Well, last time we wrote aboutDjevelkult, I gave their demo CD a poor 2/5 as I found it somewhat boring and plain overall, and the sound didn't fit the raw music they performed and made it all sound til clean and homogenic IMO.I've listened a few times to 'Når Avgrunnen Åpnes' and what I listen to is a much more grown band "every-way” actually.
They’ve matured as song writers and as musicians (a-lot) since the demo days and I don’t know I would react if not...
This is in generalrawblack metalwith some growls in the beginning that they really should consider using more. It fits very well in to the whole picture.'Når Avrgrunnen Åpnes' is a solid album that not only drive past you in 190 kilometres so you miss pretty much every thing. The vocals has had a great "makeover" since I last met this band and the songs are very good & entertaining with more slow and atmospheric tracks and sound quality fits the production very well.
I like to complain, but there is honestly nothing especially negative about it.
‘Når Avgrunnen Åpnes’ Djevelkultdo what they are supposed to to , bringtraditional black metalfurther than before, still they maintain true to the roots and I find myself nostalgic listening to this one.
Flukt is a 3 piece band hailing from a small place in Norway named Vennesla who decided to join forces during 2014.They play 'traditional norwegian black metal' and has released an EP named 'Holcocaust' in 2015 and two singles 'As Abow (So Below) 2015 and 'Sadist' 2016.
When I was lucky enough to hear these guys I decided to do an interview with 'em about their future plans as this is a band I would like to hear more from in the future, and as far as I know their 'Holcocaust' EP is still available alongside with t-shirts and other merch. Contact the band if you want to know more. (Contact link in the end of interview) or press HERE to contact.
A.Ø - Vocal, Guitar and Bass
-F.H - Drums
-O.K.F - Guitar, Bass
Hi, and congratrulations with the release of ' Holocaust' EP even though it's a while ago, but how are things going?
- Thanks, it has been a while since the release of our debut Ep. At the moment we are working on some new material for an upcoming release. We are also rehearsing for a gig atJohn Dee in Oslo, 6th May.
Tell us more about the gig, is it you only or is there some sort of festival with other bands?
When do you go on stage?
- This is actually a special night. Flukt along with two other heavy bands will support Martila from Claymords having
a release concert on a project he have done with Steinar Albrigtsen. Steinar Albrigtsen is one of the
Biggest Country / Blues artist from Norway. So this is going to be one of a kind night with lots of good music.
It will be something for everybody, and we believe Flukt will be the raw and primitive act.
FLUKT play primitive,melancholic, yet catchy and mystical kinda like old schoolish Norwegian Black Metal , is there any reason you play the way you do?
- We are playing the music that trancend from the depths of our souls. All of us in Flukt share a passion for Black Metal, especially the early Norwegian style. ( That's easy to hear, meant in a good way ED.)
You're a relatively young band in the scene with only EP released and a few tracks on various compilations.
Is it hard to be recognized as a band today, and do you work much to keep the name 'known'?
-Yes it is hard to be a unknown band, We work hard to get the music out through online zines like Scullfucker etc. Without much support from labels. Actually we have started our own label now. Stench From Below Records.
Ok, tell me a bit more about this label, is it just to release your own stuff or do you plan to run a full-time label and release other music aswell?
-A.Ø: The Holocaust Ep was released with help from
SkyBurnsBlack Records, a diy label based in USA. We was happy about that, but in the end I was doing all the promotions, e mails and stuff. So why not just start my own label for my own bands? Past and present bands.
Is there any agenda behind the music and lyrics? ..And what do you want the audience to know?
-We play music for ourselves. If someone like it that is cool. The lyrics are important to get in the mood for the songs. It reflects personal thoughts on various topics.
Are you under influence of something while rehearsing or do you keep a straight line?
- No, we may have some beers after a show or rehearsal, we try to perform at our best, and that is in our case completely sober. And it is harder to do it without being influenced by substance. You cant hide behind it, and everything is more raw and real.
What personal emotions do you bring into your music? And what inspires you most as a musician?
- O.K.F: I need to be in the right mood to write music, i listen to a lot of other Black Metal bands for inspiration. If i have a bad day that may help to make the music i like.
- A.Ø: To me the emotions this kind of music brings out is raw aggression, frustration and other negative energies. I just love it! What inspires me as an musician is the other member of the band. They keeps me on edge. And of course I get inspired by the music I listen to.
On the 'Holocaust Ep it's pictures of soldiers and tanks ,but the music does not shout out war if you know what I mean? I don't get a warlike feeling while listening, it's rather a dark and sinister journey blended with some melancholy, so my question is, are there any message behind it?
- The front cover on the Holocaust Ep reflects the lyrical theme. It dwells with the brutality on the frontline during WW2, the holocaust it self from a victims point of view and death in general.
I get the feeling you have strong opinions as it reflects somewhat in the music, is it something you want to share with the readers? Religion, politics whatever..
- Flukt is not a political band likeDave Mustaine's. Our music is all about emotions and atmosphere. We know what it means to us, but it is up to everyone else to figure out what it means to them.
What are the future plans/goals for FLUKT? I mean , it's been quite silent for a while now.
-Flukt is a slow but steady ship. As we said earlier we are working on some new music at the moment. Hopefully we will release an album next year, and escalade the gigging.
How did you first get in touch with metal and why did you know that this was for you?
-O.K.F: I started listening to metal when i was about 13 years old, my older sister had a Nirvana cd, and it just got more extreme as i grew older. I have always loved the aggression and the feeling Black Metal gives me.
-
A.Ø: For me it was the first Korn album andMetallicawho introduced me to heavy music. It was a life changer and I have never looked back. The musical taste grew more and more extreme as more I dig in to it. Slayer, Sepultura, Mayhem, Burzum etc. Nowadays I listen mostly to 80s extreme metal and 90s Black Metal.
-F.H: When I was a kid my dad listen to a lot of the heavy rock stuff from the 70s and the 80s. I think it started there and it got more and more extreme as I got older.
Do you remember the first album you bought for your own money?
-O.K.F: Probably a Slipknot or Korn album
-A.Ø: I think it was Nirvana - From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah
-F.H: Nope.
I'm guessing there hasn't been much liveshows,am I right? Are you ready to do liveshows or is it something you want to do?
- We have only done two live gigs. The first one was at theInferno festival in Oslo in 2016. And we have done one club gig in Kristiansand. We have a couple of upcoming gigs later this year. We hope to do more and more gigs in the future, we have some plans, but cant say much about it yet.
If you had once chance to say an album everybody should hear before they die, what would it be?
- O.K.F: There are really too many to pick one, but 1349 - beyond the apocalypse has long been one of my favorite albums, frosts drumming is amazing.
-A.Ø: Not to mention one of the obvious classics (wich is too many to choose from) I would say check out NettleCarrier's debut album from 2012.
F.H: Taake - Hordalands Doedskvad
I have heard from reliable sources that you use extemely much more toilet paper than regular people, so how many meters a week do you use approximately?
- What kind of question is that? As a three pieced we of course use 6 meter each..
Thanx for the interview and best wishes for the future, any last words?
Support the underground by buying physical releases and go to shows!
Released through No Sleep Till Megiddo Records 5th September 2013
Megiddon is a norwegian black metal band formed in 2007 influenced by several types of metal and punk and have released three demos before they released the ep 'Ov Decay' late 2013.
This ep is my first experience with Megiddon but as soon as the music enter my speakers notice rather quickly that this is black metal, but is it worth listening to really? I mean the last years I've got the impression that black metal bands are formed almost every day without any meaning and soul whatsoever behind it, and it's truly annoying to see one of the genres that once were so powerfull and unique now has turned into shit and exploited and abused by people who thinks it's cool to play this genre or people only doing it for money.
As said I have not heard their previous works ,but the 4 tracks presented here over about 30 minutes is what I would call true norwegian black metal in it's purest form when it really starts building up. It's cold,raw,harsh and grim necro sounding, and they surely capture the essence of what I define as pure black metal. Their music is relatively fast but fades into a slower cold melancholic void which takes me back to the 'golden era' when there was a reason musically why bands where labeled as norwegian black metal and this band manage to give me that feeling at times.
The more you listen to it the more it reveals itself and open up for a dark primitive journey with vocals as ugly as the music and be ready for some weird but excellent small elements while listening.
Megiddon is a band worth following if you ask me, with such a great release who knows what's next? They surely have the potential and skills so I have to admit I'm truly excited after hearing this 'cause this is a band we hopefully will hear more from . Support the true underground bands, buy this release, turn the volume up and enjoy! 'Dette er ekte norsk reinspikka nekro svartmetall med 'fandenivoldske' tendenser av den primitive sorten som alle og envher bør ha i samlingen'
Tracklist : Svartir Daudir, King Ov Decay, Beyond, Frosne Sjeler,
Taake celebrates 20 years of True Norwegian Black Metal
Having started the band way back in 1993, mainman Hoest now celebrates
20 years of staying true to form by releasing a 20 song 2 CD collection
of Taake rarities.
Taake witch are celebrating their 20th year anniversary has decided to release a double disc this year containing 20 tracks of rarities consisting of two brand new tracks,bonus tracks from the vinyl versions and alternate versions & several from compilations. All nicely presented on this 2 disc collection.
The first two tracks,the new ones 'Et Pust Av Oyene' & 'Hov Var Stein' sounds like a continuation of what they did on 'Noregs Vaapen' and are both pretty good tracks and should be essential listening if you like their previous works as these tracks easily could fit into their previous full lenght. Especially when listening to 'Et pust Av Oyene' I can't stop thinking of 'Norbundet' and winter in general as I think they captured the same cold athmosphere on this one.
As I listen 'Hov Var Stein' I get this 'typical' but brilliant feeling while listening to Taake,very sick,twisted,melodic in it's own unique way. Some people may wonder why they release this collection of pre-released tracks,since most of the fans probably have heard most tracks before except the unreleased.
But I think it's a good way to mark their anniversary so one can have all their bonus tracks from vinyls,compilations & rarities in one collection.
Overall a good release with a great selection of tracks,and I reallty enjoy the new tracks and some of the alternate tracks I haven't heard to much before. My credits to Taake for never giving up and going stronger than ever after 20 years of True Norwegian Black Metal !
There are few bands that captures me the way black metal used to,but this band continue to make music that makes me think of my nordic roots & inheritance while listening, and I have to salute them for that and congratulate with 20 years gone in a blast! Recomended!
Unspoken was formed back in 2002 with members from Varulv,Spurv and Astaroth,but wasn't active until January 2004 when the line up was complete. During these years they released two demos,and after that a self released album named "Primal Revelation" in 2006 witch gained good critics in Scream Magazine,Helvete Magazine to name a few. Besides that they have released a split cd and been on various compilations. They have played at festivals such as Inferno and Betong amongst others.
During 2010-12 their second album 'Requiem Aeternam Deo was' composed and recorded. All delivered in a nicely done digipack with lyric sheet included.
The outcome is a mix of well played death metal with some BM influences. And it's not hard to hear that band has grown since their previous releases,and it seems like they spent more time on the production witch is way better than their earlier works
At first it sounds a bit boring and I kinda hope this changes, and while the second track starts spinning and the very enjoyable opening riff starts I'm starting to get faith in this record after all. And the way too short second track sets the standard of what's to come.
'Groovylicious dark death metal with some bm influences' is what I would call this,they have kept the traditional death metal feel to it while adding some thrashy riffs and own ideas to it witch works well,and compared to alot of others who just blast away in a furious tempo Unspoken leaves room for more slow atmospheric guitar parts and some nice guitar work ,I can mention the tracks 'Death Of A Dynasty' and 'Oppression,Pawns And Poisonous Tongues' witch are among the highlights on this record in my opinion.
Both tracks with a duration of over 6 mins. witch really shows what Unspoken has to offer as musicians,as all instruments comes clearly out in this track.
What I like about album is the tempo changes throughout the whole album witch makes it an album I can listen to without skipping tracks or get bored. I have to admit I had to listen to this one a few times before getting totally in to it,but when I did it reveals itself more each time I listen to it and there's no doubt that there's a lot work behind this and they pull off some twisted riffs and for me twisted is good if done right.
The only thing that somewhat ironically irritates me with this album is that the tracks I enjoy the most are the shortest ones and if I decided they should be longer ,but that's just a matter of taste.
This overall a good and hard hitting album,but if I had to point out something it would be that I sit with a feeling that something is missing,maybe because of the short lasting tracks mentioned earlier. An obscure & dark album with some killer tracks that deserves to be heard,so give it a listen and judge for yourself. As I said this is an album that needs to be heard several times as it grows for each listen.
I usually have an open mind when listening to new stuff and so I did on this one. This is labeled black metal, but I'm not really sure what this band is trying to do. Musically it's a bit messy & the guitar sound is terrible,the vocals are way louder than the music witch is very monotonus ,the screamy ones are not good,but the clean vocals are ok and could be used more if they had concentrated more on the ambient parts and developed more ideas and melodies before releasing this,it could maybe have been something in the future. But for now I just have to say that this band needs some time before they release more. When you can't find a single positive aspect about the music even though you tried you know it's not worth bothering. So I suggest you look elsewhere if you're not a die-hard fan.
Well, last time we wrote about Djevelkult, I gave their demo CD a poor 2/5 as I found it somewhat boring and plain overall, and the sound didn't fit the raw music they performed and made it all sound til clean and homogenic IMO. I've listened a few times to 'Når Avgrunnen Åpnes' and what I listen to is a much more grown band "every-way” actually.
