Metal Bulletin Zine #43 Washington state, U.S. www.metalbulletin.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/pages/The-Metal-Bulletin-paper-zine in this issue: reviews, reports, news, interviews on:

Astral Domine (Italy) Lucifer’s Hammer (Chile)

Tabahi (Pakistan) Obelyskkh (Germany)

DEATH METAL Blasphemyth (Morocco/Switzerland), Humiliation (Malaysia), The Kennedy Veil (U.S.), Near Death Condition (Switzerland), Obscure Infinity (Germany), Otargos (France), Warfather (Holland/Brazil/U.S.), Warmaster (Holland)

BACK TO THE FUTURE Manilla Road (U.S.), Revelation (U.S.), Sarcófago (Brazil), “Warfare Noise” (Brazil) www.fuglymaniacs.com (issues online, concert videos, interviews, reviews) history of Metal Bulletin Zine #1-20: (2006-2009): Wisconsin #21-26: (2009-2010): Texas #27(2010)-- now; Washington state

Metal Bullletin Zine (MBZ) is a homemade publication, and not a business enterprise in any way. MBZ is not business partners with any band, record/management/publicity company, club/bar, or any kind of for-profit organizations/individuals. MBZ is not paid money and does not sell any product to anyone for money/profit. -— metal on the radio/internet (Pacific Time) Metal Shop (Seattle, WA): Saturday 11pm-3am KISW 99.9fm www.kisw.com FOUR ridiculous hours of the heavy stuff! Sweet Nightmares (Houston, TX): Thursday night 9pm-midnight KPFT 90.1 fm www.kpft.org Bill The Master and his pirates take over Texas! — Astral Domine: "Arcanum Gloriae” (Bakerteam Records) Someone who thinks highly of all things related to the epic symphonic neoclassical power metal of Rhapsody, and who, presumably, really enjoys the style in general, including giving a chance to new bands, would find Astral Domine as a worthy subject of investigation and time investment.

I have to tell you the situation right away: Astral Domine is a “baby Rhapsody.” From the orchestral arrangements, to the epic-style singing, to the neoclassical guitar playing, to the overall “filmscore metal,” it is Rhapsody that I hear as the fundamental element.

As you may have surmised by now, this is neoclassical symphonic modern power metal. In my case, I have heard the album many times now, and I have found it a professional recording, with good songwriting that leaves an impression for people into the style, and with lots of talent. Of course, they probably do not have the kind of financial resources that the two Rhapsodies have, as this is Astral Domine’s debut, but the album is noteworthy, or at the very least, very enjoyable to the supporters of the style, with a partial ear to the happy-glorious nature of the music.

Total grouchos will criticize it for the same things that Rhapsody supporters enjoy it. Now, what remains to be seen is what happens with Astral Domine in the future and where they go musically. This is a good beginning, from my perspective. www.facebook.com/astraldomine www.astraldomine.altervista.org Lucifer’s Hammer: "Night Sacrifice” (Shadow Kingdom) Lucifer's Hammer has a hot three-song demo that is for those who love the New Wave of British Heavy Metal along the lines of classic Blitzkrieg, Raven, Angel Witch, Satan; and other cult bands like Manilla Road.

I mention those names because these Chileans are very well versed in early 80s classic and cult heavy metal. If you love old heavy metal, then this band will appeal to you immediately. Or at least that's what I

think will happen because these riffs, this attitude, this vibe, these songs are originate from the book of heavy metal.

Highly recommend for said listeners. www.lucifershammer.bandcamp.com www.facebook.com/Lucifershammerband -- Tabahi Tabahi is all-out headbanging, moshing thrash, the way that both old and new thrashers can understand: shredding metal. Good news: the self-titled album is also a free pay-what-you-want release. The guitar player Faiq took the time to answer these questions. As you will see, Tabahi is fast thrash, but it’s also a thinking person’s thrash. -- Hello, Momo here. How is life for your band in Karachi? Momo, my friend, first of all we would like to thank you for appreciating our efforts! We’ve been getting really great responses from all over the world. It does means a lot for the band when people contact us and appreciate our debut album! And this is what metal is all about, no matter how far we are but we all connect and unite through metal!

Life is pretty tough for a metal band here in Karachi, Pakistan. Only 20-30 percent of the population living in Pakistan can relate to the genre, metal. Metal is a genre that is in the initial process of growth here in our country. Metal concerts and gigs are on a hiatus as well in the country. Despite of all of that, still there are many bands who are now focused onto recording and releasing material independently. Tabahi is one of the first thrash metal band in Pakistan that has released a 13-song album independently without the support of any record label. 2014 is a great year for the band, released album in March, got great responses from all over the world, got signed by two record labels (Turkey and Italy) which are already promoting and releasing our cds and cassettes worldwide! How is the metal scene for thrashers in Karachi? The metal scene here in Pakistan has been on and off since the 90s; mainly because of the decline of socio and economical situations happening in Pakistan. Bands in Pakistan (every genre) have a very struggling life and especially for the bands which doesn’t have

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the support of their parents. All of the students here are meant to be doctors, engineers and serve for their country, there is a very strict ethical and value believes in our country. Therefore, most of the bands struggle to ever form out and play. When it comes to metal, the golden era for the underground metal scene in Pakistan was probably between 2002-2005 and then 2008-2010.

As I said, it’s been on and off. Tabahi has been a part of all the struggles I’ve mentioned! But 2013 was a great time for the band as we decided on the final lineup of the band and started focusing on writing our originals. We got to record all of the 13 songs of Tabahi’s album in our home studio, but yes we got some production support from Italy and U.K. Thrashers here are always supporting Tabahi, from buying us burgers to cigarettes to banging their heads on our songs when we’re playing live! And also from all around the world, we’ve been getting great responses! Your band started in 2008. According to Metal Archives, all three memebers of Tabahi (Faiq, Daniyal and Hyder) used to play in Khorne. I have the EP "We Begin", actually. What is the relation between Khorne and Tabahi now? Yes, Tabahi has been serving for the underground metal scene here in Pakistan for around 5 years now. We started back in 2008 with a five people lineup, covering songs by Metallica, Sodom, Slayer. Then Tabahi had to be paused and be stalled because all the members had left the band to continue their further studies, and I (Faiq Ahmed) was left alone with Tabahi, but still kept on making originals for the band hoping to be releasing these originals. In this time, the frontman for Khorne was a school friend and literally “Idolized” Faiq, asked to form a doom metal band. As Tabahi was on a stall, me, Daniyal Buksh Soomro, Hyder Ali all three composed all songs of “We Begin” (EP), except “Resurrection.” Vocals and lyrics were written by the frontman of Khorne himself. After “We Begin” was released, it gained much popularity among the audience and we all three were very excited for Khorne, too, but when fame gets to you for the first time, it is one greedy thing! Anyhows, the frontman then decided to dissolve Khorne and dismember us three. We, Tabahi then focused onto making our originals and produce an album to makes a big impact/footprint in the worldwide Thrash metal industry! Can you explain how the thrash inspiration started? Are there thrash bands from Pakistan that you like? Are there old thrash bands form the 80s or 90s from Pakistan? Thrash inspiration for Tabahi mainly started with the albums “Kill’em All,” “Show no mercy,” “Pleasure to Kill.”

These albums literally changed our lives. These albums are immortal, and no matter how old you get, these albums will always be immortal and can change one’s life! Same happened with Tabahi, we all three are big followers of the old school thrash era, 80s and 90s and from bands like Destruction, Slayer, Sodom, Metallica, Kreator. Also, our vocalist (Daniyal) is heavily inspired by the legendary Teutonic thrash metal bands, and in our vocal style for this album, you can hear some of the vocal influences from Mille Petrozza and Schmier. Thrash is in our blood, when any of the songs gets played, the adrenaline rush is there and it’s like having the best feeling in the world for us three! Thrash and metal is a genre that still is in its growing stage here so a couple of other Pakistani bands like Mob Rulz, Dionysus, Foreskin and Multinational Corporations are some of our favorite bands here! There are no old school thrash metal bands from the 90s and 80s here in Pakistan. However, there are a bunch of rock/pop artists that we were inspired by when we were growing up, some of them include, Junoon, Milestones, Saleem Javed.

Your song "Democrazy" says, "We elect our leaders; with our votes; they feed us lies, terrorized, brutalized, stigmatized." You also say, "Power earn money; money manages the power." Strong words! Democrazy is a song that is related to all the countries who are leading by using democracy. For us, democracy is a form of legalized corruption. They feed you lies in their presidential campaign to get votes, and when they get to be elected, the innocent people who are made fools are then brutalized and tortured. That really is the sad reality, all of this can be ended if only the human mind can possess that democracy will not

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come, no matter how hard we strive it, democrazy will always serve, do they not hear cries and realize?? I like the way that Tabahi shows critical thinking. For instance, your song "Virgin Bomber" says, "Each act of your violence; makes your enemies strong; each life you take weakens your cause; because of you, your own people suffer; because of you, my religion reels in shame." “Virgin Bomber” is a tribute to all those who have lost their lives in suicide bombings. The main theme revolves around a suicide bomber who is brainwashed and urged by preachers to kill innocent people and get into heaven. Most of the people have a very wrong perception about our country that many of the Pakistanis are in favor of suicide bombings or killing people. Bombings are a reason that our religion is reeling in shame, it’s literally the opposite of what our religion is supposed to be. The main culprits of producing these virgin bombers are the preachers themselves who are constantly trying to portray a bad image of our country. The lyrics are very appreciated by the local thrashers/metalheads here and also the people who aren’t into metal, just listened to the song because of the lyrics and the video that we’ve released. We all three first decide on the theme of the song, then start writing and compiling it all up! Your song "Fatwa" has some of the coolest lyrics that I have seen. You say, "A plan that tells what I can't and what I can be" and "You kill the people who expose your lies." How do you decide lyrics in English or Urdu? Haha, first of all thanks for acknowledging the lyrics to “Fatwa.” You might not know what fatwa is too. Fatwa actually means: a ruling on a point of Islamic law given by a recognized authority. In most of the Islamic countries, especially in our country “fatwa” has been used in applying all the stupid and the things which have no reason to get them banned. For example, a few weeks back a fatwa was issued on the people who would migrate to Mars the planet in the future just because of the fact that we're only here to serve on the planet Earth not any other planet.

Therefore our song is not negatively about issuing fatwa, we believe in our religion, we just want the ruling to be applied correctly and with thorough meaning like we have mentioned in our lyrics. We decided to write our lyrics in English, cause it’s one of the universal languages worldwide used and we didn’t wanted to keep our album and songs limited nationally, we wanted our message to spread worldwide and let people know about Tabahi and mainly Pakistan.

Also every song of ours has a different lyrical theme and a musical theme to it! You can notice that

