Demonstealer

Sahil Makhija aka Demonstealer is a well known figure in Indian metal circles as the frontman for one of India’s oldest metal bands Demonic Resurrection. A couple years ago, he released a solo album under the moniker Demonstealer, This Burden Is Mine featuring George Kollias (Nile) on drums. This month, will see the release of a new album under the moniker, Last Reptilian Warrior. The album features guest appearances by some of the world’s best metal musicians.

I also spoke to Sahil about Last Reptilian Warrior, the stellar line up of guest musicians on the album and also the future plans of Demonic Resurrection. Check out the video premiere at the bottom of this interview.

Read my interview with Sahil on Unite Asia

 

Amorphia

Thrash metal is the most popular metal subgenre in India. 3 of the “Big 4” of thrash metal royalty (the exception being Anthrax) have performed in the country in the past decade. There are thrash metal bands across the country including smaller towns like Cherthala in Kerala where Amorphia(https://www.facebook.com/Amorphiathrash) hail from. The band formed in 2012 and have released 2 singles so far,  Master of Death and Lieber Code. The latter features on their debut album Arms to Death, which will be released on April 15

Find out more about Arms to Death, recording the album and also the Indian bands that have inspired them in my interview with the band below.

Read the interview on Unite Asia 

Mike Low (The Artisan Era) interview

The Artisan Era is an American extreme metal label. Started by Mike Low and Malcolm Pugh (Inferi) the label has created a formidable roster of artists like Augury, Inanimate Existence and Dark Matter Secret and put out some eminent releases in the past 4 years.

I spoke to Mike Low about the origins of the label, balancing between bands and the label and more.

You started the label in 2014 How does it feel looking back?

We didn’t really know what we were doing, haha. It has been quite a learning experience and has come a long, long way. There was no planning, no promotion game, and just a less professional feel all around. Fortunately we were only releasing our own bands at the time and didn’t have to subject anyone else to that. As we grew and decided to start taking on other bands, we got our ducks in a row and have everything down to a T now.

How did you decide to start a label? Why did you decide to start a label that releases only extreme metal music?

Extreme metal is about 95% or more of what we listen to, so that wasn’t hard to pick. We originally started the label just to release our own music. Actually way back in the day, we had discussed just releasing one-man (or woman!) bands. Malcolm had ALR and I was working on a solo project after I quit ENFOLD DARKNESS. That project never came to fruition because I joined INFERI and ended up using the songs I was working on for The Path of Apotheosis. It was then that we scrapped the strictly one-man band idea and released INFERI and my other band OUBLIETTE. In summer 2015, we had a meeting with ENFOLD DARKNESS about releasing their second album, and that’s when we decided to expand and start working with other bands.

What has been your most memorable release so far?

The Path of Apotheosis. Without that album, The Artisan Era would probably not be succeeding as we are today.

What do you look for in bands before signing them to your label?

Originality, creativity, and not just a run-of-the-mill extreme band. We have to see something in the band that we don’t see in other bands. We don’t have a certain formula but Malcolm and I have to agree on them 100% before we sign them. We have been approached with some more known bands that we are not into… stuff that would have sold well, but we want to stay true to what we like.

What are the problems that you have faced?

Typos and misprints are the bane of our existence, haha. No, there really aren’t a lot of problems.

You are a part of bands like Inferi and Oubliette. How do you manage between the bands and running the label?

I just have to remember to play guitar as much as possible in between mixing and meeting deadlines. Malcolm is the head honcho of INFERI, so I do what he tells me to do. OUBLIETTE has not toured yet, but I do most of the manager-type work for us, as well as all the audio work too (for both bands).

What are the changes in customers and bands you have noticed?

Vinyl is killing right now!

Do you have advice for anyone planning to start a label now?

Don’t do it.

What is next for The Artisan Era? What are the next releases from the label?

Keep an eye on our page!

Here are some releases from The Artisan Era that you should check out:

 

 

 

Bear

2018 is turning out to be another great year for rock/metal fans in India with acts like Incubus, Veil of Maya, Plini amongst others performing in the country. Next month, Bear from Belgium will join this list. The band released their 3rd full length album, /// via Basick records last year. The album combines technical and groove metal resulting in the soundtrack to destruction.

I spoke to the band ahead of their India tour about their unique sound, their latest release /// and what the Indian audience should expect from their shows.

Read my interview with Bear on Unite Asia

 

#mwe (Music Writers Exercise)

Last month, you might have come across #mwe on your Twitter timeline. The Music Writers Exercise is challenge started by music journalist Gary Suarez in 2015. The challenge is during the month of February to listen to an album that you have never heard before and write one tweet about it. I decided to take part this year, could not write for all 28 days as I fell sick during the last week of the month. Here are the albums I listened to and tweets about them.

 

Pissed off grinders from Philly deliver a potent mix of grindcore & noise in just over 5 minutes.

Skullcrushing split between old school death metal bands from Philipines and Malaysia. Raw production will please purists.

4 tracks of claustaphobic metallic hardcore. Last release from the Immigrant Core quartet. 3 members went on to form Chepang. Killer artwork by Anoop K Bhat

Shrieked vocals and chilling riffs complemented by raw production. Released last year by Transcending Obscurity and overlooked by many.

Mid tempo death metal from Texas. Could not resist headbanging while listening to the album. Razorback Records edition includes a live track and a Motorhead cover.

Chernobyl death metal! The third album from the German band is an sonic assault on the ears and mind alike.

Third release from the Polish guitarist is smooth as top shelf whiskey. Got it on loop since morning.

The first solo release by the vocalist/guitarist of doom metal band Beastmaker is a mix of low crooning vocals and dual guitar melodies. Reminded me of heavy metal from the 80’s.

Deadstar’s Nihal Anand trades his electric guitar for an acoustic one. The relaxed pace and chilled out vibe of the tracks make it an essential listen over the weekend.

Youtuber AlaaWardi is known for his creative covers. His second A Cappella release is a mix of catchy hooks and beatboxing. An enjoyable listen for non – Arabic speakers too.

 

Foreign Beggars are one of the few rap/hip hop groups that I listen to. Their latest release features sharp verses with bass drops and topped with syrupy hooks.

Checked out this release after being impressed by the Brazilian doomsters second album out on Transcending Obscurity. Their first full length is sludgier with rawer production. A must listen for doom fans.

I checked out this album as it is not often that you get an email from black metal band from South Africa. Well executed black metal with cosmic themes. Brought to mind bands from the second wave of black metal.

The third album from the Germans is under an hour of twisted death metal. A surprise at each turn. Easily one of the best death metal albums of 2017.

Latest release from the Oriental metallers is a concept album inspired by Plato’s Allegory Of The Cave. Another gem in the band’s illustrious discography.

 

 

Formed by members of The Slow Death in tribute to their deceased band member. The album has an melancholic vibe and one can sense their loss. Not an easy listen.

A New band from members of Swallow the Sun, Amorphis and HIM. The albums features the last writings of Juha Raivio’s partner Aleah Starbridge. A soul crushing listen.

As a Thrash metal and Crossover Thrash fan, I was guilty of not checking out this album earlier. The tracks showcase a band at it’s peak. Moshpit inducing riffs

 

Playlist of all the tracks/albums.

Sandesh Shenoy

Trendslaughter Festival is one of the few metal only festivals in India. Started in 2012, the festival has featured underground bands from around the world like Demilich, Impiety and also Indian bands. The headliners for the second edition of the upcoming edition of Trendslaughter festival is Czech black metal band Cult of Fire, their first live performance in Asia, making it one looked forward to by many.

I spoke to Sandesh Shenoy, one of the people behind the festival. About the 6th edition of the festival, how the line up is curated and also their plans for the rest of the year.

Read my interview on Unite Asia

Richard Weeks (Blackened Death Records)

The label feature is back after a short gap. This time around, the label in focus Blackened Death Records from UK. The label was started by Richard Weeks a couple years ago and in a short time has put out some killer black and death metal releases.

Find out more about the origins of the label, change in bands & customers and upcoming releases in my interview with Richard below.

Hi Richard, you started Blackened Death Records in 2015. How did you decide to start a label? Why did you decide to start a label that releases only extreme metal music?

I started Blackened Death for a very selfish reason – to self-publish my own music. I started my first band, Carnivorous Forest, in 2012 and the first demos were very rough. After a few years and very little interest in my projects, I opted to start self-publishing my music. And Blackened Death was born.

Your first release was Carnivorous Forest – Necromancy. How did the release come about?

I wanted to do a cover album of extreme metal songs reinterpreted in a dark folk style. At the same time I was recording the album I came up with the idea to do my own label. It was only fitting Necromancy was our first release.

What have been the most memorable releases on your label so far?

The first two Hammer Smashed Faith compilations were incredible to work on. I got to work with some of my favourite artists like Thrawsunblat, SIG:AR:TYR, Toehider, and Chthe’ilist. We have also just released a giant 74 track album called Noise Against Racism which is almost 9 hours long. Very proud of that album and all the acts behind it spreading the same message.

What is the biggest problem that you faced so far in running the label?

One of the big issues I deal with daily is people trying to scam me. I get emails daily asking me to send /physical copies only/ to such and such zine. I also get a lot of so called labels asking me to pay them 80 euros a track to get put on their “cover mount CD” to magazines that do not exist. BDR doesn’t make a lot of money and the money we make goes right back into the label. When someone tries to take advantage of me or my bands, I see fucking red.

What kind of marketing do you do?

To be honest, we don’t do a lot of marketing. We have our social network presence and beyond an occasional Facebook ad, we just work on word of mouth. I think it’s the most honest way of doing business. I like getting involved with the community. I don’t like saying we have “fans” – we have friends and family.

What changes have you noticed in bands/customers in the past decade?

Changes in bands. A lot of underground bands are literally out there breaking their necks to entertain the fans. When you see a small band do a month long tour where they pay for /everything/ themselves just to satisfy the fans, I think that is amazing. In 2017 there are more underground bands than ever and finding your niche can be hard. I have maximum respect for small bands who do it all themselves.

As for changes in customers. I think a lot of them know about the struggles of small bands. Seeing fans buy directly from bands is awesome. Seeing a band get 100% of what they deserve is the absolute best.

What do you look for in a band before you sign them to your label?

I look for honesty and passion. I sign bands who I think deserve some attention. I don’t look for “bands that will push product” or “bands that will hit the charts”. I see a lot of small bands out there who work their asses off and get nothing out of it. If I can get ears and eyes pointed in their direction… that is why I do this.

Have you been in a band? What instrument do you play?

I am in many, many bands. The aforementioned Carnivorous Forest, Suicide Wraith, The Meads of Asphodel… and many more. I have found in the current day and age, you have to have as many skills as you can. So originally a guitarist and vocalist, I have taught myself how to play bass, keyboards, how to layout an album, how to mix and master, how to EQ, how to promote, how to do almost everything myself. I have learned a lot of lessons and earned a lot of skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Do you have any advice for those planning to start a metal music record label?

My advice is to /just do it/. If you have a passion for something, do it. Just realise that not everyone is going to be Iron Maiden or Metallica – you are gonna have to do as much on your own as possible. Learn other instruments, learn art, learn PR, just /assume/ you will need these skills at some point. Never stop learning new skills.

What are the upcoming releases from your label?

We have a number of exciting releases coming up soon. A huge grind / crust / death metal / punk compilation called “Grinding Aural Torture” and the three way split between Suicide Wraith / Uncanny Reality / Necrolytic Goat Converter is going to be killer.