREE METAL MUSIC album. Blood formed in 1986 and released a bunch of demos from 1986-1989. The early Sanhedrin (U.S.): Sanhedrin material is sloppy punk chaos. After the 1989 It is amazing how many bands that debut album “Impulse to Destroy,” the band people call “metal” suck so bad! It’s all that continued releasing EPs in 1990 and 1991, all worthless New York pollution the while becoming better, so that by this that is to blame. 1992 album, the band sounds like a death metal/grind band, much tighter and skilled at Wouldn’t be nice to hear a new New York extreme sounds. band play traditional metal with talent and with no core?! 15

began jamming together for several months, Oh, if only it were possible! If only! molding a new sound and vision for a band. This vision came to life with the addition of the Well, today is your lucky day, metalheads. siren-voiced singer and bassist Erica Stoltz (ex- Sanhedrin plays rocking heavy metal. They Lost Goat), and Sanhedrin was born. This have actual guitar riffs, guitar solos (!), drums completion of the trio resulted in a band that sound very real (are they real live drums? rooted in classic heavy metal and hard rock, I don’t know!) and they have a singer, yes, a but unafraid to cross genre boundaries. singer, not some dumb dog hardcore screamo. Sanhedrin’s sound is familiar but not derivative. While their songwriting is clearly This is the heavy metal that I want. This is so rooted in the classics, their take on rock and good that it had me cleaning my ears and metal comes across as fresh and honest. doing double takes. That’s not all, their Lyrically, Sanhedrin often forgoes the recording is available for free/name-your- traditional fantasy-based themes found in price (when last I checked on September 21, much heavy metal in favor of more real-life 2015). themes of inner struggle and social commentary. Based in , New York, Sanhedrin’s sound is a combination of the toughness and beauty that their home borough embodies.”

The recording is great stuff, and as you can tell, I’m excited about it. I have never heard of this band and I had no expectations, but this EP shows that they have some good things ahead of them. This band surprised me with the good songs from the first moment I heard it. It’s so nice to hear a band that has decided to make music in this style.

The recording is simply titled “Sanhedrin.” 1.Riding on the Dawn 04:08 This is a new band formed in 2015. They are 2.Saints and Sinners 04:57 from Brooklyn, New York and they play 3.A Funeral for the World 06:18 traditional heavy metal. This is what Facebook 4.No Religion 07:00 says: total time 22:23

Erica Stoltz - vocals, bass The first two songs are uptempo, traditional Jeremy Sosville - guitar, backing vocals heavy metal bangers, while the last two are Nathan Honor - drums midtempo, and show that the band can do a variety of tempos, including a bit of the “Following the dissolution of their previous doomier sounds. If you support traditional band, drummer Nathan Honor (ex-Vermefug) heavy metal, you have no excuse now. Go and guitarist Jeremy Sosville (Black Anvil) here: 16 www.thesanhedrin.bandcamp.com/releases that the recording has so many positive www.facebook.com/sanhedrinband elements: the symphonic vibe, the songwriting, the riffs and the melodies. What a Winter Blood strong showing this is for Winter Blood. The I cannot give you much information about musicians have a very strong sense for writing black metal entity Winter Blood, besides this: a songs that make an impression. Especially, if multigenre black metal band from you want to hear black metal that stays with Harrisonburg, Virginia, U.S., as it says on you, in your mind. The guitar work is crafted Bandcamp. On Facebook it says, “folk well, and there’s a certain skill and maturity melodic classical black metal.” I would say that you can hear. I don’t know anything that “traditional black metal” pretty much about Winter Blood’s personnel, so I cannot describes the music. comment or reveal much on that score. I’m going just by the music. Basically, this is black metal in the style of the 1990s. You might here some elements of Emperor or Dissection here and there, depending on your opinion. Winter Blood has that “it” factor that I am looking for: the songs. Of course, the recording is not a big budget production. If you want it louder, you just turn up the volume! Good job, Winter Blood, whoever or wherever “they” are. Recommended for those searching for new black metal in the traditional forms. Go here: www.winterbloodmusic.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/Winter-Blood-

