My experience with Italian ‘zine Vincebus Eruptum is usually the same each issue. It arrives in the mail sometime after I see the awesome-looking cover online, I open it up, flip through, and immediately find like 15 records I want to buy. I’m not sure how many times I’ve said it, but as a fan of European heavy psych and of heavy rock in general, Vincebus Eruptum is an indispensable resource.

This time around, with issue #14, my interest was piqued by records from Tons, Electric Swan and a debut 7″ from Friendship, and interviews with Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. Orchid, Doomraiser, Witchcraft and Naam made for good reads, while the examination of cult folkers Black Widow‘s legacy and the special look at the Italian scene in listing bands, labels, promoters and venues was educational in that made-me-want-to-go-to-Italy kind of way. A lot of things are educational like that.

Editor Davidew and his crew are unparalleled in their support for Italian heavy, so the lists of bands/labels/etc. wasn’t necessarily out of place, but still appreciated. A Q&A with Roma drunkards Doomraiser was also killer, and when it comes to the reviews, the latest from labels like Rise Above and Small Stone were represented along with Heavy Psych Sounds, Bloodrock Records and Electric Magic. Since some of the stuff in there I’ve already reviewed, it was great to get another take, and for albums pending on my list like Mother of God and House of Aquarius, cool to see what someone else thought even as I form my own opinions.

I continue to respect the hell out of Vincebus Eruptum, for bring a print mag in a digital world, yeah, but more for just being generally awesome. Their output is of reliable quality and they know their subject matter better than almost anyone on the planet, and really my only hope is that they keep it up into perpetuity. A strong allegiance to the Euro (specifically the Italian) psychedelic rock scene and the likes of Go Down Records places them at the forefront of their stated sphere. Limited copies of the latest issue include a compilation CD with tracks from Insider, Perizona Grass, Epstein Superflu and others as well as an exclusive poster. You can’t lose.

Vincebus Eruptum’s website

Vincebus Eruptum BigCartel store

Tags: Italy, Vincebus Eruptum

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013 at 12:07 pm and is filed under Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.