ABIGOR
«Supreme Immortal Art»
Napalm Records
rating: 6 of 6
Ahem, this one is excellent! I was somehow disappointed by ABIGOR’s last full-length, «Opus IV», and «Apokalypse» MCD which followed «Opus...» didn’t show anything new, but straight-forward, keyboardless, evil black metal in typical ABIGOR’s vein, maybe a bit faster than usually and also more fierce... Anyway, I liked it, although I didn’t know what to expect from T. T. & co. in future - total regress, or something quite the contrary, amazing and fresh CD? My hands were shaking when I put «Supreme...» in my stereo, however already before «Satan In Me» (first tune on this album) was over, I was assured that ABIGOR embarked on the second path and released absolutely ground-breaking effort! Surely, this is the best release from ABIGOR, even brilliant «Nachthymnen...» can’t be compared to this stuff! «Supreme Immortal Art» brings undoubtedly original, diverse, perfectly recorded and produced material with more impressive synths and voice than ever! It’s a way more «experimental» and rather different from f.ex. «Opus IV», despire that ABIGOR is still ABIGOR - this talented band can’t be confused with anyone else. Even if someone doubted their status of the «best Austrian BM band», now such people have to shut the fuck up... 
 
ABLAZE MY SORROW
«The Plague»
No Fashion Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Already with their debut CD, these Swedes showed that they’re more than just regular Swedish black / death metal band, however «If Emotions Still Burn» had rather big number of shortcomings. But now, after «The Plague» release, ABLAZE MY SORROW strike as one of the best bands performing music in so-called «Gothenburg-area style», though they got rid of most typical schemes of this music. These guys now stand much closer to such bands as DARK TRANQUILLITY (circa «The Gallery»), playing melodic and fast, romantic and evil, beautiful and frightening, raw and in the same time professional BM with few death metal elements. Ah, and those harmonic vocals in «As The Dove Falls Torn Apart» track are amazing! 
 
ADORNED BROOD
«Wigand»
Atmosfear Records
rating: 6 of 6
Just like COVENANT’s «Nexus Polaris» is an excellent example of how perfect sympho-black metal should sound alike, ADORNED BROOD’s «Wigand» is an excellent example of how great true pagan metal can be, despite that this band comes from Germany, not Norway... «Wigand» lasts for almost an hour and includes eight songs of inimitable «Teutonic War Metal» (that’s how ADORNED BROOD call their style). The music improved incredibly since «Hiltia» times and there’s no trace of shortcomings and drawbacks which could be discovered while listening to these Germans’ debut... Let’s begin from the design and layout. If you ever saw «Hiltia», you should know that it was an awful CD when it comes to design, while «Wigand» possesses very pleasant look, featuring attractive and thoughtout appearance. The music on this album also can’t be compared to the one on «Hiltia». Generally speaking, it didn’t change too much - however I think that '«Wigand» sounds the way how «Hiltia» could sound if the band escaped all the defects’ would be more appropriate definition, although I can’t say that it utterly lacks any innovations. «Wigand» doesn’t sound raw at all (like «Hiltia» did), the music appears as highly intriguing and thrilling. Besides, it contains more female voices and flute parts, performed in a much better way. Also let’s don’t forget about the «clean» male vocals (extremely impressive ones!) which (as far as I remember) weren’t present on ADORNED BROOD’s debut. «Wigand» possesses incredible atmosphere of Middle Ages and makes the listener to spiritually dive into that cruel and majestic times... Perhaps, ADORNED BROOD’s style is quite close to EINHERJER, but can we talk about any comparisons? NO! One of the strongest points of this band goes for originality, definite originality... So, how my final words will sound alike? Ok, here we go - this is amazingly staggering album which can’t be ignored by anyone!
 
A MIND CONFUSED
«Anarchos»
Near Dark Productions
rating: 1 of 6
After disgusting SORHIN’s debut output, Near Dark Productions released one more completely uninteresting and faceless black / death album. Sorry, but this CD is just NOTHING... I can’t say anything more than that...
 
... AND OCEANS
«The Dynamic Gallery Of Thoughts»
Season Of Mist Productions
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Worthy atmospheric black metal from Finland (despite that most of the song-titles are in Swedish??). This CD doesn’t feature anything special or innovating, but will please all fans of dark and symphonic black metal, which could be created only among the Northern vast woods filled with snow and everlasting ebony gloom, ruled by the majesty of Blizzard... I just can’t name any drawbacks, they lack here - as well as any distinctive peculiarities, but most of us (at least, me) don’t care about such things. If the music is good, I’ll listen to it with pleasure, doesn’t matter if it’s original or not. 
 
ASTRAL
«Magia Eon...»
Leviathan Records
rating: 10 of 6
Great album from neophyte Czechia’s band, whose music sometimes reminds me of SOLEFALD. All the song-titles on «Magia Eon...» are in Latin, which I find as an interesting move, although I’m curious to know if the lyrics themselves are written in the same language... As to music, it’s mid-paced, atmospheric black metal with few doom elements, impressive vocal variations (including so-called «opera voice»!), memorable and mesmerising guitars and, of course, keyboards together with piano! What’s the most strange thing here - ASTRAL pretend to bring something new and original into Black Music and they really do it, sounding non-generic and very different from such orthodox bands as KEEP OF KALESSIN, for example... You’re on the right way, guys - keep the Black Flame alive!
 
ASYNDESS
«Desesperances»
Polyphemus Records
rating: 5 of 6
Hmmm, I almost thought that Polyphemus Recs ceased to exist, and well, here they are with new release, debut CD from French ASYNDESS... To let you know what «Desesperances» represent, I should say about the typical distinctive marks of all bands on Polyphemus. First - some kind of originality and certain doze of innovatory ideas; second - bad sound quality; and finally third - long delay between the recording and release date of CD. And all these definitions fit ASYNDESS. The music of this one-man band (lead by Loic Cellier) appears as a mix between atmospheric and symphonic black metal, being neither first, nor second. «Desesperances» feature plenty of industrial rhythms (not including the well programmed drumset which replaces «live» drums here), performed with the help of synthesizer and this fact does only good for ASYNDESS. Vocals differ from hateful shrieks to morbid, sardonic, early ANATHEMA-alike declamations + female voice here and there. Also, I can’t leave unmentioned well-played and thoughout guitar passages - without them the whole CD would sound much more primitive and weak. Of course, quite mediocre production and extremely primitive lyrics (I mean the ones on English) do not let me give this band a highest mark, but I believe that I’ll be able to do it with the second CD from Loic...
P. S. Recently I got a new CD from Polyphemus - debut effort from the band called BELENOS lead by... Loic Cellier. Wait for review in the next issue.
 
AVENGER
«Shadows Of The Damned»
Breath Of Night Records
rating: 5 of 6
Good Czech black metal the way only Czech people can create... Mid-tempo, professional guitar player who is able of not only creating various, memorable melodies (mostly very dark) but also performing qualitative solos (quite rare thing for black metal bands in common and rather wide-spread among Czech BM hordes), excellent drumming, distinctive sound and almost perfect production (Benas Studio): all of these facts speak for themselves. In conclusion, I’d like to mention cover - this picture (borrowed from Albrecht Altdorfer) is very impressive and fits the music represented on «Shadows...» perfectly. 
 
AUBERON
«The Tale Of Black...»
Black Mark Productions
rating: 6 of 6
All bow down to the mighty AUBERON! Actually, such albums make me consider Swedish black metal as the best one in the whole world! AUBERON managed to capture unique hybrid of black and power metal, combining evil BM vokills and brilliant clean voice (reminding me a lot of Kai Hansen’s (GAMMA RAY) singing), fast and brutal face-ripping parts with melodic and heavenly ones... In general, AUBERON’s roots lie in traditional Swedish «Gothenburg-area sound», but these guys prove that even beginning with cloning IN FLAMES and DARK TRANQUILLITY, any talented band can reach it’s own, inimitable sound... Black Mark should pay more attention to this group instead of supporting good, but absolutely non-original NECROPHOBIC...
 
BAL - SAGOTH
«Battle Magic»
Cacophonous Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Now tell me, whom do you consider the best English BM band after CRADLE OF FILTH? I’ll give you a little hint: this group is signed to Cacophonous Records, appearing as well-known and popular in the underground (and not only underground). So what’s you answer? BAL - SAGOTH? Exactly! If you read the ‘reviews’ section in the former issue, you should know that I couldn’t stop praising BAL - SAGOTH’s second album, «Starfire Burning Upon The Ice-Veiled Throne Of Ultima Thule», so it’s quite natural that I expected «Battle Magic» to be at least on the same level. And these English pagans didn’t disappoint me! This CD is really as great as their previos effort, and the only reason for rating it as «5, 5» instead of «6» was the total lack of new ideas... Well, yes, «Battle Magic» is somehow different if comparing it to «Starfire...» but I thought that it would be more... ehhh... more what? I don’t know. I just considered BAL - SAGOTH as permanently self-developing band, however this album proved me wrong. I can’t say that this delusion of mine plunged me unto utter depression, no, and once again, no! «Battle Magic» is great album from the outstanding band, guitars don’t sound weak anymore, Byron’s singing and his inimitable monologues became even more impressive and personal, while lyrics are still very poetic (although too much muddled in my opinion), therefore I don’t see a single reason why I shouldn’t recommend you to get your hands on this CD...
 
BEHEMOTH
«Pandemonic Incantations»
Last Episode Productions
rating: TRULY A MASTERPIECE!!!
Aaarrrrggggghhh!!!! I couldn’t even say anything about this pure masterpiece of superior black metal till now... But now emotions soothed a bit and finally I can speak in more or less a proper way. «Grom», second full-length (without taking into account the re-release of BEHEMOTH’s second demo «From The Pagan Vastlands») from these Polish geniuses, was brilliant, almost perfect example of how great black metal can be, so I didn’t even hope to hear something more impressive. Their next release, a some kind of follow-up to «Grom» - «Bewitching The Pomerania» MCD on Germany’s Solistitium Records - surprisingly turned out as so-so stuff and I feared that one more splendid band will drown themselves in bottomless swamp of wretched attempts of trying to overcome their last work after releasing purely tremendous album. But BEHEMOTH proved once again that they are a way more than just regular BM band, moreover - with «Pandemonic Incantations» they look like the best Polish and maybe even European band ever - besides that, this amazing CD is undoubtedly the greatest one I’ve heard this year in black metal genre!!! I just can’t believe that these Polish dudes improved their music and personal skills so much during few years! CRADLE OF FILTH rest in godforsaken peace after comparing to Nergal’s band, just to mention top-notch production and outstanding musicianship featured on «Pandemonic Incantations»! All songs here are brilliantly arranged - actually Piotr Weltrowski (genius!) synth’s performances are out of any comparisons. Add diverse and definitely 100% original vocal parts, guitar solos beautiful and infernal in the same time, as well as dismal rhythm guitar’s passages, stupendous drumming and highly thrilling music: fresh, various, professionally performed and thousand times ORIGINAL!!! Oh no, my words are so bleak in contrast to BEHEMOTH’s staggering music...! How weak is the human being when it tries to express itself through words...
 
BEYOND DAWN
«Pity Love»
Candlelight Records
rating: BRILLIANT!
«Pity Love» is a bit old CD now (released in 1996), but since it fell in my hands only now and due to the extremely positive impressions I beared after listening to it, I feel I have to write a review anyway. First of all, I should say that BEYOND DAWN comes from Norway, but they absolutely don’t have anything to do with that typical «Norse» sound (i.e. guitar buzz and utter primitivism)! This band underlines melancholy and incredibly gains by it because BEYOND DAWN are 100% original (as well as sincere) in what they’re doing! The emphasis is made on mournful, almost funeral-alike sounds of trombone which, together with depressive «clean» male voice and grim shrieking, leave very strange feeling... You feel like you’ve just returned from your beloved one’s funeral and there’s only one way left for you now... - you know what I’m talking about...
 
BEYOND DAWN
«Revelry»
Misanthropy Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Mmmm... I wrote review on EINHERJER’s «Far Far North» MCD and thought that they won’t release anything more, but here they are with «Odin Owns Ye All»! The same thing with BEYOND DAWN. I decided to review this band’s «Pity Love» CD thinking that I won’t have a chance of listening to any new recordings from them before unleashing this volume, but suddenly I receive their new full-length album from Misanthropy Records! Well, first of all, I have to say that BEYOND DAWN really deserve a deal with this infamous (and hopefully honest?) label, however the music on «Revelry» differs a bit from previous compositions by this project. Black metal shrieks can be found only in the last song, «Chains»; the lyrics also endured some kind of metamorphosis, now they strike to be written in the vein of early MY DYING BRIDE, but more gloomy and SICK! As to music... perhaps, it can be described as an interesting mix of ALICE IN CHAINS, Nick Cave (this goes mostly for depraved, funeral-alike vocals), late THE THIRD AND THE MORTAL and COVENANT’s «In Times Before The Light»... Just like before, all tunes are extremely depressive and dark, so I think that this work would appeal to many black metal fans despite the small number of this style’s elements in present BEYOND DAWN’s sound. 
 
BLACK FUNERAL
«Empire Of Blood»
rating: 2, 5 of 6
Hmmm, how do you think - is any talented BM band able to improve it’s style during two years of silence? My answer is yes. But unfortunately afore-cited words don’t concern BLACK FUNERAL. I didn’t hear «Spells Of Darkness And Death» mini (Pagan Records, 1994) but liked a lot «Vampyr - Throne Of The Beast» CD which was released more than two years ago. Yes, it was very primitive one but it had a kind of atmosphere which made me to forget about all the shortcomings... I awaited for the release of «Empire Of Blood» quite impatiently hoping to get better recording than already good «Vampyr...», but... This album doesn’t feature anything new, except for the few words spoken by vampire mistress Darkat Shanna Le Jeune as well as some keyboard parts also performed by her. Everything is still the same - foul, garbage sound and total lack of any producership or sound engineering, 100% primitivism, lyrics dealing with various topics regarding vampires, short songs recorded on bad equipment and poor instruments, great vocals although sounding like from a deep pit - but somehow this CD reveals all the bad sides of BLACK FUNERAL, while material featured on «Vampyr...» masterly hid them. Sometimes it even looks like Michael (Ford, a.k.a. Baron Drakkheim Abaddon) suddenly turned into self-plagiarist, since a couple of tunes sound exactly like songs from «Vampyr...» CD!! Perhaps, it may be explained by Tavernier’s (composer of all the music on former band’s releases) departure? As a conclusion: this CD - released by rip-off label Fullmoon Productions - appears as of no interest to me and I doubt if I will ever listen to it again...
 
BLOOD OF CHRIST
«... A Dream to Remember»
Pulverizer Records / Diehard Music
rating: 5, 5 of 6
I hope the fact that I seemed to like most of the releases this issue does not take credibility away when I say that BLOOD OF CHRIST truly rules!  This has to be the most original and dark death metal bands from Canada!  This band mixes brutality with superior emotion and atmosphere to paint a picture of blasphemy and wrath!  This band has matched their great debut demo and far surpassed it.  Most amazing is that while they are incredibly mature musically, no one in the band is over 20 years old!  For those looking for brutality with atmosphere and originality, your search is over.
 
CHILDREN OF BODOM
«Something Wild»
Spinefarm Records
rating: A MASTERPIECE
Aye, this CD brings in something new to black metal genre! I bet that you’ve never heard anything like before, pals! Just imagine the mix of THY SERPENT, Yngwie Malmsteen (!!!) and early PYOGENESIS and you’ll get what CHILDREN OF BODOM is all about. «Something Wild» has killer guitar work, staggering arrangements and excellent production which together with impressive and non-standard vocals makes this band the best BM act in Finland for now... A MUST. 
 
CLAIR OBSCUR
«Sombre Revelations»
Perverted Taste Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
«Aurolion - all electronics, chords and vocals» - after I saw such a phrase on the cover of this CD, I prepared myself for listening to one more noisy and headache-provoking black / industrial in the vein of BRIGHTER DEATH NOW, but CLAIR OBSCUR surprised me a lot due to the fact that this band plays gothic sympho-black metal, which has nothing to do with any kinds of industrial / ambient stuff! Despite that the whole album was created with the help of various synthesizers and nothing else, it doesn’t sounds like f.ex. Swedish CHORONZON, i.e. you won’t find here even a trace of weak computer guitars and pounding techno-bit drums. Quite the contrary, CLAIR OBSCUR perform extremely pleasing, infernally beautiful, majestic music with interesting way of screaming and mighty «clean» vocals... But what surprised me here most of all goes for the recording studio - the cover tells us that «Sombre Revelations» was recorded on four (!!!) tracks. I just can’t believe it, because production is beyond any critics! Grandiose album, a must for everyone.  If Perverted Taste will release albums of the same quality in future, they may become the leading BM label in Germany.
 
COVENANT
«Nexus Polaris»
Nuclear Blast Records
rating: 5 of 6
Finally a second, long-awaited CD from Norwegian COVENANT. The band’s lineup was enlarged with invitement of Astennu (DIMMU BORGIR) on guitars, genius Sverd on keyboards, Hellhammer (yes, the same Hellhammer from MAYHEM!) on drums and surprisingly... Sarah  Jezebel Deva (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH) as female singer. «Nexus Polaris» brings some fresh symphonic black metal with lyrics devoted to the topics of Cosmos and Universe... This CD reminds me a bit of CRADLE OF FILTH’s «Vempire» and ARCTURUS («Aspera Hiems Symfonia» times), however it possesses original and recognizable sound. «Nexus Polaris» is undoubtedly A MUST for all fans of atmosperic sympho-black - perhaps, this is a best release of a kind from Norway this year!
 
CRADLE OF FILTH
«Cruelty And The Beast»
Music For Nations
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Eh, after CRADLE OF FILTH unleashed «Dusk And Her Embrace», an album representing some crappy pop-black, I tried to forget about this band’s existene and, of course, stopped considered them as one of my favourite UK’s bands. But lately I had a chance of listening to their last output, this time called «Cruelty And The Beast» and strange, but it seems to be on the same level as f.ex. «Vempire...» I don’t know what about commercial side of things as well as sincerity, all I know is that this CD is much, much better comparing to «Dusk...» It’s more evil and dark, also more atmospheric, speaking plainer - not so dull and unmemorable as their previous effort, you know. «Desire In Violent Overture» surely can be named as one of the best CRADLE’s songs, so... Looks like I kinda hurried with ‘buring’ these vampires... «Cruelty And The Beast» is VERY good and worthy stuff from (almost) a legendary band, hence all those who followed my example, i.e. flushed «Dusk...» down the toilet, should give this band one more chance. 
 
DECAYED
«Resurrectionem Mortuorum»
Skyfall Records
rating: 10 of 6
As far as I remember, «Resurrectionem Mortuorum» is the third album from Portugal’s DECAYED, and I believe that with this one they leave even such great acts as IN DARKNESS or FILII NIGRANTIUM INFERNALIUM far behind, appearing as the best black metal band in Portugal! Strange, but I can’t find any comparisons, however «Resurrectionem...» leaves a strong impression of following the line of BATHORY’s legendary «Blood Fire Death», especially with those thundering drums and majestic (though unfortunately rarely met) guitar solos. These guys are top-class musicians, and those who will assert that they are not, are just pathetic kids who know nothing of what black metal is all about! Besides the everflaming hatred and supreme anger (male screams), this CD also has a certain doze of sadness (female singing) and obscurity (keyboards, mystical whisperings), therefore, generally speaking, DECAYED play original, fast and evil black / death metal with atmosphere... GET IT!
 
DECEMBER’S FIRE
«Vae Victis»
Atratus Music
rating: 6 of 6
Oh, look whom we have here! Piotr Weltrowski, best BM keyboardist in Poland, together with Nergal of mighty BEHEMOTH as session member! After discovering such a line-up, I was ensured that this duo created something really special and I wasn’t mistaken! DECEMBER’S FIRE play music which can be defined as black metal and also ambient - and both definitions will fit this band tightfully without saying anything about it’s music... «Vae Victis» begins with self-titled song representing pure darkness. Everything - hysterical screams, background e-guitars and amazing keyboards - prove it. After this tune is over, CD goes on with taking listener into other dimensions, full of sorrow and disgust, obscenity and horror... «Patrz Jar Pfona Dzikie Roze», «Prgane Twei Krwi» and «Aniof Samotnych», all of these very long tracks follow the line of the opening song. I can tell you for sure that I’ve never heard anything like before! But even if the music of DECEMBER’S FIRE wasn’t so original, already non-typical vocals and genius synths would make this CD worth buying. 
 
DIMENSION ZERO
«Penetrations From The Lost World»
Wrong Again Records
rating: 4, 5 of 6
One more band playing in so-called «Gothenburg area» style from Wrong Again... Actually, DIMENSION ZERO are much, much better than many bands on that label - their music is more impressive and memorable with catchy riffs, excellent guitar work (of course!) and vocals which differ a bit from other IN FLAMES / DISSECTION clones. I wouldn’t call «Penetrations...» as a must to have album, however it’s quite pleasing CD and you may try it, if Swedish death / black metal doesn’t bore you to death. As to me, I’m looking forward to debut full-length album from these guys. 
 
DUNKELGRAFEN
«Im Schatten Der Ewigkeit» 
Last Episode Productions
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Good band and good album. I can’t say that it’s great, but DUNKELGRAFEN should find enough fans with it’s raw, but atmospheric and absolutely not primitive or boring version of truly evil black / death metal with keyboards and diverse vocals. Sound could be better, however it’s also far from being bad, and sometimes I even think that «Im Schatten...» was produced and recorded this way on purpose. Decent stuff, don’t miss it.
P. S. Yeah, and I like such titles as «Bastard Jesus Christus», ha ha!
 
EBONY TEARS
«Tortura Insomniae»
Black Sun Records
rating: 5 of 6
Together with MORK GRYNING’s «Return Fire», this album is probably the best one ever recorded at Sunlight Studio. Yeah, definitely, black metal stopped being the wretched object of a crowd’s mockery long ago and transformed into valid and respected style among the fans of extreme music nowadays. And such CD’s as «Tortura Insomniae» only prove that BM is not just a «childish» thing for exalted kids angry at the whole world, but a serious and perspective style, which will exist for many, many years since now, if most of contemporary and future BM outputs will be at the same level as «Tortura...» is. Just as ETERNAL AUTUMN and GATES OF ISHTAR, departing from typical Swedish black / death metal, EBONY TEARS captures their own style and sound with plenty of such stuff as folk-sounding violin, clean male and female vocals... The musicianship and production are brilliant, so is the music. This is melodic (though somewhat dark) black / heavy metal from Sweden at it’s best. SACRILEGE (also signed to Black Sun) are total crap comparing to EBONY TEARS, believe me!
 
EDENROT
«Ashes Of Forever»
self-released
rating: 5 of 6
EDENROT’s bio says that their style is death metal, but this CD also shows strong BM influence. So what is EDENROT? - you may ask. It’s very technical but not soulless, atmospheric but not «gothic» or something, fast although not boring, various however not too much... Somehow this stuff reminds me of last CARCASS’ efforts, but much heavier, with gloomy lyrics... «Ashes Of Forever» is quite old now, and band prepares to release «The Land Where The Crow Starves» MCD on Twilight Records very soon, so watch out!
 
EINHERJER 
«Far Far North»
Century Media
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Well, frankly speaking, I didn’t expect to hear any good music from EINHERJER anymore after they were signed to Century Media, but luckily I was wrong. «Far Far North» is more heavy in contrast to «Dragons Of The North», it’s also more into so-called viking metal with those majestic choirs and folk motifs... Too bad, that now there’re only two persons left in the band - Frode and Gerhard, too bad that Rune Bjelland, talented singer with excellent, non-typical voice left EINHERJER... However, despite that future looks rather uncertain for this band, they seem to be optimistical enough - read the interview with Frode in this issue and let’s hope that EINHERJER won’t disappear into oblivion after this great CD!
 
EINHERJER 
«Odin Owns Ye All»
Century Media
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Aha! Here we have new EINHERJER’s CD with new singer and bassist! I’m not sure if Odin owns my soul (heh, heh), but EINHERJER’s music truly does! Vocals of Ragnar Vikse sound very different from Rune’s singing, but it doesn’t necessary mean that EINHERJER transformed into something different. «Odin Owns Ye All» possesses a much bigger number of folk elements than f.ex. «Dragons Of The North» or «Far Far North» - now this band deserves to be defined as folk metal, no doubts. Besides, this CD doesn’t feature any black metal shrieks (or anything close to it) - Ragnar sings exclusively in «clean» voice, consequently I don’t even know if EINHERJER can be called as BM band or not. They’re more heavy metal now, you see; although the afore-said can’t be seen as a sign of this group’s step backwards into softer and more plain music. Frode, Gerhard, Ragnar and Erik have nothing in common with all those paradise losts, katatonias and moonspells which transformed their once so original and thrilling music to something commercial... So, the conclusion may sound as: contemporary EINHERJER play excellent, inimitable folk / heavy metal with very pleasing vocals reminding of GRAVE DIGGER’s last effort. In contrast to their previous albums, «Odin Owns Ye All» was recorded at Los Angered Recordings with Andy La Rocque, hence production lacks any shortcomings... 
 
ELEND
«Weeping Nights»
Holy Records
rating: 10 of 6
Unfortunately, I missed «Les Tenebres Du Dehors» (ELEND’s second album) so I can’t say how big is the difference between it and «Weeping Nights». When I read somewhere that ELEND got rid of those shrieky «burzumish» BM screams, I was upset a bit, but «Weeping Nights» proved me wrong. This is pure dark symphony with ethereal opera soprano and incredible atmosphere, which makes it A MUST for all fans of medieval / orchestral ambient.
 
ELEND
«The Umbersun»
Music For Nations
rating: 10 of 6
Due to the various delays with this issue’s release, I have to write more and more reviews, and the reason is quite simple. I reviewed ELEND’s third effort, «Weeping Nights», few months ago, time passed and I got new CD from one of my favorite European bands... First impression - despite that ELEND were signed to Music For Nations (!), they didn’t start to play something commercial or incomprehensible. «The Umbersun» proves quite the contrary - somehow it’s a kinda return to the times of «Lecons De Tenebres», i.e. this CD is quite different from «Weeping Nights», being more complicated and obscure, infernal, tremendous and insane, insane in a genius way! Yes, the previous album was a ‘pure dark symphony’, but this one appears as even more symphonic! And moreover, «The Umbersun» leaves an impression of incredibly GRIM symphony composed by Lucifer himself...
P. S. Black metal screams are back!
 
EMPYRIUM
«Songs Of Moors & Misty Fields»
Prophecy Productions
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Even if someone questioned EMPYRIUM’s black metal origin after listening to these Germans’ debut («A Wintersunset»), now all doubts should disappear with brand new CD from the best band ever appeared on Prophecy Productions. «Songs Of Moors...» contains six really long tunes, romantic and melancholic, emotional and atmospheric... Great vocals (both, screams and «clean» voice), brilliant keyboards with beautiful cello and flute parts - do you need any more reasons to buy this precious piece of pure melancholy?! 
 
EN NIHIL
«Death Keeps»
Red Stream Productions
rating: A MASTERPIECE
Fierce wind blowing in the empty abandoned house... Door creaks, disturbing your very soul... Sowing the seeds of fear... Anxiety... And insanity as the final outcome... These are your feelings when you listen to «Death Keeps». This album was recorded on primitive eqipment, however it doesn’t reflect in the music - of course, if THIS can be called music... Just imagine - night comes, pitch-dark, you sit at home without light and suddenly the door to your room opens and you see the shadowy silhouette of somebody whose face is strangely familiar to you... Maybe it’s Death Herself...?
 
EPOCH OF UNLIGHT
"Black And Crimson Glory"
Exhumed Productions
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Finally, I got this MCD... As you probably know, US based death / black metal act EPOCH OF UNLIGHT are now signed to The End Records and soon should unleash their debut full-length CD. This album includes three intros and three songs of very melodic yet aggressive
and dark black / death metal in the Swedish vein, however, in comparison to such bands as IN FLAMES or GATES OF ISHTAR, EPOCH OF
UNLIGHT are more "black metal" if you get what I mean... Both, sound
quality and musicianship are (almost) top-notch, while music appears
as something quite pleasing - especially, drumming which seems to be
the one of the best I've ever heard when it comes to American unholy
bands. "From Northern Aeries To The Infinite Cycle Of The Unborn Lord", the first tune on this MCD, is most memorable and impressive
track here. B.t.w., "Silver Mistress" (the second song with vocals) was also featured on The End Records compilation, "Until The End Of Time"... EPOCH OF UNLIGHT surely are promising band, therefore - look
for the interview with them in Volume IV.
 
ETERNAL AUTUMN
«The Storm»
Black Diamond Productions
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Hmm, Swedish bands seem to prevail in this issue and what’s most strange, majority of their releases reviewed here are excellent! After releasing CD’s of such outstanding bands as MIDVINTER, EMBRACING, DEFLESHED and more average ones like NEPHENZY, Black Diamond Productions (sub-division of Invasion Records) signed one more genius band called ETERNAL AUTUMN. Eventhough these guys seem to be neophytes on Swedish BM scene (since I have never heard of them before), they created very interesting CD and have all chances to be considered as one of the best black metal bands in their nativeland! ETERNAL AUTUMN are incredibly talented musicians - just listen to variation on «Autumn Opus No 1» theme. This band combines elements of usual Swedish black / death metal with classical music influences together with thrash and speed metal ones without ripping anyone off (like INFERNO does, for example...) The technique is far beyond one’s imagination and I didn’t believe my ears listening to this fantastic CD... Heavy and brutal, fast and melodic, original and technical, tremendous and atmospheric - in short, «The Storm» is FUCKING GREAT!!! 
 
EVOL
«Ancient Abbey»
Adipocere Records
rating: 3 of 6
Very mediocre album. After listening to such outstanding pieces as «The Saga Of The Horned King» and «The Dreamquest» representing unique gothic / occult black metal, I couldn’t even think that «Ancient Abbey» will be worse than those recordings... But IT IS WORSE. Keyboards now sound in very irritating way provoking the inevitable headache, vocals suck - and the same goes for the new version of «Prologue (Waiting For His Coming)» in the whole. The star of EVOL fades away... into oblivion. 
 
EUCHARIST
«Mirrorworlds»
Wrong Again Records
rating: 4 of 6
Just as ETERNAL AUTUMN, EUCHARIST come from Sweden, but this time I couldn’t find anything special. «Mirrorworlds» CD features melodic, fast and sometimes even beautiful black / death metal with acoustic guitars and impressive vocals which strike as one of the strongest parts EUCHARIST can offer. Surprisingly guitars are played in a distinctive way contrasting with typical Swedish schemes of this genre, but can we talk about any kind of originality? Perhaps. Besides that, I noticed one strange thing - you know, listening to any of the songs (except instrumental ones), I had strong impression that they should be played faster, but the tempo was slowed down in the studio on purpose... As I already said, the whole album doesn’t feature anything special, however it has one Jewel - I’m talking about «In Nakedness», instrumental track with amazing and heart-rending trumpet’s performances... If I heard only this one, I’d consider EUCHARIST as a jazz band...
 
EVER DARK
«Not Of God»
Fullmoon Productions
rating: 6 of 6
EVER DARK’s debut MCD («Armageddon’s Birth», 1996) didn’t impress me at all because of it’s boring and unmemorable doomy BM which they prefer to call as «graveyard metal». But here I finally have their first full-length output and my impressions turned out as 100% positive. EVER DARK managed to create their own style inside black metal genre - bloody slow, but sometimes hell as fast, incredibly dismal and sombre, packed with wide range of vocals (death metal growls, hellish BM screams, some kind of monologues and beautiful but in the same time grim female singing), brilliant guitar passages and small touch of truly «graveyardish» keyboards... Describing tunes of this American band is rather difficult task and - utterly useless. Like all releases of Fullmoon Productions, «Not Of God» is a must to have CD for everybody who is into black metal. Too bad, that label releasing such splendid albums appears as rip-off one...
 
GATES OF ISHTAR
«At Dusk And Forever»
Invasion Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
With «At Dusk And Forever» GATES OF ISHTAR pretend to be one of the best contemporary black metal acts in Sweden. This effort is quite short and after it’s over you’re still itching for more... It’s up to you to decide if this fact is bad or good, I just can tell you my personal opinion. «At Dusk...» is the best CD by GATES OF ISHTAR so far, it’s more thoughtout and also more original (!). You know, that «originality» thing always disappointed me a bit. These Swedes (with Mikael Sandorf {vocals, guitars, bass} as the leading force) created really great music, but I couldn’t escape comparisons with IN FLAMES. However, now they managed to compose something of their own! Guitar is undoubtedly the best point in GATES OF ISHTAR’s sound. Add impressive and memorable vocals with keyboard’s accompaniment by Goran Norman (also the producer and sound engineer) and you’ll get truly fine recording. But most of all, I’d like to mark out the last track, instrumental one, entitled «Forever Black» - I just can’t stop listening to this tune, it’s pure masterpiece! Sorrowful and dark, beautiful and almost harrowing...
 
GONKULATOR
«Satan’s Burial Ground»
Fudgeworthy Records
rating: BULLSHIT
«All hail the Black Noise!» - these are the words written on the cover. Well, I doubt if GONKULATOR’s music will find any adorers... It’s just shitty, extremely unprofessional and amateurish grind / noise / coresmthin with the e-guitar tuned so low that it sounds like bass one + vocals distorted by some kind of Harmonizer shit... What to add? Hmmm, if you’re looking for a poser band pretending to be «true BM cult», seems like your search is over with GONKULATOR. Their so-called music have nothing to do with black metal, however here we have painted faces and so fucking eeeeeeevil handles... This CD is only a childish and worthless attempt of creating BM music - nothing more, nothing less. 
P. S. «Satan’s Burial Ground» is the first output from GONKULATOR and I hope that it’s also their last one!!!
 
GORGOROTH
«Destroyer»
Nuclear Blast Records 
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Worthy album. It’s more slowed down in comparison to «Under The Sign Of Hell», in such tunes as «Virginborn» even being quite similar to this band’s countrymates HADES, although «Destroyer» features few really face-ripping and chaotic tracks like f.ex. «Slottet I Det Fierne». GORGOROTH are still true underground act, performing simple however not primitive music with brilliant diverse vokills - sometimes you even doubt that human’s throat can breed such unearthly, infernal screams... Strange that «Destroyer» was released by Nuclear Blast; but anyway, I feel that GORGOROTH deserve this deal. 
 
GRAND BELIAL’S KEY
«Mocking The Philanthropist»
Hammerheart Records
rating: 4 of 6
Oh, I almost thought that this band is dead for a long, long time! Especially after Lord Vlad Luciferian’s (now - ANCIENT) departure... But Gelal proved once again that he was the one who can be considered as true leader behind this band. Besides him on guitars, this album features Lilith on keyboards, Der Sturmer on bass and Black Lourde Of Crucifixion on vocals / drums. I would lie saying that «Mocking...» stands far above the majority of American BM bands’ albums released this year, but it’s not bad - don’t forget about Vlad’s absense! This CD represents pure satanic black metal - unfortunately sometimes ths music becomes a bit boring, but on the other hand, it also features some really thrilling moments! Mostly, guitars sound in an ordinary «blackish» way, but I also discovered plenty of tremendous passages, excellently performed... «Mocking...» doesn’t contain many keyboard parts, however I think that it’s good. You see, synths appear right there where they should be and disappear when there’s no need of them. As to f.ex. drumming, I consider it as quite mediocre, although this statement of mine doesn’t mean that drum sound sucks here - not at all! Vocals seem to be rather typical, but still pleasing to the ear (mind?)... Nice CD.
 
GRAVEWORM
«Underneath The Crescent Moon»
Serenades Records
rating: 10 of 6
This is a great follow-up to GRAVEWORM’s debut CD, «When Daylight’s Gone», however «Underneath...» is quite different comparing to this band’s previous effort. While I considered «When Daylight’s Gone» as atmospheric doom / death metal with strong BM influence, now I can do nothing but review GRAVEWORM’s works in section devoted to black metal. Musically this MCD is faster and MUCH MORE dark, i.e. black metallish. I guess, the fact of Sarah Jezebel Deva’s (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH, COVENANT) appearance on third song («Awake... Thy Angels Of Sorrow») speaks for itself. Besides, «Underneath...» almost doesn’t feature death metal growls, while those hateful BM screams definitely prevail now. Someone may question GRAVEWORM’s sincerity, but I don’t care about such things. These guys create splendid music, their own form of symphonic black metal, and I appreciate it. 
P. S. Yeah, and cover of HELLOWEEN’s «How Many Tears» is genius one!
 
HEIDENREICH
«A Death Gate Cycle» 
Napalm Records
rating: 4 of 6
HEIDENREICH is a solo-project of Peter K. from ABIGOR, featuring fast and hateful black metal, although some variety wasn’t forgotten in the process of creating this album. The strongest part of «A Death Gate Cycle» is vocals performed by a guy carrying handle Thurisaz. He sings both, in traditional BM way but also uses pleasant «clean» voice sometimes. All instruments (guitars, bass, keyboards / samples and drums programing) are courtesy of Peter and it’s needless to say that he possesses everything properly. Production is great thanks to Georg Hrauda and his Hoernix Studios (the recording place for ABIGOR, SUMMONING, GRABESMOND, ANGIZIA, etc.) So HEIDENREICH could be really worthy band, BUT! There’s no song that would stay in your memory for more than a week. It appears as the only shortcoming here, however very serious. 
 
JUDAS ISCARIOT
«Of Great Eternity»
Elegy Records
rating: 4 of 6
«Of Great Eternity» is the third release from US’ Elegy Records (whose first output was ABAZAGORATH’s debut CD) and the second album from JUDAS ISCARIOT, one-man band lead by Akhenaten of SARCOPHAGUS. As far as I remember, I didn’t like this guy’s first CD too much due to it’s total ‘underground’ production and performance. Now, after listening to «Of Great Eternity», I can’t say that Akhenaten improves his skills a lot, as well as I can’t assert that JUDAS ISCARIOT became an original band and this album should be purchased by all self-respecting black metallers. No. But in the same time, this one is better than «The Cold Earth Slept Below...» It’s more thoughout and not so primitive and chaotic. Hmm, I think that’s all I can say in regards to new JUDAS ISCARIOT’s effort - this band will be of interest to all ‘true’ ones and also may appeal to many other BM fans, but do not be too hopeful! «Of Great Eternity» is an average album from an average American black metal band, playing quite typical music, nothing more, nothing less. 
 
ICONOCLASM
«Preamble To Precipitate The Destruction Of Religious Artefacts»
self-released
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Well, I guess that individuals looking for non-standard BM with 100% originality shouldn’t pay attention to these evil Belgians, but those who appreciate supreme bestiality and extremely weird atmosphere have to look for «Preamble...». Unfortunately, it’s only a MCD (surprisingly released as a self-financed album) consisting of six quite long songs, which however only makes me craving for more! ICONOCLASM managed to create undoubtedly impressive and gloomy music without using keyboards and suchlike instruments. So the conclusion is rather simple - if you’re looking for absolutely dark black metal CD played in a very sincere way, excellently performed and recorded - it’s your stuff. Yeah, and don’t forget to hide «Preamble’s...» cover from your parents, since it’s kinda obscene, heh heh! 
 
IN AETERNUM
«And Darkness Came»
From The Dark Productions
rating: 5 of 6
You have to remember this name. Something tells me that IN AETERNUM will surprise many people in future - actually, «And Darkness Came» is already a fine piece of work. This MCD possesses weird atmosphere and that unholy spirit which could be found in the old recordings of such bands as SAMAEL, TORMENTOR, ROTTING CHRIST and BEHERIT, the spirit which seems to wither day by day until it will be forever gone, replaced with modern computerized sound... 
 
INFERNAL GATES
«From The Mist Of Dark Waters»
X-treme Records
rating: 5 of 6
You wonder what the hell this album is? Well, I’ll tell ya. «From The Mist...» CD is a worthy piece of absolutely untrendy and very dark, well played, gloomy and mystical doom / death metal with plenty of BM elements. The sad thing is that production appears as more than quite mediocre here, but I can live with that, since INFERNAL GATES create excellent music... It’s neither slow, nor fast, more mid-paced, you know. Vocals are rather diverse and decent, both guitarists know what they’re doing and do it well. Those anxious keyboards in the background just complete the whole atmosphere of anguish breed by this talented Swedish band...
 
INFERNO
«Downtown Hades»
Osmose Productions
rating: 1 of 6 
Second album from the worst band on Osmose... This Norwegian group (with lineup consisting of AURA NOIR and VED BUENS ENDE members) rip off «ancient» BM bands and as a result we can hear meaningless and incomprehensible noise, which could be described as «alcoholic black / thrash», which in contrast to GEHENNAH has nothing interesting or innovating to offer... The only «song» worth attention here is «Metal Attack»... NOT RECOMMENDED.
 
IN THOUSAND LAKES
«Lifeless Waters...»
Arise Records
rating: 3, 5 of 6
Ooops, writing ‘«Catharsis» is the only CD I received from Spain for this issue’ in POETRY’s review (see ‘doom’ section) was a kind of mistake. Anyway, I received «Lifeless Waters...» just before unleashing the third volume of my mag, so I just didn’t have time to re-write POETRY’s review. Sorry (but who cares?). Ok, let’s see what IN THOUSAND LAKES is. My answer will be ‘Spanish DARK TRANQUILLITY’. Surprised? But it’s 100% truth. Melodic death metal with some BM elements played in typical Swedish style with many harmonies... Not bad.
 
KING DIAMOND
«Voodoo»
Massacre Records
rating: 6 of 6
«Weird» is the best word describing the music, featured on «Voodoo». Perhaps, it’s most dark and sombre King’s effort so far, at least the atmosphere is really grim, truly a soundtrack for one’s nightmares! This CD lasts for an hour consisting of fourteen songs - and I just can’t mark out any of them as the best one simply because King Diamong creates such albums which can be listened only as the whole thing while one single song won’t impress you, seeming to be unfinished and lacking some unknown thing... Ah, maybe you want me to tell you about the «Voodoo’s» lyrics? I won’t anyway, because it’s impossible to retell his poetic creations in an ordinary review. Better read one of the newest interview with the Master Himself where he tells about the story which this album is set to, or just buy the original CD and read the lyrics themselves and I can tell you for sure - you won’t be disappointed! «Voodoo» is even better than we could expect from King, it’s brilliant, incredibly dark stuff for those who care about the Darkside and Unknown... 
 
LIAR OF GOLGOTHA
«Dwell Within The Mysterious Dark»
Mascot Records
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Aha! These Dutch satanists finally managed to record one more good album but this time with good keyboard’s sound, in contrast to their previous efforts with out-of-key synths. There’s not much to say about it - if you liked their previous recordings, you’ll like this one as well, especially taking into account the fact that it’s much more professional and intriguing CD comparing to f.ex. «Dancing Through The Palace Of The Ungodly Beauty». Some innovations are here too, so don’t miss it! 
 
LIMBONIC ART
«In Abhorrence Dementia»
Nocturnal Art Productions
rating: 5 of 6 
I expected more from this album. After brilliant «Moon In The Scorpio», «In Abhorrence...» sounds too typical and lacks any innovations... Basically, it’s still the same sympho-black metal with noisy guitars, wide range of vocals (including neo-classical chorus) and obscure atmosphere created with help of genius keyboards... Only one thing differs this CD from LIMBONIC ART’s debut - I mean better production and sound quality. But unfortunately, it doesn’t change the fact that songs from 1 to 7 sound quite boring and unmemorable. Anyway, last two tracks («Behind The Mask Obscure» and «Misanthropic Spectrum») are excellent and remind me of that old LIMBONIC ART... With the whole album filled with such compositions, this Norwegian duo could create more impressive album... Despite afore-cited words, «In Abhorrence...» is good CD and if you liked LIMBONIC ART’s previous album, you’d like this one as well. Really good output, but not a masterpiece unlike «Moon In The Scorpio».
 
LUX OCCULTA
«Dionysos»
Pagan Records
rating: 6 of 6
LUX OCCULTA’s first effort - «Forever Alone Immortal» - was one of my favourite CD’s two years ago. Basically, it was the main reason for me to start considering Polish BM scene as the strongest one in Europe! And now, after two years of suffering and waiting for this talented band’s second output, we have «Dionysos», the album which is even better than the previous one! Yep, sounds impossible. But I can do nothing with the fact that LUX OCCULTA appear as one of the best representatives of atmospheric / sympho-black metal in the whole fucking world and surely the strongest unholy horde in Poland together with BEHEMOTH and PROFANUM... Of course, if you want to find the shortcomings, you’ll find them - like not very powerful and too raw guitar sound, but if you’ll compare number of drawbacks and advantages... then you’ll have to acknowledge the greatness of LUX OCCULTA. 
 
MAZE OF TORMENT
«The Force»
Corrosion Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Does anyone of you remember a band called HARMONY? This Swedish trio released their demo «Radiance From A Star» in the shape of split-CD with SERENADE on Arctic Serenades Records and as MCD through Deviations Records two years ago. The aforementioned recording consisted of six songs featuring melodic (and hateful in the same time) pure Nordic black metal played in Swedish vein. But since that I’ve heard nothing of that band and it seems like these guys changed their bandname to MAZE OF TORMENT and recorded «The Force» CD. Well... I have to say that this is amazing debut! The first thing worth mentioning is guitar work - don’t get me wrong, «The Force» doesn’t feature any killing solos, because rhythm guitar is what I mean. Simple although catchy and memorable riffs grip your very soul and refuse to leave your mind even after this album is over, making you to play it again and again... MAZE OF TORMENT picks up where HARMONY left off; this band almost doesn’t have anything in common with typical AT THE GATES and DISSECTION clones, despite that «The Force» possesses something which lets us think of them as of Swedish band even without looking at the cover and label. The music on this CD is much more dark and anxious in comparison to their labelmates MOANING WIND, for example. While most Swedish bands concentrate on melody and virtuosity, MAZE OF TORMENT make emphasis on atmosphere and only gain by it! Just give a listen to such songs as «The Last Candle» or «The Land Unknown», they’re simply perfect! I wouldn’t say that this stuff is 100% original, but it also can’t be compared to anyone... More than highly recommended.
P. S. Also note, that «The Force» was one of the last CD’s recorded at famous Unisound Studios and produced by Dan Swano (who figures as Firefuck (!) on the album’s cover). 
 
MELEK TAUS
«Expulsion From The Realms Of Light - Encircled By Fire»
Near Dark Productions
rating: 5 of 6
Wow, finally a really good CD from Near Dark! Whatta surprise! Just as SORHIN and A MIND CONFUSED, MELEK TAUS comes from Sweden, but you won’t find any typical «Swedish» elements in this one-man band’s style. MELEK TAUS is much closer to KATATONIA’s «Dance Of December Souls», but with larger amount of keyboards and also more black metallish. Basically, it’s quite original (!), well-recorded and nicely performed melancholic black metal with plenty of symphonic elements. The only thing which reminded me of «Gothenburg’s black / death» metal is way of singing and voice’s timbre. It’s not «evil» enough for pure BM band and probably can be compared to IN FLAMES and GATES OF ISHTAR... Very good and worthy album, but, oh - so fucking short!
 
MINAS TIRITH 
«The Art Of Becoming»
Art Productions
rating: ???
Tell me what kind of music can you expect from the band which takes their name from Tolkien's "Master Of The Rings", writes dark, infernal poetry, while Norway appears as their country of origin? Right, pure and raw black metal in the Norse vein. I also thought this way, but MINAS TIRITH’s music turned out as something very different from typical Norwegian BM. Basically, it almost doesn’t have any black metal elements! Can you believe it?! MINAS TIRITH somehow reminds me of Ireland’s CRANBERRIES, especially those clean «male» vocals which also bring up to memory Nils Duffhues’ singing («Almost A Dance» by THE GATHERING, remember?)... All in all, I think we can call this as ‘dark progressive metal’ which, however, has something in common with black metal. Production and performance maybe are not top-notch, but still extremely pleasant for the ear. Hence, those of you who appreciate various weird stuff definitely have to try MINAS TIRITH...
P. S. Yes, when I was talking about comparisons, I almost forgot about latest EINHERJER - perhaps, we may draw some parallels between «The Art Of Becoming» and «Odin Owns Ye All»...
 
MITHOTYN
«King Of The Distant Forest»
Invasion / Black Diamond
rating: 3 of 6
«Utterly soulless» - that’s how my father defined this album. And I guess that he was right somehow. Basically, «King Of The Distant Forest» contains everything to appeal to the huge number of folk / viking metal lovers - catchy riffs, splendid vocals, professionaly played guitars and good keyboard parts, variety and even some kind of originality. It’s well performed and recorded material, but... atmosphere absolutely lacks here, at least in my personal opinion. And this fact makes «King...» a soulless album as well as rather unmemorable. 
 
MOANING WIND
«Visions In Fire»
Corrosion Records
rating: 4 of 6
MOANING WIND comes from Sweden and «Visions...» was recorded at that Fredman Studio - looks like you’ve already guessed what this group represent, eh? Yes, it’s Swedish black / death metal in the IN FLAMES vein, but there’s something that makes MOANING WIND to stand out against the background of numerous hordes of typical and faceless Swedish bands... I don’t know the reason why, but I like this CD. Not too much, but enough to listen to it for more than two times.
 
MOON
«Daemon’s Heart»
Pagan Records
rating: 4 of 5
CHRIST AGONY, one of the best (and best-selling, heh heh!) Poland’s black metal bands is temporary (?) non-existent, and instead, Cezar decided to dedicate himself to his solo project called MOON. Well, MOON’s music doesn’t explore any new ‘territories’ in BM genre - in fact, «Daemon’s Heart» musically stands very close to CHRIST AGONY’s creations, maybe because of Cezar’s distinctive vocals, I don’t know... The main difference regards speed; while CHRIST AGONY often slowed down to mid-tempo and rather slow moments, all the songs on this CD are performed in a quite fast way. No ballads, no romanticism, just anger and bestial aggression. Perhaps, thanks to Selani Studio, the production on «Daemon’s Heart» is excellent and I guess that there’s no need to tell you that Cezar, besides being very good singer, is also a proper guitarist and bassist. The cover says that Doc of mighty VADER played drums on this album, however I believe that saying that he ‘programmed’ them would be more honest, because there’re no «real» drums here. Anyway, even the computerized drumkit sounds great. And yes, Cezar’s couldn’t ignore keyboards, although «Daemon’s Heart» features very little number of them, and personally I think that it’s good. Yepp, that’s all. And if you still want me write some kind of conluding words... Ok. This CD is fast, bestially brutal and in the same time intelligent album lacking any typical nature. Well done, Cezar, but I hope that «Darkside» wasn’t the swansong for your ‘main’ band??? 
 
