Goatfire - The Fifth Fulmination 7"EP '99

Goatfire - The Fifth Fulmination 7"EP 1999
1) Petrified in Darkness
2) The Fifth Fulmination

Mediafire / RGhost

Remember Hellflame 'zine? Of course you do. This is the band of the editor Nicola and a release from the middle of their lifespan, a 7"EP released on Satanic Terror Productions ending their demo era of five tapes. I should probably point out it's a "proper" band and not a one (or two) man throw away project. Contributed by our brother Fenrirsson, this is not a vinyl rip but made from a tape he got from Nicola. There was a compilation of old Goatfire material a few years ago, but that was the demonology and did not include the EPs. No cover scans, the image is as usual from M.A.

Two songs and both run in the quasi-standard slightly-over-four-minutes formula. The sound is just a touch on the crude side of things but very clear as you can easily make out all elements, even the bass. It doesn't sound very powerful or raw, somehow slightly... um, flat is not really what I'm after, nor is frail. Oh well, you'll notice when you listen to it. Above the usual demo quality though. It might have to do with the first song itself too, which generally runs in the vague almost-fast not-midtempo-anymore no man's land. The title track sounds better but I'm not certain if this is an illusion caused by the fact I find it superior of the two. Anyways, this is no-frills true-to-the-roots sort of black metal with a touch of the melodicism I associate generally with Italian black metal.

Naked Whipper - Sado Grind Metal (2000)

Naked Whipper - Sado Grind Metal compilation tape 2000
Naked Whipper 7"EP 1993
1) Pagan Pussy Gore Intruder
2) Hyperincest
3) Anal Queen
Moloch: Acid Orgy 12"MLP 1995
4) Enjoy the Act of Sodomy
5) Gorelash (Make the Women Whores)
6) Mass Excess (The Experience in Excrements)
7) Mushrooms
8) Enchristianization
9) Rape 'n Ride

Zippyshare / Yandex

Something different today, here's an unofficial tape compilation by Germany's Naked Whipper, considered a cult band by some and crap by others, released by... well, someone, around 2000. Ripped by yours truly from a dub I got the other year. I was supplied with a fancy colour print of the covers as well so scanned that too. They've a neat logo, always liked that. This tape compiles the '93 self-titled seven inch EP, all five minutes of it, and the mini-album released in '95 and limited to 300 copies, which was also the last Naked Whipper release. Now if you dig up a copy of the "Painstreaks" album you have the full discography for your pain/pleasure. Painsure? Pleain?

The name of the compilation pretty much sums N.W. up. I used to think of them as sort of poor man's (early) Impaled Nazarene back in the day, which depending on various factors may or may not do them justice. To be honest, old Beherit or Blasphemy is a closer comparison. I'm actually reminded of their country mates Lacerated Gods too, both by the black'n'grind sound and the vague misogyny presented by certain song titles. To the music: the first three tracks are all fast and short numbers that put more emphasis on the grind part of their formula, the second one being probably the best of the lot with most variation and cool Beheritic whispering voices tossed in. The 1995 part starts with a number borrowed from Peter Jackson's "Meet the Feebles" (1989) followed by the original content. Sound is slightly cleaner and pace not as frantic as on the EP tracks. This part also sounds more like I.N. (circa "Sadogoat"/"Ugra-Karma") than Blasphemy/Tireheb. Must say now as I listen to through it repeatedly that it's not as intense and the longest song Mass Excess sounds a bit dragged out. Now I want to give "Painstreaks" a go next, I'm off to do that and you may judge this for yourselves.

Fulgor - Eyequinox 7"EP '95

Fulgor - Eyequinox 7"EP 1995
1) Silent Waters Leading Deep
2) Art
3) The Flog

Mega

Today's post is the Fulgor 7"EP we discussed at the comments for the demo IV here. This is the rip and scans brother Misfits originally posted in the sadly deceased Lockjaw blog. We decided to make it available again here which means we're only missing the '93 rehearsal/promo from a complete Fulgor discography. Thanks again to Misfits for his work with this!

Merciless Records, known for being the label of several other German pioneers like Desaster, Martyrium and Ungod, released this EP back in '95 and describe the music as "Abusing Pattern Music" which is an ...interesting description, to say the least. The insert included in Misfits' scans states this EP was recorded "two years ago" which would mean '93, like basically all their material. So despite me calling it the trippiest Fulgor release I might be wrong about that, it's not really so drastically different from the last demos. Overall better sound quality than the tapes but otherwise direct continuation of "Our 10 Urphar Visions" and "To Be One with the Stars..." - they say themselves it completes the fourlogy of releases. Even though it is the fifth one. Wonder which one they're not counting in, the rehearsal/promo or the "Mystical Black Magic Metal" promo 06/93? Whatever, I'm not going to ramble on longer, if you liked the other releases you'll need this one too and I need the reh/promo!

Black Funeral / Winged - Split EP '95

Black Funeral / Winged - Split EP (format?) 1995
Black Funeral:
1) Armageddon (Lord Sathanas Returns)
Winged:
2) Intro
3) Age of Masterdom
4) Primordial Fear (Instrumental)

Yandex / RGhost

Alright, for today I decided to post an old oddity we discussed with master Fenrirsson in the comments section here. I should've done it sooner, really. So here we go, a strange, possibly bootleg, split EP with Black Funeral everyone knows by now and the much less known Italian Winged. Looks like someone released a compilation with their three demos recently. Ok, not so recently and it seems to be sold out already. But back to this, I have no idea what format this was (supposed to have been) released, vinyl or cassette. It would fit on a 7" but the division is really uneven as the sole BF song is less than three minutes and Winged's bit runs for ten! Naturally the image above is not a real cover, I just wanted to have something to put there. I'd really appreciate any further info on the release.

Black Funeral's track is obviously off the famous demo though it does sound a little different to the version I have. The difference I believe is mostly caused by dub/tape/rip quality differences. Though this might also run slightly faster? Whatever, it's the same old classic Baron you love or love to hate. Winged's part is more curious as it would seem the intro and two tracks might be exclusive to this release, though "Age of Masterdom" does appear on their second demo which I now don't have at hand to compare to. The running time seems to be much longer than what's listed on "Oath of Blood" entry on Metal Archives so I'm inclined to believe this is a different version. Or just mistitled. Or M.A. might be wrong. Or all options. Their music has a very obvious vintage Mediterranean sound. Y'know, old Greek and Italian black/death metal with occult keyboards, kinda crispy guitar sound and peculiar percussion, very very clinky on the last track which at times borders on annoying. Vocals are more in the barks and grunts department than screams and howls which also fits with the theme. I actually find this pretty enjoyable nowadays despite the tink-tink-tink-tink bits and generally mucky sound. Great, now I want to track down a copy of the demo compilation. But have a listen if you dig somewhat uneven and obscure split releases. Of blackened metal that is.

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Incubus Succubus - Corn King cassEP 1994

Incubus Succubus - Corn King cassette EP 1994
1) Welcome to the Underworld
2) Prince of Shadows
3) Corn King
4) Witchunt (Fly Sister, Fly)
5) Dance (In the Fire of Love)

Mega

More 'different' stuff follows and now I'm quite pissed, I thought I had already posted this last night before leaving for work but something went wrong and all I found was just a title and nothing else in unfinished texts. Great.

I'm not going to bother with all the crap I typed for a second time, you can find the bio for Incubus Succubus, later spelled Inkubus Sukkubus on their website. Cassette EP, two songs appear on "Heartbeat of the Earth" album (UPDATE: actually all of them do but some were retitled and all are quite different versions), pagan/gothic rock with female main vocals, male backing. Mostly pretty catchy tunes, an old guilty pleasure of mine. Ripped from a dub I got tapetrading in the 90's. That is all.

Grim - The Domains of Spirits 7"EP 1997

Grim (swe) - The Domains of Spirits 7"EP 1997
1) The Domains of Spirits
2) Bergatrollets sista färd

Yandex

I was supposed to post this one yesterday but then I didn't, too bad. Well anyways, here's another thing Eugene from the Russian dungeon synth VK page sent me, the second release by the Swedish dungeon synth project Grim.  Remember the demo I uploaded a few years ago? This 7"EP was released by Profane Elite Productions from Peru in association with Dungeon and Dragons Productions of Sweden which basically means the band itself. A contributor from Peru had sent this rip and scans of the item to Eugene, thanks to both of them! Too bad it's low bitrate (128 kbps) but at least decent quality. Bit low on the volume, though I suspect so was the EP itself.

The two songs here are shorter (format obviously ensures this) than the three on the '95 demo which in retrospect went on a bit longer than necessary, especially the second track. The biosheet included with the other goodies here admits the tape "did not turned out very good" and it's very useful in general as apparently there was also a short lived band in the similar vein called Dungeon which released a promo tape before disbanding, I would be very interested in hearing that one! Anyways, after Dungeon's demise Grim was continued and this EP appears to be the only result. And I seem to have a really hard time getting to the music here, have you noticed? Ok, I'll skip discussing the change in the look from a corpsepainted black metal warrior to full-Mortiis seen above and say this is less monotonous and repetitive compared to the demo material. Cheap and cheesy synth sounds that are almost haphazardly wandering, colliding with each other and accompanied by choirs produced both, as far as I can tell, synth and human throat which also alternate and mix. Some of the most obnoxious wind sounds I've heard overtake everything else until louder keys take the stage in the midpart of the song. It is like you were buffeted by capricious winds across odd, otherworldly landscapes you can only barely perceive or comprehend. The second song features a lot of the same elements but is different, more purposeful journey with a goal in sight, focused despite the strangeness. The percussion elements certainly help with that. It seems to end rather abruptly, I wonder if it was even intentional? As before, this is quite peculiar stuff. Instrumental despite including what would seem to be lyrics for the title track. Recommended for people into this sort of stuff, but be sure to crank up the volume.

Corvus Neblus - Chapter II - Strahd's Possession - Deeper In The Realm (2001)

Corvus Neblus - Chapter II - Strahd's Possession - Deeper in the Realm Cassette EP 2001
1) Facing the Burgomeister of Barovia Himself
2) Visitor of a Tyrant
3) Reflection on the Encounter
4) Second Encounter - The Young Vistani
5) At the Vistani Camp
6) Desperation of a Lonely Father

Rusfolder / Depositfiles

I posted as the first thing last month the first cassette EP of Corvus Neblus, see here for further background information and thought it'd be fine to start this one with the second. This was again released by Elven Witchcraft and according to the covers later than meant. As far as I know, it was also the last CN release, which is kind of a pity as the story clearly was not finished with this chapter. Cover scans enclosed.

The EP start promising enough with a very long track but then a shock sets in: vocals! In my dungeon synth, this seldom ends well! And fair enough, initial listen proved out to be a dissappointment as the vocals, or should I say voice acting as it is all basically someone's lines, are present in just about all tracks, more in some than others and are done with different voices, ranging from okayish to mildly irritating to atrocious. Especially the main character's gravelly voice seems really out of place for the more or less heroic half-elf. But the music is still enjoyable and after repeat listens the adverse effect seems to diminish somewhat. I still don't like them but I can live with the voices. I'm in a hurry so I end here, try it if you liked the previous tape.

Brandpest - I Fandens Vold og Magt EP 1998

Brandpest - I Fandens Vold og Magt EP 1998
1) Intro
2) Monstrum Marinum (Kraken)
3) Sagen om Chresten Pedersen
4) Outro

Mediafire / 4shared

Now that I've somewhat recovered from Jalometalli it's about time I continue with Chris's contributions (see the Apollyon posts) and here's some more Danish black metal, Brandpest's EP 1998 which was on the same mixtape. Brandpest shared several members with Apollyon and released a demo tape in '96, this EP two years later and nothing more. Unless someone whips out an unreleased recording, that is. As this isn't a vinyl rip I didn't go look for full cover images, just picked up the cover from M.A.

Intro, outro and two songs for just over ten minutes is pretty standard for a black metal 7" and usually leaves the listener hungry for more. Brandpest's material is rougher and more in your face than Apollyon's. Not bestial war metal way, mind you, there's guitar leads and all. The sound is quite demo-like, which is not a bad thing, it has a fair bit of power to it too. A recommendable EP whether you enjoyed Apollyon or not as it clearly is different, closer to Denial Of God actually. Not bad at all.

