12 July 2022

REVEAL FANZINE: ISSUE #13


REVEAL FANZINE: ISSUE #13
Published in July 2022

Interviews: BONEJAMMER (Denmark), KÖRD VÄRLD (Sweden/UK), MELTING EYES (Netherlands), STORM SIEGE (Spain), PSYCOTIC SCUM (USA), APOCALYPTIC LEADERS (Greece) and SUBTLE DEATH MAGAZINE (Cuba). Biographies / Press Releases: BLASPHEMER (Paraguay), DARZAMAT (Poland), SCARAB (Egypt), KARTZAROT (Spain) and BARKIN’ BENNY (Finland). Reviews / News Updates / Others: DALISAY (Philippines), PALACH (Belgium), TEARS OF FIRE (Germany), NORTAVLAGGH.377 (Singapore), MALAÖUN (Malaysia), ENOLA (France), IMMORTAL PAIN (Saudi Arabia), GORGON (France), RELIC WAVE (Ukraine), DAIDALOS (Germany), KATRINAZ (Mexico), TENEBRO (Italy) and SHRIEKS FROM THE ABYSS FANZINE (UK).

Frontcover: Jakob Goul Bonde / of BONEJAMMER
Backcover: James Domestic / of KÖRD VÄRLD
Format: 28-pages / A5-sized / English-written
Prices: RM 5 / USD 5 / trade welcomes, write first!

Purchasing/Inquiries:

Download PDF: REVEAL_issue13

REVEAL FANZINE: ISSUE #12


REVEAL FANZINE: ISSUE #12
Published in July 2022

Interviews: OUIJA (Spain), DEATH INVOKER (Peru), FORMLESS OEDON (Philippines), ZARATHUSTRA (Germany), DIOS ME ODIO (Panama), DARK AWAKE (Greece) and SCHIZOPHRENIC WONDERLAND (Singapore). Biographies / Press Releases: MAX MONTANARI (Italy), RIPIO (Argentina) and DREAMER (Indonesia). Reviews / News Updates / Others: WALK ALONE (Moldova), TWO FACE SINNER (Peru), RORAIMA (Venezuela), 1917 (Argentina), WAR & SIN (Canada), MALVENTO (Italy), ABIGAIL (Japan), MALAURIU (Italy), ARVAS (Norway), CABRA INFERNAL (Ecuador), AUTOKRATOR (France), KARNAK SETI (Portugal), WAHANA WARNA WARNI (Indonesia), AMBROXIAK (South Korea), VOIDHRA (Germany), SINGULAR (Malaysia), OBSCURIAL (Malaysia) and URKU LLANTHU (Ecuador).

Frontcover: Midgard / of OUIJA
Backcover: Morbid Devastator / of DEATH INVOKER
Format: 28-pages / A5-sized / English-written
Prices: RM 5 / USD 5 / trade welcomes, write first!

Purchasing/Inquiries:

Download PDF: REVEAL_issue12

Review: NORTAVLAGGH.377 - Demo 2021


NORTAVLAGGH.377 - “Demo 2021”
Bestially cruel and devastating! This is enough to conclude what NORTAVLAGGH.377 (or usually abbreviated to NH.377) delivered via the 3-track Demo 2021, a release that is said to be a continuation to the previous Demo 2020. I have known Z:c4 (also known as Zirkelloch) since his work with Kibosh Sybil Kismet / KSK. If his old band is more into atmospheric Death / Doom Metal, NH.377 is brought far more extreme and savage! It is a war-like Black/Death atrocity full of revenge and hatred. This may seem like following in the footsteps of their compatriot in Singapore, Impiety and Infernal Execrator to be exact, but I’d rather put NH.377 on its own Black/Death perspective. Musically explosive - atomic loud sound, bullet-fast guitar riffs, at certain times entwined with killer mid-pace division, hell-thrashing drum bombings, deadly raging vocals - enforcing all the skulls and bones shatter into pieces. NH.377 is undoubtedly an apocalypse of total destruction, beware of its infinite threats!…

Review: SCARAB - Martyrs of the Storm


SCARAB - “Martyrs of the Storm” (CD2020)
Very interesting! The band is from Cairo, Egypt and they are an intelligent Death Metal act that incorporates ancient Egyptian culture and spirituality, both musically and lyrically. Scarab seems to stand on its own definition in Death Metal compositions through this album entitled “Martyrs of the Storm”. A total of 10 tracks in 50 minutes; full of aggressive riffages in place, well-executed music arrangements, ingenious and soulful melodic elements while retaining the qualities of heaviness in their murky and muddy sound production. The presence of keyboards as well as orchestration inserts have further added dark nuances in their songs. You may not always be able to listen to Death Metal music like this because it comes from the African continent and is infused with Oriental/Arabic values. CD & 12" vinyl released on March 5, 2020 by Sweden’s ViciSolum Records.
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Review: BARKIN’ BENNY - The Legendary Barkin’ Benny


BARKIN’ BENNY - “The Legendary Barkin’ Benny” (2022)
Yes, I am an extreme metal enthusiast but at the same time I am still open to listening to other genres, even soft and pop music as long as it is good in my ears. Barkin’ Benny is one example of a musical variety that is enjoyed these days. This Finnish artist serves a different menu to be fed. It’s non-typical music, a distinctive way and what I like most is its creative works. His genre is not too peculiar in the underground music scene. Barkin’ Benny is in the Industrial category, mixed with elements of hardcore/punk, EDM, techno, noise-rock and of course the basics are hard, heavy & rugged guitar sounds as well as fierce & furious vocals. The debut full-length entitled “The Legendary Barkin’ Benny” which offered 10 songs at a total playing time of 36:20 minutes was a treat that made my day different from the rest. You should try it or else you will just be imprisoned in your own world.

Review: KARTZAROT - L


KARTZAROT - “L” (2019)
Kartzarot is Hard Rock and Heavy Metal musically, and in-between of both genres. "L" is the most recent full-length from the band based in Bilbao, Spain. It is self-produced, contains 7 songs that are well-composed and meet the characteristics of the music category mentioned earlier, there is even ballad elements to add more color in their style. Their riffs and beats are rich in ideas, techniques and energies, and they are heavy and catchy. Rhythmic and solos section are really incredible. With solid sound quality as well as imposing vocal tones, I conclude this is a thoughtful and awe-inspiring product. Fantastic stuff!

Review: TEARS OF FIRE - Relics of Ancient Love


TEARS OF FIRE - “Relics of Ancient Love” (CD 2021)
Tears Of Fire is based in Berlin, Germany but its musicians are actually from Iran and Sweden. The band has released a new full-length (second album if I’m not mistaken) entitled “Relics of Ancient Love” in December 2021, where the CD & cassette is available via Austria’s Grazil Records. It featured 9 tracks, around 45 minutes, and unexpectedly throughout this runtime I heard something unique and outstanding in my ears. The band has expertise in composing songs, has such a high level and great value of creativity. The capability of Tears Of Fire is so remarkable with the inclusion of oriental / middle-eastern elements as well as the use of additional instruments. The music is basically Funeral Doom Metal, but Tears Of Fire doesn’t sound like the other bands you usually listen to. The album as a whole is wonderfully extraordinary, which will leave you captivated and stunned. With all the atmospheric, melancholic, gloominess ingredients they have as well as the viscous and weighty dark/doom metal riffs, I think “Relics of Ancient Love” is a masterpiece. Highly recommended!

Review: PALACH - Palach


PALACH - “Palach” (2022)
Thanks to Michaël Seïdoff for emailing and introducing me to this band from Liège, Belgium. Palach is a project by four members started together in April 2021 with a very specific style made up with Sludge Metal and Doom, completed by a small touch of Psychedelic and Hardcore Metal. After a few shows they decided to go to a recording studio in the beginning of March 2022 and it resulted the release of their debut ‘self-titled’ album, launched officially on April 8th, 2022. The underground music of todays is clearly evolving in terms of ideas and tastes and musicians are getting smarter to get out of the ordinary, offering something fresher and varied without leaving the essence of the underground music itself. This is the attitude and spirit that Palach has and they do it in top-notch quality through all six tracks on this album. A killer effort!

Review: DALISAY - Ang Trahedya ng Dalisay at Ketungin


DALISAY - “Ang Trahedya ng Dalisay at Ketungin” (CD 2021)
Damn, this is totally awesome! Truly fucking old-school Death thrashing Metal devastation! “Ang Trahedya ng Dalisay at Ketungin” is the debut full-length of Philippines’ Dalisay, a 7-track conceptual album with all lyrics written in their native language. Musically it’s ravaging Death Metal; intensely dominated with high-speed guitar riffages, sliced with furious Thrash strikes, infused with some haunting Blackened/Symphonic components, pummeling drums & bass, devilishly sadistic vocals...everything sounds feral & cutthroat! These are not the extreme works you hear every day from most bands. Dalisay offers a twist in their music that is imbued with an exotic spirit. After the entire album is played, we will definitely agree and acknowledge that this is a hard-hitting Death Metal album that is worth checking out!…Tremendous!

Review: WAR & SIN - The War Within


WAR & SIN - “The War Within” (CD 2021)
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia - Canada’s War & Sin is a 3-piece Progressive Rock act established somewhere in 2016 by fully-skilled and experienced musicians; Warren Robert (guitar, bass, keyboards/orchestration, percussion and background vocals), Greg Sinclair (lead and background vocals) and Tommy Maillet (drums). The 14-tracks album “The War Within” was officially released on July 31, 2021 - an elegant 60 minutes of comprehensively breathtaking guitar grooves, energetically hard and heavy, accompanied by prodigious melodies, soaring vocals/harmonies with dynamics and precision. This is a matured musicianship. This is a killer full-length album. This is Progressive Rock with an edge! FFO: Symphony X, Motley Crue, Van Halen, Extreme, and the like.

Review: 1917 - Omnicrisis


1917 - “Omnicrisis” (CD 2021)
Hailing from Buenos Aires, 1917 is a Death Metal band with strong Thrash Metal influences and even some hints of Black Metal. Active since 1994, with 10 official full-length albums & numerous miscellaneous releases (demo, split, compilation, etc) under their belt, the band has been considered one of the most prolific Argentinian Metal acts. “Omnicrisis” is the tenth album from 1917 which consists of Alejandro Sabransky (vocals, guitars, drum programming) and Mario Mansilla (bass), contains 9 tracks / 44 minutes of well-executed Death Metal tunes, intelligent in musical arrangement, packed with ideas among fast-paced and mid-tempo structures, heavily raging riffs interspersed with some dusky melodies. It’s hard to deny that this is an excellent album. Get it and thrash yourself to death!!!

Review: MAX MONTANARI - S.A.L.I.G.I.A. reborn


MAX MONTANARI - “S.A.L.I.G.I.A. reborn” (2021)
This rock music is full of warmth, served hot, delicious and very appetizing. Max Montanari through this album “S.A.L.I.G.I.A. reborn” delivers 7 songs / 30++ minutes of Hard and Heavy Rock that are really crisp and crunchy, full of 80s vibes, catchy guitar riffs & solos, captivating beats that will make listeners want to sing and dance non-stop. Max Montanari is a great, knowledgeable and experienced artist (from Italy). His vocal quality is very brilliant and it really sounds rocking out! After half an hour when all the songs in this album run out of spin, I feel kind of dissatisfied and want more from them. These Italian rockers are indeed the best. Check it out!

Review: RORAIMA - WR


RORAIMA - “WR” (CD 2021)
One of the interesting things about editing and publishing a fanzine is when you start getting press-kits and requests from all over the world involving unfamiliar as well as obscure bands. One of them is Roraima. Hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, the band has its own uniqueness in their creativity as they incorporate elements of local tribes, cultures and beliefs into the Atmospheric Black Metal they bring. “WR” (which I believe it means “Waraira Repano”, one of the songs on this album) has undeniable strength as well as appeal. In it there are vast ideas, unexpected energies, brilliant compositions, excellent soundscapes, emotions and various voice expressions. Comprised of Geiver Camacaro (all instruments) and Teresita Rodríguez (vocals), Roraima is a gloomy atmosphere Black Metal institution that is absorbed and infused with the spirits of nature and their folklore. This is an exploration into the mystical and melancholic realms at the same time. Feel it! 

Review: TWO FACE SINNER - Spiritual Nemesis


TWO FACE SINNER - “Spiritual Nemesis” (CD 2020)
Peruvian black/death master Two Face Sinner has been around for over 15 years and now they are back again with a new third full-length entitled “Spiritual Nemesis” released via Dutch label, Non Serviam Records in April 2020. Frankly I would like to say that this is a very high quality metal product in many respects; musicianship, songwriting, the nuances of the sound and the final production. The superiority of Two Face Sinner is truly formidable in all 10 tracks / 45++ minutes in total in this album especially regarding those solid tightnesses, intensity in aggressiveness, devilish riffs heightened with hellishly ravishing melodic elements, perfect equality of darkness and heaviness! “Spiritual Nemesis” carries the true definitions of ‘satanic’ and ‘misanthropic’ in the Black/Death Metal arts.

Review: WALK ALONE - Towards Death


WALK ALONE - “Towards Death” (EP 2021)
With no doubt, this band sounded surprising in my ears! The four-piece excellency Walk Alone from Chişinău, Moldova impressively blended the old-school Crossover Thrash and ground-stomping New York Hardcore-style through their new 2-track EP “Towards Death”, released on January 7th 2021. This is a very good return after five years where the last release of Walk Alone before this was “Warm Blooded” EP 2016. Although only two songs are featured in “Towards Death”, it is enough to prove that the band is of caliber and has a quality of its own. They are musically aggressive and loud, well-structured guitar riffs; heavy and intense, raging vocals, mind-blowing bang-your-head compositions! If you imagine Dirty Rotten Imbeciles mixed in with Agnostic Front, you’ll get Walk Alone.
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