Mother Susurrus/Maahaavaa/Ektro Records/2013 CD Review

 
Mother  Susurrus  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  psychedelic,  sludge  and  doom  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Maahaavaa"  which  was  released  by  Ektro  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  drumming  with  no  fast  playing  or  blast  beats  being present  on  this  recording  while  there  are  some  tribal  elements  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  heavy  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  sludge,  doom  metal  and  psychedelic  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  while  also  mixing  distorted  elements  in  the  riffing  which  brings  a  70's  feeling  to  to  recording  as  well  as  some  soft  and  clean  playing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  psychedelic  and  distorted  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when t hey  are  utilized  they  use  full  chords  to  add  some  avant  garde  elements  to  the  recording.

  Vocals  range  from  clean  singing  stoner  rock/doom  metal  vocals  with  some  sludge  style  screams t hat  are  utilized  on  a  cople  of  songs  as  well  as  a  brief  spoken  word  part,  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Finnish  and  cover  philosophical  and  psychology  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  dark  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  with  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Mother  Susurrus  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  psychedelic,  doom  metal  and sludge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Superposition"  and  "Uniema".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.  

Hebosagil/Lahto/Ektro Records/2013 CD Review

  Hebosagil  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  mixture  of  doom  metal,  sludge  and  noise  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Lahto"  which  was  released  by  Ektra  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  playing  with  no  fast  drumming  or  blast  beats  being  present on  this  recording,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  doom  metal,  sludge,  punk  and  noise  rock  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  while  the  lead  guitars  which  are  only  used  briefly  are  noise  rock  sounding  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  all  punk/sludge  style  screams  and  shouts,  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Finish  and  cover  dark  and  hateful  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  heavy,  raw  and  primitive  sound  to  while  you  can s till h ear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  Hebosagil  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  doom  metal,  sludge,  punk  and  noise  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Valot  paalle"  "Matkalaula"  and  "Juippi".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Baxter Stockman/Punter/Ektro Records/2013 CD Review

  Baxter  Stockman  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  a  heavy  mixture  of  punk  and  noise  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Punter"  which  was  released  by  Ektro  Records.

  Drums  are  slow  playing  with  no  fast  drumming  or  blast  beats  being  present  on  this  recording,  while the  bass  playing  has  a  very  strong  and  powerful  sound  with  heavy  riffing  that  dominates  throughout  the  recording.

  Rhythm  guitars  are  all  slow  riffs  that  combine  heavy  noise  rock  with  punk with  some  melody  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  at  times,  while  the  lead  guitars are  very  distorted,  raw  and  primitive  sounding  noise  rock  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  range  from  spoken  word  parts,  clean  singing  to  punk  style  screams,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  hateful  and  everyday  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  and  heavy  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording  with  some  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion Baxter  Stockman  are  a  very  great  sounding  heavy  hybrid  of  punk  and  noise  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Non  Smoker"  "Brodown"  and  "Ten  Rock".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.   

Deadlands Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never
heard of you before?

DEADLANDS was formed in the summer of 2010 by Brian, Michael, Kevin, Steve, and Dan.  All of us are longtime friends who hail from Sacramento, California  U.S.A. and are experienced musicians who decided  to get together to form DEADLANDS.  Our goal was to write and produce our own brand of Heavy Metal, while utilizing our combined past and present influences as a foundation and inspiration for our musical direction.


2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Heavy dynamic Thrash Metal!

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

Topics such as humanity, government corruption, greedy pharmaceutical companies, prostitution, war, drug abuse, patriotism for our soldiers and spiritual warfare are all covered.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Our name is tied in with the idea of a post apocalypse world. It âs a very diverse topic and we all have that inner fear of an apocalypse, so we think the name will stick strong with people!

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

We've have played several BIG shows with the likes of Exodus, Death Angel, etc.
We were also invited to Play Gary Holts (Exodus/Slayer) Wedding which was a great time.
During our performance we interact with the crowd on and off the stage on a personal level to make fans feel like they are a part of our heavy metal ride.

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

We have been inquiring and speaking with other groups and outlets about getting on tours in the U.S. or Europe.  Deadlands goal for 2013 is to tour and play festivals worldwide, as much as possible, in support of our debut record Evilution.

7. on a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans
of power and thrash metal?

We have only received very strong good feedback. The people that are discovering our brand of metal seem to be embracing it nicely!

8. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?

Full speed ahead! haha

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

For now we will have to wait and see. We are writing what comes natural to us!

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your
music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

We have definitely been influenced by a lot of European Metal (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond, Judas Priest, Accept, Helloween, etc.).  We still listen to the same stuff but do embrace a lot of the newer Metal that is going on.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

Snowboarding, Hiking, Camping, traveling, gambling, and of course woman! haha I kid ;)

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Yes, please visit our website www.DeadlandsMusic.com and pick up our new album "Evilution" and a T-Shirt! You can also find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DeadlandsMusic stop by and say hi to us! We'll see all of you Metalheads out on tour!

Mystic Prophecy/Best Of Prophecy Years/Massacre Records Digital Compilation Review

  Mystic  Prophecy  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  power  and  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  compilation  "Best  Of  Prophecy  Years"  which  was  released  by  Massacre  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  not  much  in  the  way  of  blast  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  power  and  thrash  metal  together  to create  a  sound  of their  own  with  some  melody,  soft  and  clean  playing  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  at  times,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  power/heavy  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  mostly  clean  singing  power  metal  vocals  with  some  more  aggressive  extreme  metal  elements  being  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  deep  growls,  while  the  lyrics  cover  darkness,  satanic  and  occult  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  to  it.

  In  my  opinion  Mystic  Prophecy  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  power  and  thrash  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Eyes  Of  The  Devil"  "Across  The  Gates  Of  Hell"  "Satanic  Curses"  and  "Evil  Empire".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.    

Freedoms Reign Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Freedoms Reign comes from Connecticut, USA. The band was formed after I recorded their 1st demo. While it wasn't my intent I began to dig the music they were creating and began to lay down some vocals and solos as their singer was nowhere to be found. Next thing I knew the demo was completed and made available as a local release. After a year of playing out and getting to know each other new music started flow. I became a primary writer and without conscience song began to take on an old school metal sound that drew upon my influences and style. The new CD harks back to the riffing and melodic textures created when I played on the 1st two Fates Warning CD's yet adding experience and significance of what I've learned along the way. Our goal was to create something special that represented our passion for old school metal

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

Our sound has many influences that can be heard throughout the CD. First of all because of my influence on the first two Fates Cd's there are moments you'll hear that sound and style of playing I still have. Fates was influenced alot by Classic metal bands such as Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep while growing up around upcoming bands such as Iron Maiden, Accept, Merciful Fate.. These influences are still there and come out in the music I write today along with music I've gotton into along the way such as Alice In Chains & Soundgarden. Generally all music is created beacuse of our individual influences and you will hear some of our music pay tribute to our past...

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

I find myself writing lyrics that make you think about your darkside a bit. It asks you questions that you may not think about such as the afterlife, pain in your current life or what you've never achieved and why. I don't sit down to tell a specific story. The mood of the song carries me word by word until it's finished. Sometimes I'm not even sure what I'm saying until it's complete. There is definatly a darkness to the words that speaks to you.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

Freedoms Reign represents the ability we all have to take charge of our lives despite those who try to take us down. It's a choice you make and we choose to celebrate our lives we create for ourselves.

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

Freedoms Reign had the oportunity to open for ARCH/MATHEOS last May in Hartford, CT. There were over 600 people in attendance who saw us play and the reaction was fantastic. When your opening for such a great act as them it's easy to feel the audience won't care for much beyond the headlining act. We got on the stage and poured our heart and soul into our performance. Tom Phillips of "WHILE HEAVEN WEPT" was in attendance and has told me many times how the energy on stage turned him into a fan and our goal was to bring that energy into this new CD.

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

We are in the process of doing some New England dates (seperatly) with our good friends ARGUS and ATTACKER later this summer. We would love to so some short tours including going over to Europe but we will see how the CD does and it can be afforded. Theres nothing better than getting on a stage to new audiences and playing your music. The reaction and energy is what we do this for and if opportunities come our way we will be there.

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

Truthfully we have been geeing some great feedback from people all over the world. With the internet it's very easy for something to go global and with just some early press and selected song releases we are hearing from people in Germany, Poland, Italy, Denmark, Russia ect. It's really cool and it's been all good. I can't wait for them to hear the entire CD.

8. I know that one of the members was a founding member of Fates Warning but took almost a 30 year hiatus from music, what was going on during those days?

Well I left Fates when my first child was to be born. We decided I just wasn't going to be able to commit to their plans of touring recklessly without any thought of income which I needed to support my family. In hindsite it was the best decision I could have made as it allowed me to explore so many new places in music and nit feel tied down to the "Fates" sound. I wouldn't have been to into the music after Awaken The Guardian. Not to say it's no good, I love to listen to some of it but it's just not my style. I've been in/out of a few local bands always doing some different things but not until Freedoms Reign have I re-approached my metal roots. I think there was a period where I just wanted to do different things and not go back to something that once defined me. I have many influences outside of metal (The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Elton John, Trower ) which I wanted to explore. But returning to metal has been a great experience. It's in my blood and was just hibernating for all these years. I am so commited to it now and my passion it at an all time high to make some really cool music again.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Thats hard to say as writing comes from where your influences are found at the moment. I tend to say it will be a bit heavier and darker as some of the riffs I've been coming up with lend themselves to what I've been listening to lately. I want the songs to reflect well on stage and create the passion of old Sabbath while continuing to aproach the writing in a more modern vein. I'm pretty excited about the next one already but right now just want to enjoy the journey that this Cd will take us.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

I'm a big Classic, Old School Metal fan who grew up listening endlessly to Black Sabbath, Deep Purple,Grand Funk Railroad,Jethro Tull, Uriah Heep, ect.. That music is still is my soul and apart of any new music I write. However there were so many other musical styles that weigh heavily although indirectly in my writing. The Beatles, Elton John, Hendrix, Pink Floyd were very influencial in my life and still find themselves apart of anything I do. Many of the 80's metal bands such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Accept, were to a big influence as I was just getting into New metal but even those bands were all influenced by the masters !! Today I enjoy finding upcoming bands such as Argus, Slough Feg crating some interesting music who too have some of the same old school influences.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

My daytime job is a Registered Nurse. I work with the elderly and am very passionate about their needs and care. It was the best thing I did when I got out of music to raise my children. I have a beautiful wife who I try to spend time with whenever I have any. Life is too short to spread yourself to thin and miss the great things around you. I tend to keep it simple and put what time and energy into the important things.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanks to everyone for your support and listening to our new music. We're very excited about this release and hope we can find away to get to Europe and do some great shows in the future. Also want to thank Tom Philips of "While Heaven Wept" for all his support and helping us get signed to Cruz Del Sur Music. We're looking forward to having our first proper release with Enrico of CDS and hope you all enjoy it..

Bovine Interview

1.Can you tell us a little about the band for those that never heard of you before?

Bovine are a four piece heavy rock band from the home of metal, Birmingham UK.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

We would describe our sound as intense, but slow and driven enough to make you think.

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

The whole album's lyrics grasp most of the main topics of modern day Britain. This album has a British military theme, not that we planned it, it just sort of happened.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?

The name for Bovine came about when i was younger and worked for a butchers. I am now a strict vegetarian, so the subject of meat is pretty much an everyday conversation for me.

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

We played a sold out show with Baroness which literally blew our cocks off. Our stage performance is usually an extension of the music, no gimmicks or bullshit, just good old head bangin' riffs!

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

We have many touring plans for the future, the very near future! We plan on hitting the UK and Europe hard! Watch this space....

7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of sludge?

So far, we have had a very good response from a lot of fans who are into a lot of different styles which is great cause we don't belong to a 'scene'.

8. Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

This is a full time line up but we musicians never sleep. Tom has another band called &U&I and I play tamborine in Mastodon.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

Not sure, it's been a while since we have recorded "the sun never sets" so we have written a fair few new songs. It just feels like we have taken our sound to the next level of us, but the main thing is, it still sounds like Bovine.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

The obvious one's would be Baroness, QOTSA, At The Drive In, Mastodon, Botch,,, but we all have different tastes. From Frank Zappa to Foals, i guess this all adds to the cauldron of Bovine. Right at this moment i can't quite get enough Mahavishnu Orchestra.

11. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

......Steam trains and Ghostbusters.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Cigarettes are like women. The best ones are thin and rich... apparently.