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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

    

      

Grimorte/Esoteric Ascendance/2020 EP Review

 

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

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

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

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

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

 Grimorte YouTube: 

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

Grimorte Bandcamp: 

https://grimorte.bandcamp.com/releases

Grimorte Facebook:

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

Demon Haunt Interview

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And FUCK BOLSONARO!!!!

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Archierophant Interview

 

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

For years I’ve been listening and playing black and doom metal, It wasn’t until the UK’s National Lockdown began I was able to sit down and record some ideas I’ve had running through the back of my head for years. 

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

The musical style of the four songs featured on the ‘Kingdom’ E.P differ from each track, the opening track Hierophant is the doom track of the record, whilst the tracks Kuolla and Caedes were centered more around atmospheric black metal and the shoegaze genre. The single ‘Hyrule Field’, was recorded in just a few hours and is an atmospheric/symphonic cover song taken from The Legend Of Zelda: The Twilight Princess.

3.Your lyrics cover non-theistic themes, can you tell us a little bit more about the songwriting?

The overall lyric theme of Archierophant currently consists of occultism, spiritualism, shamanism and just a sprinkle of satanism. 

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

I pondered many names for this project over a long period of time, it wasn’t until a tarot card reading in 2019 which displayed an inverted Hierophant card I decided on the name Archierophant.

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

The artwork for Kingdom is an art piece by Salvator Rosa named The Witches At Their Incantations. Only half the painting was used for the E.P artwork, due to possible censorship of the left half. 

6.With this project you record most of the music by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

I recorded the E.P by alone on my boat in London which at times had its challenges, due to limited electric consumption and background noise. I do enjoy working and recording with other people, you can hit a wall and it takes someone else to guide the music in another direction. 

7.You also have a couple of session musicians on your ep, can you tell us a little bit more about who they are and also their contributions to the recording?

The tracks Hierophant & Kingdom showcase a talented vocalist named Kieran Scott who I’ve known for a while, he’s the frontman for a UK based death metal band named Ashen Crown, Kieran and I also have our own recording project named Grimorte, again which is blackened doom. The third track on the E.P features a Finnish black metal vocalist Sami Tuohino; who releases under the name as Oenos. 

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

Possibly, I have been signed to a label before, their constant demand and requirements were too much at the time. Archierophant is a solo project with no backing band, every instrument is played by myself, which right now would be hard to turn into a touring band (which the labels seem to want). 

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

Since the release of Kingdom I’ve had countless messages come through on social platforms, asking for merchandise, psychical copies of the E.P and kind words from fellow metal solo acts. 

Over the years I have dabbled in other musical genres such as bluegrass, folk and blues where I found the fellow musicians and fans highly judgemental and overly competitive, the metal community is easily the nicest and most versatile type of listener any musician could hope for. 

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

Currently I’m working on my other recording project with vocalist Kieran Scott, at this moment I have no plans in a full length Archierophant release, but that could change very quickly with the writing and recording of new songs. I’ve played around with a few genres in this E.P and each will lead to a very different musical path and journey when followed. 

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

I wasn’t massively into music when I was a young child, pop music was everywhere and I never listened to it. It wasn’t until I listened to a couple of my Dad’s Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin LP’s I realised that I was into music but just needed to find those right genres. This opened my ears to more genres of rock and metal, a few bands that I listen to regularly would be Woods Of Ypres, Rotting Christ, Satyricon and Black Label Society (also.. I’m a huge power metal nerd)

12.Does Occultism play any role in your music?

It does, here and there. I try and leave it out of the Archierophant writing as my other recording project is based around Crowley and the occult, I don’t want the two bands to be too musically or lyrically similar. 

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

Just to say a monsterous thank you to all who have streamed, purchased and followed the Archierophant project, there shall be more! 

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Witchtrap/Evil Strikes Again/Hells Headbangers/2020 CD Review

  Witchtrap  are  a  band  from  Columbia  that  plays  a  blackened  mixture  of  thrash  and  speed  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Evil  Strikes  Again"  which  will  be released  on  October  30th  by Hells  Headbangers.

  Demonic  voices  and  a  powerful  sounding  bass  guitar  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  The  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  80's  era  thrash  and  speed  metal  elements  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  first  wave  style  black metal  screams.

  The  songs  also  make  an  old  school  style  sound  more  modern  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  sticking  to  more  of  a  retro  style  as  well  as  one  track  also  introducing  back  up  shouts  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction,  The  album  also  closes  with  an  instrumental.

  Witchtrap  plays  a  musical  style  that  goes  back  to  the  80's  era  of  black,  thrash  and  speed  metal  and  updates  the  style  for  the  modern  era.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Witchcraft,  Evilness  and  Metal  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Witchtrap  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  mixture  of thrash  and  speed metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those musical genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Midnight  Rites"  "The  Devil  Is  On  The  Loose"  "Death  To False  Metal"  and  "Born  To  Kill".  8  out  of  10.

http://witchtrap.bandcamp.com/album/evil-strikes-again 

Demon Haunt/Self Titled/2020 EP Review

 

  Demon  Haunt  are  a  solo  project  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  thrash,  speed  metal  and  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  self  released  and  self  titled  2020  ep.

