Prior to the creation of Godless Angel in 2012 and the foundation of Atomic Zombie Records in 2016, songwriter/vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Derek Neibarger spent eleven years writing and recording solo tracks and fine tuning his home studio. Those 28 songs have been gathered together in a compilation called Unholy Diver.
This large compilation includes three songs from Derek’s previous band, Trinity-X, that were restructured and re-recorded as solo tracks. Unholy Diver is primarily a heavy metal compilation, but includes various influences such as ska and thrash, as well as three instrumental tracks. The lyrics to many of the songs are political in nature and tackle such topics as war, racism, homophobia, and organized religion.
Atomic Zombie Records proudly presents the second EP from Wretched Spawn, “Blasphemous Abomination”!
Wretched Spawn is the old school death thrash side project created in 2016 by Derek Neibarger, the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist of Godless Angel, Gore Stained, and Morbid Zombie. The self-titled debut EP featured head bangers like “BloodShed” and “Sinister Mutilator”.
“Blasphemous Abomination” takes the neck snapping death formula of the Wretched Spawn debut and cranks up the speed and aggression, which you can hear on full display in the first single, “Bonesaw”.
Listen to “Bonesaw” below, and stream and download the full EP now on the Atomic Zombie Records Bandcamp page!
This interview was originally shared on No Clean Singing on October 8th, 2015.
A short while ago I wrote a post in which I praised the Brazilian thrash/death trio, Nervosa. Fernanda Lira, Prika Amaral, and Pitchu Ferraz have been bringing their awesome brand of metal to the masses since 2010. Their first full length album, Victim of Yourself, was released in 2014 through Napalm Records, and the band has been on the road ever since.
I was hooked from the first moment I heard “Masked Betrayer” off of their debut EP, Time of Death. Simply put, Nervosa is a hundred different kinds of badass. So I was extremely excited when I was granted an interview with bassist/vocalist Fernanda. As you’ll soon see, she’s extremely cool, passionate, and a true metal warrior. A huge thank you to Mona Muliski for making this possible!
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Derek:Hi Fernanda! Thank you for the opportunity to talk to you about Nervosa! Victim of Yourself has been out for over a year but I still listen to it all the time, it’s one of my favorite albums! Do you have a favorite song, or songs, from that album? Are there any specific tracks that are crowd favorites at your shows?
Fernanda: Thank you so much for still listening to it! Soon we will have new material to be headbanging at, hope you enjoy it! So, it’s so hard to choose one from all the songs, ’cause they are all like sons to me! haha But if I had to, I would probably choose “Justice Be Done” or “Victim of Yourself”, because both of them have all the elements that are most characteristic in Nervosa, like catchy choruses and riffs, blast beats, etc, so I think they can summarize well what our sound is about. On the shows, people usually tend to go for the ‘hits’, the songs from the official videos like “Masked Betrayer”, “Death”, and “Into Moshpit”!
Derek:You just played your first European gig at Obscene Extreme. That had to be an amazing experience! What were some of your favorite moments from that show?
Fernanda: It was simply a KILLER experience. I have always watched those crazy videos of bands performing at OEF, and I always dreamed to be playing there one day, and when we got the news we would be there this year, it was a blast, I couldn’t believe it. My favorite thing about the fest is the crowd, such a crazy and amazing one! You have LOTS of fun when you are on stage with all those passionate people, those crazy and funny costumes and everything else. One of the best gigs we ever had, for sure!
Derek:You’re continuing your trek through Europe with Hirax. How has that been so far? Will Nervosa be doing any shows in USA in the near future?
Fernanda: The whole European tour was a blast and in addition to Hirax, we played with many other awesome bands with cool nice guys, like Crisix, Desolator, and Methedras!! We had a lot of fun with all those bands, it was a very good and enriching experience for everyone, I’m pretty sure of that. We definitely plan to be touring the US soon, we are working on many possibilities and I’m sure at least one of them will end up working out. It’s something we simply can’t wait to happen, it will be another dream come true, just like the European tour was!
