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 

Facebook 

Youtube 

 

Purchase AZOOMA music at Xtreem Music 

-get digital version Mp3

-get physical version CD

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

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 
Facebook 
Youtube 


 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

STILLBORN DIZ - Review/Interview for RED MOON ERA, The Black Slumber of the Vampire

STILLBORN DIZ

RED MOON ERA

The Back Slumber of the Vampire



Album Cover Art
Label: Independent

TRACK LIST  

I.  RED MOON RISING

II. CRUCIFIXTION AND DESECRATION

III. SLOMREN 

IV. PERFECT DARKNESS 

V. ANGEL ON THE ROAD

VI. MY LAST DEEPEST SIN

VII. CONTAMINATION

VIII. BLOOD OF ISIS

IX. OUPYR'S PRELUDE

X. DRUG QUEEN

XI. WHEN BEAUTY IS DYING

XII. NO FUTURE

XII. BLACK SLUMBER OF THE VAMPIRE

 

STILLBORN DIZ from Moscow, Russia is a symbiotic creature composed of the siblings Daniel Vice on vocals and Selviö Diz on guitars and programming. The duo better describe their music as, cinematographic industrial rock in an interview we did with them a couple of years back. STILLBORN DIZ produce their own music and also direct and star in their own music videos which contrast with the dark mood of their lyrics and themes.

Describing their music as, "...dangerous for the mind" and filled with "...personal pains"; STILLBORN DIZ have concocted a unique sound and look that portray the punk attitude of we don't give a fuck with the romanticism of Goth and elements of dark ambient moods. Proof of this, is the band's second full length RED MOON ERA, The Black Slumber of the Vampire. This being a darker album than its predecessor, MY BLOODY SERAPH RED MOON ERA is the second bloody chapter in the STILLBORN DIZ catalogue. Portraying a more dark and gothic romantic atmosphere than its predecessor, this album takes us deeper into the underworld of the undead to reveal emotions that according to the band are about "...death, disappointment, pain, loneliness, sadness and anger". Without leaving the aggressiveness aside, tracks like SLOMREN and DRUG QUEEN complement the whole experience of the album providing that fuck the world attitude that makes good rock music.

 

 

Album Review: RED MOON ERA The Black Slumber of the Vampire

The album opens with the instrumental track RED MOON RISING which mostly is an atmospheric dark groove that is driven by an organ melody. While the organ note is sustained for a couple of seconds it dies out, and then kicks in the high pitch distortion of track 2 of the album, CRUCIFIXION AND DESECRATION. With a high tempo and industrial sleaze similar to that of a NIN track, and the agonizing cries of Daniel this track serves as an opener to the mood of the album. Track 3 stands out all for itself as I would call it a classic STILLBORN DIZ gem. SLOMREN combines all the aspects this band has to offer. Always the heaviness! Not in blasting beats or distorted guitars, but that heavy thick groove and phantasmagoric guitar riffs/melody. Selviö here displays again his genius in combing the heavy groove with simple and organic guitar playing that both create the underlying heaviness and melody for the track. This is assimilated intrinsically by Daniel on the vocals. Absorbing the dark groove and melody of the track, Daniel lays down vocal lines that conglomerate all her styles. Ranging from guttural verses; to the sleazy heaviness of the chorus; to mellow and soothing interludes of dying angles; Daniel’s vocals make all vocal parts of the song unique. Quickly you catch on with the hook of the song, “…Cry, baby, cry” and gets you repeating it to yourself until you play the track again and feel the urge to clench your teeth to, “…I’m your nightmare…I’m your sex-beast!” Track 4 of the record PERFECT DARKNESS is 3:39 minutes of your time that you will spend in the void of an industrial break down; spiraling down to a phantasmagoric interlude of decaying angels and devils. That brings us to track 5 of the album ANGEL ON THE ROAD. This is Selviö’s bluesy rock track on guitars. Something different to the guitar work I heard on the previous album. This track is pretend perhaps on vintage rock tracks of the 70’s psychodelia; perhaps a track Andy Warhol would much appreciate but then would find himself trippin’ out on Daniel’s aggressive vocals. In short, this is something rather unique, that I would just classify as Stillborn Diz music; no genre I can think of for this track. Track 6 of the record MY LAST DEEPEST SIN has a dark trip-hop atmosphere feel to it. With Daniel displaying the more delicate side of your singing; soft vocal lines and child-like voices for the chorus; you hear the wide range of singing styles Daniel has to offer. A good depressive mellow track to sit your ass in a bath tub or just make out with your companion (or at least that’s what I would do, done). Track 7 of the album finds us contaminated with an industrial deconstructed groove conjured by Selviö’s virtuosity. Keyboard notes that sound like Hades’ organs set the tone of darkness; and murky guttural vocals with cries of despair make the vocals of this living nightmare a reality called CONTANIMATION. The blood of mortals rejuvenates the gods, but the blood of gods rejuvenates the Vampire, or that is what track 8 of the album, BLOOD OF ISIS, depicts. The ethereal groove of the track with the seductive vocal melody and the industrial clink; and mysterious wind instrument see yourself bathing in the blood of a goddess. OUPYRUS PRELUDE track 9 of the album presents itself as an instrumental track that is composed mostly of an organ/keyboard section that serves as a bizarre introduction of wine glasses and bloody neck wounds. These organs die out to the heavy groove and viciousness of track 10 DRUG QUEEN. The thick guitar riffing gives way to the intro lyrics of Daniel. Venomous on the lyrics and lustful heavy singing to the thick riffs provide the essential aggressiveness to the track. Although, cut around the edges compared to the first release of the song, and with a much more clean chorus line the track stands as one of the essential STILLBORN DIZ-infections! On with track 11 of this bloody trip to the underworld, the album continues on by spiraling between different moods of euphoric anger to grim loneliness such is the case of WHEN BEAUTY IS DYING. A heavy mid-tempo track that is one of the most impressive from the album; we have again a driving guitar riff that leads the whole of the track. What I found most delightful from this composition, besides the guitar work, was the chorus line. Daniel sounds extra hurt and yet impresses with a more developed facet of her singing abilities. Definitely, this track is in my top three for the record; furthermore, I hope to hear more tracks like this, in the future? Now, on to track 12, NO FUTURE; yet again we plummet deeper into the abyss of grief. A delicate guitar melody with a phase effect accompanied to a drum-base downer beat; we have Daniel introduce the song with a spoken word section that with her Russian accent makes it sound the more dreamlike. I can only guess Daniel to have many influences for her singing, but I do hear a tad of the Rammstein-ess in the pre chorus and chorus of the song. Like any vampire at the end of the night, caskets most be closed and after satisfying the thirst, lay to rest. That is the case with the closing track of the album, BLACK SLUMBER OF THE VAMPIRE. An industrial mechanism that shuts the lid on the casket with some final whispered words murmured into the crack of day break. The organ is played for a final time and the vampire can now slumber and dream of the ever darkness like that of a raven’s eye until it is night again.

 

 

In short, RED MOON RISING The Black Slumber of the Vampire is an album that you would find most enjoyable. A good listen from beginning to end and you’ll understand that good music is not easy to find. Especially something that you can feel connected with. STILLBORN DIZ’s second proposal might hit you in the face with the raw infectiousness of the groove or might relate to your more forlorn and depressive feelings; or just give you that extra I don’t give a fuck what they think attitude. The important thing is that no matter what genre of rock music you personally prefer there is always room to experiment and try listening to different bands. I really feel STILLBORN DIZ have something unique to offer to the listener, and if you see it for what it really is, that is art, you would understand how important this word is to individuals of the band. It’s a refreshing proposal you should definitely check out.

CD BABY LINK TO PURCHASE RED MOON ERA

 

Cinematographic Industrial Rock

Moving on to a very important element of STILLBORN DIZ is the visual aspect of the music. This is better manifested when the music is combined with the visuals of motion picture. Having the duo direct and star in their video clips, they combine the aspects of movie making and music videos to project their artistic view. For instance, the music video for the song SLOMREN begins with shots of a creepy cemetery in where a dark figure walks among the tombstones and crypts. As the first verse for the song begins, we have Selviö, who plays the role of the main protagonist (a girl); enter a prayer chapel and then a confessional booth. Though the main protagonist in the video appears to be distraught and guilt stricken, probably seeking forgiveness for something she has done, she also seems to be concerned with her personal vanity. The co-star in the clip is no other than Daniel Vice playing the role of a devilish seductress. Daniel's character is dressed in red and seems to be mocking and tempting the girl who is praying in the chapel. While Daniel's character ridicules the praying girl, she sings the lyrics of the song ("Cry, baby, cry...for your preacher.") with a sleaziness and disbelief that someone is actually hearing the girl's prayers. All of this while the girl in the clip is unaware of this entity the mocks her, as she prefers to look at herself through a hand mirror. During the interludes of the song, and near the ending, the dark figure at the beginning of the video, sways and swirls its arms in a psychedelic manner and finally walks away into the woods. Perhaps, it is true we can't have love without hate or pain without suffering, but the dichotomy of a righteous soul that falls from grace into temptation is a story that intrigues us. Perhaps, vanity is the most profound of sins or hypocrisy the most detested. We can only assume and let the art speak for itself. It is with this vision that STILLBORN DIZ’s art is best valued, and this is more evident when combined with the visual aspect.

Interview with Stillborn Diz

How do you feel about the second full length for Stillborn Diz, Red Moon Era?

Selviö: We are both are very excited! We are satisfied with this album very much! It's an important piece of work for us.

Daniel: The second album has much more darkness inside that you can see. This album includes a huge mental period of our lives. We are very excited, yes! And also very excited about the future too.

From the previous release how would you compare this one to the first, musically and artistically?

Selviö: "My Bloody Seraph" was like a kaleidoscope of five years of "Stillborn Diz" history, it contained songs from different periods of our life. "Red Moon Era" is more holistic work with very conceptual cosmogony.

Daniel: What’s the same? The both have bloody red color. For me it's a one story anyway. Different? Second album it's a second station. Other station, not first...

Is Red Moon Era going to be an independent release or is it going to be released through a label?
Daniel: "Red Moon Era" was released on CD-Baby Net Label. So it's independent just like our first album.

You have described the album as a, "...dark album about death, disappointment, pain, loneliness, sadness, anger, slumber, hell, gothic romance..." Can you further describe these themes for the album?

Selviö: Of course it's an artistic work, but it reflects our real life as well. Our real feelings, depressions, salvation, resurrection, etc. So it's always very hard to explain in several words, how many emotions and personal pains we put in each song.

Daniel: It's philosophical thoughts about life and death, about personal way. Life is very painful thing. Not even your own life. The stories of people around also. All people are born and will die in the end. The time between these moments is full of pain, happiness, loosing, fall, love, many other things. Life is your way to death anyway. But what kind of way it will be for you personally?

In a visual artistic aspect, how have the videos, promo images help to portray you music?

Selviö: Everything starts from image. But it's blurry, abstract thoughts. When we work it becomes clearer and clearer. Our creative processes remind me of old literary game "exquisite corpse". You start the story, next person continue it. And when you see the whole story in the end, you just say, "Wow..." It's always surprise in the end, like in analog photo process.

Daniel: "Stillborn Diz" is not only music; it's a door to other worlds, another dimension

Has your music moved on more into Goth than punk? For instance, the vampire themes like the title of the album, Red Moon Era "The Black Slumber of the Vampire". Is this the direction you are looking for in the future?

Selviö: We never felt as Goths or punks, we are working about songs, and to release this phantom, we are using all what fits to this. Without borders and frames. Of course the theme of "vampire" have slightly gothic taste, but it not the main goal for us, to be gothic, or punk, or industrial. Everything will find its own place in the story.

Daniel: Yes, you know, we don't want to use only one color when we are drawing the picture, we want to use all the colors that we need at this time.

Taking a closer look at track #3 Slomren from the album and the music video, how do the lyrics, music and visuals in the video combine to portray your vision of the art you create?

Selviö: We had a story, when we finished the song, story was changed, when we finished the images, story was changed again; video was changed again a little. This is organic movement of art. So it's hard to say something directly.

Daniel: Actually, it was a devil inside me and he told me to torment somebody. I was tormenting Selviö. But now I am okay, don't worry...

If we were to ask you, which tracks from the album you are most proud of? Which would you chose? And why? 

Selviö: Oh! It's really hard to say! All songs are like children, everyone is favorite in its own way. I can say, that whole album for me as one creature, and this creature make me feel proud.

Daniel: All songs are special. "Contamination" is a culmination of the story. "When Beauty is Dying" is just like a scream from pain. One day… when I die, I want that "Black Slumber of the Vampire" to play at my funeral.

Would you work with a producer in the future?
Selviö: I don't think so. Some producers already ask us about working together, but still nobody surprised me. Maybe someday... Anyway it's very strange, when some other guy decide how YOUR song will be sound. For me it's abnormally.

Daniel: Maybe if this guy will be from another dimension also? Who knows...

Have you thought about incorporating other members to your project?

Selviö: We are always open for collaborations with other bands and musicians. We even ready for some side-projects as well. But "Stillborn Diz" has "S" and "D", this inner universe stands on the foundation of dualism. You can find it in any aspect of our band. We are siblings, the same blood running in our veins. So it's looks very impossible.

What can you tell us about your gigs in Japan? How have people taken a following for your music?

Selviö: In Japan, there is a very friendly and peaceful atmosphere. People take us very warmly and here so many great musicians on local scene! We were very happy to play with them. We made many friends there.

Daniel: Japan is so rocking place! Hot audience, great scene with many cool bands, awesome clubs and stages. We were very happy to play in Japan. And we very want to come back again!

How do you plan to promote this album? Is there going to be live performances?

Selviö: It's a complex question, because it's a question about financial support. We want to visit so many places around the world, but only few things depend on us. We are always wide open for any bookings and festival-invitations.

Daniel: Yes, we are looking for possibility to play some live shows in the near future. When we will have some information we will let you know for sure!

What do you think your fans find most appealing about your music?

Selviö: Our personal unique atmosphere, which YOU can't find anywhere else.

Daniel: Our music is dangerous for the mind because it opens the door. I think that dangerous things are always very appealing for people.

In what formats is the album available and where can people check it out?

Selviö: The album is available as CD with full conceptual artwork. Artwork is part of story, so if You want to see full picture, You can't get it without. But the album is also available in digital format. You can find it on our CD-Baby page: www.cdbaby.com/artist/stillborndiz and also on Amazon, iTunes, eMusic and etc. I'm pretty sure, that everyone can find a much comfortable way to get it.

Thanks for the interview. It's always a pleasure to check out your music.

Selviö: Thank You for the interview and support! Thanks to all persons who support us. Thanks for all, who DIZ-infected.

Daniel: Thank you, dear!! It was very interesting to talking with you! Many thanks for all friends and DIZ-infected people around the world!! Please, enjoy the "RED MOON ERA" album!!

STILLBORN DIZ WEB

Facebook

Reverbnation

CD Baby

i-Tunes

Amazon