Atala Interview

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

We have been off for Quite some time when we returned home after touring the west coast I feel very ill, and was hospitalized after which I was sent to an emergency surgery in order to save my life, I was bedridden for 10 weeks. after healing we have played a couple festivals and I designed the Album Art and we made the music video for Levity, preparing to release Shaman's Path of the Serpent. We have also already been writing our next album.The band has also  been preparing for our summer tour that's headed toward the Maryland Doom Fest. Probably the band's biggest show.

2.You have a new album coming out in may, 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 is a spiritual Journey meant to represent the path through death to rebirth, musically we wanted it to be very heavy but also very drony and melodic. It is very different than what we have done in the past we are growing together and creating our own sound.

3.Some of your lyrics deal with Shamanism, Occultism and Metaphysical stuff, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in these topics?

I am a spiritual person, I have always been plagued  with certain health issues. Being ill at times and spending time alone I found myself drifting into thoughts of the spirit world and the power of our mind. I have found with only a change in thought I was able heal myself. After this realization I began to contemplate the idea of life being a dream or a mere illusion. Realizing I was not my skin but my soul I began to learn to walk between worlds experiencing  multiple planes of existence simultaneously . I found, light, darkness and everything between. I do not believe in good or evil only energy. I also believe there is far more to existence than what we currently believe is reality.


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

I named the band after the novella, Atala by François-René de Chateaubriand. It's about an American settler who fell in love with the indigenous way of life and a more natural way of living. He left his society and religion and lived among the so-called "savages" in beauty and nature. Atala is a look beyond dominate society and a longing to be one with nature. A major, if not the biggest, direct influence in the band's existence which stems to the individualistic terms which each member live their lives.

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

 Our stage performance can be described as very focused that emanates a massive amount of feeling. We don't really talk in between songs, those are just normally filled with feed back. I would describe our stage presence as intimate. It feels as if we're playing to just one individual. We don't have a stage show we are only into music not hype or showmanship, we just get on play and don't say a word, our music speaks for us.

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

 Our summer tour is in support of "Shaman's Path...."


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

We're very undecided on this. More or less, we're just waiting for the right person and right time to really seize and opportunity as such. We have had interest in both management and labels all of which were not good fits. we have the ability to self release so the idea of being in debt to a label just sounds stupid

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

We get a positive response with in the Stoner and Sludge circles, which is cool because we like that style of music, just good ol rock and roll.

9.What is going on with some of the other bands or musical projects these days that some of the band members are a part of?
 we are here to talk about Atala

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

I see us getting heavier musically and more tribal but vocally very soft and entrancing.

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?

 We're all inspired by different genres and styles of music, I guess you could say it depends on what you catch us listening to at the given time. For me, I have been on the more mellow side of heavy.

12.What are some of your non musical interests?

Family, Art, Tattooing, nature.

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

Atala is not the SAME!
www.atalarock.com

Jussipussi/Greatest tits/Taxi Driver Records/2015 CD Review

  Jussipussi  are  a  band  from  Italy  that  plays  stoner  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2015  album  "Greatest  tits"  which  was  released by  Taxi  Driver  Records.

  A  very  hard  yet  melodic  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  some  heavy  riffing  that  brings  in  elements  of  both  metal  and  punk  and  a  few  seconds  later  clean  singing  vocals  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  solos and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  very  dark  and  melodic  sounding  and  the  songs  have  more  of  a  modern  approach  to  stoner  rock  while  some  90's  influences  can  also  be heard  at  times  and  the  songs  stick  to  either  a  slow  or  mid  paced  musical  direction  while  also  bringing  in  a great  amount  of  energy  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  very  hard  and  heavy  sound  from beginning  to  ending  of  the  recording.

  Jussipussi  plays  a  style  of  stoner  rock  that  is  a  little  bit  more  harder  than  most  bands  of  the  genre  and  the  metal  and  punk  influences  are  also  a  very  huge  part  of  the  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  real  life  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Jussipussi  are  a  very  great  sounding  stoner  rock  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Warning  Sign"  and  "Bury  you  Deep".  8  out  of  10.  

 

 

Somali Yacht Club/The Sun/Kozmik Artifactz/2016 Vinyl Review

  Somali  Yacht  Club  are  a  band  from  Ukraine  that  plays  a  mixture  of  psychedelic,  shoegaze,  stoner  rock  and  post  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "The  Sun"  which  was  released  by  Kozmik  Artifactz.

  A  very  atmospheric  shoegaze  sound  starts  off  the  album and  after  a  few  seconds  melodic  singing  and  clean  playing  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  after  a  minute  the  music  gets  heavier  and  goes  into  more  of  a  stoner  rock  direction  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Melodies  can  be  heard  quite  a  bit  in  the  guitar  riffing  and  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  post  metal  elements  and  when  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  bring  in  a  touch  of  90's alternative  rock  and  a  great  portion  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  also  mixes  in  a  great  amount  of  psychedelic  sounds  and  one  track  adds  in  a  touch  of  reggae  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction.

  Somali  Yacht  Club  plays a  musical  style  that  takes  psychedelic,  shoegaze,  stoner  rock  and  post  metal  to  create  a  musical  style  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Somali  Yacht  Club  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  psychedelic,  shoegaze,  stoner  rock  and  post  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Loom"  and  "The  Sun".  8  out  of  10. 

Unhoped/Sonic Violence/EBM Records/2016 CD Review

  Unhoped  are  a  band  from  Finland  that  plays  an  aggressive  form  of  thrash  with  a  touch  of  early  death  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album "Sonic  Violence"  which  was  released  by  EBM  Records.

  A  very  distorted  sound  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  thrash  metal  direction  which  also  uses  melodies  at  times  and  a  few  seconds  later  aggressive  screams  and  back  up  gang  shouts  are  added  onto  the  recording  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up a   great  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard  and  throughout  the  recording  you  can  hear  a  great mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  remain  true  to  an  old  school  thrash  metal  style  and  while  the  music  is  rooted  in  the  mid  80's  the  production  gives  the  music  more  of  a  modern  feeling  and  one  track  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  sound  effects  before  making  a  return  back  to  a  heavier  musical  direction  and  some  of  the  vocals  also  add  in  semi  growls..

  Unhoped  plays  a  style  of  thrash  that  is  heavily  rooted  in  the  mid  80's  and  also  mixes  in  a  touch  of  the  early  death  metal  style  to  create  a  very  heavy  and  aggressive  sounding  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  violence,  death  and  hatred  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Unhoped  are  a  very  great  sounding  aggressive  thrash  metal  band  with  a  touch  of  death  metal  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE "Whle  World  Gone  To  Hell"  "Sonic  Violence"  "human  Disgrace"  and  "The  Naked  And  The  Dead".  8  out  of  10.

fubear./III/Inverse Records/2016 EP Review

  fubear.  are  a  band  from  Finland  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  mixture  of  grunge  and  stoner  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  ep  "III"  which  was  released  by  Inverse  Records.

  A  very  heavy  retro  rock  influenced  sound  starts  off  the  ep  bringing  in  a  stoner  vibe  and  the  clean  singing  vocals  also  gives  the  music  a  70's  metal  feeling  while  the  solos  and  leads  also  bring  in  a  classic  rock  style  and  while  the  music  has  its  roots  in  the  past  it  still  brings  in  a    very  modern  style.

  Influences  of  grunge  rock  and  doom  metal  can  be  heard  in  the  music  and  on  the  second  track  clean  playing  is  brought  into  the  music  and  also  gives  the  song  more  of  a  power  ballad  feeling    along  with  an  atmosphere  that  could  easily  fit  on  a  mainstream  rock  station  while  most  of  the  music  sticks  to  a  heavy  style  along  and  there  is  a  brief  use  of  fast  playing  and  the  last  track  is  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  fubear.  creates  another  recording  that  takes  70's  metal,  stoner  rock  and  grunge  and  mixes  them  together  to  create  a  very  heavy,  retro  yet  melodic  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  fubear.  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  yuo  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED TRACK  "Demons".  8  out  of  10. 

Electric Hoodoo/Self Titled/4ONE8 Records/PRC Music/2016 CD Review

  Electric  Hoodoo  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  a  mixture  of  retro  and  stoner  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  2016  album  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  4ONE8  Records  and PRC  Music.

 Blues  rock  style  vocals  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  melodic  riffs  that  are  done  in  more  of  a  hard  rock  and  proto  metal  direction  and  the  music  is  very  heavily rooted  in  the  70's  while  also  having  a  more  up  to  date  take  on  the  style  and  the  solos  and  leads  also  remain  true  to  more  of  a  classic  rock/metal  direction. 

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them and  acoustic  guitars  can  be  heard  in  some  of  the  songs  and  some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  some  of  the  riffs  also  bring  in  a  touch  of  early 70's  doom  metal  and  there  is  also  a  brief  use  of  harmonica's  and  the  whole  album also  sticks  to  a  slow  musical  direction  and  the  last  track  also  brings  in  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts.

  Electric  Hoodoo  goes  back  to  the  metal  and  blues  rock  styles  of  the  70's  and  updates  it  with  a  touch  of  modern  stoner  rock  to  create  a  style  of  their  own,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark and  depressive  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Electric  Hoodoo  are  a  very  great  sounding  mixture  of  retro  and  stoner  rock  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  those  musical  genres,  you  should  check  out t his  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "The  Phoenix"  and  "What's  Going  On".  8  out  of  10.
 

Zun/Burial Sunrise/Small Stone Recordings/2016 CD Review

  Zun  are  a  band  from  California  that  plays  desert/stoner  rock and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2016  album  "Burial  Sunrise"  which  was  released  by  Small  Stone  Recordings.

  Distorted  drones start  off  the  album  along  with  some  clean  playing  a  few  seconds  later  which  also  brings  in  the  atmosphere  of  being  in  a  desert  and  after  awhile  melodic vocals  make  their  presence  known  on  the  recording   and  the  music  also  brings  in  elements  of  ambient  and  after  awhile  melodic  guitar  leads  become  a  part  of  the  songs.

  Some  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  some  of  the  drum  beats  bring  a  tribal  and  shamanistic  feeling  to  the  recording  and  some  songs  also  bring  in  female  vocals  and  when  slide  guitars  are  utilized  they  bring  in  a  touch  of  blues  rock  and  psychedelic  elements  can  be  heard  at  times  along  with  a  touch  od  70's  proto  metal  and  the  whole  album  also  sticks  to  a  very  slow  musical  direction.

  Zun  plays  a  style  of  stoner/desert  rock  that  goes  more  for  the  psychedelic  and  ambient  side  of  the  genre  and  creates  an  atmospheric  sounding  recording,  the  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  cover  dark  and  desolate  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Zun  are  a  very  great  sounding  desert  rock  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of t his  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE "Into  the  Wasteland"  and  "Solar  incantation".  8  out  of  10.