interview with Moonkult (Finland)

Moonkult  (Finland)

The history of the raw black metal entity Moonkult is already underway, as the demo “Tears of Seers” is out, and it is available for free at at www.moonkult.bandcamp.com.

The demo is available for anyone who likes to see where things start for Moonkult. It is a free demo, and it is raw black metal, like the early days of the genre.

This interview gives a better idea of Moonkult. Get in touch and let Moonkult know that you are out there.
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Is Moonkult a band or a one-man project? Is the objective to  play concerts in the future or never play live?

For the "Tears of Seers"-demo the lineup was just me (Moonlord Akhkharu). I recorded with drum machine. At this point there has only been conversations with v-KhaoZ (ex-Azaghal, ex-Hin onde, ex-Oath of Cirion, ex-Hellkult) of him recording drum parts for upcoming Moonkult debut album and some other persons have shown interest to play bass for that. Beyond this i have not yet any other plans.

No plans for playing live either, I am not for or not against it. We shall see how i and others have time for that kind of thing and how would this music work out in live concerts.

Moonkult is raw and ugly black metal. In 2012, in Finland, what is going in metal that you decided to avoid the trends and clichés of metal from Finland, like the folk style, symphonic/pop, goth or power metal?

Well, i don't listen to what is going on in metal nowadays too much. I only keep track on what is going on with some more underground Black Metal bands. Besides of what i have heard from other metal styles nowadays in Finland sounds just shit and gay to me. Moonkult's music i create from my "soul" and that is how i see it, it represents my feelings. But i try using dynamics in a sense that it creates complex feelings in the listener, so again i don't feel darkness inside myself all the time, so using several atmospheres and feelings has been my goal.

But nothing gay sounding like blind happiness or anything like that, just embracing a larger picture of this some kind of substance. From this idea i got the idea to make a Black Metal short story as stories have different parts with different moods, so the music could be arranged in the same way and the Moonkult debut album will be done in this way. Yet, i try to keep things unified so the variation between songs is not too strong.

Musically i wish try create immense darkness, something that you don't hear too often anymore in modern days black metal or in any metal. Also, Moonkult has a simplistic approach focusing more on emotions, dark fantasy and making good songs rather thank wanking with some technical gay lead stuff. I devised some formulas for making several riffs and i try using dissonance as a more powerful tool for creating darkness and hate.

Can you explain the feeling in the sound that you wanted in the song “The Great Purge”? Is there bass guitar on this song? Where did you record the song, at home?

That song is an introduction to the story and i wanted to create the feeling of enslavement in a big dark fortress or something like that. Yes, there is a bass guitar! It is just low in the mix and it's sound is very thin. On the CD version you can distinguish it, but maybe mp3 packing has lost it if you can't hear it.

Yes, I recorded it with my own equipment at one basement where we used to rehearse with one other guitarist, but we had already dropped that project we had, anyway i ended up doing recordings in nighttime only, maybe subconsciously trying to get the right feeling in darkness and silence.

What is your guitar tuned to? Is there only guitar on this song? By the way, what type of “purge” do you mean in this song?

Guitar is tuned to E. There are two guitars on every song with bass and drums. What this purge means you can pretty much cipher from the lyrics, like a purge of wisdom and knowledge

of those with gift of foresight and they also lose the ability to see beyond while being captive.

Personally, I hate drum machines. Has it been difficult to find drummers that want to play raw black metal?

It has been, yes. I know few drummers besides v-Khaoz and they are more focused to play punk music. Generally finding musicians with interest to this kind of Black Metal has been difficult, also in my hometown people listening to Black Metal of older days are very few.

When did you start playing music? Do you play bass guitar, too? What other instruments do you play? Do you write other type of music or only metal? Maybe you have recorded black metal versions of a bunch of Judas Priest songs?!

I started playing with synthetisator in 2004, I played mostly classical music and some rock tunes with that. Guitar i started learning in 2006-2007 time and started active playing in 2008 i think. At the same time i started playing bass also and i still play that too, but not so good and basslines for Moonkult just follow lowest notes of the two guitars. I wrote some years ago some classical style music and some punk songs, also i did few songs of thrash/death metal in 80's style, but nowadays i just focus on Moonkult.

Black metal versions of Judas Priest??! Haha, no i haven't done that, but that sounds like a cool idea to do.

Can you tell us the concept about “Behind “Vortex of Lightnings”? The demo has three songs: are there other songs that you have recorded, but not released yet?

“Behind Vortex of Lightnings” is the second last song on the upcoming Moonkult album and is a straight forward expression of that part of the story, which i don't wish to reveal before the album is done. That song was the last song composed for the demo and it was composed in december 2011, originally i wanted to have four songs on the demo. But i couldn't at that point play some 6 string minor chords in my opinion properly, so instead i made "Behind Vortex of Lightnings" to fill the place for those two others.

