Anckora Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording and release of the new album?
Katrin Antares (voice): Actually after presentation of EP passed only summer:) There were some concerts, and some open air festivals with our participation. There are really not a lot of events, but it is quite good for us - we have a rest! At the end of September we recorded the new concert dvd, now there is in compilation.

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?
JonPriest (guitar): Musical sound changed - we decided to add the second guitar. However experiment isn't finished yet, and later our musical sound perhaps will change again. We worked hard on sound, and it seems that the purpose already absolutely close, but we aren't completely happy.

3.The band originally played more of a symphonic and gothic form of metal, what was the decision behind going into more of an industrial direction?
JonPriest: I always wanted to play something heavier, than simply heavy!

4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the newer music?
Katrin Antares: The main subject is bright future in which there is no death. Therefore people of this future are fond of extreme sports, it allows to feel adrenaline! Lyrics, included in our new EP - about divers, about racers, about paraglider pilots and about cave explorers.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Anckora'?
Katrin Antares: It has no translation! "ANCKORA" - is simple the beginning of two nicknames of founders of the band.

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?
JonPriest: The best concerts are welcome Volgograd in 2011 and Tula together with Dreamtale. And still almost each concert in Olenino very fine! We act there every year. Also, unforgettable impressions were left by Finland!

7.Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Katrin Antares: We have so many plans that one more interview will be required to tell about them! :) But I can tell that ahead a set of concerts in Russia and Europe.

8.The new album was released on Irond Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?
JonPriest: This is the Russian representative Nuclear Blast :) Irond Records is one of the leading underground labels in Russia.

9.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to the newer material by fans of alternative, industrial and metal?
JonPriest: The most different! I so understand, our musical sound is too unlike the standard canons, but thus the substantial and musical part nevertheless is close to an industrial and alternative. We either are loved or hated :) But nobody remains indifferent.

10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
Katrin Antares: I hope, we will be able to conquer the world! :)

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?
Katrin Antares: We are guided by Rammstein, but we seek to be similar only to ourselves!

12.What are some of your non musical interests?
JonPriest: Now of our non musical activity is important for us only construction of the house, our with Katrin, it takes away all forces. But in this house there will be a recording studio designed personally by me.
Katrin Antares: When we have more free time, we can devote it to trailering or a paraplanerism. Or to simply active recreation!

13.before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
JonPriest: I want to wish the peace to whole world. It very much isn't enough for all of us recently. Because of policy innocent people suffer.

Jack Spades/The First/2014 EP Review

  Jack  Spades  are  a  band  from  Michigan  that  plays  a  mixture  of  thrash  and  punk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014 ep  "The  First".

  A  very  raw  and  old  school  punk  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  vocals  and  the  band  also  brings  in  back  up  shouts  and  elements  of  hardcore  along  with  the  heaviness  of  thrash  metal  and  all  of  the  songs  sound  like  they  could  of  easily  been  recorded  and  released  in  the  80's.

  Leads  and  guitar  solos  are  added  into  the  ep  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  as  well  as  adding  even  more  of  an  old  school  vibe  to  the  bands  musical  style  and  all  of  the  songs  are  very  short  in  length  with  the  longest  one  being  a  little  over  3  minutes  which  makes  the  music  sound  even  more  energetic.

  Jack  Spades  plays  a  very  raw  and  old  school  form  of  punk  rock  which  they  also  mix  in  with  the  heaviness  of  thrash  metal  to  create  a  recording  that  is  very  retro  and  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  energy,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  also  having  somewhat  of  a  professional  feeling  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Jack  Spades  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  thrash  and  punk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Rise"  and  "To  The  Left".  8  out  of  10.    

Big Bang Bay Bees/Little Nothing/2014 EP Review

  Big  Bang  Bay  Bees  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  a  mixture  of  heavy  rock,  power  pop  and  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  ep  "Little  Nothing".

  A  very  hard  and  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  singing  and  a  mixture  of  both  clean  and  heavy  parts  that  takes  a  very  commercialized  form  of  metal/rock  and  mixes  it  in  with  more  of  a  power  pop  sound  and  after  awhile  solos  and  leads  are  added  into  the  bands  commercialized  approach  to  hard  music.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  ep  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  all  of  the  tracks  sound  like  they  could  easily  get  on  all  of  the  mainstream  rock  stations  if  they  found  the  right  label  and  after  awhile  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording   and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  power  ballad  alongside  the  harder  tracks.

  Big  Bang  Bay  Bees  take  some  of  the  more  commercialized  aspects  of  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  some  modern  heavy  rock  and  power  pop  to  create  some  very  melodic  music  that  is  very  radio  friendly  while  also  having  a  more  tolerable  approach  to  this  genre,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Big  Bang  Bay  bees  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  heavy  rock,  power  pop  and  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band,  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Right  Life"  and  "Machine".  8  out  of  10.    

  

Ohhms/Bloom/Holy Roar Records/2014 CD Review

  Ohhms  are  a  band  from  the  United  Kingdom  that  plays  a  mixture  of  doom  metal,  progressive  and  post  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "Bloom"  which  will  be  released  on  October  6th  by  Holy  Roar  Records.

  Clean  post  rock  style  playing  and  melodic  vocals  start  off  the  album along  with  some  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  after  a  couple  of  minutes  which  leads  up  to  a  very  post  doom  metal  sound  that  is  in  the  more  modern  style  and  you  can  hear  some  elements  of  classic  rock  being  added  in  the  solos  a  great  amount  throughout  the  recording.

  Both  of  the  2  tracks  that  are  presented  on  this  recording  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  the  band  also  adds  a  great  amount  of  melody  in  the  heavy  riffing  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  after  awhile  the  band  also  starts  bring  in  a  good  mixture of  both  clean  and  heavy  parts  as  well  as  making  their  music  more  atmospheric  along  with  a  great  amount  of  psychedelic  elements.

  Ohhms  takes  a  very  melodic  style  of  doom  metal  and  mixes  it  with  both the  post  genres  of  metal   and  rock  as  well  as  adding  in  a  touch  of  70's  psychedelic  and  post  rock  to  create  2  long  epic  and  melancholic  sounding  tracks,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Ohhms  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  doom  metal,  post,  psychedelic  and  progressive  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Rise  Of  the Herb".  8  out  of  10.

Team Data Amplifier/Replicant Eyes/2014 EP Review

  Team  Data  Amplifier  are  a  band  from  Madison,  Wisconsin  that  plays  a  mixture  of  progressive  rock,  alternative  and  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2014  ep  "Replicant  Eyes".

  A  very  dark,  melodic  alternative  rock  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  guitar  leads  and  clean  playing  and  a  few  seconds  later  clean  singing  vocals  start  to  kick  in  and  after  awhile  the music  starts  to  go  for  more  of  a  harder  sound  that  combines  elements  of  progressive  metal  into  their  musical  style  along  with  a  small  amount  of  spoken  word  samples.

  A  lot  of  the  music  on  the  ep  sounds  like  it  could  of  been  recorded,  released  and  played  over  the  radio  during  the  90's  and  the  band  also  brings  in  a  good  mixture  of  both  clean  and  hard  parts  and  after  awhile  the  band  also  brings  in  a  few  power  ballads  and  elements  of  psychedelia  while  still  having  a  hard  metal  edge  on  some  of  the  later  tracks.

  Team  Data  Amplifier  creates  some  very  old  school  sounding  music  with  the  way  they  combine  alternative,  progressive  rock  and  metal  while  also  adding  in  more  of  a  dystopian  twist  to  the  genre,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  are  based  on  the  movie  "Blade  Runner"  and  the  writings  of  Phillip  K.  Dick.

  In  my  opinion  Team  Data  Amplifier  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  alternative,  progressive  rock  and  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Head  First"  "Together"  and  "Manic  Love  And  Forgiveness".  8  out  of  10.

    

Wild Rose Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?

- Not much. After finishing the rest of the work (covers, mixing and mastering) we have only been making a few demos. Me (Haris) and David are in England, so it's hard to plan rehearsals, concerts, etc.

2.You have a new album coming out in October, 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?

- I wouldn't say the sound is a lot different than our previous releases. It has progressed, though, up to a certain degree. My personal opinion is that this is our best release so far, but that's up to the fans to decide.

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

- Our topic is mainly one and remains pretty much the same in this album too. The song title “It's all about love” from our debut album “Half past midnight” would cover the majority of our topics in this album and the previous ones.

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

- That was actually Andy's inspiration back in 2004. Andy saw a red wild rose and that's how he spontaneously decided to name his band. I can remember the passion he had when he was telling me about it, hahaha. But as to what he felt, I think you should be asking him.

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?

- Our debut album presentation shows were amazing. The crowd in Athens was so warm and so great – something we didn't expect – so the whole show was fantastic. Our participation in Rosewood festival in Thessaloniki was also great, even though I couldn't make it the 2nd year we were invited, so the band had to pick a sessionist for that show. Both shows went great and the band got to play among some bigger groups like Newman and Konkurent. I wouldn't want to comment on our stage performance, because that's another thing for the fans to decide.

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

- No, we don't have the capacity to plan much for this year. As I mentioned before, me and David are in England, so perhaps the most we can do is a couple of concerts were asked, but that's not certain as well.

7.The new album is coming out on AOR Blvd Records, can you tell us a little bit more about this label?

- Well, we weren't happy with our previous label, so we decided to move on. Paul (CEO of AOR Blvd Records) seems to love AOR, he's a great guy and he has been very proffessional so far. I hope we can work well together and perhaps settle down with this label.

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

- We've always exceeded our expectations on every album. Japan and Spain fans seem to love us. We hit no.1 on import disks in Japan last year and that was very unexpected.. at least from our side, hahaha. Our previous albums were sold out much sooner than we or our companies expected. So I'd say we're very satisfied, but we'll still remain down-to-earth, keep a low profile and keep working to become better and give our audience what they love to listen to.

9.Are any of the band members involved with any other musical projects these days?

- Andy is always up to something, he's working on a project which is supposed to be a surprise. David released a new album with AOR Blvd Records as well in July and I think it's fantastic. If you heard David Saylor for the first time you would think this album is a “best of” album. Some of the songs are very strong and they've got a lot of emotion.

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

- We always try to see where we stand now, because life is full of big surprises and in particular, unpleasant surprises. We'd like to have a European tour but we know that's not possible at present, so we're hoping to get one with our next album. I'd also enjoy visiting Japan to thank all our fans there with a concert, but that seems a bit more distant at the moment.

11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

- Our musical influences come mainly from Bon Jovi, Journey, Europe... Everything that was popular in the 80's. But we listen to a lot of bands and of course we can't help being influenced by them as well. Bands like Bad English, Mark (Marcie) Free and the bands he was in (Signal, Unruly Child)... God, I could go on for hours, hahaha. Anyway, it's mainly the 80's AOR bands.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

- I currently live in London. I'm here for my post-graduate course which is Haematology (Biomedical Sciences). My hobbies are archery, chess and aikido, which I have not been practising due to the lack of time lately.

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

- I'd like to thank our fans for supporting us throughout these years. You guys ROCK !! And of course I'd like to say a big “thank you” to you for hosting this interview.

Ascendancy/The Amazing Ascendancy Versus Count Illuminatus/MetalGate Records/2014 CD Review

  Ascendancy  are  a  band  from  the  Czech  Republic  that  plays  a  progressive  form  of  power  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2014  album  "The  Amazing  Ascendancy  Versus  Count  Illuminatus"  which  was  released  by  MetalGate  Records.

  A  very  dark  progressive  rock  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  synths  and  melodic  guitar  leads  and  after  a  minute  the  music  starts  to  get  more  heavy  along  with  some  Gregorian  chants  which  also  sets  up  the  path  for  power  metal  vocals  to  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording  and  the  band  also  brings  in  some  of  the  more  modern  electronic  music  sounds  into  their  music  at  times.

  The  prog  metal  elements  the  band  uses  are  in  more  of  a  modern  day  musical  direction  and  the y always  keep  the  solos  and  leads  very  melodic  and  the  band  while  they  have  a  more  modern  approach  still  have  quite  a  bit  of  80's  to  early  90's  power  and  prog  metal  in  their  sound  while  the  synths  bring  in  a  decent  amount  of  70's  progressive  rock  elements  at  times.

  As  the  album  progresses  the  band  brings  in  a  few  brief  instrumentals  while  still  having  vocal  tracks  and  for  awhile  there  the  songs  are  very  short  in  length  while  you  can  also  hear  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  these  tracks  and  there  is  a  concept  going  on  with  all  of  the  tracks  and  longer  songs  do  make  a  return  towards  the  end.

  Ascendancy  takes  both  power  and  progressive  metal  and  combines  both  the  modern  and  old  school  elements  of  both  genres  to  create  an  album  that  is  very  melodic,  diverse,  heavy  and  original  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  Illumaniti,  Secret  Societies,  Conspiracy  Theories,  Dystopian  and  Political  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Ascendancy  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  progressive  and  power  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "A  Man  Without  Identity"  "Catastrophic  Event"  "The  Dark  Side  Of  Philosophy"  and  "The  World  Does'nt  Want  to  Be  Saved".  8  out  of  10.