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| Artwork by Wiley Trieff |
A few days ago the mighty Autothrall posted the first interview ever on From the Dust Returned. The original intention with the blog was, besides the reviews, "to converse with the creators behind some of the most compelling and inspirational of recordings I've encountered through my listening". That part of the plan didn't come into fruition, but as he continues it "all changes this Spring, as I embark on a monthly quest to pick the brains of some of the more fascinating authors of agony in the underground!"
The first interview is with zEleFthAnD, songwriter, vocalist and guitarist from Howls of Ebb. They discuss the bands origins, philosophy, and of course their debut Vigils of the 3rd Eye; an album that Autothrall writes "has spent several nights with me on the very precipice of sanity". It's strikingly original and organic sounding death metal; as his mightiness enthuses: "this is one of a precious few death metal records I've heard lately where the immediate reaction wasn't to compare it to album A by artists B and C."
Some of the riffs are just that, great riffs. But mostly this is not music that immediately grabs your attention, instead it wins you over by it's lumbering hypnotic presence, and quirky charm (twangy guitars anyone?). Song subjects runs from "a first hand account of our coming demise" ("Martian Terrors, Limbonic Steps"), "a personal mystic journey in the 4th dimension" ("Of Heel, Cyst and Lung"), to "what happens when an Observer oversteps his bounds and directs death upon undesirables" ("Opulent Ghouls, Blessed be Thy End"). On Vigil Vigils of the 3rd Eye you're in for a strange and enticing journey, on From the Dust Returned I hope Autothrall continues his - and gives us more interesting interviews.
The Vigils of the 3rd Eye download comes with high quality scans of the album booklet, featuring much more of that gorgeous Wiley Treff art. That's how to do it I, Voidhanger Records!