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So the blue flower is called the Nigella, which is for my husband Nigel. The pink one is the Azalea, which represents me (leah). Now like I said I tend to be OCD, but my husband on the other hand is ADHD. So behind the pink flower there is this chaotic mess of swirls and stars and splatter marks. And behind the blue flower there are straight edges. Basically signifying that my husband is my other half. He brings chaos to my order and he balances me out, we are perfectly imperfect. This last tattoo was the longest session I have ever had. So overall, it hurt the most. But based off of location verses time spent, my star on my sternum hurt the most. I got my first tattoo the day I turned 18. I am very addicted to tattoos now. Like Gabe said during my last session, you can be in the middle of the woods and still be surrounded by beautiful art (if you get a good artist to do your tattoos!)Now who wouldn't want to always be surrounded by wonderful pieces of artwork? I am already coming up with some ideas for my next one...


   

   


     


 
 




  

 
  Demonical was spawned in March 2006 - by former Centinex members Johan Jansson (guitars & vocals), Martin Schulman (bass) and Ronnie Bergerståhl (drums) - with a mission to return to the roots of death metal and deliver a sheer dose of darkness and brutality. The first audio assault - a four track promo attack entitled "Bloodspell Divine" - was recorded at Necromorbus Studios (Watain, Ondskapt) during July the same year. The bands first full-length album - entitled "Servants Of The Unlight" - was recorded at both Black Lounge and Necromorbus Studios during January and February 2007 and released in April the same year. In November 2007 Temple of Darkness released a limited Demonical/Absu 7”EP featuring one track from the “Bloodspell Divine” promo. In December 2007 the band parted ways with vocalist Ludvig Engellau due to musical and personal reasons. Demonical continued for a few months with various session vocalists until late March 2008 when Sverker “Widda” Widgren came on board as the new fulltime frontman. Between December 2008 and February 2009 the band recorded their second full-length – entitled “Hellsworn” – at Necromorbus Studios. It will be released in May 2009 and supported by a headlining European tour and several summer-festivals. Continued Next Page....

It has now been more than 11 years since I met some of the guys in Demonical. And I was planning to take a ride down south when Demonical start their NORTHERN DEATH BLOW TOUR in Stockholm May 15 2009. Just about the same time the second album - "Hellsworn" is about to be released (May 16 2009).

So I contacted the band and the bassist, Martin Schulmann answered.... Tell us more about the start of Demonical? I started the band in 2006, when I put the previous band, Centinex to rest. And, I then brought together the best members and began to rake old-school Death. That´s it! How come The song "Death Metal" ended up on your debutalbum Servants of the Unlight? That is a cover that we recorded, which the label later on wanted on the album, because they thought the length of the album would have otherwise been too short. Demonical have during the years done some shows in Eastern Europe. How does the scene differs from Western Europe? Well, it has been a few. Personally I consider east(ern Europe) better, more devoted people,and that everything is more gloomy and hackneyed, more death in other words The second album "Hellsworn" will be released May 16. How does the draft differs from Servant of the Unlight. I mean is the tempo in the songs as fast? It is more variation on Hellsworn than Servants. What is fast, is damn fast, but there is more mid-tempo stuff too. But mostly it´s a fast record. We have not became Doom.. And yes,it will be released May 16 2009, so check it out damn it! And so this short interview with Demonical is ended. Thank you Martin. I still hope I will be able to see them live! DEATHMETAL DARKNESS!!

www.demonical.net

www.myspace.com/thedemonicalhorde

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   The group formed in the fall of 2007. They spent seven months writing and developing a sound that combined all their different musical influences. The result- a fusion of heavy guitar riffs, with experimental breakdowns, “throaty screams with delicate vocals”. To this day, the most requested song at their shows is actually the first song they ever wrote - “Silencer.” A heavy hitting song about betrayal and acceptance, with energizing verses and a breakdown of shrill screams. The band has already hailed comparisons to Evanescence, Eyes Set To Kill, and Flyleaf. How long has your band ComaStasis Been Together? Julian: "In September of 2007, Katt Kassidy (Vocals), me (Julian/Bass), and an un-named drummer, originally formed the band under a different name. Alex, our guitarist, joined the band a month later in November. A few months and six songs later, we lost a member gained a member, Stephen (drums) and so we became ComaStasis." Are all your members the original members? Alex: "The original band members are Katt, Julian, and me (Alex). We each have our own musical backgrounds. Julian and Katt each have live and studio experience with other bands/musicians in Tucson. Also, 2004, Katt and Julian were a in a band together called A Sleeper Walks." ." Alex adds, "I had little to no true live band experience. I've played with musicians at parties, but

nothing as serious as this...real serious." How many people have been in the band? Julian: "We've had four different drummers and Katt, Alex, and myself. Damn, thats seven different members." Who are your Influences? Alex: "Oh man, I love so many bands, but I always have to mention Nine Inch Nails, NothingFace, and my personal favorite, Marilyn Manson. Nine Inch Nails complex beats, contrasting sounds and powerful riffs has made me want to explore what other guitarist don't; NothingFace's awsome metal/hardcore riffs and kick ass energy makes me want to crank my amp to max and never click of the distortion off; oh and what could be said about Marilyn Manson, I don't think there is a thing I don't like about his style, I incorporate guitar style, fashion style and ideological ideas that show up in his music and writing style." Julian: "I've been influenced by Tool, Rage Against the Machine and Marilyn Manson. Rage Against the Machine has added plenty of groove to my play; Tool just doesn't settle for the basic creativity and experimentation, they push that boundry; Marilyn Manson's stage presence makes the crowd buy into the music and I want to own the moment just like that." Matt: "My major influences have changed over the years but right now I'm very influenced by Matt McDonough (the drummer for Mudvayne) Danny Carrey (drummer for TOOL) and 40 Below Summer. All these people and bands have members and drummers that refuse to conform to the traditional. Especially Mudvayne, the way that their drums fit in to the music is not normal. They have a way of thinking outside the box. That's why I auditioned for this band I've never heard a band like it. I wanted to push my playing ability. Every rehearsal we have I get inspired by all the other members to be a better drummer and push the envelope." Continued Next Page.....

&RPD6WDVLV Katt "I love Straight line Stitch and Killswitch Engage! They are bands that combine brutal, fast verses with beautiful, melodic chorusesthis is a style that we have always preferred since our first jam sessions. These vocalists are amazing screamers as well as singers and I want to show that you can do both well, whether you're a guy or girl!" What do you mainly write about in your songs? Katt: "FOR OUR FIRST COLLECTION OF SONGS, I WANTED TO WRITE ABOUT… REVELATIONS….. WANTING TO KNOW TRUTH RATHER THAN TAKING THINGS AT FACE VALUE… I THINK THAT WHEN YOU GET OLDER YOU HAVE THE URGE TO SEARCH FOR THE TRUE MEANING IN EVERYTHING." KATT KASSIDY. "FOR OUR NEXT COLLABORATION- WE WILL EACH CO- WRITE MUSIC AND LYRICS, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE." What kind of music do you play(genre)? Alex: "We've definitely struggled in defining our genre. It's a bit hard playing the metal scene when we feel we are in part new metal/hard rock/industrial/and a touch of screamo."Katt adds,"As a girl it's a bit hard playing alongside guys that have done metal. I wouldn't define us as that (metal) but some elements are there." Alex adds, "I'm certain that we will define a new genre all together." Who started ComaStasis? The three original members started the band Katt(Vocals) Julian(Bass) Alex(Guitar) Who came up with the Band name ComaStasis? Julian: "When we lost one of our members, we decided to change our name. Sitting around brainstorming, Alex and I threw the word COMA out there." Alex adds, "As soon as I heard COMA, the gears started moving. I came up with a list of a few possible band names that contained the word COMA in it." Julian:"We all agreed on ComaStasis because it was the most unique name out of all our options." Alex, "Later on in the writing process, ComaStasis took on its own meaning." What does ComaStasis Mean? Julian: "The name has mostly taken on its own meaning as we've written songs. We based a lot of the music we wrote on contrasting themes and concepts. So does the name. Coma - State of unconsciousness; Stasis - A balance of opposing forces. An unconscious balance of everything- that's only half; you must experience ComaStasis live and you'll know what we really mean." Who writes the Music and Lyrics? Julian: "For the most part, Alex and I lay the foundation to songs that will be written. Sometimes it's as simple as just jamming bouncing ideas of one another, and other times it's a grind out process were write note for note. We'll either record our rough ideas or simply show them to the band at practice. Parts get added, re-written, or scrapped. continued next page.....

&RPD6WDVLV Katt: " I'm so used to writing to a cd of finished songs, but this group writes EVERYTHING from scratch together… so I had to break my habits of writing alone and start listening to the group play together and figure things out TOGETHER. I wrote all the lyrics on my own- up until recently…..we decided to each write the music AND lyrics together to create a universal message that with only define us better than ever before. With this new writing style, I'm sure that our souls will be printed on the next collections of songs we make, so I'm excited to hear what will come out of it! " Where was your first show? Alex: "Our first show was very interesting. We were all still getting to know each other as band mates, so nerves in the band were a bit tense. We had been booked at a college bar near the University of Arizona, called Belushe's. We were scheduled to play at 1 a.m. following a pop band, a happy punk band, and other bands we weren't too sure we'd fit in with . I don't think I've ever seen a band play that late, but it was good

because everyone was already nice and drunk. Whether we were nervous or sick (in Katt Kassidy's case), or just made mistakes, the drunk crowd, I'm sure didn't notice." Julian: "I think some of the people thought we were just gonna be like the bands that played right before us. The crowd was into their thing, drinking, playing pool, and ordering drinks. As soon as we hit that distortion and Katt screamed her head off, it seemed as though everything stopped and everybody just gathered around us." Katt: " Hahaha I just remember sleeping in the parking lot until we got called up to play- and then when I was heading in the bouncer guy kept telling me to pay to get in and I kept sayin 'no I sing here tonight!!! Hahaha it actually happens every show- bouncers always think I'm a girlfriend of someone in the group." What was your favorite show? Everybody: "The CHICKS ROCK show." Katt adds "The show was July 26th, 2008 at the Rock in Tucson AZ. We played with, Idella, Amaranthyn, and Less than Famous, a few local acts." How often do you have band practice? Matt: "We usually practice 3 times a week, for about 3-4 hours. In that time, we run through the songs we have, and come up with ideas for new material." Continued Next Page....

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Is it hard being a chick in a Metal Band? Katt Kassidy: "SOMETIMES IT IS HARD BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LOT TO PROVE ESPECIALLY WHEN I GO ON AFTER SEVERAL ACTS FRONTED BY GUYS. WE ARE JUST REALLY LUCKY TO HAVE SOO MUCH FAN SUPPORT, WE'VE HEARD NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS FROM THE OTHER BANDS AND ALL THE VENUES WHERE WE'VE PLAYED…. AND ITS GREAT HAVING PEOPLE COME AND WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU…." KATT Whats your favorite song that you play? Katt-Between Heaven and Hell Alex-The Art of Losing Matt-Seven Julian-Vocally-15 Stories Musically-Cold Blood Matt, what has your experience been like playing with a new band? Matt: "Well, at first it was very difficult because I was learning all the material someone else wrote, but now I'm becoming more comfortable. At the same time all of us refuse to settle, once I got everything down, there were little changes to be made, always tweaking the songs to get the most out of them. I'm always thinking of new things to do to push myself as far as I can go, and I know the rest of them do the same Now it's awesome to be in a band where I have unlimited freedom to experiment." final thoughts….. I CONSIDER THIS BAND MORE... A LIVE BAND THAN ANYTHING ELSE…YOU REALLY GET INTO THE SONGS WHEN YOU SEE THEM PERFORMED LIVE. IT'S EMOTIONAL… AND YOU CAN SEE THAT." KATT KASSIDY.

www.myspace.com/comastasis


 Interview By: Black Diamond Slowgate is a band that started its existence in the mid 1990:s The bands music was a mixture of thrash/black/goth/grunge/doom metal. Slowgate signed a recorddeal with GMRmusic and recorded two full lenght albums for this company. The force of the unknown and Nordic Rage. The band also did a early single for a small label called To the death. During the years the band did a lot of shows around in Sweden. By this time the line-up was: Nicke Johansson (founder) leadguitar, Thomas Kraus - Rhythm guitar, Jan Lindberg -Bass, Chribba Larsson- Vocals and Kenneth Olofssondrums. In 2006 the band suffered of lack of interest and members decided to leave. After a period of battery charging Nick, Thomas and the new drummer Erik Forsgren started the band again. Peter Uvèn joined the line-up that now needed a powerful screamer. Slowgates music now took a more powerful and doomy direction. The music is still very aggressive and with a large touch of bitterness in its dark approach. The line-up is now completed by Johan Hedlund who is handling the vocals. This guy is a singer that has his roots in hardcore and his vocalstyle suites Slowgates music perfect. His voice gives the dark and doom songs a new dimension. FORCES OF THE UNKNOWN WAS RELEASED IN 2002, NORDIC RAGE IN 2005 And Slowgate has also released one single. In the chaotic rush hour beween the stage schedules I found some time to sit down with the new singer in SLOWGATE - Johan Hedlund Johan - tell me about how you became the new singer in Slowgate? Johan: It started when I got a call from the producer to the Slowgate-video Rage In Eden, a guy named Peter Kolm. Before I became a member in Slowgate I had not played for 5 years. At first I hesitated a little, but after a few rehersals so... Since you became a fullworthy member in Slowgate, what have changed in their music style do you think? Johan: Slowgate have a different music style now compared to before. The singing part is clearer, but still it is harder. Which music influences have affected you most? Johan: Robert Flynn in Machine Head and Chester Bennington in Linkin Park. Those two have nothing in common with me, but yet they have inspired me. Name 5 records you would bring to a deserted island? Johan: Supercharger, Meteora, One record by Eminem, doesn´t matter which, The Descent (Slowgate) and one mixed album. These records make me happy and get me in the right mood After this short moment with Johan it is time for the heavy stuff...MEMORY GARDEN!!

Children of Bodom (plus Cannibal Corpse & Diablo) 19th February 2009, London Kentish Town Forum To be fair, Diablo weren't given a particularly fair chance from the off. Besides the fact that it has to be a challenge at the best of times to open for two of the biggest bands on the metal radar at the moment such as Cannibal Corpse and Children of Bodom, it's been over an hour and a half since the doors opened and the stage is still devoid of music. The crowd are visibly and audibly impatient, and when Finnish metallers Diablo finally emerge onto the Forum stage, no one really seems to care. Plus, the taunting chants of "Who are ya! Who are ya!" in typically pleasant London fashion probably aren't making the quintet feel particularly welcome. If you placed the frontman next to 80s era James Hetfield you'd struggle to tell the difference, from his shaggy blonde hair and playing stance right down to how he wears his sweatbands, which of course evokes further ridicule from the impetuous crowd who are, rightly so, brimming with anticipation for Cannibal Corpse to grace the UK shores with their first appearance in what feels like forever. So when Corpse begin ripping into their set list, the frenzy of circle pits and walls of death that ensue are pretty intense. Charmingly, the band's chief growler/grunter George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher dedicates "Fucked with a Knife" to all the ladies in the room. Nice man. After they were done belting out this number, if anyone needed any evidence that in actual fact - if we're totally honest with ourselves - a lot of Corpse's material sounds very similar in a live environment, there's a yell from the front row: "Play Fucked With A Knife!" A little clarification may be necessary for anyone present who had been living under a rock for the last millennium and were unfamiliar with Cannibal Corpse and what they're generally about. The raucous shouts flying out from Continued Next Page...

