The world of Axis Mundi

A friend introduced me to this very interesting 5 piece band from Midlands, Axis Mundi.

They were formed in 2008 and soon were rated as one of the top 5 upcoming bands in the UK from a group of over 12,000 other quality acts.

On their bio they mention that “During 2010, the band worked closely with bestselling science author and NewScientist writer Michael Brooks during his election campaign against Hinckley and Bosworth MP David Tredinnick. Tredinnick has made claims that surgeons should not operate on a full moon and that scientists were “racially prejudiced”. Axis Mundi support science in politics and believe that in the age of technology, politicians have a responsibility to acknowledge scientific data when making decisions.”

In 2011, Axis Mundi produced the video “Eden Alive” and by October 2001, they released their debut album “Chapel Perilous“.

You can hear their album free HERE

 

The World of Die So Fluid

Die So Fluid are an English hard rock band that formed in London, England in 2000.

They are the modern incarnation of a ‘power trio’. The group consists of 3 members, songwriter Grog (vocals and bass), Drew Richards (guitar), and Al Fletcher (drums, backing vocals).

Grog has played bass and sung backup, live and recorded for Melanie C, the Kelly Osbourne band, The Ailerons with Dave Rowntree (Blur) and Mike Smith (Gorillaz), producer Damian LeGassick, and also keyboards for appearances with Kelly and Ozzy Osbourne for the ‘Changes’ single. She is bass player in ‘The Black and Blue Orkestre’ with film writer/director Tom DiCillo and Will Crewdson. Her services have been requested for work with Kylie, Goldfrapp, Bryan Ferry, the Revolting Cocks, and she continues to be a sought after session musician when Die So Fluid duties allow.

Drew has played guitar for Miranda Sex Garden and Xmal Deutschland, he has written music for several animations and Disney television programmes. His original score for the feature documentary ‘The Mindsape of Alan Moore’ has been added to the British Library’s archive.

Al has played and recorded drums with The Selecter, Skaville UK, Gigantic (ex Flesh For Lulu), Laurel Aitken, Prince Buster, Lee Scratch Perry, has made tv appearances with Shania Twain and has a grammy for the Lee Scratch Perry album ‘Jamaican ET’.

Feline were an English rock group formed in London, in 1995. They formed from the remnants of a few earlier underground bands such as Flinch and Miranda Sex Garden. Like most female-fronted rock groups of that era in popular music, they were likened to more mainstream acts such as Garbage, and The Cardigans.
Lead-singer Grog Prebble would never define Feline’s music any more than acknowledging those dark elements within it, but admitteed to some influences such as Sonic Youth, Iggy Pop, and The Pixies.

A classically trained pianist, Grog wrote the bulk of Feline’s material; some of the songs she recorded with Feline were written by her prior to the band’s formation.  Generally getting good write-ups in the rock press, such as NME and Kerrang!, they released a number of singles, a limited release album and a single full length album between 1997 and 1998.

Their first single ‘Just As You Are‘ reached a national chart position of 41 with a video
by Howard Greenhalgh on heavy rotation on MTV.

EMI dropped them in 1999 as part of a company-wide roster clear out, and they split, with several members moving onto form Ultraviolet with Al Fletcher as the full time drummer.

Ultraviolet released a single and an EP on Sanctuary Records Group and disbanded shortly thereafter.

Die So Fluid first surfaced in 2001, touring the U.K. in the wake of their debut e.p. ‘Operation Hypocrite’, released on Sanctuary.

They released a further single, ‘Suck Me Dry’ with Sanctuary before forming their own label, Cartesian, and releasing their third single ‘Disconnected’.

In 2004 Cartesian released the band’s debut album, ’Spawn of Dysfunction’ in the UK.

The album was universally well received and is still selling through the major chains of the UK and iTunes worldwide.

Promotion of ’Spawn of Dysfunction’ almost solely relied on the band touring the UK which they did tirelessly, turning up for over 300 shows between 2003 and 2006.

Apart from pursuing a campaign of playing their own shows off the beaten track Die So Fluid supported bands like Drowning Pool, Vex Red, Clawfinger, Boy Hits Car, Feeder, Girlschool, Antiproduct and The Wildhearts.

Further promotion of the album came from a single release of the title track licensed to Retinue records which was supported with a video featuring the babes and the fighters of a metal wrestling event.

Recording for ‘Not Everybody Gets a Happy Ending’ started in 2005 with the album’s opening track ‘Gang of One’.

The finished recording was so good it actually caused a crisis within the band as they mutually agreed the song was the pinnacle of what they had been trying to achieve musically on ’Spawn of Dysfunction’.

But in the end it was this realization that freed them to explore a wider range of influences and styles. So songs like ‘Existential Baby’ and ‘Test Confessional’ draw on Al’s ska background and ‘Throw you away’ features an Egyptian string arrangement thanks to one of Drew’s colleagues in, Gypsy troupe, The Death Orchestra.

The finished record is the product of multiple sessions scattered over a two year period.

This ungainly recording schedule was adopted because the record was being financed by royalties from ‘spawn’ – as they trickled in.

For ‘Not Everybody Gets a Happy Ending’ Mark Williams was back in the producer’s chair at his new premises in the legendary Battery Studios building in north west London

The title track was partly fuelled by the long drawn out recording process and, at the time, no prospect of a release.

That changed in 2007 when the band found a new backer in Finland and finally ‘Not Everybody Gets a Happy Ending’ was made flesh.

First single ‘Happy Halloween’ was released worldwide on iTunes on November 2nd 2007 and coincided with a Halloween festival appearance in Helsinki and Die So Fluid’s portrait by Paul Harries appearing on Finnish postal stamps.

The esteemed rock photographer, and long time associate of the band, also directed the video for second single ‘Existential baby’.

‘Not Everybody Gets a Happy Ending’ was released in the UK in February 2008 to a great response and immediately entered the retail sales charts.

The band then diligently followed the cascade of international releases – touring Finland, the USA (twice), Germany and the rest of Europe, appearing in nearly 20 different countries in 2009.

As well as headlining festivals in Portugal, Germany and Switzerland Die So Fluid supported Eisbrecher, Mindless Self Indulgence, My Ruin, Ill Nino, Maj Karma, and Prong.

“The World Is Too Big for One Lifetime” was released in June 2010 on the Global Music DR2 label.

As with previous releases it received very strong reviews from the alternative press whilst mostly slipping under the radar of the mainstream media.

The album has kept a steady presence in specialist sales charts, such as Amazon’s alternative metal chart, and in a diverse selection of territories thanks mainly to consistent touring, word of mouth and support from the alternative press and webzines. They have also proven themselves to be very adept at crossing over to quite different music audiences whether it be the goths of the Wave-Gotik-Treffen or the classic rock fans of Hard Rock Hell or the indie pop fans when supporting Mindless Self Indulgence.

Two singles were drawn from “The World Is Too Big for One Lifetime” – “Mercury” and “What a heart is for”. The singles were available for download only and accompanied by videos shot by director David Kenny.

Their sonic identity possesses the muscle of metal, the angular cheekbones of post-punk and the bittersweet heart of grunge. They are part of a new generation of rock bands who chose to turn down signing a traditional record deal and embrace the changes the internet has made to the industry by stripping record companies of their distribution and promotion monopolies. Die So Fluid therefore retain ownership of all their recordings and copyright of all compositions.

“The Opposites Of Light” is the working title for the forthcoming album. Writing and pre-production has been completed, albeit mostly by email as Grog has relocated to Hollywood. The band are currently rehearsing the material for an imminent studio session.

(All information is taken from the official web-site of the band and wikipedia)

 

SciFi Mafia cd launch..

I’m attending the launch of the NEW Scifi Mafia cd tonight and hope to get some excellent shots from this gig!!
Here is a sample taste of things to come!!

Jez

 

Braindance – A great band from New York

It’s been years since I received the promo album of this great American band.  I think they deserve to be known to the rest of their world because of their unique sound. 

For those of you that would like to know more, I copied the information I found on their website. 

First start with this video:

1992. A songwriting alliance between producer/guitarist Vora Vor and vocalist/lyricist Sebastian Elliott leads to the formation of Braindance, a New York City project manufacturing a new genre of music – Progressive Darkwave. Combining the elements of goth, industrial, electronic, synthpop and darkwave with progressive metal, progressive trance, vocal house, and modern classical music, Braindance quickly becomes one of the most distinctive voices in the underground.

1994. Braindance releases the mini-EP Shadows, featuring bassist Eiki Matsumoto and percussionist Rob Notorious, and subsequently begins performing in venues in and around the New York City area.

1996. Joined by keyboardist/backing vocalist Robynne Naylor, the band releases their first full-length album, Fear Itself. Considered by many to be ‘a new rung on the evolutionary ladder of modern music,’ Fear Itself features eye-catching comic illustrations that would become a Braindance trademark.

1998. Following three years of performances throughout the Northeast, parting ways with drummer Notorious, and replacing bassist Eiki Matsumoto with Chicago native Andy Bunk, the band begins the process of creating their long-awaited follow up to Fear Itself, Redemption.

2001. Bringing the vision of Braindance to a staggering new level, representatives from the progressive, industrial, darkwave, gothic, and metal communities hail Redemption as ‘a marvel of musical innovation, songwriting intellect, and unprecedented vision.’ Through the overwhelming support of independent press, radio, and fans worldwide, the release becomes an underground success story.

2003. Braindance enlists new musicians for live shows over the next three years. Julliard graduate Beka fills the keyboardist/backing vocalist position, drummer Jonah David of the Matisyahu band contributes his versatility, and bassist David Z from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra completes the lineup.

2006. Production begins for Master of Disguise, the new Braindance album destined to take the world by storm…

…The future is upon us – and it’s oh, so tasty…”

 Visit their website for more.

 

Spitfire / Speedfire

I still remember some nights at “Little Wing” bar at Nea Smyrni.

When Spitfire were playing,  the place was packed.

Although I wasn’t a metalhead, some of the boys were  my neighbors, so I knew them.

They became the top Greek metal band of the 80’s thanks to their well penned tracks

 

They were formed in 1984 and their first album was released under the title “First Attack” in 1987.

The band was basically done for good after singer Dino Kostakis was in a bad car accident which severely injured him. They came back in 1990 under the name Speedfire (for legal reasons) and released a live album called ’100% Live’, which is regarded very highly in the Greek metal community.
The band is still around and basically solely plays live gigs, with Mark Cross on drums. (from Metal Archive )

They released a new album in 2009, titled “Die Fighting”.

You can also find them on MySpace

 

Kostas Zafiriou of Pink Cream 69

The person at the intro of this video is drummer Kostas Zafiriou, born in Switzerland in 1966.

In 1987 he was one of the founding members of the German hard rock band Pink Cream 69.

The group formed in Karlsruhe and gained their first contract by winning music magazine Metal Hammer’s newcomer competition in Ludwigsburg one year after forming.

The line up had as follows: Andi Deris, Dennis Ward, Kostas Zafiriou and Alfred Koffler.

In 1994, Andi Deris left the band to join German power metal band Helloween. He was replaced by British singer David Readman. The band, often referred to as The Pinkies, became a five-piece in 2003, when Uwe Reitenauer was hired to support guitar player Alfred Koffler, who suffered from neuropathy.

Zafiriou joined the German power metal Axxis as a session musician in 2004, when they released the album “Time Machine”.

This post was made with a lot of help from wikipedia…

 

Ozzy and Gus G.

As you might already know by now, Kostas Karamitroudis (Ελληνικά: Κώστας Καραμητρούδης) aka Gus G. replaced guitar player Zakk Wylde in Ozzy Osbourne’s band.

That’s cool.

Gus has his own band called Firewind (released so far 3 singles, 5 studio albums and one live album) but he also played in the bands Mystic Prophecy, Nightrage, Arch Enemy and Dream Evil.

All his releases came through non Greek record labels (I am not surprised).

Although Heavy Metal is not my cup of tea, I am sure you will agree that playing with Ozzy is something really great for a musician, especially for one that comes from Greece.

 

Septic Flesh – Communion

As I mentioned a few times in the past, the Greek metal bands are the most successful ones over the Greek borders today.

Two of them are selling thousands of albums all around the world, touring here and there: Rotting Christ and Septic Flesh.

I was reading today that Septic Flesh were on a U.S. tour along with Cradle Of Filth and Satyricon during January and February 2009.

Cool…I wasn’t aware of that…

I followed a link to their official site  to discover that the band will perform again on August 22 at Belgium’s “Metal Mean Festival” and on September 12 at the city of Lamia  – “Therino Theater Lamias”.

Since January 15th to February 28^th, 2009 Cradle Of Filth, Satyricon and Septic Flesh, played at: Sayreville, Worcester, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Cleveland, Indianapolis (Septicflesh ONLY), Detroit , Milwaukee , Chicago, Minneapolis, Englewood, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, Modesto, (Septicflesh ONLY), San Francisco , LA , Anaheim, San Diego, Las Vegas, Arizona, San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Orlando, Spartanburg (Septicflesh ONLY) , Asheville, Norfolk , Baltimore and  New York.

I wonder if they had the time for sightseeing…

Septic Flesh were formed in Athens during 1990 to release their first mini LP “Temple of the Lost Race” on December 1991.

Their first full length album was released during 1994 titled “Mystic Places of Dawn“.

In 1995 they released “Esoptron” which was to be followed by “Ophidian Wheel” in May 1997.

Here one can find Lambros Sfyris on the chair of co-producer.

Sfyris was no other but the singer/keyboard player of the Greek band Erevos.

Sfyris returned t co-produce with the band, the album “A Fallen Temple” which was released on March 1998.

Recruiting Natalie Rassoulis for the backing vocals in 1998, the band shot the video of the song “The Eldest Cosmonaut“.

 

During October 1999 Septic Flesh released the album “Revolution DNA” which was produced by Fredrik Nordstrom.

“Sumerian Deamons” was released in 2003 featuring 13 tracks.

It would be the last album of the band that took a break after that for 5 years.

In 2008, Septic Flesh returned with a new album,  titled “Communion”…so, that’s why they are touring for almost a year now…

The album was announced album of the month  for “Rock Hard” (France),  album of the trimester for “Metallian” (France) best album for “Hard Rock” (France), succeeded a 9/10 on “Terrorizer” magazine (UK) and the list goes on and on….

During 2009 they also played at Moscow, Saint-Petersbourg, Helsinki, Oslo, Kiev, Vana-Vigala, Greece, France, Bulgaria, Romania, Belarus and Moldavia.

So, it’s been a busy year for Septic Flesh.

Unfortunately the Greek TV is focused on the local bouzouki artists instead of informing the people about these rock bands that travel around the world playing their music and getting signed to foreign music record labels…

For those out there that don’t know it by now, Greece is not only bouzouki and syrtaki dance….

 

 

Inactive Messiah – Your “Sinful Nation”

For several years now, I have complained about the “invisible walls” surrounding Greece and the multitude of talent hidden behind them. Had it not been for MySpace, I would never have had the opportunity to taste the various flavors the music industry has kept shrouded in darkness while only thrusting bouzoukis and pop acts into my field of vision.

But thanks to MySpace I have discovered a whole new world to stimulate every corner and nook of my soul. And now I, along with others, relish every genre Hellas has to offer that couldn’t reach across that great ocean of separation.

One such band that I have followed for a few years now is Inactive Messiah, a heavier version of what I would normally listen to, but definitely a band who has grasped hold of my senses and swirled me into a new dimension. They are classified as Black Metal/Death Metal, but don’t let that intimidate you if you usually shy away from the raspiness of the stereotyped classification. 

Inactive Messiah

Originally formed back in 2001 under the name “Womb Of Maggots”, they released one album titled “Life Odium”. They then renamed themselves Inactive Messiah and in December, 2004, released their self-titled album with Black Lotus Records.

A few lineup changes and the passage of time brought them back into the studio to begin the composition of their third album, “bE mY dRug” (the second release under the Inactive Messiah name). Recording through Devilworx Studio in Athens, Greece, and Finnvox Studio in Helsinki, Finland, their new material brought about a more melodic, aggressive, and dark side to the band.

More punch was added to this CD creation with the participation by the Hellenic National ERT Choir and the Symphonic Orchestra of Slovakia, which was comprised of 80 musicians. The choir and orchestral selections were arranged by Chris A. (Chaostar/Septic Flesh/The Devilworx). An equally impressive selection of guest musicians also participated in the CD: JP Leppäluoto (Charon/ex-Poisonblack) sang in the song “Be My Drug”, Emppu Vuorinen (Nightwish) recorded the guitar solo for the song “Beat It” (cover – Michael Jackson) and Arto Tuunela (Major Label) performed Finnish vocals on the song “Before The End”. 

In the summer of 2006, Inactive Messiah signed a deal with Holy Records of France and released “bE mY dRug” in December, 2006. A whirlwind of international reviews ensued with articles written in Album Of The Trimester (6/6), Metallian Magazine (FR), Scream Magazine (NO), Legacy Magazine (DE), Album No. 3 of the month in Rock Hard Magazine (GR), and Metal Hammer Magazine (GR).

Tracklist – “bE mY dRug”:

01. Inactive Messiah (Intro.)
02. Sing
03. All Your Dreams
04. Be My Drug
05. Synthetic Snow
06. Beat It
07. Pain
08. Hear Me Tonight
09. Before The End
10. Lord Of Lies

Preview and/or purchase HERE

Inactive Messiah hit the road and performed in various tours, festivals, and gigs, including 32 shows in the the “Blitzkrieg 4” and “The Domination Tour 2007” throughout central and western Europe, as well as a 13-show “Balkans Assassination Tour 2007”.

In January and February, 2008, they were back in the recording studio, this time with Devasoundz Studios, to begin work on their next CD. An even more aggressive, dark, and atmospheric release, “Sinful Nation” was again signed with Holy Records, and was released in April, 2008. Once more, they hit the road with Vader, Septic Flesh, and Devian on the 42-show “XXV Anniversary Tour” performing in almost all the European countries.

Tracklist – “Sinful Nation”:

01. Satyricus
02. Soulless
03. Chosen One
04. Failure
05. Theatrical World
06. Sinful Nation
07. Showdown
08. Eat My Flesh And Drink My Blood
09. Forged In Flames
10. From Birth To Death
11. Like An Endless Lament

Preview and/or purchase HERE.

After the tour, Sotiris (guitars) and Michalis (drums) left the band and Inactive Messiah continues to tour with Xristos (vocals), Thanos (guitars, soft vocals), and Lefteris (bass).

You can catch them live as they sweep through Greece and Turkey on the “Sinful Jesus 2009 Tour” beginning this Friday (20 March, 2009), along with Web, Sad Dolls, and sorrowfulangels at Texas Necropolis in Athens, Greece. Doors open at 19:30, gig starts at 20:00.

Although I won’t be able to be there, (that ocean of separation imprisoning me again), I do hope you make it a point to drop by and check out a most amazing band who has won over my heart, not only by bedazzling me with talent, but also because they are amazing men in general, and I thank them for letting me fall under their wings from time to time.

For more upcoming tour dates and international locations, including France and The Netherlands, click HERE.

Official MySpace Profile - click HERE.

Official YouTube Profile - click HERE.

Official Facebook Profile – click HERE.  (Must be logged in to view.)

 

Homo Iratus are back for more…

Greece is well know for the local metal bands that…sign to foreign labels.
Homo Iratus is one of them.
They split in 2007 and reformed again in 2009.

Their name is the latin translation for “Angry Human”.
The band was formed in Thessaloniki in 1998 and released a demo titled “Absence of Progress” playing
death metal/grindcore combining the likes of Obituary, Carcass, Naplam Death and Sepultura.

The band signed to the american record label Arctic Music Group and released their debut album “Human Consumes Human“
during 2001 forcing the Greek Metal Hammer to announce them as the “best deathcore band” of the year.

They supported Napalm Death and although suffering personnel changes they started recording their second release.

The four track EP “Knowledge… Their Enemy” was released during 2002 through the Arctic Music Group again
It features a cover version on Sepultura’s “Roots Bloody Roots” as well as “Tomahawk Cruise Messiah” and “Homo Sapiens“
from their debut album.
Opening track, “Protection Through Surveillance” which defines a political statement of the band as most of their lyrics.

During 2004, the band went on a European tour with the Danish band, Konkhra and appeared on the “Fuck The Commerce” festival.

By the same year, “Apocalypse” was released with the singer Thomas Bairaktaris leaving the group.
Slowly, the band moved towards an end.
During the years of their existance they played with bands such as: Cannibal Corpse, Rotting Christ, Napalm Death,
Malevolent Creation, Obituary and many more.

Now, they announced they’re back.

Lets wait and see how “Angry” they are…