Weakling - 2004 - Dead as Dreams

This American horde is one of the few exceptions to the rule "American Black Metal is not that good". This is a monster of an album, 5 tracks, 76 minutes long and it is an intense wall of sound all the way through. Weakling play a progressive kind of Black Metal, with screamed, angstridden vocals throughout the album. The vocals sound similar to earlier Burzum at times. There are metal and doom influences here as well as traces of both Shining and Black Sabbath, and  keyboards are also used in places. This is not, however, a Dimmu Borgir kind of keyboard, this is more of a mood setter in the background. Unfortunately this is the only album that they ever recorded before disbanding.

The music is midpaced to fast and these guys sure know how to handle their instruments. The massive parts of the songs are kept apart by very well executed calmer parts and nice tempo changes.
These guys sure knew how to do it. The production on this album is very harsh and it adds to the overall feel of this album. This is yet another one of the hidden gems of Black Metal.

Standout tracks are "This Entire Fucking Battlefield" and "No One May Be Called as a Man While He'll Die".

Friday May 28 2004, by :Vragh:

Туман - 2006 - Freezing Moon

Here we have this Hungarian Black Metal horde's second demo rereleased with a bonus track and a rather nice video (for the track "Transylvanian Dreams"), to boot. This demo is a tribute to Dead of Morbid and Mayhem fame, which explains both the title and the fact that there are two Mayhem covers on this recording, both the classic De Mysteriis tracks that were released with Dead on vocals. What's really amazing is how close to the original these two covers sound. The music is fast and harsh Black Metal, and that's that. There's a nice aggression to it, that is so rare these days.

The vocals are are a bit deeper than on the fullength, but that might be due to the over all murkier sound of the recording. Slightly Burzum-esque growls. The vocals sound slightly more desperate here than on the album.

The soundquality is ok, but there is a distinct demo sound to it. Despite it being somewhat muffled, it is remarkably clear, somehow. You hear the instruments, and as with the fullenght, the vocals are most prominent in the mix. It is interesting to hear the differences between this demo and the album, the guitar sound is completely different. The bonus track was recorded more recently, and sounds like the material presented on the album. I would say that this is a recording you get if you enjoy the

album, not really something to start with. It's not bad, it's just that the album is better.

Standout tracks are "Transylvania", "Dark Forest of the Evil" and "A Gonosz Sötét Erdeje".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

Туман - 2005 - Transylvanian Dreams

Out of Hungary comes this Black Metal horde with their first fullength. Fast and harsh Black Metal is what we are presented with, and this is actually really good. Musically this reminds me of the good old days in general. There is a slight melodic feel at times, but this soon changes back to breakneck speed. This album reminds me of Ulver's Nattens Madrigal in its uncompromising sound and execution.

The vocals sound like possessed and hatefilled shrieks. A comparison to Burzum is not entierly wrong, although this is raspier and not as annoying. Apparently the vocalist is a woman, which makes these sounds even more remarkable. What's really interesting is how the vocals are used as an instrument more than is common.

The production is sharp as a knife. You hear all the instruments, with focus on the vocals and the guitars. The drums follow, slightly further back in the mix. There is actually a slight De Mysteriis dom Sathanas sound to the drums here. The snare is clear and in the front, but the toms are a bit muffled. What makes this album a winner is the aggression, speed and hatred that is present, something that I haven't heard in quite a few years. This is absolutely a band to check out further, and keep an eye out for in the future.


Standout tracks are "Átoklátomás", "Vihar" and "Holdlény".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

Spektr - 2004 - Et Fugit Interea Fugit Irreparabile Tempus

Out of France comes this horde consisting of members from Haemoth and Battlehorns. On this their first album we are presented with eight tracks of industrial tinged mostly fast Black Metal, intense and unlike most others. This is quite an impressive first release.

Musically this is a bit similar to ideas from 666 International era Dødheimsgard in structure, but taken many steps further, with some parts Thorns added. I am also reminded of Gaahlskagg's Erotic Funeral, but that is mainly due to the intensity and the sound on this recording. Samples are used extensively throughout the album, and here are also parts sounding like soundtrack music. It is quite a
varied album, composition wise, with crushing speed and aggression one minute, which then flows into calmer parts and then gets back to crushing your bones once again.

