Blasphemy - "Fallen Angel Of Doom"

(Canada, Wild Rags Records, Black Metal, 1990)

A cult classic release from Canadian skinheads Blasphemy is finally given a long overdue re-issue (Nuclear War Now! Productions, 2007), which features a remastered sound and 16 page booklet with old photos and lyrics. For those who don't know, Blasphemy are an absolutely CULT act, who pretty much invented the Black/War Metal "sound". The music on this release just tears your face off with its furious blastbeats, detuned guitars and possessed vocals. By the way, this sounds NOTHING like the thin, trebly "Norse" style of the early 90s, the emphasis here is on speed, brutality with sinister riffs, and there are some evil sounding atmospheric intros which give you a short amount of time to breathe before the next demonic onslaught! The songs are quite long and involved when compared to Blasphemy's other material ("Gods of War" for instance has much shorter, Grind orientated songs) and sometimes this can be tough to listen to, but Black Metal is not supposed to be easy listening! As for the best songs, well just look at the track listing on the back of the CD! Personally, I think the classic "Ritual" is the centrepiece and highlight with its instantly recognisable drum intro, there are not many more killer Black Metal tracks than this one!!! If you are tired of hearing about Norwegian "Black" Metal and want to hear the OTHER side of early 90s Black Metal then I suggest you order this masterpiece immediately!

Karaczun - "Hamorlivasc"

(Belarus, Possession Productions/Werewolves Records, Black Metal, 1997)

I had never heard the name Karaczun before, but when I read the promotional material for the 2006 reissue of this 1997 album entitled "Hamorlivasc" my interest was piqued. The style is very similar to Pagan's "Hate To The Light Of Life" demo in terms of sound and style, being that of slow to mid-tempo Black Metal with a depressive feeling. Karaczun have more variety in their music though, with many acoustic moments that create a mood of dismal serenity which are contrasted by raw, punky Black Metal passages and solemn, solitary guitar and vocal pieces. The sound has been remastered, it is raw, gritty but still clear and quite professional sounding. There is an abundance of quality on this CD such as on the harsh Black Metal of "Njastotny" or the sublime atmospheres "Scjuznaja Navala" or "Black Waters Of Heaven Sea". I would recommend this to all fans of depressive Black Metal. This CD version is limited to 500 copies and comes with minimal black/white layout as you would expect.
The label press release describes this release to perfection: "Grey tombstone covered by the snow of December. Cold. Desperation. Lifelessness. Symbolic release. The end of the first wave of Black Metal from Belarus. Era of honesty and total dedication. Asceticism and originality. Everything goes by... and footprints snowstorm hides... Everything goes by... for the something stronger..."

Kreator - "Renewal"

(Germany, Noise Records, Post-Thrash, 1992)

In 1992 Kreator had released five highly influential and popular Thrash albums, culminating in the godly "Coma Of Souls" in 1990. Instead of playing it safe, Mille Petrozza and Co. came up with "Renewal" in 1992, which broke a lot of new territory for the band and won and lost them quite a few fans, no doubt. The album starts with "Winter Martyrium", it has a slow pounding drum intro with layers of thick guitar riffs. Mille's vocals are more of a Hardcore influenced shout than the Black Metal-esque shriek he is known for. This is followed by the title track, which is full of grimey sounding riffs and an almost Stoner Rock feel to it. I guess Kreator were quite influenced by Celtic Frost when they wrote "Renewal", since they focus on grooves like never before. This album could generally be described as a rough, Industrial sounding "Into The Pandemonium". "Karmic Wheel" is slow and doomy sounding, it reminds me of The Cure circa "Pornography" but with those patent heavy guitars. It also has quite a depressive and hypnotic feel, again not things people normally associate with Kreator, but they prove more than capable of writing such material. "Realitätskontrolle" is an interlude with noises, moaning and clanging Industrial sounds. I've read a lot of people questioning the purpose of this track, but to me, it's a great interlude between the first and second halves of the album and sets up the crushing Metal of "Zero To None" perfectly. My favourite two songs from the album (as well as the first two tracks) are at the end; first of all there is "Europe After The Rain" which is the closest thing to a Thrash song on this album, however it is pure brilliance and one of Kreator's finest moments. "Depression Unrest" closes, it's the most atmospheric, with a melodic introduction that builds into a killer track with great vocals and one of Frank Gosdzik's best guitar solos to finish. I think this is my favourite Kreator album along with "Pleasure To Kill" (brutal!) and "Coma Of Souls" (finesse!). Many people may not like it due to its slightly progressive feel, but what else would you expect from a band called "Kreator"?

Kvist - "Demo"

(Norway, Self released, Melodic Black Metal, 1994)

I heard/got this demo years ago, and liked right away what I heard. 4 excellent unforgettable and atmospheric songs, this band's music really stays in your mind. If I have to compare Kvist's music with other Norwegian Black Metal bands, Satyricon and Empveror would be closest comparison. Demo suffers from the bad sound quality but it doesn't matter, because songs are so excellent like said before. And even this might sound strange but somehow bad soundquality fits to atmosphere. 3 of the songs made it onto the full length album "For Kunsten Maa Vi Evig Vike", but i wonder why the song "Mørk, Skjebnesvanger Og Erotisk Lokkende" didn't end onto the album. Because it is as excellent song as 3 others. It's sad that band broke after first full length came out.

When - "Svartedauen (The Black Death)"

(Norway, Tatra Productions, Dark Ambient, 1992)

This is first time I hear When, CD have only one song, "The Black Death", and song lasts 38:27 minutes, behind all music is Lars Pedersen. There's used on this CD on one and only song keyboards, programming, harp and cello, percussion, sounds and voices. Music pictures well the theme of the album, music gives me picture of times when the black death raged in lands and villages, and this is how music mostly sounds, at times music is calm and then again turns "wilder". I am also hearing some Folk inluences here and there. Music is well done, but I think this is not easy music to listen for everyone, maybe for some it might take some time before get in to music, but of course it depends on listeners tastes etc. Music is dark, and oppressive at times, but that oppressive atmosphere that is present at times is only good thing, it gives for already dark atmosphere more depth. Because in this album, those two things fits together very well, and I think that is purpose of the music. Overall this is very good CD.