Łza Zeschniętej Róży – Majestat Mgieł Nocnych (1997)

Country: Poland

Tracklist

1. Majestat Mgieł Nocnych 08:20
2. Pamięć Uśpionych Świec 09:03
3. Pieśń Dla Zapomnianej Osady 08:15
4. Wiatr Północny 05:54
5. Pogańskie Krainy 03:00
6. Stara Baśń 03:26

Łza Zeschniętej Róży (Tear Of A Withered Rose) was a melodic pagan/black metal band that formed at the end of 1993.
Initially the band was named Bathuel and two demo tapes were recorded under this moniker.
The first one, entitled "The Legends Of Pagans", was recorded live, without mix,
during one night in Pruszcz Gdanski studio in February 1995 and consisted of three songs..
The line up at the time was Adam Wosiak (vocals, rhythm guitar), Krzysztof Twardosz (drums & percussion),
Robert Bandzul (solo guitar) and session musician Sebastian Smolak (Keyboards).
The second demo, "Deszczowa Pieśń Leśnych Duchów" (Rainy Song Of Forest Spirits), was recorded in Swarzędz studio
in May 1996, by Adam Wosiak (vocals, rhythm guitar, bass guitar)
and Krzysztof Twardosz (drums & percussion, solo guitar, keyboard, vocals).
The group had a contract offer with the German label Solistitium Records but the deal never completed.
 After recording their second demo, the band changed  their name to Łza Zeschniętej Róży and in May 1997,
they recorded their first full length entitled "Majestat Mgieł Nocnych" (The Majesty Of Night Mists), 
at Selani Studio in Olsztyn that was released on tape by Midgard Records.
New band member, Aleksandra Mazurek, participated in the recordings as a keyboardist and also adding some vocals.
Robert Bandzul, known from the first demo tape, was also involved in arrangement of some of the songs.
It is worth mentioning, that the band had nearly 40 hours for recording,
which was unbelievably short and therefore some shortcomings could not be avoided.
Only three hours were used on vocals recordings and the same time was spent on mixing,
while there were only four drum rehearsals.
Krzysztof Twardosz played an important role in the studio, as he recorded most of the instruments, 
helped with arrangement and put finishing touches to tracks.
Adam Wosiak was the author of all compositions, except "Wiatr Północny" and made the most of the drum arrangements.

Memory

Haimad – Majestic (MCD 1999)

Country: Sweden

Tracklist

1. Immortal Winds 04:41
2. Path Of The Elder Gods 04:41
3. Eclipse Of Mankind 02:07
4. Ancient Gates 04:41
5. Majestic 07:37

Haimad was formed in Sundsvall, Sweden in 1994.
The band was consisted of a full line up and released in 1995 the demo "A Dream Vision Vanished", 
followed by a second tape in 1997 entitled "The Horned Moon".
After the release of the MCD "Majestic" in 1999 the band went on a long hiatus.
Many years went by without a sign of life before Azradan, the only remaining founding member,
set out to resurrect the band and recruited a new line-up
in order to create melodic/symphonic black metal in the best tradition of the Scandinavian mid-90s.
Finally 25 years after their founding, Haimad released the EP "The Return" in 2019 on Northern Silence Productions.
The Memory Link contains as a bonus track the song "Under Spread Wings Of Eternal Darkness" 
that was featured on the compilation "Satanic Rites - A Tribute To Hell" released by Full Moon Productions in 1998.

Memory

Hemlock – Funeral Mask (1998)

Country: United States

Tracklist

1. Frozen Tears 02:03
2. Way Of The Wolf 03:44
3. Hemlock 05:09
4. Black Dawn 02:19
5. October Sunrise 03:05
6. Necrofuck 04:27
7. Loyal To Evil 06:10
8. Reign Of Death 04:39
9. Funeral Mask 04:38

Hemlock was created in late summer of 1992 by Laconist (guitars) and Desecrator (vocals, bass).
In that autumn of the same year His Eminence, hailing from the cult act Porphyria, joined them on drums.
He was one of the few individuals responsible for the birth of the black/death metal scene in New York City.
Later that year, Hemlock recorded a two song demo.
The band rehearsed on and off for 3 years searching for suitable members to complete their line up,
until they were joined by Balth on bass and lead Desecrator to concentrate on his vocal duties.
Weeks later, Azalin (guitars) was the last piece of the puzzle.
In June of 1996 Hemlock recorded a six song promo, which sparked interest from Head Not Found 
that later in 1997 re-released it as a MCD entitled "Crush The Race Of God".
Hemlock then took a breather long enough to enter the studio to record a split MCD
with fellow hardcore/punk/grind/thrash band Black Army Jacket.
One year later they recorded at the Smoke Grind and Sleep Studios their official full length
entitled "Funeral Mask" which was to be their last release for Head Not Found.
Due to the lack of promotion/professionalism of Head Not Found,
Hemlock decided to team up with long time supporter Jon Thorns of the Full Moon Productions.
During negotiations, Laconist departed from the band.
Hemlock as a four piece started writing/rehearsing for their second full length album entitled "Lust For Fire".
The album was originally tended to be released at the end of 1999 but instead saw the light of day in 2001.
The band has also made live appearances with acts like Sigh, Deceased, Exodus, Immolation and Usurper.
The Memory Link contains as a bonus track their cover of Kreator's "Awakening Of The Gods"
that featured on the compilation "Tribute To Kreator" in 2000.

Memory