Mizantropia/Oblivion/Metal Scrap Records/2015 CD Review

  Mizantropia  are  a  band  from  Ukraine  that  plays  a  very  extreme  form  of  gothic  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Oblivion"  which  was  released  by  Metal  Scrap  Records.

  A  very  dark,  heavy  and  atmospheric  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  powerful  sounding  synths  and  a  few  seconds  later  melodic  female  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  some  high  pitched  screams  that  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  black  metal  feeling  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  very  90  orientated  gothic/doom  metal  sound.

  Acoustic  guitars  and  clean  playing  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  music  also  mixes  in  some  modern  goth  and  prog  metal  elements  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  a  great  amount  of  melody  in  the  guitar  riffing  at  times  and  some  of  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  stick  to  a  very  melodic  musical  direction  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  death  metal  growls  and  influences  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  small  amount  of  folk  instruments  can  be  heard  briefly.

  Mizantropia  plays  a  style  of  gothic/doom  metal  that  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  and  also adds  in  a  touch  of  death,  black  and  modern  metal  to  make  their  music  heavier  fro  this  genre,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  love  and  sorrow  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Mizanthropia  are  a  very  great  sounding  extreme  gothic  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Castle"  "Tomorrow  Never  Comes"  "Fragments  Of  The  Void"  and  "Insomnia".  8  out  of  10.

    

Abjvration/The Unquenchable Pyre/Caligari Records/2015 Cassette Review

  Abjvration  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays an  old  school  mixture  of  death  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  ep  "The  Unquenchable  Pyre"  which  was  released  on  cassette  by  Caligari  Records.

   Distorted  sounds  start  off  the  ep  and  after  a  few  seconds  guitar  riffs  are  added  into  the  music  and  they  also  use  melodies  at  times  and  they  also  add  in  the  sounds  of  people  suffering  before  going  into  a  very  heavy  doom  metal  direction  and  adding  death  metal  growls  into  the  music  and  the  songs  also  have  a  very  dark  feeling.

  Most  of  the  songs  are  very  heavily  rooted  in  an  early  90's  doom  metal  sound  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  stick  to  a  very  dark,  melodic  and  old  school  style  when  they  are  utilized    and  you  can  also  hear  a brief  use  of  screams  and  chants  in  some  of  the  tracks  and  when the  music speeds  up  brutal  blast  beats  are  added  onto  the  recording.

  Abjvration  plays  a  style of  death/doom  metal  and  avoids  any  of  the  modern  trends  of  the  last  20  or  more  years,  the  production  sounds  very  dark,  heavy  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness. death  and  anti  religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Abjvration  are  a  very  great sounding  old  school  mixture  of  death and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Dessicated  Womb"  and  "The  Clawed  Redeemer".  8  out  of  10.

Rolling Through The Universe Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?

Since we were in the studio, we have been building a new practice space and honing the songs to keep them fresh in our minds.  The album has just been released so not much has happened yet.  We are booking a west coast tour this June and will be playing a local gig on May 18....Aside from that,  just the seasonal allergies and over consumption of adult herbs, and beverages.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

The sound of the album is more full than our previous albums.  The songs tend to touch most of our inner thoughts, which is really noisy.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?

We write a lot of about the universe, consciousness, culture and society... all that neo-psychedelic intellectual rhetoric. That said, not much of it is distinguishable and is just meant to add to the sound, to become another instrument in the dusty sound that we produce.

4.Originally the band was all instrumental, what was the decision behind adding vocals into the music?

A tin can.  Really it was singing into a tin can that made it come to life. REVERB REVERB REVERB!


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Rolling Through the Universe'?

We are all rolling through this universe... Did you forget that we are on a some what of a round planet?


6.Originally the band was from North Dakota but now lives in Oregon, what was the decision behind the move, and also how would you compare the two states?

Well, ND is pretty much a cultural/environmental wasteland, so moving to Portland was an amazing and rewarding experience.  The Band was moved here to escape a life of monotonous cycles of self-harm and lack of good beer.

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

We opened for Yob and it was the best show ever.  Our stage performance was sort of like Yob's, but more on the funny side of things:)

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

Yes: we will be touring the southern west coast in June! In late august we will be touring the northern part of the US. In spring we plan to do a European tour, as most of our album sales/interest are incorporated over seas.

9.The new album was released on Hidden Temple Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

We have been an independent band the inteire time.  Our music does not fit the regular day to day scedule of most labels so we created our own.  You never make money in the music industry, why not go down with your own fucked up idea?

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge, doom and post metal?

Really early to ask this question but, it seems to be taking hold in Europe and Mexico, oddly enough.... by taking hold we mean, people who have been downloading our new album overseas.  This is a first for us to see the interest spark so quickly.  Its like a flame that will keep burning.  We hope it consumes the planet.

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

Forward.

12.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?

Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, heart.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

Coconut oil, wet pants, spicy tuna, bearded clams, shredding pussy, and Totino's Pizza Rolls.

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

Don't ask this question in an interview!

Rolling Through The Universe/Lethe/Hidden Temple Records/2015 CD Review

  Rolling  Through  The Universe  are  a  band  originally  from  North  Dakota  but  now  resides  in  Oregon  and  plays  a  mixture  of  sludge,  doom  and  post  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Lethe"  which  was  released  by  Hidden  Temple  Records.

  Nature  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  dark  and  melodic  post  metal  direction  and  a  few  seconds  alter  sludge  style  screams  are  added  into  the  music  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  you  can  also  hear  clean  playing  being  added  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording.  

  When  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  and  the  slower  riffs  also  bring  in  the  heaviness  of  doom  metal  and  some  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  growls  and  elements  of  hardcore  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  small  amount  of  clean  singing  can  be  heard

  Rolling  Through  The  Universe  plays  a  style  of  sludge  metal  that  also  has  atmospheric  elements  and  a  great  amount  of  doom  and  post  metal  influences,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  philosophical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Rolli9ng  Through  the  Ubniverse  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  sludge,  doom  and  post  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Fall  Of  The  Corona"  and  "Centrifuge".  8  out  of  10.

      

Schwarzer Engel/Imperium I - Im Reich der Gotter/Massacre Records/2015 Full Length Review

  Schwarzer  Engel  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  dark  style  of  gothic  metal  along  with  some  elements  of  doom  and  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Imperium  I  -  Im  Reich  der  Gotter"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

  Dark  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  epic  and  symphonic  sounds  that  have  a  classical  music  feeling  to  them  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  the  intro  the  music  remains  symphonic  while  also  adding  in  death  metal  growls,  gothic  style  vocals  and  a  heavy  industrial  metal  sound.  

  Throughout  the  recording  there  is  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  some  of  the  heavier  parts  also  bring  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  at  times  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  very  dark  and  melodic  and  also  enhance  the  gothic  qualities  of  the  songs  when  they  are  utilized  and  some  of  the  tracks  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats..

  Schwarzer  Engel  continue  the  dark/gothic  metal  sound  they  have  established  with  previous  recordings  and  also  make  the  songs  a  lot  more  heavier  by  adding  in  elements  of  black,  death  and  doom  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  emotions,  solitude,  apocalypse,  nature  and  gothic  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Schwarzel  Engel  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Gott  Vs  Satan"  "Ave  Maria  (Die  Mutter  Gottes)"  "Meine  Liebe"  and  "Beuget  Euch".  8  out  of  10.  

  

William English Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band? Well we go by the name of William English and we are from East Anglia.
I guess you would say we are a sludge/doom band with some hardcore elements. We get down and throw our bodies around on stage and we are very very loud.


2.How would you describe your musical sound?
Horrible but at times beautiful. We don’t like saying we sound like such n such a band, or that we fall into a certain genre. We all listen and love different bands and have done for many many years. I think as you grow you appreciate the certain aspects bands bring to the table and take what you love and unintentional to your own conciseness write and put your personality to it. We like riffs. We try to bring awesome riff after awesome riff, its nothing complicated just something you feel is good that we all like and enjoy playing.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music? Ha this is a funny one, a trade secret thats never been discussed. We don’t actually have lyrics as such. Shane will come to practice we will have a song, he then screams freestyle over it. He does this to every song written. somehow remembers the pattern of the screams because it sounds the same every time. We then hit the studio. Shane will then for only certain parts write some lyrics down, normally just odd, random, disgusting words to form some cryptic sentence. It sounds mad, it is mad. But it works. The theme of the album again is quite random Some sea references, some drug references, some just plain funny random ideas.

