Nightbringer - 2005 - Rex Ex Ordine Throni

Out of the United States comes this Black Metal act with a promo of their part of a split with Temple of Not, a band they share members with. This promo consists of 4 tracks of mid-paced to rather fast and slightly melodic, wellplayed Black Metal in the vein of Emperor and Carpathian Forest, with parts Watain and a less plastic sounding Limbonic Art at times, even. An interesting mix of Norwegian Black Metal with a slightly American sound.

The vocals remind me a bit of those in earlier Emperor, Ancient and Dark Funeral, but with a slight American sounding twist to them.

The production is a bit towards the thin, rather like the early days of the scene. The drums are what you hear most in the mix, with quite a De Mysteriis feel to the sound of the fills. There is also a keyboard present, which is more towards the front of the mix on the two last tracks. The use of the keyboard is the main similarity to Carpathian Forest. This has clear potential.

Standout tracks are "The Void" and "Mors Philosophorum".

Sunday January 14 2007, 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:

Grimm - 1993 - Nordisk Vinter 7"

Presented on this 7" by Norwegian Black Metal band Grimm are three tracks, including an intro, of mid-paced, slightly melodic and harsh Black Metal. The production is quite good, this does sound very much early '90ies, both when it comes to the music and the production.

The first track, "The Embrace of the Cold" sounds very similar to Carpathian Forest, which might not be such a big surprise, since Nattefrost handles the vocals here, and most of the bandmembers are in Carpathian Forest now. The second track, "Born in the Hands of Doom" is musically similar to
very early Emperor mixed with My Angel era Arcturus and some Metal influences added to that.

The only annoying thing here is the intro, "Darkest Depth", which unfortunately is too long, and not too good. This is the only thing that was released by Grimm. Well worth checking out. This release is included on the Carpathian Forest DVD We're Going to Hell for This - Live Perversions as bonus audiotracks, and as an added extra bonus the intro is not included here.

Monday November 1 2004, by :Vragh:

Angst - 2003 - Divine Wrath

Swedish Black Metallers Angst have some really raw and catchy riffs here. On this release Angst were forced to utilize a drum machine, since the drummer suffered a knee injury. I am not that fond of drum machines, but this one isn't as in your face as many can be, and the guitars cover up the more inorganic sounds of it. On the forthcoming 7" a new drummer has been added to the ranks, which will be very interesting to hear.

Presented on this promo are four tracks, and they sound like Swedish Black Metal of today. Slightly catchy, a good production, some parts remind me of Watain other parts remind me of Shining. Not bad at all. Mostly midpaced to faster Black Metal here, with some slower parts and some Metal influences as well.

The production is good and clear. The vocals remind me a bit of those of Carpathian Forest and earlier Marduk. A new album is to be recorded in 2004.

Standout tracks are "The Aeon of Genocide" and "Deathraped".

Tuesday May 25 2004, by :Vragh: