Vulture Wings Interview

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

Me (João Valentim - vocal) and my cousin, Alan Machado (guitar), started the activities of the band in September 2012. Influenced by UK and Swedish old school death metal bands, like: Carcass, Benediction, Bolt Thrower, Entombed, Dismember and At the Gates we wrote the first two songs (Necrophagous Majesty and Walking Corpse Syndrome respectively), and recruited Ted Fernandes (bass) and Wellington Cunha (drums) for the band. We made the first rehearsals adding to the set "Incarnated Solvent Abuse" (Carcass) and "Slaughter of the Soul" (At the Gates). A few weeks later Willian Passos (guitar) joined us.

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

"Funeral Grounds" is a death metal album basically. "Oath with no Words" the intro, is a song with very melodic and atmospheric guitars. "Tower of Silence" unleashes blast beats and a visceral sound. "Walking Corpse Syndrome" is the longest song in the album. It's the song with more variation too. There's no chorus and bpm changes all the time... "Necrophagous Majesty", is a typical 90's death metal song with blasts and doom parts.

3.The band has been around since 2012 but waited until 2016 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the first 4 years?

Before we find Daniel Escobar (who made the recording, mixing and mastering) in Rio de Janeiro, we recorded in three different studios in our city (Teresópolis), but nothing was satisfactory, two years passed in this process. So in the meantime we did some shows and wrote other songs to be released in the future. In early 2015 we started the actual recording, and the entire production process (recording, mixing, mastering, graphic work and everything else) lasted about one year.

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

I write about about bad feelings, horror, death, other ancient cultures... "Tower of Silence" talks about Zoroastrian Towers, "Walking Corpse Syndrome" is a song in the first person and talks about the horror of the "Cotard Delusion". "Necrophagous Majesty" talks about a dystopian future where the Vulture reigns supreme.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Vulture Wings'?

We wanted a name with the word: "Vulture". The entity "Vulture" symbolizes very well death metal in our view, so we added "Wings" to become more poetical.

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

Our stage performance is very intense, as we do a few shows we always have a lot of energy to spend on stage, it helps in intensity. We play the songs faster and it creates a stifling atmosphere on the stage.

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

Only a few shows in Brazil. There's no tour plan yet.

8.Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Yeah, we're looking for a label, to release our EP "Funeral Grounds" or a future release. "Funeral Grounds" would be released in Brazil in digifile format, but the brazilian label gave up. But now we are open to worldwide proposals.

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

We had little feedback so far, but what we had was very positive in Portugal and in the United States. And in our country the repercussion was bigger and we had a good feedback too.

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

We want to continue playing death metal, but adding many different elements to the sound without restrictions. We always try to do different songs from each other. The EP songs speak for themselves, because they are very different from each other. And we also want to do a concept album in the future.

11.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?

We are very influenced by the old school death metal, as some bands that we mentioned above. And what we are listening, I will speak for myself: Tribulation, Dead Congregation, Sonne Adam, Necros Christos... some icelandic black metal bands like: Svartidauði, Misþyrming, Sinmara, Naðra... and some brazilian doom metal bands like: Jupiterian, Son of a Witch, Monster Coyote, Saturndust...

12.How would you describe your views on Occultism?

We have curiosity in some themes. Mainly about life after death. But on the whole we approach the subjects in the third person, by the experiences of others.

13.What are some of your non musical interests?

I'll speak for myself. Books and movies (sci-fi, horror, philosophy), MMA, NFL and beers!

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

We would like to thank John and Extreme Metal Zine for your interest in the band. And for Brazilians: Gostaríamos de deixar essa mensagem em português para os brasileiros que sei que estão lendo também, obrigado pelo apoio e pela força de sempre! We expect 2016 to be a year of many shows! And in 2017 we expect to release some new material, if possible. Thanks for the support. Necro hailz from Brazil!!!

Diagnosis Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?: Yes, Diagnosis started in 2014 as a personal project by Erubey and Isabel; since we were out of work from our bands respectably we decided to start  in a different style that we were involved at that time. With the pass of the time, and checking the good point of view from people involved in Metal Music Mexican scene; we decided to get it to the next level and then we recruited talented guys to complete the final Diagnosis line up.

2.In July you had released your first album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording? As we mention in several times; Diagnosis takes roots from 90s Death Metal Style mixing it with important modern elements such as harmonic progressions and modal fusions used mainly in jazz and progressive music styles but keeping Diagnosis music into the brutal Death Metal vain.

3.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music? The concept of the lyrical topics on Sympathy for disease is deeply inspired by the testimony written by a critical patient, very important for Sigmund Freud’s investigations and diagnostics. The patient was Daniel Paul Schreber, a German man who suffered psychiatric detention.  The band’s concept is designed and inspired by all people like Schreber, who have psychological and psychiatric disorders. We are thinking about continuing with these topics for the next album, but that we will give news at the time

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Diagnosis'? “Diagnosis” means the art of identifying a disease or illness. The word “diagnosis” has a great power. A proper or improper diagnosis involves healing or death of a patient. So, while reading a text of Freud, it seemed appropriate “Diagnosis” for the band name.

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Each show has something different or special. Although specifically, the “Monstruos del Metal Mexicano” fest, and our nationwide venues has been more explosives. We are a band very integrated; our shows are dynamics. We enjoyed the stage!!

The Metal Fests has responded really well with our music, the people identified themselves with our sound and that’s has made them answering with good vibe, it feed us back up and down from the scenario.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?: Yes, we’re working on promote our first studio job named “Sympathy for Disease” with several global managers; and we’re expecting for the best conditions to start to touring at all. Nowadays; we have a nationwide tour in Mexico named “Blasphemy Forces” which will cover the most important places and fests in our Country; it will take place this summer in 2016.

7.The album was released on Db Metal Recording, can you tell us a little bit more about this label? dB Metal Recording is an independent Recording Studio set up 6 years ago; thought to support Mexican Metal Scene engaged with other organization named “Metal Demons”. In which talented bands could record and promote their music in live.

dB Metal Recording has a good tools and music background  to deploy music worldwide; It was founded by Guitarist Erubey diBello; hence the name dB (diBello) and Leo Rodriguez (RIP).

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of death metal? Response to our job has been good; and reviews in some worldwide places has support Diagnosis to start to engage more people to our project day by day; we really appreciate all the fans and people to take a time to listen our songs and we are thanked with them for the following up.




9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?

Arturo and Ever used to be part of a Melodic Death Band called “Relief of the Souls”. It last 2 years and a half. After that, many projects were tried, which of them had influences of black, death, shoegaze, technic and melodic metal. Nowdays they have 2 tentative projects; one of them is a Grind Death Metal sound called #Trabestia” and the other is a concept of Black Metal that still is in working process

Isabel was important part of Archetype and Cornucopia project; as well in other female fronted bands; so far she is focused 100% in Diagnosis.

Chaak was part of Hyperion band and nowadays he’s focused on Diagnosis totally.

Erubey was part of Mutilated and Hyperion bands; nowadays he’s working separately in a personal project named diBello Project that is based on rock – fusion style; nevertheless; He’s focused on Diagnosis 100%.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future? We have good plans and strategies to continue working and producing during the next 3-5 years; so … it is important to highlight that the band mindset is to transcend in Metal Music; hence we has settled important strategies to establish  market’s intelligence  to continue in the like of the people in future. In more simple words there is DIAGNOSIS for a long period of time.

11. 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?

Technical Death metal is one of the biggest genres with more influence in the band, also the Doom and its variants,

Death, Sepultura, Morbid Angel, Vile, Carcass, Iron Maiden, At the gates, Bolt Thrower is as well a big influence.



12. What are some of your non musical interests?

The regular interests such as Read, watch TV series, follow soccer matches, study, spend time with friends, rehearse, study, read, listen music, read … and so on.


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

Just to thank everybody for following up Diagnosis and be aware about our recent releases and news; please don’t forget to visit our Facebook profile and drop a salute at www.facebook.com/diagnosismx

As well you could find us in ReverbNation at 

www.reverbnation.com/diagnosismx

The Zenith Passage/Solipsist/Unique Leader/2016 CD Review

  The  Zenith  Passage  are  a  band  from  California  that  plays  a  very  technical  and  brutal  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Solipsist"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by Unique  Leader.

  Avant  garde sounds  start  off  the  album  and  after  the  into  the  music  starts  going  into  more  of  a  heavy  and  technical  musical  direction  along  with  soem  death  metal  growls  and  you  can  also  hear  a  lot  of  progressive  structures  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  great  amount  of  technical  elements  can  be  heard.

  Atmospheric  sounds  and  clean singing  can  be  heard  in  the  music  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  some  parts  of  the  songs  bring  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing  and  the  solos  and   leads  are  very  melodic  and  also  remain  true  to  a  very  technical  and  progressive  musical  style.

  The  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  as  the  album  progresses  high  pitched  screams  start  to  be  utilized  a  lot  more  and  they  also  bring  in  a  brief  instrumental  track  that  brings  elements  of  jazz  onto  the  recording  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  sound  while  also  adding  symphonic  elements  onto  the  recording.

  The  Zenith  Process  plays  a  style  of  death  metal  that  is  very  brutal,  technical  and  progressive  sounding  while  also  being  very  original  at  the  same  time,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover the  philosophical  and  metaphysical  idea  of  solipsism.

  In  my  opinion  The  Zenith  Process  are  a  very  great  sounding  technical  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out t his  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Simulated  Reality"  "Metaphysical  Solipsism"  and  "Luminary  Singularity".  8  out  of  10.

   

 

Omophagia/In The Name Of Chaos/Unique leader/2016 CD Review

  Omophogia  are  a  band  from  Switzerland  that  plays  a  very  brutal  form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "In The  Name  Of  Chaos"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Unique  Leader.

  Dark  sound  effects  and  spoken  word  samples  start  off  the album  along  with  some programmed  beats  and  after  the  intro  the  music  starts  going  into  more  of  a  heavier  direction  along  with  some brutal  blast  beats  and  dark  sounding  melodies  and  after  awhile  death  metal  growls  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  give  the  music  more  of  a  technical  feeling  and  high  pitched  screams  can  also  be  heard  in  some  parts  of  the  songs  and  the  tracks  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of war  samples  while  a  later  track  brings  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  while  the  main  focus  remains  more  on  a  heavy  and  brutal  style  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  prog  elements.

  Omophagia  plays  a  style  of  death  metal  that  is  very  brutal  while  also  being  very  technical  at  times  and  you  can  also  hear  a  great  amount  of  talent  and  skill  present  throughout  the  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  violence  and  war  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Omophagia  are  a  very  great  sounding  brutal  and  technical  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Willing  Whore"  "Love  Song"  and  "Wheel  In  The  Engine".  8  out  of  10.  

Fear Factory/Genexus/Nuclear Blast/2015 CD Review

  Fear  Factory  have  returned with  a  new  album  that  continues  the  industrial/groove  metal  sound  of  previous  recordings  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Genexus"  which  was  released  by  Nuclear  Blast.

  Industrial sounds  along  with  spoken  word  parts  start  off  the  album  before  going  into more  of  a  heavier and  symphonic  musical  direction  while  also  keeping  the  industrial  elements  and  after  awhile  aggressive  vocals  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording  and  you  can  also  hear  a  lot  of  groove  metal  elements  in  the  guitar  riffing.

  Clean  singing  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow, mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  just  like  the  other  albums  also  avoid  using  any  solos  and  leads  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  some  songs  also  mix  in  elements  of  nu metal  and  metalcore  and  the  last  track  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts.

  Fear  Factory  creates  another  recording  that  remains  true  to  the  musical  style  that  they  have  been  playing  for  more  than  20  years   and  if  you  heard  the  other  albums  you  know  what  to  expect,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  technology,  science  fiction,  hate,  society  and  anti  religion  themes.  

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Fear  Factory  and  if  you  are  a  fan of  this  band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Anodized"  "Protmech"  "Regenerate"  and  "Expiration  Date".  8  out  of  10.

  

Deathtale/Whole World Burns/Terrasound Records/2016 CD Review

  Deathtale  are  a  band  from  Austria  that  plays  a  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Whole  World  Burns"  which  was  released  by  Terrasound  Records.

  Atmospheric synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavy  thrash  metal  direction  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  after  awhile  death  metal  growls  that  have  a  tinge  of  thrash  to  them  are  added  into  the  music  along  with  some  high  pitched  screams  and  melodic  riffs.

  Guitar  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  and  old  school  metal  style  and  the  vocals  also  add  in  a  touch  of  melodic  groove  metal  at  times while  traditional  clean  singing  can  also  be  heard  in  some  songs  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  lot  of  mid  80's  and  early  90's  influences  and  clean  playing  along  with  classical  guitars  can  also  be  heard  briefly  and  they  also  bring  in  a  brief  instrumental  before  closing  with  a  vocal  track.

  Deathtale  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  melodic style  of  thrash  and  mixes  it  in  with  death  metal  to  create  an  old  school  style  of  their own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  violent  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Deathtale  are a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  death  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out t his  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Flesh  For  Sale"  "Before  blood  Flows"  "Warparth"  and  "From  Hell  Deutsch".  8  out  of  10.

 

Burning Hatred/Carnage/Vic Records/2016 CD Review

  Burning  Hatred  are  a  band  from  the  Netherlands  that  plays  an  old  school form  of  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Carnage"  which  will  be  released  in  April  by  Vic  Records.

  Sounds  of  war  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  synths  in  the  background  before  going  into a   heavier  musical  direction  which  also  introduces death  metal  growls  and  morbid  sounding  melodies  onto the  recording  and  when  the  music  speeds  up a   great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  the music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's.

  Throughout  the  recording you  can  hear  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  very  dark  and  melodic and  also  remain  true  to  an  old  school  style  of  death  metal  and  the  war  samples also  make  a  return   later  on  during  the  recording  before  making  a  return  back  to  a  heavier  musical  direction  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very powerful  sound  to  them  and  some  of  the  fast  riffs  also  bring in  a  small  amount  of  tremolo  picking.

  Burning  Hatred  plays  a  style  of  death  metal  that  is  very  old  school  and  rooted  in  the  early  90's  and  also  seems  to  be  heavily  influenced  by  both  the  Dutch  and  Swedish  scenes  of  that  era,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  war  and  anti  religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Burning  Hatred  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  death  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Reign  Of  Horror"  "Religious  Insanity"  "Doomed  City"  and  "March  Towards  Death".  8  out  of  10.