Black Metal

rom their demos in the late ’90s to the fever of work from 2016 onward, this Finnish entity has created a vast and magickal world like no other. Naturally, it should come as no surprise given that mainman V-Khaoz is an incredibly prolific veteran of the black metal underground for over 25 years now, and concurrently numbers the likes of VARGRAV, EMBRYONIC SLUMBER, and GRIEVE among his endeavors. With DRUADAN FOREST, however, the emphasis has always been on atmosphere and its transportative qualities. Whether the medium is ominous, titanic-gait black metal, cosmic ambient, pure dungeon synth, or some symbiosis of those, it matters not: the story – and the voyage – from this realm to another is paramount.

Black Metal

By now, DRUADAN FOREST should require little introduction. From their demos in the late ’90s to the fever of work from 2016 onward, this Finnish entity has created a vast and magickal world like no other. Naturally, it should come as no surprise given that mainman V-Khaoz is an incredibly prolific veteran of the black metal underground during the past 25 years, and concurrently numbers the likes of VARGRAV, EMBRYONIC SLUMBER, and GRIEVE among his endeavors. With DRUADAN FOREST, however, the emphasis has always been on atmosphere and its transportative qualities. Whether the medium is ominous, titanic-gait black metal, cosmic ambient, pure dungeon synth, or some symbiosis of those, it matters not: the story – and the voyage – from this realm to another is paramount.

Dungeon Synth

Featuring two stalwarts of the dungeon synth genre, this split also brings together Finland’s foremost purveyors of the resurgent style. DRUADAN FOREST, of course, should require little introduction for those who follow the banner of WEREWOLF RECORDS: in 2019 did mainman V-Khaoz (also of labelmates VARGRAV and GRIEVE) release the staggering atmospheric black metal monolith Dismal Spells From the Dragonrealm, and shared an all-dungeon-synth split album with THE TRUE WERWOLF in 2108. Here, DRUADAN FOREST deliver two epic-length tracks of the purest, most fantastical dungeon synth. Unlike so many two-note/one-loop charlatans, V-Khaoz’ dungeon synth creations are symphonies unto themselves, neither understated nor overstated, with fugue-like compositions revealing a wealth of adventure and mystery equally.

Black Metal

Hailing from Finland, while EMBRYONIC SLUMBER may be a brand-new entity in name, the duo are longtime veterans of the underground: VARGRAV / DRUADAN FOREST mainman V-Khaoz and Hellwind Inferion, an incredibly prolific drummer but more recently known as the vocalist for both Sargeist and Desolate Shrine. And while what they create together as EMBRYONIC SLUMBER may show slight shades of their collective pasts, the resulting recording – the full-length In Worship Our Blood is Buried, the band’s bolt-from-the-blue debut – handily transcends comparisons altogether.

Comes with poster and insert

Black Metal

“This minimal black metal tracks are orchestrated under a majestic and instrumental vibrations, “Evighetens” relive the southern lanterns, ethereal and eternal enchantment from invernal tombs, later this and the band was buried and forgotten.

Black Metal

Titled Outojen Tornien Varjoissa, FAUSTIAN PACT’s full-length debut is the grand culmination of all the gloriously bewitching work they brewed across that trio of demos. Exploding with an effervescence that’s addicting and undeniable, their swords-aloft attack surges and swells, crests and cascades. At the forefront are stained-glass synths whisked from a time – and a fantastical landscape – far, FAR away, sumptuously underlining their heroic/romantic style of black metal deeply steeped in a nostalgic past. Across the album’s 41 minute (fantastical) landscape are spread lyrics of splendorous mythology, swords & sorcery, vast forgotten realms brought to life through wily, wanderlusting black metal betraying a noble melodicism. FAUSTIAN PACT are thus a unique balance of contrasts: orkish energy vs. mystical atmosphere, dungeon rawness vs. castle-top aristocracy, obsidian darkness vs. gleaming light. So, whether 25 years ago or 2500, removed by a reality or two, Outojen Tornien Varjoissa is timeless BLACK METAL MAGICK – dark medieval times have at last arrived!

Majestic Black Metal

Finally available again on LP and CD, originally released in 1997.

With a fully restored layout, including handwritten lyrics on separate booklets and totally re-mastered.

Officially released by Ragnarok Records, and distributed worldwide by ASRAR.

This is the only OFFICIAL version. Avoid cheap bootlegs!

4 panel digipack CD with inside out cardboard, 8pp CD BOOKLET and special SILVER PANTONE.

NOTE: Release-date is October, 7th 2024 – all orders including this article will be shipped as soon as it arrives.

Majestic Black Metal

Finally available again on DLP and CD, originally released in 1998.

With a fully restored layout, including handwritten lyrics on separate booklets and totally re-mastered.

Officially released by Ragnarok Records, and distributed worldwide by ASRAR.

This is the only OFFICIAL version. Avoid cheap bootlegs!

4 panel digipack CD with inside out cardboard, 12pp CD BOOKLET and special SILVER PANTONE.

NOTE: Release-date is October, 7th 2024 – all orders including this article will be shipped as soon as it arrives.

Black Metal

“Ruumissaarna Pt. 1 is about the darker side of Finnish man’s nature,” explains founding guitarist/bassist Valgrinder. “It tries to find and understand the reasons which make ordinary man a beast, a killer, when opportunity and circumstances are right – when things move in a certain direction slowly but surely, until it reaches the point where there’s no turning back anymore. It’s about our inner demon – The Perkele – who is living inside us and just waiting to get the opportunity to take over. And of course, it’s also about those innocent ones who have to take the consequences. Ruumissaarna isn’t fantasy nor fiction; it’s the everyday darkness we want to deny. It’s the darker side of Finnish culture and our nature.”

Black Metal

In 2017, GOATMOON truly etched its name its Finnish black metal legendry with Stella Polaris, a monument of cosmic, snow-capped majesty. The entirely dungeon synth Silver Serpent followed in 2021, but now arrives GOATMOON’s full-length return to black metal with What Once Was… Shall Be Again. As presaged by its title, there’s an undeniably yearning and nostalgic aspect to the band’s characteristically epic ruminations, occasionally/often dusted by folkloric synths. But if one were to assume that What Once Was… Shall Be Again would further continue that refinement – and indeed, in large part, it does – the album equally takes GOATMOON back to their earliest, rawest roots, here temped by the steely-eyed austerity of older age and wisdom. It’s a skillful balance pulled off with aplomb, proving that the band honor their history but rarely repeat themselves. And more than anything, it provides another dazzling new canvas on which warriors and dreamers can explore…but no safe spaces here, of course. No other words necessary: What Once Was… Shall Be Again!

Black Metal

Pagan black metal band formed in 1991 in Wrocław, Poland.

Graveland’s style has changed from raw black metal on the early albums to a more epic sound which is inspired by Hammerheart-era Bathory. Lyrically, on the early works Rob Darken was inspired by Celtic beliefs, now he’s Wotanism-orientated and calls his music “epic pagan metal”.