Machinergy Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

We are fully committed in showing our new album 'Sounds Evolution' to the world! We are taking a rest and only rehearsing for the shows because there is a lot of work to do in these days. Besides that, we are a bit tired and we need some silence and absence from the rehearsing room. We have been working in this album for 3 to 4 years in a row! Now we must redirect all the energy that's left to the divulgation.

2. In June you had released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

It's kind of different from the first record 'Rhythmotion' and 'Rhythm Between Sounds'. In this new album we explored more direct and not so complex, mechanical structures. We fell the necessity to do it like this. We maintained our characteristics like big and powerful choruses, consistent riffs and a sense of dark melody within but did more thrashier songs. It's a somehow 'Beneath the Remains' feeling, always fast and melodic from the beginning to the end.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

It's always about interrogations. I ask myself 'why this, why that' and the lyrics are my view about it, my answer to the world. I can write almost about everything except political issues. We do not carry political thematic in this band, it's more social issues as a citizen of the world that's all fucked up. Always pertinent and with a message. I can't write about dragons and fantasy, I think it's a waste of time. I'm one of that guys that think music always must carry a powerful message even when encrypted. 'Sounds Evolution' - the song - is one of those cases, it's not easy to understand what I'm talking about but it's my view towards the mass appeal madness concerning the 'Protect and save the Nature'. It's the dark side of the corporations that make you feel guilty with their bullshit propaganda towards the green behavior.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Machinergy'?

We were searching for a name that could illustrate the sound we're starting to create by 2006. This mix of words appeared and we knew then it was the right name. The part Machine comes from our technical part, industrial touches or modern approach. Energy is our law, the music must be always energic, powerful and angry. That's what I think metal should sound. It's not an easy name when you read it the first time but it's ok.

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We are a three piece band and we try to be the most energic as we can but that's not easy because I'm limited to the guitar work and vocals. But we always try to catch that right initial click, so important to the rest of the show. We had a very good time at the Irmandade Metálica Fest (official festival from one of the most important metal forums in Portugal) and in Santa Maria Summer Fest (a recent but great festival in the south of Portugal).

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?

We have a couple of dates here in Portugal and more to come. So far we haven't tour Europe or any other continent. Maybe that can change in the future, we'll see.

7. A year ago you where a part of a split with Prellude and Retaliatory, what are your thoughts on the bands that had participated on the album?

Both are great bands from Brazil! Prellude is a traditional heavy metal band and in the split they homage another Brazilian band: Spectrus. The covers they did are just amazing, with a great and warm guitar sound, excellent solos, great vocals and hooks and a never ending feeling! Retaliatory is a completely different band that plays old good death/thrash metal. These guys just kick ass! If you want to be smashed by a war tank, try this! Very extreme, very good! 

8. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label or have received any interest?

Right now, we cannot say we are unsigned. We are releasing 'Sounds Evolution' trough Portuguese label Metal Soldiers Records (this is the second time we work together) and Greek label Secret Port Records. We previously worked with Metal Underground Records from Brazil in the 2012 EP. I think we can say our home is Metal Soldiers Records because Fernando Roberto (owner) has been a great friend and has been doing a fantastic work helping us out in the making the CD's, its distribution around the world, a very professional guy. We're very happy with this partnership and we hope continue to work and built something great in the future!

9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of thrash metal?

In general and until now, the feedback has been kind of two-sided. We have some very good reviews, some others not so good but I hope people can recognize our work as being simple but full of energy and attitude. Machinergy can please a diehard thrash fan but also someone who likes only some heavy music. We are loud but somehow accessible even to people who don't follow the genre. This has been the feedback.

10. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

That's a good question. I really don't know, we can't predict that but since you've created a band with the name Machinergy and already released three original works, you cannot change your known sonority and basics to something totally different. But I believe we may evolve for a more heavier sound, heavier riffs. One of the things in this band is the riff work so I see the band exploring this in the future and also the drum work.

