Corpsia/Order From Chaos/Grotesque Records/2015 Demo Review

  Corpsia  are  a  band  from  Brazil  that  plays  a  very  old  school  form  of  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  ep  "Order  From  Chaos"  which was  released  by Grotesque  Records.

 Alarms  and spoken  word samples  start  off  the  demo  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  makes  a  return  on  one  of  the  later  tracks  as  well  and  after  the  intro  the  music  starts  going  into  more  of  a  heavy  musical  direction  along with  some  melodies  that  start  evolving  the  music more  into  thrash  metal  along  with  some  aggressive  vocals  a  few  seconds  later.

  While  the  vocals  are  mostly  aggressive  you  can  still  hear  a  touch  of  melody  in  the  way  they  are  delivered  and  the  solos  and  leads  also more  in  a  more  old  school  metal  style  when  they  are  utilized  and some  of  the  tracks  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts   that  are  very heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  80's.

  Corpsia  plays  a  style  of  thrash  metal  that  is  very  old  school,  aggressive  and  melodic  sounding,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  for  being  a  demo  while  the  lyrics  cover  violence and  war  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Corpsia  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  demo. RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Order  From  Chaos".  8  out  of  10.  

 

      

Acero Letal Interview

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

Javier: Acero had its first steps as “LOUD”, a N.W.O.B.H.M-styled band founded by JAG back in 2007. It quickly adopted the ferocity of speed metal and started writing Spanish lyrics instead of English, as well as expanding its musical influences beyond classic British metal, and after all those stylistic changes took place Acero Letal was born.
2014 was the year when things definitely started to climb up for the band. I joined Acero Letal months after the Evil Confrontation gig (Opening for Satan (UK) and Bulldozer (ITA)), while the single was already half-recorded. After a successful –and short- bass and vocals recording session, I personally asked if I also could handle the production duties instead of the original idea, which was working with a pro-studio in Santiago. Two weeks later, and after a shitload of work in little time the single was done. We played a small gig in Valparaíso with the new formation, but it ended being the first and only show with that line-up.
Of course, this DIDN’T stop us in going on with our musical ambitions, so we sent a promo of the single to recognized international heavy metal labels and we quickly got signed. Now, under the support of a record label and being more experienced than before we immediately started working in the pre-production of our debut album, ‘Culto al Trueno’ which we HOPE to release this year or early 2016. It really depends on our inspiration, as we want to beat the single in every possible way.
JAG is the creative force of the band, main songwriter and lead vocalist. I’ll still play bass for studio recording, but we’ll both share the lead and rhythm guitar duties from now on. For our upcoming album we’ll work with drummer Martín Urbina to complete the studio line-up. He may -or may not- join our forces with us as a full member. (I fuckin’ hope so!!) Also, we’re auditioning a very talented bassist for live duties. If we feel he is the right person for Acero Letal, we’ll offer him a full member pact.
The future rests in our hands now.


2. Recently you have released a 2 song single, 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?

Javier: Most of our songs were written back in 2007-2008, so they don’t differ with the past at all. What makes these songs sound “fresh” is our own heavy/speed metal sound. Among a wide palette of production styles that we had in mind for the single, we had to decide what would fit the best for us (that was a very risky task if you ask me). We go from early N.W.O.B.H.M. classic heavy metal to full blast speed ala Savage Grace/Agent Steel from one song to another and even in-between songs. And to make things worse we also like to evoke a 70’s prog rock ‘feel’ and bring Priest/Accept/Scorpions mid-tempo rhythms also. Now, try to make everything sound RIGHT. What a fuckin’ nightmare. HAHA!!


3. This was the first new material to be released in 5 years; can you tell us a little bit more about what has been going on during that time period?

Javier: That’s a heavy conversation. Not today –thanks–

Jag: Hah, took so fucking long to make things happen in the right way. It’s part of this journey.


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

Javier: Metal, Rebellion, the Occult. Nothing too fancy nor subjective. Music comes first; lyrics are secondary to the power of our riffs. They’re rather simple, straight to the point. Our message is clear: to glorify the heavy metal life in every possible way.
We hope to write about more “deep” stuff like social issues, history, personal experiences and go beyond of what’s considered typical “metal” lyrics in the future, but it should be a natural process. Honestly, all we want to do today is to share our passion for 70’s and 80’s classic metal with OUR metal.


5. I know that the band’s name means "Lethal Steel" in Spanish, how does this name fit in with the musical style that you play?

Javier: It goes perfectly well with our violent, fast, in-your-face heavy metal.


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?

JAG: Every show is the best for me, because you are feeling the old spirit alive in the air. That’s everything to me, it doesn’t have anything to do with the number of people or the sound production for the show, it has to do with the tremendous feeling that means to play alive, it’s unique, always.

 Our stage performance is pure Heavy Metal passion.


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

JAG: Totally, but they aren’t so serious yet because we are 100% focused on our first LP, but then, the time will come and we want to go and play wherever we can.


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

JAG: It’s been fucking awesome, our 7’’ is getting a second press now, and we are damned honored. We just want to keep it real, keep doing honest music.


9. What is going on with some of the other musical projects or bands these days that some of the band members are a part off?

JAG: All the forces here are aiming to serve ACERO LETAL these days.


10. When can we expect a full length album and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

JAG: For a full length release this year I hope, or early 2016. The band’s heading to Speed Heavy Metal in the old sounding vein in the future.


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?

Javier: Maiden (80-84’), Priest (76-84’), Scorpions (75’-82’), Motörhead (77’-86’), Pokolgep, Aria, Rotor, Slayer (83’), Metallica (83’), Saxon (79’-83’), Accept (82’-85’) Agent Steel (early), Savage Grace, Hell (early), Raven, Tank, Jaguar, Satan, Omen (84’), Ostrogoth (83’-84’), Helloween (85’), Running Wild (84’-85’), Onslaught (early), GBH, Darkthrone (late), Metalucifer, Celtic Frost, Venom,..!!!
Spanish acts: Barón Rojo, Gillman, Retrosatán, Cuero y Metal, Metalmorfosis, V8, Rock Dam, BO2, Thor, Muro, Caid Deceit, Hermética, Ángeles del Infierno, Riff, Vixit, Luzbel, Megaton…
…and also lots of 70’s prog-rock!!!


12. What are some of your non-musical interests?

JAG: Reading novels (love dirt realism), use to write some stuff too. I really like Science. I like to share with artist that may not be into musical creation, it’s a very enriching experience.

Javier: I don’t have any interests in life besides music at the moment.


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

JAG: Thanks to all the true Heavy Metal maniacs out there.

Javier: Behold the triumph of classic rock and heavy metal. Keep the RITUAL alive!!

Ultra-Violence/Deflect The Flow/Candlelight Records/2015 CD Review

  Ultra-Violence  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  very  modern  form  of  thrash  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Deflect  the  Flow"  which  will  be  released  in  May  by  Candlelight  Records.

  A  very  heavy  and  aggressive  thrash  metal  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  screaming  vocals  and  melodic  riffs  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  bring  in  more  of  an  old  school  mid  80's  extreme  metal  sound  to  the  bands  musical  style.

  Back  up  gang  shouts  can  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  and  the music  at  times  almost  has  a  death  metal  vibe  and  spoken  word  parts  can  be  heard  in  some  songs  along  with  a  few  tracks  that  are long  and  epic  in  length  and  also  bring  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts.

  As  the  album  progresses  clean  playing  can  be  heard  in  some  of  the  tracks  and  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  on  the  aggressive  side  you  can  still  hear  a  touch  of  melody  in  the  way  they  are  delivered  at  times  and  they  also  mix  in  a  touch  of  90's  thrash  at  times  while  the  production  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  modern  day  feeling   as  well  as  adding  blast  beats  in  at  times  which  also  gives  the  album  more  of  a  brutal  feeling  and  you  can  also  hear  a  touch  of  groove  and  black  metal  in  some  of  the  riffs and  they  also  bring  in  a  cover  of  Venom's  "Don't  Burn  The  Witch".

