Virus Cycle - Tetralogy of Horror: Act 1 - 4 Track E.P - Bluntface Records Released 27th August 2014

Virus Cycle

Tetralogy of Horror: Act 1

4 Track E.P

Bluntface Records

Released 27^th August 2013

Out now!

Written for Crimson MoonZine

Virus Cycle – Boston

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/viruscycle

Genre: Industrial/Goth/Horror

Biography:

“Virus Cycle is an Industrial project from Boston, MA that combines haunting lyrics, pulsating beats, and guitars with abrasive static frequency that induces the audience to explore the topics of horror, the occult, and the supernatural that lurk within the shadows of our world. Johnny Virum, the mastermind behind the project, is a veteran of the Boston music scene. Before working on Virus Cycle, he released a number of albums and toured, while having the pleasure of opening for The Misfits on their 30th Anniversary Tour, Gothminister (Danse Macabre Records), Carfax Abbey and Thou Shalt Not.

In 2011, Virus Cycle self-released their debut full-length album Alice in Zombieland in February along with their remix album Return to Zombieland in November. Virus Cycle toured in 2011 and 2012 in support of both albums. In April 2012, Virus Cycle was signed to Bluntface Records, owned and operated by Otto Kinzel.

In late summer/early fall 2012, Virus Cycle released Zombichrist through Bluntface Records. The first single "Why Don't You Love Me?" was released with accompanying remixes from artists around the world. The single also had a music video produced for it by Rockwater Pictures. Virus Cycle closed out 2012 playing shows in support of the album.

In 2013, Virus Cycle began writing new music, which was released as Tetralogy of Horror: Acts I - IV and has been released as four separate E.P.'s between 2013 and 2014 through Bluntface Records. Virus Cycle will play shows in support of Tetralogy of Horror beginning later this summer.

Virus Cycle has played different venues and events in support of their albums such as QXT's in New Jersey, Incantation in NYC, The Webster Theatre in Connecticut, Darq in Salem MA, McGanns in Boston and The Level Room in Philadelphia. While touring, they had the great privilege to open for KMFDM (Metropolis Records) The Ludovico Technique (Metropolis Records), Nolongerhuman (COP International), Morningwood (VH1 Records), Angels on Acid, Ego Likeness (Metropolis Records), and Mindless Self Indulgence (The End Records)”

13

The eeriness can be experienced first-hand in the opening track with samples explaining about black masses to an edgy and unsettling musical accompaniment.

Dreams in the Witch house

From an eruption of fuzzy and muted notes comes a monotone vocal that is harsh and unfeeling, taking the route along a more punk vein but within its core runs some hostile guitar and sketchy drum beats. It does leave one feeling slightly consumed and disturbed.

-------------------------------------------------

“This is quite sparse of the full rhythmic hit for me, but it is unusual as it can be described as “Johnny Rotten does Goth!” My favourite track is definitely the final one ‘Gods Monsters’ as there is a lot more contained within its veins to feast upon!”

-------------------------------------------------

At Night

This track however opens with sampled voice talking of vampires and how to deal with them. A superb synth melody bristles stealthily throughout its meandering.

Gods Monsters

Opens with a repetitive melody and more sampled voices although short lived. This holds a hostile feeling despite its bouncy rhythms. The vocal is gnarly and again devoid of feeling, however the bounce keeps it afloat and is a lingering track that boasts a hellish maelstrom of provocation. Great track!

Summary:

This is quite sparse of the full rhythmic hit for me, but it is unusual as it can be described as “Johnny Rotten does Goth!” My favourite track is definitely the final one ‘Gods Monsters’ as there is a lot more contained within its veins to feast upon.

It isn’t all out shocking and it isn’t dull either – it sort of balances in-between although there could and should be a lot more intimidation than is already contained within the tracks.

It seems to be a taster in parts and the tracks suddenly stop without warning, whether they should be so, I am unsure.

The final track ‘Gods Monsters’ can boast a lot more than the previous three and therefore a lot more interesting to witness. The incidental noises are well in keeping with its angular stance. But for me I would prefer a whole lot more of an industrial angle than the horror/punk route, but the final track does have a lot of potential when it really let’s its hair down!!

