Metal Bulletin issue# 23 www.metalbulletin.blogspot.com www.myspace.com/themetalbulletin

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Hirax Askans Arvet (U.S.) (Germany)

Nominon Infinity Overture (Sweden) (Denmark)

Xolotl Smargroth (U.S.) (Slovenia)

reviews: Awicha (Thailand); Bestemmia Aeternalis (Texas, U.S.); Cerebrum (Greece); Conqueror (Costa Rica); Diamanthian (U.K.); Futures End (U.S.); Human Carnage (Québec, Canada); Ixpapalotl (Greece); Janus (Italy); Ninth Kingdom (Texas, U.S.); Sanhedrin (U.K.); Thor (Canada); Urudium (Japan); Vomiting Skulls (Finland )

Hirax (U.S.) HIRAX consumes all of my time. The only family I have is my Their new album, “El rostro de la muerte” (The Face of Death), wife, who also helps me run the daily business of HIRAX; and she presents a power-packed guitar sound, supported by song- is totally into metal, so we are a great team; and HIRAX is our centered, speedy drumming in to-the-point compositions. High- child. Everyday, 7 days a week, it is music. The band energy screamer vocalist Katon details the functioning of a continually keeps us busy. But I love it, and I am happier than I working, travelling band sweating out their metal through a ever have been, but busier than ever before! bunch of different countries and rolling on through your town. Hirax is heavy metal thrash of the fast kind, and a no- What from “El rostro…” are you playing live currently?! nonsense approach is their trademark. They have quite a list of We will probably rotate songs, but the four that I can tell you recorded music, going back to their role in the period of classic right now that are part of the live set are the title track "El Rostro 80s thrash. For lots more info: www.hirax.org facebook de la Muerte", "Eradicate Mankind", "Flesh and Blood" and the www.blackdevilrecords.com www.myspace.com/hirax opening track from the album, "Baptized by Fire". But I can't --- give away all of the surprises. You toured Texas, Chile and Argentina. How was Texas and South America?! And Puerto Rico, too??! Hirax is very busy!! covered Hirax. What did you think?! There’s KATON: Hello Mauricio - Metal Bulletin. YES, we are VERY busy, probably quite a few bands covering HIRAX! Have you met just finishing up the final stages of our 2009 tour and we have Merciless Death and others inspired by HIRAX and classic thrash? just returned home from Puerto Rico. All of the tours/concerts Pretty much most of the newer bands I have met. were very successful! We had a great time! Texas was very good Merciless Death is just one of them. They are really nice guys. and South America (Chile and Argentina) were totally crazy! Our Most of the newer young thrash metal bands have opened up for fan base is growing bigger each time we return to the us at one time or another. We are honored that so many bands countries/territories that we have toured through before. We are are inspired by our music. As to Napalm Death's version of our quite happy. song, "Hate, Fear and Power," I really liked the way they did it. They did it justice and they played it brutal, the way it should HIRAX has lots of albums. How can people get copies? itunes? be. copies of the cds? What is Black Devil Records? KATON: www.blackdevilrecords.com, iTunes, & we are How you ever played your classic albums “Raging Violence” and distributed worldwide by Seasons of Mist, Century Media and “Hate, Fear and Power” in their entirety live?! . Black Devil Records is our own record label, run No, and we never will. That is just not what we are about. We and owned by us. We still manufacture CD and Vinyl versions of try to play all of the classics and some of the more unknown all of our releases. Keep an eye out for the new album, "El tracks from our entire catalog. We just believe that everybody Rostro de la Muerte." There are some very special surprises has different favorites, so we wouldn't want to just play one full upcoming: a 12" picture disc and 12" LP version, both are coming album all the way through. We like to keep it exciting and fresh. soon! Sometimes we like to throw songs into the set that people weren't expecting. Our motto is to keep the fans guessing; it Metallers in Mexico hold Hirax in high regard. Are your Spanish- makes for a better concert. language song titles a tribute? Do you speak Spanish? Yes, we have just released our new CD, our first full length in 5 On those two albums there are moments of blast beats. How years. It has being received tremendously well so far! Yes, the aware of that were you all back then? You seem to not have Spanish title it a tribute to all of our Spanish speaking fans wanted to use it a bit more? Why? worldwide. To be honest with you, my Spanish is not so good, Yes, we are aware of that. It is an honor to be considered one of but through our travels through Central and South America, the forefathers of that movement. Now and again you will Puerto Rico and Spain my español is improved each time we continue to hear us do that style of drum patterns. If you look return. Mexico it is a very special place for us, we love it! Some through other albums of ours, such as "Barrage of Noise" you can of our most die hard fans are from there. Every time we play the hear similarities. Or especially on "The New Age of Terror" there song, "El Diablo Negro" in concert no matter where we are. We is a song titled, "Into the Ruins" that is reminiscent of our early pay respect to our brothers and sisters throughout Mexico!! stuff. The main thing for HIRAX is that we don't do blast beats just for the hell of it. If it fits the song, then we will use it. What are the lyric topics for this time around? The capitalist We deliberately try to always make our music fit the drum beats, system produces lots of wars and poverty, and you were already but don't be surprised if you hear more blast beats in the future. talking about that in the 80s, but now it’s a huge crisis of Even if we don't use them, I can guarantee that we will always capitalism worldwide! play FAST and HEAVY because THAT IS WHAT WE DO!! The topics we cover are everything from religion, poverty, greed, mass destruction, fear tactics, world history, evolution of man, What are HIRAX’s touring commitments for 2010? etc. As to frustration with capitalism, wars and poverty; it is a KATON: I along with Glenn Rogers (lead guitars); Lance Harrison fight that I think we will all have to deal with until the day we die. (lead guitars); Steve Harrison (bass); Jorge Iacobellis (drums) As far back as you can go in civilization there has always been will be doing a lot in 2010. We are going to be on the road in wars and capitalism. The rich and the poor will always have support of the new album. We hope to be touring most of the conflicts. Unfortunately, that is the sad truth. All of our albums, year: Europe, Japan, South, Central and , etc. including "El Rostro de la Muerte" come with the lyrics sheets Stopping only to record some videos for the new album. included so you can read and understand what HIRAX is all about and what we are committed to spreading the word of our When are you coming back to Houston, Texas? message: peace through music. Summer 2010. We will carry all HIRAX titles, t-shirts, and patches on tour at our official HIRAX merchandise stand. But you Talk about “Bombs of Death” now in Afghanistan, Iraq and can also go to our website to buy copies http://www.hirax.org Pakistan! THE END. Obviously we are a band committed to peace and humanity. All -- wars are bad! Plain and simple. Nothing good ever comes out of Askans Arvet (Germany) it. I think that the main problem is people understanding other Two observations about Askans Arvet: traditions and not condemning other religions. I believe that 1. It is true that their sound is undoubtedly raw , and everybody should be able to worship whatever god they want to. as interesting as that is, it is in their imaginative framework of We are all created equal and we all bleed the same blood...red. black metal plus hooks, folk/prog shades where the treasure lies. 2. They have a willingness to practice the different sides Do you, Katton, have time for hobbies and family? separately, as in “Welke Blumen” (“Withered Flowers”) by itself and also together, within the context of a single song, as in the title track of their recording “Das Vermächtnis der Asche” (8:36) Is the song “Welke Blumen” part of a poem? You use the phrases (“Legacy of the Ashes”) which goes back and forth between “Lieblich glitzert der Reif…” (“Lovely glitters the frost”) in quotes? tremolo grim raw shrieked blasting black metal and Is that not your own? mellow/proggy moments. Good! www.myspace.com/askansarvet All lyrics are written only by Thomas. In “Welke Blumen” the --- phrases “Lieblich glitzert der Reif …” are in quotes because they You recorded in your rehearsal room?! Sounds good!! Do you are sung by the “Blumen“ (flowers) who cry for the lost mother know sound engineering? The recording has a pretty good nature. quality, right? Yes, that is correct. We recorded Erleuchtung in the beginning of What else?! 2009 and the rest of our Demo in the summer. The demo was We would like to thank everyone who is interested in our music. produced with help of Tom Schreyer from the second band of Greetings from Aachen. Askans Arvet. THE END. Thomas and Max who knows a bit about sound engineering. -- Most Black Metal Bands have a sound that reminds us of a broken radio. Perhaps a lot of them think that the true Black Nominon (Sweden) Metal spirit only can be felt like that. For sure Black Metal has to According to Perra Karlsson, the drummer for these sound different to other genres, but that does not mean that you veterans, the band are preparing to have a good year in 2010: have to lower the quality. equipped with a new vocalist, two new recordings (“Omen” e.p. and “Monumentomb” album) and optimism, the new year should Drummer Valentin does drums and vocals. Is this also true live? be fruitful. Yes, he also plays drums and sings live. He manages that good Nominon is loyalty to death metal. www.myspace.com/nominon so far although it is difficult. Nevertheless we are looking for a --- separate singer for the performance. Is "Omen" only an anticipation of the upcoming destruction?! Were these songs "Omen," "Invocations," and "Through Dead Askans Arvet is definitely fast black metal. In addition, you have Dreams Door" recorded at the same as the full album?! songs that are serene. Is there a “compromise” that Thomas Hell Mauricio. Yes, both the mini-CD material for "OMEN" and the Freytag writes serene, folky songs and Alexander Zaun writes coming album "MONUMENTOMB" were recorded at more traditional black metal songs? NECROMORBUS STUDIO, Sweden at the same period of time, Definitely no. At the moment our most songs where composed by September 2009. The MCD is already out and the album will be Alexander but everyone of us writes some songs. Thomas has unleashed March 2010, both via DEATHGASM RDS that are also composed a few traditional black metal songs that will be located in , . played in the future. Welke Blumen actually was an exception because it was not really written for Askans Arvet. If there will be In the past few years Nominon has been active, releasing cds and more songs like that in the future, they will be released as a solo touring. What are you plotting for 2010?!! project of Thomas. Besides releasing the new album we also have a split 7" EP coming up with the legendary Death Metal band SATHANAS as How to get copies of your recording? well, on the Polish label PAGAN RDS. We have also produced a To get a Copy of our Demo you can write an E-Mail to documentary with clips from the US tour we did last summer, [email protected], with your complete address and a hopefully that film will be released during the year as well. It's request for “Das Vermächtnis der Asche”. We will tell you the about one hour long full of live Death Metal music and insane cost and an address where to send the money or our bank clips from the road etcetera. connection in case you want to transfer it. When you play in Sweden, how is the reaction? Do you promote a political message? Your lyrics seem personal, We don't really like playing in Sweden, I'd say that people are existential, of the meaningless of existence, grief, death, etc. spoiled with so many shows here all the time. It's been 3 years No, we do not promote a political message. And Thomas who has passing since we last played a show in our hometown for written the most lyrics definitely does not think that existence is example. We might play here next year, but we don't really push meaningless. The lyrics deal with the decay of the good side of for it to happen, since it's up to us when we REALLY want to play existence. You can find a lot of beauty in nature for example. and not the clubs or the Metal people here that are nagging on us Humanity in its present form destroys a lot of this beauty as well to come and play at their club. If you a fan of NOMINON, you will as in nature and in the creative side of the humankind. definitely appreciate the show.

You lyrics are in German. Will all your songs be in German? There are more guitar solos this time around. Did you discuss We think that ones mother tongue is the best opportunity to this? Definitely makes you stand out more than before! receive the message or the image that is delivered in the lyrics No, we definitely didn't had any discussions around that subject. without distorting it. And by the way, it is clear that we do not We appreciate some good old guitar stuff here and there, as long have time to practice a non-native language on a level that as it fits the music/riffs/rhythm we will continue to put some lead allows us to express things in the same way. guitar work in there as well. If you think it was good guitar stuff on the mini-CD, just hold your breath until you'll hear the album. You’re based in Aachen, Germany. How’s life there for the band? It'll blow you away! Aachen is a pretty nice city for fans of metal music because there is a huge amount of people who like it. Of course, it is not easy "Invocations" has a good combination of clarity of sound and the for a young band to get good gigs, but we played in a few very fundamental Nominon elements of death. Blasting energy, cool locations 2009 and we plan a few other concerts for the galloping riffs and THAT guitar tone! How has your new screamer beginning of 2010. affected your songs? "Invocations" are a quite old song from 2001 that we had What motivated “Durch den Spiegel” (“Through the Mirror”)? recorded for a single 7" in the past. We've always continued to Durch den Spiegel describes a person who lost the ability to have play that one live, so now it was about time that we recorded it aesthetical experiences and wants to die because for this person properly in a quality studio. It's one of the guitarists of the aesthetic was the only good thing in life. NOMINON, Juha, who is singing on that one and he did a marvelous job I must say. Since it's pretty much him, myself and What does the name Askans Arvet mean? AntiChristian (second guitarist) writing the music it's also obvious Askans Arvet means in German “Das Vermächtnis der Asche” and that he got a big role in the song-writing process for sure. That can be translated with the “legacy of the ashes”. This means to certain song is definitely a fundamental NOMINON hymn by all us that every end means also the beginning of something new. means.

You have toured the U.S. in the past and played the Central Shred Academy, and they are among other available from my Illinois Metalfest. How was that experience? own website www.nielsvejlyt.dk, the website just had a new We had a lot of good times over there and we are working to design and lots of great new features. I’m doing a new come back. The response were overhelming and we didn't expect instructional dvd called “Advanced Arpeggios,” its very high that, so it was awesome. There has been some discussions about quality, as opposed to the video quality in the old ones I did. Yes NOMINON coming back in the summer of 2010, but for now you can learn to shred from them if you have the discipline not to nothing is confirmed. We're in the talks with several bands (really give up. classic underground Death Metal bands) that would suit for us to tour with, so be sure to check our website for all the latest news There’s a serious disease afflicting many youth: instead of and shows. learning to play their instruments and writing intelligent lyrics, they prefer “chug-chug-chug” guitar and lyrics about “sex with Will you come to Houston, Texas in 2010?!! The metal music zombies,” etc. Can you help to cure this disease? show From the Depths has been playing “Omen” on the radio. Ha Ha, no, actually I myself like a lot of different styles of music Don't know right now if we will make it to The States during and metal of course, for me its important to find the qualities in 2010, but we're working on it. If we get there I'm sure that we all music. will make it to Texas this time around and hopefully to Houston as well, it would definitely be cool to meet Wes again. I like Your idea of “utopia” of course concerns peace. Do you think that Texas very much and I can't wait to get back. That's all, thanks patriotism—the patriotism of an imperialist power like the U.S.— for the support, Mauricio. For further info and NOMINON (“the United States is the greatest country”; and other such merchandise check our website: www.nominon.com and arrogance) has the purpose of supporting the government’s www.myspace.com/nominon Hail the horned one! /Perra & wars/occupations/invasions all over the world? NOMINON. THE END. Actually Ian came up with the lyrics for Kingdom of Utopia, and -- he is much more politically involved than I am. And basically I Infinity Overture (Denmark) don’t think it’s a good idea to think less of other cultures, every Power/heavy/symphonic metallers Infinity Overture’s “Kingdom nation and human being has great qualities I think of Utopia” impresses with traditional metal singing, upbeat, rocking songs and an elegant sound quality, highlighting very Currently, there are hundreds of Danish troops in Afghanistan!! talented guitar work. Are you prepared to support the Danish government’s The skilled musicianship and the lush production gives participation in these wars in the Middle East for 10, 20 years?! this a fantasy regal metal feel. The singing, the guitar riffs and Well, as I said, I’m not that involved in politics, so its a bit tough solos, and the songs are probably the most outstanding things for me to answer, but I think a lot of things can go wrong if about this album; of course, others listeners will find other great people or soldiers enter a country, and they don’t respect the things they like about these skilled, talented musicians people in the country, on the other hand, maybe some of them succeeding at their chosen art. For those into talented guitarists, are doing good, and helping people, I really don’t know. singers and songs. Niels, the guitar wizard, answered these questions. www.myspace.com/welcometoinfinity Does Mads Damgaard play a six-string bass? Does it open up a --- whole series of other musical possibilities? “Kingdom of Utopia” is high quality music! Have you been able Mads Damgaards bass lines did not end up on the album, Olaf to promote it in Denmark and how have people responded? Reitmeier did some of the lines, and Kyle Honea did some, they Hi Mauricio, thanks a lot for the kind words. Yes, we are based in are very different in style, but I completely adore their work on Denmark, and we have been promoting the album a little bit live the album. in Denmark until now, but we will play more shows in 2010, and we have a festival in Belgium also. And well, this music is not Finally, have you noticed that Infinity Overture’s singing often popular in Denmark unfortunately has a similar grit as Biff from Saxon?!!!! I personally don’t have much experience with Saxon, but I Did Niels write all the music for the song “Wonderland”? remember someone else saying that. THE END. Yes, I (Niels Vejlyt) wrote all the songs, and when I did the -- album, I just had musicians play the parts, but thankfully we are Xolotl (Utah, U.S.) now a complete band. Miro (a producer) did some of the film With their self-titled recording, Xolotl introduces their perspective score style parts on traditional raw black metal. The overall speed is often as-fast- as-human-blastingly-possible, guitars and drumming funneling Were the solos written before or in the studio for the song the spirit of chaos into comprehensible sounds of black metal “Kingdom of Utopia”? Is the background sound keyboards, synth? rage. The guitar solos we written in the studio, which was a friend who What’s more, a distinctive component of Xolotl’s black owned, so I did not pay studio time when I recorded the guitars. metal is their use of indigenous instruments and ideas. In terms The drums was another story, Me and Mads Wolf did those in a of musical result, the aforementioned chaos-compositions are pro studio, but Mads was just a session player, Jakob Vand is enhanced with additional sounds from indigenous instruments, now the Infinity Overture drummer. Miro is playing the which give the music an imaginative touch. keyboards, and the orchestrations I did is a programmed The lyrics are in Spanish, brought to sound-life by Bruja, sequencer totally destroying her vocal chords; and as the guitarist also named Xolotl explicates here, they hope to have lyrics in Were the lyrics for “Oceans of Time” ready before the music?! indigenous languages in the future. www.myspace.com/xolotlwar How much sings here Ian Parry and Lene Peterssen? Address: Xolotl/575 North 250 West/ Springville Utah 84663/USA Oceans of Time is a funny story, since I wrote all the songs and -- lyrics for the music, I also came up with the titles of the songs, What will 2010 be like for you, recordings, concerts, etc? but then Ian redid the lyrics, and we kept the Oceans of Time XOLOTL: We’re going to have a new song that has not been title, and he came up with a story for that title. It is actually a released on a Mexican metal bands’ cd compilation under friend of mine called Anne Karine who did the female vocals on “Industria de Malevolos” label (Mex.). And if everything goes ok Oceans of Time, because at that time in the process, I had not we’ll be recording our second cd by mid 2010. About shows, just met Lene. a few here and there.

How do you play those wonderful solos?! Your fingers should fall Do you plan to play Mexico? The cd is by a Mexican company. off! When did you start playing? You have instructional dvds? Yes, the cd was released under American Line Productions label, Ha Ha, thanks, I have been playing guitar for about 20 years, I they want us to play some shows there but to be honest, it won’t did some instructional releases for Chops from Hell and one for be possible in the near future, we all have jobs and other shit to your-corpsepaint-on vibe. Nice. Don’t forget your bullet belts, take care of, so… not for now. either. Denim and leather, and raw black metal brought them all together. Smargroth is back on the streets again, raw-necro-grim In your black metal, there are other sounds besides the typical black metal blasting all over the frosting place. The band claims fast and blasting sounds. What are some of those instruments? to sound like “a broken radio” but they are wrong. The sound They are some pre-hispanic instruments like sea shells (trumpet quality and music are definitely good. Seek! like sound), some Native flutes, ayoyote seeds shakers, different www.myspace.com/smargroth sizes of aztek drums, wood rain stick, and teponaztli drum. --- Congratulations on “The Arrival of Necrotronian”! What part of Your band is based out of Utah, U. S. How is the metal scene in Slovenia are you from? Is that a good place for the black metal Salt Lake City, Utah. How many recordings in total do you have? lunacy of Smargroth? Well, Utah is not known for its huge metal scene, but we have Hello Mauricio. Thanks. I am from the capital city of Slovenia, several really sick bands here. Even though the scene is small, it Ljubljana. Not "native", but as most of other metalheads in is strong and supportive. We have just released our debut album, Slovenia, I moved here from a small city. Slovenia is so small, and that is all we have out for now. that almost all metalheads personally know each other. So it is more than a perfect place for my band. Here we have around 15 Is there one person responsible for the lyrics? Are there various active black metal bands and with each we have connections. people working on the same general concept? Yaotl is the one responsible for all the lyrics and the band’s Your album is self-released and DIY. How to get copies?!! ideology. Everyone in the band is really involved and believes Yes, completely DIY, except the professional mastering by Carl passionately in the hole pre-hispanic spectrum. Also as Saff. It is not easy to be one-man band as it was expensive to individuals we are really involved in activist movements to help self-release the album. Luckily I have members from flesh and our people. blood now and the expenses are divided. Besides the Myspace and Facebook page, we have official Smargroth web site Your lyrics deal are themes of the ancient peoples of Mexico. Are www.smargroth.com, where anyone can contact us and order the you students of history? Do you speak indigenous languages? CD. We all do have knowledge in pre-hispanic history but Yaotl is the Master, he has some serious studies in Mexican ancient history, “Codex of Tyranny” or “Below” are just two examples of grim, he also speaks some Nahuatl, Yucatecan Maya, and Guatemalan blasting black metal that is your specialty. How old are those Quiche. He is actually taking Nahuatl lessons. songs? Do you have, like, 30 songs not recorded yet?!! "Below" was the first song I recorded. In fact, all began with Do you want lyrics in indigenous languages, and not in Spanish? sound test at the end of 2007. I tried to record something on Actually that has been the idea since the beginning, but Nahuatl new computer and the result is the first 20 seconds of Below. As is not an easy one, La Bruja had a hard time singing and learning I listened to what I recorded I found out that this should be a the lyrics in nahuatl, so we decided to sing them in Spanish for perfect start for a perfect song. I got enthusiastic, and made now, but we are still working to move 100% to Nahuatl. "Runes of the Damned" from the old material. Also I re-recorded "Northern Reveries", which I created some years before. Then Can you explain your perspective on “Kulto a Ketzalkoatl”? suddenly I realized, I was making the album! I created the Well, it is extremely short, but to me it gets right to what I think fantasy story for the concept album, and recorded the remaining is the point. That the immense colonizing effects that have been songs. Codex of Tyranny was, I think, the fifth recorded song, implanted in our way of thinking and dna is blinding us, and the made in March 2008. It had to be a powerful, fast song that solution to this “blindness” is learning, accepting, and being represents the oppression and suffering of the humankind. proud of who we were and who we are. Because lack of free time, it took about a year to record all the songs. On my part, the recording was finished by January 2009. What is the working relationship between your guitarists Xolotl But then I unsuccessfully waited for the answers from the and Nahaulli? What is the vision for the guitar sound? publishers, waited for the drummer to rewrite the drum tracks The working relationship is perfect, we work together extremely and then the mastering and the printing of the CDs. The album well, we are in the same page always, when one of us gets stuck was released in October 2009. About the future project, I have somewhere in the writing process then comes the other one to some hours of material for the new songs and I am already in the the rescue, it’s like 2 brains working connected somehow. Our making of the next album. I just have to write the new chapter of vision for the band sound was exactly as the cd sounds, crude, the fantasy story. It will be the greater masterpiece than "The raw, simple structures and hateful riffs. We don’t care about a Arrival of Necrotronian". perfect over-produced sound, I don’t like over produced sound, I do care more to transmit all the hate to the music and sound. If Is the music on the album played by a band or by the solo you care too much about the sound production you get lost, individual Smargroth, the old Troll? sounds perfect but you lose the feeling. I, the old Troll, have recruited younger Trolls that help me to One example is Bathory: Blood Fire Death, sound maybe perform live. I don't want to use word "session members", as I is not the best but definitely transmit all that obscure feeling to gave them a lot of freedom and I listen to their wishes. But the the music. The guitar sound was exactly what we were looking album was recorded completely by myself, except the guest for, raw and organic. It doesn’t bother me at all the string vocalists and the drum tracks were improved by Oybl, who is now scratching sounds, amplifier and guitar hum, it make it feel more the member of the band. live and organic. How do you feel when you play “Triumphant Legions”?!! Last comments? Wow, Triumphant Legions is the war song. It is the fastest of all Thank you for the time and space in your zine. To get the album songs. The song itself is epic battle in which the Wizards won by contact us at www.myspace.com/xolotlwar or www.alprods.net using the magic. That moment is captured in the intro of the THE END. song itself. It was the last recorded song as I waited for the right --- time and the right mood. I am addicted to metal in general, but I Smargroth (Slovenia) often find myself skipping the non-black metal songs. I also like Smargroth is a necrogrim black metal band with some other genres, but I found black as the superior one. It takes me surprisingly memorable songs, and definitely friendly to the black into my own world and fills me with the energy. Powerful and metal ear. Also, Smargroth is an individual who is The Old Troll, aggressive, but yet so gentle and fragile. That is black metal. You the main creative force behind the music. The album is called know, when I am playing just for myself, I don't play any “The Arrival of the Necrotronian” and has a nice, spicy kick to it, particular song, I'm just improvising and my style is often slow, lots of the necro feeling, with that pick-up-your-guitar-and-put- melodic, melancholic. Did you use a drum machine? What else?! It is a drum machine. I prefer a real drummer, but I couldn't I hope that people will some day start to think with their own afford a studio to record the real drums. It's just too expensive. heads and stop being sheeps. I hope that black metal will So I was forced to use the machine. Oybl wrote the drum tracks somehow help with this. And I want all the black-metallers exactly like he is playing live. Sometimes the machine does not around the world unite in the battle against stupidity of the sound so bad, depending on the sound of other instruments. But humankind. And thanks for the interview and greetings to all for old-school and raw black metal, a real drumkit, with all the readers. THE END. errors and irregularities, is a must. The errors themself can have --- quite a charm.

What is the story of “Chasms of Doom”?! Chasms of Doom is the final place in the depths of the world, to where the captured souls are carried enchained. From there is no escape. It is like a hell. We all have some kind of the abyss in our REVIEWS mind, and that's what makes us curious and willing to explore the new dimensions. It is that "spark" which makes us go further. Without the abyss, we would be stuck in the past with no Awicha (Thailand): Awicha Marn 09 demo progress. These two songs go as fast as raw-black-metally possible, in a whirling-hurling tornado of chaos and speed and growl-shrieking “Glacier of Despair” is, of course, necrogrim black metal. Can you with no desire to stop. This is drum-machined-robot-crazy and please necro-explain it? it’s constant hammer-bashing intensity. This sounds like a demo Glacier of Despair is a ballad, as a contrast to the other songs. and that takes away a bit from the desired effect, though this The song is introverted and thoughtful. Why me? What am I does get by on nothing but its own energy, consuming itself in guilty of? Why am I punished? It is the retrospective into the the process. It’s blast, blast, blast, scream and rage. For those past, when the world was a better place. The opera with the that don’t mind bedroom/computer recorded metal. Here it is. crystal-like guitars and the winter-storm represents this innocent www.myspace.com/awichablood and peaceful life. Why the winter and the snow? Because they bring tranquillity. The ice freezes and captures a moment in the time, like in the memory. Bestemmia Aeternalis (Texas): Embracing Hell demo Due to the dual vocal approach, black metal shrieking and death Slovenia has a lot of forests. Do you think your music has any metal growling, the group gives the impression of being a mix of relation to nature?! Are the forests in danger in your country? death and black metal. And while, at times, there are some I like forests and mountains. Fortunately we have high moments of those thicker, distorted guitar moments, after a few awareness, so they are not endangered. The nature itself is a listens it appears that it is the black metal side of the equation haven from the dramatic and ever-moving life in the cities. I do that weighs more. live in the city, because I have a job here. It is better this way, This is mainly propelled by attitude, an unrelenting as it is a greater experience when I go from time to time to rest intensity, piloted by the fast, uptempo and blasting drumming. my mind in the nature. If I would live in the forest, I would get Maybe the drums are a bit louder than everything else. At any bored of it. I like contrasts. There are a lot of contrasts in my rate, the band should be relatively pleased, but not too much so, music also. with this recording, as it amply shows they have a good attitude and potential, including some catchy riffs and brief moments of Do your own songs sounds as memorable as “Run to Hills” or melody. “Painkiller” to you? I think your songs are melodic and catchy. Is In this demo it’s easy to hear the instruments and that crazy? I don’t think you sound like “a broken radio”! what’s going on with the songs, but the guitars are a bit buried in Yes, that's true. I could listen to my songs over and over, that's the mix. However, overall the mentality-intention is portrayed quite a miracle. Even I could not believe that. So, you are not accurately and convincingly. Definitely a good beginning and crazy at all :) I personally don't think they will ever become a hopefully they can build on this one and achieve a bit clearer cult songs, at least because black metal is too underground for sound quality next time; a relatively good effort. that. I do sound like a radio, which was broken and repaired :) www.myspace.com/bestemmiaaeternalis

In black metal, there is, amongst some, an attraction to fascist Cerebrum (Greece): Spectral Extravagance (Lacerated Enemy) political ideas, and the vocabulary, symbols, etc. of fascism. As a Cerebrum’s peppered with rhythm changes, and is prone to band from Slovenia, a nation that has suffered greatly— technical tangents, guitar-centered noodling and heavy crunch: repression, murder, invasions, territorial partitions—at the hands the blasting and energy. Technicality, prog and guitar-shred of fascist and right-wing violence in recent history, do you find it qualities are prevalent premises. ridiculous how some black metallers support reactionary What’s nice about Cerebrum is their simultaneous ideology?! achievement at two levels: (1) in the live environment this I hate the politics and the religious institutions, as they divide sounds moshpit-and-headbanging friendly; speedy, crazy, heavy, people, instead of joining them. There are not many NSBM bands etc. and (2) the tech-prog growl metal also offers lots to check in Slovenia, if any. They don't have much support here. Even out when listening to the music at home and you don’t foreign bands, marked as NBSM, were after their concert necessarily have a moshpit going on in your room. Bring it: clarifying and denying their link to the right wing ideology. But in “Thorns of Weakness,” “Edge of Parallel Circles,” and “Fragments other eastern-Europe countries, the situation is the opposite. I of Illusion” are all examples of the cranial activity of Cerebrum! am proud only of my own creations, not of something that others It’s intelligently composed and exhibits a serious effort (ancestors for example) did. to have songs that function, that flow, that offer the listener some adventure and a bit of melody, but that, at the same time, “Northern Reveries,” unlike the rest of the album, is a midpaced keep the foot on the pedal strongly. Definitely a solid work of instrumental. Is it a sign of things to come in the future? what some simply call “technical speed/blasting death metal.” The end of the album is somehow optimistic. Although my soul is This is a professional album, with professional sound and captured in the abyss, there is a catharsis and hope for the it is not demo-like sound quality at all. “Grayt sooksess!!!,” as humankind. So "Northern Reveries" is quite a suitable and mystic Borat says. www.myspace.com/laceratedenemyrecords ending, which can lead to many interpretations. That's why lyrics www.myspace.com/cerebrum aren't needed. The song was older, but re-recorded, to make it sound like the other songs. I think, it was made in 2005. It may be the sign of the next album, but for now, let it be the secret ;) Conqueror (Costa