One of Canada’s top musical exports ZAUM have just released dates for their second European Tour in support of their sophomore album “Eidolon”. The two track 40+ minute full length was released worldwide in October via Swedish based experimental metal label I HATE, garnering 60+ fantastic reviews to date.
The bands fifth trek overseas is comprised by a 16 date tour with instrumental post-doom English quartet Telepathy, spanning mostly the UK and France wrapping up with a showcase at Roadburn -- Europe’s leading underground festival for psychedelic, avant-garde, doom or any other variation of leftfield sonic pleasures that push the boundaries of music.
In their few years as an active band, they’ve unleashed old world inspired “Mantra Doom” throughout 200 tour dates spanning 19 countries, with cities ranging from Vancouver to Moscow. The duo also recently won a Music New Brunswick Award for “Loud Artist Of 2016”, garnered a 2015 ECMA Nomination, and aligned some impressive support stints for heavyweights such as Voivod, Pentagram and Cauldron.
Previous releases include split LP Himalaya To Mesopotamia with Polaris & Juno nominated psychedelic prairie sweethearts Shooting Guns, as well as their debut full length Oracles which has been reviewed 100+ times worldwide to mass critical acclaim.
ZAUM is a passage toward the dark realizations of the old world; a monolithic doomy mantra based meditative experience forged by bass and drums interwoven with sitar, woodwind, string and synth textures. Based in Moncton, New Brunswick – observers experience a calming process whereby the astral and physical planes can co-exist and be understood from a natural perspective.
ZAUM EU SPRING TOUR DATES
01/04 - Manchester, UK @ Rebellion 02/04 - Sheffield, UK @ Mulberry Tavern 05/04 - Leeds, UK @ Temple Of Boom 06/04 - London, UK @ The Black Heart 07/04 - Birmingham, UK @ Scruffy Murphys 08/04 - Bristol, UK @ The Louisiana 09/04 - Newcastle, UK @ The Cluny 11/04 - Lille, FR @ The DIY Cafe 12/04 - Rennes, FR @ Bar Hic 14/04 - Chalon-sur-Saône, FR @ Studio Kruger 15/04 - Clermont-Ferrand, FR @ The Raymond 16/04 - Le Havre, FR @ Mc'Daids 17/04 - Nantes, FR @ La Scene 19/04 - Hamburg, DE @ Astra Stube 21/04 - Tilburg, NL @ Roadburn Festival
Release
date: March 1st 2017 - CD & Digital / April 7th 2017 - Vinyl. Label: Tonzonen Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Disruption
– Tracklisting
1.MY
2.ERECTION
3.SHOWS
4.ME
5.THE
6.DIRECTION
Band
Members
Peter Jaun (git.)
Maik Blümke (bass)
Olly Opitz (dr.)
Review
Greetings
all,
This
time around I am checking out the new album from German, Instrumental
doom trio Kalamata. The band plays a solid, fuzzy stoner rock with a
nice dose of Psychedelia and Space rock thrown in. Disruption is the
band's second record. It is a killer release in the vein of Karma to
Burn style Stoner Rock, however Kalamata shows the musical chops to
bounce between genres without batting an eye. The six songs presented
here are fuzzed out psychedelic trip down a long dark road to
somewhere...
The
first song MY has a nice fuzzy intro that leads into some nice, big
riffs that closes out with an ending full of big, big drums. ERECTION
is the second track. It is much slower and leads into a big build.
SHOWS
starts off with a solid bass intro before hitting a nice fuzzy groove
that is chock full of echo. ME is a spaced out track that sounds as
if it is a lost signal from some deep, dark unidentified planet. THE
kicks off with a meaty (dare I say Grungy) riff that falls into a
trippy psychedelic breakdown before coming back in over a super solid
bass riff.
The
closer DIRECTION is a slow burner that creeps around before hitting a
groove with a swinging jazzy outro.
If
you dig instrumental stoner rock at all, you should most definitely
check out Kalamata. You will not be disappointed. Disruption is a
solid effort that is worth repeated spins.
Thanks
to Kalamata for the promo. Disruption will be available to buy via
Tonzonen Records on CD/DD from March 01st 2017. Vinyl will be released from April 7th 2017.
Release
date: February 17th 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Time Travel Dilemma – Tracklisting
1.Osiris 06:56 2.Living The Eternal Now 08:40 3.The Great Pylon Collider 05:41 4.Parahorizon 10:47 5.What Falls Is Fallen 01:56 6.Time Travel Dilemma 10:07
Band
Members:
Bartosz Janik - Guitars/Vocals
Jan Rutka - Bass/Vocals
Kamil Ziółkowski - Drums/Vocals
Review
Spaceslug's new album - Time Travel Dilemma - is a worthy follow-up to last year's debut album. This time Spaceslug have become heavier and spaced out as result. Opening track - Osiris - is a song that blends Doom, Stoner and Psych riffs with the band adding a more progressive feel.
Parts
Monster Magnet and Sleep style sonic vibrations allow the band to
create their own style of spaced out sounds. Expect to hear
impressive guitar solos towards the end of the song with ambient
noises giving the album a more epic feel compared to their debut
album. The vocals from Bartosz - drift in and out at different times
as Spaceslug let their music be in full command.
Second
track - Living The Eternal Now - opens with a more laid back style of
Psych/Stoner Rock with the mood verging being one of Post-Rock.
Though Spaceslug return to their normal heavy ways with loud
Doom/Stoner riffs making their appearance known. The dual vocals
offer a different approach as they have an almost Light vs Dark vibe
around them. The voiceover included in the song gives it a more
emotional feel. It sounds very familiar to the voiceover that
appeared on Yob's last album. I could be wrong though.
Anyway
Spaceslug continue with their sci-fi based progressive journey with
the third track - The Great Pylon Collider - and it's a straight up
Doom/Stoner Rock song that shows Spaceslug doing what they do best.
Creating heavy riffs with a cool sludge groove. The vocals have a
slight grunge influence around them. Fourth track - Parahorizon - is
my fave track off the album as it's an epic eleven minute song with
Spaceslug merging Ambient Post-Rock sounds with their trademark
Doom/Psych/Stoner riffs. It's a very calming and soothing song to
begin with the slowly played psych riffs but as before, the band
always return to their heavier and more destructive ways.
The
final two tracks - What Falls Is Fallen and Time Travel Dilemma -
offer twelve final minutes before Spaceslug have to move onto another
time or dimension. What Falls Is Fallen is a very short track running
under two minutes or so. Spaceslug manage to explore the realm of
Electronica with hints of Psych Stoner appearing. I normally dismiss
these short songs as they're mainly used to fill in blank space. Not
this time as the band create a haunting song that really adds to the
whole experience of the album.
The
final song is Time Travel Dilemma. Another ten minute plus offering
with the band starting with a keyboard/electronica driven sound. The
vocals have a more restrained feel before the heavy sounds appear at
the right time. The song has different moments of psych rock spliced
among the familiar Doom/Stoner sounds. Time Travel Dilemma is
superbly produced throughout. Spaceslug deserve credit for creating
such a vast universe on this great album.
Time
Travel Dilemma is a magnificent album. What more can be said, apart
from you need this album.
Release
date: February 24th
2017. Label: Napalm Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Mela
Ananda - Live – Tracklisting
1. Prithvi
2. 23 Enigma
3. Glow11
4. Ephedra
5. Vayu
6. Akasha
7. Brahama
8. Psilocybe
9. Tamas
10. Hymn72
Review
My
Sleeping Karma have always had a special place deep in my heart.
Perhaps
for that kind of mysticism that their name recalls. Most probably for
the sensations that their music conveys, which manage to transcend
the ‘self’ to new dimensions. While reviewing their first live
album, Mela Ananda (Napalm Records), I forced myself to listen it
strictly through headphones and with eyes closed, travelling with the
mind to those feelings that their last concert I saw (Desertfest in
Berlin) sent to me.
