Wonderbox Metal

Black Emerald – B.O.D (Review)

Black Emerald are from the UK and play gritty Metal with a Sludge edge.

The band have a Southern Metal/Sludge influence to their sound that adds some extra bite to proceedings. They also give us some solos, which is always welcome.

The sound is rough and raw but allows the spiky riffs to claw their way through. Rather than be held back by the primitive production the band make it work for them; they warp and distort it to their needs until it becomes little more than another sonic weapon in their arsenal.

The vocals are gruffly melodic with some harsher growls thrown into the mix now and again. They are assured and use interesting patterns and melodies. They are also confident enough as a unit to occasionally lay off the vocals for long enough to let the music do the talking and let the guitars lead the way.

There’s three songs here that act as a showcase for the band. Each song is a filthy juggernaut of underground Metal riffs and belligerent anger.

Blood Sport has a strong Sludge influence to the sound and is the audio equivalent of barbed wire.

The title track B.O.D features slightly higher vocals for some parts and has a bouncy, Southern feel to it that gives the track a Rocky edge, albeit one haunting the murkiness.

The final track Figure on a Barb Wire Cross is lumbering Rocker that crosses the previous two tracks to create a mutated rager.

Black Emerald have stumbled on a style that fuses Metal with an aspect of Sludge in such a way that it doesn’t sound done to death; it sounds quite fresh in fact. Hopefully this release will be the first of many, and I look forward to what comes next from this promising band.

Interview with Decembre Noir

Decembre Noir’s début album A Discouraged Believer is a polished Doom/Death Metal release, dripping with raw and bloody emotion. It has that mystery ingredient that lifts a band above the norm into the higher realms. We decided it was important to delve a bit deeper into the background of the album to find out what makes it tick…

Give us a bit of background to Decembre Noir

Hi, I’m Lars, vocalist from Decembre Noir. So I’d like to give you my reply!

We are 5 (nice) guys from East-Germany, from the region round Erfurt, the capital from Thueringia (one of the “states” from Germany). Besides our bandproject our “baby” – almost all of us have a normal life with job and own family.

What are your influences?

Katatonia, Opeth, In Mourning, October Tide, Swallow The Sun, My Dying Bride, Anathema and Paradise Lost! 😉

I characterize the style/sound of the album!

Dark + heavy = Décembre Noir!!! “A Discouraged Believer” is a fucking doom/death monster!

Our sound in the main has become some stronger and the structures of the songs who already has been available have changed to become much more better. More Death and Black metal elements and many melodies gave the songs their final outfit. Last but not least the classical influence from the cello. In private we all listen to different music and so it was used a little bit from all our musical tastes. The good combination is doing his work!

What are you listening to at the moment that you would like to recommend?

Haha, Katatonia’s “Brave Murder Day” ! I LOVE this album! Every song on this record is a Doom-Metal-Diamond! My favorite song on this album is “Brave” !!! Fucking great!!! I love it!!!

What did you want to achieve with your new album?

We want to have a solid mainstay in the metal-scene! 😉

We would like to play on the bigger festivals in summertime, lovely, but unfortunately for that year we haven’t got any acceptances. We hope it is possible next year because it must be a very special experience to play stages like With Full Force, Summer Breeze, Partysan, Hellfest or In Flammen!

Are you happy with how it turned out?

Absolutely!!! We are full of proud and very happy about our first album!!! We love this record!!!

What can you tell us about the lyrics?

So to speak we have a basic concept in our album „A discouraged believer“. You can speak about the classical main idea who you can find inside the album. Nevertheless every song is standing for itself.

It tells about the journey of a young man who is trying to find every day the meaning in his life and way. It seems he has reached a deadlock, only he is looking at the obstacles in his weekday, the typical problems which become more and more and can overtax someone and no idea how to change something, because he is get stuck somehow… So like in “Thorns”.

Our protagonist is searching for that, what we call “God”, but can’t find “Him” or any answers. That’s why he is discouraged, cause he has understood, that he can’t get any help from a “greater power” and he has to go his life way and find the meaning behind that all alone.

For instance in “Stowaway” is the theme suicide to see a chance for a new begin in life (But to forestall any critical readers or regarding this potential concerned or endangered people: Don’t panic, nobody from us will incite anybody for do that!!! Please do not misunderstand!). Much more is the thought what is standing behind that song, bother things who weigh heavily upon our mind to leave behind, finish with them and try to orientate to another direction respectively to find a better way to arrange the life.

On following song “Resurrection” the name is program It reflects the start in a new life.

For myself the album is one of my most personal things, what I have written yet in my life. Have putted lots of time and heart-blood in that album. So many people has fought in life with similar piled up problems, whether in job, relationship, family…and already we all were standing for the question, who is the meaning of all and finally comes to the result if you want life better you have to make a personal breakout and has to change by yourself a lot!

Decembre Noir Give us a bit of information on the songwriting process.

Already the songs before sounded really good and varied, but of course because of the teamwork with Ali they became much better! For us all that was an unbelievable experience! We have worked with diverse guest singers and musicians. For example one of my best friends Tele (guitar player of the German Pagan/Black metal band “Hangatyr”), who gave us some clean vocals for the songs “Decembre noir” and “Resurrection”. Alis girlfriend Katharina, who is singing with me in “Escape to the sun” a duet. Not to forget our lady on the cello, Nicole, who has shown her talent by the Darkwave band “Other Day”. Just that records with the Cello have been very interesting, for Ali too, because for him it was the first time to working with such an very nice sounded instrument. Mix a cello in your music and you will get an unbelievable atmosphere. We have experimented with Synthisounds too. You can be exciting about really great moments.

At least we are happy about the result of our job!

Well, we had a very special time and a lot of fun during recording and have to say we grew as musicians and band! We were much more glad, when Eike O. Freese (Dark Age) offered us to mix and master our album together with Ali in Hamburg! On that place a great “Thank you” to both and we hope we can mix and master our next album with Ali and Eike again!
How do you see your position in the wider Doom/Death Metal musical framework/genre?

We are a tiny star on the big metal-heaven! But we want to grow! Latest with the next album! 😉

What’s next for Decembre Noir?

Looking for gigs…Well till then we will use the free time to work on next songs. We have lots of ideas and material. Guess we will start again in autumn – with pleasure!

So you will hear from us – enjoy our album and stay heavy and dark!!!

Regards from Lars!!!

Thanks!

Morbo – Addiction to Musickal Dissection (Review)

Morbo are from Italy and this is their Death Metal début album.

Born in the Death Metal underworld, the sickening, diseased hulk that is Morbo has slowly been crawling and scratching its way towards the light for some time. It’s now finally ready to burst through in sprays of ichor and gore.

They embody belligerent Death Metal that is uncaring of what anyone thinks of them but still retains a surprising amount of festering melody and an ear for a good riff.

This is played in the classic style, where songs mattered and a good chorus or catchy verse was more important than speed-for-the-sake-of-it or ultra-technicality.

The sound is strong but not over-produced, and you can even hear what the bass is doing. It retains legibility and coherence whether the band play blast beats or whether they are playing crushing mid-paced riff-monsters.

The songs have character, propelled by the vocals that have the same kind of gravitas as those from the classic era where you immediately had your attention held by the sheer force of the singer’s will.

So listen to Addiction to Musickal Dissection and get swept up in the riffs and the general foetid aura of traditional Death Metal played with passion, integrity and an aura of pure sickness.

Infest – Cold Blood War (Review)

This is the fourth album from Serbian Death/Thrash Metal band Infest.

After a perfunctory intro the first track Destroyer of Their Throne starts up and I am momentarily confused – have I accidentally put on a Vader album instead of Infest? I over-exaggerate, (slightly), but the similarity, mainly in the vocal department, is startling.

Infest are not Vader clones of course. Musically they have other tricks up their collective sleeves and these conspire to create an enjoyable Metal experience lasting just under 30 minutes.

It’s an entertaining and speedy collection of Thrash-tinged Death Metal tracks that, yes, takes cues from Vader but also has some almost Hardcore influenced crossover riffs. I hear a bit of Pro-Pain to some of the chuggy guitars on occasion, as well as some Face Down-style Thrash and a bit of Malevolent Creation.

The production is strong and the bass is clear. The songs have a hard metallic sheen to them that accentuates their unyielding nature. They have a very immediate sound and always seem like they’re trying to get through the songs faster than they’re actually played, (if that makes any sense…?); there’s a sense of urgency to the album that gives it a vibrancy and life that some bands lack.

Good songs, good Metal. Hard, fast and straight to the point. I like.

Enola – The Light Fröm Below (Review)

Enola are from France and play Post-Metal.

This is the band’s first EP, although at 36 minutes it’s longer than some albums.

They start off confident and only get more so from here. Post-Metal is such a loose term for a lot of different potential sub-genres that all vaguely fit around the quite open-to-interpretation blueprints left behind by the masters – Neurosis/Isis/Cult of Luna.

After this it’s up to the individual bands to make of it what they will, and even combine with other genres and make wonderful things happen. This is one of the reasons it can be such a hotbed of talent and creativity.

So what of Enola then? Well, as stated above they have made their own way in this now crowded genre and have injected a bit of a Screamo/Hardcore element into the equation and could quite comfortably be termed Post-Hardcore.

The songs are big on melody and atmosphere, created by just the basic instruments. They’re played with a passion and an emphasis on musical exploration and expression of angst and rage tempered with something more subtle.

The Light Fröm Below brings to mind two recent releases I’ve reviewed – Eryn Non Dae and N. Tesla; Enola seem to share common ground with both bands while adding the aforementioned Hardcore influences into the mix.

This is a very accomplished and proficient band; confident too, as stated earlier, as the songs have a strong sense of self and direction you might not always expect from a first release.

The songs have heaviness with an in-built fragility. The vocals share this seeming dichotomy as they are largely rough and angry sounding whilst remaining emotive and open at the same time. There are also frequent spoken words and semi-sung parts that have a clear link to their Hardcore lineage. Clean singing is rare, but when it does appear, (first on The Door), it’s exceptionally handled.

This is a truly remarkable release, especially so for such a new band. It’s bands like this that always make me happy to be into this kind of music. This is a real treat. If this is only an EP then their first album should be devastating.

Do yourself a favour and get this.

Withem – The Point Of You (Review)

Withem come from Norway. This is their début album of Progressive/Power Metal.

It’s orchestrated, complex and obviously talented. This is melodic and colourful with frequent keyboard ostentation that recalls Pagan’s Mind at their sparkly best.

The songs make an impression with their enthusiasm and passionate Metal delivery. They’re well composed with lots to hold attention and frequent changes/alterations in the musicianship to keep things interesting. They do manage to keep this coherent enough to fashion into songs that have a direction though rather than just sounding like a mishmash of conflicting instruments.

The musicianship cannot be faulted and all instruments have the opportunity to shine. The leads and solos are represented well, as is to be expected with this style; the guitar riffs and rhythms are interesting and changeable; the drums are not just a backbone to the band as they seem to have a life of their own on occasion; the bass isn’t just going through the motions and is an audible enhancement to the tracks; and the keyboards…well they’re simply everywhere but manage to not get in the way at all. None of this would be possible of course if it wasn’t for the strong songwriting.

But what of the vocals? Well, the singer has the kind of voice that soars effortlessly and has no problem at all reaching the higher notes. It’s very fluid and sounds a treat.

This is a remarkable achievement from a band that are still relatively new. With this being their first release it’s an impressive one.

Interview with Norse

Australian band Norse have recently released the supremely tasty and atypical Black Metal EP Pest. Such a talented and bold release demands a closer look is taken at it. Let’s see what we discover…

Give us a bit of background to Norse.

Forge: The history of a band is never interesting to anyone really. All bands start in a similar fashion, with trials and tribulations along the way that are of no real concern to the listener.

If lineup changes and band statuses are your thing, maybe you’d be better off watching sports.

ADR: Norse has been reforged, as a weapon.

What are your influences?

Forge: For me, I am influenced by everything around me in nature. I work by myself in pine forests and will go days at a time without seeing anyone. When you’re this secluded, all the small things take up a bigger presence in your life and become a real inspiration.

My other influence is checking out all the shallow, rehashed and totally unoriginal bands and music in the metal scenes today. This gives me the will to rise above and create something that is unique to myself.

ADR: The complete isolation of the wilderness is highly inspirational. Contrarily, so too is witnessing the endless horrors people inflict upon each other and themselves. One can also draw great inspiration from the countless other miseries afflicting those here and across the world.

What are you listening to at the moment that you would like to recommend?

Forge: Bjork, Mount Kimbie, Marduk’s ‘Wormwood’.

ADR: Emperor, Gehenna – Unravel.
What did you want to achieve with your new EP?

Forge: I remember listening to bands when I was a kid and actually being scared by the music. It was an amazing experience! So naturally with Pest, to create music that confuses and unsettles was a big objective. I wanted to break every rule I could. I made the guitar do things it shouldn’t (and nearly broke it in the process of recording this EP) and I went against all the standard ‘performance’ rules of recording.

…by that I mean, I recorded guitars and bass and then mangled the takes, pushed them and tortured them until they transformed into the sound I was looking for. I don’t care what purists think or expect. This is art, not music created to the specifications of the ‘heavy metal handbook’.

ADR: To create an unnerving, chilling diatribe which is unrestrained by convention.

How do you feel it has progressed your sound since your previous album?

Forge: There is a big progression from ‘All is Mist and Fog’ to ‘Pest’, although it is a natural one. With the last album, I was crossing over from standard black metal ideas into more complex and unique compositions. Then I took the weirdest ideas from ‘All is Mist and Fog’ and stretched and skewed them until I arrived at the ‘Pest sound’.

It wasn’t an easy thing to do, as I had to constantly question everything I wrote. Why does it sound good? Is it because it sounds like something I’ve already heard? How can I make this unique? Etc.

In hindsight, ‘All is Mist and Fog’ was a very important album to write as it opened the door to a new way of approaching music.

ADR: ‘All is Mist and Fog’ is an excellent creation but Norse is constantly evolving. For ‘Pest’ everything was stripped back to reveal a raw, wounding sound and the result is a truly unique release which will take more than a few listens to fully appreciate.

Norse Are you happy with how it turned out?

Forge: Yes, ultimately. I was hating it for a while as it took me 3 years to write and record 6 songs. I recorded about 5 different versions of the EP until I was happy with it. I wanted the production to be wild and organic, but still have a certain clinical tightness and rigidity. I think a fine balance of technical execution mixed with raw aggression and emotion creates the ultimate atmosphere.

What can you tell us about the lyrics?

ADR: Dedicated fans will have a lot to relish and decipher in these lyrics. The freedom to delve into anything has led to the exploration of some warped and horrifying themes on ‘Pest’. Some weak individuals may find them offensive but this is black metal after all – extremity should not deter.

In my review I describe you as unusual and atypical Black Metal due to the non-standard riffs and structure of the compositions. Would you agree with this?

Forge: Yes, and I’m glad you picked up on this. However the problem with ‘unusual’ or experimental bands is 90% of it is garbage.

Being different just for the sake of it, with no overall goal or idea to work under is not what we are interested in at all. All we want to do is challenge ourselves and push the boundaries while still creating the best quality music we can.

How do you see your position in the wider Black Metal musical framework/genre?

Forge: We have never thought about or been bothered by it. I’m sure some time after the release of this EP it will be categorised, pigeonholed and labelled under some ridiculous sub-genre. People can’t help themselves.

How do you see your songs/direction developing in the future?

Forge: Honestly I couldn’t say. No Norse album has been the same, and I am proud of this. For the next release we have invited Shayne, our permanent session guitarist to help out with the writing. This will change the dynamic and bring a new element to the band. His technical capabilities are such that I can throw anything at him and he will be able to interpret it and convert it into a cohesive idea. He also has a very good creative side. I’m looking forward to the next album already.

What’s next for Norse?

Forge: Touring to promote Pest and then back into obscurity to start the next album.

ADR: Expect more hostility from Norse in the near future.

Tragodia – Mythmaker (Review)

Tragodia are from Italy and this is their third album of Progressive/Power Metal.

Featuring good songs and a strong sound, Mythmaker is an album that delivers the goods.

On the slightly heavier side of the spectrum, Tragodia recall bands such as Nevermore and Angel Dust with their thickened riffs and impressive vocals.

The band are melodic and tight, with some nice elements of Classic and Modern Metal finding a way into their sound on occasion. The Power Metal side of things is kept in check by the heavy guitars and the Progressive edge is felt in the musicianship.

The song structures themselves are the most important thing of course and this is an album that has all of the strengths of the genre but none of the weaknesses. This is quality Metal done right and played well. There are no slips into cheesiness or retro-worship. This is thoroughly state-of-the-art while dragging all of the essential classic elements of the genre into the here and now.

The singer is one of the best I’ve heard in a while. He has depth and range was well as being capable of full emotional delivery.

I’m just blown away by this album. Tragodia: Please receive your mark of A+ and go to the head of the class.

Funest – Desecrating Obscurity (Review)

Funest are an Italian Death Metal band and this is their début album.

After a perfunctory intro the band have at it; they specialise in Old-School brutality from the likes of Dismember, Autopsy, etc. This is primitive and heavy with a firm nod to the Swedish school of Death Metal but also acknowledging classic Death Metal in general.

The vocalist deserves special mention as he has a great voice; a firm, deep growl that’s as expressive as it is bellowing and cavernous.

The band make the most of their rich heritage by focusing on the value of each song and not neglecting substance for style. Each track contains what it needs to be an effective Death Metal beast and doesn’t ruin itself by wondering off into areas unsuitable or ill advised. There’s no fat here, just a lean Metal machine.

As followers of this site will know, I have a soft spot for Swedish-influenced Death Metal. It’s just so very satisfying and timeless. The grooves, rhythms and riffs all pound along with that chainsaw sound and the end result is Death Metal that hits the spot.

This is also a good description of Funest. This is an enjoyable album that I’ll be happily blasting out for some time.

Have a listen and see if you agree.

Abstracter – Tomb of Feathers (Review)

This is the debut album from US Sludge/Post-Metal/Doom band Abstracter.

This is a bit of a corker. Heavy, winding, aggressive but also refined when needed.

The harsh vocals are suitably caustic in nature and some slightly unusual cleans add a further layer to the music. The clean vocals offer unorthodox highlights and never take the obvious route with their melodies.

This is Post-Metal drowned in Sludge. The filth and grim disease of a forgotten underworld positively drips off the sound as it raises itself up from the dredges to pull down anyone nearby.

Unlike a lot of Post-Metal the Sludge portion of their sound means there’s very little nicety here. The band kick out the angry jams and boy do they know how to write a good riff.

The sound is earthy, organic and complements the rawness of the band extremely well.

Abstracter are a focused singularity of woe and rage, compressed so tightly that not even light can escape once they have it in their clutches. These songs are engaging and absorbing. How is it that this album wasn’t immediately brought to my attention the moment it was birthed by whatever unspeakable ceremony carried it forth?

This is a work of talented individuals who have made who-knows-what kind of bargains to have the much sought after ability to channel something very special into these three tunes. Each song has its own story and manages to be both a journey and a destination in its own right.

If they’re this good already in their very short career, who knows what they will accomplish next? I can’t wait to find out.