Bottlekopf Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

Sewko: Hi, Bottlefopf is a new band. It was found by guitar player and vocalist Chłosta – who played i.e. in Mastiphal or supported Furia and Massemord on tours in 2010. I joined in 2011 as a bass player. During last four years four drummers tried to play with us. ‘Completely Nothing’ was not recorded by our actual drummer – DaveBro. Second guitar is played by Pieklak.

2.Recently you have released a full length album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

If we have to put our music into some genre it would be death metal played with average speed, without solos and without blast, inspired by Swedish (but not In Flames!). In some tracks you can hear some Pantera inspirations or even some classics like Black Sabbath of Motorhead. It is simple music, simple and heavy.

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

Our first assumption was to write only about alcohol, but we held to it only in three cases (Our Veins Burn, Queen of the Night Has Fallen, Crushing to the Ground). Twice we are wondering about single human life, which is very small in comparison to whole society, humanity and the fate of the world (Machine and You in Her Gears, Whoever Win, We Lose).The rest is rather autobiographical and fantastic and matters only to the writer, but the most important is that Chłosta has something to scream out.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Bottlekopf'?

Common ground of our relations is (or was) an alcohol. For a very long time the name of the band was Overdoze, but we came into conclusion that, first of all, it is not very wise to give so much importance to alcohol abuse, and secondly, it is quite common name. Using first name we created a logo using the Tottenkopf symbol in the very mocking way – by knocking out a tooth, add cigarette, replacing bones by bottles and changing the shape of the original skull so it looks like hydrocephalic. Following that way of thinking we discover new name. Conjunction of Bottlehead and Flaschenkopf – BOTTLEKOPF.

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

As Bottlekopft we are at the beginning of our way. Considering that everyone of us has a lot of different commitments besides Bottlekopf, we have just recorded what we’ve got and now we can start to play gigs. No rush. On the scene we are putting on a lot of freedom and music, without any fireworks or dancers.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

No, there is nothing planned, but we are opened to propositions.

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

We have just released the material, but we already got e-mail form Peru and something is starting to happen.

8.What is going on with the other musical projects these days that some of the band members are involved with?
For the founder of the band – Chłosta and second guitarist – Pieklak Bottlekopf is the only project at the time being. Drummer – DejvBro and me play in thrash metal band Snake Eyes, where we are preparing to record next long play. Dave plays also in more progressive band called Sicknest, which is at the finish of work with debut album.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We will do nothing dishonest. If in the one year from now we would play power metal, it will be only because whole band feel like we need to do that and that will be honest. Although I don’t believe in that. I think we’ve got couple of riffs to discover in our genre, maybe even we will play some solo…

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

The biggest influence is definitely Entombed, Swedish death metal scene. Me and Chłosta very much like Death Breath! Of course many famous names impressed us. I also like a lot of underground music, and I frequently find bands that really knock me down. I like many different genres, not necessary metal ones, and I’m often pleased with music, where guitar is not the most important Powerful distorted guitars, double bass drum and growl, it is what releases endorphin in my body, but I’m searching for emotions in various musical regions.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

I like to watch and play football. I very much like reading books, I take a lot of inspirations form them. Besides, I spend time with many different people, I like it, you can live an interesting life just walking around and watching people, listening to them.

12.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?

Thanks for interview. We’ve said some words, now it’s time for music.

Dying Out Flame/Shiva Rudrastakam/Xtreem Music/2014 CD Review

  Dying  Out  Flame  are  a  band  from  Nepal  that  plays  a  very  brutal and vedic form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Shiva  Rudrastakam"  which  was  released  by  Xtreem  Music.

  A  very  dark  and  ethnic  folk  music  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  exotic  sounding  musical  instruments  and  a  few  seconds  later  female  and  male  hindu  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  and  after  the  intro  tribal  beats  found  their  way  onto  the  recording  before  going  into  a  fast  and  brutal  death  metal  direction.

