Dismember/Death Metal/Nuclear Blast Records/1997 CD Review

Dismember are a band from Sweden that has been around for more than 20years and are one of the first Swedish death metal bands and this is a review of their classic 1997album "Death Metal" which was released by Nuclear Blast Records.

Drums are mostly fast with alot of brutal blast beats mixed in with some slow to midpaced drummin, while the bass playing has a dark tone that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are mostly fast Swedish style death metal riffs that mix heaviness and melody together mixed in with some slower and heavier riffing, while the lead guitars are very melodic and mix death and classic metal together.

Vocals are mostly deep death metal growls that are very easy to understand, while the lyrics touch on anti religious, misanthropy and other hateful topics, as for the production it is very professional sounding with all of the musical instruments and vocals having a good sound.

In my opinion Dismember are a very good band and this was one of their best albums, if you are a death metal fan you probably already have this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Misanthropic" "Let The Napalm Rain" "Silent Are The Watchers" and "Mistweaver". RECOMMENDED BUY.

Horrendous Interview

. Can you tell usli a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Horrendous is an American three-piece Swedish-influenced old-school death metal band. Matt and I (Damian) play guitar and do vocals, while Jamie plays drums. Jamie and Matt are brothers, and I met them at college in Columbia, South Carolina. We began jamming simply as friends, but things clicked musically. We soon formed as Horrendous in early 2009 with the goal of creating the music we enjoy most—old metal. Our formation was in an area where there are practically no metal bands, and certainly none of our style. We started writing raunchy hymns in our rehearsal space, and have been shredding eardrums ever since. A 5-song demo was written and recorded by the summer of 2009.



2. How would you describe your musical sound?
Like I mentioned, we have strong old-school death metal influences (a lot of it being the old Swedish Stockholm sound). We like to play death metal in the old vein, but we don't like to be a rip-off. We consider our influences, and add our own twist and personality to the sound. We just try to write music that we enjoy listening to. Though we listen to a lot of death metal, we also listen to thrash, old black metal, doom, traditional heavy metal, etc., all sorts of metal. As far as we're concerned, our music is a swirling miasma of decaying riffs with that classic Swedish tone.


3. What is the meaning behind the band's name?

We wanted a band name that referred to our sound, was grotesque in nature, but was also original (aka unused). So, we picked Horrendous—pretty self-explanatory.


4. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
The demo covers a vast array of topics, ranging from death and reanimation, to putrid philosophies and the darker areas of human nature.



5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Our performances are fun and intense, and tend to involve blood haha. We just like to have fun while we play, and make sure everyone has a good time. Our most recent show in Columbia, South Carolina, was our favorite so far. We had a good-sized crowd and it was basically a big party! It was a good mix of thrashing metal heads and terrified newcomers, who had never previously witnessed a death metal band.



6. Do you have any plans to tour Europe?
Not currently. We would love to, though—we hope it becomes a reality in the future. Contact us if you want us to play haha


7. Do any of the band members have any side projects, if so who are they and what kind of music do they play?
No, not at the moment. We're a fairly new group. We've all been in bands in the past, but currently it is just Horrendous for us.


8. How has the music been received so far by death metal fans worldwide?
Our demo has gotten great reviews, so far, and we couldn't be happier with the positive reaction! We've gotten contacted by people from around the world asking for a demo. We're really excited about it, and hope to keep spreading our music to true fans of death metal.



9. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
We plan to stay true to our goal of making rotting death metal the old way, while still uncovering new territory and writing original, morbid manifestations. We will keep writing the type of music we like to listen to. We keep what we like, regardless of whether it fits any preconceived molds, and incorporate influences outside of death metal to keep it fresh.


