A Fist in the Face of God presents... Live Evil Berlin Mix 2016

 No, you haven't awakened from a deep sleep where summer totally passed you by. It's not October, and – if you live in Tufnell Park – your neighbourhood isn't about to be taken over by long hairs. Instead, the organisers of Live Evil have decided to indulge in some Channel-crossing, taking their now-legendary underground metal festival to Berlin. And boy, have they got a lineup for you.

The invasion takes place at Cassiopeia from May the 27th to the 28th—with the pre-show elsewhere—showcasing a range of bands both new and old, hailing from the USA to Brazil to Finland and beyond. In fact, a few of the bands playing this year's event were literal nobodies when the first Live Evil took place back in 2010, a point I raised with Tooth Log of Brooklyn's Natur at last year's festival. His reply was simple, yet very American: "WE'RE ALUMNI NOW, DUDE!" And right he was.

Take Occvlta, too. Their appearance back in 2010 was their inaugural desecration; now, the world waits as they prepare to drop their debut LP. So you've got some of the underground's success stories playing, with everyone's thrash favourites Antichrist closing proceedings at the after show on Saturday. Unfortunately Manilla Road declined to appear on this mix, citing their music is available online to listen to, but Live Evil did come up with this little 8-bit teaser. Damn, that really took me back to playing Castlevania on the SNES as a mulletted young Slayer-tee-wearing lad.

But onto the mix: almost 70 minutes of heavy, death, black, thrash, etc. All bands sent their songs over, and some even contributed exclusive tracks, so hails to them for their work in making both this and the festival happen. As not to show bias, I used the running order of the festival to arrange the track list, so it can also double-up as a kind of band time guide, or something. Shouts to Marek, and Ezio and Ricky of Wolf City, for making it happen. Snap up the few remaining tickets here.

TRACKLIST:
1. Nachash (Norway) "A Necromancer's Lament" [2015]
2. Vulcano (Brazil) "The Tenth Writing" [2014]
3. Morbid Panzer (Germany) "Sodomizer of Death" [2015]
4. Hard Action (Finland) "Tunnel Vision" [2016]
5. Occvlta (Germany) "Last ov the Sabbaths (Live)" [2015]
6. Zex (Canada) "Wild Blood (Alternate version)" [2014]
7. Dungeon (UK) "Innocent Evil" [2016]
8. Chapel Of Disease (Germany) "Symbolic Realms" [2015]
9. Indian Nightmare (Germany) "Betrayers" [2016]
10. Degial (Sweden) "Savage Mutiny" [2015]
11. Amulet (UK) "Levitation (Hawkwind cover)" [2016]
12. Bulldozer (Italy) "Another Beer (It's What I Need)" [1984]
13. Vorum (Finland) "Current Mouth" [2015]
14. Natur (USA) "The Invitation" [2015]
15. Antichrist (Sweden) "Terror Dimension" [2011]

DEMOndays XXI

Fuck, I know these posts are getting less and less frequent, and for that I apologise, but I guess I was being a little unrealistic saying I would post every Monday in the beginning, eh. So, from now I will try to post something weekly, or whenever I can. Got loads of demos, just not enough time/desire to use the fucking internet (hate).
So with all that outta the way, here's the killer Nightmare City demo that Henry Yuan's excellent Electric Assault Records put out a few years back. They're actually playing London tomorrow night with local deathpunk scumlords, Shallow Sanction, at the Unicorn in Camden (ish). And it's free. Oh, and DJ DSOD—Amulet's Dave Sherwood on Drums—is DJing. I am hoping this broken old vessel is going to permit my attendance, but will of course be a blast either way.

Nightmare City (Sweden) Nightmare Tape [2014]
1. Nightmare City
2. Do You Wanna Die?
3. Distortion Til Deaf
4. Riders of Doom

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Live Evil 2015

Live Evil festival returns with its fifth and possibly finest line-up so far. Click here for info on tickets, etc. Upcoming devastation this autumn!

Midnite Madness LXIV - Live Evil Special 2014

ALRIGHT. The time has come again for another radio onslaught. This show, as promised, is a Live Evil Special, featuring part of last week's mix, plus 75+ minutes of the best of the bands to have played the previous three festivals. A cracker, if I do say so myself. Also features brand-new tracks from upcoming Zom Flesh Assimilation and Deathhammer Evil Power LPs.
Midnite Madness will return for the penultimate show of the year (/ever? I have not decided yet) on November 11th, and will most likely will be a Norwegian black metal show, as I haven't done one and have intended to do so since show one. December's show will be a 2014 one, that is guaranteed. SOON!

