I post this as a supreme amount of jealousy courses through my veins… if only these shows were in the UK… or if I could get to Slovenia or Hungary!
VULTURE INDUSTRIES will play two shows in February, which will see the Norwegian Progressive Extreme Metallers perform a set which will include some unexpected material that the band is rehearsing especially for these two performances. Also making a guest appearance for some of the set will be TAAKE front man Hoest.
The first of the two dates will take place on the 3rd February at Dirty Skunks, in the Kino Siska, an old movie theatre in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Entrance to this show will be free, as the venue will be celebrating its tenth anniversary. The second date will be on the 4th February at Blue Hell in Budapest, and will mark VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ first ever appearance in Hungary.
Based in Bergen, and with two critically acclaimed releases on DARK ESSENCE RECORDS under their belts, VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ line up is composed of Bjornar Nilsen (BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) on vocals, keys and programming, guitarists Øyvind Madsen (SULPHUR, ex-ENSLAVED) and Eivind Huse (SULPHUR), Kyrre Teigen on bass and Tor Helge Gjengedal (ex-TAAKE) on drums. Nilsen, who also happens to be TAAKE’s producer, is known for his highly theatrical on-stage performances, and the additional appearance of Hoest, one of Black Metal’s most focussed and dynamic front men, is an indication that these two shows promise to be something very special.
More information about VULTURE INDUSTRIES can be found on the band’s website at vulture-industries.net
A few months ago I reviewed Cryptic Throne’s “The Wolves Gather…” (you can read the review by clicking here) and now the album has finally been released! To celebrate this, here’s an interview with Abyssous, the mastermind behind Cryptic Throne…
Lou: Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Before we get started, please can you introduce yourself to the readers of Loucifer Speaks?
Abyssous: My name is Abyssous, the creator of Cryptic Throne.
Lou: How would you describe the music that Cryptic Throne creates?
Abyssous: It is very atmospheric. I put a lot of emphasis on that with low-fi production and ambient compositions. The music is meant to give the feeling of an ancient ritual, a sense of old.
Lou: Is Cryptic Throne a one-man project?
Abyssous: Cryptic Throne is myself and Akasha Wolfesblood. She and I create the necessary energy and breathe life into the dark current to give the music its own identity.
Lou: Which bands have influenced you?
Abyssous: The few bands I draw inspiration from are Arckanum, Wolves in The Throne Room, Domgård, and Watain. Cryptic Throne do not look to other bands for influence but these are the bands I admire most and could proudly site them as musical influences.
Lou: What was the first album that you ever bought? Do you still listen to it?
Abyssous: The first album, if I remember correctly was a tape version of “Extreme Aggression” by Kreator when I was young. I do listen to it off and on. The first black metal album I purchased was “In The Nightside Eclipse” and I am listening to that as I do this interview!
Lou: What’s the most surprising album in your music collection?
Abyssous: I would have to say “Codes & Secret Longing” Raised by Swans. I am a huge fan of underground post-rock and ambient music and they just perfect the atmosphere. This band also holds a very close spot in my heart for many reasons which will remain untold.
Lou: Which albums from 2011 have you enjoyed? If any…
Abyssous: Mainly the new Arckanum and Nawaharjan releases. I am very interested in the new Draugurinn album “Myrkraverk” but I haven’t been able to get my hands on it.
Lou: What else influences you? The occult and religion are themes that spring to mind…
Abyssous: Cryptic Throne is a dark shamanic ritual. An entity which exists for the Primordial Thursian Worship of Dark Germanic Heathenism. The music is written for the dark gods of old as well as a vessel to express my deep love and respect to my black witch of spiritual liberation.
Lou: I understand that your most recent album, “The Wolves Gather…”, has now been released on cassette. How can people get hold of this album? Also, are there any plans for a CD and / or digital release? Perhaps something on vinyl?
Abyssous: People can recieve a copy of this album by paypal for $6. The email to contact is lordwolfsblood6@yahoo.com. You can also go to metalthroneproductions.webs.com. But all cassettes bought directly from the band contain hand-drawn artwork from the band!
In early 2012 a cd version will be available. I could only hope for a vinyl release one day!
Lou: In releasing the album on cassette you’ve taken a very ‘old school’ route; is this something that you intentionally set out to do? What made you choose that medium over any other?
Abyssous: The label who agreed to press the album is strictly a tape label! Choosing an analog form to best portray the sonic invocation of these rituals was completely necessary!
