Phantasmal trappings
PHANTASMAL: Ansaan syntyneet – Ansaan kuolleet Release year: 2019Label: self-released During the noughties, there evolved in Finland a somehow quite distinct form of extreme metal which was neither black, death nor doom, but instead a weird amalgamation of all of … Continue reading Phantasmal trappings
Six journeys with Asarhaddon
ASARHADDON: Reysa Year: 2020Label: Geisterasche Organisation Apparently – I’m entirely dependent on the promo sheet here – “Reysa” is an old German word that can be translated as “journey” (for which the Swedish word is “resa”, btw) but also “passing” … Continue reading Six journeys with Asarhaddon
The bewitching black metal of Ulver
ULVER: Trolsk Sortmetall 1993-1997 Year: 2014/2019Label: Century Media Records Ulver are certainly one of those artists who should need no introduction to any extreme metal fan. Though their time as a black metal band was limited and yielded only a … Continue reading The bewitching black metal of Ulver
Djevel from the dark past
DJEVEL: Ormer Til Armer, Maane Til Hode Release year: 2019Label: Aftermath Music If you’re reading this, chances are you’ll need no explanation of what I’m referring to when I say “90’s Norway”. Yes, of course: black metal from the golden … Continue reading Djevel from the dark past
Viking Cowboys from Hell?
VIKING CROWN: Unorthodox Steps Of Ritual Release year: 1999Label: Hammerheart Records In this day and age, it is a widely known fact that Phil Anselmo of Pantera/Superjoint Ritual/etc. fame is a fan of extreme metal, and it’ll take you mere … Continue reading Viking Cowboys from Hell?
Endless cascades of Profanation
PROFANATION: Into Cascades Of Blood And Burning Soil Release year: 2019Label: Hostile Media I’m not really a vinyl fanatic. I’m through and through a CD guy. I like the convenience of the format. But there is one thing vinyl has … Continue reading Endless cascades of Profanation
Obscure’s prevailing darkness
OBSCURE: Darkness Must Prevail Release year: 2019Label: Xtreem Music Obscure from Spain certainly have a fitting name – though formed already in the late 80’s, the band have never been more than the footnote of a footnote in the annals … Continue reading Obscure’s prevailing darkness
Waking up with Macabre Demise
MACABRE DEMISE: Awakening Release year: 2020Label: RTM Productions With a cover like this, it doesn’t take much to guess what’s on offer here. Naturally you’re right: death metal. Of the brutal kind. You’ll probably not be surprised when you discover … Continue reading Waking up with Macabre Demise
Blood and brutality splattered all over
BLOOD AND BRUTALITY: Fatal Release year: 2020Label: Blood And Brutality Records The short and concise promo sheet wishes to pinpoint this as pure death metal by saying, and I quote, the album sounds “the way a death metal album should … Continue reading Blood and brutality splattered all over
Corrupted by generic darkness
THRONE OV BLOOD: Corrupted By Darkness Release year: 2017Label: American Line Productions Whenever I see a band use “ov” instead of “of”, I don’t start thinking about how much serious occult understanding and esoteric knowledge there must be behind it. … Continue reading Corrupted by generic darkness