My
Sleeping Karma embody my personal vision of music, made up of
technical, mysticism and psychedelia. A music that transcends and
goes beyond the traditional rules. Over the years, the quartet of
Aschaffenburg has created something beyond a simple musical path,
gone further, creating something in their music that is hard to
explain. In this live album, My Sleeping Karma run through the stages
of their personal artistic, musical and (I think) spiritual
development, recreating the same mood heard in the studio records.
All
songs are played perfectly and with a perfect sound. The rhythm
section of Matte (bass) and Steffen (drums) are literally hypnotic,
able to attract the attention of the listener, which is captured by
the mantra given off by the songs. The guitar of Seppi expands the
rhythm section, by simply creating a unique atmosphere, where the
keyboards of Norman round out the mystical work.
What
to say. A live album should have, at a minimum, the power to transmit
the same (or better) feelings you have in listening to the individual
albums.
Here,
we go further. This live album is a pure mystical experience. If you
like My Sleeping Karma. If you've seen them live. If you love long
and complex suites. If, in music, you love that karmic feeling that
elevates you to other dimensions. If listening to a song makes you
moisten the eyes and skin crawl, well, you should not miss out this
album.
This
album could be your starting or destination point to enter My
Sleeping Karma dimension.
Sat
Nam.
Words
by Bruno Bellisario
Thanks
to Mona at Napalm Records for the promo. Mela Ananda - Live is
available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl from Napalm Records.
Release
date: March 10th
2017. Label: Self Released. Format: DD/Vinyl
Ain-Soph
Aur – Tracklisting
1.Middle Pillar
2.Nothingness
3.Crucible
4.Merkabah
5.Limitless
Nothingness
6.Limitless Light
Band
Members
Grant
Netzorg: Vocals, Strings
Joseph
Weller Myer: Drums
Review
Greetings
all,
I
had the extreme pleasure of checking out the new In the Company of
Serpents record, Ain-Soph Aur. I've been a huge fan of this Denver
Doom Metal duo ever since I stumbled across their demo tape a few
years back. Ain-Soph Aur is the band's second full length and it is
devastating from beginning to end. I'm confident to say that at this
point the fellas in ITCOS can out-neurosis the mighty Neurosis, which
is no small feat. This record is both dissonant and heavy.
The
album opens with the subdued intro of Middle Pillar which spends
about a minute easing you in before it absolutely rips your face off
for the next 7 or so minutes. The next track Nothingness sounds like
the background music to a dark spaghetti western and leads the way
into the amazing Crucible.
The
first 4 minutes play as a raspy, jazzy stomp before utterly exploding
into a massive wall of bone crushing sound. Merkabah is a another
raspy acoustic number that is dark and unsettling. Limitless
Nothingness is a short little banjo(?) and noise track that leads
into the final, heavy as hell destroyer that is Limitless Light. 12
plus minutes of heaviness personified.
I
can not recommend this album enough. If I had one minor, and I mean
minor, gripe it would be the brevity. I get it is due to vinyl, but
that doesn't mean I have to like it. Do whatever you have to do to
snag a copy of this monster. Grab the vinyl, these guys do an amazing
job with the look and sound on all of their releases.
It
is still really early in the year, but a solid album of the year
contender is here. Highest Recommendation!
Release
date: January 03rd 2017. Label: Self Released. Format: DD
El
Rey Máquina – Tracklisting
1.Mal Nacido 06:06
2.Perro 03:49
3.Mentraldiablo
03:11
4.Piedra Negra 05:13
5.Corre 06:04
6.Mascando Cortezas
02:18
7.Rey Máquina 04:25
8.Solo a Golpes
04:01
Band
Members
Ivan
Villanueva - Guitar & Vocals
Víctor
Silva - Bass & Vocals
Alejandro
Sanhueza - Drums
Review
Sótano
new album - El Rey Máquina – doesn't offer anything new in the way
of Stoner Metal but what does these days. However they have created
an exciting and hard-rocking album that shows these guys have a lot
of potential if they release more albums of this quality.
El
Rey Máquina is primarily a Hard Rock/Stoner Metal album with the
vocals sung in Spanish. Don't let that put you off as you will miss
out on some fantastic Desert/Fuzz Rock inspired Stoner Metal. Songs
such as Mal Nicado, Perro, Piedra Negra and Corre set the tone for
the album with Sótano inspired by bands such as Kyuss, Orange Goblin
and even some old-school Hard Rock/Heavy Metal bands.
The
production is good for the most part but there are some moments where
the volume could be that little higher. It shouldn't distract you
from the enjoyment of the album. The vocals are fantastic as Ivan and
Victor take turns impressing throughout. El Rey Máquina is good
old-fashioned Stoner Metal where the riffs come thick and fast.
Sótano are highly impressive musicians as they do create some cool
riffs that will have you head-banging in agreement.
The
South American Stoner Rock/Metal Scene is going through a major
change at the moment as more and more bands are starting to reach out
to the global Doom/Stoner Metal community. Sótano is another great
band to come from the South American scene and if more albums such as
El Rey Máquina appear then this is only a good thing. As we will be
treated to more superb albums such as this.
Morosity
are a very unusual band indeed. As they play a mix of Doom, Grunge
and Alternative Rock in a very semi-acoustic manner. Their second album Low Tide does have a lot going for it but it won't be for
everyone. If you like semi-acoustic dark Americana inspired rock then
you will find much to enjoy.
The
album is superbly produced as it contains a underbelly of seedy
grunge sounds with some fantastic vocals. Songs such as The Answer,
Ouroboros, Smoke & Mirrors, Low Tide and Adrift all convey dark
adult themes matched against highly captivating music. The violin
adds a haunting feel as the vocals drift in and out on different
parts of the album.
Morosity
feel influenced by artists such as Across Tundrass, Alice In Chains
and Scott Kelly's solo work at times. The album has it's fair share
of heavy moments despite this being a semi-acoustic album. Morosity
aren't afraid to experiment with their sound as you can hear Eastern
Chants on Ouroboros.
Low
Tide is an album you need to take your time with as it's quite a
complex and almost spiritual experience. If you want something
different from your usual Doom, Sludge and Stoner Metal fix then
check Morosity out. As Low Tide is a superb album with a few hidden
surprises along the way.
Release
date: February 24th
2017. Label: Season Of Mist. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Machinations
– Tracklisting
1.Fortune Favours
The Insane
2.Disintegrate
3.Nine Fates
4.Speak In Tongues
5.Transmutation
6.Son of Pythagoras
7.Premonitions
8.Comnixant 30
9.The Purge
Band
Members
Jimbob Isaac - Vocals/Guitar
Simon Bonwick - Drums
Joe Harvatt - Guitar
Tom Shortt - Bass
Review
Having
made big waves and gained impressive plaudits for their debut album
Crystalline, there could have been pressure for Hark to follow that
up, such was the impression that the album made. If there was
however, it is not evident in the music of the follow up album
Machinations.
This
is the sound of a band, packed full of confidence, making exactly the
album they want to. There have been a few tumultuous moments for the
band though and these are addressed throughout Machinations and they
are done in a way that makes the bands sound even more powerful. Take
a song like Disintegrate which is a full throttle and riff heavy
beast of a track, a song that bursts forth with anger but also
passion and hope, this is the sound of Hark today and it sounds very
good indeed.
This
even riff heavier emancipation is a step forward for the continuation
of the Hark sound and is a full on statement of intent from the band.
Songs like the sprawling Son Of Pythagorus, the antagonistic Speak In
Tongues, the sheer heaviness of Nine Fates and ballistic opening
track Fortune Favours The Insane are crushing riff packed anthems
packed full of ideas that are realised sonically and evidence of how
good a band Hark are.
