Necrospeed/Demo 2020/Nailbat Tapes/2020 Review

 

  Necrospeed  are  a  band  from  Malaysia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  thrash  and  speed  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  demo  which  will  be  released  on  October  23rd  by  Nilbat  Tapes.

  A  very  heavy  and  old  school  sound  starts  off  the  demo  while  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  thrash  and  speed  metal  elements.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  sounding  black  metal screams.

  A  lot  of  the  music  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  but  mixed  in  with  a  more  modern  day  aggression,  The  songs  also  bring  in a   great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  sticking  to  a  very  retro  style  as  well  as  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  a  small  amount  of  melody  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction  and  they  also  bring  in  a  cover  of  Sabbat's  "Bloody  Countess".

  Necrospeed  plays  a  musical  style  that takes  black,  thrash  and  speed metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own. The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  violence  and  occultism  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  Necrospeed  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  thrash  and  speed  metal   and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Evil  Messiah"  and  "Living  In  Disorder".  8  out  of  10.

streaming now on Bandcamp      

Counting Hours Interview

 

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

”Counting Hours came in form about 5 years ago in 2015. There were couple of songs already from Rapture’s Futile- era (’99-’01) which i have had kept hidden until ’15. Started thinking that as this style of music is close to me, why i wouldnt keep doing this instead writing stuff to keep em hid.

Later on after demoing few songs with our singer Ilpo, we thought to get couple of players more to make this work better on live shows and also song writing and arranging wise. Easy choice were to ask Tomi (Rapture, Shape of despair etc) along as we’ve played together since ages. Markus and Sameli came along pretty fast since both are friends of ours and share the same interests in this kind of music.”

 

2.You have your first full length coming out in October, musically how does it differ from your previous demo?

”It differs in few ways. We had a producer, Jussi Hämäläinen (Hanging garden, The chant etc) on this album and we pretty much arranged everything from the beginning with Jussi. But for song writing and arranging wise, songs have more variety compared to demo material. But still, we tried to keep the atmosphere close to each other.”

 

3.This is also your first release in 2016, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time frame?

”Well, after our self-released demo cd we had a chance to get The vinyl division along to release it on a vinyl as well. Along with those, we had some shows with CH but more with the other bands. We did rehearse now and then and worked on the new material before entering the studio in 2019.”

 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

”Lyrics pretty much deals around lived life & mistakes, which has to be taken cared of. Death as an salvation or relief is an solution of one sort here.”

 

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind he name 'Counting Hours'?

”Shortly, counting down about leaving life.”

 

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

”We had a couple of different versions as an cover art to The Will but, this specifically bleak one were the one which resembles the lyrical theme the most. K.Pyyhtinen did good work on this.”

 

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

”Well, we have played only a couple of shows so far but had a chance to appear over at Brutal Assault in 2019. Biggest show to us for now but wouldnt say it for the best cause of that. We need definitely an smaller venue to have the atmosphere in place..”

 

8.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of metal and depressive rock?

”So far suprisingly good, didnt had any expectations and still dont have. I let the music speak for itself and of course it’s always great if people have some interest towards it.”

 

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

”Tomi with Impaled Nazarene has made new album recently, still mixing it i guess.. waiting that anxiously.Sameli has released new album with Cynabare Urne recently. Not sure about what’s happening with The Chant where’s Ilpo and Markus also.. hope they will release something new soon.

Shape of despair is active and will share some news later on.”

 

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

”Have already done new music and can say it’s even darker along with our same style.. Will try to keep our music more open with more variety, so therefore will try to avoid being at the same category all the time. But who knows, creating music is interesting thing as your mindflow works the way it works..”

 

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

 

”Theres so much of music around from where you’ll draw inspiration of and of course music aint the only source. But i’m sure people could tell our music is familiar with some of the Swedish acts but also familar song writing as in Rapture were.

Nowadays i’m listening pretty much the same as in the early days. Enjoyed recently alot to depressive suicidal black metal.”

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? 

”The Vinyl Division is having our album out this month’s 23rd day. People can support by paying attention to it’s catalogue and of course by following us as well. Thanks for this interview.”

-Jarno

Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Countinghours2/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counting.hours/  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/countinghours/our-triumph

Okrutnik/Legion Antychrysta/Ossuary Records/2020 CD Review

 

  Okrutnik  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  thrash  and  heavy  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Legion  Antychrysta"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Ossuary  Records.

  Dark  soundscapes  and  ethnic  instruments  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  musical  direction.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  blackened  metal  screams. 

