Thursday, August 4, 2011

Ilsa Interview

Intterview done by whole band
> 1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Ilsa is the cumulative result of years of playing in a moldy basement with piece-meal equipment, between endless depression, brews, blunts, and the best films ever captured on celluloid.
> 2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album?

"Tutti i Colori del Buio" was recorded in May of last year, and while the direction of the band hasn't changed course dramatically since then, we've definitely sought to move away from being pigeon-holed as any identifiable sound or genre. Everything is slower on the newer material, everything is heavier, and we continue making a stronger push to create a truly tormented and ghastly sonic landscape.
> 3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjests the new release explores?

As Salome caresses the severed head of John the Baptist in Richard Strauss' operatic version of the Oscar Wilde play, she sings, "Das geheimnis der Leibe ist grosser als das geheimnis des Todes" (the mystery of love is greater than the mystery of death). This beautiful/horrible duality is constant inspiration, and the basis of all Ilsa's lyrics.
> 4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Ilsa is the lead character in a string of sado-masochistic grindhouse features that epitomize western low-budget films of the 1970's.  While on the surface they can be considered thee most perverse, sexploitation-horror series ever made, we insist the 4 Ilsa films contain bizarro queer and feminist subtexts that, while mostly unintentional, pervade the entire series. Cross-gender identification, male fears of lack, queer sexuality, and glimpses into the mechanics of power draw to mind anarchist poet and filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini's, "Salo, or 120 Days in Sodom". Curiously, "Salo" was actually released after "The She-Wolf of the SS", making us wonder if Pasolini realized the potential of Ilsa's skeletal, near pornographic narrative to draw a critique of late-capitalism and the sexual politics of fascism. Perhaps if Disney/Anchor Bay ever cease-and-desist our use of their franchise we'll change our name to SALO, but hopefully not before we get a chance to work with modern horror's first and best female villain, Dyanne Thorne.

> 5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Unfortunately, the best shows we've played usually end up being the ones we remember the least, but performing at the Electric Maid in Takoma Park with Torche, Transgression, Sick Fix, and Lemuria was epic. The pigs shut it down before the last band, yet within minutes the Corpse Fortress, one of the area's longest running venues and punk houses, saved the night by offering to host the final band. Everyone hopped on their bikes and into their cars to parade over and bring down the house with an awesome set by Torche that literally rattled the foundation. We didn't sound the best that night, but it was an amazingly fun show none the less.
Stage presence is not really a focus of the band. We tend to end up with our backs to the crowd, but mainly out of awkwardness.  Playing a type of music that is in itself incredibly theatrical, we focus on spontaneity and intensity in our performances over light shows or cool costumes.      

> 6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

We have been lucky enough to be invited to play Hooded Menace's east coast dates when they come to America for the first time this May, as well as with Seattle's mighty Anhedonist, who've reared their ugly heads recently with a great demo that has been repressed to vinyl on Parasitic Records. Touring is difficult for us because of work schedules, so as of now, the only other out of town dates we will be playing are a string of shows in December as we drive out for Rites of Darkness fest in San Antonio. 

> 7. On a worldwide level how has your music been recieved by doom/death/crust fans?

We've been shocked and stoked on how well "Tutti i Colori.." has been received internationally. Through blog posts and message boards, the album reached a larger audience than we ever could have hoped to garner through traditional media. To suddenly have hype surrounding a project is strange after all playing music for years, but we'd never say it was undeserved. The potential to eventually tour outside of America is very exciting, and we hope down the line we can make it a reality.
> 8. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?

Sharad plays in a thrash band called Spinebuster, and Garrett has a solo noise project and plays in a snotty punk band called The Coits, but Ilsa is everyone's primary focus. 
> 9. What direction do you see the music heading into on future rleases?

Down that left-hand path, with some surprises up our filthy alley along the way.
> 10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We dislike unending comparisons and "For Fans Of" stickers plastered all over records and reviews these days. All of us listen to as much music as we can, and would never claim to be uninfluenced by other bands, but it takes away some of the joy of discovery for listeners to know exactly what's shaped our sound. To many people it will be obvious, but we all have eclectic range and interests, and try to incorporate whatever works into the music.  
> 11. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

Movies, reading, drawing, bicycles, dogs, all sorts of sex, travelling, drugs, and uh movies.    
> 12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

We are a band that loves correspondence. Email us at pressingtheflesh@gmail.com for inquiries about artwork, splits, touring, anything! Hail the death of the future, raise the flesh!

Lincoln Love Log Interview


1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before? we are based out of northern ILLINOISE,and WISCONSIN.
we are a two piece band that switches interments.gore,sex,bbq fiendz.
burzum meets cavity..
Anthony Wong from Ebola Syndrome chopping you up and preparing you for some "bbq porkbuns"

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how does it differ from previos releases? all the same,recorded on cassette tape on one track total diy.dirty,raw.all materal free jam no rehearsal.smoke,drink jam.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that the new release explores? LUST-SEX,BBQ,GRILLING,DEATH,GORE WHORES

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
WELL LINCOLN-the land of lincoln,that means illinois,love log -means penis.+(ILLINOIS COCK)

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?the last show was in chicago april 16th.on stage grilling ,blood,sickness.a full on jam

6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?we are subpost to tour in portland,or w/ eyehategod??/
we will see if that pans out, wait on the man.

7. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label, and if so what kind of label do you think would be a perfect fit forthe band? we are on 3 different labels, the current 7``  record and bbqhell cd is on goatgrind records from
switzerland.

8. On a worldwide level, how has your music been recieved by doom/sludge/grindcore fans? over seas fan dig the musick more that usa, but we are a mix of stoner/doom/sludge/gore/grind. so we both types of fans. a fine line line if you like it you do,its not for every grind/doom fans.more hated than loved. haahhhaaaa.we are not out to please the fans,just jam tunes,if you dig it kool,if thats kool too.try to keep it underground!!!!!!

9. Are there any side projects besides this band or is this a full time line-up?
side projects yes, tom is in old voice,  gregg is  in gangulated pus,convulsions,1247    just side projects  LLL in full time

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have inluenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?CAVITY,IMPETIGO,CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER,HELL HAMMMER,   DR.KNOW,SATHANAS,REPULSION,AUTOPSY,CIANIDE,CARDIAC ARREST,
..,FECULENT GORETOMB,master,gism,septic death,CBT,fang....noise,metal,punk,crust,prono,black metal,industrail,grind of the underground of shocking horror,gore,xxx sleaze,sexual astrology,mystical shit,european & asin fetish,mayhem destruction,sataic erotic tortured naked women that makes you shit your pants...

11. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?
FISHING,BOATING,4 WHEELING, FARMING im just a hillbilly!!!!

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
thanx for the interview!!! stay sick keep the bbq warm.

Ilsa/Tutti Colori Del Buio/Dark Descent Records/2011 CD Review

Ilsa  are  a band  from  Washington  D.C  that  mixes  death,  doom  metal  and  crustcore  together  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Tutti Il Colori Del Buio"  which  was  released  by  Dark  Descent  Records.

Drums  range  from  slow,  midpaced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats,  while  he  bass  playing  sounds  very  powerful  and  heavy  and  when  you  can  hear  the  instrument  it  is  some  very  devasting  doom/sludge  riffing.

Rhythm guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  death  and  doom  metal  with  crustcore  with  one  song  having  a  thrash  edge  and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording

Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  grindcore  screams  with  some  deep  death  metal  growls  being  thrown  in  at  times,  while  the  lyrics  touch  on  subjects  that  you  would  see  in  explotation  movies,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  powerful,  raw  and  heavy  sound  to  it  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sounding  very  brutal.

In  my  opinion  Ilsa  are  a  very  good  sludge/crust/doom  metal  band  with  a  death  metal  edge,  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  this  band  out.  RECOMMONDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Blood  Rituals"  "Butcher's  Castle"  "Mo  Man's  Land"  and  "Roving  Blade".  RECOMMONDED  BUY.

Lincoln Love Log/Bbq Hell/2011 CD Review

Lincoln  Love  Log  are  a  band  from  Illinois  that  plays  a  mivture  of  sldge/doom  metal  and  grindcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2011  album  "Bbq  Hell".

Drums  are  mostly  slow  with  some fast  playing  and butal blast  beats ing  ud  n  casion, while  the  bass  playing  has  a  powerful  tonw  with  a  bunch  of  slow  and  sludgy  riffs.

Rhythm  guitatrs  are  mostly  slow  sludege/doom  metal  riffs  that  have  a  stoner  vibe  to  them  wit a  great amount  of  heavy  distortion and  some  fast  noise/grindco riffing beng used on a  couple of songs  and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

Vocals  are  mostly  high pich sodge/grnid vocals with  some  spoken word passages, he  the lris cover barbeque  thmes, as r  th  prdion  i  has  a very heavy  and  raw  sond  it.

In my opinion  Lincoln  Love  Log are  a very good  sludge/doom/grindcore  band  and if you are lookng  for  a band that  mixes  these styles together,  you should check out this band.  RECCEMODED TRACKS INCLUDE  "Spare Rib  Holocaust" "Camel Toe"  Hot Sauce"  and "Mondo  Macabro".  RECEMMENED  BUY.

