The Frost - 2005 - In Conspiracy With Nature

Out of Croatia comes this one man Black Metal band with a first demo. The music presented on these three tracks is slow to mid-paced, and at times even slightly melodic, Black Metal. Musically this reminds me of Long Voyage Back, Shining, Armagedda and Blodulv. A drum machine is utilized here, but it doesn't sound as bad as the average drum machine does.

The vocals sound like a mix of Graav of Armagedda, Erik of Watain and those of Grendel in Blodulv and are really well done, aggressive and angry, just as it should be.

The quality of the recording is really quite good, with a clear and full sound. This does not sound like an average demo recording, but rather as a professional album recording. Very impressive. I would strongly urge you to buy this demo. Limited to 120 copies.

Standout track is without a doubt the extremely good "...Where the Wolves Path Lead" with

its sound of the '90ies.

Saturday June 4 2005, by :Vragh:

Semper Mors - 2004 - In Endless Despondency

From Greece comes this one man Black Metal band, presenting us with a three track demo of slow to mid-paced Black Metal. Musically I find both Transilvanian Hunger and Panzerfaust era Darkthrone here, as well as some Shining and Armagedda. Some interesting progressive parts are present here, as well. The vocals are similar to those by Nocturno Culto, only sounding more desperate. Despite this being a one man project real drums are used.

The soundquality here could have been a bit better. Lots of treble, and a quite chaotic sound in general. It takes a few listens to get used to it.

Of the tracks on this demo only one is shorter than ten minutes, which makes for a total of 25 minutes playing time, which is quite good for a demo. If you like your Black Metal raw and harsh you should definitely check out this demo.

Standout track is "In Endless Despondency".

Saturday February 12 2005, by :Vragh:

Pest - 2005 - In Total Contempt

Swedish Black Metal horde Pest are back, and with a vengeance! Their slightly delayed third fullength album is out, and I have to say that this album is, next to their amazing Blasphemy is My Throne minialbum, their best material to date. They have progressed somewhat since their last
release, while still maintaining the essence of Pest, and they even have songs here with a serious
groove to them. Their music is still mid-paced to fast, with mostly fast tracks, but with a slightly new approach at times. Musically they have some slight similarities to latter day Darkthrone and Armagedda on this release mixed with their own sound, which has become a bit angrier.

The vocals are a bit clearer, somehow, but still keeping their hateful aggression and harshness.

The instruments and the vocals are at the same level in the mix, so the production has been improved
 since their last album. Very nice. Also they seem to have worked a bit more on the  material here. After a while I got a bit tired of their last effort, but this album just keeps spinning in my player. Be sure to check this album out!

Standout tracks are "Thrones Ablaze", "A Vengeance Rising", "Slaves of Celestial Bounds" and "Dreams of Life Seem Morbid".

Tuesday July 5 2005, by :Vragh:

Nex Perpetui Regis - 2007 - Void Worship

Out of southern Sweden comes this Black Metal horde with their third demo. Five tracks of mid-paced to fast Black Metal is what we get. Musically this reminds me of early Armagedda, earlier Darkthrone and somewhat of Craft and even a hint of Morbid in one track.

The vocals remind me mostly of Gallhammer, a less high pitched Dim of Туман as well as Mikael Nox' performance on Craft's demo.

The soundquality is as one would expect of a demo recording. The drums are in the foreground, followed by the guitars and vocals. The tracks have been recorded at different times, as the
soundquality gets clearer on the third track. The cymbals do annoy at times, though.

Stand out tracks are "Void Worship" and "Culling the Weak".

Saturday August 22 2009, by :Vragh:

Lönndom - 2007 - Fälen från Norr

Out of Sweden comes Lönndom, the latest incarnation featuring the essence of what once was the mighty Armagedda and Lik. We get eight tracks contemplating nature and old folk tales of the north
and a journey through dark forests at night, with the intro and outro tracks tying the journey together nicely.

The vocals range from clean to spoken or whispered, with parts being growled, setting different moods throughout the journey.

