Funeral Rain Press Corps

Genre: Stoner Metal
Label: Napalm Records

After being fired by Roadrunner Records for firing their singer, these instrumental stoner metal innovators found a fair amount of notoriety. But then without Roadrunner or a singer, they moved onto Spitfire then Napalm and have since (or so it seems) found even more ways to create moving, instrumental metal.
Riff after riff is churned out on V, and not a single one is wasted or filler. Each song (still only titled with a number) is a perfect desert jewel that shines brightly with it’s own strange, sometimes psychedelic light. They could all easily feature vocals, as all have verses, choruses, and bridges. But thankfully all but three have such a distraction from the awesome tone.
I’m especially particular to Rich Mullins’ bass tone and technique. Very classic sounding, but still his own.
The songs “The Cynic”, “Jimmy Dean”, and “Never Say Die” are the ones with a singer, a man by the name of Daniel Davies, also from the band Year Long Disaster. His voice is perfect for K2B’s reverb drenched music, and is a highlight of the album.
And yes, “Never Say Die” is a Black Sabbath cover, and it’s a fucking killer rendition. Faster, with a very different energy. The man sounds nothing like Ozzy (who does, really?) but he definitely owns this song, making it a Karma to Burn track more than a Black Sabbath cover.
V kicks ass.
7.5 out of 10.

Karma to Burn on Facebook.

Interview with Dave from Brigantia, an Irish Doom band. One that slays. I found out about them through Five Will Die, and loved ‘em ever since. This interview here is ancient, a time machine entry from Funeral Rain Zine’s first forays on MySpace. It’s lovingly reprinted here, with no modifications at all. Enjoy.

What is Brigantia? Who are you, where are you, and what is that racket coming out of my speakers? Also, where did you get the name Brigantia from?

Brigantia are three grumpy old men, unified by a love of doom and weed. Years of listening to all kinds of metal has inspired us to try something of our own. We are paying tribute to the scene that spawned us by believing in the power of the riff and trying to channel the honesty that the old Gods brought to the fore.
The name Brigantia comes from the Celtic high Goddess of the same name, the Christians then proceeded to steal her for their own fabricated saint!

There are several other doom bands in your area. How is it that several bands in the area can have the same genre, but all have different sounds?

Aye, there are more and more doom bands in this country at the moment, the more the merrier I say, I personally cant see any factors that could be attributed to the bands sounding different to each other though, a lot of the guys I know have said that they intended to start as straight doom metal but ended up taking many other influences on board. I love to see what a varied scene we have here at the moment and long may it continue.

When you’re making new music, how does the process usually go?

Slowly.. Ha ha! It usually starts with me coming up with a riff and a bridge, we take it to the practice room, jam the fuck out of it then one of us will add a little extra like a key change or vocal hook, we like songs that will stick in your head without playing a riff over and over a fucking hundred times!

What bands inspire you to create? Is there anything you listen to that would surprise fans?

Pentagram, Black Sabbath, Cathedral, Celtic Frost, MDB, Anathema, Reverend Bizarre, Candlemass, e.t.c. No surprises.

How about non-musical inspiration?

My other passion is for horror movies (ultimate cliché for a doom band!) I fucking love horror…right from the silent era onward.
Most of the lyrical inspiration comes from horror, the stagnant fear of “Death line”, the decadent thrills of “the masque of the red death” or the simple brutality of a film like “Maniac” Doom metal and horror have been linked ever since Sabbath took their name from Mario Bava’s 1963 movie of the same name.

You’ve been playing tons of shows of late, judging from all the show posters I’ve been seeing online. Any paricular memorable shows recently?

Yeah we like to keep the ball rolling! This year’s gigs have all been great but getting to play with Gates of Slumber was a definite highlight for us! We were the second band on the bill that night, played a good show too. All the bands really stepped up to the plate on the night and made it one of those magical nights! Pints were drank, heads were banged, fist’s were raised….Magic!

Who have you been playing with? Any bands out there that you’d like to do shows with?

Five will die, On pain of death, Castero, Shadowmarch, Haietta, Engines of ruin, Crowning glory, Gates of slumber, Procession, Two tales of woe, This weary hour, Thurisaz are a few I can think of this year. We are looking forward to a couple of gigs after the summer with our Italian comrades Misty Morning.. There’s a band called The wounded kings from England that we would love to cross axes with too..
If I was going to be unrealistic I would say check the answer to question 4 for the list!!

What kind of long-term touring plans does Brigantia have? Any European shows? How about polluting Canadian and American soil?

No plans man but we would jump at any chance to gig overseas, be it England, Europe, Canada, the states…to get the opportunity would be savage! At the moment though we are in the process of recording our second demo “Nostradoomus” we have a tune from this on our myspace page entitled “Time machine of doom”

Is there anything else you’d like to add? Some “last words”, so to speak?

Thanks for the interview and best of luck with the zine and label.
To anyone reading this, check out our myspace, listen to the tunes and make sure to say hello!
In doom……………

Genres: Death Metal, Doom
Label: Black Art Records

Ukraine’s Apostate don’t screw around with Trapped in a Sleep. The album has a mere twenty second intro, then goes for the face (and body and balls) for a doomed out crushing attack.
Death metal vocals that are a cross between Rogga Johansson’s and Anders Jacobsson’s, with clean vocals that have slightly Ozzy-styled inflections are coupled with a mid-paced death doom. The riffs are insanely heavy, the solos well played and not stale cliches, and the keyboards add a nice atmospheric element, while still being a definite instrument. It’s got the dragging-you-to-the-depths-of-the-ocean heaviness of doom, with the strangling-you-until-you’re-almost-dead-then-kicking-you-the-rest-of-the-way aggression of death metal.
In all, Apostate’s newest outing is a definitely killer event. I’m glad to get to know the band’s work, especially since they’ve been around since 93, with a break up, and now a reformation for Trapped in a Sleep, and an even newer album that has not been released yet. If you’re a doom fan, I definitely think this would be your thing.
I know it’s going to be getting a lot of plays from me.
8 out of 10.

Apostate on Myspace.

Genres: Doom, Metalcore
Label: Independent

Yeah, I said it. I don’t know exactly if I mean it, but this wicked fucking disc has elements of metalcore in it. Picture traditional doom in the ways of Black Sabbath, Orange Goblin, and the like mixed with a touch of Killswitch Engage.
But I can’t even quantify how much KSE is in it. It’s an odd fucking listen.
And I love it!
But I don’t understand it. This is going to have to take some serious repeat listening.
If you want your doom to make you wonder if it is in fact doom and not doomcore or whatever, get some Mordant Soul in your CD player. Cuz wow.
9.5 out of 10.

Mordant Soul on MySpace.

NOTE: This is an old review, moved here from the Funeral Rain Zine MySpace. Mordant Soul have unfortunately split up since it was first posted back in December 2009.

Italian Metal Powerhouse Scarlet Records has announced their second set of releases in the North American Market. They are Bloodshot‘s Murder the World” and The Georgian Skull‘s Mother Armageddon, Healing Apocalypse. Both releases are scheduled for release on March 8, 2011. This is the first time that both albums have been available in North America.

Following the critically acclaimed album Ultimate Hatred, released by Scarlet Records in 2006, and having already shared the stage with renowned acts such as Six Feet Under, Born From Pain, Gojira, Stamping Ground, Heaven Shall Burn, Caliban, Sworn Enemy, Cataract and many more, Belgian hardcore-metal masters Bloodshot are finally ready to release their third full length effort, Murder The World.

Bloodshot‘s new effort, which will once again be released by Scarlet Records, is more vicious and aggressive than ever before, redefining brutality and combining the best elements of metal and hardcore to a perfect war machine crushing everything on its path. Bands like Full Blown Chaos, Sworn Enemy, Hatebreed, Cataract and HateSphere come to mind but yet Bloodshot experiences no difficulties in creating their own well distinctive sound, giving them an original touch in the metalcore scene nowadays. Murder The World will be once again dealing with the acts of another serial killer, Richard Ramirez! Recording sessions took place at Jonathas studio and DeStudio, with Dirk Miers (Do Or Die, Born From Pain) handling the mixing duties. Mastering took place at West West Side Music in New York City.

Bloodshot are ready to take their ambitions to the next level, playing and touring as much as possible, promoting the new CD’s in the most professional way, spreading the Bloodshot madness on the crowds all over the world!!

Inspired by 1970′s Heavy Metal such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Thin Lizzy, Georgian Skull have fused the past with even heavier metal bands like Clutch, Pantera and Entombed. Georgian Skull continues to redefine their sound and presence as one of the most important bands to have come out of Canada. The death of the stoner band Mister Bones brought out the most significant chapter of the band’s life: its afterlife. Which is simply known as Georgian Skull. A revolution is on its way, a great tale is about to be told, and the power of the Doom and Groove that possess this band will set out to unleash a masterful work in their new album, set to be released on Scarlet Records. Georgian Skull is absolutely one of the most crushing live bands around, a real must for any fan of Black Sabbath. Georgian Skull is a four-piece out of Windsor, London and Hamilton, Canada, fronted by vocalist/lead guitarist Al “The Yeti” Bones (also frontman for U.S.A ‘s sludge king’s The Mighty Nimbus). Mother Armageddon, Healing Apocalypse is the confirmed title of the band’s debut full length album: Apocalyptic lyrics meshed with life’s struggle for sanity, crossed with the biggest, baddest riffs around. Georgian Skull command the attention of every audience they’ve played for. Bands they have shared the stage with have been Anvil, Cryptopsy, Today Is The Day, Goatwhore, Trouble, Sons Of Otis, and many, many more. Artwork duties were handled by Vince Locke (well known for his work with death metal legends Cannibal Corpse).