tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10097725580646285652024-03-13T17:28:07.465+01:00Modern Funeral ArtOfficial website of Gothic-Doom band Modern Funeral ArtModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-3315207195572120352014-09-06T15:17:00.001+02:002014-09-06T15:17:23.862+02:00Modern Funeral Art in Google Playhttps://play.google.com/store/music/artist?id=Auejmver332ermcnf4agck5dbeaModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-15281985219154112122013-06-09T09:54:00.001+02:002013-06-09T09:55:24.125+02:00Check out Modern Funeral Art in Google Play<p dir=ltr><a href="https://play.google.com/store/music/artist?id=Auejmver332ermcnf4agck5dbea">Découvrez "Modern Funeral Art"</a></p>
Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-74031651574939461872013-03-13T18:46:00.001+01:002013-03-13T18:46:15.476+01:00Interview in Temple of Perdition Webzine<h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name">
<span style="color: white;">... Interview with MODERN
FUNERAL ART !!! </span></h3>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7MpNOa5rgWCGXqyevVQ92wDFnOGJafig6iJkySg6imfsFvT_cqf_mn8vQf81kUYD-qrssF0MTI7WP1A7F0xmlAy2Euz4UGsr9p2hDyZA8f2IEEjaqZRTo-BDlVlNyBlKJO-kuJ3ub0kt/s1600/GetAttachment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_145500200="2" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK7MpNOa5rgWCGXqyevVQ92wDFnOGJafig6iJkySg6imfsFvT_cqf_mn8vQf81kUYD-qrssF0MTI7WP1A7F0xmlAy2Euz4UGsr9p2hDyZA8f2IEEjaqZRTo-BDlVlNyBlKJO-kuJ3ub0kt/s1600/GetAttachment.jpg" /></a><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Despite a very solid 2nd album - called "Doom With
a View" and released a couple of years ago, MODERN FUNERAL ART is not a name
that comes up often in conversations about the french scene, which seems really
unfair in my opinion, even if -as you'll see- the band is not particularly
looking for more than just their own pleasure... </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yet, their style consists in an original form of
early 90's UK Doom (think about early P.L., Cathedral, MDB) with very
special vocals that we usually find in different genres (somewhere between
post-punk, neo-folk or gothic...). Maybe those vocals are the kind of love it or
hate it (no need to tell ya which is my camp !), but it remains undeniable that
awesome songs like "Alexander", "Dante in the Dusky Woods", "Aroundthe Graves"
or "Friends of Hell" contain a batch of big doomy riffs with catchy choruses
that enhance the impact of refined occult lyrics.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: white;">I was interested to know more about
this nice but weird band and asked them a few questions, hoping to get some
interesting fresh news about a new album too...</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #999999;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Your 2nd album "doom with a view" has been
released about two years ago now, but - despite very positive reviews - the name
of M.F.A. remains pretty confidential...</span></strong></span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">We’re very satisfied
with the feedback about “Doom with a view” , a lot of positive reviews , radio
plays and interviews but we were very unlucky with our label choice : at first
we signed with a Netherland based label who promised to release the album during
more than one year and nothing …… after long months of lies I decided to contact
Ed from Doommantia.com/DMA Records who is a long time friend , a real doom
activist and a big MFA supporter, we decided to co-produce the album and for me
it was a very good decision.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Unfortunately Ed had
very serious health problems and stopped DMA Records, you can contact me if you
want a physical copy of “Doom with a view”.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">I would add a word about Ed and
Doommantia.com , he really need helps because after his heart-attack he needs
lot of meds and can’t afford it : you can make a donation at </span></span><a href="http://doommantia.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">doommantia.com</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">There's
certainly various reasons to this , I mean your history seems to have never been
easy (line-up problems leading strangely to a 1st album without the compositor
of the band, long quest for a deal with DMA which quickly end all activities,
important geographical separation between members, the fact to not destined the
band to any live performance...) all this seems pretty special from the
outside...</span></strong></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">MFA has never really
been a band in a traditional form , since the beginning we decided to exclude
live performance , most of our influences especially early 90’s doom/death bands
never played live. </span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">I really think our
music isn’t made for stage.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">MFA is a real friend
story , our first album was recorded with the help of our long time friend Stef
Vanstaen ( Downfall , Discard ) as guitar player because Pascal was in England
to study and during this period Stef helped us keep MFA alive.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">“Doom with a view” is
for me our real first album , “Hellfire” is very good but it show only the most
“death-metal” side of MFA .</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>So how is going
MFA in 2013 ? what's your position/reflection towards the actual existence and
future of MFA ?</strong> </span></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">We’re actually working
on new material and few covers , I can’t say 2013 will see a new album but
……..</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">MFA is a stressless
project we all have good jobs , family , kids so when the need is here …….. we
plug the guitars .</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;"> <strong><span style="color: blue;">Do you consider you as a doom band ? Do you feel
more concerned if I speak about the UK sound of the late 80's/early 90's
doom/death which seems to include a great part of your influences and still
current-faves ? Regarding this, was it an almost natural choice to use Dan Swano
services for "doom with a view" ?</span></strong></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="color: white;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m the only real
doomster in the band but the early 90’s UK Doom is a big part of us
.</span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think
we’re a Doom band and the good feedback from the Doom “scene” confirms that .
Doom listeners are more open-minded than metalheads in general and they can
understand why we use vocals linked to the early goth scene . I prefer to use
the term “post-punk” because since a decade the term “Gothic” has been
associated with bitchy fronted band who think Marylin Manson created the gothic
movement …….</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">You should listen to
Virgin Prunes , Joy Division and maybe Bauhaus to understand the way we follow
.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="color: white;"> </span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: white;">Dan Swano was a natural
choice for us , we’re huge fans of Edge of Sanity and he produced lots of great
albums. And it was a very very good choice , he’s a very nice , patient and
open-minded person , we’re totally satisfied with his work.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: red;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr44S-ZHenuz9jgR2riPcfNTRy0YGsj4qTunk64nPshEPLXsVxjfnO31eWyDF27QaF0TGbDLOiEPvoumED5fhSdq422EPHLGL_wRw99npqzZKNalC88zbq6DDyZxHl3zRqJ9knpkTILLe/s1600/Band+focus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" closure_uid_145500200="3" height="202" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr44S-ZHenuz9jgR2riPcfNTRy0YGsj4qTunk64nPshEPLXsVxjfnO31eWyDF27QaF0TGbDLOiEPvoumED5fhSdq422EPHLGL_wRw99npqzZKNalC88zbq6DDyZxHl3zRqJ9knpkTILLe/s640/Band+focus.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Despite some
imperfections in the tone and accent, I do really like the vocals on the album,
melodic, melancholic but also audacious... were the usual death grunts banished
from the beginning ? Are you totally satisfied of the way things (particularly
vocals) are mixed on the album ?</span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’m not totally
satisfied by the vocals of the album and it’s only because we didn’t have enough
time to record it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arnaud is a great
singer , I invite you to listen to our other project Pale Roses and you will
discover the total expression of his voice .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I’m totally sure
the vocals on next album will be better , only because now we will be able to
record it quietly and work on it deeply .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Concerning grunts, if a
part needs it maybe ….. I can do it .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">The lyrical
content turns pretty much around estorism and occult stuff, it's pretty rich and
even ironic sometimes ("suicide pact") but I've read that you did write on
different stuff for new songs, what are they dealing about ?did you feel you
arrived at the end of what you could write on your spiritual masters (Lovecraft,
A. Crowley...) or do you think this is temporary ?</span></strong> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, I don’t think
we’re going to change our lyrical themes in a radical way. I just love
everything about esoterism or occultism and there are still hundreds of things
to write about, ghosts and apparitions, crop circles and UFOs, urban legends and
conspiracy theories, secret societies, lost civilizations, the list can be
endless. The important thing is that we never take that too seriously, and often
add an ironical point of view.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Old time literature and
poetry is also our main influence but of course, we’re not going to quote the
unholy trinity of Lovecraft, Crowley and Poe all the time. However, we
definitely want to render homage to the great authors of the 19th and 20th
centuries. If I had to mention a few, I’d put forward WH Hodgson, Clark Ashton
Smith, Samuel Loveman, Henry James, Montague Rhodes James, Arhtur Machen, and
French ones Huysmans and Raoul De Warren. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So the next songs
should not be too different from the previous ones, just a little deeper in the
same crypt, which doesn’t mean it will be all death and despair. There’s room
for light and hope too, but just not in a naïve way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
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</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Are you always
comfortable with the idea of never playing live ? Don't you feel sometimes the
call of the scene, thinking about how awesome would it be to play a song like
"Alexander" or "Dante in the dusky woods" on stage ? Despite this, are you in
relation with some other frenchbands ?</span></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Like I said in the
first part of the interview MFA is not and never will be a live band , I play
live sometimes with other bands especially to play covers but I never saw MFA
like a live band , we’re 3 since the beginning and we don’t need other members
so …… we can’t play live .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc;"><br /></span><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We’re from south west
of France and our town was the cradle of great bands , members of Punish
Yourself , Psykup , MOPA are long time friends . Concerning Doom scene ,Stef
from Wedding in Hades is a good friend and Ataraxie are nice guys .
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: blue;">What are the
plans now for MFA ? Is there any new recording planed for this year ?Are you
already in quest of a new deal ?</span></strong></span></div>
<span style="color: blue;">
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #fff2cc; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For our next release
we're thinking about a free digital release and if a label wants it for a
physical release- why not...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br /> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://templeofperdition.blogspot.fr/2013/03/interview-with-modern-funeral-art.html">http://templeofperdition.blogspot.fr/2013/03/interview-with-modern-funeral-art.html</a></div>
</div>
Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-74177752428096099412012-11-17T18:47:00.001+01:002012-11-17T18:47:05.804+01:00Modern Funeral Art on Google Play<p><a href="https://play.google.com/store/music/artist?id=Auejmver332ermcnf4agck5dbea">Discover "Modern Funeral Art"</a></p>
<p>Full Modern Funeral Art discography is now available on Android device</p>
Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-16799827455675562912012-10-06T17:00:00.002+02:002012-10-06T17:01:37.271+02:00Gear<div align="center">
We're now proudly endorsed by </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Skull Strings</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.skullstrings.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXj9M4EX1nnsW2PO01iJhbTwq6hQMIrTEUze3QhKTLQ8sv-6u2Y-sItOXUs0maSB4B_BKD29knOvtfrGo8jVPvUpwnj5rvVFwNWL9BTxFyfEbW1kRS_tQ0XE1fwnpmCG9K33xttgfkRQVc/s400/skullstrings_banner.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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and</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Mayones Guitars & Basses</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mayones.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7VuGOCk6zxNQT79BnBBLXkjQJ_H22AWeqOLYQaQFWXh8YhhmR9ryW-7j644gboqcPCFlfXpXt_aIPFiSF3YQLMmQXPeYc5YuAQ_FF5bwWtYNjGqZD1TkYOvBtT-UoO6XzDhxphH4r9I7/s200/m_logo_mop.jpg" width="146" /></a></div>
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Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-28208512381896253992012-05-28T15:38:00.001+02:002012-05-28T16:43:17.658+02:00First extract of our next release<br />
<center>Cover of a great Editors song "Fingers in the Factories"</center>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="http://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F46150929&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true&color=000000" width="100%"></iframe>Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-67837156718958356622012-01-01T11:46:00.003+01:002012-01-01T11:46:54.728+01:00Happy New YearModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-17981223983117734802011-11-22T19:58:00.001+01:002011-11-22T19:58:59.089+01:00Review in Unhallowed NationAfter signing to DMA Records French melodic doom trio Modern Funeral Art released their newest album “Doom With A View“,mastered by Dan SWANÖ at Unisound Studio in January of 2011. After sitting down with the album and jamming it a few times over it was very apparent that the band itself sways away from conventional labels and formed something else entirely. MFA blends captivating melodies, solid doom riffage, and a diverse network of influences into one unique sound that borders neither in the realm of true doom metal or classic goth rock, “Doom With A View” is in a universe all its own. The subtextual lyrical undertones bring forth echoes of Dante’s Inferno, Jack the Ripper, and even Aleister Crowley, adding a different perspective on some very experimental music, check out the entire “Doom With A View” album below.Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-54787431673476150062011-09-13T17:07:00.002+02:002011-09-13T17:07:41.743+02:00Modern Funeral Art join DMA RecordsDMA Records is proud to announced we have added the wonderful melodic doom sounds of MODERN FUNERAL ART to our roster of bands. <br />
This stunning three-piece manage to blend captivating melodies, solid doom riffage and a diversity of influences into the one unique package that sets them apart from everybody else. The album DOOM WITH A VIEW was mastered by Dan SWANÖ at unisound studio in Sweden and is a praiseworthy release full of superior tunes not only from the melodic doom perspective but also from the point of view of a great rock album. <br />
DMA Records is proud to be now affiliated with this distinguished first-rate band...........<br />
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"This is one of the most original recordings of Doom Metal released in the last year but what makes it so strong it straddles the fine line between Traditional Doom Metal and epic melodic rock. Even more unique is the amazingly original vocal sound that is unlike anything around in Doom Metal at the moment. Add to that the great musicianship, entertaining lyrical content, excellent full production and you are left with something that is full of a personality that is all their own." ( DOOMMANTIA.COM ON DOOM WITH A VIEW )<br />
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Stay tuned for further updates on merchandise and on what is happening with Modern Funeral Art at Doommantia.Com - Home of DMA Records.Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-11569408797362098792011-05-29T18:03:00.000+02:002011-05-29T18:03:21.243+02:00Review on Daemonium Zine (Spanish) 9/10MODERN FUNERAL ART<br />
DOOM WITH A VIEW<br />
APOLLON RECORDS 2010<br />
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Original producción de esta banda francesa, que regresa después de un prolongado pero fructífero silencio. Doom with a view muestra a una banda inteligente, capaz de crear música con estilo propio. Este trío francés toma elementos del Doom y el Gótico, añade letras con temas interesantes y el resultado es asombroso. <br />
A un servidor le agradaron todos los temas, pero mencionaré aquí algunos:<br />
State of the world es el tema inicial, y es probable que la voz de Arnaud te tome por sorpresa porque no es la clásica vocalización del Metal, pero no puedo imaginar cómo sonaría MFA sin esa voz, más cercana al Rock Gótico de los ochentas que al Doom, y que simplemente le queda perfecto.<br />
Sol Invictus, tema que tiene una vibra sombría muy intensa, lleva la misma línea ideológica que el tema previo, donde critican a la religión Católica con versos como este “In this garden green, no church should ever be built, abandon all remorse my friend, give up all guilt”.<br />
Continúa Alexander, tema que habla sobre Aleister Crowley, ocultista híper conocido en la escena metalera. Los riffs son pegadizos y la letra está muy bien lograda, resalta los aspectos que definen a Crowley: “Sex and magick made me great renown, you know the law, the only one, Do what thou wilt, ain’t it fun”. <br />
Seis tracks más siguen en la lista, y encuentro en todos el mismo gancho en los obscuros riffs de Pascal y el coro contagioso de Arnaud (claro, cerrando el círculo Benoit, el baterista) y creo entender por qué MFA se tomó tanto tiempo en preparar este disco, en pulirlo. No sé qué opinen ellos, pero agradezco que no tengan la presión de una compañía para cumplir con fechas, número de temas, molestas sesiones fotográficas para las revistas europeas especializadas en Metal, etc. ¡Benditas producciones independientes!<br />
Para aquellos que necesitan una razón más para animarse a escuchar a MFA, hay que mencionar que el disco fue masterizado por el ovacionado músico Dan Swanö.<br />
Para resumir, Doom with a view es una singular mezcla entre Doom y Rock Gótico; obscuro, inteligente, original. Debes escucharlo. 9/10Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-9985338672938488352011-05-02T15:33:00.000+02:002011-05-02T15:33:35.083+02:00Review on In Extremis #46 ( french )MODERN FUNERAL ART – doom with a view cd / autoprod<br />
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Je crois avoir déjà avoir vaguement entendu ce groupe à ses débuts, un titre ou deux comme ça en passant sur des compilations Mono-Emotional records, label basé sur Toulouse je crois et qui avait lancé les excellents Discord... pas totalement certain non plus, ma mémoire me joue des tours. En tout cas d'après ce que j'ai cru comprendre ce second album est très différent du premier, car à la base MFA pratiquait un gothik-doom symphonique à chanteuse, le truc très tendance il y a dix ans mais dont tout le monde se fout royalement aujourd'hui. Du coup le trio embrase un tout autre univers, beaucoup plus sombre, et c'est pas moi qui vais m'en plaindre. Une musique toujours très gothik mais beaucoup plus rock aussi, qui moi m'a fait un peu penser à ce que faisaient les suisses Lacrimas Profundere, avec parsemées par ci par là des touches de Paradise Lost et de Type O Negative pour certaines voix méga graves. Le truc pas forcément très métal mais en tout cas très sombre et mélancolique, à l'image de cette voix masculine très sobre qui me fait penser à un Axl Rose dépressif croisé à la voix claire de chez Primordial, sinistre et nasillarde à la fois donc. Le son est massif, très lourd et chaud, ça a été masterisé par Dan Swanö au studio Unisound pour info. C'est plaisant à écouter, mais pour moi ça manque de riffs percutants, pas forcément dans le sens brutal du terme mais plus rock en tout cas. Car l'impression que MFA dégage c'est un gros coté désabusé, limite défaitiste, une espèce de spleen permanent qui plombe le mental et annihile tout punch. Du coup la grisaille inonde trop ce que j'entends s'écouler de mes enceintes, et c'est amplifié encore un peu plus par la voix monocorde. Je sais pas, j'aurais aimé entendre quelques accès plus vivifiants, comme des éclairs de lueurs dans le brouillard ambiant. En cela le morceau "Alexander" (d'après le premier prénom d'Aleister Crowley) est pour moi le meilleur du disque, de part son riff introductif plus nerveux, son solo qui déchire l'opacité... dommage que ce soit si pompé sur Paradise Lost ! Autre titre qui se détache timidement, cette fois pour son groove doom old-school qui suinte du riff central c'est "Around The Graves", qui fait d'ailleurs partie d'un triptyque de plus de 15 minutes. Le reste s'écoute, c'est juste pas ma came. Apparemment le groupe aurait trouvé un label, bonne chance à eux. >contact : benmfa@hotmail.fr<br />
2/5Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-52548296584113402362011-04-12T13:02:00.001+02:002011-04-12T13:03:29.966+02:00Sorcerer Apprentice<object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13461801&show_comments=true&auto_play=false&color=000000"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F13461801&show_comments=true&auto_play=false&color=000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <span><a href="http://soundcloud.com/modernfuneralart/sorcerer-apprentice">Sorcerer Apprentice</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/modernfuneralart">modernfuneralart</a></span><br />
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Short extract of "Sorcerer Apprentice from our upcoming albumModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-32721958255502361992011-03-13T09:08:00.001+01:002011-03-13T09:08:20.063+01:00New song<div><p>The first new song is done</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/_zteH4miWdLQ/TXx7Xsn5YGI/AAAAAAAAACw/m4djK-4-zuo/DSC_0694.png' /></div>Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-9656671252916328622011-03-05T22:24:00.001+01:002011-03-06T08:19:21.249+01:00Saturday night<div><p>We're starting to talk about our next album , and searching good vibes in jagermeinster.</p>
<br/><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/_zteH4miWdLQ/TXKqCAYn3XI/AAAAAAAAACs/a33QHx0gR8I/DSC00047.png' /></div>Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-6987645094190838452011-02-28T18:32:00.002+01:002011-02-28T18:32:57.999+01:00Another Review on Aristocrazia Webzine ( italian )MODERN FUNERAL ART - Doom With A View <br />
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Informazioni<br />
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Gruppo: Modern Funeral Art<br />
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Anno: 2009<br />
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Etichetta: Apollon Records<br />
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Contatti: www.myspace.com/modernfuneralart<br />
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Autore: Leonard Z<br />
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Tracklist<br />
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1. State Of The World<br />
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2. Sol Invictus<br />
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3. Alexander<br />
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4. Mary Jane Kelly<br />
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5. Dante In The Dusty Woods<br />
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6. Friends Of Hell (Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers Part 1)<br />
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7. Suicide Pact (You First) (Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers Part 2)<br />
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8. Around The Graves (Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers Part 3)<br />
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9. The Dance<br />
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DURATA: 41:47<br />
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Niente male questa seconda release dei francesi Modern Funeral Art. "Doom With A View" (ironica storpiatura di "Room With A View" ovvero "Camera Con Vista") è davvero un bel lavoro che unisce il sound Doom-Death alla My Dying Bride con alcune atmosfere più classicamente gothic. I pezzi sono vari, orecchiabili, ben suonati e perfettamente registrati. Non per niente dietro al mixer abbiamo Dan Swano e i suoi Unisound Studio che potenziano i già validi riff con chitarroni ben marcati e batteria perfettamente equalizzata. I brani sono semplici ma non banali, e risultano facilmente assimilabili senza cadere nella classica struttura pop che ha distrutto il buon 95% delle uscite gothic da quindici anni a questa parte. I testi sono legati all'aspetto più occulto e misterioso della letteratura e della storia, con particolare interesse per le atmosfere ottocentesche: vedi “Alexander”, che parla di Aleister Crowley, e “Mary Jane Kelly” incentrata sulle vicende di Jack lo Squartatore. Pecca dell'album, che altrimenti sarebbe stato un vero gioiellino, è la voce, che non sempre mantiene il giusto tono e diminuisce l'impatto delle canzoni. Se i Modern Funeral Art sapranno lavorare meglio sulle parti vocali il prossimo lavoro potrebbe essere la consacrazione della band.Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-21629890489833058142011-02-22T16:25:00.002+01:002011-02-22T17:13:00.403+01:00Interview with DJ Frozg on Metal Messiah Radio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu8j1vec4rH2s8YkArbY0EI7PGQjCfknaHuE12mzCEkATGQotZm-tMyKYHb5m7I-UyHy6iF-fcma-dBgR7fuI9l-EBm4r8y_LSpgLpUVjSlN3LRIBRMYJTzuEWvKNwxxD32eFKGwTKLA7/s1600/MMRDJ-DJFROZGMFA.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu8j1vec4rH2s8YkArbY0EI7PGQjCfknaHuE12mzCEkATGQotZm-tMyKYHb5m7I-UyHy6iF-fcma-dBgR7fuI9l-EBm4r8y_LSpgLpUVjSlN3LRIBRMYJTzuEWvKNwxxD32eFKGwTKLA7/s320/MMRDJ-DJFROZGMFA.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div align="center"><object height="81" width="100%"> <param name="movie" value="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F10939262"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed allowscriptaccess="always" height="81" src="http://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F10939262" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="100%"></embed> </object> <a href="http://soundcloud.com/modernfuneralart/interview-with-dj-frozg">Interview with DJ Frozg</a> by <a href="http://soundcloud.com/modernfuneralart">modernfuneralart</a> </div><div align="center"></div>Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-78979510658431366642011-02-22T14:10:00.001+01:002011-02-22T14:10:39.073+01:00Very funny review : please comment<div align="center">extract from "Art in Ashes - Modern Art and Funerals"</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Modern Art and Funerals</div>"First, there is the French rock band called "Modern Funeral Art." This band has received international acclaim for its unique style of dark, heavy "gothic" music, and there are many reports that devoted fans have asked that the band's music be played during their funerals. Most of band's fans being young adults, this group has not yet accounted for an overwhelming number of funerals to date, but, one suspects that, as the decades pass, "Modern Funeral Art" will certainly be more and more commonly heard at funerals."Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-20412307846099618162011-02-22T14:08:00.004+01:002011-02-22T17:15:36.077+01:00Review on Doom-metal.com<div align="center">Modern Funeral Art - Doom With a View (2009)</div><br />
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When you talk about Gothic Doom, everyone assumes you'll get something whinier than the whiniest My Chemical Romance song, with lots of symphonic keyboards everywhere, and maybe, if you're very unlucky (GOD PRESERVE US FROM THIS HORROR!!) female vocals. Which is nothing of what you’ll find on Modern Funeral Art's second album. For the French band draws more musical inspiration from early 80's Cold Wave, Post-Punk and Goth Rock as well as the classic Peaceville Three. <br />
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This album could be best described as a mix between Paradise Lost in their 'Shades Of God'/'Icon' days and Christian Death on their 'Catastrophe Ballet' era (complete with a dark and twisted sense of humour, like on the trilogy 'Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers'). Throw in some Neo Folk parts (the wonderful accoustic piece 'Mary Jane Kelly'), a bit more speed that is reminiscent of the darkest Moonspell pieces (the neckbreakers 'Sol Invictus' and 'The Dance') and even a bit of Soundgarden in some guitars parts. <br />
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Still, despite all those non-Metal names you see mentioned, this is one hell of a Doom Metal release, heavy as a marble angel statue, cold as the graveyard earth and dark as a sepulchre. I must mention an important point here: the vocals. I'm pretty sure that the voice of Arnaud Spitz will shock many of the listeners, as he definitively sings in the Cold wave/Neo Folk style and not our traditional growling. Arnaud's voice is dry and as cold as a crow cawing in the mist, and suits better the music displayed here than a more traditional Doom/Death, or even a clean voice, would have done. <br />
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This is one of the most original pieces of Doom Metal I've heard in years, as the band manages to play it by the book, yet invigorate the genre with a strong personality and influences one is not accustomed to see when talking about our favourite genre. In itself, this is enough to recommend 'Doom With A View' to anyone wanting to discover what Gothic Doom has to offer when it embraces its real Goth lineage, as well as those of you open-minded enough to try a new form of musical melancholy.<br />
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Information<br />
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1. State Of The World <br />
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2. Sol Invictus <br />
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3. Alexander <br />
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4. Mary Jane Kelly <br />
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5. Dante In The Dusty Woods <br />
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6. Friends Of Hell (Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers part 1) <br />
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7. Suicide Pact (You First) (Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers part 2) <br />
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8. Around The Graves (Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers part 3) <br />
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9. The Dance <br />
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Duration: Approx. ?? minutes <br />
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Visit the bandlist page for Modern Funeral Art <br />
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Reviewed on 05-06-2009 by Laurent LignonModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-81654957014044748622011-02-22T14:07:00.003+01:002011-02-22T17:16:09.561+01:00Review on Doom Metal Front ( german )<div align="center">Modern Funeral Art - "Doom with a View" Geschrieben von Mourner Thursday, 2. July 2009 „Doom with a View“ ist das zweite, noch labelfreie Album von MODERN FUNERAL ART. Die drei Franzosen blicken allerdings bereits auf eine mehr als zehnjährige Schaffensphase zurück. Beide, der Bandname und der Albumtitel, lassen schweren Doom Metal erwarten. MFA bezweifeln selbst die Zugehörigkeit zu diesem Genre und umschreiben ihren Stil als Dark/Goth Metal bzw. Heavy Death Rock. Musikalische Parallelen bestünden zu Bands wie Tiamat, In The Woods, Katatonia und vor allem The Vision Bleak. Auch Paradise Lost könnten meiner Meinung nach als Referenz herangezogen werden. Völlig an den Haaren herbeigezogen finde ich die Doom Theorie indes nicht, weil diverse Trademarks in die neun Songs verwoben worden sind. Trotz gegenteiliger Meinungen lassen sich langsame, von schweren Riffs dominierte Passagen in den Songs nachweisen. „Friends of Hell“, „Suicide Pact (You First)“ und „Around the Graves“ sind wie ich finde sogar äußerst doomgeschwängerte Stücke. Das Geschwindigkeitsargument greift dann aber wieder bei den übrigen Titeln des Albums. Als Gothic-Verächter muss ich gestehen, dass die düstere Monotonie des klaren Gesangs bisweilen anstrengt. Auch die textliche Verwurstung von HP Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe und William Blake stellt in der metallischen Musikwelt keine wirkliche Innovation dar. „Doom with a View“ scheidet mit Sicherheit die Doomgeister. Puristen sei die Scheibe deshalb auch nur bedingt an das langsame Herz gelegt. Wer sich von doomgeküsstem Gothic Metal angetan fühlt bzw. diesem offen gegenüber steht, bekommt mit „Doom with a View“ ein kompositorisch abwechslungsreiches und wirklich gut produziertes Album geboten. Für das Mastering zeichnet sich niemand geringeres als Dan Swanö (Unisound Studios) verantwortlich. </div><br />
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Erscheinungsjahr: 2009 <br />
Label: Eigenproduktion <br />
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Track List: 1. State of the World 2. Sol Invictus 3. Alexander 4. Mary Jane Kelly 5. Dante in the Dusty Woods 6. Friends of Hell 7. Suicide Pact (You First) 8. Around the Graves 9. The Dance <br />
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Infos & song samples: http://www.myspace.com/modernfuneralartModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-81208416714108873352011-02-22T14:06:00.001+01:002011-02-22T17:16:22.685+01:00Review on Doomspace ( croatian )<div align="center">Žanr: Gothic/Dark Metal</div><br />
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Zemlja: Francuska<br />
Godina: 2009.<br />
Izdavač: N/A<br />
Trajanje: 00:41:40<br />
Website: MySpace<br />
Ocjena: 8/10<br />
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Nakon nešto više od 10 godina postojanja, jedne demo vrpce te dva CD – a, „Modern Funeral Art“ ili kraće „MFA“ izdali su ovih dana novi album koji nosi ime „Doom With A View“. Nakon dva tranzicijska albuma novim albumom skovali su svoj zvuk, zvuk kako bi MFA trebao i treba zvučati! Album je masterirao Dan Swano koji je poznat po radu s bendovima kao što su Katatonia, Edge Of Sanity, Therion i mnogi drugi.<br />
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Zvuk je veoma karakterističan te ga je jako teško svrstani unutar žanrovskih granica, no jedno je sigurno, „Doom With A View“ zasigurno nije doom album. Glavni utjecaji koji se isprepleću u bendu jesu s jedne strane gothic i cold wave 70'ih i 80'ih u kojem se očituju bendovi tipa Joy Division, the Virgin Prunes koji se susreću s brutalnim death metal bendovima tipa Bolt Thrower, Carcass pa i ranom Anathemom. No jedno je sigurno, melankolija je prožeta kroz cijeli album.<br />
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Album otvara pjesma „Song Of The World“ koja je dosta politički angažirana gledajući 1500 godina u prošlost kada je Europa bila kršćanizirana. Pjesma je dosta brzog tempa te se odmah upoznajemo sa vokalom, na kojeg se ruku na srce, treba priviknuti. Slijedi ju pjesma koje je slične tematike „Sol Invictus“ a nakon koje dolazi „Alexander“, veoma melodična pjesma sa catchy refrenom, izdvojio bih ovu pjesmu kao highlight albuma. „Mary Jane Kelley“ je vrsta balade, no nije ona tipična kao već stotine napisanih, ovom pjesmom napokon možete spoznati tko je uistinu peta žrtva Jacka The Rippera. „Dante In The Dusky Woods“ je najbrža i najmračnija pjesma na albumu, prvotno je trebala biti u black metal izvedbi, no izabrana je lakša verzija koje je i završila na albumu. Slijede tri pjesme koje čine triologiju pod skupnim imenom „Deathcode Of The Devil Worshipers“ pjesme zapravo različite glazbeno ali tematski slične, podosta inspirirane black metalom. Na kraju, album zatvara pjesma „Dance“ čiji je intro zapravo jedini pravi doom trenutak na albumu a završava sa klasičnim goth rock outrom.<br />
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Na kraju mogu reći da su „MFA“ stvarno stvorili neobičnu glazbu koja svakako nije za ograničene ljude, hodajući na tankoj liniji između dooma i goth rocka, ovo je stvarno posebno izdanje. Prebrzo da bude doom a opet preteško da bude goth. Svaka pohvala ide na tekstove koji su inspirirani HP Lovecraftom, E. A. Poe – om i William Blakeom.<br />
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Stvarno bi najbolji opis bio, „karika koja nedostaje između gothica i metala“.<br />
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StefModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-48258634216496832412011-02-22T14:04:00.003+01:002011-02-22T17:16:38.021+01:00Review on Metallized.it ( italian )Modern Funeral Art - Doom with a view<br />
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Una sfida, una scommessa con me stesso: iniziare ad ascoltare Doom Metal.<br />
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Sembra facile, visto dall'esterno. Ma, come ogni nuova esperienza, richiede una certa preparazione. <br />
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Occorre una grande disciplina psico-fisica, tuffarsi nelle profondità del Doom, inabissarsi nei suoi appiccicosi liquami neri, viscosi come melassa e velenosi come cobra, abituandosi a nuove pressioni atmosferiche che ti schiacciano la testa nella morsa di un suono lento ed opprimente.<br />
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La soluzione più semplice per affrontare il problema è immergersi per gradi. Si può insomma spizzicare il genere ascoltando pochi brani di più band, oppure si può scegliere qualche esponente particolarmente leggero. In effetti, ascoltare pezzi di canzoni Doom potrebbe rivelarsi una delle esperienze più deleterie ed inefficaci della nostra vita, perchè senza il senso di un tutto necessariamente sfuggirebbe il messaggio di fondo. E dunque immergiamoci nelle torbide acque dei Modern Funeral Art, uno scenario intermedio, diviso tra il Doom di maniera ed il Gothic più oscuro.<br />
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E quale migliore modo per un'iniziazione musicale se non un bel track by track?<br />
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State of the World parte spedita -forse troppo spedita- con un riff roccioso di chiara matrice stoner. Le ottave delle chitarre puntano direttamente alle interiora, scavando giù, sempre più giù, in una folle corsa al ribasso. Il tutto esplode improvvisamente in un refrain liberatorio, in cui il cantato di Arnaud Spitz dà il meglio di sè sprigionando un lamentoso orgasmo dark. Il brano migliore del lotto, non a caso posto in apertura.<br />
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La successiva Sol Invictus tira leggermente il freno, affidando l'incedere ad un ossessionante pianoforte, di compendio alle canoniche chitarre. Nulla di particolarmente appassionante.<br />
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Alexander si avvicina nuovamente alle tinte rock dello stoner, ma aumentando il contributo Gothic nel cantato. Spuntano addirittura i primi accenni solisti delle sei corde, funzionali alla costruzione di un outro abbastanza raffinata. E' la canzone "trainante" da un punto di vista commerciale, dotata di una struttura particolarmente orecchiabile, e dunque fruibile.<br />
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Mary Jane Kelly strizza l'occhio alle melodie costruite spesso, nel corso degli anni, dall'arcinoto Ozzy, soprattutto nel periodo Black Sabbath: naturalmente tutte le ottave anche qui risultano mostruosamente ribassate. Il giro armonico appare complessivamente stantìo e fine a se stesso: siamo insomma lontani anni luce dai maestri.<br />
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Dante in the Dusty Woods è forse il brano del lotto più simile, da un punto di vista tonale, al "True" Doom, ma con un incedere molto più nervoso, per certi versi accomunabile alle composizioni degli Eucharist.<br />
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Segue la lunga Deathcode of the Devil Worshippers, una suite divisa in tre atti, tutti votati al mid-tempo. Come in State of the World ed in Alexander, anche qui il vero protagonista resta il cantante Arnaud Spitz, complice una notevole teatralità, perfetta per esaltare l'aridità del sound, intento non a dipingere scenari colorati da gustosi intrecci di melodie ed armonie, come accade nella maggior parte del Metal classico, ma piuttosto a gettare sullo spartito larghe campiture di colore grumoso e cupo.<br />
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A tal proposito va fatta una riflessione sulla produzione. Non ho mai amato Dan Swano dietro al mixer, e questo prodotto non fa eccezione. Il mastering spesso è la scialuppa di salvataggio per evitare l'affondo di dischi mal registrati, ma talvolta capita che concorra a peggiorare le cose. In questo caso -per fortuna- almeno il cantato è stato salvato. E meno male, aggiungo, considerato che in definitiva resta l'aspetto più interessante del platter. La conclusiva The Dance infatti non apporta nulla di nuovo, ma anzi si attesta su parametri Rock notevolmente abusati.<br />
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Sulla brochure di Doom With A View campeggia a grandi lettere il manifesto dei Modern Funeral Art: The missing link between gothic and metal. Francamente, non credo che i nostri francesi possano permettersi sentenze del genere ma, ciò non di meno, meritano due lodi. Una lode per aver provato ad amalgamare realtà musicali diverse con una ostinata coerenza di fondo. Ed una lode per aver tentato di avvicinare profani come me alla fosca dimensione del Doom. E' stato solo un tentativo ma... mi auguro che ci riproveranno.<br />
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Renato ZampieriModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-81418169726471666652011-02-22T14:03:00.001+01:002011-02-22T17:16:50.996+01:00Review on Silent Scream webzine ( italian )<div align="center">Modern Funeral Art</div><br />
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Doom with a view (2009)<br />
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Orribilmente missato da Dan Swano, questo “Doom With A View”, secondo lavoro per la band francese, avrebbe potuto essere un disco bellissimo, se non fosse stato per due grossi difetti formali. Del primo, ovvero l'insufficiente resa sonora (un vero e proprio demo in pratica, e poco più) abbiamo già parlato, il secondo consiste nella voce sgraziata e fiacca del frontman Arnaud, vero e proprio tallone di Achille di brani che, in realtà, godono di un livello compositivo davvero elevato. Mi hanno molto ricordato, per questo, i Witchfinder General ed i Pagan Altar, veri e propri eroi dell'underground doom classico, supportati da voci non all'altezza. Ma i brani sono davvero belli: una perfetta fusione tra l'heavy doom tradizionale, con le sue melodie stentoree ed i riffoni granitici (“State Of The World”, “Dante In The Dusty Woods”), e la sensibilità gothic più moderna, con la profonda malinconia, le tastiere e gli arpeggi di sottofondo (“Sol Invictus”, “Mary Jane Kelly”). Non so quante persone saranno disposte a superare le barriere “formali” che questo disco frappone, ma ne vale veramente la pena. <br />
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Fulvio AdileModern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-73918240524647537082011-02-22T14:00:00.003+01:002011-02-22T17:17:05.674+01:00Review on SLR ( french )<div align="center">MODERN FUNERAL ART</div><br />
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« Doom With A View » (autoproduction)<br />
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Une démo, un maxi et donc deux albums plus tard, je ne cache pas ma joie de retrouver ces «vétérans» de la scène gothic doom régionale. Imaginez-vous au croisement de Paradise Lost, Bauhaus, Death In June, Katatonia, Sisters Of Mercy et Bolt-Thrower, le tout saupoudré d'un mix/mastering à la suédoise par Dan Swanö himself : la fin du monde est proche et bon dieu que c'est fabuleux. Les mélodies sont imparables, le chant unique et ça poutre en rythmique, j'en veux pour preuves «Dante In The Dusty Woods» et l'idéal triptyque «Deathcode Of The Devil Worshippers». <br />
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Ce combo ne pourra vous laisser indifférent, moi j'ai choisi mon camp : je les surkiffe !<br />
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<a href="http://www.myspace.com/modernfuneralart">www.myspace.com/modernfuneralart</a> <br />
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(Stef Vanstaen)Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-2751706939407049552011-02-22T13:59:00.000+01:002011-02-22T13:59:31.021+01:00Interview on Metal Waves<div align="center">Modern Funeral Art is one of those innovative bands who bring us a variety of different sounds, mingling in a unique genre; thence offered to the pleasure of our ears in an intriguing combination, as intriguing as this Modern Art of Death and Funerals… </div><br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Hails to you, hope you're doing fine after the release of your 2009 Opus.</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : Yes we're actually in promo work with the release of 500 promo copy send to labels , webzines and radios.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Very interesting, how did you find the various review and reactions?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : For the moment a lot of reviews are positive specially coming from the "Doom scene" , but cause to our sing type ( back from the roots of gothic rock ) the true metal fans are less enthusiastic , since the beginning of MFA we surfed on two style , metal & post-punk / gothic rock. You can find several reviews on our myspace.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Yes, yes indeed. How helpful were these reviews concerning Label opportunities? Do you currently have some good offers?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : We have "normally" signed with a label , at this moment I'm waiting the final agreement , we have a lot of good contacts with great label but the situation is difficult for a big part of underground label and MFA is just a studio band , label prefer sign bands who toured is more easy to promote.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Well, since we were talking about Labels, what could you say about the deal with 'The Drama and Sin Company' and what are your expectations regarding the Label deals?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : Well "The drama & sin company" released our two first records , they 're available on a big number of labels distribution but they didn't do any promotion . Without promotion no selling and the release of our albums just served him to trade with other labels for his personal store. During our contract we're just release one interview for a Spanish magazine, actually we are seeking a label we do a good promotion, and after all this year I understand one thing: we must do the big part of promo work and for this new album that's what we doing.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Indeed. Let's get to know about your beginning, who founded the band, who chose the name, and your first encountering with fellow bands?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : MFA was formed in 1996 by our current line-up , after the release of our first Demo-tape "almost angels" Pascal left France for studying in England .<br />
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during the period 2000 / 2007 we release on EP " Gateways of slumber " and one album "Hellfire" with the help of our long time friends Stef from Downfall / Discard it's why that release are a bit different of our actual sound who for me represent the true MFA . 2008 was a rebirth for MFA , Pascal back from England and we re-started the band with his original spirit<br />
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concerning the band name Modern Funeral Art was inspired by the name of a "boutique" in Toulouse , "l'art funeraire moderne", it's now closed.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Well, you mentioned that you were formed around 13 years ago, but there was s long inactivity between 2000 and 2006? To what was it due?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : Like I say previously , Pascal left the band during 8 years but we was certain he came back so during this period we just keep MFA alive, I really appreciate our first EP and first album but it's not our original spirit.<br />
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and in the other hand during this period Arnaud and I have had a lot of changes in our personal lives with the coming of our children etc... also during this year MFA was in slow-motion mode but now we're back , very proud of this album , and i already say we started to work on the next... <br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Interesting. You mentioned the next release, but before jumping to the question about it, tell us about the recording sessions, the production and the composing process of your Album?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : this album was recorded in our home studio , Pascal and I compose all the music and Arnaud wrote the lyrics and sing . the composing process was do during the first month of 2008 and the recording during the last 6 month . at the end of the process we decided to give the mastering work at a professional , after hours of reflection the best person seems to be Dan SWANÖ .<br />
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First because who loves a lot of his record and because we came from the same background, I decided to contact Dan , he listen , and he said ok simply. I would like to him because he's a real kind person with a lot of patience and a great open-mind.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: He is indeed. So, we're back to you mentioning the next album, what do predict and prepare for your audience, and would there be any changes in this release?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : I think the biggest change would be the arrival of one or two French text , but it's too early to said more we just have several ideas that's all but I think it would be in the same way. For the moment we're focused on our home studio with some changes and we also work on our future guitars because we're just proudly endorsed by Mayones Guitars & Basses who already works with Paradise Lost, Tiamat , Katatonia , My Dying Bride and others: www.mayones.com <br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Interesting, also Mayones would love the promotion through the Interview *Laughing*</strong><br />
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<strong>Since you mentioned Guitars, let's talk a bit about your Tunes, the Guitar parts in particular are low pitched with remarkable timber and scale, you also use Clean vocals with heavy atmosphere and ambient background sounds, do you see is as the concept of MFA? Can you imagine MFA performing some other Musical genre if perhaps a Label would ask you to do so?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : For the moment we 're just using Gibson guitars in B-tuning for us Gibson pickups are a very particular timber our future guitars are equipped with.<br />
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since the beginning the concept is to married heavy atmosphere of metal , great melodies and clean vocals but not in the way of the others band , arnaud's vocals are very "80's".<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: I'll re-phrase the last question in some sort of way.</strong><br />
<strong>What do you think of covers and tributes? And would you perform a cover song if your Label ask you to do so?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : I think we can play other style but MFA must stay in this way but we loves to add a different song in our album , for this it's Mary Jane Kelly.<br />
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Arnaud our singer lead a neo-folk project called Pale Roses www.myspace.com/morepaleroses his first album will be release at the beginning of 2010 by the eastern front<br />
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I really loves the cover but a bit different , i don't see utility for us to cover Paradise Lost for example , we plan to cover a Neil Young song , "down let you bring it down" a magnificent song composed during his acoustic period.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Let's talk about the lineup: Besides the two Stefs who left, you had a steady lineup. What were the reasons for their departure, and how is the atmosphere among you as teammates.</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : The two stefs were never officially members of MFA they 're just help us during the absence of Pascal , they 're release a fantastic work on our first album but now the true MFA is on march , Pascal has a natural born feeling for play great melodies and it's an important part of our sound.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: And how is the atmosphere within the group? I understand roles are shared concerning composition and lyrics, do you often have quarrels or misunderstandings?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : MFA is for first a friend adventure it's for this reason we don't toured , we don't want others musicians. we're all good jobs , family etc… For us MFA is not a job , there is no money or other , it's just pleasure that's why there is never had problems.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Tell us about your live performances, still no live appearances?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : MFA never played live , since the beginning we decided to stay like "hermit" in the studio , no seriously MFA is a real friend story and for playing live we must add other persons and we don't want it . And our job didn't permit us to tour seriously.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Yes indeed, touring might seem unachievable since you are not devoted Musicians and have other jobs, but a concert wouldn't be a bad idea.</strong><br />
<strong>Did you make this decision due to the band's genre, or yet for the lack of Live Musicians?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : We know a lot of great musician for play with us but one more time MFA is for us only a pleasure without stress . and I must say I prefer more simple music to see live.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: 'More simple Music' as in reference to other Musical genres? Do you believe the composition process of MFA to be a complicated one?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : I really think studio and live are two different approach and truly the MFA songs aren't complicated but in our songs there is a lot of riffs and little guitars who make this particular sound and i think it's really difficult to reproduce live , in certain part it had 5 different guitar parts , not complicated but gradually a big difficulty for live.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: I understand that parts within the band are divided, While Arnaud is the lyricist, you and Pascal compose the Music if I'm not wrong, does Arnaud choose the Album titles and song titles as well?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : yes of course it's his job , Pascal and I read the text and the titles but really after all this year we never said "no" or "it's bad" , I can't speak for Arnaud but I think the next album lyrics would be more personal Arnaud is a bit bored to write about esotericism.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: Very well. Now during 13 years of activity, were there any important parts, milestones... etc?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : We 're big child and for us there is a lot of important parts , the creation of a good riff is an important part , but I think when we receive the master CD back from the Hand of Dan with the real great sound he do was a great moment for Pascal and I because we're addict to big sound.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: About the French Underground Scene, what could you say, both locally and nation-wide?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : Toulouse had a lot of great band like Psykup , Punish yourself , Downfall , Sidilarsen and others , I'm really happy because French band are now internationally known and that's great . Concerning "Dark music" I think Ataraxie will became a monster they deserve to became a big band like My Dying Bride.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: What are your favorite bands, bands that you'd like to listen and not necessarily influencing MFA?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : The list is very long but : Paradise Lost , Joy Division , Bolt thrower , Rozz Willianms , Entombed , Current 93 , Carcass etc... <br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: A wide variety of genres indeed. What are your future steps, besides producing the next album?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : The next steps for us is recording a good album , i hope we could find a deal who could be paid a mix and mastering with Dan , I really loves to release a limited vinyl Ep but it's very expensive.<br />
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<strong>El Evil Emperor: It's been a pleasure, any last words to our readers and your fans?</strong><br />
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Benoit Sangoi : Ok first of all thanks a lot for this great interview , I would thanks all the Zines , Radios and fans who had the open-mind to support us, Doom with a View coming soon.Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1009772558064628565.post-24717515588164150002011-02-22T13:50:00.002+01:002011-02-22T17:17:24.609+01:00Review on War-metal webzine ( spanish )<div align="center">Género: Melodic Gothic / Doom Metal</div><br />
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País: Francia<br />
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Sello: Independiente<br />
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Año: 2009<br />
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Por: Catalina Zanoni<br />
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Desde Francia nos llega este disco, que sería la cuarta producción de Modern Funeral Art, precedido por el disco “Hellfire” más un EP y un demo. La banda cuenta con algo más de 10 años de trayectoria, y está formada por Arnaud Spitz en bajo y voz, Pascal N’Guyen en guitarra, y Benoît Sangoï en batería. Este disco titulado “Doom With a View”, a pesar de ser una producción independiente, está masterizado por el multifacético Dan Swanö, lo cual es una garantía de que el sonido está muy bien logrado. En este disco es fácil apreciar la postura de la banda frente al encasillamiento en los géneros musicales, ya que Modern Funeral Art se consideran a sí mismos como “una mezcla entre Dark Metal, Gothic Metal y Heavy Death Rock”. Es muy notoria la influencia del “Discouraged Ones” de Katatonia, así como también se pueden encontrar reminiscencias de bandas como Christian Death, Paul Chain Violet Theatre y su disco “Detaching From Satan”, los italianos de Abysmal Grief y HIM, claro que sin la voz lastimera, quejumbrosa, y un tanto afeminada de este último. <br />
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Hablando del disco propiamente tal, en términos generales se puede decir que está bien logrado, con temas variados que no superan los seis minutos de duración. El arte de “Doom With a View” es bastante diferente al de los discos anteriores, en los cuales era recurrente el uso de ventanales de catedral. Aquí también está el uso de ventanas, pero con un tinte algo menos desolador. El disco se abre con “State of the World”, un tema interesante que presenta buenos cambios rítmicos, con una impecable ejecución de la guitarra y el bajo. Un punto en contra en este tema es la voz de Spitz, ya que en algunos momentos las voces bajas suenan un poco débiles, además de la pronunciación del inglés, que por momentos se siente algo forzada. Otra particularidad de esta canción es que se siente como si estuviese construida en dos partes, una primera más potente, seguida por un quiebre melancólico que da pie a la segunda parte. En “Sol Invictus” se pueden apreciar varios cambios en la voz, y también el aporte otorgado por la presencia de un teclado bastante atmosférico en un comienzo, el cual pronto se transforma en un piano que va marcando el ritmo junto a la batería, como un complemento perfecto. En este tema la voz de Spitz suena bastante mejor que en el anterior, destacando los tonos graves y el coro al final, como una lánguida letanía. “Alexander” es un tema que destaca principalmente por la ejecución de los riffs de guitarra, y también por su letra, que hace referencia a la niñez del ocultista Aleister Crowley. En “Mary Jane Kelly” nos encontramos con un agradable tema acústico, con una guitarra notablemente bien ejecutada y algunos potentes silencios entre frases que entregan una tensión dramática notable a la canción. El punto más alto del disco vendría siendo “Dante in the Dusky Woods”, un tema en el que la influencia de Opeth es realmente notoria, con pasajes cálidos, llenos de diversas texturas y emociones, y una impecable ejecución de los instrumentos. Después nos encontramos con “Deathcode of the Devil Worshippers”, un tema en tres partes, en el cual su primera parte denominada “Friends of Hell” resulta bastante interesante por el cambio en la vocalización y sus matices correspondientes. La segunda parte, “Suicide Pact” cuenta con unos riffs bastante poderosos, y el fraseo de Spitz resulta bastante interesante. Notable es también el sonido de la batería de Sangoï, así como también la letra del tema, la mejor lograda del disco, con frases como “Hagamos un pacto con el Demonio tú y yo, somos lo mismo y no nos avergonzamos de estar malditos”. La trilogía se cierra con “Around the Graves”, un tema en el cual la letra toma un protagonismo clarísimo por sobre la musicalidad del mismo. El disco cierra con “The Dance”, un tema un tema algo plano, que deja el cierre del disco un poco en el aire.<br />
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En general, un disco agradable y novedoso de cierta forma para los amantes de los géneros cercanos al Gothic y Doom, pero para disfrutarlo se requiere tener una apertura de mente un tanto considerable. Buen trabajo de estos franceses, que esperamos logren conseguir un sello pronto.Modern Funeral Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00749879305610926206noreply@blogger.com0