Valgaldr  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  plays  a  very raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Ostenfor  Sol"  which  will  be  released  in  July  by  Heathen Tribes.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  black  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  the  music  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  traditional  Nordic  style  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  the  recording  and  the  vocals  are  all  grim   screams.

  Throughout  the recording  there  is  a great mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  some of the  riffs  also bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  and  the  solos  and  leads  also bring  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  90's  second  wave  influences  while  a  couple of  tracks  also  brings in  a  brief  use  of  clean  singing  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  heavy  and  raw  musical  direction  from  beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Valgaldr  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  old  school  in the  true  Nordic  tradition,  the  production  sounds very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are written  in  Norwegian  and  cover  dark   themes.

  In  my  opinion  Valgaldr  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  Norwegian  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Et  Slott  i  Skogen"  "Vargnatt"  and  "Slagmark".  8  out  of  10. 

  Seltar  are  a  solo  project  from  the  United  States  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2016  compilation  album  which  includes  his  2015  full  length  "Are  Teike"  and  2015  ep  "Declaration  MMXV"  which  was  released  by  Heathen  Tribes  Records.

  Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  ep  songs and  after  awhile  epic and  atmospheric synths  are  added  into  the  music  and  they  also  mix  in  with  a  more  heavy  and  melodic  style  and  after  awhile  blast  beats  and  melodic  guitar leads  make  their  presence  known  along  with  the  riffs  also  using  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking.

  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  black  metal screams  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  have  a  raw  feeling  to  them  and  the  songs  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful  and  clean  playing  be  heard  at  times  while  the  music  on  the  full length  has  more  of  a  raw  style  than  the  ep  while  also  retaining  the  atmospheric  elements  and  the  music  brings  in  a  very  modern  approach  to  the  genre  while  some  songs  also  bring  in  a  pagan  atmosphere  along  with  some  elements  of  ambient.

  Seltar  plays  a  style  of  atmospheric  black  metal that  is  very  modern  and  melodic  while  also  having  a  very  raw  edge,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  Iberian  Heritage,  and  Ancient  Times.

  In  my  opinion  Seltar  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  compilation.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Gloria  Antigua"  and  "II".  8  out  of 10.

   

1, For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Smiercieslau - band of old Black/Thrash Metal from Belarus, was formed in 1998 and existing to this day.

2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recordings?
Our sound and style of playing was inspired by the earlier Bathory records and Slayer. No one in Belarus was played before us and, I think, did not play like that now.

3. The last album was released in 2013, can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time period?
 The new material of Smiercieslau is created and subjected to the arrangement. I'm learning to play the drums, to record all the parties alone.

4. The lyrics deal with some occult topics, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in Occultism?
 I was interested in the occult themes in the 90-s-2000-s, but now there is no need to talk about it.

5. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Smiercieslau'?
Smiercieslau is Deathworshipper, the band originated in the times when Black Metal finally lost its former power and magnificence, and replacing the present old bands idiots and clowns took the stage.

6. I have noticed that the band avoids any use of social networks, do you feel these have been ruing the underground over the years?
There is no sense in collecting of comments and likes of social networking. So much so that life Smiercieslau not frequent any events. I still am a fan of the old types of communication-correspondence with black ink on paper with flyers inside the envelopes!

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?
We played only one gig Smiercieslau. Initially viewers were shocked when they saw on stage just me with a guitar and Darkut'a for drums. But then our band on 2 songs Modgud had joined, and all beginning somehow resemble the performance of the band.

8. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
There are a couple of invitations to do concerts for "true". But at present I am sole participant Smiercieslau, so things are not so simple.

9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
I don't care how people usually speak about music Smiercieslau. Most of the bands to create such music are not capable.

10. What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
Two albums of my first band Oyhra getting ready for release. Maybe record of our other Black Metal project Zmrok will be completed soon.


11. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
The concept and sound of Smiercieslau in the future for sure will not change. Otherwise the existence of band is meaningless, and the memory of the golden age of Black/Thrash Metal would be desecrated.

12. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
The music Smiercieslau is influenced of Bathory, Slayer and Sepultura. All of these bands, as well as the old Heavy metal, Black metal, Dark ambient and OI/RAC I listen usually when I have the opportunity.

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
 Let everything in life goes by in addition to metal, sports, alcohol and sex!

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
1. We’ve been working on our next release. It is never stopping process because PIAREVARACIEN has got a lot of stuff to work with.   

2.In June you had released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound of the new recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
2. We are satisfied with the sound on our new album «U Pošukach Pačatku Tych Šlachoŭ». We would say it became more clear and precise than it was on previous releases (excluding our experimental work «Spadčyna / Heritage») thanked to a new sound master we cooperate with.
The guitars sound deep and firm, but acoustic parts are also well readable. The bass and drums section sounds also stable and harshly – that’s what we like most if we talk about the sound.

3.In March you also recorded an album that was done in more of a folk music direction, how would you compare playing this style to the heavier style that you have played on most of the other releases?
3. To be precise, the album «Spadčyna / Heritage» was released in March, but it had been recorded much earlier. We planned the stuff on «Spadčyna / Heritage» for split with a folk-band from Lithuania, but it turned up later to be a separate experimental album.
Playing Metal is more usual to PIAREVARACIEN than playing Folk music, but recording of «Spadčyna / Heritage» was easier to us, because we just played instruments, the main accent was performed by guest singers. Nevertheless playing, composing and working on music of a different style was very interesting to us, so it was a great experience.

4.On the metal album the concept was about war while on the acoustic album the concept was about time and seasons, can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical content of the newer music?
4. The lyrics of «U Pošukach Pačatku Tych Šlachoŭ» (translated as «Searching for the beginning of those ways») refer to a whole story and divided into 7 chapters. The story is dedicated to such topics as war, heroism, patriotism, nationalism, love and death, historical events that took place in our lands. It's devoted to a collective character of a soldier who depicts all perished people of all time. The story is represented as short descriptions in the booklet.

5.From 2012 up to 2016 there was no music being released, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time span?
5. For the past 4 years we have changed the line-up, played at some local gigs, worked on the stuff and recorded «Spadčyna / Heritage» and «U Pošukach Pačatku Tych Šlachoŭ» LP albums, recorded a cover version «Der Scharlachrote Tod» for ABSURD tribute (released in  2014) and recorded stuff for an unreleased yet 4-ways split.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
6. Right now we are preparing our performance for a Pagan Festival in Lithuania «Menuo Juodaragis» which will be hold in August. We don’t play frequently, so after the festival we will focus on work in studio again.

7.The newer music was released on 'Crush The Desert Records' are you happy with the support that they have given you so far?
7. We have been working with «Crush The Desert» for a long time and they released our three albums for now:
«If no Sun» (2011)
«Spadčyna / Heritage» (2016)
«U Pošukach Pačatku Tych Šlachoŭ» (2016)

«Crush The Desert» helped us to record «If no Sun» and they make some artwork for our releases. We also satisfied with their attitude and we are of the same views concerning the modern world, which is also very important to us if we speak about a label to be released by.



8.Over the years a lot of your lyrics have covered 'Belarusian Paganism' which is not as well known as some of the other Slavic, Nordic or European cultures, do you feel a lot of the outside or political influences over the centuries have done a great amount of damage to the culture of your country?
8. Belarusian Paganism is not the main theme of our lyrics literally as one could think. But Paganism to us is Belarus, its Nature, its language, White culture, traditional family, our ambitions and goals, etc.
But on the other hand we believe that people must return to their roots. Any religion is an instrument to brainwash people’s mind, when Traditional belief is a thread which connects you and your ancestors both spiritually and physically.
While their religions tell them get on knees and watch their homelands dying infested by hordes of “refugees”, tolerant faggots, corrupted politicians and other freaks, only voice of blood will arouse White peoples’ conscience to confront that madness and take our lands back.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and pagan metal?
9. To be honest, we don’t know the situation very well, but we have some contacts with comrades from Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, France, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, US, Indonesia… and we know that there are some people who like our music. Though we are not a well-known band at all. 

10.Do any of the band members also participate in any other bands or musical projects these days?
10. Yeah. Some members also play in other projects, but there’s nothing now to tell about indeed. PIAREVARACIEN is the main work place for us.

11.What direction do you want to take the band into musically on future releases?
11.We don’t want it to be of a certain direction and hope to make some experiments or mix it with some other styles in the future. We try not to make albums with the same sounding and musical style.

12.Are there any influences that you have brought into the newer music that you where not able to do with past releases?
12. We are not sure that there are any influences at all in our music now. Of course we have some sources of inspiration for writing our own music, and one of such sources is listening others’ music, but it doesn’t mean we will bring it in our own songs. We just play how we feel and that’s all we are able to bring here in our music.

13.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?
13. We are glad to have such an interesting conversation with you and hope your listeners enjoy it as well.
Stay strong, support our People worldwide, be worthy descendants of our European ancestors!

  Maine's  solo  project  Feign  has  returned  with  a  new  album  that  continues  the  atmospheric  black  metal  sound  of  previous  recordings  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2016  album  "Atlas"  which  will  be released  in  July  by  Into  The  Night  Records.

  Tragic  sounding  keyboards  start  off  the  album  and  after  the  intro  melodic  guitar  leads  along  with  more  atmospheric  elements  start  getting  added  into  the  recording  along  with  some  blast  beats  and  vocals  that  also  add  in  a  great  mixture  of  death  metal  growls  and  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful.

  Throughout  the  recording  there  is  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and fast  parts  and  you  can  also  hear  a  great  amount  of  post  black  metal  elements  throughout  the  recording  and  spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  at  times and  when  clean  playing  along  with  acoustic  guitar  are  utilized  it  gives  the  music  a  progressive  feeling.

  Most  of  the  fast  riffs  also  use  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  which also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  edge  and  there  are also  around  of  3 brief  instrumentals  while  the  vocal  tracks  stick to  more  of  a  heavier  direction  on  the  other  tracks  and  some  of  the  songs  are  also long  and  epic  in  length  and  one  song  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  while  the  bonus  track  brings  in  whispers.

  Feign  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  on  this  recording  that  is  very  raw,  melodic,  atmospheric  and  progressive  while  also  having  some  death  metal  influences,  the  production  sounds  very professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  metaphysical,  cosmos  and  esoteric  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Feign  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric black  metal  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Into  The  Celestial  Nothingness"  "When  the  World  Ends"  and  "Atlas".  8  out  of  10.