The Frost - 2006 - Damned and Forgotten

This Croatian outfit is back with a second demo. We are presented with five tracks, four of which are mid-paced to fast, slightly melodic Black Metal in the vein of early Ancient and Isvind, and an intro that sets a clear Ancient tone from the get go, with a small part Blood Axis in there.

The vocals here also remind me of those by Aphazel from Ancient, as well as of Akhenaten of Judas Iscariot fame, with some traces of Erik of Watain.

The soundquality is very good, as with the first demo, this does not sound like a demo recording at all. A drum machine is still utilized on this recording, which at times sounds a bit too plastic, but overall sounds quite ok. Compared to the previous release there is some progression here, when it comes to the overall sound and the drum machine. The material presented here also feels a bit fuller, somehow. Both demos have been collected on a single CD by Kerzakraum/Nerbilous Productions. I suggest you check it out.

Standout tracks are "In the Name of Eternal Darkness" and "Lost in the Valley of Death".

Monday November 27 2006, 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:

Muinainen Ruhtinas - 2006 - Tuskanvuorten Valtaistuin

Out of Finland comes this one man project. We are presented with three tracks of mid-paced Black Metal and an outro. There's some serious catchyness to this demo, without being too melodic, similar to the way Horna and Isvind can be quite catchy at times. This is a side project of Krimn V, the vocalist of Perisynti, another band well worth checking out.

The vocals remind me of those on the classic Kvist album For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike, and a less raspy version of those on Isvind's album and of course Perisynti.

The music sounds like a finnish version of Isvind I would say. You have the finnish sound here, no question about that, but with a slightly Norwegian feel to it. Add to that a slight bit of Bathory and you have a quite interesting mix.

The soundquality is somewhat towards the murkier kind with a sound that really does remind me of Isvind's Dark Waters Stir album. The vocals are at the front of the mix followed by keyboard and guitar, with drums mostly slightly at the back, but still quite clear. The keyboard is used to set the mood, so this is not some symphonic kind of thing. Tape limited to 666 copies.

Standout tracks are "Henkien Helki" and "Korpit".

Sunday October 12 2008, 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:

Ewig Frost - 2003 - Forgotten Grimness Returns

Back in 2003 this Austrian Black Metal horde released this five track demo. What we get here is some really good oldschool Black Metal. The material on this demo sounds like it was produced back in 1992-94, reminding me a lot of Isvind and early Emperor, but with better soundquality. The overall feeling in the music is quite Nordic. It's good to hear that there are still bands out there capable of capturing the old sound.

The vocals are also somewhat similar to early Emperor, sounding at times like a slightly more highpitched version of the vocals on the Wrath of the Tyrant demo and the split with Enslaved.

The soundquality on this recording is clear, you hear the vocals, the somewhat fuzzy guitar and the drums without any effort, in the mix. There seems to have been two recording sessions on this demo, the last three tracks have a slightly more murky sound to them. If you find a copy of this demo I
strongly suggest that you buy it. Limited to 66 copies.

Standout tracks are "Die Brut", "Twisted Blood" and "Warlust".

Wednesday March 9 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: