Mithridatum/Harrowing/Willowtip Records/2023 Full Length Review

 

  Mithridaum  are  a  band  from  the  United  States  that  plays  a  dissonant  form  of  blackened  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Harrowing"  which  will  be  released  in  2023  by  Willowtip  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  riffing  also  adds  in a   lot  of  dissonant  structures.  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  brutal  sounding  blast  beats  can be   heard  along  with  the  vocals  also  being  a  mixture  of  black  metal  screams  and  death  metal  growls  and  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs.  Clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Mithridaum  plays  a  style  of  blackened  death  metal  that  is  very  dissonant  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dissonance,  despondency,  isolation,  entropy  and  abyss  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Mithridaum  are  a  very  decent  sounding  dissonant  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of t his  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMEDNED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sojourn"  and  "The  passageway".  7  out  of  10.

   https://mithridatum.bandcamp.com/album/harrowing       

Terror Cross Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new full length and split?

We've been busy composing new evil songs! Not rushing though, we want our next album to be fucking sick!

2.So far this year you have released a split and a full length, musically how do they differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

The full length is actually a compilation of re-recorded versions of our older songs we did for our 10th anniversary, so it's only tighter versions of those songs that were already out! The songs for the split we did mostly in 2 weeks before the recordings, but they turned out killer!

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the newer music and also how would you describe your progress as songwriters over the years?

We just worship evil and sexual sins in our lyrics. We don't put too much thought in songwriting, we just start rocking on good riffs and then try to do a couple of more cool riffs with it and the song is pretty much done.

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

Cross means risti in Finnish, so in Finnish our name would be Terror Risti and which is almost written like Terroristi (a terrorist) which fits us perfectly since we are against religion and we are also musical terrorists.

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

We were thinking what it would need and just thought definitely some evil weapon wielding demon riding a sick fucking tank! Artwork is by @eye_dust in Instagram, go check his 

wicked artwork out!

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

Last show we did with Bonehunter, Rapid and Repression was definitely up there with the best! House was almost full and all the bands delivered sick shows!

As for our live presence, we just go there, play loud distorted noise while drinking beer!

7.Recently you have done some 'Carnivore' and 'Manowar' covers, what was the decision behind doing your own versions of their songs?

Carnivore cover was originally in our horrible 1st demo, so we wanted to re-do it too to make it justice because we fucking love Carnivore! Manowar one we picked because there are few things more METAL than early Manowar!

8.Recently you where apart of a split with 'Nattmaran', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?

Fucking killer band and great fucking guys too!

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

We've had a little attention in the past we think but things are getting better and we've had good reactions especially lately!

Our main goal is to get to play in Japan at some point, and at the moment we are discussing some possibilities of gigs abroad.

10.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Bitchlord has his own solo project called Bandit that just released it's debut called 'Mad Rocker' earlier this year by Hamask Records! Speed heavy black punk!!

Hellstorm bangs the drums for "the Numbshades" that just released a new EP, and is in the studio finalizing the first release for the black metal duo "Durthang Spellcaster".

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

We are comfortable where we are, no need to start transitioning to something else!

12.What are some of the bands or musical styles the band members are currently listening to nowadays?

We listen to stuff ranging from synth pop, old school rap to war metal. Anything that sounds good really!

Been listening to lot's of Iron Maiden, Sabbat, Voivod, Gorillaz and GZA lately for example.

13.How would you describe your views on Satanism and Occultism?

It's always good to practice evil and worship Satan!

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

 Go get our split with Nattmaran if you:re a friend of filth and play it LOUD AS FUCK!!!

 HELL IS OUR FORCE AND POWER!!!

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Various/Dark Side Of The Sacred Star/Peaceville Records/2022 Compilation Album Review

 

 This  is  a  review  of  a  compilation  put  out  by  Peaceville  Records  called  "Dark  Side  Of  The  Star"  which  consists  of  the  more  black  metal  orientated  side  of  the  label  which  will  also  be  released  in  December  and  we  will  review  the  songs  one  by  one.

  Mortem  brings  us  "Aftermath"  which  starts  out  with  some  heavy  riffing  while  synths  can  also  be  heard  in  the  background.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  grim  black  metal  screams  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  song  also  add  in  a  lot  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly..

  RUim  brings  us  "O  Sino  da  Igreja"  which  starts  out  with  some  spoken  word  parts  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  melody  while  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  when  the  music  speeds  up  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  chaotic  style.

  Darkthrone  brings  us  "Impeccable  Caverns  of  Satan"  which  starts  out  with  some  slow  doom  metal  style  riffing  while  dark  sounding  melodies  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  Vocals  are  done  in  mostly  a  first  wave  90's  black  metal  style  close  to  Hellhammer's  and  Celtic  Frost's  early  work  and  the  music  is  different  from their  earlier  material.

