Undersave/Now Submit Your Flesh To Your Master's Imagination/War Productions/2012 CD Review

  Undersave  are  a  band  from  Portugal that  plays  death  metal  in  the  old  school  vein  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Now  Submit  Your  Flesh  To  Your  Master's  Imagination"  which  was  released  by  War  Productions.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  brutal  sounding  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  death  metal  riffs  that  are  in  the  early  90's vein  that  utilize some  thrash  influences  and  melody  in the  riffing,  while  the  lead  guitars  which  are  only  utilized  briefly  are  early  90's  style  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  deep  death  metal  growls  with  some  high  pitched  screams  and  samples,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  hateful  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  that  brings  out  the  classic  death  metal  feeling  in  the  music.

  In  my  opinion  Undersave  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  style  death  metal  band  and  if  you are  a  fan  of  this  style  of  music,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Digging  And  Blocking  The  Exit  To  Unwanted  Freedom"  "Disfigured  Routine"  and  "Anthology".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Southwicked Interview

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

Rock:  We are preparing to play TitanFestIII in Belgium this September.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album?

Rock:  I like it. I think it sounds like Allen West's guitar/writing and much more.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the new release explores?

Rock:  Marco wrote the lyrics on Death's Crown and its mainly about serial killers.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Rock:  We wanted to call the band Old Sparky but that name was already in use so we liked the idea of using a play on Alfred Southwick's (the inventor of the electric chair) name cause he was from my hometown, Buffalo NY and it fit with the concept of Death's Crown.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Rock:  Our first gig at Vlamrock in BE was a major blast.  It was my first gig in Europe and it was awesome to see a large crowd.  We played the Neurotic Deathfest in NL last year and that sticks out in my mind as well. We get onstage and jam..

6. Do you have any touring plans for the new release?

Rock:  Besides the TitanFest gig we have nothing confirmed as of yet. Stay tuned

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal?

Rock:  Mostly positive. Makes us feel good

8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?

Rock:  I'm moonlighting in a cover band here in Maryland called Never 2 Strong and may be recording a couple of songs for the California Death Metal band Lustmord in the near future.  Sven and Stef are doing well with Shattered Skull, They are playing a show or 2 with Six Feet Under soon.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Rock:   Wherever the wind takes us.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Rock:  I'm influenced by older Rock and Metal, Ac Dc, KISS, Sabbath, Maiden, Motorhead, Venom, ect ect.   I am older than Allen.  See your next question for what I've been listening too.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Rock:  I go to alot of Death/Black and Metal shows here in the Baltimore / Washington DC area. The Maryland Death Fest was a great time for the second year in a row.   I don't really have any interests outside of music.

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

Rock:  Allen West is back and Southwicked is gonna kick your ass old school style!

Poisonous Interview

1.      Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Michael Hellriff - We are a Death Metal band from the Brazilian city of Salvador - Bahia. We began our pact with the darkness in 2008. Since then, we are buried alive with Poisonous. We have a self titled demo, released in 2009 by Genocide Prods. Also in partnership with Genocide Prods. it has been released our debut album "Perdition's Den" on CD version in 2010. The same has just been reissued through the U.S. label Metalhit on a digipack issue with a new cover artwork. Poisonous aims to reach the valley of shadows and making echo the dark mutterings of death. Rage for chaos! To maculate victims with nasty sex, vomit forth hate, defecate in the book of lies, practice dirty orgies dirty, dull the veins with alcohol and drugs and defend the precious Death Metal severely.

2.      How would you describe your musical sound?

Michael Hellriff - Our sound is morbid, violent, primitive and lethal. Sounds like if the black venom of death became the sound from the depths of hell. Darkness is the core of our art. All of our most intense and impure feelings are present in our music.

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

Michael Hellriff - We like to talk about death, hatred, terror, darkness, pestilence ...

4.      What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Michael Hellriff - The band's name came when we made the black pact. Naturally it has been revealed before us manifesting itself at first place in the sick mind of our brother Alex Rocha, the man behind the drums. The name describes exactly what we are in life. Where there is faith we take sickness!

5.      I know that the band started out as Impetous Rage, what was the decision behind the name change?

Michael Hellriff - We have not changed the name Impetuous Rage to Poisonous, but renounced Impetuous Page to give life to the venom of black death called Poisonous! They are two different bands.

6.      What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?

Michael Hellriff - For us, all the dark appearances of Poisonous are significant and have the same level of importance. But in fact there are shows that make us a little more satisfied with respect to structure and organization. I can mention the gig in March 2010 sharing the stage with Benediction, Into the Corpse and Inside Hatred.

7.      Do you have any touring plans for the future?

Michael Hellriff - Our only plan is to continue playing DEATH METAL, recording rites of death and keeping ourselves in the dark side. Most of the tours underground bands are doing nowadays have the costs covered by themselves, and it is not in our plans actually. We look for something more worthy for us. We are willing to do gigs around the world, but with a structure at least honorable.

8.      Recently Metalhit.com re-issued the album with a Sarcofago cover, what was it that made you want to pay tribute to this legendary band?

Michael Hellriff - Yes! We love Sarcófago, and for us covering “The Black Vomit” couldn’t have been a better choice! Sarcófago has left its mark, showed the world the energy and power South American Metal delivers!

9.      On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal?

Michael Hellriff- We have had a very positive response on the part of the maniacs who have had the opportunity to listen to our DEATH METAL. We keep good contacts with zines, bands, labels, and diehards around the world. We support activities of the underworld, enjoy doing trades and we are people really dedicated to this wonderful way of infernal life!

10.  What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Michael Hellriff - We are preparing to enter the studio again later this year to record an EP. Subsequently the recording of this EP, we'll start working on recording our next album. There are some rites being prepared for the second album.

11.  I have noticed that the bands music is more rooted in the early classic death metal sound, what are your opinions on the more modern death metal bands that have came out in the last few years?

Michael Hellriff - I do not like overly elements in modern Death Metal. My school is the old one. I like things from the 80’d and 90’s in the case of more extreme metal and death metal. But I cannot but recognize the value of bands that are relatively new yet very good around there. for example Dead Congregation, Cruciamentum, Grave Miasma, Impetuous Ritual (USA), Blasphemic Cruelty, Godless, Unholy Lust, Blaspherian...

12.  What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Michael Hellriff- I'm a Metal addicted, and it has to be strong and dark. I try to be selective. I like violence, chaos, atmospheres and dense sound ... So I enjoy various Metal styles that provides me these elements. My preferred style is Metal of Death due to its mind-blasting ferocity. I will mention just some of the many bands I enjoy, they are: Samael (Worship Him) Morbid Angel (Altars of Madness), Possessed, Obituary, Sadistic Intent, Engrave, Infamy, Coffin Texts, Massacre, Diabolic, Exmortis, Nihilist, Angel Corpse, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Venom, Sodom, Brutality, Absu, Napalm Death (Harmony Corruption), Morbid, Dissection, Headhunter D.C., Shub Niggurath, Sanctifier, Morgoth, Slugathor, Godless, Sinister, Monstrosity, Pestilence (old), Cancer, Cadaver, Bestial Warlust, Ad Baculum, Impetuous Ritual, Inside Hatred, Sepultura (Old), Hell Light, Amen Corner, Black Dawn, Nihilistic Kaos, Nyktalgia, Verminous, Cryptborn...

13.  How would you describe your vies on Satanism, Occultism and Anti Christianity?

Michael Hellriff - To me any kind of religion means prison! I am totally against any kind of action or organization that obstruct the freedom of being. I believe in individual evolution, the self-reflections, attitude and strength. For me it is not necessary to serve a kind of doctrine to bear stance. The term Satanism for me symbolizes the freedom of being. It exists as the opposite, to rebel against the utopia. Fuck the slaves of lies! Occultism for me means seeking knowledge, to investigate theories, uncover secrets, to enrich the self existence so that it does not become empty. Anti-Christianity represents intelligence and power over oneself!

14.  Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Michael Hellriff - Professionally I am interested in music production and computer. In everyday life I like to read some books, watching horror films, medieval battles, serial killers, martial arts, documentaries on wildlife and on natural phenomena. I also like bars, barbecue with my brothers to the sound of some old stuff, too much sex, drugs, madness, chaos, terror, violence, blasphemy, among other madness. That’s my life!

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

Michael Hellriff - Absorbing knowledge is the way! Strength, insanity and darkness!

Xibalba/Hasta La Muerte/Southern Lord Records/2012 CD Review

  Xibalba  are  a  band  from  Southern  California  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  style  that  combines  hardcore,  thrash  and  death  metal  together  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Hasta  La  Muerte"  which  was  released  by  Southern  Lrd  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow, mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  tribal  style  playing,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffing  that  combines  hardcore,  thrash  and  death  metal  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the  lead  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  are  very  early  90's  sounding  death  metal  guitar  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  hardcore  style  growls  that  have  a  heavy  death  metal  feeling  to  them  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing  female  vocals,  while  the lyrics  cover  hateful  and  everyday  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  recording  from  Xibalba  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Soledad"  "Sentenced"  "Mala  Mujer"  and  "Lijuria".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Monsterworks/Man :: Instincts/Mortal Music/2012 EP Review

  Monsterworks  are  a  band  from  New  Zealand  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical styles  that  mixes  death,  thrash  and  power  metal  together  and  this  is  a  review  of their  2012  ep  "Man  ::  Instincts"  which  was  released  by  mortal  Music.

  Drums  range from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing h as  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  heavy  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  death,  thrash  and  power  metal  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  with  a  good  amount  of  melody  being  thrown  into  the  riffing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  full  chords  and  finger  picking  to  add  more  variety  to  the  music.

  Vocals  range  from  deep  death  metal  growls,  thrash  style  yelling  and  clean  singing  power  metal  vocals,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  anti  religion  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can h ear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  recording  from  Monsterworks  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  their  last  album,  you  should  enjoy  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Free  Will".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

Unconsecrated/Awakening In The Cemetery Grave/Chaos Records/Dark Blasphemies/2012 CD Review

  Unconsecrated  are  a  band  that  plays  death  metal  in  the  old  school  Swedish  vein  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  compilation  album  "Awakening  In  The  Cemetery  Grave"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Chaos  Records  and  Dark  Blasphemies  and  contains  both  of  their  demos  and  seven  inches.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  a  good  amount  of  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing that  is  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them,  as  for  the  synths  they  are  only  utilized  briefly  on  a  couple  of  songs  to  give  the  music  a  horror  film  feeling.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  old  school  Swedish  style  death  metal  riffs  with  a  good  amount  of  dark  sounding  melodies  being  thrown  into  the  riffing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  chaotic  sounding  death  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  classical  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  enhance  the  darkness  that  is  coming  out  of  the  music.

  Vocals a re  mostly  deep  death  metal  growls  mixed  in  with  some  high  pitched  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  gore,  satanic,  anti  christian  and  occult  themes, as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy,  raw  and  primitive  sound  in  the  early  90's  death  metal  vein.

  In  my  opinion  Unconsecrated  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  style  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  style  of  music,  you  should  check  out  this  compilation  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Path  Of  The  Ancient  Gods"  "Temple  Of  Darkness"  "Tombs  of  Fallen  Angels"  and  "The Curse  Of  Evocation".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

  

Hell :On/Age Of Oblivion/Metal Scrap Records/2012 CD Review

  Hell : On  are  a  band  from  Ukraine  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  a  musical  style  that  combines  death,  thrash  and groove  metal  together  with  their  older  material  but  go  for  more  of  a  straight  forward  thrash  sound  with  the  new  one  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Age  Of  Oblivion"  which  was  released  by  Metal  Scrap  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  thrown  into  the  music  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  tone  with  heavy riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording, a s  for  the  synths  which  are  only  used  on  one  song  they  bring  a  very  symphonic  and  evil  sound  to  the  music.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  thrash  riffs  that  only  utilize  a  small  amount  of  death  and  groove  metal  influences  which  was  more  dominant  on  their  older  stuff,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  chaotic  sounding  thrash  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads  that  utilizing  some  melody.

  Vocals  are  all  thrash  screams,  growls  and  shouts  which  do  not  utilize  the  heavier  vocals  of  their  older  material  except  for  some  parts,  while  the  lyrics  cover  hateful  and  everyday  themes,  as  for t he  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  recording  from  Hell : On  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Disaster"  "Let  it  Feed"  "Emptiness"  and  "Satan".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.