Friday, April 30, 2021

Review: New album of Dyrnwyn, "Il Culto Del Fuoco"

Folk Black Metal band from Italy Dyrnwyn, just released an album today, called Il Culto del Fuoco, through Cult of Parthenope.
This is such a different and epic album. It combines Black Metal with Folk elements, taking you into a sort of a medieval journey.
It is very catchy, songs stay in your head. You listen to it once, and when you listen again, you recognise a lot of it.
So it has a strong powerful Black Metal vibe, and then there are the traditional instruments, such as flute, which bring to it a whole different feel and ambience.
It doesn't lose the heavyness and the anger of the Black Metal music, but the Folk feel is definitely the predominant.
I just feel sorry I only came across Dyrnwyn now, since they have been around since 2012, and this is their second full-length.
Well, a must listen, indeed. The song Le Forche Caudine (track 5), brings quite an emotional feeling.
If you are into this kind of Folk Black Metal, with a very strong Pagan vibe, and if you fancy medieval environments, just listen to it, and close your eyes, and let Il Culto Del Fuoco it take you exactly there.
It could do a good sountrack for an epic movie. Good stuff.




Also, they released a video for the first track, with the same name as the album Il Culto Del Fuoco, so you may watch it here:





News: REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER released a video for the track "The Crowning"

French Black Metal band REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER released a live video a week ago, for the song The Crowning.
Earlier this month, the band recorded a set for Roardburn Redux online. 
So now, they released a video for the song The Crowning, from that set. 
This song is from the album Ascension, which was released in February 2020, through Season of Mist.

You may watch the video here:




 






Read and listen more in:


Thursday, April 29, 2021

Interview with Nekromantheon (NO)






This time, Lachryma Christi brings you an interview with Nekromantheon.
Nekromantheon are from Norway, and they have been around for quite some time playing a great and original Thrash Metal (with a pretty clear Black Metal influence). They are releasing their new album Visions of Trismegistos, TOMORROW, the 30th of April.
Lachryma Christi had the chance to listen to Visions of Trismegistos, so below the interview, you may also find a review to the album.
Great conversation I must say, so please read along!



Nekromantheon means something like "oracle of death", in Greek, is that correct? Why did you chose this name as the name for the band?

Nekromantheon was the Oracle of Death in ancient Greece, and it was the second most important oracle after the oracle in Delphi at some point. Arild visited the ruins of the temple in his youth and we decided that it was a good name and theme for the band, to convey the ancient wisdom of the dead. 

Greek mythology isn't a very common theme for a Norwegian band. How did this happen?

It took form in the wake of choosing the band name. We found it more interesting, intelligent, vicious and mysterious than Norse mythology, which has been misused by so many black metal and viking metal bands throughout the years. 
All our lyrics are not strictly Greek Mythology, but there are hints and nods most places. It gives a solemn, darker and deeper aspect to the music and makes us view our task as a band more serious. 

You have your third full-length album coming up very soon, more precisely on the 30th of April, Visions of Trismegistos. What can your followers expect from it?

It's a fast, dark, dynamic and evil thrash metal record that will speed through your brain. It's much more well constructed that our last efforts, but still has the feeling of spontaneity and uncertainty.  

What are the main themes you cover in Visions of Trismegistos ?

The lyrics are more KICK's domain, he's written all of them on this record. In addition to the bestial old Greek Mythology it's a dig into Hermetic mysticism, gnosticism and the more mystic traditions of ancient mythology. It creates a perfect and slightly different atmosphere that resonates well with what we try to accomplish with the music.   

Nekromantheon play thrash metal with a touch of death metal and another touch of black metal. How would you describe the genre of music you play?

That's a pretty accurate description. We view it as some sort of serious thrash metal at the brink of 86/87 when black metal and death metal started to take form as well. We try to slowly develop our own way with that era as backbone, avoiding the way most of the 80 thrash metal bands evolved.. 




Bearing in mind the pandemics, are you planning any shows to promote Visions of Trismegistos?

No. We have a release show digitally that will air 8th of may, and we have two Norwegian smaller festivals booked for the fall. But I've spent a lot of time postponing/reshedualing/cancelling different Obliteration gigs that were to take place in 2020, trying to get airline tickets refunded etc, and I'm  not gonna start a bunch of work that might be for nothing. 
When things start to open we will jump on the concerts we can get and play live as much as we can, but the world needs to open first. 

