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:

Long Voyage Back - 1998 - Long Voyage Back

This is the first album by this Australian one man band, featuring Phil Gresik who has previously been involved in Deströyer 666, Bestial Warlust and Hobb's Angel of Death. This album is very varied with influences ranging from Viking era Bathory via Borknagar, Gorgoroth and In the Woods... to regular Metal, from slow parts to faster parts and back again. A very progressive album, not too much Black Metal in it, really. Dark Metal, maybe?

The vocals remind me of Kreator at times, but they are as varied as the music,ranging from clear to spoken to growl, whichever fits the mood of the music at the time. The album has a good production, nice and clear. The overall feel to this album is one of Anti-Christian values and good musicianship, really.

Some really catchy songs here, without being In Flames catchy, of course. There are only five tracks, and all are actually very enjoyable. The bass is heard throughout the album, which is very nice. A drum machine seems to be utilized, but it doesn't really sound like one, which is a good thing. Drum machines are no good. The album following this one, just called II, is a lot softer than this one, so be forwarned.

Standout tracks are "Long Voyage Back / Poison Wood", "Reflection" and "Nomadic Paths".

Monday May 31 2004, by :Vragh:

Helsefyr - 2004 - The Land Of No Return

Swedish Black Metal act Helsefyr have just released a cassette containing five tracks, including two covers, "Outbreak of Evil" by Sodom and Mayhem's "Deathcrush". The soundquality on this tape is quite good, perhaps the drums are a bit in the back of the mix, but otherwise I have nothing to complain about.

The music is slow to mid-paced repetitive Black Metal in the vein of Dark Funeral and Von with some parts Darkthrone added. The vocals remind me mostly of Von and Long Voyage Back and somewhat of those on Darkthrone's A Blaze in the Northern Sky.

Standout tracks are "The Pestilence" and "The Land of No Return".

Friday October 29 2004, by :Vragh: