Origen: Italia, Roma
Formados: 2006
Estilo: Black
Temática: Introspección y oscuridad
Enlaces: Facebook e instagram.
Miembros:
- Andrea Scimò Batería
- Emanuele Telli Teclados
- Moerke Bajo
- Thomas Aurizzi Guitarra
- Heresy CD 2010
- Noctivaga CD 2026
Origen: Italia, Roma
Formados: 2006
Estilo: Black
Temática: Introspección y oscuridad
Enlaces: Facebook e instagram.
Miembros:
MEMORIAL (2026)
Pocos escépticos deben de quedar ya a la hora de no dar cabida a una banda como Olhava en su repertorio de bandas de post, blackgaze, ambiental o black atmosferíco. La banda ha dejado de ser hace hace mucho tiempo una sorpresa, para asentarse como una realidad, una realidad que sigue expandiendo su propuesta hacia terrenos cada vez más personales, sin importarle construir un álbum de más de setenta y cinco minutos, en torno a un tema de más de veinte como "When the Ashes Grow Cold" que es un fiel reflejo de lo que banda es hoy en día y que resume perfectamente el contenido de este álbum. Un álbum que logra trasmitir paisajes desolados, en donde cunde el desaliento de una soledad poblada de recuerdos e imágenes confusas en donde la realidad se confunde con ambiguas presencias, que solo el recuerdo mantiene con vida, confundiendo lo esencial con lo cotidiano, la vida con la muerte, la necesidad con la añoranza y el desapego con la búsqueda de lo que no está. Esto se construye perfectamente en este álbum gracias a la duración de los temas, lo cuales permiten transitar por diferentes pasajes, que se confabulan para tejer una niebla que embota los sentidos, desde la ambigüedad de formas, en donde los registros más serenos se nutren de un desosiego interno que fluye incontrolable en la linea más interna de su música, pero que cuando explota en secciones más directas, más cercanas a un post-metal de referencia, saben combinar esa rabia con un sufrimiento desalentador que trasforma el conjunto en un desalentador conjunto de emociones del todo encontradas, sin que haya ni el más mínimo atisbo de lucidez ni mesura. Pocos bandas pueden llegar a entregar un álbum con un sonido tan envolvente e inmersivo, lleno de diferentes grados de sensaciones y emotividad, en donde una tristeza se palpa en cada nueva nota, en donde la rabia recorre cada tema y un confuso entramado de melancolía y pesadumbre acaba por trasformar a este "Memorial " en casi una necesidad. (7,6).
1. Handful of Hate came into being around 1993. A lot has happened in this almost quarter of a century. What memories do you have of those early days of Handful of Hate? Why did you decide to create the band? Why did you choose the name Handful of Hate, and what does it refer to?
Handful of Hate was formed in 1993, and our first bassist Ugo (rip 1994) had a hand in choosing the name. He wanted to express with the term "Handful" the way we played our music, with our hands full, like a handful of the most extreme emotion possible: hate.
I have many memories of those years. At night, we would go to cemeteries and, in our first rehearsal room in an attic, we would listen to vinyl records and CDs of the most important extreme bands of that period. Black Metal wasn't yet the genre we know today, and few bands played Black Metal, as opposed to Death Metal, which was generally American.
2. “Soulless Abominations” is your eighth album, released almost seven years after its predecessor. In between, Iblis joined on bass, following the earlier addition of Aeternus on drums. What have these last few years been like within Handful of Hate leading up to the decision to release a new album? How did you approach the songwriting and recording process? What brands of instruments did you use? How do you think “Soulless Abominations” fits into Handful of Hate's legacy and trajectory?
Well our previous album “Adversus” has been released in 2019, covid pandemia occurred and we got forced to stop. I decided to compose a new album in 2022, I started working slowly songwriting each song by myself and taking care of each detail. I spent a lof of time and many efforts giving shape to “Soulless Abominations”, from the music part to the lyrics, from the artwork to the cover design. I think this album represents a modern return to the origins of Black Metal, raw, direct, uncompromising (like every Handful Of Hate’s act) a perfect synthesis between our past and our future.
