Funeral Rain Press Corps

First off, thanks a bunch for agreeing to this interview. I know you guys are busy putting together your next black metal masterpiece, so this is a great honor for me personally.

Nebrus with great pleasure welcomes E-MetalSpace/Funeral Rain.

What is the meaning of Nebrus, in both name and philosophy?

There is no special meaning … these are syllables that sound familiar to us…

How does being a two piece outfit work out for you guys? Is there any creative struggle or are you pretty much in sync with one another creatively?

Two elements in a band makes it easier and more direct, with more elements there is a risk that they do not agree because everyone wants to put his own creativity, with the result of upsetting the atmosphere that reigns in Nebrus.
Mortifero is the composer and he knows how to create the right feeling for the lyrics sung by Noctuaria, so they both are in good harmony ..

What is the overall message of the “Twilight of Humanity “?

Surely a misanthropic message, hostile to the mass who lives his life by giving more importance in appearance.
But there is a veil of anti-Christianity, an intolerance of the power of the church and its followers, as well as against all the flocks of decerebrates that infest the earth, because humanity is the most ominous parasite most ominous of this planet…

As far as the black metal scene around where you guys are from is concerned, where would you guys rank? Most awesome or just plain godlike?

Where we came from the black metal scene is non-existent ..
We spread our music and let us know, but we doubt that our music is well accepted.
Massa, the city where we came from is populated by yobster and nostalgic freaks of 70′s rock.
We will be happy to burn this tradition musically and cowardly convoluted!

Is what you do vocally (Noctuaria) as horrible for your vocal chords as it sounds? What do you have to do to prepare for that?

Noctuaria does everything to not prepare her voice! Eh Eh Eh
I am at my first experience as a singer in Twilight of humanity when I recorded I did everything at the moment, following my inspiration. Only recently with the complete lineup, I sing at he rehersal. Irony aside … I think constant singing will help me to improve and take advantage of my voice.

Who did the artwork and album layout for Twilight Of Humanity?

The layout is the work of Mortifero, Death on horseback, is the triumph, the power of Death on all The revenge …

Why did you choose to cover Burzum’s Black Spell Of Destruction (other than the fact that it fucking rules)?

Honored for the compliment ..
We decided to make the cover Black Spell of Destruction in honor of Varg because we believe he is unique in its kind and brilliant. Meanwhile we decided to reinterpret it in our own way, remaining faithful to the music but changing the vocals in an attempt to make it even darker and more poignant.

So, I hear that Mortifero has a couple of side projects. Care to shamlessly promote them right about now?

Actually Noctuaria and Mortifero have one side project …
It’s called Urtcant and is already developing, as always composed by Mortifero and sung by Noctuaria.
It ‘s a project that can be called old school Thrash-black, in the tradition of Hellhammer and Bathory, more brutal and direct Nebrus but usually related to our thoughts, though expressed in language more crude and a more truculent appearance.

Awesome! When am I getting a copy of that one! lol

Is there anything you’d like to add for the E-MetalSpace.Funeral Rain audience?

Spread the disease of black metal that unfortunately seems next to extinction, boycott the trends. In other words, keep the black flame burning!

Genre: Viking Metal
Label: Black Bards Entertainment

Heathen Foray is an Austrian Viking metal band that was formed in 2005, taking their name from a Falkenbach song. They center their music around history, mythology, and nature, all with songs clocking in at radio-length to long radio-length.
Their sound is deep and dark, and epic as hell, and it’s garnered them a support spot on the Paganfest 2008 tour featuring Ensiferum, Moonsorrow, Korpiklaani, Tyr and Eluveitie. In other words, these guys aren’t just screwing around, they are serious about their craft, and it shows in the music too. The chemistry these guys have is heard clearly on songs like “Chants”, which is also my favorite on the album, as well as “Dragon’s Eyes”, “Winterking”, and “Northstar”.
In all, it’s a solid album full of great riffs, excellent musicianship, and some Metalgasmic solos. If you’re into Viking or folk metal, I’d say you should get this.
7.5 out of 10.

Heathen Foray on MySpace.

Thanks a lot of agreeing to this interview Tomi! What is this, our third interview together? One for Evemaster and this would be the second for Battlelore? Ha! I guess you’re just a fun interviewee!

Hey man! I’m waiting for the second one for Evemaster shortly! Haha! I don’t kow why, maybe just that I’m such a great guy and all… right?!

What in the world of Tolkien will you all be touching on this time around? Any particular theme within the world of Middle Earth? Any idea as to what this album will be named?

It was not supposed to be any kind of concept album (except for the usual Tolkien reference) but in the course of making the record Jyri realized that most of the songs were about Turin and his tragic life and then we decided to change the lyrics to couple of songs to make the whole album about Turin. It will probably not be in chronological order but still the whole album is about Turin. So far we have called the album DOOMBOUND. It has quite a lot of meanings. Hah!

How was your experience at Sound Supreme Studios this time around as compared to when you were recording The Last Alliance?

Janne was a bit more demanding and harder this time around. We had to sweat a lot in the studio to get everything right. When we were recording TLA with him it was uor first collaboration and we were just seeing how it is to work with each other. Now that we knew each other’s weaknesses and strengths from the get go he was able to push a lot more. But still it was very relaxed and nice recording session.

Did any of you try out any new instruments during this recording?

Actually yeah, we have an actual classical cello there now. This cool young dude came and played and made us amazed. Very cool stuff. And of course Maria played her flute. A bit more acoustic guitars also (in 2 songs, so don’t be afraid we haven’t pussyed out!). Henkka’s drumset was also extended a bit from the original so maybe some of you drum fanatics will hear some new sounds there.

How long did it take for you guys to hammer out this new album?

The recording itself went the regular way. About 3 days for drums, then 7 or so days for guitars and basses, then Maria took about 4 days in all for her synths and flutes. Kaisa took 4 days and I screamed everything in 2 days. Now all the stuff has been sent to Dan for mixing and mastering. Waiting eagerly for the first mixes!

As of right now, you’re enjoying your Summer Vacation. Whatcha doing? Where you going? Pokin’ any maidens with the short end of your long sword?

Actually I came back to the office this morning. Aargh! The summer in Finland has been extremely warm this year so I’ve had a nice vacation. Nothing too cool and “poking maidens” kind of stuff though. Haha! Quite basic family stuff; swimming, eating, drinking beer, barbecuing, having fun. Did I already mention drinking beer? And of course recording the album! And drinking a few beers in the mean time.

This one is also kind of random: I’ve never actually found anyone that can give me a clear name for a genre that Battlelore fits into. What would you say?

Well, as you said it’s hard. It’s so much, from the poppy side to blackish stuff. So in that sense I still think that Napalm’s “Fantasy Metal” is quite fitting. Even though it does alienate some listeners of course.

I noticed that The Last Alliance had a bit more of a black metal feel to it in some songs as compared to Evernight or Sword’s Song (I‘m assuming that‘s yours and Jyri‘s influences.) Any new stylistic changes for this album?

I think there might be some changes once again. I think that we’ve done a bit of a small nod to our past with this new album but still there are some new things introduced.

Any interesting goings-on during the last stretch of tour, like in Ibiza or anywhere?

Haha! It’s always somewhat interesting to be on places like Ibiza. Booze was almost free, ladies beautiful, weather warm… Also the Swedish metallers were nice lads. We played with Wolf and Grand Magus.

This isn’t so much a question as it is a demand but; COME TO AMERICA!!!! I can handle it if you all don’t come to Oregon, but shit, PLEASE at least make it to California! I’ll beg the promoter if I have to.

US tour is something I’d like to do. One of the music-related dreams I have. I’m hoping it would be possible one day but not counting on it.

Any chance on sending a copy of this new album our way after post production wraps up? *Wink, nudge*?

Well… Don’t hold your breath! Hahaha!

Is there anything you would like to add for the Funeral Rain audience?

Thanks for reading and keep supporting us! Check the new album when it comes out. Cheers!

In support of their critically acclaimed new album, Appalachian Incantation, Karma to Burn are hitting the road in October as direct support to Kemado recording artists The Sword. The nearly month-long tour will span the entirety of the Midwest and parts of both the East Coast and the West Coast. Released this past May to rapturous approval, Appalachian Incantation is Karma to Burn‘s first studio album in eight years and the legendary stoner rockers’ first album for Napalm Records, following the release of their Live 2009 – Reunion Tour DVD earlier this year. Here are the confirmed dates and venues:

Oct 1 – Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theater
Oct 2 – San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
Oct 3 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theatre
Oct 4 – Seattle, WA @ Showbox SoDo
Oct 6 – Denver, CO @ Ogden Theatre
Oct 11 – TBA
Oct 12 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Oct 13 – Asheville, NC @ The Orange Peel
Oct 14 – Roanoke, VA @ Martin’s DowntowFn
Oct 15 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theater of Living Art
Oct 16 – New York, NY @ Webster Hall
Oct 17 – Boston, MA @ Royale
Oct 19 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
Oct 20 – Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
Oct 21 – Huntington, WV @ V Club
Oct 22 – Detroit, MI @ St. Andrew’s
Oct 23 – Chicago, IL @ Metro

For more info, check out Karma to Burn on MySpace.

Sludge bastards Weedeater have announced several new headlining shows throughout the Midwest and Southeastern US this September. Kicking things off in their home state, the band will devastate the crowd at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Hopscotch Festival on September 11th, also with Public Enemy, Tortoise, Kylesa, U.S. Christmas, Harvey Milk and tons more. Weedeater will be dropping plenty of new material from the upcoming album on these shows, which will lead directly up to the recording of Jason…the Dragon with Steve Albini, finally.

Weedeater have been pushed to their limits over the past twelve months. While it’s been a year of heavy and successful touring for the band, it was also a year of catastrophic physical injury to this seemingly invincible trio. Leading off with Dixie Dave Collins’ shotgun accident which spawned the brutal “Nine Toe Tour” earlier this year, and continuing shortly after that with drummer Keko tearing his meniscus after returning from said tour and requiring surgery. Both of those accidents prevented the group’s two previously scheduled meetings with Albini. The group’s latest installment of injury includes guitarist Shep breaking his pinkie finger while on tour in Europe this July alongside Black Cobra and Saviours. Luckily, Shep can still riff with his cast so the European tour and the recording session were spared.

These accidents have forced the band to push the recording for their now hard-earned upcoming full-length back several times now. Initially scheduled to take place in January of this year, then again in April, the trio will now step into Albini’s Electrical Audio Studio this September 15-19 to hammer out their mammoth 4th full-length Jason… The Dragon, their 2nd release for Southern Lord Recordings.

Weedeater’s 3rd Time’s A Charm Tour:
9/11/2010 Hopscotch Music Fest – Raleigh, NC w/ Public Enemy, Kylesa, U.S. Christmas
9/12/2010 The Hideaway – Johnson City, TN
9/13/2010 Southgate House – Newport, KY
9/20/2010 High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI
9/21/2010 Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL
9/22/2010 FuBar – St. Louis, MO
9/23/2010 The Muse – Nashville, TN w/ Black Tusk