Leather Glove/Skin On Glass/Sentinent Ruin Laboratories/2016 Demo Review

  Leather  Glove  are  a  solo  project  from  San  Francisco, California  that  plays  a  mixture  of  sludge,  crust,  grindcore  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2016  demo  "Skin  On  Glass"  which  was  released  by  Sentinent  Ruin  Laboratories.

  A  very  fast  and  brutal  grindcore  sound  starts  off  the  demo bringing  in  blast  beats  along  with  some  deep  death  metal  growls  a  few  seconds  later  and  you  can  also  hear  a  great  amount  of  crust  punk  elements  throughout  the  recording  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  mid  80's  and  early  90's  influences.

  When  the  music  slows  down  it  brings  in  more  of  a  sludge  and  doom/death  metal  style  while t he  solos  and  leads  are  very  dark  and  melodic  and   while  the  first  song  was  very  fast  the  other  2  stick  to  a  slower  direction  while  also  having  its  fast  moments  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  you  can  also  hear  a  brief  use  of  drones.

  Leather  Glove  plays  a  musical  style  that  is  mostly  rooted  in  sludge  and  doom/death  metal  while  also  having  some crust  and  grind  elements,  the  production  sounds  very  dark, raw, h eavy  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Leather  Glove  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  crust,  crust,  sludge,  doom  and  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this solo  project.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Rods  of  Steel".  8  out  of  10.

  

 

Seeming Emptiness/Heavy Rain/Rain Without End Records/2016 CD Review

  Seeming  Emptiness  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  ambient,  post,  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Heavy  Rain"  which  will  be  released  on  May  28th  by  Rain  Without  End  Records.

  Clean  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  riffing  and  elements  of  post  rock  a  few  seconds  later  and  once  the  drums  and  distorted  guitars  kick  in  the  music  starts  going  into  a  heavier  direction  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  use  a  great  amount  of  melody  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  A  lot  of  doom  metal  elements  can  be  heard  in  the  heavier  guitar  riffing  and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  both  clean  and  heavy  parts  and  all  of  the  songs  are  instrumental  and  as  the  album  progresses  elements  of  dark  ambient  are  added  into  more  of  the  songs  and  all  of  the  tracks  stick  to  mostly  a  slow  or  mid  paced  musical  direction  while  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  fast  playing  and  blast  beats  and  rain  sounds  are  also  utilized  briefly  on  the  closing  track.

  Seeming  Emptiness  plays  an  instrumental  musical  style  that  takes  ambient  and  a  modern  style  of  post  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  the  more  melodic  and  depressive  style  of  doom/death  metal  to  create  something  very  original  and  the  production  sounds  very  professional.

  In  my  opinion  Seeming  Emptiness  are  a  very  great  sounding  instrumental  mixture  of  ambient,  post  and  doom  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Dispatched  Fortune"  "Heavy  Rain"  "Heirless"  and "Enliven  The  Dust".  8  out  of  10.

Grave Siesta Interview

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


We are now in the process of writing new material. We also try to play as many gigs as possible. Gig offers are always welcome.



2.last year in June 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?


Our new material is more tight, raw, nasty and furious than the previous material.  Taito also now uses his voice in much more pronounced way.


3.This is the first album to be released in 4 years, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time period?


Since we all have day jobs and all, we cannot do this 24/7/365. Our next release will come out faster though. The band has been there to keep things together no matter what happens in the band members private lives.


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

Lyrical concept has been pretty much the same since the beginning. Short stories about life and death and usually fucking things up in between. Man is the scum of the earth and to deal with that we tend to fuck others up unless we get screwed ourselves. There are no happy endings but still the reality is usually more harsh than this nihilist fantasy world.


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

It has several meanings, one is related to finnish proverb which translates something like "time enough to rest when dead". It can also mean that death is just one phase in the circle.


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?

Our best show was probably at a mini-festival called Dooomstock, back in 2011, since it was sold out. We always aim to perform very loud and energetic shows. The “funniest” gig was probably a one where the police arrived because of the noise. Also it´s been a pleasure to play in Tallinn couple of times.

We like it raw and simple: to play the songs live with fury, sweat and beer!


