Search results

Italy's The Secret is surely one of the most bewitching, uncompromising and feral bands I have come across in the last few years. Their third full-length effort “Solve et Coagula” marks the beginning of a partnership with Southern Lord and sees the Italian four-piece thrust and pillage their way...

The sinister and orchestral instrumental intro “Rise of the Hunted” kind of forewarns listeners for the utter chaos that is about to be unleashed when the first and proper theme from Seven Stitches’ debut full-length erupts from the speakers. Sporting an enormous dose of brutality, “Room” kicks...

Writing that Pitch Black is one of the most underrated Portuguese acts would be a terrible cliché that probably manifests a compassion that these five fellows don’t need and never asked for. Their debut full-length “Thrash Killing Machine” from 2005 might not have raised their...

Hailing from Lisbon – Portugal, Mourning Lenore peddles a solemn and grieving doom-metal that reminds me of the Holy Trinity of British Misery. That’d be Anathema before setting the controls for the heart of Pink Floyd, Paradise Lost before getting enamoured with all things Depeche...

Portugal’s Crushing Sun comes tagged as death-metal, yet exterior signs suggest that I’m not before a standard death-metal group. There’s no blasphemous title or a disgustingly repulsive album cover here, those typical attributes that almost everyone within the genre uses to gain credibility and...

Here’re some thoughts on Night Is The New Day: Decibel Magazine: http://decibelmagazine.com/Content.aspx?ncid=339413 Ultimate Guitar: http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/katatonia/night_is_the_new_day/index.html Big Distraction...

Interview with bassist and keyboardist Martin Hanner done in October here: http://scratchthesurface-webzine.blogspot.com/2009/10/skyfire-interview-with-martin-hanner.html

Interview with Oysten G. Brun done in March here: http://scratchthesurface-webzine.blogspot.com/2009/03/borknagar-interview-with-ystein-g-brun.html

A new update of Scratch the Surface webzine is already on-line featuring interviews with Borknagar, Buried Inside, Divine Lust and Isole. New reviews: IXXI, Blut Aus Nord, Tribazik and Throne of Katarsis More info at: http://scratchthesurface-webzine.blogspot.com

A new update of Scratch the Surface webzine is already on-line featuring interviews with The Firstborn, Satans Revolver and Mencea. New reviews: Absu, Khors, Konkhra, Hatesphere, The Burning, Ground of Ruin, Tardy Brothers and Miss Lava. Stay tuned at...

It’s well-known the last few years have been extremely difficult for the Brazilian group Sepultura. The acrimonious split with former frontman Max Cavalera a few years back have triggered a number of ill-fated events that threatened the continuity of one of the greatest forces in heavy music...

A new update of Scratch the Surface webzine is already on-line featuring interviews with Hatesphere, Konkhra, Submission, Dawn of Demise, Crocell, The Cleansing, Sickseed and Mencea. Stay tuned at: http://scratchthesurface-webzine.blogspot.com

“Hels Vite” marks a new beginning in the career of Swedish group Thyrfing with the introduction of new vocalist Jens Rydén formerly of Naglfar as the replacement for Thomas Väänänen, who departed last year along with guitarist Henrik Svegsjö, following a whole decade holding the microphone in...

Long running Gothic-Metal act Flowing Tears have been preparing the follow-up to their “Razorbliss” record for over four years now, suggesting that something very special and carefully crafted was to be expected. Indeed, “Thy Kingdom Gone” sounds well-written and refined, practically with no...

There seems to be an increasing number of American bands stepping into the Norse-territory of Black-Metal in the past few years and bare a few notable exceptions (Wolves in the Throne Room and Natchmystium), I can’t say it’s a particularly enthralling movement considering most of them have...

Norway’s contribution to the metal world doesn’t cease to amaze! Not only is their scene renowned for being extremely prolific, it’s also becoming incredibly diverse and bewitching with likes of Audrey Horne, Sahg, Trinacria and some others orbiting outside the common Black-Metal sphere joining...

Initial fears that Gojira could venture towards a more widespread and mainstream path given the immeasurable success obtained by “From Mars to Sirius” and the high-profiled collaboration of guitarist and vocalist Joe Duplantier with the Cavalera brothers in The Cavalera Conspiracy project reveal...

Cynic’s debut album “Focus” was such an incredible and groundbreaking work when it came out in 1993 that even today it is heralded as one of the landmarks of Progressive Death-Metal. Their innovative fusion of fierce Death-Metal riffs with intricate Prog melodies and experimental jazz structures...

It’s extremely hard to pin down in words why Burst’s “Lazarus Bird” is such an addictive, invigorating and rewarding listening. Perhaps it’s their persistent refusal to avoid tags and preconceptions by incorporating a wide variety of layers, styles and textures in such a compelling and exciting...

What initially started as a side-project for Sentenced’s vocalist Ville Laihiala to rust-off his fingers on the fret-board had turned into his main occupation following the heavily mourned burial of Sentenced three years ago. It’s curious to find out that the Finns have been slowly distancing...