Corvus Neblus - Chapter I - Strahd's Possession (1999)

 

Corvus Neblus - Chapter I - Strahd's Possession Cassette EP 1999
1) A Break in the Silence Sets a Mission in Time
2) Chasing the Bandit, Retrieving the Symbol
3) Forever I Shalt Dwell in Ravenloft
4) First Encounter - Fhalken the Merchant
5) Confronting Barovia
6) As Night Falls, for Helm I Fight...

Mediafire / Depositfiles

I think it's reasonable to deviate from the Danish black metal for a bit, here is some dungeon synth for change, this is an Elven Witchcraft release from 1999 and first one by Greek project Corvus Neblus. CN was a one-man effort by Alexandros "Evil Dark" Antoniou, best known from the bands Macabre Omen and The One. I wouldn't mind another Macabre Omen album, as a side note. But yeah, this is based apparently on his AD&D character Neblus' adventure in Ravenloft, the booklet includes further details, scans are included as this is dubbed from a more or less original copy.

The six songs have a running time of slightly over 25 minutes which makes this well into EP or mini-album length. Individual songs vary from the shortest "First Encounter..." at 2:23 to epic "Confronting Barovia" which clocks almost eight minutes. The music is keyboard based, quite nostalgic and reminds me of soundtracks to some half forgotten CRPG's of good old days before all this massive multiplayer shit. The first track has harpsichord-like sounds on the forefront and has generally an introductory / main game screen feel to it. The second one is a little more active in nature, though not as much as its title would suggest, seems like the chase would be conducted in a more leisurely pace on foot rather than galloping high speed pursuit on horseback. Third one is slow, melancholic and somehow introspecive in nature. I like it quite a bit. The next song is the shortest one, more upbeat and again very game soundtrackey. "Confronting Barovia" is the longest piece, like I mentioned, and feels darker and more dramatic after the rather light-natured interlude before it. I'm sort of reminded of Lamentation on their second demo here. Which is a good thing. There's an unfortunate but very brief glitch around five minutes, kind of a squeaky bleep that repeats later again - I'm not 100% sure if it's an issue on the recording or possibly a feature supposed to be there but it jars my ear. Last track is shorter and again more active in nature, striving to portray a ravaged village and an encounter with the bloodthirsty marauders. The demo is completely instrumental, what seemed at first glance to be lyrics on the booklet are descriptions of events associated with each song. This is a good, working solution. Recommended, obviously most to people into dungeon synth, those who liked the Lamentation posts and with restrictions to fans of Macabre Omen.

Sorath - The Darkness Returns CassEP 1995

Sorath (us) - The Darkness Returns cassette EP 1995
1) The Darkness Returns
2) Winter Black and Sorcery Beyond
3) Dark Tears of Thy Past
4) Frozen Mountains Under Forboding Skies
5) Thy Bestial Winterland
6) Wings of Darkness
7) Spirits Floating Beyond

RGhost / Mediafire

Satanic Saturday sorcery! Sorath returns, with the very hard to find 1995 tape we discussed with comrade Fenrirsson in the comments for the 7" I posted here. Thanks to my anonymous contributor, this item was unearthed much sooner than I had dared to hope. According to him this was a cassette EP and I think I've seen it referred so elsewhere too so let's go with that description here. Unfortunately no covers and no luck finding them on the inter nets either so I made a placeholder cover using an old flyer printed on Pure Fucking Hell 'zine. It's supposed to be like a cassette cover though I probably have wrong proportions. Let's see how soon people who don't read these walls of text think this is an actual cover. Scan of which I'd naturally appreciate!

Seven tracks might momentarily delude you to think this'd be almost album length, but four of the tracks are short intros/interludes while the three longer tracks all clock over five minutes, bringing total time to an EP-appropriate 22 minutes. Sound and rip quality is ok, if a little muffled. I doubt the original is exactly hifi stuff either. Overall sound manages to come out quite clear, it is the low end that is mostly muddled into sort of nigh-impenetratable wall of audio fog, billowing and fluffy. There's an omni-present hiss which hints at an unknown generation dub origin of the source tape. The vocals are mostly an echoing, whispery half hiss half shriek which at best sounds quite chilling. Some kind of clean choirs are used in few places. I find myself enjoying this and wish I had an original copy of the tape. If you have one, send it to me, you don't need it. Recommended if you're a connoisseur of the good Baron's work.

Sacrilegeous - Nordic Landscapes of Hessdalen EP 1996

Sacrilegeous - Nordic Landscapes of Hessdalen CDEP 1996
1) Hessdalen
2) Message from Another Dimension
3) V / Mystery of Iniquity
4) Dreamlands
5) T.F.A (Bonus track)

Reuploaded!

It's Friday and to provide soundtrack to the crazy partying of the Coven's flock I give you more Sacrilegeous! Rejoice! This one comes from my own stock again and it is the only CD release from 1996, self-released by Necrodesecrator from whom I got my copy as late as a few years ago. Cover scan is included.

Ok, by now some of you must be worried "a CD release by Sacrilegeous, surely it has to be ruined by overproduction and be totally commercial and sell out and woe is me" but cast aside your doubts and trouble, it is still the same ol' stuff we love and cherish. Sure, the production is slightly cleaner and maybe the song writing isn't as extreme as before but one look at the cover art should have already told you this is still very much in DIY-spirit, uncommercial and underground. The songs are longer than on the old releases and a bit less random. Vocals are the same and general instrumentation too. But enough text, some of us have to work even if it is Friday, download this if you enjoyed the previous items and if you didn't, listen to this anyways and keep on hating!

Rise And Shine / Gehennah - Split 7"EP 1998

Rise And Shine / Gehennah - Rise And Shine And Gehennah split 7"EP 1998
Rise And Shine:
1) Deadringer (For Love)
Gehennah:
2) Jackson

RGhost / Yandex

Let's do something different for today. This is still marginally metal but very different anyways, a split EP featuring two Swedish bands is no news to anyone but when the concept is covers of classic (or "classic") duets things get interesting. Or at least untypical. Here we have Gehennah, known for their alcohol-fueled Venom-worshipping proto-black/thrash/hardrock and Rise And Shine, possibly much less known band playing psychedelic traditonal doom metal/rock on their proper releases. Or so I am told. On this EP, however, they do covers with vocalists dueting and if I've understood, the bands playing each their own bit. R&S do Meat Loaf's "Dead Ringer for Love" from his 3rd album (1981) which was performed as a duet with Cher and you've probably heard it even if you don't realise it. At least if you're a grown up. Gehennah go crazy with a country classic which has been recorded probably around million times, including at least one version in Finnish, "Jackson" - best known from the two 1967 recordings, a more pop version by Lee Hazlewood & Nancy Sinatra (which they apparently referenced here) and Johnny Cash & June Carter country version you haven't managed to avoid no matter where you have been hiding. Note that I ripped this from a cassette dub on a whim, not vinyl! Cover image from Discogs, and probably the most colourful thing I've had on this blog.

The sound is quite unpolished but clear enough and fits with the bands involved and goes actually surprisingly well with the tracks themselves. Like mentioned both tracks feature Mr Violence and Josabeth Leidi dueting and to be honest, neither is exactly my favourite or ideal vocalist. But at least the outcome is personal. Gehennah's side sound a little more muddled than Rise And Shine and that's all I'm going to comment as I can't stand that song in any of the versions I've heard. Ok, not much more to say except have a listen if you want something different. Next post will be either a 'zine or something horrible and vile sounding.

Sorath - Horns of the Goat 7"EP 1994

Sorath (us) - Horns of the Goat 7"EP 1994
1) Flame of the Goat
2) The Moonlight Glittered Upon the Snow

Yandex / Mediafire

More Friday night filler follows, this time I'm posting black metal and the 7"EP by the US Sorath which often is considered to be a sort of pre-Black Funeral even though the Baron has disagreed on that in some interviews and both projects existed simultaneously for a time. But that's enough background banter... no it isn't, I should mention this is ripped from a cassette, not vinyl! Again. Cover images were sto...borrowed from Discogs.

As expected of 7"EP's, this release features only two tracks and is quite short, just over eight minutes. Which is quite average for two metal songs. Both tracks also appear on rehersal/demo 1994 but I'm not sure if they're from the same session or not as I don't have that one. The EP says these were recorded in October 1993 while rehearsal/demo only mentions winter 1993. The sound is quite rough and raw so these could easily be from that rehearsal session. There are some death metallish riffs present in Sorath's music which I have no problem with and the pace is either fast or slow, heavy midtempo. The Baron's vocals are the raspy shrieks and screams you remember from old Black Funeral but also added are some low growls which works. Thankfully brief narration also to start the second track. A good EP, would be nice to see a compilation of the Sorath material. Meanwhile try this if you like raw 90's black metal, usbm and so on.

Mayhem / Zyklon-B - Split 7"EP 1999

Mayhem / Zyklon-B - Necrolust / Total Warfare Split 7"EP 1999
Mayhem:
1) Necrolust (Unreleased Studio Version)
Zyklon-B:
2) Total Warfare (Sea Serpent Remix)

Yandex / Depositfiles

I decided to upload yet another of these 7" splits, this one pretty pointless since several rips have been floating around for the longest time. But since I came across a tape where I had dubbed my copy of this vinyl back in the old days and ripped it I thought I might just as well post it too. So here we have a pair of well-known Norwegian names doing what Norwegians do very well, cashing in. Scans of both sides included, there was no cover or sheet with this.

Ripped from a dub of an original EP it sounds good and both are studio efforts so no worries in that department. The I used tape seemed to have been pretty new too, no wear and tear that I'd notice. Mayhem gives us a re-recording of Necrolust from "Deathcrush" - says here unreleased studio version but wasn't this already on the (well, very limited) 1997 EP "Ancient Skin"? Or am I supposed to believe they re-recorded the same track again at a later session? Well, I know the return era Mayhem had an unhealthy obsession with the old stuff (was tempted to use another word there), skipping DMDS but that would be ridiculous. The track? If you like Maniac and "Wolf's Lair Abyss" you'll like this version. Zyklon-B's track is just a remix of the track from mini, adding some samples and effects mostly from what I hear. This doesn't make it radically different nor really better or worse. Worth a listen but I wouldn't cough up cash for this unless you're a really, really fanatic vinyl collector.

Immanis - Aegri Somnia CassEP 1996

Immanis - Aegri Somnia cassette EP 1996
1) Wraiths of Sorrow
2) The Wanderer of Night
3) Piękno gotyckiej ruiny
4) Dreams of Insane One
5) Luna i wrzask
6) A Passage
7) A Mummified Key to Outer Worlds of...

RGhost / Yandex

Oh boy, Friday night with Polish vodka and Polish black metal blazing in the speakers made me feel like posting something of the sort here. As no-one cares to look at pictures of vodka bottles and the content can't (yet) be ripped to digital form I guess I'm stuck with music. Unfortunately I don't have that many rips of exciting Polish material at hand and I don't post new stuff like Plaga, Cultes Des Ghoules or Mgła so I suppose we'll settle for this cassette EP from Immanis who were one of the lesser known 90's bands and not exactly a TTF favourite if I recall right. Tape trader stuff, so no covers. One image is from M.A. and the one below elsewhere, don't remember where.

Seven tracks might seem like a lot but there's "only" a bit over 18 minutes of music here as three of them are intros/interludes and the rest vary between 02:37 to 05:01 in duration. The second image displays a pretty professional looking release but soundwise this is (like often is the case with tape EPs) close to a demo recording. Some of it probably has to do with the dub quality as well, unfortunately. All instruments are audible enough, including keyboards and bass but something annoys me. It's probably the drum sound. Vocalist does kind of shouty version of bm vocals and I'm not sure if I dislike it, seem to be bothered by him on some bits while elsewhere he sounds ok. The music is melodic, not overtly sugar-coated so and has some of that pagan black metal vibe to it too, the riff on the second track sounds similar to something from either an Ohtar or Selbstmord song, can't remember which one it was now. Might be the vodka screwing with me too. Better than I remembered and seems to improve as it plays on but you'd better listen for yourself as I'm not very trustworthy witness right now.

Isacaarum / Sorath - Split 7"EP 1997

Isacaarum / Sorath (cze) - Meditations in Dark Green / Enlightenment Split 7"EP 1997
Isacaarum:
1) Isamaháparinibbánasuttam
2) Siddharthah's Pond / Jade Verses
Sorath:
3) Enlightenment
4) Torment

Reuploaded

Suddenly, another vinyl EP ripped from a tape dub. I wasn't sure if I'd upload this one but then it was requested and the end result was satisfactory so I thought why not? There's a bunch of these on this blog already. Enough expository babbling, the EP features two Czech black metal bands, Sorath some of you will remember from the split with Unclean posted ages ago here and Isacaarum is an interesting case as they started off with a piss-poor (or so I recall it was) black/death metal demo, made an album (more or less black metal) that was all over the place with mainly German lyrics but also songs about Finland, Sweden and Norway (lyrics?) on it and then they decided to become a pornogrind band or something like that. These two tracks of theirs are quite interesting as they seem to deal with Buddhism which is certainly not something you see everyday. Sorath's part is more basic straight ahead pounding black metal with death metal touches. Their second track is more interesting of the two with bouncy bass parts. Nothing too remarkable but a decent listen for people into black/death metal and those who are curious of the Czech scene.

Depressive Silence - Depressive Silence 7"EP 1997

Depressive Silence - Depressive Silence 7"EP 1997
1) Lost in My Dreams
2) Dark Soul

Mediafire / Depositfiles

And now a natural continuation to the previous post and I dare say an anticipated one. Some of you might remember how I've promised to rip and upload the final work of Depressive Silence, the 1997 EP, once I'd A) find the tape where I have it dubbed or B) manage to take it with me to an associate with a vinyl player and rip it. Well, I'm happy to finally post the long-sought EP even if neither A) nor B) came to happen yet, instead I was contacted by comrade LZV who also owns the 7" and offered to help us. He sent me a rip of his copy for which I'm grateful, and I took my copy and scanned the covers, insert and even the vinyl (didn't take it out of the plastic though). So, thanks LZV, I'm glad to have this one up at last!

This is ripped directly from his vinyl which he said might need cleaning. Well, there's a little snap-crackle-pop going on but this is expected of vinyl is it not? Unfortunately he ripped this at low bitrate (128) but this isn't really affecting the end result that much in this case. Both tracks on the EP are quite long, over 7 minutes and side A starts quite noisy, even threatening before moving into the ambient/dungeon synth sounds with keyboards that sound almost like they were carried by winds through forgotten mountain valleys, past the crumbling towers of a ruined yet still menacing castle, echoing around the empty courtyard where only shadows reside. Reminds me a little of Lamentation, actually. Side B surprised me too as I had forgotten how completely different it is - it starts with something that sounds suspiciously like gothic rock with odd distorted vocals over it! An electric guitar joins soon to give it a more metallic edge, but this is sure unexpected in the light of the other material. Though some guitars and raw vocals were already used on the second demo, this is pretty much a complete track in "metal" category, sounding as it proceeds a little like a crossover between gothic and a Summoning (mid-phase) track. I'm not sure what more to say about this, better have a listen for yourself. With this EP posted the Depressive Silence saga ends (as far as we know).

Macabre Omen / Godblood - Split 7"1997

Macabre Omen / Godblood - Split 7" EP 1997
Macabre Omen:
1) The Waltz of the Nereids, of the Dryads, of the Nymphs
Godblood:
2) A Funeral

Reuploaded

Today I decided to post another EP which in a way is also waste of time as it's been already available on the internet for quite some time. But nevermind that, I ripped a dub of this recently and as it came out ok I decided to share it here anyways. I also get to tag something "cypriot" again. This split 7" was released by Greek Daimonion Productions in 1997 and side A features the great Macabre Omen, from Greece and side B has Godblood from Cyprus, remember the demo posted earlier? Be warned that this is again a cassette rip, but if I remember right I was dubbed this by a guy who had the vinyl. Cover image is from Metal Archives, just rearranged sideways and additional images seen below from Macabre Omen fanpage on MySpace.

This is what it actually looks like. I have them the other way around.