Four other songs i have composed and i have done just some test recordings for two of those, also an intro i made with synth and a guitar part top of synths is also there.

“Beyond to Infinity” shows a slightly different side of Moonkult, maybe a less chaotic, but a more nihilist approach, maybe? You probably do not agree!

Different it is, yes, and more sides of Moonkult will be shown in the upcoming album, one song in that is halfway more like a darker version of Mercyful Fate! Yet nothing completely different is coming, only in that extent to what  “Beyond to Infinity” shows to the other two songs on the "Tears of Seers" demo.

Nihilism? I don't know about that, maybe somewhat it shows nihilism. In the lyrics i represented something more philosophical, that song being an epilogue to the story.

What are your goals for the rest of 2012 and for 2013? How can people be in contact with you?

I plan on starting recordings for the album during this year, hopefully in summer/autumn time. After that we shall see, i already started planning the story for the second album so maybe in 2013 i make music for that. Thank you for the interview! People can contact Moonkult in myspace and there is also an official Moonkult site in facebook, but the best way is to send mail to moonkult666@gmail.com. Long live the Empire of Night!                                            THE END.

Hypnos: Heretic Commando

Hypnos (Czech Republic): Heretic Commando (Einheit Produktionen)

Hypnos can come across as cold-steel death metal, but if you just give yourself time to adjust, you will find a band working to balance intensity with strong songs.

“In Love with Death” functions on the basis of a midtempo feel of heaviness and a tiny amount of melody. The little melody works well with gruff death metal. A strong song.

“Burning Again/Hymn of Eternal Fire” is one of the best songs here. The riffs are good, and a few semi-melodic licks work with the quality death metal that Hypnos is aiming at.

“Alliance of Snakes/Reptilian Conception,” by comparison, is a short piece of speed and intensity. An effective song.

“Extremely Dark Days” and “Versus the Void” are tracks that go for headbanging metal. These are the songs that have a more immediate impact. It’s practically impossible not to like them!

These are not all the songs on the album, just some examples. A nice balance of heaviness, speed and songwriting. Good job. Good songs, no weakness. What else can you ask for? www.hypnos-cz.com

Anhedonist: the doomed live on

Anhedonist (U.S.): Netherwards  (Dark Descend)

Slow, crawling, massively heavy death doom.
Slow misery, don’t want to sound happy or upbeat, just want to play as heavy as death metal, and with as much feeling as doom metal.
There are brief bursts of speed, but it’s an overwhelming total death doom, as in “Saturnine” (9:45). “Estrangement” (10:13) might as well be a continuation of the first song because my ears are melting with doom. What was the difference between this slow, churning song and previous slow-motion catastrophe, anyway?!
Anhedonist makes Candlemass and Obituary sound positively cheery, happy and sweet.

Anhedonist is going for the following world records:
1. The heaviest band in the universe.
2. The slowest band ever.
3. The most miserable music.
Hey, right now the Olympics are taking place. Look out, Britain, there is a new game in town. Those makers of happy-go-lucky music, Paradise Lost and My Dying Bride, will need to make room for the new miserable bastards of doom, straight out of rainy, depressive, no-sun, cloudy frigging Seattle. Just give them the medal already.

http://anhedonist.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/anhedonistwww.facebook.com/pages/Anhedonist

don't forget to visit www.fuglymaniacs.com

• Don't forget to visit Fuglymaniacs at www.fuglymaniacs.com
• There is video footage of Vomitfest II concert with death metal darkness Imprecation, and Blaspherian
• There is also a spoof of the idiots that is Slipknot
• Gojira goes under the microscope also...and things get ugly there
• and a mythbusting piece on glam/butt rockers and white supremacist rantings of Pantera

and don't forget to leave a comment on www.fuglymaniacs.com too!!

interview with Ahnengrab (Germany)

Ahnengrab (Germany) In the language of Fuglymaniacs: Ahnengrab’s album “Omen” album is very good. Way better than just “good” and I would give it a rating of 8.5 or 9.

It is a very well balanced combination of music. First of all, Ahnengrab is for those that are very picky and discerning about what they like; and those that want epic metal, but memorable songs, too. Yes, this is a mixture of black, folk, and sure, some prog, maybe some heavy metal, too. Categories are stupid. The sound quality is good, so no worries there. But most of all, give it a little time for your mind to grasp what the band is actually doing. Just, you know, relax, because this music is not a hamburger to be consumed in 2 minutes. Give it a chance, like a real chance, and Ahnengrab will be a pleasing experience. www.ahnengrab.de www.myspace.com/211125219

All questions answered by Christoph L. and Christoph H. (Quritte) --

“Omen” came out some four years after your first album, “Ahnengrab” in 2008. How long did it take “Omen” to record from start to finish? Your music is not exactly “simple” and it sounds like it would take a long time to record a great album like “Omen.”