The free recording (I checked last on 1489180064729907 September 21, 2015) is called "Frost from email: [email protected] Ashes" and it is the following songs: 1.Forest of Ashes 03:32 Fornicus 2.Enthroned 06:43 Kentucky, U.S. black metal band Fornicus has 3.Seputus 06:43 a new free/name-your-price EP, called “Feast 4.Solitary Reaper 07:13 for Rats.” 5.Revenant Diabolic 06:17 1.Feast for Rats 02:22 6.Enslaved 09:20 2.Ancient Queen 03:29 7.Red Pagan Moon 04:22 3.Freezing Moon 06:35 total time 44:10 Feast For Rats and Ancient Queen: Facebook lists: recorded spring MMXV Manothanas - lead guitar & vocals SB-guitar, voice Mordaine - rhythm guitar & vocals CC-bass Mahimus - drums DS-drums Gnarloc (…) – bass Freezing Moon: Regardless of the lack of information, I think recorded summer MMXV

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SB-guitar, drums, voice available for free, as of September 21, 2015. CC-bass guest solo by Tim Ball of Abominant

Ancient Queen originally by Emperor Freezing Moon originally by Mayhem

The band’s bio says: “Birthed in the heart of America's belt in late 2012, Fornicus was conceived to cast darkness over the ignorant masses and their foolish dogmas. Blending qualities of black, thrash, and even a taste of death the band creates a vicious aural assault that will quench the listener’s thirst for all things metal. Throughout the first year of the band's www.fornicus.bandcamp.com/album/feast- existence the songs that would become their for-rats-ep debut album were meticulously crafted by email: [email protected] members Scott, Chris, and David and www.twitter.com/Fornicus666 eventually were completed with the addition www.facebook.com/fornicus666 of Kelly at the beginning of 2014. The tracking began shortly thereafter in Scott's own Eternal Forest Velocity Studios for the album that is now This free recording is traditional necro black known as "Storming Heaven," a bold metal from Poland. The band is: statement chastising Christ and his blind Terrorwielder: guitars, bass, drum sheep for their "righteous" ways with the programming (2014-present) ultimate goal of destroying God's Kingdom. Nemus: vocals (2014-present) With live rituals now beginning and the The 2015 recording is called “Sickness Of Soul” album's release, the force that is Fornicus will and it is: strengthen to take its place as one of 1.Eternal Death 03:33 Kentucky's premier practitioners of metal.” 2.Depths of Darkness 06:22

3.Sickness of Soul 03:24 The influences that the band lists are: , 4.Hate the Rotten Flesh of Christ 03:22 Angelcorpse, Carpathian Forest, early Dimmu 5.Screams of Night 04:30 Borgir, Absu, Akercocke, 1349, Mayhem, 6.Medieval Torture Art 04:09 Emperor, Dark Funeral, Goatwhore, , 7.Surrouded by Candles 04:21 total Zyklon, etc. time 29:41

This EP is a good reminder that the band is still Not much information about Eternal Forest, active. If you like traditional black metal, how but you can obtain the music for free/name- can you reject this EP?! You can’t! The fact your-price on Bandcamp. The music goes at that they have Tim from the mighty death frenzied speeds, but also at slow tempos for metal squadron Abominant (also from atmosphere. Kentucky, U.S.) is a very cool element. Abominant rules. Fornicus rules. This EP is still 18

3.Glory of the Dead 05:56 4.Sky of the Northern Light 04:26 5.The Drunk's Song 03:29 6.Marching to Moscow (Dschinghis Khan Cover) 04:10 7.Dragon Slaughter 03:40 total time 27:28

At the end of the day, it is the songs that matter, and Eternal Forest, which Metal Archives says formed in 2014, sounds knowledgeable and with a keen sense for On September 21, 2015 I last checked and the traditional black metal. The guitar work is recording is still free/name-your-price. People easily identifiable, creative and song- into melodic folk metal would be the target centered, and that makes all the difference. Is audience for this band. It remains to be seen this just the beginning of Eternal Forest? whether there is more information coming, but Traditional black metal aficionados looking for at least there’s a recording to go by. a new band, this is Eternal Forest, stubbornly www.psyclopus.bandcamp.com/releases delivering black metal to the heart. The last time I checked on this recording, on Dispellment (U.S.) September 21, 2015, it is available for free. www.eternalforestofficial.bandcamp.com/rel This three-person black metal band is from Virginia, U.S. As of September 22, 2015, their eases album is available for free/name-your-price. I highly recommend this exciting album to true Psyclopus (China) black metal maniacs. The vibe of the album is The band’s 2015 free recording is called awesome and it is wonderful to hear a band “Instrumental Demo.” I have no information that pledged allegiance to traditional black about the band, besides that Bandcamp says metal. Don’t assume that this is a garage that they are from China. There some photos demo. I have been listening to it on on Bandcamp and it appears that they might headphones and you can hear the have a vocalist, but it’s not totally clear from instrumentation well. Expect a band that the photos. It is possible that this demo is just sounds experienced and aware of how to an introduction to the band for now. write a song that will make you bang your

head. The band is: This is melodic folk metal and the band sounds very skilled at it. Surprisingly so, actually. This is Ikonoklast - strings, voice, and scripture very melodic and catchy. You’ll be surprised, Æþelwulf - death rattles too, I think. Sulfur - assault and battery

This recording is: Facebook says that they started in 2010 and 1.The Tavern of Stormstad 02:05 this is their debut, according to Metal 2.Beowulf's Sword 03:42 Archives. Well, it looks like they have been 19 practicing because this album rocks. The Joe Sims, the only remaining member from the album is called “Atone.” old formation, continues to steer Axemaster today. In 2014, the band signed with Pure "Atone" by Dispellment Steel Records (), and Sims produced, 1.Old Man Winter 03:27 mixed, and mastered the new album 2.Werwolfnacht 05:20 "Overture to Madness.” Pure Steel released 3.Long Ago... 04:20 "Overture to Madness" in 2015, an album 4.Black Knights of the Snowbound Keep which, according to the band, “helps to 04:03 define Axemaster's overall general style as a 5.Bone Dust Ritual 03:38 combination of the dark riffs and feel of doom 6.Ancient Ikonoklasts 05:45 metal and the energy and aggression of non- 7.Hearing the Master's Call 04:39 speed .” total time 31:12 BAND MEMBERS I downloaded this sucker and gave the band Geoff McGraw - vocals/rhythm guitar a few bucks because I liked it so much! Do Joe Sims - lead guitar you want true black metal? Dispellment is Denny Archer - drums exactly that, and they are really good at it, in Jim Curtis - bass my opinion. This segment continues the interview with the band. Previous segments of the interview were posted online and published in the zine, too. This interview seeks to be an in-depth look into the history of Axemaster. www.facebook.com/axemasterofficial

Did Axemaster feel pressure to become more glam and radio friendly in the late 80s? www.dispellment.bandcamp.com JOE: Not in the 80s, it wasn't until the early 90s www.facebook.com/dispellment that there was any pressure to change our Email direction at all and that came to me from the [email protected] other guys in the band, not from any outside people. The only thing there was any pressure to do in the 80s was to play more covers and less originals. That came from the local clubs and also some band members because back (continuation of the interview with) then around here it was tough to get decent shows being an original band. It seemed AXEMASTER sometimes that all anybody wanted to see Axemaster is traditional heavy metal from the was a living, breathing jukebox! That's never state of Ohio, U.S. The band started in 1985, been my gig. A lot of people like doing and has gone through lineup changes, covers, and that's totally cool, it's just never including name changes, but lead guitarist been for me, not what I got into music to do. 20

