Loits  are  a  band  from  Estonia  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  eccentric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2001  album  "Ei  kahetse  midagi"  which  will  be  re-issued  in  February  by  Nuclear  War  Now!  Productions.

  War  orientated  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  going  into a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  The  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  90's  style.

  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  elements  of  folk  music  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  synths  also  giving  the  songs  more  of  an  epic  atmosphere  when  they  are  utilized.

  One  of  the  tracks  is  a  brief  instrumental  along  with  one  song  also  introducing  classical  and  acoustic  guitars  onto  the  recording.  When  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  being  added  onto  a  couple  of  the  tracks.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Estonian  and  cover  'the  Forest  Brother's  that  struggled  against  Soviet  occupation  during  and  after  WWII.

  In  my  opinion  Loits  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  eccentric  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tulisilma  sund"  "Valge  nagu"  and  "Sinu  mees,  sinu  vend,  sinu  poeg".  8  out  of  10.

http://nuclearwarnowproductions.bandcamp.com/album/ei-kahetse-midagi

  

  Hor  are a  duo  from  Greece  that  plays  a  misanthropic  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2019  album  "Exitium"which  was  released  by  Sanit  Mils  Records.

  Dark  soundscapes  start  off  the  album  before  adding  in  some  dark  yet  melodic  guitar  leads  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams.

  All  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  a  great  amount  of  90's  influences.  Spoken  word  parts  can  also  be  heard  briefly  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  riffs  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  at  times,  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  most  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  a  heavier  direction.

  Hor  plays  a  style  of  black  emtal  that  is  very  raw,  traditional  and  misanthropic  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  misanthropy  and  nihilism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Hor  are  a  very  great  sounding  misanthropic  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Birth  Of  Tragedy"  and  "Time(A  Cold  Shadow  of  Death)".  8  out  of  10.

https://youtu.be/hZkCV7kd4ow  

  Lesath  are  a  solo  project  from  Russia  that  plays  a  very  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Sacred  Ashes"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Casus  Belli  Musica  and  Beverina.

  Acoustic  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams.  Nature  sounds  can  also  be  heard  briefly  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  Melodies  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Acoustic  guitars  also  make  a  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  while  elements  of  post  rock  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording.

  At  times  the  music  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  as  well  as  some  of  the  tracks  also  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  but  done  with  a  more  different  approach,  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style  and  synths  can  also  be  heard  briefly.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature  and  philosophical  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Lesath  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sacred  Ashes"  and  "Eternal  Malaise".  8  out  of  10.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9x0gJEjIZ0&feature=youtu.be   

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

Well, this was never intended to be released actually. Ive always wanted to make an album that consists of metal and punk, as the two music styles have been a big influence of mine. I felt i had to get out some aggression, and i just wanted to be alone, so it started out like that-Needing an outlet, and also needing time alone.



2.Recently you have released an ep, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style you went for on the recoridng?

As said, its (for me) a hybrid of punk and metal, but also rocknroll, folk metal and whatever sounds catchy to me really. I just wanted it to be aggressive, and all the songs started out like that- Having an outlet for My aggression.



3.You refer toy your music as being 'anarchist black metal', can you tell us a little bit more about this term?

Well, it is James Fogarty (In The Woods..., Ewigkeit, Jaldaboath etc) who came up with that term i think, and i just really liked it. I mean, im pretty much an anarchist, and intended this to be a black metal album, so hey-Its accurate i think.Also i think you should have an anarchist mind when you make music. Do your own thing, for yourself, dont be bound to rules.



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

Well, id have so say it like this- Art is made to make the viewer make up their own reaction to the painting, or whatever art it is. And then you get a reaction. It would be kind of boring for me to know what lyrics meant, so i like to not spoil that. What i think is not necessarily what you think. Thats just how it is with metaphores and lyrics. Its your mental painting, its your art, you see what you see.



5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Drivdal'?

Drivdal is my last name, and its also where my family come from, and so its a name i want to honour. Its my roots. Inspiration wise it makes me remember that i write for My own therapeutic reasons, i try not to let my ego get to much involved.



6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the ep cover?

Its made by James, and it is a picture of the norwegian resistance movement during ww2, where they honor the norwegian king Kong Haakon the 7th. They say "Long live Kong Haakon.", wich is in Norwegian, so "Leve" means "to live", or also it means "long live". My grandfather was a part of the norwegian resistance movement, so the fact that i can honor him means a lot to me. James couldnt have come up with a better cover, and it means a lot to me. Very grateful for that one...



7.With this project you record everything by yourself but have experience playing with bands, how would you compare the 2?

Hmm. I love to make music alone, but i love to make music with people too. There are pros and cons with both. Im both a very introvert and extrovert person, so i mean, what can i say- i love to do both! But i must say that getting to play with In The Woods... is a dream come true for me. Its a fucking great band, and the guys are fucking great. For me, i get to do the old saying "living the dream", and nothing can top that really.



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

Well, different reactions, but all in all good. Some like it very much, and say that this is some of the best they heard, while others say its boring and not their type of music. Both is cool i think. I mean, not everybodys boat can be rocked, so i appreciate people being honest.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that you a part of?

With In The Woods... we will play festivals in the future, and hopefully record a new record as well. Just have fun basiclly!

Tranqidiots have a new record done, wich will be mastered asap. We have a break atm, but we hope to get together soon and have fun too...

I record as much as i can, and i have new ideas, and want to explore more atmospheric stuff for my next album, or whatever it will become.



10.When can we expect a full length and also where do you see yourself heading into as a musician during the future?

I honestly dont know, but i would really like to put this (Drivdal) on vinyl. That some people want it on vinyl doesent mean i can sell a couple of hundered, so we will see... its a wet dream atm, haha. But- I have recorded the whole album, so that is done. But i want it mixed properly first. So yes, its hard to say when. Nowadays i just enjoy playing with ITW..., and i hope we will play a lot of festivals this year...

11.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?

Wich ones who has had an influence is hard to know really. I have a very diverse music taste. I listen to everything, as long as its cool. So when i make music i just try to make something i really like. The bands that made me wanna start with music when i was as young as three was Kizz and Pink Floyd actually. And i loved Iron Maiden, Sepultura, Pantera, Metallica and stuff like that. But i mean as i said i listen to so much different. Like right now for example, i listen to The Wildhearts. I think Ginger is a fucking amazing songwriter. Nowadays i listen to...Where to start, haha. I have listened a lot to Tribulation and Wormwood, two swedish metal bands, fucking amazing bands..And The Clowns and The Bronx. Energetic punk rock, wich i like...Ive also started driving into Ewigkeit more and more wich is fantastic i think-I like the hybrid he does, doesent seem bound to a certain recipe. As mentioned earlier, that is something i really appreciate...

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

I run, try to train, meditate, and im a proud dad. A really fucking proud one too. I also like to draw, but rearly get time for it...Other than that i hang out with friends really, or stay home alone watching a good documentary about some fucked up serial killer, haha.

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

Support musicians, buy their merch and music as direct as you can.

Other than that, id just like to say thanks for wanting to speak to me!



 https://www.facebook.com/DrivdalMetal/

  Throne  Ov  Blood  are  a  band  with  members  from  the  United  States  and  Mexico  that  plays  a  very  raw  and  violent  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2017  album  "Corrupted  by  Darkness"  which  was  released  by  American  Line  Productions.

  A  very  dark  and  ritualistic  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  ep  along  with  some  synths  and  throat  singing  before  going  into  a  heavier  musical  direction.  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  yet  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  which  also  gives  the  music  more  of  a  raw  fleeing.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  90's  influences.  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  clean  playing  onto  the  recording.

  Ritualistic  sounds  also  make  a  brief  return  on  one  of  the  later  tracks  before  returning  back  to  a  heavier  direction  and  at  times  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  small  amount  of  melody  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  can  also  be  heard  on  a  couple  of  songs.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  evil,  occultism  and  satanism  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Throne  Ov  Blood  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  and  violent  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Invokation  of  Evil"  "Kvlt  Ov  The  Goat"  "Screams  From  Abyss"  and  "Goat  Nation  666".  8  out  of  10.