  Growls  and  blast  beats  are  used  on  a  regular  basis  throughout  the  recording  along  with  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  and  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  and  bring  in  some  exotic  sounding  musical  scales.

  The  Ethnic  folk  music  elements  of  the  intro  are  also  mixed  in  with  the  bands  brutal  death  metal  sound  and  the  guitar  riffing  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  melody  at  times  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  some  ritualistic  spoken  word  parts  and  high  pitched  being  added  into  the  music  at  times.

  Dying  Out  Flame  creates  a  very  original  sound  combining  Hindi  music  with  brutal  death  metal  and  there  is  nothing  I  have  heard  that  sounds  like  this  and  I  can  see  this  start  up  a  new  genre  of  death  metal  in  the  next  few  years,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  the  worship  of  Lord  Shiva,  Vedic  Literature  and  Hindu  Mythology.  

  In  my  opinion  Dying  Out  Flame  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  brutal  death  metal  and  hindi  music  and  if  you  are  looking  for  something  very  original  sounding,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eternal  Mother  Of  Great  Time"  and  "Trinetra  Dhari  (Three  Eyed  One)".  8/5  out  of  10.

Blood God/Blood Is Mt Trademark/Massacre Records/2014 CD Review

 

  Blood  God  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  is  a  side  project  of  Debauchery  and  plays  a  hard  rock  form  of  heavy  metal  mixed  in  with  death  metal  on  the  bonus  tracks  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Blood  Is  My  Trademark"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

  A  very  hard  and  heavy  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  music  of  riffs,   leads  and  drums  and  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  amount  of  melody  in  their  musical  sound  and  after  awhile  aggressive  yet  melodic  vocals  along  with  back  up  gang  shouts  make  their  way  into  the  music  and  they  remind  me  of  a  mix  of  Ac/Dc,  Krokus  and  Accept.

  The  music  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  80's  while  the  production  makes  the  album  sound  more  modern  and  the  music  also  brings  in  some  punk  and  classic  hard  rock  energy  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  acoustic  guitars  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  main  focus  is  on  a  hard  and  heavy  sound  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  they  also  bring  in  plenty  of  bonus  tracks  which  are  all  of  the  regular  songs  on  the  recording  but  done  with  death  metal  growls  instead.

  Blood  God  go  back  to  the  mid  70's  and  early  80's  style  of  metal  and  mix  it  in  with  hard  rock  and  death  metal  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness  and  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Blood  God  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  death,  heavy  metal,  and  hard  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Slaughterman"  "Warhordes  From  The  Underworld"  "Blood  is  My  Trademark"  and  "Dragon  Beasts  Are  Rising".  8  out  of  10.
  

Imperious Malevolence/Doomwitness/Rock Brigade Records/2014 CD Review

  Imperious  Malevolence  are  a  band  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  brutal  and  satanic  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Doomwitness"  which  was  released  by  Rock  Brigade  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  brutal  old  school  death  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  growls  and  blast  beats  as  well  as  some  screams  and  dark  sounding  melodies  and  the  band  also  uses  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  after  awhile  solos  which  can  also  be  very  melodic  as  the  album  progresses  and  atmospheric  sounds  which  are  also  use  again  towards  the  end  are  added  into  the  music.

  You  can  hear  a  great  amount  of  raw  aggression  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  they  go  back  to  the  mid  90's  European  style  of  brutal  death  metal  and  after  awhile  keyboards  and  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  for  a  few  seconds  and  they  bring  an  epic  feeling  to  the  recording  and  at  times  you  can  also  hear  a  bit  of  the  Florida  style  death  metal  sound  in  the  bands  brutal  approach  to  metal  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  presence  on  this  recordin  and  on  the  last  track  sounds  of  thunder  are  added  into  the  music..

  Imperious  Malevolence  play  a  very  pure  and  true  form  of  death  metal  that  is  very  fast,  brutal  and  blasphemous  as  well  as  having  a  great  amount  of  talent  and  skill  present  in  all  of  their  tracks,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness,  Satanism,  and  Occultism.

  In  my  opinion  Imperious  Malevolence  are  a  very  great  sounding  brutal  satanic  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rot  In  Pace"  "Doomwitness"  "From  Chaos  Shall  Rise"  and  "Seek  For  Mephisto".  8/5  out  of  10.   

Dead Dark Slide Interview

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

From Ryan The band was founded in 1999 in tampa FL the first  thing we recorded was on an eight track tape

One of those let's make a fun metal project and see work goes nothing serious just have a good time and see what we came up with

2. So far you have recorded an ep and full length, can you tell us a little bit more about your musical sound?

FROM RYAN

I'm really heavily influenced from EYEHATEGOD to slayer & M.O.D & Long Winters' Stare

And also with gothic industrial from evil mother &  sisters of mercy always loved the dark side of Doom & death Metal

And also the underground metal scene

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

From RYAN

It's all about death destruction no mercy no pain think of the zombie wrapping you will part as you're watching them teach your test ends

But also with the Alice cooper thrill ride of demons that's a way we like to, work this project it's like to be rated horror movie that you sink your teeth 

in its a very twisted weird an excitable

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Dead Dark Slide'?

From Ryan

The name behind  the name I was trying to figure out a great death name something gruesome something out of Horror movie

This project has been called balcony of blood through dead pigs we came up with hundreds and hundreds of Corinne nasty rotting flesh, the names something that would give you a bad smell if you walk up to it but also if you're into metal or Horror you would want to sink your teeth in it

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

From Ryan 

best show We played at  a metal fast  years ago in tampa and we opened up for an open for Eviscerated Zombie Tampon

Stage performance today is like an Alice cooper meets true Horror when you see are shows we push the envelope

With the most bloodiest stuff you can see it's like something you've never seen before its a Horror music show

That is very entertaining DDS army loves it

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

From Ryan

Right now don't have any shows planned waiting for Eviscerated Zombie Tampon to get back in the town so I can start playing shows with them ,All 

let you know when shows to appear but I am working with the cosmic punch project to get that up and running

We'll be at fan boy in September in Tampa signing autographs and hanging out

7. Your recordings have been released on Dead Games Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

From Ryan

What a great label to be on any problems are issues they'll we solve it there doing a campaign to push this new album

They do a lot a advertisements and everything else to get our stuff out there radio play there's nothing like them when they get behind your project, deathly a company I can't wait to do my next album with because it's a record label and actually cares about what you do

And they allow you to have full freedom to do what you want there's not a lot a record labels out there that want you to crawl rate what if you want to create new Cool Metal they are The best record label to be signed to

8.  On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of industrial, goth, and metal?

Pretty good feedback people who get it love it but if you don't get it and you don't get that this is metal and were band that isn't that serious this project is about having fun in chlor rating at what ever you want to all of the critics that don't get it will never get music is about having fun you don't have to be mad because you're making metal or any kind of metal or if it's not up to was tampered because if you only listen  to Metallica you're never gonna like anything if you don't open your mind too all the different styles of metalThis project bands and fans love because it's making fun of metal it a fun way and if you don't understand that and you don't hear it

Once you open your eyes and you can have a sense of humor this is a great project because you can relax and have a good time it has its silly moments I love some of the reviews at we got so far that are taking so serious I think for the critics they need to sit back smoke a joint

Listen to cosmic punch sit back and enjoy a gray record that's what this record and all the other stuff we do it's fun the fan should never

Walk away feeling that they were neglected by an artist we will never disappoint any of our fans or critics because this is what you get a fun project sit back and enjoy listen to DDS I am dead record and enjoy it for what it is something fun

9. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

From Ryan

deathly more albums something heavier slower evil something like a dog company a cat and a cat having ferrets

I would probably say 2015 we'll put out another DDS record I am also working on the Man Milk record with Clint listing who is a wonderful artist that 

I known for over 30 years and some of the project said he has been in our amazing like Long Winters' Stare & As All Die & a Darkened Sea

& 4yrs of Suffering & Black Depths Grey Waves we wrote this power electronic metal noise project that once we get it done all the world will understand what is the band Man Milk we'll conquer the world

10. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

From Ryan

I am a huge morbid angel fan saw them couple weeks ago in Tampa got backstage passes,i  was hanging on their tour bus what a great bunch of guys I am personally friends with punchy who is their tour manager and a mall so friends with Thor who is there guitar player

Deathly a ban on wanna see more and more of a mean other stuff I listen to mega death evil church there so much good stuff out there,

11. What are some of your non musical interests?

I am a huge NHL hockey fan I'm a big Tampa Bay lightning fan

Also I love the go to flea markets comic book stores & any, game a store so much fun

12. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

From Ryan

Final word just one join The DDS army come check us out because if you like cool metal without the attitude

But also the joker had a right for metal why is so serious and let me tell you (how I got the scars) I went to a metal show?

Bane Of Bedlam Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band so far in 2014?
1. Nick here, and I'm joined by our close friend and guitarist Pauly Merenda. Some of you might remember Paulys work with us on 'The Last Testament', but possibly not be aware he had alot to do with the writing process of 'Monument of Horror'.
Alot of 2014 thus far has been vested in the future of the band. After the massive delays and setbacks we experienced with 'Monument...' we knew we had to approach things slightly differently from now on. We launched the album in March to a great hometown response and have headlined several other shows around Melbourne as well as travelling as far as Canberra and Sydney to play to new crowds which is always great.
We entered into a worldwide management contract with KillShot Management a few months ago which was a fantastic move for us and has already delivered some awesome opportunities for us. We're not able to discuss much of this as of yet, so you'll have to stay tuned!
On top of all that, we've hooked up a deal with our local studio - The Band Booth, and have permanent lock out access to our room. In here we've nearly completed the writing process for the next album. Always busy, looking forwards.

2.In October of 2013 you had released your first full length album, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical direction of the newer music and also how does it differ from your previous demo and ep?
2. Although 'Monument...' was only recently released, the majority of the material dates back 3-4 years in parts. We suffered nearly every setback one could handle, including the crushing departure of Pauly after his back was broken in a work accident. We've learnt alot in that time, not least of all musically. But compared to the previous releases, 'Monument of Horror' is alot more technical and progressive, with generally longer song lengths. Also a noticeable difference was the lack of Pauly and his lead work throughout the album. The solos on that album were written and performed by a session guitarist.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
3. Lyrically, Brad (Vocalist) explores topics of organised religion, government corruption, and the lies and deceit we are all fed on a daily basis. We're quite passionate about all this, and the so called free world in which we live. We're not preachers, we're not trying to convert anyone, we just have something to say. And if someone can take something from that, then that's a plus.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Bane Of Bedlam'?
4. Bane of Bedlam, to us, refers to the worst, most wretched vile thing to exist within a hellish, chaotic world. A somewhat paradoxical relation between the two.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
5. Pauly and myself both agree that the two Tattoo/Alternate festivals we played in QLD a few years back were definitely stand out shows to us. In terms of crowd attendance and response, the energy was insane. They helped us put our stamp on the local scene, anyway. The album launch was also killer, not a massive turnout but definitely a fantastic response. Our shows are honest, straight to the point and brutal. No gimmicks, just a bunch of dudes playing their music to a room of people. We're always chasing the cycle of energy-what we give out the crowd picks up and returns, and on it goes to a massive, wrecking ball crescendo.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
6. We do have quite some big news to announce soon, regarding shows/touring, so you'll have to check out our social media sites real soon. We'll just say some pretty exciting things are in the works...

7.Currently the band is unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?
7. We have received a bit of label interest both locally and overseas, but we're biding our time til we find the right people to work with. Hopefully, we find the perfect label who sees our dedication, passion and drive, and respects that enough to want to work in accordance with that.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death and thrash metal?
8. From a global perspective, the response has been far greater than we expected. As mentioned, the problems with 'Monument...' worried us. But it seems to be going down well with the fans, especially in Europe. Only yesterday, we were given a 4/5 rating in a Polish review from the one and only Metal Hammer magazine. Bit surreal that.

