URGEHAL „Arma Christi”
I have recently been introduced to this band by a friend of mine and was quite surprised at not having heard this record before. I have never really heard much about them before so I was surprised that they were already around since 1991 when they were formed by Trondr Nefas.
SODOM „Persecution Mania”
Some of my earliest memories in the metal scene were the furious antics of Sodom. These German thrashers were one of those bands that drew me into the wonderful world of speed and aggression that I never heard before.
ORPHANED LAND „Sahara”
Ok, how many bands do you know that hail from Israel, have Jewish and Palestinian members in their ranks and play a mix of Death and Doom Metal with a healthy dose of oriental melodies? Not many? Probably because Orphaned Land are one of the very few bands that do that and do it very well indeed. Originality abounds here.
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JUDGEMENT DAY „March Of The Apokalypse”
Judgement Day is an old school Death Metal band that has been operating on the margins of the Dutch underground since about 1988. They have been plagued by constant line-up changes and issues with record labels that stood in the way of their development.
GRAVELAND „Immortal Pride”
One sentence review: If you enjoy Viking era Bathory and especially ‘Hammerheart’ and ‘Twilight Of The Gods’ you MUST get this record!
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BEHEMOTH „Pandemonic Incantations”
Behemoth truly live up to their name. Throughout the years they have been consistently releasing albums under the guidance of Nergal without ever giving into trends and buckling under their own popularity.
VIRUS „Carheart”
This was THE surprise of last year for me. Carheart is the debut recording for Virus, which in fact is the new project by Carl-Michael Eide's of 'Ved Buens Ende' fame.
URGEHAL „Through thick fog till death”
Sometimes you have your hopes riding high while awaiting a new release only to have them collapse after one brief listen. Arma Cristi was a fantastic record, fresh, energetic and earnest.
STALAGGH „Projekt Nihil”
Think of ten your favorite dark and negative adjectives. Got it? Think of a sound that each of them would make.
NARGAROTH „Geliebte Des Regens”
I am going to be flagellated by the Kanwulf adorers but I find him to be THE single most overrated Black Metal artist around. Yes 'Herbstleyd' was quite good, but the rest of Kanwulf's back catalogue is plain old boring and repetitive.
MACABRE „Murder Metal”
After 15 in the deepest depths of the underground and after having had their sick records banned in several countries the US band Macabre has built up a serious cult status in the international Death Metal scene. The Dutch 'Hammerheart' label (currently operating under the name Karmageddon Media) gave them their first breakthrough by releasing their previous album 'Dahmer' world wide.
MANES „Under Ein Blodraud Maane”
When I say pure cult black with symphonic keyboards most of you will shudder and scream: 'What The Fuck'? Those of you who have actually heard this record will know exactly what I am talking about. This is pure brooding, cold and hateful BM that incorporates keyboards to add extra chill instead of extra warmth.
MUSTAN KUUN LAPSET „Suruntuoja”
I recently got this as a bonus with a major order of new CDs. I have not been familiar with the band previously and do not have a lot of background info at this time.
LUGUBRUM „De Totem”
Well then, more than likely not many people in the good ole US of A will be very familiar with this name so a short introduction is in place. Lugubrum is one of Belgium's premier cult Black Metal acts.
IMMORTAL „At The Heart Of Winter”
This record takes a whole new approach to the art of musical warfare. Demonaz had to leave the band due to severe tendonitis in his arms, this is of course not really surprising if you consider the years of hyper speed riffing culminated in the release of the previous opus 'Blizzard Beasts'.
IMMORTAL „Battles In The North”
…and ride they do. The album opens with a mighty blow in the listener's face and never stops pummeling you into submission.