Devil's Horns Zine

Dissent- Athame Ep review. Who doesn't love gritty angry Ep full of hate?. Dissent are an abrasive hardcore band from New Jersey and are on the mighty Upstate Records roster. They dropped this killer Ep in August, but we couldn't let it pass you by. Four tracks of pure hatred with a definite beatdown influence, but not generic metallic hardcore style. The Ep doesn't piss about at all. It's a total rager and basically made for the days when you are at war with the world. I wouldn't say the songs are incredibly original, same as the song structure. But there are plenty of catchy riffs and hardass vocals. Tracks like The System and Ep closer  The End of   Hope really get under your skin and deserve repeated listenings. My only complaint is the Ep is too short because I wanted more of this grim hardcore. The great news is the band is already planning for a new release, hopefully, an album in 2019. 3.5/5 Spinkicks to your face. These guys will do big thing...

Overpower-One Mind, One Prison Ep review by Mark Jenkins. Originality in hardcore is exceptionally thin on the ground in Australia. You definitely have exceptions with the likes of Mindsnare, Extortion, and Rort etc; but generally, it's boring clone city. SO THANK FUCK FOR THE BRUTAL BEAUTY THAT IS OVERPOWER. This Ep has been a long time coming from initial concept to finally hitting your ears. But the wait is over and you will receive the rewards. Overpower has been kicking hard since 2014 and despite a few lineup changes, has pushed through all barriers; personal and musically. No one individual makes up one band, but their singer Mikey is what sets them apart from the flock. First off, he really sings from the heart and both his stage presence and lyrics are straight-up no bullshit insights into the struggles he and many people have and are experiencing. Overpower are talking mental health, alienation and daily pressures that grind us down. But in a very honest and of...

Interview with Away, drummer and graphic artist from the metal gods, Voivod. The writer always feels so lucky to interview both peers and straight up legends, but this one is special as Voivod are like no other in the best possible way. Never boring and that perfect mix of progressive thrash with a punk attitude and going on fantastic tangents you'd never expect. Here's the awesome chat with Away and this January 2019, you would be insane to miss one of the best bands in the last 30 years touring our continent. Voivod- The Wake album review This is Voivod’s 14 th album and to be honest one of their best ever. It easily sits next to the greatness of Dimension Hatross and Nothingface. The Wake is 8 solid and well-composed tracks with the perfect mix of prog meets thrash with both a punk and psychedelic vibe. Quite simply, no one could predict 35 years in, such a stellar album could be released; like seriously besides Judas Priest’s latest just try and na...

 Fake News is an incredible band from the Gold Coast playing exceptional melodic hardcore/punk rock with a definite tip towards the very best of both Epitaph/Fat Wreck Chords, but done with their own creative style. Devil's Horns had the lucky chance to interview this classic band. Enjoy!. 1-Could give me a brief history of your band, the band name and what releases you have? We got together in about October 2017 via a Facebook post looking for members to start a 90s style punk rock band. The name came not long after. I thought it was just dumb enough to work as a band name, but apparently so has about half a dozen other bands around the world. We released a single called NO WALLS in early January and our first ep EWWWW! on August 8th via set the fire records. Both are available on our Bandcamp and Ewww! It is available pretty much everywhere you stream music. 2- What drew you to hardcore/punk/metal (etc) and what is it such a rewarding and sustaining genre...

Maniacal-Life Is A Dark Chain of Events album review by Mark Jenkins. Sometimes you wonder why some bands never cross your radar; is it because they never got the right press and coverage or because they were simply too average in a sea of similar bands. Well, this band is far from average and they should be on your metal radar asap. Maniacal hail from Port Pirie, South Australia and they are the master of dark, yet groove based Death Thrash. To describe them I would say the best parts of Pantera/Lamb of God meets Nile/Cannibal Corpse/Morbid Angel. Yes, that diverse, but remarkably original and catchy as hell. The musicianship and sheer skill evident is amazing. The riffs cut like a chainsaw to your ear on a summers night. The album with exceptionally well put together tracks like Release the Demons, I Am My Own God and Drive My Madness really driving home the pure aggression of this release. And the mastering by Jens Bogren, masterful metal whiz of Sweden has you flo...

Last week just prior to when their glorious 7th album dropped I had the chance to chat to drumming legend and all round top man Dave Haley regarding all things Psycroptic, the new album and his love of heavy music and "the riff" as he so beautifully described as being the driver of the band. Passionate and informative chat as expected, enjoy. As The Kingdom Drowns - Psycroptic reviewed by Mark Jenkins. This abrasive release is Psycroptic’s seventh beast of an album and easily one of their best. It excels in its cataclysmic aggression yet progression from their other releases. This band knows what works well live and hence is their most dynamic album.  Production was really bold and even though Joe Haley remains at the helm yet again, both the band or the producer really dug deep for this sonic masterpiece. It’s more grim, yet melodic.; dark but well balanced and it’s really a spectuclar feat as an entire album. We Were the Keepers grabs you by the th...

