AMON AMARTH

Sons of the thunder god

Probably most famous Swedish act these days, namely AMON AMARTH has just released the seventh full length album called "Twilight Of The Thunder God". A feeedback for this album has been really good and frankly speaking, I'm not surprised with it. This might sound weird but I had known it before they started writing for this album. Johan Hegg & Co. would never have taken a stupid risk in order to increase their fan base. Over the years they have been working hard to reach the point where they are now. Once someone said that not taking risk in music business is risky and there's definitely some truth it that. But this little theory doesn't work at all for some selected bands. The chosen ones, such as AMON AMARTH... A few days ago I took the opportunity to ask Fredrik Andersson (the drummer) about some things regarding the past, the present and the future of the band. Here we go! More...

DESTRUCTION

Synthesis of 25 years

Much of events happened his year, especially in question of jubilees. As the golden ace in this ranking surely could be mentioned DESTRUCTION. The legend of German thrash metal, being a part of this scene consequently since her beginnings and standing together with KREATOR and SODOM in the first league of this art celebrates exactly the 25th anniversary of existence, confirming immediately her bestial strength and absolute lack of any compromises. Yes, it’s true dear children – DESTRUCTION released exactly the new album, very original titled as “D.E.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N” (who’s curious what’s it mean, should necessary to buy this record) and the promotional campaign of this stuff is the best evidence of fact, that the trio from Baden-Württemberg absolutely doesn’t think about retiring or so worse – the old men house. Maybe you will not believe to me, but the assurances of the indestructible leader of DESTRUCTION turned the scale of all my doubts. Still without believe? Let to read the fragments of my conversation with Marcel Schirmer, known better to all of you as Schmier. More...

NILE

Just to keep making metal

Sometimes I can’t to believe, which kind of lucky had this band. During five years after forming NILE was known probably only to the handful of maniacs, penetrating the deepest abyss of extreme music underground. The miracle however becomes, so when ten years ago was released via Relapse the first album of crew from Greenville, could to say about the true turning-point in the history of death metal art, for which they were exactly responsible. NILE had complete revolutionized this kind of music extreme, thank of “Amongst Of Catacombs Of Nephren-Ka” album, the boring and very often washed out from the good ideas death metal was born again. Following by this path and continuing the concept of ancient Egypt on the next albums too, NILE reached the position of one from the most important death metal acts on this earth, keeping it and staying brave like nobody else. Today, when the guys have in their discography five of full-length masterpieces and thousands of kilometers done during a lot of tours, nothing is able to let them fall from summits, cause the need for their music, what has mirrored the last European tour, is the best witness of this fact. Karl Sanders, the leader of band, agreed to answer for a few of my questions, although the playing of Quake was probably the one thing, that interested him the most for this moment. But these are the privileges of the heroes, so I understand it and have no grudge against. More...

THE AMENTA

Experimental and extreme

Almost 4 years have passed since their latest full length release "Occasus". After such a long time of waiting I have been prepared for something different and outstanding. I must say “n0n”- the newest album of those Australian freaks definitely lives up to all my expectations. It's very progressive in its nature, brutal and sick as hell. Also very different, compared to their debut release... OK, now I have a privilege of introducing you a Pope. Timothy Pope. The interview started off with a question concerning stylistic differences between "Occasus" and "n0n". I got the following answer... More...

SATYRICON

We are underrated

This band really needs no introduction. SATYRICON is already a legend of Norway's black metal scene. Coming out of the dark forests with a border-crossing, crucial and cold as hell „Rebel Extravaganza” album this band transformed into something that may be called musical incarantion of evil. Since they've entered the path of grim black 'n'roll with „Volcano” they're definitely a band from „love it or hate it”category. For those who share SATYR's vision the new, sinister work „The Age of Nero” without any doubts follows the path of musical domination. And that's a reason important enough to publish this interview. Ladies and gents - here comes Kjetil-Vidar Haraldstad – better known as FROST. Enjoy! More...

DEVIAN

Metal anthems

Swedish death black metallers DEVIAN don't have an ambition to take their music where no one else has ever gone before. They are neither genre's innovators nor instrumental wizards nevertheless their songs still sound very fresh and vital. And...it's no wonder. DEVIAN's commitment, passion and dedication are genuine and determination is truly inspirational. On the occasion of "God To Illfated" release I talked to Legion (iron lungs and venom tongue) More...

THE ROTTED

The king is dead, long life the king!

Previously this interview had to be realized yet in September by the opportunity when these English gentlemen played in Berlin, but a malice of reality effectively disturbed it. We have regretted those circumstances, cause the occasion for a talk with the members of newborn, but partially known to you band could explain to you more earlier what THE ROTTED is. Verifying however the names of few guys playing there and the music style of debut album “Get Dead And Try Dying”, soon can to draw a conclusion, that’s nothing more than a new image of… GOREROTTED, that changing the name decided to keep one’s distance to all of lyrical things created yet under the previous banner, beginning the same a new chapter. Hereby we would like to present you Mr. Ben McCrow, remembered yet probably by the most of bad children as Goreskin. More...

NOCTURNUS

The way of transition

Huh! First death metal band on the world, that connected the brutal guitar riffs with the passages of keyboards, taking the listeners by the albums “The Key” or “Thresholds” into the dimension of mysteries and cosmic magic died already two times and returned to the world of the living. Who could to suppose, that one of the old-time American monsters will rise again? In principle nobody of you should to be especially surprised, cause the last time all of those engraved hordes are reforming themselves, sowing like in the past years much of terror and violence. But as a matter of fact, here that’s a something strange situation. Of course, NOCTURNUS came back again, although in a little bit of original form and with a quite original repertoire, playing this autumn during the European tour, named “The Lost Key Is Back”. Mike Browning, the founder and the most important link of this legendary horde, by the occasion of visit in Berlin agreed to explain me how this all looks like and how easy could be playing under one banner three different pieces of extreme, which he has naturally created by his own hand. More...

ESOTERIC

Journey through the mind

Listening to their music has always been bloody dangerous and addictive and the newest ESOTERIC's offering is no exception. It saw the light of the day after four years of painful silence but was definitely worth waiting for. „The Maniacal Vale” is a true masterpiece of funeral doom metal, another jewel in the genre's crown. Listen to it carefully and... nothing will ever be the same. Meanwhile please, welcome vocalist and guitarist Greg Chandler- your guide to the depths of the mind and soul of ESOTERIC. More...

HAIL OF BULLETS

We are not glorifying war

If you are interested in some quality oldschool death metal, you should definitely check that band out. Highly recommended, the more so because „...Of Frost And War” is undoubtedly the strongest debut album of 2008. Not one of the strongest- the strongest one! Period. Pretty good reason to interview the band, isn't it? Thanx to Metal Blade promo dept. I had a nice conversation with bald axeman Stephan Gebedi. More...