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Sonic Cathedral Zine Main
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Written by C.
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Thursday, 02 February 2012 |
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When Oceansouls of America announced their upcoming interview with Nightwish, one thing we wanted to do in order to make our very-first interview unique: we took questions submitted from fans all over the world. We were curious to know not only how fans were reacting to the new album, tour, and upcoming film, but what other kinds of things did Nightwish fans want to know about the band? What kinds of things would a fan ask, if given the opportunity to approach members of their favorite band and ask them anything they’ve ever wanted to know? Would they ask serious questions? Would they want to know something completely off-the-wall? This would be our opportunity to find out. What better way to discover the answers to these questions than to get it from the source?
 We talked to Tuomas Holopainen, the band’s main songwriter, keyboardist, and the center of all things Nightwish; just hours before the band’s official start to their Imaginaerum tour. Two days prior, the band had played a secret show in Hollywood under the pseudonym Rubber Band of Wolves---which was not such a secret by the time the band hit the stage---for their first live performance in over 2 years. |
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Written by Frozen Angel
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Thursday, 02 February 2012 |
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People say that “old loves go to heaven.” It’s true. Visions of Atlantis frontwoman Maxi Nil is one of the very few people that I really love. And that love was born some years ago when I discovered her on a compilation album of a musical contest. Back then, she was still with her old band, and she was singing “I will be always a dreamer / Always fighting for more than I can have.” And I was hooked on her voice and mostly on her lyrics. In that period of time, I had no idea about bands like Nightwish or Epica or Within Temptation, and I can’t say that I was a “femme metal” fan. And to be more accurate: the bands I was listening to during that period of my life had nothing to do with female vocalists or gothic/symphonic/whatever metal. But I still remember very clearly that I was very impressed by Maxi’s voice. The warmth of her voice made me listen to that song again and again. Ηοwever, I had no clue about band’s name or the name of the vocalist. The years passed by, and one day (night, to be more accurate!) I “met” the girl who wrote and sang that song. Fate can play really weird games.
 That is the story of my meeting with Maxi. In 2010, I finally met her in person in Athens. And that was the moment that I really understood one simple thing: Maxi was born to be an artist. A few days after our meeting, the recordings of Delta, her first album with Visions of Atlantis, started and her dream became true. She was finally a part of a “music” family, and she was really happy. If you want to know more about that extraordinary girl, keep reading. |
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Written by Sara Letourneau
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Thursday, 05 January 2012 |
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Surely our readers at Sonic Cathedral have heard of MaYaN, the symphonic death metal project of Epica founder Mark Jansen. Anyone who owns a copy of MaYaN’s album Quarterpast will also recognize the name Laura Macrì. Her operatic soprano voice graces the crushing tracks “Celibate Aphrodite” and “The Savage Massacre,” and shimmers on the orchestral ballad “Essenza di Te.” The 21-year-old Italian singer has also toured with MaYaN in The Netherlands, Belgium, and most recently Central and South America. What else do we know about Laura, though? Not much – which motivated us to pursue this interview!
 After Laura returned home from South America, Sonic Cathedral staff writer Sara Letourneau chatted with Laura about obvious subjects (Quarterpast and the MaYaN tours) and much more. How did Laura become an opera singer? What did she think of her recent visit to the ancient Mayan city of Iximche? And, our most burning question: Will Laura join MaYaN for their North American debut at ProgPower USA next September? Read on to learn more about this rising start in the opera (and metal) arena. |
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Written by Robin Stryker
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Saturday, 07 January 2012 |
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The Dutch melodic rockers, Cardamon, are in it for the love of music … so much so, that they are giving away their new album, Sun as Never, as a free download with no strings attached. (Get it here.) Fans of Cardamon’s 2007 release will instantly recognize the rippling harmonies and twining guitar work that made The Primrose Path a favorite with Sonic Cathedral readers.
 Sonic Cathedral’s Robin Stryker sat down for a long Skype chat with vocalist Floortje Donia and guitarist Kevin Storm to discuss Sun as Never, the birds and bees of creating an album, what gives them the greatest thrill as musicians, and much more. Don’t forget to download your free copy of Sun as Never! |
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Written by Robin Stryker
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Friday, 23 December 2011 |
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Seduce the Heaven Interview
Performed via Phone - December 2011
 Prepare to be gobsmacked when Field of Dreams, the debut album by Greek metallers Seduce The Heaven, hits shelves in 2012!!! A fair number of albums scampered across my musical radar this year, many of which didn’t leave a lasting impression ... been there, done that, next please. I’ll be the first to admit that growling vocals usually have all the sonic appeal for me of sitting next to a screaming infant on a cross-country flight.But holy moly, Seduce The Heaven’s five-track promo album pinned my ears back -- and garnered a perfect 10/10 review from Doctor T -- with its winning combination of Elina Laivera’s richly-textured voice and Vagelis Kolios’ guttural growls.
Apparently, Metal Female Voices Fest had the same reaction, since they booked these unsigned newcomers based on the strength of the promo alone. Sonic Cathedral’s Robin Stryker sat down with 19 year-old vocalist, Elina Laivera, for her first phone interview. (Thanks, Elina!) Dive in for a behind-the-scenes look at Seduce The Heaven’s upcoming album, Elina’s epiphany after talking backstage with Russell Allen (vocalist for Symphony X), the wonderful world of corsets, and much more!
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Written by Max Levites
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Thursday, 01 December 2011 |
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The Flight of The Valkyries Festival
November 19, 2011 - Sonar Club Baltimore
I can’t possibly be the only one who gets a little depressed every year in mid-October, when I know that 5000 miles away, in Wieze, Belgium, the concert of my dreams is taking place. Thankfully, this year, something smaller, but similar, took place a mere hour from where I was. I’ve been looking forward to the Baltimore edition of Flight of the Valkyries ever since I couldn’t attend last year. But this year was my year. I could finally go to a concert dedicated entirely to female-fronted metal, so I quickly bought my VIP ticket and headed down to Baltimore for the show. |
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Written by Robin Stryker
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Tuesday, 04 October 2011 |
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Leaves' Eyes Interview
by Robin Stryker September 20, 2011 (via Skype)
 Leaves’ Eyes is literally and figuratively a marriage between the Norwegian songstress Liv Kristine and the members of the German metal band Atrocity, which is headed up by Liv’s husband, Alexander Krull. (See what I mean about marriage?) After three previous full-length albums and hundreds of tour dates, Leaves’ Eyes released Meredead (2011 Napalm Records), an album that stretches the boundaries of what came before. Yes, it has the bombastic passages, folk touches, Nordic sagas and poetry that fans love. But Meredead also brings new elements to the mix -- heavier use of folk instruments, the first ever guitar battle, new vocal collaborations, and a haunting cover of Mike Oldfield’s “To France.” Sonic Cathedral’s Robin Stryker chatted with Liv and Alex about the making of Meredead, Viking longships, causes dear to their hearts, and much more. Dive in to learn more, and don’t forget to check Leaves’ Eyes website for tour news! |
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Written by Robin Stryker
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Friday, 02 December 2011 |
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Weeping Silence Interview
Performed in November 2011
Come and meet Weeping Silence, the atmospheric metal band from Malta that you undoubtedly will be hearing a LOT about in 2012! It might come as a surprise that the band has been around for nearly 15 years, has three full-length albums under their belts, and is featured on both volumes of the Des Filles et des Riffs compilation albums. Truly a hidden treasure that is still largely underground, perhaps because of years-long delays between recording each album and releasing it -- making their albums something of a time capsule, rather than a reflection of Weeping Silence’s current sound. But a welcome change is in the wind ... Weeping Silence is in the process of recording their new album, which will be released in 2012! Sonic Cathedral’s Robin Stryker sat down with vocalist Rachel Grech and bassist Sean Pollacco to chat about their upcoming album, their very special guest vocalist, strange hobbies, and much more. We feel so honored that Weeping Silence shared their exciting news with Sonic Cathedral readers first. Dive in for a closer look! |
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