Interview SCHACHT – PromoFabrik

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions.

Schacht: Thank you for the invitation!

Tell me more about the mining theme of Schacht.

Schacht: We are from Western Rhineland-Palatinate near the Saarland border, a german mining area. In that region you are confronted with the mining theme again and again. But besides that we are fascinated by mining, the hard and dangerous work underground as a metaphor. The theme is the frame in which Schacht unfolds. We use it as an inspiration for our music and lyrics, for the artwork. It’s all about constriction, darkness, hardship, loneliness and so on. But it doesn’t have to deal only with mining and picks.

 How have you met in the dark shaft?

Schacht: We have known each other since schooldays, a really long time. There is a deep friendship connecting us. In former times we didn’t always play in the same band and we made different styles of music. In the year 2002 we decided to work together and to place the headstone for Schacht.

It took you five years after the Demo and your debut „Abwärts“. What took you so long?

Schacht: Of course we didn’t spend the entire five years in the studio.  The reasons for the delay are quite diverse and partially of practical nature. For example, it has taken us a long time finding the right sound for the CD. And sometimes we lost sight of the whole thing.  We are not professionals. There are times when you don’t have the time to occupy yourself with the whole music-stuff even though you wish to.

Who is doing what at Schacht?

Schacht: Stefan, the guitarist, and Christopher, the drummer, are doing the music. Sascha is our voice and is writing most of the lyrics. But without him there would be no successful song-writing. It’s always teamwork. Last but not least there’s Markus, our bassist. He is also very important for the band and supports us first and foremost live on stage.

Where are your roots?

Schacht: There are a lot of bands that influence our music. And of course you have all these things in mind when you are doing your own stuff. Listeners certainly recognize some parts, rhythms or riffs and may think, well, this sounds like this or this band. But we didn’t line up for imitating one or another existing band.  We like not to be determined and playing with different styles and genres. That’s one of the advantages of being not so well-known. You don’t have to fulfil expectations all the time.

What is inspiring the lyrics?

Schacht: We are inspired by books, films or simply life. There’s no concrete pattern for that. Some of our lyrics are dealing with the mining theme, but not all of them. Starting with the mining theme we try to deal with a lot of different themes.
 
Let’s talk about some of your songs. Gedankenstahl?

Schacht: It ’s definite not a song that explains itself. „Gedankenstahl“ - amongst other things - deals with processes of psychological repression. It’s about things you or the whole society wants to hide and keep in darkness.

Frühtau?

Schacht: This is a traditional song adapted to our music-style. Perhaps this song is a good example that Schacht does not always deal with desperation and darkness. In the long run this can be very boring. You can tackle things and sometimes it works.

Tropfstein?

Schacht: Tropfstein is about balancing and clearing extremes. Even if the result may be emptiness, it’s a process of liberation. The allegory in this case is the dripstone, better to say the cleaning and pressure solving water.

All of your song -titles are only one word. What’s the idea behind that?

Schacht: The titles should be short and concise. Nothing else. Maybe this has something to do with our forgetfulness. Most of the titles are buzzwords, words from the lyrics providing an aided recall at the rehearsals.

„Abwärts“ or downwards is the title of the album. What does that mean?

Schacht: „Abwärts“ or downwards is sort of an invitation to a journey in our world, a journey into the abyss of mind and soul. We pick up the listener to a collective shift in the underground. Last but not least „Abwärts“ is the title of the opener.

 

Some pathbreaking words for our listeners?

Schacht: Pathbreaking words? Don’t think we are the right people to ask for that. Perhaps “The path leads downwards … and sometimes upwards!”

SCHACHT @ MySpace:

by PromoFabrik (www.promofabrik.de)
- September 2010

Culture Kultür

Culture Kultür are frontman Salva Maine, Josua at the programming and Distortiongirl as live keyboardist.
"They kicked off in 1992 out of Malaga, Southern Spain, evolving from a EBM style with distorted voices to a more electro sound with energetic beats, melodic synths and complex lyrics boosted by powerful vocals and in my opinion managed to define the genre better than many of their better known peers. 


After their signing with Out of Line in 1999 their career has been a good story, they have supported the Mexican legends Hocico in the Tierra Electrica '99 Tour, played in major European festivals such as WGT, M'era Luna, Infest & Eurorock, performed shows in the USA, Mexico and Canada, and included dozens of songs in different compilations.

Their single DNA Slaves reached the 10th position in DAC charts, and their second album, "Revenge", contains hits that have been spun in clubs all over the world.

The band released, in june'05, another album, "Reborn", which achieved acclaim as one of the best releases in its genre and also reached #3 position in DAC charts (German alternative charts).

Their new album, "Spirit", is the long awaited return of Culture Kultür after a long five year absence. This new album represent the perfect blend between hard worked melodies, club oriented rhythms, dark cadences and reality inspired lyrics, but there is more in this work beyond the classic danceable tracks that have made Culture Kultür so popular. We can find a musical aperture to the mid-tempos where the result is both surprising and touching. It has heavy beats, catchy choruses, real life topics, plus a vibrant attitude that all make this album a work that represents the present of underground electropop.
 
Spirit in available now on Caustic Records.
Many have tried to be this slick, this accessible and this underground, but Culture Kultür are one of the few that have succeeded in getting the balance right.
Click back to the index to grab yourself a free track and see if you agree!! :)

I had the pleasure of grabbing a moment to have a Chinwag with Salva Maine of Culture Kultür, here’s what he had to say -

Rex - Personally I’m a fan of your music, so I consider it a genuine pleasure that you have taken some time out to answer some questions for me.

Salva Maine  - Thanks to you for your interest. It's a pleasure for me too.

Rex - Culture Kultür is a great name, does it have any meaning?

Salva Maine  - It's a kind of homage to the German and English influences. Bands like Depeche Mode, Joy Division, New Order on the English side and Kraftwerk or Front 242 on the German/central Europe side.
 
Rex – Some great bands there, how about other bands, what music are you listening to right now? Apart from your own.

Salva Maine  - Let's see my spotify account... Melotron, White Lies, Paul Kalkbrenner, Information Society, Rome, Pattenbrigade: Wolff, Editors... Mostly electronic, in a wide spectrum.
 
Rex - More stunning choices, so what genre of music do you consider your work to be and who would you say are your major influences?

Salva Maine  - Electronica with no defined boundaries. We mix elements from technopop, EBM, trance, and everything that comes to our minds. In the vocal part, I am mainly melodic, but I also use some heavier tones sometimes (like in 'Never Again' or 'My Voice'). 

Rex – Back to other bands, what would be the most embarrassing single or album you own?

Salva Maine  - Well, I'm not sure if classify it exactly as 'embarrassing'. Back in 1999, I joined the band, the other guys (Josua and Wolfran) told me that the first thing to do was to record a single with five new songs. The second was touring for two weeks with Hocico and KIFOTH. So when I hear those tracks I cannot avoid to think in all the experience gained in all this time.
 

Rex – Moving on, how long have you all known each other? How did you meet?

Salva Maine  - I met Josua and Wolfran in 1999, but they knew each other in the 80's through the local comic scene. After that they got involved in the music world and started CK in 1992. I knew about the band by an advertisement in the music shop in which Wolfran worked (and still does). I was interested in doing something around music so I answered the advert, made an audition and started all the exciting things of the latter question.
 

Rex - What can you tell me about your instruments? (i.e., are you subject to brand loyalty or will you play with whatever's available? What made you choose the instruments you have now?

Salva Maine - We play with all that fall in our hands. Long ago we used synths and samplers, but now we use mainly virtual synths. The reason is the huge commodity of not having to deal with cables, configurations, programming and hardware failures. When we play live, to carry most of your setup inside a laptop is also a plus.
 

Rex -What’s been your favourite show, is there a venue that you always love to play?

Salva Maine - I think that our best show was in the Moritzbastei during WGT. The place was packed and the crowd was really enjoying the show. Mexico DF and the public there was also amazing, but some problems with the audio keep it in a second place.
 

Rex – From fav shows onto gig horror stories, are there any you can tell us?

 
Salva Maine - Whenever there are problems with the sound. It's terrible when you can't hear yourself or feel that the sound is failing in the venue and all you can do is continue the show the best you can.
 

Rex – When you’re out there live, which songs do you perform most frequently?

Salva Maine - War is Over, Promised Land Blues, Wonder...
 

Rex - I do love to Dj war is over, tell me do you ever play any covers and if you do, what made you choose that particular track to cover?

Salva Maine - In 'Spirit' we do a cover of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', and we play it live too. Distortiongirl, who plays live with me (in fact we live together) and also is a DJ, suggested it because there weren't many electronic covers of it. I liked the idea and after working a while, it was apparent that we could make a pretty original version, keeping its original spirit and also adding our own style to it.

Rex - Who writes your songs?

Salva Maine - Josua and I make all the composing, music and lyrics. 
 

Rex - Could you briefly describe that music-making process?

Salva Maine - Usually it all starts with an idea from Josua: some synth lines and a rhythm base, conforming one or two parts of a 'proto-song'. After that I think of a possible vocal line that fit and then we work together defining the final structure, melody and lyrics.

Once the composing is done, I record the vocals and after that comes the mixing. We usually do even the mastering, but this time we leave this phase to Moises Marti of Dark Dreams Studio.
 

Rex - How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs?

 
Salva Maine - Right now our website (culturekultur.com <http://culturekultur.com> ) is a shell that contains widgets of every social network or musical promotion website we have: facebook (http://www.facebook.com/culturekultur), myspace (http://www.myspace.com/culturekultur), twitter (http://twitter.com/culturekultur), last.fm (http://www.last.fm/music/Culture+Kulture) and reverbnation (http://www.reverbnation.com/culturekult%C3%BCr). I am after spotify as well.
 

Rex - Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for giving you support over the years?

Salva Maine - Yes, Distortiongirl for her patience, waiting for me while I was in the long composing and recording sessions.

 

Rex - Ok, some silly questions -
What is the one, single food that you would never give up?

Salva Maine - Fried eggs with potatoes.
 

Rex - What do you dream about?

Salva Maine - I don't have many dreams...I try to keep a balance between living the life as it is and changing what I don't like,
 

Rex - What scares you the most and why?

Salva Maine - The stupidity. I think that it is more dangerous than evil.
 

Rex - What makes you bored?

Salva Maine - Repetitive work. I like the challenge of discovering new experiences or  ways to do thngs

Rex – thank you for taking the time to Chat with us! :)

Salva Maine - Thanks for your interest!

 

The History of The Tattoo

Question: What do Otzi the Iceman, the All Black New Zealand rugby team and Thomas Edison have in common?
Answer: They all have a connection through the art of tattooing. ‘Otzi the Iceman’ is the oldest (known/seen) tattooed person, dating back to at least 3300BCE and having 57 carbon tattoos, thought to be for healing purposes; the All Blacks have featured a number of Maori players, who have used facial tattoos to show status within the tribe for thousands of years; and Thomas Edison developed the first basic tattoo ‘machine’, after bringing the patent to America from Danish inventor Oersted in 1819. Funny what you find out when looking up skin art. With links through unlikely sources, tattooing has been a prominent feature of many cultures over thousands of years. But what exactly is it, and how did it start?



Tattooing is the process of inserting indelible ink into the dermis (mid-) layer of the skin. After the initial ‘injection’, the ink is dispersed, and the presence of a foreign substance causes the immune system to ‘engulf’ the pigment, trapping it as the epidermis (top skin layer) flakes away. In short, in trying to fight the foreign substance, it would seem the skin actually causes it to become permanent. In most countries, this is done using an electric machine; however in Japan, traditionally tattooing is done using a non-electrical, hand-made tool, in a method named tebori.

Other forms of tattooing include cutting the skin and rubbing with ink or ash, and even ‘flesh-tattooing’ – which is, as the name suggests, cutting into the skin to cause a scar-type tattoo. I am always one to do my research thoroughly, and so decided to look up this ‘flesh-tattooing’ – I can only say it is not something I would recommend....it looks extremely painful! Luckily, most people tend to stick with the more common ink tattoos.

Tattooing in the common sense was first formally referred to by Joseph Banks, naturalist on The Endeavour in 1769, who had recorded the ‘tataus’ of the Samoans, but has been around since at least 10,000 BCE (the Jomon period in Japan). ‘Otzi The Iceman’, as mentioned, is the oldest known tattooed person; however he is not entirely unique. Other tattooed mummies have been found, such as the Mummy of Aminet from Ancient Egypt, the mummies at Pazyryk on Ukok Plateau, and the Mummy of Scarlett from Nuneaton, Warwickshire.


Known as ‘ink’, ‘tats’, ‘art’, ‘pieces’ or ‘work’, and the tattoists as ‘artists’, there has been evidence of tattoos being used for decorative, cultural, spiritual and criminal purposes across all parts of the world, including Europe, the Americas, Taiwan, Japan, Africa and plenty more. Now more commonly used purely as personal decoration, its origins had far more importance placed on the designs – for example, in Taiwan, facial tattoos of the Atayal tribe, called Badasun, showed that a man was able to protect his homeland, and a woman was ‘qualified’ to weave and perform housework. Nothing like a permanent coloured scar to show your ability to wash up!
Tattoos courtesy of Mike at Eccentric Ink

Despite having such deep-rooted and wide-spread history, tattoos haven’t always envoked a positive reaction. For example, tattoos are entirely banned by the Jewish faith (as well as by a minority of Christians), as mentioned in Leviticus 19:28 (“You shall not...incise any marks on yourself: I am the Lord.”), and are forbidden in Sunni Islam. The Japanese government, in a bid to protect their image and impress the West, even went so far as to outlaw tattoos in 1868 (approx.) Tattooing was still practiced underground, mainly throughout the criminal community, and still attracted tourists. The Allies re-legalised tattooing in 1945; however it is still associated with criminality, and even the Japanese mafia, and some businesses in Japan, such as fitness clubs, ban those with tattoos, even to this day. Of course, one of the most infamous forms of tattooing, was used by the Nazis, to identify Jews destined for concentration camps. Many survivors still bare theirs as a reminder of the hardship faced, and the luck they had in escaping the fate of others.
Tattoos courtesy of Arviy at Eccentric Ink

On a more positive note, tattoos became popular in Europe after a long period of decline (coinciding with the spread of Christianity), when they were reintroduced by sailors, returning from places such as Polynesia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, etc. For a long time, tattoos were associated mainly with the military, in particular the navies; however the skin-decoration spread, slowly but surely, and became a cosmetic procedure adopted by many people. Stereotypes still surround the art – ask most people who’d be most likely to have a tattoo, and my guess is most would say someone of the alternative persuasion. However, far from being restricted to hairy bikers, tattoos are popular amongst those of all music tastes. A study in 2003* showed that 19% of the UK population have at least one tattoo. Of those, 21% are 18-29, 35% are 30-39, and 44% are over 40. Tattoos are more popular with girls than guys, which may surprise some – 15% of the male population have tattoos, and 22% female. In contrast, the USA has 16% of its men tattooed, and 15% of its women. 16% of the total US population have at least one tattoo. Of those, according to the British Journal of Dermatology, around 75% eventually regret one or all of their tattoos – however, with further digging in the form of the first study, only 16% of Britons and 17% of Americans regret their tattoo. Sounds like someone is trying to put youngsters off getting tough stickers? According to the stats, that doesn’t seem to be working, and if my fav tattoo store Eccentric Ink has anything to do with it, the numbers of tattoo freaks will only rise. That reminds me, I need to get my next one priced up – in the meantime, there are some designs that could be understandably regretted..... Here’s a few we found on ugliest tattoos (LINK) http://ugliesttattoos.failblog.org/ that we think people will have started to regret.

see more Ugliest Tattoos

or take a visit to http://www.badtattoos.com/ for even more tattoo fails.



Next month – the process of tattooing itself (more detailed), and the development of the tattoo gun.

For one month, Kim’s books has been high-jacked by our feature writer Stacey Panton
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill

Heart-Shaped Box, Joe Hill’s follow-up to his limited-release first novel 20th Century Ghosts, is an adrenaline-rush of heart-pounding moments, combining the macarbe with the everyday. The result is a terrifyingly believable experience that will latch on to your mind and refuse to budge, even if the book is stored in the freezer...

If that sounded intense, the book itself will shock. I found it by accident while having a quick scan though the Tesco Bargain Books; the black cover with striking silver title, named after a Nirvana song (one of my favourite songs by one of my favourite bands) immediately caught my eye, and, after reading the blurb, I was more than happy to part with a few quid to give it a go. I can honestly say it was £6 well spent. Following the story of Judas Coyne, an ‘ageing death-metal-rock-god’ born with the name Justin, who receives an email suggesting an auction on a poltergeist, or more the funeral suit with the spirit attached. Regarding it as a fitting addition to his collection, which already includes a cannibal’s cookbook and a genuine snuff movie, he bids, and wins. However, the suit, which arrives in a heart-shaped box, is more than just a well-sold novelty – as Jude, his dogs, and those around him soon find out. Escaping the violent outbursts in the house, which targets all living things that dare enter, Jude, Georgia (his latest booty call) and the dogs, Angus and Bon (ring a few bells?) set off in Jude’s old Mustang, driving across the states to, with hope, find out why they have been targetted, and put an end to it all. That’s if the poltergeist doesn’t put an end to them first...
The chilling suspense is what has stayed with me even when the book is shut. It takes a lot for a book to mean anything to me - the only book to ever have made me cry was Wuthering Heights; the only to make me sympathise was Never Let Me Go; the only to ever scare me into only reading with the lights on and my phone at my side has been this. I can honestly say that at countless moments my heart has been racing and my fingernails at severe risk. The appearance of Georgia, with her black hair and pale skin, and the attitude of ‘rock-god’ Judas kept my interest from the start, and the curiosity as to whether the main character will even survive through the pages has kept me turning them. Rather than just another supernatural thriller, the rock aspect of the characters, as well as Joe Hill’s adoptive style of truly haunting writing provides the much-needed twist on such a worn-out genre. As someone who always likes to put a little research into anything I find interesting, I looked up Joe Hill, only to find the reason behind his talent laid in the person who gave him his full name – Joseph Hillstrom King. I’ll be sure to read 20th Century Ghosts, and look out for any further releases.

Sooner or later, the dead catch up...

