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This version of Metallomusikum on Blogger will remain here indefinitely. Old links you may have bookmarked will probably not work, but all the content from January 1, 2012--April 10, 2013 is still here. It's searchable.
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INTERVIEW: LOSS to serve 'unjoy' for Maryland Deathfest

For some people, there is a sweet, cathartic pleasure in immersing oneself in utter pain, despair and desperation. The group Loss provides the soundtrack to that experience. What else would you expect from a band whose motto is Fatum Vestri Vita—doom your life?

Loss performs at the 2013 Maryland Deathfest on Saturday, May 25 at the Sonar compound.

LOSS photo by Diana Lee Zadlo

This funeral doom outfit formed in late 2003 and claims “Music City” Nashville, TN as their home. They’ve produced a variety of demos, EPs and splits over that time, but not until 2011 did they birth the full-length recording Despond on Profound Lore in 2011.

True to the funeral doom descriptor, Loss produces slow, heavy, dirge-like melodies framed by Mike Meacham’s hollow, throaty growls. If you like groups like Pallbearer or Evoken, Loss will be your cup of gloom.

Loss’s music lives in a gray, bleak world, but somehow that lifeless miasma is comforting and, at times, epic. Light does stream in, and I find their music not quite as weighty as some of their funeral doom colleagues.

Mike replied to my MDF questions. Here are his replies:

What will be the official lineup for Maryland Deathfest?

The standard lineup…original four members:

Jay LeMaire - drums
Tim Lewis - guitar
John Anderson - bass
Mike Meacham - guitar/throat

What do you consider to be one of your band’s most essential
recordings? And why?

For certain the Despond album. It’s our first full length and is a perfect representation of all the emotions we wish to capture.

How does your band feel about playing Maryland Deathfest? What
have you heard about this festival?

We are looking forward to playing, as it is our country’s largest and best festival of its kind. I’ve heard it’s well run, and the attendance is large so that’s good, however I personally hate being around lots of people or crowds. Not really my thing. Some great bands are playing as always...

What other bands playing MDF do you hope to see perform?

Anhedonist, Benediction, Bolt Thrower, 
Broken Hope, Carcass, Cobalt, Deiphago; 
Integrity,
Pagan Altar, 
Repulsion, Venom,
Tinner, and Tragedy.

Will you be doing other shows as part of your stop at MDF or is this appearance exclusive?

This is just a one off show for us though we have plans to return to the North East very soon…

Will there be any unusual or special merchandize you will be selling while at MDF?

It’s a secret to everyone, haha!

Is there anything else you hope to do while you are in Maryland?

No not really… sleep? Travel is cathartic so it will be nice to be away from home. We have lots of friends that will be in attendance so that’s definitely what I’m looking forward to.

Is there anything else you want people to know about your band?
Any new records coming up?

We have two splits coming this year both for vinyl: one with Graves At Sea and one with Hooded Menace. We hope you find the way to a razor, noose or bottle pills through our music or at least catharsis. We will most likely disappoint you live. Unjoy…

INTERVIEW: Carpathian Forest prepare for exclusive Maryland Deathfest show

Carpathian Forest embodies everything I love about black metal --grim but beautiful, atmospheric melodies, songs with misanthropic themes and socially biting, often disturbing lyrics. Yet the group couches this "strange old brew" of ideas into infectious rock and roll rhythms that make me want to get up and dance. They also are not afraid to add in unnerving audio samples and keyboards or include a cover song when the mood strikes. Weird? Of course. Disturbing? Sometimes. Awesome? Yes! Carpathian Forest perform Sunday, May 26 at the 2013 Maryland Deathfest, their first performance on U.S. soil.

Formed in Norway in 1990 by Roger "Nattefrost" Rasmussen and John Nordavind, the group established themselves as a powerful force in the second wave of black metal with two demos, an EP and their seminal full-length Black Shining Leather. In 2000, the group experienced a lineup change that has persisted to this day. Among the new members was bassist Daniel Vrangsinn.

Vrangsinn is among the most recognizable figures in black metal with an arresting image of him appearing in photographer Peter Beste's book "True Norwegian Black Metal". In the group's infamous 2004 DVD, "We Are Going to Hollywood For This," he performs on stage wearing little more than a leather S&M style harness. He cuts a striking and memorable profile with corpse paint streaming down his face and sweat pouring off of his bare shoulders.

Vrangsinn also founded and leads Misantrof, a not-for profit, anti-commercial experiment that releases music (ANTIRecords) and the written word (ANTIPublishing) for free and allows the artists to retain full right to their work. The organization is supported entirely by donations that go back to the artists. Founded on the principal that "without greed or corruption art is set free to remind mankind what it never can be,"  Misantrof is a noble effort and further evidence of his strong character.

Vrangsinn's generosity seem as big as his physical stature, and he was kind enough to answer my basic questions, which follow. Daniel tells me that he and the rest of the CF crew will be attending the entire four days of MDF so be sure to be on the look out. Buy them some beer or some steamed crabs!

What will be the official lineup for Maryland Deathfest? 

Nattefrost - Vocal
Tchort - Guitar
Bloodpervertor - Guitar
Vrangsinn – Bass

Kobro – Drums

The line-up is the same Carpathian Forest you always get to see. No changes in the past decade.

What do you consider to be one of your band’s most essential recordings? And why?

The favorite album of mine is the first full length Black Shining Leather, but I do consider all the albums essential. Another of my favorites is Defending the Throne of Evil.

How does your band feel about playing Maryland Deathfest? What have you heard about this festival?

We are looking forward to this very much. We arrive a couple of days before our show to see other bands and meet US friends. 

What other bands playing MDF do you hope to see perform?

PENTAGRAM! I also hope to catch Venom, The Melvins, Bolt Thrower and many many more. 

Will you be doing other shows as part of your stop at MDF or is this appearance exclusive?

This is an exclusive concert. We won't do any other U.S. shows

Will there be any unusual or special merchandize you will be selling while at MDF?

I don't know yet

Is there anything else you hope to do while you are in Maryland? Eat crabs? Go to the Chesapeake Bay?

Hang out with friends, drink beer and watch concerts. Crab claws do sound tempting though.

Is there anything else you want people to know about your band?
We are slowly working on new material, and we hope to record a new album this year.