Circle Of Silence Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Hey, thanks for the interview. Right now we are busy with getting ready for the album release. Many things have to be organized. There are always busy days right before an album release.

2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it
differs from previous releases?
In my opinion the songs have a better songwriting this time.The new songs sound a bit more old school and thrasy than on the previous album. Everything feels better in a more professional way.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores
with the newer music?
This time the lyrics are again about books, movies or just fictional stories. Some lyrics were inspired by the spirit of revolution that started against dictatorship in some countries. That's also the reason why the album has the title "The Rise Of Resistance".

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
Well, the band name was just a cool idea when we were on school.We had some band names in mind but we thought that Circle Of Silence was the most catchy one. Today i think it stands for the friendship between the band members. We still have the same line-up since we have begun with his band.

5. I have read that the band started out with only 2 members, what was
the decision behind getting a full line up?
The decision was quite simple. After fooling around with some demo 
songs, we were crazy about to get on stage to play for the people.

6. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and
how would you describe your stage performance?
We played the Dong Open Air 2012. Maybe it was not the best performance but the whole festival was just amazing. We had a great time there and have met a lot of cool people. Definetly one of best experiences of the last months.

7. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
Touring is a bit difficult these days because of our regular jobs.With the new album we try to get a good booking partner and than let's  see what happens.We hope that we can play live as much as we can to promote the new album and
deliver you some smashing power metal.

8. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans
of power metal?
The fan reactions for our first official album were great. We've got feedback from all over the world. One crazy guy from South Korea just bought nearly  everything we had to offer. It is absolutley amazing to see how the people react to the music.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
We don't have started with new songs yet but i think we will keep on walking on the straight way to write power metal songs. It is hard to say how future songs will sound like, everything can happen. For my personal taste i can say 
that i want tofocus on the heavy and thrashing parts of the COS sound for the new songs.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your
newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
During the songwriting i always try to keep my mind clear for the sound of COS. We don't try to write songs that sound like band X or Y. Maybe you can hear a bit Iced Earth or Brainstorm in the new songs.Nowadays i listen to nearly every style of metal. Sometimes i'm more into the modern stuff like Soilwork or Heaven Shall Burn but than there are 
also times when i love to listen some old school metal like Steelwing or Enforcer.

11. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Beside the band and the job we are interested in stuff like football, ce hockey ormotorcycle racing. All the things that everyone likes i think.

12.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Friends and fans out there we hope that you like the new stuff just as 
we do.Thanks for your support during the last two years. Stay heavy!

Dying Behind Interview

1.1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
1. We are thrash metal band from Prague (Czech republic). Members - Libor (Drums), Peterson (Guitar + singing), Filas (Bass). We started in summer 2009. 

2. How would you describe your musical sound?
2. We play thrash metal - metalcore. (Metallica, Slayer, .....etc.)

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
3. lyrics are about problems, war,...

4. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
4.Hard to say, every concert is awesome , on stage, we are trying to attract people with out thrash riffs.

5. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
5. Definitely yes

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

7. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
7. we hope that we have good direction, we are still trying to improve our music.

8. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
8. bands that influenced us are: Lamb of God, Machine head, Kreator, Slayer and many others

9. Outside of music what are some of your interests?
9. climping, riding on motorcycle, winter sports,......

10. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
13. metal in heart!!!  
Thank you and sorry for mistakes 

Lilium Sova Interview

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Kim Makombe (Guitar): Since late 2012 we released "Epic Morning" on Cal Of Ror Records, did a small tour and played a couple of gigs. Now, we're taking advantage of the downtime by working on new material, then we'll hit the stage again.

Cyril Chal (Bass/Samples): With Michael (Saxophone/Synth - founding member) leaving, then Loïc (Cello/Guitars) and Kim joining in, we needed to rethink our working method. But at the beginning we primarily wanted to play shows, so we didn't really take time to do it. Now we're finally so far, and it's very stimulating for the future!


2. How would you describe the musical sound of the new album and how it differs from previous efforts?
Tim Cervi (Drums): "Epic Morning" is a tale about a nightmare. As such, each song represents a step of it, so it switches between intensive, brutal, soft, and ambient parts, depending on the tale's needs. It's really different from the first album "Tripartite Chaos", which is more primitive and instinctive, a collection of songs without any real concept behind.

C: And "Epic Morning" takes more time to settle a mood, contrary to "Tripartite Chaos". The later one was extremely intense, with very short songs. The new one is more ethereal and more melodic as well.


3. What are some of the concepts the band brings out in the music?
C: The concept behind "Epic Morning" could be summed as follow: The eight first hours in the morning are represented by it's respective song. The tracks titles are there to guide the listener through the journey, while leaving it open enough so he can use his own imagination.
The song "8.00 a.m. - Epic Morning" is a particular one though, since it's a 22 minutes showcase of what the previous line-up could do (a bassist, a drummer and a saxophonist/keyboardist). The only guest on the song plays at the very end: It's the acoustic guitar thing that closes the track, and it can be considered as an omen to what the future line-up would be.


4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
C: The band's name is based on a concept of symbolic dualities: "Lilium" (latin word for the lily flower) stands for the purity. While "Sova" (russian word for the owl), depending on the culture, is usually associated with death, night, sadness or sorcery. We liked how the association of this two words in a different language sounded, it's a very rich symbol and yet opposed. It's relatively abstract and open to interpretation, so it suits us very well...

K: And "Lilium" is both a plant and a Hungarian female first name. "Sova" is the Swedish word for sleep.
So it has something to do with plantophilia as well, as you might guess (sleeping with female plants)...


5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
C: I've got plenty of good memories... If I'd pick randomly, I would say the last show we did with the previous line-up. It was in Basel (Switzerland) and it was incredible, it had such a mad atmosphere! More recently, we did a show in Leipzig (Germany) in front of a crowd that was there to see crust and grindcore shows... and we didn't scare them away, on the contrary, some of them even bought merch! So it was really cool!
Otherwise, I don't really know how to describe us on stage... we just try to give our best and put some energy into it.

K: Personally, I think our best show so far was the one we did with TIDES FROM NEBULA (Post Rock/Poland). We where just back from touring, so we where pretty honed. It was "fast'n'brutal" (inside joke)!
There's also a cultural place in Switzerland, Le Pantographe, that's in a small town called Moutier. We played there with our buddies from YOG (Switzerland, Division Records). There were a handful of people but we both played all balls out,
and then we ended up jamming and drinking 'til late at night! Nothing really original, when you think about it...

Regarding our live performances... I think they are less "suit and tie" compared to the albums (specially "Epic Morning").
They're rawer, more frontal and we sound bigger. External sources consider that the albums don't really reflect the energy and the particular atmosphere of our live shows, and I can't really disagree with that.
"Explosive", "visceral", "hallucinated", this are the sort of things that came into my ear...


6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
K: We've been discussing it since late 2012, so the desire is there. But our day jobs and private life haven't really enabled us to align schedules. There's an attempt to do something late 2013, but nothing official at the moment...


7. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your new album by fans of underground music?
C: So far we've had really, really good feedback from a bit everywhere, we didn't expect them to be so unanimous!
There's this incredibly long russian review where the guy is amusingly trying to figure out all the references and possible interpretations of the album. After a google translation, I'm under the impression that he pretty much figured it all out!

K: Though there seems to be a bit of a confusion regarding the band, due to the line-up change that occurred during the "Epic Morning" process. But we don't blame them, as long as they buy us merch and give us the bribe money back...


8. What direction do you see your music heading into, on future releases?
K: Well, actually we already have newer songs, written after the "Epic Morning" sessions. While it's unsure whether or nor they hint the future direction, I feel that they're more live oriented, heavier, noisy... and perhaps more "conventional"! Generally speaking, people are more used to stringed instruments (guitar, cello) than twisted saxophone sounds.
According to the feedback we've got so far, it's still as "weird" and "unfitting", and even noisier. So maybe I'm wrong!
I guess Loïc's unorthodox approach to cello plays a significant part in that. Naturally, listeners will have their own preference in the end...

