sunnuntai 20. syyskuuta 2015

Jarowit - Za dawne dni demo 1996

Jarowit - Za dawne dni demo 1996
1) Zew umarłych legend
2) Płomień
3) Za krew naszych przodków
4) Wicher

4shared / Yandex

Let's do some non-metal material again, this is a contribution, from the same source as the Brunei stuff posted earlier - thanks you know who you are - and a rather obscure project from Poland called Jarowit with a four song demo released in 1996. As far as we know, that is. Seems legit, considering that quite a few similar projects appeared around that time in Poland. Most likely inspired by Perunwit who were among the first to pioneer a sort of mix between (neo-)folk, ambient and some metal elements with a pagan and often nationalistic ideology. Well yeah Lord Wind obviously did something similar too but I feel it's a bit different from what most of these sort of projects put out. Sadly no covers nor is there anything online that my extremely lazy and half-hearted search would've discovered.

You might've noticed I approached describing the music herein somewhat cautiously but I suppose best short description might be low-fi pagan folk/ambient. This is a pretty long demo, that is it feels kinda long running 23+ minutes spread over the four parts here. First song consists of quite monotonous and slightly erratic guitar strumming and tape hiss for almost five minutes. Second one features more guitar, slightly muted clean-ish singing, some sort of percussion (he might be drumming on his guitar case with his hands for all I know) so there's more going on there. It's still kind of sparse and most likely performed "live" or "rehearsal" so to say, whatever he (they? but it's probably, almost certainly, one guy) used to record this just set up running and capturing the result on tape. Third track seems to follow in same vein but has variation by adding what I guess is supposed to be a wolf howling (I'm almost certain it's the artist himself) as well as harsh black metal rasps for more aggressive parts. Those moments make me imagine this as some sort of extremely stripped down pagan metal solo performance in street corner or small square in less-than-presentable part of town. If this was properly recorded in a studio it would have none of the oddly compelling charm present in this forme, though it's a very trying listen, mostly overstaying its welcome and demanding a certain amount of patience from the listener. I'm not really sure whether to recommend this or not as my own reactions seem to vary from one listen to another. I suppose if you're into old Perunwit, Svantevith, Nirnaeth, or other of the several similar projects I can't seem to recall now when I'd need to you'll want to check this one out too. Though those are really not very good name drops as they're so much more, um, refined? This is closer to Messier than December's Fire, to offer some perspective.

6 kommenttia:

Anonyymi kirjoitti...

Now this does bring back some memories! Thanks, I'm really glad you posted this, it's been years since I lost my tape dubs. My memories of Jarowit, being obsessed with the Polish black metal scene in the mid 90s I came across this piece of work tape trading with a guy called Balrog. The Polish black metal scene was a mixed bag back then. Some really great bands, some not so great bands with the worst sound production you can imagine. Then there was this ambient stuff. Keyboard projects like Minas Morgul and Jarowit. Honestly, for nostalgic reasons, I like it and will continue to listen to it. It represents what was going on at the time. For many people who didn't have a personal experience with tape trading and such, I'd say this is going to be a tough one for you to swallow. You're going to need to have an open mind. A VERY open mind. It is a treasure in its own right, as were so many bands and projects from that time period. Those days are long gone in the Polish scene. It's nice to have Rob Darken still raising his sword to the sky. I'm obsessed with Graveland these days for this reason. A bit off the topic of Poland, but still obscure as fuck; I suggest checking this out if you haven't yet: Eridu Arcane - Ars Poetica (Demo 1994)http://www.eriduarcane.com/music.html Especially the track "En ring av stein". I believe the demo is still available but if not contact me and I'll send you the link. Thanks again!

Anonyymi kirjoitti...

Now this does bring back some memories! Thanks, I'm really glad you posted this, it's been years since I lost my tape dubs. My memories of Jarowit, being obsessed with the Polish black metal scene in the mid 90s I came across this piece of work tape trading with a guy called Balrog. The Polish black metal scene was a mixed bag back then. Some really great bands, some not so great bands with the worst sound production you can imagine. Then there was this ambient stuff. Keyboard projects like Minas Morgul and Jarowit. Honestly, for nostalgic reasons, I like it and will continue to listen to it. It represents what was going on at the time. For many people who didn't have a personal experience with tape trading and such, I'd say this is going to be a tough one for you to swallow. You're going to need to have an open mind. A VERY open mind. It is a treasure in its own right, as were so many bands and projects from that time period. Those days are long gone in the Polish scene. It's nice to have Rob Darken still raising his sword to the sky. I'm obsessed with Graveland these days for this reason. A bit off the topic of Poland, but still obscure as fuck; I suggest checking this out if you haven't yet: Eridu Arcane - Ars Poetica (Demo 1994)http://www.eriduarcane.com/music.html Especially the track "En ring av stein". I believe the demo is still available but if not contact me and I'll send you the link. Thanks again!

Velkaarn kirjoitti...

@forever slain:

Thanks for your comment! Yeah, the nostalgy is strong in things like this - I also remember Jarowit popping up on some tradelists but I don't think I had it on tape myself so the music was a new for me. Also, damn I forgot Minas Morgul from my name drops, "The Wilderness Shrouded in Winds" was very much in the discussed category! Heh, agreed that a very open mind is a necessary component approaching this one and actually many of the similar ones.

I know "Ars Poetica" - I actually have had my rip of the demo done since '10 or so but I noticed they had it available online so I declined from posting it! Especially since the dub was a bit worn and probably at wrong speed (it's a bit shorter). Great stuff, more in the ethereal vein. You had it also on tape? May I ask under what name you got it, as I'm 100% it wasn't originally Eridu Arcane; I saw both Eridu The Arcane and Eridu De Arcane variations used and got my dub as Eridu the Arcane - the tracklisting was correct.

Anonyymi kirjoitti...

I honestly don't remember under which version the name was and it took me a long time to find it again. I even emailed Samoth's ex wife Andrea Haugan asking if she knew what band/group I was talking about which she ignored! I originally got the dub in the mid 90s from a Canadian trader as an "extra". I never would have requested something like that but I'm glad he sent it. I finally found it through the website after googling it on several failed attempts. Google is modern day sorcery!

Back to Jarowit, today I can appreciate it but you can imagine my disappointment at the time. Waiting weeks for my trade package to arrive only to find Jarowit in my mailbox, lol. There are a few others that had absolutely abysmal production that I hope to hear again some day. Forest "Hordes of Holocaust" and Midnight "The Ancient Slovian Spirit". There was also a second demo by Jarowit and another project called The Lord. The Lord had only an acoustic guitar and some other folk instrument but it was really good. Minas Morgul was decent too with the infamous Aro who was also in Perunwit. He was involved in some drama with Nergal way back then. Like yourself, I'm looking for the My Infinite Kingdom rehearsal too although I never heard it. I do have a feeling it's not what we think it will sound like.

Velkaarn kirjoitti...

@forever slain:

Well, it's ok, it would be a bit odd if one would remember every tape and dub that passed hands almost 20 years ago, wouldn't it? Slightly worrisome too. I can't remember anymore where I got mine back whenever it was, pretty sure in '95 and I recall I specifically requested it, I was quite keen on checking out unfamiliar names on tradelists and at least as often as it paid off it backfired spectacularily! :D

Had similar feelings as you with the Jarowit to many things too back then. Unfortunately I didn't keep all of them, which was really shortsighted as there were titles I know I'd appreciate nowadays more (especially the synth-projects which I got pretty fed up off back then) and can't easily find again or in some cases, recall names of even. The Forest demo you're looking for is from the same project I posted another demo of. Good luck with that and let me know if you score it, I'd like to hear it as well and it's certainly bound to be poor quality! That Midnight looks really interesting, right up my alley. And that cover art! I must get that. Aware of the My Infinite Kingdom rehearsal probably being less than stellar - I have a nagging suspicion I might've actually had a bad dub of it once upon a time, but I might be mixing it with a North rehearsal. And yes they should not sound similar.

kingpossum kirjoitti...

Have to agree with you Velkaarn that the wobbly production helps keep the interest level up on this one. I love repetition (which this offers by the container load), but ideas are pretty thin on the ground here. I hear some vaguely Native American ceremonial things happening here when the low voice recites plainly over (under, really) the percussive drones. What it lacks in variety it sort of makes up for in intrigue. Pretty curious little artifact. Much thanks to the contributor and to our illustrious host.