Tag Archives: Black Metal

Ensiferum – Victory Songs

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: » 4 out of 5 Evil Faces

Ensiferum - Victory Songs

The viking metal masters Ensiferum return with their newest effort. This one is called Victory Songs and I suppose that’s accurate as this release is another victory.

Ensiferum just keeps on going. Each release as good or better than the last. I doubt they will ever top Iron as that is a total masterpiece IMO. Though each CD seems to have that certain melodic warrior style that I like so much about this band.

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Rhapsody Of Fire – Triumph or Agony

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: » 4 out of 5 Evil Faces

Rhapsody Of Fire - Triumph or Agony

Once again it is time for another CD review. It is not a new band, but they have a new name. Or at least a longer one. Italian opera metal masters Rhapsody have changed the band name to Rhapsody of Fire and have released another masterpiece.

As with all their CD’s Rhapsody takes you on a hour + long journey back into the days of old when men carried swords and fought against kings for freedom from slavery, oh and there are dragons too. I have heard alot of black metal bands referred to as epic in the past ( I am guilty of this myself) but Rhapsody (of Fire) define the term epic.

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Finntroll – Ur Jordens Djup

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: » 4 out of 5 Evil Faces

Finntroll - Ur Jordens Djup

Finnish folk/black metal masters Finntroll return with another full length release, this one on Spinefarm Records. It is entitled Ur Jordens Djup and features 11 tracks.

There is nothing special about this release. It sounds as one would expect a Finntroll CD to sound.

Their previous releases remind me of beer drinking good time music, mixed with metal. The good times are not over yet, but it seems the party might be dying down a little.

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Seasons Of Sorrow – The Awakening

:evil: :evil: :evil: » 3 out of 5 Evil Faces

Seasons Of Sorrow - The Awakening

Again it has been awhile since my last review. Or for that matter since I have published anything around here.

Though do not fear, I am never far away! I have just been busy as usual with work, the holidays and all that good stuff. Plus I was sick a couple of weeks ago.

Sorry for my tardiness. ;)

Anyway on with the topic at hand. As I am sure none of you really care about my work, how I prepare for Xmas, or my well being.

It’s time for another CD review. This time it is for a band that sent me their demo to check out. The band is Seasons Of Sorrow and the CD is titled The Awakening.

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Cradle Of Filth – Thornography

:evil: :evil: :evil: » 3 out of 5 Evil Faces

Cradle Of Filth - Thornography

Okay ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for another CD review.

Again this band needs no introduction. I am sure you have heard of them. I am also sure that you already have an opinion of this band.

You either love, hate of just kinda tolerate them. :P

Cradle Of Filth

Well folks, Thornography is not going to make the haters love. Though it might make the lovers hate and those that tolerate, riot.

Cradle has been around for a long time and have released alot of CDs over the years. You are bound to have purchased at least one of them. Maybe you even got one of the ones they put out back when they we’re a black metal band.

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Bilocate – Dysphoria

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: » 4 out of 5 Evil Faces

Bilocate - Dysphoria

Okay this is a band that I had never heard until they contacted me wanting to get there CD reviewed.

I am slow sometimes, but I always get around to accomplishing what I need to do at some point.

Anyway I am glad they contacted me. This is a pretty good CD. The style is not what I was expecting. I expected typical metal.

This is a mixture of rough/raw black metal and atmospheric/ambient passages as well as a doomy/gloomy sound. It also has some progressive influences. There are alot of piano/keyboard parts, as well as some intricate guitar passages.

The recording quality could be better, but all in all it is mixed rather well. It has a bit too much trebel for my tastes other than that it is fine.

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Witchery – Don’t Fear The Reaper

:evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil: » 5 out of 5 Evil Faces

Witchery - Don't Fear The Reaper

Okay so we all know that Witchery kicks ass, or at least I do. Though maybe you disagree with that and think they are typical? I have read alot of people do. I on the other hand disagree with the typical opinion. I personally think of Witchery as a very non-typical band.

Firstly they actually know how to play their instruments (sure, there are alot of other metal bands that also know how to play) but there are also a fair share of those who could use another lesson or two. :P

Plus the sense of humor expressed within their lyrics, artwork and such. Like an old classic horror movie would make you laugh. I get the same vibe from Witchery. Maybe they did not intend for it to be this way, and my twisted sense of humor just leads me to believe that titles such as “Dead, Hot and Ready” are meant to have a semi comical theme. ;)

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Asmegin

Biography

Asmegin provides the listener with quite alot to take in at one time. This band mixes Black Metal, Viking Metal and Death Metal with a traditional folk sound as well. This is a great band. I was taken by surprise when I first heard them. The way they mix such a heavy sound with such melodies is exciting to say the least.

  • Band Members

    • Marius Olaussen – Guitar
    • Raymond Håkenrud – Guitar
    • Bjørn Olav Holter – Vocals
    • Tomas Torgersbråten – Bass/Backing Vocals
    • Tommy Brandt – Drums/Backing Vocals
    • Ingvild Johannesen – Violin/Backing Vocals
    • Lars Fredrik Frøislie – Keyboards
    • Lars Nedland – Vocals
    • Erik Rasmussen – Vocals

Discography

Below is a list of Asmegin’s releases

  • Hin Vordende Sod & Sø

    • Released: 2003
    • Label: Napalm

Asmegin - Hin Vordende Sod & Sø - CD Cover

  1. Tracklist:

    1. Af Helvegum
    2. Bruderov Paa Hægstadtun
    3. Huldradans – Hin Grønnkledde
    4. Til Rondefolkets Herskab
    5. Over Ægirs vidstragte Sletter
    6. Slit Livets Baand
    7. Efterbyrden
    8. Op Af Bisterlitiern
    9. Vargr i Vé um – Eilivs Bane
    10. Blodhevn
    11. Valgalder

Abyss, The

Biography

The Abyss was a side project of Hypocrisy. The same members, though they switched things up by changing what instruments they play. They only released 2 Cd’s back in the mid 90′s which have since been released as one CD. Nothing Groundbreaking, but 2 very good releases in my opinion.

  • Band Members

    • Peter Tägtgren – Drums/Bass/Vocals
    • Mikael Hedlund – Guitars/Vocals
    • Lars Szöke – Guitars/Vocals

Discography

Below is a list of The Abyss’s releases

  • The Other Side

    • Released: 1994
    • Label: Nuclear Blast

The Abyss - The Otehr Side - CD Cover

  1. Tracklist:

    1. Marutukku
    2. Tjanare Af Besten
    3. Psycomantum
    4. Massacara
    5. Morkrets Vandring
    6. Sorgens Dal
    7. Slukad
    8. Forintelsens Tid Aro Kommen

  • Summon The Beast

    • Released: 1996
    • Label: Nuclear Blast

The Abyss - Summon The Beast - CD Cover

  1. Tracklist:

    1. Satans Majestic Empire
    2. Blessed With The Wrath Of Evil
    3. Damned
    4. Summon The Beast
    5. The Hymn
    6. Cursed
    7. Feasting The Remains Of Heaven
    8. The Arrival

Ancient Rites

Q: Where is Ancient Rites from?
A: Ancient Rites is based in Flanders, the Dutch speaking part of Belgium. There is also a Dutch member in the band.

Q: How long has Ancient Rites been together?
A: Ancient Rites was formed at the end of 1988. I have been active in bands since 1979.

Q: How many members are in Ancient Rites? Names? Instruments?
A: Currently A.R. consists of seven musicians:

  • Walter Van Cortenberg: drums
  • Erik Sprooten (guitars)
  • Bart Vandereycken (guitars)
  • Raf Jansen (guitars)
  • Domingo Smets (bass)
  • Davy Wouters (keyboards)
  • Gunther Theys (vocals)

Q: What is the age range of the band members?
A: Between 26 and 40

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