An Interview with Beloved (US)

There might so people reading this who recognise the picture above. It appeared on the back of Beloved (US)'s 2003 album Failure On, which was initially release by Solid State Records and the licenced and distributed by Golf Records a year later. A year after the release of the record, Beloved (US) ceased as a band. In 2003 I was 17 and it was a time in my life where I was discovering a whole host of new bands (to me anyway). I was reading Metal Hammer, Terrorizer and Rock Sounds magazine, which incidentally was the publication where I first learnt about this band. As well reading the article, I listened to Death To Traitors over and over again on the cover mount CD. It's been twelve years since Beloved (US) stopped playing and I was feeling nostalgic, so after a quick message via social media, Dusty Redmon graciously agreed to do a short e-mail interview. 

Beloved (US) formed just before the turn of the Millennium. What made you guys decide to form the band and what did you want to achieve at the time? 

We were just a bunch of friends who all went to the same high school, and were all sort of into the punk rock and hardcore scene that was brewing in our state at the time. We had some really killer local bands, and we all shared a love for aggressive music. This sorta made us want to get something going, get out in our scene, and really be a part of what was going on. We were so terrible at the start, like most bands, but once we found our footing, we started to gain some real ground locally. Bands like Hopesfall and Codeseven were big inspirations for us, and being able to become friends and share stages with them was a big deal to us. 

Shortly after releasing The Running EP, you signed with Solid State Records. What do you remember about that time and what did it feel like to work with a label like Solid State?

Signing with Solid State was huge for us. They were doing so much in the underground scene at that time, and releasing some really quality records. We were so excited to sign. Once we did, we had to nail down a producer for our first full length, which was harder than we thought. Brian McTernan was our first choice.. Unfortunately he was lined up to do a little record called "The Artist in the Ambulance" by Thrice, so he wound up ok. For us, we got the chance to record in Canada with GGGarth Richardson, which turned out amazing. We had a blast and released a record we were proud of on a label we were into. It was a good fit! 

Like a lot of people, I first heard about Beloved (US) around the release of Failure On when you were featured in Rock Sound Magazine in the UK. Did that album and that time give you a greater push in terms of fans and touring opportunities?

I remember the Rock Sound write up! That was really cool, because I had a lot of respect for the publication then. Once we got to the UK for what turned out to be our last tour, I think that magazine helped get some attention on us, credibly. 

Did you manage to tour outside of the US? Where were your favourite places and do you have any interesting touring stories from that time? 

We just did a few shows in Canada. Montreal was our first out-of-the-country show. Everything was French. We saw "Kill Bill" there and were SO scared it would be overdubbed in French, with English subtitles. Thankfully it wasn't. The UK tour was awesome. It was super hard though. Lots of dirty floors, tight travel, but great shows! Always loved going international. 

What were the main lyrical themes and influences that went into the writing of Failure On? 

Joe and Josh shared lyric writing duties. They each took their own parts and somehow everything really tied together. 

It’s been over ten years since the album’s release. Do you think it’s stood the test of time? How do you feel when people still talk or write about it or Beloved (US) in general?

It's the record I'm most proud of, out of all the bands I've been a part of. I still listen to it. I still love the production and the songs. Hopefully people still think fondly of it as well. We wrote an honest record, and just wanted to share it with everyone. 

More recently both The Running EP and Failure On were released on vinyl by Broken Circles. How did that come about and how happy were you with the end result?

It was all done without our knowing, really. It was a licensing thing between the two labels. However, I was very stoked with the releases. The coloured vinyl for "Failure On" was pretty gorgeous. 

What were your highlights and what would you have done differently as a band, if you had your time again?

We just had a great time. There wasn't really any drama at all with us until the end. We did some awesome tours with some great bands, for sure. We made a few business decisions that, in hindsight, would've probably been different if we could do it over. No remorse though. 

What are you doing now? Are any of you still involved in music?

Joe and I were doing the Almost for the past five and a half years, but just now sort of went into a semi-perm break with it. He and I are both writing music at our church in North Carolina. Josh is writing songs and performing a lot in the state. Joe is also working with Johnny and the rest of the Advent guys, writing some stuff. 

Here's the video for "Death To Traitors", the song that started it all off for me:-

That's it. I little interview with a band that meant a lot to me growing up and one that still means a lot. You can find links to their Facebook page as well those of The Almost and Advent below.

Beloved (US) - https://www.facebook.com/beloved.us

The Almost - https://www.facebook.com/thealmost

Advent - https://www.facebook.com/Advent

The Noise-Arc Project: Punk & Metal Band Directory

A little while ago I posted a status on Facebook, when I was toying with the idea of creating a database of bands. It's something I've been thinking about doing since LastFM changed and became less user friendly and since Metal Archives only really caters for extreme metal.

After looking at different options and racking my brain a bit, I've decided to build a directory that will eventually be shared online. It'll be quite simple but hopefully useful too. I'll be adding bands, the country they are based in, links to social media and to music. The only real stipulations are that the bands have to come from within the emo/punk/metal/extreme metal genres, have a social media presence/blog/site and have music available.

I will be welcoming submissions of bands for inclusion (that perhaps I haven't heard of before), so feel free to send stuff over using the contact form or via e-mail/Facebook. 

This is going to be a project that will continually be growing and will no doubt change over time. I hope that it will be a useful tool for fans of alternative and heavy music.

Dakhma (Switzerland) - Astiwihad-Zohr

Tracklist:-

1. Libation (Unto the Blessed Flame)

2. Procession (Feed From the Skull)

3. Spirit (From the Plane)

4, Altar (Flesh Upon Me)

Despite all of the current events that provide inspiration to today's extreme metal bands, there's still those who prefer to channel their energies into something more occult and even mystical. One such band that falls into the latter category is Swiss black/death entity Dakhma, though my broad categorisation may be way off the mark. Dakhma began releasing music focusing on the afterlife and occult rituals last year, releasing an album, a split and this EP. Astiwihad-Zohr was released via NecroShrine Records (with distribution help from Iron Bonehead Productions) on cd format and will soon be released on tape via Godz Ov War Productions shortly and on 12" via IBP.

Dakhma may end up with the dubious title of “rawest” black/death band I’ve ever heard. Opener Libation (Unto the Blessed Flame) contains low growls and gargles, underpinned by noise-laden percussion and guitars. It’s certainly not of the ambient or atmospheric variety. I’m not saying it’s bad though, after all I don’t like to speak bad of bands that sit within genres that I enjoy. This is just a challenging listen at first. The Middle-Eastern samples that adorn the start of Procession (Feed From the Skull) draw you into a song that’s more musical, with doom-like riffs and even some melody in the early bars. They give way to more chaotic black/death, which flies along at quite a pace. Thankfully, Dakhma has one eye on haunting atmosphere as the mid-section of Procession… is eerily quite. It’s a welcome break from the barrage but serves only as a breather, before one last closing attack. Ancient chants greet you on the aptly named Spirit (From the Plane). By now, you can probably ignore what I said initially about Dakhma’s lack of ambience. Initial listens are not conducive to a fair review. This song features real ambience in the form of some subtle yet quality guitar work. I think it really go’s a long to highlighting the musical palette of this (anonymous) musician. The song’s 9 minute-plus length seems to flash by fairly rapidly, as the song is very listenable and well structured. Astiwihad-Zohr finishes with a relatively brief number called Altar (Flesh Upon Me), which sees Dakhma returning to the hellish sound that was found on the EP opener. This is a very expansive EP from a productive band. It’s extreme yes, but it’s not untouchable. It grows on you with each listen and will definitely appeal to those who find solace and comfort in ungodly noise. 

Stream and purchase downloads/cd's directly from Dakhma here:-

Also, buy or pre-order physical copies from the labels below:-

Iron Bonehead Productions - http://shop.ironbonehead.de/
Godz Ov War Productions - http://godzovwar.com/shop/en/

Dakhma Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/dakhmacavern
NecroShrine Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Necro-Shrine-Records
Iron Bonehead Productions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions
Godz Ov War Productions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GodzOvWar

Obduktio - Obduktio

Tracklist:-

1. Ydinkarki

2. Riivattu Vittusaatana

3. Mafia

4. Pulmapaiva

5. Jumala

6. Kehitysvamma

7. Fantasia

8. Velalliset

9. Nyt Lahtee Halvalla

10. Timecon

11. Kasissamme

12. Eliittikumppani

I wanted to jam something tonight that had some meat on it's bones. Something heavy, fun and something by band I hadn't checked out before. Thank god then for Caligari Records and Finnish band Obduktio. Death metal, black metal, crust, grind and punk all make an appearance on this tape, which was only released in January. Obduktio is a four-piece and has had two previous releases before this self-titled effort. 

I was expecting raw, fast and low-fi noise and that’s exactly what I got on opener Ydinkarki. You can kiss goodbye to your squeaky clean production and your sickly sweet melody as this is as dirty as it gets! Raging punk mixes it up alongside blackened growls and plenty of reverb. They’re fast yet with Riivattu Vittusaatana they manage to incorporate some really great drumming and intricate instrumentation. Both the aforementioned song and Mafia flash past in the blink of eye. Pulmapaiva starts with ringing cymbals that show Obduktio’s crust influence, while there’s a subtle hint of Motorhead too. What’s in the water over in Finland because I want some! Obduktio’s relatively short individual songs are filled out with copious amounts of energy and thrashing instruments. Jumala seems to get faster as the song reaches it’s end, thanks to some crazily infectious blasts. Kehitysvamma is probably the closest that Obduktio gets to hellish black metal. It’s that vocal reverb again! The grinding intensity of Fantasia creates such an enjoyable racket. The crashing cymbals dictate the pace until later on when Obduktio presents a brief sludge/death passage that rules equally as hard. Velalliset slides even further up the speed scale, eschewing any such notions of slow and murky musical atmosphere that may have been brought on by the closing bars of Fantasia. It’s brash and loud, which is just how it should be. The feedback that kicks off Nyt Lahtee Halvalla is piercing to say the least. It gives was to the most maddening song on the tape. Timecon flails between thrash, black/death and grind. It creates the perfect backdrop to out-and-out chaos. In true extreme metal fashion, Obduktio chooses to wait till the penultimate song to bring out the big riffs. Kasissamme is doom/death at it’s best. It’s a welcome change of pace but not only that, it also stands up in it’s own right on the album. The vocals are pure evil while the atmosphere created by the music is spot on. They close out their self-titled record with one final neck-snapping blast in the form of Eliittikumppani. Considering the twelve songs that appear, this tape lasts a relatively short time. Thankfully, that time filled to the brim with extreme metal that leaves no time for boredom. Obduktio has nailed it.

Stream the whole album here:-

Tapes can be purchased from Caligari Records here - http://caligarirecords.storenvy.com/collections/

Obduktio Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/obduktio
Caligari Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CaligariRecords

Laube/Duct Hearts - Split 7"

Tracklist:-

1. Laube - Bleib!

2. Duct Hearts - Atlas

3. Laube - Immer Wieder Kommst Du Dann Zu Mir Zurück (Demo - Bonus Track)

This was meant to have been posted last night, but I had no energy. About a week or so ago I received a parcel from Daniel from German label Time As A Colour, featuring four record including this split 7". The split was released with Stereo Dasein (The Netherlands) and features songs from Laube (whom I know very little about) and Duct Hearts. I know that Duct Hearts is from Munich. This seems to the only release so far to feature Laube, whom I think are also German judging by their song-titles here. They have a bonus demo song available on the digital version of this split that I'll also be reviewing. It was released last November of black and pink/white mix vinyl.

Laube begin with Bleib!, which contains gentle acoustic guitar and traditional whistles. The singing in clean and in their native tongue and everything feels very folk-like, with both male and female vocals. I’ll be honest and say that this wasn’t what I was expecting, but it’s actually really nice and very well played. On the flip-side Duct Hearts presents gentle indie/emo on Atlas. They compliment Laube’s contribution well and sing in English as well. The bonus song from Laube on the digital version of the split is another acoustic folk song. Immer Wieder Kommst… features incredibly intelligent guitar playing that makes it really listenable. I think this split highlights the breathe of musical tastes people have and that it’s better to be original than to copy others. This is great and certainly worth listening to when you want a break from heavier music. Be adventurous, I dare you!

You can stream the split below:-

Physical copies can be purchased from the links below -

Time As A Colour - http://timeasacolor.com/shop/
Stereo Dasein - http://stereodasein.tictail.com

Duct Hearts Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ducthearts
Time As A Colour Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timeasacolor
Stereo Dasein Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StereoDasein

Second To Sun - Ladoga Master Song Stream

Russian avant-garde metallers Second To Sun released their latest single Ladoga Master on 7th February. The band originally formed in 2012 and has an EP and full-length to it's name. They play extreme metal with elements of Finno-Ugric culture and traditional instruments. You can listen to Ladoga Master below:-

You can listen to Second To Sun's previous material via their bandcamp page below, where it's available to buy as a name-your-price download or as a bundle:-

Second To Sun Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/second2sun

Fucking Invincible - I Hate Myself And Want You To Die

Tracklist:-

1. Cross/Uncross

2. Conflict Recital

3. Under The Sun

4. Ditched

5. Feeder

6. Like A Child

7. No Exit

8. Get It Wrong

Often the bleakest of images is the hatred of mankind by mankind. It's portrayed everyday in the media and is more often than not, based on ideologies entrenched in religion. Thankfully there are bands that can present this emotion way better than I can write it and one of them is Fucking Invincible. Their latest EP "I Hate Myself And Want You To Die" includes eight super-fast and super angry hardcore songs. It was released in December 2015 via longtime Rhode Island hardcore label Atomic Action! Records.

Fucking Invincible catch the mood perfectly on Cross/Uncross with stomping riffs and grinding blasts. The vocals are executed with violent accuracy. Their sound is meant to make you take notice and Conflict Recital has “don’t mess with us” written all over it. The crazed percussion dictates where I Hate Myself… heads and Under The Sun crushes all with the heaviest hardcore that exists this side of Nails. Ditched comes and goes before you’ve had chance to catch any breath while Feeder, with it’s ringing feedback and menacing rhythm conjures up images of greed and a hunger for power, which is surely what Fucking Invincible are raging against. The bleakness I was talking about in my opening paragraph seems to truly manifest itself in Like A Child. The mix is raw and reminds me of an early Trap Them. Fucking Invincible rounds out the EP with the blistering duo of No Exit and Get It Wrong. Powerviolence fuelled hardcore that takes no prisoners. It’s all over in little more than ten minutes and stomps a giant shoe sized print into your head. Fucking Invincible are a band that release music as quickly as they play it, with no less than seven releases since their inception in 2012. Drive and creativity like that will surely keep them in people’s consciousness (whether they like it or not).

You can stream this EP and their previous output via Atomic Action! Records here:-

Digital downloads are available from the label's bandcamp page above and physical copies can be picked up via their online store here - http://atomicactionrecords.bigcartel.com.

Fucking Invincible Website - http://fuckinginvincible.blogspot.com/
Fucking Invincible Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FCKINGINVINCIBLE
Atomic Action! Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AtomicActionRecords

Glarus - 2014 Demo

Tracklist:-

1. Everything

2. Fire

3. Nothing

I will get onto reviewing some newer and longer Dry Cough Records releases soon, but for now I wanted to write a little about this demo that's been sitting in my collection for while. Released in August 2015 by Dry Cough, this three-track tape bares not only more than a passing association with the label but also with some of Manchester's finest underground heaviness (past and present). This release sprung to mind because I noticed that they're going to be supporting German hardcore band Jungbluth in a week or so and because they're another noteworthy homegrown band.

Much like the previous output from Dry Cough Records, this demo from Glares is riffy and heavy. It’s thick metal guitar blends in alongside the cleanly sung vox on Everything. When this demo was recorded, Glarus was a power-trio but have swelled since, I can definitely see why they needed the fourth member. Their sound is mesmerising and having the extra guitarist would really bring it to life. The growls that are used in the latter half of Everything maybe more reminiscent of previous label output but it’d be dismissive to compare that to this demo. The metallic tones of Fire provides a hardcore outlook to proceedings and definitely a greater metal influence too. It’s off-kilter rhythms and swathes of ambience make it one of those all-encompassing listens that you can’t help but feel engaged with. The bass that rumbles during Nothing is backed up by a catchy as hell percussive beat. This songs reminds me of old-school screamo from the early 00’s (I maybe way off the mark with that comparison but you can blame it on the clean vocals!). it’s not too long before the sludge influence makes it’s presence felt. Nothing swirls and lurches onwards, providing yet another completely different feeling. I think that when a band can present their ideas in three different ways but still as one cohesive whole, they’re more than worth their salt. When you consider the backgrounds of Glarus, you’ll realise that they are anyway. More please!

You can stream the demo and grab it as a name-your-price download below:-

Buy a tape copy here - http://www.drycoughrecords.com/product/glarus-2014-demo-cs

Glarus Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/glarusband/
Dry Cough Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

Partisan - Partisan LP

Tracklist:-

1. Run Run Run

2. Unhappy People

3. Children In Love

4. Public Humiliation

Expectations always run high when ex and/or current members of well-known hardcore bands turn their hands to a new project. People expect it to be a hardcore band itself, which is often not the case. It's best to approach it with no expectations at all. Partisan quietly released their self-titled LP via Hypertension Records late last year. Partisan features ex and current members of Rise And Fall and Oathbreaker, playing noisy post-punk type stuff. 

Opening up with a cacophony of noisy guitar, Partisan slowly infuses melody into Run Run Run and also a goth-like sensibility. It’s pretty clever being able to switch between loud passages and laid back verses, while not ruining the listening experience. Jazz and twinkly pop are the order the day on Unhappy People, which banishes the headache that Run Run Run induced. The vocals again are minimal and there’s a sense of experimentation flowing through it. It’s hard to adequately describe how good Partisan is. There’s a real subtlety about Children In Love. You expect it to be really sugary-sweet and clean, yet there’s an underlying foreboding hidden within it. That and a twisted channelling of R.E.M! Closing song Public Humiliation is mid-paced and full-off cracking guitar work and foreboding atmospherics. This is a release that really needs to be listened to and digested. It’s weird and accessible at the time. Really really enjoyable!

You can stream and purchase the LP in digital and physical form here:-

It's available from Hypertension Records here - http://hypertensionrecords.bigcartel.com

Partisan Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Partisan
Hypertension Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Hypertensionrecords

Relics - Bring Your Own Blood EP

Tracklist:-

1. Bring Your Own Blood

2. The Door

3. A*M*S*C*A*D

The pace never lets up and 2016's new release pile is stacking up. Huddersfield punks Relics are due to release their new EP on Feb 27 via Wooderson Records and have very kindly given me a sneaky pre-listen. They guys have been having a pretty good time of it recently and they've got some stellar gigs lined up, including a hometown release show alongside The NX, Cavorts and The Amplifighters and a slot at this year's No Fun Intended Weekender in May (I'll post both flyers up later). The EP was recorded and mixed at No Studio in Manchester with Joe Clayton and was mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.

The more I listen to Relics the more they bring to mind Send More Paramedics. On Bring Your Blood they take on the energy of SMP and Motorhead to create groove-laden punk, with clean vocals and hardcore gang-chants. It’s catchy and riffy. Horror Punk sometimes gets maligned but Relics steer clear of the whole yawn-inducing Psychobilly thing and The Door is awesome. Infectious and energetic hardcore infused with rock n roll is always a winner. Relics actually get heavier throughout the EP and A*M*S*C*A*D is louder somehow. Full of thrashing drums and guitars to match. This EP’s got everything basically and what it lacks in length it makes up for in quality, well-written songs that will come alive in a gig setting. Good job again from Relics!

Check the flyers for those upcoming gigs I mentioned below:-

There's no full-tracks streaming online yet, so you'll have to wait for the release date to hear. If you go to their Huddersfield release show you'll get a free copy of Bring Your Own Blood as part of the entry price.

Keep up to date via their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/relicsriffs.

Excimer - Thrash From Fire

Tracklist:-

1. Hell On Earth

2. Victims Of Plague

3. Provoke The Slaughter

4. War Terror

5. The Curse Of Seth

6. Apocalypse

7. Thrash From Fire

8. Cry War

9. Red Planet

10. Rapid Fire (Judas Priest Cover)

Thrash metal from Egypt? It makes complete sense for a band to play extreme music about war, terrorism and hatred in a country that itself has been ravaged by extremes over the years. Excimer began playing thrash metal in 2013 and they wasted little time in self-releasing their debut EP "Serial Killer". A Single followed a year later before their first full-length "Thrash From Fire" was given a wider release in 2015 via Witches Brew Records. It's cool to see a band like Excimer, who have been heavily influenced by European bands like Sodom, Destruction as well as the NWOBHM getting the support from a great underground European label like Witches Brew Records. It just goes to show how far reaching and supportive the underground metal scene is nowadays.

Thrash metal is pure party music and Excimer are the MC’s this evening. Thrash From Fire is frenetic. Hell On Earth is every bit the high octane, high impact opener you hoped it would be. Everything is maximised for full attack. The drumming takes no break for breath, the guitar and bass are razor sharp and the low vocal rasps are authoritative. Excimer is the perfect remedy for those who think that modern day Anthrax is a bit weak. The riffs mid-way through Victims Of Plague are so good, you’d think that they were written by one of the big-four and that’s not a throwaway compliment either. Excimer can definitely write! They fill Provoke The Slaughter with a lot more instrumentation, especially with the lengthy intro. They fit an awful lot the five-and-a-half minute song. It’s also got a more than solid solo. I sincerely hope that Excimer isn’t just a one-off  and that Egypt (and Africa as a whole) produces more kick-ass thrash like this! War Terror sounds like the sort of song that Metallica would have written had they not chosen the “clean” vocal path. I guess it takes more from Exodus in that respect. What I mean to say is…it rips! Excimer pull no punches with their approach and speed straight into The Curse Of Seth, which not only marks the midway point in Thrash From Fire but also points to the sheer gung-ho attitude of the band. Many bands from many genres have taken influence from the Apocalypse, but Excimer’s take on it is really infectious. The title-track contains razor-sharp riffs and in fact, it’s those riffs that provide the bulk of Excimer’s melody throughout the record. The rasping growls don’t let that melody get carried away though, providing a cheese-grater like feeling in your ears (in the best possible way). They scream NWOBHM with Cry War, embracing it’s blueprint to help create a really catchy number. You feel exactly what it’s like to be marooned on Mars during Red Planet. It’s chock full of molten metal! It’s instrumental for the most part and it just goes to highlight how good Excimer’s song-writing and playing actually is. They end with a cover of Judas Priest’s Rapid Fire. It’s as if somebody mated Priest with Venom and let their offspring pick up instruments as soon as they could walk! 

Stream Thrash From Fire here:-

You can pick up digital and physical versions from Witches Brew Records above.

Excimer Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Excimerband
Witches Brew Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/witchesbrewthrashes

An Interview With Hundred Year Old Man

This interview was originally used as part of a small feature I had written, that was (hopefully) being published on a US website that I was looking to contribute to. As of yet, the feature hasn't appeared so I've taken the decision to post it up because I didn't want to waste it and because I wanted to let everyone know about Hundred Year Old Man. They're ace and you should check them out!

(Photo Credit: Paul Priest)

The heavy music is scene is funny nowadays and so are those who follow it. People are constantly looking for the next “exotic” band while ignoring what’s on their own doorstep. We’re all guilty of this, even me. Thankfully I live near Leeds (United Kingdom) and the scene that inhabits that city is vibrant, exciting and growing all the time.

I first discovered Hundred Year Old Man when I attended a gig in a bar called Santiago’s in the city. I’ve been plenty of gigs there in that past and it’s always been really loud and atmospheric due to it’s small upstairs room. On this occasion the bill contained a mixture of slow and fast bands, with Hundred Year Old Man being the opener. Their post-metal blew me away and I wanted to find out more about the band and it’s beginnings. I spoke to Tom (guitar) via an e-mail interview.

TNIO: Can you provide an introduction to Hundred Year Old Man? When did you form and what influenced you to play post metal?

Tom: Owen and I have been friends since around 2005, when I replaced the guitarist in his old band. We were both listening to bands like Isis, Pelican and Cult of Luna, but were playing more fast, tech stuff at the time. We started to add more post metal into our sound, but when the band ended a few years later Owen had an idea to make a collaborative album with all the musicians we'd met over the years from touring. 

In 2012, Owen, Dan and I (Tom) spent a day playing, improvising and recording the result which ended up being the first two tracks on the EP. After that we decided to get a 'core' band together and focus on playing live, which is currently where we're at. Currently we are: Aaron - bass, Dan - keys/samples/vocals, Owen - guitar/vocals, Paul - vocals, Steve - drums, Tom - guitar.

TNIO: You’ve recently gone from a 5 to a 6-piece? What was the reason for that and what will it add to the band musically?

Tom: We always knew this was going to have to be a large band, just to be able to get the layers and overall sound that we wanted. We hadn't really settled on a format at that point, we just hadn't found the right person to add until we met Aaron. That has meant that Dan can concentrate on samples, keyboards and add a more electronic aspect to the songs. 

TNIO: When I saw your set at Santiago’s, one of your guitarists was playing with a Violin bow (I think), which sounded really good. Is musical experimentation a big part of HYOM?

Tom: That would have been Owen, who also plays in an atmospheric drone band called A-Sun Amissa and uses the bow a lot in that band too. We've always been interested in experimenting with different sounds that can be made from a guitar - effects pedals are a pretty integral part of the band. Sometimes even 'accidental' things, such as turning off a noisy pedal that's going into delay/reverb, can end up becoming a feature of a song that we replicate live. 

We're just interested in anything that makes a good sound really and are very much interested in textures and dynamics as much as we are tone. We've done a lot of playing around in the past with strange pedal chains just for a particular section in a song, keyboards through pedals and amps, or recording a sample on a mobile phone and playing it back through a guitars pickup. 

A lot of other ideas have come from recording things when we were younger and didn't have the gear to do it justice. We just had to work with whatever we could find, but the result can end up sounding even better when what we have to work with is quite limiting. I think Owen used a pair of headphones as drum overheads once, I'm not sure if that was a success or a failure though… 

(Photo Credit: Paul Priest)

TNIO: You released your Self-titled EP earlier this year and are now beginning to record your next release; can you tell us a bit about the new release? How will it differ from your first EP?

Tom: The first EP was largely improvised and recorded live, then the vocals written and recorded at a later date by an old friend of ours who lives in Switzerland. The band has grown and changed format quite a bit since then, so the music we have been making recently is more structured and actually written as a band. But we are still very interested in the collaborative elements and are always excited when someone outside of the band asks to contribute in some way. 

We're currently just working on a song or two that are more representative of the current style of the band, but the next proper release will likely be a full album that we hope to start working on early next year. We're lucky that between us, we have all the equipment we need to record everything ourselves, so we're free to record as and when we want. 

TNIO: The DIY heavy music scene in Leeds seems to be growing and becoming more vibrant. The gig at Santiago’s illustrated that perfectly with yourselves, Mausoleion, Gloomweaver,   and Lugubrious Children (all from Leeds) on the bill. How does it influence you as a band and how positive is it to have such a big network of active musicians and supporters?

Tom: Leeds has always had a good heavy music scene and community - We used to travel over from York for gigs at the Fenton, Basement, Packhorse and RPC and have seen some awesome shows over the years. The fact that it's growing just makes it even better and easier to be a band - there's always new bands to see, book shows with and more importantly be inspired by. We're lucky to have a lot of people who like to actively help the scene such as Adam from Mausoleion who booked that show, and Paul from Gloomweaver, who has been putting on shows seemingly forever. 

Hundred Year Old Man are due to release new single Black Fire in March. Here's a trailer:-

Their self-titled EP is available to stream and download (name-your-price) via their bandcamp page - https://hundredyearoldman.bandcamp.com/releases.

Hundred Year Old Man Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hundredyearoldman/

On The Open Road - Storyteller EP

Tracklist:-

1. Chump!

2. No Rush

3. Smooth Sailing Is A Fool's Thought

4. Regret Me Not

5. Rainy Days

6. Bedrock

7. This Is Goodbye (I Tried)

8. The Worst Guy (Ft. Adam Connor)

Nottingham's On The Open Road have been honing their craft for the last three years, since they played their first chords in 2013. They released their debut EP "Hold On To This" in April 2015 and are about to follow it up with "Storyteller" at the end of February. They form part of a UK pop-punk scene that's currently bulging and more than matching what the US has to offer. Sighting bands like A Day To Remember and Blink-182 as influences, they sound like they have the winning formula. 

In recent years the UK pop-punk scene has included the likes of Me Vs Hero (RIP), Kids Can’t Fly (RIP) and has seen Neck Deep rise through the ranks to near crossover point. There’s a lot for young bands to live up to now and On The Open Road are hoping to emulate their heroes with Storyteller. They start off in a convincing way with heavy opener Chump! After that rousing intro, No Rush begins immediately and it’s clear that On The Open Road’s slick approach is no accident. The production on Storyteller is clean and clear, the vocals are unmistakably British (with none of the obvious affectations) and guitars switch between twinkly melodies and explosive riffs (much like those of Me Vs Hero). OTOR’s music is a little more mid-paced than I was expecting at times. Smooth Sailing Is A Fool’s Thought contains skillful drumming and hardcore shouting that brings to mind Sum 41. They prove that they can write some decent hooks on Regret Me Not. It’s pacier and more technical. This EP is definitely the work of a band finding their sound and indeed their feet, but OTOR already have plenty of experience between them and Rainy Days proves that their songwriting has the live-stage firmly in mind. Lyrically, they’re positive as you’d expect. Bedrock is an example of that positivity with a message about being knocked down and then getting back up (if I’ve interpreted them correctly). They make use of great guitar picking on This Is Goodbye (I Tried), which is followed instantly by quicker closer The Worst Guy. It’s a heavy end and shows that there are some elements of metal coursing through their veins. On The Open Road are definitely a band on the up and this year could prove to be their year. Their modern approach will appeal to younger fans and Storyteller will bring them plenty of new listeners on the road.

Storyteller is due for release on February 26. Keep an eye out for release news and tour dates via their Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/ontheopenroaduk

Black Twilight Circle: Volahn, Shataan, Arizmenda, Kallathon - Desert Dances And Serpent Sermons

Tracklist:-

1. Volahn - Chamalcan

2. Shataan - Caminando Del Destino/Desert Smoke/Wells Run Dry

3. Arizmenda - Ropeburn Mutilation On The Outskirts Of Life

4. Kallathon - Falling Into The Horizon, Burning Into The Black Twilight

Amongst the most secretive of musical beings within extreme metal is the US Black metal collective known as - The Black Twilight Circle. The circle is made of bands from California that maintains a high level of cooperation but also anonymity, releasing their music via Crepusculo Negro and other like-minded labels. This latest release features contributions by Volahn, Shataan, Arizmenda & Kallathon. It is due for release towards the end of February via Iron Bonehead Productions, The Ajna Offensive and has previously been released on tape via Crepusculo Negro.

This release fills me with intrigue because it’s the first time I’ve laid ears on the Black Twilight Circle. It’s Volahn that greets me initially with the track Chamalcan. Following an extended and entertaining intro of Western-style guitar, Volahn settles into some ravaging and marauding black metal. The percussive blasts and deep growls are joined by extremely creative guitar, which adds a lot of originality to the music. It may still be hateful and dark, but it’s also exciting to listen to. Following on from Volahn’s Western-theme, there’s an indigenous feel to Shataan’s contribution. Split into three movements, Caminando Del Destino/Desert Smoke/Wells Run Dry conjures up images of tribal camp fires and ancient peoples. Shataan uses authentic instruments and mixes them in with the band’s black metal backbone. It’s not as heavy as the record’s opener but then again, you don’t need it to be. It’s supposed to be enjoyed for what it is. It has a slight punk edge to it, with the semi-clean vocals and up-tempo feel. Arizmenda follows almost immediately with a menacing choral intro to Ropeburn Mutilation On The Outskirts Of Life. This time though, the music is most definitely more grim and hellish (in  a good way). The high-pitched screams that sit deep inside the music are maddening while the instrumentation and production of the song contains the archetypal rawness of the genre. There is enough melody present though to guide you through it’s 9+ minutes. I guess I’m trying to say that the song is as brutal as it’s title suggests. The final contribution to Desert Dances And Serpent Sermons comes from Kallathon. Falling Into The Horizon, Burning Into The Black Twilight allows the BTC to paint one final bleak but memorable image onto your psyche. Like their brethren, Kallathon’s creativity and drive to bring something different to black metal helps them stand out. There no notion that any band here is merely just going through the motions. US black metal may come in many forms but it’s in perfectly safe hands with the Black Twilight Circle. 

You can stream Desert Dances & Serpent Sermons here:-

Purchase or pre-order copies from the links below:-

Crepusculo Negro Store - http://crepusculonegro.storenvy.com
The Ajna Offensive Store - http://www.theajnaoffensive.com/collections/ajna
Iron Bonehead Productions Store - http://shop.ironbonehead.de/en/16-ibp-releases

The Black Twilight Circle:Crepusculo Negro Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Black-Twilight-Circle-ǂ-Crepusculo-Negro
Volahn Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/volahn
Shataan Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/WarCryLament
Arizmenda Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/arizmenda
The Ajna Offensive Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theajnaoffensive
Iron Bonehead Productions Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/IronBoneheadProductions

Agoraphobic Nosebleed - Arc EP

Tracklist:-

1. Not A Daughter

2. Deathbed

3. Gnaw

The music industry is always trying to reinvent itself. Bands and musician use reinvention for two purposes. Firstly, to appeal (commercially) to a certain demographic of fan and secondly, for creative reasons. Agoraphobic Nosebleed has chosen the latter. While this isn't strictly an act of reinvention for the band, they've collectively elected to release four EP's that will challenge what you thought you knew about this US grind megalodon, with each member writing and laying down the foundations for one EP. It has been released today via Relapse Records on vinyl, Cd and digital and coincides with the vinyl reissues of classic albums Frozen Corpse Stuffed With Dope and Altered States Of America.

Arc is certainly not a filler EP. It’s been written with a purpose and it shows. Not A Daughter starts it off with sludge riffs of the highest order and Kat’s inimitable screams. There’s still subtle traces of ANB’s grind hidden in it’s mighty depths but Arc is an exploration of creativity and artistry that goes beyond just merely copying a blueprint. The lowly bass that bridges sections before those mighty riffs signals something all the more harrowing is on it’s way. Doom and sludge has always been the genre/sub-genre of choice during my most nihilistic moods. Don’t got me wrong, I don’t choose to be that way outside of my own house but it’s sometimes healthy to let certain things go. I’ve also never been one for hallucinatory drugs. Thankfully ANB don’t slow it down too much and still allow groove to seep through the speakers on Deathbed. You can sense the raw emotion and sacrifice that’s been invested in every word and every musical note. I lost myself in Deathbed as it’s Sabbathian harmonies washed over me. ANB round the EP out with Gnaw, which is the most sprawling track of the three. Hearing the drums on Gnaw, you wouldn’t for a moment think they were programmed as they sound so organic. Gnaw’s trance inducing progression easily sucks you in. It’s agonising because you expect it to reach a crushing climax but ANB show a lot of restraint in their delivery and that expectation keeps you hooked on it. On the strength of this EP I am looking forward to the rest!

Stream and purchase Arc here:-

Agoraphobic Nosebleed Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords
Relapse Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RelapseRecords

Thisismenothinkingofyou/Us Palm Split Tape + Restlessness Tape

I was going to time this feature to coincide with the release of my recent comp, but for whatever reason it didn't really happen that way. Still the two releases I'm going to talk about are fairly fresh. To give you a bit of background information - Thisismenotthinkingofyou (TIMNTOY) is a one-man screamo/emoviolence band from Derby, that was formed by Shaun from Apparently We Fly. The band started a couple of years ago and has steadily been releasing demo's and EP's since then. The project has a fully DIY ethic, with music being self-recorded, artwork being self-drawn and music being self-released via his label Adorno Records as well as by like-minded labels. Recently Shaun has recruited some musician friends in order to turn TIMNTOY into a full band with one eye on playing live.

