Sadhus, The Smoking Community/Agnes Vein/Vault Relics/2016 Split 7 Inch Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  ep  between Greece's  Sadhus  the  Smoking  Community  and  Agnes  Vein  which  was  released  by  Vault  Relics  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Sadhus  The  Smoking  Community  a  band  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  drum  beats  and  heavy  guitar  riffs  that  are  done  in  a  doom  metal  fashion  while  the  vocals  are  high  pitched  sludge  style  screams  and  you  can  also  hear  some  dark  sounding  melodies  in  the  guitar  riffing  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  song  also  sticks  to  a  very  slow  yet  heavy  musical  direction,  the  song  sounds  very  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  alien  abduction  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  track  from  Sadhus  The  Smoking  Community  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  sludge  and  doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.

  Next  up  is  Agnes  Vein  a  band  that  plays  a  mixture  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  heavy  doom  metal  sound  along  with  some  sludge  style  screams  a  few  seconds  later  and  you  can  also  hear  some  melodies  being  utilized  at  times  and  the  guitar  leads  are  also  done  in  a  dark  yet  melodic  direction and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Agnes  Vein  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  sludge  and  doom  metal.     

Chronobot Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

We're a cosmic doom band from Saskatchewan, Canada. We like our music fuzzy and spaced-out, just like our heads.


2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?

We felt like the sessions for this split went really well, and we were able to showcase the different elements of our sound really well. We recorded live off the floor and we were able to pair the slow fuzz-guitar riffs with the eerie organ and synth taking off to outer space while the riffs hammer down.


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

Outer space, time-travel, but of course also our main inspiration, weed and psychedelics. We give tribute lyrically to the love of getting fucked up together that got us making music as a band in the first place.


4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Chronobot'?

It's a similar thing with the name, Dave (guitar) came up with it years before the band ever really existed – 'the Chronobot' is a dope-smoking, time-travelling robot from the future, here to lay waste to the present and rain hazy destruction upon us all.


5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you

describe your stage performance?

Our performances are high volume, and high energy. We like to come out and crank it, and give it all we've got. Playing live is a hell of a feeling and it feels like we connect with audiences the most when we're all fucked up and banging around together.


We were lucky enough to play with Weedeater a couple years ago, so that show is up there in terms of our best. On tour in Lethbridge, Alberta in 2013 was one fucking hell of a show, too, and playing Kamloops with our buds in Hemptress for the first time, in late 2013, was incredible. The parking lot party that night was insane and by the time everyone played we were all trashed as one, but everyone just layed it down. Then in 2014 on our eastern Canada tour, when we met the AlgomA guys, actually, that show was fucking nuts. It was a destroyer. Quebec city on the same tour as well... there's more but I guess if we had to pare it down those are some of the standouts!


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

We've got a couple shows here in city, in June and in September – we'd like to get back out on the road but we're also focusing on getting our next full-length written after these back to back splits so the immediate focus is on that.


7.in the last year you have shared split's with both 'Hemptress' and 'AlogomA', what are your thoughts on the other bands that had participated on the recordings?

We don't have enough good things to say about those bands. Hemptress from Kamloops, BC are the best guys you could ever meet, and they know how to play rock and roll. Greasy fuzz jams, and motherfucking sick guitar playing. And just some of our best bros in the world as people besides rocking so hard as a band!

Meeting AlgomA was one of the best moments of our entire trip East, and they treated us so well. And honestly, they crush. Holy fuck they're devastating live, going on after them was one of those moments where you're watching them, thinking “how the fuck do we play after these guys, they're so fuckin heavy”. Like smashing your face into a brick wall, sonically. Love it!! And we've talked about doing a split release with them ever since.


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

Pretty good so far! No crazy breakout success or anything, but that's the norm obviously, and not why we got into this kind of music. But we've shipped out some records and our debut CD to all over Europe and the support online seems really good. It's rad to know that people outside of our immediate area at all are listening to what we're doing!


9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Scott (bass) is in Hashfiend, with Quinton, our former bass player, who actually played on the split haha. Which is rad cause they're both our bros and we all like to play together! Cody (drums) is in Hexensabbat, a black metal band gearing up for their first release, and Darius (organ/synth) is in Ave Sol.


10.When can we expect another full length and also where do you see the band heading into

musically during the future?

Hoping by next year!! We'd like to keep pushing the envelope of comfort, of how fucked up and spaced out we can get and what different elements of rock and doom we can meld together.


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?

Sabbath and Hawkwind are what we built this band on haha. Obviously we're fans of Sleep and the Wizard too, and all the rest – there's some real hard-tripping bands out there these days. Currently digging Causa Sui, Electric Moon, Papir... but that's just me, we all listen to different stuff too so I know the other guys are rocking some other rad bands.


12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Cody's pretty into farming, I think he's actually seeding right now honestly. He's all about vintage tractors. I'm into books, lately sci-fi; I just finished the Dune series. Scott digs his football, I know he's already counting down til the season, Dave's been in on the beta of the new Doom. We all got some different shit going on haha.


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

Yeah, thanks for having us guys, as always, smoke weed, drink beer and have yourselves a fuckin time

The Von Deer Skulls/Bitches Of The Wood/Wraith Productions/2016 EP Review

  The  Von  Deer  Skulls  are  a  band  from  France  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  post  rock,  industrial  doom  metal  and  sludge  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  ep  "Bitches  Of  The  Wood"  which  was  released  by  Wraith  Productions.

  Experimental  and  avant  garde sounds  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  a  few  seconds  later  before  adding  in  heavy  guitar  riffs  and  sludge  style  screams  and  you  can  also  hear  a touch  of  post  rock  in  the  bands musical  style  while  the  songs  also  alternate  between  the  more  experimental  and  heavy  parts.

 You  can  hear  the  heaviness  of  doom  metal  in  the  songs  and  industrial  along  with  hip  hop  elements  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  acoustic  guitars  are  also  added  into  the music at  times  along  with  some  clean  electric  guitars  and  when  drum  beats  are  utilized  they  are  mostly  programmed.

  The  Von  Deer  Skulls  goes  into  more  of  an  experimental  direction  this  time  aorund  while  still  mixing  in  elements  of  sludge  and  doom  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful w hile  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  The  Von  Deer  Skulls  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental,  sludge,  and doom  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "The  Way  To  the  Shadow".  8  out  of  10.

 

Za la Thu/Psychotronic Generator/2015 EP Review

  Za  La  Thu  are  a  duo  from  Alabama  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  an  occult  mixture  of  experimental,  goth,  death  metal  and  avant  garde  music  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2015  ep  "Psychotronic  Generator".

  A  very  heavy,  melodic  and  progressive  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  technical  death  metal  style  guitar  leads  while  the  vocals  are  clean  singing  occult  rock  and  goth  vocals  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  the  synths  bring  in  a  very  symphonic  style.

  At  times  the  music  can  be  very  avant  garde  and  experimental  and  when  th e music  speeds  up  briefly  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  main  focus  remains  on  mostly  a  slow  or  mid  paced  musical  direction  and  the  songs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  psychedelic touches  and  the  riffs  also  display  a  great  amount  of  doom  metal  influences  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  industrial  sounds.  and  acoustic  guitars  are  added  onto  the  last  track  which  is  also  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Za  La  Thu  creates  a  recording  that  takes  technical  death  metal,  doom,  goth  and  occult  rock  and  mixes  them together  to  create  something  very  original,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism  and  Left Hand  Path  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Za  La  Thu  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  occult  mixture  of  industrial,  goth,  death  metal  and  avant  garde  music,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Star  Chamber".  8  out  of  10.

     

Yeti On Horseback Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

We just went through a change on the throne. Our long time drummer and friend decided to take the path of least resistance so we scrambled to find a worthy replacement. Knowing we had this album ready we needed to find the right fit. It took some time but we eventually found found E.T .E.T is an out of this world being who has brought a stable backbone to our brand of noise and misery. Couldn’t be happier. Other then that we were also searching for a home for our debut album “The Great Dying”. Medusa Crush Recordings has taken us in and has been nothing but supportive. Album will be released September 23rd 2016.

This album has been a labour of love. For a band of gypsies that started in a dank basement drinking and smoking we never would of thought we would be here. You can hear the emotion pour through on this album. We have always felt like outsiders. Enjoying music that others couldn’t grasp. So we set out to polarize the audience. We want lifers not joiners. The album Crushes and remains evil throughout. Pulverizing the audience until they beg for more.

2.You have a new album coming out in September, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

R.P is the sole lyric writer. So he writes about what he loves, hates and his experiences. A lot of the songs have a miserable theme to them. We identify with misery more so then happiness. The album touches on everything from religion, drugs, death, life, freaks, Satan. The world is a horrible place we just tell its story.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Yeti On Horseback'?

The name isn’t anything other then spending countless hours thinking of both good and bad names. All we cared about was sticking power and heavy imagery. A friend of the band said YETI ON HORSEBACK and we felt that captured our sound and would make ears perk up. One thing we know is it captures attention. Also High on Fire was already taken so the best band name was off the table.

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

As a young band we have already played some shows that we would never believe. Opening up for Doom gods Sons of Otis is maybe the highlight of our miserable lives. We spent a good portion of our youth drunk and stoned listening to OTIS. So to play with them is unreal. Our stage performance matches our sonic delivery. Deliberate with no frills as we CRUSH, KILL, DESTROY.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

As for touring you never know. Since the bands inception everything has snowballed out of our control. We all have human responsibilities that weigh us down and make us sick. We look up to bands like Yob who did as much as they could while remaining crippled by life and it’s responsibilities until the time was right. So the future will tell

7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the deal you have signed with 'Medusa Crush Recordings'?

When we first sent our album out we didn’t know what to expect. As a little band from London Canada what could we expect.  We received a legal contract from a certain label… and it scared us. We don’t want to be bound. Everything We have done in this band has been family oriented. The brotherhood is something that has made this more then we would ever imagine. So when MCR approache us with the laid back metal breathren vibe we jumped at the chance. HEs a lifelong metalhead who cares about the bands he works with. He wants everyone he works with to reach hieghts beyond there wildest dreams. HE’s family now.

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

Worldwide and even in our little bubble of Canada the feedback and the reception has been staggering. The metal world accepts all and that’s what we love most about it, to have a guy write kind words from Argentina is unbelievable. To have an artist from the Czech republic offer us his talent all for the “independence of our sub-culture. Blows us away.

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

Musically we will not falter. What we have done with or debut we will build upon. We are doom we will always be doom. We will leave the 3 min songs and clean singing to air supply.

10.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?

Our listening is so eclectic. A lot of people say they listen to everything but do they really mean it? I think if all we listened to was AHAB we would just be another shittier AHAB, But one day you're listening to Ahab and the next day you are listening to elp.

11.How would you describe your views on Satanism?

Satanism is freedom from the flock. Embrace yourself and your passions; don't feel like you are out of place for liking something. We are all out of place and no one truly matters.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

DRUGS, ALCHOL, SEX

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

We just want everyone to know that this comes from the heart. Doom/sludge has garnered a lot of popularity nowadays but to us it’s a way of life. MISERY AND DEATH WILL ALWAYS RULE.

TUNE LOW PLAY SLOW

Anion/Fractions Of Failure/No List Records/2016 EP Review

  

  Anion  are  a  band  from  Vancouver  B.C,  Canada  that  plays  a  mixture  of  hardcore,  noise  rock  and  sludge  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  ep  "Fractions  Of  Failure"  which  was  released  by  No  List  Records.

  A  very  hard  yet  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  growling  vocals  a  few  seconds  later  and  high  pitched  screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  mid  80's  to  early  90's  noise  rock  elements  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  and  melodic  fashion.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  riffs  also  bring  in  the  heaviness  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  while  also  mixing  in  the  raw  energy  of  hardcore  and  the  music  also  speeds  up  in  certain sections  of  the  recording  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  heavy  musical  style.

  Anion  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  sludge,  doom  metal,  hardcore  and  noise  rock  and  mixes  it  together  to  create  a  style  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  angry  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Anion  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  noise  rock,  hardcore and  sludge  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "God'S  Day  Off"  and  "Work  Ethic".  8  out  of  10.

Heavenwood/The Tarot Of The Bohemians Part One/Massacre Records 2016 CD Review

  Portugal's  Heavenwood  have  returned  with  a  new  album  that  continues  the  gothic  and  doom  metal  style  of  previous  recordings  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "The  Tarot  Of  the  Bohemians  Part  One"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

 Choir  vocals  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavy  and  melodic  musical  direction  a  few  seconds  later  awhile  also  mixing  it  in  with  symphonic  elements  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  vocals  also  bring  in a   great  mixture  of  both  death  metal  growls  and  black  metal  screams.

  When  clean  singing  is  utilized  it  gives  the  music  more  of  a  goth  metal  feeling  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  remain true  to  a  melodic  yet  extreme  style  of  metal  and  most  of  the  songs  stick  to  mostly  either  a  slow  or mid  paced  musical  direction  while  also  speeding  up  briefly  and adding  in  a  small  amount  of  blast  beats  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  melodic  ritualistic  chanting  while  one  of  the  tracks  towards  the  end  brings  in  female  vocals  and  there  are  also  a  few  tracks  that  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  classical  guitars  are  also  utilized  on  the  last  track.

  Heavenwood  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  tp  the  goth/doom  metal  style  of  previous  recordings  while  also  mixing  in  a  touch  of  black  and  death  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  deal  with  the  tarot  and  occultism  along  with  all  of  the  tracks  being  named  after  a  card.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Heavenwood  are  if  you  are  a  fan  of  gothic  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Juggler"  "The  Emperor"  "The  Chariot"  and  "The  hanged  Man".  8  out  of  10.