Varaha/Self Titled/2016 EP Review

 Varaha  are  a  band  from  Chicago,  Illinois  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  doom/death  metal  with  some  goth  and  dark  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  and  self  titled 2016  ep.

  A  very  dark  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  ep  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  direction  and  add  in  touches  of  goth  and  dark  wave  and  the  riffs  also  use  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  after  awhile  clean  playing  and  clear  vocals  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length and  when  screams a re  utilized  they  add  in  touches  of  black  metal  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  violins  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow  direction  and  takes  some  traces  of  90's  influenced  doom/death  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  a  more  modern  post  metal  style.

  Varaha  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  goth  and goth  rock  and  mixes  in  some  doom,  death,  black  and  post  metal  elements  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Varaha  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  mixture  of  goth  rock,  post  and  doom/death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Ghost".  8  out of  10.   

Desteriorot/In Ancient Beliefs/Xtreeem Music/2016 CD Re-Issue Review

  Deteriorot  are  a  band  from  North  Carolina  that  plays  a  mixture  of  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2001  album  "In  Ancient  Beliefs"  which  was  re-issued  in  2016  by  Xtreem  Music.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  deep  death  metal  growls  a  few  seconds  later  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  and  the  slower  sections  of  the  songs  are  very  heavily  influenced  by  doom  metal  and  the  riffs  also  use  a  great  amount  of  morbid  sounding  melodies.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  remain  true  to  a  very  old  school  style  of  death  metal and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  grim  screams  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  a  couple  of  tracks  also  brings in  a  brief  use  of  synths  while  clean  guitars  are  used  on  one  of  the  songs.

  Deteriorot  played  a  style  of  doom/death  metal  that  was  very  old  school  for  even  2001  while  also  being  very  heavy  and  dark,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Spirits,  Death,  Ceremonies,  and  Anti  Christianity  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Deteriorot  are  a  very  great  sounding  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  "In  Ancient  Beliefs"  "Fallen  Misery"  "Eternal  Darkness"  and  Vile".  8  out  of  10.

Wrath Of Echoes/A Fading Bloodline/PRC Music/2017 CD Review

  Wrath Of  Echoes  are  a  band  from  Quebec,  Canada  that  plays  a  melodic mixture  of  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  album  "A  Fading  Bloodline"  which  will  be  released  in  2017  by PRC  Music.

  A  very  hard  sound  with  tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  great  mount  of  melody  and  after the  intro  depressive  yet  melodic  guitar  leads  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with  a great  amount  of death  metal  growls  and  grim  screams  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  Half  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic in  length  and  semi  clean  playing  along  with  violins  and  symphonic  elements  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  riffing  is  mostly  done  in  a  doom/death  metal  style and  some  of  the  screams  bring  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  and  all  of  the  songs  stick  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction  and  one  track  also  introduces  melodic  vocals  onto the  recording.

  Wrath  Of  Echoes  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  atmospheric  doom  metal  and  mixes  it  with  melodic  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  poetic  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Wrath  Of  Echoes  are  a  very  great  sounding melodic  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  "A  Fading  Bloodline"  and  "Wrath  Of  Echoes'.  8  out  of  10.

Herem 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?

After the whole process of finishing the album to be ready release meaning recording, mixing, mastering and hiring an artist to realize  our ideas for an album cover we all sort of needed to take a break from it and let it breathe on its own for a bit.


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?

We wanted to have more dynamics and different nuances so with this in mind we concentrated a lot more in the arrangements for each song. I think this comes across pretty well and listening to the album is like going on this dark and heavy journey where these feelings are represented in very different ways.


3.This is the first album to come out in 5 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time span?

Well, playing shows and writing new material mostly. We do this because of our uncompromising passion for the sound of dark death/doom and since that will not put you in the charts or sell very many records we have to deal with our day jobs and other life situations that sometimes need to take priority for a while.


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

The lyrical themes on the new album feature occultism, horror fantasies and overall desperation: Scars is about using the markings of another persons skin to summon the dead into telling their stories and secrets. Snakes tells the story of sex, death and rebirth involved an occult ceremony. Slumber honors H.P.Lovecraft with a horror story filled with ancestral curses, nameless monsters and such. Drowning Steed is a woeful story leading to hopeless death and Edge of the World explores escapism as a way to cope with reality and depression. Fun and cheerful topics, right?


5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Herem'?

I think our our bass player Tommi found it in the bible or something and thought it would make a good name for a band. Nothing special or mystical there I'm afraid.


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?

Umm... I don't know if we are the right people to answer this :) Sometimes you feel like a show was close to shit but the audience loved it and sometimes the opposite.  It depends on so many things. But the fact is that we love playing live and for what we hear is that we sound best live as well. Not to say that our albums sound bad but playing live always brings out something special.


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

We have a show coming up in January 14th. It's in a boat called Wäiski anchored to the harbor of Hakaniemi in Helsinki. It's with a couple of local bands Radien and Dead in the Water. Should be cool. Come see us if you can.

https://www.facebook.com/events/344519399248505/


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

Generally very positive. We seem to be receiving very good reviews from Eastern Europe and a lot of presence in US based podcasts as well. I think underground music has a strong worldwide support scene and also we seem to fit pretty well. So thank for all the zines, podcasts and especially fans who have given us support!


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?

Valendis is also handling vocals in Dead Samaritan, whose style includes shades of thrash and death with hints of good ol' dirty rock'n'roll. Dead Samaritan is currently in process of writing material for their third full-length album. other members are also involved in some on and off projects of various musical styles.


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

To be totally honest I don't know. We're on the verge of releasing the physical album on December 16th in Finland and I guess we are waiting to see how it goes. In any case Herem is a death/doom band so I don't see any synths or spandex happening anytime soon.


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?

I would say that the initial inspiration for Herem came from death, doom and stoner bands: Autopsy, Cathedral, Sleep, Electric Wizard, Kyuss, Bolt Thrower, Goatsnake, Carcass, Reverend Bizarre and of course Black Sabbath just to name a few. Nowadays I think we would all just call ourselves as "fans of good music" meaning that any type of music can be good if its done right.


12.What are some of your non musical interests?

I usually spend my free time going to shows to see other bands, watching movies, playing games and trying to have a good time in general despite of all the shite happening in the world. I think its important to keep a healthy PMA despite of how dark our music is ;)


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

Thanks for hitting us up with this interview! It's been fun. Take care of each other and doom on! Cheers!

-Valendis and Patrick from Herem.

MorphiuM 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?

A few days after the release of the new album the music video had over 45.000 views plus other thousands of reproductions in digital platforms, we started the tour and the first country we visited was China, after that we went back to the Iberian Peninsula where we continued the tour in the main cities. Before ending 2016 we are going to officially present the album and we will be playing around Spain to then depart towards other countries of the european continent in 2017.


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?

This album has been a significant jump in all levels, composition wise its more harmonic and atmospheric, well worked to enjoy the album at home and also with the necessary strength that characterises MorphiuM to enjoy the live shows.

To achieve this we worked with the producer Eugenio Fresco ¨Kuen¨ , the music engineer Marco Barusso and Marco Dagostino. They had worked with Lacuna Coil etc and we loved the sound they acquired. After our journey through Italy to finish off the mixing of the album and the master we can say we're very proud of the final result of the tracks composition wise as well as sound quality wise. It sounds amazing!


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

The lyrics of the album are introspective and talk about the most pure and basic emotions like love or hate. A lot of metaphors are used which enables the message to fit into a social context. Also Self-criticism and the darkest perspective of everything that makes us what we are.


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


We create contrast music, we have brutal passages followed by more melancholic and atmospheric ones. We think our music can drag you to the most primitive and uncontrolled part as well as a passive trance state where pain doesn't exist . Morphine is used to relieve the most extreme pain and also can take you to the darkest areas of oneself if used as a drug.

We like to think our music is addictive and its power is similar to Morphine.


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?

I remember the Festival Hell and Heaven metal fest in Mexico in 2013, Ripollet rock festival in Catalunya, the Hifi Fest in China or the album presentations. On the following 9th of December we're doing the official presentation of The Blackout in the Blackout Fest in our home city, Girona and I'm sure it's going to be one of the best shows until the day.

 The concerts of this last tour are being insane, the crowds don't come to headbang, they come to wave their heads off their bodies. The adrenaline we transmit is contagious and the concerts quickly turn into collective craziness.
I have the sensation it's like a train which is about to derail although I like to think the situation is under control.

What we do we do with passion and it's visible. We put all our frustrations and illusions into this and lots of energy is released.

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

We want to return to Asia and America. If all goes well in 2017 we're going to do some shows in Europe and change continent.


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

The music label where I work. We had been with Roadrunner records Spain (Kaiowas Records)  and in other big labels. In the end we decided to do it with someone who could concentrate in us all their energies and that can't get better than a small label which has been working for 20 years like the one i work in where I can take control and make all the decisions.

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

We have a great feedback with United States, mexico and South America.
In Europe we have presence in Spain and we're trying to open up to the rest of countries in which we have fans but we consider we need to work more. We have very good feedback with China and we wish to head towards Japan during 2017 with a long tour around Asia.


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

I picture MorphiuM in more big format festivals on a worldwide level, we will also work hard to continue filling venues out of our country. All of this with hard work and sacrifice since nothing comes for free.

We're a hard working and ambitious band, only time will tell what we can accomplish, what we're clear about is that we're going to put all our strength to achieve it.


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?

Some of the bands that have shaped us are bands like Slipknot, Korn,  Marilyn Manson, Dream Theater... we've grown up with their music but as we've gotten older as persons and musicians our musical references have also grown, Porcupinne Tree, Opeth, Meshuggah and many other are references nowadays to us. 


11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Our non musical interests are enjoying ourselves 100% with all we do, achieve objectives and see how our work is compensated. The personal satisfaction is great when nobody gives you anything for free and we continue to make our dreams come true. Get to know people and travel doing what we love makes us immensely happy.

There are a lot of hard moments and we sleep very little but it's all compensated!

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

Thank you to all the people who share our music and enjoy it, also thank you to you for dedicating a space of your media, see you soon in a live act presenting The Blackout.



Alex Bace - vocals

Ruin Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
MIHAIL: RUIN is a heavy death metal band. If you enjoy maggots spewing out of your speakers and "music" that will make you puke, you will enjoy RUIN.


2.How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?
MIHAIL: The sound inside of our heads is that of murder and darkness. We wish to convey those things with what we conceive in our torture chamber. The atmosphere should be suffocating and hopeless. This is how we feel inside, so this is how everyone else will feel that listens to this filth.

3.The band was broken up for more than 20 years, what was the cause of the split and also the decision to reform?
MIHAIL: Many factors worked against this project/band over the years. Including but not limited to criminal incarcerations, disappearances,mental institutions and other problems that limited the progress of the
band. The hunger never left, the dark heart was always beating. Once I figured out my situation, I tried to gather the proper maniacs needed for this. D-Muerte is part of the main leadership of this cult. We also have
been able to utilize some great comrades to help us spread this plague. Now we focus on the present and the future.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
MIHAIL: The rantings are that of a murderer on a psychedelic journey past the mind and into other regions, other "worlds". Although situations that take place here on earth are also present. In so many words: Death,
Murder, Blood, Serial Killers, Mass Murder, Darkness.... Those are some topics. Over all, the death of "Mankind" as we know it is the main theme here.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ruin'?
MIHAIL: It fit our vision of what we wanted to convey perfectly.

6.The members reside in both California and North Dakota, how does this work in the recording process?
MIHAIL: We are actually nomads. You might see the location/home base of this band change from time to time. Currently, we seem to frequent the quiet vastness of the California high desert and the rough plains of North Dakota, since we have deep roots in both locations/environs. When the recording schedule is arranged and set, we assemble and accomplish the project. No matter what the circumstances. Technology is also of great assistance with file sharing and ideas spread quickly, even though we are basically cave people that live off the grid. We have some amazing comrades that assist us with getting the process done and getting our music sessions transmitted out to those who seek it.

7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
MIHAIL: We have only done a handful of shows so far, the first being with our old friend Matt and his band GRUESOME in 2015. We had a set of three shows in 2016 with WARMASTER (a stop in L.A. before their Japanese tour), UNDERGANG and SPECTRAL VOICE in the summer and finally one with COME TO GRIEF(former GRIEF members who are also old friends). The stage performance is just the band, VERY loud and focused on bringing forth our version of death metal. In the future, we may plan on working on some things with the live performances(visual images, lighting, etc...)

8.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
MIHAIL:  We don't plan on doing very many live performances. Taking part in any type of "scene" disgusts us. So we choose wisely and patiently as far as shows to perform at. We make exceptions for comrades that come up with a good line up/situation to take part in. Once we have some more releases out there, we shall see what the interest is for us to head out to those who support what we do, are out of our direct region and get to perform for them on tour. So NO plans as of the present.

9.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Ghoulgotha', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?
MIHAIL: GHOULGOTHA is an awesome band and a perfect fit for this split and the concept of it. They approach the doom/death way a bit differently than RUIN does, but it makes for a great release in our opinion. Wayne from GHOULGOTHA is a friend of ours and we did this release as a tribute for our great mutual friend Chris "Reaper" Campbell (Martyrvore vocalist) who passed away earlier this year.

10.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of doom and death metal?
MIHAIL: We are disconnected from most of society, so our direct communication with people is limited. What we have heard from the labels and other people who have helped us out so far is positive. And the
feedback from the live performances has been positive as well. Those who support RUIN by releasing our music, if they are happy, then we are happy. Also, those who pay money to come see RUIN live, if they are satisfied, then so are we.

11.When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
MIHAIL: "Drown in Blood" is the name of the debut full length RUIN album. As of my writing tonight, the release date will be sometime in late March2017. There will be 8 new songs of death metal on there. The CD release will be handled by Memento Mori Records. The 12 inch vinyl release will be handled by Blood Harvest Records. The cassette tape release will be handled by Nero One Records/Von Frost Records. The future will only bring more madness and absolute terror by this cult. Expect more heavy and simple death metal.

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?
MIHAIL: Influences: HELLHAMMER/FROST, VENOM, SODOM, AUTOPSY, SLAUGHTER,
REPULSION, MASTER, SARCOFAGO, DEATH, SABBATH, CANDLEMASS, DREAM DEATH,
TROUBLE, SAINT VITUS, a ton of 80s/early 90s death metal from Sweden, Finland and the U.K., even stuff like early NAPALM DEATH, IMPETIGO, MORTICIAN. Also heavy and crazy punk/hardcore like DISCHARGE, AMEBIX, MOB 47, SEPTIC DEATH, THE ACCUSED, etc... What do I listen to nowadays?: Allof my classic albums and old demo tapes of course! Also INFERNAL CURSE,
MORDBRAND, CARDIAC ARREST, MASTER OF CRUELTY, SCORCHED, CHURCH OF DISGUST, WITCHTRAP, HEXENSLAUGHT, BESTIAL RAIDS, PROFANAL, BLACK FUCKING CANCER and PUTRIFIED are some bands I have been enjoying recently.

