CONSUMED BY DARKNESS # 1
(48 pages, A5, printed, in English)

The name alone – CONSUMED BY DARKNESS - made my pants wet :-) I guess not even the guys behind MACABRE END / GOD MACABRE recognize what a huge impression they made to the Death Metal underground. CONSUMED BY DARKNESS is a fanzine dedicated to the oldschool Death Metal scene, fitting perfect to the current oldschool interest. When I first heard about the creation of this fanzine I expected another huge publication like e. g. ‘Encyclopedia Of Svensk Döds Metal’ but it's not as tremendous as this mag, nevertheless totally interesting to read. It features on 48 A5-pages 3 interviews and many reviews and a few articles. These 3 interviews are done with EXHUMED / MORPHEUS, FURBOWL and CRYPT OF KERBEROS. All 3 are very detailed, long and interesting and are not the average type of interviews. A pity that only 3 interviews are included here, but the quality of them let's hope for more goodies in # 2. The reviews are great, too, a little strange though as the guy reviews mostly old demos and records of which some are not available anymore (e. g NIHILIST - "Only Shreds Remain", ABHORRENCE - "Pestilential Mists" 7"EP, VOMITORY - "Through Sepulchral Shadows" or DEPRAVITY - "Remasquerade" 7"EP). This doesn't mean that the reviews are not interesting; I'd say they are not the average type of reviews where you can recognize that the editor got a release for free and has to write something about it. I wonder if this changes in # 2 as the guys wrote a "magnificent" sentence at the end of the fanzine: "Labels and bands interested in getting your stuff reviewed, send your promo package" - guys, are you aware of what you started with that? Anyway, the 2 guys who are responsible for this fanzine are both persons involved in the Death Metal underground since the early 90s so they know what they are talking about. CONSUMED BY DARKNESS is available for 3 € plus postage and as a free download here! For those who download it, please recognize that the expenses are not covered and no one will earn money with writing a fanzine. So if you like what you read please spend your money to buy the original printed version of it to support the work of these guys. Fanzines are an important part of the underground movement and I support each person who spends his / her time to edit such a publication to support bands not featured in the common magazines. And CONSUMED BY DARKNESS is a high quality fanzine with great layout and great features in it. Support it. Check out www.myspace.com/cbd213 or www.templeofdarknessrecords.com. Issue # 2 is already in its preparation, watch out for features with UNLEASHED, EDGE OF SANITY, MORDICUS, EXCRUCIATE , ABHOTH / GOD MACABRE / UTUMNO, SUFFER / NOMINON, HETSHEADS and SORORICIDE among others.

Thomas Ehrmann

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COTHURNUS EDITION 2001
(76 pages, A4, printed, in German)

It's really sad to see what one of my all time favorite underground magazines has evolved into with their newest edition... I always had a lot of respect for Sindri and Jarne and their unconventional way of presenting themselves and their incredible magazine. COTHURNUS never was (and certainly never will be!) your ordinary mainstream publication as the selection of weird bands and the straight into your face way of writing of both editors has most certainly turned off quite a few people in the past already... That has always been more than fine with me. But with their 2001 edition they probably went a step too far after all... The entire issue is heavily lacking in the high quality features of the past. Which means: all the articles in which they usually tend to attack useless bands, stupid promoters & record labels and other wannabees have almost disappeared and got replaced by fictional sarcastic, ironic or satirical write-ups with no real connection to the activities within the extreme Metal underground. The number of reviews which usually ended with "0 points" (always my personal highlights of each issue) have become almost non existing this time as they obviously preferred to concentrate on the stuff they consider worth a listen. Despite the obvious high printing- and layout quality, I also dislike the whole visual side of this issue. The idea not to print the magazine in the ordinary upright size (but lengthways!!) is indeed very cool, but the use of pictures with political or historical background (for example war related) in combination with politically related subjects in the writings and bands like TOTENMOND, 2 TON PREDATOR or TIMO RAUTIAINEN & TRIO NISKALAUKUS didn't necessary make the whole thing more appealing to me. So, only the features on NECROPHOBIC, NIFELHEIM, THY SERPENT, GOD DETHRONED, BEWITCHED, NOCTE OBDUCTA, DRAUTRAN and SHINING still do remind on a usual brutal underground mag. I hate to say it, but if you're looking for a publication in order to get information about new promising bands / releases, you better pick up one of the other featured mags here. If one of your favorite mags is TITANIC (a German satirical mag), you will possibly die in laughter reading these 76 pages... A very courageous release! Contact and ordering info: www.cothurnus.de

Frank Stöver

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CRYPTS OF ETERNITY # 1
(16 pages, A5, printed, in English)

The time for fanzines is over. Point! But this doesn’t stop me from trying to get and support the few remaining ones. To be honest, Germany released some outstanding fanzines the last couple of months like the newest issues of CHAOS MAG, NECROMANIAC and the brutal fight between MYSTICAL MUSIC versus CARNAGE. If the time of fanzines is really over than I wonder what’s going on right now. CRYPTS OF ETERNITY # 1 is a small newcomer-fanzine from Peru which succeeds with its dedication to Death Metal the ancient way. It’s a small fanzine with only 16 pages, 14 to be honest (subtracting the front- and backcover) but these remaining pages impress with great interviews with such killer acts as HEADHUNTER D.C., MORTEM, REPUGNANT (so-called “posthumous testimonies”) and KAAMOS. Reading these names you easily recognize that Ricardo raised the bar quite high and I’m sure he already noticed that it is a pretty tough job to increase the quality with the next issue. These 4 interviews are done with a lot of dedication and knowledge about the bands and the music in general and the bands paid back good with their interesting and detailed answers. Besides that you don’t read interviews with the mentioned bands on a regular base and that’s one more reason why I can only recommend this fanzine to you, even more considering the fact that it goes for 3 USD only (p&p included, worldwide). The reviews could be a little bit longer and more detailed but this is the smallest point to improve. The layout is simple, but well-done and with its small font size there’s enough to read and hardly could be more on 14 pages. Ricardo told me that the second issue is almost on its way, including interviews with bands such as KARNARIUM, NECROCCULTUS (RIP), BLOODY SIGN, CIANIDE, SLUGATHOR, SARGATANAS and more so watch out for this one, too. Information will be printed online here as soon as it is available! It’s great to see a fanzine done with such dedication and therefore I can only say my recommendation to buy CRYPTS OF ETERNITY # 1 and support the dying fanzine-movement! CRYPTS OF ETERNITY ZINE, P.O. Box 25, Lima 41, Peru. Email Ricardo at lucasinhell@msn.com for further details or trades.

Thomas Ehrmann

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CRYPTS OF ETERNITY # 2
(32 pages, A5, printed, in English)

Twice as much pages as for # 1, CRYPTS OF ETERNITY is back to prove that the times for printed fanzines are still not over. Were issue 1 had the cover of AUTOPSY’s “Live From The Grave” bootleg vinyl as frontcover, issue 2 continues with that “tradition” and presents to the dear readers the cover of CARNAGE’s infamous “Live Stockholm” 7”EP released through the Mexican label Distorted Harmony Records years and years ago. Distorted Harmony Records are then also featured with an article about their history and releases and I’m kinda surprised to read the rumour that the label is active again. Time will tell if that remains a rumour!! Next to this story you can expect other stories about bands as VOIDS OF VOMIT, INVIDIOUS (formerly known as KATALYSATOR) or HATESPAWN, a bunch of demo-, vinyl- and CD-reviews but most important a few interviews with the bands DRAWN AND QUARTERED (very interesting and detailed), EMBALMED SOULS (very detailed, too), KARNARIUM, NECROCCULTUS (great to have them back), CIANIDE, SLUGATHOR, DEAD CONGREGATION, BLOODY SIGN, UNCONSECRATED and SARGATANAS. Reading these names you’ll recognize Ricardo’s goal to keep CRYPTS OF ETERNITY the “Death Metal only” - fanzine as it started and that’s what he’s clearing up with in his editorial. Next to the pretty interesting interviews this fanzine comes professionally printed and the layout reminds me for some reasons to older A5-issues of HOLOCAUST or even the older A5-issues of VOICES FROM THE DARKSIDE, though they were always a little bit thicker and had more information in it. Well, I don’t mind about that as there is a huge progressions from issue 1 to issue 2 and I’m sure Ricardo will offer us more great readings in the future. For those of you who are still one of these old fashioned persons, an endangered species, interested in reading printed fanzines should spend their money on this fanzine. As paypal is not available in Peru you have to pay the old fashioned way sending 5 € to Crypts Of Eternity, P. O. Box 25, Lima 41, Peru or get in touch with Ricardo this way: lucasinhell@msn.com. Very old fashioned…

Thomas Ehrmann

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CRYPTS OF ETERNITY # 3
(48 pages, A5, printed, in English)

I follow this fanzine since issue 1 and the development Ricardo made since the beginning is very good. Again the number of pages increased, this time from 32 to 48 pages with only ~3 pages advertisement). Where the contents of issue 1 was possible to read within a short period of time you have already in issue 2, but especially in this new issue a lot more to read. It features many good interviews with GODLESS, UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN, DROWNED, HATESPAWN, NECROVATION (at least Ricardo got an answer from them… I’m still waiting), GRAVEYARD, FUNEBRARUM, BLASPHERIAN, GODLESS RISING, IGNIVOMOUS, GOREAPHOBIA, IMPETUOUS RAGE, INCRUST and VOIDS OF VOMIT. The interviews are long and detailed and the answers from the bands are not the usual stuff. Besides that you can find a very interesting and in-depth live report written by Alex Rocha from IMPETUOUS RAGE (translated by Sergio from HEADHUNTER D.C.) of the POSSESSED & SADISTIC INTENT gig in Brasil last year (where great names as HEADHUNTER D.C., DECOMPOSED GOD and THE ORDHER were the supportacts), many good and objective reviews separated in the sections “Vinyl”, “Demos”, “CDs” and “DVDs”. Now assisted by a contributor Ricardo offers even more reviews this time. The reviews itself are interesting to read and the reviewer tells his own honest opinion about the release which is always a good thing. Funny to read that someone thinks that "Trinity Impurity Rites" from NECROS CHRISTOS is “plainly a mediocre band” (quote Victor L. Miranda – the new contributor). I don't agree here, but I appreciate an honest opinion. The layout progressed again and reminds me again of the older A5 issues from Holocaust fanzine from Poland back in the nineties, but I think I mentioned that already in my review for # 2. As already said the fanzine features 48 pages, is again professional printed and a must-have for every dedicated fan of underground Death Metal. You can purchase it directly from Ricardo Lucas (lucasinhell@msn.com – P.O. Box 25, Lima 41, Peru) or get it from selected mailorders all over the world (e. g. Nuclear Winter Records, Blood Harvest Records, Detest Records or The Sinister Flame). You simply have to.

Thomas Ehrmann

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DEADBANGER # 2
(52 pages, A5, xeroxed, in Swedish / English)

I came across this rather new zine from Sweden pretty much by accident. Editor Jesper contacted me about the possibility of a feature on VOICES FROM THE DARKSIDE a while ago, which I agreed on and the result ended up in this issue... I wasn't aware of DEADBANGER # 1, but as soon as I had pulled # 2 out of the envelope I knew that this way gonna be a feast for everyone into oldschool Death / Thrash right away as the entire look already reflects that very well. DEADBANGER is one of those zines that still keep the fire of the underground burning, recalling the days when a fanzine was still a fanzine (and not a high glossy, perfectly layouted and printed mag), compiled by mostly still very young, fanatic music maniacs long time before the mainstream took over and destroyed a lot of all that. When going through such zines I always feel reminded on the original Punk scene (because of their similar rebellious, chaotic, yet totally dedicated nature). Content wise you get features on FLESH, ANOINTED, INCINERATOR, KATALYSATOR, DECEIVER as well as a HELLHAMMER biography and a bunch of reviews (all of this unfortunately written in Swedish). Surprisingly there's also some stuff in English included (TRENCH HELL, THRONEUM, NOCTURNAL GRAVES and BACKYARD MORTUARY), which I found a little bit confusing, but definitely the better way to continue on with. Of course there's still various aspects about DEADBANGER that could be improved, but on the other hand it's entertaining the way it is and most important of all: ridiculously cheap (1,- Euro / 20 Swedish Krona)!!! You can order a sample copy from Jesper Ahl, Termometergatan 33, 72350 Västeras, Sweden, metaljeppe@hotmail.com

Frank Stöver

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DEATH EXECUTION # 1
(92 pages, A5, xeroxed, in English)

Are you into early 90s styled Black / Death Metal zines? Than this one is the right thing for you. The layout, the graphics / paintings etc. make you feel that no time has passed since then. Mr. Lagergren from Sweden, the man behind DEATH EXECUTION, comes up with his first issue here, a zine made by a maniac for maniacs. No asslicking, no "I have to write something positive here, because I need the money of the advertisings", nothing of that, just pure freedom of opinion. Although this is far from being done professionally in any way, it convinces because of the feeling it spreads. Of course DEATH EXECUTION contains everything necessary, reviews (also live), articles, interviews and other entertaining stuff, so you get to read something about NIFELHEIM, MORTUARY DRAPE, ORCUSTUS, SVARTSYN, SIGH UNPURE, OLD, ANAL VOMIT and many others. Written in an entertaining way with the right attitude this is one of the zines that are the dick that hangs out of the Metalheads' jeans, sorry leather trousers of course, within this scene dominated by marketing strategy. Support the real underground, put 6 Euros / US Dollars or 60 SEK into an envelope and send it to: R. Lagergren, Salixvagen 2 B, S-291 41 Kristianstad, Sweden, email: deathexecution@hotmail.com

Andi Bauer

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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SVENSK DÖDSMETALL
Nicola Costantini
(218 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Searching in wikipedia for "encyclopedia" I found the following explanation: "Indeed, the purpose of an encyclopedia is to collect knowledge disseminated around the globe; to set forth its general system to the men with whom we live, and transmit it to those who will come after us, so that the work of preceding centuries will not become useless to the centuries to come; and so that our offspring, becoming better instructed, will at the same time become more virtuous and happy, and that we should not die without having rendered a service to the human race." This may be a little bit over the top when talking about an encyclopedia of Swedish Death Metal but the fundamental idea is the same. Nicola Costantini’s "The Encyclopedia Of Svensk Dödsmetall" features basically every, and when I write "every" then I mean "every", Death Metal band from Sweden between the years 1988-1992 and it's just unbelievable to see Nicola's attention for details. He's not only mentioning each band, he includes information about all of their releases during this period (mostly demotapes and EPs) with details about the sound quality or layout explained in a legend at page 6. This makes me imagine that Nicola's collection might be one of the most complete oldschool demo collections worldwide. Wonder if he insured that stuff or if he installed an alarm system at his house as a treasure like this simply is unpayable. Next to this ranking the encyclopedia features 53 interviews with ALL the important acts between this period of time from the wellknown names like NIHILIST (the same interview as you can find on Voices From The Darkside), GRAVE, UNLEASHED, NECROPHOBIC or EDGE OF SANITY (awesome interview, cool answers from Dan), to cultacts as TREBLINKA (great interview, too - with some words about the successor TIAMAT) or my dear favourites GOD MACABRE (sorry, its MACABRE END here, we are talking about pre-1993, you know). A band as NOCTURNAL RITES, now not even a tiny bit interesting for the reader here I suppose, was interviewed about their early days playing Death Metal, a DISSECTION interview answered by Mattias Johansson, Thomas Einarsson spoke about his days in EUCHARIST and many more unknown bands as the awesome MASTICATION finally got the opportunity to tell what went on in their heads. One of the best and most underrated bands of this time and place, NIRVANA 2002, is featured with 2 interviews and even Oscar Dronjak from HAMMERFALL was kind enough to show not even a tiny bit of rockstar-behaviour and answered the questions about his former bands DESECRATOR, CEREMONIAL OATH and CRYSTAL AGE in a very informative and likeable way. For me the winner of the book, a guy who knows where his origin is! These names just mentioned are only a little excerpt of what you can read inside and believe me it was not easy to pick out names. If I had to do it again the list would look completely different. Next to these interviews there are plenty of biographies and articles about the remaining bands not interviewed and this makes this book the MEGA MAG Nicola speaks about in his preface. You shouldn’t expect another “Swedish Death Metal” or “Choosing Death”, though the clientele who should buy this book is completely the same, “Encyclopedia Of Svensk Dödsmetall” is no book, it’s (once again) THE MEGA MAG as it looks like and feels to read like one huge fanzine. The layout is awesome and fits to this fanzine attitude, the interviews are great and detailed with topics totally outdated (1988-1992) and if you are a Death Metal fan interested in how the most attractive and active period in the history of Death Metal looked like you have to buy this book as long as it is available. As far as I know the first edition is only 500 pieces so better be fast! It’s still unbelievable for me how Nicola managed it to get the addresses of all these persons and even more unbelievable to me that he got the answers to the interviews back. I know it by experience that this is sometimes even harder than figuring out their addresses, haha!! One negative fact I connect with this book and this is of personal nature: Nicola, can you imagine how depressing it is for me to realize that each interview with a comparable Death Metal band I’m going to do in the future is not the same anymore as you always will be ahead of me? Damn! Haha!! Anyway, the book sells for 40€ (Europe) 45€ (rest of the world) which is by far not too much for this tremendous work he did. Considering that most of the money probably goes to printing and postage and the smallest amount of it covers Nicola’s expenses this price is even a joke. Check out www.myspace.com/nicolacostantini for further details or get in touch with Nicola directly at nicola.costantini@gmail.com.

Thomas Ehrmann

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ENDZEIT # 4
(64 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Yep, I really like this zine and I'm glad they finally managed to bring a new issue out. This is already the fourth issue of this German written extreme music propaganda fanzine. And again those guys delivered a fine blend of Death, Thrash and Black Metal. You get some in depths and very interesting interviews with bands such as BY BRUTE FORCE (GER), DEW-SCENTED (GER), STEEL DEATH (GER), DISAVOWED (NL), DARKENED NOCTURN SLAUGHTERCULT (GER), EUSOPHOBIA (GER), SOUL DEMISE (GER), GREED (GER), UNHALLOWED (USA), DORMITORY (GER) and tons of demo, fanzine and album reviews. The reviews are exceptionally long and very detailed and the writing style is fairly enjoyable and entertaining. These three Metal-Heads definitely don't lick anyone's ass but give us their honest opinions. ENDZEIT is a pure fucking piece of high quality underground literature. And the ENDZEIT crew demonstrates with every single word its true underground attitude and dedication to Metal. This fourth issue is professional printed and has a proper and clear layout. By the way, there is only ONE paid ad in this issue, Sönke, Stephan and Jens financed this zine completely on their own. So they really deserve your support. Highly recommended !!! Don't hesitate and get your copy now!!! Contact: Sönke Tober, Memel Weg 3, 58553 Halver, Germany, endzeit@vr-web.de

Hacker

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ENDZEIT # 5
(66 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Like its previous four issues German ENDZEIT fanzine is a guarantee for a highly entertaining writing style and interesting interviews featuring bands from the fields of Death, Black, Thrash Metal, Grindcore and with HEAVEN SHALL BURN even an excursion into the Metalcore genre. The other bands featured in this issue are SUFFERAGE, ANAEL, DEPREDATION, DESPONDENCY, HORNED GOD, IMMERSED IN BLOOD, HOUR OF PENANCE (aka “Aua, mein Penis”), KADAVERFICKER, NIHIL NOCTURNE, WORLD DOWNFALL, NORDAFROST and 9TH PLAGUE. In addition to that there is a VITAL REMAINS live feature and a good load of CD, demo and zine reviews. The printing quality is excellent and the layout - despite the fact that it is quite sparse – is effective, diversified and well structured. In contrast to many other zines from Germany (e.g. NECROMANIAC, CARNAGE, UNHOLY TERROR, LEPROZINE and my own “second home”, ANCIENT SPIRIT TERROR)  ENDZEIT has its main focus on the local highlights in the underground scene and not Sweden, the States or other foreign countries. Thus, I think this zine is a great opportunity to inform yourself about the national underground and learn about worthy bands just around your corner. The only thing I would criticise is Thorin’s tendency to overdo two topics and almost compulsively forcing them in most interviews: a) Nazis in Metal b) narrow-minded Black Metal people. In my opinion he applies the same black / white scheme these two groups might represent. Nothing against vehemently fighting against brown scum in the Metal scene, but regarding group b) I think he should take it a bit easier since after all it’s just a matter of musical taste. Overall, a great zine done by guys who know their shit and present their knowledge with spirit and dedication. Must-have for any open-minded, narrow-minded, mindless Metalhead out there who is capable of reading German! Contact: Jens Thorin Arlt, Arndstraße 39, 58097 Hagen, Germany. Email: Thorinwotanlegion@freenet.de

Stefan Franke

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EVIL'S BEST # 3
(100 pages, A5, xeroxed, in English)

This fanzine from Israel perfectly proves that you don't need a professional layout, high glossy paper or a full colored cover to deliver interesting content. EVIL'S BEST started out in late 2008, but back then it was still written in Hebrew, so I don't think that you really need to get a copy of it (unless you're able to understand the language). Editor Sergei, who also runs the small Israhellbanger label / distro, quickly changed to the English language with issue # 2, and that was the right move for sure... It got released in January 2009 and partly featured translated content from issue # 1... and if you're a fan of oldschool Black / Death / Thrash Metal the content is just great! Apart from several reviews you've got great interviews with DEAD TO THIS WORLD, SUPERCHRIST, APOKALYPTIC RAIDS, TANGORODRIM, GEHENNAH, HOD, SACRIFICIAL BLOOD, GOLGOLOT, THRASH STORM, STRIDENT, RECRUCIFY, MORBID TENDENCY, CRUSHING JACKHAMMER and a never published before interview with ANCIENT RITES, originally from 2001. The layout is simple, but it never looks boring and the overall quality is quite impressive (considering that it was xeroxed and not printed). In November 2009 issue # 3 ("The third of the storms") was released and it continues on where issue # 2 left off. This time there's interviews with DARKTHRONE, DAWN OF WOLVES, BLOODSOUL, BEERAGE, HIGH SPIRITS, INFERNAL ASSAULT, WARHAMMER, NOCTURNAL, FRONT BEAST, CHILDREN OF TECHNOLOGY, FUNEBRARUM, ABAZAGORATH, HERETIC, IRON KOBRA, RIOTOR, DEATH INVOKER and ATOMIC AGGRESSOR as well as way more reviews than in the previous issue. Unfortunately the layout is a step back again... Due to the fact that the used artwork and / or bandlogos in the interviews were mostly used in the background (and also in a very bright way) it's not only a bit difficult to find out where an interview starts and ends, it also looks a bit boring that way (# 2 was a whole lot better in that department). But when it comes to the information that this A5 size zine has on offer, it is still way better than a lot of the more established zines (to get an idea just check out the WARHAMMER interview on our site, which was taken from issue # 3). It sells for 5 Euro / 7$ (postage paid worldwide) and as far as I know issue # 2 is also available again, so feel free to contact Sergei for more details at werewolf12345666@gmail.com or check out www.israhellbanger.com

Frank Stöver

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FUNERAL MAELSTROM OF HATE # 2
(44 pages, A4, xeroxed, in English)

Some of our readers may remember the time when extreme Metal zines didn’t care about full-colour-advertising, professional printing and you, as the reader, didn’t care of these things either as long as the content was alright. Here is one of these now rare zines, hailing from Italy. 44 A4-pages in good xeroxed quality and in-depth interviews with CLANDESTINE BLAZE (six pages) and GOATFIRE which focus more on philosophy and attitude than on the latest trash stories from touring and the recording-phase of their latest “masterpiece”. Additionally, you’ll find interviews with ILDJARN, HERETIC, GRAND BELIAL’S KEY, VELES, PROFANUM, the brilliant POTENTIAM and several long essays on Dead (R.I.P.), BEHERIT, “Funeral Procession during Black Plague” etc. and four pages of reviews. Beside the sometimes “not-so-perfect” English, the reviews-section is the only weaker point as all releases seem to be either great or rubbish. Nevertheless I can only recommend the mag if one likes the aforementioned bands. Should be available in a couple of mailorders.

Nhashi

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HAMMERHEART # 1
(50 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Trying to establish a new print-zine nowadays surely deserves some respect. Christian Metzner of Ad Noctum / Streetcleaner - fame goes for it with his new brainchild whose name is a tribute to one of the most popular BATHORY-albums. Fittingly, this first issue features a long in-depth interview with probably the biggest Quorthon-worshipper ever, Jeannette Lohaus, responsible for the "A Tribute From The Hordes" sampler. Apart from that pretty fascinating insight into the world of truly possessed hardcore-fandom there is quite a well-rounded selection of bands with a heavy emphasis on Osmose-artists such as DETONATION, THESYRE, ALLFADER and MELECHESH. Personal highlights include the interviews with ANCIENT RITES’ Gunter Theys (always a pleasure to read discussions with one of the few personalities within the scene that actually has something to say), NOX (for the sheer madness of it all) and MYRKGRAV (despite his young age a very self-confident and conscious guy). RED HARVEST and especially IMMOLATION deliver rather standard-promotion chatter which is not necessarily the interviewer’s fault. A nice gimmick are the small info-boxes which are included in some of the articles to provide some extra information about topics hinted at during the conversations, for example about the Flemish - Wallonian conflict in the ANCIENT RITES-interview. True Metal education! On top of all that you get some live-reviews (MANOWAR, VOLBEAT) and a whole bunch of album reviews (a little bit too much Porn-Grind for my personal liking). Bonus points for NOT including one of those useless CDs, which is a total waste of time and material in the age of MySpace and downloading! So, a more than decent effort for a very fair price (2,50 Euro + 1 Euro for delivery) that definitely deserves your support and can be obtained via webmaster@adnoctum.de.

Torsten Gründig

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HAMMERHEART # 2
(82 Pages, A4, printed, in German)

The German magazine scene is getting smaller and smaller because alot of our colleagues decide to bury their paper version and change to a pure internet platform. The HAMMERHEART is fighting against this trend on 2 different ways. On one hand is the second version very professional, the interviews are well chosen especially a good mix between Black Metal (PRIMORDIAL, DRAUTHRAN, HELRUNAR) and Death Metal (DEINONYCHUS, DEADBORN) can be confirmed. Furthermore is the review style not too serious which is the only way to fight against too much Evil and Satan in our music. On the other hand has the HAMMERHEART crew prepared a feature for their second edition with nearly all current active Metal underground mags - a manifest for all the sick and insane people out there which are investing their time and money for the good of our music. Think that even for the real specialist it will be quite interesting to see their passion and attitude also through other eyes. A really good Metal mag with a lot of potential so please contact them directly through www.adnoctum.de, www.myspace.com/hammerheartzine 

Matthias Auch

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HAMMERHEART # 4
(92 Pages, A4, printed, in German)

Germany's HAMMERHEART zine should be no stranger to the VOICES readers anymore as we already had reviewed their first two issues back when they got released... Well, unlike many other print zines, it seems they're still alive and well as issue # 4 recently reared its ugly head... and as expected, turned out as impressive as before (professional layout, colored cover and printed on high glossy paper). Musically the zine features Doom, Pagan, Black, Death Metal and Deathgrind, so all those of you who are into such a variety of styles and who are able to understand the German language will most certainly find quite a lot of information in here, especially since the majority of the content consists of bands that are still deeply rooted in the worldwide underground. Issue # 4 features interviews with THE GROTESQUERY, FORSAKEN, SPAWN, SOLSTAFIR, FÄULNIS, FINNTROLL, FOREFATHER, FORTID, GALAR, HELL DARKNESS, MORPHOSYS, NASHGUL, ODIOUS, ROTTING CHRIST, RUINS, CONVICTORS, SLARTIBARTFASS and ALICE COOPER (!), plus three rather short chats with BANGSAT / CAUSE OF DIVORCE, Frank Melech (he's also responsible for the cover art of this issue) and Maik Godau. The massive review section (content wise about 30% of the zine) covers tons of CDs, vinyl and fanzines. It sells for 4 Euro (plus 1 Euro postage inside of Germany, for order outside of Germany contact Christian for additional postage costs first) at the following address: Christian Metzner, Landwehr 1, 64823 Gross-Umstadt, Germany, www.adnoctum.de, www.myspace.com/hammerheartzine

Frank Stöver

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HELLTHRASHING # 3
(52 pages, A4, printed, in English)

The subtitle of HELLTHRASHING is “the one & only FANzine that don’t waste space on a cover” and they handle it exactly like this as the first interview with the Italian band SCHIZO starts already on the coverpage and the fanzine ends on page 52 with the rest of the HOUR OF 13 interview and a small outro written by the editor. A small editorial by the boss himself, Carlos Kuravilu, is printed on the left side of page 2 introducing his task he wants to achieve with HELLTHRASHING and that’s (to quote him) a personal task. Professional printed, yet enough oldschool cute & paste flair especially in the review section and several interviews make this output appealing to all the readers out there who don’t want to have a fanzine printed on glossy paper and computerized design. This fanzine is back to the roots layoutwise and that’s great this way. The bands featured here with interviews are among others HELLISH CROSSFIRE, FUTURE TENSE, PYÖVELI, THE WIZARD, WARTH, INFERNUS SERPEST, Self Desecrator (the artist, responsible for a couple of drawings in this fanzine, too), FORCE OF DARKNESS, ATTACKER BLOODY AXE, BAPHOMET’S BLOOD, NOCTURNAL and a few more. Besides that you get an article about Chilean witchery, a BATHORY feature, an UK scene report, a report about old Chilean underground and a feature about ATOMIC AGGRESSOR and a whole bunch of reviews. The reviews itself are quite short but mostly meaningful and honest. The interviews are done quite dedicated and interesting and as you can see when reading the names above the bands featured are not the average type of bands featured in each fanzine around. HELLTHRASHING is in my humble opinion a great fanzine which is fun to read and therefore I can only support this fanzine and praise it to all interested readers out there to check it out. Again I can only recommend to get in touch with Carlos and ask for the price as postage rates might kill the fun once more. I can imagine that there are several mailorders available who carry this fanzine already. Write Carlos at carlos@kuravilu.cl. 

Thomas Ehrmann

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HIDDEN THRONE # 4
(40 pages, A4, printed, in English)

This is a really cool underground zine in every aspect. The whole content of this fourth issue is extremely unique as the two editors Adnan and Nedim decided to focus on the more obscure bands rather than going the safe way and coming up with tons of wellknown bands in order to sell a few more copies. The advertisments inside this issue were all printed for free (!!) and they furthermore have a pretty critical way of writing when it comes to the review section (which is really necessary to seperate the few selected gems from all the crap these days!). There's actually no release from any bigger label featured in here (the "biggest" names probably being G.U.C., Red Stream and Witches Brew), so that this is certainly a good opportunity to dive a lot deeper into the release overkill. As for the interviewed acts, you'll get highly interesting chats with THE CHASM, OPETH, IMMOLATION, SALEM, DIVINE RAPTURE, AENDRIA, DUSK, SEAR BLISS, SILENT KINGDOM, and TOXICDEATH as well as a Malaysian scene report and an interview with the guy who's running UNSUNG HEROES RECORDS. The layout is quite simple (yet fitting and never sterile looking) and the printing quality fine with me (not perfect, but not messy either). So, all in all pretty much recommendable to all those of you who are fed up with all the glossy major mags or faceless "underground" zines that are around these days. My only point of "criticism" is their english / grammar, which still needs to be improved here and there, as their often highly interesting interview questiones suffer a bit from that. Don't have any zine- nor postage-prices, but feel free to ask them directly at: Hidden Throne, c/o Adnan Hatic, Vladimira Nazor 2, 75000 Tuzla, Bosnia & Herzegovina, www.hiddenthrone.tk, info@hiddenthrone.tk

Frank Stöver

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HIMNOS RITUALES DE GUERRA # 1
(80 pages, A4, printed, in English)

What a great debut issue! Debut issue? Yeah, even though the name HIMNOS RITUALES DE GUERRA might ring a bell to some of you already, due to the fact that the editors have been doing a website of the same name for quite a while now, this is their first printed edition. And the result turned out highly convincing. What you get here is a very cool selection of stuff that was already featured on the website, but of course it's always a lot more entertaining to read it on paper. Musically the guys have a quite similar taste as we have, which is clearly reflected in their selection of brutal bands: BLOOD STORM, USURPER, UNLEASHED, DISCIPLES OF MOCKERY, IMMOLATION, NUNSLAUGHTER, VITAL REMAINS, INCINERATOR, IMPENDING DOOM, HARMONY DIES, MALEVOLENT CREATION, INSISION, NECRODEATH, HATE PLOW, BEWITCHED, DECEASED, STARGAZER, LEVIFER, HADEZ, ATOMIZER, LIBER SPIRITUUM, REIGN OF TERROR, EMBALMED SOULS, EVIL INCARNATE and SINISTER. Additionally you get an interview with UNHOLY TERROR's editor Hacker, a whole bunch of reviews and lots of vintage SLAYER stuff (flyer, tickets, ads etc.) which was used for the layout (very cool idea!). My only complain is the fact that - even though I enjoy that type of music myself - two traditional Metal acts (GRAVE DIGGER and TWISTED TOWER DIRE) also found their way into this issue. But as it's only those two I can live with that. The entire zine is written in English, so there's really no excuse why you should miss out on it. Available for $5 worldwide from: Jimmy Ruiz, P.O. Box 1451, Popayán, Colombia, South America, email: editor@himnosrituales.com, website: www.himnosrituales.com

HORRIBLE EYES # 3
(87 pages, A4, printed, in English)

‘Zine editor Ronald was kind enough to give me a copy of the third issue of HORRIBLE EYES. I bought the first a couple years back, even if it was written in German at the time, just for a PENTAGRAM interview I couldn’t obviously read. Now it is an entire different matter, as HORRIBLE EYES is comprehensible by the vast majority of the Metal heads of this world. A fortunate event if you ask me, as I see this fanzine as one of the very best existing presently. Ronald handles almost everything by himself, with the occasional help of his contributor Pjier. What impresses me the most is the high level of Ronald’s writing. He shows a lot of intelligence in his questions to the bands, avoiding all the common clichés, and always comes up with articulate and sensitive points of view. Besides, the layout of the issue is without peer, from the Lovecraftian cover (drawn by Dutch artist Manuel Tinnemans, also interviewed in this issue) to the exquisite frames used. I have rarely seen such a beautiful and tasteful work of art and Ronald can’t be caught wrong at any moment in that regard. And be sure that the content (be it the interviews or the reviews), reflects the class visually showed. One can’t find the usual bands featured here, as Ronald picked up rarely interviewed acts. Tell me where else you could see a STARGAZER (enigmatic gods of intricate and conceptual Death Metal from Australia) interview? Or an IRON MAN (gods of Doom from the USA) one? In fact, Ronald has chosen to follow an unusual path by featuring extreme (mostly) Black and Death Metal artists alongside with heroes of the traditional Doom Metal scene. Then for example, together with the aforementioned interviews, you could find within the pages of this issue features on the French Doom lords NORTHWINDS, as well as on Swedish Black Metal hordes WATAIN, and the list could goes on and on. The overall result turns out to be really original and fresh this way, offering a captivating reading experience. The icing of the cake is no less than two separate very well printed posters of PENTAGRAM (the Doom band) and WARHAMMER (two of my favourites acts of all time!), clipped in the way you will not do any harm to the rest of the mag while removing them (only ads at the back). I could praise this godly fanzine for hours, so it’s better to end the review here because I think I made myself perfectly clear about the fact you have to buy this. In doing so, you will support somebody who truly deserves it while having the pleasure to add a superb acquisition in your collection. A high class piece of work indeed! Contact: horribleeyes@web.de.

Edouard Vergriete

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IMHOTEP # 9
(56 pages, A4, printed, in English)

When I first got my hands on this latest issue of Norway's IMHOTEP, I was kinda worried that editor Roy might have turned the magazine into a rather mainstream direction over the years (it's been ages that I last saw a copy of it...) as the featured bands are not necessarily what I would consider "underground" these days. And the whole visual side of it furthermore seemed to back up my thoughts, as IMHOTEP # 9 not only comes up with a full colored, high glossy cover (OPETH / KATATONIA), but also with several colored pages inside and a rather clean and pro-looking major magazine type layout. But I was so wrong! The real quality of this magazine can be found in the way of how Roy and his helping hands are doing their interviews and reviews. Unlike the majority of publications these days (be it on the web or in the old printed matter), the entire IMHOTEP staff comes up with very intelligent and really interesting interview questions, that are lifting all the features to another, higher level, no matter if you like or dislike the particular artist. You will easily notice that these guys really have a very strong interest in each particular band they present in their magazine, that they listened to their material very carefully and don't give a fuck about the credibility the bands might or might not have in narrowminded underground circles. The perfect examples here are probably DIMMU BORGIR (which Roy met at their rehearsal place) and CRADLE OF FILTH. It's not a question of you like or dislike their music here, both interviews are just totally great - period! The same goes for other more obscure acts, such as ABORYM, SHINING (which you will find on our website as well now) or SECRETS OF THE MOON. IMHOTEP is by no means a one dimensional publication, as next to the Black and Death Metal also Heavy / Power Metal (like KAMELOT for instance) get a bigger platform in here. The review section features a whole lot of very critical written reviews, also with a pretty scary detailed knowledge about each particular record (I really wonder how they find the time for it!). So, in the end I simply couldn't stop reading this entire issue from start to finish as it is certainly one of the last remaining, really honest magazines around, not following any rules in order to be considered cool or whatever. Support them! Issue #9 sells for $6 / 6 Euro / 45NKR at the following address: Imhotep, R.K., Hauketovn 5B, 1266 Oslo, Norway, email: imhotep@chello.no, website: www.imhotepzine.com

Frank Stöver

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ISTEN MAG
(16 pages, A4, printed, written in English)

When Mr. Mattila announced a new issue of ISTEN, I was really excited (to say the least) as this zine has always been my alltime favorite from Finland! Unfortunately the result didn't really live up to my expections for the simple fact that it can't really be considered a regular issue, but a 16 pages sort of "extended newsletter" kinda thing (or a "split EP with a couple of extras" as the editor himself prefers to label it). As usual the whole layout looks highly professional, yet reminds me way more on a cool Punk zine rather than on one of the thousands of boring high glossy wannabe magazines. Totally oldschool, but never amateurish or silly and as usual written in a very good english. So, "organized chaos" might be the keyword here. There's actually not too much of a regular content to be found on the 16 pages... If you take away the front- / backside and introductional page you're left with four pages of NIFELHEIM and three pages of WATAIN (well actually it's just two here, as one of 'em only features a picture). The rest is just filled with quotes from people that most of you might not even know about and therefore probably don't really care... Somehow it seems to me that Mikko is on a sort of psychological journey, trying to analyse why people are (or have been) into Metal. As so often, answers to such questions vary from being really boring and uninspired to highly entertaining (depending on who answers 'em). The zine basically is in black & white, but the extra colour (red) adds a rather sick note to the whole look. Cool idea! So, overall pretty entertaining (not as strong as his other "sideproject" from years back, "Playing With Fire", though), but I hope that there's gonna be a "full-length" issue again sometime in the near future as nowadays scene needs zines like ISTEN more than ever before! You can order a single copy for 3 US $ (5 copies for 15 US $, 11 copies for 30 US $ / 25 Euro) at the following address: Mikko Mattila, Koivistontie 10 E 66, 33820 Tampere, Finland, http://www.isten.net.

Frank Stöver

MORBID SOUNDS RIP EDITION
(50 pages, A4, printed, in English)

This is the print edition from the well-known online zine Morbid Sounds, which give up at the end of last year. In the foreword they write about the reasons for the end. So this print edition is the legacy of the crew from southern Germany, limited to 150 copies and hand numbered. The zine is high quality printed and the layout absolutely professional. I think the matter can be titled "the best, the rest and the rare" because it occurs some of the best interviews done for the online issue, some new ones and in the end some reviews about the favourite stuff of the team. The featured bands are Dark Tranquillity, Hearse, Evocation, Bolt Thrower but also Apocalyptica and Armored Saint, which is a nice mixture. The interviews are well written, informative and its fun to read them. So, well done and I hope to hear and read from them again. To all others get your issue for 3,-Euro from www.morbid-sounds.de, webmaster@morbid-sounds.de

Stefan Hagmayer

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MUTILATING PROCESS # 1
(72 pages, A4, xeroxed, in English with some French)

Our comrade in Metal Nathaniel “Asphyx” Colas has made quite a statement with this first issue! Faithful to the old Metal spirit, Nathaniel offers us a fantastic zine, far away from any trend. He has chosen a layout reminiscent of the zines of old (read: the 80’s) but with a more mature content. Nathaniel had the good idea to interview not only bands (PENTACLE, KAAMOS, DESASTER to name some of them) but also zine editors as Steve Willems (SLEEPLESS MAG) or Hacker (UNHOLY TERROR). The most interesting interview is to me the one with Tore of OLD FUNERAL (I bought the reissue of the OLD FUNERAL demos just after reading it by the way), but fear not, there is plenty of good other stuff crammed inside the zine. Note that some parts of MUTILATING PROCESS are written in French but this is not destined to continue in the forthcoming issues. The reviews are from the kind I greatly appreciate, uncompromising and sometimes very brutal (ha ha) but always done with a devastating humour. Nathaniel is not afraid to loudly state his own tastes, and defends the music he loves with passion. The only let down of the mag is the lack of proper intros for each of the feature, but I am sure Nathaniel will remedy to this little annoyance in the future. The overall layout of MUTILATING PROCESS may appear a little rough (the editor doesn’t hesitate to add handwritten comments on a typed page), with the pictures looking blurred sometimes. But hey, this is precisely what makes the charm of this very special zine! Finally, I would like to stress out how much I appreciate Nathaniel’s attitude: indeed, he is one of the rare persons of his age who fully grasp what the atmosphere of the golden age of Metal could really have been (all stupid nostalgia put aside). To sum it up, absolutely essential to our readers! Contact: nathanieldeathmetal@hotmail.com.

Edouard Vergriete

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MUTILATING PROCESS # 2
(100 pages, A4, xeroxed, in English)

Welcome back in the sick world of our friend Nathaniel “The Rack” Colas. With the new issue of his zine, Nathaniel sticks firmly to the style he chose for the first one (get it too by the way, before it is too late!). Acting like if computers have never been invented, our comrade unleashed upon us a new cut-and-paste extravaganza, allying a chaotic (and yet effective) visual presentation to a very dense content text-wise. The editorial work is indeed impressive, as Nathaniel have done his job as interviewer very seriously. The piece de resistance of this issue is without a doubt the superb features on both Martin Van Drunen and Bob Bagchus who answered the in-depth questions of Nathaniel with many interesting details about their respective (and also connected) career. Of course our hairy and hirsute editor investigates the case of many other cult bands of the underground, like THE CHASM, INCANTATION, FUNERUS, DERKETA, EMBALMED SOULS and CIANIDE among others. What I find especially cool is the review section, where Nathaniel is not afraid to talk about records put out three or four years ago, for the pure pleasure to share his enthusiasm with us. We find again a bunch of interviews with fellow zine editors (the best one with the BESTIAL INVAZINE dudes), and it comes always interesting to read about the tastes and hard work of people dedicated enough to the scene to sacrifice a lot of their time for the cause of the godly Metal. While I try hard to sell MUTILATING PROCESS # 2 to you (my armpits are sweating badly in this process), I stay well aware that some of the material presented here was already featured online, in the very VOICES pages by the way. Maybe next time Nathaniel should be well inspired to keep some exclusivity for his mag BEFORE offering any to other people (even if it is to the infamous demigod Frank Stöver). But hey, some stuff is more interesting to have in print anyway! Besides, if you get the mag you will also get three (yes, three!) home made posters showing Nathaniel’s considerable artistic abilities, and among them an ASPHYX one (WHAT A SURPRISE!). To sum it up: an excellent fanzine you must consider to acquire right now. And before you ask, yes, I am totally biased while writing this, for the simple reason I know Nathaniel enough to be sure he is 100% honest in his crusade for real Metal of Death! Contact: nathanieldeathmetal@hotmail.com.

Edouard Vergriete

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 8
(68 pages, A4, xeroxed, in German)

What a big improvement! Can't exactly recall which the last MYSTICAL MUSIC issue was that I got my hands on, but it seems that editor Ralf has worked really hard ever since those days in order to make it look more attractive, without loosing the original underground charme of his zine. I still remember that in the older issues there were (almost) no columns and the text was simply written from left to right on each page, like in books, letters or whatever. That's luckily gone now and (apart from the visual plus) makes it a lot easier to read. Also gone is the use of several different font types, which is another plus (also for a better reading) and an improved, yet totally oldschool underground layout (with sick artwork, borders, skulls etc.). Apart from all that the zine has stayed the same though, which means you still get a very basic b/w looking zine in the tradition of very early Remains (or even Voices...) issues, a style of zines which unfortunately has totally disappeared these days. The contents is of course always a very personal matter as everyone likes / dislikes completely different bands / artists. MYSTICAL MUSIC # 8 at least made me happy as it has (a.o.) cool features on GRAVE, INCANTATION, DEMIGOD, MONSTROSITY, IMMERSED IN BLOOD, SCURVY / REPUGNANT and Thomas "Necromaniac" Westphal as opposed to Ralf's usual Melodic Death Metal worshipping ;-) Lots of reviews as well as a cool Dragon Design cover artwork complete the picture and easily justify the requested 3,-Euro (ppd. in Germany) / 3,50Euro (rest of the world). But beware: it's completely written in German! Contact and further info: Ralf Hauber, Emerlandweg 11, 73529 Strassdorf, Germany, hauber@immortalrites.de, www.geocities.com/mysticalmusic_2002

Frank Stöver

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 9
(74 pages, A4, xeroxed, in German)

Yezzzz, this is a really cool one. It is good to see printed fanzines these days when most of the underground press just exist as an online version. This is of course not the only reason why this is a good fanzine. It has the traditional b/w looking design of the early 90s mags with a lot of zombie and skull artworks; the interviews and reviews are arranged clearly which contributes to a cool overall look and makes this 'zine readable easily. Regarding the contents we get offered Death Metal in all its facets. In depth interviews with bands such as CHAOSBREED, OCCULT, CANNIBAL CORPSE, HEARSE, PAGANIZER etc. plus lots of reviews, all done in an entertaining manner of writing. So kick yourself in your lazy asses and get your hands on this. hauber666@gmx.de, www.mysticalmusic.de.vu, MYSTICAL MUSIC ZINE, c/o Ralf Hauber, Emerlandweg 11, D - 73529 Strassdorf, Germany 

Andi Bauer

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 10
(100 pages, A4, xeroxed, in German)

This is it! This is not only the zine's anniversary issue, but from my personal point of view also their best so far in terms of its content! On a once again extended number of pages (no less than 100 this time!!!) MYSTICAL MUSIC # 10 comes up with a very balanced mixture of established (yet still very respected) names, combined with carefully selected newer hopefuls in brutal Death Metal and Grind. Want some names? Ok, here we go: BOLT THROWER, NIHILIST, MERCILESS, GOREFEST, CADAVER, MISERY INDEX, CENTINEX, DISINTER, ROTTEN SOUND, DEADBORN, KAAMOS, FLESH MADE SIN, ARISE, MARCUS NORMAN (NAGLFAR, BEWITCHED, ANCIENT WISDOM), SINNERS BLEED, EXHUMATION / NIGHTRAGE, ABORTED, INSISION, DEFLESHED, PERRA KARLSSON (NOMINON, IN AETERNUM, NIFELHEIM) and LAY DOWN ROTTEN. They all got the opportunity to speak out as in-depth as they liked, which results in some highly informative and intertaining reading. Additionally you're getting 20 pages of reviews and a feature on some stupid fuck named Frank Stöver. The whole layout still comes very close to what we did in the late print issues of our own zine (very oldschool, with lots of drawings, borders and stuff), but that's no problem and pretty obvious as Ralf has never made a secret of the fact, that VOICES used to be a big inspiration source for him. The cover of this issue features a very cool drawing by "Deather" (IN DEED HELL). So, all in all a highly recommended piece of reading (if you're able to understand the German language). The only thing that still could be improved (not essential though) is the manufacturing quality, but from personal experiences I know that this is of course always a matter of money and not easily realizable for most of us. Orders should nevertheless be addressed to: MYSTICAL MUSIC ZINE, c/o Ralf Hauber, Emerlandweg 11,  73529 Strassdorf, Germany, email: hauber@mystical-music.de, website: www.mystical-music.de. This new issue sells for 4,-Euro (Germany) / 6,-Euro (rest of the world), postage paid already.

Frank Stöver

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 11 vs. CARNAGE # 13
(104 pages, A4, printed, in German)

I don't think that I will still have to introduce MYSTICAL MUSIC or CARNAGE to longtime fanzine readers anymore as both German zines have been around long enough now to be considered as a steady force in the Death Metal underground. Previously to this first split edition they already put out 10 (MYSTICAL MUSIC) and 12 (CARNAGE) issues on their own. So, the only problem might have been that they concentrate on the German speaking part of the world... But anyway, those of you who are able to understand our silly language will most certainly get a kick out of this one again as it features a whole lot of amazing, in-depth interviews with underground legends such as MASSACRE (Michael Borders), MESSIAH (Brögi), CYNIC (Paul), Alex Marquez, SINISTER (Aad), MORGOTH (Marc), BENEDICTION (Frank), VITAL REMAINS (Dave), Bard "Faust" Eithun or Martin van Drunen, plus tons of equally interesting chats with PATHS OF POSSESSION, KRISIUN, DEATHEVOCATION, NOMINON, NECROVATION, PENTACLE, SCENT OF DEATH etc. etc. There's also no less than 27 pages (!!) of reviews and a free compilation CD that features 19 underground acts (due to the fact that it's not the usual label sponsored type thing, it's "just" a CD-R, but visually done with much dedication!!). The whole layout differs a bit between both parts of the zine. While MYSTICAL MUSIC still continue on with lots of borders and stuff (pretty much like the old VOICES print issues), the CARNAGE part is more straight, simple structured and clear. It's up to you what you prefer... I personally don't have a problem with each of them, as both contents know to convince completely - and that's what matters the most anyway! This issue sells for 5 Euro (ppd. in Germany) / 7 Euro (ppd. rest of the world, shipping)... And you know what? It's worth every little cent, believe me! MYSTICAL MUSIC (Ralf): hauber@mystical-music.de, www.mystical-music.de, CARNAGE (Leif): blasphegor@compuserve.de, www.carnagedeathmetal.de

Frank Stöver

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 12 vs. CARNAGE # 14
(120 pages, A4, printed, in German)

I don't really see the sense in doing a split zine, to be quite honest... I mean, when the contents of the two participating zines is of the same nature anyway, and it was not just a one off thing, why not joining forces completely? Ok, in the case of two of Germany's hardest working underground mags MYSTICAL MUSIC and CARNAGE you could at least say that their editors obviously have different opinions when it comes to the layout (Mr. Hauber for instance seems to enjoy oldschool borders quite a lot, which Mr. Timm avoids to use) and there's also a difference in the status of the featured acts (the more known underground acts mostly end up in MYSTICAL MUSIC, while CARNAGE is digging a lot deeper to discover the obscure gems). Interviews / reviews are of the same quality in both zines though and they compliment each other very well, so a continuation of this particular co-operation (no matter how) is more than welcome to me. Especially if you see that that overall printing / layout quality gets better with each issue. This time they furthermore increased the number of pages once again and came up with insane 120 printed pages (!!!) - unbelievable! We already had the content of this issue in our news section a while ago, but those who didn't get to read that, here it is again: AUTOPSY (a 4 pages Chris Reifert special), EXHORDER (7 pages), SUFFOCATION, EVOCATION, DEMONICAL, IRATE ARCHITECT, UNLEASHED, VOMITORY, MUNICIPAL WASTE, HATESPHERE, NECROTIC FLESH, THE ABSENCE, THIS ENDING, a massive 13 pages long MIKE BROWNING special (feat. MORBID ANGEL, INCUBUS, ACHERON and AFTER DEATH), DEFEATED SANITY, AFGRUND, ULCERATE, SUFFOCATED BASTARD, AGALLOCH (3 pages) and lots more. Too bad that it's written in German, so a lot of our readers unfortunately won't be able to enjoy its content as much as I do. The issue also includes a free compilation CD-R with 21 (partly unreleased) tracks from RIBSPREADER, PAGANIZER, MASSIVE ASSAULT, PURGATORY, AFTER DEATH, VENERAL DISEASE, HEADHUNTER D.C., KAAMOS, NECROTIC FLESH, DEFLORATION, IMPETUOUS RAGE, MENTAL HORROR, a DOOM METAL special and more. On sale for the ridiculous low price of 5,- Euro (ppd. in Germany, all others ask for postage prices first if you're ordering) from MYSTICAL MUSIC Zine, c/o Ralf Hauber, Emerlandweg 11, 73529 Strassdorf, Germany, hauber666@gmx.de, www.mystical-music.de. Distributors are always welcome! You also may get your copy from CARNAGE's Leif: blasphegor@compuserve.de, www.carnagedeathmetal.de

Frank Stöver

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 13
(86 pages, A4, printed, in English)

After two split issues with the German CARNAGE zine, MYSTICAL MUSIC returns to the scene with a new edition strictly on their own, but for the first time totally written in English. The change of language definitely was a wise decision as a zine entirely written in German always limits a dedicated publication like this for obvious reasons... Apart from that, everything else luckily has stayed the same, and that's more than fine with me. The layout still looks extremely oldschool (with all the typical borders and stuff), which is kind of refreshing due to the fact that almost every print zine alive these days tries to come up with a more magazine type / highly professional look. Especially in this musical genre I will always prefer the cut and paste, typewriter style over a computerized visual side, so all power to MYSTICAL MUSIC for continuing on in that tradition! Even though the CARNAGE part is missing this time, Mr.Hauber and his fellow writers still managed to come up with highly impressive 86 A4 pages, covered with lots of reviews and 19 in-depth interviews with the likes of RESURRECTION, DEICIDE, HAIL OF BULLETS, BLOODBATH, DISFEAR, UNANIMATED, FATALIST, DEMIURG, THE ROTTED, MOURNING BELOVETH, FACEBREAKER, 21 LUCIFERS, GRAVEYARD and SPEARHEAD. Very cool specials on TREBLINKA (6 pages) and GROTESQUE (8 pages) plus a chat with DANIEL EKEROTH (editor of the excellent Swedish Death Metal book) complete the picture. The coverartwork was done by Riddickart (ARSIS, KATAKLYSM, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) and each issue once again comes with a free CDR sampler, that offers 21 underground tracks in total, plus further reviews as an enhanced PDF file (only release highlights found their way into the printed part of the zine). Cool idea, even though I could still easily live without free CDs/CDRs in zines... To order yourself a copy send 5,- Euro / 8 US$ (postage & package included) to: MYSTICAL MUSIC Zine, c/o Ralf Hauber, Emerlandweg 11, 73529 Strassdorf, Germany. Email: hauber@mystical-music.de. Distributors and mailorders are always welcome as well.

Frank Stöver

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 14
(90 pages, A4, printed, in English)

I am glad that Ralf and Leif were so fast with the new issue of MYSTICAL MUSIC after the really cool “Speak English or Die” (issue # 13) which was the first one written in English. Hopefully the two Germaniacs continue their own path and support the traditional way of doing a fanzine. I am glad they do so, because Mystical Music is for sure one of the best zines around these days, with real dedication and total passion for the oldschool Death Metal. I admit that the new issue is damn impressive, even at first glance: thick and well printed, with a blasphemous cover artwork made by Chilean artist Daniel “Desecrator” Urzua that prepares the reader for the overall sinister content of the zine. Entitled “… A Tribute to the Darkened Old School Death Metal way…”, issue # 14 features some pretty cool interviews with bands such as: ASPHYX, AT THE GATES, ENTOMBED, DESULTORY, AVULSED, SEANCE, FUNEBRARUM, HATESPAWN, TRIBULATION, BLOODY SIGN, IMPIETY, DENIAL and more. As expected, the interviews are really interesting (and fun to read) and have the die-hard mentality from the eyes of a real fan. Needless to say that the quality of the work is overall in the same levels as in the past and I guess most Voices’ readers know what to expect by such a dedicated maniac like Ralf! Concerning the reviews - “section”, I think most reviews are pretty well-written and to the point and I am glad that only worth-while ones are included (who has time to read about mediocre stuff after all?). The layout looks damn killer and “oldschool” with all the cool artwork and frames as appropriate. As expected, the issue is accompanied by a compilation of bands featured in the issue (and not only!) which serves as a cool soundtrack while you read these unholy pages. Also a review “massacre” is included in the CD, in pdf format, containing reviews that didn’t make it in the printed pages (for those that need to read everything). All in all, a great zine, a killer effort with dedication, class and attitude that deserves your support 101%! Oh, and as a final bonus, each copy of the issue is accompanied with a great two sided poster as well (NECROPHOBIC / DISMEMBER)! Don’t miss it because you will regret it for sure!!! It sells for 6 Euro / 9 US $ (ppd.). Contact Ralf: hauber666@gmx.de, www.mystical-music.de

Manolis A.

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MYSTICAL MUSIC # 15
(88 pages, A4, printed, in English)

One of the best, if not the best Death Metal fanzine in the entire underground returns with its 15th issue. Is this already some kind of anniversary? “Explosion Of Rotten Death!” is the subtitle of this issue and this subtitle should give you hints what to deal with: rancid and rotten Death Metal through all pages! Interviews with such names as DISMEMBER, GRAVE, PUNGENT STENCH, EDGE OF SANITY MASSACRE or DEMILICH should fasten every Death Metal fan’s heartbeat and interviews with newer acts like STENCH OF DECAY, GRAVE MIASMA, TORTURE DIVISION, HOODED MENACE, AEON or ENTRAILS (among others) are probably the right thing to wet your pants. Plenty of interesting reads are offered for the fan of this genre. And the last topic featured with an interview is a chat with the artist / illustrator Matthew Carr / Putrid Gore Art. I don’t want to mention any more in details about the featured interviews, just saying that they are not the average blablabla but are well structured and mostly high on information. So it’s yours now to check them out. One year after the release of # 14 Ralf and his team completed one more great issue full of information, detailed and interesting interviews and this time just reviews of the best releases since the last issues (quote: “...sort out the best and forget the rest!!!”). Considering the reviews I think this is a good idea as a review should be a purchasing recommendation and for this we want to read about the best releases out there. Next worth to mention, though this is a repetition as it is as awesome as in the former issues, is the layout which is again done in responsibility of Leif Timm and he did once more a great job offering the layout in the traditionally fanzine-like cut & paste - style and combining it with today’s possibilities of modern graphic instruments. To put out a fanzine like MYSTICAL MUSIC once a year is a helluva effort and to keep it in this quality is simply amazing and can’t be praised high enough. # 15 is a feast for all Death Metal lunatics who are deeply interested in the oldschool underground (old and new “oldschool” so to speak, haha). Next to the great contents of this fanzine it comes along with a CDR including 20 tracks and approx. 80 minutes playing time and a GRAVE / EDGE OF SANITY poster. This is a 100% positive review with 2 thumbs up and I can only recommend this review to every reader of Voices out there. The market for printed fanzines is tougher in these years now, but as long as fanzines such as MYSTICAL MUSIC exists not all hope is gone. Left for me is to say that you should better be fast now as this issue is once again strictly limited to 500 copies. To order yourself a copy send 7,- Euro / 10 US$ (ppd) to: MYSTICAL MUSIC Zine, c/o Ralf Hauber, Emerlandweg 11, 73529 Strassdorf, Germany. Email: hauber@mystical-music.de.

Thomas Ehrmann

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 1
(68 pages, A4, printed, in German)

It took them a little bit longer to get this out than originally planned, but the result is more than worth the wait! NECROMANIAC # 1 is without any doubts one of the best debut issues of a fanzine I've seen in a long time! High glossy paper, pro-printed, with a proper layout, a killer contents and most important of all – the right attitude make this newie an essential must-have release. The writing style is often very humorous (in German!) and the mixture of known and lesser known brutal acts nicely balanced. Next to the usual reviews and the interview with TALES OF THE MACABRE / IRON PEGASUS mainman Costa Stoios, you'll get interesting features on MORTICIAN, NECROPHAGIA, ANGEL CORPSE, CENTURIAN, DISMEMBER, IN AETERNUM, PENTACLE, FERMENTO, CANNIBAL CORPSE, DISGORGE, INFAMY, REGURGITATION, SABBAT, DESASTER, ZEMIAL etc. etc. All in all the contents should pretty much appeal to everyone reading this, so make sure to give these guys your full support. No price mentioned, but I suppose that 6,-DM or 8,-DM will do. You can get in touch at the following address: NECROMANIAC, c/o Thomas Westphal, Auestr. 7, 27616 Kransmoor, Germany

Frank Stöver

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 2
(68 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Main editor Thomas was so kind to send me issue no.2 together with issue no.1 as I had not seen his magazine before. The first thing that really got me was how professionally the magazine looks… The magazine is printed on high-glossy paper and must have been really expensive! Also the layout is really well-done as there are many little details to discover in the backgrounds of the texts. They must have spent quite some hours on that. Most important of all is of course the content. Next to the usual CD- and vinyl-reviews, this issue features really entertaining interviews with for example POSSESSED (done by Costa and previously published in his Tales… magazine), CRYPTOPSY, EXHUMED, IMPETIGO, NUNSLAUGHTER, GOREAPHOBIA, MASSACRE (a really godly interview done by Frank, you can also find it on this website), SEVERE TORTURE, SCURVY, BRODEQUIN, CREMATORY (the Swedes, not the Germans!) and some more. Additionally there’s also a NUNSLAUGHTER / SUFFOCATION poster. The interviews are written with a lot of humour (just read the CRYPTOPSY and the EXHUMED interviews!) which is a good thing to my opinion. Personally, I liked issue no.1 a bit more as the bands featured in there (DESASTER, PENTACLE…) were a bit more appealing to my own musical taste. Nevertheless, I have no problems with stating that Necromaniac really is a killer zine and an absolute must for all the lovers of old-school and true Death Metal! As there are not soooo many magazines out there who really just focus on this musical style only, I’m really curious how this zine is going to develop in the future…It’s for sure more than worth to keep an eye on. I don’t know the price, but I guess the usual 6 to 8,-DM will do the trick. Order it at the following address: NECROMANIAC, c/o Thomas Westphal, Auestr. 7, 27616 Kransmoor, Germany

Steven Willems

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 3
(72 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Grandmaster Westphal and his staff of perverted Death / Grind maniacs already delivers his third issue. And he not only managed to keep the high quality of the first two editions of his "sickofanzine", he even added 4 more pages and a full colored, very cool looking self designed (!) coverart for your pleasure, without charging anything extra. What a nice guy... And I have no doubts that the contents will certainly satisfy the needs of every brutal music addict once more pretty easily. Tons of extremely entertaining interviews, a report on the LUDWIGSHAFEN DEATHFEST, an ANCIENT DEATH ATTACK with good old Wannes (of the mighty PENTACLE), a 2-sided (b/w) poster (NIHILIST & AUTOPSY!!!) and a whole bunch of reviews got compiled for this pro-printed (on high glossy paper!) and extremely professional, yet totally underground styled MEGAzine. As for the interviews - well... BOLT THROWER, ACHERON, ABOMINATOR, BLOOD, BLASPHEMY (!), NECROVORE (four insane pages!!!!!), HEADHUNTER D.C., REBAELLIUM, DISINTER, EMBEDDED, PYAEMIA, FLESHTIZED, THORNSPAWN, SINISTER, SANATORIUM, INCANTATION, BLOOD DUSTER, PIG DESTROYER, DESPONDENCY, INFERNAL DOMINION, PUTRILAGE and GODLESS TRUTH made it into this issue, so all I can say is - Hacker beware! A very promising zine, which is highly recommended! Sells for 3EUR (+ 0,75 postage / outside of Germany plus 1, 50EUR). Contact: NECROMANIAC, c/o Thomas Westphal, Auestr. 7, 27616 Kransmoor, Germany, necromaniaczine@aol.com

Frank Stöver

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 4
(80 pages, A4, printed, in German)

I think Thomas Westphal (editor of NECROMANIAC) should give layouting-lessons even to the big ones, because they look either like a happy Hippie mag or have unreadable letters and a boring design – I think you’ll know what I mean. The NECROMANIAC looks extraordinarily good because of all the small visual gimmicks, frames and small paintings Thomas added here and there to make each interview look individual and to make sure it fits to the image or style of the band. The interviews of this issue are mainly Death / Grind acts like DISAVOWED, LIVIDITY, GORATORY, ROTTENNESS, that are spiced up with cult acts like POSSESSED (5 pages!!!), PENTAGRAM (Chile), a ’93 classic interview with PROFANATICA and oldschool Death Metal like AUTOSPY TORMENT, INCANTATION, REPUGNANT, CADAVERIZER and many many more. There’s also one with the incredible coverartist Studio Sho, which is quite interesting. Once again he has increased the number of pages and added a nice INCANTATION / CARCASS poster. Although I hope that he will do a bit more oldschool stuff the next time, there’s nothing to criticize here. NECROMANIAC # 4 is funny, informative and one of Germany’s best zines. For insiders there’s also an AKCB interview, which is in fact the best and ugliest Death / Grind band in the world, but find out yourself!!! Get it for 3 EUR from the following address: NECROMANIAC, c/o Thomas Westphal, Auestr. 7, 27616 Kransmoor, Germany, If you like to talk with Thomas or trade gay porn contact him via Email: necromaniaczine@aol.com

Stefan Franke

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 5
(92 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Usually I don't review zines before I have finished reading them, but in this case I simply had to make an exception, cause otherwise this big fat monster will most certainly be sold out already by the time my stupid babbling about it goes online. And hey - by knowing the previous four issues, this is no risky venture at all anyway, so... Within a rather short period of time Germany's NECROMANIAC has evolved into one of THE leading underground zines and this fifth edition is the ultimate proof of that! Editor Thomas Westphal not only has a great taste when it comes to the selection of bands (more about that in a minute), he's furthermore a highly skilled artist and comes up with a very cool underground layout, yet done in the most professional way (a true Photoshop genius)! Due to the use of expensive, high glossy paper, a full colored cover (as usual with artwork done by Thomas himself) and one more time with an increased number of pages (no less than twelve more than last time!!!) this issue is visually already the most impressive yet (and therefore hardly to top in the future!). But of course it's the contents that matters the most, but that easily lives up to the big expectations once more. Or would you disagree if I tell you that the list of interviewed killer acts includes names such as THE CHASM, SADISTIC INTENT, VITAL REMAINS, IMMOLATION, ROTTREVORE, MANTICORE, COFFIN TEXTS, FUNEBRARUM, DESTRUKTOR, OCCULT, KULT OV AZAZEL, LORD GORE, BLACK WITCHERY and so on and so on? You'll also get interviews with artist Kris Verwimp and DESECRATION OF VIRGIN zine editor King Wolle, several reviews and an A3 black and white poster (SADISTIC INTENT b/w VITAL REMAINS), so if you really consider yourself a true underground maniac (able to understand the German language and the partly rather sick sense of humor of Thomas and his gang), you shouldn't hesitate to order this immediately. It officially sells for 3,50 Euro (+ 0,77Euro for postage), but to support Thomas' work a bit more (and to help him finance the unexpected additional costs of this issue) you should go for 5,-Euro right away. It's worth every cent anyway. Contact (new address!!): Thomas Westphal, Elbestr. 2, 26188 Edewecht, Germany, Email: necromaniaczine@aol.com, website: www.necromaniac.de

Frank Stöver

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 666
(76 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Well, meanwhile I think everybody capable of understanding German should have come across this zine dedicated to all kinds of Death Metal (except the melodic Death crap), oldschool Thrash and obscure War / Black Metal... I see no sense in beating around the bush but after I had spend a couple of wonderful toilet sessions with NECROMANIAC's sixth issue it grew pretty obvious that it is Thomas Westphal's best work to date! With bands like BLASPHEMY, DEEDS OF FLESH, SUFFOCATION, EQUINOX, DRAWN AND QUARTERED, GORETRADE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, CRUCIFIRE, GOAT SEMEN, REIGN OF TERROR (TX), DECREPIT BIRTH, MACABRE, SAPROGENIC, SLUGATHOR on board and Thomas' unique, pretty funny interview style (that crazy fucker even dared to mess around with SUFFOCATION's Frank Mullen!) this issue is once again a delicacy for all sick music gourmets!!! In addition to the aforementioned bands you'll also get four well done posters (NECROVORE (yes!!!), BLASPHEMY, DECREPIT BIRTH, DEVOURMENT), a Death Metal quiz with Hacker & Andi of UNHOLY TERROR ZINE, a good load of album, zine and tape reviews and of course the typical outstanding layout and artwork by "Little Moyen" Westpahl (haha!). The front cover is definitely one of his best and using sinister red colours makes it look both blasphemous and dark and not as colourful as the ones on issue 3 and 5 nor as overdone as the front of issue 4. Another thing I really like about this particular issue is that it marks a return to the clearly structured, orderly arranged interview layout of the earlier issues of NECROMANIAC, in some of the last two or three issues there was sometimes almost too much artwork for my taste. Apart from that there's hardly anything worth of being criticised, this is one of the best zines around, if not even THE best and there is no fucking excuse for not buying it!!! Westphal's zine is an "institution" in the underground Metal scene and it makes my life worthwile... haha... Order it for 3€ + 0,77€ postage (Germany) respectively 2,60€ postage (world) from: Ron Jeremy, Anal Humperdrive 6...no, hehe...Thomas Westphal, Elbestrasse 2, 26188 Edewecht, Germany. Email: necromaniaczine@aol.com, website: www.necromaniac.de

Stefan Franke

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 7
(64 pages, A4, printed, in English)

When grandmaster Westphal announced an english written issue of his extremely cool underground zine, I had serious doubts that he would be able to transfer his sick sense of humor into it as well... But as we can all check out ourselves now, he did manage to pull it off extremely well! Due to the fact that his regular job was giving him a really hard time throughout the last years, it unfortunately took him a lot longer than originally planned to come up with this 7th edition (while the idea of an additional German version had to be cancelled completely) – but as usual, it was definitely worth the long wait! In his typical highly professional layout- / printing-style (yet visually totally oldschool, with lots of skulls, blasphemy and gore type art) also this one turned out to be another brilliant issue again! Ok, musically it's not 100% what I would listen to myself (tastes are luckily different), but all in all he came up with a very interesting collection of blasphemous hordes nevertheless. On 64 high glossy pages (b/w, with a colored cover though) you're getting interviews with acts such as ANAL VOMIT, IMPIETY, SCENT OF DEATH, FUNERUS, MELEKTAUS, COFFINS, VULCANO, MACHETAZO, INFECTED MALIGNITY, INVERACITY, EXTREME VIOLENCE, SANCTIFIER, KAAMOS, NECROVATION plus a highly interesting chat with coverartist Juanjo Castellano and an in-depth From Beyond Productions label feature with Roman. I guess it's needless to say that also tons of reviews are included, isn't it? Unfortunately some technical errors accured this time around as well. The MORBOSIDAD poster didn't end up on the flipside of the (vintage) IMMOLATION poster and some text passages in the COFFINS and FROM BEYOND features got lost. What also irritates me personally a bit is the fact that the interview answers got printed in bold letters most of the time (as opposed to interview questions, which is the usual way) and that Thomas complains about the lack of critical comments concerning some of Pete Helmkamp's controversial interview statements in his ANCIENT SPIRIT TERROR zine review, but misses out on that himself in his IMPIETY interview when Shayaithan talks about his "anti-semitic /anti-jewish" attitude... And hey, isn't that a slightly changed swastica within the pentagram on the frontcover of this issue Herr Westphal? Anyway, knowing Thomas long enough now, all this shouldn't prevent you from ordering a copy of Germany's best print zine around these days! It sells for 4,50 Euro / 5,- US $ (postage: 0,85 Euro in Germany, surface delivery outside of Germany: 2,-Euro; airmail Europe: 3,50 Euro, rest of the world: 6,-Euro). Contact: necromaniaczine@aol.com. His website has a new URL as well (www.necromaniaczine.de) and there's also a stupid (yet more up-to-date) myspace domain as well now (www.myspace.com/necromaniac_zine)

Frank Stöver

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NECROMANIAC MAG # 8
(64 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Mr. Westphal really deserves a lot of respect for still keeping the flame of his printed, first class underground rag burning after so many years now, especially in times when everyone seems to check out new bands through the internet and myspace (uuurgh!) in particular. In fact, NECROMANIAC seems to be one of the last zines (of this quality) that is still around, now that also UNHOLY TERROR called the quits on the print side of things. But anyway – if you ever had the pleasure to read any of the previous issues (which I'm sure you had!), you will already know that NECROMANIAC is of top notch quality in every way (amazing layout, high glossy paper, pro-printed, full colored cover etc.). And that hasn't changed a bit with # 8. This time you're about to read interviews with bands like DROWNED, HEADHUNTER D.C., ANATOMIA, NECROS CHRISTOS, NERLICH, MORBOSIDAD, HACAVITZ, DEAD CONGREGATION, CANNABIS CORPSE, LOBOTOMIZED, ARCHGOAT, PROCLAMATION, DETHRONED, BRAINDRILL, GUTTURAL SECRETS and VORE as well as artist Pär Olofsson and the editor of Swedish Death Metal Daniel Ekeroth. Musically not all of the bands match my personal taste, but due to the fact that the overall writing is in Thomas' wellknown sick sense of humor, they are highly entertaining nevertheless. Lots of reviews and a poster of ARCHGOAT and REPULSION as well as a 20 track CD-R sampler complete the picture. On sale now for 5,-€ (plus 0,85€ for postage inside of Germany) / 8,-€ (ppd. rest of the world) at necromaniaczine@aol.com. Go for it, before it's too late!

Frank Stöver

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NOISE AND SHIT # 8
(4 pages, A1, printed, in English)

Within the last couple of years Chile has not only offered us some extremely cool releases by (a.o.) ATOMIC AGGRESSOR, EKRON CULT, UNAUSSPRECHLICHEN KULTEN, DOMINUS XUL, TRIMEGISTO or MELEKTAUS, but also convinced through unique CD packaging (just check out the Proselytism Records stuff) or high quality zines such as COMPILATION OF DEATH or NOISE AND SHIT. The latter just returned with their 8th issue, which is the first one that was entirely written in English. If you've noticed the zine details in the review header you're most certainly a little confused or at least considered that a typing error. Well, it's not! Not really... This issue was simply manufactured in the most unusual form I've ever seen... starting with the fact that it's basically two A1 size posters (entitled "Volume I" and "Volume II") on high glossy, top quality paper that then got folded various times, so that the final format is actually A4 size and the number of pages 32. "Volume I"  features an in-depth interview with BLASPHEMIC CRUELTY (the new band of ANGEL CORPSE's Gene Palubicki, that already covers 50% of this volume) and on the backside of it you get more interviews with DETERIOROT, FUNERAL NATION (the band's first interview in years), DEAD TO THIS WORLD, PURGATORY, FUNEBRARUM and CARDIAC ARREST, plus a live report and a couple of reviews. "Volume II" offers another in-depth interview, this time with Mike Browning (about INCUBUS, MORBID ANGEL etc.) plus a shitload of zine reviews (I gotta confess that I personally wasn't aware of the fact that there's still so many print zines around these days, which is totally great!). On the backside there's interviews with SADISTIC INTENT, ANATOMIA, NIFELHEIM, PROCESSION, CRUCIAMENTUM, TRIMEGISTO and VOMITOR, another live report and some more reviews. Their english is pretty good, their taste in music couldn't be any better (as you will notice by the aformentioned content already) and the interviews / reviews are very well written and full of information, so I can easily recommend this great edition to every dedicated VOICES reader! It sells for $ 8 US (North and South America) including airmail, $ 7 € Euros (Europe and rest of the World) including airmail or $2.000 Pesos Chile. According to their website they are currently trying to find distributors in South America, Europe, the States and the rest of the world to be able to sell it for more affordable prices. So, don't hesitate to ask them for details or possible trades. Contacts: Huaira Herrera, P.O. Box 50031, Correo Central, Santiago, Chile or Jose Ruiz-Tagke, P.O. Box 33, Sucursal Diego Portales, Alameda 254, Santiago, Chile, eMail: friends6of6hell6prod@gmail.com. Some additional information you also may find on their website www.friendsofhell.cl

Frank Stöver

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NOISE POLLUTION  # 1
(52 pages, A5, printed, written in German)

It is great to see that in these days of webzines and weblogs there still are guys willing to take the financial risk and work to release a print zine! Here we have the first issue of NOISE POLLUTION, a zine dedicated to brutal slam Death Metal exclusively, so you won't get any oldschool acts here but pure contemporary brutality. The format is quite cool: the zine is in A5 oblong format, printed on glossy paper and featuring a colour cover. Everything is nicely and professionally layouted (including a photo collage on page two, nice) and hence easy to read… some more band logos to accompany the pics and interviews would be nice, I think. By the way – you won't find a single record review in here because editor Markus simply doesn't have the nerves for this tedious work (understandable, I must say, hehehe) as he explains in the foreword. Instead, you get reviews of several fanzines! A bit unusual but why not?! Concerning interviews there are chats with OFSIKI, INFESTED, COCK AND BALL TORTURE (also a Japan tour diary!), MANKOLOVER, GUTTURAL SECRETE, DEGRADE, FLESH RIPPER, MISERY INDEX, MUCOPUS, RESURRECTED, INHERIT DISEASE and, the only “big” name here, CANNIBAL CORPSE. Even though the featured acts are not exactly what I listen to on a daily basis, this little rag is definitely a cool newcomer in the German zine scene (remember, it is written in German only) and surely recommendable if you dig LEPROZINE, for example. If that sounds interesting to you, just send measly 3,50 Euro (p&p included) to: Markus Groß, Pfingstweide 21, 34246 Velmar. You may also drop a line to: kalaazar@gmx.de

Ulrich Kreienbrink

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PSYCHEDELIC FANZINE # 13
(74 pages, A5, printed, in English)

Don’t get fooled by the title of this zine, it is in fact mostly dedicated to Doom Metal. I assume that the vast majority of our readers are not only interested in Black and Death Metal, but by other forms of Metal music also, and PSYCHEDELIC FANZINE is certainly worth the read, I can assure you! Creation of a Hungarian maniac named Mark Hegedus, PSYCHEDELIC has become through the years the reference when it comes to cover the Doom scene. Mark has always showed eclectic musical tastes, for instance past issues covered cult Heavy Metal bands like MANILLA ROAD and CIRITH UNGOL along with 70s Heavy Rock giants like CAPTAIN BEYOND and BUFFALO, not even talking of the Doom bands, all subgenres included (from PENTAGRAM to SUNN o))). I had the opportunity to praise Mark’s work in my VOODOO SHOCK review, and I can’t do otherwise when reviewing this new slab of talented journalism. Subtitled "Depressive Happiness", issue # 13 offers at least two outstanding interviews, one with Lee Dorian of the mighty CATHEDRAL, the other with Magister Albert, one of the REVEREND BIZARRE warriors. What pleases me the most with PSYCHEDELIC (and that goes for SLAYER MAGAZINE and SNAKEPIT MAGAZINE also) is the overall vide it radiates, I mean, reading this is the equivalent of being comfortably sit in an armchair, a cup of coffee in hand, talking about music with friends for hours while demented riffs come out the stereo. Got the picture? And Mark and crew have also the good taste of not acting like "stars", but they let the artists do the talking. Note that this issue of PSYCHEDELIC FANZINE is mostly dedicated to interviews, with some news added, and it is more modest in scope that the two previous issues that were gargantuan (more than 200 pages each!). For reasons that I don’t grasp, Mark let down the review section, he made an error doing that I think, and I hope he will reintroduce reviews in his mag in a near future. PSYCHEDELIC FANZINE is the most awesome Metal underground magazine existing now. I can only urge you to grab a copy of this new issue. I think that a very limited amount of copies of the previous issue (#11/12) are left, hurry up and grab that one also. Info: www.psychedelicfanzine.de.

Edouard Vergriete

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PUTREFACTIVE EFFECT # 2
(50 pages, A4, printed, in French / English)

This zine comes from our neighbour country France and is written in English and French. That’s why I wasn’t able to read all stories and interviews, because I'm not into the French language. The main focus is on Death / Thrash Metal and a little bit of Black Metal. All in the nice oldschool way and not too modern. It contains interviews with Necrotic Flesh, Necrodeath and Mortal Decay as well as a lot more interviews with bands I didn’t know like Nerlich, Suffering Silence, Withdrawn and so on. Also some live reports and a lot of reviews. The interviews are well written and nice to read. The questions are pretty much the same to the bands so there could be a little more variation but that didn’t dim the quality too much. The reviews are informative and about well known releases like the actual Bolt Thrower record but also a lot of underground demo and self released stuff. The whole fanzine is copied and with exception of some sides where the background is too dark (and so the text is hardly readable) in nice quality. All in all a nice zine. You should get in touch with cbeautour@aol.com and order this one for 5€ / 5$ post paid.

Stefan Hagmayer

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RIDDLE OF STEEL # 4
(120 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Out from the shadows of the cold city of Praha (Prague) the capital city of the Czech Republic now hails this latest incarnation of Metal insanity from the editor, Cem Yucel, who once brought to you the magazine called G.A.M. from Turkey. Reinvention never read so good! With the migration to the Czech Republic, the fanzine’s name change to RIDDLE OF STEEL and for sure a more balanced, professional and well oiled machine now rests at the side of its creator like a expertly detailed AK-47. RIDDLE as it called by most, is an actual hand-held Metal fanzine, presented on all pro-printed glossy paper. An assured blast from the past, that not only lends its steel bearing hand in support to those artists, writers, and groups who established this worldwide scene, yet also lends its support to those newer to the U/G with an eager attitude and openness of policy not readily seen in these times. Featuring three contributors; Fethi Baskurt – a Sgt. Major currently serving in the Turkish Army, Mark Gamble from Ireland, and yours truly from here in the United States. RIDDLE is dedicated to the Black, Death and Speed-Thrash genres, with over 200 reviews, each one concise and to the point, with the addition of a few exceptions. Interviews are as follows: ARCKANUM, ADALRUNA, ADVERSAM, AINULINDALE, ALCEST, ALMIGHTY SATHANAS, ASHRAM, AUTUMN TEARS, BAL-SAGOTH, BLOODY RITUAL, CRIMSON MOON, DAEMONOLITH, DE MAGIA VETERUM, DENIAL OF GOD, DORNENREICH, DRAWN & QUARTERED, ENDSTILLE, FEARBRINGER, FORGOTTEN WOODS, FORTID, GLOOMY GRIM, GODLESS RSING, HACAVITZ, KROHM, LE TRISTE SIRE, NIFLHEIM, NUCLEUS TORN, NUN-SLAUGHTER, RIMFROST, RUINS OF BEVERAST, SATANIC WARMASTER, SAURON, TENHI, THE BEAUTY OF GEMINA, TOTAL HATE, TRELLDOM, WALLACHIA and YOUR SHAPELESS BEAUTY. Contact: Cem Yucel, P.O. Box 253, 11121 Praha 1, Czech Republic or riddleofsteel_mag@yahoo.com or www.myspace.com/despisethesun

Wes Rhodes

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SCREAM BLOODY GORE # 1
(52 pages, A5, xeroxed, in English)

This is the debut issue of a new zine from Portugal, which is limited to 500 handnumbered copies. The musical taste of editor António Lúcio comes pretty close to ours, so oldschool Death and Thrash Metal fans will be pleased to hear that this issue features interviews with ASPHYX, UNLEASHED, DEVASTATION (TEX), DANIEL EKEROTH, SULPHUR FEAST and BODYSNATCH plus 15 reviews. As you'll already have noticed by that, there's not too much content on the 52 A5-sized pages, which is in fact one of the biggest problems of this zine. Too much space was literally wasted for superfluous discographies of wellknown bands and / or way too big pics, logos or covers (of which the xerox quality furthermore turned out pretty poor and rather dark)... And in times when most underground information can easily be found on the internet, I don't really see the need for a "news" section in a small underground zine, which in this case consists of two entries only, anyway. When it comes to the layout, there's also a lot to be improved as you'll find the coverart of the book "Swedish Death Metal" almost everywhere (it got used as the zine's front- and backcover, for backgrounds of each interview, the reviews etc.), so that is another point of criticism here for sure. So, let's simply blame it on the fact that this was António's first attempt to create a zine (to me VOICES # 1 was also embarrassing as hell, folks...) and give him a bit of time for improvements with his follow-up issues. Don't know the price for issue # 1, but feel free to ask him at screambloodygorezine@gmail.com

Frank Stöver

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SKULLCRUSHER # 9
(48 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Germany's SKULLCRUSHER crew is currently celebrating their five-year anniversary with the release of their ninth issue, so congrets from here for the necessary strength that is definitely needed in order not to throw in the towel in this fucked-up business a lot earlier already. Never got my hands on one of their previously published issues, so this is the first time I could actually check out what they are up to. Visually the whole zine looks rather impressive - professionally printed and layouted in black and white, with an exclusive coverart by Dragon Design (which unfortunately looks like a cheap copy of MAIDEN's "Piece Of Mind" meets CANNIBAL CORPSE's "Butchered At Birth"). The selection of bands honestly didn't impress me too much at first as AMON AMARTH, NAPALM DEATH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MY DARKEST HATE or IN FLAMES are usually the type of bands that get features anywhere anyway due to the massive promotion capaigns of their record labels. And I don't see the need to give them this big exposure in an underground zine as well, which only has 48 pages available. But then I started to read the "interview" with DEICIDE's Glen Benton and was highly amused. In itself it was probably extremely boring (judging it by the questions that get a mention), but the way they published it (more like a description of what happened with lots of sarcastic / ironic comments) proves that these guys are a lot better writers than I expected them to be! It kind of even reminded me on what the COTHURNUS guys came up with in their heydays. Same sense of humor is to be found in various other write ups in this issue (just check out the SKULLCRUSHER history for that!), so I ended up reading almost the entire zine. Here and there the reviews could be a bit more critical from my point of view and are partly lacking the necessary background (ENSLAVED are from Belgium and not Sweden and COVENANT's "In Times Before The Light" album differs ALOT from the re-release as THE KOVENANT), just to name two examples here. I also still totally dislike the fact when writers are trying to pay as much attention to their own persons as to the featured artists (which we Germans all know from the monthly major magazines already and which the SKULLCRUSHER crew unfortunately also celebrates). But hey, this issue is available FOR FREE (except for the 1,- Euro which is supposed to cover the postage), so I couldn't care less and you shouldn't hesitate to get yourself a copy directly from Harald Deschler, Jörgstr. 9, 88410 Bad Wurzach, Germany (foreign readers should better ask for additional postage costs), skullcrushermagazine@web.de, www.skullcrusher.net

Frank Stöver

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SKULLCRUSHER # 10
(52 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Wow, I didn't really expect to see SKULLCRUSHER # 10 to be released so quick after its predecessor, but Harald, Christian, Daniel and their other pleasure slaves obviously managed to prove me wrong here. Layout- and printing-wise they maintained the high quality of # 9 and even added 4 additional pages to this new issue of pure Metal Mayhem! Usually I prefer the more narrowminded zines, that tend to focus on one musical direction within the boundaries of Metal exclusively, but SKULLCRUSHER is nevertheless a good address for pure reading entertainment. My personal highlights in this tenth edition are definitely the in-depth interviews with good ol' Quorthon of BATHORY, OVERKILL and EXODUS, while I could easily live without all the "fun stuff" ("Deutschland sucht den Metalstar" and "Metal World Cup", which already eats up 12 pages in total!). But if you're bored of all the music only zines, you might judge this differently of course... What else do we have here? Well, there's the second part of the amusing SKULLCRUSHER magazine history (4 pages), which they started in issue # 9 and interview features on CRYPTIC VOICES, WASTELAND, CALLENISH CIRCLE, BRAINSTORM, CHILDREN OF BODOM, HELLOWEEN and so on. Seven pages of reviews, a really cool coverart (courtesy of Dragon Design) and a free 16 track compilation CD of Insanity Records complete the picture. Got curious? Then send 3,-Euro (ppd.) to the following address: Harald Deschler, Jörgstr. 9, 88410 Bad Wurzach, Germany, skullcrushermagazine@web.de, www.skullcrusher.net

Stefan Franke

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SKULLCRUSHER # 13
(46 pages, A4, printed, in German)

Seems like the guys of SKULLCRUSHER have enough endurance to run their fanzine, this is after all number 13, and as far as I can judge (most previous releases are unknown to me) they have not changed their style. Obviously they are still Metal-lunatics, a fact that is most evident when reading this zine. Metal for the Metals, to put it in a short form. As usually the whole Metal-spectrum is covered, Black / Death Metal, Thrash / Power Metal, all different Metal-styles. The bands are not just underground, but also wellknown acts are featured in both review and the interview section. In this issue especially the SODOM and the DEATH BY DAWN interviews are worth mentioning. You will not find such in-depth interviews with Tom Angelripper and Martin van Drunen in the "bigger" magazines. The other interviews (DARKTHRONE, CELTIC FROST, URSURPER, POWERWOLF and more) and reviews are also done with great enthusiasm. Some pages are counted among the department "funny / humor", but to be honest, it is not my kind of humor. But that is just four pages, no big deal if you do not like this. So in fact nothing has really changed, the same quality like you are used to. The price has not changed either, send your 3€ to SkullCrusher Magazine, c/o Harald Dreschler, Waldmösle 1, 79112 Freiburg, Germany. http://skullcrusher.net

Mirco Szymyslik

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SLAYER MAG # 14
(104 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Ever since its origin Norway's SLAYER MAG has been supporting the extreme Metal underground straight from the heart, and you could always be sure that bands that were getting a feature in Metalion's unholy pages, really deserved it! Fifteen years later luckily nothing has changed about this attitude (nor the classic layout), with the only difference being, that the variety of featured styles has become more open minded by now. In this new issue for instance, you'll (re-)discover quite a lot of old Metalheads, such as OZ, HELLION, NASTY SAVAGE, DEATH SS, POSSESSED, AGGRESSOR, a six pages long feature on DESTRUCTION (Metalion's very first telephone interview EVER!), NECRODEATH, SLAUGHTER LORD, an in-depth story on HELLHAMMER or everlasting cult acts like MAYHEM, ROOT, SKITZO, PAGAN RITES, ZEMIAL, NUNSLAUGHTER, ROK (SADISTIK EXEKUTION) and NIFELHEIM. Newer bands like HATE ETERNAL, IN AETERNUM, THE CROWN, NOTRE DAME, SATANIC SLAUGHTER, ZYKLON (new project from EMPEROR's Samoth), GORGOROTH and LUST, various cynical and / or critical articles / reviews and a chat with TALES OF THE MACABRE editor / IRON PAGASUS label chief Costa Stoios complete the picture. My only criticism is Northwind's useless article "Worship Him" (which originally was supposed to appear in his own zine I RETURN TO DARKNESS). It deals with a bunch of Finnish youngsters who committed a bestial murder in their homecountry in 1998 and even get praised for it by this braindead dumbfuck! How more stupid can people actually get?! Apart from that, SLAYER # 14 is another highly enjoyable reading once again and definitely worth the requested 10,-DM / $8 (cash). Available from the wellknown address: SLAYER MAG, c/o Metalion, P.O. Box 447, 1703 Sarpsborg, Norway

Frank Stöver

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SLAYER MAG # 15
(88 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Metalion is a neverending fighter for the essence of evil in metal and therefore Slayer magazine from Norway will be around as long as his finances allow him to surrender and most probably also longer than most of us will remain active in the death metal scene! I guess Slayer first caught my attention at issue 7 (sorry, can't remember exactly!) due to the fact that I was thinking that a magazine with such a name (yeah, I guess it's no secret that the band Slayer are my eternal gods!?) must have some quality to offer!? And I wasn't wrong because issue after issue (and this is actually about one issue per year or with even longer breaks...), Metalion managed to get the hottest brutal bands around the globe featured in his unholy bible and luckily the magazine picked up the good way of publishing quality bands exclusively again, rather than just hailing all "true Norwegian black metal" bands that existed, which wasn't really my cup of tea for a while. Volume 15 contains 88 pages in professional black & white print with this typical, lovely and very handmade layouts courtesy of Metalion and features interviews with bands such as Morbid Angel, The Haunted, Sadistik Exekution (of course, this is Slayer magazine!!!), Necrophagia, Danny Lilker (as first feature in the "Old Thrash Bastards" column!), Overkill, Nevermore, Artch, Usurper, Slaughter, Celtic Frost, Immolation and plenty more. Slayer's reviews are short as usual but still very focused and honest, which is what I always appreciated about this magazine. The price to order the magazine might seem a bit high but please remember that this is a no-profit adventure and that the costs of the manufacturing + shipping for these satanic pages are the only reason that might stop Slayer's way, so please support this legendary magazine, as I can promise you that it's one of the few zines that you will lust to read from cover to cover! Aaaaand, Slayer is the only printed mag out of the once glorious early European black trinity of death metal publications (well yeah: Slayer, Isten and Peardrop) that kept on going. All hail to Slayer, indeed! Slayer Magazine, P.O. Box 447, N - 1703 Sarpsborg, Norway. Website: http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/slayermagazine Price is 8 USD (postage included) and you can as well ask for the past issues 11, 13 & 14 which should still be available in case you don't have them in your collection yet. Obey the true masters of the underground!

Leif Jensen

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SLAYER MAG # 16
(68 pages, A4, printed, in English)

I don't really have a problem with the fact that the newest issue of Metalion's SLAYER MAG is lacking in the usual number of pages this time for the simple fact that it's still a highly entertaining publication. Plus our crazy buddy from Norway finally managed to unleash his die hard Metal onslaught on a way more regular schedule by now, which is another extremely cool thing! All in all nothing has really changed, neither content nor layout wise, apart from the fact that Mr.Kristiansen currently is completely in Thrash heaven (again), which gets reflected in in-depth features on DESTRUCTION (8 pages!!), HOLY MOSES, DESASTER, PENTAGRAM (CHI), ALEX COLIN TOCQUAINE (AGGRESSOR), DEKAPITATOR, NECRODEATH, EXUMER / SUN DESCENDS etc. The front and backcover features a SODOM picture and democover respectively, while the remaining magazine pages were filled with brutal Black / Death Metal (ABORYM, IMPIETY, BLOODTHORN, HEMLOCK, SADISTIK EXEKUTION, NIFELHEIM, PENTACLE...) and a bunch of reviews, written in the nice'n'dirty Metalion way. My personal reading highlight in this 16th SLAYER issue nevertheless was the interview with DECEASED's King Fowley - I found it extremely entertaining how this guy "spits on all those who chose to pose and thrashes with all the rest..." A real METAL MANIAC, indeed!! Don't know how much Metalion charges for this issue, but feel free to contact him at: metalion@online.no or via snail mail: SLAYER MAG, c/o Metalion, P.O. Box 447, 1703 Sarpsborg, Norway. Long live SLAYER MAGAZINE!

Frank Stöver

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SLAYER MAG # 17
(68 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Usually I don't review zines before I haven't finished reading them, but in this case I know too well what quality is to expect, so I will make an exception. Yes, ladies and gentlemen - Metalion not only managed to put out another issue of his legendary publication within a rather short period of time, SLAYER # 17 is furthermore one of the strongest issues ever published by this Norwegian crazy fucker. Contents wise you'll get his rather detailed SODOM / KREATOR / DESTRUCTION - "Hell Comes To Your Town II" tour-"diary" (plus interviews with all the three participating acts), a new chapter of his OLD THRASH BASTARD series (this time featuring Sharon of DERKETA!!), the usual SADISTIK EXEKUTION feature (Zzzzz...), a brand new interview with Jon Nödtveidt of DISSECTION(!!!), REPULSION (!!!), NUCLEAR ASSAULT (!!!), EXODUS (!!!), RAZOR, FRANK "Blackfire" GOSDZIK, IRON ANGEL (the last three chats are courtesy of our unholy webzine, but now you also get the opportunity to read them while you take a shit), GODDESS OF DESIRE, OMEN, MANINNYA BLADE, REV.KRISS HADES, DEW-SCENTED, 1349, RUNEMAGICK, WITCHBURNER, OCCULT, HIRAX, MERCILESS, THE CROWN, CANDLEMASS, BLACK WIDOW, USURPER and DESTROYER666!! It's more than obvious that Metalion is currently completely Thrash infected due to his DESTRUCTION / SODOM / KREATOR euphoria, but that's perfectly fine with me as long as he continues to come up with such a fine selection of bands! Of course there's also the usual number of short'n'mean reviews to be discovered in this edition and nothing has changed in the design department either (Arne Babb for president!!). So, all you still have to do is order a copy now before it's too late!!! Contact: SLAYER MAG, c/o Metalion, P.O. Box 447, 1703 Sarpsborg, Norway, metalion@online.no

Frank Stöver

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SLAYER MAG # 18
(68 pages, A4, printed, in English)

I'm really glad that Metalion went for a more regular release schedule with SLAYER MAG, because he's one of the last remaining Metal warriors out there, still sticking to the "old fashioned" way of putting out an uncommercial zine, printed on paper, in black and white! If I personally would have enough time, nerves and money, believe me, I immediately would turn VOICES back into that format as well again... But I don't, so it's cool that at least this Norwegian crazy fucker still supplies us with something to read while attending the shithouse ;-) There's really no need to tell you any details about this newsest issue here, as SLAYER is still SLAYER (and that's the way it should always be!). So, you luckily won't have to face any major changes in terms of the layout, contents or whatever - it's just another killer issue full of excellent M.E.T.A.L. extravangance!! To me this new one actually is his strongest to date (yeah, I know that I said the same about the previous issue, but what can I do if he continues to outdo himself all the time?!), considering the fact that a.o. interviews with incredible acts such as NASTY SAVAGE, HOBBS ANGEL OF DEATH (!!!), THE CHASM, PROTECTOR, ASSASSIN, INCUBUS (FL), DEATH ANGEL(!!), DARK ANGEL, DESASTER, USURPER, DEFLESHED, VIO-LENCE, Eric Peterson, DREAMS OF DAMNATION, SORTILEGE (!), VORTEX (!!), SCEPTER, HOLY MOSES and so on all made it into his unholy pages!!! A bunch of lessknown names as well as his typical "Metalion-style" reviews aren't missing either, so all you have to do is make sure to send your 7 bucks immediately to the wellknown address in order to get yourself of a copy of this legendary publication: SLAYER MAG, c/o Metalion, P.O. Box 447, 1703 Sarpsborg, Norway, metalion@online.no

Frank Stöver

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SLAYER MAG # 19
(56 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Metalion is pissed! Pissed about Black Metal and pissed about the whole Metal scene in general! No wonder that the 19th issue of his legendary publication got entitled "Fukk Metal"! And you know what? He's so goddamn right! "If record labels drop me off their mailing lists, it's more than welcome..." he says in his editorial, "...your releases are shit anyway. Shit bands on shit labels are the worst!" And I totally feel the same... Some of you may have wondered, why there's no contact address on the VOICES website for quite some time anymore... Well, now you know why. "What Metal has become is not worthy and is just disgusting!", Metalion continues and focuses even more detailed on the "evolution" of Black Metal in his writing "Support the war against Black Metal" on page 29. "The early 90s Black Metal was interesting...", "(nowadays) every band is just a stupid clone of a stupid clone!" are statements that really make you wonder what our beloved music has turned into, especially considering the fact that SLAYER MAG was one of the first to dedicate an almost entire issue to Black Metal back in those more glorious days (the classic issue # 10). I reached that point myself already pretty often... For the first time when VOICES # 10 was in the making... And as a result I decided to call the quits because of all the stupidity within the business and the countless of superfluous releases every day. Well, seven long years have come and gone ever since and things even got a lot worse!!! Several days a week I ask myself whether I should also end this website or not and completely leave the scene once and for all... just listening to the bands that I like and not to all the bullshit that gets send in and needs to be reviewed for whatever reason... That's why I appreciate Metalion's attitude so much. He's one of the last remaining old warriors, still fighting for real Metal and he never gave up!! So, my little advice to you Metalion is: stop releasing SLAYER MAG so often and go back to the "schedule" you used to have in your early days. You don't burn out so quickly that way! Regarding this latest issue, I bet there's a whole bunch of people who don't know shit about the bands that are featured in it (FRIGID BICH, KUBLAI KHAN, ABATTOIR, VOLCANO, MUTILATED, WARGOD, BLACK DETHE etc. etc.). But we, who appreciate it, couldn't care less, could we?! According to the latest email I received SLAYER 19 is almost sold out already anyway... Everyone else, who missed out on it, is obviously more concerned to get the latest Metal Hammer or similar stupid magazines. I really wonder how long it will take until people finally wake up... I suppose it will never ever happen... sad but true! Contact: SLAYER MAG, c/o Metalion, P.O. Box 447, 1703 Sarpsborg, Norway, metalion@online.no

Frank Stöver

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SLEEPLESS MAG # 10
(56 pages, A4, printed, in English)

I enjoy reading SLEEPLESS MAG for quite a while now and consider it as one of the most underrated, still existing underground publications. Editor Steven Willems always comes up with a collection of highly interesting, very in-depth interviews that are usually increasing your interest in certain bands in such a strong way, that you feel the urge to check out their releases shortly after you finished reading the particular issue. And that is really a good thing, cause his musical taste is just great. His most current, 10th issue features such cool names as CENTINEX, THANATOS, NUNSLAUGHTER, CENTURIAN, HYPNOSIA, MACABRE, DECEASED, SHADOWBREED etc. etc. A very cool interview with cover artist DAN SEAGRAVE and a little history on SLEEPLESS MAG as well as five pages of selected album reviews complete the picture. SLEEPLESS MAG was never trying to impress its readers with high glossy, full colored articles, big pictures or computerized layout. Everything is just plain and simple, totally underground, and most important of all - with a big focus on the contents (the way it should be!). You can check out a bunch of Steven's interviews on our page as well, but if you prefer a print version, you shouldn't hesitate for a second to order this. It sells for 5,-DM (Germany) or 4US$ (rest of the world). Contact: Steven Willems, Kaulerstr. 5, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, e-mail: steven_willems@hotmail.com

Frank Stöver

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SLEEPLESS MAG # 11
(56 pages, A4, printed, in English)

If you read my review on SLEEPLESS # 10 above, you will already know my opinion about this great underground zine. Well, nothing has really changed ever since, except for the fact that Steven already managed to put out an even better follow-up issue by now! The reason why I consider this new one 'better' is because of the very cool selection of bands. Yeah, I know - tastes are different, but if I tell you that Grandmaster Willems managed to do very in-depth interviews this time with DARK ANGEL (!!), CREMATORY (the Swedish legend!!!!!!), NECRODEATH, INFERNÄL MÄJESTY, GOSPEL OF THE HORNS, DESTROYER 666, PENTACLE, MANGLED, Sharlee D'Angelo (about his activities in MERCYFUL FATE, WITCHERY, DISMEMBER etc.), MALEVOLENT CREATION, REBAELLIUN, AMON AMARTH, GOD DETHRONED, THE GATHERING (6 pages about the band's early days!!!), and an ANCIENT RITES (studio report) you simply have to agree, haven't you? Very informative and dedicated as usual, so if you haven't read / bought SLEEPLESS yet, make sure to finally give it a try this time. I suppose it still sells for 5,-DM (Germany) or 4US$ (rest of the world), but feel free to contact this maniac before you send your cash on the way: Steven Willems, Kaulerstr. 5, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany, e-mail: steven_willems@hotmail.com

Frank Stöver

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SNAKEPIT # 1
(72 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Writing a review about a zine that I've created myself 13 years ago is a pretty strange situation, but as this is the re-print edition from 2010 and current SNAKEPIT editor Laurent asked me to do so, I'll give it a try nevertheless... When I originally came up with the whole idea of SNAKEPIT, I was totally fed up with the Black and Death Metal scene and simply wanted to go back to the roots of Metal even more by starting up a zine that should mainly feature bands that had split-up long time ago already and / or played oldschool Metal exclusively. At that period of time, nobody really seemed to care about traditional Metal acts anymore and a totally unknown act from Sweden named HAMMERFALL had just released their debut full length... When I check out the content of SNAKEPIT # 1 now there's definitely a couple of acts that I could easily live without and that I wouldn't give a feature again, but I guess that's pretty natural. On the other hand I'm still very happy about the fact that the DESTRUCTOR interview for example not only lead to a CD re-release of their "Maximum Destruction" album via Listenable Records, but also motivated the band enough to reform again and give it another try. Next to DESTRUCTOR SNAKEPIT # 1 featured interviews with a.o. VOIVOD's Away (about his artwork), Marty Friedmann (about his activities in ALOHA / VIXEN / HAWAII etc.), Tom Gattis (about DEUCE / TENSION / WARDOG), EXODUS, TESTAMENT, EXCITER, THE RODS, VIRGIN STEELE, HEAVY LOAD, RIGOR MORTIS, NASTY SAVAGE, ARMORED SAINT, TYGERS OF PAN TANG and a BLACK DRAGON RECORDS label special. Some Death thrashing Metal was also included already (AURA NOIR, EVER DARK, MORTEM, VOMITORY, WARHAMMER), so everyone who's complaining about the fact that Laurent started to include more brutal stuff in later SNAKEPIT issues should know that it has been a part of the zine's concept since day one! All interviews of course still weren't as in-depth as the stuff you're getting to read in SNAKEPIT these days, but I suppose / hope you'll still get some info in them anyway. Compared to the original edition the overall printing quality turned out a little bit weaker, but I suppose the better paper quality for the cover / backcover and the free DESTRUCTOR live 7" EP will easily make up for it. Don't be confused by the number of pages mentioned above (as the original # 1 only had 64 pages)... this is just due to a couple of advertisements that weren't included in the original issue. So, if you missed out on SNAKEPIT # 1 back when it originally came out, this is your chance to pick it up now. I'm not quite sure about which mailorders might have it in stock already, but no matter what - it is on sale directly from www.shadowkingdomrecords.com for $9. By the way, there's plans to reprint the other old SNAKEPIT issues as well in the not too distant future, so watch out for them as well!

Frank Stöver

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SNAKEPIT # 15
(88 pages, A4, xeroxed, in English)

I hope that I won't have to introduce SNAKEPIT to the readers of VOICES anymore as this zine has been around long enough to establish its good reputation within the underground. For those of you who still haven't seen a copy of it yet, let me tell you that the 15th edition has just been released by Laurent and as usual it should be a feast for every serious underground Metalhead who considers the 80s as the best period for Metal music ever! Laurent's in-depth knowledge on the obscure acts from back then still scares the shit outta me and you certainly won't find a zine with so much inside information included as SNAKEPIT, that's for sure! This newest issue easily follows the footsteps of its predecessors (yep, "never change a running system") and offers the following contents: a brandnew interview with Lee Altus of HEATHEN (if you already thought that there's nothing more to add to the massive HEATHEN feature in a previous issue, think again, cause here comes another 5 ½ pages!!!), WAR CRY / BATTALION (3 ½ pages), REDRUM (3 ½ pages), RAVENSTHORN (3 pages), UNSEEN TERROR / AZAGTHOTH (1 ½ pages - known from our website already), VIRON (2 ½ pages), a label special on TORRID ECORDS (1 ½ pages), IMAGIKA (2 ½ pages), VALHALLA (2 pages), BLOODCUM (3 pages), SACRILEGE B.C. (3 pages), REALM (7 pages), TOXIK (3 pages), WARGOD / ATTAXE / COLD BLOOD (4 pages), BATTLE AXE (3 ½ pages), HIRAX (NOT with Katon, but with the other former members Bob, Gary and Johnny - 7 pages), POISON / R.U.DEAD? (5 pages), really (and I mean REALLY) in-depth interviews with Brian Ross about BLITZKRIEG / SATAN / AVENGER / LONE WOLF (9 pages!!) and Steve Gaines about ABATTOIR / BLOODUST / PAGAN WAR MACHINE / DREAMS OF DAMATION and ANGER AS ART (5 pages!!) plus 86 well written reviews (on 8 ½ pages). The whole zine was xeroxed (but you don't really notice that), comes with a full colour live pic of Lee Altus on the cover and (as usual) features lots of old pictures and flyers to compliment the delivered information! Nuff said! This is one of the last really essential zines around these days, so go ahead and send 5,- Euro (cash, incl. postage) to the following address: Laurent Ramadier, La Calloterie, 72210 Voivres Les Le Mans, France, email: snakepit2@free.fr, website: www.truemetal.org/snakepit

Frank Stöver

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SNAKEPIT # 16
(112 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Founded may years ago by none other than VFTD's Frank Stöver, SNAKEPIT MAGAZINE is still flourishing in 2008 thanks to Laurent Ramadier. With this massive undertaking, Laurent has truly proven himself to be a Metal historian. With Issue # 16, Laurent has bestowed upon us yet another volume in this encyclopedic series. Few in the underground can rival the immense depth of Metal knowledge that he possesses. Only through true passion for and a ceaseless devotion to the craft of Metal can one ever attain the status that Laurent occupies. Most of us will never come close (honestly, I am generally only familiar with about 2/3 of the bands Laurent selects to be featured in SNAKEPIT). This magazine, compiled and assembled by Laurent and printed and distributed by NWN! Productions, is easily one of the most comprehensive zines devoted to underground Metal in existence. More particularly, SNAKEPIT is predominantly dedicated to Heavy Metal, Thrash, and Death Metal from the 1980s and early 1990s; however, there are features on newer bands that embody those same traditions. In each interview, Laurent not draws out surface level information for those unfamiliar with the band, but also dwells under the surface to uncover obscure facts to appease the fanatics. His attention to detail with the bands he interviews is incomparable and in his interviews he frequently calls up aspects of the band's history that even they, themselves, had long forgotten or overlooked. Obvious highlights of this 112 page issue include interviews (which I am told are usually done over the phone or in person rather than by email) with legendary Doom masters, WITCHFINDER GENERAL, obscure and evil NWOBHM band, HELL, and Canadian Thrash demons, INFERNÄL MÄJESTY - all of which are long and in-depth interviews such as you will find in no other zine. As if those interviews weren't enough to fill a killer table of contents, other classic bands such as AGGRESSION, CYNIC, MASTER, RAZOR and AGENT STEEL are also featured in the pages of this issue. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the focus on many bands that were so short-lived as to have barely existed (and which most of us have probably never heard). Despite the limited scope of the history of these bands, Laurent finds a way to draw the reader into their story and place the band in the context of the time and place they once occupied. It becomes clear when reading SNAKEPIT, just how many exceptional bands from this time period were simply lost due to the inability to keep their band together or record label greed or any other number of contributing factors. Not every band could get signed and put out records and as a result, many demos, now regarded as classics, were relegated to the garbage bin (this is in stark contrast to today's scene in which there are very nearly as many labels as there are bands and the most mediocre of releases get heralded as brilliant). Take, for instance, Laurent's interview with the U.S. Speed Metal outfit, VERMIN. In the introduction to the interview, Laurent articulates how his long time effort to track down this band was initiated when he read their name in the thanks list on "Haunting The Chapel." The band released only one demo before its untimely demise (though members of VERMIN later played in L.S.N.). Laurent says that, upon learning of the band's existence, he spent 22 years trying to track them down so he could discuss with them their legacy. Interviews and tales of Heavy Metal hunting such as this are the substance of which SNAKEPIT is composed and the reason why it never becomes dull or tiresome. The only complaint I could even consider leveling at Laurent is his willingness to supportively indulge some older bands in their more recent endeavors. But perhaps even this trait is a testament to his intense devotion to this music. Following the collection of comprehensive interviews is 11 pages of reviews. It is also worth mentioning that accompanying all future issues of SNAKEPIT will be an exclusive 7" EP pressed by NWN! Associated with this issue of SNAKEPIT is an excellent EP called "Strange Cuts" by Canadian Heavy Metal band, DEATH DEALER. Anyone familiar with the more widely known DEAF DEALER knows what to expect as this was the name they adopted before releasing their first album. These two early tracks of aggressive, proto Thrash Heavy Metal from 1984 are themselves worth the price of this issue of SNAKEPIT even if you aren't interested in the magazine itself. In fact, if you don't like reading you should probably avoid SNAKEPIT. The truth is that SNAKEPIT does not offer all that much visually. While there is certainly an abundance of photos, they are often small and placed amongst an ocean of text. Certainly, the vast majority of zines in existence today offer little or nothing in the way of information; this is absolutely not true in the case of SNAKEPIT, however. Opening an issue of SNAKEPIT may be initially intimidating, but one first has to realize the true value of this resource before it can be fully appreciated. Indeed, I have not yet read an entire issue from cover-to-cover. Instead, I find myself continually going back to the issues I have as a source of reference or to uncover new music I have yet to discover. These are magazines that you retain and return to repeatedly as your knowledge of this music grows. Hopefully someday maybe 10 or 15 years in the future, I will pick up this issue # 16 and realize that I am already familiar with all of the bands and history that is covered within its pages. Of course, by that time, Laurent will probably have descended into even more obscure regions to excavate still more metal information to which I am oblivious, but which I will attempt to absorb. www.truemetal.org/snakepit, www.nwnprod.com

Jason Campbell

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SNAKEPIT # 17
(110 pages, A4, printed, in English)

In the editorial page of this new, 17th edition of SNAKEPIT, Laurent mentions that it was really tough for him this time around to finish the issue and that he often felt kinda burned out and uninspired while working on its content... Well, even though I know that type of feeling myself too well, it's kinda amusing in his case, cause if you turn that particular page over you will discover a 12 (!!!!) pages long in-depth interview with original EXCITER members Dan Beehler (drums / vocals) and Allan Johnson (bass) about the entire history of the band up till recent BËEHLER activities. And if I say 12 pages, you gotta remember that the letter-size in SNAKEPIT is a lot smaller than in your average magazines. So 12 pages in SNAKEPIT are probably twice or three times as much as in every other zine!!! Several hours of reading are already necessary just to consume this incredible feature!! But it's definitely worth the effort and already reason enough to purchase this issue! The remaining interviews may not be as lengthy, but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't equally interesting. In that department VOICES readers should definitely check out the following in-depth chats: 1) LEVIATHAN (in case you don't know it yet, this is NOT the Progressive Power Metal act of the same name, nor San Francisco's Black Metallers, but the great Death / Thrashers from the New York area that former CANNIBAL CORPSE / SIX FEET UNDER vocalist Chris Barnes started his career with); 2) Erik Meade (this guy used to be the rather unknown bass player on DEATH's "Back From The Dead" rehearsal demo in late 1985); 3) DEVASTATION (not the Chicago-, but also very cool Texas-version); 4) Lee "Rat Skates" Kundrat (OVERKILL's original drummer talks about the early days) and 5) BACKWATER (does someone still remember this cool German MOTÖRHEAD-ish act?). Additionally to those you'll find features on traditional / Power Metal acts such as ASSASSIN (not the German Thrashers, but the US Power Metallers), BURNER, COMMANDER,  ENFORCER, EVIL (remember their incredible "Evil's Message" EP on Rave On Records?), FATAL VIOLENCE (a highly recommended crushing act if you can stand crystal clear vocals), HAMMERON, KARION, MAYHEM (from Illinois, US), RAT ATTACK, RIOT, RUTHLESS, SLAYER (the Texas version, later better known as S.A.SLAYER), SORTILEGE, TRIAL, an in-depth KICK ASS MONTHLY (tribute) feature with Bob Muldowney's longtime friend and partner Mike Hannon, a label special on Rainforest Records and a couple of reviews that will most certainly piss a lot of people off again due to Laurent's harsh (yet in most cases justified) words. The whole layout / printing quality of SNAKEPIT luckily hasn't changed a bit and is still of great quality... I personally even prefer the black & white cover over the full color version that a couple of issues came out with!). If all this should still not be enough for you, let me tell you that the first orders will go out with a limited vinyl 12” (250 copies) of ASSASSIN's three song 1985 demo (later orders will receive a 7” version of that demo with only two songs on it). Single copies sell for $9 (with the 7" EP) or $15 (with the 12" EP) plus postage. You can order it here. As it is pretty expensive to send single copies out (especially to Europe), you could probably safe a few bucks by contacting High Roller Records, Metaleros Records and other distros in Europe... they all will have copies in stock soon as well. So, to sum it up: SNAKEPIT is and will always be THE ULTIMATE magazine in pure, oldschool Metal! Buy or die! Any additional info you may find at www.truemetal.org/snakepit or www.myspace.com/snakepitmagazine

Frank Stöver

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SNAKEPIT # 18
(110 pages, A4, printed, in English)

Even after so many issues I'm still heavily impressed by the incredible hard work and true dedication that good ol' Laurent constantly puts into the creation of each new edition of SNAKEPIT. And of course issue # 18 is no exception to the rule again! You may disagree with Laurent's opinion on certain bands and one or another band probably won't match with your personal taste... BUT: you definitely won't find any other magazine, fanzine or online zine around these days that comes up with so much detailed information and background knowledge as SNAKEPIT! It always takes me forever to read a new issue from start to finish and I've already spent various hours alone on the loooooooong interview with SAVAGE GRACE in this new issue (15 pages, with letter size 8 or something!!!). Unbelievable!!! And I already thought the EXCITER feature in the previous issue was long... If you still have any questions left after reading it, you are truly an underground maniac! Visually nothing's really changed, which means that SNAKEPIT still comes across in the wellknown layout, so you won't have to face any negative visual surprises in that department either. I suppose the only information you still need is the content... besides the already mentioned in-depth feature on SAVAGE GRACE (also on the cover) it reads like this: ARTILLERY, CHARTER, ZNÖWHITE / CYCLONE TEMPLE, DECAPITATOR / NECROPOLIS / WARGOD, D.D.T., A LESSON IN HISTORY with Chris Cronk (about his time in SLAYER / JAG PANZER / KARION / FATES WARNING / WARCHILD / TALISPHERE), FISHEL'S BEAST, FRIGID BICH, H-BOMB, HIRAX, JUGGERNAUT, KRAKEN, MORSÜRE (8 1/2 pages!!), SKULLVIEW, STEEL ASSASSIN, TNT, WEHRMACHT and a label special (SYDNEY PRODUCTIONS) plus 8 pages of highly critical reviews. Every issue furthermore includes a vinyl 7'' EP of the unreleased 1983 SAVAGE GRAVE demo "The Lost Grace", so this is truly heaven again for every oldschool Metalhead. You can order yourself a copy directly from Nuclear War Now! or various wellknown underground mailorders. Laurent does NOT sell it himself anymore, but of course you can still reach him through snakepit2@free.fr or via www.myspace.com/snakepitmagazine.

Frank Stöver

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STREETCLEANER # 17
(76 pages, A4, printed, in German)

This new issue of Streetcleaner marks my first contact with the mag and all-in-all I’ve to say it’s a pretty solid offer. They’ve got quite a wide range of interviewed acts, both in terms of popularity and musical style, from RHAPSODY and VILE unto BLOT MINE and DEPRESSION. For the BOLT THROWER title-story they even managed to get Jo Bench to answer their questions, which is rather unusual since she usually isn’t involved in promotion activities. Unfortunately there seems to be some good reason for that, since she really hasn’t too much to say, despite the interesting and partly even provoking questions. My main criticism besides the often too positive and not very in-depth reviews is the fact, that although the mag is quite entertaining, it doesn’t have too much new to offer for the “insider”. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the hard work and the enthusiasm that went into this, but it doesn’t open any new perspectives or makes me curious about music I might have missed. The last issue of the Lamentations Of The Flame Princess zine included a very interesting essay about the state of the actual scene and it once again made it very clear that the complete established Metal press is simply a marketing tool for the music industry. Thus, underground zines should really focus on bands, that don’t get adequate media coverage due to the lack of financial support via the big labels. Of course, bands like BOLT THROWER or MY DYING BRIDE are no less brilliant because they’re on bigger labels. But what about acts like PENTACLE, SLOUGH FEG, ALLFATHER or GEIST? All of them released interesting albums lately and deserve much more attention than they actually get. A stronger focus on acts like the aforementioned and a stricter selection of the reviews could turn a solid zine into something really special. You can order STREETCLEANER # 17 for 2,- Euro (+ 1,- Euro for postage and packing) through Wolfgang Schmeer, Fichtenstrasse 5, 64739 Höchst / Odw., Germany. Included is a promo-sampler by Metal Age Productions featuring acts like AVULSED, KOLDBRANN and RIEFENSTAHL. Website: www.adnoctum.de

Torsten Gründig

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SWEDISH DEATH METAL
Daniel Ekeroth
499 pages, English
(Tamara Press)

This is, from my point of view, the third essential book for us, for those who call themselves fans of extreme music and for those who want to know how everything started. The first one I'm talking about is probably the most well-known one, the very famous "Lords Of Chaos". This one as start of this "series" is in my eyes a very interesting book, pretty entertaining and as dealing with the Black Metal hypes the most popular one. The 2nd one is "Choosing Death - The Improbable History Of Death Metal & Grindcore" and, in my eyes, by far the better book. I got goose bumps while reading it and it answers a lot of questions I had and explains retrospective one of the most creative times in the history of Metal. Well, this is just my personal opinion, others would say that "Lords Of Chaos" is the better book, but honestly spoken this is not the point here, simply because both books are outstanding each for itself and because my review shouldn't deal with "Lords Of Chaos" nor with "Choosing Death". The book I'm talking about right now is unique and special from the beginning to the very end (which are the others, too, by the way!). "Swedish Death Metal" is a book written by a die-hard-fan, Death Metal musician and author of 2 other books (the film books "Violent Italy" and "Swedish Exploitation Cinema") and with this book he raised himself a monument. This book deals with the great days of the underground, where a letter was no letter unless it was 3 pages long. Where tape trading was the biggest activity in our spare time. Where news weren't spread in blogs or in bulletin boards but through letters or in fanzines, no matter how actual they were. A time where you didn't download a mp3-file from the homepage of a band, instead ordered their demo or got it through tape trading. A time where a demo was a cassette and not a CD. Everyone involved in this great time will confirm that this was among the greatest time in their lives and that's the same for me and it feels so great to read all these details about the origin of the Death Metal underground and get a feeling like "Yes, that's exactly how it was". This book deals about the rise and fall of the underground, the great days when the underground had this Punk / Hardcore attitude where everyone supported each other without requesting anything in return. This book also explains how the underground lost its pride most probably when Black Metal got popular. Still it deals only about the Swedish scene, and to be honest, everything dealed about the Swedish scene back then as they had and still have among the greatest bands. Finland had a great scene back then, too, perhaps that's why I think that there is actually a person sitting somewhere in a corner in Finland writing a book called "Finnish Death Metal" to fulfil my request, hehe. "Swedish Death Metal" is amazing and the best read I had for a long time and I can only recommend this book to all of you out there who want to know how one of the most amazing phenomenon in the history of Heavy Metal took place. Please check www.myspace.com/tamarapress for ordering details and be aware that this book is pretty expensive. Considering the fact that it is printed on 499 glossy black and white pages with a weight of approx. 1,5 kg you'll see that it's value for money. Once more it's just the truth that postage sucks - a problem the old tape traders had to deal with day by day (back to the roots?)! Buy it before it is too late and let me finnish this review with the words of Orvar Säfström from NIRVANA 2002: “The essential book on Swedish Death Metal for all who missed out on the golden years (and for all of us who were too drunk to remember them!)”! Nuff said!!!

Thomas Ehrmann

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KRIS VERWIMP
The Seventh Serpent
(96 pages, in full colours)

Kris Verwimp can be seen as the leading artist who accompanied the emergence of a new scene of extreme Metal artists in the 90s. Until now, his splendid work was only viewable on the numerous record covers he graced with his talent. Thankfully, this book presents a complete retrospective of Kris' work from 1993 to now. “The Seventh Serpent” offers the great advantage to show paintings freed for the rather restrictive format of a CD cover, and stripped of the titles and the band logos mandatory on the record format. Quite logically, the book begins with the reproductions of various artworks done for ABSU commented by Sir Proscriptor Mc Govern himself; we have all in mind the now legendary “Sun Of Tiphareth” artwork, one of the most recognizable ever, and one of the most sensational too. Other designs which take the lion share here were destined to MARDUK (Kris has been a home artist for Osmose Productions when this label was more Black Metal oriented than today) and the Hungarian band SEAR BLISS (Kris' personal friends). But of course, Kris was involved in illustrating tons and tons of records, be it CDs, demos, and LPs and t-shirts as well, and a great deal of them are featured here. The most formidable quality of Kris' talent lies in the dream-inducing capacity it raises. The Metal music evokes mainly a world of pure fantasy, and the fact this technologically oriented musical genre is paradoxically rooted mainly in the past (be it real or phantasmal) found its most perfect visual expression here. Kris Verwimp brings into sight this larger-than-life aspect; he is only at ease picturing iron-clad ferocious warriors, grinning demons, aerial princesses or enchantresses, and atmospheric landscapes. And even if the actual subject matter of a peculiar painting could appear sinister per se, this is always the fantasy side of it that takes over in the end. Indeed, Kris Verwimp’s art is before all about the poetic side of things, even if it is a dark side. One can only dream for minutes, if not for hours contemplating these lavish paintings. Kris has a deep knowledge of what the world of fantasy is all about, and it shows. His works awake the hero / heroine who sleeps within each of us, and make sound echoes of long past magic iron ages more exciting than the no less cruel but far duller modern epoch we are forced to live in. Spiritually uplifting, all the paintings and designs featured in this books compliment our beloved musical universe with absolute perfection. Kris has not succumbed to the siren’s call of the modern technology to paint his visions, hence the organic quality of his work. This book was presented at an exhibition held in Antwerp between January and February 2005 and is limited to 400 copies. A wise move should be to acquire “The Seventh Serpent” without too much delay by contacting Kris directly at: krisverwimp@tiscali.be without forgetting to visit the personal website of this talented artist at http://home.tiscali.be/krisverwimp.

Edouard Vergriete

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VIRUS ZINE # 5
(64 pages, A4, xeroxed, in English)

Now this is what I call true underground dedication for a change! Haven't seen many zines like this in quite while... you know, those that are really fan made in b/w, xeroxed with a layout that still has this typical oldschool feel to it. Zines that really deserve the title FANzines as opposed to being totally professional made magazines... The same also goes for the content in this case here. Editor Fauzi was digging really deep in order to give several completely unknown (at least to me) exotic bands such as AS SAHAR, BLACK ABYSS, SHACKLES, INFERIS, HELLGHAST, WITCHCURSE, ENSHADOWED / BURIAL HORDES, MANIAK or NECROLISIS a platform to spread their views. In fact, the only names I was already familiar with in this issue were UK's SPEARHEAD, GRAVE DESECRATOR, EMBRACE OF THORNS and ABHORER (and the latter is even a reprint from the interview we have on our website)... And I wouldn't necessarily call those bands popular either... So, VIRUS has a very cool overall attitude, that's for sure! Several specials and reviews complete this highly interesting piece of reading... the only little letdown is the rather weak English, which should definitely be improved... But as this is a fanzine and the main focus should be the featured bands and their music, it doesn't matter too much in the end anyway as you still find out enough about the individuals featured in here (a free CD-R compilation with tracks from all the featured bands is also included by the way). It sells for 10 RM (Malaysia), 4 US $ (Asia), 6 US $ (Europe) or 6 US $ (South America) from: Mohammad Fauzi Bin Ali, Jheoa NS/Melaka, TKT 4, Wisma Persekutuan, 70000 Seremban, N.Sembilan, Malaysia, email: virus_zine@yahoo.com. More info: www.myspace.com/viruszine

Frank Stöver

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XIUHCOATL # 3
(92 pages, half-size, xeroxed, written in Spanish)

For those unknowing "Xiuhcoatl" means "Fire Serpent" in the Nahuatl language, and this issue is the third strike in only so many months from the editor Ederh MacDiel Rodriguez A., out of Veracruz, Mexico and what a fire vomiting monster this half-sized terror is! I swear there is more information packed into this fanzine than many of its contemporaries anywhere in the world, and / or in the A4 format for that matter. Of the tough, gritty substance that is this publication is of course – Metal - in its purest form. Raw and uncompromising with a sense of detail to the overall written work involved in creating this fanzine that is featured here. Not only this but as well with a real personality and conviction from a soul truly into the music, the world Metal scene, and attentive to his job as a fanzine editor / creator, all done with a sense of utter pride in all his duties. Every square inch of this fanzine is pushed to its limit with quality typed interviews, band articles, dozens of reviews, tour information, bio replication and even space enough for multiple full page advertising opportunities. Easily one of the best fanzines I have ever seen or read from Mexico. Bands featured: BLACK TORMENT, STRIKE MASTER, WEAPON, WITCHTRAP, VICTIMIZER, INFINITUM OBSCURE, EMBALMED, GOAT SEMEN, NECROCCULTUS and many more. The editor Ederh also runs a Metal distribution called HYPNOZZIA PRODUCTIONS. Get in contact! Contact: hypnozzia@hotmail.com or www.myspace.com/xiuhkult

Wes Rhodes

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