OLDSCHOOL METAL MANIAC 8 (2015)

October 2015, 118/A4, printed, Polish, interviews: SARCOFAGO, HOBBS’ ANGEL OF DEATH, ATTOMICA, MANILLA ROAD, MYSTIFIER, PENTAGRAM (Chile), VULCANO, WARRANT, GENOCÍDIO, RAPED CHRIST, MX, AGGRESSIVE MUTILATOR, SCARECROW, EVIL MACHINE, AXECUTER, TERRORDOME, VAMPYR, DETHRONED CHRIST, CYROGRAF zine.

Somehow I overlooked the first issue of this professional release, luckily Leszek did a small reprint and I bought a copy for myself. Maybe it’s not a fully new stuff, as it is considered as some kind of compilation of two previous ones. And what can I say when first seen? For sure he managed to collect another great names, but this isn’t a surprise, as opposed to Polish language included with this number. The whole reading content runs very smoothly, layout is transparent, legible, text without printing or spelling errors. What about interviews? Leszek is an old stager, so there’s no concern he could deliver boring lame questions. That’s true the opening intie with the leader of Sarcofago seems to be a high point this time, and, as he wrote in the introduction to it, this is the last element of the puzzle (look at the previous issues). Over forty questions, answered in a sincere and straight-forward way, make this piece a really good one. But, this opener isn’t the best one in the family. Why? Because no slowing down attitude of Mark Shelton doesn’t cease to astonish me. Again with passion and no-rock-star exaltation he answers the way I like the most. And there’s only one note when Leszek asked about another forms of art. Mark could be more exuberant. All right, the next highlight is Evil Machine definitely, but in the case of Sebastian, I’m accustomed to see such interesting expositions. Then, quite long talk with another scene dinosaur Peter Hobbs, and the shorter but also ass-kicking with old German crushing acts Warrant and Vampyr.

It’s not a secret that Leszek is possessed by Brazilian scene. So, except for mentioned Sarcofago, the presence of Vulcano,  Genocídio, Attomica, MX (it’s first intie with creators of “Simoniacal” I have ever read, unfortunately with many laconic answers…), Axecuter, Dethroned Christ and Mystifier doesn’t surprise me. What is more, the authors of “Wicca” and “Göetia” albums have a special place as well, with described early materials, however interview with Beelzeebubth isn’t anything special.

In regard of the reviews, the whole number isn’t something exceptional, only six pieces of zines and 79 of music releases. Not too much on 118 pages, isn’t it? But eight of them are quite different than the rest. They are just longer reminding me of some kind of essay. And let me mention alternately these titles: “INRI”, “Rotting”, “Die Hard”, “Hellish Crossfire”, “Endless Pain”, “Open the Gates”, “Seven Churches”, “Necrolust”. It is always good idea to show legendary killers in such a way: complex, with many historical facts, splashed by never-ending passion and profound knowledge. Hope Leszek will provide this kind of presentations in next issues…

What to put on the end? For sure Oldschool Metal Maniac magazine is one of the brightest pieces of paper on the entire Polish underground scene. And for sure he invented the method how to enlengthen a calendar day. Just look on all (???) his activities: this magazine, Thrashing Madness Productions, Necromantical Screams band, the art performances. Great that printing force is still with him, as another issue has been announced not long ago. Again with killing names, again with old school spirit spreading its charm through the pages!

http://www.oldschool-metal-maniac.com/

9/10

-Tlacaxipehualiztli

(written in March, 2016)