7/10

Track List:

13

Dreams in the Witch house

At Night

*Gods Monsters

Members:

Studio Members:

Johnny Virum - Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Synth, Programming

Veronika – Artwork, Social Media

Otto Kinzel - Studio Producer, Programming, Bassist

Live Members:

Johnny Virum – Vocals, Guitar

Veronika - Live Programming

Otto Kinzel - Bass

Neurotech - The Decipher Volumes I, II & III - 20 Tracks - Released 23rd June 2013

Neurotech

The Decipher Volumes I, II & III

20 Tracks

Released 23^rd June 2013

Superb albums from Neurotech

Neurotech – Ljubljana, Slovenia

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Neurotechband

Listen here:

http://neurotech.bandcamp.com/album/the-decipher-volumes

Artur Felicijan - Artwork & Design - www.felicijan-sedmak.com/en/

Mastered by Matic Mlakar @ The Kraken Productions - www.facebook.com/thekrakenproductions

Discography:

Transhuman E.P - 2008

Antagonist - 2011

Blue Screen Planet E.P - 2011

Decipher Vol. 1 E.P - 2012

Decipher Vol. 2 E.P - 2012

Genre: Metal with influences from electronic, industrial, new age and symphonic music

Biography:

“Neurotech started as a one-man-project by Wulf in 2007, accompanied by session musicians for the live shows.  It fuses elements from metal, electronica, symphonic music, future-pop and new age music.

All releases can be freely downloaded on http://neurotech.bandcamp.com/”

I first came into contact with Neurotech back in 2011 and was immediately flung into a parallel universe.

The music composed by Wulf mesmerises and melts away the world as we know it. You can feel yourself drifting into this new age whilst the music embeds deeply into the mind. It is a bit like The Matrix – nothing outside that world matters - it is what is on the inside that counts.  It utterly grabs the attention so much so that I have sat for days on end just replaying the whole albums over and over again for a good 8 hours and each time more comes into focus.

Wulf - Incredible creativity!

This is really powerful material – it literally plays with the mind on a different level. Each track offers its own unique adventure and you can re-live it over and over again at the press of a button.

What’s more is that everything is free to download on Bandcamp which although is good, is rather sad too, as Wulf is such an amazing composer, writer, and musician I feel he deserves to get paid for his compositions.

Wulf is accompanied on the album by the beautiful Tanja Ravljen whose voice really adds superb depth to a number of the tracks.

This really is art in the purest form – and ‘The Decipher Volumes’ are indeed my favourite of all the releases, for its sheer beauty and raw but powerful compositions. It has its metal moments make no mistake, however they are sometimes subtle, other times they will swipe the rug out from under you and enough to make me whip out my keyboards and have a bash at playing along to these amazing tracks.

The great news is that Wulf is working on new material and it should be released soon all being well.  Wulf is an extreme perfectionist so you can be sure what you are about to hear plus everything that comes your way in the future will be 100% of the best quality, straight from the mind of the master.

VOL.1 - PRELUDE

The Cyber Waltz

This track is a total rampage of melody that quickly captures the imagination as soon as it starts to play.  It is heavy as and vocally pulverises. The catchiness of it alone is breath-taking! Let those deep ravenous rhythms take hold!

Damage is done

Another rampaging master piece that sizzles and burns as it charges from the speakers and drenches you in a rabid frenzy of rhythmic enterprise. The passions really challenge the mind to their outer limits.

Home

This is quite a poignant track that gnaws feverishly with stealthy tenacity. It is very striking and bold and offers virulent excitement and yet its beauty reaches far beyond its boundaries.

Below these Scars

This is another track that has me return to my keyboards in order to reproduce or at least add to this amazing sound. The mesmeric beauty of the music is absolutely captivating and truly wondrous to behold.

VOL.2 - PRELUDE

Let the healing begin

Sees the addition of the enchanting vocal from Tanja Ravljen. Her vocals are essential to this track as they add brilliant dimensions of colour and are creatively used to their maximum.

The race to recovery

This is another fiery track that Tanja lends her vocals to. It is a heavy duty track that Wulf guides and Tanja follows. The grooves are deliciously bone crunching and intense.

A Clouded Mind

I simply adore this composition as it glides wholeheartedly into a melodic encounter with stunning haunting and brutal vocals. Utterly seducing, powerful and potent in its delivery.

Is the sunrise coming?

Ambient and yet voracious! Igniting with controlled temptation and sonic endeavour.  It is startling in the fact it inter twines melody with spine chilling infectiousness.

Unconditional

Another brawl into ambiance with powerful consequences. The sequences play out to a sensational sound-scape of emotion.  Dominating the track are robotic like vocals and enchanting vocal by Tanja – just superb!

This is the New Age

This sweeps you into a dark and ravishing maelstrom of sound that licks around the ears. It weaves an ambiance of influential mind-play that devours within its unwinding qualities that unravel and thrust you into a new age.

A Separate Way

Embracing and warm opening with deep cataclysmic rhythms that engulf the senses perfectly. The track grows in spiritual harmony and persistently grazes the aural – a breath of fresh air can be felt through-out its entirety and hosts superb dream-like qualities.

-------------------------------------------------

“It flows with energy and a sultry endeavour that stays with you on your journey and keeps adding highlights through-out. It washes over the senses perfectly and is compelling, captivating and engaging on all twenty tracks!”

-------------------------------------------------

VOL.3 - PRELUDE

Closure

Another very poignant serious track that captivates and coaxes although it doesn’t have to try too hard. It glides sensually toward the aural and cloaks it in musical superiority making it so pleasing to the ears. It delves deep into the psyche and leaves the listener refreshed.

No Turning Back

The whispers are suddenly engulfed in a rich melodic hammering of synth notes that bristle vibrantly and simply engages the senses in a brawl of toxic excitement.

_____________________________________________________________

“Nobody could ever take anything away from Neurotech except of course a wondrous experience of knowing they have witnessed the most amazing sounds ever!”

-------------------------------------------------

Triumph

A track I have found myself listening to over and over again as its catchiness is so addictive and like a drug I feel the need to experience its effects on a daily basis. Highly agreeable to the ears as it reinforces on an emotional level. Always leaving me hungry for more!

The Difference

This track expands the mind to places it has never reached before. It can only be described as predatory and declares war on the senses. Its towering notes seduce as they fluctuate and bewitch the listener to such a degree they won’t want to return to their normalcy but remain suspended in musical animation.

A New Tomorrow

This is a mesh of sonically charge potent rhythms that toxically invade the mind and leave their marks! The journey is a tempestuous one that samples various stages through-out its structure but always raw and yet purity comes into the equation using its virility to seduce and conquer.

Decipher

As the final track starts to play it always fills me with a certain sadness and yet makes me happy that I can listen to everything once again. This track is sheer romance – true love in every sense of the word. It embraces, it protects and wraps you in a warm cloak of seduction.

Summary:

Hardly surprising these albums get ten. This music harvests the mind in such a way it produces the most flamboyant thoughts and imagery. No matter how many times you listen this never even borders for a minute on boring – the tracks grow with the listener so you can experience a certain track or all of them over and over without ever feeling unfulfilled which means that Wulf (and Tanja) have done an incredible job between them.

It flows with energy and a sultry endeavour that stays with you on your journey and keeps adding highlights through-out. It washes over the senses perfectly and is compelling, captivating and engaging on all twenty tracks.

Each track does indeed tell its own story and allows the listener to be a part of it and take their own thoughts, making them part of the stage show. 

Nobody could ever take anything away from Neurotech except of course a wondrous experience of knowing they have witnessed the most amazing sounds ever!

Words alone just don't do it justice - you really have to listen!!

10/10

Track List:

VOL.1 - PRELUDE

THE CYBER WALTZ

DAMAGE IS DONE

HOME

BELOW THESE SCARS

VOL.2 - PRELUDE

LET THE HEALING BEGIN

THE RACE TO RECOVERY

A CLOUDED MIND

IS THE SUNRISE COMING

UNCONDITIONAL

THIS IS THE NEW AGE

A SEPARATE WAY

VOL.3 - PRELUDE

CLOSURE

NO TURNING BACK

TRIUMPH

THE DIFFERENCE

A NEW TOMORROW

DECIPHER

Members:

Wulf - All Music produced, Lyrics, Vocals & Instruments

Tanja Ravljen - Guest Female Vocals - www.tanjaravljen.com

Aeon Patronist - Through the Paths of Delusion - 7 Track Album - Great Dane Records - Released 13th June 2014

Aeon Patronist

Through the Paths of Delusion

7 Track Album

Great Dane Records

Released 13^th June 2014

Oriental Technical black metal! Out now!

Aeon Patronist – Saint-Denis (La Réunion) France

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/AeonPatronist

Listen here:

https://aeonpatronist.bandcamp.com/album/through-the-paths-of-delusion

Genre: Metal Extrême Black/Death/Oriental/Progressive

Biography:

“Recently formed in December 2012 Aeon Patronist were originally meant to be just a studio project.  Aeon Patronist are a band who mix technical death metal with a dash of black and incorporate oriental music, which is provided by the use of traditional instruments such as the Reunion kayamb, percussion instrument idiophone or darbuka, a kind of drum, making them a very unusual act” and one that peaks my interest to hear in its entirety”

Reborn through the blinding Fire

And so the journey begins. This is spikey and unusual with the oriental flavors mixing very well with the black metal symphonic sound and the heated technical side – although I would say it is more black metal to be honest, but nothing wrong with that what so ever! It is one dramatic wash of imagination!

Piercing the veil of the lost

This track takes a few seconds before it hits its mark but not too long that your focus shifts. Holding a dark atmospheric imagery that twists into an inspiring savagery it weaves predatory riffs with solid drumming. The two tone induced vocals offer low growls and higher pitched shrieks adding to its powerful core.

The hall of the two truths

Holding its own, in this unusual track, with superb oriental adventures makes it one very diverse track and so far my favorite. The powerful rhythmic flourish swaggers its breath-taking fancy, despite not being ‘as heavy’ as the previous tracks. The excellent low growling is potent and therefore gives the listener plenty to feast upon.

Through the paths of delusion

Title track of the album.  This jumps back into its comfort zone of blackened death and conjours up a dark and brooding sound-scape that is rich in a powerful and compelling temptation. It gradually slows to allow strong bass licks to show themselves thus tempting and coaxing further.

Higher spheres of thought

Through the snarling rhythmic drum beats and deep horrific growls it possesses a deep and chilling outcome of melodic enterprise that goes a long way to literally manipulate the listener in the bands favor. The time signatures are quirky and extremely technical in output, making it another insight into the unusual.

-------------------------------------------------

“At times it brawls with passion and other times engages with a certain flavor that cannot be ignored. In the unpredictability stakes it definitely wins hands down, just cannot fault this at all!”

-------------------------------------------------

The Mad Poet

From its magical black heart comes a regimented drum beat that lays on a steady harsh and constant riff. It toys with the senses and leaves them for dead ensuring it’s scintillating ravaging reaches its goal through sonically challenging the audial. More diversity simply floods from this track further on with such clever mix of instruments. Superb!

In a dying garden

And finally closing this album the band burst forth with a rampaging track that does not stop for breath. If it was a stick of rock it would have the band’s name stamped right the way through it and marking it their own.  It is a very bold and forthright track that allows the emotions to shine through.

Summary:

For diversity and creativity this is one album everyone should add to their collection or if not at least hear once. It holds clear riveting properties and never goes off the boil.

It is a teasing and impressive master-piece that is fueled with demonic vehemence.  Its slower moments allow the diversity to be clearly heard and at times mixes everything together showing intensive creativity to simply flourish in rich provocation.

It kind of turns the senses on its head and ignites feverishly with an aggressive stance. Vocally mesmerising it devours with captivating delivery and therefore very moreish.

At times it brawls with passion and other times engages with a certain flavour that cannot be ignored. In the unpredictability stakes it definitely wins hands down, just cannot fault this at all.

10/10

Track List:

Reborn through the blinding Fire

Piercing the veil of the lost

The hall of the two truths

Through the paths of delusion

Higher spheres of thought

The Mad Poet

In a dying garden

Members:
Alexandre "Lenos" Thiong-Sion - Vocals/Guitars/Bass/Keyboards
Tom "Kebabized" Leichnig - Drums
Jean-Philippe "Aker" Pousse - Guitars

Pestifer - Reaching the Void - 9 Track Album - Great Dane Records - Released April 2014

Pestifer

Reaching the Void

9 Track Album

Great Dane Records

Released April 2014

Rabid new album out now!

  

Pestifer – Belgium

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/Pestifer.band

Mixed and Recorded by Jeremy Stoz

Mastered by Victor Bullok

Artwork by David Caryn

Genre: Death Metal

Biography:

Pestifer are a death metal band founded by twins Adrien Gustin (Bass) and Phil Gustin (Drums).

