Arcturus (NOR) – La Masquerade Infernale LP
€32.88
Black Metal
On their sophomore full-length “La Masquerade Infernale” (1997), ARCTURUS took their musical experimenting three ambitious steps further. The Norwegians succeeded in wedding a devilish concept loosely based on the characters of Faust and Mephistopheles with an eclectic range of surreal sound elements into an album that is rightfully considered a prime example of what later came to be known as avant-garde metal. From quoting Edgar Allan Poe in operatic paraphrases by frontman Garm (ULVER) or the additional high notes from the unmistakable I.C.S. Vortex (BORKNAGAR) via the spaced-out electronic samples, classical instrumentation, and an even increased use of psychedelic guitar riffage alongside more “traditional” black and death metal elements. Brilliant guitarist Knut Magne Valle replaced Carl August Tideman, which brought stability to this position of the band’s line-up. ARCTURUS aimed dangerously high with “La Masquerade Infernale” – but remarkably pulled off the extremely difficult feat of forging such widely differing elements into a wildly fascinating, over the top listening experience that has stood the test of time and surely deserves to be labelled a “masterpiece”.
Gatefold LP (black vinyl) incl. poster, padded inner sleeve and protection sleeve.
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
|---|
Brand
Prophecy
Related Products
Black Metal
Four songs of folk/pagan metal from Gelderland in the vein of Isengard, Storm, Grimm, Bergthron.
Limited to 250 handnumbered copies.
In stock
Black Metal
An establishment of new sounds, and an extension of familiar sounds, “Vermillion Apparitions Frozen in Chimera Twilight” is VAMPIRSKA at it’s strongest and most enchanting. Six tracks that stylistically expand on what was previously known to be the VAMPIRSKA sound, redefined into darkness with an all-destroying ritual for the supernatural devastation that captures the unfamiliar essence of the entity. VAMPIRSKA reignites the black flame to burn stronger than ever with its most deadly display of black metal carnage to date.
In stock
Black Metal
The 2018 full-length available on LP
Exclusive import from Livor Mortis (Finland).
In stock
Black Metal
2022 version released by Darker than Black, new layout and gatefold.
In stock
Black Metal
The 1995 demo available again on LP.
In stock
Black Metal
VzörbrëzV demo compilation, presented as a double LP by Altare.
Raw French Black Metal from the Garde Noire circle. Pure demented LLN worship and beyond…
Includes “Demo I”, “Pandemonic Radiance”, “Ascending the Black Throne of Depravation” and “Sacrificial Rites of Infernal Devastation”. Presented with a fold-out sleeve, limited to 200.
In stock
In stock
Black Metal
The killer split available on limited LP.
In stock
Black Metal
Originally released as cassette by Mahamvantara Arts Records earlier this year, RÜNDGARD’s first public recording is one literally out of time. Mainman Lord Valtgryftåk is a prolific veteran of Chile’s increasingly potent black metal underground, concurrently handling the likes of Pyreficativm, 13th Temple, Gryftigæn, and Winterstorm among others. And while a number of those bands and satellite entities belonging to the Pure Raw Underground Black Metal Plague are indeed the rawest of the raw, with RÜNDGARD does he delve into ancient times, medieval majesty, and grim splendor somewhere between the earliest Nordic works and contemporaneous Polish ones.
Recorded during two periods over the course of MMXX/MMXXI and now featuring a mix & master by Rudrah Studios, Stronghold of Majestic Ruins suitably evokes its namesake both sonically and thematically. Empirically, the recording evokes the ancient passages and memories of a distant land submerged in mist and an interesting story behind ruins. As Lord Valtgryftåk explains, “Originally, this entity is directly related to those archaic dimensional Valdivian forces that still inhabit our realms, those forces from the past written in blood and guarded by solemn towers and fortresses that still remain alive.” And truly, that past comes alive across the album’s succinct-yet-expansive 25-minute runtime, maintaining a faithful respect for the old traditions and the sound of glorious times with an interesting melodic register at the same time very organic. No record-collector-nerd “raw black metal” here: only authentic ancient vintage!
For those nostalgic for forgotten realms and archaic ages, RÜNDGARD returns from a deep slumber with the fortifying Stronghold of Majestic Ruins!
In stock
In stock
Experimental Black Metal
The early nineties Norwegian black metal demo “Those who caress the pale” (originally released 1994 on cassette format) has had a cult status for many years. After a few re-issues in the distant past now is the time to honor this pioneering material by making it available again on cd and vinyl including bonus tracks and liner notes by all 3 members!
In stock