Tuesday, November 26, 2013

C.O.A.G Interview


1. Can you tell us a little bit about the musical project for those
that have never heard of you before?
. COAG, short for "Coalition of Abnormal Grindcore", is of course a Grindcore side project of mine, in which I am all alone, and I will keep it that way. Stylishly speaking, it's a mixture between oldschool & oldschool grind, including influences like black / death / brutal stuff, as well as hardcore, punk or even chaotic stuff. It was called "War Grind", I like this term.

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is present on the ep?
. Mostly the beginning of all projects, a sound trying to be original but still hailing the names of the leaders (Napalm Death, Dead Kennedys, Nasum, Siege, ...). It is a weird sound, brutal & raw but audible, meant to be as straightforward as possible.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?
. Paradoxes, anti-society, anti-humanism, order from chaos, never stop the madness.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name C.O.A.G?
. COAG is meant to inspire people to act, not to facebookshare something. If you want people to be vegan, act. If you want to stop animal cruelty, act. As well, COAG stands for this huge stupid amount of ignorant people. It is completely against modern society, in which there's no more than hypocrisy. This is what it's all about.

5. With this musical project you are all solo, how would you compare
being solo to being in a full band?
. Solo, you're doig everything, so firstly you're saving time and money. Secondly, you've got all freedom. If I want to put dubstepchristianblackcore in my music, I'm doing it. Of course I would like to make this live but I don't want to spend time/money to find people, rehearse, etc. I already have enough bands for this. COAG might be live one day, but I would be alone on stage.

6.What is going on with your other  full time band these days?
. Well, Deviant Messiah is on hiatus for now since I switched countries, far away from France. But we will do the first album, it's composed. We just need to record it, and we will all do it. As for Maladie, we finished the recording of the second album, already working on something new. That second album will be soon mixed/mastered by a big name in the german scene. Expect just but a quality release.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your solo project
by fans of extreme music?
. I have two kind of feedback : the first coming from people, "fans" or friends, telling me how awesome it is and how it's giving them strenght and aggressivity. The second feedback comes from reviewers, telling how this release is really good but can be better, which is definitely true. As for now, I am really happy with the opinions of everyone concerning this. It just makes me want to go for more, and more.

8.What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
. Chaos, violence, noise. Stylishly speaking, you will, so, find even more violence, more chaotic moments (think mathcore), and some completely noise moments (I don't mean the "noise" music style like Merzbow or Masonna, but more like noise guitars, basses, voices on blast beats). I have for now one release ready for an upcoming split that will harshly introduce the new elements, and I am working on the first album which will be like a blast.

9.What are some of the bands and musical styles that have influenced
this project and also what are you listening to nowadays?
. Influences are like I said, NapalmDeath, Nasum, Rotten Sound, Siege, SOD, Anaal Nathrakh, FuckPig, Unphatomable Ruination, Robinson, Elisabeth, Nostromo, Hatebreed, ...
. These days I am listening mainly to "Eye of Solitude - Canto III", best funeral death/doom album of the year / "Ildjarn & Hate Forest" split / CarBomb / Stevie Wonder / Deathspell Omega / Possession (Belgium)

10.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
. Art in general, but I suck at painting, drawing, etc. I'm having fun with photoshop sometimes for artworks. Also, I am a music producer (recording, mixing, mastering), but know that I am not a professionnal, I don't have +10K€ gear, I am doing what I know and I am mostly into raw but hearable sounds. I did work for Zalys (Dark Ambient), Descent Into Despair (Funeral Doom), LVTHN (Raw Black Metal), and I am actually working on some funeral post doom band, as well as a progressive heavy/thrash band. I will work also for a pop/rock band from Bulgaria, and some others. Music is eating all my time, and I'm quite happy with it.

11.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
. Act
. Stop whining
. CTFAWS

Sunday, November 24, 2013

C.O.A.G/Sociopath/Kaotoxin Records/2013 Single Review


  C.O.A.G  are  a  1  man  band  from  Bulgaria  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  grindcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2013  single  "Sociopath"  which  was  released  by  Kaotoxin  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  great  amount  of  brutal  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  guitar  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  pace d to  fast  riffs  that  combine  grindcore,  crust  and  black  metal  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  along  with  some  melodic  riffing, as  for  the  lead  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  are  very  chaotic  sounding  grindcore  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  deep  death  metal  growls  to  high  pitched  black  metal/grindcore  screams  as  well  as  some  crust  style  vocals  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  brutal  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  C.O.A.G  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  grindcore  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "I"  "V"  "IX"  and  "Defeatist".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.facebook.com/coagrind

Friday, November 22, 2013

Preludium/Redemption/Transcending Obscurity/2013 CD Review


  Preludium  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  style  I  would  describe  as  being  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Redemption"  which  was  released  by  Transcending  Obscurity.

  "Soul  Torment"  which  is  also  the  first  song  on  the  album  opens  up  with  dark  sound  effects  before  adding  in  some  dark,  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  and  a  few  seconds  later  drums  kick  in  which  also  leads  to  deep  death  metal  growls  coming  into  the  music  shortly  after  that  and  a  minute  later  guitar  solos  and  leads  start  coming  in  and  out  of  the  song  and  you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  certain  sections  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  black  metal  influenced  vocals.

  "Altars  Of  Redemption"  begins  with  some  fast,  heavy  and  brutal  blackened  death  metal  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  before  adding  in  death  metal  growls  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  black  metal  screams  and  the  drums  also  utilize  some  blast  beats  before  alternating  between  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  as  the  song  moves  on  you  can  hear  bass  guitars  as  well  as  atmospheric  background  sounds  before  getting  heavy  again  as  well  as  mixing  melody  into  the  guitar  riffing.

  "Incarnations"  opens  up  with  heavy  and  dark  sounding  guitar  riffs  before  adding  in  drums  and  blackened  death  metal  vocals  and  then  the  music  speeds  up  along  with  some  brutal  blast  beats  as  well  as  the  guitar  riffing  utilizing  some  melody  and  then  the  song  starts  to  alternate  between  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  guitar  leads  and  towards  the  end  the  bass  guitars  start  utilizing  more  power.

  "Root  Of  Suffering"  picks  up  where  the  last  song  left  off  with  sound  effects  before  going  into  some  fast,  heavy  and  brutal  guitar  riffs  along  with  blast  beats  from  the  drums  as  well  as  mixture  of  death  and  black  metal  vocals  before  alternating  between  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  "Circle  Of  Life"  starts  off  with  heavy  guitar  riffs,  drums  and  blackened  death  metal  vocals  and  then  the  music  speeds  up  a  bit  as  well  as  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  as  well  as  alternating  between  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  "The  Seven  Gates  of  Hell"  kicks  in  with  fast  and  brutal  guitar  riffs  and  drums  before  adding  in  the  growls  and  going  for  a  more  mid  paced  direction  and  then  alternating  between  fast  and  mid  paced  parts  as  well  as  bringing  in  blast  beats  and  black  metal  screams   and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  "Destiny  Of  Mortals"  hits  it  off  with  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  before  adding  in  deep  growls  and  then  the  music  goes  into  a  faster  direction  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  then  alternating  between  slow  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  adding  melody  into  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  a  small  amount  of  black  metal  screams.

  "Arena  Of  Souls"  makes  its  way  in  with  fast  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  blast  beats  from  the  drums  and  deep  growls  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  to  alternate  between  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  melody.

  "Hatred  Brings  Suffering"  is  introduced  with  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  a  few  seconds  alter  blackened  death  metal  vocals  make  their  way  into  the  song  and  then  the  music  goes  into  a  faster  direction  along  with  some  brutal  blast  beats  and  then  alternating  between  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  halfway  through  the  song  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  added  in  the  music  and  you  can  also  hear  bass  guitars  in  the  background.  

  "Sins  Of  Mankind"  which  is  also  the  last  song  on  the  album  begins  with  powerful  sounding  bass  guitars  and  background  atmosphere  before  going  into  a  more  fast ,  brutal  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  blast  beats  from  the  drums  as  well  as  a  mixture  of  death  and  black  metal  vocals  and  after  awhile  the  music  goes  into  a  more  mid  paced  direction  and  then  speeding  up  again  towards  the  end.

  Song  lyrics  cover  morality,  determination,  and  escapes  from the  circles  of  life  and  death,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Preludium  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Soul  Torment"  "Root  Of  Suffering"  "Destiny  Of  Mortals"  and  "Sins  Of  Mankind".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

http://transcendingobscurity.bandcamp.com/album/redemption

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Immortal Bird/Akrasia/Closed Casket Recordings/2013 EP Review


  Immortal  Bird  are  a  band  from  Chicago,  Illinois  that plays  a  blackened  form  of  death/thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  ep  "Akrasia"  which  was  released  by  Closed  Casket  Recordings.

  "Spitting  Teeth"  which  is  also  the  first  song  on  the  ep  opens  up  with  dark  and  heavy  sounding  guitar  riffs  before  adding  in  some  drums  and  black  metal  screams  and  you  can  also  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  background  and  the  song  also  utilizes  death  metal  growls  and  melodic  guitar  riffing  and  after  awhile  the  music  also  utilizes  some  blast  beats  and  thrash  influences.

  "Ashen  Scabland"  begins  with  brutal  blast  beats  and  fast  guitar  riffs  and  a  few  seconds  later  thrash  influences  and  black  metal  screams  make  their  way  into  the  song  and  a  minute  later  death  metal  growls  are  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  song  and  then  the  music  goes  into  a  more  slow  and  melodic  direction  and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and leads  being  utilized  and  then  the  song  starts  to  alternate  between  fast  and  slow  parts.

  "Akratic  Seminar"  starts up  with  a  mixture  of  heavy  and  clean  guitars  as  well  as  some  drums  a few  seconds  later  which  also  leads  up  to  some  black  metal  vocals  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  in  certain  sections  of  the  song  and  later  on  the music  goes  into  a  faster  direction  along  with  some  blast  beats  for  a  few  seconds  before  returning  back  to  a  more  normal  pace.

  "The  Pseudoscientist"  which  is  also  the  last  song  on  the  ep  begins  with  heavy  and  melodic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  a  few  seconds  later  black  metal  vocals  are  added  in  and  the  music  goes  into  a  faster  direction  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  then  goes  more  into  a  mid  paced  direction  but  also  speeding  up  again  at  times  and  adding  in  elements  of  thrash.

  Song  lyrics  cover  rage,  resentment  and  anguish,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful  and  heavy  sound  with  the  bass  guitars  being  mixed  down  low  in  the  mix.

  In  my  opinion  Immortal  Bird  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death/thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Spitting  Teeth"  and  "The  Pseudoscientist".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

http://facebook.com/immortalbirdband

           

Obsidian Kingdom/Torn & Burnt/2013 Remix Album Review


  This  is  the  final  review  of  an  album  from  Obsidian  Kingdom  which  is  all  remixes  and  continues  their  progressive  black/death  metal   sound  while  also  adding  in  elements  of  dubstep,  Idm,  and  hip  hop  with  the  album  being  self  released  in  2013  and  called  "Torn  &  Burnt".

  "And  Then  It  Was( Oktopus  Remix)"  which  is  also  the  first  song  on  the  album  opens  up  with  drum  beats  and  elements  of  electronic  music  which  also  brings  in  ambient  elements  and  a  minute  later  heavy  guitar  riffs  are  added  into  the  song  as  well  as  some  melodic  vocals  shortly  after  that  which  also  lead  up  to  dubstep  elements  as  well  as  black  metal  vocals.

  "Last  Of  The  Night(Subheim  vs  Poordream  Remix)"  begins  with  dark  ambient  sounds  and  drones  and  a  minute  later  elements  of  breakcore  and  idm  are  added  into  the  song  and  the  song  is  all  instrumental.

  "Awake  Until  Dawn(Necro  Deathmort  Remix)"  starts  up  with  ambient  sounding  keyboards  along  with  some  drum  beats  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  you  can  hear  some  black  metal  vocals  being  utilized  in  the  background.

  "Fingers  In  Anguish(Jr.  Morgue  Remix)"  kicks  in  with  ambient,  and  tip  hop  style  beats  which  also  lead  to  some  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  and  the  song  is  under  2  minutes.

  "Haunts  Of  the  Underworld(Drumcorps  Remix)"  hits  it  in  with  dark  sounding  keyboards  which  have  a  dark  ambient  feeling  to  them  and  a  few  seconds  later  drum  beats  kick  in  as  well  as  some  heavy  guitar  riffing  a  few  seconds  later t hat  also  utilizes  some  melody  before  adding  in  the  idm  and  breakcore  elements  and  towards  the  end  you  can  hear  some  clean  guitars  and  then  the  song  starts  adding  in  prog  elements.

  "The  Nurse(Larvae  Remix)"  makes  its  way  in  with  trip  hop  sounds  and  drum  beats  as  well  as  some  synths  which  also  leads  up  to  some  drum  beats  and  after  a  minute  you  can  hear  elements  of  dubstep  being  added  into  the  song.

  "Answers  Revealing(Mothboy  Remix)"  which  is  also  the  last  song  on  the  album  opens  up  with  dark  ambient  sounds  and  as  time  goes  on  by  idm  and  breakcore  elements  find  their  way  into  the  song  along  with  some  dubstep  elements  which  also  leads  up  to  some  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  and  drumbeats.

  Song  lyrics  are  used  rarely  with  the  album  being  all  remixes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  for  being  a  self  released  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Obsidian  Kingdom  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  metal  or  electronic  music  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "And  Then  It  Was( Oktopus  Remix)"  "Haunts  Of  the  Underworld(Drumcorps  Remix)"  and  "Answers  Revealing(Mothboy  Remix)".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Obsidian Kingdom/Mantiis/2012 CD Review


  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Obsidian  Kingdom  with  the  music  being  a  mixture  of  avant  garde,  progressive  rock,  black  and  death  metal  with  the  album  being  self  released  in  2012  and  called  "Mantiis".

  "Not  Yet  Five"  which   is  also  the  first  track  on  the  album  opens  up  with  soft  ambient  synth  sounds  and  a  few  seconds  later  you    avant  garde  elements    in  the  background  along  with  some  bass  and  clean  guitars   and  the  song  is  all  instrumental.

  "Oncoming  Dark"  begins  with  soft  acoustic  guitar  playing  and  a  few  seconds  later  bass,  drums  and  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  kick  in  and  a  minute  later  you  can  hear  some  distortion  in  the  background  along  with  a  small  amount  of  heavy  guitars.

  "Through  The  Glass"  starts  up  with  soft  keyboards  and  bass  guitars  before  adding  in  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drums  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  melodic  lead  guitars  and  the  song  is  another  short  instrumental.

  "Cinnamon  Balls"  kicks  in  with  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drums  along  with  some  black  metal  screams  a  few  seconds  later  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  then  the  music  goes  into  a  progressive  metal  direction  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief   use of  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  "The  Nurse"  which  is  another  short  song  begins  with  soft  keyboards  playing  along  with  some  drum  beats  and  guitar  effects  a  few  seconds  later  and  the  song  is  all  instrumental  and  under  2  minutes.

  "Answers Revealing"  opens  up  with  soft  acoustic  and  bass  guitars  along  with  some  keyboards  and  drum  beats  in  the  background  which  also  leads  up  to  some  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  heavy  guitar  riffs.

  "Last  Of  The  Light"  makes  its  way  in  with  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  which  also  leads  up  to  keyboards,  blast  beats  and  black/death  metal  growls  and  screams  and  a  minute  later  the  music  slows  down  and  goes  into  a  more  progressive  direction  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  leads  which  also  lead  up  to  saxophones  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  song  and  towards  the  end  the  music  gets  heavy  again.

  "Genteel  To  Mention"  is  introduced  with  soft  keyboard  playing  and  a  few  seconds  alter  drums,  bass  and  acoustic  guitars  kick  in  along  with  some  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  before  adding  in  guitar  leads.

  "Awake  Until  Dawn"  has  it's  start  with  acoustic  guitars  and  keyboards  before  adding  in  drums,  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  black  metal  screams  and  after  awhile  you  can  hear  some  bass  and  melodic  guitar  leads  and  a  minute  later  the  music  goes  into  a  softer  direction  and  towards  the  end  their  is  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing.

  "Haunts  Of  The  Underworld"  has  its  beginnings  with  powerful  bass  guitars,  drums  and  keyboards  and  a  minute  later  heavy  guitar  riffs  kick  in  and  during  the  last  minute  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  being  utilized.

  "Endless  Wall"  begins  with  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  as  well  as  clean  guitars  in  the  background  and  then  the  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  kick  in  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  melodic  guitar  riffing  being  utilized.

  "Fingers  In  Anguish"  opens  up with  avant  garde  sound  effects  and  a  few  seconds  later  acoustic  and  bass  guitars  start  to  kick  in  along  with  some  melodic  vocals  and  the  song  closes  with  the  sound  effects.

  "Ball-Room"  starts  up  with  drums  and  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  and  a  few  seconds  later  black  and  death  metal  vocals  start  to  kick  in  along  with  a  small  amount  of  clean  singing  and  the  song  is  really  short.

  "And  Then  It  Was"  which  is  also  the  last  song  on  the  album  begins  with  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  melodic  vocals  which  also  lead  to  guitar  solos  and  leads  kicking  in  and  then  adding  in  black  metal  screams  and  blast  beats.

  Song  lyrics  cover  quiet  despair  and  utter  violence  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  for  being  a  self  released  recording  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  album.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Obsidian  Kingdom  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  progressive  black/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cinnamon  Balls"  "Last  Of  The  Light"  "Awake  Until  Dawn"  and  "And  Then  It  Was".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

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Sunday, November 17, 2013

Obsidian Kingdom/3:11/2010 EP Review


  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Obsidian  Kingdom  which  continues  their  experimental  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  with  the  ep  being  self  released  in  2010  and  called  "3:11".

  "Prey"  which  is  also  the  first  song  on  the  ep  opens  up  with  dark  and  heavy  metal  guitar  riffs  before  adding  in  bass  guitars  and  drums  along  with  a  mixture  of  black  metal  and  death  metal  vocals  and  then  the  song  goes  into  a  more  heavy  and  progressive  sounding  metal  direction  and  a  few  seconds  alter  there  is  a brief  use  of  clean  singing  vocals  being  utilized  which  also  leads  up  to  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  "Maze"  begins  with  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  a  few  seconds  later  drums,  bass  guitars  and  melody  are  added  into  the  song  which  also leads  up  to  some  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  and  a couple  of  minutes  later  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  start  to  kick  in  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  as  well  as  the song  going  into  a  faster direction  and  adding  in  blast  beats  from  the  drums  and  the  song  closes  with  melodic  vocals.

  "Solitude"  which  is  also  the  last  song  on  the  ep  opens  up  with  drum  beats  and  bass  guitars  which  then  lead  to  acoustic  guitars  and  drum   beats  along  with  whispers  and  a  few  seconds  later  melodic  clean  singing  vocals  kick  in  as  well  as  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  shortly  after  that  while  also  keeping  around  some  clean  sections  and  as  time  goes  on  by  death  metal  vocals  are  added  into  the  song  along  with  melodic  riffing  and  black  metal  screams  and  halfway  through  the  song  guitar  solos  and  leads  kick  in.

  Song  lyrics  cover  atavistic  human  fears,  while t he  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful  and  heavy  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  along  with  most  of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Obsidian  Kingdom and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  black/death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Maze".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Obsidian Kingdom/Matter/2007 EP Review


  Obsidian  Kingdom  are  a  band  from  Spain  that  plays  an  experimental  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2007  ep  "Matter".

  "Fire"  which  is  also  the  first  song  on  the ep  opens  up  with  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs,  drums  and  deep  death  metal  growls  and  a  minute  later  a  small  amount  of  black  metal  screams  are  added  into  the  song   which  also  leads  to  a  brief  and  small  use  of  guitar  leads.

  'Earth"  begins  with  drum  beats  and  distorted  and  melodic  sounding  guitar  riffs  and  a  few  seconds  alter  deep  growls  kick  in  along  with  some  screams  a  minute  later  and  more  black  metal  influences  and  the  song  also  gets heavier  as  time  moves  on  by.

  "Water"  opens  up  with  soft  and  clean  acoustic  guitar  playing  before  adding  in  heavy guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  a  few  seconds  later  there  is  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  as  well  as  melodies  getting  added  into  the  guitar  riffing  which  in  return  also  leads  to  a  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  vocals  along  with  a  brief  guitar  lead  which  also  leads  to  a  few  seconds  of  clean  singing  and  then  the  music  goes  into  a  faster  direction  for  a  bit  and  then  slowing  down  again  along  with  another  guitar  lead  and   you  can  hear  some  bass  guitars.

  "Air"  kicks  in  with  a  melodic  guitar  leads  before adding  in  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some drums  before  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  which  also  lead  to  a  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  vocals  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  beign  utilized.

  "Soul"  which  is  also  the  last  song  on  the  ep  opens  up with  clean  guitar  and  bass  playing  along  with  drums  and  a  melodic  guitar  lead  which  also  leads  to  grim black  metal  vocals  and  then a dding  in  heavier  guitar  riffs  while  also  keeping  around  the cleaner  sections  which  also  leads  to  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats,  faster  riffing  and  more  solos  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  melodic  vocals.

  Song  lyrics  are  a  concept  based  on  the  4  classical  elements  of  nature,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  dark  sound  for  being  a  self  released  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Obsidian  are  a  very  great  sounding  experimental  mixture  of  black  and  death  emtal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TACKS  INCLUDE  "Earth"  and  "Air".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Sunday, November 3, 2013

Abstract Essence/Love Enough/Metal Gate Records/2013 CD Review


  Abstract  Essence  are  a  band  from  the  Chezch  Republic  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  progressive  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Love  Enough"  which  was  released  by  Metal  Gate  Records.

