Blasphemophagher - …For Chaos, Obscurity and Desolation…

Blasphemophagher are an Italian-based 3-piece unit specializing in intense bestial warfare with touches of grindcore and thrash metal. These guys are one of the most intense metal bands I’ve ever heard and are definitely NOT for wimps and posers!

This squad of wild nuclear warmongers have been around since 2002 and have put out a VERY respectable catalogue of splits, demos, an EP and a full length. As well as two recently released compilations. “…For Chaos, Obscurity and Desolation…” is their second full length, released in January of 2010.

There are so many elements going into this barbaric assault it’s almost ridiculous! Upon listening, I can hear elements of Bathory, Blasphemy, Bestial Warlust, Napalm Death, and Repulsion, as well as thrash metal influences in some of the riffs. This is a beast that doesn’t know how to play nice!

After a short intro, “Descending into Extermination” kicks you in the gut and throws you across the room with it’s warlike fury. Sick vocals that reek of old-school grinding death metal, badass riffs that don’t let you catch your breath as you bang your head like a maniac, fast as hell drumming that drives things along at fleshripping speeds are what’s on offer here, and it’s the same with every track! This is one release that constantly pummels you until there is nothing left to pummel.

This is a very consistent release (as is everything they’ve put out) that will not disappoint the listener. Unholy, brutal (I usually try to refrain from using that word, but it definitely fits these guys), fast, aggressive, evil and drunk as hell are words I would use to describe the sound.

If you can enjoy one song on here, then you’ll enjoy the rest of the album, so skip on over to youtube and check out one of the tracks. While not the most varied album out there, it doesn’t need to be. Why would one bother trying to expand their musical soundscape when they don’t have to? These guys know what they want to achieve with their sound, and they do it damn well. Every song is stellar, they stand out from the crowd of generic “black/death” metal bands out there and do their own thing their own fuckin’ way.

I’m not going to pick a stand-out track, because I don’t want to, and neither do I find it necessary on a release such as this.

This style of music is not for the weak. If you are a false do not entry.

5/5 Nothing beats consistency. One of the best albums of 2010.

Teratornis Interview

Well, earlier today I reviewed their EP, then a few hours later their frontman got in touch with me about an interview we'd been planning to do. So here it is folks, my interview with James "Maddog" O'Lewis the mighty thrash metal behemoth!



Wayde:
G'day James, how's it going this arvo? Let’s start things off with a bit of background on Teratornis. Who's in the band? How long have you been at it? What style you guys play? And any other relevant info for the readers out there who may not have heard of you guys yet.

James:
Not too bad thanks Wayde. Cheers for giving us the oppurtunity for an interview!
Teratornis has been gonig for a few years now, started back in high school just playing playing covers and after we left school we got more serious and started writing our own shit.

Our first real line up was Jackson on drums, Sean on Bass, TT on guitar, me on guitar and we had a singer. Played one gig with this lineup but our sound was changing to more heavier thrashy sound and we decided to ditch the singer and I took over on vocals as well as playing guitar. This has been the lineup for a bit over a year now and things are starting to come along with our debut EP "Back From Extinction" under our belt and some decent shows coming up in the future. So the lineup now is:

James - Guitar/Vocals
TT - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Sean - Bass
Stone Cold Jackson - Drums

We are all mates out of the band anyway so we take the piss a fair bit and that keeps it fun.

Wayde:
How would you describe your sound to someone who hasn't heard the band before? What influences and elements go into making a Teratornis song?

James:
Pretty much straight forward thrash with some technical and progressive thrash influences thrown in. We are influenced by a heap of stuff, some outside of thrash too. When I’m making a song I usually listen to one band a shitload and then get inspired to write a song. I’m a big Coroner and tech thrash fan so I like to throw in some tricky riffs and song structures to keep the listener guessing, makes it a bit more interesting that way haha. The bands we all listen to and influence our sound the most are Destruction, Coroner, Sodom, Sepultura, and Kreator to name a few.



Wayde:
Classic influences right there mate!
Tell us a bit about your recently released EP "Back From Extinction". Where was it recorded? What went into the recording and writing process? How long did it take? etc etc.

James:
Will do. We wrote the songs a while before we went into recording, because it was our first recording we just did it when we were ready, Even though it took us long enough to finally record a release! haha. Recording took place at LA Studio in Wetherill Park, Sydney. We recorded the EP with jENK, who has recorded heaps of other Aussie metal bands and knows what he's doing that’s for sure. We were in there for about 7 days in total, which cost a lot more than we expected, and with no label backing or anything we were pretty poor after it all. Had some difficulty recording some parts of our songs that are odd time signatures because we just play them by feel so setting up the click track for those parts was a nightmare! But we are happy with the recording and feel it does us some justice for the hard work we put in.

Wayde:
It's good to know you're happy with the finished product, I think it turned out great!
I understand that recently you guys had to pull out from playing a show because your drummer had surgery. What was/is wrong with him? How has his recovery process been?

James:
Yeah we were looking forward to that gig too haha! Jackson our drummer has Crohns disease and it makes his intestines swell up which is fucking painful.
The night of our EP launch he was in alot of pain, was lying in the car while the other bands were on, then he spewed and somehow he played the tightest set he's every played!

His condition was only getting worse so his doctor reccommended he get surgury asap and that happened to be on day before the gig we had to pull out of. We tried to get a replacement drummer but there wasnt enough time to properly learn the songs and practice etc. The surgery went well and he's been healing up pretty well, he tells me hes itching to get back behind the kit and jam, so hopefully hes well enough soon! Our next gig is on the 29th of April and he should be back behind the kit for that.

Wayde:
It's good to hear he's doing well, I wish him a speedy recovery.
While on the subject of gigging, what bands have you shared the stage with and what has your overall experience been playing with these bands? Where is your favourite place to play a show?

James:
Cheers mate ill let him know.
Some notable bands we’ve shared the stage with are Hellbringer and Rampage. Always fun playing with them and its great to play with other Thrash bands. One of the most fun shows we’ve played was at the Lansdowne with Rampage and Hellbringer and there were stage divers and people were pulling the monitors and throwing the mic stands into the crowd, don’t see that much these days around here so it was great to see it during our set.

I’m putting on a gig in May with Hellbringer, Kill For Satan, Teratornis and Rampage so we are looking forward to playing this as it should be a killer gig!



Wayde:
Hellbringer and Rampage are great bands! You don't get many old-school shows like that anymore, do ya?

Have you or any of the other guys been involved with any other musical projects, metal or otherwise? If so what are/were they?

James:
Agreed, sadly there arent many all thrash lineups anymore, but hopefully there will be a few more in the future.

Teratornis is the first band for all of us im pretty sure. TT plays other guitar styles apart from metal such as jazz and he plays at cafes sometimes for some extra cash.

Wayde:
What are your thoughts on the whole "neo-thrash" thing and the "thrash is back!" attitude a lot of kids are into these days? Do you think it's a positive or negative movement for thrash metal? What newer thrash bands do you like listening to?

James:
To be honest thrash never went away totally. There were still bands sticking to their roots and releasing solid thrash in the late 90s/ early 00s. One band that released an awesome album in this era was Hypnosia from Sweden, fucking killer band.

I guess the neo-thrash scene is both positive and negative. A positive movement for the thrash scene because it is getting more people into it which makes a bigger audience for us newer bands to appeal to. But there will always be people who hate new thrash and despise kids in Municipal Waste flip caps.

I do like some of the newer thrash bands in the "neo-thrash" scene but there is heaps of great old school thrash coming out of Europe that is worth a listen such as Hellish Crossfire, Ketzer, Cruel Force to name a few.

Wayde:
Well, it seems we share a similar yet slightly varied opinion on that subject! The fact that it never went away is what makes me dislike a lot of the newer bands and fans with their attitude. I prefer to support bands such as you guys who make the music for the love of it, not to fit in with their local "scene".

What do you think of the current state of Australia's metal "scene"? And what Aussie bands are you into?

James:
There are some killer Aussie bands, that’s for sure, but then there is some shit as well in my opinion. I can't really say much about the scene in the 80s and 90s because I wasn’t involved in it then but from what I’ve heard it was better than what it is today. But instead of just complaining about how shit their local scene is and not doing anything about it like some people do, we are doing what we can to try and put on some good quality gigs and show that there is still life in the Sydney scene in particular.

Some Aussie bands I enjoy are Destroyer 666, Armoured Angel, Assaulter, Kill For Satan, Hellbringer and Innsmouth to name a few.

Wayde:
What are some memorable and/or funny experiences from your musical "career" so far that you would like to share?

James:
Our most memorable one so far would be the whole recording process of our EP. Learned a lot during it and hopefully next recording we will be more prepared haha.

Our first interstate show was early this year in January and it was cool to play to a new crowd and see new people getting into our music.

A funny experience was going to the abandoned tram museum in Glebe to get band photos. We had to climb in through a roof and while we were in there it started pissing down so getting out was a messy experience, good fun though and we got some rad photos out of it.

Wayde:
So what's next for Teratornis now that your EP has finally been put out? Any plans for future gigs? Merchandise? Are you working on new material yet?

James:
Got a few gigs coming up in the coming months. May 13th we are playing at Total Desaster at the Valve with Hellbringer, Kill For Satan and Rampage. A week later we are playing in Canberra with Hellbringer and Kill For Satan again. Then we are heading to Newcastle for the first time in June.

We have just put out our first run of Teratornis t shirts, and I have been working on new songs for the upcoming gigs. They are a bit different to the songs on the EP but they still have the Teratornis sound, that’s for sure. When we have enough material for an album we will head back into the studio, but that will be a year off I’d say.

Wayde:
Cool man, I wish you guys the best of luck with everything coming up!

I’d like to thank you for doing this interview, it’s been great. Is there anything else you’d like to share with myself and/or the readers?

James:
Cheers man and thanks for the interview.
Teratornis is back from extinction so be sure to catch us at a gig in the future!

Neil Wonnells' Metalmouth Online Heavy Metal Radio Station

Neil Wonnell is a radio DJ from America who has been active in radio since the late 80's. He has worked on an off for various stations within the Chicago area over the years since then.

Recently, due to a desire for more creative control over his shows, he has made the move to online broadcasting. His show is a fun and energetic mix of old and new thrash and heavy metal mania!

I'm not usually a radio fan, but this guy has a pretty cool thing going on here and I'd definitely recommend checking out his show.

Neil Wonnell's Metalmouth @ Reverbnation

Learnin' things about dem compooters!

OK so recently I've taken the time to learn a few more things about this site and a few others to make this site more convenient and an all 'round better experience for you folks. Here's a brief rundown of what I've been up to:

I've put up an extra search bar because a lot of people don't realize there's a small one at the very top of the page (hell, even I forget about that one!).

I've made it easier for you to subscribe to the zine for e-mail updates. Both this and the new search bar can be found above the chat box.

Chucked up a photo of my ugly mug for ya to drool over!

I've also taken the time to make a Facebook page for the site, so any of you facebookers out there should head on over and Like it!

Hell, while your at it, feel free to add my personal page, I'll answer any questions about the site and am open to suggestions for newer releases to review.

There's also now a page up for my band Goat Spire, we should hopefully be starting things off soon, but don't get ya hopes up, we're lazy bastards!

There will probably be more updates similar to this when I learn/do more. Stay tuned!

Teratornis – Back From Extinction

Many of you who read this site may or may not know that I really despise this “new wave of thrash” thing going on, due to the heavy amount of clone bands popping up all over the place. I don’t mind if you play old-school sounding thrash metal but please do not go around acting like Paul Baloff and thinking you’re awesome because “thrash is back, WOOOOOOOOOO!!!”, it’s just very annoying and immature. I do, however, give my total support to the bands out there who take the time to put together some enjoyable songs and not copy everything that everyone else is doing. These non-sheep bands are what give me hope for thrash metal. Teratornis are one of these bands.

Teratornis are a 4-piece from Sydney, Australia, who play thrash (well, duh!), and they do a pretty fuckin’ good job at it. There’s plenty of obvious influences to be heard on this CD (mainly Coroner and Destruction, who are clearly the team favourites here. And of course, all the usual suspects, Big 4, German trio, etc etc) but I wouldn’t call these guys a “throwback tribute to the glory days of thrash” type band, as they actually have something cool going on here and don’t sound like just another group of wannabes who wish it was the 80’s all over again.



The EP kicks off with an absolute smasher of a track titled “Rise From the Tombs”. It’s the kind of track you want at the start of a thrash release, it catches your attention and wakes you up for what’s to come. Fast and catchy riffs combined with gruff vocals, gang choruses and fast drumming are all there, hell, there’s even a killer drum/guitar solo section. This song ticks all the boxes required to make a classic thrash tune. If you’re not headbanging by the end of this then there’s something wrong with ya!

The second song “Notomellis” again gets down to business pretty quickly. It’s all about the riffs here, which are technical yet melodic, catchy and not wanky or boring in the slightest amount. These young fellas are damn good at their instruments, and it really shows in this song. Definitely one for the Coroner fans!

Now for the obligatory self-titled song that most thrash bands have! “Teratornis” doesn’t fuck around, the boys are straight away in your face with a thrash attack on this track. It’s all about the good old fashion no-bullshit intensity! This song is about a pre-historic giant bird (a Teratornis) coming “back from extinction” and wrecking all kinds of havoc. This is a good friendly violent fun song, and probably the most straightforward one on the EP. I’d have to say this is my favourite song from this release, too.

“Catacalysmic Destruction” is the closing (and longest) track. It starts off with a sample intro with some guy talking about nuclear war, which leads into some mid-paced chugging building into faster riffs and an intense tale of death, carnage and destruction following a nuclear holocaust. Funnily enough given the title, Destruction influences are all over this one! Plenty of variety abounds throughout “Catcalysmic Destruction”.

In summary, this is a damn good effort at playing some solid thrash without sounding stale or generic. Yes there a plenty of band comparisons to be made, but then again, thrash metal is not about reinventing the wheel anymore. Chuck this in the player, grab a beer and go nuts!

5/5

BUY IT: www.thecoffinsslave.com

Or directly from the band on facebook

Sanguis Imperem/Nocturnal Blood – Imperial Impurity

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Double Dose of Doom Cult

Seeing as Diocletian and Witchrist (two killer bands from New Zealand) both released an album last year and they also share a few members, I’ve decided to review them both in this “special”. Prepare your orifices for a double dose of DOOM CULT!

Witchrist - Beheaded Ouroboros


Imagine, if you will, “Realm of Chaos” era Bolt Thrower having a jam with “Onward to Golgotha” era Incantation after listening to some militant black metal records (Blasphemy, Conqueror, Revenge and the like). This is evil and dark old-school death metal, not for the faint hearted.

“Beheaded Ouroboros” is one of those albums that you don’t usually “get” right away on the first listen, however, this is one album definitely worth taking the time to get into. It may take a few listens, but soon enough it will possess you with old-school bestial brutality and a hauntingly crushing atmosphere. However, I would not call this a “challenging listen” either, if you’re a fan of old school DM, you will enjoy it regardless.

It all starts off with some odd chanting and a bit of slow and crushing doomy type death metal that prepares you for things to come. A dark atmosphere and crushing riffs are the order of the day here. The production on this album fits the atmosphere that Witchrist aim to achieve perfectly, it’s not extremely raw but it’s certainly not clean, it keeps everything drenched in an aura of darkness and impurity.

The guitar sound is murky, distorted and down-tuned, as is the bass. The drum sound is great and goes from slow doomy dirges to blast beats whenever necessary, I’m not sure what else to say about it but don’t expect clicky triggered bullshit. The vocals sound like a mad man entombed in a deep dungeon. Basically, this release sounds as if it was recorded in a tomb, which is a good thing!

My personal favourite track here would have to be “Temple of War”. I’m not sure why, so don’t ask, there’s just something about this song that stands out for me. Every track is great and keeps up to a certain standard that the band has clearly set for themselves, though.

All in all, this is a completely solid release that proves to any naysayers that there is hope for death metal yet. For fans of: Teitanblood, Diocletian, Blasphemy, Archgoat, Proclamation, Incantation, Profanatica and Bolt Thrower.

5/5 one of my favourite releases of 2010.

BUY IT: www.thecoffinsslave.com



Diocletian – War of All Against All



If I were to say there exists such a thing as “forward thinking war metal”, you would probably think I’d lost my marbles! Unless, of course, you had already come face to face with the foul creature that is Diocletian.

“War of All Against All” is a unique record in every sense of the word. Try to picture in your minds’ ear, members of Blasphemy and members of “Sworn to the Dark” era Watain forming a band together and you’ll get some idea of where I’m going here. Intense chaotic madness transcends into melodic and atmospheric soundscapes all within the same song.

The production on this release fits the music perfectly and I have no qualms about it whatsoever. The guitar/bass sound is thick and crushing, whilst the vocals are inhuman and the drums flow perfectly with the different sections. Everything fits in together just right.

I can’t say much for stand-out tracks, as this is an album that you really need to experience in full, preferably with headphones on and in a quite and secluded place. It IS “war metal”, but it’s unlike anything you’ve heard before.

There isn’t much more to be said about this release, as it can’t truly be described with words typed on a screen. If you are a fan of black/death metal, but wish to hear something completely different at the same time, give this a go!

5/5

BUY IT: www.thecoffinsslave.com