Cursed For Eternity – Cold Reality (Demo 1997)

Country: United States

 

Tracklist

1. Cursed For Eternity 03:47
2. To Know Pain 03:47
3. Bleed These Tears 04:20
4. Ashes Of Temptation 03:08
5. Lifeless 04:59

 

Cursed For Eternity was formed in June 1994 by Mike (vox/guitar), Pat guitar), and Jeff (drums).
After covering Slayer, Mayhem and other influential bands for a short time,

Josh joined on bass and the band began writing its own material.
Josh then left shortly before their demo was recorded to focus on his drumming in his other band, Destro, 

leaving Mike to handle the bass tracks.
In August of 1997, the band recorded on a four track five songs that that included on their first demo entitled "Cold Reality". The demo received favorable reviews in several metal 'zines and around 200 copies were sold.
Jay filled in on bass for shows and ended up joining the band to begin work in August of 1998

 on their second demo "Beyond The Unbound" that was released in August of 1999.
The songs on this demo are much more complex and experimental, yet the brutality increased as well.
Cursed For Eternity eventually disbanded in November 1999.
Mike, Jeff and Jay moved on to form Hirudinea and also are participating in bands like Embryonic Cryptopathia,

Cruentation, Impenitent Thief and Mucophagus while Pat and Josh formed the band Gutter.

 
Memory

Atman – Like Pure Unawaited Magic (1996)

Country: Spain

 

Tracklist

 1. Prelude... On My Existence 01:10
2. Some Impressions From The Kingdom Of Plenitude 05:13
3. Beautiful Or Beautiless 04:23
4. Poetry And Passion (The Illumination Of The Aura) 06:00
5. Personification Of A Feeling 04:15
6. Remembrances of a Moment 05:15
7. Martyrs, Blasphemizers And The Sick 05:06
8. A World Without You, Imagination 05:43
9. An Epilog, A Fairwell... 02:10

 

 Another early Catalan black metal project that was formed in 1992, featuring Kali Yuga Psy Atman (Drums),

Koan Psy Atman (Guitars) and Darshan (Vocals, Guitars, Bass).
"Like Pure Unawaited Magic" was their debut album, recorded between 1994 and 1995

on an eight-track analogue at Metall Pesad Studio in Barcelona,

and presents a mix of fast black metal with atmospheric/experimental parts

with the addition of unique operatic soprano vocals by Fuencisla.
During the period 2001 - 2011 four more albums were released, followed by a split with Melangia in 2019.

 
Memory

Sign Of KatuMarus – In Nostro Omnium Fletu (Demo 1995)

Country: Spain

 

Tracklist

 1. In Nostro Omnium Fletu 06:08
2. Mayhemic Archangels Reach The Highest Of The Agonies 03:40
3. Under The Purest Blackened Skies 07:35
4. The Cries Of The Thousand Legions 04:39
5. But Eternals Beheld His Vast Forests (Judas Iscariot Cover) 07:48

 

 Short lived Catalan project created around 1995 by Katu-Marus 

(aka Jordi Martinez also in Dawn Ov Hate, ex-Gorthaur, ex-Asgaroth, ex-Beheaded Lamb).
Sign Of KatuMarus was one of the first acts to emerge from the scene in Catalonia

together with bands like Ork, Zhatsaraeth and Gorthaur.
The project released only one demo in 1995 entitled "In Nostro Omnium Fletu"

and also participated on the Judas Iscariot tribute album "To The Triumph Of Evil" in 2006,

covering the song "But Eternals Beheld His Vast Forest".
"In Nostro Omnium Fletu" was re-released in 2006 on CD by Ad-Inferos label

and later in 2023 on cassette by Pesta Negra Records.

 
Memory

Raism – The Very Best Of Pain (MCD 1996)

Country: Greece / Finland

 

Tracklist

1. Chaosphere 03:54
2. Killing Machine 04:49
3. Les 120 Journees De Sodome (A Velvet Ballad For Desade) 04:37
4. Alienation 04:10
5. What Kind Of Hell Is This Anyway? 04:32

 

 Raism was the continuation of Diabolos Rising project that featured Magus Wampyr Daoloth (Thou Art Lord,

The Magus, ex-Necromantia, ex-N.A.O.S., ex-Danse Macabre) and Mika Luttinen (Impaled Nazarene).

The band took its moniker from Gilles De Rais and here the dark atmosphere of Diabolos Rising is left aside

for a more groovier and catchier industrial metal melodies with anti-social and misanthropic themes.

Sotiris Vayenas of Septic Flesh is handling the guitars

while Spiros Antoniou (also from Septic Flesh) is responsible for the cover art of the MCD.

In 1997 Raism released their only full length album entitled "Aesthetic Terrorism"

where most of the tracks are followed by a hardcore techno remix version of them.

 
Memory

Havohej – Black Perversion (12'' EP 1994)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. Black Perversion 07:18
2. Unholy Sodomy 02:00
3. Mary Goddess Of Shit 06:00

Solo experimental black metal project of Paul Ledney, formed in 1993 after the split of Profanatica the previous year.

Former Profanatica and Incantation member Brett Makowski assisted with guitars and bass on the first Havohej album,

"Dethrone The Son Of God" in 1993, which consists mainly of re-worked and re-recorded Profanatica tracks.

During the following years Havohej developed a much more unique and experimental style

of minimalist black metal, mixed with dark ambient and noise/industrial elements.

On September 29th, 2007 the band made their very first and only performance ever at the Autumn Equinox V festival.

 
Memory

Tyrant – Rise Of The Fallen (Demo 1998)

Country: Sweden

Tracklist

1. This Frozen Realm 05:36
2. När Natten För Evigt Fallit 06:07
3. Era Av Blod 07:08
4. Outro 00:50

Swedish black metal project formed in 1996 in Jönköping and released only one demo in 1998 entitled "Rise Of The Fallen".

The band had a full line up featuring Lord Thurisaz (Drums), Tiwaz (Guitars, Keys),

Trollheim (Vocals, Bass) and Hate Svartulv (Guitars).
Tyrant offers here fast and aggressive black metal with the appropriate amount of keyboard parts when needed.
Later, in 1999, they changed their name to The Legion and released three albums before disbanding in 2010.

 
Memory

Ishtar – Diabolical Hymns (MCD 1998)

Country: Sweden

Tracklist

1. Mörkets Furste 10:43
2. Damnation 08:10
3. Dismal Paradise 06:07

Short lived Swedish Melodic Black Metal band with a lot of keyboard parts and some female vocals.
Ishtar released in 1998 their MCD "Diabolical Hymns" with Snöstorm handling the lead vocals.

In 1999 their one and only full length album "Krig" followed

but this time with their guitarist Ahldrathan on vocals after the departure of Snöstorm.
Both of them released on Hammerheart Records.

 
Memory

Gnome – Under The Black Moon (Demo 1996)

Country: Japan

Tracklist

1. La Forêt (I - II) 15:46
2. La Mer... 09:47
3. Oriental Flower (Bonus Track) 07:37

Japanese one-man Black Metal project from Osaka that was formed by Masanori "Wood" Haruta in 1995.
Gnome released two demos in mid 90s, the split "Story - Legendary Japanese Wolves" in 1999 with Nyarlathotep

 and the compilation "Silent Scream" in 2012.
The demo "Under The Black Moon" was originally released in 1996 and later in 1997 on the split with Hurusoma

 that was another Black Metal project of Masanori Haruta (along with the ambient project Human Soul).

The Memory link features as bonus the track "Oriental Flower"

that appeared on the compilation "In Search Of Weird Truth..." in 2000.

 
Memory

Eternal Frost – Christial Holocaust (Demo 1998)

Country: Netherlands

Tracklist

1. Intro 01:09
2. Final Trip 03:59
3. Eternal Frost 02:34
4. Christial Holocaust 04:31
5. Slagveld 03:17

Melodic Black Metal band formed in 1996 under the name Lord Of Grim (also known as Lord Of Flies at one point).
Eternal Frost only released one demo in 1998 entitled "Christia(n?)l Holocaust" that incorporated a lot of keyboard parts.
Featuring members of Blutvial, Israthoum and Thanatos.

 
Memory

Βάκχειος – Μάκαρ Κερασφόρε (Demo 1998)

 

Country: Greece

Tracklist

 1. Μάκαρ Κερασφόρε 03:35
2. Νυκτέρι Ευβουλές (Bonus Track) 05:09

 

Greek Pagan/Black Metal project created in late 90s by Voreas (Oct 15th 1979 - Feb 11th 2022,

also member of Dark Mighty Thought, F.R.O.S.T., Goathrone and Drutentus) and who also used to run Druvid Promotion.
Only one demo/promo released in 1998 entitled "Μάκαρ Κερασφόρε" that featured one track under the same title.
Supposedly some copies included a second track entitled "Νυκτέρι Ευβουλές",

which later in 2012 appeared in the compilation "Hellenic Metal Of Black Death".
In 2016 Cryptia Productions re-released both demos of Drutentus and Βάκχειος in a limited edition CD featuring both tracks.

 
Memory

Sammath – Strijd (1999)

Country: Netherlands

Tracklist

1. De Glorie Van Het Slagveld 05:13
2. Zwaardbroeders Bij De Bergengte 05:52
3. Strijd 07:05
4. Drakenbloed 05:07
5. De Heidense Vlam Zal Branden 04:02
6. Als Duisternis De Kasteel Torens Bedekt 03:39
7. Met De Strijdbijl In Mijn Hand 04:32

Sammath was formed in 1994 by Jan Kruitwagen,

inspired by the new wave of black metal and the great thrash/death/black formations of the eighties.
Within a year the first promo tape "Visions Upon Winter Lands" 1995 was recorded.
Soon after this tape J.Kruitwagen got in contact with M.Gertsen to help with the drums and the recording.
The following demo "Zwaardbroeders Bij De Bergengte" was released in 1996

and sold over 650 copies thanks to great help from the underground.
A year later, in 1997, the third demo "De Ruïnes Fluisteren" followed.
The reactions were positive and this finally led to a deal with the German label Folter Records.
After this M.Gertsen was forced to leave the band due to a lack of interest.
The first CD entitled "Strijd" was released in 1999 and was recorded on 16 tracks and produced/mastered by J.Kruitwagen.
The CD gained a good review in the main Dutch metal magazine Aardschok 

and an interview in Holland's largest mainstream music magazine Oor.
Searching for more diversity within the sound J.Kruitwagen got in contact with Cor Van Maris

 to help with the vocals on the album "Verwoesting/Devastation", that was released in 2002.
By 2002 Sammath had developed into a full line up band with Koos Bos on drums and Ruud Nillesen on bass.
Two more albums were released, "Dodengang" in 2006 and "Triumph In Hatred" in 2009.
Sammath signed to Hammerheart Records in 2013 and released the album "Godless Arrogance".
In 2016, Wim Van Der Valk (Inquisitor, Centurian) replaced Koos Bos on drums.
After the release of the album "Across The Rhine Is Only Death" in 2019

live shows were performed in Germany, Serbia, Romania and Russia.
Their latest album entitled "Grebbeberg" was released in 2023.

 
Memory

Keep Of Kalessin – Through Times Of War (1997)

 

Country: Norway

Tracklist

1. Through Times Of War 04:31
2. Den Siste Krig 04:43
3. As A Shadow Cast 06:09
4. I Choose To Suffer 06:50
5. Skygger Av Forg 05:22
6. Obliterator 05:42
7. Nectarious Red / Itch 14:19

Keep Of Kalessin is a Norwegian extreme metal band from Trondheim, formed in 1993.
The group's early lineup consisted of Ghash on vocals, Obsidian C. (the group founder) on guitars and keyboards,

Warach on bass, and Vyl on drums.
Two albums were released under this lineup, "Through Times Of War" in 1997,

and "Agnen: A Journey Through The Dark" in 1999, before splitting up.
Obsidian C. then toured with Satyricon, but revived the the band in 2003 with the release of the EP "Reclaim"

and all new members featuring Frost (Satyricon, 1349) on drums and Attila Csihar (Mayhem, Tormentor etc.) on vocals.
This line-up did not last and fell apart because of the distances between the band members.
In 2006, Obsidian C. once again reconstituted the group with a new lineup

and released two albums "Armada" in 2006 and "Kolossus" in 2008.
These releases brought a good attention from mainstream media in Norway

and as a result Keep Of Kalessin was nominated for a Spellemannprisen in the metal category in 2008.
In 2010 they also entered a song in the the annual competition Melodi Grand Prix,

to select Norway's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, but they failed finishing in the 3rd place overall.
The band released its fifth album, "Reptilian" in 2010 demonstrating a deviation

from the black metal influenced sound of their previous music in favor of a more extreme metal sound.
Two more albums followed, "Epistemology" in 2015 and "Katharsis" in 2023.

 
Memory

Incarnator – Nordic Holocaust (Demo 1992)

Country: Norway

Tracklist

1. In Nocturnal Glory (Bonus Track) 05:04
2. Part I 04:14
3. Part II 03:50

Underground one man black metal project created by Bård Titlestad (aka Zyphrianus)

in the end of 1991 and hailing from the southern part of Norway, Stavanger, Rogaland.

The line up at the beginning except Zyphrianus on vocals and guitars also featured Sanrabb (of the Gehenna fame)

on the guitars but shortly after he left searching for other musical tasks.
The first recording was the promo track "In Nocturnal Glory",

created in February 1992 with Zyphrianus handling all the instruments and vocals.

Later that year by mid-October Zyphrianus went to Sound Suite Studios to record the two track demo "Nordic Holocaust".

Both recordings were passed only to close friends and contacts around the world.

By that time Euronymous of Mayhem got very interested in Incarnator's material

to the point of offering Zyphrianus a contract for a debut album on his Deathlike Silence Productions label.

Of course nothing happened due to Euronymous' death in 1993.

After all these incidents Zyphrianus returned to the isolation he came from,

loosing interest in the then growing black metal scene, which, at his eyes, was getting too much attention from outsiders.
The Memory link features as bonus the promo track "In Nocturnal Glory".

Memory

Black Candle – Nightfire (MCD 1999)

Country: Luxembourg

Tracklist

1. As Darkness Rises... (Intro) 00:59
2. Millenium Battle 03:47
3. A Strange Vision 03:22
4. Nightfire 04:22
5. The Black Stone 03:12
6. Do Wou Däischtert And Niwwel Regeiert 04:29
7. Cosmic Icewinds 02:47
8. Besiess Vum Schwaarze Liicht 04:55
9. The Summoning Of Giddim-Xul (Outro) 00:32
10. Meeting With The Beast (Bonus Track) 04:00

Black Candle was formed in 1994 and was one of the first black metal bands from Luxembourg.
The band started rehearsing without a drummer and consisted at the time

by vocalist Dark Lord Tenebrus (aka Simon), Azael (guitar) and Thummiel (second guitar).
Thummiel left Black Candle to form his own band Sargatanas back in 1996.
Some weeks later Simon and Azael met a drummer called Shadow, who soon joined them.
The demo "My Black Sky" was released in March 1996 featuring five tracks, created during rehearsals of 1994-1996.
In 1997 Azael left the band due to lack of interest

and Simon was forced to play the guitar and the bass making Black Candle a two-piece.
Second demo "Winter Of Wrath" was materialized as a result of band's first studio experience.
Shortly after bass player Lord Mogon joined Simon and Shadow and their first gig in Germany was performed.
On November Black Candle entered the studio again to record the track "Meeting With The Beast".
This song was featured on the 1998 Shiver Records compilation "Sometimes Death Is Better Part 5-9".
Soon after, disinterested Lord Mogon quitted and the band lost their rehearsal place in Luxembourg.
These events combined with lack of support from local music scene caused one-year hiatus for Black Candle.
Shadow took part in the act called Vinsval, while Simon joined German the band Pagan Winter as a singer.
Black Candle and Pagan Winter were featured on the compilations "Germanische Tyrannen" (Frontfire Distribution, 1998)

and "A Taste Of Blood" (Mortuary Khage Productions, 1998).
In the late 1998 new rehearsal room was found and line-up was completed with Phosphoros (lead guitar) and Fallen (bass). In 1999, "Nightfire" was recorded during two days (August 1998) and released via Pagan Winter Productions.
In 2002 during many line up changes "The Faceless Angel" album was released

with the support of Burhuc ASBL (local concert promoter) and Pagan Winter Productions.
Between 2002-2004 a lot of gigs were performed in Luxembourg, France and Germany.
In 2004 the demo "From The Deepest Level" (limited to 30 copies) was released

followed by a promo-single containing two tracks in 2005.
"Lead Me To The Tombs" album consisting of eight new tracks

and re-recorded versions of "Meeting The Beast" and "My Black Sky" was finished in early 2006.
By 2007 all members of the band were busy with their side-projects

and also everyone had their own opinion about the future direction of Black Candle.

As a result band split up in June 2007.
Black Candle reunited in 2009 as a duo (Simon - all instruments, Styxx - vocals)

but it didn't last long because Styxx died of leukemia in June 7, 2009.
Creation of new full-length album (which serves as dedication to deceased Styxx) began in 2012

and released by the label Possession Productions in August 30, 2013 under the title "Smoke And Monoliths".
Two more albums followed, "Lost Light Of The North" in 2016, and "Trees In Space" in 2020, before their disbanding in 2024.

Memory

Vargariket – Vargariket (Demo 1996)

Country: Norway

Tracklist

1. Taakeheimens Trone 03:43
2. I Nattens Fule Mørke 06:33
3. Vargnatt 02:40
4. Vaart Fedreland 04:37
5. Mørkets Palass 04:04
6. Brenn 03:10
7. Nattens Onde (Bonus Track) 05:02

Hailing from the dark woods of Aurskog-Høland Vargariket was created in 1995

by Sturlason and Turgeis (aka Kjell Rune Sønsthagen) as a two-piece.
The idea was to play old school pagan black metal (Aasgard Metal)

and in the beginning they both switched between playing the drums and the guitars.
They were joined by Strømsæther soon thereafter

and recorded their first self titled demo during eastern 1996 in Lydhodene Studio.
The demo was professionally produced with a glossy printed cover-sleeve

and released in co-operation with Luisitanian Rec. selling around 1000 copies world-wide.
This lead to a contract with the Portuguese label Impio Productions 

that promised to release their second demo entitled "The Rise Of The Aasgard Cult".
However after the master was sent off nothing happened.
Later the band signed a deal with the Dutch label Hammerheart Records for 3 CDs

but due to disagreements this did not become reality.
At the same time Strømsæther moved to do civil duty and later Sturlason and Turgeis joined to serve the army

resulting in Vargariket being put on ice in December of 1997.
Around 1999 there was an attempt by Sturlason to resurrect the band with the help of Eirik Blodøks (guitar/backing vocals),

Torgeir P. Krokfjord (vocals/guitars) and Anna (fiddle) as a session member.
There were plans for a 7'' EP or a CD-single during the spring of 2000

and for the release of their long awaited debut in early autumn of the same year but all these never happened.
In 2021 Cold Northern Breeze Records released the compilation CD "Taakeheim"

that featured their "Vargariket" demo, the rehearsal tape "Yggdrasil" and the track "Nattens Onde".
The memory contains as bonus the track "Nattens Onde" that was recorded at Studio Strømmen in 1997 

exclusively for the 1998 CD compilation "Sometimes Death Is Better Part 5-9".

Memory

Sortsind – Sår (1999)

Country: Denmark

Tracklist

1. Vandrer Blandt Dødninge 05:19
2. Blot 04:36
3. Drømme Om Evig Nat 05:54
4. Blandt Grå Monumenter 06:05
5. Sår 05:31
6. Sorte Tårer 03:00
7. Jeg Er Kulden 06:49
8. Vandrer Du I Natten Mørk 09:28
9. Skumring 05:00

Obscure short lived Danish black metal project that operated in the late 90s

consisting of Svig (vocals, guitars), Smerte (bass, keyboards) and Sorg (vocals, drums).
Their debut album was released in 1999 under the title "Sår" on the Danish BTB label

and with the help of Herr. Overgaard handling the drums on two tracks.

The same year a 7'' EP was also released entitled "Tomhed"

featuring three new songs and a forth one taken from their full length album.
This was their last release as the band disbanded after the death of Smerte that committed suicide in 1999.
A third limited edition compilation CDr release followed in 2001 on MP3.com label

and featured various tracks from their two previous releases.
Svig and Smerte were also members of the band Daarlig Stemning.

Memory

Nogbold's Palace – Dark Agony (1998)

Country: Germany

Tracklist

1. Enter The Palace 02:32
2. Sorrow 07:40
3. The End Of Life 08:43
4. Aufmarsch 01:05
5. Thou Art Lord 05:06
6. See Ravens Fly 08:09
7. Dark Agony 02:32

Obscure German hypnotic black/dark metal/ambient project created around 1998.
They self released their first album in 1998 on cassette format under the title "Dark Agony".
Later Irrlichter Records re-released the album on CD featuring bonus tracks from their second album.
In 2003 they published their second album entitled "Nogbold's Palace".
One of their members was also involved with the experimental black metal project Ardulph Ardebahr Wald.

Memory

The Last Battle – Ouglouk Rougai (Demo 1999)

Country: France

Tracklist

1. Raliement 02:14
2. Battlefield 03:56
3. Les Feux De La Victoire 03:31
4. La Danse Des Gobelins 05:30
5. Pensée D'un Troll 03:44
6. Trève 02:26
7. Division Chaos 05:34
8. Beuverie 01:27

French black metal project with goblin inspired thematology featuring members from Arkham.
The band consisted of Grusrr (lead vocals, guitars, horn),

Ourg (drums, additional vocals) and Urgagh' (guitars, backing vocals).
They released only one demo in 1999 through Onirik Circle Production 

under the title "Ouglouk Rougai" in a limited edition of 300 copies.

Memory

Ravening – Exοrdium - Niedergang (Demo 1999)

Country: Finland

Tracklist

1. Exordium - The Ravening 01:42
2. Exultant Upon The Ruined Earth 02:17
3. I Shall Reap 01:57
4. War Witchery 02:41

First demo release from this Finnish project that was formed by Shatraug (Horna, Sargeist etc.)

and Lord War Torech (Lurk, ex-Torturium, ex-Satanic Warmaster).
Released by Chanteloup Creations, "Exordium - Niedergang" was not rehearsed

and was recorded and mixed in November of 1999.
The later releases of the project moved into death metal territories.

Memory

Svart Imperium – Ode À La Normandie (Demo 1998)

Country: France

Tracklist

1. Vestige Chevaleresque De L'Empire Du Nord (Nordens Konger) 05:05
2. Mörke Undersätter 05:42
3. A Furrore Normannorum... 05:24
4. Som En Vind I Evig Vinter 06:20
5. Légions Du Nord 07:32

French black metal project created by Isendorn (ex-Lichten Nacht, ex-Only Darkness, ex-Iphicrate, ex-Mastema) in late 90s.

In 1998 their one and only demo was self released under the title "Ode À La Normandie".
The same year was also published by Decayed Raven Productions label as a limited edition cassette with a different cover.

Memory