3. The new album opens with a track like “Libera Me” and makes a real statement. Hey! We're Handful of Hate, and we're back. It's impossible not to get lost in that incendiary riff that runs through the song from the very beginning. But the truth is, the album maintains that aggressive and incendiary black metal sound to the very end. Where did you find the inspiration to unleash that intensity and deliver an album with such a direct and powerful black metal sound? How would you describe the sound of the new album?
The opening riff of "Libera Me" is one of my signature compositions, a sort of topic. You can find similar ones on previous albums; they're heavily inspired by the classical music wich I studied at the Conservatory. It's definitely one of the best pieces on the album, inspired by the melody and the origins of the genre. As I said before, with "Soulless Abominations" I wanted to avoid a clean and balanced production turning back to the past. Already during the composition I realized that this album sounded much "evil and aggressive" than the previous ones, so I decided to use a dirtier sound for a compact and violent result that enhances the sum of all the instruments and not the individual parts.
4. You've always opted for lyrics that stray from the typical tropes of the genre, focusing on personal experiences and other concerns. Where did you get the inspiration for the lyrics on the new album? What specific themes do they address, and what makes them stand out from certain conventions? Do the lyrics adapt to the music, or vice versa?
My lyrics adapt to the music, the guitar part comes first and then the lyrics. I consider myself a guitarist first and foremost. I'm a scholar and a researcher, and always I have been. It's easy for me to evoke my readings and reflections in the texts I compose. I avoid writing banalities and childish things like many bands do, due to lack of culture. For years, I've been exploring topics of eschatology, theology, and the symbolism of martyrs. I add a touch of the Middle Ages, the subject of my degree, and many insights drawn from the practice of vice and the most extreme carnality. Abominations…
5. The new album was released by Dukstone. Why did you decide to change record labels for the new album, and why did you choose Dukstone?
Cause Dusktone fits perfectly our music direction.
6. There isn't much information about where the album was recorded and mixed, but we have to congratulate you on capturing the aggression and authentic sound of underground black metal. Can you tell us something about how it was made and who was in charge of the process?
All instruments have been recorded at Outersound Studios in Rome (Italy) by Giuseppe Orlando. The album has been mixed and mastered by Riccardo Studer, the same guy who worked in our previous album “Adversus”.
7. Who designed the album cover? What does it represent, and how does it relate to the album's content?
I designed the cover with ink on paper. The inspiration came to me about five years ago when I studied an engraving by Albrecht Dürer from 1503, "Coat of Arms with a Skull." it is an allegory of death, I focused on the heraldic part, the shield, the image that contains it and the crest. I like to point out how the inside of the album is enriched by images taken from the paintings of Paolo Pelosini, a contemporary artist who has depicted stunning naturalistic views.
8. Handful of Hate could be considered a pioneer of black metal in Italy, or at least a contributor to its development. What do you remember from those early years of the 1990s? Did your inspiration come from France, Greece, the Nordic countries, or were you largely self-taught? What are the best and worst moments you remember in the band's history? How do you think the extreme metal scene and industry have evolved in the years you've been active?
When I started to play Black Metal it was 1991, first project Dust of Darkness aborted. I restart in 1993 with Handful Of Hate. The main influences in that period were Death Metal by Area from US and Black Metal from UK (Venom) and Scandinavia (Bathory, Dark Throne, first Immortal and first Marduk). In a second time the Greek wave arrived surprising me with great bands suck as Rotthing Christ and Necromantia. I think best moments have been on stage together with other bands pioneers of Black Metal (Necromass and Opera IX). Worst one, indeed, the death of our first bass player in 1994.
I dont know if we can talk of a complete evolution concerning Black Metal, there are innovative bands indeed and technology helped a lot during the recording sessions and the final sound result but, at the same time, I’m still listening oldway played and uncompromising genuine Black Metal as it must be from ‘90s to nowdays.
9. Have you already started touring the new album? What concerts or festivals do you have planned for this year? How would you describe the current Italian black metal scene?
Yes in january we played 4 gigs in Italy (from the centre to the north), before summer we will take part to a couple of Festivals: “Northern Darkness” feastival april 11st and “Dolometal” fastival may the 29th… We already have some contact for the end of summer… we will see.
10. What were your beginnings in music like? What were the first concerts you attended? What were the first albums you bought? What event in your lives pushed you to become musicians?
I started top lay guitar at 12. I continued studying into Conservatory. I started listening to metal when I was in high school, I still remeber older guys with Iron Maiden patches on their jackets. Well I still remember we use to exhange tapes and cd’s, the first one I bought was “The number of the beast” from Iron Maiden and at the same time “Back in Black” from AC DC.
11. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What are the most recent albums you've bought?
I got stunned and very strong influenced by these masterpieces from Marduk: “Thouse of the unlight” and “Heaven shall burn…” at the same time I can’t forget the strong impact that “Abomination of desolation” from morbid Angel gave to me.
Last cd I bought…. Let me think… well a couple: Agony & ecstasy of Watain and the namesake of Jungle Rot.
12. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Handful of Hate fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
My pleasure and thank you for support, stay tuned!
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Trollfastheart – What?! An Old Pot For All?! 5,99 €
CD, Album, Stereo
Good morning, thank you so much for answering these questions. How's everything going in Kielce?
Hi, thanks for having me. There's nothing interesting going in Kielce by now haha.
1. Udreka was formed around 2022. What led you to create Udreka? Why did you choose this name, and what does it refer to?
I have started this project after a long time of playing music i wasn't proud of. I wanted to write some music on my own, without anyone telling me what to do. At the time I was also fascinated by Polish BM scene, bands such as Odraza for example. So I've decided to give it a shot and write some music in this style. To be fair I have never before played or wrote Black metal music, although I was listening to it since my teenage years. So it was basically my first attempt of writing Black metal music. When it comes to band name, I thought this name would fit perfectly since my lyrics are mostly about my own struggles with depression and all this shit.
2. In 2023, you released your first EP, "Zgnij," and recently your first album, "Nieistnienie." In between, there were some changes to the band's lineup. What was the songwriting and recording process like for your album? How do you think your sound has evolved between the two releases? What brands of instruments did you use during the process?
I wrote all the instruments parts for Zgnij all by myself. Only the drums was recorded by Desolator which is my session drummer for this project, and additional vocals by Szymon. When it comes to Nieistnienie it was similar story. I wrote all the music, and recorded everything except drums. I've decided to incorporate more elements such as Guitar solos by Mateusz Chłopek, and some more vocals by Szymon. And most important I've decided to Play live shows which forced me to gather musicians who can do this with me. The sound for example, wasn't fully forged with the first EP. I didn't even had my own Guitar for a recording session so i had to borrow it from my friend haha. I only had some shitty old squier strat which i used to write music. Since that time i bought a good guitar, and starting to think more about the sound of the album. My inspiration for it was Fiktionlust by Totenmesse. Also I wasn't happy about how i did the vocals on Zgnij. My growls was definitely too low and Szymon fry screams was too high. I chose different approach on Nieistnienie, doing my vocals a little bit higher, and Szymon did his a little lower. I think now it sounds much better. When it comes to instruments I'm using LTD EC 1000 guitar, and Fender Jazz Bass MIJ .
3. “Nieistnienie” is an album that perfectly fits into that more nonconformist side of Polish black metal, rich in nuances, preserving the essence of black metal, but also incorporating elements that, in this case, we can describe as having a punk influence. How would you describe the album's sound to someone who hasn't heard it yet? What bands and styles inspired the album's composition?
I would say that Nieistnienie is Black/Death Hardcore. My main influences when it comes to Udręka is Totenmesse, Odraza, Marduk, Converge. There is really a lot of bands and styles I like to listen and blend together.
4. Your lyrics deviate somewhat from the more conventional aspects of the genre, addressing themes more focused on death or madness. Where does this lyrical theme come from? Why do you choose Polish, rather than English for example, for the lyrics? Do the lyrics adapt to the music, or vice versa?
Like i said before, all of my lyrics is pretty much introspective. I write about all the shit that's bothering me and I'm going through at the moment of writing lyrics. Choosing Polish language is more common nowadays, when you take a look at the new Polish bands. Everyone wrote in English before, so why don't we try to do something different finally and write in our own language? First i write all the music, and leave the space for lyrics I'm writing when whole album is ready musicall
5. Godz ov War Productions is the record label releasing the new album. How did the opportunity to work with them come about? Beyond the physical CD release, are there any other plans? What do you think it will mean for you to be part of a renowned underground label like Godz ov War Productions?
I wrote to Greg from Godz ov War back in 2023 when I was releasing my debut EP Zgnij. He wasn't sure about it at first but told me to send him the new material if I will write one. So i did last summer, and he liked It, and agreed to publish it under his label. I would love to have Nieistnienie on vinyl since I'm myself a vinyl collector. But maybe that's a little too soon for this i guess haha. I'm proud to be a part of Godz ov War label, and i think it really helped me to get my music to a lot of people.
6. The album was mixed and mastered at Impressive Art Studio. Why did you choose to work with them? What do you think they contributed to the final sound of the album?
I chose Impressive Art Studio simply because they mixed and mastered two of my favourite modern black metal albums which is Odraza Rzeczom, and Totenmesse Fiktionlust. Like i said, Fiktionlust was my main sonic inspiration and it was mixed similar way and i think it came out great. Their mixing added a really good final touch to the sound.
7. The album cover was designed by Gabriela Zapała, who modified a column from the Temple of Artemis. What led you to work with Gabriela? Why did you choose this sculpture, and how does it fit with the album's content?
Gabriela is my fiance and she's always helping me to materialize my visual ideas, since the EP. I decided to use the character of Thanatos on album cover ,because of his connection to the philosophy of antinatalism. He symbolizes the nietzschean idea of deathdrive. Inside of a Thanatos sculpture on a photograph there is an infamous flat from my hometown which is abandoned now. I thought It will fit my street aesthetic I'm operating since first EP.
8. Desolator belongs to bands like Doombringer, Martwa Aura, and Venefices, bands with a somewhat different style compared to Udreka, bands that incorporate more death metal or avant-garde elements, all faithful to that Polish black metal scene where there is a wide variety of bands with distinct styles that, to a certain extent, become personal. What is your vision of the current Polish black metal scene? How do you think that tradition of more classic black metal has influenced and contributed to this rich current Polish scene?
Currently i think a lot of modern black metal band in Poland play this kinda sad and slow paced black metal in the style of Mgła. I really miss this fast and angry black metal such as Infernal War, Bestial Raids. I would love to see more Polish band play fast and angry. I think that classic black metal from 1st and 2nd wave still influence musicians to this day. Mayhem, Burzum, Venom, Carpathian Forest, was first BM bands i have discovered and was listening to when i was 13-14 years old. So i think that although Udręka is far from classic black metal, some part of this spirit is still there. I can't say the same thing about lyrics and themes though. I think that a lot of new bands will agree with me that occult and satanic themes became a little bit worn out, if not overrated. I love Black metal musically, but have no interest in such themes. That's why you're not gonna find it in my lyrics haha.
9. Regarding concerts, it seems that you are a band that doesn't perform live. Is there any possibility of bringing Udreka's music to the stage at some point? What circumstances would need to be met for this to happen?
I haven't planned playing live shows when i've started this project. But as i stated earlier I've changed my mind and gathered solid live line up, and i think we're gonna hit the stage pretty soon.
10. How did you get started in music: the first concerts you attended, the first albums you bought? What event in your lives pushed you to want to become musicians?
When I've heard Metallica when i was about 12 years old was groundbreaking event. That was the moment I knew that this is my music. I started thinking about being a musician when me and my friend from junior high school formed a first band in 2009. Basically it was just making noise at the back of my house using some trash instead of instruments haha. It was the moment I thought that this is what i wanna do in my life.
11. Which album represents the essence of black metal for you? What are the latest albums you've bought?
If someone who never heard it would ask me what black metal is I would probably recommend Burzum Filosofem. I think this is the essence of a genre. And the latest albums I've bought turned out to be a classics such as: Cryptopsy Blasphemy Made Flesh and None So Vile, Deathspell Omega Paracletus, and Strapping Young Lad City.
12. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit. If you'd like to add anything for Udreka fans, this is the place. I hope you enjoy the questions.
Thanks for having me ;)
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Autophagocytosis – Forest 6,99 €
Origen: Grecia, Atenas
Formados: 2002
Estilo: Black sinfónico
Temática: Armagedón, melancolía y oscuridad.
Enlaces: Bandcamp, facebook, instagram, reverbnation, spotify, W.E.B. y youtube.
Miembros:
Origen: Noruega, Sauda.
Formados:?
Estilo: Black, viking.
Temática: ?
Enlaces: Bandcamp, facebook, spotify y tidal.
Miembros:
Origen: México, San Juan del Río.
Formados: ?
Estilo: Black
Temátcia:?
Enlaces: Facebook, instagram y spotify
Miembros:
THELEMA (2026)
Apenas tres años después dela edición de su álbum debut, lo griegos Decipher le dan continuación con un segundo trabajo que mantiene la linea de su predecesor, al mismo tiempo que sabe sacar partido a nuevos recursos que han sabido incorporar a su propuesta. Manteniendo desde el comienzo ese ambiguo tono, que permite a la banda ofrecer una propuesta que sabe combinar elementos del black nórdico con otros que tiene más que ver con la fiel tradición del black griego, se las arreglan para desde lo que es de inicio una vertiente suficientemente clásica, toda llena de oscuridad, intensidad y por supuesto agresividad de la que son capaces. Desde un comienzo que parece querer marcar un tono bastante directo, con la inclusión de un ritmo bastante alto y unos riffs que apenas ofrecen ningún tipo de fisuras y en donde tanto la oscuridad como la profundidad de sus sonido es del todo innegociable. Pero es cierto que poco a poco el álbum sabe incorporar y sacar partido a otros registros, sobre todo creo que a esa ambigüedad entre contundencia y otros elementos que cobran cierto protagonismo, de procedencia más melódica, solo contribuyen a una mayor profundidad de sonido. Al mismo tiempo, no podemos olvidarnos, el buen hacer en al intensidad y los ritmos, cuando el sonido parece querer sepultarnos en su profundidades, también se comienza a trabajar cambios de registro y alteraciones en la intensidad, lo que permite que se vaya construyendo poco a poco cierta atmosfera de proporciones apocalípticas, que enriquecen el sonido del álbum aportado un tono hasta cierto punto más épico, al mismo tiempo que la propuesta se muestra mucho más dinámica y variada en estructuras. Todo ello contribuye a que álbum logre sonar compacto, sin que la oscuridad y la profundidad que se nos presenta de inicio se disipe en ningún momento, pero si que es cierto que los diferentes aspecto en cuanto a ambientación y tonalidades, redunda en una experiencia mucho más inmersiva. Explorando terrenos ya conocidos dentro de los sonidos más clásico del black metal, Decipher logran una vez más, transformarlos en algo propio y llevar al oyente a una experiencia musical de la cual es complicado alejarse. (7,9).
Origen: Reino Unido, Manchester
Formados: 2012
Estilo: Black metal, crust
Temática: Alcohol, guerra nuclear, satán y violencia
Enlaces: Facebook, spotify y tidal.
Miembros: