Check out this short film we created for friends in Iapetus.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Mhinotahn Interview
Here is the complete interview that was done with http://occultblackmetalzine.blogspot.com/. This is a long running black metal blogspot that has a ton of reviews and interviews of a wide array of underground bands. Go check out the site.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Mhinotahn is based out of Houston, Texas. We are definitely a black metal band, but we also incorporate facets of old style death metal, doom, hardcore/punk, thrash and grindcore. Our members have been around the underground music scene for many years and to us everything always goes back to that late 80s/early 90s sound. That era I relate to because for me it was a time of going to underground shows every weekend and discovering new bands. Over time I have grown an intimate appreciation for. That time period mentality is used when writing our songs, but we definitely do not look to be anyone’s clones. I feel our music has an old style approach with our own signature sound. For example, Pungent Stench is one of my favorite bands and an influence but I surely would not want to sound identical to them. I know what we do is not totally original, but I want a sound that has our stamp on it.
My view on black metal is the same as the early punk mentality, go against status quo and do what your inner being desires. I do not feel that wearing corpse paint is a prerequisite to being in a black metal band. Don’t get me wrong, lots of bands pull it off rather well and I think it is really cool. I do think it brings some drama and mystique to a live setting. No matter how cheesy some people say Immortal looks in their videos, I will always like their image. For us however, we do not feel there is a need to wear it. I am not going to do something because “everyone else is doing it”. The same with the music, a million bands trying to sound like Burzum is not in the true essence of black metal. It should be about individuality and going against trend. That is my personal opinion and some may disagree, but I am ok with that.
2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the demos?
So far we have released two demos: “S/T” and “Lord of Swine”. The self titled demo has more of a straight forward black metal approach. The first song “Negativity brings forth Prosperity” is a 7 minute, raw atmospheric black blast. The other track, in my mind, has a blackened thrash feel.
It was released by The Dread Lair Coalition, which is a Texas based distro that specializes in underground metal. They play a big part in organizing a lot of the local shows and supporting the scene. Their website is definitely worth checking out http://thedreadlair.vstore.ca/. They have a huge selection of underground demos and releases available.
The second demo, “Lord of Swine”, is still black metal but has a definite hardcore and doom influence. Shorter song lengths and more aggression are what take center stage. These songs are more likely to conjure random violent urges.
Both demos have differing sounds but is still obvious it is the same band performing.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics the demos explores?
A variety of dark topics are covered. “Below the Ruins” discusses the inevitability of war no matter what setting civilized man is in. Self destruction is rooted in all man. “Unhinged” tells the story of an overwhelming presence of evil overtaking a normally innocent mindset. A mindset that has spent an entire lifetime following what is taught to be right. After years of self torment, a breakdown takes over and the restrained sickened urges are unleashed. “Swarm the Pessimist” is about isolation and antisocial behavior. “Lord of Swine” is about running in the maze of life and at every corner meeting a horrific disappointment. A blackened aura overshadows all decisions.
I will save the space and not give detailed breakdowns of every song. However, none of the songs are written in a straight forward manner but more metaphoric. One can read and analyze the lyrics to draw their own conclusion.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?
The band’s name, as well as everything else, has been thought out. Early on we wanted a unique name. Something simple, yet memorable like a title from an early 80’s horror movie. Also a name that when Googled, only our presence would appear.
The name was inspired by the Ray Harryhausen creature called Minaton. As a child I always liked that character, so the spelling was altered and a couple of h’s were thrown in. Some have asked if it was a name taken from some ancient writings, but no, just a word created in my mind. I prefer that every aspect of the band is something we created. I did not want to look in a book and pick some random evil word or demonic entity as our moniker.
5. Has the band had any opportunities to do any live shows and if so what are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Yes we have played live and are in process of setting up more outings. The live platform is a vital part of the band. We could sit around all day recording music but the live feeling is very important for both the inner person and also spreading our name. Being an exclusive studio band is not something we are interested in.
As for our stage performance, I would say aggressive, energetic and calculated. When preparing for a gig we take the approach of a professional sports team. Everything is thought out and rehearsed properly. Also all the members are extremely focused on performing. You will never come to one of our shows and see coked up or intoxicated members screwing up every song. We play shows to entertain people, and we do our best to do so.
6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
None at that moment, but short mini tours are a possibility for the future.
7. I noticed with your promo pack you had a couple of paper zines, can you tell us a little bit more about them and who designed the pictures that where presented in those zines?
The zines are another form of promotion. They give the listener a visual. Plus I am still a fan of paper zines. They are great reading while sitting on the toilet. We designed everything in the zines. It took some time creating the art and text, but the final result to me is satisfactory.
That band zine includes a DVD and some illustrations/lyrics to go along with the music. The concept behind it was taken from the old children’s book and record sets. If you remember, in the 80s that was quite popular. You throw on the 45 and follow along in the comic type book. I wanted to do something out of the ordinary. In the DIY scene I think it is unique. I could be wrong.