9.Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?
9. Personally I've been involved in a bit of session work locally, which is always a great chance to network and just make music. Apart from that, we're all 100% dedicated to Bedlam.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
10. We're always pushing ourselves individually as musicians. As a result, that comes through in the music we write and play. We've always been labelled a thrash band, but since the resurgence of thrash, we'd be happy to do away with that tag. Basically we want to write whatever we want - no limits. Wherever it comes from. We all listen to a massively diverse range of music, and we dont want to be a slave to the trend. We'll always have elements of speed, groove and brutality, its just in how we approach it that will help define us. Hopefully.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
11. We all love Revocation. Their playing and songwriting has been a massive influence on us lately. Spain's Angelus Apatrida are kicking some serious ass musically, too. Pauly's been getting back into Jeff Beck, Brent Mason, Rob Chappers, Guthrie Goven, guitarist's guitarists. I've been really digging Australia's Psycroptic as well lately, another brilliant band with their own sound. I think as a whole, we're also getting into a lot more progressive bands too. Both modern and old school. Alot of Mastodon. A great diet of Blood Mountain, Crack the Skye.... Cool music that makes you focus on the playing.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
12. Chris (Guitars) and Pauly both dig their cars. Myself and Brad both read and write a lot. Glen likes cats. Me and Pauly both have kids, so obviously there's a massive amount of love and inspiration right there. It's only made us better people and given us more drive.

13.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. We're just glad to still be making this ugly music together, in the same lineup since 2009. We've been through a lot, both as a unit and personally, but something has kept us together, kept us moving forward. We're very excited for the future, we have some big announcements to make, and feel like this is only the beginning of our career. We'll have a brand new album for you real soon, so if you haven't yet, pick yourself up a copy of 'Monument of Horror' or 'The Last Testament' EP and familiarise yourself with the material. Then come along and check us out live when we hit your town.

Thanks for your time

Sepultura/Les Tambours Du Bronx/Metal Veins-Alive At Rock In Rio/Eagle Rock Entertainment/2014 Live CD Review

  Long time  metal  veterans  Sepultura  who  need  no  introduction  team  up  with  French  industrial  percussion  group  Les  Tambours  Du  Bronx  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  live  album  "Metal  Veins-Alive  At  Rock  In  Rio"  which  will  be  release d in  September  by  Eagle  Rock  Entertainment.

  Tribal  style  drumming  and  industrial  sounds  start  off  the  album  and  a  few  seconds  later  powerful  sounding  bass  guitars  kick  in  and  after  the  intro  the  music  starts  going  more into  the  extreme  metal  style  that  Sepultura  are  known  for  while  still  keeping  the  percussion's  and  industrial  elements  along  with  some  aggressive  vocals  that  lean  towards  hardcore  while  still  having  a  death  metal  edge  to  them.

  While  I  have  not  listen  to  that  band  much  after  1996  I  can  hear  more  groove  and  nu  metal  in  their  sound  than  what  i  can  remember  and  the  solos  and  leads  the  band  uses  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  and  as  the  album  progresses  you  can  hear  more  punk  rock  style  energy  being  added  into  their  musical  sound  and  after  awhile  acoustic  guitars  are  brought  in  briefly  along  with  a  cover  of  Prodigy's  "Firestarter"  before  returning  back  to t heir  later  songs.

  Sepultura  do  mostly  their  mid  90's  to  early  2000  songs  and  add  more  percussion  and  industrial  elements  which  adds  more  variety  to  their  musical  sound,  the  production  sound s very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  political  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  decent  sounding  recording  from  Sepultura  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  live  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Refuse/Resist"  "Fever"  "Territory"  and  "Roots bloody  Roots".  7/5  out  of  10.