Majalis Interview

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

Majalis is in one way a pretty new project as we just put out our first EP, still the idea of the band and the first songs are quite a bit older. It started with me and Tobias several years ago, back then we worked at the same place and i was living at Tobias place during the weeks. We listened to lots of music during work and one day we just got an idea to write something down-tuned and gnarly, which we did. We wrote two songs back then. Some years later I had some more ideas in the same musical directions and we decided to re-record the old stuff along with some new ideas. We also decided to make it a band and we got Daniel to join for vocals and bass after seing a performance with his band Ikhon. Me and Jonas studied together for a while and as I've seen him play with other bands. I had a feeling that his drumming would suit this band, so we asked him. He joined and we became a band.

2. How would you describe your musical sound and how it differs from the other bands that the members are involved with?

I would say it has some doomy vibes going on, combined with a few touches of post-rock and sludge maybe. Some heavy rock music. It's a bit different from what we do with our other bands. Jonas plays with a pop band called Me The Tiger (www.methetiger.se), so that's different in all kinds of ways. Tobias and I usually play with a band called In Mourning (www.inmourning.net), we still play some metal there but I would say Majalis is a bit doomier and less complex, the bands have different atmospheres going on. Daniel plays with a band called Ikhon (www.facebook.com/ikhonmusic), which is more straight-forward, faster and more aggressive than Majalis.

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

We have chosen not to print the lyrics with the EP, to let the music itself stay more in focus and speak for itself rather than the lyrics. I won't reveal too much, some can be parallelled to views on everyday life if you want to. Still it's pretty much disguised in doomy metaphores and screamed out from the top of our lungs. So good luck figuring them out!

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

Me and Tobias chose the name when we wrote the first two songs. We found it through Convallaria Majalis (the lily of the valley) and that it is said to come from latin meaning ”flowering in may”. We later on noticed that it apparently also can be a term meaning ”a place for sitting” and council.

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

Being newly started with our first EP recently released we have done one show so far at a local festival called Gamrocken (www.gamrocken.se). However, none of us are strangers to performing live as we have all been playing for a long time and been playing live quite a bit with other bands and projects. Our debut live show with Majalis went really well. I think we managed to bring good intensity and atmosphere to the show, so let's hope we will get more opportunities to play some good shows.

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

We have some more plans for a show or two already, but nothing is official yet. No real touring plans at this point.

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

Good I would say, we've read several reviews from zines in different countries and we've received quite some feedback from people online which has pretty much all been overwhelmingly good.

8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days/

They're pretty much all living and moving along as usual, this is not meant to replace any of our other bands.

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

Still very hard to say, we are rehearsing when we manage to find time for it. So far we have been rehearsing maybe once a month. We are writing new material and we have started rehearsing some new stuff, which feels very promising. But it's too early to tell what direction a future release will be heading at this point.

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

I guess influences comes from pretty much everywhere in every day life, not just music. I tend to listen to quite a wide span of music and I think we all do within the band. This latest week i've been listening mainly to Khoma.

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

Personally i really like painting, drawing and designing stuff. I rarely find time to paint or draw though, but i really enjoy it whenever i can find time for it.

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

Just thanks for having us interviewed. Thanks to those who happen to read this, to those who takes interest in our band and to those who listens to our music. Make sure to check our websitewww.majalismusic.com and follow us through whatever social media you find suiting, we try to be available everywhere we can. Thanks!

Putrified Interview

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

Putrified's new minialbum "Sacrilegious Purification" has just been unleashed through Hellthrasher Productions.

The band is currently rehearsing with its soon to be live line-up and work is progressing on the next full-length.

Things are busy but good.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new ep and also how does it differs from previous efforts?

The main thing that would strike you is the production.

It's not as lo-fi and harsh as the earlier records, it sounds more professional.

"Sacrilegious Purification" has the sound of an album, whereas "Spawn..." and "Neurotic..." has the production of a demo recording.

Having Oskar and Devo from Endarker Studio (Marduk, Funeral Mist, Ofermod, Nefandus) handle the mix and master of the minialbum did a whole lot for the final outcome.

The lyric theme has also progressed.

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

The first album "Spawn Of The Dead" dealed with zombie porn and gore while the second full-length "Neurotic Necrotic" was more inspired by classic horror, especially HP Lovecraft's work pre-Chtulu.

After those two albums I felt that I wanted to write about subjects that were closer to heart.

Enough with the "fiction".

Topics such as spiritual death, faith, fate, apparitions, history and evergrowing misanthropy are dealt with on "Sacrilegious Purification" and the upcoming full-length.

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

The name is taken from the song "Rotten Death" by Tormented, the specific line goes as follows: "Unleash the armies of the walking putrified".

I also think that the spelling Putrified looks way better than Putrefied, Mercyful Fate vs Merciful Fate you know.

The state of putrefaction is also something I find very representable for a Death Metal band, or mankind in general.

There is also a certain beauty in decay.

5.Recently you have formed a whole line up after doing this band solo for a few years, what was the decision behind forming a full band?

I was sick of playing live around the time that I formed Putrified and I therefore only wanted to focus on studio work.

I did not think that the effort was worth the reward.

But with time I felt an urge and a will to get back on stage and the rehearsal space.

I also think that the climate for live gigs lately has changed to the better, we will have to see for ourselves.

Live line-up:

A.Death - Vox/Guitar

Crypt - Drums

P.Apocalypse - Bass

Grave - Guitar

I'm however handling all the main instruments on the next full-lenght since the majority of it is already recorded.

There is however more than one thing that boils under the surface.

6. Has the band been able to do any live shows yet and also do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We actually had to take about 8 months off from rehearsing since our drummer went through rehabilitation following a serious hand operation.

When I feel that we can represent Putrified in a proper manner, that is when we'll desecrate a stage and its audience.

We don't need to take gigs as a band, we will play when we are ready.

After that I'm open for all serious offers regarding gigs, festivals and tours.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the new ep by fans of death and black metal?

Since the new MCD just recently got released only a few reviews have been published, all of them have however been very positive.

Everyone that received a copy of the album before it's official release have all said that it's Putrified's best work up to date.

And I surely agree.

8. What is going on with the other bands you are involved with these days?

Infuneral has a new split CD out with the band The Last Knell from Chile.

3 songs each of darkness and death, released by Misanthropic Art Productions.

Flagellated Seraphs lies in wait, lurking at the treshold.

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

Expect more Darkness, Death and Decay.

All I can say is that if you like "Sacrilegious Purification" you will surely appreciate the upcoming full-length album.

In short, it fucking slays.

Yet I'm sure that it will raise a few eyebrows once it's released.

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

The musical foundation of Putrified will always be Kreator, Autopsy, Morbid Angel and Dismember.

Yet as some of you might know, I'm deeply involved in Black Metal and more and more of that will be reflected in our upcoming output.

It's a natural progression.

That is why I sometimes refer to Putrified these days as Death/Black Metal, to point out that we spiritually have more in common with serious Black Metal bands rather than the gore oriented Death Metal bands out there.

Personally I am always on the hunt for new kicks and new musical experiences, I often buy releases every week.

The list of what I'm currently listening to would therefore be ever changing day by day.

To make things easy, I would recommend most bands from the labels:

Sepulchral Voice Records

Norma Evangelium Diaboli

Terratur Possesions

I must also point out that "our label" Hellthrasher Productions has released more and more bands that I personally am interested in.

Lately their releases of Serpent Noir, which indeed is a very good band.

11. How would you describe your views on Occultism?

I study a lot of works that could be described as occult.

And I'm fascinated by spirituality, apparitions, currents and faith.

I follow what I think feels right, things I have a subconscious attraction to.

But I also tend to look upon things in different ways, both spiritual and scientific.

Destiny is a word that pretty much sum up my view on most things in life.

I'm drawn to certain things, therefore I keep coming back to them time and time again.

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

Is there really a life outside your lifelong passion?

If so, it would be working out in the gym and reading books and articles on various interesting subjects.

I do however mainly occupy myself with things related to music.

Working on artwork, layouts, looking for new bands, reading magazines/ fanzines or in this case answer interviews.

Pretty much the first thing I do when I open my eyes in the morning is to put a record on.

Time is also spent handling the Frozen Blood Store where we sell records and merchandise of Putrified, Infuneral, Flagellated Seraph and our fellow affiliates, such as Patronymicon which is a great Black Metal band.

But on the other hand, that is also music related.

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

All hail the darkness, in her majestic glory.

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Lycus Interview

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

With the album release mayhem behind us, we plan on focusing on writing the next album. As of now we are playing 2 more local shows then taking a break to write.

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

I'd say more evolved and mature. Not necessarily because I'm trying to talk ourselves up or anything, but because the time frames were so different. The demo was completed in 2 months, including recording. "Tempest" has been 2 years in the making, resulting in the material being much more refined and way closer to what we are going for as a band. There is at least one song on the demo that I cannot stand to listen to these days because there are so many aspects I would change about it in retrospect.

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

Grief, loss, the expansion of consciousness, the flaws of industrial civilization, etc.

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

To be technical, the name means "river" in greek. It is also the son of Poseidon in Greek mythology, but when it comes down to it, we really just liked the way it sounded. Kind of anti-climactic, but if you looked into it it's the reason behind a lot of bands choosing their names. 

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

All of the shows on our last US tour were extremely gratifying, especially Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle and Portland. Each person in the band kind of has their own thing regarding stage presence.. Not really sure how to describe it from an audience perspective.

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new album?

We've already toured the west coast and the southwest/midwest. We are planning an east coast tour that will happen in the next couple months as well (if all goes accordingly). This next tour will probably be our last until our next album is completed.

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

We've received extremely positive feedback, both for the demo and for "Tempest." Most of this feedback came as a complete surprise to us, as we are kind of our own harshest critics and always constantly evaluate the quality of our material. (probably why it took 2 years to write this last record).

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

Bassist Daniel is currently in a grindcore band called "Your Enemy." Our other guitarist Dylan is in a shoegaze band called "Barn Burning,"

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

I can't accurately say. Just as our sound has evolved since recording the demo, I predict it will continue to evolve in future releases due to forces beyond our control, though I don't plan on consciously taking song writing in a different direction.

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

Honestly, with our collective influences, almost every style of music out there from funk and soul to grind, black metal, and doom metal. Not so much into electronic music unless you count darkwave and industrial.

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

Bikes. Craft beers and brewing. Rock climbing. backpacking and hiking. Collecting records. Playing pool. Swimming. Skating. Many many more but I'm lazy and trying to write this on behalf of everyone in the band.

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

Yes, we'd like to thank everyone who's supported us in the last couple years.... Bought any of our merch, came to our shows, wrote reviews, thank you so much. It is extremely gratifying to know that there are people out there that enjoy our music as much as we enjoy creating it.

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Putrified/Sacrilegious Purification/Hellthrasher Productions/2013 EP Review

  Putrified  are  a  1  man  band  from  Sweden  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2013  ep  "Sacrilegious  Purification"  which  was  released  by  Hellthrasher  Productions.

  "Sacrilegious Purification"  begins  with  some  dark  ritualistic  sounding  synths  and  a  few  seconds  alter  heavy  guitar  riffs,  drums,  bass  guitars  and  guitar  leads  start  kicking  in  along  with  some  deep  death  metal  growls  and  after  awhile  the  drums  start  utilizing  some  brutal  sounding  blast  beats  along  with  the  guitar  riffing  utilizing  some  melody  in certain sections  of  the  song  as  well  as  being  added  into  the  leads  as  well.

  "Pestilentialis"  begins  with  heavy  and  melodic  old  school  death  metal  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  blast  beats,  guitar  leads  and  blackened  death  metal  growls  and  the  guitar  riffing  also  utilizes some  early  black  metal  influences and after  awhile  shouting  style  vocals  are  added  into the  mix,  halfway  through  the  song  the  music  slows  down  and  adds  in  some  doom  metal  elements  before  going  into  a  mid  paced  direction  before  speeding  up  with  some  blast  beats,  black  metal  screams  and  synths.

  "Sacrificial  Death  Salvation"  begins  with  deep  growls  before  the  fast  and  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  kick  in along  with  some  drums  before  going  into an  old  school  death  metal  direction along  with  some  blast  beats  and  after  awhile  the  music  slows  down  and  adds  in  melody  into  the  guitar  riffing  as  well  as  bringing  in some  guitar  solos  and  leads  before  speeding  up  and  the  song  closes  with  some  ritualistic  synths.

  "This  Poisoned  Chalice"  begins  with  drum  beats  before  adding  in  some  melodic  old  school  metal  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  power  metal  screams  before  going  into  a  more  brutal  direction along  with  some blast  beats  and  death  metal  growls  and  after  awhile  the  music  slows  down  for  awhile  before  returning  to  the  opening  riffs  and  closing  the  song.

  "Evocation"  begins  with  some  synths  before  getting  fast  and  heavy  with  the  guitar  riffs, drums  and  death  metal  growls  before  slowing down  in  certain  sections  and  adding  in  powerful  bass  guitars  and  thrash  influences  as  well  as  adding  blast  beats  in  certain  sections  of  the  song  na d towards  the  end  there is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  "Sacred  Putrefaction"  begins  with  some  dark  and  melodic  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  death  metal  growls  and  after  awhile  you  can  hear  some melodic  guitar  leads  in  the  background  and  the  song  closes  with  synths.

  Song  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Death  and  Misanthropic  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  dark,  heavy,  old  school,  powerful  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Putrified  are  a  very  great  sounding blackened  death  metal  project  and if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sacrilegious Purification"  and "Evocation".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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OvO/Abisso/Supernatural Cat/2013 CD Review

  OvO  are  a  band  from  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  musical  style  that  combines  black  metal,  noise  rock,  doom,  death  and  thrash  metal  together  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Abisso"  which  was  released  by  Supernatural  Cat.

  "Harmonia  Microcosmica"  begins  with  experimental  noise  sounds  and  drones  and  after  a  minute  drum  beats  and  screams  make  their  way  into  the  song  which  also  leads  up  to  some  powerful sounding electronic  music  elements  and  after  awhile  bass  guitars  start  coming  into  the  sound  along  with  some  industrial  style  vocals.

  "Tokoloshi"  begins  with  some  avant  garde  noise  sounds  and  then  drum  beats  and  synths  along  with  some  field  recordings  and  weird  sounding  vocals  start  making  their  way  into  the  song.

  "I  Cannibali"  begins  with  some  powerful  bass  guitars,  drum  beats  and   industrial  style  sounds  which  in  return  leads  up  to  some  aggressive  sounding  vocals.

  "A  Dream  Within  A  Dream"  begins  with  some  drum  beats  and  experimental  sound s which  lead  up  to  some  high  pitched  screams  and  then  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  experimental  synths  make  their  way  into  the  song  and  towards  the  end  their  is  a  brief  use  of  deeper  vocals  being  utilized.

  "Aeneis"  begins  with  some  distorted  noise  effects  before  adding  in some  drum beats  and  bass guitars  and  then  the  vocals  start  kicking  in  and  they  utilize  some  weird  sounding  elements.

  "Harmonia  Microcosmica"  begins  with  drum  beats and  harsh  electronic  music  sounds  along  with  some  experimental  elements  and  after  a while  black  metal  screams  start  coming into  the  song  along  with  some  nature  sounds  and  after  awhile  the  music  starts  going  into  a  more  heavier  direction  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brie f use  of  spoken  word  parts  along  with  some  harsh  noise  elements.

  "Abisso"  begins  with  some  experimental  and  electronic  music  sounds  and  human  torture  sound  effects  which  also  lead  to  some  screams  and  harsh noise  elements  and  after  awhile t here  are  some  weird  sounding  female  vocals  being  utilized  along  with  some  demonic  sounding  elements.

  "Pandemonio"  begins  with  some  high  some  high  pitched  screams,  heavy  guitar and  bass riffs  along  with  soem  drums  before  going  into  a  more  avant  garde  direction.  

  "Ab  Uno"  begins  with  some  acoustic  guitars  and  a  few  seconds  alter  whispered  vocals  start coming  in  along  with  some  drum  beats  which  leads  up  to some  industrial  sounds  and  bass  guitars  and  then  female  vocals  start  making  their  presence  known.

  "Fly  Away  Demon"  begins  with  some programmed  beats and  avant  garde  experimental  sounds  and  then  the  spoken  word  and  vocals  start  coming  into  the  song  and  after  awhile  you can  hear  some  guitars  in  the  background  and  after  awhile  the  vocals  start  adding  in  some  evil  sounding  screams.

  "Flame"  begins  with  some  screams  and  avant  garde  sounds.

  Song  lyrics  cover  dark and  poetic  themes,  while  the  production h as  a  very  strong,  powerful  and  dark  sound  while  you  xan  still  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  along  with  a  couple  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  recording from  OvO  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  music  with  elemetn s of  black  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out t his  album. RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tokoloshi'  "Abisso"  "Ab  Uno"  and  "Fly  Away  Demon".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Skeletonwitch/Serpents Unleashed/Prosthetic/2013 CD Review

  Skeletonwitch  are  a  band  from  Ohio  that  has  been  featured  before  in this  zine  with  a  musical  style  that  combines  black  metal,  death  and  thrash  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Serpents Unleashed"  which  was  released  by  Prosthetic.

  "Serpents  Unleashed"  begins  with  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  then  the  black  metal  screams  and  blast  beats  kick  in  along with  some  melodic  guitar  riffing  which  leads  to the  song  going  into  an  old  school  thrash  direction  and  you  can  hear  the  bass  guitars  in  the  background.

  "Beneath  Dead  Leaves"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  black  metal  screams and  after  awhile  the  music  slows  down  for  awhile  and  brings  in  some  melodic  guitar  riffing  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  old  school  metal  guitar  leads  being  utilized.

  "I  Am  Of  Death  (Hell Has  Arrived)"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along with  some  drums  and  vocals  and  there  are  no  guitar solos  or  leads  on  this  song  with  the  music being  all  black/thrash.

  ''From  A  Cloudless"  Sky"  begins  with  some  melodic  guitar  riffs,  bass  guitars  and  drums  which  lead  up  to  some  vocals  and  then  the  music  gets  faster  and  heavier  along  with  some  thrash  elements  and  towards  the  end  there  are  some  80's  style  guitar  solos  and  leads  added  into the  song.

  "Burned  From  Bone"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  before  going into  a  more  melodic  direction along  with  some  black  metal  screams  while  also  adding in  some  heavy  thrash  elements  and  towards  the end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  being utilized.

  "Unending  Ever  Living'  begins with  some  heavy  and  melodic  guitar riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  then  the  bass  guitars  start  kicking  in  and  the  guitar  riffs  start  getting  heavier  and  leads  up to  the  vocals  kicking  in  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  death  metal  growls.

  "Blade  On  The  Flesh"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  before  going  into  a  faster  direction  and  adding  in  some  vocals  which  utilize  both  black  and  death  metal elements.

  "This  Evil  Embrace"  begins with  some  melodic  guitar  riffs,  drums  and  bass  guitars  and  then  it  goes  into  a  heavier  direction  along  with  some  vocals  which  use  both  black  and  death  metal  influences  along  with  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats  being  utilized  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads.

   ''Unwept"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  and  bass  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  after  a  few  seconds  the vocals  start  kicking  in  along  with  some  melodic  guitar  riffing and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  on  the  song.

  "More  Cruel  Than  Weak" begins   with some  acoustic  guitars  and  after a  minute  drums,  bass  guitars  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  make  their  presence  known  along  with  some mosh  elements  and  black  metal  screams  and  halfway  through  the  song  melodic  elements  are  added  in.

   ''Born  Of  The Light"  begins  with  some  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  which  also  utilize  some  blast  beats  and  then  the  bass  guitars  and  vocals  start  making  their  presence  known  in  the  song  and  towards  the  end  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads..

  Song  lyrics  cover  dark  and  evil  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  msuical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Skeletonwitch and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Serpents  Unleashed'  "From  A  Cloudless"  Sky"  "Unwept"  and  "Born  Of  The Light".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

http://www.facebook.com/skeletonwitchmetal
http://www.skeletonwitch.com           

This Quiet Army/Hex Mountains/Denovali Records/2013 CD Review

  This Quiet  Army  are  a  band  from  Canada  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine with  a  musical  style  that  combines  experimental,  post,  rock,  drone,  doom  and  black  metal and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Hex  Mountains"  which  was  released  by  Denovali  Records.

  "From  Darkness"  begins  with  some  dark ambient  synths  and  after  a  minute  they  start adding in  some  atmospheric and  post  rock elements,  halfway  through  the song  there are  some  programmed  drum  beats  being  added to  the song  which  also  leads  to  the  music  going into  a  more  drone  direction  along  with  some  heavy  doom  metal  guitar  riffs  which also  utilize  some  melodic  leads  and  solos  that bring  in post  black  metal  elements.

  'Wraithslayers" begins with  some  experimental  drone  sounds  and melodic  chanting  along  with  some  avant  garde  noise  sounds  and  then t he song  starts focusing  more  on  dark  ambient  soundscapes  for the  remainder  of  the song  ranging  from  soft  to  loud.

  "Digital  Witchcraft"  begins with  some  experimental  and  krautrock  sounds  and  then  the  song  mixes in  quiet  ambient  soundscapes  and  experimental  elements  and  as  time  goes  on  by the  ambient  sound s get  more  powerful and  the  song  also  goes  into  a  darker  direction  along  with some  distorted  elements  and  ritualistic  sounds  and  towards  the  end  clean  sounding post  rock  guitar  riffs  make  their  way into  the  song  along  with  some  drum  programming  and  loops.