I have to state the obvious, but what a scorcher of a lineup. On paper, you think it would be strange given Bell Witch is like a soundtrack to your post psychosis, whereas Conan is your anger building and unleashing. Bell Witch for the uninitiated is the ripper of a two-piece doom metal band that is amazingly creative and deep in their tone and atmosphere generated. What they presented was a searing cut down version of the brilliant Mirror Reaper album. And it was delivered with dark finesse, half of their set was very brooding and creepy and the second building into a much more grotesque beast. Not only was it amazing to witness the sounds from a bass guitar almost played classically and adeptly heavy as hell. And the drummer's vocals, seriously as heavy as any top-tier death metal vocalist. Beautiful and eloquently presented doom was replace by the cannon roar of the immense sludge warfare of Conan. They completed slayed and I think Bell Witch complimented the deep heavines...

Amenra moves far beyond boring stereotypical genres because they are both exceptionally original and extremely challenging. And that's exactly how music should be; equally gripping and based on unrelenting emotion. I had the honor to interview Colin H. van Eeckhout and sheer passion and devotion flow through his every response as I had expected. This will only be surpassed by seeing Amenra live as part of their current Australian debut tour. I encourage you to take the time to listen to their gripping and essential albums. Everything from their artwork, videos, and lyrics are works of a true artist and are crafted for effect and no effort is wasted. Enjoy this interview. It's beyond essential reading my friends.  First off, thank you for the great chance to chat to one of not only one of my personal favorite all time bands, but the opportunity to flush out the essence of one of the most creative musical acts in current existence. For my own experience Amen...

We always have a backlog of reviews, this is a very lucky position to be in but delays suck. However, we have to rep shit we hear and really like. Case in point, Ohio powerhouse hardcore band BURN VICTIM. This is essential metallic hardcore at its peak and it crushes. This self-titled release dropped via Bandcamp in April but is so worth your time. It is exceptional as this is their first release, a solid 8 track album that reminds me of Hatebreed in a blender with Jesus Piece and proper old school metalcore bands. The sheer sound they bring from a four-piece is incredible, it's like a refined steamroller on steroids. Production is punching as fuck with exceptional attention to making the guitars bring the abrasive riffs to your ears as much as the raw as fuck vocals. Every track was excellent and the writer loved the quality craftsmanship of the lyrics, they were excellent. Check out opener Snakes: Hungry predators with venomous intent  Hide their hiss and c...

Double whammy, two killer interviews for you to wrap ya ears around. First up: Jon Davis of heavy sludgelords Conan was interviewed just after the release of their sensational new album, Existential Void Guardian. It was excellent to chat with this great bloke and their tour next month will be killer. Enjoy and not only buy the killer album but go to the amazing tour with special guest, Bell Witch. And I was also lucky enough to speak to the excellent bassist and vocalist of this band, Dylan. If you don't have a copy of one of the last's years best doom metal release, Mirror Reaper; you are quite simply a clueless clown. It's fucking amazing, end of. It's a hell of a tour, don't be a dumbarse and miss it.

Max Cavalera Interview By Mark Jenkins. Max is a certified legend and the writer still clearly remembers the day a friend played me Sepultura for the first time. Max creates sensational and fearless music; be it early Sepultura, Soulfly, Nailbomb, Cavalera Conspiracy or Killer Be Killed. But the best attribute of this incredible musician is not only is he one of the nicest guys in the metal genre period; but he is a huge music fan first and foremost. This comes through very clearly in this interview as we talk about punk/hardcore and metal worship and the huge album that Soulfly drop tomorrow, Ritual. It's a beast of a release and easily their best album. That review will be dropped soon, but in the meanwhile enjoy my chat with Sir. Max Cavalera, punk metal warlord. Ritual drops October 19th on Nuclear Blast, order it asap; it's how metal should be played; aggressive and grabbing you by the throat!!!.

Terror-Total Retaliation Reviewed by Mark Jenkins.  This is Terror's 7th album in and this band remains still solid as fuck,  unlike many of their peers. Easily this is one of Terrors best albums period. If you cant produce the fucking goods as a band,  quit ffs. The album opens with a surprisingly mid paced warning to all the doubters,  This world never wanted me not only rang true to me personally but its barbs, are so deep,  you know Terror ain't settling for an average release.  This then leads into an onslaught of true hardcore sounds that demand your attention. There is a beautiful abrasive flow throughout this album and while its hardcore as fuck in it's traditional roots, each 2 min track is diverse and original. Amazing ripsnorters like Get off my back ,  One more enemy and Break the lock ensure more stagedives in the foldback as Scott Vogel would shout. This leads into a sick rap interlude to break the pace, well only brief...

