Lachryma Christi: July 2023

Monday, July 24, 2023

Suggestion: Playlist for the week!

Greetings,

Here are the 10 releases suggested for this week.

As usual, the order they are on the list doesn't have any meaning at all.

Enjoy!

News: Trivax reveal new song "Azrael" ahead of album release

British-Iranian Black Metal band Trivax are releasing a second album in September called Eloah Burns Out, through Cult Never Dies.

They are now releasing a song from the same, called Azrael, and you can watch the video here:

Azrael video credits:

Director and Producer - Alex DeMoller

Director of Photography - Jason Acero

Gaffer - Otis Matthie

Drone Operator - Matt Croton

Still Photographer - Charley Shillabeer

Concept - Shayan

Props - Shayan

Art Direction - Morbid Angle

Extras - Dave Powell, Jake Hardcastle and Connor Sanders

Filmed and shot in Suffolk, England in April 2023 and Sheffield, England in May 2023.

You may pre-order the album here:

https://cultneverdies.myshopify.com/collections/all/trivax

https://cultneverdies-eu.travelling-merchant.com/

The band commented: “Ezraeel (عزرائیل) or also commonly known as "Azrael", is recognised as the angel of Death across all of the Abrahamic faiths. This is a tribute to the true master of Death, embracing all of its terrifying, yet magnificent attributes.

“The flagellation scene is an inverted take on the Tasu'a and Ashura ceremonies across the Shi'ite Islamic world, which are done in mourning to prophet Mohammad's third descendant, Imam Hussein. The flagellation ceremony in this visual piece is not one of mourning, but rather, celebration - to the true beauty of Death and what it beholds via intentional acts of suffering.

“The intro part of the song is recorded with an acoustic Saaz, an ancient traditional Middle-Eastern instrument, often used in local folk music. As the band embraces its traditional roots, it became inevitable for us to incorporate the sound of our homeland into our art.

“In the same way that, in the 90s, Quorthon from Bathory would start to use their viking roots to revolt against Christianity, we are naturally doing the same by embracing our pre-Islamic roots. Of course, this isn’t done in the absence of the wonderful contortion known as Black Metal.”

Photo credit: Ester Segarra

Trivax are:

Shayan - Guitars, Lead Vocals

M. Croton - Drums

Sully - Bass, Backing Vocals

Trivax Online:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trivaxband

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trivax_official/

Bandcamp: https://trivax.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2gkead3kq00xmm8igusj2q

Cult Never Dies Online:

Website: https://www.cultneverdies.com/

Webstore: https://cultneverdies.myshopify.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CultNeverDies/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultneverdies/

News: Kouta to embark on an Eastern European tour

Folk Black Metal band from Finland Kouta, will start touring through Eastern Europe in August.

You may find the dates and locations below.

August 4: Republika, Riga (LAT) (With Urskumug + Kolotun)

August 5: Warsaw Metal Cave, Warsaw (PL) (With Ortsul)

August 6: Kabinet Muz, Brno (CZ) (With Besna + Heiden)

August 7: Pub Pod Ziemia, Krakow (PL)

August 8: S8 Underground Club, Budapest (HUN) (With Shapes of Distortion)

August 10: Kryzywy Gryf, Szczecin (PL) (With Hellproof)

August 11: Pub Torpeda, Gdansk (PL) (With Among Your Gods)

Read more on:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/koutaband

Instagram: www.instagram.com/koutaband

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@koutaband6110

Bandcamp: https://koutaband.bandcamp.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pot9iUxNpFWPv1KVNGOqg

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Interview with Alghol (USA)

Today, Lachryma Christi brings you an interview with a Black Metal band from the USA, called Alghol.

Alghol is a one-man band, who has already released two full lengths, amongst other stuff such as EPs, singles and a split.

The interesting part about the releases though, is that the Alghol's most recent album Night Eternal is coming out this month! More precisely on the 28th. If you are interested, you can read a review for the same here: https://lachrymachristizine.blogspot.com/2023/06/review-alghols-upcoming-album-night.html

In the meantime, let's read what Pete has to say. I must add he has quite a good sense of humour!

What is the meaning of the name Alghol?

Alghol is actually just a misspelling of the name “Algol”, which is the name of a star. The star “Algol” is also commonly referred to as “The Demon Star”. I came across the name in the Lovecraft story “Beyond the Wall of Sleep” around the time I was starting up the project and thought Algol would be a rad band name. I did a quick google search and found a few other bands out there called Algol so I added a silent “h” in the middle of it and went on my way haha. The name has definitely influenced the lyrical themes quite a bit though, with “The Demon Star” being this kind of sinister cosmic force pulling strings in the world where my stories take place.

Alghol is sort of a recent project, and is only you Pete, doing all the music. How do you manage to have quite a few releases already, in such a short time?

I think that mainly has to do with being able to work at my own pace and not really having to rely on anyone else’s timeline. I think the frequency and volume of my output is actually kind of moderate compared to some other underground black metal projects, but I like to take as much time as I need to make each release something I’m proud of. Shifting my focus to writing full length albums over EPs and splits seems to have actually slowed my output a bit which is a good thing in my mind. But I also don’t play live or tour or anything like that, so I’m able to write new music at a quicker pace than some of the bands who tour heavily.

Was Alghol always meant to be a one man band, or it just happened that way?

It really just happened out of necessity. I’ve never had too many friends who were musicians, especially musicians interested in playing black metal. I’ve been playing guitar for most of my life, and also have been producing/recording music for over a decade, so I had the tools I needed to get started. I just can’t drum to save my life and never had much interest in doing vocals or thought I’d be able to pull it off so I got hung up on that for a long time. Mortician and their shameless use of a drum machine actually gave me the push I needed to try and do something on my own haha. But I’m glad I did. I’ve been an extreme metal fan for almost 20 years at this point and always wanted to make that kind of music. Better late than never I suppose haha.

How would you describe the kind of music you play?

It’s just black metal haha. I’m not entirely sure how else to describe it. From a sonic standpoint, it’s all heavily influenced by those classic Scandinavian bands like Dissection, Satyricon, Emperor, etc. As far as lyrics and themes go, I really love the storytelling element King Diamond brings into his albums. I also love the world building that Ghoul does. Basically, just creating a more immersive experience for the listener has always been appealing to me so I try to do my best to emulate that.

Where do you get your inspiration to compose the music you make?

I get inspiration from all over, whether it’s from other music, movies, books, or just being out in the woods. Haha and booze too of course! I definitely have a wide array of influences that’ll spark ideas, and then it’s just a matter of taking those ideas and molding them to fit my project. Like for example, the inspiration for the storyline of my new album “Night Eternal” was kickstarted by this cool witch doctor tiki mug I have. There are plenty of other things that influenced that album and shaped it into what it became, but that’s where it started.

What are usually the themes of your lyrics?

It’s all just dark fantasy, horror type shit. I tend to avoid any sort of ideological or political themes as that stuff is so uninteresting to me, especially in a Black Metal setting. For me, the driving force behind this project is escapism. I want to create something that allows the listener to tune in, go on an adventure and forget about the real world for a little bit.

Alghol started at the same time as pandemic and it's restrictions hit. How was it for you to record and share your music during those times?

I actually had been working on music for what would become Alghol for a year or 2 prior to the pandemic. Originally, I was trying to make more death metal oriented stuff. Something in the vein of Thou Shalt Suffer. I’ve still got some unreleased stuff from that time. It kind of sounds like a wish.com version of Belphegor haha. But I had written the first half of the “Forgotten Paths” EP before the shutdowns started and things got real crazy. The pandemic hitting definitely gave me more time to focus on writing and recording and kind of developing my sound, but I think it was also a major reason for people hearing my stuff. I found the Instagram Black Metal scene around that time and latched onto that, which is probably the only reason people found my music in the first place and the primary reason I’ve been able to grow this project, so I’m super grateful for that whole scene. I’ve met a ton of cool people on there and made a bunch of useful connections. It’s been a lot fun so far haha.

The United States have been the cradle for a lot of Death Metal bands, but not as much for Black Metal bands. Or at least, that's the idea people get from outside the United States. However, in the last years, there has been some really good Black Metal music made in there. How do you see the Black Metal scene in the USA?

Oh I think it’s great. There’s obviously the classic USBM bands like Judas Iscariot, Leviathan, Profanatica, etc. that have been around for a long time, but I think theres also a lot of newer stuff coming out that’s really good. It’s awesome to see bands like Lamp of Murmuur starting to get some serious attention. Its well deserved in my opinion. But I think with how music tech has progressed and made it so easy for anyone with a laptop to make music, the idea that certain locations produce better types of music than others is starting to become less prevalent. Like whether its the classic Norwegian Black Metal sound, or the Florida Death Metal sound, or Swedish Death Metal, all these famous sounds are the result of certain producers working in certain studios. Of course the bands themselves played no small part, but in my opinion, the producers are the ones who really shaped the sound and that’s why I think its been traditionally easier to put geographic tags on certain styles. Now, people don’t need to go to a studio or work with a producer anymore. Some Japanese kid could cook up something that sounds like it was recorded in 1992 at Morrisound Studios in Florida. Geography doesn’t really matter as much anymore. Anyone from anywhere can make good metal. If anything, the more important aspect is where people draw influence from.

What is your favourite release of Alghol, if you have one?

It usually tends to be whatever my most recent release is. So at the moment it’s “Night Eternal”. That's not to say I don't enjoy my other releases or aren’t as proud of them, but my goal with each new release is to out-do my previous work and I feel like I’ve managed to hit that goal with each release so far. To me, “Night Eternal” showcases a more polished, refined sound and direction for this project. It also incorporates some different influences and ideas than my previous work. It's just an overall good representation of where this project is now and where it’s headed.

How did the idea of doing a cover for the song "L'Amour Toujours" (originally by Gigi D'Agostino) come up?

Haha yeah that’s a fun tune. My friend who runs Black Occult Productions loves the original version by Gigi D’Agostino and he’s the one who showed me that song and generally turned me on to Gigi. I actually made like a 30 second clip of the song as a joke just to send to him, but wound up posting it on instagram as well. I got a lot of positive reactions to it so I decided to finish it. It was originally supposed to be a bonus track only available on the vinyl version of “The Osseous Key”, but I uploaded the digital as well. The vinyl version is still the only physical version that has that song on it though. Who says Black Metal can’t be fun?

Alghol has a new album called Night Eternal coming up later this Summer. For the people who haven't heard it yet, what can they expect?

“Night Eternal” is brand new adventure that takes the listener deep into unexplored jungle and the darkness that lies within. It picks up several years after the events of “The Osseous Key” and is packed full of sick riffs, spooky synths, graphic drug and alcohol abuse, and reckless disregard for human life. It’s definitely some of the best music I’ve ever made, I’m super proud of it, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it in its entirety.

Is there anything else you'd like to tell about Alghol, that I have forgotten to ask?

Nah, I think we’ve covered a good amount here haha.

What advice or message would you leave to people starting a band or a project right now?

I think one of the most important things in getting started is to make sure you don’t get hung up on perfectionism with your first release. Its so easy to get caught up in this mindset where you wind up never actually releasing something because it isn’t perfect in your mind. There should always be room for improvement. The inverse is also true though. Don’t put out some half assed, terrible sounding release just because you can. Take time to make something you genuinely enjoy and are proud of before putting it out there. Finding the balance between those 2 ideas is fucking crucial.

Read more about Alghol here:

https://www.facebook.com/algholofficial

https://instagram.com/algholofficial

Pre-order Night Eternal here:

https://alghol.bandcamp.com/album/night-eternal

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Review: Split Malauriu / Lykten

Recently, Lachryma Christi was contacted by the band Malauriu, about their new split with Lykten.

This split came out last month, but only today I managed to actually have the time to dedicate to listen to it. Better late than never, and I am actually quite pleased that I finally managed to do so, because it is actually quite good.

For those who don't know, both bands are from Italy. Malauriu have been around for some time, and they have quite a discography. Lykten is a one man band, a more recent project, but the high quality of their music makes you think otherwise.

Both bands play a traditional, raw Black Metal, with some thrash influences.

About the split, it has 6 tracks, 3 from each band. It is the perfect match, if we can put it that way. Both bands play the same style, so the atmosphere remains during the whole release, without getting boring.

I confess that I didn't know either of the bands before I got the split on the email, and I am actually very happy that it was sent to me, because both bands are very brutal.

It is very interesting that the intro of the split is by Malauriu, but the split also has a closing track, by Lykten. Not only the music on the split is absolutely powerful, strong, fast, angry, energetic and inspiring, as the whole release is strategically well put together. I love everything about it.

Not here to compare the bands, they are both amazing.

Malauriu bring very raw vibes, with a mix of thrash metal and also amazing frantic solos. The track Goat Metal starts with an impressive clean high pitched scream, as I haven't heard in a long time. Apart from that, their music is very steady, furious, it really feels like a blast from the past.

As for Lykten, they might be less raw but just as fast and heavy. Maybe a bit more melodic at times, balancing the whole thing. They are, however, just as stable and magnificent.

So, if you are into raw traditional Black Metal music, with a hint of thrash, this split is for you. I strongly recommend it!

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Suggestion: Playlist for the week!

Greetings,

Here are the 10 releases suggested for this week.

As usual, the order they are on the list doesn't have any meaning at all.

Enjoy!

Here are the 10 releases suggested for this week.
As usual, the order they are on the list doesn't have any meaning at all.

Enjoy!

Sunday, July 9, 2023

Interview with Melan Selas (GR)

Greetings!

Tonight, Lachryma Christi brings you an interview with a very special black metal band from Greece, Melan Selas.

Melan Selas play quite a different style of black metal. Unique, in fact.

For those who don't know, Melan Selas are a duo, where D.K. does all the music, and Astraea does all the vocal parts. They have been around since 2015, and have released an EP and two albums. They will be releasing their next full length Zephyrean Hymns in September through The Circle Music, and it is one of the most impressive black metal albums I have heard this year, so far.

Let's see what they have to tell us!

What does Melan Selas mean, as a name for a band? Why did you choose this name?

Melan Selas literally means Black Light, the words are greek and the name indicates a contradiction, but also symbolizes the union of darkness and light, these two elements as one. The idea of this name came by Astraea's father and we thought it sounded nicely, it happened to fit totally with the aesthetics and of course the content of our music, so we kept it, it was ideal.

Since Melan Selas is actually a duo (D.K. performing all the instrumental part, and Astraea performing all the vocal parts), how does it work for you in terms of composing?

D.K. composes the music and after both members having agreed on the result, Astraea creates the lyrics and the vocal lines and adds them on it. It works like that most of the times. Music composition is D.K.'s part and everything that has to do with the vocals is Astraea's. Our goal is that both members are fully satisfied with the final result.

How would you name the style of music you play, if you name it at all?

We identify our music generally as black metal, atmospheric and epic more specifically. We are definitely close to the hellenic black metal feeling but then, we also have a few black/thrash bursts in our music. The final outcome is a combination of all the above.

Your music is very different from most bands of the kind. Where do you get your inspiration for it?

Our inspiration comes from the music we are listening to, our various readings and, of course, life in general.

What are your lyrics usually about?

The lyrics are about nature and the human connection with it, ancient times are always the fundamental source of inspiration at this field, and everything that is presented through the lyrics comes from a philosophical point of view about life.

Do you ever play live, or plan to? If yes, how would it work in terms of musicians for all the instrumental part?

We had two live shows in the past with session musicians and unfortunately due to covid we couldn't continue playing at that point. Now, we are willing to play live again and we hope that our first upcoming live show for the season will be really soon, after the release of the new album.

Melan Selas have been around for quite a while already. How do you see your journey so far? Are you where you aimed to be by now?

We keep creating our art, expressing our thoughts through our music and this is something we cannot live without, this is all that matters to us. We continue on this road following our hearts.

You have signed a deal with The Circle Music earlier this year. How did that come up?

We were searching for a label for the release of our new material and communicated with The Circle Music. They appeared honestly interested in our music, believing in what we do, so we felt that our connection was the best choice for us.

Melan Selas are releasing a new album called Zephyrean Hymns later this year. Lachryma Christi had the pleasure of listening to it already. But for those who haven't yet, how would you describe it? What can people expect?

"Zephyrean Hymns" is a journey to which we hope that the listener will accompany us, on every little episode of it described on each track, being able to sense the great meanings behind the simple words, breathing the refreshing air of the spiritual transformation that comes with the storytelling in it. Musically, the album is one step further in Melan Selas' path, always true though to our unique identity established by our previous works.

What are the plans for Melan Selas for the near future, besides releasing the new album? What's in store for the band?

At this point, our major goal is to promote and present our new album to the audience the best way possible. Hopefully having quite a few live shows very soon.

Is there anything else you'd like to add to anyone reading this interview?

We would like to thank you very much for this interview and we also thank all the people that felt our music speaking in their hearts and supported us so far. Our new album "Zephyrean Hymns" comes out on September 2023 via The Circle
Music and pre-orders have already started! Cheers!

You can read a review for Zephyrean Hymns here: https://lachrymachristizine.blogspot.com/2023/06/review-melan-selas-upcoming-album.html

Read more about Melan Selas on:

https://www.facebook.com/MELANSELAS

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Suggestion: Playlist for the week!

Greetings,

Here are the 10 releases suggested for this week.

As usual, the order they are on the list doesn't have any meaning at all.

Enjoy!

News: Marduk announce upcoming album "Memento Mori"

Swedish Black Metal band Marduk, are releasing a new album called Memento Mori. This will be their 15th studio album, and is scheduled to come out on the 1st of September, through Century Media Records.

A few days ago, they released a single from the same, called Blood of the Funeral.

You may listen to it here.

Memento Mori will be available in the following formats:

Ltd. Deluxe Gatefold Ultra Clear-Black Splatter Vinyl With Alternative Cover Artwork (Incl. LP-Booklet, Art-Print & Poster) (Limited to 2,000 copies / All Outlets)
Red Gatefold Vinyl (Limited to 300 copies / Available at Century Media Shop)
White Gatefold Vinyl (Limited to 500 copies / Available via Century Media Shop)
Golden Gatefold Vinyl
(Limited to 500 copies / Available at Levykauppa ÄX, Bengans, Supreme Chaos)
Silver Gatefold Vinyl (Limited to 500 copies / Available at EMP & Nuclear Blast)
Black Gatefold Vinyl (All Outlets)
CD Mediabook (All Outlets)

And you may pre order it here.

Marduk frontman Daniel Rostén comments:

“Memento Mori is, all at once, a bold leap forward, a calculated sidestep, and a wistful backward glance. Meaning, we have broken new ground without forgetting our legacy or the journey that brought us to this point.”