  "Spirits  In Oblivion"  begins  with  silence  before  adding in  some  ambient  synths and  sound  effects and  the  music  gets  more  powerful  as  time moves  on  by  with  some atmospheric  and drone  elements  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  programmed  drum  beats  and  bass  guitars  are  added  to  the  song  and  make  the  music  a  lot  heavier  sounding  and  halfway  into  the  song  heavy  guitar  riffs  are  added  into  the  music

 Song themes  cover  darkness,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful  and  dark  sound  with  the  songs  being  very long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  This  Quiet  Army  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  drone  with  elements  of  black  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "From  Darkness"  and  "Spirits  In  Oblivion".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

https://www.thisquietarmy.com/

Toxic Holocaust/Chemistry Of Consciousness/Relapse Records/2013 CD Review

  Toxic  Holocaust  are  a  band  from  Oregon  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  style  that  combines  black  metal,  thrash  and punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Chemistry  Of  Consciousness"  which  was  released  by  Relapse  Records.

  "Awaken  The  Serpent"  begins  with  some  heavy  thrash  riffs,  drums  and  black  metal  vocals  and  then  the  song  goes  for  more  of  an  80's  crossover  sound  combining  metal  with  punk.

  "Silence"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs,  drums  and  screams  and  then  the  song  goes  into  a  heavy  and  old  school  direction  and  after  a  minute  the  music  starts a dding  in  some  powerful  bass  guitars  along  with  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  "Rat  Eater"  begins  with  some  slow  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  a  few  seconds  later  guitar  leads  make  their  way  into  the  song  and  then  the  music  gets  faster  with  some  melodic  thrash  guitar riffing  and  blast  beats  which  leads  to  the  black  metal  vocals  kicking  in.  and  then  the  music  starts  switching  back  and  forth  between  slow  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  guitar  solos.

  "Salvation  Is  Waiting"  begins  with  some  heavy  and  old  school guitar  riffs  along  with  some  drums  and  a  brief  use  of  melodic  riffing  which  leads  to  the  vocals  kicking  in  and  after  awhile  the  song  starts  adding  in  some  mid  paced  sections  briefly  while  mostly  focusing  on  the  fast  parts.

  "Out  Of  The  Fire"  begins  with  some  heavy  metal/punk  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  then t he  screaming  vocals  kick  in  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  heavy  and  distorted  bass  guitars.

  "Acid  Fuzz"  begins  with  some  heavy  and  melodic  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  then t he  vocals  kick  in  and  the  music  goes  for  a  more  old  school  thrash  metal  sound  and  a  minute  later  there  is  a  brief  use  of  guitar  solos  and  leads  being  utilized.

  'Deny  The  Truth"  begins  with  some  vocals  and  hardcore  style  guitar  riffs  as  well  as  some  drums  and  then   the music  goes  into  more  of  a  thrash  direction

  'Mkultra"  begins  with  some  thrash  punk  guitar  riffs and  drums  with  the  vocals  kicking  in  a  few  seconds  later  and  the  song  is  mostly  done  in  a  fast  direction  along  with  some  mosh  style  riffing.

  'I  Serve" begins  with  some  heavy  old  school  thrash  guitar  riffs  and  drums  and  then  the  vocals  and  punk  influences  make  their  presence  known  in  the  song  and  after  awhile you can  hear  some  powerful  bass  guitars.

  "International  Conspiracy"  begins  with  some  guitar  riffs and  drums  and  then  the  screams  start  making  their  way  into  the  song  and  the  song  closes  with  some  distorted  sounds.

  ''Chemistry Of Consciousness"  begins  with  some  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  leads  along  with  some  drums  and  powerful  bass  guitars  before  going into  a  fast  thrash  metal  direction  and  adding  in  the  screaming  vocals  and  then t he  song  starts  switching  back  and  forth  between  slow  and  fast  parts  along  with  a  brief  use  of  melodic  riffing.

  Song  lyrics  cover  evil,  conspiracy  theories,  and  real  life  horror  themes,  while  the  production  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  old  school  and  professional  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Toxic  Holocaust  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check out  this  album. RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Silence"
"Salvation  Is  Waiting"  "Acid  Fuzz"  and  "Chemistry Of Consciousness".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

http://www.facebook.com/ToxicHolocaust
http://www.toxicholocaust.bandcamp.com