Month: December 2023

Black Royal, Kaiser & Zombie Eater live at Meara Klubi, Pori (Finland)

The last Meara Klubi of 2023 was held on December 9th; Zombie Eater, Kaiser and Black Royal performed on stage.
Zombie Eater is a Groove trio from Helsinki that offers a cross between sludge and stoner. Kaiser is a three-headed stoner rock band that has shared festivals with Red Fang, Nebula and John Garcia in the United States, scoured the corners of Europe and escorted the retired Slayer to Tuska. Black Royal, founded in 2013, play a devilishly catchy mix of death metal and sludge, which the band calls Death Blues, in 2021 they signed a contract with M-Theory Audio, through which the third and final album “Earthbound” was published on October 21, 2022.
Here some photos by Cristina Gregori.

 

Memoira interview

The Finnish band Memoira has undergone changes in its lineup in recent years, the latest arrival is the singer Krista Astrid Schröter. We had the chance to meet Krista before their show in Pori and, in addition to getting to know her, chat about her joining the band, upcoming music and plans for the future.

 

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Top 10 Records of 2023

Ville Valo – “Neon Noir”
Spinefarm Records

The extraordinary Ville Valo returns triumphantly with a perfectly stylish collection of Love Metal songs and even if we miss HIM terribly “Neon Noir” has all the power and the gloomy charm necessary to comfort our cold hearts.

Personal Favorite Track: “Saturnine Saturnalia”

Dozer – “Drifting In The Endless Void”
Blues Funeral Recordings

Dozer haven’t been around in a decade but they celebrate a majestic comeback with an overdose of simply addictive fuzzy stoner rock grooves and hypnotizing melodies that demand your attention.

Personal Favorite Track: “Missing 13”

Myrkur – “Spine”
Relapse Records

Amalie Bruun has already demonstrated to be an eclectic artist but this new musical chapter shines for the personal deeply emotive approach which ultimately leads to a compelling blend of darkness and beauty.

Personal Favorite Track: “Blazing Sky”

Katatonia – “Sky Void Of Stars”
Napalm Records

The evolutionary pathway of Katatonia naturally generates an enthralling melodic ensemble emphasizing excellent musicianship, intense creative force and the immense melancholia that we all love.

Personal Favorite Track: “Impermanence”

Graveyard – 6
Nuclear Blast

Swedish masters Graveyard choose a spellbinding melodic style channeling bluesy and heavy rock influences in perfect vintage fashion that defies any standard musical categorization.

Personal Favorite Track: “Godnatt”

Blood Ceremony – “The Old Ways Remain”
Rise Above Records

Blood Ceremony continue to develop a mature artistic identity and ultimately create a bewitching sonic realm where whimsical folk and occult rock naturally entwine.

Personal Favorite Track: “Song Of The Morrow”

Domkraft – “Sonic Moons”
Magnetic Eye Records

It’s all about massive psychedelia and heavy loud guitar riffs as Domkraft proudly promise to take you far away from this awful reality until we finally reach another galaxy.

Personal Favorite Track: “Black Moon Rising”

Saturnus – “The Storm Within”
Prophecy Productions

On this new musical endeavor Saturnus reach stunning dramatic depth with exquisite melodic themes without sacrificing the ominous force of death/doom metal.

Personal Favorite Track: “The Storm Within”

Dødheimsgard – “Black Medium Current”
Peaceville Records

Driven by an obscure energy Dødheimsgard bravely craft a deeply enigmatic opus that defies space and time but still maintains a cryptic blackened aura.

Personal Favorite Track: “Et Smelter”

Shining – “Shining”
Napalm Records

The one and only Niklas Kvarforth brings back Shining’s signature sound conveying pure despair and cold darkness with a tasteful touch of melodic gloom.

Personal Favorite Track: “Snart Är Dom Alla Borta”

Myrkur – Spine

Certainly one of the most anticipated albums of the year must be Myrkur’s haunting new release “Spine” where acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Amalie Bruun explores her personal mythology with honesty and creativity.
On “Like Humans” a mysterious aura surrounds the striking combo of interweaved somber melodies and blackened guitar riffs ultimately leading to a surprisingly super catchy chorus enhanced by the soothing vocal delivery.
“My Blood Is Gold” represents a minimalist songwriting approach focusing on enchanting piano & graceful vocals and the power of these mystical melodic themes can instantly captivate the listeners.
Within the cathartic atmospheric ensemble of the title track Amalie’s ethereal voice floats gracefully complemented by elegant piano melodies evoking immense Nordic melancholia and fiery blackened rhythmic progressions highlighting the genuine expression of contrasting emotions.
“Valkyriernes Sang” belongs to the pristine wintry landscapes of the old Norse sagas as the faster savage rhythmic section proudly conjures an obscure blackened force unfolding around Amalie’s poignant vocals and epic chanting.
“Blazing Sky” can sound like a nostalgic daydream due to the riveting atmospheric waves and the mesmerizing vocal harmonies shine bright during the addictive chorus while the raw energy of the guitar riffs maintains the ideal rhythmic tension.
Throughout “Spine” Myrkur bravely embarks on the most personal of artistic journeys confidently invoking her Danish folk roots and black metal influences to create an intoxicating musical opus.

On Thorns I Lay – On Thorns I Lay

Greek cult band On Thorns I Lay returns to shake the underground metal scene spreading perennial melancholia and grief through the apocalyptic tales of the new self-titled album.
“Fallen From Grace” constantly conjures a classic death-doom essence as a grave atmosphere forebodes the beginning of a perilous journey focusing on heavy riffage and visceral growls while strings and lead guitars can effortlessly create mournful melodic themes.
“Crestfallen” enhances the melancholic soul with graceful acoustic passages and dreamy piano melodies yet maintains a rhythmic tension with towering drum blasts and faster darker riffs ultimately leading to an eloquent guitar solo.
“Among The Wolves” instantly stands out for the doomy guitar progressions evoking grim emotions and the consequent vicious rhythmic dynamics are easily enriched by charismatic soloing and somber melodic accents.
Within the cryptic atmospheric realm of “Thorns of Fire” the decadent beauty of the melodic guitar work and the sorrowful flute swirls captivates the listeners while the monumental rhythmic section diligently follows a harsh doomed pathway.
Once again On Thorns I Lay don’t disappoint their loyal fanbase proudly invoking the ominous force of death metal and the endless despair of doom to craft monolithic rhythmic patterns and sublime melodies.

Shining – Shining

Eccentric mastermind Niklas Kvarforth delves into the darkest sonic territories to create the new self-titled obscure opus “Shining” characterized by the band’s malevolent signature sound and nightmarish soundscapes.
“Avsändare Okänd” marks a menacing beginning as guitars conjure the fury of black metal to generate aggressive rhythmic patterns but there is still time to breathe as enticing mellow melodies and hazy atmospheric nuances are destined to emerge within the oppressive sonic realm.
“Snart Är Dom Alla Borta” can comfort your broken soul with crestfallen acoustic phrases and calm mournful vocals reaching the acme with a wistful melodic guitar solo yet the mighty rhythmic section acquires speed and ferocity naturally leading to a final grim piano piece.
Throughout “Allt För Döden” you can feel an overwhelming emptiness and everything is bound to get darker & gelid as the unstoppable ominous riffs effortlessly create intense blackened progressions but an evocative melodic essence remains dominant through the poignant guitar leads and the mystifying atmosphere.
“Fidelis Ad Mortem” relies on a slower dramatic composition to instantly spread misery and melancholia with haunting guitar phrases and solemn choirs enriched by two charismatic solos courtesy of King Diamond legendary guitarist Andy La Rocque.
The world of “Shining” is made of inescapable darkness and pure poetry as the band skillfully combines the violence of black metal with eclectic prog rock elements and enthralling melodic waves.