Tourette's sufferers who'd stumbled in to the wrong event, but in fact song requests. "Hammer Smashed Face!" they cry, "Butchered at Birth!" and possibly the most brilliant song title ever; "Entrails Ripped from a Virgin's Cunt!" In terms of actual performance, there isn't an awful lot to say. The entire band remained virtually static for a sizeable portion of the set, and yet, because these veterans are so high up and respected in the metal hierarchy, they still commanded a certain stage presence that had the whole Forum captivated. That is, until Children of Bodom storm the stage, giving London no less than they expected: an ultra tight performance. The setlist had a few welcomed surprises; with "Bodom Beach Terror" and "Bed of Razors" clawing their way out from the back of the closet, receiving their first live airings in a number of years. Halfway through (what we thought was) the penultimate "Downfall", the same gang of die-hard Hate Crew-ers that earned a mention in the last Bodom review eagerly awaited the epic finale that would be "Hate Crew Deathroll" (if our many previous Bodom experiences were anything to go by). As everything suddenly grinds to a halt, the stage empties and there's some kerfuffle before Janne comes to the front mic with a sentence that we soon learned has the capacity to turn a room of several thousand people homicidal in about seven seconds: "Sorry guys, our show is done. Someone threw beer over the mixer desk, so if you see that guy, please beat the FUCK outta him!" A big well done, whoever you are, for not only wasting a perfectly good beer but also cutting short an otherwise flawless performance from Finland's finest. By Chazzy


  

Human Quena Orchestra 4/9/09 Tempe Arizona Bike Saviors Co-Op The venue was a house... Needless to say it's been a while since I was at a house show that didn't showcase local Punk bands and an endless supply of kegs, drugs, and the damp almost cellar-like smell of sex; but this one was different. A bike co-op. I was under the impression that this would mean bikers, but instead it meant a bunch of jaded 20 somethings rambling on about their bikes and who was on what and all that shit. A bit of a boring crowd compared to what I'm used to, but none the less, decent people. But I wasn't there for the people; I was there for the Human Quena Orchestra, one of the best Drone acts I've heard Since Sunn O))), and I had only justr heard of them. How this band managed to stay under my radar for so long is beyond me, but the night before I was finally exposed to their hate-fueled, mysanthropic, bile; and all was good in my world. The drummers set up was a new experience in itself for me; standing, with only a deep loor tom and a medium sized floor tom, with a black snare looking thing in front (I've no idea what that was, it looked electronic). As for the guitarist/vocalist, he was in the foreground of what appeared to be a five-foot high wall of amplification and an electronic place of worship. This was going to be something to remember. The Drone. The mighty, forboding, unrelenting Drone. They sounded like some sort of ancient caveman death ritual. Flawlessly executed, deep, meaningful, and mournful. If you ever getg a chance to see the Human Quena Orchestra in concert, do so. And even if you can't; buy the album, and be prepared for the aural equivalent of the failings of man... All laid out gasping for air; only to be denied by the fist wrapped around his throat. By Troy Jones


         After the much-aplauded debut album “Ninewinged Serpent” in 2007 and a triumphant 7 weeks long European tour with Polish death metal overlords Vader, Sweden’s blackened death/thrash commando DEVIAN return with a second attack: The new album “God To The Illfated”, Featuring former Marduk members Legion (vocals) and Emil Dragutinovic (drums). Recorded once again at Art Decay Studio with Rickard Kottelin throughout the Summer of 2008, DEVIAN decided to subsequently hook up with Hypocrisy /Pain mastermind Peter Tägtgren for further production duties and the intense mixdown of the album at The Abyss Studio (Immortal, Marduk, Dimmu Borgir, etc.) while mastering duties were once again taken care of by Peter In De Betou / Tailor Maid Production (Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy, Dark Tranquillity, etc.). DEVIAN anno 2008 offer an increasingly dynamic, vicious and aggressive sound that captivates the listener with massive, thrashing riffs, a heartfelt old school spirit and simply perfectly written songs – an art seemingly lost in days, where most bands rather show off their technical skills instead of constructing effective hooks and epic melodies. The Hammer Battalion tour(Unleashed,Belphegor,Devian,Guillotine)made a stop in my town 7/3-09). I must admit I was a bit nervous when I finally met Devian. But they seemed to be really nice and down to earth guys.... Why did Legion and Emil leave Marduk? Legion: "There is no use doing the same thing repeatingly, when it all end up being a money issue. It took a while for organize Devian as it is now". How has the touring been going? Highlights? Emil: "Fun touring with Unleashed & Belphegor" Legion: "After 2 tours in Europe it feels great to round off with a Scandinavian tour." Tomas:" Umeå was a highlight. Great atmosphere among the audience" On the Devian website Legion states Johnny Cash as one of his influences? Legion:" Good music is good music, whether it is rock, pop or country. When I was younger I was more one track minded than I am today". When you have been out touring for a long time, and then you go back home what does it feel like? Is it still hard to adjust to being on really long tours? Joinus: "You miss people" Legion: "I spent 3 days on the sofa doing nothing after one show tour, just staring at the wall, and a friend had to drag me out from the apartment. " Tomas:" One misses ordinary things, like "who has been most drunk lately, or look! there is a hole in the street!" As far as the artwork for the cover of God To The Illfated goes, did you have a specific "theme" in mind when the artwork was started, and that was captured, or did the artist just take the name of the album and create something from that? Continued Next page.....

Legion: "We wanted a worn-out heart and the motive to be attractively ugly, so the Greek artist Seth got free hands to create something, as he is used to doing." Best/worst show? Everyone in the band considered some shows in France and or Ruman as the best and Spain the worstLegion: "In Spain it started to rain during the show and the power went off and did not come back until the show was almost finished. Everything was wet" Tomas: As one Rumanian said; "If 20 people in the audience is not bleeding, it is good" Emil also said:" On stage we deliver 110% " But I consider, when the guys entered the stage it was more likely 666%! The feeling was huge. The audience closest to the stage did some moshing and the rest of us just enjoyed the performance and music! What do You guys usually do before a concert? Tomas: I try to be for myself a little, so I receive the right mood. Warm up my hands and stretch my neck. Or having a beer! Also, Carl and I use to punch eachothers cheeks, right before we enter the stage to get into orch-mood!! What plans do you have now after the Hammer Battalion north tour? Tomas: We will be heading home for rehersal and to start writing on our next album Hopefully it will be a couple of Festivals this summer as well! The singer of Hypocrisy Peter Tägtgren is a very talented artist and has a great musical personality. He is also a good producer, How is he to work with? Tomas: It is really cool to work with him. For me personally, it was a dream come true to work with Peter. Ever since I first heard what great productions that came out from the Abyss studio I wanted to work with him. He really devoted himself with heart and soul into God to the Illfated. I find the album God to the illfated high technically, well produced,with some traces of black & death metal. Are Devian influed by, for example, Hypocrisy when the recordings took place? Tomas: Well, I can say that we all 5 have different influences that we bring to the rehersal room. For me personally, I am sure I squeezed in some Hypocrisy-influence somewhere!

MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/truedevian OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.devian.se


    Since they were founded in Belo Horizonte/Brazil by the guitarist Alan Wallace in January 1995, the members of Eminence have been riding high in the local Underground scene. Through a large national following as well as their overseas fanbase.Working on independent production and promotion the band toured Holland and Belgium between September and December of ’98 getting a lot of very positive reviews for their performances. On their return to Brazil they completed the album Chaotic System which was released and distributed independently. Playing festivals and supporting overseas bands they were starting to see all the hard promotion work pay off. In 2004 the band signed a Deal with Timeless Production from Switzerland to release the Album Humanology produced by Neil Kernon( Cannibal Corpse, Nevermore, Judas Priest). The band line up and performances have drawn the positive attention of audiences as well as the media in all the countries they have played. The new album The God of all Mistakes( 2008) is produced by Tue Madsen (Halford, Mnemic, Dark Tranquility) Alan Wallace - Guitars Andre Marcio – Drums Bruno Paraguay – Vocals Bernardo Gosaric – Bass Greetings Eminence! Please introduce yourself and start out by telling us a little about the band: Hello there, here is Alan Wallace I am guitarist of Eminence from Brazil. We are promoting our new Album THE GOD OF ALL MISTAKES released in Europe, US,JAPAN , BRAZIL via Locomotive Records Please tell us about the Brazilian Metal scene, and what it is like being a Metal band there? The Brazilian metal scene is very strong, we have a lot of good bands and being a metal band in Brazil is not so easy, really hard work :) Please tell us about Skol Rock, and how Eminence did in this? Skol was a good festival here in Brazil in 1996, we played to 10000 people in our city Belo Horizonte and 20000 people in Blumenau SC .This was our first experience playing outside our city. So you are still signed to Timeless Production from Switzerland? What made Eminence choose this label, and what can we expect for upcoming releases? We split with Timeless productions now we are signed with Locomotive Records , we really don't know for future, I mean for upcoming releases. continued next page.

How has the parting of Wallace Parreiras affected the band, and what changes has it brought about? How has the band meshed with new vocalist Bruno Paraguay? I think it was in the best of interest for both Eminence and Wallace to part ways. I will say that for the last 5 years Wallace has been an amazing singer.. .Every band has its growing little troubles and after touring and living together, we all came to a conclusion that a change had to be made. Bruno Paraguay is a new blood to the band , We recorded some songs and we will show to our fans soon. Do you feel that because you are from Brazil and Sepultura is so widely known as a icon for Brazilian Metal that you are inevitably compared to them no matter what? Yes I have to agree with you, but we are different bands :) God Of All Mistakes was produced by Tue Madsen most well known for his work with Halford, Dark Tranquility, and the Haunted. How do you feel about the production on the album, and how was it working with Tue? Tue is good friend of the band and a killer producer, we are really honored to be worked with him, What is Eminence working on for 2009? We are working on new Video Clip THE GOD OF ALL MISTAKES , will be ready in second semester of 2009. Please tell us about some of your touring highlights, you toured Holland, Belgium, and Poland, correct? How long were you on the road for this tour? Yes we played in 10 european countries last year to promote our new album , was so cool , 2 months Touring :) Switzlerland, Holland, Belgium, CZ, Poland. Germany, Denmark, Austria, France and Italy. Who are some bands that you would like to open for and why? Maybe ACDC, Slayer, We are big Fans :) Who is THE GOD OF ALL MISTAKES? I think we are ....... the humanrace with this crazy world..... we can not change the world but we can change ourselves :) Continued next page....

Tell Eminence fans some things about the band that are not really known and may surprise them? We are working on new material and new video Clip coming soonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Stay Heavy www.eminence.com.br

www.myspace.com/eminenceband



     

                
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Interview By Black Diamond Memory Garden is a Doom Metal band that was founded by the Vokilist, Stefan Berglund in Kumla 1992. After some years of abscence and minor changes in the line up, MEMORY GARDEN now are back in business! The "comeback" album, titled Carnage Carnival has got a great response from both fans as well as the press. I had the opportunity to catch up with the quintet in Boden during Ghosthouse Metal night. ( April 4/4-2009). Memory Garden Is: Stefan Berglund - Vocals Simon Johansson - Lead guitar Andreas Mäkelä - Guitar Johan Fredrikson - Bass Tom Björn - Drums The Carnage Carnival cover kind of reminds of a Stephen King book.Where did you get the idea regarding the theme? Who was the illustrator? Simon:"The title to Carnage carnival was already made. Our idea was that the cover would visualize an amusement park. Then we let the guy from Budapest work something out. Have you seen the booklet?" (Yes I have, since I got the record!-BD) Johan Fredriksson pick up a Carnage Carnival cd from the floor, and shows the booklet: Johan: "The band image was awesome" Simon: "We never thought of being associated with Stephen King. The mean clown (on the cover to "It") is like Stephens "trademark", and will always be associated with Stephen King no matter what you do. Simon turns around and points to a poster with another clown. Now the discussion moves on to concern other metal bands that have the word Circus in their album/songtitles. Tom Björn: "We are also aware of that KISS have an album titled "Psycho Circus" And Simon is absolutely right! The guy from Budapest is an excellent illustrator. Continued next page......


   What do you usually do before a show?. Simon: You chill out and try to focus. At Sweden Rock Festival 2004, we bought pyrotechnic stuff for about 15.000 skr. But that was actually a part of the preparations for the show. Tom: "You are only allowed to be in the dressing room for a short time. About an hour before and maximum an hour after the show". Johan: " You have no special ritual, I just want to be somewhere where it is silent, and not too crowded, so you can for example tune the instruments" Tom:..and to warm up your fingers. Someone in MG starts to play on a guitar a little.. Simon continue: "Have some beer, but not too many" On Metalstorm awards page Carnage Carnival was nominated as the best Doom metal album 2008. that must be a great feeling? Simon: we have been nominated before. In the Metalzine Kerrang Memory Garden was nominated for single of the week. Memory Garden is a small band, so it felt great! You get acknowledgement for that which you create, which is. Now we didn´t end up winning..." Tom: " It is great that there is a nomination genre for Doom Metal". You are confirmed for 2 festivals this summer, Rockweekend(Kilafors,Sweden) and Headbangers Open Air(Germany). How does it feel like having thousands fans in front of you? And how it is like being on tour? And how is it to come home after being out touring? Simon: "It is no bigger difference. We haven´t been on especially long tours. You wake up, get on the tour bus and then on stage. During our tour in Greece last year we noticed how popular Memory Garden are in Greece. From the moment we get off the plane we had "the red carpet" rolled out." Stefan: "Rockstar status" Simon: The Greeks were(are) fanatics. In Loannina they had organized a Memory Garden -party. We were very well taken care of." What made you decide to re-release tides? Simon:"Tides had been sold out since 1999. We have recieved lots of mails from people which requested "Tides". There are even those that purchase albums for hundreds of crones(swedish) on E-bay. Vic Records ( our current label),bought the rights to "Forever" and "Tides" from our former label Heathendoom (no longer existing). So Vic Records mailed us and asked if it was ok to re-release those albums. Sure, we answered. And that must please a lot of Memory Garden fans. Tides includes some bonus tracks. And the cover is illustrated by the talented Illustrator Peter Sailai. continued next page.....

With the departure of Guitarist Anders it seems that Memory Garden lucked out and had a great fit to fill " his shoes" with Andreas "Ante" Mäkelä? Ante: I knew everyone in the band since before. Stefan (Simon) "Ante has been a good friend to Memory Garden for a long time" Ante: I have been a fan of Memory Garden from the start so it was easy". Ante also is the guitarist of the Metal band Evil Conspiracy. www.myspace.com/evilconspiracyband Simon says: (with a loveful tone) " That is something we have regretted plenty of times" (He is joking of course!-BD) and continued: "We are glad to have you onboard, Ante" Simon has a tattoo, taken from the cover to Carnage Carnival. Tell me more about the tattoo? Who was the tattoo artist? (Simon show me the beautiful gorgious beast, as I didn´t have the chance to take a closer look at the night before) Simon: "This tattoo was made by Jens Bogren on Heavenly Ink in Åkersberga,Sweden. He is good at doing grotesque subjects. www.myspace.com/heavenlyink Some things about Memory Garden that most fans do not know? Stefan: "that 4 of 5 members in Memory Garden are dog owners. And that we have the worlds nicest rehersal room in Kumla" Johan: "We become remembered because we are so nice" According to themselves Stefan & Simon are mischievously "good" at emptying minibars! Stefan: "But not our own of course. That will be way too expensive! (laughter)One time we sneaked into Tom´s and Anders´ room and emptied their minibar". Johan: Stefan have a child with my sister. Stefan added: "Johan has been hanging in the rehersalroom since he was 7 years old" Every band have some favorite songs.(That they have created).What/ which does Memory Garden consider the best? Simon and Stefan both, are agreed concerning "Downfall". Johan: "Downfall" is the funniest song to play, but I am weak for "The beast within" Will there be another video recorded from "Carnage Carnival"? Simon: Yes, some time soon. Memory Garden is working on some new material, and Vic Records wants to release a new MCD. Tom: "But it feels better to release a full length, rather than a MCD containing 2 songs no one buys anyway!" That ends this interview with Memory Garden, since the band seem to have other duties to deal with.. Later on that night I bumped into Simon again: "Memory Garden will be touring Europe November 6-22 this year(2009)"

For further information about Memory Garden, please visit: www.memorygarden.net www.myspace.com/memorygardenofficial

Oceano

Interview By Troy Jones

Conceived in 2006, Oceano is a young band comprised of former members of several Chicago metal outfits. Describing themselves as one of the angriest bands on Earth, Oceano channel this through their music. Having completed numerous successful tours in the Midwest playing with the likes of Hatebreed and Suffocation, and signing with Earache, Oceano are now spreading their path of destruction far and wide, and will be soon levelling a town near you. Troy Jones: For those who havn't heard your music, can you describe it for us? Adam Warren:Well, I guess you could call us a Deathcore band from Chicago, IL; we're out to play the heaviest music that we can play within our capability and hopefully that's portrayed in our live show and hopefully that gets kids goin'. I know every show, we get extremely pissed and go nuts on stage, so hopefully the same can be said for anyone who comes out to see us! TJ: Awesome very awesome! Now I noticed that your guys' music seems to be a bit more brutal than most of the other Deathcore bands that I've heard before. There seems to be more of an emphasis on the "Death" rather than the "Core", is that an accurate analysis? AW: I think so, because, for myself, if it's Deathcore it's Deathcore because that's what people have labeled us as. Me personally, I don't know if we have so much of that "Core" part. But I guess because we have a lot of those heavier, kinda slower, beat-downs parts and stuff like that, but as far as anything else goes, besides that, then yeah, I think that's a very good accusation for us. TJ: Now you guys are signed to Earache, is that right? AW: Yeah, we're actually hangin' out with them right now. TJ: Oh ok awesome! How have they been treating you? AW: Very good! They've been awesome to us! TJ: Now, I know through out the years, Earache has gone through some serrious roster changes; do you feel that this has been a positive change for them, or are you neutral on the matter? What's your opinion of that? AW: I think in our case it's definately positive, you know, they gave us a chance to get exposed to, basically the world I guess. So in our situation, it's deffinately a positive change. As far as I know about anything else, getting bands that aren't with them, then they SHOULDN'T be with them, you know, if that's the case, but if there are some bands that WANT to work with them, like bustin' their ass, like for us, they're gettin' us out there and doin' what we wanna do. TJ: Very cool, so they are helpin' you guys out then? AW: Yeah, like, they are a big company and have given us WAY more than even I would have expected and they've been very hands-on with us and daily contact with us; so they've been real good with all that. TJ: At your guys' shows (I've seen some of the footage on Youtube), violence kinda seems to be the norm. How do you feel about this? continued next page.....

