A Tribute to Master's Hammer
A Tribute to Master's Hammer 
[Redblack]
A Tribute to Master's Hammer
A Tribute to Master's Hammer
[Redblack]
Reign of Erebus
Of Blackest Magick...
Gravewurm
Ancient Storms of War
Immolation
Close to a World Below
Arkhon Infaustus
In Sperma Infernum
Antaeus
Cut Your Flesh and Worship Satan
Avernus
Where the Sleeping Shadows Lie
[Blackend
This band sounds A LOT like Cradle of Filth and the like. Screeching black metal style vocals. Annoying female vocals. Uninspiring music. The genre is being killed by releases like this. The inner jacket has some especially stupid band pics of the band brandishing handguns. Very laughable indeed.
[Barbarian Wrath]
Semi-melodic with a raw sort of sound, here is a great band on Barbarian Wrath. Using a very simple approach, the music contained on this 17 track release is very reminicent of the old black metal genre. While some tracks are rather monotonous, the majority as a whole have a lot to offer today's lacking scene, a back to the basics slab of black metal. Recommended!
[Metal Blade Records]
Immolation is probably by far the best death metal band on Metal Blade. After a short break after their previous 'Failures for Gods' Immolation return with an equally brutal release 'Close to a World Below.' Here is a band that has a lot of respect from death metal fans, and for good reason. Immolation has never lessened their sound , they've always kept their lyrical assault against Christianity firmly planted in their lyrics and imagery. And they are definately one of the heaviest, uncompromising acts the genre has ever knew. I personally thought this release was heavier, even darker than their previous, and a lot more interesting as well. Another great release finds Immolation standing as strong as ever.
[Mordgrimm/Cacophonous]
The four song mini CD (limited to 666 hand numbered copies) embodies a great cold and raw black metal sound. Violent and filled with audio brutality, it is both melodic and chaotic and will leave you thirsting for more than the four songs presented here. Bands like Arkhon Infaustus and their country mates Antaeus are leading the way in 2000.
[Baphomet Records]
Those of you who missed 'rekordin 2000 -1' on Spikekult Rekords have another chance with this release, as it contains those tracks and more. This music is explosive, uncompromising and brutal from beginning to end. A superb example of ferocious black metal, Antaeus succeed where hordes fail in capturing sheer intensity. Recommended!
[Cursed Productions]
Avernus is a name not too many are familiar with these days. Their second demo, Sadness, was an extremely good effort. The demo contained five songs, containing rich, sorrowful atmospheres, extremely harsh sounding deep death metal vocals, and some female backing vocals by Kim Goss, also known for her work with Ancient, etc.. The lyrics should also be noted, as they were extremely fitting and cutting themselves. It was definitely one of the best demos of that year, which was 1994. This CD contains the Sadness demo followed by later demo material and cuts, which I find not to my liking, as they completely change their style and direction, completely abandoning the greatness of their 1994 demo. This CD is a welcome release, and very worthwhile for the five songs from Sadness. Recommended.
Hagalaz' Runedance
Volven
[Well of Urd]
The third CD, second full release from Hagalaz' Runedance, and I must say, it lived up to my expectations (after being let-down by the MCD released with dance-remixes!) and is a very good release. This is the great follow-up release I anticipated after the fantastic first release. It sets a variety of emotions, and is extremely natural and 'pagan' sounding. Andrea, the sole vocalist, uses her voice expertly for this type of music... impressive!
Barathrum
Okkult
[Spinefarm Records]
The sixth CD by Barathrum, this is impressive! This band never fails to impress me with its relentless work and vicious sound. Although the last CD, Sataana, wasn't as good as the previous, Legions of Perkele, this new release makes up for it. Not only does it carry the tradition faithfully and ferociously, but it contains a few new elements as well. The cover art is quite unique and strange as well, as seen above... Barathrum is a superb band. Six CD's and still non-commercial and true to its origins. I applaud another fantastic addition to the growing beast of Barathrum! A great example to show there is still life in black metal!
Rain Fell Within
Believe
Ethodius
Ethodius
[Dark Symphonies]
There are some good elements to this band. Musically, it's sometimes mood-setting, with melodic guitars, background keyboards, fronted by a female vocalist. But something goes astray after the first song for me. The vocals seem overdone. Perhaps she doesn't handle some of the notes to my liking. It tends to get quite annoying. Does it ruin the CD? For me it did. Fans of female vocalist fronted bands might enjoy this however. I think with more practice this could have potential, as this release has some good points to it.
[self-financed]
This is quite an interesting CD. Having never heard of this band prior to them sending us their CD, I wasn't sure what to expect, but overall this 10 song release is quite good and worthwhile. While it's not perfect, I can see a lot of the problems being easily worked out. Most of this CD is an orchestrated sort of ambiance, kind of soundtrack-like at times, it seems to carry a unique edge to it as well. The sounds explored are vast, from medieval to dark and eerie. My complaints would be the few times they use their own vocals, the vocalist just doesn't fit at all. Second, perhaps they use a bit too long of samples in a few songs. With that said, I think this band stands at the threshold of possibly something very interesting. We recommend you investigate further if you enjoy this style of music. You can even write the band for a free 2 song demo, or order this CD by contacting Ethodius by mail or email at:
or
Email:
ethodius@gatecom.com
Angantyr
Kampen Fortsætter
[self-financed]
Another great raw black metal band from Denmark. Very unknown, Angantyr well represent that small minority of black metal bands which still fit the term 'black metal.' This seven song CD is a rough mixture of raw semi-melodic guitar and keys done by one person, 'Ynleborgaz.' The vocals are crude and abrasive... it's all is very reminiscent of the old days of black metal, and anyone whose tastes yearn for that great sound surely will be pleased with this release. Moreover, it's more than just that, but by itself a force to watch. A bright star in the real underground of black metal. Recommended.
