Melankolia - III (review by D)

Before I start this review I like to mention where you can order this album online, you can find it here at this link http://melankolia.bandcamp.com/album/iii & you can check out Mikes label Nine Gates Records at http://ninegatesrecords.bandcamp.com/ for any upcoming artists on his label

Now, I highly recommend this album for listeners of Aphotic Starfield, Immundus, Fata Morgana, & it sounds much greater then the likes of Ildjarns - "Landscapes" album in a composed sense (even though I like the album Landscapes) but also falls into a catergory of ambient soundtrack music along with Eric Serra, & the Jesper Kyd.


This album is another ethereal masterpiece made up of dark brooding intertwining songs that leave the listener lost in a dream like state at first. Deep and mysterious, but also soothing and spacious. The production overall is outstanding and gives you something more then most dark ambient artists just providing you a song made up of one atonal sound track after track. The atmosphere is enormous and was recorded at Perpetual Darkness Studios from October 2010 to January of 2012, mixed & mastered by the same guy who owns the label Quartier 23 in Germany by Priapus 23 of Akoustic Timbre Frekuency. This also the longest, most thorough, well thought out album released by Melankolia since his last album Orpheus Down in 2011 I reviewed here sometime ago.

This album also features various artists in other bands, Appalachian Winters D.G. Klyne on the The Darkness Ever Present, Bruno Duarte of Immundus on Beauty...Interrupted, Karsten Harme on Lucidity Through Melancholy, Take Me From This Place with Matt Thyssen of Buer, Loell Duinn on Eastern Sun, Western Darkness, Destiny's March (For All Time)feat Marc of Hoyland and last but not least the infamous Norwegian musician Mortiis on Bring Me Victory on remixing. This sounds like a dream line up for sure! All experienced artists and they certainly bring out the best of each song they are featured on for III. I think this was a very wise idea on Mikes part and also gives you fresh new faces to look up in other styles of music. Of the bleakest and darkest comradery!

The III is for one a surround sound experience at home and can either bring out the best or absolute darkest in people. The depths of ones being in this cold & tragic existence... the walk alone out in the damp rainy country side, the moment where you can take the time out to stare at the night sky and wonder, gazing at the stars. Looking out at the moon light. This is that type of album, but also can be depressive to some but uplifting to others. I can say each track has something different to offer and at times it is a overwhelming theme made up of many elements that can put you in a trance along with solitude and silence. Filled with isolation, grief, a numbing feeling.... but gives you goosebumps on your arms. The synthesizers and piano echoing in the distance. The vocals present in songs that feature them are very well done.

Melankolias III is a album which offers something new and fresh to listeners of neo-classical/experimental dark ambience while not being too over the top but is like a journey unlike others I have yet to find that is totally similiar amongst dark ambient artists I have experienced in the genre. The music just transcends, and erupts like a theatrical operatic supernova, but its conductor is conducting the sounds of the darkest places of this universe. Only with what he has to his own disposal in instrumentation. If one were offered these instruments and was told to make something beyond a normal piano piece or something greater then one can imagine from a synth or piano sound, this is what would come to fruition. A stellar force of atmosphere and a thunderous wall of magical sounds.

Each part of this album has its own subliminal meaning and this passage possibly can offer you that understanding of what I mean by 3 parts hence the name of the album III in quote to a review authored by Marc Hoyland....

“III” is divided into three initial parts related to the formation of the Shadow during an eclipse, namely Penumbra, Umbra and Antumbra, that according to the artist’s own interpretation represent the three parts of the human entity: mind, spirit and soul. The final part, Postscript, represents a calcification in a way, of the internal process that has preceded, as well as a substantiation of its results. The completed formation of a new personality or a new Self. The three phases of an eclipse potentially correspond to many concepts, such as the triple Goddess, the three alchemical phases of the Magnum Opus (Nigredo, Albedo, Rubedo), the IAO formula, the Thelemic signs of NOX, the Jungian symbols of individuation and several other things.

The process and inspiration behind the album itself is massive and very astrological. I really like how the artist takes the time to read and understand the celestial and the becoming of ones self. It is really something if you think long and hard about it. Not alot of artists go out of there way to offer such a concept to there albums and it just makes it that just more special. Very interesting concepts here. The songs each have there own body and mind and continue to surprise me one after the other. You can also find marching sounds, romanticism, sadness, classical timeless feels that raise the hair on the back of your neck.

Melankolia's "III" is a work of art one must also take the time to listen to though, and I am on my 5th time hearing it and I will continue to listen to it for weeks to come. It is a sign of musical growth, ambition, and the artists perception of the world around him. A story that can touch many others, it speaks volumes far beyond our own minds darkest and most beautiful conceptions. ~D

Deviator - Fehu - Fohat - Fire (Review)

This trio or semi permanent trio band lead by Lord Hastner have made a album which can touch listeners of black / death metal / ambient & experimental listeners on many levels. They have a cold and brooding sound which hails from the depths of the Ukraine. They have strong ties to Depressive Illusion Records and released this album at only 101 copies alone via Depressive and the release was also handled by Lord Hastner and his own label Kundalini Records. This is a 2012 release and probably still available so I suggest you get a copy now at Depressive while you still can at their website.

http://depressiveillusions.com/items/cd-r/black-metal-pagan-metal/deviator-fehu-fohat-fire

Like I was saying, this album reaches many different atmospheres and also strikes many levels of musicianship in the BM but of course with their own twist. The vocals range from spoken word, to harsh and raspy vocals. The album burns a fire in you and is injected with solid riffs. The vocals are also not just raspy but echoing and guttural in a sense. The drumming is pretty solid and sound, and not too far behind in the mix. The overall production of this album is great. It has the production and the substance. But does it have the energy and keep the listener intrigued? The song Cost Of Freedom does and treads on till it creates its own way into your mind with a deeper and subjective meaning between its archaic punishment through out its presence.

The next song is a just a little less interesting for me though. Way Of Warriors Hymn to Immortals. It has a great start and provides alot of heavy interesting moments through out its composition and melody. But I wished the clean vocal approach or spoken word was more sonically intriguing and less raw well not raw but it lacked a effect and is just straight talking to me and is not too strong here. It could have so much more range and oomph to it I think and stand out better like the darker vocals if it had some power put behind it or a effect with it, but at the same time still keeping it in its natural form but just a little more flashy. The spoken word is alright, but when I hear clean vocals or someone dares to mix them with a heavy song, I like if they stood out just as much as the heavier and darker vocals did. The song is long and has a very epic feel to it overall. But I can say I liked the last song a little better. It is also not in English but that is not a gripe just a fact.

This one up Eternity of Blood, provides a great opener on guitar and really is uplifting. It has some very nice drumming on this one. The stampeding quality of it is what I really dig about it. Live or Die! then a softer passage with further outstanding drum work involved. Excellent song so far. I am starting to like this one more then the 2nd one and 3rd one. It has alot more going on in it, and it may be shorter then Way Of Warriors but has just some more dimension and balance to it.

4:12 and on to the end, was wrapped up very well, I can listen just to that part 100x over myself. Very well done!

My Thoughts....They Have No Rest....sounds like me!!! And this song is a heavily key oriented build up of sorts with heavy guitars and drumming. Its is a Winter Depression cover but I never heard the song by the actual band so I can not point out the differences other then this cover is really fucking good. It is a cover from a fellow UKR band and has a outro like presence but then again if it had vocals it would have made it that more intense and interesting then what it already is. It may have just been a instrumental on the original bands album but it does have alot going on and again, the drums and the guitars sound amazing. This song is heavily in the keys, but not so heavy it comes off as a synth or a pure background noise, it is piano in its nature, and has lots of feelings and layers to it. All I can is that it really has alot going for it and is a superior cover.

Burning Bridges Become Ashes goes back to the chaos and really pounds itself out before the album closes itself up. This vocal assault from the start stands out pretty well and the stops and goes are great too. A great BM guitar tremolo picking is going on, the drums are tapping ever so gently then jump right into the muscle of the track itself with that hypnotizing guitar darkening and pushes the track even further into total devastation. The vocal approach remains the same, vocals are pretty guttural then they stop to a abrupt calming. The song goes back and forth between each instrument, and the guitar comes back with a stronger voice in the song then its past 2 riffs with a duel symphony. Wow! love the dueling here. Dueling guitars = SUCCESS in my book. Now back to the crunchy and building up, then a quick halt and stop. I really wish they did not end so abruptly like that, with the dueling guitars stopping into a riff riff crunch riff then a end. I think the dueling and then a fading out end would have been perfect but them the bricks. I really enjoyed this song too though.

After a 2nd listen of this album I can say this album is more of a EP then anything to me, but then again it is really their all so far last year but I am sure next year more Deviator is to come. I will end this review by saying I really enjoyed this release and kind send out of a copy to me from Lord Hastner, and it has been a pleasure listening to this album again since the day I got it. I must have had some things on my mind and I have been busy but nonetheless my review is here and I know it is not of short length but I wanted to touch on the details of all the songs and what to expect before someone bought it. It is worth a buy and is heavy through out. but as for the diversity, it was a album made with a lot of the efforts and right intentions but has the room for some improvements down the road.


SAMPLE: http://www.reverbnation.com/deviator

Ancient Reign - Of Moonlights Glare (EP)

Hey guys, here is a new review by my new member of TF Zine! Check his review out. ~D


It has been some time since I have actually done a feasible review, especially one on an underground act such as this. I must admit, I have been out of touch with a lot of music lately so I have had little time to unearth new acts or projects for my listening pleasure. So to speak, this will be a review on the 2013 EP "Of Moonlights Glare" from Candian Black Metal band Ancient Reign.

I'm not all that familiar with this act, mostly as stated before I been out of the loop now for a few years. Ancient Reign is a folk black metal band from Halifax, Canada back in 2007. Apparently they released a small demo that was released under limited press but they have not released much until just recently. As I have found though, these Canadian acts truly know how to craft their art.

In many of ways, Ancient Reign reminds me if bands like Trollech, Nokturnal Mortum, Volh, and Svartby. The guitar riffing on this release is raw in essence but very clear and audible compared to many underground acts in the genre that have erupted onto the scene as of late. The riffs are heavy and somewhat punkish in its underlining feel, but there is a constant shift from that "main" opener riff into much more majestic and melodic folky melodies and tunes that truly has the listener being sucked in to the songs. Nothing here is original by any means, but unlike some of the bands mentioned before except excluding a few, Ancient Reign has an odd way of sucking the listener into each song. There are a heavy use of keyboard work and synths utilizing the breadth of the folk melodies and replicating the traditional folk instruments typically used or synthesized by bands in this genre. The melodies are very well done and don't over play there welcome. Which is refreshing in a genre that either becomes monotonous by design or acts that never allow a certain riff or melody to truly develope. Ancient Reign shows that they can write a song with competent song structuring not always found in underground black metal projects/bands.

Back to production values, everything in this release is audible and crystal clear, only failing so in the drum department. I'm not saying the drums are absent or inaudible, but a lot of bands I have found in this genre to put more emphasis on the guitars and synths and putting the drums and bass further into the mix, which by no means is a bad thing. In many ways I enjoy It more so because of the uncanny and difficult nature to record a drum kit...sometimes sounding like shit on a low if recording. Other bands or solo acts just opt out all together and use a drum machine. However the drums are fairly well done and match the music well. Nothing can be more more annoying then having super fast blast beats during a segment that just doesn't find compatibility for the style. Everything on this release just fits well in the mix overall.

Out of all the songs, the first track (not the intro track) "The Arrival" and the last track "Winter's Reign" were my favorites. Many a reason because these two for me stood out the most. the Arrival being the longest track on the EP and utilizing far more variety in the composition, even the use of acoustics take a decent portion if the overall length of the song, and its use of synths just truly added to that nice folky sound that I have come to love . The latter song being much shorter but of average length has solid riffing, and some good melodies that gets one into the song. I fairly enjoyed the entire album. My only problem with the release being the two songs in the middle, "Of Moonlights Glare" the title track just being way too short and its over before you know it. The follow up song however, "Through Forests Eternal" is a much better song. Using some good folky riffing that comes off as a more melodic and audible version of Graveland and even utilizes some good low guttural growls weaved into the mix in unison with the black metal raspy shrieks. The more I listen to the track, i find it to be just as good as my two favorites from the album. It's the title track that falls short and is easily a passable track.

For fans of blackened folk metal or folky black metal akin to bands I mentioned then check out Ancient Reign. They don't try anything very unique here on this release but it still comes as refreshing in a saturated genre.

For those of you out there looking for a numerical score, I really don't score by numerical grade. I'm not one to "rate" or score. I'm going to articulate to some degree on the pros and cons....and I sayith unto thee...check out this fucking band NOW!!!

By Munnin


http://ancientreign.bandcamp.com/album/of-moonlights-glare
https://www.facebook.com/ancientreignband

Appalachian Winter - Ghosts Of The Mountains (Review)

Since I do not got much else to do at the moment! I figured hell... I might as well get to reviewing some shit. Lets get started!

This is the latest release by Pennsylvanian State band from mayba yer neck of the frozen woods! Appalachian Frigging Winter!!!! FUCK YES!!! Yes, I added frigging, how thoughtful of me? Appalachian Winter rather. Troll me... I dare you motherfucker. As for the album, it is called Ghosts of The Mountains!!! A album which defines the concepts and stories involved in the local area I believe... in Daniel Klyne's sense.(?) The album has song names that may mean other things, defining a vast majority of other worldly subjects, but this release also hits home to the man behind the music I think. I would not call it a political album...it is moar of a EPIC WINS album!!! in my book. If you are a fan of movies such as Krull, Legend, Gladiator, anything that has to do with fairy tales, mysticism, medieval times.... within the boundaries of black metal, you will dig it. A mix bag of a bunch of folk/acoustic guitar playing, flutes, keys, woodwinds, horns, trumpets, with a echoing, powerful vocal approach in a clean sense, not Into Eternity sounding rather, but just damn powerful! The first song Rebellion Within The Young Nation gives off a very big, booming eurphoric vibe, and also has many many layers of sound in it. Its pretty damn good I say. It starts the swing of things and jumps right into the madness.

Patriarchs is, you can say, one of those "folk tracks", in the beginning, which comes off as something "Richie Blackmore" renaissance like? It flows well, and is not too flashy or wank/fap technical but more flowing then anything, and then jumps right into the heavy! Surrounded by a heavy, clean vocals, in a spoken word approach? I am not sure what to call it but it flows damn well, then jumping into the blackened vocals, rushing you into a barrage of drums, guitars, keys, then jumping back into the spoken word approach from the start. And when I mean booming and echoing, as in, these vocals, they are really that deep and almighty....!!! Then it cuts back into the blackened, darker vocals of the last verse, leading into a piano piece I really enjoy and closes the track perfectly. Very deep man!


3rd one, Ancestors of The Lake, this is the first tune I heard off his band page for this album I think awhile back. Its opens with some keys, and a serene flute. A then sweeping orchestral piece comes in with the keys going in and out, with the flute coming back, man I love this ocarina! Or flute, fuck knows what it is, but I love it. As the flute cuts out, a war like percussion follows and a acoustic guitar piece, with a actual spoken word piece, for these are ravens, and nothing more!!!! They are only rain drops, and nothing more!!! WE SHALL ALL BE DUST AND NOTHING MORE!!! GAH!!! Yes!!!! that was fucking awesome. Now it goes into the heavy, man... I am really going to be dissecting this album through out for you readers. Consider it as a warning...but that spoken word piece was pretty awesome is all I could say. Give this one a listen, it is very enticing and meaningful, to my ears, and dumb heart feelings.... and stuff....ha, I need many years of therapy now..... next up!

The Town Old Man Schell Built... is a track with a heavy opening, jumping back into that flute, man, that flute is awesome. But yeah, this one is heavy as fuck and hits you off your feet. Now I am hearing a drum along to acoustics, the overall composition, the way each track is played out, it is like gymnastics. It has substance, and muscle. Not a guitar driven scream along, but much deeper and these tracks really stand apart from most black metal I can say. I could not call this album black metal really either, it is just a epic mind fuck. Now back into the heavy from the start, after the acoustics, I lost myself there, but I tend to wander along with music so forgive me and my precision on describing these song the best I can. But yeah, heavy, clean, heavy, and closing....solid tune here. It is a solid town built by Papa Schell!!!

Keystone opens with some acoustics, and I hear woodwinds again....no heavy to be found so far, but I am enjoying this. Now all the sudden it stops and you hear horns and rumbling. The guitar is back now to hypnotize with steady drumming, cuts into the rumbling, and a powerful swoop in the air I go! The heavy along with the instruments present in the softer passages of this song real flow well together. No vocals, just a epic leap forward! Damn epic indeed. Pure instrumental, and now flutes! YES I fucking love these flutes. Track ends....just a instrumental with some major power behind it. Something fresh in the mix of things. 

The Great Battle....now this one is starting and has a very heavy key opening, followed by a bell like sound going into the war percussion march, with layers of keys and horns in the mix. I am now just waiting for this one to explode, and it does! Nice riffs, steady drumming,  a mixture of the blackened and clean vocals again. A heavy tune throughout and then stops....back to the keys. I like the dramatics behind this whole album so far. I read some people saying how its like a soundtrack, it really does give off that vibe. The soloing now present with some vocals is pretty well done, the guitars are dual soloing in the mix I believe and make way into the heavy. I sometimes imagine what this would look like recreated in a live setting. I am sure it would be a sight to behold. War drums close the track with the keys from the beginning nicely.... a battle of civil war proportions!

Pennsylvanian Fire.....man, this opening scream is high! very HIGH! reminds me of a Rob Halford of sorts. Then goes into some more singing in the clean approach into some thick and powerful blackened vocals. Treading along with the heavy and flowing into some keys. Fuck is there anything I can think of other then the words keys and heavy? Damn it I suck at this, moving along, one of the heavier tracks off this album, the drums really stand out in this album, even if they are programed and key created. A swift stop, more orchestra! Going straight into some more key work and rumbling into a booming guitar and vocal driven part with some high vocals from the beginning mixed with black metal like vocals. I am not sure if this is really Dan screaming that high.... if so, he really nailed it.

The Great Flood of 1889, sends you back into the heavy, but stops, a serene note is being played and roars in your face with the heavy again. This track has some bursting and colliding in the middle of it, like a flood maybe? This stop and go anyway, is really interesting and keeps the track flowing real good. The song has some great riffing towards the 4 minutes into it, then goes into more keys. The stops and goes are pummeling. Something I could imagine that was not too easy to pull off. Atmosphere and carnage.... in this great flood!

And the last song, The Cemetery Where Slaves Lie Buried, has some very stellar guitar work in the beginning, and goes into some clean vocals. Horrors can be found, they died for the dignity of our fellow man! Great stuff, into some war percussion, jumping into a very well thought out guitar passage. This one gives me chills.

This album really is a story in itself, and the only way I feel best to describe and review this album is to tell the tale of the story one song at a time. My skills at reviewing in a neat well thought out paragraph way like most, totally lack, but my taste and general examination of ones album that gives off a story-like presence to it, to me, leads me to this type of review. So if I am totally screwing this review up, I apologize....NOT!

Anyway, I have this in my cd in my collection, this album is a very well thought out, and a studio based only album. It is not a live act (even though I wish it were) it lacks real drums, even though the drums in all AW albums do sound wicked cool. I have to give this album a 9 out of 10. I think this may be my last time rating a album, maybe as the reader you are you probably thinking I am not being totally honest, so I swear this will be the last time I "Rate" a album. I figured it be easier to rate them, but after much thought, I do not really think it is. But in my mind and how I feel about this specific album and the last one I reviewed, I stand by my rating. Awesome stuff!

All in all, this album is a journey and like all journeys, they take time. So, if you got the time, sit down and give this album a listen! I am sure you will dig it if your a fan of black metal, folk, epic, or like keys in music. I am not the biggest fan personally of keys in music when it comes to heavier bands but if done right, it fits well with the music. This is one of those rare and special albums.

Take the free ride here! http://appalachianwinter.bandcamp.com/album/ghosts-of-the-mountains OR take the time out to buy the physical copy here if you can once released.  (Link under the photo!)

It will be available as a digi-pak and maybe... my stupid name will be on the credits. They who live in the mountains.... will always be free!!! ~D

                                CD OUT March 9th  @ http://www.ninegatesrecords.com/

Surtr Stormhammer of Valkynaz (Interview with Zamiel)

Interview by Zamiel, for TFE-zine, and various Blogspot pages.

All trendy people, bands, ëzines and labels FUCK OFF AND DIE!!!!!

1. Greetings Surt Stormhammer. I know you write music under Valkynaz,

and also the eponymous Stormhammer. What can you tell me about these

projects, their respective Modus Operandi, and what are you currently

doing with them?

Greetings, mighty Zamiel! I appreciate the time you're taking to interview

me and my surrounding grim works, as well as the due apologies I must offer

you in regard to the length ov time it took for me to get back to you! I'm

in the process ov setting up my new computer for optimal recording and design.

ANYWAYS!!! As you well know, Valkynaz is my main source ov creativity

since about '09, and as such, I've been trying to hone and perfect my

craft into a signature sound incorporating the misanthropy and

aggression I hold so very close to my heart. My ambient project,

Stormhammer, on the other hand, is much different, drawing on meditative

sounds and frequencies that I try to utilize in order to elicit a feeling

ov euphoria within my listeners. Yes, I try to get high off ov music, hahaha!

2012 taught me many things, least ov which is how to go about exacting my

music. With Valkynaz, I learned different styles and sharpened what I knew already,

and with Stormhammer, I did some digging and researched applying harmonic theory

to my music, hence Toterhaufen, which is basically one big experiment on how

to treat sound as a controlled substance. 2013 bodes well for both fields, kinsman!

I can scarcely wait to see what I'm reminiscing on at the dawn ov 2014!

2. I know you used to do another project called Vinterblot. Why did

that end?

Vinterblot was one ov my first actual bands, and one that I remember

very fondly. However, since I was still a novice at guitar and music

overall, there were many mistakes made in the process ov churning out

songs and lyrics. I'd felt it was just best to finish up the last album

and retire the band afterwards. I also have to admit, I looked to you

and your success with Wende in that regard considering your transition

from Nidhogg. Don't get me wrong, your Nidhogg material was great! But

Wende is just mightier, y'know?

3. Have you ever thought about forming a whole band? Maybe even playing

live? There probably arenít too many people misanthropic enough down

there (Nevada)Ö

Hahaha that's funny you should mention it, because I've attempted

multiple times to form a live act! I created this death / drone

band called Arkhitekt with the sole intent to play live. I'd based

a lot ov the lyrical themes on apocalypse and deconstruction ov

human civilization, much like the band V:28 and influenced heavily

on this show called Life After People. However, when I put ads up

for drummers, bassists, and vocalists (admittedly, the vocalist ad

was half-assed, because if need be I could probably do that myself,)

all I got were these yuppy cockleeches expecting me to be starting

"the next great American Emo band" or some shit. It was discouraging,

but such is life.

4. Continuing from the last question, what is the scene like in

Las Vegas/Henderson area?

Truth be told, I wish I'd had more involvement with the Vegas scene

than I've gotten. However, it's healthy. We still are pretty underground,

but we have Breath ov Sorrows and Dead Reckoning (and my various projects,

to a lesser extent.) Another nice thing is we have mainstays like Lord

Clovenhoof to help orchestrate shows and keep the scene from stagnating.

Since I'm from northeastern Nevada and literally the only black metal band(s)

to come out ov Elko, it's nice to have others around to appreciate!

5. What is Hammerkrieg Productions and what are your plans for that?

That is a good question. The ultimate goal for HKP is to help my friends out.

Hel, that's why I started it up in the first place. I was in a position where

I could do more good without fearing too many consequences, so I offer limited

handnumbered releases and various merch items if I can afford it. It'd be

awesome if HKP started to grow to the size ov a label like Moribund Cult or

Debemur Morti, but that's way down the road, especially considering all ov the

things I do for it come out ov pocket for the time being. But it's a labor ov

love. I usually try to go to local shows and sell some merch and releases to get

my friends' music out to the local scene here, and have had moderate success with

it, so at least there's some amount ov prosperity for the bands I sign.

6. I know ìValkynazî is taken from the Elder Scrolls series - theyíre the most

powerful Dremora warriors if Iím not mistaken. What can you say about drawing

inspiration from the fantasy world of Tamriel and where do your works fit

within that world/mythos?

Hahaha yes they are, kinsman! And, being the nerd that I am, I couldn't help but

reflect on how black metal has always drawn from a nerdy source. Burzum, Gorgoroth,

Summoning, all ov them drew from JRR Tolkien, at least for their namesake. So, in

true metalhead fashion, I decided that it wasn't nerdy enough and had to go one-up

them by drawing from video games. I've only seen two other bands do this, though

I'm surprised there aren't more! One even chose Tamriel, like me. Sancre Tor (a

holy site located in the province ov Cyrodiil), also signed to Satanica Productions

for awhile, and Gannondorf, though I think that one might just be a troll band.

Tamriel is rich with mythos, especially from TES III through V! It's more ov a

medieval life simulator than an actual video game!

(latest valkynaz logo)

7. I also know that you are studying game design down in Henderson. What can you

say about that? Any plans?

Game design is another masochistic passion I have in life! Demands such a toll, but

getting to that final product and seeing your game played and people either loving

it, or sucking at it and bitching, is the greatest feeling in the world! Again, I was

inspired by Bethesda Softworks and their Elder Scrolls. I suppose the ultimate goal

there is to fuse gaming with sound design into a truly unique, immersive experience.

A lot ov game design studios these days are going that route, and I can completely

understand why! It's the next frontier for virtual gaming!

8. (Inevitable question!) What are your thoughts on religion and/or spirituality?

Any thoughts on current political climates? Anything to say about the wider world?

Haha I figured this one would be coming. Been staring at this question for about

15 minutes now, trying to figure out how to answer the first part, so we'll save

it for last. Politics don't interest me, mostly because it's all the same market.

Didn't vote in the last election for the same reason. Neither proposed to destroy

Guantanamo Bay, or stop giving Tax breaks to churches, so I figured they could do

fine without my input anyway. Same goes for the wider world, though if it concerns

my friends in other parts, then I am interested if I can make even a slight difference.

Alrighty, back to religion!! People get too damn uptight about it. I believe that

we're responsible for our own actions and if there is any god or gods, then they would

hold us to that standard as well. I myself am Asatruar and treat my gods as friends

and drinking buddies, not crutches!

9. You, like me, are an avid beer drinker. What are some of your

favorite beers? Any recommendations?

Anything dark and bitter, my friend! Preferably German! A long-time

favorite has been Kˆnig Ludwig Dunkel. Amazing stuff!

10. Danke Schˆn, Stormhammer! Any last words?

Exact pain. Take life. And thanks, kinsman.

Dark Metamorphosis - A Grandiose Display of Self Destruction (Review)

Hey guys, it has been a DAMN long time since I did a review here, and I plan to do more I got on cd recently, just been busy with music myself but I am sure you understand. Lets get this one started!


Here we have here is another album by The Count of his band Dark Metamorphosis. This is the sequel to his last album I reviewed entitled "Blood Burden" and is another home run in my collection and has slight improvements over the Blood Burden as well. The vocals are just as the menacing, the guitars stand out even more and the drums are improved as well. The album itself has its own concept, and has its moments. The atmosphere continues to grow as the cd plays on and has a very dark desolate feel to it. Most tracks hit the over average song length but are nothing short of marvelous and offer something more along the lines of a great wall of atmospheric sound within the barrage of guitars, and ghastly vocals you could find in albums like Volahn - Dimensiónes del Trance Kósmico and early Xasthur. Personally I call them "ghost vocals".

I really enjoy it because it is not too overwhelming, the guitars keep the listener intrigued, and it is not boring or BM cliche, it is fresh and has some powerful but simple meanings to them, for example, You're All Worthless, The Blame Game, Eve Of Extinction (ps2 game title?), All Hail The Age Of Cinder, Instant Eradication Phenomena, Passion City Night Life, and so on. The title of the song and musical base behind them is like a story, and each song offers its own story behind them, use your imagination...

Pitch black screams surround the album, but you can also find clean vocals in Passion City Night Life, and tremolo picking coupled with stellar riffs from the Count. All Hail The Age Of Cinder has these clean vocal passages as well, reminds me of a Emperor in a way ala Anthems To The Welkin at Dusk, and keep you on your toes because I was not too sure what to expect this time. Most songs it seems from most black metal bands today are very boring and typical but this album is something to behold and has more of a flow then most albums of today. It keeps you interested and wanting more.

As each song goes along it takes your mind into a journey of a place... just like the albums art, it is place that is unknown, damp, dark, filled with hauntings and mystery. Apart from its imagery, its sound is tight and solid. The solos also stand out more then the "Blood Burden" I believe so it has a slight edge over the last offering. The vocals sound more demonic and ferocious then ever.... I must have listened to this album 10x over and still am listening to it. That is how much I like it. \m/

The Count could be working on a trilogy so be sure to spot it here once it is ready, and I have a new rating I go by when I review albums, and if I had to give it a solid rating I would, but being it is a band with many improvements lying ahead of this album and being my personal taste in the black metal genre of music may differ to most and real drums are not in the album, I give this cold masterpiece a 9 out of 10. I dare you to pop this cd in and/or give it a listen on the Evergrim Recordings stream, but I strongly suggest you get the album, for developing artists every little bit counts. I just cannot express how strong, meaningful and honest this release is. It has been awhile since I reviewed something so I hope you all enjoyed it. A grandiose display of self destruction holds its own place in my collection amongst the top albums I own. Thanks Count for making a release which entices my mind and makes me want to make sickening and atmospheric black metal on guitar as well. A true inspiration......sorry if I sound like I am on your dick. 

I also forgot to mention....Dark Metamorphosis has shirts too!!!
http://www.pointdown.net/ (prints section)

http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/a-grandiose-display-of-self-destruction

If you do not follow up or understand what it is I am trying to say..... then like the Count says....       You're all fucking worthless!!!! \m/

Vanity Vania Interview with Munnin (by D)

WELCOME TO TF ZINE! Thanks for taking the time in to do this interview with me Torr, Munnin, Bunnell....The Impaler!!!

Lets begin.

1) When did you start Vanity Vania and why?

I began VanityVania back in 2010 from the ashes of a solo black metal project known as Ravenhelm, however most of the work for the project didn't start much later in the year, more towards 2011. I started VV while I was growing further disdain for the black metal underground. For a while I was heavily involved with the whatever you want to call it in appropriate terminology, but I found a lot of issues with that "scene". I actually began to listening to all kinds of music at that time and a lot of things became more and more of an influence to me and started to further more away from my black metal roots if you will. I got the idea though for the project after finding new love for the opera. I found several bands and projects that attempted to utilize a "metal opera" but always found them to either not be "metal" enough for my liking or severely lacking in good song writing. So originally VV was to be a splicing of my influences of bands like Saint Vitus and Candlemass with the likes of the prog rock band Ayreon. Can't say it has come out to sound like that per say, because I decided to go a route to sound strictly VV.

2) If you had to describe the sound of VV to my readers what would you tell them to expect?

VV a mix of sounds and genres ranging from my musical roots and new experimentations (at least for me, hahahaha). At its core, VanityVania is epic doom metal, much like the bands Solitude Aeternus  and Candlemass. However, due to my black metal influences from years passed...there is a blackened element to it, either due to its production values I seem to have in my releases or the shrieks and wails in the vocal department. When I first started the project I wanted to utilize orchestral sections but felt my talents at the time were not to par to utilize them, however, I have become more confident in my abilities to craft orchestral passages. I am also a huge fan of movie scores done for horror films. So, in recent works for VV melds a lot of horror film style gothic orchestration along with this form of blackened doom metal. So to those out there who are about genre tagging, I would call it Symphonic Blackened Epic Gothic Doom Metal. The demo "Reflecting the Suffering" is very old school Candlemass in style and even Sabbathy to a lesser degree, but the newer material in the writing process is shaping up to be creepy, bleak, and gloomy stuff. When I first started improving for the newest song "Graveyard Dirge" I became tensed, goosebumps down my neck and had nightmares the night following, so I do hope it turns out that way for the listeners. In vocal department, I shift from death growls and black metal shrieks/rasps and gothic barritone operatic singing.

3) Is VV available on any merch format such as tape/cd/vinyl or digital medium and where can listeners find it?

As of now the only available release is the debut demo "Reflecting the Suffering" for digital release only, which can be located at http://vanityvania.bandcamp.com/album/reflecting-the-suffering .
I plan on releasing for limited pressing for promotional purposes and for close friends and allies that have followed my work since the beginning. I plan for shirts and patches very soon as well, but being a musician on such a small to non-existent budget impedes on that a lot.

                LISTEN NOW @ http://vanityvania.bandcamp.com/album/reflecting-the-suffering


4) If you had a choice of working with other artists who would they be and why? And any collabs lately?

To many to name to be honest. I'd still kill to have the opportunity to work with Rob Darken, Ihsahn and Tom G. Warrior though, which whom are my three all time musical influences or "idols" if you will. There are no current collabs itself going on with VV other than the guest appearances of session member that did collaborations and contributions to the demo. Count Draclecarde, known in the American BM underground for his project Dark Metamorphosis contributed some lead works as well as Scottish death metal drummer Mark Dubanowski of Desecrator and session drummer of Beltane has recorded drum tracks. I have been throwing ideas out there with close friends of mine and projects about collabs though. I do have a atmospheric black metal collaboration with my good friend Mike O'Brien of Melankolia, Gil Gilad, and James the Lesser that is currently in the works.

5) Do you have other projects people should check out?

A now defunct pagan folk black metal project, Ravenhelm. There is old material still around but the albums I released with it are no longer in print and what few copies still circulating I have possession of. I no longer promote this project, and choose not to. If fans want to check it out they can check it out reverbnation or even the old myspace. My musical talents are by far more superior now then what was in any of those releases and I'm kind of embarrassed by them now, hahahahahaha.

I also have an atmospheric black metal project with Mike as I mentioned called, Vesta. This project can be found at its official Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/vestaatmosphere. Currently we recorded a very rough studio demo song titled "Pollux" but it not finished and polished.

I also have a punk band in the works, a name yet settled on with and having a hard time keeping members interested. It's an odd mix of black metal and pop punk.

6) How has the reaction been so far to your music?

All positive so far, if we are talking about VV of course. There have been suggestions on where there can be made some improvements to the material out now but so far those who have followed my music since the beginning of Ravenhelm has let it be know its my best work to date. It's still in its infancy and I don't promote very often, so I don't get as much as like due to the nature of a growing fan base.

7) What would you like done in 2013 in your life may it be musical or personal.

Get my damn debut full length finished for one and invest in my own studio, bringing it to he more professional. I need to get back to college, since I been out for a few semester now and want to finish my schooling in audio engineering. However, that won't be done in such a small time frame, 2013 approaches quick after all. Other things I want to accomplish or make reality are on a much more personal level to me that completely has nothin to do with my music, I will just leave it at that.

8.)  If their is any bands that influenced over the years to make you want to become a musician in the first place, who are they?

The band that single handedly that got to a point of picking up a guitar was, Metallica. My love for extreme forms of metal and playing the guitar is because of them. People can say what they will about them, I probably have said it too way too many times, though they inspired me and changed my life when I didn't even care about music or anything at all for that matter. At the same time I also was very big into Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, early Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper. These were though to me more gateway acts and musicians to the underground which I am so fond of today. However, some of these acts (i would remove Rob Zombie though) are such a pinnacle to the underground that they helped really start it all.

By the time I started become more interested in the occult and just wanted something heavier and "evil" I discovered Cradle of Filth, became obsessed and then wanted something more obscure though. Cradle though was the band I will admit to still loving, but another gateway drug to the black metal underground. That's when I discovered Burzum, Immortal, and Emperor. They influenced me like never before, when I got into these legends of BM, I knew what I wanted to do musically. When I started with Ravenhelm, Burzum was contributing influence along with Bathory and my personal favorite project, Graveland.

However, I became tired of some of the rather idiocy and lack of intelligence displayed by a lot of the followers of these bands, and not in a political way, just the stupidity that I have found in other "social groups". Things I won't go into, but the "Ave Satan, Hailz!!" BS left me in a place of need for deeper intellectual stimuli and artistic merit. So I was able to find that more so in the doom circle of things, and why I have furthered in sludgier, heavier, slower paced, and darkly esoteric music rather than some one of my closer allies.


9) Vanity Vania has been featured on Metal Kulture Radio dot com a few times and do you enjoy the music played there so far? Good promo or bad promo?

I'm not too sure either way, I just recently just promoting the project myself after it being in existence for two years now. However, any promotion is good to me right now even if someone listens and then gives negative criticism. At least people are talking.

10) Lets say you are traveling to a distant planet and where about to meet a new lifeform what would you say to them??? (lolz but answer this one it just popped in my head!)

Do I have to? Lol answered it with another question ;)

11) If you had to describe the recording process of Vanity Vania, how does it work best for you and what instruments do you use???

It's usually long and arduous. As I mentioned before, I'm a musician with little money and most of it goes to my personal financial problems and debts. Though it usually starts with some form of improvisational works trying to cum with some riff idea that usually is the core of the song then I write riffs or melodies around that idea. When it comes coming up with riffs, I pull the guitar out for that but I'm not too great at coming up with intriguing or haunting melodies on the guitar so I use the keyboard for that and then later transpose it to guitar.

When in the studio, or whatever you want to call my home set up, I use Guitar Pro to aid in song writing and Notion on my mobile device when I'm away for any extended period of time. On the demo however, most of the material was through heavy use of improvisation so little of it was worked out prior so I really don't remember a bulk of it. Hahahahahaha

Lately I write and tab and notate all music first prior to recording and since I fuck a lot up while playing I want to make sure I know what the hell I'm doing first. And since my keyboard and orchestral tracks are all done via MIDI I can have further control of the final product.

If I'm in the right mood, just fill up on beer and rum, get drunk as fuck or what have you and go at. Something eventually comes to fruition.

12) If you had to recommend or let new artists know before they start making music, any advice, of this or any metal genre what would it be?

To me the genre is irrelevant as long as they are passionate about their craft and art. Genre faithfulls' and purists seem to be the most so. The advise I would give them is simply.....DON'T DO IT!!! Lol. As much as I love doing this, it's my life after all, but you need determination and perseverance to the craft. Much like a fine tuned ritual all parts need to be set into order to detail and takes time get all things right. Years and years go into this. It's not like you will be a wizard overnight. Sleepless nights and severe health issues follow. Lol

But there needs to be more people out there making music, good music, quality music. The likes that is only found in the underground, especially that in extreme forms of metal. Be it black, doom, or death metal....these genres have seen many unique forms of experimentation that comes from kids getting out there and deciding to enter the garage and just jam and have fun. In the end, it's all about the music and the joy (or sorrow and pain) from doing it.

13) How has life been overall and do you expect a new album or demo to be out soon by Vanity Vania next year or earlier?

The first full length album will be finished soon, I hope...but I do plan for a small single or EP to promote its release, but before they show light of day I need to get "Reflecting the Suffering" in a printed form. I want to look professional, despite it just being a three track demo.

The single/EP will titled "Graveyard Dirge" that promotes the first track if the upcoming album titled "Into the Fade".

Life has been hell these last few months, a lot has happened in my own personal life that has pushed me further take more interest in VV. the personal suffering I have undergone has though been a true inspiration for the dark art of VV....but I feel that at the end of a desolate road, shadows and the fog will only hold you in suffocating bondage for so long. A light is right down that road, and since I have found something in my life that makes me happy a terrible depression in my life seems like its coming to close. And no, that is not "god" or some other pathetic mindless Christian stupidity either. I'm pagan so I know what I am and stand for and no terrible period in my life will turn me to a desert god or 2000 some year old dead hobo magician.

14) If you have anyone you like to mention before we close up this interview or anything to say at all (shout outs to family, friends, bands, etc) you can do so now and thanks a ton for doing this interview with me I really like your music and see nothing but better results as time goes by! Ave! \m/

Thanks for taking the time for asking me some silly questions. Lol. I would like to think though Mike O'Brien, Melankolia, Marc Hoyland, Daniel Klyne, Appalachian Winter, Strings of Distorted Doom, Danny, Dark Metamorphosis and Count Draclecarde, and Mark Dubanowski for the support and friendship over the years. Though I need to put a big thanks to both Mark and the Count for the contributions they made to VV since the songs on Reflecting would have not been what they are now if it was not for their own artistic talents gracing the recording.

Spread the fucking doom, crack the skies and level the heavens. Wotan Mit Uns!!!



                                                           VV Doom Rituals mayba???

                                               https://www.facebook.com/VanityVania