Quritte: Hi there! Thanks for the compliments. Regarding your question: The album has become pretty complex indeed. There are several reasons which contributed to this. First of all, the enhancement in terms of instrumental influences has played a big role. Furthermore, the song structures as well as the sophisticated technical realisation were of great importance in matters of time. All the production took place on the weekends, since everybody was busy working or studying throughout the weeks. Summing all this up in a nutshell it took a long time of about two or three months, but the actual recording was done within only ten or twelve days.

After the album came out, have you had more opportunities to play live in Germany and Europe?

Quritte: We have used the time after the album release to play a tour throughtout (mainly Eastern) Germany. Unfortunately, we won't play that many festivals this year, since German organisers do the billing and booking of bands about one year in advance. "Omen" was published in February this year, so it is difficult to get booked for festivals only about 4 months ahead of the actual festival season.

Is there a general concept that album is about, from your perspective? What is the story behind “Omen”? Who is responsible for the concept and lyrics, is it Christoph Fenris?

Christoph L.: There is no ONE concept, but some kind of golden thread that runs through the whole album, from the first to the last song. It all starts with the search for the past, with the processing of sadness and loss. Songs like "Feuer I", "Feuer II" as well as "Stein" deal with standing upright and facing everything that is to come, be it positive or negative. The song "Omen" represents the perception of distinctive signs of the end (i.e. of a culture or society) and emphasises the need for not giving up even though the end might be in sight. All summed up, the album deals with the unstoppable downfall and decline as well as the emotions and feelings involved. The lyrics and concepts were all created by our vocalist Christoph L. (Fenris), but all the band are contributing to the overall work.

About your song “Die Das Licht Nie Sehen Werden”. What is the light that you refer to? And who is “they” in this context?

Christoph L.: The song has to do with those, who live their lives following stupid rules and moralic values indoctrinated by society. Those, who think their acting right without thinking about their own ways and beliefs. Those, who are writing failures off as destiny and therefore invariable. The light stands for everyone's individual and personal aims and objectives. Aims everybody should determine for themselves. Aims no one but yourself can define. No one but yourself should define.

A song like “Wind” is actually easy to remember and melodic, even though it is fast. I don’t see why many people would not like it. You have to get more people to hear it.

Quritte: Well, there are some radio stations playing our songs. Mainly, Tetzel (vocalist of "Asenblut") is broadcasting Ahnengrab's music on his show on Metalonly.de But all in all there aren't that many stations playing Ahnengrab, unfortunately. But we hope this is going to change as soon as possible.

Regarding the vocals on the song “Omen.” Are there special effects on the vocals? How many voices/vocalists are there on the song?

Quritte: The respective whispered parts as well as some particular vocal parts were duplicated or recorded a couple of times and overlayed later on. Even though they vary in volume all the tracks and parts were sung by Christoph L.

And the outro. Does anyone in the band play classical instruments? Is a wonderful outro, actually.

Quritte: As far as I am concerned no member of the band is capable of playing a real classical instrument. Nevertheless, all the parts played by classical instruments were written by Quritte, Tibor C. and Benedikt K. (a friend of the band). The outro was recorded with members of the Brandenburg state orchestra playing the compositions. We are very proud of having realised this since it is something really precious. The classical instruments develop an own, distinct spirit a computer would never be able to create.

What division of labor is there between your guitarists Christoph H. and Tibor C.?

Christoph L.: It is complicated to generalize this issue. Basically, Quritte is the one having the ideas. The rest of the band is to develop the ideas, creating a complex, whole composition.

Are Johannes (bass) and Tom (drums) present when you write songs? Are they presented with the full song?

Christoph L.: We try to work our way through the songs as a band, a unit. Unfortunately, this is not possible all the time. But generally, everybody is responsible for their own instrumental parts and ideas. That way, we are able to create something new, something worth playing. Nevertheless, there's always someone in the band with ideas and concepts to overcome possible gaps of creativity. For example, Quritte always has some ideas of what the drive of a song should be like in order to preserve tension and excitement.

Will Ahnengrab ever headline Wacken?! Who knows, Scorpions are almost retired, U.D.O. won’t live forever, Kreator is not that young, maybe your time is coming in the next 10-15 years? But Edguy will probably still be around!

Quritte: Hahaha, BIG TIME! Our time will come and realisation plans have been made already. And even if this time won't come: We still have the best hobby on earth! So stay heavy, praise the Eierklaus and listen to Omen, Metalheads! Thanks for your time!

