Here is a real treat for all of you long-time metal-fanatics brought to you by the U.S. legends of death and one of the U.S. leading pure-metal label Hells Headbangers - NunSlaughter's first 6 demo's and various 7'' tracks. As if this was not enough for a real metal-filled treat included on the double CD or 4 LP box set is demo from Death Sentence (a band some members had pre-NunSlaughter!). Just in case some reading this is new to the scene or if you have never crossed-paths with NunSlaughter, the band has been a major force within the true, DYI death metal underground for 22 years! Yes 22 ,you saw that right. NunSlaughter play death metal the way it was meant to be played - raw,filthy,uncompromising and just plain heavy. This is a band that doesn't follow any trends or worry about what's the flavor of the week, instead just keep pumping out one great metal-release after another. If you are a fan of this band you know what to expect so buy this!
From the deepest and darkest realms of the US black metal scene is The Royal Arch Blaspheme. The band features N.Imperial of the legendary Krieg and Profanatica's main-song writer J. Gelso. The music is pure and raw old-school black metal but instead of the crazy chaotic sound you might expect the band keep it in the more mid-paced and heavy guitar/bass sound. The band's main influence is early 90's European black metal but also has a hint of early death metal in some of the guitar tones and feel. Not the most original band in the world but still a good band worth checking out if you like raw, primitive black metal.
'Omnious Doctrines Of The Perpetual Mystical Macrocosm'
(Hells Headbangers)
I remember hearing a previous release from Inquisition through Hells Headbangers and not being that impressed. Well this is a new day and a new release! The new CD is 10 songs of dark,complex black metal. There are moments of fast,intense black metal with some very unique musical ideas. The vocals definitely stand out for me as they are mid-era Immortal with some deeper vocal patterns in some parts. The music the band creates is extremely fast and intense but also slows down from time to time as to keep the listeners attention and doesn't get boring in the least. If the band keeps on this musical path they are on I see big things for Inquisition in 2011 and beyond!!! A must hear/have for fans of dark unique black metal!!
Finland's W.A.I.L. (which stands for Wisdom Through Agony Into Illumination And Lunacy) have released a brilliant debut! 5 tracks of crushing death/doom metal, the band seems to draw a lot of inspiration from early death/doom gods such as Mournful Congregation, Thergothon, Disembowlment etc. The band is not all depressive and bleak music as the members of W.A.I.L have some dark atmosphere intertwined within the crushing dread and there are even some experimental music/sounds throughout some of the the long,epic songs. This is definitely a band that has found a musical formula that works for them and also the added influence helps the band stand out from the endless sea of death/doom bands. This is a must hear for all fans of crushing doom with some originality.
'Winter Of Sin' was originally released in 1992 but thanks to the US label Abyss Records it is now being re-released so both old and new black/death metal fans can bask in the greatness that is Fester! Fester comes out of the legendary Norwegian underground and lets face it back in the early 1990's no other country came close to releasing great black metal like Norway. Fester was definitely ahead of their time and went against the norm (remember this was originally in 93 before black/death was blended together by so many), instead of the raw,primitive style that Norway was known for Fester played fast black metal but their guitar riffs/chords were a little thicker and even had a few solo's intertwined the riffs to give them a death metalish feel and sound. Fester even went a little further to make 'Winter Of Sin' a "classic" within the black metal scene by adding some avantgarde and melodic interludes to their already gloomy and grim sound. Even today in 2011 Fester's 'Winter Of Sin' still stands out a great and original masterpiece. Definitely get this if you like original and dark black metal.
Old-school death/thrash lives and it has never sounded better or more fierce. Ohio's Crucified Mortals have nice catalog of back demo's and splits. But now they have unleashed their full-length debut with eleven tracks of early 80's aggressive thrash guitar oriented music mixed with some early 90's US style death metal,this is a perfect blend of uncompromising,unrelenting death/thrash. Guitars are played with a lot of chaotic violent riffs and pure metal solo's but also within the chaos the band showcases some well-written and even complex structures. The vocals are gruff growls, the production is pure-perfection - it is not extremely raw/thin sounding like so many from the 80's were but is also not over-produced and weak like so many of today's bands. It fits the band chaotic sound very well giving the listener the chance to hear every guitar note,thunderous drum or horrific growl. Crucified Mortals is a must have for all fans of old-school death/thrash!
New Jersey's Entrenched have launched their debut CD 'Preemptive Strike' upon the underground, but listening to the CD it is hard to believe this is a "debut". The band play a mix of brutal old school death metal with a huge influence of violent war/thrash metal intertwined within the violent speeding guitars and machine gun like drum patterns. The vocals are shared by the duo and fit perfectly with a more deeper,angry growl,grunt and intense shrieks of hate, while the band takes no prisoners and refuses to compromise it's sound. Entrenched have a lot of good musical ideas and even some catchy memorable guitar patterns throughout. If you enjoy straight forward death/thrash with a touch of war metal insanity then Entrenched is a band you must hear!
Listening to 'Tenebrous Towers' it's hard to believe this is Desolate Shrine's debut CD. The music created by Desolate Shrine is brutal,heavy blackened death metal at it's finest. Everything flows together nicely from the brutal heavy guitars,the outbursts of insane drum beats, the music while brutal and uncompromising has a dark aura within the brutality to keep the listeners attention. The vocals are a dual mix of heavy deep growls and demonic screams. Fans of uncompromising death/black metal will worship Desolate Shrine.
'Patterns Of Life' is the new EP from Uvikra. For those who haven't heard of Uvikra this is a one-man band from Lithuania. The music created by Loikav (all instruments, vocals) is semi-brutal mid-paced death metal with touches of black metal. The production is raw and primitive which reminds of the early days of black/death when demo's where released on cassette and had the dirty, raw sound quality. If you enjoy old-school brutal blackened death then Uvikra is a band you will want to hear!! As for me I am hoping the next release will be a full-length.
Trillion Red are a two piece from the US and the members have created a very original and dark music style. There are influences from the heavy crushing doom riffs,but then the band also does have an aggressive side speeding up the guitars a bit to a heavy metal/thrash feel with a lot of progressive riffs and solo's intertwined within the duo's madness. Also within the music is some experimental ambient soundscapes that keep the listener guessing throughout the songs on this EP. This is a band that is not only hard but impossible to put into a certain genre (which i believe is the way they like it) so I will say this probably won't appeal to everyone, but i would highly recommend 'Two Tongues' to anyone who enjoys dark,extreme music with a lot of variety.
Not to be confused with Australia's Ruins. This is a one-man band from Germany. Ruins plays a great mix of old-school speed metal and early Venom style black metal. Thrashy fast guitars,mid-paced drums that switch over to hyper speed before calming back to a more mid-pace sound. The vocals are gruff screams. Ruins are not creating anything new on 'Chambers Of Perversion' but the songs on this release are played with a lot of metal-aggression and passion for this style. If you enjoy old-school blackened speed-metal then definitely check out 'Chambers Of Perversion'. (Suitably dirty looking artwork,ha-ha - ED)
Ravencult wastes no time going straight for the attack with their brand of barbaric blackened thrash whirlwind guitars intertwined with a barrage of non-stop drumming. The band does slow down throughout a few of the songs to give both the band and listener a chance to catch their breath before attacking again with a barrage of brutal riffs and beats. If you miss the sound of the early days of black metal when the bands kept their sound simplistic yet effective and evil then Ravencult is a band that should impress all old-school maniacs.
Russia's Old Wainds are a band that has been flying under the black metal radar for a few years now. I have heard the bands previous release and instantly became a 'fan' of the bands early 90's cold Norse style and structures. Well the warrior's over at Negative Existence must have become a fan of this bands darkened brilliance as they have re-released the 1997 classic 'Where The Snows Are Never Gone'. 8 tracks of cold, Norse inspired blackness. The music is grim,cold and fierce just the way black metal should sound. The vocals remind me a little of early Immortal and fit perfectly with the razor-sharp guitar riffs and blazing drums. Fans of early 90's Norwegian style black metal will love Old Wainds!!
'March Into Firelands' marks the return of Finland's Flame. After a six year hiatus 'March Into Firelands' is 8 tracks of violent blackened thrash metal. The guitars are fast and well executed. The drums are intense and well precise considering the speed and intensity. Flame has crafted and released one of the best old-school blackened thrash releases to be heard in quite sometime if you enjoy old-school blackened thrash with a lot of heart and dedication to keeping the old-school spirit alive then Flame's 'March Into Firelands' is a CD you must hear!!
This Polish horde is somewhat of a mystery as very little is known about the members. Well 'Haxan' is the bands "debut" originally released in 2008. Hells Headbangers has decided to re-release for the maniacs who might have missed it the first time around. The best way to describe Cultes des Ghoules sound would be filthy, raw old-school death metal with touches of black metal within the thin/raw guitar riffs and screechy style vocals. Cultes des Ghoules is definitely not a band for everyone but if you enjoy the older bands like Varathron or early Mortuary Drape then this should give you some idea on the great style the band has continued to carry on within their sound.
RAMPART, the joy and pride of Bulgarian heavy metal, receive the honour of being the first band presented with an interview in Dead Void Dreams. After a successful demo released in 2008 the band signed to the French label Inferno Records , who released their debut CD 'Voice Of The Wilderness' in 2009. Now RAMPART is ready to strike again with a new EP, entitled 'A Tale To Cold', which serves as a teaser for the their second album, introducing the band's new line-up.Asen Asevovwas highly enthusiastic providing the questions, Rampart's vocalist Maria Doychinovawas truly generous delivering her insightful answers. Me? I grabbed a beer and enjoyed the conversation. Follow along...HORNS UP!
RAMPART 2011 line-up
Greetings, Maria! Rampart has a new EP coming out soon, congratulations for it! As we see this is a new beginning for the band, would you introduce your new band-mates?
Thanks! I have always believed that the heavy metal is a road ahead. When you play metal you often need a new beginning. Every musician who chooses this way should give something to enrich the style. This philosophy of mine includes lots of components, inspirations and critics. We are not coping the old bands. We want to develop it in a direction which we consider that it should be developed. That is why our line up has always included people devoted to the metal and loyal to its ideas. It’s normally for the young bands to have changes in the line up such as these we passed through. I am surrounded by people who make a lot for the metal.
The new members of RAMPART are Vili Neshev on guitars, Svilen Ivanov on bass and Petar Svetlinov on drums. The bass player Svilen was playing in the band till 2009 when he left because of some personal divergences with the previous guitar player. Now he is back in the band and I am more than happy from this fact! Petar is a young drummer but he has experience enough. The guitar player Vili is an emblematic fugure for the Bulgarian metal scene – he is known from metal bands as VELVET PROJECT, EXHUMATOR, and PROJECT ARCADIA. Because of his ideas and musicianship now the heavy metal of RAMPART takes a more progressive slant. I believe that this line up is a stable and successful team!
What,exactly, were the reasons for parting ways with the old band members?
Hm… Lately I often share the idea that we had not part ways with the old members. We just have new players in the team. Of course the Bulgarian fans deserve much light on this issue. They deserve it because usually this happens with the Bulgarian bands – they miss the chance to grow up after their debut album. I did not force anyone to play metal. Every member of RAMPART had made his own decision for himself in a particular moment of his life. When you step on this road some things begin to happen – you wish them to happen but you have to take the responsibility for them. A specific person did not succeed to carry the weight of his engagements toward the label, promoters and gigs organizers and finally – toward the people around him.
The responsibility for the contacts and the reputation of the band is mine. Many times it happened to me to give explanations and to make excuses for unfulfilled engagements without having even a hint about the reasons. We made real the classic story about cutting the roots on which you’ve grown up. We passed also through the classic conflict between personalities. I highly appreciate the decision of some band members not to be involved in the conflict itself. They did not choose a side. No matter of the trivial “tragedies” which are characteristic for every band, I am ready to work with everyone who had passed the last years thru RAMPART. And at the moment I work with some of these musicians! But the engagement is still an engagement and besides the pleasure you also have to drink the bitter glass to its bottom.
Maria Doychinova
Your forthcoming EP is entitled 'A Tale To Cold', what is the reason for choosing this title?
‘A Tale to Cold’ is dedicated to a very brave friend of mine who fought with cancer for two years and passed away this February - Beatrice Lasne (R.I.P.). She was the founder of the webzine “Metal Heart”. She had a real passion for metal music. She was a great person and a real Metal Queen. We recorded the songs in June 2011. It will be released this summer via the French label Inferno Records.