“ They tell us we need it, Like maggots grow in the wound,
a septic puss filled landscape, a human right to consume”. - Lyrics taken from Captain Tugboat

4.The band formed out of the break up of 'A Horse Called War', what was the decision behind splitting that band and forming this one? This isn’t exactly true., William English formed without current members, Shane, Carter, Dave or Callum. Joe is the only member who’s always been in it. Before it was a hardcore band nothing big or serious although they did make an album with current guitarist dave recording it. I think theres about 100 copies sitting in goes flat somewhere. But the other members left through different times. I suppose the identity of the band started forming when carter went from bass to guitar and shane became the vocalist, also Callum joining on bass too, he can get such a great tone out of he’s gear. A Horse Called War split up because Dave set up a business and couldn’t spare time to be in a band, which is understandable. We tried to go on without him but it just wasn’t the same he was the main writer and creator of A Horse Called War and still is today. William English will always have similarities because shane is the vocalist. But Carters writing is more experimental maybe? We always said theres no boundaries i guess you might get that from the album but no matter what bands or projects we have done, we love the heavy, loud, dirty side of music. You will always get that from us.
*

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'William English'?
Again this is nothing thought out or serious. If i am correct Shane & Joe thought that the name William English would be fitting for an old school looking bare knuckle fighter with a huge mustache. The name sorta stuck around in joe’s head when forming the band, I think he liked the idea of having a persons name as a band name.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance? Stage performance is easy just check our video to budvessel. Its sums us up really, although there wasnt alot of room to move for the video. We just get down and have it as hard as possible. you will never see us just standing there going through the motions. Its been our philosophy ever since being in bands, even in the early days as teenagers we had it. Shane makes himself look like a bit of a crazy dude really. As for live shows we love playing Colchester. they have a really good scene down there and some great bands doing well already. Theres a real small place in Bury St Edmunds we sometimes play thats decent. Our recent show at the unicorn with Children Of God was a really good show.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We hope to play several shows around england for the rest of the year and hopefully next year the plan is to do a little European tour and smash the uk to pieces aswell. This year our guitarist Carter is having he’s second Child so we will work around that whilst playing gigs promoting the album. Our next show is in Norwich 10th May at the owl sanctuary.

8.The new album is coming out on Grandad  Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
This new label has been formed by our drummer Joe. He's very passionate about music and one of he's “life goals” was to make an album with he's best mates and release it on a label that he created. The main target for this label is to find real underground bands and just help them out a little bit by offering to contribute towards either the making of a record or helping press it and generally be a starting platform for good, unnoticed talent. And see where it goes from there really.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of stoner and sludge metal? We, so far have had good feedback whoever or wherever our stuff has been shown. Its been a good time to bring out the album really with the stoner/sludge scene picking up immensely. Im not sure if its been as big as it is now. If we don’t make heads turn though, it’s no loss we will keep doing this till we’re all 6 feet under i think. Some of us started making this sort of music ten years ago, it wasn’t as popular then than it is now but we never cared. We will just keep doing what we do, maybe something will come of it, who knows.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We hope to just keep writing. We would like to concentrate on bringing out splits and E.P’s. Releasing vinyl would be nice to. But the music will still be hard, loud and heavy. I doubt it will always stay the same, it will progress and at times we may surprise you.

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?
A lot of old stuff is always on like, Eyehategod,Crowbar,Pissing Razors. we try and support underground artists. The recent Telepathy album is absolutely amazing, those lads are so talented. The Art Of Burning Water are so heavy and relentless and all the lads from colchester are doing well,(Three Thrones, Jotnar, Slabdragger, Old Man Lizard).

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
Three of us are family men, so that takes up the majority of our time. Joe likes to travel and eat. Callum spends most of he’s time casting new magic spells, He is a wizard you know.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts? Mainly just please check out the album, have a look at the video, Youtube-William English, Budvessel. And if you have the time leave us a comment on what you think, good or bad. If you’re near a show check us out and if you put on shows please contact us, we love playing shows. Thanks to anyone showing support, its very important to support your local music scene, get out to the shows and buy the merch, its not easy doing this. Thanks to DewarPR as well, they are a major driving force behind this band.

@willenglishband - Twitter
williamenglishband@gmail.com
www.williamenglishband.bandcamp.com

Pohjoinen Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1. We play slow and heavy downtuned stoner/doom, with mostly clear vocals. I have also always said that we are not just heavy and sludge, that there is this classic rock element with Pohjoinen, maybe not in the sound, but in song structures, we use lotsa verse chorus stuff, we have guitar soloes, stuff like that.

2.Recently you have released your first 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?
2. We only have done 1 demo tape before, but from the start Pohjoinen haas gone quite a journey. The band started with totally different mindset about what kinda music it should do, but the road we started to travel did not lead where we tought it would lead, and after few change in the line up, we are here with our first album. Also I have to say, that the journey continues, and when ever our next album will be out, it will be some what different compared to this one.

3.This is the first release in 3 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
3. I think the previous question answer to this one also, but it has been a journey, we have been making songs, in fact we make lots of material, some of them new go to live gigs, some we maybe play on one gig and then forget, throw away, the band is an ongoing proses, there is no goal, no end, only the journey and the love for music and arts in general.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
4. With this record, death is a big theme, but in various forms, also personal growth is one big theme, some occult/spiritual stuff, but mostly its about being a human being, this body and mind, we born, we live we die and we expereince all kinda stuff. Thats what I write about, everything that I experience... and about death :) Death is something I need to explore and music has always been my way to proses things.

5.I know that the band name is Finnish for 'north', how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?
5. When this band was formed we  used lots of time to come up with the name, but we just could not think a name good enough. We wanted it to finnish, dark, deep. In fact it was none of the band members, present or former, who came up with the name, it was one of our friends, he just said: "how about Pohjoinen", and it clicked rightaway, in one word it told where we are coming from, physically and mentally. So its not just the north of this planet, its also a "mental-north", dark and cold nights, but also long days when the sun never sets :)

6.What are some of the best shows that the band ha splayed so far nad also how would you describe your stage performance?
6. I must that our last show, the realease gig for this record is one the best we have ever played. It was a two day bar-festival for this kinda music here in Helsinki, Finland, and we were the first band, so all those things I think gave us all the little bit more energy and focus.
For our live shows I for one try to make a performance, also give something to watch for the people, but as I have guitar, singing and all the effect pedals at my feet, its sometimes hard to find the time for the performance bit, but when I have the time, I try to take everything out of it. I also have this bad habbit of singing with my eyes closed, so I also try make an eye contact with everyone in the audience, atleast once. As Jim Morrison said, there is no audience without the permormer, and there is no performer with out the audience, they both need each other, and what else is performance than exhange of energy? So that´s why it is important that you try your best to include the audience to the show and also they are a great source of energy, even if there is only few people there, you only need one to exhange with :)

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
7. We have no tour booked, just gigs here and there, but we are trying to make something happen. As we have to do it all ourselves, its little slow and hard, but little by little it will get easier. There is no limit for gigs, we can and will play as much as we get.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of stoner and doom metal?
8. The feedback we have gotten has been good, you could see the language as a barrier, but you can also see it as unique thing, its a part of that puzzle that makes us us. Thats why we are not afraid of pushing this also outside of Finland.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
9. As I said, this is a ongoing journey, the new songs we have, some of them are even doomier, some are more classic rock, some are more psychedelic, some are more the same, so you could say, we will be more us, we will have more of everything we now have and we will go where ever this road takes us, what ever it will be.
The stupidest thing you can do as an artist is start to limit yourself when you can be much happier when you just let everything flow through you and let manifest to music freely through you, not making too many rules and limits.

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?
10. When people ask what kinda music you play, I dont like to use the term stoner rock, I usually say "We play Black Sabbath kinda music", so there is one big influence.
For bands, there is lot and they differ from member to other, but for me as song writer the biggest once have been Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Down, Church of Misery, Weedeater, Opeth, Pink Floyd, and many many others, Mastodon etc...
I do listen a lots of different types of music, from Lana del Rey to Napalm Death, so there is no short answer to this one :)

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11. Movies, spirituality in all of its forms, arts in general, be it poems or paintings, any kind of "food for the souls", be it from this world or where ever, with open but critic mind.
One thing that has hitted me hard in recent times has been stand-up comedy. But not the basic one liner dudes, I mean people like Robert Anton Wilson and Doug Stanhope. Our bass player infact told me about Doug and I started to dig him from that very moment, listening to our bass player telling me these stories. When I got home from those rehersals I started up youtube and watched everything I could.
Its not just the comedy I like about him, as I said, I could care less about those people who just try to be funny with oneliners, with Doug, hes there to tell you about the world where you live in, make you think and hold nothing sacred, sacrfice everything in the altar of comedy for the sake of kwonledge and could I say "enlightenment", to make you think, and better than that, to make you question things and to make you realize! I think that is his main goal, to make us realize something, but I bet he would say hes main goal is to get drunk free of charge or something like that, but hey, thats ok too :P

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. Thanks for this interview, this is in fact the first one we have done. Everyone go and check our record from pohjoinen.bandcamp.com! - Tumppi/Pohjoinen.