Published: Absolute Underground #59 August/September 2014
The members of Total Isolation have been in a lot of bands over the years, and you've heard of those bands, but that's not where they want the focus to be. This is a new project with all new tracks that speak for themselves, you don't need any background to know this shit fucking rips. Going as a three-piece with bassist and guitarist sharing vocals, there's not a lot of fluff or extras here. This is straight-forward music with pure intensity and anger. What I do like about the band in general is that although they are all drug-free and vegans they don't feel the need to make their band all about the ideals. The first thing you know about the band doesn't have to be that the members make certain choices in life.
There's a 6-song EP coming out soon with songs that focus on a variety of subjects that are usually touched by hardcore musicians. It's songs with personal meaning and well thought out lyrics about religion and drug abuse put over harsh songs. Track #3"negative prisoner" really puts good use to the two vocals and the fact that one is female to really round of the song. Another piece that sets this apart from a lot of hardcore bands for me is the solid riffing. All 6 songs are ones that I would totally listen to again. It's got what I want in a good hardcore album. "grace irony" and "mind eradication" have great riffs,"rosary chains" is a fast harsh start to this ride and then ending with "habitual tendencies" which just fucking rips. So it's got what it needs: riffs, breakdowns and on two songs there's a girl who can scream really well.
This album isn't out yet but when it is I'm sure people will hear about it. Then find your ass a way to listen to it. In the end I think the whole EP is about fifteen minutes long so just fucking do it.
Michael F Carnage
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Interview with Kevin of Azodanum
Published: Absolute Underground #59 August/September 2014
2014 has already seen the birth of a loud, droning and wicked 4-piece of sludge called Azodanum. Their inescapable vibrations are sure to make waves here in Victoria as well as the rest of the westcoast. I've already seen them live three times and have the damaged eardrums to prove it. But instead of that being a deterrent it only made me want to know more. So I started hunting down the members only to find guys I've heard before in Mendozza and Northern. That made me a little excited when Kevin agreed to an interview. So he took a break from what I assume to be epic amounts of bonghits, delivering of hearing damage and all around awesomeness to help me out.
AU: Is there a story or a deep meaning behind the bands name?
KEVIN: It was the name of a new mineral that was found in the traces from that meteor that exploded over Russia that time.
AU: What were your expectations for releasing new music and are they being met?
KEVIN: Well, we haven't released anything yet. So, no. "Slowed down by excessive bonghits". We will be releasing the demo in some sort of tangible form eventually. We're currently writing for a full length that we should have recorded before the end of the summer. then however long it takes to mix and press etc. We do have shirts with our faces on them though, so fuckin buy those or whatever.
AU: It's summer festival season, are there any festivals you would do anything to be a part of?
KEVIN: Roadburn or hellfest would rule. Maryland Death Fest would ruin my life. We are however playing burgerfest in vancouver. Go to it. It's delicious.
AU: Are there larger tour plans for the future?
KEVIN: Yes.
AU: Do you have a favorite show that you've played so far?
KEVIN: We played at logans with ancients awhile back and blew the power a couple times. We all play with multiple amps because we're dumb.
AU: Is there a primary song writer or is it done collectively as a band?
KEVIN: Initially it was mostly norm and derek but now we're all pretty involved.
AU: Have you guys got any good stalkers yet?
KEVIN: Metal shows are kind of a sausage fest. I guess that doesn't really exclude any kind of stalking.
AU: What's a mandatory roadtrip food?
KEVIN: Bonghits.
AU: If all of you shaved your beards do you think you would lose your power?
KEVIN: Only Derek and I have beards. "No, but we'd lose about 15 pounds"
There's four songs up on bandcamp now and more shows coming up in the future. If you are even sort of into sludge or and sort of stoner metal do yourself a favour and check this band out. The live recording are almost as good as the live show but you need the speakers for it. Playing these guys at half volume just wouldn't do them any justice. There will be more music available in the future and lots more shows, go find them. And if you aren't aware of Burgerfest in Vancouver you need to find out about it.
Michael F. Carnage
https://www.facebook.com/Azodanum
2014 has already seen the birth of a loud, droning and wicked 4-piece of sludge called Azodanum. Their inescapable vibrations are sure to make waves here in Victoria as well as the rest of the westcoast. I've already seen them live three times and have the damaged eardrums to prove it. But instead of that being a deterrent it only made me want to know more. So I started hunting down the members only to find guys I've heard before in Mendozza and Northern. That made me a little excited when Kevin agreed to an interview. So he took a break from what I assume to be epic amounts of bonghits, delivering of hearing damage and all around awesomeness to help me out.
AU: Is there a story or a deep meaning behind the bands name?
KEVIN: It was the name of a new mineral that was found in the traces from that meteor that exploded over Russia that time.
AU: What were your expectations for releasing new music and are they being met?
KEVIN: Well, we haven't released anything yet. So, no. "Slowed down by excessive bonghits". We will be releasing the demo in some sort of tangible form eventually. We're currently writing for a full length that we should have recorded before the end of the summer. then however long it takes to mix and press etc. We do have shirts with our faces on them though, so fuckin buy those or whatever.
AU: It's summer festival season, are there any festivals you would do anything to be a part of?
KEVIN: Roadburn or hellfest would rule. Maryland Death Fest would ruin my life. We are however playing burgerfest in vancouver. Go to it. It's delicious.
AU: Are there larger tour plans for the future?
KEVIN: Yes.
AU: Do you have a favorite show that you've played so far?
KEVIN: We played at logans with ancients awhile back and blew the power a couple times. We all play with multiple amps because we're dumb.
AU: Is there a primary song writer or is it done collectively as a band?
KEVIN: Initially it was mostly norm and derek but now we're all pretty involved.
AU: Have you guys got any good stalkers yet?
KEVIN: Metal shows are kind of a sausage fest. I guess that doesn't really exclude any kind of stalking.
AU: What's a mandatory roadtrip food?
KEVIN: Bonghits.
AU: If all of you shaved your beards do you think you would lose your power?
KEVIN: Only Derek and I have beards. "No, but we'd lose about 15 pounds"
There's four songs up on bandcamp now and more shows coming up in the future. If you are even sort of into sludge or and sort of stoner metal do yourself a favour and check this band out. The live recording are almost as good as the live show but you need the speakers for it. Playing these guys at half volume just wouldn't do them any justice. There will be more music available in the future and lots more shows, go find them. And if you aren't aware of Burgerfest in Vancouver you need to find out about it.
Michael F. Carnage
https://www.facebook.com/Azodanum
King of Asgard-Karg
Published: Absolute Underground #59 August/September 2014
KING OF ASGARD is a viking metal band from Sweden. A four piece band of accomplished metal musicians. They have released a few album over the last ten years. Most of the songs getting inspiration from viking sagas and tales of battles, so typical for the genre but I think they do it better than most. As some of you may remember I became a bit of a fanboy when I reviewed their last album back in the old days of 2012. I'm sure nothing is going to change as the last two albums released by this group were pretty wicked.
Even in the first few songs I can tell this is the making of another great album, strong delivery and story-telling for starts. Good guitar tone flows through the tracks and makes you feel like the drums are hoofbeats. Karl Beckman's voice sounds like walking through crunchy snow under your feet while you trudge through a forrest. #3"Highland Rebellion" changes the pace a little bit with a little harmonics throughout but it's still picks up it's pace and gets pumping. There's not a lot of what I would call soloing in these songs but the twin guitar work is really solid. "Omma" has the epic feel with the piano intro that breaks up the middle of the album. Then it's back to the battle and the saga. The bonus track at the end is called "Total destruction" and kind of has a punk rock feel to it. It's not in the same vein as the rest of the album but I like it as a good finisher.
As expected I love this album and will continue to be a gushy little fanboy about it. It's hard not to like it for a lot of reasons. The album as a whole isn't too long and flows past in one enjoyable sitting. If you're a fan of just metal in general start by checking out past songs from these guys online, they're everywhere. This album follows up where the last one ended. Songs that will make you feel like you're running through the snow with a sword in your hand ready to battle and die like all of your heroes who did the same in past years.
Michael F Carnage
http://www.kingofasgard.com/
KING OF ASGARD is a viking metal band from Sweden. A four piece band of accomplished metal musicians. They have released a few album over the last ten years. Most of the songs getting inspiration from viking sagas and tales of battles, so typical for the genre but I think they do it better than most. As some of you may remember I became a bit of a fanboy when I reviewed their last album back in the old days of 2012. I'm sure nothing is going to change as the last two albums released by this group were pretty wicked.
Even in the first few songs I can tell this is the making of another great album, strong delivery and story-telling for starts. Good guitar tone flows through the tracks and makes you feel like the drums are hoofbeats. Karl Beckman's voice sounds like walking through crunchy snow under your feet while you trudge through a forrest. #3"Highland Rebellion" changes the pace a little bit with a little harmonics throughout but it's still picks up it's pace and gets pumping. There's not a lot of what I would call soloing in these songs but the twin guitar work is really solid. "Omma" has the epic feel with the piano intro that breaks up the middle of the album. Then it's back to the battle and the saga. The bonus track at the end is called "Total destruction" and kind of has a punk rock feel to it. It's not in the same vein as the rest of the album but I like it as a good finisher.
As expected I love this album and will continue to be a gushy little fanboy about it. It's hard not to like it for a lot of reasons. The album as a whole isn't too long and flows past in one enjoyable sitting. If you're a fan of just metal in general start by checking out past songs from these guys online, they're everywhere. This album follows up where the last one ended. Songs that will make you feel like you're running through the snow with a sword in your hand ready to battle and die like all of your heroes who did the same in past years.
Michael F Carnage
http://www.kingofasgard.com/
Channel Zero-Kill all Kings
Published: Absolute Underground #59 August/September 2014
CHANNEL ZERO is a metal/hard rock band from Belgium. They were huge in the 1990's and were apparently Belgium's answer to Metallica. They quit at the height of their career and didn't do much it seems until 2010 when they did a bunch of reunion shows and then their drummer died in the middle of the recording. So they got Ray Mayorga from Solufly and did that album and another one called "Kill all Kings" which is out now on Metal Blade.
It starts off well enough, a lot of "thrash" has an 80's thing going on but not here. It sounds totally 90's right off the start. The first couple of track are decent musically but it feels pretty dated in the less than entertaining way. I just feel like I'm listening to this in 1997, track #4 "Digital Warfare" is even about how dangerous the internet is...I think. It continues on like this, the music is alright but doesn't push any limits. The riffs on each song are good but mybe it's the lyics that are bugging me? The title track is #7 and it's all about how america is the illuminati and conduct terrorist acts around the world. Now that may be true but the arrangement in the song just makes me feel like they're going to reference netscape in the next verse. #11"Duisternis" is a pretty good song right in the end. It doesn't do anything special but it is a fast tempo full out song that sounds better than the rest of the album.
I don't like shitting on bands at all, especially since these guys can play better than me and have done more. The problem is that they don't sound like they did anything to change or improve since they disbanded in 1997. I'm not sure how many people can remember but I don't think that was a good year for music. I just think that they would have done something to freshen up the band so that they don't sound like a cover band at a bar that was cool 15 years ago. They can play well but I don't like how they play.
Michael F Carnage
http://www.channel-zero.be/
CHANNEL ZERO is a metal/hard rock band from Belgium. They were huge in the 1990's and were apparently Belgium's answer to Metallica. They quit at the height of their career and didn't do much it seems until 2010 when they did a bunch of reunion shows and then their drummer died in the middle of the recording. So they got Ray Mayorga from Solufly and did that album and another one called "Kill all Kings" which is out now on Metal Blade.
It starts off well enough, a lot of "thrash" has an 80's thing going on but not here. It sounds totally 90's right off the start. The first couple of track are decent musically but it feels pretty dated in the less than entertaining way. I just feel like I'm listening to this in 1997, track #4 "Digital Warfare" is even about how dangerous the internet is...I think. It continues on like this, the music is alright but doesn't push any limits. The riffs on each song are good but mybe it's the lyics that are bugging me? The title track is #7 and it's all about how america is the illuminati and conduct terrorist acts around the world. Now that may be true but the arrangement in the song just makes me feel like they're going to reference netscape in the next verse. #11"Duisternis" is a pretty good song right in the end. It doesn't do anything special but it is a fast tempo full out song that sounds better than the rest of the album.
I don't like shitting on bands at all, especially since these guys can play better than me and have done more. The problem is that they don't sound like they did anything to change or improve since they disbanded in 1997. I'm not sure how many people can remember but I don't think that was a good year for music. I just think that they would have done something to freshen up the band so that they don't sound like a cover band at a bar that was cool 15 years ago. They can play well but I don't like how they play.
