Black Widow
[Above: cover and inner booklet]
Return to the Sabbat
I anxiously waited a long time to finally hear this CD! This is the demo of the cult 1969 'Come to the Sabbat' release. What's most special about this is the much beloved track 'Come to the Sabbat' has female vocals, done by the original vocalist. While I don't like it better than the all male version, it is very cool and interesting. The chanting and mood of the song is also different, the chanting is more rhythmic and driving. I can imagine during the psychedelic 60s/70s age this song must have been mind-blowing, not only for its Satanic nature, but its pure entrancing atmosphere. The rest of the tracks are interesting and good as well, but nothing like the title track. It always shocks me to think that this was released in 1969. 45 years ago from 2014. This makes Black Sabbath look like Christians.
[Below: booklet inside.]
[Below: CD back. It's strange that I never noticed until recently that the scene above is a devil's face looking sideways. Did you notice?]
[Below: CD]
Beherit
[Above: cover and inner booklet]
Engram
I must admit I was very hesitant about this release. Beherit have always been one of my favorite bands and I guess I didn't want that spoiled by a bad release. After all it had been quite a few years since the mind(s) behind Beherit released anything. Not counting the two industrial-techno-ambient released in past years, this is the first metal release since the legendary Drawing Down the Moon. And here it is... my fears were misguided. While far from 'perfect', this is a great release. Beherit has done what many other artists who have been away from the game have failed at--they have returned and still have the old spirit and energy that made them so interesting in the first place. The vocals are VERY good, but unfortunately no sign of the trademark whispering of past albums. Musically there is a big improvement and many of the songs have catchy melodies and atmospheres. The peculiar strangeness and esoteric qualities of past releases are also present here. A welcome release.
[Below: back]
[Below: Inside]
[Below: CD]
Black Widow
[Above: Box front/back]
Come to the sabbat - The Singles Collection
This five CD release contains the singles of Black Widow, along with single releases from Pesky Gee! and Agony Bag, two bands which contained members from Black Widow. Each CD is housed in a slipcase made to resemble the original seven inch release, which in turn fit into a cardboard box.
[Below: front/back. 'Pesky Gee!' was the original name of Black Widow.]
[Below: front/back.]
[Below: front/back.]
[Below: front/back.]
[Below: front/back. This abomination was done by a few band members some time after Black Widow broke up.]
Black Widow
[Above: front/back]
Demons of the Night Gather to See Black Widow
This is a VERY interesting release. It contains a live audio CD and a live DVD of the band. This DVD contains the controversial show that got Black Widow banned from the BBC and caused the cancellation of their planned American tour. It is ritualistic and contains a dancer in a see-through sheer gown on stage. The CD contains a very cool live version of 'Come to the Sabbat' that is fairly different than the studio version. And I must say, the whispered 'Come to the Sabbat, Satan's There' is very effective, and I might even like it better than the conventional version. Any Black Widow fan has to own this legendary material of an equally legendary band.
[Below: CD back.]
[Below: CD]
Black Widow
[Above: front/back]
See's the Light of Day
I really liked this two CD Italian import. Hearing the infamous demo of 'Come to the Sabbat', with all its pops and hisses, is truly great. I really liked the unreleased track 'The Devil's Liar' and am shocked this very cool song was never released. Other than 'Come to the Sabbat' it is my favorite Black Widow track. The live material of CD #2 isn't the best recording, but it is a rare chance to hear the legends live. Anyone who likes this band should hunt this CD down.
[Below: CD back.]
[Below: inner foldout poster.]
[Below: Inner photo collage.]
[Below: CD tray paper. Note the censored pubic hair of this infamous picture. You can see the uncensored shot on the next page of reviews.]
[Below: CDs.]
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[Mystic Records]
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[Spinefarm Records ©2009]
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[Earmark/Sanctuary Records ©2006]
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[Mystic Records ©2007]
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[Black Widow]
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