Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?
We're Unburier, a death metal band from Somerset, England. Founded in 2019, although we underwent something of a relaunch in 2022.
Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
We recorded all of the guitars, bass and vocals in various home studio environments. It was very D.I.Y, from that point of view. The drums, however, were recorded by Ryan Wood at The Ranch Production House and the whole thing was mixed and mastered by Sam Turbitt at Ritual Sound Studios.
How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
We're doing limited CD pressings according to demand, and it can be streamed on all major streaming platforms.
Who is the author of the lyrics and how were they created and about what do the lyrics deal with?
Lyrical duties were split between guitarist Blake and bassist Stan. They collaborated on the overarching themes for the EP, including absurdism, belief and alienation.
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?
Our new logo was designed by Spearhead, an artist from Ireland that we were very excited to refresh our image with. Ben, our frontman, handled additional graphics and built our website. He's also in charge of social media, although we all collaborate on that to an extent. None of us really enjoy the current grind of social media, but it's a necessary evil.
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?
We released this independently, and are enjoying the freedom that allows us to experiment with these last couple EPs.
Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
There's a huge variety of influences from each one of us, but there's definitely overlap in our love for Death, Revocation, The Black Dahlia Murder and Necrophagist. We can be fairly old school, but not exclusively.
Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
We're preparing to work on a full length record before making any serious pitches to labels.
How many gigs have you played? Which type of gigs do you prefer, whether is (clubs or
festivals) and which of your performances would you consider as the best?
I think we lost count a while back. The venue doesn't matter to us as much as the crowd and the lineup - a good bill of death metal bands with a crowd that appreciates that type of music makes a much bigger difference. Last year we did an early debut of the newer material supporting Psycroptic, which was a performance we were very proud of.
What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
As artists, we're eager to complete our debut album and truly demonstrate what we're capable of. Outside of that, we're all in it to see how far it goes. We like playing riffs, and if people like hearing them that's all the better.
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
We're pretty active on social media and keep our ear to the ground there. People are welcome to reach out to us with support, enquiries, etc. We love to hear from fans.
Thanx for the interview.
Cheers for the interview, check out our new EP As Time Awaits, out 27th of February.
Recenze/review - UNBURIER - As Time Awaits (2026):
Seděl jsem zase jednou ve svém chladném sklepě a přemýšlel jsem, jakou muziku si pustím. Zhasl jsem všechna světla a nechal na sebe působit novou nahrávku britských maniaků UNBURIER. Kapelu jsem vůbec neznal a ani jsem si nezjišťoval žádné informace. Čekal jsem další zásek v řadě, který ve mě nic nezanechá. Tentokrát jsem se ale hodně mýlil. Zapnul jsem play a ihned jsem si připadal, jako při úrazu elektrickým proudem. Jakoby do místnosti vtrhla smečka rozzuřených psů. Ostré riffy, technické pasáže plné důmyslných fines, zabijácké bicí a vokál, který doslova bolí.
No řekněte, co si víc starý metalový pes jako já může přát? Kapela si dala velký pozor na zvuk, které je masivní, dobře čitelný a jednotlivé nápady a nuance perfektně vyniknou. Navíc, a na to se v současné době často zapomíná, nahrávka je nejen skvělá po formální stránce, ale i živočišná, zajímavá, neotřelá. Zkrátka a dobře, ihned jsem věděl, že UNBURIER řežou tou správnou stranou nože. To vám klidně podepíšu vlastní krví.
"As Time Awaits" se tak pro mě stalo osobní záležitostí. Líbí se mi, že kapela u skládání nových skladeb přemýšlela, ze v sobě pánové mají drive, sílu, nakumulovaný zdravý vztek. To vše zahrané precizně a s krvavou jiskrou v oku. Pánové sice mají na svém kontě zatím jen dvě EP a jednu demonahrávku, ale působí jako zkušení bardi, kteří přistupují k hudbě s nadhledem, talentem a elegancí starých mistrů v oboru. Některé pasáže jsou sice složitější a určitě vám bude trvat chvilku déle, než se do nich dostanete, ale alespoň budou mít delší trvanlivost. Pokud máte rádi techničtěji podaný thrash metal, surový death metal, to vše zabalené v chladu, temnotě, tak neváhejte ani chvilku. Na UNBURIER se mi líbí, že jsou opravdoví, reální, zajímaví, že sice stavějí na klasických, tradičních myšlenkách a nápadech, ale nadále je také rozvíjejí. Tahle kapela je zkrátka a dobře autentická a věřím jí každou melodii, riff, úder bicích i výkřik do tmy. Mrzí mě snad jen jediné. Už by to chtělo dlouhohrající, plnohodnotné album. Zajímalo by mě, jak bude znít hudba těchto maniaků na větší ploše. Letos se totiž jedná o záležitost, která obstojí jak při detailní pitvě, tak i jako "kulisa" při dlouhých toulkách v mém průmyslovém městě. Je něco neklidného, nebál bych se napsat magicky přitažlivého, co mě neustále nutí se vracet do mého sklepa a znovu a znovu zapínat play. Jeden můj kamarád kdysi říkal, že se mu nejvíc líbí muzika, která je zahraná od srdce. Myslím si, že v tomto případě to platí na sto procent! Surový, technický thrash death metalový útok z toho nejhlubšího podzemí! Tsunami, které vás smete z povrchu zemského!
Asphyx says:
I was sitting in my cold basement again, wondering what music to listen to. I turned off all the lights and let myself be immersed in the new album by British maniacs UNBURIER. I didn't know the band at all and didn't even bother to look up any information about them. I expected another dud that would leave no impression on me. This time, however, I was very wrong. I pressed play and immediately felt like I had been electrocuted. It was as if a pack of rabid dogs had burst into the room. Sharp riffs, technical passages full of ingenious finesse, killer drums, and vocals that literally hurt.
Tell me, what more could an old metalhead like me want? The band paid great attention to the sound, which is massive, easy to follow, and perfectly highlights individual ideas and nuances. In addition, and this is often forgotten these days, the recording is not only great in terms of form, but also animalistic, interesting, and original. In short, I knew right away that UNBURIER were cutting with the right side of the knife. I'll gladly sign that with my own blood.
"As Time Awaits" has become a personal matter for me. I like that the band thought about the drive, strength, and accumulated healthy anger they have inside them when composing new songs. All of this is played precisely and with a bloody spark in their eyes. Although the guys only have two EPs and one demo recording to their credit so far, they come across as experienced bards who approach music with the perspective, talent, and elegance of old masters in the field. Some passages are more complex and will certainly take you a little longer to get into, but at least they will have a longer shelf life. If you like more technical thrash metal, raw death metal, all wrapped up in coldness and darkness, don't hesitate for a moment. What I like about UNBURIER is that they are genuine, real, interesting, that they build on classic, traditional ideas and concepts, but also continue to develop them. This band is simply authentic, and I believe every melody, riff, drum beat, and scream into the darkness. I only regret one thing. It's about time for a full-length album. I wonder how the music of these maniacs will sound on a larger scale. This year's release is something that stands up to both detailed scrutiny and as "background music" during long walks in my industrial city. There is something unsettling, I wouldn't be afraid to say magically attractive, that keeps me coming back to my basement and pressing play again and again. A friend of mine once said that he likes music that is played from the heart the most. I think that in this case, it's 100% true! A raw, technical thrash death metal attack from the deepest underground! A tsunami that will wipe you off the face of the earth!
Ve starých ruinách, o kterých dodnes kolují děsivé legendy, lze stále nalézt stopy krve. Kamenný oltář, pradávné symboly, jakoby zde stále hořel černý oheň a oběti měly strach. Někdy, když se pohybuji na podobných místech, tak cítím všemi póry svého těla bolest a utrpení. Úplně stejným zážitkem je pro mě i nové album řeckých maniaků PHASMA. Je nasáklé zkaženou krví, napadá mě jako první, když znovu a znovu zapínám play. Ze stínů vylezou přízraky a moje duše je prokletá.
Na začátek bych se vám rád trošku omluvil. Je to teprve moje první setkání s kapelou. Přitom pánové mají na svém kontě již dvě předešlá, velmi dobrá alba. Doporučuji vám, abyste si je také poslechli. Je opravdu zajímavé sledovat vývoj kapely. Strávil jsem s jejich hudbou spoustu času a pokaždé, když jsem ji poslouchal, tak jsem se ztrácel v krvavé mlze. I letošní novinka je spíše obřadem pro vyvolávání temných sil, než jen obyčejnou nahrávkou. Budete navěky prokleti!
Řekové velice umně a zajímavě kombinují chladný black metal, surový starý death metal i jeho techničtější, brutální podobu. Výsledný koktejl je velmi naléhavý, ostrý, divoký, nespoutaný. Jakoby se kolem alba vznášela temná a jedovatá atmosféra. Smrt je při poslechu velmi blízko a vy si tak můžete od sytosti vychutnat masivní, velmi dobře čitelný zvuk, i motiv na obalu, který mě samozřejmě inspiroval k úvodu dnešní recenze. Vše tu sedí perfektně na svých místech, album hoří zevnitř, i když je na povrchu mrazivé, jako ruka rozkládající se mrtvoly. PHASMA na to jdou ostře, nekompromisně, ale nezapomínají ani na melodie, které se vám doslova zadřou do mozku i do podvědomí. "Purgatory" je přesně tím druhem nahrávky, která by mohla chutnat fanouškům třeba takových kapel jako MGLA, DYING FETUS, PSYCROPTIC, CRYPTS OF DESPAIR, KRIEGSMACHINE a dalších tmářů, kteří se snaží úspěšně posouvat extrémní metalové žánry do dalších, děsivých dimenzí. Snažil jsem se najít i něco, co by mi vadilo, o čem bych mohl napsat něco kritického, ale nic jsem nenašel. Novinka si mě získala hlavně tím, kolik má v sobě síly, energie, tlaku i síry. Tahle smečka je neskutečně opravdová, uvěřitelná, zničující a autentická. I dnes, po dlouhé době společných seancí, moc dobře vím, že se večer seberu a půjdu zase za město, mezi staré ruiny, hned vedle pohřebiště, kde byla kdysi pohřbena zohavená těla z pradávných rituálů. A tuhle desku si vezmu samozřejmě s sebou. Má v sobě totiž něco morbidního, přitažlivého, co mě pokaždé dokáže přenést do nekonečné říše stínů. Syrová, krutá a krvavá black death metalová definice temnoty! Album, které se vám otiskne do mozku jako děsivá noční můra!
Asphyx says:
In the old ruins, about which terrifying legends still circulate today, traces of blood can still be found. A stone altar, ancient symbols, as if a black fire still burned here and the victims were afraid. Sometimes, when I move around in places like this, I feel pain and suffering with every pore of my body. The new album by Greek maniacs PHASMA is exactly the same experience for me. It is soaked in rotten blood, which is the first thing that comes to mind when I press play again and again. Ghosts emerge from the shadows and my soul is cursed.
First, I would like to apologize a little. This is my first encounter with the band. However, these gentlemen already have two previous, very good albums to their credit. I recommend that you listen to them as well. It is really interesting to follow the band's development. I spent a lot of time with their music, and every time I listened to it, I lost myself in a bloody fog. This year's new release is more of a ritual for summoning dark forces than just an ordinary recording. You will be cursed forever!
