... 2013 Year's end list PtII w/ WO FAT, BEELZEFUZZ, ATARAXIE, ICE DRAGON, MOURNING DAWN, etc...

Jo (Ataraxie / Funeralium)

1) BEST ALBUMS OF 2013

- Cathedral “Last Spire”

- Autopsy “Headless Ritual”

- Voivod “Target Earth”

- Satan “Life Sentence”

- Black Oath “Ov Qliphoth and Darkness”

- Culte Des Ghoules “Henbane”

- Grave Upheaval “ST”

- Grave Miasma “Odori Sepulcrorum”

- In Solitude “Sister”

- Avatarium “ST”

2) BEST EPs/DEMOS OF 2013

- Solstice “Death’s Crown Is Victory”

- Disma/Convulse “days of death “

- Bölzer “Aura”

3) BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2013

- Disma at Wolf Throne

- Indesinence at killtown death fest 

- Black Sabbath in Paris (Bercy)

- Tribulation at killtown death fest 

- Trouble at Dutch Doom Days 

4) BEST ALBUM COVERS OF 2013

- Voivod “Target Earth”

- Slough Feg “Laser Enforcer“

- Grave Upheaval “ST”

5) BEST SONGS OF 2013

- Cathedral “This Body, thy tomb”

- Autopsy “Slaughter At Beast House”

- In Solitude “A buried sun”

- Tribulation “Wanderer in the outer darkness”

- Ocean Chief “Dean Scanna Styrkan”

6) BEST OVERLOOKED ALBUM OF 2012

I don’t have any.

7) MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2014

- Swallowed

- While Heaven Wept

- Krypts

8) It was a really productive year for me as I was able to release two new albums in total: Funeralium “Deceived Idealism” in February and Ataraxie “L’être Et La Nausée” in September. That’s always frustrating to have your albums delayed again and again. Regarding gigs, I particularly enjoyed myself playing at Killtown Deathfest as I saw lot of cool bands and met some cool people there. As for other gigs in general, that was also nice to play again with Mournful Congregation, Mourning Beloveth, Ophis or Marche Funèbre as they now are long time doom comrades.

As for what happened in 2013 in our world, we were one more time overfed with sterile and nonsense debates. That’s what I call the culture of VOID! Media know too well how to manipulate the mass so as avoid REAL debates and help politicians to keep on getting more and more from us without facing any trouble. Anyway, don’t hope for any better things now…

9) BEST LABELS OF 2013

- Weird Truth

- Ostra Records

- Iron Bonehead

Kent (WO FAT)

Best Albums of 2013

1. Earthless "From the Ages"

2. Tombstones "Red Skies and Dead Eyes"

3. Church of Misery "Thy Kingdom Scum"

4. Egypt "Become the Sun"

5. The Disease Concept "Your Destroyer"

6. Elder "Spires Burn/Release"

7. Ultra Magnetic Mega Galactic S/T

8. Mothership S/T

9. Dark Earth/ Bibles and Hand Grenades split

10. Harsh Toke "Light Up and Live"

11. Switchblade Jesus S/T

12. Arrowhead "Atomsmasher"

Best Live Performances

I saw some amazing shows this year and it's tough to pick the best, but I think I would have to say that one night - April 20th at Roadburn - will always be a memorable one for me.  I saw High on Fire sound better and rock harder than I've ever heard them sound before and I also got to see Elder absolutely destroy as well.  In addition to the great performances by the bands, the vibe at Roadburn with the crowd and fans was a transcendent experience for me.   Awesome, awesome experience that I'm thrilled to have been a part of.

The other absolutely epic show I saw this year was Sleep in Denton, Texas.  

Best Album Cover

Earthless "From the Ages"

Best Songs of 2013

1. Egypt "Ancient Enemy"

2. Earthless "From the Ages"

3. Black Pussy "Galaxies"

4. Church of Misery "B.T.K."

Most Anticipated Albums

The new Blood Farmers record

The new Las Cruces record

Personal Thoughts about 2013

2013 was a great year for me.  We did our first European tour and got to be a part of both Roadburn and Desertfest London, which were among the coolest shows I've ever gotten to play.  I also saw so many great performances and got to see some of my favorite bands live that I thought I may never get to see.  Some of the kick ass sets that I saw this year were Sleep, Orange Goblin, Church of Misery (who finally made it to Dallas), Ufomammut (at Desertfest),  Egypt, Kadaver,  Lowrider, Saint Vitus, Ape Machine, Freedom Hawk, Dark Earth, Black Pussy.... So many great bands, so many great shows. 

2013 also was a landmark year for me because myself and Michael and Tim from Wo Fat bought the studio that I have worked at for many years and that all of the Wo Fat albums were recorded at. 

Clint (Hand of Doom radio)

1)BEST ALBUMS OF 2013  (I took it to 11 and went one louder. I could have made 10 louder, but this list goes to 11)

CHURCH OF MISERY – THY KINGDOM SCUM

WINDHAND – SOMA

I EXIST – FROM DARKNESS

CRYPT LURKER – BANEFUL MAGIC, DEATH WORSHIP AND NECROMANCY RITES ARCHAIC

CLAGG – GATHER YOUR BEASTS

NOMADIC RITUALS – HOLY GIANTS

TONER LOW – III

GRIME – DETERIORATE

BEASTWARS – BLOOD BECOMES FIRE

HOLLOW LEG - ABYSMAL

TALBOT – SCALED

2)BEST EPs/DEMOS OF 2013 

ALEPH NULL – BELLADONNA

SUMERU – SPINES

LIZZARD WIZZARD – LIZZARD WIZZARD

SUNBURSTER – SOLAR BIPOLAR

MAMMOTH STORM - DEMO

3)BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2013

CHURCH OF MISERY @ THE TOTE, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA 6 OCT

SLEEP / SUMMONUS / THE DEVIL RIDES OUT @ THE MANNING BAR, SYDNEY 27 OCT

SLEEP @ THE PRINCE BANDROOM, MELBOURNE 26 OCT

KADAVAR / BLUES PILLS / CHILD / KING OF THE NORTH 26 NOV

OM @ THE HIFI BAR, MELBOURNE

4) BEST ALBUM COVERS OF 2013

I EXIST – FROM DARKNESS – Stunning artwork from Richey Beckett

Beastwars – Blood Becomes Fire – epic work from Nick Keller

Clagg – Gather your Beasts – artwork that captures the feel of the album by Boyd Synnott

5) BEST SONGS OF 2013

 Lumbar - Day Six

Windhand - Amaranth

Lumbar – Day One

Octawitch – The Witch

Hollow Leg – 8 Dead (In a mobile home)

I Exist – Sorrow on Hill 105

Red Fang – Dawn Rising

6) BEST OVERLOOKED ALBUM OF 2012

For me that’s the “Dale” EP by Aleph Null which came out in January of 2012 – seriously overlooked and far better than a lot of the full length albums released last year. This didn’t miss my attention in 2012, but given how great it is the lack of attention it received was criminal!

7) MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2014 

Yob

Crowbar

Elder

8) This year in Australia – seeing live shows from  Sleep, Church of Misery, St Vitus, Kadavar, Blues Pills, Kingdom of Sorrow, Red Fang, Orange Goblin, Vista Chino,  along with some seeing some amazing Australian bands in Child and Horsehunter take shape (these bands will have some impressive albums out in 2014!), a new album from Clagg was a highlight also.

Hoping to hear some new tracks from Yob and Crowbar at Roadburn, and Elder at Desertfest Berlin as well as getting to see all three of these bands live for the very first time. Cannot wait to meet Windhand and see them live at Roadburn and Heavy Days in Doomtown. And am very much hoping to see the amazing Aleph Null perform live at some point during April when I’m in Europe.

Eric (Switchblade Jesus)

1) BEST ALBUMS OF 2013

Clutch - Earth Rocker

Red Fang - Whales and Leeches

ASG - Blood Drive

Kylesa - Ultraviolet

Egypt - Become the Sun

QOTSA - ... like Clockwork

2) BEST EPs/DEMOS OF 2013

Buzzard

Funeral Horse

Valley of the Sun - Gunslinger

3) BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2013

Clutch/Sword/American Sharks

Cro-Mags/Black Tusk/Intera Arma/Switchblade Jesus

4) BEST ALBUM COVERS OF 2013

 Sandrider - Godhead

Traitors Return to Earth - Betting on a Full Collapse

5) BEST SONG OF 2013

 Clutch - The Wolf Man Kindly Requests…

6) BEST OVERLOOKED ALBUM OF 2012

 The Heavy Eyes - Maera

8) Being able to jam with some amazing musicians during the year. A frieght train of killer times and tunes.

Joe (Ice Dragon)

1) BEST ALBUMS OF 2013  

In no order:

Guided by Voices – English Little League

Teenage Guitar – Force Fields at Home

Robert Pollard – Honey Locust Honky Tonk

Robert Pollard – Blazing Gentlemen

Circus Devils – When Machines Attack

Circus Devils – My Mind Has Seen the White Trick

Voivod – Target Earth

Reg King – Looking for a Dream

Nisson – The RCA Albums Collection

Nektar – A Tab in the Ocean reissue

2)BEST EPs/DEMOS OF 2013

Only heard two: 
Guided by Voices – Down by the Racetrack

Guided by Voices – Glue On Bicycle

3)BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2013

In no order: 
Killing Joke The Musical Box Goblin

Vektor Toss-up between The Zombies or The Monkees 
4)BEST ALBUM COVERS OF 2013

In no order:

Circus Devils – When Machines Attack G

uided by Voices – English Little League

I want to say Ice Dragon – Born a Heavy Morning but instead I’ll go with: Realmbuilder – Blue Flame Cavalry (though I haven’t heard the album yet) 5)

5)BEST SONGS OF 2013 
Wouldn’t know where to begin. I hardly ever pay attention to the names of songs so I wouldn't be able to tell you anyway.  

6) BEST OVERLOOKED ALBUM OF 2012  
I’m still discovering stuff from the ‘60s and ‘70s; I’ll get to 2012 in fifty years.

7) MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2014  
In no order:
Guided by Voices – Motivational Jumpsuit

Guided by Voices – Cool Planet 
Whatever else Robert Pollard puts out

8) I feel good about the music we made this past year, as Ice Dragon and in our other guises. I look forward to recording more music in the coming year.

Raul (Memento Mori rds)

BEST ALBUMS OF 2013  
COFFINS - The Fleshland

FUNERALIUM - Deceived Idealism
KRYPTS - Unending Degradation
DREAM DEATH - Somnium Excessum
ONIROPHAGUS - Prehuman
ATARAXIE - L’être et la Nausée
ABYSMAL GRIEF - Feretri
GRAVE MIASMA - Odori Sepulcrorum
SHADOW OF THE TORTURER - Dronestown
ILSA - Intoxicantations

BEST EPs/DEMOS OF 2013   
BÖLZER - Aura  
SHEOL - Promo MMXIII 
PRAISE THE FLAME - Profane Cult  
DEMENTIA 13 - Tales for the Carnivorous 
NECRORITE - In Death’s Certitude

BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2013  
I couldn’t attend barely any show this year. Budget’s tight and I chose to invest most of my money on the label.

BEST ALBUM COVER OF 2013 
AUTOPSY - The Headless Ritual

BEST SONG OF 2013   
SHADOW OF THE TORTURER - Indianapolis/Ukiah

BEST OVERLOOKED ALBUM OF 2012   
SINISTROUS DIABOLUS - Total Doom//Desecration

MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2014   
The new TRIPTYKON and the debut full-length by SWALLOWED. 

8) It was a pretty rad year labelwise, with great releases such as

Uncoffined, Symptom, Solothus and Chalice Of Doom that I didn’t mention on the “best albums of 2013” list out of a -most probably- stupid sense of modesty. Ahem. And regarding 2014, I just can’t fucking wait. We’ll be putting out more releases than ever before and I’m really anticipating them all.

Aleksey (T.o.P.)

