Spectral Manifestations Ov Ọlọdumare (Instrumental Rough Mix)

This is an Instrumental Rough Mix of the dominant track "Spectral Manifestations Ov Ọlọdumare" which will be featured on the upcoming -CONRAD WITHIN- Demo.

100 copies of the Remastered Oseaan Kroniek demo are now available on CD Via ▽ Carib Metal Horde ▽ (Merch Store) *2011 UPDATE*

Here is the Official page: www.freewebstore.org/carib-metal-horde
Now Printed on Astroparche Card.

HOW TO ORDER


Visit this site to purchase via PayPal: http://www.freewebstore.org/Carib-Metal-Horde/Oseaan+Kroniek+Remastered+CD/p686524_3002134.aspx


Contact me through email at: slayerbbk@hotmail.com or conrad-illu@live.com with the Title: "Merch Order" (or call me on my cell phone @ 12468334709 between 4 PM - 12 PM Mon - Fri & Sat-Sun any hour) to place orders on the items you wish to purchase. This would also give me a heads up so I can start preparing the requested items.

Interview With Emdeka of Conrad by Pest Webzine (11th October 2010)

PW: Please tell us about the history of your band and its members.

E: Conrad was formed on August 5th 2009. At the time the project was known as “Ravenous Reapers”. The name was then changed to “Tohara Harakati”, since I wanted to add historical West-African themes into the music. I thought I had translated “Purgatory Process” to Swahili; then someone informed by that Tohara Harakati actually meant “Circumcision Movement” (or something of the sort). Upon this discovery, I started searching around on the internet and for names of any historic local paranormal creatures that would stand out both in the Metal community & the country. Eventually I found Conrad. It’s said to be a local ghost or spirit who possessed women and live in their stomachs. This became the official name of the band.

Also during the “Tohara” era, there were 3 other members (one on Rhythm Guitar, one on Bass and one handling keyboard duties). But it turned out that two of the guys had different musical interest and goals and we had also lost contact with the other guy so I decided to do everything myself.

The first song I recorded was an instrumental Burzum cover of “Ea, Lord of the Depths”. This along with some other random covers was (surprisingly) appreciated by people world-wide.

On the 17th of August, two session members formed the new horde; Lord Ifrit & Fornost.

Lord Ifrit is the mastermind behind Jamaica’s first and only Black Metal project called Orisha Shakpana. Even though we share common interest & goals and our bands are pretty identical there are a few differences. Conrad incorporates symphonies & atmospheric elements into the music while Orisha Skakpana is simply raw and more aggressive with darker themes (such as Satanism, Necrophilia, Rape, Torture, etc)

Fornost hails from the Republic of Nicaragua and performs vocals for the Raw Depressive Suicidal Black Metal band Angest (I recently joined the band as the drummer under the pseudonym Xanthrope) & Manic Disorder.

PW: How would you describe your style? Which bands influenced your music?

E: First of all, I just want to make it clear that Conrad is NOT a Black Metal band. The genre, however is the main influence on the bands musical composition and expression. Although I do not wish to use this term, many people still choose to describe the music as “Melodic/Atmosheric Black Metal” or simply “Folk Black Metal”, which is ok I guess. Personally, I use the term “Bajan Folk Metal” since the band is based on dark Barbadian folklore in the first place. I also use Orchestral/Symphonic elements in the music as well to set a nice eerie atmosphere.

Conrad is mainly influenced by the groundbreaking bands of the early Black Metal scene such as, Emperor, Burzum, Mayhem, Immortal, Bathory, Darkthrone, etc. I’ve also been amazed & inspired by the composing skills of Terje Bakken (better known as “Valfar” of Windir). Valfar’s use of folk instruments from his native homeland in Norway and lyrical themes about the history and events that took place there caught my interest. Also the transformation of Norwegian Folk songs into full-on Extreme Metal versions instantly poured ideas into my head. Sepultura and their use of traditional Brazilian music in their material also inspired me to use elements of Afro-Caribbean music in my future releases. Ocultan from Brazil use such elements in their music. Such bands have broadened my vision towards Conrad.

Composers of Dark Classical music like Bach, Beethoven, Wagner & Mozart have a strong impact on Conrad as well.

PW: Why should a metalhead buy your demos/albums?

E: Well none are on sale at the moment (I hope hahaha) and probably won’t be for a while. All the releases are currently free, and will be for a while.

But hey, if any future released are for sale, you should only buy them if you like Conrad’s musical expression & vision. Makes sense to me…

PW: What have you released so far and how were your releases received by the public/media?

E: A Burzum cover promo: “Lord Of The Depths (2010 E.V.)” & the band’s first original demo: “Oseaan Kroniek” were released this year via file sharing sites.

The reactions for these were pretty decent. I advise those who like them to look out for the upcoming demo called “-Conrad Within-“. It will haunt you…

PW: Do you play live as well? How's your live activity so far?

E: No live shows. There probably won’t be any in the future either. Reasons for this are simple.

1) Barbados is an anti-metal community. Therefore venues/gigs for extreme metal bands will be nearly impossible to find. Most of the “fans” consist of trendy mallcore kids who I couldn’t careless about. They have this pathetic “rockstar” fashion craving mentality where everyone cares about impressing each other with their latest clothes & hair designs. No one cares about the hard work and time that we (local musicians/bands) put into composing & practicing. No one cares about the music. They only care about the attention and popularity among their peers. Most of these same people also tend to act a little retarded when it comes to extreme musical art and find it difficult to appreciate such supreme art.  I would be most displeasing performing for such people.

2) It would be difficult to find musicians who are open-minded and interested in playing metal.

3) I can be a lazy bastard at times. I don’t want too much on my plate at the moment.

But who knows what the future may hold?

PW: What should labels/zines/promoters know about your band? Why should they be interested in it?

E: Conrad is (currently) the only metal band in the island (and probably the first). I think that’s enough.

PW: What plans do you have for the near future as a band?

E: After the “-Conrad Within-“ demo is completed, I intend to so some splits with various bands and also some Black Metal cover releases.

PW: Where can we listen to your band and where can we buy your stuff?

E: Well nothing is one sale at the moment. Music can be downloaded via filesharing sites. The links are located on the band’s myspace page: www.myspace.com/conradbb. Music can also be heard at http://www.youtube.com/user/Conradbim. Also, contact me at slayerbbk@hotmail.com if you encounter any problems.

INFERNAL HAILS!!!

New Wallpaper @ Deviant Art

The New wallpaper can be viewed/downloaded here: http://slayerbbk.deviantart.com/art/Conrad-Iba-Se-Orisa-Eshu-180029057

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)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq9bB6_sgG4

Fornost in Manic Disorder performing "Broken Down Cities"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkJT1QBjiT4

Cover of Dimmu Borgir's "The Night Masquerade"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ga2q2h9mpyU

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzNBSYPWpIc

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrevLO6ojMc

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

Angest @ http://www.youtube.com/user/AngestBand

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.

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…

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

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)