Tracklist:-

1. Thisismenotthinkingofyou - WhiteFeathers I

2. Thisismenotthinkingofyou - WhiteFeathers II

3. Thisismenotthinkingofyou - WhiteFeathers III

4. Thisismenotthinkingofyou - WhiteFeathers IV

5. Us Palm - Bookworm

This split was released on tape in December 2015 via Adorno Records and features Russian band Us Palm. The split begins with four tracks from TIMNTOY. WhiteFeathers I is a mix of distant instrumental music and ambient screamo with tortured screams, before emoviolence takes over with distorted guitar and crazed passion. Imagine if Envy sped up their songs instead of focusing on post-metal, you’d probably get something akin to this. WhiteFeathers II has more impact and distinctly follows on from the opener. The pauses in between tracks may grate a bit but the short bursts of energy make up for that. WhiteFeathers III is the shortest of TIMNTOY’s contributions but is no less enjoyable. Musically its pretty damn good I have to say and is clearly a labour of love from Shaun. WhiteFeathers IV closed with flits of sprawling and spacey melody and noisy screamo. The sample adds a strange mystery to it and the vocals remind me more of Japanese bands like Blue Friend as well. Russian band Us Palm is completely new to me and they provide just one track on the split, Bookworm. Us Palm are similar bedfellows for TIMNTOY but where the latter fills it’s songs with noisy and chaotic violence, Us Palm prefers a slight different approach with longer and more drawn out melodic sections. Vocals are used more sparingly and the overall feel of the music reflects the band’s homeland. This whole split is over far too quickly but you must appreciate that it’s been written with the limitations of the cassette tape in mind. Both Thisismenotthinkingofyou and Us Palm are very talented bands. I’m sure there will be more coming from both in 2016 and I’ll be watching for sure. 

Tracklist:-

1. Restlessness I

2. Restlessness II

3. Restlessness III

4. Restlessness IV

5. Restlessness V

6. Restlessness VI

Restlessness was released in July 2015, once again via Adorno Records. TIMNTOY invests more in noise and electronic elements on Restlessness and it’s got more of a black metal influence. Just listen to those riffs during Restlessness I, with their menacing Eastern European sound. Restlessness II feels like it’s being played by a full band, such is the soundscape it portrays via the recording and mastering. Restlessness III is off-kilter and really orchestral if you can listen beyond the top layer of guitar. Both Restlessness IV & V are short/sharp stabs of noise but also they’re both strangely trance-inducing. EP closer Restlessness VI is the mature ending that this tape deserves. Shaun has the wherewithal to throw in a lengthier instrumental passage during the mid-section to break up the chaos. Even though I’ve gone backwards in the band’s discography by reviewing the EP as well, it’s shown me another side to the band that could be great if developed further in the future.

Stream and purchase both EPs below:-

Us Palm Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/uspalmtheband
Thisismenotthinkingofyou Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timntoy
Adorno Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AdornoRecords

Deadspace - The Promise Of Oblivion

Tracklist:-

1. The Promise Of Oblivion

2. With Tears Of Callous Lust

3. I'll Buy The Rope

4. The Clouds Won't Shade The Pain

5. Oblivion

6. Schadenfreude

7. Pain's Grey

8. In The Coldness Of The Darkest Night

When I was putting word out about my recent digital compilation, I received a message from Australian black metal band Deadspace saying they wanted to be on it. Later on when I was doing some blog admin (yes I do try and stay organised, though it may not seem like it sometimes), I saw a promo for their debut full-length. Deadspace started playing depressive black metal in 2014 and in the same year they released a collaborative split with fellow Australian dark ambient entity Onomy. The Promise Of Oblivion was released a year later by Winterwolf Records. They have links to death metallers Sanzu and they've been feature on a Terrorizer mag covermount CD recently. 

While Deadspace identify as being a depressive black metal band, their music is actually so much more than that. It’s laced with ambient textures like the piano during the opening title-track. The dramatic lead guitar and the rasping screams add to a sound that contains plenty of original characteristics, instead of a band merely following a well-trodden blueprint. With Tears Of Callous Lust is incredibly vicious yet sombre. The themes raining through the album relate to death and suicide and that becomes more obvious with I’ll Buy The Rope. In spite of that imagery and subject matter, Deadspace elect to keep their songs briefer than you’d expect for the most part. There’s no wishy washy build ups and the production is vibrant, instead of being thin. Deadspace do switch gears occasionally and in the case of The Clouds Won’t Shade The Pain,  it’s a slower one. The minimal instrumental backdrop and screams that sit within that music sounds very atmospheric. It builds in volume mid-way through and with that increase comes something more akin to post-hardcore/rock, for a time. Following a brief pause, the sample festooned Oblivion paints a bleak picture that’s back up by ambient noise and lowly keys, The use of melody on The Promise Of Oblivion is understated yet it adds a subtle sensitivity to music that would otherwise be a tough listen. The progressive elements that flourish during Schadenfreude give hints to the skill of the musicians involved in Deadspace. I was in a trance the whole way through Pain’s Grey only to be awakened the jarring feedback at it’s conclusion. It was a dreamy trance though. Deadspace round out the record with In The Coldness Of The Darkest Night and return to the shadows (musically speaking). It’s only right that this holds the accolade of being the album’s longest song, but with it comes a song full of grace and musical thought, once again in the form of impressive lead guitar work. It’s stark contrast to what you though you knew about depressive black metal. Deadspace is one of those rare bands that defies criticism based on the sheer fact that they’re breathtaking. I will certainly be telling every music loving friend I know about this band and this album. They deserve the attention for being what and who they are. Brilliant indeed!

You can stream and purchase The Promise Of Oblivion in CD or digital form here:-

Deadspace Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/deadspacecollective/
Winterwolf Records Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/winterwolfrecords666

Also, you can download With Tears Of Callous Lust for free, along with tracks from 24 other bands by downloading my digital compilation here -

https://thisnoiseisours.bandcamp.com/album/reverberations-vol-2