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  old  school  style  while  also  adding  in  more  of  an  early  80's  traditional  metal  style  which  is  also  mixed  into  a  lot  of  the  riffing.  The  music  also  mixes  in  a  great  amount  of  fist  wave  black  and  thrash  metal  elements  along  with  a  few    tracks  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording.

  Spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  on  one  of  the  tracks  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling  as  well  as  a  couple  of  songs  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats  and  fast  palying,  a  later  song  also  introduces  clean  vocals  onto  the  album  and  most  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Polish  and  cover  Occultism  and  Darkness   themes.

  In  my  opinion  Okrutnik  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  thrash  and  heavy  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Legion  Antychrysta"  "Noc  Galicyjska"  and  "Wrzesniowe  Popoludnine  Rzeznika".  8  out  of  10.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/okrutnikofficial
Bandcamp: https://okrutnik.bandcamp.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3cAvYyvadWtsXZsqVuH4iQ

       

Idle Ruin/Self Titled/2020 EP Review

 

  Idle  Ruin  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self titled  2020  ep.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  and  the  vocals  also  bring  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  thrash  style  shouts  and  screams.

  A  lot  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  and  early  90's era   while  the  solos  and  leads  also  remain  very  true  to  an  old  school  style.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  also  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.

  Idle  Ruin  plays  a  musical style that  takes black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of t heir  own.  The  production  sounds  very  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Idle  Ruin  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Whipped  To  Death"  and  "The  Devil's  Trade". 8out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/Ax-4vOdAFsI     

Heretical Sect/Rapturous Flesh Consumed/Redefining Darkness Records/Gilead Media/2020 Full Length Review

 

  Heretical  Sect  are  a  band  from  Santa  Fe,  new  Mexico  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Rapturous  Flesh  Consumed"  which  will  be  released  in  December  as  a  joint  effort  between  Redefining  Darkness  Records  and  Gilead  Media.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  of  the  album  along  with  the  vocals  bringing  in  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls.  Melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  elements  of  doom  metal  can  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  and  all  of  the musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodic  yet  ritualistic  chanting  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  some  tremolo  picking  also  being  added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark,  melodic  yet  chaotic  style  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  music  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  90's  influences  but  keeping  it  modern  at  the  same  time,  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be heard  briefly  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  synths  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  perspective  of  Salvador  de  Guerra,  a  religious  zealot  and  Catholic  Padre  infamous  for  mutilation  and  torture.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Heretical  Sect  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom  and  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Baptismal  Rot  And  Ash"  and  "Degradation  Temple".  8  out  of  10.

PREORDER CD (Redefining Darkness)
PREORDER Vinyl (Gilead Media)

    

      

Grimorte/Esoteric Ascendance/2020 EP Review

 

  Grimorte  are  a  duo  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  an  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a review  of  their  self  released  2020  ep "Esoteric  Ascendance"  which  will  be  released  on  Halloween.

  A  very  dark  and  ritualistic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  while  samples  of  Aliester  Crowley  can  be  heard  briefly  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Elements  of  doom  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  whispers  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the  songs  also  stick  to  a  slower  direction,  Gregorian  chants  and  keyboards  can  also  be  heard  on  the  closing  track.

  Grimorte  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  the  atmospheric  forms  of  black  and  doom/death  metal  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  writings  of  Aliester  Crowley  and  a  woman's  journey  into  being  lulled  into  the  esoteric  Pagan  and  Satanic  practices  of  the  Golden  Dawn.

  In  my  opinion Grimtone  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  black  and  doom/death  metal and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  duo.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Esoteric  Ascendance".  8  out  of  10.

 Grimorte YouTube: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3pDUmPtBIZul4HyCgRNkiQ?

Grimorte Bandcamp: 

https://grimorte.bandcamp.com/releases

Grimorte Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/grimorte/        

Demon Haunt Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the musical project these days?

Well, since the EP was released I have been spending some time sending the material to the specialized media and disseminating it on my social medias. I'm creating new songs, but it's not my focus at the moment.

2.So far you have released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?

I like to define it as Thrash/Speed Metalpunk because there is a little bit of it in the project's songs. A little of the old Thrash from Sodom and Dorsal Atlantica, a dose of Speed like Flageladör and Midnight, and a Metalpunk essence influenced by Inepsy, Whipstriker, Motörhead and many others.

3.You have also mentioned an interest in history, philosophy, science and existentialism, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?

Yeah, I really like to understand a little better this chaotic world we live in and therefore I spend a lot of time watching documentaries and reading books on these topics. I think the more I understand the world, the easier it becomes to create good lyrics because I’m little bit more aware of what is happening. Non-conformity comes automatically when you look at the harsh reality of our species.

