Monday 30 December 2013

Memories Yet To Come 2013


Here is my list with some cool albums that released in 2013:

1. B/B/S - Brick Mask (Full-length 2013)
2. Beastmilk - Climax (Full-length 2013)
3. Bölzer - Aura (12'' MLP 2013)
4. Cult Of Fire - मृत्यु का तापसी अनुध्यान (Ascetic Meditation Of Death) (Full-length 2013)
 5. Cultes Des Ghoules - Henbane, ...Or Sonic Compendium Of The Black Arts (Full-length 2013)
6. Djevel - Besatt Av Maane Og Natt (Full-length 2013)
7. Dødsfall - Kronet I Svart Eld (EP 2013)
8. Emme Ya - Chthonic Transmission (Abysmi Vel Daath) (Full-length 2013)
9. Falkenbach - Asa (Full-length 2013)
10. Fen - Dustwalker (Full-length 2013)
11. Flagellant - Maledictum (Full-length 2013)
12. Ghost - Infestissumam (Full-length 2013)
13. Helrunar / Árstíðir Lífsins -  Fragments - A Mythological Excavation (Split 2013)
14. Ildjarn / Hate Forest – Those Once Mighty Fallen (Split 2013)
15. Imperium Dekadenz - Meadows Of Nostalgia (Full-length 2013)
16. Jason Graves - Tomb Raider (Original Soundtrack 2013)
17. Juno Reactor - The Golden Sun Of The Great East (Full-length 2013)
18. Karjalan Sissit - Viinaa Pittää Juua (7'' EP 2013)
19. Longing And Silence - Through The Fog (Demo 2013)
20. Mitochondrion - Antinumerology (7'' EP 2013)
21. Monarque - Lys Noir (Full-length 2013)
22. Myrkgrav - Sjuguttmyra (EP 2013)
23. Profane Prayer - Tales Of Vagrancy And Blasphemy (Full-length 2013)
24. Rhinocervs - RH-16 (Demo 2013)
25. Rob Zombie - Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor (Full-length 2013)
26. Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows - Poetica (All Beauty Sleeps) (Full-length 2013)
27. Stilla - Till Stilla Falla (Full-length 2013)
28. Terra Tenebrosa - The Purging (Full-length 2013)
29. Thou Art Lord - The Regal Pulse Of Lucifer (Full-length 2013)
30. Triumph, Genus - Všehorovnost Je Porážkou Převyšujících (Full-length 2013)

Wednesday 25 December 2013

Horde – Hellig Usvart (1994)


Country: Australia

Tracklist
1. A Church Bell Tolls Amidst the Frozen Nordic Winds 01:02
2. Blasphemous Abomination of the Satanic Pentagram 00:47
3. Behold, the Rising of the Scarlet Moon 03:22
4. Thine Hour Hast Come 04:06
5. Release and Clothe the Virgin Sacrifice 05:38
6. Drink From the Chalice of Blood 03:59
7. Silence the Blasphemous Chanting 05:37
8. Invert the Inverted Cross 03:10
9. An Abandoned Grave Bathes Softly in the Falling Moonlight 05:10
10. Crush the Bloodied Horns of the Goat 02:24
11. Weak, Feeble, Dying, Antichrist 03:33
12. The Day of Total Armageddon Holocaust 01:42

Horde (originally called Beheadoth) was an unblack metal project of Australian musician Jayson Sherlock 
(aka "Anonymous", a possible play on "Euronymous" Mayhem guitarist), formerly of Mortification and Paramaecium
In 1994 the band's only album with the Norwegian title Hellig Usvart ("Holy Unblack"), 
a fact which led many to believe that Horde originated from Norway, was released on Nuclear Blast
Hellig Usvart proved to be a seminal release for the unblack metal movement, 
and the album was highly controversial in the secular black metal scene at the time it was released.
Upon the initial release of Hellig Usvart, a publicity campaign was launched throughout the black metal community, revolving around Sherlock being credited as "Anonymous". 
Unsuccessful death-threats were given to Markus Staiger at Nuclear Blast to reveal the identity of the anonymous musician who had created the album, although the identity of the musician was later revealed as Jayson Sherlock
Horde as an entity also received death threats for being a Christian band playing black metal.
Hellig Usvart pioneered the previously unheard of genre of "unblack metal" 
(sometimes referred to as "Holy UnBlack Metal").
The album is satirical of the satanic black metal scene in that it twists common black metal phrases into a Christian ideal. The message of the album is generally the destruction and rejection of Satan, in favour of God. 
There is also direct and indirect praise of God throughout the record.
With a session line-up, Horde played live-shows in 2006, Norway, and in 2010 in Finland and Germany 
with help from three members of the Christian unblack metal band Drottnar.
 Recommended track listening: Thine Hour Hast Come.

Memory

Sunday 22 December 2013

Sixteen Horsepower ‎– Sackcloth 'N' Ashes (1995)


Country: United States

Tracklist
1. I Seen What I Saw 03:21
2. Black Soul Choir 03:52
3. Scrawled In Sap 02:16
4. Horse Head 03:01
5. Ruthie Lingle 02:11
6. Harm's Way 03:20
7. Black Bush 03:16
8. Heel On The Shovel 03:11
9. American Wheeze 03:33
10. Red Neck Reel 02:41
11. Prison Shoe Romp 03:11
12. Neck On The New Blade 03:13
13. Strong Man 04:21

16 Horsepower was an American alternative country music group based in Denver, Colorado. 
Their music often invoked religious imagery dealing with conflict, redemption, punishment, 
and guilt through David Eugene Edwards's lyrics and the heavy use of traditional bluegrass, gospel 
and Appalachian instrumentation cross-bred with rock. 
For the bulk of its career, the band consisted of Edwards, Jean-Yves Tola and Pascal Humbert
the latter two formerly of the French band Passion Fodder
After releasing four studio albums and touring extensively, the group broke up in 2005, 
citing "mostly political and spiritual" differences. 
The members remain active in the groups Woven Hand and Lilium.
16 Horsepower are among the Denver-based bands credited for laying the foundation 
for what today has become known as "Gothic Americana".
A music video was made for the track "Black Soul Choir" directed by the Brothers Quay.

Memory

Friday 6 December 2013

Adrian Carson – Clive Barker's Salomé & The Forbidden Soundtrack (1998)


Composer: Adrian Carson

Tracklist
1. Salomé 17:34
2. The Forbidden 35:40

In 1970s Liverpool, Clive Barker, together with a small group of university friends,
made two extraordinary avant-garde,obscure short films. 
Salomé (1973), based on the play by Oscar Wilde, and The Forbidden (1975-78), based on the Faust myth.
Both shorts feature early footage of Barker himself, who also did most of the special effects.
Doug Bradley, who appears in
Salomé as King Herod, went on to play Pinhead in the Hellraiser movies.
The discovery of these ealy shorts came about when an independent television production company 
interviewed Barker about his work. 
Clips were needed for the documentary, and so the task of restoring both shorts was undertaken.
Both films were released in a vhs format in 1998.
The dark-eerie music that haunts these films was composed by Adrian Carson,
who is more known for his music in many TV productions.


Memory

Sunday 1 December 2013

Primordial – Imrama (1995)


Country: Ireland

Tracklist
1. Fuil Ársa 04:47
2. Infernal Summer 06:12
3. Here I Am King 04:27
4. The Darkest Flame 05:19
5. The Fires... 05:25
6. Mealltach 01:28
7. Let the Sun Set on Life Forever 04:27
8. To the Ends of the Earth 05:31
9. Beneath a Bronze Sky 03:28
10. Awaiting the Dawn... 05:00

Primordial is an extreme metal band from Skerries, County Dublin, Ireland. 
It was formed in 1987 by Pól MacAmhlaigh (bass) and Ciarán MacUiliam (guitars). 
Their sound melds black metal with Irish folk music and their lyrics deal with cultural heritage, history and struggle.
The band's roots stretch back to 1987 when Pól and Ciarán first began playing together with Pól's brother, Derek
The band (who were called Forsaken for a brief period) initially played a rough, hybrid mix of early, 
primitive thrash and death metal (playing covers of Death, Sepultura and the like).
Vocalist Nemtheanga joined the band in 1991.
Upon Nemtheanga's joining the band, the band started to pursue a darker direction citing influence from Bathory
Celtic Frost and the emerging Greek and Norwegian black metal scenes.
Primordial was the first black metal styled band to emerge from Ireland with the release of their Dark Romanticism demo 
in the early summer of 1993 (Cruachan were also active at this time combining black metal with folk music). 
The band initially came to the attention of Lee Barrett from the UK label Candlelight Records 
but he failed to move on signing them, so after a live soundboard recording from Dublin was sent to Cacophonous Records, the band signed with them for the release of their debut album Imrama.
The band has released 7 albums in total.

Memory

Saturday 23 November 2013

I Burn ‎– Ipertermia (10'' EP 1998)


Country: Italy

Tracklist
1. Ipertermia 08:12
2. HCE 06:26
3. Corticate 03:20
4. Re-Prophesyng Non-Motion (Rhythmic Re-Manipulation) 05:07

Dark bleak ambient music by Italian duo of Maurizio Landani and Gabriele Santamaria.
The band existed from 1998 to 2003 and explored fire-related phenomena via audio-metaphors.
Released as an 10''ep on the German Stateart label.

Memory

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Triumphator ‎– Wings Of Antichrist (1999)


Country: Sweden

Tracklist
1. Infernal Divinity 04:34
2. Conquered Light 04:02
3. Heralds of Pestilence 06:45
4. Burn the Heart of the Earth 04:11
5. Crushed Revelation 05:20
6. Redeemer of Chaos 04:09
7. The Triumph of Satan 03:58
8. Goathorned Abomination 06:26

Triumphator is a Swedish black metal band that was formed at the end of 1995 
consisting of Tena, songwriter/bass player, and members of the local Linköping band Blasphemous.
Their debut promo-demo "The Triumph of Satan" was recorded in May of 1996 and released a month later. 
The tape sold quite well, despite the lack of promotion.  The Blasphemous members were kicked out in early 1997, 
and replaced by Arioch (Funeral Mist, Marduk) on vocals/guitar and Fredrik Andersson (Allegiance, ex-Marduk) on drums.
This was the line-up that recorded the 7'' ep "The Ultimate Sacrifice" at Necromorbus Studio 
and their first and only full-length "Wings of Antichrist".

