Tuesday, 21 September 2010
New Wallpaper @ Deviant Art
The New wallpaper can be viewed/downloaded here: http://slayerbbk.deviantart.com/art/Conrad-Iba-Se-Orisa-Eshu-180029057
Friday, 3 September 2010
Inside Conrad: Part IV – Session Members: Fornost & Lord Ifrit
Conrad proudly announces that two new session members have joined.
Introducing Fornost
Fornost
Hailing from the Republic of Nicaragua, Fornost is well acknowledged by fans of the Central American Underground Metal scene, as well as fans of Raw Depressive Suicidal Black Metal. He performs vocals for Angest, Manic Disorder and now Conrad.
Suicidal Possession Demo by Angest
(PopularSilencer Cover by Angest)
Fornost in Manic Disorder performing "Broken Down Cities"
Cover of Dimmu Borgir's "The Night Masquerade"
I first discovered his talent when I listened to his vocal cover of Emperor’s “Lord of Storms” and I was impressed.
Fornost nails "Lord Of The Stroms" by Emperor
Lord Ifrit
Lord Ifrit
The mastermind behind the Jamaican Black Metal project Orisha Shakpana is now aboard as well. The guy recently released his new album and I must say, it is a big step forward from his earlier material. “Spectral Duppymaan Black Metal" clearly states that the Dark Caribbean Kvlt is indeed ALIVE. I heard a few songs from this record and I can’t wait to listen to the full thing.
"Cult Of The Black Goat" off of the "Spectral Duppymaan Black Metal” 2010 Album by Orisha Shakpana
Both members joined on the 17th of August 2010 and will be appearing on a few tracks & releases in the future.
Check out Orisha Shakpana @ www.myspace.com/orishaoftheearth
And Manic Disorder @ http://www.youtube.com/user/TheManicdisorder
Inside Conrad: Part III – Dual Entities (Veldt Soldaat/Emdeka)
In this project, I use two pseudonyms to identify with the different moods, atmospheres and musical styles within the releases.
Veldt Soldaat
(Field Solider in Afrikaans) He is an ex-slave who led a successful revolt at a plantation on the countryside of Barbados. After killing his master and other slave owners, he is seen as a “warrior of the fields” by the others. He now frequents the natural landscape and tells mystic tales about his past and present life. He finds happiness with the sounds of Nature.
Emdeka
A misanthropic entity summoned by the Orisha Eshu (Deity of Chaos and Trickery, Lord of death and ruler of the crossroads in Yorùbá mythology. Also known as Exu in Quimbanda & Legba in Voodou) to spread evil, fear and misery upon the Barbadian population (they are seen as betrayers of the Orishas since they have convert to the Christian faith) and releases various creatures and ghouls such as Conrad into their community.
Basically, Veldt is the calm, atmospheric, indigenous, adventurous representative of Conrad while Emdeka portrays the Hellish, malevolent, evil, sinful, malicious, foul, revolting, vile & obnoxious side.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Oseaan Kroniek Demo Now On CD
10 Copies of the Oseaan Kroniek Demo are now available on CD for free. (For Local Friends only)
Upcoming Demo: -Conrad Within-
I am currently in the process of writing new songs for another demo called: "-Conrad Within-". Unlike the recent fantasy based “Oseean Kroneik”, this future release will be far more darker abnd eerie; in terms of the musical, lyrical and visual aspects entailed.
It will also include the first original Conrad track that was written in the “Tohara” Era.
Not much can be said about “-Conrad Within-“ at the moment, but it will be “Kvlt as Fvck” and shall have you “scotching” on the edge of your seat.
Stay posted for updates, there are a few surprises along the Path ov Exu…
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Interview with Kadeem Ward by Shako Gibson of Flash Magazine. (August.10.2010)
Q: Who is CONRAD, and how has he influenced this demo?
A: Conrad is said to be a ghost who possessed women and live in their stomachs. It is one of the many mythical creatures in old Bajan Folklore. I came across it while reading a folk book. I haven't found a lot of info surrounding the origins of this ghost, but I believe that it was summoned by obeah men. I thought that it was a cool idea to use the name for a project based on dark Bajan Folklore, so I did.
A lot of people don't know about it though, well younger people. I find it interesting that a lot of Barbadians know about "The Heart-Man" or "The Steel Donkey" but only a handful have heard about Conrad. Interesting enough, The Merrymen, a popular Barbadian Folk Band wrote a song called "Conrad" years ago. I discovered this recently after browsing through some videos on Youtube.
Thats another reason I chose the name; its rare to the public. Well there wasn't an influence by the actual ghost on the demo. Oseaan Kroniek was really a fantasy based creation. It was intended to set an adventurous atmosphere for the listeners. The next set of originals I intend to release WILL be influenced by Conrad and other dark creatures and deities such as the Orisha, Eshu.
Q: What genre you would say best suits your work?
A: Atmospheric Folk Metal or Ambient Folk Metal
Q: How long did the demos take to make?
A: Well I wrote the songs between the end of December last year and late June. It took me two months (July & August) to complete everything after days of recording, editing, mixing, deleting, idleness, re-recording and mastering.
Q: What is usually involved in the music making process for you?
A: Quiet days and quiet nights! I try my best to have a clear mind before i'm about to record anything, so I go for a walk at night in these isolated parts of St. Philip and try my best to block out the world before I lay down any riffs.
Sadly I was constantly interrupted during the process and ended up rushing everything. And for this reason, I am not satisfied with the Oseaan Kroniek demo because I wanted to add a lot more musical elements into it.
Even though I wasn't impressed, quite a few people seemed to be. So far the "Ocean Chronicle" track seems to be a favourite of the local and international fans.
Q: Who are some of your biggest influences in the music scene?
A: I have influences coming from every corner of the globe but I would have to say that my main influences come from the early Norwegian Black Metal bands, especially the work of Varg Vikernes of Burzum, Ihsahn of Emperor & Valfar of Windir.
Their use of strong epic ambient pieces, aggressive shredding and profound lyrics really inspired me and the music I produce.
Composers of Dark Classical music like Bach, Beethoven, Wagner & Mozart have a strong impact on Conrad as well.
I intend to include some elements of Afro-Caribbean music in my future releases. A rare Jamaican Black Metal band called Orisha Shakpana & Ocultan from Brazil had used such elements in their music. I find their music very inspiring. Both bands have broadened my vision towards Conrad.
Q: What would you say your aim is with the sound you are trying to project or vibe?
A: I guess my main goal is to preserve and teach historical tales and ancestral myths about Barbados, The Caribbean & Africa; while putting Barbados on the map for something other than sandy beaches, sugar cane, cricket & Rihanna *laughs*
Q:Is "Lord of the Depths" a reference to the devil by any chance?
A: No. But thats an interesting question though. I got the title from a Burzum song called "Ea, Lord Of The Depths". The "Lord" being Ea. Ea is the later Babylonian name of Enki, a God in Sumerian mythology. The lyrics of the song are not Varg's creation but rather a transcription from a Babylonian inscription describing one of Ea's forms, Sassu Wunnu.
It has a reptilian physical appearance as stated in the lyrics and is probably just a dragon or dinosaur.
Q: When do you plan to release a full length album?
A: I intend to as soon as I get some good equipment. I want to enhance my home studio and get some new guitar gear. I currently play a $99 electric guitar which can be HIGHLY ANNOYING at times; I currently use my cell phone to record vocals since I don't have a microphone and I also need a better amplifier. I'm low on funds so it's going to be a while before a full length Conrad album is released.
Q: Who would you like to have as a guest vocally or instrumentally on an album with you?
A: Yes, I do plan too. A few people approached me about it already, but i'm not ready yet. There are some things that need to be sorted out before I can though.
Q: Are you planning on making a video for any of the tracks?
A: No, not for the stuff on "Oseaan Kroniek". I was thinking about recording a video sometime in the future though. Gullies and beaches will be occupied!
The interview was great! Looking forward to doing more with you man. Hailz! Iba!
To listen to CONRAD's music go to: http://www.myspace.com/conradbb
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Oseaan Kroniek Lyrics
I. Oseaan Kroniek
-Instrumental-
“As Olokun awakes, water trickles from a single stalactite in the cave of Vehemence. Followed by others, it flows down a narrow stream, through limestone, to the River of Empathy, which leads to the Ocean, the Ocean of Chronicles”
II. Ocean Chronicle
Into the vast aquatic spheres untouched by man
A light of reverence breaks the blackened void
A void home to beast that once conquered
And now rest eternally
Into the vast ocean where chronicles unfold
Stories took place that have never be told
A deity reigns in these depths
One who seeks revenge
Olokun seeks to cleanse the earth
Casting great walls of destruction
He calls on Oya.
She vomits a gust of wind upon the betrayers
Swiftly an old Houngan rides a Horfe scrying this prayer!
“I praise the Spirit of the vast Ocean
I praise the Spirit of the Ocean who is beyond understanding
Spirit of the Ocean, I will worship you, as long as there is water in the sea
Let there be peace in the Ocean
Let there be peace in my soul
The Spirit of the Ocean
The ageless one
I give my respect.
May it be so…”
Hearing this, he sheds a tear
He shrieks to the sun
The Houngan strikes Olokun with his staff
And stops the ageless one from his wrath
Oya flows with the evening winds
Olokun creeps with the dying tide
The elder rides into a thick fog
The chronicle ends as darkness falls
III. The Vehemance of Neptune
Death! I declare upon Mankind
I can no longer bear your ignorance
Your cultures
Your idols
Your existence
Go my daughters of the sea!
Devour the souls of the mortals you reach
Feed upon the drunkards and whores
Leave no remains on my ocean’s floor
As I raise my trident of vehement torture
Your vessels are sent into the ageless vortex
No more will you harm the creatures of the sea
As long as I reign these waters will be of harmony
IV. Queen Anne’s Revenge (…And The Bonnet Militia)
Avast Ye! Clear the path
The gentleman sets out to spread his wrath
On the high seas, of the West Indies
Brawl yer best aboard the Queen Anne!
(Chorus)
Revenge! For those who suffered
Revenge! For those who died
Revenge! For all those lost
Vengeance in blood his final cost.
English vessels. Bajan sloops
They stripped them all and tookst the loot!
Over the seas they greet Blackbeard
Damnation seized their souls, sailors flee in fear
(Chorus)
At Last! They reign with swords in hand
The Militia prowled on the blood-stained sand
Your crew imprisoned. Your ships were sank
Lay down ye arms or walk the plank!
(Chorus)
V. Oracles Of Olokun
-Instrumental-
“Iba Olokun fe mi lo're. Iba Olokun omo re wa se fun oyi o.
Olokun nu ni o si o ki e lu re ye toray. B'omi ta'afi. B'emi ta'afi.
Olokun ni'ka le. Mo juba. Ase.”
(Same lyrics as the spoken word in “Ocean Chronicle” in Yoruba)
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