The other zine, Filth Covered Visions, is simply exploitation fiction. Each issue is a short story about some vile characters their tales of sick mutilation and filth. So far three issues have been produced and drawn the attention of a small readership. Below is the premise for issue #3:
“She grimaced in pain as her body was being mutilated by the sick man’s mouth.”
“Mr. Sholder is a man with problems. He has a damaged mind from twisted events past. Drinking away his failures is a hobby he is quite fond of. However this particular night out will take him on a sickened journey that will question both morality and sanity. A chance encounter with a couple of patrons will constrict his inner being and drag him through a fragile underpinning. His nondescript existence will soon come face to face with an obscene chain of events. Mutilation and violence take center stage in this fast-paced, filth covered vision.”
For interested parties, email me at mhinotahn@hotmail.com. For more details, check out our blogspot at mhinotahn.blogspot.com.
8. I have also noticed the pack also came with the dvd, what where some of the ideas that you had for the videos and how did you put them together?
As mentioned in an earlier question, everything we do is calculated. In promotion, I wanted to do something different than simply circulating a demo CD. The goal was to create a promo pack that will motivate a second look. The above question covers detail in regard to the zine. As for the DVD itself, the center point is the video for the song “Lord of Swine”. The slide show of still pictures type video is what I wanted to avoid. Those are a dime a dozen on youtube. Every so often I come across bands that make a DIY live action video and I commend them for taking the time to do so. When showcasing your work one should always try to present it in some sort of interesting display. Even on a minimal budget, great things can be accomplished with creativity. This is especially important in this age of a million bands all having a social networking site and shoving mp3’s down every label’s throat.
In making the “Lord of Swine” promo video, I combined footage of both the band and some underground French bunkers. I sat down and meticulously edited every frame. For a more detailed summary about the making of the video, go to our blogspot, again, at mhinotahn.blogspot.com. The article really does cover every aspect of the project. Also watch the video here:
9. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label and if so what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for the music?
At the moment we are working out the logistics with NY based label Cannibal Records. A split CD is planned with death sludge band Filtheater, whose sound I totally dig. Filtheater could perfectly fit in with the Wild Rags Records 1991 roster. Dirty, raw, sludge brutality is my opinion. Their music gives me the same feeling I get when listening to Nuclear Death. Go take a listen here http://www.myspace.com/filtheaterband. If everything works out, I foresee a great split release.
We are sending out promo items to many other labels as well. Honestly, we are just making contacts and trying to get our name in front of others. At this point we are looking to do small releases, 7” EPs or splits. Enough material for a full length has been written, but it would make no sense to record one before more of a national following is created. So we are taking everything slow and following the proper steps to getting some exposure.
We are also working on a sponsorship from Fuck Hard Dildos. Their motto is “Destruction of Pussy”.
10. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by black metal fans?
So far, the response has been favorable. I was told by one listener that he raped an animal while listening to our music. Another guy said he ran into a bar and stabbed 27 people with a butter knife.
11. Are there any current side projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
At the moment there are no side projects. This endeavor controls our full concentration. However, in the future a side project is not out of the question.
12. What direction do you see the music heading into during the future?
As with all our writing, we do not set out to sound a certain way. We throw riffs and ideas together and let everything fall in place. The writing process never begins with an idea of saying “hey lets write a song that sounds exactly like say Carpathian Forest”. In the beginning, a song may sound one way but by completion is something totally different. For example our song “Unhinged” started off as basic black metal, but as we rehearsed it morphed into an almost speeding hardcore song. In a nutshell, we write black metal songs with a punk rock mentality and see where it takes us.
Speaking of an uncategorized writing approach, the band I think best exemplifies that is the old Las Vegas group Righteous Pigs. They were raw and heavy as hell but really could not be pigeonholed into a specific genre. The vocals were performed in a yelling manner but the riffing style was too heavy to be labeled hardcore. Overall the sound was brutal but they could not be considered death or grind either.
13. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I touched upon this in the first question but will go into more detail. All the members have a varied taste in music but at the end of the day it is all about old style black/death metal. My definition of death is bands like Asphyx, Cianide, Incantation, Disastrous Murmur, Goreaphobia, Phlegm, Ripping Corpse and Dismember. Black metal bands such as Profanatica, Blasphemy, Beherit, Impaled Nazarene, Enslaved, Emperor, Mayhem and Immortal also play a vital part in our creativity. Other various influencing bands are 45 Grave, Discharge, Negative Approach, Fear of God, Blood, Cathedral, Broken Bones, Exhorder, SOB, Nasum, and a crap load of others. This is becoming redundant listing bands, but it gives you an idea of where we are coming from. One other thing, modern technical death metal does not influence us at all. I like listening to some of it, but there is no interest in playing that style.
What do I listen to nowadays? The answer is across the board. For about 6 months I played The Damned anthology collection in my car. Then threw in some old Saxon. The other day I was listening to Slayer’s recent “World Painted Blood”; for those who think Slayer has turned to shit, I completely disagree. Last night I went to sleep listening to my Incantation “Onward to Golgotha” cassette.
One of the more recent bands I really like is Dishammer, which is a project of Spanish grind band Machetazo. That is some great dirty music! Of course I listen to many of the great Texas bands like Plutonian Shore, Spectral Manifest, Forest of Suicides, Bound in Flesh, Warmaster, Humut Tabal and many more…go check out that Dread Lair link I posted in an earlier question.
14. Does Occultism or Satanism play any role in your music?
I would say it does play a large role, but our music is not exclusively satanic. It is more a commentary on the subject. We are not practicing Satanists nor have any philosophic agenda to our songs. I perceive Satan as a metaphor for everyday life. Our music, however, all has a dark negative horror inspired tone. As mentioned in an earlier question, our lyrics are interpretive. It is up to the listener to generate their own conclusion.
15. I have noticed that on your blog page you write about other bands than your own, and seem to have a long history listening to underground music, how did you get into this style of music?
Yes the band blogspot is about more than just us. There you can find reviews and random passages about a variety of music related topics. I try to keep the blog interesting and not just posting the same boring things such as “we have a show coming up”, “we are working on new material”, “here’s a new song”, blah, blah, blah. Band information is imperative but I have a need to write about other topics in the extreme music scene. If a random thought or a certain band comes to mind, I write something about it to be posted. I have heard many positive comments about the blogspot, so apparently someone likes the page. Once again, go check it out at mhinotahn.blogspot.com.
My next goal is to expand into more coverage of bands in the Texas scene, which is completely saturated with many great groups. There is plenty to cover.
How I got into heavy music is a story many can relate to. As a child of the 70s I liked KISS and even had those infamous KISS dolls. Then in the early 80s, thanks to my Dad, I migrated to Motley Crue during their “Shout at the Devil” years. From there I discovered thrash metal and punk rock. Anthrax, Overkill, Slayer, Sacred Reich, Suicidal Tendencies, DRI, Black Flag, 7 Seconds, Cro-Mags, Agnostic Front …you get the point. Next I discovered Sepultura’s “Beneath the Remains”, and a whole new underground world opened up to me. Many evenings of sitting in the garage with friends while listening to mutilated music.
16. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?
Outside of music we are 4 very normal people. We like doing normal activities like rolling around in pig entrails, eating pussy at a whore house, chewing on infected pork and eating shit out of dumpsters.
17. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for the platform. I hope you continue carrying on with your cool blogspot. To any readers who would like more info on the band, shoot an email to mhinotahn@hotmail.com or look us up on Facebook.
1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
Mhinotahn is based out of Houston, Texas. We are definitely a black metal band, but we also incorporate facets of old style death metal, doom, hardcore/punk, thrash and grindcore. Our members have been around the underground music scene for many years and to us everything always goes back to that late 80s/early 90s sound. That era I relate to because for me it was a time of going to underground shows every weekend and discovering new bands. Over time I have grown an intimate appreciation for. That time period mentality is used when writing our songs, but we definitely do not look to be anyone’s clones. I feel our music has an old style approach with our own signature sound. For example, Pungent Stench is one of my favorite bands and an influence but I surely would not want to sound identical to them. I know what we do is not totally original, but I want a sound that has our stamp on it.
My view on black metal is the same as the early punk mentality, go against status quo and do what your inner being desires. I do not feel that wearing corpse paint is a prerequisite to being in a black metal band. Don’t get me wrong, lots of bands pull it off rather well and I think it is really cool. I do think it brings some drama and mystique to a live setting. No matter how cheesy some people say Immortal looks in their videos, I will always like their image. For us however, we do not feel there is a need to wear it. I am not going to do something because “everyone else is doing it”. The same with the music, a million bands trying to sound like Burzum is not in the true essence of black metal. It should be about individuality and going against trend. That is my personal opinion and some may disagree, but I am ok with that.
2. How would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the demos?
So far we have released two demos: “S/T” and “Lord of Swine”. The self titled demo has more of a straight forward black metal approach. The first song “Negativity brings forth Prosperity” is a 7 minute, raw atmospheric black blast. The other track, in my mind, has a blackened thrash feel.
It was released by The Dread Lair Coalition, which is a Texas based distro that specializes in underground metal. They play a big part in organizing a lot of the local shows and supporting the scene. Their website is definitely worth checking out http://thedreadlair.vstore.ca/. They have a huge selection of underground demos and releases available.
The second demo, “Lord of Swine”, is still black metal but has a definite hardcore and doom influence. Shorter song lengths and more aggression are what take center stage. These songs are more likely to conjure random violent urges.
Both demos have differing sounds but is still obvious it is the same band performing.
3. What are some of the lyrical topics the demos explores?
A variety of dark topics are covered. “Below the Ruins” discusses the inevitability of war no matter what setting civilized man is in. Self destruction is rooted in all man. “Unhinged” tells the story of an overwhelming presence of evil overtaking a normally innocent mindset. A mindset that has spent an entire lifetime following what is taught to be right. After years of self torment, a breakdown takes over and the restrained sickened urges are unleashed. “Swarm the Pessimist” is about isolation and antisocial behavior. “Lord of Swine” is about running in the maze of life and at every corner meeting a horrific disappointment. A blackened aura overshadows all decisions.
I will save the space and not give detailed breakdowns of every song. However, none of the songs are written in a straight forward manner but more metaphoric. One can read and analyze the lyrics to draw their own conclusion.
4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band’s name?
The band’s name, as well as everything else, has been thought out. Early on we wanted a unique name. Something simple, yet memorable like a title from an early 80’s horror movie. Also a name that when Googled, only our presence would appear.
The name was inspired by the Ray Harryhausen creature called Minaton. As a child I always liked that character, so the spelling was altered and a couple of h’s were thrown in. Some have asked if it was a name taken from some ancient writings, but no, just a word created in my mind. I prefer that every aspect of the band is something we created. I did not want to look in a book and pick some random evil word or demonic entity as our moniker.
5. Has the band had any opportunities to do any live shows and if so what are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
Yes we have played live and are in process of setting up more outings. The live platform is a vital part of the band. We could sit around all day recording music but the live feeling is very important for both the inner person and also spreading our name. Being an exclusive studio band is not something we are interested in.
As for our stage performance, I would say aggressive, energetic and calculated. When preparing for a gig we take the approach of a professional sports team. Everything is thought out and rehearsed properly. Also all the members are extremely focused on performing. You will never come to one of our shows and see coked up or intoxicated members screwing up every song. We play shows to entertain people, and we do our best to do so.
6. Do you have any touring plans for the future?
None at that moment, but short mini tours are a possibility for the future.
7. I noticed with your promo pack you had a couple of paper zines, can you tell us a little bit more about them and who designed the pictures that where presented in those zines?
The zines are another form of promotion. They give the listener a visual. Plus I am still a fan of paper zines. They are great reading while sitting on the toilet. We designed everything in the zines. It took some time creating the art and text, but the final result to me is satisfactory.
That band zine includes a DVD and some illustrations/lyrics to go along with the music. The concept behind it was taken from the old children’s book and record sets. If you remember, in the 80s that was quite popular. You throw on the 45 and follow along in the comic type book. I wanted to do something out of the ordinary. In the DIY scene I think it is unique. I could be wrong.
The other zine, Filth Covered Visions, is simply exploitation fiction. Each issue is a short story about some vile characters their tales of sick mutilation and filth. So far three issues have been produced and drawn the attention of a small readership. Below is the premise for issue #3:
“She grimaced in pain as her body was being mutilated by the sick man’s mouth.”
“Mr. Sholder is a man with problems. He has a damaged mind from twisted events past. Drinking away his failures is a hobby he is quite fond of. However this particular night out will take him on a sickened journey that will question both morality and sanity. A chance encounter with a couple of patrons will constrict his inner being and drag him through a fragile underpinning. His nondescript existence will soon come face to face with an obscene chain of events. Mutilation and violence take center stage in this fast-paced, filth covered vision.”
For interested parties, email me at mhinotahn@hotmail.com. For more details, check out our blogspot at mhinotahn.blogspot.com.
8. I have also noticed the pack also came with the dvd, what where some of the ideas that you had for the videos and how did you put them together?
As mentioned in an earlier question, everything we do is calculated. In promotion, I wanted to do something different than simply circulating a demo CD. The goal was to create a promo pack that will motivate a second look. The above question covers detail in regard to the zine. As for the DVD itself, the center point is the video for the song “Lord of Swine”. The slide show of still pictures type video is what I wanted to avoid. Those are a dime a dozen on youtube. Every so often I come across bands that make a DIY live action video and I commend them for taking the time to do so. When showcasing your work one should always try to present it in some sort of interesting display. Even on a minimal budget, great things can be accomplished with creativity. This is especially important in this age of a million bands all having a social networking site and shoving mp3’s down every label’s throat.
In making the “Lord of Swine” promo video, I combined footage of both the band and some underground French bunkers. I sat down and meticulously edited every frame. For a more detailed summary about the making of the video, go to our blogspot, again, at mhinotahn.blogspot.com. The article really does cover every aspect of the project. Also watch the video here:
9. Currently you are unsigned, are you looking for a label and if so what kind of label do you feel that would be a perfect fit for the music?
At the moment we are working out the logistics with NY based label Cannibal Records. A split CD is planned with death sludge band Filtheater, whose sound I totally dig. Filtheater could perfectly fit in with the Wild Rags Records 1991 roster. Dirty, raw, sludge brutality is my opinion. Their music gives me the same feeling I get when listening to Nuclear Death. Go take a listen here http://www.myspace.com/filtheaterband. If everything works out, I foresee a great split release.
We are sending out promo items to many other labels as well. Honestly, we are just making contacts and trying to get our name in front of others. At this point we are looking to do small releases, 7” EPs or splits. Enough material for a full length has been written, but it would make no sense to record one before more of a national following is created. So we are taking everything slow and following the proper steps to getting some exposure.
We are also working on a sponsorship from Fuck Hard Dildos. Their motto is “Destruction of Pussy”.
10. On a worldwide level how has your music been received by black metal fans?
So far, the response has been favorable. I was told by one listener that he raped an animal while listening to our music. Another guy said he ran into a bar and stabbed 27 people with a butter knife.
11. Are there any current side projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
At the moment there are no side projects. This endeavor controls our full concentration. However, in the future a side project is not out of the question.
12. What direction do you see the music heading into during the future?
As with all our writing, we do not set out to sound a certain way. We throw riffs and ideas together and let everything fall in place. The writing process never begins with an idea of saying “hey lets write a song that sounds exactly like say Carpathian Forest”. In the beginning, a song may sound one way but by completion is something totally different. For example our song “Unhinged” started off as basic black metal, but as we rehearsed it morphed into an almost speeding hardcore song. In a nutshell, we write black metal songs with a punk rock mentality and see where it takes us.
Speaking of an uncategorized writing approach, the band I think best exemplifies that is the old Las Vegas group Righteous Pigs. They were raw and heavy as hell but really could not be pigeonholed into a specific genre. The vocals were performed in a yelling manner but the riffing style was too heavy to be labeled hardcore. Overall the sound was brutal but they could not be considered death or grind either.
13. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
I touched upon this in the first question but will go into more detail. All the members have a varied taste in music but at the end of the day it is all about old style black/death metal. My definition of death is bands like Asphyx, Cianide, Incantation, Disastrous Murmur, Goreaphobia, Phlegm, Ripping Corpse and Dismember. Black metal bands such as Profanatica, Blasphemy, Beherit, Impaled Nazarene, Enslaved, Emperor, Mayhem and Immortal also play a vital part in our creativity. Other various influencing bands are 45 Grave, Discharge, Negative Approach, Fear of God, Blood, Cathedral, Broken Bones, Exhorder, SOB, Nasum, and a crap load of others. This is becoming redundant listing bands, but it gives you an idea of where we are coming from. One other thing, modern technical death metal does not influence us at all. I like listening to some of it, but there is no interest in playing that style.
What do I listen to nowadays? The answer is across the board. For about 6 months I played The Damned anthology collection in my car. Then threw in some old Saxon. The other day I was listening to Slayer’s recent “World Painted Blood”; for those who think Slayer has turned to shit, I completely disagree. Last night I went to sleep listening to my Incantation “Onward to Golgotha” cassette.
One of the more recent bands I really like is Dishammer, which is a project of Spanish grind band Machetazo. That is some great dirty music! Of course I listen to many of the great Texas bands like Plutonian Shore, Spectral Manifest, Forest of Suicides, Bound in Flesh, Warmaster, Humut Tabal and many more…go check out that Dread Lair link I posted in an earlier question.
14. Does Occultism or Satanism play any role in your music?
I would say it does play a large role, but our music is not exclusively satanic. It is more a commentary on the subject. We are not practicing Satanists nor have any philosophic agenda to our songs. I perceive Satan as a metaphor for everyday life. Our music, however, all has a dark negative horror inspired tone. As mentioned in an earlier question, our lyrics are interpretive. It is up to the listener to generate their own conclusion.
15. I have noticed that on your blog page you write about other bands than your own, and seem to have a long history listening to underground music, how did you get into this style of music?
Yes the band blogspot is about more than just us. There you can find reviews and random passages about a variety of music related topics. I try to keep the blog interesting and not just posting the same boring things such as “we have a show coming up”, “we are working on new material”, “here’s a new song”, blah, blah, blah. Band information is imperative but I have a need to write about other topics in the extreme music scene. If a random thought or a certain band comes to mind, I write something about it to be posted. I have heard many positive comments about the blogspot, so apparently someone likes the page. Once again, go check it out at mhinotahn.blogspot.com.
My next goal is to expand into more coverage of bands in the Texas scene, which is completely saturated with many great groups. There is plenty to cover.
How I got into heavy music is a story many can relate to. As a child of the 70s I liked KISS and even had those infamous KISS dolls. Then in the early 80s, thanks to my Dad, I migrated to Motley Crue during their “Shout at the Devil” years. From there I discovered thrash metal and punk rock. Anthrax, Overkill, Slayer, Sacred Reich, Suicidal Tendencies, DRI, Black Flag, 7 Seconds, Cro-Mags, Agnostic Front …you get the point. Next I discovered Sepultura’s “Beneath the Remains”, and a whole new underground world opened up to me. Many evenings of sitting in the garage with friends while listening to mutilated music.
16. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?
Outside of music we are 4 very normal people. We like doing normal activities like rolling around in pig entrails, eating pussy at a whore house, chewing on infected pork and eating shit out of dumpsters.
17. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Thanks for the platform. I hope you continue carrying on with your cool blogspot. To any readers who would like more info on the band, shoot an email to mhinotahn@hotmail.com or look us up on Facebook.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Paradise Lost: A personal rotating existence
Paradise Lost is a band I have had a love hate relationship with. “Lost Paradise” and “Gothic” were great releases from this Halifax Houston
My next chance for Paradise fandom happened when they came through town (the old Backstage venue) with Kreator and Morbid Angel. That was a hell of a line up. Although the gothic Englishmen were touring for the album “Shades of God”, I assumed they would play a fair amount of material off their first two releases. Well I was in for a surprise; ninety percent of the set was from their current album. I cannot remember the details, but only one or two from “Gothic” were thrown in. My narrow minded opinion was also shared with the crowd. Playing with those other two speed demon bands, the crowd wanted something more aggressive. What I remember so vividly about the show was an exchange between Nick Holmes (vocalist) and someone in the crowd.
Someone yelled, “play something faster.”
Holmes’ response, “you want to hear something fast?”
“Yes!”
“Well you got the wrong band.”
To the crowd’s discouragement, they broke into “As I Die” or something along those lines. Personally I thought that was the highlight of their set. Although I was really not into the music that was being played, their total fuck you attitude of “we play what we want and if you don’t like it, piss off” was grand. Respect was definitely had for them, but a fan I was no more.
Years went by and I completely stopped following them. Around 2004 I picked up the Nuclear Blast “Monsters of Metal” double compilation DVD. Paradise Lost was on it, so I was somewhat interested to hear their current sound. A live rendition of “Say Just Words” was played.
Completely gone were the raspy death-like grunts and replaced with a clean baritone singing voice. Was I listening to Bauhaus or Paradise Lost? Don’t get me wrong, I do like Bauhaus but notParadise playing in that manner. The music did not even sound like metal, well at least the type of metal I was accustomed to. My thoughts were not positive. So once again I felt let down.
Completely gone were the raspy death-like grunts and replaced with a clean baritone singing voice. Was I listening to Bauhaus or Paradise Lost? Don’t get me wrong, I do like Bauhaus but not
Flash forward to 2009, again they were on my mind. I was listening to “Lost Paradise” and that previous thought popped up as before of what direction their sound had taken. Their current release was “Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us”. So I searched the internet and found the official video for “The Rise of Denial”, the recently released single. To my surprise it was pretty damn good. Definitely was not a return to the original material, but moderately heavy. Holmes’ vocals finally exhibited of hint of his raspy past. I picked up the new album and thoroughly enjoyed it. This event motivated me to go and check out the back catalog, to see what creative direction all their other albums took. A much more mainstream sound for sure, but it latched on to my expanding music taste.
What I find so ironic is that 20 years ago there is no way this type of music would be listened to by me. During those times if it was not some mutilated underground music, I would have nothing to do with it. Now looking back on “Shades of God”, the album I bought at Sound Plus and hated, it is a pretty good release. It really is interesting how one’s musical tastes can change over the years. For that main reason I never get rid of any of the bought albums that are disliked. On numerous occasions I have journeyed back to bands I hated years ago, and then became a fan of years later. Paradise Lost is no different. Basically I went full circle with them, from fan, to hate and back to fan.
The motivation for the writing of this post came from watching the band’s “Evolve” DVD. I was online scanning through Netflix’s music section; consisting of a bunch of junk I would never watch. Surprisingly Paradise Lost’s name popped up on the screen. Quickly I added it to my queue and waited for the disc to come in the mail. Honestly I did not read the description thoroughly. I was under the impression it was the 2007 historical band documentary (in actuality that film is called “Over the Madness”). I figured the documentary would at least have some footage from their early death era.
A day later it arrived in the mail and to my dismay the documentary it was not. Basically it consisted of a compilation of footage from the band’s tenure with the Music For Nations label. Included were two previously released concerts, some home videos and nine promo videos. Nothing from the first two albums was attached, but I still gave it a watch. I do admit it was a pleasurable viewing experience. A bit of metal, gothic rock and melody amalgamated into one 3 hour DVD. I was so pleased that hesitation was blocking my judgment to return it to Netflix.
So there you have it, my rambling on about my journey into the Paradise Lost. In the extreme metal community the consensus is still in the favor that the band sold out. That is ok with me, I do not observe trends. I admire the band in all their different stages.
Friday, June 17, 2011
The Face of Noise will Never be the Same: RIP Seth Putman
How ironic that recently I posted an entry about the anniversary of GG Allin’s death, and in the same month we lost another extreme music pioneer. To be quite honest, like GG, it really was not a surprise. Mr. Putnam’s self destructive lifestyle is well documented. After coming back to life from a 2004 coma, he continued his boisterous path in the true A.C. fashion. I suppose he would not have it any other way.
His demeanor and purposely offensive song titles have always been hilarious. Some have become highly irritated by his antics, as you know that is exactly what his goal was. To push the envelope and get a rise out of anyone who would listen. You really have to take all that stuff like a grain of salt and just laugh. Great entertainment if you ask me.
Going back in time, the first A.C. item I purchased was the The Master of Noise LP compilation. With the first rape my eardrums withstood, A.C.’s music completely blew me away. In my mind I did not envision a band, but more like some kind of monstrous creature. The blast beats and vocals were just feral filled insanity. This was back before they even had song titles. I played that record over and over. Combining with A.C.’s ferocity, the compilation also featured Agathocles, Meatshit, 7 Minutes of Nausea and End of Silence…intense!
Not to get off track, but A.C. was the best thing ever to blast in the car while carrying some virgin ears. The complaints of asking if it was even music delighted me. Basically those comments would push me to play it even louder.
All those early 7” EPs and comps were unadulterated mutilation. At that time I assumed A.C. would always be an underground EP mainstay. Around 1992 I heard they were signing to Earache Records. Due to their strictly raw sound, I was shocked the British label would even touch them. Before that however, Seth and company released the “Morbid Florist” mini CD on Relapse Records. That was their first material pressed on CD. Also the first songs that actually had a slight song structure and titles for that matter. Shortly thereafter, Earache released “Everyone Should Be Killed” and the rest is history.
Noise it may be called, but no one can deny the incredible heaviness of the band.
The day of his death I received numerous text messages about it. Probably the funniest one simply stated “Being dead is Gay”. I will close on that note.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Here are a few random reviews.
Boltstein/Insect Warfare split 7” EP (Rescued From Life) Here we have a great split between Japan (B) and Texas (IW). The great sleeve artwork sports a Shogun/Samurai look. It is obvious that Boltstein pay homage to legends Bolt thrower, especially to their pre “Realm of Chaos” days. Even their logo is Bolt Thrower. Their tracks are a no nonsense grind approach, but do have an occasional death metal feel. Insect Warfare have stuck to the formula that they are known for…pure blistering Terrorizer influenced grind. What I like about this band their songs are structured like the classic bands. Riffs go from blasts to almost rock & roll head bangers.
Hypo Christians “S/T” 7” (NWS Records) When I heard that H.C. had members from the old band Slattereah, I had to get this. In true early 90s tradition the cover is a black & white drawing of a skull and an upside down cross. It sounded just as I expected: some rough, dirty, old death/grind. It almost sounds like a mix of Phlegm and early Xysma. The production is a little rough, but I like it that way. For some reason I have always had a soft spot for this sound. I would definitely recommend this if you are into early 90s grindcore. I sure hope this band releases a full length. As Splattereah, they only released a demo and a long out of print live 7”.
Terrorizer “S/T” 7” (Satanic Records/Japan) This is not a new release, but I am going to review it because I CAN. I bought this in 1992 and thought it was the best stuff I had ever heard. It was released in 1991 on green vinyl. Only 333 were pressed. Basically this is a demo rehearsal from 1987. It is rough as hell, but still sounds great. This is the line-up with Garvy on bass (before Dave Vincent took over for World Downfall). On the back of the record sleeve there is a brief history on the band and also a confession that this is a bootleg. 
Cianide/Machetazo split 7” (Hells Headbangers) First off I must say that I have been following Cianide’s musical career every since I received their cassette demo in the mail around 91. Then when they released their debut “The Dying Truth” I was completely blown away. Throughout all their releases they have always had the ability to write some the catchiest riffs I have heard from a death band. This release is no different. They provide once track called “Black Earth”. It definitely keeps the tradition of an ultra heavy version of Celtic Frost. When hearing this song I imagine a denim/leather clad, long haired sasquatch dancing around wildly.
As for Machetazo, I like everything they have released…especially the stuff on Razorback. Here these Spanish gore grinders crap out two classic tracks that were recorded in 2004. Their side begins with an intro taken from a Spanish horror movie, then explodes into a grinding blast beat then alternating in a galloping riff. For those of you who are familiar with this band, there are no surprises. If you are new to their material, expect classic horror/gore grind.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Dread Lair Showcase Recap
This 10th of June the Dread Lair Showcase was on display. Originally the gig was proposed to be held at the “new” Walter’s location; where that is, I have no clue. In the end it still took place on the old Washington Avenue location, amidst the club going, trendy hell hole. I would not consider that a negative thing. The outside activity of drunks can provide some great between band entertainments. Late nights on Washington Avenue can become both absurd and funny in the same sentence.
The show itself I found to be a pleasant and entertaining experience. All bands on the bill did their part and brought their A-games. Everything seemed to be well organized and the overall vibe was great. No where present were any ridiculous attitudes or drunken, drama-filled fist fights. This night was all about the music.
Pariah Messiah opened with their blackened metal hybrid sound. This duo consisted of a vocalist and guitarist…oh and a laptop that unleashed computerized beats. Normally I am not a huge fan of drum machines, but honestly speaking they had an appealing sound.
The riffing was definitely black metalish with some death thrown in. On vocals was a possessed man who bared a resemblance to Martin Van Drunen of Asphyx /Pestilence fame. Wildly he prowled the stage spitting out some nice deep death metal style vocals behind a whirlwind of spinning hair. A studio recording by them would definitely conjure my interest.
Following was Bound in Flesh. This trio of Houston metal veterans shredded with a Suffocation/Brutal DM style and some grooving breakdowns.
Don’t misconstrue the term breakdowns. I am not referring to a crappy metal core type selection; I mean some memorable interludes that will make you want to move. A pleasant bit of charisma was displayed by the vocalist/guitarist.
He played with the crowd throwing out some jokes and random babbling, which I found comical. Just enough said between songs to keep things moving but not going into some long diatribe that bores the audience. Some cool song writing melded well in a great performance.
Moving on, the band Mhinotahn performed next. I really cannot give an unbiased opinion of this. Lots of positive feedback was given, so I assume the set was favorable.
Spectral Manifest then manifested the stage. A gloomy grim presence formed around the platform as they ripped into the heaviness. Although they lacked a bassist, their thick barbaric guitar sound more than made up for it. Guttural vocals meshed together with the alternation of mid-tempo brutal rockers to blast beat frenzies. The menacing front man roared with the voice of Satan as the drummer went berserk in an animated attack. The drummer was hitting so hard that I thought he had a grudge against his drum kit. Produced on their mantle was definitely a concentrated wall of sound. A great set rounded out with a solid rendition of a Darkthrone number. Under the moniker of self described Wraith Metal, they remind me of an Autopsy styled band I would hear on a 7” around 1990. That is definitely a compliment.
Austin’s Humut Tabal made their presence lastly. The city of Austin is known for its variety of live music, but unfortunately not so much for extreme metal. Humut Tabal fills in that shortage with their form of somber spirited black metal. This night at Walter’s was no exception.
Their stage confidence and demeanor was impressive. This type of attitude is what I like in a band. The 4 piece exuded a confident, not cocky, attitude that knows exactly what their goals are. Storming through the set, all four members held down their respected positions while vibrantly moving to the music. My opinion of their sound is a blending of traditional 2nd wave black metal and some thrash elements. The atmosphere was there along with aggression.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
GG Allin: 18 Years Later
This month, the 28th to be exact, marks the 18th anniversary of Mr. Allin’s death. I am baffled that 18 years went by so quickly. Hearing of his passing seemed so long ago, but in another sense it was just the other day. At the time it was not surprising, especially after years of proclaiming a suicide on stage. With a person living such a sick lifestyle, an early demise was inevitable.
I feel fortunate, or maybe unfortunate, to have had the opportunity to witness a GG fiasco live. The show was almost missed however. A day before he was to perform I went to Sound Exchange and by luck saw an updated show flyer. For some reason the gig was moved up a day early, meaning it was going on that night. So I rushed home to revise my whole schedule to ensure Mr. Allin’s performance was not missed.
Opening was some local punk band whose name escapes my mind. The only thing I remember about them is they played a Reagan Youth cover. “No Class” or “Degenerated”, or some song. I don’t recall, but it really does not matter.
As expected, the show itself was a riot. All those family favorite tracks of his were played. Throughout the performance Mr. Allin continuously jumped off the stage and slugged someone in the audience. He did that multiple times to the same guy. Why the guy stood there with no retaliation is a mystery to me. Maybe he was the ultimate fan and saw GG’s fist to jaw as a gift from the messiah. Those actions did no fly with other attendees. Each time he jumped off the stage, people in the crowd attacked him. At one point he brawled across the entire venue. Each time he would retreat backwards to the stage, fell on his back and kicked wildly with both feet.
GG Allin - Live Houston 1993
Luckily there was no fecal matter unleashed. As planned, if he started shitting about the place I was leaving. No bodily fluids, just a full set of violence. Maybe he forgot to take his laxatives before the show.
Anyway, Mr. Allin was a sickened degenerate but I have always found his music offensively funny, everything from the snotty punk of The Jabbers to the filth rock of the Murder Junkies. Those bottom of the barrel lyrics are pure comedy.
As with all controversial figures in entertainment, in death he is considered to be some sort of immortal. Well I don’t look at him in that sense, but do find him as a pioneer of self expression….a person who truly did not give a shit about anything.
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