Shub Niggurath – Les Morts Vont Vite (1986)

Country: France

Tracklist

1. Incipit Tragaedia 15:46
2. Cabine 67 05:56
3. Yog Sothoth 12:28
4. La Ballade De Lénore 08:58
5. Delear Prius 04:03
6. J'ai Vu Naguère En Peinture Les Harpies Ravissant Le Repas De Phynée 04:19

Shub Niggurath was a progressive rock/zeuhl band, formed in France in 1982 and consisted of Allan Ballaud (bass),

Franck Coulaud (percussion), Frank W. Fromy (guitar/percussion), Jean-Luc Hervé (harmonium/piano/organ),

Ann Stewart (vocals) and Véronique Verdier (trombone).
Their name was taken after one of the deities in Cthulhu Mythos created by the American horror writer H.P.Lovecraft.
The project was created after the bands Aspara and Gorgonus were merged together.

Ann Stewart and Franck W. Fromy from the former, Véronique Verdier, Jean-Luc Hervé and Allain Ballaud from the latter.
Drummers had to be changed often, due to the difficulty of certain compositions,

which were at times too free-form, or too strictly written at others.
Their debut album "Les Morts Vont Vite", that was released in 1986 on the Musea label,

received critical acclaim for its innovative avant-garde inclinations,

and major developments influenced by Magma's "Zeuhl" style.
Musea also reissued the album on CD in 1997, including two bonus tracks.
The debut sold well and later, one song appeared on the tribute compilation to Magma "Enneade".
After its release percussionist Franck Couland left, as did Franc Fromy.

Jean-Luc Herve, also being a guitarist, took Fromy's spot.

In the next years Shub Niggurath appeared on the compilations "Douze Pour Un Vol. 2" (1987) and "Dithrambe" (1988)

followed by a live tape with the new line up: Allan Ballaud (bass), Jean-Luc Herve (electric guitar),  

Veronuque Verdier (bass trombone/percussion), new singers Sylvette Claudet and Jean-Pierre Lourdeau,

and new drummer Michel Kervinio.
Prior to the release of their second studio album, "C'étaient De Très Grands Vents" in 1991, also on the Musea label,

Jean Pierre left the band to become a painter and a new percussionist, Edward Perraud, was added. 

Since then, the band has toured around Paris playing for small audiences.

In 1995 bassist Allan Ballaud passed away due to cancer an incident that put the band on a permanent hiatus.
In 2003 Musea issued their third album "Testament" which consists from archive material recorded in 1992-1994.
The label Soleil Zeuhl reissued on CD in 2009 their demo tape from 1982 entitled "Introduction" and on Vinyl in 2018.

 
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

Avoid Catoblépone – Musiques De Chambre Froide (1998)

Country: France

Tracklist

1. Heute 04:17
2. Clash 04:15
3. Prisonnier 03:53
4. End Never Ends 04:47
5. Little Worker 05:45
6. Vertigineuse 07:03
7. Humiliation 04:53
8. Les Tribulations D'un Soldat En Solde 24:54

Avoid Catoblépone was created in 1992 by Stéphane Bot (Stafkhan)

and his brother Sébastien (also member of Dead Souls Rising on their demo and two first albums).
The band started as alternative/gothic rock project but soon moved towards a cold wave style.
Their first self titled 8-track cassette was released in 1994

followed by second, "Déporté Sur Terre..." in 1995 with the singer Delfine.
Their first CD album "Musiques De Chambre Froide" was self released in 1998, this time with the singer Nadège.
A second album followed in 2002 entitled "Décharné De L'âme".
In 2007, the trio recruited two musicians, Julien (guitar) and Tommy (keyboards), now members of the band Mamadjo,

and recorded the demo "Don't Look Now".
They also started working on their third album but it was never released.

 
Memory