Aptorian Demon ‘Angst Jammer Og’ 7” Aftermath Music 2005
	Fast, technically astute guitar riffs and a choppy bass buzz that riddles this two tracker with strobe flickering sound-scapes. The vocals strain their infernal message across this torturous collision of snares and guitar bursts, cutting though the air like rabid banshees ablaze with the ferocity of the intense delivery of the aural violation. This is fast, decisive Black Metal that exceeds the simplicity of the orthodox, much preferring the complexities of layered arrangements and a more polished sound. Label www.aftermath-music.com
Burzum ‘Drauger’ Rarities, Black on Black Records 2005
	If the early Burzum albums were not raw enough, try this collection of obscure rehearsals and rarities to satisfy the inner need for total cult Black Metal. First off are the 3 tracks off the, Aske mcd [not that hard to acquire it must be said] and the immediate hollowness of the Burzum enigma swallows the air and saturates it with a morbid chill. [Samoth played bass on this mcd] The next 4 tracks are from a previously unreleased rehearsal/demo from 1991. You can marvel at the pre-Norwegian scene proper its unknown form, complete with a terrible sound that affords such unguarded moments.
An early rendition of, Channelling the power of souls into a new God, reeks of its own genius, its haunting keyboard an eerie relic of Burzums past. The next 3 tracks are from a 1993 session and are afforded a half decent sound. The best moments from this release appear with these tracks. It is Vargs musical vision that is captured here in its basic and course beginnings. A disturbing version of, My Journey to the stars’, is classic Burzum, and an alternative version of Lost Wisdom, from the magnificent, Det Som Engang Var album really is a highlight of this cd. This is a candid collection of bleak Norwegian Black Metal , with some awful sound quality mixed in with some stunning moments courtesy of maybe the most important Black Metal band of them all.
Diabolical Breed ‘Compendium Infernus’ Worldchaos productions 2004
	A decent production adds to this fast symphonic style Black Metal that is imbued with deep brooding atmospheres. The decisive guitars and up in the mix snare attack are skimmed by a calamitous vocals delivery that scathes the air and injecting the whole sound with a hellish confusion. The music is not as subtle as lets say Dimmu/Emperor, as this has a far more abrasive edge to the keyboard layered aural chaos. I would place the whole creative orchestration on the same level as Cradle of Filth, as its doused in darkly atmosphere and weaves a rancorous spell through lengthy compositions. Of the 9 tracks, there is an into/outro and 5 tracks all averaging 7 minutes in duration.
Diabolical Breed play a heavily orchestrated symphonic Black Metal without the immediacy of Dimmu Borgir, so the layers of keyboards need time to digest.
Eljunder ‘Daudningekvider’ Northern Silence 2005
	Cited as Folk/Black Metal, yet still retaining the rousing primitive essence of the early pioneers [notably Enslaved] of the Viking Metal style. The vocals are harsh / clean chants that illuminate the Viking Metal credentials, though one would be forgiven for believing this was a very adept, melodic Black Metal act with striking songs and uplifting atmospheres. All this disguised in a muddy raw production set to mid-tempo arrangements. There is a gentle aura to the music and the intensity level is in stark contrast to the vicious tumult of the likes of Gorgoroth. Label www.northern-silence.de
Koldbraan ,Atomvinter’ 7” Apocalyptic Empire 2006
	A more matured set of tracks that take the fury of the previous full length, Nekrotisk Inkvisition’, channelling the melody into mid-tempo compositions driven by rancid vocals and competent musicianship. There are no keyboards to hide any shortfalls in atmosphere or creative invention. Here we find a band keeping the flame of Norwegian Black Metal ablaze, without descending into the pretentious. The hammerhead snares that made the debut album so solid are here once again, twisting guitar licks ride with the leading riffs and when the band do accelerate into blast mode, the whole heaving collective rushes forth as one steam train from the jaws of
Leviathan. Band: http://koldbrann.net | Label www.apocalypticempire.com
LJA ‘Til Avsky for Livet’ Aftermath music 2006
	Cold, raging Neolithic Black Metal fused with the icy drones of Dark Throne and classic-era Satyricon, tethered to an under developed wall of ceaseless snares that are as fast as you can get. Set amongst the unease of the violent malefic musical onslaught are sections of pure genius where melody and definitive musical structures mould the material into a cohesive entity. LJA, are a furious blast of Norwegian Black Metal, set in the old school, yet this band know how to formulate songs with great depth and crushing intent. The sublime track, Et Barn Er Dodt… could have been lifted from Satryricon's, Dark Medieval Times. Such is
the charm oozing from the killer riffs. There is a savage beauty within the music that bursts from a swirling rage and yet becomes easily digested by the ears. This is one of the more orthodox releases of the year. Band: www.ljaa.net | Label www.aftermath-music.com
Malsain ‘They Never Die’ Dark Essence Records 2005
	Malsain means "sick, disturbing and suffocating ambience" in the French language. This album is a brooding dark Black Metal experience that utilizes frosty atmospheres and resonant harmonies to create a cold aural vacuum. The music drifts beyond the restraints of the minimalist, veering towards a progressive/keyboard-less Samael or Gehenna. The coarse standard fare vocals lacerate the air in torturous repose. The production is where this album strikes hardest with its darkly chill constantly haunting the arrangements that are mid-tempo driven with bursts of speed splattered about its menacing aural seduction. www.malsain.no | www.darkessencerecords.no
Nebular Mystic ‘Necrotic’ Karmageddon Media 2005
	Formed in 1999, and having released no less than 6 demos of orthodox Black Metal, with the last ‘Necrotic’ demo being released as the bands debut album by Karmageddon Media. With corpse painted members and Black and White cover art, the music can also reflect the imagery as being at times predictable, but no less angst ridden. There is nothing exploratory or new about the Immortal/Satyricon style of seething malign drenched Black Metal, yet there is a certain warmth and melody the band employ that seems very ‘Damned in Black’ Immortal era inspired. Vast abrasive riffs haul the snapping snares at full throttle in a
workman like fashion. There is a one dimensional feeling to the batch of songs on this release, and I would cite some of the bands earlier demos as containing more of a varied degree of moods and intensity. www.nebularmystic.com
Nidingr ‘Sorrow Infinite and Darkness’ Karisma Records 2005
	Featuring Teloch who also resides in Orcustus, and is Gorgoroth's live guitarist. Sharp refined Black Metal that can be likened to Emperors, Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk, meets Dodheimsgards, 666 International. The vocals are very reminiscent of Tiamats, Johan Edlund, during the bands Astral Sleep era. This really is a fine album of fast, blasting ferocity displaying some intricately woven guitar arrangements that buzz around your ears in epileptic fury. Keyboards make an occasional appearance, but not to the effect of making the release in any way as bizarre as some have cited in the numerous comparisons to the more avante garde style. Nidingr are in no way
trying to make off the wall music, this is pure aggressive Black Metal with a unique vocal delivery and a mass of killer songs oozing melody and depth.
Vidsyn/Taake split 10” Agonia Records 2006
	Two of the modern Norwegian scenes heavy weights. Both having more relevance than the likes of Gorgoroth and Dark Throne in keeping Norwegian Black Metal alive at its underground source. Vidsyn appear with ‘Men of Night’, and the Immortal clad Black Metal barrage is evident once more. A wall of berated guitars lead the lengthy track through ‘The Heart of Winter’
territory, evoking that decisive Nordic atmosphere with precision and fiery passion. www.vidsyn.net Taake appear with, ‘hennes kalde skamlepper’, A typical blasting romp across serrated riffs and bleeding vocals that subside into slower end section that bares this bands strengths. Here rests the underlying Taake experience of melodies reacting with distortion and trancelike guitar harmonies. If you need to hear a near perfect Black Metal masterpiece, get this slab of vinyl and be amazed. Taake are one of the finest Norwegian acts out there at the moment and this is the highlight of this split. http://taake.cjb.net | Label www.agoniarecords.com