Cross Zine Promo Interview with Elizium @ Les Chroniques de Béon Zine

• Hello Elizium! Can you tell us about your band?



Hi! We started our band a long time ago and categorize our music as Dark Rock. We have a passion for music that has a strong emotional impact. We released two albums so far, the first named 'Angel of Mistrust' and the latest release called 'Relief by the Sun'. You can view our latest video on Youtube called 'Violent Flower'. 
We are from the Netherlands, but are playing a different kind of music compared to the Gothic metal bands our little country is known for in the international metal scene.

• I saw that you were formed in 1991. Your first demo, « Angel of Mistrust » was released in 2003. Can you explain such a long period of time?



After we started Elizium back in 1991,the first two years consisted mainly of line-up changes and playing covers of other bands, so it took a while to find the direction we wanted to take. After that Elizium became quickly familiar in the local underground scene and in 1995 we recorded the first demo ; ‘War and Knowledge’. 
In 1996 the band members went their separate ways and Peter Berends, Peter Röge and Gerard Manoch individually played in several other bands, only to find out we each missed the atmosphere and belief we had in Elizium.
In the year 2000 we decided to bring Elizium back to life again. Unfortunately we still had some line-up changes. Peter Deurloo, our keyboard player at the time died in a car accident and it took some time to find the right bass player. Finally Erik Dijkstra joined on keyboards, and Marco Snoek on bass.
And that’s why it took until 2003 to realease the ‘Angel of Mistrust’ demo.

• Now, I would talk about your new album, « Relief by the Sun ». First, what were your main influences to produce your album, is that this idea of mixing doom and gothic atmospheres you come from bands that you particularly enjoy?



Well, I guess we are all influenced by a lot of bands and the individual band members all have their own personal favourites. Those influences seem to mix very well. Peter Berends is influenced by a lot of Scandinavian metal bands (Tiamat, Paradise Lost, Amorphis, Lake of Tears, Dimmu Borgir, Arcturus) and music from the eighties (David Bowie, Talk Talk), Gerard Manoch likes to listen to older rock bands (Genesis, Rainbow), Michael Paap is a big fan of the more obscure music (like Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Ulver, Year of No Light), and Erik Dijkstra and Peter Röge are influenced by American Metal bands (Type O Negative, Life of Agony).
It's not that we try to mix those influences on purpose though, we just create our music together and we all need to feel the same emotional punch in the stomach before we all accept it as appropiate.




• I notice that your musical style is rather particular, how can you really define it?

I think it's hard to categorise our music and limit it to one particular genre.

There are definatelly a lot of Doom, Gothic, Metal and Rock elements in it. We prefer to call it Dark Rock.

• Most of your songs are really epic.

Do you think it helps to give another dimension to your music?



The Epic dimension to our music is something we need and crave. We like to make music that you can feel, music that introduces a strong feeling of melancholy, or makes you feel like you have been punched in the stomach. We essentially make music for ourselves, and the stuff that we make needs to fit our moods and wake something up within.
If we do not get that feeling about a piece of music we have made, we throw it in the garbage bin. It’s all or nothing really.



• In the song “Relief by the Sun”, you have placed electronic elements. Is this done to make your music more accessible?

Not really, it was just the right sound for that song. Hell, if the song needed a ukelele we would have put it in there... Fortunately it didn’t need a Ukelele hahaha!

• I talk about now of your first album, « Angel of Mistrust ». The quality of sound is some worse than “Relief by the Sun”. Is it because of problems with the studio or is it as if it was done on purpose, just like the black metal bands?



It's probably a combination of budget and experience. We put a lot of ideas in that album which took a lot of time to produce. Back then we didn't have the budget to spend a lot of time in the studio, so we had to do a lot of recording ourselves. Luckily that changed with the release of our second album and now the album has the production quality it deserves.
Nevertheless we still are very happy with the first album and to us gives us a nice nostalgic feel.



• The artwork of « Relief by the Sun » is very mysterious. But in your texts, you speak clearly of rope (I would make the connection with the hung corpse) and tree, and the burning sun, madness, sadness, love ...
Can you make the connection between all your texts and artwork, and where do you find all these ideas?

I tried to embed elements of all our songs in the artwork, so your observations are correct. Another broader element is the ever ongoing struggle between good and evil, light and darkness. The music we make always has those elements in it, regardless of the subject of the song.
One of the reasons our music has an Epic touch I guess is because we try to strike a balance between strength and tragedy. No matter how dark your world might be, there's always a shimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. The cover art supports this vision by painting a stark contrast between light, happiness and beauty versus decay, darkness and tragedy. All these elements combined together with details found in the songs on the album overall visualise the universe that we try to create in our music.



• Which bands would you like to tour with? I saw that you are about to do a concert with Lacrimas Profundere. What do you feel about playing with such a big group?



Well, obviously the bands we like to listen to. I think we would put everything aside for having a chance to play with Paradise Lost, Amorphis or Lake of Tears. But in general it's great to play with bands who share the same passion for this kind of music as we do.
The gig we had with Lacrimas Profundere was great, our music fit very well together that evening and there was quite a crowd attending the concert that evening. They were a nice bunch of guys so we had a very good experience there.



• What do you think about the metal scene today?



The great thing about the metal scene is the everlasting support. People embrace it like a lifestyle which is never going away. What I miss these days however is the experimenting that happened in the early days. A lot of releases these days seem to mimic other bands. But luckily there are still a lot of gems to be found.