2013 will be 30 years of the glam rock debut by Pantera: "Metal Magic"

2013 will be 30 years of the glam rock debut by Pantera: "Metal Magic" Glam rock and butt rock is the name of the game and Pantera is the name of the player. Fuglymaniacs has this piece about it: www.fuglymaniacs.com

Power Theory (U.S.): Don't let the word "power" make you think of stereotypes

Power Theory (U.S.): An Axe to Grind (Pure Steel Records)

Straight-up, no-tomfoolery, rocking, mean, traditional heavy metal, as Power Theory have learned from bands like Accept and Judas Priest.

Some important details: Power Theory has a gritty, hard, street heavy metal sound; thus, this is “keyboard metal,” nor “symphonic” stuff: just loud guitars, with heavy-metal riffs, and heavy-metal solos; midtempo and uptempo drumming that concentrates on hitting hard (speed is not the main thing) and double-bass kicks in the correct places; and a singer that sounds in the Udo Dirkschneider/Lemmy style.

To be as clear as possible: if you like the rawer heavy-metal-as-heavy-metal can be style, Power Theory is a band you should definitely investigate.

No sugary melodies, no breakdowns, no blastbeats, no thrash, no core, no emo, no cookie-monster vocals, no stupid hardcore yelling, and any kind stuff like that.

“Deceiver” has thick, brickwall heavy metal riffs, with a memorable chorus. This is an instant-impact song. “A Fist in the Face of God” is made for the live setting, like those traditional metal audiences in Germany that go crazy for this, and with good reason. “Puresteel” highlights those gang-shouted background vocals, like U.D.O./Accept, and just sounds like a heavy metal anthem. Actually, all these songs have the feeling of anthems. In fact, that’s what this is, heavy metal designed to sound like anthems.

Power Theory do not mess around. www.reverbnation.com/powertheory

Antropofagus (Italy): Architecture of Lust (Comatose)

“Architecture of Lust” makes it clear they love old Suffocation, and just old high-energy blasting death metal.

“Demise of the Carnal Principle” goes for brutality and a little technicality, maybe a little Origin.

“Eternity to Devour” is another example of total aural assault mentality. Alright, no surprises, just more of the same brutality, so let’s get to the point.

In the world of Antropofagus the songs revolve around certain elements:

1. Blast a lot; go really fast a lot of the time. Good!

2. Make sure no one understands the growling and make sure to keep it low-guttural all the time: avoid any variety at all costs, very few screams, no changing the vocal tone, and keep it monotonous for every song.

3. Use a fundamental play-on guitar tone and riffing: they know “brutal death metal” and have a university degree in it. Let’s just say that the guitar will not disappoint anyone who wants it Suffocation-style.

Good album, good album. Personally, I think the guitar work and the vocals need more intensity, more energy, more wild, outrageous frenzy. “Sadistic Illusive Puritanism” has a good solo, but they need more of that and bust out with some wild energy!! The band has proven they are brutal, so they should explore the territory they are in, and let the guitars be more active in the brutality, and less fearful, less restrained.

The vocals: how about more screaming, higher, and even lower; find more ways, more shades of brutality. There is no need to make it monotonous and so restrictive. Attack the microphone!! And the drumming is fine. Keep it fast! www.reverbnation.com/antropofagus www.reverbnation.com/antropofagus www.myspace.com/antropofagusofficial

What is "Romantic Black Metal"? It's Alexander Paul Blake

Alexander Paul Blake (Germany): Die Rückkehr ins goldene Zeitalter (Einheit Produktionen)

OK, look it, this is on Einheit Produktionen, so that means it is going to be a quality release, basically.

This particular album sounds like black metal for novelists, poets and maybe those metallers who want something with some sophistication.

Were we wondering just what is 'Romantic Black Metal'? Well, with Alexander Paul Blake's music and its ambitious focus on folk, prog and black metal, we have our answer right here. For the metallers that like music that is an adventure, this album will be a pleasure for sure. It’s for banging your head, or for having a cup of wine and sitting by the fireplace, or both.

Part black metal, part moody/atmospheric, it has lots of moments of totally black metal speed, but just as importantly, it has mellow moments of acoustic guitar.

The album is more than an hour of music, so listen with a patient and open mind. This will take time to understand.

Those who suffer from that disease that their metal can be only instant and easy to understand, will most likely want to avoid. But fear not, Cannibal Corpse, Six Feet Under and Overkill have new music out…or maybe you like Cannibal Corpse and Alexander Paul Blake! Why not? Who made up rules about this, anyway? www.alexanderpaulblake.de

WHAT?!!! And they said that there were no death metal bands in Kenya!! Really?!! How you like them apples now?!!

Absence of Light (Kenya): Vyom Chakra (Extreme Metal Africa)

Have you heard Absence of Light yet? No? Maybe you should?! Death metal intensity is their main objective.

“Daksha” is blasting speed, riffs of immediate impact and it just a ripping track. “Arkasodara” works the atmosphere, a slightly dissonant and cold feel, but when the heaviness kicks in, it says: "It's ok, everything's going to be alright. Absence of Light is here." Heavy, cold and then the speed kicks in. Absence of Light is working all the angles. Ah, I see. I like!

“Kalasamhara, I” displays a massive, Behemoth-like quality practically dares the listener to not like it. “Samadhi” works the heaviness in a more balanced way between speed and atmosphere: spacy, massive and fast. OK, I am convinced.

What a cool way for a band to start. A short E.P. of good, headbanging-worthy death metal, played with excitement and energy. To sum up: give Absence of Light your support on this, their first recording. It will be interesting to see where they go after this one, but for now, they have these songs to show you the landscape.

Their EP is available for free at ReverbNation. OK, so, go look them up and get in touch with them! Send them a message and let them know that there are human beings rocking out to their death metal. I’m sure they’d love to hear from you.

www.reverbnation.com/absenceoflightkenya

www.myspace.com/aolke

when Blaspherian gets done with your hometown, it will be destroyed, too

when Blaspherian gets done with your hometown, it will be destroyed, too just look at what happened recently, here: www.fuglymaniacs.com

Botswana has metal music to show you: Skinflint

Skinflint (Botswana) The listener can hear the bass guitar lines and what is going with the bass throughout the song; you can hear the different riffs and rhythms of the guitar, so that you can follow the guitar sound in one song and trace the paths if follows; the drums sound like a real human being rocking out.

Skinflint highlights traditional, heavy metal, mid-tempo melodies, like they are found on classic heavy metal in which rocking guitars work with melodic parts. Indeed, it is not a coincidence that their album “ILKWA” has a distinct flavor of classic heavy metal in the guitar/melodic and bass guitar lines.

The vocals for Skinflint are not high heavy metal vocals, but they are not growling, either. One way to describe it is heavy metal grit. The vocals sound raspy or street, not smooth.

Finally, it’s difficult to compare Skinflint to anything happening in metal currently because the musical values are anti-trend by a band that has found its way and knows what it wants.

Check out Skinflint, but expect something different, something more traditional heavy metal, something with a more honest sound. www.myspace.com/skinflint123 www.skinflint.ironwarlock.com skinflint@ironwarlock.com @SkinflintBand (twitter) --

Hello, I have been listening to your album “IKLWA” and your EP “Gauna.” How have metal listeners reacted in Botswana and southern Africa in general?

Metal fans in Botswana appreciate what we are trying to do, and the feedback has been mostly positive from listeners in Botswana. However, since the release of IKLWA, we have been getting more response from abroad then we get from Southern Africa and Botswana.

Your city of residence is Gaborone. What can you tell us about Skinflint rocking in the city of Gaborone?

Playing gigs in Gaborone, is always trial and error. No matter how popular your band is, sometimes the shows go terrible. This is mainly attributed to the complete lack of Rock/Metal venues and promoters in the country. It is very challenging to set up shows here, as there is no support from the community and media!

It seems that in the recent period, maybe in the last 10 years, metal in Botswana has been gaining popularity and more bands are forming and recording the music and people around the world are taking notice. Can you tell us a bit about this? You have five releases?!

Rock/Metal music has been around in Africa since the 80s, but the media never covered this and therefore most people never knew about the scene. But luckily for the internet, we now have the opportunity to expose our music to people from abroad who never thought we existed. This is why, the scene is getting recognition in the last 10 years or so! There has been some confusion on our releases, as our first two release were never official. They were promo demos compiled together to try get gigs in Southern Africa. Our official releases are: Massive Destruction, IKLWA (International Debut) and Gauna EP. We were fortunate to be part of Metal Records, who helped us record all three releases.

How long have all of three of you known each other?

Kebonye (Bass) and Mothusi (Drums) went to school together in Palapye, and have known each other since childhood, while Giuseppe (Guitar/Vocals) came from Lobatse, the South of Botswana and met with them in 2007 at a Rock gig in Lobatse.

During the guitar solos in a song like “The Fallen” from the album “Iklwa” it sounds like there is not a second guitar playing. Is this true? So, in concert, your band can definitely sound like this?

When we record, we want the sound to be raw and live in your face. We do not use any samples, pro tools, or studio tricks. IKLWA and GAUNA are as close as possible to the original source sound, so that it gives the listener a feeling of being in the studio with us. Natural and honest, with straight forward traditional recording, like the 70s.

“Profit Making Funeral” is another song with a good vibe, not too complicated; heavy but with feeling. What is the story of this song? It is like 9 minutes long, is it by accident?

Profit Making Funeral, can be looked at from many point of views. There is no direct meaning to the song, it is like an abstract of cruelty, life and death. It is what you make of it! We decided to leave the song open ended, as it encourages the listener to find their own meaning to the song... As we believe that at the end of the day, we all have our own personal demons to face.

