Cultus Sanguine/Live At Midnight Club/My Kingdom Music/2024 Live Album Review

 

    This  is  the  final  review  of  an  album  from  Italy's  Cultus  Sanguine  which  shows  them  bringing  their  blackened  mixture  of  doom  and  gothic  metal  to  the  live  stage  and  the  album  was  released  in  2024  by  My  Kingdom  Music  and  called  "Live  At  Midnight  Club".

  Live  audience  reaction  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  gothic  metal  style  keyboards  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  mixes  in  with  the  heavier  sections  of  the  songs.  Vocals  are  done  in  more  of  an  angry  shouting  style  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  elements  of  doom metal.

  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  some  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.

  Black  metal  screams  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording,  all  of  the  songs  are  recorded  live  and  all  of  the  tracks  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  tempo  direction.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  life,  sorrow  and  depression  themes  and  a  couple  of  tracks  are  also  written  in  Italian.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Cultus  Sanguine  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  dark,  doom  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  live  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Sum  of  All  Fears"  "Dust  once  Alive"  "The  Graves  Forgot  My  Name"  and  "We  Have  no  Mother".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/JoeCultusSanguine/?_rdc=1&_rdr    

Cultus Sanguine/The Sum of All Fears/My Kingdom Music/2024 Album Re-Issue Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Italy's  Cultus  Sanguine  which  shows  the  music  going  for    mixture  of  black,  doom  and  gothic  metal  and  the  album  was  originally  released  in  1999  and  called  "The  Sum  of  All  Fears"  and  was  re-issued  in  2024  by  My  Kingdom  Music.

  Stringed  instruments  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  doom  metal  direction  which  also  mixes  in  some  keyboards.  A  lot  of  the  vocals  are  done  in  a  angry  spoken  style  while  the  clear  vocals  add  in  touches  of  gothic  metal   and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  some  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a small  amount  of  clean  playing.  Elements  of  black  and  dark  metal  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  some  melodies  also  being  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  and  the  whole  album  sticks  to  a  slower  direction.

  On  this  album  Cultus  Sanguine  focused  more  on  a  dark  metal  style  which  kept  the  elements  of  goth  and  doom  metal  from  their  previous  release  and  focused  less  on  the  black  metal  side.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  depression,  solitude  and  life  and  a  couple  of  tracks  are  also  written  in  Italian.

  In  my  opinion  this  as  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Cultus  Sanguine  and  if  you are  a  fan  of  black, d ark,  doom  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Sum  Of  All  Fears"  "A  Grave  Upon  Mankind"  and  "As  A  Funeral  Inside".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/JoeCultusSanguine/?_rdc=1&_rdr

    

Cultus Sanguine/Shadows' Blood/My Kingdom Music/2024 Album re-issue Review

 

  Cultus  Sanguine  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  doom  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  1997  album  "Shadows  Blood"  which  was  re-issued  in  2024  by  My  kingdom  Music.

  Heavy  guitars  and  keyboards  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clear  gothic  metal  vocals  a  few  seconds  later.  Elements  of  doom  metal  are  also  added  into  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  while  the  harsh  vocals  are  mostly  grim  black  metal  screams,  spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  can  also  be  heard  on  a  few  tracks.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  while  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody.  Clean  playing  is  also  introduced  on  one  of  the  tracks  along  with  some  of  the  vocals  also  adding  in  a  few  angry  shouts  at  times  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  slower  direction,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  On  this  recording  Cultus  Sanguine  took  black,  doom  and  gothic  metal  and  mixed  them  together  to  create  their  own  style  of  dark  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  depression,  life  and  sorrow  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  this  was  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Cultus  Sanguine  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  doom  and  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Calling  Illusion"  "We  Have  No  Mother"  and  "Silent  Tunes  of  Falling  Blood".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/JoeCultusSanguine/?_rdc=1&_rdr   

Respire/Hiraeth/Dine Alone Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Respire  are  a  band  from  Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada  that  plays  a  mixture  of  post  black  metal,  hardcore  and  screamo  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Hiraeth"  which  was  released  by  Dine  Alone  Records.

  Distorted  soundscapes  and  nature  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  orchestration  can  also  be  heard  at  times.  Vocals  mix  both  the  black  metal  and  screamo  styles  together  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  good  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.

  Clear  vocals  are  also  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  album  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Clean  playing  is  also  added  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  the  mid  tempo  sections  of  recording  also  adding  in  elements  of  post  hardcore,  melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Growls  are  also  utilized  at  times  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  along  with  a  couple  of  the  tracks  also  being  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  some  saxophones,  stringed  instruments ,  folk  instruments  and  synths  also  being  added  on  a  few  songs,  one  track  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  immigration  and  shared  humanity  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Respire  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  post  black  metal,  hardcore  and  screamo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Keening"  "First  Snow"  "The  Sun  Sets  Without  Us"  and  "Do  The  Birds  Still  Sing?".  8  out  of  10.

