UK Progressive Metal Master To-Mera on 2012 via its own imprint Illusionary Records has published the third album “Exile”, so we took the challenge to ask some question to the founder and lead vocalist Julia Kiss (now in MacLean). When enquired about the most challenging task during the recording session, Julia confesses : “We recorded all the vocals ourselves, so it was very different.[…]But it’s also easy to obsess about tiny details and take 5x as long as necessary!”. About the split with Candlelight Records, the Hungarian singer said that “It was the result of a number of factors really, mainly the fact that we just wanted to do our own thing musically – without the pressure of a sales focused entity behind us”. Instead candidly Julia admits that won’t be touring for this album, ‘cause “we recently lost our drummer Paul” and due to the fact that “the band members just got other priorities, other projects to focus on”. As for To-Mera’s future nothing is clear considering what Julia declared in the following words : “I think we also feel that we’ve said what we wanted to say with this album and perhaps it’s time to take a break “.

(via Julie Kiss – To-Mera « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@hereticsdream) We have already talked yesterday about Italian/UK Gothic Progressive Metal band Heretic’s Dreamwith their “The Unexpected Move” debut album. Now, after some line up changes, the band is back with a single that according to Tony might be “the ground work for what could become a successful second album”. In fact we can perceive an improvement throughout their sound and as Tony states [“Chains of Bloods”] “represents a progression in the right direction”. 

(via Heretic’s Dream – “Chains of Blood” SINGLE (2013) « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@hereticsdream) Waiting for the single review of “Chains of Blood” we gladly give some space to this Italian Metal band based in UK. What we are proposing here is Heretic’s Dream 2012 debut album “The Unexpected Move” that according to Tony “showcases the experimental nature of the band”. “Fronted by the talented vocals of Francesca Di Ventura” - Tony recommend this band if you are into the “Gothic Metal with some progressive overtones”. 

(via Heretic’s Dream – “The Unexpected Move” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@mediaevalbaebes) After the interview it cometh the review. UK’s Classical/Folk ensamble Mediaeval Baebes (Official) latest [double] album “The Huntress” was defined by Davide simply “a long trip in the folklore of distant lands”. As our reviewer has stated later - “At times I even felt the sensation of being brought back in the past, in the courtyard of a medieval castle. I was sitting in front of a big fire and there were some girls dancing in front of it and they sang in chorus”. The particularity of this ensamble is the utilize of different languages and “often their songs are nothing more than poems accompanied with the sweet melody of an harp, a violin, a flute, a flute and some low percussions”. 

(via Mediæval Bæbes – “The Huntress” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@mediaevalbaebes) It’s time for a [musical] digression with the UK classical/folk ensamble Mediaeval Baebes (Official) that features in its ranks Pythia’s Emily Alice Ovenden too. But this time we have had the chance [or better Alessandra had] to interview its core member/founder Katharine Blake. In this interesting interview Katharine has explained the whole lyrical concept behind their latest album “The Huntress” and particularly the singer states that “there is a strong theme of female energy represented on this album through the symbolism of the moon and the huntress”. “The Huntress” is a double CD and when Katherine is questioned about the reason of such tracklist she said : “We have represented the duality with the concept of the double album, the first CD being more earthy and folk in feel, and the second CD taking on a more esoteric and classical tone”. But the fact that striked the most Alessandra was the utilize of different languages [such as the “Mediaeval Latin, Middle English, Modern English, Mediaeval Irish and Arabic”] and, with facility, Katharine admits that “I don’t find it difficult to sing in all these languages. It takes a bit of learning, but it is incredibly rewarding to sing and compose in all these varied tongues.”

(via Katharine Blake – Mediæval Bæbes « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@wearebigdeal) All was born thanks to “the mother of Alice Costelloe [that] asked [to] KC Underwood to teach her to play guitar”. See what the strange meetings can do. Well, I’m talking about London based indie duo BIG DEAL whose debut album “Lights Out” was released in 2011 via Mute Records. Luisa has simply defined this album “very fresh, erotic, sweet, melancholic sometimes”. And our reviewer has only high praises for this band admitting without doubts that “I think it is one of the best debut in indie scene in 2011 and given the young age of the members we can only expect major improvements in the future”. Yes, keep your eyes open because on May the new album “June Gloom” will be out and Femme Metal Webzine won’t miss the chance to review it!

(via Big Deal – “Lights Out” (2011) « Femme Metal Webzine)

We have already reviewed years ago their debut album “Misunderstood” but now UK the progressive rock band Crimson Sky is back with a brand new lineup ( including the “new vocalist Jane Setter”). The 4-song EP “Dawn” is composed by 2 re-recorded songs - already published onto the “Misunderstood” album - and 2 brand new songs. Tony is really enthusiastic about the songs re-interpretation ‘cause “Jane Setter is an excellent addition to the band and breathes new life into the older tracks”. Although is the EP is quite short in its duration, it balances with its energy and as our reviewer said the EP “sees the band re-energized and ready to roll on”. 

(via Crimson Sky – “Dawn” (EP) (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

UK based Gothic metal band HANGING DOLL in 2012 via Rocksector Records has released their second album called “The Sacred & Profane” and for Tony, our reviewer, it was a new experience because he wasn’t “been familiar with the band at all” but he says that “The Sacred & Profane” is quite a pleasing listening experience”.

(via Hanging Doll – “The Sacred & Profane” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

Maybe you remember Kirsten Jørgensen for be the singer of the Norwegian metal band Evig Natt but despite this she divides her vocal duties for the industrial/electronic metal bandReism too. And here it follows the review of their self produced album “Something Darker”, that it strikes in beauty for Kirsten’s vocals that Luisa has simply defined them “absolutely stunning, her vocal lines are dark, emotional, fragile, angry, sweet”. For being a independent release its “production, mixing, everything is crystal-clear” and the last task to tell you is recommend this album and read our review

(via Reism – “Something Darker” (2011) « Femme Metal Webzine)

We realize that it’s quite late to publish this interview but the meantime that UK progressive rock band Touchstone is recording the fourth album, it’s the right moment to delve into Tocuhstone and their last album “The City Sleeps”. As singer Kim Seviour states this album is not a concept but “behind the album as a whole some stories have been continued from different albums and we wanted to carry those on. When “Shadows Fall” carries on from “Shadow” from our first full-length album “Discordant Dreams” and “The City Sleeps” follows on from “Wintercoast”. There’s not only space for serious stuff, Kim doesn’t hide the fact that she “would love to work with Peter Gabriel”. Well, we’re at the end of this special feature about this promising band that it has only a (brilliant) future that we’re looking forward to follow closely.

(via Kim Seviour – Touchstone « Femme Metal Webzine)