Vesperia is a four piece band from Canada. Members are Morgan Rider (Vocals, Bass), Casey Elliott (Guitar), Frankie Caracci (Guitar), Cory Hofing (Drums). Genre described as epic viking metal. Their latest full length album is "An Olden Tale" released in early 2013. The band has been around since 2005 and also released a full-length in 2011 titled ‘Voyage from Vinland and 2012 demo ‘The Swordsman. The new album begins with the track "1000 Years Ago" and sets a feeling of adventure and exploration. "With Omens of Sorrow", thunders in with some solid double kick work by drummer Cory Hofing. The vocals are aggressive and exhibit several ranges from low growl to high (black/metal style) pitch. One of my favorite songs is Bring Me The Triumph, this composition features a wide field of elements from heavy death metal style riffing to the folk metal arrangements and to tie it all together with very memorable solos. The title track "An Olden Tale" builds an epic atmosphere and give the listeners a well rounded idea of musical arrangements the band is capable of. The album has lots to offer from folk, viking, death, and even slight B/M style blast beats. Many listeners in the metal underground will find something to enjoy in every track. Be sure to catch them live for their first show of 2014 which will take place April 4th 9pm at The Atria, 59 King St E. Oshawa, Canada ~Artemortifica vesperiametal facebook-VesperiaMetal
Subscribers Of Death album released through Immortal Frost Productions in 2010. All music written and recorded by Nights Amore which is Chris; all instruments and programming. The opening track is "We Of The Suffering Kind", the song is deep and talks in depth about depression an its symptoms, keyboard riffs and slight rhythm. The verse repeats and ends at about ten and half minutes. Next song is "The Depressive Years (Tribute to Endless Sorrow)", high chorus effect and several samples from different sources like movies and documentaries. Odesdod, interesting name, not sure what it means. A well stitched song and has discorded transitions in a few spots. Pure instrumental journey with several cresendos. "Cutting Close To The Edge", at moments this song reminds me of the Silent Hill song from part three, "A Stray Child" there is an interesting sample of a girl speaking about dealing with depression by cutting herself - the composition works perfectly and will say is one of my favorite songs so far. "Let Me Drown In Suicide", dark oppressive mood created by the music. Chorus and flanger on key passages take you into a deep void of emptiness. "When A Child Decides To Die", with a title like that you know it will be a moving piece, samples of a child speaking about suicide, captivating somber depressive on all levels. The track captures the essence of the entire album and the arrangements are memorable. "When My Heart No Longer Beats", much in the same vein as the others but with a more straight forward edge and less effects. Final and bonus track is "Age of Suicide" many samples of people speaking on the topic of depression and suicide many sound young, the music is very fitting and a great way to close this story. Overall, I enjoyed this album, the production is good and balanced. I recommend it for people who like instrumentals of mainly keyboards and synth with a depressive mood. Be sure to check out the other releases 'Sorgens Minuter Om Slutet" from 2012 and "In Memoriam Vitam" through bandcamp. ~Artemortifica Published in AEA Zine 23 nights-amore
Mental Suffocation EP released under Immortal Frost Productions in 2011 limited to 300 copies. Songs written by Eratomania (name changed Ars Veneficium) B/M from Belgium, members include Surtur - Vocals & Lyrics (2010 - present), Drums & Guitars (2010 - 2012), Sorath - Drums (2012, 2013 - present), Ronarg: Guitars. Sir Chasm: Bass. Recorded during autumn of 2010. This EP starts of with the title song Mental Suffocation, clean guitars played in a depressive somber resonance and a slight drum march layered under to keep it all in time, this goes for about a minute then the vocals and distorted affect on the guitars begin. Staying true to its B/M nature in raw production format. Although my feeling is that the drums could have been brought up in volume by a few notches. The tracks ends in clean guitars once more but adds a change in acoustic riffing at the last measure. Lasting Days is track number two and comes in with distorted guitar work in droning style. Vocals are screams of agony and torment which fits the lyrics. Written short and are only a few paragraphs for this particular composition. The final song is Within My (B)reach, something about the opening riffs sticks with me and will say this is my favorite song from the EP. Lyrics are in full depressive mode which fit the music perfectly. Drums are up in volume for this track and give me a better perspective of the arrangements in riffs. Overall a decent EP and I can recommended it for fans of depressive B/M with raw production and dark overtones. ~Artemortifica Publication AEA Zine 23 facebook.com/Eratomaniaofficial
Immortal Frost Production present Horizon EP -Don't Let The Time Pass You By, released June 26 2011. Limited to 300 copies. The EP opens with Flight of a Snowflake, mood setting of calm and deep voyage. Above The Ashes, The Blue Sky Gazes, very intriguing title, keyboards paint an enigmatic landscape. The Darkness Days are Finally Gone, many layers of intense and emotion filled passages, I will have to say this track stays with me the most, well arranged and delivered. The Time Passes You By, title track. Here we experience a collaboration of both clean guitar and keyboards. The song takes my senses to many farscapes and long thoughts of serenity. The final song is "Light To Thy Path", on this particular track there are some scratch samples that I am not to keen on, but nonetheless are done in a tasteful manner. Overall an intriguing listening experience, the EP is completely instrumental so don't expect to hear any vocals. Good production quality and several memorable, captivating compositions are worth listening to. ~Artemortifica Published in AEA zine 23
Born In Darkness album released 2011 under Immortal Frost Productions. Wolfheart all music and programming. Sid all vocals and lyrics. Session "Astaroth" bass. Black Ritual is the first track. Sounds like a horror film of intense dramatic events. Salvation is song two, black metal in full attack. Drums are a bit mechanical in some spots but do have a good mix. Vocals are high and raspy in true B/M style. The Death Here Reigns, common title, opening is a sample - screams of agony in a pit of hell is the vision it paints. Melodic keys are inter-mixed and well executed. Elizabeth Beauty of Death, drums sound somewhat different and the guitars became more dominant. Ghost of Dead Wood, this song features Sid on vocals. Haunting and creepy intro, thinking this might have been recorded at a different time, mix is rough. "Fuck You God", well this is a straight forward lyrically, heart beat sample an into flies sworming sound. Almost has an industrial feeling to it. Unholy War, like the dead rising from deep slumber, bass lines come to the front on this track and do clever arrangements. The final song of this release is Prophecy, chains and drone type of composition kick this one of. The track has a good build up and interesting keyboard harmonies. Overall I enjoyed this album, sometimes the drums seemed low in volume but I could still grab the creative intent being projected. ~Artemortifica Physical publication AEA ZIne 23 metal-archivesEvil_Palace
Astral Winter is Josh Young - Vocals, Instruments and Composition. Genre is described as Epic Melodic Black Metal. Perdition album released March 2013 under Immortal Frost Productions. The opening track is "The Rain Falls Upon This Distant Land", acoustics set the tone and give a good impression of the production quality, clear and balanced sound. Next is "An Endless Vast Horizon", an excellent keyboard piece with very interesting and enchanting overlays. "Disappearing Into The Nights Embrace", rain background and two acoustic overlays featuring sliding style riffing. "To Destroy The Veil of Time", this track creates a deep soundscape, combining both keys and clean guitar work. I would have to say it is my favorite track so far in my listening experience on this album. Next we get "I Gaze Upon The Sky With Lifeless Eyes", a deep meaningful title with complex acoustic rhythms to project the dark atmosphere taking place. "Shrouded In The Mist and Pale Light", this particular song reminds me of very early Anathema style of songs. Memorable and enchanting song with solid vibrance. "A Vision In The Eclipsing Moon", slightly different than the previous song. setting a sad mood and deeper harmonies. The final track is "The Pillars Of Creation Descend to Ashen Ruin", completing the journey with a title like that you know it will be epic. Keys lead the way, creating elaborate arrangements along each measure slowly introducing another acoustic piece to fit seamlessly in place and also features slight haunting vocals to tide everything together. Overall, an enjoyable instrumental adventure with many levels of exploration. Physical publication in Aea Zine 23 ~Artemortifica facebook.com/astralwinter
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