INFOS : webzine@femmemetalwebzine.net
Webzine dedicated to the metal band fronted by girls. We also like ambient,darkwave,rock & electronic music.
INFOS : webzine@femmemetalwebzine.net
Webzine dedicated to the metal band fronted by girls. We also like ambient,darkwave,rock & electronic music.
Let’s stay close and from Ukraine now we go to Russia always under the same label (Solitude Productions) with the debut of the Atmospheric Gothic Doom metal band AUT MORI called “Первая Слёза Осени” (“Pervaya Slyoza Oseni” – “The First Tears of Autumn”). This bands features in its ranks three former members of Auto-De -Fe and this album was mastered by Jerry Torstensson that figures here as the guest drummer too. Also the album sees the guest starring by Olof Gothlin, responsible for the violins on Draconian’s “A Rose for the Apocalypse”. Our dear reviewer Vard Aman this time nailed an ace review rating it 92 out of 100; as Vard states “If you like Doom Metal, especially the melancholic atmospheric side of Doom Metal, then your collection simply would not be complete without this album in it.” - so you love Draconian and this side of the Doom Metal? Make it yours but before read the review @ /(via Aut Mori – “Первая Слёза Осени” (“Pervaya Slyoza Oseni” – “The First Tears of Autumn”) (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)
Interview by Miriam C.
The Dutch musical revolutionaries are back with “Disclosure”. Elegant, subtle and refined as their style asks. Lone gone are the days when TG used to make your head bang, define them some little genious is so predictable but TG never stops to experiment itself. Everytime that they release a full lenght album is like putting a stepping stone on their long career, also they never stop you to surprised you (see the resuscitated The Gathering ‘92 line up gigs). And this matters we have asked some questions to the (once was a) newbie singer Silje Wergeland and to Réne Rutten for some expectation about TG ‘92.
Hi Silje first of all thanks for accept this interview. At the end of August/early September your ninth album “Disclosure” will be out. What you can share about its genesis, when you have nail down your first lyric?
Hello! I started writing down lyric ideas for this album some time ago, I think 3 years maybe (I guess right after “The West Pole”), and has been an evolving process since.
“Disclosure” was, in some ways, anticipated by “Heroes for Ghosts” in 2011. Why this choice? And also what you can tell us about the videoclip backstage and preparation? And what about its story?
Yes, we wanted to release this song last year to give a little teaser from the album. We all love this song, and it was one of the first songs we finished totally for this purpose. It is reflecting the atmosphere of the album, so it was a good teaser to go public. Regarding the videoclip it was originally meant to be done in Holland, but we decided in the last minute to do it in my hometown Bergen in Norway due to the script. The band flew in Dutch director Marcus Moonen, and we hired a Norwegian producer, who together with me and my boyfriend arranged for locations, car, styling, crew etc to be ready when Marcus arrived. It was all recorded during 2-3 days. We had a lot of locations so it was a busy busy time, very fun though! Very happy with the result. The video and the song shows a love story that ends with a break up.
I’ve imagined that being your second album that you’ve recorded with The Gathering you feel more “relaxed” and you don’t feel the pressure (I mean all fans eyes’ are not pointed at “who will be the next singer” fact). Thinking backwards did you have find something that worked better this time compared with the last recording session/album “The West Pole”?
Yes, for sure. It is all about the music and the new album this time, which is a relief hehe;-) We as band members knew each other better both in person and musically, so it was an evolving process where we worked on the songs more together from the start. It was also a lot more relaxed and we took the time we needed, and never rushed things.
“Disclosure” is such an elegant and profound title. Who came out with it and what’s the meaning in your point of view? What you want to “disclosure”?
I think “Disclosure” reflects that we’re making a little statement with our music, constantly showing we are developing and changing musically and doing it because we want and need to. And this album shows that the Gathering is all about music, making music we like. Also the lyrics are quite personal, honest and pure about life and dealing with heavy episodes I’ve and we’ve experienced in life.
