Lucifericon/The Occult Waters/Blood Harvest Records/2013 EP Review

  Lucifericon  are  a  band  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death/thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their 2012  ep  "The  Occult  Waters"  which  was  released  by  Blood  Harvest  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  old  school  death  metal  with  thrash  and  some  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  sounding  old  school  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  when  they  are  utilized  use  finger  picking  to  bring  a  dark  atmosphere  to  the  ep.

  Vocals  are  all  blackened  death  metal  screams  and  growls,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness,  Left  Hand  Path  and  Luciferian  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  old  school  sound  to  it.

  In   my  opinion  Lucifericon  are  a  very  great  sounding  occult  blackened  death/thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  e.p.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Temple  Of  Lucifericon"  and  "Deathtongue".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Witches Mark Interview

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

We are unleashing our second studio release with Heaven and Hell Records titled "Witching Metal Ritual," scheduled for release in July. We are also going to be doing a split 7" with Twisted Tower Dire. I'm excited for that one, we are going to be covering one of their songs and vice versa.   


2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

The new album is definitely a progression from  "A Grim Apparition."  it has a much tougher sound as a whole. I took over vocal duties for the band, so that in itself changed the dynamic considerably. Our previous vocalist Michael Lance has a great voice, his style gave the band a unique sound that abandoned the current scream-o approach that is so prevalent in Metal these days. That gave us a more traditional sound. For this record, I kept the clean vocal approach for the most part but I wanted to incorporate more than one vocal style into the mix. Robert Williams also shares vocal duties for this one adding a guttural voice that is straight from hell. "Witching Metal Ritual"  is more cumulatively written, so it encompasses more of everybody's influences. I think fans of the first record are going to dig this new one, it still sounds like a Witches Mark record but with even more riffs and badassery.


3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores with?

The majority of lyrics written for this album were done at a time where the topic of civil unrest started to become more and more prevalent. I liked the idea of a Metal unrest, so to speak. Primarily I wanted this album to be cranked at full volume in Heavy Metal Parking lots all over the world. Robert Williams and I took care of the lyrics for this one, so we just kept it brutal. Andy Gonzales and Robert wrote the lyrics for the last track "Where None Can Follow," which is actually inspired by the life of Vlad "The Impaler." I always prefer songs that keep their subject matter fairly open to interpretation. 

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

The name Witches Mark is an analogy for bearing the mark of Metal.



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

Witches Mark shows tend to be very high energy no matter where we play. We bring it at full volume and so do the fans.


6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?

Yes we do, we are currently booking a tour that will be kicking off in September {dates soon to be announced} joining us will be my other band Panzergod. I'm looking forward to playing two unrelenting sets a night for a while, that should prove to be brutal as fuck.


7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of metal?

We are fans of Metal, we strive to make music for Metal heads, and we are bringing our Metal to Metal fans all over the Globe. I'll let the Metal community decide that one.

8. Are there any other musical projects going on these days?

Yes, Andy is currently playing in two other bands that I know of {could be more knowing that guy} Hammerwhore and Cruxiter out of Austin, TX.. They fucking slay definitely check them out. Our drummer Scott Palmer is going in the studio to record a new album from his Thrash Metal band Hollowpoint with Steve Perez of Demontuary. My other band Panzergod is just finishing up writing material for our upcoming album "Death Shrouds Bestowed," and will be featured for the 5th consecutive year at the Northwestern Black Circle Festival this summer in Portland, Oregon



9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

 Robert and I are already in writing mode for our next album. I would expect this album to be released much quicker than our last one. We have our core members and sound dialed in. Expect the same elements of Traditional, Black, Thrash and Doom we are known for.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I have always preferred classic Metal and I think that shows in my performance and song writing. There is a lot of amazing bands out there now keeping metal alive and well
but you'll most likely find Judas Priest, Deep Purple and Mercyful Fate in my tape deck. 


11.How would you describe your views on Occultism?

By definition occultism is esoteric knowledge. I believe that there is light and darkness in this world and which side is which is not always obvious. I personally do not subscribe to any dogmatic beliefs. In my opinion religion is a form of control. I do not want to be controlled. Witches Mark is about Metal plain and simple.

12,Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Aviation is something I've been into lately, there is simply nothing in the world like being thousands of feet in the air in an experimental aircraft, doing barrel rolls listening to Aces High at full volume! 