Both bands have a quite typical 90's Greek style sound on this recording, MO working more in the atmospheric black metal realm with quite a lot of synths added and with a rather epic feel to the track. His screaming is also quite distinct, almost hysteric and high pitched whereas many of his Greek peers would go for a growlier style. Godblood continues straight from where they left on their demo, the riffing on this is very dynamic and obviously Hellenic with some heavy metal thrown in. The vocalist does a half screaming, half barking raspy growl, the bass is very audible and at times even prominent and all said it's a catchy number. Memorable enough to be re-recorded for their debut album it seems. Unfortunately it seems the dub is authentic enough to a vinyl experience to have the needle jump in a few places, this happened either twice or three times. I forgot already.

Here's the inside of the cover.

Enough babbling, download it if you enjoy 90's Hellenic sound and don't forget to check out the other Macabre Omen material, the album is available at criminally low prices the last time I checked so get that at least. The Godblood album should be quite readily found as well, for example at Primitive Reaction.

Jumalhämärä - Vanity of Humanity 7"EP 2001

Jumalhämärä - Vanity of Humanity 7"EP 2001
1) Soul Full of Maggots
2) Goatifying the Congregation

Mediafire

Finnish black metal again and if you remember the Horna posts from June, this EP was also dubbed on the tape I ripped. So, it's not a vinyl rip but a rip of a dub made from original vinyl. I had no cover for this so there's a quite decent image found probably on M.A. used. Jumalhämärä is a band that has changed their expression quite a bit for their recent (2007 & 2010) EP & debut album, which was released by Ahdistuksen Aihio, the EP by Hammer of Hate. The demos and this 7" sounded quite Norsecore influenced, fast and melodic black metal whereas the new releases have moved to avant garde/experimental and post/progressive realms.

But let's talk this one, there are two tracks for a bit less than ten minutes playtime as is typical for a 7"EP. Like mentioned the music here is still in that older form, inspired by for example Emperor (wild name throw not at all inspired by their cover choice on a demo), mostly moving in faster tempo, melodic, with some samples thrown in and synth backing employed. I think the songwriting has advanced here from the demos but this is based on an impression I have as I don't have the demos at hand to compare. All said, this was a pretty good EP, if you feel the current releases are too out there this might be a safer pick. Personally I've found the new EP & album very interesting and would advice you to take a listen at them if you tolerate the more avant garde material at all.

Cernunnos Woods - Lost Woods (1994)

Cernunnos Woods - Lost Woods Cass. EP II 1994
1) Echos of Knowledge in Ancient Stone
2) Occultus Jubileum (Widdershin's Witches)
3) Call of the Dark Sea

Links removed as obsolete, DAP has re-released old material:
Forest Anthology
Bandcamp

New month, more old music. Here's something I actually got just today but since I've been on the look for it for so long I decided to be quick for once in my life and pack & upload it immediately. This is the second cassette EP by the US druid Bard Algol's Cernunnos Woods (see here for the first one) and contains three tracks of Celtic dungeon synth. Or druidic dark ambient. Well, call it what you will, it is the second DAP release (Dap 002) and sent to me by brother Vaalkoth, thanks again! Unfortunately I've no cover scan available so I slapped an old promo pic to decorate the post. I'd appreciate a scan if someone has it.

UPDATE: Still not quite the cover scan but apparently Bard had posted a flyer for this demo on his Facebook and comrade Eugene grabbed and cropped the image so we have an almost-cover to decorate the post, thanks!

So how is it this time? Much better, both sound and content-wise. My dismally awful dub was of course a source of much dismay but as Mikael's tape was in much better condition (and probably ripped from an original instead of XXX generation dub!) the listening experience is not marred by walls of hiss and other impurities. The tracks are a bit longer and, well, better. I'm hard pressed to give a lenghty analysis as I'm listening to it for the second time while I type this text. If you enjoyed the previous tape and/or the full lenght album (which EcoPagan posted in his blog) you should check this out as well.

UPDATE II: I've removed the download links as obsolete as DAP has re-released the old CW demos on a compilation "Forest Anthology" that comes as cassette, CD and digital download. Head over to their site if interested. There's Akhkharu coming soon too!