Showing posts with label metal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label metal. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Depressive Illusions Records





"Apparition and Aberration"
is now available from
Depressive Illusions Records.

This package includes a compact disc, case, booklet and sticker.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Black Metal and Brews Review

For most of my life, I've had a slight hearing issue. Not the sort of thing you could really diagnose and treat, just the sonic equivalent of everything blurring a little around the edges. It wouldn't surprise me if the extra focus this requires of me has contributed heavily to my great appreciation of listening to the intricacies of music. I listen for the notes between notes, the hidden things that bands might not have even intended for us to hear. When I hear a murky album like Minblod's "Apparition and Aberration," I get a rush from the challenge and the promise of hidden sounds just waiting behind the blur of noise.

Minblod's music works in textures more than individual sonic components. While a determined ear can separate the instruments from each other, the first listen gives little more than a heavy blanket of distortion and shrieks. As the listener focuses, there is almost a calming sensation amid the bleak atmosphere that Minblod creates. The dense fuzz becomes a layer of fog enveloping the listener rather than an obstacle between the music and the listener. Indeed, there is a certain meditative quality to these songs, many of which plod along at a slower pace than is traditionally accepted in black metal. The slow pace paired with the density of the music take the lo-fi template of artists like Xasthur to new depths of isolation, as presented on tracks like "Three Permutations." However, unlike depressive groups who share a similar aesthetic, Minblod seems to be simply acknowledging the inherent chaos in every moment rather than simply holing up and wallowing in self-pity. Indeed, closing track "Heuristic Construct" has an almost redemptive quality to its relatively mellow ambiance, as if rewarding both listener and artist for surviving the album.

This album is available for download courtesy of Humid Records and will soon see physical release from Depressive Illusion. The album comes on CDr in a DVD case which holds a booklet explaining the philosophical journey on which "Apparition and Aberration" takes the listener. To say that the brief essays contained within are challenging reads would be an understatement, but they detail the artist's thoughts on our ability to observe ourselves using our established tools of perception. This companion booklet really makes the physical release a must-have, so keep an eye out.

Taken from: blackmetalandbrews.blogspot.com

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Occult Black Metal Zine Interview

1. Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?

Minblod is a new project that I began after forming an affiliation with Humid Records. I am the sole composer and performer. All of the material is recorded in my simple home studio.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?

I think that it would not be inaccurate to say that Minblod may be described as an integration of the black and doom metal traditions. However, I do not attempt to adhere to any specific category. There are elements of my music that violate the definitions of either genre. However, the intentionally primitive production quality is commonly found in both black and doom metal. Rather than attempt to ensure that each component is clearly distinguishable, I prefer that my music be experienced as a cohesive aggregation of darkness and despair. The atmosphere is prioritized over any other consideration.

3. What are some of the themes and concepts the band brings out with the music?

Apparition and Aberration is an exploration of epistemic limitations. So called knowledge is merely a collection of propositions related only to subjective perceptions. The true nature of existence is never directly experienced. This nihilistic realization invalidates any notions of transcendental epistemology.

4. What is the meaning and inspiration behind the band's name?

Minblod represents the perpetual condition of subjectivity. Because consciousness is dependent on referential content, an individual is never able to acquire any absolute truth. Rather, the subject must construct artificial theories in order to interpret any meaning. While the accuracy of these representations may be increased through the assessment of hypotheses, it is not possible to possess absolute knowledge. Although false concepts may be eliminated by contrary evidence, a universal theory is never proved by a particular experience.

5. Has the band been able to play live or is this strictly a studio project?

In collaboration with Edward Newman, I have previously played live under the title of my previous project, Distorted Cognitions. However, I prefer to create an atmospheric experience that is really only possible in recordings. As of now, without some unforeseen circumstance, Minblod will not play live.

6. Currently you are signed to Humid Records, how did you get in contact with this label and how would you describe the support they have given you so far?

Initially, my previous project contributed to the first volume of the Humid Records Sampler. After that they expressed interest in working together on future releases. I like working with them. Humid Records is a small underground label that is supportive of the artists. They allow creative freedom and do not attempt to impose any restrictions on artistic expressions.

7. Worldwide, how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black and doom metal?

While feedback has been limited, it has mostly been positive. In the past, a few blogs have given good reviews of my previous music. I have also traded with several labels over the years. I am always open to trades. I encourage anyone who is interested to contact me.

8. Are there any other projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?

For now, I am focusing exclusively on Minblod. I am pretty sure that I am finished with Distorted Cognitions. However, I may do something with that series in the distant future. I am not completely opposed to the possibility of collaborating with someone else at some point, but typically I prefer to work alone. Maintaining total control over my music allows me to shape every element. I do not have to compromise.

9. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?

It seems as though my music has been progressing in the direction of slower and longer works. The material that I have been working on most recently places more emphasis on synthesizer contributions. I think that this adds more depth to the atmosphere. Although Apparition and Aberration does contain keyboards, they are mostly supplemental to the guitar on this release. In the future, the keyboard will likely be more prominent. I do not know if Minblod will ever completely abandon the metal genre as is common for aging black metal artists. It is sufficient to say that, if that type of development does occur, it will not be in the near future.

10. What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

In the beginning and to this day, Burzum remains one of my favorites. The influence that Varg's music has had on me is unquestionable. Although other musicians may have initially pioneered the black metal genre, to me, Varg was the first to really produce this type of music with such a profound atmosphere. Though he would likely deny it, I think that Varg is the single person who has had the most impact on black metal. While others were focused on being 'evil' and 'brutal', Burzum created something that transcended the existing model of corpse paint and gore lyrics. Also, while I do not agree with many of his political opinions, I do appreciate his insights regarding ancient folklore. More recently, I enjoy the music of the various blackened subgenres. For a short list in no particular order, I often listen to: Leviathan, Xasthur, Sapthuran, Paysage d'Hiver, Lantlos, Darkspace, and Nortt. Most recently, I have been listening to quite a bit of Moloch, and the new Elysian Blaze album.

11. Does Occultism play any role in the music?

The nihilistic denial of the presence of any truth in subjectivity is surely a principle that only a small population are ready to accept. While I do not advocate any type of religious faith, I do maintain a general reverence for chaos and irrationality. Humanity is so satisfied with logical truth and subjective rationality. While I agree that this type of thinking may be the most appropriate method of assessment and understanding, the assumption that existence must necessarily conform to the artificial presuppositions of humanity is an example of arrogance and ignorance.

12. Outside of music what are some of your interests?

I am a graduate student of psychology. I also pursue other studies in a variety of disciplines, but I mostly focus on philosophy and the sciences. Most recently , I have been studying philosophical works related to epistemology and existentialism.

13. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

It may sound paradoxical that a student of the sciences celebrates chaos and irrationality. However, all scientists should realize the limitations of their epistemic foundations. While the scientific method is the only way to construct valid interpretations of objectivity, the resulting perceptions do not necessarily contain any truth. While inductive generalizations enable descriptive attributions, theories are not valid definitions of existence. This criticism does not deny the functionality of science. Rather, the perpetual state of uncertainty is what motivates the continuous deductive assessment of subjective concepts. Also, I want to thank Occult Black Metal Zine for providing me with the opportunity to participate in this interview.

From occultblackmetalzine.blogspot.com

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Minblod: Apparition and Aberration


Released through Humid Records.
Amazon : Google Play : Emusic

"Apparition and Aberration" is a consideration of phenomenological realizations.

1 Dark Mysteries
2 Dreams of Another World
3 Three Permutations
4 Aspect Correspondence
5 Heuristic Construct

Friday, September 14, 2012

Defeat

Here is the demo from my favorite local band in Columbia, SC. They have been disbanded for a number of years, so I think it is safe to place this download on this sight. I do not claim any rights to this material. If any members of the band would like this removed, please contact me and I will do so immediately. This three song demo contains two amazing original doom compositions as well as a short cover piece. I am sorry that there was never more to come from this group...




Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?gihy1991ej31ohr

Monday, June 25, 2012

Incipient 2012 Edition


2012 edition of "Incipient" now available. This rerelease includes both new and original recordings. Free downloads available at the official website: distortedcognitions.webs.com. Limited cassette tapes available only via email: mcwilljk@gmail.com

Incipient Release Chronology

"Incipient" internet demo recorded and released in 2007.

"Proletariat" internet demo recorded and released in 2007.

"Incipient/Proletariat" demo compilation CD released in 2008. Contains the complete content from both the "Incipient" and "Proletariat" demos.

"Incipient" album released in internet and CD formats in 2009. The first six tracks of this release are new material recorded in 2009. The second half of this release includes remastered material from the "Incipient" and "Proletariat" demos. This release has also been referred to as "Incipient/Morkhet".

"Incipient" second edition CD released in 2009. This edition contains the same audio content as the first with modified artwork.

"Incipient" third edition released in internet and tape formats in 2012. All tracks are identified with new titles in this edition that also includes modified artwork. This edition contains new versions of the first six tracks recorded in 2012. The second half of this release includes the same final six tracks present on the first two editions. The tape version of this release includes an atmospheric intermission that is not present in other formats.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Wisdom of Xul Review: Incipient

THIS IS WHAT XUL LIVES FOR.

Something so utterly ugly, so disgustingly terrible to listen to, that it rots your eyes with its vibrations, crushes your nose with its stamping distortion, and shakes your brain violently like a crazed mother that has had enough of her crying new born.

Imagine finding an album that contains a song that instantly sends shooting visions into your mind of T-800's punching each other in an engine room, screaming their cyborg curses, and totally destroying everything.

All in all, I'm glad and feel lucky to have discovered this album/band, as I believe it is a true representation of what can be created with enough wires, hate and of course, Xul in your soul/CPU.

Originally posted at: xulknowledge.blogspot.com

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Attila the Hun Review: Incipient

Utterly insane industrialized black metal from this mysterious one-man band. This stuff sounds like it was recorded by fucking robots in some post-apocalyptic wasteland; the sound is beyond distorted and filled with earsplitting effects, ugly and utterly brilliant!

Originally posted at: blackmetalownsyou.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Memetics


Free Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/grudb1h6tbmyu3c/DistortedCognitionsMemetics.zip

Purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/distortedcognitions3

"Krimpatul"
Recorded in the fall of 2008.
Krimpatul is an assessment of modernism and industrialism.
01 Imperifect
02 Apocrypha
03 Exalt Varian
04 Neuroskepsis
05 Season of Nothing
"Memetics"
Recorded in the summer of 2009.
Memetics is  a description of the processes that are characteristic of life and information.
06 Eratosthenes
07 Amalia
08 Luca
09 Minblod

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Incipient



Free Download:
http://www.mediafire.com/file/v3bxdg4n72xnw8b/DistortedCognitionsIncipient.zip
Purchase: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/distortedcognitions2
"Incipient"
Recorded during a summer session in the year 2009.
Incipient is an exploration of epistemic limitations.
01 Nonreal
02 The Uncertainty Principle
03 Event Horizon
04 Falsification
05 Replicraft
06 Reflections at Dusk
"Mørkhet"
Includes music from the "Incipient/Proletariat" demo.
Recorded in the winter of 2007.
Mørkhet is a collection of observations concerning misanthropy, necessity and nihilism.
07 Kalt Der Hab
08 Benotigen
09 Hvilken Skikkelig
10 Antakelse Av Nihil
11 Naturich Tanke
12 Mistroverstand