Full Length Review: Schizophrenia "Recollections of the Insane" (Redefining Darkness Records) by Daniel Ryan

Band: Schizophrenia

Country: Belgium

Genre: Death thrash metal

Full length: Recollections of the Insane

Format: CD, digital

Label: Redefining Darkness Records (USA)

Release date: February 17, 2022

Next one up on my list of awesome is Belgium artists Schizophrenia. This one has everything you need. A jackhammer of blackened thrash with glimpses of pure death metal this band really knows how to play with my heartstrings. They are bold, obliterating, and absolutely fucking stupendous. With their next level antics they can play many roles other than just plain old thrash metal. These guys take the earth on a whirlwind spin and clench tightly back on it revealing nothing left. A stretch for the imagination and an even bigger stretch for most bands out there seeking the same reputation with Schizophrenia just pounding out the goods and setting all ablaze. Much technique on the drums and blast beats here with a twisted vocal manor reminiscent to me of known other than my hometown boys from Demolition Hammer. With an eerie Carcass like filled rasp that matches absolutely beautifully with its guitars and riffs that would send normal listeners straight to the hospital! Ricky Mandozzi really puts you on a wild ride with what they can muster. It leads me to believe that their also is other bands that sound similar are close to which is very few and far between because what they put out on Recollections may be the blueprints to the extreme metal genre itself. I dig how they lead the way and destroy everything it touches. It killed my headphones and more! Leaving me with more questions than answers, this album is one to hold onto tightly with the rest of your collection. Never underestimate the prolific power house that is Schizophrenia, you might live to regret it. If you’re like me, where is all the madness at? Right here… enjoy! –Daniel Ryan

Lineup:

Ricky Mandozzi: Bass, vocals

Romeo Promos Promopoulos: Lead and rhythm guitar

Marty Van Kerckhoven: Lead and rhythm guitar

Lorenzo Vissol: Drums

Track list:

1. Divine Immolation

2. Cranial Disintigration

3. Sea of Sorrow

4. Monolith

5. Onwards to Fire

6. Souls of Retribution

7. Inside the Walls of Madness

8. Fall of the Damned

9. Stratified Realities

Interview with Tamara Picardo of Upon Shadows by Daniel Ryan

Interview with Tamara Picardo of Upon Shadows by Daniel Ryan

How long have you been making music for?

Since 1995 non stop.

What is your favorite instrument to play on?

Keyboards definitely.

What acts have you played with before if any?

Before starting Upon Shadows I was playing keyboards in a death metal band called Eclampsy from 1995 to 2002.

If you had to layout all the bands in order you played in as a timeline what would they be?

With Upon Shadows I have been making music since 2002 to date, then the first band I ever played in was the uruguayan band Eclampsy which I mentioned before. Then I have been involved in two other projects, MARKHOR and Ad Noctum Project as a vocalist. Apart from that I did many collaborations with bands from different countries, which timeline order would be this:

Asbel (Colombia) Keyboards & Vocals.

Valkynaz (USA). Vocals.

Beltane (New Zealand) Keyboards.

Throne of Malediction (USA) Keyboards.

Episcopal Holocaust (Canada) Vocals.

Blackest Orchid (Canada) Keyboards.

IRONWORK (Switzerland) Vocals.

Eric Sartana (USA) Keyboards.

What is the coolest experience you have had as a musician?

The best experience of all is still seeing a finished album. Nothing beats the thrill of hearing all the finished tracks on a new album for the first time in the order they're going to be on the CD. And then being able to hold the CD in my hands. Everything else pales in comparison to that.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?

The need for expression is what drives me. The day I feel that I have nothing important to say, nor anything new to contribute, I will stop making music. And inspiration comes to me from reality, from literature, from painting, from the world of ideas in general.

If you had to name some influences what would they be?

My musical influences are a mix of extreme metal with dark music, dark ambient and classical music.

What is your favorite moment about recording for your latest album Poetica?

My favorite moment during recordings is always when I start to record the arrangements. That's the climax of creativity as I think, the moment where magic can actually happen.

To sum up this interview which website can we find your latest music and any shout outs to anyone for the readers of Asphyxium Zine?

Our music can be found on Bandcamp or on platforms like Spotify, or on YouTube, but it is also available in chronological order and for free download on our blog. To the readers of Asphyxium Zine I would like to first thank you for reading this interview and tell you that in order to maintain underground art it is essential to have places where art in all its forms can be disseminated with the freedom and respect it deserves. And this is why reading and disseminating Asphyxium Zine is so important. The underground is made by all of us.

In rebellion we grow

No support to the unique thought!

-Daniel Ryan

Demo Review: Brainseed "Demo 2024" (Independent) by Devin J. Meaney

Band: Brainseed

Location: Louisville, Kentucky

Country: USA

Genre: Technical thrash metal

Demo: Demo 2024

Format: Digital, cassette

Label: Independent

Release date: October 22, 2024

Wanting to indulge in another short blast of thrash I found the 2024 demo for “Brainseed”! Although I do enjoy what I hear here, there is some very blatant Testament vibes. Be it rip-off or homage—you decide!

With that said all three tracks on this demo are pleasurable to the ears and the music is tight. I’d encourage fans of thrash to give it a listen!

This is a one man band from Kentucky and I’d like to hear more! If anything I was inspired to re-visit Testament’s “The New Order”! -Devin J. Meaney

Lineup:

Skyler Storm: Vocals, all instruments

Track list:

1. Brick Wall Self Destruction

2. Agents of the Material World

3. After the Rain

Full Length Review: Windhelm "Au Crespuscule de l‘Existence" (Drakkar Productions) by Daniel Ryan

Band: Windhelm

Country: France

Genre: Black metal

Full length: Au Crespuscule de l‘Existence

Format: Digital, limited edition CD (sold out), limited edition cassette (sold out), Windhelm new pack (sold out)

Label: Drakkar Productions

Release date: April 15, 2022

Being one of the few exceptional French BM bands to get it done right is Windhelm. The spooky opening to the shredding riffs along with keys & organs really lays out the style you should expect to hear here. The first time hearing this black metal band reminds me of memories of listening to plenty of Les Legions Noires & Moevot. The vocal style also keeps things interesting while the guitars have a darkest atmosphere that is like the scales on a scorpions back. All instruments are played by Aldric on this album and showcases some of his best material to date. My favorite track I would have to say is Sous le Banniere Funebre for its feverish and cold riffs. Cursed and wretched Windhelm will leave a mark on the French black metal scene and has already. Check the latest album out here! -Daniel Ryan

Lineup:

Aldric: Lyrics, vocals, all instruments

Track list:

1. Prélude...Une Offrande

2. Sur les Chemins Tordus de la Nuit

3. Sous la Bannière Funèbre

4. Les Souvenirs d'une Sombre Existence

5. Boire le Calice de Destruction

6. La Chapelle Oubliée

7. Le Village Endormi

8. Les Anges sans Ailes

9. Le Black Metal est Mort

10. Au Crépuscule de l'Existence

11. L'Eternel M'attend

12. Necronirisme

13. Quand un Âge Prend Fin

Interview with SVN Hardrada by Daniel Ryan

Interview with SVN Hardrada by Daniel Ryan

How long have you been making music for?

The first band I was in was Zymotic around 1991. I was 15 then. I’m 48 now. To this day I still make music with one of the guitarists. First under the Ascend-ency moniker. Now as Dodengod. (Flemisch for Deathgod)

What is your favorite instrument to play on?

As a vocalist I should say my voice. But, since I started messing around with keyboards for Herian and This Scorching SvN, I would say I prefer keyboard now. Although I can’t really play them and just improvise my way around them in the studio.

With the way I sing and the Dark Ambient I make it’s all about making dark noises.

What acts have you played with before if any?

I used to play in a death metal band called Anesthesy and we opened for Dark Funeral and then that lead to opening for Death. Which was an awesome experience. Aborted opened for us once. So you can imagine that was a long time ago. Liar headlined that show.

