Agos is a one man band consisting of Van Gimot - All instruments & Vocals and Astrous - Lyrical and visual concept. Genre described as black metal. Band origin Greece. Irkalla Transcendence EP released on January 30th 2015 on III Damnation Productions. Consisting of only three tracks, this release packs a huge punch. The power and relentless brutality comes pouring through from the moment you hit the play button. Destructive drum sound with fierce double bass kicks breaking walls. Solid and furious guitar tone and punishing bass sound. I always enjoy listening to one man band projects. Its takes great talent to be able to play and record all the different instruments and keep it all sounding strong and precise. Akkadian Cenotaph plays through with a savage attack and heavy growling vocals. "Of Salt and Blood: The Rabisu's Rebellion", is intense and will make you want to punch things. Finally, Irkalla Transcendence plays and sets a different tone with melodic singing and complex riffing, in contrast to the other two songs this track has its own characteristics.
In conclusion, a short but crushing release. The music in intense and never gets boring. A good amount complex riffing and very involved drums make this one to be played at a high volume. Fans of death/black metal will want to add this to their collection. ~Artemortifica facebook.com/agos218
Whispering Woods is a seven piece band consisting of members Alexandra Burcă – soprano, Corina Hamat – mezzo soprano, Cătălina Popa – flute, Cora Miron – keyboards, Alex Dascăl – drums, Istvan Vlădăreanu – bass guitar, Doru Căilean – lead guitar, Genre described as Symphonic/Gothic/Doom Metal. Band origin Cluj-Napoca. Perditus et Dea album released on Loud Rage Music on February 2015. The album consist of twelve songs. I spent a few weeks listening to this album. The melodies and amazing compositions can be found in each song. From the moment I hit the play button the clean guitar instantly grabbed my attention. Alexandra's vocals are great. They come thru with perfect clarity in the second song "Original Sin". The production quality is great, considered all the instruments that are involved, everything comes thru with good balance and tone. Not a surprise because it was mixed and mastered by well-known Finnish producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, Amorphis, Swallow The Sun). The majority of the music I listen to is death metal and black metal, so listening to this album was a breath of fresh air. Some of the more stand out tracks would be My Altar, Poetica, Călușarii and Circle Complete In conclusion, the music creates epic adventures and will grab your senses from the start. The melodic vocals and interwoven arrangements are well thought out and have a way of lingering in your imagination. Fans of goth, doom and melodic metal will want to add this to their collection. ~Artemortifica facebook.com/WhisperingWoodsBand
Frosthelm is a four piece band consisting of members Jim Cherry-Bass, Dakota Irwin-Guitars, Tyler Pfliger-Vocals, Shannon Frye-Drums. Genre described as black/death metal. Band origin Bismarck, ND. The Endless Winter album released on 22 March 2015 Black Work (Alkemy Brothers). It has been several weeks since I lend my ears to this release. An excellent blend of black/death melodies and complex arrangements. Direct and relentless in its delivery. It is one of those albums that I can listen to from start to finish and never get tire of it. Great production quality, solid, heavy distortion and punishing drums. The track "Hell Between Us", is worth cranking up. Fast grinds and torturous screams. "Tomb of Sordid Ruin", is another favorite of mine, catchy melodies and savage chorus lines. "Forlorn Tides" is another stand out song. In conclusion, the album delivers brutality on all levels. The underground community will take notice as this release makes waves reaching new ears. ~Artemortifica facebook.com/frosthelm
Vile Disgust is a four piece band consisting of members Stench - Guitar, Söndör - Vocal, Csapi - Bass, Sicu - Drums, genre described as Goregrind. Band origin Budapest. Love all the Pigs album released on October 14th 2014, Bizarre Leprous Productions. Here we have a no rules all out maniacal album. Pure gore and fun in every single track. Titles like, "My dick is out of control", "Septic tank blues" and "Piss on me" will give you a good idea of the madness within. Production is very solid, good guitar distortion and crushing drum sound. If you are easily offended then this might not be for you. If you like your grind disgusting and unadulterated then continue listening. The short samples in the tracks add certain texture and with a well image of what to come. "I Cum Acid and Vag are good candidates for this. Think of the most vile porn and multiply by ten. In conclusion, a fun and crushing album. Brutal riffing, blistering grinds and all the macabre lyrics you can handle. ~Artemortifica facebook.com/VileDisgust
Dephosphorus/Haapoja are two bands. Dephosphorous consisting of Thanos Mantas - guitars, bass. John Votsis - drums, Panos Agoros - vocals. Genre described as Astrogrind. From Athens. Haapoja consisting of Jyri Kuukasjärvi - Vocals, Pekka Kivelä - Guitar, Tuomas Ojala - Drums, Eero Kurkinen - Bass. Hometown Oulo. Collaboration LP Released: 12 February 2015, Handshake Inc/7 Degrees Records/Nerve Altar. After listening to this LP for a very long time on my head set, it finally started to grow on me. At first it all sounded very chaotic and did not make much sense. My views have changed. The music delivers a certain heaviness while staying of the standard composition notes. Its a good blend of grind, thrash/black metal, punk and spacial melodies. Haapoja, Pakon Sanelema and Minä Olen Herra are among my favorite songs, fast, furious and relentless. Dephosphorus music is laced with punk rock riffs and aggressive passages, Extract The Soul and Shades Of Reality would be the most stand out songs from this split. In conclusion, a refreshing listening experience. Both bands deliver a chaotic and aggressive music that will resonate with fans of both metal/grindcore and punk rock. ~Artemortifica facebook.com/haapojaband facebook.com/dephosphorus facebook.com/nervealtar 7degrees-records.de
