Black Metal

Two infamous Belgian projects from the early 2000s. Pure grim European violence, for the first and only time on vinyl.

Black Metal

Greek black metal from the early to mid-1990s is rightfully one of the most celebrated convergences of time and place in the history of the genre. There are relatively few styles in metal that can be so easily identified as having emerged from such a narrowly-defined context as the archetypal sound that was pioneered most famously by the likes of Rotting Christ and Varathron. Among other less-commonly-referenced bands from the same scene was Elysian Fields, who initially began to garner attention in their country following the circulation of two promo tapes in 1994 and 1995. The unique sound refined in the band’s early development and demonstrated on these tapes soon resulted in their signing to the renowned Unisound Records, which in turn led to the 1995 release of Elysian Fields’ debut album, “Adelain,” a recording which represents both a nod to their aforementioned fellow countrymen as well as an incorporation of other various influences. Although it certainly exhibits primary elements of the black metal immortalized on other Greek albums such as “Thy Mighty Contract” and “His Majesty at the Swamp,” “Adelain” also reflects palpable traits of the death metal exemplified in the early recordings from Sweden’s At the Gates and the hybrid of gothic death/doom of Britain’s My Dying Bride. Above all, the primary difference that one is likely to note between this album and other Greek masterpieces is the more pronounced reliance on somber, melodic passages interspersed among the more aggressive black metal riffs. These passages tend to include piano accompaniment and, more occasionally, spoken-word vocals, very much akin to their implementation in My Dying Bride’s “Turn Loose the Swans.” This characteristic notwithstanding, “Adelain” is anything but feeble. On the contrary, its melodic aspects instead serve to create contrast with and thus accentuate the more primal black metal with which they are melded, all the while showcasing how seemingly disparate elements from various influences can be properly and effectively combined.

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

The cult EP from 1992 available again on LP.

Black Metal

Excellent mid tempo symphonic/melodic black metal.

Black Metal / Neofolk

With their sixth full-length, “Über den Sternen”, an allegorical German rendering of their band name meaning “Above the Stars”, EMPYRIUM still draw from the magic and spirits of wild places, nature’s beauty, and human relics of ages long past. “Über den Sternen” echoes this reconciliation of the old with the new on a musical level as well. The Franconian duo is putting more emphasis on the electric guitars and harsh vocals again, which marked their first two albums and stood strong upon the band’s melodic black metal foundations. Yet EMPYRIUM also revisit the dark folk style, which the Germans had progressively embraced on their third and fourth albums.

Gatefold 2LP (black vinyl, 180g) with etching, printed inner sleeves and protection sleeve

Black Metal / Neofolk

‘Weiland’ is Empyrium’s fourth and (for the time being) last album and embodies the quintessence of this unique band. Still performed acoustically, it combines the atmospheric suspense of the first two albums (e.g., “Heimkehr”, “Die Schwäne im Schilf”) with the pensive still lives of “Where At Night …” (e.g., ‘Kein Hirtenfeuer glimmt mehr’, ‘Nebel’). The musical spectrum of the project is enriched through the re-integration of drums and the introduction of instruments such as viola, violin, bassoon, or Mellotron, so there is also a lot to discover for those who already know Empyrium. The album is entirely devoted to nature mysticism. In its three chapters – Marsh, Forest, and Water -, Empyrium portray their view of nature in romantic and legendary ways.

BLACK METAL

EMPYRIUM first played melodic black metal and only later shifted to dark folk. “… ​Der wie ein Blitz vom Himmel fiel …” (“he who fell from the sky like lightning”) was recorded on December 19, 1994, and released earlier in the following year. The Germans’ first demo cassette, which became an underground success just by word of mouth in times before the internet, not only marked the beginning of a lifelong career in music for mastermind Schwadorf; it also triggered the foundation of Prophecy Productions and Klangschmiede Studio E, both becoming internationally renowned in their own right, but also served as a template for black-metal-infused sounds with lyrics inspired by the wonders and mysteries of nature that were picked up by many a band that came afterwards.

Black Metal

“Túrin Turambar Dagnir Glaurunga” (“Túrin Turambar, the slayer of Glaurung”) is the debut album of the Italian solo-project Emyn Muil, featuring Epic/Atmospheric Black Metal and Ambient/ Dungeon Synth.

Black Metal

Limited to 200 copies on black vinyl, gatefold cover, including insert page

RAC/Oi!

How-please-what?! Rock-O-Rama Records has re-released “Der Clou” and surely half of the songs are missing? Nope, just a song. Four songs had to be minimally edited digitally. Prosecutors, youth protectors and “democracy promoters” (all male/female/male) will vomit. And with what? Rightly! Please move on, there is nothing to see or find anything criminally relevant here.

With “Der Clou” in 1987, Endstufe released a real album of the century in the Oi! / Skinhead music sector, but the distribution of the record was abruptly stopped a few years later. A federal authority responsible for morality and decency found in the 12 panel that this record was unsuitable for young people and “socio-ethically disorienting.” Or as we would say: “The Clou” is the ultimate soundtrack for everyone who has and lives the feeling that they don’t fit into the norm and celebrate their non-conformity hard!