Gouged Interview 2024

CAN YOU START BY STATING YOUR NAME AND YOUR ROLE IN THE BAND?

Yo, my name is Quinn and I'm the frontman of GOUGED
The other members of the band are Mikey on Guitar and Brando on Lead Guitar and Chris on Drums. At the moment we're seeking a solid full-time bassist. 

HOW DID THE BAND START?

This band was formed by a group of close friends that all lived in the same city and were all from the same local scene in the area, so we decided to start our own project with influences from all our favorite bands, however along the way we auditioned a lead guitarist & he ended up being the perfect fit and shared the same vision as us to solidify the band even more 

WHEN DOES THE NEW ALBUM "REALM OF DISGUST" COME OUT AND WHERE WILL FANS BE ABLE TO PURCHASE?

The album will be released by this summer 2024 on all major platforms 

Art by Mark Cooper

WITH SUCH AN OVER-SATURATION OF BRUTAL DEATH/SLAM BANDS POPPING UP JUST TO SEEM "BRUTAL" AND SHOCKING, IT IS SO REFRESHING AND PROMISING TO LISTEN TO THE NEW SINGLE AND READ ALONG WITH THE LYRICS!  DEFINITELY A VERY BRUTAL TRACK WITH INSANE VOCALS AND ALSO TECHNICAL RIFFING FROM EACH INSTRUMENT. A REAL OLD SCHOOL DEATH METAL APPROACH, EVEN AN ACTUAL GUITAR SOLO!  

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE BAND'S WRITING PROCESS, BOTH INSTRUMENTAL AND THE LYRICS?  

So, this band has been through alot in a short period of time, we all see each other as brothers and it was a lot of hard work, time, and dedication but we grinded and worked together to come up with this product. We program midi drums and write riffs into logic then bounce files to josh ( the producer ) at the end of the day we all are on the same page we all share the same influences and wanted to create something new that can hopefully be appreciated amongst the greats.

Check out track and read along to "Realm of Disgust" below :

SPEAKING OF THOSE GUTTURALS!  YOU SEEM TO HAVE PIPES THAT WE ALL SHOULD'VE HEARD BEFORE NOW!  I FOUND A CREDIT FOR THE DARK ALAMORTE THAT DOES SOUND LIKE YOU.  QUINN HAVE YOU DONE MORE?  OTHER PAST BANDS?

Yes, I have been in other projects. I started off with vocals in a band called AIL. We released an LP and a single & then called it quits. After AIL, I stepped back from vocals for a bit and started playing bass for a band called Destitute. After Destitute i got into a band called The Dark Alamorté which i did vocals for. You can find the track "Cruciform" on YouTube that shows multiple ranges I can display.

I SEE YOU'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH MARK COOPER, WHOSE ART I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED!  HOW DID THAT COME ABOUT AND WHAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE?

He's a real easy artist to work with and knew exactly the concept we were seeking, his work is some of the best i've seen & hope to continue to work with him on some future artwork concepts 

IS THERE A STORY BEHIND THE "EVERY HOLE" SHIRT?  I ASSUME THIS IS FROM A TRACK OFF THE UPCOMING ALBUM?  WILL THERE BE MORE MERCH DESIGNS AS WELL?

Honestly we just thought the song title "Every Hole" just suit the band so well, we all thought it would be so epic to have it blasted on the back of a tee, the song will be featured on the ep so look out for that & yes we will be dropping some fresh merch when the record is released 

I SAW VIDEO FROM BREAK & BLAST FEST IN SANTA ANA, CA EARLIER THIS YEAR AND I SEE YOU HAVE MORE LIVE SHOWS COMING UP AT THE END OF MARCH.  HOW HAVE THE LIVE SHOWS BEEN?  HOW IS THE SCENE IN YOUR AREA?

Break & Blast was a sick show, was awesome to share the stage with Cephalotripsy, the shows weve played so far have been good & the local scene is popping rn and death metal is thriving we cant wait to play more shows as soon as the Realm of disgust lp is released 

I'D LIKE TO TOUCH BASE ON HOW BEAUTIFUL THE PRODUCTION SOUNDS?  WHERE WAS THE UPCOMING ALBUM RECORDED?  BY WHO?  WHO IS MASTERING?  SOUNDS GREAT!

Thank you, that's all done by Josh at Null Soundworks. Hes really honed in on our sound and we cant wait to show you all what the finished product will be. 

I AM VERY VERY EXCITED FOR YOUR FULL-LENGTH RELEASE, AND I HOPE TO MAKE IT TO A LIVE SHOW IN THE FUTURE!  THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS!  ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SAY TO YOUR FANS?

We'd love to have you out at one of our future gigs, come out and smoke some with yo dawg, stay tuned for Realm of Disgust.

THANK YOU TO QUINN AND GOUGED FOR ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS!  WE ALL WAIT FOR MORE GOUGED!!!!

BLASTFROMTHEPAST - Gortuary - Awakening Pestilent Beings - 2010

 

I love this album! Groovy slams, technically creative riffs, and great guitar solos! Guitarist is none-other-than Andres Guzman of Cephalotripsy and Sobek fame.  The vocals on this record, and the next, are also amazing. With 8 songs, clocking in at about 20 minutes, this leaves you wanting more!

The band's last album, "Divine Indigenous Sacrament," was released over 5 years ago. I think the band is still together, but have seen no action! Gortuary I miss you!

Gortuary is a wonderful brutal death metal band that just needs to get back at it! 

Desecation - Left To The Trogs - 2024

 Desecation first caught my attention for being so young while still pumping out such a mature sounding brutal death EP two years ago with self-titled "Desecation", which I briefly talked about HERE.

Since then, just following them on social media and their youtube presence, it is clear that they are young but taking this very serious and being themselves, not trying to change anything about what they bring to the table.  Being original with their sound.  

Also, they are surrounded by and playing shows with legends like Cephalotripsy, Disgorge, Vulnificus, Condemned and many more.

When they started to give previews and glimpses of this new album, I was beyond pumped, and now I get to sit down and listen.

Album artwork by legendary Jon Zig

"Left To The Trogs" opens with a disturbing sample that I recognized from a long time ago.  From a scene that definitely stays with you if you ever saw it.  It is from a Kurt Russell movie about 10 years ago, called "Bone Tomahawk."  A scene in which a man is help down and scalped and then held upside down and hawked in two.  It's just lovely! Check the scene out HERE.

The audio from this scene perfectly sets the tone for the next 20 minutes.  An unforgiving onslaught of raw, original BDM with each element of the music getting its proper showcase.  Production is clear yet perfectly raw. 

Guitars are a delightful mix of fuzzy and crunchy, musicianship is tight and steadily marching to and from heavy slams and catchy riffs.  The riffs seem slightly more technical here than on "Desecation".  Excited to watch how this young band keeps growing and progressing.    

Vocals throughout this album are diverse.  Nasty gargling gutturals with the occasional pig squealing and sometimes your basic death growl.  Every method done with confidence and a gravely delivery that sounds well-honed.   Drummer is crazy, detailed fills with a lot going on under the surface.

I have been paying attention to Desecation since I first found them.  A decent amount of live footage is already on youtube and they have that "thing."  They just feel like the complete package.  Hoping to catch them live soon.  Check out a video of the band performing at Angel Ochoa's (Cephalotripsy) Birthday party:

Most of their live videos show three members, and they are listed as a 3-piece band, but I believe this video is their full band line-up:

Todd Novoa - Guitars

Marc Novoa - Guitars, Vocals

Alex Sisko - Vocals

Nate Gonzalez - Drums, Vocals

Sam Little - Bass

Overall, I am LOVING this new offering from this young, still up-and-coming California band!

Will be spinning this allllll day!!

"Left To The Trogs" will be released January 23rd, 2024 via BrutalMind.