And this just in—set times for this weekend's festival from Marek and the guys.

FRIDAY 6PM - 1AM (SOLD OUT)
22.15 Deathhammer
21.15 Ranger
20.15 Amulet
19.15 Division Speed

SATURDAY 2PM - 2AM (Ticket Collection from 2pm!!)
Upstairs
21.00 Manilla Road
19.45 Antichrist
18.45 Morbus Chron
17.45 Nocturnal
16.45 Portrait
15.45 Lizzies

Downstairs
18.15 Wytch Hazel
17.15 (Surprise act!)
16.15 Nocturnal Witch
15.15 Riddles

SUNDAY 3PM-11PM
9.45 Nifelheim
8.00 Quartz
6.30 Vulcano
5.30 Lecherous Gaze
4.30 Bunker 66
3.30 Nightmare City

MON 20TH @ The Alibi FREE AFTER-BANGER
20:00 BLOOD ON SATANS CLAW movie
22:00 Heavy Metal Karaoke and Records

Looks epic, can't wait. See you there!

A Fist In The Face Of God presents... Live Evil Mix 2014

Artwork illustration by Andrew Walter

Live Evil festival is back for another year, and this year's line-up is as strong as any previous, if not the toughest lineup yet. So if you live near The Dome in Tufnell Park, be prepared to spend next weekend sharing the streets with lots of men wearing patched vests, bullet belts, moustaches and leather, as well as plenty of women in very similar get-ups, minus the facial hair, hopefully.
So, in annual fashion, here is a mix featuring one track from each of this year's participants. I lovingly pieced the tracks that curators Marek Steven and Oscar Tuttiett sent me over, with tracks running in chronological order from oldest to newest. There's even a brand-new, exclusive track on here from the mighty Deathhammer's soon-to-be unleashed third album, Evil Power, and also some brand-new stuff from the Marek's own Amulet, and Italy's speed metalpunks Bunker 66. I will let the guys do the rest of the talking followed by the mix.

What we have here are some of our favourite tracks from the amazing 19 international acts from this year's Live Evil Festival. Every year of the fest so far has been legendary and we will feel genuinely lucky to help this event happen. There is something very special about the atmosphere that is inclusive, fun, and completely unhinged, all at the same time. Every year we have bands that get huge shortly afterwards and others who remain unappreciated cult acts, and this year we genuinely think it's the best line-up yet. Still some tickets left so don't miss out - we look forward to hosting you!

Marek Steven and Oscar Tuttiett—Live Evil

1. Quartz (UK) - "Satan's Serenade" [1980]
2. Manilla Road (USA) - "Hammer of the Witches" [1985]
3. Vulcano (Brazil) - "Spirits of Evil" [1986]
4. Nifelheim (Sweden) - "Storm of the Reaper" [2007]
5. Division Speed (Germany) - "Ominous Silence" [2009]
6. Antichrist (Sweden) - "Dark Sorcery" [2011]
7. Wytch Hazel (England) - "Wytch Hazel" [2011]
8. Lizzies (Spain) - "Sacrifice" [2013]
9. Ranger (Finland) - "Steel Dawn" [2013]
10. Nocturnal (Germany) - "Rising Demons" [2014]
11. Bunker 66 (Italy) - "(She's Got) Demon Eyes" [2014]
12. Deathhammer (Norway) - "Powertrip (Unreleased)" [2014]
13. Nocturnal Witch (Germany) - "Black Star" [2014]
14. Nightmare City (Sweden) - "Nightmare City" [2014]
15. Morbus Chron (Sweden) - "Towards A Dark Sky" [2014]
16. Lecherous Gaze (USA) - "End Rising" [2014]
17. Riddles (England) - "Psychedelic Power Engine Iron Claw Thunder Mistress" [2014]
18. Amulet (England) - "Glint of the Knife" [2014]
19. Portrait (Sweden) - "Mother Sun [Judas Priest cover]" [2014]

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And don’t forget there’s a pre-Live Evil show next Wednesday the 15th at east London’s premier blackout drunk vortex, The Alibi, featuring one of the festival’s act’s, the USA’s Lecherous Gaze.
Also, next Tuesday I will hosting a special Live Evil show on my radio transmission, Midnite Madness, 12am next Wednesday morning. You've been warned!

Maniac Monday XXV - Heavy Metal Mania II, feat. Amulet

2013's second Maniac Monday saw me joined live in the studio with three members of London metal quintet, Amulet. Much beer was imbued and jokes were cracked while the guys DJ'd from 9.30-10.30 and, if you missed it, why not listen to or download it below. It's free, after all.
Thanks to Amulet for coming down and shining the ever-burning metal light in forgotten, darkened corners, and also to Paul at Peaceville for letting me preview an edited track from the forthcoming Darkthrone album, The Underground Resistance, which release February 25th. The album is KILLER, so do NOT sleep on the vinyl of that before it sells out. Also, I will be posting a little someting on the artwork for this album real soon, so keep checking back for more.
Next Maniac Monday will be on Feruaury 11th, 'til then... THRASH!!!

Interview with Heathen Steven of Amulet

Photo by Sanna Charles

It's been many moons since last I wrote about a band from these shores. But, finally, London has birthed a new band to worship, and their name is Amulet. They released their "Cut The Crap" demo last year, and played their first show in April at the Heavy Easter metal fest in Lancaster. Tonight, they make their hometown debut VICE's own Old Blue Last, with Canadian doom merchants Cauchemar. I caught up with Amulet guitarist Heathen Steven late last night. Read on, or your soul shall not be worthy.

AFITFOG: So, Amulet. Can you give the masses a little background info as to what brought you heathen souls together?
‪Heathen Steven: It was insignificant but unavoidable cosmic destiny. It's a number of passionate but unassuming metal warriors picking up arms together. Basically, we're mates. Mates drawn together through mutual love of the heavy rock and the wish to deliver it. You know, the usual.

And how have Amulet been received?
We have been received splendidly, so far. Particularly from the underground scene, which means a lot. I would say there is definitely room for a London metal band. There is always room for good metal, eh?

Indeed. So you've been together now for, what, a year?
Well, Bill Dozer and I had the idea in 2010, but that is the long and short of it. We are eager beavers. Spring chickens. We are prostrate before the scene, but armed.

So what is the role of Heathen Steven in this unholy unification?
I play some guitars and keep my eye on the clock. I'm pretty wary of time—the time keeper! I like working on song structures and dissing the church, etc.

So you write lyrics and riffs?
I have some riffs. We all bring them, really. Bill Dozer had some of the best phrases on the demo. He also came up with the band and demo name. The singer, Jamie, generally comes up with much of the wordplay. We all chip in, as we all basically have the same taste. Not much thought goes into it or is required, really. Channel the universe!

Nice. Is the demo's title indicative of anything in particular, or is it a message to all the phonies out there making piss-poor music?
Neither really. We just said "What shall we call the demo?" and Bill said "Cut the Crap", so we did. For me, it just felt like the right thing for our vibe. Nothing specific. But it's a pretty good phrase for life generally. You can read into it, I guess. Take what you want, man.

Will you be playing anything other than the demo tracks at tomorrow's maiden London show, then?
We have a couple of tunes which add a bit of colour to the demo tracks. I think you should always write better songs each time, ideally. We're looking forward to it and particularly looking forward to seeing Cauchemar who are incredible... fuck.

It's their first show here too, right?
Yeah, they've been on an insane world trip [check out Annick from Cauchemar's blog], tasting food, playing killer shows and checking out metal scenes everywhere. And this is their first UK show so I hope people come. If you like Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Witchfinder General then I would set aside the evening, personally.

For sure. Say, didn't Annick do that Hellbent For Cooking heavy metal cookbook?
Yeah, and the Morbid Tales zine.

Alright. So, can we expect any sort of onstage ritual or anything tonight?
Well, let's just say we have a proper heavy metal show planned and leave it at that – it won't be dull.

Photo by Malek Baali

And when are you guys putting out your next onslaught?
Well, the demo is sold out, but we have a 7" version coming in June from Mordgrimm Records.

Oh, one last thing. Live Evil festival, which you co-run, is off this year I've heard?

It is at the Underworld, yes, the deal was bananas. BUT, there are two other plans that might knock you socks off a bit if they happen... one in October and one next year.

Alright, the metal underground will be sharpening its swords 'til then, thanks!

Amulet and Cauchemar play the Old Blue Last tonight and it is FREE.