Review: CBTWE @ Rocka Rolla webzine

Lord Impaler, the most veteran in these proceedings, was the band that I liked most of the three, thanks to their orthodox and tight black metal, and even say that has a hint of groove in their music. Definitely a band I’d like to hear more in the future.

Como siempre comento en estos casos, el Split es una excelente forma de darse a conocer para las bandas que carecen de los recursos para editar un álbum por si solas. En general es así (puede haber otras concepciones), pero también sirve para fomentar la camaradería entre bandas del mismo palo.

En este caso, tenemos tres bandas griegas enroladas en el metal extremo, arrancando Dizziness con dos temas de puro black bien agresivo y brutal, standard pero efectivo.

Lord Impaler, la más veterana en estas lides, fue la banda que más me gustó de las tres, merced a su black ortodoxo y ajustado, y hasta diría que tiene una pizca de groove en su música. Definitivamente una banda de la que me gustaría escuchar más en un futuro.

Por ultimo tenemos a Hell Poemer, los cuales dotan a su black extremo de una dosis épica y hasta me atrevería a decir sinfónica, interesante banda también.

En síntesis, tres bandas con un hilo conductor pero que sin embargo muestran sus características propias, redundando en 36 minutos de buen black metal underground.

Javier Salaverry

source: http://rockarollazine.blogspot.gr/2016/12/dizziness-lord-impaler-hell-poemer.html

Review: CBTWE @ Metal Invader

It is known that in recent years in our country, there is an upward trend in releases of extreme sound, in terms of both quality and quantity. Within this context, it is worth turning our attention to last March, the month during which a 3-way-split between Lord Impaler, Dizziness and Hell Poemer was released, including two tracks from each band (six pieces total).

The album opens with the Athenians Dizziness, with the songs “Goddess Of The Moon” and “Harpies”, lasting about seven minutes each. The first track is quite dark, walking in the paths of the traditional “fast” Black Metal, with a melodious passage somewhere in the middle of it. It has good scalability and synthetic sequence, which in combination with the “spatial” of their aura, make the music sound transcendent. The screaming vocals and theatricality displayed, add passion to the track. The second song is a bit more epic, especially from the third minute onwards. More straightforward and a bit more “catchy” in terms of rhythms and riff. Of course, the term used has no negative connotations or color. In this track we have a guest appearance by Iapetos 666 / Unholy Archangel and Kerveros / Athos on vocals.

Lord Impaler from Kastoria follow up next, with “A Fire That Burns” and a cover of “Call From The Grave”. True to their origins and style, Lord Impaler do not deviate from the nature of their music. The first track starts quickly, having strong dynamics and catchy / smart guitars, supported by robust drums, which seem to be the backbone of the piece. There are several variations to the rhythm and an interesting recitation in Greek language in the middle of the track. The second piece that Lord Impaler have included is a cover of Bathory’s “Call From The Grave”, where they experimented a little. They brought the piece to their action, putting their own touch. They increased the rhythms in some parts and played a bit with the guitars. They essentially did an adaptation of the song, not another cover.

Hell Poemer from Ioannina are next. This is their first release after their first full length album “Arcane Mysteries of Dead Ancestors”. Their first track here, “The Sacral Knot of Hierophant” belongs to the category of fast Black Metal, but includes woodwinds, keyboards and choral vocals. It has nice guitar passages and a beautiful outro that blends nicely with the rest of the composition. Even though in synthetic and style terms it’s different from the pieces that preceded it, it leaves a nice impression to the listener. In their second song “My Dreams Will Stay Frozen On The Mountains”, I felt that the vocals are buried somewhere in the background, with the keys to dominate the final sonic outcome. This could be the way the band wanted this track to sound, no objection to that, however I fell that this way the track can’t unfold its dynamic as it should / need. Great effort, nonetheless.

This three way split release between Lord Impaler, Dizziness and Hell Poemer, can find a place in the collection of every Black Metal enthusiast, especially of those who like it the Greek way. Remarkable effort by all three of the groups. It will please many of you. Check!

4.5 / 6

Elpida Baphomet

source: http://metalinvader.net/lord-impaler-dizziness-hell-poemer-carved-by-the-winds-eternal/

Review: CBTWE @ Dark-World.ru

Lord Impaler are the most senior representatives of the “split”, […] in this case their black prayers very well summon the clouds of hatred and misanthropy. […] To summarize, I would say that the split is really very strong and has no flaws.

–Google translated summary

Сплит из трех греческих команд, которые очень схожи по духу. И дело тут даже не в том, что все трое играют один жанр, а в том, что настрой композиций очень схож и слушается все не как какой-то сборник, а как вполне полноценный альбом. Крепкий, как скала, и очень атмосферный, словно лес после дождя.

Первую группу, думаю, особо представлять не стоит, ведь в наших краях о ней наверняка знает почти каждый уважающий себя металлист. Коллектив играет довольно мелодичный классический блэк с частыми переходами на захватывающую дух эпичность. В данном случае два трека, которые представляет Dizziness, именно так и распланированы. Т.е. если “Goddess Of The Moon” – это сплошная мелодика, без всякой агрессии и больше отдающая печалью и задумчивостью, то второй трек – это уже идеальный провожатый Rotting Christ. Присущая музыке хтоническая заколдованность так и извивается черным змеем, а во второй половине даже можно найти раммштайновский рифф из “Keine Lust”, который, конечно же, звучит совсем не по-берлински.

А вот вторая группа уже не кружит голову средневековой эпикой и звучит более жестоко и прямолинейно. Lord Impaler являются самыми старшими представителями “раскола”, но за время существования издали всего один полноформатник. Не знаю, что они выдают на альбоме, но в данном случае их черные молитвы очень хорошо созывают тучи ненависти и настоящей мизантропии. Во втором треке я даже услышал кое-какую схожесть с австралийским проектом Nocturnal, отчего мне вновь захотелось его переслушать. Думаю, что надо будет в ближайшее время обязательно ознакомиться и с их полноформатом.

Группа Hell Poemer же, помимо агрессии, в своей музыке использует большое количество клавиш, отчего звучит более сказочно и мистично. Тут они решили даже разделить свой материал на так называемые “боевик” и “балладу”. Это я к тому, что первый трек бушует, словно разъяренный ураган, разнося в клочья буквально все, что попадается на пути. А вторая тема, словно сон, уносит слушателя по волнам мечтаний и внутренних переживаний. Симфоника всех песен также очень гармонично разбавлена соло-партиями и хоралами, делая 10 минут своего звучания очень разнообразными и быстро пролетающими. Быстро пролетающий момент, конечно, не очень радует, но уж буду довольствоваться тем, что есть.

Подводя итог, скажу, что сплит действительно очень крепкий и не имеет никаких изъянов. Все три группы поработали на славу, оставив после себя очень красочные, а главное запоминающиеся эмоции. Но если мне будет задан вопрос, кто все же лучший, то я, наверное, все-таки склонюсь в сторону Hell Poemer.

source: http://dark-world.ru/reviews/7690

Review: CBTWE @ Lords of Metal

‘Carved By The Winds Eternal’ is threeway split album by the Greek acts Dizziness, Lord Impaler and Hell Poemer.

Dizziness delivers the first two tracks. They play traditional black metal with quite an epic feel in the slower parts. The melodies are quite melancholy at times and Dizziness offers a rather enjoyable overall experience akin to early Rotting Christ.

Lord Impaler too offers two tracks of which one is a cover of Bathory’s ‘Call From The Grave’. Lord Impaler plays black metal with a high dose melodic death metal influences and as such sounds akin to Naglfar. Played with conviction and passion, but slightly too generic to impress.

The final two songs are by Hell Poemer. A band that dabbles with a more symphonic style of black metal to create a larger than life atmosphere. With a similar melodic style as Rotting Christ and a Dimmu Borgir-like approach to song-writing Hell Poemer sounds quite modern and energetic. Heavy on the synths and melodies Hell Poemer is quite accessible, but also a slightly generic.

As a whole the ‘Carved By The Winds Eternal’ serves its purpose well: to introduce three unknown Greek acts simultaneously and while these are hardly groundbreaking the overall impression is quite positive.

Roel De Haan: 72/100

source: http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/en/reviews/view/id/32750

Review: CBTWE @ Metaleye

Ottimo split album incentrato su sonorità black metal questo Carved By The Winds Eternal, che ci presenta un tris di gruppi ellenici, da non sottovalutare.

Due brani a testa bastano a chi non conosce le band in questione, già attive da diversi anni ed assolutamente in grado di soddisfare i palati estremi dei black metallers sparsi per il globo.

Si parte con i Dizziness, quartetto di Atene in marcia verso l’inferno dal 2008 e con un’abbondante discografia che consta di due full length ed un mare di split e demo.
Pescando dalla tradizione ellenica, e senza dimenticare la lezione impartita dai gruppi scandinavi, il loro sound è un intenso e quanto mai riuscito esempio di black vario, tra furiose accelerazioni, ritmiche marziali e momenti pregni di atmosfere mistiche.

Goddess of the Moon e Άρπυιες esplodono in un susseguirsi di colpi di scena, marciando nell’oscurità di caverne scavate da famelici orchi, le atmosfere cangianti (ora guerresche, ora mistiche, ora pregne di malata oscurità) esaltano l’ascolto, sicuramente un gruppo da approfondire.

Più canonico e brutale il sound dei Lord Impaler, fondati addirittura nel 1998, ma con un solo full length all’attivo (Admire the Cosmos Black del 2011).

Raw black metal che, se ad un primo ascolto può ricordare gli Immortal, ne prende subito le distanze conservando il mood tipico delle bands mediterranee, sound caldo, riff che nel loro consolidato estremismo si nutrono di melodia, oscura, evil, ma sempre perfettamente bilanciata con la tempesta di caos metallico del genere.

I cinque musicisti, pur discostandosi dalla proposta dei loro dirimpettai, non mancano di offrire una prova sopra la media, meno lavorata nelle atmosfere, ma convincente nell’impatto.

Ma il bello deve ancora arrivare e The Sacral Knot of Hierophant ci accompagna nel buio della caverna, dove in agguato ci aspettano i mostruosi abitanti degli oscuri anfratti dimenticati dal tempo.

Loro sono gli Hell Poemer, da poco più di dieci anni in attività e con un solo full length licenziato nel 2013 (Arcane Mysteries of Dead Ancestors): il loro black metal si impreziosisce di clamorose note pianistiche, creando un’atmosfera di oscura melanconia.
Il primo brano di cui sopra tiene alta la tensione metallica, ci si accorge subito che la musica è cambiata e My Dreams Will Stay Frozen on the Mountains ci rapisce definitivamente, con un black metal melodico sorretto da una base pianistica dai rimandi gothic, l’aura che si crea è di elevata epicità dark; il gruppo accompagna il tutto con una marziale danza elettrica, solitudine e misantropia escono prepotentemente dalle note dei tasti d’avorio, mentre lo screamer decanta storie immerso nell’oscurità.

Con tre band delle quali vale la pena approfondire la discografia, aspettando eventuali sviluppi futuri, Carved By The Winds Eternal risulta uno dei più riusciti split degli ultimi tempi.

Alberto Centenari – 8/10

source: http://metaleyes.iyezine.com/lord-impaler-dizziness-hell-poemer-carved-by-the-winds-eternal/

Review: CBTWE @3rdEyeCinema

This is an all-Greek split of a trio of black metal acts.

Dizziness comes first, and kicks off with a track that plays very much by the Satanic Warmaster rulebook both vocally and musically (“goddess of the moon”), which gives them a major check mark towards the positive in my book. They’re a bit more folkish and mournful than anthemically melodic in tone, but it’s clearly walking the same grim roads as Finland’s finest. Nice.

Unfortunately, they misstep somewhat with their unpronounceable to English tongues second track (your guess on that title is as good as mine, have at it). It’s not terrible, but far less atmospheric and evocative. A serious letdown in tone and style after the grandeur of “goddess”.

Lord Impaler is up next, and they’re working more of a Norwegian sort of thing bordering on Swedish but never quite going “Norsecore” either. It’s that strain of unimpressive late 90’s/early millenium Nordic black metal that bands like, say, Ancient tended to put out. I’d say 1349, Tsjuder or post-Euronymous Mayhem as well, but it’s more generic than the latter and not as Norsecore as the first two.

Even their cover of “call from the grave” kinda sucks – didn’t sound like Bathory in the least. Overall? Very bland and unimpressive, if listenable for the type.

Hell Poemer has a bit more individual character and feels a tad more Rotting Christ in the spastic yet very trad metal-oriented riffing, though the prominent if quirky keyboards bring it somewhere else entirely. The guitarist is pretty decent, actually crafting proper solos with structured individual phrases. If it didn’t start off with Dizziness’ “goddess of the moon”, the standout track of this split would easily have been “the sacral knot of heirophant”.

“My dreams will stay frozen on the mountains” gives the keyboards even more prominence and strays straight into Magica territory, with just a hint of Gloomy Grim to offset all the gothic/symphonic metalness of the affair. Personally, I loved Lightseeker (and to a lesser extent, Hereafter), so this worked for me as well…just didn’t feel very black metal in the end.

Taken on the whole, this is a very strong split that shows the contemporary Greek black metal scene in a positive light: even the least of the acts here (cough Lord Impaler) isn’t exactly lightweight fluff, with nary a Watain wannabe in sight.

Horns up, to be sure.

source: https://thirdeyecinema.wordpress.com/2016/07/07/august-supplemental-roundup-satanath-records-and-symbol-of-domination-records/

Interview: 2016, July 20. Tragon @OccultBlackMetal zine

1. Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?
Tragon: We are currently finishing the recording of our second full length album “In Full Regalia” and also working on new songs for a split release in 2017 and a third album.

2. Currently you are working on a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
Tragon: “Admire The Cosmos Black” was an album we hadn’t planned and contained songs from different eras of the band. This time we had a more clear vision and there was only one main composer, which makes the songs more cohesive and homogenous. We also went a little more aggressive, there are songs in the new album that offer more time to headbang than what we used to have in the past.

3. Your lyrics cover some Ancient Hellenic Pride and Anti Christian themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in those topics?
Tragon: These are only some of the subjects that generally interest me and I spend time studying. The band is my preferred channel to speak about those specific issues. We are an anti-religious band, and since we happen to live in a Christian country our lyrics are antichristian. When I am not touching this subject, I either speak of the Ancient Greek world (we were always fascinated from the Greek mythology, and to be honest with you, I would personally prefer the “official” religion of Greece, if there has to be one, to be the ethnic mythos of Greece instead of the ethnic mythos of Judea that currently is) or the history of Vlad Tepes a.k.a. the “Dracula”.

4. I know that the band was named after ‘Vlad Tepes’, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this historical character?
Tragon: When we started the band we were fascinated by the stories around Vlad, both the historic one, as well as the fictitious “Dracula” of Bram Stoker. Who doesn’t like brutal heroes who impale their enemies and vampire stories, right? Above all, the title “Lord Impaler” felt really fitting for a black metal band and this was the deciding factor…

5. What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
Tragon: Lord Impaler have only played live 3 times, the last one was 2 months ago, and the one before that was 16 years ago. Our latest show, supporting Rotting Christ, was certainly the best we have given, a traditional black metal show with blood, corpse paint and a great atmosphere.

6. Do you have any touring or show plans for the future?
Tragon: We are in the talks for some shows in November but we don’t have any dates booked right now. We keep our ears open for opportunities to play more shows.

7. Recently you where a part of a split with ‘Dizziness’ and ‘Hell Poemer’, what are your thoughts on the other bands that had participated on the album?
Tragon: They are both an excellent sample of Greek black metal. Each one has developed their own brand, Dizziness are closer to the primitive Hellenic Pagan black (alongside cult bands like Nergal and Athos), while Hell Poemer are closer to the classic Greek black metal sound but expand on it in modern ways. Worth checking their other works.

8. Also on the split you had done a cover of Bathory’s “Call From the Grave”, what was the decision behind doing your own version of this song?
Tragon: Whenever we do a cover we are picking on songs that we would have done differently. We don’t really see the point in re-making a song of a band that plays similar music with us and just performing their song as it is. With “Call…” we felt we could really make it shine in our style and so we went for it.

9. On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your current music by fans of black metal?
Tragon: People around the globe seem to genuinely enjoy our music. We’ve got a lot of positive feedback and it’s only getting better over the years. Of course there has been the occasional bad review every now and then, which we welcome and appreciate (that’s how you learn you need to improve usually), and it mostly boils down to “we’re not original enough”, which I am fine with: we never tried to innovate much, we’re playing the music we like to listen to. There are bands like Virus or Dødheimsgård who try to re-invent themselves every album. We are not this kind of band.

10. When will the new album be released?
Tragon: I really cannot give you an estimate. We hope to finish it in 2016, but even if all go as planned, it will then depend on any labels that may express interest in it. Generally, we hope for a release this year.

11. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your newer music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
Tragon: We have always been fans of Norwegian and Swedish black metal, and it shows. This isn’t something we try to do, it has become a personal style of composing (as far as I can tell at least, from working closely with Lord Nebulah, our main composer). Bands that shaped us, hmm, I will say Emperor, Immortal, Dark Funeral, Marduk, Satyricon, but again influences aren’t something we consciously choose, and we’re listening to lots of different stuff that might have crept in our minds in some way. Currently I am listening to Behexen’s latest album and recently added Imperium Infernalis’ “Imago Dei” on rotation. This last one is another excellent sample of contemporary Greek black metal.

12. How would you describe your views on Occultism?
Tragon: I am living in the age of logic, which means no gods, no devils, no fairies. However I do find occult theories somewhat fascinating and when I have time to spare I do read occult books. Whenever I reference anything religious in my lyrics, they mask something deeper, they are just a symbolic link to what I really want to talk about. For example, Satan is the rebellious free man, I am not a Satanist, but you will see him mentioned A LOT in our third album…

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Tragon: Firstly, I would like to point everyone to our official Bandcamp page at http://lordimpaler.bandcamp.com where you can listen to our entire discography. We recently uploaded a compilation named “Demology – The Decade of Obscurity”, which is free to get and covers our first decade, our demo era. Secondly, a word to all metal fans: SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SCENE. Going to a local concert, buying a DIY product, getting the word out, it makes all the difference in the world. Give the underground bands the time to stand on their feet for when the dinosaurs die off. Last (but certainly not least), thank you for this interview. We greatly appreciate the time and effort you put into it. ΧΑΙΡΕ!

source: http://occultblackmetalzine.blogspot.gr/2016/07/lord-impaler-interview.html

Interview:2016, May 8. Tragon @RockOverdose.gr

Οι Lord Impaler είναι μια ελληνική melodic Black Metal μπάντα, με έντονες τις Σκανδιναβικές Black Metal επιρροές αλλά και μπάντες όπως οι Dark Funeral, Meyhem, Immortal.
Δημιουργήθηκαν στην Καστοριά στο τέλος του 1998, και έχουν ένα full length album το οποίο κυκλοφόρησε το 2010 με τίτλο “Admire The Cosmos Black”, αφού πριν από αυτή τη κυκλοφορία ‘πρόλαβαν’ να μπουν σε παύση για κάποια χρόνια, αλλά και να κυκλοφορήσουν αρκετά demos, κάτι το οποίο συνεχίστηκε (η κυκλοφορία demos) μέχρι και σχεδόν τους πρώτους μήνες του 2016.
Αυτή την εποχή έχουν στα σκαριά τη κυκλοφορία του δεύτερου LP τους.
Πριν από λίγες μέρες το Rock Overdose ήρθε σε επαφή με τον τραγουδιστή των Lord Impaler, Tragon και είχε μια φιλική κουβέντα μαζί του σε ότι αφορά στη μπάντα αλλά και στην επερχόμενη εμφάνιση τους μαζί με τους Rotting Christ στη Καστόρια την ερχόμενη Παρασκευή στις 8.30 το βραδάκι στο Prague Draft live stage.

Rock Overdose: Σας καλωσορίζουμε στο Rock Overdose!

Tragon: Γεια σας. Χαίρομαι που τα ξαναλέμε!

Rock Overdose: Ξεκινώντας θα θέλαμε να μας συστήσετε τους μουσικούς που αποτελούνε τη μπάντα και να μας πείτε με λίγα λόγια για την ιστορία σας.

Tragon: Αυτή τη στιγμή η μπάντα αποτελείται από τους Tragon (φωνή), Lord Nebulah (κιθάρα), Phlegethon (μπάσο), Aenaon (κιθάρα), Nodens (τύμπανα). Ξεκινήσαμε πίσω στο μακρινό 1998, και μετά από αρκετές αλλαγές στο line-up και τη μουσική μας ταυτότητα βγήκαμε από την demo εποχή μας το 2011 οπότε και κυκλοφορήσαμε το ντεμπούτο μας “Admire The Cosmos Black”. Έκτοτε έχουμε μια σταθερή πορεία προς τα πάνω και προσπαθούμε κάθε χρόνο να παράγουμε και κάτι νέο, με πιο πρόσφατη κυκλοφορία ένα 3-way split με τους Αθηναίους Dizziness και τους Γιαννιώτες Hell Poemer, ονόματι “Carved By The Winds Eternal”.

Rock Overdose: Αλήθεια, ποιός ο λόγος που δεν κάνατε live επί 16 χρόνια;

Tragon: Κυρίως τα προβλήματα με το line-up. Αμέσως μετά την κυκλοφορία του “Admire…” μείναμε μόλις δυο μέλη, οπότε μας ήταν πολύ δύσκολο να βρούμε τη δύναμη και τα άτομα για να το κάνουμε.

Rock Overdose: Στο ενεργητικό σας έχετε μια συνεργασία με τον drummer των Mayhem, πως προέκυψε;

Tragon: Όταν κανονίζαμε να ανεβούμε στη Νορβηγία για να κάνουμε το “Admire…” ρωτήσαμε τον Knut αν θεωρούσε πιθανό να παίξει τα τύμπανα ο Hellhammer, δεδομένου ότι έχουν παρτίδες από τους Arcturus. Φυσικά η ερώτηση έγινε μεταξύ σοβαρού και αστείου, αλλά ο Knut όντως ρώτησε και ο Hellhammer όντως έπαιξε.

Rock Overdose: Ποια τα μελλοντικά σχέδια σας;

Tragon: Αυτή τη στιγμή έχουμε την προσοχή μας στραμμένη στο live με τους Rotting Christ. Αν πάει καλά δεν αποκλείεται να κυνηγήσουμε κάποιες εμφανίσεις ακόμα. Μετά θα πέσουμε με τα μούτρα στην ολοκλήρωση του δεύτερου full length μας ονόματι “In Full Regalia”, με την ελπίδα να το έχουμε έτοιμο φέτος. Παράλληλα έχουμε ήδη αρχίσει να δουλεύουμε και σε νέο υλικό.

Rock Overdose: Ποια η σχέση σας με τον χριστιανισμό και ποια η φιλοσοφία της μουσικής σας;

Tragon: Οι Lord Impaler είναι για μένα ένα κανάλι που μου επιτρέπει να εξωτερικεύω διάφορες σκέψεις μου, καθώς και να «προκαλώ» συζητήσεις, όπως άλλωστε νομίζω πρέπει να κάνει κάθε τέχνη που σέβεται τον εαυτό της. Οι στίχοι μας είναι κατά βάση αντιθρησκευτικοί, και λόγω του κοινωνικού μας πλαισίου ειδικότερα, αντιχριστιανικοί. Από εκεί και πέρα βέβαια δεν λείπουν οι αναφορές στον αρχαιοελληνικό κόσμο αλλά και στην επική ιστορία του Vlad Tepes.

Rock Overdose: Είστε μια από τις καλύτερες μπάντες της Καστοριάς, πιστεύετε πως αν ήσασταν σε άλλη πόλη θα ήσασταν πιο γνωστοί ή όταν μιλάμε για underground μπάντες ο τόπος δεν παίζει μεγάλο ρόλο;

Tragon: Ο τόπος παίζει ρόλο μόνο στην δυνατότητα που σου παρέχει να βρίσκεις μουσικούς και ευκαιρίες να παίξεις ζωντανά. Από εκεί και πέρα, το internet έχει ισοπεδώσει τέτοια προβλήματα.

Rock Overdose: Πως προέκυψε το split που κάνατε πρόσφατα με δύο άλλες μπάντες;

Tragon: Ήταν μια ιδέα του Σταύρου (Dizziness), εμείς ήμασταν κάπως μπλοκαρισμένοι πέρυσι οπότε δεν είχαμε τη δυνατότητα να δουλέψουμε σε πιο μεγάλο project και αποφασίσαμε να μην αφήσουμε τον καιρό να πάει χαμένος. Όταν πια έπεσε στο τραπέζι η πρόταση για 3η μπάντα, αμέσως το μυαλό μας πήγε στους Hell Poemer που τους είχαμε δει με τους Varathron και πιστεύαμε ότι θα πήγαιναν γάντι, όπως και έγινε.

Rock Overdose: Μιας και δεν κάνατε live τόσο καιρό, τα όποια κέρδη είχατε ως συγκρότημα προέκυπταν από τις πωλήσεις των δίσκων σας. Ποια η άποψη σας για την πειρατεία;

Tragon: Κατ’ αρχήν η πειρατεία είναι κλοπή. Το αν κλέβεις από την μπάντα, από την εταιρία, από τον διανομέα, δεν ξέρω κι εγώ από ποιον, λίγη σημασία έχει. Από εκεί και πέρα όμως, για τις underground μπάντες ο #1 εχθρός είναι η αφάνεια, οπότε δεν χρειάζεται παράνοια. Σαφώς όμως για να μπορέσει μια μπάντα να τα βγάλει πέρα και να συνεχίσει να παράγει μουσική χρειάζεται υλική υποστήριξη. Το κόστος σπάνια είναι πάνω από ένα επιπλέον ποτό για τον οπαδό, όμως μπορεί να κάνει τεράστια διαφορά για μια μπάντα. Βάλτε λοιπόν το χέρι στην τσέπη και ΣΤΗΡΙΞΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΤΟΠΙΚΗ ΣΚΗΝΗ ΣΑΣ!

Rock Overdose: Σε λίγες μέρες θα κάνετε το πρώτο live σας ανοίγοντας για τους Rotting Christ. Προϊδεάστε μας για το τι θα ακολουθήσει.

Tragon: Κοίταξε, 16 χρόνια από το προηγούμενο live είναι πολλά, ο κόσμος έχει πολλές προσδοκίες, οπότε έχουμε όπως είναι λογικό αρκετό στρες. Πιστεύω πάντως πως δεν θα απογοητεύσουμε κανέναν. Από εκεί και πέρα, είμαστε παραδοσιακοί blacksters οπότε μπορείτε να περιμένετε καρφιά, μπογιά και αγνό black metal. Δείτε το videoclip μας για το “Admire The Cosmos Black” και θα πάρετε μια γεύση. Όσο για το setlist, έχει κάτι από τα παλιά, αλλά θα ακούσετε και ένα χορταστικό μέρος του δίσκου που έρχεται.

Rock Overdose: Και τέλος, δυο λόγια προς τους αναγνώστες και το κοινό της Καστοριάς.

Tragon: Ξέρουμε ότι οι καιροί είναι δύσκολοι, αλλά ελπίζουμε οι καστοριανοί να έρθουν και να στηρίξουν το event, γιατί κακά τα ψέματα venues δεν υπάρχουν και αν χαθούν τα 1-2 μαγαζιά που κάνουν ακόμα live θα έρθουν πολύ πιο δύσκολες μέρες και θα πρέπει να τρέχουμε στις γύρω πόλεις για να δούμε ένα show. Αυτά εν πολλοίς, και κλείνω επαναλαμβάνοντας ΣΤΗΡΙΞΤΕ ΤΗΝ ΤΟΠΙΚΗ ΣΑΣ ΣΚΗΝΗ!

Για το Rock Overdose

Ευθύμης Κοκκινόπουλος

source: http://rockoverdose.gr/archives/156224

Interview: 2016, March 6. Tragon @ Metal Invader

Since recently things are in motion in Lord Impaler’s camp, Metal Invader seized the change and talked with the band’s frontman Tragon. In this interview, Tragon elaborates on the band’s upcoming releases, their future concert plans and so much more! Take a look!

Good evening and welcome to Metal Invader! I hope everything’s fine!

You are a band that has several years of presence in the Greek Black Metal scene. You have released several demos, splits and a full length album entitled “Admire the Cosmos Black”. How do you think time has treated you all these years? Are you satisfied with your career so far?

Tragon: We’ve definitely had our mishaps, it’s actually quite reasonable after so many years, but overall we have no complaints. As you mentioned before, we were able to produce several releases and of course we continue walking this path. This is the essential purpose of any art, to create, to offer and if it’s reciprocated by the crowd, it gives you something back to carry on doing what you do.

As far as I know, at the moment you are working on your second album. Have you finished the recordings or the mixing / mastering process?

Tragon: Currently we are still recording. It has taken longer than we expected because we work a little differently than we did in the past and at some point we decided to take it all from the beginning in order to deliver the best result. As band that’s what we prefer, our work to have quality rather than quantity. Nonetheless, we are on track and if all goes well our work will be finished by the upcoming summer.

When you are thinking of releasing the record and via which company?

Tragon: It is too early to know. We will send some demos to some labels and we will move accordingly. Especially if a label will be involved and we don’t have to do things alone, then the release date does not depend solely on us.

Talk to us about the record’s creation process… Which synthesis pattern did you follow and how easy or difficult was it for you? Did you encounter any problems?

Tragon: Usually everything starts from an idea on guitar; we take it from there and expand it as far as possible without pressuring it, in order for it to become a skeleton of riffs that flows smoothly. After that, Nodens will clothe the pieces with drums, I’ll work ideas in the lyrics and vocal lines and slowly everything is transformed into a song. Of course nothing is considered finished until we do the mixing. For “In Full Regalia” now, the biggest share of load is shouldered by Lord Nebulah because when we started working we were just the two of us in the group, but now, having a full line-up enables us to easily find ideas, to filter things etc.

In the record “Admire the Cosmos Black” drums were handled by legend Hellhammer, whose musical course is enviable, to say the least. Will a cooperation of a similar caliber take place in your new effort?

Tragon: Only if it occurs naturally. We don’t try to engage the crowd by having big names in our records. If we feel that a particular musician will give that “magic” in a piece, we’ll surely consider it. And of course that’s something that doesn’t entirely rely on us. So far, however, there is no such cooperation for the next record.

Apart from the upcoming second full length disk, a split album titled “Carved By The Winds Eternal” is expected to be released, in which Hell Poemer and Dizzeness will participate. How did this happen?

Tragon: We had met the guys a long time ago and kept contact, so when the idea was created, we instantly agreed. In no case is this considered a “marriage of interest” since we are bands with matching style and switching from one band to the other does not surprise the listener.

The release of the split is expected in late March – early April… Have you agreed on a specific date or everything is cloudy at the moment?

Tragon: This depends on the labels that are responsible for this release. As soon as they provide us with a specific date, we will announce it to you, but keep in mind that it doesn’t depend on us. Our part ended when we handed the mastered editions.

In order to promote (as I understand) the release of the split, you released the track “The Fire That Burns” on 22^nd of February. It’s one of the two pieces that will be included in the split record. What’s the feedback you get from your fans? Are you satisfied?

Tragon: The track goes well. People liked it and that’s pleasing. This was the first time we handled the mixing / mastering process, so we’re expecting as much feedback as possible so that we can improve further.

On May 13^th you will play along with Rotting Christ in Kastoria! How do you feel about it?

Tragon: We are very happy, of course. Presenting our music live is something that we eagerly wanted to do and it’s something our listeners were asking from us for a long time now. We’re a little bit anxious because we want everything to be perfect, but I believe that no one will be disappointed.

Apart from this concert, do you have something else on your mind; perhaps a tour, inside / outside Greece, to support your upcoming record?

Tragon: We will try to play other show but at this moment I cannot say anything with certainty.

How do you about the Greek Black Metal scene nowadays (even if you walk in more Nordic trails compared to the local groups)? Is there a future?

Tragon: The Greek scene has always been strong and special, and definitely has a future. The fact that in previous years its value wasn’t weighted as it should perhaps worked positively and in favor of the scene, since it has not been commercialized as the scenes of Sweden and Norway, and maintains its sentimentality and edge. There are now countless bands producing quality music and have character, something missing from scenes abroad.

That’s all from me, thank you for the interview! Want to send a message to our readers?

Tragon: I’ll probably sound tedious and cliché, but support your local bands. The dinosaurs and monsters we all grew up with are slowly retiring. If you don’t give power to new bands to lift their heads I fear that we will end up with a dead genre and we will only listen to what big labels want us to. Thank you for the interview and your interest. Keep the flame burning!

source: http://metalinvader.net/interview-with-tragon-lord-impaler/

Review: CBTWE @OccultBlackMetal zine

This  is  a  review  of  a  3  way  split  album  between  Greece’s  Dizziness,  Lord  Impaler  and  Hell  Poemer  called  “Carved  By  The  Winds  Eternal”  which  was  released  by  Symbol  Of  Domination  Productions  and  we  will  start  off  the  review  with  Dizziness  a  band  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  traditional  form  of  Greek  black  metal.

There  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  atmospheric  soundscapes  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and raw  black  metal  direction  that  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  done  in  a  very  melodic  fashion  while  the  vocals  are  grim  yet  high  pitched  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful.

Both  of  their  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid paced   and  fast parts  and  the  riffs  also  bring  in  melodies  at  times   and  both  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  there  is  also  some  session  work  from  Iapettos  666  of  Unholy  Archangel  on  the  second  song,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  and  powerful  at  the  same  time  while the  lyrics  cover  folklore,  ancient  lore  and  mysticism  themes.

In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sound  recording  from  Dizziness  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  Greek  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  “Goddess  Of  the  Moon”.

Next  up  is  Lord  Impaler  a  band  that  plays  a  Hellenic  form  of  black  metal.

Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  fast,  raw  and  melodic  black  metal  sound  that  uses  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  along  with  some  tremolo  picking  while  the  vocals  are  grim  screams  and  you  can  also  hear  all  of   the  musical  instruments  that  are  present  on  their  side  of  the  split    and  both  of  their  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

There  is  also  a  brief  use  of  spoken  word  parts  while  the  second  song  is  a  cover  of  Bathory’s  “Call  From  The  Grave”   which  also  has  more  rawness  than  the  original   version,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  Anti  Christian  and  Ancient  Hellenic  Pride  themes.

In  my  opinion  Lord  Impaler  are  a  very  great  sounding  raw  Hellenic  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  “A  Fire  That  Burns”.

Closing  the  split  is  Hell  Poemer  a  band  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  plays  a  very  raw  and  epic  form  of  black  metal.

Their  side  of  the  split  starts  out  with  a  very  fast  and  raw  style  that  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking  while  also  mixing  it  in  with  melodic  guitar  leads  and  atmospheric  synths  while  the  vocals  are  grim  black  metal  screams  and  the  songs  also  bring  in  a  great  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and fast  parts.

All  of   the  musical  instruments  sound  very  powerful  and  the  second  track  has  a  more  tragic  approach  with  the  synths  while  also  adding  in  a  brief  use  of  acoustic  guitars  and  whispers,  the  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Ancient  Pride,  Philosophy  and  the  Dark  Side  Of  Nature.

In  my  opinion  this  is  another  very  great sounding  recording  from  Hell  Poemer  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  epic  and  raw  Greek  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of t he  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  “The  Sacral  Knot  Of  The  Hierophant”.

In  conclusion  I  feel  this  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  I would  recommend  it  to  all  fans  of  Greek  black  metal.  8  out  of  10.

source: http://occultblackmetalzine.blogspot.gr/2016/07/dizzinesslord-impalerhell-poemercarved.html