  

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Chapel Of Samhain/Black Onyx Cave/Helldprod Records/2024 Cassette Review

 

  Chapel  Of  Samhain  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  plays  a  blackened  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Black  Onyx  Cave"  which  was  released  on  cassette  by  Helldprod  Records.

  Horror  movie  style  keyboards  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  a  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  early  90's  era.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  The  faster  riffs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  tremolo  picking  along  with  a  lot  of  the  music  also  sounding  like  it  could  of  easily  recorded  and  release  more  than  30  years  ago.  

  Keyboards  also  return  on  later  tracks  and  one  of  the  songs  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Gregorian  chants  can  also be  heard  briefly  as  the  album  progresses.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  in  the  90's  tradition  while  the  lyrics  cover  Alchemy,  Philosophy  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Chapel  Of  Samhain  are  a  very  great  sounding  blackened  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  cassette.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Flesh"  and  "Ether".  8  out  of  10.

  https://chapelofsamhain.bandcamp.com  

  

 

Demiser/Slave To The Scythe/Metal Blade Records/Black Light Media/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Demiser  are  a  band  from  South  Carolina  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Slave  To  The  Scythe"  which  will  be  released  in  August  by  Metal  Blade  Records  and  Black  Light  Media.

  Drum  beats  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  thrash  metal  direction  while  the  solos  and  leads  bring  in  elements  of  traditional  metal  and  rock'n'roll.  Vocals  are mostly  grim  sounding  grim  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  music  also  mixing  a  first  wave  style  with  a  more  modern  touch.

  Blast  beats  are  also  added  into  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  tracks  also  adding  in a   good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

 The  solos  and  leads  also  having  their  melodic  moments  along  with  some  tremolo  picking  also  being added  into  some  of  the  faster  riffing as  well  as  some death  metal  growls  also  being  utilized  at  times,  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  the  closing  track  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Occultism,  Anti  Christianity,  Debauchery  and  Desecration  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Demiser  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Feast"  "Phallomancer  The  Phallomancer"  "Hell  is  Full  of  Fire"  and  "In  Nomine  Baphomet".  8  out  of  10.

  https://www.facebook.com/demiserofficial

https://www.instagram.com/demiserofficial
https://demiser.bandcamp.com
https://open.spotify.com/artist/7iyvhUCN6kVoqHS1QvVGPB

Prime Evil 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 ep? 

ANDY: We have begun writing and arranging new music for a 2025 release, and we just finished a video for “Evilution Decree X” 

2.In May you released a new ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording? 

ANDY: It is an anniversary re-release of our 2012 EP with 2 added classic anniversary bonus tracks.....all new recordings. The older songs (Kill For Me & Terminal Dementia) evolved over the years into a heavier, nastier delivery. As a matter of fact, these are reminiscent of the insane live versions we used to perform.

 MIKE: We’ve never tried writing a specific style. Our writing develops organically, it’s never forced or contrived. We listen to so many different genres of Metal and other types of music, so our writing style includes all that we are fans of and want to hear ourselves. 

3.A lot the music was re-recorded tracks, what was the decision behind newer versions of your older songs?

 ANDY: There was a logistical problem with getting those tunes on a digital platform. Taking into account the classic songs were recorded over 40 years ago… We took the opportunity to re-recorded them with drummer Antonio Padilla, killer new guitar tracks and a much improved production.

 4.The band was broken up for 18 years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?

 ANDY: We originally broke up in 1992…members went onto married life, children, careers etc. The most tenured lineup reformed in 2010 for some classic live shows. One of the major factors in 2010 was Brian Pattinson (R.I.P.) publishing the ‘GLORIOUS TIMES’ pictorial book and prominently featuring Prime Evil….we were completely honored and just waiting for a kick in the ass to reunite. 

MIKE: So, both stories are quite more involved than that, and I know that Andy doesn’t want to go there, but fuck it, I will haha. We disbanded in July of 1992 because the previous year, a record contract that we were negotiating fell through when the company went bankrupt. Our friends in Demolition Hammer convinced their label Century Media Records to come out to New York to see us perform. We played a showcase audition for them but afterwards they told us that we were too technical. After we were unable to procure a record deal, our drummer at that time quit for a second time, and we recruited a friend of mine Matt Mayfield (Violent Plague). Shortly after that, our second guitarist quit for the second time as well. That left us a four piece, but we had never sounded tighter. Gene Hoglan of Dark Angel and Chuck Shuldiner of Death tried getting Combat to sign us during that time as well. We had a show at The Marquee in NYC in July of 1992 with Brutal Truth and Incantation. I told the rest of the members that if we don’t get signed at that show, I am disbanding PRIME EVIL. After we got off stage, I asked Combat’s A & R rep if they had any interest in signing us and he told me “No.” I told the rest of the band and that was the end of it at that time. I joined Demolition Hammer a month later, our bassist Mary Ciullo joined Incantation for a bit, and Andy and a former guitarist joined a local band. As for the reformation of PRIME EVIL in 2010… I had been in a car accident in 2006 that permanently straightened my cervical spine (which is supposed to be curved), flattening my spinal cord and causing serious issues. I had very limited use of my arms, hands, and especially fingers. I could not grasp or hold things or play guitar. It took years of procedures, surgeries, therapies, and implants until I could control my hands and fingers for the most part. In 2009 I started playing the bass guitar to build up the strength in my fingers. My fingertips were still very sensitive so I could not touch a normal guitar string because it hurt. After 9 months of rehabbing on the bass guitar, I was finally able to play a nylon string acoustic guitar, and eventually a steel string acoustic guitar. By the winter of 2010 I was finally playing electric guitar again, but I lost my muscle memory and when I tried playing faster, more difficult riffs, my fingers wouldn’t go where I wanted them to. It took me a few more months of practicing, but I finally got my fingers to play what I wanted them to. I studied jazz and theory during this time as well as audio recording, engineering, and production. By the Summer of 2010 I was writing new songs and itching to jam. I was hoping to reform PRIME EVIL with the last line-up of Andy, Mary, and Matt. I contacted Matt first, but he told me he no longer played drums. So, I contacted one of our other drummers Tad Leger (Toxic) but he also said he rarely played drums anymore as he is playing guitar. Next, I got in touch with Brandon from Ripping Corpse, but he was out in Chicago and not interested in coming back to NY. Then, Andy contacted me about the Glorious Times publication and we set up a day to meet. Guess who shows up besides Andy? The former drummer and guitarist who had both quit twice on us. They were the last two fuckers I wanted to ever see, but I put my shit aside and made nice, and we reformed that day. It was no surprise that they both would quit a year later for the third time each. 

5.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored over the years with the music?

 ANDY: A lot of my compositions deal with the deranged sickness of mankind and many aspects of society. Not preachy but mostly expressing my disgust at our devastating abuse of the planet and each other. I also like to use historic events to illustrate cautionary tales. 

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Prime Evil'? 

ANDY: PRIME EVIL refers to the ultimate evil….mankind; and our penchant for self destruction. 

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

 ANDY: The Prime Evil demon was first drawn by a friend of the band in the early days. We continued to evolve that demon theme throughout the years….with the last version into full functioning form, drawn by Rodney Githens. It loosely represents the ugly faces and deeds of our ancestors.

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

ANDY: We were honored to play with an incredible array of influential and upcoming bands. A top show was opening for The Ultimate Revenge 2 tour with DEATH and Dark Angel. Also meeting Sepultura and playing with them on their first show in the U.S. Opening for Morbid Angel twice on the Altars of Madness tour. Playing with Death and Carcass in Buffalo, NY. There were also many early shows with Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, Demolition Hammer, Incantation, Suffocation, Ripping Corpse, Immolation, Cynic, Malevolent Creation, Revenant…..all bands were so hungry back then, we were all forces to be reckoned with…great times. 

MIKE: I would describe our stage performance as energetic. If we’re not getting into our own music, why would anyone else? 

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

ANDY: Fingers crossed for modern medicine,,haha….but no plans. Only studio and recording…..right now. 

10.The new ep was released on 'CDN Records', how would you compare working with this label to your previous label 'Inferno Records'.? 

ANDY: We were planning on just a digital release but CDN stepped up and offered to release it on CD. We are very happy to work with them. Comparatively, they are basically similar in their contracts and offerings. We happen to know our A & R rep Cam who offered us the deal with CDN, so we trust them. We have the highest regards for Fab and INFERNO RECORDS….. he has supported us going back to the 80’s. We are honored to have worked with him. 

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

ANDY:We have been very pleased by the strong response and have been fielding messages and inquiries from all over the world. And I see a lot of new names and younger fans also…..We are very happy thus far.

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

ANDY: We are currently working with the mindset that it doesn’t matter how many new songs we write…they all have to kick ass and meet our current standards. If 4-5 killer tunes come out then it will be an EP. If things take off…it could be a full length…..quality not quantity. I'm excited to be working….

 MIKE: We are just going to continue to write music organically that satisfies us. PRIME EVIL has always been a culmination of the different styles and genres of music that we enjoy and will continue that way. Music is ever changing, but we will always be on the dark side of it. 

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

ANDY: I have to admit I only listen to songs from 1940 thru 1990…haha I love the old classis from doo wop to Thrash….but don’t really listen to any current music that much. 

MIKE: Hahaha. There is so much good new music out, it’s insane. The past year saw new releases by Cannibal Corpse, Malignancy, Immolation, Suffocation, Incantation, Skeletal Remains, Deicide, Job for a Cowboy, and Aborted. New GRID, Sickbay, and Festergore coming out soon as well. 

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

ANDY: Thanks so much for the interview and support. We will literally thrash to death. Hail and horns! 

MIKE: Thank you for the opportunity to promote our music, we greatly appreciate it! \m/\m

https://www.facebook.com/real.prime.evil

https://www.instagram.com/primeevilband/

https://cdnrecords.com/label-artists/prime-evil/