Album review: Sárnes – None More Black (2019)

 

Sárnes – None More Black

Vermont / USA

Born For Burning Productions

Sárnes is a duo hailing from Vermont/USA playing raw black metal, featuring a member from Shitangel (previously reviewed here) on vocals/guitars. “None More Black” is their debut album and was released by Born For Burning Productions. 

The 10 tracks that make up “None More Black” are comprised of utterly harsh vocals, cold riffs and mediocre drum beats befitting of the music. It’s not terribly original per se, but conjured with such a level of unwavering passion that it makes terms like “originality” seem redundant. The album is encumbered with everything fans of true black metal will enjoy. There’s a nice deal of variety throughout, since no track on this release sounds quite like the other, all the while maintaining a misanthropic mood. Some may find the production a bit thin, but for me it’s perfect for the style they play – raw, yet powerful in the entire mix. The whole album is shrouded in a verily cold, unfriendly atmosphere, which makes it a joy to listen to. It doesn’t pander to any sissy trends and it doesn’t care if you like it or not. The only thing it cares about is seeing the human race six-feet under.

Overall, this album probably won’t get any accolades for being terribly ground-breaking, nor will it be revered as modern classic; however, it does get props for being a thoroughly enjoyable and filthy slap of raw black metal madness. (HT)

Favourite tracks:

Scythe

Desecrate All Shrines

Obsidian Tomb

Demo review: Brood In Black - Black Unholy Mass (2021)

Brood In Black – Black Unholy Mass

Kentucky, USA

Blasfemas Records

Brood In Black hail from from the city of Lancaster (there’s another Lancaster in England, but the weather looks a bit crappy there) situated in Kentucky, USA, and the aptly titled “Black Unholy Mass” is their latest offering of pure unadulterated black metal darkness.

Brood In Black are one of those bands that’s 100% loyal to the spirit of old-school black metal. They evoke an atmosphere that takes us back to the first and second wave of black metal with a sound reminiscent of bands like Beherit, Countess, Bathory, etc. That’s not to say that Brood In Black is some boring, uninspired clone of the aforementioned bands; they do their thing well and I happen to enjoy this kind of no-frills, straight-forward black metal, and in the case of Brood In Black, they execute their craft with absolute zeal and fervour. The overall length of "Black Unholy Mass” exceeds the 30 minute mark, which is quite a satisfying duration for a demo.

Performance-wise, the songs are pretty simple and by no means technical, but that’s also one of the band’s strong points. The vocals are appropriately raw, evil, and full of acrimony which gives the music a really unsettling feel. Everything goes together decidedly well, whether it’s the inventive drum fills, the skull-grating buzzsaw riffs, or the venom-spitting vocals.

If you think words like “raw” and “simplistic” are a warning flag for “unprofessional”, then avoid this at all costs – especially if you’re a hipster who think it’s cool to listen to black metal after watching the abominable Lords Of Chaos film. This is about as austere, bleak, bitter and unoriginal as any black metal you can find, but that’s the fucking beauty of it. There’s absolutely no compromise for trends. (HT)

Album review: Northern - Cabin Fever (2021)

 

Northern – Cabin Fever

New Hampshire / USA

Sinistrari Records

Northern (formerly known as Cold Northern Vengeance) will soon release their second full-length album entitled “Cabin Fever” via Sinistrari Records. 

The latest album from these New Hampshire harbingers of death is a cold and furious blast of gut-wrenching pagan/black metal darkness that will unequivocally raise a few dead souls. The atmosphere on this album is morose and beautifully melancholic, which is ideal for a snowy and isolated winter setting. Deep and abrasive howls are belched out atop an array of glacial riffs and swift, well-executed drums. The vocals are effectively delivered, powerful and quite comprehensible. The production is unpolished and veritably raw, which is quite fitting to the overall atmosphere. Tempo-wise, it ranges from fast to mid-pace to slower, more brooding passages. Each song on this album sounds like it was recorded in one take, which adds to its charm. However, the production does sound a little inconsistent on some of the tracks.

“Cabin Fever” is one of those albums you need to listen to when you’re alone in the woods with a couple of beers, or just taking a hike on a cold day. Don’t mistake it for some fruity post-black metal outfit. The tone is rancid and grim.

Clocking at 25+ minutes, the 7 songs on “Cabin Fever” will certainly tickle your fancy if you like cold, harrowing black/death with a frosty aura. (HT)

Album review: Crimson Moon - Under the Serpentine Spell (2005)

 

Crimson Moon - Under the Serpentine Spell (2005)

USA

Total Holocaust Records

It wasn't until the first time I listened to Crimson Moon that I began to envision where the path I had been following for some time was leading me. It has remained one of the greatest influences on what I create. "Under the Serpentine Spell" is unlike any other black metal record. The ambience generated by the synths on this one is the element that really makes it stand out. While the production isn't particularly great, it's defnitely ideal for the compositions that make up this lengthy opus. The bass is prominent and has a tone that is suitable for the somewhat muddy sound of the tracks, just like the guitars. Even though the percussions are done with a programmed drum, every aspect of the recordings sounds incredibly good and there is hardly anything that could have been done better. If you listened to other releases of Crimson Moon, you know what to expect from Scorpios' vocals; aggressive, unorthodox and bestial rasps. He also does spoken word vocals in several parts of the record as well as some chants.

The first full-length "To Embrace the Vampyric Blood" is no less impressive and has a more consistent sound throughout its duration, but its successor has had a tremendous impact on underground black metal as well. The guitars are at times more or less buried by the other instruments, but it isn't an issue because the bass is supposed to be just as important in the songs and the riffs could be considered as part of the overall atmosphere. There is so much detail within the recordings that it's easy to remain captivated by it for hours at a time. Everything about it is chaotic yet refined and at times it gets quite eerie and oppressive. The guitars are different from what other bands in the genre have delivered, creating alongside the bass an elaborate and fierce sonic onslaught. Although not so loud, the percussions are powerful and precise, reinforcing the relatively dense soundscape that the other elements culminate into. The intro and outro are magnificent synth compositions that sound both sinister and phantasmagoric, and complement very well the substantial and evocative tracks of this ambitious output.

For me this is a truly marvelous album without any real flaw. Hipsters stay away from this. (Nahas)

Highlights:

The Blood that is Eternal

Amidst the Labyrinths of Depression

Under the Serpentine Spell

Bloodstained Dreams of the Dragon

INTERVIEW: SATANS CARRION (2021)

The following interview was done with L. Amodi from USBM band, SATANS CARRION. 

Ave! Amidst all this global turmoil and uncertainty, how do you find yourself at the moment? Do you think things will get worse before they get better, or are we heading straight for the abyss? Furthermore, were there any albums from 2020 that made an impression on you?

Hails! In all of this kaos that's been going on globally, I've actually found myself doing rather well during this whole "pandemic" aside from catching Covid myself. (Which didn't stop me from doing anything.) So much for it being "deadly"... Hard to say, but the US really seems to head straight into that abyss itself. As for albums in 2020: well, I haven't had the time to check out most 2020 releases; unless I was told by a few people like Alexandros from Macabre Omen telling me in person during my travels to the UK in early 2020 about his new release coming out called "Anamneses."

Can you tell me how Satans Carrion came into being and what the band represents musically and lyrically?

Satans Carrion was kaos manifested in the early years of 2011 from within Mortis Circulus. Musically and lyrically represents the filth, the kaos, the hatred and his return in which I spilled my guts out on every recording and still continue to do so. The band started as a solo-project to the point where I wanted to take things further. Funeral Curse from Vatican and ex-Warmoon asked to join as a drummer for Satans Carrion back in late 2013, but things didn't really work out, so I recruited Belhor from ex-Baalzabub on drums for that rehearsal release.

Can you give us a background on your discography and each releases' respected format?

As far as the discography go, everything was all-self released on tape and CDr.