Memory

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Ildjarn - Nidhogg ‎– Norse (7'' EP 1993)


Country: Norway

Tracklist
1. Mørklagt Sti 03:44
2. Svarte Hjerter 02:25
3. Nattens Ledestjerne 02:53
4. Natt Og Tåke 03:19

Ildjarn was a black metal project from Norway that formed in 1991. 
The band recorded music until 1997 but did not officially end until 2005. 
The man behind Ildjarn was Vidar "Ildjarn" Våer (former member of Thou Shalt Suffer and Sort Vokter), 
although some releases were collaborations with a musician known as Nidhogg.
Those releases are known as Ildjarn - Nidhogg
Ildjarn's music was a very simple and "lo-fi" brand of  raw black metal,
composed of basic drum patterns and a couple of riffs. 
Their style has been compared to hardcore punk in its simplistic ferocity and short song lengths.
Some Ildjarn albums are devoted to ambient suites for electronic keyboards.
The related band Sort Vokter that consisted of Ildjarn, Nidhogg and two other members 
known as Tvigygre and Heiinghund, released only one album in 1996 called "Folkloric Necro Metal".

Memory

Tuesday 22 October 2013

TeHÔM ‎– Despiritualization Of Nature (1996)


Country: Croatia

Tracklist
1. Palingenesia G. 05:15
2. Aposbennuntes Tous Luchnous 04:27
3. Enantiodromia 04:25
4. Meta - Feeding 01:24
5. Endura 06:45
6. Bequest Of Decay 04:33
7. Allogenes 03:21
8. Despiritualization Of Nature 28:52
I - Influence
II - Deliverance
III - Sense!
IV - Sense?
9. Barren Allegories 05:33

TeHÔM is the Croatian alias name of the author Siniša Očuršćak
(professor of philosophy at Jezuit University for Philosophy in Zagreb, editor of the book 
"The mind-body problem in contemporary philosophy") and Miljenko Rajakovic 
(co-member on the 2nd Album "Theriomorphic Spirits", released in 2000).
The band was patronaged by Douglas Pearce of Death In June and his label Twilight Command 

under his well known New European Recordings (NER) and World Serpent Distribution, later Tesco Distribution
In 1996 with some of their friends they released their first album "Despiritualisation of Nature
and 3 years their 2nd album followed entitled "Theriomorphic Spirits". In 1997 Siniša died of cancer.
He was a front line soldier during the Croatian war of Independence. Speculation as to the cause of the death 
generally assumes that it was almost certainly the result of a war-related illness, but it was never confirmed. 
Their two albums are heavily influenced by the occult arts of which Očuršćak was a practitioner.
Miljenko Rajakovic aka Mary (his long year friend and co-member) reactivated TeHÔM

and has started working on a new material for the 3rd long awaited album.

Memory

King Diamond ‎– The Eye (1990)


Country: Denmark

Tracklist
1. Eye Of The Witch 03:47
2. The Trial (Chambre Ardente) 05:13
3. Burn 03:43
4. Two Little Girls 02:41
5. Into The Convent 04:48
6. Father Picard 03:20
7. Behind These Walls 03:46
8. The Meetings 04:31
9. Insanity 03:01
10. 1642 Imprisonment 03:31
11. The Curse 05:44

King Diamond is a Danish heavy metal band formed in 1985.
The Eye is a concept album and continues to feature a major storyline 

such as other King Diamond albums, though it is told differently.
The band's past two concept albums have been told from the perspective of the protagonists, 
this one is told from the view of a narrator.
The themes of Christian atrocity with the persecution of alleged witches and sexual abuse against nuns are present.
The story is almost entirely historically accurate, including the names of the actual characters 
(except for the storyline about the "Eye necklace", which is fiction).
It starts off with an unnamed character finding a necklace called "The Eye", 
that allows him/her to see the events the necklace was witness for in the past.
They see an accused witch named Jeanne Dibasson being tortured and burned at the stake. 
Next they see two little girls finding the necklace in the ashes at a stake,
and what they see when they look in the eye kills them. 
Finally there is the story of Madeleine Bavent, a nun working in the Louviers convent,
who finds the necklace and decides to put it on. 
After being raped by Father David, she uses the necklace to kill him by making him look into it. 
Shortly after, the new Chaplain, Father Picard, arrives and starts bringing everyone to communion. 
He winds up lacing their communion wine with some substance that lets him control their minds, 
and uses a group of nuns including Madeleine to ritually torture and kill children. In 1642 all are arrested and imprisoned.
The main parts of the stories told on this album are true, and took place during the French Inquisition, 1450-1670.


Memory

Pimentola ‎– Demo '98 (Demo 1998)


Country: Finland

Tracklist
1. Vaellus Tähtelään 06:32
2. Pimentolan Väki 02:31
3. Paluu Kalmisomaan 06:07
4. Outro 01:18

Pimentola was formed in 1996 by Lempo and Turja
Pimentola's purpose was to create dark/black metal with a form and lyrics 
that were heavily based on ancient Finnish beliefs and mythology (mostly Kalevala). 
After the first demo Pimentola continued as a one man band of Lempo
On the second demo the style of music was already more synth based dark metal with machine drums. 
A CDr released next, in 2000, was drastically different in style, being neoclassical instrumental music. 
Later on, because of obtaining a sampler, the music of Pimentola has reached out to new dimensions 
still, sounding nowadays something like orchestral/industrial with slight ethnic and tribal influences,
remaining still instrumental, but with occasional samples of the human voice. 
The music of Pimentola is currently very much depending on samples, which have been obtained from various sources, 
or sometimes self-produced. Keyboards and real acoustic instruments are still included though.

Memory

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Lamia Is ‎– Flesharvest (10'' EP 1998)


Country: Netherlands

Tracklist
 1. Flesharvest 10:22
2. Legion 09:52

Starting as Nebula in 1995 by Ruud Wijnen, this Dutch project released a split 7" with Tristan in 1996 (self-released). 
Then the name changed to Lamia Is and a promotape "Abstract Crucifixion" followed in 1998. 
The first release on a label was the vinyl 10"ep "Fleshharvest" limited to 500 copies on the German Stateart label.
In 1999 Lamia Is was unofficially declared dead but after 13 years of complete silence 
it is said that the band has been reactivated in October 2012.
This is deep dark droning-ritual anthems with a satanic depth to haunt your daytime nightmares and assault your senses.

Memory

Monday 2 September 2013

Nærvær ‎– Demonstration 95 (Demo 1995)


Country: Norway

Tracklist
1. Vage Tanker 00:47
2. Tenk Stille (Dagen Derp
å) 05:11
3. I Regn... 03:09
4. En Som... 08:51
5. Tenk Stille 02:58
6. Dvale 01:05
7. Da Skogene Brant... 04:17
8. Vemod 03:35

Nærvær was founded by Terje Sagen and Jan K. Transeth (best known as the main vocalist of In The Woods...
after Sagen left the metal group, Innhalator. The influences of Nærvær range from Nick Cave and Bob Dylan 
to bands like Suicidal Tendencies (even though these influences don’t necessarily appear in the music). 
The bands lyrics and philosophy mostly are related with the restoring of the balance between people and nature. 
The music has been described as neofolk, avant-garde, and experimental. 
Female vocals, flute, cello, contrabass and the distinguished voice of Transeth are some of the main elements 
that this demo has to offer. The core of the band has always been Sagen and Transeth
but other members include former members of In The Woods..., Green Carnation, and many other people.
The band has also released a 7'' ep in 1997 and a full-length album in 2001.

Memory

Sunday 1 September 2013

Gaahlskagg / Stormfront ‎– Erotic Funeral Party I / Styggmyrs Triumf (Split 1999)


Country: Norway

Tracklist
1. Gaahlskagg Lek No Lit(t) M.O.K. 00:31
2. Gaahlskagg
Skullfuck 05:45
3. Gaahlskagg
N - 13 01:48
4. Stormfront
Styggmyrs Triumf 04:30
5. Stormfront
Trolltog - En Reise Gjennom Glemselen 05:53

Gaahlskagg formed in Bergen, Norway in 1998 and is a side project of Gaahl and Skagg
They play raw old-school black metal with some industrial tendencies which are more noticable in their full-length 
"Erotic Funeral", which was recorded in Grieghallen studios and released in 2000.
Their second full-length album entitled “Av Norrønt Blod” has been announced for so many years now 

but suffers a huge delay due to the fact that both Gaahl and Skagg have other more important projects.
For this upcoming release Hoest (of Taake) will do some guest vocals.
Stormfront was formed in 1996 in Lillehammer and "Styggmyrs Triumf" is their demo 

that was released in 1997 with 3 different covers and was limited to 200 copies.
Their style is typical Norwegian black metal but with a lot of mid tempo parts 
reminding a lot of Dimmu Borgir's "For All Tid" album. 
Stormfront after a 13 years hiatus released in 2012 a split with Necrostrigis.

Memory

Septic Flesh ‎– Ophidian Wheel (1997)


Country: Greece

Tracklist
1. The Future Belongs To The Brave 06:12
2. The Ophidian Wheel 05:19
3. Phallic Litanies 05:55
4. Razor Blades Of Guilt 05:01
5. Tartarus 03:36
6. On The Topmost Step Of The Earth 06:42
7. Microcosmos 01:34
8. Geometry In Static 05:25
9. Shamanic Rite 05:16
10. Heaven Below 05:44
11. Enchantment 00:49

Septicflesh (formerly known as Septic Flesh) are a symphonic death metal band that were formed in Athens, 
March, 1990 by Sotiris Vayenas (guitars), Spiros Antoniou (bass and vocals), and Christos Antoniou (guitars),
and quickly released a debut EP, Temple of the Lost Race in December, 1991.
The band recorded their first full-length album Mystic Places of Dawn
in April 1994 at the Storm studio with the co-production of Magus Wampyr Daoloth.
For the releases of The Ophidian Wheel (1997) and A Fallen Temple (1998) a female vocalist, Natalie Rassoulis, was added.
The group split up in October 2003, and after the breakup, its members moved on to different or existing projects.
In 2007, the band reunited for a seventh full-length CD, for French record label Season of Mist.
According to guitarist and composer Christos Antoniou, the release would feature a full orchestra and a choir,
totaling 80 musicians and 32 singers.Septic Flesh finalized the new album, Communion, in Studio Fredman in Sweden;
it was released in April 2008. By this time the band had changed its name from Septic Flesh to Septicflesh.
According to guitarist Christos it looks better and states a new phase in the band.
On September 10, 2009, the band announced that they had begun work on a new studio album,
tentatively planned for release in the beginning of 2011, entitled The Great Mass.