1) BEST ALBUMS OF 2013

-Stangala / StoneBirds split “Kreiz-Breizh Sessions”

-Talbot “Scaled”

- Plöw “No Highness Below The Crown”

-Fanttasma “Another Sleepless Night”

- As_Autumn_Calls_-_Cold,_Black_&_Everlasting

-Absenth / Minded “Earthtone”

-Castero “Revolutions”

-Horse Latitudes “Black Soil”

-Sendelica “The Kaleidoscopic Kat And It’s Autoscopic Ego”

-Peacemaker “Cult.45”

2) BEST EPs/DEMOS OF 2013

1. The Moon Mistress “Shimla”

2. The Grand Astoria “Then You Win”

3. Arkham Witch “Hammerstorm”

4. The Curse of Wendigo “Wild Honey”

5. Nonsun “Sun Blind Me”

3) BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2013

-The Moon Mistress and Talbot gig in Saint-Petersburg. Even though I don’t remember a half of that evening.

4) BEST ALBUM COVERS OF 2013

Ocean Chief “Sten”

The Grand Astoria “Then You Win”

Talbot “Scaled”

5) BEST SONGS OF 2013

-Moss “Horrible Nights”

-Stangala “Konk Kerne”

- Plöw “Captain Gungus”

-Castero “He Must Rule”

-The Moon Mistress “Shimla”

6) BEST OVERLOOKED ALBUM OF 2012

-Realmbuilder “Fortifications of the Pale Architect” (it was re-released by I Hate Records in 2012, so it counts)

7) MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2014

-Realmbuilder “Blue Flame Cavalry”

-Jack Frost

-Echthros

8) On a more personal point of view, please give us your own appreciations about this year and - if there’s any particular - your expectations for 2014?

There was enough of doom in 2013 and there will be even more in 2014 as well there’re always a damned lot of opportunities to find perfect balance and harmony. Ohm shanti ohm.

9) BEST LABELS OF 2013

-I Hate Records

-Northern Silence

Vincent (Mourning Dawn)

BEST ALBUMS OF 2013

ORCHID – The Mouths of Madness

EIBON - II

GRAVE MIASMA - Odori Sepulcrorum

TEMPLE of BAAL - Verses of Fire

CARCASS - Surgical Steel

BLOOD CEREMONY - The Eldrith Dark

SATAN - Life Sentence

JEX THOTH - Blood Moon Rise

YEAR OF THE GOAT - Angels' Necropolis

2) BEST EPs/DEMOS OF 2013

BÖLZER - Aura

URFAUST - Die Erste Levitation

3) BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES OF 2013

AURA NOIR - Hellfest

JEX THOTH - Brussels – Magasin 4

NECROS CHRISTOS – Brussels – Magasin 4

SLEEP - Hellfest

GRAVEYARD - Hellfest

extra special mention to the first edition of WOLFTHRONE FEST near Paris. Two days of black death done the rightest way you could dream of!

4) BEST ALBUM COVERS OF 2013

- EIBON - II

- JEX THOTH - Blood Moon Rise

7) MOST ANTICIPATED ALBUMS OF 2014

 NECROS CHRISTOS

 PILGRIM

 THE WOUNDED KINGS

8) 2013 : seen lots of gigs. Way too many generic stoner bands calling themselves doom.

2014 : At least seeing URFAUST live (Brussels maybe, Hellfest for sure!) More doom gigs in Paris!

9) BEST LABELS OF 2013 

VAN Records

IRON BONEHEAD

SEPULCHRAL VOICE

Dana  (Beelzefuzz)

My favorites for 2013

Albums 
1. Black Sabbath -13
2. Cathedral- The Last Spire
3. Goatess- Goatess
4. Age Of Taurus- Desperate Souls Of Tortured Times
5.Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats- Mind Control
6. Curse The Sun- Psychache
7. Clamfight- I Versus the Glacier
8. Devil To Pay- Fate Is Your Muse
9. Weed Is Weed- Blunt Force Trauma
10. Admiral Browning- Give No Quarter

Demo/EP
1. Heavy Temple- Unholy Communion
2. Doctor Smoke- Doomo
3. Black Blizzard- Broken Hands, Broken Hearts
4. Slagstorm
5. Second Grave- Antithesis

Best Live Performances of 2013
1. Hammer of Doom!
2. Stoner Hands Of Doom

Most Anticipated Albums for 2014
1. Blood Farmers!
2. Pilgrim- Void Worship 
3. Serpent Venom- Of Things Seen And Unseen
4. Sigiriya- Darkness Died Today

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Check out PTI here w/ Huata, Electricjezus, Hollow Leg, ITCOS, Napalm Christ, Spiral Shades, Tombstones, Steve + Ulla &Steph from T.o.P., etc...

... like a radiant fairytale : BEELZEFUZZ "s/t" (Album review)

Formed in late 2009 by Dana Ortt (guit/voc) and Pug Kirby (bass), joined a bit later by Pale Divine’s Darin Mc Closkey on drums, BEELZEFUZZ is in the opinion of many wise people (which doesn’t include me, just because I’m not wise !)  one of the most interesting new Doom Metal bands that came out from the US for a long while…

Ok, they’ve been signed by the almighty Church Within rds which is in itself a sufficient proof of quality, but what’s so special in that band to predestine them such a bright future ?

Are they hooded or wearing flashy clerical costumes ? do they need two or three guys on vocals to enhance harmonies and melodies ? are they occult or retro-proto ??? is that an incredible mix of Black Sabbath and The Beatles ? many questions like those will find a unique answer : NO !!! 

Origins from Maryland  then ? well, physically just partly as only Dana lives there ; Pug ‘s from Delaware and Darin from Pennsylvania … but being logistically based in that state and having given countless gigs with local heroes, there’s no doubt that the contact with their local musical environment played a role in their self-confident identity and take-off !  didn’t Dana said in these pages last year “I want our music to be a reflection of the powerful energy and inspiration from the people around us” ?

BEELZEFUZZ doesn’t need any vestimentary subterfuge or opportunist thematic to catch attention, BEELZEFUZZ is just simply a talented trio, serious,  authentic and devoted to provide you very unique and identifiable sounds served in old recipes which they kind of revigorate with an amazing amount of fuzziness and dynamics. Yes, they’re just three, but with malicious and inventive wizardry - pedal effects play an important role in the distinctive sound of the band - often give the impression to be twice more,  just as the regular doubled vocals effect used by Dana add a lot in intensity.

BEELZEFUZZ blend 70’s Hard and Progressive Rock with Doom like no others… Do you know many bands who clearly assume references to Genesis and Yes, along with the more traditional Deep Purple, Uriah Heep or Pentagram ? Proportions vary from song to song but the basis remain pretty traditional and the band avoids long repetitive structures.

If you already heard both their demos, you gotta know that there’s a great part of them in this debut album : “Reborn”, “Lotus Jam” – what a killer beginning with those both already classics linked here -, “All the Feeling Returns”, “Hypnotize”, “Lunar Blanco” and “Light that Blinds”… (holy shit, where’re “Peace Mind” and “Contrition” ? hahaha !!!) 6 songs on a total of 8… just 2 new songs you gonna tell me !? well, naturally they all benefit from a stronger production but in their execution all those old songs have been - moderately to significantly - improved with more guitar tones, enriched vocal parts and stretched harmonies who give more radiance to the overall.

What about those both new songs “Sirens Song” and “Lonely Creatures” ? They are aptly placed at the heart of this debut  and already show a slight progression in composition.  Ortt being more audacious on soloing, Mc Closkey dispending some splendorous solemn hits  on the latter and Kirby’s bass wailing and always combining perfectly with his rhythmic partner; Beelzefuzz grows fast, much faster than any common band !!!

In between those new pieces, you’ve got the highlight of the album “Hypnotize”  with its mysterious and hauting first two minutes introductive part which leads to an outstanding wall of massive fuzziness where the band reveals more than ever its kinda black and white facets… believe me when Dana says “ hypnotizing, mesmerizing, old in power, soul devoured”, the guys join acts to his words!!! there’s small details vocally wise on this album that are simply amazing, just listen the way he says “pushed” in this same song… this guy has a golden voice really, he puts so much soul and feeling in his performance, that it’s at times epic and very emotional !

Enjoying this for a few weeks with a constantly growing addiction, it is now kinda cruel to know that they’ll be soon crossing the Atlantic to play a single date at the next Hammer of Doom which is not among my yearly pilgrimages (and I know it’s a mistake) but I’ll patiently wait for a more extensive coming next year… I’ve always heard awesome comments about their live sets and I would be so happy to meet them, feel and share their positivity both humanly and musically of course ! This Beelzefuzz is an exceptional album, without being fun at any times, this refreshing form of Doom gives an enormous banana when listening it but it never forgets to remind you that rock’n roll has always been an affair of lost souls ;) 

Ice on the cake is the stunning quality of the artwork and packaging (another great addition to the label previous pieces of art as a whole that were the 1st Orchid and Serpent Venom !), this is absolutely ESSENTIAL !!!

 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beelzefuzz/130358826999655

 http://www.doom-dealer.de/

                                   

... INTERVIEW with Dana Ortt of BEELZEFUZZ !!!

No need to wait for the Best of 2012 to reveal that BEELZEFUZZ has been one of my most exciting revelations of the year; so seing the end of December coming quickly, I finally decided myself to send questions to Dana Ortt (guit/voc), which he answered in less than 48 hours !!! A man just reflecting his band :  serious, simple, sincere, positive and talentuous...
Their recent signing on Church Within records is a big step forward in their young existence and should help them to get their amazing brand of 70's influenced Rock/Progressive DOOM getting a wide exposition in 2013 with their now very awaited debut album...
It's pretty rare, until now, to hear influences from Uriah Heep, Queen, Genesis or even Deep Purple in DOOMY sounds, BEELZEFUZZ does incorporate them with a pretty unique energy, very different from all that retro-bluesy wave, this is very melodic but always amazingly fuzzy and never in rest of heaviness , listen for example "Hypnotize" as a very representative song of their  style which generates exceptionally positive vibes. This band believe me really deserves  much respect and attention !

- Hey guys ! In fact I had planed this interview for a long time,at first I did propose to Pug to do something with you guys and Trifecta about 6 months ago, but then Trifecta split up and time has passed… well, finally, here it is !!! Could you please present Beelzefuzz ? When did you form exactly ? I presume that this sound was pretty different from your previous projects, so what did make you decide to play progressive Doom ?

Steph,I remember Pug mentioning about a joint interview with Trifecta, Jason Barker has a new band called Trilogy,I haven't seen them play yet,will have to check it out,man!

Beelzefuzz,yes,indeed,the band took form in September,2009. Pug(bass) and Rick Jenkins(drums) were coming from a band called Moonshine Mile from Delaware. I was playing in a band from Baltimore M.D. called Dead Men Sway as well as various other musical endeavours . I had a lot of songs written at the time,but,none of them were appropriate for the projects I was participating in. Pug's band had just split up,I asked a mutual friend if they would be interested in jammin. At our jam session Pug said i had a lot of good ideas,but suggested slowing everything down,as well as some arrangement changes. Productive and positive vibes,right from the beginning. In September 2011 we joined forces with Darin McCloskey from Pale Divine on drums.With Darin in the band,we stepped everything up,lots of new songs were written. I believe our friend Fezz from Admiral Browning coined the term Progressive Doom to describe the music,right on,I can dig it!

- Your logo is very distinctive with that woman drawn, for me she looks like half gypsy/half fairy, how would you describe her and what was she supposed to represent/add?

The logo was drawn by Darin's friend,Brian Tutlo. Brian also did the cover for Crowned In Earth-A Vortex of Earthly Chimes. We wanted to have art in the style of early Genesis/Yes/King Crimson/Uriah Heep. We wanted the art to give that kind of vibe.Darin discussed the vibe/style we wanted to achieve and Brian asked to hear the songs we had recorded. He made up sketches based on his impressions of the music.I think he did an excellent job,the image,for me, triggers the sounds of the band in my mind. Brian is working on new artwork now for the upcoming release.

- I think that your style sweats of good vibes and positive energy, some characters not usually obvious for doom bands who are more characterized by heaviness, hauntedness and often sorrow… is it something that comes naturally or a kind of guideline for you when composing?

Thanks man, for me,I like to involve a positive vibe into the songs,I like to hear a song expressing hope and promise while tragedy looms in the shadows. I enjoy hearing an uplifting chord progression played at a dirge like

tempo,haha! Really,we just want to have a lot of different dynamics to the music.

- You recently signed with the well known German label Church Within rds, did you get some other interesting propositions ? Has it been a difficult choice ? If you had an equivalent proposition from an American label, would you have given the priority to it or this had no particular importance whether the label was European or American ?

We are very excited indeed to have just signed with The Church Within! We did receive other well intentioned offers,but we definitely felt our style of music would be best represented by The Church Within. Oli is known and respected for the quality music he distributes,to have the band associated with his label is super cool! We look forward to repaying his kindness with righteous jams of glorious splendor.

- Did you try to get the opinion from other bands already signed on Church Within ? Are you in contact and would you be much excited to tour with any of them ?

We have spoken to Phil and Tim from Seamount,great dudes who play some awesome music. They have been and continue to be very supportive of us. Once again,it's great to be associated with positive energy and talented individuals .And,yeah,man! A tour with the bands on the label would be exciting stuff,man! But,one thing at a time,I'm trying not to act too excited,need to act professional and responsible here,once we get the album out,we will then see about the possibility of getting excited about possible show possibilities....possibly. ;)

- The album will contain 8 songs including a few ones from the demo, could you tell us which ones and maybe name some of the new titles ? When can expect its release ? Do you already have the title and cover art in mind ?

The album will have a few songs from our 2 demos,those songs have been re-recorded/re-mixed with more guitar tones, different vocal parts and added harmonies.The songs that we plan on being on there are, Reborn,Lotus Jam,All the Feeling Returns,Lunar Blanco,Hypnotize,Light That Blinds,Sirens Song,Lonely Creatures. Some songs have undergone a lot of changes and will sound a bit different from the demo versions. Looking for a release for 2013,still in the mixing stages of the album,we don't have a definite release date yet. Again,Brian Tutlo who did the previous Beelzefuzz logo is currently working on more sketches for us. We are thinking a self titled album,but maybe a title will be conjured when the artwork is bestowed upon us in all its radiant beauty,yes,lets see what happens,haha!

- At different moments over the past months you recorded the debut album… When you first started were you already in contact with Church Within ? Do you think you would have felt a bit more pressure if the deal had been signed before ?

When we first started recording,we had not been in contact with Church Within. We were entering the studio 2 times a month in efforts to keep the costs manageable.The recording process was on hold when we first made contact. We spent a good amount of our money in the studio,was definitely a learning experience. We now have a better understanding on how things work and what to do next time,for sure.

- The label “progressive Doom Metal” seems aptly chosen regarding your music but “progressive” is often accompanied of doubtful prejudices, many metalheads just think about Dream Theater stuff when hearing the term… how do you consider this progressive approach and who could be your most important influences on that field of expression ?

I think the term Progressive Doom Metal is a contradicting,funny sounding phrase! But,if I had to describe the band,yes,the band has elements of each of those genres of music. Although,I think we are more 70's influenced rock than anything else. We have traditional song formats based around the vocals,not much guitar soloing or overly lengthy musical interludes. I'm a fan of vocal oriented 70's rock,particularly, Deep Purple,Uriah Heep,Free,Lucifer's Friend and of course, Black Sabbath. Genesis with Peter Gabriel has been a big influence as well. Darin and Pug are much more musically knowledgeable than I am,I tend to focus in on specific things I like to hear,close minded might be the word for it,haha!

- No one can deny that Beelzefuzz has its own original sound but the beginning of the song “Reborn” reminds seriously Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats… is that a band that you enjoy listening ? Which new upcoming bands are you into ?

I've heard that comparison before. When we wrote the Reborn song I was going for a Deep Purple -Black Knight type of riff,the progression of the song is a combination of Black Knight and Strange Kind of Woman,to me anyway. Even stole the OOO'S from Strange Kind of Woman. I do think Uncle Acid is incredible,I like to think if Charles Manson,Neil Young and John Lennon would have had a lost weekend jam session together,it might compare to that sound.

- Some bands playing as a trio feel sometimes the need of a 2nd guitarist on stage, is the trio formula the only one you can imagine for Beelzefuzz ?

It would be cool to have a 2nd guitar to add to the sound,provide some guitar leads,double the rhythm..Would be cool to investigate guitar harmony lines and not be tied to the mic stand and the pedal board the entire time. However,with the 3 of us,it's easy to make a decision about the songs,and, well,everything. I would be hesitant to change what we have right now,but,I would be open to the idea.

- Your are coming from Maryland which is well- known for the quality of its Doom scene since about 20 years … despite the fact that Beelzefuzz doesn't sound like any other MD bands (past and present), is there any local bands that have influenced you or that you might consider as an example to follow ?

I live in North East,Maryland. Pug lives in New Castle, Delaware. Darin is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. While our practice spot is at my house in Maryland,I would say we are not a Maryland band,maybe a tri state band would be a better term. I have in no way been a part of any of the rich musical history that has taken place in the area. We are fortunate to be an hr away from Frederick,which is the Shangri la,mecca of Doom so to speak,haha! Past and present,the music has always been good in that area. Earthride,Revelation,Internal Void,Iron Man,Chowder, Admiral Browning,War Injun,Trilogy,there is a lot of cool doom/stoner/rock music currently in the Frederick area. The bands there are serious about makin groovy sounds,good stuff,man.

- A video is attached to almost all your demo songs, which helped a lot to get the band’s name some great exposure on the net… how did you work on that precise point ? Will this “tradition” be continued in the future ?

We are lucky to know some talented peoples. My friend Pat Daugherty put together the Contrition and Lotus Jam videos,he runs a cool video company called CineMavericks Media .The talented Kathy Reeves put together the groovy All The Feeling Returns video. Yeah,man,I'd like to have a video for every song! I'd like to have projector screens on stage with footage related to the songs too,would be cool to have a theme or story-line going on. Also would like a giant,wacky waving arm flailing inflatable tube Beelzefuzz demon creature on stage,but,yeah,that takes time and money to put together.

- You played quite many gigs in 2012, including the Days of the doomed fest, Stoner Hands of Doom, Heinzmann Benefit show and other local shows… What were the highlights for Beelzefuzz ? This also means that you shared the stage with many many great bands, which ones did impress you most ?

Days of the Doomed Fest was a hell of a trip! 2 flat tires and we missed our set time. Merciful Mike Smith hooked us up with a short set in between Argus and the Blood Farmers,very cool of him to do that for us. The lineup he had on that bill was fantastic,and he has an equally as impressive lineup for this coming DOTD,The Gates of Slumber,Penance,Dream Death,just to name a few,check it out,man! Playin SHOD was awesome,big thanks to Rob Levey for lettin us play,we were on the same day as Black Cowgirl,Curse the Son,Orodruin,Earthen Grave,Admiral Browning,Devil To Pay,just a lot of super cool bands, inspirational stuff,for sure! The Heinzmann Benefit show was held in Frederick, cool people coming together to do something positive,glad to be there. I'm grateful to be surrounded by positive,groovy people. I want our music to be a reflection of the powerful energy and inspiration from the people around us,right on,man.

- Sure the album has to be released first but I guess you guys have already in mind your first coming in Europe for 2013… How do you see it and do you have some special expectations about that ?

I would love for the opportunity for us to come to Europe. I do realize that for us,it would be an expensive venture. Our goal is for the band to provide a very unique and identifiable sounds and songs that would justify a European expedition of sorts. Right now, I feel as if we are making some very good steps towards achieving that goal. We are currently writing new material for the second release, 4 songs in , the music is evolving and we have a direction with an individualized and specific sound that we want to make a reality.

- Your schedule for 2013 must be pretty exciting but that doesn't prevent to have eventual fears, do you have any ?

When it comes the music,we only play what we enjoy,we have no desire in making songs with considerations of any mass popular appeal. I guess my fear would be our music not conveying any feeling or sounds that anyone would find interesting and want to listen to,man, that would be a bummer!

- Could you please tell us which merchandising is actually still available ?

Right now,we are sold out of our merchandise! We are gathering green to fund our next merchandise extravaganza. We are expecting to have a new batch of shirts with a few different designs in the next coming months.We will have them available on our facebook page. Our songs are located on our Soundcloud page!

Thank you,Steph!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beelzefuzz/130358826999655