Metal – Page 452 – Wonderbox Metal

Interview with Stheno and Exclusive Stream of New Song

I like grindcore. Let’s face it, who doesn’t? There are, however, a lot of bands that just don’t stand out enough to be worthy of real attention. Greek grinders Stheno are very much not one of these. The first time I ever heard them on their split with Grassroll, I was hooked, and when I found out they had their first full album coming out, I couldn’t wait.

Well, let me tell you in no uncertain terms – Liberty Crawls in Waste absolutely rocks. Or grinds, I suppose. But still. Stheno’s debut album is unleashed fully on the world on September 20th via EveryDayHate, but you don’t have to wait that long to get a taste of the glorious blackened brutality that they have to offer…

Today Wonderbox Metal is proud to premiere the second track on their album – Hail Nothing. The song is a blinder, all slithering malevolence and grim hatred. But don’t take my word for it; turn up the volume and blast it out at full volume. Once you’ve scraped your brains off the floor, read the interview below. Finally, make sure you order the album, because it’s a real killer. Continue reading “Interview with Stheno and Exclusive Stream of New Song”

Interview with Khaldera

Alteration is the latest EP by Swiss post-metallers Khaldera. It’s a short, sweeping collection of instrumental music that uses texture and colour well to create the moods that the band want. It’s a slow-burner, one that demands repeated listens as it slowly, inevitably reveals its secrets to the keen listener.

The music unfolds in such a way that there seems to be more to it than a mere 18 minutes, bit no; soon enough it’s gone, and you’re left wanting more.

It’s time to delve a bit deeper…

Give us a bit of background to Khaldera

We’re three Swiss Shamans born deep below the earth’s crust, wandering through the dark woods, finding our way into space.

What are your influences?

Of course we are somehow influenced by our own “music consumption”, but we don’t orientate ourselves on any other bands in terms of crafting our songs. There are a couple of influential artists, although they’re not necessarily recognisable if you listen to us. At the time when Sven and Fabio started the band, the hypnotic sound of Minsk‘s great “The Ritual Fires of Abandonment”, as well as their live performances ignited a certain energy to go beyond what they have done up to this point. In general we appreciate bands who are able to transform themselves and musically grow over the time. Continue reading “Interview with Khaldera”

Inanimate Existence – Calling from a Dream (Review)

Inanimate Existence are a US death metal band and this is their third album.

Starting off softly, with ambient sounds and female vocals, this album is a different beast to the band’s last album A Never Ending Cycle of Atonement. Sure, the band haven’t completely changed, but they’ve definitely progressed a significant amount.

So if you take their Continue reading “Inanimate Existence – Calling from a Dream (Review)”

L’Incendio – L’Incendio (Review)

L’Incendio are an extreme metal band from Italy. This is their debut album.

L’Incendio have a death metal core that they build on with elements of other sub-genre styles, fleshing out their well-rounded assault in a wider-ranging way than many of their peers.

Combining atmosphere and accessibility into their Continue reading “L’Incendio – L’Incendio (Review)”

Six-Score – Lebensräume (Review)

Six-Score are an Austrian Grindcore band, and this is their second album.

This is modern-edged grind with plenty of aggression and attitude.

Hardcore and punk influences can be heard alongside quite a few d-beat and crust ones, all mixed in with some metal and grinding ferocity. The parts that are injected with more d-beat and punk stylings are quite energetic, Continue reading “Six-Score – Lebensräume (Review)”

Interview with In Cauda Venenum

The self-titled debut album by In Cauda Venenum is now over a year old and about to get a vinyl re-release. If you haven’t yet heard it then I highly suggest you do. Containing only two tracks, yet running for 42 minutes, the music is epic, top-of-the-line atmospheric black metal, full of texture and darkness.

Ictus, (guitars, bass and vocals), brought me up to speed with all you need to know about this talented band…

For those who are unfamiliar with your band – introduce yourself!

We are two guys playing Black Metal songs. We like making it epic, progressive and atmospheric. If you enjoy long tracks, you should give a chance to IN CAUDA VENENUM.

Give us a bit of background to In Cauda Venenum

I wrote 4 first ICV songs during 2009 and 2010. When N.K.L.S. joined me as a drummer in 2011, we decided to bring them to another level and started a rewriting process. After several years working on these 4 tracks, we finally decided to focus on 2 tracks to prepare our first release. We made this choice because our tracks were quite long (more than 20 min each), and the job was to huge. Continue reading “Interview with In Cauda Venenum”

Third Island – Dusk (Review)

This is the debut EP from Irish post-metal/doom band Third Island.

Building atmosphere with steady grace and gentle insistence, Third Island take a subtle, almost-sensual approach to their post-metal explorations. That’s not to say that they don’t know how to ramp up Continue reading “Third Island – Dusk (Review)”

Insomnium – Winter’s Gate (Review)

Insomnium are a melodic death metal band from Finland and this is their Seventh album.

I do like it when a band gives free rein to their epic, exploratory side and decides to write a really, really long song. Welcome to Winter’s Gate. This album consists of one track that lasts a full 40 minutes in length.

With a concept that’s based around a short story, the band weave this tale into the fabric of the music, taking the listener on a textured journey into unexplored lands. Continue reading “Insomnium – Winter’s Gate (Review)”

Witchskull – The Vast Electric Dark (Review)

Witchskull are from Australia and play heavy/stoner metal. This is their debut album.

With attitude and a confident swagger, Witchskull waste no time in firmly making their mark with their stoner-esque take on desert metal. Continue reading “Witchskull – The Vast Electric Dark (Review)”

Throneum – Morbid Death Tales (Review)

This is the seventh album from Throneum, a Polish death metal band.

This is ugly, raw death metal, produced by a band that have amassed a huge back catalog. Although quantity does not necessarily equate to quality, at this stage Throneum have been doing this long enough to know their way around the crypt they inhabit. Continue reading “Throneum – Morbid Death Tales (Review)”