Lou: Out of curiosity, what are your views on illegal downloading?
Abyssous: I download to discover new bands, but I will always purchase a release I truly enjoy! Total support to the underground!
Lou: Which tracks from the album stand out in particular to you? Are there any that hold a specific meaning that you’re able to share with us?
Abyssous: The album is actually a concept album. The story told is of a dying Shaman who goes thru a spiritual journey and liberation of his fire-born soul and tells of his experiences with the energies of chaos and dedication to the dark current of anti-cosmic chaos! The song that means the most would be “Dressed in Witches Blood” it is a hymn to my black witch Akasha Wolfesblood for without her, this album would not have been possible!! Hailaz to you, Wulf Queen!
Lou: What sort of feedback have you received about the album so far?
Abyssous: So far, those who have heard it enjoy the music very much. It was given very good reviews on a few sites, including this one! But more exposure is always needed to spread my Eitr!
Lou: For me, “The Wolves Gather…” evokes a very dark and foreboding atmosphere (particularly on “Ancient Hymns” which has become my favourite track from the album lately). Was this the intention?
Abyssous: Absolutely. The music is first and foremost a ritual. Invocations to the current of darkness, and the energies born between Akasha and myself give our creations life to properly burn ever so bright for all to feel!
Lou: I’ve read that Cryptic Throne also has another album called “Apocalyptic Extermination”. How does that album compare to “The Wolves Gather…”?
Abyssous: This album was the debut album back in 2008. It was recorded with a full band. It was when I was still new to black metal. Although I enjoyed these songs at that time, they are not a powerful representation of what Cryptic Throne now stands for.
Lou: Is “Apocalyptic Extermination” still available to buy?
Abyssous: Yes it is still available from the band for $4 through Paypal. Again, the email is lordwolfsblood6@yahoo.com
Lou: I understand that logistically it would be pretty difficult for you to go on tour, but do you ever play live? Would this be something that you’d be interested in doing in the future?
Abyssous: I have played live with this band in the past, I would love to do it again in the future when the right people are found to join the ranks of this band!
Lou: As well as the music you create for Cryptic Throne, you’re also involved with a dark ambient project called Whispers of the Black Wulf. Can you tell us anything about this project? Do you have any music available for us to buy?
Abyssous: Whispers of The Black Wulf is very special to me. It was created under for the sole purpose of total worship to the dark current between Akasha and myself as she too is the creative and spiritual inspiration behind my work with WOTBW.
Lou: What are your plans for 2012?
For 2012 I hope to work on a new Cryptic Throne release. I have pages of lyrics that need music!
Lou: Do you have any messages for the readers of Loucifer Speaks?
Abyssous: Give your total support to the true black metal flame in the underground! Purchase the new Cryptic Throne album as well as the debut! New shirts and buttons are also in the works!
Lou: Once again, thank you for answering my questions.
Abyssous: Thank you for your interest!
Hailaz Thurisaz!
-Abyssous
Finally, after few weeks of silence and uncerntainty the time has come to shed some light on the ZORORMR’s follow up to the now cult “Kval” debut! The second album will be entitled “IHS” (as for Latin “In Hoc Signo (Vinces)” and will contain 10 songs out of 11 recorded at Red Dragon Studio in Opole. Some song titles include “Thy Kingdom Come”, “Harrowing of Hell” and “The Sacrifice”. As you already know the material is in mixing stage and will enter post-production by the end of January. Already the cover art is being prepared that will be a surprise but details on this will be announced later.
What’s more important is that “IHS” will include a whole bunch of exceptional guest vocalists: Cezar (CHRIST AGONY, MOON), Shadow (BLACK ALTAR) and Virian (LILLA VENEDA). As you already know the drums were recorded by Icanraz (DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS, ex-ABUSED MAJESTY) and few leads were done by Quazarre (DEVILISH IMPRESSIONS, ASGAARD) who also engineered the process of guitars and bass recording. Their contribution to the album made it more diverse and complex. Even now, without the mix and mastering done, the tracks sound simply excellent! But to know this you’ll have to wait just a little while. Hopefully the album will be out around Walpurgisnacht 2012… but I can’t give you any more info about it right now.
Stick around for more news coming soon. And yeah, have a Godt Nyttår!
This is Black Metal. While that’s not going to be the extent of my review, it could be if I wanted it to. You see, Throne of Katarsis are the quintessential Black Metal band. There are no gimmicks and no prog rock interludes on this album. There’s nothing to take away from the overall ‘black-metalness’ of the whole thing.
While many bands take on other elements in an effort to inject life into their sound, Throne of Katarsis do not. Nor do I think they care what other bands do or do not decide to do. While the method of fusing different styles together does work for other bands; Throne of Katarsis have taken a different approach. Instead on relying on musical evolution or changing styles completely, Throne of Katarsis have focussed all of their energy on Black Metal once again. They’ve worked on their sound and refined it. The music that flows from this album sounds like a well-oiled evil machine that was formed in the depths of Hell by Satan, while he/she was in a particularly bad mood. And, really, you can’t say fairer than that.
The album opens with “Profetens Siste Vandring” – a ferocious track that tears the soul out of the listener via any orifice that’s available. It’s not here to make friends. Perhaps it’s due to the riff, or maybe it’s due to some other reason entirely, but “Helvete Kaller” has an incredibly addictive quality to it. Throne of Katarsis are clearly not content with just creating decent Black Metal; they want to create decent Black Metal that will make you want to listen to it again and again. Also, the chanted vocals (they pop up briefly – listen out for ‘em) when combined with the slow methodical pace in this track bring something very unearthly to the proceedings. You really do get the feeling that you’re an unwitting participant to a dark ritual.
If the previous track was the ritual, “Av Dypets Kulde” is the beast that was summoned by that ritual. Weighing in at over 9 minutes, it’s a collossal monster of a track and the music contained within more than lives up to its monstrous dimensions. The track builds up slowly, teasing the listener and almost making you beg for it to kick in. The first half of the track is full of evil seduction that eventually builds up into an unholy climax.
“The Holy Remains The Weak” is a blasphemous slice of metal. Yes, it’s a typical Black Metal track, but when it’s this good you don’t care. Like I said before, there’s no gimmicks – only a form of Black Metal that’s been crafted into its optimum shape. “Mesterens Tilbakekomst” (no, I have no idea what that title means) comes at you like machine gun fire, complete with an insane warcry. If this was played on the battlefield, it would strike fear into your opponent.
Throne of Katarsis drag you further into their world with “Åpne Alle Sår”. Its creepy intro draws you in and, before you know it, you’re trapped. Darkness looms around you and you await the predator’s strike. As with “Av Dypets Kulde”, “Åpne Alle Sår” teases the listener. I found that I was itching for the guitars, drums and vocals to really kick in, but – at the same time – I was enjoying the game. The suspense. The hunt. And then, finally, in “The Ultimate Shrine” the hypnotic spell is lifted and you come face to face with evil itself. Or something like that. Either way, it’s bloody good.
If you like old school Black Metal, you should enjoy this little beauty. Well worth your hard-earned pennies. Go on, treat yourself!
Rating: 98%
It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of Poland’s Devilish Impressions, so it should come as no surprise to find out that I’m currently very (VERY) excited. In fact, I’m been maintaining this insane level of excitement since Christmas Day when the band revealed the following news…
Above you will see the artwork for Devilish Impressions’ forthcoming opus, “Simulacra”. The cover was created by Michał ‘Xaay’ Loranc (among others NILE, KAMELOT).
In addition to revealing the cover art, the band have also given us the track list:
1.Icaros
2.Legion of Chaos
3.Lilith
4.Fear no gods!
5.The Scream of The Lambs
6.Spiritual Blackout
7.Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici
8.The Last Farewell
9.Solitude
The band will be releasing a track to promote the album on the 7th January 2012 (the day after my birthday – t’is a tremendous present!) – so make sure that you keep an eye (or an ear!) out for it!
“Simulacra” will see the light of day in the first months of 2012 via Icaros Records, probably as an exclusive 3-winged digipack with the logo embossed and the lucifers’ statues on the front and a 16-page booklet.
Just to remind you, that on the album you’ll find the work of Flumen (ASGAARD) and Lestath (METransmissionAL) – both in charge of sampling and extra effects. The album also features guest appearances from Orion (BEHEMOTH, VESANIA, BLACK RIVER), Jacek Grecki (LOST SOUL) and Roman Bereźnicki, leader of ever so strongly present on the national scene LECTER.
devilish-impressions.com
facebook.com/devilishimpressions
myspace.com/devilishimpressions
twitter.com/DevilishImpress
now playing!
