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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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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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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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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