War From A Harlots Mouth – Transmetropolitan (2007) – Lifeforce Records

Disco de estreia para estes Germânicos, depois do split EP com os Molotov Solution. Fusão esquizofrénica de grindcore, mathcore, e algumas pitadas de Jazz é o que a banda de Berlim nos propõe nestes cerca de 40 minutos divididos em 11 temas. Não se assustem já com a descrição! Não se trata de mais uma banda de Metalcore ou Deathcore ou algo do género. Brutal, poderoso, esquizofrénico, visceral, honesto. É assim o som dos War From A Harlots Mouth. Esta descarga musical vem acompanhada de um humor bem próprio, notório no nome da banda ou nos títulos de alguns temas como “Heeey… let’s start a band”, “Fighting wars with keyboards” ou “If you want to blame us for something wrong, please abuse this song!”. Bem mais interessante do que o que algumas bandas andam a fazer nestes espectros musicais, com muito mais sucesso comercial até. Para quem gosta de música extrema mas que quer a sua dose de experimentalismo e inovação sempre presente. RDS

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Lifeforce Records: www.lifeforcerecords.com
War From A Harlots Mouth: www.myspace.com/warfromaharlotsmouth

Furyo – Furyo (2007) – Anagram / Cherry Red

Esta é mais uma edição da Anagram e da sua colecção Goth Collectors Series. Aqui trata-se da recuperação de parte das gravações dos Furyo, uma banda renascida das cinzas dos Punks Britânicos UK Decay. O mini-LP de estreia homónimo e o EP que se seguiu, “Furioso”, ambos de 1984, compõem este CD. Infelizmente estas são as únicas gravações que os Furyo deixaram para a posteridade que são aqui recuperadas, e digo infelizmente porque isto é uma preciosidade do rock gótico / post-punk da primeira metade dos 80s. Existe ainda um álbum que nunca foi editado oficialmente (apesar de ter sido lançada uma edição em cassete grátis com a fanzine Grim Humour) que poderia ter sido aqui incluído e assim ficávamos com tudo. Se alguém tiver isso que avise! Os masters originais estão completamente deteriorados e por isso mesmo, as gravações foram masterizadas a partir do vinil. Este facto leva apenas a que ambiência das gravações seja intensificada e lhe dê aquele toque “vintage”, sujo, negro, áspero, próprio do vinil. Aliás, esses mesmos termos podem caracterizar a música da banda, fusão de rock gótico, post-punk, dark folk, folk rock, industrial e algum experimentalismo próprio da década de 80. Para fãs de Bauhaus, The Birthday Party, Dead Can Dance, Devo, Glaxo Babies, entre outros. Uma pérola do Goth Rock britânico! Essencial! RDS

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Cherry Red: www.cherryred.co.uk

Minsk - White Wings (Relapse 2007)

Unearthly Trance - Permanent Ice (Relapse 2006)

Somniae Status - Entrevista

- Somniae Status (meaning of the name, short bio, discography, highlights, …):
First of all thank you guys for support you’re giving us and of course thanks to fenixwebzine friends.
With SOMNIAE STATUS we mean a sort of “state of imagination”, the meaning well fits our personal approach to themes and lyrics as well to the music of course. We couldn't find a good solution in English so we thought to Latin.
Somniae Status formed in 1996 by Randy Mion, Fabio Tumiati and myself. But we completed the line-up only in 1999 with Breeze Danieli and Andrew Vekk. In 2002 we recorded our debut album “Cassandra”, co-produced by Alex De Rosso and us. The album was released in 2003 by Adrenaline Records and it received very good feedbacks from press and audience attending to our gigs around Italy. Just before the tour ending, Breeze was replaced by Ivan and in the meantime we have been doing some promotional activities with gigs and demonstrations for the companies we have endorsements with, in particular B.C.Rich guitars and Hughes&Kettner amps. In 2004 we recorded a cover version of Queensryche's “I don't believe in love” released through Steelheart Records, and we started writing “Echoes” with our producer Pat Scalabrino, still continuing performing live around the country. We recorded Echoes at the New Sin Studios with Luigi Stefanini and Dragonheart Records offered to us a deal for this new album Echoes. And today, we are proudly supporting and promoting this album!

- “Echoes” (rehearsing / writing process, recording process, label, …):
Echoes is about moods and feelings, an introspective trip through everyone’s own experiences. We started writing Echoes after a while from our first album Cassandra. During that time we were gigging a lot, and many early ideas came out during sound checks or somehow doing stuff all together. At that time we also met our producer Pat Scalabrino, and we started writing tons of material, his support and supervision were absolutely fundamental.
Echoes was recorded, mixed and mastered by Luigi Stefanini at the New Sin Studios, where other bands like Labyrinth, Vision Divine and Domine spent some of their recording sessions. Luigi is a very professional and good guy, we made a wonderful work with him. We fixed some ideas and rearranged some passages during the recording sessions, and I think that Luigi’s contribution is a additional magic for the final result. Indeed, we came up with a co-production of Pat and Luigi!
We knew Dragonheart records since several years ago, since they have a very good exposure in the scene. Then, our producer Pat Scalabrino got in touch with Enrico Paoli at Dragonheart, introducing Echoes and ourselves. Dragonheart liked the album and they offered to us a deal. We have to say that Enrico and all his staff are very good guys, and we are doing a very good work with them regarding the promotional activities.

- Lyrics (influences, subjects, ideas, messages, …):
I have to say, we all have an insane dark nature. The lyrics of the songs walk through introspective themes leaded by various states of mind. There is a common thread along the lyrics, moods recall to mysterious trips through the feelings that people experience while questioning about his existence. Life choices that come back from the past… Echoes, indeed!

- Album frontcover / artwork (who, why, meaning, …):
We found an Italian artist by browsing the DeviantArt repository. We were searching for the right designer and we definitely got it! His name is Nicola Coin and his artwork is simply amazing, he caught exactly the spirit of the album, the right contents with textures that perfectly fit into the music.
When we first met him, he was given the music and the lyrics and we said to him “go for it!” and we definitely got it!

- Live tour to promote the new record:
We're hard working on it 'cause live stage is our natural habitat, and hopefully we should gig a while after the summer..

- Musical (and other) influences:
Within the band and yet within ourselves there are a lot of different influences. The earlier influences started with our passion for prog-rock bands like Yes, Kink Crimson, Fates Warning or Queensryche, moreover our thrash love for Slayer or Anthrax and finally we're also fashinated by hard rock bands like Whitesnake.
On the other hand, we all currently appreciate Nevermore, Stone Sour, Sevendust and many other bands that are more influencing the general sound of our songs. I hope these influences have somehow helped us find our personal sound!

- Final Message:
Thank you guys at fenixwebzine and all the friends of the zine for support, we'd love you to get in touch with us through our site www.somniaestatus.com and www.myspace.com/somniaestatus

Entrevistador: RDS

Entrevistados: Alex Danieli & Randy Mion

Dekapitator - Entrevista

- Dekapitator (meaning of the name, short bio, discography, highlights, …):
Dekapitator formed in the late nineties as a result of the burgeoning vinyl collections and distate for modern metal that were building amongst myself, Dan Bulldoze and Andy Maniac. The band skipped the demo process altogether and recorded a split 7" w/Nunslaughter in 1997. That was followed by the "We Will Destroy... You Will Obey" full-length in '99. The band tried a few different 2nd guitarists, and was largely inactive while the members pursued other projects. After settling on a new 2nd guitarist, D. Attacker, Dekapitator reconvened to start writing in earnest for the new album in '05. Now it's out - poseurs beware!

- “Before The Calm” (rehearsing / writing process, recording process, label, …):
A couple of songs were written quite a while ago, but the newer ones were almost all worked out in the rehearsal room by Hellfiend and Maniac, just jamming and creating hellish crossfire from scratch. The recording was a bit more convoluted, with tracking sessions in San Francisco and San Jose, and mixing in Arizona. But the album still sounds nice and mean. Relapse had been longtime collaborators with myself and Andy, so it was a no-brainer to get them to put out the record. Everything has been smooth and simple in working with them as always.

- Lyrics (influences, subjects, ideas, messages, …):
Our lyrics are about World Wars III, IV, and V, and their respective aftermaths. The message is, all this stupid shit could end at any time, to so fucking rage, thrash and get drunk while you've got the chance! They're influenced by Pabst Blue Ribbon, Miller High Life, Jameson's, Absolut, Duvel, Spaten, Coors Light, Jagermeister, Sake bombs, Thor's Hammer vodka, and the Oakland Raiders.

- Album frontcover / artwork (who, why, meaning, …):
The cover conveys a lot of our lyrics, the chaos and destruction, the ravening dogs of war, tanks crushing mountains of corpses, you know all the great things in life.

- Live tour to promote the new record:
Probably nothing too extensive, but we hope to play as many shows as possible!

- Musical (and other) influences:
See above for most of them... but musically, Venom, Slayer, Sodom, Metallica, Kreator, Exodus, Violence, Exciter, Dark Angel, Priest, Angel Witch, Mercyful Fate, Discharge, The Accused, Anti-Cimex, Agnostic Front, D.R.I., Onslaught, Maiden, Megadeth, Laaz Rockit, etc. etc. etc.

- Heavy / Thrash / 80s revival. Your opinion:
It will destroy... poseurs will obey!

- Final Message:
Give me a beer!!!!!

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Entrevistador: RDS

Entrevistado: Matt Harvey

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Relapse Records: www.relapse.com

Dekapitator: www.myspace.com/dekapitator

Fueled By Fire - Entrevista

- Fueled By Fire (meaning of the name, short bio, discography, highlights, …):
A. Fueled By Fire... At first it had no meaning, it was just a cool name that nobody else had. Now it has alot of meaning, and it's the whole thrash scene the fans, the pits the music the excitmentt of the shows, it's litteraly "Spreading Like Fire".
First we have Carlos Gutierrez - Drummer (he started the band) Then we have Jovanny Herrera( we call him "Gio" for short) He is our Lead vocalistand Lead Guitarist, Ricardo Rangel (Rick for short) also Lead Guiatar, And Anthony Vasquez - he's our Bassist.
We are all old school friends, except for "Gio". When we first started we were a five piece band which included Sal Zepeda- who started the band with Carlos and another vocalist. We met Gio when a couple of us went to see another band practice, and Gio was there, they got to talking and Gio mentioned that he had been trying to put a band together and he mentioned he also sings. Not long after that we kicked out the singer we had cause he could'nt handle the stage and contacted "Gio" and asked him if he would be interested in trying out for the spot with "FBF". So we picked him up at his house, brought him to try out, he brought his guitar cause he said he felt more comfortable singing with his guitar and he sang a song he wrote and there was no question about it. "Gio" would be our singer and now our third guitar, A year later Sal decided to go his own way and leave the band, and we decided that we would keep it with the four of us remaining. We have remained tight "LIKE BROTHER'S" ever since and it's working out GREAT!
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Discography:
Two Track Demo:2004
1. Death Rides a Horse
2. In the Evening We Fight
Six Track Demo:2004
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FBF Live at Hoguebarmichaels
1. Metal Forever
2. In the Evening We fight
3. Clash of Irons
4. Death Rides a Horse
5. Killers (Maiden Cover)
6. Hallowed Be Thy Name (Maiden Cover)
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Four Track Demo Entitled: 2005
Life...Death... and FBF
1. The Metallion
2. Final Prophecy
3. Screamer
4. Merciless Blade
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Self Released Album: 2006
Spread The Fire!!!
1. Ernest Goes to Hell
2. Thrash Is Back
3. Striking Death
4. SPread the Fire!!!
5. Betrayal
6. Massive Execution
7. Metal Forever
8. Dreams of Terror
9. Command of the Beast
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Re-Release - Metal Blade Records 2007
Spread The Fire!!!
1. Ernest Goes to Hell
2. Thrash Is Back
3. Striking Death
4. Spread the Fire!!!
5. Betrayal
6. Massive Execution
7. Metal Forever
8. Dreams of Terror
9. Command of the Beast
Bonus Tracks
10. Chaotic Punishment
11. Put To Death!
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- "Spread The Fire" (rehearsing / writing process, recording process, label, …):
A. We write all our songs as a group we all have input on the lyrics,and the msuic.We rehearse three times a week in and when we have shows we try to squeeze in a few more rehearsal sessions to practic our set. We recorded this cd in several different recording sessions. We would go into the studio to record every time we finished a couple of songs.til we ahd enough for a full length.
Well what can about the label it speaks for it self...It's "Metal Blade"
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- Lyrics (influences, subjects, ideas, messages, …):
A. Lyrics - In this album most of the songs are about the scene, the fans and killing poser's and we say "FUCK POSER'S"
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- Album frontcover / artwork (who, why, meaning, …):
The artist is a guy by the name of Desmond Ambrose, because we like his artistic style.
The meaning of the cover is "Thrash is back and we are killing all the poser's who think they know what real metal is.
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- Live tour to promote the new record:
We are currently still working on a tour.
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- Musical (and other) influences:
IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ARMORED SAINT, DIO, RUNNING WILD, EXODUS, ANTHRAX, ABATTIOR, AGENT STEEL, EVIL DEAD, DEATH, DEATH ANGEL, DARK ANGEL, FORBIDDEN, PESTILENCE, HEATHEN, HIRAX, PHANTASOM, VIO-LENCE, LAZZ ROCKIT, SEPULTURA, RAZOR, ONSLOUGHT, SACKRIFICE, M.O.D., S.O.D., D.R.I., L.W.S., WHIPLASH, VIKING, SLAYER, METALLICA, MEGADETH, VENOM, TESTAMENT, POSSESSED, DARKNESS, EXCITER, HOLLOWS EVE, SODOM, DESTRUCTION, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, SABBATT, NECRONOMICON, SKULL, BATHORY, MESSIAH, NUCLEAR ASSAULT, SACRED REICH, OVER KILL, EXUMER, VIOLENT FORCE, KREATOR, METAL CHURCH, CORONER, MORBID SAINT, MORTAL SIN, SADUS, KORZUS, MUTILATOR, DEMOLITION HAMMER, DETENTE, LIVING DEATH TANKARD, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, NO MERCY BEOWULF, DEVASTATION, REPULSION, MORBID ANGEL, INFERNAL MAJESTY, AGGRESSION, CELTIC FROST, MERCILESS, PENTAGRAM(TURKEY) IRON ANGEL, MASSACRE, RIGOR MORTIS, MORBID SCREAM, AND MORE
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- Heavy / Thrash / 80s revival. Your opinion:
We weren't here for the eighties but We are sure that The energy, the spirit and aggression of the whole thrash scene as it was is growing at a fast pace.
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- Final Message:
KEEP AN EYE WE'LL BE COME TO YOUR TOWN SOON!!!
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!!!
SPREAD THE FIRE!!!

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Entrevistador: RDS
Entrevistado: Carlos, Anthony, Gio
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Fueled By Fire: www.myspace.com/fueledbyfire
Metal Blade: www.metalblade.de

Evergreen Terrace - Entrevista

- Evergreen Terrace (meaning of the name, short bio, discography, highlights, …):
Our name is from the Simpsons. We have been around a long time and seen a lot of shit. It has and still is fun. We have released a bunch of records but the only one you need to know about is Wolfbiker. The highlight of this band is when we hung out with Vanilla Ice, my life has not been the same since.

- “Wolfbiker” (rehearsing / writing process, recording process, label, …):
We practice a few times a week and worked on writing when we had new material. We wrote about 8 songs and then realized that they sucked ass so we started the writing process over. It took about 4 months to write and record Wolfbiker. Theses songs seemed to pour out of us for the most part, nothing was really forced, we just wrote what we liked and hopefully others will be into as well.

- Lyrics (influences, subjects, ideas, messages, …):
The lyrics are written about life and how we feel about life. From politics to religion to relationships to struggling in this world; they are all real and straight from the heart.

- Album frontcover / artwork (who, why, meaning, …):
Shaun Thurston did the artwork, he is a rad local artist in our town and it was a pleasure working with him. He did a great job capturing the feeling that they music produces.

- Live tour to promote the new record:
We are about to head out with August Burns Red, The Warriors, and Casey Jones. Then in Sept go out with Strung Out and then in December hit up Europe with Hatebreed, Agnostic Front, Ignite and more on the Persistence Tour. Then in Jan/Feb we will be out with As I Lay Dying.

- Musical (and other) influences:
Willie Nelson

- Final Message:
Leave it at the beep.

Entrevistador: RDS
Entrevistado: Joshua James (Guitar)
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Evergreen Terrace: www.evergreenterracehxc.com / www.myspace.com/evergreenterrace
Metal Blade: www.metalblade.de

Cephalic Carnage - Entrevista

- Cephalic Carnage (meaning of the name, short bio, discography, highlights, …):
The name cephalic carnage means to slaughter the brain, we've been around since the beginning of 1997, me on vocals, zac and steve on guitar, john on drums, various bass players til now we have nicko on bass, we have the following cds, ”conforming to abnormality”, ”exploiting dysfunction”, ”lucis interval”, ”anomalies” and now xenosapian on relapse records, the highlights of touring have been going to amazing countries and seeing awesome crowds, smoking the finest grass the world has to offer, and playing big fests in europe.

“Xenosapien” (rehearsing / writing process, recording process, label, …):
Four months of practice, the same way we've have done every other album, we write stuff on our own the show the rest of the guys everybody add their own mark to it and that is that, I will title and write the words, we record with dave otero here in denver at flatline audio and our own studio hybrid studio, lots of blood and sweat, we are on relapse records in case you didn’t know.

Lyrics (influences, subjects, ideas, messages, …):
Life in general, life is too short we should learn to get along.

Album frontcover / artwork (who, why, meaning, …):
That’s up to the listener, you make your own analogy on this that’s what its about your views on what you see about this, I don’t care to comment on it, buy it and see what its all about , to me its pretty self explanatory.

Live tour to promote the new record:
Tour the world if we can, for now tour with shitty metalcore bands.

Musical (and other) influences:
Heavy metal period, hockey, weed, the air, he sun, woman, life in general, living aal inspires.

Final Message:
Don’t let your meat loaf or your pussy willow. buy the new cephalic carnage cd, hopefully we can come to Portugal to play some shows for the freaks, but until then we will just try to be metal, thanx for the interview and the support.

Entrevistador: RDS

Entrevistado: Leonard Leal

Relapse Records: www.relapse.com

Cephalic Carnage: www.cephaliccarnage.net

Last Winter - Entrevista

- Last Winter (meaning of the name, short bio, discography, highlights, .):

We get that one a lot, which is weird because I read a lot of interviews and there are some bands out there with crazy names and they never get asked that. Well, we all grew up in Florida where it's 90+ degrees about 9-10 months out of the year. The only change in the weather is around Wintertime. It such a small time, but a special one. It just seemed like aperfect fit for what we were trying to do musically.

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- "Under The Silver Of Machines" (rehearsing / writing process, recordingprocess, label, .):
About half of the album is new material. Some of it was taken from a Japanese release through Fabtone records, but there are tracks that no one has ever heard. I'd say our newer tracks show a little more maturity than our past ones. We have developed a writing style that allows us to experiment, but still not stray too far from what we are trying to do. "Under the Silver of Machines" sounded like a great Sci-Fi movie. Haha. We just wanted a title to represent the wonder of space and with all the satellites and machines orbiting us all the time, it just fit. We actually ended up using samples of radio signals broadcasted in the 40's that have made their way back to our satellites. Very cool.

I definitly learned a lot recording the album. I experimented with some very unorthodox techniques, and tried alot of new things. I also had some help from James Wisner... I do a lot of tedious work for him in my spare time, and he was kind enough to let me bring some tracks over once in a while and utilize some of his most valued equipment. He also pointed me in the right direction everytime I lost my mind and my ear. It takes a rare individual to be a producer full time. A psycho you might even say! Love you James.

We are good friends with fellow label mates Hand to Hand. I believe they gave a cd to Lifeforce and we were contacted by them about a year or so ago. Lifeforce was looking to branch out into the "rock" genre and we were going to be their first band. After a couple of months of chatting, we realized this was a great opportunity for us. We knew we would stick out from the rest of the roster like a sore thumb, but it's just the kind of attention we were looking for.

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- Lyrics (influences, subjects, ideas, messages, .):

We always like to write about things people can relate to. Everyday life. Every member of the band contributes to our lyrics. As a result of our sick obsession with space, lines like "M31 will guide me there" make it in to our songs occasionally. Look it up. We all learn something new everyday. The lyrics to "The Violent Things" we're influenced by negative some of the negative (yet necessary to learn from) experiences we've been through during our journey thus far in the music industry.

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- Album frontcover / artwork (who, why, meaning, .):

We went for a darker, industrial feel with the artwork (courtesy JohnRadford) because we thought it went well with our album title. All the album art goes along with that same theme. Spacey/Industrial/Dark. We thought it was a nice balance paired up with the music.
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- Live tour to promote the new record:

We are doing two cd release shows in Orlando, Fl. One on the 24th at Virgin Mega Store and then another one a week later, which should kick-off our tour. We are finalizing the US tour as we speak. A European tour can be expected in the near future as well!
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- Musical (and other) influences:

Our musical influences truly span across the spectrum. All of us are huge fans of all the 80's bands. Of course, we went through the Grunge Era (which some of us still haven't let go.... Fro). I'd say the biggest influences, musically, would have to be Hum, Def Leppard, Smashing Pumpkins, Dredg, and The Used. As far as other influences, I'd say the biggest would have to be Space. Everyone in the band has a fascination with it and we use it as a constant theme in our lyrics. While most bands have arguments about which part goes where in a song, we have arguments as to which constellation we are looking at. Wow! We're really not that cool...

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- Final Message:

Whatever you do, do it twice!

Thanks Fenix!

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Entrevistador: RDS
Entrevistado: Cameron
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Lifeforce Records: www.lifeforcerecords.com
Last Winter: www.lastwinter.com / www.myspace.com/lastwinter

Malsain - Entrevista

- Malsain (meaning of the name, short bio, discography, highlights, …):
“Malsain” is French for sick, disturbing. That’s the word that describes best the ambience in our music and that’s why it was chosen when I started the band in late 2001-early 2002. We come from Bergen, Norway which is a town who has seen the genesis of many big metal bands like Immortal, Enslaved, Burzum and Gorgoroth.
Our demo was released in January 2004, and we signed a contract with Dark Essence Records (Taake, Aeternus, Helheim,…) the same year. We released “They Never Die” in May 2005, and now “The Disease” in May 2007 both with Dark Essence.

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- “The Disease” (rehearsing / writing process, recording process, label, …):
The album is a fine mix of new and older songs. It’s still extreme-metal with strong claustrophobic ambiences and raw female vocals, but the album is much longer and way better produced than the previous one. There is also more variations and more surprises throughout the opus.
The writing process was like on They Never Die: I composed the songs and then we arranged them together with the band to bring them to life. The recording and mixing process was quite long and took almost a year to complete. Herbrand Larsen (Enslaved) is a skilled producer and musician, that’s why he is very busy. But we are very happy with the result. The Disease sounds great!

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- Lyrics (influences, subjects, ideas, messages, …):
We have never been into all that “Satan” concept and our subjects are usually the darkest corners of the mind, tainted with strong horror references. In “They Never Die” we chose very simple lyrics with a big touch of sarcastic and black humour. It seems like few understood the irony in them. “The Disease” is much deeper on the lyrical side, with more advanced texts and without any obvious meaning. Most of the songs here can be interpreted many different ways, and I don’t wish to explain what I meant when I wrote them in an interview. It could be an interesting discussion topic, though.
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- Album frontcover / artwork (who, why, meaning, …):
The cover and artwork is a bit like the lyrics and the title of the album: it’s possible to understand it many different ways. Inside the booklet, everything is disease-related with background pictures of DNA samples, and with our profiles being presented as if we were part of the hospital staff. The general impression you get is a very cold one. The front cover and title is very simple but at the same time very strong and claustrophobic. Everybody knows about the symbolic of the light at the end of the tunnel, so in that sense “the disease” could be death. But a so simple picture actually contents several other hidden symbols and references that can give the album’s title a whole different meaning. As I said before, it’s up to you to find out about it.
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- Live tour to promote the new record:
We’re actually working on setting up an European tour. We’d like to visit countries like France, Germany, England, Holland, and probably some others. Portugal will be nice! If some booking people read this, don’t hesitate to take contact. Keep checking our websites for updates on that matter anyway, as there is no concrete date right now.
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- Musical (and other) influences:
Extreme-metal seems to be our main musical influences, even though we also listen to classical and electronic music. The 80’s and 90’s have been very innovative periods, so we prefer listening to metal from those years. There is not many bands today who come with something new, refreshing and interesting. So long this year, only 4 new albums really gave me something: the ones of Shining, Samael, Dødheimsgard and Abigor. The rest seems like a repetition of what has been done before, and even if it’s very good I’d rather listen to older records.
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- Final Message:
Thanks for the interest, and see you on tour if we are so lucky to be playing at a place near you!

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Entrevistador: RDS

Entrevistado: Tenebres (Bass)
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Malsain: www.malsain.no / www.myspace.com/malsain

Karisma Records: www.karismarecords.no
Dark Essence: www.darkessence.no

[F.e.v.e.r.] - Acerca de "4st_Fourst"

Depois da entrevista a propósito do single "Bipolar" (ver http://fenixwebzine.blogspot.com/2007/04/fever.html), aqui segue um pequeno texto acerca do disco de estreia, em jeito de complemento:

“4st_Fourst” revela um trabalho continuado desde o início da formação dos [f.e.v.e.r.], como um caos em crescendo apenas forçado neste final. A edição é da RagingPlanet, editora que nos acompanha desde os primeiros passos e que nos permite um plano de acção conjunto e coerente, que apoia os nossos propósitos. Relativamente a apresentações ao vivo, esperamos tocar o mais possivel na promoção deste trabalho. Envolvemo-nos facilmente, de forma bastante forte, em tudo o que mexe com a banda e as actuações ao vivo não são excepção. - Luís Lamelas

Mais de [F.e.v.e.r.] em: http://fenixwebzine.blogspot.com/search?q=fever

The Vision Bleak – The Wolves Go Hunt Their Prey (2007) – Prophecy

Mais um trabalho, o terceiro, para os The Vision Bleak. Esta nova proposta está mais pesada e “metaleira” que as anteriores mas as orquestrações, guitarras acústicas, citaras e passagens mais atmosféricas ainda fazem parte da sonoridade da banda. Para quem não conhece este duo germânico, estes praticam uma espécie de banda sonora de bases Metal e góticas para uma novela de terror gótica de finais do século IXX. A voz algures entre Type O Negative, Sisters Of Mercy e Danzig, é monocórdica e torna-se algo monótona. Um pouco de variação na voz, assim como a adição de vozes femininas mais operáticas acrescentariam outras tonalidades à música, já por si sombria mas épica, dos The Vision Bleak. Tirando este pequeno senão o disco é fabuloso e aconselha-se vivamente a seres noctívagos! RDS

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Prophecy: www.prophecy.cd
The Vision Bleak: www.the-vision.bleak.de

Malefice – Entities (2007) – Anticulture Records

Thrash / Death / Core do mais brutal é o que estes Britânicos Malefice nos apresentam na sua estreia “Entities” através da Anticulture. Ok, isto já é o habitual, a nova tendência, o lado mais brutal do Thrash / Death em fusão com o Hardcore mais duro. Metalcore, um termo que já está a cair em desuso, se quiserem. Mas estes Malefice até o fazem bem, e muito melhor que a maioria dos seus pares Norteamericanos. No comunicado de imprensa pode ler-se: “had they grown up in Shitbucket, Idaho; they’de be on Headbanger’s Ball already”. Concordo plenamente. É o tipo de sonoridade que iria chamar a atenção aos “nativos” dos USA. Mas como a banda é Britânica… Quanto à música em si, não é bem o meu estilo, mas está bem feito e tem bastante potência, embora a banda ainda precise de encontrar uma certa identidade. Não basta só ter um som potente e tocar minimamente bem, tem que haver aquele “quê” que distinga este dos outros (inúmeros) projectos da mesma área. Fusão de elementos “roubados” a nomes como Chimaira, Sepultura, Slayer, The Haunted, Slipknot, etc a música dos Malefice vai agradar aos ouvintes do género mas daqui a um par de anos o álbum já está esquecido nas prateleiras lá de casa! Para já, é gastar o CD a ouvir e fazer headbanging lá por casa. RDS

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Anticulture Records: www.anticulture.co.uk
Malefice: www.malefice.co.uk / www.myspace.com/malefice

DRAGONHEART RECORDS - Abril / Junho 2007

Somniae Status - Echoes (2007): Segundo disco para os Italianos Somniae Status, primeiro através da compatriota Dragonheart. Hard Rock melódico de contornos progressivos / sinfónicos com uma abordagem moderna é o que a banda nos apresenta nestes 12 temas. Boas ideias executadas por excelentes músicos, nota-se um trabalho de composição cuidado, excelente produção, tem peso quanto baste mas sem chegar a ser propriamente Heavy Metal e sempre com muita melodia. Não é propriamente um álbum revolucionário, está cheio de lugares-comuns neste tipo de sonoridades, mas está muito bem feito e com certeza irá agradar a fãs de Hard Rock mais melódico. 80% www.somniaestatus.com

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Soul Takers - Flies In A Jar (2007): Mais uma banda Italiana. Segundo disco, primeiro para a Dragonheart. Os Soul Takers apresentam um misto de Heavy, Power, Progressivo e música de orientação clássica. Aos habituais instrumentos do Rock adicionam piano e violino, os quais atribuem a tonalidade clássica à sua música. Pesado, melódico, épico, teatral, emocional. Este disco é feito de contrastes e dicotomias: luz / escuridão, branco / preto, moderno / clássico, Heavy Metal / música clássica. Isto já foi feito inúmeras vezes? Sim. Mas também, as tentativas falhadas foram muitas. Não é o caso nestes 11 temas de "Flies In A Jar". Muito pelo contrário. Recomendo. 80% www.soultakers.net

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Holy Martyr - Still At War (2007): Ora, aqui está um disco que se pode esperar de uma banda Italiana (e da Dragonheart Records). Heavy Metal de contornos épicos, velha escola, letras sobre batalhas, influência directa de nomes como Manilla Road, Omen, Cloven Hoof, Elixir, Candlemass, Bathory e as bandas da NWOBHM. Produção moderna para um som clássico mas intemporal. Este estilo de Metal épico nunca perde a sua força e é intemporal, apesar do que os detractores do estilo possam dizer. É claro que muitas bandas não conseguem captar a essência do estilo, que teve a sua alta na década de 80, ou conseguem mas soam "datadas", pois estes Holy Martyr conseguem-no fazer na perfeição, soando no entanto "modernos". E é só a estreia! O que virá a seguir? Hail Holy Martyr! 85% www.holy-martyr.com

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Doomsword - My Name Will Live On (2007): Ahhh, mais um disco destes mestres do Epic / Doom / Heavy Metal contemporâneo! Não consigo descrever em apenas algumas palavras o que senti / sinto quando ouço os 3 discos anteriores da banda, para isso necessitaria de um livro inteiro. "My Name Will Live On" continua na mesma linha dos seus antecessores, e isso não é necessariamente mau, muito pelo contrário! Metal de contornos épicos, Doom (aqui um pouco mais uptempo que antes), Viking, letras baseadas em lendas, mitos, estórias de batalhas históricas maioritariamente nórdicas / viking, ambiente de glória, honra e espírito livre e selvagem. Não é o meu álbum favorito da banda, mas talvez com o tempo, este se torne tão apreciado como os anteriores. Apreciadores deste tipo de sonoridades, experimentem o mundo dos Doomsword e não se vão arrepender! 95% www.truemetal.org/doomsword

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Dragonheart Records: www.dragonheart-records.com / www.truemetal.org/dragonheart-records

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Críticas por RDS

Powerwolf - Entrevista

1 – This new album is more into classic 80s Heavy Metal than the previous one which was more dark and filled with “spooky” melodies and passages. The gothic / vintage horror ambiences are still there but now it seems that you’re more focused into the harder side of your music. Did it just came up like this or did you really wanted to write music in this direction?

It developed. We never plan anything. It happens. You´re right, Lupus Dei is much more heavy and more metal than our debut. And it´s more catchy and striking, even though we still love Return in bloodred. I think a band should never record the same album twice.