10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced the music and what are you listening to nowadays?
We are influenced by all the music we listen to, but most directly old-school death metal, and lots of old Swedish bands. We couldn't possibly list them all, but some examples are: Gorement, Eternal Darkness, Sarcasm, Internal Decay, Wombbath, Autopsy, Entombed, Dismember, Nihilist, Carnage, Nirvana 2002, Unleashed, Demigod, Darkthrone, Asphyx, Utumno, At the Gates, Eucharist, old Arch Enemy, Atheist, Cynic, Ripping Corpse, Crematory, Death, Morbid Angel, Rottrevore, God Macabre, Necrophobic, Crypt of Kerberos, Mordicus, Dissection, Cianide, and Katatonia. We are also influenced by other types of bands, like Kreator, Slayer, Forbidden, Celtic Frost, Megadeth, Pentragram, Iron Maiden, Manilla Road, Candlemass, and Mercyful Fate. Currently we're listening to all this stuff and more, some non-metal, plus some newer bands, like Bastard Priest, Swallowed, Trench Hell, Morbider, Tribulation, Miasmal, and Stench of Decay. Personally, I've been delving really deep into obscure, old death metal demos looking for some lost gems (occasionally wasting my time, but sometimes successful). Basically, we're obsessed with good, old metal and bands that sound like old metal.


11. What are some of your interests outside of music?
Music is by far the biggest interest for all three of us. Besides making it, we also listen to tons and tons of it. In addition, I'm very interested in audio production. I recorded and mixed all of Horrendous' material at my studio (Subterranean Watchtower). I have also done mixing and mastering for bands like Decrepitaph and Father Befouled. Outside of music, we spend a good amount of time watching sports, playing video games, suffering from ebay addiction (slaves to the timeless quest of acquiring first pressings), living on the internet, and beer, of course.


12. Any final words or thoughts?

Our demo tape was recently released by Dark Descent and Skeleton Plague Records. It's currently on sale from the labels and will be from a few different distributors (including Blood Harvest, Detest, Nuclear Winter, Iron Bonehead, Nuclear War Now, etc...). We also have some copies available for anyone interested. We're working on new material for a full length. If you haven't checked us out before, we hope you will—our myspace is www.myspace.com/horrendousdeathmetal. Thanks a lot for the interview!




-Damian, Matt, and Jamie

This is death...

This is real...

Kittie interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

We've been hard at work during 2011.  We wrote and recorded a brand new album, and we just finished up a 6 week tour of the US in support of our latest release I've Failed You.  The new album was really well received and the shows were really fun and successful.

2. how would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it
differs from previous releases?

I've Failed You is a heavy, intense, brooding roller coaster.  It builds on the foundation and the strength of our previous release "In the Black" but manages to take everything we established with that album a few steps further.  Sonically it is much more dynamic, and shows the maturity and the evolution of the band.  The songs are well written heavy, but have layers and depth.  The sounds are clean and clear, while still retaining a huge devastating production.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores
with the new album?

Lyrically this album is certainly me at my most vulnerable and most honest.  I went through one of the most difficult years of my life, and the themes are a direct reflection of the things that I went through.  I needed to be totally honest and open with myself, in order to go on this internal journey, and heal, so I really took a good hard look at myself and resolved to just write exactly what I was feeling.  no hiding behind veiled, ambiguous words.  Just honesty.  And it wasn't easy, but I feel like the process really made for a great album, and allowed me to heal.

4. Out of all of the shows that the band has played so far which one did
you enjoy the most?

We have played with a ton of bands over the years, and had the privilege and honor to share stages with some of the biggest and the best, but for me, the Ozzfest and touring with Pantera for 2 months will go down in history as one of the coolest, wildest, most fun experiences of my life.

5. What are the touring plans for the new album?

As stated earlier, we just completes a 6 week run in the US in support of the latest effort, but we will be continuing to to tour into next year, with possible Australia, and European tours looming, as well as another US run.

6. On a worldwide level how has your new album been received by older
and newer fans?

As far as I know "I've Failed You" has been really well received.  The reviews have all come back positive, but the thing that matters most to us is what our fans think.  I've seen and heard nothing but amazing things from people all around the world, so no complaints as far as I'm concerned.

7. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

I think our music will continue to get faster, heavier and much more complex,  It'll be dynamic and brutal, yet melodic and sad.  I think we've set the groundwork for whats to come with the last two releases, so we'll be building on that.

8. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced the new
album and also what are you listening to nowadays?

All 4 of the girls really enjoy a vast array of different styles and bands.  Tara is huge into blues, jazz and the like, but also listens to metal.  I listen to a ton of different stuff, from metal to indie rock, Ivy is pretty straight ahead metal, while Mercedes doesn't even listen to it anymore, so we draw from a variety of sources.

9. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

Outside of music, I love to cook, I love reading.  I'm a big fan of yoga and running, so I do that often.  I like to travel and I still enjoy movie and going to shows.

10. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanks so much to anyone who has supported us over the years, and continues to do so.  Our new album, I'VE FAILED YOU is in stores and online now.  Check out kittierocks.com for all the latest news!

Lifeless Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Lifeless was founded on a birthday party in fall 2004 by Andy (g.) and me (Marc, v./ g.). I had the idea to found a band in the vein of the glorious 90´s DM bands.
Andy was interested directly so we started to look for additional members. Unfortunately we had to deal with some private issues so everything was put on ice until late 2005 when we
started to look for other musicians again. In early 2006 the first line up started to rehearse as a real band. In 2007 we recorded our debut “Beyond the threshold of death” all by ourselves.
The mastering was done by Vesa from Swedish Evocation. In fall 2009 we signed with Ibex Moon Records which re-released the debut recently.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?
We just sound old school or, as we describe it mostly, traditional. The band was supposed to sound like the bands in the 90´s right from the start and that´s what we do.
First we didn´t think about sounding Swedish or so. We just wanted to sound old school. But it developed more and more towards the Swedish style sound wise.

3. What is the meaning behind the band's name?
We wanted to have a name that describes our music and it should have been in the vein of our favorite bands from these times. The early bands mostly had very short and simple names
related to death like Entombed, Grave, Dismember and so on. So we have chosen Lifeless because it matches perfectly to our sound and our traditional attitude.

4. How would you describe the lyrical content of the music?
Most of the lyrics have anti-religious topics. There is also some war theme lyrics on the album but one could say that my lyrics are meant as a kind of social criticism and
misanthropic thoughts in general. I often hate our kind when I look at the world and realize how stupid we still are in fact. On the next album the lyrics will deal even more with these topics.
Most are about tearing down the self built walls that tame our open mind. A revolution of consciousness to leave the old dogmas and traditions behind that bind us to a dead and rotting
society. We are all just slaves of the monetary system that keeps us devided from ourselves and the true meaning of life.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Unfotunately we didn´t get the chance to play some big summer festivals yet. That would be great. Until now we just played small underground club shows. But it was a great honour to share
the stage with Swedish Demonical last year. Next year we will hopefully get the chance to play some festivals and perhaps we will do a tour. We will see...
Our live performance is very simple to describe. We just enter stage and have fun. There is no image or wannabe shit. We are four metal heads doing the sound we like the most.
Headbanging, posing, having fun, kicking ass... that´s a Lifeless show basically.

6. The album was recently released in the States by Ibex Moon Records, how would you say the support has been from that label so far?
It was even released world wide on Ibex Moon. Well, John is a very dedicated and fair guy who loves DM as much as we do. So working with IM is very relaxed and cool yet.
It is the perfect label for a band in our position and with our attitude. We are very glad about the chance and the trust IM and John offered to us.

7. Your music is rooted in the Swedish sound even though the band is from Germany what made you decide to go for that sound?
Well, the early Swedish bands had a very big impact on us in our youth and still nowadays. As mentioned we didn´t want to sound Swedish right from the start, but it developed more and
more into this direction. In my opinion the Swedish sound is the best and most authentic DM sound. Besides there is no German DM sound at all. You can choose to sound the American
or the Swedish way if you want to sound old school. That´s it.

8. How has your music been received so far by death metal fans worldwide?
The response is very good thus far, especially from the US. We sold a lot of shirts and CDs worldwide yet. The underground seems to bit us very welcome. That´s great.

9. Do any of the band members have any other bands besides this one, if so who are they and what kind of music do they play?
Yes. Our drummer Daniel is also playing in Suffocated Art. A band more rooted in the American way of playing DM. They will record their second album soon and it will be great.

10. What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?
It will definitely stay old school but the songs for the next album are way more varied and more melodic in parts. Of course the production will be a lot better and there will probably be some great
guest appearances on it too.

11. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?
The main infuence for me personnaly are still the early DM bands like Entombed, Dismember etc. I still listen to their first albums and they inspire me still a lot. Of course there are also
some other influences because I listen to a lot of Metal styles but the old school way of DM is the most important to me.

12. What are some of your interests outside of music?
Well, I´m a graphic designer and I love creating coverartworks and the like. You can see my art at: www.myspace.com/artwarsmedia.

13. Any final words or thoughts?
Stay true to yourselves, stay open minded, don´t believe what the media tells you and support Metal....

Horrendous/Sweet Blasphemies/Dark Descent Records/2010 Cassette Review

Horrendous are a band from the East Coast of The United States that plays Swedish style death metal with a thrash influence and are a little bit more primitive and this is a review of their 2010 cassette "Sweet Blasphemies" which was released by Dark Descent Records.

Drums are mostly fast with alot of blast beats mixed in with some slow to midpaced drumming while the bass playing is all rhythm bass with some heavy and fast riffing that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are mostly fast primitive Swedish style death metal riffs that have some thrash influences and the slower heavy riffs have an American death metal influence to them and a small amount of melody, while the lead guitars are chaotic sounding death metal guitars.

Vocals are deep death metal growls that are very easy to  undertand,  while  the  lyrics  cover  gory  and  anti-christianity  themes,  as  for  the  prouduction  it  has  a  very  heavy,  dark  and  raw  sound.

  In  my  opinion  Horrendous  are  a  very  good  American  band  going  for  the  classic  Swedish  death  metal  sound  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECEMMONDED BUY.

Lifeless/Beyond The Thresholds Of Death/Ibex Moon Records/2010 CD Review

Lifeless are a band from Germany that plays old school death metal in the Swedish vein and this is a review of their 2010 album "Beyond The Thresholds Of Death" which was released by Ibex Moon Records.

Drums are very fast with alot of brutal blast beats being thrown in and there are also some slow to midpaced drumming, while the bass playing is all rhythm bass that follows the riffs that are coming out of the guitars.

Rhythm guitars are mostly fast death metal riffs that are in the classic Swedish vein with some melody and thrash influences mixed in with some slow heavy and brutal riffs, while the lead guitars are very chaotic sounding death metal guitar solos in the early 90's vein.

Vocals are deep death metal growls that are very easy to understand and I can hear a small amount of thrash influences and some high pitched growls, while the lyrics cover mostly death and dying themes with a small amount of anti religous topics, as for the production it sounds very heavy and professional with all of the musical instruments coming out with a good sound.

In my opinion Lifeless are a very good band that would appeal to all fans of old school Swedish sounding death metal and this has the Swedish sound down perfectly even though the band is from Germany. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Entombed In Final Graves" "Behold The Iron Cross" and "Casket Garden" which is a Dismember cover. RECOMMENDED BUY.

Zombiefacation/Midnight Stench/Chaos Records/2011 CD Review

Zombiefication are a band from Mexico that plays a Swedish style of death metal in the early 90's vien and this is a review of their 2010 album "Midnight Stench" which was released by Chaos Records.

Drums range from slow, midpaced to fast with some brutal blast beats being thrown in, while the bass playing has a dark yet somewahat powerful tone with alot of raw death metal riffing.

Rhytm guitars range from slow, midpaced to fast old school Swedish style death metal riffing with a thrashy edge, while the lead guitars are very chaotic sounding death metal guitar solos.

Vocals are deep death metal growls that are very easy to understand with some ocassional high pitched screams, while the lyrics cover deah, gothic fiction, and horror themes, as for the production it has a ery heavy, professional but still very raw sounding.

In my opinion Zombiefication are a very good old chool death metal band, in the classsic Swedish vien and if you are a fan of this style, you should check out this band. RECEMMONDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Cryptic Broadcast" "Broken Gravestone" "Hitchcock Screaming" and "Blood And Disgorge". RECEMMONDED BUY.