“Disclosure” is coming with a 10” EP vinyl called “Afterlights” : why remake this songs that are already present on “Disclosure”? And what’s their main differences?
3 songs are also on the CD/LP but we did the ‘mixes’ ourself to give it another touch… and they are really different that the album versions. Only “Meltown” is a edit version.
Also connected to the previous question : why don’t publish this release in CD format like for “City for Above”?
It’s a extra gift for the people who will buy the full packages, maybe we gonna release it on a CD with extra songs or remixes, but that is still a idea.
In your opinion/idea what the meaning of the cover album, but before this (congratulations for it, I really like it!) who’s the author and is it connected with the lyrics? It was random the choice of the cover to be in steampunk style?
Thank you, we love it too!:-) It is made by Carlos Vergara Rivera, a very talented Chilean artist. We have been in touch with him for some time and followed his art as he has sent us pictures he’s done. We already started thinking about using drawings and artificial artwork for “The West Pole”, but found the perfect picture for that album in a real photo. This time Carlos presented this artwork for us after we talked to him about a possible collaboration, and we all fell in love with his picture immediately. For me it reflects the beauty of expressing your heart and mind with art and music. It is something beautiful and fragile about it, messy but also very clear and atmospheric with many layers, just like our music.
Reading the tracklist, the fact that hit me so much is “Gemini I/II”. What you can tell about these songs, are entwined in each other and why split in 2 parts?
Frank made this song, sent us a demo version like “Gemini II” with only strings. We all loved it immediately. I made the vocals on top of it. After some time the song developed more and more as a band song while the other band members worked on the song as well and “Gemini I” was born too.
I know that you’ve replied maybe a million of times but in which status we must consider your previous band Octavia Sperati?
Hehe, no worries. The status is basically that the band is not active and there are no further plans with the band. We are still very good friends, but everyone has started on other chapters in life with other bands, family or studies.
Now for René : I’ve noticed that The Gathering 1992 are come back to life, when is born this idea and also how did you felt play with them after so much time? Also never thought to record a live album of the recent played gig, sort of an official bootleg? Does this “collaboration” is something occasional or must expect something (I mean for a real record)?
Réne: Playing again the first gathering album is just for fun, we started with this idea because a friend needed help with a benefit show, and we all said yes! Let’s do it for the fun! And when we announced it we got 6 more shows to do. Maybe we gonna record one club show and release it as a TG92 Live record. In 5 years form now we will come together again, but for now we have no plans for a new record with TG 92.
Now what are your next planes?
Réne: Our next plans are for The Gathering 92 line up to play some shows in September and right now we are doing a lot of interviews for the release of “Disclosure” in September and then we’ll hit the road again early 2012 to finally play the new songs live. Can’t wait!!
Thanks for both you and Réne for replying our questions. Please greet your fans as you want!
Thanks for your interest and reading this and for all the superb feedback and nice comments about our two singles released from “Disclosure” (“Meltdown” and “Heroes for Ghosts”)! Hope you like the rest of the album just as much!
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Review by Vard Aman
Founded in St. Peterburg in 2006, Guaho are certainly one of the more original bands around from both a musical and a topical perspective. The name Guaho, meaning “secret power” is taken from the works of Carlos Castaneda who wrote much on the topics of shamanism and the occult practices of the Yaqui Indians of northern Mexico. Castaneda himself became an apprentice to the Yaqui shaman Don Juan Matus. The album title is derived from one of Castaneda’s books, “Journey to Ixtlan”. A nagual, from which Guaho’s guitarist and songwriter, Erema Nagual takes his name, is a powerful Mesoamerican sorcerer skilled in the arts of shapeshifting. However, Guaho do not limit themselves to the topics of Castaneda and the philosophies, spiritualism and occult practices of Mesoamerica only, they cover similar topics from elsewhere too. So Guaho incorporates a lot of magic, mysticism and ancient teachings into their imagery and lyrics; but it does not stop there (which is fortunate for those who don’t understand Russian): their music is magical too – which is no doubt why I am unable to stop listening to it. Despite the Mesoamerican influences, do not expect something along the lines of Tenochtitlan (a Russian supergroup combining Doom Metal with Mayan and Aztec folk music). Guaho play what has been described as “Esoteric Dark Metal” or “Esoteric Gothic Metal”; the esoteric part being mostly in their imagery and lyrical topics.
But they are by no means ordinary Gothic Metal either; Guaho have a sound that is distinctly theirs – a sound they have created, mastered and perfected. Two things in particular have contributed to Guaho’s musical rise above most of the inhabitants of the vast sea of Gothic Metaldom: the exceptional songwriting skills of Erema Nagual, and the exceptional vocal skills of Daria Ivlitskaya (also known as “Mau” – an ancient Egyptian half-feline half-human goddess). The songwriting and arrangements are excellent. The songs are melodic; conjuring the appropriate desired moods, often of a melancholic nature. Meticulous attention has been paid to the details; everything is done right and in just the right amounts. Daria’s vocals are perfect for the music and she sings with immaculate control. She uses her voice wisely so that her vocal style best suits the part she is singing over, and this to me is the trademark of a really good vocalist. She also has a unique voice and stock vocal style, particularly in the way she ends many of her notes, so it is hard to mistake her for or to compare her with any other vocalist. To top it all off, she is capable of operatic vocals as well, which she uses sparingly but to great effect (e.g. in “Kadga Saditsya Solntse”).
Few vocalists have the kind of range and versatility that Daria has, and even fewer have the self-control to use it so effectively. Yep, Mau has a new worshipper! Erema Nagual does his fair share of singing too (as well as a few spoken passages) and he is also a very competent vocalist. His rich, dark Gothic vocal style is very effective, especially in the parts where he and Daria sing together (e.g. in “Sumerki”). There are 12 songs on this album, including an intro (“Bhītabhāvana”), outro (“Dharma”) and an interlude (“Lepis”). The intro is fantastic, and the interlude a bit chaotic (which it is no doubt meant to be). The songs on “Na Puti v Ixtlan” are all very good, but some are real stand outs: they are “Kadga Saditsya Solntse”, “Era Vodoleya” and “Sumerki”. “Magiya” is the song Guaho recorded a video for, and thus I presume it is the single. I don’t rate it quite as highly as the other three I mentioned, but it does incorporate more of Guaho’s versatility into one song than the others do. Guaho manage their variations (style and tempo) well throughout the album, but listening to the album from beginning to end the general tendency is that it gets gradually slower and more powerful, from the fast paced tracks near the beginning, “Guaho” and “Vostok”, to the slow paced melancholic Gothic song at the end, “Koliybelnaya”. The album as a whole is as well crafted as the individual songs on it. So, what is this band’s secret power? Well, their power is in a combination of everything, and everything done in exactly the right amounts and in the right places; and their secret is… I can’t say: that secret is locked in the talented creative minds of a shapeshifting sorcerer, a half-feline goddess, and their powerful mythical and arcane companions.