  Sigh  brings  us  "Mayonaka  No  Kali"  which  starts  out  with  some  clear  vocals  and  keyboards  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  musical  direction.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  the,  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  add  in  a lot  of  melody  and  the  music  also  brings  in  avant  garde,  psychedelic  elements  and  more  aggressive  blackened  vocals.  

  Doedsmaghird  brings  us  "The,  To  Darkness  Return"  which  starts  out  with  a  very  fast  and  raw  sound  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  music  also  focuses  more  on  a  chaotic  and  classic  Norwegian  style.

  Kvist  brings  us  "Gaerne  Sia  av  Fjorden"  which  starts out  with  a  very  fast,  raw  and  melodic  sound  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Atmospheric  sounding  synths  can  also  be  heard  in the  background  while  the  music  also  remains  true  to  the  90's  era  of  black  metal  and  the  track  is  also  an  instrumental.

  Mork  brings  us  "Alrunens  Hevn"  which  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.  The  synths  also  give  the  music  more  of  an  atmospheric  feeling  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in a  lot  of  melody  and  most  of  the  track  also  sticks  to  a  mid  tempo  direction.

  Mortuary  Drape  brings  us  "The  Secret  Lost"  which  starts  out  with  some  grim  black  metal  screams  before  adding  in  some  bass  leads  and  melodic  riffing   while  the  faster  sections  of t he  song  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  add  in a   lot  of  melody  and  the  music  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  early  90's  era.

  Avmakt  brings  us  "Bitter  Carved  Hollow"  which  starts  out  with  a  very  distorted  sound  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  black  metal  metal  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking.  Vocals  are  mostyl  grim  screams  and  the  music  sticks  to  a  very  violent  direction.

  Hellripper  brings  us  "Mephistophelian  Dreams"  which  starts  out  with  some  elements  of  thrash  and  speed  metal  while t he  faster  sections  of t he  song  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast b eats.  Vocals  are  mostly  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  being  heavily  rooted  in  the  first  wave  era  and  also  adding  in  the  raw  energy  of  punk  rock. 

  Dodheimsgard  brings  us  "Stemmen  fra  Evigheten"  which  starts  out  with  a  very  fast,  raw,  melodic  and  chaotic  sound  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast beats.  Vocals  are  mostyl  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  and  the  song  also  adds  in  some  elements  of  industrial  as  well  as  some  clear  vocals  also  being  used  briefly.  

  SnorreRuch  brings  us  "Helvete  Theme"  which  starts  out  with  a  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  while  also  keeping  everything  industrial  and  the  track  also  sticks  to  a  mid  tempo  direction  as  well a s  sticking  to  the  heavier  side.

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  the  different  styles  of  black  metal.  8  out  of  10.

  https://Peaceville.lnk.to/DSOTSS 

  

Sirrush Interview

 

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

Well the most important thing was finding the right label for our music and above all that accepted our musical proposal. During the research we worked on curating the image of the band, refining the design of the logo, creating a lyric video for "Molon Labe" and I personally created Greek sets and costumes for the video of "A son set his father free", and from then on we have been rehearsing our songs in the rehearsal room to be prepared for future concerts.

2.You have a new album coming out towards the end of the month, musically how doe sit differ form the stuff you have released in the past?

Well let's say that in the way of making the composition more mature with more articulated and technical guitar riffs and druming "The era of Ishtar'' we brought Sirrush more on a death metal style but we were still careful with maintaining the melodic and atmospheric lines that characterize us and which certainly will never fail.

3.This is also your first release since 2011, can you tell us a little bit ore about what has been going on during this time frame?

The main reason is the line-up, the previous guitarist and composer of had to leave the band for personal reasons, and finding a replacement capable of getting into the spirit and melodies related to Sirrush was not easy at all.

During the research I began to study guitar and over time I developed ideas that in my opinion could fit the name Sirrush, but this took years, until I met Tiyris, a talented guitarist who found the material interesting. He decided to join the band revisiting and composing other songs, and in this way we managed to complete a new album, the current Molon Labe.

4.The lyrics on the new album cover Greek History and Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?

I just finished reading the book ''The shield of Talos" a novel by Valerio Massimo Manfredi, where at a certain point in history the protagonist is inside Thermopylae where a part of the clash between Spartans and Persians took place.

I was so fascinated and intrigued by the story that I decided to deepen this story with other books, films and various documentaries, I entered so much into that world that I was pervaded by a strong inspiration that I then turned into music so that I could dedicate an album to their epic story under the notes of Sirrush.

5.The bands name and some of the earlier lyrics come from 'Babylon Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your research into this topic?

The band was born as a tribute band to the Swedish Marduk, then we felt the need to start producing our own music. Our first Ep "The era of ishtar" was born.

Learning about the Babylonian culture specifically about the goddess Ishtar we discovered that at the gates of her temple a creature composed of several animal parts called Sirrush was depicted, it served as a guard to the temple. We liked the name very much and decided to use it.

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

The cover is a painting made by me, the singer of the band, where through my imagination I tried to recreate the path of these soldiers inside the thermopylae guided by their patriotic and protest spirit towards the Persian threat.

The goddess Athena above them is the representation of this thought, as it shows them the way to reach the freedom denied them.

In the foreground, we see a soldier playing the Aulos (an ancient Greek flute) that was played during the war marches. It was not intended to inflame or spur souls, but to moderate and calm them.

These details serve to make the viewer of the painting experience this great moment under the notes of our music.

7.Has the band had any opportunities to do live shows?

We have been booked for some summer festivals outside Italy, in the meantime we are getting ready!

8.The new album is coming out on 'Non Serviam Records', how did you get in contact with this label?

When the album was completed we were looking for a label compatible with our genre and willing to listen and appreciate our musical proposal and among the various ones, Non Serviam Records finding our style interesting, offered us a contract. After an email exchange, we happily shook our hands!

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

I was afraid of this reaction as the genre was a little different from the previous work and having also composed some riffs for the first time, I was insecure because of my unbearable self-criticism! But when Molon Labe came out, it really had a big positive impact, and we got a good response and after years of work this is what pays off the most.

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

Well in my vision I see it in the big stages, but I know that it is not an easy path and that requires commitment and perseverance, but that's what I want to believe at the moment.

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?

Well we don't know how to compare ourselves to current bands yet, however we recognize the epic and atmospheric side of our music with groups from Greece such as Astarte, Lloth, Kawir, Macabre Omen.

While my style has been very influenced by two of my favorite Italian bands which I consider my mentors: Legion of Darkness and Heruka.

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

That it was a pleasure to answer your questions, and that we can have this pleasure for the next albums too!

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialSirrush
https://www.instagram.com/sirrush.band/
https://www.youtube.com/user/SIRRUSHOFFICIAL
https://officialsirrush.bandcamp.com

wXdXw Interview

 

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

1. WXDXW is a collaboration with myself and K.M. We met on Twitter after being fans of each other's music and threw some tracks back and forth. He handles all of the music and I handle the vocals and lyrics.

2.You have a split coming out sometime in November, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on yourside of the recording?

2.We go for basically visceral and aggressive as a default . This split is no different 

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

3.Its definitely a darker themed project . Lyrics dealing with paranoia, oppression, greed and the cold nature of our environment globally and locally .

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

4K.M. came up with it ..it's a word that immediately conjures thoughts of loss and hopelessness..the idea of how does anyone pick up the pieces ,how does anyone move on after something that changes everything. It's certainly a feeling we both have dealt with a lot.

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

5. I wasn't involved in the artwork for the split 

6.Has the band done any live shows yet or is this strictly a studio project?

6. Its currently a studio project ,we don't have any plans to do it live yet , but who know what the future holds .

7.Recently the band was a part of a split with 'Absolute Fucking Bastard', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?

7.AFB fucking rips

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

8. So far so good ..I would be lying if I said it was something that was really on our minds though. It's nice to have people like what we do ,but ultimately we're just trying to express ourselves and make sounds we like.

9.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

9. I will say 2023 there will definitely be more music from us .What form that takes as far as a release I don't know yet. 

10.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?

10. We are both influenced by a lot of different music . Super heavy stuff , melodic stuff , goth stuff . Too many bands and artists to list .. lately I've been listening to Suicide Cages and Elizabeth Colour Wheel.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

11. Our lives pretty much revolve around music . We both have several music projects and he's got the label stuff going on as well, but I don't think either of us would have it any other way 

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

12. Thanks for having me and checking out the music ! We hope you enjoy the spit, you'll see a lot more of us in the next year!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdUrbarEmXo

Appalling/Sacrilege/Personal Records/2022 Full Length Review

 

  Appaling  are  a  band  from  Richmond,  Virginia  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  album  "Sacrilege"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Personal  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.

  Tremolo  picking  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  faster  riffing  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a decent  amount  of  melody.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a   decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  being  done  in  a  very  melodic  yet  chaotic  style  when t hey  are utilized  and  the  whole  album  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction,  spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  on  the  closing  track.