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?

We all have the 80's thrash background, the fundamentals of the genre. We grew up listen to 'South Of Heaven', '... And Justice For All', 'Extreme Aggression' or 'Agent Orange'. But we always discover some new and very interesting bands through the years. Nowadays, I keep listen to the old albums and some new ones of course. But you have so much music going on these days that I find myself recurring to the same records permanently. I've been into more aggressive and technical bands like Melechesh or Decapitated.

12. What are some of your non musical interests?

Really don't have. There are a couple of other things but not so important as music. It's all related with music. Music is my bread, my heart and soul, my life.

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

'Final thoughts! Final thoughts!' Visit our platforms and listen to our music. Go to www.machinergy.com and from there you'll go for the rest! If you're a thrash fan but not only, I'm sure you will like and be stoked with our energy! This is heavy music from the tropical Portugal!

Heroes Of Vallentor Interview

1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
1: We are a Epic Heavy Metal from the north of Sweden, with much influences  from the '80s heavy metal.
We began in 2005 me, Lars Sköldmark and my brother Björn began to write some music. It wasn't until 2008
we released a demo and 2009 "The Path to Victory" came out.
Our music also include power/thrash influences.

2.You have your first full length coming out, how would you describe the musical sound that is
presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
2: The album have a very epic feeling to it and some storytelling. It begins with an instrumental track with a
speech to it and then we unleash fast heavy metal after that. This include a lot of fast songs, but we also have
a bass song on it, very beautiful.
What differs from previous demo-releases is that the album have a more epic feeling than the demos. And we become better musicians as we rehearse alot, but that goes without saying really.
I would say this is not your typical power/heavy metal album, but I think it will be appreciated.

3,The band was broken up for a couple of years, what was the decision behind the split and also
the decision to reform?
 3: After we have released The Path to Victory demo, many members were playing in other bands, which were more successful at the time and they decided to skip many rehearsals with Vallentor. Also we were looking for a drummer at the time. We nearly recruited him, but since it was only me who had any interest in continuing withVallentor, I thought: since you guys have no interest, we split up.

Many months passed by, and then one night my brother and I decided to hang out and we had a couple of beers and discussed about old times with Heroes of Vallentor, the gigs, recordings, what not. Then we said: "We should start with the band again!". We then recruited new members, gigs followed, and 2014 our album will come out.
The rest, as they say, is history.

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
4: The topics is based on the Sword & Sorcery genre, like Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonya and so forth, but Vallentor is a own realm that I created and the stories happen in that realm as well.
"Warriors path Part I" is actually a story about a Warrior from the North, who must help the people of Vallentor and the King of Vallentor against the wizard, Lord Agranoth.
A concept album, all in all. Each track follows either the good guys and the bad guys. :)

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Heroes Of Vallentor'?
5: Before "Heroes of Vallentor" we called ourselves Crusader, but then we found out that a band already had that name and we quickly changed it. The Realm of Vallentor was something  i came up with for a long time ago,so the drummer Erik Forsgren suggested the name "Heroes of Vallentor" and we have used it ever since.

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you
describe your stage performance?
6: One of our best gigs was at Vallsbergsgalan in Piteå, Sweden. The stage was huge, awesome, kickass
sound technicians and good support from the audiance. Also we are the houseband at the local metal festival
Nordic Rage Metal Festival in Boden in Sweden, where we hail from.

On stage we rock hard and I wield a sword of steel on stage. We also have very fun on stage and that is very appreciated by our fans and the audience.

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?
7: The only thing I can say that we have a few gigs here in Sweden and we have been trying to get some shows in Finland, right now we are waiting. After the release things will turn out better, I think.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of metal?
8: Some reviews have dropped in, quite positive in my opinion. Some of our songs have been aired in British radio,which is cool. We'll see once the album has been released.