Musically this is a mix of Isengard and Lik, with some parts of Armagedda's Ond Spiritism and some Swedish folk influences. Earlier Ulver comes to mind, mainly because of the concept. It is also something completely different and unique.

The soundquality of this recording is quite good. This music should not be presented with crisp, crystal clear sound, and they have avoided doing just that. This is rather presented with a slightly darker sound, yet everything can be heard clearly here. This is quite different in many ways, there are sounds of nature mixed in with the music, and the music has a distinct Black Metal sound, yet there are factors that are not. A very intriguing album. My biggest complaint is that the album feels too short. This is, however, a masterpiece.

Standout tracks are "Ripeluokte", "Himlalågor", "Stállo" and "På Fjället"

Sunday May 31 2009, by :Vragh:

Lik - 2005 - Besvärtade Strofer - Toner från Gammelbyns Fäbodar

Out of Sweden comes this one man project by Graav of Armagedda fame, with a second fullength album. The music on this release has matured since the previous album, and the Isengard influence that was present on the previous release has all but disappeared. Now we are presented with an album that has an incredibly dark aura surrounding it. I would say that this has progressed away from Black Metal, to a certain extent, and evolved into some sort of Dark Eerie Metal with a slight Rock thing to it. In the music I find some dark and melancholic moods I haven't heard since the Wongraven album that was released in the '90ies, especially in the track "Syner". The music is not really fast, but more towards the slower with parts that are faster here and there.

The vocals are for the most part clean and a bit towards the deeper spectrum and are  spoken at times. They are slightly theatrical, if you will. Typical for Graav, really.

The soundquality on this recording is amazing. It is clear, yet dark, somehow. You hear the instruments clearly, and the sound  is clean. The bass sound is prominent in the mix, but not too much so. This is an absolutely amazing release. I would say this album is slightly better and darker if you understand Swedish, but not speaking or understanding Swedish is not an excuse to miss this release. This is music that you play out in the woods in the darkest hours of the night. This is one of the darkest albums I have ever heard. Get this album!

Of the six tracks presented here, the ones that stand out slightly more than the others are "Prolog", "Varulvsvals" and "Begravd (Epilog)".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

Lik - 2004 - Må Ljuset Aldrig Nå Oss Mer

Swedish band Lik is the sideproject of Graav from the old school Black Metal band Armagedda. Presented on this album are seven tracks of well executed, and rather catchy at times, Black Metal with some Folk influences, mainky in the lyrics. Rather a mix of Armagedda and Isengard. This album actually sounds a lot like Isengard's Vinterskugge album, both musically and vocally. The only exception is the second track, "Hate to be Human", which stands out from the rest of the album with its slow, dark, eerie and almost hypnotic melody and whispered vocals. The mood in this track reminds me of Carpathian Forest's cover of The Cure's "A Forest", off of their Black Shining Leather album.

This album has a clear production, but still maintaining the underground feel in the sound. There are some synth parts present, but these arrangement are only there to add more depth to the music, just as the ones on Vinterskugge. The drums are very basic, which really fits the concept of this band.

This album has a nice Black Metal feel of days of yore, and if you feel like reliving the early magic you could do far worse than buying this album.

Thursday May 20 2004, by :Vragh:

Haemophilia - 2006 - Demo 2006

Out of Sweden comes this Black Metal horde with their first demo. 4 tracks of well executed mid-paced to fast, slightly melodic blastbeating Black Metal with a slight twist of Death Metal from time to time is what we get here. There are some interesting ideas in the music here. There is a distinct Swedish sound to this release. This reminds me of the newer Swedish bands like Ondskapt, Watain and Chaos Omen. Quite interesting.

The vocals sound like a hoarser version of early Quorthon of Bathory, with added reverb and not as highpitched. Also slightly like Graav on the earlier Armagedda releases.

The soundquality is very good, well above the usual demo quality. Every instrument can be clearly heard in the mix, with a slight focus on the drums and the vocals. Over all a very enjoyable demo. This is a band that, if given time, can go far. They have since changed their name to Orcivus. Limited to just 50 copies, so act fast!

Standout tracks are "Interitus" and "Corpus Ferrugineum".

Monday November 27 2006, by :Vragh:

Dom Dracul - 2004 - Genocide in the Name of Satan

Here we have the latest demo from this Swedish one man Black Metal horde. Presented on this tape are four tracks of midpaced Black Metal and an intro. The soundquality is a bit murky, but still not at all bad. You can clearly hear the instruments and the vocals.

The vocals remind me of a mix of Satyr of Satyricon, Quorthon's Black Metal vocals and early Marduk, the music is somewhat similar to a slower Armagedda but with a bit more melody. The material is quite good, and there are many memorable riffs here.

The tape looks very professional, and is adorned with a very oldschool cover. There's at least one more tape by Dom Dracul, and that one should also be worth checking out. If I have to complain about one thing here it is the drumsound, but still I have heard far worse.

Standout tracks are "Die", "Weak Soul" and "Hellfire".

Monday July 19 2004, by :Vragh:

Armagedda/Woods of Infinity - 2002 - Split 7"

Presented on this split effort is one track by each of these Swedish hordes. The song "At the Edge of Negative Existence" represents Armagedda on this release and has the same feel and sound as their first album, mid-paced, filthy Black Metal with a very harsh sound. Focus is on the guitars and vocals. As before, they play Darkthrone influenced Black Metal. Another masterpiece by this horde, and a track I really appreciate. This track is also included on the Armagedda collection Echoes in Eternity released in 2007.

"Missfostret Tellus" by Woods of Infinity is actually my first encounter with the band, and is a bit different and hard to describe. Depressive Black Metal sounding partly like a soundtrack, partly like some kind of mad vaudeville circus music, with a bit of a folk music influence added is the best I can describe it. This is very interesting. Reminds me somewhat of Arcturus' La Masquerade Infernale.
The focus in the mix is on the vocals, which are more spoken or screamed than sung, the music is slow to mid-paced, with a sad sounding guitar, which adds to the feeling of depression which emanates from this track.

Monday August 23 2004, by :Vragh:

Armagedda - 2004 - Ond Spiritism - Djäfvulens Skalder

Here we have the last album by this Swedish Horde. This album sees a progression in their music more towards the slow and heavy, with an amazing groove and a very dark and hatefilled aura. The musicianship is most excellent here. Along with the last Lik album this is one of the darker albums on the market. Since the band wanted to distance themselves from the Black Metal scene, this could perhaps be more accurately labelled Dark Occult Metal.

The vocals are more towards the spoken here, with a raspiness that really gives the music that hatefilled mood I mentioned. Graav has found a rather unique vocal style.

The production is very good on this album, with a full sound to it. I really like the guitar sound on this album. The production is somewhat similar to the Lik album mentioned earlier as well, and the bass guitar is used more prominently than on most other releases in metal these days. This is an album that is better if you understand Swedish, since Graav's lyrics are truly amazing, but by no means should you miss out on this album if you don't. This is a really dark and good album!

Standout tracks are "Döpt i Oheligt Vatten", "Afsked" and "Döden Styr Lifvet".

Saturday October 21 by :Vragh:

Armagedda - 2003 - Only True Believers...

Sweden's Armagedda are back with their second album which finds the band with the same hatred and ability to write catchy Black Metal as before. The soundquality has been improved since their Final War Approaching album, and they have yet again succeeded in making a very evil sounding album. The crispness of the first album has been traded for a fuller sound on this release, but the mix can still be a bit unclear at times. Overall, the drums are tighter and the guitarwork is also improved.

They still play mid paced Black Metal with faster parts, and they have progressed somewhat in their own direction, while still maintaining the 1990ies influence. You can still hear Darkthrone in
their music, but some Immortal sounding parts have also found their way on to this album.

Among the tracks is a rerecording of the excellent "Emperor from the Eternal Dark", off of their split 7" with Woods of Infinity. Another great release from the band that gave us the aptly named Strength Through Torture 7". Get it now.

Standout tracks are "Only True Believers...", "For I Am His Slave" and "F.T.W.".

Thursday May 20 2004, by :Vragh:

Armagedda - 2001 - The Final War Approaching

Yet another band in the new wave of Swedish Black Metal bands, this their debut is an amazing release that'll remind you of the golden days of the 1990ies. The sound on this album reminds me of the harsh soundquality of Darkthrone's Under a Funeral Moon, but a bit more murky, and The Final War Approaching sounds a lot just like this album, but with a Swedish twist to it. There are also parts of the album that remind me of Thornium's one and only album Dominions of the Eclipse.

The vocals are similar to Nocturno Culto's vocals on Under a Funeral Moon, but with more hatred.
The sound of the guitar is full and aggressive.

This is not an album of unrelenting speed, it is mid tempo with faster parts. If you enjoy classic Darkthrone, and want more in the similar vein go get yourself a copy of this piece of Antichristian Hatred. This is pure Black Metal Hatred!

Standout tracks are "In i Skogens Mörka Djup", "Unholy Sacrifice", and probably one of the best Black Metal tracks ever, "My Eternal Journey".

One of the members also has the Isengard sounding side project Lik.

Thursday May 20 2004, by :Vragh:

Armagedda - 2000 - Volkermord

This is the first and only demo by this Swedish Black Metal horde, originally released under the name Volkermord. The original demo was limited to only 30 copies, so it's rather impossible to find these days, and this rerelease was limited to 200 copies, with four bonus tracks.

On side A we find the original four track demo, and on the B side are four new tracks, including an intro, a cover of Burzum's "Ea, Lord of the Depths", the demoversion of "Only True Believers..." (with the title "Finding Strength Through Satan's Power") plus one more unreleased track, "Over
Endless Fields of Sorrow".

The material, the production and the vocals on this tape are very similar to their debut, which is no surprise, as the recordings are only a year apart. Harsh and aggressive Swedish Black Metal with a slight Norwegian feel to it. If you see this tape I strongly suggest you buy it.

Three of the original demo tracks and the Burzum cover are now available on the Armagedda
compilation Echoes in Eternity.

Standout tracks are "Mordinstinkt", "Over Endless Fields of Sorrow" and "Ea, Lord of the Depths".

February 12 2005, by :Vragh:

....Aaaarrghh.... - 2004 - Ruhlar Fisildiyor

Here we have the second demo by this Turkish Black Metal horde, consisting of eight tracks. The band has progressed a bit in the five years since their last demo, I must say. The traces of Beherit are mostly gone, the music is faster and reminds me of Von and Dark Funeral, with some Death Metal in it.

The vocals remind me of Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone and Graav of Armagedda, around Panzerfaust and The Final War Approaching respectively, but they are more in the back of the mix here, than on their previous effort.

The soundquality has been improved since the previous release, which is both good and bad. Personally, I prefer the murkier sound of their first demo, but that's because I thought that gave their music an extra edge. The drums are more towards the front of the mix on this release, which the vocals suffer a bit from.

Standout tracks are "Kara Doda", "Sinsi Karanlyk" and "Ebedi Yalnyzlyk".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

....Aaaarrghh.... - 1999 - Demo 1999

Out of Turkey comes this Black Metal horde, and this is their first demo, when they still played under the name Sagansara. What is presented here are five tracks of above par mostly slower to midpaced Black Metal with the occasional blast beats. This reminds me mainly of Beherit's excellent Drawing Down the Moon album, as well as of Behead Christ at times. Really nice, this. A sound of the early '90ies that you rarely hear these days.

The vocals also remind me to a certain extent of Beherit, but also of those by Graav on the first Armagedda album and somewhat of Attila's vocals on Tormentor's Anno Domini. Most excellent!

The soundquality is somewhat towards the murkier side, but not too much. The bass is perhaps a bit blurry at times, but other than that there is nothing to complain about the sound here. There is a really dark atmosphere to this, and I must say I like it.

Standout tracks are "Gecenin Golgesi" and "Fyrtyna Yaklasyyor".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh: