Taliesin: Tomi Mykkanen's vocals have grown more diverse with each album...the new one sees more of a mixture of clean and extreme vocals from him, giving the band an even greater dynamic in their sound. Was this intentional (to separate Battlelore from the flood of "clean female/extreme male vocal combos" currently populating the European scene), or was it just what the material demanded?
Jyri: Actually we had a plan to use Tomi's clean vocals also on our previous album "Evernight", but the studio's clock said "No" and we had to bury the whole idea for that album. But for "The Last Alliance" we planned to drive in Tomi's clean stuff and it worked out pretty well and we are very happy for it. It gives us much more space to play with the arrangements and to create different kind of moods and levels to our songs.

to read our review of their latest masterpiece TheLast Alliance, and to read the interview. You can also check out their latest video, Third Immortal, on either page.

Our other interviews are no slouches either, that's for sure! Check out what happens when a #1 Charting Classical musician decides to try her hand at gothic metal! Of course, not everything having to do with Pythia is pure fairy-tale!

Emily Alice Overdon (lead vocals): "Emily: Marc drunkenly sent me an email in Christmas 2006 and I drunkenly replied.
Ross White (Guitars): Marc emailed Emily (as he liked her voice on Medievel Baebes and Celtic Legend) asking if she would be interested in doing a metal band together, then asked me if I would be part of it (we have played together in death thrash band Descent for many years), we started demoing some ideas and next thing u know we have something really great coming together...

for the complete story

From the ever-impressive Finnish music scene comes Katra, a band with a unique sound, fronted by namesake Katra Solopuro, a lyricist with a unique perspective...

...It (title track of their debut album "Beast Within") tells a story of what can happen in a relationship, when things go really wrong. When you can't recognize yourself anymore trough all that shouting and rage. You turn to something inhuman... You release your beast within...

to read more.

And don't forget to check out our album reviews, where we'll look at new releases by Memoira, Katra, Battlelore, UnSun, Alestorm, Ayat, and lots more, including a sneak peek at Grave Digger's newest full-length CD Ballads of a Hangman! And, as always, I've included the bands' latest videos and music samples (where available), as well as convienent direct links on the best deals on buying these new albums. Raise the horns...

Welcome, denizens of the underground...

Welcome to my musical internet adventure, which I lovingly call "Subterrestrial Melodies". Why that name? Because, in a music scene where so-much has become bland, predictable, and contrived as any corporate bubble-gum pop pollution, the real alternatives to the mainstream are to be found in the musical underground. It is here that bands dare to experiment, innovate, and make music that facinates as well as entertains. It is in the underground scenes around the world where a true music lover can find the exciting sounds of tomorrow, rather than the tired retreads of yesterday.

Now, I'll admit that what I deem "underground" is somewhat geographically biased. As an American, what is becoming commonplace in places like Europe and South America still seem exotic and daring to these deprived ears. However, it is my hope that I can contribute in some small way to opening up my fellow citizens' ears and minds to the exciting new music being made around the world, and maybe someday this music will become better known and much more widely appreciated in America as it is elsewhere. For now, if you are already familiar with these artists, I hope you'll enjoy what I have to offer. And if you're new to this, then dig in...you won't be disappointed!

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