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středa 27. března 2024

Recenze/review - INNERSPHERE - In the Shadow of The Sun (2024)


INNERSPHERE - In the Shadow of The Sun
CD 2024, Smile Music Records

for english please scroll down

Jsem vděčný za každé ráno, kdy vyjde slunce. Rád mu nastavuji svoji tvář, i když vím, že dokáže být také pěkně nebezpečné. Čerpám energii odněkud z vesmíru. Dovedu pochopit uctívání kultu slunce ve starých kulturách. Vždyť i samotný John Lennon kdysi napsal: "Až ti bude v životě nejhůř, otoč se ke slunci a všechny stíny padnou za tebe." Myslím, že netřeba dodávat cokoliv dalšího. 

Slunce, jeho energie, jeho síla, se prolínají jako nějaká žlutá linka i celým novým albem plzeňských melodických death metalistů INNERSPHERE. Jedná se o třetí dlouhohrající desku a dle mého také tu nejlepší. Je nejvíc propracovaná, doslova nabitá nápady i takovým tím chvěním, které má v sobě obsahovat dobrá muzika. 


Když jsem slyšel nové album poprvé, říkal jsem si, že si kapela vzala poměrně velké sousto. Necelých 48 minut by bylo dost i na o hodně zkušenější muzikanty. Jenže pánové mě vyvedli z omylu. Hrozně se mi líbí čitelná a živelná produkce, jedná se o takový ten zvuk, u kterého se můžete soustředit na samotné nápady. A že jich na nahrávce je. INNERSPHERE jsou hlavně dobrými skladateli. Mají jasnou vizi, koncept, který se jim povedlo promítnout do všech skladeb. Jak jsem již zmiňoval, základní myšlenky jsou odkazovány na slunce, na jeho životodárnou energii, ale i spalující žár. Osobně jsem si to přeložil tak, že bez téhle planety by nebyl život. Za sebe pak musím doplnit, že bez hudby také ne. Plzeňští se pohybují v dnes již poměrně stojatých vodách melodického death metalu. Ten ale uchopili po svém, doplnili spoustu svých nápadů a invenci. Jsou progresivní, melancholičtí, syroví i tajemní. Z poctivé muziky musejí být cítit emoce, musí vás přesvědčit k tomu, abyste se k ní rádi vraceli. Normálně se pohybuji v trošku jiných stylových vodách, ale k "In the Shadow of The Sun" se budu vždy rád vracet. Má v sobě totiž něco, co ostatní neumí. Perfektní a zapamatovatelné melodie. Je sice fakt, že někde uprostřed alba vyžadují songy od posluchače trošku více soustředění (nejsou tolik hitové), ale zase si je dovedu představit jako koncertní jistoty. Jinak nevím, jestli je to jen můj dojem, ale v určitých momentech mi novinka lehce připomíná to, co dělají na svých posledních deskách mí oblíbenci MOONSPELL. INNERSPERE nejsou již dávno trošku nesmělou začínající kapelou. Naopak, novým albem dokazují, že mají rozhodně co říct. Už teď se těším, až je uvidím zase někdy naživo. Nová deska je totiž spalující, temná i chladná zároveň. Jsem vděčný za každé ráno, kdy vyjde slunce. Rád mu nastavuji svoji tvář, i když vím, že dokáže být také pěkně nebezpečné. Čerpám energii odněkud z vesmíru. Mocný, majestátní melodický death metal! Stín a světlo, kult slunce!


Asphyx says:

I'm thankful for every morning the sun comes up. I like to turn my face to it, even though I know it can be pretty dangerous. I draw my energy from somewhere in the universe. I can understand the worship of the sun cult in ancient cultures. After all, John Lennon himself once wrote: "When you're at your lowest ebb in life, turn to the sun and all the shadows will fall behind you." I don't think I need to add anything else.

The sun, its energy, its power, is intertwined like a yellow line through the whole new album of Pilsen melodic death metallers INNERSPHERE. This is the third long-playing album and in my opinion the best one. It's the most elaborate, literally loaded with ideas and the kind of trembling that good music should contain.


When I heard the new album for the first time, I thought that the band had taken quite a big bite. Less than 48 minutes would have been enough even for much more experienced musicians. But the gentlemen have proved me wrong. I really like the clear and lively production, it is the kind of sound where you can concentrate on the ideas themselves. And there are a lot of them on the record. INNERSPHERE are mainly good songwriters. They have a clear vision, a concept that they have managed to translate into all the songs. As I already mentioned, the basic ideas are referred to the sun, to its life-giving energy, but also to its scorching heat. Personally, I translated this to mean that without this planet there would be no life. Then I must add for myself that without music, there is no life either. Pilseners are in the nowadays quite stagnant waters of melodic death metal. However, they took it in their own way, adding a lot of their own ideas and inventiveness. They are progressive, melancholic, raw and mysterious. Honest music has to feel emotional, it has to convince you to come back to it. Normally I'm in slightly different stylistic waters, but I'll always love coming back to "In the Shadow of The Sun". It has something that others can't. Perfect and memorable melodies. It's true that somewhere in the middle of the album the songs require a bit more concentration from the listener (they're not as hit-oriented), but then again I can imagine them as concert certainties. Otherwise, I don't know if it's just my impression, but in some moments the new album reminds me a bit of what my favourites MOONSPELL do on their last albums. INNERSPERE are not a bit shy beginners anymore. On the contrary, with the new album they prove that they definitely have something to say. I'm already looking forward to seeing them live again. The new album is scorching, dark and cold at the same time. I'm thankful for every morning the sun comes out. I like to turn my face to it, even though I know it can be pretty dangerous too. I draw my energy from somewhere in the universe. Powerful, majestic melodic death metal! Shadow and light, the cult of the sun!







Tracklist:
1. Petrichor
2. Whisperer
3. Obisidan
4. Ozymandias
5. Shallow Shores
6. Redemption
7. The Old Man of Storr
8. The Trident is Burning
9. Nectar
10. In the Shadow of the Sun

band:
Míra Litomerický – kytary, hlavní zpěv
Lukáš Mai – kytara, zpěv
Marek Hubocky – baskytara, zpěv
Filip Wintr – bicí



neděle 17. prosince 2023

Recenze/review - FEASTEM / INSISTENT - (2023)


FEASTEM / INSISTENT
2023, LP/CD/MC 2023, L’Inphantile Collective

for english please scroll down

Venku mrzlo a v ulicích se toulaly divné stíny. Oči upřené do obrazovek, cítil jsem z nich nenávist. Všichni se sešli v šíleném davu a měli ústa plná prázdných slov a vzteku. Šel z nich strach. Hledali nejslabší kus, další oběť. Rabování, násilí a nekonečná bolest. Vypnul jsem televizi i internet a schoval se do sklepa. Několik metrů pod zem, do temnoty a chladu. Frustrace a beznaděj musely ven. Zapnu hi-fi věž a vložím do přehrávače nové split českých INSISTENT a finských FEASTEM. Stačí několik prvních tónů a kapely mě chytí za vlasy a vytřou se mnou podlahu. Když grindcore, tak prosím v tomto provedení. Neexistuje svět okolo mě, v ulicích nejsou žádné stíny. Jsem jenom já a hudba.

Nebudu vám zde rozebírat podrobně jednotlivé skladby, ani se nebudu zaobírat produkcí a provedením. Obě smečky jsou natolik zkušené, že to ani není potřeba. Po formální stránce je vše v nejlepším pořádku. Pro mě je o hodně důležitější, že mě baví nové splitko poslouchat, že se k němu rád vracím. A to si prosím v tomto stylu opravdu hodně vybírám a jen tak něco se mi nelíbí. 

INSISTENT jsou skvělí v tom,  že je jejich grindcore temný a ošklivý, v určitých momentech s až death metalovým nádechem. Pokud máte rádi třeba takové NAPALM DEATH, NASUM, BIRDFLESH, jste tu správně. Tohle jsou zkušení muzikanti, kteří přesně vědí, jak zabíjet hudbou. Jsou to šelmy na lovu, které když vás potkají, tak vás roztrhají na kusy. V jejich muzice je vztek, frustrace i šílenství. A tak si zase jednou říkám, že kdyby se lidé uklidnili u jejich skladeb a nechodili do nenávistného davu, bylo by nám všem o hodně lépe. Pánové se nebojí i lehce zvolnit, dodat technické pasáže, nechat vyniknout to, co jim jde nejlépe. Masivní tlak, nahrubo nasekanou tmu, totální masakr! Za mě hodnotím velmi vysoko a jejich část si opravdu užívám! Grindcore jízda přímo do pekla! 


FEASTEM jsou neurvalí, více punkoví. Také více potichu, ale to je jenom drobnost. Zmínit to ale musím, protože když split posloucháte v kuse, tak dojde při změně kapely i ke zvukovému skoku. Vše je víc zastřené, pokryté plesnivými pavučinami. Je to divoký tanec na ostrých čepelích čerstvě nabroušených nožů. Schválně si někdy zkuste pustit večerní zprávy a k tomu FEASTEM a uvidíte, jak na vás bude působit hudba doslova podmanivě. Finové se s ničím také moc nepářou, jdou přímo na věc. Nekompromisně, bez zbytečností. Je to rána sekyrou přímo do lebky. Také slyšíte, jak vám praskají kosti? Já ano, zavřený ve starém sklepě, zařazuji tohle splitko mezi nejhranější tento měsíc. Pokaždé, když potřebuji vyčistit hlavu a štve mě současný svět, pomáhá mi přežít. Agrese, blast beaty, totální divoká rvačka s vlastním svědomím. To jsou FEASTEM


Máte rádi grindcore? Myslím tím opravdu rádi? Potom je pro vás letošní split doslova povinností. Jasně, obě kapely nepřinášejí nic nového, neobjevují, ani nejsou ničím "progresivní". Jenže o to tady nejde. Slyším a cítím, že obě smečky do toho šly srdcem. Věřím jim každý tón, každou notu. A to pro mě bude vždy důležitější, než satan jaká dokonalost. Grindcore vám má nakopat zadky, měli byste být po poslechu rozervaní. A to já prosím pěkně jsem. Nezbývá, než oběma kapelám poděkovat za jejich hudbu a přidat znovu hlasitost. Venku mrzne a v ulicích se toulají divné stíny. Oči upřené do obrazovek, cítím z nich nenávist. Všichni se sešli v šíleném davu a mají ústa plná prázdných slov a vzteku. Strach už z nich dávno nemám. Pustil bych jim do ksichtu tohle skvělé splitko! Totálně temný grindcore, ohlodaný až na kost! 

Asphyx says:

It was freezing outside and strange shadows were wandering the streets. Eyes fixed on the screens, I could feel the hatred. They were all gathered in a maddened crowd, their mouths full of empty words and anger. Fear was coming from them. They were looking for the weakest piece, the next victim. Looting, violence and endless pain. I turned off the TV and the internet and hid in the basement. A few meters underground, in the dark and cold. Frustration and despair had to come out. I turn on the hi-fi tower and put in the player the new split of Czech INSISTENT and Finnish FEASTEM. Just the first few notes and the bands grab me by the hair and wipe the floor with me. If grindcore, then please in this version. There is no world around me, there are no shadows in the streets. It's just me and the music.

I'm not going to go into detail about each song here, nor will I go into the production and execution. Both packs are so experienced that it's not even necessary. Formally, everything is in the best order. For me, it is much more important that I enjoy listening to the new split, that I like coming back to it. And please, I really choose a lot in this style and just don't like anything.

INSISTENT are great at making their grindcore dark and nasty, with a death metal edge at certain points. If you like the likes of NAPALM DEATH, NASUM, BIRDFLESH, you've come to the right place. These are experienced musicians who know exactly how to kill with music. They're beasts on the prowl that will tear you apart when they meet you. There's anger, frustration and madness in their music. So once again, I think if people would calm down to their songs and not go into a hateful crowd, we'd all be a lot better off. The gentlemen aren't afraid to slow things down a bit, to add technical passages, to let what they do best shine through. Massive pressure, coarsely chopped darkness, total carnage! For me I rate very highly and I really enjoy their part! Grindcore ride straight to hell!


FEASTEM are more uncouth, more punk. Also more quiet, but that's just a small thing. I have to mention it though, because if you listen to the split all the time, there is a sonic jump when the band changes. Everything is more obscured, covered in mouldy cobwebs. It's a wild dance on the sharp blades of freshly sharpened knives. Try the evening news and FEASTEM sometime and see how the music literally captivates you. The Finns don't mess with anything too much either, they get straight to the point. Uncompromisingly, no frills. It's a hatchet blow straight to the skull. Can you hear your bones cracking too? I do, locked in an old basement, I'm putting this split in the top ten most played this month. Every time I need to clear my head and get annoyed with the world, it helps me survive. The aggression, the blast beats, the all-out savage brawl with your own conscience. These are FEASTEM.


Do you like grindcore? I mean really like it? Then this year's split is literally a must for you. Sure, both bands don't bring anything new, they don't reinvent, nor are they "progressive" in any way. But that's not the point. I can hear and feel that both packs have put their hearts into it. I believe every note, every note. And that will always be more important to me than satanic perfection. Grindcore is supposed to kick your ass, you should be torn apart after listening to it. And I'm pretty sure I am. I can't help but thank both bands for their music and turn the volume back up. It's freezing outside and there are strange shadows wandering the streets. Eyes fixed on the screens, I can feel the hatred. They're all gathered in a maddened crowd, their mouths full of empty words and anger. I'm not afraid of them anymore. I'd drop this great split in their faces! Totally dark grindcore, gnawed to the bone!


tracklist:

FEASTEM
Unending Slaughter
Shells
Disinformation Jesus
Autius
The Possibility of Life's Destruction (DISCHARGE cover)
Silence is Deafening (NAPALM DEATH cover)

INSISTENT
Separation
Overseer
Sickness
Furious
Ambush
Disgust
Oppressor

band FEASTEM:
Patrik Fält – bicí
Olli Nokkala – kytara
Petri Eskelinen – zpěv
Niko Lainas – baskytara

band INSISTENT:

pátek 21. července 2023

Recenze/review - RANNOCH - Conflagrations (2023)


RANNOCH - Conflagrations
CD 2023, Willowtip Records

for english please scroll down

Až jednou zhasnou všechna světla, tak se vrátíme na začátek. Začneme bojovat o holý život a muzika pro nás bude znovu jenom radostí. Oprostíme se od zbytečností, nebudeme zahlceni spoustou negativních informací. Budeme poslouchat už jenom hudbu, která je poctivá a opravdová. Dnes bych pro vás měl jeden velmi zajímavý tip. Progresivní death metalisté RANNOCH vydávají své třetí dlouhohrající album. Pokud tedy máte chuť na éterické plochy, dynamické pasáže a spoustu zajímavých momentů, tak se pohodlně usaďte a poslouchejte pozorně.

Představte si dnešní předvídatelný svět, plný násilí a nenávisti. No řekněte, není lepší utéct před krutou realitou do jiných dimenzí? Toulat se spolu s kapelou po hvězdách, létat a padat do hlubin. Tahle nahrávka je o emocích. Je náročná na poslech a nedá vám nic zadarmo. Songy jsou velmi propracované, narvané temnou energií. Zhasněte všechna světla a přidejte hlasitost na maximum!


RANNOCH dokáží navodit velmi pestrou paletu nálad. Umí být brutální a syroví, ale zároveň se nebojí jemných melodických linek, čistých vokálů, neustálých změn tempa. Nebojte se, rozhodně se nejedná o dnes tak častou technickou ekvilibristiku. Naopak, skladby si uchovávají v sobě dravost a drive. Vždycky jsem měl rád hudbu, u které musím přemýšlet. Při společných obřadech s albem "Conflagrations" jsem se cítil jako starý archeolog, který postupně odkrývá jednotlivé vrstvy. Britové umí být vznešení, majestátní. Někdy spolu opravdu létáme. Potom vás ale přikovou na zeď a spálí ostrým riffem. Co se týká zvuku (Mix and master by James Stephenson for Stymphalian Productions, York, England, Recorded and produced by Ian Gillings at the Rannoch studios), nemám žádných námitek. Vše je čisté a zabijácké zároveň. Netřeba diskutovat ani o obalu, ten se opravdu povedl. Autorem je Kishor Haulenbeek - Lowell, Massachusetts a jedná se o motiv, který bych si rád prohlédl i v nějaké galerii. Zkrátka a jednoduše, pánové odvedli po formální stránce skvělou práci. Není to ale jenom poctivé řemeslo, které tuhle smečku odlišuje od ostatních. Jsou to hlavně nápady, pestrá směsice velmi inteligentně poskládaných motivů, které mě baví poslouchat i po dlouhé době. K téhle desce se budu ještě hodně dlouho vracet. Je totiž po okraj narvaná tlakem i temnou energií. Až jednou zhasnou všechna světla, tak se vrátíme na začátek. Začneme bojovat o holý život a muzika pro nás bude znovu jenom radostí. Vznešený, majestátní, progresivní death metal, který rozdrásá vaši duši i tělo! Vynikající záležitost, hudba z jiných sfér!


Asphyx says:

Once all the lights go out, we'll go back to the beginning. We'll start fighting for our lives and music will be our only joy again. We'll be free of uselessness, not overwhelmed by a lot of negative information. We'll only listen to music that's honest and real. I have a very interesting tip for you today. Progressive death metallers RANNOCH are releasing their third full-length album. So if you have a taste for ethereal surfaces, dynamic passages and a lot of interesting moments, sit back and listen carefully.

Imagine today's predictable world, full of violence and hatred. Tell me, isn't it better to escape from the harsh reality to other dimensions? To roam the stars with the band, to fly and fall into the depths. This record is about emotion. It's hard to listen to and it won't give you anything for free. The songs are very sophisticated, packed with dark energy. Turn off all the lights and turn the volume up to maximum!


RANNOCH can evoke a very diverse range of moods. They can be brutal and raw, but at the same time they are not afraid of subtle melodic lines, clean vocals, constant changes of pace. Don't worry, this is definitely not the technical equilibristics so common today. On the contrary, the songs retain a predatory drive. I've always liked music that makes me think. During the joint ceremonies with the album "Conflagrations" I felt like an old archaeologist, gradually uncovering the layers. The British can be sublime, majestic. Sometimes we really fly together. But then they nail you to the wall and burn you with a sharp riff. As for the sound (Mix and master by James Stephenson for Stymphalian Productions, York, England, Recorded and produced by Ian Gillings at the Rannoch studios), I have no complaints. Everything is clean and killer at the same time. I don't even need to discuss the packaging, it's really good. The artist is Kishor Haulenbeek - Lowell, Massachusetts and this is a motif I would love to see in a gallery. In short, the gentlemen have done a formally excellent job. But it's not just honest craftsmanship that sets this pack apart from the rest. It's mainly the ideas, a varied mix of very intelligently put together themes that I enjoy listening to even after a long time. I'll be coming back to this record for a long time. It is packed to the brim with pressure and dark energy. Once all the lights go out, we'll go back to the beginning. We'll start fighting for our lives and music will be a joy again. Sublime, majestic, progressive death metal that will tear your soul and body apart! Excellent stuff, music from other realms!


Tracklist:
1. Degenerate Era
2. Prism Black
3. Threads
4. Conflagrations
5. Daguerreotype
6. EarthRecycle
7. Threnody to a Dying Star

Line-up:
Ian Gillings - Guitars, vocals, synths and electronics
Richard Page - Guitars
Paul Lloyd - Bass
Dan Presland - Drums



čtvrtek 20. dubna 2023

Recenze/review - HAXPROCESS - The Caverns of Duat (2023)


HAXPROCESS - The Caverns of Duat
CD 2023, vlastní vydání

for english please scroll down

U některých snů ještě dlouho potom, co se probudím, nevím, zda se jednalo o noční můru a nebo realitu. Vznáším se časoprostorem a sleduji šum města. Temné uličky, špínu a nenávist. Poslouchám hudbu, která je žhavá a pálí mě v mozku. Američtí HAXPROCESS mě zaujali ihned při prvním setkání. Přistupují ke kovu smrti progresivně, svěže a zajímavě. Připadal jsem si jako na lodi, která pluje po krvavých vlnách.

Kapela má na svém kontě jedno EP a jednu demonahrávku. Obě díla jsem pečlivě prozkoumal a pak si narval do hlavy debut "The Caverns of Duat". Najednou jsem cítil velký příliv energie, tlaku a bolesti. Přesně takový druh muziky mám rád. Nenechá mě v klidu a způsobí u mě děsivé noční můry. 


Základem je zde klasický death metal ve stylu slavných OPETH, DEATH, NILE, MORBID ANGEL. Kapela se ale vydává na dlouhé výlety. Klidně až někam k IRON MAIDEN nebo k thrash metalu. Dovoleno je vše. A na rozdíl od mnohých jiných, zní skladby velmi uvěřitelně. Motivy mě řežou jako ostrý skalpel. Líbí se mi zvuk, obal, ale hlavně na mě dělá deska velmi dobrý celkový dojem. Pečlivě vystavěná struktura skladeb, které si zároveň zachovávají drive a sílu, ve mě probouzí spoustu emocí. Mám rád taková alba, která jsou neklidná, která rozdrásají moji fantazii. Je tu samozřejmě i efekt - baví mě to, mám to rád, bez toho by to nešlo. "The Caverns of Duat" ve mě zanechalo dlouhou krvavou rýhu. Chvílemi jen bublalo v pozadí, jako nějaká šílená kulisa, jako proříznutá tepna. Pak nastoupily mrazivé a temné motivy a měl jsem pocit, že mě někdo tluče kladivem do obličeje. Před lety jsem si dal za úkol, že se budu snažit podporovat kapely, o kterých si myslím, že jsou dobré, které mě zaujaly. HAXPROCESS vám předloží většina opravdových hrobníků. To mi věřte, sám patřím mezi ně. Obdivuji lehkost a samozřejmost, se kterou songy plynou. Podobný smrtící kov mě nenechá nikdy v klidu a určitě jej budu doporučovat všem, kteří mají podobný styl rádi. U některých snů ještě dlouho potom, co se probudím, nevím, zda se jednalo o noční můru a nebo realitu. Vznáším se časoprostorem a sleduji šum města. Temné uličky, špínu a nenávist. Jsem zde správně. Tohle album hoří jasným plamenem! Progresivní thrash death metalový opus!


Asphyx says:

In some dreams, long after I wake up, I don't know if it was a nightmare or reality. I float through space-time, watching the noise of the city. Dark alleys, filth and hatred. I listen to music that's hot and burning in my brain. American HAXPROCESS caught my attention the first time I saw them. They take a progressive, fresh and interesting approach to death metal. I felt like I was on a boat riding the bloody waves.

The band has one EP and one demo to their credit. I examined both works carefully and then crammed the debut "The Caverns of Duat" into my head. Suddenly I felt a great surge of energy, pressure and pain. That's the kind of music I like. It doesn't leave me alone and gives me terrifying nightmares.


The basis here is classic death metal in the style of the famous OPETH, DEATH, NILE, MORBID ANGEL. They go as far as IRON MAIDEN or thrash metal. Anything goes. And unlike many others, the songs sound very believable. The motifs cut me like a sharp scalpel. I like the sound, the cover, but most of all the album makes a very good overall impression on me. The carefully constructed structure of the songs, while retaining drive and power, brings out a lot of emotions in me. I like albums that are restless, that tear my imagination apart. Of course there's also the effect - I enjoy it, I love it, I couldn't do without it. "The Caverns of Duat" left a long bloody furrow in me. At times it just bubbled in the background, like some crazy backdrop, like a severed artery. Then the chilling and dark themes kicked in and I felt like someone was hitting me in the face with a hammer. Years ago I made it a point to try to support bands that I thought were good, that I was interested in. HAXPROCESS will be presented to you by most true grave diggers. Believe me, I'm one of them myself. I admire the ease and ease with which the songs flow. Similar death metal will never leave me in peace and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who likes this style. With some of the dreams, long after I wake up, I still don't know if it was a nightmare or reality. I float through space-time and watch the city noise. Dark alleys, filth and hatred. I'm right here. This album is burning bright! A progressive thrash death metal opus!



Tracklist:
01. God Complex 
02. At One With Time 
03. The Infinity Paradox 
04. Phantasm 
05. The Caverns Of Duat

Band members:
Adam Robinson: Drums
Lothar Mallea: Guitar, Bass and vocals
Shane Williamson, Guitar


pátek 20. ledna 2023

Recenze/review - !T.O.O.H.! - Premiant (2022)

!T.O.O.H.! - Premiant
EP 2022, Lavadome Productions

for english please scroll down

„Hudba je nejdokonalejší typ umění: neprozradí nikdy svoje tajemství“: napsal můj oblíbený spisovatel Oscar Wilde. Na citát jsem si vzpomněl, když jsem nějaký čas poslouchal nové EP "Premiant" od kapely !T.O.O.H.!. Muzika, texty, atmosféra, nálady, všechno se mi spojilo v jedno. Pro podobné okamžiky mě stále baví o nových deskách psát a podporovat je. Pokaždé si připadám jako objevitel nových světů. Nahlížím do autorovy fantazie a surfuji na zpěněných vlnách spolu s ním.

Určitě to znáte, vzájemné propojení. Když si řeknete, to je přesně ono! Začnete si podvědomě podupávat nohou, utkví vám v hlavě nejdříve úryvky textů a pak, po nějaké době se vyryjí do mozku celé rýmy, spolu s melodiemi a rytmem. No není to krása, říkáte všem okolo a když na vás udiveně civí, tak se raději stahujete do své ulity. Jen já a hudba. Neexistuje nic jiného. Žádný svět, žádné problémy, práce, nic - pouze bicí, vokál, riffy. 


Jako bych znovu létal vesmírem a nahlížel do jiných dimenzí. Jsem starým budhistickým mnichem, který ale moc dobře ví, co je pořádná pařba. "Premiant" je dalším zběsilým útokem na vaše podvědomí. To vyplave ve skladbách na povrch jako špína z odpadu. EP je opět velmi pestré, košaté, neučesané a zároveň drží pohromadě. Slova nestačí, lepší je si pomoci ukázkami. Neptejte se, zda je to normální, nechte na sebe songy jen tak působit. Smějte se, vztekejte, nadávejte, ale vězte, že přenesených emocí bude velká spousta. Jedná se sice jen o necelých 11 minut, ale přesto - rochnil jsem si jako růžové prasátko v bahýnku. Novinka mi moc chutná. Broukám si ji, chodím s ní po ulicích, i do postele, než jdu spát. Přetransformovala se i do mých snů. Je to tak! Gradace, legrace, zamyšlení, trepanace, smutek i technické finesy. Vše skvěle zahrané, jdoucí na hranu i kousek za ní. Možná se tentokrát neobjevují úplně nové sféry, vše mi přijde zemitější. Přesto je zajímavé nové rovnice řešit. Parádní zvuk plus spousta zajímavých nápadů, děleno progresí a násobeno velkým tlakem a šílenými texty - výsledek dvakrát podtrhnout! Tohle všechno připomíná větrný vír, ze kterého není úniku. Harmonie zloby, pánové opět dokázali rozvibrovat všechny mé kosti i zubní sklovinu. Prostě lovískuju! Epické, jak by řekla mladá generace. Avantgardní, death grindová mozaika!


Asphyx says:

"Music is the most perfect kind of art: it never tells its secrets": wrote my favourite writer Oscar Wilde. I remembered the quote when I was listening to the new EP "Premiant" by the band !.T.O.O.H.!. The music, the lyrics, the atmosphere, the moods, all came together for me. For moments like that I still enjoy writing about and promoting new albums. I feel like a discoverer of new worlds every time. I look into the author's imagination and surf the foamy waves with him.

I'm sure you know, the interconnectedness. If you say to yourself, that's exactly it! You start to unconsciously stomp your feet, first snippets of lyrics get stuck in your head and then, after a while, whole rhymes are etched into your brain, along with melodies and rhythm. Isn't it beautiful, you tell everyone around you, and when they stare at you in amazement, you prefer to retreat into your shell. Just me and the music. There's nothing else. No world, no problems, no work, nothing - just drums, vocals, riffs.


It's like flying through space again and looking into other dimensions. I'm an old Buddhist monk who knows what a good party is. "The Premiant" is another frantic assault on your subconscious. It comes out in the songs like dirt from the garbage. The EP is once again very colourful, vibrant, unpolished and holds together at the same time. Words aren't enough, better to help yourself with samples. Don't ask if this is normal, just let the songs work on you. Laugh, rage, swear, but know that the emotions transferred will be a great deal. It is only less than 11 minutes, but still - I was crawling around like a pink pig in a puddle. I really like the new stuff. I hum it, walk the streets with it, even go to bed with it before I go to sleep. It's transformed itself into my dreams. That's right! Graduation, fun, reflection, trepanation, sadness and technical finesse. All superbly played, going to the edge and just over it. Maybe this time there are not entirely new realms, everything seems more earthy to me. Still, new equations are interesting to solve. Awesome sound plus a lot of interesting ideas, divided by progression and multiplied by great pressure and crazy lyrics - the result underlined twice! This all feels like a wind vortex from which there is no escape. Harmonies of malevolence, the gentlemen once again managed to vibrate all my bones and tooth enamel. I just love it! Epic, as the younger generation would say. Avant-garde, death grind mosaic!


about !T.O.O.H.! on DEADLY STORM ZINE:







Track list:
1. Premiant
2. choco_afro
3. Na všech životech záleží
4. V lóži
Total time: 10:55

!T.O.O.H.! are:
Humanoid: Guitars, Bass, Vocals, VST Instruments
Schizoid: Drums, Backing Vocals

Premiant was recorded at Studio Šopa, Studio 53 and Studio 27 (2021)
Mixed and mastered by Staňa Valášek (2022)

pondělí 26. prosince 2022

News! - !T.O.O.H.! Stream New EP - Preminant


The Czech prog-grind entity !T.O.O.H.! has arrived to close the year with a brand new, 4-song EP Premiant. The creative outburst of the new material has been crafted with quantum mechanics' perplexity and while getting more frantic, nastier, musically expressive and complex than ever, there's still a contrast maintained with sparkling harmonies and synth-waves which add a memorable boost to the intricacy of new songs. Listen to the complete EP now:



The EP is out now digitally - exclusively available from the !T.O.O.H.! Bandcamp - and will be released as a limited tape edition via Lavadome Productions in January. The tape version can be pre-ordered from Lavadome productions web store or Bandcamp page.


Track list:
1. Premiant
2. choco_afro
3. Na všech životech záleží
4. V lóži
Total time: 10:55

!T.O.O.H.! are:
Humanoid: Guitars, Bass, Vocals, VST Instruments
Schizoid: Drums, Backing Vocals

Premiant was recorded at Studio Šopa, Studio 53 and Studio 27 (2021)
Mixed and mastered by Staňa Valášek (2022)



LAVADOME productions:


Official !T.O.O.H.! network:

pondělí 28. listopadu 2022

Recenze/review - WRETCHED PATH - Heavy Lies the Crown (2022)


WRETCHED PATH - Heavy Lies the Crown
CD 2022, Kuri Records

for english please scroll down

Z některých lidí zbyde jenom černý prach. Rozplynou se a jejich duše budou navěky bloudit mezi naším a oním světem. Posledním soudem bude jejich svědomí. Občas je potkávám v temných ulicích. Mají divné pohledy a v rukou ostré nože. Jejich potravou je strach a nenávist. Zahaleni do šedých stínů vyhlížejí svoje oběti. S úsměvem na tváři, uvnitř plní zkažené krve a červů. 

První riff, první melodie a věděl jsem, že o téhle smečce musím napsat. Pánové pocházejí z Finska a působili ve spoustě zajímavých kapel. Vzali svoje zkušenosti, smíchali je s chladem a špínou a vy si můžete vychutnat velmi jedovatý koktejl severského death metalu. 


Jako bych se procházel nekonečnými chodbami podzemí. V každé kobce je náhrobek s nápisem kapely z devadesátých let. Zmiňme třeba BLOODBATH nebo THE CROWN, HYPOCRISY, EDGE OF SANITY, ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER. Jejich ozvěny se otiskly i do tvorby WRETCHED PATH. Pánové na to jdou velmi dobře. Mají parádní řezající a chladný zvuk, zajímavý obal i spoustu dobrých nápadů. Album je určeno pro všechny pamětníky, ale i pro fanoušky, kteří rádi a často navštěvují zásadní hřbitovy z devadesátých let minulého století. Vše je v nejlepším pořádku. Lebky pukají, kosti jsou lámány velkým tlakem, který dovede vytvořit pouze syrová hudba. Zmínit musím i jakousi melancholii, která se nahrávkou proplétá jako jedovatý had. "Heavy Lies the Crown" připomíná masivní lavinu, do které když spadnete, tak není úniku. Rozemele vás na prach a je jen na vás, jestli bude zkažený a černý. Mlha má zase jednou barvu krve. Ulice jsou plné špíny a zlých, ošklivých lidí. Přidávám hlasitost a představuji si, jak jednou přeplavu řeku Styx. Jsem spokojený, když ve mě muzika probouzí emoce, když mě nenechá v klidu. A to se povedlo Finům na výbornou. Jsem moc rád, že jsem tuhle smečku potkal. Mrazivá death metalová vichřice ze severu!


Asphyx says:

Some people are just black dust. They will dissipate and their souls will forever wander between this world and the next. Their conscience will be their final judgment. Sometimes I meet them in the dark streets. They have strange looks and sharp knives in their hands. Their food is fear and hatred. Shrouded in grey shadows, they watch for their victims. With a smile on their face, inside they are full of rotten blood and worms.

The first riff, the first tune, and I knew I had to write about this pack. The gentlemen hail from Finland and have been in a lot of interesting bands. They have taken their experience, mixed it with cold and dirt and you can enjoy a very poisonous cocktail of Nordic death metal.

It's like walking through endless underground corridors. In every dungeon, there's a tombstone with a band from the '90s on it. Let's mention BLOODBATH or THE CROWN, HYPOCRISY, EDGE OF SANITY, ENTOMBED, DISMEMBER. The echoes of these bands have been imprinted in WRETCHED PATH's work. They have an awesome cutting and cool sound, interesting cover art and a lot of good ideas. The album is for all the memorabilia, but also for fans who like and often visit the essential cemeteries of the 90s. Everything is in the best of order. Skulls are cracking, bones are being broken by the great pressure that only raw music can create. I must also mention a kind of melancholy that slithers through the record like a poisonous snake. "Heavy Lies the Crown" reminds of a massive avalanche, into which if you fall, there is no escape. It grinds you into dust and it's up to you to make it wicked and black. The fog is once again the color of blood. The streets are filled with filth and evil, ugly people. I turn up the volume and imagine myself swimming across the River Styx one day. I'm satisfied when the music stirs my emotions, when it doesn't leave me in peace. And the Finns have done that very well. I'm so glad I met this bunch. A frosty death metal storm from the north!


Tracklist:
01. Heavy Lies The Crown
02. Teardrinker
03. 16 Stabs
04. No Cure
05. Kill
06. Marionette
07. Still Going To Die
08. Get It Out


A few questions - interview with death metal band from Finland - WRETCHED PATH.

A few questions - interview with death metal band from Finland - WRETCHED PATH.

Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?

The story of Wretched Path began in 2019 when Teemu and Esa were talking to make some music together again after several years being in different bands. They started to make some songs and soon it was very clear for both of them that the songs are so good that they need to form a real band to perform these songs properly in the way they deserved to be played. Soon after came the other guys and Wretched Path was born, featuring members from Pestigore, Tukkanuotta, Born of Thorns, Daniel Lioneye, Godsplague. Music style could be descipted as Death metal songs heavily influenced by genre´s music from the 1990´s, but also with some more modern little twists.

Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?

We recorded the album by our self´s at our own facility´s and we did everything on our own except Mixing and Mastering were done by very talented young guy from Finland called Jussi Riikonen.


How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?

We made really small patch of CD´s mainly to sell by our selfs at shows. So at this point this is mainly a digital release as we are still looking for the perfect partner for us, to release this record globaly and of course for the next one´s to come

Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?

Lyrics are done by me (Esa Salminen), ideas for these lyrics come for all sorts of different places, of what you here and see in your every day life and in this case also from Finish history. There is not one theme to go along with the lyrics, but I guess one thing that combiine´s these song is Death in general.


Who created the logo of the band, and who took care of the graphics and the website? What about you and social networks? Do you consider these things important?

Logo is done by Kimmo Hyvönen. Cover art was created by Saila Leskinen and the Layout by Karri Rämö. Also there is Icons done for each song and those are made by Sami Rouhiainen. Website is done by Karri Rämö. Album cover was very important for us to get it to match the music and our ideas. Social networks are important these days, unfortunately we are not that good with that, but we are trying to learn and hopefully can find some good partner for this mater too.

Which label did you choose for releasing your album and why this label? Are you satisfied by how your label represents you and takés care about you?

For now the album is released by us.

Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?

All of us have been in several bands before and all of our music taste is very broad with alot of music from different genre´s so it is impossible for me to say who we would idolize. Insipiration for the musinc comes pretty much from the same thing´s than for the lyrics, from our every day lives.


Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?

Yes we have sent the record to many different labels and currently are in discusssions with few of them. Response has been great.

How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether it's (clubs or festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?

Not that many gigs under Wretched Path´s belt yet, but for me it does not matter is it big festival or smal club, the out come will be the same with our energy to perform our music the best way we know how.

What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?

In the future we will try to find the best label for us to work with and get as many gigs as we can. We want to be recognized as the top death metal band in the world. Also the second album is all ready in the making.

How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?

www.wretcehdpath.com there you can find everything

Thanx for the interview.


sobota 23. dubna 2022

Interview - !T.O.O.H.! - We just like it when the lyrics are provocative.

Interview with avantgarde, progressive death grind band !T.O.O.H.!.

Answered Schizoid, thank you!

Questions prepared Jakub Asphyx.

Ave !T.O.O.H.!! Hey, I do experiments like this sometimes – I take some music, in this case your latest CD "Free Speech", and I play it to people who have no idea what it's about. They're pure as a lily, untainted by listening to thousands of metal albums. You know what's interesting? Everybody likes your record! The girl who listens to disco, the old dad who rides a fox tail to the potlucks. At most, somebody had said that it was creepy, but they always say it was great! Can you please explain how that's possible? How do people, listeners, reviewers perceive you anyway? And what kind of response do you get to the record?

Hi Jakub! That's interesting, those experiments of yours. If people who don't listen to metal tend to like our record, that may be because it's musical and it has vocals one can clearly understand. So that's probably the reason. Otherwise, it's nice of you to broaden people's musical horizons. And how do other people perceive us? I don't really know. We've read some reviews, but there haven't been many. The response has been mostly positive. The main thing is to make ourselves satisfied with our efforts. And so we are.


I'll admit it without torture. I have my rituals, like everyone else, I guess. Monday through Thursday at work, I listen to whatever I feel like to, but on Friday I'm so tired that I either put on something totally off metal or !T.O.O.H.!. I return home happy, with a clean head and feeling just fine somehow. I am not afraid to say, your music has literally a chilling effect on me like a way of meditation. What state of mind do you have to be in order to compose music? How did "Free Speech" come about? When do you say to yourself - okay, it's time, let's go, let's compose!?

The music on Free Speech (hereafter FS) was composed quite quickly. Of course, one has to be in a good state of mind, which Humanoid usually was. Composing FS was a continuous process. With Humanoid grabbing guitar and recording his ideas with his phone. Later on, he transcribed those into GuitarPro and I laid down the drum patterns which we programmed into the demo. Everyone of us practiced his parts separately, we didn't even have one rehearsal together. My brother practiced directly with GuitarPro and I practiced with the Wave file he emailed me. We then tweaked and improved the songs for the better here and there. At the end of the day, the drums I recorded on the album turned out to be completely different from the ones we demoed. I improvise a lot...

When I listen to contemporary progressive and technical death metal bads, it's some mad stuff. Seventeen-year-old boys playing like gods. Technically, they're actually perfect. It's just that quite often their music doesn't have any balls. You guys aren't really young anymore, but tell me, how do you actually play so fast and complicated? How much time do you spend practicing? I would see it that you have to sleep with the instruments or am I wrong? Correct me in case I am wrong but I can imagine you even sleeping with your instruments.

We don't overdo it with the practicing. I think the main thing is talent. When working on FS, my brother grabbed guitar and played two to three hours a day, sometimes more if needed. Once the album was done, he played it once or twice almost every day to stay in shape. I practiced as needed and as the mood took me. Sometimes I would sit behind the drums for two hours, sometimes just an hour. Sometimes I sit somewhere else... ie. behind the computer screen where I spend more time than behind my drums... :-) And yes, you're right. Today's youngsters play like gods. It's because there are expanded learning opportunities. That's something our generation could only dream of. Speaking on behalf of drummers, nowadays you can find everything on YouTube – from the way of how to hold drumsticks to learning what techniques to use when playing the snare, drum kicks... Everything. But I listen to these new bands just out of curiosity. The vast majority of them sound very similar. It's as if the music has been manufactured in one and the same manufactory...


All your songs sound different from one another. The mood, the energy differ. Does that mean the songs are composed in different moods or settings? Things coming more aggressive when you're angry, etc.? How does all that you feel, see around you, all the politics, human dullness, but also joy and humility, mirrors in the music you create?

I'm glad you noticed that. In our case, it's a very natural thing. It's not like we would compose only when we were angry or something. My brother sends me a song that's composed from A to Z. With a clearly defined tempo. Occasionally, we may speed up the song during the process but I am not involved in the composing process as such that's all my brother's thing. I'll just run with what he delivers but at the same time, in return, my brother has no say in whatever drum patterns I create for the song. It's a mutual respect and I think it works for us. And the world around us and the emotions it brings, that's rather imprinted in the lyrics...

You are both very talented. And I don't mean just technically, but also compositionally. Plus, you're brothers. Is music in your genes? Did you trace a great-grandfather who composed, let's say, some classical music? Did anyone sing in your family? Oh, and not to forget, I have a brother too, but we don't get along at all, he's completely different from me. Are you arguing with each other? Who does usually have the final say?

Thank you. Music is definitely a part of our genes. When it comes to immediate family, my mom used to sing when she was young. And very well. From the age of 10, she went to a singing teacher once or twice a week. At 16, she was preparing for the State Conservatory. But because it was 1969, the specialization in Musical Comedy she wanted to apply to got cancelled because a lot of people were fired and stuff... In the end, she was offered to enter an Opera Singing course. But my mother declined that opportunity since she always hated opera singing with all her heart. So she joined the Folk-art Conservatory and started singing various (also jazz) songs in Prague. Those songs were written straight to fit her mezzo-soprano. But then she met her dad and... the singing was over. Eventually, she finished medical school and worked in a nursing home. Her singing career was over. Her dad, our grandfather, played mandolin. And his whole family, his sisters, they all played musical instruments. So my mom liked to sing with them even when she was a little girl. On my dad's side, his grandfather, my namesake, played the clarinet. Maybe I'm his reincarnation... hahaha.

It's sad to hear about your brother. I mean, from my point of view. Having a sibling I don't get along with, I don't even want to imagine that... I always got along well with my brother.

You know we argue with each other. But only sometimes. When one of us is irritated which is mostly myself. We had a few fights. But that was a long time ago, and it was always caused by the demon alcohol. My brother's been abstinent and a non-smoker since 2008. So there's no danger of a fight anymore... -)))


I really liked the reaction to your board from an old gentleman at the workshop. He said, dude, that's passion in disguise. And he was smiling like me. I'm telling you straight up, you just have a gift for conveying emotion, for shocking or even more shocking, for captivating. Tell me, what were your beginnings, why and how did !T.O.O.H.! come about? Please dive deep into the history with us.

Thank you very much. My brother and I decided to start a band sometime in elementary school. We discovered a beautiful style of music. We discovered metal. I remember at the cottage, we were fooling around in front of the mirror with badminton bats that represented guitars, swaying to the beat of Kern's "Blízko nás. There was no internet then, it was before 1989 and we had a complete lack of information. When my friends and I were scavenging in salvage yards, I would cut out all the mentions of metal in the press at the time. We knew a lot of bands just by name. It was better just before the revolution. My brother used to go to the Havel market with his friends, so he experienced the police raids on metal record sellers. We didn't have a gramophone at home, so he just admired the covers. Then we found a contact in the Holešovice market. We used to buy recorded tapes from him. Overkill, Sodom, Coroner, Living Death, Laaz Rockit... And of course Polish original tapes... That was after the revolution. There used to be stock exchanges at Letná, at the Sparta stadium. That's where we discovered other bands. After that, it got easier and easier...

Our first project was called VVD. That is: Veselý, Veselý, Dvořák. It was actually pure noise. We made noise on everything and recorded it on a cassette recorder. It had funny names and we screamed, shouted and mutated into all this mess. That was fun. My brother and I still have the tapes. Then me and another friend started a band called Devastator. We had just discovered Napalm Death, so it was clear that we wanted to do the biggest shit of the time. Heavy metal was the style of a different generation, thrash metal was slowly peaking and death metal was coming on the scene. It was clear what direction we were going to go in. It took us quite a long time before we decided to come out with our own work. That was in 1995. Demo You guys are pieces of fucking meat. I think our fans know the story by then. From our online biography.


You went through the beginning in the 1990s, then the turbulent period in 2000-2005, and then suddenly it was gone. You've been coming back at greater intervals since then. Why is that? Have you been consumed by work, families? Or "not so many ideas", the desire? I'm asking because you know, nowadays if you don't see the band, it's like it doesn't exist.

We first came back in 2011. My brother decided to buy a guitar again and rebuild the band. Before that he was always creating, writing electronic music and painting pictures. I had no objections -) The work definitely didn't swallow us or our families. We are both childless. Neither of us has ever been married in our lives. Could you imagine us being bothered by the families with the lyrics we spawn? Maybe so, but it would be very strange... -))

We disbanded in 2013 for the second time. It was because of my brother being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. He just decided to call it quits again. I had no objections whatsoever...

In 2017 we announced a comeback again. The impetus came again from my brother. I'm glad it happened. I think we still have a lot to offer. My brother is just a pioneering soul. Our music and lyrics are constantly evolving, so it makes sense. If I, or my brother felt we lost our drive and inspirations, I'm sure we would put the band to rest.

!T.O.O.H.! You two are Schizoid and Humanoid. But Android, Freedom, Wokis have played with you over the years. Always just for a little while. Why is that? Didn't anyone fit in with you guys?

No, no, we've had guys fit in and get along well with us, but it has usually been the circumstances that did not work to our favour. Pavel Slavíček (Android) started a family and his own band Misogynist. He started writing his own music and playing guitar, something that he enjoyed more doing than just playing bass guitar. And at the time of the release of "Order and Punishment", we were also a great bunch of friends. But again, circumstances didn't favor us. The only one guy who was able to keep up the pace with whatever my brother came up with was the bass player Freedom. Guitarist Wokis was in college at the time and had other hobbies... And then the problems with the label occured and some unpleasantness in personal life. So my brother decided to lay it down to rest.


If I'm not mistaken, you haven't performed in a long time. I think you still have a lot of fans. How about Prague, maybe my favourite Modrá Vopice, invite a few friends to make the possible embarrassment less (joke) and get it back on the boards? How do you feel about gigs? Smaller tours?

We are planning to start playing gigs again. It's going to be a very interesting experience. Since my brother is schizophrenic, he doesn't have as much energy as he used to have. Still, he made the decision to give it a try. We've already started practicing together a compilation of songs from the demo and old albums. We've upped the tempo of the songs by a bit and added synths here and there... We're still figuring out how exactly we're going to perform everything live. We will use playback for electronic bass and the synths. I will be drumming on the electronic drum-kit set. We're going to play to a click which we are used to... We're going to try out the performance at a private event first, to see how things will work out and if my brother can perform the songs live in front of people. After that we'll see. I'm confident he will pull it off. In fact, I can even tell you where our first show will be. It's going to be at our friends' place in Studanka, North Bohemia. The guys have a band called Evil Regiment. We made a promise that our first public performance will také place there and we will keep that promise. And I hope it won't be a shame, don't worry... -)) You can be there if you want. You're entitled to that just for making these great questions. It's going to be an exclusive event and I'm looking forward to it.


It's such a weird time these days, everyone's commenting on everything. The problem is that most of them are people who have not been given much by nature, God or Satan. You're musicians, you must be a little crazy, different, different. Still, do you have anyone whose opinion you'll give? Who's gonna tell you, like, this is over the line, this is too much. Or on the contrary, you can lean into it here?

We are setting that line, that boundary ourselves. But we actually have such a person. It's our publisher, Honza. I think that if he had any problem with our lyrics, which he hasn't had so far, we would definitely take his recommendation or opinion. I recently sent him the titles of our new texts and wrote to him what they are about. He wanted me to send the lyrics over, so he could read them. But then it wouldn't have been a surprise if he knew the content in advance. So we'll see what he'll say when he hears the new madness in the complete package (with music)... -))) We just like it when the lyrics are provocative. And since the boundary is constantly being pushed further (who is shocked by brutal scenes nowadays?), we decided to push it a bit...


!T.O.O.H.! cover arts and the band's sound. Those are the two things that take your band into a whole different realm. I love the cover art for Komouš, I love it, and if I had a gallery, it would take pride of place. Where do you go for those ideas? They're so fresh, fresh, funny. And the sound by the master Standa Valášek. Why him? Is he the one who understands your fuzzy souls the most?

I'm so happy to see how you perceive our band. As for the ideas, I guess we ate a lot of funny porridge... -))) Do you know what it really is? It's a program we have been already born with. I'm very interested in astrology. When I saw our horoscopes, it's all written there... My brother often laughs at me, saying that I'm like an old woman who believes everything... But I see it there. It's all there. My brother's imagination, his energy, his artistic inclinations and, after all, his illness... In my case, it includes artistic inclinations too, of course, and I also got to know that „sarcasm is my second language“, etc. etc. It's a very interesting subject.

Also, about the ideas which grace the cover-arts my brother paints. It has always been his imagination and his ideas. But on Free Speech we agreed to come up with the content together. So we sat down together in front of the computer screen and had that something going on, I think it's called brainstorming nowadays.

And why Standa Valášek? He's just a professional and a nice person. We've had a great experience with him since the album Order and Punishment. At that time my brother and I wanted to go back to the Hacienda Studio. But the guitarist Wokis was worried about analogue equipment, so he persuaded us to try a digital studio. So we went to the Šopa. In the end it was a very good idea. Dodo from Hacienda Studio was also able to manage the recording process digitally but but he just prefers analogue sound. When we relaunched the band in 2017, we decided to go with Standa again. Although he also does analogue, of course. We wanted to symbolically start where we left off with our most successful period...

My wife is a teacher and she told me that it's starting to scare her how kids today don't read books at all. It's like they're losing perspective, imagination. I don't know, I'm not an educator, but I always liked your lyrics. These are masterpieces! Where do you get the inspiration for them? What influences you?

It's a gift, as I mentioned before. We were born with that gift. When we first started, my brother wrote the majority of lyrics. But he always encouraged me to write something too. Nowadays, he doesn't have to do it anymore. Speaking for myself, it's like when you want to poop... Your stomach hurts, you know you're full of inspiration... -)) Then comes the first rhyme. If I laugh at it and don't forget it by the other day, it's almost certain that something will come out of it. It's stuck in my mind for a day, a week, it doesn't matter. Or things simply happen when the setting is really good, I'll get right at it and if it continues to evolve smoothly, I know it's going to be good. When I finish the lyrics, I am not revising it in any way. It has to be coming out of the same water, so to speak. Well, sometimes I'll fix some details. Or if my brother has a note, we adjust the lyrics.

And the kids are not reading books anymore, it is a plague. It's modern technology. The new people will soon be completely demented... Even monkeys can learn to operate devices at a user level. I've read about how there was an experiment to teach monkeys to use tokens to obtain food when they were hungry and things soon went downhill. Prostitution and shit like that occurred amonst them, just the way like in our society. Humans are still basically animals. Critical thinking is being suppressed. Just be obedient, follow the entertainment...


I'm quite conservative in my personal life, but I do like science fiction, for example, and in music I also sometimes choose things that move me from our stinking planet to higher realms. I love VOIVOD! Who influenced you? What music do you like, do you listen to, do you go to concerts? What about books, movies? Other hobbies?

I totally understand. My brother loves Alien and Terminator. He's still watching those flicks a lot and relaxing. He's seen the last Terminator about 20 times... -)) Or now he's obsessed with Underwater with Kristen Stewart (his other favorite actress)... He's seen that one about six times. I like sci-fi, especially movies. It attracts my attention. I barely read science fiction books.

VOIVOD. The first time I heard them, it didn't grab me at all. I think it was some of their early albums. Compared to what I was listening to back then, they were a flop. So it was a quick resolution and I didn't bother following them. But after some time, Petr Korál played some songs from Negatron on a radio station “Radio 1“ and I liked it a lot. So I am still not a real fan, but they have some great songs.

If I wrote down what music I like, it would be a very long list. I like mostly good music. The genre doesn't matter. I love Depeche Mode. I like all their albums, even the new ones. I also listen to a lot of remixes from different artists. I like classical music. I like rock. I like jazz, especially from the '50s. I appreciate a well-written pop song. I'm pretty picky.

I don't go to concerts. Music occupies most of my time already. And you can't talk much in the noisy environment that live events are about.

I love books. I've always loved to read. Nowadays, I more read the news about what's going on in the current world. Alternative media that brings serious topics. With links to sources of information (evidence based), of course. I'm interested in what's going on around us. I don't follow disinformation news of the mainstream, and when I do, it's just for fun... Corporate media tells you nothing. They just lie, cover up and obfuscate. Filthy stuff.


In your email you told me that we fans can look forward to a new EP from your stable. Can you tell us more? What's it about, where have you been trying to push it, where did you record it, where will you be releasing it? Tell me, exaggerate.

The EP is called Premiant. The recording process was the same as with FS. We recorded the guitars at Šopa Studio, the remaining instruments and vocals were recorded in our home studio. Mixing and general supervision by Standa Valášek.

This material is probably the peak of our work in my opinion. Seriously. I'd probably just be bragging if I had to describe it... -))) And the cover-art my brother painted is just perfect. It's got four songs on it. Compared to FS, the EP sounds different. Everyone would be able to hear the progress. I can't wait for it to be out.

Damn, I'm talking again, but you know, if I like a band, I don't know my brother. Anything you want to say to the fans? To the promoters? To the government? To the Facebook debaters? There's room.

Jakub, first of all, thank you so much for the opportunity to speak out. We could probably have conducted the interview with ourselves, but that wouldn't have been the right thing to do... -)) You did a great job. I like reading your site, you know that.

To the fans I want to say: By supporting Lavadome production, you are supporting us too, thanks. To the promoters: We don't play gigs for the travelling costs anymore -)) I won't say anything to the government. I didn't vote for this bunch. To the FB debaters: Wake up and just be factual. Everyone can just criticize.

Thanks for your time!

Thank you so much for the interview. I appreciate it. I look forward to more music from !T.O.O.H.! or just a beer concert somewhere. I wish you all the best in your personal lives and may strength follow your steps.

about !T.O.O.H.! on DEADLY STORM ZINE:






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