By the way, who narrates the “Intro” in the EP “Gauna”? Do you study African history to write lyrics for your songs?

The lyrics are written by Giuseppe, and he takes a great interest in Ancestral beliefs, Tribal Warfare and Botswana Folklore. Of course, some of the events of IKLWA are real historic events, but Gauna on the other hand is more Ancestral. As Gauna is believed to be the ruler of the spirits of the dead to the bushmen of Southern Africa.

The song “Gauna” is uptempo, heavy song that contrasts well with the more midtempo, melodic “Mantis Skull.” I like how the listener can hear the instruments clearly in these songs! Do you have a method?

Honestly, we do not have any rules we follow when making songs. We believe that when making any form of art, you must be free to explore new grounds and not fear doing something different. By using specific methods and approaches, it limits an artist and therefore all novelty is lost in the process.

Where did you record the live songs on the EP “Gauna”?

The live songs were recorded live in Concert. At the Ruth Khama Community Hall in Maun, Botswana.

How much experience do you have playing live in Botswana and in other parts of southern Africa?

We have been playing live in Botswana and Southern Africa for over 5 years now. SKINFLINT is more of a live band and we prefer live sound over studio!

Do you play shows together with other bands from Botswana like Wrust and Crackdust? What are other metal bands from Botswana that you like?

We have shared the stage with Wrust and Crackdust on many occasions, as well as other local groups. We like Remuda, Dust N Fire, Disciplinary, Simple Sex, Stane, Vitrified and more.

The cover of ILKWA displays a warrior with his shield and lance in battle. This painting is the work of Alessandra Sbrana. Does Alessandra have many paintings? She also painted the cover of Gauna. Does she paint for other bands?

Alessandra has many paintings, mostly African Mythology and Fantasy. The IKLWA painting was her first painting she did for a band, and she has been doing other bands since then. She just recently finished doing artwork for a Metal band from Uganda called "Vale of Ammonition".

What do you want to say the readers of the zine?!

Skinflint is currently at work on a new studio album. We will record the album in August-September and hope to have it released this year. The album will further expand on African Ancestral beliefs, as well as follow up the events of IKLWA. After the album, we hope to tour abroad! We would also like to take this opportunity to thank the readers for supporting Metal, and all the fans out there who give us the strength to continue playing the music we love. Thanx for the questions! THE END.

Vomit Fest II: Imprecation finds the ways to blaspheme and brutalize the unsuspecting people of Texas

Vomit Fest II took place this weekend.

Imprecation brought their death metal heaviness to Houston.

See for yourself here:

www.fuglymaniacs.com

ORDER IS RESTORED: Avenger: Bohemian Dark Metal

Avenger (Czech Republic): Bohemian Dark Metal (Deathgasm) [Rating: 9 out of 10. It is not a 10 because I have been threatened with a severe beating if I give it a 10. Today I do not want to get beat up because of Avenger. Sorry, Avenger! I don’t like violence when it is karate kicks aimed at my poor noggin. Plus, I bruise like a peach and have no idea how to defend myself. But maybe I can interest you in a sarcastic comment?] -- Avenger. Finally, order has been restored. The universe is once again unfolding just like it should.

Avenger is excellent. Here is why. Avenger knows exactly what I was thinking about heaviness. (Mind readers? Maybe. If you like classic Bathory, Celtic Frost and of course Master’s Hammer, then you know, that, indeed, Avenger has read your mind very well.)

Heavines. The atmosphere is great: the heaviness is accentuated with the sounds of timpani, and let me tell you, that really makes a huge difference. Heaviness is not “loudness” and heaviness is a “breakdown” or a chugga-chugga riff. Heaviness is a musical perspective and a feeling. With Avenger, you can hear the guitar riffs, and there is something in the air about the whole sound that is twisted and dark. What is timpani, you ask? Listen to this and you will know.

What Avenger has is personality, in a big way. If you like black and death metal, but you want a lot of quality , then Avenger is most definitely for you.

If you hear this album and you don’t “get it” at first, just make the correct conclusion: your ears are not working correctly. Play it again and your rusty brain will start operating again.

Speed, heaviness, doom, atmosphere, and strong songs: it is all here. “Vstric dalkam” is doomy, and then blasts into spirally twisted chaos. What a great song! “Vitej zpatky doma…” is ominously stormy sounds of doom and darkness. “Dark Metal” has such a wonderful initial riff and atmosphere, and from there, it just gets better and only sucks because it ends. “Fales apatie” is a black metal storm of speed, headbanging riffs like it is the end of the world and those twisted, sick vocals make this perfect. And this is not all the songs, those are some specific examples.

It would be easy to write 4 pages for a review, but if I do that, then Fuglymaniacs will, in fact, administer that severe beating that I mentioned before. Avenger is awesome for many different reasons. These are just some. www.bandzone.cz/avengerband www.deathgasm.com ---

Fester (Norway): A Celebration of Death (Abyss Records) [7.5 out of 10]

With this band, they do not hide their songs behind any tricks. There is no gimmick going on because they do not need any. Fester’s music is centered on the objective of creating a mood. Therefore, what is essential is not how fast, brutal or grim the songs sound, though Fester sounds completely within the territory of death/black/doom.

The result is songs that are surprisingly easy to remember and get into and to make you nod along in agreement with the first couple of listens since it’s easy to keep up with the uptempo/midtempo pace.

“The Black Tower” is very likable, despite the fact that it is dark, brooding and grave in mood: it is a miserably catchy song.

“I’ll Hunt You Down” is just fun. Sounds like an angry gremlin, from his tiny cave, threatening the whole world. Fester will hunt you down with their evil guitars and melodies and make you rock out: “Resistance is futile, Fester is not!”

“Metalized” is a bit on the brutal side of things. No messing around, just a heavy, uptempo number. Fester is not a band to do blasting speed, the music goes a uptempo/midtempo pace, that way the listener can keep up more easily, without distractions. You don’t need to hear the music 50 times to figure it out and decide if you like it or not.

A word about the production: this album does sound like it was recorded in a cave. You can turn it up really loud, and you still won’t feel like you are right there where the action is taking place. It will sound like it is “down the hall,” as the nice man known as “the master” likes to say.

Be that as it may, fact: this album has feeling and it has plenty of sinister heaviness, as well as fun hidden melody. www.reverbnation.com/festernorwaybm www.myspace.com/festernorway

Hellyeah: ¿La banda más estúpida del mundo?

Hellyeah tiene nueva música y se llama "Band of Brothers" ¡¡y probablemente es la música más estúpida del mundo!! Por lo menos eso es lo que piensa Fuglymaniacs www.fuglymaniacs.com

Hellyeah: Could this music BE any more stupid??

Hellyeah: Band of Brothers Is there a band making music that is more stupid than Hellyeah?? Maybe, but maybe not?? What do you say?? see what www.fuglymaniacs.com says maybe you disagree?? really?

Gojira: No, seriously, why all the hype? What's the deal?

Every time I turn around, someone is declaring Gojira the greatest band on Earth...again!! What's going on? Is it a conspiracy? See what Fuglymaniacs says here: www.fuglymaniacs.com

Fear Factory review at Fuglymaniacs

Check out this review of Fear Factory at Fuglymaniacs www.fuglymaniacs.com

Just when you were getting comfortable: Kremathorium (Panama)

http://www.reverbnation.com/kremathorium











Kremathorium  (Panama)

“New Wave of Latinamerican Metal” is the band’s debut and it brings intensity and heaviness together for a style that appeals to the death metal and thrash metal taste.

                  It might sound like death metal at first, but soon you’ll notice that there is some subtle variety, although maybe you won’t notice because of the overall heaviness. For example, the bass guitar is very, very audible and that gives the sound a fullness that is pleasing.

                  I found the music to be effective. It’s about the metal energy that sounds perfect for the stage, although if you start moshing around your computer, Kremathorium won’t stop you, either.

                  At the bottom of the interview you will find the band’s website and from there you can go listen to the music yourself. Their album is a strong beginning for what hopefully will be a long run!!

The vocalist Ezekiel answered the questions here.
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Your album “New Wave of Latinamerican Metal” has come out this year. Have you played concerts this year in Panama?

Right, we’ve just released it. Looks like it’s been well received by locals and hopefully we’ll be playing some gigs in a couple months. The band formed in 2010 but it was on a hiatus for almost a year. We didn’t call it quits, only that it wasn’t the right time to go out and spread the disease hahahahaha. 

  

Have you had opportunities to play in other Central American countries?

Not yet, but we’re positive we’ll be able to contact some promoters for one, two or more gigs out of Panama. Some of the band members have made good friends in Costa Rica but I’m not sure if we’d have any fans there. 

  

Can you tell us about the four members of the band?

Caos (drums): an intense dude! PARCEROOOO! 

Manitou (bass): Death metal lover 

Hoptan (guitars) known for his love of extreme sports, cars and superbikes 

Ezekiel (vocals): I currently write the lyrics. Musically, our intention is that we all put some ideas and work them out until we feel satisfied about the final product. For this first record, most of the riffing is mine but as long as we come up with new material the rest of the guys will get more involved. As you may have noticed, our music ranges from death metal to thrash, groove and some industrial if you’d like to call it that way. We’re open to trying with other styles, though. 

