Reviews; Fanzines!
The firstborn outcome of Hinsides Magazine was ment to shed some light upon what´s happening today in the fields of fan made publications. A self-evident theme as the whole idea behind this bulletin of Hinsides publications are to inspire likeminded people to be creative at their own terms and to find each other across real or imagined borders. To embody this ambition there were questions asked to each and everyone of the participants, and in the reviews section there were a close-up on some of the most interesting contemporary fanzines. Today we give you some examples of these scrutinities; made with love and devotion as always.
Becoming the Forest; Issue 2/3
Becoming the Forest #3 (2019)
Around this time (Spring) last year I attended to ”The Abyss Festival” in Gothenburg and among the cool things that I saw under these days were #2 of BTF. It caught my eye from one of the sales tables looking all sexy with a grim logo printed on the pitch black torso. Since I was low on cash at the time I did not purchase it right away but I did not forget about it and now I´ve manage to get it together with it´s sequel that are up for being analysed here right now;
The first thing I noticed by putting my hands on this third outcome of BTF, published by Het Bos 2019, is that it´s cover pages are less thick than it´s precursor. A huge improvement I´d say as it facilitates the reading of this approx, 150 pages a lot. Yeah, it´s a lot to fathom, but let’s start to define what we are dealing with here, shall we? The scope of the content and the fact that it is funded by the institution of cultural support in Norway, makes it more of a book than a fanzine really.
I guess you could say that if a proper zine is/was like some chaotic and obnoxious juvenile, BTC would be an older and more mature sibling who looks lovingly at the little ones as she has learned to handle life more responsibly herself. Anyhow, what you get here in number three is a continuation of what this publication is all about and I sincerely recommend you to find out for yourself as BTF is a lot more than just a cool gem to flash your feed with.
To me this third outcome is the best one yet as it features a highly interesting conversation with plant researcher Monica Gagliano, and two equally informative articles that both has different views on trees and forests as their main subjects. One about Birches in old Russian paintings and one about how the forest were used by the nazis as an identity marker in their propaganda. You also get interviews with musicians that more or less are roaming in the post-Black-Metal fields. Like Turia from the Netherlands and Grift from Sweden. (Just to give you a hint of the editors acquired taste.)
Norwegian Spruce; examined in “Becoming the forest” #2
In addition to this you also get treats like a description of the Ogham alphabet and an excerpt from one of Hildegard von Bingens visions.
Totally rad content if you ask me.
BTF; Larger than print!
I got my ex from the ”Cult Never Dries”, sorry, Dies! distro, but you can also order it directly from their bigcartel site.
https://becomingtheforest.bigcartel.com/products
Rotstock #1 (2019)
Despite a name that resembles a lot to that of a certain german ”Regiopole”, this newly born zine has actually not that many other similarities to share with the city of Rostock. A disappointment to some, perhaps, but one must assume that the Rotstock family are willing to take that risk. This first issue is almost completely dedicated to what the authors refers to as a ”current boom” in the Dungeon Synth genre. A genre that I knew a lot less about before I got my hands of this highly informative zine. I ordered it from ”Forsaken Relics” in Denmark but it seems like the originators are Swedes (there are a version written in swedish as well) so there might be a way to get it easier if you live in Sweden? Featured artists are among others, Örnatorpet, Wizzard and Sidereal Fortress. On top of this you get a few reviews as well as some wellwritten articles about related stuff such as space and mystical historical events. If you´re curious about this kind of music and what´s going on at the moment, don´t hesitate to enter the dungeons that Rotstock are meant to convey. Yey!
https://forsakenrelics.com/product-category/zines/
Urkraft #2 “Alla talar Svenska”
Urkraft #2 (2019)
It says ”Scandinavian metal fanzine” on the cover of this one, which is true by all means, but perhaps ”everyone speaks swedish” should be added to this slogan as well? Just to avoid any confusion about the language matter. This A5 sized, 56 pages long, coverage of some parts of the swedish metal underground is, as you so cleverly figured out, written in swedish and it seems like it´s founder, Daniel Norrman, is happy with Urkraft being exclusive reading for us who knows what ”Runka Snorkråka” means. Urkraft offers some nice chats with both new underground acts, such as Mystik, and Murdryck, and more established bands like Wolf and Wormwood.
It´s overall a good read with initiated and enough interesting questions to the participants. Daniels enthusiasm about music and to connect likeminded people is shining through in a good way, and the fact that this zine has evolved out of a facebook community might suggest that it´s probably what this zine is all about, right? The third number are probably already available when you read this. (And even #4 has shown up since this review were made.)
Search “urkraft” on FB to find out more….
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