Crush The Altar Interview

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

At this point in time the group consists of three members, until we fit a bassist. It started with myself and joe, crafting ideas of a new project. We began writing material which led to 4 complete songs, musically. After further thought, we decided we wanted to head in an different direction from the material we had in hand at that time, and eventually left those 4 tracks behind, to revamp things. Later into that revamp, john joined the group on second guitar. The revamp then yielded the 3 tracks heard on this demo.

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?
The material certainly has its thrash backbone. Amongst it however, are aspects of others styles pulling out a darker overall element to the music. I suppose the material in these 3 songs exhibit emphasis on precision in the writing, and we translated that over when working with steve in the studio, while recording the songs. We had a great experience working with Steve Roche at permanent hearing damage, as it was a first time working with Steve for any of us. Nothing but respect for Steve, both personally, and in his way work.

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

The lyrical content within these demo songs is pretty interpretable. Much of the content deals within a dark nature, to suffocate the light.

.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Crush The Altar'?

I think each of us could answer that in our own way. To take a vague approach rather then an in depth and prolonged rationale... To me, the word ‘altar’ represents everything I despise. Everything harmful to the progression of man, and his surroundings. The crushing of these things is to be understood as the definite end of such.

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

The artwork was done by Muhammah Candra. The artwork describes a profound commitment to the things that mask or cloud our progression, even in the darkest of times. When facing the end, believing there is haven, when the end is imminent.

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

Crush the Altar has not played out yet. We are not a studio only band by any means, and we will get there. We are in the process of fitting a bassist meanwhile, as stated above.

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

Not at the moment.

8.Redefining Darkness are release the physical version of the ep, how did you get in contact with this label?

Via email. I became aware of Redefining Darkness due to their presence on social media.

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

So far, so good. We appreciate the reviews on the demo thus far.

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

Time will tell with the follow up release. We are in the process of writing.

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?

Regarding influence on ‘our’ music, 80s and 90s thrash and death. Old Vader, Sodom, Morbid Angel, etc. I’m listening to a lot of different things. As far as heavier stuff. Lately, a good bit of Crurifragium, cerebral rot, superstition, dequisitor, etc.

12.Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?

Neither play a role in our music. Our content does deal with ‘religion’ but at no point is inspired by satanism.

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

Thank you Thomas for releasing this demo. Thank you to our friends.

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Kafka/Self Titled/Wooaaargh/2019 EP Review

  Kafka  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  plays  a  mixture  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  crust  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2019  ep  which  will  be  released  in  July by  Wooaaargh.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.  Vocals  are  mostly  done  in  an  angry  hardcore  style  as  well  as  adding  in  some  black  metal  screams  at  times  and  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  At  times  the  music  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  along  with  the  music  also  mixing  in  elements  of  crust,  d  beat  and  post  hardcore.  A  decent  amount  of  melody  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  During  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  they  also  bring  in  one  very  short  song  and  another  track  that  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  as  the  ep  progresses  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  anti  fascism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Kafka  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  post  hardcore  and  crust  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Disgrace"  and  "Abandon  All  Hope".  8  out  of  10.

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Scumripper/All Veins Blazing/Hells Headbangers/2019 CD Review

  Scumripper  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  has  had  music  reviewed  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  black,  death,  thrash  metal  and  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "All  Veins  Blazing"  which  will  be  released  on  June  28th  by  Hells  Headbangers.

  Spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  and  faster  musical  direction  which  also  mixes  thrash  metal  and  hardcore  punk  together.  Vocals  are  mostly  aggressive  sounding  screams  while  the  music  also  mixes  in  a  great  amount  of  first  wave  black  metal.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  short  in  length  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  dark  and  melodic  style  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  The  vocals  also  mix  in  some  mid  80's  death  metal  growls  into  some  parts  of  the  music  along  with  the  songs  also capturing  the  raw  energy  of  grindcore  at  times,  the  riffs  also a dd  in  some  melodies  at  times.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  violent  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Scumripper  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  black,  death,  thrash  metal  and  punk,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Slay.  Scum.  Day"  "Rock  The  Bone"  "All  Veins  Blazing"  and  "Death wish".  8  out  of  10.

http://scumripper-finland.bandcamp.com/album/all-veins-blazing 



    

Ares Kingdom 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 album?
We're rehearsing material for our upcoming live shows and tours, beginning with the second Metal Threat Festival in Chicago next month! These upcoming live sets will focus on new album material - unless we're playing a new city, in which case we'll throw in an older song or two.

2. Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Most people are saying it sounds very focused on core elements, and I don't disagree. The full story is that the material on 'By the Light of Their Destruction' picks up where Vulpecula left off in 1999 - but with Alex on vocals instead of me. I decided to go this direction musically and conceptually even before the official release of 'The Unburiable Dead' in 2015 since I felt that album was the apex of what AK had formed to do. Vulpecula's focus was, of course, very different from AK's, and coincidentally just before V split, Mike had joined. With that in mind, it's not a stretch to say 'By the Light of Their Destruction' is pretty much what a new Vulpecula album would have sounded like in 2000!

3. Most of the lyrics on the new album deal with mythology and occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?
Again, it's basically the Vulpecula effect. AK has touched on such topics before in songs like 'Ashen Glory' - which was partially written in the Vulpecula era, by the way. Our reputation until now has been that we focus on war, conflict, history and philosophy. By embracing Vulpecula, we bring in astronomical/cosmological elements, but even Vulpecula embraced those other concepts.

4. What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored over the years with your music?
Our 2015 album, 'The Unburiable Dead' was a conceptual album revolving around the First World War, which traced the evolution of the conflict from all perspectives. 'Incendiary' included songs about the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, religious extremism - 'Incendiary,' the mythology of the phoenix - 'Ashen Glory,' a philosophical deconstruction of the idea that the world is governed by the aggressive use of force - 'Gathering the Eagles' and the core idea behind our band's name; and my own personal philosophical reflections - 'Silent Mortal Flesh' and 'Beasts that Perish.' 'Return to Dust' contained a few more of these personal reflections, plus songs about the horrors of nuclear war - not a new topic in metal, I know - and various scenarios dealing with war and conflict.

5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
Yeah, it's 'The Ides of March' (study) by Edward John Poynter (1836-1919). It was an illustration for a later edition of Shakespeare's 'Julius Caesar,' and depicts Caesar and his wife viewing the portentious comet of 44 BC which would come to be known as Sidus Iulium, Caesar's Comet.

6. Most of the band members have a background playing extreme metal that goes back as far as the 80's, what is it that motivates you to keep going after 3 decades?
We've been close friends for decades and simply enjoy making music together, and all feel we still have something to say musically.

7. Out of all the shows and tours the band has done over the years, which one stands out the most?
It's hard to pick just one. There are loads of great memories anytime you go on a cross-continent tour. For my own part, I think the biggest surprise we've had was a show we played in Paris in 2016. The club turned into a crust punk gig (our favorite type of crowd) with bodies flying everywhere, including the stage, unplugging my pedal board...Alex accidentally bashing his head into a PA speaker...beer soaking everything. It was as awesome as it was unexpected. The tour also included losing a wheel from the van whilst tooling down an Italian highway...and I don't mean tire, I mean the entire wheel sheared off the bolts and went rolling past us on its merry way down the road...

8. What are the touring and show plans for the new album?
We're playing Metal Threat in Chicago in July, then a couple of midwest shows in September with our Canadian friends Begrime Exemious, but that's all we have on tap this year. We're currently planning fast and furious for 2020!

9. In between 2018 and 2019 you have also released 4 ep's, what was the decision behind putting out of all the releases during that time frame?
The idea was two-fold: One, to keep us on everyone's radar during the run-up to the album release, and two, to provide uninitiated fans a cheap, quick and easy exposure and history lesson for Ares Kingdom.

10. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your newer music by fans of black, death and thrash metal?
Reactions have been great so far. The production is our most primitive - on purpose, which tends to irk serious-minded journalists and professional critics more than regular fans, but I have to say that even most of the media have been able to 'hear through' the primitive production and recognize the underlying strength of the songs and concepts, which is very gratifying.

11. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
I started writing the next album before 'By the Light of Their Destruction' was even released, so I can say it is moving further in the 'By the Light...' direction - although even darker, which is simply where my compositional head and heart are these days.

12. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Oh, it's basically the same old bands as always. My main interest as a guitarist has always been massive sounding guitars and heavy, lurching riffs. Sacrilege (UK) in particular has been a huge part of my musical life since I first heard them in '87, and their subgenre, which has since become known as crust or stenchcore, has been my favorite for many years. Yeah, I still love all the old regular thrash, death and black metal as always, but in terms of what I listen to daily, I focus on bands like Femacoffin, Agnosy, Lifeless Dark, Fatum, Weald, Filth of Mankind, etc.

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thanks for the great support. Check out our website www.areskingdom.com and accompanying merch page for CDs, LPs, picture discs, shirts, etc. And if only the music matters to ya, we're also found on all major digital platforms including Bandcamp. We're also on Facebook, of course.

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Evil Angel 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 album?


Well, the record was recorded already quite some time ago, we had a lot of troubles with the mixing and mastering process and the person who originally was supposed to do it didn´t make it happen so we had to find someone with good understanding of this kind of music. Our drummer Revenant ended up doing the mix and then we used an outside source for mastering. luckily it ended up sounding really good in our opinion.


Since the recording we have rehearsed regularly  and also played our 20 year anniversary gig in Steelchaos festival here in Finland, and ofc slowly but steadily working on new material.


2.Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?


I wouldn´t say it differs musically that much. Many of the tracks have existed already several years  and the oldest ones are almost as old as the ones found in the debut album. I think there won´t be big changes musically in the future either, we will stick with the foundation that makes Evil Angel Evil Angel.


3.This is also your first release since 2008 can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time frame?


We had some line up changes, we parted with our original Drummer Diehard, and our vocalist Orgasmatron left for a few years also and during that time we played a few and select live gigs with different drummers and vocal duties were handled by Liisa from Pyrotoxic.


Von Bastard has his own thing going with Sacrilegious Impalement, in which also Tooloud and Revenant from Evil Angel are part of. They also were part of Urn for a while.


 Von Bastard and Revenant play also in Front  and me + Orgasmatron had a band called Witchtiger  where Sadoharri ( Pagan Rites etc, etc, ) was the primus motor. So we all have had other musical endeavours in the meanwhile to keep us busy.


4.All of the other band members are also involved with other bands, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Evil Angel' that you are not able to do with your other groups/


Evil Angel was the first band for most of us, so maybe it is another way around. The music from our other bands are not really that close to Evil Angel´s music and I would say that even though we do not like to limit ourselves too much musically there is not that much room for experimentation's in this kind of music. So if one needs a different outlet, naturally the best way is to have another band for that purpose.


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


I think often the interest in heavy and dark music and the occult go hand in hand and I don´t make any exception. I have never been the one to practice any rituals at least in the sense most people think of such things, nor I have followed any religious dogmas. It has been the hatred for the existing society built upon the various abrahamic religions for the most part that drives me forward to be the adversary.


6.What are some of the other lyrical topics and subjects you have explored over the years with your music?


Well if you look at the song titles we have, they are for the most part pretty much self explanatory, but surely there are also some personal demons of the lyricist Orgasmatron, heh!


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


The cover is drawn by our long time friend J.S. who also plays bass for the black metal band Kyy. I very much like the result. Simple and effective and to the point. In the backside of the cover you can see a pic of two radio masts which are one of the most defining landmarks of our hometown Lahti.


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?


The live show is always energetic, full on attack! For me , the most memorable has been of course the recent 20 year anniversary gig, in which we re-united also for part of the gig with our original drummer Diehard! Also supporting Nunslaughter and Sabbat ( JPN ) come to mind.


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


Plans for sure but nothing concrete yet. Well an actual tour maybe hard to do but a few select gigs would be very welcome.


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


The album has been out only for a very short while, but what I gather the reactions have been mostly very positive. I don´t think there is much this kind of music released these days, let alone with good quality so I think there is interest.


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


Knowing Von Bastard there is always something happening, but I cannot say much about that at this point. But I am sure when something happens it will be worth to check out.


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


As said earlier, we do not feel that we want to make any big changes, of course we always try to make things even better. But bestial old school way it shall be!


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


For sure bands like Sarcofago, Slayer, Beherit , Blasphemy, Sodom , old Sepultura ,Venom, Motörhead and the likes to name a few have been the ones who's influence can be heard also.


I used to only listen to metal but nowadays I enjoy many variety of music besides metal. 70s prog rock, surf music, 80´s pop, movie scores by Vangelis, Carpenter and Morricone etc.


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


Thank you for the interview, be sure to check out ”Unholy Evil Metal” , our on Hells Headbangers records on LP and CD formats. For booking gigs etc. contact evilangel_metal@hotmail.com


Ugh!

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Imperator/The Time Before Time/Nuclear War Now! Productions/2019 CD Re-Issue Review

  Imperator  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  an  old  school  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  1991  album  "The  Time  Before  Time"  which  will  be  re-issued  on  June  20th  by  Nuclear  War  Now!  Productions.

A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  chaotic  style.  Demonic  sounding  death  metal  growls  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  Elements  of  first  wave  black  metal  and  thrash  can  also  be  heard  throughout  the  recording  along  with  the  vocals  being  done  in  more  of  a  mid  80's  death/thrash  metal  style.  Throughout  the  album  you  can  also  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  music  also  showing  an  influence of  the  South  American  style  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing  can  also  be  heard.

  Imperator  played  a  musical  style  that  was  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  black  and  death  metal  styles  of  the  mid  80's  and  early  90's  while  also  showing  an  influence  of  thrash  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Necronomicon,  Thelema,  Hermeticism,  Occultism  and  Darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Imperator  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eternal  Might"  "Persecutor"  "Ancient  Race"  and  "The  Rest  Is  Silence".  8  out  of  10.
http://nuclearwarnowproductions.bandcamp.com/album/the-time-before-time       

Void Eater/III-IIII/Duplicate Records/2019 Compilation Album Review

  Norway's  solo  project  Void  Eater  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2019  compilation  album  which  consists  of  his ep's  "III"  and  "IIII"  which  was  released  as  a  single  album  from  Duplicate  Records.

  Demonic  death  metal  growls  start  off  the  compilation  while  also  mixing  in  the  heavier  sections  of  the  music.  The  riffs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  dissonant  sounding  melodies  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  can  be  heard  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Elements  of  black  metal  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  compilation  as  well  as  the music  also  getting  very  progressive  and  technical  at  times  without  losing  any  brutality  and  as  the  compilation  progresses  ambient  style  soundscapes  can  be  heard  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction.

  On  both  of  these  ep's  Void  Eater  has  remained  to  the  dissonant  style  of blackened  death  metal  that  was  established  and  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  Lovecraftian  horror  themes.

  in  my  opinion  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  collection  from  Void  Eater  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  dissonant  blackened  death  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  compilation.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tomb  Mouth"  and  "Decimation  Crater".  8  out  of  10.

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