Subterráneo Webzine

06/12/2024

25/09/2024

Hagstone - Demo '24 (2024) | Hard rock

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/0mCtDhoHYEs

In recent years we've seen a resurgence of classic heavy metal, so why not reach further and go back to the days of hard rock? This was the assumption made by the Richmond, Virginia-based Hagstone members. Anyway, the musical DNA of this newly formed group is very diverse, from the classics of hard rock precisely, through NWOBHM or even anarcho-punk rock, and thus comes the D.I.Y. ethos of the band. However, we are absolutely not dealing here with retro one-to-one playing like in the past. It is, of course, hard rock: a wall of guitar riffs that are cool and catchy, a rumbling bass driving the songs forward, rock-solid drums and the mellow and melodic voice of singer and bassist Alisson, but played in the band's own way.

You can hear joy and pure enthusiasm coming from Hagstone's music. The band members themselves admit that they are surprised by the chemistry that has emerged in rehearsals. The musicians are already after their first gig, and they are playing another one soon.

We like debuts like this, we also like the fact that classic hard rock can be played fresh, on D.I.Y's principles, and we like it even more if the band ended their interview with the call “Free Palestine”!

If you like Thin Lizzy, Hawkwind, Judas Priest, Girlschool or AC/DC, and you want to listen to something in that vibe but without the misogyny, sexism or all the stardom and commercialism accompanying the dinosaurs of the 70s, then Hagstone's demo is perfect for that. The material, though short, accompanied me for a few days and I will certainly return to it again.

Looking forward to the full album and wish the band a lot of fun playing together and for you a lot of joy from listening to them!

18/06/2024

Human Abyss - 'Death Obsessed' (Full album, 2024) | Blackened/melodic death

Listen here -> https://youtu.be/Ov9DDbW0FLk

Today we have a lot to cut through with the most recent addition to the channel: Berlin-based Human Abyss, and its newest album 'Death Obsessed'.

Although this quintet only goes back to 2020, it is almost entirely formed by experienced musicians who have played in bands like Spawn (death metal) or currently active No On Spoke (symphonic metal), among many other black metal acts. That gathered understanding of the several genres definitely shows on their musical output: a strong death metal base, with cutting edges black metal moments, and a subtle, at times, main conductor: melody.

Now, thematically, these lyrics hit you as hard as Gggolddd's 'This Shame Should Not Be Mine', Lingua Ignota's 'Caligula', or Ocean Of Ghost's 'I Am Awake And My Body Is On Fire'. What they all have in common is the systematic gender-based violence that rules our fu**ed up patriarchal society. In Human Abyss' case, exposing the abuse and horrors (personally experienced by the band's singer) an intersex person has to go through since they are newborn.

The widespread - and purposeful - ignorance about intersex people, leaves them helpless against a system that has them subjected as an anomaly and forces them to undergo continuous irreversible, and non-consensual mutilations, from very young, and highly invasive processes based on a "phallometer" so they can ensure a "normatively sexed body" that fits the binary scale. Those who are chosen by the doctors as females are 'legally' r*ped for years with different d***o sizes so they can be penetrable in the future. Fu***ng hard to digest, and this isn't the most exhaustive (nor extensive) summary of the most subtle type of violence they go through, which we know comes hand to hand with its explicit, daily, on your face, side.

Horror themes are most often found in death metal, although with a more edgy or macho-stinking POV, and so Human Abyss has effectively incorporated the terror, pain, and the whole circle of abuse intersex people go through, into the genre. With quite a clear inspiration from Swedish death metal, swinging from melody towards the old school sound, and incorporating very epic black metal passages. Bands like Cast The Stone or The Black Dahlia Murder might come to mind when hearing the 'dialoguesque' growls and shrieks displayed throughout the album. "Cut" has a third vocal addition by singer Britta Görtz, who was also in charge of the album's production doing an impeccable job that shows quite an improvement when listening to the previous releases.

A tough but very enjoyable record from what isn't just another death/blackened-death metal band, neither musically nor as for their message. Let their art serve as a catalyst for reflection, awareness, and action. Go, play 'Death Obsessed', and f**k gender very much!

29/05/2024

⛓️ Breaking the chains of misogyny and of all the systems that oppress ⛓️

The other day we came across a design that brought together all the elements of a problem that has always existed in metal: misogyny. From the representation of graphic violence towards women (present especially in extreme metal) to the moral judgments against their sexuality. All this under the title of "death to groupies", or something along the lines, thus reproducing sexist stereotypes and perpetuating violence that women have to face throughout our lives.

"Groupie" is a term used for the sole purpose of stigmatization. It describes young women who followed rock bands on tour and, in some cases, established romantic relationships with the musicians. It only reflects a moral judgment on the behavior of these admirers. Society viewed with disdain these women who defied traditional gender roles and expressed their sexuality openly.
That, at best, they were mostly very young female fans used by older men who took advantage of their status as musicians. In either case, judgments are always passed against the woman. The fault is always ours.

A woman's intimate life does not define her. Nor does her worth depend on who she decides to sleep with or how she decides to live her sexuality or non-sexuality. Nor does self-respect depend on how a woman chooses to inhabit her body.
Rock often has an erotic or sexual charge. It is time for sexual freedom to be respected, not only for the old gentlemen, but for ALL*.

Inspired by this we made this design. Based on a Judas Priest illustration in which appears a woman chained woman. The hands of the original illustration are kept but changed of place and making an almost heart shape while she breaks those chains as a symbol of freedom. These chains are broken because women are free to desire and love freely. Not just women, but the whole LGBTIQ+ community. There's also a line from 'Jawbreaker', because nothing better for the occasion than a song about a jaw-breaking dick.

Sister, f**k with whoever you want.

We're all groupies.
We're all s***s.
We're all wh**es.

Design: .c