4.The band name and some of the lyrics also show a heavy influence from the writings Of Carl Sagan, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his work and do you feel there where also things he knew about that he could of never mentioned in his lifetime due to the way science was back then and right now?

Around the age of 15 I was rebellious, but completely stupid and dumb. When I got to know Sagan's work, he aroused me an interest in science and philosophy, and it made me addicted to learning. Sagan has shaped my morals and character a lot, and over the years my admiration for him only increases. He was also a very politically active guy, and was always an activist against wars (mainly nuclear ones), against the atrocities committed by the authorities around the globe and against human stupidity. All this subversiveness of him combines very well with the music I make, so I decided to make a Saganist band (the fact that Sagan and Satan are identical words helps a lot hahah). Sagan also predicted all this wave of hatred and enthusiasm for war and neo-fascism that we see today in different parts of the world; all these fake news that seem to be endlessly corrupting democracies everywhere; all the racism, sexism and prejudices that emerge (even more) strongly during crises... He has been fighting against it since the 80s. And I think that everything he did in life helped to open the eyes of many people. He made thousands (including me) choose the side of science, he taught that understanding is better than judging. His work is timeless, so his speeches can teach us a lot, even so many years after his death.

5.You also being against fascism and war, can you tell us a little bit more what these mean to you?

For the reasons I mentioned above, it is natural that I’m against the stupidity that is war and fascism. Both are the opposite of progress; they are against free thinking, against individual freedoms and hate the idea that every human being on this earth deserves a dignified life. War is nothing but the rich ones playing of killing the poor.

6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

The last book released by Carl Sagan is called The Demon-Haunted World, and in it he denounces many of the problems that we see around us today. Cult of ignorance, denial of truth, denial of science, resurgence of ideologies from the last century, or even from a millennium ago. It threatens every inhabitant on the planet. Especially since we now have nuclear bombs and the full capacity to completely annihilate our own species and much of life on earth. It is as if the Dark Ages has been trying to come back harder and stronger, an intellectual darkness is embracing the planet. It's haunting us. With it said, it becomes clearer that on the EP cover I have a goat representing these haunts, and a man taming him with the power of knowledge: the book.

7.With this project you record everything by yourself but also have experience playing with a full line up, how would you compare the 2?

I like both. Being part of a band with a full line-up is really cool, bringing together everyone's ideas and energy to create something of ours is exceptional. It emanates an intense energy. But I also needed a solo project to create songs with a complete freedom to do as I please. I can keep both, and I believe that one will not hinder the other.

8.On the ep you also did an 'Inepsy' cover, what was the decision behind doing your own version of one of their songs?

Inepsy was the band that introduced and addicted me to metalpunk, and I really like how they sound and I think they have great lyrics. The song I chose, Who's Next, perfectly matches with my ideas and Sagan's speeches. 

9.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Yeah, I'm looking for interested labels. A few have already shown interest, but nothing definitive. I hope that by the end of the year I have something guaranteed to physically release the material.

10.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of metal and punk?

It's been really good. I have already received good feedback from various parts of the planet and it encourages me to continue with the project. I think it will increase even more when I get an international label.

11.What is going on with your other band these days?

Visão Mórbida is about to enter the studio to record our debut material, which will be a full album. That's why I'm not focusing on creating new songs for the project right now. For now, I'm just promoting Demön Haunt’s EP and practicing a lot the Visão Mórbida’s songs to record it very well.

12.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

At the end of next year I already want to have a Full Album ready for Demön Haunt. For my future as a musician I hope to return to the stages with total force when the pandemic is over, and make a tour in Brazil. In the near future, an international tour (I would love Latin America and Europe). I also assure you that other projects of other subgenres will come, some solo project too, but others with a friend.

13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I can mention Violator, Cemitério, Sepultura, Korvak, Hell Poison, Damn Youth, Whipstriker, Nuclear, Children of Technology, Lei do Kaoz, Dispense, Considered Dead, Mörbidez, Flagelador, Evilcult, Suicidal Angels, Beseiged, Ewig Frost, Facção Central, Beströven, Demolition Hammer, Omega, and many others. All bands above have inspired me in some way with Visão Mórbida, Demön Haunt, or both. I also have an influence on the lyrics of brazilian popular music (MPB) and brazilian rap (like the aforementioned Facção Central). 

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

A huge thanks for the interview and support! I really loved this questions, hope everyone whos reading it enjoy it and that’s it! Follow me on social medias, greetings!

And FUCK BOLSONARO!!!!

Bandcamp

Facebook

Instagram

Spotify

YouTube