 

 

Dio - Holy Diver - 1983 - Warner Bros/Vertigo

A much needed tribute, as none of my favourite rock nights have tributed him yet, I am haha!!
This is probably one of Dio’s most famous albums, with the artwork to catch unwanted attention with it! Its controversy came due to the artwork featuring the devil killing a man of the cloth. I found a little information on wikipedia, which led me to learn that Dio was quick to argue that appearances are misleading and that it could just as easily be the priest killing the devil, he wanted people to not judge a book by its cover.
The devil figure, named Murray, happens to be the Dio mascot, featuring on other Dio album covers. Iron Maiden and Megadeth had the same feature across many albums with Eddie and Vic Rattlehead respectively.
As I have already mentioned, I wanted to do this one in tribute to the great man himself, Ronnie James Dio, who, in July 2010, died of stomach cancer. I chose to do possibly his most iconic album, Holy Diver. I love the concept of the devil grabbing the priest in his chains and drowning him, its as if he’s being punished for his sins, this just brings to mind all that crap about some of the clergy being perverts, in which case it is justified. But then again you could also go into the truth behind god and the devil, heaven and hell, here you pretty much have three worlds entwined. But where would the priest end up in the afterlife? Heaven? Hell? Or purgatory?
The artwork was illustrated by Randy Berrett, the concept by Wendy Dio, Ronnie’s wife. Unfortunately I was unable to find any information on Berrett, but wherever he is hiding, I’m sure he’s still creating wonderful imagery like Holy Diver.

Evangelia Heretika - Behemoth - 9th Nov 2010 - Metal Blade Records (USA)/Nuclear Blast Records (Europe)/Mystic Records (Poland)

Evangelion - Behemoth -Metal Blade/Nuclear Blast/Mystic/Demonstealer

Behemoth are a Polish Blackened Death Metal band, I chose to do this new release due to the fascination of the illustration on it and also its preceding album, Evangelion. The artworks appear to look like etchings, which I actually studied at college back in 2004 I believe, the cover for Evangelia Heretika cover seems to depict an archangel, with an evil look in his eyes, sacrificing a Ram, which has his feet tied together, lying helplessly on cliff edge. It almost seems biblical in some sense, like Behemoth are anti Christians who still believe the bible stories. This cover could become a controversial artwork to all the bible bashing religious nutters out there who think Behemoth are Satanists and worship the devil, but it would be no different to the hassle Slayer has with Christ Illusion, although Slayer had to censor their original artwork, I don’t think Behemoth would have to, the artwork may seem a little far out but it would not need censorship. Before I polish off this piece I want to include the story to the Evangelion artwork, which I‘m afraid I took from Wikipedia, it is a depiction of The Great Harlot of Babylon, the figuress of evil mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Hey look at that more bible stuff!! The picture of The Great Harlot of Babylon riding the seven headed beast. The Saints bow before her in worship whilst the tablets of the Ten Commandments lie broken at her feet. It represents our vision and interpretation of the New Testament where the Whore of Babylon is a symbol of rebellion and resistance against God. I like the way that they have depicted her with the serpents behind her, I think it is what adds to the interpretation of the rebellion. Behemoth seem to take things from the bible which show the rebellion and punishment of those who rebelled from that era. Both artworks were created by Behemoth’s longtime artistic collaborator, Tomasz ‘Graal’ Danilowicz, who also did the Demigod cover for the band.
I wish Behemoth every success with this new album, I’m sure the tracks are as grand as the artwork, and I wish Nergal all the best for a speedy recovery from Luekaemia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despicable Me

Despicable Me has a simple premise: animated 3D style family comedy about a supervillian that has a change of heart.  Does it fit the bill?  Well, yes.  Slapstick moments?  Check.  Small creatures?  Check.  Karaoke finish?  Check.  Anything particularly noticeable other than that?
            The ratings and reviews of this movie so far have been positive on the whole; the movie has debuted in the top spot, grossing £3.6 million in ticket sales at the time of writing, knocking movies The Social Network and Vampires Suck way below par.

            The film also boasts a rather impressive cast – not necessarily A-Listers throughout, but big names such as Steve Carrell and Russell Brand feature as the voices of central protagonist Gru and Gru’s scientist friend Dr. Nefario respectively.  Whilst their names lend themselves to comedy – and their voice acting probably does aid the humour of the film, their performances will never be as memorable as Tom Hanks’ as toy cowboy Woody of Toy Story fame.
            In fact, if you’re looking for another animated film akin to the intelligent humour and grace of the Toy Story trilogy, then you are going to be a little bit disappointed with Despicable Me.  Whilst hilarious and massively heartwarming upon occasion (there was applause in the theatre at times), Despicable Me just does not have the intelligence of any of the genre’s predecessors.  Raucously funny, it may well be, but there is really nothing new here when you realise that the film is from the creators of Ice Age; the small yellow creatures that are cute and incapable of speaking are basically Scrat in another form, Gru is another lonely Manny, and the three little orphans are not so far off the bizarre ‘herd’ of misfits that Ice Age eventually comprises.
 Ice Age was special at the time because computer animation was something new, and now 2010 has seen 3D computer animation really hit the ground running.   But it is not until the final credits when the creators of Despicable Me actually play with the depth of scope that 3D is capable of, and it leaves the rest of the film feeling as if they could have done more.
Realistically, there seems to be a lot missing from the film when it comes to the three small orphans.  The three girls do seem to have their own distinct personalities, but these are based more on stereotypes than on anything particularly creative – the eldest sister plays at being responsible and clever, the middle sister is the pink-wearing trouble-maker, and the youngest sister who is a generic cute little girl.  It’s a dynamic that is easily recognisable for the kids, but unlike the multi-layered Toy Story 3, which appealed strongly to an adult audience too, there is nothing about these girls that speaks on a higher level.  Nevertheless, the storyline surrounding them is loveable and heartbreaking (in a good way).
            The only redeeming quality of this film is where it really counts – in the obvious comedy.  The plot is guessable, and you have a rough idea of where it will end up, but it doesn’t really matter because the zany moments (ever seen a supervillain shoot a squid out of a gun?) and pure slapstick moments really shine.  There might not be much integrity or style, but there are guaranteed laughs throughout.
            In summary, only the following three words actually matter: go see it.

3.5/5 rating

 

Bad Religion-The Dissent Of Man
	Back after with album number fifteen and it’s more of the same, which includes a quality control which has led to some of the best pop punk albums to come out of the USA, this time it’s a little more varied with a few more slow and mid paced songs thrown into the mix. The hooks are here in bucket loads but hey after 30 odd years you would expect them to be masters at them and defy you not enjoy what’s on offer here. Bad Religion not only laid the foundations others profited off but they never sold out for the sake of fame and on the strength of this release they are still showing others how’s it’s done. Out Now On -  Epitaph Records Web Site -  http://www.badreligion.com/
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Dimmu Borgir – Abrahadabra
	If Black Metal has a pop side then Dimmu Borgir have always represented it, even at one point been likened to a boy band not that any of this has hurt them, taking what the scene was about and overblowing it into a larger than life bombastic band and sound. This takes it even further along that route, down to a three piece band but using the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and Schola Cantorum Choir they have achieved what some thought was impossible when you lose key members. This band will always have plenty of critics and now there are no technical wizardry weird time change etc but they were never about that, this album reinforces what they are really about, making the biggest over blown music this scene has to offer maybe this why they have broken out of that scene. Out Now On - Nuclear Blast Web Site - www.dimmu-borgir.com/ Wanna buy some Dimmu Borgir stuff and check em out yourself?? Click HERE Or check out our gig review
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Enslaved - Axioma Ethica Odini
	From the opening 30 seconds of this album I was hooked, there is so much that makes this a class enough outing, that any band would be proud. Enslaved have come a long way from their Black Metal roots becoming a class Prog Metal outfit, one thing that makes them special is their understanding of melody and drama using it to offset the heads down speed, making each song a roller coaster ride. It’s good to keep finding albums such as this that defy the quick fix culture of instance gratification, as I said at the beginning it will take 30 seconds to be hooked but this will keep you hooked until the end with no fillers.  Out Now On - Indie Recordings (EU) | Nuclear Blast (US) Web Site - enslaved.no For your own Elslaved stuff, click here
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Funker Vogt – Blutzoll
	Funker Vogt have always been a band who have stayed closer to the roots of EBM than most, maybe it’s that military thing they have going on, it is more marching beats over becoming a dance outfit. This is no exception but there is freshness to this, more than I was expecting, you know exactly who you are listening to but they have added to that sound of theirs. There is a definitely new sense of purpose a little more melody, taking chances with new sounds, but keeping an eye on who they are where they come from. In my opinion this has to be their most complete album to date.  Out Now On - Synthetic Symphony (EU) Metropolis Records (US) Web Site - http://www.funker-vogt.com/ Grab some Funker Vogt
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Hocico – Tiempos de Furia
	Hocico’s sound has always been a lot more creepier than others in the Harsh EBM scene and it’s this dark side that made them stand out in the past. It’s back on this their sixth outing even if the innovation of the first few albums is missing, this is a much more straight forward club pleasing album, if you to go to clubs to have the sh*t scared out of you. It’s always surprised me in a scene in which so many copy each other that no one has tried to copy Hocico because even when they treading water they do stand apart from most out there. Out Now On – Out of Line Web Site -   http://www.hocico.com/ Plenty of Hocico  for sale here
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Conjure One – Exilarch
	Conjure One is Rhys Fulber’s solo project and for those who don’t know he is one the founding members of Front Line Assembly and Delerium, plus a very well known producer of the likes of Fear Factory, Rob Zombie etc. For a man who does so much you would think he wouldn’t have the time to spend on such a well-crafted album, maybe it just comes easy to him. This is an album for chilling to with no hint of his industrial background, much more Delerium than FLA. Ten tracks that wash over you in such a pleasant way, never boring as some chillout or trip hope can easily become. Each vocalist has been picked to add the icing to this delicious cake. Wish I had this when I was playing my chillout sets at parties would of sat very nicely alongside Banco De Gia. Out Now On Digital Release From ITunes and Amazon,  CD out in New Year but don’t the label yet. Web Site -   http://www.conjureone.com/
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The Wall Pink Floyd’s 11th studio album, a double vinyl release on 30 November 1979.

This was soon followed be an extravaganza performance with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into the movie of the same name.

The Wall is a concept album and deals largely with subject of personal segregation. With the band having ideas for the Wall during the band's 1977 In the Flesh Tour, this is the tour where bassist and lyricist Roger Waters’ became frustrated with the spectators' boorishness that seemed to him to be so acute that he began to imagine building a wall between them and the audience.

 

The Wall is a rock opera that centres on a character called Pink, largely based on Roger Waters. Pink's story begins with the loss of his father during World War 2 and continue to abusive schoolteachers, an overprotective mother and the breakdown of his marriage, including into the story his self-induced isolation from civilization, represented by the symbolic "Wall" of the album title.

The Wall was hugely successful album, becoming one of the best selling of 1980. It’s even in the top five best-selling albums of all time in the US.

Some of the inspiration for the Wall came from an incident during the In The Flesh tour, the band were becoming depressed and disillusioned with playing such large venues, an incident on this tour led to Waters spitting on a particularly noisy fan in the front row, many of them hated playing in stadiums and spoke of how they desired to separate themselves from the audience by constructing a wall or a barrier across the stage.

While Gilmour and Wright were in France recording solo albums, and Nick Mason was busy producing Steve Hillage’s album Green, Waters began to write new material. Waters' spitting incident became the basis for the new concept, which explored the audience's separation from the performers on stage.

In July 1977 the band got together at Britannia Row where Waters presented two new ideas, one was a ninety-minute demo with the working title Bricks in the Wall, the other of Water’s ideas went on to become his first solo concept album, The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking.

Waters and Ezrin set to work on improving the concept story line. The forty-page script they created was presented to the rest of the band, with positive results. The next day at the studio, they had a round table reading, similar to actors would with a play, but with the whole of the band, they because they became very excited because they could now “see” the album.

Although Waters wrote most of the album's material, Gilmour contributed to songs like "Run Like Hell", and "Young Lust". Ezrin also co-wrote "The Trial".  Engineer Nick Griffiths later said the Canadian producer Ezrin was very good in The Wall, “he did manage to pull the whole thing together. He's a very forceful guy, there was a lot of arguments about how it should sound between Roger and Dave, and he bridged the gap between them."

The story unfolds, Hidden behind his wall, Pink's predicament escalates, culminating in a hallucinogenic stage performance where he believes he’s a fascist dictator performing at Neo-Nazi style concerts and rallies, Pink even sets his men on fans he considers unworthy. The subsequent guilt torments Pink to such a degree, he places himself on trial, with his inner judge ordering him to "tear down the wall", opening Pink to the outside world. The story turns full circle with its closing words "Isn't this where..." (the opening song on the album beginning with the words "...we came in?"), with the melody of the last song hinting at the cyclical nature of Waters' premise.

The album also includes several references to former band member Syd Barrett. "Nobody Home" hinting at his condition during Pink Floyd's abortive US tour of 1967, with comments such as "wild, staring eyes", "Hendrix perm" and "Gohills Boots". The lyrics to the following song, "Comfortably Numb", were written as an allegory of Waters' experiences during the band's 1977 In the Flesh Tour, where he was injected with a muscle relaxant to combat the effects of hepatitis.

"Comfortably Numb" originally planned for Gilmour's solo album, Ezrin claimed that the song initially started life as "…Roger's record, about Roger, for Roger", although he thought that it needed further work. Waters re-worked the arrangement and added more lyrics for the chorus, but his "stripped-down and harder" recording was not to Gilmour's taste. The guitarist preferred Ezrin's "…grander Technicolor, orchestral version", although Ezrin preferred Waters' version. Following a full-scale row, the two came to a compromise; with the main part of the song having the orchestral arrangement and Gilmour's second and final guitar solo on it’s own.

Personally, I do love this song a lot, here’s a rendition of it for you to check out …..

Ezrin and Waters sought out the sound effects for the album…. Waters got hold of a phone call used on the original demo for Young Lust, but failed to tell its recipient. Waters recorded some ambient sounds along Hollywood Boulevard, by hanging a microphone from the studio window. Phil Taylor (the engineer) recorded screeching tyre noises for "Run Like Hell" from the studio car park, and the destruction of a television set was used on "One of My Turns", Nick Griffiths also recorded the smashing of crockery for the same song. Various television broadcasts were used on the album and one actor, recognising his own voice, later threatened to sue, but accepted a settlement offer.

The maniacal schoolmaster throughout the album was voiced by Waters, and actress Trudy Young supplied the groupie's voice and backing vocals were performed by a range of artists.

The cover design is stunning and one of Pink Floyd's most minimalistic, a simple white brick wall and no text (the logo and band name is presented on a sticker), but doesn’t everyone recognise what it is on a simple glance?

So, how much of an influence was it really? If you do need to ask this, then please stop listening to music ever, you really do know nothing, but here’s a few facts to help you, The Wall has been covered by several acts, including Canadian alternative country band Luther Wright and The Wrongs, who recorded a bluegrass cover of the entire album titled Rebuild the Wall. As a celebration of The Wall's 20th anniversary, as part of his "Out of Phase" project, producer and artist Peter Mossman released The Wall 2000, an ambient electronic version of the album. One of the most recent and most successful was Korn who joined all 3 parts of Another Brick In The Wall together, see what you think here –

From stage to movie …..

Gerald Scarfe was employed to produce a series of animations for The Wall. 40 animators were employed to create a series of nightmarish visions, including a dove of peace exploding to reveal an eagle, a schoolmaster and Pink's mother.

During each performance of the live show of The Wall Tour, a 12-meter high wall of cardboard bricks was gradually built between the band and audience. Gaps allowed the spectators to view various scenes in the story, as animator Gerald Scarfe's animations were projected onto the completed parts of the wall.

Several characters from the story were made into giant inflatables, including a pig and the crossed hammers logo.

Kicking off the tour in Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on 7 February 1980. One of the most memorable elements was the band's performance of "Comfortably Numb". Waters sang his opening verse in front of the wall, Gilmour waited in darkness at the top of the wall, for his cue. When it came, bright blue and white lights lit him up, amazing the audience. Gilmour stood on a flight case on castors, held steady by a roadie, both precariously balanced on a hydraulic platform. With the wall being made to collapse at the end of the show, once again revealing the band.

Scarfe's animations were also to have been used in a film based on the album, accompanied by live concert footage, but the latter proved too impractical to film. Alan Parker agreed to direct the film and kept the animated sequences but also used professional actors in each scene, with no dialogue. Bob Geldof took the role of Pink, although this was a part written for David Bowie, although I can’t find any reason why he didn’t take this roll on.

So, I’m aware I’m waffling and I really hope this has been at least someway interesting for you to read, Pink Floyd’s the wall, quite simply a seminal moment in music history, influencing rock, the 80s, trance, including artists from the Orb to Korn. If you’re one of the few that haven’t heard this album, turn the lights down, put a copy on the stereo and admire the sheer majesty of this incredible piece of musical genius.

One last bit of musical marvel –

 

TURBULENT SOUNDSCAPE, PHOENIX, & SCHISM NEWS

Turbulent Soundscape (DJ Rex)

More crazy times at TS Towers!! :)

Our new tattoo store Eccentric Ink now has 2 tattooists and 2 designers, one piercer and her apprentice, plus we make damn fine coffee, would love to see you all! :) pics and good comments all over Facebook! :s

Fright Nite, the only remaining Turbulent Soundscape, all the other clubs are under the Phoenix Music Promotions flag now, the website for that is - www.phoenixmusicpromotions.co.uk the site features, a calander, videos, club news, gig info, a forum and SO much entertaining stuff!!

Fright Nite is fast approaching it’s 20th birthday!!! Some fun things as we creep our way to the Dec the 8th birthday party.

Of course, Turbulent Soundscape might have your picture in our archive section, head to www.turbulentsoundscape.com

On to our Sister company, Phoenix Music Promotions.

Phoenix Music

"and these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds are
immune to your consultations they're quite aware of what they're going through”
Renegade Nation will be back, with a new and improved line up, watch the web site!!! - http://www.clubrenegadenation.com/

Opening the doors at 9.30 and running til as late as you can cope, the nite is kicking off live!!

Check out the awesome playlist link as well, the two rooms of music will now collide in a soundklash of opposing genres!!

Our other latest offering is Oblivion, firmly back in Guildford the original 3rd Tuesday each month slot went off well in October, we’re looking forward to this nite goig from strength to strength.

Our other latest offering is gaining it’s own steam, "Heresy”, a Dj free for all, the last Friday each Month in Egham, held at the Working Mens Club next to the Fire Station, CHEAP drinks and a huge space to dance, park, smoke and drink!! £2 entry and bargain bar, come along and try to take on the competition, win prizes, sets at other clubs and a place in our hall of fame!!

Other nites ahead, just keep checking the Events link on www.phoenixmusicpromotions.co.uk

And nowwww, Schism (Tom Wavre)

Depending on when you're reading this we've either just had or about to have the epic Halloween Schism on Fri 5th Nov with brand new second room, prize for best dressed, prize for best pole dancer and so much more. Either turn up Friday or check the pics out on facebook!
No matter when you're reading this you can get your New Years Eve tickets for our Schism NYE Masquerade Ball from www.clubschism.com NOW, buy 4 and get a 5th free. Tickets are also cheaper in advance than on the day.
December Schism will be 80s themed so get your hair metal outfits or neon wardrobe at the ready and rock out like it's 1982, so many more details to be revealed on facebook and the website. Join the new Schism group or the long established fan page (or both as they both give you different things)