• The French metal scene is huge, do you think that turn in France could be a good experience for your group?



For sure! A lot of really great music comes from France (like Year of No Light, Alcest, Les Discret, Amesoeurs, Celeste, Blut aus Nord, Peste Noire) which shows that there's a lively underground scene. I regard France as a country with immense creativity and sense for beauty, and it would be great to perform there. It's a shame that in Europe there is such a big focus on the regular commercial stuff (mostly from the US) while there's so much to find if people are willing to look a little bit beyond the stuff which is usually aired on the radio and on TV. We are from the Netherlands and our label is German so it's not very easy for us to find the right venues to create a tour. But we're always open to suggestions so hopefully we will be able to visit France anytime soon.




• Do you have projects for 2012?



We're trying to release our next album sooner so we are already busy writing new material. We also have discussed some thoughts for a new video. Keep an eye on our website (www.elizium.nu) for any news in 2012.



• One last word for the French fans and to readers of Les Chroniques de Béon? 



Thanks for reading this, enjoy our dark music and hopefully we will meet soon!

http://www.elizium.nu/

Atra Vetosus Interview (by D)

Atra Vetosus Interview

1) How long has this band been around for and how did you guys come up with the band’s name?

Slikver: The band started around March 2011, originally consisting of 2 members; myself (Slikver) and Thorodan. I quickly wrote the 3 songs for our demo “A Palace Shrouded In Emptiness” and spend the next couple months recording. Later in the year we recruited a full line up in order to start playing live shows. 
As for the name, it can be loosely translated to “Ancient Black Winds” in Latin. But the meaning isn’t overly clear and is open to interpretation.

2) What has the main goal been for Atra Vetosus and how has the reaction been so far? 
Slikver: The main goal for me was to write music in the vein of melodic black metal as it’s my preferred genre. Previously I’ve written for Astral Winter which has more focus on the symphonic side of black metal. So I wanted to write music that more reflected a melodic more guitar driven sound.

Thorodan: The main goal for me has been to get our music out there as much as possible using the internet and our live shows, and to bring some new and fresh music (namely black metal) to the local scene



3) How did the recording process go for A Palace Shrouded In Emptiness? And who has contributed to the songs on the demo?


Slikver: Shortly after Thorodan and I formed the band I started writing the material which would later become our demo. The songs were written in about the space of a week or 2. 
For recording we used programmed drums as we were trying to get the song’s recorded in a quick timeframe. I then recorded the bass, guitars and keyboards using a line 6 ux1 interface.
 For vocals we also used the line 6 ux1 with an external mixing desk to boost the signal. 

The recording process was completed reasonably fast but didn’t see a release for about 6 months later.

4) What has the live gigging been like for Atra Vetosus and can you guys name some bands you gigged with?


Joe: The shows we have played thus far have gone reasonably well considering how early we are in our live career, and given how small the scene in Tasmania is at the moment. Some bands we have been fortunate enough to play with include Intense Hammer Rage, Nosce Teipsum, Whoretopsy Mephistopheles, Blackwater, Synthetic Breed, and Black Majesty.

5) Is there a new album out now or in the works?


Slikver: After finishing our demo I began writing the material for a full length album in-between my other projects. 
Earlier this year the writing process was complete and we announced the title “Voices From The Eternal Night”. We started recording a couple months ago in my home studio. Recording process has been slightly different this time around. We’ve put much more focus on the quality of the recording this time and making sure everything sounds the way we want it. 
We’re just over half way through the album at the moment.




6) If you had to name some bands that influenced you guys, who would they be? 


Slikver: When I first started writing our demo my main influences were mainly melodic black metal bands from Sweden, around the mid 90’s era.
To name a few bands/albums…

Vinterland – Welcome My Last Chapter is one of my favourite albums and a big influence as to why I wanted to write music in this genre.
 Sacramentum – Far Away From The Sun
Naglfar – Vittra 
Dawn – Slaughtersun & Dawn- 1997 - Sorgh Pa Svarte Vingar Flogh
 Dissection – Storm Of Lights Bane & The Somberlain 

Those were the main albums I was listening to at the time I started writing Atra Vetosus material.
 Of course there were other bands that influenced me too, but they would be the main one’s.




7) If there is someplace your band like to go next in your musical careers, what would that be?


Thorodan: As for the music itself I think we will always lean towards the more melodic side of Black Metal, and as the music evolves in the future I think we will find ourselves becoming more versatile (we already have some plans for including some female vocals and other new sounds that we haven’t tried before), and for the band in the near future we hope to play in more venues and more states around Australia, and hopefully open for some awesome bands. Josh has already started writing some material for the next album. We have lots planned for the future of Atra Vetosus and can’t wait to start playing more shows and new material





8) How has music changed from when you started making music in Astral Winter to your band now, and how do you think the music changed overall from that band to your new one and is their similarities or do you think it stands in a different musical level all on its own?


Slikver: I still write actively for both bands, and the process is pretty different for both.
Astral Winter is based around a lot of orchestrations and symphonics, and a lot of atmosphere. The tuning is 2 steps lower as well, so that gives it a heavier/darker sound. Also use a lot of power chords in Astral Winter.
 Atra Vetosus is all in standard tuning but uses a lot of minor chords, sus and 7’s etc. Songs are based mainly around the melody of the guitars as well. I only do backup vocals in AV so Thorodan writes most of the vocal melodies, so that gives a different sound/feel to AV, as a lot of the time it’s not melodies or idea’s I would have thought of if I was doing them myself.

9) If you got merch available and releases, where would you guys direct your listeners to buy them at? May it be immortal frost or elsewhere??? Are they also at gigs?


Slikver: Our demo is still available from Immortal Frost Productions, and we will have copies available at our upcoming gigs too. 
The best place for merch and cd releases would be to go to our website (www.atravetosus.com), which has just been re-launced, with a free download of the single from our album “Spirit Of The Forgotten Woods”, so feel free to check it out. 
We don’t have any merch atm, other than free buttons we give out at shows. But we will be doing some shirts and maybe some other things soon.



10) What equipment do you guys use now and what is your favorite instrument? 



Slikver – Jackson guitars, w/ EMG 81 and 85 pickups. Randall guitar head, Line 6 POD HD guitar pedal 
and Ernie Ball 10 – 54 strings.

Damon – Ibanez guitar, Ibanez amp, Line 6 POD HD Pro and Ernie Ball 10 – 54 strings.

Lopez – Ibanez 6 string bass, (ADD SHIT KENT)

Joe – Kahzan Stagg and Istanbul cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, Mapex drums, and Gibralter pedals and hardware. Remo drum heads.




11) How long do you guys expect to make music for and what are your goals till the end of this year onto the next?



Slikver: For this specific band it’s hard to say. I’ve already written most of the material for a 2nd full length album and will probably continue to write more songs when the inspiration hits.
So as long as things go well I can see us continuing for a fair while.
There’s always a lot of factors to consider and unforeseen circumstances that can arise, so we’ll just have to see. At present though, it seems like we could be around for a while.



12) I will sum up this interview now with one more question, what do you have to say to everyone out there that listens and appreciates your music, and is there anyone you like to mention?


Slikver: Just thanks to everyone that has listened and enjoyed our music, and to those who have taken the time to tell us you enjoy our music and or lives shows. Always good to hear positive feedback, and to know people dig what you’re doing.
 Also, look out for upcoming album, its sounding pretty awesome so far! Very keen to release it.



Thanks for your time guys, glad we did this again, Josh, and with your band mates as well. I wish you all luck on all musical levels. Excellent guys you are, later! -D


SEE ATRA VETOSUS LIVE!!!!  (IF YOU LIVE IN THE AREA!!!!)

https://www.facebook.com/events/282509301841977/

Blasphomet / Dark Metamorphosis - Graves Of The Damned Split (Review by D)

(I first of like to say you can check out their other reviews of this album on youtube and their interviews for both bands on the posts below on this page.)

Now here is a review of the cd I got from them entitled Graves Of The Damned... its been awhile so I hope I dont suck as much as usual at reviewing.

Blasphomet starts off the album with a very strong guitar intro that slowly picks itself up once the drums come into play and you can also here some keys and the vocals are a mix of death growls and raspy screeches. The first song Shit On Your Grave is the perfect opening for the album and is very guitar driven, and has a menacing, lost, and dark presence I like about it. Perfect song for opening a live show with it, if it ever happened. I really enjoyed it, and I think you will too.

Halls of The Damned opens with a dark ambient sound that slowly creeps up on you and then pushes the drums right into play and kick starts the track to get you ready for some more ear punishment. I really like how the Count pulled this off, and then the guitars come in with some very low and anguished vocal style. If I had to say anything about this track is that it is my favorite one of my favs on the DM part of the album because of the way it is orchestrated and how it presents itself. It is not too fast, not too loud, but has that perfect slow and "drawing you into the feel" sound to it. It has a lot of substance and character. The quality of the sound is also superb.

Blasphomet then comes back to try to one up the Count with his very intricate and intelligent guitar work on Abyss of Emptiness. I see splits as a competition, and I am liking this competition so far. The song has a ton of guitar stuff going on in it and thats why I really like it. The sound is almost war like, it is a vortex of empty thoughts and dark memories. If I had to compare this album so far to anything, it would be that it so far reminds me of 2nd wave black metal, but with a higher quality. The song Abyss of Emptiness treads on and on with its riff after riff and just amazes me. Fucking excellent!!!

Now the Count is back, with some fancy guitar poetry of his own. We all know the Count to not be a slouch on his guitar skills, and this is one of those songs, Home Sweet Home. The song reminds me of what it would it be like after a long days in the woods and finally going back to your cabin running on electricity by the solar panels and your able to jam all night. I get this imagine in my head of what the Count would be doing if he lived out in the middle of nowhere in such a dark and mysterious place. The song is one of those black metal songs that is so ethereal and atmospheric it takes a life all in its own. I would change one damn thing about it. That how much I like this song. The artists I believe with their songs must make us dwell in our own imaginations while we listen, and The Count has just done that to me. Then once the guitars stop, a majestic wave of ambient sounds and overwhelming theatrical sounds come in and closes the song into silence...

Blasphomet is now back with a vengeance!!! With his bone shattering vicious assault in pounding percussion and guitar interpretation in the song, All Too Human. It is very anti - human sounding, the longest song on the split, and is punishing from start to finish. If I had to think of a band that has sounded as blistering as this song it would be Mayhem, but better of course! Sorry if I am sounding like I am riding on Chads balls, but this song is very tense and powerful then his last, longer, and provides enough of a beating for any metal fan to get into to. Towards 6 mins and on the music comes completely overboard with power and is very inspiring to me. I really like how the sounds came out for the guitars on this one, I can drool in awe on my fretboard just listening to this. Very well constructed, very well played. The end of the song is pretty epic as well. A soft instrumental tune comes in to put you in a dark place, the song is now coming to a end and this is the end of Blasphomets part of the split. Damn I wanted to hear more.

