Below the Radar for July 2009


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BELOW THE RADAR

We begin again with a few bands if given the chance will have much bigger following and interest... This edition is a Experimental Path in The Goth, Indie and Progressive metal scenes







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Black Lotus (Canada)
http://blacklotusmusic.net/
http://www.myspace.com/blacklotusmetal

The foundations of Black Lotus were laid when Lindsay A. Kerr started writing songs in 2002. By the summer of 2005 several others became involved to collaborate on the distinct musical vision and Black Lotus, as a band, was born.

By December of that year the band recorded nine songs for what was to become their debut album "Light Subsides", in their hometown of Victoria, British Columbia. Chinese label Dying Empylver Productions released the album in late 2006.

At the core of Black Lotus' inspiration lie the beautiful landscapes and wilderness of their surroundings on Vancouver Island. The heart of the Pacific Northwest, formed by a perfect harmony of mountain, forest and ocean. The band's music, atmospheric black metal with a melancholic folk feel, is paired up with its visual representation; the artwork of Lindsay A Kerr.

A three song promotional EP called "The Great Mortality" caught the attention of Canadian BLEAK ART RECORDS, who signed the band for their sophomore album. The band recorded and mixed their second effort in the spring and summer of 2008. "Harvest of Seasons" was released the following October





MADE OUT OF BABIES (USA)
http://www.madeoutofbabies.com/
http://www.myspace.com/madeoutofbabies

Drawing equally from noise-rock legends like The Jesus Lizard and post-metal bands like Isis, the band developed a following quickly after the release of their debut album, Trophy. Their first 2 albums were released by Neurot Recordings, the home of many respected post-metal and post-rock bands like Isis, Neurosis, and Red Sparowes. They are currently signed to The End Records for the release of their newest album "The Ruiner".

Vocalist Julie Christmas also sings for Battle of Mice. Guitarist Brendan Tobin also plays for Red Sparowes. Bassist Eric Cooper also plays for Pigs, and is rumored to be a contributor to Thursday frontman Geoff Rickley's grindcore side project, United Nations. Drummer Matthew Egan also plays for Cleanteeth.


The Vision Bleak is a Gothic metal band from Germany formed in 2000, consisting of former Empyrium member Ulf Theodor Schwadorf and former Nox Mortis member Allen B Konstanz. The band's themes are most notably orientated towards horror. THE VISION BLEAK have never been of the modest kind. They just have to go for the grand and sweeping gesture."You cannot move away from your roots" Schwadorf says in the last Empyrium "Weiland" interview a laconic view on THE VISION BLEAK. The largest Horror theatre. Curtains up for Schwadorf and Konstanz, 2 circus entertainers emerge to catch the souls of the audience and to extend the fear and shock. Six-foot high towering guitars, a sawing melotron and voices from the grave honour the mind of horror as well as its representatives - first and foremost Max Schreck, John Carpenter, Friedrich Murnau or George Romero. Are ya ready to meet the reaper?


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