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.
Did you miss some old 90’s gothic metal style? I think that Austrian band Obsidia are for you! In 2010, in occasion of the self released EP “Back to Darkness” - our former editor Marc Sels interviewed Lady Lucrezia, the responsible for the vocals. At the moment are still touring this old release, so if you live in Turin (Italy) you’re maybe able to catch up on 13 January 2013 for their concert, in the meantime read more @ (via INTERVIEW: Lucrezia – Obsidia « Femme Metal Webzine)
Interview by Miriam “NocturnalConcerto”
Talking via Skype with a legend of the heavy metal is not one of your regular day, believe me but we’re able to track down Federica “Sister” De Boni, the legendary singer of the Italian defenders White Skull share with us some infos about the new album “Under This Flag” and a small chit chat about coming back in Italy and personal tastes. Hail on!
First of all Federica, welcome back in Italy!
Thank you dear!
How’s coming back in Italy after so much time and what’s the thing that you missed so much when you were in America?
It is amazing. Me and my family loved it here and were missing the Italian life. I think I missed my friends and metal the most. We lived in a State where country music rules.
A curiosity, what state?
Georgia.
I was saying Tennessee I was close hahah
Yeah …. just southern where the bible belt runs the place.
I totally got it.. I’m just wondering now one of those places with a wood bar all drinking beer and dancing country songs.. how you endure this, I mean your’re a real defender in the midst of some lousy rockers…
Ha ha ha I felt just like you said… just staying in my porch with hubby and kids listening to “House of Hair” (Dee Snider Heavy Metal Radio Show) part.
Well, I must say that it was a great choice for endure all that stuff, something to clutch on hahaha…
Yeah, pretty muche THE ONLY choice and a few occasional concerts of local metal bands but very few oh and also we used to watch “That Metal Show” on TV so well we had some choice.
Luckily you have had that too, in Italy (I mean nowadays) except maybe for Virgin Radio we haven’t nothing like that.. you’re away 10 years but from that point of view nothing changed unfortunatly…
I realized that when I came back but we can still go online and look for those shows, we need to be flexible and get what we can find, right?
Exactly.. the Italian TV and the radio are only good for commercial music sadly. There are so many HM bands here in Italy and deserve to be recognized, we need to go to concerts and support them.
It’s totally a good thing to do, support italian metal underground, in this case the HM genre.You know if the media is not supporting HM in Italy we have to stand up and support our way.
And I’m not to saying pleasentries now, I prefer to support underground instead of the big acts I mean the big big acts has already the right following of fans sometimes we need to look inside our country and give our support to this little bands but way back to us andif you are back in Italy, it’s natural that you’re back in White Skull. How’s was the first meeting with the guys, how’s after so much years (I remember to the readers that you left the band in 2000) being back in the White Skull squad?
I agree. I love big bands myself but just love to listen to what local (italian) bands come up with. It was just like it wasn’t that long… I mean, since the first rehearsal we connected immediatly. We wrote the new album in no time. That really blew my mind how simple and natural the return has been.
You know, for the startest when I have read the news that you were back in WS I was really happy and yes kind of surprised I must admit it, yesterday that I was nailing down some questions I was thinking about it “Damn, after 10 years that she didn’t record anything, would very hard for her” instead you tell me it easy maybe after all those years you still have had the “fire” burning inside you..
It comes natural for me. First I have known metal for 20 years or more, then I do have experience in song writing and most of all I do live Metal as my life style.
Everything helps.. well I’ve listened a little bit to the album congratulations.. it’s very clear and an HQ production, what you can tell me about its genesis? Despite the fact as you have stated before that come out in a natural way…
WS is known for the concept albums. This time we wanted to get away from the past and talk about something modern and close to us. Therefore we had close experience with the wars around us and wrote about it. I’ve been a soldier wife and had a lot to say about the warfare and here comes “Under This Flag”… fight for everything you care for.
And for this is reason that the cover album, if we compare to “Public Glory, Secret Agony” or “Tales from the North”, is more straight-in-your-face and very simply? Probably more direct but very powerful maybe means also “if we reunite us under a flag we can fight this wars (or evil) together”.. when I saw I thought this interpretation, can be right?
Damn right. We want to get the Metal headbanger to join us and fight for Metal. We will say it as loud as we can and for as long as we can. WS flag is really a stand to reunite what is left of metal…
Well, talking about gather around and female solidarity I’m curious to know how was being a woman singing in a heavy metal band in the 90s? It was difficult or haven’t had a model to follow? For what I know closest rode model that you have had at the times were Doro, Girlschool and Sabine Classen.
I was really lucky Tony believed I could do the job, in 1990 a woman singing Metal was sort of a “odd thing” even if Doro and Girlschool, Lita Ford and so on was around.
Maybe if we go deep deep in the italian underground we have Morgana, I don’t know if you know her she was singing in the 80s/first 90s.
I do know Morgana and she did really challanged the Metal scene, I am really proud of having been around since the 90s and back now.
You are a national heritage, I mean also if the media won’t promote the scene you’re one of the Italian precursor female singer..comes really hard to think (at least for me) a closest singer to confront with you.
Thank you. I feel I am just one of many that are here living what they believe.
Many CDs of your discography are sold out since ages, there are any planes to re-released them without spending a lot of money on eBay? I know that the Polish Metal Minds Production has re-released years ago (in 2008 to be precise) in a limited number of copies “Tales From The North” and “Public Glory, Secret Agony” but the stocks are gone, really really gone and for the young fans that are trying to collect and buy the first albums is a problem, are really hard to find and it’s kinda become utopistic have your entire discography.
I heard about it but this is the market and WS is unable to have a say about it. Sad but true YouTube helps this out by publishing the songs for free.
But if you face the truth you cannot earn anything from that…it’s not fair! I mean is disrespectful towards you, the musicians.
I know but as far as WS music is broadcasted we will be all right.
So you count that all that people that listen WS on YouTube will support at live concerts and buying the last releases?
YouTube will spread the word, get us more opportunities and maybe some CDs sold but as we said Metal is not the TREND right now but who cares, we will get our message through.
Maybe I’m talking the wrong person (I’m imagine that you collect a lot of vinyls/CDs) but do you think about the digital music stores like Itunes?
Sure Itunes can sell the music. But this will be our label sale policy to decide it.
But now I put the question in a more personal way, as music lover what do you prefer the CD format or the digital one?
Right now in a digital world it would make more sense to get it out via internet I just do love the CD with pictures and lyrics.
Because you can “feel” them right? I mean when I see my collection I still cannot believe it have it and collect them everytime I listen to them and have the booklet in my hand I feel very proud of myself..
Yes, it does become a personal matter, you have it and can ask the musician to autograph it just like your own treasure, so much worth it \m/
Hahahah that’s true!! Well, we’re near the end what are the next planes talking live gigs and promotions? I hope you come again near where I live ‘cause some years ago with the old band members WS played a gig!!
We have a lot of gigs on schedule and I do really hope we will have the chance to play in your area as well…I am sure we will meet someday! Keep the Metal on and since then … if it ain’ t Metal, well it’s crap!!!!!!!
That’s for true! As a final question I’ll asking you to greet freely you fans and our readers and thanks for this awesome interview, Sister!
To all the metal heads: have a blast !!! WS is back and ready to kick ass just come out and play!!! Thank you for this opportunity I’ve really enjoyed the interview.
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Independent Release
Review by Tony Cannella
From Austria comes the symphonic Power/Gothic metal band Obsidia. Their debut EP is titled “Back to Darkness” and the band mix some grunt style male vocals combined with the clear vocal style of female singer Lucrezia. Heavy guitar riffs and steady musicianship are also included on “Back to Darkness”. “Back to Darkness” has a total playing time of about 22-minutes and includes only 5-songs. All of the songs are in the 4-5 minute range, so there is nothing too epic included here but the band do a great job in creating some truly atmospheric music, complete with doomy guitar riffs and the duel vocals of Lucrezia and Sir Iwain. The opening track “Vaticana” is really a powerful way to begin things. This song is a perfect example of the way that the two vocal styles mesh together and the choir-like background vocals make this one of my favorites. Lucrezia proves that she has some range and depth in her vocal style. Next is “Haunted Harmony” which is another favorite. The tempo is more in the mid-range area (that’s the style that prevails throughout the majority of the EP) but once again you have the two vocal styles that work well together and the style of the song is more melodic and it has a definite moody, haunting quality to it. “Back To Darkness” is completed by “Bleed for Me” (another cool mid-tempo track), “Parthenope” (Lucrezia really hits some high notes on this one) and the orchestral “Life of Shadows” wrap things up nicely. The two vocal styles are split pretty evenly throughout this EP. Overall “Back to Darkness” is a cool release which I found myself enjoying more and more with each listen. A job well done by this fine up-and-coming Austrian band.
Rating - 75/100
Tracklist
Line Up
Links
Independent Release
Review by Tony Cannella
From Austria comes the symphonic Power/Gothic metal band Obsidia. Their debut EP is titled “Back to Darkness” and the band mix some grunt style male vocals combined with the clear vocal style of female singer Lucrezia. Heavy guitar riffs and steady musicianship are also included on “Back to Darkness”. “Back to Darkness” has a total playing time of about 22-minutes and includes only 5-songs. All of the songs are in the 4-5 minute range, so there is nothing too epic included here but the band do a great job in creating some truly atmospheric music, complete with doomy guitar riffs and the duel vocals of Lucrezia and Sir Iwain. The opening track “Vaticana” is really a powerful way to begin things. This song is a perfect example of the way that the two vocal styles mesh together and the choir-like background vocals make this one of my favorites. Lucrezia proves that she has some range and depth in her vocal style. Next is “Haunted Harmony” which is another favorite. The tempo is more in the mid-range area (that’s the style that prevails throughout the majority of the EP) but once again you have the two vocal styles that work well together and the style of the song is more melodic and it has a definite moody, haunting quality to it. “Back To Darkness” is completed by “Bleed for Me” (another cool mid-tempo track), “Parthenope” (Lucrezia really hits some high notes on this one) and the orchestral “Life of Shadows” wrap things up nicely. The two vocal styles are split pretty evenly throughout this EP. Overall “Back to Darkness” is a cool release which I found myself enjoying more and more with each listen. A job well done by this fine up-and-coming Austrian band.
Rating - 75/100
Tracklist
Line Up
Links
Label : Metal Mind Production
Review By Tony Cannella
After a number of line-up changes that saw Kimberly Goss and Alexi Laiho as the only returning members from their first album, Sinergy returned in 2000 with their second release, “To Hell and Back”. Joining the original members were bassist/vocalist Marco Hietala, who would later go on to join Nightwish and play a major part in their success. “To Hell and Back Again” really saw the band begin to hit their stride and emerge as a serious entity in the world of melodic, power metal. This album takes all of the good moments from their 1999 debut and expands upon them, and not to mention the songs are totally killer, all of that can be heard on this re-issue from Metal Mind Productions.The first two songs, “The Bitch Is Back” and “Midnight Madness” are decent enough, but it is with the third track “Lead Us to War” that the album really starts to take off. This song opens with just a massive guitar riff and some great vocal work performed by Kimberly Goss and Marco Hietala. “Laid to Rest” is next and another strong moment, it starts off as a ballad but then quickly progresses into a mid-tempo, melodic masterpiece. The next two songs “Gallowmere” and “Return to the Fourth World” are two of the heaviest tracks “To Hell and Back” have to offer, both are truly relentless and the guitar work of Alexi Laiho is really exceptional on these songs. Other highlights include: “Last Escape” and “Wake Up in Hell”, these are two more excellent songs that showcase one of the best things about Kimberly Goss (besides her voice) and that is her ability to write first-rate lyrics and these two songs are proof of that. The band also perform a pretty cool cover of the Blondie tune “Hanging On the Telephone”. The three best moments from “Beware the Heavens”, “Venomous Vixens”, “The Warrior Princess” and the great “Razor Blade Salvation” are included as bonus tracks. With “To Hell and Back”, you can definitely see the progression of Sinergy as compared to their first album “Beware the Heavens”. Even though this was only their second release, Sinergy have all the confidence of a veteran band, and it shows on the overall quality of the songs on “To Hell and Back”. Just a great CD!