The main idea of this title is that we live in a world where we often meet cold and death. We have no real weapons against events of this range but we always do have tales and dreams! This is our tale against the cold! It expresses disagreement with injustices in our world. The release which will come out both in tape format and in mini-CD format is special to us and to our label. Its concept focus on the storms in a human soul and unites these feelings with the new beginning in the life of RAMPART.
Once again you've been responsible for the lyrics, right? Could you, briefly, explain the themes behind the new songs?
All the lyrics are mine. Lately I focus on the power of the will. The new song “Stronghold of the Sun” is emblematic for RAMPART. Behind its title is hidden the main idea of RAMPART as a bastion of heavy metal at our latitudes. It is a story of survival. It is a symbol as well. To me this song is like a resurrection – it is the new stronghold built on the burned remains of the old rampart in the name of faith. This magical place reflects the new beginning but it is also very personal. I highly appreciate the support from a dozen British radio stations which found “Stronghold of the Sun” great and play it on air this month. This is an awesome recognition.
Heavy metal is a style of music, lifestyle, religion ... For me it is a source of power. The lyrics of “Metal Spell” unite our strength as metalheads: men or women – WE ARE THE OTHERS!!! I do not reconcile with the ugly things. The ugliness in a literal sense and in a metaphorical sense is the reason every metal fan to revolt. This is the reason for revolution! You are not becoming a metalhead – you are born to be a metalhead! We will always say “NO” at the moment! We will always be less than the others, far from the pop-culture, from the TV life! But this does not make us loosers. The chiefs are less than the workers as well… I feel the whole metal as a support. It is a small thing to say that it inspires me and it makes me believe. I do the things around myself with no false and without selling myself. When I write lyrics I do not make compromises as well, I do not sing about love. Metal is a combination of culture and a system of values.
Changing a main song-writer is deemed a risky move. At what lengths this might affect the band's style, in your opinion?
We can learn from the history of many big bands that the change of the main composer is not such a risk. For some it had been a real revival. Besides this, the main composer is not the only one in a band who’s able to make music.
Our style did not change. Or at least it did not change significantly. When we uploaded the song “Metal Spell” for listening at our My Space profile I forgot to announce the change of the composer, but no one said “Oh, what a difference!”. RAMPART is a contemporary heavy metal band which faces its development.
A rather 'existential' question here. What best describes your role in the band - the soul, the heart or the brain?
As I already mentioned I have to make decisions which are far away from the emotions. I had determined the values in my life long ago and now I just follow a cascade of events which are result of my determination. At the moment the situation requires from me to be the brain of RAMPART. Here is my power. And here are the obstacles which I have to overcome. Not everything is a party and sensitive art – things begin to happen because of the will of the people, not only because of my will.
Band's debut album, 'Voice Of The Wilderness', has received critical acclaim. Do you expect to gain the same support for the new EP? Do you have plans to present those new songs live?
Indeed the album has an excellent feedback from the metal community. We are a band with clear own style. We did not become a sensation, as it was for example the debut of HAMMERFALL, but according to our label we are one of his strong titles as sales. Our debut was a step ahead for us and… I hope for heavy metal as well. I expect support from the metal circles for our new EP as well. I am proud with every fan who judges our music on its merits.
We will present the songs from the EP on 30th July at a moto-rock festival at Polski Trumbesh (A small Bulgarian town - ED). And we will also perform them during our first visit in the UK under the slogan “A Metal Crusade in the UK”. The first gig will be on 10th August at ‘Scream Lounge’, Croydon, London, and the second will be on 14th August at ‘The Star Inn’, Guildford, Surrey. We will be happy to play with the Welsh band TRIAXIS on both shows. In the ‘Scream Lounge’ we are glad to have the support from the thrashers from BLEED TO THIS and the dark prog alternative band THE MARIANA HOLLOW. We will present all of our new songs and we hope that they will touch the hearts of the fans. And we already received invitation to play in 2012 back in the UK.
Rampart - 'Warriors' from 'Voice Of The Wilderness' CD
Songs like 'Metal Spell' and 'The Flood' are fairly fast ones, in Gamma Ray's 'Man On A Mission' sort of way :). Are those easy to play live and do you think adding them to your set-list, since they are really great songs? Our set-lists are full mostly with fast galloping and smashing songs. Both “Metal Spell” and “The Flood” are now in our concert program. Without any embarrassing I would call the instrumentalists in the current line up of RAMPART virtuosos. Do they meet any difficulties? I do not know. But they play these fast songs very well. Thank you for your evaluation and welcome to our concert!
Some time ago Rampart held a gig in honour of Running Wild, what are your other fave bands and do they influence you in creating your music?
We listen to different music in wide range. I “steal” diamonds from heavy metal and thrash metal. Vili is a progressive fan who believes that if you catch the rhythm of a song from the first time this song does not worth the attention. Svilen is a strange eclectic from punk negligence and precision of a studio musician. And Petar could sink into everything from heavy to death metal.
In my opinion the bands which explain constantly how unique are they… are just funny. We have set that our place is the contemporary classic heavy metal. You cannot create anything of value if you have no restrictions. I definitely do not understand the free jazz… I will leave the listeners of our music to find the comparisons and the parallels just because it will be very interesting to me!
To what lengths do you spread the dreams concerning the band?
Our dreams spread wings from Polski Trumbesh to Wacken on the wide catenary’s parallel. We aim to put Bulgaria on the heavy metal map. We want to break the spell upon the Bulgarian bands to disappear after their first successful recording. Most of our modest goals are already over the horizon.
RAMPART 2011 line-up
Going back to the new EP - what does it offer to the fans, are those songs exclusive to this release, or you're planning to use them in the forthcoming sophomore album as well? You can listen to two songs from it: “Metal Spell” and “Stronghold of the Sun” at our My Space profile http://www.myspace.com/rampartbg
All of the tracks in the EP will NOT be included in our sophomore album. The first release of the EP in tape format is devoted to all metal maniacs who still remember the times when we were collecting hundreds of tapes. Later the EP will come out in CD format with bonus tracks. So “A Tale to Cold” is special from each point of view to the fans.
Any updates on the new album you're working upon? What shall we expect from it? When is the recording planned for and what about the release date?
Everything is still in working process. We recorded some tunes. We keep the direction of making fast dynamic songs with evident own specific melodies. The album will start with an unusual intro and it will contains eight tracks full of passion and energy, brilliant guitar work and pounding rhythms. I will not reveal the title because it’s too early for this. The album will be fully recorded in the winter of 2011. It is planned to come out in February, 2012. Now we are focused on some live gigs till September but meanwhile we spend lots of days working on the album as well. This release will be the next step of development for RAMPART.
Live photo with the old line-up
Are you satisfied with the sales of the debut album? Could you tell us how many units of it have been shifted so far?
We are satisfied! For a year and a half the 1000 copies of the album are sold out. There are people, even in Bulgaria, who will find this funny. For me this is my platinum album! There are people who are not satisfied with the sales. But they have to take a survey of the modern world!
What about a possible DVD release for Rampart, any chances of that?
The filming of some significant gigs and making of some videos are planned. But we are a young band. The DVD-format in the next years will be fulfilled only as bonus disks to different releases which also are planned.
Maria, thanks for taking the time answering these questions. Do you have any closing message for the fans?
Be yourselves to the end! We promise that we will be ourselves to the end!
And particularly to the Bulgarian fans: Stand up when you are at concert of a Bulgarian band and show that you are a wall of titans! Do not allow these bands to give up!
'Filthy' seem to be the most common compliment/complaint I've seen attached to this band's offerings. Their Neanderthal-ugly, atrociously grim, off-putting to the sane and the happy, catharsis truly goes off the limits of what's normally accepted as mere songs and albums. Instead of sitting on the fence wondering whether they're either doom or sludge or whatever style, the Irish band goes well beyond those tags by bulldozing the listener's consciousness under a gigantic pile of horrifying, ghastly, mud 'n excrement drenched, cacophony. Understandably, not many would find such torturing nightmare pleasing or attracting, but Wreck Of The Hesperus do have a style that sets them apart, albeit one most reminiscent of decaying mass of bubonic plague victims, oozing and decomposing for months. Oh, the romance of living and dying... Those three compositions (40 minute) would suck your dry of any positivity left, complete with bone-gnawing guitars, gnarly vocals, and gargantuan drumming and bass lines. To top it off, Albert Witchfinder has added some guest vocals here, and the packaging is suitably, ahem, filthy looking. 'People rot apart/Born cold as graves/We rot away/From each other'... [8,5]
For those who prefer their metal keeping its direct link and inspiration all the way to the glory '80s, Cianide is one of the most obvious answers. Man, these stubborn Ill-Noize bastards are the equivalent of the fuckin Berlin Wall when it comes to death metal, as you damn well know where you stand in all the sub-genre madness if you're digging Cianide and their aural assault. Their sixth full length would hardly lift them to godlike status among the passers-by element in the scene, and this hardly matters really, but for the old school brigade 'Gods Of Death' most definitely will be yet another pleasant headbanging time, with gallons of one's beer of choice flowing accordingly. Cianide has proven for well over 20 years they're masters of all tempos and this remains true here, from the speed-fests of 'Desecration Storm', 'Idolator' and 'Contained And Controlled' to the crushing low 'n slow power of songs like 'Dead And Rotting' and 'The One True Death'. The stuff is infectiously catchy, the band knows the importance of massive riffs and use that to great effect, with the rhythm section heavy, rumbling, feeling kept intact. Hells Headbangers are also releasing the album on vinyl, and there's no denying this to be the perfect medium for 'Gods Of Death' considering the vintage sounding production job given to it. This, in my opinion, is an album worth owning. 'Metal never bends', as the band have said themselves... [9]
While everyone is busy spreading their time on various Summer activities, the work simply never stops here at the Dead Void Dreams HQ. Yes, I'm a few days behind the update schedule I had promised to both myself and the world, but here's one MASSIVE update now. Plus, while everyone is looking in the other direction I'll do my best to clear the backlog...which means that new reviews will be posted as soon as I have them written/translated. Hopefully by mid August all reviews I owe will be posted.
The main news, however, is the addition of two great and supportive chaps to our team - Justin Hulford and Dale Roy. More info about Justin can be found on his site OnTheRail Promotions. Dale Roy should be known name for all those old timers out here, this is the same guy that runs Canadian Assault zine and co-runs Autopsy Kitchen Records. Fuck yeah! Welcome on board, mates!
In fact, this entire update is comprised of reviews that Dale has already posted on Canadian Assault. I'm really behind with my writings and I really appreciate that he's been generous to let me use these for my zine. Otherwise only Devil knows at which point of time I would have been able to cover those releases...
Everyone – don't hesitate to get in touch. Feedback is welcome, as usual. We need more staff writers, don't be shy!
This is a re-issue of this classic German thrash bands debut album. The album itself was recorded as a demo in 1987 and then one year later was a repackaged as their first album with three new tracks added. This new version seems to have the demo tracks plus four new songs recorded in 2009. Anyway 'Power of Darkness' is done in the traditional old school German thrash way, it is extremely fast and ripping. The music is sure to remind you of old Kreator and the vocals do the same as the singer sounds very close to Mille. Yes it is may not sound too original even for the time it came out. But I can tell you it is great and Minotaur created their own feeling and atmosphere, picking up the gauntlet of their heroes and immediately charging into battle. The freshly recorded tracks sound a touch different, but still great and show the band know how to play raging thrash. As you have come to expect with I Hate Records everything is done the right way fully draped in dedication and worship to the foundations of metal we all love.
This review in some ways, for me at least is a foregone conclusion, as I am a pretty die hard devotee going way back. In fact, it brings back some feelings of nostalgia when thinking about ordering a cassette copy of 'Weeping in Heaven' with the live bonus tracks, back in 1992. What an amazing release that was, it was just so sick, so evil and drenched in black semen. 'Weeping...' is still one of my all time favourite releases to this day. So here we are almost 20 years later! Holy shit I am old and so are these disgusting bastards. Surely anyone reading this who has been in the UG scene for any length of time already knows Profanatica and has a release by them. Well let me tell you twenty years later nothing has changed, they still sound more or less the same, and I am still loving it. It is amazing after all these years that Paul and his minions keep going and have not lost that sickness and still possess the same musical putrid stench. I mean I have not seen any videos of Ledney jacking off on the bible in a long time (my friend John actually filmed that!). But I did see Profanatica live, I guess it was 5 or 6 years ago now, and that was more than suitably vile to keep me under their decrepit thumb for another couple decades at least. Keep on Scourging and Crowning Profanatica!