13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thank you for all the work you do to keep metal alive and the opportunity of talking with me today,  look out for "Witching Metal Ritual" in stores this summer and I will see you Metal Brothers and Sisters on the road. Hails

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The Guilt Of.../Isolation Room/Last Hurrah/2013 VInyl Review

  The  Guilt  Of..  are  a  band  from  Louisiana  that  plays  a  mixture  of  industrial,  power  electronics,  punk  and  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Isolation  Room"  which  was  released  by Last  Hurrah.

  Drums  programming  ranges  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  beats,  while  the  samples  and  effects  bring  the  industrial  and  harsh  power  electronic  sounds  to  the  recording,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  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  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  black  metal,  industrial,  and  punk  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  with  some  distorted  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  at  times,  while  the  lead  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  are  very  old school  sounding  punk  rock  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  distorted  blackened  punk/industrial  screams  with  some  spoken  word  samples,  while  the  lyrics  cover  hateful,  violent  and  everyday  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it  with  some  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.  

  In  my  opinion  The  Guilt  Of..  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  industrial,  power  electronic,  punk  and  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band. RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Social Recall  Rewind"  "Force  Fed  Militant  2012"  and  "Shriek  Of  The  Arab  Poems".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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The Pete Flesh Deathtrip Interview

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

- Just released the fourth album - "Mortui Vivos Docent" - of this solo project. It´s only 2 weeks ago it got released here in Europe (I think the release date for the States etc. will be 23 July). Just trying to promote the album as much as possible with interviews, reviews, etc.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous releases?

- I changed alot of stuff that would have a big inpact on the final result towards my other releases. First I change the studio from The Abyss to studio Beast with Peter Bjärgö (Crypt of Kerberos, Tyrant, Arcana, The Blact etc) as the producer. Then I change studio drummer from Flingan to Andreas Jonsson (Vinterland, Tyrant etc). Also Micke Broberg from Unanimated does guest vocals on half of the album and also contributed with some lyrics. All this maked of course a big difference. My goal was to do an album that both would be creative satisfing for me and something I diden´t have done before with this project. One other thing was also, now when I only do THE PETE FLESH DEATHTRIP (have done albums with DECEIVER, MAZE OF TORMENT and THROWN) I put all my ideas into one major thing. I don´t keep to one genre or anything like that. The important thing for me is the atmosphere, not if it´s a Death, Black, Thrash or Heavy Metal....or anything else.

3 What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release?

- I would say they reflects on anything that cross my mind or eyes that feels important to me. Innerself stuff that I need to explore or get rid of. Reflections from a distance.

4. The band use to be known as Flesh, what was the decision behind the name change?

- For me it´s still the same solo project, and I use the old FLESH logo in the sleeve of the new album. The main reason is that I will go deeper and more personal with this project and don´t use ideas to anything else from now on. For example, if I did a good Black Sabbath sounding riff before, I saved it for THROWN, but now I can use everything here, as long as the atmosphere fits with everything else that I want to express with the lyrics or just a sudden vibe.

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

- I have not played live yet with T.P.F.D.T. Many are the reasons. But I´m trying to find the right people for it so it could happen some day. I have got some offers from both festivals and single shows bookers.

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the new release?

- Above.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new music by fans of underground metal?

- The album have not been out that long yet to get an over-all view. Or maybe it could. One bad review so far of maybe 15. Done more interviews than I ever have in this short period of time. Also more people in general writes me and are interested in this album than before. I´m used to atleast release one album a year, this time I have not released anything in 4-5 years. All my focus have been into doing this album, so it feels great of course that people seems to like it and understand it.

8. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

- Really hard to say. I have started working on some ideas. I don´t think it will be any drastic changes, just trying to keep it interesting, dark and with inputs that maybe not the listner would expect. Also there will be other guest vocals. Not that I´m unhappy with Micke, he does a brilliant job!!!!! But the whole idea for me is not to release the same album. If it gets better or worse in someone else taste, that´s not the point. There must be an creative challenge for me and something that I put my soul into, even if no one else sees the end result.

9. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

- From the Death, Black, Thrash scene that I listen most to. POSSESSED, DEATH, BATHORY, MAYHEM, DISSECTION, SLAYER, MERCILESS, SADUS, AUTOPSY, DESTROYER 666, TORMENTOR, ROTTING CHRIST, NIFELHEIM, SODOM...and some more. I´m an old dude. Otherwise I´m sure alot of BLACK SABBATH, 70´s ALICE COOPER, FATE/KING, DEAD CAN DANCE, PINK FLOYD, MAIDEN etc. have effected my song writing as well. I listen most to the bands I mention. Not that I´m narror minded, I still trying to catch up with todays band, and there are some good stuff. But not that maybe effects my song writing.

10. Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in the music?

- Yes, of course. I read books, and there are books about those subjects, so I read ´em. Like other religions or belifs as well.....I like to read books or see films/documentaries about subjects that are able to form and shape the evolution or destruction of man. Or simply to get in the head of someone that really burns for something, even if I not understand it from the beginning. But I always want to find new views on things, and that´s my way doing it.

11.Outside of music what are some of your interests?

- I have a hard time finding things that not in the end can be connected to my music. But I have a regular job, a son that are really into music as well, so we go to shows now and then, but we of course does alot of different stuff as well, like sports, fishing etc. Of course I enjoy that. Hm, I guess you could say that I´m a boring dude.

12. Any final  words or thoughts before we wrap  up this interview?

- Thanx for the support, really appreciated! Anyone are welcome to contact me with questions regarding the album: facebook/peteflesh

Witches Mark/Witching Metal Ritual/Heaven And Hell Records/2013 CD Review

  Witches  Mark  are  a  band  from  Texas  that  plays  a  mixture  of  heavy,  power,  speed,  thrash,  death,  doom  and  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Witching  Metal  Ritual"  which  was  released  by  Heaven  And  Hell  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  heavy  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording,  as  for  the  synths  which  are  only  used  briefly  bring  a  very  dark  and  symphonic  sound  to  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  heavy,  power,  thrash,  speed,  death,  doom  and  black  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  along  with  a  good  amount  of  melody  being  thrown  into  the  riffing,  while  the  lead  are  very  melodic  and  old  school  sounding  power/speed  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  clean  singing  power  metal  vocals,  thrash  style  singing,  deep  death  metal  growls  and  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  as w ell  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts,  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  occultism  and  true  metal  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  old  school  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  heat  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  with  some  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Witches  Mark  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  heavy,  power,  speed,  thrash,  death,  doom  and  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Bringers  Of  Heavy  Metal  Death"  "Salem's  Fire"  and  "Witching  Metal  Ritual".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  


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The Pete Flesh Deathtrip/Mortui Vivos Docent/Pulverised Records/2013 CD Review

  The  Pete  Flesh  Deathrip  are  a  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  very  old  school  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Mortui  Vivos  Docent"  which  was released  by  Pulverised  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  old  school  blackened  death  metal  riffs  along  with  a  good  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  riffing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  blackened  metal  screams  along  with  a  brief  spoken  word  part,  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  blasphemous  themes, as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  dark  and  professional  sound  with  some  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  The  Pete  Flesh  Deathtrip  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Eternal  Dawn"  "The  Suicide  End"  "God  Of  The  Crawling  Whore"  and  "Recycle  My  Death".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Locus Titanic Funus Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Our music – the combination of light and dark, hope and despair, dreams and cruel reality. Probably, it’ll be interesting to gothic doom/gothic black metal listeners. But, maybe, the similar genres fans will love this music too.

2.How would you describe your musical sound?

Alexey: The sound was initially planned like natural and old-fashioned. Now it has become a mainstream to lower the guitar's action and make their sound sleek, but I wanted more natural sound in harmony with music composition. Keys sounds weren’t chosen without purpose too. I wanted to gain something similar to the real cello sound. I have to say it should distinguish us from those groups who want synthetic string section sound. That music makes me sad.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

Alexey: All lyrics are united by the one common idea – innocent melancholy. This is what you can see in the album’s name. At first, there are solitude themes, themes of life’s transience and searches of appeasement. “Морфий” – the song about childhood memories, how sad to see the lightning speed of the living beauty. In the song “Фея” you can hear how hard to accept the lover’s death. “Зеркало” – this song about obscure and mystical images of broken looking glass. “Covered With Sorrow” – the story about a guy, who came down from heaven to his girlfriend, who had come to visit his grave.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?

Locus Titanic Funus -  a place of disaster. A place of all-embracing disaster. Titanic all-embracing disaster. When you’re in pain, your own world shrinks to a pea and your grief becomes the center of your universe. Nothing is interesting you as much as your grief. And it’s becoming that disaster what is written on our band's name.

5. Has the band done any live shows or is this a studio project?

We haven't done any live shows yet. But it's very important for us to play live and to bring our music to those people who needs it. There are a very different sound and atmosphere on the concerts. When you're listening to live music - it captures the spirit. Therefore we want play live and now we're looking for guitar and bass guitar players. We know, that bass guitar player search will be hard. People think, this is musician who just pulls the string and no more, but it is not truth. Bass guitar is very important musical instrument. It gives the half atmosphere to our music together with drums.

Alexey: I would like a beautiful bass guitar sound as a sound of old school bands with specific gnarling, somnolent and sweet base.

6. Does Occultism play any role in the music?

Alexey: The occult things are from the real world, but unreal things are from the world of occult. We operate with grief and despair. It’s part of our occult reality.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black, doom and gothic metal?

Alexey: We have the page in the social network Vkontakte for the time being. People come there to thank us for our music.

8. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

Alexey: I’m drummer of gothic metal band Fright Night. Mila is singing in Mea Vita. Locus Titanic Funus is more important for me. Mea Vita – full time for Mila.

Mila: Yes, I’m also involved in gothic darkwave project Mea Vita as singer, keyboard player and songs and music co-author. Now we’re working on the new album’s recording.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Alexey: The spirit of our music will be the same. But there are a few variants of future. Maybe there will be male and female pure vocals only, maybe the music will be faster and more melodic. But there will be the same atmosphere as now, the feeling, which won't be stolen from us.

Mila: I agree with Alexey. We'd like to save the spirit of music, the atmosphere we have now. Maybe besides vocals I will fulfill live violin parts in the future, and there won't be ordinary acoustic violin, I want to find a special sound for this instrument in this music. But I can exactly promise one thing: until our music exists, it will always be sincere music.

10.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Alexey: I love Desire for their magical combination of voices, Saturnus for their tight rhythm section and naturalness, Autumnia for melody, Vin De Mea Trix for a beautiful bass.

Mila: The Sins of Thy Beloved – love this guys. This is almost perfect gothic doom for me. Just want to note the Ukrainian group Vin De Mea Trix. First time I've heard them at Moscow Doom Fest VI. It was unforgettable. What about the other modern genres, I like darkwave, gothic, ethereal. I love Diary of Dreams, Stoa, Narsillion–  one of my inspirations. As well as classical music. I listen to it from childhood, this music became an integral part of my musical thinking.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Alexey: We’re geeks, we work in IT company and make Big Data 3D interactive visualization systems. I like my job as our music. In the working process we can forget about sorrow and universal grief :)

12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Alexey: I want that our music to affect you as well as for me. It shouldn’t be a cause of aggression, frustration. I'd like that those who listen to this music will find support and help in it.

Mila: Something beautiful is still exists in the world besides grief and despair..so fragile beauty,  a thin beam of hope.. I wish that our listeners could see this..

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Lycus/Tempest/20 Buck Spin/2013 CD Review

  Lycus  are  a  band  from  California  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  funeral  doom  metal   with  elements  of  death,  drone  and  noise  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Tempest"  which  was  released  by  20  Buck  Spin.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  playing  with  only  a  small  amount  of  fast  drumming  and  blast  beats  being  present on  this  recording  which  are  only  utilized  in  the  black  metal  parts,  while  the  sound  effects  bring  a  very  dark  and  atmospheric  sound  to  the  album  while  also  mixing  in  elements  of  noise  and  drone,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  tp  fast  heavy  riffs  that  combine  funeral  doom,  black  metal  and  early  90's  death/doom  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  along  with  some  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  soft  and  clean  playing  and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  range  from  deep  funeral  doom/death  metal  growls  to  clean  singing  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  high  pitched  black  metal  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  grief,  loss,  and  depressive  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  dark  and  professional  sound  with  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Lycus  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  funeral  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK "Tempest".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lycus/156095311142662
http://lycus.bandcamp.com