mostly in every song, like “Twisted Minds” is about women’s oppression here in our country. Many of the metalheads here in Karachi, do support our lyrical themes cause they’re going through the same trouble that we’re going through! Are there metal bands in Karachi with women? If you talk it internationally there are metal maidens (women) that are entering into the industry, be it the all-women thrash metal band, Nervosa to Arch Enemy’s ex-vocalist Angela Glasgow. It’s mainly about the acceptance of the metal music, the way metal connects with you, your inner soul and demon hiding inside! In Pakistan, yes, there are hardly a few women I’ve seen who are appreciating metal but no all women metal bands as such, though we would love to see one! What is the situation for a metal band that wants to plays shows in other cities in Pakistan? We all three, literally crave to perform live. And that’s what metal is all about, playing live performing all out in front of the people that we love (fans)! This is the best way to appreciate their support for the band! Tabahi has mainly been playing in Karachi, but there aren’t a lot of metal concerts happening here because of the security issues. Metalheads in Karachi, haven’t seen a single metal international band coming here and performing, most of the Pakistanis then have to go via Dubai to see their idols. Security is the main issue for this; hopefully this can be solved in the upcoming years. For Tabahi, we are looking forward to perform worldwide and promote our album! We’ve been in talks with Turkish promoters and also looking for international promoters to help us spread our album and mainly the message all around the world! In the U.S. when Pakistan is in the news, it is patronizing, negative, racist stereotypes, with anti-Muslim overtones. I wonder if in Pakistan you also see mostly negative stereotypes about the U.S., as if everyone here is a millionaire, pro-war and pro-invasion. Maybe it is convenient for both governments to promote these images, to keep both populations ignorant, patriotic and prejudiced? Yes, I completely agree with you. It’s the governments’ convenience to promote these images. It’s not like we get up in the morning of hearing a drone blast nearby, life here is pretty much of a regular life just like a life that you guys are living there in America. But then again, there are difficulties in every country, its how you cope up with these difficulties! And in the last, metal is what unites us all together! This interview is an example, too! Keep thrashing!

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Thank you for the opportunity, man. It’s one of the first interviews that is so detailed about the band and the album too, really appreciate the opportunity! As I’ve mentioned zillion times that we’re getting awesome responses all over the world, a recent one is the biggest one, Jeff Waters from Annihilator got to listen to our whole album and he was really happy with the work that we’ve produced! You can read the shoutout on our Facebook page!

You can listen to all of our songs on Facebook page. If you want to buy our cds and cassettes you can contact SWA PRODUCTIONS and DISTRIBUTIONS at swaproductions@gmail.com. Go to the FB page for the free download link: www.facebook.com/tabahi666 www.tabahi.bandcamp.com Khorne (doom). Free EP at: www.khorne.bandcamp.com/releases -- Obelyskkh: Hymn To Pan (Exile On Mainstream) Would you say that heavy stoner growl/melodic doom is your bag? The vibe is both stoner doom with growling, and traditional doom elements, including melody, and spacey/psychedelic components. The album shows a lot of work put into it; five songs over eight minutes, and the last, sixth track over 20 minutes. What the band also does that is different is that they have lots of uptempo-ish vibes, and that’s not normal in doom; so, it’s actually rocking doom. It’s a heavy-duty guitar tone, but the music sounds like fun, and rocking, which, again, it’s not what one thinks of with doom. The vocals can sound kind of shouty at times, kind of punky, but switch to melodic vocals, too; not quite “smooth singing,” but surprisingly melodic and fitting, and providing a nice contrast with the other styles of vocals. After some 40 minutes, then it’s time for the last song, which is technically over 20 minutes, but these guys could be a bunch of jokesters, though: the first three minutes are music, then some seven of ambient/spacey sounds, then back to the main of the song; and towards the end, the psychedelia trippiness returns big time. Doomheads that have not checked out this band should put this one on the list. Looking for doom that shows good songs and a good doom production? Seek. www.facebook.com/TheObelyskkhRitual -- DEATH METAL Blasphemyth: “Blasphemous Hordes of Obliteration” The EP is a quick intro and one song proper. Leaning more on the “old school” side of death metal, the song has a very moshable, headbangable quality to it. The drumming is simple and direct, uptempo and fast,

along with solid low growling, mixed in with a bit of shrieking. I hope this song is the beginning of more of what the band will be bringing in the future. The first link is how I got the EP; I hope it works for you, too.

www.sendspace.com/file/nmbwty www.blasphemyth.bandcamp.com email: theophagous2005@gmail.com Humiliation/Obscure Infinity (split) (Brutal Art Records) Humiliation/Warmaster (split) (Dead Beat Media)

Humiliation Here are three bands devoted to golden-age-style death metal. (Malaysia) Humiliation’s “military death metal” focuses on history/war-themed classic-dm-influenced heaviness and groove. Listeners will detect shades of Bolt Thrower, and perhaps Obituary and Death, too, as in their most recent full-length album “Turbulence from the Deep,” which I recommend for total Bolt Thrower/midpaced/golden-era dm fanatics. The veterans guarantee “old school dm” with these two splits, one with Obscure Infinity (Germany) and another one with Warmaster (Holland). For their part, Obscure Infinity’s two songs highlight a death metal that probably sounds closer to the very direct dm style of Deicide, it seems to me. Upfront lyrics and attitude, OI shows a dm heart for the classics. Blasting sometimes, aggressively fast always, OI

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is primal dm. Obscure Infinity

Warmaster’s two tracks of no-nonsense dm go for low vocals, but with some higher-pitched parts. The drumming is of the hard-hitting type that anchors the songs rather well, and invites the listener to headbang, mosh or move; a very good characteristic, of course. Simple, direct, effective dm, that’s Warmaster.

Warmaster

Humiliation email: humiliationband@gmail.com www.humiliation.my www.facebook.com/HumiliationMalaysiaDeathMetal

Obscure Infinity www.facebook.com/obscureinfinitygermany Warmaster www.facebook.com/warmasterofficial The Kennedy Veil: “Trinity of Falsehood” (Unique Leader). The attack of hyperblasting robodeathmetal continues. Yes, they have been listening to lots of Origin, too. Modern heavy tech death = The Kennedy Veil. Of course, if you would not like a bit melody and catchy segments, fear not because there is zero of that here. This band plays as if there is no tomorrow; like they are going back to jail after this recording, so they are doing their best to bring their best, fastest, techiest, heaviest, frenzied game because after this album, it’s the end of the world. Go out with a big bang. You want fast? You got it. www.facebook.com/thekennedyveil Near Death Condition: “Evolving towards Extinction” (Unique Leader Records). NCD just about does it all in death metal: technical, blazing, groove, midpace, heavy and a bit of melody. Often there are about 100 million riffs of wrist-breaking technicality and speed, yet NDC works various levels of dm, on this their third album. According to Metal Archives, NDC formed in 2001, so the album is professional and it will please

supporters of this style, even though the band is not a big-name entity. At any rate, NDC, despite the technical wizardly, has a substantial amount of melody and catchiness, within this particular context of carpal tunnel tendonitis arthritis dm. www.facebook.com/officialneardeathcondition Otargos: “Apex Terror” (Listenable Records). Otargos has brought its best game, serving notice to the modern/blasting death metal audiences that there is another player at the table. Otargos has been around for years, often seen as a black metal band. However, it’s time to change that assessment, I believe. In important ways, Otargos’ death metal template is, for reference purposes, Behemoth’s “Demigod.” Otargos epitomizes modern clinical death metal: thick guitars, perfect drumming and superblazing speeds. To balance out the blasting, Otargos adds grooves/midpaced moments.

Sometimes it’s a fast song, followed by a groove one; or, a combination of both within a song. The black metal elements in Otargos nowadays are less obvious because of the death metal production, but there is no doubt that some of the guitar work is stamped with black metal origins, although, beyond doubt, it is more than clear that Otargos is in the Behemoth/Belphegor/Negator camp. In talent, songwriting and production, Otargos should be taken into account by those viewing this style favorably. www.facebook.com/OTARGOSband Warfather: “Orchestrating the Apocalypse” (Greyhaze Records). If you wonder whatever happened to former Morbid Angel growler Steve Tucker, here’s a definitive answer: Warfather. To tell the truth about how I hear this: there are many similarities between this title and Morbid Angel’s “Heretic” with Steve Tucker. The growling phrasings, the fast semi-black metal riffing, the midpaced chug-chug, the general speed, and some of the guitar solos/hooks/vibes have that “Heretic” feel. Nevertheless, the use of atmospherics and the slower