The Greeks skillfully and interestingly combine cold black metal, raw old death metal, and its more technical, brutal form. The resulting cocktail is very urgent, sharp, wild, and unrestrained. It's as if a dark and poisonous atmosphere hovers around the album. Death is very close when listening, and you can thoroughly enjoy the massive, very clear sound, as well as the cover art, which of course inspired me to write the introduction to today's review. Everything fits perfectly in its place here, the album burns from within, even though it is frosty on the surface, like the hand of a decomposing corpse. PHASMA go at it sharply, uncompromisingly, but they don't forget the melodies that literally stick in your brain and subconscious. "Purgatory" is exactly the kind of record that could appeal to fans of bands such as MGLA, DYING FETUS, PSYCROPTIC, CRYPTS OF DESPAIR, KRIEGSMACHINE, and other obscurantists who are successfully pushing extreme metal genres into new, terrifying dimensions. I tried to find something that bothered me, something I could write critically about, but I couldn't find anything. The new album won me over mainly with its power, energy, intensity, and fire. This pack is incredibly real, believable, devastating, and authentic. Even today, after a long period of joint sessions, I know very well that in the evening I will get up and go out of town again, among the old ruins, right next to the burial ground where mutilated bodies from ancient rituals were once buried. And of course, I'll take this album with me. It has something morbid and attractive about it that always transports me to the endless realm of shadows. A raw, cruel, and bloody black death metal definition of darkness! An album that will imprint itself on your brain like a terrifying nightmare!
tracklist:
1. I
2. II
3. III
4. IV
5. V
6. VI
Lineup -
Jason Athanasiadis (Kawir) - Guitars and songwriting
Poslední roky je spousta z nás izolovaná od ostatních. Stojíme uprostřed davu, propojeni v jedné obrovské síti, můžeme o sobě dát vědět v reálném čase, přesto jsme osamocení a prázdní. Možná měli staří autoři sci-fi pravdu, když předvídali, že lidé projdou velkou proměnou a bude stvořen nový druh. Člověk a stroj. Bez emocí, přehlcen emocemi, bez strachu, vyděšený. Přemýšlím o tom, když poslouchám nové album polských BANISHER. Tahle kapela hrála vždy velmi zajímavě, nebála se experimentovat a zároveň si zachovávala death metalový tlak i vztek.
Kapela se vrací po šesti letech a musím rovnou dodat, že je to ve velkém stylu. Když si totiž novinku "Metamorphosis" pustíte, chytne váš hned za vlasy a vymáchá vám obličej v kaluži plné krvi. Ten tlak, síla, nápady, vše je zde velmi silné a opravdu dobře napsané a složené. Přiznám se, že již při prvním poslechu jsem byl zcela fascinován a strhnut do víru a mám to takhle nastavené stejně. Nové album nelze označit jinak, než za vynikající a kulervoucí!
Na BANISHER se mi vždycky líbilo, že sice ctí klasické a tradiční postupy, ale snaží se vždy přijít i s něčím novým, neotřelým. Poláci mají velký talent na to, napsat skvělé motivy, které se zároveň velmi dobře poslouchají. Nenašel jsem na novince jediné slabé místo, něco, co by mi třeba jen trošku vadilo. Naopak, kývám se spokojeně do rytmu, bouchám pěstí do stolu, křičím do tmy. Hudba pro mě byla vždy o vášni, o předaných emocích, o srdci. Poláci všechno tohle mají. Povedl se i zvuk, motiv na obalu a další formální věci. To je zde (a vždy bylo) samozřejmostí. "Metamorphosis" je přesně tím druhem alba, které je vybroušené k dokonalosti. Po technické stránce se jedná o skvělé výkony po všech stránkách. Kapela do vás zasekne dráp a už vás nikdy nepustí. Alespoň mě se to stalo a je pro mě až fascinující, jak se tihle polští maniaci každou další nahrávkou posouvají, zlepšují. Pokaždé si řeknu, ne, tohle je vrchol, dál už to nejde a oni pak přijdou s dalším albem, které mě doslova přikove na zeď. Pokud jsi fanoušek kapel jako DECAPITATED, SUFFOCATION, HATE ETERNAL, PESTILENCE, DEATH, THE FACELESS, CRYPTOPSY, LOST SOUL a rád u hudby přemýšlíš, tak neváhej ani chvilku. Letos (a vlastně pokaždé), je mi velkou ctí o BANISHER napsat pár skromných řádek. Jako vždy ale platí, že než psát nějaká slova, která stejně nikdy nedokáží vystihnout přesně to, co se na desce odehrává, je lepší přímé setkání s hudbou. Proto vám doporučuji volume doprava, tichou a chladnou místnost a pokud to bude jen trošku možné, tak vypněte všechny obrazovky v okolí, aby vás nerušily. Netuším, co nás čeká jako lidstvo v budoucnu, jistý jsem si jen s tím, že tuhle nahrávku si budu ještě hodně dlouho rvát do hlavy pod tlakem. Klaním se až k zemi! Brutální, technický death metal, který se vám dostane do podvědomí! Hudba, která trhá řetězy!
Asphyx says:
In recent years, many of us have become isolated from others. We stand in the middle of a crowd, connected in one huge network, able to communicate in real time, yet we are lonely and empty. Perhaps the old science fiction writers were right when they predicted that humans would undergo a great transformation and a new species would be created. Human and machine. Without emotions, overwhelmed by emotions, without fear, terrified. I think about this when I listen to the new album by Polish band BANISHER. This band has always played in a very interesting way, not afraid to experiment while maintaining the pressure and anger of death metal.
The band is back after six years, and I have to say right away that it's in a big way. When you play the new album "Metamorphosis", it grabs you by the hair and splashes your face in a pool of blood. The pressure, the power, the ideas, everything here is very strong and really well written and composed. I admit that I was completely fascinated and swept away from the very first listen, and I still feel the same way. The new album can only be described as excellent and mind-blowing!