9.Are the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?
9: Right now we are all focusing on Heroes of Vallentor, which as taken up alot of time for all of us.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
10: On a quite successful path, I think! The sound will remain pretty much the same, but that can change,
we'll see. And a tour and some gigs will also follow, which is nice!
Right now we are also working on new material for the next album, "Warriors path Part II", but we still
have a long way to go with that album.

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?
11: Many of us like thrash-, heavy- and power metal, so the influences  differs alot actually. But you could
say that Heroes of Vallentors music is mainly influenced by Manowar, Sabaton, even alot of thrash metal
have inspired us.
I myself like Manowar, Running Wild, Candlemass, Slayer, Testament and Paragon. Well, a lot more of course.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
12: One of my greatest's hobbies is Warhammer, both Fantasy and 40k, and in writing moment, I'm painting an Imperial Fist strike force.
I also read alot of historical texts, mainly medieval warfare. And Sci-Fi books.

13.Before we wrap up this interview do you have any final words or thoughts?
13: I am really looking forward to the release of the album, I'm so f****ng excited about this! And our release-party we will have the 25th of October in Boden, Sweden.
You can visit our homepage, http://www.vallentor.com and look us up on Facebook for details.
And to our fans out there, continue to support us, which you always have. May your steel never falter.
Also, thanks for the interview.
Fight with honour, die with pride!








 

Spectral Haze/I.E.V.: Transmuted Nebula Remains/Soulseller Records/2014 CD Review

  Spectral  Haze  are  a  band  from  Norway  that  plays  a  very  ritualistic  and  psychedelic  form  of  doom  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "I.E.V.:  Transmuted  Nebula  Remains"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Soulseller  Records.

  Psychedelic  drones  start  off  the  ep  before  adding  in  a  heavy  bass  line  which  leads  up  to  a  70's  doom  metal  sound  while  also  keeping  around  the  psych  elements  and  you  can  also  hear  a  bit  of  stoner  rock  in  the  bands  musical  style  and  after  the  first  track  which  is  all  instrumental  the  band  also  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  both  slow  and  mid  paced  parts.

  Some  of  the  tracks  on  the  ep  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  once  vocals  are  added  into  the  vocals  they  are  in  a  melodic  70's  rock  and  metal  direction  while  also  having  a  touch  of  90's  stoner  and  grunge  to  them  and  after  awhile  70's  style  proto  metal  and  rock  guitar  solos  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  the  vocals  getting  more  aggressive  and  demonic  at  times.

   All  of  the  songs  have  a  tripped out  effect  that  would  be  a  perfect  atmosphere  to  listening to after  smoking  some  weed  or  do  some  mushrooms  or  acid  and  after  awhile  a  brief  instrumental  is  added  onto  the  recording  which  shows  the  psychedelic  effects  having  a  more  powerful  sounding presence before  heading  into  a  track  that  brings  the  energy  of  punk  rock  onto  the  recording  and  they  close  the  album  with  another  very  long  and  epic  track  which  is  also  another  instrumental.  

  Spectral  Haze  creates  a  very  psychedelic  and  70's  orientated  form  of  doom  metal  which  also  adds  in  some  stoner  rock  elements  and  some  modern  modern  aggressive  sludge  elements  to  create  a  very  dark,  heavy  and  ritualistic  sound,  the  production  sounds  very  old  school  yet  professional  at  the  same  time  while  the  lyrics  cover  Eastern  Mysticism  and  Occultism.

  In  my  opinion  Spectral  Haze  are  a  very  great  sounding  ritualistic  and  psychedelic  doom  rock  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Mercurian  Mantra"  and  "Triads  And  Trishulas".  8/5  out  of  10.

  

In Faith/There's A Storm Coming/Rocktopia/Cargo Records/2014 CD Review

  In  Faith  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  melodic  hard  rock  and  pop  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "There's  A  Storm  Coming"  which  will  be  released  in  October  as  a  joint  effort  between  Rocktopia  and  Cargo  Records.

  Radio  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  an  80's  style  pop  metal  sound  along  with  some  melodic  vocals  and  the  band  also  uses  a  good  mixture  of  both  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  bringing  in  the  mainstream  AOR  rock  sound  of  the  past  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  continue  the  melodic  tradition  of  the  bands  musical  style.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  at  time s you  can  also  hear  some  clean  playing  being  utilized  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  anthem  style  choruses  along  with  a  few  power  ballads  which  also  alternate  between  the  harder  tracks  and  all  of  the  music  sound s like  it  could  of  been  recorded  anywhere  from  the  90's  up  to  91  and  one  of  the  later  tracks  brings  in  elements  of  progressive  rock.    

  In  Faith  goes  back  to  the  80's  mainstream  style  of  hard  rock  and  pop  metal with  their  musical  style  creating  an  album  that  has  a  good  mixture  of  ballads  and  hard tracks  and  if  this  was  released  30  years  ago  the  band  probably  would  of  been  big  for  a  couple  of  albums but  been forgotten  about  once  grunge  started  getting  big,  the  production  sound s very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  real  life,  rock'n'roll  and  love/relationship  themes.

  In  my  opinion  In  Faith  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  melodic  hard  rock  and  pop  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,   you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Radio"  "Where  I  Wanna  Be"  "In  Flames"  and  "Bitter  End".  8  out  of  10.       

Juseph/Novae/2013 EP Review

  Juseph  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  plays  an  instrumental  mixture  of  post  rock  and  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2013  ep  "Novae".

  Clean  yet  distorted  playing  starts  off  the  album  being  adding  in  a  more  hard  and  melodic  post  rock  sound  which  also  bring s in  the  heaviness  of  metal  and  after  awhile  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  music  and  they  add  to  the  post  metal  sound  that  the  band  creates  with  their  musical  style.

  At  times  you  can  hear  some  elements  of  doom  metal  in  the  bands  musical  style  along  with  some  shoegaze  style  sound  effects  and  after  awhile  a  bit  of  the  modern  metal  style  can  be  heard  at  times  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  they  also  keep  everything  to  a  slow  to  mid  paced  direction.

  Juseph  plays  an  instrumental  and  melodic  mixture  of  post  rock  and  metal  and  while  the  music  is  not  completely  original  and  has  been  done  way  too  much  over  the  years  I  still  feel  the  good  is  very  good  for  what  they  are  trying  to  achieve  and  the  production  sound s very  powerful  for  being  a  self  released  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Jeseph  are  a  very  decent  sounding  mixture of  post  rock  and  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out t his  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Stone  Walls"  "Royal  Ages".  7  out  of  10.        

Machinergy/Sounds Evolution/2014 CD Review

  Machinergy  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  plays  a  very  old  school  form  of  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  album  "Sounds  Evolution".

  Dark  electronic  sounds  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  more  of  a  heavy  and  melodic  musical  direction  which  leads  up  to  a  very  fast  old  school  thrash  metal  direction  along  with  some  aggressive  vocals  that  have  a  death  metal  tinge  to  them  and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  The  music  on this  recording  goes  back  to  the  most  extreme  style  of  thrash  that  was  around  in  the  mid  80's  and  you  can  hear  a  lot  of  the  elements  early  death  metal  took  from  thrash  in  this  bands  musical  style  but  the  music  is  more   modern  and  halfway  through  the  album  the  electronic  sound s make  their  return  at  times  along  with  some  spoken  word  samples  as  well  as  a  small  amount  of  melodic  female  vocals  while  the  main  focus  remains  on  a  very  heavy  and  aggressive  thrash  metal  sound  that  avoids  any  use  of  solos  or  leads  and  a  couple  of  the  later  track  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  ethnic  Middle  Eastern  music  sounds.

