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81. Sykdom - Mjollnir 2005 [Black Metal.com Records] |
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A surprising release from
relatively unknown Norse act Sykdom. The music found here is a
stunning adaptation of a kind of Graveland/Hammerheart era Bathory,
hybrid. The debut release ‘Intet Liv’ in 2004 is a solid awakening,
yet ‘Mjollnir’ will cats its bombastic spell upon the ears with
considerable ease.
There is an emotion emanating from the songs, a deep passion imbued
within the atmosphere that is absorbed with every note. 5 lengthy
hymns to the Nordic past by the use of a simple application of
cosmic induced song craft/ dreamy pounding arrangements and an
immensely strong acoustic driven back-bone. The references to
Bathory are unmistakeable, |
| yet with a
Graveland innocence reaching out of the music, a certain raw edge is
released. The final song ignites into a blast feast, dragging the
whole release into the Black Metal cauldron from whence it was born.
A truly invigorating album. |
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82. Stillhet - Gjemt I Skyggene 2005 [Northern
Silence Productions] |
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Funeral Black Metal of
labouring guitar strains and resonate bass chords following a
plodding percussion across the dreary essence of a slow burning
dirge. Subtle keyboards encapsulate the hollow atmosphere of damp
morbidity whilst the air ripping vocal snarls serenade the senses
with foreboding intent. Imagine a Celtic Frost spine wrapped in the
fetid flesh of Darkthrone. The collision of the slower aching
melodies does take off into faster moments, yet it is a desolate
mood that permeates this recording from start to finish. There is a
deep emotive feeling of the solemn emanating from the phlegmatic
guitar strains evoking the dour dread of Hades. Black Metal has so
many levels of intensity and moods, |
| and here we
find a band who can serenade the night with songs of utter despair.
The new mcd out on Osmose Records 'Dømt At Have Sit Liv Forbrudt',
is a completely different beats. The production is slick, the
guitars thick and the pummelling melodies more accessible. The bands
evolving menace has taken them out of the morose and into the more
up-dated Black metal ethos. |
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83. Faustcoven - The Halo
of Burning Wings 2003 [Barbarian Wrath] |
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Fauscoven are one of the
numerous obscure acts inhabiting the underground in Norway.
This release is immersed in early Celtic Frost/Bathory, with bass
grinding mid-tempo Black Metal swooning in a retro atmosphere. The
atonal haze of begrimed power chords drags the atmosphere into a
singular level of aching harmonies, desperate to consume the air
with bleak melancholy.
The sound reeks of a mid eighties black thrash band grinding out
standard yet highly enjoyable caustic music. I believe there were
only 666 copies of this cd made, yet it is a release that oozes
passion and enjoyable music. |
| More recently
the band has appeared on a split 7” with fellow countrymen,
Koldbraan. [see reviews for overview] Faustcovens track, Orgy in
Sodom, is more of the retro murky orthodox style that shrouded the
bands album. |
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84. Beastcraft - Into the
Burning Pit of Hell 2005 [Desastrious Records] |
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A band who creep into this
list more so for their 2004 demos that are equally as striking as
this debut album. The icy atmosphere follows in the unhallowed foot
steps of Dark Thrones, Under a Funeral Moon/Transylvanian Hunger’s
Musical ethos and imagery. Beastcraft have mastered the art of
creating the sophisticated simplicity of Satanic goat worshiping
necro Black Metal. The sound is solid for this style of Black Metal,
low-fi with bite shall we say.
Immortal style distorted vocals, snare bashing and razor guitars
riffs are hurtled from the bowels of Hell at a velocity intended to
cause maximum aural decimation. The band flick from the utterly
despicable blasting noise to the clever slower sections with
frightful ease. To |
combine easy
digestible melodies with utterly abhorrent fast Black Metal is where
Beastcraft excel.
There is something magical about this band, a cult mysterious
something that could be felt all those moons ago at the scenes
conception. ‘True underground Norwegian Black Metal’ is how
Beastcraft prefer to be cited as, and I wouldn’t argue with that.
www.deathcibel.com |
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85. Det Hedenske Folk - Northland Rules Supreme 1996
[No Colours] |
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Black Metal featuring
Abbath and of Immortal. The band released a MCD on No Colours
records in 1996 entitled Northland Rules Supreme. These tracks were
basically the demos from 1994. These songs also appeared on a split
cd with Abyssic Hate in 1997. The cluttered production [this is a
demo one must not forget] gives this savage release its cult status.
