Skeleton Of God/Primordial Dominion/Everlasting Spew Records/2016 CD Re-Issue Review

  Skeleton  Of God  are  a  band  from  Nederland,  Colorado  that  plays  a very  brutal  and  psychedelic form  of  death  metal  with  some  elements  of  doom  and  grindcore  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2008  album  "Primordial  Dominion"  which  will  be  re-issued  on  September  8th,  2016  by  Everlasting  Spew  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  distorted  sound  starts off  the  album  along  with  some  heavier  guitars  and  high  pitched  grindcore  screams  a  few  seconds  later  and  you can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and t he  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  psychedlic  and  experimental  elements.

  Melodic  guitar  leads  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  after  awhile  death  metal  growls  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  brutal  blast  beats  can  be  heard  while  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  are  very  heavily  influenced  by  doom  metal  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length.

  Skeleton  Of  God  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  death  metal  while t he  doom, g rind  and  psychedelic  elements  gives  them  more  of  an  original  sound,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death, sex, psychoses,  and  esotericism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Skeleton  Of  God  are  a  very  great  sounding  psychedelic  death  metal  band  with  elements  of  doom  and  grindcore  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tentacle  Gears"  "Dark  Energy"  "Eyeland"  and  "Journey's  Twilight".  8  out of  10. 

  

  

Aeternitas Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
Well the most important act after finishing the recordings was to find a new label, which took some time. But finally and luckily we found our new label Massacre Records and are honoured to be part of the Massacre family now. Because some of their early bands such as Theatre of Tragedy had a huge influence in the beginning of our band.

2.You have a new album coming out in October, 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?
Our new songs are kind of modern symphonic metal, which means we have catchy chorus parts with strong melodies highlighted by our two singers Alma and Oliver. As basis we work with metal riffs and rock parts and – of course – we use huge orchestra arrangements in a lot of songs.
In comparison to our two early albums we are straighter now. At that time we had much more different genres combined such as Death Metal and a variety of different vocal parts and singer. And on our last album – the gothic-rock Musical "Rappacinis Tochter" – we had less metal parts and more Musical elements.

3.This is your first full length album since 2009, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?
As mentioned above the 2009 album was a gothic-rock Musical that we performed on stage in a real Musical show for over 50 times in different theatres for about 5 years. That was a huge fun but also a huge work to manage the shows and the complete staff and it left us little time for being creative and write new songs. After some years we saw that we cannot handle such a project for second time. So we had to think of what should be the new style for the next songs and albums and finally we came to our modern symphonic metal presented on our new album "House of Usher". But it was a long way until the final result. That's the reason for the long period from our last album release.

4.The lyrics on the new album are based on the E.A Poe story 'House Of Usher', what was the decision behind putting this story to music?
The last album was based on a short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne a companion of E.A. Poe. So apart from all the musical changes we wanted to maintain the gothic-novel topic within the new album and came to the extraordinary short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Poe, which fits perfect to our new musical concept.

5.I know that the band name means  'the  personification of eternity' in Roman mythology, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this topic?
The band name results from our first album "requiem" – also a concept album –which was a real requiem based on the original Medieval Latin Mass lyrics. Herein the Latin words for eternal and eternity, aeternus and aeternitas, were important and thus seem to fit best for the band name.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Some of the best shows we had were on the Wave and Gotik Treffen Leipzig. The different venues all over the town and the atmosphere is very special and always a pleasure to be part of it. We had also some great shows during our theatre shows on our Musical tour e.g. in a very old and nice theatre.
With the new songs we returned to a straight rock performance with lots of fun on stage.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
We had and will have some single shows with our new songs and hope to perform on some festivals next year. Everyone who is interested in seeing us live in the future should follow us on our socials to be up to date.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of goth metal?
We always had lots of fans and positive feedback from the Goth Metal scene in Middle and South America and also from Russia although we never played live in these regions.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
After lots of changes in the past our main goal is now continuity. We are always working to improve ourselves but will follow the path which we are on with "House of Usher".

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?
In the early years there were the godfathers of Gothic Metal "Paradise Lost" and also mentioned above bands like "Theatre of Tragedy". In the younger past "Within Temptation" had an influence in our current style.
Personally I also listen to modern American Metal bands such as Alter Bridge.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Although I didn't find much time besides music, job and family I am interested in good modern TV series.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
This question always reminds me to consider some very intelligent and philosophic last words… Till then I would say: Enjoy our music and enjoy all good music and give the music the value it deserves.

Harri Kauppinen Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your solo project?

A: Hi there mates, i'm a singer-songwriter from Finland releasing my debut album at 30th September.

Earlier i was a singer of the dark-metal band called Beyond The Dream. When we decided to end that band it was right time for me to explore some new ways to do my music and wrap my emotions.

I'd buy my first acoustic guitar few years back and that led me to do music the way you can hear on my upcoming album. There is still a darkness in those songs but they are covered up with fragile singer-songwriter style, like a folk singer doing heavy songs, y know!

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

A: Humanity and uniqueness. Those were the production guidelines when the album was in the "making -phase". We tried to capture the feeling by taking long takes when recording, and i'm quite sure that you can hear that. And hopefully you can enjoy that too.


3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with your music?

A : The lyrics are poetic version of mans every day life. There is no need to write down every detail from your basic day, 'cause that is just too boring. But when you color the things a little bit and but them into your musical world the words grow into their places.

Let's take an example, the song called "Maa palaa". The lyrics are basicly about the frustration about the day-to-day traditions, go to work - do your job - pay your bills...etc. that is how you get yourself into the choking fog and don't know how to get out. The story is written like the story about the Phoenix-bird, burn yourself out and rise again, stronger than before.


4.What are some of the things are able to do with your solo project that you where not able to do with your previous bands?

A: That's simple, to do things exactly how i want to. If i want to play acoustic guitar little bit off key to make it sound disturbing, i am able to do that, heh.

5.Do you have any live shows planned for the future?

A: At the moment, no. First, i like to know how people will receive my music and there is still many things open about playing live, am i doing it solo, duo or with a band...


6.The album is coming out on 'Concorde Music Company', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

A: The Concorde Music Company is for artist who are willing to invest to their own release. The label is offering help for production, distributing and marketing.


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

A: There haven't been so much feedback yet, 'cause the release is not out, except the promos. The Maa palaa-single and other previews have received quite good feedback, surprisingly good actually. I'm playing around with quite hazard elements when i'm making my music, but that is just interesting to me. And of course, i'm happy if it's interesting for someone else too.


8.Are you also involved with any other musical projects these days?

A: Musical projects, no, but i do write lyrics, and help recordings, for others bands when asked. I don't need another musical project or a band to interrupt me. This arrangement let me focus 100% on my own music.


9.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician in the future?

A: I hope that i'm able to explore deeper into my music and see what it has to offer. When i've found the new paths in this gloomy-musical creation, then it is time for the new album. When it is? I really don't know yet.


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?

A: Nowadays i do listen a lot of dark-doom metal and Finnish folk-singers and of course they will effect my music. But there is still "a number one band" for me and it is Cradle of Filth, even i've been not so thrilled about their few latest albums. That band has been a main influence for me since i was a kid and started to play music.


11.What are some of your non musical interests?

A: The basic answer, movies and books. Even i do not read enough and that's a little shame. I watch movies alot, maybe cause it's easier...that is a lame excuse, i have to make myself to read more!


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

A: There is a wolf inside every man. The wolf that is ready to kill the weaker one.
Tame that beast down and check out my debut album, out 30.9.2016.

She Beast/III/2016 EP Review

  She  Beast  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2016  ep "III".

  Horror  movie  samples  start off  the ep  along  with  some  bass  guitars  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  leads  up  to  more  of  a  heavier  doom  metal  direction  along  with  some  high  pitched  sludge  style  screams  and  there  is  also  a  small  amount  of  mid  paced  sections  and  blast  beats  along  with  elements  of  punk  rock  and  southern  etal.

   One  track  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  melody  being  utilized  on  a  couple  of  songs  and  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  give  the  music  more  of  a  retro  and  stoner  metal  vibe  and  all  of  the  tracks  stick  to a  heavy  musical  style.

  She  Beast  plays  a  musical  style  that  focuses  more  of  the  heavier  side  of  sludge  and  doom  metal  while  also  having  some  southern,  stoner  and  punk  rock  elements,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Sea  Beast  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.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Fly"  and  "Saw  Pig".  8  out  of  10. 

Bethmoora Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1. Copenhagen based sludge/doom 5 piece Bethmoora, has existed for about a year in its current form, all members with experience from previous bands. Huge riffs, bludgeoning rhythms and disturbing vocals are key elements of the slow descent.

2.How would you describe your musical sound?
2. Blackened Psychedelic Funeral Sludge Doom? It's hard to describe your own music, if you don't set out to play a specific genre from the start. We do think that we have a common base in doom metal, but try to pull in all the stuff we like, be it from psychedelic rock, sludge, funeral doom, black metal or noise. The sound is massive and we play slow and heavy music. We like the music to become physical so that we and our listeners can feel the frequencies.

3.Your lyrics cover a lot of occult topics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this subject?
3. Fantasy has always been an intriguing topic and is that main genre that Anders reads. This of course will also influence what you write.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Bethmoora'?
4. It is a really cool name and it is a story of a doomed city by one of the early writers of the fantasy/horror genres Lord Dunsany. And we also like the band Bong.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
5. We enjoy every time we play: Opening the Nothern Discomfort festival was an awesome first gig. Opening for Remote with only 10 people and opening for Dopethrone with Dreich and a lot of people. All awesome shows.
The tempo is slow and thus the movement on stage is fairly scarce, but the sound is thick, immersive and blasts at you. There are no theatrics.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
6. We have four shows coming up in September and October. One of them opening for YOB. We are planning a winter European tour with Dorre (February).

7.You have a split coming out with 'Dorre', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?
7. We enjoy their tracks and it is awesome that on one record you can span wide and still stay within the same genre. Which we have also tried to depict on the album cover.

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
8. There has been some interest in releasing our demo, but we have not actively tried to contact any labels. We are working on material for a full length and will be more actively looking for labels.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge and doom metal?
9. Pretty damn well which came as a pleasant surprise.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
10. Louder, deeper, and darker ;)

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?
11. All the members come from different musical backgrounds. To name a few that we have on heavy rotation: YOB, Kataklysm (the old stuff), Conan, Fister, Cult of Occult, Indian, Coltsblood and the list goes on ... and on. Basically if it slow and/or heavy we dig it.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
12. We are five fat fathers so time not spent with the band is spent with family and friends. Being five people the interests are numerous, there are interests in beer brewing, effect pedal building, board games, and more.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. Our band is an outlet for most of us all. We have to have a regular session to stay sane. We would still be playing even if it had never left the rehearsal space. We are just trilled that there are people out there who seem to enjoy the noises we make.

Harri Kauppinen/Helvetin Laulat/Concorde Music Company/2016 CD Review

  Harri  Kauppinen  is  a  solo  project  from  Finland  that  plays  a  dark  form  of  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2016  album  "Helvetin  Laulat"  which  will  be  released  in  September  by  Concorde  Music  Company.

 Nature  sounds  and  spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  and  after  the  into  the  music  goes  into  more  of  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction  while  also  adding  in  keyboards  and  violins  while  acoustic  guitars can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  after  awhile  clean  singing  is  added  onto  the  recording  and  there  are  also  a  great  amount  of  goth/doom  metal  elements.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in  a  very  dark  and  melodic  fashion  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow   musical  direction  and  spoken  word  parts  also  make  a  return  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  they  give  the  songs  more  of  a  poetic  feeling  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Harri  Kauppinen  plays  a  style  of  dark  metal  that  is  very  tragic  and  gloomy  sounding  while  also  mixing  in  elements  of  doom  and  goth  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Finnish  and  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Harri  Kauppinen are a very  great  sounding  dark  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Linnut"  "Maa  Paala"  "Katumus"  and  "Non  Oli  Hyva".  8  out  of  10.

The Lurking Corpses/Traffic Death/Split Personality/Give Praise Records/2016 Split EP Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  ep  between  Indiana's  The  Lurking  Corpses  and  Iowa's  Traffic  Death  called  "Split  Personality"  which  was  released  by  Give  Praise  Records  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  The  Lurking  Corpses  a band  that  plays  a  mixture  of  horror  punk,  thrash  and  death  metal.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  spoken  word  samples  before  going  into  a  heavier  and  melodic  direction  along  with  some  punk  style  vocals  which  have a  Misfits  influence  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  use  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  blast  beats  and  horror  movie  samples  can  be  heard  briefly  and  on  the  second  tracks  grim  screams  and  death  metal  growls  are  added  into  the  music  as well  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror  movie  themes.

  In  my  opinion  The  Lurking  Corpses  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  horror  punk, thrash  and death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres, you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Don't Need  It".

  Next  up  is  Traffic  Death  a  band  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays a  mixture  of punk,  grind,  thrash,  doom,  crust,  power  violence  and  hardcore.

  Their  side  of  the split  starts  out  with  melodic  riffing  and  horror  movie  samples which  also  leads  up  to  more  of  a  doom  metal  direction  and  a  few  seconds  later  high pitched  screams  and  death  metal  growls  are  added  into  the  music  and  all of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  incorporate  a  great  amount  of  grind,  and  crust  punk  elements, t he  production  sounds very  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  violence  and  horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Traffic  Death  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  punk,  grind,  thrash,  doom,  crust,  power  violence  and  hardcore,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Human  Scar".

  In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  punk  and  extreme  metal.  8  out  of  10.