Dimmu Borgir Interview with Silenoz by Mark Jenkins. On the eve of their first headlining tour in Australia and the release earlier this year of their symphonic black metal opus "Eonian", this writer had the honor of chatting to Silenoz of Dimmu Borgir. We discussed the craftsmanship and dedication to the art of producing a solid album as well as how 25 years of solid work has paid off and the excitement around their tour this month. Silenoz is a friendly and passionate guy who wears his heart on his sleeve and is really proud of his work. Have a listen and grab a ticket pronto to what will without a shadow of a doubt be a tour that is talked about for ages.

Behemoth-I Loved You at Your Darkest reviewed by Mark Jenkins. Let's state the facts, these Polish metal gods have been a creative force since the early 90's and although they are far from their original black metal style; they have created numerous masterpieces and the progression has been a joy to observe. No sellout shit here; this writer believes Nergal and co; frankly don't give a fuck about your opinion and criticism. True metal craftsmen. ILYAYD is Behemoth's 11th epic release. Did they aim to better the incredible "the Satanist"? or were they seeking to continue the virtues of this groundbreaking album?. I believe the later, because while the production and variation are astonishing; it seems to be slightly stagnant by the means of the depth of the previous release. Now for most bands that would be disappointing, but there is no mediocrity present here. This writer is a massive fan of this band and while I think it is a solid album; its impact wa...

And finally (Apologies as this writer had a whole Macbook become dead, followed by a complete hard drive . Insert angry and sad emojis etc) here is the crazy belated Part 4 of my Dark Mofo review-Act 4 Ashes of the wake; various musings and salutations. Winterfeast. -Fantastic halls of eclectic booze and other beverages aiming to delight your liver and mind. Sheer visual delight with a splendid visual atmosphere in truckloads. -The writer partook in warm toddies and incredible sushi from the sushi master; Masaaki which absolutely blew my mind same as fantastic fish broth and other culinary masterpieces.  There was so much choice and this was beyond the standard festival fare. The key is pure food artisanship. -The atmosphere was incredible; inside was charming but the whole outside area was heartwarming and comforting. Fire was a huge theme; be it in a 44-gallon drum or small bonfires and even water sculptures with fire floating over the top; creative as all hell. P...

 Hold the Crown-S/T album reviewed by Mark Jenkins. If you haven't experienced the joys of the H8000 Belgium hardcore scene; please take the time. It was a really productive period of the 90's where in Belgium, intensely aggressive and many metal influenced hardcore bands were created and bands like Congress, Regression, Spirit of Youth and my personal fave; Deformity (abrasive hardcore mixed with death/grind) really exhibited the brilliance of one passionate and angry region. Labels like GoodLifeRecordings released stellar albums and the diversity in one scene was and is very individual (in the best possible way) to this geographical hotspot and it's now in its third conquering wave. Hold the Crown epitomize this sound and showcase the peaks of H8000 with an incredibly modern lens. Many critics are too quick with the throwaway NYHC labels easily thrown at this band. This writer suggests there is more of a Cleveland sound underpinning this band mixed with death metal....

 Aborted- Terrorvision reviewed by Mark Jenkins. You ready for a face melt even more gruesome than the famous Raiders of the Lost Ark scene. Well your moment has arrived, the glorious Terrorvision surpasses all expectations.It's a hectic, abrasive tour de death metal. This writer couldn't believe they could remotely improve on Retrogore. It leaves it for dead and that for me was a deadset gory death metal classic. The pace is beyond frantic and is pure insanity with mind-blowing skillsets by all involved. The production is so brillantly balanced and punchy; it sounds exceptional on even stock standard audio equipment. Exquisite Covinus Drama" sums up the release so exquisite beauty of this album. Warped flow, grimness yet warmth from amazing riffs and pure crazed sidetracked journeys in each track. Definitely more deathgrind than other releases, but with blastbeat madness."Älturo Inferno"" does the same, yet in a completely different manner. Fucking e...

 The Black Dahlia Murder interview with Trevor by Mark Jenkins. TBDM, pure metal legends and if you are late to the party; dig deep, because this is an amazingly creative band with a solid discography; particularly Noctural (2007) and Nightbringers (2017, and easily one of the best albums of last year!!!) as the pinnacle of their career. I had the chance to have a chatter with the fucking legend that is Trevor and to be honest i could have chatted to the bloke for 2 more hours, certified top guy and insightful as fuck. It was a fantastic interview and you really need to check out their sensational tour this month with Aborted (and killer local supports) who I also interviewed recently. Make the effort and your head and soul will be crushed. watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voxtdphvP5k buy Nightbringers and catch this epic tour!