Michael F Carnage
http://www.channel-zero.be/
Equilibrium-Erdentempel
Published: Absolute Underground #59 August/September 2014
EQUILIBRIUM is a german metal band that is called everything from folk to power to just plain epic. They're putting out their fourth and newest release this month. From listening to the back catalog I have begun to realize all their lyrics are in german. Nothing wrong with that but I can only speak in fake, angry german so I'll just have to guess what all the songs are about. I've also noticed that every album has had lineup changes in it and this one is no different having a new bassist and guitarist.
It all starts with an intro of under a minute but the one word you think of with this short start is epic. "Was Lange Wahrt" just jumps right into it with gallping folk rythyms and fast-paced drumming. The nest few songs don't hold back or slow down much. I can best describe them as folk metal anthems. The arrangements remind of classical with the influence of a fantasy movie's original score. #5 "Uns'rer Floten Klang" has almost an irish folk feel to it, almost the kind of party music you would find in an old pub. One that would fiti in with a night of happy drinking. The seventh track is "Heavy Chill" and it's a hard one to describe, it's got the folk but it's mixed with some 80's dancey sound from some one-hit wonder. It basically made me think what the fuck? And the next track I could best descibe as whimsical and a little circus-like, not words that usually get anywhere near metal. The last four songs go back to a more epic feel. The songs just have an epic and ranging feel like ancient battles. Of course they could be songs about ice cream because I don't know any german. The last song "The Unknown Episode" is in english though and feels a bit like a love song...but still pretty epic.
If you are a fan of folk metal that I would have to say this is an album you need. The first half of the album is an epic pile of folk metal anthems that are exactly what I think the genre needs to be. Good pace, chanting lyrics and a good mix of traditional instrumental sound mixed in with metal guitars and fast drumming. There are those two tracks in the middle(#7and#8) that I just find kind of odd, before it heads back into the epic realm. All in all though I find this to be a pretty good album, the first have puts you in a great mood with visions of your favorite fantasy movies dancing in your head. If you're already a fan of this band, then get at it.
Michael F. Carnage
http://www.equilibrium-metal.net/
EQUILIBRIUM is a german metal band that is called everything from folk to power to just plain epic. They're putting out their fourth and newest release this month. From listening to the back catalog I have begun to realize all their lyrics are in german. Nothing wrong with that but I can only speak in fake, angry german so I'll just have to guess what all the songs are about. I've also noticed that every album has had lineup changes in it and this one is no different having a new bassist and guitarist.
It all starts with an intro of under a minute but the one word you think of with this short start is epic. "Was Lange Wahrt" just jumps right into it with gallping folk rythyms and fast-paced drumming. The nest few songs don't hold back or slow down much. I can best describe them as folk metal anthems. The arrangements remind of classical with the influence of a fantasy movie's original score. #5 "Uns'rer Floten Klang" has almost an irish folk feel to it, almost the kind of party music you would find in an old pub. One that would fiti in with a night of happy drinking. The seventh track is "Heavy Chill" and it's a hard one to describe, it's got the folk but it's mixed with some 80's dancey sound from some one-hit wonder. It basically made me think what the fuck? And the next track I could best descibe as whimsical and a little circus-like, not words that usually get anywhere near metal. The last four songs go back to a more epic feel. The songs just have an epic and ranging feel like ancient battles. Of course they could be songs about ice cream because I don't know any german. The last song "The Unknown Episode" is in english though and feels a bit like a love song...but still pretty epic.
If you are a fan of folk metal that I would have to say this is an album you need. The first half of the album is an epic pile of folk metal anthems that are exactly what I think the genre needs to be. Good pace, chanting lyrics and a good mix of traditional instrumental sound mixed in with metal guitars and fast drumming. There are those two tracks in the middle(#7and#8) that I just find kind of odd, before it heads back into the epic realm. All in all though I find this to be a pretty good album, the first have puts you in a great mood with visions of your favorite fantasy movies dancing in your head. If you're already a fan of this band, then get at it.
Michael F. Carnage
http://www.equilibrium-metal.net/
Absu/Auroch live review
I'm never really into riding the ferry when I'm hung as fuck. But then I realize that I really like ferry rides besides the shitty breakfast. After that was over I was off to get a home-cooked meal before i started to pre-game and find friends. I was trying to meet up with the boys in XUL but their soundcheck kept getting moved back. I aliviated this problem by approaching strangers with tales of drinking contests to take the afternoon and early evening away. I showed up on time to get a beer and find a spot to watch the bands. XUL was up first with a lot of energy playing songs of their debut album "Malignance". They loudly proclaimed several times that they came from Vernon and looked like they were having a really good time, the crowd was too. Next up was a band I was totally unfamiliar with called TERRIFIER. It didn't even take two songs to make me like these guys. It felt like I was watching Slayer in 1985, there was a tonne of fast riffs, hair-tossing and screams. I was totally into it, then again it was about this time that I discovered the $4 shots of fireball. This of course meant that everyone had to have a shot with me. AUROCH was up after and I think this was their first show as a four-peice. To be honest I'm not sure I like them with four members but that's probably not fair to say until they've done more shows. To me the sound wasn't sounding quite right either. I moved around the venue and it was still the same thing. Sadly the sound issues were the same for ABSU as well. I was really excited to see them but had trouble hearing all the instruments at once. Because of this I had trouble recognizing the songs. I don't think I was the only one either because about half the crowd wasn't really paying attention at this point. Kind of sucks but at the least the turnout was decent. In the end there was good bands, a decent venue but kind of a mediocre show. I did end up having a good time though and hopefully will see all the bands again at some point in the future.
Michael F Carnage
Michael F Carnage
Bodyfarm-The coming scourge
Published: Absolute Underground Issue#57 April/May 2014
BODYFARM got together in the Netherlands about five years ago hoping to put together some old school death metal. They released a full length album in 2010 and then another one "The coming scourge" late last year. It just took me a while to get around to listening to it because there's a lot of death metal coming out these days. Not complaining about that but I have a lot of stuff to listen to. They actually call it Dutch style death metal but I don't really know what that means and I don't know any Dutch people so I guess I'llhave to figure it out.
Starts off with a regular sounding death metal song, no gutteral vocals or anything, kind of thrashy sound. The second track has basically the same thing going on with nothing jumping out at me. The title track has a pretty good hook to it, not sure how super original it is but it sounds good. Then the main riff starts to hit and your head starts to move. "Eden's destruction" is peaceful and harminic and a minute long. After that it gets back to basic and aggressive metal. "The siege of the mind" I liked. It's got a good pace and an infectious groove to it. It's a pretty easy song to listen to with a melodic break in the middle. The album ends really well with "Enter the eternal fire". Harmonic vocals and a solid chorus, good riffing throughout the almost seven minutes. It ends the album with an almost epic feeling where you want to start it over again.
This album ends a lot better than it begins. There's a few good songs and nothing on this really sucks. I don't think it's an album I would listen to through and through over and over again. There are a few songs I would put into a mix though. I have a lot of death metal and metal in general to listen to but I'm still going to put that last song onto my phone right away. "Enter the eternal fire" is the one song you got to check out off this.
Michael F. Carnage
http://www.bodyfarmdeathmetal.com/
BODYFARM got together in the Netherlands about five years ago hoping to put together some old school death metal. They released a full length album in 2010 and then another one "The coming scourge" late last year. It just took me a while to get around to listening to it because there's a lot of death metal coming out these days. Not complaining about that but I have a lot of stuff to listen to. They actually call it Dutch style death metal but I don't really know what that means and I don't know any Dutch people so I guess I'llhave to figure it out.
Starts off with a regular sounding death metal song, no gutteral vocals or anything, kind of thrashy sound. The second track has basically the same thing going on with nothing jumping out at me. The title track has a pretty good hook to it, not sure how super original it is but it sounds good. Then the main riff starts to hit and your head starts to move. "Eden's destruction" is peaceful and harminic and a minute long. After that it gets back to basic and aggressive metal. "The siege of the mind" I liked. It's got a good pace and an infectious groove to it. It's a pretty easy song to listen to with a melodic break in the middle. The album ends really well with "Enter the eternal fire". Harmonic vocals and a solid chorus, good riffing throughout the almost seven minutes. It ends the album with an almost epic feeling where you want to start it over again.
This album ends a lot better than it begins. There's a few good songs and nothing on this really sucks. I don't think it's an album I would listen to through and through over and over again. There are a few songs I would put into a mix though. I have a lot of death metal and metal in general to listen to but I'm still going to put that last song onto my phone right away. "Enter the eternal fire" is the one song you got to check out off this.
Michael F. Carnage
http://www.bodyfarmdeathmetal.com/
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