And as I mentioned before, we're working on new musical ideas. Despite the restrictions, this new set-up gives us new possibilities that everyone seems is eager to explore. I've been taping everyone lately, and some of the stuff coming out is truly inspiring! A certain direction seems to sketch itself out, so the gap between releases could be shorter then previously this time, at least on the writing side. Though it's too early to disclose exact details...


9. What is going on with the other musical projects these days?
C: Since 2008, me and two friends have have a stoner trio called SIX MONTHS OF SUN. It works pretty well on stage and we should release our first album this summer.

K: Besides "episodic" musical projects, the last two years or so I've had this "solo-acoustic-thingy" under which I have performed mainly in Switzerland, but a bit in Europe as well. It's called THE HEIROPHANTOM, and I've been obsessionally working on the first full-length, which is already written. But I've gone through some trials and errors when recording it...
And I've already gathered the material for a second release, so it's really a matter of recording things properly (and not loosing takes, for example). I hope I can release the first one some when down this year...

T: I've got another band as well. It's called TEN SECONDS ERA and we play classic rock/metal stuff. The line-up has been completed recently, so we just started looking for our first gigs!
Actually, Kim almost ended up in the line-up, but we finally ended up working together in LILIUM SOVA.

K: Myeah... The fee wasn't as high, at the time...


10. What are some or musical styles that have influenced your newer music?
And what are you listening to nowadays?
C: It's a bit hard to tell... The beginning influences are REFUSED, KNUT and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN ("Calculating Infinity" era). From there on, I don't really know what to say... we just developed our music without really thinking about it. The math-core/rock, post-rock/metal and post-hardcore influences are probably the most obvious, I think...
Otherwise, I'm at a period where I'm listening to all sorts of strange bands from the 70's.

T: Recently, I discovered a french electro DJ called Kavinsky. With the latest Jimi Hendrix, it's actually my playlist at the moment. Nothing aggressive!

K: I've had the humbling luck to cross roads with some talented people. They're not all necessarily "well known", but they sure had an influence on me, one way or another. Of course there are the classics, but here again: There's too many different stuff! It ranges from acoustic to extreme distorted stuff, with some machines in the middle (World music, electronica, rock, film score, metal, trip hop, etc). Lately a printer inspired me a riff, so daily stuff I'd guess...
LILIUM SOVA probably happens somewhere in the crossroads of all our influences.

The band's previous material plays a role as well. There's fundamental differences in terms of tone (sax'n'synth vs. guitar'n'cello), but still, I want the songs to sound "LILIUM SOVA" (or at least refer to) while adding our new identity to it. And at the same time we can't pigeonhole ourselves with that legacy, so sometimes it's tough finding the right balance...
I obviously don't play saxophone and am not half as skilled as Michael, I took his work as starting point and added my own twist to it. Lucky enough there were already similarities, like some of the jazz stuff, which I'm happy some people recognized (while not necessary connecting the dots).


11. Outside of music what are some your interests?
C: I like science, culture... but music is the most important and it takes lots of time! It would be nice to have many lives...

K: I'm a walking paradox, sort of "reclused no-life geek". Most of times I do music related stuff, be it going to shows, helping out bands, promoters, jamming with other musicians, talking music (management, logistic, technical aspects, etc.), writing idiotic stuff that will probably never see the light of day... But I have a particular interest in philosophy as well. And I like watching movies, when I get to it...

T: Sex, music, motorbikes and scotch whisky!

K: Yeah, whisky for me too!


12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
C: Thank you for your time and interest! And thanks to those that support us as well! Come check us out, if we're around!

T: Stay rock and fuck the star system!

K: I wanna thank anyone who supported, discovered, bought, booked, hanged out and/or stuck with us! Thanks to those that did nothing, as well: without you, we wouldn't appreciate those that do things as much!
I want thank everything actually, water, pandas, kittens, potato chips, sexual emancipation, absolutely everything!

Darker Half/Desensitized/Rockstar Records/2011 CD Review

  Darker  Half  are  a  band  from  Australia  that  plays  a  mixture  of  power,  thrash  metal  and  NWOBHM  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2011  album  "Desensitized"  which  was  released  by  Rockstar  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  no  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  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  power  metal,  thrash  and  NWOBHM  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  along  with  a  great  amount  of  melody  being  thrown  into  the  riffing,  while t he  lead  guitars  are  very  old  school  and  melodic  sounding  power/heavy  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  add  more  variety  to  the  recording.

  Vocals  are  all  clean  singing  power  metal  vocals,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  everyday  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  old  school  and  professional  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  Darker  Half  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  power  metal,  thrash  and  NWOBHM  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Lost  In  Space"  "Tomb  Of  An  Unknown  Soldier"  "Catch  The  Sun"  and  "Armageddon".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Circle Of Silence/One Moment Of Hate/Massacre Records/2013 Single Review

  Circle  Of  Silence  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  very  heavy  and  old  school  form  of  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  single  "One  Moment  Of  Hate"  which  was  released by  Massacre  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming   with  no  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.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  old  school  power  metal  riffs  that  utilize  a  great  amount  of  melody  in  the  riffing  as  well  as  some  thrash  elements,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  power/heavy  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads.

  Vocals  are  all  clean  singing  power  metal  vocals,  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  which  brings  a  modern  touch  to  an  old  school  genre.

  In  my  opinion  Circle  Of  Silence  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  power  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK "One  Moment  Of  Hate".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

The Rabid Whole/Refuge/Bonesdale Records/2012 CD Review

  The  Rabid  Whole  are  a  band  from  Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada  that  plays  a  mixture  of  metal,  industrial  and  alternative  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2012  album  "Refuge"  which  was  released  by  Boneshade  Records.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  no  blast  beats  being  present  on t his  recording,  while  the  synths  and  samples  bring  elements  of  industrial  and  electronica  to  the  recording,  as  for  the  bass  guitar  it  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,  mid  paced  to fast  riffs  that  combine  metal,  industrial  and  alternative  rock  together  to  create  a  sound  with  a  good  amount  of  melody  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  soft  and  clean  playing  and  there  are  no  guitar  solos  or  leads present  on  this  recording.

  Vocals  are  mostly  clean  singing  vocals  with  some  female  back  up's  being  used  at  times  along  with  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts,  while  the  lyrics  cover    dark  and  everyday  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  this  recording.

  In  my  opinion  The  Rabid  Whole  are  a  very  great  sounding  hybrid  of  metal,  industrial  and  alternative  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Future"  "New  System"  "Stargazer"  and  "Refuge".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

Integrity/Suicide Black Snake/A389 Recordings/Magic Bullet Records/2013 CD Review

  Integrity  are  a  band  from  from  Ohio  that  has  a  very  long  history  with  a  musical  style  I  would  describe  as  being  hardcore  mixed  with  extreme  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2013  album  "Suicide  Black  Snake"  which  was  released  by  A389  Recordings.

  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  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  riffs  that  combine  hardcore  with  extreme  metal  together  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  as  well  as  a  brief  use  of  soft  and  clean  playing,  while  the  lead  guitars  when  they  are  utilize  are  very  melodic  sounding  old  school  metal/rock  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  when  they  are  utilized  they  use  finger  picking  to  enhance  the  darkness  that  is  coming  out  of  the  recording  along  with  a  brief  use  of  harmonica's.

  Vocals are  mostly  hardcore style  yells  with  some  clean  singing  and  spoken  word  parts,  while  the  lyrics  cover  Darkness  and  Occult  themes,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  strong,  powerful,  heavy,  dark  and  professional  sound  where  you  can  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on t his  recording.  

  In  my  opinion t his  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Intregrity  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this band,  you  should  enjoy  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Suicide  Black  Snake"  "Beast  As  Gods"  "All  Is  None"  and  "Lucifer  Before The  Day  Doth  Go".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.