Sangwitok #8 (2010)

Sangwitok #8 (2010)
92pg, A5, xerox, English

Interview
Paganus Doctrina, Diabolical, Nightmare, Pensees Nocturnes, Unlight Dawn, Orgy Of Flies, Symphony Jimbalang, Militant Attack, Wrath Passion, Abrahel, Immolate, Black Sister, Beltane

Bio
Morbid Funeral, Lost God, Thorns of Hate, Firasah, Inhumate, Sectioned, Dimentianon, Humiliation, Ceremony of Opposites

I feel like I just bought this issue week ago. Then I got an email from Ed informing #9 is out already. Now I realized months have passed by and this issue left neglected. There must be some reasons why I skip reading this hand-numbered #21 issue. Too many zine ordered in a month could be the main reason. What I find weird at first here is having 2 smaller pages in one A5 page with reduced font size. Editor justifies his action as cost cutting measure, to reduce the thickness of this issue. I think it will be nice if all the pages are made this way. The rest of the layouts are the one I already familiar with. The questions are entertaining, Sangwitok-style, although they are not all serious questions and music-related. As usual, quite a few bands are from Malaysia. Some interviews/bio is written in Malay. Would be better if they are made in English or maybe the band don’t want to spread their name outside of non-Malay speaking world (you, the reader are not missing anything anyway). Reviews are not rated and not grouped in specific section. They are sometimes in between the interviews. Artworks for this issue are courtesy of Karnivorism Art, Blackwitch Imperial Art & Nurhidaya. Infometal is here (8 pages) and yes, the editor's review of issue #7 is here. The thing that missing are the sexy chicks! Probably it was left out to pay respect for his late father which died before this issue is out (and be a good son for once). Issue #9 already out at this time so ask about that too when you contact them.

Metal Zone Newsorder #1 (2008)

Metal Zone Newsorder #1 (2008)
32 page, A5, xerox, Malay

Interview
In Torment, Ceased War, Samatary, Akhnakh

Bio
Kundinar, Raizhobium, Gagak Bulan, Incarcerate, Reynagade, Ensemble Of Silence, Hereafter, Necroagony, Oprich, Al-Azazil, Gorgon, Traitor, Ceremonial Casting, Niang, Obsolete, Cafergot

I believe this "newsorder" is a newsletter given free to any Metal Zone Distro customer. It's not a professionally design newsletter but look more like a 'old' zine with good frame/border artwork. This small publication has page number and table, with front cover artwork made by Zizi Amri. There is only one interview made by MZD (with Stone of Silent Death. Stone was in drug rehab at that time) while the rest are made by Askwhatra of Al-Zannakh zine. They also have a section called "Metal Zone News" which I mistaken it as Metal Zone news (news concerning the label) but it turn out to be the usual metal news. The effort of making mini posters of Godless Rising and Braindead is great but the xerox quality is not good enough, so that mini posters will be a waste. No in-depth discussion in the interviews. They are short and are mainly to promote the bands. Some reviews (CD, CDR, tape and zine) and gig report available also some flyers pasted here and there, as well as a section of Metal Zone distribution list. It would be great if they can continue producing this kind of publication of course not because it’s free but because of the content.

Contact
c/o Metal Zone Distro
No. 24 Jalan Peremba,
Taman Samudera,
05050 Alor Setar
Malaysia

Web
www.myspace.com/metalzonedistro

Empayar #6 (2009)

Empayar #6 (2009)
magazine, Malay

Interview
In Torment, Aziz VFTE, Impiety, and some indie rock band

Did I mention about the policy of this site on monthly released magazine? Well,I will review this kind of publication here but I will do it once just to promote the magazine (I will not reviewing them every month!). I should put this up when they are still alive. This mag already r.i.p. and reformed under new name (Karisma) but since I have jotted down some notes about this mag before they r.i.p. so why not put them here. And of course, it’s also for my craze on Impiety. To see the face of Shyaithan on the front at the news stand is some kind of weird feeling but the magazine didn't put that name inside the magazine for security reason. Anyway, some info about this magazine, there are couple of famous local metal bands in the editorial. Some of them are Nazghoul, Xul MS, Fadzil, Jaie, Nadia, Bob Agigi, Ajizz, Lan Bye but they are using their real name instead of evil sounding pseudonyms. Some regular columns are "Belenggu Irama" (10 questions asked to well-known local ‘u/g’ and this issue features Aziz of Vortex of The East zine), "Expose Minda" (featuring Soul Devour, Leather Charms. It’s kind of featuring new upcoming local band), "Album klasik Tempatan" (direct translation in English is "Local Classic Album" but this issue feature Profane Creation's "False Mourning On Futile Grave" demo 1993), "Fenomena Rock", "Tribute", "Injeksi Minda" and the usual interviews, reviews & gig reports sections. Also included are pull-out poster of my recently fave band Nuclear Strikes.

There are some attempts of bringing 'underground' metal to the mainstream in the past but all of them failed. It seems this mag is more successful but later got some problem as well. Karisma looks promising. Unlike Empayar which disguised the mag as rock/indie music magazine (some issue feature indie band on the front cover) but featuring some extreme metal band inside, Karisma is more "metal" starts from its front cover.

