Funeral Rain Press Corps

When: Wednesday December 1, 2010
Where: Edmonton Event Centre, Edmonton, Alberta

GWAR have been coming to Edmonton almost yearly for probably the past three or four years, and selling out the venue doing so, and this here is the first time I got to see them. So needless to say, I was pretty stoked. And unlike the last show I went to, I got to take the camera!
The opening band, Mobile Death Camp, was there I think, but I saw a dude with his arm in a sling, so that was probably them. No idea what happened there, but I do know that their guitarist used to be Beefcake the Mighty in GWAR for awhile.
The band that did end up opening was Infernaeon, who Chase didn’t like in Portland. And my verdict is…? Pretty fucking sweet. Florida death metal with a touch of European flavor. Think Deicide with keyboards, and you’re getting there. Very anti-religious, and like Deicide, fans of the herb as well.
All of the members of Infernaeon put their backs into the show, taking the  smaller stage by storm and making it theirs. Hopefully they accidentally find their way to Edmonton again soon.
It also turns out that Brian (their vocalist) supports and is supported by Obscenitease, occasionally getting a free shirt in the deal. Lucky bastard.
Since Mobile Death Camp wasn’t playing, Casualties took over for Infernaeon and punked the fuck out, “whoa”-ing the crowd. My first real experience with these guys (didn’t even check their MySpace), I was beyond impressed. So was Mrs. Blaspheme, who was taken by their ample use of “whoa” singing, one of her favorite parts of punk rock. I was taken by their ample use of metal riffs played with punk tone and their singer’s seemingly death metal influenced vocals. They’re a punk band, with some serious amount of metal in them? Win. Throw in a Ramones cover (Blitzkrieg Bop, of course) and there’s more win.
I grabbed their newest record and some other stuff, and not just because it was affordable. I’m now a certified Casualties fan.
And finally, GWAR. I was up close, in the security cage, getting pictures, and to do so without wrecking a camera that isn’t mine, I had it wrapped in a clear garbage bag, which is why some of the pictures that are up close are a little fuzzy. Then I fucked off and mostly just enjoyed the  show, partly from above where only press and special people can go. I felt privileged and a half.
The band sprayed the crowed liberally with blood and goo, wowing everyone with an amazing stage show, even on the small stage at EEC. Everyone was in full uniform (I’ve heard Oderus sometimes doesn’t wear the codpiece at all-ages shows, and this was all-ages, and there was the codpiece), and even a guest appearance by Lady Gaga and Sarah Palin helped to add to the immensity of everything.
And that really is one thing about GWAR that I found sweet: nothing is little. No gesture, no prop, no riff, nothing. It’s all huge or there’s no room for it.
Unfortunately for me, there was nothing left at GWAR’s  merch table that was worth me spending money. The one shirt was either small, medium, or XXL, and the price was just a tad much. The patch I wanted sold out faster than greased shit, so I was screwed there too. Ah well, next time. Probably 2011 or 2012 if they keep up the touring they’ve been doing the past couple years.
In all, GWAR slayed, and they had some really good help to break the necks. If you have a chance to see them on tour, do it, even if you don’t like the music. Their stage show alone is worth the price of admittance.

Photos will soon be posted here and at the Funeral Rain Industries MySpace.

Genre: Melodic Metal
Label: Independent

It was sure unexpected when I got this CD in the mail. I’m glad I did.
Tempting Tragedy are a Canadian five-piece putting their own spin on a more melodic, heavy sounding metal. Think Fates Warning.
The songwriting is very tight with these guys, with a sound that shows they are a team, not five wankers trying to out wank the other. And the best part is, there is no wankery! Even in the solos, it’s all for the song, which adds to the win for me.
Give these guys a check at their website, which after a couple moments glance  looks pretty damn good. There’s even a media player there so you can hear the tunes.
After a longer look, it turns out they’ve got a member who’s favorite band IS Fates Warning!
Anyway, the album is great. I’m definitely loving “Insomnia” and “Psychological Warfare”.
7.5 out of 10.

Tempting Tragedy Official Site.

Genre: Progressive Metal
Labels: Armoury Records, Mystic Productions

The third CD in that package I got forever ago, Proghma-C sat, unreviewed (but listened to) for a long time. The reason why I haven’t said anything about it yet is simple: laziness. BUT ALAS!
Proghma-C are another Polish package of progressive perfection that will piss off your parents. Think Tool, with some Meshuggah, Portrait of an American Family-era Marilyn Manson, Fear Factory, and a fair amount of drugs. In other words, it’s out of this world. Throw in a Bjork cover, “Army of Me”, and wow.
8 out of 10.

Proghma-C on MySpace.

So I sent these questions forever ago, and honestly I forgot I did. But they came back, answered and ready for the world, and I’m happy to post them for you all to read. This is my interview with Sarah Jezebel Deva, enjoy; and look for it to also be in the second print issue of Funeral Rain Zine.

Can you update us on what is going on these days?

There’s loads of things going on these days… What would you like to know? Price of petrol keeps going up ;)

How would you describe the sound of the new album?

Emmm… Mixed. Its for open minded people. if you are solely into one kind of styled music, then its not for you. Some is metal, some has a BM edge, some is more rock, some is like a movie score and there is a piano song. So its very varied.

How would you describe the lyrical content of the new music?

Well its not a concept album but of course every song has a concept. I do not sing about mincing vampires and the slitting of wrists while bumming on a grave stone, I like to sing about real things like mental illness, sex, hate, disappointment, betrayal, life!

Do you have any plans to do a tour for the new album?

Well we just did our first ever tour in the UK with label mates The Dead Lay Waiting and LOVED it. We have 2 more UK shows with them and then head out to Europe with them for a 3-4 week tour. Can not wait because although The Dead Lay Waiting are totally different in music style, they are so tight, so professional and so energetic. We all gel so well.

You have worked with plenty of bands over the years, which ones did you enjoy the most and what are some of the albums that you have worked on that you are the most satisfied with and do you have plans in the future to work with any other projects?

Every band has its pro and con, its good memories and its shit ones and to tell you the shit memories just wouldn’t be good. My proudest albums are of course my band Angtoria “God Has A Plan For Us All”, COF “Midian” and “Vempire”, Mortiis “The Star Gate”. The Kovenant “Nexus Polaris” and Therion “Vovin”. I am active with The Kovenant again, we just played Inferno festival in Oslo, Norway. We headlined our day and it was amazing. We played the entire Nexus Polaris album from start to finish and we hadn’t all played together as that line up for 13 years. We are all older, maturer and it was just an great experience.

The new album came out on Candlelight Records, how would you describe the support that the label has given you so far?

Well right now, I cant really comment because its only the beginning. I have know Paula for many years and she has been my main contact so far, other than that, I can not comment yet but I am very happy and proud to be on such a well respected label! :)

What direction do you see the music heading into on future releases?

This album was a “finding my feet” album… there are ways I worked on this album, that I will never work on an album again. Like recording in four countries didn’t help. Recording with a stranger over the internet didn’t work out as well as I had hoped. The next album, I will work closer to home and not take so many chances. Not saying stick to what is safe, I mean stick to real friends, people who have passion for music and not money. I did plan on A Sign Of Sublime being no fixed style, totally intentional but the next album I want to be more extreme for sure.

How have fans reacted so far to the new album?

Well I can not really comment on the USA/Canada right now, I know a lot of people bought the import and I am so so grateful that they did that as I know it wasn’t cheap. My side of the world, I think its doing ok but you cant expect to sell if your not doing shows and we have only just started, so next year, I hope more and more people will have the album and the shows get bigger and better. So all I can say is, people have been very supportive.

What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and what are you listening to nowadays?

There is just too many to mention. Nothing influences the music for me because then I would be copying wouldn’t I. But bands that I adore are anything from Dead Can Dance to Emperor. Faith No More to Mysticum. My Dying Bride to Moonsorrow. Type O to Gun’s N Roses. As for lyrics, whats going on around me influences my writing. I find it hard to write when I know nothing about a subject, I cant just make things up to fill a song out.

What are some of your interests outside of music?

Right now, the only thing that exists outside of music is my wedding next year. When I am not touring and paying my lovely bills, its wedding, wedding, wedding draining the very life from me ha ha… I have even fallen behind on music. I am so behind, I think the last album I bought was the new Immortal, I don’t even remember the last time I went out to see a film. I am so not grim huh! As you get older, life takes its firm grip and you find yourself having less and less time. When I can think, I am very much into animal rights. I am TRYING to get 10,000 names for an Anti Fur petition in the UK to take to my local MP.

Any final words or thoughts?

Yeah…… We really wanna come to the USA….. We so want to tour. Its been a few years since myself and Gian Pyrez were there, so guys, hate us or love us, give us a chance and check us out! Thank you :)

Sarah Jezebel Deva on MySpace.

Genres: Ambient, Metal, Rock, Shoegaze
Label: Independent

A CD that was unexpected in my mailbox, Auternus was not unwelcome. Their soundscapes are very much reminding me of a cross between A Perfect Circle, whom they cite as an influence, and My Bloody Valentine, with some Isis for flavor.
According to their promo package, they’re playing a lot of shows, getting distributed, and just all-around trying to get their music out there. These guys are working their asses off, and I’m sure that if I didn’t review this CD, you’d still hear about them in time.
If you’re into ambient that’s not boring, or metal-edged rock that makes you think a little, check out Auternus.
7 out of 10.

Auternus on MySpace.