AW: Well, you know, it does happen a bit more than it used to from my experience. They do get into scuffles and some fights here and there. The last show we had, we played in Rochester and we had this little altercation that happened then, and honestly I get a little stoked about it, not so much an actual fight. I'm not so much an agressive person, I'm a very passive person, you know, but I'm pretty sure it's something that I'm pretty sure any band would be stoked to see. You know, it's better than a room full of people, kinda just standing and watching that don't really look at the band. It's entertaining; at least it's showing that kids are getting that amped up, you know, to where they're basically down each others throats and stuff like that. Basically, they have to get calmed down 'cause they're so amped up and stuff, and I think that that's really cool to see that. TJ: Yeah definately! So when you guys are performing, do you try and manipulate the crowd into doing that, or does it just sort of happen? AW: Umm, usually no, it's not an effort to do that; granted there will be times where, while we're playing, we'll try and do a pit, and send me out to try and get more pumped up and so there wil be times like that, but I'm not saying "Go knock somebody out!" or anything like that, but at the same time I kinda am, and for the most part I can say certain things and I can gauge a crowd and get a feel for it. Like, the smaller shows where it's something like they're all friends and they hit somebody or they knock somebody down, it's just not cool, so there's not to much drama, you know, so I kinda gauge what I say because I know there are certain times and certain cases where people do get THAT amped up and the vocalist could say something like "Throw a chair accross the room!" and it WILL happen, you know, I've seen it a lot (laughs)! So if we see that happening we'll kinda say "Let's keep this energy, but let's not ruin the show for everybody!" TJ: Now, I know that you guys are from Chicago and you're very proud of that. AW: Right, definately. TJ: I got to spend a few months in that area a while back and I realized that every part of Chicago kinda has it's own unique history. What's the history of the part you're from? AW: Well, I'm from a virtually completely different part of Illinois than all the rest of them, but collectively, it's kinda all the history combined, so it's really just all the awesome stuff! And we have some things that we want to kinda connect to the feel of the band like the huge Chicago fire and things like that. Really, just more historical stuff you know, from way back when with things like that; you know that deffinately defines the city, and that's why we're proud and it deffinately shows in the music. TJ: Yeah it definately does, that's very cool! Now, how does the recording process work for the band? Do you guys have a well-made plan, or is it more of a "shoot-from-the-hip" type of scenario? AW: Well, this is our first ever CD as a band. We've came out with a two song demo, and then we had just finished recording and we were going to release an E.P. that we just did by ourselves with a fill-in drummer at the time, and that was right when we got signed. But this is our first full-length CD that we've ever released, so we've never really had any game-plan as far as that, but coming into this, we got the word that we were going to record a full-length, basically we just kinda went with the flow of things but then we got a little organized, because we realized that by going with the flow of things we could go in and record something and see what happens; if it sounds like crap or not, OR we could get everything together, get into recording, so it started off with us having a lot of songs that we'd been playing for a while that just got revamped, you know, and made closer to what we are now to match all the current songs, instead of just throwing some old songs on there. Then we recorded the new stuff and we kind of let everybody write, you know, I got to write a little bit, then we recorded all the songs on just a little 8-track cassette recorder, you know, some old demo songs that we could play back and listen to them continued next page....

Oceano and revamp things, things like that. By the time we got into the studio, I was just finishing up my writing and we began doing the drums, so we did that whole process and going into the studio we were completely ready to go. So we were completely on-scheduale with everything and I think everybody was satisfied because we actually hunkered down and got everything squared up! TJ: Now, have you guys started the tour yet, or are you starting that pretty soon? AW: We just had five days with Vital Remains; so we did that and that was just a short little run, so now we're done with that, but besides that we've just been hangin' out in New York, but we're heading back out in late March on tour with Burning the Masses, that's the full U.S., but we're gonna be on the road from late March all the way 'til the end of April so, we're just waiting for that right now. TJ: So how did the shows go with Vital Remains? AW: Very good! I was really stoked about them because we were able to play to a different crowd then we normally play to, you know with a different style of music and the age range, so you got two different factors of bands that can differentiate and play to a totally different crowd of people so it was really cool. We had a couple of bar-shows that were kinda like, after a certain time you have to be a certain age to be there so, not to say we don't like playing to our typical range of people, but we deffinately want to get our music out to not just the same people who have been a fan for a while, so we were deffinately stoked to be able to get a chance to play for people who normally would not have heard of us. TJ: Yeah, absolutely. What has been the biggest influence on your guys' sound? AW: To me, a lot of people who are into a certain style... I'm not saying they copy off of, but they feed off of their influences which are basically the same style as they are. Like, a lot of Deathcore bands are coming out because they were influenced by other Deathcore bands, but we wanted to kind of throw in an Old School Death Metal feel to it. We're into more seasoned bands like Vital Remains, Deicide, and Decapitated who's not an older band, but they play like they've been doing it forever, and bands like Behemoth. Lot's of those bands have been redefining Death Metal, but still going more towards the older generation of Death Metal fans and stuff like that, so we get a lot of our influence off that, and we haven't even released this album, but I think the next album is going to show more of that Death Metal. TJ: I also know that you had to recently depart with one of your guitarists. Are you planning on keeping it a four-piece, or are you going to pick up another guitarist, or are you just going to see what happens? AW: We basically had a trial run with a new guy, and within the first show he played, it was kinda like "Alright, he's in". He did that well enough and as long as he's down for it then he's deffinately in. Honestly, a good guitarist is hard to find; good musicians AND they mesh with the sound of the band and their personalities in the band, and that's the problem we had, which is why we had to get rid of our last guitarist, so basically, yeah we already have another guitarist (laughs). TJ: Very cool, glad to hear that! Being an African-American, do you feel that it's important to get more of the African-American community involved in the Metal scene? AW: In a sense I agree with that. It's not like a campaign or anything like that, where we NEED to expose African-Americans to Metal. You know, me personally, it's all about where your from, and I've been moving around all the time so I never really got a chance to grasp any type of music so I just heard Metal and it fits my personality. So for most people it's just about where you're from and what you hear for the first time, and thats kinda what you're stuck with and no one opens up to any new genre, so I think in general, people should open up more to different musical things like that. But I think it's more that there is just a stereotype to things like that, like people are just really stuck with the whole urban thing and hip-hop and stuff and some of them would say "I might love Metal, but I would never give it a chance." so I think in that, I actually agree; I think it should happen but it's really not going to happen, so I think all you can do is just let it slowly grow and we see a more wide variety of people getting into music; it should just be accepted. TJ: Definately an awesome answer by the way! AW: Oh thanks man! TJ: Is there anything you wanted to add since this is the end? AW: That's about it; the album's out April 7th, so hopefully everyone will check it out and pick it up! www.myspace.com/xoceano

Interview By Kara with Mad Scotsman The core of the band was formed in summer 2007 by its two founding members Jon and Kenny, who began tentative work on several songs that would evolve into the current SICARUS set list. After weeks of painful auditions they finally found the musicians that would complete the band; Eric, KC and Dustin quickly joined SICARUS to perfect every dimension of the bands sound and design. With their first demo “Bleed Seraphim” complete and released, the band has received enormous praise and is quickly building a solid fan base. Are all your members the original members? No. In the beginning we had a different vocalist who sucked so we kicked him out and brought in Eric. We had a different drummer until Mike joined in October 2008. The orginal drummer had too many personal issues and clashed with the rest of the personalities in the band How many people have been in the band? 2 previous members Who are your Influences? Too many to list and everyone has their own long list of influences but collectively we draw our influences from bands like Killswitch Engage, Iron Maiden, Bullet For My Valentine, All That Remains. What do you mainly write about in your songs? Most have a positive message about overcoming the bad things and people we all come across in our lives What kind of music do you play (genre)? Metal Who started SICARUS? The 2 guitarists Jon and Kenny (Mad Scotsman) Who came up with the Band name SICARUS? Our former singer Alex had a thing for roman history so Jon and Kenny adopted the name from his ramblings What does SICARUS Mean? SICARUS is derived from the term Sicarii. Sicarii is a prase applied to an extremist group who attempted to expel the Romans and their Partisans from Judea in the decades preceding the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. Continued Next Page.....

S I C A R U S The Sicarii concealed small daggers (called Sicae, where they derived their name), which they used to assassinate their enemies, the Romans or Roman sympathisers. Literally, Sicarii meant "dagger-men". Who writes the Music and Lyrics? The music usually stems from an idea from either Kenny or Jon then we all collaborate on it to make sure it's the best it can be. Eric typically writes the lyrics although we have all contributed in the past and continue to help develop some of Erics ideas Where was your first show? The Jumping Turtle, San Marcos, CA What was your favorite show? SOMA San Diego CA February 8th 2008 How often do you have band practice? On average 3 times per week What’s your favorite song that you play? Depending on who you ask in the band this will differ. Ask Kenny and he'll say Beneath The Stone, ask Jon and he'll say Breaking Free.

www.myspace.com/sicarus

www.sicarus.net

Interview By Black Diamond with Johnny

“Hammer Battalion” proves to be a high point in the career of a band who has had many. For nearly 20 years, the warriors of Unleashed have been the ultimate embodiment of Death Metal - employing a driving fortitude that has helped them to become one of the top extreme bands on the planet. Always unyielding and without a hint of compromise, they have remarkably brought the spirit of the Viking tradition and the glory of pure Death Metal together in this new century. While the “Hammer Battalion” hordes are assembling around the globe.

UNLEASHED have not only worn their Viking heritage on their sleeve for years, they've also proven to be one of history's most important flag bearers for metal-heads around the globe. And the battle continues... With Hammer Battalion how do you feel that you accomplished raising the intensity level without losing your trademark skill of melding uncompromising brutality with extreme listenability? That's pretty much it. I think we have managed to take our music and lyrics to the next level. Lyrics wise as music wise the songs are just a little bit stronger than on the previous album. Not much but yet that's our feeling. We will always try to develop and get better but it is of utmost importance to keep the brutality and still produce memorable songs and not create "riff-collections". What are some of the ills of modern society that Hammer Battalion covers? The growing pestilence of religion. And all that is unjust in society today. We are what we are and damn proud of it. We have no need to take part in the trendy bullshit that sweeps across the lands today. We are deathbangers and viking warriors! We will never surrender! Please elaborate on some of the unneeded suffering that you feel goes on towards religious figure heads and how does Hammer Battalion touch on this? Major religious leaders seem to think we all need their salvation and forgiveness to lead a good life. Therefore they need wars and more wars to keep the aggression between all people alive. Frankly.,....they still haven't proven why we need to believe their stories and their facist way of life. On your myspace page it mentions Mother Nature, how do you feel Mother Nature strikes back against things done to her, and how do you see Mother Nature in your personal viewpoint? Also do Unleashed members feel a kinship to nature, and do any of you venture out into nature often, just to "be as one" with it? I personlly perform a number of "Blot" every year. Especially around the pagan tradition dates such as the Midvinterblot and the Summer solstice. I spend much time in the forest.....I guess it doesn't get much closer than that. But we all have different ways. About mother nature striking back, is pretty obvious....the way of life led by the leaders of the great religions causes mother nature to strike back. Be it natural catastrophes or never ending wars but she always finds her ways of giving back to those who deserve it. Christians or muslims, it doesn't matter much. Unleashed has obviously always had their roots heavily into Viking heritage, please tell us where this stems from and how it affects the band both personally and musically? I can only speak for myself but the viking traditions and values are an important part of my life. Just like the "Blot" I spoke about above and the fact that I try to live my life the way I write those lyrics should say it all. There is no differance. We have done this for 20 years in Unleashed and will continue so for the many years to come....Continued Next Page.....

In the face of ever changing things, how has Unleashed been able to stand their ground, and remain true to themselves and their fans? We only kept on going, doing what we said we'd do 20 years ago. Without looking back. No regrets, no wimping out. Just Swedish death metal brutality. We have the ideas for another 20 years easliy. Where will you be touring next? Does Unleashed have any particular things that they always like to do right before every show? Not really, we just try to give everything we got....it's as simple as that. We have a number of summer festivals coming up in europe, then we do the pagan festivals (23 shows all over major european cities) in September/October. www.myspace.com/666unleashed www.unleashed.se

Interview By Melinda Greetings! How are you today!? Please introduce yourselves, & Please tell us about your most current release, & what influences were most prevalent on it both personally and musically? Ave! Quite exhausted after another day in societies maw but fine. My name is Silva Raziel, Vocalist and Songwriter of Thorns of Ivy. We are currently working on our second full length album, which, unlike it's predecessor "From Grace to Tragedy", will follow a complete storyline. It is a dark story, heavily influenced by society nightmares, embedded in a gloomy fairytale. The story of course had an intense impact on the music, which became even more aggressive and on the other hand versatile and deep. Not too many Metal bands come from Austria, do you think that helps or hinders TOI? Not many metal bands come from Austria, because although many great artists emerged from here, the support for local musicians is non-present. The prophet is worth nothing in his own country. And then, on the other hand, there are as many stereotypes in Metal, like everywhere else, and this hinders us in every case. People associate extreme metal with Northern countries but not Austria. They can not imagine, that a strong Black/Death Metal Band could probably come from Austria these days. But I am plain sick of this "trve" shit. Talented Artists emerge everywhere in every genre.(You are 110% right about that one! Ed.) Why should people listen to TOI? It took us nearly a decade to refine the musical art we create today. We grew to a solid force and pushed our music to many extremes. A dark ambience of Epic Orchestral Storms, Raging Death Attacks, Deep Melancholic Tales of life and death. You should LISTEN to TOI if you want to take a peek into the abyss like I did. What has been like what you thought it would be when you joined a band, and what things did you not expect? In the beginning things were plain and simple. I began listening to Rock Music in early days and was fascinated by the raw energy that emerged from it. So I decided to join a rock band as vocalist. I guess it was the urge to create awe and shock in the audience that drove me to more extreme musical ideas. 4 years and 3 bands later TOI was born, another 6 years later we stand complete, but in a far more complex environment. It became real work facing the burdens of modern music industry like distribution, promo, searching a fitting label, finance album production etc. It's hard to get recognition for our music in this vast pool of bands nowadays (especially when you create our kind of music) How do you take place as henchman on the dusky side of the only true deity, on who is the only one true deity? There are always core messages in our music like the inseparability of life and death, love and hate, creation and destruction. All those elements are woven together but mankind tends to forget this. They lost their respect for life and life itself is the only true deity, which will deny its gifts to those who loose their respect for it. We are a Mirror, and mankind has a very ugly face. You are on Khaos TV and the show METALHEAD Cribs, what are the "whips" parked in front of your house, and what do we find when we open your refrigerator? Uh, nothing fancy I guess. Some middleclass wagons, or a hearse. With refrigerator you mean my dead hooker storage I guess? It may contain some fruits, milk, maybe some scattered body-parts. continued next page.....