Rating - 85/100
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Label : Free Minds Records
Review By Tony Cannella
It is hard to believe that Brazil’s Ravenland have been in existence since 1997. Even though it has been 13-years since the band first got together, they are only now releasing their debut full-length. They have beforehand released a number of demos and EPs, but “…And A Crow Brings Me Back” is their second full-length effort. Ravenland features the duel male/female vocals of Dewindson Wolfheart and Camilla Raven. The male vocals of Mr. Wolfheart are very similar to Fernando Ribeiro of Portuguese Goth legends Moonspell and Camilla boasts a powerful and dramatic voice. The two vocalists are split pretty evenly throughout the album. Musically and lyrically the songs on “…And A Crow Brings Me Back” paint a definite conceptual picture that certainly holds the listeners attention and makes for an interesting listen. The CD also includes a video of one of the best songs, “End of Light” is a pretty cool looking clip that was filmed in a castle and shows the band performing the song. The songs also have a darkly romantic quality to them. “…And A Crow Brings Me Back” is a 15-song, 60-minute dark, Gothic journey of a full-length by Ravenland, that fans of Moonspell and old school Goth will surely love.
Rating – 76/100
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Independent Release
Review by Tony Cannella
Noctiluca are an (almost) all female metal band from Parma, Italy. Actually 3/5 of the band are female, the only male members being bassist Miguel and drummer Nicola. The rest of the line-up looks like this: Stefania (Vocals), Cristina (Guitar), Francesca (Guitar). The band have actually been in existence since 2000, and have previously released a couple of demos. Their full-length debut - just released - is called “Back to the Soul System” and it features 9-songs and 47-minutes worth of some hard driving, melodic metal with various other influences such as gothic and alternative thrown in as well. The opening track is probably my favorite. “Tonight” really delivers a statement straight away. If you’ve never heard this band before this song is an effective attention grabber, with it’s heavy, slow guitar riff that just chugs along and the big vocals of Stefania. She has a mid-range to high voice that is quite impressive. Impressive too are the melodic harmonies that are employed here. As I said this is probably my favorite song, it sets a definite high standard right off-the-bat. Next is the 7-minute “Alice”. It begins with a psychedelic type riff, that is reminiscent of something from the early 70’s, but then the song gets really grooving and Stefania delivers another huge vocal performance. She employs several different ranges here. After the greatness of the first track, this one is not too shabby either. “From Beyond” is next and it begins with some nice slow guitar that sets a definite atmosphere as the breathy vocals of Stefania comes in. This is a slower tempo song than the previous one and it really stands out. Awesome performances all the way around and another great, heavy guitar riff and a great melody. “Escaped” is probably my second favorite track here. With it’s marching and guitar riff that keeps pace, it is a undoubtedly one of the stronger tracks on this disc. The complexity of “Drylands” features some cool temp changes, and “Simplicity” and “There Is a Time” keep things moving along at a nice pace, while the final two tracks “Home” and “Rebecca” end this disc in style. Overall “Back to the Soul System” by Noctiluca is an impressive first impression. I had never heard of this Italian band before but I was pleasantly surprised upon putting the CD in my player. The songs are well written and the band deliver solid performances throughout. Italy continues to produce great bands, but Noctiluca definitely has the potential and the style to stand out from the pack.
Rating - 80/100
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