Elysian Fields (GRE) – Adelain DLP
€34.88
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.
| Weight | 0.8 kg |
|---|
Brand
Nuclear War Now
Related Products
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
Black Metal
The first full-length from 2017 available again on LP
In stock
Black Metal
A monument of melodic and grandiose Black Metal, to metaphysical paganism and spiritual rebirth, from Nahtrunar’s mastermind.
Last copies, available again.
In stock
Black Metal
The last full-length of this Canadian act available for the first time on LP.
Exclusive import from Livor Mortis (Finland).
In stock
Black Metal
Building upon that grand fortress is a four-song/22-minute mini-album likewise truly titled: The Oath of the Black Wolf. Here, ORGREL have gone a-hunting, their ’90s black metal classicism stalking and striking with a hunger only hinted at previously. Still, fueled by this fire they may be, the Italians across this mini manage to maximize their epic side, with the predecessor’s flat-yet-full soundfield now becoming slightly more chromatic in the process. Lead lines portend dark truths, ever building in tension and then grandeur, but the record’s swift-yet-satisfying runtime reveals the darkest, most intrinsic truth: black metal doesn’t need to “become” anything when it already IS. Hail The Oath of the Black Wolf!
In stock
Black Metal
Re-issue of the groundbreaking debut album
With their groundbreaking debut album, Bethlehem gave name to an entire genre: “Dark Metal”.
Gatefold LP (black vinyl) incl. padded inner sleeve and protection sleeve
In stock
Black Metal
The killer split available on limited LP.
In stock
Black Metal
RUTTOKOSMOS are one of the great “what if?”s of Finnish black metal. The band formed sometime in 2003 and released the five-song Ja minä näin kuoleman demo in 2006 and then the six-song Kärsimys demo a year later. Afterward, nothing was heard from RUTTOKOSMOS ever again. Only one member concurrently played in Divina Inferis, and the other two members either disappeared and played pseudonymously in other bands.
In stock
Black Metal
The first full-length black metal onslaught of Chilean Black Metal project Aarkanne, Mysterii, which followed the release of the debut Aarkanne demo entitled ‘De Profundis’ which was unveiled in November, 2020. Mysterii is a testament to the agonizing punishment of raw black metal with deathlike structures that enforce a flurry of distorted chaos. Six tracks of this thunderous South-American raw black metal carnage that are consistently punishing, Aarkanne delivers these strong waves of melodic plague in this LP. Pure hatred and disgust captured into six tracks of destructive raw black metal that stands for ultimate torment to the depraved.
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