Metal
Publié le 26/06/2009 à 12:21 par europaien
Après 16 ans d'emprisonnement, Varg VIKERNES de BURZUM recouvre la liberté (liberté conditionnelle).
Varg a quitté la prison le 24 Mai 2009.
( Information : http://www.burzum.org )
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Publié le 04/05/2009 à 12:00 par europaien
In Memory of Quorthon, who lived, and died, under the Runes, leaving us alone in the ruins of this dying world...
Though now death is all that awaits me,
I die to go on but by the great hail I will go
I am dying under the runes...
Hail Quorthon, Hail the Hordes ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Publié le 29/11/2008 à 12:00 par europaien

Né en Autriche, Pazuzu est un side-project des membres de Summoning, Protector (Richard Lederer) et Silenius (Michael Gregor), également créateur du groupe darkwave Die Verbannten Kinder Evas et membre, pour Silenius, du groupe black metal Abigor. Il implique également le vocaliste Pazuzu (Ray Wells), qui n'a pas écrit de musique pour son projet, donc, avant le second album.
Le premier album, "And all was silent", fut entièrement composé par Silenius et Protector, avec la collaboration de Trifixion, Empress Lilith et d'autres musiciens. Il reprend le contenu de la démo, plus de nouveaux titres. Définie comme des "necrospirituals", la musique consiste en des incantations, discours, dialogues, sur fond de percussions tribales, sonorités médiévales ou orientalisantes, plages ambient, bruitages, etc...
Il est évident que l'appartenance de plusieurs membres de PAZUZU à la scène (Black) Metal a attiré de nombreux amateurs de Metal, alors même que la musique de PAZUZU n'a véritablement rien à voir avec le Metal (absence de guitarres). L'ambiance sombre de la musique est cependant une explication...
Concernant l'origine du nom du groupe :
Dans la mythologie mésopotamienne du Ier millénaire avant Jésus-Christ, Pazuzu est le roi des démons du vent, et le fils du dieu Hanbi. Il représente aussi le vent du sud-ouest, qui apporte les orages. Pazuzu est souvent dépeint avec le corps d'un homme mais avec la tête d'un lion ou d'un chien, avec des griffes à la place des pieds, deux paires d'ailes, une queue de scorpion et un pénis en forme de serpent. Il est aussi représenté avec la main droite levée, et la main gauche baissée, ce qui symbolise la vie et la mort, la création et la destruction.
Doté d'une double paire d'ailes (qu'on trouvera aussi plus tard sur certaines représentations de chérubins ou d'anges), Pazuzu est le démon du vent du sud-ouest, connu pour apporter sécheresse et famine en saison sèche, et des Inondations lors de la saison humide.
Publié le 29/11/2008 à 12:00 par europaien
"La Baronesse et le Démon", chanson figurant sur le premier album du groupe ("And all was silent", 1995).
La Baronesse et le Démon
[Baronnesse:] "Maintenant, dans cette nuit durant laquelle les étoiles
meurent, le dragon dors dans sa cascade murmurante. Et l'eau murmure
silencieusement. O profane oreille d'un fou, je pourris magnifiquement. Pour
une vie de mensonge pure, baronesse d'un chateau de rêve, à l'époque
de la lumiere ou l'idée devient l'action. Mon sort de tourner immortelle, la
jeunesse jusqu'à l'infinie. D'innombrables saisons ont vu leur fin et j'étais
jadis une baronesse vertueuse, aveugle et enterre... et des dogmes en
puissance. Une nuit, lors de la saison froide, les cris obscures d'un malfaiteur
vinrent à mes yeux croyants et m'enterrèrent dans ce cercueil de pierre d'où
je rêve ces mots. Maintenant, la lune est à son point culminant, et je t'invoque,
puissant maître Pazuzu, pour que l'on puisse main en main régner le monde
profane. Où es-tu, mon âme malheureuse clame sa délivrance, où es-tu, mon
corps sanglant pleurant de désir se déforme pour toi."
[Pazuzu:] "Je t'écoute âme torturée".
[Baronesse:] "Ah! Sauveur d'une dimension lointaine, comme j'ai attendu ton arrivée."
[Pazuzu:] "De loin je suis venu, les mers j'ai traversé, appelé par ta voix
si triste, quel est ton desir?"
[Baronesse:] "Pazuzu, arrache mon esprit de ces murs pourris, montre-moi la
porte del'extase sans limite."
[Pazuzu:] "Volons,volons, soit porté par ta croyance immortelle, laisse ton
desir devenir tes ailes..."
Publié le 29/11/2008 à 12:00 par europaien
Second album de PAZUZU, paru en 1997.
Musicalement proche du premier album, et d'une qualité comparable.
Publié le 29/11/2008 à 12:00 par europaien

A défaut d'avoir écouté ce troisième album du groupe, je vous propose une critique (in english!) ainsi qu'une interview parue sur le site vibrationsofdoom.com :
PAZUZU "The End Of Ages" (Avantgarde Music) SCORE: 98/100
I remember this band waaaay back from when I got a demo tape of their first album "And All Was Silent." Needless to say this newest release blew me away. Though they are part of the Austrian Black Metal Syndicate (see interview for details) their music is about as far removed from black metal as you can get! There are 15 tracks here and each one, short though some are, is a vital part of the storyline which is intertwined with some amazingly emotion generating synth music. The beats, when presented, resemble more a militaristic style marching type of drum set, which showcases the intense scenes of war, and I must say the music was very masterful in invoking images in my mind of the emotional state of the story. This album must be listened to from beginning to end at least the firt few times, as it tells a killer story. Mortiis comparisons probably cannot be avoided, but suffice to say on tracks like 'Eclipse: Final Clash Of Swords,' 'The Haunted City' and 'An Antidote For God,' the synthesized passages are very complex and so intertwined with emotion and the story being told, I must say I have never heard music like this that demanded certain responses from the listener and the story here is told with more than just the spoken dialogue. A few passages are in French and German, which sometimes confused me, but overall if you're looking for a diverse and exciting piece of work that is just short of theatrical art minus the pictures, let your imagination and the music fill in the blanks and take a ride through a dark era.
PAZUZU. Interview with Ray Wells via email.
Pazuzu contacted me quite a number of years ago with their demo tape for "And All Was Silent" before it was released. Pazuzu's newest masterpiece "The End Of Ages" has just been released through Avantgarde Music and we caught up with Ray, a man who has made many changed in his life.
As you know, I received a demo tape from you entitled "And All Was Silent." How has your progression changed from this first album up to your latest release "The End Of Ages?"
The most obvious progression is the style of music and composition. Whereas "And All Was Silent" was based more around melodies, "The End Of Ages" is more in the cold void ambient corner, built mainly around effects and moods rather than melody. Naturally I have progressed as a person and that has affected my taste in music among other things. I feel now more than ever that Pazuzu is the demon that lurks within me. It's all the somber feelings that slumber in the darkest corners of my mind, if you want it metaphorically. I awaken them every time I compose a piece for this group. Songs just create themselves, out of chaos I usually end up with a strange kind of order and structure in my work. This however applies solely for Pazuzu, in Raventhrone things work differently.
You are noted for being a member of the Austrian Black Metal Syndicate. What other bands are involved in the ABMS and what does the organization have as its goals and accomplishments?
The concept of ABMS has been put to rest for awhile now. All the groups that once participated have since gone their own ways. I moved to Canada recently, as my parents have lived here for close to 6 years now. I felt it was time for a change and so my wife and I decided to come here and venture into something fresh! I like Canada, it is a great country and I think we will stay for awhile.
Many consider you to be in the black metal scene even though you use no guitars (that I've ever heard) and very little vocal interaction save for some narration within the music. How do you see the black metal scene today and what is your involvement with it? Do you correspond with any of the members of any B.M. bands? Also why the adamant disuse of guitars? Do I ask too many questions? (Hee hee)
I don't really care much about this scene. Most bands, save the handful of talented and/or original ones, are utter garbage. At least when the death metal trend was around, you would find proficient musicians; nowadays, in this so called Black metal trend, there are just countless dilettantes copying copies. I have grown tired of it. I do what I do, and I try to be good and original at it. I hate people who follow cheap trends. Pazuzu does not require guitars at this level of existence. The moment I feel guitars need to be used, they will be. I am in contact with a handful of people that I find interesting and usually I don't care what scene they belong to!
Many would consider your music in a similar vein to Mortiis, former member of Emperor. How do you see the comparison, and are there any ambient artists you find you are influenced by?
Mortiis does his thing, I do mine. I do not find our music comparable, but I can understand why people would think so. As far as I know his music is the soundtrack to his empire, my music 1999 is the antidote for life. I enjoy NON, Archon Satani and the likes. I am into Japanese noise and just regular stuff like Loreena McKennit and Blackmores Night. I also find the Tea Party to be one of the most original "commercial" bands in a long time, they are from Canada.
Tell us about the theme of this album, I noticed that there are some medieval styles, and the song 'Eclipse' was rather interesting with the battle sounds and theme. Is the album meant to run a wide variety of emotions or is there a centralized theme running throughout?
The theme is based around the coming of a new millenium. The renewal that will take place is the cleansing of the earth realm. The music was kept very organic this time, not as structured. Of course there are the typical Pazuzu styles, but I tried to do something a little different by combining the cold void ambiences with orchestral instruments. The whole album is supposed to be prophetic, like a short glimpse into a bleak future through the Death Gate.
Does Pazuzu ever plan on playing live, and what sort of press has Pazuzu received? I haven't heard a lot about Pazuzu after that demo tape you sent me, so I am wondering what you have been busy with?
Pazuzu generally gets good reviews in the press, but of course it's a project some people find hard to stomach, especially metal puritans. All three albums are very different, but still you can tell they are somewhat related. Pazuzu doesn't follow any trends, I release an album when I feel fit to do so. I need time to compose. I played live in Berlin once on Christmas Day, which was a pretty good experience. I think with the right atmosphere, a Pazuzu show can be pretty effective. I will definitely do something soon, perhaps in the States, just a few shows in small venues, that would be great.
Tell us about your involvement with Avantgarde Music, what sort of contract did they offer you and do you know how many copies of your albums the label has sold?
I signed both Raventhrone and Pazuzu to their label, I think for a total of 2 records each. I think they are the perfect label for me, they do their job really well and their sales have been very satisfying.
I'm curious about the cover artwork, is this a photograph of an existing scene or something created from scratch? (The cover depicts various medieval style figures, as a statue, giving the thumbs down to an unknown entity). It seems rather symbolic to me, as I remember the king would point down towards the ground during a tournament to signal taking the life of the defeated, does this in any way relate to the album's title?
Roberto came up with that image and I agreed. It seems like those statues are hailing something coming at them, like the masses gathering to hail the next millenium. I think the picture is very fitting, but I have no idea where he got it from.
How do you see the internet as a tool to spread the word of bands who are obviously in the underground? Have you utilized any computer equipment or synthesizers to create the type of music you do? I am curious about how you go about getting the sounds and vocal patterns for your albums, especially on "And All Was Silent" with the female vocals; also it has been noted that you can speak several different languages.
I use computers and synths all the time during productions. My studio is based around an Apple G3 hard disc recording setup. I think the internet is the best way to spread information globally within seconds, it's absolutely essential nowadays! Anyone can set up a web page. Check out www.raventhrone.com and www.pazuzu.tsx.org. I grew up speaking several different languages and I just use that in my music.
Publié le 05/11/2008 à 12:00 par europaien
"Song to hall up high" figure sur l'album "Hammerheart" de BATHORY.
I know you watch over me
Father of all the past
And all that will ever be
You are the first and the last
The watcher of all that lives
The guardian of all that died
The one-eyed God way up high
Who rules my world and the sky
Northern wind take my song up high
To the Hall of glory in the sky
So its gates shall greet me open wide
When my time has come to die
Publié le 05/11/2008 à 12:00 par europaien
Une version de "Song to hall up high", interprétée par Jennie TEBLER... en mémoire de QUORTHON...
Publié le 05/11/2008 à 12:00 par europaien
Vidéo réalisée par un fan, en hommage à QUORTHON, du groupe BATHORY.
"Hammerheart" figure sur l'album "Twilight of the Gods".
Concernant la musique, il s'agit en fait de l'oeuvre "Les Planètes" de Gustav HOLST, à la sauce BATHORY. QUORTHON s'est ensuite chargée de rajouter des paroles qui collent comme un gant à la mélodie épique...
Publié le 03/10/2008 à 12:00 par europaien
OCTOBER FALLS est le projet d'un seul homme : Mikko LEHTO. Ce groupe finlandais présente deux visages, puisqu'il produit d'un côté des albums entièrement acoustiques, et d'un autre côté des albums orientés Metal. Tous sortent sous le nom d'OCTOBER FALLS, à première vue, seul le logo sur la pochette du disque permet de savoir à quel type de musique l'auditeur peut s'attendre.
Premier logo d'OCTOBER FALLS. Le groupe utilisera systématiquement ce logo pour tous ses enregistrements acoustiques, alors qu'il emploiera un autre logo pour ses enregistrements Metal.