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passages provide contrasting points. In addition, this album is more clinically perfect/robotized than “Heretic.” I sense that Warfather believes that it is wise not to freak out the listeners with something experimental, so this is a total modern death metal album for the listener that likes fast/current death metal, with some melodies here and there. Nothing surprising, fully expected and overall competent: recommended for Steve Tucker-era Morbid Angel supporters, the modern hi-tech death metal audience, such as Behemoth and Hate Eternal, especially if the listener consumes large quantities of death metal frequently, and is not super critical/jaded, as long as it is good for headbanging. www.facebook.com/pages/WarFather/240931366011521 BACK TO THE FUTURE Manilla Road: “Mystification” (Shadow Kingdom Rec.) Curious to hear what Old Metal Al would tell me about this band, I checked with him. Maybe I shouldn’t have. He wouldn’t stop praising Manilla Road. There is something about this band that makes the old heavy metallers go bonkers. That “something” could be: (1) This Wichita, Kansas band’s demo is from 1979/debut from 1980; (2) their 1982 album is called “Metal”; (3) this album “Mystification” from 1987 is the sixth album; (4) they have a bunch of albums and their fanatics are very vocal about defending this band, whose latest album “Mysterium” is from 2013. As to the album at hand, “Mystification” combines dark/horror themes/imagery with fast, uptempo and a bit thrashy (in places) headbanging cult heavy metal. The themes have that old metal obsession with the occult, as you’d find in so much classic metal; and classic metal, this is. Al is right. www.store.shadowkingdomrecords.com www.facebook.com/ShadowKingdomRecords Revelation: “Salvation’s Answer(Shadow Kingdom Rec.) My friend Old Metal Al says that there are many reasons why supporters of traditional, melodic doom that do not have this title should get this 1990-recorded album. He says that he remembers that when he bought this album, when it came out, he had to double check that it had not been recorded in 1980 or 1981 somewhere in the U.K., because to his ears it sounded like it was straight out of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, like some sort of sibling album to a band like doomsters Witchfinder General. (Revelation is from Maryland, U.S.) This is a no-filler album; every song has lots of charm; a classic doom charm. Al says that he remembers that this album sounded nothing—nothing—like the metal released in 1991. Now, in 2014, he says that this album has gotten better, if you like old doom. “What a special album,” he underlines. Well, it’s

difficult to argue. www.store.shadowkingdomrecords.com www.facebook.com/ShadowKingdomRecords Sarcófago: “Rotting” (Greyhaze Records) Sarcófago’s barbarian death/black/thrash “INRI” (1987) was followed by the still-primal-but-slightly-more-polished thrashing “Rotting” (1989). In a sense you could say that this was a transition that other bands were making, from raw death/black/thrash towards a thrashier, cleaner metal: Sodom, Destruction, Kreator, Sepultura, Bathory, Sarcófago and others were sounding more “professional” in the late 80s. In the case of Sarcófago, this recording actually sounds horrid, and it is only when compared with “INRI” that it is clearer, but within the context of Sarcófago, mind you. In general, those into the old metal definitely like both “INRI” and “Rotting.” Both are worthy after all the time that has passed and are very enjoyable today.

www.greyhazerecords.com www.facebook.com/greyhazerecords “Warfare Noise” (Greyhaze Records) (reissue of 1986 compilation of bands from Brazil): Chakal, Mutilator, Sarcófago, Holocausto

“Warfare Noise” is an excellent introduction to the world of 80s underground thrash/death/black metal, and it is 100% a must-have for those interested in knowing the origins of the legends and myths of thrash/death/black metal from Brazil. It’s rough, unpolished metal, and it sounds excellent if you like that old, raw mayhem. Props to Greyhaze Records for reissuing. www.greyhazerecords.com www.facebook.com/greyhazerecords April 25, 2014