Rica): In the Depth of Darkness is not chug-chug/breakdown death metal, but more of the The constant-strong use of guitar solos, and the recurring flashing-the-steel type of guitar solos, driving-headbanging- additional rhythm riffs—on top of what already are fire marching-forward type of riffs, while the drumming does a good thrash/black metal riffs—and the dedication to well-arranged, job of changing speeds from fast to blasting and other little longer songs puts Conqueror in a pretty distinctive spot: they ditties all over the place. The vocals are guttural, like the doctor stand out based on their guitar work. ordered, but just a tad bit intelligible here and there. The fact that they use solos a lot throughout the songs Shakespeare observed in “Julius Caesar,” the tendency shows that extra step, beyond saying, “that’s good enough” and of young death metal bands to concentrate on the “Brutalität₧- going further, for better than “good.” Moжrte-ZumpĂn,” as he would often say in Igpay Atinlay. Human The riffs are based-inspired on that particular sound of Carnage takes this element B-M-Z and adds quite a bit of that raw thrash/black sound, using the 80s influence, but that’s not guitar flair-spark and succeeds superbly. Nice! Shakespeare was where the band stops. Those riffs are then spiced up with koerrekt. www.myspace.com/humancarnage additional spiral/tremolo/black/thrash riffs that intensify the songs, and give them extra atmosphere, making them more Ixpapalotl (Greece): That of the Swamp sinister than just speed, and more interesting, too. “I have come here to chew bubble gum and kick ass. The band has a great attitude reflecting the classic And I’m all out of bubble gum.” sound that encompasses black/death/thrash, with vocals of the Such is the philosophy of the band. This death metal blasting black/death raw, early music of foundational grind band has three songs of growling-blasting fun. The guitar German/Brazilian/U.S. bands. Some listeners will hear this or work has those grind/death metal riffs, easy to remember, and that particular influence, depending on one’s own experiences lots of fun. ¡Los griegos del manicomio! ¿Dónde está el chicle? and likes, but the most important thing will be to hear for The sound quality of this recording is solid. It’s a good yourself. Why not? It’s worth investigating. upfront sound where one can hear the instruments well. This is a www.myspace.com/conquerorcr pleasant surprise with how catchy the songs are. Clearly, they are doing something right. www.myspace.com/ixpapalotl Diamanthian (U.K.): Arcana Doctrina (Ossuary Industries) There is an outlook on metal upon which the work of Janus (Italy): Vega (ATMF) Diamanthian is constructed, and it is inextricably bound to a With music it is often the case, as with other things, that some foundational moment. It is, if you will, orthodox or a single- people demand instant gratification. However, music under the purpose perspective on which their music depends: to bring system of greed-profit-thievery, capitalism, can often be and is under their praxis leaden heaviness of crushing riffs, regardless merchandise, but music is also not exactly equivalent to of the particular speeds utilized in a specific song. hamburgers, shoes, toothpaste or telephones. Early 90s U.S. death metal, in particular New York and Janus (or: JANVS) in some ways swims against the Florida—that heavy/thick/engulfing/downtuned guitar sound/riffs; stream. Overall, this music requires more patience, endurance blasting, practiced to a good extent in the Mike Smith school of and a willingness to see the different colors, shades and layers. the blast: heavy, strong pounding accentuated by a strictness of The fast moments give way to uptempo ones, then to a midpace, rhythm; very guttural low vocals as expected for this music; then back to near-blasting speed, and returning to a slow death and doom-death heaviness of guitar sound and slower moment, then an extended guitar interlude or a melodic or moments in some songs, such as in “Immaculate Decay,” “Curse spacey segment. The guitar work is creative, sometimes melodic, of the Nephilim,” etc.; or the gigantic “Catastrophic Divine sometimes very tremolo-ish or spiral, etc. Judgement,” for example. There are obvious black metal undertones to this album Through the guitar solos, a variety of moods and solid and this music cannot but originate from black metal starting songs, Diamanthian is doing right by death metal and its points. Things are not so simple, though. Certainly not black audience, which with this should be pretty pleased. Try listening metal in the strict sense, but that’s exactly the point: to take to this and see how long you can go without growling along! Not those structures into a long-winded, instrument-centered, prog very. www.myspace.com/diamanthian framework. www.myspace.com/ossuaryindustries The result is something flexible-ambiguous, where speed, guitar solos, melancholy, growling, clean singing, long Futures End(U.S.): Memoirs of a Broken Man (Nightmare R.) songs (around the 7-minute mark as an average of sorts) all take Brainy, philosophical and virtuoso prog metal: top notch different shapes. performances: lots of guitar harmonies, solos and guitar-guitar- Imagination + ability + songs = Janus. guitar-centered music, with clear and professional sound quality. www.myspace.com/janvsdotit Very good traditional heavy metal singing, always melodic, catchy, often sounds uptempo “rocking out” style Ninth Kingdom (Texas): Where No Kings Shall Roam singing, sometimes it’s more mellow and spacey, always Hard work and a seriousness of objectives is what black metallers emphasizing singing (no growling). Ninth Kingdom’s album exudes. It’s not possible to understand all Elegantly done throughout the whole album and it is that’s happening during the first listen, except to notice that a lot meant for those that appreciate musical talent in a metal band: is going on in this whirlwind. Just many guitars and drummers adult contemporary metal music, good songs and talents. are playing here?!! www.myspace.com/nightmarerecords1 Embodying progressiveness/complexity and melody, and www.myspace.com/futuresendband not afraid to play real guitar solos, to shred, with catchy and raging riffs; they have something creative to offer. Human Carnage (Québec, Can.): Feast of Darkness Hear the 11-minutes-plus that is “A Storm on the This four-song e.p. is a compact, action-packed, no-nonsense Horizon” for ample evidence of their energies: a trip to their death metal riffarama-o-fest of speed, guttural growling, multifaceted worlds. blasting, jam-inity-jam structural bouncing off the walls. For a one-way ticket to the inside of the circle of Right this way for a death metal o’celebration: kick off drumming chaos, hear “Divination of Self” and try not to pass this thing correct with a serious overdose administration of out. If you do, that’s ok, when you wake up, “The Hollowed growling intensity and gigantic-catchy guitar-o-jams. Crown” or “The Bastard Son” will be there to urge you on. Every song is effectively designed to be a barnstorming- It’s pleasant to hear such dedication to the guitar and o-stampede snowballing through the few minutes that each song drums and to what can be achieved with them. There is much takes, and then, it’s time for the next one. taking place here, but the fact is that this, if one has the mind to With the guitar sound, there is a clearly distinguishable listen to it, has lots of musicality to be appreciated and enjoyed. guitar riff driving each part of the song and it is memorable. This www.myspace.com/ninthkingdom

Sanhedrin (U.K.): Demo 2009 Metal on Houston radio and on the internet The keyboard introduction sets the stage for three songs of The Metal Show: From the Depths obscure-obscurantist-symphonic death-black metal. Then the first song, “Now I See the Truth” is atmosphere-driven, both Sundays 10pm-1am On KTRU 91.7 fm keyboard-atmosphere, as well as guitar-vocal at moments On the internet at www.ktru.org sounding more black metal, then death metal, and at times even some goth metal vibes. At any rate, it’s all growling (no clean Info at www.myspace.com/fromthedepths vocals). “The Second Coming,” for example, has blasting parts, Ejacula Radio Program that coupled with those keyboards, certainly point towards symphonic black metal directions: heaviness, speed, melody and Thursdays 2am-5am On KPFT 90.1 fm an aura horror envelopes Sanhedrin. On the internet at www.kpft.org It’s easy to tell that the band is aiming at something Info at: www.myspace.com/ejacula much larger than this demo, a bigger sound, but this is no bad way to begin. They got the songs, and that’s the starting point. www.myspace.com/sanhedrin666 Houston concerts, from The Adversary at www.theadversary.org

Jan. 23: Texas Metal Fest: Vital Remains, Ninth Thor (Canada): Unchained (Vulcan Sky) Kingdom; some 25 (or more) bands!! With song titles like “Ride from Hell,” “Rock the City” and Jan. 30: Lethal Aggression, Scum Allegiance, “Lightning Strikes” and other songs about heavy metal, this is the traditional, rocking, good-time heavy metal zone. H.R.A., Termination Force, Owl Witch There are 11 songs, from speedy, shreddy and very Jan. 30: Sabbath Judas Sabbath, others catchy racers like “Ragnarok,” to exercises in maximum audience Feb. 10: Those Whom the Gods Detest Tour sing-along like “Rock the City” and “Anger,” to uptempo fist- Nile, Immolation, Krisiun, Dreaming Dead, others raisers like “Warhammer,” etc. Straight late 70s/early 80s heavy metal, in the spirit of Feb. 13: Ain’t Valentine’s Day Massacre: the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, and those early 80s non- [to benefit KPFT 90.1 radio] thrash bands from the United States and Germany, as well as the Warbeast, Project Armageddon, Kin of Ettins, U.K. legendary, household name bands from the early and mid Torsectomy, Owl Witch, Erebus 80s. Old school traditional heavy metal, for sure. There’s lots more info at www.thorcentral.com and Feb. 16: Venomous Supremacy, Sculpting Atrocity www.myspace.com/thorband Feb. 19: DRI Feb. 27: Gravehill, Hod, Blaspherian, Disfigured, Urudium (Japan): Moonlit Sorrow Morbus 666 Urudium is an interesting proposition. First, the guitar solos, March 1: The Black Dahlia Murder, Obscura, Augury, melodies, harmonies sound crystal clear and suggest a love for the instrument. Hatesphere As to the style, it is guitar-riff-and-solo driven speedy March 12: Misery Index, Magrudergrind, Diminished, heavy metal that stays in the uptempo and fast (but no blasting Injurious Physical Violence, Venomous Supremacy speed) somewhere between thrash and heavy metal, but closer March 20: We’re All Doomed Fest to the speed of thrash, but with high singing/yelling vocals, and lost of guitar solo/melody/harmony elements. Project Armageddon, Soulcrusher, others Apparently, this is all the work of one Shane Lightning March 28: Hordes of Chaos Tour Yamash, but this sounds a lot like a band, not a solo project. , , , Lazarus A.D., others There are 13 songs on this album and Urudium does not April 3: Destroying Texas Fest 5 suffer from a lack of energy. In fact, only track number 5, the title track, is in the slower territory and number 6, “Call Me” Order From Chaos, Inquisition, Ares Kingdom, stays in the slower/midtempo, and the 11 other songs are Averse Sefira, Toxodeath uptempo and/or fast. Fun! www.myspace.com/urudium April 8: Hammerfall, Echoes of Eternity April 16: Embryonic Devourment, Sepsism, Engaged Vomiting Skulls(Finland): demo in Mutilating “With a name like Vomiting Skulls, it has to be good.” April 28: Overkill, Vader, God Dethroned, Vomiting Skulls are a bunch of smarty black metal pants, with their four-song demo, with a good touch of variety. Warbringer, Evile, Woe of Tyrants “Slaughter” is a total-black-metal tremolo-spiral-riff- April 28: Sonata Arctica, Mutiny Within, Powerglove rules-all party of speed. Very difficult not to like! It’s a good April 30: Finntroll, Moonsorrow, Swallow the Sun song, a good start. OK, what’s next? June 7: Obituary “Old ones” then shows up to mess with preconceived notions. How does black metal sound at middle-of-the-road June 12: Primal Fear tempo? On here the band goes for those heavy-crushing riffs. OK, convinced. On this one, it definitely stands out that the Correspondence, cd, cd-r, tape for reviews: vocals are not the traditional black metal shriek, but a lower- register growl that works well with those doomy black metal Donations appreciated. Support DIY metal. tones. Metal Bulletin “Altar” picks up the speed once again, and includes a second-half midtempo section, demonstrating once again that it’s P.O. Box 571794 not all about speed for them here. “Kill for his glory” ends this Houston TX 77257-1794 usa with tremolo-kingdom blasting energies, demonstrating once again that it’s all about speed for them here. Success!! www.myspace.com/vomitingskullofficial www.metalbulletin.blogspot.com www.myspace.com/themetalbulletin January 20, 2010