Hate & Merda/La Capitale Del Male/Toten Schwan Records/2016 Full Length Review

  Hate  &  Merda  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  experimental,  noise,  alternative,  hardcore  and  sludge  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "La  Capitale  Del  male"  which  was  released  by  Toten  Schwan  Records.

  Spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  and  after  a  few  seconds  the  music  gets  getting more  heavier  and  distorted  along  with  some  drum  beats  and  on  the  second  track the  music  adds  in  elements  of  sludge  and  punk  along  with  the  heaviness  of  doom  metal  as  well  as  some  angry  shouting vocals.

  Elements  of  alternative  can  be  heard  in  the  bands  musical  style  while  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  spoken  word  arts  also return  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  music  also  gets  experimental  at  times  and  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  noise  and  a  couple  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  one  of  the  songs  also  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.

  Hate  &  Merda  plays  a  musical  style  on  this  recording  that  takes  the  heaviness  and  doom  metal  while  also  being  very  experimental  at  the  same  time,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Latin  and  cover  angry  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Hate  &  Merda  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental,  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "FOH"  and  "Vai  Via".  8  out  of  10.  

On Thorns I Lay 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?


-Νοt a lot of things..After the release of Egocentric album,we recorded some new songs in 2006 for our next album..but unfortunately we could not find a good label to release it..so we decided to make a break until last year when we had a new contract with Sleaszy Rider rec..so we decided to restart the band..

2.    In October you had 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?

-I think that we continue to be an atmospheric metal band but after so many years we try to offer something new in every new stuff we record..This is the biggest difference from our past..

3.    This is the first album to be released in 12 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?

-Not so many things..We never stop to write new songs but we release something only when we feel that will be something good..We prefer to speak through our music only..

4.    Also the album is a lot more heavier than your last few albums, what was the decision behind bringing back some of your roots?

-After “Egocentric” album we felt that we don t sound like a metal band..Don t forget  that our roots are always to classic atmospheric death metal bands like:CELESTIAL SEASON,BEYOND DAWN,old THE GATHERING and ANATHEMA..So  I think that was a good decision.

5.    What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
-As always we speak about solitude,melancholy.fear and darkness..

6.    Originally the band was known as 'Paralysis' then 'Phlebotmy', what was the decision behind the name changes and also the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'On Thorns I Lay'?

-When we started we liked to play brutal death metal with some atmesheric parts..The reason of name change to ON THORNS I LAY was that we didn’t
want to have a similar name with our favourite band PHLEBOTOMISED..

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

-With Katatonia in Greece,with Tiamat in Turkey and with Dream Theater in Rockwave festival..Our stage performance is atmospheric as we like to be..

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

-No.We  don t have plans for touring..maybe some gigs in the future..

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

-Sleaszy Rider is a very good Greek label with a lot of releases every year and good distribution worldwide.

10. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your newer music by fans of metal?
-I really don t know…It s something that we never thing about it..We just play the music we like and this is enough for us.

11. Are any of the band members in any other bands or musical projects these days?

-Only our drummer Fotis..to Sorrowful Winds

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

-We don t make future plans..but our next 8th album is almost ready and I sounds like Orama..

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?

-       Nowdays I like bands like Dead Congregation,Swallow of the Sun,Ulver .Draconian etc..About our influences,I told you before..

14. What are some of your non musical interests?

-       I travel a lot…also movie films,read books and Theater..

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

Thank you for interview..Support ON THORNS I LAY and atmospheric metal..Dream and love forever..

Beneath Slumber Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
-BEANEATH SLUMBER ARE SLOWLY WORKING ON THE SECOND ALBUM-
"DARKNESS, DEATH AND DOOM"!

2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?
-ITS SLOW, DARK AND OLDSCHOOL DOOM-METAL!

3.The band members have a history playing in other bands, what are some things that you bring into this group that you have not been able to do with your other musical projects?
-THE SOUND OF BENEATH SLUMBER ARE A BIT DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER BANDS EACH MEMBER PLAY IN. MUSIC IS MAINLY MADE BY ARGANAS(NÅSTROND) WITH HELP FROM MIIKA(AJATUS). THOMAS(PAGAN RITES/DEVIL LEE ROT ETC) EEIRE VOCALS BRINGS THE UTTER DARKNESS WE WANT TO THE SONGS. MUSIC IS SLOWER, DARKER AND WITH DIFFERENT SOUND TO IT.

4.Your lyrics cover some Occult topics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in Occultism?
-THE SONG TITLES ARE MADE BY ARGANAS AND LYRICS ARE MADE BY THOMAS ON THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH ALBUM. OCCULTISM HAVE BEEN AN INTEREST OF ALL MEMBERS ALONG TIME, WHEN WE STARTED TO LISTEN TO METAL AND READING BOOKS AND LOKKING TO MOVIES. ALL AS PERSONAL APPROACH TO IT.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Beneath Slumber'
- DEATH LAYS BEANEATH THE SLUMBER. BENEATH SLUMBER IS DEATH.

6.Has the band done any live shows or is this strictly a studio project?
-IT STARTED AS ARGANAS OWN PROJECT. AND HAVE NOT BEEN MENT TO PLAY LIVE. WHEN MIIKA AND THOMAS JOINED, THEY TALKED ABOUT LIVE GIGS. BUT NOTHING IS SET IN STONE.

7.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom metal?
-MOST PEOPLE WHO LISTEN TO SIMILAR MUSIC ARE INTO IT. OTHERS CANT FIHURE IT OUT. BUT WE DONT CARE. WE MAKE MUSIC WE WANT TO LISTEN TOO.

8.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the other band members are a part of?
-NÅSTROND ARE ALWAYS MAKING MUSIC, BUT NOTHING READY YETTO BE RELEASED. AJATUS ARE WORKING ON THEIR 2ND ALBUM, WHILE WAITING FOR THE FIRST ONE TO BE RELEASED. PAGAN RITES/DEVIL LEE ROT HAVE NEW MUSIC COMING OUT.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
-ARAGANAS HAVE ALREADY FINNISHED AROUND 15 DEMO ALBUMS. MUSIC IS THE SAME MOSTLY, BUT ADDING/CHANGING SMALL THINGS. SO WE HAVE MATERIAL TO WORK WITH. AND NOW WE HAVE STARTED WITH 2ND ALBUM.

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?
-PAST BANDS ARE PARADISE LOST/ANATHEMA/VENOM/CELTIC FROST, THAT HAVE INFLUENCED BENEATH SLUMBER. TODAY WE LISTEN TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT MUSIC, BUT IT HAS NOT INFLUENCED BENEATH SLUMBER THAT MUCH I THINK.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
-WE ALL LIVE FOR MUSIC. SOME OTHER INTERESTS ARE MOVIES.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
-THANX AND BUY OUR CD -"TRIUMPH OF DEATH", SUPPORT BENEATH SLUMBER!

Love Sex Machine/Asexual Anger/Lost Pilgrims Records/2016 CD Review

  Love  Sex  Machine  are  a  band  from  France  that  has  been  featured  before in  this  zine  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  sludge,  doom  metal  and  hardcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Asexual  Anger"  which  was  released  by  Lost  Pilgrims  Records.

   A  very  heavy  and  melodic  sound  and  a  few  seconds  later  high  pitched  sludge  screams  are  added  into  the  music  and  the  slower  riffs  brings  in  elements  of  doom  metal  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments   have  a  very   powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  music sticks  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  while  also  remaining  heavy.

  Solos  and  leads  are  mostly  absent  from  the  songs  and  are  only  used  briefly  while  the  melodies  do  bring  in  elements  of  post  metal  and  hardcore  and  the  vocals  also  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  growls  and  some  songs  also  brings  in  a  touch  of  crust.

  Love  Sex  Machine   plays  a  style  of  sludge  that  is  very  slow  and  also  mix  in  elements  of  doom  metal  and  hardcore  to  create  a  very  heavy  sounding  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  angry  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Love  Sex  Machine  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Drone  Syndrome"  "Devolution"  and  "Silent  Duck".  8  out  of  10. 

Za La Thu/Self Titled/2015 Full Length Review

  Za  La  Thu  are  a  duo  from  Alabama  that  plays  an  occult  mixture  of  industrial,  goth,  death  metal  and  avant  garde  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self  titled  2015  album.

  Spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavy  and  melodic  musical  direction  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  after  awhile  clean  singing  female  vocals  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  music  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats.

  At  times  the  music  brings  in  the  energy  of  punk  rock  and  elements  of  goth  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  when  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  in  an  early  90's  style  of  Swedish  death  metal  and  as  the  album  progresses  elements  of  industrial  and  world  music  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with some tribal  beats  being  used  at  times  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  ritualistic  feeling  and  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  a  few  tracks  also  brings  in  a  few  seconds  of  male  vocals  and  death  metal  growls  can  be  heard  on t he  closing  song.

  Za  La  Thu  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  death  and  industrial  metal  style  guitars  and  mixes  it  in  with  occult/goth  rock  vocals  and  elements  of  avant  garde,  ritual  and  world  music  to  create  a  style  of  their  own,  the  production sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  Thelema,  Enochian,  Magick,  and  Occultism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Za  La  Thu  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  goth,  industrial  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Enslaved  Walk  Free"  "Vril  Machine"  "Hail,  Hail  Babalon"  and  "Serpent  Power".  8  out  of  10.

  

  

 

 

In Memory/LaKrima/Sleaszy Rider Records/2015 CD Review

  In  Memory  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  originally  started  out  playing  melodic  death  metal  but  have  evolved  into  more  of  a  progressive/symphonic/goth  metal  band  over  the  years  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "LaKrima"  which  was  released  by  Sleaszy  Rider  Records.

  Electronic  music  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavy,  atmospheric  and  melodic  goth  metal  direction  as  well  as  adding  in  clean  singing  female  vocals  and  elements  of  prog  metal  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  the  solos  and  leads  add  a  progressive  rock  feeling  to  the  recording.

  A  lot  of  the  music  goes  for  more  of  a  modern  mainstream  metal  or  rock  sound  and  some  of  the  riffs  add  in  a  touch  of  melodic  death  metal  and  the  keyboards  also  gives  the  music  a  tragic  atmosphere  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  samples  on  one  of  the  tracks  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  whispers  and  they  also  do  a  cover  of  "I'M  So  Excited"..

  In  Memory  move  even  further  away  from  their  melodic  death  metal  roots  on  this  recording  going  for  more  of  a  symphonic  and  gothic  prog  metal  direction,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  personal  themes.

  In  my  opinion  In  Memory  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  symphonic,  goth  and  prog  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Dust"  "My  Strength"  "Sweet  Deceiver"  and  "The  Jewel  Of  My  Life".  8  ut  of  10.

 

On Thorns I Lay/Eternal Silence/Sleaszy Rider Records/2015 CD Review

  On  Thorns  I  Lay  are  a  band  from  Greece  that plays  an  atmospheric  and  goth  form  of  doom/death  metal and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Eternal  Silence"  which  was  released  by  Sleaszy  Rider  Records.

  Atmospheric  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  female  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  and  after  the  intro  acoustic  guitars  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with  some  heavy  guitars  while  the  music  also  remains  atmospheric  as  well  as  adding  in  violins  at  times  and  death  metal  growls  also  are  a  part  off  the  music.

  Black  metal  screams  can  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  songs  and  the  music  also  alternates  between  both  the  soft  and  heavy  parts  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording and  female  vocals  are  also  brought  into  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  and  there  are  also  a  couple  of  instrumental  tracks  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording.

  On  Thorns  I  Lay  plays  a musical  style  that  has  its  roots  in  the  90's  goth  doom/death  metal  style  while  also  taking  it  into  a  more  modern  musical  direction,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  sorrow,  pain,  human  feelings  and  emotions.

  On  my  opinion  On  Thorns  I  Lay  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  goth,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Breathing"  "Life  Without  You"  and  "One  Day  to  Live". 8  out  of  10.