13.How would you describe your views on Occultism?
MIHAIL: We proudly proclaim that we are practitioners in many things that are involved with the Occult and it's practices. Yet this is our personal, deep seeded way of life and our specific areas of study. It is not to
share with the public as far as where we stand and what we "believe" in faith wise. We will not bore our brethren out there, nor alienate them either. This type of personal stuff has no business in music as far as we
are concerned. The live performances can be considered a "ritual", yet that would mean we are "above" the audience and that we are performing some sort of religious experience. In reality the live performance is a
release of energy for us. Furthermore, the music that RUIN does is too dirty and raw to be part of anything sanctimonious, even sanctimony geared towards the dark arts. RUIN comes from the sewer, the under belly of this world. NEVER forget that! We have great respect for many Occult beliefs, with using some of these ancient and newer belief structures and philosophies in our lives. Yet we have an ultimate disdain for 99% of the man made religions out there. We have a complete disgust for the weak who choose to use religion as their crutch in their existence. We are wolves among sheep in that sense. More than ever, the world has become a cesspool of religious fanaticism with people shoving their beliefs down other's throats, with their precious books in hand. Religion has a set of rules to live by, mythology to understand the world, and terminology to define one's own spirituality with. The Occult, on the other hand, is a set of tools to change one's life, a method of communication to demand answers from the world and methods to take an active roll in one's own spirituality. Those who follow a religion are passive observers in their spiritual world, whereas those who practice the occult have chosen to take an active role in the spiritual world around them and within them. I don't "pray to god", I utilize the power inside of myself, communicating with the powers around me. Occultists don't say, "everything has a reason," they demand an explanation from everything. I don't sit back and hope fora miracle, I will create the miracle if needed.

14.What are some of your non musical interests?
MIHAIL: I read books voraciously, like a maniac. I'm interested in all subjects, but usually the dark side of life and history. I'm also a movie freak. From classics to modern(as long as they are good!) but here I tend
to bend towards horror and crime movies. Since I'm an older human being and have the metabolism of NOTHING I have to exercise and lift weights to try and maintain my health. I'm not really connected to mainstream type behavior and prefer to be out in the wilderness with my dogs, hang out with friends/family and of course the rest of our RUIN CULT. I have been also entertaining the idea getting into writing books. We shall see how this unfolds.

15.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
MIHAIL: Salut to you Kuba and Propaganda Chaosu! "Drown in Blood" is coming. Also keep those plague infested ears and eyes ready for our other upcoming releases, in conspiracy with some great comrades: split 7 inch with VIOLATION WOUND on Fudgeworthy Records, split 12 inch with ANARCHUS on Fat Ass Records, a 12 inch 4 song RUIN MLP on Morbid Reality Records and a 14 song discography CD of what RUIN has unleashed so far on HPGD Productions. RUIN CULT ETERNAL!

Prisoner 639/Throw Me In The Crater/EveryDayHate/2016 Split Ep Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  ep  between  Belgium's  Prisoner  639  and  Netherlands's  Throw  Me  In  The  Crater  which was  released  by  EveryDayHate  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Prisoner  639  a  duo  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  primitive  form  of  power  violence.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  distorted  drone  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  leads  up  to  bass  and  drums  making  their  presence  known  in  the  song  that  also  brings  in  a  touch  of  sludge  and  after  awhile  the  music  speeds  up  and  brings  in  blast beats  and  growling  vocals  along  with  a  great  amount  of  grindcore  and  power  violence  elements  and  the  track  also  brings  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  angry  themes.

  In  my  opinion Prisoner  639  are  a  very  great  sounding  power  violence  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.

  Next  up  is  Throw  Me  In  The  Crater  a  band  that  plays  a  very  heavy  form  of  sludge.

  Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  drum  beats  and  distorted  amp  sounds  before  going  into a  heavier  sludge  and  doom  metal  direction  and  melodies  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  after  awhile  screams  are  added  into  the  song  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  melodies  can  also  be  heard  at  times,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  angry  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Throw  Me  in  The  Crater  are  a  very  great  sounding  sludge  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  song.

  In  conclusion  I  think  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  power  violence  and  sludge.  8  out  of  10.