Zwotte Kring

Welcome to the blog of Zwotte Kring!

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  Interview with Daan of Hellevaerder, Duindwaler & Throne of Time11/28/2024
  But the charm of our collective is that I can call Zwotte Kring my home. Like-minded people, everyone with a vision of their own and a skill of their own. To be a part of this group of people and ideas suits me well, we can learn from one another and share our critiques with… Read more: Interview with Daan of Hellevaerder, Duindwaler & Throne of Time
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  Asgrauw – Oorsprong10/29/2024
  This new album promises to be a continuation of Asgrauw’s tradition of thematic and sonic exploration. “Oorsprong” delves into the existential journey of modern man, exploring the disconnection from our ancestral roots and the quest to rediscover our origins. The album’s narrative is inspired by the Annunaki, the ancient deities said to have come from… Read more: Asgrauw – Oorsprong
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  Announcement; Asgrauw drops a new video09/18/2024
  With “Oorsprong,” Asgrauw is poised to once again captivate the black metal community. The album is not just a collection of songs but a journey through time and space, inviting listeners to ponder the profound questions of existence and identity. Established in 2010, Asgrauw has become a name synonymous with authenticity within the genre. Known… Read more: Announcement; Asgrauw drops a new video
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  Home music production08/23/2024
  Nowadays it is very easy to record your metal band or project at home. Anyone can get started with (free) recording software such as Reaper. Thanks to plug-ins, you can achieve a cool guitar sound in no time and with easy software drums can be programmed. This has advantages, but also a dark side. Floris… Read more: Home music production
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  ZWOTCAST S02E0207/04/2024
  The third episode of the Zwotte Kring Podcast Special guest: J. and K. of nether.J. and K. took Floris and Ward back to the track that drew them into heavier music.Talking about the Dutch and Belgian black metal underground.They all show you their latest gems, giving an update on Zwotte Kring bands and let the… Read more: ZWOTCAST S02E02
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  The Color of Rain / Meslamtaea – Nihil Vincit Omnia06/29/2024
  Even though both acts have a very different approach to their music, they’ve both proved to bring something new to the table, seamlessly blending different subgenres into a sound that is inherently their own. Lyrically, Nihil Vincit Omnia is a very dark and nihilistic view of the world and humanity. Musically, both bands have furthered… Read more: The Color of Rain / Meslamtaea – Nihil Vincit Omnia
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  Announcement; Meslamtaea drops a new track06/04/2024
  The project was founded in 1998 as a one-man formation by Floris Velthuis. After a demo and split single, the first full length was released in 2005, followed by a split EP. After a 10-year hiatus, Meslamtaea came back stronger than ever. While releasing a split single and a trilogy of full-length albums, Ward (vocals)… Read more: Announcement; Meslamtaea drops a new track
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  Announcement; TCOR drops a new track05/16/2024
  Prepare for yet another offering from the Dutch Zwotte Kring collective. Sharing multiple musicians between them, Meslamtaea and The Color of Rain decided to join forces for a split EP. Even though both acts have a very different approach to their music, they’ve both proved to bring something new to the table, seamlessly blending different… Read more: Announcement; TCOR drops a new track
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  Column: To support a label or a band?05/03/2024
  In the age of digital streaming, the act of purchasing physical music—be it CDs, tape or vinyl records—has become a statement of support, a tangible connection between fans and artists. But where should one buy these musical artifacts? Directly from the band or through the record label? It’s a question that touches on the heart… Read more: Column: To support a label or a band?
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  Interview with Bram Bruyneel04/18/2024
  Bram Bruyneel is one of the most talented artists in Belgium at the moment. He already decorated many Zwotte Kring albums with beautifully drawn covers. He also supplied the logos for, among others, The Color of Rain and Meslamtaea. It was high time to check in with him and ask about the countless projects past… Read more: Interview with Bram Bruyneel
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  ZWOTCAST S02E0104/04/2024
  The second episode of the Zwotte Kring Podcast Special guest: Kevin Kentie (Ibex Angel Order, Funeral Goat, Verbum Verus, Zwart, Sauron, etc..) Kevin takes Floris, Gerhans and Ward back to the track that drew him into heavier music.They all show you their latest gems and let the wheel of fate decide which song of Kevin’s… Read more: ZWOTCAST S02E01
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  Interview with Jo of Babylon Doom Cult Records03/15/2024
  I wanted to stop doing it a few years ago. Two releases, Shagor and Meslamtaea (Geketend in de Schaduw van het Leven), were already in production, they were still to come and then it could just stop. Suddenly the Shagor LP sold out in a few weeks, Meslamtaea also did very well and Alkerdeel asked… Read more: Interview with Jo of Babylon Doom Cult Records
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  Interview with Grafhond.03/04/2024
  The connection is Black metal. All bands take this seriously, there is not a lot of room for ego’s and there is a mutual respect. It is nice to see that there are still some Black metal bands who stay true to an original form of expression and it is less about a certain “act”… Read more: Interview with Grafhond.
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  Interview with Floris of Asgrauw, Meslamtaea, Sageland, Schavot, Stuporous & The Color of Rain.02/01/2024
  Floris is one of the hardest working men in the current Dutch black metal scene. He is one of the regular table guests at the Zwotcast, has been playing in numerous bands since the 90s and is currently involved with Asgrauw, Meslamtaea, Schavot, The Color of Rain and Stuporous. Last but not least, he is… Read more: Interview with Floris of Asgrauw, Meslamtaea, Sageland, Schavot, Stuporous & The Color of Rain.
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  Interview with Gerhans of The Color of Rain01/11/2024
  Gerhans Meulenbeld is one of the most involved people in the Zwotte Kring. Not only did he start The Color Of Rain, he also recently joined Meslamtaea and delivered solos to Schavot as a guest. He is also part of the Zwotcast team. We asked him how it all came about. 1. Hi Gerhans. You… Read more: Interview with Gerhans of The Color of Rain
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  ZWOTCAST PILOT12/29/2023
  The first episode of the Zwotte Kring Podcast Floris, Gerhans and Ward take you back to the track that drew them into heavier music.They show you their latest gems and let the wheel of fate decide which song of their discograpy should be listened to. Thanks to OJC Maddogs for making it possible to record… Read more: ZWOTCAST PILOT
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  Interview with Ward of Void Wanderer Productions12/07/2023
  In this second interview for the Zwotte Kring we dive into the world of the label Void Wanderer Productions from the Netherlands. Label owner Ward is part of our collective and also a member of Asgrauw and Meslamtaea. Out of passion for black metal, he started this label a few years ago. 1. Hi Ward,… Read more: Interview with Ward of Void Wanderer Productions
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  Interview with War Faust of War Productions11/30/2023
  The idea is to expand Zwotte Kring from a musical collective of friends to more of a platform for extreme metal fans. We start with a small series of interviews with bands, musicians and labels that are close to us and that we are interested in. The kick-off will be done by Rui from War… Read more: Interview with War Faust of War Productions