The releases so far including re-releases:

Demo I -2012 & re-release - 2015

Split with Malibuas - In Maleficarum Scriptor Cantus - 2014

Rehearsal MMXVII -2017

How and when did you first get into Black Metal? What is it about the genre that resonates with you enough to inspire you to compose your own music?

You know, I have been asked this many times over the years and considering that Black Metal was almost non-existent in my city at the time when I first got into the genre. Vatican, Warmoon, and Nosvrolok were the only ones I knew at the time growing up here. Anyway, I was actually introduced to Black Metal when I was 15 by an old friend and his wife who used to briefly live around here. He used to show me many old flyers, letters, demos, etc. What resonated with me was that it was real then compared to the pussification of what's been going on in today's scene but then again who am I to say since I never lived in that era, but only learned how it should be. Every now and then I come across people who do carry that spirit. To me, Black Metal was always more than just music.

Which bands influenced the sound of Satans Carrion? Also, if I'm not mistaken, your moniker was inspired by a Mutiilation title? Are you abig fan of their music, including the Les Legions Noires?

Not sure, I usually compose as I go every time I record. I've always heard many people compare Satans Carrion to several bands over the years. Indeed, as in the lyrics reads "I'm a puppet of Satan". Yes, I have listened to music from Les Legions Noire and have briefly spoken with Vordb Na r.iidr of Belketre back in late 2015, but to me especially when writing music in Satans Carrion, it's more then just music which I've already explained in the last question.

Can you tell us a bit about the recording circumstances regarding your debut demo from 2012? What memories do you harbour from that period?

I clearly remember that time during the recording of the first demo and the start of the band, truly fucked up times! The drugs, the crimes, the madness that went on.. I'm more surprised I'm still here because at the time I was truly hellbent on ending it all! In regards to the recording, everything was done by myself in 2011, including the drum machine which was the first devil's mark on this hellish journey. I only had a very limited release at the time due to the problems that was going on for me and even short on money. Hell, I even had to steal some blank tapes in the past haha. Later, I decided to properly self re-release the first demo in early 2015.

Satans Carrion is quite an unknown act. Do you have any aspirations to evolve this project to a more “illustrious” status or are you content with how things are? Furthermore, what's your opinion on musicians from Black Metal bands that inhabit a kind of rockstar temperament?

Indeed, Satans Carrion has been an unknown act for quite some time now and after 5 years of silence, many thoughts and questions arose during that time. I have decided to bring Satans Carrion out from the shadows and into the unholy light to spit at those who betrayed its true essence. At the moment, I'm unsure about "live shows" as finding the right people around here can be a challenge. I truly despise those with a "Rockstar attitude" within Black Metal. Especially the newcomers who secretly seek fame which I've seen a lot over the years but almost always end up in flames. Is there that "black flame" that continues to burn within them anymore? Some still do.

What can you tell us about your latest release, “Rehearsal MMXVII,”and the mood you tried to capture on these recordings?

The rehearsal was recorded in early 2015 with a good friend/drummer, Belhor from Baalazbub, and at the time there where many frustrations and anger when it came down to recording & sound. Initially, this rehearsal was meant to be a mini-album release in 2016, but personal problems occurred at the time which postponed the release for later 2021, thus having Satans Carrion enter a small 5 year break for the time being in which I've decided to release what was captured in that live rehearsal in 2017. Two of the three rehearsal tracks on that release will feature on the new mini-album end of the year.

https://satanscarrion616.bandcamp.com/album/rehearsal-mmxvii

Can you please elaborate on the theme behind the song “Ego Sum Papa” and what inspired it? There's a sample in this track about a new pope being elected. Where's it taken from? Also, what's your opinion about the Pope and the Vatican? Are they really as “holy” as they portray themselves to be?

There have been many talks in history about the Devil taking seat within the Vatican, so I took a recorded sample of a pope being elected some years ago as a mockery to the holy faith with the Devil being elected. I don't know, I've set foot there earlier in 2020 as a black shadow within the holy see. The mass was canceled during that time due to Covid barely hitting Italy ( mostly up north ) even before hitting the rest of the world. I guess virus fear is stronger than faith.

What's 10 albums you can't live without?

Well, I have way more than 10 albums I can't live without haha but I'll list a few...

1. Hell Militia - Canonisation on the Foul Spirit / Last Station On The Road To Death

2. Uranium 235 - Total Extermination

3. Mysticum - In The Streams Of Inferno

4. Sepultura - Bestial Devastation

5. Zyklon-B - Blood Must be Shed

6. Incursus - Eternal Funeral Trance

7. Darkthrone - Soulside Journey to Panzerfaust

8. Sodom - Witching Metal / In the Sign of Evil

9. Mayhem - De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

10. Sadistic Intent - Resurrection

Lastly, how do you foresee the future of Satans Carrion? The last blasphemous words are yours.

At the moment, things are slowly returning. Rehearsing tracks again and Darkest Hails to Dirk Verbeuren who agreed to help with session drums for the up-coming mini-album which should be released at the end of 2021. Despite all the struggles, the hospital visits, and even the few times I came close to death over the years...Satans Carrion still returns! This is only the beginning of the end, Halle-fucking-lujah, mother fuckers.

INTERVIEW: NORTHERN - 2020

 

The following interview was done with Heathen from US Black/Death heretics, NORTHERN.

Morbid Hails, Heathen! Is Northern a continuation of Cold Northern Vengeance or a separate entity all on its own? What are the main differences?

Greetings from the "Live Free or Die" state of New Hampshire. I would say yes to a certain degree. I would also say NortherN is the shadow of CNV. It was spawned from the Eihwaz rune of death and rebirth. The main difference is CNV was mainly about Paganism / Occult where NortherN is more inspired by region / lore of this area. 

Can you give us some background about the formation of Northern, including some info about the members and their respected input?

Out of the corpse of CNV I decided to work with some veterans of the old "scene"of New England. So we have Clayatanas on drums who played in the sick band DESOLATE and Tim Donovan on 2nd guitar who played in December Wolves. Have you heard "Completely Dehumanized" by December Wolves? A very over looked and under rated Black / Thrasher album!!! Hail the old scene! And my darling Noctis on Bass who has a history of music study in the "industry"...

Tell us about the themes that you explore with Northern and where you draw inspiration from. Do your surroundings blend into your deeper psyche when these ideas take form?

Well for the "Cabin Fever" 7 inch it all relates to New Hampshire. The cover art is old New Hampshire in the frontier days. You see these Davey Crocket types in their log cabin cutting up trees with an axe, hunting deer to survive, camp fires, alcoholism and the darkness of the cold. The songs are dark and evil and we use a quote from New Hampshire native GG Allin. "Give us darkness and a bottle to hold". A very New Hampshire sentiment because we have set the record for most alcoholics per capita and the highest recorded wind speed at 231 mph atop one of the most deadly mountains in the world. The winds "blow down from the Psychopath mountain from which many a fool has met his hypothermic murder." Do you get this picture of Evil? Authentic evil... Nothing is more grim than reality here hahaha!!! I am inspired by these surroundings in my day to day life as a trucker. I just so happen to relate it into Black Death Sounds for NortherN. There is no other band quite like us. A true cult of personality in the way of the first wave to a degree! In our case negative fahrenheit degrees!

The sound on the new EP, “Cabin Fever,” is heavier, darker, gravitating towards Black/Death, whereas the debut album showed a wider palette of influences. What prompted the new direction?

I want to go darker. The first one has Black/Death in some songs like "Alaskan Ice" about a serial killer from Alaska that would vacation here for the intent of hunting people ... And "Exaltation from the Grave" is that black death vein as well. On this release I tuned down one whole step. I also was more in charge of producing this / recording and insisted on panning guitars the way I wanted. So it is indeed heavier and more in line with my vision. It is my best stuff!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOfixm7RBTg

There seems to be a lack of seriousness in regards to how bands represent themselves nowadays. How important is the ethos and attitude of a band?

