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THE SKYS THE LIMIT REFORMED & RESTORED WE THRIVE UNDER STRESS
#275
OPETH
WE GET A LOT OF SHIT
FOR THE WRONG REASONS
BRANT BJORK
STONED FOR LIFE
WRETCH
DOOMED FOR ALL TIME
LIFE &OFREVIEWS
PRODUCTION MY OWNEDITOR
Kez Whelan kez@darkartsltd.com
DESIGN
HARLEY FLANAGANs incredible story is not just the history of New York
hardcore, of which he is a founding father, but a history of New York itself.
Its allSteve
here, an Newman steve@darkartsltd.com
amazing series of unlikely coincidences, catastrophes, accom-
plishments and associations. chances are if it happened in New York and it
PA TO MY
was important and interesting? Harley Flanagan was somewhere in the room.
Harley Flanagan
If you care anything about music history, punk rock, hardcore or just a ripping
Clare Shoesmith clare@darkartsltd.com
Rhiannon Yardley
HARLEY FLANAGAN INTRODUCTION BY STEVEN BLUSH
WRECKING CREW
Beth Avison, Olivier Zoltar Badin, Ross Baker, Adrien
Begrand, J. Bennett, Steve Bidmead, Alex Boniwell, Dean This book is the punch in the face you want and need.
Brown, Louise Brown, Ed Chapman, Serena Cherry, Anthony Bourdain
FERAL
Faye Coulman, Robyn Doreian, Chris 'Frenchie' French,
feralhouse.com HOUSE
I
Noel Gardner, Ian Glasper, Benj Golanski, Tim Horrocks,
Rod Hunt, Steve Jones, Mike Kemp, Jim Martin, Andy ts always a pleasure to feature Darkthrone on the cover
McDonald, John Mincemoyer, Mrat, John Muskett, Jos of Terrorizer. They are a truly reliable band that not only
Carlos Santos, Rob Sayce, Joshua Sindell, Kevin Stewart-
continue to deliver utterly awesome songs, but fly the
Panko, Guy Strachan, Rich Taylor, Andy Walmsley
SNAPPERS
flag for the metal underground. New album Artic Thunder WHAT TEAM TERRORIZER HAVE BEEN SCARING
Dan Fellowes, Steve Gerrard, Dan Gray, Kane Hibberd, Rod Hunt, doesnt disappoint and we hope youll enjoy our cover THE NEIGHBOURS WITH THIS MONTH
Zen Inoya, Gobinder Jhitta, Marie Korner, Mark Latham, feature as much as I enjoyed reading it when it landed in
Enda Madden, Al Overdrive, Al Pulford, Andre Purvis,
my inbox.
Christian Ravel, Antony Roberts, Ester Segarra, Alex Solca,
September is always a time when the music industry
MIRANDA YARDLEY
Emma Stone, Taya Uddin, Leigh van der Byl (PUBLISHER)
SUBSCRIPTIONS recovers from the summer festivals and starts to look HELEN MONEY
Tel: +44 (0) 1635 879 389 forward to closure on the year, and believe it or not, start to 'BECOME ZERO'
(THRILL JOCKEY)
TO ADVERTISE IN TERRORZER think about 2017 and next years releases. On the horizon
Contact miranda@darkartsltd.com / +44 (0) 20 7729 7666 theres new albums from a newly reformed The Obsessed
WORLD DISTRIBUTION
Marketforce
and Obituary just to whet your appetite already. Next year DARREN SADLER
(CONSULTANT EDITOR)
marks the 30th anniversary of Celtic Frosts Into The
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3148 3333 BRANT BJORK
Pandemonium, so I hope to see some kind of reissue. Noise/ TAO OF THE DEVIL
PRINTING
Wyndeham Heron Tom G if youre reading! In the meantime, the rest of the (NAPALM)
year will see an awesome line-up at this years Damnation
The views represented in this magazine are not necessarily those
of Dark Arts Ltd. Best endeavours have been taken in all cases to
Festival in Leeds and a fuck load more releases to look KEZ WHELAN
represent faithfully the views of all contributors and interviewees.
forward to including amazing albums by Venom Prison, 40 (PRODUCTION/REVIEWS EDITOR)
The publisher accepts no responsibility for errors, omissions or the Watt Sun, Lucifers Chalice and The Dillinger Escape Plan, to URFAUST
EMPTY SPACE MEDITATION
consequences thereof. name just a few. Ive also just finished reading former Cro- (VN)
Mags bassist Harley Flanagans biography which is utterly
2016 DARK ARTS LTD.
Terrorizer is published every four weeks. No part of this magazine fantastic. Its out at the end of this month, well be bringing JOSCARLOS SANTOS
may be reproduced without the prior consent of the publisher. The you an interview next issue and if you only buy one book this SENIOR WRITER
publisher cannot accept responsibility for the advertisements in NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS
year make sure its Harleys!
this publication. 'SKELETON TREE'
See you next month! (BAD SEED LTD.)
TERRORIZER, ISSN 135-0677, is published Monthly by Dark Arts Darren Sadler
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AWARDS
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Innovation in Publishing' Award 2005 - Highly Commended
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FEATURES
14. DARKTHRONE
Metals most influential duo talk us through the darker, more
introspective territory explored on seventeenth album Arctic Thunder
24. NEUROSIS
Scott Kelly talks us through new album Fires Within Fires and
performing in a new version of Shakespeares Hamlet
28. OPETH
The Swedes evolution continues with dazzling new opus Sorceress
REGULARS
The ex-Kyuss drummer kicks back to talk name changes and the
growing acceptance of marijuana
36. GOAT
We talk myths and misdirection with the mysterious psychedelic
72. DARK RECOLLECTIONS
4. FRONTLINE The mighty Cirith Ungol remember the turbulent
collective
Wino gives us an update on The Obsesseds comeback times that produced their final album, the oft
record, and Insomnium explain their epic new 40-minute 38. TRAP THEM
overlooked Paradise Lost Sounding meaner than ever, Trap Them are feeling rejuvenated
song
74. LIVES 42. 40 WATT SUN
6. STUDIO REPORT We report back from Bloodstock, Portugals After years trapped in legal hell, 40 Watt Suns stunning second album
Benighted give us a little teaser on their forthcoming slab Amplifest and Blackpools Rebellion Festival is finally here Patrick Walker reveals all
of brutality
80. MIX TAPE 44. EPICA
8. FEAR CANDY Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastards Jessica Ball The Dutch power metallers on space exploration and Dio holograms
Everything you need to know about this months artists who compiles some of her favourite tunes for us
are featured on this months slab of heaviness 46. HALSHUG
Southern Lords latest crusty trio discuss d-beats, depression
10. CHOICE CUTS
Monoliths, Gatecreeper, Lucifers Hammer, Endless Swarm,
p56 and Denmark
2 TERRORIZER #275
EZ WHELAN
EDITED BY K
E O B S E S S E D
T H THE OBSE S S E D A R E B A C K W ITH NEW ALB
IN G C A
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S T
S
O
A
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NOW
W IN O TELLS
OTH
TERRORIZER WHY N
Within, he says. One thing that happened was I took
work on their new album Sacred, and Scott Wino a track that was going to be on my next acoustic record.
Weinrich cant wait to get it out there. Recorded with Frank Marchand, our producer, has all this amazing
producer Frank Marchand at Waterford Digital Studio, the vintage gear. I am surrounded by amps and pedals. Dave
album is scheduled for an early 2017 release via Relapse. and Brian chip in ideas and we will split the profits of
Scott is animated and passionate when it comes to the record three ways. The Obsessed were always about
why he elected to reform doom legends The Obsessed, the diversity, we have some Hammond organ and some crazy
group he cut his teeth with in the late 70s before going fucking vintage pedals there. We have fourteen songs and
on to join the equally lauded Saint Vitus in the mid-80s, two covers one is Crossroader by the band Mountain. All
then returning to the group four years later to soldier on the tunes have their own flavour.
until the mid-90s. Over twenty years after The Obsessed To hear Wino sounding so enthused is greatly inspiring
T
hese songs deserve to be on an Obsessed released their final studio album The Church Within, Wino considering the events of November 2014, when Wino was
album. When our drummer Brian has resurrected the group with the help of Spirit Caravan deported from Norway having been caught in possession of
Words: Ross Baker
[Constantino] came on board I saw the light. bass player Dave Sherman and new drummer Brian eleven grams of methamphetamines.
The Obsessed deserves more than a handful of one off Constantino. I had to be really loaded to do Saint Vitus, Wino
shows. Its like a combination of Lunar Womb, Mother, notes gravely. The arrest was my bad. Im out of the band
Reformed doom legends The Obsessed have completed Teacher, Destroyer by The Hidden Hand and The Church by mutual consent but it was my choice. Dave Chandler
4 TERRORIZER #275
BULLET POINTS
Blzer have announced www.Soundcloud.com/Bolzer/i- www.Facebook.com/UrfaustOfficial partly in the deep woods of Valevaag on the
that their highly anticipated am-iii South Western Coast of Norway, and is some
debut full-length will be entitled Enslaved have just unveiled The of the bands most experimental material.
Hero. Its not due out until Dutch black metallers Urfaust will Sleeping Gods Thorn, a compilation The compilation is due this November on By
November 25th, but if you head release Empty Space Meditation next consisting of two EPs they released in 2010 Norse Music, and comes complete with liner
over to their Soundcloud page, month, their first full-length since 2010s and 2011 respectively. These songs were notes from vocalist/bassist Grutle Kjellson
you can check out a brand new acclaimed Der Freiwillige Bettler and recorded both in Solslottet Studio in Bergen, and artwork from Costin Chioreanu.
ten minute song called I Am III. fourth album overall. as well as the band members own studios and www.ByNorse.com
INSOMNIUM
data from the firemans communication devices
were recorded. Now you can see that there were
bombs in parts of the buildings and it was
a staged thing! Relapse initially passed on
signing The Hidden Hand when I pitched them
F
Mother, Teacher, Destroyer but these days they innish melodic metal luminaries Insomnium Together with increasing moves toward a fittingly
have a lot of new people working there and a are poised to drop their seventh studio opus, frostbitten black metal influence in the vein of such
lot of them are Obsessed fans. When I heard Winters Gate via Century Media later this month. genre-defining classics as Emperor, Sevnen comments
Relapse were interested I was psyched. Comprised of a single 40-minute track that follows an of this vintage feel, I think it somehow just crept in
At 55 years old with such a storied epic Viking fantasy saga penned by none other than there quite subconsciously. As soon as we had the
discography behind him, Wino is under no illusion visionary frontman Niilo Sevnen, the ambitious project story, we all had the same kind of inner feeling about
that its make or break time where The Obsessed are takes notable inspiration from Edge Of Sanitys 1995 this and, as we started writing the riffs and putting
concerned. classic, Crimson. them together, we quickly realised that we were all on
Ive had a lot of chances in my career and I know This is really taking things to the next level for us, the same page. Totally the same kind of melodies and
I want to make the most of this. Maybe one day The reports Sevnen. That a heavy metal band releases a atmosphere that really resembles a lot of stuff that we
Obsessed can play in front of 2,000 people rather than short story in the form of an album, book and audiobook. were releasing in the 90s. Its a dark and dreary story
200. This band deserves it. Its truly like a multidimensional work of art. Everybody and the music absolutely had to fit that. A very winter is
Ive been talking to has been really enthusiastic about the coming kind of feeling.
Sacred will be released in February 2017 via idea and luckily no one so far has accused us of trying Set to be debuted live in the UK in its epic entirety
Relapse to be too artistic or difficult, the vocalist laughs. With in January 2017, Sevnen and co. have confirmed that
www.Facebook.com/TheObsessedOfficial Edge Of Sanity legend Dan Swan handling mixing and plans for Insomniums upcoming touring cycle are
mastering duties, the studio veteran warmly praised the already underway. Brace yourselves!
forthcoming epic as a a progressive masterpiece made
IVE HAD A LOT OF from the ashes of all the albums I mixed in the 90s. www.Insomnium.net
BLEAK PARTS AND DIRTY SAMPLES Totally. As we speak, the rest of the band are
recording all the music, then Ill go there and do
A lot of things happened since the my closest friends. But whereas in the rest of the my vocals alone with Kristian in about three days,
release of your previous album Carnivore band we all have day jobs and family, hes always thats usually what it takes and Ive done a lot of
Sublime, including an almost complete been the one whos wanted to become a fulltime pre-production so Im well prepared.
overhaul of your line-up since youve lost musician. Thats why hes been doing so much
three members out of five session work and was always on the hunt for a As a nurse working in psychiatric
Julien Truchan (vocals): Indeed! The first blow was big band. So when he got the gig with Abbath hospital, youve done pretty fucked-up
when out of the blue right after Hellfest, both our we werent supposed to talk about it then we concepts for the band before. Is that
latest bass player and second guitarist announced really encouraged him to take his chance. But on once again the case then?
to us they were leaving. They both had a pop band the other hand, we told him that we werent his Oh yes. This time, the whole album is centered
on the side and next thing we knew, they were backup plan and that if he was leaving Benighted, around one schizophrenic persons obsession with
pressured by their manager to focus on their pop it was for good, even if it didnt work out with maternity after a childhood trauma. So he picks
future and drop that stupid metal thing. So they the Norwegians and he totally got that. It was up roadkill and then sews them on his body. The
basically left without warning, leaving us with only actually Romain Goulon from Necrophagist who ensuing infection raises the temperature of his
one month to find two replacements before our got in touch with us. We had thought about him body and he starts to believe that those animals
next gig. It turned out for the best as we replaced before but we believed that he was too busy and are actually alive and that he somehow resurrected
them with guitarist Emmanuel Dalle who is a that we were too underground for him. But he them and so on. Its pretty fucked up!
phenomenal musician and former Aabsinthe bass told us that he didnt care about the money and
player Pierre Arnoux who also does great backing that Necrophagist wasnt going anywhere since Have recorded anything extra, for a
vocals. The craziest part is that Dalles first gig with their guitarist/vocalist Muhammed was such a limited edition for instance?
us was at the Sylak Open Air in August 2014 in perfectionist that hes been scrapping everything Yes, we actually recorded two covers as well. I
front of thousands of people and where we shot he writes ever since 2004s Epitaph and that they wont tell you of which songs but lets say that
our first DVD! havent played live in years anyway. one is very old-school and the second one is from
the black metal realm. I think its going to surprise
Then your close friend and drummer So the new boys were pretty involved in many people
Kevin Foley left the new albums songwriting?
Its a different story: Kevin was and still is one of Mostly Emmanuel as hes written nine of the www.Facebook.com/BrutalBenighted
6 TERRORIZER #275
Artwork: KEN COLEMAN (WWW.ARTOFKENCOLEMAN.COM)
All the best things come in pairs, and our Fear
Candy CDs are no exception. Heres the first of
this months terrible twosome, eighteen prime
cuts of sonic savagery...
TerrorizerFearCandy.Bandcamp.com
1. WORMROT 5. OPEN SURGERY
'Fallen Into Disuse' from the Earache album 'Certain Death By Radiation' from
'Voices' the forthcoming album 'Post Mortem
This one minute twenty seconds of pure aural Mutilation'
disharmony is taken from the Singapore grind- Hailing from Finspng in Sweden, Open
sters face-ripping third album Voices. Surgery formed in 2012 and play preci-
Facebook.com/Wormrot sion surgical death metal.
Facebook.com/OpenSurgery
9. CALLIDICE a continuation on the themes Myth of Life
2. ((RSJ)) set with their 'Erinyes' EP, melodic death
'Scarlet' from the self-released EP 'Scarlet'
'Hit The Road Jack' from the Three Sixty Music 6. INDOMINUS metal with a lot of thrash metal, metalcore
Callidice was formed in the winter of 2014 in the
album 'Giant Glenn' 'Legion Within' from the Legion Within EP and straight up death metal parts.
middle of cold and snowy Finland. Scarlet offers
This eruption of ugliness and rage will certainly 'Legion Within' Facebook.com/MythOfALife
fine melodic tunes and true Finnish melancholy,
make you shut up and listen. 'Giant Glenn' Indominus is a five piece death metal
spiced up with heavy growls and intensive playing.
features guest vocals from Raging Speedhorn's band from Northern Ireland, forming from 15. FREEZES DEYNA
Facebook.com/Callidice
John Loughlin and The Qemistss Olly Simmons. the still twitching carcass of another 'Only Fucking Human' the Sixteentimes Music
Nasty, Naughty and downright noisy. band, they released their debut EP
10. GRAND MASSIVE single
Facebook.com/RSJBand September 2016. Only Fucking Human is our first glimpse of
'Deliver Me' from the Metalville/Flying Dolphin
Facebook.com/IndominusNI
album 'III' the bands yet unnamed upcoming album.
3. STILL FALLING Freezes Deyna reanimate the corpse of
Germany's massive metal squad is back with
'Observ' from the self-released album 'Free 7. WHERES MY BIBLE crossover and throw it right back in your
their third album of heavy, doom-loaded riffs
of Avidya' 'Last Passage' from the self-released EP face, fresher than ever.
and headcrushing grooves.
This Greek five piece produce a perfect balance 'The Beginning' Facebook.com/FreezesDeyna
Facebook.com/GrandMassive
between brutal riffage, multifarious vocals These Finnish metalhead friends started
and scene-setting melodies in this track which a metal band with rocknroll flavour and 16. KLONQUE
11. THE BLACK HOUNDS
showcases the bands potential. the metallic taste of energetic Mosh 'You Think You Know' from the 623950
'Gallows' from the Twisted ninja EP 'Gallows'
Facebook.com/StillFallingBand and Roll. Records DK EP 'Burn Particularly'
From the birthplace of heavy metal come
Facebook.com/WheresMyBible
The Black Hounds, with powerhouse vocals, Burn Particularly is a wild mixture of death
4. OUTRIGHT RESIS- metal, thrash, heavy groove and furious gui-
thunderous basslines, searing riffs and
TANCE 8. MERCYLESS tar work and two singers roar their against
chest pounding drums. Dark, powerful and
'Gee, Dysphoria' from the self-released EP 'My Name Is Legion' from the Kaotoxin the politics of Nazi fucktards. Klonque is the
ball-achingly intense.
