Comrade Aleks Archives - Page 47 of 56

AN NCS INTERVIEW: ANCIENT SPELL (CONRAD VIZ)

May 022016

(Comrade Aleks conducted this interview with guitarist Conrad Viz of the L.A. band Ancient Spell.)

I had an idea to do an interview with Ancient Spell. It is a Los Angeles-based band that combines classic doom metal and aggressive thrash elements in their music. They were formed in August 2012 by the guitarist Conrad Viz and recorded two albums – a self-titled debut in 2013 and the sophomore Forever in Hell released by Minotauro Records in 2015. Well, you see – it’s interesting and, let’s say, an original mix, so it’s worthy of your attention.

Occasionally I’ve sent questions to the band, and at the same time received answers from both Conrad Viz and Donnie Marhefka, Ancient Spell’s frontman, so in the end I have two interviews with quite similar questions but with different answers. Here’s the interview with Conrad, you’ll be able to find our interview with Donnie a little bit later (during this or next week) on doom-metal.com. Enjoy the Ancient Spell. Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: INDICA (JAYESH TALATI)

Interviews No Responses »

Apr 272016

(We present Comrade Aleks’ interview of Jayesh Talati, guitarist/vocalist of the Australian band Indica, whose new album Stone Future Hymns was released earlier this year.)

Indica is an experimental psychedelic doom outfit which incorporate influences of stoner and noise in its musical body. Being active since 2012, Indica has lived through necessary lineup changes, yet its core has remained the same – Jayesh Talati (guitars, vocals) leads his project deeper into his hazed trips, or rather real hallucinogenic adventures. The result of his collaboration with new members is the fresh full-length album Stone Future Hymns. Jayesh is here to share the news about Indica and its works. Continue reading »

CARDINALS FOLLY: “HOLOCAUST OF ECSTASY AND FREEDOM”

Album Reviews No Responses »

Apr 212016

(Comrade Aleks has interviewed Finland’s Cardinals Folly for us before (here), and now he provides some history of the band’s music along with comments about their forthcoming new album.)

This blasphemous cult was started in Helsinki in around 2004 under name The Coven. That title fits the band’s music, but there were just too many bands with the same name, so The Coven was dissolved and renamed Cardinals Folly after a place in a Dennis Wheatley black magic novel.

The head of this sect is Mikko Kääriäinen and he’s the only constant member of Cardinals Folly, as other musicians have come and gone after some number of occult sessions. Probably only drummer Sebastian Lindberg demonstrated perseverance as he accompanied Mikko from the first EP Heretic’s Hangover (2008) ’til the second full-length Our Cult Continues! (2014), but even he left the band a year later after the album was released… or probably Mikko just sacrificed him in a forest — who knows? Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: STANGALA

Interviews No Responses »

Apr 182016

(Comrade Aleks brings us another very entertaining and informative interview with the two core members of the unusual Breton band Stangala.)

That extravagant outfit from Brittany returns after three years of searches with a new refreshed sound and new avant-garde melodies which were formed under the name Klañv… Oh, well, let me introduce you to the Stangala band.

They started in far 2006 as a trio – Steven Le Moan (guitars, vocals), Thomas Coïc (drums), and Alexandre Miossec (bass). This lineup recorded the Boued Tousek Hag Traou Mat All debut in 2011, “drug-fueled” psychedelic doom rock with some Breton tunes and Breton lyrics. About two years later the band (without Alexandre this time) took part in split-record with the Stonebirds group; this work was named Kreizh Breizh Sessions – Vol.1. This time Stangala performed a highly eclectic mix of doom stoner with black metal, with some Breton colors as well.

And now? Their second full-length Klañv, released by Finisterian Dead End on the 24th of March, shows avant-garde Celtic doom black rock as it probably could be. It’s an imprecise term, but you can easily check it – there are a few necessary links down the text. Oh, and the text… It’s our interview with Steven and Thomas. Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: TOMBSTONED

Interviews 2 Responses »

Apr 122016

(Comrade Aleks rejoins us with an interview of members of the Finnish band Tombstoned, whose new album II is set for release by Svart Records on April 22.)

I was lucky enough to get promo of new Tombstoned album II, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise as I had never heard about them before. Born in 2010, this doom metal outfit (some may add “psychedelic” to this definition) already had an EP Searching/ Let Go (2012) and a self-titled full-length record (2013). The band acts in the form of a power-trio, with Olavi on bass, Jussi on guitars and vocals, and Akke as the drummer.

Their classic doom metal shapes really have psychedelic nuances and a few recognizable features of ‘70s rock music, taking into account that all the instrumental parts are extremely catchy (taste “Pretending to Live” or “Haven’t We Seen All This Before” and you’ll have a general view what Tombstoned are about). Oh, one more thing – good news for those who secretly love The Cure, because sometimes the intonations of Jussi’s vocal parts remind me of Robert James Smith, and that sounds cool!

Enough talk from me! Let’s give space to Jussi and Olavi to tell us how to get Tombstoned. Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: DOMOVOYD (OSKAR TUNDERBERG)

Interviews 1 Response »

Apr 072016

(Comrade Aleks re-joins us with this interview of vocalist/guitarist Oskar Tunderberg from Finland’s Domovoyd.)

Domovoyd is an extravagant experimental doom quartet from Finnish Seinäjoki; the band have existed since 2010 and the guys were both talented and lucky enough to get a contract from Svart Records. Their music is dreamy, heavy, loud, and slow – it’s not for everyone, yes. But their albums Oh Sensibility (2013) and Domovoyd (2015) earned the band a solid reputation.

Oskar Tunderberg (vocals, guitars), Niko Lehdontie (guitars), Dmitry Melet (bass), and Axel Solimeis (drums) do their doom magic and weave their psychedelic spells into a heavy dormant trance. Are they still here? – I wondered. And yes, they answered, they are here. This interview with Oskar discovers different aspects of Domovoyd and shows some things from a new angle. Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: STONED JESUS (IGOR SIDORENKO)

Interviews 1 Response »

Mar 162016

(We present Comrade Aleks’ interview with Igor Sidorenko of the Ukrainian band Stoned Jesus, with photos by Oscar Szramka.)

Here come the robots! The outfit Stoned Jesus (Kiev, Ukraine) was revealed by the Solitude Productions label in the year 2010, with the label then releasing their first (after two demos) full-length release – First Communion. Stoner doom from Stoned Jesus acquired new features and developed over the years and became more artistic, energetic, and alive, so the number of the Stoned Jesus congregation has grown steadily.

In February 2015 they released their third album – The Harvest — and the idea of doing an interview with them began to take shape gradually, but their busy concert schedule became a serious obstacle on the way to transfer this plan into life. Anyway, Igor Sidorenko (guitar, vocals) took the time to answer the quiz directly from the epicenter of another tour. And one more thing – it’s not just another doped stoner band, check the “Here Come the Robots” song… you know.

******

Salute Igor! How are you? What’s going on in Stoned Jesus’ life?

Hey! We’re currently on tour with Mars Red Sky and Belzebong, so I’m writing this to you from a nightliner, with Goat’s 2012 album playing in my headphones. Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: SATURNDUST (FELIPE DALAM)

Interviews No Responses »

Mar 112016

(Comrade Aleks rejoins us with this interview of Felipe Dalam of the Brazilian doom band Saturndust.)

Saturndust from São Paulo is one of the Brazilian doom metal scene’s discoveries. The outfit was formed in 2010, and after few lineup changes (bass and drums seemed to be a weak side of the band), one EP (2012’s Sons of Water) and two singles released in the same year, Saturndust have prepared a self-titled album. Six doom tracks performed in a nearly traditional doom manner with psychedelic and space decoration, they complete an inspiring 45-minute-long journey to the dark corners of the solar system. The band’s lyrics are influenced by classic sci-fi writers and believe in the power of the human mind.

Felipe Dalam is Saturndust’s founder and mastermind, and he has sung and played guitars and synths since the band’s first years. Here’s his message to the human race from Saturndust‘s high orbit. Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: BEHOLD! THE MONOLITH (MATT PRICE)

Interviews 1 Response »

Feb 162016

photo by Ekaterina Gorbacheva

(Comrade Aleks brings us this interview with Matt Price of LA’s Behold! The Monolith, who have a new album out and a Roadburn appearance and European tour coming this spring.)

Behold! The Monolith is a band whose name sticks in your head. If you see the art-works of their albums, you will never forget them. And of course they sound pretty remarkable… To sum it up, this pretty memorable band from Los Angeles have been proposing riddles for reviewers and listeners since 2007 – it’s hard to describe what they play, and their sound develops from album to album, from brutal forms of sludgy doom to thrash metal with progressive, aggressive, monumental, and complex elements.

Behold! The Monolith lived through some changes since the release of their second album Defender, Redeemist in 2012, but they returned reinforced and fresh in September 2015 with a brand new record, Architects of the Void – a merciless, heavy, and brutal album. Guitarist Matt Price, the band’s founder, brings the Word of a pilgrimage to Europe and other news from their camp. Continue reading »

AN NCS INTERVIEW: SERPENT (JOAKIM OLSSON)

Interviews 3 Responses »

Feb 102016

(We are grateful that Comrade Aleks has brought us yet another doomy interview, this time with drummer Joakim Olsson of Sweden’s Serpent.)

Sweden is the epicenter of the modern vintage doom rock movement, and Serpent is one of its competent members. The band was formed in 2012, but already has two full-length records – Slaves of Babylon (2013) and Nekromant (2015). The last one was released on the 18th of December, 2015, by Transubstans Records, and believe me – this power trio know how to play damned rocking doom metal!

Serpent’s guitarist Adam Lundqvist knows how to create impressive riffs and solos, Joakim Olsson is precise and hard-handling with his drums, and Mattias Ottosson is an excellent vocalist with an expressive manner of singing that is ideal for this kind of music (besides that, he knows how to treat with the bass). Do you want a portion of murderously effective doom rock? Follow me, because Joakim is ready to spread the word of Serpent. Continue reading »

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