All posts by vladkraykulla

Active member of alternative underground scene and culture since early 1990-ies. Underground is a way of life!

(record review)TALOG-“Ukleta kotlina”

Long awaited new album by Talog is out! I was eager to listen to this one, so here is my opinion about the album.

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There was a time in the beginning of 2000s when I discovered dark ambient and dungeon synth music through none other than Mortiis. I used to listen to Stargate album by Mortiis a lot and thought I knew everything about that kind of music. Then I discovered there is a whole beautiful undeground dark ambient and dungeon synth scene in the world and combining that with my love for horror music it became one of my favourite music for a long time.

Now, 15 years later I still love that kind of music, and I love Talog. Hailing from the town of Požega, in Slavonian grey eastern fields that are poor and barren now, with little or no hope for prosperity and survival, this one man dark ambient/dungeon synth band by Kktz, the veteran and legendary character from the Croatian and world underground scene perfectly pictures the bleakness and hopelessness of the area where it is made. The title of the album means Haunted Valley in Croatian language. The album consists of three tracks with titles in Croatian language. Two being longer and one shorter song. There is a minimalistic almost ritual spirit in some melodies but there is also some epic fullness to the song structures, which doesnt surprise me knowing that Kktz has a profound appetite for epic but raw underground black metal emotions. This dark art that Talog creates is definitely not for everyone because if you are not into that kind of emotions you will not like this music. I love it.

This is by far the most mature and complex Talog release yet.

9/10

Follow Talog on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Talog-353449861484137/

You can get the album for free on Talog Bandcamp, but if you respect Kktz and his work you can also drop some dime or two here: https://talog.bandcamp.com/

 

(record review)DEAD UNITED-“X Part II Horror Hymns”

Horrorpunk has often been welcomed guest on the pages of this zine, so it is nice to have it again and this time I review the record by Dead United.

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Besides US of A of course, Germany is one of the biggest and richest scenes concerning horrorpunk in the world. I will only mention great bands like The Crimson Ghosts, The Other, Jamey Rottencorpse, The Mutant Reavers etc….

Dead United are one of the younger bands in the scene coming from Wurzburg area which is I think in the beautiful Bavaria. I am not sure if this is the official release but I got it from the band, so what the fuck, I should listen to it and review it. The album contains 16 songs of horror, blood, melody and insanity. Musically Dead United move more in a punkrock and not metal or hardcore area. Vocals kinda remind me of Michale Graves and the music reminds of some of the earlier The Other albums. I prefer my horrorpunk very melodic so, this material lacks some anthemic melodies and memorable choruses that make you hum them every second of the day. But, this is quality horrorpunk that avoided the trap of being somebodys clone what many bands unfortunately are nowadays. You should give a spin to “Bug Attack”m “We are the Fiends” and “Underworld Cats” to name just some of the songs. I am sure we will hear more of Dead United in the coming years.

7,5/10

Follow Dead United: https://www.facebook.com/deadunited/

 

 

(record review)FAREWELL IN VEGAS-“Serenades e.p.”

Farewell in Vegas is the band that is coming from Lille, France. This is their e.p.and it is a perfect soundtrack for this busy but a bit gloomy and cloudy winter afternoon.

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Thats right, the winter has returned and with the weather heavier, more depressive thoughts and emotions started to do some damage in my head. This e.p.contains 5 tracks of post hardcore with a twist of modern melodic punk and some tracks are bordering downright with rock but not in some bad and boring way. The song structures are not too aggressive but you can also feel the bitterness and some anger in the melodies. The lyrics are in English and they are personal. I love how some cleaner and melodic vocals mix with more harsher and angrier voice in some tracks. “Elvira” reminded me even of Linkin Park in some weird way, being ultra melodic and emotional but also guitar oriented song. One more thing that I loved about this record that the songs are not too long, the time passes quickly and you do not ask yourself afterwards why did you listen to this. Great post hardcore with a great touch of rock and punk emotions!

7,5/10

Follow Farewell in Vegas: https://www.facebook.com/farewellinvegas/