Memory

Saturday 3 August 2013

Bekhira ‎– Demo 96 (Demo 1996)


Country: France

Tracklist
1. The Grand Evil Spirit 06:12
2. Utopian Millenium 04:43
3. The Hunt of the Garwells 03:35
4. Gas the Christ 04:06

Sick - evil sounding black metal band from France (Paris), founded in 1995. Released one demo in 1996, 
one split with Desolation Triumphalis - “Leading the Plague of Yahweh to its Grave” (2004) 
and one full length album - “L’Elu du Mal” (2005). 
Many believed that the band broke up after the release of their 1996 demo, but they then resurfaced in 2004.
The current line-up is: Arkdae - Guitars, Keyboards (Dark Sanctuary, ex-Deinonychus, ex-Chemin de Haine)
Raktivira - Bass, Vocals (Osculum Infame, Arkhon Infaustus) and Esthkirnir - Drums.


Memory

Samsas Traum ‎– Die Liebe Gottes: Eine Märchenhafte Black Metal Operette (1999)


Country: Germany

Tracklist
1. Elite - Vorspiel auf dem Theater 04:20
2. Der Prolog im Himmel - Widmung von mir höchstpersönlich an meine Zuhörer 02:23
3. Sterbende Liebe - Der Niedergang 05:09
4. Tragische Trauertränen - Der Kampf der Himmelswesen 03:59
5. Der Krieg im Himmel - Die Diktatoren der Revolution 01:42
6. Satanshimmel voller Geigen - Die Erscheinung des Luzifer 05:42
7. Flügel aus Wachs - Das Wesen des Erzengels 04:44
8. Der Einfall in den Himmel - Geisterstunde in Eden 04:01
9. Die Vernichtung des Gabriel - Triumph des Bösen? 04:06
10. Meine Augen sind die Sterne - Das Wesen des Lichtbringers 03:53
11. Aber die Liebe hört niemals auf - Der purpurnen Leidenschaft Spiel 04:23
12. Epilog auf Erden - Um meines Wandels Willen 13:40

Samsas Traum (Samsa's Dream) is a band from Germany fronted by Alexander Kaschte now based in Austria.
Their music consists of elements of Symphonic metal, Neue Deutsche Härte and Cantastoria.
The name is derived from the protagonist Gregor Samsa in Kafka's The Metamorphosis (1915).
Samsas Traum started in 1996 when Kaschte released his first solo tape.
Three years later the solo project became a group of three, and their official debut 

Die Liebe Gottes - Eine märchenhafte Black Metal Operette 
(The Love of God - A fairy tale-like black metal Operetta) divided the scene.
Some people said that Samsas Traum was the best newcomer of the year, other people rather started to hate them, 

at least also because of some provocative statements by Alexander Kaschte.
The follow-up appeared in 2000 with Oh Luna mein (O, Luna mine), a musically matured and varied album 

of more polished arrangements, balanced instrumentation and beautiful choir-parts. 
In this time Alexander went on to create his darker alter-ego Weena Morloch, which was more noise music based, 
and included samples from horror movies. Many more Samsas Traum albums have been released each year, 
with more Industrial/Classical/Gothic Metal arrangements.

Memory

Alice In Chains ‎– Dirt (1992)


Country: United States

Tracklist
1. Them Bones 02:31
2. Dam That River 03:11
3. Rain When I Die 06:03
4. Down in a Hole 05:40
5. Sickman 05:29
6. Rooster 06:16
7. Junkhead 05:11
8. Dirt 05:18
9. God Smack 03:52
10. Iron Gland (Unlisted) 00:43
11. Hate to Feel 05:18
12. Angry Chair 04:49
13. Would? 03:26

Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 
by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley
The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney
and bassist Mike Starr (who was replaced in 1993 by Mike Inez).
Although widely associated with grunge music, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and acoustic elements. 

The band is known for its distinct vocal style which often included the harmonized vocals of Staley and Cantrell.
Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s, 

along with other Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden.
In March 1992, the band returned to the studio having new songs written primarily on the road.
The material has an overall darker feel than their previous album Facelift

with six of the album's thirteen songs dealing with the subject of addiction.
On September 29, 1992, Alice in Chains released its second album, Dirt (band's highest selling album to date).

Dirt spawned five top 30 singles: "Rooster", "Them Bones", "Would?", "Angry Chair
and "Down in a Hole", and remained on the charts for nearly two years.
Although never officially disbanding, Alice in Chains was plagued by extended inactivity from 1996 

onwards due to Staley's substance abuse, which resulted in his death in 2002. 
The band reunited in 2005 with new guitarist-vocalist William DuVall, and released their fourth studio album, 
Black Gives Way to Blue, in 2009.The album was a huge success. 
Alice in Chains released their fifth studio album, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, on May 28, 2013.

Memory

Wednesday 24 July 2013

Bad Sector – Dolmen (7'' EP 1996)


Country: Italy

Tracklist
1. Jackie 1954 05:54
2. Lisa 1912 06:02

Massimo Magrini was born in Lucca (Tuscany, Italy) in 1966. He has a long degree in Computer Science in Pisa University, with a thesis on musical applications of the Object Oriented paradigm. 
He studied electronic music with Alfonso Belfiore (professor at the State Conservatory of Florence). 
He collaborated with the Computer Music Lab of the CNUCE Institute of the Italian National Council of Research (CNR) 
for some years, developing hardware and software tools (such as 'Aerial Painting Hand': a device that tracks the position of the musician's hands in gloves of two different colors, 'UV-Stick': an ultraviolet-illuminated stick that the musician moves 
in front of the camera-a computer reads its position and angle and makes changes to music generation algorithms accordingly, and others.), composing his interactive computer music and playing it in various countries. 
He also collaborated with private companies developing software for musical devices based on digital signal processing.
During late 80s, he played in a local electronic band (Jesus Blood), using self built analog and digital synthesizers. 
Besides these activities in 1992 he created his Bad Sector musical project, trying to discover dark sonic areas 
and focusing his attention on the melting point between ambient, experimental, noise and minimal music.
Common themes (as reflected in album and track titles) include microbiology, algorithms, physics, and space exploration.
Beside Bad Sector, in 2001 Magrini formed the project Olhon, together with the Where leading member Zairo
This project explores the territories between dark ambient and concrete experimental music 
using sounds recorded in extreme locations (caves, underwater etc.).
Dolmen comes as a limited first edition of 250 copies on yellow vinyl with a handsprayed left-hand metallic shadow cover
and as a second edition of 300 copies on blue marbled vinyl in printed sleeve with an one-sided info leaflet.


Memory

Monday 1 July 2013

Cosmic Death – Crimson Nightgate (Demo 1997)


Country: Sweden

Tracklist
1. Stjärneldens Riddare 04:01
2. The Dark & the Spawn of my Thoughts 03:09
3. An Heartless Hymn of Shadows 03:06
4. Mantled in Dimlit Memories 03:44

Black/Thrash Metal project with Andreas Hedlund (from Vintersorg and Otyg fame), 
Crille Ljungblad and Fredde Lindberg.
They only released one demo which was called ‘Crimson Nightgate’ in 1997 before splitting up. 

Crille and Fredde raised the project again in 2006 but Vintersorg is not a part of Cosmic Death anymore. 
Since their resurrection they released two demos, Transfiguration Black (2007) and Perdition Haze (2010).

Memory

Diabolical Masquerade ‎– Ravendusk In My Heart (1996)


Country: Sweden

Tracklist
1. The Castle of Blackheim 07:14
2. Blackheim's Quest to Bring Back the Stolen Autumn 06:17
3. Beyond the Spiritual Moon 00:56
4. The Sphere in Blackheim's Shrine 03:32
5. Under the Banner of the Sentinel 03:14
6. Blackheim's Forest Kept the Season Forever 06:09
7. The Darkblue Seajourneys of the Sentinel 05:02
8. Blackheim's Hunt for Nocturnal Grace 07:46
9. Ravendusk in My Heart 02:05

Diabolical Masquerade is the avant-garde black metal solo project of Anders Nyström (aka Blackheim), 
guitarist for Katatonia and Bloodbath, origins from Stockholm, Sweden. Nyström wanted to have a band 
where he could compose more extreme music while Katatonia were exploring more mellow themes and moods.
All of the music on the first two albums were written and performed by Nyström

with guest vocal appearances from longtime collaborator Dan Swanö
Swanö later became an integral part of the project, as co-writer and co-arranger, performer, engineer, 
mixer and producer on the ‘Nightwork’ and especially ‘Death’s Design’ albums.
Diabolical Masquerade has released four full length albums: Ravendusk In My Heart (1996), 

The Phantom Lodge (1997), Nightwork (1998) and Death’s Design (2001).
Since long journey from 1993, Diabolical Masquerade was laid to rest in September of 2004. 

But recently Anders Nyström stated that he is working on a new Diabolical Masquerade album 
and he is also looking for more members for live performances.

Memory

Misanthrope – 1666... Theatre Bizarre (1995)


Country: France

Tracklist
1. Gargantuan Decline 07:21
2. Courtisane Syphlitique 05:39
3. 1666... Theatre Bizarre 05:38
4. L'Autre Hiver 06:30
5. Pirouetting Through The Gloom 07:37
6. Aphrodite Marine 04:22
7. Medieval Embroidery 05:35
8. Mylène 05:26
9. Trumpets Of Hypochondria 04:37
10. Schattengesang 06:16
11. La Dernière Pierre 08:09

Misanthrope is a French progressive death metal band, formed in 1988.
The name of the band is taken from Moliere's play Le Misanthrope,
reflecting the band's very theatrical style and the influence of the French dramatist on their music and lyrics.
The band's genre is difficult to define, but could probably be best described 
as progressive/technical death metal, with a wide array of tempo and style changes.
The band also makes extensive use of keyboards, and features clean, 
though tormented, vocals alongside the traditional death grunt.
1666... Theatre Bizarre is their third studio album and it is sung in English on tracks 1, 3, 5 and 8;
French on track 2, 4, 6, 7, and 11; and German on track 10.
The band vocalist, Phillipe Courtois, is the owner of Holy Records.

Memory

Tuesday 11 June 2013

Blood Axis ‎– The Gospel Of Inhumanity (1995)


Country: United States

Tracklist
1. The Gospel Of Inhumanity 05:48
2. The Voyage (Canto I) 04:35
3. Eternal Soul 04:04
4. Between Birds Of Prey 08:16
5. Herr, Nun Laß In Frieden 05:02
6. Reign I Forever 06:16
7. Absinthe 07:07
8. Storm Of Steel 10:57

Blood Axis is an American Neofolk/Post-industrial band consisting of journalist and author Michael Moynihan
music producer Robert Ferbrache and musician and author Annabel Lee.
Moynihan formed Blood Axis in 1989 after touring Japan at the request of experimental music pioneer, Boyd Rice.
Moynihan had previously founded Coup de Grace, a multimedia project that produced live performances, 

cassettes and also released booklets of images and texts.
The first output from the new appellation were two songs, "Lord of Ages" and "Electricity".
In 1995, Moynihan released the first full length studio LP, The Gospel of Inhumanity with the help of Robert Ferbrache.

The album wedded the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Sergei Prokofiev with modern electronics.
Moynihan implemented a recording of Ezra Pound reading from his The Cantos.
He also included lyrics from Nietzsche and Longfellow as well as his own to the work.
The album begins with a sample from the decisive final sequence of the film The Wicker Man.
After the release of The Gospel of Inhumanity, Blood Axis acquired Moynihan's partner Annabel Lee

previously of Amber Asylum, as a permanent member contributing vocals, violin, accordion and various other instruments. This resulted in a considerably less electronic sound, a larger focus on Germanic polytheism and a more acoustic folk-based approach as well as covers of traditional recordings and continued use of historical European references.

Memory

Velvet Acid Christ ‎– Calling Ov The Dead (1998)


Country: United States

Tracklist
1. Phucking Phreak 07:40
2. Malfunction 05:05
3. Bsat2 05:37
4. The Calling (Fuck Shit Mother Fucker Mix) 05:22
5. The Dead (Death Wish Mix) 05:11
6. Timeless Visions 07:58
7. Pray For Life 05:36
8. Exquisite Stench 05:55
9. The Hand (Violent Trance Mix) 06:01
10. Zix Zix Zix (666 Mix) 04:49
11. Decay 04:37

Velvet Acid Christ origins go back in an 80's high school electronics class, 
where Bryan and Chris would debate the merits of Amiga versus Atari.
Bryan and Grigory Bilham (an early member of VAC) were at the time working in a punk/funk band,
 which, by 1990, was altered to the trio of Bryan, Chris, and Grig.
The band's name was originally Cyberchrist, although this was changed within a few months to Velvet Acid Christ
named (so they say) in honor of a bad acid trip. Grig left the band in 1992, leaving the core of Bryan and Chris.
In 1996 Disease Factory was still selling the old VAC cds and gave some to Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly 
(a big influence on VAC in the beginning days) which lead to the press guy on the FLA tour getting his hands 
on the first Between The Eyes four-volume compilation material.
The press guy was Thorsten Stroht (former Klinik vocalist) and at that time one of the main people 
at Off Beat Records in Germany. He fell in love with VAC and demanded that it be signed to Off Beat or he would quit.
That was that, record deal happened.
The first demo of the Calling Ov The Dead CD was rejected by Off Beat, this led to band fighting. 
Money issues reared it ugly head, and the band was torn apart again. One member left permanently. 
Disease carried on with others from the Toxic Coma line up 
to re-write half of the Calling Ov The Dead demo and turn it into what it is now.
The album features many samples from movies like: Se7en, Scream, Twelve Monkeys, Sleepers

Hellraiser: Bloodline, Assassins, Extreme Measures and also samples from the video game Harvester.  
Velvet Acid Christ is now solely Bryan Erickson.

Monday 10 June 2013

Nosferatu – Prince Of Darkness (1996)


Country: England

Tracklist
1. Eye Of The Watcher 02:55
2. Ravage 05:21
3. Uninvited Guest 05:33
4. The Haunting (Main Mix) 04:58
5. Into The Night 05:35
6. The Passing 05:10
7. Graveyard Shift 05:48
8. Graveyard Shift (Outro) 00:33
9. The Haunting (Swamp Mix) 04:56
10. The Hunger 05:29
11. Invocation 06:18

Nosferatu is an English gothic rock band formed in March 1988 by Damien DeVille, Vlad Janicek, and Sapphire Aurora.
The band is considered one of the most successful second wave gothic rock groups.
Nosferatu have the credibility and good fortune of being one of the few UK-based gothic rock bands 

to receive chart success both in the UK and Germany.
The band has a repertoire of over 100 songs and have performed over 300 concerts in 14 countries.
The group has had numerous member changes. Damien DeVille is the only member to have been in the band all through its years history, and he has written a book about Nosferatu entitled "Vampyres Cry - The History of A Gothic Rock Band".
In 1996 "Prince Of Darkness" (named after the Hammer film "Dracula: Prince Of Darkness" was recorded 

and it was the first album featuring Dominic LaVey on vocals.

Memory

Saturday 11 May 2013

Sirius – ...The Eclipse (The Summons Of The Warriors Of Armageddon) (Demo 1998)


Country: Portugal

Tracklist
1. Fiery Strife at the Cosmic Gates of Armageddon 06:21
2. Out of the Serpent Line 04:41
3. The Quest for Dreamlore Essence 02:24
4. Unveiled the Path of Algol, the Riddles Beyond the Stars 04:59

Sirius was formed in 1998 and eventually attracted the interest of Samoth (ex-Emperor), 
who signed the band to his Nocturnal Art Productions label. 
Classic symphonic black metal is the order of the day here, in the spirit of Emperor or labelmates Limbonic Art 
(members of both bands guested on Spectral Transition - Dimension Sirius album), 
showing the right amount of aggression as well as diversity in the songwriting.
At one point the band was reported to have moved to Norway and changed membership, 
but apparently the band is now disbanded.They released two full-length albums.
Daniel Cardoso (drums, keyboards, guitars) has teamed up with Norwegian Kristoffer G. Rygg (Ulver
to form Head Control System.

Memory

Wind Of The Black Mountains – Sing Thou Unholy Servants (1996)


Country: United States

Tracklist
1. Forcefed into Blasphemy 06:12
2. An Autumn Evening (Darkness Crave) 03:10
3. Black Goat 03:29
4. Beautiful Sorrow 02:56
5. Adversary (Taste of Forsaken Desire) 10:20
6. The Rite of Darkness (Bathory cover) 03:33
7. The Shadow (Hill of the Horned Goat) 07:15
8. Thou Shall Not Mourn 02:47

Wind of the Black Mountains was formed in 1992 by Tchort of Masochist.
Due to the fact that he wanted to create sounds that he did not want to do with the other members in Masochist
He recorded an EP ‘Forcefed Into Blasphemy’ in 1992, which would be released on Moribund Records in 1994, 
followed by a demo in 1993. Also shot a video for ‘The Shadow’ which was never released.
WOTBM would become Tchorts full-time project. Not long after, Nybras joined as the full time drummer/song writer. 
The first album ‘Sing Thou Unholy Servants’ was recorded in 1996.
Tchort and Nybras entered Lau Productions once again to record ‘Black Sun Shall Rise’, 
which was released in March of 2002.
Shortly after the release of Black Sun…, Tchort decided he couldn’t go on with music anymore. 
Angzerhornbroals, of the long-time Illinois cult Black Torment, would join the band. 
In February of 2003 a full LP was supposed to be released on Barbarian Wrath Records 
but many problems caused the album to be delayed to this day. Sadly, in March of 2006, Tchort passed away, 
leaving Nybras continuing on with WOTBM.
Track number 3
Black Goat is a black metal cover of Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit with altered lyrics.

Memory

Monday 29 April 2013

The Call Of The Four Gates – Host Of Chaos (Demo 1996)


Country: Austria

Tracklist
1. Intro: Desecration (Initiationsritus) 01:23
2. Host Of Chaos 00:38
3. Into The Eternal Mist 09:14
4. Hyperion (The Mighty Satanic Moon) 09:45
5. Leader Of The Nocturnal Army 06:37

06. Untitled Track 09:42
07. Untitled Track 13:56

Dark Occult Black Metal from Austria. Formed in 1992, they released just 2 demos, 
Faturek - The Wolf” in 1995, and “Host of Chaos” in 1996. 
Their music was similar in to the Scandinavian black metal scene at the time, using mostly dark, 
slow to mid paced riffs and some subtle keyboards.
Reissued in 2005 with two untitled bonus tracks on the b-side which are included on the Memory Link.

Memory

Sunday 28 April 2013

Helheim ‎– Jormundgand (1995)


Country: Norway

Tracklist
1. Jormundgand 07:48
2. Vigrids Vård 08:15
3. Nidr Ok Nordr Liggr Helvegr 04:28
4. Gravlagt I Eljudne 08:46
5. Svart Visdom 09:08
6. Jotnevandring 02:26
7. Nattravnens Tokt 05:10
8. Galder 03:15

Pagan-viking black metal from Helheim a band that started in 1992, 
with V’gandr (vocals-bass), H’grimnir (vocals-guitars) and Hrymr (drums-keys).
They played in several festivals in Bergen just to get live experience from the start.
In the mid of 1993 Nidhogg (ex-Einherjer) joined Helheim, and in the fall the same year 

they released their debut demo simply entitled “Helheim”. 
The demo never made its way outside the borderlines of Norway 
as the band realized that the released material simply wasn’t good enough.
Soon after they started writing new and more innovative material for their upcoming demo. 

It was at this point Nidhogg left the band. In mid 1994 “Nidr ok Nordr liggr Helvegr” saw the first ray of light, 
and it was at this point that the German label Solistitium Records got in touch with Helheim.
The band signed a two record deal contract, and released their debut CD “Jormundgand” (The Midgard Serpent

recorded in Grieghallen in 1995, and followed up with an European tour in 1996.
After the return from the tour Helheim immediately started working on new material for the follow up

 “Av Norrøn Ætt” (Of Norse Lineage) which turned out to be very different from the debut 
despite for the fact that both were recorded in Grieghallen.
The band since then has released 5 albums.


Memory