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71. Tidfall - Circular Supremacy 2000 [Nocturnal Art Productions]
Signed to Nocturnal Art by the enigmatic Samoth [Emperor]. Corpse painted and carved around the Black Metal framework, Tifall have suffered the fate of forever wallowing in the shadow of Dimmu Borgir, a comparison the band no doubt are sick of, yet it is unavoidable. Musically, Tidfall are a monstrously talented band with a set of songs featured of the debut, Circular Supremacy, that shred the ears with majestic symphonic pomp.
The fact that these tracks mirror image Dimmu Borgir's, Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, and to some extent, Spiritual Black Dimensions, where the complexities of individuality begin to absorb into each other.
Tidfall are barking at the heels of Dimmu Borgir with this album, yet they never surpass them. Such is the brilliance of Dimmu Borgir's orchestrated darkened music. To Tidfalls credit, tracks like In a Dark Dream, or Shining Serpent, are brilliant pieces of symphonic Black Metal, and this album is well worth your attention. 
 
72. Enthral - Prophecies of the Dying 1997 [Hot Records]
Formed in 1995, the band released several demos that led to the bands finest release of, Prophecies of the Dying, in 1997. The sound is driven by fast lengthy technical arrangements that collide into slower sections where female operatic vocals set in and more subtle moments can be experienced. For the most part, this is snare pounding Black Metal with a cleaner edge to the atmosphere, thus steering the whole chaotic tumult away from the low-fi dirges of fellow countrymen, Gorgoroth and their ilk.
 
 
73. Carpathian Full Moon - Serenades in Blood Minor 1994 [Avantgarde Music]
Some of you may argue the inclusion of this band as their music is a more doom laden journey through melodic progressive orientated metal. Yet, when the bands 7” Caedes Sacrilegae appeared in 1993, it sat quite comfortably with other releases of the time, namely Gehennas ‘Ancestor of the Darkly Sky’, and closely following Dimmu Borgir and Ancient two vinyl’s.
The graveolent vocals and guitar style was in tune with the developing Norwegian Black Metal scene and for this very fact does this release qualify for inclusion here.
The overall atmosphere on this album is more primed for warm melodies than rabid
vehemence, and like Gehenna, Carpathian Full Moon make good use of keyboards to add an ethereal touch to the sound. The music is not as rampant or full bodies as other Black Metal acts of the time, yet the texture and experimental nature the band displayed afforded their music to blend into the scene with ease. One of the more accessible releases of the era.
 
74. Wallachia - From Behind The Light 1998 [Velvet Music]
Formed in 1992, the name is taken from a province in Transylvania, where Vlad ‘Dracul’Tepes was prince of Wallachia.
With a 1996 demo re-released on mcd in ’97 via Velvet Music, the bands first [and last] album ‘From Behind the Light’, was a balanced mid tempo style of symphonic brooding metal. The one unique factor of this band was the utterly distorted vocal delivery. The abrasive tone of the vocals clashed with the less agnostic feel to the music, with a leaning towards pondering rhythm’s that occasionally hit the fast mode. The same compositional balance was employed by early, Nightfall [Greece], who were very adept at this hollow
doom feeling. The guitar tones are reminiscent of Rotting Christ at times, thus making this album a flavour of its own when set amongst its Norwegian brethren.
 
75. Incarnator - Nordic Holocaust 1992 demo
This one of those ‘If only?’ moments. Released in 1992, alongside Immortals debut album, and the classic Emperor demo, Wrath of the Tyrants.
Sounding strikingly like Bathory’s slower compositions on ‘The Return’ opus, and one track [of the two on offer] having a similar arrangement to Venom’s ‘Don’t Burn the Witch’.
The two tracks are both powerfully atmospheric and completely indigenous to the Nordic scenes early style. With keyboards making a brief appearance, one can only guess the impact this band would have had if a full album had emerged. I would have given good odds on them becoming legends alongside Emperor and Immortal.
 
 
76. Massemond - Skogen Kallen 2003 [BlackMetal.com Records]
Atmospheric, brooding Black Metal evoking the Northland spirit.
Snarling vocals and a raw fast outer core envelope a slower folkish element. This primitive core is lifted into the abrasive fray with subtle keyboards that are driven with melody and intricate guitar acoustics. The icy Paganized aura of early Satyricon can also be attributed to the bands overall musical approach.
This is an intricate album feeding of numerous style ranging from the bombastic stomp of Bathory to the harsh coldness of Gorgoroth. The music has moments of nitrous fuelled percussion that rides alongside a symphonic spine.
The track ‘Flowers for your funeral’ is a jewel in this albums impressive repertoire, a finely crafted Black Metal song immersed in a haunting keyboard arrangement. A versatile album that touches numerous moods and manages to hold everything together thanks to the solid tracks on offer.
 
77. Mundanus Imperium - Ode to the Nightsky 1997 [Velvet Music]
Here’s a band that appeared with a master class in melodic symphonic Norse metal and then disappeared into a prog metal black hole. The band were formed in 1994 under the name Nattefall, and the ‘Ode to the Nightsky’ demo was a wonderfully written 3 tracker. Velvet Music re-released this demo under the new band name Mundanus Imperium.
The music had depth, drama and memorable arrangements, as opposed to the not so engrossing debut long player, The Spectral Spheres Coronation, released on Nuclear Blast [idiots] in 1997. The band had somehow transformed from a highly polished Norwegian
Black Metal act into a very labouring Dimmu Borgir with clean vocals.
 
78. Voluspaa ‘T.A.E.M.E.N. demo 1995
Another little known band who appeared in the mid nineties and vanished without a trace. Like the fine likewise acts who had a similar fate, Imperium, Fimbul, Dies Irae, the music here is of a very high quality. The main driving force is the very Fenris style vocals. Musically the tracks plummet through the abyss like a fuller sounding Darkthrone. The addition of slower, more atmospheric parts break up the crudeness of the sound, adding a balance and emotion.
There is nothing original here, but the compositions are well arranged and have that ability to eat into your head and stay there. The demo has been released by Sonicdeath
Armageddon, and has been reviewed in the reviews section. http://armageddon.hypervorea.net
 
79. Ave Sathanas - Religion of Pity 2003 [Baphomet]
One of the enigmatic Frediablo's [composer, vocalist] varied bands that are composites of the Norwegian Black Metal genre, with each taking a slightly different approach. Ave Satahnas, is a far more caustic, miscellaneous project than the more predictable Hemnur, [with its blatant Dark Throne ‘Panzerfaust’ sound] or Svartpest. [Another Dark Throne cloned display of samey Black Metal]
Religion of Pity is still monotone in texture, a minimalist Black Metal album yet the intricate guitar solos and overall arrangements transform the whole experience into a bold elaboration of the Black Metal theme, carved into lore by Dark Throne's ice forming,
Under A Funeral Moon.
This is raw, primal Black Metal with chopping guitars taken from early Dark Tranquillity. The interplay with acoustic elements and exquisite guitar arrangements gives the album a more experienced feel. This is true for the first half of the album, then the songs descend into a personal madness with effect laden instrumentals out of some splatter gore fest, bizarre vocal manipulations and finally a middle eastern desert dance track. A unique experience of rudimentary extreme metal.
 
80. Fimbul ‘Rammens Ferd’ [1995 demo’s]
In essence, the entity known as Fimbul formed in Norway during the winter of 1994 by creator Ramn. Ramn, who was previously in the band Eclipse, wanted to make a project that was more to his own style, playing all instruments by himself. Fimbul released two demos in 1995, "Vinterland" and "Det Siste Slaget", which can be described as grim, atmospheric Dark Metal symphonies. Twelve years later "Vinterland", and "Det Siste Slaget" have been combined as a compilation CD, called "Ramnens Ferd", the first time this material was available on CD format.
Both demo recordings were quite unique in that they both contained fours tracks, two being
raw, primitive Black Metal, and two having a Mortis instrumental ambience to the compositions. The experience of melodic yet angst billowing atmospheres dissolving into calm, gentle soundscapes, and back again, adds to the overall musical head rush.
The demos have been re-released on the album, Rammens Ferd, through, Candarian Demon Productions/ www.myspace.com/candariandemonproductions
 

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