Rating - 92/100
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Label : Ravenheart Records
Review by Tony Cannella
From Malta, Weeping Silence first formed way back in 1995. In 2008 they released their full-length debut titled “End of an Era” which was followed in 2009 with a 4-song promo CD. Now the band returns with their sophomore effort dubbed “Theatre of Life” and to say that this band is really starting to come into their own is an understatement. Musically, “Theatre of Life” hones Weeping Silence’s Symphonic Gothic metal style and sees them take what has begun on their 2008 debut to the next level. Also taken to the next level is their songwriting, which continues to grow and flourish. Although there are only 8-songs on “Theatre of Life”, the whole thing clocks in at a healthy 47-minutes, and while musically there are some dirge-like moments, there are also times when the band speeds up the tempo a bit, often times throughout the course of the same song, (the excellent “Within White Walls” is a perfect example of this). Lead vocalist Rachel Grech continues to establish herself as one of the unheralded voices in the Femme Metal genre and she is only getting better. The title song “Theatre of Life” is one of my favorites and it features a choir on the chorus that definitely gives it a ‘theatre’ vibe and highlights the huge-ness of the song (this track also features a cool solo at the end of the song). The track “Season’s Journey” begins as a ballad before the heavy riffs comes crashing in. Still this is a slower song tempo-wise and singer Rachel does another great job on this one, at times she kind of reminds me of Sharon den Adel from Within Temptation, but only at certain moments. Fans who were lucky to snatch up their 4-song 2009 promo CD will notice that those four songs appear here in re-recorded form. The whole thing is pretty consistent throughout starting with the opening duo of “Of Light and Shadow” and “Dark Waters” and concluding with the 7 and a half minute finale “Innocent Cries”. The band also manages to work in choirs and symphonic parts to go along with the heavy doom style riffs. How Weeping Silence has managed to fly under-the-radar these last few years is beyond me. Hopefully with the help of “Theatre of Life”, this is one band that will not go unnoticed for much longer. They have the talent and skill to really make a mark in the metal world.
Rating - 92/100
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Label : Irond LTD
Review by Tony Cannella
Andem (Meaning Angel and Demon in English) is a really good band. I don’t mean to oversimplify things, and it is only my opinion, but this female fronted power metal outfit is one of the best bands to emerge from Russia. Formed in 2005 Andem has thus far released two full-length albums and now return after two years with their new 4-song EP, “Graal” (English translation “Grail”). Their new EP features two brand new songs and two re-recorded versions of older songs. Like their previous albums all the lyrics are sung in Russian, not that it matters any, good music is good music and metal is universal anyway. The opening track – and one of the new ones – “Graal” opens somewhat subdued, before the galloping rhythms kick in as the band runs through this piece of melodic power metal effortlessly as the clean, soaring vocals of Yuliana Savchenko leads the charge. The heavy melodic power of the second new song “Ti Uvidish Svet” is next and the band proves to be just as hungry as on the first one track. New power and life are injected into the final two songs, re-recorded versions of “Bezumnity Angel” and “Iz Nichego”. In my book Andem continues to grow and prosper into a truly potent power metal band. “Graal” is good for what it is – which is hopefully a bridge to their next full-length.
Rating - 92/100
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Review by Tony Cannella
From Spain comes the straight forward, no frills traditional style metal band called Ariday. The band has just released their second album “Cruda Realidad” and for those who love just full on heavy metal, than Ariday is certainly a band worth checking out. All of the songs on “Cruda Realidad” are sung in the bands native Spanish language and from the monstrous riffs of the opener “Pies Descalzos” Ariday are off and running. The next track is the up-tempo, Maiden-esque title track “Cruda Realidad”. “Quien Nos Salvara” is another one with a huge guitar riff and also one of the heaviest songs here, and features some cool guitar harmonies that once again remind of Iron Maiden or Judas Priest. Ariday definitely has an Iron Maiden vibe combined with other 80s traditional metal. Lead vocalist Yadira Monreal has an excellent metal voice that soars right there with the music. The track “No Me Detendran” is next, and starts off as a ballad before introducing a powerful Running Wild style guitar riff. Other highlights include: “Viajero”, “Hoy Moriras” and “Luz Del Alba”. With “Cruda Realidad”, Ariday has produced an excellent sophomore effort and one that should appeal to fans of classic metal.
Rating - 92/100
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Label : Pervade Productions/Thundering Records
Review by Tony Cannella
France’s Syrens Call has a long history that began in the late 90s. They play melodic Progressive Metal filled with rich harmonies and melodies, all of which can be heard on their just released third mega-opus, “Raging Waters”. “Raging Waters” kicks off with the pounding, up-beat “Hang On to Life”. Syrens Call manages to write great songs that should please the progressive crowd while still managing to incorporate a classy commercial appeal to the songs. Highlights include: “I’m Your Only One”, “Ashes of Destiny”, “Perfidious Paradise”, the haunting “Never Come Back Home” and “Desecrated Past” which starts of as a ballad and quickly picks up the tempo as the song progresses. The Coup de grace is the final track, the epic musically bombastic over 13-minute “The Dance of Light”. This is just a wonderfully, huge way to end things that really left me wanting more. I love progressive music as much as the next guy but Syrens Call manages to avoid the traps that many prog bands fall into, writing songs with endless arrangements and performing musical gymnastics. There is some of that on “Raging Waters”, but the band also proves that they are well adept in writing good songs, whether they are 4-minutes or 13-minutes long. In the end, it is all about the songs. “Raging Waters” by Syrens Call is as good as any female fronted prog-metal that I have heard in years. The band does a masterful job at mixing the intricacies that progressive bands are known for, while still maintaining a solid melodic base that could please fans that are not necessarily into Progressive Metal.
Rating - 92/100
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Label : Black Listed Records
Review By Tony Cannella
The third – and latest – album from the Japanese Metal Maestros AREA51 is titled “Goddess” and it continues using the same approach as their previous work while still progressing. Many of the same qualities are at work here that was featured on their previous release. AREA51 continues to provide great, emotive vocalizing from Kate Cain and the guitar virtuosity of Yoichiro Ishina but besides that the band seems to have grown as musicians and songwriters. The 45-minute CD opens with the movie soundtrack-like intro “Naissance” which lead us into the blood pumping Yngwie-esque track “Nightmare”. The next track is the heavy “Regret et Larme”, which quickly became among my favorites. “Begins of Dissolution” is a huge sounding track that mixes different tempos with huge effectiveness. “Marionnette” opens with a great guitar riff which really highlights the track, which is an up-tempo blazing number. Other highlights include: “Miss You”, “VANITAS” and “Sincerity”. Overall, “Goddess” is more stripped down and raw sounding than their previous work. AREA51 are a band that seems to be firing on all cylinders now and “Goddess” is this talented band from Japan at their very best.
Rating - 92/100
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Label : On Parole Productions
Review By Tony Cannella
From Slovenia, Infidia play ultra-melodic Symphonic Power Metal. The band released their debut EP in 2007 and now has issued their first full-length offering, “Reflections”. “Reflections” feature 11-songs and a playing time of about 46-minutes worth of high powered, mostly up-tempo music ala Helloween and Stratovarius. The music simply soars and with lead vocalist Tina Kic at the helm Infidia looks like they are most certainly headed in the right direction. The band utilizes rich background choirs and that really helps to enhance the already potent material on “Reflections”. The opening track, “Visions” begins with just the bands choir-like vocals before blasting into the track and we are off and running. The next track, “One Step from Hell” is a truly majestic power metal opus that quickly became a favorite of mine. Probably my favorite track – surprisingly enough – was the power ballad, “Like No Tomorrow”. Just a passionate heartfelt number, with great performances all the way around (especially the vocals) and great lyrics. Other highlights include: “Heart of Stone”, “Thirteen” and the closing track “Dalec Stran” which, I believe is sung in the bands native language. I really loved the pacing and arrangements of the songs. On “Reflections”, Infidia inject the songs with a lot of passion, fire and heart. I’ve said it before that I get so much enjoyment out of reviewing new bands who I might not get a chance to hear otherwise. I for one am glad that I did not miss out on this impressive band from Slovenia. The songs on “Reflections” speak volumes about what this band is capable of. In the world of Symphonic Power Metal, I believe that Infidia will make some serious noise.
Rating - 92/100
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