Interview with Byron (Dead River Runs Dry)

  "...real brutality, rawness, fragility and darkness"

 

Dead River Runs Dry have received rave reviews (like this one here) for their debut demo, 'Winter 2012' - and rightfully so.

Dead Void Dreams' scribe Alice used the chance for a quick chat with the band's guitarist Byron - and here's the outcome:



Alice: First off, I would like to thank you for your time conducting this interview.

Byron: No worries. Thanks for the questions.

Alice: Dead River Runs Dry is a new band, being active for only one year. Do you want to tell us more about your decision to form this band?

Byron: To date, we’ve actually been active for about 7 or 8 months. We recorded the material because it seemed like a good idea at the time and it went from there.



Alice: Your demo 'Winter 2012' is a black metal album, but at the same time is something new concerning its sound. Please, tell us more about these musical compositions.

Byron: I don’t think we’re doing something all that new, really.
I see us as a solid metal band inspired very much by black metal as opposed to something more orthodox in the black metal vein. Playing metal untainted by the essence of black metal is difficult for us to do, so it was inevitable we’d retain aspects of the genre, musically and otherwise. Black metal is obviously a huge part of what this band is, but it’s not the be all and end all. It’s more the ever present, hovering shadow that aids in guiding us.
Sonically, there are certain tones which are important to use in the context of our sound. I wanted a big resonating sound on one of my guitar tracks…similar to the one on the album 'Love' by The Cult but less polished…and a more traditional, straightforward, specific ‘metal’ tone on the other track. The kick drums sounded like the blades of a Black Hawk chopper from the outset, and we have the bass rumble beneath the surface in a part low end/part rhythm guitar kind of way, so we didn’t need to do too much in mixing at all. I really like the sound of the demo, we got good results straight away from the pure signals of our respective instruments.

Alice: The atmosphere of the demo is very dark and pessimistic, revealing anger, hostility and misanthropy. Is this final outcome exactly the original idea that you wanted to express with your music?

Byron: Yes.

Alice: What about your lyrical concept? What are the lyrics about and where did you draw the inspiration from writing them?

Byron: The previous question is a good indication. Some of the things scrawled out read strangely on paper but took on a whole new level in the delivery. Enter Murmur. Listening to what he recorded was unsettling when heard back for the first time so it was perfect for the rest of the mix. 

Alice: Which are the main influences of the band?

Byron: Generally, I tend to go easy on namedropping influences because as soon as you do that people start comparing you to those names. At this point in metal’s history most people are aware of the key bands that make certain genres appealing so I don’t need to repeat them. But I will say that I was listening to a lot of Eastern European stuff around the time DRRD got going musically, Roman Saenko’s bands in particular. There’s plenty of disparate elements that go into this band. We all explore diverse areas and it usually ends up playing a part in our musicianship and sound whether we’re conscious of it or not. I doubt I’ll ever completely move away from the hard rock/heavy metal, early thrash, hardcore punk, doom, primal black, death and general “extreme” metal albums that got me and most people into metal in the first place though. 
Essentially though, Australia herself is probably the largest influence on DRRD. The bleak unforgiving hostility of her nature, the bizarre and alien landscapes that overwhelm the “civilization” of her outposts or cities, the absurd measures and actions of the political establishment, the entrenched greed of the corporate sector, the restlessness and fury of her oceans and surfing those waves that break in them while constantly realizing how very alone and vulnerable you are…its a source of inspiration that’s endless. To me, that is the real brutality, rawness, fragility and darkness of what we seek to channel in this band.

Alice: For the time being, you’re not signed to any label; your demo is self-released. Is your intention to continue like this, or do you prefer to be under a certain label? 

Byron: We’ve gotten a lot of things done for this band in 7 months of being unsigned so that’s reassuring. It’s not surprising though, this is 2013 after all and it’s possible to get your material out there more than ever before. I have no problem self releasing or going the independent route if need be, but we’ve been contacted by a few labels lately so I guess something might happen eventually. There’s talk of a tape release soon of the demo for people who want something tangible, like me. [Make that "us" - ED]



Alice: You’re coming from Australia, a country which is not so known for its metal band tradition. How do you see and evaluate the metal scene in Australia?