The
tracks seem even more weighty this time around and are an undeniably
powerful collection of songs that deserve listening to, digesting and
then listened to once again and it is also a collection of songs that
will find extra depth and power in the live arena.
As
the album ends with the almost nine minute epic The Purge, which is
the perfect end to this album and this song seems to encapsulate the
whole feeling of the album into its length, it is clear that this has
been the sound of a band reborn. It is bleak and doom laden at times
for sure and this works undeniably well but the spirit and soul of
Hark and Machinations feels uplifting and unbreakable. A heavy listen
in more ways than one from commencement to conclusion.
Words
by Gavin Brown
Machinations
will be available to buy via Season Of Mist on CD/DD/Vinyl
from February 24th
2017. You can also buy vinyls from HARK's BandCamp Page.
Cloud Catcher first burst onto the
Stoner Rock scene back in 2015 when they released their superb debut
album – Enlightened Beyond Existence. Two years later the guys are
back with a new album – Trails Of Kozmic Dust.
It see Cloud Catcher create even
heavier psych/cosmic based Stoner riffs. Newly signed to Totem Cat
Records, the album will no doubt become a firm favourite when it's
released on March 11th. I wanted to do an interview the
guys as I wanted to find more about the band. How they formed, the
stunning artwork designed by Adam Burke and their future touring
plans.
Here's the interview. Enjoy.
Hi
guys. Thanks for doing the interview. How’s life treating you
today.
Doin'
well! Thanks for asking! And thanks for having us
For
people not in the know, can you provide a brief history of how the
band came together and where it is today.
Cloud
Catcher formed in May of 2013 after I left a band that was going
nowhere fast. I have been jamming with our drummer Jared for 7 or so
years so starting a band with him just seemed right! Kam entered the
equation after he left Medusa 2 years ago. I would go into more
detail but I'll spare ya the unnecessary facts ha-ha
How
would you describe your music for first-time listeners.
Heavy
Rock and Roll, no frills or gimmicks.
We
are here to talk about the new album. Trails Of Kozmic Dust. A truly
stunning album. What can people expect from the album.
Shucks,
thank you! I would say that people can expect to hear the Cloud
Catcher sound. I feel that we really came into our own on this album,
especially with the addition of Kam. You can expect to experience raw
rock 'n roll energy on Trails of Kozmic Dust.
What
is the overall concept of the album. As the album has quite a
distinctive science fiction/fantasy feel. Are you fans of that medium
in general.
I
would say the concept of this album, if there was one, would be
conquering your inner struggles and using the new found strength to
explore new horizons. The lyrics for the songs really speak for
themselves haha. I am very into symbolic imagery to explain my point.
But anyway to answer your question we dig sci-fi. I am into feelin'
very small into this absolutely infinite universe.
Was
it an easy or hard album to write and record for. Did you do anything
different recording for this album compared to your debut album.
Writing
this album was a breeze, Kam brought a breath of fresh air into the
band and the songs just flowed. Recording was fun, but we definitely
had our struggles. We recorded Trails of Kozmic Dust at the end of
our spring 2016 tour with Cody Tarbell from Slow Season at his house
in the middle of some truly beautiful farm country.
After the tour we
had all gotten super sick and realized that we have to record this
album no matter what. I had lost my voice so the vocals takes were a
real struggle to do, but I enjoyed doing it haha. Any way we recorded
this album to tape instead of doin' the digital thing, the natural
tape warmth and compression really comes through especially on the
vinyl.
What
influenced you when recording and writing this album.
Ah
man, so much. Life experience was the main influence, but we were
heavily into some crazy progressive bands when the bulk of the
writing was going on. Don't wanna bore ya with band name drops but
Captain Beyond, Alice Coltrane, Mahavishnu Orchestra, King Crimson,
and a few others were being listened to in the van before we
recorded.
You’ve
signed to Totem Cat Records. How did you hook up with that great
label.
We
just sent out the album to a few labels and got turned down by a few,
but were also offered some strange deals with some other labels that
won't be mentioned. After sending the album to Ewenn he immediately
got back to us and gave us a killer deal that we couldn't turn down.
Totem Cat Records rules, Ewenn is truly a standup guy so it's an
honor to work with him.
We
have to talk about the stunning artwork that Adam Burke created. What
were your initial impressions when Adam revealed the final artwork to
you.
Adam
blew us away, we absolutely love his work. His style reminds me of
pouring some astral cream into a cosmic cup of coffee hahaha. The
album art represents the sound and vibe of the album perfectly.
What
does the artwork say to you about your album in general.
Get
stoned, listen to the album cranked and look at the art... you'll get
it.
Did
Adam let you make any suggestions to the artwork. Or did you let him
do his own thing.
I
gave Adam this idea I had about these to astral warlords fighting and
then he completely took that idea to the next level.
What
is the song-writing dynamic in the band. Is it down to one individual
or a group collective.
On
our first album "Enlightened Beyond Existence" I wrote all
of the material, but on "Trails of Kozmic Dust" we wrote as
a group. You can hear glimpses from all of our individual influences
for sure! To me this is truly the "first" Cloud Catcher
album.
Will
you be performing gigs this year. A more in-depth tour to promote the
album. Are there plans to perform any overseas such as Europe.
We
have a March tour planned for SXSW, and then from Texas we will be
heading up to the mid-west to play a few dates with our homies from
Detroit, Bison Machine. We are also stoked to be playing Psycho Las
Vegas 2017! That's a huge honor, man!!! We also have another tour in
the works for later in the year.... and we would absolutely LOVE to
play Europe. Just getting the funds to get out there is a pain but it
WILL be done!
Thanks
for doing this interview. Do you have anything to say to your fans
before you go.
Of
course, thank you! We would like to say that the continued support is
what keeps us going, so all of your love and kind words are very much
appreciated. We will see you on the road in 2017!!!
Words
by Steve Howe and Cloud Catcher
Thanks to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Trails Of Kozmic Dust will be available to buy via Totem Cat Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from March 11th 2017.
Release
date: March 11th
2017. Label: Totem Cat Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Trails
Of Kozmic Dust – Tracklisting
Astral Warlord
Celestial Empress
Beyond The Electric
Sun
Dimensional
Interlude
Visions
Trails Of Kozmic Dust
Super Acid Magick
Righteous Ruler
Band
Members
Rory Rummings
Kam Wentworth
Jared Soloman Handman
Review
Cloud
Catcher return with a new album - Trails Of Kozmic Dust - and their
first for their new label Totem Cat Records. The new album sees the
band with an extra spring in their step as they bring more of heavy
Sabbathain based sound compared to their debut album. With the band
injecting a spaced out feel with a vintage Doom/Stoner Rock sound.
This
album pulls you in from the start with heavy rhythms and cosmic based stoner
riffs. The vocals are your normal Psych/Space/Stoner Rock sound with a dash
of The Sword back when they were a lean mean doom making machine.
Opening track - Astral Warlord - opens the album with
seventies/eighties Doom Metal swagger set against a trippy Stoner
modern sound. Lead vocalist - Rory - maybe singing about sci-fi
related items but he pulls it off with huge style. The riffs have a
more cosmic feel to their last album and it makes the album a more
well-rounded experience. The production is first rate as the energy
of the album is loud, clear and highly infectious.
Second
track - Celestial Empress adds a more Blues Rock feel that allows
them to play some jam-based riffs. The album veers in to Classic
Rock/Heavy Metal territory for brief moments and it shows that Cloud
Catcher isn’t afraid to play other elements of music. Trails Of
Kozmic Dust is primarily a Space/Stoner Rock album but the band will
change the tone and atmosphere of the album depending on how they see
fit.
Third
track - Beyond The Electric Sun has a certain Mothership influence to
it but Cloud Catcher manages to play a more psychedelic blues/stoner
vintage sound. The pounding bass make this one of the standout songs
on the album. Cloud Catcher excels most on the lengthier tracks such
as Beyond The Electric Sun, Trails Of Kozmic Dust and Righteous
Ruler. As they have more time to fully explore their cosmic based
sound. Lengthy riffs are backed up by superb vocals of Rory.
The
excellent album cover and album title gives you an idea that science
fiction plays a big part with Cloud Catcher's music. The album cover
was designed by the always reliable Adam Burke. The second half of
the album sees Cloud Catcher adding almost ambient noises into their
music. Especially on the superb title track with the band adding
moments of classic power-trio jamming setting the album for an
exciting finish.
The
album does change direction multiple times but that's a good thing.
As Cloud Catcher don't play one set sound. They play many different
elements of Hard Rock. It makes Tales Of Kozmic Dust a more rewarding
experience. All in all, this is a fantastic album with Cloud Catcher
on truly outstanding form.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Claire at Purple Sage PR for the promo. Trails Of Kozmic Dust will
be available to buy via Totem Cat Records on CD/DD/Vinyl from March
11th 2017.
Doom
metal band Kin of Ettins hails from Dallas, Texas. For almost 13
years they tell the story of Northern mythology, history and
shamanism in the form of traditional doom metal. Their debut “Tears
for Lost Ages” was released in 2009, and since then till now “Snake
Den Time” single (2010) and “Doomed in Dallas” EP (2010) were
added to their discography.
Well,
it’s not breaking news but in November 2016 the band finally
released their sophomore record “Doom upon the Slain”. JOTUN aka Justin
Delord (guitars, vocals, keyboards) is Kin of Ettins founding member
and ideologist; I asked him a few questions about band’s current
status and new album.
Hi
Justin! Thanks for your time! Time is a precious thing and there is a
7 years long break between Kin of Ettins debut “Tears for Lost
Ages” and new album “Doom Upon the Slain”, some even could
forget what is Kin of Ettins about! But how would you introduce the
band for those who didn't hear this name?
I
don't really enjoy describing the band to be honest, or anyone's
music for that matter. I think it's better to simply let the music
be heard and people will react how they will. I think our work
dignifies itself.
Okay,
but what were your general goals when you started Kin of Ettins back
in 2010?
I
wanted to create traditional doom metal that still offered something
a little different. I also wanted more creative control over my
vision, which was easier to achieve with KoE.
By
the way, how did the band spend this period? What's the reason for
such ling hiatus?
It
wasn't so much a hiatus as it was just a long pause between albums.
We never stopped playing live, and we did release a four song live EP
“Doomed in Dallas” in 2010
How
long did you work over new songs? What kind of obstacles did you face
on your way to this release?
We
spent several months working over the songs, but some of these songs
are older, having been written before the first album, so I can't
really state a time aggregate on it. Out biggest hurdle was a line up
change, as we switched guitarists during the recording.
Did
you have certain plan when you enter the studio? What did you want to
express through this record?
We
didn't really have a plan apart from doing it ourselves, no
producers. The rest was a learning process, mostly for Donar who
handled 99% of that. Our expressive goal was for a more dynamic
record with a deeper, heavier sound than before. I think we achieved
that, although we'll do a few things differently next time.
Did
you face any difficulties recording this album? Do you have some
certain “difficult” songs on “Doom upon a Slain”?
Apart
from the line up change, the biggest difficulty was just learning how
to record and produce our own music. We knew how to do a lot, but our
knowledge was incomplete so there was a learning curve. I don't think
any one song was any more difficult than any other. We had to
troubleshoot each one a little, but in different ways.
How
do you see key differences between “Tears for Lost Ages” and
“Doom Upon the Slain”?
In
short, “Tears” sounds like ‘80s doom and “Slain” sounds
more like ‘90s doom, both in style and sound. “Tears” is lo-fi,
muddy and very trad, while “Slain” is crisper, chunkier, and a
little more groove stricken.
What
did make you do this step further in '90s? And how do you see
features of '80s and '90s doom? There were not many doom bands in
'80s.
