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Psychorizon

Tag Archives: Doom Metal

KING WOMAN – Unveil Video For ‘Deny’ & Announce US+EU Tourdates

28 Saturday Jan 2017

Posted by psychorizon in Current

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Album Realse, Andy O’Connor, Bay Area, Caro, Chelsea Wolfe, Consequence of Sound, Created in the Image of Suffering, Debut Album, Deny, Doom Metal, Europan Tour, High On Fire, Jaye Jayle, Kevin Haus, Khemmis, King Woman, Kristina Esfandiari, Oathbreaker, Relapse Records, San Francisco, Sannhet, Survive, Tourdates, True Widow

After previously announcing the release of their full-length debut record “Created In The Image Of Suffering”, San Francisco-based King Woman have now unveiled a first music video in advance.  Directed by Kevin Haus, the video for “Deny” was brought to life by Consequence of Sound.

Vocalist and lyricist Kristina Esfandiari comments: “With this video we aimed to paint a picture of how tormenting and exhausting it is to wrestle with your true self.” Religion plays a strong theme in the music of King Woman, but not in the “praise God, glory be to Him” sort of way. Naming their forthcoming output “Created In The Image Of Suffering” was more than just a clever turn of phrase for the Bay Area Doom Metal outfit. The record is a “catharsis for years of religious and mental torment,” as a press statement puts it, a release you can certainly feel in the album’s new single “Deny”. The song itself finds bandleader Kristina Esfandiari bewailing the facade forced on her by religion in her uniquely hazy drone. “I pray my mother/ Won’t you ever find a cure?” Esfandiari asks on the chorus. “Throw back odd pill/ Find euphoria I once knew.” Musically, “Deny” is a perfect exemplification of how Consequence of Sound’s own Andy O’Connor described the band’s sound in his 10 Most Anticipated Metal Albums of 2017 feature: “Doomy enough for those who still wish High on Fire were on the label, yet weird enough for people who only know Relapse through S U R V I V E…”

king-womanAs for the track’s video, which you can watch above, director Kevin Haus captured the song’s ethos with frightening vividness. Esfandiari describes it as revealing “the shadow aspect in Jungian psychology,” unlocking the darkness kept locked away in one’s subconscious. “In the video you see this portion of the mind surfacing and coaxing the preacher into his truest form; drawing out the aspects of himself which he loathes because it doesn’t fit in with his beliefs,” she tells Consequence of Sound. “In church, I saw others being raised with a rod in their backs, trying to fight their own carnality — buried in shame and guilt. The belief was to deny anything inside of themselves that was considered ugly or wrong, and instead attain a pristine image.”

Additionally the band will be touring the US and Europe alongside Oathbreaker, Chelsea Wolfe and True Widow throughout February, March and April.

oathbreaker_______________________________________________________________

KING WOMAN on Facebook

KING WOMAN on Bandcamp

KING WOMAN on Twitter

DEAF FOREVER – Love Metal! Hate Hypocrites! Make Money By Accident!

26 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by psychorizon in Dialogue

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Tags

Adramelch, Almost Famous, Armored saint, Ascension, Cirith Ungol, Classic Rock, Cover Story, Deaf Forever, Doom Metal, Enforcer, Europe, Fanzine, Goetz Kuehnemund, Hammerheat, Iron Fist, King Diamond, Kris Walker, Lemmy, melechesh, Mercyful Fate, Motörhead, Orchid, Party.San Open Air, Prog, Ranger, Secrets Of The Moon, Selim Lemouchi, Sorcerer, Terrorizer, That's Metal, The Devil's Blood

There’s some new kids on the block and they got some nice toys to play  with: Pen & paper, mind & soul, total conviction and no compromise! Though the name DEAF FOREVER might give somewhat of a “shallow” impression, taking the title of a MOTÖRHEAD track as a trademark. But no worries, this is not just about “the usual suspects”, this is the work of a bunch of passionate people and what more could you ask for in this world where a few major labels run large parts of the business and everyone becomes a whore when it comes to money…The debut issue featured a cover story of KING DIAMOND & MERCYFUL FATE, there’s been a Doom special in the second one and now it’s all about THE DEVIL’S BLOOD. One year has passed since DEAF FOREVER started and the readers have proven them right to not selling their souls to the music business. A great opportunity to have a little chat with the Leader Of The Pack, Goetz Kuehnemund, celebrating the magazine and true metal!

Deaf Forever - GoetzA bald man & a beer can – ⒸKris Walker

How long did it take from the very first idea to actually creating a new magazine and what was the greatest obstacle on this way?

It took about five months. this included forming a company, working out a concept, collecting money, looking for offices, selling subscriptions and advertisements in advance and producing the first issue. it all worked out really fast because there was so much enthusiasm.

I know quite some people who see DEAF FOREVER more as a fanzine and not as the result of proper journalist work – what is your opinion on this?

I take this as a compliment, thank you! „Music journalist“ is a 4-letter-word to me – it translates to „idiot“. I never saw myself as a journalist. I´m a metal fan who has the privilege to voice his opinion. „Proper journalistic work“ means selling your soul to the music business, writing about the stuff the record companies want to sell this week. There is no heart and soul in it – and I think people are fed up with this. Just look at the sales figures of all the „proper“ music magazines and you can see the proof.

Is anyone actually able to make a living as a music journalist nowadays is has this become a romantic idea portrayed in movies like “Almost Famous”?

If you have something unique and authentic to offer: Yes, you can. But as I said: „music journalists“ are idiots most of the time. They make their money on the back of musicians and record companies, and no one respects them. Rightly so.

How hard is it to stay true to oneself and you own beliefs – for some this might even imply staying “underground” to a certain extent – and still be able to make a monthly income with DEAF FOREVER?

We don´t even think about this. We can only write about what we personally love and care for. That´s why metal fans feel attracted to DEAF FOREVER and buy the magazine: They know it´s honest. And yes, „by accident“ we can make a living this way.

Deaf Forever - SelimThe anniversary issue displays a picture honouring the late S.L.

Regarding the current issue, featuring a cover story/special on THE DEVIL’S BLOOD: How important are the readers’ reaction for the magazine staff when it comes to chosing or maybe even avoiding topics?

There is no avoiding topics if we believe in something – no matter what anyone says. We write about what we like and what we feel strongly about – we can´t do it any other way. And I´m sure that´s exactly why the magazine sells well. Every issue outsells the previous one, no matter how „provocative“ some of the topics are.

One aspect of the young DF history is rather obvious. How much was this, specially for you, a “mandatory” decision or a step done out of pure conviction, saying you could have done something else rather than staying in the writing business?

There were interesting offers from festival organizers, management companies and (German) television – but why should I stop writing? I always loved what I do and I can´t see this changing – especially when I´m free to write about whatever I like. If there was any pressure on us (meaning we HAVE to do – or avoid – something), I would probably think about changing my „job“ as it wouldn´t be fun anymore. It might sound cheesy to some – but DEAF FOREVER is total conviction for all of us! I have the best team in the world by my side (by moonlight we ride, ten thousand side by side, with swords drawn held high, our whips and armour shine!).

Deaf Forever - TeamA part of the DF crew at Party.San Open Air 2014 – ⒸSeda Tunca

At this point, would you say DF is still finding its own niche among the vivid competition on the market and that some of the columns currently featured might disappear in the cause of time?

No. We have found our niche and we are happy with the way things are shaping and evolving. Thanks to everybody out there who has helped along the way!

My first impression of the look was “very British”, has there been one or more established mags you took inspiration from, like British IRON FIST or TERRORIZER?

Maybe subconsciously, yes. I like IRON FIST a lot, but haven´t seen an issue of TERRORIZER in a long while. I love to read fanzines – and there are some very good ones around. The best German ones (right now) are HAMMERHEART and THAT’S METAL. Reading good fanzines always inspires me – as well as reading (English) Classic Rock  and Prog magazines.

DF just celebrated its first anniversary, so congrats on this! What are the plans for the near future and what general goals does the staff have in mind?

Thank you! The goal is to be able to continue the way we work without any compromise. The future looks very promising and interesting to us.

The first half of 2015 is pretty much over by now: What are your favourite new releases so far?

Oh, there are many! SULPHUR AEON  stands out – so do ADRAMELCH, ARMORED SAINT, RANGER, ENFORCER, SORCERER, ASCENSION, MELECHESH and (surprise, surprise) EUROPE. And right now, while answering these questions, I´m listening to the new BLACK TRIP album. After that I will put on new ORCHID, new MOTÖRHEAD or new SECRETS OF THE MOON. All exciting stuff!

Deaf Forever - Comic GoetzUp the irons!

If you wouldn’t be a writer, is there any career you could imagine for your life?

I would probably (try to) write books. I´ve started three books in my life, but didn´t find the time to finish any of them. Don´t ask about the content – it´s all boring stuff. Metal is absorbing most of my life, and that will never change. I´m very lucky to have a metal girlfriend who fully understands (and regularly steals my CIRITH UNGOL vinyls).

Thanks a lot for taking the time to do this interview with Psychorizon. Is there anything else you would like to tell the world, cast a spell on anyone or declare love or war right now?

Love Metal! Hate hypocrites!

___________________________________________________________________

DEAF FOREVER Homepage

DEAF FOREVER on Facebook

DEAF FOREVER on YouTube

THE WOUNDED KINGS – In The Chapel Of The Black Hand

16 Sunday Oct 2011

Posted by psychorizon in Discussion

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Tags

Alex Kearney, Chris Fielding, Doom Metal, Embrace Of The Narrow House, Foel Studios, Hammond-organ, I Hate, In The Chapel Of The Black Hand, Jim Willumsen, Mike Heath, Napalm Death, Primordial, Review, Sharie Neyland, Steve Mills, The Shadow Over Atlantis, The Wounded Kings

Like the rise of a clear autumn day, The Wounded Kings’ third output “In The Chapel Of The Black Hand” slowly fades in with a slight breath of melancholy. The brand new lineup – featuring vocalist Sharie Neyland, guitarist Alex Kearney, bassist Jim Willumsen and drummer Mike Heath – resembles the bitter yet hopeful atmosphere one might find during the season of change and decay. Just like the band itself faced the circle that is life, with band members leaving to pursue other careers or family lives, founding member Steve Mills continues to write this story. Low’n’slow riffing and epic lengths mandatory for the Doom Genre, the four tracks clearly enchant til the end. With an almost moaning voice, throad-cutting strings and a sway of Hammond organ, The Wounded Kings create a wall of sound which seems to convey the spirit of long gone days and times.

Recorded in the breathtaking Welsh Valleys at the legendary Foel Studios with Chris Fielding (Primordial, Napalm Death, etc.) at the helm.

Compared to the previous two albums (“Embrace Of The Narrow House”(2008) and “The Shadow Over Atlantis”(2010)), the songs on “In The Chapel Of The Black Hand” convey a far more concrete thread, the new members contribute to. As their Swedish Label I Hate points out concerning The Wounded Kings’ 2011 publication: “The listener will be grateful to get out alive with their soul and sanity intact – just as it should be.“

Tracklist:

1. The Cult Of Soules

2. Gates Of Oblivion

3. Return Of The Sorcerer

4. In The Chapel Of The Black Hand

________________________________________________________________

The Wounded Kings on Facebook

The Wounded Kings on Reverbnation

BLOOD CEREMONY – 2011 European Tour ahead

01 Saturday Oct 2011

Posted by psychorizon in Live

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

2011 Tour, Alia O'Brien, Black Magic Rites, Blood Ceremony, Canadian Metal, Doom Metal, European Tour, Hammer Of Doom Festival, Living With The Ancient, Lucas Gadke, Metal Blade, Michael Carrillo, Mythology Agency, Retro Rock, Rise Above, Sean Kennedy

Toronto-based Retro Rockers Blood Ceremony will start their “Black Magic Rites” – European Tour 2011 next week. After the Bands last visit earlier this year, some places will miss out the great atmosphere – but there will certainly be another time!

Blood Ceremony on Facebook

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