Interview: Obeisance

This is the first interview ever conducted by our occasional contributor James Goatfukk. It was conducted in 2010 with members of the mighty OBEISANCE from Mexico!

1. Blackest hails! For those not yet familiar with Obeisance, give us a brief history of the band and tell us which albums have been on your playlist lately.

Martin Von Fah-Q - Obeisance was formed by me in 1992.Lots of line up changes! We had a demo 93"the cold waste", demo 94 "Black baptism of October"; MCD 94  (now released with the 2 demos as a full length on Desastrious records) "hellbent on slaughter", a live tape "Live in 95-Live in plaza monumental bullring",fuckin'96 full length "infierno eterno" full length cd "Lucifer master"in 2003 on Utterly somber records,"Lucifer Master" LP on Merciless records 2004,"unholy unwholesome and evil" CD on Blackseed productions in 2006(and Hell's Headbanger's was going to release this on LP with lots of bonus tracks but they have sat on this LP for 4 years now I do not know why?! I guess we are not any sort of priority for them!), "Satanik shocktroops auf doom" 7"on Iron bonehead prods.  and "Hell hymns" tape on demonic warcult prods.in 2008, "FUCK-Forever unholy christian Karnage" 7" on Gasmask prods. in 2007,"Satanik Fuck" CD on Morbid Moon records in 2009. Been listening to ...Of Doom (Fin),New Blasphemophager and The Chasm,Macrodex demo1, Molestator demo,Nocturnal blood-all, Sanguis Imperem,Nyogthaeblisz 7",Poison "Satan commands" song,Sarcofago INRI,Shub niggurath 7" s, Terrorist side of split 7",Voivod first 4 cd's, Wehrmacht all...

The Evil Onit -  Pseudogod-new advanced trakks, Exterminate-Pact, Persekution-demo II, Seges Findere-Bound By Hatred, Necroholocaust-Bringers of Black Genocide, OfDoom/Black Feast-demos, Molestator-demo, Proclamation, Execration of Cruel Bestiality, Sadomator-Goats Brew Alcolust, Wrathprayer-In Utter Darkness, Truppensturm-Truppensturm, Nocturnal Blood-Invocation of Spirits, Deiphago-Filipino Antichrist!!this is what i been desekrating my ears with lately!

D. Butcher - Gory Melanoma "Suffer thy Genitalia" Disgorge "Forensick" Necroholocaust " EVERYTHING!!!" Deiphago "Fillipino Antichrist" Possessed "Seven Churches" Vomitor "Bleeding the Priest" Amputator/Baphomets Horns "Forcefucked Anihilation" Blood Division's Demos, Repulsion "Horrified" Impetigos Both LPs, Autopsy's Entire Discography, Nuclear Death "Bride of Insect" and Sarcofago's "INRI"!!!!!

2. Which bands influenced the malicious sound of Obeisance in the beginning and which other bands of today do you find worthy of support?

onit - I cannot speak for the influence of the song writing as Martin writes all the musik and lyriks. But as for my personal influences  i mix my guitar style with influences from: Caller of the Storms-Blasphemy, JF-Ampütator, K.K. Warslut-Bestial Warlust, Usurper of Eternal Condemnation and Inverted Crucifixion-Teitanblood.

MVFQ - Fuck man ! you have to go back to the first wave of real thrash and black(first Metallica,Venom Anthrax,Megadeth, Slayer,Exodus,Dark angel,Viking first,Whiplash first 2,Wehrmacht,Cryptic slaughter... ) and death metal (Celtic frost,Death,first 2 Sepultura,Sarcofago,Sodom,Destruction, Kreator Possessed,etc) and to the second wave of death (Entombed,Grotesque,etc.)and black metal(Blasphemy "fallen angel of doom"Rotting christ's "Satanas Tedeum", Mayhem up to "De Mysteriis..." Master's Hammer"Ritual",Darkthrone's first 4), and old classic  and southern rock; and heavy metal (Judas, Maiden) etc.! there's so much stuff that unlike many in the scene,  my sun does NOT rise and set in count grishnack's pants!!

3. What is the ideology regarding Obeisance? What inspires the writing?

MVFQ - Genocide, wars, darkness, evilness, lucifer all of this inspires our writing and defines our ideology; now if you mean do I go to a satanic or devil worshipping church every sunday or whatever NO i don't believe in not going to a fuckin christian church to go to any other church! I walk my own path as I am 39 years old and have NO need to prove to anyone how black and metal I am by cutting myself like an emo,going to any church,burdening myself with any god or religion, blaming the jews for my own problems or the world's problems, worshiping a jewish carpenter,or any ridiculous bullshit like that! I have lots of other ridiculous bullshit that I have to think about!

4. How would you describe the sound of Obeisance to someone who's never layed ears on your music before?

MVFQ - I am not a fuckin unholy demon of hell! well kind of; I have a job and go shop at wal-mart etc, so when people find out I am in a band they assume i'm famous,and make millions of dollars,well we are fuckin underground so none of the above applies! I have to explain to someone who's never heard us ALL the time!! I tell them we are Metal. "Like Metallica?" they ask."No,not exactly" I say,:"Kind of like that but faster-harder-more violent and more evil and satanic!" then they get scared, say "oh,ok" and walk away as fast as they can !! FUCK YEAH!!

onit - Apokalyptik Nuklear Fist Fukk in the ass of the bastard faggot christ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Obeisance is obviously influenced by alot of classic Thrash Metal, what does Thrash Metal mean to you and what do you regard as your 80's classics?

MVFQ - That was the music that I was waiting for all my life!!! when I was a child this music did not exist! I had "screaming for vengeance" and "blizzard of ozz" on LP but once I got "Kill 'em all" there was no fuckin' turning back!! so that's one of my favorites, then "seven churches",Viking"do or die","show no mercy,haunting the chapel,hell awaits and reign in blood",Persecution mania,Bonded by blood,Pleasures of the flesh,in the sign of evil,among the living, spreading the disease,Endless pain,pleasure to kill,Holy Terror "mind wars",Vio-lence "eternal nightmare"/opressing the masses,Virus"force recon", first 4 Voivods,Wargasm"why play around?",Rigor mortis,Retaliation,Release from agony,fuck i am sure i forgot some but so be it. Now new thrash metal bands Raped god 666 if you can call em straight thrash metal and Terrorist, not because they are our friends but coz they kick ass I think! maybe Merciless death but everyone else, they do not excite me after listening to them! I mean all these new bands seem to be doing the type of thrash that ended up killing thrash! Here are some that I listened to in the 80's that could be thrashy but not really:convicted,money talks, age of quarrel,immaculate deception, victim in pain,cause for alarm,shark attack,biermacht, man i'll leave it there!

onit - thrash was the 8o's. Thrash influences me personally in no way at all! to me it was great for its time but just another stepping stone. when i was a kid i liked Sabbath, Priest and Motorhead but wanted something heavier. then the NWOBHM kame and i loved that but wanted something faster, then i wanted something more evil and so on and so on!!! so when thrash hit, it was great, but it was just a matter of time that i needed FASTER/HEAVIER/MORE EVIL musik!!! it was great then but i see no need for all these reunions! and I especially do not see a need for all these new weak ass klone bands that ripp  off styles of krappy old thrash bands that sukked in the first place. As for my 80's klassiks: Sodom-In the Sign of Evil, Destruction-Infernal Overkill, Kreator-Endless Pain, Possessed-Seven Churches, Exodus-Bonded By Blood!

D. Butcher - To a certain extent we somewhat follow a blue print to oldschool thrash, as far as playing fast and being evil!!! Dont take it that im saying we are a thrash band, we just took the formula of playing fast, heavy and loud! We have played shows where 15yr old thrashers show up with the municipal waste shirt and get butthurt when we say that we want to hear something faster!

6. How do you feel about Black/Death bands that betray their underground roots to appeal to a larger audience? Will Obeisance ever sign to some corporate scum label if given an offer?


MVFQ - Yes we love corporate scum labels! NO we are not pretty boys or is it within our means to tour extensively which is what those types of labels want! we are underground and we are very content to remain so! Now I  am curious and am talking to the evil onit about this as I write and he's cooking up some obeisance rice, who do you mean like sepultura after arise and maybe slayer's diabolus in musica and god hates us all?, ah onit just mentioned Metallica! yeah I see what you mean! NO we will not do that most definitely!


onit - I despise these homosexuals!!! They are in the musik for the wrong reasons!!! and the answer is a definitive NO!!!!

D. Butcher - Id rather continue washing windows and put black candles over the fish counter top of my meat market on ASS WEDNESDAY and all through shitty lent than to be some big asshole corporate rock star like SLATER or GAYTALLICA has turned out to be!!! We may not be as suckcessfull or as talented as those bands are but when we play we have pure guts, pure stamina!!! One other thing is at least we dont have that curse where people only care to hear our early material and say thats all we ever had to offer.  We get requests for our NEW material as well.  Our releases continue to carry out the speed and aggression unlike these bands that turn their backs on their fans that continue to release tired and boring albums every year.  Death to the FALSE!!!
7. How necessary do you feel is it to correspond with fans or maniacs showing interest in your music and what is your thoughts on bands that don't correspond to mail?

onit -  It is necessary. i see it necessary bekause I am just another blakk/death/warmongering sikk satanik fukking metalhead!! One of my favourite pastimes is hanging out with warbrothers, drinking and talking about METAL!!!! So if someone likes Obeisance...shit, i'll talk to them about METAL!!!!

MVFQ - I agree! I am not a fuckin' elitist cocksucker like so many bands from Norgay would say "oh, we are the elite!" fuck that and fuck them!! I am just another fan who just happens to "play"(not very well i might add! I am not much of a musician at all!) an instrument in obeisance! I will talk with any fan no problem as long as I am not busy hauling merch or at the merch table or setting up to play or breaking down my gear; you know we are underground so we roadie ourselves! so yeah we can talk and you dont have to buy us a beer or a shot; ok maybe a shot of jag or tequila or uncle Jack's for me!.

onit - Martin does not speak for me!!! I WILL take a beer or a shot if you want to buy me one! or two, or three or four...

MVFQ-Or twenty!! No joking! this fuckin Evil onit is an utter fucking alcoholic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

D. Butcher - We may have small crowds at some shows but that same small crowd is worth more than any profit off a pantera record!  As they say Quality over Quantity!  We appreciate the few metal maniacs that are in the front of the stage grinding their face off while desecrating christ! AAARRGGHH!!!! Come to our shows there is no 10ft high stage with a million security guards loaded on redbull. We are as real as Jesus on a Stick!!!