2 – Are you satisfied with this new album, the songs, the recording process, production, final product?
Absolutely. We love it, it´s exactly what we had in mind, and right now I don´t know how we could top this one, haha…

3 – The lyrics in Powerwolf are as important as the music because it manages to parallel the visual side of the band. What kind of subjects influenced you to write the lyrics for “Lupus Dei”?
There´s a concept making the album a full circle: in the introduction “Lupus daemonis” the wolf, who´s the protagonist of the concept story, looses belief in everything, he struggles with god and finally descends. He becomes an evil creature being greedy “We take it from the living”, signs a contract with the devil “Saturday satan” and believes in nothing but blood anymore “In blood we trust”. During the album he starts seeing rays of light again, realizing the misleading practice of some religious groups “Mother mary is a bird of prey”, and finally witnesses god in the final “Lupus dei”.

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4 – The cover artwork for this record is simple but awesome. Who is responsible for the frontcover and what does it mean?
The front cover was done by Niklas Sundin, I think he did a killer job! We wanted to envision the wolf in the moment he witnesses god.
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5 – You recorded some parts of the record in a chapel built in the 12th century. How did you came up with this idea? Did you wanted to capture the “spirit” of such an old place in your music?
Well, a good friend of us offered us the chance to use a small church built in the 12th century for some recordings. That church was located in the middle of nowhere in a forest, and the atmosphere was haunting. Exactly the surrounding we needed for an album like Lupus dei. You can´t compare recording in a studio to recording in a church – it´s so atmospheric and special that it can only be highly inspirative… the only disadvantage was that there was no heating system in the church and we recorded in January, with snow outside and temperatures at minus 10 degrees…

6 – You also recorded a couple of tracks with a 30 piece classical choir. Can you tell me about the experience? In which manner did the choir’s contribution added a new dimension to the music of Powerwolf?
It was fantastic, I mean, it´s an overwhelming moment when you´re standing in an empty church and 30 people are singing your songs – it was shivers down our spines the whole time we´ve been there. I think the choir really adds a new dimension to some of the songs. I mean: a lot of bands simply use samples or keyboards for that, but you can never reach the atmosphere and the density of a real choir singing your songs with that. It was a lot of work to get the choir convinced to sing for a heavy metal band, but it was definitely worth all the work!

7 – Do you have a tour prepared to promote the record?
We´ll play on some of the summer festivals now, and then play shows together with Grave Digger in Germany in autumn, and right now we´re into negotiations for a full European tour which should happen in autumn also – so watch out for the wolves!!!!!

8 – You can leave now a final message if you want to.
Thanx for reading – and prey for heavy metal everybody!

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Entrevistador: RDS

Entrevistado: Matthew Greywolf

Metal Blade Records: www.metalblade.de
Powerwolf: www.powerwolf.net

METAL BLADE RECORDS - Julho / Agosto 2007

The Red Chord - Prey For Eyes (2007): Segundo disco para estes Norteamericanos. Grind / Hardcore / Noisecore e alguns apontamentos Thrash / Death, muito técnico, mudanças bruscas, ritmos esquizofrénicos, riffs inventivos, ora rápido ora lento, letras perfeitamente insanas sobre os mais variados temas, misto de inteligência e humor sarcástico. Participações especiais de Nate Newton (Converge), John Davy (Job For A Cowboy) e Mirai Kawashima (Sigh). Gostei muito mais deste do que do primeiro lançamento, o qual não me tinha chamado muito a atenção. 90% www.theredchord.com / www.myspace.com/theredchord

Evergreen Terrace - Wolfbiker (2007): Mais uma Norteamericana. Novo trabalho, o primeiro para a Metal Blade. Para quem não conhece a banda, estes praticam um Hardcore de influências Punk Rock, Screamo e Metal. Já tinha ouvido outros trabalhos da banda antes e a base era mais Punk Rock, tingido por outros estilos, aqui a base é mais Hardcore e o resto dos estilos servem para "colorir" o resultado final. Está mais pesado, mais brutal, mais Hardcore, mais Metal, mas mantém a faceta mais melódica do Punk Rock. Está mais interessante do que o que eu já tinha ouvido. Apesar de não ser o meu estilo do dia-a-dia, gosto de algumas ideias contidas nesta rodela. Um interessante cocktail molotov de puro Crossover. 80% www.evergreenterracehxc.com / www.myspace.com/evergreenterrace

The Absence - Riders Of The Plague (2007): Outra vinda dos USA, mas esta com sonoridades mais Europeias. Este é o segundo trabalho para os The Absence. Death / Thrash melódico inspirado na cena Sueca com alguns toques de Thrash da Bay Area a complementar. Som poderoso, rápido, brutal, mas com muita melodia. Muitos pontos acima do seu antecessor, este novo registo está muito mais Thrashado, mais técnico e mais apelativo. Fusão perfeita entre o old-school e o new-school. Produzido por Jonas Kellgren (Scar Symmetry) nos Mana Studios de Erik Rutan (Hate Eternal). Além de uma versão de "Into The Pit" dos Testament, temos participações especiais dos guitarristas James Murphy (Death, Testament), Jonas Kjellgren e Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry), Santiago Dobles (Aghora) assim como da voz de Jonas Granvik (Without Grief, Edge Of Sanity). Recomendado! 90% www.myspace.com/theabsence

Fueled By Fire - Spread The Fire (2007): Mais uma banda dos USA, mas estes pela fotografia, deduz-se serem de origem hispânica. Este disco havia sido lançado previamente com edição de autor mas vê agora edição mundial via Metal Blade, após contacto pelo próprio Brian Slagel à banda. Thrash Metal da velha escola com toques Crossover de inícios da década de 90, influência directa de Exodus, Nuclear Assault, DRI, Metallica (fase Kill ‘Em All), Flotsam & Jetsam, Whiplash, Agent Steel, etc. Som limpo o suficiente mas com aquele toque retro da década de 80 / inícios de 90. Até a capa é velha escola! Para guardar na prateleira junto aos recentes discos revivalistas de Municipal Waste, Rumpelstiltskin Grinder ou Dekapitator. Gostei muito disto. Long live Thrash Metal! 80% www.myspace.com/fueledbyfire

Machinemadegod - Masked (2007): Alemanha. Segundo disco. Continuam com o Metalcore do primeiro disco, o estilo está a morrer, há que progredir, de qualquer modo tentam abraçar outras influências e ideias tentando assim, obter uma sonoridade mais própria que os distinga do próximo. Não o conseguem. Nem a produção de Jakob Bredahl dos Hatesphere (os discos começam a sair das suas mãos todos "iguais") safa o disco. Está ainda "mais do mesmo" que o anterior disco,s e é que me faço entender. Eles tentam, mas não conseguem. Próximo! 60% www.machinemadegod.com

Neaera - Armamentarium (2007): Outra Germânica. Terceiro disco. Mais Metalcore, este mais orientado para o lado Deathcore / Grind da coisa. É bem mais brutal que Machinemadegod mas também não convence. Muito lugar-comum, muito linear, nada de novo ou original. Ao terceiro tema já farta. Leva mais uns pontinhos que a banda anterior por ter um som mais consistente e ter uma produção mais cuidada. Mesmo assim, daqueles álbuns que eu nunca vou ouvir completo, de uma ponta à outra. Segue já para a caixinha dos promos. 65% www.neaera.com

Metal Blade: www.metalblade.de

Críticas por RDS

Malsain - The Disease (2007) - Karisma Records / Dark Essence

Segundo disco para esta jovem banda Norueguesa. Black Metal atmosférico bem Dark, Doomy, por vezes industrializado (leia-se Industrial, o género des-musical), sujo e claustrofóbico de tão intenso que é. Parece-nos por vezes que estamos fechados numa qualquer masmorra medieval, amarrados com grilhetas, com um intenso cheiro a enxofre queimado, com as luzes apagadas, não conseguindo respirar ou ver o que é que está à nossa volta. Os Malsain introduzem na sua música algumas ideias que fogem ao corrente Black Metal vindo da Escandinávia, o que lhes confere outra dimensão e nos permitem passar pelos 10 temas do disco sem ter o sentimento de já ter ouvido isto e aquilo noutro lado qualquer. É claro que as influências são ainda notórias, mas a banda está no bom caminho e o terceiro disco é que os irá afirmar ou desacreditar de vez no cenário Black escandinavo e mundial. Para já, vamos desesperando com este "The Disease". Ponto negativo para a capa. Um trabalho deste merecia mais cuidado a nível gráfico, o que certamente iria acompanhar na perfeição e aumentar a intensidade da música. RDS

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Malsain: www.malsain.no / www.myspace.com/malsain
Karisma Records: www.karismarecords.no
Dark Essence: www.darkessence.no

Dimension F3H - Does The Pain Excite You? (2007) - Karisma Records / Dark Essence

Novo trabalho, o segundo, para este projecto Norueguês Dimension F3H. Depois de ter editado a sua estreia através da Hammerheart o colectivo muda-se para a compatriota Karisma / Dark Essence. Da formação anterior já só resta o membro fundador Morfeus (Limbonic Art), o qual tomou conta das vozes e é aqui acompanhado por Motvind nas guitarras, Mr. Moe no baixo e Arghamon na bateria. Mais pesado, obscuro, sinistro e intenso que o seu predecessor, "Does The Pain Excite You?" apresenta-nos 10 temas de um futurista Cyber Metal ao mais alto nível. Black Metal, Thrash, Industrial Rock, Avant-Rock, progressivo, electrónica, tudo é fundido num som único e pessoal. Não é certamente um álbum que irá lançar um novo estilo ou moda, não é a primeira banda a explorar este tipo de sonoridades, mas que o álbum está bombástico, isso está! Para apreciadores de nomes tão diversos como Arcturus, Solefald, Winds, KMFDM, Young Gods, Samael, Laibach, etc. RDS

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Dimension F3H: www.dimensionf3h.com / www.myspace.com/dimensionf3h
Karisma Records: www.karismarecords.no
Dark Essence: www.darkessence.no

John Schooley And His One Man Band - One Man Against The World (2007) - Voodoo Rhythm Records

John Schooley é do Texas (USA), ex-membro de nomes bandas como The Revelators e Fantastic Hard Feelings, e este disco é o seu novo trabalho de estúdio a nome próprio. Como a própria designação do projecto indica, esta é uma "one man band", mas tem por aqui alguns convidados a dar outro colorido a certos temas com a introdução de violoncelo p.ex. Blues Trash com toques de Rock ‘N’ Roll mais sujo e alguma atitude descomprometida mais Punk. A edição está cargo da independente Suiça Voodoo Rhythm Records, editora direccionada para este tipo de sonoridades. O disco tem certos pontos de interesse mas não chega a ser nada de espectacular nem ousado, e nem o próprio Schooley o deve pretender. Simples, directo, sujo, Trashy Rock ‘N’ Blues na sua pura essência. Apenas para apreciadores do género. RDS

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Voodoo Rhythm Records: www.voodoorhythm.com