With Impedigon I played with Aborted, Akercocke and Pungent Stench.

With Fleshmould we opened for Suffocation and God Dethroned.

And since Thronum Vrondor started playing live we played with local heroes Coldborn, Saille, Ars Veneficium. Helleruin from Holland as well.

And of course a serious amount of Belgian bands.

Surhim, Provectus, Serpents Oath, Nyrak, Carnal Desecration…

If you had to lay out all the bands in order you played in as a timeline what would they be?

Zymotic, Anesthesy, Impedigon, Fleshmould & now Thronum Vrondor.

And Ascend-ency (now Dodengod started around Anesthesy and is still going).

This Scorching SvN is a recent project. A year or two ago I did a demo under the moniker Herian which was an attempt to make Martial Industrial. But it sounded too forced.

What is the coolest experience you have had as a musician?

Playing live and the reaction of the crowd. Wich is hard to fathom. But for me it’s all about the creation process. Love that.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?

My love for dark music and the creation process. There are so many bands around and we are just one of thousands. It won’t bring me fame and fortune but I just love making noise.

If you had to name some influences what would they be?

90’s era Death Metal, a lot of Black Metal, Triarii, Neurosis, Danzig, Dead Can Dance, Arditi, Trepaneringsritualen, Iron Maiden, Slayer…

To sum up this interview which website can we find your latest music and any shout outs to anyone for the readers of Asphyxium zine?

This Scorching SVN:

https://thisscorchingsvn.bandcamp.com/album/do-not-delude-yourselves-i-offer-anything-but-strife-blood

Thronum Vrondor:

https://www.facebook.com/thronumvrondor

https://thronumvrondor.bandcamp.com/

Dodengod:

https://dodengod1.bandcamp.com/album/salvation

Anesthesy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HREN-gkLjlw&ab_channel=RareMetalAlbums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhuWYXgh8ZU&ab_channel=DeathMetalUnderground

Herian:

https://herian.bandcamp.com/album/the-vesuvius-concept

All bands can also be found on all streaming platforms.

-Daniel Ryan

Full Length Review: Mythark "Unleash the Darkness" (Independent) by Daniel Ryan

Band: Mythark

Location: Saint Etienne

Country: France

Genre: Blackened symphonic death metal

Full length: Unleash the Darkness

Format: Double CD, digital

Label: Independent

Release date: April 13, 2019

Mythark from Saint Etienne France really push the boundaries of being a symphonic blackened death metal band with their powerful sounds that capture the mind.

These guys not only break those boundaries they set a whole new standard when it comes to the genre. Filled with deadly operatics and key arrangements this band relies on it as its main focus with the guitars and drums coming in second. With twisted bass lines and haunting vocals they take something absolutely beautiful sounding and turn it into utter madness. For fans of Septic Flesh, Cradle Of Filth & Emperor, this band take these influences and combine them in their own dark & mysterious way. Great solos are still found here on a few tracks and are accompanied by the sound of brutal death metal vocals plus shrieks ones as well.

Along with their music you get a strong feel in the operatics that carry the songs to points of no return & a sophisticated feel to them that leave you wanting more. I have to say my favorite track is Requiem. Definitely check these guys out! –Daniel Ryan

Lineup:

Paiou: Vocals

Vidark; Guitars

Suif: Bass

Grim: Drums

Track list:

1. Babel Dementia

2. Belzebuth

3. L'enfer de Dante

4. Apophis

5. Requiem

6. Aphrodite

7. Escape Woman In Black

8. Poseidon

9. Purgatory

10. Pharaon

11. Kossuth

12. Vlad Tepes

Full Length Review: Upon Shadows "Poetica" (Ground Media Group) by Daniel Ryan

Band: Upon Shadows

Location: Montevideo

Country: Uruguay

Genre: Gothic black metal

Full length: Poetica

Format: CD, digital

Label: Ground Media Group

Release date: October 18, 2023

The beginning of this album shows off how dark and cryptic this music is. From the keys to the drums guitars and bass you can find a whirlwind of sounds that slowly begging to wrap its arms around you in its darkest embrace. For years I have followed Upon Shadows and their sounds are ever evolving bringing a unique feel to each and every track that is thrown at you. Depressive and melancholy found here mixed in within a tunnel of cold, and dark rainy nights. For fans of Abigor, Aborym and Rotting Christ the latest album really gets tighter on each track with solid performances from their respective band members Tamara and Natalia. With support by Mika Pohjla on mixing and mastering and session drums by Joonas Alaraiha. All done at Soundmix studio in Oulu, Finland. These guys collaborate very well bringing out the best in each other throughout this process. In the last 20 years of Upon Shadows dark metal as grandiosity is displayed for the forefront of genre they fall under. I have to say my favorite track is Terra Avstralis Ignota. It is creepy and reminds me of entering a black hole discovering alien life for the first time. Do yourself a favor and get some merch while you’re at it too. It is highly recommended that you do. In rebellion we grow! No support to the unique thought! Check them out! -Daniel Ryan

Lineup:

Natalia Arocena: Bass

Tamara Picardo: Keyboards, guitars, vocals

Track list:

1. Written In Blood

2. Song Of Winter

3. Cárcelest

4. Chants Of The Serpent

5. Monolith

6. Terra Avstralis Ignota

7. The Agony Of Eros

8. Ashes

Review of "Poetica" by Dave Wolff

Review of full length "7 Stages Of Grief" by Dave Wolff

Review of full length "Between the Southern Cross & the Northern Star" by Alan Lisanti

Review of video "Geometry of Music" by Simon Brown
Review of single "Fatal Stigma Of The Realist" by Dave Wolff

Review of full length "Modern Obscurantism" by Dave Wolff

Review of full length "Modern Obscurantism" by Daniel M. Ryan

Review of single "Virtus Dormitiva" by Corban Skipwith

Interview with Thomas Granzow of Resurrected by Daniel Ryan

Interview with Thomas Granzow of Resurrected by Daniel Ryan

How long have you been making music for?

We’ve started making music with our band in late 1993: We’ve started with jamming some Death metal stuff but we didn’t give us a band name. Later on in mid 1994 we’ve added a second guitarist to our ranks and called ourselves Resurrected.

What is your favorite instrument to play on?

I love my electric guitars. I used to play bass guitar in my second band Grind Inc. either. When it comes to brands I played a Stallings Dragonslayer on stage for more than 20 years but I’ve switched over to Solar X shaped guitars and BC Riches, especially a Steve Smyth Signature.

What acts have you played with before if any?

Well there were a few in that 30 year run. To name the more famous ones there was Deicide, Malevolent Creation, Cryptopsy, Kataklysm, Vader, Immortal, Brutal Truth, Marduk, Suffocation, Behemoth… I do not remember them all haha.

If you had to lay out all the bands in order you played in as a timeline what would they be?

You’ll laugh, it’s not been so many for me:

Resurrected from 1993 till present and Grind Inc. from 2008 to 2013 (we’ve not played any shows with Grind Inc. since then).

Our other band members play in several bands next to ours but I couldn’t tell you their timeline at all. Dennis plays in “Pestlegion” currently and has played with “Prostitute Disfigurement” too. Ben is active with “Battlesword” and “Necrophagia” at the moment. Chris Zeller plays in “Ignition” too, used to play with our vocalist Chris Mieves in “Struck A Nerve” too but this band recently split up. Chris Mieves also sang in Grind Inc. where I played bass guitar and Dennis was there as session drummer either. So it’s like a family, we’ve kinda been together in different bands already before RESURRECTED formed that lineup in 2012.

What is the coolest experience you have had as a musician?

Well, there were so many it’s hard to pick out a single one. Ben and I still remember that show as Inferno Festival in Oslo back in 2008, we never had better band catering or backstage parties. I remember Dan Lilker’s green face; I don’t think I’ve ever seen a person that can turn green like that haha. Milwaukee Metal Fest was a blast too but from different points of view.

What inspires you to keep doing what you do?

It’s the love to Death Metal or the music in general. It’s not just taste in music, it’s a feeling that music and me belong to each other. It’s really hard to describe. And it’s part of my life. I cannot imagine living without that. It’d be living without my dick. Or leg. Or whatever.

If you had to name some influences what would they be?

Influences developed over the years like the scene developed. There’s still one big influence in songwriting for me named Deicide (especially for their triplet usage), Cannibal Corpse or Suffocation. Over the years I developed some Black Metal influences from Marduk for example. But from their faster releases like Panzerdivision or Frontschwein. Immortal did some riffs which should have been written for Death Metal lol. Awesome too, but not everything to my ears.

What is your favorite venue you been to or played in?

Milwaukee City Hall! Definitely. Even if we didn’t play the main stage but it was impressive.

To sum up this interview which website can we find your latest music and any shout outs to anyone for the readers of Asphyxium zine?

Sorry waste your time with our boring shit friends \m/ Hope to meat you live someday! Thanks for reading our stuff anyway and please buy all of our useless crap!!!

We’re available almost everywhere, get our unholy shit from www.resurrected.net or from Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music.

-Daniel Ryan

Full Length Review: Drudkh "Autumn Aurora" (Season of Mist) by Daniel Ryan

Band: Drudkh

Country: Ukraine

Genre: Black metal

Full length: Autumn Aurora

Format: CD, cassette, black vinyl, amber marbled vinyt, digital

Label: Season of Mist

Release date: November 16, 2009 (originally released by Supernal Records in 2004)

Ukrainian black metal never felt so gray and blistering when I hear Autumn Aurora for the first time. This one goes out to Amorth which played keyboards on this album RIP. Released on Season of Mist records the band captures the imagination and makes you feel like you’re in a trance. With fiery guitars and sensational drumming these guys do their best to stand out amongst the bunch that are labeled just black metal. For fans of Agalloch, Opeth and Borknagar this EP really hits the spot. It is leveled out in a mystical sort of way and its epic folk oriented passages are throughout the album with the sounds of nature. I have to say my favorite song here is the Glare of Autumn. The longer tracks give me enough to retain but keeps my attention as to wondering what will happen next in this wonderful field of autumn season. The vocals are sparse on this EP but is enough to give it some dark intentions as well out of the sonically foreboding display of its power belonging to the force of nature they have all created. Check them out! -Daniel Ryan

Track list:

1. Fading

2. Summoning The Rain

3. Glare Of Autumn

4. Sunwheel

5. Wind Of The Night Forests

6. The First Snow

EP Review: S.Z.P. "Descent Beyond Hell" (The Triad Records) by Daniel Ryan

Band: S.Z.P.

Country: Italy

Genre: Death thrash metal

EP: Descent Beyond Hell

Format: Digital

Label: The Triad Records

Release date: November 4, 2024

Another Italian band from Triad Records this band is melodic and fluid to the core. You might expect some genre nuances here and there ranging from black metal and death metal but it all takes a life on its own with its own twisted chaos. Bringing things up and down musically, this band experiments with many different sounds and vocal arrangements throughout. Shrieking and clean passages in the music which come off as depressive when they really are not at all in the heavier parts of the music. I sense a cold and serene flavor to this bands misdoings leading them to chorus like passages and plenty of reverb here. Very experimental blackened death metal here. More on the gothic feel for Compromises the band really knows how to change things up. For fans of early Opeth, early Amorphis and Akercocke this band might sound misleading to a few when it comes to straight up death metal but they fall under a more progressive feel here. I have to say my favorite track is Annihilation. Check them out! –Daniel Ryan

Lineup:

Stefano Zani: Guitars, arrangements, production

Tato: Vocals, bass

Track list:

1. Free in the Cage

2. Apathy

3. Compromissione

4. Annihilation

5. Sindon (Endless Pain cover)