Check out "Inducing Cognitive Paralysis" from the album HERE

Colpolscopy - Ready For Gore - Gore House Productions - 2013

     Music, visual-art, different genres of music, types of dance:  Have you ever seen or heard something, only to think to yourself:  "I could never enjoy that!  How do people get into that sort of thing?!"
In steps Brutal Death Metal.  When I was in high school, I remember being more into straight-up Death Metal.  The name Cannibal Corpse was a household name, but really only because of my Butchered at Birth t-shirt, and my parents' disgust with it.  I actually got the shirt as a weird gift before listening to much Cannibal Corpse.  I really like the album Butchered At Birth, but do not not really care for all of CC's works. 
I started out my heavy music quests with more symphonic stuff, I was a Cradle of Filth kid.  That quickly turned into years of delving into Death Metal and, while now I am prominently a fan of Brutal Death, I remain true to my Death Metal roots and revisit them from time to time.    If I met the high-school me on the street and told him that there was a genre different than Death Metal called Brutal Death Metal, high-school me would roll around laughing.  I am sure many people who don't enjoy this sort of thing still do laugh, that's fine, but you ought to know what you are laughing at.  Ok, enough ranting.

The album at hand for this review, Ready For Gore, from Southern California's Colpolscopy, was sent to me before I knew the band existed.  Hearing it now, I honestly probably would have skipped over it because of the art and the album title, neither of which caught by eye as being creative or well-thought-out.  I am, however, really happy Gore House Productions sent me this.  Listening to this album is what reminded me of what it feels like to start enjoying things you thought you never would.  Ready For Gore is chock-full of interesting, fun riffs and memorable slams, but it has a few things that you notice first.  Some of these things are the low, gurgling vocals and the smooth, near-perfectly mixed, audio that gives every instrument, and BOTH vocalists, tons of room to shine.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Ryan Gregory and Marcos Cortez share vocal duties here, and if you listen enough, you can hear who is who.  You get more than just two, distinct styles though.  There are insanely low, seemingly under-water gurgles, middle toned, gravelly gutturals, some decent high screeches, and countless in-between noises that just do not sound human.  A cool, organic, effect occurs throughout the album when both vocalists are layered on top of one another to sound like one.  This is, I guess you could say, the third vocalist!
The instrument that I would have expected there to be more than one of, is the guitar.  It is played by one man, Jesus Cortez.  The guitar compositions are definitely what allow this album to stand out.  Cortez combines generic slams with breakdowns and all over the place, grind-esque, fuzzed-out riffs that turn on a dime.
The band's name, album title, and artwork, all just had me picturing a band that would add to the rapidly growing landfill of one-hit-wonders who are out to achieve the hardest hitting slams and just use shock factor art and a medical term for a name.  I warn you, Colpolscopy is not that.  It is a medical term though, one that refers to a procedure to closely examine a cervix, vagina, or vulva for signs of disease.  There, now you know what to call that.

In today's world of countless sub-genres and fabricated labels, paired with the technology that gives us the ability to instantly judge things, a lot of art (music or other) gets swept under the rug too quickly. We all need to remember to keep open minds and remember, no matter what you are currently a fan of, you were not always, and may not always be, a fan of it!
I still do not much care for the cover art or album name, but the importance of those fades more and more with each listen.  The bouncy, thick production makes every riff on here seem to pound your head in.  The tone of the album as a whole reminds me a lot of Parasitic Ejaculation's full-length, "Rationing the Sacred Human Remains," (HERE) an album that singlehandedly, and rightfully so, put that band on every Brutal Death head's radar.  The drumming reminds me of that of Kraanium, only with more fills and tempo changes.
Much like the outstanding review (HERE) I gave to Lack of Truth's album "Under The Torn Flesh," this review is one I took a while to think about and write.  Ready For Gore may take a few listens, but I promise the product is worth it.
Overall, this album is a high-energy half-hour, where simplicity and barbarity meld together, throwing flashy production to the wayside.
Colpolscopy's Ready For Gore will be ready for you to score, officially released November 29th, 2013, on Gore House Productions.  I highly recommend giving it an attentive listen!  You will enjoy it!

COLPOLSCOPY

GORE HOUSE PRODUCTIONS

Cerebral Engorgement - Gastrointestinal Bleeding - Gore House Productions 2013

Artwork by Rian Oktanto Art

Cerebral Engorgement are a three piece Slamming Brutal Death Metal band hailing out of San Francisco, California.  Since 2007, they've had three full lengths, each of which better than its predecessor.   The vocals have noticeably gotten a lot better with each release.  This album allows vocalist Mike Simon's gutturals to shine through, proving he is a fecal gargling sewer dweller.  Mike Simon is also in charge of the drumming on the album, which stands out as being the key part of the puzzle.  Fast and relentless at times, slow and brutally detailed at others, the drums do not get boring.

 Also, towards the end of the album are some punk rock influenced riffs that are both unpredictable and fun.  In fact, guitarist Jesse Terres has quite a few memorable riffs throughout "Gastrointestinal Bleeding".

On one hand, this is plain and simple barbaric Slam.  On the other, it is unique, catchy, detailed Slam.  At just over thirty minutes, it is kind of long for what it is and it may start to seem redundant, but like I said, listen for those details; more and more will come alive with each listen.
"Shitnami Shitstorm" is a stupid intro track that starts things off on a really bad note.  I do not know what the sample is from, but it is not setting any mood other than over-the-top silly, something the rest of the album is not.  "Gastrointestinal Bleeding" is surprisingly inventive and refreshing.  The production quality and ultra heavy, pounding song structure as soon as the album begins brings to mind Kraanium's "Post Mortal Coital Fixation".
Cerebral Engorgement used to be a more straight forward goregrind band, and that definitely shines through in some parts (and song names).  Despite the clean and crisp production, things feel raw and passionate and at times just unpolished enough.  It is apparent that the band has thought these riffs through very thoroughly.
"Double Penetrated at The Dinner Table" is one of my favorite songs on here, containing one huge build up to slams and blasts so powerful you may actually feel like you are being double penetrated.
 Things keep getting slower and deeper and more murky as you near end of the record.  There are definitely some very creative riffs on here. These are highlighted and brought out more than usual due to the unique mixture in drumming styles going on between the ultra heavy slams and riffs.  Think early days of Analdicktion mixed with modern day Kraanium.

These days everyone is all up in arms about the drums.  With almost every release in this genre people are asking "Are they triggered?"  "Are they sampled or programmed" "Are they even real?"  Sometimes I even wonder "Can you tell?"  While I definitely see the value in these questions and agree to some extent that real, untriggered drumming has a passion and rawness that remains uncomparable, I also refuse to completely write off music if it has programmed drums or over produced anything.  There is a time and place for different sounds.  Listening to music is always different and let's not forget: subjective.
If you like it you like it if you don't you don't.  I happen to really like "Gastrointestinal Bleeding" by Cerebral Engorgement and I hope you do too.  With so many new Slam albums recently and so many bands cloning each other, "Gastrointestinal Bleeding" does a good job of refreshing the familiar.

Purchase the album HERE

Keep up with the band on Facebook HERE

Pathology - Lords of Rephaim - Sevared Records - 2013

Artwork by PAR OLOFSSON



Ever since Pathology announced the return of legendary vocalist Matti Way (ex-Pathology, Abominable Putridity, Cinerary, Obscured Secretion) and original guitarist Tim Tisczcenko to their ranks, fans were very excited for any new material from the band.  I think probably a lot of people also figured that the return of old members might have also meant music in the vein of the bands older material.  Well folks, Matti Way is a vocalist.  Tim Tisczcenko is a guitarist.  This album seems to be getting a lot of flak on the internet.  I mean, Pathology’s last two records, “Awaken To The Suffering" and "The Time of Great Purification" were both fairly well received albums.  They also marked a turning point for the band.  Apparently, they wanted to steer further from their old, straightforward Brutal Death Metal approach to things and delve further into the realms known as Slam or Slam Death Metal.  So they lost fans here and gained some there.  Both of the aforementioned albums also featured vocalist Jonathan Huber.  Huber was formerly of Seattle, WA Deathcore outfit I Declare War, a band that most fans of Pathology had probably never heard of at that time.  Despite his seemingly unfitting influences and roots, Huber proved to be a good fit for Pathology's new breed of brutality, and that's when he undoubtedly gained the band loads of new fans.  Older fans, however, know that Matti Way brings something else to the table altogether; He is an OG of the Brutal Death Metal scene, a vocalist on most vocalist’s ‘favorites’ or ‘influenced by’ list.  If you cannot get as into "Lords of Rephaim" as you were expecting to, you're not alone, but you cannot entirely blame the vocalist switch.  Let's discuss what's really going on here.

People are jumping the gun to judge this album just because they liked 2009/2010, Matti Way era Pathology.  This is still Pathology and it is still brutal and heavy guttural grossness or whatever you want to call it.  This is also Dave Astor's, The bands drummer, first time recording and producing a whole record, or at least a whole Pathology record.  Production wise, it may be Pathology's best work yet.  Good job Dave.  Mixing and Mastering was handled by Danial Castleman, the man behind Lambesis Studios in it's entirety, due the unfortunate current events affecting Tim Lambesis.  Production and mastering and how it all sounds, to an extent, is pretty subjective.  I mean things are mixed well and everything is clear, but it's definitely missing that raw feeling that the band used to exude.  The sometimes enhancing clarity is at other times hindering to the feeling and personality of the riffs.  Parts sound a little too robotic and other parts are way more atmospheric than Pathology has ever been.  Everything flows on the individual tracks, it's just the album as a whole that struggles to be cohesive.

Overall, with “Lords of Rephaim” you get an album that feels like it is trying to hard to be brutal and, in fact, comes off less brutal than any of the band’s previous releases.  There are no more guitar solos.  There is a weird atmospheric, Deathcorish, synthed out track.  There is a rerecorded version of the song "Code Injection" that doesn't come close to the original.  There are guest vocal appearances by Mallika Sundaramurthy of Abnormality and Parasitic Extirpation and Josh Smith of Gutfucked.

The guys in Pathology are obviously exploring some new ground pertaining to building atmosphere and straying from the straightforward slam-blast-slam formula, I just wish it didn’t sound so forced.

Check it out for yourself!

PATHOLOGY

PAR OLOFSSON

LAMBESIS STUDIOS

SEVARED RECORDS

Interview with Konstantin Korolev of 7. H Target and Ramon Mercado of Pencil Lead Syringe - 2011

7 H.TARGET, a Russian brutal death metal outfit, could be called many other things, but let’s not start giving sub-genres sub-genres.  They have two new releases coming soon.  I personally love this sort of experimental, open minded take on a genre that can so easily go stale and become boring.  Some people don’t.  No matter what, they are a good group of guys who put hard work and passion into their music and I am proud to present the below interview.









Cerebral Reviewment-  First of all, thanks for taking the time to do this.  Can you tell us a little about Electric Tools For Electric Human?  When will it be released?  What can fans expect?


Konstantin Korolev-  Greetings and many thanks to Cerebral Reviewment for one more chance to talk about 7H and to bring these words to readers, we appreciate each interview!
'Electric Tools For Electric Human' has a long story.  The first ideas for these tracks started to appear in January.  Playing songs at concerts and working over them right in a rehearsal room, resulted repertoire in great condition by May. 7 H.TARGET, from the basis, maintains post industrialism subjects, and this time we have decided to suggest to be played to listeners with five electric tools, ready to stick our death grip into their throats.  Deriving inspiration from such masterpieces of Japanese cyberpunk movies, ’ Electric Dragon 80000V ’ and ’ Rubber’s Lover ’ we started to shake studio walls in June.

Each 7 H.TARGET studio session is a minefield on which we are weighted by the most unusual and non-standard decisions that you cannot even guess in advance.  Each 7 H.TARGET record is space for experiments with arrangements and instruments.  In our experience, songs didn't leave the studio as we represented them before session, and it was especially shown on ’ Electric Tools For Electric Human ’ - the material is completely not similar to what was possible to hear from us earlier, it has already come true; an apocalyptic act showing all it’s greatness on ruins of the world.

Having heard our previous release ’ Japan Body Hammer ’ Ukrainian label Imbecil Entertainment Records has become interested in us from a half-turn, and has suggested we finish a release with some new material. So the idea to come out with two EPs on one disk was born, as will be made in September.





I will not miss this chance to tell you about one more of our future releases. It is debut LP ’ Fast-Slow Demolition ‘, planned to be released in October on Coyote records.  Our debut album, without doubt, will become explosive on the Russian heavy scene - 37 minutes of technogenic madness will force you to go nuts!  Ramon Mercado, the vocalist of American band PENCIL LEAD SYRINGE was invited to record vocals onto this record and he has made it perfectly well, having added animal roar to these freaky tracks.

Songs for an album have been written in a condition of madness and inspiration, we have composed all material over 4-5 months right on rehearsals, therefore it sounds fresh and doesn’t seem forced.  Sound producer Arcady Navaho sensitively supervised over all processes of record in the Moscow studio Cosmos studio, and has managed to realize our ideas competently.  It is possible to judge its professionalism on last releases of such bands as Katalepsy, Scrambled Defuncts, Cephalic Impurity.
Tetsuo - the character of a cult Japanese film ’ Tetsuo - The Iron Man ’ flaunts on the cover of cd which was made by Jonny of Grim Twins art studio.
All components are picked up perfectly so wait for massive attack to your ears this autumn!






Fast-Slow Demolition






CR-  You guys used a lot of different sampling and noises on Japan Body Hammer, and I hear that continuing with the new tracks.  Who or what inspires you?  Can you tell us some of your favorite bands?


KK-  Yes, both on ’ Japan Body Hammer ’ and on new EP samples from Japanese cult cyber-punk films are used. ’ Tetsuo - The Iron Man ‘, ’ Rubber’s Lover ‘, ’ Electric Dragon 80000v ‘, ’ 964 Pinocchio ’ - I think everyone should see these movies. Lately we are opening ourselves to Japanese noise and industrial executors, such as Сhu Ishikawa, Yamantaka Eye.
We listen to versatile music because it allows us to capture the wider musical picture, to pay attention to unusual ideas and decisions. I think that it is impossible to be close-minded people; it prevents development in music and any other art form.
In each musical genre there are great ones - at this time I almost don’t listen brutal death, only sometimes I’m refreshing style masterpieces, now I’m listening to progressive rock bands, such as Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Camel, E.L.P., Pink Floyd, and x-treem electronic styles such as Breakcore, Darkstep, Gabber.


CR-  Can you tell me about the writing process behind your music and your lyrics?





KK-  Thanks for this question, it very interesting and a vital topic in the world of modern heavy music.  7H was born spontaneously one and a half years ago - it became as a splash in fresh blood of the remains of our previous band SURGEONT which was in something like a lethargic sleep.  All of it has imposed an indelible trace on all manner of 7 H.TARGET - spontaneously to play and compose.
The basic place in the composition process is occupied by jamming during rehearsal time, improvisation in which process high lights of compositions are outlined. We try to grasp atmosphere, therefore we do not shun any ways of playing. We allow music to live, instead being chained in stylistic frameworks or toolkit possibilities. Especially I want to point out that our live sound is put in the base of our studio sound.
Today’s extreme styles of metal have approached such points where we can see a group in a scene, whose music and performance level haven’t something in common with their album. And it is really sad, when bands are disappointing with their live performances. Seeing all it in us there is a natural desire to go counter to this tendency to kill records by excessive flatness of instruments and the polished sounding.

Concerning lyrics, usually our drummer incurs this work and supplements music with text, inspired by visions of a post apocalypse.  Some of songs are not needed in lyrics because they are overflowing with energy. Texts aren't regarded as of paramount importance, but it can add fuel to the fire if needed!


Mikhail Panphilov (drums)-  The lyrics paint our musical cloth with additional madness.  Almost all tracks on “Fast-Slow” are devoted to the last days of the human world and a transmutation of man into mechanism.  Tetsuo destroys our world. It will be better if I show you some lyrics:


“Metal + Flesh”

The knife cuts the flesh, exposing the veins
Hands are inserting hoses into the wounds
To drain the blood from all my vessels
Lube will be my blood
Unnecessary red slush is on the floor

Metal enters the body
Squeezing out the bones
Lube enters the body
Squeezing out the blood
Metal plus the Flesh, Metal plus Flesh!

I am walking on the steel legs
I am moving my steel hands
Oil is dripping on the floor
The noise of my heart, the hissing of my lungs
The clanking of the movement, the brilliance from the sun

Energy flows, fills me with
Power grows, I feel the might
Remains of flesh are rotting behind
Unnecessary blood has dried up in mud
Oil is dripping on the floor

New feelings, new desires, new power

“Japan Body Hammer”

My machinegun is growing out from my chest
My blood lubricates its metal [parts]
My heart is scanning target
The bullets [are] coming from the/my guts
To load the magazine/cartridge drum

Strange machine, the body-hammer
I am a man with metal inside
I am cannon inside the human’s meat
My anger gives rise to me as a machine of death
Strange machine, the body-hammer

My bullets tear/[are] tearing the flesh of my targets
And empty cartridge cases [are] falling in an endless stream
Rage is heating up the barrel
And blood is sizzling at the sear
The heart is beating time with burst of fire

Strange machine, the body-hammer
I am a man with metal inside
I am cannon in the human’s meat
My anger gives rise to me [as] a machine of death
Strange machine, the body-hammer





CR-  What is your favorite band from around your area?


KK-  It is easier to tell about unloved, hаhа!  But I will try to do it.  The first that occurs is Neverending War - in the past they were very quite good Deathcore, and Catchers In The Rye, which play interesting Experimental.


CR-  What else are you guys into? What are some of your hobbies outside of music?

KK-  In my free time I study at a university, and I also I like to spend evenings viewing good movies or reading books.


MP-  I like to spend time in woods, I try to be there often.  Also I am interested in metaphysics and horrors-films.



CR-  What are your plans for the future as far as touring and making new music?



KK-  Lots of plans and ideas! With both CDs there will be lots of merch and we are going to do a tour in Russia. Our plan after the album release is shooting a video for one of our tracks. Well and certainly we never stop composing music - new releases won’t keep you waiting long, therefore stay tuned to 7 H.TARGET and keep it real! \M/


—————————————————————————————————————-


Pencil Lead Syringe vocalist, Ramon Mercado, did all the vocals on 7H. Target’s upcoming release “Fast-Slow Demolition”. The following is a quick interview with him:





CR-  Thanks Ramon for taking time to do this, I understand you did all the vocals on “Fast-Slow Demolition”, can you tell me how this came about? How you met or got connected with the band, and how the recording process was?


Ramon Mercado-  No problem Dude, Well Basically they sent me a couple of messages through the facebook asking me if I was interested in doing vocals for them on their new album. At first I couldn’t because I was traveling up and down from Riverside,Ca to the Bay Area(Northern Ca) on a regular basis, the recording process took a bit since I tried 2 different studios and then I found one with great quality and decent prices.



CR-  What can you say about your vocals on this release? Are they a different style than yours with Pencil Lead Syringe?


RM-  Not much difference in the vocals. When I first listened to their music, I told my self it would be a challenge since it was crazy technical with all over the place riffs, I asked what kind of vocal style they wanted and they said to do the same I do in PLS so it worked out just fine.


CR-  What is the lyrical content like on FSD? Did you write them all?


RM-  I did not write the lyrics to this album, they were written by the guys in the band.



CR-  Who are some of your personal influences as a vocalist?



RM-  My personal influences in the Death Metal Community would have to be Blue Jensen(Guttural Secrete), Joe Horvath(Circle Of Dead Children) Matt(Implosive Disgorgence) Travis Ryan(Cattle Decapitation) & Gabriel McCaughry(Ion Dissonance)
those are all amazing vocalists and my favorites.


CR-  Any other genres of music you listen to often?

RM-  Hip- Hop, Pop Punk, Grindcore, Instrumental Rock (Explosions in the sky type of stuff).

CR-  Are you working on vocals for any other bands or projects right now?


RM-  Not at the Moment, I would like to though!

CR-  Any Cali bands from your scene coming up that we should know about? 

RM-  Check out Ossification(Moreno Valley) , Paroxysmal Butchering (San Diego) , Rott(LA) , Bedlam Of Cacophony (Orange County)
Necrambulant(Phoenix Az) they're not from our area but check them out as well.

CR-  Thanks again man! Cannot wait to hear this new album!!!

RM-  No problem thank you

7 H. TARGET

PENCIL LEAD SYRINGE

Condemned - Realms of The Ungodly - 2011 Unique Leader Records

San Diego, California's  Condemned is back with an amazing album. It has already received tons of praise and I am about to give it more.

 The first eerie, ambient track, ‘Eirgmos.. Adious..’ has a fittingly epic feel to accompany Condemned’s long awaited return. It feels evil. With ‘Ere The Dark Sovereign’- vocalist Angel Ochoa immediately proves he is back and has somehow gotten even better with his unexplainable and awesome ability to enunciate his gutturals so well. 

Cool, interesting stop and go sort of riffs throughout this track set the mood for whole album with a new style for Condemned. They are each writing great parts and taking it very seriously. Great parts, great songs. The quality of this recording is miles from “Desecrate the Vile".   It’s also better than most brutal death metal these days. It is mixed so very well. I suggest headphones for a truly amazing experience.

‘Baptismal Incineration Upon Simonists’ - Bass, drums and the guitar all flawlessly flow into and through this track, moving as a fast, disgusting, brutal creature kept under control and taking cues from the vocals.   At 1:30 Obie Flett graces us with his vocals.    Most albums with guest vocal spots in this genre do a horrible job in my opinion, either the vocalists are just too far apart in style or you literally can not hear the difference.  Realms, however, does an awesome job with both guest vocals.  Each one is audibly different from Condemned's Angel Ochoa but beautifully within the styling of the track, becoming more of a pleasant and impressive punctuation rather than a distraction.

‘Catharsis of Human Impurity’ is a nonstop assault of quick guitar riffs and perfectly placed, groovy harmonics. A prime example of Angel’s range can be heard at 1:25.

 ‘Embodied in Elms of Eternal Misery’ has an awesome dissonant strummed chord that keeps returning and the drums are just off the wall creative. The guitars start a descending melodic riff that leads to my favorite outro thus far.
‘Realms of The Ungodly’ is a favorite track for me.  Condemned are more brutal on this album while keeping their slow parts more creative and somehow everything sounds more original.  This album has the feel of a passionate, fresh debut of a brand new band.  Starts by pounding you into the ground and then slows down and helps you up with a great groovy breakdown.  A guitar solo then seems to come out of nowhere, with a very slippery feel accompanied by amazing drumming.  The very last vocal part of this track is exactly why this vocalist is looked up to by just about everyone.  It sounds as though his throat really is a toilet.  A toilet…with words instead of turds.

‘Forged Within Lecherous Offerings’ hit us hard with some welcome, more straightforward, slammy riffs and longer single note melodies give this song a good old Condemned feel. 

‘Divine Order of Babylon’ has outstanding drums and a steady pounding feel that ends quite suddenly.  ‘Manipulated For Servitude’ is an impressive display of creative songwriting with the way the guitar is playing with/within the drums, which are very innovative and are peppered with snares and cymbal crashes, at times reminding me of Cephalic Carnage.  Everything is so perfectly balanced that even if this song were not brilliantly written, you'd be hard pressed to complain.
‘Submerged Unto Phlegethon’- I love the fact that I can actually follow along with the lyrics, which are, by the way, really great and should be paid attention to just as much as the music,  for they are part of it.   By far one of my favorites on this record. It is also the longest song, at five and a half minutes and the last two minutes or so are just as epic as everything else seemed to foreshadow.  Perfect ending to this masterpiece!

Please listen with headphones and follow along with the lyrics.
The music is amazing, the art is amazing, the lyrics are amazing. Now I just need it on vinyl!

PURCHASE THE ALBUM HERE

ZIG

TONY KOEHL