Vastum/Carnal Law/20 Buck Spin/2011 CD Review

Vastum  are  a  band  from  San  Francisco  that  plays  a  very  dark  and  brutal  form  of  doom/death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Carnal  Law"  which  will  be  released  by  20  Buck  Spin.

Drums  are  mostly  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  that  is  very  heavy  and  brutal  with  some  fast  playing  and  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  and  heavy  tone  with  some  very  brutal  doom/death  metal  riffing.

Rhythm  guitars  range  from   slow  to  mid  paced  riffing  that  combine  the  heaviest  elements  of  doom  and  death  metal  and  the  faster  riffing  has  a  thrash  edge,   while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  slow  death/doom  metal  guitar  solos  that  have  a  melodic  edge  at  times.

Vocals  are  mostly  deep  death  metal  growls  with  some  high  pitched  screams  being  thrown  in  at  times  with  some  brief spoken  word  passages,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Abjection, Eroticism,  and Death  with  a  touch  of  psycho-analysis,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  heavy  sound  to  it  but  still  professional  enough  to  the  point  that  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments.

In  my  opinion  Vastum  are  a  very  good  brutal  doom/death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMONDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Devoid"  and  "Spirit  Abused".  RECOMMONDED  BUY.

Weedeater/Jason The Dragon/Southern Lord Recordings/2010 CD Review

Weedeater  are  a  band  from  Wilmington,  North  Carolina  that  plays  I  style  that  i  would  describe  as  being  stoner/sluge/doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Jason  The  Dragon"  which  will  be  released  by  Southern  Lord  Records.

Drums  are  mostly  slow  to  midpaced  drumming  with  no  fast  playing  or  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  sounds  very  heavy  and  powerful  with  some  evil  sounding  stoner/doom  metal  riffs,   as  for  the  piano  that  is  used  on  the  least  song,  it  has  an  avant  garde  feel  to  it.

Rhythm  guitars  are  mostly  slow  to  midpaced  stoner/doom  metal  riffs  that  utilize  alot  of  distortion  that  have  a  70's  rock  feel  to  them  and  there  are  little  to  no  lead  guitars  or  solos  present  on  this  recording,  as  for  the  slide  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  have  an  avant  garde  as  well  as  a  country  music  feel  to  them. 

Vocals  are  all  high  pitched  sludge/doom  metal  screams,  while  the  lyrics  deal  with  fantasy,  smoking  weed,  getting  high  and  drinking,  as  for  the  production  it  sounds  very  heavy  and  professional  sounding.

In  my  opinion  this  is  a  good  album  from  Weedeater  and  if  you  where  a  fan  of  their  previous  albums,  you  will  not  be  dissapointed.  RECEMMONDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Great  Unfurling"  "Turkey  Warlock"  and  "Jason  The  Dragon".  RECEMMONDED  BUY.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Atriarch/Forever The End/Seventh Rule Recordings/2011 CD Review

  Atriarch  are  a  band  from  Portland,  Oregon  that  plays  a  style  that  combines  doom  metal,  sludge,  experimental,  death  rock  and  gothic  music  together  to  create  a  sound  that  is  very  original  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Forever  the  End'  which  was  released  by  Seventh  Rule  Recordings.

  Drums  are  mostly  slow  drumming  with  no  fast  playing  or  blast  beats  present  on  this  recording  except  for  the  last  song`,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  powerful  and  heavy  sound  with  slow  doomy  riffs  that  are  very  brutal  sounding,  as  for  the  synths  when  they  are  utilized  they  bring  a  very  dark,  primal  and  avant  garde  feel  to  the  music..

  Rhythm  guitars  are  all  slow  riffs  that  combine  influences  from  doom  metal,  sludge,  experimental,  death  rock  and  gothic  music  that  are  very  distorted  and  weird  sounding  with  some  melodies  being  thrown  in  at  times  with  the  last  song  having  some  slow  and  soft  playing mixed  in  with  some  faster  riffing and  there  are  little  to  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  are  a  combination  of  mournful  cries  that  are  very  avant  garde  sounding  and  high  pitched  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressing  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  is  very  dark ,  powerful  and  heavy  sounding.

  In  my  opinion  Atriarch  are  a  very  good  experimental  sludge/doom  metal  band  and  if  you  are  looking  for  something  that  is  very  original  sounding  in  this  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECEMMONDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Shadows"  and  "Downfall".  RECEMMONDED  BUY.