Vorum/Poisoned Void/Woodcut Records/Dark Descent Records/2013 CD Review

  Vorum  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  death  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Poisoned  Void"  which  will  be  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Woodcut  Records  and  Dark  Descent  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from s low,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  old  school  European  death  metal  with  doom  metal  as  well  as  some  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  at  times,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  old  school  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  from  old  school  deep death  metal  growls  to  high  pitched  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  occult themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  strong,  powerful  and  heavy  sound  in  the  early  90's  tradition.

  In  my  opinion  Vorum  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  doom  and  old  school  death  metal  and  if  you  are    a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Death's  Stains"  "Evil  Seed"  and  "Dance  Of  Heresy".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

Lethargia/Divine Madness/Metal Scrap Records 2012 CD Review

  Lethargia  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  that  plays  a  mixture  of  doom,  death,  atmospheric  and  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Divine  Madness"  which  was  released  by  Metal  Scrap  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  fast  playing  or  blast  beats,  while  the  keyboards  bring  a  very  dark,  atmospheric  and  gothic  sound  to  the  music,  as for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  death,  doom,  atmospheric  and  gothic  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their own  with  a  good  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  riffing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  enhance  the  darkness  that  is  coming  out  of  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  clean  singing,  whispers,  deep  death  metal  growls  and  some  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  in  addition  there  are  some  female  vocals  being  utilized  on  one  song,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness,  Satanism,  and  Occult  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it  and  you  can  hear  all of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Lethargia  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  hybrid  of  gothic,  doom  and  melodic  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Grief  Of  Satan"  "Divine  Madness"  "Witchcraft And  Possession"  and  "Evil  Habits".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Dira Mortis/Euphoric Convulsions/Let It Bleed Records/2012 CD Review

  Dira  Mortis  are  a  band  from  Poland  that  plays  a  very  heavy  and  brutal  form  of  doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "Euphoric  Convulsions"  which  was  released  by  Let  It  Bleed  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  the  heaviest  and  darkest  elements  of  doom  and  death  metal  together,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  chaotic  sounding  death metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  all  deep  death  metal  growls  with  some  spoken word  parts  and  samples  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  lyrics  cover  death  and  the  undead,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy,  brutal,  powerful  and  professional  sound  to  it  bringing  back  the  classic  doom/death  metal  sound.

  In  my  opinion  Dira  Mortis  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark,  heavy  and  brutal  hybrid  of  death  and doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Abyss  Of  The  Damned"  and  "Pulverized  Remnants  Of  Existence".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Magnum Itiner Interius/Departure At The Betrayal Of Life/Vic Records/2012 CD Review

  Magnum  Itiner  Interius  are  a  1  man  band  from  Chicago,  Illinois  that  plays  an  instrumental  form  of  ambient/doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  "Departure  At  The  Betrayal  Of  Life"  which was  released  by  Vic  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  fast  playing or  blast  beats,  while  the  synths  bring  a  very  dark  ambient  sound  to  the  music,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing that  is  coming out   of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  melodic  doom  metal  with  some  death  metal  elements  as  well  as a brief  use  of  clean  playing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic sounding  doom  metal  guitar  solos  and leads,  as  for  the  classical  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  enhance  the  darkness  that  is  coming  out  of  the  music.

  Vocals  and  songwriting  are  all  absent  from  this  recording  with  the  music  being  all  instrumental  except  for  a  brief use  of  spoken  word  parts,  while  the  song  themes  cover  darkness  and  depression,  as  for  the  production it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to it.

  In my  opinion  Magnum  Itiner  Interius  are  a  very  great  sounding  instrumental  ambient/doom  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Mirage  Of  Your  Journey"  "The  Shattered  Dream"  "From  Nothingness  Comes  Eternity"  and  "Departure  At  The  Betrayal  Of  Your  Life".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Zatokrev/The Bat The Wheel And The Long Road To Nowhere/Candlelight Records/2013 CD Review

  Zatokrev  are  a  band  from  Switzerland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "The  Bat  The  Wheel  And  The  Long  Road  To  Nowhere"  which  will  be  released  by  Candlelight  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  fast  playing  or  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  heavy  riffing  that  dominates  through  out  the  recording

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  sludge  and  doom  metal  with  the heaviness  of  death  metal  mixed  in  with  some  noisy  distorted  and  melodic  sounding  riffing  as  well  as  some soft  and  clean  paying  in  addition  there  is  a  brief  use  of  black  metal  influences  being  thrown  into  the  riffing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  sludge  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  slide  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  bring  a  blues  sound  to  the  music.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  sludge  style  screams  with  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing  industrial  style  vocals  being  utilized  on  the  last  song,  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  a  mixture  Of  English,  Chezch,  and  Slovak and  they  cover  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  and  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Zatokrev  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Goddam Lights"  "Roded  With  Snakes"  "Medium"  and  "The  Bat".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Incantation Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days? Alex: We are about to release the new record "Vanquish in Vengeance".And gearing up to start doing some shows in the next few months.We are also writing for the next record as well.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous recordings? Alex: It is more of a live vibe.Most of the record was done that way.I think it is well produced but at the same time extremely raw and ugly sounding!

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the new release? Alex: I think it expresses the power of all religion that it has over this world.The suffering and control of people.As well as our interest in the Occult and the beyond!

4. Out of all the shows and tours that the band has done so far, which one did you enjoy the most? Alex: For me it was the tour we did in Brazil with our long time friends in Immolation.It was a pleasure to tour with great friends and the whole organization was run very well.A lot of fun!! And Brazil is a amazing place.Also I have to say one of my fave tours was with Divine Eve in 2010.Great friends as well and a very good time.

5. What are the touring plans for the new release? Alex: Nothing planned yet. But I am sure we will be touring in early 2013.

6. The band has been around for more than 20 years, what is it that motivates the band to keep going after 2 decades? Alex: We still have a vision and are all very much inspired to do this.It is who we are!! And we all enjoy working with each other.If we did not enjoy what we were doing we would all stop.And for me I need to create and express myself.

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your new album by death metal fans? Don,t know yet!! Alex: It has not come out yet!
　
8. What is going on with Ibex Moon and the other musical projects these days?
John: As a label we lost a lot of money over the last 4 years and I had to put the label on hiatus for a while. I need to pay of some debt's I incurred and I want to pay them off then make a decision what to do next with the label. Right now Ibex Moon Records has an uncertain future. We do have some back stock that we are liquidating if anyone is interested get in touch.

　
9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases? Alex: I see us going even darker!! Like I said earlier we are writing new material now for the new one.We will keep pushing ourselves and this band to continue to get better and better as we go along.But I can promise you we never steer away from what Incantation is all about.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?Alex: I cant say that I really have been influenced anything new.As far as listening to lately the same stuff I grew up with Maiden,Purple,Angel Witch,Voivod,Sabbath,Priest,Rush and some new bands such as In Solitude and Darkest Grove.I have to mention I have been listening to a lot of my old demos from Mutilated(Fra),Nihilist,Autopsy,Death/Mantis etc…
　
11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Alex:Sleeping when I can.
John: I work as a screen printer, besides that I like jamming with my other band Funerus and hanging out with my wife and dog.
12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
John: Thanks for the support! We look forward to doing shows in support of the new album. It great to have a new album out after many years Also, check out my other band Funerus if you like old school death metal.

Decrepitaph/Forgotten Scriptures - The Collection/Selfmadegod Records/2012 CD Compilation Review

  Decrepitaph  are  a band  from  San  Diego,  California  that  plays  a  very  old  school,  dark  and  heavy  form  of  death/doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  compilation  album  Forgotten  Scriptures  -  The  Collection"  which  was  released  by  Selfmadegod  Records.

  Drums range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  only  a  small  amount  of  fast  playing  and  no  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a very  strong  and  powerful  sound  to  them, as  for the  sound  effects  they  are  only  used  on  the  intro's  and  outro's  and  they  bring  a  very  dark  and  evil  sound  to the  music.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  old  school  death  metal  with  the  darkest  and  heaviest  elements  of  doom  metal  along  with  some  dark  and  evil  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  anywhere  on  this  recording.

  Vocals are  all  deep  death/doom  metal  growls  along  with  some  horror  film  samples,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Satanism,  Occultism,  Anti  Christian  and  Gore  themes,  as  for t he  production  it  has  a very  dark,  heavy,  strong  and  powerful  sound  to  it.  

  In   my  opinion  Decrepitaph  are  a very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  old  school  death  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should c heck out t his  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rot  In  The  Grave"  "Throne  Of  The  Diabolical  Ones"  "Forever  Christ  Forsaken"  and  "Horrid  Visions  Of  Mutilation".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.