It's fun to play a cool cover every now and was a quality release. The tunes were good then, but I get bored with them REAL fast and and the CD was well done, certainly nothing after all, I started Axemaster specifically to I'm embarrassed to have put out. It just wasn't play my originals. So it got a little frustrating ME, the style was a hell of a lot more mellow sometimes when I'd keep hearing shit about than anything I had ever done or ever playing mostly covers since it's something I'll wanted to do. The stuff's cool to listen to every never do no matter what. once in a while, but I could never really get into it. Actually, right now we're re-doing my favorite and the heaviest song from that disc, but when we do the tune now it's like it's on cocaine and steroids, a whole lot more intense and aggressive!!!!! Anyway, I should have just went with my instincts, stuck with my guns, and kept Axemaster alive through thick and thin, even if I had to replace all the band members. But hindsight is 20/20, and I'm really happy with where Axemaster and myself personally are at and what direction everything's going, so I guess everything happened for the best in the long run.

Then, in the mid 90s The Awakening ends. What are the changes in musical direction What led to this? How was the Ohio metal between Axemaster and The Awakening, the scene in mid 90s? Were things so bad that you band that came after Axemaster with some all decided to leave the music business different members in 1991. Why the change in altogether? name? JOE: Between what I said in my last answer, JOE: That whole situation came from the guys some issues with the band members, and in the band putting pressure on me to change them wanting to play more and more cover the band name and musical direction songs, I got sick of it all, said fuck the whole somewhat, it's what I was talking about in my thing, and stopped the band. I was certainly last answer. That was during the time that frustrated with things, not even so much the metal was starting to go downhill, and the music business because the problems I was guys bitched at me for probably a year to having had less to do with the business and change the name and play stuff that was more to due with musicians I had worked with more commercial, thinking it would help get and that the metal scene had gone so far more shows and airplay. Unfortunately, I finally downhill in general (and was probably even got sick of the bitching and gave in and did worse around here). what they wanted. That's how The Awakening I can't remember ever thinking of was born, which is one of my biggest regrets in leaving the business or quitting being a my music career. Nothing against that band musician for good or anything, I have always and what we did, the one album we put out been too addicted to music to ever do that. I took a short time away from the band scene 21 and played on my own, but it wasn't more but from it came my next band which was than 6-8 months before I was back in another called Dream or Nightmare. That lasted about band called Reign, which ended up being 5 or 6 years. Also during that time I got one hell of a great band! together with Unisound Records to re-release most of the old Axemaster material on 2 different CDs. After the end of DorN, the original Axemaster lineup got back together briefly and got the deal with Burning Star Records to re-release the band's debut album. The reunion didn't last very long, but me and the drummer stayed together and put together a studio band that ended up being called Inner Terror. So I was really active in music the entire time between The Awakening and Inner Terror, I would have probably spent at least half those years in the nuthouse if I had not done music.

What can you tell us about the band Inner Did some ten years go by with no band Terror that you were in? activity? Did you take time away from all the hassle and drama of being in a band? Did you JOE: What happened as to why Inner Terror raise kids during that time or take up other came about was the reunion of the original hobbies or obsessions?! Axemaster lineup only lasted a very short time for various reasons. So myself and the JOE: Honestly, the answer to every one of drummer got a different singer and bass those questions is a huge NO! Like I said in my player to do a studio album with a bunch of last answer, after The Awakening it didn't take the new music I had written. Not only did that an awfully long time for me to help start "band" not play any shows, but we never another band called Reign. We put out one even rehearsed together, everything was album that did OUTSTANDING for being an totally done in the studio. Because it was independent release, especially considering pretty obvious that it was gonna be just a how far metal had gone down in popularity studio project, and the fact that I didn't think by the mid/late 90s which is when that disc the material was totally representative of came out. It did so good in fact that what I thought a new Axemaster release Divebomb Records just re-released it last year. should be, we decided to go under the name The band also played some awesome shows, Inner Terror. some of the coolest ones I've ever done. I was Like I said earlier, there were several with Reign for 3 or 4 years, then some unusual factors which made it pretty obvious that circumstances led me to split with them which Inner Terror was gonna be just a project to was a real shame because we had a TOTALLY record the "Behold the Inner Terror" CD. I don't killer thing going for a while. want to get into the specific reasons, but After that I wrote a bunch of songs on believe me, there was really that the my own that I wanted to turn into a solo "band" wasn't gonna do anything beyond album. That project didn't end up happening, that one release. I never want to rip on 22 anyone in interviews, and a little bit that went have and maintain pro gear and it takes a down had to do with some issues I was going hell of a lot of time and effort for your work to through at the time, but finishing that disc was be totally professional which has to be the a nightmare. I'd sure as hell never want to case if you want real success. Through all that repeat the shit that went down through the you have a lot of disappointments and are whole project!!! The disc ended up coming often kicked in the teeth. Basically, people in out allright at least. There's some decent stuff my position HAVE to love being a musician on there, I like the CD as a whole, but if I was and the music they play to wade through all gonna play any of the tunes now with the shit and stick with it non-stop for as long as Axemaster I'd change them quite a bit. I think I have (over 30 years). Musicians who get the stuff shows a lot of potential, some great involved in it for what I think are the wrong riffs, and with a few changes I think some of reasons, like just to show off or impress the the tunes would be TOTALLY kick ass which is ladies, usually give up playing before they've why I wouldn't mind re-writing a couple of gotten anywhere near doing it for 30 years. them now and making them sound more like Especially the ones who did original music "Axemaster". But I think it's a shame to have an since, unless you're pretty big, it's a lot harder album where a lot of the riffs are better than to find decent paying gigs doing originals the songs as a whole; every time I listen to it I than it is if you're in a cover (especially a wish the songs had been done differently!!!!! tribute) band and you obviously also deal more closely with people in the music business They say that for underground metal when you do originals, and that's usually never musicians there is no money, generally fun. speaking. They say that having a band is like But even with all that, I NEVER ask myself being married to several people at the same if I'm crazy for having done this for so long and time. There's also scene drama, club owners, still going strong. The love that I have for managers, backstabbing, rumors, money creating and playing metal has made the issues, social media, so and so forth. Do you music to be as important to me as breathing, ever ask yourself if you are crazy to do this?! I'd be so lost without it I don't know how I'd go What would you say makes you do it?! on!!!!!!

JOE: That's a REALLY easy one, I do it because Then the cycle closes: Axemaster returns as I love metal, love to play guitar, and Axemaster. Why the name change back to especially love to write music. You're right, Axemaster? there's a LOT of bullshit from a lot of different sources that's associated with being in a JOE: Well, like I mentioned before, I had some band. The music business as a whole is personal issues when I was doing the Inner definitely a real bitch a lot of the time, and Terror thing and not too long after that CD dealing with band members can be was released, I took a short time basically anywhere from being a real challenge to a away from the scene to deal with some huge problem. This is the first lineup I've ever things. I didn't COMPLETELY take the time off, I been a part of where someone (which 90% of still played some and wrote some stuff, but I the time was me) hasn't had to majorly play backed off a lot until I got some things in my psychiatrist, father, mediator, and/or even life straightened out. When I felt the time was baby sitter! right to get myself back into the band scene, I Anyway, it's also really expensive to felt like the time had come to put every 23 ounce of energy I had into doing Axemaster again and make it the last full-time band I would ever be in. At that time I had and still have the proper frame of mind to make the kind of commitment necessary to make a HUGE push toward taking the next step of success that I have never quite been able to reach. I learned a lot about life and myself in the 5 or so years from the time that the original lineup briefly got together until I decided to bring Axemaster back to stay. I changed and grew a lot as a person and developed an attitude that allowed me to have a new focus and gave me the ability to do things in a way that I had never been able to do before. Bottom line, the time was right for me to do this the way it should be done. And hey, I'm far from old, but far from being a kid too, so it was time to stop fucking around and start doing what I truly always wanted to do and put everything I had into it!!!

[This is the end of this segment of the interview with Axemaster.]

THE END **

September 23, 2015

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