The final and last track of the split goes to Dark Metamorphosis with a slow interlude to start things up, a slow drum beat with some excellent guitar sound with a deep ambience behind it. The song is entitled Thy Flesh Consumed... the guitars then comes in with more thrashy of a pace from the slow interlude that came in, to a very loud bellowing scream. Raspy vocals, lots of stops and fast parts, and also pacier drums. The song has very hellish features, and goes almost as long as the last Blasphomet track did. Some piano comes in from 6mins and on and completely sucks me in from start to finish. It comes back to some thrashy guitar driven sounds towards the end but has that great pick up that really is ominous from start to finish. I really like this song by DM and it proves to be a perfect closing to the split itself. I wonder what it would be like to listen to this album on stormy night outside. I should try it one of these days.

Overall, BLASPHOMET VS DARK METAMORPHOSIS on thee score card is 3 and 3. I would have to give this split a tie. Both bands equally are perfect together on a split in a musical sense. At times I got confused and thought one band was the other. They both made this split just completely out of the hell of it and it turned out it sounded more like a bands EP rather then a split to me. Not that both bands sound totally the same but I think at a musical level, as one man projects as well, are very identical but both have a lot to offer to the listener. I am glad to have this album in my collection and look forward to reviewing further material by both Blasphomet and Dark Metamorphosis.

May this album haunt you for the rest of your fucking existence. Buy it now!!! You have been warned... -Danny

http://www.pointdown.net/music.html
http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/graves-of-the-damned

Interview with Ryan Wigley of Lifting Of The Veil (by D)

WELCOME TO TF ZINE!





1) Tell me about your project, Lifting of The Veil? how did it come about? and how does it differ compared to Dark Theory, Desolation Machine, and the band Lucidious you recently joined?

Well in a sense it grew out of the old Dark Theory material. There's a couple of drone tracks and a load of Doom Metal ones on some of the demo's, but by the time it came to our first EP onwards we had dropped the Doom element in favour of an an all out Black/Thrash approach. So one day I'm just searching through youtube and I came across the official video for Dead by Khanate, and it just really inspired me to do something in a similar vein. I ended up spending most of that day working on a song which then became Inevitable End. There are some similarities between LotV and DT in that they both use screamed black metal vocals and are extremely dark, but LotV is about a 4th the speed of DT, maybe slower and with quite a different riff style. Desolation Machine has very little in common with LotV except for that fact that both are hideously noisy, and it's got pretty much nothing in common with Lucidious lol

2) Where did the band name come from and did anything inspire you for its name?

The literal translation of the Greek word Apocalypse is Lifting of the Veil. It felt like quite a fitting name.



3) Where can listeners hear LOTV and how has the reaction been so far?

www.reverbnation.com/liftingoftheveil is the main place where you can listen, but most of the tracks are also on youtube as well. Reactions have all been very positive so far, there's more doom fans out there than I thought.

4) Any songs you like to mention you done recently for the project?

Very recently did a cover of Celtic Frost's Ground as well as two new original's called The Suffering and Chaos Upon Chaos. Thinking of doing at least one more song before I release these together as a demo.

5) How many albums does LOTV have and have any been released and where can listeners buy em?

At the moment there is just one untitled one which is normally referred to as Lifting of the Veil which is available on tape through Depressive Illusion Records. Not sure how much but I imagine they're pretty cheap. I also have a few CD-R copies of it which I've been giving to a few select people (mainly local promoters and reviewers). I'm thinking of self releasing the next CD, maybe do a split album with Dark Theory and Lucidious as we're all recording new stuff at the same time lol



6) What do you want out of this project the most and also what role do you play in it?

Just to start doing some basic gigs would be awesome, local venues haven't shown any interest atm, although I haven't been pushing that hard yet. The best thing that could happen to this band would probably be to get signed to Southern Lord and go on a tour with Sunn 0))) (and they are very few touring Drone Metal bands so you never know). My role is everything although I've collaberated with ssunfuck and Dan 0))) (you in other words lol) so may have occasional guests throughout all releases.



7) Where does the lyrical concepts and moods of the project come from?

It's pure darkness. Apocalyptic stuff comes up a lot but it just sort of about evil in general. The newer stuff has been mostly instrumental except for the Celtic Frost cover, sometimes you just gotta let the Doom wash over you

8) Have you gigged under this project yet?

Not yet, really fucking want to though. There's been a bit of a 'gig drought' in the local area. The people that put the most money into the venues are normally the ones who also want to be on stage, so a few of the less professional venues have closed or aren't doing gigs again till next year. I have a few new contacts now though so hopefully Dark Theory and LotV can get a whole bunch of gigs before September.

9) If you had to name some acts similiar to LOTV who would they be?

Well Sunn 0))) is an obvious one, if it wasn't for them I don't think there would be Lifting of the Veil or most of the other Drone Metal bands out there. The last Celtic Frost album and of course Triptykon are very similar although a bit faster. Khanate, early Boris and two unsigned bands from the UK I came across recently called Greg(o)rian and Nyogtha

10) I see you also recently joined a band called Lucidious, how has that been so far?

It's been pretty sweet. Quite different to the Black Metal/Noise stuff I'm normally associated with. It's a Punk/Metal/Thrash band, really simple angry stuff. I saw them live twice with there old bassist and thought they were pretty cool, and then the bassist had a hissy fit and left so I joined and they got an awesome 2nd guitarist the week after that as well. It's pretty refreshing to be in a band where I don't have to be the leader, I can just play the bass. All the songs were written with the idea of being able to get pissed and still play them well, so we're always knocking back cans of beer during practice and recording lol. Can't wait till we film a video for 10 Downer Street.

11) How has Dark Theory been and is DT your longest founding of bands? and what lies in the future for it?

Dark Theory is still what I refer to as my main band. The idea for it started in September 2006, but I consider the actual formation of Dark Theory to be September 2008 which is when the first demo was started, so it's my longest running band by miles. There's a lot in Dark Theory's future. We've got a guy who's interested in joining us on guitar (he said he'll deffo do a guest solo even if he can't join full time) and we're recording and writing still but mostly we're just trying to play as many gigs as we can. Got one coming up in London with Mørktår in winter time hopefully. Our main thing right is trying to find a drummer though, drum machines just don't cut it.

12) How many bands have you played with so far and those you like to mention?

Well there's obviously Dark Theory which has been recording since 2008 and gigging since mid 2010, there was a short lived Metalcore band I was in called 8th Deadly Sin which did a few live shows and then broke up because we were shit lol, a couple of ex members of that form a Thrash Metal band with me called Just Reported Missing which then changed it's name to Desolation Machine. That broke up because Dark Theory was just taking off properly and the drummer had found an electro rock band that was going good as well. I carried on the name Desolation Machine onto an industrial noise punk thing that I did one demo with a while back. Did a collab with ssunfuck which ended up becoming a drone metal track for Dark Theory, although the song was redone a year later when I formed Lifting of the Veil. Did bass and guest vocals on a Sphinxta Spit remix album. Recorded bass and backing vocals and did the drum programming for a cover of People Pie by SLAB! with Grim Funeral Techno, did live backing vocals for Baphvomit on what turned out to be their last gig and also sung with Wretched Soul at one of their gigs and of course I've joined Lucidious. So that's a total of 11 bands I've been in or worked with, plus I'll be doing guest vocals for a track on Olivia's upcoming Gothic Metal band

13) If you had to say anything about Most Unholy Convergence II compilation, what would that be?

Buy it, just buy it. 100 of the best underground metal bands out there on one CD, including the one and only recording Dark Theory did with our old drummer, and tracks by Sphinxta Spit and Baphvomit, both awesome bands (and friends of mine that I've worked with) who have split up. This is the one of the only ways you can get their music now.





14) What do you want to get out of this summer and any goals or plans coming up?

Mainly I want to play as many gigs as possible, get pissed as much as I can and yet hopefully get a decent summer job and make a bit of cash too

15) If you had to tell us what inspired you to make music in the first place, how would you say got you started?

You know I'm not actually sure. I wrote some lyrics one day, showed them around to some friends who took a bit of interest, bought a bass a few months later and two years after that the first Dark Theory demo was started

16) I see there is DT shirts up for sale, if anyone wants one how should they get it?

At the moment you'll have to message me or Olivia on facebook and we'll sort something. The easiest way is to buy one from us at gig's at the moment, but we're working on getting an online store up so people can just order them when they want one. Keep an eye on the facebook.



17) How has the support from listeners and fans been so far in all the music projects and bands you worked with and is there any bands you like to gig or work with in the future?

Generally it's been very positive. Dark Theory has had some bad feedback on youtube, but so has just about everyone ever. There are loads of bands I'd like to gig with (with any of my bands), the main ones being Transcending the Flesh and Kremated. Would also love to play with Foreboding Ether and The Furious Horde again, they are two of the best bands I've ever seen and have only played with each of them once. I'm not sure who I'd like to work with, but I'd love to do some guest vocals for some bands (especially live)

18) What do you think of the majority of music today and what would you like to see change about it? (deep question)

Most of it is very unoriginal, regardless of genre. It doesn't matter if it's Black Metal or Dubstep, most are just copying whoever they like the most. I think this is most prevalent in the Metalcore/Hardcore genre, there's thousands of the fuckers and they all sound and act identical. What's the point of that. You do get some bands that aren't very original but still manage to be pretty good though, although they are normally best experienced live as there albums can seem a bit uninspiring. On the other hand there still a huge amount of bands out there doing something a little different and the vast majority are really good. Only yesterday did I find out there's a band living only one train journey away from me who combine Metal, Grunge and Drum n Bass called Ziphedz. I'd like to see some more variety amongst local scenes. English speaking countries are overrun with covers bands, and amongst original bands there is an overwhelming amount who play some form of Hardcore/Metalcore. I imagine it's not that much better everywhere else either. The really brutal and/or dark stuff like Grindcore, Black Metal, Doom Metal etc is virtually non existant in most area's, and the more old school or experimental bands are few and far between.

19) I also like to know what you think of the underground bands of today? And can you name a few favorites?

There are so many good bands if you know where to look. There is a huge list I could write, so I'll just name the bands that I feel are on a level far above your normal unsigned band (and indeed a lot of pro bands I've seen): Wretched Soul, Foreboding Ether, The Furious Horde, Khthon and Orestea. They've all played with some big names in the metal scene, Foreboding Ether have had a nationwide tour, Orestea have had several. The Furious Horde and Orestea have both played Bloodstock and Wretched Soul will be playing there this year. Can not recommend any of these bands highly enough! (Wretched Soul have a debut album on the way and Orestea have a new EP out soon)

20) Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview! As always, I wish you luck in all your musical endevours and hope to work with you very soon! You are one of the best. \m/

No problem man, must meet for that beer some time ^_^

Interview with The Count of Dark Metamorphosis (by D)

WELCOME TO TF ZINE, AGAIN! How you been Count?


Glad to be here, man. Things have been pretty good for the most part, albeit very busy.

1) Tell my readers what you have been up to since our last interview? And how has Dark Metamorphosis been doing since then?

Since the last interview, I've basically finished up "The Fall Of Draclecarde" album, the "Graves Of The Damned" split, and the "Cradle Of Decay" EP. I've been working on a new DM full length, and a few projects that are on the horizon, but there have been quite a few hurdles to get over recently, as far as recording is concerned.

LISTEN HERE NOW AND BUY... http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/





2) Evergrim Recordings is a pretty unique name for a label, how did it come about?

It basically refers to the somewhat grim and underground music that I make and have great respect for. I think it reflects my message very well.

3) If you have any merch to offer where would you suggest listeners to get it at?

Actually yes, there are Dark Metamorphosis logo t-shirts available through pointdown.net. They are inexpensive and high quality, so check them out.


4) Which artists are featured on Evergrim Recordings and what style of music are you aiming to expose there?

Evergrim Recordings has my band Dark Metamorphosis, as well as a few projects of mine. Blasphomet and Desolation are onboard, as well as your very own Grim Funeral Techno. I could list them all here, but It would be great if readers checked out all the artists for themselves and give them a listen. (http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/)

EGR's goal is to promote the spirit of underground music, of many styles. As bands are getting more and more studio sheen, and the music industry gets more and more polluted with churned out garbage, I really want Evergrim to be a haven for genuine, original material, of the mostly extreme variety.




5) How has the reception been to the latest album The Fall Of Draclecarde?

I have been hearing good things. Definitely the best reception yet on any album. I believe it tops anything before it. The album marks the end of an era for the band, and I am really excited about what is to come.

6) The Graves Of The Damned split is a great ethereal masterpiece I am proud to own in my collection. I need to review it and what would you say your experience was like while working with Chad of Blasphomet on this album?

It was excellent. Chad is a fantastic musician, and a great person. The album came together quite quickly and I am very proud of it. Thanks for the kind words, man! Looking forward to the review!

7) If you had to name your influences at the time of recording both the split and latest full length by DM what would they be?

I was definitely listening to alot of Cryptopsy, Bethlehem, and Shining at the time, as well as a plethora of Mike Patton's works. haha! (I now must insert a link to a funny mike patton vidder lol http://youtu.be/0zkssNzHZwg)

8) How has things been going in your personal life lately? Any goals as of late other then music or any other personal hobbies?

Things are actually better than they've ever been. I am really glad to honestly be able to say that. I am really enjoying the way things have been going with Dark Metamorphosis, EGR, and all my music colleagues lately. As for other hobbies, other than being a pretty avid gamer, I don't really have many. If you don't catch me listening to or recording music, you'll more than likely find me on Xbox live. You guys should add me sometime. Battlefield 3 anyone? lol.





9) What do you want listeners to get out of your music and how do you think you stand out in this sea of underground metal bands?

I honestly don't really know how to say whether or not I stand out or anything, and I don't try to be deliberately original just for the sake of it. I try to almost create a world within it's atmosphere. The band has never stayed strictly to one sound and is constantly evolving. I know that is a pretty cliche thing to say, but anyone who has actually listened to the band would probably agree.

10) If you had to name a artist to work with on another split or feature on your next album or whatever lol who would or that band be?

The next album is gonna be bad ass man. Trust me. It is still in the planning stages, but I can definitely say there will be room for some guests. You down for it? (hell yeah I am!!!)



11) You are part of my main bands collab EP in the works entitled DOOM. If you had to say anything about our collaboration or anything about Strings Of Distorted Doom, what would that be? I will be doing vocals on the track and Dietrich is drumming to it so yeah we are getting there man haha! (bassist in mind too)

The Count has faith in you. lol. I really can't wait to see how it comes together. (faith... is such a dirty word lol!!!!)

12) How can you describe the difference between your latest DM album from older material? and would older and newer fans possibly stray from new material or do you think listeners could still appreciate both? Some bands have that gap in their discog but me personally I do really enjoy your past, present and looking forward to further DM material!

There has been a leap in sound quality, that is for sure. The music I think has gotten steadily more progressive and technical over the years as well. I am glad you enjoy the older material too. I try to expand upon the sound with each album. If there has ever been a step up, it is coming next.
(PAST SPLIT WITH ZEBULON KOSTED BELOW!)



13) What is your favorite Survival Horror game??? or any games at all? I had to ask that... lol

Dark Souls. 'Nuff said. And I'm sure you can guess a few others. lol.


14) Would you do music for VG soundtracks? Mostly survival horror maybe?

haha!
Hell yes, most definitely. I am a huge fan of horror games, and horror movies, and the like.

15) I am running out of ideas for questions because I am a lazy dull minded fuck tard with the attention span of a squirrel....LOL If you have any last words for my readers and want to give a few shout outs or mention anything else along the lines of anything new coming up or based on how our interview has been so far I would really appreciate it.

Thanks again for the shirt, cd(s) collab with my ever so talented ass ( I wish lol) and making sure to keep us bands alive with Evergrim!!! (my drummer personally thanks you for uploading his music on Evergrim as well) you da man!!!! ;) Thanks for your time Count, and I bid you farewell... for now.

Thanks so much for having me again, man. I appreciate it greatly! I am always glad to talk with someone who knows what my band (and label) are all about. I hope to keep things updated with the label (and it's new youtube channel, sub meh). EGR will continue to spread the goodness, and is glad to you have you. New album on the way, people! Keep it GRIM and expect the unexpected!


LINKS
https://www.facebook.com/DarkMetamorphosis
https://www.facebook.com/EvergrimRecordings
http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/Evergrimrecordings

Interview with Chad of Blasphomet

WELCOME TO TF ZINE!!!! how you doing?





** I am doing fine, Thank you-
 
1) When did your band start and why?
** Blasphomet started in 2009 as a one man project after a previous project fell apart and I didn't find replacements...so Blasphomet was born!

 
2) What do you think your music is about and what do you think attracts people to it?
 
** My music is about what I feel...It can range from life to death, anti religion, and anything in between that I want...
I'm not really sure what attracts people to it though...It's pretty underground, so not many people even know of Blasphomet that I'm aware of.
 

3) What would you like to accomplish from now to next year?
 
** I have been working on a new project that has yet to be announced...This should be done by then....
Of course I would like to accomplish many things, but this Project I speak of is my main concern...keep on watch! 
There may be another Blasphomet release by the end of the year as well...all depends.
 

4) Where does your band name come from and how does it fit with your sound?
 
** The name "Blasphomet" is a combination of Blasphemy and Baphomet....It seemed to be a perfect fit, and after doing an extensive search, seemed no one had snatched this name yet, so I took it. It just fits.
 



5) IF you had to name a few artists you kinda sound like, who would they be?
 
** I'm not really sure.

6) How was the collab with Dark Metamorphosis for Evergrim and splits and endevours so far?
 
** Everything  went great, and is going great...there will be more to come for sure. We had had a pretty good response to the "Graves Of The Damned" Split.
The project I mentioned earlier that I am currently working on is going to be involving The Count From DarkMetamorphosis/EGR and Myself...things are turning out awesome so far.

7) What do you want fans or listeners to do when they look up your band right away?
** I want them to listen...
I they like it great, if not, thats great too...But if they do, they should support the underground and snag a release from pointdown.net or evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com it's cheap as fuck...
 



8) What do you think of music and its value nowadays?
 
** Music is very valuable to me... I don't think I would live without it after having it for so long now....(and I'm not talking about the shit you hear on the radio or TV)
It's just whether people want to see it as that or not...
As far as everything going digital and people hardly ever buying real albums, I think that kinda sucks.


9) If we had to step out of the box and you werent making this music, what would you be doing? with your life that is....

** I would still be doing artwork and screenprinting..That is assuming I still had my hands.
 
 
10) How much longer do you expect to make music for?
 
** However long I feel it, and still can.


11) Any side projects at all?
** Yes, It will be announced soon!
 

12) What do you personally think of social networking sites, aid or aids disease for bands?
 
** I personally think they can be both an aid or the disease....I really hate the sites myself, but they are good to have so people can see your work if they want to...since SO many people have one or more of these things, it helps for anyone promoting themselves or what they do really.
I have yet to make a page for Blasphomet on facebook...I do have one at myspace still.
 



13) If you had to pick anybody to work with musically live who would that be? AND how has gigging been? good or bad?
 
** I would have to make the Count(Dark Metamorphosis) join...and probably steal A & Corvus from Totalselfhatred...and Kryth from Pure Evil....would be interesting...haha
Blasphomet doesn't do shows.

14) Do you like to cheese on your sandwich????? :P lol but seriously, where can we find any cds or merch of yours?
 
** All depends..haha    CD's and T-shirts are available at www.pointdown.net
and digital downloads of my work and many others are available at http://evergrimsrecordings.bandcamp.com

15) If I had a box of TOTAL and I started to eat it in front of you, what would you do????
** I would have to tell you Not to talk shit about TOTAL!
 

16) Name some musical influences
 
**  I would have to say mostly all my musical influence comes from Black and Death Metal areas...in no particular order, early Dark funeral, early Burzum, God Dethroned, Darkthrone..Mercyful Fate.....these guys really got me into black metal to begin with...more recently I've been listening to alot of Horna, Totalselfhatred, Pure Evil, Korgonthurus..and Dark Metamorphosis of course...
 

(yes my lucky ass got one!)

17) What is the music like in your area?
** As far as metal goes...It seems like mostly metalcore and bar/cover bands last time I payed attention to it...
This is partially the reason Blasphomet a one man operation.
 

18) I am gunna wrap this interview up with one more question, do you have any last words for anyone out there? Good, or bad, or anything? Thanks alot man for this interview, take it easy!!!!
 
** Last words... Thanks to any supporters of Blasphomet, PointDown.net, and evergrimrecordings..
No problem, and thank's for the interview!
PLEASE VISIT AND SUPPORT THESE BANDS AT THESE LINKS

http://www.pointdown.net/
http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/
http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/blasphomet
http://evergrimrecordings.bandcamp.com/album/graves-of-the-damned

Zebulon Kosted - S.O.D.D. Remixez ZK (review by Stephen Latimer)

Zebulon Kosted (S.O.D.D. remixes ZK)
So I think it’s pretty much a given by now I have some simple techniques when reviewing a release. I pretty much like giving a response based on first impressions. Now, as an avid fan of the entire family of Metal (and like any good fan) some things truly need a few listening’s before really appreciating something new. For me, Slipknot was truly the first band I listen to that had speed or double bass; however, they are far from being speed metal. They were easy to pick up as an avid young teenager who hears the pure aggression of their first “official” album. Picking up a magazine a few months later featuring my new found audio saviors, I seen an advertisement for both “Children of Bodom” and “Six Feet Under”. I instantly researched these bands on Napster and began my first freebasing experience of what is known as Extreme Metal!
While delving into the depths of the ebony cove of Metal’s vagina, I’d seen pictures of, and intimidated by, the depiction of black clocked hellions. Demonized, hellhound warriors riddles in leather and corpse paint. These juggernauts stared brimstone eyes into my fragile and weak soul, and charred it into the nocturnal beast that I am, sitting behind this computer today! Cradle of Filth and Dimmu Borgir! Hail, the mighty Satanic Kings of Norway, and Scorched Gods of England.
Or so that’s what I thought after some time with them. I’ve never been a lyrical guy in that I didn’t care what was said, but I liked looking at what they were saying, and enjoyed what they were saying. It was like a horror movie with the thrills. But it wasn’t always so. Not so much with Dimmu Borgir, but way more prevalent with Filth was the vocal’s themselves. The first few times I heard their songs, Dani Filth’s voice annoyed the ever-living piss out of me! I couldn’t take it. But then I realized how interesting the music itself was, and how talented and dark it was. This would also prove true with the first time I heard Mayhem, Attila killed it for me (Now I recognize as a brilliant album). Transylvanian Hunger was by far the most atrocious thing my ears had ever heard, and by that time I was WELL into Black Metal. But still, that symphonic cheap advertisement Black Metal.
After eventually getting away from the fuzzy navels and wine coolers of Black Metal, and chugging head strong into the Porters and IPA’s, I began to realize even more what artistry and complexities were out there, and that things could be shaped from other things, and you eventually begin to realize you can actually take a (we’ll call) third wave black metal band and etch it’s lineage to the original Oslo scene (Because each band of their own didn’t sound exactly the same, but had that core element, and each exemplified something of their own “subgenre”). Even after chewing that nasty bitch for a while, you can pick backwards and you can see where the early 80’s bands actually used certain elements that would help craft the future scene. It truly is the first wave, but with all intent and purposes, I tend to call them “proto-black metal” simply for the fact neither scene has anything to do with each other, though the later claims much influence from the former.
And that leads up to this (yes, sorry for an entire page for this lead up)! With over 10 years of being a black metal addict, slicing and slurping anything and everything, you come to the point you can usually pick up a release and have a good feel for it. Even on some of these occasions you can tell it will have a lasting effect or never change your prospective. With this remix album I can without a doubt sum it in one sentence:

This is the quintessential album that captures what Black Metal is!!
I don’t say that light heartedly, but it is the sorcerer’s stone, the rosette stone, and the Holy Grail! I will not, however, say it is the best, the most defining, nor the undisputed champion; but, to date with listening to everything from Hellhammer, to the True Mayhem, to Burzum’s Fallen, I’ve never heard anything that actually sonically represents perfectly what Black Metal is. I’ve never heard the originals from ZK, nor have I listened to an extensive amount from Strings of Distorted Doom; however, knowing that the mastermind behind S.O.D.D. has an extensive knowledge in electronica music with his Grim Funeral Techno and his admiration of the experimental fields of ambient doom and ambient black metal, he’s helped capture everything there is. 

Many different people have many different meanings to black metal, as do I. Its mainly region based, and then its subgenre based. Passed that you have a more metaphysical side that is very anti established religion, yet within that some that are religious. You have some hipsters that have a manifesto that eludes that it is transcendental (which I will agree is partially true to a degree, but not always). What it really boils down to is that it is kind of like Magic: The Gathering. You have some very set defined rules that can not be broken, but you have those special abilities that totally go out and beyond the realm and make it the best fucking thing EVER! Even with the very Satanic/Anti-Christian mentality, you still have this nasty itching yeast infection called un-black metal (horse shit).
But what I see, beyond whatever one may label as the true definition, I think we can all agree to some degree Black is more relative to “Negative” or “Anti”; as in, Negative polarity or Anti-Matter! It’s not truly a bad thing, its just reality in an opposite realm of reality. In a world of rainbows and unicorns, rainclouds and ravishing lone wolves are signs of evil and hatred. But in this realm of dark waters, these are a sign of true freedom, rebellion, and aspiration for one self. It’s more beautiful. You need darkness to see the bullshit in the light.
This release does this. It gives the ambient feeling (a true characteristic of black metal derived from the emotional feel of music theory) of absence, void, abyss, hollowness. But in the world we delve in, this is truly a place whole and pure, true and proud! Anti-realism, meta-reality! It’s perfectly captured at its core. For the most part this album has a single instrumental track (or two) in the beginning of the album, and beyond that under the hypnotic drone, you occasionally hear a chug accompanied by a blast beat and growl. Superb excellence!

ORDER NOW AT : http://www.satanica.org (darkwave section)