Otargos is a four piece band consisting of Urich Wegrich. Dagoth-Guitars & Vocals, John A-Drums, Hindrik A.S.-Guitars, M. Pliszke-Bass. Genre described as Dark Extreme Metal. Band origin France. Xeno Kaos album released on Kaotoxin Records 13 November 2015. My first thoughts, this is probably one of the heaviest albums of 2015. The music is both complex and brutal. The onslaught of devastation can be felt from the start. The drums hit you hard with sonic destruction. Full throttle blast beats and crushing double kicks. Guitar tones compliment all the powerful beats perfectly. This release has a total of eight songs. It was difficult finding a particular favorite since I really enjoyed pummeling my brain to each track. The opening song "Dominatrix" delivers a straight punch to the gut that any metal head cannot resist but to keep their ears glued to this opus. On top of the album being heavy and punishing, the band also adds some melodic parts such as in the song "Realm of the Dead". This one is not super fast composition but still heavy enough to melt your face. An easy one to jam to and creates some interesting melodic passages to make you bang your head. Now, if you want to run into the pit and smash things, then you should definitely hit play on the song "Dark Mechanicus", I found myself hitting the repeat button on this song many times. The overall vision is one of a maniacal future were technology has pulverize humanity and those who remain struggle to survive in this chaotic state. Well, at least that's what I envision while I listen to this awesome album.
In conclusion, the band manages to pummel your senses while adding subtle melodies that slowly creep into your mind. There is enough brutality to satisfied the taste of most extreme death metal listeners and to also devastate unsuspecting new comers to the underground. ~Artemortifica facebook-OTARGOSband
Very happy to introduce our readers to metal band Neuronia from Warszawa. This is their exclusive interview with us.
1- Hello, first off, thanks so much for participating in this interview. What are you guys currently up to? Tektur (vocals): Hello, thanks for taking your time to do the interview! Currently, we're about to release our third full-length album "Under the Same Sky" on December 14th. It took us three years of hard work to prepare and record this album, so we're hoping that it will make some waves with metal fans. We're also planning some local shows for next year to promote the album. 2- Could you tell our readers a short history of the band? Long story short, the band started in December 2013 as a jam-duo of Misiek (guitars) and Chief (drums). In the beginning, they were playing simple rock music. Some time later, Radek joined on bass and vocals and the band started playing live. In 2006, the band issued two demos: "Neuronia" and "Wedding Day", before parting ways with Radek, taking on two new members, Acid (vocals) and Domo (bass). In this line-up, Neuronia started to play straightforward metal music with a doom/death sound intertwined with thrash and hard rock. The EP "First Blood" (2007) and debut album "The Winter of My Heart" (2008) are a testimony to that era. In 2009, Thor became the new drummer, replacing Chief and adding a more edgy, thrashy feel to the music. The band started to play bigger shows, including the festival circuit. I joined in the fall of 2009 and played the first two gigs as a guitarist/singer, but stuck to vocals from then on. In 2010, we've released our sophomore album "Follow the White Mouse", which marked a more melodic and eclectic sound. We've played a lot of gigs in the next two years and had some line-up changes: in January 2011, Thor and Domo left the band. We've recruited Beton on bass and played the most of 2011 with Deviant on drums, but switched to Lukass at the end of the year. In this line-up, we've recorded the "Insanity Relapse" EP, where we added even more melody to our sound and put the main impact on thrash metal. We have spent the most of the last three years working on our third album and we were gigging sporadically. Now, the new album is coming and we can't wait to play and promote it!
