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Interview with Stigma - Vlad

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Infernal Masquerade: Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions and let’s get started:

Vlad: Thanks man! I'm Vlad, lead singer in STIGMA

I.M: The band started in 2000, with what mission in mind did this group of individuals got together? What main influences did you guys started with?

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Avantasia – The Wicked Symphony (2010)

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After the lackluster “Scarecrow” we finally get the real Avantasia back with “The Wicked Symphony”, one of the two albums released by Tobias Sammet super band. As you all know the band features legendary drummer Eric Singer alongside Sascha Paeth on guitars, and Michael Rodenberg on Keyboards.

Aside the super band behind Avantasia we have an impressive amounts of guest musicians and vocalists such as Michael Kiske, Tim "Ripper" Owens, and André Matos just to mention a few. The music in “The Wicked Symphony” is closer to “The Metal Opera” than to “Scarecrow”, making this release a brilliant example of what can Symphonic Power Metal should sound like.

  • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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Avantasia – Angel Of Babylon (2010)

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Being the second release of Avantasia this 2010 (by one day of separation) “Angel Of Babylon” is much less bombastic and impressive than “The Wicked Symphony”, putting this release closer to “Scarecrow” because of it’s bigger hard rock influences. All the core musicians remain the same as on “The Wicked Symphony”, and the guest musicians/vocalists list is much shorter and a bit different than for the previously mentioned album.

The first thing that came to our minds was that it was a great move that Avantasia left all these ‘weaker’ tracks in a separate release instead of putting a dent into the greatness of “The Wicked Symphony”. Having a greater Rock influence in these songs, the band looses a bit of its sonic power and goes slower than the first release, but this does not mean that the songs are bad at all; they are just ‘slower’.

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The Ocean – Heliocentric (2010)

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As one of the most complex and intricate albums we have received in 2010, “Heliocentric” is an interesting release that will keep you guessing what’s next until the album comes to an end. The band does a great job at mixing Post Rock influences with Progressive elements.

Compared to their previous release “Precambrian”, “Heliocentric” is less complex and shows how the band is consolidating on a sound and sticking to it. This new release does have moments when they use cello, trumpets and other things, but it’s never abused and just complements the music very nicely.

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Bison B.C. – Dark Ages (2010)

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Opening with the interesting titled song “Stressed Elephant”, Bison B.C is back with a gloomier sound and a more complex songwriting style that will surely propel this band into Stoner Metal excellence. “Dark Ages” is both more complex and interesting sounding than “Quiet Earth”, the band’s first album back in 2008.

As a very young band, Bison B.C have managed to get enough buzz around them to get signed by Metal Blade Records, and make an instant impact in the crowded Stoner Metal/Rock scene. Hailing from Canada, the band uses a relentless assault of crunchy riffs through “Dark Ages” that will please even the pickiest followers of the genre.

  • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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Bleeding Fist - Macabrum Bestia Ex Abyssus (2010)

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After a creepy as shit intro, Bleeding Fist wastes no time into exploding back to their Black Metal aural assault we are used to. The band starts on a high note with “Invocation Into Devil’s Flesh” and never let’s go of us with their Black/Trash Metal sound that only a handful of current bands can pull off.

While we did not liked “Bestial Kruzifiz666ion”, the band’s last album, we find ourselves enjoying this EP a bit more. Maybe because of the shorter duration time, or something, but by giving Bleeding Fist a second chance, we are discovering an interesting raw and dirty Black Metal band that is decent by today’s standards.

  • Posted By: Dark Emperor
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Celestia – Archaenae Perfectii (L'arche Arcane des Parfaits) (2010)

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Celestia is one of those bands that has impressed us since their first EP we heard of them back in 1999 called “A Cave Full Of Bats”. The band has that raw, brutal and yet melodic Black Metal sound that we wish more bands had. Hailing from France, Celestia is currently releasing their third full-length album with “Archaenae Perfectii” and its one of the most intense whirlwind Black Metal experiences you will have in the last few years.

If you are a cult Black Metal follower then you should know who Celestia is. The band’s music borders in that fine line of raw brutality and beauty that not so many bands can dance around. On one side of the music you have the raw intensity of the riffing and the shrieks of pain, and on the other side you have that atmospheric melodic aspect that clearly contrasts Celestia’s type of Black Metal.

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