May 2016 – Wonderbox Metal

Interview with Abnormality

Abnormality have just recently released their latest album, Mechanisms of Omniscience, and it’s a ripping, tearing 39 minutes of utter brutality. In honour of this ode to devastation, I took the chance to catch up with frontwoman Mallika Sundaramurthy about the how things are going in the Abnormality camp…

Introduce us to Abnormality!

Abnormality is an extreme metal band hailing from Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA. We formed in 2005 and have been releasing albums and blasting eardrums ever since.

What are your influences?

We are largely influenced by fast, technical and heavy bands like Cryptopsy, Origin, Deeds of Flesh, Suffocation, Krisiun, Hate Eternal, etc. Continue reading “Interview with Abnormality”

Interview with André Aaslie (Images at Twilight/Abyssic)

You may not know who André Aaslie is, but hopefully that’s about to change. He’s the man behind both the atmospheric splendour of doom-titans Abyssic and the symphonic black metal of Images at Twilight. Both bands are doing something a bit different and a bit special with their respective styles, down in no small part to their classical/orchestral parts, courtesy of André . Abyssic’s A Winter’s Tale and Images at Twilight’s Kings are both a firm hit with me, so when I got the chance to quiz the man himself, I didn’t hesitate…

What are your influences?

My main influences for Images At Twilight is the black metal scene from the nineties, and especially bands like Dark Funeral, Marduk, Emperor, Limbonic Art, Tartaros, Bal-Sagoth, Satyricon, Nokturnal Mortum, Obsidian Gate, Dimmu Borgir, Anorexia Nervosa a.o. In Abyssic, I need to mention My Dying Bride as the main influence for both me and Memnock. Until now we have made all the music together for Abyssic. In both bands I could mention several film-score conductors. And also a lot of progressive rock from the seventies, as well as the one and only Devil Doll, who influences just about everything I do in music. Continue reading “Interview with André Aaslie (Images at Twilight/Abyssic)”

Thundering Herd – Backyard Junkyard (Review)

This is the début album from this US Southern/stoner metal band.

This is a riotous, rocking collection of tracks that offer high energy hooks and a filthy disposition.

Barkyard Junkyard is full of hard rocking tunes with plenty of swagger Continue reading “Thundering Herd – Backyard Junkyard (Review)”

Gutter Instinct – Age of the Fanatics (Review)

This is the début album from this Swedish death metal band.

Their début EP The Insurrection was a brief blast of authentic Swedish death metal, complete with chainsaw guitars, bestial vocals and brutal delivery. As I asked at the time; what’s not to like here?

So, onto their full-length release, Age of the Fanatics. Well, the band have progressed on from what they started on their EP; now they have actually Continue reading “Gutter Instinct – Age of the Fanatics (Review)”

Vidian – A Piece of the End (Review)

Vidian are from Poland and play post-metal. This is their latest EP.

I enjoyed Vidian’s second album Transgressing the Horizon. On this release the band showcased their experimental blend of post-, progressive, modern and even death metal, coming across as a kind of post-death metal band that could be compared to a band like Gorguts if they really started to follow Cult of Luna down the post-metal path.

On this new EP Vidian continue Continue reading “Vidian – A Piece of the End (Review)”

Candlemass – Death Thy Lover (Review)

This is the latest EP from epic Doom Metallers Candlemass, who are from Sweden and probably require little introduction for most people.

This EP not only showcases their new full-time singer/long-time-associate Mats Levén, (Aeonsgate), but celebrates 30 years of existence for the band. Continue reading “Candlemass – Death Thy Lover (Review)”

Panychida – Haereticalia – The Night Battles (Review)

This is the fourth album from Czech band Panychida, who play black metal.

Panychida’s 2013 release Grief for an Idol was an enjoyable slab of Pagan-influenced black metal, which is why I have been looking forward to their latest release.

Let’s start off with the album artwork; I like a good cover and this is one Continue reading “Panychida – Haereticalia – The Night Battles (Review)”

Uhtcearu – The Plight of Wanderers (Review)

Uhtcearu are a melodic black metal band from the US. This is their début album.

The production on The Plight of Wanderers is enough to turn blood to pure ice. It’s the perfect kind of recording that allows for that intimate sense of frozen fragility and icy winds to permeate every fibre of your being, while at the same time retaining enough clarity and power to showcase the band in the best darkened light. Also, the bass can be heard. Bonus. Continue reading “Uhtcearu – The Plight of Wanderers (Review)”

Bizarre – Inner Necropolis (Review)

Bizarre are a Spanish death metal band and this is their début release.

Featuring members of Onirophagus, Famishgod and Elderdawn, this new band peddle a nice line in old-school death metal that’s dark, foetid and reeks of decay.

The vocals consist of a combination of utterly illegible Continue reading “Bizarre – Inner Necropolis (Review)”

Abisso – WRNSS (Review)

Abisso are a black metal band from Italy and this is their début album.

Abisso specialise in underground atmospheric black metal that has an emphasis on the murk and grime of the underworld, rather than the starry, keyboard enhanced heavens that a lot of atmospheric black metal sets its sights on.

As such, this album contains atmospheric dissonance with Continue reading “Abisso – WRNSS (Review)”