Hypocrite - Welcome to Abaddon demo 1992

Hypocrite - Welcome to Abaddon demo II 1992
1) Antichrist
2) Welcome to Abaddon
3) The Scream...

Depositfiles / Zippy

This is the contribution I meant to post before Anal Jesus foiled my plans. I thought I'd post some proper death metal from 1992 after this and so here is Hypocrite från Sverige with their second demo, again courtesy of Henri. Thanks for the rip and scans! This is very typical Swedish death metal of the time and recorded in the Sunlight studio to boot. Some of the band members played in Mörk Gryning later and apparently the band went for more melodic death metal approach, like so many of their peers, but can't comment on that as I haven't (I think) heard either of their albums.

I already said this sounds very typical Swedish death metal of its time, with Sunlight sound, so I assume the more genre-savvy readers can already imagine what this sounds like. It's already a leaning a little to the more melodic end of the pool, but not overtly so. A negative person would probably bash them for being unoriginal, typical Swedish and trendy but I'm not feeling like that today, I kinda like this. Might have a lot to do with me not having oversaturated myself with the stuff in the 90's, recommended if you enjoy the genre and haven't gotten thoroughly jaded already.

Anal Jesus - Santa Goat rehearsal/demo '93

Anal Jesus - Santa Goat rehearsal/demo III 1993
1) Elämäni savotta
2) A.N.U.S.
3) Musta risti
4) Perkele
5) Ave
6) Santa Goat

Yandex / 4shared

I was going to post something else, another contribution but as I happened across this unfinished rip forgotten (for four years, oops!) in a wrong folder I felt I have to finish it and post right now, especially since I remember people have been looking for the damn thing. This is (yet) another project by Morningstar leader Ari "Sinister Satyr" Honkonen, the infamous Anal Jesus which supposedly changed name to Warmaul but as far as I know didn't release anything under that monicker. This is the third and last in the series of short rehearsal tapes they recorded, I don't know if there was a cover made or not, at least I haven't seen any. Master Honkonen wasn't too co-operative either when I asked about this project back in the day ('95) while getting some Morningstar stuff, could he have been embarassed? Well, if someone happens to have a cover or more info on the matter I'd appreciate it.

I certainly didn't score this one, nor anything else Anal Jesus recorded, from Arska and now I'm not actually sure where I got this dub, it was either from a tape trader or from one of my old mates. Whatever the source was, it's a little worn but certainly bearable quality recording with a bit of hissing present, no notable glitches. The rehearsal itself has a surprisingly good sound, it's noisy for sure but in a good way. Sounds somewhere between Terveet Kädet, Beherit's "Messe des Morts" and old Impaled Nazarene or something like that. At total running time of seven minutes these six tracks are all short and savage bursts, but on the average perhaps not as fast as you might expect. I recall I was not really too impressed with this stuff, though it was amusing enough, but listening to it now after years have passed I actually seem to enjoy it quite a bit. I might need to grab the second demo from Grev and dig up the first one, should have that dubbed somewhere. Have a listen for yourself, it's not going to take too much of your time after all.

UPDATE: Found and ripped the first demo, listen to that first if you still haven't head this one!!! Both are recommended.

Deceiver - Eternal Massacre demo 1992

Deceiver - Eternal Massacre demo 1992
1) Awake / Sleep
2) Funeral March
3) Domestic Violence... Why?
4) Last Chapter

Mediafire / RGhost

Another sending by master Sorvali again (thanks as always!) and now moving to different waters, here's some Finnish "death metal" by Deceiver from Turku. This would seem to be their first demo, having started with an EP and probably some rehearsal tapes or something. Why "death metal" you ask? Simple, this is a thrash/power metal band turned death which means they went for growling vocals, tuned down and slowed a bit. The lyrics would seem to be typical thrash (/grind) fare too so this isn't real and proper metal of death, more like textbook life metal.

Now that we've got that out of the way and probably most readers have left for darker, murkier tombs let's have a few more words about the music. Or not really, it's pretty much what you can imagine from my less than enthusiastic introduction. The sound is decent and heavy enough but this just isn't my canister of gas. Well, at least the cover features pretty interesting drawings of Soviet purges. Get it if you really must hear every old Finnish extreme metal demo.

Korova - Live in Rockhouse Salzburg (13-01-95)

Korova - Live in Rockhouse, Salzburg Austria 13th January 1995
1) Awakening from Perpetual Contemplation (Yellow Mahogany Tomb I)
2) A Kiss in the Charnel Fields
3) Entlebt in tristem Morgenblut
4) Latin Dreams in Turpentine
5) Nordsciltim - In the Filth Where All Cull Perambulates Pain
6) Sálømeh, des Teufels Braut

Rusfolder / Mega

Break over, back to business and this is a live tape contribution (which I would like to see more) which I actually intended to post already before departing for Black Flames V last week but didn't have time to. Anyways, thanks to the contributor for the rip! This has obviously no real cover, I just felt like making one so there.

I should probably say something about the performer too, this is Korova from Austria which a few people might actually remember while others might know them by the later name Korovakill. This live recording predates the debut album's release on Napalm records (who used to be a pretty interesting label in the early to mid 90's) in May '95 but as it was already recorded in late '94 these are final versions of the songs, well, adjusted to the live situation of course. Korova at this phase played avant-gardish black metal that had some odd elements but wasn't quite massively annoying. Though I'm not really fond of the nu-metallish, bouncy bits that occasionally pop up. I think I took a listen to the second album and immediately fled the record store so excuse my ignorance for their latter development. This live tape features a good sound, you can hear all the instruments without them cluttering the soundscape up and no element seems overtly dominant. Possibly a soundboard recording? Yes, the music is all over the place but still manages to stay together well enough to remain listenable and even enjoyable to yours truly. Recommended for the curious, the Austria-oriented and the handful of people who liked "A Kiss in the Charnel Fields".

Ancient - Eerily Howling Winds demo 1993

Ancient - Eerily Howling Winds demo I 1993
1) Eerily Howling Winds
2) Call of the Absu Deep
3) Det glemte riket

Reuploaded

An old classic today, I wanted to post some various contributions today and as comrade unholydeath had obtained a copy of this tape and ripped plus scanned the content and sent it to the Coven already weeks ago I thought it'd be about time I post it. I know there are several rips of this around and it has been (partially I think?) re-released on that compilation CD, but as this has full scans and it is a good rip of a good demo I'm featuring it here.

Pretty much everyone has heard at least some version of Ancient and I've featured their old stuff here before so introductions should not be really necessary. All of these tracks were recorded again for the debut album, so they're familiar stuff. Of course this being a demo the sound is raw and less refined and performance more enthusiastic than professional. I like old Ancient, up to and including "Trolltaar" and this demo is not exception. You should like this too. Unless you dislike melodic black metal with fuzzy demo sound, or Norwegian bands. Or have an issue with what Ancient became but that's not a valid reason to scorn this.

Minotauri - Metal Magic rehearsal 1998

Minotauri - Metal Magic rehearsal tape 1998
1) Crazy Man
2) Steel Is Stronger Than Love
3) Poltergeist
4) Living Alone

Mega / RGhost

Another part two today, here's the second old Minotauri recording brother Grev dubbed me, thanks! This one doesn't seem to have covers and I wasn't in the mood to make a placeholder so we just have to do without a purty decorative pic here. See "Axe Attack" post for more background banter.

Decent enough dub, minor wear present and it unfortunately gets more frequent as the recording proceeds. The rehearsal sound itself isn't half bad. It's a little messier perhaps than "Axe Attack" was but has more power to it too so I think the pendulum swings to Magic's advantage over Axe. Two songs from the reh/demo return and two new ones appear, shifting the style slightly to doomier realms. Annoyingly most of the glitching also appears during these "new" tracks. "Living Alone" (now with a g!) still remains a hit song. I can't come up with anything else right now so have at thee!

Vale of Pnath - Hymn of the Plants demo 1998

Vale of Pnath - Hymn of the Plants demo 1998
1) A Meadow
2) The Flowers
3) Heart of the Deep Forest
4) The Trees Attack
5) A Silent World... Totally Green

Rusfolder / Mediafire

Let's chill again for Sunday evening and this time with another, very interesting, contribution by master Sorvali. Thanks for the rip and scans to him and this is a synth project by the Cult of the Lizard God member Lucy Poems. Not to be mixed with the much more recent technical death metal band, also US, using the same Lovecraftian name.

Music is synth stuff here, as I already said and though looking at the titles would at first suggest this might be more at home at Ritualistic Nature, this has a certain threatening, otherwordly feel to it, rather than serenity of nature and such. Or I might just be letting the Lovecraftian project name and slightly spooky cover art get into my head. Almost purely instrumental (odd vocal effects are added from third track on) and mostly just keyboards (distorted strings take an active role in the fourth track) this is an enjoyable piece that starts rather minimalistic and adds elements, wandering in the realms of dungeon synth, darkwave and nature ambient and whatever. Recommended for my ambient-oriented readers, I'm afraid I must make a run to the convenience store right about now.

Abyss Ritual #5

Abyss Ritual 'zine, issue 5 (winter 1996/1997)
Interviews:
Crimson Midwinter
Choronzon
Nordic Vision magazine
Sorhin
Herodez
Enkil / Undead Productions
Infinite Black
Mortiis
Nordlys
Strid
Full Moon Productions
Skogsposten
Sear Bliss
Golden Dawn
Into the Sunless Meridian / Shadowcaster / Night Conquers Day
Iadanamada
Iudicium
Articles/bios:
Silexater
Dødheimsgard
Blazing Eternity
Urgehal
Drohm
Abazagorath
Emperor
Usurper
Mephiztophel
Songe d'Enfer
Abyssos
Nebiros
Mythological Cold Towers
Ulver
+ a few reviews, old news

Depositfiles

Here's some reading for you, Abyss Ritual 'zine from Colombia, concentrating on black metal and made by two guys called Tshoggua and Putrid. I think they did at least 2-3 issues more after this. Would be interesting to see some of the preceeding ones too, don't know if all were in English though. One of the guys did also another black metal 'zine called The Realm of Nachzehrer, which I should have an issue too but can't seem to find it! But I think it was actually quite similar to A.R. which was very underground sort of a 'zine as you might notice looking at the roster featured. This is definitely a big plus in my books, it's great to see more obscure acts featured! Well, and Mortiis. Yet again. The interviews are mostly quite interesting to read which naturally is another plus. Some of the articles are actually written by the editors while others are label bios reprinted so they vary a lot. Big blocks of typewriter text, typos and misspellings included may intimidate some while others will feel it refreshing. Recommended if you're looking for more ug content and do not care for fancy looks!

Jotunheim - Høght Blæsir Heimdallr demo 1999

Jotunheim (swe) - Høght Blæsir Heimdallr demo II 1999
1) Jotun Komber Løs
2) Høght Blæsir Heimdallr (Ragnarökr I)
3) Stolþet ok Styrkia
4) Yxthid
5) Alfaþirs Rampnbanir
6) Nidher pa Nàströnd (Ragnarökr II)
7) Vigriðr

Mega / Yandex

Ok, enough Finnish items for this week, let's move to Sweden again and complete another two-parter of master Sorvali's contributions. Here is Jotunheim with their second demo, which like the first one is almost 45 minutes long, full album length. Full cover scan enclosed.

Like the first one, this has a bit rough, obvious demo sound. Not as raw though, there is more warmth and a bit of softness to it this time around. The main vocal is a bit deeper and I'd say things are a touch folkier. A few touches, actually. So I suppose it is safe to say they're leaning more in viking/pagan direction than black metal here. Kind of fitting with the coloured covers and all, I guess. If the previous demo was "In the Glare of Burning Churches" this would then be... uh, "Creed of Iron" maybe? Terrible and rather inaccurate comparison. This isn't one of my best days and I don't seem to be into this demo today either, I could swear it sounded better the previous time I listened to it. Now it's just not connecting. If you liked the first one and/or viking/pagan metal in general have a listen for yourself, I'm not going to make any sense until I get my nap. Thanks to Henri again, Velkaarn out.

Crimson Evenfall - Ad Inferos Ante Christum Natum demo 1997

Crimson Evenfall - Ad Inferos Ante Christum Natum demo III 1997
1) When Heaven Falls into the Darkness (Intro)
2) Through the Ocean of Times and Oblivion
3) Tuskan valtakuntaan...
4) Unholy Blood of Immortality
5) Throne of Sorcery
6) Shadows of Diabolical Evernight

Mediafire / 4shared

Decided to post the third and final Crimson Evenfall demo without further delay (demo II here, first demo you can grab from Borderline) and I am also fulfilling a request since this rip from an original tape includes cover scans, once again courtesy of Henu. Thank you!

Featuring six tracks this is the longest C.E. release (and Musta Surma, for that matter!) and some versions featured two additional tracks recorded in the same session. Not this one, though. Unfortunately the tracklistings have been a bit unreliable but the extra tracks would appear to have been "Bringer of Ater" and "Endless Velvet Darkness" and the most common rip with the extra tracks mistitled "Shadows of Diabolical Evernight" as "...Diabolical Holocaust" - I suppose they were thinking about Darkthrone or Darkwoods My Betrothed there. And that tracklisting also switches "Shadows..." and "Endless..." around. Competent, as usual. No such issues here, but I just wanted to bitch about it... mention it, Metal Archives again has it wrong in the notes.

To the music, the first track is an intro which sets the mood nicely while it isn't very memorable. The overall sound of the recording is slightly lower than "Winterheart" but generally continues from where it left off. And sounds actually quite similar to the first Musta Surma demo, except this is a bit "fuller" with more low end presence and the keyboard support. Even guitar solos are present. These days I find myself again preferring these '97 Crimson Evenfall demos to the early Musta Surma material. M.S. is still a better name than C.E. so I guess it makes the balance even. Recommended.

Ondrim - Mahti demo 2002

Ondrim - Mahti demo II 2002
1) Vuosi 1488
2) Valhallan portit

Yandex / RGhost

Here's another item sent by Henri, thanks as always, and this one is really a quickie: two song demo tape by Finnish Ondrim that has a playtime of less than 5½ minutes. I don't know much about the band/project and the covers aren't again most informative ones around but according to Metal Archives this would be the second demo and the band split up in 2003 after a split tape (which you can find from Borderline's blog if you need it) and an album. Cover scans included.

Like already mentioned, this is a very short tape and has a rough, almost primitive (rehearsal) demo sound, quite simple songs, very little information, obvious ns-flirting ("no, it's not nsbm, no sir, it's pagan black metal" yeah right) and probably very limited amount were made and spread. Kvlt as fvck. There's some tape wear or fail to be heard, unfortunately, unless they're intentional and part of the demo itself. Who knows? I'm a bit torn with this, on one hand I enjoy the boneheaded simple bludgeoning and on other hand it's nothing unique or special and feels a little calculated, y'know? But check it out for yourself, it only takes six to seven minutes of your time after all.

Crimson Evenfall - Winterheart demo 1997

Crimson Evenfall - Winterheart demo II 1997
1) Henget
2) Mustan yön valtias
3) Winterheart
4) Through the Enchanted Forests

RGhost / Depositfiles

Time for some black metal again and to resume sorting through the loot master Sorvali kindly shared with the Coven. Today's item is the second tape by Finnish black metal band Crimson Evenfall who survive to this age as Musta Surma. These songs date to late '96 and were recorded and mixed in January-February '97. I've seen rips of this tape a lot but most seemed either incomplete (missing the fourth track) and/or low-ish bitrate plus sporting incorrect tracklisting so Henri's rip from an original tape, with scans, should be welcome and at least I'm grateful for it!

I'm under the impression C.E. and M.S. are quite well-known names among people into underground Finnish black metal. But just in case you're not familiar with this incarnation, the music is melodic and slightly raw-ish Finnish black metal with a quite good demo sound. A bit more mellow than Musta Surma, perhaps, but by no means flowery tree-hugging transcendental un-black metal. Yes, there are synths but so what, they're an excellent instrument when used properly and fit very well with true raw lofi Satanic black metal produced in a forest cellar under a fullmoon in a bloody cold winternight no matter what people say, especially if they sound cheesy and cheap! I'm starting to digress badly and am probably anyways preaching to the choir so just download it. Recommended and essential.

Laïlheb ‎– Old Incantations & Forbidden Prayers demo 1996

Laïlheb ‎– Old Incantations & Forbidden Prayers I demo 1996
1) Ucarn Ot Rehrg
2) Hegïozg
3) Ize Rasgoeth
4) Lein Pugerk Orag

Mediafire / Zippy

Black ambiance for tonight, this is a project called Laïlheb ‎from France and as far as I know, their only demo. Quite similar to their label-mates Balam, which you might remember from this post and that was actually the main reason I tracked down a copy of the tape. Wouldn't be surprised if it was the same guys actually but the covers aren't too informative.

Like Balam, this is gloomy and dreary dark ambient with dungeon synth-sound. Quite simple, grim keyboards accompanied by an obscure voice reciting something unintelligible creates a mysterious, eldritch aura. Or sounds cheap and cliché, depending on your approach to it I suppose. All four songs are rather long, the first over nine minutes, but have enough variation to not overstay their welcome. Slightly more easy listening than Balam, I nevertheless enjoy this. And for once I'm not complaining about the vocals, the whispery and/or black metallish voices fit the music well. Recommended if you're into blackened ambient, dungeon synth and other casual elevator musick.