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

Not really. Since we're not a name band we just cannot plan these things ahead. We will play any gig that we can get. At this point there is one gig booked in June, at Helsinki at Lepakkomies (one day before Tuska-festival, if you’re coming..)

8.The last album was self released, are you open to working with another label again in the future or do you prefer to be independent?

It depends. We really don't want go into details with our previous deal. But let's just say, that if we could get at least semi decent deal from some label, then of course we would take that. Otherwise we stay independent.

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

Mainly very positive. Actually the worldwide feedback has been much more positive than the feedback from Finland. Local metal media has labelled us as some sort of Reverend Bizarre copy band, which is not the case at all, if you have heard the music. Some of our songs are heavily influenced by Pentagram though, maybe it comes from that.

10.What is going on with 'Rite' these days, a band that also shares a couple of the same members?

Sami ja Juha also plays in Rite, though Rite has been on some kind of hiatus past years. But there have also been rumours that Rite will hit the stage next autumn. You never know...


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

The general direction will be pretty much the same as in Piss & Vinegar. But of course there will some changes. For example some of our new songs do not sound doom metal at all, while still being really heavy and abrasive.


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?

Our main influences are doom metal, sludge metal, death metal and even some black metal. (Who would have guessed?). And bands like Pentagram, High on Fire, Celtic Frost, Entombed and even some Primordial.

Taito: I listen to a lot of non-metal music as well and try to keep up with new releases at least those available on streaming services. Generally not top-40 chart stuff but spanning different genres.


13.What are some of your non musical interests?

Mikko: Hitting the gym and sitting in seedy bars.

Taito: Food, beer and running.

Juha: Family, TFW Helsinki

Sami: Staying alive

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

Spread the word of Grave Siesta, dig into the new stuff and get us playing near you! And if you want to order the awesome  “Piss & Vinegar” vinyl, send us mail: gravesiesta@gmail.com !!

Funeral Mantra/Afterglow/Sliptrick Records/2015 Full Length Review

 Funeral  Mantra  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  stoner  and doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Afterglow"  which  was  released  by  Sliptrick  Records.

  Avant  garde  sounds  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  distorted  yet  melodic  guitar  riffing  a  few  seconds  later  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  and  after  the  intro  the  music  gets  a  lot  more  heavier  and  starts  to  mix  in  elements  of  doom  metal  while  the  vocals  are  done  in  more  of  a  groove  metal  direction  while  still  being  melodic  at  times.

  Death  metal  growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  stick  to  more  of  a  dark  doom  metal  direction  while  also  adding  in  a  touch  of  blues  rock  at  times  and  when  clean  playing  is  utilized  it  gives  the  songs  a  psychedelic  edge  and  there  are  also  a  lot  of  stoner  rock  elements  being  mixed  in  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  songs  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  paced  musical  direction  and  acoustic  guitars  are  added  onto  the  last  song.

  Funeral  Mantra  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  stoner  rock  and  doom  metal  and  mixes  them  together  along  with  a  touch  of  death  and  groove  metal  which  makes  the  songs  stand  out  a  bit  more,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  introspection,  death,  afterlife,  reincarnation  and  dreamy  substance  induced  scenarios  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Funeral  Mantra  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  stoner  and  doom  metal  with  some  touches  of  death  and  groove  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Dimensions  Onward"  "In  These  Eyes"  "Counterfeit  Soul"  and  "Afterglow".  8  out  of  10. 

Ghoulgotha/To Starve The Cross/Dark Descent Records/2016 CD Review

  Ghoulgotha  are  a  band  from  San  Diego,  California  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  death  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "To  Starve  the  Cross"  which  will  be  released  in  June  by  Dark  Descent  Records.

  Horror  move  samples  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  melodic  guitar  leads  which  also  takes  the  music  into  a  heavier  direction  along  with  some  death  metal  growls  and  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  and  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  doom  metal  elements  and  the  riffs  also  use  a  great  amount  of  melody.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  songs  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  screams  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording and  the  songs  sound  like  they  could  of  easily  been  recorded  and  released more  than  20  years  ago.

  A  few  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and one  track  also  brings  in a brief  use  of  clean  playing  and  also  mixes  it  in  with  the  heavier  riffing  and  some  of t he  fast  riffs   also  use  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  a  couple  of   later  songs  also  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  classical  guitars  and  atmospheric  synths.

  Ghoulgotha  remain  true  to  the  old  school  mixture  of  doom   and  death  metal  of  previous  recordings,  the  production  sounds  very professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  death,  darkness  and  abstract  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Ghoulgotha  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Village  Of  Flickering  Torches"  "Abyssic  Eyes"  "Visceral  Eyes"  and  "Holy  Book  Scribed  by  Wolves".  8  out  of  10.

 

The Drowning/Senescent Signs/Casket Music/2016 CD Review

  Th  Drowning  are  a  band  from  Wales  in  the  United  kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  doom  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Senesight  Signs" w hich  will  bw  released  in  June  by  Casket  Music.

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  violins  and  after  the  intro  the  music  goes  into  a  heavier  musical  direction  which  also  introduces  death  metal  growls  onto  the  recording  as  well  as  adding  in  some  melodies  and  atmospheric  sounds  and  the  songs  are  rooted  in  the  90's  style  of  doom/death  metal.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  done  in a   very  dark,  melodic  and  depressive  fashion  and  black  metal  screams  can  also  be  heard  at  times  while  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  and  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  at  times  and  elements  of  post  metal  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  both  slow  or  mid  paced  parts  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  one  track  also  brings  in  the  brief  use  of  whispers,  spoken  word  parts  and  female  vocals  which  also  return  again  briefly  along  with  some  operatic  male  vocals.

  The Drowning  plays  a  style  of  doom/death  metal  that  is  very  dark,  heavy  and  atmospheric  and  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  goth  and  black  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  melancholic,  anti  religion  and  occult  themes.

  In  my  opinion  The  Drowning  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  mixture  of  doom  and  death  metal  along  with  some  goth  and  black  metal  touches  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Broken  Before  The  Throne"  "At  One  With  the  Dead"  and  "The  Lament  of  Faust".  8  out  of  10.    

      

   

Serotonin Syndrome Interview

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


1. We are a 5-6 piece post-metal band from Rovaniemi Finland, the place where polar bears and Santa lives you know.
We are a punch of players from different backgrounds from death/black metal to Finnish folk music. At the end we do our music just to amuse the listener and that´s it.

2.So far you have released 2 albums how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on both of the recordings and also how do they differ from each other?

2. The basic idea on both of the recordings were the same actually. The idea was to sound Serotonin Syndrome and nothing else. We are group of players in a same band in that sense. We had a synth player in the second one but no one knows where he is at the moment. Maybe he has lost the hope in humanity or just gone for the classical music business. Great guy anyway... played with us live and one record.. searching for new one at the moment.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
3. It actually differs from tune to tune but the basic idea behind every song is that at the end life is pointless.
Some are political (first album) and on the later one we have focused more in to the basic idea of how everything is lost.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Serotonin Syndrome'?
4. It is what it says. The name was not thought that much when we started but after all what could describe 5 depressed, antisocial,mental cases better. Medical book may offer some answers too.

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. Nummirock 2015 comes to mind. Might be the fact that although there wasn't much of a crowd present it was and still is the biggest gig we've played.

6.Do you have nay touring or show plans for the future?
6. At the time we will be playing in Jalometalli festival this summer. Smaller gigs might happen before and after but touring wide we haven't planned anything big

7.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a albel or have received any interest?

7. Ofc ourse we wouldn't mind if there was a label interested about publishing our music. Today its not that important to have a "label" behind a band as it used to be and if to be honest we're more interested in getting contacts to play shows outside Finland too.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of post or extreme metal?
8. It has been a bit better actually than in our home country I think. I haven't seen one that doesn't have anything good to say about our music.
It is definetly nice to see that people like this kind of music.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
9. We have been writing some new tunes lately and I think they are coming out a little darker more doom- and black metal style stuff. Hopefully this can be heard during this year for the few fans we have at the moment.

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. There are some many and as a said before we come from so different backgrounds musically that the list would be way too long.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
11. We are finns, so we like to drink... a lot... Sometimes.. Everything goes, vodka, beer, whiskey, vine and even some homemade brewery tastes good.

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
12. Before you die you should listen Sarajas because if you didn't you will die anyway.

Timo/SS