What I've always liked about BANISHER is that while they honor classic and traditional approaches, they always try to come up with something new and original. The Poles have a great talent for writing great motifs that are also very easy to listen to. I couldn't find a single weak spot on the new album, something that would bother me even a little. On the contrary, I'm nodding contentedly to the rhythm, banging my fist on the table, shouting into the darkness. For me, music has always been about passion, about conveying emotions, about the heart. The Poles have all of this. The sound, the cover art, and other formal aspects are also well done. That is (and always has been) a matter of course here. "Metamorphosis" is exactly the kind of album that has been polished to perfection. Technically, it is a great performance in every respect. The band sinks its claws into you and never lets go. At least that's what happened to me, and I find it fascinating how these Polish maniacs push themselves further and improve with each new recording. Every time I say to myself, no, this is the peak, it can't get any better, and then they come out with another album that literally nails me to the wall. If you are a fan of bands such as DECAPITATED, SUFFOCATION, HATE ETERNAL, PESTILENCE, DEATH, THE FACELESS, CRYPTOPSY, LOST SOUL, and you like to think while listening to music, don't hesitate for a moment. This year (and actually every year), it is a great honor for me to write a few modest lines about BANISHER. As always, however, rather than writing words that will never be able to accurately describe what is happening on the album, it is better to experience the music directly. Therefore, I recommend turning up the volume, finding a quiet and cool room, and, if possible, turning off all screens in the vicinity so that you are not disturbed. I have no idea what the future holds for us as humanity, but I am certain that I will be listening to this recording on repeat for a long time to come. I bow down to the ground! Brutal, technical death metal that will get into your subconscious! Music that breaks chains!
Další noc vytřeštěných očí. Smutek a strach, deprese. Nechápeš to. Vyrostl jsi v normální šťastné rodině. Máš dobrou práci, měl bys být spokojený. Jenže tomu tak není. Prohlédneš za jediný den tisíce obrázků a videí. Mozek se ti vaří ve vlastní šťávě. Zahlcen informacemi padáš do hlubiny. Války, hladomor, násilí, hnus a lidská špína. Tenhle svět se řítí do záhuby. V mořích jsou tuny plastu a v hlavách budeme mít brzy čipy. Stal si se robotem pochodujícím pomalu na smrt. Vyděšený ve své ulitě. Mám rád kapely, které mají svůj názor, výraz, které hrají originálně, které mě dokáží vytáhnout alespoň na chvilku z téhle podivné doby.
Francouzští CRYOXYD hrají death metal a mají na svém kontě dvě demonahrávky a několik singlů. Když jsem slyšel jejich loňský debut poprvé, hrozně se mi na něm líbilo, že na něm velice šikovně a inteligentně kombinují tradiční old schoolové postupy s těmi progresivnějšími a technickými. Zkrátka a dobře, došlo ke vzájemnému přenosu emocí a každé další setkání jsem si neskutečně užíval. Možná jsme všichni spojeni v pevné šílené síti, ale tuhle smečku řadím mezi ty, které ji umí roztrhat na kusy.
Novinka je divoká ze své podstaty. Připomíná mi má velmi častá setkání s klasickými autory sci-fi románů. Minimálně atmosféra a nálady nové nahrávky jsou velmi podobné. Možná jsme jako lidstvo jenom pokusnými králíky, jejichž chov se příliš nepovedl, ale prostou pravdou je, že pokud budou hrát podobné kapely jako CRYOXYD, bude mě bavit sledovat novou hudbu. Nechat se unášet na krvavých vlnách chladných melodií, užívat si surový a přesto melodický vokál, každý úder bicích, bublání baskytary. Novinka na mě funguje i po zvukové stránce. Líbí se mi motiv na obalu, který (opět) ve mě evokuje obálky knih, které mám tolik rád. Hudba je zde velmi promyšlená, zajímavá, nenudím se ani chvilku. Někdy bývám rád sám. V těchto chvílích si pouštím stále dokola "This World We Live In..." a přemýšlím o tom, kam jako lidstvo směřujeme? Proč je všude najednou tolik zla? Nebo se mi to jenom zdá? Jednotlivé skladby se mi zadírají pomalu pod kůži i do mozku, do podvědomí. Netuším, jak to máte nastavené vy, ale já stále, i po tolika letech, poslouchám hudbu srdcem. Musí mě něčím chytit, zaujmout, musím si podupávat nohou do rytmu. A u téhle desky jsem doslova ve svém živlu. Máte rádi PESTILENCE, DEATH, SKELETAL REMAINS? Potom neváhejte ani chvilku a myslím si, že si tohle album užijete jako já. Možná jsem díky své vytíženosti otálel trošku déle s napsáním recenze, ale přátelé, o to víc si tenhle zásek užívám. Už teď se moc těším, co od téhle smečky uslyším příště. Je něco neklidného, přitažlivého a nebál bych se napsat i magického, co mě na téhle desce zaujalo a neustále mě to nutí k dalším a dalším setkáním. Ať si svět kolem mě klidně shoří, ale tohle se opravdu velmi povedlo. Až mě bude zase čekat další noc vytřeštěných očí, určitě si album znovu rád pustím. Majestátní, temný a chladný technický death metal, ve kterém se potkává tradice s budoucností! Nahrávka, která se vám dostane až do morku kostí!
Asphyx says:
Another night of wide eyes. Sadness and fear, depression. You don't understand. You grew up in a normal, happy family. You have a good job, you should be satisfied. But that's not the case. You look at thousands of pictures and videos in a single day. Your brain is boiling in its own juice. Overwhelmed by information, you fall into the depths. War, famine, violence, filth, and human depravity. This world is hurtling toward destruction. There are tons of plastic in the oceans, and soon we'll have chips in our heads. You've become a robot slowly marching toward death. Terrified in your shell. I like bands that have their own opinion, expression, that play originally, that can pull me out of this strange time, at least for a moment.
French band CRYOXYD plays death metal and has two demo recordings and several singles to their credit. When I heard their debut album for the first time last year, I really liked how they very skillfully and intelligently combined traditional old school techniques with more progressive and technical ones. In short, there was a mutual transfer of emotions, and I enjoyed every subsequent encounter immensely. Maybe we are all connected in a solid, crazy network, but I rank this pack among those that can tear it to pieces.
The new album is wild by nature. It reminds me of my frequent encounters with classic science fiction authors. At the very least, the atmosphere and mood of the new recording are very similar. Perhaps we, as humanity, are just guinea pigs whose breeding has not been very successful, but the simple truth is that if bands like CRYOXYD continue to play, I will enjoy listening to new music. Letting myself be carried away on bloody waves of cold melodies, enjoying the raw yet melodic vocals, every beat of the drums, the bubbling of the bass guitar. The new album also works for me in terms of sound. I like the motif on the cover, which (again) evokes the book covers I love so much. The music here is very thoughtful, interesting, I'm not bored for a moment. Sometimes I like to be alone. In these moments, I play "This World We Live In..." over and over again and think about where we are headed as humanity. Why is there so much evil everywhere all of a sudden? Or is it just my imagination? The individual songs slowly get under my skin and into my brain, into my subconscious. I don't know how you feel about it, but even after so many years, I still listen to music with my heart. It has to grab me, catch my attention, make me tap my foot to the rhythm. And with this album, I am literally in my element. Do you like PESTILENCE, DEATH, SKELETAL REMAINS? Then don't hesitate for a moment, and I think you will enjoy this album as much as I do. Maybe I took a little longer to write this review because of my busy schedule, but friends, that makes me enjoy this album even more. I'm already looking forward to what I'll hear from this pack next. There's something unsettling, attractive, and I wouldn't be afraid to say magical about this album that caught my attention and keeps me coming back for more. Let the world around me burn, but this is really well done. When another night of wide-eyed wakefulness awaits me, I will definitely be happy to play this album again. Majestic, dark, and cold technical death metal, where tradition meets the future! A recording that will get under your skin!
A few questions - inteview with death metal band from France - CRYOXYD.
Answered Eron (Guitars, Vocals, Synths), thank you!
Ave, can you introduce your band to our readers? – When was it founded and what style of music do you play etc.?
Hello, I formed Cryoxyd (Eron) from the ashes of my former band „In Memory Of…“ around 2000, I think. At the time, we released two demos between 2003 and 2006, but the band split not long after I moved to Paris, mainly because—oddly enough—I couldn’t find a drummer.
It has to be said that the style back then was a bit more unusual: a mix of death metal, industrial elements, and overly elaborate song structures. I publicly put the project on hold. I then composed the album on my own between 2006 and 2008, before reviving the band around 2019. It went on hiatus again during the Covid period, and afterward I ran into lineup issues.
Today, the style is definitively rooted in 90s Tampa Bay–style death metal.
Where and under what conditions were you recording the new album? Who was in charge of sound, production and mastering?
We recorded the album at home, each of us in our own space, as it was originally meant to be a studio project—my project—and I neither had the financial means nor the intention to record it in a professional studio.
The mixing and mastering were handled by Kristian Ogir at Everloud Studios in Denmark, and I’m very satisfied with the result.
How many copies were released and which medium was used for this new edition (CD, digital, vinyl, cassette)?
For now, Dolorem Records has only released 400 CDs. We don’t yet have the financial means to press vinyl, but we’ll be opening pre-orders soon. I don’t think there will be a cassette release, as I admit it raises a kind of ecological dilemma for me. That said, I’m not even sure what pollutes more in the end—physical formats or digital.
Of course, the album is available on all streaming platforms.
Who is the author of the lyrics, how were they created, and what do they deal with?
The lyrics were written by me.
They broadly deal with humanity and society, touching on subjects meant to provoke reflection without being overtly philosophical. Beliefs are also addressed, as well as introspection, all set against a fundamentally misanthropic backdrop.
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?
I created the logo myself, and a friend of mine, Kevirus, handled the cover artwork, while the layout was done by David Fakrikian.
At the moment, we don’t have a website yet, but we’ll be working on that soon. As for social media, to be honest, I’m not very comfortable with it and I don’t particularly like it, but nowadays everything goes through social platforms, so there’s really no choice.
There’s also an ecological dilemma involved, because during a promotion period you inevitably overuse social media—posting constantly, reels, stories in every direction—and you start wondering whether it’s really useful compared to the pollution it generates. It’s a real issue.
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?
Dolorem Records was the best option among those who showed interest in this album.
I used to hang out on Sunday afternoons at a small nightclub/concert venue in Paris called Le Klub, where I discovered several bands whose albums I immediately bought—albums that were released through Dolorem Records.
I also had friends on the label who spoke very highly of them; I’m thinking in particular of Infern and Misgivings. Alex, the head of the label, does a solid job with promotion, and above all he’s someone who is genuinely passionate about the underground scene.
Which bands do you idolise and where do you get your inspiration?
Obviously, all late-80s and 90s death metal bands, but more specifically from the Florida scene, even though there are also some European influences. That said, I think Cryoxyd’s style clearly fits within the 1990s Tampa, Florida wave.
My favorite band is, of course, Death, but also Mercyless, Pestilence, Monstrosity, Brutality, Nocturnus, and Morbid Angel—these are, I think, the influences that come through the most on this album.
Did you send your record to some Labels - which are the labels? How was the response?
Obviously, I first sent the album to the bigger labels—some replied, others didn’t. I reached out to all the well-known labels, both larger and mid-sized, but not so much to smaller ones, because I was already thinking about Dolorem Records for that category. To me, they seemed like the best option based on what I knew, and above all, I really like the bands signed to the label, which is naturally a mark of quality in my eyes.
I did receive very encouraging feedback from an American label, but they didn’t want to commit to a debut album yet. They advised me to first build and develop the project with the first release, and potentially consider working together on a second album if the project proves to be sufficiently established.
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?
For the moment, we haven’t played live yet.
Our first show will take place on March 28th in Nantes, and we’ll most likely play another show the day before on the Paris–Nantes route. That said, we really need to find a proper deal with a booking agent, because I don’t want to exhaust the band by playing tiny, poorly structured shows.
We all have a solid musical background. For instance, Greg on drums plays or has played in several bands such as Deathcode Society on Osmose Productions, Glaciation on the same label, and Ufych on Holy Records. Jeff previously played in an Iron Maiden tribute band alongside Denis Stratton himself, guitarist on Iron Maiden’s self-titled debut album. As for me, I played in a punk band, Metal Urbain, with whom I toured internationally and recorded an album in San Francisco with Jello Biafra, former singer of Dead Kennedys.
We’re not newcomers to music, and as a result, we won’t accept just any conditions.
What about your plans for the future? What do you want to achieve with the band?
Obviously, we want to tour as much as possible and overthrow Metallica!
How and where can your fans contact you? Can you provide some contact information?
I don’t even know if we already have any fans, haha.
Well, they can contact us directly through social media messaging—it’s always a pleasure to reply!
Ve jménu víry, jdi a zabíjej. Máš mé požehnání. Musíš všechny obrátit na správnou stranu. Můžeš rabovat, znásilňovat, můžeš zotročovat. Pánbůh bude pořád s tebou. Vyber ty, kteří jsou jiní, odlišní, kteří mají svoje názory. Pronásleduj je, muč je a nakonec je označ za kacíře a spal je na hranici. Jsem vždycky rád, když potkám na svých toulkách v podzemí kapely, které řežou do živého. Které se nebojí napsat texty, které nejen, že popisují zvěrstva, která udělala církev ve své historii, ale dají se přenést i do současnosti.
Lidé se totiž příliš nemění. BLOODTRUTH jsou z Itálie a jejich brutální technický death metal si poslechnu vždycky rád. Když dostanu chuť na tuhle odrůdu metalu, volím jejich alba velmi často. Máme u nás na stránkách i rozhovor a report z koncertu. Vše je odkazováno dole pod článkem. Na novém albu se pánové opět posouvají dál. Jsou surovější, divočejší, ostřejší, maniakálnější.
Pokud bychom měli hovořit o formálních věcech, jako je zvuk, provedení, motiv na obalu, tak bych neměl žádných námitek. Vše sedí perfektně na svých místech a mohu si tak užívat muziku samotnou. Stále se jedná o brutální death metal s technickými prvky, zabalený do temnoty a chladu. Jakoby byla do skladeb otištěna pradávná síla, tlak a energie, posbírané ve starých katakombách, ve kterých jsou stále pohřbena těla prokletých mnichů. Kdysi se účastnili honu na čarodějnice, rabování. Jako krvavá stopa po nich zůstávají spálené vesnice a tisíce mrtvých. Také cítíte ze skladeb krutost a surovost? Já ano. Užívám si morbidní atmosféru, kývám se spokojeně do rytmu, jako hrobník, který právě exhumoval starý hrob. Hádejte, kdo v něm byl pochován? BLOODTRUTH lze s klidem zařadit po bok smeček, jako jsou SUFFOCATION, HIDEOUS DIVINITY, DEEDS OF FLESH, SKINLESS, KRISIUN, HOUR OF PENANCE. Zkrátka a dobře, pokud máte chuť na autentickou, opravdovou a reálnou, velmi dobře zahranou a napsanou metalovou brutalitu, potom jste zde správně. Žádné kompromisy, žádné zbytečnosti, jenom přímý útok na vaše podvědomí. Líbí se mi taková ta hnisavá atmosféra, která se kolem vznáší, jako síra kolem démonů. Italové jsou stále ve skvělé formě, působí na mě jako smečka rozzuřených psů, kteří hlídají vstup do podzemí. Ve jménu víry, jdi a zabíjej. Máš mé požehnání. Musíš všechny obrátit na správnou stranu. Můžeš rabovat, znásilňovat, můžeš zotročovat. Pánbůh bude pořád s tebou. Vyber ty, kteří jsou jiní, odlišní, kteří mají svoje názory. Pronásleduj je, muč je a nakonec je označ za kacíře a spal je na hranici. Při poslechu se cítím, jako jedna z obětí! Temný, nekompromisní, technický brutální death metal, který nastavuje zrcadlo slepé víře! Bolestivé vzpomínky na krutou inkvizici! Zuřivost, bolest a šílenství!
Asphyx says:
In the name of faith, go forth and kill. You have my blessing. You must convert everyone to the right side. You may plunder, rape, and enslave. God will always be with you. Pick out those who are different, who have their own opinions. Persecute them, torture them, and finally label them as heretics and burn them at the stake. I am always happy when I come across bands on my underground travels that cut to the quick. Bands that are not afraid to write lyrics that not only describe the atrocities committed by the church throughout history, but can also be transferred to the present day.
People don't change much, after all. BLOODTRUTH are from Italy, and I always enjoy listening to their brutal technical death metal. When I'm in the mood for this kind of metal, I often choose their albums. We also have an interview and a concert report on our website. Everything is linked below the article. On their new album, the guys are pushing the envelope once again. They are rawer, wilder, sharper, and more maniacal.
If we were to talk about formal aspects such as sound, production, and cover art, I would have no objections. Everything fits perfectly in place, allowing me to enjoy the music itself. It's still brutal death metal with technical elements, wrapped in darkness and coldness. It's as if the songs are imbued with ancient power, pressure, and energy, gathered in old catacombs where the bodies of cursed monks are still buried. They once participated in witch hunts and looting. Burned villages and thousands of dead remain as a bloody trail behind them. Do you also feel the cruelty and brutality in the songs? I do. I enjoy the morbid atmosphere, swaying contentedly to the rhythm, like a gravedigger who has just exhumed an old grave. Guess who was buried in it? BLOODTRUTH can easily be ranked alongside bands such as SUFFOCATION, HIDEOUS DIVINITY, DEEDS OF FLESH, SKINLESS, KRISIUN, and HOUR OF PENANCE. In short, if you're in the mood for authentic, genuine, and realistic, very well-played and written metal brutality, then you've come to the right place. No compromises, no nonsense, just a direct attack on your subconscious. I like the festering atmosphere that hangs around, like sulfur around demons. The Italians are still in great shape, they strike me as a pack of rabid dogs guarding the entrance to the underworld. In the name of faith, go and kill. You have my blessing. You must convert everyone to the right side. You can plunder, rape, you can enslave. God will always be with you. Choose those who are different, who have their own opinions. Persecute them, torture them, and finally label them heretics and burn them at the stake. Listening to this, I feel like one of the victims! Dark, uncompromising, technically brutal death metal that holds up a mirror to blind faith! Painful memories of the cruel Inquisition! Fury, pain, and madness!
Ave CYTOTOXIN! Greetings to Chemnitz, Germany. I hope the radiation situation is normal there. It should be, although it's true that your new album "Biographyte" blew me away again so much that while listening to it, I felt like I was right inside a nuclear power plant. Death from radiation must always be terrible. This year, you returned with a new album after five years. Why did it take so long? I was really looking forward to it, and I was rewarded with another recording that literally kills with uranium. How did the album come about, and what has the response been like? How do the new songs work live?
Glück auf, my friend! Many thanks for the super kind words! Some things take a bit longer – especially when you want them to be as good as possible! We wanted to take all the time we need to make each song shine. We experimented a lot and did things differently on purpose – from vocals, production processes and additional layering tracks. And this can be quite a long process. We also toured a lot in the past years and we have our private lives. But the results matters and we are super happy how Biographyte came out and got great feedback from supporters all over the world! The live songs go very well, currently we have Hope Terminator, Biographyte and Condemnesia in the set!
Every time I see someone wearing a gas mask, I get a strange feeling. I remember elementary school in socialist Czechoslovakia, when we had to wear them during civil defense drills. The teachers released tear gas and we marched. I felt exactly the same way when I first saw the cover of the new album, "Biographyte." The author is German Latorres (who also did the covers for NUCLEAR and MALEVOLENT CREATION, among others). How did you get together, why him, and what exactly is the cover motif supposed to express in connection with the music and lyrics?
The uneasy feeling is entirely understandable. These masks have their own unique characteristics, exuding a certain sense of consistent menace, which fits the band's theme quite well. Of course, there's also an inevitable association with war due to the history of these masks, which also fits the setting well, as the liquidators in Chernobyl in particular had to fight against radiation as an omnipresent invisible enemy. If the cover of the new album triggers this kind of unease, then it also speaks volumes about the qualities of German, who has brilliantly implemented the concept. We've known him for a very long time. Our first encounter was at one of our concerts, and since then we've maintained a close contact and have always kept an eye on his artistic work. That's how he came up with some designs for our merchandise. Once we had developed the concept for the new album, we involved him in the project relatively early on and worked long and hard on the artwork. Essentially, the album artwork depicts a liquidator forced to carry the reactor on his back. This is meant to be a metaphor, meaning that these liquidators must bear this burden on behalf of humanity. Furthermore, buildings are chained to this titan with the reactor, leaving them as uninhabitable ruins that cannot be discarded. The setting is inspired by the video game "God of War," in which the Titan Kronos is condemned to crawl through the desert carrying Pandora's temple on his back. Fittingly, Pandora's box contains what humanity is denied: hope. Thus, our Titan is symbol, metaphor, and bearer of hope all in one.
Speaking of lyrics... What exactly are they about on the new album? You are generally inspired by the horror of what happened in Chernobyl, nuclear danger, nuclear war. Who writes the lyrics? Do you draw information from books or movies?
Grimo writes the lyrics. They're usually quite long at first, but then refined and rattled together with Fonzo ;-). The new album offers a lyrical tour of Chernobyl, a journey to significant buildings, intersections of the past, or eventful locations. We also tried to create perspectives from multiple time levels. Therefore, the narrative of the scene takes place partly from the here and now of the past, but also from the current situation today. This tension led us to describe not only the decay of atoms but also of space and time in the exclusion zone. Both types of decay cause energy to be released, both kinetically and artistically. The sources of information are very diverse. For this album, in addition to lyrical fragments from survivors, the HBO Chernobyl series, documentary footage, and eyewitness accounts from forays into the zone. We also sought personal exchanges to create the most authentic picture possible "on the ground."
Readers would probably not forgive me if I forgot to ask about the band's history. Chemnitz used to be in the socialist bloc. What were your beginnings like, how did you get together as a band, and why brutal death metal?
Fonzo and our first drummer actually studied together at the same university in Chemnitz. Rehearsels took place in a small attic in some kind of youth center and it was more of a blackend death metal project. Only a few months later when Grimo joined the band it transformed into brutal slam death metal and from there it was only a short way until Cytotoxin found their sound. I guess it was some kind of masculine obsession. As you probably know young men try to test their limits and it felt only natural to us to play as fast but also as heavy as possible. It was just all about what would be the most fun music to play.
I've been to Chemnitz several times. Now only as a tourist, but a long time ago, after the revolution, when socialism fell, your city was my first foreign concert visit. At that time, we went with a group of friends to see my beloved TANKARD. We got terribly drunk, I don't remember much, but I know I threw up in some beautiful park. Maybe even in a fountain. What was it like for you in terms of metal in the nineties and what is it like today? Are there any events? Do fans go to concerts? I remember that back then it was in some cultural center...
I hope the fountain has recovered from this accident hehe. Chemnitz itself is a very old city in terms of population, and is characterized by beautiful old buildings. Here and there, Soviet architecture still shines through, which brings with it a certain charm. Generally speaking, it's a city where it's good to live, in my opinion. In terms of concerts, to be honest, things are a bit thin. Some clubs from the post-reunification era no longer exist and there's simply no target audience for events of this kind. When it comes to metal concerts, fans transfer to the town and travel from the surrounding area. Perhaps that will change again someday, but fundamentally, the brutal death scene in Chemnitz is somehow in the process of renaturalization.
What about you as a musician? Which band got you into music? Who inspired you the most? I mean as a musician now? Do you have any classical music education? What about your first concert, your first performance on stage? Tell me, exaggerate...
We all have different influences and roots but I’m sure we can all agree on bands like Necrophagist, Beneath the Massacre, Dying Fetus or Origin. And these are the bands you might rediscover here and there in Cytotoxin’s songs!
Fonzo and Jason have a more or less classical background.
Jason is more inspired by progressive music and started out with piano as a child and later learned guitar self-taught. His first concert was In Extremo at Schlachthof Dresden. The first show was probably at high school with a metalcore band.
Fonzo was all about Hard Rock like ACDC in his first musical steps on guitar in the young age of 14. Only later when he was 16 years old he discovered bands like Machine Head or Children of Bodom he was amazed by what can be done on a guitar. From there it only got faster, heavier and harder over the years. First metal concert must have been the Unholy Alliance Tour with Slayer, Lamb of God, Children Of Bodom and In Flames... man what a package!
Let's get back to the new album. I really like the sound on it. It's massive, raw, but cold and dark at the same time. Where and how did you record it, who is credited with the mastering and mixing?
Thank you so much, happy to hear that! We recorded the guitars at home and partially in the studio. Same for the bass actually! This time, we decided to record vocals in our rehearsal room. This was mainly driven by the lack of time we had previously in the studio. Imagine, we usually just had 4 days to track vocals for the past albums. This time, we wanted to have more time and experiment a bit more. And I think you can hear that! We recorded the drums again at Kohlekeller Studios. But the mixing and mastering wasn’t done by Kristian „Kohle“, but by Mendel – ex-guitarist of Aborted. If you know his solo project you can tell that he is a pro when it comes to modern production, heavy guitar sounds and orchestration. And this is exactly what we wanted with the album.
I've seen CYTOTOXIN several times at festivals in the Czech Republic, and I've also met you in smaller clubs. What do concerts mean to you? Do you enjoy playing live? And what do you think of Czech fans? I think they really like you here. After all, I'm one of them.
It’s always a pleasure to play in Czech Republic. It’s safe to say that our Czech supporters are the greatest party animals which makes these shows always fun and recognizible. Concerts of course mean a lot to us. And it doesn’t matter if it’s Brutal Assault, Melodka in Brno, Rock Cafe in Prague or a smaller club inbetween. We love the energy that the crowd gives, to see people dancing and moshing. It feels like people are very much enjoying our shows – and the well crafted beer!
When I read some books about Chernobyl and saw the famous series on Netflix, what fascinated me most was the Russians' inhumanity, which continues to this day. How they didn't care how many people would die, how many crazy decisions they made. And then how they lied about everything, how they let thousands of people die. Without help. I don't want to get into politics, I don't like it, but how do you perceive the current situation in Chernobyl? And at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. Do you think that we, as humanity, are a little closer to nuclear war again?
We are very much worried about the war in Ukraine and it feels unreal to see acts of war again in Europe. We were deeply shocked when we heard about the attacks on the power plants. I think, we can all agree that these fights need to stop immediately. Other than that we agree with you that we stay away from politics as good as we can.
You have been dealing with the nuclear threat for 15 years. Still, are you ready if something happens? As a small child, I was constantly scared by rockets, that the Americans would attack us and destroy us. We were supposed to take raincoats and plastic bags for our feet and hands. And run to the shelter? Hey, could you really do that? When I see footage of a war that is a few thousand kilometers away from us, it makes me feel pretty bad.
I’m not sure if you can really be ready if something tragic like this would happen. Of yourse, we sincerely hope that people are reasonable and responsible enough to stop fighting or even drop bombs on people again like they did in Hiroshima or Nagasaki.
Let's move away from serious topics. I'm curious what music and playing in a band means to you. Is it a hobby, a lifestyle? What has music (brutal death metal) given you and what has it taken away? You can approach this question from a philosophical point of view.
That’s a great question! For all of us, music has always been an integral part and I know that it has always been our childhood dream to play our instrument in front of crowds and be able to make a living out of it. We all still have jobs besides music and that’s totally fine. So, I would say it’s a hobby – but quite an intense one! Nearly each minute of our free time is dedicated to music, our instrument and the band. Music gives us energy, music enabled us to travel the world, meet our idols, make so many friends and supporters in the most distant corners of the world – and that’s amazing. But you also pay the price for this: you will miss many things! You are away from friends and family, it’s challenging for relationships because you got to skip many events because you are on the road. Also, everyone of us has to sacrifice the holidays to be able to join tours!
Do you have any dreams with the band? Any goals you would still like to achieve? Are you interested in a big festival or label?
We for sure would like to go back to the the US and Canada. But there are also so many other countries we would like to visit with the band. We get many comments from people to play in this or that country and we would love to exactly do that. So reach out to your local promoter and make them get in touch with us! When it comes to Festival, we would be honored to play Hellfest or Wacken one day. When it comes to labels, we currently try to survive without one and do things on our own. But who knows, maybe we want to team up with a label again in the future!
What is CYTOTOXIN planning for the coming months? If you have a message for fans, labels, promoters, something on your mind that you would like to say to everyone, or just a message... here's the space...
The next big thing coming up this year is a UK tour! 10 dates together with Analepsy, Osiah and Cognitive. We are so happy to be back on the island, especially with this insane lineup. UK friends, make sure to get your ticket sooner than later!
And for everyone who can’t make it: Be sure to stream our new album Biographyte or even purchase your copy – we can sign it if you want to. Your support keeps the death metal scene alive!
Thank you very much for the interview. I really appreciate it. I wish you as many loyal fans as possible, sold-out venues, and success in your personal lives. I hope the radiation situation remains normal. CYTOTOXIN RULES!
Thank you so much! Same for you and hope to see you very soon!
