Hell on Fire - Webzine & Promoter

Interview with: Darzamat

2009-09-29T00:30:00.012+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Nera and welcome to H.O.F, everyhting ok with you?

Nera: Hi there! I'm fine and I hope you're O.K. as well ;)

Hell on Fire: I’m fine thanx:) Can you talk a little about how everything started since the begining of the band?

Nera: This is a very specific matter for us. True, we've been around for 14 years, but the history of Darzamat has been written in two - shall we say - volumes (laughs). What I mean is that in 2003 we had a revolution in the ranks and the result was simple: of all the pre-2003 era musicians practically only Flauros remain. This resulted in a serious change - in musical direction, in style, in image. Flauros decided to refresh Darzamat, which basically meant putting a new band together. Before, it had been really hard for him to find a compromise with the original founding member, Simon. Their visions as to what the band should sound and look like had been completely different; their priorities had differed. That is why the history of the Darzamat-as-we-know-it-now really dates back to 2003. This fresh lineup has been responsible for Semidevilish, Transkarpatia, and Solfernus Path, as well as the DVD Live Profanity. We also began playing live, which hadn't happened before, in the 90s. That band had been solely a studio effort.

Hell on Fire: At this moment you guys are promoting the most recent release intituled "Solfernu's Path", i already had the chance to hear it and i most congratulate the band for this amazing album! Tell me Nera are you happy with the final results of it? It was hard all the recording process on studio?

Nera: We began working on our new album in the fall of 2007, right after the release of our first DVD, Live Profanity. This was a really specific moment for us, since releasing this material marked the fulfillment of the final contract obligations for our Polish label, Metal Mind Productions. It was then that we decided not to renew our contract with MMP but to try another label instead. For that reason there were no deadlines for us to worry about. As no date was scheduled for our next release, we were in no hurry, so we took some time and entered the studio in the winter to record all the tracks.I must admit that the situation during the Solfernus Path sessions was very comfortable. We weren't concerned with economizing at all: our sole concern was the quality of the album, which is why during the sessions we worked in as many as three different studios. All the instruments and vocal tracks were laid down in Poland under thescrutinizing eye - and ear - of our sound engineer, Jaroslaw Toifel. We worked on the drums and guitars in HH Poland studio in Gliwice; the vocals were done in Maq Studio. As to the keyboard parts, we got these done in Red Room studio. For each instrument we chose the most optimal place to lay down the tracks and we spent quite some time analyzing all the elements of this puzzle. We listened to various bands produced in those places and at the end of the day we didn't have any doubt as to our choices - they were simply perfect. The only thing that mattered was the effect total, and we are positive it will satisfy the biggest of malcontents (laugh).

Hell on Fire: In my opinion your voice is totally different from any other female voice i've ever heard so far, it contains melody and a dramatic tonality like if you are reciting some passage of somekind of a ritual probably your own ritual emerging from your own soul that creates a mysterious inveronment in Darzamat songs, which and by the way, sounds really good, your voice is really great! Do you feel this way when you are singing?

Nera: No, I don't. It's very flattering what you say, but I don't have such high opinion on my voice. I still think it needs much more practice and care. But I agree that the way you use your voice comes not only from the technique but also from your inside, from your emotions, experience and your own interpretation of the given song. The most exciting thing is that your voice is you and it's not only the case of singers, but each person in the world. Your voice is like your fingerprint- one and only. It's good to be aware of that.

Hell on Fire: Of course and as any other instrument the voice also is an instrument that needs practice but your voice is really great! Did you or do you have any kind of singing classes?

Nera: I have never graduated from any music school. I used to go to lessons to some good teachers, but the fact is I've been learning by practice and observation. That is possible to be done. ;)

Hell on Fire: Yes indeed and is also a great school:)At the same moment that i'm writing this interview i see at your myspace that Darzamat are included at the Metal Female Voices Fest VII to take place in Belgium during the month of October! For those who don't know what this is about,can you talk a little about this fest?

Nera: That is a great event where female-fronted bands are invited to take part in. We were supposed to be there 2 years ago, but we didn't make it and we can't wait to perform there this year. On 17th-18th October in Wieze (Belgium) you can see Tarja, Doro, Epica and many more.

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talks about?

Nera: Let me tell you about the new album, which is our first concept album and it tell a story set in the beginning of the 20th century. Our main hero is a young medical student who undergoes a spiritual transformation - he experiences the existence of the incorporeal world and perceives the other side. The whole story is permeated by a fairytale-like atmosphere, full of occult key concepts. Nothing is obvious, nothing is predictable. Naturally, the eponymous Solfernus is not the main hero, he's just a gray eminence. This character is respectfully lifted from a work entitled Playing with the Devil, written by Czech dramatist Jan Drda. Still, this is just inspiration, an impulse which does not mean we take Drda's story as-is. In fact, his play is grotesque and rather humorous. Our story, on the other - left! - hand (laughs) has a totally different character, closer to horror stories of a Polish classic Stefan Grabinski than to the work of the Czech playwright.

Hell on Fire: That story is really great and interesting! What do you like to do in your free times?

Nera: I like walking in the forests and some abbandoned places, especially in the mountains, where man can breath deeply and freely. I also like spending my time with a few good friends on discussing, laughing and drinking some beer or wine. Apart from that I try to meditate, read books and swim for relaxation.

Hell on Fire: Do you remember Nera, with which bands did you grow up listening to? The one's that influencied you the most?

Nera: Sure I remember, there were so many bands I liked and at subconscious level probably most of them influenced me in that or other way.The most important were The Gathering, Tiamat, Samael, Ulver, Bathory, Arcturus and Opeth.

Hell on Fire: Great bands! Do you have any favourite singer/s?

Nera: Well, I try not to limit myself to one and only genre. I think it is the only way to evolve and free your mind, which doesn't mean I can force myself to listening to techno. ;)I always pick music depending on my mood, so the range of it is quite wide: different kinds of rock and metal, ambient, smooth jazz and some classical music. At the top of my list there are Peccatum, Emperor, Ulver, Opeth, Pink Floyd, Leszek Mozdzer, Satyricon and some soundtracks like from Twin Peaks, Requiem for a dream, Dracula or Bastard.

Hell on Fire: It’s good to know that you have such different kind of styles and also great influencies! So tell me, your favourite bands, apart of Darzamat of course:)?

Nera: as above ;)

Hell on Fire: Yes the answer is given above! Any special band to share the stage with?

Nera: I would be more than honored to share the stage with Emperor. In my opinion Ishan is one of the best artists ever. I am truly fascinated with his work.

Hell on Fire: Now talking a little about Poland, what can you say about the musical scenario in there, for instance, it is possible for a band to survive only with music? Do you have any kind of supports in there?

Nera: In my opinion we have really good musicians and really good bands. The problem is that most of them is never given a chance to be heard about or is unable to find a good label. There is lack of good promoters, venues and labels in Poland, so from the very beginning playing metal is a real struggle, so those who succeeded are our true pride. The other problem is lack of the social approval towards metal music. We live in a christian country and as a consequence we've been treated as renegats and satanists. But at least we've got something to fight for (laugh).

Hell on Fire: What is the meaning of Darzamat?

Nera: The name comes from Latvian mythology and it denotes garden goddess ("darzs" - "garden", "mate" - "mother"), which I really like as it seems to me very "organic", close to the nature and paganism.

Hell on Fire: In "Solfernu's Path" the cover is completly insane and really well made, my congratulations for the creater of it! Any special meaning of this cover that you can talk about?

Nera: I agree, our friend from Mentalporn.com did another great job. It's a real blessing working with people who can listen to you and are able to carry on your idea.When it comes to the interpretation of the cover, I won't do it. That is a part of the whole story the listener must go through alone. It's strictly connected with the concept, music and lyrics. The meaning is to
be found by yourself. ;)

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about Metalmania Festival 2007 in Katowice/Poland , i had the previlege to see this concert and it was really amazing and completly powerful! Do you remember this same concert? It was good to act in your own territory?

Nera: It was the second time we played on the stage of Metalmania in Katowice and you're right it's our own territory, as we live in the same city. We loved it! At least I was told so a few days after the show. The sad truth is I was brought on stage directly from the hospital and I was still on painkillers and I really wasn't in a good form. But what the hell, at least the concert did take place. ;)

Hell on Fire: Really? My congratulations for your strength and dedication to the band and i hope you had a full recovery! For you Nera which are the main differences between "Solfernu's Path" and the previous release intituled "Transkarpatia", also a great album!

Nera: I feel a completely new quality was brought in to our music. Additionally, we realized that this album was supposed to create interest in the record label circles. That's why we took extra care not only to write and record great music, but also to achieve the best possible sound. Plus, we paid a lot of attention to the visual side of the whole endeavor, working on the photos and the cover. All details of music, arrangements and the artwork were taken into consideration. I'm positive that after getting acquainted with the album, the fans are going to say that it was really worth the wait.Getting back to the music itself, this time around we started working on everything much earlier. Before entering the studio we prepared a very good demo. That allowed us to work out all the small details well before the real thing started. I admit we worked like this for the first time and we are really satisfied with such tactics. When you listen to the practically ready piece which sounds as good as it can at the preproduction stage, you can analyze the arrangements one more time and have less of a trouble imagining its final shape. Entering the studio(s) we knew exactly what we wanted and how the songs were supposed to sound. And our guidelines were simple enough: to record the most thought-out album in the history of Darzamat, on which there would be at least a couple of truly fantastic songs. I know we did just that (laughs), but that's also for the fans to decide.

Hell on Fire: How as been so far to work with Flauros, Chris and Darkside? Did they treat you well:)?

Nera: It's great! We're a team and we treat each other with respect, so I really can't complain. I also don't expect any special treatment from them just because I am a woman and it probably helps in creating honest and solid relationship. I also believe they have no reason to complain about me ;)

Hell on Fire: Of course! There was any funny, crazy or weird thing that happened with the band during any tour or concert or a regular day for you to share with the readers?

Nera: Yeah, we have lots of fun spending time togheter. Some pieces of which you can find on our DVD Live Profanity (Visiting the Graves of Heretics).And some of those stories shouldn't be told in public. Sorry ;)

Hell on Fire: No worries i understand:)Getting out a little of Darzamat you also have a project intituled NeraNature at (www.myspace.com/neranature) for now with 2 songs "Before" and "Shattered", the sound is completly different from Darzamat, more calm but really great to hear and your voice my friend is beautiful, honestly! So tell me, what can you say about this project do you intend to bet also on NeraNature for the future? Who had the idea of it?

Nera: NeraNature is supposed to be a space for ideas that can't be incorporated in Darzamat. That is much more private sphere and as the name itself explains - it's destined for the other natures of mine. I asked guys from Darzamat to help me with that and Chris composed a lot of songs which we've been working on at the moment. What you can hear at myspace page is only a sample recorded at home, but I believe the whole album will be ready soon.

Hell on Fire: What do you want to say for those that always supported Darzamat since the begining?

Nera: I can only thank them all. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that there are people far away waiting for your music and appreciating the effort we put in our work. Thanks again!

Hell on Fire: My friend, thank you very much for your time for this interview, good luck for Metal Female Voice Fest in Belgium, for future concerts to come, for the promotion of the new album, also my cumpliments and cheers for the rest of the band and try to see along with Massacre if Darzamat will come to perform in Portugal soon ok:)Thank you!!!

Nera: Thanks for your kind words and hope to see you sooner or later! Horns up!

By: Nightshade

Darzamat Myspace
www.myspace.com/darzamat

NeraNature Myspace
www.myspace.com/neranature

News / Review: Darkside of Innocence

2009-09-09T02:34:00.009+01:00

Band Name: Darkside of Innocence

Album Name: Infernum Liberus EST

Release Date: 2009-07-31

Label: Looking for

Genre: Gnostic Metal

Tracklisting:

Act I - "Inferno"
Act I.II - “Inferno” - Angel of Sin
Act I.II - "Inferno" - The eve to a colder epoch…
Act II - “Once upon havoc and despair…”
Act II.I - "Once upon havoc and despair..." - An Impending commence for decay!
Act II.II - "Once upon Havoc and Despair..." - To her spawn in full submission.
Act III - “Condemned to bare a plague of aeons”
Act III.I – “Condemned to bare a plague of aeons” - …Of a cursed dawn eclipsed!
Act IV – “To Bid Valia a Last Farewell”
Act IV.I - “To Bid Valia a Last Farewell” - A howling hymn for Aneon’s awakening.
Act V - "Condemned to bare a plague of aeons"
Act V.I - "Condemned to bare a plague of aeons" - In Nomine Dementia
Act V.II - "Condemned to bare a plague of aeons" - Bloody Mistress

REVIEW

Shall we listen to this great new release by the portuguese band from Sintra DARKSIDE OF INNOCENCE with the record intituled "Infernum Liberus EST",including 12 tracks or Acts as you can see written in the back cover of this Cd!!!

It's been a long hard road since the begining of the band by the hands of Pedro Bruno always confident and a working person in the process and evolution of DARKSIDE as we can clearly see since the first track or Act "Inferno" to the last one "Bloody Mistress" that for some years were the most recognized song of the band!!!

You can count with a variety of sounds that takes you into the outer limits of your imagination until the most terrifying acts involving you in a unique and original story well developed only and by this band that surely will have lots of positive reactions among the media and listeners!!!

Recently the band put the album available for download at: (http://www.sendspace.com/file/horx0c)

Personaly i don't rate because everyone as different ways of thinking and listening but in my opinion in 10 without any doubts this band deserves the highest note!!!

Congratulations and continue with the great sound that i obviously encourage everyone to listen from the first until the last minute of it!!!

You can Rate this album in the Poll below!!!

By: Nightshade

Darkside of Innocence Myspace Here
Darkside of Innocence Interview at Hell on Fire Here

Interview with: Obscura

2009-08-29T03:15:00.007+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Steffen and welcome to H.O.F webzine, everything ok with you?

Steffen: Hello, I am doing fine. Right now I am working on new videoclips for Obscura and prepare the upcoming European Tour with Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus and Evocation for October this year. Everything is going smooth so far.

Hell on Fire: That’s great! Can you talk a little about Obscura since the begining?

Steffen: We started the band back in 2002 in South Germany when we've been 16 and 17. Back then I guess we had some more black metal vibes in the music and the tunes had a more darker athmosphere. Just one year later we recorded our first and only demo, called 'Illegimitation' which was never released so far. With the reputation of a blasting death metal band we where able to play several small tours and got the chance to play some bigger festivals in Germany. Again a year later in 2004 we recorded our debut album 'Retribution' with Alexander Krull at the Mastersound Studios in Germany. Back then the progressive and technical death metal where not that popular than it is nowadays and we where not able to find a partner which was interested to release this album. So we decided to do it by our own and organized a full European Tour with Suffocation (USA) to get some attention from the scene and the media. Cause we had to do everything by our own the release of the debuet was postphoned to that tour which happened in 2006. Short after that we booked another tour in Europe, but this time with the focus on the South and East European countrys which was very interesting as not too many bands are playing in that area. Just in 2008 we recognized that the band is getting busier and busier with every week and the former lineup where not able to bring all of their attention to Obscura anymore and we had to split as freinds. With recruting Christian Muenzner and Hannes Grossmann (bot ex- Necrophagist) and Jeroen Thesseling (ex- Pestilence) we had a full lineup again and wrote the latest album 'Cosmogenesis'.

Hell on Fire: Recently in early 2009 the band released the second full lenght album intituled “Cosmogenesis” via Relapse Records, i must congratulate you guys because this album is simply amazing really well composed and typically the Obscura sound that we are used to listen! Tell me Steffen, are you happy with the final results of it? It was a hard process on studio?

Steffen: Thank you very much for the kind words, great that you like our work. While writing and even recording the second album we haven't had a label at that time. So there where no hurry in the studio or during the writing mode. We just wrote down all the ideas we had and composed the songs we want to listen to by ourself. I am definately satisfied with the production and the album itself. You always find small details you want to change, but I think the most important thing, the vibe of the album, is exactly what we wanted to do. I feel an old school touch in the compositions. We are all fans of Death and also like Cynic, Pestilence, Atheist very much. So I guess that had a huge influence to my compositions.

Hell on Fire: For you which are the main differences between “Cosmogenesis” and the previous album released at 2004 intituled“ Retribution”?

Steffen: There is a huge gap of around five years between both albums. In those years I evolved as instrumentalist and composer very much. Also the different lineup brought some fresh air into the songs of the second album. If you hear both albums in a row, I guess you can recognize a lot of ideas we had also back in 2004 and just worked on the details and used the same settings in 2009 for 'Cosmogenesis'.

Hell on Fire: I guess that you must be the main composer, tell me, when you went on studio you already have the riffs and the main parts of the tracks made or you guys also share ideas for instance when you are rehearsing?

Steffen: Well, we don't rehearse new songs before we go into the studio. All compositions are made at home while using the software GuitarPro where all instruments are worked out with every single note. So we just have to rehearse at home in front of the computer and then hit the road or the studio. That is very easy and on the other hand needed cause we live in different countrys (Germany & The Netherlands).

Hell on Fire: In Obscura formation the other members come from bands such as Pestilence and Necrophagist, you guys are not recent musicians and we can hear that in the tracks, extremely well composed and very technician! It is easier to work with musicians already with experience? Do you feel more comfortable this way, like you have an idea and they already know what to do due to their experience in the music field?

Steffen: If you are working with people that know what they are doing with their instruments that can make thngs very comfortable, that is true. Each member brings in their own different musical background, so they have a huge influence on the band sound. That they are coming from well known bands just proofes that they are no newcomers.

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talks about?

Steffen: My lyrics are different to the usual splatter, gore and death lyrics. I don't know if that is nnovative, it just feels more personal if you write down something you really can work with. For the latest album we had a main topic of the genesis of the universe
which was combined with several autobiographic issues. I like the way of the lyrics are worked out and that there is no message. It is just a story and some personal issues, that's it.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Steffen: Unfortunately there is not much free time so far. Besides that worldwide touring band I am a student of new media technology and also doing photo and video shoots. My latest work was the clip 'Anticosmic Overload' for Obscura. If you have a minute, feel free to watch it online.

Hell on Fire: Going back to your function in the band as a vocalist, you are also 1 of the guitarrists and the riffs you make for christ sake they are amazing! Did you or do you have an kind of guitar lessons? In your point of view do you think that is important to have music lessons?

Steffen: Well, I never had guitar lessons. If you are talking to friends or other musicians you always get new ideas how to realize this or that on guitar, that is the most interesting help I got so far while learning more about music. When I started with my first guitar in 2002 I just had some education in singing and playing the piano for some years. If you have the chance to get lessons, I would rather choose it than not choose it. From another person you can learn faster and better to get the shredtastic mindsweeping sound you want to get.

Hell on Fire: The best advice you can give for a guitarrist in the begining?

Steffen: Phew, get the right equipment and don't loose the fun playing an instrument. Everything else is just a bonus. If you keep that in your mind, you'll never have problems.

Hell on Fire: Also the best advice but now for a vocalist in the begining! By the way i forgot to ask you if you have any kind of special cares with your voice?

Steffen: Scream as loud as you can! There are no special cares about the voice, if there is some time before the show I do some slight warming up, nothing else. It's death metal. Not Soul.

Hell on Fire: Indeed a great advice, so, talking a little about Germany, does the bands have enough supports in there to survive only with music?

Steffen: In Germany you are not interesting for the media if you are a German band. You have to get the attention in foreign countries first, then the homebase will recognize you. There are only a few bands that can make out aliving of extreme music in Germany. With that said I mean bands such as Kreator, Doro or Tokio Hotel. In Scandinavia you will get supported by the gouverment with a place to rehearsal, with getting flights to the USA payed for example. In Germany to have to work very hard to survive.

Hell on Fire: Starting October 2, Obscura will have concerts during the full month, you will be unleast in 12 countries during this tour and i see Spain in there really close to Portugal? You guys don’t come here? That’s not fair (laughs), i am kidding but someone told me that you guys most probably will come to Portugal in early 2010, can you confirm this? It’s soon to talk about dates and places in portuguese territory right?

Steffen: I would love to go to Portugal for the first time, never been there before. For the shows in October get in touch with Cannibal Corpse why they don't book shows in your country. Well, pretty soon there will be announced an other European Tour in January/February where we will play at least one show in Portugal as far as I know. Let's hope so.

Hell on Fire: Yes as far as i know unleast 1 show will be added in portuguese ground! Also about this tour are you anxious to begin spreading in more countries the sound of Obscura? Any special country to perform?

Steffen: Asia would be a dream we all have since a long time. Playing in South America could be also very interesting. Especially Japan, China and Australia would be great to visit. I love totravel, so that will happen very soon.

Hell on Fire: I’m talking about your latest release but also not to forget the previous album “Retribution” that for me is another piece of art that i really reccomend everyone to listen and to buy, yes to buy! Also in this album you made a cover of the band Death with the song “Lack of Comprehension”! Who had the idea of it? The cover is really well made and Death songs are not easy to play as Chuck used to play only really great and advanced musicians have the guts to play Death songs! Does this amazing guitarrist Chuck Schuldiner inspired you along your career as a musician and also for Obscura sound?

Steffen: Back then we discussed several different ideas which cover there should be as a bonus on the album. In the end we decided to use Death's 'Lack of Comprehension' because of his huge influence on our sound as a band. Exept for the drums I am still satisfied with the result. Chuck created a new sound when he added Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert who brought something new on the table; the fusion and jazz influences within the regular old school death metal. That is definitely something that inspired me during the last years.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about Obscura label Relapse Records! Are you guys happy to make part of this huge label? For you Steffen which are the benefits of having a label?

Steffen: Back in the days we organized everything by our own, the release, tours, single shows and so on. Nowadays we work for the first time with a label and can't complain about anything. Relapse where responsible that we where able to hit the Billboar Charts, that we got the chance to play the first North America and Canada tour in our history. Besides the working issues, we have a wonderfull cooperation also with the whole staff of the label. If we are in The Netherlands the EU office visits the shows, in the US we where able to say 'hi' to everybody. I don't regret the signing to Relapse at all.

Hell on Fire: Do you remember with which bands you grow up listening to?

Steffen: Sure, there have been a lot of different metal and non metal acts that inspired me. Such as Death, Cynic, Atheist, Portishead, Megadeth, Metallica, Dissection and many more. Nowadays I am also into Yes, Steven Wilsons projects and bands, some fusion and flamenco bands that the other members bring up during the shows. Very interesting music.

Hell on Fire: One band/s that you would like to share the stage with?

Steffen: A tour with Opeth, Nevermore, Cynic or Megadeth would be a honour.

Hell on Fire: That sounds really good! Favourite band/s and vocalist/s of all time?

Steffen: Bands are with no doubt Cynic, Death, Portishead. With vocalists I am not sure. I like Beth Gibbons very much, 'cause of her and open attitude to bring a song to life.

Hell on Fire: Great great bands, now, going back to April, what can you say about the first ever North American tour alongside with Cannibal Corpse? It was a good experience? How as been the reaction of the crowd so far? Also the reaction of the media?

Steffen: The reactions have been very positive so far. We had a great time with Neuraxis & The Faceless on the road. Cannibal Corpse invited us for this tour and are one of the most layed back bands of all time. This October we are together on the road again and looking forward to meet the guys again. The shows in the US had a good turn out and in Canada as in the US the we felt very welcome. Also after the shows we always met people which where satisfied to see us for the first time. We would love to come back to America as soon as possible.

Hell on Fire: In the latest release, Obscura have guest appearences from Ron Jarzombek (Spastic Ink, Blotted Science) and Tymon Kruidenier (Cynic)! Can you talk a little about this guys as musicians? It was good to play with them?

Steffen: We know Tymon also beside chatting via a computer, Ron we never met so far unfortunately. Both of the contributed a wonderfull guitar solo to 'Cosmogenesis'. Ron sounds as he would try to sound as Queen in his guest appearance.

Hell on Fire: What do you want to say for those that always support Obscura since the begining?

Steffen: Without our close friends and fans from the first days this band would not exist anymore. Also during hard times whn we haven't had a full lineup they supported us as much as they could, so we have to be very thankfull to all those who helped us to survive.

Hell on Fire: Thank you very much for your time Steffen, i wish you and the rest of the band all the good luck for Cosmogenesis, for this next tour and also for future concerts and new albums to come! All the best and hope to see you guys in Portugal!

Steffen: We would love to come to Prtugal as soon as possible. So let's hope we will get the chance to play at least one show in the next months. Thank you very much for your interest in our band, keep on supporting your local bands & see you on tour!
Best regards,
Steffen Kummerer & Obscura

By: Nightshade

Obscura Myspace
www.myspace.com/realmofobscura

Obscura Official Site
www.obscura-metal.com

Interview with: Gates of Hell

2009-08-26T19:53:00.008+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Filipe and welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you?

Filipe: Hello Nightshade, all fine here. It’s a pleasure for us to be in Hell on Fire. I take this opportunity to congratulate your project, it is extremely necessary to have people who support the music that is made in Portugal, in this case the GREAT metal.

Hell on Fire: Thank you my friend for your words it's with pleasure that i do this! Can you talk a little about how everything started with Gates of Hell since the begining?

Filipe: All began in early 2008, with 3 friends: Pedro Afonso on solo guitar, me on rhythm guitar and Filipe Aragão at voice. Marcos to the battery and Afonso (ex-visible noise) on bass joined the band almost the same time. The band remained the year 2008 in composition of the first songs and this helped to solidify the group. In November appears the oportunity to begin the journey and G.O.H. had the live debut at Altar Bar. Since that the band did not want anything else. Eheheheh! Anyway modifications already passed since that. The departure of Marcos and the passage of Afonso for the drums, the entry of Helder Costa (ex-Innerless) in early 2009 and later the entry of Zé (ex-Razor) for voice, brought with them a new environment the group and a greater unity.

Hell on Fire: The bands is recent in the metal scene and until now you seem to have great reactions from the crowd, what can you say about this, do you feel that the audience enjoy the sound of GOH?

Filipe: We have had good reviews and have been well received in all places where we have played. We deeply appreciate all the support that we had by the public and all the bands. That support is what it makes us more willing to work and more power to evolve with our music. We realize we're a recently band and we have to work hard to improve, but we are very keen to develop something important.

Hell on Fire: Talking about recordings! What can you say about this, i think that you guys so far are on studio preparing a record right?

Filipe: Yes, we are currently polish the edges on the songs that will be part of our first EP. We gonna start with the recordings in the 17th of October in Svstudios in Vila do Conde. The EP should be ready in the early of 2010. We hope that the EP is something that identifies us.

Hell on Fire: I wish you guys all the good luck for the recordings! Recently at Thrasheira Metal Fest IV (Chã das Eiras bar) i had the chance to see you guys performing also with great bands as Equaleft, The Last of Them, Unbridled and Biolence! My congratulations you guys have a huge power live! What can you say about your concerts so far do you feel that the band is growing with this performances?

Filipe: Undoubtedly. We chose to show our songs before moving on to an official recording. We are delighted to have made this choice because we have evolved very much since the beginning and the songs have strong changes since we started playing them live. Now we feel we will go into the studio to know how the music sounds live, and the reactions it causes in the public. It’s perfect to have that feeling before recording the songs.

Hell on Fire: Gates of Hell, a simple and a curious name and by the way welcome to Hell;) Who had the idea of this name? Any special meaning for this name?

Filipe: It is a pleasure to be in hell eheheheh The name of the band was chosen in a conversation between the founder members…many names to the mix and came out this eheheh It really is a curious name and I think that was chosen because it’s simple and sounds good. We also associated with an acronym that seemed well (G.O.H). We think it was appropriate to our project.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about composing, being you 1 of the guitarrists are you the main the main composer of the band or you guys simply rehearse and the songs naturally appears?

Filipe: The band went through several phases. Anyway criativity largely replaced by Pedro. It is undoubtedly the member with more creativity of the group. In the beginning the songs were composed by Pedro and me and the other members just after inserting their roles. Since the entry of members who currently make up the quintet we have been much more united and the composition is done in group and after worked on house. The music gets much more harmony when the ideas start a little of each.

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talks about?

Filipe: Our lyrics speak a little of everything that is happening in the world...like injustice, unnecessary wars, religions taken to the extreme...we don’t try to make a critique of society...we just want to show that we declare ourselves free to think... like the phrase in our t-shirt "Religion is nothing to us .... Just open your mind!". Just keeping the mind open people can understand the meaning of many things.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about the metal music panorama in Portugal, what can you say about this? Do you think the bands have enough supports to live only with music?

Filipe: Personally i think the Metal music is fairly complete. In our country we are very well represented on this musical style, many bands with great songs and lot’s of interesting events. Although Metal is not as sustained as it should be. The underground groups have no reason to complain...especially because there are many people who supported the cause and that makes it possible to do what we like. However it is not easy to live by music, i think most bands that i know do not live with music, just because it is very difficult in our country and our style of music making profits that allow to take it professionally. But however who runs for pleasure never stops.

Hell on Fire: Also about bands but portuguese one’s what do you think about the one’s that we have in our territory? Don’t you think that we have really good bands to act outside and to represent Portugal in other countries? Is this 1 of your main goals in the future to go outside with GOH?

Filipe: Portugal has good musicians and great bands. With more support many portugueses bands would be known throughout the world for it’s quality. We already played with bands that should certainly be being promoted abroad because they would be an asset to the international scene and would be excellent Portuguese metal representatives. We have the ambition to play abroad, but also know that it is not easy ... but the hope is the last to die eheheheh

Hell on Fire: Filipe do you remember with which band you grow up listening 2?

Filipe: I have various influences of childhood like Pantera, Slayer, Metallica and many many more…

Hell on Fire: Great names and also for you a favourite band to share the stage with?

Filipe: It's hard to name a band ... but i enjoy sharing the stage with band like Slayer and Lamb of God. But we already shared the stage with several bands that were part of my objectives: Pitch Black, Equaleft, Switchtense, Echidna, and many others with whom we played ... is a pleasure playing live whatever is the bands... since there are public that likes to hear us is always good!

Hell on Fire: It is good that you mention some portuguese bands, most of the bands don’t do that! Favourite guitarrist?

Filipe: Dimebag Darel I adore him by his attitude and passionate way of playing, it was a shame what happens to him!!! And my brother, Pedro Afonso besides being the other G.O.H.’s guitarist has an enviable skills and lot’s of creativity ehehhe

Hell on Fire: Yes indeed a huge guitarrist Dimebag and yes my friend i also saw your brother and he also plays really well! Did you or do you have any kind of guitar lessons?

Filipe: I have not had any lessons. Youtube and internet tabs are great to start playing some songs and then is a non-stop training ehehhe

Hell on Fire: Indeed is a good way to learn:) What do you like to do in your free times?

Filipe: I like the usual things like cinema,play guitar at home listening music, went to concert’s. I little like everybody. eheheheh

Hell on Fire: Next concerts of GOH for the readers to know?

Filipe: For now we have this concerts confirmed: 26th of Setember with – Necris dust, Antichthon, Apotheus at Metalpoint ; 2nd of October with – Suffochate, Hatetrigger, Equaleft at Metalpoint; 30th of October in Gaia em Peso 2009; 12th of December at Dimebag Darrel Tribute at Vouzela. There more invites but still waiting for confirmation.

Hell on Fire: For those who don’t know the band yet, what can they expect from you guys on stage?

Filipe: Above all we go to the stage to do what we like to do. We think that helps the show because we are all willing and is always a pleasure to show our work to the others. Who knows us knows that we are all happy people and ready to make the party and that is what they can expect from us eheheh

Hell on Fire: What do you wanna say to those that always support GOH since the begining?

Filipe: We would like to thank all the people who support us now and from the beginning because without them we would not have made progress with the project. We dedicate all our work to those people who know well who they are…friends from the bands and personal friends and especially the family that gives us a fairly constant support and understanding.The band dedicate everything that we have to all people who love us and support us.

Hell on Fire: Thank you very much Filipe for your time for this interview, i wish you and the rest of the band all the good luck for the next concerts, the record to come and release of it and i hope to hear soon from you guys always with great power!

Filipe: Thank’s for the opportunity to be interviewed by you it’s wonderfull to show our ideas and promote our project. It is a pleasure to be part of a project such as the Hell on Fire which serves to help bands like us. Congratulations to you and a great strength to continue it’s what we expect from you eheheh Thanks for everything once again and we will give you news very soon about the presentation of our EP. Great Hug from Gates of Hell.

By: Nightshade

Gates of Hell Myspace
www.myspace.com/gatesofhellband666

Interview with: Pandemonium

2009-08-26T01:00:00.014+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Hellord and welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you?

Hellord: Hello. Yes, everything is fine. The summer is finally ending and darker times are approaching, so I can not complain...

Hell on Fire: Tell me my friend, how everything started with Pandemonium since the begining?

Hellord: The band started back in 97 by me and Oscar (former guitars) when our old band End decided to quit. We released our first demo “Emotions” in early -98 and the music then was more in the veins of old melodic death-metal like Amorphis a.o. Through the years the music has gone through changes which has ended up in the sound of melodic death/black-metal that we play today. In all, we have made 6 releases. One Demo, two ep’s and three full-length albums. Through the years, as most bands, we´ve gone through some line-up changes. The line-up of today, is the following:

Lugal-hellord: Guitar & vocals
Enlil: Battery
Martu: Bass
Lahmu: Lead vocals

Hell on Fire: As you know i had the chance to hear your latest work “Whispers” that for me is a really great work, powerful and really well achieved, congratulations for that! In general what can you say about all the process of Whispers? Are you happy with the final results of it?

Hellord: We choose to record the album ourselves. We borrowed a local and all necessary equipment, and did the recordingsession ourselves, since some of us are familiar with recording. In this way, not only it would be cheaper for us, we also got much more time and we didn´t have to feel that preasure which you normally have when you´re in a professional studio. The mixing and mastering-process though, was made in a professional studio (roastinghouse-studios) by us, Pontus Lindmark and Anders Theander. This was necessary since it´s very difficult for yourself to hear the nuances in the music you´ve recorded yourself. We also needed some “extra ears” for the overall sound. I think this turned out very well. In my opinion, this is the best production we´ve ever done. There are always some small details that you´re not 100% satisfied with, but on the other hand, that will hopefully be improved till the next time. Over all though, we´re happy with the result.

Hell on Fire: Apart of Whispers you guys have 5 more records since 1998, for you Hellord which are the main differences between the previous one “The Autumn Enigma” and “Whispers”?

Hellord: I think that the “Whispers” album has a more homogenious sound and the songs are more like each other than they were on the “Autumn enigma” album. The sound is also more brutal in my ears. I also recorded all the guitars this time so they´re not so devided as on the other recordings.

Hell on Fire: Since 1998 until now most probably you feel an evolution in all aspects of the band, do you feel that you guys now are more mature and professional?

Hellord: Yes definitly. Since we´re only 4 members in the band now there are not so many oppinions about things as it were before. We know what we want.

Hell on Fire: As you know last year i put you guys at the Hell on Fire compilation “30 Bands Unleashed Vol.1”, immedialty after i listen to “Whispers” with the song “The Curse and the Serpent” you guys were the chosen ones to represent Sweden! For those who don’t know, can you talk a little about the metal scene in Sweden? Do you have enough supports in there for a band to live only with music?

Hellord: There are a lot of bands from Sweden, but the support.. I don´t know... Most bands, like us, want to play outside of Sweden because people over here are so stiff. If you want to live on your music it´s impossible to just be a name in Sweden. You need a more wide perspective.

Hell on Fire: I see! Your voice is really great and powerful, do you or did you ever had any kind of singing classes? Any special cares with the voice?

Hellord: Nope. Just pure hate, wrath and power. When I went to high-school, I was singing in a choir, but that´s not a big help when you scream your lungs out which I do in Pandemonium.

Hell on Fire: Any special meaning for the name Pandemonium?

Hellord: The meaning is hellish noise and chaos, and that is what we want to spread through our music. But the listener will of course react and say: The music is NOT chaotic so what´s the point? Than I would say: It´s not the music it self that is chaotic, it´s the feeling of a hellish darkness and beauty combined in chaos that we want to spread. It might sound pretty complicated, but that´s the meaning. The more complicated, the more mysterious. That´s the main thing.

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talks about?

Hellord: I can only speak for myself, but my lyrics are about dark things and dark happenings in life. It´s often personal stuff. But sometimes I also use other peoples fates and experiences. All this covered with furious, destructive and dark metaphores, turns out to pandemonic lyrics.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Hellord: I don´t know what the other guys do. For myself though, I don´t have much free time. I hardly have time to watch TV...

Hell on Fire: Apart of Pandemonium do you have any kind of favourite band/s? Like, if you had 1 day the chance to share the stage with a band, which will be and why?

Hellord: I don´t have any such favourites... But it´s always cool to play with the bigger names, because there are always more people who are able to see you.

Hell on Fire: What can you say about the other band members, Enlil, Martu, Nirah and Lahmu! Do you think they are the perfect formation for Pandemonium? It is good to work with them?

Hellord: They´re good guys. We have a good mood in the band and it´s easy to work with them. Nirah though, is not a member anymore since he did not have enough time to play with us.

Hell on Fire: I suspect that you must be the composer of the band, am I right or you guys go into the rehearsel room and simply play and share ideas to compose the tracks?

Hellord: We used to do like that, but not anymore. Nowadays me and Enlil writes all material and than we reherse it together. It´s easier and more effective. And since Nirah, who also came with ideas, does not play with us anymore it works out better to write the songs by two with the computer as help to record and programme all keyboards.

Hell on Fire: Indeed computers in the present days are really important! Are you guys looking for a label? For you Hellord which are the benefits of having one?

Hellord: Of course we want a label, but we´ve also grown so tired of all those small labels who does not give you the necessary help, so we will try to find a serious one before we sign up. The benefits are that they are supposed to finance your recordings, duplications and do the promotion. It´s a hard work which takes much of your time if you do it yourself. The biggest problem is that a lot of labels today does not do what they´ve promised...

Hell on Fire: I totally agree with you but i suspect that you’ll have a great label interested in the band! Do you already have in mind to compose a new album or is to soon to talk about it?

Hellord: We´re working on a new album at the moment. There are 8 written songs that we´re rehersing and the plan is to have about 10 songs ready to record a new promo this winter.

Hell on Fire: Good to hear about that! Going back to your function in the band you also are the the guitarrist and the only 1, it is difficult to sing and to play guitar at the same time? Once again but now for the guitar, did you or do you have any kind of guitar lessons?

Hellord: Many years ago I had guitar lessons. I also used to work extra as a guitar teacher, but I don´t have time to do that now. The combined singing and playing is not so difficult as it looks like. Maybe in the begining when you haven’t learned the lyrics well enough, it can be difficult. But there´s only one way to overcome that: To practice! The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Hell on Fire: Which is the best advice that you can give for a band in the begining?

Hellord: Reharse a lot, get to know each other musically, have fun together and find out what you want to play. Try to get as many gigs as possable to get the live-show experience. Than everything will fall in place.

Hell on Fire: How as been the reaction of the media and listeners so far about Pandemonium?

Hellord: I my oppinion pretty good. It can always be better, but it depends. When you´ve recently released something, the attention to the band is bigger. I think it´s like that for most of the bands.

Hell on Fire: Also in concerts, how do you see the reactions of the crowd when you guys enter on stage?

Hellord: It differs a lot from place to place and It also depends on how drunk people are. But mostly people get excited when the horror-intro goes on and we enter the stage. Sometimes though people just stand there and look at you as if you were an idiot, but we don´t care. We alwasy try to do a good gig. You have to be proffessional in that case. If people pay to see you, than you have to deliver a good show worth seeing.

Hell on Fire: What do you wanna say for those that always follow and supported the band since the begining?

Hellord: You´re true and loyal. That means a lot!

Hell on Fire: My friend, thank you for your time for this interview, i wish you guys to continue with the great and powerful sound and also that the band have lots of concerts hopefully and also in portuguese territory!

Hellord: Thanks for the attention and we really hope to get the opportunity to play in Portugal! Greetings.

By: Nightshade

Pandemonium Myspace
www.myspace.com/pandemoniummetal

Pandemonium Official Site
www.pandemonium-metal.com

Interview with: Daemogorgon

2009-08-11T18:54:00.011+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Carlos and welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you?

Carlos: Greetings! Everything is fine thanks, and with you?

Hell on Fire: Everything great, thanx friend! Can you talk a little about Daemogorgon history since the begining and also what do you do in the band?

Carlos: Actually I have functions of guitar player and composer, I do some lyric work too, but I started as a bass player! From the begining... Daemogorgon raised in the early 2005 from the will of Duarte, former past member and guitar player. He invited Barroso, our actual drummer, and together they composed the firsts lines of what would became our first demo “Mortiis Trivmphvs”, recorded by the first line up of Daemogorgon with me as a bass player and Francisco in the vocals, we have joined the band in that year too. Still in 2005 and after our first gig, Duarte has to move on with his life in a way that could not include Daemogorgon, so he left the band in a early stage and we had some linu up changes, I moved from the bass to the guitar and Baal enter the band to assume the bass player position. We had a couple of gigs in that year, and since 2006 to 2008 we have played a lot and gained some good live experience grewing as a live metal band, we played in some great national festivals too as Loud Metal Battle, Extreme Devotion Fest, SWR, Caos Emergente, Liperske, Vimaranes Metallvm, etc. The sound of Daemogorgon has evoluted and since 2006 we have been composing a couple of new tracks and decided that was time to record in a pro studio, so in 2008 we enter Grave Studios (Epping Forest, Decrepidemic, Holocausto Canibal, Goldenpyre, Hacksaw, etc) to record our new Ep, that is ready now!

Hell on Fire: You have a new Ep to be released intituled “Chaos Through Phobia” with 6 new songs, among this one’s you have available at myspace to listen the songs “Haíresis” and “Temple Dementia”, really brutal and well composed! What can you say about this Ep? Are you happy with the final results of it?

Carlos: Thank you for your appreciation! Yes, in a general way we are very satisfied with the final result of Chaos.Through.Phobia! I think that represents well the new Daemogorgon face, a “chaosthroughphobic“ feeling and a lot a brutality to consumes us all! Those new songs results very well on live performance too and that is an important factor for us! Of course, there are always some aspects that if we could do it again now, probably we would change, that is the principle of evolution, the constant ansiety for perfection!

Hell on Fire: This Ep was recorded at Grave Studios! How was to work with such huge professional as Pedro Grave in the recording process? Do you recommend more bands to go there to record?

Carlos: It was a really rich experience for us to work at Grave Studios with our friend Pedro, we learned a lot of things and the band gained another essential perspective of working in a band with the studio work, I think we had mature ourselves as a band in the long time we spent in studio! Yes, we recommend more bands to go there, Grave studios is not a typical studio, there is no time limits in there, is a studio based on friendship instead comercial compromises! We have meet a lot of good people in there and gained some good influences! If is that what you are looking for, go for it!

Hell on Fire: Indeed i also reccomend Grave Studios! For you Carlos, what are the main differences between “Chaos Through Phobia” and your first work “Mortiis Trivmphvs”?

Carlos: The firts main huge difference it's the record quality, we worked in a pro studio this time, so it's a more serious work instead of a home made demo. Daemogorgon has evoluted too and we have a mature new sound, and that is the other big difference between our two works. Mortiis Thrivmphs is typical Raw Black Metal with all the good and the bad of one first record of a band with a lack of experience. Chaos.Through.Phobia I don't know what is for sure, you'll to find out for yourself, probably Death Metal with some Black influences in the ambience or lyrics themes, but surely it is Daemogorgon and what we represent now!

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talks about? If you prefer you are welcome to include Francisco to answer this question!

Carlos: I can answer that, the lyric work of daemogorgon is not made by just one person, its made by me or by Baal or Francisco or all together, It was the more productive way we find out to work, everytime we are inspired we can write down and we can use later! Our lyrics crushes religions, policys, actual mankind and all that stuff that limits us and suffocates ourselves as humans and intelligent(?) beings. They descrive chaotic evolutions of mankind and of our world, talks about despair, pain, chaos, hate, claustrophobia in a really metaphoric way...

Hell on Fire: You guys come from a beautiful town called Guimarães that contains lots and lots of history, do you think that somehow your town give you guys the inspiration to compose your songs?

Carlos: Well, that is a comun error about us! Only one member of daemogorgon cames from Guimarães, the other 3 member, me included, come from Fafe that is a near town. But yeah, we really feel like a band from Guimarães as a result of all the friendship we have with that comunity and we really indentificate ourselves with them! About the beautifull town with all the history, I don't think it inspire us but the strenght and union of the vimaranes community inspires and is a pride for us!

Hell on Fire: My mistake 2 and my congratulations to the other members of the band and greetings to the great city of Fafe! Did you ever had guitar lessons or you learned by yourself?

Carlos: I started as a bass player as I said, I had a couple of lessons with my friend Lx in the early stage, then it was a matter of time and practice by myself! Some times later I find my way on the guitar and I feel that is my place and what I like to do for now.

Hell on Fire: Which are your favourite bands and your favourite guitarrist/s as well?

Carlos: I always find some difficult to answer this kind of question without mention a huge list of bands and influences... but: Immortal, Enthroned, Satyricon, Marduk, Dark Funeral and some few more as a black metal foundation. Then I really like the mixing of Black and all the feeling with Death Metal, bands like Belphegor, Behemoth, Hate, Zyklon, Crionics, etc. And the typical Death Metal bands (brutal or tec) like Decapitated, Bloodbath, Hate Eternal, Vader, Nile, Death, as some prog metal/rock as well, Katatonia, Opeth...

Hell on Fire: What do you think about the metal scene in Portugal? Do you think we have enough bands to go outside the country?

Carlos: Yeah! There is no doubt of that, there is many portuguese bands with international quality for sure, now more then ever. But I think that nowadays, having that quality is not enough for a band to get known and successed outside our national underground!

Hell on Fire: Also about Portugal, what is your opinion about supports in here, do you think we have enough one’s for a band to survive?

Carlos: The supports are not bad, if we are talking of surviving in here, without the big step of getting a good international record deal or to go in a professional way in the Metal scene. We have some good spots and good festivals too, some good promotion for national bands. But if we compare our reality with north countrys, our supports are nothing and our Dream of playing Metal for life is more and more distant that in that countrys! In other perspective, I can't imagine how is to having a band for years in places like Egypt or India.

Hell on Fire: From all the concerts you gave so far, which was the best one and why?

Carlos: I have to refer SWR in here, for all the importance and impact that SWR have in our metal scene, it was an honor for us to play in there with some great people and bands. For the same reasons I have to refer Caos Emergente! Playing alongside with Nile in the same fest it was fucking great! I wish we could play in that festivals once again in the future!

Hell on Fire: Indeed it was really important your performance at SWR! Carlos, With which bands did you grow up listening to?

Carlos: I grew up listening to bands like Pink Floyd, Cranberries, Aerosmith, Radiohead, Brian Adams... In a “pre Metal” stage, I used to ear Marilyn Manson (I still like it some times!), Offspring, Deftones, Limp Bizkit...

Hell on Fire: Some good bands in there even for the present days! If you had to choose one band to share the stage with, which will be?

Carlos: Just one? I don't really know... Sharing the stage with Immortal would be unique!

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Carlos: Hang out with friends or girlfriend, go to some concerts or festivals, playing guitar, surf on the net, cinema, photography...

Hell on Fire: Every time i know that Daemogorgon will perfom, i see that you guys really have a legion of fans out there and that’s really great! What can you say about that? They really follow you guys everywhere!

Carlos: Yeah and it is fucking great! We have a honor and luck to have a couple of friends or fans that really supports us and that we see in our concerts agains and again! For example, our friend Dalila (Hades) went to all Daemogorgon gigs! We are really thankfull to all of them for all the support!!

Hell on Fire: Yes Hades is everywhere, always supporting the bands! In general, how do you descrive Daemogorgon sound?

Carlos: A death metal sound with a Black metal vein and aura!! Chaos and feeling, the beauty and beast!

Hell on Fire: Can you advance some concert dates for the readers to know?

Carlos: For now we are trying to get our work out, we are looking for the ideal label to help us with the edition of Chaos.Through.Phobia! Once we have our EP out we will be back to stages!

Hell on Fire: Do you want say anything to those that always supported Daemogorgon since the begining?

Carlos: To those who ever supported Daemogorgon and for our friends who lives metal as we do, thank you for the support and friendship, we all are Daemogorgon!!!

Hell on Fire: Carlos, thank you very much for your time for this interview, i wish you and the rest of the members all the good luck for next concerts to come and for the release of Chaos Through Phobia!

Carlos: Thank you Nightshade for the interview and support, and keep up spreading metal!!

By: Nightshade

Daemogorgon Myspace
www.myspace.com/daemogorgonchaos

Interview with: Noctem

2009-08-08T02:31:00.010+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Exo and Beleth and welcome to H.O.F, how are you guys everything ok?

Beleth: Yes everything right man.

Exo: Yes man.

Hell on Fire: For those who don’t know, what do you 2 do in the band? Can you talk a little bit about Noctem history since the begining?

Exo: Well, I’m the lead guitar and Beleth is the singer. We started Noctem in 2001, we’ve recorded 2 mcd’s and a live album with old songs, our last mcd was tittled “God among slaves”, released at 2007, we got a solid line up from that moment. Our debut album is entitled “Divinity” and it was released from April and May of this year in Europe and United States. This album shows our definitive sound.

Hell on Fire: You have a new release intituled “Divinity” i must congratulate you because it has lots of power and 1 well made brutal sound and i also notest that you guys have an orchestral version in the song “Divinity”, what can you say about this idea of an orchestral version for a song? Who had the idea of it? Are you guys happy with the final results of Divinity?

Beleth: Thanks. We thought in the idea of an orchestral song and we had the oportunity to work with Christos Antoniou from Septic Flesh, this adds another point of quality to the album. We’re really satisfied with the final result of “Divinity”. We finally counted with really good professionals in this album and our producer Mario Jezik contributed with all the brutality and experience that he has inside.

Hell on Fire: Beleth i think only you can answer this one, what does your lyrics talk about and were do you get the inspiration for your lyrics? Do you have any kind of special cares with your voice?

Beleth: The thematic is based in the dissapeared Atlantis, in its belligerent population considered demigods by other cultures and its polytheist theocrazy. This album is going to represent the first part of a trilogy that will treat about different and linked storys. The inspiration cames with alcohol and different substances... talking about cares... Yes, normally I need a cunt after the shows (laughts).

Hell on Fire: And now only one for Exo! From what age do you play guitar? Do you or did you have any kind of guitar lessons? Do you use to practise solos and rythms?

Exo: From 15. Of course, I studied guitar for 4 years, playing 4 hours per day, practising exercises every day, solos and different rythm patters.

Hell on Fire: Now back to you 2 (lol)! Who is the composer or composers of the band?

Exo: I’m the one who compose the music,all the songs are born from the guitar riffs; in the other way Beleth does his job with his lyrics.

Hell on Fire: Taking you back to 2004! Noctem commercializes 1 live cd which is really great! What can you say about that? Who had the idea? Did you sell lots of this cd’s?

Exo: Well it was a limited edition, we were really young and we recorded that material live because we had a huge set list to play, and the style was completely different, a past time for the band, now everything became more professional and we’re a new band.

Hell on Fire: Now for something completly different! What do you like to do in your free times?

Exo: Drinking beer and vodka with redbull, drinking cars and travelling are my favourite hobbies (laughs). But this band keeps me involved on it every fucking day. We have a lot of work now!!!

Beleth: To be honest I don’t have free time... this project keeps me 100% involved all the day.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little bit about your country Spain, what can you guys say about supports in there, it’s been hard for Noctem to survive starting in your country? What can you say about the metal scene also in Spain?

Beleth: Spain never was the best country to play extreme metal, but nowadays we’re having a very good succes in Spain and the rest of Europe. Sales are going fucking well and the support from the metal press and fans is really awesome now. The past years were really hard, but from the “God among slaves” release we have a very good acceptance . Thank you motherfuckers.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about distribution, you have NoiseHead Records and Relapse Records supporting Noctem, how as been so far the relation between the band and this 2 Records and their work?

Exo: Everthing is going on wheels with these authentic professional labels, Noisehead at Europe and Relapse at the States; we have a good support from them, and we are doing our best every day.

Hell on Fire: I must congratulate you guys because i’ve been following you since
the begining and i see a huge growing in your songs and the band members are really professional one’s! Did you guys also felt a growing along this years?

Beleth: Yes, of course. With the past of the time everything becomes more professional, because this band means everything for us, blood, sweat and tears.

Hell on Fire: Something that i use to ask, in this case, which is the meaning of Noctem?

Beleth: From the Latin, a dead language, is the accusative of night . Personally it has a deeper meaning, the beginning and the end, the darkness, madness, destruction, chaos, our vissions of life. For me is everything.

Hell on Fire: I already listen to Divinity and i must say that my hi-fi almost explode with such power of Noctem, do you guys also transmit this blast to the crowd when you perform live?How as been the reaction so far of the crowd in your concerts? Until now which was the best 1 you gave?

Exo: Shows are even more energetics, because we have a common language with over the stage, our performances are based in all that we feel when we compose and write our songs.

Beleth: So you must come and see the bleeding live.

Hell on Fire: Who is the person behind the layout artwork of your myspace and the artwork of Divinity? Both things are really good my congratulations to him!

Beleth: Our myspace artwork was created by Pulpapocalypse studios working with us. They’re good professionals . The cover is designed by Marcelo HVC, he worked before with bands like Satyricon, Vader, Job for a cowboy...

Hell on Fire: What can you say about your concerts so far here in Portugal? Do you like to play here? How do you descrive the portuguese crowd?

Exo: To be honest, you have the best crowd in all the world, portuguese metal heads are just the most crazy, energetic and generous that I’ve ever seen. When we played at Seixal last year it was simply aswesome to see the crowd supporting the band in that way.

Hell on Fire: Now for the last question! What do you wanna say to those that always support Noctem since the begining?

Exo: You’re the most important part for this band, family and friends at the same time, the same blood.

Beleth: Thank you guys for all your support , without you guys we are nothing.

Hell on Fire: Exo and Beleth, muchas gracias for your time :) i wish you guys all the good luck for your concerts and for the new release you have in the market and i hope to see you guys around since Noctem will be performing this summer in Portugal!!!

Exo: See you in September man!!! “Divinity devastation Tour” over Portugal so soon.

Beleth: See you in the pit!!!

By: Nightshade

Noctem myspace
www.myspace.com/noctemofficial

Interview with: Morbid Path

2009-07-31T23:33:00.008+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Yuval and welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you?

Yuval: Hi! Everything’s great and I’m glad to talk with you about Morbid Path.

Hell on Fire: Thanx friend! What can you say about Morbid Path since the begining, how everything started?

Yuval: Cory (vocals) and me formed Morbid Path in 2008. Cory had a short lived death metal band and I’ve played in a grindcore band. Both of us decided to quit these bands in order to create something different that we wanted to express. We recruited some friends of us but the line up changed several times until today, when the band consists Cory and me as well as Tomer Talias (drums), Barak Carmeli ( rhytm guitars) and Ran Shem-Tov (bass). We feel that this is a really stable line up and we hope to continue that way as long as possible.

Hell on Fire: Being you the lead guitarrist can i suppose that is you that compose the tracks for the band?

Yuval: I’m actually composing the basics of the material but we work as a team. When we rehearse (and we rehearse a lot these days) everyone have something to offer: if it’s a drum beat, the repetition of different riffs, different ways to express a specific idea, the directon of a song and everything else that we feel is necessary. The lyrics are often written by Cory and sometimes I have my own ideas that we add. Generally, we are very open minded when it comes to song writing.

Hell on Fire: How do you describe the sound of Morbid Path?

Yuval: I don’t think that words are able to describe fully any type of music , you can’t pick a word that truly make you feel the exact feeling you get when listening to any artist. However, If trying to do so, I guess we play some pretty heavy stuff with different melodic vibes within.

Hell on Fire: The band has a new single intituled “The Winter of Us”! What is the meaning of this title? Is this single exactly how you wanted to be?

Yuval: It’s difficult to explain the meaning of the lyrics and titles of our songs because they are mainly abstract . We want every listener to chose for himself his own way to observe our ideas and lyrics. We decided to record ‘The Winter Of Us’ because we felt that it would be the right song to release as a single from all of the material we wrote to that point. It came out very black metal sounding at the end and we liked it. We are still a young band and we tried different methods of recording, we don’t have any specific sound that we are aiming for, we doing what we feel is right for us at the moment and we’ll keep on progress.

Hell on Fire: Talking about the previous work and demo “Nightfall”, for you Yuval which are the main differences between this 2 records? From 2008 until now do you feel somehow that the band now is more mature and professional?

Yuval: “Nightfall” was a really rough demo. We recorded it 5 months after our formation and it’s includes our earliest material together with a brief keyboards intro. I guess that “Nightfall” is the prologue of Morbid Path and “The Winter Of Us” is the first chapter . I feel that we gained a lot of experience after doing these recordings yet we have a lot more to do and that’s only the beginning!

Hell on Fire: I said 2008 and yes only last year the band came out, so you guys are really new in the metal scene and i must congratulate you because your songs are really good and well composed for a band that is so young! But tell me in your country Israel it is hard for a band to survive with music and to have supports?

Yuval: Metal music isn’t the mainstream in Israeli music. It’s pretty underground comparing to the music industry here ,which is pretty middling in my opinion. However, there is a lot of audience for this type of music in Israel. There are a lot of Israeli bands which playing different types of metal music and there are a lot of metal concerts in Israel. There are also pretty much foreign bands that come to play here and receive a great feedback from their crowd (Nevermore, Dream Theater, Dark Funeral, Mayhem, Sabaton, Megadeth, Paradise Lost, Down...just to name a few). Compared with the size of Israel, the metal movement is huge. I think that the only obstacle in Israel for young bands such as us is the 3 years military service, which is an obligation of each 18 years old for the country. However it shoudln’t be a big deal, ‘Salem’ once canceled a tour with the american famous band called ‘Death’ due to their army service, but they continued their activity long after that. It may cause bands to stop their activity for a while or to temporary low their progress, but it can also devolp you as a person and in the end, although the 3 years of relative calm, it can only boost your will to create metal, no matter what. I would like to add that contrary to what a lot of people think, Israel isn’t a third world religious country and people here are going out to clubs, movies, concerts and living a normal life. It’s true that the security condition is a bit tense, but most of the time people aren’t living underneath flying rockets above their heads or driving in the car along with army tanks in the road...it’s a very normal country after all.

Hell on Fire: Indeed some people think that nothing happen in Israel, it’s not true, actually you people have in there great bands coming out with good music! Now that Morbid Path will be more recognized from here what do you wanna say for a band that as difficulties to come out in this hard world of music and which is the best advice you can give to a band in the begining?

Yuval: If you like it, never give it up.

Hell on Fire: Good advice! Did you or do you have any kind of guitar lessons?

Yuval: I once had a teacher when I was 11 or 12 years old. I dumped him after 3 lessons more or less because all he could teach me was some boring mainstream songs with the same specific method of playing. I just learned by myself after that. I think it’s good to try learning an instrument by yourself, it can really open your mind.

Hell on Fire: lol that was funny, there’s no patiente at all for lessons! Yuval, do you remember with which bands did you grow up listening to?

Yuval: My first metal record was “...And Justice For All’ by Metallica. I’ve also always liked bands such as Iron Maiden, Pantera, old Megadeth, Destruction, Sepultura, Anthrax and more. Later I discovered bands such as Dissection, At The Gates, Opeth, Orphaned Land, Entombed, Napalm Death and the list continues.

Hell on Fire: Great bands! Which is your favourite guitarrist/s of all time?

Yuval: I’m not really that into individual guitar players but I guess that I’ve always liked the style of Dave Murray and Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Joe Satriani had done some pretty intresting records as well.

Hell on Fire: If you have to share the stage with 1 band which will be?

Yuval: Iron Maiden no doubt.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Yuval: Nothing too special: hanging out with friends, playing basketball, rehearsing with Morbid Path, watching some movies here and there, improvising music, listening to new bands, going to concerts etc...

Hell on Fire: Talking about concerts, how as been the reaction of the crowd so far?

Yuval: At this point we’ve had only 4 gigs. We haven’t performed since Feb 2009 due to line up changes as I mentioned earlier and because we decided to concentrate on writing new material. However, the reactions were great, I personally liked each of our gigs and for me our gig in Jerusalem was our best one to date. We are about to return to the stages very soon and hopefully we’ll have some gigs outside of Israel at the future, maybe even in Portugal one day :) .
Hell on Fire: I hope so, to see you guys in Portugal! What do you want to say for those that always supported Morbid Path since the begining?

Yuval: I must say that we received some pretty good responses and support outside of Israel thorugh the Facebook and MySpace, especially from the U.S.A. We really appreciate this, and every single person that comes to our shows in Israel and every one that supports us in any way from anywhere, a bit thank you for all!

Hell on Fire: Thank you very much Yuval for your time for this interview, i wish you guys all the luck for “The Winter of Us” for next records to come and also for your concerts, lots of power!

Yuval: Thanks a lot, it’s been a pleasure! Keep up with this great zine!

By: Nightshade

Morbid Path Myspace
www.myspace.com/morbidpath

Interview with: Mystical Fullmoon

2009-07-27T23:09:00.010+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Gnosis and welcome to H.O.F, how are you!

Gnosis: Greetings! I am very busy as usual, too many things to do and so little time. But I’m also excited about the album’s imminent release, and a lot of other stuff that’s band-related, so I can say that this is an interesting and promising moment for MF.

Hell on Fire: Can you say how everyhting started with Mystical Fullmoon since your entrance in the band, i ask you this because i was searching and you made part of the band later on as bass player in the year of 96 under the name of Asaradel being now also the lead vocalist right? How as been the history of M.F since that time until now?

Gnosis: The history of the band has been complex, sometimes difficult, due to the line-up’s instability, caused by unreliable musicians and childish behaviours that often forced us to get rid of those that didn’t deserve to be part of the band. We are very jealous of what MF means to us, not everybody is allowed inside our circle, we have high standards in terms of attitude, experience and dedication, for us music is not a hobby but is the choice of a lifetime, something to approach with professionality and abnegation. At the moment the line-up in embodied by me, Hexe (guitars, sampling, programming) and Arcanus Incubus (keyboards, synths, sampling, programming), the creative alchemy among us is incredible and we don’t need to add another person – except for a session guitarist for live gigs – I suppose there’s a reason why they say that three is the perfect number....
Talking briefly about the band’s history, we published a demotape in 1997 (“Through Somber Passages”) that got excellent reviews everywhere, and lead us to a record deal with Italian label Alkaid records, that in 1998 published the ep “Beyond Somber Passages”, which was basically the reprint of the demotape with the addition of two unreleased tracks, in a limited edition characterized by cool digipack package.
After Alkaid Records closed down, we self-produced a 2-tracks promo cd in 2000 in order to present the band’s new style; then we were forced to slow down our activity for more than two years due to both guitarists suddenly quitting the band, then, with the return of talented guitarist Hexe (who had already collaborated with us on the 1998 ep) we were finally able to focus on the new songs, and on the ambitious project of the album. You’re right, I joined the band in spring of 1996 as bass player, and later in autumn 1998 I also began singing: we were – again – looking for a good singer and we couldn’t find any, being the main writer of the lyrics it was natural to me to try to rehearse as a singer, my bandmates were impressed by my performance, and the rest is history....

Hell on Fire: Why did you change the name from Asaradel to Gnosis? Any special reason for that?

Gnosis: the name Asaradel chose me a long time ago, through means that I cannot explain here. Asaradel was the name of the Nephilim who taught lunar magic to human beings, so it also had a clear connection to the band’s name, though I chose it before joining MF.
Some years ago I just felt the need to rethink the symbolic meaning of my alter ego, due to the philosophical evolution I experienced; Gnosis was perfect, it’s such a strong and meaningful name, I feel it as an excellent manifestation of what I want to comunicate with my music.

Hell on Fire: How do you descrive Mystical Fullmoon style?

Gnosis: At this moment, it’s not easy for me to describe our style with a straight label.... basically, what we want to express is an energy related to dark and mysterious metaphisical subjects and visions, telling these contents through the vibe of black metal, which is a genre that we love, but giving it a unique twist by contaminating it with other sounds deriving from film scores, industrial and progressive rock, just to name the preminent influences. Everything done with an utterly free and eclectic attitude, thinking outside the box.

Hell on Fire: In what do you inspire when you write the lyrics to M.F? You have a great voice for the genre you practice, do you have any kind of preparation before a show and when you enter on studio?

Gnosis: A lot of times, my lyrics just come out by themselves, I don’t even have to think, it’s almost a process of automatic writing. Some other times, on the other hand, they come out in a more intellectual way, as the result of my studies in the field of magick, so the inspiration is always drawn from my personal experiences, since I don’t like to quote books as others do, but rather to stick to what I feel and what I have experienced in first person.
Thanks for the compliments about my voice, I haven’t studied singing but I learnt some professional techniques for working with the voice while attending an acting course. If the situation allows me to, I usually do a quick warm up routine before my performance, and a cool down after it, it’s just a series of simple vocal exercises with vowels, if done properly it can really help you. Anyway, since I sing with my diaphragm and not with my throath, I have never run the risk to damage my voice.

Hell on Fire: For those who don’t know yet, what can you say about your debut album “Scoring A Liminal Phase”?

Gnosis: “Scoring a Liminal Phase – Ten strategies for postmodern mysticism” is a complex and ambitious work, the product of six years of songwriting, and of thirteen years of restless evolution. It’s a monumental work, with its 74 minutes of music and the extensive leght of the songs, there are strong progressive influences and it’s not something for an average audience; I rather see it as an evolved work for an intelligent and demanding listener, someone who’s in love with the atmospheres of extreme metal but is tired to listen to the same old clichès and is looking for an intense album, from an innovative band that has something to say within the scene. For the best possible results, during the production we’ve enrolled some of the best names we could reach, starting from the album’s producer, Alex Azzali (who has worked with Ancient, Steve di Giorgio, Mortuary Drape, Secret Sphere, Cataract, Abgott etc), who also helped us in organizing the incredible collaboration with the strings of the Bulgarian National Radio Orchestra, which appear on three tracks. For some special background vocals, we were reached in the studio by Aphazel from Ancient and Wildness Perversion from Mortuary Drape, two old friends of ours that were more that glad to be part of this work. The promotional photos have been shot by a well-known fashion photographer (!), and the artwork has been realized by Ministry of The Sign (formerly known as Neon Trinity Kill), already famous for his works with Deathstars, Novembre, Ancient, Aborym, Konkhra, Klimt 1918, Dope Stars Inc etc... As you can see, everything has been arranged in a very accurate and professional way, we had great visions and great expectations about this album and couldn’t stand the risk to waste such good ideas due to inaccurate choices.
In terms of mood, the album has to be lived as a grand soundtrack to the eerie, mysterious and iniziatic visions evoked by the lyrics (the ‘ten strategies for postmodern mysticism’ are indeed the album’s ten tracks), throught the natural evolution of the songs we encounter influences varying from doom to jazz, from ambient to noise rock, from classical music to prog..... we didn’t want to have limitations except those of our creativity, and the final outcome is highly original and fascinating, definitely not your average black metal album.
About its publishing, we have signed a deal with US label Kill Zone Records for the digital distribution of the album, it should be available in august on the biggest online vendors (Itunes, Amazon mp3, E Music, Napster, Rhapsody etc); we are also signing with BlackMetal.com (still from the USA) for the physical print of the cd, whose release should be dated to november.

Hell on Fire: This is a typical question at H.O.F, what do you like to do in your free times?

Gnosis: I definitely like to read (books, essays mainly, or magazines about pro audio and musical instruments), to watch movies (mainly horror and sci-fi), to work out at the gym and simply minding my own business. Anyway I don’t have too much free time since most of it is constantly absorbed by the band’s contacts and public relations, I have to dedicate several hours to this every single day, it’s almost like having two jobs at the same time.

Hell on Fire: Recently you’ve made a partnership with the portuguese booking agency OnStage, what can you say about that? Are you happy? Do you recomend it to other bands as well?

Gnosis: I can say that we’re definitely happy with what Anabela of On Stage Booking is doing for us, she has some big contacts going on, and she keeps me updated on a daily basis about the progresses of her work. I wish all underground agencies we work with were as dedicated as she is! The fundamental difference is that she is a professional, and thinks and works as a pro, while most of the other people in the underground management business are amateurs and can’t provide reliable results. Yes I would definitely recommend On Stage to any underground band interested in working with a serious agency.

Hell on Fire: Indeed is a great agency with Anabela always working a lot! Talking a little about your country Italy, what can you say about supports in there? It’s easy to survive as a band? Which is your best advice for a band in the begining?

Gnosis: Surviving as a band in Italy is a very tough task, the public is mainly concerned with foreign bands and has very little support towards national acts; we basically don’t have managements or booking agencies taking care of extreme metal, and the gigging options are close to zero, considering the chronic lack of decent clubs that has always plagued our country.
In my humble opinion, the best advice I can give is to look abroad, look for management options in other countries, look at how foreign bands work and learn from them, since most of Italian bands within our genre are absolutely unprofessional and can’t keep up with today’s demanding standards: if you can’t speak english, if you don’t know how to write a press release, if you don’t invest time and energy in online networking, you can’t expect anyone to take you seriously. That’s (also) why Italian bands are generally underestimated abroad, no one wants to waste time with amateurs.

Hell on Fire: Which was the best concert you gave so far and why?

Gnosis: We definitely have great memories of the tour with Dismember of june 2007, not all gigs were perfect but on the whole it had been an amazing experience. The ‘Metal Disorder Festival’ in 2008 was also a great concert, the feedback from the audience was strong and the event was organized in a very neat and professional way. On the whole, I feel that we haven’t found the context to fully express our potential yet, in particular now that we have a new line-up and a new stage appearance that needs to be unleashed... let’s hope that the future will bring us something good!

Hell on Fire: Talking again about “Scoring A Liminal Phase” for you which song from this record gives you more pleasure to perform?

Gnosis: I’d mention “May Wisdom bless my path” and “Omen (Capricorn vibe)”. The first has been one of our ‘classics’ for the last ten years, we just love its atmospheres and its melodies, the orchestral passages are so powerful and epic, it’s a very special track for us. The latter, “Omen”, is a complex song with a lot of different atmospheres and changes of pace, I think its arrangement is brilliant, and some riffs really stand out. When we play the last part of it, with that long and obsessive noise/doom closing litany, I can feel a really strong energy invading the stage.

Hell on Fire: I’ve notest that even if you have a drummer name in your current line-up that you use samples, does the sampling it’s used live to replace the drums and can you reveal which programs / software do you use for the sampling?

Gnosis: We’ve finally understood that nobody would ever be able to replace our previous drummer Equinoxe, who was a great musician and a very talented composer, so we’ve chosen to go on with a drum machine, thus emphasizing the industrial influences that already were an important element of our background. From now on, we’ll have drum machine both on our studio works and during live gigs. As far as gear is concerned, all drum parts are composed with the program Ez Drummer by Toontracks (lately we’ve also begun working with Superior Drummer, still from the same brand), we use an Imac laptop with a Presonus Firestudio Project audio interface. The stereo output that manages the rhythmic tracks (drum machine and percussions) passes through a Behringer Tube Composer 1952, a tube-driven stereo compressor/expander that we use to pump the rhythmic section and to give it some more harmonic depht. Just for the record, from the audio interface we also have another stereo output conveying all the tracks of synths, effects and samples, and a mono output with the metronome, that goes into a earphone amplifier by Behringer where the signal is divided among our earphones – most of us use in-ear monitors during live gigs in order to perfectly follow the metronome.

Hell on Fire: Your new logo is really well achieved, who is the responsible behind the creation of this logo?

Gnosis: The person responsible for our new logo is a friend of ours, known online as Skeletro379, who’s a very talented designer and comic illustrator; he is also the creator of our new stage costumes. He listens to extreme metal and industrial so he had the perfect background to capture our visions. We wanted our new logo to be a clear statement of the band’s identity, it had to look modern, with an almost martial feeling, but at the same time to resemble a sigil, and to contain some traditional symbolism. I think he did a great job, we’re absolutely in love with this logo, and everybody seems to be impressed by it.

Hell on Fire: How as been the reaction of the crowd so far about this new album? Do you have any concert(s) scheduled in your agenda? Can you reveal some dates?

Gnosis: At the moment we have nothing scheduled exactly, there’s the chance to take part in un underground festival in Italy at the end of october, but official news about it haven’t been spread yet. I think we’ll start arranging a serious gigging routine after the publishing of the album in order to support it, we have some good contacts abroad so I am confident that we’ll sort out something cool.

Hell on Fire: Do you have any plans to perform in Portugal?

Gnosis: We are absolutely interested in performing in your country, On Stage Booking has been working on this for some time so I’m confident that something good will come up soon. Keep your fingers crossed for us and stay tuned for further news on this!

Hell on Fire: Do you wanna leave any message for those who always support Mystical Fullmoon since the begining?

Gnosis: I’d simply like to thank them; since we started our own My Space we’ve been almost shocked by the amount of people from all over the world contacting us saying that they were long time fans of the band and they were thrilled to know that we were working on new stuff, so I can say that all this support has had an impact on us. The cool thing about Mystical Fullmoon is that the best is still to come!

Hell on Fire: Thank you for your time and H.O.F wish you all lots of success and really good luck with this new realease and hope one day to see you in Portugal!

Gnosis: Thanks a lot for this interesting interview and for the support shown, we too hope to come to Portugal soon!
Hail Wisdom!

By: Nightshade

Mystical Fullmoon Myspace
www.myspace.com/mysticalfullmoon

Interview with: Rotten Tribe

2009-07-10T14:23:00.008+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Jess and welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you?

Jess: Hi guys! Yes, I'm fine and very happy to talk with you about Rotten Tribe.

Hell on Fire: So, tell me about Rotten Tribe history since the begining of the band! How everything started and who had the idea of creating Rotten?

Jess: Rotten Tribe was born at the ending of 2006, when Basko and I played in other band. In a few months playing together we got a desire to play more powerful music, that's when we started to looking for more musicians with the same goal as us.

Hell on Fire: What can you say about your debut album with thirteen brutal and powerful tracks intituled “13 Revelations”? Are you happy with the results of this album?

Jess: Yes, we're very happy of it. “13 Revelations” is a self produced album and we did it whithout anybody's help, this experience we made us learning a lot about the musical creation and the hard job of to mix and produce a record, so much time with the computer!

Hell on Fire: Congratulations, your sound is completly different in the way that you guys had sucessfully mixed some kind of futuristic and industrial sounds with metal, we can perfectly hear that for instance in the track “Jesus Pain”! It was this your intention since the begining to have such a diversified and different sound?

Jess: Yes, always we have looked for our sound and we pretend create our own style. With the time the band expects improve the sound and the musical quality. Music it's a very hard drug!

Hell on Fire: In what do you inspire to create the riffs for the band? Are you the composer of the band?

Jess: Well, when I create a riff, it can be inspired in most of the bands that I like but sometimes I like mix them with some chords inspired in my knowledge in classical guitar. I think that fussion sounds great and very different, but not all the work is mine. In the band all members bring ideas.

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talks about? You are the guitarrist of the band not the vocalist but probably you know the answer of it, if not you can perfectly include Max to answer this question!

Jess: Yes, the lyrics it's Max's homework, let´s him to answer this question.

Max: Most of the lyrics are based on personal experiencies, about life itself, sometimes using metaphoric things mixing diferents themes, sometimes of a direct way. In the song that you talked about, Jesus´ Pain, ok is based in the eternal good/evil thing, using a figure that is really common for all of us, like Jesus or the same devil, it aproches the audience to the song, but you can realize that after thousands of years, the things remains the same with all that shit about wars, innocents dying, etc, nothing has been changed really. “To The East” talks about a couple that are in love, but is the last day of their life, the last day that they will be together, because there´s a nuclear explosion, how this couple will live this day?, how they will react? What are they thinking and feeling? So we want to reflect all this things on the lyrics, but as I said before, using personal experiences. Our single “Let´s Stay” for example, talks about to be strong when shit happends, when these bad things try to contamains you. Indeed we have a lot of things to choose from to write lyrics, you only have to open the door of your house and take a look, you know what i mean. We don´t want to say “hey, things are bad man”, we want to express HOW WE see this things under our own viewpoint

Hell on Fire: Thanx for the great answer Max! Jess, what do you like to do in your free times?

Jess: It sounds very hard but for me the band is my “free times” and I spend all my time in it, if one day we want to be a great band we should work very hard before. Today it's very difficult become a great band and we must use all of our energy to make it real.

Hell on Fire: I really believe that Rotten will become a huge band! Do you remember with which bands you grow up listening to? What are you favourite guitarrist/s of all time?

Jess: I grow up listening the most important bands, Metallica, Megadeth, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana. But there's only one guitarrist that rocks on always, Dimebag Darrell. I'm a great fan of him!

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about your country Spain, what can you say about supports in there? Do you have enough one’s in there for a band to survive?

Jess: This question hurts! Spain is a terrible place for this music, actually there isn't much people for this kind of music, if we want to survive we must go out of spain quickly!

Hell on Fire: Yes i understand that! I saw your tour dates and all of them are inside your country, did you guys had already perform outside Spain? Any invitations for that so far?

Jess: We have not even played outside spain, but now we're working in it with our manager and soon we concrete some dates in USA, Mexico, Argentina and Portugal but we can't say anything for now.

Hell on Fire: Really, those are great news and if you’ll pass in Portugal better yet:) Rotten Tribe! There’s any kind of special meaning for this name or is exactly as you read in the dictionary?

Jess: Yes, exactly as you read in the dictionary. Rotten because Max got this kind of voice and Tribe for the tribal percussion in our songs, very easy!

Hell on Fire: I see that you guys are looking for a label, for you Jess what are the benefits of a band to have a label?

Jess: Have a label it's important for the band because it means that there´s more people working for the band beside us, and it will be possible play in more places, have more material for the people who likes our music and have more promotion, very important!

Hell on Fire: Yes indeed is really important to have one! What can you say about the work so far of a particulary person called El Ninho? I ask you this because until now i only i see that he is really professional in what he is doing and this kind of people that are behind the scene of a band also have to be recognized for christ sake,lol!

Jess: I'm glad to work with him, he has helped us so much with promoting the band, and in the future I want to continue working with him, he really takes care about the band. We're very friends too!

Hell on Fire: Cool! Can you share with us some concert dates and even dates still to come if you already know?

Jess: Of course, now we have two dates in a important festivals in Spain. September 12th we will play on the Metalhell Festival in Barcelona, is a festival with 30 bands playing during a few weekends. And we have... November 7th a really big festival in Granada, where we will be the guests of a really important band!! We are sure that we will have more dates in the nexts months for the second part of our country tour.

Hell on Fire: Do you guys already have ideas for the next work or is to soon to talk about it?

Jess: Yes, we're working very hard and now we've got five new songs. The new tracks are like a kick in your ass, really strong and powerful metal songs. In the next dates we will show you, I hope you like them!

Hell on Fire: Jess, what do you wanna say to those that always supported Rotten Tribe since the begining?

Jess: Sincerely, I would like to give them thanks for all the support that it means so much for us. Thanks!

Hell on Fire: Muchas gracias for your time, i wish you all the good luck for the promotion of “13 Revelations” debut album and also to all the concerts to come!

Jess: Muito obrigado man! Always It's a pleasure talk about music.
Regards!!!

By: Nightshade

Rotten Tribe Myspace Here
Official Website Here
Booking Mail

H.O.F BANDS RELEASES

2009-07-09T22:36:00.007+01:00

By: Nightshade

Interview with: The Unravelling

2009-07-07T01:09:00.008+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Steve and Gus welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you 2?

Steve: Thanks for the welcome, Hell on Fire. Things are moving along consistently for us and we are almost finished the album. Neither of us have died so everything is ok as of now.

Gus: Greetings Nightshade, always a pleasure to chat with someone as passionate about dark music as we are. We just scored some Behemoth tickets for a summer festival so as far as I'm concerned everything is going perfectly.

Hell on Fire: Good that everything is well and neither of you as died:) Can you talk a little about how everything begin with Unravelling?

Steve: We were two isolated musicians looking for something powerful to do. Gus was working on the music nonstop after moving to Canada from Barbados and taking extensive production courses. I was working on a few bands but looking for something new that I could dedicate myself to. He contacted me and asked if I’d like to try vocals/lyrics for his music. We built the relationship and the catalogue from there. Now the project has an identity and a force behind it.

Gus: After moving to Canada from Barbados I was becoming very frustrated looking for like-minded musicians. Everyone was always either too unreliable or they moved frequently. So I started educating myself on musicians that did everything by themselves. People that played the instruments, composed the songs, recorded and mixed the music and generally crafted out their personal little slice of reality without any distractions. Artists like NIN, Filter, Mirrorthrone, The Red King, Sopor Aeternus, Peter Bjargo and more recently Black Sun Aeon have served to inspire and show me that if you are dedicated enough you can make anything happen. The one thing that I never wanted to do was sing - because my singing voice sounds a bit like an ogre fucking a banshee - so of course I always knew that I would require a worthy collaborator. A partner in crime if you will - that is where Steve magically materialized into being and offered his assistance which I gladly accepted.

Hell on Fire: I must congratulate you because your sound is different in lots of aspects, in each song you guys seems to include always new sounds to give a different perspective to the tracks, is this one of your main goals? In what do you inspire to compose the songs?

Steve: Hell yes. We’re both into a lot of different music, and although we’re fans of some great bands who have a signature or similar sound between their tracks and albums, if we do an album, we want the best of all worlds. Think about it. You have an album to eternalize your music and message, and you get this opportunity maybe every few years. You’re lying to the world if you don’t cover all the bases and make it a full scale expression.
Songs like “Fire Breather” and “In The Safe House” express very different things but I think the lyrics and music of each track will go together seamlessly. It’s all part of the same whole. I suppose it’s the same with all of us. Sometimes you want to create and sometimes you want to destroy. Shake the hand or tear the heart out and eat it. All moods and inclinations are respected and covered for the sake of the art.

Gus: You have asked a great question my friend - I think versatility is a great strength in these dark, modern times where there are so many people trying to be professional musicians. I believe it is the ones that are unique and multi-talented that will rise to the top and be noticed. Look at Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth his vocal style and music are so diverse that you can't help but appreciate it. People these days are so fixated on their new cell phones and wearing what Paris Hilton wears that it seems that the world has forgotten about the occult. We need people to appreciate the darker things in life and I will do my little part in elevating the mystique and mythology of ancient lore as much as I can.

Hell on Fire: Steve i think only you can answer this one even if Unravelling are only you 2 but you are the vocalist so, in what does your lyrics talks about?

Steve: My lyrics, I would say, deal with my perception of reality, myself, and the world around me. Most of them have double or triple meanings, so when people take them at face value I
usually just agree with them. Many of the lyrics on this album are psychological, just a decision I made not to hold back while embracing this project. Themes include the political sphere (including a hats off to Hunter S Thompson in “Where Will It End?”), anarchy, personal power, philosophy, resiliance, destruction, and victory. Much of this album is about reclaiming oneself and fighting for an authentic existence. Digging oneself above ground after being underground for a long time. Like Arjuna going into battle, we all strive to be fearless and unquestioning of ourselves. I hope that people find something in the lyrics to push them forward in some way.

Hell on Fire: Grabbing this same subject that Unravelling are only you 2 once again i must congratulate because only with 2 members the work become harder! Can you guys talk a little about this like if it was a personal choice of yours or you had already more members in the band in the past?

Steve: We don’t trust many people with this! This is sacred to us and no one has the right to fuck with it. Once Gus and I built a trust we became close friends, and it was natural since he had done the music previously, to wait until album completion for any other developments. We trust each other that our parts will be strong, and if there’s something we don’t like we’re at a level where we can talk about it. This makes for a stronger album. Of course, we took on Casey Lewis (of rock band The Evidence) as a studio drummer for this album in order to make 13 Arcane Hymns that much stronger, and we are now rebuilding the songs around the drums.

Gus: Creating this album has been a very long, arduous task. I have been in bands before but my gut always told me that I would not make it successfully until I created a body of work that I was absolutely fucking proud of.
This time around as I near completion of my contribution to this project I can't help but feel this is what my life has been leading up to. Creating dark art almost like a manic ancient priest conjuring up dark forgotten spells from the abyss. But spells of fraternity for like minded individuals to seek solace in and revel in their appreciation of heavier music.haha

Hell on Fire: That’s really good to have friendships like this and to make good music as you 2 make without no one else to ruin everything! When you play live how do you solve this? You hire other members to perform on stage with you 2 or you usually don’t perform live?

Steve: We will hire members to play live with us once the album is complete, which will be soon. You will see us play live before you see the Horsemen in the sky, I can guarantee this to all you revelation buffs out there.

Gus: As far as things have been going we will definitely perform live, at first with hired guns but hopefully we will form friendships and inspire worthy collaborators to step forward and join The Unravelling. I find it more rewarding to create music with the help of a live drummer so for sure that would be an ideal scenario. Unfortunately my last drummer went to China to study ancient herbal techniques and martial arts. See what I mean about the traveling off and fucking the band!!!!

Hell on Fire: Yes i see if they run to china it’s really the best choice to keep only the 2 of you in the band, lol! Do you have any upcoming release for 2009 that you want to share with us?

Steve: Why yes. “13 Arcane Hymns”. That’s what we’ve been slaving away for. That’s what our lives have led us towards. The responses to the demo tracks alone have been ridiculous – in a good way. We’re coming in the back door, folks and we’re excited as to what the response will be. Keep checking www.theunravellingmusic.com for updates. You can sign up as a member there and get music for free.

Hell on Fire: What is the meaning of the name Unravelling?

Steve: The Unravelling has double and triple meanings, which I like. One is, to me at least, a great reveal. Having mysteries and fears opened up to you in a process of overcoming, moving forward. Another meaning is the unravelling of an individual, whether by nervous breakdown or by simply letting go of ALL their layers, revealing the good, the bad and the ugly. To come undone, as they say. This, I have embraced lyrically and vocally.
Another meaning is to disengage or to seperate the threads of – I like this meaning as well. There is a line on the album that says “Freedom is unplugging yourself from the wall...Cathcing a glimpse for yourself. Venturing out.”

Gus: I like the obscurity of the name. It can mean different things depending on the listener. Plus I have always been inspired to peer into unknown realms via hallucinogenic means so this really felt like a natural name for me.

Hell on Fire: Which are your favourite bands of all time?

Steve: Almost too many to mention but I’ll say a few that have moved me in intense ways. Some of them have made me want to force my awareness to merge into the universe and some of them have made me want to burn cities down: The Dillinger Escape Plan, Tool, Dead can Dance, Public Enemy, Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Faith no More, Tom Waits, The Doors, Refused, Rage Against the Machine, Sepultura...I should stop now. I could list many.

Gus: Nirvana inspired me to pick up the guitar so that should be mentioned but I quickly moved on from there. Then it was Tool for many years, I found their themes so intriguing and their style so articulate and intelligent. Opeth is also great. But hands fucking down the best live experience I have ever witnessed was Behemoth. I'm usually very reserved, trying to observe live performances, check out the equipment, instruments, microphone choices and placements - engineer stuff like that. But I remember hearing Behemoth and reverting back to a primal being who did not feel alive unless they were thrashing about wildly in the moshpit. I felt like a pirate at their show and it was awesome!

Hell on Fire: Really good bands you mention here my friends! With which bands did you grow up listening 2?

Steve: When I was growing up I listened to Michael Jackson. This is from age 4 onwards. Then in my early teens I got into Guns n’ Roses, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill and others. From there I got heavily into Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Tool, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Jane’s Addiction, and other bands of that ilk.

Gus: 90s grunge such as Nirvana, Pearl, Soundgarden, Offspring, Green Day then heavier stuff like metallica, Megadeth, Pantera, Machine Head, Filter, then alot of European metal like Opeth, Hypocrisy, Behemoth, Moonspell, the list is neverending. But some of the artists that really frequent my I-pod are Dead Can Dance, Arcana, Nox Arcana and My Dying Bride. I'm in a very melancholic/doom oriented musical phase at the moment.

Hell on Fire: Really different influences you have that’s really good and that flows in a good way to your songs, tell me Steve and Gus, what do you like to do in your free times?

Steve: I practise wing chun kung fu and am quite serious about that. It’s a very rewarding and enjoyable part of my life. I like to record as much as possible, whether it’s going on an album or not. Catharsis and creation is good. I’m also a movie buff – particularly the excellent little film known as ‘Taxi Driver’ which I have watched many times. ‘The Dark Knight’ as well...I’m a bit of a Batman fan I must admit. Other than this, travelling, reading, trying to keep it together, long walks at the beach, playing with puppies and other such things.

Gus:I have taken up Muay Thai as a form of physical improvement so that keeps me busy. And recently most of my free time has been occupied with recording and finalizing our album. But I still make time for video games. Team Fortress 2 on Xbox360 is probably the most fun, addicting game I have ever played.

Hell on Fire: Kung Fu and Muay Thai, damn, better to keep way from you 2, lol! How as been the reactions of the press and listeners so far?

Steve: Fucking unbelievable. I am very, very excited at the reaction thus far and can’t wait to unleash this thing.

Gus:Pretty cool man, we get to talk to crazy motherfuckers such as yourself. It's so nice to meet people who understand what dark music is about and that we respect for their efforts and creativity and support. Cheers!

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about your land Canada, what can you say about the metal scene in there, does a band in there have good supports? Do you have good bands in there? If so feel free to mention some!

Steve: The Canadian metal scene is growing – there are a lot of great bands. Cryptopsy, Strapping Young Lad, Divinity, Fuck the Facts, Neuraxis, Into Eternity, Kataklysm, Voivod, Ion Dissonance, The End, Breach of Trust, Cursed – all Canadian and all very talented. As far as support, I hope it improves. A lot of the media here are less eager to cover metal bands than say, indie pop, which is extremely popular. But of course, many horrific things are extremely popular so there’s no need to feel bad. Just fight it.

Gus: I saw on your website that you had a write up on the Agonist so you’re definitely in the loop as to the good shit thats coming out of canada. Those guys are extremely talented at what they do. Other bands worthy of mention don't come to mind immediately. Maybe Kataklysm but I lost interest in that for a while. Anything Devin Townsend does is usually very heavy and manic he's an insane genius. I would really like to see more fraternity among up and coming bands here in canada. It seems as though alot of egos and snobbery are how it works but hopefully things improve. Why can't more people be as cool as Dimebag man?? (R.I.P.) Drink some drinks, have a good time and make some excellent music. Thats how it should be!

Hell on Fire: Yes Agonist, also is a really good band that i like among others from Canada like the crazy 1 Devin Townsend with his mad composing and power in Strapping Young Lad! Talking about concerts do you guys want to leave here some dates for the readers to know!

Steve: It’s all TBA, man. Just stay tuned at our site, HYPERLINK www.theunravellingmusic.com - www.theunravellingmusic.com, for details

Hell on Fire: For the last question, what do you wanna say for those that always supported Unravelling since the begining?

Steve: We won’t forget it and you’ll get the return times 7.

Gus: All of our brothers who supported us will drink with us and and be as merry as brigands as we conquer. Trust me.

Hell on Fire: My friends thank you so much for your givin time, i wish you 2 all the good luck with Unravelling and concerts and future works to come and hope one day to see you guys in Portugal!

Steve: Thanks to Nightshade and Hell on Fire for sticking their neck out and supporting The Unravelling. Much respect.

Gus: Much respect Nightshade, awesome support and great art on the website. Keep the black flame burning.

By: Nightshade

Unravelling Myspace Here
Unravelling Official Website Here

Interview with: Graveworm

2009-07-03T03:06:00.011+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Stefan and welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you!

Stefan: Hi, everything great. Our new album is out now and we are curious to see what the future will bring to us

Hell on Fire: Can you talk a little about how everything started with Graveworm since the begining?

Stefan: Graveworm was formed in 1992. We are a death metal band who played a lot of coversongs from bands like cannibal Corpse, Napalm Death, Massacre and other. One day we got the chance to play at a local festival but our problem was that we dont got a bandname . So we took a dictionary and the first word we found that sounded suitable to us and to our music was Graveworm. After a while we introduced a keyboard in our band because we liked the german band Crematory and the melodies and atmospheric parts of their music. We started writing new songs and after one year during a local festival we get in contact with the german record label serenade records. After sign a contract there we recorded our first demotape and our first album. And now we are here with our seventh album and ready to hit the road.

Hell on Fire: So far you guys have great and amazing albums really well composed and surely already with a lot of road to keep alive a band name like yours, for you which was the album that gave you more pleasure to record and from the other side which was the more difficult 1 to be achieved?

Stefan: I think the first album was a pleasure because it was our first recording for every single bandmember. I think the most difficult was the last one. We wanted to do it perfectly and every single bandmember gave his blood on this record. :)

Hell on Fire: Yes of course the first one must have a special flavour! Going back in time to 2001, i know that you’ve made a cover version of Iron Maiden “Fear of the Dark” which was released on the “Tribute To The Beast” compilation, who had the idea for this cover and why this specific song?

Stefan: Was my idea. I like to cover songs. The most important thing in doing this coversongs is to make a real Graveworm song out of it. It makes no sense only to play the song in the same way and add a death metal voice on it. Fear of the dark is a really atmospheric and melodic song and one of my favorite Iron Maiden songs.

Hell on Fire: And you made it really well:)! Tell me Stefan, do you have or did you had any kind of singing classes? I ask you this because your voice is really great with lots of brutality and power on it and surely it’s not easy to preserve such voice as yours!

Stefan: No, I wanted to have it one day and so i went to school and ask there if it was possible to get some lessons. She asked me a lot of stuff and after one hour she told me to sing.. :) can you imagine her face went she heard me scream???? She only told me that she cannot help me..... I will never forget this.

Hell on Fire: (ahaha) I can almost imagine her face in shock looking at you! For you which is the best band/s of all time? Who is your favourite vocalist? Do you remember with which bands you grow up listening to?

Stefan: Iron Maiden will still be my favorite band. I grow up with the band. All of my friends where into AC/DC but I allways was attrracted by their coverartwork and their music, and Bruce Dickinson is still the best vocalist in the scene. The vocalist that gave me more inspiration was Lars Göran Petrov from Entombed. Really great shouter.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Stefan: I don´t have so much free time. I have a job , who fortunately has to do with music . I organize concerts in a club in my hometown. And then I spend alot of time for my band. Doing interviews, organizing concerts and getting in contact with people all over the world. And the other time that I have is for my family.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little bit about the last realease “Diabolical Figures”, how as been the reactions of the media and listeners so far? Are you happy with the final results of this album?

Stefan: The album is now out a few days and I don´t get any reactions from the media yet. I think I will get reviews in the next days. I´m really curious but for me personaly the most important things are the fans. I don´t care what medias think or write about the album. It´s better to get reactions from fans. That is what I need... hehe

Hell on Fire:Yes of course the fans reaction are really important! How do you descrive the sound of Graveworm? Most of the places i see a description of you guys are mentioned as making Dark and Mystic metal, do you agree with this?

Stefan: Yes that´s right. Sometimes i read about melodic black metal, but I cannot understand what Graveworm has to do with Black Metal. Maybe the voice but not the music. Dark metal is the best way to describe the music because you have more possibilities. You can found Death, gothic and other music elemnts in it.... Every member in the band listen to really differnt musicstyles and this styles influences the sound of Graveworm.

Hell on Fire: What is the meaning of the name Graveworm? Who had the idea of it?

Stefan: I think you get the answer on the second question. Graveworm - dictionary

Hell on Fire: Yes of course, so is exactly like you read in the dictionary, i see:) Talking a little about your country Italy, what can you say about the metal bands in there? There‘s enough supports in your country for a band to live only with music?

Stefan: Italy is still lost in the time I think. Promoters and so don´t work good. There are only a view bands in italy who got responses from outside Italy. Bands like Lacuna Coil, Labyrinth, Rhapsody and some others. The fact is we only played time in Italy outside our homecountry south tirol . That´s a fact that makes me think .....

Hell on Fire: Since the album “Engraved in Black” the Graveworm logo artwork was changed for much better, who is the person behind the design of it and the cover albums as well?

Stefan: When we get the record deal with Nuclear Blast the asked us if we wanted to chance our logo and asked a guy who made this one for us. But I can´t remember the name. Engraved in black was painted by christian Whalin. The last one , the coverartwork of diabolical figures was made by a good friend of us. Dani who is the owner of archetype design . He has done a lot of good stuff for bands like Behemoth , Illdisposed and others.

Hell on Fire: My cumpliments to him the artwork is really great! Now in the present you guys made again 1 cover version but this time of the band Police with the song “Message in a bottle”, once again i ask you but now for this 1, who had the idea for this cover?

Stefan: I wanted to do a coversong again on the new album, but the idea of that song was from Eric our guitarist. It was difficult to sing the song in the studio and I was a little bit angry about the resuclt, but I think now it´s a great song and I like it more than the original one.

Hell on Fire: Do you guys feel proud to have 2 huge labels as Massacre Records and Nuclear Blast supporting you? Are they an important piece in Graveworm tours and everything connected to recordings? I ask you this because lots of people still don’t know what a label do for a band!

Stefan: Of course we are very proud of it. It´s easier to work with professional labels. You only have to concentrate in writing songs and the rest will be done by the labels. I think this days is really hard to record an album without labels. You can make it but it´s hard. Internet and so will help you to promote your release.

Hell on Fire: If 1 band is right now in the begining which is the best advice that you can give to them?

Stefan: Never give up. As I told before is really hard for a band because no one cares about you. Bands nowadays have a great chance. They have internet and there is really easy contacting people , promoter or music agencys. You can promote your music and your band with facebook, myspace and other sides. But you must have the will to do it.. that´s the most important thing. If you like your music and your band don´t give up

Hell on Fire: Indeed really good advice! For you Stefan which was the best concert/s you gave so far?

Stefan: Our best concert was Summerbreeze last year, Playing in fron of 10.000 people is a great experience. But I like small club gigs too.. because you feel the energy of the crowd. When you play on big festivals the people don´t come to see only you but to see other bands too. On small club gigs the people comes to see you and you feel that.

Hell on Fire: Can you share some concert dates so far? What do you wanna say to those that always support Graveworm since the begining?

Stefan: We will play on some festivals like Metalcamp, Samfest in Romania, and some smaller festivals in Germany. I hope we will go on tour at the end of the year to promote our new album. To all the fans who supportet us the last year and since the beginning I wanted to say thanks becasue without the fans we are nothing. And we know this.... we are proud of our fans.

Hell on Fire: Thank you very much Stefan for you words and time for this interview, i which you guys all the good luck for you performances and next albums to come!!!

Stefan: Thank you very much for the chance to make this interview ..... and to all readers : Hope to see you live on the road.

By: Nightshade

Graveworm Myspace
Graveworm Official Site

Interview with: WitchBreed

2009-07-03T02:36:00.008+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Ruby and welcome to H.O.F, how are you, everything ok!

Ruby: Hey there! Thank you! I’m fine and yes everything’s ok, the album soon will be out , we are getting a great feedback from the reviewers so I cannot complain!

Hell on Fire: Can you talk a little bit about how everything started with WitchBreed?

Ruby: Well Witchbreed was born after we (ARES, DIKK and Me) recorded the E.P descending fires, we didn’t have a name so one day Ares was just reading a book from Marvel and there was this kind of angel in chains and it was a Witchbreed. And we liked the name and the meaning behind it. About the band, Ares and Dikk known each other for a long time they did other projects together and they were looking for a singer male /female, they tried out a few , and then Ares found me on the internet on my old band’s site and he contacted me, I was a bit shy at the beginning , I HATE AUDITIONS , hehe, but my friend Vanessa said that I should give it a try, so I did go and recorded the chorus of a song from the E.P. , Descending Fires called « Sleeping Gods», a few days later I was in the band, then came Filipe and last but not least Tiago! We were ready to rock n’ roll!!

Hell on Fire: Recently and more specifically in 29th June it will be the release date of WitchBreed album entitled "Heretic Rapture", what can you say about this album, it was a difficult one to be achieved? Are you happy with it?

Ruby: This Album is a blend of exquisite emotions and challenges that we went through until now. It was very hard for this album to be done, we had technical problems, personal problems and there were times that I really thought «how the hell are we going to get this done? » But we did it, Our Label helped us allot, and that’s very important now a days, we had the precious help of Waldemar Sorychta , and of course we as a band stayed together , and that’s the main point! I’m very Happy with the album.. Its my baby girl or boy! :P «Heretic Rapture» is a unique journey to our imaginary worlds … come and join us!

Hell on Fire: How was the feeling to be working with Waldemar Sorychta (Lacuna Coil, The Gathering, Samael, Tiamat, Moonspell) since it was him that mastered this album?

Ruby: Well he also pre-produced and mixed the album! :) Waldemar is a very humble person, very funny, and very professional, I felt very at ease working with him. I hope that Witchbreed will work with him again! Let’s just say that he polished our songs, we all felt kind of relieved, because we had a very experienced producer listening to our songs and exchanging ideas, the result is here for everyone to listen!

Hell on Fire: How do you descrive WitchBreed sound? Any influences that you can remember or simply the sound appear from the soul of each member of the band when you are composing?

Ruby: Well, in a recent review that we got, this guy couldn’t describe our sound he said it was a kind a crossbreed mutant… actually that’s what a Witchbreed is! Hehe!We try to do what we like to play. We have influences of course, but we don’t copy/paste them..what’s the fun of that?! We like Iron maiden, celtic frost, Bathory, old thrash , Candlemass… etc..

Hell on Fire: Which are you favourite band/s and vocalist/s of all time?

Ruby: My favorite singer is a woman called Anouk, since I was like 15! I like jorn lande as well! Band’s .. Bathory , Dream theater, pantera,Ark and I do like the last album of septic flesh!

Hell on Fire: Do you remember with each bands you grow up listening to?

Ruby: Yes, Mister big,whitesnake, I guess all the big hair hard rock bands at the time hehe , and dream theater in 1992 that’s when my metal thing started!

Hell on Fire: I must say that you have a beautifull, melodic and powerfull voice, did you or do you have any singing classes? Do you have any kind of special care with your voice?

Ruby: Thank you so much! Yes I had singing lessons from 14 till 21 I guess, I was in a classical choir ( curious han?! ) hehe , well I learn all the techniques but that’s all.. I do not appreciate sopranos in metal , but that’s another matter!! Hehe! Well I don’t smoke or drink, I try to avoid cold drinks or too hot as well. And a week before I perform I suck allot of sweets for my vocal chords and drink tones of water! Basically that’s it.

Hell on Fire: You come from a beautiful Portuguese island called Madeira, what can you say about the musical panorama in there is to different from instance from Lisbon? Do you wanna say anything to the people from Madeira?

Ruby: Madeira Island is very beautiful but it’s not made for Metal, when I was living there, the guys & girls who liked metal would swap from bar to bar because those bars would close because of the noise and the city hall would shut it down, I still miss one called « Reduto», I lived great moments there… the owner fought as hard as he could to keep the bar… Now is a lame tea house… Well I would like to say to all the metal fans to hang on there!!!

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Ruby: Well I like to be with my Family, I miss my parents allot, they live in the island far away from Lisbon, so I visit my sister that lives here in Lisbon and I see my niece . Pretty simple life.

Hell on Fire: What can you say about the supports in Portugal? Do you think that we have enough ones for a band to live only with music?

Ruby: That’s an easy to answer, if you play « pimba» sure you can, you earn loads of money singing « touch my bilibiblbiblbi» hehehe , you know what I mean hehe, in Metal? No way… With the crisis we are living just makes things worse… right now it’s not possible.

Hell on Fire: Yes i totally agree with you! What is the meaning of the name WitchBreed?

Ruby: Well Witchbreed are mutants and are believed to be the offspring of witches and the Devil.

Hell on Fire: I’ve been following you guys since the beginning and i must say that the band grow a lot and now with this album you are more mature and more professional than ever, along this year’s did you notest a big jump in WitchBreed career? Do you agree with me when i say that you guys are more mature and professional? Do you feel that?

Ruby: I don’t agree with that!! Ares and Dikk are very professional, Ares as you know was a founder of Moonspell and did world tours , Dikk is a professional musician , so They did knew what they were doing, the newbie’s were me Tiago and Filipe hehe We grew yes but we were always under Ares and Dikk’s wings!

Hell on Fire: Yes i know Ares was a founder of Moonspell Ruby, my question was meanted only to WitchBreed progression! How as been the crowd reactions so far in your concerts? Which was the best concert/s you give so far and why?

Ruby: Well I can say from my heart that every concert we meet new fans and its such a joy for us to share our music with them , for me is to see them singing the lyrics helps me if I forgot some of them hehehe :P Well for me I must say «ovibeja» in 2007 great stage it was a great show and samael also in 2007!

Hell on Fire: What can you say to a band that is now in the beginning? Which is the best advice you can give for a new vocalist?

Ruby: To a new band all I can say is try to innovate, make YOUR own music. To a new singer, is that if you have talent, if you know that you can sing, then go ahead.. Knock them dead!

Hell on Fire: Can you advance some dates and places of future concerts?

Ruby: Sure here’s the dates so far :

Jul 4 2009 8:00P
Cello’s Rock Na Barragem Barcelos, Braga

Jul 18 2009 8:00P
Side B Benavente, Santarém

Aug 28 2009 8:00P
Festival Ilha do Ermal Vieira do Minho, Braga

Hell on Fire: What do you wanna say for those that always support WitchBreed since the begining!!!

Ruby: From all the guys in Witchbreed we bow to you , our faithful fans. HAIL THE WITCHBREED!!!

Hell on Fire: Thank you so much Ruby for your time for this interview, i wish you and the rest of the guys all the good luck for the release of this album and future concerts to come!!!

Ruby: Thank you and I hope you guys like the album and see you guys on the road!!! Keep it wicked!!

By: Nightshade

WitchBreed Myspace Here

Interview with: Wykked Wytch

2009-06-28T18:12:00.002+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Ipek and welcome to H.O.F, how are you?

Ipek: Hailz, I’m fantastic. thanks.

Hell on Fire: Can you talk a little about how everything started with Wykked Wytch?

Ipek: It’s a long story, but I’ll try to stay brief. Wykked Wytch started back in 1996 in Philadelphia as a 4 piece Death/Thrash old school metal band. We took it to the next level from local band to national after playing bunch of regional shows opening up for bands like Testament, Overkill, Savatage, as well as the infamous Milwaukee Metalfest. After Milwaukee Metalfest we were signed to Demolition Records in the UK. The label re-released our first self-financed album “Something Wykked This way Comes”. From there I revamped WW with new musicians and moved into a heavier direction incorporating more black metal and European influences combined with the already established death/thrash style.

Hell on Fire: I had the chance to hear some of your songs and i must say that you have a demonic and amazing voice, do you have any kind of preparation with your voice like singing classes? What does your lyrics talks about?

Ipek: Thanks for the compliments. Yes, when I was a kid I had attended several years in Conservatory in Europe I was classically trained in Opera. My lyrics differ from each album but some common themes are personal dramas ,depressions betrayal and corruptions and daily destructions affecting me and everyone else.

Hell on Fire: Really, trained in Opera that’s really good! In previous tours i see that Wykked Wytch shared the stage with bands like Kreator, Carpathian Forest, Six Feet Under and Deicide, it was a good experience for you and the rest of the band to share the stage with this bands?

Ipek: Yes, our first real tour was with Kreator, Sodom, Destruction, and was unforgettable. On that tour we played with them for all 30 days of sold out shows in the biggest venues throughout Europe. The rest of the tours were wild and crazy as well with different personalities in bands made tour very interesting and worth while. We gained many fans from many different countries we could not reach if it was not for these tours. Always a great experience.

Hell on Fire: Do you remember with which bands or kind of musical style you grow up listening to? Do you have any kind of favourite band or bands?

Ipek: I was really into more melodic metal bands in my earlier years like Metal Church, Mercyful Fate, Judas Priest, etc. As time went on I have discovered many different metal bands from speed to death anything metal. DEATH is my favorite band.

Hell on Fire: Yes indeed Death, hails to the king Chuck Schuldiner! For you, what is your favourite singer of all time?

Ipek: King Diamond, Rob Halford, Geoff Tate(Queensryche)

Hell on Fire: What is the meaning of Wykked Wytch and who had the idea for this name?

Ipek: Wykked Wytch is a wytch with deadly intentions. People used to call me Wykked because I was weird and wild on stage so I decided to go with it.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Ipek: Many things and nothing. It always feel like I have no time at all working all the time, but when I do have some free time I like to work in my garden or watch movies.

Hell on Fire: What can you say about supports in Miami, U.S.A? It is easy in there for a band to survive? Which is the best advice that you can you give for those bands that are in the begining?

Ipek: Florida used to be the capital of Death metal music but lately it’s all saturated shit load of garbage. Not enough metal clubs for bands to play so everyone goes out of town to find venues. Metal is not good here unless major bands comes down for a concert. My best advice to young people is to put your music out on internet. Promote like crazy and then play as many places you can.

Hell on Fire: Until now Wykked Wytch have 4 albums, “Something Wykked This Way Comes”, “Angelic Vengeance”, “Nefret” and the last one “Memories Of A Dying Whore” that in my opinion is simply brutal, really well composed and you simply explode with your demonic and brutal screams giving to all of this diversified tracks lots of power and energy, for you which was the most difficult album to compose and why? Which is the song that you like the most in this fourth album “Memories Of A Dying Whore”!

Ipek: I think Nefret was the most bitch of an album to produce. We were trying to experiment with too many styles and yet want to stay real. Guitar player and I both had different visions but we could not agree on one, so we kind of mixed all our ideas and developed the music. On a few of the songs we wished we did not release because it really did not represent us and gave the media a wrong impression on the group. But it is a great album has many emotional attachments that I cannot deny. The new album “Memories Of A Dying Whore” is the album that was the most organized and really represents what Wykked Wytch is about and fit the bands image. I like all the songs. Shrouded In Ash is the most heart wrenching song I ever sang. I like the ups and downs and the mood ..

Hell on Fire: What do you think about the actual formation of Wykked Wytch do you like to play with them? There’s any curious or funny story that you want to share with us about any band members or something that happened during a tour? (bad language is allowed) (laughs)

Ipek: Right now with the current lineup of Wykked Wytch it is one of the most enjoyable experiences performing and rehearsing with the group. We have several new guys and can’t wait to tour with them. In the past on tours we always have crazy and funny experiences. One of the funniest was when we performed in Spain and an opening band we were touring with was thrown off of the tour for fighting with the tour manager. After the group was told to leave their singer was wasted asking if there was anymore beer. Another one was when we had to turn around our van to pickup another band’s member that was left at a gas station in Slovenia. We had to drive over an hour in the cold to pickup this guy and brought him back to his band.

Hell on Fire: I almost can imagine scenarios (lol)! You’ve made a cover of the song Sweet Dreams that in my opinion is really well achieved, who had the idea of making this cover?

Ipek: The song started off as a joke in rehearsal. The guitarist was playing the main riff from the Marilyn Manson version like Black Metal and it started growing on us we all decided to cover it.

Hell on Fire: What do you think about the actual panorama in the metal scene? For you what is the main diferences between the metal from U.S.A and metal from Europe? Did you ever come to any country in Europe?

Ipek: The difference in Europe and US for metal is loyalty. In Europe it seems that the people are more supportive of the music and in the US a lot of the time you have a trendier type of fan that will grow out of music and move onto the next trend. We have toured across Europe several times and have never been in Portugal. This is gonna be awesome and we are looking forward to it.

Hell on Fire: At August 28 we will have the pleasure to have Wykked Wytch performing in Portugal in the huge Ermal festival, are you anxious about that? What can the portuguese crowd expect from Wykked Wytch on stage?

Ipek: yes! We are very stoked about that not anxious but excited. You can expect 6 people play very passionate heavy music and a show full of energy.

Hell on Fire: For the last question, do you already have any ideas for the next album or is to soon to talk about it and what do you wanna say to those who always support Wykked Wytch during all this years!

Ipek: Yes, as we speak we are writing new material for upcoming album in 2010,stay tuned . We are grateful for those whom stayed with us all those years.

Hell on Fire: Thank you so much for your time, i hope that Wykked Wytch continue always with the great music you make and lots of luck with your concerts and tours, see you at Ermal Festival!

Ipek: Thanks for having us In Portugal,spread the word and support the real thing. See you soon in the pit!

By: Nightshade

WYKKED WYTCH MYSPACE HERE
WYKKED WYTCH OFFICIAL SITE HERE

Interview with: Darkside of Innocence

2009-06-28T17:56:00.005+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Pedro and welcome to H.O.F, everything ok with you?

Pedro: Hello Nightshade, everything’s fine! To commence with, let me say that it is a great pleasure to be “here” with “Hell on Fire” answering to this interview! I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Hell on Fire: So tell me a little about how everything started with the band?

Pedro: Well, it was about 4 years ago in 2005, with a previous name of “DARK RITUAL”; when I and a great friend of mine, decided to create a rock/metal band inspired by a Gothic/Black/Dark movement and, many bands such as Cradle of Filth, Children of Bodom, Kamelot, Dimmu Borgir, Sonata Arctica, Epica, Within Temptation among many others in that style, were great influences to us... Later André Reis joins the band as our keyboardist (funny story here since he wasn’t turned to the metal scene or anything related to it ahah he is now our guitar player) and Pedro Bandeira started playing drums for us. Back then I didn’t know what I was doing; I was just a kid with the dream of having a band you know? Making some beautiful music, write some beautiful lyrics because I love to write poetry and I always did. We started to gain some knowledge about music as we grew in life and in the music scene; we were really lacking experience in a lot of fields as well, we were just enjoying music after all, even if the same wasn’t any good, we just loved it.

Hell on Fire: You guys at this moment have a really solid and well made sound, the main differences to me between the other songs is with the new track “The Eve To A Colder Epoch” that somehow reminds me some of Dani from Cradle Of Filth influences in your voice, do you agree with me? Your sound is running in a path more athmospheric with choirs mixed with the instrumental, these are also your objectives for the next tracks to come?

Pedro: Thanks for the words my friend! Yes and I totally agree with you, although actually we’re inevitably running into other influences, Cradle of Filth was without any doubt, my main and strong inspiration to start singing/screaming (whatever you may call it) and doing music since I entered in the metal world by listening to them. Yes we always wanted to do something very atmospheric/dark/romantic using these aspects you found on “The eve to a colder epoch” or “Bloody Mistress”, what I mean is; the feminine vocal, a lot of choirs, keys and the orchestration as well, used on our music, has ever been something we would like to include on our songs, maybe the most important thing for us and as the time passed by, we found means/experience to put that on our environment and it is of course a path to follow and followed on the next ones as you may notice on the debut entitled “Infernum Liberus EST” we’ve recorded, soon to be released.

Hell on Fire: Did you have or had any kind of singing classes?

Pedro: Unfortunately, I didn’t and I don’t know if that is bad or good ahaha, since I’m simply not aware, if I’m using my throat technique correctly or not, which can be really bad, since you can happen to obtain some drastic problems and you may even end up mute. However and despite of that I always try to avoid the mistreatment of my vocal chords improving my skills every single day in order to prevent a greater damage you see? Nowadays I can sing like this a lot of days continuously which mean that I have a better control over my voice; back then I would simply grasp a lot if I would attempt something like that for a couple of hours ahaha which I think that is a positive progress since I’m not harming my voice that much and this is my main priority to be honest. It’s a natural process of evolution that helps you on your road.

Hell on Fire: What does your lyrics talk about?

Pedro: Very good point you’ve got here my friend, thanks for asking. This is something that I love to talk about since my lyrics are 50 per cent of this band, the soul of our music (for me) and they carry out the message I bear. Well at this first album (“Infernum Liberus EST”) I chose a fantastic thematic, a dark fantasy tale where I gave life to an imaginary world full of melancholy, destruction, sorrow drama, darkness, It’s sort of apocalyptic as well and a little bit of romance can be found here and there(I couldn’t let it pass for sure), you’re going to hear about these things and anything related to it as you let the story unfold, throughout the whole album, because they represent my soul, my creeds and a little bit of my beliefs. To tell you a little bit more about it; “Infernum Liberus EST” talks about Laila; daughter of Sophia, an innocent however powerful child that was supposed to bring peace to Vália (the name of the planet where the action takes place) that is evilly seduced by Aneon to unleash her mighty hatred upon the same planet. Aneon is a greedy demon which had a plan of vengeance upon the gods that imprisoned him for aeons! I influenced myself in an apocalyptic vision I have of the real world, so it is basically a parallel theory I’ve came up with, creating something truly mine. Personally and to go further into the question, I also have a Gnostic perspective of spiritualism/religion whatever you want to call it where I get all my inspiration and strength to keep writing and as you may notice on the next album (that we’re already working on eheh) you’ll find references on our lyrics to what Darkside of Innocence ought to accomplish: Sophia, V Empire, Portugal, Feminism, Sapience, The Seas, Moon, Apocalypse, Arcadia, Misanthropy, Pentagrams, Love, Dragon, Fantasy and my dreams, the Templars and all sorts of things involved, all of it mixed up with dozens of Romance, poetry, theatre and drama.

Hell on Fire: Which song gives you more pleasure to perform and also which was for you the best concert/s of Darkside of Innocence so far and why?

Pedro: There is not only a single song that I enjoy to perform the most when it comes up to live appearances because when we make something then it’s for real, we don’t want anything to be left aside, we always try to make everything at the same level and equal even if in different ways. If possible I would play every single show according to our CD music line, because as you’ll see the songs don’t make that sense you find on the studio version, for me of course, they all match perfectly if played in a sequence that you’re not allowed to play when it comes to certain live appearances because sometimes you don’t have the time needed to make the show more of your own and personal which is a pity…Hmm… Maybe the first time we’ve been on Oporto, we were really young back then but we’ve got such a great reaction from the crowd and they received us very well, a night to remember for sure. Another one was at Nyktos Bar; recently we played a very special and personal gig with Necris Dust, they were returning to the stages after one year (I think), gladly they invited us and we loved the way the 2 bands hanged together that day/night, it was an awesome show and soon more with them are to come!

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Pedro: Nothing special, I loose all of my time with Darkside of Innocence, otherwise and if it is not for that, I write a lot, play piano, see some movies, listen to music (which I’m doing less and less ahaha).

Hell on Fire: What can you say about the actual Heavy Metal panorama in Portugal?

Pedro: Well for me it’s never been better! Portugal has ever had something special; the fantastic crowd and the way people receive you here! That makes all the difference! Many are those who complain about people that don’t support the underground/metal movement in Portugal, that they simply don’t go to the events taking place here, and with the great quality that you find today specially in our tiny country, (which are not few the bands with great potential) well you can find that weird/hard but I think that it happens in every country, with every band, with every promoter, there are good shows and bad shows when it comes to the number of people appearing, I think that it is very important to mention that and it’s completely fair to see an empty venue and perfectly acceptable to find one completely packed. It doesn’t depend on the quality of the band itself it depends in a lot of factors. We already tasted the both sides of the question; a lot of people have gone to see us live, we also played for almost sold out venues (the recent shows for example) but on the other hand we already played for 20/30 people and we know that it is not easy to go to every single show we play, concerts are made of that, we’re the ones who choose that risk, if people are going to be there or not, well you never know. Otherwise this fantastic crowd I told you about, is calling for what we’re having nowadays in Portugal; a giant “tsunami” of festivals, big concerts and dozens of underground gigs in the national territory and you wouldn’t bet that with this crisis stuff everybody is talking of, people would go so fluently to these gigs and it would possibly happen, but hardly or not to believe they go, they save enough money, go far and they live it as they wouldn’t have any other life than that. Caos Emergente, Metal GDL, Vagos Open Air, Ilha do Ermal, SWR Barroselas, Rock In Rio, Optimus Alive, Super Bock Super Rock, Barreiro Metal Fest, Moita Metal Fest and other ones that keep rising every year make me proud of being Portuguese since if you look well to the line up these promoters have been gathering all these years (without talking on other specific but BIG concerts like Megadeth, Judas Priest, Anathema, Dream Theatre, Slipknot and so on) you’ll understand that we’re not in the presence of an ordinary country when it comes to that and who would believe or say again that all of them happen every year and People besides of going to those underground concerts are still motivated by this unexpected fever!? Portugal has always been a country of trve warriors as you can remember by our great history when we conquered half of the world and it is the way people are when it comes to Music in Portugal, strange but very interesting reaction. Not to mention that a lot of bands are releasing new CDs every single year and as the time pass by with an even more astonishing quality!!!

Hell on Fire: Talking about supports, do you think that Portugal have enough ones to live only with a band? If not, why? Does your town help the bands?

Pedro: Well yes, I do believe that in Portugal as in any other country of the world, it is possible to live playing in a band only as a way of life, if that is your question, you can look to a flagrant example in Portugal; Moonspell they’re “extreme” to the common ears and they play metal somehow however they can live of it. Obviously it is hard for everyone to keep struggling without any helpful resources but, it is possible somehow to reach there with a lot of work and dedication as Moonspell already shown to the Portuguese People. Well it depends, we didn’t receive any support from our town yet but that’s maybe because we didn’t look for any of it…

Hell on Fire: Do you remember with which bands did you grow up listening to? And what are your favourite bands and singer/s of all time?

Pedro: Ahah, to be honest I can’t quite remember, I think those pop/rock oldies everybody listen to like Abba, Scorpions but when I was younger I didn’t pay much attention to music… Well at the moment I’m feeling more into Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Epica, Black Dahlia Murder, Opeth, Wintersun among many others… As for singers my favourites are; Simone Simons from Epica, Khan from Kamelot, Shagrath from Dimmu Borgir, Dani Filth, and Trevor from Black Dahlia Murder

Hell on Fire: If you had to choose 1 band to share the stage with and only 1, what would be the band and why?

Pedro: Well honestly some time ago I would pick Cradle of Filth without any doubt and maybe nowadays for what they were and for what they still mean but to admit I have this dream of playing with Wintersun because despite of our differences I think we have a lot in common and Jari (guitarist and composer for Wintersun) is a great musician that I admire a lot!

Hell on Fire: What can you say about the actual members of the band?

Pedro: Well all I can say till now, is that I found myself really happy and proud with the persons behind Darkside of Innocence. I’m surely surrounded by incredible musicians; Let me demonstrate my truthful respect for André Reis our guitar player and one of the founding members, for he is one of my idols. Personally he is someone who understands me perfectly, we’re in perfect harmony and he knows exactly how to make me feel alive, a living genius for coming up with all these brilliant ideas, heavy riffs, enthralling melodies, giving me a multi-verse, full of amazing and wonderful new stories, a big sea of inspiration and creation for me, that let me know and imagine precisely the upcoming notes, chords, scales, rhythms leading to great results, pleasing me in a lot of ways and sensations. Needless to say that he is one of our masterminds. Without any more compliments, we’re all lucky to have him on board. Then Pedro Bandeira our drummer, another musician with awesome technique, great creativity and versatility, he is with us since the beginning and he always shown great and different skills, he’s more into a percussionist style so he is really good with his hands, I really appreciate the way he plays and I’m not saying this only because he’s on DOI, I honestly am saying this and you’ll understand what I mean when you listen to our album, once again I’m pleased to have him on our side and finally but not last Paulo Roque that joined recently to the band offered us his great technique and perspectives to improve our music the way we did, obviously he wasn’t the main reason for our suddenly change but if something big changed and the way it did change, it was somehow because of his presence on Darkside of Innocence, you may notice a lot of changes on DOI lately and Paulo helped a lot in that way and Arcanjo our bass player, a guy with great feeling which introduced us the concept of groove ahahah! Cheers to my mates!

Hell on Fire: It seems somehow when i listen to the track “The Eve To A Colder Epoch” that you guys are preparing maybe 1 album, can you talk a little about that? Do you have in mind for soon 1 new work?

Pedro: Well you’re right and as I told you before, I can tell you that we already recorded this album “Infernum Liberus EST”. We’ve been working on it these 2 past years; this is a long announced album that took us a lot of time to make, we weren’t really happy with the results at all, we even had to modify all of our songs because they simply weren’t sounding the way we wanted. These past 2 months we’ve been recording all the instruments for “Infernum Liberus EST” and finally for my joy it is now complete at last, we’re just adding some feminine vocal lines to it and then it’s practically done! I can only tell you that this is going to be far different from what everybody have listened from us so far and the production came out with great great results. Since you’re speaking of “The Eve to a colder epoch” it is going to be on it as well and the same applies to the old “Bloody Mistress” but now with a different and more mature sound quality! I’m very satisfied in that field and hopefully those who listen to this album think the same. I already told you that it’s going to be a dark fantasy tale with romantic/sorrowful/darkened elements attached to it, mixed up with an apocalyptic vision that I have. About music itself it’s going to be something really melodic, heavy and completely dark, influenced by classical music, Arabic scales, a lot of Metal Subgenres (including a progressive approach) and a Gnostic perspective to give it the soul it was lacking. It is a complete soundtrack for an epic story with some heavy but very melodic guitar riffs and solos, a powerful drum and a groovy bass playing as its background, accompanied also by an orchestra to give some big emphasis and making you hopefully travel around this imaginary, magic and completely intense world we created! We also invited Casper, the violinist for Dominia which has made a wonderful job on one of our tracks! But words or feelings are yours to take after listening to it.

Hell on Fire: Until now Darkside of Innocence among many others doesn’t have a label yet, this is 1 of your objectives to find a label? For you which are the benefits of it?

Pedro: It’s of course that one of our main goals is to attain a good Label soon, one that can offer us some proper conditions to release our records, spreading our message to a greater quantity of people! However it is still early to think about it, yet too early to talk about something like that; we’re not in a hurry we just don’t want to be on the pressure of finding a label, I think that everything will happen on the right time.

Hell on Fire: When are going to be your next concerts and where? There’s any special 1 that you are anxious to?

Pedro: Well we’ve got some scheduled concerts so far; Hate Fest happening this 11 July with our great friends Hate Disposal at Leiria, then we’re heading north to Oporto more precisely this 26 September on Metal Point, then we’re playing at casa de Lafões here in Lisbon, to end the dates and possibly our last gig before the “Infernum Liberus EST” release, the “Gaia Em Peso” Festival! As far as I’m concerned, I’m not only anxious about one of these gigs, I’m anxious for every one we’re going to play; each concert is special to me, that’s why we’re playing them, because every one is a different one, where you enjoy life at its max and where you can learn something different.

Hell on Fire: What do you wanna say to the people that always supported Darkside of Innocence since the beginning?

Pedro: Well first I just need to thank Amorosa once again, our beloved friend that accompanied us practically, since the very beginning of our short existence. I think it’s never enough to show great gratitude before what she keeps doing, to what she has ever done to send us even higher, after all these years, for all the kind moments she always tried to offer us, her presence on ALL of our concerts and more than anything; her important existence in our lives as persons and as a band. Without any doubt more than a friend, truly one of us! And then of course, to the rest of those who keep supporting us, here’s our honest gratefulness and hopefully you keep giving us the hand you always give us, showing us that we really worth something.

Hell on Fire: Thank you very much for your time for this interview and hope to hear soon about Darkside on stage and with new works!!!

Pedro: I’m the one who’s grateful for this Interview Nightshade, I really enjoyed to answer all of your interesting questions and I clearly notice a great improvement on “Hell on Fire” when it comes to this point. Congratulations for all of your work and achievements so far and I’m pretty sure that everything will run according to your plan, I wish you great success for the life to come. And of course you’re going to hear about Darkside of Innocence at least I’m hoping ahahahaha! May Sophia be with you all! Keep it true!

By: Nightshade

Darkside of Innocence Myspace Here

Interview with: Keep of Kalessin

2009-06-25T18:33:00.010+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Obsidian C. Thank you for accepting the invitation for this interview!!!

Obsidian C: Hello! No, problem. It’s my pleasure and thank you very much for the interest in Keep Of Kalessin!

Hell on Fire: Your welcome! Can you talk a little about how everything began with Keep of Kalessin?

Obsidian C: It all started back in 94/95 when me and Ghash wanted to form a black metal band. However, thoughout the years Keep Of Kalessin has gone through some line-up changes and also pushed the musical boundaries so today we’re more a mix between all the extreme metal genres which forms our unique musical style. Our first two albums was released in 97 and 99 on Avantgarde Music before the band had a couple of years break. After that we recorded an EP with guest musicians Frost (Satyricon) and Attila (Mayhem) before the highly acclaimed album Armada that was the first album with today’s line-up.

Hell on Fire: For you, what are the main differences between the Album Armada and this last one, Kolossus. I ask you this because as you know the album Armada was an immense masterpiece and for me this one is also another huge and powerfull album really well composed, but for you what are the main differences?

Obsidian C: I think the main difference is that Kolossus is even bigger and more non-black metal. It is a bit softer in the edges and has more variation. It’s more extreme when it’s extreme and more soft when it’s soft. I personally like both albums equally. It’s great to hear Kolossus after you’ve heard Armada. It kinda picks up where Armada left off.

Hell on Fire: How has been the reactions so far from the press and listeners about Kolossus? What is your favourite song from this album!!!

Obsidian C: I think the album has alot of good songs. My personal favourites are the title track, Ascendant and Against the gods. However, I think the song Escape the Union is one of the hidden pearls on this album. If you give it a few spins it really picks up and has great atmosphere. Actually one of my favourites. The reactions from the press has been really good. Maybe not as good as Armada, but still very, very good. I think Kolossus is abit more difficult to get into and it takes more time. This can be the reason why the press (which only has a few spins on an album before review) have been a little bit cooler about it than Armada.

Hell on Fire: I must congratulate you because you are ultra fast playing guitar, from what age did you begin to play guitar? Did you had any kind of guitar lessons? Do you use to practice a lot?

Obsidian C: I started playing guitar around the age of 9 and I have been learning 4 years of classical guitar and 4 years of electric guitar. However, I never rehearsed my homework and always played my own stuff. I’ve always had trouble concentrating enough on other peoples work to actually learn stuff. I’ve always been focused on playing my own riffs and music. I would say that I don’t practice much, but I play alot. I make alot of music, but never really practice technique.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Obsidian C: Travel, sleep, play computer games, watch movies and hang out with friends.

Hell on Fire: Going back in time in 2003, you were wired by Satyricon for tours and gigs, can you talk a little bit about that? It was a good experience for you?

Obsidian C: It was a great experience for me, but I always was focused on getting there with my own band. Like I said, playing other peoples music isn’t what drives me.

Hell on Fire: Talking about supports in Norway, what can you say about that, do you think that, there’s enough help in your country for the bands to begin in a band? Are you happy with your current huge label Nuclear Blast?

Obsidian C: We’re quite happy with the setup we have today which is Indie Recordings in Norway and most of Europe and Nuclear Blast in certain parts of Europe and the rest of the world. Norwegian bands can get alot of money from the government, but it’s still a hard economic road to be in a band. It’s not like they pay our salary or anything, but we can get some help to cover costs on a tour.

Hell on Fire: Among so many concerts given by Keep of Kalessin so far, what was for you the best one and why?

Obsidian C: I really don’t know. There are so many. But I guess Inferno 2009 was one of the best. We’re starting to be well known in Norway and we get better spots on festivals than in the rest of the world. Which means better lights, pyrotechnics and sound. This helps to bring the show to a more epic level than if we play 30 minutes at 13:00 o’clock in the morning. One of the best tours was the US tour with Dimmu Borgir and Behemoth, I would say. And I also remember Sofia, Bulgaria as a very good show!

Hell on Fire: What is the meaning of the name Keep of Kalessin?

Obsidian C: It is taken from the bookseries about Earthsea. Kalessin is the eldest and most powerful dragon. So it is his Keep, his tower or castle so to speak. The dragon’s lair.

Hell on Fire: What can you say about the other band members, Thebon, Wizziac and Vyl? Do you think they were the perfect pieces to complete such great band as Keep of Kalessin? Do you have any kind of hidden secrets to share with us about anyone of this guys? (laughs)

Obsidian C: I think the line-up right now is the perfect one. So many things just fell into place on Armada and we’ve just started exploring the musical potential of the band. Well, dunno if I so many secrets, but Vyl is a huge Michael Jackson fan and he even knows how to do the moonwalk. Hehe.

Hell on Fire: Vyl do the moonwalk? it will be funny for the readers to know (lol)! KoK will begin touring in June 21 by the name of Summer Madness Tour, you will be sharing the stage with Kataklysm and DeathAngel, are you anxious to begin this tour? What do you think about this 2 bands that you will support?

Obsidian C: Right now, when I’m writing this we’re almost a week into the tour and it’s going great. We started with Hellfest and it was great to see so many people there. We’re doing big festivals every weekend and small club shows in between. It’s great to have the best of both worlds, I think. Club shows are intense and very direct, while the festivals offer a totally different vibe. Kataklysm and Death Angel are two great bands and all the people go very well together. Seems like this will be a very good tour for us.

Hell on Fire: Also not to forget you will be performing for the first time at my country in Portugal June 23, what are your expectations about performing here? I most tell you that Keep of Kalessin have lots but lots of fans here and what does our fans can expect from KoK on stage?

Obsidian C: Well, because of my limited access to the internet on this tour it’s now already passed that show, but I can say that we loved playing Portugal as much the last time we were here! The venue we played was kinda off when it came to sound and lights, but the audience made it a good experience for us. We met alot of fans after the show and we went to a bar called Heaven’s to have drinks with some of our new friends. All in all a very cool evening for us. So thank you Portugal!

Hell on Fire: We thank you and yes it’s true my friend when i wrote this interview you were like 1 week almost into tour and now you already give the concert in Portugal that was a blast and thank you for your words about Portugal, the readers will apreaciate it a lot! For the last question, it’s to early to ask this because you are promoting the Kolossus album in early days but do you already have some ideas for the next one? And finally for all the people that always support Keep of Kalessin along this years, do you want to leave a message to them!

Obsidian C: As soon as we’re getting home from this tour we’ll start recording the new album. Most of the songs are finished already, but we need to work on arrangements and vocals. We hope to release the strongest album in Keep Of Kalessin’s history sometime early in 2010. And we wanna say thank you to all the true Keep Of Kalessin fans that’s been with us for so long and also a warm welcome to the new ones!

Hell on Fire: Thank you so much for your given time for this interviews and Hell on Fire wish you all from Keep on Kalessin all the luck and power for this tour and next albums to come, hope to see you in Portugal again!

Obsidian C: Thanks for doing the interview with us and it was great to see you in Portugal! Best, Obsidian C.

By: Nightshade

Keep of Kalessin myspace
Official Keep of Kalessin forum

H.O.F BANDS VIDEOS SECTION

2009-06-25T02:14:00.014+01:00

By: Nightshade

Interview with: Equaleft

2009-06-23T01:48:00.014+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Miguel and welcome to Hell on Fire!!!

Miguel: Hi Nightshade and Hell on Fire thanks for your welcome .

Hell on Fire: Can you talk a little about how everything started with Equaleft and to introduce the other band members and what do they play?

Miguel: Equaleft started in 2003 with ex members of Mysterium, Tribe, This grace, etc with the aim of doing a dynamic sound completely different from the former bands. Since then we had lots of concerts and some line-up changes that slowed us down for some time, but since we´ve got the new bass player Alex (Assassiner, ex-Crackdown, ex-Strain) and recorded our first demo last year we´ve managed to get everything back on track and of course finally proceed to hunt for our goals.

Hell on Fire: Equaleft first work is untitled “as the irony prevails...” and i must say that for the first release you have here 3 powerful songs really well composed and 1 cover also really well achieved, my congratulations for that, what can you say about this first release since the beginning of it and the recording process?

Miguel: This first release was like a new beginning, was now or never , it made us stronger .We were very united and cheerful during the recordings in the 213 Studio. We had a big help from the producer Bruno Lariço (Heavenwood, July 13), he knows how we sound like and how we work, so it was very easy . All the cover art was done by a friend of ours, Helder which done a great job with it, simple and unique .

Hell on Fire: In my honest opinion Equaleft is growing really fast and lots of festivals request Equaleft presence, i’ve been observing this fast growing, do you feel the same about this subject?

Miguel: I think that the fact that our sound is very eclectic and dynamic gives us the chance to get more invitations. For the past 8 months or so , we´ve been playing a lot and the gigs had some great reactions so it´s great .

Hell on Fire: Yes indeed your sound is exactly how you descrive it! Talking about the lyrics, what do you want to transmit with these same lyrics for the listeners?

Miguel: The Lyrics are influenced by our lives, our daily frustrations, dreams, conflicts, feelings but always with plenty of Irony and an Optimistic vision. As I write the Lyrics, I tend not just to express myself but to be the voice of those who surround me .

Hell on Fire: What do you feel when you are on stage, as far as i saw until now when you go on stage you simply explode, am i right about this? How as been the reaction of the crowd so far with Equaleft?

Miguel: We love to play live, If you´ve seen us live you know you will find lots of movement in stage and off stage, we are a live band, and we enjoy ourselves with it. We have one rule in the band when we play live, that is no matter how many people there are, we have to give our best and enjoy ourselves and the ones who share de evening with us. So it´s always a big massive party (eheheh)

Hell on Fire: What do you think about the supports in Portugal do you think they are enough for the survival of a band? What can you say about this portuguese great festivals that simply don’t stop specially in the summer time? How was the feeling to perform in such a huge festival like SWR Barroselas MetalFest?

Miguel: Now it´s easier than a couple of years, you now have myspace, youtube and many places to play but of course it´s not enough, if you want something you have to fight for it or nothing will happen. We are a D.I.Y. type of band so we´ve been spending a lot money and time during this years but we are getting more and more great feedback from people. SWR was great it is a underground Metal fest, with many years and is getting bigger year after year, we enjoyed ourselves like teenagers. The Veiga Brother from SWR Barroselas metalFest and all their crew were fantastic, we thanks them all because we were treated very well in every way.

Hell on Fire: What do you like to do in your free times?

Miguel: Listening to music , I´m and addict eheh, read, practice Hapkido, golf(lol) playing with my dog and of course going out to watch other bands and having a chat with my friends

Hell on Fire: From what age did you begin to sing? Do you play any other instrument?

Miguel: I think it was when I was 16 or 17 but I knew nothing back then, I used to Play guitar as well.
Hell on Fire: Are you guys searching for a label?

Miguel:To be honest, right now we aren´t desperate, like I said before we are doing everything our own way, if we get an invitation then we´ll see. As long as we can carry on our path we are okay.

Hell on Fire: Great answer and that’s a good way of viewing the scene! Can you say something about your next work, or for now it’s like in the secret of the gods! (laughs), apart of Equaleft wich bands do you usually hear? Some band in special that you like the most?

Miguel: Our next work we will be more heavier than the demo, for sure as well as groovier combined with more different sounds. As a music addict and lover I listen to all sorts of metal and some non metal, just like everyone I have my favorite bands Pantera, The Haunted, Meshuggah, Carcass, the Gathering, Fear Factory, Mastodon, Dillinger Escape Plan, Massive Attack and so on. But I tend to search for different bands every month so I keep listening to both old and new stuff.

Hell on Fire: Surely it will be blast! What can you say to the bands that are begining the journey in this hard world of music and what advices can you give to them?

Miguel: First of all enjoy the music and yourselves, then try to work as hard as you can to promote your work, listen as much music as you can and last just be yourself always.

Hell on Fire: Yes great advice,so, where are going to be Equaleft next concerts / festivals?

Miguel: We have few scheduled :

27th May – Countdown to Caos Emergente, extra session in Vouzela
3 July – Rock like an anima benefit fest , Braga
18 July – Berço Fest II , Guimarães
25 July – Chá das eiras, Porto
17 October – Sta Maria da Feira
30 October- Festival Gaia Em peso VI
5 December – Nyktos bar, figueira da Foz

Hell on Fire: Thank you very much Miguel for your time, Hell on Fire wish you all the band good luck for your concerts and hope to hear soon from you with a new work that surely will be a blast!

Miguel: We thank you for all the support that you and Hell on fire as given us, we wish you the best luck and success with hell on fire and we hope to be with you as soon as possible “invigorate, animate” Miguel”ingles”!!!

By: Nightshade

EQUALEFT MYSPACE HERE

Festivals Calendar 2009 - 2010

2009-06-22T13:50:00.001+01:00

Festivals in June 2009

05.06.09 - Rock Am Ring
06.06.09 - Rock Am Ring
07.06.09 - Rock Am Ring
05.06.09 - Rock im Park
06.06.09 - Rock im Park
07.06.09 - Rock im Park
11.06.09 - Death Feast Open Air
12.06.09 - Death Feast Open Air
13.06.09 - Death Feast Open Air
12.06.09 - Dragensdorf rockt
12.06.09 - Download Festival
13.06.09 - Download Festival
14.06.09 - Download Festival
13.06.09 - Dragensdorf rockt
13.06.09 - Feuerfänger Festival
18.06.09 - Queens of Metal
19.06.09 - Queens of Metal
20.06.09 - Queens of Metal
19.06.09 - HellFest Open Air
20.06.09 - HellFest Open Air
21.06.09 - HellFest Open Air
19.06.09 - Rock am Härtsfeldsee
20.06.09 - Rock am Härtsfeldsee
25.06.09 - Waldbrand Open Air
26.06.09 - Waldbrand Open Air
27.06.09 - Waldbrand Open Air
26.06.09 - Tuska Open Air
27.06.09 - Tuska Open Air
28.06.09 - Tuska Open Air
26.06.09 - Graspop
27.06.09 - Graspop
28.06.09 - Graspop
26.06.09 - Bang Your Head
27.06.09 - Bang Your Head
27.06.09 - Gods of Metal
28.06.09 - Gods of Metal

Festivals in July 2009

02.07.09 - Metalcamp
03.07.09 - Metalcamp
04.07.09 - Metalcamp
05.07.09 - Metalcamp
06.07.09 - Metalcamp
07.07.09 - Metalcamp
03.07.09 - With Full Force
04.07.09 - With Full Force
05.07.09 - With Full Force
03.07.09 - Hörner Fest
04.07.09 - Hörner Fest
05.07.09 - Hörner Fest
03.07.09 - Castle Rock
04.07.09 - Castle Rock
09.07.09 - Rock Harz Open Air
10.07.09 - Rock Harz Open Air
11.07.09 - Rock Harz Open Air
16.07.09 - Ragnarock Open Air
17.07.09 - Ragnarock Open Air
18.07.09 - Ragnarock Open Air
17.07.09 - Dong Open Air
18.07.09 - Dong Open Air
18.07.09 - Magic Circle Festival
23.07.09 - Headbangers Open Air
24.07.09 - Headbangers Open Air
25.07.09 - Headbangers Open Air
24.07.09 - Eisenwahn
25.07.09 - Eisenwahn
25.07.09 - Boarstream Open Air
30.07.09 - Wacken Open Air
31.07.09 - Wacken Open Air
31.07.09 - In Live Caffé Fest

Festivals in August 2009

01.08.09 - Wacken Open Air
06.08.09 - Party San Open Air
07.08.09 - Party San Open Air
07.08.09 - Vagos Open Air
08.08.09 - Vagos Open Air
08.08.09 - Party San Open Air
07.08.09 - Taubertal Festival
08.08.09 - Taubertal Festival
09.08.09 - Taubertal Festival
08.08.09 - Mera Luna Festival
09.08.09 - Mera Luna Festival
13.08.09 - SummerBreeze
14.08.09 - SummerBreeze
15.08.09 - SummerBreeze
14.08.09 - Bloodstock
15.08.09 - Bloodstock
16.08.09 - Bloodstock
20.08.09 - ROCK AREA Festival
21.08.09 - ROCK AREA Festival
22.08.09 - ROCK AREA Festival
21.08.09 - Mountains of Death
22.08.09 - Mountains of Death
21.08.09 - ROCK MANIA
22.08.09 - ROCK MANIA
22.08.09 - Fest-Evil Manrode
26.08.09 - Hole in the Sky
27.08.09 - Wacken rocks South
27.08.09 - Ilha do Ermal Festival
28.08.09 - Ilha do Ermal Festival
29.08.09 - Ilha do Ermal Festival
30.08.09 - Ilha do Ermal Festival
28.08.09 - Hole in the Sky
28.08.09 - Wacken rocks South
29.08.09 - Wacken rocks South
28.08.09 - Wacken rocks Seaside
29.08.09 - Wacken rocks Seaside
30.08.09 - Wacken rocks Seaside
28.08.09 - Nukstock Open Air
29.08.09 - Nukstock Open Air
29.08.09 - Feuertal Festival

Festivals in September 2009

11.09.09 - Metal Embrace Festival
12.09.09 - Metal Embrace Festival
11.09.09 - ProgPower Usa
12.09.09 - ProgPower Usa
11.09.09 - Festival-Mediaval
11.09.09 - Caos Emergente
12.09.09 - Caos Emergente
13.09.09 - Caos Emergente
12.09.09 - Festival-Mediaval
13.09.09 - Festival-Mediaval
12.09.09 - Swordbrothers Festival
18.09.09 - Metal Invasion III
19.09.09 - Metal Invasion III

Festivals in October 2009

02.10.09 - WayOfDarkness
03.10.09 - WayOfDarkness
03.10.09 - Metal Night 2009
24.10.09 - Damnation Festival

Festivals in November 2009

28.11.09 - Metal Forces

Festivals in March 2010

31.03.2010 - Inferno Fest

Festivals in April 2010

01.04.2010 - Inferno Fest
02.04.2010 - Inferno Fest
03.04.2010 - Inferno Fest

Interview with: Inmoria

2009-06-15T14:17:00.008+01:00

Hell on Fire: Hello Dan and welcome to Hell on Fire, how are you!

Dan: Eyyy, thanks a lot Nightshade!! Well, everything is just great with me and the rest of the guys. Its raining like hell here right now so it is just perfect for the songwriting process, haha!!!

Hell on Fire: Indeed it's a cool weather for songwriting,haha! Can you talk a little about how everything started with Inmoria since the begining?

Dan: In April of 2008 I moved back to Sweden after living in Oslo (Norway) for some years. I was fed up with my job and in my head I started to “hear” music again after about a ten year abscent from the musicscene after I left Tad Morose. I bought a house in my hometown and build my self a studio so I could get the music out of my head. After I had recorded about six tracks I called up my longtime friend Christer Andersson from Tad Morose and asked him to come over and listen to some tracks. He loved the songs and we started to talk about putting a band together. We asked Peter Morén (drums) and Tommi Karppanen (bass) both from Tad Morose to join the project and they did. Then we started to talk about singers and the first name that popped up was Morgana Lefay vocalist Charles Rytkönen. He entered the studio and blow the walls down...haha!! His specialsound together with the musicconcept was amazing and then Inmoria was born. It is so nice that here in Bollnas there is so many good muscicians and basicly everybody knows everybody.

Hell on Fire: As far as i know Inmoria is a recent band with the debut album “Invisible Wounds” to be released right now at June 26, i’ve heard some of the songs already and i must congratulate you guys for this really great sound and well composed! It was difficult to make this album come true? How long did you take to proceed with everything since the songs composing to the studio recording?

Dan: Thank you so much, we are glad you like it. No it was not so hard acctually to make the album. I had every track allready recorded in my own studio and all I had to do was to let the rest of the guys to come and put their personal touch to it.
When I write a song I end up in some weird state of mind so I basicly dont leave the computer until the track is finnished. Then I just go back and change some small parts if I have to. So it is basicly a very fast process when I write someting. We got our recorddeal in december -08, and we entered Studio Soundcreation here in Bollnas in april -09 for the final mixing and mastering. So between december and april we just sat infront of the computer and “bounced” each track to audio so we could bring it to the other studio, and then we just chilled and waited. Offcourse we had some techincal problems as always, but with the help from “Mr Magic” Per Ryberg at Studio Soundcreation it all worked out very nice.

Hell on Fire: How do you descrive Inmoria sound?

Dan: Hmmmm, I personal think that it is very hard to describe our music but a friend from the states described our music like this:
”An incredible mix of dark and brooding music with haunting melodies which take you on an emotionally charged journey that will wrap its spindly fingers around your mind, subconsciously pulling you in a direction you may not want to go in, yet you cannot turn away from”. And that is such a good description that we use it every time that we receive that question. But if I personally have to describe our music I have to say that I think it is pure depression but with melodic choruses and brutally repeating guitar riffs.

Hell on Fire: From which age did you begin to play keyboards? Do you play other instruments as well?

Dan: I remember when I was about six years old and my grandmother started to give me piano notes and draged me to her piano. I tried realy hard to study those little black dots but I never learned them. I noticed that it was easier for me to just improvise and play, play and play instead of studying notes. I hated the black dots and I still hate them...haha!! But it was about then I started playing music and most of all playing the piano. Since our recording process is the way it is, meaning that I record everything at first by myself I have to play several instruments. I play drums, guitar, bass and finaly my main instrument keyboards. I do some vocals aswell but not in public, haha. No seriously, I have to sing for Charles when he arrives for the vocal recordings and I feel like an idiot when I do it. I really hate to hear my own voice.

Hell on Fire: Did you remember with which bands you grow up listening to? For you what is your favourite band or bands?

Dan: I started listening to Elvis Presley.....YEAH, haha!! But later I started to listen to more and more heavier stuff like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Then, like a lightning from heaven came Savatage, words can not describe that band. And Savatage has always been one of my personal top three bands ever and luckelly all the guys in Inmoria loves Savatage. I also had a period in my life when I listened to a lot of melodicbands like Danger Danger, Tyketto, Journey and stuff like that. Nowadays when we having a party we always put on some music like that and we all go berzerk.....haha!!

Hell on Fire: Yes indeed really good bands you mentioned here! What do you like to do in your free times?

Dan: I like to just hang around my house doing stuff in the garden, fixing things inside the house. I built a pool last year and I am so close a nervous breakdown trying to get the water clean, haha!! Otherwise I just hangaround with friends, watching movies and just taking it as easy as I can. But when you have a house......there is always something to do.

Hell on Fire: Talking a little about Sweden, what can you say about supports in there, do you have enough one’s for a band to survive only with music?

Dan: Here in Sweden there are only a few metalbands that can have their music as a income. In Flames, Hammerfall and Sabaton are three of them, the rest of us have to work our asses off at some boring daytime job. But I have promised our guitarplayer Christer that before this year is over he can quit his job and have the music as his only income. So I guess that I have to work really really hard so I dont disapoint him, haha!! The support for Inmoria has been great here in Sweden but we have a lot more fans outside of the country. That has always been a phenomenon, that you always “break” outside of your own home country.

Hell on Fire: What do you think about the actual young musicians and the actual metal scene?

Dan: To be honest, I dont really know how the scene looks like nowadays. Of course I know about the well astablished band but the younger ones.......no. But I have heard a few new younger bands and I really really liked what I heard. But actually I dont give a shit about who is who and who plays what, I just focus on what we are doing and if people dont like that, well piss off then, haha!! No seriously, at the moment one new younger band is in my Mp3-player and that is a new swedish band called Dead By April...man, that is some good shit. They mix technosounds with really hard and heavy guitars and it is just like Linkin Park on acid, haha!!

Hell on Fire: A release party will be given by Inmoria at 4 of July at the RockClub (Tranan) Bollnãs and it will be entrance free, can you advance something for those who are interested, how it’s going to be and what people can expect from this show?

Dan: Yes, we will have a releaseparty and everybody is invited. Doors open at nine o´clock and it all ends at two at night. It is free entrance before 22.30 so bee there in time. Another band will also play and that is Doka, who plays really good punkmusic. We will play four or five songs and the reason that we not will play a full show is that we want to get drunk....haha, and that is why we have free entrance before 22.30. We can not charge people and then not play a full show. So it will be two bands playing and a lot of partying and hopefully there will be alot of people.

Hell on Fire: What do you want to transmite with your sound to the listeners? Which track give you more pleasure to play from “Invisible Wounds”?

Dan: If you are a depressed suicidal youngster then our music is great for you, haha. No but if you like hard guitarriffs, melodic choruses and a general “kick in your face” then Inmoria´s music is great for you. Our music is very monotone but that is the way we want it to be. We don´t have to prove our skills by playing any boring solos, we just keep it pumping and pumping. I really love the song “Come Insanity” just because that was the very first song I heard in my head just before I moved back to Sweden. And it came out very very brutal I think and it has a very nice groove.

Hell on Fire: Can you talk a little bit about what Inmoria lyrics are about or the best person to answer this question is the vocalist Charles?

Dan: I write all the lyrics so I think I can aswer that, haha!! The lyrics are very dark and brooding and it reflects what goes on inside my head. I have always been a complexed person with a strong fascination about mans inner thoughts. A fascination about death and what is it that some peoples brains and thoughts are totaly fucked up which grants them access to a world behind walls and barbwire. If you read the lyrics and read “between the lines” you can see that it is a suicideletter. I am not suicidal but the person inside my head is. Or maybe I will blow my head off live on stage just to increase the record sales....haha!!!

Hell on Fire: That's a really good and original explanation for the lyrics! What is the meaning of the name Inmoria?

Dan: The name is from the movie “Lord of the Rings”. In the beginning when I sat down trying to come up with a name for the band I tried different names but it all was either taken or it looked strange when I wrote it down. Then, after I had watched “Lord of the Rings” for the millionth time it came to me. When some of the characters where about to enter the dwarfs mine called “Moria” I just shouted “yeeeeeeees there we have it”. The atmosphere in the mines are so dark and depressing and it fits perfect to our sound. Then I just added “In” and then Inmoria was born......peace of cake, haha!!

Hell on Fire: Are you guys happy with your actual label Massacre Records?

Dan: Yes, so far we have basiclly nothing to complain about. And we just wanna say thanks for believing in us and for putting our record out.

Hell on Fire: Can you advance some concert dates or even a tour or is to early to talk about that?

Dan: Well our first gig ever with Inmoria is at our releaseparty on the 4 of July. So if you want a piece of history, then put your asses in a car or whetever and come to our releaseparty, haha!! We have a production company that are in the “starting blocks” of doing some tours or gigs but we have to release the record first and see how it will do. And also they awaits what the musicpress will think of it. But that is our main goal.......to tour our asses off, again and again and again and again.

Hell on Fire: Do you want to leave any message for those who always support Inmoria since the begining? And what can you say for those who don’t know you yet?

Dan: To everybody that has been supporting us from the beginning we just bow our heads and scream out a big “thank you”. And we hope that you keep on supporting us threw this journey. To all our “new” fans we just wanna say that if you like dark hard melodic metalmusic with one of the greatest singers on the metalscene........then listen to Inmoria god damnit!!!!

Hell on Fire: Thank you so much Dan for your time to this interview, all the good luck for this album and for the concerts to come and hope 1 day to see you here in Portugal!

Dan: It was my pleasure, thank you!!! I can tell you this: If Portugal wants us........we will f*cking come!!! All the best and once again THANK YOU!!!!!

By: Nightshade

INMORIA MYSPACE HERE
INMORIA OFFICIAL SITE HERE

News / Review with: Eternal Tears of Sorrow

2009-05-23T13:45:00.026+01:00

Band Name: Eternal Tears of Sorrow

Album Name: Children of the Dark Waters

Release Date: 2009-05-22

Label: Massacre Records

Genre: Gothic Metal

Tracklisting:

1. Angelheart, Ravenheart (Act II: Children of the Dark Waters)
2. Baptized by the Blood of Angels
3. Tears of Autumn Rain
4. Summon the Wild
5. Sea of Whispers
6. Midnight Bird
7. Diary of Demonic Dreams
8. When the Darkest Night Falls
9. Nocturne Thule
10.Sea of Whispers (Acoustic Reprise)

Magnificient album released yesterday may 22 by Massacre Records, this great band from finland counts already with 6 albums including this one.

Gothic Metal it's what we can expect from this Nothern Finnish band that had supported already bands like Megadeth now with the album "Childrens of the Dark Waters" Produced by Eternal Tears of Sorrow, mixed by Mikko Karmila (Children of Bodom, Nightwish, etc.) mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox (a.o. Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, Children of Bodom) and cover artwork by Travis Smith (Amorphis, Anathema, Tarja, Opeth a..o.)

Eternal Tears of Sorrow - Tears of Autumn Rain

LINE-UP

Altti Veteläinen - vocals and bass

Janne Tolsa - keyboards

Juho Raappana - drums

Jarmo Kylmänen - clean vocals

Jarmo Puolakanaho - guitar

Risto Ruuth - lead guitar

Myspace
www.myspace.com/etos1

Listen to them and say what do you think about Eternal Tears of Sorrow with comments,thank you!!!

By: Nightshade

News / Review with: Mystic Prophecy

2009-05-10T18:28:00.022+01:00

March 22, will be the release date of Mystic Prophecy sixth album "Fireangel" and will be available as a limited 2-CD digipack (blue cover) with exclusive bonus CD released via Massacre Records.

The German/Greek Power Metal Force spread their power in 2001 with their first album "Vengeance" by B.Mind Records followed by:

Regressus - 2003, Jap. Vrs (King Rec.)
Regressus - 2003, CD (Nuclear Blast)
Never Ending - 2004, CD (Nuclear Blat)
Savage Souls - 2006, Jap. Vrs (Spiritual Beast)
Savage Souls - 2006, CD (Massacre Rec.)
Satanic Curses - 2007, CD (Massacre Rec.)

...and now in 2009 with the album "Fireangel" and their promo to Hell on Fire courtesy of Massacre Records for this News/Review.

Heavy Power and yes powerful Metal with a great sonority and an amazing voice by R.D.LIAPAKIS vocalist and also the producer of this album, the instrumental is a brutal force followed by 4 precious performers, CONSTANTINE in the lead guitar and MARKUS POHL in rythm guitar, also not to forget the force and the powerful beats in the drums by STEFAN DITTRICH and the strong notes with the 5 strings bass by CONNIE ANDRESZKA.

Mystic Prophecy are:

Confirmed to be performing at METAL CAMP 2009 in Tolmin/Slovenia on 7 of July also confirmed their first gig in 2009 headlined the 7. BOA Metal Open Air at the 25 of July in Klingenthal/Saxonia also headlined the day before July 24 in Die Halle - Frankfurt.

TRACKLIST

1.Across the Gates of Hell
2.Demons Crown
3.We Kill you Die
4.Father Save Me
5.To The Devil I Pray
6.Fireangel
7.Fight Back the Light
8.Death under Control
9.Revolution Evil
10.Gods of War
11.Forever Betrayed

Mixed by F.NORDSTRÖM (In Flames, Arch Enemy, etc), produced and mastered by R.D.LIAPAKIS, writing this, HELL ON FIRE wishes Mystic Prophecy good luck for this album for the gig and other albums to come!!!

MYSTIC PROPHECY - FIREANGEL TRAILER

CONTACTS

Contact & Booking
MYSTIC PROPHECY
P.O BOX 1130 - 87730
BAD GRÖNENBACH - GERMANY

Mystic Myspace

www.myspace.com/mysticprophecy

Official Website
http://www.mysticprophecy.com/

Massacre Records
http://www.massacre-records.com/

By: Nightshade

News: Winterborn + Icon In Me + Wolfchant

2009-04-27T12:22:00.024+01:00

Band Name: Winterborn

Album Name: Farewell To Saints

Release Date: 2009-05-02

Label: Massacre Records

Genre: Melodic Heavy Metal

Tracklisting:

1. Black Rain
2. Chaos Dwells Within
3. Seven Deadly Sins
4. Overture 1939
5. The Winter Day
6. Land of the Free
7. Emptiness Inside
8. Nightfall Symphony
9. Last Man Standing
10.Another World

WINTERBORN
"Farewell To Saints"
Preview

Official website
http://www.winterborn.info/

Myspace
www.myspace.com/winterbornband

Listen to them and tell us what do you think about Winterborn with comments,thank you!!!

Band Name: Icon In Me

Album Name: Human Museum

Release Date: 2009-05-02

Label: Massacre Records

Genre: Trash Hardcore

Tracklisting:

1.Dislocated
2.That Day Tha Sorrow
3.End Of File
4.Empty Hands
5.Moments
6.Bood Ritual
7.To The End
8.In Memorium
9.The Worthless King
10.Turn The Dead On
11.Avoiding The Pain

ICON IN ME
"Human Museum"
Preview

Official Website
http://www.iconinme.com/

Myspace
www.myspace.com/iconinme

Listen to them and tell us what do you think about Icon In Me with comments,thank you!!!

Band Name: Wolfchant

Album Name: Determined Damnation

Release Date: 2009-04-17

Label: Massacre Records

Genre: Epic Extreme Metal

Tracklisting:

1.Determination Begins
2.World In ice
3.Until The End
4.Determined Damnation
5.In War
6.Fate Of The Fighting Man
7.Kein Engel Hört Dich Flehen
8.A Raven's Flight
9.Never Too Drunk
10.Schwerter Der Erde
11.Auf Blut Gebaut
12.Under The Wolves´Banner
13.Devour (Bonus)
14.Warcry (Bonus)

WOLFCHANT
"Determined Damnation"
Preview

Official Website
http://www.wolfchant-metal.com/

Myspace
www.myspace.com/wolfchant

Listen to them and tell us what do you think about Wolfchant with comments,thank you!!!

Courtesy of Massacre Records in Cooperation with Hell on Fire

Official Website
http://www.massacre-records.com/

Myspace
www.myspace.com/massacrerecordseurope

By: Nightshade

News: H.O.F Compilation - Review by LOUD Magazine

2009-03-28T23:29:00.012Z

Hello to all readers!!!

Last year in December 29 the Webzine and Promoter Hell on Fire released the first compilation including 30 bands from several countries, by this way not revealing much more because you can find everything about this compilation right here at the H.O.F blog in the news section, i leave below the review of this compilation made by the portuguese Magazine Loud!!!

Horns High!!!

"The meaning of this compilation is to"promote bands all around the world, with or without label" . And it's indeed what we've found in this 2 cd's of "Hell On Fire - 30 Bands Unleashed Vol.1", for much different that it might sound to have Agathodaimon - that already release 4 albuns through the Nuclear Blast label - side by our Waterland, that reveal themselves with 1 demo, no long ago. The others 50% of the bands included in this selection are portuguese, with special mention to Simbiose, W.A.K.O., Process Of Guilt and Oblique Rain, all of them with recognized releases in here included with themes that represent their potential. In the international side of this compilation created by the webzine Hell On Fire, we found as well the non less recognized Obscurity from Germany, Pandemonium from Sweden and Ashent from Italy. Among others we also find the bulgarians Mystica and the greeks Custom Made Noise, as well the portuguese bands Seven Stitches, Equaleft and Gwydion, in case you haven't know their sonority. Requiem Laus, Soulriver, Crushing Sun, Unbridled, Amphitryon and K626 are other names included in this way of promoting. Beeing a CD-R it's not possible to find it in the usual music stores, so , and by that go to www.myspace.com/hellonfireportugal (or here), place located in the city of Braga were you can read interviews with this and other bands and reviews concerning to the underground world and not only."[/]N.S

Hell on Fire would specially like to thanx to all the readers and to Nuclear Blast for being so kind and professional people in this hard field!!!

By: Nightshade

Loud Magazine
http://loud.weblog.com.pt

HELL ON FIRE COMPILATION OUT NOW

2008-12-23T16:09:00.049Z

Portugal, Germany, Sweden, Israel, Brazil, Russia, Poland, Italy, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Greece and United States were the chosen countries for the 1ºCompilation of the Webzine and Promoter Hell on Fire intituled "30 BANDS UNLEASHED VOL.1"!!!

30 Bands from 13 Countries participate in this huge Compilation to be released at December 29, today!!!

After months of negotiations with labels and managements, NIGHTSHADE was able to make true all this work always with the precious support of HANNA TSEPESH, in 2 Cd's with the total duration of 2 HOURS AND 16 MINUTES of the most pure Metal since Heavy-Metal to Power-Metal until the most brutal Death-Black Metal passing through Symphonic Black-Metal to the most devastating Trash-Hardcore!!!

One of the great achievements of this compilation was the sponsor of the HUGE label NUCLEAR BLAST with the participation of one of N.B top bands inside of Symphonic Black-Metal, not to forget as well the sponsors of the portuguese store MINDWALKER CD & MERCH the american radio EGGS & KEGS RADIO SHOW and the portuguese magazine LOUD!!!

Also not to forget the partners, METAL CASTLE from United States and equally american promoters and managements, METAL FLAG and JYNX MANAGEMENT and last one but really important, the british fundation ROCK AGAINST CHILD PORNOGRAPHY against a cause that everyone should stay more and more concerned about and to fight against it!!!

This compilation is available for 10€, taxes free, you can ORDER this LIMITED EDITION, for the one's interested just e-mail to hellonfireportugal@hotmail.com or from the Hellspace sending the word "ORDER" along with your name and address!!!

Below you are able to see all the Bands that participate in this 2 CD's along with some of the Compilation photos, the order of the bands for me was really difficult because all of them as great Sonority and they are really Profissional!!!

Thank you all and i hope you like it!!!

-- NIGHTSHADE --

W.A.K.O
(Portugal)
AGATHODAIMON
(Germany)
PANDEMONIUM
(Sweden)
OBLIQUE RAIN
(Portugal)
DAGOR DAGORATH
(Israel)
THE SPEKTRUM
(Portugal)
CRUSHING SUN
(Portugal)
SOULRIVER
(Brazil)
ANOMALLY
(Portugal)
PROCESS OF GUILT
(Portugal)
PSILOCYBE LARVAE
(Russia)
PATHFINDER
(Poland)
SEVEN STITCHES
(Portugal)
ASHENT
(Italy)
REQUIEM LAUS
(Portugal)

EQUALEFT
(Portugal)
CRACK O DAWN
(Germany)
UNBRIDLED
(Portugal)
OBSCURITY
(Germany)
MYSTICA
(Bulgaria)
THY SYMPHONY
(Brazil)
SORTOKAUSI
(Finland)
SIMBIOSE
(Portugal)
AMPHITRYON
(France)
WATERLAND
(Portugal)
CUSTOM MADE NOISE
(Portugal)
K626
(United States)
PERFECT SMASH
(Portugal)
GWYDION
(Portugal)
PAINTED BLACK
(Portugal)

100 Cd's LIMITED EDITION

2008 Hell on Fire.All Rights Reserved.
All contents, concept, logo & Cover Artwork by: Nightshade
Contacts: hellonfireportugal@hotmail.com
All song authorized by the bands and their respective labels.

The song rights are reserved to their respective owners.

By: Nightshade

News: Ashent at Label Lion Music

2008-11-28T17:34:00.004Z

Hello readers!

HELL ON FIRE is very proud to announce that ASHENT made an agreement with the Finnish label LION MUSIC, and like Ashent told us:

“Unanimously considered as a leading force within progressive and power metal circles! The veteran label will release our highly-expected second album during the first months of 2009!”

But the good news don’t stop…

The second album already have a title, called “DECONSTRUCTIVE” and will have 50 minutes full of powerfull music ;)! If you want to know more details (like cover,tracklist,etc.), the band will give that soon!!!

HELL ON FIRE wish to ASHENT all the best luck in the world with the new album “DECONSTRUCTIVE” that will be released in the first months of 2009 and with the agreement with the Finnish label LION MUSIC! Finally we want to say that we are very very proud of you guys and we know that this will be the first of many more achievements in the future!

By: Hanna Tsepesh

For more informations go at:
www.myspace.com/ashentband
www.ashent.net

Or read the interview with Steve and Onofrio that we have here, go at:
http://hannatsepesh.blogspot.com/2008/10/interview-with-ashent.html

News/Review: Amphitryon - Dvd Release

2008-11-26T19:18:00.009Z

Arriving from France, the self intituled untouchable, heady, lyrical and dreamlike band Amphitryon, surprise us with somekind of a majestic, surreal and mysterious music.

By self experience since the first time i've heard this band i was simply taken to the most mysterious places of my imaginary since ancient civilizations to old dark and suspense movies and even to somekind of a monastery with an altar surrounded by monks chanting and enchanting in this mysterious language and passages to give birth to one ritual.

Even if Amphitryon descrive their influences with bands like My Dying Bride and Septic Flesh, for me, is an unique style that i highly recommend all of you to listen.

Also not to forget, at december 15 will be the release date of the Dvd and Cd available as a luxury edition intituled "Drama", you can order it here: Amphitryon Website Here

Congratulations and all the good luck for the Dvd/Cd release, concerts and upcoming albums!!!

By: Nightshade

For further informations go to:
www.myspace.com/sumphokeras
www.amphitryon-music.com/

News: Happy Birthday Nightshade

2008-09-08T12:50:00.005+01:00

Hello dear readers:)

Today i write not like an interviewer but like a friend and work colleague of Nightshade from HELL ON FIRE! I didn't knew what to offer him so i come by this way giving him my CONGRATULATIONS and wish him all the good things for his personal life and that he can reach all the professional objectives and not only! I would like to ask to our dear readers that you all give CONGRATULATIONS to Nightshade for his 32 years old as well by his unrestless work here at HELL ON FIRE at visual level and his innovate ideas to make this a better space as well his AMAZING translations, reviews and lots of other things that time will tell! It's my duty to point out the efford and dedication here at HELL ON FIRE because so many times feeling completly tired by his personal life outside H.O.F he never look to ways to put "hands at work" for all of you , our dear readers to read all the interviews among other things and equally for the bands to feel the support from our side for you to feel that you are helped and supported!

To finnish, among my humble gift and apreciation for the work of our friend "N", i also want to give him another gift...you will have to translate this (because innitially this was in portuguese) in english for the readers of HELL ON FIRE from other country's can know about this name and your work and struggle! Nothing better than to begin your birthday day (AHAHAHAHAHAHA)! Thank you to the readers for reading this and for future comments that i'm sure you will write;)!

Congratulations Nightshade and keep on with this priceless work and if you get out of the HELL ON FIRE flames we will run after you and smash you with a "hammer of evil"(AHAHAHAHA)! This is your day partner so...à HAVE FUN! \m/ !!!!!!!

By: Hanna Tsepesh

News/Review: Freemind Records

2008-07-30T23:13:00.004+01:00

Immediatlly arrives on Hell on Fire the independent Brasilian label FREEMIND RECORDS. With almost 3 years of existence (since january 2006) this label is full of great expectations in the Heavy Metal world.

Already with 2 Cd's in 2 volumes that exclusively unite Brasilian bands with the exception of the Canadians HEIRDRAIN and NECROSIS from Chile! FREEMIND reveals himself with great power including the most diversified genres since the classic / power metal as you can hear in the band RITMIA to one old school trash metal well elaborated that remembers Testament with the band TIBERIUS PROJECT until one crude and hard metal with the band CORROSIVO between lots of others not to lose in this 2 excelent Cd's!!!

FREEMIND allows you the free download of this 2 great Cd's that counts with 21 bands in the Web Hell Version 1 and 2.

Hell on Fire leave here the bands as well the links of each one of this bands and also the link for the direct download of this 2 Cd's!!!

Congratulations to FREEMIND RECORDS by their professional work and continue with the great job with more news to see and to listen in a near future!!!

We wait with anxiety for one of this band to come to perform one day in Portugal!!!

WEB HELL VERSION 1.0
YEAR 2007
COVER: GUSTAVO SAZES
BANDS:

RITMIA (Brazil) - Prog/Melodic Metal
EVILUSIONS (Brazil) - Heavy/Thrash Metal
ALPHA SCORPII (Brazil) - Melodic Death Metal
TIBERIUS PROJECT (Brazil - Thrash Metal
DARKLORD (Brazil) - Prog/Gothic Metal
BREAKNECK (Brazil) - Thrash Metal
RICARDO PRIMATA (Brazil) - Rock / Progressive / Experimental

WEB HELL VERSION 2.0
YEAR: 2008
COVER: FELIPE ARAÚJO
BANDS:

UNEARTHLY (Brazil) - Black Metal
TIBERIUS PROJECT (Brazil) - Thrash Metal
DRYAD (Brazil) - Melodic Metal
ROSA ÍGNEA (Brazil) - Melodic Metal
NOX ETERNA (Brazil) - Heavy Metal
SACRIFFICE (Brazil) - Heavy / Thrash Metal
HEIRDRAIN (Canada) - Experiment Black Metal
SKULLS AND BONES (Brazil) - Heavy Metal
CORROSIVO (Brazil) - Thrash Metal
THYRESIS (Brazil) - Death/black/heavy Metal
DARK WHISPER (Brazil) - Thrash Metal
UNMERCIFUL DEATH (Brazil) - Death Metal
NECROSIS (Chile) - Thrash Metal

WEB HELL VERSION 1.0 DOWNLOAD HERE
WEB HELL VERSION 2.0 DOWNLOAD HERE

FREEMIND RECORDS SITE HERE

Hell on Fire supports 100% Freemind Records as a sponsor and a partnership!!!
My cumpliments,

-NIGHTSHADE-

News/Review: Noctem

2008-07-28T23:55:00.017+01:00

From Valencia, Spain the hellish NOCTEM band arrives on Hell on Fire with great news and expectations in the most brutal of death and black metal world!!!Recently H.O.F was contacted by NOCTEM with the wonderfull news that they signed with the label, NoiseHead Records (Austria)."The band is now writing all the material for their "debut album"(10 new songs) and they'll enter in the NoiseHead Studios in January 30th, 2009.
The album will be available in Europe and United States for 2009."
Along with this great news i will leave you all with NOCTEM biography for those who don't know them so well, 1 video and also check out their tour dates on the band links below!!!

Hell on Fire wish NOCTEM, all the good luck in the world for the tour as well for the recording process of the album to be released in 2009!!!

NOCTEM

BAND MEMBERS

Noctem Live - Angel of Gloom

BIOGRAPHY

Beginning

(Valencia___España_2003) The sphere surrounding Noctem’s universe underwent several conversions relating to the musical style in their previous works due to the lots of musicians composing the more and more different formation of the band.
In the beginnings Noctem made their songs in a more melodious way fitted with simple structures in which intervened a mixture of death and gothic very harmonized with some soft keyboard and violin tones.
In time it was decided to make a more simple formation in which guitars and voice were the main things, at the same time aesthetics was finally defined and their own style was crated. (2007)

Staging

Live Noctem shows a great variety of spectacles in which brutality and violence are explicitly developed. Spectators are influenced carrying macabre spectacles out with lots of bubbling blood, guts, stinking and rotten animals, applauses and whistles sounding among the thunderous solos made by Exo and people come up to the stage’s brink to be blessed when the vocalist spits mouthfuls of blood against the audience. Morover there are several arms the vocalist uses on the stage such as inflicting injury on himself and promoting the absolute chaos among the spectator who spits him, hits him and shouts at him too when he comes down from the stage to assault them. All this makes the band a show where everybody intervenes in, collaborating to crate a communion among noctem and the spectators.

Another works

The preceding works from Noctem are “Unholly Blood” and a life cd with very limited editions.

With the new work’s presentation “God among Slaves” the band’s formation is consolidated, introducing Exo and Beleth the new components to you all:Alasthor(guitars), Maleficer Mortem (bass) and Darko (drums).

BY:NIGHTSHADE

noctemband@gmail.com
www.myspace.com/noctemband
http://www.blogger.com/www.noctem.es

http://www.blogger.com/www.noiseheadrecords.com/

www.myspace.com/noiseheadrecords
www.myspace.com/noiseheadstudios

News: Gwydion Tour

2008-07-17T18:40:00.006+01:00

HELL ON FIRE as the pleasure to announce the european tour dates of Gwydion (Viking Black Metal) in the festival Ragnarök's Aaskereia, were also will be playing bands like:
Týr, Hollenthon, Alestorm and Svartsot.

The dates are:

08.10.08 Wed DK Copenhagen @ The Rock
09.10.08 Thu DE Hamburg @ Markthalle
10.10.08 Fri NL Leeuwarden @ Romein
11.10.08 Sat DE Oberhausen @ Helvete
12.10.08 Sun BE Vosselaar @ Biebob (+ HEIDEVOLK)
14.10.08 Tue CH Pratteln @ Z7
15.10.08 Wed IT Milan @ Musicdrome
16.10.08 Thu DE München @ Backstage
17.10.08 Fri AT Wien @ Szene
18.10.08 Sat DE Passau @ X-Point Halle - METAL INVASION FESTIVAL
19.10.08 Sun Cz Zlin @ Masters of Rock Cafe
20.10.08 Mon HU Budapest @ Ship A38
21.10.08 Tue AT Salzburg @ TBA
22.10.08 Wed DE Ludwigsburg @ Rockfabrik
23.10.08 Thu DE Frankfurt @ Batschkapp
24.10.08 Fri DE Losheim @ Eisenbahnhalle
25.10.08 Sat DE Lichtenfels @ Stadthalle - HELLFLAME FESTIVAL
26.10.08 Sun NL Arnhem @ Luxorlive (+ HEIDEVOLK)

For further informations click in:

http://www.myspace.com/gwydionmetal

http://www.ragnaroek-festival.com/

For those who want to know more about this great portuguese band that promise to blast the european stages, HELL ON FIRE as 1 interview here with Kaveirinha and Dani!!!

In the end, the H.O.F team wish you all a LOT of luck for all the band elements!!!

Hugs and may Odin be with you (ehehe)!!!

By: Hanna Tsepesh

News: Cryptopsy on Studio

2008-07-16T18:27:00.010+01:00

The Canadians Cryptopsy are already in the middle of the recording of their new album intituled "And Then You’ll Beg". The vocalist Mike said "The title of this new work is nothing more than a fact considering that this album is the more insane and heavier work recorded by the band".

Release date of the abum will be on October 23!!!

CRYPTOPSY - WORSHIP YOUR DEMONS

CRYPTOPSY U.S.A TOUR 2008

Jul 12 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- The Dome
Bakersfield, California

Jul 13 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- SOMA
San Diego, California

Jul 15 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- The Fillmore
San Francisco, California

Jul 17 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Hawthorne Theater
Portland, Oregon

Jul 18 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Studio Seven
Seattle, Washington

Jul 19 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Big Easy Concert House
Spokane, Washington

Jul 20 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Big Easy Concert House
Boise, Idaho

Jul 21 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Club NVO
Logan, Utah

Jul 23 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Cervantes Ballroom
Denver, Colorado

Jul 24 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Sokol Underground
Omaha, Nebraska

Jul 25 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- First Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Jul 26 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- The Rave
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Jul 27 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- Pop’s
St. Louis, Missouri

Jul 28 2008
8:00P
Summer Slaughter Tour 2008- House of Blues
Chicago, Illinois

BY: NIGHTSHADE

News: Alliance Fest 2008

2008-07-10T01:37:00.004+01:00

"One year after Marés Negras festival have manipolized the Oporto city, with the marathon of six hours of music, specially for the metal followers it's time for Carcavelos to receive this movement with the second act. With the purpose to allow the acess to one sonority with more and more fans in Portugal, now intituled ALLIANCE FEST it will take place in Lombos Pavillion to presents in the days of 08 and 09 of August one poster full of bands with excelent proves in the national and international underground scene.

With the same concept of Marés Negras – to give, the similarity like other summer festivals one event where the fans of more darker sonoritys can see live their bands of election - the ALLIANCE FEST pretends to be the bigest metal festival of Portugal. During 2 days, 08 and 09 of August the organization espects to receive 5 thousand fans in Lombos Pavillion of Carcavelos, one space made by details for this same event to be marked and remembered in our country.

To the ones already confirmed Arch Enemy (SW), Anathema (UK), Marduk (SW), Exodus (USA) and 3 Inches of Blood (CA) also joins now, Finntroll (FN). And representing Portugal the most internacional portuguese band, Moonspell (that also performed in Marés Negras in Porto, in 2007), and We Are The Damned, Blacksunrise, Echidna, Shadowsphere and Kalashnikov.

One festival of affinitys between different genres of metal that results from one partnership between the portuguese PRIME ARTISTS and the spanish FRONTLINE."

09 of August

Arch Enemy

Anathema

Marduk

We Are the Damned

Blacksunrise

Echidna

08 of August

Moonspell
Finntroll
Exodus
3 Inches of Blood
Kalashnikov
Shadowsphere

For more informations, interviews or photos:
Joana Brandão
+ 351 918601959
promotion@alliancefest.com

All the information foregrounding in

the official site of ALLIANCE FEST

http://www.alliancefest.com/

- Foregrounding informations in colaboration with Alliance Fest organization -

By: Nightshade

Merchandise: Mindwalker Store

2008-07-08T16:54:00.003+01:00

In cooperation with the portuguese Mindwalker Store we leave here the latest news of the Opeth and Machine Head Merchandise!!!

"I'ts already available in http://www.mindwalkerloja.com/ the new merchandise of Opeth and Machine Head for reservation/order, this material arrive in the next weeks and the stock is limited".

MORE NEW STUFF:

36 Crazyfists - A snow capped romance 17.50€ 13.50€

36 Crazyfists - The Tide and Its Takers 17.50€ 13.50€

Anthrax - Persistence of Time 17.50€ 13.50€

As I Lay Dying - An Ocean Betwen Us 17.50€ 13.50€

Azaghal - Lucifering Valu 17.50€ 13.50€

Bleeding Through - This Is Love, This is Murderous 15.00€ 13.50€

Blind Guardian - Tales From the Twilight World 17.50€ 13.50€

Blood Red Throne - Altered Genesis 17.50€ 13.50€

Caliban - The Opposite from Within 17.50€ 13.50€

Caliban - The Undying Darkness 17.50€ 13.50€

Chimaira - Chimaira 17.50€ 13.50€

Chimaira - Pass out of existense 17.50€ 13.50€

Chimaira - The Impossibility of Reason 17.50€ 14.50€

Coal Chamber - Dark Days Ed Especial 17.00€ 13.50€

Cult Of Luna - Somewhere Along the Highway 17.50€ 13.50€

Cult Of Luna - The Beyond 17.50€ 13.50€

Eighteen Visions - Eighteen Visions 17.50€ 13.50€

Entombed - Clandestine (Ed Special CD+DVD) 17.50€ 15.00€

Evenescence - Any Where But Home (Ed Especial CD+DVD) 17.50€ 15.00€

Fear Factory - Transgression CD+DVD 20.00€ 15.00€

Fear My Thoughts - Vulcanus Ed Especial 17.50€ 13.50€

God Dethroned - The Toxic Touch 17.50€ 13.50€

Hatesphere - Something Old, Something New, Something Borrewd and 17.50€ 13.50€

Helloween - Live In Moscow 17.50€ 14.50€

Iron Maiden - Death On the Road 17.50€ 14.50€

Killswitch Engage - Alive or Just Breathing 17.50€ 13.50€

Killswitch Engage - The end of Hearttache 17.50€ 13.50€

Lacuna Coil - Karmacode 13.50€ 13.00€

Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstart 17.50€ 13.50€

Meshuggah - Catch 33 17.50€ 13.50€

Metallica - St. Anger Ed. Limitada (CD+DVD) 17.50€ 14.50€

Moonspell - Memorial Ed Especial 17.50€ 13.50€

Napalm Death - Smear Campaign 17.50€ 13.50€

Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero 17.50€ 13.50€

Paradise lost - In Requiem 17.50€ 14.50€

Puddle of Mudd - Life On Display 17.50€ 13.50€

Sigh - Hangman's Himn 17.50€ 13.50€

Slayer - Christ Illusion 17.50€ 13.50€

Slayer - God Hate Us All 17.50€ 13.50€

Slayer - Seasons in the Abyss 17.50€ 13.50€

Slayer - South of Heaven 17.50€ 13.50€

Sonata Arctica - Ecliptica 17.50€ 13.50€

Soulfly - Prophesi Ed Especial 17.50€ 13.50€

Spineshank - Strictly Diesel 17.50€ 13.50€

Subzero - The Suffering Of Man 17.50€ 13.50€

Tankard - The Morning After / Alien 17.50€ 13.50€

The Accused - Oh Martha 17.50€ 13.50€

The Black Dahlia Murder - Nocturnal 17.50€ 13.50€

Torture Killer - Swarm 17.50€ 13.50€

Trivium - Ascendancy Ed Especial CD+DVD 17.50€ 15.00€

By: Nightshade

http://www.mindwalkerloja.com/

News: METAL GDL 2008

2008-06-15T04:39:00.003+01:00

It's already knowed the complete program of this year edition of Metal GDL festival that will take place in Grândola during the days of 27 and 28 of June.
Here:

DAY 27 OF JUNE

21.00h - God

21.40h - Requiem Laus

22.20h - Concealment

23.00h - Corpus Christii

23.45h - Men Eater

00.30h - The Firstborn

01.20h - Lay Down Rotten

DIA 28 OF JUNE
20.00h - Confront Hate [Palco Viva o Metal]
20.40h - The Ransack [Palco Viva o Metal]
21.20h - Switchtense [Palco Viva o Metal]
22.00h - ThanatoSchizO [Palco Metal GDL]
22.45h - Seven Stitches [Palco Viva o Metal]
23.30h - Krisiun [Palco Metal GDL]
00.20h - Hatesphere [Palco Viva o Metal]
01.10h - Devildriver [Palco Metal GDL]

The ticket is unique [valid for both days] and it's available in the usual places for the price of € 25,00. In the festival day it costs € 30,00. Camping is free.

By: Nightshade

Hell on Fire - 2500 VISITS

2008-06-12T03:46:00.005+01:00

Nightshade
&
Hanna Tsepesh

News: Bleed the Sky - New Album

2008-06-12T02:15:00.008+01:00

Band Name: Bleed The Sky

Album Name: Murder the Dance

Release Date: 2008-06-10

Label: Nuclear Blast Records

Producer: Christian Olde Wolbers

Tracklisting:
1. Knife Fight in a Phone Booth
2. Sullivan
3. Murder the Dance
4. The Sleeping Beauty
5. Morose
6. Occam's Razor
7. Bastion
8. Slavior
9. Kettle Black
10. Poseidon
11. The Demons That Could Be
12. Vertical Smile

By: Nightshade

http://www.myspace.com/bleedthesky

News: Metal GDL Festival 2008

2008-06-10T00:38:00.002+01:00

Portuguese

Metal GDL Festival 2008

www.myspace.com/metalgdl

By: Nightshade

Interview with: Process of Guilt

2008-06-05T17:24:00.007+01:00

Nightshade: Hello people and thank you for your time, can you talk a little about the history of Process of Guilt!!!

Process of Guilt: Process of Guilt come out in the end of 2002 with the “'Portraits of Regret”' recording, one debut register that gave motto for the creation of one band, beyond me and Nuno. With the union with Gonçalo and Custódio we enter on studio for the recording process of Demising Grace that only come out in 2005. There were always one effort to keep on the live activity parallel to our creative process that gave us the chance to participate in some events in the begining of our existence as a band that even today leave us good memories like the participation in Doomination of Europe in 2003 together with Morgion and Mourning Beloveth.

In 2006 we release our debut cd “Renounce” through the recent created Portuguese independent Major Label Industries. After this moment we begin the process of spreading live this register that among others events gave us the chance of sharing the stage with names Katatonia, The Ocean, Swallow The Sun or Rotten Sound. Actually we initiate the composing process with the view for a new register on studio to release in 2009.

Nightshade: Those are really good news, we stay anxious and waiting for this new work! Can you tell us who compose the songs along with riffs, lyrics, etc...

Process of Guilt: The process of composing varied a little in the history of the band, normally all the music it’s developed by one idea or one moment that emerge while we rehearse. There is however themes that also emerged from one riff or one individual draft that after is displayed to the rest of the band, being that the lyric component it’s developed mainly by me. In a general way the rehearsal represents the moment of ideas conciliation and concepts do develop by the new themes, representing the space were several dynamics are conjured by the creative process

Nightshade: Relative to influencies can you tell us some names?

Process of Guilt: The influencies are a lot and the pass of time development as well. If in the beginning we develop our bases upon one sonority that normally is associated to one spectrum of bands sctricty connected in a chain of doom /death like Mindrot, Morgion, Shape of Despair or even Katatonia, actually we finish by staying with more attention to other sonority’s that even if they don’t enter on the base of our language they stay a part of a proportional felling by the same one, giving us motivation for a search of other dynamics that run from the usual spectrum doom/death metal, like Neurosis, Dirge, Overmars, Jesu or even The Angelic Process. Of course that this could be one endless list that always end of being one base that also and more we assume like our own and the one we incorporate other layers of influences and dynamics that we search especially because they are ours and they represent one individual musical expression..

Nightshade: Your songs beside of having one powerful sound can create one atmosphere around melancholy and down-tempo that fix perfectly with more violent riffs, this was always your objectives or simply you guys feel what you are playing and you let the imagination to flow?

Process of Guilt: Yes indeed our objective is the creation of moments that reflect that atmospheric approach in our music, in fact this is the sonority that we appreciate. More and more we chose to develop one approach that simplify the themes structure at the same time the natural development of one certain dynamic around one rhythm or one riff that represent our best expression for this effect. We pretend above all to create involving music were we can explore one certain melody in more than one slope, specifically at rhythm level and the contrast of this one’s with the more melancholic component of our sonority.

Nightshade: What are the contents of your lyrics?

Process of Guilt: The contents of our lyrics are specially about two components, the first one is connected with the aspects of our life’s and fellings, there’s one afford for the choose of more dark and cold emotions, so in one second level of approach the content as one specific match in music, specifically to the level of words search and sounds that fix perfectly in a certain melody or rhythm.

Nightshade: In my point of view your last work "Renounce" it’s more mature then "Demising Grace" do you agree with me? If so what were the main changes that you found between one work to another?

Process of Guilt: First of all the principle change it ends by being the 3 years of breaking between the recording of this regist, space that were naturally one process of evolution of everything that surrounds Process of Guilt, the concept as a band passing by our technic capacity as musicians or even the evolution while humans that search one good expression. This process originate one refined of our sonority in rhythm terms, melody’s and the lyric content that end’s by reflecting the differencies that exist between the phase corresponding to “Demising Grace” and the season that “Renounce” was registed.

Nightshade: Concerning to supports did you have anyone? What were or what are the main difficulties that you feel in Portugal?

Process of Guilt: Besides of supports from the publisher we had also the support of the town council of Èvora so the big difficulty that we had concerning to “Renounce” was majority logistic once that that studio is far way from Èvora and due the fact that we don’t live all in the same town it was necessary one planning for we to come true the afford of the recording. In a general way after one year of “Renounce” release we can mention that the main difficulties situate always in the financial sphere, specially at the concerts level and the minimal conditions for this one’s can work in the best way, whoever i thing that in the last times the situation is much better , specially at concerts level and minimal conditions to go on in the best way as possible, fact obviously connected with a large amount of initiatives that exists everywhere by several promoters of shows in different parts of the country.

Nightshade: I know that your album “Renounce” was mixed in Sweden by "Thomas Eberger" before he worked with bands like "Katatonia,Opeth and Daylight Dies" can you tell us how was the sensation of working with such a name of this level? How have you done it? There’s already any interest for Process of Guilt from an international publisher?

Process of Guilt: In a general way the balance it’s positive that we make in colaboration with Thomas Eberger, due that we wished one certain kind of sonority in the end of “Renounce” that we thought being obtained through this cooperation. The contact with Cutting Room Studios was affected in a simple way through one contact vie email and since then we fixed some details. About publishers, there was effectivtly some contacts by some international publishers but for some reason or from our timing or from the publisher timing as well this never was revealed apelatives than the relation that we have Major Label Industries.

Nightshade: How was the process on studio with "Demising Grace" and "Renounce"?

Process of Guilt: They were different processes even if they take action in the same place the 5ª dimensão studios, the season was radical different. Demising Grace show our first experience of recording as a band what give us one process more spontaneous and maybe more naïve of us concerning to the studio approach. The process of “Renounce” recording as already give us one more structured part being developed one previous planning that gave us the chance of having more time to explore some ideias on studio as a complement to one previous base and a more developed one. It represented also one process that we’ve been more dedicated as a band with the caption procedure in several layers of recording, there was one bigger attention on the details and to the general concept in terms of sonority that we wanted to explore.

Nightshade: Do you guys feel one good feedback by the crowd? There was any special concert for you?

Process of Guilt: Indeed the feedback that we had after the “Renounce” release was more than we expected once than, in the press level and the crowd level we obtained really positive reactions. About our live presentations, the feedback was even bigger than the register on studio, there were some concerts that will stay in our minds by the way like we saw the crowd. Maybe because this were more recent, I can mention the concert that we gave in March in Panoias with Officium Triste and in April Lótus Bar.

Nightshade: About concerts, dates, festivals, etc...can you tell us some dates? if so when and where?

Process of Guilt: At the moment we are preparing our entry on studio for the process recording of our new work, and by that there will be some time without playing live because at the moment we only stay concerned with the creative component of Process of Guilt with a view of one long duration in production.

Nightshade: I would like to thank you all for your time in name of Hell on Fire, i hope you continue with the excelent sound and we expect to hear soon from you with a new album and concerts!!!

Process of Guilt: To finish i want to say that soon will be released one new register of Process of Guilt in vinyl 10” version sharing it with the English project Caïna, that will have one theme of each band. The theme shared by us it’s one version of one band already splited “This Empty Flow” it as by title (But I Am) Still. Thank you for the opportunity you gave us to divulge ourselves!

By: Nightshade

http://www.processofguilt.com/
http://www.myspace.com/processofguilt

News: Dean Guitars sponsor Portuguese bands

2008-06-05T04:56:00.005+01:00

The north-american brand Dean Guitars had started the month of May with a representation in Portugal, comercial [on stores Music & Friends in Santarém and Live Music Instruments in Faro], with a markting level or endorsments announced to W.A.K.O. and Diesel-Humm!

By: Nightshade

http://www.deanguitars.com/home.php

http://www.suprovox.com/

http://www.myspace.com/wakoplanet

http://www.myspace.com/dieselhumm

News: Poenarian Mist

2008-06-04T00:30:00.011+01:00

"Only one former member. Look for own musical expression, and show the dark side of myself...This proyect born in the last breath of MMVII, mixing Funeral Doom, cold Black Metal and Dark Ambient soul, but not in the same songs.

You've got three bands in one....Poenarian Mist does not play live, it's only a simple mind's work. [*]All instruments are sequenced, except the voice (and some stuff on early demos); this reason makes me try un-real breaks & riffs...and I love it!"

BELIAL - all musik

By: Nightshade

http://www.myspace.com/poenarianmist

News: Impaled

2008-05-27T00:10:00.012+01:00

Preceding their upcoming descent upon the shores of Europe, Impaled unleashes a new video onslaught. Culling from their latest album for Willowtip Records / Candlelight UK, "The Last Gasp," the band has self-produced a cinematic abortion for the song "G.O.R.E."

"Heading to the Old World this summer for our second European tour, we wanted to celebrate, via film and song, the true achievements of Western idealism," says bassist Ross Sewage. "Namely, conquest, war, mechanized death, and endless, bloody reams of mellifluent G.O.R.E."

Edited by guitarist Jason Kocol along with drummer Raul Varela through his Evil Morgue Entertainment video company, the video features production work done entirely by band members along with some live footage by Kill That Cat Productions. Varela adds, "Despite a low, DIY budget and rigging our own shots and cameras, everyone in Impaled pulled together valiantly and we were able to puke this together right before going on tour and are happy with the entrail result."

The band has made the video available online through popular streaming sites, such as YouTube and MySpace, as well downloadable versions on their website for portable video players and smart phones. Impaled will be seen this year at the 2008 Maryland Death Fest, followed by a tour of Europe in June with Origin and Hour of Penance.

Newest Video Here

Impaled - G.O.R.E.

By: Nightshade
http://www.impaled.info/
http://www.myspace.com/impaled

News: Keep of Kalessin

2008-05-11T01:52:00.010+01:00

Norwegian epic extreme metal masters KEEP OF KALESSIN, who feature in their ranks former SATYRICON live guitar player Obsidian C., will release their new album, "Kolossus", in the U.S. on June 10 via Nuclear Blast Records.The CD will be released by Indie Recordings and is licensed to Nuclear Blast for the following territories: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and rest of the world outside Europe (except Australia and Russia).

KEEP OF KALESSIN - Kolossus Trailer

According to a press release, KEEP OF KALESSIN is definitely the next big thing from Norway and will have a huge impact on the whole metal scene. The base of the music is for sure black metal, but KEEP OF KALESSIN are also including other influences like death metal, thrash metal and some non-metal components, making their style fresh and truly unique. You have to be deaf to not hear the incredible potential of the band. KEEP OF KALESSIN will soon be one of the main driving forces in extreme metal and one of THE bands of 2008. Be prepared for their matchless crusade!"

Commented Jaap Wagemaker, A&R Manager at Nuclear Blast, "These Norwegians are delivering an unbelievable performance in black metal — virulent, aggressive and technically very far above the standard. The guys around Obsidian C. are extremely heavy and to the point, filling their songs with surprising breaks and instrumentation. This is how black metal has to sound nowadays. There´s no cure against this demolition bomb of anger and innovation!"

KEEP OF KALESSIN - Crown of the kings

Added Erik S. Røhne, A&R at Indie Recordings, "After signing KEEP OF KALESSIN to Tabu Recordings back in 2004, we are extremely pleased to be working with Obsidian C. and KEEP OF KALESSIN again. The new album totally reflects the unique musical craftsmanship and the undisputable power of this band — and is everything we ever dared to hope for! You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that this band will be huge!"The band was a part of "The Invaluable Darkness Tour Part 2" – Legions Of The Chosen Few" through North America along with labelmates DIMMU BORGIR and BEHEMOTH started in April. An extensive European tour is already in the planning.

By: Nightshade

http://www.keepofkalessin.no/

www.myspace.com/keepofkalessin

News: Soulfly next album Conquer

2008-05-06T04:26:00.024+01:00

"Conquer" is scheduled for release on July 29 via Roadrunner Records.

SOULFLY members Max Cavalera (guitar/vocals), Joe Nunez (drums), Marc Rizzo (guitar), and Bobby Burns (bass) entered Porch Studio in Florida on September 12, 2007 to begin recording the band's sixth studio LP.

SOULFLY's upcoming CD will feature guest appearances by MORBID ANGEL frontman David Vincent and THROWDOWN singer Dave Peters.

"Conquer" track listing:

01. Blood Fire War Hate

02. Unleash

03. Paranoia

04. Warmageddon

05. War Ghost

06. Rough

07. Fall Of Sycophants

08. Doom

09. Rot

10. Touching The Void

11. Soulfly VI

In a recent interview, Max Cavalera stated about the new SOULFLY CD, "Well, the next SOULFLY album is being mixed in England with Andy Sneap, and it's very heavy in its own way. In a SOULFLY way. It's still got craziness... I recorded a lot in Egypt this time. I spent some time in Cairo working with some Egyptian musicians and we came up with some really wicked interludes and passages. It sounds nothing like anything I ever done. Very very amazing Egyptian instruments. There is a song that is a colloboration with MORBID ANGEL's singer David Vincent which is one of my favourite songs forever in my whole life that I wrote. It's called 'Blood Fire War Hate' and that should be the opening of the album. It's very energizing, verrrry powerful, man. I can't wait for fans to hear it. It's the shit. That one is gonna definitely create some chaos in the moshpit."

By: Nightshade

http://www.soulflyweb.com/

http://www.myspace.com/soulfly

News: Amon Amarth

2008-05-04T04:20:00.021+01:00

Swedish metal band Amon Amarth entered on studio (May 1st) to begin tracking their seventh full-length album. Tracking will take place at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with Jens Bogren producing. The band comments:

"We have ten killer songs, some classic Amon Amarth tunes, some really epic moments and some of the most brutal stuff we've ever written! We are confident that this will be our best and most diverse album to date! Jens Bogren will be producing the album, he produced With Oden On Our Side. We're looking forward to yet another successful collaboration. We'll barricade ourselves for the next month and a half. The album will be recorded in the traditional way, starting with drums, followed by guitars, bass, and vocals. There are plans for some cool guest appearance but nothing we can reveal just yet."

The album will hit stores later this year via Metal Blade Records.

About Amon Amarth

Around the year 500 A.C. the Vikings set sail to conquer new lands, leaving nothing but death and destruction in their wake. 15 centuries later, AMON AMARTH, their only true heirs, are repeating history with guitars as their weapons and death metal as their battle cry.Since their humble start in 1992 as an underground band from Tumba, a suburb in southern Stockholm, AMON AMARTH have managed to establish themselves as one of Europe’s top death metal acts through hard work, relentless touring, and consistently solid albums. What has set AMON AMARTH apart from the rest of the death metal scene since the very beginning, is their use of Viking mythology and imagery in lyrics and artwork, as well as a talent for writing epic, memorable melodies, which underline their solemn yet barbaric approach to heavy music.

Amon Amarth - The Pursuit Of Vikings (Live Music Hall)

By: Nightshade

http://www.amonamarth.com/
http://www.myspace.com/amonamarth