Frost Tears/Nine Chapters/Magnum Music/2014 Double CD Review

  Frost  Tears  are  a  band  from  Taiwan  that  plays  a  very  symphonic  form  of  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Nine  Chapters"  which  was  released  by  Magnum  Music  and  comes  with  a  bonus  cd  that  includes  re-mixes  and  video's.

   A  very  symphonic  neo-classical  sound  starts  off  the  album  and  also  gives  the recording  an  epic  feeling    along  with  some  operatic  female  vocals  and  after  the  intro  heavy  and  melodic  guitars  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  also  mix  in  with  the  symphonic  side  of  the  bands  musical  style  and  the  vocals  also  start  combining  opera  and  gothic  metal  together.

   At  times  there  are  choirs  that  include  both  male  and  female  vocals  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  seem  to  be  heavily  influenced  by  traditional  and  power  metal  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  bring  in  elements  of  progressive  rock  and  as  the  album  progresses  the  synths  also  start  bringing  in  a  variety  of  many  different  keys  along  with  a  couple  of  the  tracks  being  power  ballads  and  the  heavier  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and one  of  the  songs  is  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Some  of  the  tracks  bring  in  traces  of  Asian  folk  music  as  well  as  adding  in  musical  instruments  that  are  native  to  that  culture  and  they  mix  it  in  with  both  the  heavy  and  soft  parts  and  one  of  the  later  tracks  also  brings  in  a  few  seconds  of  aggressive  chants  along  with  a  few  of  the  songs  bringing  in  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams  and  blast  beats  and  towards  the  end  of  the  album  they  also  bring  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  an  instrumental  before  closing  the  first  album  with  2  vocals  tacks  and  they  close  the  album  with  a  cover  of  "Amazing  Grace"  and  the  second  disc  has  one  original  track  and  3  remixes  from  the  album  reviewed.

  Frost  Tears  creates  a  symphonic  style  of  gothic  metal  that  is  very  melodic  and  but  does  add  in  touch  of  black  and  death  metal  at  times  to  create  some  original  sounding  music,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  mythology  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Frost  Tears  are  a  very  great  sounding  symphonic  gothic  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should c heck  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Barren  Land"  "Rule  The  Land"  and  "Flames  Of  War".  8/5  out  of  10.      

Midhaven 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?

Midhaven has been really busy over the past few months! We're working on a music video, tour dates and merch! We had a tour last year and it went really well so programming some more for 2015!


2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

Spellbound was written over a period of 2 years where the main song writing was done in 2013. Our previous release was Tales From The Tide (EP) in early 2013 as a teaser to the main album. There are three songs on the EP but 9 on the album. The two big jumps from The EP to the Spellbound were - Production and Going heavier. I could say we're closer to finding our sound!


3.Your lyrics cover both Hindu and Greco-Roman Mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

Well, I've always been interested in different cultures, especially ancient civilisations that had an important role in modern society. We're from India and our history of Hinduism dates back to ten thousand years. Older than almost every other civilisation in the world, the similarities to Norse Mythos and Greek Mythos is not even funny! Conceptually, we wanted to create a universe where each of our albums can grow and their stories can be told. So in Spellbound, the story unfolds through each song as it takes you on a journey where Shiva brutally kills Apollo, by infiltrating his abode in Olympus. Heaven is corrupt and the prophecy claims that Shiva will take down the mighty Sun-God.


4.Originally the band was known as 'Temple Smoke', what was the decision behind the name change and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Midhaven'?

We didn't have a fixed name for the band. Ideas always floated around about using a mythologically based character or word, even infusing them together to make one. Sadly, none of them stuck. After a few months I came up with the idea of combining the astronomical term 'Midheaven' and the word 'Haven' to make it 'Midhaven'. My interest in astronomy got us the name!


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

We've had some amazing memories that we carried back home from tour. Recently, we played in Guwahati where the energy of the crowd was electrifying! Our stage performance to me, is a mixture of extreme energy as well as laid back. The contrast of our album's different genres gives us time to breathe between heavy songs. A ton of fun for me, hair everywhere!


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

Can't reveal just yet! But yes, this year seems busy for us!


7.The new album was released on Universal Music Group, how did you get in contact with this label and also how would you describe the support they have given you so far?

Universal Music Group has been our label since December 2013. They originally contacted us for a meeting about the indian metal scene, and soon after we struck a deal and signed! Spellbound was released and they've been a great help in releasing it worldwide. It's tough to do it on your own, especially with getting it into stores, that's where they come in!


8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of metal?

It's been great. I've read most of the reviews and articles about us, from places like Rolling Stone to independent music journalists. Fans have been very active in our sales and we're really happy that there's a good buzz around for us, but the more the better!


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

Hopefully a few albums down the line, our genre will have changed once again, for we're ever-evolving musicians with a history in many different genres and sub-genres.


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?

Most of Midhaven's music is inspired by prog rock and prog metal but we all sub genres of metal have influenced us. From death metal to power metal, each one of us has a different genre as a background. I've been listening to a lot of contemporary classical music and a ton of jazz recently!


11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Besides music, I've always been interested in gaming, science and poetry. Astronomy has inspired me to write a ton music!


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

Hope you enjoyed the album! Thanks a ton for the interview.

Minsk/The Crash & The Draw/Relapse Records/2015 CD Review

  Minsk  are  a  band  from  Chicago,  Illinois  that  plays  sludge,  psychedelia  and  post  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "The  Crash  &  The  Draw"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Relapse  Records.

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric sound  starts  off  the  album  and  after  a  couple  of  minutes  clean  playing  is  added  onto  the  recording  and  it  also  brings  in  more  of  a  post  rock  feeling  to  the  bands  musical  sound  before  adding  in  heavy  guitars  which  are  very  heavily  influenced  by  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  the music  also  brings  in  a  great  mixture  of  both  clean  and  heavy  parts.

  When  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  in  a  clean  singing  direction  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  at  times  the  music  speeds  up  and  bring s in  a  small  amount  of  growls,  high  pitched  screams,  and  blast  beats  and  the  guitar  riffs,  solos  and  leads also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  most  of  the  songs  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  

  Psychedelic  sounds  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  they  also  give  the  recording  more  of  an  experimental  feeling  when  they  are  utilized  and  there  are  also  4  songs  related  to  each  other  which  also  gives  the  album  more  of  a  conceptual  vibe  and  they  also  bring  in  an  ambient  instrumental  before  returning  back  to  a  post/sludge  metal  sound  on  the  following  tracks  while  a  more  tribal  orientated  instrumental  is  used  before  the  2  closing  tracks  which  also  introduce  spoken  word  parts  onto  the  recording.

  Minsk  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  heavier  side  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  but  also  brings  in  the  melody  of  post  metal  and  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  experimental  music  and  psychedelia  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Hermeticism,  Alchemy  and  Esoteric  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Minsk  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  sludge,  psychedelia  and  post  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Within  An d Without"  "Onward  procession  II:  The  Soil  Coils"  "The  Way  Is  Through"  and  "When  The  Walls  Fell".  8  out  of  10.
 



  

Hadal/The Obscure I/2014 Demo Review

  Hadal  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  an  old  school  mixture  of  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  demo  "The  Obscure  I".

  Clean  playing  and  melodic  vocals  start  off  the  demo  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  a  few  seconds  later  the  music  adds  in  more  of  a  heavy  doom  metal  direction  while  also  mixing  in  the  clean  parts  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  a  lot  of  death  metal  growls  in  the  bands  musical  style.

  When  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  remain  true  to  an  early  90's  melodic  doom/death  metal  sound  and  the  clean  vocals  also  mix  in  with  the  growls  at  times  and  the  clean  sections  also  gives  the  music  a  progressive  and  atmospheric feeling  when  they  are  brought  into  the  songs  and  every  track  sticks  to  a  very  slow,  melancholic,  melodic  yet  very  heavy  musical  direction.

  Hadal  plays  a  style  of  doom  metal  that  takes  the  epic  80's  side  of  the  genre  and  mixes  it  in  with  the  more  atmospheric  and  melodic  doom/death   style  of  the  early  90's  to  create  a  sound  of their  own,  the  production  sound s very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  depression,  despair,  death,  loss,  and  grief.

  In  my  opinion  Hadal  are  a  very  great  sounding  melodic  and  atmospheric  mixture  of  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Low  Winter  Sun"  and  "The  Obscure  I".  8  out  of  10.   

vod/Tuurngait/2015 Full Length Review

 

  vod  are  a  band  from Quebec,  Canada  that  plays  a  mixture  of  drone,  doom  metal,  post,  sludge,  and  prog  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2015  album  "Tuurngait"    which  will  be  released  in  April.