  

“Commercial Empire of Religion” and “Fairy Tales of the Apocalypse” show your interest in social commentary. What do you see in Panama and the world? 

It’s all we are dealing with, my friend! You can see it everywhere; in Newspapers, TV and this entire social media thing. Violence, Lies, Death, Hypocrisy, Disease, Selfishness it’s everywhere! It’s not a local thing. Maybe it gets worst at “third world” countries where for poor people or even mid-class individuals SURVIVAL is the rule of thumb. We “try”(hehehe) not to blame or to point out at someone with our lyrics. We just try to portray our own view and interpretation of things that are probably part of the so-called downward spiral to our demise as society.  

So far, you mostly have lyrics about religion, correct? But do you have an interest in economics, history and politics, too? Do you think that the history or politics of Panama certainly have many topics for lyrics for Kremathorium? 

Let’s say this album was way too critical about Religion since the lyrical content was conceived at some point where I was getting sick of people taking advantage of other’s ignorance and weaknesses, seeing how many idiots would rather go to a church instead of helping others and wondering why’d someone still believes in a second, third or whatever coming. I did personally have had issues as many others but at least I’ve been able to identify when someone just wants to get dough from my pockets, for example. I hate that! Don’t you think that hits our economics in some sort of way? Hahahaha. 

                  We’re sure there’re plenty of other topics (besides religion) to be covered on future releases. Word! 

Panama has repeatedly been a victim of U.S. government/corporations direct and indirect intervention in Panama. Invasions and occupations are just one aspect of a much broader range of illegal, unethical and murderous actions. How do you personally view these things? Do you view the capitalist government in Panama as collaborators of U.S. imperialism? 

Being a Panamanian, I can say the US invasion implied some sort of unnecessary force. Too many civilians dead when it was just one person to be caught. It was a fucking excuse to test on new technologies at that time. Historically, the US has only been interested in their own benefit. That’s clear to everyone. I guess it’s the north for every nation to be on top in order to secure “progress” and wealth. Man, all Latin-American countries in some sort of way will always (hopefully, not always) be collaborators of US imperialism. It’s like in class; you try to socialize with the more knowledgeable kids to secure nice grades. Kind of cruel, but it’s as it is. I do personally think we should be thinking of socializing with another “kid”. They won’t be eternally almighty. 

You’ll see what will happen when Chávez finally dies. (I’m not a prophet ok hahaha). 

  

Why did you call your album a “new wave”? Are there in Panama more metal bands now?

It’s not that we were brewing some kind of “exclusive” thing. I think that came out due to our current extreme metal reality in Panama. You can find death metal, heavy metal, thrash metal, black metal and even symphonic metal bands here but we noticed everyone was deeply involved in their respective metal sub-genre and not trying to let’s say, get out of that box. We love all those extreme styles so why not mixing them a little bit up? Some people call it Crossover but we only think it’s a mishmash of rhythms we do like. We’re definitely pleased to know there are some more new bands/supporters doing their stuff here. 

Your album is independent, correct?

The band just played its first gig about four weeks ago. The album was released the same day. Before that, we haven’t reached out to anyone yet. It’d be awesome getting to sign some deal. So, anyone running a label and reading this interview feel free to get in touch. We’ll send you a copy. 

  

Tell us about your song “Ballad for the Eternity.” Do you remember how the band wrote this song? 

I (Ezekiel) wrote that song 6 months ago. It’s a short story about a close friend who decided it was time to leave this world. She suffered of depressive episodes and had been treated with pills. Ironically, those pills triggered her soon departure. So, you make a conclusion. 

  

By the way, can you please tell us what other Panamanian bands have published demos or albums in 2012 or 2011? There has been a boom in terms of local releases and that’s good for sure. We would like to mention the releases from Sargon, Antagonized, Equinoxio and Cabeza de Martillo. Basically, I consider these as the benchmarks from recent years. Now, bands like Sehlah, Noctrifer, Death Incarnated, Empire of Gore and others are soon to release their material or have released it recently just as Morttus did few months ago. Actually, Manitou is the only one active in another metal band. He’s in the ranks of Sehlah, a local Death metal combo. They’re releasing their IGNORING THE CULT EP soon on Kremathorium records. 

  

What else to know about Kremathorium?

Sure, just a few words: BE YOUR FUCKING SELF. We want to thank you for this interview. Keep on doing such a great job letting others know more about the underground. Support? As long as you spread the word you’ll be supporting us big time. Stand strong! Now, if you reading this and after listening the tunes feel the band deserves some help, we’re open to receive your collaboration either by purchasing our stuff or booking some gigs. We’d love to play anywhere out of Panama and get to know more free-thinking people.  

                  You can contact us here: Kremathorium@hotmail.com and listen the tunes at: www.reverbnation.com/kremathorium 

Remember, SILENCE SUCKS!

THE END.