'Me Vs. I' Records album 'Pathetic Divinity' new band from Peter and Thomas of Germany
www.TheBlackHounds.com
Outright Resistance have been getting Genuine old-school unholy death metal s own thrash pioneers Holy Moses.
around, with their heavy gigging veterans Mercyless go back to their roots,
12. NEBULAE COME SWEET Facebook.com/Klonque
schedule including UK and European somewhere between their two cult 90s
'Le N' from the Ghastly Music/Miner Records
tours, and a recent slot at Bloodstock. albums Abject Offerings and Coloured 17. REDEYE REVIVAL
album 'It Is Not The Night That Covers You'
These fast rising Herts groovers convey Funeral. Their sixth studio full-length 'Party Food' from the self-released EP 'Raise
This metal trio from the Belarusian marshy
positive messages and ridiculously heavy Pathetic Divinity a full-on aural assault Hell, No Regrets'
plains drifts through your earphones with
grooves. against everything deemed holy and the The spirit of gonzoid party thrash is alive and
sweet and heavy tunes of melancholy and the
Facebook.com/ one nailed to the cross. well with Redeye Revival, the speed metal
mysteries of night...
OutrightResistanceBand Bit.ly/Mercyless_Shop
Facebook.com/NebulaeComeSweet maniacs have a raging crossover sound
that is custom designed to cause absolute
13. SACRAMENTAL BLOOD bedlam.
'Demonized' from the Ghastly Music/Miner Facebook.com/RedEyeRevival
Records album 'Ternion Demonarchy'
This Serbian death metal division delivers 18. STONEHEAD
the ABC of death metal, heavily rooted in 'Mama Always Told Me' from the Kick the
early 90s style and wrapped in the modern Flame album 'Inner Demons'
sound of Stefano Morabito and the16th Cellar Stonehead combine highly energetic
Studio. A.gressive, B.rutal, C.atchy D.eath rocknroll with stoner and psychedelic ele-
metal. ments as well as dashes of blues. The band
Facebook.com/SacramentalBlood is the brainchild of four long-time friends
from Dresden, Germany, who play the music
14. MYTH OF A LIFE they love and feel, irrespective of genre
'Waiting Die' from the Sleaszy Rider Records conventions and boundaries.
album 'She Who Invites' Facebook.com/StoneheadRocks
KLONQUE
The full-length 'She Who Invites' is essentially
8 TERRORIZER #275
Artwork: KEN COLEMAN (WWW.ARTOFKENCOLEMAN.COM)
Its been a couple of years since we scoped the
music from the other side of the world, here is the
result, fourteen tearaway tracks of Australian
antipodean anarchy...
TerrorizerFearCandy.Bandcamp.com
TERRORIZER #275 9
Pic: Richard Culm
MONOLITHS
I WAS HATING SOCIETY AND PLAYING A LOT OF
GUITAR TO FIND SOLACE
I
was hating society and playing a lot Ommadon are one of my favourite bands, though it was riffy. Henrys drumming then
of guitar to find solace and mental and I love the way Tobin plays, so when made the band feel the way it feels. Through
space away from its destructive and Tobin asked me, it made sense to me that jamming, he built the dynamics of the songs
brainwashing stranglehold on the mind, we should play some riffs together, Tanya and the drums set the lengths of the riffs
begins guitarist David Tobin, who those of continues. It can be pretty tricky to find time through the way the rhythms build and flow.
you in tune with this little islands drone/ for everything, but I also think that if you are His drumming tells a story and hes got a bit
doom scene will recognise as being one half into making something, you reserve time for of the Bill Ward about him (I hate playing
of Ommadon. Some of the riffs were written it, even if that time is short. You just have to beats. Im an orchestration drummer)! We
in Glasgow, a city that could be beautiful be more focused! Playing in a three-piece is didnt really talk about it though and we just
but is run by corrupt and small-minded men, a different dynamic then playing in a two- kept playing until it felt right.
some were written years earlier in rmchi, piece or a four-piece, which is part about The trio have just released their self-
a city under martial law run by even more what makes Monoliths enjoyable for me. This titled debut (which Tobin describes as two
corrupt and small-minded men. I had a lot of band gives freedom that perhaps you dont songs, seventeen minutes each, riffs), and
riffs together which were written during those get playing as a two-piece. With Bismuth, there are plenty more riffs where that came
moments that were slightly more energetic Im constantly worrying that I cover all the from! Were obviously juggling Ommadon,
and less morose than the soporific nature of frequencies I want to, but with this band, I Bismuth, and Moloch (amongst other things)
Ommadon. Me, Tanya [Byrne, of Bismuth, know that Tobin has got my back. and jobs but were playing Nottingham,
Megalodoom, ex-Diet Pills] and Henry [Davies, We didnt have a plan at all, says David. Glasgow, and Newcastle at the start of
of Moloch, ex-Army Of Flying Robots] had I just wanted to play these riffs. And I September. Were up for more and for
been friends through music for a long time wanted Tanya and Henry to both play the touring too. Get in touch.
and I thought, who is my favourite bass player way they wanted to because I love the way
and favourite drummer in the UK (that Im not they play. Heavy but raw and aggressive. Id KEZ WHELAN
already in a band with!) and they were both say me and Tanyas playing slotted together Monoliths is out now on Dry Cough
into it. Im lucky. pretty seamlessly and it felt quite droney even www.Facebook.com/MonolithsDoom
10 TERRORIZER #275
player Terry Butler and vocalist Ed Webb forming
Hideous on one side and on the other, drummer
Mike Mazzonetto and guitarist Rick Rozz starting
The End.
While Hideous have just wrapped up their first
proper recording, The End shot first with the
Crawling Back To Life demo last January. Now
properly mixed and mastered, those two tracks
(plus two more) have just been released officially
as Age Of Apocalypse, an EP that can be
perceived more and less as a direct continuation
of Back From Beyond since Rozz confesses
that two of its tracks were originally written for
Massacre and that the moniker The End was
chosen as some kind of ironic reference to what
had just happened.
Mazz and I we knew right away we would
continue making music together, all we had
to do was to find the proper singer/bassist to
complete the trio, he explains. Enter Michael
THE END
Grim from Panama Citys Death Before Dying,
whom Rozz has known for a few years.
Age Of Apocalypse was what was shopped to
labels to get a new contract but the six-stringer
I
n 2014, less than six months after the legendary death-metal act Massacre threw in OLIVIER ZOLTAR BADIN
release of their long-awaited proper the towel for the third, and most probably, last Age Of Apocalypse is out now on FDA Rekotz
second album Back From Beyond, time. Their latest line-up split in half, with bass www.Facebook.com/TheEndFlorida
TERRORIZER #275 11
LUCIFERS HAMMER
IT SEEMED TO US AS A POTENT NAME FOR A HEAVY
METAL BAND
C
oming across like a hungry young Demolition Steel, with whom we recorded While theyve just completed work on
version of Iron Maiden, complete with a demo, but it quickly ran into the sand a four track EP, theyve already started
all those sing-along guitar harmonies for various reasons beyond our control. working on their next album, to strike while
and galloping parts yet with a foot firmly We took the name from a book by Larry the iron is still hot. And it doesnt seem
set in the occult and armed with the kind Niven and Jerry Pournelle, a science fiction to matter to them that even though lately
of creepy tales King Diamond mused about disaster novel first published in 1977. At Chile has become synonymous with great
in Mercyful Fate, Lucifers Hammer follow the beginning it seemed to us as a potent bands, most of them are death metal to
the dark heavy metal trail of fire left by name for a heavy metal band but we never the bone and not very likely to be mistaken
the too ephemeral Metal Grave. After a first thought about it in a satanic way, of course with a lost Neat Records act
demo (Night Sacrifice) released in the fall people can think whatever they want. Im just happy that my country has
of 2013 only six months after they had As most classic heavy metal records go, shown a great variety of bands lately. This
initially formed in Santiago, the initial pair the albums hand drawn artwork illustrates being said, its not hard to pick up a guitar
of Titan (drums) and Hades (guitar, vocals) the albums red thread. and start making music. The real problem
enlisted the service of Hypnos (bass, guitar) The story behind the artwork and here is to find a proper studio to record
just in time to commit to tape their debut concept of the album is one of a medieval your stuffs in. Ironically, we seem to get
album Beyond The Omens. warrior and his three guardian wolves. more support from abroad than from our
The basic idea was to play traditional Chosen through a dream by ancient own people but its still very encouraging
70s and 80s metal confirms Hades. We prophecies, he knows hes got to fight to to see foreign record labels showing their
are also really fond of the NWOBHM, 70s reconquer his land and bring back joy to interest in our part of the world.
bands and the American speed metal scene, his oppressed people. But after a terrible
as well as progressive bands such as Camel battle, he dies on the battlefield, yet OLIVIER ZOLTAR BADIN
but its hard to limit our influences to knowing that he has defeated tyranny and Beyond The Omens is out now on Shadow
specific styles or scenes. Prior to Lucifers that his spirit and legacy will live on long Kingdom
Hammer, we had a speed/thrash band called after his death. www.Facebook.com/LucifersHammerBand
12 TERRORIZER #275
the promotion is the best way to describe
them, says vocalist Graham Caldwell. It also
means we get to work with incredible bands
from the other side of the world. Our entire
US tour is being booked using contacts weve
made through splits with two US based bands.
We currently have two more splits planned,
the Gets Worse split 7, then we have a split
7 coming out with Disparo from Australia
which we aim to record in November. Their
recent split with Leeds fastcore darlings
Lugubrious Children finds them laying down a
furious cover of Terrorizers Storm Of Stress,
a band were pretty big fans of here if you
hadnt already guessed.
Were all heavily influenced by early
grindcore bands like Terrorizer, Brutal Truth,
ENT and Napalm Death and we thought
we could make quite an interesting cover
PIC: Positive Cacophony of a Terrorizer song giving it more of a
powerviolence twist. Im really happy with
ENDLESS SWARM
how it turned out as it does sound like an
Endless Swarm track rather than a straight
copy of a Terrorizer one At least I hope so!
The band are just about to hit Europe with
Groak ahead of that aforementioned US tour,
R
aging Edinburgh grind outfit Endless (ahem) of splits since their first demo back in The Endless Swarm/Tools Of The Trade Split is
Swarm are a hardworking bunch, having 2013. out now on Mind Ripper Collective/Kusottare
put out a seemingly endless swarm Splits are great! Half the cost, double www.Facebook.com/EndlessSwarm
TERRORIZER #275 13
DARKTHRONE
14 TERRORIZER #275
Fans crashed their website when Norways most revered metal duo posted a pre-order up for Artic
Thunder such was the excitement that DARKTHRONEs new album was finally being unleashed,
and we understand why completely! TERRORIZER spoke to GYLVE FENRIZ NAGELL and TED
NOCTURNO CULTO SKJELLUM about the creation of album number seventeen
D
ont you wish there were more bands like the first time in many years Im doing all the vocals continue to be Tedthrone and Fenrizthrone, I think.
Darkthrone? Seriously, think about it, on the entire album. When I became aware that I Weve never tried to make varied records, but
even if youre one of those still pining for was going to do all the vocals, I thought that I had thats what it always ends up being, Fenriz muses,
another blaze in the northern sky, put that aside to do a lot of things right in the sense of having but Ted agrees on the hardened consistency of
for a second and think about what the duo of to go all in, to adjust to the darker, more black this new collection of songs. He got the idea
Gylve Fenriz Nagell and Ted Nocturno Culto metal kind of vibe. But then again, you can always that it would be more consistent to have just one
Skjellum really mean to metal. If a band was ever ask what is black metal, so he trails off and vocalist, and in the end it just happened. I think it
true to metal, to extreme music as a whole, that everybody lets out a groany laugh, signalling that suits our music this time. Its not so nice. Hah, no,
band is Darkthrone. Completely, unashamedly free, weve all been down that road too many times and we wouldnt use nice to describe any part of this
they do what they want, how they want, when they wed all rather not do it again. record, no no no.
want, and have never, ever cracked beneath any So Fenriz picks up on this initial Arctic If everyone thinks that, then I think its okay,
pressure, expectation or fan entitlement syndrome, Thunder description talk. Fenriz proceeds. The songwriting has been divided
a condition they have experienced probably more I wanted us to go into a more introvert style, for a long time now, and it was one of my plans
than any other metal band of our time. These two he says. Weve been doing freestyle wildly and to sort of mess with that somehow. Since I had
men have real character, it shines through in the celebratorily, even, I feel, in the last albums. We problems overcoming the last album, I tried to do
music they do together, keeping their individuality were particularly happy with the last one and we something else instead, and bringing Teds vocals
while at the same time creating a unique fusion of thought we couldnt top it continuing in that to all the songs does indeed help in making it feel
very different personalities. The hyper-opinionated, style, so I thought wed go in a direction that like more of one piece. One piece Adidas tracksuit!
super enthusiastic complete music freak who knows is a bit different. But thats all in my mind! I he laughs, and as usual makes everyone laugh too.
every demo from every obscure metal band of communicate some of my thoughts to Ted, but of Also I had like four albums in my mind for my
the 80s, and the quieter, seemingly impenetrable course I have no control of what he does, he does direction. For instance, one of the four was the
iceman who is the only person alive capable of what he wants. Im the only who usually changes first Candlemass, but then when I sort of shook my
out-Frosting Tom G. himself how can you beat stuff up, and I think his style is more or less like head, after everything was recorded and made and
that? You cant make that shit up even if you tried. the usual and my style is slow I was trying to I could finally listen to what we did, the first thing
And we are privileged to live in a time when weve make slow heavy metal, mostly. But then again, Im hearing is, where the hell did this Candlemass
witnessed this band put out seventeen (count them what is my thought before I start making music inspiration go? I cant find it at all. Usually I have
and include Goatlord, because Fenriz does: We turns into something else. I cant just make slow something in mind, but that doesnt mean Ill sit
always count it, we worked damn hard on it!) full- heavy metal, I made one totalitarian album, which down and write a similar riff. Its something foggy,
length records, among them some of the best black was Transilvanian Hunger, and that was the only I know the album so well and I need some guiding
metal albums ever, and some of the best death Darkthrone record that was done all in the same light, but thats it. Then when Im done making
metal albums ever some of the best metal albums style. the riffs and songs and I can hear it, its time to sit
ever, full stop. Come on, admit it, how many other down and actually, like a journalist, review what
S
bands do you know that would still get you all o once more there is some variation, and it sounds like. I have done that for that first song
excited for the release of their seventeeth studio while a couple of listens will indeed make that was premiered, I spoke some words so I can
album? clear to any long time Darkthrone fans which just guide everyone through what I feel it is. I cant
Thats what Arctic Thunder is, and while it four songs are Teds and which four songs are of course do it for Teds tracks, because he doesnt
follows a recent lineage of boisterous, almost Fenriz, the clash is much, much less noticeable this tell me anything, never talks about it to me even,
celebratory albums, it seems to be the one that time than it has been in the past few records, and he doesnt have any guiding lights at all. He just
breaks the streak, and which consequently inspires its not all due to the unity provided by the vocals. sits down and makes the riffs, and it doesnt really
fewer words from its creators. In the last few years Ive become more and work that way for me. He doesnt talk about his
Its always difficult to say something about more of a music journalist. More and more Ive stuff at all I think all the journalists should go
our albums, but one thing that is pretty obvious is gone into the promo circles that we take part of, up to his house and stand outside and have a
that this one is more sinister than the last ones, and Im always seeing bands trying to find their demonstration. We want you to do interviews too!
Ted ventures, to start off. Its darker, and also for style, for lack of a better term, but we will just Its always me and I can only talk about my stuff.
S
o, one more for that growing shelf. Its that I could make my own songs. The first thing when it comes to playing guitar, bass, drums or
now seventeen full-length records, plus I wrote before Darkthrone was probably extremely singing, but my ears and my brain have a lot of
all the other different releases, not to shit, but from there, it could only get better. The experience, and thats what the songs are a result
mention the non-Darkthrone stuff each of the first song you make will have a lot of flaws, so of, I think. Its personal taste, but shaped by
two have been involved in. Their lifes work, as youll keep trying to do better and better. Still me working really hard to be interested in a lot
one usually says. Is it, though? today, I think our songwriting, or at least my of bands. Im thinking maybe thats one of the
Im very happy with everything, Ted states, songwriting, is based on a general feeling coming reasons why it seems hard for Metallica to write
without a hint of doubt. Im proud of every from inside. Im not really specifically inspired nowadays, maybe theyre not completely immersed
record. We set out as a young band, trying by anything. This is a shocker I dont listen in listening to new stuff all the time. A lot of
to be the best we can with our instruments, to music very much, especially not in the past bands that started in this century, it seems that
and that probably shows on Soulside Journey few years. I like the silence. I do have my record when theyre taking off in their careers, its not
and Goatlord and stuff like that. The first collection still, of course, and I try to check out like it was in the 80s. Back then, when a band
thing a band wants is to release an album, and bands here and there. I think both Fenriz and took off and got a record deal and worldwide
we did it with Soulside Journey, and it was me are intelligent enough to realise that if we distribution, it seems they stopped listening to
awesome! Back then there were no CD burners dont have anything good to come up with, well other bands, but with the bands from the last
or anything like that, so when you put the CD see that before anybody else. But while we have fifteen years, its been so normal to listen to music
in the player youd only see track 1, and it was this understanding of the band, and we feel that all the time even though you break through. Its
our track. What a feeling. It was really nice, and we can play around with music and make good a big, new world now, and people are more like
I think that after that there have been so many music, theres no reason to quit. real music freaks. 2015 was a really great year for
things going on, both in our personal lives and Maybe if we just quit and I have a whole metal and hard rock. I made a lot of radio shows
also in the way we have agreed with each other different life, Fenriz continues, then maybe and I ended up buying 45 albums that came out
in Darkthrone. Already in 1994, it was only Ill feel more proud [about Darkthrone], because that year on vinyl.
the two of us left in the band, and its been now its something thats constantly with me, Im One important flaw though 2015 didnt have
really easy. Fenriz and I have always agreed on working on it and have to talk about it all the a Darkthrone record. 2016 just fixed that.
each direction weve wanted to take the band, time, referencing my person within these works.
and weve played together for so many years Sometimes its impossible to distance yourself Arctic Thunder is out now on Peaceville
that there are no misunderstandings any more. from it, its a kind of a trap too. Being just two www.Facebook.com/pages/
Looking back at everything, I think we can call people, weve made a hell of a lot of songs Darkthrone/101075189934422
18 TERRORIZER #275
RED FANG
I
come from a scientific background with a live unit. Aaron points out that finding a producer you every time but he does it with love. Its not like
degree in biology so Im pretty sceptical who could capture the essence of the band live was come on assholes, play that shit better!. There were
regarding anything supposedly supernatural. important, yet the acquisition of nu metal producer a couple of times when I was playing a bass part and
I believe that ultimately even when you have a Ross Robinson might seem a strange choice for the fun he didnt feel I was engaged enough and wanted me
scientific explanation for something, it doesnt reduce loving stoner rockers. to play harder. I was concentrating too hard in staying
the mystery of how the universe works, Red Fang Hes like a coach for bands, Aaron says. He spent on the beat and not just playing with feeling so he
singer/bassist Aaron relates. Only Ghosts is about a lot of time in the world of motorcycle racing so hes started grabbing my strings and pushing me while I was
the personal insecurities that people have forced upon very competitive. We heard some stories about the playing. It changes your energy as you have to start
them. I dont believe in ghosts; why do we let things crazy methods he uses in the studio to get the most fighting him hes unorthodox but effective!
torment us so much? Science doesnt have to be out of his bands, but he worked with our friends in Taking the direct approach sonically was
clinical. I dont believe in ghosts because I dont believe Cancer Bats and they had nothing but good things to invigorating for Aaron; something which is reflected in
theres a rational explanation for them. The world is a say. He needs to know what all your songs are about so the artwork for Only Ghosts.
magical place without ghosts or any supernatural stuff. he can get the emotional truth of who you are. For John [Sherman, drums] is obsessed with geometric
Its crazy that some people put so much stock into the vocals we would spend as long as an hour talking patterns and simplicity. Our artwork has always been so
something that isnt even real! The band is going great about the subject matter of the song. It got pretty involved and complex and we wanted something more
and we arent in a dark place in our lives, but there are intense sometimes. Just before stripped down. Its a reflection on the record because
still things that piss us off! I was about to record hed scream a word at me there are no real overdubs. Its got a real live feel.
Gaining a reputation for a ferocious work ethic that connected with the lyrics of that song. It was Only Ghosts is certainly darker lyrically, but Aaron
touring with acts like The Dillinger Escape Plan and distracting, but it took you out of yourself and allowed denies that the band have lost their fun loving side,
Mastodon, Red Fang have hardened into a watertight you to focus on the emotion of the song. He challenges famed for silly music videos like Blood Like Cream,
20 TERRORIZER #265
FORCING YOURSELF TO SMILE DOES
MAKE YOU FEEL HAPPIER
which sees beer loving zombies drinking a small town important television appearance. disconnected from what we were doing for the first
dry. We were playing The David Letterman Show few songs. I decided that we should start doing
We like to have fun with the videos. We have and I was shitting myself as the show goes out live, the handshake to help us get motivated. Forcing
something special in mind for Not For You which will Aaron recalls. We had to load in at 6am, which is yourself to smile does make you feel happier. There
be out soon. We cant promise there will be anyone seven hours before most of us are awake. Once the so much research that suggests your body effects
famous like Brian Posehn or Fred Armisen this time but show started I was in the green room and my nerves your emotions.
how knows? Were not goth teenagers were guys we going crazy. We got together before we went Red Fang have a reputation for being a beer
in our forties. There are lots of dark things in life but onstage and raised our arms in the air together. drinking party band, but for Aaron that part of
its important not to get mired in negativity. Its your Putting your body in certain positions helps touring life is over.
attitude to life that affects the way your life is. You can change your mood. It definitely worked that day. I have an issue with yeast which means I cant
still joke even in the darkest of times. The handshake thing comes from a psychological drink beer anymore. I loved the taste of beer but
study I read in The Economist which advised that now I have an exercise routine and changed my diet
W
hile Aaron doesnt believe in the groups perform better when they have psychical Im so much healthier. I can still have fun on the
supernatural, it appears superstition is contact. There has been a strong correlation that road with the guys whilst they drink. I still get to
not something Red Fang are immune peoples performance is increased if they have some enjoy playing the shows and travelling. This band
to. The Red Fang pre-show handshake ritual is an physical contact like a hug or a handshake. We has never felt like drudgery. Fun is a big part of
omnipresent event which takes place before each drive ourselves on tour and we all have our pre- what keeps Red Fang together.
of their performances. However, even this is rooted show rituals. I go walking and Brian plays pinball.
in scientific theory and helped the group overcome We spend a couple of hours away from each other Only Ghosts is out now on Relapse
bouts of stage fright, including one prior to an and then we would get onstage and we would feel www.RedFang.net
TERRORIZER #265 21
LET IT DIE
22 TERRORIZER #275
Everything
is possible
if you have
the right
mindset
NEUROSIS
Not only are NEUROSIS celebrating their 30th anniversary, but they are Its more direct for sure, echoes co-frontman
Scott Kelly. I think it also has the most delicate
showing no signs of stopping with the release of formidable new album things that we have done. I think if you question
Fires Within Fires. Mouthpieces SCOTT KELLY and STEVE VON TILL what youre doing too much you lose the magic.
Fires Within Fires took time to conceive
discuss its creation and address the future but much of that delay can be attributed to
logistics. While Steve calls the rural countryside of
Words: Ross Baker Photos: Stefaan Temmerman Coeur dAlene, Idaho home, Scott resides a two-
hour plane ride away in Medford, Oregon, with
F
ew acts can lay claim to a legacy like the start with a few ideas but this time we had remaining members Noah Landis, Dave Edwardson
one that Oakland luminaries Neurosis nothing. We put aside time outside of work and Jason Roeder based in California. While the
boast. Prior to celebrating their 30th to generate a few ideas and by the end of the band members have never occupied the same
anniversary with a glut of performances in the following weekend we had the skeleton for town since the Souls At Zero days, Steve and
US and Europe (including two historic and the entire record. Its never happened that fast. Scott insist the lack of physical time together has
unforgettable sets at Roadburn Festival in The We didnt have time to work again until that made Neurosis more productive in the long term.
Netherlands), the quintet finished their twelfth November but we felt confident that we were Scott also cites producer Steve Albinis timely
studio album, the mammoth and primal beast, ready to book the studio with Steve Albini in approach to working in the studio as a factor.
Fires Within Fires. December. We all knew the material and worked We shouldnt confuse calendar time with
We got together in February 2015 for a on our own parts, but the album almost presented hours spent, Steve notes. Its not a cerebral
couple of weekends in a row, Steve Von Till itself to us. We dont operate in a cerebral way. process for us. This album came together quickly
recalls in his warm, gruff tone. Normally we Our music is very instinctive. and effortlessly but that was because we let things
24 TERRORIZER #275
I THINK IF YOU QUESTION WHAT YOURE
DOING TOO MUCH YOU LOSE THE MAGIC
flow and were as productive as possible in the with Steve. We started in emotional and financial strain
short time we have. We dont waste our time a warehouse much like the MEMORY LAPSE on the Kelly family, who accrued
with anything frivolous. We surrender totally to studio he uses so it fits us thousands of dollars in medical
Scott Kelly on forgetting lyrics
the music to ensure that its honest, original and perfectly. I hope the day bills. Thankfully a family friend
never comes when we need
to Push Me Onto The Sun at set up a GoFundMe.com donation
pure. We dont even need to speak about it. After
to use another producer. Roadburn Festival page which saw fans and well-
thirty years as a band you have to learn to trust
T
the process and the way every member works. hat was a funny situation. wishers donating in droves. Whilst
A
Weve never been content to sit on our laurels lthough Fires Within There was no other way to not fully cured, Sarah Kelly has
and only rely on our strengths. We constantly Fires came together handle it. I was in deep shit. Ive never her sight back and her condition
step into places that are uncomfortable and push quickly in February asked someone in the audience for the has improved considerably.
our personal and musical boundaries. There are 2015, tragedy struck Scott lyrics to one of my songs before. I had Shes doing much better than
always new ways to be heavy and emotional. only a month later when to do it again when I got to the second this time last year, Scott says.
Weve found a new approach to explore what his wife Sarah developed a verse! If I forget a word with Neurosis Unfortunately we still dont have
Neurosis is. mystery illness. Waking on its easier to disguise. I wouldve been any answers and she did receive
Were never going to be a band that wastes the morning of March 24th fine if I hadnt forgotten my notebook some permanent disabilities. Its
time and money in the studio, Scott insists. and finding herself unable before I boarded that damn plane. The been hard but shes incredibly
We write it and get it done. Having eight days to walk or see, Sarah has lyric went out of my head. Im lucky that tough and resilient. She blows me
on this record is a luxury; typically we take since been receiving constant fan was there for me! I was laughing away. I dont know what I would
seven to record and mix. We thrive under stress. treatment. For Scott, it was about it for quite a while. It was one of have done if this had happened to
Steve Albini has you recording in four hours. We an unbelievably traumatic my favourite shows Ive ever played! me. She never stopped fighting.
have grown to be friends and enjoy our time time, putting both an The doctors have been bullshit.
TERRORIZER #275 25
NEUROSIS
P
erforming not one but two landmark Some of the stuff is pretty right where I live. I was hired sixteen but both are steadfastly
sets at this years Roadburn Festival was painful from the point of how years ago as a stage hand and then protective of their legacy, while
a highlight amongst many for Neurosis far we have moved on and how sound technician. Theyve been aware emphasising that the future is
and their fans. While delving into their back unevolved it is. We are proud of of my music for some time, but this all that interests them.
catalogue to unearth some forgotten gems, they all our history and what it took year Paul James Prendergast, a sound We have no regrets
elected to play what are in Steves words, some to get where we are but were designer, approached me about writing because even the bad decisions
songs we figured people would enjoy that we not 18, 22 or 27 anymore. The music for the production. The director we made brought us to this
wouldnt necessarily. nostalgia thing has its appeal wanted a much darker version of the point, notes Scott. We will
There are already plans to revisit more pre- but were not natural performers. play focussing on the ghost story angle. do Neurosis until it kills us. We
Through Silver In Blood material, with the It is just a by-product of He then had the idea that I could play will do it until one or all of us
exception of the first two records Pain Of Mind creating this music which the gravedigger in the play and be in isnt here anymore.
and The Word As Law. demands to be shared. My hands character when I was playing the music.
We originally wanted to do US anniversary dont move that fast playing Were doing two shows a week, playing to Fires Within Flames is out
shows in December when the band turned buzz saw riffs on a shitty guitar 1200 people a night. My wife said I am now on Neurot
thirty years old, Steve explains, but once we is so different from playing epic, so much like the gravedigger its like I www.Neurosis.com
wasnt even acting!
26 TERRORIZER #275
OPETH
28 TERRORIZER #275
Constantly evolving and growing bigger and bolder with every release, OPETHs
new album Sorceress sees the Swedes continue to evolve, even if it was written
under extreme constraints. MIKAEL KERFELDT reveals all
Words: Jos Carlos Santos
R
emember, when a strange little band from had it on a demo somewhere and it dates back when I have a song or a song and a half that I like,
Sweden put out a record with a flower on to the Ghost Reveries record. It doesnt sound I dont usually think oh, it feels like were going
the cover and everybody spent a few weeks anything like it, but its from those sessions. Its to do a new record. At that stage I dont know if
trying to get their heads around that labyrinthine the first time ever that Ive used something old for its going to be a great record, or whatever its
death metal found within and trying not to utter something new, actually. going to be, if itll be a shit record, or anything.
the word prog too often? You might not, if you It started taking shape pretty early on, he Im thinking its going to be a record, at least, and
werent already old enough in 1995, but in any continues. The first song I wrote was The Wilde I got that feeling very early on this time.
case your first contact with Opeth must have been Flowers, which is a sort of a hard rock song,
O
a similarly startling revelation all the same. And or whatever you want to call it, even a little bit f course, it helps that Mikael is an avid
unless youve really just bumped into them in the progressive too. But it felt good, it kind of felt record collector. Constantly listening to
last couple of years (welcome to the ride, in that fresh for me. The fact that it was a new Opeth music and seeking out all the unsung
case!), you probably also never thought this quirky song shaping up helped, probably, but also the gems from the murky past decades probably gives
bunch of Swedes would be selling out Wembley fact that it felt like I was connecting to the kind you a special knack for knowing instinctively what
Arena a few years later. Even with a few drastic of stuff that I like to listen to, as a consumer of is good when it comes to writing your own. It
line-up changes, even with the odd, sporadic low music myself. It was connecting with my record might not necessarily be a direct influence, but it
point here and there, Opeth have grown larger than collection, with my taste, but it also sounded like does shape your mind.
any metalheads creative imagination ever thought Opeth, and that was great. So I felt pretty secure It doesnt show directly in a way that I pick
they would they have, in fact, transcended that early on. Then I had the song Chrysalis after that, up a Slayer record and I immediately get inspired
metalhead world from which they were spawned. and then I had a sort of a ballad which was quite to write a similar riff or a song, but its more that
While still maintaining many followers from those inspired by Jethro Tull, called Will O The Wisp. I think I store all those influences in my head, or
days here they are, signed to Nuclear Blast Then I was on my way. Pretty early on I thought, wherever it is you store musical memories, Mikael
and in fuckin Terrorizer still, right? they have okay, its going to be an album. At the early stage, muses. But I think some part of my head is like a
also become one of those bands that we have
reluctantly had to start sharing with a certain
section of the mainstream, and that transition is
HEAVY MUSIC IN PARTICULAR IS IN NEED
something Mikael kerfeldt and the boys have OF BANDS WHO WILL CHANGE THINGS
handled admirably. In fact, so unphased by the
big leagues the talented frontman is, that he still
AND WHO WILL THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
handles his writing in the same razor edge way he
always has.
Yes, I really did start from nothing, he
confirms with a laugh, when we point out that the
press release for new album Sorceress mentions
these songs came up from nothing, from zero
inspiration. I work well under pressure, and
generally I dont really work unless I have to, if
I have a set date when I have to be done with
the music. So at one point I had a meeting with
our manager and he said that a good time for
us to record was May 2016, and this took place
already in December 2015. So that left me with
less than six months to write a record. I figured
that was maybe a little bit too short, but Id try,
and it worked. So I started out with nothing and
it turned out I can work great under pressure. Its
actually been like that for many years, I write from
set dates, a plan. I never write in between. The
only thing I used from old demos, from material
I already had, was a riff in the song Chrysalis. I
TERRORIZER #275 29
OPETH
30 TERRORIZER #275
WRETCH
Rising from the ashes of Indianapolis doom crew The Gates Of Slumber, Wretchs
KARL SIMON talks to Terrorizer about the dissolving of his former band, his best
friends death and how hes still walking the metal path
Words: Jos Carlos Santos
First of all, tell us a little more about the origins of Wretch, hours and its done. They all agreed, and we went and Electric Funeral just having fun and punishing
and the transition from The Gates Of Slumber to this band. to practice and no Jason [McCash, TGOS bassist]. a few demons with volume.
Karl Simon: I was angry at the beginning of Hed ODd that day and quit the band via Facebook
Wretch. I was angry at all the members of The Gates later. I broke my promise to him and called Reid Did you have any particular musical idea in mind for Wretch
Of Slumber. Wed had a really strong run and things [Raley] from Rwake a few days later to see if hed fill besides it being a sort of continuation of Gates? How does the
were poised to get better, but in spite of this we were in, but he couldnt. And that same day Bob [Fouts, writing in this band differ to how youve been writing songs
squandering it all acting like all we needed to do TGOS drummer] said he wouldnt tour without Jason, throughout your career?
is show up and be badass. That attitude is fucking and I was done. The Gates Of Slumber ended there Well, there were songs that had been written for
bullshit. The final blow was us not being able to and Wretch started. I called Chris [Gordon], whod the next Gates full-length that I had been working
support Church Of Misery on their last US run. When drummed on the second Gates demo and Suffer on for a long time. The idea was what it always had
we got the offer I called a meeting and told the guys No Guilt. Hes an old friend, and hes one of the been: to write the best songs we knew how to do.
that wed be practicing at a rehearsal spot here in best drummers Ive ever played with. So we started With Wretch I wanted to open that up more to add in
town, on my dime, and what set wed be playing. from there. Two of us in the The Gates Of Slumber influences that Jason didnt share and ways of writing
No fucking around: hammer it for two and a half practice place hammering out Drown and jamming he didnt really want to mess with. I like to jam
on Winter, Snowblind, Behind The Wall Of Sleep, he didnt: he was a writer, I was so envious of his
32 TERRORIZER #275
WRETCH IS WHAT
I ALWAYS WANTED
THE GATES OF
SLUMBER TO BE
ability to write these epic songs. With Wretch, we just like a broken heart, are moments in my life; this I dont want this to be like The Gates Of Slumber
jammed the shit out, me and Chris at first and then batch just has a lot of emotional baggage attached was. If Wretch falls apart well. I have riffs and
when Bryce [Clarke, bass] came on board he added to it. But every day things get easier. Moving ahead riffs and riffs. Im 41 now, the last eighteen years
so much; changed the direction Wretch is what I instead of grinding my gears has been the best of doom metal and its related tendencies have been
always wanted The Gates Of Slumber to be in that medicine. the sum of my life. No wife, no kids, no career. Id
respect, its a unit and it has a sound. love to make music with these guys for the rest of
Even without all the background, for the listener, the album my time on earth, so if there is interest in us doing
All of the songs on this record are about you and Jason, is a harrowing listen, and a very touching one as well. How more from people and the dudes in the band Im
and your memories of him and what you guys went through do you expect people to react to it? down to keep doing this until I cant anymore. If
together do you think it will be hard for you to play I think most people have had a positive reaction not, I have said it before: I dont need other people.
these songs because of that? to it. It is dark, all of it, so youre not going to walk If no one cares enough to try, or no one cares
It has happened really, mostly when Im away away from it up or high on life, but maybe itll enough to go to the shows, I can sit alone in the
from Indianapolis, thats when I can kind of let help the listener purge a bit of black bile? I hope bunker and hammer this shit out for me, like I did
it go. We play here in town and I see friends and its cathartic for folks. Im sure there are going to when no one remotely gave a fuck at all. Down
associations come to mind and it hurts, its small be those who are going to shit all over it too, and there with the rats and worms they stick with me
here, so small everyone knows everyone bad things thats just life. I do this because I love it. If other until the end.
happening here ripple across the whole scene. One people do too its great. If not, oh well.
face gone is noticed, and Jason was my brother. As Wretchs self-titled debut is out now on Bad
far as the songs becoming just songs, really since What are the plans, if any, for the future of Wretch? Is this Omen
I got sick of singing about comic book stuff they a band that will continue on and make more records? www.Facebook.com/
arent just songs anymore, even the trivial things Id like to, but Im only one part of the band, Wretch-469537983166326
TERRORIZER #275 33
BRANT BJORK
ONE OF THE MOST PROMINENT ARTISTS IN THE STONER more swinging, groovy kind of chemistry and The Low
Desert Punk Band didnt really apply.