2012

“The band started the year of 2012 with a second European Tour (with Krisiun, Malevolent Creation and Vital Remains). After this great experience, Pestifer decided to focus on a new album. During that time, they played a few gigs with bands like Aborted, Benighted and Vile...

2013

The new album was recorded and mixed by Jeremy Stoz. This time, Victor Bullok (Pestilence, Obscura, Triptykon) took care of the mastering. The band got a deal with Great Dane Records. The quintet played few gigs in Belgium, Luxembourg and France and shared the stage with Exhumed (in Lille) and Channel Zero (in Flemalle) a few weeks before the tragic death of their drummer. During September, Pestifer ran a new European tour with Nile, ex deo and Svart Crown. They played 13 gigs across England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, Germany, Belgium and Netherlands”

LtoR: Emerson, Adrien, Antoine, Jerome & Phil

Witness of the Loss

Mostly the way to a man’s stomach is through his delightful taste buds, however for me – I feed on a frenzy of death metal! – and this track leaves me well satisfied, rubbing my belly for a repeat course! The hostile essences will engulf and swallow you whole whilst the vocal insurgence rabidly captures the moment to a barrage of drums and rampaging riffs that are more than keen to whet the hungry appetite!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PLgvVwfJfY&feature=youtu.be

Exiled to the Abyss

Is rather gnarly in its technical onslaught as it batters and bruises with intent to inflict its rhythmic encounters straight and directly to the aural matter! It energetically protrudes through an evil path of madness, using sculptured stringed arrangements and gruesome vocal endeavour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3bKHxlzEG0

Sarcophaga

Sounding like someone is possessed by a demon, ebbing and flowing into a maelstrom of pure demonic madness, as I of course devilishly expected! It jangles vehemently through its forked tongue tempered by a dark potent encounter.

Tree of Thorns

The twisted adventure continues uniting its passion in a scathing and resourceful energy that sonically teases in a menacing fury. The death defying swagger of rhythmic provocation swirls around the brawling beats and harsh riffs a plenty.

Abominations

Crafted by yet more creative ingenuity that stomps through with large bloody footprints. Its fast paced melee of beats intimidate as they batter their way into the audial canal in an impressive feat of turbulence. The antagonistic vocal content is simply mesmerising.

_____________________________________________________________

Seductive and with certain provocative grooves that ooze with muscle bound intensity and grow ever succulent with each bite of its gnashing teeth!

_____________________________________________________________

Within the Void

Awakens its bloodshot eyes in an enticing and overwhelming power struggle to capture its audience – audience you have no chance here – just give up and succumb to its mastery! The vocals paint a powerful picture whilst the accompanying music creates an ambient persuasion of fiercely contagious melody.

The Earthling Chronicles

With rhythms framing an evil swagger of creative presence this track engages on all levels and climbs to its peak and then slightly drops leaving you in a frustrated frame of mind but don’t worry the guitars will fulfill your every whim.

Orbital Failure

Plenty of dark and demonic ambiance can be felt through-out this muscular structure which shows the bands diversity to be ever changing. It draws attention to its sinister gait with mesmerizing beauty and strong qualities.

Positronic Symphony

Let the frenzy continue right up to the very end of this savage musical offering. Its slower moments serve to be the predatory force held within its mighty structure of monumental wickedness! The guitars will have you salivating alone as they compel with an intense and sinister ambiance that is more than just boisterous, but blitzing!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qas2jU7Zi7w&feature=youtu.be

Summary

This album is a feast for hungry ears – its table literally brims with the finest death metal dishes for ravenous metal heads!  Its metal treats are irresistible, so much so you will be going back for seconds!

The tracks are creative and highly engaging on all levels, with choppy riffs helped along with meaty bass hooks!

Seductive and with certain provocative grooves that ooze with muscle bound intensity and grow ever succulent with each bite of its gnashing teeth!

Most definitely a savage and carnivorous portion with lashings of lingering addiction fuelling with a severe and corrosive appeal.

9/10

Track List:

Witness of the Loss

Exiled to the Abyss

Sarcophaga

Tree of Thorns

Abominations

Within the Void

The Earthling Chronicles

Orbital Failure

Positronic Symphony

Members:

Adrien Gustin - Bass

Philippe Gustin - Drums

Antoine Paterka - Guitars

Emerson Devresse - Guitars

Jérôme Bernard - Vocals