  On  this  recording  Appaling  remain  true  to  the  blackened  death  metal  style  that  they  had  established  on  their  previous  release.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Anti  Christianity  and  Mental  Illness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Appaling  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Life  In  Prism"  "Father  Inferior"  and  "These  People  need  To  Die". 8  out  of  10.

    http://personal-records.bandcamp.com/album/sacrilege 

www.facebook.com/appallingmusic

Absolute Fucking Bastard Interview

 

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

1.  AFB started out as me simply wanting to make something that was not only heavy but also very abrassive. as a one man project ive got complete control over what that means which i like. My music taste is varied but typically i tend to like chaotic, dissonate heavy music. Seeing bands like Full Of Hell change their sound from album to album while still being heavy inspired me to try to up the "heavy" factor while not being a copy of a million other "heavy" bands. 

2.So far you have released a full length and also have been a part of a split, musically how do they both differ from each other?

2. I think both offer something different and special. I feel like putting out a split you have to try to match the other bands songs, in every way. no one wants to be the bad part of a split so it pushes you to make your best stuff. whereas your own album it lends itself to being creative. you have control. you can do what you want which is also nice. 

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

3. i tend to be a nihilist and with this project even more so. i want the lyrics to match the music, i want the gravity of both to just crush people. Basically i want someone to hear the words and be like "ive been there on my worst day" and relate to that. 

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Absolute Fucking Bastard'?

4. The name of the band comes from something someone once said in passing about someone. In talking about how vile that person was they called them "an absolute fucking bastard" which stuck with me. It was true but also when i hear it now it brings up a picture, or an idea of someone. and given how dark the project is, i wanted the listener to get that feeling as well. we have all known that person. it sets us on edge, it conjurs thoughts and feelings and thats what i wanted. to me, special bands grab you with their name and their image/artwork and with their songs. its a whole, complete package sort of thing. 

5.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that was presented on the full length cover?

5. The artwork was something i had found one night when going through images and to me, it felt fitting. I have always tendes to gravitate toward artwork that grabs me. and its even better when its fitting with the music that goes with it. to me, it felt that the image represented the music in a way that made it feel complete to me.

6.Has the band had any opportunities to do any live shows?

6. being a one man band means there are no shows. i grew up in the punk/hardcore scene, playing shows alot. i do miss it but at the same time, i dont miss all the stuff that goes with playing shows. At this point i can pretty much promise there wont ever be any AFB live shows. however i like to think that if there were that they would not only be loud as fuck but also super intense. 

7.So far very little is known about the band other than a bandcamp page, are you planning on expanding your presence in the future or do you prefer to keep a lower profile?

7. With it being a one man project (as well as being one of many of my projects) it doesnt get the attention it may deserve. at this point i dont have any plans to do more with it. For me its simply an outlet and a way to express myself, and the fact that people seem to dig it and get into it is just a huge bonus. 

8.Recently you where a part of a split with 'wXdXw', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?

8. Well i am also part of WxDxW so i tend to like the band, lol. However it was my first experience working with the other half of the band and i can flat out say that was soo awesome and fun. super rewarding to see what they did with the songs, which to  me, elevated them so much more than i had thought was possible. definitely something i really enjoyed and look forward to being a part of in the future and doing more with. 

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

9. to be completely honest there has been minimal reaction/interaction with it (most of it to do with my lack of getting the word out and promotion, but also because there is alot of music coming out and alot of insanely great heavy music) however i will say that all of the interactions ive had regarding AFB have been really great and positive. I hope and think that being a part of this split as well as putting it out on Syrup Moose Records will only help and boost the profile of the band. 

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

10. ideally id like to experiment more. Soundscapes, noise, ambient stuff while still keeping the sound and feel of the band. Alot of what i listen to "heavy music" wise finds bands trying new things or pushing themselves. which is what i want to do. Any band can throw down a 220bpm of blast beats and play heavy, fast stuff but its the bands who can do that while also adding something dynamic that really interests me. pushing your limits as a band/as a creative person. Musically, thematically, artistically. just strive to go bigger, harder, faster

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?

11. As i mentioned before This Is Hell is a big favorite. Also Pig Destroyer (regardless of how you feel about them, their constantly changing approach and challenging themselves is something more bands should strive toward). Gouge Away is another great band. Homeskin is absolutely killer. TH Speedball is a homie who has definitely pushed me to try new stuff and challenge myself. The stuff Florence + The Machine has been putting out, while not sonically in the same realm as AFB i think is equal at least artistically to what i want to do and strive to do. 

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

12. Firstly, thank you for doing the interview and allowing me to be a part of it. Its great to see people/blogs take interest in smaller bands/artists. Being a part of the music scene for so long too often smaller bands/artists get over looked or pushed to the side. So its awesome to not only be a part of it but also to see it happen.

Lastly, just enjoy music and artists. find and support small bands/artists/labels. They are what makes the world go around. Every band starts somewhere so take a minute to listen/tweet/tag/support small bands/artists/labels/venues. 

Thanks Again

-K.M

https://absolutefuckingbastard.bandcamp.com/