Within the Black Metal scene, there have always been lots of sick-minded entities. I am not referring to ‘fans’ of the genre (though it can help to be slightly ‘different’ in order to ‘understand’ and ‘undergo’ these lovely tunes of hate and / or despair), but I am talking about many musicians. One of them is, without any doubt, the sole member of Tjolgtjar, JR Preston.
The Finnish act Rippikoulu was formed at the end of the eighties as some Punk / Death hybrid, and they were very popular back then, at least in their home country. One of the reasons was the use of their native tongue (now this isn’t that unusual anymore, but in the early years, most bands from all over the globe used the English language specifically). The band split up in 1995 after the tragic death of their guitar player Marko, but shortly before, they recorded a demo-tape, Musta Seremonia.
Athens-based Fistbang Records have recently released Oltretomba’s The Death - Schieràti Con La Morte, the full length debut for this Italian act. As a matter of fact, Oltretomba started as a solo-outfit by Athanor’s Lucas Demon, and in 2008 he released a first (nameless) demo.
After two self-released EPs and a split (with Hiisi), the Finnish duo Oath finally signed a contract with a professional label, Belgium-based Immortal Frost Productions, in order to release their debut full length. The project consists of two experienced musicians: Ville ‘V-Khaoz’ Pallonen, who you might know from Azaghal, Hin Onde, Wyrd, Druadan Forest or Hellkult, amongst others, and A.
Distant Voices are a very young label from France, formed in Autumn 2012, but for sure it is a special one. It has to do with the musical direction, i.e. a mostly underground-oriented kind of grim, depressive, ambient, melancholic and / or atmospheric Black Metal, which I do adore. But there are more labels that do so. What this label makes so distinctive from any other, is the care and time the crew takes for each single release.
This is where reviewing a album becomes fun rather than laborious – in such much that Michael Bormann has seen it fit to release a 'Best of Ballads' album under the title of 'Love is Magic' and believe me in this case the title is so true.
Miasmal some Swedish guy raised in 2007 at Gothenburg a dark death metal band. Line-up for the moment: Björn – drums, Magnus – guitars, backing vocals, Ruben – bass and Pontus – vocals, guitars. Björn replaced Random Mike (Corrupt, terror, Corruted) in 2011.
Hladomrak (Slavic Хладомрак meaning ‘cold darkness’) hail from Sweden and were formed in 2011 by members of e.g. Promenia and A.N.T.I. They self-released their self-titled album on March 31st 2013, but the strong Winter Solace-label is so smart to give it a decent chance right now. Respect!
This album lasts for just over forty minutes and brings a fast, energetic, rhythmic, thrashing, pounding and melodic form of Black Metal. Hereby…
I guess it is because of their reformation last year, but in any way Swedish band God Macabre decided to re-release their sole official recording, The Winterlong, which dates from 1993. Before reviewing this masterpiece, first a short history of the band.
Short introduction: Deep In Hate hail from France; two albums before: Only The Strong Survive and Origins Of Inequality (resp. in 2007 and 2011). The quintet (now with drummer Nicolas Bastos, whom you might know from his co-operation with Aborted) return with a nine-tracker that lasts for thirty five minutes.
