Mortuary Drape

The plague of youtube is plaguing the modern digital world. Once in a while though comes a jewel that makes all the junk one will meet on said site seem like trials that have to be passed in order to find the hidden treasure.

One of these rare occasions is an old live concert dating back to 1990, where the extremely important italian godfathers Mortuary Drape are conducting a ceremony that puts to shame today's bands. The relatively few views that appear on the youtube view counter, is but one more proof that the internet black metal kiddies are complete imbeciles, stuck to the usual clowns like Immortal and unworthy of what they are being offered.

The bad quality of the recording adds a totally otherworldly atmosphere to this document that fits the music and the performance reminding me those cult 70's occult themed b-movies, that I love so much. This is a gift to the elders that would appreciate it. The rest can go fuck themselves or listen to Keep of Kalessin.

The dark path is there for the worthy to follow.

The horny and the horned

Watain are soon to unleash their fourth spell and I am catching myself to be in great and unusual anticipation. Usually I am fairly relaxed when expecting a new release, no matter how important the artist or band is for me. Of course there are often many works that I'm looking forward listening to, but it's not like I'm counting the days until the release date.The obvious exceptions to the rule are Deathspell Omega and Celtic Frost (then) and Triptykon (now), at least within the general black metal field. And now Watain. The talent and devotion of the band is only to be admired and never questioned. The way the band is handling its transition from the underground to the more exposed field of general extreme music is also commendable. The cases of artists that are breaking the shell and protected environment of the underground and are still sincere and not compromised are so few, that are making Watain's case even more interesting. In fact Watain's success acts as an experiment. Can a band be popular while still maintaining it's artistic integrity, strict faith to its ideals and stay focused to its cause? So far the results are feeding my high hopes.  
I heard the Reaping Death single and recently preordered the limited edition of Lawless Darkness and my eagerness and curiosity is ever growing. One can never draw any conclusion from listening to a 7'' single containing only one new song. So I will not attempt to voice any opinion on what I think the album will be based on Reaping Death. I also will not take under consideration the first reviews of those that have heard the album, as the opinions of others does not interest me. I will only comment on the choice of the two covers the band opted to record. The spirit of Bathory was always present in Watain's music. I just hope that the spirit of Death SS will poison the well of the band's inspiration for good. This will be a great thing to happen. I am also curious of Carl McCoy's participation on one track of the album. The omens are showing that horrible things are upon us. Feeble humans take heed.       



Moving to the exact opposite side...

 On the lighter side of things, everyone's favorite gay metal boys Keep of Kalessin have a new record out. Their hair are looking great as always so I see no reason why the album should not be a masterpiss of fagot music. It's hilarious though that the general borders of the so called extreme metal (ha) can host bands that refuse to compromise like Watain and pitiful stains like the above pictured abomination.    


Tearing Kalessin's anus...
Anatomia - Dissected Humanity
Axis of Advance - Strike
Quinta Essentia - Archetypal Transformation
Damaar - Triumph Through Spears of Sacrilege
Nightbringer - Apocalypse Sun
Talking Heads - Little Creatures
Dinner auf Uranos - 50 Sommer-50 Winter

American hell

USA has always been a land that raised debate considering its black metal bands, their quality and their capability of performing within an art form that needs philosophical, spiritual and cultural depth, that is unlikely to be found in America. My opinion has always been that what matters, is first and foremost the persons that create the music. The geographical origins of the bands can be an abstract and vague index of the factors mentioned above but in no way is a crucial factor that disables or enhances a band's ability to perform great black and death metal. Talent is not in the water or milk one drinks when growing up, while an individual can study wherever in the world he is.

I decided to compile some tracks from bands from the states that I happen to have in my collection and I think are indicative of the quality one can find if he scratches the surface or has the passion to dig a little deeper. My first decision was to stick to totally underground and mainly unknown artists but then I thought that I couldn't leave outside some of the most symbolic bands that shaped or are still shaping the character of today's american black and death metal. Ludicra, Von and Grand Belial's Key could not be left out. 
Dispirit that start the proceedings is the new bm band formed by John Gossard of the legendary Weakling and the even better doom cult The Gault. I opted to begin with Dispirit and Ludicra as they are perfect examples of a sound that is totally america's own. After that, things become more obscure and evil. I had to skip a handful of talented acts as I didn't want the duration to be more than two hours (which is already long enough).
When talking about the underground of art forms that are already underground by their very nature, one has to dig with his bare hands in order to find hidden treasures. Those that are afraid to scratch their fingers should stick to the junk they are being served.

Track list

01.Dispirit - Bitumen Amnii

02. Ludicra - Let Thirst the Soil

03. Acheronian Dirge - Babylon

04. Black Goat - Song of dead souls

05. Bosse de Nage -  Marie Pisses Upon the Count 

06. Castevet - Stones 

07. Fog - The Leech Within

08. Grand Belial's Key - Son Of The Black Ram

09. Ipsisimus -  The First Secret Of Fatima

10. Midnight - All Hail Hell

11. Savnock - I

12. Spiculum Iratus - The Miracle Of Malignity

13. Von - Watain

14. Yamatu - Of Blood and Stone...

15. Imynvokad - Union With The Blood Of The Moon

16. Vpaahsalbrox - The Flesh I have Given You

17. Cult of Daath - Inhuman Sacrifice

18. Tjolgtjar - The Second Key - Mysterion

19. Unholy Goatfucker - Oaken Gallows, Shroud of Snow

20. Sperm of Antichrist - A Pact In Stone And Skin

21. Nocturnal Blood - Masochistic doom

I Hope You DIE

AMSG

Sun of the Apocalypse

'Death and the Black Work' was a record of monstrous proportions. Especially the vinyl edition was a complete masterpiece of occult black metal whose greatness is tough to be fully appreciated even until now, eighteen months after its release. Added to the album's charm was the mystery that was caused by the fact that it went clandestine for a long period of time. Several months passed until the mob took notice that there was something truly important happening right under their useless noses.
On the contrary, "Apocalypse Sun' is anticipated by any imbecile that things that understands what is going on in works like Nightbringer's ones. The record is just out and is already uploaded on countless 'blogs', for every beggar to download. Some would say that it is a reward for any talented band, its music to be exposed to wider audiences (even within the underground). I would say that pearls should not be wasted on swines.
Besides the vast majority of the 'fearless trve internet black metal warriors' was raised with the impression that the sun is the 'enemy'. Hopefully Nightbringer's sun will blind every uneducated half human that dares face it.  

The first samples of the record, made available a couple of months ago, were showing that the band chose to follow a different path, to reach the same end. When  I have the record and after the proper study, I will express my opinion. Until then...

...A thousand curses to y'all.

The One

The usefulness of live concert in the field of black metal is a debatable matter. My opinion is that black metal is not a music genre to be performed live, at least within the stupid and superficial 'rock' or 'metal' context.
One exception to the rule is one man band The One. I think that any band that feels they cannot do without playing live, should study a concert of The One. They play as a duo, presenting a freeform interpretation of the songs as they are recorded on cd, the visual result being in perfect accordance with the spirit of the music. All in all this is the definition of a black metal live show (or ritual as many bands call it flattering themselves). Dark, mesmerizing and acting as an alternative execution of the records. Not for the drunk imbecile headbanger.

AVE

Playlist for the fiery days (All shall burn)

Killing Joke - Hosannas From The Basement Of Hell

This is, for me, the most important industrial record. Bear in mind that this is nothing more than the opinion of a listener not particularly familiar with the genre. Which means that this is just my favorite industrial record. I chose to write 'important' in the beginning cause it makes me feel exactly this way.
If I cared about the subhumans surrounding me I would advice them to start exploring this kind of music from this album. But I don't care. 

Ascension - With Burning Tongues

I heard the best about this band by people whose taste and instinct in music I trust almost blindly. I'm glad to see that they reaffirmed my trust.
This is the best black metal I heard for the last months. There have been three weeks now, since I got the tape, and it's almost melted after its extended use.
Easily the best new band that has emerged in recent years.

Chaos Invocation - In Bloodline With the Snake

Similar in sound and spirit with Ascension, only just half a step below in quality. I don't like to categorize bands according to their geographical origin but Chaos Invocation come from Germany (like Ascension) and considering a couple of other new and talented bands coming aus Deutschland, it seems that the country is restoring its bond with the dark side.
About time.

Mystérion - The Sacral Chamber 

Third band coming from Germany. A strange case this is indeed. They bear  nothing new in this EP. Everything there is to be found here, has been done before and probably in a better way. Yet the overall result is haunting, appealing and masterfully crafted. They obviously worship in the temple of Watain and other orthodox deities but they do it respectfully.
In a way the three last bands serve to soften my disappointment after the last Ondskapt record. The dark will not run out of servants.

Flames of Hell - Fire and Steel 

This is retro in all senses of the word. They are from Iceland and are a really old band. This LP is from 1987 and is their only release if I am not mistaken.
Thrash/black/heavy metal raw and filthy, a perfect substitute for those who hate Venom (like myself).
The flood of old school imitators and clowns is destroying every last sign of inspiration and freshness. Better go for the real thing.

 Ramesses - Take the Curse   

I loved their debut. This one is even better and this was a tough task to accomplish. Raw and sludgy, sulfurous doom that reeks of graveyard mud. The ones that won't hesitate to dive in it, will be greatly rewarded.






'From beyond the borders of the universe
From the core of your heart
The devil speaks with burning tongues'
AMEN. 

The past is alive, the present dies

This fucking shithole the bad luck has sent me to live in, is in the toughest times of its modern history. 1800 years of unworthy maggots living as parasites on the corpse of an ever dying country, worthless leaders, even more unworthy imbecile followers constitute 99% of today's population of greece. The coming doom was obvious for many years now. But blind and retarded folk cannot see beyond the next minute of its life. Let's see how they'll come out of the ruins.

On the same time the far past of this place manages to come forth in unexpected ways.
Some person decides to dig his property, that happens to be next to my place, in order to build a house. What comes to light is what remained of an ancient cemetery. The archeologists are yet to define the exact age of the findings but the remnants of a woman's body that was possibly murdered (as the skull is fractured) and a couple's skeletons are lying in the open among other findings. The modern leeches have come to destruct their rest.

   
Then, the people that are supposed to preserve any such findings (and are supposedly scientists) leave the scene as you see it in the pictures I took, covered with nylon shits with stones on the corners and go away for the weekend. The dead have no dignity (so they think) and they can wait. The weekend cannot.

Hate and curses to y'all...
Mystérion - The Sacral Chamber 
Argharus  - Pleistas
Nihil Nocturne - Wahnsinn.Tod.Verrat
Ramesses - Take the Curse
Valborg - Crown of Sorrow
Birushanah - Akai Yami
Rex Mundi - IHVH