Carbonized Cells #2 (March 2011)

Carbonized Cells #2 (March 2011)

26 pg, A4, xerox, English

Interviews

Abnorm, Hellish Crossfire, Terror From Hell Records, Orator, Violator, Christicide, Massacra, Graveless, Milovan Novakovic

Gig Report

Hell's Pleasure Metal Fest

The zine said, "Still Dedicated to Underground & Extreme Music". Please continue. Don't stop!

The zine is in cut n paste style using typewriter font type with frame artwork. The texts are arrange in 2 columns per page. Excellent use of space. 

The reviews covers all format (audio & zine) in one section called "Reviews From Hell". They are not alphabetically arranged and not rated. Not much to be read here. Just 2 page.

2010 Best Album is honoured with a review on the same page as the editorial page. For Carbonized Cells, it is Agalloch's 'Marrow of the Spirit'.

E-mail

carbonizedju (a) gmail.com

Web

http://carbonizedcells.blogspot.com/

Thrash Metal Revival #3 & #4 (2011)

Thrash Metal Revival #3 & #4 (2011)

48 pg, A4, xerox, Russian

Interviews

Metal Special Fest, Rapen Winter Records, Karma Rage, Violent Omen, Blood Pollution, Ungoliantha, Frozen Rock, Ambivalence, Somnolent, Holy Dragons, Sanheim, D.Angel, Immoralist, Mad V

Gig Reports

Global East Rock Festival, Metal Special Fest, Metal Freedom Festival, Teutonic Assault

Why the hell I bought a Russian written zine? Because I love zine! At least you can look at the picture if you can't read them haha. Some band's name are in Russian so I didn't include them here. I think this zine is from Ukraine. Bought this from Dead Center/Antichrist Mag long time ago.

I can't comment on the interviews. I hope interesting chats presented here. The reviews are not rated and alphabetically arranged. Looking at the label's name, I think most of them are from their local scene. The music reviews the album format and demo combined in one section. No zine review.

Very neat layout with 2 columns per page, the pages numbered, and have table of content. The header has the page number & the band/content name. The xerox quality is excellent.

There is "Thrash Metal Made in Ukraine". Not sure what is this about. Maybe scene report or reviews but it has some interviews in it, presumably with Ukrainian thrash metal bands.

There is also small news section and there are lots of advertisement.

This issue comes with CD-R sampler but without the tracklist (or maybe it is in the zine but I can't find it.)

Anyone that has the contact addresses for this magazine, do let us know.

Metalion The Slayer Mag Diaries

Metalion, The Slayer Mag Diaries (2011)

744 pg, A4, English

I wonder if these massive 700+ pages include everything being printed in all the issues of Slayer Magazine. Not able to verify this. I only have couple of issue including the issue with Impiety in it. 

This is the hard cover edition. There are forewords by Ian Christe, Tomas Lindberg, Chris Reifert, Fenriz, Stephen O'Malley and Tom G. Warrior. Pictures of Metalion @ Jon Kristiansen from childhood and till growing up and his stories during those times and how he got connected to metal are also nice to read. Then continues with "Live Wire", a publication he did before Slayer Magazine in 1983. Only after this starts with Slayer issues. In every issue he will starts with a foreword where he try to remember the memories during making that issue.

It is not 1 page of the zine = 1 page in this book. There are some pages are having 4 smaller pages of Slayer Mag issue. Basically there are thousand of pages to read. I still haven't finish reading it at the time of typing this review.

First issues is easy to read coz it is in Norwegian language. Not really reading, just looking at the pictures. After issue 3/4 written in English.

I am going to continue reading now. It might take months to complete.

Web

http://www.bazillionpoints.com

Into The Catacomb #2 (2011)

Into The Catacomb #2 (2011)

6 pg, A4, xerox, English

Interview

Crux, Sindrome, Wrathprayer

I mentioned about this newsletter in Hellfukking Metal review. I bought this together with others zines from some distro. Excellent cut n paste newsletter featuring old school bands. Crux from Czech is the most noted one from the three for me because of the (history) relation with Root. Sindrom is a US thrash bands and Wrathprayer is from Chile.

No editorial. Only 6 pages printed on 1 side of the paper. This is printed using their own ink-jet printer I assumed looking at the printing quality. Definitely not a photocopy. Reviews are not alphabetically arranged and not rated. All formats in 1 section. Some flyers here and there to fill up the empty space.

Contact

P.O.Box #1371,

Valdivia,

Chile

E-mail

intothecatacomb@gmail.com

Devilment #5 (2011)

Devilment #5 (2011)

80 pg, A5, xerox, English

Interview

The Lamp of Thoth, Abysmal Grief, Dark Forest, Eroded, Hellpike, Ossuaire, Sabbat, Funeral Circle, Entrails

The interviews have different layout either 2 or 1 column per page or in cut n paste and using standard font size.

The pages are numbered and no table of content. Nicely arranged flyers on some pages. You can see artworks almost everwhere. Some hand-written words or comments can be found here and there.

The reviews cover zine and audio format (CD, EP maybe) in 1 section. They are not rated and arranged according to their format (or other way of saying it, the format is not clearly stated). There is a specific section for demo though. 2 columns per page with small text. There are a lot of review to read here.

Beside this there is also gig report.

Many years has passed, looking forward to get the next issues.

Web

http://simulacresdistro.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simulacres-DistroDevilmentZine/571524889524407

E-mail

blackramspellz at hotmail dot com

Bells Of Acheron #0 (2011)

Bells Of Acheron #0 (2011)

44pg, A5 (6.5" x 9.3"), pro-printed, English

Interview

While Heaven Wept, Dantesco, Desaster, Funebrarum, Nocturnal, Apokalyptic Raids, Craig Pillard, Anatomia/Nuclear Death, Volcano, Omision, Unaussprechlichen Kulten, Decomposed, Communion, The Devils Blood

I once asked a zine editor if they have second-hand or zine that they dont want to keep and sell them at discounted-priced. And this is one of that I got. Thanks man!

I want to introduce you the editor of this zine; Jesus "Unholy Pariah Outsider Of Anti Metal Colombian Scene Caller Of The Paranormal Blood Spawns Of Desecration And Nightmares" Claros. How's that for a name? Great right?

The editor has 20 years of experience in doing interviews for zine. Didn't mentioned what zine or maybe contributor or co-editor. The works here is great, if not excellent! Questions are very long (no intro before the interview though). Although a bit 'unconventional' with no editorial section and starts the debut issue with #0.

The layout is in cut n paste style, small fonts, the pages numbered, no table of content, some page with frame artwork. Killer artwork especially on the review section. I got problem with page 34. Couldn't figure it out, written in language I don't understand.

Not much reviews in this issue. They are alphabetically arranged and not rated.

The one I like the most, the section call "Horrenda Vision...", which is the reviews of old Colombian bands and demos.

The zine is actually smaller than A5. I put the dimension to not confuse all of you.

I tried google the zine's name before uploading this post. Found some reviews (issue #3) and the editor's email and website.

Great work. Now I am looking for other issues of Bells of Acheron.

E-mail

traumarkhan [at] hotmail [dot] com

Web

http://traumaacheron.blogspot.com

Eclectic Arts #2 (2011)

Eclectic Arts #2 (2011)

44pg, letter, pro-printed, English

Interview

Clandestine Blaze, Dawn Desiree, Negative Existence, Warblood, Blodsgard

The second issue of this environmental friendly zine, bought from Negative Existence. I wanted to check the "progress" of the zine. The layout, etc are almost all like #1. Mentioned here #2 was released after few weeks after #1.

Mark Sugiyama likes black metal a lot and also explore other non-music stuff in this zine. You will find non-musician also being featured here. And that includes sculptor, painter, etc. You already know if you read #1. However there is no articles on craft breweries. Pretty sure in #1, the editor mentioned the zine is dedicated to this. Maybe continue again in #3 perhaps?

Looking at close-up photo of the face at the size of A4 paper looks a bit scary (referring to Dawn Desiree interview).

Beside interviews there are some articles, section on local scene and some short review in similar style like #1.

A quick googling, I found a blog made by the editor. He mentioned about doing another issue but can't find (read: I am too lazy to browse) the latest issue available.

Contact

c/o Mark Sugiyama

E-Mail

ecleticartszine at gmail dot com

Web

http://eclecticartswa.blogspot.com/

Eclectic Arts #1 (Apr. 2011)

Eclectic Arts #1 (Apr. 2011)

48pg, letter, laser xerox, English

Interview

Maniac Butcher, Black Tape For A Blue Girl, Satanic Warmaster, Vienna Teng (www.viennateng.com)

It is mention in the zine that this zine is printed with recycled paper. Well, this might be my first zine printed with recycled materials. My first 'green' zine I would say.

The zine is dedicated to musician, artist and craft breweries. Again, my first zine covering such topics in one publication.

That's explain the weird selection of bands. You have BM and non-metal in an issue. Maniac Butcher?! The editor mentioned he's fan of the bands.  Questions are interesting. He do have inside-out knowledge of the bands. Since he is also a musician, some questions are related with music-composing and music business/industry.

There are articles on craft brewery and one article entitled "Last Call", about being a female black metal fan by Asti Spumante. Maybe it is applicable for US scene. Euro scene is different as what I was told.

The music reviews are simple and short. Not rated, not alphabetically arranged. Asti wrote some reviews too, the longer ones.

Lastly, about the layout. The layout is too simple. Just 1 column (or no column, if that you want to call it). Has table of content but the pages are not numbered. Some page have background pictures.

Stated here #3 is in progress although #2 not yet printed. That's how productive they are.

Contact

c/o Mark Sugiyama

E-Mail

ecleticartszine at gmail dot com

Morbid Abominations #2 (2011)

Morbid Abominations #2 (2011)

44 pg, A4, pro-print, English

Interview

Funeral Goat, Maniac Butcher, Sadomator, Ysengrin, Ravencult, Impure Worship, Satanic Warmaster, Morbosidad, Dead Congregation, Mitochondrion, Tundra, Mortem Zine, Communion

Bio

Grom, Black Feast, Blut Aus Nord (own words by Dalihrob)

In this second issue the layout is the same like the debut issue except that the frame art kills this time as you can see. Some flyers to fill up the space at end of the interview. The pages are numbered and have table of content, as usual.

The editorial this time consist of PB, and writers Dalihrob, Werwolfthron, Xalpian and contributors RLF & Behherit. Again, a very entertaining read. This issue was among the first interview with Barbarud of Maniac Butcher since their 'resurrection' that I read. Used to trade Malaysian metal with Pussy God's releases and bought Abhorer & Impiety 7" from his mailorder during my high school year. BTW, I bought this zine like 5 years ago. Read many other interviews since then.

The reviews covers music format and zine. They are not rated, arranged in alphabetical order and the format are stated. There's Deadhead zine review, a very long review by Xalpian. Beside reviews, there is also report on Deathkult Open Air (Germany).

Unfortunately this zine already sold-out but I still have some copies left for trade.

No news on the new issue when visiting their website. The label however is very active.

Web

http://www.hexencave.wz.cz/moab.htm 

Antichrist #12 (2011)

Antichrist #12 (2011)

44 pg, A4, pro-print, English

Interview

Obsessor, Demona, Teitanfyre, Denouncement Pyre, Vassafor, Pek, Moonreich, Blasphemous Noise Torment, Affliction Gate, Witchrist, Blasphemophager, Hellish Crossfire, Nunfuckritual, Tyranex, Proclamation, Pseudogod, Diehard, Vietah, Morbosidad, Nargaroth

The tradition stop at #11. They usually have this in couple of issues that I have. You need to read my review #11 to understand this.

The editor lamented that he don’t have time to read zine. I hope he has the money zine. So you buy and later you do clearance sales in your mailorder. I then buy them from you. How creative of me thinking that.

The content is pretty much the same including the audio reviews section (one section for current releases and the other for older releases). There is a special section called "Chinese Hell!". In here there are reviews on Chinese metal releases courtesy of Dying Legion Productions. All the reviews are rated. One thing I noticed long time ago that Chinese alphabets can make an extreme looking metal logo. Some bands using Chinese name as the logo (the name translated to English for marketing reason I think i.e. easier for you type or say them).

Another worth mentioning is Obituary 2011. Wow! I didn't realize so many people from the scene die in that year.

Antichrist #11 (2011)

Antichrist #11 (2011)

48 pg, A4, pro-print, English

Interview

Ares Kingdom, Anal Vomit, Sojaruun, Autumnal Reaper, Bloody Sign, Nalrage, October Falls, Incantation, Savage Machine, Deiphago, Ophis, Disfigured Dead, Dissidium, Asphyx, Inferno, Nuclear Hammer, Hell Torment, Desta Porcina, Adversarial, Grave Desecrator, Forgotten Path Zine, Scorhed Earth

I like metal magazine when you open the first pages, they 'greet' you with picture of topless ladies. #11 continues the tradition of having pictures of topless lady holding the magazine.

As usual, Antichrist present interviews with lots of band and fortunately in this issue all are in English. The layout pretty much the same like the previous issues. 3 columns per page computer layout with black or dark background. It lack of consistency of the font size but probably the editor would like all to fit in just 48 pages so you will see some interview having bigger or smaller font size to maximize or maximize the usage of space on the paper. Some interviews are short but enough for me as introduction to Ukrainian metal scene.

Reviews are plenty. All are alphabetically arranged and rated (with 100% as highest score). There is section on 'past year stuff reviews' for those released in 2010 or earlier and not to forget, the infamous 'last breath reviews' (as the editor named it). The zine reviews are not rated.

Web

http://deadcenter666.com/antichrist/

Sarawak Metal Force #7 (Dec 2011)

Sarawak Metal Force #7 (Dec 2011)

24pg, A5, xerox, English

Interview
Ungodly Death

Bio
Unholy Sin, Deadshot, Vermean, Kambing Sakti, Kherow, Rottuary, Foxhole, Keruntuk, Sebayan, Kremation

This is a good effort in promoting Sarawak (a state in East Malaysia) metal scene. I wish every state can have their own publication like this. Few things I am unsure the frequency of this newsletter being released or whether it is released whenever Sarawak Metal Force gig is scheduled. I also don’t quite understand why it is stated 'published with permission from Sarawak Metal Force'.

In this issue you can read some info or history of this newsletter which last issue (#6) was released in 2003. The aim, as stated by them, is to encourage bands to write their own material and produce quality songs. Why long delay in releasing this issue and was the previous one not made by Mad3Sign? I also have no clue on this.

This can be your introduction to the present Sarawak Metal scene. Interview is only with one band. But you can read the news on Shadow, Unholy Sin, Saktism, Voltan, Shamanic Rites, Demon War, Immolate, Chakwan Syndrome, Line Haul, Dark Throttle, Kherow, Curse Of Gods beside bio of bands listed above. There are also ads at the bottom of the page (from distro to studio).

Layout is good, not your conventional MS Word or cut n paste. This newsletter show you the right way of using black/dark background and the text is still readable in both black and white font color. If it is printed in laser printer, it will be a lot better (print them this way for the next issue please!).

This issue comes with free CD-R sampler. I found some old issues at some local distro. Hope can get a copy of those as well.

Web
sarawakmetalforce.blogspot.com

E-mail
mad3sign at gmail dot com

Forgotten Path #3 (2011)

Forgotten Path #3 (2011)

124 pg, A4, pro-print, English

Interview
Strix, Loits, Enslaved, Luctus, Graveland, Lebensessenz, Bestial Raids, Supremacy, Through Intolerance, Keep Of Kalessin, Code, Empty, Antichrist Mag./Dead Center Prod, Animus Mortis, Teloch, Shining

This is my first encounter with this magazine (the issue is hand-numbered #14). The editor Odium and another 9 writers manage to release a massive issue. Honestly Graveland was the reason for me getting this mag. Luckily I was not disappointed with the whole mag.

All in glossy paper with background color/picture. Good layout (2 columns or 3 columns) but probably will look better if the font size reduced a little bit (the review section fonts are a bit smaller). Also made available a table of content and the pages are numbered.

Interviews covers music, band history and ideology are things being discussed. Some questions are very long. And yes, the Graveland interview was great.

The reviews are separated with audio and magazine having their own section and the section are named as simple "Audio review". No hellish title. The audio reviews are alphabetically arranged and rated. Lots of stuff being reviewed (30 pages!) most of them the first time I hear the band's name. The magazine review is also alphabetically arranged but not rated.

Beside these there are also gig reports (Negura Bunget in Liverpool, Blackmass Ritual Fest 3, Devilstone Open Air, etc).

This issue still available although looks like out-dated a lot by now since the 6th issue is already in the making now. Checkout their website. They also have a huge mailorder list.

Contact
c/o Martynas Vaškevičius
P.D 2712,
Vytenio 2/40,
LT-03001, Vilnius,
Lithuania

E-mail
forgotten.path.mag@gmail.com

Web
http://www.forgotten-path.lt
http://www.facebook.com/forgotten.path.mag

Metal Havoc #6 (Dec.2011)

Metal Havoc #6 (Dec.2011)

40 pg, A5, xerox, English

Interview
Apoy Ng Kamunduhan, Corrupt Insanity, Interment, Karimlan, Pathogen, Rabies, Sacrosanct, Trident Nation Zine, Traces of War

Bio
Paganfire

A half-sized zine that have some similarities with Necroscope. What both Nescroscope and Metal Havoc have in common? One of it is the zine is not stapled. Another one is there are plenty of info on their local scene.

There are no pictures at all in this zine. The only graphics are the front cover, the page frame/border and the name of the bands (which used blood-dripping font type). This probably the first and the best graphic 'minimalism' zine (borrowed this term from a zine I read somewhere) however it doesn't look dull or boring. It uses the right font type and size. 2 columns for interviews and 1 column for articles. No page number and no TOC.

Beside the good chat, there are articles to read as well. Some articles are in full page to 1/3 of the page and these short articles are nicely separated with lines/frame art. There reviews (audio and zine) are not rated and not alphabetically arranged. Some reviews have contact address. The editor also put reviews of band's releases at the interview of the band. Another interesting section to share is "From The Past Reborns The Storm". It sounds like review of old album but the editor said it is not. It's "a retrospective look on the impact on the editor".

A good issue to know Philippines metal scene. The price is cheap too. I'll check Karimlan for sure. Sounds interesting after reading their interview.

E-mail
metalhavoczine at gmail dot com

Web
http://metalhavocproductions.blogspot.com/

Karisma 11 (Jan.2011)

Karisma 11 (Jan.2011)

60pg, A4, pro-printed, Malay

Interviews:
SYJ, Deadsquad, Claim The Throne, Impiety, Voltan, Suicide, Black Flag, Chaos UK, Militant Attack, Ventorior

This is a very old issue which I should have write something about them years ago. Anyway, I still want to write about them here. Actually I have written this article earlier but I saved it as a draft. So not to waste my effort, here is the outdated review. 

Well, since I have reviewed Empayar with Impiety on the front cover, so I choose this one for Karisma. Formerly known as Empayar, it later change its name to Karisma.

While Empayar sucks on the layout, this magazine improved a lot in their layout. It’s like Malaysia version of Terrorizer minus the free CD and minus the colorful advertisement.

The writers are very much similar to Empayar team except now there are more writers (as at this issue) from members of the band such Mistik, Unitheism, Bentara and many more.

Writing style is using 'standard' Malay language which is very important because it is distributed openly or the public will accuse us metalhead as 'perosak bahasa melayu' ('destroying' the Malay language by writing with improper grammar and vocabulary).

I'm not really a regular reader of this magazine but if I saw this at the news stand I will buy a copy. Everything is good if not perfect on the content. Hope they can have more stuff in the review section. Send your promo there ASAP!

The interview with Shyaithan is conducted by Intheran and with picture of pre-Impiety era 1989 in color. That’s rare!

This magazine supposed to be a monthly publication but lately they seem to have problem releasing it monthly. Frankly I'm not sure if this magazine is still exist. The official website no longer exist but they still update their facebook page.

Arosian Black Mass - MMXI (2011)

Arosian Black Mass - MMXI (2011)

48pg, A5, xerox, English

Interview
Ormgård, Mare, Acherontas, Sons Of Fenris, Hetroertzen, Tomhet, Darkened Nocturn Slaughtercult, One Tail, One Head

This is an interesting publication. This booklet was given to all visitors of Arosian Black Mass MMXI that bought pre-sale tickets and also sold at the event. It features only the bands performing in this black metal festival. It is not a booklet I would say because looking at the number of pages it looks like a normal zine. The interviews (or excerpt of interview) are taken from various webzine or fanzine with a short bio of the band before the interview starts. The editor uses frame/border artwork in their layout and the arrangement are neat with clear laser printing. The table of content is made based on the order of the band performed including the time they supposed to be on stage and that is how the interviews are arranged in here. Having more band picture will make this booklet even better.

Unless you have read the interviews somewhere else, you might be disappointed with what you read here but I think that should not be the case since I am pretty sure there layout in both version are different. At least you can enjoy the different layout and of course having this in printed form is always better than web.

Some distro might have this for sale, together with t-shirts of the festival. Try your luck.

So what is Arosian Black Mass? They have website but if you don’t have time to read it there, I'll end this review with some info copied from the website.

Arosian Black Mass MMXI is a two day event of esoteric music and art held in November 11 & 12, 2011. This 2 days event took place in the city of Västerås (Arosia in Latin), Sweden (~100 km west of Stockholm).

Arosian Black Mass should be seen as an officially associated but independent continuation of the Nidrosian Black Masses, Trondheim Norway (Pt.I (2007), Pt.II (2008) and Pt.III (2010)).

"The intention with Arosian Black Mass is not to be another cliché and standard "Black Metal festival". The whole event will have its focus upon an esoteric process within which all participating artists will play key roles. The visitors shall expect a complete arcane impression through visions, audio and atmosphere. It is meant to be an extraordinary experience that they will never forget!"

Website
http://www.arosian-black-mass.se/

Legion Of Torture #3 (2011)

Legion Of Torture #3 (2011)

32pg, A4, xerox, English

Interview
Abhorrot, Caligula, Sartegos, Necrofagore, Demonic Cremator, Paganfire, Disinter, Croix Mortis, Evil Spectrum

The third issue of this Peruvian zine. Legion of Torture maintained the same size that they started from issue #2 (A4) and also the 'thickness' but don't be fooled with the amount of page (32 page only) because there are lot to read. Yes, small font size but not to the extent of torturing your normal eyes like Rites of Zygadena #1 ;-)

Lesser bands for this issue and no "Ladies of the Underground" too since only Demonic Cremator replied for this issue. Interviews lengths are varied, some maybe just 16 questions and some have 30 questions.

Reviews are very long which one of the thing I like in this zine. The reviews are separated by format and it covers both audio & zine. The reviews are numbered with number 105 as the last review. There are also 'last minute review' which uses band logo and I like this layout a lot. The reviews are not rated.

There are local gig report and a long report of Infernal Curse S.E.A. tour in Manila contributed by In Death We Thrash 'zine.

Overall, there is improvement on the layout because I don't like 1 column per page like in issue #2 because the text will too long in 1 line. Now with mostly 2 to 4 columns per page, there are OK. There are logos or artworks on the background and some with frame/page border. No TOC and page are numbered.

I have few copies for trade and all copies are hand-numbered. Contact me if interested or contact the editor. Check out the past reviews for the contact address.

Now it is 2013, more than 2 years have passed by. Maybe a new issue might be around the corner? I’m looking forward for the next one!