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Thursday, October 30, 2014

DAVOLA: New Album Studio Report & Interview Aaron Cloutier

 
Just recently we had the opportunity to catch up with Aaron Cloutier master mind behind the project band DAVOLA who is currently in the studio recording and producing DAVOLA's second album release. Aaron Cloutier writes, performs and arranges all of his music; performing vocals, lead rhythm and acoustic guitars, bass and drum programming. DAVOLA's extreme music makes sonic connotations with bands such as LAMB OF GOD, MESHUGGAH and STRAPPING YOUNG LAD.  

After been blown away by DAVOLA's debut DICHOTOMY in 2009, and being voted Best Independent Artist of 2010 by our listeners, we had to go and check in with Aaron to get the latest developments with the new album. Aaron took some time off and delivered a very complete interview and discussed how things have progressed with the new music. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Aaron, how is the album coming along? How many songs you think it's going to have?

AARON CLOUTIER:  Slowly but surely, the album is almost ready to be mixed.  At this point, 9 songs are written and I’m still deciding whether or not to do some instrumental pieces.  I’m still a big fan of the idea of an album as a whole.  I realize in this day and age that the industry (at least in mainstream american culture) is gravitating more towards releasing singles again like we used to back when radio was all that we had.  I also notice more and more bands putting out EP’s but I’m still clinging on to that tangible album aesthetic y’know?  I always loved putting on a record and sitting down with the booklet and reading along to the lyrics and liner notes and all that.  I love hearing an album that takes you on a ride.  This record’s been at least 6 years in the making and due to …….just life… circumstances, traveling, other projects, my career as a music educator and session musician etc etc. there have been many setbacks.  In addition to that however, I didn’t want to rush anything until I felt I had the right combination of songs and performances.  Like I said, 6 years have gone by.  And with it a lot of travel, a lot of lessons, experiences and without a doubt, many struggles.  There have been a countless amount of ups and downs and this music is the closest thing I have to a diary that I can even think of.  It’s been a long learning process as I’ve been doing much of this on my own still and even when everything is prepped and ready, it’s going to take a good amount of money to properly mix, master and distribute this record properly.

EVOLUTION ROCK:  Are you doing all the instruments as a solo man project, again? Or are you working with other musicians for this album?

AARON CLOUTIER: This time around I actually have had a few friends lend their talents to the songs.  My friend Matt Moliti (Mastermind behind the progressive metal band DARK EMPIRE and now his current  Old School Swedish Influenced Death Metal Band SENTIENCE)  Contributed two guitar solos to the project that will make all the shred kids stand up and take notice.  An amazing talent.  Technically proficient, great hand tone and very precise.  Also my friend Mark Dollar contributed a……..it’s a lead part but it’s not exactly a solo.  He outlined the chords to the chorus of my song “CHAINS” and just made it explode!  I’m still blown away by that man’s playing.  So melodic and just super soulful.  And of course I have to give credit to James Stivaly who’s been a major help with the recording of the album.  I also had him and my other buddy Trevor Graham (both who play together in the insanely brutal grindcore band ORGAN DEALER) do backing vocals to a couple of tunes.  It’s was a very challenging but super inspiring time during the recording sessions.

So that said, I’m still handling all the rhythm guitar, bass, vocals and of course drum programming for the project.  I still have a couple of my own guitar solo’s to track but may have James jump on one of them.  I fractured my arm back in May so needless to say…completion of the record was delayed yet again ha ha.  But fortunately the arm is still attached and I’m back in playing form so I’ll be taking care of business soon.

EVOLUTION ROCK: How do you write your songs? Do have the lyrics already written or do you write the lyrics once the music is done?

AARON CLOUTIER:  It really all depends.  Sometimes it starts from a lyric that I build off of.  Other times it’s a riff, Other times I’m programming drums and flush out the arrangement of a song without knowing what I’m going to lay down vocally or guitar wise.  I’ve had more than a few drum and vocal numbers ha ha.  I think it’s an important approach for any songwriter to not stick to the same way of doing things.  It certainly helps give each song it’s own identity I think.  As I’ve mentioned before, I wanted this project to sound like an actual band as opposed to a solo project.  So approaching the songwriting in different ways and from different roles to me, makes it feel like it wasn’t all written by the same guy.  In that sense, it can be super challenging as you have to wear a lot of hats while doing all of this.  For example, I wouldn’t consider myself a strong bass player.  My experience with the instrument is pretty rudimentary compared to someone who’s main focus is the bass so trying to think the same way someone like that has been an interesting hurdle to jump over but you learn and it keeps things fresh.  To my ear, it sounds more like a band effort as a result of all this musical “role playing”.  Some of these songs are well traveled.  You pick up inspiration from different people, events and most importantly for me, locations and because of that I can honestly say every song on the record wasn’t written the same way.  That in itself is super important when considering the dynamics of an album as a whole.  I grew up listening to records that had peaks and valleys.  I mean really a good record isn’t that different from a good movie in that sense.  Anyway,  The opening track (with the working title of Fatal Memories) started as a riff and didn’t finish as a song until about a year later when I found myself at a certain point in my life where the song almost wrote the rest of itself.  A lot of the subject matter for this record was born out of solitude as much as it came from observation and experience.  Whether it was things I witnessed about others around me or from my own personal feelings and experience.  Much of this record came from a very honest but very dark place.  Hopefully it will translate as a positive to listeners.

EVOLUTION ROCK: Besides mastering your voice as an instrument, how is your guitar work doing for this album?

AARON CLOUTIER: All rhythm guitar has been tracked for all the songs as of now.  With this project, guitar duties have always been a challenge for me in that along with all the other instruments, I want to make sure it sounds like a real band effort not just a solo project.  I was always a fan of what Morbid Angel did with tracking a certain riff on one side and having something completely different rhythmically going on on the opposite side.  I really started noticing them doing that kind of stuff more and more on albums like “Gateways to Annihilation”.  A lot of really cool polyrhythmic stuff.  So if that’s any indication of some of the influence on this record.  Morbid Angel is in there for sure but of course the old Strapping Young Lad and Meshuggah influence is very much there as well.  I don’t know, a bunch of different influences went in to this one.  Everything from the aforementioned to Neurosis and Pantera to Alice in Chains, Gojira, Cannibal Corpse, Decapitated and the Devin Townsend Project.  I’m sure I’m forgetting something here.  Just a ton of different things went into this.  I’d say in comparison to Dichotomy, the listener will hear a maturity in the songwriting and yet there is much more experimentation going on.  It’s just as heavy and fast if not more so but there’s also more melody.  More “color”.  I think melody is an important thing to have in metal but it’s very easy to go overboard and sappy with it in my opinion.  My goal as a songwriter is to keep things interesting and I’ve found that melody can add to the dynamic in just the right dosage.  I’m very proud and excited about the new material. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Have you thought of any possible titles, yet?

AARON CLOUTIER: It’s still up in the air at this point.  The concept behind the record is based around a reoccurring theme of unconsciousness.  By that I mean the ego and the consequences of being so consumed in a particular thought or feeling or belief that you don’t realize the damage you’ve caused to yourself and those around you.  These songs are an observation of many examples of how we as humans can be controlled by our own unconsciousness.  …………..So the short answer would be no….no title yet ha ha.  Been tossing around a couple ideas.  I initially thought it was going to be called I UNCONSCIOUSNESS which is taken from a lyric from one of the songs.  I don’t know I’m pretty bad with names and titles but a decision will be made soon.

EVOLUTION ROCK: Are you also doing the cover artwork like you did with Dichotomy?

AARON CLOUTIER:  I’ve been going back in forth with the artist (CUBE IN THE DESERT) who worked on the cover art Dichotomy and if all goes well, she will be on board again to do the artwork for this album.  She’s very busy with her business as a tattoo artist over in Italy so it’s been an ongoing conversation but hopefully we can make something work out as far as artwork goes.

EVOLUTION ROCK: Roughly, when do you think the album will be ready?

AARON CLOUTIER:  Well editing is reaching it’s completion.  I’m currently making a list of anything additional to add to spice up the songs.  It’s been an interesting lesson in producing over the last year and I’m excited on the results!  Everything is about 80% ready to be mixed.   It’s all a question of budget to be honest.  All of this has been done independent from a label or any kind of financial backer and professional mixing and mastering done properly doesn’t come cheap so that will have to be something to sort out when the time comes.  The goal is to have this record out before the new year so the more people who know about it and are interested in helping out, the better.  I was considering having a crowd funding campaign to raise money for mixing, mastering and distribution but really it all depends on the audience and how enthusiastic they are about the project.  I have a ton of thing’s I’d love to do for the project as far as packaging and distribution as well as video but the reality is that it all depends on the budget.  We’ll see how everything goes.  I’ve got a couple snippets of new songs up on my sound cloud page and will be posting a demo reel with snippets of the album in it’s entirety when everything’s ready to go.

EVOLUTION ROCK: What can you tell us about the sound clip you have at soundcloud?

AARON CLOUTIER:  It’s a snippet of a song called “For What it’s Worth” and it’s probably the most groove laden track on the record.  Very heavy but you can definitely bob your head to it.  It’s definitely got a Gojira vibe for sure.  I’ll need three other heads to sing this one live :) 


EVOLUTION ROCK: Can you mention 5 of your favorite all time singers, and in what bands do they play in?

AARON CLOUTIER: Ugh man I have a ton of favorites ha ha but if I had to choose….it would have to be Jens Kidman/Meshuggah, Devin Townsend/Devin Townsend Project/Strapping Young Lad, Phil Anselmo/Pantera/,  Mike Patton/Faith No More/Mr Bungle/Fantomas/ Tomahawk and Mikael Akerfeld/Opeth

EVOLUTION ROCK: You mentioned you also worked as a hired musician. how is that coming along?

AARON CLOUTIER:  It’s been going well!  I just finished up a vocal session for a client last week in fact.  I’ve been doing session work since 2009 and have been having a blast with it.  Pretty much everything that I’ve learned over the years from my time working in studios as well as doing Davola and my other projects (Beneath the Halo, Animus Rising) I’ve made available to the public whether it’s vocal and guitar work or full songwriting and production through an online company called studiotraxx.  I’ve done all of that and more over the years and I love it.  Right now it’s a balancing act between teaching, this project and my work as a session guy but I hope to be doing much much more of it in the near future. 


EVOLUTION ROCK: What have you felt is the best accomplishment so far working as a hired musician?

AARON CLOUTIER:  I would have to say having my performance included on a metal record with (actor) Sir Christopher Lee.  I was hired to record vocals for the song “The Devils Advocate” for the record “Charlemagne: The Omens of Death” that was released in 2013.  In the song, I play the role of “Duke Lop” who’s basically a personification of the Devil.  According to the storyline that goes throughout the record, Charlemagne (played by Christopher Lee who sings and does much of the narration) and his army was betrayed by the Gascon’s and my character is basically their general so there’s a back and forth between myself and Sir Christopher.  It was an absolute blast!  The producer Juan Aneiros wanted me to also do all the voices of the gascon army in addition to the voice of Duke Lop so I had to create this evil choir all composed of different screams ha ha.  I would have to say that was the biggest highlight thus far.  It was an absolute honor being a part of the project.   I mean Sir Christopher turned 91 last year and decides to release a metal record on his birthday?  That’s fucking baddass man!  I would love to do it again in the future. 

(side note:  here’s a link to a blabbermouth article on the album to check out)

EVOLUTION ROCK: What is metal to you?

AARON CLOUTIER:  Besides Christopher Lee? Ha ha.  To me, metal is passion, conviction, perseverence and individuality.  Being the oddball out of the bunch and never apologizing for it. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: What album releases are looking forward to for next year?

AARON CLOUTIER: Man I’m already blown away with the new releases this and last year.  I’m still catching up to be honest.  “Colored Sands” from Gorguts is absolutely the best album of the last 5 years in my opinion as far as death metal or progressive death metal or whatever you want to call it.  So refreshing.  I don’t know man, I’ve been pretty stoked on what’s been out lately.  The new Cannibal Corpse record might just be my favorite that the band has ever put out.k I’ve been turned on to an amazing guitar player by the name of Mattias IA Eklundh and his band Freak Kitchen.  They’re basically a heavy rock band that incorporates a bunch of outside influences from Frank Zappa and Django Reinheart to Slayer and Meshuggah to traditional Indian music.  Very interesting stuff.  Very…….musically nutritious with a lot of socially conscious material as well as humor incorporated into the lyrics.  And the fact that Mattias is a virtuoso on his instrument is icing on the cake.  He’s redefined the idea of the guitar hero for me in my mind.  Just brilliant!  They just put out a record this year called “Cooking With Pagans” GO BUY IT EVERYONE!  IT’S GOOD FOR YOU! EAT IT UP!!!!!!  I’m kind of out of the loop when it comes to new albums coming out in the future though.  I’m trying to keep an ear out.

EVOLUTION ROCK: Are you performing live?

AARON CLOUTIER:  Currently no.  No live shows as of yet.  Would love to be able to do this stuff live but would need to find the right people. 

EVOLUTION ROCK:  Anything relevant you would like to add about the new music?

AARON CLOUTIER: Like I mentioned before, it’s a very honest record.  A bit more artsy if you want to call it that in comparison to Dichotomy but I feel it still retains all the foundational elements of where I started.  To me, “One Second of Clarity” and “Fate” were the most fully realized songs on that record and I think this one picks up where that left off.  Each song is very very different from each other as well stylistically.  Everything from death metal and thrash to Sludge and more groove based metal a la Pantera.  Just crazy, intense, over caffeinated music but I think I took more chances on this one.  I think fans will be pleasantly surprised with the progression.

EVOLUTION ROCK: Thanks Aaron hope to hear more from DAVOLA soon!

AARON CLOUTIER: Thank you Malignus.  I can’t express enough my appreciation for your continued support in my music throughout the years.  I wish you ridiculously massive amounts of success man.


 
DAVOLA would like to thank everyone involved with the new record! 

James Stivaly, Trevor Graham’s band Organ Dealer:  
Check out their 2 song demo on band camp  (For Fans of Grind-core) 

Sentience: Check out Matt Moliti’s 3 song demo here  (for fans of Dismember, Carcass, Edge of Sanity)

Promo photo by Phil Silverberg for Mr. Silverberg photography.
 

For those interested in my services as a session vocalist/guitarist/songwriter/
producer can find me two ways. Either email me directly at davolametal@gmail.com or Find me on Studotraxx.com
click here

Support the making of the 2nd record by buying the first one!  
Now as a physical CD available at CDbaby 



In 2010, our listeners voted DAVOLA as the Best Independent Artist of 2010



Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Interview and Podcast with Iranian Death Metal Band, AZOOMA

Iranian progressive death metal band AZOOMA are our guests of honor. The AZOOMA boys are featured with an interview; discuss about their debut EP, A HYMN OF THE VICIOUS MONSTER out on XTREEM MUSIC. The guys talk to us about the EP; play some songs from the EP, and curate some personal metal cuts for us. 

Click to Listen to the Podcast on Podomatic 
Click to Listen to the Podcast on Youtube 
Click to Read our Complete Review for the Album: A Hymn of the Vicious Monster 
Click to Download MP3 in High Audio 

Music Playlist 
1. AZOOMA - Self-Inflected, Album: A Hymn of the Vicious Monster 
2. AZOOMA - Eridanus Supervoid, Alum: A Hymn of the Vicious Monster 
3. DEATH - Without Judgement, Album: Symbolic 
4. IRON MAIDEN - Fear of the Dark, Album: Fear of the Dark 
5. AZOOMA - Encapsulated Delusion, Album: A Hymn of the Vicious Monster 
6. PANTERA - I'm Broken, Album: Far Beyond Driven 
7. METALLICA - Ride the Lightning, Album: Ride the Lightning 
  
EVOLUTION ROCK:  So, you guys got an EP out called 'A HYMN OF THE VICIOUS MONSTER', what can you tell us about this EP by AZOOMA? 

SHAHIN: Actually, you now. It tells a story through out the whole tracks. We wanted for it to sound and look like a Gothic novel from the 19th century; that's because why chose the title of the songs in intro, chapter 1, chapter 2, you know, like the chapters in a book; and actually it is a conceptual album; and it's about a normal person who seems to be a victim of a situation. But eventually it becomes clear.  That if the conditions are right he can turn into the monster which he is the victim of. You know, it's the nature of mankind. If he has the opportunity, he can change into something evil or do vicious deeds; everyone has this potential. But the true power is not to let this nature; this essence grow. That's what we want to talk about in this EP. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Right, so you guys are talking about controlled anger? 

SHAHIN: Yes, something like that. 

EVOLUTION ROCK:  Yea, but anger is good, sometimes, right? 

SHAHIN: Sometimes, but you know, you don't have to let it grow so much that it affects everything in your life. You just have to control it. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: ..and let it out sometimes but in a healthy way. Like listening to f*cuking metal! 

SHAHIN: Yea, exactly that's right.

(Shahin Vaqfipour - vocals, Ahmad Tokallou - guitar,  Farid Shariat - bass, Saeed Shariat - drums)

EVOLUTION ROCK: So, talking about f*cking metal. You guys have selected some bands also for the show, and we're going to kick it off with a song called 'SELF INFLECTED'. What the hell can you tell us about this song? 

SHAHIN:  You know, this is the first chapter of our EP and the lyrics and the music try to show about the person that doesn't know what to do because of the problems..it's a person who doesn't know what to do, and he is so confused. 

...(SELF-INFLECTED song is introduced and played; song lyrics below)
EVOLUTION ROCK:  Can you describe the writing process for a 'VICIOUS MONSTER? 

SHAHIN: First, we are specific and we talk about the story behind the EP. We talk and we exchange our ideas about the story. Then we specify, and we wrote the story of the EP...we specify every track of the story. So, we are going to our practicing place, and we spend some many times, for hours, and hours there...and we play music...and we try to think how this thing can sound better. You know, it's about our pleasure, when you are satisfied with the song...and when we think that's right...then we are going to record this. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Compared to your early recording that I heard in 2007, this is a much heavier album-sounds brutal! Congratulations to the f-cking muscians, there! 

SHAHIN: Thank you so much. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Can you compare this record to what you did in 2007? 

SHAHIN: Actually, you know. We didn't want to specify or choose any genres for our music. We just do it in the way we think it is right, you know? We had that feeling in that time, and we are going to express ourselves in those songs. It think it kinda of became heavier because of how we felt back in that time when we were recording the album. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Right on, and this album is more darker than the previous songs recorded, what can you tell us about this? 

Track list
1. Preface (intro) 1:13
2. Chapter 1- Self Inflected,
5:46
3. Chapter 2 – Eridanus Supervoid,
8:31
4. Chapter 3 – Encapsulated Delusion,
6:58
5. Chapter 4 – Gyrocompass,
10:36
6. Appendix (outro)
1:03
SHAHIN: It think, like I told you before. That's how we felt exactly in that time because the EP tells a horror story; needs the dark parts, and the dark conditions, you know? It's like when you want to watch a horror movie. You make everything ready for it. You turn off the lights, you sit in front of the TV and turn the volume up; and you try to make everything scary. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: F-ck yea, man..and what are you guys listening to nowadays? Can you tell us; the guys in the bands what are listening to? 

SHAHIN: Actually, we listen to many things: jazz, blues, heavy metal, progressive, actually everything. For example, me myself I listen to Devildriver. 

FARID: I'm listening now to Faceless, Opeth, Accept's new album. 

SHAHIN: I'm trying to remember the title of the song..the Fall of the Empire. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: We are going to play a song called ERIDANUS SUPERVOID, who can tells something about the song? 

SHAHIN: This title is about a place in space, you know. Where the temperature of that place is so, so...you know it's about a place where it is zero temperature. In theory, it can be a gate to a parallel world. 

...(ERIDANUS SUPERVOID song is introduced and played, song lyrics below) 


EVOLUTION ROCK: How did you guys get signed? 

SHAHIN: We have this dear friend who is the chief editor of Metal Track, Finland. So, we talked to him, and he said he would help us to find a record company label to get signed and distribute this EP. He said it was really great, and that it needs to be heard more. So, me made some contacts with some record labels, and he found Xtreem records from Spain for us. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Congratulations guys. I hear Xtreem records is the label of notorious death metal singer of the band AVULSED, Dave Rotten. 

SHAHIN: You know him. He's a great musician. He knows the real music, and he wants to help the bands to get heard more; the bands which don't have the same opportunities as in countries where extreme metal music is widely accepted. 

PERSIAN ROCK AND METAL FESTIVAL 2013 in Tbilisi, Georgia

EVOLUTION ROCK: So, I see a lot of photos on your Facebook. Holding up your CD in support. How does that make you feel? 

SHAHIN: Great! Actually, it makes us feel so happy when we say those pictures. It gives us positives vibes and energy to keep going because it shows that there people all around the world who like our music, you know. And it is great the people all around the world feel the same way that we feel. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: Regarding the reviews you've been getting for the record, the webzines and the media people out there, how are the reviews going? 

SHAHIN: We didn't expect that they would review our EP in so many webzines, and it makes is think what we really did 'cus we didn't expect this much from other websites and other ones in other parts. And the reviews are about 8/10. It really feels great. I don't know how to express our feelings about this. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: So, you guys have a song for us. What's the name of the song? 
SHAHIN: Without Judgement, by DEATH.
EVOLUTION ROCK: Talk to us about the influence DEATH has had on your music? 

SHAHIN: You know, when we first listened to a record by the band DEATH, on tapes because back in those days there were no CDs over here. When we found this tape, we listened to it, again and again. It made us just say, Wow! What is this? 

...(The song Without Judgement by DEATH is played) 

EVOLUTION ROCK: So, tell me Shariat. What song are we going to play? 

F. SHARIAT: Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden. 

AZOOMA rehearsal room in Mashhad, Iran
EVOLUTION ROCK: Can you tell us what Iron Maiden means to you? 
*speech in Persian 

SHAHIN: He says that one day when you wake up and play a song by Iron Maiden, you can continue your day with energy and absolute power. 

...(The song Fear of the Dark by Iron Maiden is played) 

EVOLUTION ROCK: How has the scene changed over there for metal since 2007? 
SHAHIN: Actually, there are so many bands which day which the work and they try to record... I think it is better condition for us because of the improvement of technology; thanks to the internet. So everyone from around the world can listen to their songs. 

EVOLUTION ROCK: How is the band VASPOOHER? They're good friends of yours? 

SHAHIN: In VASPOOHER, Ham Alizadeh (vocals, guitars) is trying to find band members because their bass player is going to live in Canada, now. And Saeed is dedicating and devouring himself to AZOOMA, right now. So, Ham Alizadeh is searching for band members.
EVOLUTION ROCK: Can you tell us what are your plans for the future? 

SHAHIN: We just want to keep on doing what were are doing and making our hearts happy. We are now working on the next album which is going to be released through Xtreem Music records, again. You can't believe it, but this stuff is really something different. It's really something new. When you will hear it, I'm sure that it will blow your minds! 

EVOLUTION ROCK: We got a final song from the record. The song is called ENCAPSULATED DELUSION. What can you tell us about this song? 

SHAHIN: We think that this track is the heaviest track of our EP, right now. I think it would be great for preforming and playing it live; in live shows at concerts. 
...(The song ENCAPSULATED DELUSION is played, song lyrics below) 
EVOLUTION ROCK: Before our final words, we got a final song another from anther band. So, what's the song guys? 

SHAHIN: It's going to be PANTERA, I'm Broken! 
(The song I'm Broken by PANTERA is played) 
EVOLUTION ROCK: Alright guys, thanks for being on the show and participating. I hope to hear from you soon! What are your finally thoughts? 

SHAHIN: We want to thank for giving us the opportunity to be on your Podcast. And your listeners. Surely, you will hear so much more from us. If someone on this world hears our song, and if he or she doesn't know the name of the band, and it is our music you are playing...he or she will find out this AZOOMA! Keep on going, keep metal alive!

...(The song Ride the Lightning by METALLICA is played) 

AZOOMA WEB 

 
Purchase AZOOMA music at Xtreem Music 


Song Lyrics for A Hymn of the Vicious Monster 
courtesy Shahin Vaqfipour

Chapter 1 - SELF-INFLECTED 

Into the labyrinth of secret paths of my destiny
Through nighttime growls for my liberty

Seeking shiny stars inside the mystic myth on the furious waves of oceans

Shivering because of this unwritten fate which leads me to my past memories
and shouts to remember.
escaping from the falling shades of angels who doomed to hunt down my emotions

living souls chase away moments of truth in the maze
Noone can hide his wicked chests of rage


Why there's always have to be a journey
Why do I have to be a traveler in insanity
Why do I have to seek in dark shades
to feel secure agasint the savage raids

Why do I have to be stranger in my universe
Why do I have to be ranger of my own place
Why do I have to be shadow of my own voice
To forget the deeds of frustrating  noise

another sleepless night, creatures come crawl out to sight
Grabbing the gem inside, chasing me with their hunger for desire

Why do I have to be stranger in my universe
Why do I have to be ranger of my own place
Why do I have to be shadow of my own voice
To forget the deeds of frustrating  noise

burn within the abyss of ages of gods



Chapter 2 - ERIDANUS SUPERVOID

Mirrors mirrors on the wall
What can I do about my desire
Do I have to shoot right at my head
To avoid dreaming at nights
Do I have to carve my name on this bullet
To start playing this Russian roulette
How can I leave the realm of mirrors
How can I win game of horrors

Silents screams begin the holy war
In my roars at the other side
Looking for a place to hide 
To snatch peace in my eyes
Seeking the sights of fears
To see the normal life for real
How can I leave the realm of mirrors
How can I win game of horrors

In my broken pale face
something gets near from distance
Appears the reflections of my own shade
Tries to grab me into his own tale
How can I breakdown the fortress
While I'm a prisoner of this blaze
Ages ago in his wicked bloodshed
How can I come out from this deep dale

Long times ago,Longer than it seems
In a place perhaps I seen in my dreams
The weird ages of my faded needs
Chasing me with their increasing greeds

This shapeless being of tears
throws out to me his claws
Still spreads his own fears
In his territories of growls

And he's the one who rise and shine
To take the curse and carry on
And all the men who fall are gone
It's him the one who sets all dawns

To steal my spirit and doom my destiny
unchangeable rules of his insanity
Should I listen to his vicious cries  to infinity
Should I witness this massacare for eternity

I need to find source of this sensation
Need to release the screams of this rusted salvation

Gone

TO reach the borders of nights
I must chase the last remaining light
Arriving to a deserted cursed room
filled with wanderers roaming strangers of gloom

Atrracted by the ultimate power of this castle
All defeated in their ancient savage battles
With spells on their shaterred souls
All wait for the corridor to get out
Burn the past memories  of your bleeding life
Wait for your new blaze of dawns and rise

Chapter 3 - ENCAPSULATED DELUSION

I'm the Lord of these lands of mirrors
I'm the king of your unseen horrors
I'm the one who waits in all dead ends in shadows
I'm the one who stares at you, Man of hollow

I'm your shadow of reflection,
I'm the illustrator of your fears
I'm the desire of destruction,
I'm the creator of your tears
My time has come, To seek this prey of mine
with my ancient unwritten rules, You play last game of your life

You can't hide in sins of crowds
Your blood beats shout so loud

Your illusion of getting out of here
Is the delusion of your own mind
Try to find your conscious for real
There's no music of angels, nor rhymes

My time has come, pray for your divine sign
*I'm vicious voice at your back, I'm the mysterious mirror man*

You can't hide in sins of crowds
Your blood beats shout so loud
There's no heavens, nor hell
no sound of salvation of bells

All attempts you make are gone in void
All rusted nails run in your veins
Lead you to me and choke you more
Bring you back to me is all you gain

You can't beat the king
cause, here I'm everything
You can't seek the lights
In my realms of night times

It's your own encapsulated delusion
Not the inspiration/ of my illusion
Your fate is in my hands
You can hear your last desperate grasps

You can't hide in sins of crowds
Your blood beats shout so loud

I'm your shadow of reflection,
I'm the illustrator of your fears
I'm the desire of destruction,
I'm the creator of your tears
My time has come, To seek this prey of mine
with my ancient unwritten rules, You play last game of your life

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

AZOOMA - A Hymn to Vicious Music (Album Review)

AZOOMA -A HYMN TO VICIOUS MUSIC- 
by LORD MALIGNUS

In early 2009, we were largely interested in promoting a cosmopolitan world view of metal. We offered our audience a taste of international metal from all corners of the globe. In fact,  Evolution Rock has been characterized and has become a true International Metal Show for all metal loving peoples around the world. It was during this time, we received a unique music submission entitled "AZOOMA, "A Hymn on the Creation of Man"; signed as, "Shahin, Keep on going, Keep Metal alive, Rock on!".  It seemed like another tasty morsel of metal arriving at our door steps waiting to be discovered, but to our surprise it turned out to be a music submission of a metal band from Iran. Wow! Iran, how exquisitely rare and fantastic the idea of airing for the first time an Iranian metal band on the show; I'll say it again: for the first time! I personally welcomed the opportunity, and grew interested and curious to know who these musicians where? To me in those days, anything sent by real musicians (from anywhere in the world) was always a good listen and a first for the show. Additionally, I would have a huge ace up my sleeve when it came time to hang out with friends and listen and discuss about bands. No matter what new album was the debate about, once I played the song by AZOOMA or any other band I aired on the show, they would all just stop talking and shut up-and I was the man! Makes me feel like I'm a kid again! You know, when you come up with an awesome record or new band, and all your buds are like all stoked about it. Well, I'm not a kid anymore (physically, but every girl I have dated still remarks me as being one or treated me like one or that I have an inner child; I don't know with chicks, man. It's different!). I'm 4 sizes bigger (waist that is), but every time something cool-musically that is- comes my way, I get that 'I'm the man' feeling'. And it was pretty much the same feeling when I got to know AZOOMA's music.



So, before we get any deeper into that 'child thing' or that 'I'm the man' business, I'll move on to say that I immediately started my email interrogation with this guy called 'Shahin'. Not sure what to expect, or how this would work out for the band. Having past experience of making a series of shows on Cuban metal, I was cautious to approach the matter with respect and to make sure not to involve any politics in the matter. I cautiously aired the song submitted in one of the Assorted shows. I could deeply relate with the struggle these musicians must have gone through to create this music, and personally sought out to do all in my power to help spread the word of the band as much as I could on the show. This later led to interviewing the band, and later on another Iranian band called VASPOOHER. These interviews opened my eyes to the idea that rock and especially metal as a musical style was alive and thriving in Iran. This finally led to making AZOOMA one of our top 10 artists of 2010 by the listeners and supporters of the band. Now we jump a couple of years into the future *June 15 2014, and we find the band releasing one monstrously heavy EP entitled a HYMN OF THE VICIOUS MONSTER and singed to the international Spanish  label,  XTREEM MUSIC.

How things change! From a small creepy caterpillar to a beautiful (gay) butterfly; from a one night stand to a 'I'm tired. I don't wanna do it tonight.";  from a dorky snot nose high school reject to a mega rock star (no thanks Marilyn Manson); from a raw let's lay the foundations of our music demo to an awe inspiring monster of an album!  This is pretty much how things have changed -musically- in the AZOOMA camp. We can assure the reader that this album is one small step for AZOOMA, a giant leap for Iranian progressive death metal! Quoting the first rock star on the moon, of course. I'll also continue by saying that this album is huge! Monstrous in sound just as described in the title, and vicious in death metal progressiveness. It's without a doubt a gargantuan achievement by the quartet of Persian metal geniuses. Always a tight group, musically coordinated, and devout alumni of the rehearsal room. The four core members remain, and this is probably why the music has gotten better and tighter. To put it bluntly; all the musicians got better! Better at playing their instruments, better at making arrangements, and that also includes the lead vocalist, Shahin because vocal chords are instruments. In the case of death metal, guttural vocals mostly used to splatter words of death and destruction-yea! But as I will explain, and you will hear there is also 'singing'! Yup, there is real singing and spoken parts. The core rhythm section composed of  the Shariat brothers, Farid on the stand alone bass guitar and the technical drumming of Saeed provide that tight base line for the guitar mayhem of Ahmad Tokallo. Like I said, all four musicians have improved the mastering of their instruments; however, in my personal opinion, it is Ahmad Tokallo's guitar playing that has improved immensely and drives the album with his riffs. Ahmad practically has ingeniously concocted some very technical and sticky riffs. I would add memorable, as well. But there is much more to Ahmad's guitar playing than just bashing out monster riff after monster riff. There is progression. There is tons of melody. There are acoustic guitars, but most unique to his style, there is Sumerian/Persian guitar influences that are undeniable. And this is what makes the whole of the music genuine. Genuine to their roots, genuine to themselves and to their fans. To top it all off, the album is a concept album; loosely based as a medieval horror story written in chapters.

In regards to production and sound quality, the album was professionally mixed and mastered by the band's personal friend Ehsan Imani who captured the AZOOMA sound at the band's personal rehearsal room. 

The cover artwork of the album features a fierce piranha-like embryo creature designed by artist and friend of the band, Shahryar Shervin.

Track list
1. Preface (intro) 1:13
2. Chapter 1- Self Inflected,
5:46
3. Chapter 2 – Eridanus Supervoid,
8:31
4. Chapter 3 – Encapsulated Delusion,
6:58
5. Chapter 4 – Gyrocompass,
10:36
6. Appendix (outro)
1:03


Personnel
Shahin Vaqifpour – Vocals
Ahmad Tokallou – Guitars
Farid Shariat – Bass
Saeed Shariat – Drums

  
 Label 
Xtreem Music, June 15 2014





...And all this time I thought it was going to be called A HYMN ON THE CREATION OF MAN! As so many times I asked lead vocalist Shahin what the name AZOOMA meant? He gladly explained the definition and name in our first interview, "...a hymn on the creation of man, where Heaven and Earth do meet on Azooma, craftsman-gods together ye shall slay, and of their blood mankind ye create." (The name was taken from a book by F. Galpin, The Music of  the Sumerians, 1937). After listening to the album, I completely understand why it is suitably called A HYMN OF THE VICIOUS MONSTER.
 
So we continue with the breakdown of the EP song by song for you. We'll try to entice you as much as we can, but you are going to have to listen to the songs yourself. We'll just say that if it starts brutal don't expect it'll be like that all through the duration of the song; the AZOOMA boys like to switch it up and progress in and out of the heavy stuff.

TRACK 1, PREFACE (INTRO): The calm before the storm. As you drift to a gentle acoustic guitar strumming its blissful chords you find a nice secure place where you drift across the Persian deserts at night. You are drawn in and lured to be safe for only a brief 1:13 minutes before your whole existence gets sucked into a frenzy of guitar riffs that marks the end of your blissful trip; and alas, the monster's hymn begins...

TRACK 2, SELF INFLECTED (5:45): This track stands out for its chaotic riff intro and descending riff progressions that carries the whole song. Most memorable is the prechorus and chorus attacking riffs and master solo. A benchmark heard through out the whole album, courtesy of master guitarist Ahmad Tokallou.

TRACK 3, ERIDANUS SUPERVOID (8:31): This track is completely what AZOOMA is now and gathers all the elements of the band's new sound. The musicianship for the track is genius. Every band member has their personal take on the track. At the beginning, it is a sonic attack of lashing death metal in the style of Death and Carcass. Up to around minute 3:10 when Ahmad's guitar separates itself into  a huge lead section and then coming down with a delicate non distortion riff. Farid's bass lines creep into the mysterious atmosphere with Saeed's drumming building up momentum for the repeating distorted heavy section; then comes a clean vocal melody out of nowhere but fits in perfectly with the rhythm. Again, Ahmad complements with another heavy lead section leading to the pronounced rhythm section again and to the brutal death metal ending in the style of Morbid Angel.  This is where the progressive Opeth influences of the band are shown. It is basically the AZOOMA sound for 2014. 

TRACK 4, ENCAPSULATED DELUSION (6:58):  Definitely one of the most  heavy tracks from the album. Beginning with slow heavy distorted open chords to the back beat of Saeed's double kick drum assault, the song kicks into a sick  chaotic death metal groove that dominates the entire song. What I enjoyed the most is the chorus' heavy riffing and memorable mid section.  Again, Mr. Ahmad's guitar work is brilliant. As the song approaches its climax the overall heaviness is ingeniously broken down into a Persian melody and sustained single note rhythm that gives way to the most intense part of the song then concludes back again to the sick chorus heavy riffing section; more pronounced to make the ending more dramatic. 

TRACK 5, GYROCOMPASS (10:36): One of my personal favorites from the album. Just like track 3, this track is a showcase again for all the members of the band. I liked how everyone got their mark in the song. It is a great piece of music to listen to. Right from the start the song thunders in and quickly goes into a clean vocal melodic break that is followed by a classic death metal bashing. Then the songs spins into a lead section with the rhythm section playing precise odd time frames. This gives way to another blistering solo by master guitarist Ahmad. The song continues to lash out more heaviness until about minute 6:05 when Saeed's percussion and Farid bass lines take control to a traditional style of Persian music. This progresses to Ahmad's sick hammer on tapping to a brutal death metal section. More sick hammer on tapping spiraling down to my favorite part of the whole album around minute 8:49 where Ahmad bursts into another ill lead section (his best solo of the whole album). What really hooked me in was the guitar solo accompanied by a brutally heavy machine gun rhythm guitar with double kick drum action! Just this piece of music that roughly lasts 43 seconds made me an AZOOMA fan for life! The song then concludes with a pronounced brutal death section to the single note squeal of Ahmad's guitar.  

TRACK 6, APPENDIX (OUTRO): The Conclusion. Traditional Persian music echoes the end of the final chapter with Shahin's final spoken words and the last turns of the pages of the book entitled A HYMN OF THE VICIOUS MONSTER.

Back then, as today, we were on a mission to prove to the masses that metal is an international feeling with no borders, shared by millions (nowadays, in 2014, it is quite obvious that the idea is not new). AZOOMA arrived in a time when we needed something fresh and from the far regions of the middle east. From the first demo song we aired 'Dreams of Broken Mind' to this elaborate piece of art called A HYMN OF THE VICIOUS MONSTER, we can conclude by saying that the band has found a sound. We cannot say if it will be definite, but most likely it will keep on evolving and improve. We will have to wait and see what a whole 9 to 10 song full album will sound like, but we are left with a feeling that it will be something equally as good or even better. So, instead of rating the EP like most reviewers would do, we would like to simply recommend the album to you the reader and listener. It is a first debut of genuine musicianship with a taste of originality.

AZOOMA WEB 
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 Purchase the album at the Xtreem Music Shop
-get digital version Mp3
-get physical version CD



AZOOMA made their music debut on the show in one of our Assorted Shows in 2009 with the song, "Dreams of Broken Mind" which was mostly a well-recorded demo featuring mostly an assortment of thrash hooks with melodic overtone. The vocals seemed to come from an animal's scrapped throat rather than a human being, but put together with the melodic thrash made for a very visceral raw sound. Months later, the band was featured with a small interview in which the members took the opportunity to present another of their contemporaries, VASPOOHER. By the end of the year, the band participated in our TOP 50 Band Countdown Best of 2010 show in which supporters of the bands and listeners of the show voted for their favorite artists. AZOOMA came in position #9 from 50 bands included. Positioning themselves in the top 10 independent artists for that year. Listen to our first interview with AZOOMA and the demo song Dreams of Broken Mind...click here