Derek:Nervosa has spent a lot time on the road since the release of Victim of Yourself. Are there any shows that stand out in your memory as being really special or exciting? Do you have any good on-the-road stories?
Fernanda: All the shows from the European tour were incredible, because each day it was a completely new experience, especially the huge summer fests we did. I mean like, we had never played in events that big and everyone watching seemed to be very supportive and having a lot of fun, so it was incredible! Apart from that, I think when we played in Bogotá, in Colombia, was a blast. There were thousands of people there, all of them very passionate and doing the biggest moshpits we have ever seen! Every time we play North and Northeast of Brazil we have a good time too, since the crowd can be very, very crazy and passionate!! I could spend a whole night telling you road stories, most of them are funnies, but I just can’t pick one!! Haha!
Derek:I’ve watched several concert videos of Nervosa shows on Youtube, you have a really energetic live show! I’ve pulled double-duty as a bassist and vocalist in the past, but I don’t think I did it nearly as well as you. When did you begin playing bass? Did you take lessons or are you self-taught?
Fernanda: First of all, thank you for such kind words; they are inspirational for us to keep on trying to do a good job So, it’s been like 11 years since I started playing. I never had classes. My teachers were Steve Harris, Geezer Butler, Geddy Lee, because I learned pretty much everything I know nowadays from trying to play what they play. I think each person learns best in different ways, and this way was very healthy and enriching to me! As for singing and playing at the same time, it naturally happened in my life. The bands I was in needed me to do that, and I tried to develop it with time. It’s not easy, but to me it’s just a matter of getting used to it.
Derek:Can you tell me about the bass rig you’re using on this tour?
Fernanda: I use no pedals and most of the time I use Amped amps only. I play my one and only and beautiful Aristides Instruments Bass. I think it’s perfect for the kind of music I want, because I want my bass to be heavy but also clear at the same time, and this bass provides me exactly that, that’s why I’m so happy with it! I also use DR Strings that help me create this effect of heaviness and clearness simultaneously.
Derek:If I had to describe the Nervosa sound to someone I would say that it’s a thrash band with hints of death metal. What bands and/or albums have been influential to your songwriting?
Fernanda: You would say it right, I would agree with you, because me and the girls are very influenced by thrash and death metal, specially old school. I will say my influences for myself. To me Game Over/ The Plague by Nuclear Assault, Beneath the Remains by Sepultura, Leprosy by Death, and Revelations by Vader are some of the most influential to me, not only on songwriting but also playing- and singing-wise, they taught me a lot!!!!
Derek:If you could choose any band, past or present, to tour with who would it be?
Fernanda: I dream of a ‘Brazilian Assault’ tour with us, Krisiun, and Sepultura playing all over together, can you imagine it? Also, maybe touring with Slayer, one of the most influential bands for the three of us in Nervosa.
Derek:The common view, in the USA, is that Sepultura opened the door for Brazilian metal bands to the rest of the world. Do you think that’s accurate? Is it easier these past few years for Brazilian bands to reach the global metal community?
Fernanda: I think Sepultura is the most important band in metal for us Brazilians because it gave us hope, it showed us that it’s possible to be Brazilian, to play thrash metal, to be known worldwide, and to play all over. They made a whole metal community trust their music, and that’s why I love them. But I am also glad to see the number of awesome Brazilian bands we see getting international deals and making tours all over. Brazilian metal is one of the most powerful there is out there, and the more it gets known, the happier I get, ’cause I am so proud of this solid rich scene we have down here.
Derek:Is there a good thrash metal scene in São Paulo? What about other metal genres, like death and doom?
Fernanda: Metal in general is very solid here in Brazil, not only in São Paulo. Of course, as it is a huge metropolis, there are a lot of bands coming out of there, but the truth is, wherever you go in this continental country of ours, you will find a very solid and rich metal scene with passionate and supportive fans and AWESOME and great quality bands. My favorite ones, though, are in thrash and death metal, although we have good ones in all genres.
Derek:Do you have an idea when the next Nervosa album will be released? Have you started writing new songs?
Fernanda: We are already in the middle of writing the new album, and I have to admit it’s killer, haha! We can’t wait to record it and to be playing them live. We plan to be recording in January next year and releasing it around May, and then we can spend the rest of the year touring to promote it! We will soon have news to spread about it, stay tuned!
Derek:What was the first metal album you ever owned? And what was the first metal concert you ever went to?
Fernanda: I know it’s not ‘metal’, but the first rock album I had, and it was the one responsible for making me be a part of this metal community, was Kiss – Love Gun! My uncle gave that to me when I was around 8, because I was totally crazy listening to Kiss Unplugged all the time and Iron Maiden. As Kiss is his favorite band, he gave that to me!!! The first metal concert I ever went to was to see Iron Maiden, my favorite band of all time. It was an incredible experience to me, because I was very young. It was an awesome concert, and I was with my mom and dad because they are also headbangers!!! Such a unique experience!
Derek:Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions! I hope to be able to see Nervosa in concert sometime soon!
Fernanda: Thank you for this great opportunity. I hope we can one day meet personally in one of our gigs!!! For everyone who’s reading, just keep supporting your local metal scene and respecting the bands, we have our sole responsibility to be keeping the metal legacy alive!
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You can check out Nervosa’s Brutal Assault set here!
And listen to their most recent album, Victim of Yourself, here!
This interview was originally shared on MetalSucks on April 13th, 2015.
How many times have I listened to Possessed’s 1985 debut, “Seven Churches”? Hundreds? Thousands? And each time I listen to it as just as enjoyable as the last. And of course I can’t listen to “Seven Churches” without following it up with a run through “Beyond the Gates” and “The Eyes of Horror”.
I couldn’t have been more excited when vocalist Jeff Becerra decided to reform the band in 2006, and now comes news that we’ll be getting the first new studio effort from Possessed since 1987! As if all of that wasn’t enough to make my head spin, I actually got to run a few questions by the man, himself.
Derek: Hi Jeff! Thank you so much for granting me an interview! You announced in October of last year that you were beginning work on the first Possessed studio album since 1987’s “The Eyes of Horror”. How is it going? Do you think we might hear new music in 2015?
Jeff: LOL…well, you have to know Possessed to understand that while we are trying to do the whole “album” thing we decided to take some much needed vacation time first. Our break/vacation will end around August of this year and we will then start again in earnest writing the new material.
Derek: You’ve steadily increased your yearly live performances since reforming the band in 2007. Do you feel like you’re firing on all cylinders with this line-up?
Jeff: Yes my current line-up is by far the best sounding Possessed ever. We have gone through a lot to find this line-up and now that we have I am looking forward to playing some really great shows together.
Derek: “Seven Churches” was released thirty years ago. It’s reached a near legendary status among metalheads around the world. I still listen to it regularly and I love it even more now than the first time I heard it. Is it surreal to think that something you created so long ago has had such a huge impact?
Jeff: I think that because Possessed were the very first to intentionally create “Death Metal” it was like an epiphany that true metalheads just couldn’t ignore. Back then there was nothing close to what we did with Seven Churches and I think we opened a lot of eyes to the possibility of doing much, much heavier types of metal.
Derek: The list of musicians who cite Possessed as a major influence is like a who’s who of death metal greats. Who were your biggest influences in the early days?
Jeff: While we have always tried to stay “ourselves” and true to being a truly original band. I have to be honest in saying that bands like Exodus, Mercyful Fate, Motorhead, Ozzy/Sabbath have always really moved me.
Derek: What are you listening to lately? Are there any new bands that have grabbed your attention?
Jeff: Honestly I listen to and love all types of music. And I listen to a LOT of different bands. On tour I love to listen to all of the bands and on the road we constantly have music blasting in the tour-bus or wherever. I think in this way I am like any other real metalhead out there…lol. If it is good I will listen to it. For sure though I still love Black Sabbath, Venom, Mercyful Fate, Exodus, Motorhead and all super heavy and sick metal bands. 🙂
Derek: Now it’s time for The Marvelous Three Round of Questions! What’s your favorite breakfast cereal? Most metalheads have large concert t-shirt collections. What’s your favorite band t-shirt? And last but not least, are you a cat person or a dog person?
Jeff: LOL! I like Cheerios. I have a Black Sabbath Heaven & Hell t-shirt that is older than shit that I love to wear. And I am most definitely both a dog and a cat person. But these days I have two dogs and no cats.
Derek: Thank you so much for speaking with me, Jeff! I hope you’re doing well and I can’t wait to hear new Possessed!
Gore Stained is the latest EP from Derek Neibarger, the vocalist and multi-instrumentalist for Godless Angel, Wretched Spawn, and Morbid Zombie. The EP was released on April 12th through Atomic Zombie Records.
Written and recorded at Sinister Sounds in Derek’s hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, the EP features seven tracks of crushing, atmospheric death metal. Unlike Godless Angel, which puts Derek’s signature shredding front and center, Gore Stained relies heavily on otherworldly guitar wails and screams that echo throughout the songs creating a tense and creepy vibe suitable for the lyrical tone.
The lyrics on Gore Stained are based on Derek’s own nightmares and phobias, such as being stalked by wolves on “Through Claw Scarred Glass”, crushed to death on “Peine forte et dure”, and being hunted by a mammoth creature while floating helpless in the sea on “The Deep”. Some of the tracks also delve into horror fiction, such as the first single, “MeatGrinder”, which depicts a man being sucked into a blood thirsty meat grinder.
The cover art for Gore Stained was created by Derek’s lifelong friend and renowned tattoo artist, Timothy Hoyer.
Timothy is a US-based tattooer and painter. His tattoo career spans 31 years and his paintings have been featured in various tattoo-related books and publications and in solo and group shows in galleries all around the world. He currently lives on the road full time. Band inquiries for Timothy can be sent to grimmrepair@yahoo.com, and you can view more of his artwork on Instagram at @timothyhoyer.
The Gore Stained EP can streamed and downloaded on the Atomic Zombie Records Bandcamp page:
Welcome to the first annual MetalHead Year End List for 2018! First things first, this is NOT a list of the best metal albums of the year. Neither is it a complete or comprehensive list. Instead, this is simply a collection of some of my favorite metal albums that were released over the past twelve months. If your favorite release didn’t make this list, that doesn’t mean I didn’t like it. I’m certain there are very worthy albums that I haven’t heard, or simply forgot as I was compiling my list. You’ll also notice that I included two of my own releases from my label, Atomic Zombie Records, at the end of the list. Sure, it’s shameless self promotion, but that’s just a perk of running your own blog. Feel free to add your own list or album suggestions in the comments. And without further ado, here’s a bunch of kick-ass metal that had me headbanging throughout 2018.
Judas Priest – Firepower
Six Feet Under – Unburied
Skeletonwitch – Devouring Radiant Light
Alice In Chains – Rainier Fog
Skeletal Remains – Devouring Mortality
Gruesome – Twisted Prayers
Krisiun – Scourge Of The Enthroned
Sevendust – All I See Is War
Metal Allegiance – Volume II – Power Drunk Majesty
Monstrosity – The Passage Of Existence
Horrendous – Idol
Portal – Ion
Black Label Society – Grimmest Hits
Deicide – Overtures Of Blasphemy
Terrorizer – Caustic Attack
Bloodbath – The Arrow Of Satan Is Drawn
Cryptopsy – The Book Of Suffering – Tome II
Hate Eternal – Upon Desolate Sands
Cancer – Shadow Gripped
Rivers Of Nihil – Where Owls Know My Name
Atomic Zombie Records – Metal To Wake The Dead Volume One
Every metalhead has a story of how they were lured to the dark side. Perhaps it was an older sibling, a cool uncle, or headbanging friend from school. Maybe it was your own morbid curiosity that led you down the path of crunching riffs and demonic howls, initiated by a random video on MTV or a song that showed up on your favorite social media feed. We all have a story about our introduction to this gloriously heavy genre of music, and this is mine.
I was raised on country music. I spent the first five years of my life in a small Kansas town with a population of 700. It was the early seventies, and my father had acquired ownership of the local newspaper as an extension of the family business, begun by my grandfather, which included ownership of two other newspapers. My parents only listened to country, whether it was on the car radio or from one of our two eight-track players, and we watched the country music variety show, Hee-Haw, every Sunday evening. I was a small town country boy, with the prerequisite blue jeans, tacky country western embroidered button down shirts, and steady supply of cowboy boots which I wore up until my early teens.
By 1975 the newspaper venture had proven to me a misstep, and my parents relocated to a nearby college town. Although we had moved from an isolated environment to a cultural melting pot, country music was still the soundtrack in our household. My first music purchase was a vinyl 45 of “Friday Night Blues” by John Conlee, followed by “The Theme From Dukes Of Hazard”, by Waylon Jennings, and “Love in the First Degree”, by Alabama. I was still a small town boy at heart, despite the diversity of my new surroundings, but that would soon change.
Although neither of my parents were devoutly religious, they saw church as an appropriate social experience and encouraged me to attend. After a couple failed outings at what turned out to be somewhat fanatical congregations, they settled on a small Lutheran church. It was there that I would strike up a friendship with Timothy, a boy my age who shared my budding interest in comic books and art. We spent the majority of our time together, in Sunday School and the church service, talking about pretty much anything other than God and his violent attempts to bend his “children” to his all loving will. Before long, Timothy invited me to spend the night at his house, and it was there that my ears were opened.
Even at a young age, Timothy was an extremely talented and creative artist, and sleepovers at his house consisted mainly of reading comic books from his huge collection and creating characters and stories of our own. To accompany our hours long drawing sessions, Timothy provided a soundtrack of exciting new sounds. I was introduced to decidedly non-country artists like Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones, and I was instantly hooked. I needed to hear more, and Timothy graciously provided cassette dubs of several albums from his vinyl collection.
Timothy had a hunger for new music, and he shared his discoveries with me. Soon we were expanding our horizons with bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. The arrival of Headbanger’s Ball, on MTV, was an important catalyst in our musical growth. Countless Saturday nights were spent on the couch in his loft style room, glued to the television as we watched bands like Motorhead pounding out classics such as Ace Of Spades and Iron Fist. In the morning we would hitch a ride downtown to the Flea Market, where we would scour the bargain bins for new music, occasionally buying an album for no other reason than the killer artwork on it’s cover. Sometimes the gamble resulted in a dud, other times it led to a gem, such as my purchase of Hair of the Dog, by Nazareth.
As we entered our teens, we became bold and reckless as most young boys do, and graduated to sneaking out of his room after his parents had gone to bed. We would walk several blocks to the nearby mall where we would purchase the latest issues of magazines like Circus and Hit Parader. Around the corner was Muncher’s Donuts, where we would take over a table in the back of the shop and load up on sugar and caffeine while we read about the popular metal acts of the day.
By now I was a full fledged metalhead with an ever growing collection of vinyl and cassettes feeding my new addiction, but the biggest turning point in my conversion was yet to come. It was the day that Timothy presented me with his latest find, Hell Awaits by Slayer. He dropped the needle on the vinyl, and what I heard was life changing; pure aggression, delivered at breakneck speed. I was hooked even before the end of the opening title track. I left Timothy’s house and headed directly to the record store to claim my own copy of what is still one of my all time favorite albums by any band, metal or otherwise.
I could go on and on about my metal discoveries which consumed my teen years and beyond, but I’ll leave those for another day. My introduction to metal was a critical moment in forming who I am and how I live my life. Metal has been the soundtrack to countless important events from my youth to my adult life, and it continues to be a reliable constant even when so much else has changed as the years go by.
Every metalhead has a story similar to mine. The time and place may be differ, but we’ve all ended up as part of magnificent brotherhood, and sisterhood, of metal. This was my story. Feel free to share yours in the comments below.
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