3- How could you describe your sound? It's really hard. Thrash metal is surely the main element of our music, but it's intertwined with influences from heavy & melodic death metal, sludge and of course also classic rock. We're trying to keep it as eclectic as we can - in most of the cases, playing in one straightforward style can be a bit boring. 4- What are the band’s main musical influences? We have very diverse musical backgrounds. Misiek loves classic thrash in the vein of Metallica, Megadeth & Sepultura. Lewy is a very accomplished solo guitarist with a penchant for progressive playing, but he also likes thrash metal. Beton's main interest is in death metal and grindcore, but he also adores Pink Floyd. Lukass is also a death metal freak, but he really likes all kinds of good metal. I was a punk rocker in my teens and I still like to listen to this kind of music, but I'm really into all kinds of music from classical to black metal, putting the main accent on thrash/crossover though. 5- I have listened to the promo for the new album, sounds melodic and captivating, has the writing process become easier since the first release,"The Winter of My Heart" back in 2008? I haven't been there when the debut was recorded, but from what I know the process was for Misiek and Chief to write the most of the music back then and Acid to add the lyrics and vocal parts. Now, it's a more collective process, where we discuss the arrangements together and everyone has an influence on the final outcome. I write all the lyrics though. 6- Does your band have a strong fan base in your town? It would be a huge exaggeration to say that we have a cult following or a very strong fanbase here. We're one of tens - if not hundreds - bands in Warsaw. The people have a wide choice and they prefer to listen to many bands than just follow one very strongly. But yes, we do have quite a few big fans who have supported us for years - thanks guys! 7- How could you describe this upcoming album in just 3 words? Anger, force, melody.
8- How was the production process for your new release? It's been quite a long one, as we've recorded the drums in December 2014 (in JNS Studio, Warsaw) and closed up the final take on the vocals in the end of April this year. Apart from the drums, all the instrumentals have been recorded in Heinrich House, the studio of our producer and friend Filip "Heinrich" Hałucha of Vesania, Rootwater and Decapitated fame. The vocals were the hardest bit - we've recorded them in a span of a few weeks at Sonic Strike and Sound Division studios. Then, Heinrich took to mixing and mastering and in May we received the final master recording. 9- Is the band planning on doing any touring in support of the new music? Yes! We're very keen to promote the new album and plan on touring in the summer and spring here around Poland. We don't have any details yet, but we're starting to work on next year's options. 10 – Finally, what are you near-future plans? Promoting the record and touring as much as we can. The last album was a huge piece of work for us and we're not planning on recording anything new soon for sure. We also hope that the new album fares good abroad, maybe we can also do a few shows outside of Poland - that would be exciting.
11- Thanks so much for taking time to do this interview, any final thoughts? Thanks to you! To all the readers - support your local scene, you're the ones keeping it alive! facebook-Neuronia
Morkesagn is a four piece band consisting of Ekvil - Guitar/vocal, Farn -Guitar/back vocal, Heydvald -Bass guitar, Heisenbeard-Drums. Genre described as Black metal. Band origin Ukraine. Where The Darkness Never Ends album to be self released on November 30th 2015. A dark and captivating intro, a haunting guitar melody that leads into a destructive onslaught of black metal fury. The abyss is unleashed. The double bass kicks are thunderous and precise. There are a good amount of guitar solos that are complex and memorable. The tracks Heart of Darkness, Poison and Flame are epic and flow together perfectly. The song "Frost", is among my favorites, I played this one several times. Powerful and devastating. Killer verses and crushing blast beats add to the layers of brutality being experienced in this album. "Throne of Doom", contains a wicked malevolent beginning sure to turn your skin cold. In conclusion, I enjoyed listening to this entire album. Every song contains its own character and structure. A powerful performance is captured. If you're looking to add a furious and intense black metal album to your collection this is the one you must get. ~Artemortifica facebook-morkesagn
Tales of the Tomb is a five piece band consisting of Connor Adams - Vox , Bryn Herbert - Bass/Vox, Tres Thomas - Guitar, Corey Skerlak - Guitar/Vox, John Thomson - Drums. Genre described as Psychological Horror Metal, Death Metal, Murder Metal. Band origin Edmonton. Volume One: Morpras debut EP to be self released on 27 November 2015. Here we have a short but powerful EP. Only three songs and they pack a good kick. Dual vocal combos, high and low are experienced in each track. Catchy melodies with powerful drums to back it all up. The opening track "Snowtown", introduces us to this mayhem. I am reminded of some of the groups like Macabre, Cannibal Corpse, Haemorrhage and Phobia. "The Pig Farmer", is next and the slaughtering is very evident from the beginning. The inception of well placed arrangements make the music interesting to my ears. I also like the creative tempo changes and awesome drum rolls at the end of this song. The track that most resonated with me would have to be "Dr. Death", the song grew on me the more and more I listen to it. The chorus and catchy verses stick in your mind and you can't help but find yourself moving your head and tapping your feet to its horrific beat. In conclusion, a crushing, skull shattering debut EP by this band. They managed to introduce chaos and killing and add melody to the whole murderous thing. Don't pass up the opportunity to listen to this EP. If you like your metal blood soaked and full of carnage, this is the one to add to your collection. ~Artemortifica facebook-talesofthetomb
Second To Sun is a two piece band consisting of Vladimir Klimov-Lehtinen, Theodor Borovski, Aleh Zielankievič. Genre described as Metal. Band origin Russia. First Chapter album self released on October 18 2015. This is an album that continues to reverberate in my head. Its an instrumental album that delivers a massive blow. Heavy, progressive, melodic and intense. I can listen to this from beginning to end on high volume and it feels great everytime. About the only part that resembles vocals is in the song "Red Snow", but it is a short piece and could be a sample. The production is great. A solid performance is captured. I absolutely enjoy every song, but if I have to pick favorites they would be "Me Or Him", "Narcat", tight grinds and pure brutality. Virgo Mitt", for its enchanting melody at the end of the track. The bonus song "Chokk Kapper", sounds so good with low tuning guitars and memorable arrangements. An all around excellent tune.
In conclusion, this album is heavy and progressive on all levels. Although its an instrumental album, it will keep you captivated and keep your blood pumping. ~Artemortifica facebook-second2sun
Nuclear is a five piece band consisting of, Sebastian Puente - Guitars Francisco Haussmann - Guitars, Punto Sudy - Drums, Roberto Barría - Bass, Matías Leonicio - Vocals. Genre described as Thrash Metal. Band origin Santiago, Chile. Formula For Anarchy album released on Candlelight Records, August 21 2015. My first impression, the heart of rebellion can be felt through out the entire album. From time to time the music reminds me of early Exodus, D.R.I., Nuclear Assault, Agnostic Front and even an early Slayer influence like Haunting The Chapel era. Good production quality in every composition. Tight drums, pounding double kicks. Heavy distorted guitars. Intense vocal attacks. It is an enjoyable album. My favorite songs from this release would have to be "Self Righteous Hypocrites", "Waging War" and Tough Guy. I can honestly say every song kicks you in the teeth. No holds barred, fist in the air type of aggression.
In conclusion, the album carries the old school essence of death/thrash metal. Fans of early Nuclear Assault, Suicidal Tendencies and D.R.I. would be more than happy to add this to their collection. ~Artemortifica facebook-nuclearcl
Instigator is a band consisting of various artist from bands Antichrist, Portrait, Devil Lee Rot, Trap, Autopsy Torment. Genre described as Speed/Heavy Metal. Bad Future 7" vinyl EP to released on Gates of Hell Records 11 December 2015. So, this is a short but interesting EP. My first thoughts, the music seems to have teleported to the future from the early 80s heavy metal era. The lyric content on the other hand is futuristic. Awesome samples of sci-fi nightmares bring it all together. Tracks like "Inseminoid" bring the space battles and creepy sensations to mind. "Anabolic", is another track that can make you feel like you are traveling through some strange multi verse. The vocals are impressive and reach some intense highs, remind me of King Diamond or Rob Halford at times. The recording quality sounds like it came out of the 80s but, it adds to the overall feeling of the music. A decent amount of solos keep things interesting. In conclusion, if you like early heavy/trash metal with sci fi themes, this one is worth checking out. ~Artemortifica gatesofhellrecords-instigator-bad-future
