The Becoming

The feeling is returning. It will be so much more than it ever was.

Pagan Poetry

True masters of the pagan black metal sound, Greece's Nocternity issued forth "A Fallen Unicorn" in 2004. A companion to the exquisite "Onyx" full length, A Fallen Unicorn collected outtakes from that session as well as a brilliant cover track (we will get to that later). While not as complete as the Onyx record, this release outdoes anything the band has done previous in terms of scope.

Nocternity wear their pagan heritage proudly on their shoulder plates. Adorned in full armor, pictured in the woods sitting upon an oaken throne, already, before hearing the music we feel a sense of the mysteries contained within. Although similar in feeling to other pagan acts such as Bathory, Morrigan (with whome they share membership), and Macabre Omen, their sound is unmatched in originality. Gathering mystical keyboards with fuzzed out yet raging guitar sound and high speed arrangements that break into breathtaking atmospherics, we are left with something decidedly fierce and strangely, hantingly beautiful.

Stangely fitting is their immaculately exectuted version of Bjork's Pagan Poetry. All slow motion keyboard atmospherics combined with cavernous echo and a ghostly howl. The question is are we dealing with parallel artists? or rather the adaptation of art for ones own means? Either way it is a treat, one that deserves to be shared.......

download: Pagan Poetry

Tone Filth

I have been meaning to post about the new Wolf Eyes record "Human Animal" for about a week now and just haven't found the time. This time around Wolf Eyes seem to be latching on to slightly more converntional song structures as these tracks are much more grounded and listenable that much of the band's back catalog. That is not to say that Human Animal is not just as filthy or brilliant this time around as on their past excursions.

Funeral doom, drone, dirge, noise, and free jazz all come together in a most unholy union here. From the plodding death march of the opener to the blackened ambience of "Lake of Roaches" to the absolute cacophony of "Human Animal" and "Rusted Mange" we are held privy to the darkest of musical explorations. A signal to the sky, a warning to stay away that draws you even closer.

You can't go wrong with almost any of Wolf Eyes back catalog but if you are just discovering them, Human Animal serves as a perfect beginners guide.

download: Human Animal

Finally

After nearly a decade and a half of waiting the almighty Archgoat have finally decided to grace us with a proper full length. Entitled "Whore of Bethlehem". The tracklisting appears to show 19 tracks, though it seems possible that nearly half of those are intros/instrumentals (judging by the track names). Tracklist and mp3 below:

1. Invocation
2. Hymn I
3. Angel of Sodomy
4. Hymn II
5. Lord of the Void (mp3)
6. Hymn III
7. Dawn of the Black Light
8. Hymn IV
9. Luciferian Darkness
10. Hymn V
11. Desecration
12. Hymn VI
13. Black Crusade
14. Hymn VII
15. Whore of Bethlehem
16. Hymn VIII
17. Grand Marshall of the Black Tower
18. Hymn IX
19. Hammer of Satan

In Memory

Try to Recall Your Life

A change of pace this time around. While the Goslings are certainly a dark and all consuming entity, their output is more along the lines of a post shoegaze, white noise hybrid rather than our usual black metal coverage. The tracks contained on the Perfect Interior cdr conjure a dreamlike air that teeters dangerously close to the nightmarish.

Rumbling low end bleeds into shimmering ambience, spoken word diatribes lead into Slowdive-esque vocal bliss, and simplistic picked notes become epic scales of white noise. Wearing their influences firmly on their sleeves, The Goslings meld them into something altogether new, and decidedly haunting. At times I feel like I am listening to the lost tapes of a older, maniacal Kevin Shields or Rachel Goswell while at others it could be unearthed recordings of the ghost whisperings that take place where the oldest of souls lie. All of this is presented as a very lo-fi experience, think white noise as radio static more so than scathing metallic feedback.

There is a sparse beauty in these tracks and also a haunting aura that gives these recordings an interesting duality.

download: Celestine

Of All Worlds Seen and Unseen

It has been far too long since my last (and first) post. The future will bring more frequent updates.

Although forming in 1999, Rex Er Ordine Throni is the first official release from Nightbringer (barring the inclusion of a demo and a compilation appearance). So what has this blackened horde been doing for the past seven years? Apparently biding their time, honing and perfecting their skills into the four immaculately crafted tracks on this split release. Although calling this a split is a bit misleading as Temple of Not is an ambient/dark ritual side project from Nightbringer members.

Time has surely payed off as this is some of the most epic, transcendent, and skillfully composed black metal to be constructed in years. While echoing an almost post rock sense of song craft and arrangement (especially in the fourth, closing track for Nightbringer "Vir Sapiens Dominabitor Astris") these songs are nothing if not raging and subversive. These are occult anthems, designed to hypnotize, awaken, and deliver the listener into an altered state of being. Much like Burzum, Xasthur, and other like minded depressives the music is all consuming, the further you are willing to delve into it, the further it will bring you. Though unlike the previously mentioned acts, Nightbringer's craft is derived more from a trained and technical execution.

Further note must be made of the recording and production. Rex Er Ordine Throni is masterfully balanced, keeping a raw and almost live sound while allowing all instruments to come fully to the service so that not an ounce of their intention is lost.

download: Vir Sapiens Dominabitur Astris

The two tracks given to Temple of Not are also a most worthy affair and those looking for a sublime dark ritual experience need look no further.

Eternally dedicated to our enemies

Revenge is the duo of J. Read and P Helmkamp. While I can find very little info on this Canadian group, I do know that J. Read has also done time in the now classic Conqueror and currently also plays with technical war-mongers Axis of Advance. Previous to Victory.Intolerance.Mastery, the band has issued 4 other releases including a split 7" with like-minded label mates Arkhon Infaustus.The liner notes depict the two members outfitted with full camo, bullet belts, and knives in hand, seemingly prepared to unleash the worst.

And they truely do unleash the worst. Harsh, bleak, black noise influenced HEAVILY by Oath of Black Blood era Beherit. Revenge have managed to concoct a maelstrom that is absolutely devoid of any melody or stardard musical trappings. The only noticable tools used here seem to be drums, guitar, and vocals, but these instruments are used to create an undeniable wall of sound. What really stands out here though, are the vocals. An absolutely inhuman, layered mess of highs and lows that sometimes sound more like the throat in charge is inhaling as it issues forth these songs for the condemned.

It's hard to find a standout track here but Blood Annhilation will do as well as any other to convert or repell you from the unholy ritual that is revenge.

download: Blood Annihilation

First post

just testing this out