Monotone Depression is an entity hailing from Sweden and this is a re-release of two demos both recorded in 1998 during the entity’s stay at mental institution. As Bandcamp says, music from bipolar dungeon, so I can relate to psychological side of things, because I am on the similar side as this entity, so I was eager to listen and enjoy this little piece of record. Some of the music on this nine songs has been edited with today’s technology. The music is complicated yet deep and simple at the same time. Some songs have almost punk rock or post punk melody and melancholy feel like Sister Of The Dark. Gothic rock and death rock with interesting vocal effects and gothic melodies are present in Out Of Tune With Life, but I also love depressive black metal influenced guitar work in On A Plane With The Devil. Lyrics are important part of music on this opus, so although some are really minimal, I can understand their meaning and entity behind them. Also, songs that I must mention being a stand out for me are Of Darkness And Suicidal Thoughts and The Loss Of A Worthless Father. This is not for everyone. I love it!
Italy has such great and vast underground and extreme music scene and I really enjoy discovering new bands that I learn about and have a listen. Band inspired obviously by actor Steve Buscemi, called Buscemi’s Eyes released this four song e.p. Song called Dirty Talking is fast and in your face old school hardcore punk reminding me a bit of Minor Threat and similar bands, having that hardcore energy, melody and vibe that I still love after all these years. Band continues in more fast punk rock vein with Ghost World and sounding almost rock n roll song in some parts delivering punch in your face, short and sweet. Fast mayhem continues with another banger, my favorite Meat Grinder and it just reminded me how I would like to see this band live, deliver all that awesome hardcore energy. The title song finishes the e.p. as it started, melodic, aggressive and superb with some samples of master Buscemi himself as I understand hehe.
I wanted to get my paws on this one for a long time. Thanks to Rockmark Zagreb, I ordered my copy and got it, read it in less than a week. This book written by long time journalists Ika Johannesson and Jon Jefferson Klingberg came as something of a surprise for me. I thought that this will be another history of metal scene, from its start to nowadays, but boy was I surprised. This book consists of chapters which are stories for themselves about some of the most known or infamous members of the Swedish metal scene. I will mention the opener, story of Nifelheim twins, then story of Entombed and its divide in two bands, of course dark and impressive late Jon Nodtveidt of Dissection’s story. What would be story about Swedish metal without Dead of Morbid and Mayhem who ended his life in 1991 and is an icon of black metal scene. One of the absolute highlights for me was also story of Niklas Kvarforth and his Shining, his disappearance, the infamous gig with new singer Ghoul hehe, misantrophy and hatred. The book ends with story of melodic metal from more known bands like Hammerfall and Sabaton to less known underground power metal. Last chapter is Watain, band which I respect very much and who keep the flame of black metal burning bright. I recommend this book to all metalheads out there but also the ones who love extreme music and interesting stories.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 