Interview with Hekataion

 

1.Hello, please introduce yourselves to the readers?

I: Greetings, I am Ialdabaoth; the guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for Hekataion.

N: I’m Nachtigal, the drummer, backing vocalist, and songwriter in Hekataion.

2.When did you first discover death and black metal and what is it about these genres that drew you in and keeps you listening over the years?

I: I first discovered Death Metal sometime around 2022/2023 and Black Metal around the same time. I enjoy extreme metal as a whole due to the simple fact that it is extreme. Most people who know me in life know that I can be an intense person. I always enjoyed the bad guys and evil as a child so I suppose that bled into my musical love.

N: I started getting into extreme metal around 2017, as my musical taste was maturing, and I wanted heavier and heavier shit. I was a very angry, violent kid growing up, and extreme music was the only thing I felt I could relate to. I can’t really explain it much better than “it just speaks to me”.

3.Who were the first bands that caught your attention and who are some current bands that you have been listening to?

I: The first Death Metal band I listened to was Death, specifically Crystal Mountain off Symbolic. I of course went through all the Tampa Death Metal bands and around the same time became obsessed with Acid Bath. Currently I listen to Goatwhore, Armoured Angel, Azarath, Hadopelagyal, Manticore.

N: I first got into the symphonic black metal band Carach Angren. They had such a unique sound, and it instantly opened the extreme metal door for me. I love shit like Behemoth, Belphegor, Dark Funeral, Batushka, Gorgoroth, Old Man’s Child, Cradle of Filth, Watain, Rotting Christ, Deicide. And of course the mighty Black Sabbath. But I could go on forever listing bands I love.

4.When did you first get the idea to start this band?Are you satisfied with how things have gone so far?

I: Around the beginning of 2024 I met the former bassist/guitarist (who is no longer with us. More on that later) and we began writing. It was very nebulous at first but eventually the band began to take on a stronger core idea through 2024/2025. I am “satisfied” with the trajectory thus far but of course I want more for us.

N: I had been trying to put together bands since middle school, to no success. I found Hekataion in mid 2024 looking for a drummer online. I liked the demo they sent, and thought fuck it, I’ll give it a shot. I agree that I’m satisfied so far, but it’s just the beginning.

5.Who would you say are Hekataion's biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years? For the readers who have never heard your band, how would you best describe the music to a new fan and listener?

I: For me it would be Goatwhore as the number 1 band. I saw them a few times and Sammy Duet influenced me a lot in terms of riff writing. The other influences are so wide that I can really say any extreme metal that catches my ear, but for my lead playing I listen and pull from Morbid Angel and Trey Azagthoth, specifically. If I had to describe our music it would be Old-School Death Metal with Black Metal themes and sections. The core concept of the band is Gnostic Khaos.

N: Probably Belphegor and Behemoth. A lot of black, death, and blackened-death influence. As a drummer, I pull a lot of inspiration from guys like Inferno, Dominator, Hellhammer, and Frost.

6. I believe Hekataion is a duo. Would you like to find more musicians to work with in the future or do you prefer to work as a duo? If you had the opportunity to work with any musicians{past or present} who would you most like to work with?

I: Hekataion is a duo due to creative differences with the former guitarist/bassist. Simply put he was not extreme enough and looked out of place on stage and in attitude. We would like to get a permanent bassist and are open to offers and auditions. If I had to work with any one I certainly would go with the aforementioned inspirational guitarists.

N: If I could work with any musician, I’d probably want to work with Mikael Akerfeldt from Opeth. Albums like Still Life and Ghost Reveries are mind-blowing, and I’d love the chance to work with him. In terms of band members, I’m open to more members, but  don’t want to force anything. I think we work quite well as a duo, and I’d rather stay a two piece until we meet the right guy/gal.

7.Sacrifice At The Crossroads is the debut EP. that was released digitally. Are their any plans to do a physical release soon?

I: Yes we are simply figuring out the artwork formatting and whether we want to do cassette or CD format. Within the next 3 months, so by June 2026, we should have something made up.

N: What he said.

8.The debut is self released. Would you like to find a label to work with or would you rather stay independent and self release your own music?

I: A label would be nice but we are not big enough for that. Eventually it would be nice to get onto a label like Metal Blade Records but for now we will do it independently through our friend’s “record label” Lunar Possession.

N: I’d be open to a metal-centric label like Nuclear Blast or Metal Blade. But fuck no to major labels like UMG or Sony.

9.Have you all started working on new music for the next release?Do you know yet if it will be a EP or would you like to release a full length?

I: We have and we just debuted the first new song at a show last night. The next release will be a split EP with a band from Maine titled: Saprus. They are some crazy bastards. It will be a 4 song EP with 2 songs from each band.

N: After that split with Saprus, we’re thinking of making a full-length album. New music gets worked on daily.

10.Hekataion comes out of New York's Black and Death metal scene. What are your thoughts on New York's metal scene over the years?

I: I would say that I have not been involved in the scene long enough to give a thorough opinion on the Extreme Metal scene here, but from what I have seen is that it is growing. Like a festering wound it is engorging itself slowly on all of our diabolical peers. I look forward to the impending darkness they will bring.

N: NY definitely has a phenomenal metal scene. While I can’t speak on all of NY, we’re part of the Brooklyn/Queens scene that has been nothing but brutal. Killer bands, killer musicians, killer scene.

11.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of New York over the years? Are there any new bands you feel the readers should check out soon?

I: Diabolus, Fleshmass, Malghast, Caerdroia are some of the best Nuke York City has to offer currently. As for new bands in general I would say the aforementioned Saprus, Trespass, Goatpiss, Purulency. Of course not all of these are from Nuke York but they deserve a mention because the scene is still rather small here.

N: I like a lot of the old school NY death metal guys: Suffo, Mortician, Skinless, etc. For newer NY bands, I’d recommend Fleshmass, Ventriloquist, and Diabolus.

12.Besides working in Hekataion do either of the members currently work with any other bands or solo projects?If yes please tell the readers a little about them.

I: I am the bassist in a band called Necromajesty and that band is fronted by the drummer for Fleshmass, Whöredestroyer Anvil. Necromajesty is similar in the vein that it keeps it Old-School rather than trying to be some of the bullshit Death Metal bands today try to do. We have an ep out titled: “Angelsadist”.

N: I made the solo blackened-death project “Lee’s Plague”. I do guitars, bass, drums, vocals, etc. I’ve got 3 EP’s and other shit out. I’m actually writing a debut album for a different solo project under my name “Nachtigal” (no current music yet), and will be focusing on “Nachtigal” over “Lee’s Plague” going forward. I just love writing music, it’s the ultimate form of self-expression for me.

13.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I: When I am not broke I paint Warhammer 40,000 models. Currently I have a sizable World Eaters army. Otherwise, I read, drink beer, and socialize with friends in the Nuke York metal scene. Oh and I enjoy long walks on the beach.

N: I like to solve puzzles/logic games, sew battle jackets, and paint warhammer (Death Guard army). Oh and I enjoy dropping acid at the beach.

14.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out. Do you have any final comments for the readers?

I: I would like to say thank you for the interview and death to False Metal! Worship the coiling serpent and give reverence for bestowing knowledge upon mankind to deny the Material God. Hail and farewell!

N: Thanks for the interview, keep supporting the underground extreme music scene. Fuck AI and fuck ICE!                                                                                                                                                              Hekataion                                                                                                                                                      https://hekataion.bandcamp.com/album/sacrifice-at-the-crossroads

                                                                                                                                                            

Hekataion--Sacrifice At The Crossroads{Digital}{Independent}

 

Hekataion is a duo that comes out of New York's death metal scene and this is a review of the debut EP.Sacrifice At The Crossroads is five tracks of heavy old school death metal their are some black metal elements used but not enough to catergorize them as a black death metal band.Laldabaoth handles the guitars that are played with a mix of heavy,mid paced guitar patterns.does speed to a much fast pace throughout a few of the songs to give the listener a nice mix of extrememly fast and heavy mid paced guitar passages.Laldabaoth also handles the vocals which are old school heavy death metal growls and some gruff scream/growls are also used in a few of the songs.Nachtigal  handles the drums that are a mix of fast paced crazed drum passages and some heavier,mid paced thunderous drums.Sacrifice At The Crossroads is a great debut of death metal that is intense and powerful in their delievery defintly worth a listen if this is your style of metal.                                                                                                                Hekataion                                                                                                                                                      https://hekataion.bandcamp.com/album/sacrifice-at-the-crossroads                                                          https://www.instagram.com/hekataionband/                                                                                                  https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nxstrgufrucyg4fpwYdw-8ms4vLlLSWA4    

                                                                                                 

Nadiricon-Sparring The Heavens{digital}{Independent}

 

Nadiricon  is a solo black metal  band coming out of Mississippi and this is a review of the latest EP.Sparring The Heavens is five tracks of raw black metal  thrash and even some punk influences mixed into the music.The  guitars are played with some fast paced patterns that are delievered with power and great writing.Their are some faster more punkish styled guitars used that are just as good as the heavier metal guitars.The vocals are grim and raw old school black metal screams and some gruff screams.If you are a fan of old school black metal with some punk influences added into the songs then defintly give Nadiricon a chance.      

Nadiricon

https://nadiricon.bandcamp.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/nadiricon.official?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D 

Niohoggr--Summons Ov A Godless Past CD{Plague Demon Rec.}

 

Puerto Rico's solo project  Niohoggr returns with another great release of raw black metal.Summons Ov A Godless Past is thirteen tracks of raw very well performed and played black metal.The guitars are played with a mix of both mid paced guitars and some faster paced passages.The guitars are done with some excellenc guitar passages and arrangements.The vocals are a mix of demonic raw death metal growls  and some raw black metal screams are used throughout the songs.On the new release their are also some well done cover songs covers of Dimmu Borgir,Emperor and Tsjuder all of the covers are played with great musicianship and well delievered vocals.If you are a fan of  Niohoggr then be sure to pick this  release up today you won't be disapointed and if you are a new listener and enjoy raw well executed black metal be sure to pick this release up as well.                                                                    Niohoggr                                                                                                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/niohoggrofficial/                                                                                              https://www.instagram.com/niohoggr.official/?fbclid=IwAR3ZJViIMh9yZCeh68qwdBGqxBhkhUNWNJaQOl17t7VWrwkewtXwBbZxsDo             https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYfZI53f2anNEEtjd3ed4rw                                                                    Plague Demon  Rec.                                                                                                                                  https://plaguedemonrecords.bandcamp.com/merch                                                                                  https://www.facebook.com/Plaguedemonrecords.net/                                                                                https://www.instagram.com/namtar.axarcuth                                                                                            https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt4Jqad8hAHPHisR2aU4Q4A

Interview with Corpsemangle

 

1.Hello please introuduce yourself to the readers?

Hi, we are Corpsemangle - an old school death metal band heavily influenced by the 90s morrisound sound. We are a 2 piece band currently and we released our debut album Eating The Damned in January 2026.

2.At what age did you discover death metal and what is it about this genre of music that drew you in and has kept you listening over the years?

Well I think I was in high school when I started listening to death metal more seriously. I think I always knew of it, but it seemed too extreme to me at first. I mean I was mainly listening to thrash metal, but when I heard death and obituary I fell in love, after that you get heavier and I still listen to death metal to this day. Martin on the other hand started a little later but he also has the passion for extreme music,

3.Who were the first bands that you listened to?And who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to lately?

In general the first bands I ever listened to were AC/DC, Metallica, Deep Purple, Scorpions and bands like that. I was very little and my father played cassettes in the car. Currently I am listening to the old death metal bands from the 90s, for contemporary bands not so much. I think the modern production is the thing that puts me off, there are good songs but it all seems the same to me nowadays.

4.Corpsemangle was started in 2015 what gave you the idea to start this band? Are you happy with how things have progressed with the band over the years?

Well I decided to start a solo project, because the band that I was currently in was doing progressive death and I think I always preferred the old school stuff. I just recorded some ideas and left them for future release. 10 years later I decided to release an album since things didn’t work out with many of the bands I played in. I was going to just release it and do it Putrid Pile style live, but decided to send a message to Martin to see if he would want to play that kind of music. He agreed and the rest is history.

5.Who would you say are the bands biggest influences? For the readers who have never heard the bands music how would you best describe it?

The biggest influences for Corpsemangle are Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation, the first 2 albums of Gorguts, Malevolent Creation, Obituary and Death - mainly the 90s death metal bands. Well their music is aggressive, brutal but also very technical, there are also some melodic parts especially in Death’s music. They are the bands who started the genre and I think these albums will remain classics.

6.I believe the band is a two piece would you like to add more members to make a full line up or do you prefer to work as a two piece?

If we find a serious drummer we could continue as a trio, but for now we will remain as a two piece. The future will tell and depending on future albums who knows.

7.Eating The Damned is the debut full length how long did it take to write the music for this release? How long does it usually take to complete one song?

It took from March until December to complete the full album, but the songs were already structured. The singles were released in September, October and November, but they were ready. Most of the songs were done and lyrics were written. The hard part was recording, mixing and mastering. It really depends, every song is different and some songs were done in a week and some songs took months.

8.This is a self released release would you two like to find a label to work with or do you prefer to release your own music independently?

We prefer to release independently, I had some not so good experience with a label 10 years ago so not for now. In the future it’s possible.

9.Corpsemangle comes out of Bulgaria's death metal scene what are your thoughts of the scene in Bulgaria?

Well the scene in Bulgaria mostly consists of core bands (metalcore, deathcore and hardcore), some thrash bands and there are some legacy death metal bands from the 90s. There is good music, but it’s mostly underground and all the bands know each other - at least in Sofia. There are some new death metal bands that have old school sound and they are really good.

10.Who are your alltime favorite bands coming out of Bulgaria?Are their any new bands you could recomend to the readers?

All time favourite probably Проказа (Leprocy) and Mass Grave for me, also some of the new old school bands like Certain Demise. I recommend them and Concrete is also good (they are a little older band, but they have old school attitude), Corpse is also a good band (they are from the legacy bands).

11.Besides working in Corpsemangle do either of you work with any other bands or solo projects?

Corpsemangle is the only project I am currently in. Martin I think has some other projects, but he doesn’t play live with them for now.

12.When you need to take a break from working on new music or band business what do you like to do in your free time?

I play video games and I love playing guitar, it’s an awesome instrument and helps me deal with stress. Martin also plays games, but he also does figurines which is cool.

13.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?

Thank you for the invite, we appreciate it. To your readers - Stay awesome and listen to good music, go to concerts and be happy! This is what matters the most!                                                                          Corpsemangle                                                                                                                                                https://corpsemangle.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                          https://www.facebook.com/Corpsemangle                                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/corpsemangleband                                                                                        https://www.youtube.com/@Corpsemangle

                                                                                                 

Interview with Hordes Of Wrath

 

1.Hello please introduce yourself to the readers?

Greetings everyone. My name is Moisés Alves, I use the pseudonym Necro Tyrant in Hordes Of Wrath, I work with illustrations for extreme metal bands and I'm responsible for the band's artwork, and I'm a musician in my spare time.

2.At what age did you discover black metal and what is it about this genre that drew you in and keeps you interested?

My memory is terrible, but I believe I must have been around 17 years old at the time. I was already listening to more traditional metal before that, but one day, I saw the Satyricon video, Mother North, and the guitar melody combined with the dark atmosphere was exactly what I wanted to do, and without a doubt, these are the elements that make black metal something unique to me to this day.

3.Who were the first bands that you discovered and who are some of the current bands that you have been listening to?

The first heavier music I heard was Kiss, then Iron Maiden and Slayer, and later I discovered Satyricon, Dark Funeral, Dissection, Marduk and many others. Currently I've been listening to bands like Frostshock, Ontborg and Another Demon, to name a few, but there's a bit of everything as long as it's not garbage made with artificial intelligence.

4.When did you first get the idea to start Hordes Of Wrath? Are you satified with how things have gone with the band so far?

I played in several bands and after a while I discovered that what I liked was composing and recording music, so the project developed naturally. I'm always composing; it's not something I have absolute control over. The riffs come to my mind and I play them. I always have my guitar nearby, I fit some riffs together and the music takes shape. Not everything I do becomes music for Hordes Of Wrath; I have tons of things saved that will become other projects. I feel satisfied by the fact that I can make the music I would like to hear; that's already my reward in a way, so I can say for sure that I feel good about the direction my project has taken.

5.Who would you say are Hordes Of Wrath biggest influences and have they remained the same over the years?For the readers who have never heard the band how would you best describe the music?

I believe that Marduk, Infernal War, Dark Funeral, to name a few, if you like any of these bands you will possibly end up liking something of what I do with Hordes Of Wrath.

6.Army Of One is the second full length how long did it take to write the music for this release? How long does it usually take to complete one song?

I just let it flow, I'm always composing something, when I have a certain number of 10 songs that work for the project because they go well together, it means it's time to release something.I usually spend much more time experimenting with recording than composing; generally, a song comes out in a day.

It's like one riff pulls the next; I just allow the ideas to come together naturally. Lyrics are more work because I hate writing lyrics, but overall I enjoy the process. I couldn't say exactly how long it took because the composition and recording process is done in my free time.

7.Where do you draw inspiration for the lyrics?Which usually comes first the music or the lyrics?

I compose the music first, my inspiration is pure hatred, my lyrics end up coming out after a bad day and I need to channel the anger into something constructive,

so I don't end up doing something I might regret later.

8.I believe you have self released all of your own releases do you prefer to stay independent or would you like to find a label to work with one day?

I'm always open to offers, I just don't have the time or social skills to keep contacting people or record labels.

9.Would you like to add more members to have a full band or do you prefer to work alone? If you could work with any musicians past or present who are some you would like to work with?

Time has shown me that I can only work alone and would certainly end up having some kind of conflict of ideas. I know I'm difficult to live with, so if I'm going to fight with someone, I'd rather it be with my own demons.

10.What does Black Metal mean to you?

Black metal itself is a way of experiencing the world, but in a darker way, with no interest in being safe or friendly.

It is primitive in its essence, and that's how it should be.

11.Are you currently working with any other bands or solo projects? If yes please tell the readers a little about them?

I intend to do some other projects in the future because I have a lot of material to record that doesn't fit the sound of Hordes Of Wrath. I don't have anything structured at the moment, but I believe I'll release a single this year. I'm not sure, it will depend on my free time.

12.Hordes Of Wrath comes out of Brazil's black and death metal scene what are your thoughts of Brazil's Metal scene over the years?

I honestly don't place boundaries on music, and for me it doesn't matter where a band comes from or  who the musicians are, what they do with their lives or have done; the impact for me is the music itself, regardless of the lyrical content. I believe that the metal scene in general has grown in popularity not only in Brazil but also worldwide, which has positive and negative points, but I'm indifferent to that. I don't have a significant presence in the scene and I haven't been to shows in a long time. My life consists of making my art and promoting it as much as possible, and for me that's more than enough.

13.Who are your all-time favorite bands coming out of Brazil?Are their any new bands you could recomend to the readers?

I really like Subtenebras, Morteix, and Carcinosy, to name a few; I believe they are good recommendations.

But a large part of the essence of the underground is seeking out bands yourself, and today there are countless possibilities to do that, so if you dedicate some time to searching on Bandcamp, for example, you'll certainly find something rewarding.

14.Thank you for taking the time to fill this interview out do you have any final words for the readers?

I appreciate the opportunity and to everyone who took the time to enjoy this interview, keep the flame of black metal burning.                                                                                                                                Hordes Of Wrath                                                                                                                                        https://hordesofwrath.bandcamp.com/album/army-of-one                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/hordesofwrath/

  

Antimonument--Reaping Oblivion{digital}{Egregora Adversarial}

 

This  is my first encounter with Brazil's  Antimonument  but i'm glad i found this  they are really good at their craft.Blending death and black metal together to create a unique and aggressive sound and style.Reaping Oblivion is the newest EP. featuring four tracks of heavy and brutal black and death metal.The guitars are played with some heavy and crushing passages that are well performed.The guitarist does cut loose and plays some extremely fast paced patterns to go along with the more heavier mid paced ones.The vocals are powerful death metal growls that fit the bands music perfectly.If you are looking for a great sounding band that blends black and death metal together nicely then don't miss out on Antimonument                                                                                                                                          Egregora Adversarial                                                                                                                                                    https://egregoradversarial.bandcamp.com/album/reaping-oblivion                                                                https://www.instagram.com/egregoradversarial/

Curse Prayer--The Depths Of Atonement{digital}{Egregora Adversarial}

 

Curse Prayer is a black metal band coming out of Brazil and this is a review of the debut EP.The Depths Of Atonement is five tracks of  primitive black metal.The band seems to draw influence from the second wave of black metal and does a good job of writing and executing some memorable songs.The guitars and drums are a mix of extremely fast paced passages that are weell played.The music does slow to a more controlled mid paced range throughout a few of the songs.The vocals are grim and gruff growls and some raw screams are also used throughout the songs.i wasn't able to find very much information on this band but this release is a really good start so i'm hoping to hear more from this band in the future. 

Egregora Adversarial

https://egregoradversarial.bandcamp.com/album/the-depths-of-atonement                                                https://www.instagram.com/egregoradversarial/

Corpsemangle--Eating The Damned cd&digital{Independent}

 

Corpsemangle is a duo  coming out of Bulgaria's old school death metal scene and this is a review of the debut.Eating The Damned is ten tracks of old school death metal with a mix of mid paced heavier death metal guitar patterns and some faster more aggressive passages.Antoan B. handles the vocals and guitars for the band.The guitars are played with some mid paced guitar patterns that are well delievered with some memorable passages.Their are some much faster guitar parts thare played with intensity even adding in some well performed solo's.The vocals are raw old school death metal growls that are powerful in the delievery.If you  are a fan of the early 90's U.S death metal scene in Florida then defintly give this band a chance they might surpris.                                                                Corpsemangle                                                                                                                                                https://corpsemangle.bandcamp.com/album/eating-the-damned                                                                  https://www.facebook.com/Corpsemangle                                                                                                  https://www.instagram.com/corpsemangleband                                                                                          https://www.youtube.com/@Corpsemangle                                                                                                  

Terrorshroud--Order Of Absolute Terror{digital}{Independent}

 

Terrorshroud is a trio  coming out of Greece's black,death war metal scene and this is a review of the debut demo.Order Of Absolute Terror is three tracks of primitive and violent sounding black death metal.Each track is a barrage of crazed musicial passages that are played with intense and brutal passages.The vocals are raw black metal screams and some deeper growls are used in a few of the tracks.This is a band that will only appeal to true fanatics of primitive and raw black death war metal.All others should avoid this  band and release.                                                                                  Terrorshroud

https://terrorshroud.bandcamp.com/album/order-of-absolute-terror                       

                                      

Interview with Wrestlemaniacs 3-5-2026

When I heard Wrestlemaniacs for the first time it was on Bandcamp, and I immediately decided to review their album Don't Try This At Home. It's a classic crossover thrash style, and every song is memorable, infectious even. Every song was about pro wrestling, which I am a huge fan of and I wanted to know more. I knew I couldn't leave the subject of this band alone, so I contacted them and requested an interview, which they were kind enough to get back to me. Read on for their exploits.

You can experience the band here: wrestlemaniacsrule.bandcamp.com

PR/AP: Since many are unfamiliar with you here in the States, let us know how Wrestlemaniacs came to be a band.

Mariano: It all started by visiting a German indie wrestling show back in 2016 and some guy asked us if we were musicians cause he wanted to found a new promotion called "WrestlingKult" and needs a theme song for it. At that time we were all playing in different bands but thought it was a fun idea and agreed to do one. Couple weeks later we recorded "Join the Kult," which is still their theme song today. After that we wrote three more themes for German wrestlers, but that was soon becoming a little bit boring because they all had a specific idea of how their song should sound. So we thought let's go and make it how we wanted it to sound, fast, raw, more metal, and that's where the madness began.

On your first release you got Nick Gage to do the intro to the song you wrote about him, "MDK." How did that come about?

Mariano: That was basically a cameo we bought. I got a birthday Cameo which ended up really cool so we thought let's buy another one as intro for the record. We later met Nick Gage in person and handed him the EP - he is a really nice guy and remembered the song and the Cameo (or at least said he did). MDK ALL F'N DAY!

I got to meet Virgil once at a flea market in Ohio, and of course he was alone. I could tell he really didn't want to take a picture with me, and he kept trying to get me to buy more autographed pictures even though I had already bought one. Whose idea was the song "Meat Sauce King," and have any of you ever met Virgil before? Sadly, we can't now, since he has passed away.

Mariano: Unfortunately not, but the stories about lonely Virgil and his really funny social media posts were reason enough to write him song.

Is an element of humor important to the music? Why?

Mariano: Definitely! Wrestling just delivers so many funny moments. Some songs or lines like "March of the S.H.E.I.K." with the Iron Sheik cursing or the "only half the brain" line in "Vicious Sycopath" from Sid's WCW promo where he said "I only got half the brands than you do." We also love these funny gimmicks from the '90s like Repo Man, Gillberg, Mantaur, The Ding Dongs... Songs about the Shockmaster debut or the Steiner Math promo are on top of my wanna do list. (That would be goddamn amazing. -AP.)

Is "Death by Lariat" about the legendary Stan Hansen? Tell me about that song.

Mariano: Yes, I'm a big fan of Hansen and Bruiser Brody and all those American "gaijins" that wrestled in Japan in the '80s. Eat the Turnbuckle already did a Brody song, so we thought let's honor Stan Hansen. And his lariat is a very underrated finisher!

Who came up with the image of the band, wearing lucha libre masks? I love the fact that your singer is using a barbed wire baseball bat attached to his mic in your video for "Still Real to Us."

Mariano: The name and the masks result in the first gig we had, the event was called "Rumpelfest." I don't know how to properly translate that but the idea behind it was that musicians from different bands get together for one night only and start playing without any songs or rehearsals, just by improvising. We were asked to participate, so we thought let's call it Wrestlemaniacs, wear lucha masks, and just play some tunes and wrestle a little bit on stage. As soon as we began the crowd started to wrestle each other at first and then us - it was pure chaos. We also met our second guitar player at that show cause he broke his cheekbone in the pit.

Tobi: The WrestlingKult theme already existed but that was the point where we decided to make it a real band.

Everything seems to be improved, from sound to songs, on Don't Try This At Home. Were you focusing on songwriting even more this time around? The songs are very catchy.

Tobi: The songs were written over quite a long time. "We Want Blood" for example is one of our oldest songs and was originally for a no longer existent German indie promotion. They only used it once and then went out of business. So I don't think we changed a lot, we just grew closer together and knew better what we wanted. Also the guys in the studio understood the assignment very well and made us sound as mean as possible. (They succeeded wildly! -AP)

What is it about pro wrestling you like so much?

Mariano: Most of us grew up with it. When you see it as a child on TV for the first time it is just fascinating and mesmerizing in both ways. Two guys beating the shit out of each other and the crowd goes nuts, good guy vs. bad guy, the bright lights, the entrance, the music. Those were real life superheroes. I also love the different styles of wrestling, similar to all the metal genres, sometimes you like it traditional so you listen to Judas Priest and watch Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania 6 or you want thrash, then listen to Bonded by Blood and watch Bruiser Brody vs. Abdullah the Butcher, you want some Vulgar Display of Power watch Mike Awesome vs. Masato Tanaka, rock 'n roll with Motorhead and Triple H vs. Taker, Okada vs. Omega with some Blind Guardian tunes, Slowly We Rot with some 2000s CZW TODs and so on...

Tobi: I actually stumbled into my first wrestling show when I was on a metal festival. The band that was playing did not interest me so I went to the place next door where wXw Superstars of Wrestling took place to have a beer with some friends that were there. Nobody wanted to see a ticket so I went further in and when I stood in front of the ring Walter (now Gunther) was slamming his opponent so hard, the ground shook. I was in love immediately.

Do metal and pro wrestling go together? I find a lot of metalists like it that I talk to.

Mariano: Definitely. Wrestling brought me into metal. I got the WWF Full Metal: The Album in 1996 and the two opening tracks "We're All Together Now" and "Thorn in Your Eye" were metal songs featuring Jon Oliva of Savatage, Scott Ian of Anthrax, and some other metal musicians. Also, many wrestlers had and still have metal songs or riffs as themes. In 1998 I saw a wrestling TV show in Germany where they had the music video of Stuck Mojo's "Rising" in which Raven and DDP played in at the end and begged my mom to buy me the record.

Hagen: Like Mariano said, the fascination started as a kid, watching guys like Diesel, Razor, Bret Hart, and Shawn Michaels beating the shit out of each other. Then the WWF released a sampler, Full Metal: The Album out in 1996 and the love for wrestling and metal combined. And after all these years you can listen to this on our records.

What are your musical influences for this project specifically? I imagine they're diverse.

Mariano: Main influence overall I would say are Eat the Turnbuckle. They started the whole idea of a wrestling themed band with the combination of music, lyrics, look and show. Other musical influences we can all agree with are S.O.D., Slayer, Sodom, Obituary, Power Trip, and the famous German singer Kalle Haverland.

Are you familiar with the TV Show "Dark Side of the Ring" at all? I would imagine you could dig through that for song ideas for sure!

Mariano: Yes, of course, I think we watched almost every episode so far. There are indeed some songs whose ideas came from the show like "I Shot Dino Bravo" and "Cocaine & Cowboy Boots." 

Who is your favorite wrestler of all time? Mine is easily Kazuchika Okada, but if you asked me when I was eight years old, it was Hulk Hogan!

Mariano: Well mine are Macho Man Randy Savage and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Eight year old me was also a Hulkamaniac and a huge Ultimate Warrior fan!

Tobi: SABU! I also like Jon Moxley, Blue Meanie, and New Jack.

Hagen: CM Punk, Stone Cold, Roddy Piper, Dustin Rhodes, The Goon, and Barry Horowitz.

Who had the idea to write "I Shot Dino Bravo" for the record? I laughed my ass off when I read that title the first time, and I knew I had to listen to this band!

Mariano: That idea came while watching his Dark Side of the Ring episode.

Tobi: Hagen came up with this black metal-ish riff, it only took a few minutes to write the whole song.

What's next for Wrestlemaniacs? Are you writing or playing shows at all?

Mariano: Currently we are preparing for some summer festival shows. We don't play very often because we also have other bands we're in and wanna keep our shows like a Brock Lesnar appearance - a special attraction.

I couldn't figure out who "Cocaine & Cowboy Boots" was about. Tell me about that song.

Mariano: That's also from a Dark Side of the Ring episode which has the same title. It's about UWF Promoter Herb Abrams who wanted to participate with WWF in the early 90s. He booked some famous names and big arenas and even got a TV deal but shit went downhill fast as he wouldn't pay his wrestlers and only a couple hundred people showed up at the shows. One final day he was found dead - high on coke, oiled up and wearing nothing but cowboy boots. So I thought that's a good story.

Do you plan on doing any videos for any of the new songs like you did for the last record?

Tobi: Yes, we plan to shoot a video for the title track "Don't Try This At Home," it's gonna be a wild DIY slobberknocker. (That's the best kind! -AP)

Do your shows get wild at all? Does the crowd get into the spirit?

Mariano: In Germany wrestling isn't that popular or mainstream as it is in the US, so sometimes people at first are a bit confused and maybe even disgusted when we enter the stage and hit someone with a barbed wire baseball bat, smash someone through a table, or cut someone open with a pizza cutter. We always have some special moves. It also depends on where we play. One time we were almost kicked out of a festival because we smashed some light tubes on each other.

Tobi: That's why we added a disclaimer to our Instagram. The light tubes were fun though, I'd do it again.

End this interview any way you like, and thank you so much for doing this.

Mariano: Always remember: this shit is f'n real to us dammit! Watcha gonna do when the Wrestlemaniacs run violent on you!

Vomit Mass-No God,Just ROT{digital}{Independent}

 

Vomit Mass is a death grindcore band coming out of Greece and this is a review of the bands debut full length.No God,Just ROT is a brutal onslaught of blasting drums that are chaotic yet well played.The guitars are done with some fast and frenzied guitar passages that are powerful.The guitarist does add some thrashy guitar patterns mixed in with the chaotic more grinding style.The thrashy guitar parts are well performed and executed.This is a really good debut if you are a fan of  intense and crazed grindcore that is short,sweet and to the point then be sure to check this band out today.                       Vomit Mass

https://vomitmass.bandcamp.com/album/no-god-just-rot

Qurun--Iron Horns Of Dominum {digital}{Independent}

 

Qurun is a black metal  band that comes out of Singapore's occult black metal scene and this is a review of the bands debut EP.Iron Horns Of Dominum contains four tracks of black metal that is played with skill and expierence as each instrument is very well crafted and played.The guitars are performed with some memorable well executed passages.The guitars range from mid paced to a more faster pace with both being performed with intenisty and skillful writing.The drums are performed in the same vein with some blasting fast paced drum patterns.The drummer does slow to a more mid paced controlled drum style with some well delievered drum passages.The vocals are grim black metal screams and some raspy shrieks in a few of the songs.This is a really good release for those who are into occult black metal that is performed with skillful writing defintly pick this up today.                                            Qurun 

https://qurun.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583534412284                                                                      

https://www.youtube.com/@Qurun-d8b?app=desktop&fbclid=IwVERDUAPp1FJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5fToHpByjyxWU1Wid8rs8WfEDPZrD-UJfvXADeu6753LQXjnspYSfn9rF7NQ_aem_J6J2QkYmgJYBIFkDYCSq-Q

Tyrannical Warpath--Chaos Breather{digital}{Independent}

 

Coming out of Virginia's  bestial and primitive war metal scene is Tyrannical Warpath.Chaos Breather is the debut full length.Starting off with a short intro the music starts of with a barrage of crazed blasting drums and frenzied guitars that are played with insanely fast passages.The vocals are gruff death metal growls and some raw black metal screams.If you are a fan of bestial and relentess black grinding metal give this band a shot and check out the debut.                                                                                            Tyrannical Warpath

https://tyrannicalwarpath.bandcamp.com/album/chaos-breather

Shtrige--Of Blood And Night CS&digital{Prehistoric Sounds}

 

Shtrige  is a duo with members frrom  Switzerland and Finland who play a great style of old school black metal.Of Blood And Night is the debut demo featuring four tracks of traditional black metal.The music is performed by Solaris Lupus which is a mix of very well performed mid paced drums and guitar passages.The music does speed to a much faster pace throughout a few of the tracks to give it a nice balance of mid paced and extremely fast passages.The vocals are done by Sanguis Antiquus who comes out of Finland.The vocals  presented here are raw black metal screams and screeches.-Of Blood And Night is a really good release of classic black metal similar to the late 90's so if this is your kind of black metal defintly give this band a listen and buy the release today.                                                      Prehistoric Sounds                                                                                                                                    https://prehistoricsounds.bandcamp.com/                                                                                                  https://www.facebook.com/people/Prehistoric-Sounds/61565223436731/                                              https://www.instagram.com/prehistoricsounds

Wrestlemaniacs--Don't Try This At Home (Digital) {2026 Independent}

Now we're talking. I'm a huge professional wrestling fan, particularly of the hard-hitting Japanese style, but classic WWE is also something I like, and these German thrashers have delved into that period to offer up pro-wrestling inspired thrash that is both savage and funny at the same time. For instance, Don't Try This At Home, the album's title, refers to the ad campaign that the WWE had used in the past, especially during the Attitude Era's heyday in the late 1990s to warn drunk assholes not to perform these moves on other drunk assholes in the backyards of the world. Other topics included in the songs are the murder of Dino Bravo, the insane rants of the Sheikh, Kurt Angle's broken neck, and Syco Sid's exploits, among other topics that aren't as instantly recognizable. I love that the band wears lucha masks in their promo photo, which you can see below. Amazing. Vocally, the singer is somewhere between a shout and a growl, and he clearly has influence from black and death metal. Every song is an aggressive, visceral bit of thrash, and clearly takes a ton of influence from Slayer and S.O.D. Even their solos are Slayer-esque, just napalming notes and intensity. I can't speak highly enough of this band, and even if you don't enjoy the wrestling subject matter, you'll find their music to be top notch thrash metal. 

wrestlemaniacsrule.bandcamp.com

Execrion--Rituals Of Desecrated Benediction CS&Digital{Rat Covenant}

 

After  releasing quite a few demo's the past year Spain's Execrion return with their newest EP.Rituals Of Desecrated Benediction is five tracks of raw and primitive death metal with some war metal influence added into their sound.The guitars are a mix of fast and frenzied guitar passages and some well played patterns.The drums are a assault of chaotic and blasting drums that are insanely fast.The vocals are a mix of heavy death metal growls and some gruff screams.Rituals Of Desecrated Benediction is a really good release of old school death metal that is primitive and violent in it's delievery.                                Execrion                                                                                                                                                        https://execrion.bandcamp.com/music                                                                                                          https://www.instagram.com/execriondeath                                                                                                    Rat  Covenant 

https://ratcovenant.bandcamp.com/album/rat-225-execrion-rituals-of-desecrated-benediction                https://www.instagram.com/rat_cov_2/                                                                                                         https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYQhQzcVfX84T8Sz8Qfr2iw               

                                           

Blackened Entrails--Manifesto Sepulcral (CD) {2024 Black Hole Productions}

Blackened Entrails are a musically talented black death metal band that have a surprising amount of cold melody in their sound, leaning heavily into their black metal side. The production is rich and perfectly mixed, with a real focus on a good drum sound - I can tell they spent a lot of time on this aspect of the recording. All the lyrics are in Spanish, which for me adds a layer of additional obscurity to the music it wouldn't otherwise have. Their riffs tend toward the morosely melodic, and they consistently return to these themes throughout the record, giving the whole affair not only a cohesive feel, but a darkly melodic overtone. The vocals are diverse, with both low growls and high-end screams that are used interchangeably. If you're looking for pure aggression, this band isn't for you, but if you want melody in your madness, you could do worse. 

www.blackholeprods.com

Hordes Of Wrath--Army Of One{digital}{Independent}

 

Hordes Of Wrath is a one man band coming out of Brazil's black and death metal scene.Army Of One is the second full length from the band.The new release has ten tracks of  crazed and fast black death metal.The music is played with a mix of crazed fast guitars and drums.The guitars are mainly played with fast whirlwind guitar patterns that are well performed.Their are also some well delievered guitar passages and even some solo's added into a few of the songs.The drums are done with a mix of hyperspeed blast beats and some mid paced drums.The vocals are raw,grim black metal screams and some gruff screams used in a few of the songs. This is my first encounter with Hordes Of Wrath but they play a really great sounding style of primitive black metal that should please all fans of this genre. 

Hordes Of Wrath

https://hordesofwrath.bandcamp.com/album/army-of-one                                                                      https://www.facebook.com/hordesofwrath/

Gravewurm--Along The Path Of Darkness We March CD&Digital{digital}{Independent}

 

Gravewurm is a black and death metal band that has been releasing quality metal since the early 90's and this is a review of their latest release.Along The Path Of Darkness We March which contains nine tracks of well executed and performed death black metal.The music blends a nice mix of heavy mid paced drums and guitars both of which are performed with talent and experience.Both the guitars and drums do speed to a faster pace throughout the songs to give the listener a nice balance of mid paced and extremly fast passages.The vocals are grim and raw black metal screams and some gruff growls.This a really good release of quality black and death metal from one of the bands who started out in the 90's and hasn't changed their style to follow any trends.                                                                  Gravewurm

https://gravewurm.bandcamp.com/album/along-the-path-of-darkness-we-march-2026-album                     https://www.facebook.com/gravewurmoldgoatmetal/#                                                                                https://www.instagram.com/iamgravewurm/                                                                                               

Enthroning Nightfall--The Infernal Masquerade (Digital) {2026 Independent}

This is excellent symphonic black metal that remains rather raw in its execution and production, but the music does not suffer from it. In fact, it's helped by it, giving the recording its own character and feel. This four song EP is excellent black metal, on par with some of the best I've heard recently. The vocals are incredible, often delivered with a rapid-fire approach, where the singer rattles off a lot of words in each measure, and it's fucking awesome and interesting. The synths sound like a choir in the background on some tracks, and they really fill out the songs and give them texture. This is no saccharin sweet synth performance, it's grim. The songs would be fine without them, but not nearly as interesting as they are with them. Do not make the mistake of thinking this lacks any sort of extremity due to having these symphonic elements - they lead with blastbeats and there's plenty of double bass present. It's fast and extreme the way it should be. I'm a real fan of this recording now, and I can't wait to see what this band does next.

enthroningnightfall.bandcamp.com