I don't pay much attention but I agree. In the old days the people were more extreme in their dedication to the dark occult arts but of course there are these people that still have this black flame inside. This is all part of the great work... Fuck the pretenders.

It seems like a lot of people nowadays revel in empowering themselves from behind a computer screen by spouting nonsensical opinions on the internet without actually making any form of contribution to the underground. Your thoughts?

The Funderground sucks a long driving African cock. It is a joke full of phonies and scenesters like Fake Dudd from Gaymystium and Neil "And Blow Blake" Lameson from Krieg. It is a total disaster but thankfully Covid 19 is the cure for the "scene" LMAOOOO!

What is your opinion on the current state of USBM? Has the flame died or are there still bands within the scene worthy of support? Also, what do you think about the USBM book that came out recently?

It pretty much sucks rainbow aids. I support Imprecation ( Black Death ) , Sivad and the return of the Kings : GBK! I anxiously wait for the new album ! How can you not love GBK? A true Cult USBM legacy! I will be honest that the USBM book has some cool stuff in it along with lots of hipster Aids awareness. They miss the mark because they should have touched on crucial albums that played a role in USBM. Let us make it clear that Vital Remains "Let Us Pray" is an album that should be touched on. That the early era of that band was more "BLACK"... That Slayer "Show No Mercy" is first wave BM. That the first 2 Deicide albums are very BLACK. We knew it back in the glory days so why don't these fucking pussies recognize? The label that released CNV "Domination and Servitude" album is interviewed in the book . They of course do not mention us because they have turned into a total fucking hipster label !!! Fuck Bindgay Recordings!!! Fuck off pussy!!! Fuck hipster BM !!! I also want to give respect to K.E.P. Productions for booking a truly sick Black Metal Fest in total defiance of Antifa scourge. If you were at that massive event you know that this was done in the spirit of Old! Amazing! Hail Vengeance Fest in New Jersey!!! Hail Kyle!!!

Tell us a little about the debut album, “Desolate Ways To Ultima Thule,” and the context behind the title? What was the reception like and how do you perceive criticism towards your music?

The meaning of Ultima Thule is a distant or unknown region that is synonymous with the North. So the album might lead you to that conclusion. I like the songs on the album but not a huge fan of how it was produced.  The guitars could have been thicker but it is still a killer album that can put you in a trance if you open your mind to it... From a underground perspective it did well in my eyes. From Blake Judd perspective he would not have been satisfied by the amount of Heroin he gained from it. I don't care about criticism or popularity. If I cared about these hipster allures I would have quit long ago. I do the art because it is the call of the wild for me... We are the Davey Crocket of Black Metal.

What role does symbolism play in your music? Has it become a lost art, considering that most people barely understand the meaning behind certain symbols? Furthermore, what can you tell us about some of the band's aesthetics?

We play with symbols and it all means something to me. Nothing is done for the hell of it... So let me clarify that the Ouroboros with Wolf Angle on the cover of "Desolate Ways to Ultima Thule" is the same that Boyd Rice came up with. I give total credit to Boyd Rice as perhaps my biggest inspiration . So I guess we use this in the same way that countless bands use the Anton LaVey Baphomet. I also want to make it clear that we will only use that logo for that album. I love Boyd Rice and the wisdom that he applied to that symbol. Hail NON FOREVER!!! We used a black sun as an enigmatic symbol synonymous with multiple meanings. Some people say the Black Sun is symbolic of the Black Hole from which all creation came and will be eaten by... Some link it with a Sun Wheel... Some link it with Nazism. Let your mind wander... Where is this distant unknown symbol from? Why? 

Which bands would you cite as your biggest influences? (Particularly those that influenced your writing.)