The vocals remind me quite a lot of Ildjarn, with a hint of Filosofem era Burzum, earlier Immortal and some early Gorgoroth as well, for good measure.

The soundquality on this album is very sharp and clear. Everything seems to be on the same level here, the guitars with their sharp, lethal sound, the crushing drums and the possessed vocals form a wall of sound where you can still hear the details. This is an album where you're not entirely sure what's coming next. Most excellent! This is an album that works best if you play it from start to finish. This is among the elite bands, along with such acts as Deathspell Omega, Funeral Mist
and Glorior Belli. Very highly recommended!

Standout tracks are "Reveal the Four Seals", "A Return to the Flesh", "Wizened Hand" and "Confusion/The Persistence (Ending Contakt)".

Wednesday October 15 2008, by :Vragh:

Riddle of Meander - 2005 - Pandemonic Holocaust

Out of Greece comes this Black Metal horde with their first demo, containing two lengthy tracks of mostly mid-paced Black Metal towards the depressive kind. The music reminds me mostly of slower early Burzum, Isvind and Svartsyn (Swe). This really does sound Nordic, and has a feeling of the mid '90ies as well.

The vocals remind me somewhat of those by Necro in Pest (Swe) at times, but with an extra edge of depression to them. There's also more reverb added to them. They set a dark mood to the music.

The soundquality is not too bad. There is a slightly hollow sound to the drums, which is a bit odd, but not so much as to ruin the listening experience. The soundquality reminds me of Svartsyn (Swe) from a few years back. A keyboard is used at times, which really gives the music an extra edge. Limited to 200 copies. They have a second demo out as well.

Both the tracks presented here are quite good.

Thursday November 30 2006, by :Vragh:

Ovskum - 2004 - Atto I

This is the first fully mixed and finished demo by this Italian Black Metal outfit it seems. Presented here are three tracks of slow to midpaced Black Metal, a total of 15 minutes playingtime. Both the music and the vocals sound very similar to earlier Burzum without sounding like a bad clone.

The soundquality could have been a bit better, perhaps - you hear the guitars in the foreground, followed by the vocals a bit further away, and then the drums can be heard in the background, however despite this I really like the feeling in this recording. It reminds me of the early days. Be sure to check out their upcoming split with Necrolust.

Standout tracks are "I" and "II", the second one being close to 10 minutes.

Monday July 26 2004, by :Vragh:

Overlord Industries - 2005 - Pissingonanazi.com

This Swedish outfit is back with more of their special brand of Metal. This time around we are presented with six tracks an intro and two interludes. The material on this demo has progressed a bit since last, yet you clearly hear who we're dealing with here. The trademark soundquality and guitar sound is present. The same Thrashy Metal, with some Death- and Black Metal in it. All seems to be as before, until we get to the third track, "Something in Common". This took me by surprise the first time around, and it still amazes me after a bunch of listens. It works amazingly well. They have added a trombone to this track, it actually begins with it, and then the song proceeds with the rest of the instruments, and the trombone joining in here and there. This is very good indeed! The trombone shows up here and there during most of the other songs here, but on "Something in Common" it is best by far. Such an amazing groove! The influences here are still from all over the place, and a bit hard to pinpoint. They remind me of Cadaver Inc. and latter day Sepultura, with some really slow, old school Black Metal in there as well, but there's lots more to be discovered here.

The vocals are as before. They remind me a bit of a less extreme and Thrashier version of those on the early Burzum records. Hard to explain, really, but still good.

The soundquality is as good as before, being well above the average for a demo recording, and the music is still mostly mid-paced, but feels a bit more varied and innovative this time around. This demo feels a bit more complete than their last effort. A bit more even. Some really good riffing on this demo. I like that. I like when bands have something unexpected in their music, when I can't predict what's next, and this is a good example of that. I want more, but skip the interludes next time. 

Standout tracks are "Something in Common", "Goodmorning Cruel World" and "KEL", the faster track on this demo.

Wednesday January 4 2006, by :Vragh:

Mordgrim - 2004 - Pestens År

Swedish Black Metal outfit Mordgrim have unleashed their first four track demo upon the world.
The music presented on this demo is mostly midpaced, but here are also some faster parts. The music reminds me mostly of Thornium, but some Burzum and early Satyricon is also present in their music, mixed with some regular Metal parts here and there. The intro actually reminded me a bit of early Ulver.

The songs on this demo are rather repetitive, a good riff is used throughout the entire song, which I really like, not many bands of today does this with a good result. The vocals here sound similar to Diabolical Fullmoon Mysticism era Immortal.

The soundquality on this demo is quite good, a clear sound with all the instruments audible.

They have since changed the name to Old Bones.

Standout tracks are "In i Det Dunkle Mørke" and "Blood of Satan"

Friday October 29 2004, by :Vragh:

Min Kniv - 2007 - Av Aske

Out of Norway and the Nidaros scene comes this Black Metal band with their first demo. Three rather long, mid-paced to fast, raw untitled tracks are presented on this tape. Musically this reminds me at times of Skaur, due to some folk inspired instrumental parts on the second track, with parts of the monotony of Burzum and a hint of Darkthrone and Isvind, but it all sounds fresh. This is classic Norwegian Black Metal performed now.

The vocals sound like tormented howls, a bit like a muffled version of Woods of Infinity and the
more insane parts of Famine from Peste Noire.

The soundquality is of good demo quality, slightly muffled, with the guitars in the foreground,
followed by the vocals and in the back the drums. The music is well composed and executed, the drums are simplistic but bring just the right energy to the music. The guitars are sharp and metallic. This is another release of Nidaros Black Metal that brings the listener back to the early days of the scene.

Standout tracks are "II" and "III".

Sunday August 23 2009, by :Vragh:

Isvind - 1994 - Isvind 7"

IThis is Norwegian Black Metal horde Isvind's first official release. Probably their strongest effort as well, with really great material. Presented on this 7" are three tracks, two of which are Black Metal
and one is a folk track. Isvind play harsh, mid-paced to fast and slightly melodic Black Metal in the vein of Darkthrone and Burzum, soundwise, also reminding me of Ulver at times, with vocals reminiscent of very early Emperor and Nattens Madrigal era Ulver. The music is actually very catchy, but without being silly.

The production is quite cold which gives a nice extra touch to the music. What's very refreshing is that Isvind actually has a very unique sound, a special atmosphere somehow, and all of the tracks here are really good. The folk track is the only one like it in their repertoire, but you do notice some folk music influences in the other tracks as well.

This is one of the classic releases in the scene, and not without reason, so be sure to try to get hold of this one. It is limited to 1000 copies, so it might be a bit hard to find, but it is well worth the effort.

Wednesday November 3 2004, by :Vragh:

Gast - 2004 - Gast

Swedish Black Metal horde Gast has presented us with a four track demo. Musically this is in the vein of Darkthrone and earlier Gorgoroth, crushing mid-paced to fast necro Black Metal, slightly towards the melodic, but with an added dose of Thrash in it. There is a great energy in the music, here.

The vocals consists mostly of hoarse, desperatesounding screams reminding me of Filosofem era
Burzum, for some reason (despite the fact that those are whispered rather than screamed), Arckanum and those on the earlier Gorgoroth releases.

The soundquality is raw and a bit chaotic, somewhat towards that of a rehearsal tape, although not quite as bad. The guitars are what you hear the most in the mix. The only thing to complain about are the effects at the beginning and the end of the two tracks in the middle. In fact, the demo would have been better, had they been left out.

Also, in the booklet they have the following text: "Mixed, rehearsed and recorded in 3 hours and 17 minutes. Up yours, Darkthrone!" in reference to Darkthrone's steatement on Hate Them - "Recorded and mixed at Pan lydstudio in 26 hours, December 2002." A little fun there.

Standout tracks are "Krig i Vinterland", "Jesuslakt Gastmakt" and "Förfall".

Saturday February 11 2006, by :Vragh:

Excessum - 2005 - Death Redemption

Out of Sweden comes this Black Metal horde. On this release we are presented with eight tracks of wellplayed mid-paced to fast melodic Black Metal, including an intro. This does sound very Swedish, especially the guitar harmonies, but there is a heavyness to it that makes this stand out a bit more. The guitars remind me slightly of Dissection, and also of Thornium, Dark Funeral and early Necrophobic, among others. This reminds me of the '90ies wave of Death-/Black Metal.

The vocals are slightly in the back here, and sounding a bit like a Death Metal version of Varg Vikernes' vocals. Less shrieking, and more guttural.

The soundquality is slightly muffled, and somewhat chaotic, but you still hear the instruments quite clearly. The focus is on the guitars, with the drums being a bit in the back of the mix. This is well above average, and definitely worth checking out!

Standout tracks are "Ritual Through Holy Blood", "Death Redemption" and "Lies of the Deceiver".

Saturday October 21 2006, by :Vragh:

Dawn of Division - 2005 - Awaiting the Dawn

Out of Greece comes this one man Black Metal band with a second demo. Slightly atmospheric and melancholic, mid-paced Black Metal with keyboards is what we get here. This demo seems to be rather well thought through with interludes linking the tracks and setting the mood for the next track. Of the five tracks on this demo there are only two "real" tracks, the others being intro, interlude and outro. These three very well played Metal / Classical compositions remind me a lot of the Neo-Classical / Soundtrack project L'Orchestre Noir.

The two remaining tracks are well rooted in Black Metal, having a slight touch of regular Metal to them, with parts somewhat reminiscent of Ulver's more acoustic explorations. There is quite a bit of Burzum and Transilvanian Hunger-era Darkthrone here, with the music being somewhat repetitive, and I even find some traces of latter day My Dying Bride.

The vocals sound like a mix of Nocturno Culto, Legion and the vocals of Frediablo and Condatis
Svarthjerte in Svartpest.

The production is really good on this release, it has a dark atmosphere to it, and the drum machine
is not at all annoying. Definitely a band to keep an eye on, I would say.

Standout track is "Bride of Winter".

Wednesday July 27 2005, by :Vragh:

Cryfemal - 2007 - Apoteosis Oculta

Out of Spain comes this one man Black Metal band. We are presented with eight tracks of mid-paced
to fast Black Metal with a touch of the depressive.

The vocals really remind me a lot of those by Marco Kehren of Deinonychus, a rather desperate
sounding, screaming vocal style. All the lyrics are in Spanish, which is an approach I find interesting.

There is a seriously good groove to the music, which at times reminds me of early Ancient with
similarities in song structure with Burzum. The sound here also reminds me a bit of Isvind. Not a
bad bunch to be compared with. What makes it even more interesting is that this in fact has a quite
unique sound.

The soundquality is rather good here. There is of course that somewhat filthy and slightly murky sound I expect from most bands that are from southern Europe, but that just adds an edge to it. The drums and vocals are what are at the front of the mix here, closely followed by the guitar. The only instrument I can't really hear that clearly in the mix is the bass. The sound of the recording is quite sharp and clear.

The only thing I would complain about is the sound of the cymbals which I find to be a bit too tinny and unorganic at times.

Standout tracks are "El Tornado de Cesar el Ahorcado" and "Apocalipsis".

Sunday May 31 2009, by :Vragh:

Almighty Sathanas - 2004 - Demo 2004

Seems like the Greek Black Metal scene is growing fast. One of these new bands is the oneman band Almighty Sathanas. The three tracks on this first demo sound mostly like Ildjarn, with some Volkurah and Burzum parts here and there.

The vocals are highpitched growls, sounding like a more angry and more audible Varg Vikernes from the early Burzum albums.

The soundquality is harsh, just the way it should be with music like this. The guitars, vocals and the drum machine can all be heard here, the guitars being the driving force in the front of the mix followed by the vocals, with the drums being somewhat in the back. It is good to hear that Ildjarn has influenced others to carry on with this special brand of Black Metal. Minimalistic Black Metal with a
vengeance!

Standout tracks are "Jezabel" and "Wrath".

Monday March 7 2005, by :Vragh: