Mr Moe - Interview

Mr Moe has been a heavy hitter in the Norwegian metal scene for awhile now. He's Currently in Dimension F3H, Trail of Tears, and Cutthroat. And also did some session bass work for the band, Kampfar. Thankfully he was gracious enough to agree to an interview! So sit back, relax and enjoy the read! 

Shawn: Good evening Mr Moe, Thanks for taking the time to do this interview! You recently returned from some touring with Kampfar as a session bass player. How did that go? And can we expect any more work between you and Kampfar in the future?

Mr Moe: Heey! No problem, the pleasure is mine. Yes, I was on the road with Kampfar for a two weeks period in Europe. It was a co headliner tour together with fellow countrymen Vreid, Secrets Of The Moon from Germany and also Krakow from Norway as support. It was over all expectations! I had basically a bit more then ten days to learn their hole sett-list and one weekend rehearsal together as a whole band before the tour started, and we all kicked ass every night! Kampfar is a little bit different then what I do normally, and their fans are so into it in a way that i wasn’t really used to, so It was a great experience for me. I was a little nervous for what the diehard Kampfar fans would say, but far as I know all their fans was satisfied and the feedback has been overwhelming! Jon, their permanent bass player witch had to sit out of the tour due personal reasons, are back on track again and ready to shred the bass that only he can! So my job is done and I wish them good luck on the US-tour that starts in September. Make sure to check them out!

Shawn: You've been a heavyweight in the Norwegian Metal community for awhile now. With your work in, Trail of Tears, Dimension F3H, and Cutthroat. and you've always toured all over, So how does other countries compare to Norwegian concerts? And where do you prefer to gig at?

Mr Moe: It is difficult to say. I dont think I have any spesific places that I prefer above another . Each country has its charm, and a different type of audience. I dont wan`na sit here and compare, but ofcourse I have felt the difference between a show in my hometown and Mexico! Ha ha

Shawn: How old were you when you decided you wanted to be a musician? and what was your greatest inspiration to pick up the Bass?

Mr Moe: I started to play drums when I was 6-7 years old and got my first drum kit when I was 10. At that time I got really into the music-thing and I also started to play some guitar, piano and bass guitar in the same period. I also was in a marching band as a drummer in 6 years before had a little stop with the playing before I decided to concentrate 100% on the bass . I think the inspiration to concentrate on bass and to be serious about it, was the fact that I wanted to be more in the front. Easy as that! Just run around on stage and head bang ;) I also have to say that I haven’t felt so dedicated and hungry as I am at the moment, so my main goal now is to travel around and play music as much as I can. 

Shawn: Working on any new music with any of your bands at the moment? and any news you can share?

Mr Moe: Yeah, it is a lot happening this days and I am really exited about it. We have been working some months now with pre-production for the new Trail Of Tears album. I have a really good feeling, and I am so looking forward to start recording it in September at Sound Suite Studios in Marseille, France. We have also started making plans about a new Cutthroat album, and I hope that before the year is done, we have released a new death metal album. When it comes to Dimension F3h, Morfeus are working on new material and the songs that I have heard Is the best DF3H songs ever made, but since he is quite busy with Mayhem and we others also have our bands and projects, we are not in any hurry at the moment. My guess is that we will start recording early in 2012 and then do some shows right after.

Shawn: You've worked with quite a few bands. So which would you say is the album your the most proud of?

Mr Moe: I am proud of every record I have been so lucky to be a part of, but I have to say that I am really looking forward to Trail Of Tears upcoming album. This Is a album that we have been working on for a long time now, and its the first album that I have a central roll in the song making, and not only my part as a bass player. It has been a really creative journey for me personally.

Shawn: You toured the USA a few years back. How did you enjoy the tour? and any Spinal Tap moments?

Mr Moe: Definitely! Trail Of Tears did a headliner tour there back in 2008 together with Echoes Of Eternity and Unexpected as support. It was total 23 shows In one month , with also three shows in Canada and one show in Mexico. It was a great tour, and we did see many cool places. One of the highlights was to play at the legendary Whiskey Go Go in Hollywood. I really felt a good atmosphere there! I cant remember any specific story’s, but since this was my first big and long tour, I learned that you don’t have to party every day or second day after a show! It was some moments that I was so tired that I was laying in my bunk on the bus sleeping the whole day before the next gig, but anyways the tour was a big success and we gave the fans something to remember every night.

One strange moment I remember very well was when Dimension F3h was supporting Mayhem on their tour In Europe. We played for a full packed O2 Academy Islington In London. I don’t think the Mayhem fans in the first rows with corpsepaint enjoyed our Cyber Thrash music a lot, because they where standing and shouting, spitting and gave us the finger! he he

Shawn: Any tours lined up for any of your bands right now? An American tour by chance? 

Mr Moe: Besides some single shows and festivals the upcoming months, we are going to do six shows In China and one show In Taiwan In November/December with Trail Of Tears. We have also postponed a south America tour, so I believe we do this is the fall/spring of 2012. As for North America I don’t know at this moment, but its not impossible that we come back in the nearest future. Maybe its time to get Dimension F3h to the states as well? That’s an idea I like!

Shawn: So what do you do outside of music? Pastimes? Hobbies?

Mr Moe: Well, music is a big thing in my life obviously, but if I’m not playing/rehearsal or making music I just like to be together with my fiance and hanging out with friends. I like to watch movies, TV, play poker, fishing ,computer , riding my motorcycle (one year since last ride), or just relax on the couch.

Shawn: Ozzy era or Dio era Black Sabbath?

Mr Moe: Ozzy! The reason is simply because I grew up listening to Black Sabbath with Ozzy, and to be honest I know very little about the Dio period.

Shawn: Well that will conclude our interview, Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions. and if there’s anything you would like to add or share feel free,
The final word is yours!

Mr Moe: Thanks for the interest, Shawn! In metal we trust, rocks!!

Trail Of Tears: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw7PRRG1UiI&feature=channel_video_title

Dimension F3H: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMEU7aWGP3g&feature=related

Cutthroat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPy0thi4vmk

Kampfar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy0FyfcZ7gY

Read More

Somnae - Forever More - Review

This weeks review by Bert: Somnae Forever More EP


Hailing from the darkest reaches of Seattle in the Pacific Northwest, Somnae employ a very specific and strategic nod to the Swedish Gothenburg sound. Somnae also elicits a wink to Opeth’s first three records, but that doesn’t detract anything from what they’re accomplishing here. Being a long time fan of the Swedish style, to hear it so close to home is a little strange, yet its alluring. Little is known about this band, they employ guitarists Ernesto Oropeza, Rob Steinway, bass and vocalist Krelian. I picked this up at the now defunct Discotek store on a whim, and I was impressed.


Forever More sounds different, in that there is a prose and fluidity. Guitar tone is heavy, using a flexible ambient texture, with an emotionally atmospheric timber. Vocally its gruffer, sometimes bleeding out into the background, perhaps because of the mix. The drumming is precise, and somewhat moodily driven. The overall feel is dark as hell, but temperate in its conceptual scope. Its vast and illuminates with each of the three tracks: Forever More, An Ominous Strain, and Fragile Tomorrow. For me this experience was short, and I yearn to hear more as there was talk of a full length down the road. I eagerly await its eventual release.

Thanks for reading.

****/*****

B.

Read More

Assyrian - Self Portrait - Review

Assyrian has been around since 2009 and today I'll be reviewing their new EP, Self Portrait. They claim to be Dark, Progressive, Death, Doom, Post Metal. And even with all those genre tags i'd still have to say they are stepping outside the box on this EP.

The album starts off with "Impromptu" which can even sound a little like "Black Metal" at times with a little bit of drone thrown into the mix as well. This is a rather slow track which what feels like some improvised guitar work. I'm liking the sound here though.

I admit I was a little apprehensive about reviewing this album, the massive list of genres kinda scared me a little. But I can happily say this album was an absolute pleasure to listen to. I'd also like to mention that I will not be able to genre tag this release. So much going on in this album and I will not delude it with a shit ton of unnecessary genre tags.

This album can appeal to fan of heavy music, as well as fans of band along the lines of "Opeth" or even "Novembers Doom" But at the same time they remain unique.This band is doing something special and I am greatly looking forward to their future works.

Only a few cons with this album

The track, Phobos seemed a little out of place to me.
And the mix was a little rough on some of the tracks. But I'm letting that slide seeing as this is a self released Ep. They did absolutely amazing work with what they had.


9/10

Amazing album from start to finish!

/Shawn

Read More

A Pale Horse Named Death - And Hell Will Follow Me - Review

Reviewed by Bert


Sal Abruscato, has gone from being a former drummer of Type O Negative, and Life Of Agony, and reinvented himself as a front man of his new band A Pale Horse Named Death. Where has Sal been for the last umpteen years? He’s been somewhat of an enigma outside any band in quite some time. He wasn’t content sitting around doing nothing when Life Of Agony went on hiatus.


Sal’s been under the radar. The beginning stages of A Pale Horse started in 2009. When Peter Steele passed in 2010, it spurred Mr. Abruscato into action. Where am I going with this? I think drummers get a lot of shit because of their position within bands they play in. If there wasn’t such a stigma associated with the cliche of being one sole position in a band, I think the field can be a lot more open, and interesting. Otherwise Sal’s evolution of being a drummer to a singer/songwriter is proving to be a welcomed endeavor.


I fucking love this record. Sal handles himself very well with And Hell Will Follow Me. Some of the topics range from personal addictions, sorrow, pain, loneliness, and death. For many listeners this would be depressing subject matter to even broach let alone listen to. What impressed me with this record is how well Sal took an honest approach and I felt like he really doesn’t insult the listener.


All these tracks are my favorites. The songwriting has strong influences i.e The Doors, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, and Alice In Chains. Sal has done a remarkable job of making this his own, and this is what impressed me.


Summarizing: And Hell Will Follow Me is without a doubt one of my favorite releases of 2011. There is emotion, feeling, and a sense of closure. Though the lyrics lean towards familiar, and a tad cliche, the overall feel of the record is a comfort blanket to already unknown and disturbed period of time for a great many of us. Its how we chose to deal with the problem, whereas Sal was able to embrace and make something he could his own.


Thanks for reading.


****/*****

B.

Read More

Morbid Angel - Illud Divinum Insanus - Review

Alright, fans of this band have been waiting for this album for a very long time, and most of them are pretty ticked off it seems. They've went for a different theme for this album. They even added some Industrial elements to the music.

Well I personally have no problem with Industrial themed metal, but this album left me pretty much dead in the water. There are a few good tracks, "Existo Vulgore"  "Blades for Baal" and "Nevermore" are pretty fucking awesome. And to a lesser extent "I Am Morbid" But I confess the fake crowd chanting "Morbid" came off cheesy as fuck.

I mean come on lets be honest, this album is a let down for sure. Fans have been waiting since 2003 for some more awesome death metal from this classic band, but this is not the come back they needed to make.

Cons?

1) Poor song structure and lazy drumming
2) Cheesy ass lyrics
3) Omni Potens was just a fucking pointless intro, did it really need to be over two minutes long?

Pros?
1) Some solid riffing
2) Vocals are pretty tight

This album asked one question, Am I Morbid? No I guess I'm not.

4/10

"I'm not always metal, but when I am I'm more metal than you"
/Shawn

Read More