  Machinery  plays  a  very  aggressive  and  brutal  form  of  old  school  thrash  metal  that  shows  how  heavy  this  genre  can  get  without  having  to  turn  death  metal  and  there  is  also  a  good  amount  of  melody  being  displayed  on  some  of  these  tracks,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  violent  and  hateful  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Machinergy  are  a  very  great  sounding  brutal  old  school  thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Sounds  Evolution"  "Venomith"  "Cado  Falso"  and  "Hammer".  8  out  of  10.  
  

Estado Novo Interview

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

Hiili (drummer) and Kalle (guitarist) had an idea to form a band or project which is based on simple old school and traditional ways to play rock and roll. Kalle had plenty of Sabbath and Zeppelin style material, and they wanted to took that further than

just do demos and stuff. So they asked old friend and superb musician Jukka to join as a bassist. Then Hiili suggest me to be

as singer. After one second of thinking I answered yes.

 

Hiili is a one of the well known Finnish music producers. Jukka has been played in one of the Finlands most successful rock band in nineties Don Huonot. Kalle has been session musician in many production and bands. All these three guys has been played together Finnish cult-band Itä-Saksa. My background is heavily involved band called Purity and I am also a original guitar-player in first very successful in Finnish singing heavy-band Timo Rautiainen & Trio Niskalaukaus. At the moment I am also guitarist and singer in prog-rock-metal band Death Is Liberty.

 

And actually I do not know are basic band, more like organism which is gathering together now and then to make great and magical music.

 

2.You have a new album coming out, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording?

It's very heavy but with space for all instruments. Very organic 70's stylish rock and roll.

 

3.I noticed that when i listened to the album it had the 70's sound down perfectly from the playing to production, how where you able to capture this vintage sound?

We do whole album only in three days (recordings) by playing live. All music has been played live and I sang it in one day, all vocals. That's the thing! We also use old instruments like my 60's Marshall cabinets and old original Marshall Plexi in guitars. Drums are from somewhere back in 70's. Mic setups were heritage of great 70's super sound engineers and we recorded all in analog tape-recorders.

 

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?

The agenda and theme of lyrics is power and authority which has been used wrongly. We are sociological, but we aren't political band! Even most of politicians are made from same wood – they are talking about values, but behind the comments is their own personal interests – but we aren't political even I despise those people and their actions. This is really straight-forward and maybe too "black and white" comment to some, but so I think. Frank Zappa use to say: "politician are assholes, either they are democrat or republican" – I identify my thoughts to this direction, maybe with not so harsh words – but there is a truth behind FZ words.

We are band who try to courage people to use their own brains and think about things. We aren't try to act like or be intellectual-band because we aren't. There are many more wiser people in this world, but still You can use your brains and not to follow the shepherd of the herd.

My idealism is raising from my own experience of life. There are few mentors who are important to me like Frank Zappa or Jello Biafra and my former employee. I think I am not so smart guy, but wiser in life than 20 years ago – that's s difference between wisdom and intelligence.

 

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

Did I said in question # 4? ;)

 

6.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We haven't play any, so I cannot say any. But we are still great on stage.

 

7.Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

Yes and no. If some good possibility is coming in our way yes. All other things like family and work is keeping us in reality, so if something really interesting hits us – then we are ready.

 

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of classic rock?

I haven't heard many, but those few are really couraging.

 

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

Maybe we will do next time Sgt. Pepper kind of thing. All sitar and stuff like that ;)

 

10.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?

Influences in Estado Sabbath and Zeppelin is obvious. Maybe some weird way Rage Against The Machine and Dead Kennedys definitely according to lyrics. I am very open minded what comes to music all most everything from ABBA to Zappa and from Grindcore to Jazz is for me. Nowadays I am listening to really much old stuff from my teenager years Thrash Metal and 70's rock. Well new bands too...too many to mention.

 

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Red Wine. My two lovely kids. English motorcycles. And martial-arts.

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

Smell Sabbath – Enjoy Estado Novo!