The
progression in sound, as far as that analogy goes, was purely
accidental. Most of that is just in the overall mix. “Tears” has
that muddy, half buried, lo-fi sound like you'd hear on a Saint Vitus
or Trouble album, probably because that producer was rooted in ‘80s
rock and metal. I draw the ’90s comparison on the new album because
it's cleaner and heavier, but still less than perfect. I don't know
if others hear what I hear, but this is the way the records sound to
me when comparing the two.
Kin
of Ettins – Echoes in the Deep
I
see there was a change in lineup few years ago, does Teiwaz
appearance reflect on the band's sound?
Very
much so. He's a tremendous boon to the band and a huge part of our
sound. His leads have a quality unlike anyone else, as he has a style
all his own. He takes enormous pride in his playing and works hard at
every aspect of his role in the band.
The
band's lyrics usually deal with Northern mythology, shamanism,
history and literature as metal-archives say. How are you serious
about it?
I'm
as serious as one should be about everything beyond survival, which
isn't very serious at all. My lyrics are actually inspired by
everyday life and its struggles, mysteries, joys and sorrows.
Mythology is simply a metaphorical lens for telling those stories.
It's not an original approach at all in my opinion. The seeming
fantastical elements of Dio and Judas Priest lyrics are of similar
scope.
When
did you start to interest with such topics?
I
started with Norse and Greek mythology when I was about ten years
old. That was right around that time I stepped back from the
Christian dogma I'd been told and realized how strange religion was,
so I began to search for truth in other areas. I haven't found
literal truth in any spiritual system, but many of them are
overflowing with symbolic significance, and there's palpable wisdom
to be found if one can glean it.
Do
you discuss songs' topics in studio during recordings in order to set
right tone for music? Or does the band have any specific methods of
working when you deal with paganism and do on?
Not
really. I generally will share a song's lyric with the band after I'm
done penning it, and their response is usually along the lines of “OK
cool”. Although Teiwaz has some concepts he'd like me to write
about, but we haven't brought that to fruition just yet. With the
songs we’re writing now, I'm having to go into more detail because
I'm the only one capable of reading the lyrics I'm writing, but
that's all I'm going to say to that end right now.
Can
you tell what did you write about this time? What do you reflect in
your lyrics for “Doom upon a Slain”?
There's
a lot of subject matter on this one. There are references to human
conflict, environmental issues, grief and loss, Celtic shamanism,
ancient history, religious skepticism, and the mysteries of the
cosmos. I'm still expressing a good bit of this in mythological
contexts or through literary obfuscation as those are powerful
creative devices.
Can
you say that Kin of Ettins today is the band which you wanted to see
back then in 2004? How do you value band’s progress since it first
days and till nowadays?
I
wasn't really sure what the band would become when I first envisioned
it. My sole focus at that time was on crafting the first songs and
recording. I wasn't even sure it would ever be a live band. Once
things got started though, it all just snowballed. I fell in with a
good bunch of guys who work hard though, so building up to where we
are now has been a natural progression.
What's
your next goal as you have new album at hands? Would you like to
return in studio in the name of Odin, or play gigs, or just fall in
slumber again?
We'll
keep playing live for sure. Our rehearsals have begun to shift focus
on working on new material, as the material for the next album is
already taking shape.
By
the way, how often do you play live? And with what kind of bands do
you usually share a stage?
We
play in or near Dallas every two to three months. We also do
occasional road shows around Texas and some touring. We generally
keep to shows in the stoner/doom vein. Here in Texas we've played
shows with Wo Fat, Stone Machine Electric, Elliott's Keep, Dead
Hawke, Mothership, Las Cruces, Blood of the Sun, Project Armageddon,
Solitude Aertunus, et al. On the road we've shared the stage with
Earthen Grave, The Skull, Apostle of Solitude, Iron Man, Pale Divine,
The Gates of Slumber, Orodruin, and a host of others. The doom scene
is strong here.