8. 10 albums you can't live without.

MVFQ - Sarcofago "I.N.R.I." times ten!!! nah, also Celtic Frost "Emperor's return", Blasphemy"FAOD",Metallica "Kill'em all",Slayer "reign in blood" Including "Aggressive perfector 86",Possessed "seven churches" Viking "Do or die",Dark angel"darkness descends",Repulsion "horrified",  Sacrifice "torment in fire".

onit - Blasphemy-F.A.O.D., Betial Warlust-Vengeance War till Death, Proclamation-Messiah of Darkness and Impurity, Abominator-Damnations Prophecy, Morbosidad-Cojete a dios Por El Culo, Embalmed-Demo '98, Demoncy-Joined in Darkness,  Sarcofago-I.N.R.I., Nyogthaeblisz-Apocryphal Precurser to the Great Tribulation, Conqueror-War Cult Supremacy.

D. Butcher - Vomitor-Bleeding the Priest, Repulsion-Horrified, Autopsy-Severed Survival, Impetigo-Ultimo Mondo Cannibale, Impetigo- Horror of the Zombies, Celtic Frost-Morbid Tales, Carcass- Reek of Putrefaction, Blasphemy-Fallen Angel of Doom, Revenge-Victory.Intolerance.Mastery, Napalm Death-Scum

9. Are there any other bands that the members of Obeisance are currently active in?

onit - I play guitar in Satanic Goat Ritual and I also play bass in Morbosidad.

D. Butcher - I play drums in Molestator.

MVFQ- I play with my penis almost daily prob'ly twice a day! oh you mean bands!? no just Obeisance!

10. Do you read much? What kind of books interest you?

MVFQ - I read copiously! News papers, books: fiction, non fiction, politics yes READ THIS: POLITICS ARE EVIL!!! I hate too many times when bands say i am not into politics! then soon you might wake up some day to find Metal is outlawed because you didn't keep an eye on these dick sucking crooked politicians! like in Poland: the fuckin'catholic church has, from what I have seen kind of effectively taken over for the old communist party's duties of supressing stuff they don't agree with like Metal! so if you don't want this to happen to you, vote! and don't think liberals/socialists will let you be free! Look at this amateur soft dictator Obama: for years his partisans in the press told us how bad Bush was and this was not as bad as we are now with this fuckin numb nuts Obama who promised to fix every thing ,fooled many into voting for him and has only fucked things up more! and Greece...oh beware this socialist government you have now!!: NO country in the history of the world, has EVER taxed itself into prosperity!! and that only seems to be the answer these fuckin socialists/social democrats/green party or whatever these fucking closet aristocrats call themselves!! whenever i can get my hands on metal zines i read almost all I can!! And I am really looking forward to getting the Hellhammer book!!!!!

onit - I only read metal zines!

D-Butcher- I read books as well as MVFQ does yet im always finding time to read metal fanzines! SEPTIGORE!!!

11. Are there any vivid experiences of playing live or being at festivals that you can share with us?

MVFQ -There's lots!! too many to list here! but in Monterrey,Mexico some coked up guy's girl told him I had spoken to her or something,(I didn't!) so he attacked me from behind! I turned around, he yelled at me and threw a punch: I almost got out of the way but got punched on my left shoulder! so I retaliated! when I did,3 of his buddies jumped me from behind, by then I had their buddy who originally attacked me in a headlock punching him, and his friends pushed me onto the floor where I landed on top of their friend as his buddies attacked me from behind again! then Bestial Saviour (Blasphemy/Morbosidad/Necroholocaust) saw that it was me being outnumbered 4 to 1 so he attacked those 3 guys who then attacked him! then security separated us and threw those guys out so they then kicked the club's glass doors in! It was an honor to be in battle with my warbrother Bestial saviour!! almost all the fans in Monterrey are great old metal maniax but these guys from a band with keyboards decided it would be cool to get coked up and between 4 attack me!Hahaha! man that was some good amusement! I wasn't even talking to that guy's (fake)blonde chick girlfriend but to some other chick! I guess that was his ex girlfriend or something Haha! but I do not need cocaine or alcohol to be brave and I believe it cowardly to attack 4 vs.1! but oh well whatever!...there are more stories and I am writing them down as some stuff that has happened to us you would think would not happen to an underground sick satanik band such as ourselves,but it has! maybe one day it'll be a book or somethin, we'll see! but a bad bad experience? nah! Its great to meet Archgoat, Necroholocaust, Destroyer666, Celtic frost, Thornspawn, Bloodstorm, The chasm,  and many many more! I still can't believe much of what has happened and what we have done and accomplished as a band!

onit - we've done the S.O.T.N.C. fest a few times. Embrace the Hate fest, Desastrious fest and i played the Nuclear War Now! last year and they all RULED!!!!!!
 D. Butcher - Before i was blasting for the Unholy and Unwholesome!!!! Obeisance!!! I watched them share the bill with kick ass underground bands like Demoncy, and Disgorge! Soon as i joined in on the Slaughter of the Holy Cities we have shared the stage with such great bands like Sadistic Intent, Revenge, Baphomets Horns, Morbosidad, Manticore, Nocturnal Blood, Sanguis Imperem, Necroholocaust, Archgoat and many others to come and all the bands kicked more catholic/christian ass than you would believe if you are foreign to them.
12. How is your relationship with BlackSeed Productions and for how long have you been signed to them? Are there any other bands on that label that you recommend?

MVFQ -Blackseed is a GREAT record label!!! We only have  "Unholy,unwholesome and evil" with them but hopefully we can work together again in the future!! Merciless crucifixion are pretty good and the new Anal vomit I have not heard, but come on its Anal Vomit!! I'm sure it will kick ass!!! Hails to Alhaz and Blackseed!!
        
onit - Blackseed is great! Alhaz is one hell of a DEMON!!!! I support Primigenium and i support BlackSeed 666%!!!!!!!!!

13. What is your beliefs/philosophy in life?

MVFQ -Follow my own path. Be anti religion, ALL of them not just the weak feeble christians but do you see many or any black metal bands speak shit about Islam? NO coz attacking christianity and judaism is easy coz no matter what anyone says there are no christian or jewish terrorists like there are muslim terrorists who will kill you if you speak anything against their religion! I try not to hate, not coz its "wrong " or some pussy politically correct shit, but because hatred clouds your judgement and I've seen a close friend of mine be so mad and hateful at someone or something that he only makes himself and others around him miserable so much so that he almost can't function coz  Fuck! he is so pissed off at ____ that... so what's the fuckin' point?! I'd rather fuck as much as possible (I'm straight),  have some drinks and talk metal!! except nu and emo screamo and  deathcore and other such garbage!! ok only to mock it!! ha! i am in a constant state of mockery of almost anything!! I don't hate myself and want to die or hate mankind. I think that when you see a band say that, it is more than likely coz they were molested by some priest or pastor or something! haha! look at that ex-vocalist from Gaygoroth! He's gay and hates mankind!! He just made my point! It makes me laugh that it seems like the English press especially is soooo in love with this guy coz he's evil and blah blah blah! haha!  We laugh at this dipshit as I lived in the most violent city in the world: Juarez Mexico until 10  years ago and still go there almost every week and the Evil Onit goes there EVERY  day! all that violence and "scariness" of the ex-Gaygoroth or Norwegian scene does NOT impress  or scare ANY of us in Obeisance at all !! and all those suicidal black metal bands, man are they funny! if they were really suicidal they would have killed themselves already!! but no, its more of a "look at me, look at me"  cry for help!! ah well i guess i have bored your readers enough already! 

D. Butcher - Keeping underground metal alive and insane by continuing to drive hundreds of miles to play these rituals while we have our lives back home.

onit - Desekrate virgin pussies!!! Desekrate my liver!!!! Desekrate my axe!!!! Desekrate my ears!!!!!!!!!!! Desekrate my soul!!!!!!!!!!

14. What is your opinion on the following bands:

(A) Black Torment
(B) Adumus
(C) Drawn and Quartered
(D) Napalm Death
(E) The Chasm

onit - (A) Great HellThrashing Maniax! Great komrades!! (B) Supreme Texas Black Metal! Longtime warbrothers!! they are currently on hiatus. (C) Mediocre, run of the mill! And i DONT like their politiks!!!! But being from the Pacifik N.W. (a region in the U.S. where a lot of liberal/kommunists kongregate) I expekted that from them. (D) Only Scum & F.E.T.O. are real!! (E) DEATHCULT for Eternity!!! Warbrothers for ETERNITY!!



MVFQ - A) Our comrades and a magnificent band of sick satanic fuckers that we had the great pleasure and honor to meet during our last Mexican tour! IF any reading this have not heard them, listen to them or get their stuff now!! We were talking about doing a split, but haven't found label interest yet so if someone's interested let us know! (B)This is fuckin black black Metal! surely they are our warbrothers!! (C) their third album (I think) I really liked, but afterwards they just became something that I'm just not interested in any longer and an interview with the vocalist where he repeats basically everything bad about Bush that the socialist/liberal press here in the us was saying is particullarly funny!! like  the guy's "opinion" was what the liberal press says EXACTLY almost word for word! this is a so called "Death "metal band and the guy is worried coz "oh,oh Bush and Cheney are war criminals! booo hooo! and the Irak war is illegall boohoo!" The irak war is illegal? GREAT!!! Sometimes those are the best wars! Bush and Cheney are war criminals? GOOD! I LOVE my leaders to be war criminals! and I LOVE Bush!! (especially female Bush!) but especially Dick Cheney!! To a band that is supposed to be death metal you don't like Cheney a guy thats supposed to be evil?? What the fuckin' fuck! But then you hear words like "war criminals" and that's where I know that this guy's been influenced and infected by socialist/communist thinking coz socialist/communist scum LOVE these types of words and expressions!! the only thing missing from the Drawn & Quartered guys vocabulary was calling Bush & Cheney "imperialist running dogs"!! Hahaha! what a maroon!! (D) I prefer the Lee Dorrian era as well!! But some of their new stuff seems like somewhat a return to their old days but still its not something that interests me for purchase. But it sure is better than lots of that absolute shit Napalm put out in the 90's! (E) Our warbrothers period!
D. Butcher - (A) Killer fucking band that puts your cock in a blender!!! (B) Kick ass Texas Black Metal (C) The releases they have put out seem a little bland yet live. (D) Early Napalm!!! (Napalm knows as well!! that their early shit is the best!!!) (E) Hail the Almighty Chasm!!!! Shuvaka Rules!!!!
15. What's some of your favourite zines active today? Any good recommendations?

MVFQ -The black vomit, Septigore, Noise  and Shit, Kampf records newsletter, and many more!!!

D. Butcher - Septigore!!!

16. So what are the future plans for the band?

MVFQ - Going to play with Nunslaughter this saturday march 6 in Austin Texas, come back and record the songs we have ready for a new LP/CD,maybe some splits too, maybe a US tour in August, and another mini US tour in december with...that's  still being worked on and when it is ready it will be a black surprise for all US fans or it might not work out so I'd rather not jinx it by mentioning names! 

17. Ok, that's about it...Thanks alot for taking the time to answer to these questions. I wish you Obeisance all the best for the future!!! Destroy the reader with your last words...

MVFQ - Thank you black warbrother for the interview!! We wish you the best as well!! Watch out for our fucking CD's and 7" splits coming up! and our old stuff, if you don't have it get it!!! Hails to the readers and to you black warbrother!!!!

onit - Thanks for the interview!! metal maniax kan check us out at:
www.myspace.com/obeisance
www.youtube.com/evilonit666
obeisance666@hotmail.com

666

DIMENTIANON - Collapse the Void (Paragon Records 2010)

Review by James Goatfukk

Despite the release date, I haven’t seen any reviews on here so far for this album, so I thought I might do it some justice by reviewing it. Well, first things first; DIMENTIANON—which I have no fucking idea what it means—set the benchmark in 2010 for Blackened Death Metal with their third full length album “Collapse The Void” which is 100% trend-free in every aspect…There is absolutely no use of any gimmicks here whatsoever—the only thing DIMENTIANON focuses on is making the listener’s ears bleed with enigmatic Black/Death Metal full of rich textures with solidly crafted songs. Not only are the songs arranged firmly, but the whole atmosphere on this album bleed with piognancy and emotion. Nothing “light” to be found on here-- The overall ambiance is more gloomy than anything else…afterall, the music drips of obscurity. One thing I have to point out about what makes this album such an enjoyable experience is just how experimental the whole album is…There’s a definite psychedelic vibe to go with the progressive tendencies and the result is conclusively fresh. Collapse the void is not your typical black/death affair due to its experimental side – but there are more than a few occasions where a well-round dose of frantic blast beats are applied to add to the album’s intrinsic worth. I must mention that the overall sound on this album is very good backed with a tight performance from everyone in the band. I’m especially fond of the hoarse-like vocals that have a very prominent lead in the mix. The guitar soloing is nothing short of superb with its 70’s prog-rock vibe. Across the spectrum, there’s also an usage of low-key sythesizers that makes itself known on the slower, more Doomier parts. The album is immensely diverse and experimental, yet never tends to throw the listener away from the music. The riffs are melodicly adequate without sounding too much like ear-candy…and for me that is a very positive thing. Any bands who are able to construct proper melodic hooks without compromising their brutality are on the right path. DIMENTIANON has somehow managed to come up with something untried and dynamic with a sound that has enough grit to appeal to the fans of bands like ARKHON INFAUSTUS...yet with just enough epic dark melodies to get followers of WATAIN excited. In other words, a greatly balanced record. The album contains 5 tracks with the whole deal clocking at 27:35 minutes. All the tracks flow together as a whole so it would be somewhat suggestive to listen to it in its entirety, which I can promise you, doesn’t contain too many wasted moments.

Sinistrous Diabolus - Total Doom//Desecration

Sinistrous Diabolus is a doom/death metal band from New Zealand who have apparently been around since 1991, although it seems they had a long hiatus from '93 'til 2010. "Total Doom//Desecration" is their debut album, which has recently been released on up-and-coming NZ label Internecion Productions, who have previously released material from Vassafor, Blood of the Moon and Lantern (so, definitely a label to watch for in the future!).

Sinistrous Diabolus present a rather varied form of death/doom, taking just as much influence from bands such as Asphyx and Autopsy as they do from the likes of diSEMBOWELMENT, Winter and Evoken. This "mixed bag" approach is what really made Sinistrous stand out to me when I first heard the album, as a lot of death/doom bands tend to stick to one formula, which is all well and good, but can often become tiresome.

In regards to production, careful attention has been paid to ensure that the record sounds sleek yet unpolished and thick yet audible. The bass and guitars are mixed in a way that allows them to complement each other really well and allow both instruments plenty of time to both breathe and shine. Even the drums carry a lot of depth with them, something that can often be ignored in the mixing process. Overall, the production couldn't possible be any better for this particular album.

Aside from the contrast between solid death metal and slow, crushing doom, there are occasional moments of droning and atmospheric ambiance which is used to break things up at the right time. These moments are used sparingly and not overdone, adding just the right amount of darkness to an already bleak record.

After reading all of my praise in this review, I must sound like an easy man to please, but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's a simple fact that rarely will a doom metal album impress me as much as Sinistrous Diabolus have with Total Doom//Desecration. This record may not be the best, or even the most original release out right now, but it is representative of a band who really took their time to craft something great and with that, they have left me very eager to hear anything they produce in the future.

Interview: Nocturnal Vomit

Interview conducted by James Goatfukk.

1. Hail Isaak! Thanks for finding the time to do this interview. Please reveal to us what NOCTURNAL VOMIT is all about and what provoked the foul need to play abysmal Death Metal redolent of old cemetery stench.

Infernal salutes James!

Well, since many years before I formed n.vomit I had plans to form a real sick,brutal,dark old school death metal band away from the trends and fashion...

I wanted to play something that really approached me and felt like.I didn't sit down and say I wanna play like this or that,no. during the years of morbid existence we got to get more experience and find our own sound.

2. I know it’s been out a while now, but congratulations on the release of your debut opus “Cursed Relics”. What can you tell us about the response you’ve received so far?

Well,not that long ago,our debut album "cursed relics" has been out for less than a year and the response has been really tremendous and more and more maniacs really discover our band! Honestly we really didn't expect so much from that album,and to this day we still feel so satisfied and proud we done it.

We worked so hard on this album and took us some years to complete it fully as we wanted. We didn't want to rush at all,we only cared about quality and a more personal sound than rather sound so sterile and common like most today's wimp bands do,fuck the trends!

3. “Cursed Relics” is a merciless array of traditional Death Metal that bludgeons the shit out of the listener from start to finish. What was the band’s main vision on how you wanted the album to sound?

As I mentioned earlier,we wanted to focus on all details on this album,we wanted something to be chronicle by time,not like an album which there’s some fuzz for 3-8 months and then gets forgotten...

We paid attention in music,production,lyr­ics,artwork,concept etc....

When we were recording this album in 2010 we wanted something personal,eerie,dark,­heavy and outstanding.....

the listener can judge from him/her self.

4. Somehow I think you were able to capture a very dark mood into the recording; were there maybe any events in your life that acted as inspiration for the recording or is it a natural outcome of your personalities and/or musical tastes?

Maybe,but not on a purpose way to do it.

We just let all power and negative energy to consume us so we can get influence and inspiration.

It's not only the bands we like or grew up with,but inspiration and this has to do with our daily lives of how we think how we live what we feel inside,the way we handle the negative energy...

Nothing is so stereotype,otherwise­ we will just be copy cats and that's it,not here though.

In a few words we succeed to bring the listener a step forward to hell without been technical or high skills,that's a big point,just think of it.

About n.vomit ,the fact is that we have something to say,its not about high technical skills or to do a massive production or be mainstream or commercial......

We do belong else where,not with those morons and posers,fuck em.

5. What can you tell us about the recording process of “Cursed Relics” and the conditions surrounding it? Are you happy with the results?

I think I mentioned this above; of course we are satisfied.

Well,there are some details or mistakes on the recording which could have been better,but still happy with it. When I was recording the album to say the truth I was a bit nervous 'cause it was the first time to record a full album of running time 46 minutes. we also used a different studio,producer also been an album we had to give our 101% of ourselves,its not a demo or 7ep were you can say OK,even not been satisfied you can say OK,but an album you have to work on all details.

Also the drumming on all recordings are hard and take a lot of time to most bands.

6. I’m sure you hear this a lot, but your vocalist has a very similar vocal style to that of Martin Van Drunen; thus I must ask if it’s but sheer coincidence or maybe he acted as inspiration?

Hahahaahah,yes,I get this comment from almost everyone,that's true.

Thomas has a very similar voice to Martin Van Drunnen that's a fact,no doubt,also Martin is his favourite vocalist among the few,but let me tell you that's the way his style is. as i mentioned somewhere else too,who really sings like Martin? How many bands out there? And how many sing the classic brutal guttural style? Countless of em. Thomas vocals fitted perfect on the album and it was a great choice for Thomas to pick up the vocals 'cause in the past me and Kolozis p.k. were doing the vocals in our older releases. also Thomas vocals remind me also to bands as:death,morgoth,obi­tuary,pentacle,asphy­x,possessed...

7. I’ve noticed a strong occult iconography/imagery to your work- does occultism play an important aspect in NOCTURNAL VOMIT?

Yes,that's true.we really like and feel a lot the dark side and left hand path.

I personally am fascinated with it,Thomas too.

Also in n.vomit we always fitted this concept,never adopted it.

On the album we really wanted a concept of the cover and whole layout,we worked on it. We wanted some serious painter and not so known.

We didn't want any trendy hype artwork of Chris Moyen(godly artist),but nowadays so many use him,its a fashion.

Thanks for your words!

8. Tell us a bit about the lyrical conception of “Cursed Relics” and what songs like ‘Moon of Amorphous Vociferation’, ‘Unearthing the Foul Manna’ and ‘Function of Abominations’ are about.

About lyrics for "cursed relics" album,I must say that I didn't write lyrics but only for 2 songs (herald of doom and function of abominations) and those have a strong influence from Lovecraft. I really worship Cthulhu mythos,no doubt.

Thomas wrote lyrics on other songs except for one which our friend Jim Tsallos wrote one. I'm not the one to ask,hahahaha.

In the past I wrote all lyrics for n.vomit.

9. The sound on “Cursed Relics” is raw and organic-- yet everything is still pretty comprehensible with a good sound. What was the main vision behind the recording of the album as far as production values?

About the production we really focused on this a lot,because, except for the killer songs we had written we wanted a great production,that's why we went to a different studio as well and used a new producer too. We wanted a sound which will sound very heavy,solid,clear,ra­w and organic. we wanted a production like analogue sound,to sound a much as organic a real! In a few words we wanted a sound were you can hear all instruments but at the same time be raw and old sounding!

We really achieved this and are fully satisfied with it!

10. What is your stance on this super polished sound that some metal bands seem to employ—for instance;“Pro tools”?

Well ,me and the others too aren't so keen or fans of this modern super-produced that in the end only plastic and emptiness is heard...

No feeling and sounding so lame. We all grew up with bands which we want to sound a bit like but on our own formula and personality. Also the old school sound of n.vomit doesn't fit to all this modern hyper blast beat bands which are only production line bands and nothing more,I really don't care about those bands. Let them do what they want,who cares...

11. Do you think being involved in many different bands/projects can undermine one’s creativity?

Maybe yes,depends on the individual musician.To be involved in 1-2 bands I think is no problem but when you play in 3-4 bands or more,then yes,you start to loose your personal sound and ideas and bring influence from your other projects.

It's better to have a clear state of mind and away from most so you can focus 100% on what you do. For a drummer not as much but for a vocalist and guitarist sure is.

The majic of art must be free expression and personal with real devotion and passion!!! That's the most important for me,otherwise forget it.

12. Besides NOCTURNAL VOMIT, have you ever played in any other bands prior or subsequent to the band’s existence?

No,I haven't played in any other band besides n.vomit,except when i was 17-18 years old I had a black metal band in 1993-1997 called RHADAMANTHYS which featured also 2-3 members of n.vomit. But this was something completely different to what we do nowadays in all aspects. Since I left n.vomit in 2011,I was supposed to play drums in HIEROPHANTS DESCENT but sadly nothing happened due for distance and economic issues,so we left it. At the moment there's a chance to help out ALMIGHTY SATHANAS to record drums for their album,lets see what happens. Also haven't played drums now for over 2 years now since I left the band.

13. NOCTURNAL VOMIT has been around since 1999 but has only managed to play live for the first time in 2010. Why did it take so long for you to play live? I believe your first show was quite the cherry popper.

Yes,n.vomit exists from 2000,and so far the band has played in almost 12 years of existence only 4 live shows. before we released the album we didn't want to play any gigs,especially me,I just don't like gigs and they don't mean much to me.

Also during that time we preferred more to rehearse on new songs and improve our song writing than play gigs. For some years Thomas our guitarist was studying overseas so we were a bit here and there. On 27-11-10 we were offered to play our first show together with: embrace of thorns,acherontas and wargoat...

that was my first and last show with the band,after some months I left the band.

In the start we were a bit nervous and stressed but after a while we shred on stage,we felt the power!!!

But the band now has started to play gigs and got some to come in the future,I think in may 2013 a 2 day fest brutality over sanity and n.vomit will play.

14. NOCTURNAL VOMIT played live with WARGOAT, EMBRACE OF THORNS and ACHERONTAS. Did you happen to check them? Who of those bands did you enjoy most?

About those bands,of course I know for years and support each other with embrace of thorns,like a brother band,no doubt. This band has really improved and become very solid too! about acherontas and wargoat,those bands are OK,I like their music but to be honest not a huge fan of acherontas but they work hard and got a name in the u/g. but I recommend to maniacs to check em out.

5. What can you tell me about the morbid cover/back cover art artwork used for “Cursed Relics”? What does it depict?

Again a hard question. I cannot describe what the artist does on his own. I would really like to know what he will have in mind when he did this mega opus!!!

For me it represent the total darkness and death upon this world and that we humans go through....

Beksinski is god!!!very sick and dark artwork.....

only death is real...

16. I want to know about the name of your band and how it was chosen.

Hahaha, many have asked me about this question. Well,I don't think its so special but since someone is curious then I can understand him/her.

The name came to my mind around 2001 I think when I was in Australia....

I wanted something to sound really primitive and sick and also a band never using this before,which never did. Of course not a sophisticated name,a few years ago I wanted to change it,but we said better leave it,so I left it. No special meaning behind it,hahahahaahah. Just wanted a sleazy name,that's all.

17. Can the word “fun” be applied with the type of music you play?

I listen to some old punk/hardcore and the term "fun"is used in a different way,depends how you use it. For n.vomit been a fun band,I don't think so,when you play black/death metal and are a fun band,somethings wrong,better quit or do something else. Just very simple,darkness and fun don't fit,why some people struggle with this. Darkness and occultism on all other topics around this just DON'T fit with fun,end of all.

18. What’s been occupying your stereo lately? Any bands of late that have impressed you?

Right now I'm listening to burzum-det som engang var album.

Killer album so cold and grim,it's a timeless album no doubt.

For the last years I listen to old classic bands I grew up with and some old obscure bands....

About some newer bands that caught my attention were:necros christos,drowned,hat­espawn,goatvomit,hie­rophants descent,embrace of thorns,resegencey,ne­crovorous,impure worship,negative plane,venenum,offerm­od,weapon,black feast,black grail,communion,pois­onous,moder,almighty­ sathanas,cthonic aura,doombringer,cul­tes des ghoules,cruciamentum­,grave miasma,black serpent and a couple more...

if you still search in the very depths of hell,you will still find some promising bands!

19. Well, thanks a lot for your time Isaak! Best wishes to you and your band. Feel free to end the interview on any note you’d like… Praise the Darkness!!

Darkest regards James for doing this intie,goat hails to you for the support and for all! Maniacs,perverts,wit­ches,criminals,occul­tist,murderers check us out,give it a go! Satanic regards to all fallen souls that have helped us and still do...

into everlasting fire..!!!

666

Vagabond's Band of the Month: Cruciform

Band: Cruciform
Year of Formation: 1990
Country of Origin: Australia
Genre: Death/Doom Metal

Formed way back in 1990, Cruciform released a legendary EP in '93 entitled "Atavism" that can be considered one of the pioneering releases in the death/doom subgenre of metal. They followed this up with a 2 track demo, "Paradox" in 1995 before splitting later that year. They have recently reformed and I had the pleasure of catching their first show since reuniting last week and they absolutely blew me away. I am really looking forward to seeing them perform again at Evil Invaders V.

Word is that they are working on new material, so now is a great time to check out their earlier work...

Eliminator - Krieg Thrash

Review written by James Goatfukk.

In all brutal honesty, there hasn't been a whole lot of newer Thrash Metal bands that have impressed me a great deal with the exception of a few good ones here and there. For me, REAL Thrash is supposed to be straight-forward and absolutely merciless in its delivery. Now, if you can associate with my thoughts and you absolutely fucking loathe the shitty retro crap of bands like Bonded by Blood and other homosexual-inspired shit of the same ilk, then look no further; I present you with the German-based riff machine—ELIMINATOR—a band that have opted for a more 80’s influenced sound with a pure dose of much needed aggression. No, seriously...these guys are the real deal as far as the new wave of Thrash is concerned. Fuck, I don’t even know if I’m comfortable associating ELIMINATOR with the new wave. ELIMINATOR might as well be from the 80’s, but maybe they are what the modern scene needs? Bands like ELIMINATOR to keep the old school flame alive and burning which I believe, will be burning for a very long time. Expose your ears to the brutal sounds of ELIMINATOR. They will reveal that the band isn’t about showcasing their musical skills or infusing nice melodies to impress little fangirls—instead; ELIMINATOR goes straight for the throat and delivers straight-forward, vicious Thrash Metal reminiscent of the classic Teutonic sound and 80’s/early 90’s American Death/Thrash. The tempo is for the most part quite fast and furious with a strong implication to albums like ‘Endless Pain’ and ‘Infernal Overkill’ . The album opens with the instrumental ‘Raging Shrapnel Hail’ and right from the beginning the fucking riffs are absolutely shredding your skull to pieces. The second track ‘Merciless Beast’ storms forth to proceed on the aural assault on your senses with vocals that sounds nothing short of ballistic. There’s nothing really “fresh” about Krieg Thrash; nothing the Thrash Metal aficionados haven’t heard all before— but boy, do they rip it up with the best of their abilities. Without a doubt, the band’s sound is archetypal of what Thrash today should sound like. These maniacs possess the spirit of the 80’s and are here to claim your soul.

Attacker- Giants of Canaan Review

There must be something in the air lately, as another lesser-known metal band has released an album this year. Here we feature New Jersey power metallers, Attacker. Those that are familiar with them might remember their cult classic albums, The Battle at Helm's Deep and The Second Coming, and those that aren't I highly recommend you do so! Their new album, Giants of Canaan, doesn't leave much room for disappointment.

The first track is a short instrumental with a slight chorus-y effect and warbling synth. It's subtle and has none of the pomp as you would hear from other power metal bands. It gives a dark undertone before the fury is unleashed in the first full song, "Giants of Canaan."  Really, the first three songs ("Giants of Canaan," "Trapped in Black," and "The Hammer") just punch you in the teeth. Hell, the entire album shakes you up and asks for your lunch money.

Another upside to this is that it doesn't sound like an old band trying to recapture their youth. None of the songs sound tired and rehashed. Granted, 3/5s of the lineup are new members -only Pat Marinelli (guitars) and Mike Sabatini (drums) are original members- but the sound has so much fire to it. Guitar work is an integral part of heavy metal, especially for genres like power metal, and Pat Marinelli and Mike Benetatos don't leave you hanging. Aggressive and chunky riffs are apparent, along with classical-esque harmonies. The solos are great, like little pieces of shredding epicness, but they're nothing to put on a list of Best 10. The vocals, done by Bobby Lucas of Overlorde and Morbid Sin, are phenomenal. He sounds like a cross between Halford and Dickinson, aggressive and high-pitched but operatic.

There aren't many weak tracks. The album starts off strong, gives you a breather in the middle -barely-, and ends strong. Many of the choruses are catchy enough to chant along to, riffs are headbangable, and there are plenty of opportunities to break out your air guitar. For those that are interested in lyrical matter, Attacker has always been one of those bands that has had more-than-decent subjects. Nothing Tolkien-inspired like their first album, but here we see lyrics taken from history battles (Franks fighting the Moors in Spain), biblical matter (the gory parts that a lot of people tend to skip over), war, vikings, and then that one metal anthem. Nothing campy here.

In short, it's a solid, above-average album that actually went above my expectations. I expected sub-par playing and was very wrong. Do you feel like buying a power metal album without the fluff of modern symphonic bands? Listen to this!