Texas's  solo  project  Sar  Nath have  returned  with  a  new  album  that  continues  the  psychotic  black  metal  sound  of   previous  recordings  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2015  album  "Sorrow  And  Psychopathium  Consummate"  which  was  released  by  Merdumgiriz.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  blast  beats,  melodic  guitar  leads  and  high  pitched screams  and  the  songs  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the  vocals  also  get  very  grim  and  deep  at  times  and  the  music  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  atmospheric  elements.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  great amount  of  distorted  melodies  and  the  music  also  gets  very  experimental  at  times  along  with  some  synths  being  used  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  touch  of  death  metal  and  as  the  album  progresses  clean  playing  can  be  heard  and  you  can  also  hear  hear traces  of  noise  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  vocals  also  get  very depressive  at  times.

  Sar  Nath   creates  another  psychotic  black  metal  album  that  also  mixes  in  raw,  depressive  and  atmospheric  elements  while  also  bringing  in  a  touch  of  death  metal,  experimental  and  noise, the  productions  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  ghosts,  demons,  mental  illness  and  private  hells.

  In  my  opinion  Sar  Nath  and  if  you  are a  fan  of  raw  and  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Evil  Looks Turns  Right"  "Heart  In  A  Jar"  and  "Bleakened".  8  out  of  10.

 

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

We are a duo consisting of Goatshead on drums and vocals and Pigburner on guitars. We began in 2014 in upstate New York with the intention of creating music that embodies an atmosphere of evil present in the early works of the genre.


2.You have a split coming out in November, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on your side of the recording?

The sound is something that we typically are open to as far as an overall feel for the track is concerned. It always starts very close to how we sound when we plug in. I think that’s important, whether or not it happens to be through the same gear. For this we went through a Mark V and 5150 for the guitars and used a Heavy Metal pedal on the bass tracks.


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

Darkness, evil, and the everlasting sorrow of Humankind. The root of this aggression comes from many forms of evil. It’s not something that is always so straightforward but it exists in all of us.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Ritual Slaughter’?

The name implies a general comprehensive and passionate hatred of the evolution of the Human Race. The inspiration is something that a thousand lifetimes can only perpetuate.

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

So far, no shows have been played as we have been mainly focusing on the songwriting first and foremost.



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

We do plan on shows in the future. Right now we are writing songs for another release.


7.You will be sharing a split with Manticore, what are your thoughts on the other band that have participated with this release?

Manticore is a band that we have enjoyed for a while now. We feel that they understand the importance of keeping the spirit of darkness in the music and are among the best at conveying it. We feel honored and proud to be able to go into battle alongside of them.


8.The split is going to be released as a joint effort between Tridroid Records and Bleak Bone Mortulia, while a know about the American label involved can you tell us a little bit more about the German label that is helping out with the split?

Yes. Torsten at BBM has really pushed this project forward and has been super to be involved with. He is extremely passionate about the music and this scene and we are grateful to be able to work with someone like him.

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

We’ve received a lot of support and found the scene to be very busy. We have a track coming out on a compilation put together by a Malaysian label called Diabolicurst Productions. They seem supportive and excited about it. And as you know, this Depraved Sacraments record is being co-released between an American and a German label. So the world is not divided geographically or politically when it comes to this music. It is another world of itself when you see the all the different people who are into this kind of stuff..

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

Darker places. Our focus will always be on the songwriting itself and everything else you hear is just an extension of us as musicians. The sound will always reflect itself as a true form of disturbing hatred.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also that are you listening to nowadays?

We are into bands such as Possessed, Autopsy, Profanatica, Sarcofago, Immolation, Morbid Angel, Blasphemy, Black Witchery, and many more who choose atmosphere over glossy production values and subject matter.



12.How would you describe your views on Occultism?

Through our music. The darkest places tend to reveal the unearthly secrets that hide in the light. It’s a powerful thing and very convoluted when being actively sought after, but I don’t think it’s that complicated, spirituality and such, when the bigger picture presents itself.


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

Hails to all supporters of true underground black/death metal. Fuck off to all overproduced, overplayed, glossy, triggered, modern bullshit. We’ll be looking to put out more twisted music and definitely look forward to hearing more from Manticore and more from Tridroid and Bleak Bone. Thank you for the interview.

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?


--Idolatry is just about to headline a black/doom festival called Black Mourning Light on Halloween. A grand ritual is planned for this. Once complete, we enter the studio to record our full length " Visions from the Throne of Eyes" as well as booking some touring in the USA in 2016

2.So far you have released an ep and have also been a part of a split, how would you describe the musical sound that is present on both recordings and also how do they differ from each other?

--we are fortunate to have Daemonikus Abominor amongst us as he is a sound tech by trade. On both recordings we sought a fine line of raw production that isn't overtly muddy and indiscernible. Akin to the sound of early Behexen/Sargeist albums. I personally feel he achieved this quite well.


On the 7" split with Unrest, we had a slightly new line up; with Valac Nocturnum departing and Lycaon Vollmond taking over guitars. There is an evolution
of sound between them in terms of dynamics I believe...

Also I had a wretched throat infection at the time of the recordings for the split. There is a noticeable sickness in my voice that we felt suited a single song release and the depraved subject matter of the lyrics.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

--there's a wide range of scope in lyrics with us... Periods in history that define Satanic virtue, crushing depression/despair, black magic/witchcraft, elements of nature that affect us... Anything that awakens our senses , unified by the values inherent in being ones own master and opposing anything alterior to such exaltation.




4.I have seen the term 'Atheistic Satanism' which is usually more influenced by Lavey, Neitzsche, and Rand, why did you choose this approach as opposed to theistic Satanism and also do you have any interest in other types of Occultism?

--absolutely. I consider Rand and Nietzsche to be the cornerstones of my philosophy. Rand is true Satanism in practice. Living, breathing and exerting Satanic values in real life. The true question of religion isn't god or no god, it's ability versus need at the heart of the matter. The needy are empty inside themselves and fabricate deities to absolve their short comings and errors; while the able... the truly powerful... Know that they are complete in and of themselves and don't need to seek anything from outside. Purpose and drive. That is the true Satanist. 'Satan' is Latin for 'adversary' and that's what Idolatry are... The adversary of religion. Theistic Satanism requires a believe in that which the senses cannot perceive and although many of their tenets are similar, Idolatry does not deal in esoteric solutions.


I enjoy the study of occultism and have done since I was very young, but I take it at face value. Whatever your emotional output conjures, your only realistic benefit is the expulsion of energies to that effect.




5.Recently the author Lord Matzigkeitus released a book of Satanic Poetry, can you tell us a little bit more about this novel and also are there any future writings planned?


--( I am him) the book is a poetic interpretation of living as a Satanist. Although the subject matter, which ranges from Death, despair, and witchery to harsh kinky bondage sex, does not solely center itself on Satanism itself, it does give an unfiltered viewpoint from one who has chosen to walk the left hand path with passion and no reservations.


The art is lavishly done by Jan Pysander Whitney who has done album covers for Drowning the Light. It's a great presentation overall I'm pleased with it. More is always in the works. 17 new entries at the time of this writing...

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Idolatry'?

--it is indicative of man worshiping Idols. That man must only worship himself as he is the vessel by which he experiences reality, and also as a mockery of those that would have fictions as their point of worship


7.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?


--in Sudbury on tour earlier this year, Ash from legendary German black metal band Nargaroth was in attendance having heard our music beforehand. During the performance a pipe burst directly above the stage.... As workers frantically tried to temporarily patch the roof, fans motioned towards the door thinking the night was undone, but I ordered them to stay. I told them a story of how as we recorded " Of Myth and Shadow" we had struggled over a section of it, as we came outside to take a breather, the sky opened up and dumped it's fury and might on us. Lightening, thunder and heavy rain. I recorded the sound of it and we went back in and crushed the song in one take. As I finished the entire venue was enraptured by the story and the repairs had been made. We played through our set to a crowd greedy for each note. Ash recorded the performance and proclaimed that we were " the best black metal show he's seen in years" openly on the Nargaroth page the next day....


Our stage show is theatre, manic vicious energy and power. Using the imagery of the old ways of black metal. It can be seen on YouTube. Ash's video " Idolatry Waterfall Ritual"

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


--we are currently organizing shows and festivals in the USA and looking to Europe on the horizon.

9.Recently you where a part of a split with 'Unrest', what are your thoughts on the solo project that had participated on the recording?


--Destroyer from Unrest and I are currently working on my eponymous project Lord Matzigkeitus. I'm obviously a supporter of his work. Unrest is dirty, ugly and barbaric in an uncompromising manner. It's inaccessibility is also its appeal to me.

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


--Internationally, response has been unbelievable. We currently have distribution deals in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, and Brazil. As well as serious discussions regarding the future recordings with noted U.S. Labels. Aside from North America, our biggest supporters are in Latin America. The Latin fans are rabid and die hard. Very loyal and community driven in their support circles.

11.Are any of the band members also involved with any other bands or musical projects?


--Daemonikus Abominor plays in Blëed, a local death/thrash band who just released their album " the Hatred Inside" as well as excellent industrial band Ivardensphere who earlier this year unleashed "Fable"


I myself have been heavily active on projects of late... With the assistance of Destroyer of Unrest  and a host of other spellcasters, I just completed the first Lord Matzigkeitus album" Isophillic Dementia Overture" which is an Xasthurian spoken word black metal record and am actively at work on its follow up " Poisonous Disengagement" which is to be in a more vicious vein. I'm also writing lyrics for and performing vocals on a black metal opera with a band called Sartoraaus out of Texas, USA. I'm also likely contributing to an upcoming Unrest album.

12.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

--Our full length will likely see an early 2016 release.


We shall stay the course musically with the dynamic black metal we have crafted thus far. Idolatry have discussed recording a grim, more sombre doom/dsbm EP in the fall of 2016.  Some of the newer songwriting veers into that path. I doubt we could stray from the fury we perpetrate for too long though.




13.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

--Idolatry has varying tastes overall. As a whole, for black metal, we gravitate towards the excellent bands coming out of the Finnish scene. Horna, Behexen, Sargeist, Satanic Warmaster come to mind. DA and myself are into harsh dsbm such as Nyktalgia, Silencer, Bethlehem etc... As well as him and I both love Twisted Sister and WASP.

Nox Invictus loves more ferocious guitar attack bands such as Angel  Corpse, Belphegor and Aura Noir

Lycaon is into Swedish death metal, and black metal with folk elements like Windir, and Nokturnal Mortum.

Personally, I've been dwelling on Jim Morrison's spoken word poetry album "An American Prayer" and a murk and mire of Xasthur, Striborg and Leviathan, which are all heavy influences on my solo project.


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

--" There is no eternal reward for wasting the dawn" JDM

  Grey  Heaven  Fall  are  a  band  from  Russia  that  plays  a  very  hypnotic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their 2015  album  "Black  Wisdom"  which  was  released  by  Aesthetics  Of  Devastation".

  A  very  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  technical  black  metal  direction  that  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  the  vocals  are  done  in  a  blackened  death  metal  growling  fashion  and  some  of  the  riffs  also  use  avant  garde  structures  in  more  of  a  heavier  fashion.

  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  clean  singing  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  solos  and  leads  are  very  melodic  while  the  vocals  get  demonic  at  times  and  the  songs  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  fast  parts  and  the  music  can  be  very  progressive  at  times  and  the  slow  riffs  bring  in  a  heavy  doom  metal  influence  and  the  music  can  also  be  very  atmospheric  at  times  along  with  some  songs  bringing  in  a  small  amount  of  clean  playing.

  Grey Heaven  Fall   plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  a  technical  style  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  with  death  metal,  melodic  and  progressive  music  to  create  a  style  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  while  the  lyrics  are  a  concept  based  on  the  corruption  of  the  creator.

  In  my  opinion  Grey   Heaven  Fall  are  a  very  great  hypnotic  mixture  of  black  and  death  metal  and  if  you  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Spirit  Of  Oppression"  "Sanctuary  Of  Cut  Tongues".  8  out  of  10.     

   Pokolj  are  a  band  from  Croatia  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released 2015  ep  "Miiserable  Spectres".

  A  very  dark  and  atmospheric  synth  starts  off  the  ep  and  a  few  seconds  later  the  music  gets  more  heavy  and  goes  into  a  black  metal  direction  along  with  some  high  pitched  depressive  black  metal  screams  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  the  songs  start bringing  in  more  raw  energy  along with  a  few  blast  beats.

  Throughout  the  recording   there  is  a  great  mixture  of slow, mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  both  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  style  and  the  guitars  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  the  songs  are  mostly  done  in  power  chords  and  they  close  the  demo  with  a  synth  outro.

  Pokolj  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  old  school  and  also  brings  in  some  of  the  early  depressive  style,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  in  mu  opinion  Pokolj  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  demo.    RECOMMENDED TRACK  "Fragments  Of  Sanity".  8  out  of  10.