ROCK SCENE, BRANT BJORK IS BACK WITH HIS LATEST Despite the fleeting nature of this approach, Tao Of
ALBUM TAO OF THE DEVIL. TERRORIZER WAFTED The Devil offers thematic and visual solidity. The album
THROUGH THE SMOKE TO GET THE SKINNY brings together a close-knit group of musicians, a night
WORDS: KEVIN STEWART-PANKO
time photo of the bands Joshua Tree, CA home base
the area in which each of the members was born is
B
rant Bjork has reason to be proud. Considered writing and arrangement and they performed it really employed as cover art and topically, a good chunk of
a legend in stoner rock/metal circles for his well. Thats not easy to do. Thats what every band in the album plays to a topic thats been close to Brants
work in Kyuss, the band he formed with his the game is looking to achieve and its hard, especially heart for the majority of his time on Gods green Earth.
high school friends Josh Homme and John Garcia now with technology being what it is and people trying The name explores the duality of things that go
back in 1987, Bjorks notoriety isnt limited to the four to build chemistry thousands of miles apart. beyond good and bad; things that are demonised but
have a place in this crazy world. Im directly or maybe
A
bona fide classics that band released throughout the
first half of the 90s. Also propping up his impressive s mentioned above, Brant has utilised a indirectly speaking about my beliefs about cannabis
discography are a host of recordings with Fu Manchu number of monikers throughout his admittedly and how its been demonised for so long and how I
and Mondo Generator, not to mention his solo albums confusing solo career (even the promo we think people need to start getting more educated about
which, since 1999, have been weaved into a non-stop received for Tao Of The Devil was mislabelled as The how it can be good for modern culture.
flurry of activity and appeared under various monikers Low Desert Punk Band). This is not designed to create Theres always a bitter sweet element to that, he
including Brant Bjork And The Bros, Brant Bjork And mystique around man or his band, nor is it Brant taking responds when asked if the growing acceptance towards
The Operators, Brant Bjork And The Low Desert Punk a stab at elitism and the idea that true fans will take marijuana ever has him thinking, I told you so! That
Band and, of course, just plain old Brant Bjork. the time to track down and figure out whats what particular phrase implies that it was a drag getting
Since the release of 2014s Black Power Flower by whilst noses get turned up at those who just want to this particular place. I think its a really exciting
The Low Desert Punk Band, Brants most recent solo to rock. There is a method to the madness and, as time and theres still a lot of work to be done. Ive
incarnation goes back to using his birth name for the expected, it all starts with whos playing alongside the been smoking marijuana for most of my life and Ive
eleventh album under the Brant Bjork umbrella, Tao Of guitarist/vocalist in the rehearsal room. concluded that it serves a purpose and is important. I
The Devil. But being able to assemble yet another band Being a musician and playing in bands most of my really think it can only really serve the whole western
with yet another round of musicians while continuing life, Ive come to discover that youve got the fantasy world economically, psychologically and spiritually. I
to carve out a career in music at a time when many of a group of musicians united around a certain name think we need it and I dont think its a coincidence
have succumbed to negative mantras about surviving versus the reality of a group of human beings with their that marijuana is starting to be embraced on so many
as an artist as the industry continues to be flensed by own individual personalities and characters. Theres levels at this point in time.
the internet isnt whats being trumpeting from the a natural chemistry that comes from that collective
rooftops on this occasion. Today, our man is proudly and thats usually the reality of that collective. Im Tao Of The Devil is out now on Napalm
and happily waving the old-school banner. always in pursuit of having fun and part of that fun in www.BrantBjork.com
Yeah, were old-school and when I say old-school assembling a band is trying to name the character of
I mean we came up playing live music and come from a musical collective. So, when people leave and come
that school where if you want to be a good band, you in, it changes the chemistry. I try and stay on top of
have to play together, he says. You have to get in a that and Ive had some people in the business tell me
room, spend a lot of time jamming, learning how to that my eccentric behaviour around that stuff can be
improv together and feeling each other out. That takes confusing for the marketplace. I totally understand that,
time; were not entertainers reading a script, were so for this particular record, I settled it down and just
playing music rooted in jazz, the blues and rock and called it Brant Bjork. The Low Desert Punk Band was
roll and you have to work together. because I assembled a band whose collective touchstone
Its tough, he continues about balancing time was that we all cut our teeth on punk rock. But our
spent playing together between developing chemistry new-old drummer [Ryan Gt] is jazz trained and that
and writing songs, and this is what you can look changed the chemistry.
at with any legendary band or artist. Youve got the Im always in the pursuit of getting to the nature
recording arts, where you go into a sterile environment of things and usually when I arrive at some kind of
and try and create something thats going to move understanding, there will be a name in the air I can
someone, the performance art where you actually attach to that nature, he continues. So, like when I
perform as a band and then the art of song writing. Its assembled my first solo band, it was with good friends
difficult to do and what separates the greats from the so that became The Bros. When we pulled Ryan in a
ones no one talks about much. Its like weve all heard year-and-a-half ago, I was looking for a drummer who
Stairway To Heaven a million times but the bottom was swinging hard and had some jazz background.
line is that Led Zeppelin went into a studio, recorded Ryan didnt really grow up with any punk rock
that song appropriately a great song in terms of influence, so we got back to celebrating a more organic,
34 TERRORIZER #265
I DONT THINK ITS A COINCIDENCE
THAT MARIJUANA IS STARTING TO
BE EMBRACED ON SO MANY LEVELS
AT THIS POINT IN TIME
TERRORIZER #265 35
GOAT
N
ow for a little round of spot the difference. weve got it Mr. Goatman. Your favourite Obituary robes 24/7. In the commune everyone is anonymous
Theyre Swedish, they are anonymous, they song is probably Dont Care, too. But we suppose all the time which might sound confusing to an
wear freaky costumes and claim to have anyone would be care free, had they spent years in outsider. But its the best way to live, trust me. Of
risen from a commune village under the spell of a a voodoo commune twanging any exotic instrument course when we have to go through airport security
voodoo curse. Tall tales indeed, the kind we would they could lay their hands on. it can be a real hassle. Other than that its just good
expect from Ghost. But no, ladies and gentleman, The result being Requiem, a vast sonic journey times!
this is Goat. Whether Ghost and Goat have been around the world of non-Western pop, blended Good times, or good marketing?
seen in the same room together remains a mystery, together with fuzz and shimmery reverb. Despite its Our image is about delivering the finest
as does the shrouded mastermind of this enigmatic title, not all the songs are about death, that would music we possibly can to anyone who might
psychedelic outfit who refers to himself simply as be a bit tedious. Well, what are they all about be interested, he says. We do not care about
Mr. Goatman. then? Mr. Goatman is keen to announce what Goat being famous. We care of the well-being of our
I am not sure if we confuse people. People are not, but remains tight lipped when it comes commune.
seem pretty confused already, notes the elusive to explaining the bands picknmix approach to Their commune is located in Korpilombolo,
one. Yet with an aesthetic that apprehends the appropriating the philosophies of other cultures. which has 529 inhabitants. Goat care so much for
Bathory typeface and ritualistic imagery, it seems Their decision to name a track Ubuntu this place that they have spelled the towns name
only understandable for some to mistake Goat for a after the South African philosophy of the inter- incorrectly on their website. To be honest, the
metal band at a glance. One listen to their raucous, connectivity of humanity was because our gimmick does nothing for Goat. But if you can
tribal world music will demonstrate otherwise. manager is from Johannesburg and he introduced us break through their preposterous back story, Goat
While Mr. Goatman insists that they are not to this concept. Once again, permit Mr. Goatman are more than capable of transporting listeners into
deliberately trying to subvert expectations, as he to shatter any illusion that a mystic song title would transcendental realms through music alone. Just
does not care about what other people expect, omit a mystifying in-depth explanation. The bands close your eyes and let them take you away.
it could be argued that creating such a striking sunny, otherworldly musical output against the
image is a lot of effort to go to for a band who dryness of Mr. Goatman himself is nothing short of Requiem is out now on Sub Pop
dont care what impression they make. Okay, a jarring combination. If Disney World has taught us www.Facebook.com/GoatSweden
36 TERRORIZER #275
Everything
is possible
if you have
the right
mindset
TRAP THEM
F
rom the time they first formed as Trap song topically pertain to day-by-day life in a Studio while tracking was being done above
Them And Kill Them on the salty shores fictional town that rivalled Twin Peaks, Peyton him, offer three sets of lyrics per song: the full,
of Massachusetts back in 2001, the band Place and Banshee for all-around surrealism, unabridged versions; the versions of songs he
that has come to be known as Trap Them apocalyptic weirdness and behind-closed-door would sing in the heat of the live show battle;
have always subverted extreme musics writing madness. After McKenney played the role of and the stream of consciousness, serial-killer-
process, what theyve chosen to write about omnipotent and destructive urban planner and scratching-on-the-wall versions printed as part of
and how theyve gone about presenting it. The figuratively killed his creation on 2011s Darker the album art/CD booklet/vinyl gatefold layout
bands first six releases both full-length and Handcraft, he found himself picking themes and design. Additionally, it should be noted
EPs had vocalist Ryan McKenney making each and writing lyrics for songs that guitarist and that Trap Them have been juggling great deals
38 TERRORIZER #275
of distance between its principle members since the album title, every single song title and all him to come back and tell me what song it was.
the mid-aughts when McKenney moved 3000 the lyrics. That was before I really had any music It was pretty funny, but I liked it; it made things
miles west to Seattle. The vocalist has been together. So, I was able to look at the lyrics, end up a little more random.
tele-and-aero commuting ever since in order to think about the titles and plan the writing based
W
keep the bands grinding HM-2 obsessions alive on that. And ironically, the title is actually in the hat helped Brian throughout this process
and kicking. When it came to forthcoming fifth gatefold of Blissfucker! So, its been kind of was having a solid line-up behind him.
album, Crown Feral, the creative process took known, but we never said thats what it was. Bassist Galen Baudhuin [also of Infera
its unusual-but-usual, unexpected-but-expected This was the first time I actually looked Bruo] and drummer Brad Fickeisen [ex-The Red
bent when, before any deliberate amount of at the lyrics and tried to get a type of stylistic Chord] have now been members since 2013.
work had started, Ryan emailed Brian and the picture or an idea what I would write for those Theyve played live and in the studio alongside
guitarist found himself having to upend common titles and lyrics, he continues. What was the founding duo and shared all the trials and
practice once again. interesting was that when I sent the demos to tribulations of doing so in the process. Whats
I got an email from Ryan on my birthday in Ryan, I didnt say what song I wrote specifically most advantageous about this recent version
December, 2014, he recalls. It was a PDF with went with which song title. So, Id just wait for of the band is the fact that Brian, Galen and
TERRORIZER #275 39
TRAP THEM
Brad all live within a mile of one another in the band. Its hard to say how different things publics proverbial windpipe with their brand of
the Boston area, making it infinitely easier to would have been or sounded if we didnt do crusty, Swe-death-inspired calamity.
organise rehearsals and writing sessions so that it this way, but I think looking at the lyrics We definitely experienced a lot of bullshit in
the resulting output becomes more than just definitely led to writing certain types of riffs the early years of touring and learned things the
the Brian Izzi show, jokes the guitarist. and definitely helped. Also, [on Blissfucker] hard way, but I feel that learning things like that
With the line-up weve had for the past things were different because we hadnt played brought us to where we are. I wouldnt re-do
few years now, weve actually had rehearsals live leading up to its recording. When you play it, but well do it a new way that makes sense
every week, so its a little bit more normal. I live, you play your songs and when you go to now that were a little older. I think the problem
mean, I still bring most of the riffs, structures write a new one, all the things that made up before is that we did it just to stay on the road
and ideas to the other guys, but I really wanted that previous album are still fresh and with you; and tour as much as possible. It was fun, but
to involve Brad and Galen more on this album. you have a closer memory of those songs. So, there were lessons learned. Taking a break after
We played live and did a few weeks of shows this album was built off of us playing live a bit all those years of touring was definitely key to
in 2015 and those guys have played drums and more, rehearsing regularly and having a solid continuing the band.
bass for every song in our catalogue at this line-up whereas Blissfucker was built off of Having the new line-up definitely helped,
point, so theyre better able to put things into three years of not really doing much. This one he says about the decision to get back to
the context of what we do. Theres a better vibe definitely has more of a live feeling. touring more regularly, with a full European
tour and a variety of North American jaunts in
O
and understanding between each and everybody
that comes with having more time playing n that note, its a more than encouraging the works at the time of writing. Everyone is
together, so rather than writing everything in sign that Trap Them are writing with the down, theres a good vibe. The break helped us
my head or doing a demo and showing it to live arena in mind. A hiatus from touring re-think how we do things and I think having
everyone, I wanted to get everyones input. After followed the release of Darker Handcraft, as he done this as long as we have now, were lucky
playing with these guys for a while, I got to financial aspect of constant life on the road, the to have enough of a fanbase that were able to
know their strengths and wanted to build off of then-instability of their line-up and McKenneys go out and do things a little bit more skewed
them to make sure this record is he explains, ailing health and personal life put the kibosh towards how we feel more comfortable doing
followed by a pause. Blissfucker was kind of on the gung-ho touring schedule of the bands them. Things have kind of worked out in our
long and epic and not all the songs could be early years. They found themselves being super- favour in that respect. Its been a lot easier and
played live. This one has everything faster paced, selective, playing out at festivals, doing a mere a little bit more fun doing the band over the
maybe a bit more like previous records and week or two here and there or just staying home course of the last three or so years. We just
builds off of what we have as a band and the altogether. Following the release of Blissfucker, hung around and better opportunities presented
dynamic between everybody. The intent was to they started hitting the live circuit once again; themselves and while it remains fun to do, well
make the songs leaner and meaner. Theyre all maybe not with the same veracity and frequency keep doing it.
intended to be live, like a set list thats meant as the past, but there was a definite uptick
to be played from beginning to end. Its about in the amount youd see their moniker listed Crown Feral is out now on Prosthetic
a 32 minute record and has all the peaks and in tour listings and festival announcements.
valleys of a good set and hits the marks of With Crown Feral, the quartet is committed www.ProstheticRecords.com
what we personally think are the best aspects of to getting back in the van and crushing the www.Facebook.com/TrapThem
40 TERRORIZER #275
TERRORIZER #274 23
40 WATT SUN
A
t long last, five years after the sublime, sick with worry. In the meantime, some of Hermann Hesse wrote, theyre all part and spirit
gut-wrenchingly beautiful The Inside these six new songs were aired at a few sporadic of the same great music.
Room a record that is still very much shows, but not even a bit more time to live with Speaking of great music, Patrick is a man with
in our usual rotation was released, 40 Watt them was enough to constitute a silver lining remarkable taste, though you have to nerd out
Sun return with its successor. After a debut that for Patrick: No, nothing good came out of that with him a little and dig deep to find it.
meant so much to so many people, and on top situation. God, theres nothing more boring for people
of it from a band that appears to be a logical Fortunately its all behind us, and now we than reading of a ream of somebody elses
continuation of the equally relevant Warning have all the time in the world to enjoy Wider favourite music, is there? he says with a laugh
(whose Watching From A Distance is just about Than The Sky. Still on those latest shows, at one point, but come on Patrick, we like that
the best doom record of this century), it could however, a few of them have been acoustic kind of thing. Indulge us. Id say my music taste
prove difficult to hit that soft spot of the heart shows, and one wonders whether that has any has expanded not changed. I dont listen to
once more, but fear not. Wider Than The Sky kind of reflection on the writing itself? music when Im writing as I cant spoil whats in
is everything any 40 Watt Sun fan has dreamed I always write on the acoustic guitar, Patrick my head, but I tend to read a lot. But anyone
it could be in these five years, and more besides. reveals. Sometimes the songs are transposed to who writes music is influenced by something
The songs feel more daring and even more electric; sometimes theyre not and they stay as somewhere back down the line; that goes without
vulnerable than before, while Patrick Walkers they are. An acoustic album would, for me, be saying. Weve all got our roots somewhere. I
impassioned singing is more dynamic and loose no different from recording any another album. dont really look out for new artists; I regret
whilst retaining all its emotional weight. And to Its just down to whats right for the songs; what feeling that I dont have the time and energy to
think all of it was almost scrapped feels right at the time. Theres nothing novelty invest myself in new music but in all honesty
It was absolutely fucking draining, Patrick about it, no conscious difference. Just as it just doesnt really interest me. My favourite
says, recalling the period of delay due to well, there is not much difference either between the artists remain pretty much the same as always:
business complications lets call it that. What approach to the songs on both albums. I try to June Tabor, Mark Eitzel, Marillion of course, Iris
happened was that I sent our label the songs not think about it, he shrugs. Its really not all Dement, Lal Waterson, Kris Kristofferson, Scott
from the new record back at the beginning of that different for me, I think. There was, again, Walker, Baby Dee
2015, he continues. They said they didnt like no conscious difference with how we went about Thatll do, yes. So now its time to enjoy the
them as we expected and they acknowledged making this record or with how the songs came many rewards provided by Wider Than The Sky,
that they werent the right label to release the into existence. and hopefully the wait will be shorter for the next
one since the band are already playing new
O
album. But yet they werent willing to let us go
without getting something in return. And so there ne habitual misconception about 40 songs live that arent on this latest effort, that
we were in limbo for over a year while we tried to Watt Sun is the constant description of seems like a given. Relaxed as they might seem,
buy ourselves out of our contract. I really wasnt their music as sad. Though obviously 40 Watt Sun are always plugged in.
in the best mind to be dealing with the kind no circus will ever send out its clowns to the We rehearse only when were arranging new
of belligerent deal-mongering I was up against tune of Stages or Carry Me Home, sadness songs or if were going on tour or something like
and started to break down almost immediately isnt all there is to these songs. Alongside the that. But I still live with it every day of my life,
so William [Spong, bassist] and Becky Laverty, longing, there is a lot of love, and hope, and Patrick states. Im always writing in some way.
who manages our PR, kindly took over from me beauty, because all of those things are a part of Christian and William are also busy with other
and eventually forged an agreement. Im really everyones life. projects of their own. You dont stop thinking
indebted to them both. But it was a deeply I just write about whats important to me, about it. Youre always being creative.
stressful and exhausting stretch of time and more Patrick says about the lyrics with his habitually
than once, yes, I absolutely felt like walking away disarming simplicity. Things that I think about Wider Than The Sky is out now on Radiance
from it all. Im a chronic worrier. I make myself and care about I work hard at it its not an www.40WattSun.com
42 TERRORIZER #275
I ABSOLUTELY
FELT LIKE
WALKING AWAY
FROM IT ALL.
IM A CHRONIC
WORRIER
TERRORIZER #275 43
EPICA
F
or their eighth album, Dutch symphonic that. to see the movie in 2D than 3D because I get over-
powerhouse Epica have peered into a future Simones new-found anti-tech policy may not stimulated. Even though I like technology Im very
where virtual worlds collide with reality and be in keeping with the technological utopia that old school, I dont like video games that are very
the space between is frighteningly blurred. Yet, in she and her band create through their music and realistic, I want to know that Im playing a video
the run-up to release of The Holographic Principle lyrics, but she is proud that Epica have kept an eye game and not lose myself completely in it.
we are suddenly coming to terms with technological on the future with this latest recording. Following on from the Dio Disciples concert at
advances that allow the dear-departed Ronnie Things like The Oculus Rift are becoming so Wacken this past summer where the band played
James Dio to perform at Wacken in holographic realistic, you cannot really distinguish which reality with a holographic Ronnie James, is this something
form. As we talk to Simone Simons, Epicas singer is the true reality anymore and thats the red line Simone could see Epica using? In the same way we
and social media virago, we find ourselves in a going through all our lyrics, she says. Artificial dont have to leave the house to buy our favourite
park, yet all around us passers-by are glued to their intelligence is, in the end, going to take control bands new album anymore, maybe were reaching
phone screens on the hunt for a Psyduck. Is this over humanity. Thats what the cornerstones are a point where we dont have to leave the house
true progress or have we entered a new way to in the lyrics of The Holographic Principle. This to see them live. Why not beam them into our
experience a world indistinguishable from our own? is actually based on real research, so its not just bedrooms?
It is a beautiful thing and, at the same time, a fantasy idea, its really being worked on as we A holographic Epica? Simone laughs. We
an inhuman thing, laughs the softly-spoken speak and we just take the information that we have done streaming of our anniversary show,
Simone. Were walking down the street and have and are going to philosophise about that so that people could get a ticket and watch the
everyone is walking like a zombie. Its called social topic. I think its becoming more realistic because show via live streaming, but with holograms? That
media but at the same time were not social. My technology is improving at a rapid rate. would be cool. Unfortunately that technology is
phone got stolen and then I had this wake up call, Simone is a fan, however, of some of the so expensive and still not very accessible, but who
time is so precious yet we are so busy seeing what technological revolutions and has her eye on which knows? We are still a growing band and that could
our neighbour is eating for dinner. Some people ones she would like to harness for Epica. be something we could invest in, in the future. As
are so hooked on social media and forgetting what Im sure that many bands are investing in for my dream of the future? Weve done shows on
theyre doing with their own life. We were having how to lift up the live show experience to the next a boat, like the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise, so
dinner, everyone had their phone out and at first I level where people can see the show through those maybe we could do a show in space, so all species
was a little bit jealous, but then, all of a sudden, I Oculus Rift glasses so Im pretty sure that will be in the universe could enjoy our music.
started to feel free. I had become addicted to it. It something that will happen soon, as technology
felt very liberating after a couple of days, so I try is always much further than we think. Its quite The Holographic Principle is out now on
to sometimes leave my phone in a corner and not scary but I think a lot of people will be interested Nuclear Blast
touch it for half a day. A lot of people should try in trying it out. When I go to the cinema I prefer www.Epica.nl
44 TERRORIZER #275
Academy Events present
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lack mind. Now theres a happy phrase. It hjerte, mit hjerte gr ondt which translates to: aw, We live in a suffocating national-conservative
will come as no surprise that this is the literal my heart, my heart is hurting. This quote is from the nightmare that still prides itself with the history of
translation of Halshugs new album title Sort 2013 Danish documentary film Blodets Bnd a film being one of the worlds first social democracies, he
Sind. From its stark, imposing cover alone, it seems as that shares a title with our first album. This is not a continues. Denmark was almost a socialist country
though these Danish d-beat purists have developed a coincidence, that film left a huge mark on us, as it in the last century, so you still get the claustrophobic
bit of a penchant for misery. portrayed an environment that was very recognisable feeling that all of your life and labor belongs to the
This album was written in a state of unhappiness, to us. It describes a lower income familys internal and State, but you currently live in a culture that has
by generally unhappy people, reflects guitarist external conflicts and takes place in the same kind of totally stagnated in the existential vacuum of post-
Mathius Schnberg. Its angrier than [previous album] neglected back land of Denmark that we got to grow millennium consumerism and a total breakdown of
Blodets Bnd [2015]. The lyrics are quite minimalist, up in. meaning. Spice that up with the guilt of being an
they are more just howls of pure emotion. This notion in itself is probably quite hard to imperialist nation that has always refused to identify
Considering their straightforward, purebred conceive. A bleak picture of neglected back lands itself that way, even though three generations of
approach to hardcore punk, Halshug werent doesnt match the prominent portrayal of Denmark people from Greenland are still drinking in the streets,
necessarily down with the strictness when it came to as a serene land where the quality of life is high; yet and hundreds of thousands of victims to our own
writing this release. Halshug are set upon exposing the countrys dark failed foreign politics are denied access to our borders.
The overall sound is hard as fuck, but youll underbelly from within. Things may be looking alright specifically for someone
probably find that its not as traditional a Scandi The quality of life rumour about Denmark stems with Danish citizenship, but fuck. Fuck.
d-beat record as our previous releases. We allowed from some advertisement campaign that was launched
ourselves to take a more liberal creative stand with by a tourist agency years back, and the statistics of Sort Sind is out now on Southern Lord
this record. Sort Sind has got some mid-tempo songs happiness its built on dont seem very scientific. www.Facebook.com/HalshugCPH
on it, and the fast songs are a little bit more groovy Economic welfare and personal safety are not the only
not as blazing. factors necessary for happiness for everyone. Denmark
If anything is going to set the somber tone of is a country with a very high suicide rate and almost
Sort Sind, its the meaningful sample the band chose everyone is an alcoholic. A lot of people seem to go
to open the album with. through depression and there is a strong feeling of
The intro is the sound of a person crying Av, mit alienation and detachment here.
46 TERRORIZER #275
Everything
is possible
if you have
the right
mindset
OKKULTOKRATI
Somethings you just love so much you never want them to change. Your favourite band,
your favourite TV show If only there were some way of preserving what makes them so
great whilst simultaneously embracing new things. For Norways OKKULTOKRATI, its the
beloved d-beat that drives their truck load of vicious sonic soundscapes
Words: Serena Cherry Photo: Marius Eriksen
A
ll of our new songs have the same beat stays the same the whole time. If anything, its always just say rock. I use such a general a term so
beat! proudly announces drummer a declaration of their fondness for psychedelia. that people still dont know what to expect. But
Lars Preus. Over and over. Thats a We have always enjoyed static, repetitive thats how its supposed to be! Youre not supposed
point we are trying to make with this record, to elements in music. Our goal was to create this to have all these presumptions about what youre
deliberately make it so repetitive. We discovered psychedelic feeling that you can find in anything going to hear before you hear it, he says. When
that if you play d-beat slower, it starts to get this from rock to electronic music, he says. And is there you strip away everything in all these genres, its all
big pulse with a lot more kick, and it takes on a anything more psychedelic than synths? Arguably not, just rock songs beneath. When people describe us
whole different energy. We know a lot of bands use but that surprisingly isnt the reason why the band as black sludge crust punk I just think whoa, that
d-beat but we slowed it down, so its more thudding. have recruited a new member on keys. sounds really awful!. If I read that description for
That way listeners get thrown into a void and are Getting a synth player was very inspired by another band, I would think this is probably is shit,
staying down there a long time! Emperor, as we all have the same love for In The Im not going to listen to it!. Using all these genres
To evolve an entire album around one unchanging Nightside Eclipse, says Lars, but we also love Primal to describe us is doing us a disfavour. You can class
drum beat is a simple yet effective method. Its a Scream. We are inspired by all these different bands, your music with all these stupid labels, but really its
tactic that enables the band to build layers of trance- but that doesnt mean we sound like any of them! much easier to just be a rock n roll band.
inducing ideas into one swirling cloud of hypnotic They may be about to release their third album on And rock n roll they are, both musically and
fury. So while the concept may appear rhythmically Southern Lord, but Okkultokrati are keen as ever to existentially something that reflects in the bands
tiresome, rest assured that the music doesnt get subvert preconceptions about their music. unsuspecting album title Raspberry Dawn.
boring because we change all the other parts as the When people ask what kind of music I play, I Were just crazy, whacked-out musicians. Well
be drunk in the night, at night time when you
can do whatever the hell you like, but then the
beautiful morning always comes to wash it all away.
Thats what the album title means. Youve just been
committing sins and doing bad stuff in the night and
then theres the raspberry dawn. Its so purple and
pink and stunning. Plus, the beautiful raspberry dawn
is universal. Wherever you live, in the city or in the
woods, you will always have some connection to the
dawn.
48 TERRORIZER #275
OATHBREAKER
50 TERRORIZER #275
When you think of
I
n Belgium, when we started nobody cant redo the small things, so it gives a lot more
cared. We would play hardcore shows character to the way you play. For the acoustic
Belgium, crushing and we didnt fit in there, we would song, we used the first take because that was the
blackened hardcore may play metal shows and not fit in there. For the one that had the most feeling. Recording Rheia
music we play, in Belgium the scene isnt very with Jack felt more organic and it changed my
not be the first thing that alive. I like to think that we developed a tough approach to music. It taught me to just let every
springs to mind. Yet it is elephant skin over our eight years as a Belgian idea go its way and see what happens, instead of
band by doing all those shows. Weve never needing to have control over every aspect.
here, between the lakes
had much local support so everywhere we go
I
Ghent that
and castles of we were very much on our own. I think that ts an admirable approach the band have
actually helped a lot to get us to where we are taken, confronting their creative insecurities
OATHBREAKER dwell, to produce an album so unapologetically
now, because we know we dont have to care
and it is also here where about anything or anyone. Its just the four human and raw. The exploration was not solely
theyve learned to not of us wanting to do something new. If you confined to the music either, with Caro adopting
are following the set path of one genre then a more bare-faced, candid approach towards the
give a fuck about what you have just settled for a comfortable way lyric writing too.
anyone else thinks of of making music. Were trying to make every My lyrics are not wrapped in dark pretty
record sound different, its not interesting to us language, they are really straight forward, an
them to repeat what has been done before. Whatever accurate reflection of what I was thinking and
Words: Serena Cherry the idea, if we like it, then we should do it, feeling at the time, she says. Its very scary to
explains bassist Gilles Demolder, his defiant expose yourself so plainly and I think I definitely
philosophy acting as some sort of psychological wasnt ready to do that before. But as we began
life raft for the four piece, who waded deep writing Rheia, the music sounded more naked
against their own self-doubts to produce their and it felt like we had finally allowed ourselves
refreshingly unpredictable new album Rheia. to open up both musically and lyrically. Basically,
I feel like this record is all the stuff I this record is really personal to me and all of the
wanted to do for a while, but I never really had lyrics are very self-reflective. I came to a point
the balls to experiment this much before, he in my life when we wrote this record where
continues. I had so many ideas running around I felt like we were running around in circles.
in my head, I kept thinking and thinking there Everything I engaged in I returned to the same
has to be a way to combine all these clean point afterwards. I kept asking what the fuck
vocals with the black metal riffs, but it took am I doing wrong, to keep arriving at the same
us two years to figure out how to not make it point again. I talked a lot to Gilles about my
sound like a power metal record! We have done childhood and how I form relationships with
so many demos trying out different stuff, trying people, then when I started writing the lyrics to
to find that line of where it starts to be cheesy. Rheia it was the first time I could channel those
We lived on the verge of a nervous breakdown feelings into words. The conclusion once we had
worrying is this good? Nobody in the band finished writing the record was that I tend to
really knew is this what we want to do, or take care of a lot of people besides myself, but I
is this complete shit? I dont know! I felt very dont really take care of myself a lot, and theres
doubtful because some of the sounds on this not a lot of people that take care of me. This
record are so new for us. It took us a long time is where we drew the album title Rheia, who
to get our heads around what we were doing, in Greek mythology is the mother of all Gods.
merging all those different ideas was a delicate I identified with Rheia because she takes care
balancing act. of everything but she doesnt take credit for it.
While they may not have felt entirely Shes not named a God herself, but she takes
confident during the writing process, vocalist care of all the Gods.
Caro Tanghe is quick to confirm now that the
exploration was definitely worth it. Arguably it Rheia is out now on Deathwish
is better to wander through uncharted musical www.Facebook.com/TheOathbreakerReigns
territory without bullish self-assurance, even
if that results in Gilles freaking out for the
first couple of days of recording.Thankfully,
producer Jack Shirley (Deafheaven/Loma Prieta)
was on hand to quash their unfounded jitters.
Jack was the first person who assured us,
It took us
as soon as he heard the new tracks he said you
guys, this is actually really good!. We decided
two years to
to record with him because he gives each record
its own personality. He works in a completely
figure out
different way from how we have worked before,
using only analogue tape to record. Every little
how to not
thing that we thought was not played well, we
would want to get rid of these takes because
make it sound
they are not polished; but Jack always says
you should go with this one! Learn to love it!.
like a power
When you dont record with a click track you metal record!
TERRORIZER #275 51
THY CATAFALQUE
I
would love to create an album with a constant mood but with the new album, and personally I think its a lot better than Sgrr.
its not easy for me because Im unconsciously drawn to very I dont really say this much because I dont usually like listening to my
diverse things, comments Thy Catafalque mastermind Tams own material, but when I finished that album I experienced new heights
Ktai of the expansive but oftentimes unpredictable creative instincts of creativity and power. I dont know what was happening during Sgrr
that have sustained this mind-boggling musical entity since its distant but I was really suffering and the new one was so much easier to do by
beginnings as a black metal outfit back in 1999. As a classically trained comparison. Strangely, I dont recall any difficulties writing, recording and
multi-instrumentalist who operates in genres as diverse as extreme metal, playing this record.
traditional folk and chamber music, its no surprise that variety forms such
I
an integral feature of Tamss genre-crossing ndeed, from the gargling vitriol and ink-black atmospheres of Urania
compositional brain. But while the cold through Mezolits crushing, doomy contortions to the glimmering
and endlessly contorting strains of melodic structures of Sirl, every dynamic in this collectively immense
2014s Sgrr may have dazzled mix abounds with seamlessly aligned fluidity. With the input of an equally
many a critic with its ingenious diverse host of guest musicians ensuring as fresh and expansive a range of
melange of influences, the material as possible, the resulting record stemmed from a highly intuitive
painstaking making of this and organic point of origin.
lauded outing proved I dont usually have any big ideas or grand concepts in the
to be anything but beginning, it just usually comes and builds itself during the process,
seamless. the composer explains. Probably the only thing I wanted was to aim
When I finished for a warmer and somehow deeper composition than Sgrr, with
with Sgrr, everything more lows, bringing some warmth into the songs. Sgrr was an
was so much easier, the exceptionally cold album and that was fine for that record but this
composer reveals. I dont time I wanted something gentler. Out of all my albums I felt that
know for what reason, 2009s Rka Hasa Radio was a particularly good starting point for the
but it was a great relief to writing process this time around. I didnt want to sound exactly like it,
finish and when I finally but I love that album and often return to it for inspiration, although I
did everything suddenly dont know if anyone else can hear that influence. Its probably just me.
went much smoother While its creator may seem at something of a loss to define the
complex, compositional processes that would later culminate in Meta, its
intriguing lyrical content can be traced back to an altogether more
easily decipherable source. Rooted in the thought-provoking
theory of all lifeforms originating from the same basic
atomic blueprint, its Metas mind-bending central
concept that ultimately unites this diverse amalgam
of musical, lyrical and visual dynamics into a
seamlessly coherent experience.
The word Meta is a Greek expression
meaning through or via things. The idea is that
all life operates in a cycle. When we are in
this human form we are made up of particles,
atomic parts up until our death, which then
degenerate again into these atoms which will
eventually produce a variety of other lifeforms,
from the soil to the grass, the worms, the birds
etc. Its for this reason that, when you look
at the iconography of the cover art, youll see
the heads of the saints are replaced by those of
animals. This became an important thing as it
connects every aspect of the album from the
music and lyrics though to the artwork.
52 TERRORIZER #275
Everything
is possible
if you have
the right
mindset
Of Death and that was so fun to do that thanks
to that, we are now back on track and hungry
for more. It must have felt pretty frustrating
for their latest bass player Claes Ramberg
(ex-Godhate) who joined only to see the band
going on hiatus after recording their Curse
Of Devastation EP. Well, he came onboard
in 2005 and toured with us on the Belphegor
and Arkhon Infaustus tour so he had been with
the band for over two years when we stopped.
But it was actually even more frustrating being
in than out of the band at the time. So if we
hadn't stopped we would have destroyed it for
good! Instead of coming up right away with
a new full-length, theyve decided to put out
another EP. Their first not recorded with Tommy
Tgtgren (Peters brother) in the producers
chair since 2000, it includes two new tracks
plus two remakes: one of an old classic of
theirs (Majesty Of Fire, opener of their debut
album) and one of Wars I Am Elite a super-
fast black metal super-group he was part of in
the late 90s, the latter as a tribute to his friend
David Blackmoon Parland (ex-Dark Funeral
Time for another dollop of death metal delicacies, with
and ex-Necrophobic) who was part of the gang.
reunited black/death Swedes IN AETERNUM, South African Pumped by the arrival of former Degials Joel
slam collective VULVODYNIA and French Canadians Lindholm on lead guitar, theyve just played
three gigs, including one at the Metal Magic
PURGATOIRE festival in Copenhagen and are said to be
Words: Olivier Zoltar Badin working on their next full-length, hopefully to
be recorded in 2017.
W
hat if slam is getting a bad name
simply because it doesnt strive
on the traditional fertile grounds
regular death metal usually festers upon,
such as Sweden? Last year, China and Norway
had the best mosh parts and grooves with
The Dark Prison Massacre and Kraanium
respectively. In 2016, it seems you have to
look in Durban, South Africa to find the real
shit with Vulvodynia whose second album
Psychosadistic Design (Lacerated Enemy) is a
great example of slam even your average Bolt
Thrower fan can actually like. These three lads
(six when it comes to the live show) are young
(average age: in between 19 and 22), hate solos
to the point theyve decided not to include any
on their albums and are unapologetically proud
of their tag, as enthusiastically underlined by
their guitarist Byron. You can really get into
IN AETERNUM
slam, he says. When done right it can really
have some heavy groove to it. Of course it takes
time to get into the whole scene and vibe but
J
ust like Dawn or Arckanum, In Aeternum unexpectedly pull the plug in 2007 after four it feels like it might become a more popular
were one of the many Swedish bands albums. He now points his finger at those genre in the near future. Hopefully someone
gathered around the Necropolis Records greedy organizers who try to rip you off and will come and make something unique out of
banner in the late 90s, at a time when the treat you like shit. I guess I simply lost interest it. Their album almost feels like some kind of
countrys classic death and black sounds had in being part of the scene. It even took me gathering of the tribe, featuring no less than
started to merge and Peter Tgtgrens Abyss a few years to start going to gigs again and nine guest singers, including Don Campan from
studio was the go-to place to do albums when appreciate that. Yet, while their drummer Perra Waking The Cadaver (probably their biggest
you were speeding along the devils highway. Karlsson was still in Nominon and had joined influence), Jason Evans of Ingested and former
Alas, by the time the new century came around, Destryer 666, they finally started talking at the Cerebral Bore vocalist Simone Pluijmers. We
things had gone sour but, unlike others, In end of 2014 about a possible future. We had did a lot of passing around of suggestions.
Aeternum survived the blast, only to be plagued tried once before but I wasnt comfortable with Different band members are different fans of
by line-up changes and even more business it back then. What ultimately led me to come certain vocalists and we would vote on who
problems to the point where, without warning, back with In Aeternum was a recording I did we think would sound good on what song,
founding member David Larsson decided to with a friend of mine in a project called Coven then proceed to reach out and see if they were
54 TERRORIZER #275
VULVODYNIA
available to lay down some vocals for us. It it. French is the language I was raised with only the provinces twentieth largest city by
ends up being good networking though and so it makes sense to me to use it and I dont its population (50,000) yet one of the genres
has shown us that the community of extreme understand why there arent that many bands biggest strongholds twenty years ago, with
underground metal is quite tight. The same thinking the same way I do. Plus its really shows that often attracted 800 to 1000 fans
spirit seems to drive their unquenchable thirst typical of people from Qubec: were very proud with bands like Gorelust. Pass Dcompos,
for side-projects, considering the insane number of our cultural and linguistic heritage and the Purgatoires first album is thus proudly rooted
theyre involved in. Our personal fave? Take a language plays a huge part in it. But were far in the classic sound of the mid-90s, with Flix
deep breath: Acidic Vaginal Liquid Explosion from being the first to do that over here and citing Suffocation, Gorguts, Obitiuary and
Generated By Mass Amounts Of Filthy Fecal a band like Dmence really made an example Baphomet as some of their main influences.
Fisting And Sadistic Septic Syphilic Sodomy for us to follow as far back as 1996 with their Were not that much into blastbeats, thats not
Inside The Infected Maggot Infested Womb Of Total Dmembrement album. They wear their where we come from. Wed rather play a heavier
A Molested Nun Dying Under The Roof Of A home turf Rimouski proudly on their sleeve, and more straight-forward form of music!
Burning Church While A Priest Watches And
Ejaculates In Immense Perverse Pleasure Over
His First Fresh Fetus. Yep, that was epic. But
their guitar player is adamant that Vulvodynia IT WAS ACTUALLY EVEN MORE
remains their top priority. We keep churning
out more material, I know, he laughs. It FRUSTRATING BEING IN THAN
makes its way into side projects. We can explore
different ideas without the fear that it doesn't OUT OF THE BAND AT THE TIME
sound like Vulvodynia holding us back. Also
the collaboration with other artists in the genre
tends to lead to more music making and side
PURGATOIRE
projects, since everyone in the band can record
or has some knowledge on recording. But
you should really check out the South African
scene, its quite small yet close-knit with bands
like Bleeding Spawn, BloodBeast, Boargazm,
Zombies Ate My Girlfriend or The Overmind.
Duly noted, sir.
W
hile Frances mother tongue played
a huge part in its early 80s heavy
metal scene, since then it seems
the black metallers have taken some pride
in using it. Its quite ironic then that you
have to look across the Atlantic, all the way
to Qubec, to actually find a death metal
band like Purgatoire favoring it for their
gruesome stories about what happened to
the missionaries that first stepped into the
vast Canadian forest only to find suffering
and death, as their vocalist Flix gently puts
TERRORIZER #275 55
10 PURE GENIUS 4-5 PASS
8-9 POT OF GOLD 2-3 PISS POOR
6-7 PASSES THE TIME 1 PILE OF SHITE
40 WATT SUN
Wider Than The Sky
RADIANCE
56 TERRORIZER #275
EMBRACE
THE DEATH
MARTIN VAN DRUNEN
ON THE NEW ALBUMS
DEVASTATING TITLE TRACK
I
came out like this. Its a damn neckbreaker to raise
t is rare, but they are death metal legends Baayens disemboweling guitar, Alwin Zuurs succession. It Came From The Skies subtly
hell to when playing live and thats why the choice
for a reason: Asphyx, even with constant bludgeoning bass, the skull-rattling war nods to Bolt Thrower, the harrowing title track, for the track was only natural. So grab a beer, bang
lineup changes (the sole original member, drums courtesy of new basher, Stefan Husky mirroring Candiru, gallops at full fury, and that head and scream along. This is fuckin Asphyx
drummer Bob Bagchus, left amicably in Hskens (Desaster) and Martin Van Durens Forerunners Of The Apocalypse and Wildland and we always deliver the goods!
2014), have soldiered on, growing better unmistakable death rattle immediately assault Fire stand as prime examples of the sinister
with time, and Incoming Death, their ninth the listener, effectively setting the stage for groove they so readily command. All of this
full-length release in their near 30-year the devastating ebb and flow that follows. is fine, great even, but where Incoming which contain a sense of gravity that most
career emphatically proves this. The title Division Brandenburg beautifully settles, Death truly makes a profound impression contemporary death metal lacks. As a whole,
refers to WWI and the horror associated with for lack of a better word, into their signature, are the sombre and contemplative The Grand Asphyx has never sounded finer and Incoming
front-line infantry sitting in the trenches huge death/doom riff-oriented style with the Denial, Subterra Incognita, and the chill- Death only adds to their legacy.
awaiting impending bombardment. They uncompromising Wardroid and fantastical, inducing closer Death The Only Immortal, [8.5] JOHN MINCEMOYER
I ts refreshing to have a
band remove the fucks-
given filter to extol good
A nata are one of the more
overlooked bands to
come out of the 90s Swedish
W hile many are still
digesting their Heart
Of Oak debut, or at least
N ow this title could
go one of two ways:
either a meditative
ol sex, drugs and rock n death metal scene. This tripping over fresh discoveries contemplation of the fate
roll debauchery. That said reissue of their 1998 debut with each listen, here comes that all awaits us, or a
tongue-in-cheek homage is backed by inescapably album has been remastered for the first time on the Vancouver-ites second offering of pitch-thick, kicking screaming monolith that aint going
infectious blackened thrash of the filthiest order vinyl, boasting a very warm production. Anata progressive metal density. Initial spins reveal that, nowhere without a fight. Asatta are the
makes signing any online petition to hang, draw perfectly walk the tightrope between the fast while the songs may be on average lengthier, the latter, and yup, things are pretty desolate
and castrate the loveable Yasuyuki Suzuki and melodicism of their peers At The Gates, Arch compositions employ a stronger, more robust sense on this debut release. Multi-tracked bellows
the Venom, Bulldozer, Motrhead and Sabbat- Enemy and In Flames, yet strive towards a more of relatable riffiness, a trait appealling to those and chords that never seem to end are the
worshipping trio he masterminds an internal technical style, almost reaching the complex more concerned with a songs impact instead of its order of the (end) days here. Its absolutely
battle SJWs will agonise over. Does one maintain playing of Nile and Necrophagist. This debut labyrinthine quality. Anciients continue to eschew delightful when they get up to (what is to
the anally lodged stick and take to Facebook sits closer to the typical melodeath sound than traditional structures, especially repeating choruses, them) a cantering speed and a teensy bit of
to whine about Whiskey, Coke And Bitch, Sex their following works. Ferocious and brutal, but they make it make more sense. The points of groove lumbers into the cosmic catastrophe,
And Metal and Sweet Baby Metal Sluts despite yet at times beautiful, this album should be comparison shift between older Mastodon and before being brought down to funeral level
uncontrollably headbanging behind closed doors? mentioned amongst death metal classics. Kylesa and newer Baroness and Opeth, providing for She Died Long Ago and its somewhat
Regardless, well be here with our ids turned off, Slain Upon His Altar in particular is truly a combination of energetic extremity, down-home cleaner reverential tones. This lot are
raging like lunatics. mesmerising. soulfulness and thoughtful arrangements. definitely ones to watch.
[8] KEVIN STEWART-PANKO [8.5] CHRIS FRENCHIE FRENCH [8] KEVIN STEWART-PANKO [7] STEVE R. JONES
TERRORIZER #275 57
RHYTHMS ROTATING
AT DIFFERENT RATES
LIKE DIFFERENT SIZED
GEARS
T
now the story. The cartel, which by prolific producer Jason he sheer force of Meshuggahs music
has added two new(ish) players, Suecof, and you know youre shouldnt be inimitable in this day and
El Clavador and Anton Reisenegger (Pentagram getting some polished technical age, especially when young nerdy musicians
Chile), respectively, has long since been exposed, ecstasy. Their powers combined ensure that this have all the effects and recording techniques
and although the original spirit remains to an extent, third album sounds big and ballsy. Screeching vocal they could ever need at their disposal. Yet
the danger, mystery, and unhinged savagery defining hooks (ironically) breathe life into lead single The gears, brute force offset by the delicate free
for all the bands that mimic the complex,
their earliest EPs and the palpably frightening Soulless, while tracks like Reach Into The Light
churning sound of the Swedish greats, when jazz solos of Fredrik Thordendal but like
Mantando Geros is missing. Technically, Pocho channel Judas Priest. Perhaps its unsurprising, as
Meshuggah emerge from hiding with new every past album the formula is tinkered
Aztlan sounds flawless, it actually holds a certain the bands personnel comprises Tim Ripper Owens.
music, it instantly renders the sounds by with, to exacting detail and precision. While
distorted danceable quality, and that is the main Theyre razor-sharp, but weep with a sense of forlorn
their acolytes as the work of rank amateurs. 2012s Koloss often revisited the speed and
problem: the grainy snuff-film, drug-fueled, black passion. That said, there is the odd forgettable
clunker and dragging pseudo-ballad in the mix here. Heaviness in metal isnt a formula or a ferocity of the bands thrash roots, The Violent
magic satanic ritual murder in a sweltering, normally
disused tin shed atmosphere is irrevocably lost. They walk the same path of anguished-yet-anthemic special combination of amplifier settings. Like Sleep Of Reason slows things back down to
Aztlan is a timely, politically-charged effort, but it metal as the likes of Scar Symmetry, but often sit Neurosis, like YOB, Meshuggahs heaviness is the pace of the bands 2002 high watermark
wants for a lack of true derangement. just on the cusp of having great songs. far less tangible, something captured by the Nothing. As labyrinthine as the arrangements
[5] JOHN MINCEMOYER [5.5] ANDY MCDONALD chemistry of the five individuals involved. seem, the space the live recordings allow for
Also, and this is crucial as you hear their the music to breathe lends such standouts
masterful eighth album, Meshuggah have as Clockworks, Into Decay, and the title
CEREBRAL FIX CHURCH OF THE been pushing themselves creatively from day track that power and heaviness that make
Disaster Of Reality COSMIC SKULL one. Yes, their signature sound is all over this Meshuggah so unique, and which makes this
XTREEM Is Satan Real? record complex, circular riffs and rhythms album so astonishing.
CROBOT DEAD
Welcome To Fat City
ALCEST
Untitle
NUCLEAR BLAST WE EMPTY ROOMS
Kodama
PROPHECY B eing a bastard
offspring of Led D ead hail from the
Australian city of
58 TERRORIZER #275
REINFORCES THEIR
IMPORTANCE AND
RELEVANCE
DEMONCY EPICA
Faustian Dawn The Holographic Principle
NUCLEAR WAR NOW NUCLEAR BLAST
OPETH
S inisterly slithering
out the pit in the
early dawn of the USBM
R est assured, there will be
no surprises from Epica
this year. The Dutch symphonic
Sorceress
NUCLEAR BLAST
I
movement, Demoncy metallers have crafted yet another ts so quaint how some longtime fans of
conjured up a ghastly aura grandiose record that combines Opeth cling to the hope that someday Mikael
with demo Faustian Dawn in 1993. The classically flourished riffs with lyrics straight out kerfeldt will return to the more extreme-
original sound may be polished, but is still of a sociology text book. With their penchant for one minded progressive metal that made the band
ridden with filth and grime and the songs overarching theme to each album, The Holographic one of most innovative acts of the 1990s.
have a primitive, lo-fi barrage about them Principle explores the issue of reality becoming more
Three albums into the fascinating and utterly
similar to originators such as Profanatica and virtual and less, err real. And what a bombastic
spellbinding metamorphosis from extreme
Von. Its the occult sensibilities traversed by journey this exploration is, from the obligatory
metal stalwarts to progressive rock auteurs, back. Ever the student of 1970s progressive
founder Ixithra and his assorted ghouls that instrumental intro to the surprisingly heavy chugs of
however, its clear that Opeth have no intention rock, kerfeldt has gone back to his biggest
make this particularly worth revisiting. Along Universal Death Squad its a valiant, if formulaic,
effort. Divide And Conquer provides the highlight of backtracking one single bit. influences Camel, Genesis, Jethro Tull and
with whispered, rasping vocals and thick
with its massive hooks, showcasing a more refined The stylistic shift that started with 2011s has found a way to use those vintage sounds to
cloying bass the fetid miasma really gets
beneath the skin and exudes a grim and foul balance of ideas. At times the album suffers from Heritage through 2014s Pale Communion forge a subtler-sounding path. The sterling first
atmosphere as it rumbles out its thoroughly a disjointed feel, but the moments where it all knits and the brand new Sorceress is the best thing half of Sorceress plays into all Opeths many
unpleasant Satanic Psalms. Ugh! together are enthrallingly redemptive. kerfeldt and Opeth could have ever done. strengths, juxtaposing darker, harsher moods
[7] PETE WOODS [7] SERENA CHERRY Changing your musical approach while still with introspective, folk-inspired fare, serving
remaining true to the oeuvre youve created as a precursor to a jazzier, more adventurous
is by no means easy, but kerfeldt has made second half, as Strange Brew and A Fleeting
DPARTE GATECREEPER it seem effortless. That skill is on full display Glance head in more abstract directions. The
Failure, Subside Sonoran Deprivation on Sorceress, which sees the band making discipline on display is a marvel to hear, and
SEASON OF MIST RELAPSE
subtle overtures toward their heavier side while Opeths continued mastery of the form only
GOAT HALSHUG
Requiem
OATHBREAKER
Sort Sind
ROCKET SOUTHERN LORD
Rheia
DEATHWISH INC. They may be Swedish and
have named themselves C openhagen trio Halshug
return with their second
TERRORIZER #275 59
METAL AS ALL
FUCK
E T
ven if her stage name he Finns sound has an enraged grizzly or squeezing melodies out of elsewhere you have the epically heavy yet melodic
Helen Money isnt always belied their humble even the most brutal riffs. Born In A Rut. Metal as all fuck then, and a
familiar to you, chances are level of fame and Winter's And of course, with Alex Skolnik handling huge gauntlet thrown down for the new Metallica
youve heard some of Alison Gate only serves to magnify lead guitar duties, Steve DiGiorgio on bass, record
Chesleys cello work on that, condensing this new and Gene Hoglan on drums, the supporting [8] IAN GLASPER
records by the likes of Mono, Russian Circles, collection of ideas into one single, 40-minute
Bob Mould and even Anthrax. With a full band
behind her, Chesley makes full use of the
epic. Reimaginings of the Viking Sagas and
Norse mythology are nothing new in the scene THE BURNING TIMES
cellos sonic range, from the mournful sweeping everyone from Enslaved to Turisas have long since GUITARIST ERIC PETERSEN ON THE NEW ALBUM
notes of opener Every Confidence to the spun such a yarn but the world that Insomnium
T
cutting, sautill strokes of the title track, to the bring to life through their kaleidoscopic, his one is more thrash. I mean, this Its kind of like Demonic and The Gathering, but
all-encompassing doom chords of Radiate. progressive melodeath is one in which the has got some of the fastest stuff that a little bit wiser. Chucks not singing so death. I
Evoking Vivaldi one moment, and Godspeed bittersweet, introspective guitar and piano we have ever played. Usually, we have one or mean, he does some death stuff but hes singing
and Sunn O))) the next, Chesley excellently melodies come to be as evocatively crushing as two thrash songs, and then we have some mid- more like he did on the last record and then with
demonstrates the cellos emotional and aural the inevitable, erupting distortion. Its ambitious, tempo, and then we have a slow, heavy one, and the craziness of The Gathering or even heavy stuff
versatility. The fact that the album was written and theres the risk of the listeners attention then up-tempo kind of stuff. Half of the new like Demonic.
in the wake of personal loss only serves to wandering during the journey, but there are plenty
record is thrash, which weve never done before.
deepen Become Zeros emotional impact. of ensnaring stops along the way.
[7.5] TOM MCKIBBIN [7] ANDY MCDONALD
T he sophomore album
SOULSELLER
World Gone Mad
SUICIDAL
A merican death metal
pioneer Paul Speckmann
from the melodic doom
quartet hailing from the
O ver the years, Suicidal Tendencies have
undergone many transformations, and with
World Gone Mad, the evolution definitely continues
(of Master/Death Strike fame)
once again teams up with one
cold of Denver, Colorado,
Khemmis have gone for
of the scenes most productive an even more melodic sound than last years
and even sees ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo
musicians, Rogga Johansson (Paganizer, debut Absolution, taking inspiration from
joining their ranks. Unfortunately the album
Ribspreader etc), for a third collaboration and traditional doom with clean vocals. For the
opens with the weakest song of the collection,
the result is a fairly straight ahead death metal most part, Hunted is a very warm sounding
the frantically quirky but throwaway Clap Like
affair which doesnt offer up any major surprises. album. There are so many epic melodic leads,
Ozzy, but thankfully things rapidly improve from
It should appeal to fans of their various individual solos and harmonised guitars that you may
thereon in, with The New Degeneration being as
works as it basically sounds like a cross between feel like youve just uncovered a long lost Thin
heavy and moody as anything theyve recorded in
Master and Paganizer/Ribspreader but with more Lizzy album, but a few awkward moments like
years, and Living For Life opening with a typically
melodious lead work. Speckmanns vocal delivery on Three Gates and Beyond The Door, where
menacing intro before exploding into some prime Suicidal back on track and doing what they do
is as you would expect: rough and ready, abrasive extreme growling vocals crop up almost at
hardcore thrash, Lombardos talents exploding best; Get Your Fight On! in particular could almost
and aggressive and he definitely hasnt lost any random, sound really out of place. If you like
to the forefront in a flurry of incredible fills. The be an outtake from the seminal How Will I Laugh
of that raw vocal edge hes well known for. A solid strong melodicism in doom, this an enjoyable
band also have a new guitarist and bassist, who Tomorrow When I Cant Even Smile Today? album,
slab of punchy, energetic old schooldeath metal. yet somewhat muddled effort.
both step up to the plate in fine fashion, and with and no ones going to argue with that.
Mikes unmistakeable vocal delivery, this feels like [7.5] KAT GILLHAM [6] CHRIS FRENCHIE FRENCH
[7.5] IAN GLASPER
60 TERRORIZER #275
CONSUMED BY
THE BUCOLIC
GRANDIOSITY
MAKE MERCYLESS
Pilgrammage Of Loathing Pathetic Divinity
WORMROT DEVOUTER KAOTOXIN
Voices
EARACHE I t has to be said, theres
something for everyone T hese French death metal
veterans return with
62 TERRORIZER #275
SHORT & SAVAGE
EP ROUND-UP
O
bituary are back with two-track single Ten Thousand Ways To Die [7, Relapse],
their first new material since 2014s somewhat lacklustre Inked In Blood, and lo and
MORROW PENNY RIMBAUDS behold, theyre sounding rejuvenated. Loathe alternates between sickly, lurching doom
Covenant Of Teeth LACADMIE DES VANITS and that classic Obi bounce, whilst the title track offers up some particularly slimy lead guitar and
HALO OF FLIES/ALERTA ANTIFASCISTA/CHAOS RURALE Yes Sir, The Truth Of Revolution Tom G. aping riffery. Theyve even thrown in a whole host of live material as a bonus, of varying
W ith members of COLD SPRING degrees of sound quality. Its cool and all, but not exactly essential unlike the new Spectral
Archivist, Carnist and
Light Bearer in their fold,
Morrow could be called a
B oth advocates and sceptics
of Blackpools nostalgic
punk weekender Rebellion
Voice/Phrenelith split [8.5, Iron Bonehead/Dark Descent]. Denvers Spectral
Voice nail that eerie Demigod-esque vibe perfectly before diving headlong into vast caverns of
demented Autopsy style death-doom, whilst Denmarks Phrenelith manage to summon an even
crust supergroup, but that would surely agree that its filthier sound, with their supremely guttural vocals and heavily detuned guitars recalling Pissgrave
would belittle what they are up to. Crafting not a noted haven for the or fellow countrymen Undergang.
four epic and sprawling songs exploring challenging or experimental. Still, if anyone was Meanwhile, in the world of death metal demos, it seems the punks have beaten the longhairs
language and sounds through somber folk going to fill their slot there (in 2014) with an hour at their own game this month. Stateside, members of Iron Lung and Mind Eraser have clubbed
strumming to gargantuan, soaring doomed of boisterous jazz, anarchist poetry and sound art, together to form Innumerable Forms and belch out the two track Promo 2016 [7, self-
riffs into full-on d-beat crust apocalypse, it was one-time Crass figurehead Penny Rimbaud. release], a lumbering and very primitive exercise in sheer brute force, whilst in the UK,
Covenant Of Teeth is indeed an epic Yes Sir, The Truth Of Revolution takes Crass 1983 Savage Realm sees folk from Art Of Burning Water and Lich joining forces for Nocturnal
sounding album. Its like Neurosis if they had album Yes Sir, I Will an epic post-Falklands Savagery [9, self-release] one of the years gnarliest demo tapes so far. The vocals sound
skipped the prog stuff after Souls At Zero, monstering set to abrasive improv and updates genuinely evil, the guitar tone is amazing, the drums are totally ferocious, the four songs are
kept the anger from The Word As Law and it via passing references to 9/11 and selfies. Guest interestingly structured and the riff count is higher than a lot of full-lengths weve heard recently.
distilled it all in a feral stew of Tragedy and vocals from fellow Crass member Eve Libertine, Seriously, just go buy it!
Fall Of Efrafa. Yes, it is that good, that dark, still sounding as magnificently scornful as 35 If its more blackened fare youre after, be sure to add Astrophoboss new EP Enthroned In
that brooding and, above all, its still punk years ago, are a repeated highlight of a release Flesh [7, Triumvirate] to your shopping list. The four melodic yet blisteringly furious tracks on
as fuck. thats most likely one for serious Crass heads only. offer here feel even more refined and tightly honed than the competent Dissection worship of their
[8] ALEX BONIWELL [6] NOEL GARDNER 2014 debut album Remnants Of Forgotten Horrors and bode very well indeed for their next full-
length. Former Altar Of Plagues frontman James Kelly has a new release from his Wife project too,
though if youve been paying attention, you wont be expecting any black metal here. Wife allows
OOZING WOUND PICTURES OF PAIN James to explore his love of electronic music, and though Standard Nature [7.5, Profound
Whatever Forever World Demise Lore] feels a bit glitchier, chaotic and less song-based than his previous work under this name, the mixture of
THRILL JOCKEY PITCH BLACK James heavily processed vocals with stuttering staccato beats and futuristic synth sounds is still as thrilling
64 TERRORIZER #275
FROM THE DEPTHS:
DEATH METAL ROUND-UP
L
ike most current Chilean death metal bands, Exanimatvms debut
Dispersae Et Tormentvm [6.5, Dunkelheit] is pitch black with an
SOCKS FOR COCKS THIS DYING HOUR extremely guttural vocalist and murky vibe. Even if the limited production
Fast Fun Punk Resting Where No Shadows Fall means things get a bit blurry when it gets too fast, in their few doomier moments
SELF RELEASE SELF RELEASE they get excruciatingly heavy and decrepit, far beyond the usual Incantation cloning
T ruckfighters (appropriately
T rue Widows fourth album
H aving wrestled themselves
DISSONANCE
66 TERRORIZER #275
ZINE
DVDS
Whispering Eyes #3 IN FLAMES
ANDREW WALTER Sounds From The Heart Of Gothenburg
NUCLEAR BLAST
BOOK
O riginally aired on Dutch TV back
in 1988 and bootlegged in various
forms online since, this 40 minute
To Live Is To Die: documentary finally gets an official
The Life And Death Of remastered release through Cold Spring,
Metallicas Cliff Burton complete with DVD gallery and David
JOEL MCIVER Keenan penned liner notes. Focussing on
JAWBONE PRESS several key figures from the experimental/
68 TERRORIZER #275
ANAAL NATHRAKH
no str ang er to T errori zer .
We ventured forth into
gri nde rs are
Kenney the once-over
ned
Birminghams finest blacke
of T he U nde rw orl d to giv e D ave H unt and M ick
the dar k cha mbe rs Laverty & Miranda Yardley
Words: Miranda Yardley Pics: Becky
TREVOR JONES band. Will the thrakh recognise their buddy and Mayhem Dave: Yeah its wicked. You know, I do think there was
& THE LONDON vocalist? a sort of fallow period of wandering around like [1998s]
PHILHARMONIC Mick: Absu. Words From The Exit Wound or something like that. I think
ORCHESTRA Dave: Doing a cover of Slayer. they were trying to figure out what to do themselves, but
Theme From Excalibur FROM Mick: Sounds like the guy from Absu then when you get to more recent stuff like [2000s] Enemy
Excalibur OST Theres a connection with Mayhem Of The Music Business and afterwards
(OLD WORLD, 1981) Mick: Is that Maniac? Mick: Its gone back to being what they wanted. And
I
tself taken from Siegfried's Funeral Music from Richard Dave: Not Skitliv or something like that, is it? No idea. Barney has got better as well.
Wagners Die Gtterdmmerung (Twilight Of The Gods), Its Tormentor. Dave: Yeah, Barney is amazing nowadays, I think, far
this is the theme music to the Excalibur film which inspired Mick: Oh its Attila! better than he used to be. Theyre riding a career high thirty
the name Anaal Nathrakh. Dave: Oh right! Ive never heard of that before. odd years into their career.
Mick [Kenny, guitar]: Is this the first song
Wagner? NAPALM DEATH MISTRESS
Dave [Hunt, vocals]: No. Id say it sounds slightly From Enslavement To Why Dont You Just Fuck
more Elgar or something like that. Obliteration FROM From Off? FROM In Disgust We
Mick: Excalibur? Enslavement To Obliteration Trust
Yes! So why did we choose that? (EARACHE, 1988) (EARACHE, 2005)
T T
Mick: Because thats where we get our name from, and its he first album from the first he muchly missed Mistress
fucking important! stable lineup to crystallise featured Mick and Dave as
Dave: I havent watched that film in ages. I need to watch from the Birmingham collective known as Napalm Death, well as long term collaborator Duncan Drunken Wilkins
it again actually. Are we allowed to tell you just to keep following 1987s Scum. Kenney and Napalm Deaths Shane and Kenneys brother Paul. Do they remember recording this
playing it because we want to hear it? Whens the best bit? Embury run FETO Records between them, named after this hidden track?
Mick: Well, you know this is the end of the movie when its album. Dave: Have you spotted it?
going off! Mick: [instantly] Napalm Death. From Enslavement To Mick: Have you got it?
Obliteration. Dave: Yep.
TORMENTOR Yes! Mick: Zeke?
Heaven FROM Anno Domini Mick: I got that in one second! Thats one of the best Dave: Given that youve already heard both
(SELF-RELEASE, 1989) albums of all time. of us
A
classic cut from Tormentors What do you think of the bands current output? Mick: Is it us?
second demo, Attila Csihars first Mick: I reckon its all awesome. Dave: Its Mistress! It sounds like Zeke.
70 TERRORIZER #275
I CANT STAND BEING
SILLY IT JUST
IRRITATES ME!
Mick: Yeah, it does. just your mate as much as anything else though, isnt BENEDICTION
Dave: But dont you remember you had to play the riff he? I Am The Disease
on it because it was too fast? Mick: Yeah, yeah! FROM Organised
Mick: Oh yeah! What was the song called? Is it called Chaos
Right Fuck Up? Is the word fuck involved? MORGUE ORGY (NUCLEAR BLAST, 2001)
T
Dave: Its bound to have the word fuck in the title, The Modern Prometheus his was Dave
its a Mistress song! FROM Murders Most Foul Hunts first
Mick: I dont remember that track at all. (FETO, 2011) foray with the Birmingham death metallers
T
Dave: It was like a bonus track. I think there were like hese cheeky Birmingham (notorious for their pre-show rider) but how
loads of empty tracks or something and then that at the upstarts convinced Dave well does he recall it?
end. It does sound exactly like Zeke Hunt to sing on their EP Mick: I recognise it again Oh! Its you,
The track is Why Dont You Just Fuck Off? Dave: Oh, I do know this. isnt it?
Dave: Yeah its on In Disgust We Trust. Its basically Mick: I know what it is but Im not gonna tell you! Dave: Yeah its me. Its just its not one of
a rip off of I Dont Give A Fuck by Zeke. Dave: Oh its Morgue Orgy, innit? the ones I can particularly remember of the top
Any plans to bring Mistress back? Yes! of my head. I havent heard that in years, you
Dave: Nope. Dave: Curious that you should be playing us them get used to the ones that you do live cos thats
Weve got some great footage of that show you did at because it always seemed to me that they were on what you hear. Is it This Graveyard Earth?
Damnation in 2009. the cusp of doing something a bit more than they had No, but same album its I Am the Disease.
Dave: The last show. previously done, and then they didnt and knocked it Dave. Oh, okay. I havent heard that since the
Mick: Oh I didnt play that show. Thats when I didnt on the head which I thought was a shame. I thought album came out and I played the album at home.
play the drums anymore. they had potential they hardly ever played out of
Dave: Yeah, hed forgotten how to do the drums! Birmingham and I quite enjoyed them. OBSIDIAN
It was an amazing show. There were people throwing We once put them on in London. They went down really KINGDOM
themselves off the stage like lemmings. well. Away/Absent FROM A
Dave: Yeah it was good fun. Some guy broke his leg or Dave: Yep, yeah. They were a really good band, I Year With No Summer
ankle or something there. It was great fun. thought, but I think they were kind of torn between being (SEASON OF MIST,
Mick: That was where somebody smashed up silly and being serious. It depends who you are, which of 2016)
F
Duncans guitar for him, but it was his good one that he those works. I cant stand being silly it just irritates rom the second album by the
wanted to keep. me! [laughs] Its true! I dont like being silly, but when darkwave/progressive Spaniards, this
they were being silly they were at their best. That was track features both Attila Csihar and Ulvers
MOTIONLESS IN them doing their thing. Kristoffer Rygg.
WHITE They were called Morgue Orgy how the hell can you Dave: Hmm, means nothing to me so far.
Synthetic Love FROM take that seriously? Mick: And they are related to us?
Infamous Dave: Well, yeah! Quite! Dave: Well, I havent got a clue.
(FEARLESS, 2012) Mick: Didnt they change their name for a while to Mick: No, I dont know what the fuck it is.
M
ick Kenney co-wrote three something else? Its Obsidian Kingdom, the album itself has got
tracks on this album and Dave: Yeah, I think they were toying with being serious Atilla Csihar on it.
eight on the industrial metalcore bands follow-up or trying to be taken a bit more seriously. No, no, be idiots Mick: Oh! I was going to say him earlier but
Reincarnate. if thats what works. Well, not idiots because they were it kept getting mixed in with the other one so I
Mick: Thats Motionless In White. OK, give me a talented guys but I think they couldnt quite find the wasnt sure.
second I wrote it! answer to that and they went oh, you know, fuck it in
Dave: I was gonna say, did you write it? the end. www.Facebook.com/
Mick Oh, its called Synthetic Love or something? AnaalNathrakhOfficial
Yes! How did you get involved with Motionless In
White?
Mick: The singer of the band loves Bleeding Through,
his idol is [vocalist] Brandon Schieppati and I was in a
band with him and he heard that and was like thats
what I want my band to sound like, so he asked me to
write songs. Then I kinda told him that they shouldnt do 73%
FINAL SCORE: have
that, they should sound like this instead. So it was like been in
A good showing from two musicians who
alright because they wanted to be more mainstream dozens of bands, and seem to remember most of it!
and do stadium kind of stuff you gotta do more simple
beats and stuff, you know? Its cool that they listened to DA RULES
me because it beat my album. Fifteen minutes, no limits. One point for each artist
Dave: They are more popular now. Hes and another for the song. No Arguments.
TERRORIZER #275 71
DARK RECOLLECTIONS
CIRITH UNGOL
Paradise Lost
CIRITH UNGOLs first three albums are a vital part
of any metal record collection , but now it s time
for their forgotten fourth album to get some love ,
respect and vinyl reissuing and TERRORIZER is at the
forefront of the celebrations
Words: Olivier Zoltar Badin
L
isten, Cirith Ungol released four albums okay?
Not three. While Frost And Fire (1981), King
Of The Dead (1984) and One Foot In Hell
(1986) have indeed become iconic of arcane heavy
metal with their Michael Moorcock inspired covers,
banshee-like singer and scruffy riffing which took shabby bootlegs and so-called official reissues, the
inspiration from both the NWOBHM movement German office of Metal Blade managed to secure
and proto-doom sound of Black Sabbath, their the rights from the German branch of Sony, who
last studio offering to date Paradise Lost tends to owned Restless back catalogue and the whole thing
get overlooked, as if the difficult conditions under has been remastered, shining a new light on an
which it was conceived (with their then label, line- album that never deserved such a bad reputation
up, producer and the whole damn world it seems) in the first place. Cold Lake it aint. And after
and the regularly publicised negative feedback from all those years spent dismissing it, even Robert
their drummer Robert Garven (who basically blamed himself, to whom we talked to while he was at work
that whole experience for breaking the band up in rehearsing for their upcoming return to the stage,
1992) had buried it on a distant island, never to be reassess its place in the Cirith Ungol cannon.
unearthed ever again. The problem has never been with the music, he
Except that Metal Blade just did, a quarter of a recalls. But if I quit the band, it was just because
century after its initial release on Restless Records I wasnt satisfied with the result and felt we were
and just in time to coincide with the bands reunion treated horribly by our then label. But theres been
show in their hometown of Ventura on the second a lot of water under the bridge since then and Ive
weekend of October for the aptly titled Frost And come to realise theres some very good material on
Fire Festival, set up by longtime fan and Night there. Yes, I was the one who was caning it and
Demon member Jarvis Leatherby. After years of I apologise to everyone because now with a step
72 TERRORIZER #275
EDITED BY KEZ WHELAN
BLOODSTOCK
the band bow out at the very top of their game.