Byron: Not sure I understand what you mean by the first part of that question but I don’t really evaluate it, I look at it as any other place with metal bands. Good bands and not so good bands.

Alice: What are your plans for your first full-length album?

Byron: We’ll probably have physical copies available this time.

Alice: Have you already arranged any live performance for 2013?

Byron: We’ve got shows lined up in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane which should see us through the first few months of 2013. Check here for details: www.facebook.com/DeadRiverRunsDry


'Winter 2012' is available for free download / streaming on Bandcamp.


 

Voidcleaning - reviews pt. 6

Paul Caravasi lives and breaths metal. Any time soon his Aquelarre Magazine 14th issue will see the dark of the night, feel free to contact him and ask for a copy.

Paul is also doing his own webzine, from where I've lifted off some reviews for your enjoyment. Read on.


CORSAIR 'Corsair' (Shadow Kingdom Records)
These times I've been reviewing  many extreme metal bands. A few days ago I received a pack from Shadow Kingdom Records in the mail, when I saw the cover of this CD I had no idea what I would be listening at all. Well, after the first instrumental track, came my surprise, it was like if Thin Lizzy, Blue Oyster Cult and Rush  had given birth to a son named Corsair. Among all brutality in my ears I got to review this album full of melodies, excellent guitars solos and catchy riffs, the second song reached just perfect harmonies and I could say that Corsair features great musicianship. A fresh band very well produced. I would not say that this album contains one song that's better than the next one because to be honest the whole album is worth to listen to, but personally my favourite songs are "Chaemera" and "Path of the Chosen Arrow". I did not expect to find such a cool sound among all the brutality reviewed in Aquelarre Zine, I'm a die hard metalhead and I enjoy extreme bands but with this album I realize that there is no limit to continue discovering new bands as good as this one and not necessary has to be brutal. If you're reading this review and have the opportunity to get their album, do it now, because you won't be disappointed. An interesting record that surprises at every listen. Definitely I'll be listening this band for a long time!

LIFELESS 'Godconstruct' (FDA Rekotz)
2013 is surprising me with one of the heaviest death metal band on the planet so far. Wow, what a fucking beast of an album! Mixing the most brutal moments of old Nihilist, Dismember and Unleashed there's no way this can fail. Featuring 12 crushing songs that will destroy you, when you see the artwork you know that this is bound to shred. This is like a ravenous beast ripping throats in a violent rage of cannibalistic frenzy, Lifeless rip through flesh and bones without mercy, leaving me with a lust for blood and hungry for more true death. There's no way you can escape from this. Be prepared for a brutal Death metal journey to Hell and beyond. Fantastic!

THE ADVENT EQUATION 'Limitless Life Reflections' (Self-released)
The name of this band has crossed me several times, but I never  stumbled upon their music, until I got their sent by Clawhammer PR this month. I was pleased to discover that the music of this Mexican band is of good quality, and holding a fine mix of Progressive and Death metal with the occasional Blackened touch. There's a great variation to the material and a couple of songs makes my thoughts drift to Paradise Lost, Katatonia and My Dying Bride. Even if the sound is somewhat familiar, there's not many bands I would compare this to further, the melody is here and they manage to blend this with a savage sound too. I definitely got my favourites among the songs here and I'm sure you'll find yours. Different and actually quite sinister!

COLDSTEEL 'America Idle' (Stormspell Records) 
Coldsteel is back!! In case you were wondering this band is from the 80s underground Thrash Metal scene from New York City, it's about time I got something to review from this band. They have the old school "live and die for Metal" attitude. The vocals are not bad at all, and still very aggressive, it fits better for this style anyway. 'America Idle' show progression from their old material, there's still some room for improvement. I bet this band would be a real intense live act, "Blood Secrets" and "You Lose" are the best tracks in my opinion , the songs maintain that early 90s style drumming and injecting  technical fast riffs and mayhemic solos. Looking forward to their next Thrash Attack!

Deceptor 'Chains Of Delusion' review

DECEPTOR
'Chains Of Delusion'
(Shadow Kingdom Records)

I know very little about this UK thrash metal band but after hearing 'Chains Of Delusion' it's easy to understand why Shadow Kingdom signed and released them. Deceptor embrace everything that made metal so pure and great back in the early days of thrash, the lightning fast guitar riffs and extremely fast yet catchy and memorable metal solos. The drums are just as catchy and pummelling in their approach with fast thrashing beats. The vocalist keeps it in the traditional thrash metal realm with hollering/screaming vocal patterns and also some higher pitched screams. Definitely recommended for fans of (old) Megadeth ('So Far, So Good, So What' era), early Priest, Slayer, I even hear a little Bruce Dickinson influence in some of the vocal patterns and Maiden in the guitars.
(Patrick)



Voidcleaning - reviews part 5

Thanks to Patrick for those reviews. 
The slumber is over now, Dead Void Dreams is back in action!


DESOLATE SHRINE 'The Sanctum Of Human Darkness' (Dark Descent Records)

One of Finland's most underrated (in my opinion anyways) brutal, dark death metal bands returns with their second masterpiece of destruction. Desolate Shrine released their amazing debut 'Tenebrous Towers' in 2011 through Hammer Of Hate Rec. well it didn't take long these dark Finnish masters to find a new home with the great Dark Descent Rec. to release their follow-up CD. If you heard 'Tenebrous Towers' you are aware of this band's brilliance, but if you missed that gem Desolate Shrine mix heavy fast, aggressive death metal with touches of slower, darker death/doomish style that really works for this band. Desolate Shrine is a hard band to compare to any one certain band so I will just end the review by saying if you enjoy evil, dark, original sounding death metal then Desolate Shrine is a band you will definitely want to hear as soon as you can. Another great release for Dark Descent Rec. - looking forward to see what they release in 2013!!

HAIDUK 'Spellbook' (Self-released)

Luka Milojica (vocalist, guitars, drum programming) has created some really impressive music on his latest musical offering 'Spellbook'. Nine tracks of fiery, intense death/thrash with a lot of really well played and thought out guitar riffs and solos. I am not familiar with Luka's past projects/bands but it is obvious listening to 'Spellbook' that he has been playing guitar for quite a few years, as his guitar playing is what shines through the most on each of these songs, whether he is shredding away or thrashing away with heavy metal/speed metal madness or giving his fingers a rest and going for a more mid-pace riffs. The drums which are compliments of a drum machine almost sound like a real drummer not sure how Luka set it up but the drumming sounds excellent and fits the guitars perfectly. Haiduk is definitely recommended to fans who enjoy thrashing/death metal with a lot of complex yet fast and chaotic guitar work. 

CHAPEL OF DISEASE 'Summoning Black Disease' (FDA Rekotz)

FDA Rekotz sure knows how to pick out the better quality sounding old-school bands out there in the never ending sea of bands that has been flooding the underground in the past few years. Chapel Of Disease is the label's latest offering and these Germans do a great job of mixing in '90s style tech brutal death of (early) Gorguts and Death albums mixed with some more straight-forward European and U.S. brutal death metal. The band also has some darker melodies for an extra layer of heaviness and darkness within the bands' already near perfect sound. Chapel Of Disease is a great example of of how you can keep the old-school traditional death metal sound but also add your own ideas to keep it fresh and original. Highly recommended to all death metal fanatics out there!!

SULPHUR AEON 'Swallowed By The Ocean's Tide' (FDA Rekotz)

Germany's Sulphur Aeon mix a nice blend of straight forward death metal and some melodic parts within the brutality. The guitars are non-stop riffs and mix in some decent riffs and few solos throughout the songs.The drumming is decent but nothing really outstanding - just non-stop beats, no real structure. Not a horrible album as this is the band's debut but there are definitely a lot better bands on the FDA roster worth checking out.

DEHUMANIZED 'Controlled Elite' (Comatose Music)

New York legends Dehumanized return with only one previous full-length under their belts (1998's 'Prophecies Foretold') and the band made quite an impact with this release, becoming one of New York's most recognizable slam/brutal death metal bands playing shows all over the U.S. The band re-united and was picked up by the mighty Comatose Music (a perfect label for Dehumanized style of music) and here we have the newest offering ' Controlled Elite'. Was it worth the wait? Does Dehumanized still have the fire and brutality they had so many years ago? The answer to both questions is yes! Dehumanized pick up right where they left off playing heavy mid-to fast paced guitars and bass with some slower heavier sections or the more pit inducing faster death guitars with some really well done riffs and solos. The drummer is simply amazing playing slower, heavier/slam beats or blasting away with aggression - either way this band does it to perfection! Great to see them back in action. If you are a fan from the past definitely check this out! Or if you missed them in the early 90s but enjoy brutal, slam death metal check this out you won't be disappointed.

Deceased 'Supernatural Addiction' review

DECEASED
'Supernatural Addiction'
(Hells Headbangers) 

I reviewed this album for Canadian Assault, the first time was back when it was released in 2000, now some twelve years later it gets it’s re-release through the cult label Hells Headbangers. Actually that brings back a memory, as I got the promo for the original release one day, listen to it, then go to the NJ Metalfest the next day and I end up hanging out with King Fowley himself briefly and letting him know I loved it. This album really featured the death metal kings Deceased feeling and sewing their heavy metal oats, which is where they came from. If you know much about these guys they were just as into heavy metal back in the 80s when this band formed as they were into thrash and death metal. They could have went either way, but chose to form a death metal band, what I am saying is this was no retro jump because it was cool at the time, these guys had lived it for decades. As for the music as I said this is a heavy metal record, not a death metal record, though you can kind of tell it is a death band at times playing it. But they do it so well, so fucking smoothly and write such catchy riffs and harmonies, that it blow your hair back. King Fowley’s vocals are great as ever, he is a talented drummer, but he really showcases his vocal talents on this album, sure you have a slight base of his gruff growl, but he conveys such emotive range on here, that I am just hypnotized and haunted by his vocals. The lyrical content on here sort of reflects the bands music choice, they reach back into classic metal for this album and the lyrics similarly reach back into classic horror of it’s early days, you know Poe, Lovecraft and that sort of old school horror story telling. If you made the mistake of missing this the first time around, you have received a second chance in this life to correct your mistake.
(Dale Roy)


Corpus Mortale 'FleshCraft' review

CORPUS MORTALE 
'FleshCraft'
(Deepsend Records)

If Deep Send Records maintain the quality of their releases the way it's been so far, they will definitely be one of the strongest labels around. Certainly they won't grow as big, as they don't care about the current trends at all, but they will definitely come out of it with pride and integrity. Same could be said for Corpus Mortale whose album 'FleshCraft' has a lot of early Morbid Angel influences. In a way the emphasis of the riffing is laid on 90's Florida's death metal, but it sounds so fucking dark and evil that it can easily destroy your ears. No matter what, the guitars kills and the vocals cut like razorz. Brutally vicious!!
(Paul Caravasi)



Deus Otiosus 'Godless' review

DEUS OTIOSUS
'Godless'
(Deepsend Records)

It's about time I got something new to review from this band from Denmark. Deus Otiosus are a death metal band, and one of the most extreme ones. You can tell that this is one of those few bands who will not alter their style for anyone, and that's fucking amazing. The blinding drumwork, the furious riffing, and the vocalist's hideous serpentine snarl are all that is necessary to create some of the most extraordinary and memorable music known to man or beast. This album is a must have for any death metal maniac, this band is easily capable of reaching Krisiun, Broken Hope and Cannibal Corpse-like speed, and they manage to make your head move in circles, great kick ass riffs, a completely masterpiece of inhumanly talent!!
(Paul Caravasi)


 

Agony Lords 'A Tomb For The Haunted' review

AGONY LORDS
'A Tomb For The Haunted'
(Chaos Records)

 If you don't know this band , you need to know that every member is talented with respected backgrounds and bands. Very good riffing with plenty of time changes, the music is constantly interesting, I assumed by the name that this was a black metal band - I was so wrong! This is good stuff however. Atmospheric-styled death metal which fills the void of originality not found in a lot of new musical projects. They do have the usual sound, but mix in strange but cool technical sounding drum playing. "The Spirit In The Tower" is the most memorable song provided with a nice riff ,double bass and solos. These guys from Mexico know how to play metal with rage and this CD has good quality recording too. Hope to hear more from them in the future. If you enjoy extreme metal with great musicianship ,definitely this band is for you!
(Paul Caravasi)


 

NunSlaughter 'Devils Congeries Vol.I' review

NUNSLAUGHTER Devils Congeries Vol. I Hells Headbangers By now everybody and his dog should know what NunSlaughter stands for...