It seems like the split in the bands earlier beginnings actually strengthened the band for the better in the long run? Yes, definitely. We came to a point, where our musical interests went in total different directions back then. But with our new tribe members, we grew strong like never before. Self producing and financing "From Grace to Tragedy" was a very big step for such a young band, what was it like for you? It was a very intense and exhausting process that took over a year until completion. Woken was studying I was on my way to fatherhood, while Auriel still had to accomplish civilian service. We nearly used all time left for the production and spent hundreds of hours together. I still wonder, why we didn't kill each other. But the feeling when it was finished, was worth all the shit.

Death/Thrash Metal as well as Classic, Ethno, Orchestral, Chamber Music and Movie Soundtracks. Everything from early Metal to Mozart. I never wanted this band to be limited to a specific genre, so our roots reach far in many directions.

Tell us about a very wild & crazy TOI moment!? I wish I could but nothing special comes to my mind right now. Maybe we are the boring kind of metal musicians. Although, I can remember one odd thing: We had a gig in a very rural region. And since there was no dressing room behind the stage, but in another part of the building, we had to walk to the stage in complete armor and war painted through a tavern full of old grumpy rednecks. Don't know who was scared more.

What does the future hold for TOI? That would be great to know. But I don't have the faintest idea. This year, we can hopefully finish our second full length album, and we are looking forward to play at Metalcamp 09 in Tolmin. I also hope we soon find will find a label, that can help us to spread our music, and increase our name recognition. Thank you any last words in parting!? Thanks for the interview opportunity. And to the folks out there: Check out our Myspace Page for the latest news and remember kids: Pain gives birth to higher nature. A black Salute!

www.myspace.com/thornsofivy www.thornsofivy.com

TOI has not released anything since 2007, that is a long time, why so long? We always were extremely critical towards ourselves and I would not want to release something I am not completely satisfied with. We are gathering material for the new album since four years now, and only the very essence will be heard on the album. I hope we won't need that long for the next release. And I hope the new album will be finished this year Where do TOI's roots lay deepest? That's hard to say. In our early years there where countless bands that influenced us. From Black to Folk, Gothic, Melodic

After being picked up whilst all at the age of 16 by prestigious UK underground label Thirty Days Of Night Records, in the past home to bands such as Gallows and Bring Me The Horizon, it was clear that the future was bright for Hertfordshire based metal band, The Eyes Of A Traitor. Taking no major influence from any band,

Interview By Melinda

instead, taking from a variety of music and experiences. A hard working attitude has helped them gain 5 independent tours covering UK and Europe, whilst ever building on their growing fan base. A worldwide deal inked in winter 2008 with Listenable Records, to release their first album ’A Clear Perception’ in early 2009 will be sure to rightfully turn attention towards the band. Hey guys. This is Steve(Guitar) writing here - thanks for giving us the time to do this interview. When was "A Clear Perception" released, and how has the album been received so far? It was supposed to be released early January, but due to the economic crisis, our UK distributor went into liquidation, meaning that our label had to find a new distributor for the album. Fortunately it was not too long a delay, and got released on March 2nd in the UK. It's been received really well - overall I've been really happy with it. The press liked it, we gained new fans from it, so overall it was a success. How do you feel about the album as a whole? I'm pretty proud of it. It gives a clear idea of what we are trying to do - differentiate ourselves from other bands, and put our own mark on the music scene. Obviously as we recorded the album about 9 months ago, and recorded the songs even longer ago, things have changed now, we cant wait to release the next album. Talk to us about your studio time for "A Clear Perception" this being TEOAT's first album, not to mention being released on a well known label, any pressure, or anxiety, what were you feeling, how did the recording of the album go, where was it done, etc.; We recorded ACP at EAS Studios in Milton Keynes. The album is a vast difference from our EP, we took a lot longer writing it. We had all the songs written before entering the studio, and simply just recorded them. We weren't worried about it, we had confidence with our label that they would like anything that we put out, which is great. We had about 2 and a half weeks to track the entire thing, and we ended with some time to spare. We had quite long days at the studio though, around 12 hours, which in the summer heat got absolutely knackering. It had a trampoline though so it was all fine.. Continued next page.....

TEOAT

You guys are all really young, what are your ages, how have your parents reacted to your big band stardom, and how do you handle touring, and is it all a lot to absorb? The ages in the band are 17, 18, 18, 18 and 22. I wouldn't say we are at big band stardom level haha! We wish! Some day though. We handle touring fine, it isn't very stressful for us at all as we are used to it. There is no real fights, and everyone has a great time. We are defeinitely lucky to be at the level we are at our age, and we're eternally grateful for it, and never let go of it. The cover art for A Clear Perception looks kind of asbstract, like you have to look at it a few times to really kinda think you know what it might mean, did you specifically want it to come across kind of "off", what were the thoughts behind it, the artist, etc.? It was our friend Boyce @ Suffoca.com who also sponsers us with shirts. He's a cool guy, and definitely get some art off him if your intersted! Now that plug is done (haha) we just wanted him to draw. We didnt have a clear concept, we just let him go nuts, and we are really happy with the outcome, it's intricate, and a little different, like I'd hope our music comes across. How did you land the deal with Listenable? Were you guys shocked when you heard back from them? They actually got in contact with us. They got ahold of our EP and emailed us through our band email account and told us that they'd want to consider us for signing.

After debating with other labels, we eventually decided to sign with Listenable after long negotiation and we couldn't have been happier, Laurent is an awesome guy! You have been doing a lot of shows lately, have you been able to do shows with a lot of bands that you have been fans of, if so what was it like? The Gojira tour we just did was a real eye opener. I mean, Randy from Lamb Of God is on their album, and I grew up listening to them. Haha. They are the nicest guys ever though, and it just reminded us that everyone is human, and there's no need to put anyone on a pedestal. We also played with Misery Signals last year, which was cool cause I'm a big fan of those guys! One of the things I really like about TEOAT's sound is the different vokill styles, and the melodic feel, it is really hard for band to be original now a days with the swarm of new Metal bands, but I feel like TEOAT is not trying to be just another Metal band? Cheers! We hope to make ourselves a little different than the rest of the metal bands, its just how we write, we dont force it. I dislike the culture of constantly having to label bands as 'metalcore' 'deathcore' or I even heard 'fastcore' today. What does it all mean!? Just listen to the music, and if you like it then thats great! We just play what comes out. I noticed in the photos that Jack has quite a few tattoos, are all of TEOAT inked? If so please tell about some of your tats., any special meanings to them, etc.? Only Jack is inked out of the band! We don't have the money haha! Jack has one full sleeve, and another half sleeve. He's also got his chest, and neck done. I'm not sure if there is any specific meaning behind them, as I can't get in contact with him, I can't answer this properly sorry! I want to get inked soon, but I wouldn't really know what to get done. Who is Chris F.? The song "Like Clockwork" is about him? This song is about one of Jack's friends who he used to skate with regularly, that got tragically stabbed to death in Stevenage last year. The song was about even though his death was terrible, people still remember him every day. We thought that a song would be a good way of remembering him. Continued Next page....

TEOAT

Is it easy to get a big ego?, I have looked over your "press" section, you guys are in a lot of magazines and have gone big very fast, do you feel that it has changed any of you so far, and where to you hope to go with TEOAT? It's all down to our awesome press agents, I swear. Haha. None of us have got any ego's - we are still a relatively small band and we all know that. We defeinitely think that we can take this further though, and we are willing to put in the work to get there. How do all of the members of TEOAT get along, what are your personalities like? This is a good question! Due to Jack's ADHD, he can often be really hyper and then go on 'lows' where he becomes quite argumentative, as I'm sure he'll agree haha. We've learned to deal with and not take it too seriously. We all have our moments, as touring can be hard being with people for two weeks straight. But we all get along great, and we're all best friends with each other. www.myspace.com/theeyesofatraitor

TEOAT

Interview By Kilroy what does nachgeschrei mean? do you feel that having a german name limits your audience? Nik: Nachtgeschrei literally means something like screams in the night or screams of the night. It can be understood as clamor at night, but there also is a little legend about spirit people that are called the Nachtgeschrei, for their noisy feasting at night. We like our name- it's interesting, brash, a bit on the dark side. It's true that it sounds and looks very "German", but we don't see that as a limitation for a band that combines dark ages folk music with modern metal/rock. Perhaps it even has an exotic appeal to it for some What is the music scene like in Germany or Europe in general? Do you feel you have a limited audience because of the language barrier? Do you care? Joe: The music scene is quite versatile. I don't think that the main part of the music scene differs much from any other country in the western civilization apart from some "local" music scene apperances like "medieval rock" which is quite typical for Germany. And for the question about the language: well, we do know that singing in English might give us a larger fan base but because we are all Germans we didn't want to bend over backwards for anyone - it's our native language and all the ideas that come in our mind are of course in German language. Also, I think that our music takes more effect when doing it in German - just think about Rammstein: If they sang in English their lyrics just wouldn't have that effect they have now. What is the bands driving force? Joe: The main driving force is playing our music in front of a steadily growing audience. Nachtgeschrei wouldn't exist as a pure studio-project. We do this for rocking the stage ;-) Any big future plans for the band? Nik: We just released our second album "Am Rande der Welt", (Listen to one of the songs on myspace.com/nachtgeschrei or try to get your hands on one of the copies of the album if you like folk/medieval-metal) so now we will be doing concerts and festivals do promote the album. I hope that you people will like it- hopefully it will attract new fans and friends. We're looking forward to going to the Netherlands for the first time this year and are curious about how the Dutch audience will like our music. Apart from that our hopes for the future are that we are able to continue what we started, to do concerts and record CDs and generally rock! What do you think sets you apart from all the other bands out there? Nik: I'd rather leave that to our fans… there must be something, right? In the end we are ourselves, and nobody else is. If you were reviewing you own cd. how would you describe your music? Nik: It's 21st century medieval folk-metal and it kicks ass! No, seriously, it is a mixture of archaic folk, medieval instruments with a certain dark ages feel and modern, straightforward rock and metal. Do you guys have day jobs? Do you find it hard to tour and have a "regular" life with a steady job? Nik: Oh yes. We all either work or study so all the work with the band, all the being on the road combined with the everyday jobs results in little time for anything else and very little sleep. It is difficult to imagine how much work it is to keep the band (as a company) afloat for someone who hasn't experienced something like that first hand- but we wanted it that way- other people get their thrills going on holidays, or playing computer games or whatever, we hop on our bus and hit the road, going to wherever people want to hear our music. when was your last recording and where? Nik: The last recording was the new "Am Rande der Welt"-album- out since march, 20th 2009. We recorded the rock Continued next page.....

How do you guys go about the song writing process? Nik: It depends. Sometimes we have a melody or a set of chords in mind, sometimes we have lyrics for which we then write music. Usually, Joe (hurdy-gurdy), Oli (base), Sane (guit.) or Hotti (Vocs.) come up with an idea for a song while Hotti, Sane and I write the lyrics. We then write the parts for the folk-instruments like bagpipes or the gurdy and find suiting guitar parts. Since we sometimes work with as much as seven instruments at the same time, this part needs great care.

www.myspace.com/nachtgeschrei www.nachtgeschrei.de



 
   


        After making a pact with the Devil in 1992, Infernus founded Gorgoroth, an early Norwegian black metal band whose contemporaries included Darkthrone, Mayhem, Immortal, Burzum and Emperor. Gorgoroth has released albums on labels such as Nuclear Blast, Century Media and Malicious Records, and is now signed to Regain Records. Gorgoroth has toured extensively abroad, and the line-up has been subject to several changes - about 25 different musicians have been involved with the band since its inception. Gorgoroth at present consists of Infernus and Tormentor on guitars, Pest on vocals, Tomas Asklund on drums, and Frank Watkins on bass. No live appearances are planned for the immediate future, but Gorgoroth live activity will recommence sometime in 2009. The band is now busy preparing for the recording of the next full-length album, "Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt", to be released on Regain Records in 2009. FOREWARD: Oslo City District Court has today delivered a verdict on the main question in the Gorgoroth trademark case, which took place at the end of January 2009. The court has decided that King ov Hell's trademark registration # 243365 of the band name Gorgoroth is NOT valid and shall therefore be deleted. The court states that King ov Hell and Gaahl excluded themselves from the band Gorgoroth when they tried to fire Infernus in October 2007. The court further states that Infernus cannot be excluded from Gorgoroth, unless he himself decides to quit. Infernus is very pleased, but not surprised, by this verdict. The remaining issues concerning financial matters and such are yet to be decided upon. Pitch Black Productions: Since October 2007 there has been, as your opposition put it, a legal battle between yourself and them. Although you have already stated in previous interviews that you never stopped working under the name Gorgoroth, did you come across any difficulties during this time period due to the legal battle? Infernus: The term "legal battle" makes it sound to me like some rather silly attempt on dramatizing what this was all about, and most probably that exact choice of words comes from the counterpart and how they presented the story through the media, but here was a lot of practical hassle which had to be taken care of, that's right. That has by now been dealt with, more or less all of it. So of course if I could in retrospect choose not to have gone through this, it is obvious what I would have done. Nevertheless, some people have to learn it the hard way. And when it comes to Gorgoroth, I will have it my way; my way or no way; no matter what. Except for the above mentioned legal issues and paperwork which had to be done, I have taken this opportunity to evaluate people in the former mutual organization behind the band. Most of them passed the test and chose their side clearly at the right time and when I needed it. A few others did not, they have by now been removed. PBP: While King ov Hell and Gaahl have now legally excluded themselves from Gorgoroth and pretty much betrayed you, would you ever consider accepting an apology from them if they offered it? I: I don't really know what such an apology would be good for [laughs], if they apologize or not, that's just words, and they don't mean anything to me any more. I do not care whether I get an apology or not. My main focus now is where it always has been: on the future, and not on some ex-members and what they might have said or done. PBP: Although you did in fact win the court case, do you feel that you have learned anything about trusting or not trusting people or band members in the future and do you think you will put more information in writing with future business deals? I: I think the ruling represents in itself some kind of security for me for the future, always. But also I think I am able to learn from it, thus making it easier for the future by settling some formalities before entering co-operations with people from now on. This will probably imply a little bit more paperwork than before, but ultimately I think it will be best for all involved parties. PBP: Although the courts deleted King ov Hell and Gaahl's trademark and ruled that you could never be removed from Gorgoroth unless it was on your own terms, do you have any plans in the near future to establish a legal trademark yourself for Gorgoroth? I: There are two equal ways of getting a trademark protected in Norway; you can send in an application for the trademark, OR you can establish it by use. The verdict states that the trademark was already established by use before King and Gaahl joined, so I don't really have to register it. It confirms what it looked like before October 2007, and it's just like that now. It doesn't matter if I trademark it or not because the verdict is there and states that it is not needed.

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PBP: When there is a conflict between band members and it goes into a court case as did your situation you un-doubtingly lose some fans while strengthening the will of others, do you feel that in the long run this will just be more positive publicity for Gorgoroth and will actually increase your overall fan basis by bringing more attention to your name? I: I think you always have to relate to the risk of losing some fans and gaining others, both when dealing with members leaving, court cases, or when you put out new music. And I don't write music to gain more fans. So it doesn't matter of course, and if I lose someone because of a court case like this then so be it, it's just natural. You lose some and you win some. It will and should always be like this. PBP: I actually can't pronounce it, but tell me more about the new album, what goals did you set out to accomplish with this new release and what does the album title translate to? I: It's "Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt," and it's a piece I've been working on since winter of 2006 and to make it short, it will be 7 or 8 tracks and 30-35 minutes and it would have to be up to the listener to decide how it sounds. We will deliver a product in or around October which we will be able to stand 100% behind, that is as much I have to say about that. PBP: Did any of your feelings from the betrayal of King Ov Hell and Gaahl go into the writing process? I: No, I started the writing process when I was in prison during the winter of 2006 and I have written all the material myself, not letting this hassle influence the product at all. I have other concerns. To put it in perspective: I am betrayed by god, so how on earth could I be able to find place for whatever feelings I might have for two ex-members during that writing process? PBP: The website states that although you look forward to getting on the road soon, that you want to finish working your new album, do you have any touring plans scheduled and what countries are you hoping to visit? I: We hope to continue what we always did and tour a lot, but now we have to set things straight and now we want everything according to how we want it. We will be selective and we will be picky. We will be back touring when we get everything as we want it. we, and no one else. It is about time to quit making compromises now. When not in Sweden working on the bass and vocals this summer, we will spend as much time as possible here in my hometown, Bergen, rehearsing on a live set-list. Hopefully we will be able to do a European festival or two as soon as in august or so. Time will tell. PBP: How do you view the current Metal scene and where do you see it progressing to in the future? I: I don't really know, I don't view it in any particular way because I don't find myself to be a member of it and I haven't been a member of it since the mid 90's in terms of social life et cetera. I am a musician and songwriter, that is correct, thus I somehow have to relate to it. Anyways, I am in it basically for the metal and the Satanism, so there is strictly speaking not much more from that scene that I need. I have my rather narrow circle of contacts and co-workers, and that is it. I enjoy my position in terms of being able to function through writing, producing and performing satanic metal music. That other circus, and all that hanging around with a bunch of dirty and insecure illiterates in an ugly band t-shirt, I can do without. Feeding on hopeless self-mythologizations and posing for glory in the media I can also do without. How the scene progresses, I don't know much about either, but in some magical way or other, I will be a part of it, for another 17 years or so. I am angry and old now, and I am for Satan ready for once to set things straight, yeah!

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PBP: How do you feel Gorgoroth has left its mark on the metal scene? I: I feel we have achieved a lot and that I have been lucky to get to work with a load of both interesting and good people. I also feel we somehow have been able to write metal history and - to be honest - that we have partaken in shaping the directions of the scene. For what that is worth. Nevertheless, I am not content. I have more coming. There has for sure been a few setbacks, all the way, in fact, but obstacles should and can be dealt with and that will continue to be my attitude for the future as well. PBP: Is there anything you would like to say or add? I: I would like to thank you for your time, and I would like to thank loyal fans and co-workers and other defenders of the faith all around the world who passed the test which this last year and a half has posed. You probably know who you are. Action speaks and I do not forget you. All hail you, in the name of Satan. Thank you!

www.gorgoroth.info Infernus On Myspace-www.myspace.com/160310525


  n      Miseration: 'Your Angels - Their Demons(Lifeforce) When 'Thrones', the first song from Miseration's 'Your Angels - Their Demons' CD, started playing, my immediate thought was that I was about to be bludgeoned to near-death with 9 songs saturated with the same "crunch-growl-crunch" sound that is fairly typical of virtually every death metal band in existence. To my surprise, these Swedish heavy hitters quickly euthanized - albeit at times briefly resuscitated - my original thought as 'Thrones' gave way to the tracks that followed. While the beginning of the second song, 'Perfection Destroyed', slithered its way through my speakers, I honestly had to wonder if I was experiencing an epileptic seizure or, at the very least, was suddenly listening to a different CD altogether. The guitar and drums sounded as though they were off somewhere doing something completely different than what I was introduced to on 'Thrones'. Sadly, the epileptic episode subsided as the first verse of 'Perfection Destroyed' kicked in and was reduced to your standard "chunk-chunk-wretch" rhythm. In all honesty, even before the first verse of 'Perfection Destroyed' was over, I was getting extremely bored with the direction it was heading. In fact, I was just about to skip to the third song on 'Your Angels - Their Demons' ('Seven Are the Sins'), when I started feeling another epileptic seizure coming about. The chorus made a neck-snapping u-turn and immediately barrelled back towards the path that the song started on to begin with. Let me just share with you the image that was created in my brain from that point on: Napalm Death anally raping Avenged Sevenfold. Right. Perhaps not the most enticing image one could have, the results were nonetheless pretty fucking impressive. It was a nice change of pace to actually hear a decent melody intricately intertwined with the brutal, aggressive underpinnings of this genre of music. Though my Attention Deficit Disorder caused me to consider pressing the 'Skip' button a few times during the rest of this CD, the violent anal-raping of Avenged Sevenfold kept me in check. Overall, I would easily recommend Miseration and their CD, 'Your Angels - Their Demons', to anyone who is looking for something a little bit different. [THREE out of FOUR horns]-John www.myspace.com/miseration

Khaos Eon Daath - Opening of the Abyss DEMO Who could ever belive that Germans could deliver something else than thrash? Not me anyway, But it seems I have been proven wrong by KHAOS AEON Khaos Aeon contains the 2 members Prosphoros(battery) and Izas(vocals,guitars,bass) Although the band only has 2 members they still manage to create some well done and technical black metal,with a somehow primitive sound, which seems to be the point. The intro on the Demo - titled "Daath opening of the Abyss" gives you the sense of travelling back in time, back to the origin when chaos and freedom ruled in the world. Long before mankind destroyed the wilderness of life by bounding themselves with rules no human beings were meant to follow anyway. The Riffs are strong and powerful.The purpose with the music Khaos Aeon making, is to give all that back to us. The chaos, the wilderness, to enter the gate to a world beyond the light. The demo contains slowly melodic parts, which, within the next second are ready to outburst in raging fury. Prosphoros's infernal battery sound combined with Izas somehow rough voice completes it all! What else to say about the entire demo? Well in my opinion it is: Tight, fast,powerful,Majestic,great 'Riffs..Pure,primitive, dark Black Metal!! Well that was a little something about khaos Aeon. And if you have not heard them yet, I should suggest you do, cause Prosphoros and Izas are not entirely done with their work yet. Another record from this German Black Metal band is yet to be released,but as far I am concerned that might take a little while since it is still under construction. But there is always "Daath- opening of the Abyss" which still can be purchased. You can visit Khaos Aeon here: By Black Diamond http://www. myspace. com/khaosaeon


   Hugin Munin-Die For Oden EP Despite the fact that it was several centuries ago the Vikings made journeys to different corners of our world, with the purpose to conquer and find new places to settle down. In other words one can say that what the Vikings did then, helped shape society to what it is today. At least in the northern part of the world. Both musically and littererly, the viking stories, myths, and life are just as accurate today as it was then. At least in song texts from various bands. Unleashed, among others, have for a long time had the vikingtheme included in their music. And when it concerns just Unleashed, so have their style musically influenced Hugin Munin(in their music production) a metal/black/deathmetal band from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Now, Hugin Munin recently released the brand new album, an EP titled Die for Odin,which is a minor teaser for the "big bang" - the first ful length - Viking Brothers, which are about to be released 2010! Back to Die for Odin - I find that album a bit darker and heavier than former releases. For instance - the song Capture of Fenris is probably one of them I liked the most, while the song after three winters was a bit difficult to understand without hearing it a couple of times, to let the sound make sense. As far I am concerned, Hugin Munin could get rid of some of the drumming sound on After Three Winters, that kind of destroyed the song a little, but Surts blasphemic voice fixed some of the damage.. But that is just my opinion, maybe yours will be different after listening to their new songs, so visit them here: Black Diamond www. myspace. com/huginmuninbr

Gollum-The Core (Rotten Records) Good old-fashioned fuck you Southern Metal accompanied by special appearences from Dave "Dixie" Collins (Weedeater, Buzzov*en) and D. Randal Blythe from Lamb of God. It's really the kind of music that makes you just want to throw on your shittiest looking hat, pull on a pair of worn out Chucks, do a handfull of peyote, and grab your nearest bottle of Bourbon just to put it upside the head of the first security guard and/or cop you see. By Troy Jones Rating: 8.5/10

Crown the Lost-Blind Faith Loyalty (Cruz Del Sur) Fuck me. Another "Verb the Noun" band... But wait, this one has talent! Deffinately not your typical "Verb the Noun" band relying on shitty break-downs and half-assed screams about suburban angst and being straight-edge; no! This one actually has a mighty powerforce of guitar solos (reminicent of Iced Earth and the like) along with a vocalist that knows his shit. I'll admit, on first listen, this album really wasn't doing it for me; something just wasn't clicking. Upon a second listening, I raise the horns to Crown the Lost. Is it the best thing I have heard in a while? No. Is it the worst? Deffinately not. It's something that is best described as this: A more brutal ( containing a few growls here and there) and honest Power Metal band that Power Metal fans won't be afraid to admit liking ( let's face it; we all LOVE kicking the shit out of that one guy in the Rhapsody shirt everytime we see him). This band has balls. Plain and simple. It's deffinately not for strict Black Metallers or Grindcore and Death Metal motherfuckers, but it is deffinately a good, honest-to-the-Gods slab of well executed Metal. It's not necessarily MY personal favorite genre of Metal; but I'm not an asshole; I'll give credit where it's due. I will say however, that this band has an energy about them, but it's one that I can't really feel on the album. Something tells me they are best experienced in a live setting. By: Troy Jones Rating: 7.5/10

Ensoph- Rex Mundi X-Ile (Cruz Del Sur) First of all, let me say this: This is what Industrial Metal should sound like. Harsh (yet melodic), abrasive (yet melancholic), well-mixed synthesizers, a kick-ass Black Metal styled vokillist, and a female Operatic singer who does NOT sound like that whore Amy Lee or Jezebel Diva (sic? Who cares). Aside from an intro track that was a little weak and a preoccupation with goggles; these guys are unfuckwithable as far as Industrial Metal goes. I liked this album the second I heard it; it has a certain touch of Black Metal in it that I can appreciate but it remains clearly footed in Industrial Metal, albeit on the Extreme side. So with that being said, do not expect to hear the next Aborym or the Berzerker; this is much more Goth oriented, but not the Goth you used to beat up in high school for cigarettes, more like the Goth that would GLADLY give you a ride to a Satyricon show or would happily listen to Rotting Christ in a church parking lot, with you throwing up from alcohol poisoning. Not Black Metal, but Black Metal-esque. A very good addition for anyone who wants to finally stifle that one asshole friend that won't shut the fuck up about Skinny Puppy being "the most amazing band" out there. By Troy Jones Rating: 9/10


   Netherbird-The Ghost Collector (Pulverised) This release is incredible. I had the honor to interview Netherbird's Nephente in issue #2 of TOK, and found that he provided very intelligent and lengthy responses. I feel that although Netherbird's sound should mainly be considered Black Metal, they do not sound like a typical Black Metal bands and have went to great lengths lengths to show that in their sound. Their music is full of passion, and atmosphere, yet heavy and commanding...like a black fog that beckons to you with promises of beauty in death, Netherbird will capture and enthrall you with this incredible album. I think that Netherbird are set to make the world ablaze, and take notice with more to come. 10 out of 10 By Melinda

Hemoptysis-Who Needs A Shepard(Demo) I had gotten a myspace message out of no where to review this band's music. I decided to take on giving their music a listen and this is what I discovered. The band's name is Hemoptysis and they are from Phoenix Arizona, which I had just visited Phoenix recently for a grapefruit block party. The first thing I will say about their music is that they are talented and definitely need to be heard by others. The myspace page lists them as Metal/Thrash/Death Metal. The lead singers voice is actually quite nice and sings well through out their songs. He has excellent control over his screaming vocals. There is a sort of rawness that seems to exist within the music which makes this a sort of interesting thrash metal. It seems a little slower than what you could expect from some thrash metal. But this is not a bad thing by any means at all. I find the music easy to get into and moved my head while listening. I say this is a band definitely worth checking out. By Ensane www.myspace.com/hemoptysismetal

Leprous- Tall Poppy Syndrome (Sensory) Goddamn; talk about a difficult album to review. It's definately something that is best listened to a few times in order to get the full effect; but when you get it, well fuck, it comes on like a goddamned freight-train and you wonder how you didn't hear it before. That's not to say the album is without it's flaws; there are a few times when Einar Solbergs vocals lose their pitch, but honestly, it almost adds to the unique atmosphere of this album. It is deffinately a well-executed piece of Proggressive Metal; just fix those few vocal flaws, and this band is going to be something special; something to watch-out for. By Troy Jones Rating: 8/10 Persona Non Grata - 'Shade in the Light' (Sensory Records) Okay, folks ... I really need to start this CD review off with a quick language lesson. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm sure language lessons are so far beyond being one of the reasons for why you read Taste of Khaos Magazine on a regular basis; however, if you'll please just humor me for a second and allow me to get this lesson out of the way, you'll see that there actually is a purpose for it. Deal? Today's Language Lesson: 'Persona non grata', of Latin origin, quite simply means that a person (or persons) is (are) figuratively non-existent. Now, you're probably scratching your head and asking yourself, "What the fuck is he on about?" My point here is that Persona non Grata is the perfect name for this band, because I truly wish they were non-existent. Actually, that is kind of a harsh statement to make, since it is really only the lead singer who I wish was non-existent in this band. 'Before the Reason', the first track on 'Shade in the Light', started off great! My level of excitement grew more and more with each guitar, bass, and drum note played. In fact, I was nearly on the verge of wetting myself. I really thought this band and this CD was going to rock my face off. Imagine my surprise then, not to mention my severe disappointment, when the vocals came into the mix. Imagine for a second going to a nice restaurant for dinner. You decide to splurge a little and order a nice thick, juicy T-bone steak. How pissed off would you be when your server instead brings you a plate of regurgitated SPAM? You'd be pretty pissed off, yeah? Welcome to my world! The music throughout 'Shade in the Light' is quite exceptional, but the vocals can be likened to those of James LaBrie (Dream Theater) or Ronnie James Dio during a severe case of constipation. I understand some of you may be followers of such bands as Dream Theater or Heaven & Hell. If that's the case, then I wouldn't lose any sleep for recommending that you run to your local record store to pick up a copy of PnG's 'Shade in the Light' CD. You'll probably enjoy it and if you do ... hey, whatever blows your dress up. As for everyone else, I would urge you to seek the above people out at your local record store and thump them on the forehead for enjoying such horrific music. Just kidding! By John [TWO out of FOUR horns]

&3D73EA Vanmakt-"Ad Luciferi Regnum" (Pulverized Records) Pulverized Records release "Ad Luciferi Regnum" by Swedish black metal band Vanmakt gives me almost entirely what I love most about this genre of heavy metal: it sounds like a choire composed of black robed demons backed by an orchestra of zombie musicians capable of putting the listener deep enough into their spell to walk themselves directly into the fires of hell! From start to finish, "Ad Luciferi Regnum" is a blistering black metal assault with creative guitar work, precision drumming(almost to the point of a drum machine), typical black metal vocals with all of the shrieking rage you'd expect, thick bass, atmospheric passages and brute power. I won't pick favorite individual tracks because I haven't had the opportunity to listen to it more than once through, but I assure you, they are all good.. This album has masterful musicianship, fantastic production quality, great artwork and is definately an album I would slide into my CD player at 6am on a monday morning. If Vanmakt ever comes through Arizona, I will surely be at the show. I will give this CD an overall rating of 9/10 for a supreme Black Metal addition to my collection and thank the band for giving me an album worth listening to more than once. Billy Blood

Cauldron-Chained to the night (Earache) Do these guys know what year it is? I love the old shit too, but come on, its been done. These guys follow the old school bus route, straight out the early eighties. Complete with over the top vocals. Yet they still manage to sound fresh. With competent guitar work, with blazing lead solos, that may be the bands only saving grace. The first track Young and hungry, draws you in right away, with its catchy guitar riff. Only to let you down with overdone vocals. Track six is Bound to the stake. This song may be the best song on the album, or the least annoying. The vocal line is actualy catchy. Track seven the Witches Trail is pretty badass. Showing some creativity in songwriting, this song is fun to listen to. Good album 15 years ago. If you like the old hair metal but still want to hear something new, this is for you. Bottom line- Sounds like Accept sped up and worked over.. Kilroy

Burial Hordes-"Devotion To Unholy Creed" (Pulverized Records) The 2008 release by Greek band Burial Hordes entitled "Devotion To Unholy Creed" will most certainly appeal to fans of raw, stripped down and old school Black Metal. You will find lots of power chording, thrash tempo beats, single string runs and slow doom. Their formula doesn't change much here. Not unlike many of the Black Metal band's ep's you could have found out of a Profane Existence catalog 10+ years ago. I didn't hear a keyboard player or much of an attempt at creating dark atmosphere, so pretty much simple old school black metal. I'm pleased, however, that if you read the bands' brief biography on the back of the CD that they quote this release as containing "8 new black metal tracks with old school sound..." At least the band does not attempt to make itself out to sound like something innovative. Overall, not an aweful release. It's honest, and will probably appeal to fans of old school black metal circa 1990 and crust punks alike. I'll Rate this 5/10 for being very middle of the road. Billy Blood

Cryptic Death-Black Earth Funeral(Demo) "Classical musical tones sneak in among the otherwise infernally darkened inferno on Cryptic Death's new MCD "Black Earth Funeral". The drumming on the first song - Realm of Suffering sounds partly a bit hollow though, but the old school black metal sound, however, remains through the entire 4-track mcd. So if you add some classics, along with mysterious blackened death metal..you have Cryptic Death." By Black Diamond www.myspace.com/officialcrypticdeath

Ripper-The dead have risen (Black Widow) This band was dead 30 years ago. Like some rotting zombie, destroy the brain and put them out of our misery. Somebody got nastalgic for the old days and released an album 20 yrs to late. However, its not disagreeable. if you like eating rotting flesh. Hemicidal is the first track and comes in blazing fast and badass, only to be smothered in cheese. still a cool song about cars. gotta love it. 666 Angel eyes, in my opinion is the best song on the album. with catchy vocals and chorus line. this song will stick in your head, till you just break down and sing it aloud. Anybody that covers Kiss well is cool in my book. they do a badass cover of God of Thunder, with the addiddion of a cooler ending. bottom line- sounds like Wasp meets Deep purple in a Texas bar brawl. Kilroy

&3D73EA Brutal Truth-Evolution Through Revolution (Relapse) Brutal Truth; fuck it's good to have you guys back! This album is 20 songs of pure fucking Grind done the way only Brutal Truth know how. It's been a while since a full length Brutal Truth album has been released (about 10 years I think) so needless to say this is way over due! The production is great, the songs are violence inducing, and the brutality is still there. Good work guys, hope we don't have to wait another 10 years for the next one! Troy Jones Rating: 8/10

Birds of Prey-The Hell Preacher (Relapse) Let me start off by saying that I had VERY high hopes for this album considering the members' participation in some of my favorite bands (Alabama Thunderpussy, Throttlerod, and Municipal Waste to name a few), and you know what; it fuckin' delivers! The tracks are heavy, slow to mid-tempo to old school Skate Thrash speeds; and the riffing is often reminiscent of Black Sabbath. Needless to say, this is something that fans of any of the previously mentioned bands should own! I also caught some lyric worship of Suicidal Tendencies; fucks sake, what the fuck more do you people need?! Troy Jones Rating: 8.5/10

Agoraphobic NosebleedAgorapocalypse (Relapse) Well shit. This is one of THOSE albums. You know, the one where it only starts getting good near the end? I want to like this all the way through; but honestly I can't. It just doesn't have the same feel to it that and used to have; I really don't know what else to say about it. I suppose if you're a hardcore ANb fan then yes; you will get this album regardless of what I say, as for myself, I'm gonna wait 'til it's in the bargain bin at my local shop. It's not that it's bad, it's just that it's not that good. The songs come off as forced and uninspired with very little venturing out into new territories (one of the main reasons why I fell in love with ANb in the first place). Troy Jones Rating: 6/10

Conspiracy-Concordat(Pulverized Records) Hailing from Holland, "Concordat" is what I understand to be the 2nd release from Black/Death/Thrash metal band Conspiracy on Pulverized Records. Although I very much appreciate the level of intensity and technicality of the new school of of extreme music, there is still something appealing about bands who do the "old school" thing well. Sometimes it's refreshing to hear a band write interesting songs with some simplicity, rather than a barrage of sweep arpeggios and blast beats. This is not another lame "old school" copy band. This is a cool album that might have been a "classic" back in the day. Songs 3 and 5 have some acoustic work that are interesting enough to make you stop and listen a couple of times and song #6 entitled "Limited to 666" is my personal favorite, it has the same sort of vibe as old Morbid Angel- mid tempo, crunchy and downright evil. All things considered, Conspiracy's "Concordat" will stay in my collection and I will look forward to seeing what these Noord's give us next. On my 0-10 scale, I will give this release a rating of 6. Billy Blood

Mumakil-Behold the Failure (Relapse) This is some fuckin' GRINDCORE! Not like the more Punk kind ( which is awesome in its own regard) but the Metal kind. The musicianship is top-notch and the production is... Well, let's just say the production is kick-ass. 27 songs of fucking grinding awesomness that will make you want to just take a chainsaw and head to your ex-girlfriends house to lay waste to the cunt! Troy Jones Rating: 9/10

&3D73EA Battle Dagor-Eternal Throne(Cold Dimension) Black Sorcerer BattleAxe - Guitar, Bass Wulfskrieger - Vocals Witch Hammer - Drums 1. Dommerstunde (Einklang) 2. Dead Eyes Of The Moon 3. Ruin Upon The Mountainside 4. The Dark Fire, The Black Gate 5.The Marching Shadows Of Eternal Death 6.Under The Warlord Spell 7. Carn D?m 8. In The Forest Of Frozen Darkness 9. Archetyp Des Schicksals (Ausklang) One never thought that a black metal band ever would be associated with fantasy. Not me anyway. But that seems to be the case regarding the JRR Tolkien-inspired ambient blackmetalband BATTLE DAGORATH from USA, Which was formed in 2002. Imagine that you are alone in a cold, dark, open field. Suddenly you hear the sound of an upcoming storm. But in fact, the storm will never come. It is only your senses fooling you. Instead it is Battle Dagor approaching with atmospheric, ambient heaviness the Norwigan black metal style. The first 2 songs on Eternal Throne, the intro Dommer Stunde and Dead Eyes Of The Moon, give you a moment of peace in mind and body, but then the earth starts to move when it blasts out in something similar to a outrageous hurricane. The spirit of true Norweigan blackmetal lies as a solid shield of darkness during the entire creation of wilderness. The raw pounding power in riffs along with war hammering beats, combined with silence force of fire gives this album 666 points! Welcome to a realm of infernal, cold magical Darkness Black Diamond

The Blackout Argument-Remedies(Lifeforce) Combining both screams and clean vocals The Blackout Argument came out with a top album in "Remedies." The musicianship is of a highly skilled nature that in today's music industry unfortunately escapes large populations of musicians. One can tell that these guys have worked hard on this album and made sure to double check all the details. In fact about the only thing that I could say needs some work is perhaps some vocal practice on the clean material as although it sounds good, it could be great. Edward Priest

War From A Harlots Mouth- In Shoals(Lifeforce) War From A Harlots Mouth's new album "In Shoals" unfortunately I'll have to say is random at best. I found that it seemed like the band was changing melodies every 15-20 seconds almost like a riff from a whole new song. I guess what my meaning is that there was nothing to really grasp onto, you'd get into a piece of the song and then it would suddenly change to something totally different. It became confusing I guess would be the best way to put it, if it wasn't for track breaks one wouldn't be able to tell when one song ended and the next began. Skill wise, I'd say the musicians have talent, they just need to work on their focus during the writing process. Edward Priest

Left To Vanish-Versus The Throne(Lifeforce) In addition to F%@# awesome, there are many words I could use to describe Left To Vanish's new CD "Versus The Throne" from Lifeforce Records. This will be the next band you'll see on tour with the likes of The Red Chord, The Faceless, or Born Of Osiris, guaranteed. This CD is tight, focused, creative and heavy as all hell. Its got cool chromatics, harmonics, off beat tempos, lightnight fast phrases and mid raspy/deep gutteral vocals. Songs 2, 5, and 8 stand out to me as the winners of the album as far as tracks i would return to after listening to the CD only once, however, i'm sure after i give it a few more listens they all will stand out it their own way. These boys from Philly are young and they can play very well. I would expect great things. On my scale of 0-10, where a 0 is N'Sync and a 10 is Morbid Angels "Covenent" I will rate this record an 8.5. I Can't wait to see 'em live. Billy Blood

Reviews

&3D73EA Axis Powers-Marching Towards Destruction(Pulverized Records) "Marching Towards Destruction" is the 2009 CD by Swedish band Axis Powers, currently signed to Pulverised Records. This album gives plenty of the mid tempo old school death/thrash style ala Obituary or Death circa 1989. Nothing here to make me collect my jaw from the floor. As far as the "old school" style goes, this is pretty straight forward. There aren't any attempts to break boundaries or topple speed records or anything like that. Listen to the first song, and you pretty much know where the record is going. I didn't find any favorites in particular as they are all fairly similar. Overall, this is a pretty decent CD. Decent production, decent musicianship, decent vocals. Get my drift? Yawn. I'll give it a 5 on my 0-10 scale for very middle of the road. Billy Blood

Setback-Unfinished Business (Crash Course Records) I interviewed Pete from Setback last issue of TOK, they were planning for the release of this CD then, and were kind enough to send me a copy when it came out. Obviously, since I interviewed the band, I like them. I saw the bands EP cover art on myspace when I interviewed them, it is sick n twisted in a slightly subtle way(lol)! The cover def. fits the sound and feel of the EP. Straight up old school NYHC is what the boys in Setback are dishin out. The release is nothing short of what I expected from these guys, it comes at you like a fuckin fist to a face, in the dark. My favorite song would have to be Client 9-the last song, because of the lyrics, and the guitars especially stand out on this one. I give it a 9 out of 10. Melinda www.myspace.com/setbackdms357

Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life (Century Media) Over the years, Lacuna Coil have proved that they are not, to paraphrase pretty much every music magazine published in the last five years, the next Evanescence. Front woman and object of many a metalhead's lust Cristina Scabbia and her men (yes, there are some guys in the band too, who knew?) have a string of successful albums to their name and, unlike some, they didn't feel the need to seductively drape Cristina off a building in her nightie to secure album sales.z It's her technique of sensuously layering her ethereal voice (and its newly found strength and range) over Cris and Maus' wall of guitars, which seem to become bigger, thicker and more confident with every album they release. Much in the same vein as 2006's 'Karmacode', Lacuna Coil lace 'Shallow Life's opener 'Survive' with some heavy riffage and double bass drum action, so it seems like they've made a very safe manoeuvre by not venturing too far from their previous efforts, with Andrea and Cristina's vocals perfectly arranged to assure you that this is the same old Lacuna Coil we know and love. First single 'Spellbound' is equally foolproof; not too riff-heavy but still catchy and exciting enough to make it a probable favourite at future gigs. The trademark ballad of the album, 'Wide Awake' showcases Cristina's otherworldly vocal abilities in a simple and gentle piano/guitar ensemble, which made me think that the only thing missing from this perfect balance of track choices was an equivalent of a hit like 'Senzafine', sung in their native Italian tongue, which always proves to be doubly mysterious and alluring. By no means is this a predictable or unadventurous effort from the Milan six-piece. Aside from how they continue to audibly mature and grow in confidence on this album, they've also slyly tossed in a few subtle surprises to shake things up a bit, like 'Underdog's funky keyboard intro riff and Cristina's rather American sounding crooning in 'Unchained', and 'I Like It' which sees her voice takes a peculiar turn in a hypnotic, chanting verse, before briefly giving way to my favourite sing along chorus on the whole album. 'Shallow Life' encompasses enough familiarity to not discourage any fair-weather Coil fans but enough little twists and turns to ensure the more dedicated listeners are still captivated. Chazzy

&3D73EA Inevitable End- the Severed Inception (Relapse) When I first listened to this, I noticed a statement from Relapse saying something to the effect of "Swedish musicianship mixed with American brutality". To be honest with you, that pretty much sums "the Severed Inception" up PERFECTLY. The musicianship is spot-on, while the heaviness isn't compromised one bit. The vocals are predominantly gutteral, changing only ever-so-often to a dry, raspy scream. Honestly, this album fucking slays; deffinately a must for any Death Metaller or Grindcore freak! Troy Jones Rating: 8.5/10

Antigama- Warning (Relapse) Buy this fucking album... Now. Stop reading this and go buy this fucking album. Troy Jones Rating: 9.5/10

Tombs-Winter Hours(Relapse) Having been lucky enough to experience Tombs live ( they opened for Wolves in the Throne Room a while back) I can tell you that this is a band to be on the watch for. Their live show was almost uncomfortable feeling because of the amount of energy coming from these guys. The album however, does lack some of that live feeling, but that's not to say by any means that it is a bad album! In fact, it's easily one of the best things to come out of the New York area in years, I'm just saying; to fully appreciate Tombs, you NEED to see them live! Combining influences ranging from Von to the Melvins, you know you're in for the fucking ride of a life-time when you listen to Tombs! Troy Jones Rating: 8.5/10

16-Bridges to Burn(Relapse) I fucking love this job, and it's bands like 16 that remind me of this fact. Anger, misanthropy, and a "Fuck you, I don't give a fucking fuck!" attitude make this album one of my new favorites. It's very akin to EYEHATEGOD, Weedeater, and other bands of the Sludge, Doom, and Stoner Rock genre all the while adding their own special California flare to the sound (yep, you'll even get some Suicidal Tendencies Skate Punk parts here and there; how about that?). For those who are down and out and sick of life; this is your new soundtrack. Troy Jones-Rating: 9/10

Buried Inside-Spoils of Failure(Relapse) Progressive Hardcore? Doomcore? Depressive Hard Doom Core? Whatever the fuck you want to label these guys, just know that it probably won't be right; they have a tendency to smash pre-concieved notions, especially with "Spoils of Failure". Think of Buried Inside as a Hardcore band that Black Metallers might be able to get into. None of this pussy-ass song structure that rips off 80s Hair Metal bands like so many other bands do in the Hardcore genre, but depressive, thought provoking, progressive, metal. This is deffinately recommended for those who have an open mind; xXhardxcoreXx kids might not understand this one. Troy Jones Rating: 8/10 Obscura-Cosmogenesis (Relapse) Containing former members of Necrophagist and Pestilence, it's easy to assume that this album is going to tear your fucking head off... And it does. With mind-bending progressiveness throughout the entire album it goes without saying that this is easily one of the most well thought-out and well-executed albums in the last 3 years to come out of the underground. This albums only draw back is that if you "don't get it", and all of your friends are banging their heads and laughing at you; it's because you're stupid. Troy Jones Rating: 9/10 Zombi-Spirit Animal(Relapse) Here's an album that I KNOW some people will have a hard time getting into; and that's totally understandable. Zombi mixes basement electronics with rock and progressive to make something that sounds like what every goth and new wave kid dreams of. It's truly a magical listening experience and the fact that this is purely instrumental only adds to this albums distinct quality. It's almost a combination of Rush, Gary Numan, and the Cars... With A LOT of drugs involved. A must for anyone who just likes to relax with a bong and dig deep within themselves; use this as background music and eventually it will be in the foreground. Troy Jones Rating: 7.5/10 Rumplestiltskin Grinder-Living for Death, Destroying the Rest (Relapse) Ok, ok, ok; goofy fuckin' name, goofy fuckin' album work, but all fuckin' Metal. If you have to take my word on that then you obviously havn't heard the mighty 'Grinder before! They never cease to amaze me, honestly, it's like they never left 1986, or they did, just to get a bit heavier, then went right back to '86. When I first heard them I wasn't sure if I was supposed to laugh or bang my head or what; but there's one thing I now know; Rumplestiltskin Grinder is one of those bands that you have to buy all their albums, take them to a party, and throw them on the speakers at full volume just to get more converts to the Thrash. Hail the Thrash and hail the party. Troy Jones-Rating: 8/10

Interview With Dave Wolff AEA's Creator By Melinda

Hey Dave, how’s it going? Things are going well at the moment. Let’s start out by letting people know how, and why you started AUTOEROTICASPHYXIUM. And did you use the name AUTOEROTICASPHYXIUM because that is something you are personally interested in? I was first inspired to start a zine while in contact with several bands and zine editors I became acquainted with at shows. I wanted to try my hand at writing about them. The name of the zine is based on a song title I thought up a few years before I started it. I thought Autoeroticasphyxium was a unique name and would make people interested in reading it. What is your favorite thing about doing AEA and your least favorite? What I most like about doing the zine is that I’ve made more contacts overseas with the last several issues. I can’t think of anything I least like about publishing it, except to say I’m always striving to expand its format in some way by featuring the sort of interviews that zines don’t feature as often, such as interviews with actresses and internet radio programs. Have you lived in NY all of your life? Do you like it, and have you traveled much? I have lived here for most of my life. I do like living here, though for the Continued next page....

most part I prefer the scene in NYC to Long Island because there is generally more to do. I have often traveled out of state and have had some good times doing so. There are still places where I would like to check out the scenes in the future, such as the U.K. and Norway. What shows that you have been to really stick out most in your mind, and why? Some of my most memorable show experiences are the first time I saw Celtic Frost perform at L’Amour Brooklyn in 1986, seeing the Misfits with Michale Graves opening for Megadeth in 1997, and most of the hardcore/metal matinees I have attended at CBGB along with seeing the final CBGB show with Patti Smith on their live stream on October 15, 2006. Speaking for that show, what I most liked about that was seeing Smith encourage people to continue the tradition of opening clubs that give more original bands a chance to be heard even though this was to be the final CBGB show ever. A website for AEA is under construction, what will the finished results feature? The new website will feature each issue published of the zine, all the way back to issue #1. A lot of people say print ‘zines are becoming a thing of the past, and fading away, what are your opinions on this? The internet has given bands a chance to get their name around on a larger scale. On the other hand, I see the print zine is far from an endangered species; there are still many print zines being published that are well worth checking out, such as The Grimoire Of Exalted Deeds from the U.S., The Fallout zine from Australia, Kvestreb zine from Turkey, and Zombie Ritual and Toxxik from Mexico. I think there will always be people who want to publish and peruse print zines, despite any predictions that the internet will replace them completely. How many issues of AEA do you normally get out? And do you do one big print to start, and a second later, or? I usually publish one issue per year, and have copies of each issue printed in regular increments as I circulate them. Do you get much label support with AEA? Mostly within the smaller independent labels, such as Paragon Records from Long Island. I’m also in touch with many of the more established independent labels including Metal Blade, Candlelight, Relapse, Earache and Victory from whom I regularly receive review promos. 11. Do you contact a lot of people and bands personally, about interviews, what percentage of people contacting you, versus you continued next page.....

contacting them to be featured is most prevalent? Between people contacting me for interviews and me contacting people for the same, it’s relatively even at the moment. The economy has been affecting everyone lately, has it affected you or AEA in any way? Not as much as I thought it would. The only way AEA has been affected is I’ve traded more zines than sold them lately. Do you have a “regular” job, if so what do you do, and do you like it? At the moment, my regular job is publishing the zine. I had been writing for a music paper for a good number of years but recently quit due to a conflict with the editor over what I would feature in my bi-weekly column. Since graduating college I’ve been searching for work writing for major publications as well as contributing to Zombie Ritual, Endemoniada (USA), Brutalism (Netherlands) and other independent zines. I have also been working on a vampire cinema screenplay, and am currently discussing adapting it into a graphic novel. We’ll see what happens with that in the future. What bands have you really been into and listening a lot to lately? I’ve been generally listening to black metal, death metal and symphonic metal from the world over in addition to the works of Sarah Brightman and Loreena McKennitt. These artists are not Metal yet they are quite unique and cutting edge in that they incorporate musical influences from several different countries, resulting in forms of expression that are genuinely multicultural and liberating as opposed to most of what large corporate labels pass off as open-minded these days. What’s in your refrigerator? Favorite foods? Often items like store-bought White Castle hamburgers, Nathans frankfurters and pizzas. How would you describe your personality? I would most likely say down to earth and generally broad-minded, with strong personal convictions. Do you have any pets? I don’t have any pets at the moment. I had a pet tarantula at one point, haha. Thanks for the interview! Any last words in parting? Don’t mention it, thanks for the support! AEA can be visited online at www.aeazine.com and www.myspace.com/aeazine. Anyone interested in acquiring a copy of the current issue can write AEA c/o Dave Wolff, 3 Maple St., Garden City NY 11530-1812 USA or email [email protected]. Watch for issue #15 to be released in the near future.


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I have not yet had the pleasure of reading your other books, however I do think Letters From Atlanta (albeit a little short), was a very quirky and interesting read! How different is Albert Hahn the books main character, from yourself? I get asked that question a lot. I suppose, in a lot of ways, he is like me. I wrote it in first person, so I had to live the character. Some of his attitudes I relate to, some I do not. He likes root beer for example. I hate root beer. Please tell us about your other publications: ‘The Truth Behind The Eyes’ is still available for purchase. It was meant to be the diary of a madman. However, nobody understood what I was trying to do with the book. They labeled it as poetry. I became a poet by default. My second book, ‘Jesus In Hell’ I published as a chapbook. It was printed at Office Max and I sold it to friends on the street. My divorce had my money really tight. The sales of ‘Jesus In Hell’ paid for about half of the publication cost for ‘Letters from Atlanta’. It also paid for my portion, of my band, Head Not Found’s, first album titled, “Post Suicide Regret”. ‘Jesus In Hell’ was written in the madman journal format, similar to ‘The Truth Behind The Eyes’. However, more of my personal feelings came through in the book. My friends enjoyed the book and I love them for buying it. They helped me a lot. Cheers to them!!! Is writing like a release and escape for you from the dreary depths of real life? It used to be an escape for me, but not so much these days. My writing is much more different than it used to be. I take a more Bukowskian approach to my poetry. I document everyday experiences. My fly on the wall observations are what I work with. I used to write to calm myself down or to kill time. Now, I write because I have to. It is such an ingrained part of me that I can’t stop. I don’t always enjoy it, but it is something I have to do. I have to be the voice of the everyday guy. I have to document what he is going through. So you assholes out there, who truly know me, you better be nice. I might be writing down how you act. I read your blog about the man and the shoes, you remembered everything with so much detail, I see how you make such a good writer, have you always been this way? Thank you for reading that. I like the poem. It is a blessing and a curse. Our drummer gets on to me, all the time, for thinking too much. I absorb everything around me. It all bounces around in my head. Then I sort it all out and decide what should be documented. It is a hard way to view the world. I don’t see the world, I suppose, the way most people do. I see everything as potential art. For example, if I see a drunk passed out on Continued on next page....e....

the street, drenched in his own piss, I see a beautiful poem and I will try to tell his story. It can also be a bit dehumanizing. Sometimes I don’t see myself as a person. I am just other people’s voice into eternity. I have the power to put myself into certain positions, in my everyday life, to see how people will act or react. It might hurt them, but mostly I hurt myself, in the process. I can write off the entire experience as research and write a poem about it. I suppose our drummer is right, I think too much. No, I haven’t always been this way, writing has altered my thinking forever. Your character Albert Hahn liked Jazz, but I see that you personally prefer music a little more on the heavy side? I do like heavy music and do vocals for a Heavy Metal band. I really don’t listen to metal that much. I think it would make my contribution to Head Not Found trite. If you are listening to Metal all the time, you will be recycling other people’s music into your own. I want Head Not Found to be its own entity with its own original sound. I like Jazz and Blues. I like all types of music. I want Head Not Found to sound like no other band on the planet while maintaining specific Metal sensibilities. Luckily, for me, the band agrees with my thinking. They have other musical interests, other than Metal, as well. Please tell us about your band Head Not Found: First of all, we practice in our Bass player’s kitchen. We are a four piece band. We have been knocking around for about three years. It started out as Vargas (Bass), Jeff “Monster” (Guitar), and my self jamming. We had no drummer and writing was hard. We managed about three songs and knew we had to do something. We bought a drum machine that didn’t work for us. Josh, our drummer, during that same time, was in a band that had broken up. He contacted me and the rest is history. He fit in with us perfect and we have been brothers ever since. So you were a long hair and you cut it all off!!? What happened? That brings me back to my divorce. My money was very tight and the child support was rough. I knew I was going to have to get a better paying job to be able to see my Son. I cut off my hair and put out some applications. However, a new position came open, where I work now, and I took it. People ask me if I cut off my hair to get the position. I tell them, “It probably didn’t hurt.” How many tattoos do you have? Please tell us about them, what they signify, etc.: My left arm is Evil Ernie, the comic book character. He is one of the greatest anti-heroes ever. Research the guy. He has a rough exterior, but is a romantic at heart. My right arm is the band Soilent Green’s EP String of Lies album cover. I have most of their autographs tattooed around it. They are my favorite band ever, besides the ones I have been in. My chest is my Son’s name with a spade. The spade is a whole other story. If you interview me again, I will share it. They have an inscription underneath them that says, “Your strength gives me strength”. It is my most meaningful tattoo. That inscription turned out to be timeless. It’s meaning changes as he and I grow up together. The direct meaning of the tattoo may change with certain events in life, but the base meaning is forever. My Son’s inner light keeps me going through any challenge. My stomach is new. I have the first three book’s titles on there. I intend to tattoo each book title, on me, as they are published. Is it hard getting your writing published, and what have been some really frustrating things you have encountered when it comes to your writing? Publishing is not hard if you have the money. The biggest obstacle, for me, has been getting stores, stores with floors and roofs, to carry my Continued next page......

stuff. My publisher makes my books available on line and that is great. However, it is still a print on demand title, which means my publisher will not accept returns. Book stores don’t like that and refuse to carry my books under their roofs. Don’t get me wrong either. I love my publisher. They worked harder than I did to get the book out there and I think the world of them. They do the best they can with what I have to offer. They never fuck with me about content and I can release my work the way I want it to be, not how my publisher is telling me it should be. I guess you have to be famous to get published but you have to get published to become famous. It is a sort of chicken or egg scenario. I can’t complain, too much, as a whole. Recently, Relapse Records has been kind enough to carry ‘Letters from Atlanta’ through their Resound catalogue. This has been a great satisfaction and triumph for me. I want to send a huge shout out of respect and hails to Relapse Records and their staff. Cheers!!! You are involved with Rock Box-please tell us about that? I used to write a column there. I would interview bands and fill a slot in the magazine. I guess I got burned out on it. I don’t know too much about contemporary rock music, I am a Metal head. I felt like I was reusing the same old bullshit week after week. I felt like I was cheating myself and Vic, the owner of the magazine. I gave it up. I am forever grateful to VBlazin Magazine for allowing me to work there. I met a lot of great people. I don’t know if I am cut out to be a journalist. I like to tinker, but would not want it to be my profession. Does it scare you or flatter you that people like what you write, and do you really feel that you have the mind of a disturbed soul? That is a damn hard question. As I mentioned earlier, I think too much. I want people to be scared of them selves and see their potential for ugliness. I also want them to know their strength and kindness. I can’t really care whether or not people like my work. I have to just let it be. I mostly just appreciate them taking the time to read my literature or listening to my band. That is what means the most to me, people thinking enough of me, as a person, to acknowledge my efforts. If they like it or hate it, I cannot help that. I will continue to do what I do no matter what. Bukowski had a great quote, “When a writer is swayed by the critics, you can float him down the see with the turds. The only judge of writing is the writer.” As far as viewing myself as a disturbed soul, I guess I wouldn’t be able to give you an objective answer. Ask me again when the girl of my dreams finds me Are you hoping that you can do your band and writing for a living eventually? Which one is a bigger passion for you and why? Oh yes, if it will get the child support paid. I would say that neither one is a bigger passion. I know I can’t get up and scream on stage forever. I will try as long as I can, though. I can write until I die. The writing is something I do for myself, alone. The music is not just me. I have three brothers in it with me. We kind of feed off each other, when the band is not doing something I do something with my writing and vice versa. It is a sort of Yin-Yang thing. We do our best to balance the whole thing, to get the whole operation over the wall. Head Not Found understands that I have to be a writer too. They are very supportive and buy my books when they come out. They are at the front of the podium when I do poetry readings. I also do my best to make sure my involvement, in the band, is not compromised because of my writing. I hope the two never have to collide. But if we handle shit properly, the never will. I would love to tour with Head Not Found and sell my books out of a merchandise booth. I would also love to do book signing tours and sell Head Not Found merchandise while I am out. Perhaps, someday, someone, with some money, will see what a unique opportunity we are. If not, fuck it, we love what we are doing and will do it as long as our bodies will let us. www.myspace.com/andrewzinn .

www.myspace.com/headnotfound2


        Tales From The Keg Comic Book #1

I found this comic by Jef Worm, to be both cute and funny, it is very well drawn. Each story in this issue is centered around some silly Metal Mayhem and true 420 time. As well as the totally obvious mockery of Tales From The Crypt, Review By Melinda www.myspace.com/jeffworm

The Devil on 45 Issue #1, and #2 From Ireland we have TDO45. Issue #'s layout actually looks better than #2 to me! Usually it's the other way around. Anyway this is a quirky 'Zine that covers a wide variety of topics. I thought the hightlight of Issue #1 was the interview with Cynthia 'Plaster Caster"-and I must say that I was totally in awe to find out that she never truly plaster casted Gene Simmona, GASP! ha ha-but I feel that her reasons for not wanting to deal with him seem pretty fitting. Also I liked the "Punk And Porn" article. Issue #2's highlights besides a pretty wickedly interesting cover, was "Way Of The Wolf" a article about Manson-the real Manson, not Marilyn Manson. And the "Punk And Porn" article was continued this issue. Review by Melinda www.myspace.com/thedevilon45

Cerebral Fallout Issue #12 Looking at CF may give you a episode of ADD, because that's what happens to me every time I open it! ha! ha! This 'Zine is covered literally wall to wall in art and other assorted sickness. I am not sure how the 'Zine was copied, but it is all black and white, yet looks almost "glossy" at the same time, very nice. This 'Zine is for fans of extreme death, grind, gore. On one hand I like the way Mark the editor leaves "no empty space" but on the other hand it makes it hard to concentrate on just ONE thing at a time. Every little nook and cranny of the 'Zine is filled with something. I think Mark does a great job at doing a very unique layout, but I would lke to see just a little more seperation and space between stuff. Mark also asks some silly questions during interviews, which are good, but yet sometimes make it hard to take the band and or the interview seriously(maybe that's the point?). The "news" sections are sick(of course) and pretty damn funny too. I read some stuff on CF's page that hints about Mark possibly doing a comic book? If so I think it would be excellent and would love to see it! Review by Melinda www.myspace.com/alienvsaliens

Want to have your book, 'Zine, Webzine, Magazine, or WHATever reviewed!? Mail it to: TOK 2921 E. Calle Rabida Tucson, Arizona 85706 U.S.A.


   OPHIDIAN FOREST is a Croatian/Dutch/US black metal collaboration with individuals writing for the US metal webzine Maelstrom. They create "chaotic Pagan black metal" by means of exchanging files over the net and by snail mail as they live thousands of miles away from each other. In fact, none have ever met each other in person, and without the current ease of global communication it's far less likely that this project would have been possible 10 years ago. Guitarist/bassist Zaragil lives in Croatia, drummer Otrebor lives in San Francisco, and vocalist/keyboardist/lyricist Amalgamoth is from the Netherlands. Interview By Troy Jones Hails and thank you for taking the time to do an interview with Taste of Khaos! First and foremost, to those who haven't heard Ophidian Forest, describe your sound and atmosphere to them. Amalgamoth: It's a sound that merges the perspectives on black metal of three very different individuals, living their own distinctive lives, yet all being familiar with several artists who have shown their relevance for the genre. We all have our own favorite black metal acts but like we don't necessarily listen to it all the time, neither do we strive to sound exactly like them. Otrebor: Our first record sounds like a swarm of bees attacking you with jackhammers. Our second record reminds me of Furze's "UTD," only creepier. Zaragil: I'd say that the debut album sounds alive, breathing and in your face, while retaining a distant, proud feeling and a great deal of lunacy. The second album has a similar range of emotions and levels of violence, and although the sound is apparently clearer, it has some hidden layers. We can loosely be described as "pagan black metal" but it's not about doing what other Pagan bands do, it's about exploring the limits, and finding how much can be done, in all directions, while still sounding natural, raw and honest. Of course it's hard for us to describe our music so listening to it would give you a better clue... and by that I don't mean just the beginnings of a few songs, what people usually do - no two songs are alike and you can't judge our work by listening to a small sample. This is one of my goals with Ophidian Forest, doing what the others don't dare. The name Ophidian Forest alone is very reminiscent of the early 90s and in fact much of your music sounds like it very-well could have come about in that time; was this the intended goal? Amalgamoth: I know there's a band called Ophidian from Luxemburg. They recently played in the Netherlands. Other than that I know there's a band called Forest and there's of course Carpathian Forest, who indeed began in the 90's. Personally I don't exactly see what aspect of our name connects with the early 90's. If you aim at something like an 'old school' approach, then perhaps that might be right. The sound of our music is pretty raw and punishing, there's nothing slick or commercial about it, so seen in that light Ophidian Forest is a true underground band. But don't expect us to do Burzum or Darkthrone covers, 'cause we won't. We want to be an original band, not another pointless retro-exercise. Otrebor: Agreed with Amalgamoth. I can see how the words ophidian+forest would remind a black metal fan of carpathian+forest. Truth be told, when I came up with the name something like six years ago, I liked how the sound of it rang like Carpathian Forest, whose band name, as far as band names go, evokes the most romantic notions within me. However, beyond the concept of a forest, the meaning of the word pairings are substantially different. "Ophidian Forest" is not one of these metal band names that seem to have been spit out by the random metal phrase generator (here are some I just made up now: Crystal Tears, Lake of Fire, Iron Vengeance). Ophidian refers to snakes, and aside from liking the sound of the word, and being enamored with forests, the marriage of a forest with trees and vegetation so gnarled and dense that it is like a den of snakes, where no light can enter, seemed like an ideal name for a black metal group. And no one had ever taken it. Perfect. Thankfully, my projectmates also thought it was good; the name means different things to us. Continued Next Page....


   Zaragil: Yes, that was the goal - not as much recreating the sound, but more like recreating the "just bloody do it" feeling from the 90s when bands weren't too concerned about being acceptable or following the rules. Back in those days, there were no rules except "do your own thing". As for the name, I never thought about Carpathian Forest, nor do we sound anything like them. If you search for bands with "forest" in the name on The Metal Archives, you'll get 121 results... most of them sounding very lame - Dark Forest (there's FIVE of those), Cloud Forest, Black Forest (four examples), Winter Forest, Forest this or Forest that. I do love the word, just like I love walking in the forest, but we needed something original. And when the suggestion for this name came it caught me by surprise - it actually incorporated the word in a meaningful, evocative phrase. Also, there's some mysticism in it, and I can guarantee that the vast majority of non-English speaking people doesn't know what "ophidian" means. I know you have been asked this many times before, but since you all live in different parts of the world, how does the recording process happen? Is it a long and arduous task, or do things fall into place fairly easily? Amalgamoth: It is indeed a long and arduous process of sending files and discs from one person to another. Each one records on top of the other, we don't record things together in real-time or simultaneously. Otrebor: We haven't approached our (now four) separate attempts at recordings the same way. Redbad's guitars were recorded first. Plains' drums were recorded first. We have an EP in the works that was done in the same method as Redbad, and a full-length (begun, anyway) in the same vein as Plains. That these methods will dictate our recordings from now till the end is unlikely. New methods have yielded interesting results each time we tried them, so why stop there? Zaragil: Sometimes things fall in piece way easier than at rehearsals, which I guess is the usual way for usual bands. I remember writing some tracks in one or two evenings, recording them quickly and being thoroughly surprised by the way the guitar or the bass worked with some drum nuances. Almost as if there was some magic involved - damned if I know where some song parts I recorded came from. Sometimes it takes more work, though. Sometimes it's inspiration, sometimes perspiration. What are your feelings about the current Black Metal lifestyle? Do you feel that it is moving forward or is it rather stagnant at the moment? If it is just staying stagnant, what do you think will help to get it back up and moving again? Amalgamoth: I'm not really following any particular lifestyle and I wasn't aware there's such a thing like a black metal lifestyle. But given the fact that I have frequently checked out new black metal bands over the past 4 years I can definitely confirm that black metal isn't standing still. I have noticed that at this moment many bands are starting to make more intricate albums, more progressive and melodic kinds of black metal. They use what was good about the older stuff and add to this newer elements.With all the technical possibilities bands or individuals have nowadays people can concentrate much more on innovation in terms of song arrangement and production values without having to own lots of money. Continued Next Page....

Otrebor: I echo Amalgamoth's perspectives. If there is a black metal "lifestyle," I'm not aware of what that is or how to exist in it, and I've devoted a large part of my life to listening to and playing metal. I also agree with the progress black metal has made in the past few years. I personally lost some interest in the early part of this decade, as it seemed that the world's societies at large surviving Year 2K left bands whose driving creative force was spurred by notions of the impending Armageddon a bit wanting for what to do next. I think that newer scenes, like what we're experiencing from France, the United States (and Germany has always been an underrated purveyor of top quality black metal) has re-invigorated the genre with new takes on the same core values that made the music interesting to begin with. Zaragil: Speaking of the "lifestyle" I do notice a general lack of conviction, at least unless you scratch a bit below the surface. Maybe it's the internet that did it, but the music had a more threatening, magical feeling back in the days when all you had was a cassette and no info about the artist whatsoever. I've been into metal for longer than I can remember, and it was a gradual process of learning, discovering and forming my own opinion - I'm still not done with that - and I see too many people wanting "quick access". Sure, some of them "get it" straight away, but the majority gets strayed away in all the wrong directions - giving too much importance to trivial things such as what instruments they play, how good they look, how many MySpace friends they have or how many girls they can get after the shows. If you ask them why it is that they are playing black metal and not something else, they aren't able to give you a proper answer apart from "we want to be like... (insert a Scandinavian band name)". Black metal is definitely moving forward, and as Otrebor said, France, USA and especially Germany are a constant source of new blood. Unfortunately, what the majority of the audience perceives as "moving forward" are Norwegian bands playing some sort of "adult oriented black metal" with bland expensive sound, polished songs, no feelings and nothing offensive or thought-provoking in their music. To put it in a blunt way, if someone spends more time thinking about the type of guitar he uses or the amplifier to buy than worshipping Satan/Thor/Nature/Chaos/whatever then the music will most likely end up being bad. Something should be done to stop this kind of thinking, to destroy the belief in the rich and exhausted bands and draw attention to the bands playing here and now. What drives you lyrically? I know that the album "Redbad" was in dedication to the Frisian King Redbad, but aside from that, where does the inspiration come from? Amalgamoth: My lyrics are a mixture of personal interests and spontaneous writing. I have always been interested in history, mythology, mysticism and science. Heritage of culture is also interesting. I sense that -at least in the western hemisphere- there is a renewed interest in things that are pure and original, not derived or a compromise of allsorts. Our own personal identity and backgrounds are no less important than to know the origin of the food we eat. I'm partially driven by my contempt for the way my environment is being mentally polluted by the effects of mass-media. Speaking of environment, I'm also inspired by simple things, like walking in the woods, or anger against the world and all that is wrong about it. Do you feel that with the advent of digital technology, the atmosphere that us Black Metallers crave has been lost to an extent? Amalgamoth: I wouldn't mind about that too much. You can still buy loads of old crappy 4-track cassettes on eBay from 90's bands on which you couldn't say whether it's tape hiss you're hearing or an 'ambient' water from a tap sound. No, seriously, I know of a few labels who have a tape-only policy, because they know it's less easy to rip music on tapes to mp3's. Besides, some regard tapes as more underground. Then again, who says it's not possible to create a good black metal atmosphere in the digital realm? It's those very restrictions that may cause the genre to become a stagnant and retrogressive one. Continued Next Page....

Otrebor: I understand Amalgamoth's point of view. I also get what you are leading to, though, with your question. Exciting recordings can be done in various ways. A record doesn't have to be lo-fi, or hi-fi, to necessarily be good. What's curious to me, though, is when a band is purposefully trying to achieve a sound by using means that are the antithesis of the way that sound was originally made. Here's an example. I've heard Mayhem's "Ordo Ad Chao." Discussing only the sound, it seemed to me like a band that once had "kvlt" sound, but had veered away from that (and made some superb records that way), and were trying to re-capture that old feel, but were using much too nice equipment, resulting in a half-assed listening experience. The sentiment sounded false. Zaragil: Digital technology has brought some good things, no doubt. For start, nowadays, any sociopath has a possibility to transfer the sounds from his head to a hard disc without the need for band members, rehearsals, producers or insane amounts of money. The downsides are obvious, too many bands suffocating the scene and very small chances of getting back what you invested financially. But then, only an idiot would play black metal to get rich, and time will tell who did something worth remembering. It always does. If the artist has it in his heart, the technology he uses is irrelevant. Being from your respective countries, what first got you into playing Black Metal? I know that the Black Metal lifestyle is expressed and lived in different ways in different parts of the world. Amalgamoth: I've always been into dark music. I grew up with punk, new wave and noiserock, hence black metal and death metal were logical additions in my personal scheme of extreme music with loud guitars. I've never been into techno, house or dance music. I'm a rock monster and can get pretty obsessive about it. For me to start playing black metal was just a matter of meeting the right people at the right time. That was while writing for Maelstrom webzine. By the end of 2006 I was invited to join in on a project from Zaragil, which I of course couldn't decline. Otrebor: I've always loved metal. Reasons for that lie in a mix of cool older kids who liked it when I was little, the associations of the music with hobbies I enjoyed as a kid, and the density of the music and sound as related to how my own mind works. Getting into extreme metal (and deeper into all styles of the genre in general) is a perfect coincidence of the particular cult/completionist attitude that being enamored with the genre seems to breed, and my own life pattern preferences of pursuing that which most people don't necessarily dislike, but don't know about. The more I like it, the more I dig, and the more I dig, the more I like it and like to dig. Playing drums is a logical manifestation of the physical representation of what's spinning in my mind. It also provides me stability in having goals and being committed to achieving them. Every time I sit behind the drum kit, I approach it as a physical challenge... like a feat of strength. It's improving on the performance of that feat that drives me to dedicate daily practice in new and more challenging ways that I hope will lead me to improve in some performance aspect until I am dead. Zaragil: To me, it just seemed a natural thing to do. Black metal is the only type of music able to express the things I feel. I started around 1990 with more commercial bands (which at the time sounded brutal to me), moved on, looked for the more extreme stuff and just when I was trying to get into death metal someone brought my attention to black metal. One night of listening to Burzum, Immortal, Enslaved and Cradle of Filth (The first album!) cassettes and something clicked, my life had a meaning. That was thirteen years ago and the whole thing just grew, improved and become more elaborate. Isolation, oppression, darkness, misanthropy, Nature and a hatred for the regular, retarded people - of course it was something I could identify with, and it is what I live. Music was always supposed to be about expressing emotions, and I find the strongest emotions are in black metal. It's the only thing where I can be myself. As for my country - I guess I'm the only black metal person in my city, or even further, and how and why I discovered it is a bit of a mystery to me as well. It's like black metal tracked me down, reached, grabbed and absorbed me, not the other way round. Are there ever going to be any plans for a tour? If so, where to? Amalgamoth: If we'd have a touring manager and a means of funding, sure, why not? At this moment it just seems a bit too difficult and costly to get everyone together. And sales from albums couldn't ever make it possible. In short: apart from anything else, we simply can't afford it. Otrebor: No doors are shut in my mind. As of now, touring is impossible. We also have a pet hypothesis that if we actually met each other, the world would end. Continued Next Page

Zaragil: Maybe some day, but we have to properly release the albums first. It's not a big priority to play live - I've done that with my previous bands and it wasn't that much of a rush. But if I could get a chance to move away from my surroundings for a while, why not. I've traveled a bit and I don't expect the world to be any better elsewhere, but at least it would be disgusting in new ways. I know that finding a good label has been difficult for you guys lately, any luck with that? What are your thoughts on the fact that MANY good bands such as yourselves seem to be having trouble finding a good, honest label that won't just take all their money? Amalgamoth: Well, for a start, I can say that any label that is willing to sign a rather uncommercial black metal band, is doing it most likely for a reason other than making money. I mean, let's face it, everybody's just downloading and no one's buying these days. That's what ruined our previous contract! As of now, we are seriously negotiating with a new and small Dutch label that totally digs what we are doing and wants to support us and release our two albums. It should happen this year, just keep checking our myspace and band website www.ophidianforest.com for updates on that. Otrebor: I have some fortune in having perspective on what your question evokes from a music fan's standpoint and the standpoint of a person in a band looking to get signed. For example, at the level we're at, there is no "taking of all our money." Black metal labels generally print 1,000 (or fewer) copies of albums. Almost all of these labels are left with a big box of CDs that they have to trade away to other labels/distros in order to get product they can sell to offset the price of printing the CDs in the first place. This is the kind of label that we are likely to appeal to. As such, the likelihood of that label giving us any money to record is reasonably none, so it's safe to assume "all our money" has already been spent on recording the material. In contrast, it will cost a label probably more to properly print and promote even a small run of albums compared to what we spent out of pocket to make the album. As far as I see it, for a band in our position, getting 20% of the total of finished albums as "payment" is a sweet deal. Zaragil: And, keep in mind that when a CD is released, a label has to send free copies to the magazines and webzines. This is the point where the album leaks on the internet, without you actually selling a single copy of it. Times are tough for the labels and some of them literally release a CD and sell twenty copies. But some of the blame can be put on the labels as well - when it's crisis they don't want to put out fresh sounding things. Instead, they release crap, thinking "this sounds like Burzum, maybe someone will buy it". Of course no one will. If we (as Black Metallers) were able to start the revolution again, and burn churches and commit the violence that ensued in the 90s, what would be your opinion of this? Do you feel that Black Metal once again needs to be feared and be the stuff xtian nightmares are made of? Amalgamoth: Oh, well. Burning churches. You mean the stuff that those members of Emperor and Burzum did? I wouldn't attempt such a thing. Not because there aren't ancient wooden churches where I live, but because I think it's rather barbaric to destroy historical buildings, regardless what those buildings represent. I've read that in Russia near a town called Komarova some thieves have stolen a church. Yes, stolen! The church was located in a very remote place and because the church wasn't visited by anyone during a long time the thieves could dismantle the building brick for brick without being disturbed. They'd use or sell the materials for other building purposes. Now if that isn't a more environment-friendly way of dealing with christianity I wouldn't know what else. Burning a church causes severe CO2 pollution after all. Apart from this, I think the only black metal threat against christianity can be 'continuity'. The musical war must be passed on to the next generation and kids should stay away from "white metal", which is another attempt from christians to steal away something that doesn't belong to them. Continued Next Page.....

Otrebor: I don't encourage violence. Violence is hatred and hatred is fear, and fear breeds negativity and limitation within the self. I agree with your perspective that much of black metal's flash in the pan appeal is its sense of deeply unsettling elements, and that while it's true that real-life manifestations of those elements sparked the interest and imaginations of a worldwide cult group (including mine), those elements are better served to my interest as fantastic, not realistic. That's metal for you, after all: it espouses fantasy. I'd even argue that those who are enamored with the real criminal history of black metal are so from a fantastic (not realistic) standpoint. Zaragil: Yes, as a thought it's definitely an appealing one. I don't follow this very closely, and the last time I've heard of a church burning was a few years ago and it happened in Finland. But in reality I suppose it takes too much work and planning... The best way to fight christianity is continuity - as Amalgamoth said, as long as it exists there'll be a need for black metal. And after that, we can just continue and sing hymns to Nature and tell tales from history. Of course, as an enemy of christianity, black metal should be taken more seriously and the ideas and thoughts should be displayed more openly and made known to the regular people. But what can we do when the majority is more concerned about being rock stars than thinking, learning and speaking. Sadly, I see more elaborated views against christianity in non-metal circles than in black metal, where they should be strongest. I think a rational thing to do would be to take away all the properties from the church, send the priests all back to Palestine and convert the churches into museums of atrocities done in the name of Jesus. Like what they did with Auschwitz to remind people of Nazism. That way people would feel embarrassed for believing in that shit. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, I greatly appreciate it! Any last words to our readers? Amalgamoth: Yeah. That people should regard their mp3 downloads as 'music for evaluation purposes' only. If they really like what they hear they should do themselves a favor and buy a real CD, otherwise they're being a cheapskate, not just towards the artist, but towards themselves as well. Otrebor: People can do as they please. Amalgamoth has a right to his view, but at the point we're at, I'm cool with people hearing our stuff, and that's by any means necessary. With that said, I'm a music fan, and as such, I'm a record/CD/whatever collector. I don't like iPods, and I don't download at all because it's like having only part of the product. Now, though, it seems people like me are a dying breed. Thank you for your time and interest. Zaragil: Thank you for taking your time to write the questions, and especially for the support. Anyone interested in our music is welcome to listen to the six songs we have on our MySpace page (www.myspace.com/ophidianforest) but remember, what you hear is only a part of the journey. You'll have a chance to hear the rest because the albums will be released sooner or later.Heathen hails!



     
             

       
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