  Ultra-Violence  plays  a  style  of  thrash  metal  that  is  very  heavy  and  aggressive  and  while  it  shows  off  its  old  school  roots  they  also  expand  the  genre  by  adding  in  more  modern  influences,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark,  violent  and  anti  religion  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Ultra-Violence  are  a  very  great  sounding  heavy  and  aggressive  thrash  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Burning  Through  Stars"  "Lost  In  Decay"  "The  Checkered  Sun"  and  "Dpmt  Burn  The  Witch".  8  out  of  10.    

  

Raging Dead/Born In Rage/2015 EP Review

  Raging  Dead  ate  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  a  mixture  of  hard  rock,  horror  punk  and  heavy  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2015  ep  "Born  In  Rage".

  Dark  sound  effects  and  synths  start  off  the  ep  along  with  some  ritualistic  chants  and  after  the intro  the  music  starts  getting  a  lot  more  heavy  and  goes  into  a  punk/metal  direction  as  well  as  adding  in  melodic  guitar  leads  and  when  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  they  are  very  aggressive  sounding  screams.

  At  times  the  vocals  can  get  melodic  and  there  are  also  some  back  up  gang  shouts  in  some  parts  of  the  songs  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  and  the  music  also  brings  in  elements  of  hardcore  and  some  of  the  solos  and  leads  add  a  touch  of  hard  rock  to  the  music  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  Raging  Dead  plays  a  musical  style  that  takes  horror  punk  and  mixes  it  with  hardcore,  heavy  metal  and  hard  rock  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  horror  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Raging  Dead  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  horror  punk,  heavy  metal  and  hard  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Awakening  The  Damned"  and  "Nightstalker".  8  out  of  10.

  

Can Of Soul Interview

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

The project was born in 2012.
I had long since developed several ideas, kept them ready to be arranged and recorded, I felt that time was finally come. I didn't want to wait again with the risk of losing the inspiration and the intention of the songs.
I wrote completely free from mind and music compulsion, the songs that MUST sounds different each other ‘cause every one of it keeps a meaning and has a proper feeling. So there are very violent ones, some more introspective, some dramatic and so on.
A few years earlier Silvio Masanotti, that is a well known sessionman and arranger, worked with me on a couple of tracks for another project, and we promised to record something together. We worked in his studio, hope you appreciate the result. The other engine of the project is the drummer Alex Motta, with whom I share different musical situations, the Hard Rock passion and pleasure for experimentation. Then the Doom sound (especially of 70’s) spellbound both of us!

2.Recently you have released an album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the
recording?

Yes of course, the title is “Hearreality”.
The purpose of music content has no predictable lines, totally free to explain different shades and styles.
The sound environment was born in a dramatic bunch of doomin' feelings, but there's also hope at the end.
The paranormal, the Steampunk and the grotesque, intrigue me, that's why I decided to create characters who act in the songs, each of them with different features, that we perceive in the various sounds that characterize the songs. So you can appreciate all my musical influences: Doom, Thrash, Hardrock, Folk, Metal, Electronic, Industrial, and the challenge it’s been to set all of them into the album line of continuity.
To achieve the result I expected, we put in the songs many instruments: cellos, fiddles, sax, synth, percussions, and electric bass and guitars of course.

3.The lyrics on the album have a concept to them, can you tell us a little bit more about the lyrical content?