I will tell you some of my favorite albums:

NON - GOD AND BEAST

VITAL REMAINS - LET US PRAY

MERCYFUL FATE - DON'T BREAK THE OATH

GORGOROTH- PENTEGRAM

BURZUM - DET SOM ENGANG VAR

CRAFT - TOTAL SOUL RAPE

GBK - JUDEOBEAST ASSASSIN

DEICIDE- LEGION

MORBID ANGEL - COVENANT

SAMAEL - CEREMONY OF OPPOSITES

MARDUK- THOSE OF THE UNLIGHT

BATHORY- HAMMERHEART

SISTERS OF MERCY- FIRST LAST AND ALWAYS

FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM- THE NEPHILIM

HANK WILLIAMS 3 - STRAIGHT TO HELL

DEAD CAN DANCE - WITHIN THE REALM OF A DYING SUN

AUTOPSY- MENTAL FUNERAL

SLAYER- HELL AWAITS

THE DARK SHADOWS SOUNDTRACK

EMPEROR / ENSLAVED SPLIT

THE CURE - PORNOGRAPHY

What are your thoughts about the whole Burzum phenomenon regarding the ban of his music on social media? What could possibly be so dangerous about his music? I actually find gangster rap way more pernicious.

More signs of Communist Scum behavior. Burzum is transcending art and does not follow the rules of the status quo so of course the children of Jehovah must ban it... The antinomian power of Black Metal shall prevail over the mundanes. Bring forth the Acausal.

 Your thoughts on the following:

Moral Codes

Moral Codes is really up to the individual. From a sort of ethic that is imposed by Society? It really depends... People delude themselves into thinking that things like Civic Nationalism are bad for the individual but if the Nationalism is based on a constitution that ensures the freedom of an individual how can it be so bad? I am looking at this from a societal perspective. You could look at it so many ways. It all depends

Charles Manson

Charles Manson was a psychopath that manipulated and exploited the weakness and ignorance of the youth but alas there is a wisdom there... Seek and you shall find.

Censorship

Censorship just makes people want it more. Censor me , Censor Burzum, Censor the truth... It just makes people yearn for it more. Forbidden fruit is the most alluring. 

Life After Death

Life After Death is something I have looked into and highly suggest the book DMT : The Spirit Molecule. Do you know that when dying your brain releases this chemical that makes you trip balls? Death seems interesting the more you look into it... Fascinating subject.

Aleister Crowley

Aleister Crowley lived in my state for a short time. He conducted rituals deep in our countryside... He blasphemed Jesus and crucified a frog right in New Hampshire. 93 North is all I have to say.

 What do you consider as 10 essential albums in the whole plateau of unholy Black and Death Metal?

I listed some albums earlier but here are 10 more in this vein:

Incantation "Onward to Golgotha"

Necrophobic "The Nocturnal Silence"

Deicide self titled

Morbid Angel "Altars of Madness"

Angel Corpse "Hammer of Gods"

Monstrosity "Imperial Doom"

Impaled Nazarene "Tol Compt Norz Norz Norz"

Arghoslent "Hornets of the Pogrom"

Dismember "Like An Ever Flowing Stream"

Dissection "Storm of the Light's Bane"

What can you tell us about your involvement with Martyrvore, Cold Northern Vengeance, and Ancestral Shadows? How was your experience working with those bands and how do you reflect upon each period?

Ok, Martyrvore I did vocals for a split release with Witch Tomb and I also did the lyrics and performed on a song called "Nuclear Orgasm"... I was in this band when I was still on good terms with Gemini. To make a long story short I had a falling out with this loser. He actually started worshipping Blake Judd lolol! He might have even sucked him off! Lolol ... This loser turned to heroin and took it a step further and started dealing it and the singer of Martyrvore actually died of an overdose from the shit Gemini aka Ratt Shittings dealt out to him. It is a long and rather dismal story but this guy Gemini is now in prison for various charges involving heroin, credit card fraud, identity theft, etc. It is a shame as he was a great musician but definitely a sociopath type of guy. I also started CNV with him in 2002. Just for the record Necrochrist in Martyrvore hates him as well. I send a Hail to Nechrochrist and the natural disaster of Martyrvore!!! May the typhoon Gods rejoice!!!

CNV started in 2002 as a middle finger to the entire scene of this area which has by and large been defined by terrible Boston / Massachusetts hardcore bands with some exceptions. Anyways I had been trying for years to put together a Black / Death metal band but all I could find were these kids into stuff like Converge that would do "Punk" music and say stuff like "We have Black Metal parts" or "We want to play death metal" but in reality they were these straight edge geeks that thought Earth Crisis was the best thing ever. So after wasting my time trying to do something with these guys I met Gemini who was into the real shit. Honestly I was trying to do a project called Demonic Attack but Gemini was really into what we both called "Northern Black Metal" so I thought I am into that stuff. We would hang out in Necrochrist of Martyrvore's evil basement that we called the Dungeon. It was the winter time, there was tons of  snowstorms and we would just crank black metal and get boozed up and run out to the ocean in these fucking raging storms. It was totally inspiring and intense and we were leaning towards these extremes of Satanism and Evil shit! Watching snuff films, Nazi footage and delving further into the abyss. The first time I walked into the room of Gemini he had a swastika flag on the wall and that was it. I thought man this guy is fucking evil... Great! That was how it was back then. The more extreme the better! I am not going to go to far into it but we were really into the old black metal mind set of actually hailing Evil. It was extreme and many crazy things happened. We kind of opened the gates to Chaos and Destruction... I will sum it up with this lyric from the song we did "Demonic Entrapment"

"Winter of death and despair. Casting a spell from the Blackened lair. Isolated and misanthropic. Behold the rise of an Evil Prophet. Chaos, War, Evil and Hate. Cursed and Tormented Shall be my Fate. Fucked with dark forces and summoned the dead. Demonic entrapment inside your head."

That is all I am going to say about that... We were very controversial. People will say we were just being edge lords but if you were there it was a genuinely dark environment that we were compelled by. There was a dark mystery there... A Nexion was opened.  I will not say anything more about the CNV history as it could go on forever. I will say that I think that the early stuff and "Domination and Servitude" are some of the best USBM that certain hipsters from decibel refuse to recognize.

Ancestral Shadows I played drums on one album but I must say big thumbs down as the main guy behind the project has done his best to fit in with the hip to be scenesters in this area. The singer has also professed to being a fucking feminist!!! Lololol... I refused to work with this band after such revelations. Plus the music has really turned gay and so full of emotional melody hahaha! Big thumbs down!

Only the early AS with Death Spirit was real !

If you could assemble the perfect line-up to perform at a festival – who would you choose and what would the ideal conditions be?

It would be Venom, Bathory, Celtic Frost, Mercyful Fate, Slayer time warped back to 1985 in some obscure Cave with plenty of Blood, Fire, Death. Haha!

Who did the artworks for “Desolate Ways To Ultima Thule” and “Cabin Fever”? Do you find the visual representation of your work as crucial as the music? Obviously, nobody's going to buy a black metal album with an unicorn artwork.

Jeff Smith did the cover art for the first album. My idea and he made it happen so credit to him there. It is an Evil Shamanic guy in a trance with the fire and ice... Cabin Fever is just a picture of old frontier life in New Hampshire. It has a dark reality about it. The rugged coldness of this region prevails. Grimness and true Isolation. The aesthetics are very regional. It is totally tied to this area. I absorb it and out comes NortherN.

Outside of music, what are some of your favorite passtime activities? Also, if killing Christians were legal, would you have partaken?

I work so much I don't have much time anymore. I would say travelling / exploring with my dear Noctis ... It depends of the Christian. Jim Jones and Bob Larson are great entertainment but that smiley douchebag Osteen would definitely be splattered all over the Church.

Thanks for your time. Feel free to inform our readers about your future plans for Northern, including anything else worthy of note. See you in the bottomless pit. 

Cabin Fever 7 inch is being pressed. 

Next album "Disenchantment" is almost done. 

Just to continue being Hated and writing and working on this art form. The pangs of coldness galvanize the steel of NortherN !!!

Hails for the interview! In total fucking darkness... 

Split review: Blood Omen / Slege – Bathing In The Blood Of The Meek (2020)

Blood Omen / Slege – Bathing In The Blood Of The Meek

USA

Nihilistic Noise Propaganda

"Bathing In The Blood Of The Meek” is a black metal split between Blood Omen and Slege, both of whom hail from California. These bands are amply uncompromising in their craft and represent the heart and soul of the genre.

Blood Omen starts the split, offering 2 tracks of fierce and majestic Black Metal. This is the band's third release, so they already had some time to work on their music, hence the quality of the material. “Bloodsworn Legacy” is an epic 8-minute hymn featuring one of the best solos in a black metal song I've heard in a while. The blood-curdling vocals, along with their ability to write sick riffs, definitely makes them a noteworthy prospect. Blood Omen is the real deal and after hearing their side of the split, I've decided to check out the rest of their discography.

Slege's take on the genre is slightly different, although they embody the same murderous spirit. The atmosphere they evoke is powerful and reminds me of old Gorgoroth. The effects on the vocals are very well done and gives the music a very distinctive feel. “Their Heads On The Spikes Of Our Victory” is an absolute killer tune backed by some truly epic riffs and an amazing vocal performance full of emotion.

All in all, both bands are on the same page in terms of song-writing quality and show a natural capacity for depth; therefore, I cannot recommend this release enough. This is a great split.(HT)

Album review: Black Crown - Caverns of Thantifaxath (2020)

 

Black Crown - Caverns of Thantifaxath (2020)

USA

Sathanath Records

Black Crown is the sinister manifestation conjured by The Mountain VVitch (ex-Necrophagia, Haxxan) and "Caverns of Thantifaxath" is their debut album, joint-released between Satanath Records, More Hate Productions, and The End Of Time Records. The duo offers a lethal slab of cold, belligerent black metal that aims to corrupt the mind with a corrosive atmosphere and vocals replete with spite. The themes all pertain to the occult, as Thantifaxath literally means “Great Ghoul” and is known to be one of the pathways and tunnels of Set. The band does a good job at transmitting those abysmal energies; however, I feel that a rawer sound would have benefited the music more, as I find the album's production a little too clean and polished for my liking. Nevertheless, there's still some enjoyable moments to be found here, with an atmosphere and sound that brings to mind bands like Thorns, Temple of The Maggot, Carpathian Forest, etc. The pace of the album varies from mid to fast, with some exceedingly heavy riffs scattered throughout. I'm not a big fan of the high-pitched vocals, although I can tolerate them. Overall, "Caverns of Thantifaxath" is a passable entry featuring 9 paeans of blasphemous metal to satiate the morbid mind. (HT)

https://satanath.bandcamp.com/album/sat275-black-crown-caverns-of-thantifaxath-2020

Review: Aliicide - First Prayer EP (2020)

 

Aliicide – First Prayer EP (2020)

USA

Independent

Aliicide is a black metal duo from California and First Prayer is their debut EP. There's  quite a few variants of black metal nowadays; ranging from orthodox, raw, depressive, atmospheric, etc., – that being said, it's really not difficult for someone to get confused with all these sub-subgenres not thoroughly acquainted with the evolution of the genre. In this case, the band plays a style of black metal that's sort of like an amalgamation of some the above-mentioned styles and it works surprisingly well. The sound here is quite evolved for a first release and emits an ominous atmosphere that brings to mind the likes of Vassafor, Brown Jenkins and Creeping. I can also hear a touch of death metal in the riffs, particularly on the third track Banished. These songs pack a powerful punch and I like the use of samples in the tracks. Overall, this EP is pretty sick, even though there's still room for improvement in terms of finding a voice and evolving their sound. On that note, Aliicide is an interesting prospect that I'll be keeping an eye out for. An auspicious first entry from these guys. (HT)

https://aliicide.bandcamp.com/releases