Oceans of Slumber - Aetherial

A five piece band from Houston, TX. This is a self release. My first impression is, these are well studied musicians, the bands that come to mind as I listen to this album are Dream Theater, Gojira, early Strapping Young Lad or Opeth. There are many elements withing the music, giving my mind much to explore. Production quality is excellent, everything is well balanced and clear. Starting in 2010 the band has a sound that would make you think they have been doing this for much longer. "Memorian" hits some amazing riffs that make the listener feel as though they are traveling through a void in space. "Remedy" if you want to hear how progressive this music can be, this track has many elements, from melodic, grind, atmospheric just to name a few. Oceans of Slumber is a band that really has to be experienced to be able to comprehend their style, one thing for sure they have their own element happening, once you hear one of their songs you know is them. 'Only A Corpse" don't let the title fool you, no death/grind here- melodic/progressive arrangements and excellent vocals make this song one of my favorites from this album. "Aetherial" low, aggressive, drudge opening- followed by a deep dark journey into an abyss of atmospheric melodies. "Primordial" drums play many different dynamics and vocals hit a BM style on this particular track. Many genres are captured in the entire composition and done in a way so that is coherent and fluid. 
~Artemortifica

Oceans of Slumber Facebook
Oceans of Slumber Official 

 

Korotory - Chapter III The Conquering

This will be the bands third full length album. As I crank this up on my stereo my attention is drawn by the bass lines and keys, its great to hear an album start out like this compare to the 100s of albums that begin with a high scream or growl which is getting old to me- this is a welcomed change. "Spineless" comes in, guitars are well executed. There are a mix of high, low, and thrash style vocals which sound awesome to me. I enjoy the fact that the bass (Brett Weatherston) is doing some very involved playing (solos and creative fills) his sound is clear and solid. The band started in 1995 and have two other albums out- Age of Rebellion 2009 and God Less America 2010. At times the music reminds me of early Exodus and sometimes Death. "Absolute Terror" has a thrash style to it along with grinding brutality on the drums, fast solos to create a mosh pitting atmosphere, makes you want to smash things.
"Sanctified" chunky aggressive vibes, I am enjoying the fact I can understand all the vocals, they stay aggressive but retain a certain clarity that makes it easy to experience the content without having to search for a lyric sheet. "Probing the Nether" an excellent journey being express through some bass and guitar, I have to say it is my favorite track. If you want to hear how progressive/diverse the band can be this will be the track to turn up. The band hails from Long Island, NY and have shared the stage with M.O.D.,Bloodclot, Exodus, D.R.I. and Suicide City to name a few. The last track is "Rise", solid drumming (Darren Markoff) and the bass doing equal progressions, it is a great thing to hear a rhythm section tearing it up in such a technical and proficient way. I recommend this album for fans of thrash/grind/ death metal along with technical aspects, be sure to also check out other releases by Korotory as well as any live performances in your town. 
~Artemortifica

Korotory Facebook

 
 

Macabre Lilith (Taralee Caine) - Feature Model #7 2/2013

Introducing alternative model Macabre Lilith (Taralee Caine)

1- What inspired you to do modeling? Was there a point early in your
life that sparked your interest?

I started off doing a photoshoot with Hex Photography because her
portfolio was filled with alternative styled themes and portraiture.
I've always wanted to have some nice professional photos of myself,
rather than just "selfies" I take with my dodgey phone quality
camera... The photographer was a really nice lady who made me feel at
ease (I was nervous, because 99% of the time, I'm the person behind
the camera taking 101 happy snaps of everyone else). She also told me
I was a natural, explained the "alternative modelling" industry and
that I should go for it.

2- You have dark elements to your style, was there an event or moment
that made you decide on your style?

It's always been apart of my personality since I was a child. I always
found something intriguing about the "darker" elementals and found
myself drawn in (like a moth to a flame) to the lifestyle from a very
young age... I was misunderstood by the "mainstream kind". As a result
(in all 7 schools I attended in my lifetime) I was always picked on
for being different. Despite the bullying, I never veered away from
being myself... Even now, I'm criticised by people that try to change
who I am. I'll never give in though, because I'm too happy within
myself to change for anyone.

3- Name some of your favorite music or bands?

Death/ Black/ Melodic/Symphonic Metal... My favourite band of all time
is Cradle of Filth... I also enjoy Dimmu Borgir, Angelspit, Deicide,
Befallen, Psyborg Corp, Decapitated, Satyricon, Rammstein, Marilyn
Manson, Nightwish, Leaves Eyes, Blutengel, Old Man's Child, Dying
Fetus, David Bowie, Tchaikovsky... Etc...

4- Name some of your accomplishments or highlights of your career so far?

I modelled for a clothing line called Dusk Moth Designs... One of my
photos is currently on display inside the PMD Photography studio... I
was "Goth Girl of the Week" in July 2012... I did a "playing cards"
project with Luke Milton (still yet to be published)... I collaborated
with Hex Photography to be on the cover of Birthday Cards (all
proceeds going to the Cancer Council)... I modelling for a jewellery
line called Hells Housewife... And I was recently on Mental Candy
Radio being interviewed by the lovely Joan V.

5- Do you enjoy regular photoshoots? or ones where you get to play a character?

I prefer ones that have a theme or story behind it... I enjoy my "era"
or my "fantasy" concepts. I love experimenting with gore themes...
Majority of the concepts originate from what's inside my head that I
try to bring to life in the form of photography/model artwork.

6- What other interest do you have besides modeling?

Fire twirling... I have a huge collection of Gothic Dragons and
Fairies ornaments around the house... I'm a computer nerd. I build
computers, programming and often participate in gaming LANs... I'm a
huge Anime and Sci-Fi geek... I love Invader Zim and Serial Killer
documentaries... My favourite books are Johnny the Homicidal Maniac
and Anne Rice novels... My favourite movies are gore, horror and
psychological movies.

7- Are there any significant projects or events you are looking
forward to in the coming months?

I've got some projects in the works. Ideas that have been bursting
within my mind to come out for ages!

8- If someone is interested in hiring you (modeling agency, bands,
producers, etc..) where is the best place to get a hold of you?

I reside in Mandurah, Western Australia. I'm best contactable via my
Macabre Lilith Facebook

Memoir Of A Massacre - Images

Images, is the upcoming release from the band Memoir of a Massacre, hailing from Virginia Beach, VA. The opening track is "Nothing Left" my first impression is, wow- great production, drums are very solid and involved. Vocals are vicious and relentless, you can also hear a mix of clean and heavy in the chorus part of this song, I really dig the unexpected melodic ending. Next up is "Push To Break" excellent double kick work, Brittany Yarnell foot work is impressive and highlighted on this track. MOAM is a four piece band and got their start 2008. The first release was an untitled EP which gained them lots of attention and radio play. House of The Wicked has some cool snare fills in the chorus, I can see this track starting lots of action in the mosh pit in a live setting. "Paranoid Suicide" if you want to hear chunky and aggressive guitar riffs this track will have you brutalizing. Rachel Scott and Ryan Baggett have good chemistry together in their playing styles, both are able to stay tight and still be recognizable in their individual techniques, this is clearly heard in the track "Possession". The band has been on tour and have share the stage with Powerman 5000, Silent Civilian, Diecast and others. Being a fresh band and highly talented, its my opinion they will reach much higher ground in the coming years. You can preview thier EP "Images" on their Soundcloud site Memoir of a Massacre SoundCloud  Look for the new EP - due out March 5 2013 on Project Records.
~Artemortifica

 Memoir of a Massacre Facebook

A Transylvanian Funeral - Gorgos Goetia

My introduction to A Transylvanian Funeral begins with the opening track "Cold Blood and Darkness" gritty and raw to the bone production is apparent from the first riffs.This is a one man project from Tucson, Arizona. Arranging and composing all the instruments is not an easy task and add recording plus production, this is one busy man. Having said that, I admire the talent and devotion it takes to create this music. Pure raw underground sounds from the darkest corner of hell. With two other releases under his belt, self titled debut in 2009 and "The Outsider" 2010. After listening to the last release, this new album has a much broader perspective than the drum machine oriented tracks. "The Supreme Rite of Transmutation" reminds me of early The Abyss or Emperor, impressive vocals. "Fear" some great bass lines can be experienced on this song as well as some memorable passages. "Mars Exalted in Capricorn" its straight forward unpolished hymns is what give this music the unique feel, all the small glitches add something to it. Dark cosmic elements in lyric content intertwine with a few samples of malevolent forces. This album will be out in March 2013 through Forbidden records, be sure to also check out his other releases. I highly recommend this album for fans of true BM style and much respect for Sleepwalker who has put much effort in every aspect of the album.
~Artemortifica

Forbidden Records
ATransylvanian Funeral Facebook
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