Web
http://www.myspace.com/majalahempayar

Iron Hammer #3 (2009)

Iron Hammer #3 (2009)
68 pg, A5, xerox, English

Interview
Death Invoker, Black Serpent, Sargatanas, Children Of Technology, Cultes des Ghoules, Metal Genocide, Kathgor

A mixed of old and new; cut n paste for the interview and 2 columns per page computer layout for reviews. "Zine without some personal words in the beginning feels like a cock without balls", says the editor. The editor also commented on some zine asking the same questions to every band as lack of individuality. Fortunately he doesn’t do that in his zine. Interviews are interesting so does the reviews. Total of 20 + 1.5 (last minute reviews) page for reviews. There are plenty because the font is small the way I like it! The first part of the review is "Unholy Scripture" (zine review). Normally zine will not short review of zine but here they are quite long. I learnt a few things from the zine reviews and I too, not often reading real English zine, mostly are Germ-anal-english one. The second part of the review (audio stuff) starts without any introduction right after Children of Technology interview. The reviews are not rated.

Just read good things (at least I good the impression that it is good) about Black Grail in the zine review of Ave Satan Zine. Well in Iron Hammer, the editor totally trashes them. Another highlight for me is the Kathgor interview. I couldn’t find enough info about this band even though there are from Malaysia. Other features in this zine; "Death Dealers" which is list & addresses of reliable labels around the world and also (lengthy) gig reviews.

Contact
c/o Marius Greza
Danziger Str. 20
73249 Wernan,
Germany

E-mail
ironhammer @ archor . de

Ave Satan #1 (2010)

Ave Satan #1 (2010)
40 pg, A4, xerox, English

Interview
Prosanctus Inferi, Mantak, Ex-Inferiis, Deiphago, Chaos Baphomet, Trench Hell, Demon Throne, Pek, Almighty Sathanas, Necrovomit, Black Grail, Witchtomb, Embraced of Thorns, Denounce Pyre

Good debut issue. The editor choses cut n paste style (with no table of content and no page number), or can also be called 'tear and paste' because you can the paper are being tear which is quite original. Big size zine in cut n paste do look great especially when the xerox quality is excellent! The zine have no editorial section, it starts directly with zine reviews. Black Grail is the longest interview here. Trench Hell's interview looks like "unfinished" or maybe it is a complete interview but with no 'last word'. Embrace of Thorns interview is a bit hard to read for those having eyesight problem. Actually the interviews are all good. Interesting questions are asked which cover various topics, not just on the band's releases and their activities. Just sometime the arrangement of text is quite strange but I take that as puzzle game (I have to match or search which piece of paper that supposed to have the answer to the question. I think I have connected them right) which is quite fun.

Reviews (zine and vinly) are not grouped in one section. You will see some reviews after the interview. Some reviews start with French and some are in full French language. There is also a review of Mantak's Diabolical Psycholust LP which is released by the editor's @ Alexandre's label, Chalice of Blood Angel.

There's a pin-up poster of Necroholocaust on the centre spread page but not on separate sheet. It is a pity I can put them on my wall. I don’t want to damage the zine since are there interview of Almighty Sathanas in both backside of the paper.

I found email of Hail to Cruelty (some band made a short scene report in the interview with email addresses) but it's not working.

This is limited to 200 copies and not hand-numbered. No contact address written but it is available from Chalice of Blood Angel Production (of course!).

Web
www.chaliceofbloodangel.com

Hail To Cruelty #1 (2008)

Hail To Cruelty #1 (2008)
116 pg, A4, English

Interview
Ejecutor, Shackles, Metal Inquisitor, Chainsaw, Heptameron, Force Of Darkness, Hellrealm, Exorcist, Sadomator, Sadogoat, Hellish Crossfire, Goat Penetrator Zine, Enforcer

Scene Report
Mexico

Article
Learn English or Die!
Nightstalker Richard Remirez

My first “bootleg zine” review. This is actually a xerox copy of the zine. I don’t know how the actual zine looks, whether its pro-printed or photocopy. There are few zine which I don’t have the chance to buy it so I ask some metal head to xerox the zine for me. Firstly, besides being my reference in case in the future I buy their newer issue so I have something to compare with. At first I thought I will only put these review in my paper issue only (if there's one later) but then I think why not put some info here. So please don’t judge the picture of the zine because the actual zine will look better.

Nekroperverter & Evil Krusher made an excellent debut (picture of them available here). About the layout, it's a killer cut n paste style! Using 'old-English' font for the text and on some pages they used frame artwork. The pages are numbered and provided table of content. Reviews covered zine in the section called "Evil Scripts" and also audio stuff (demo, LP, EP & compilation) creatively named as "Demonstrations of the Dark" which are rated 1 to 5 with the highest point 666.

English are understandable. Good interviews are presented here and have also some live reports.

Mine copied copy are hand-numbered #032/200. I hope I can get a 'true' copy of this zine and also hope they can release more issues.

Contact
c/o Nekroperverter
Mercurio #1922
Quinta Normal
Santiago
Chile

c/o Evil Krusher
Hostos #1353
Quinta Normal
Santiago
Chile

Deadbanger #3 (2010)

Deadbanger #3 (2010)
44 pg, A5, pro-printed, English

Interview
Nigro Mantia, Pagan Rites, Hideous Invasion, Resistance, Horned Almighty, The Crypt Records, Black Wreath, Killtown Death Fest, Anal Vomit

A very interesting interview made with Nigro Mantia. I hailed the editor for the research made for this band. Very obscure band. They only release 1 demo but the editor managed to make the interview very interesting and informative even though the response is not a satisfactory one from the band (Michael) due to memory lost. There are some reviews of audio stuffs and zine (not arranged in alphabetically and not rated) but of course you know reviews are not the highlight of this zine. Layout is in the same style like previous issue. Latest check before I upload this review, issue #3 is still available and issue #4 should be out this month (April 2011). I suggest you can this issue while it is still available!