Corpse Garden is a five piece band consisting of Felipe Tencio: Vocals, Carlos Venegas: Bass, Federico Gutierrez: Guitar, Esteban Sancho: Guitar and Erick Mejia: Drums. Genre described as death metal. Band origin Heredia, Costa Rica. Entheogen album to be released on 15 May 2015 Satanath / RTM Productions. This is the bands second full length and it rips. Staying true to the roots of the genre but adding complex riffing interwoven with catchy melodies. It is sure to melt the ears of their fans. Songs like Suspended Over the Abyss and A Balance of Opposites are among my favorites. No shortages of grinds or blistering solos. We also get the dual low and high vocals that are a standard stable in most of their hymns. In conclusion, the music hits you hard and is relentless in its delivery. The album builds upon the heaviness and melodic complexity that was exhibited in the previous release. New comers to the underground are sure to make huge waves with this release. ~Artemortifica facebook.com/corpsegardencr
Its is a pleasure to introduce our readers to death metal band Conceived By Hate
1) Hello and welcome, please tell our readers a little about band? Where are you from? How did this group come to be? Hello, thanks for doing this interview. We are a death/thrash metal band from HELLSALVADOR in Central America, I started this band back in late 2002 when my other band DISORDER came to on hold situation. We have 6 official releases, first demo in 2005, 1 EP in 2009, first full-lenght in 2012 and then 3 splits per year since then with the bands NUCLEAR (Chile), DECEASED (United States) and AKHERON (Colombia).
2) How was the writing process conceived for this new material? Is it easier to compose music with the current line up? Who writes the material? Well, on this split release with AKHERON there are 3 original songs and a cover. The first one was composed by the bass player and I arranged the lyrics with the concept he wanted. The other 2 original songs were written by me (music and lyrics) and regarding those 2 songs process was the same as always for me, I usually compose music and lyrics at night or very early morning.
3) The previous music was also released in a split format, Inner Hate, Deceased and now Akheron, using this approach, is it better to reach people by collaborating with these bands? That was my vision in a way but also all these songs I just did not think were get along good in a full-lenght, so that is why also doing the splits was also a good idea for me. It is always easy and better to promote releases and the band with help of other bands involved in another countries. 4) Pestilence Reborn was released independently in 2012, was it harder to promote that album without label support? It has been always hard specially because of the country we are located, high shipping rates and not so known internationally as a strong metal scene. That record was released independently, but it was the same procedure, I mean I started my own label like 2 or 3 years ago but the difficulties are always the same, very hard.
5) How is the audience reception to your live performances? Any memorable experiences on the show circuit? Locally we have been playing more these couple of years and the reception is getting better as I see it but it would not change anything of my vision if it would be different but it helps of course to get budget for new releases because people purchase more stuff. Our scene is small and also the country is small so there are not many places on which you can play. I have been trying to setup a tour in Europe, but it has been difficult because of schedules and other stuff from some members, but I am still hunting this situation.
6) How is the death metal scene in your area? has it grown since your band became established back in 2005? No, this band was founded in 2002 but I have been present in the scene since 90s and as I stated before the scene is small since our country is small, also economical situation does not help neither for bands nor fans but we are standing playing this music no matter what. Yes I think today there are more metalheads than back in the 90s but I always say that I feel less passion and a lot of metal if you know what I mean, I cannot say it is good or bad but it is just how I see it and feel it.
7) Name some of your most notable accomplishments? Any big bands that have shared the stage with you? For me the notable accomplishments are to be able to put out my music on vinyl, CD or any other format, this is fucking difficult in our country and just doing that is a big accomplishment. Also having our own recording studio is something I have always be investing since many years.
8) How difficult was it to get the band's music noticed in the beginning? Always that you start a band or a project it is very difficult that people get interested, I remember selling our first demo for $1 USD and still people was not willing to purchase they wanted it for free, this is what I said before I think in a way also in the 2000s there was not passion for purchasing local bands merch or releases but that was useful for me and the band since we focused in our thing and vision and not thinking about if people will like or not our coming songs or if people will purchase it or not.
9) With the release of the new split are there any tours or major shows in the works for 2015? Most of shows are locally, maybe Guatemala and there is something I am working for south america but it is difficult because of the budget and schedules but will continue working on that with or without the current line-up.
10) Are there any plans to play shows in USA? Unfortunately not yet, I have had a couple of offers but since most of us do not have USA VISA we cannot go there by now.
11) If booking agents/news/press want to get in contact with you, what is the best way to reach the band? You can write me to morbidskullsv@gmail.com and I will get you in touch with our Manager.
12) Thanks so much for participating in my zine, the last lines are for you, any final thoughts? Thanks to you for the interest in doing this interview, thanks also to the people that read it and I hope you can reach our merch or material somewhere, support your local scene, cheerz from HELLSALVADOR!!! facebook.com/conceivedbyhate/ conceivedbyhate.bandcamp.com/
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