  "Overture"  which  is  the  first  song  on  the  album  opens  up with  some  melodic  and  clean  guitar  leads  along  with  some  synths  in  the  background  which  also  leads  to  some  orchestras  and  programmed  beats  coming  in  and  the  song  closes  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  leads.

  "Rock-n-Roll  Soul"  starts  off  with  melodic  guitar  leads  and  heavy  bass  guitars  before  adding  in  some  drums  and  symphonic  synths  which  also  lead  up  to  some  melodic  gothic  vocals  which  also  have  some  metal  tinges  to  them  as  well  as  some  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  towards  the  end  the  music  goes  into  a  more  psychedelic  rock  direction  mixed  with  symphonic  metal.

  "The  Good  Old  Days Of  Seduction"  begins  with  symphonic  and  electronic  music  sounds  before  the  drums,  guitars  and  vocals,  growls  and  black  metal  screams  kick  in  and  a  minute  later guitar  solos  and  leads  start  coming  in  and  out.

  "Limitless  Futures"  kicks  off  with  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  before  adding  in  some  synths  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  which  also  lead  up  to  some  spoken  word  female  vocals  before  going  into  black  metal  screams  along  with  growls  and  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  psychedelic  sounds  being  utilized  along  with  some  shouts.

  'Red  One"  hits  off  with  melodic  guitar  leads  and  progressive  synths  along  with  some  drum  beats  before  adding  in  symphonic  elements  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  a  minute  later  spoken  words  come  in  before  evolving  into  black  metal  vocals  which  also  lead  to  some  more  diverse  elements  and  death  metal  growls.

  "Divine  Whore"  opens  up  with  synths  and  electronic  music  elements  along  with  some  clean  singing  before  adding  in  heavy  guitar  riffs,  drums,  bass  and  growls  and  a  few  seconds  later  black  metal  screams  start  showing  up  and  the  song  mixes  symphonic  and  heavy  parts  together.

  "Stalker"  comes  into  the  album  with  heavy  progressive  metal  guitar  riffs  and  synths  as  well  as  some  drums  and  a  symphony  and  a  few  seconds  aggressive  vocals,  growls  and  screams  start  to  kick  in  and  a  couple  of  minutes  later  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  and  synth  leads  getting  mixed  together.

  "Act  Of  Violence"  makes  its  way  into  the  album  with  classical  guitars  before  going  into  heavy  guitar  riffs,  drums  and  synths  along  with  some  symphonic  elements  and  blast  beats  and  then  the  screams  start  kicking  in  as  well  as  some  growls  a  few  seconds  later  and  halfway  through  the  song  spoken  word  parts  are  used  for  a  few  seconds  and  then  the  music  comes  down  for  a  few  seconds  along  with  some  70's  style  rock  guitar  leads  before  getting  heavy  again.

  "Good  Day  For  A  Funeral  Blow  Job"  finds  its  way  into  the  album  with  spoken  word  parts  before a dding  in  some  drums  and symphonic/prog  synths  which  also  leads  to  heavy  guitars,  growls  and  screams a s  well  as  semi  melodic  vocals,  halfway  through  the  song  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  leads  and  robotic  vocals  before  adding  in  some  spoken  word  parts.

  "Solar  Barge"  makes  its  introduction  into  the  album  with  symphonic  synths,  and  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  a  few  seconds  later  melodic  female  vocals  start  coming  in  and  a  minute  alter  black  and  death  metal  vocals  finally  become  a  part  of  the  song  while  also  keeping  around  the  melodic  vocals.

  "Love  Enough"  which  is  also  the  final  song  on  the  album  opens  up  with  some  soft  and  atmospheric  sounding  synths  and  a  few  seconds  later  electronic  music  parts  start  coming  in  and  out  which  also  leads  to  psychedelic  elements  and  melodic  vocals as  well  as  some  melodic  guitar  leads  a  few  seconds  later,  halfway  through  the  song  it  starts  getting  a  lot  heavier  along  with  some  more  aggressive  sounding  vocals  while  also  keeping  around  the  prog  and  synth  elements  and  you  can  actually  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  certain  sections.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Life,  Death  and  Erotism,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it  along  with  some of  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.                  

  In  my  opinion  Abstract  Essence  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  black,  doom,  symphonic  and  progressive  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rock-n-Roll  Soul"  "Divine  Whore"  "Act  Of  Violence"  and  "Solar  Barge".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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