How has it been in terms of rehearsals and also live shows, since the pandemics started?

For Nekromantheon rehearsals have been good, almost weekly and before the recording which also took place during the pandemics we rehearsed a lot. 
As for shows there has been non whatsoever. 

How does your composition process work usually? What comes first?

There are no set rules. Usually it's a few riffs or some themes that go together, or it's the lyric that we write some specific music too, tasting the atmosphere as we go along .. 

Nekromantheon played quite big shows, even at the beginning of your career. How did these opportunities came up? Want to tell us a bit of your story in those regards?

Not really that big, we have done some cool festivals here and there plus some bigger stuff here in Norway. It probably came about through our old booking agent, us getting requests etc after our last record got very good reviews in national newspapers etc here in Norway. 
But most memorable was playing the MDF kick off in 2010, and the two first LIVE EVIL festivals. Insane crowds and intense shows. How its supposed to be. Playing in France is usually good for us as well. 

Nekromantheon has been around for around 15 years, and without almost any lineup changes, which is fantastic. How do you manage this?

Our first vocalist disappeared before the first record, and it's been constant since then, with an addition of a live guitarist. We don't force it. We are in it for the music and the art, and not to "make it". That's probably the formula. 




Is there a place you would like to play live that you haven't yet?

We would actually love to play in Poland, and I'm not just saying that. Playing with Obliteration in Poland has always been great, so would be fun to see how it's with Nekromantheon there. 

What are your main influences, in terms of music and lyrics?

Great honest raw metal with soul and ancient myrtics! 

All the members in Nekromantheon have side projects, and quite huge ones. How easy is it to conciliate all of them?

It's not easy and it takes time, as you've seen. But creativity and the time the different members have to use vary, so one have to go with the flow and try to use the times that are more dead to work on more music. 

After Visions of Trismegistos, what are you planning? What's in the horizon for Nekromantheon?

We have been writing more music actually. Focusing on just creating something more so it won't be 9 more years until the next release, but also hope to get out and play some live soon.

Thank you so much for your time! Is there any message or advice you would like to leave to everyone reading this interview?

Thank you! Hail Dionysus and buy vinyl!



About Visions of Trismegistos, what to expect? You may expect a very heavy and also speedy Thrash Metal, with other influences, such Death and Black Metal, which are what distinguishes Nekromantheon from the random Thrash Metal band. Their sound is different and original. It is quite powerful and brings the 80s back for a moment. 
Visions of Trismegistos has 8 tracks, all filled with awesomely played guitar riffs and solos, coming along with an enraged voice and never tired drums and bass. Scorched Death and Zealot Reign are supreme.


And what is even more original? They sing about (not only but mostly) Greek Mythology! Please, check them out. Album coming out tomorrow!





Nekromantheon are:

Friday, April 16, 2021

Interview with Mephisto (CU)




Greetings,  fellow readers. On this Friday, Lachryma Christi brings you a very interesting interview with a Black Metal band from Cuba. More precisely, the pioneer band of Black Metal music in Cuba, Mephisto.
Mephisto are an old school band, who have been around since the 90s.
Being around for so long, they have, obviously, gone through different phases, but always bringing us excellent music.
On the 27th of March, the band released their new album, called Pentafixion, through Wormholedeath Records. 
So, let's see what interesting stuff Mephisto have to tell us. And definitely, everyone (me included) will listen to Pentafixion with a whole new perspective after reading this interview!




Why did you choose the name Mephisto for the band? What does it mean, in your perspective?

Mephisto is the diminutive of Mephistopheles, a character in the play "Faust", by J. W. Goethe, who is nothing more than the devil, so it is added to the multitude of names that the morning star already has. For us it is the essence of the atmosphere and theme that is mostly reflected in our themes.

How would you describe the style of the music you play? I have seen that you are the pioneers of Black Metal in Cuba. However, I have read in places that your style is Gothic / Black Metal. How is it for you?

Right now, Symphonic Black Metal. And yes, we are the first Black metal band to emerge in Cuba and the initiators of corpse-paint, and thus, years later, the other Black bands began to emerge in our country. We always did it mixing other styles with Black and using gothic, classical and symphonic elements, we have never played Black metal in the Norwegian style, which is what most of the Cuban black bands that emerged later did.

Being around since the 90s, how do you see the evolution of the Black Metal music in your country, and in the world?

Black metal began -the second wave- in a raw style, with lugubrious chords and a rhythmic base very influenced by the fast Thrash of Sodom and from there arose, when doubling the BPN, the blast beast in the drums. Over time the genre has been refining and acquiring melody and harmonic games that grew with the use of keyboards and later mixing with symphony orchestras, opening a range of richer sound and stylistic possibilities. Contrary to the world, we, the initiators in Cuba, already started with the mixtures and the other bands that emerged later have remained in the Black in their pure style.




What are your songs usually about? Is there a main message you try to pass on to your public through your music?

Lots of literary references and some satanic praise. To focus on the album Pentafixion, which after all is what we want to promote right now, I am going to quote you what the lyrics of each song are about:

Storming War Anthems: A Call to War. The final offensive against the heavenly hosts after so long the fall and exile of Lucifer.

Pentafixion: a satanic ritual based on the crucifixion of a person on a pentagram, as a sacrifice to Satan.

Creation of the Magnificent in III acts (I -The Birth, II –Rebellion, III –The falling): A trilogy based on the poem “Paradise Lost”, by Milton, about the birth of Lucifer, the rebellion against God and the defeat and fall of Satan to be condemned to reign in hell.

Curse of the Pharaoh: Based on a story by the master of horror H. P. Lovecraft, about a gem with the power to open a door to the dimension of the Ancients and invoke the blind god Azathog. According to the story, a pharaoh kept this gem in a windowless temple, since the invocation had to be carried out in total darkness.

The rings of Sauron in III Parts (Part I –The mighty ring, Part II –From Hobbiton toward the mountains of Gorgoroth, Part III –The last battle): It is obviously based on the trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings", JRR Tolkien, with the difference that we gave it a different twist at the end of the story: Frodo is caught and killed, the ring falls at the hands of Sauron and darkness advances throughout Middle-earth. Minas Tirith is taken, Rohan burned to the ground, Orthanc restored, Hobbiton and all its inhabitants enslaved, and Gandalf thrown forever into a putrid dungeon. And as the end of the song "The last battle" says: and evil reigns forever...

The Undivine blessing: Once again the Lovecraftian mythology about being blessed with the power to invoke the Ancients through the secret key Aklo Sabbaoth and thus unleash terror on all humanity, which will be exterminated.

Yavhe Sabbaoth (King of nobody): A reflection on the uselessness of the supposed almighty God who has shown to have no power over anyone and who made a mistake by choosing a people who have historically betrayed him and do not want to know about him.

Burning Fantoft: On the events that happened in Norway under the signature of the Inner Circle and at the hands of Vark Vikernes, and that ended with the fire of the Fantoft church

Cradle of Filth was one of my favourite bands during my teenage years, and Pentafixion reminds me a lot of old Cradle of Filth. Where do you get the inspiration for your music from?

The band didn't start out as Black's band. The influence at the beginning was Septic Flesh, as we were thinking of doing extreme and dark metal, but at the same time symphonic. One day the album "The principle of evil made flesh" by C.O.F fell into our hands and that's when our turn towards Black Metal began. There is still some of that influence based on the old C.O.F records, because currently we do not feel identified by the current turn of that band, but we continue with the influence of Septic Flesh and other bands like Emperor and Dimmu Borgir.

Pentafixion came out recently. How has it been the reception from the public to it, so far?

In Cuba it has not been heard yet, we have done the promotion only abroad, but the album contains songs that we have been playing throughout the country for years. We are known throughout the country, but abroad we are complete strangers. There have been several reviews on webzines and magazines and all have been positive. We've even had surprising reviews calling the album a masterpiece. All this brings us the confidence that we can be successful in future tours of the world if the terrible god of death: Covid-19, allows us.




With such a long career, and so many demos, only was it that the first album only came up in 2016 (Reborn from Ashes), and Pentafixion now, in 2021? Was it planned to be like this, or did it just happen this way, naturally?

It's all because we live in a country under a communist dictatorship. Since the band's emergence until recently, there was no chance of making a worthwhile recording, so the demos we managed to self-produce had a horrible sound and circulated underground. Cuba has always been behind the world, since the Internet and digital technology came into the hands of the population after the year 2000. Cuban record companies, which are only two, are not interested in metal for ideological reasons, since they consider it the enemy's music. Reborn from ashes was not the first official album. In 2014, a live DVD was released under the Cuban label Bis Music with a concert that we held in 2013 with the Holguín Symphony Orchestra (our city). I can tell you that getting that contract was a heroism and many were amazed at it, because Bis Music is a record company that is only interested in traditional Cuban music and salsa. It was thanks to the friendship that we made with the renowned Havana musicologist Oni Acosta that we achieved that contract; It was then that we recorded that concert thanks to the technology of a friend who has a private studio and that DVD came out, consisting of two discs: one video and the other audio. This audio was the one that Concrete records used years later to publish Reborn from ashes. If you realize the titles are similar. The reason that Reborn… is better known is that Bis Music was never interested in the international promotion of the DVD and they settled for selling it in national territory. I add that the DVD sales were astonishing, two runs of 1,500 copies were sold in a short time, but due to the characteristics of Cuba's centralized economy, the record company didn't give a damn about our bestsellers. As soon as the contract was up they forgot about us, can you understand that? That is why the communist economy has never worked.
I can tell you an amazing thing about the Pentafixion album. It was recorded in my room, with my PC and with minimal technology conditions. Because professional studios are in the hands of the state, who are not interested in metal, and do not have knowledge for the production of this type of music, we have specialized in audio software, so as not to depend on anyone. I imagine that after this revelation you will listen to the album in a different way.

With pandemics going around, it must be quite difficult to play live right now. Are there any promotional shows for Pentafixion coming up?

Our city went on hiatus after the first wave of infections. The situation was so good that we were already without masks. In that period we managed to give two concerts promoting the album. Now we are back under a more terrible wave of infections and deaths and we are in social isolation in our homes and we are just trying to produce “play through instructional videos”.  We recently managed to film a streaming concert that we plan to disseminate on our social networks.
Rest assured that as soon as the epidemiological situation improves, we will plan a tour, and we will start with Central America. Many people are looking forward to this and every day, as our music spreads more, the number of followers of the band is increasing.

How is a show of Mephisto? When people go seeing you live, what can they expect?

We don't like being a fictional studio band, so before recording an album we have already tried those songs live a thousand times. What you hear on the record is possibly twice as better and more extreme live. That's what we are, a stage band first and foremost. The strength of the band is well proven throughout Cuba, so we are prepared to stand on any stage.

Is there any artist you never played live with, that you would like to?

The only country where we have played, apart from Cuba, is in Nicaragua, where we share the stage with several local bands. We have not gone further yet nor have we had the opportunity to meet our idols at the same event. The members of the band have different tastes, so we could share the stage with bands of different styles of metal. Personally: Dimmu Borgir, Cradle of filth, Immortal, Emperor, Fleshgod apocalypse, Septic flesh… I imagine other members of the band would like to share the stage with Deicide, Carcass, Gojira, Turisas, Behemoth, etc.

What can we expect from Mephisto in a near future? What are you planning next?

We are immersed in the process of carefully composing unreleased tracks for an album that will come out much later, because first we are going to rescue the songs from the demos and release two more albums. A conceptual album about the myth of Dracula is already in the middle of recording. Before the end of this year it will be ready, and I believe our record company will love it as much as Pentafixion.  I imagine that with the help of WHD it will be released next year.  We hope to continue our relationship with Wormhole Death Records for future albums as they’ve really been working hard on this current release and are so proactive when it comes to looking after their artist roster.

Since you've been around for so long, is there any message you would like to send to your followers and to people trying to start a band now?

Much perseverance! Whoever answers this interview has lost marriages and jobs by never deviating from the path of music. I'm willing to win or die trying, and I've been in this for 30 years. That is my message, never let yourself be defeated, never admit defeat, fall and get up stronger than ever, and whoever tries to get you out of this mission, cut them out of your life. After the sacrifice come the fruits, and when the effort has been titanic the pleasure of victory is three times sweeter.





Mephisto are:

Osney Cardoso Riaño-Vocals
Alexander Jorge Parra-Bass
Kevin Chaperón-Guitars
Fabián F. Rodríguez González-Guitars
Johnny Ninja-Keyboards
David Leonardo Nieves Naranjo-Drums


Read more about them here:



(photos from Wornholedeath Records promotional material)


Friday, April 9, 2021

News: Genune releases song "Eastern European Discontent" from upcoming album

Black Metal band from Romania Genune just released a video for the song Eastern European Discontent, from the upcoming album Inert & Unerring. 
The album is scheduled to be released on the 25th of April, through Loud Rage Music.

You can listen to the song and watch the video here. It was premiered by No Clean Singing:




You may pre-order the album here:




Here's what the band had to say about the new album: 
"Inert & Unerring contains tracks that are compositionally more akin to one another, but it otherwise follows the same stylistic choices seen in our previous album. Without going into detail, its theme revolves around identity and the past, exploring the notion of heritage through different lenses. Inert & Unerring is not a concept album, as the lyrics don’t have any plot or characters to follow along, they’re instead composed of images and perceptions put into words, to allow for personal interpretation. The title is taken from a novel written by Arthur Koestler, that is relevant to the subject matter of this album."





Read more in:

News: Messier 16 release new track "Iota", from debut album

Extreme Metal band Messier 16, from Oslo, released a song called Iota, from their upcoming album with the same title.

The album is set to be released on the 28th of May.



Photo credit: Ólafur Kiljan Ólafsson



Jonas comments on the single:

“Personally, this track means a lot to me, as it was written in the middle of the album’s writing process, a time I find the creative flow runs the quickest and most violently - hence it represents the very moments the track itself describes. At the same time, the lyrical narrative is the breaking point and an emotional summit of the album’s journey.”



Tracklist:

1. Scriabin: 12 Etudes,
Op. 8, No. 11 in B-Flat Minor
2. Singular
3. Omicron
4. Sigma
5. Equinox
6. Bore
7. iota
8. Haze
9. Lotus
10. Zenith
11. Zeta
12. Rho


You can listen to the track Iota here:





News: Jordfäst just released the single "Hädanförd" from their upcoming album

Swedish Black Metal duo Jordfäst just released the single Hädanförd, from their upcoming album called Hädanefter, which is scheduled to be released on the 7th of May.

You may listen to it here:




In a recent interview with Bardo Methodology, E commented:

‘The arrangements vary from extremely simple, almost non-existent, to complex and theatrical: almost like a soundtrack. I prefer telling dark, cold, and tragic tales since they pose the challenge of not only being brutal and extreme, but also delving deeper into certain emotional dimensions I’d be unable to find without the lyrical themes we explore.’




Tracklist:

1. Buren av loppor
2. Hädanförd



You may watch a teaser for the album here:





Read more in:





Friday, April 2, 2021

News: Auðn and Sólstafir nominated for Icelandic Music Awards 2021

Icelandic bands Auðn and Sólstafir were nominated for Icelandic Music Awards 2021.

The last record of Auðn, Vökudraumsins fangi, and the album Endless Twilight of Codependent Love of Sólstafir were both nominated for album of the year.

Also, the song Eldborg of Auðn was nominated for Rock song of the year.

You can listen to the song here:




The winners will be announced on the 14th of April.

For more information, please go to the official website here.






Read more in:







Review: Farawisa's debut album "Darraðarljóð"

So today Lachryma Christi was pleasantly surprised with an email from Naturmacht Productions with the debut album of Farawisa for review.
For those who don't know, Farawisa formed in 2017 in Vienna. They will be releasing their debut album called Darraðarljóð on the 2nd of May.
Oh man, this is so good. 
They seem to be very loyal to the Scandinavian old times, since they only sing in Old Norse, and their name Farawisa is also derived from Proto Norse, and it means "the one with dangerous knowledge", meaning a master of Runes and of their magic. 
However, their concept is based on Norse mythology and Old Icelandic literature.
So what can you expect from such a masterpiece? Yes, it really is a masterpiece.
Well, you can expect Black Metal music as a basic ingredient, but then there are a lot more ingredients added, which create a fantastic result, such as keyboards that add a great atmosphere, as well as very dragged and angry guttural voices combined with clean majestic voices, and which are quite powerful and respectful indeed. Then there are some raw cold riffs. And when appropriate, there are also some acoustic guitars. The rhythms are sublime.  They really didn't leave anything out, it's terrific, formidable.
It is like it takes you to a different world. A magical and mighty ancient world of ice and beautiful landscapes.
It is so bloody good, difficult to describe in words, really.
They made a song available, Darraðarljóð, which is the track 6 of the album.
My favourite track of the whole album is track 1, Baldrs Draumar. So, when you have a chance, listen to the whole album. You might even have a different favourite. The whole album is brilliant.

Well, you can stream Darraðarljóð here: