Let's speak with Fierce Deity (Stoner/Power Metal, 2020)

This was a love upon first sight. I just watched the video on YouTube and the warrior at the fire instantly woke my interest. 

To my further pleasure the music and further progress of the lyric video spoke from my heart. It felt like being back in my childhood days listening Iron Maiden for the first time. I simply had to know more about who stands behind Fierce Deity. Happily my questions where listened to so here's what I was able to find out...

Heavy Metal Underdogs: Hey! Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions of the Heavy Metal Underdogs blog.
Fierce Deity / Jonathon Barwick: Really appreciate you having me, Jens!

- Where does the inspiration for the warrior at the campfire on the cover come from?
I call him ‘The Traveller’ (or ‘Trav’ for short) and I got inspiration for the images a few years ago when my life was chaotic. I grieved by reading The Witcher and travelling to Japan. Witchers and Samurai share many philosophies that helped me move forward and find peace - well, that and a little LSD.

- Do you practise meditation for yourself?
I started in July 2017. I found a group of Tibetan Buddhists in my city that allowed the public to join in their meditations. I wrote ‘The Path’ after my first session - I got home, picked up my guitar and all those riffs fell into place.

 
- Do you play retro-games? If so: which systems and games/genres do you prefer?
My first console was a SNES but I spent most of my childhood on a Nintendo 64. I don’t prefer any system and I love all genres. My favourite games always seem to be single player adventures - Zelda, Witcher 3, Fallout 3, the Souls games… Also I’m the best in the world at Mario Kart 64.

- What do the japanese letters underneath the band name stand for?
It translates to “INTENSE GOD”. I visited Japan in 2018 - I was blown away by their culture and I haven’t seen life the same way since. It opened my eyes to the big wide world and the possibilities of life. A year later Fierce Deity was born but without a doubt the idea was conceived in Japan.

- Could you imagine converting the one-man project Fierce Deity into a full band if there was a demand for shows?
I sure can but I have a wild imagination! If the music catches a strong wind I’ll put a show together - and I mean “a show”. I have zero desire to do the local grind. I’d rather do something special a few times than do the same mediocre thing over and over again. I like the idea of Lemmy and Motorhead - he had a bunch of awesome people come through his band creating a different sound from his writing over the years.

Keep in touch with Fierce Deity with a subscription on Facebook.

Single Review: The Outsider - Suicide Is Progress (Advant-Garde Metal, 2019)

From Symphonic Death Metal to Advant-Garde Metal? This sounds like a transition of a longer road. But one to be worth giving a listen.

The cover introduces a new logo and a "sigil" of The Outsider.

This one man project is called "The Outsider". It started out with several releases on the Symphonic Death Metal sector. Those included guest appeareances and this tradition is kept up in the newest single that should work as a teaser to the new direction the project is going to take on the upcoming yet untitled album.

The song starts with a unusual drum pattern and lot's of spoken words. Such song structures remind me of the 90s metal where spoken samples were built into songs to underline the statement the lyrics should send out.
Agressive drum fills and heavier vocals come in that show that this stems indeed of older Death Metal roots. They've not been forgotten but work now a different way.

"Suicide Is Progess" takes the next step with a Saxophone solo performed by Jørgen Munkeby. Once again something raising the attention of the listener. It comes out like Jazz music but surely is a warmly welcomed idea to the reviewer.

The agressive drum pattern und vocals come in once more to bridge to a finally Rock guitar section. It shines beautifully but also raw and marks the burning end of a release that made me curious on more to (hopefully) come.

Unusual from start to finish but a wave of fresh air in todays music scene I would like to invite you all to listen.
Finally grab a copy at Spotify or iTunes / Apple Music and follow the next steps of The Outsider on Facebook.

Single Review: Drop Oblivion - Damaged Goods (Thrash, 2017)

The last days of the year are running but there's still something going on. This time it's a brutal piece of heavy music coming our way giving a idea of how 2018 could sound like.

The single cover for "Damaged Goods" without background and title, (c) by Drop Oblivion, used with kind permission

Introduction
Drop Oblivion is the brain child of UK based solo composer Ian Mortimer. After getting into the local Metal scene in 2006 performing with various bands over the years, he started an outlet in 2014 for his own heavy creations with Drop Oblivion.

Originally conceived as a “just for fun” project, Ian began working with other musicians on some initial demo tracks,  and created an entire album of material over the course of a few days. As Ian progressed and focused on performing with his other ambient project “Skin For A Canvas”, Drop Oblivion took a back seat for a few years until 2017 when new demos were taken into full production at his home studio in England. The first single taster track for the new album was released in December 2017 titled “Damaged Goods”. The completed album is expected for release late 2018.

Summary
It's a plaesure to see that one man can give heavy music a push into a new direction. The fine thing about this single track is it's continous push it gives. I like the constant going of the drums and the overall song-structure as composed to sound as one piece. Guitars are riff-oriented but not too loud making the listening experience smooth.

It's also fine to hear that the vocals take part on this journey and also it remains sounding as one bold metal track it also changes in it's way of dark tonality. There are many various undertones of the dark vocals that are presented with various pressure. The end comes a bit surprising with a guitar solo offered as part of the song structure instead of forming a own part as usual.

Track-Stream & Purchase-Link
If you're into experimental heavy, let's say mostly thrashy music this one is a ear to keep upon. Devin Townsend came to my mind but also slight comparsions with Trivium rushed in every here and there. Expect raw heavyness mixed with little surprises and lot's of riffs with modern sound well produced for your listening pleasure.

Pick up a copy from the digital plattforms such as Bandcamp, CD Baby and Spotify
Have a listen by checking the visual video below.

Contact-Data
Make sure to follow Drop Oblivion on Facebook. The full album is set for release late 2018.

CD Review: Ben Blutzukker - Riptide (Thrash Metal, 2017)

We had the word here on the Underdogs already what two men can accomplish if they really want to. But what can one man alone do if he feels a need to contribute to the world of Heavy Metal?

The answer can be given straight: a lot. Today's technique allows for lot's of possibilities and Ben Blutzukker has taken advantage of them. While he took over all duties for vocals and guitars plus bass guitars by playing them on real instruments it was only the drums he had to add as programming them.

The cover of Ben Blutzukker's EP "Riptide", (c) by Ben Blutzukker, used with kind permission

Summary
It's result however is impressive moreover if you think how thick and heavy the sound is he provides. Currently he is preparing the release of EP number two entitled "Riptide".

The cool thing is that the first appetizer in form of a video has been set up as a mini-movie showing a pirate ship with pirates performing the track. It must have been lot's of work to set all of this up. Just think of how to include all the guitars in there (I think they cannot be bought straight away). Plus the drums are cool with many sequences been in time with the real sound.

My favorite is the second track "Stab by Stab". The riff and rhythm go straight and it's pure enjoyment I felt while listening to it. The track has a surprise with it at the very end so make sure to listen to the full track closely.

Track three comes as a wild track showing the rude side of the project going over to softer sides - something sounding surprisingly harmonic. The raw vocals once more give the music a unique stamp making it clear instantly who's playing music right here.

"Bloodlust" goes slightly faster with a straight riff but also few unexpected sound additions towards the end.

"Loose Ends" is a track different from the rest. The song structure is more clustered over the whole duration and comes more riff hacking than ever before. A small but cool drum solo closes out a fine EP.

Purchase-Link
The release draws near and is set for 6th October 2017 as Download, Stream, CD and LEGO USB Minifigure with many bonus stuff on it all available on his Bandcamp page.  

Contact Data
Follow him further on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

EP Stream
P.S. Don't stop the playback after the video finished. You'll know why once you've done it...