Relatively unknown and more renowned for Abbath's involvement than
striking musical creativity. That said this has all the hallmarks of
an early immortal recording.
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86. Throne of Katarsis - Unholy Holocaust Winds 2004 demo
|
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This 3 track demo kicks off with an eleven minute epic set to a
Mayhem/Attila Vocal style and equally primal Mayhem style Black
Metal. The blood of the past spills forth from the chilling
atmosphere exuding from the clamorous swathes of distortion here,
fuzzy guitar drones, tin pot snares and a raw stage production aural
sharpness. Acoustic guitars break up the angst, yet this is a bleak
and caustic glimpse of the classic era style of Norwegian Black
Metal.
Released more recently on limited cd by Paradigms Recordings |
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87. Imperium 1996 demo
[Lyderhorn Records] |
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A lost jewel in the Norwegian Black Metal crown of an untitled 1996
demo that was never released until recently when independent label
Lyderhorn Records pressed a limited [500] one sided vinyl.
The style of Black Metal is like early Gorgoroth [Pentagram era]
twisted with a raw Enslaved. Keyboards make an occasional
appearance, but it’s the finely crafted fast grim music that takes
centre stage. The sound is demo quality, but good enough to savour a
lost moment of the past. The band featured Trym [Emperor, Satyricon,
Enslaved] on drums, and some members of Dismal Euphony. |
| If you search hard enough you may acquire this rather decent
release. |
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88. Perdition Hearse - Mala Fide 1992 demo |
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Formed in 1990 and
featuring, Stian ‘Occultus’ Johansenn’ [also in Mayhem during 1991],
and with this solitary 4 track demo, Perdition Hearse can be cited
as one of the earliest Norwegian Black Metal affiliated acts. The
aural suffering emitted here can equate to other acts of the era,
notably Greek band Nightfall and even Rotting Christ.
There is an apathetic sludge driven through the compositions as they
ooze their algid atmospheres from the base level of a genre yet to
be born. We must remember, Euronymous was murdered the year this
demo came out. A truly time encapsulated release that sits along
side the Thorns demo as a shivering glimpse into pre- Norwegian
Black Metal incarnate |
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89. Mactatus - Complex
Bewitchment 2000 [Napalm Records] |
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One of the oldest of Norwegian Black Metal bands. Formed in 1989
under the name of Blasphemy, it was in 1993 that Mactatus was born
as a solidified unit. After two demos, the debut album Blott was
released in 1997 on Embassy Productions. With the exception a few
impressive tracks, this release suffered from a muffled production,
high in the mix reverberating grim vocals and an overall ragged
primeval core sewn into the semi-keyboard layered material.
After releasing a limited promo EP in 1998, the band signed to
Napalm Records, and the quite stirring keyboard injected Black Metal
of Providence of Cruelty, was born in 1999. |
Here was a
more refined version of Blott with a decent production and the
symphonic element more prominent.
There is a strong trace of early Covenant/Emperor in the mix and
the addition of female vocals adds a gothic edge to the atmosphere.
The third album, Complex Bewitchment, in 2000 is a sharp, immense slab
of articulate orchestral Black Metal that rides the same majestic
wave as Dimmu Borgirs, Spiritual Black Dimensions. A highly polished
production and killer songs set this release as the bands finest
moment, although maybe not as dark as previous releases.
Shame about the utterly shit Gothic cover art. |
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90. Raven - F.M 1997 [No Colours Records] |
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Raven [featuring a member from Forgotten Woods], released two demos
under the name RAVN. They formed in 1993 and proclaiming to play ‘Misanthropic Black Metal’.
Reeking of a Burzum demo, the 4 tracks ooze the rotting charm of the
underground and the obscurity levelled at such non-profitable
releases.
The material is well written and very similar again to the Burzum
school of hollow, orthodox Black Metal.
The vocals are pure ear grating screeches and tormented yelps, so
reminiscent of Varg Vikernes its uncanny.
For diehards and fans of ultra raw, primitive Norwegian Black
Metal. You will either find the music total shit or drown in its
unnatural beauty, depending on your point of view. |
| The irony of this MCD is the title, F.M, which was shortened by the
label from Fascist Machine. I will leave it to you to find the irony
for yourselves. |
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