  Dark  sound  effects  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  bass  guitars  a  few  seconds  alter  which  are  actually  the  lead  instruments  on  the  recording  and  after  awhile  they  take  the  music  into  a  heavy  sludge  direction  while  also  bringing  in  melodies  at  times  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  prog  metal  feeling.

  Most  of  the  songs  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  when  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  a  mixture  of  screams  and  growls  and  at  times  clean  playing  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  drones  and  as  the  album  progresses  trumpets  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts.

  vod  takes  the  heaviness  of  doom  and  sludge  and  mixes  it  in  with  the  melody  of  prog   and  post  metal  as  well  as  adding  in  drones,  experimental  and  avant  garde  elements  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sound s very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  and  song  titles  are  written  in  code.

  In  my  opinion  vod  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of   drone,  doom  metal,  post,  sludge,  and  prog  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "itji"  "unnauk"  and  "Anirniit".  8  out  of  10.  

Nudist Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
By now we are planning a tour in Europe and working on new stuff.

 2.You have a new album coming out in March, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Well, the sound of the new album is very different from the other two. First of all due to the voice...It is the first time we use it. At the beginning the intent was to us it as an additional instrument, creating sounds and effects, then came the need to add some lyrical content in it.
The sound in this album is much heavier and gloomy compared to the old stuff and the permanently delayed voice gives an effect of distance and depressive atmosphere.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
“See the light beyond the spiral” is a concept album divided in five parts. The lyrics describe an hypothetical post industrial future world where nature is devastated, dried out by human behaviour and life on the surface is impossible, humanity is concealed in an underground world, where life is scanned by the rhythms of industry.
The character finally realises his dream...to see the sky and the surface, but finds out that his search for freedom brings him to death.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Nudist'?
The idea of calling the band “Nudist” comes from our need to explore many different sound dimensions and not to wear the “dress” of a specific musical genre or style.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We played lots of concerts over the years and it's really hard to choose a “Best Show”.
We shared the stage with many good bands like Red Fang, Generation of Vipers, ZU, Morkobot, Conan, Jucifer, Fuzz Orchestra and many others.
Every time we play, for us that is the best show, when you see the audience enjoying your music and mosh...that's what we play for.
About describing our stage performance, playing with two drums is probably a distinctive trait of our live sets. The two drummers often play the same patterns and watch them moving synchronized has an unavoidable scenic effect...
Than I would say...High Volume and a great energy alternate with melodic and psychedelic moments leading the audience through a various and dynamic show.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
The next show is for our release party the 20th of March. The 21st and 22nd we have other two shows in northern Italy.
We are planning to do a short tour passing from France, Germany and Belgium, but still to confirm.


7.T

he new album is going to be released through a variety of many different labels, can you tell us a little bit about them?
We are releasing this album with all independent labels from Italy and Spain. They are all small realities from the underground scene.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal and other underground genres?
Actually we are starting now to get a bit more out of Italy thanks to our labels and all the foreigner friends we met at the shows that talk to their friends about us. People really like the sound which is a good mixture of psychedelic elements and groovy riffs. Every song has an it's own inner evolution that brings the listener in many different places and atmospheres during the same song...that's mostly what people say.
People actually is captured from our sound in live shows which are really energic and powerful.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We started in the last two months to jam together and write new songs...we still don't know where the next album will bring us to...maybe it will be more rough...more direct...probably loosing a bit of the slower parts opening the way to a more hard core way of writing the songs.

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?
Melvins, Noxagt, Ex Models, Russian Circles, Entombed, Prong. Ministry, Jesus Lizard.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
dogs cats guitars Drugs and friends.

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

Evolvent Interview

EVOLVENT
Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
EVOLVENT: Since the recording of the new album, we have made and released a new music video on our single “Love doesn’t love me”. I was our very first professional video. Now we are working on promotion and   preparing our first European tour with many rehearsals. We have a new set, some new musicians, and we particularly focus on giving ourselves a strong identity.
LUDO: What has been going? A new bassist! Fuck yeah

Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
CLEMENT: Well, our style is considered to be between Melodic and Symphonic Metal. The symphonic orchestra can provide either strong and rhythmic patterns or smooth ambiances and can easily enhance the power of the Drum/Guitar/Bass base. The voice comes to link these and highlight the emotions from the music.
Compared to our previous album, "Whatever Happens" is really more powerful. The drums are a lot more aggressive, coupled with the guitar and the bass for heavy riffs. The musical pace is also higher, and the whole album really more dynamic. Check it out to hear by yourself!
EVOLVENT: All musicians have changed since the released of Delusion in 2011. We had to adapt at first the style to Emma’s lyrical and powerful voice. But also to the new musicians’ influence which were closer to symphonic metal.

Originally the band started out as a doom/death metal band but has evolved into more of a melodic and symphonic gothic metal band over the years, what was the decision behind going into this direction?
SEB: Emma‘s arrival accelerate the direction taken by the band after Delusion’s. We wanted to make heavier music and with Emma’ powerful voice and energy while singing it was an evidence. As a fan of symphonic music, it was a new challenge I took up with pleasure!

What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
EMMA: For the first time, lyrics are now written by its singer. The album is full of different atmospheres, sometimes nostalgic, sometimes energetic and deals with themes such as unconditional love, passion and rebellion. It’s full of my experiences but will probably touch to everyone. I try to give a positive message through all songs and hope I will give courage to people listen to them.

 What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Evolvent'?
SEB: Evolvent is a mix of two French words “evolution” which also means “evolution” in English and “vent” which means “wind” in English. Evolvent would refer to something in constant evolution, light as the air, always travelling. Special isn’t it?

Originally the band was a studio project, when did you decide to take the band into more of a live direction?
SEB: After many goods reviews of “Spiritual Confession” from media and requests of fans, we finally gave in to the call of the stage!

What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
EMMA: We have done so wonderful shows! I will remember all of them with their good and less good moments that still make us laugh today.
The concert in Paris with Elferya in September 2013 was a beautiful moment. With receive much support from the public and we spend nice moment with the band. It was also the best stage with play on.
Our first show in Switzerland was also memorable. It was in November 2014, with the cover band, Alkemy. There were very few people, but we there was a fan who took the train from France for two hours only to see Evolvent on stage. It really upset me!
I think the upcoming tour will bring us unless as much emotions as the last one.
EVOLVENT: Now the lineup is stable, we are starting to build a real show. It’s easier now that the songs are made of all of us and that they are more dynamical. Live shows will be better and better with time. As we are a young line up, we need to learn from each other, to spend time together which will reinforce our complicity in real life and on stage.

Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
EVOLVENT: We have some shows in France of course and in some other countries in Europe as Italy and the Netherlands the first part of 2015.

The new album was released on Bernett Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
EVOLVENT: That was the case on the album Delusion, today our partner Dooweet fulfills promotion and distribution.

On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of metal?
EMMA: The first EP with Emma a lead singer called “Human instinct” and released in May 2014 has the aim to show the shift taken by Evolvent. We received both good reviews and less good. It’s understandable as we have totally decided to leave doom metal, which of course have displeased to some people. Fortunately, we have managed to convince many followers who love our new sound! Moreover, whatever Sébastien compose, his style is clearly identifiable and full of emotion.

Are any of the band members currently involved with any other musical projects or bands these days?
SEB: Since 2011 I have been working as an arranger for Monolithe which is a funeral doom project.
Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
EMMA: it’s quite difficult to know, I hope we will evolve into symphonic metal music, but we will never keep quiet what we love to fit the genre.

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?
EMMA: I am still a big fan of symphonic metal band and singers especially Tarja and Nightwish, Amy Lee and Evanescence. I admire as well my singing teacher Soanny Fay. Today I also listen to other kind of music, for example London Grammar is for me the band of 2015!
FRED: I am found of heavy metal, grunge and rock music, like Metallica, The Foo Fighters, Porcupine Tree, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Audioslave…

What are some of your non musical interests?
EMMA: Great cuisine!
FRED: My wife and my children, motorcycle, mountain bike, movies and series.
LUDO: I love airsoft, movies, video games, nature and animals.
CLEMENT: Informatics, cooking, video games...

Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
EVOLVENT: Thanks a lot for this interview. A little note for those who read this and like our new album: don't hesitate to write to us on our Facebook page: EVOLVENT OFFICIAL, we love to know what exactly our fans like in our music! Like every band, we need all the support possible! we are really looking forward to meet our fans on the 2015 tour, and have them discover our new album!
: https://www.facebook.com/pages/EVOLVENT-OFFICIAL/213082918739395?fref=ts