Finally, Stourbridge veterans Diamond Head enter
with a swagger with new vocalist Rasmus Bom Andersen
cutting a far more imposing presence than his predecessor
Nick Tart. Numbers from recent self-titled opus are in step
CATTON HALL with the kind of classic NWOBHM which made a young
Metallica take note, shredding the piss poor soft rock
FRIDAY On the Sophie Lancaster Stage, Wigan outfit Boss trappings they have dabbled with. The colossal Am I Evil is
Swansea sludge monsters Hark open proceedings Keloid have got people talking and the hype is more than rapturously received, demonstrating the true power of one of
with big groovy riffs and plenty of bottom end. Brand new justified. Monstrous prog metal guitar riffs pummel the metals most underrated acts.
number Disintegrate proves a very effective wake-up call in audience whilst Alex Hurst channels the more demonic aspect
the already blazing sunshine. Comedy hour comes courtesy of Mike Pattons vocal work to seismic effect. Redundant nu SATURDAY
of Gloryhammer and Evil Scarecrow. Cue daft metal bozos Anti-Clone seem intent on pretending the last With Mages steadily unfurling monolithic grooves
costumes on and off stage as everyone loses themselves eighteen years never happened with their sloppy downtuned forming a suitably inert soundtrack to the various crippling
in the midst of interstellar warfare, battling away with riffs and laughable gimp masks. Thankfully Meta-Stasis hangovers being valiantly suffered near the Sophie Stage this
everything from invading unicorns to giant crabs. galvanise things with their incendiary death metal attack. morning, the crisp cleans and well-muscled chug of The
Jeremy Gomez is masterful frontman, leading the troops Raven Age make for pleasingly melodic, if rather generic
through nightmarish neo-industrial metal that peaks with a change of pace.
guest appearance from Voices man Peter Benjamin. Performing double duty, Gregor Macintosh is a whirling
The first very welcome revival of the weekend sees dervish, leading Vallenfyre through a titanic set of crusty
Misery Loves Co kissing boots for the first time in death metal. Intimate and devastating, the likes of Bereft
sixteen years. Those that remember revel in the Sonic Attack and Desecration hark back to the salad days of death metal
and get suitably bruised by forthcoming album track Would whilst pointing at its richly dystopian future. Akercocke
You; welcome back! Did Stuck Mojo really play Rape mount a triumphant comeback with Jason Mendona
Whistle one second and want to see tits the next? Talk about especially looking revitalised from their sabbatical. Deftly
a faux pas Still down south but with much more pride, switching between brutal death blasts to intricate progressive
despite lost instruments and stand in drummer Corrosion shapes, the main stage crowd lets the Londoners know how
SATYRICON
Of Conformity play a blistering set. dearly theyve been missed.
74 TERRORIZER #275
VENOM
SLAYER
the evening on a high, although Acid Reign still draw a everyone at fever pitch. First encounter with new
sizeable crowd with their richly nostalgic but rather derivative Pythia singer Sophie Dorman proves more than
Metallica-isms. effective, her operatic and natural vocals hitting
the spot along with the bands burgeoning chops.
SUNDAY Swords are held aloft in salute every step of the
The various caterwauling punters heard playfully way during their passionate rousing performance.
mimicking Ghostbaths trademark banshee shrieks here Anthraxs practiced repertoire of grooving
this morning might suggest a division of popular opinion, leads and scissor-kicking stage antics makes
but with their exquisite layering of velvet-thick distortion, for an instant crowd pleaser, and by the time the
delicately cascading piano notes and wintry lashings of suspenseful strains of Slayers Repentless
tremolo, theirs is a rare and richly absorbing talent. With implode in a blinding inferno of scorching
heavy overreliance on murkily primitive brutality, US metalcore hell-fire, the night air is thick with electricity.
icons Unearth bludgeon the senses into submission via With the legendary collectives awe-inspiring
NEUROSIS
AMPLIFEST
furiously head-banging figure as she pounds away on her
keys, alternating between deranged shrieks, gentle croons
and spine-tinglingly emotive glissando, Lisa Gerrard style. Her
backing band are no slouches either, granting a luscious, full
sound and accompanying her through gorgeous pastoral folk
and harrowing, introspective dirges. Its powerful, visceral stuff,
PORTO, PORTUGAL and Kayo Dot struggle to follow it over on the smaller stage.
The bands current power-trio incarnation are tightly in tune
with one another and play this bizarre, technically challenging
FRIDAY inducing form tonight. Playing for over an hour and a half, music as if its mere childs play, but fail to attain that grand,
Amplifests sixth edition begins with bang, as the mighty their jittery, paranoid bass lines, fluid, freewheeling guitar cinematic sound that typified 2014s Coffins On Io. Material
Aluk Todolo treat us to an extended set in the sweaty lines and exhausting, tribal beats are allowed enough room to from latest opus Plastic House On Base Of Sky fares a little
basement of Cave 45, a great little venue just out of town. blossom into a truly psychedelic experience, kickstarting the better, emphasising the bands more chaotic tendencies as
The trio are often referred to as a black metal band, and festival in the same way that taking ayahuasca as a rite of drummer Keith Abrams fires off all manner of effortless, weirdly
whilst there are elements of that aesthetic here, their improv- passage kickstarts adulthood. timed blasts.
heavy, krautrock inspired sound really has more in common Back on the main stage, Japanese post-rock pioneers
with the likes of Fushitsusha or old Skullflower than they do, SATURDAY Mono are captivating, and you can hear a pin drop as they
say, Burzum or Mayhem, and theyre in particularly trance- At the Hard Club, a large venue right in Portos centre, traverse through sparse, subtle passages, before erupting in
Lisbon trio Redemptus open the festival proper sublime, heart-stopping crescendos. The bands beautiful use
ALTARAGE in style with a bleak, tumultuous barrage of crusty of space is unparalleled by most of the bands theyve inspired,
atmospheric sludge, bassist/vocalist P.R. screaming his and tonight is a prime example of why theyre so revered, as the
guts out with a wild, untamed fervour. Arriving slightly room swells with appreciation.
later than planned, Minsks hulking great post-metal
vistas sound suitably crushing over on the Hard Clubs SUNDAY
larger stage, but its Spains Altarage who provide Latvias Tesa impress with their intricately crafted
the first genuine holy fuck! moment of the day. Clad post-metal, their dense, cyclical riffs possessing a highly
in creepy black hoods, the quartet unleash all hell with hypnotic quality. As drummer Jnis Burmeisters whips out some
their murky, Portal style death metal, as disorientating gnarly screams whilst battering his kit, its not hard to see why
riffs collide with some truly inhuman blastbeats Neurosis picked these guys as support for this Euro tour. By
(seriously, in this heat, and under those robes, their comparison, Ghent misery merchants The Black Heart
OATHBREAKER
Material from previous album Eros|Anteros Of Grace sends the crowd haywire whilst the airing of two
is utterly raging and whips the crowd up new songs, Bending Light and Broken Ground, finds them
into a frenzy, but during newer songs like locked in a hushed reverie, but its older tracks like Locust
Needles In Your Skin, it really seems like Star and Takeahnase that really see the fireworks flying, as
Oathbreaker have forged out a new, very the band really cut loose, visibly moved by the reaction these
unique sound for themselves, blending songs are granted. Keyboardist Noah Landis beats down on
Rebellion seem dull, meandering and insincere, their hardcore fury with black metal influences and an incredibly his instrument like The Hulk, whilst bassist Dave Edwardson
post-hardcore stylings heavy on the limp melodrama and powerful sense of melody in a way that no other band really seems to lose himself in a trance, belting out his awesome
mawkish sentiment, and worryingly light on the riff front. does. Performed with the utmost conviction, this band are really caveman-style vocals with righteous anger. As they close
After a very illuminating discussion on the smaller stage on to something special here. Following that is no enviable with an astonishing Stones From The Sky, the outpouring
about Neurosis creative process with Scott Kelly, Steve Von task, but Germanys Downfall Of Gaia certainly manage it, of elation from the crowd make it clear weve all witnessed
Till and our very own Jos Carlos Santos, Nvoas yearning, battering the packed smaller stage with their ambitious crusty something incredible tonight. A breathtaking finale, but, seeing
Wolves In The Throne Room-esque black metal is bolstered post-black metal. If youre still gutted that Altar Of Plagues as Amplifest is the gift that keeps on giving, we get not one,
by the inclusion of bits of tree bark and bone as percussion, split up and you dont know this band, youll want to rectify but two Prurient sets for good measure one abrasive,
Zero Kama style. Whilst it could definitely stand to be a that ASAP! Amenra vocalist Colin H van Eeckhouts ambient confrontational noise set that sees Dominick Fernow attacking
bit higher in the mix, the extra instrumentation is used side-project Chve provides a pleasant break for the ears before swarms of invisible bees with his microphone, and one
very tastefully indeed, lending the bands nature-inspired tonights headliners, even though his steady drones arent really dancefloor-friendly industrial/techno set right after. Nice!
sound an even more evocative quality. Australias Hope as compelling as youd expect.
Drone are of a similar style but even better, performing Theres such a thick air of anticipation as Neurosis MONDAY
their simultaneously aggressive and achingly beautiful black take to the stage for their first ever Portugal show that large Monday makes our transition back to reality a bit easier
metal with a ruthless efficiency that would make Weakling swathes of the crowd actively ssshhhh! each other as they with two fantastic performances at Passos Manuel, an old
proud. pick up their instruments. The band themselves seem as fired cinema in the centre of town. The Leaving is Zatokrevs
To call Oathbreakers main stage set cathartic up as the audience, too; yeah, yeah, we know Neurosis are one Frederyk Rotters acoustic alter ego, and his gentle falsetto and
would be a massive understatement; opening with 10:56 of those bands that always makes critics gush like geysers, delicate finger-picked chords are worlds apart from his other
and Second Son Of R. from new album Rheia, Caro but of the innumerable times this particular hack has seen band, showcasing a whole new side to the musician. Tonight
Tanghes vocals range from a fragile, tortured whisper to them, this performance felt the most special, the most personal is all about Steve Von Till though; still on a high from
some of the most intense screams of the entire festival. and the most goddamn heavy. Opening with a colossal Times yesterdays performance (last night was fucking awesome!
he beams at one point, to a roar of approval from the
crowd), he keeps the whole room rapt with several of his own
compositions and a beautiful version of Townes Van Zandts
Black Crow Blues, along with several anecdotes about the
meanings and origins of his songs. Its a fantastic, intimate
experience, and the perfect end to this extraordinary festival.
PRURIENT MINSK
TERRORIZER #265 77
DISCHARGE
song off their last album, Perfume And Piss, they then proceed
to rattle through all of their seminal Leather, Bristles, Studs
And Acne 12 (plus most of their early singles and the best
tracks from their first two LPs!) as if their lives depended upon
it. MDC tear it up in the Pavilion stage, their chaotic hardcore
punk a diatribe against ignorance and oppression, whilst The
Ruts are stunning in the Opera House; now a three-piece, they
play a 50/50 set of their old punk classics and their latter period
dub reggae.
The Damned play to a rammed Tower stage, sounding
better than ever, even if they couldnt be seen because of the
burgeoning throng, so its back to the Pavilion to see Steve
Ignorant joining Paranoid Visions for an enjoyable set
mainly consisting of material from their collaborative When?
album, though the surprise Crass covers make for a fitting and
exhilarating climax.
SUNDAY
Police Bastard have the unenviable slot of opening up
the main stage on Sunday morning, but pull it off with aplomb,
and soon have the growing crowd moshing to their heaving
metallic punk, vocalist Johnny Doom dryly noting, This is not my
usual Sunday morning routine!
Ably representing Belfast as always, The Defects
and The Outcasts make a great pairing in the Empress
Ballroom, both bands rattling through some well-loved classics,
The Defects also showcasing some new material that sounded
convincingly moody and urgent. The Adolescents suffer
somewhat with the curse of bad sound that unfortunately
REBELLION
plagues the highly-ceilinged Empress Ballroom, but that doesnt
stop the energy of their exuberant SoCal punk infecting the room,
the massive singalong to Amoeba as enjoyable as expected.
Dag Nasty are great on the outdoor stage, despite the
drizzle and wind. After waiting thirty years to see them, this
FESTIVAL
was almost a religious experience for many, and they dont
disappoint, playing all their classics note-perfectly with a
likeable self-deprecating honesty. Shame they cock up their
cover of Staring At The Rude Boys, but after such a stunning
set, no one cares.
Not sure where Jello Biafra finds his energy, but every
WINTER GARDENS, BLACKPOOL time he tours here, he gets better, peppering rampant newer
material with Dead Kennedys chestnuts like Californian Uber
FRIDAY particular an audience participation highlight), with new songs Alles, Nazi Punks (Fuck Off!) and Riot. We even get Forkboy
The annual Rebellion Festival sees thousands of punks from the basically brilliant latest album, Ziezo, sounding by Lard, and Jello has a manic flamboyant stage presence that
from around the world converge on the cheese capital of the as vibrant as the more traditional set choices. puts performers half his age to shame, stage-diving and miming
Northwest (thats Blackpool, for the uninitiated), to chase around The Exploited are on fine form, Wattie in (relatively) his way through an incendiary set both jaw-droppingly raging
four or five venues and see as many of the 150+ bands as they decent health after his onstage scares of recent years, with his and brutally politically relevant. A definite highlight of the whole
can in four days. band delivering old chestnuts like Dead Cities and Dogs Of festival, and two fingers up to anyone who says Rebellion is
Your reviewer arrives on the Friday evening, just in time War with a youthful fervour and military precision. Again, these nothing but safe nostalgia.
to see Discharge blowing away an expectant crowd on the songs are so embedded in the psyche of the gathered throng,
new open-air Tower Street stage, confirming they are back on they have no choice but to lurch like Pavlovian dogs to their
formidable form. The new album is plenty strong enough for dystopian call.
recently-penned songs to sit comfortably alongside the early
80s classics, but only a few were aired, the band preferring to SATURDAY
batter the crowd with relentlessly intense tracks from the first Dick Lucas remains one of the most entertaining, energetic
LP, 12 and EPs. front-men in punk and had all three of his bands playing the
In the more intimate setting of the Pavilion stage, festival, but thanks to the sucking pit that is the M6, your
Paranoid Visions are their usual vitriolic self, and sound reviewer missed the Subhumans, and then Citizen Fish clashed
great, ending with a rousing version of Ever Fallen In Love by with some other great bands, so it was left to Culture
the Buzzcocks, Deko Dachau and Aoife Destruction both bringing Shock to make a lasting impression, which of course they did,
very different vibes to the vocal delivery that complement each their intelligent lyrics and incredibly energetic choppy ska-punk
other wonderfully. instantly getting the Tower Street yard hopping like loons.
As usual, the UK Subs played to a full house on the Tower GBH unleash one of their best sets of recent years and are
DAG NASTY
stage, the crowd singing along to all the standards (Warhead in rewarded with a rabid response from the crowd. Opening with a
WWW.TICKETWEB.CO.UK
album
Releasing second
yll only
Y Proffwyd Dw
after their
nine months
but Noeth FLOATING
mighty fine de
Welsh POINTS
Ac Anoeth, rising
doom crew MAMMOTH
Kuiper FROM Kuiper
WEED WIZARD
(PLUTO, 2016)
I only discovered him fairly
BASTARD arent
as
recently, the first time I heard
riffs.
slow as their Kuiper I was converted. An eighteen-minute electronica/
BALL
Vocalist JESSICA
jazz/classical epic, I saw it as something new and
refreshing. A mixed bag of heavy synths, classical
ts inspired
tells us wha instruments and insane drumming whats not to like?
her the most
MELVINS
A History Of Bad
Men FROM A Senile
THIS SONG SENT MY Animal
MUSICAL JOURNEY
(IPECAC, 2006)
The sexiest riff ever known to
DOWN A WHOLE NEW man. Squealing guitars, phat fuzz, two drum kits and a
powerful Buzz in all his glory. This song sent my musical
PATH AND LIFTED journey down a whole new path and lifted restraints I
didnt know were there.
RESTRAINTS I DIDNT
SONIC YOUTH
KNOW WERE THERE Cross The Breeze
FROM Daydream
Nation
(ENIGMA, 1988)
MASSIVE Love Sonic Youth in general, its
ATTACK grunge at its finest and obviously as a female musician,
Dissolved Girl FROM Kim [Gordon] is a fine example of notgiving a shit and
MOGWAI Mezzanine getting on with it. Theres a part in this song that just
Batcat FROM The Hawk (VIRGIN, 1998) goes dead heavy out of nowhere, then goes back to classic
Is Howling So sexy. Ilove how sinister it Youth. Love it.
(WALL OF SOUND, 2008) starts and how the fluidity of the vocals slowly creep up on
That riff! This song opened you, almost without you realising. Lyrically, a woman UFOMAMMUT
up the idea that even with an admitting her lack of sexual satisfaction. Not a topic Stigma FROM
unconventional drum beat, you can still pull off that raw often covered in music or anywhere, which gives it a Idolum
sound and feeling that we all love. Its like disciplined chaos. whole new set of powers for me. (SUPERNATRUAL CAT, 2008)
Just an all-round tune from start to finish. What a build-up and an ace
CAN start to an album. That almost
THE SWORD Mushroom FROM Tago lazy, behind the beat riff that slowly drags you through the
Freya FROM Age Of Mago fuzz into an obscure drum beat. The drop into the verse
Winters (UNITED ARTISTS, 1971) with the vocals trying to shout to you just underneath the
(KEMADO, 2006) My friend gave me the album Tago guitars is so heavy. And of course, synths!
I think this one may speak for itself! Mago on a copied CD forgive
If youre a headbanger, this song me when I was fifteen. It blew my mind. Mushroom was Y Proffwyd Dwyll is out now on New
ticks all the boxes. Half and double time drum beats never go the one that stood out for me, I almost obsessed over it. Id Heavy Sounds
wrong in a heavy song. Tried-and-tested riffing, clever starts, never heard anything like it in my life. Went well with my www.Facebook.com/
stops and plenty riff drop-ins. experimental stage of life too. MammothWeedWizardBastard
80 TERRORIZER #275