We compared with the label several times, and we decided to communicate that it was a concept Sci-Fi; the short summary: A world dying because of the solar radiation hosts a civilization that is looking for new habitable planets to preserve its species. Once identified a "Land", very different compared to our continuum, the aliens get ready for the invasion by extracting and preserving the "souls" from the bodies to accomplish the space leap without damage. On this assaulted planet there are also mystical entities with supernatural powers who will fight alongside the humans to fend off the invaders whose commanders, once defeated, will be imprisoned.
This is only a summary of a few lines, the storyboard is fairly complex and unfolds in different folders.
I wrote the lyrics with the idea that they might not necessarily be read consecutively following the plot indicated. The main challenge: to make enjoyable songs even without being aware of the concept, also listening to them independently. The lyrics are set to be read consecutively following the plot indicated, I tied them in the hard but I also build them to have a own development and meaning.
Each lyric describes the main acting character actions, is intended as the soundtrack of the events discussed in the lyrics.
Every song will have a customized cover, how you can see some have already been published in the web with the song samples, the key images are those where it will start to develop concept and characters.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Can Of Soul"

Well "Hearreality" is basically a Sci-Fi soundtrack.
I am a Sci-Fi fan, so I wanted to develop the themes that were to be represented by an element that did stand out  immediately the space-technologic-esoteric connotation, "Can" of "Soul" is a moniker that binds perfectly to what I intended to discuss into songs.
The name of a project, in my opinion, should always be evocative and interesting. "Can of Soul", I loved it, It was part of the two or three solutions that would allow me to plan and generate not only music but also multimedia programs.
The project was carried out by the possibility of a media evolution, where every song is intended as the soundtrack of the events treated and can then evolve in new directions.


5.While this is a solo project you do have some other musicians on the album, can you tell us a little bit more about them and what there parts where on the album?

Well, Silvio is an amazing guitarist and arranger, he works with several mainstream Italian Rock/Pop artists, and he’s addicted to Rock and Prog Rock. He has huge and long standing experience, so he’s the guitarist that you can listen in all the album songs, different styles, different sounds, but always awesome in my opinion.
Alex Motta is a friend and a musical partner, we share several hardrock projects. He’s a professional drummer, he plays at the top different styles, he hasn't musical preconceptions and I really appreciate that. He played drums and percussions in all the tracks.
Bass guitar players choice was dictated by the friendship that binds us but even because each one of them express different influences with different techniques than the others.
Mik Villa from Why Out, Alessandro “Ajeje” Petrone (that is also the graphic mastermind that designed with me the album cover and booklet layouts), Mauro “Spookie” Bonfanti from Hand of Doom Milan. I choosed the songs that in my mind fit together with their characteristics and I proposed to them. I guess I was right, we made it with energy, joy and satisfaction.
The other guests are important professionals in the national music scene: Daniele Comoglio, Stefano Cabrera, Riccardo Corso, Matteo Trotta, I refer you to their web pages in order to understand their professional skills and to appreciate their curriculum. All of them played in the past or cooperated with Silvio or with me.
Daniele is “The Sax” behind “Mystic”, Stefano and Matteo are the strings instruments in “My Queen”, and Riccardo gave me an amazing guitar solo in “Dealing”!

6.Is there any plans to make this a live band in the future?

It is a project that can be performed live, we are setting the showcase gigs. Many fans and several people have asked us to carry out the live, it is to meet the basic commitments of the major musicians and we're working on.
The primary intent, at this time is to make the video for the first single, I am currently evaluating different solutions.

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

It’s been very interesting and basically worldwide we’ve received good reviews from South America, USA and Europe, the guys, and I in particular, are very proud of the positive consensus. Then we hope that it’ll grow more every day.


8.Are you currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

Yes of course, but just for fun. I’m now focused on Can of Soul project, and it takes the most of my free time.


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

I hope to reach the target of making realize the full project with videos and some other surprises that we mean to realize. I hope that the interest around the project will be so big to allow me to complete it, to a full multimedia level.

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?

Black Sabbath without doubt. I am one of those who think that without them the Metal would never be born. Basically I love anything produced the 70s, Bowie, psychedelic culture...  In Hardrock first of all Deep Purple and a little 'less Led Zeppelin. I'm living between two different personalities related to heavy music. The Hardrock one: ACDC / Kiss / B. Idol / Rainbow / A. Cooper... And the heavier one, represented by Doom and Thrash bands of the 80s and 90s.
The singers that I love the most are those that express personality, without any genre bias, from B. Idol to RJ Dio, from John Waite to Chuck Billy, from Huey Lewis to Geddy Lee or Danzig.
I still listening the bands from 70’s, 80’s and something from 90’s, I’m not so excited from current scene.
Nowadays 2000’s bands, in the underground something from: Furyon, The Music (UK), Black Stone Cherry , Havok and Rev Theory, Filter (USA), Airbourne; in mainstream a bit (but really just a bit) of: Nickelback (Chad Kroeger, in my opinion, one of the best voices of 2000’s), Foo Fighters, Disturbed, Mudvayne, SIxx A.M., Wolfmother. I also love two recent albums from a young act: “The Devil You Know” and “13”!!! J

11.What are some of your non musical interests?

Well, I always try to train my body and stay fit. I read a lot of books, when I find time of course! As I told before I love Sci-Fi, then action and thriller movies.

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

Thanks so much for your work, I really appreciate it!
I hope I have intrigued your readers.
Support “Can of Soul”, buy “Hearreality”, visit and comment our FB page!
You're great!
www.facebook.com/canofsoul
www.facebook.com/tomas.tomrocker
ROCKAROLLA!
Tom

Membrane/Reflect Your Pain/Arypeek Music/Basement Apes Ind/2015 CD Review

  Membrane  are  a  band  from  France  that  plays  noise  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Reflect  Your  Pain"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Arypeek  Music  and  Basement  Apes  Ind.

  A  very  distorted  and  heavy  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  spoken  word  samples    and  a  few  seconds  later  melodic  yet  aggressive  vocals  are  added  into  the  music  which  leads  to  more  of  a  noise  rock  direction  that  also  brings  in  a  touch  of  post  hardcore  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Most  of  the  songs  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  paced  musical  direction  and  at  times  the  music  brings  in  dark  sounding  melodies  along  with  the  heaviness  of  metal  and  a  touch  of  industrial  and  one  of  the  tracks  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  female  vocals  while  the  whole  album  sticks  to  a  very  heavy  musical  direction.

  Membrane  plays  a  style of  noise  rock  that  is  very  dark,  slow,  heavy  and  melodic  and  also  brings  in  a  touch  of  post  hardcore  and  metal,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Membrane  are  a  very  great  sounding  noise  rock  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Face"  and  "Lonesome".  8  out  of  10.  

  

Machines Of Indeterminate Origin/Meat Dog/Calculator/2015 Single Review

  Machines  Of  Indeterminate  Origin  are  a  band  from  Hobart,  Australia  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  experimental  form  of  sludge  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of t heir  self  released  2015  single  "Meat  Dog/Calculator"  which  consists  of  only  2  songs.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  first  track  and  a  few  seconds  later  the  music  goes  into  more  of  a  heavy  sludge  metal  direction  while  still  keeping  around  the  clean  parts  and  the  vocals  are  mostly  in  the  background  and  the  band  also  mixes  experimental  sound s with  the  heavier  parts  before  the  vocals  start  getting  louder  and  are  done  in  more  of  a  melodic  direction.

  The  second  track  also  starts  out  with  clean  playing  that  also  somewhat  gives  the  music  more  of  an  alternative  and  also  uses  both  open  notes  and  full  chords  and  after  awhile  th e music  starts  to  get  heavy  and  the song  is  mostly  instrumental  while  still  having  an  atmospheric  edge  at  times


  Machines  Of  Indeterminate  Origin   creates  2  tracks  that  are  very  experimental  and  melodic  while  still  having  a  decent  amount  of  heaviness  to  them,  the  production  sounds  very  powerful  for  being  a  self  released  recording  while  the  lyrics  cover  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Machines  Of  Indeterminate  Origin  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  experimental  or  sludge  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  :Meat  Dog".  8  out  of  10.