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Summoning
Richard Lederer (Protector) and Michael Gregor (Silenius) represent a respectable portion of the Austrian dark music scene. They have played in a great number of bands, and are currently active with such cult-phenomenae as Die Verbannten Kinder Eva's, Ice Ages, Kreuzweg Ost and ofcourse, their common band Summoning. Having been a fan of their work for a number of years, I thought I'd be qualified enough to ask the two musicians some questions.
Mats/Morgan
Mats/Morgan is a Swedish band formed by and around drummer Morgan Ågren and keyboardist/singer Mats Öberg. The couple made several albums as well as contributed to other people's records. Their music isn’t easy to pigeonhole in a certain genre, but ‘a jazz/rock fusion with pop’ should be pretty much give an idea. Their last album On Air With Guests has been out for a while and a new one is in the works. Morgan is happy to answer some questions regarding Mats/Morgan and anything else that is (or has been) going on in Stockholm.
The Melvins
The Melvins. No introduction needed. I got the opportunity to hook up with Dale Crover at Dour Festival last summer in Belgium. Things didn't go smoothly...
Dave Murray
Former Estradasphere drummer David Murray didn’t sit down and do nothing after he left the Santa Cruz outfit.
Jaga Jazzist
In the matter of a couple of years, Jaga Jazzist have become one of the hottest upcoming acts in European independent music. Now signed on Ninja Tune, the ten piece, renowned for their fabulous live performances, seem ready for great things worldwide with releases in the States and rumours of live dates in Japan.
Tha Blue Herb
Tha Blue Herb came to my attention through DJ Krush. He made me want to check out more and I’m glad I did... You should too! After a few months spent discovering their music, I decided to make the big jump and contact Ill-Bosstino to arrange an interview.
Black Dice
Black Dice released one of the most interesting albums of 2003 in Beaches and Canyons (review here). Quite known for their thrilling live shows, I made my way to their gig in Belgium in early May and had a few words with Aaron Warren (vocals & electronics).
REZ
Videogames have changed enormously in the last 20 years. But from Arkanoid to Zelda: The Wind Waker, it has always been about gameplay. It's not about graphics or sounds alone, without good gameplay the game is rubbish.
Sunn 0)))
The heaviest band in the world came to Belgium for two gigs in early april. On the first night I hooked up with Steve O'Malley and Greg Anderson and had a little talk with them.
The Mole
Jonah is The Mole. He does some fine hiphop, is a cool guy and has his own label. He releases cool stuff on it. He looks beautiful, so girls get ready for him! By the way he is also very nice and has answered a few questions of mine...Do not forget to try his music...
Dave ‘Fuze’ Fiuczynski
Guitarist David ‘Fuze’ Fiuczynski has been playing on about 65 albums since his debut with organist John Medeski (Medeski, Martin & Wood) called Lunar Crush and collaborated with many well- and unknown artists, mainly in the jazz and fusion section.
Mezarkabul
Turkish metal band Mezarkabul released their third worldwide release Unspoken a long time ago and I reviewed it here. Last year they released Bir, a Turkish release. Bassplayer Tarkan was willing to answer a few questions regarding his band:
Programme
Programme is a duo from France that produced one of the most interesting albums of 2002. L’Enfer Tiède (translated as Tepid Hell) is the name of this masterpiece and Arnaud Michniak and Damien Bétous are the names behind it.
DHG
The time when 666 International was released will never be forgotten. It stands as one of the most innovative albums in modern black metal, and is perhaps still way ahead of its time; no band has come near the combined strength of black metal and the electronic effects. But what most fans are waiting for is a follow-up, or at least some news around DHG, aka Dødheimsgard
The Third And The Mortal
After a 5 year silence, at least outside their home of Trondheim, The Third And The Mortal released Memoirs. The album showed a more ‘urban’ sound that was hinted at on In This Room but was not as obvious. Almost a year after the release The Third And The Mortal played in Mexico City and did a small tour in Europe. Guitarist Trond Engum answered a few questions about the activities and whereabouts of the band:
Steve Ericsson
In my review of the soundtrack of Lyckantropen by Ulver I expressed the wish to see the movie. My wish has been granted! So now I’m going to review a movie, a field in which I’m far from expert (inasfar one can name himself an expert in anything as subjective as ‘the arts’). I don’t want to give away too much of it, so I keep it short.
Tujiko Noriko
Her third album is, according to me, the best release of 2002... In Hard ni sasete, Tujiko Noriko gives us a subtle mix of electronica and pop, accompanied with her beautiful fragile voice and flavoured with the proverbial Japanese weirdness.
Meshuggah
It’s been four years since Meshuggah released Chaosphere, except a collection of rarities (aptly titled: Rare Trax) little was heard from the Swedish thrashband. 2002 marks the return with extensive touring and the release of Nothing (no pun intended).
dälek
Now signed on Ipecac, dälek have just released their second full-length, From filthy tongue of gods and griots an album full of mind-blowing, unique hiphop songs, certainly one of the albums of the year.
The Gathering
If I had to make a list of bands I like for each year, The Gathering would be on all of them. Maybe not as my all-time favorite band, but they would always be present.
Gåte
The last few years a revival of Scandinavian folkbands arose with Sweden as the epicentre.
Antimatter
Antimatter is the current project of ex Anathema bassist and songwriter Duncan Patterson. After leaving Anathema post Alternative 4, he entered the studio with close friend Mick Moss
Red Harvest
An interview with Red Harvest couldn't stay out for long, since the band is among the best Norway has to offer in the metal genre.
Beefcake
The square root of architecture plus inventiveness divided by aural feast. Electronic chamber music for the eclectic listener.