Thyrathen  are  a  band  from  Greece  that  plays  a  musical  style  they  describe  as  being  diachronic  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "ThanatOpis"  which  will  be  released  on  November  26th  by  Van  Records.

  Drum  beats  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  word  parts  and  ritualistic  chanting  a  few  seconds  later.  Wind  instruments  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.

  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  yet  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  a  lot  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Clear  vocals  and  choirs  can  also  be  heard  on  some  of  the  tracks  along  with  a  great  portion  of  the  songs  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  as  well  as  the  music  also  adding  in  some  ethnic  touches  at  times,  one  song  also  introduces  acoustic  guitars  onto  the  album  and  operatic  female  vocals  can  also b e  heard  briefly  towards  the  end.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Ancient  Hellenic  Tragedies,  Philosophy,  Science,  History, Poetry,  Hedonism,  Paganism,  Spirituality,   Mythology,  Symbolism  and  Allegorical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Thyrathen  are  a  very  great  sounding  diachronic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  looking  for  something  that  is  different,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "...of  Mistress  Earth  And  Zagreus"  "Villa  dei  Papiri  (The  Philosophical  Library)"  "Transmogri(e)fication"  and  "Exodus  -  Catharsis".  8  out  of  10.

https://facebook.com/thyrathen.band

https://thyrathen.com/

info@thyraten.com

https://youtu.be/hoeAAU3ifBQ     

  Acid  Sodomy  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  very  raw  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  album  "Lpun  aikojen  julistus".

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  along  with  some  tribal  style  beats  and  acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  classic  Finnish  tradition.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  album  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  one  song  also  adding  some  atmospheric  touches  into  the  music.

  Acid  Sodomy  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  heavily  rooted  in  the  classic  Finnish  tradition.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  their  native  tongue  and  cover  dark  and  apocalyptic  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  Acid  Sodomy  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Kanna  kaaos  siivetöntä"  "Transsendenssi "  "Näen  tornien  palavan"  and  "Aamuruskon poika".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/oDD0QprQaow  

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

"Apocalyptic Leaders" is a solo black metal band from Greece and the city of Thessaloniki that started in the mid 2017s. The only one member and founder is me, Kostas B. and I write all the instruments, the vocals, I do the mix and the production.

2.Since 2020 you have released a great amount of material, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you have went for on the recordings so far?

My musical style is black metal with influences from various styles and black metal eras. I have influences from atmospheric black metal, post metal with punk features and I try to make my music rather raw.

3.The project has been around since 2017 but you waited until 2020 to release any music, can you tell us a little bit more about the earlier years?

From 2017 until 2018 I had written a DEMO "Warriors in the land of doom" that contained 4 songs. In 2019 I had completed the full album "Eternity" together with the single "Rangnar" but all these albums were released in Bandcamp in 2020. That is the reason why there were so many releases in 2020. 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you have explored with the music so far?

In my music I talk about macabre situations that people go through, the obscuratism that the church brought to free people, the horrible tortures and the curses from ancient Gods. 

5.You also have some lyrics inspired by the writings of H.P Lovecraft, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in his work?

I have written 2 instrumental songs on my EPs, "Shub-Niggurath" which is also known as "The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young" and "Nyarlathotep", who is describes as one of the Outer Gods. I love Lovecraft's stories that talk about ancient demons and creatures of the sea. I have always been influenced by "The Call of Cthulhu".

6.One of your earlier releases was also all instrumental, what was the decision behind adding in more vocals and lyrics on later releases?

The album "Eternity" is instrumental because I realised that I liked the hearing of it. I had thought of putting vocals but I decided not to because I prefered it that way. But I am thinking of creating a new version with vocals in the future. In my later releases I added vocals in most of the songs because I liked the match that my music made with my voice.

7.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Apocalyptic Leaders'?

The name "Apocalyptic Leaders" was created from my love for post apocalyptic movies with leader characters that tend to survive in destruction situations. 

8.With this project you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

Of course it is great to work solo beacuse I can do whatever I want with my music and my emotions and also I can work at my own schedule. Nevertheless I worked with a friend of mine Grito from Vintermorke in the song "Endless ignorence" in which he did the vocals and the lyrics. I am always willing and happy to work with other artists for split albums that is why I worked with the talented mexican musician "Exaversum".

9.Since 2020 you have released a good amount of music, do you spend most of your time writing and creating music?

I do have released a good amount of music since 2020 and I spend a lot of time for my music but most of all I focus in playing guitar which helps me collect ideas for my songs through my feelings.

10.You have a split coming out with 'Exaversum', what are your thoughts on the other band that had participated on the recording?

I believe that he is a great artist. I have heard his full-length album "To live and die with", which is amazing. We met through Instagram and decided to make the split album "Harmony in decrepity". It consists of 8 songs and its duration is around 50 minutes. It will be released in tape from the great "Born too late tapes" label from England.

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

I believe that my music was accepted by black metal fans and I realised that beacause I have many possitive comments and messages from them on social media and because most of my tapes were sold from the labels.

12.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

In the future I would like to continue making black metal music, to continue making releases and a vinyl album when I can and to remain loyal and authentic towards my fans. 

13.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 first band that influenced me from a young age was "Bathory". I liked everything that he managed to do by himself as a one man band. I was also influenced by "Enslaved", "Emperor", "Marduk" and "Darkthrone". From the new age I was influenced by "Mgla" and "Uada" and I love hearing "Lamp of Murmuur", "Pan-Amerikan Native Front" and "Kommodus".

14.Does Occultism play any role in your music?

Occultism exists in some parts of my lyrics as a reference and my phylosophy is based around it, but it does not depend on it.

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

I would like to point out that underground black metal music has many remarkable bands that have many things to offer in the future and I know and hear many of them. I would personally like to thank you for this interview and for the opportunities that you give to new black metal artists.

Best regrats 

Kostas B

Apocalyptic Leaders

For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the solo project?

First or all, thanks a lot for doing this interview, it’s a great honor. Starving For Death was a project that was born ages ago and it started being just an acoustic (using some distortion for the guitar) and a voice that also had distortion and it was made as a Depressive/Suicidal Poetry project. I’m talking about when MySpace was born. But throughout time it was been more like an Experimental project because the sound is different with every album I’ve released.

Recently you have released a new album, musically how does it differ form the stuff you have released in the past?

This last release was actually a compilation made by Xivu Arath Productions and contains a bit of the most recent albums I’ve released. In this album you will see how much of an experiment this project is. DSBM tracks to more kind of gothic and some of them more simple with just guitars, vocals, bass and drums.

You also have a few other solo projects, what is it that you bring into the music of 'Starving For Death' that you are not able to do with your other groups?

Like I mentioned, Starving For Death is more like my experimental project. The other projects have their inspiration and genre very well defined, but with Starving For Death I never really know what I will do until I take my guitar and start recording. I can’t say I’m an experience musician because my music is quite simple in terms of guitar riffs (to mention one), but I guess that’s the beauty of SFD, that you never know what the next album is going to sound like. 

What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects you explore with the new release and also how would you describe your progress as a songwriter over the years?

The new release is a DSBM release and focuses in the beauty of death, and also in betrayal. We live in a world where people focus more on being assholes, rather than focusing on the beautiful things and as for me, I got inspiration on how tired I am of living in this world full of idiots and cheaters and criminals. As Death Approaches, is a song that I really like and it’s about embracing Death as it comes to take us.

From 2014 to 2019 there was no music being released with this project, can you tell us a little bit more about what was going on during that time frame?

From 2014 to 2017 I just didn’t have any recording equipment. In 2013 I moved to China and during those years I changed workplace so, I couldn’t buy any equipment. Then in 2018 is when I started two of my other projects and focused on them more than I focused on SFD.

What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Starving For Death'/

It’s the constant hunger of wanting death to take me. As if I died but being death such beautiful passage, that I crave for more. 

Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

This artwork was actually made by Xivu Arath Productions and I love it. A crow, often a symbol of death, standing high on a tree, surrounded by a cold and solitary forest.

With your musical projects you record everything by yourself, are you open to working with other musicians or do you prefer to work solo?

Yes, I’m always open to work with others. I’m actually working with Star Damage as a vocalist and I’m currently working on a project with a friend from Mexico, also as the vocalist. This last project will be more thrashy-melodic-kind-of project. We will release a single some time this year if everything goes well.

9.In the last couple of years you have released a great amount of material, do you spend a great amount of your time writing and creating music?

I used to spend a lot of time but I recently started a new job and I don’t have so much time for music anymore. On the weekends is when I have time but I honestly don’t have much inspiration lately for music. I’m not sure I will be releasing something any time soon, except for the two projects with friends I mentioned above.

10.The new album was released on 'Xivu Arath Productions', can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

It’s a new label which stays true to the underground projects and bands. They focus on tapes and digital and as far as I know my album is the first one they released. They will be releasing more stuff for sure. I know the owner and I’m good friends with him and it’s not the first time I work with him. 

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

Not bad, I mean, like I said before, I am not a professional musician, or best said, I’m not a skilled musician so, my music is always simple. I’ve got some good comments about my music but in the end, even if it’s just a people who enjoy my music, that’s good enough for me. I’ve had great comments from people here, in China, and from people in other countries.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the other solo projects you are a part of?

Well, two of my most important projects are Winter Dynasty, which is a project inspired by Chinese Nature and Mythology. The latest release was an EP called Poems For Nature, it was released last August. And Star Devourer, is a cosmic black metal project inspired by the Cosmos, Sci-Fi and Space Horror. Last month I released an album called 01101000 01100101 01101100 01110000 which is binary code.

13.Where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I don’t aspire for much as a musician because this is just a hobby. I’d like to take one of my projects Live, but I’m not sure it’s possible. At least not any time soon. 

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?

For my projects I’ve been inspired a lot by bands like Darkspace, Mesarthim, Midnight Odyssey, Bliss Illusion. And recently I’ve been listening to old stuff from Darkthrone, Burzum, Immortal. I haven’t listened too much of the new stuff released this year, but there are really good bands being born every year.

Does Satanism or Occultism play any role in your music?

Not really, but it will probably be at some point. I can’t say I am a fan of Satanism but I do like some of this ideology. 

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

Well, I just want to thank you and everyone else supporting my music. It’s always a great pleasure and honor to do interviews. All of my discography is in Bandcamp for Name your price so, if you think it’s worth it, you can pay or get it for free. Thanks a lot!

Bandcamp

  Necromaniac  are  a  band  from  the  United  kingdom  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  an  old  school  mixture  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  demo  "Morbid  Metal"  which  will  be  released  on  November  26th  by  Invictus  Productions.  

   A  very  dark,  heavy  and  old  school  sound  starts  off  the  demo  while  the  music  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  80's  and  90's  influences.  Elements  of  thrash  metal  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  at  times  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  blackened  metal  screams.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while  the  tremolo  picking  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling.  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  some  of  the  music  also  showing  a  heavy  influence  of  the  early  death  metal  style,  all  of t he  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  horror  movie  orientated  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly.

  On  this  recording  Necromaniac  goes  back  to  the  mid  80's  and  early  90's  styles  of  black,  death  and  thrash  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Blasphemy  and  Darkness  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Necromaniac  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  old  school  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Cosmic  Onslaught"  and  "Cursed  by  The  Revenant".  8  out  of  10.

www.facebook.com/necromaniacUK