  A  very  heavy  punk  influenced  d  beat  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  the  vocals  are  done  in  mostly  a  first  wave  black  metal style.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  era  along  with  one  track  also  introduces  spoken  word  samples  onto  the  recording  and  the  music  also  mixes  in  a  great  amount  of  thrash  and  speed  metal  elements.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the music  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  early  death metal  at  times.  All  of  the riffing  is  done  on  power  chords  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  one  of  the  tracks  is  an  Inepsy  and  one  song  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  synths and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  also  remain  very  true  to  a  retro  style..

  Demon  Haunt  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  first  wave black,  thrash,  speed  metal  and  punk  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  sound  of  his  own. The  production  sounds  very  old  school while  the  lyrics  cover  Science,  Carl  Sagan,  Existentialism  and  Anti  Fascism  themes.   

  In  my  opinion  Demon  Haunt  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  first  wave  black,  thrash,  speed  metal and  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical genres,  you  should  check  out  this  solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Demon  Haunt"  and  "In  League  With  Sagan".  8  out  of  10.

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Black Sun Brotherhood Interview

 

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

ANSWER: Greetings! Dr. Doom of Black Sun Brotherhood here! The facts are: three fucked up freaks in Sarpsborg, Norway formed a band in 2013. They called their band Black Sun Brotherhood. This fanatical brotherhood has been on a musical kamikaze mission ever since: world domination or total death! 

2.Recently you have released your first full length, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recording?

ANSWER: Sure, the album is called “God & Beast” and it’s now out digitally and on CD via Metal Blast Records in Germany. It’s an homage to the best old school extreme metal bands ever; Slayer, Morbid Angel and Bathory. Their earliest (and best) releases are the high points of the genre of all time – no doubt - and our album is merely a small tribute to these mighty masters of the art. Does our band sound anything like those mentioned bands? Not necessarily! For me, it’s more about trying to capture the “spirit” or the “vibe” of those releases.    

3.A lot of your lyrics cover satanic and occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts?

ANSWER: It’s just incredibly interesting. I’ve always been drawn to the mystical aspects of life and death. Why? I think it’s just natural to seek answers to the great questions that puzzle us all. And the so-called “dark” aspects of life are certainly a part of the human condition also.  

4.The band members also have experience playing in other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Black Sun Brotherhood', that you have not been able to bring into your other groups?

ANSWER: I think our other bands have played very different styles of music, so it’s hard to say. Different musicians also. And the people who play together will always add their style or sound to a band – and in Black Sun brotherhood we have our mix. 

5.The band members have also played in rock, progressive and experimental bands, how would you compare the style of extreme metal that you play to those musical styles?

ANSWER: It cannot be compared. Especially Knegg (guitar) and Lieberknecht (drums) listen to a lot of other types of music apart from metal. I do too, but perhaps to a lesser degree. But I think it’s cool to try to incorporate elements from many genres into our stuff. Its more exciting that way. As I wrote earlier, I really dig old school extreme metal, but that does not mean I am opposed to innovation/experimentation or developing our sound in a novel direction.  

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name Black Sun Brotherhood'?

ANSWER: The black sun symbol is taken from alchemy. It was inspired by that and the concept of “nigredo”. In psychological terms, nigredo is kind of a metaphor for “the dark night of the soul” - when an individual confronts the shadow within. These types of ideas/concepts inspired the name.  

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

ANSWER: The artwork is by Cornelis Galle I, and it’s called “Lucifer” and it dates back to 1595. I thought is was an amazing piece and fit our album concept perfectly. The cover was then later developed by a great designer friend of ours. I think it looks fucking superb. 

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

ANSWER: I think our first concert was the coolest one. We played with Blodstrupmoen and Execration in Fredrikstad, Norway. Both excellent Norwegian metal bands. It was a cool night. Imagine the Beatles playing live on a lot of acid in the ninth circle of Hell. It was dynamite. All the bitches wanted to fuck us, and all the men wanted to be us. A night to remember for sure! 

9.On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of underground metal?

ANSWER: Well, so far the reception has been very good – but it’s still early! And honestly, we have not really been very professional about promoting the band or the release yet. Hopefully we will get our shit together (we will see about that!). This day and age it seems everything in terms of band promotion happens via social media, and it’s just so boring really. Now, I am on social media myself so I am a bit of a hypocrite, but I can’t stand this increasing global cellphone addiction going on. I am very ambivalent about social media too. It has some good sides to it, but other aspects of social media are just unbelievably dull.  

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

ANSWER: We are working on a new album already – and its coming along well. I think it’s most important for us to try to write better songs and develop our own sound all the time. 

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

ANSWER: In terms of extreme metal I like Slayer, Morbid Angel, Bathory and Carcass. Those are my favorites and they have been influential on me for sure. Other than that, I also like stuff like Mastodon, Tool, Danzig, Type O Negative and the like. More rock oriented material like Pink Floyd and progressive acts like King Crimson can be very cool also. Industrial/electronic bans like Laibach and NIN are very cool also. There is a time and place for everything. These days I listen a lot to Ghost and Chelsea Wolfe, both excellent artists, and I think I am a bit addicted to them both.  

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

ANSWER: Thank you for taking interest in the band! Thanks to our amigos in Metal Blast Records, Grand Sounds PR and the metal underground! Keep the underground alive! Also, be sure to check out our internet pages: 

https://www.facebook.com/blacksunbrotherhoodnorway

https://blacksunbrotherhood.wordpress.com/