MURDER RAPE
«... And Evil Returns»
Evil Horde Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6 
«... And Evil Returns» is second and sooooo looong awaited album from this band which appears as one of the best dark acts in Brazil nowadays... This CD consists of six long songs with truly dark unforgettable atmosphere... In general, MURDER RAPE can be reckoned to «South-American» black metal - these guys don’t pretend to be 100% original, however lack of originality doesn’t make the things worse, since «... And Evil Returns» is still very good and memorable effort. Pure evil is here, awaiting your feeble soul... Beware...
 
NAGELFAR 
«Hunengrab Im Herbst»
Kettenhund Records
rating: 4 of 6
Had anyone of you heard a band called BORKNAGAR? And their self-titled debut CD, in particular? If you liked it, buy «Hunengrab...» without thinking twice! NAGELFAR play pure pagan / viking black metal with obscure atmosphere of Dark Ages, good non-typical screams and majestic battle choirs. One more thing worth mentioning is that this CD was recorded at Stage One Studio with Andy Classen (HOLY MOSES) as producer, so production is much more than just ‘good’. 
 
NECROMICON
«Sightveiler»
Hammerheart Records
rating: 6 of 6
In my view, «Sightveilver» is neither worse, nor better than «Realm Of Silence», NECROMICON’s debut CD. The newest album from this Sweden’s band still possesses two trump cards - melody and originality. Personally, I consider «Sighveiler» more romantic and tremendous effort, also more emotional and thoughtout. At least, it has much more doom / death elements, than black metal ones, although it doesn’t mean that NECROMICON stopped being a BM band! Their style could be defined just as «metal», some kind of a mix of all the best that aforementioned genres can offer. I don’t know exactly but it seems that «Sighveiler» is a conceptual album? As to it’s musical aspect, and as I already told you, this output is less aggressive (sometimes, comparison with early AMORPHIS came to my mind) but undoubtedly more interesting in the same time! Four vocal types are featured here - harsh though emotional growling, insane burzumish shrieking, plenty of whispers + female voice here and there. I guess, the best way to describe «Sightveiler» would be to say that it is a continuation of «Realm...», with every single thing performed a way better... NECROMICON have all the chances to conquer Swedish BM throne with their original, innovative and exciting music!!!
 
NIGHT CONQUERS DAY
«The First Snowfall»
Hammerheart Records
rating: 5 of 6
This is a fifteenth CD from Hammerheart Records which appears as a debut output from American NIGHT CONQUERS DAY, and surely, «The First Snowfall» is as great as all the former albums released by this Dutch label. The main force behind this band is Mikael, who is also known thanks to SHADOWCASTER, BURIED BENEATH and INTO THE SUNLESS MERIDIAN, while NIGHT CONQUERS DAY seems to be his main (?) band. Despite that now this group is five-piece, the lineup on «The First Snowfall» consists of Mikael (vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, drums, keyboards and synths) and Tim (bass on all tracks and rhythm guitar on second and seventh ones) only, with addition of few session musicians - Greg on rhythm guitar and Raistlyn on keyboards. «The First Snowfall» includes nine songs which last for 74 minutes, so all of them (with an exception for intro and two instrumental tunes) are very long, from eight to fifteen minutes, which however doesn’t make this CD sound boring...  This band’s style is quite difficult to be described and probably the best definition will be ‘dark metal’ - though of course based on BM. The whole album is various, moreover - definitely innovative, mostly thanks to Mikael’s outstanding and 100% original singing - from black metal vokills through some kind of choir to King Diamond-alike (extremely weird!) voice. Many acoustic, keyboard and organ passages can be met here, as well as decent guitar work incorporating few leads - you know, after listening to SHADOWCASTER’s «Abandonment» I didn’t expect such a professional approach to music and such a good, almost top-notch production from NIGHT CONQUERS DAY! The CD comes with excellent 16-page booklet and awesome design, while music featured on it maybe is not the best one I’ve ever heard, but it’s definitely good and worth buying! Hey, Mikael, what about sending me INTO THE SUNLESS MERIDIAN’s debut?? I’m itching to hear one more splendid project of yours! 
 
NOCTES
«Pandemonic Requiem»
No Fashion Records
rating: 6 of 6
Surprisingly, this is a very successful release from No Fashion, and, perhaps, one of the best efforts by the band playing «Swedish black / death metal», although NOCTES don’t copy anyone, since they have their own view on how this often boring music should be played to sound non-generic and exciting. Basically, NOCTES don’t open any new ‘horizons’, combining all those typical Swedish elements (e.g. a perfect mix of melody and brutality, beautiful harmonies and ruthless speed), however they do it much better than many, many alike bands. Here I also have to mark out the splendid guitar work. Surely, you may ask - «What’s so strange in it? Majority of Swedish black / death metal bands own very skillful and talented guitarists...» Indeed, but Holger Thorsin isn’t just ‘skillful’, he’s an outstanding musician, as well as Pasi who rules over rhythm guitar! Yes, seems like 99% of Swedes are almost perfect guitarists, but how much albums with plenty of tremendous solos and inimitable harmonies do you remember? And what if I’ll tell you that «Pandemonic Requiem» features not only above-mentioned things, but also a brilliant, crystal-clear production (Sunlight Studio!) which strikes as a reason why EVERY SINGLE RIFF CAN BE HEARD HERE?! Excellent debut - and I can’t wait to hear new recordings from NOCTES... 
 
NOKTURNAL MORTUM
«Goat Horns»
The End Records
rating: 4 of 6
«Goat Horns» was already released by Metal Agen / Morbid Noizz in the shape of MC back in 1997, and now we behold this album’s re-issue as a CD. The music is all the same; these Ukrainian guys didn’t change anything with an exception for removal of «Where Rivers Flow Into The Seas» track. I don’t think it was a right move, because that song was one of the best on «Goat Horns», however it’s up to them. For those who still don’t know about this band, I may tell that NOKTURNAL MORTUM play atmospheric (sometimes even symphonic) folk black metal, often provoking the reminiscence of EMPEROR. What really disappointed and surprised me on this album, is the sound of guitars - too raw, sometimes even turning into primitive buzz a-la Norway. This is very strange, because «Lunar Poetry» (NOKTURNAL MORTUM’s debut) featured very pleasing and professional guitar work with splendid solos, besides I always considered Varggoth (vocals, guitars, bass) a good guitarist... I could understand everything if some line-up changes took place, but there weren’t any! Vocals also sound not much impressive, however I couldn’t find any drawbacks when it comes keyboards... Consequently, I can’t praise «Goat Horns» but I also can’t say that it doesn’t worth your attention...
P. S. Perhaps the only thing is better here in comparison to the «Goat Horns» MC - I’m talking about the artwork and layout. Both are done very well, in the same time being rather unpretentious.
 
NOMICON
«Yellow»
Shiver Records
rating: 5 of 6
Ooooh, this is really weird. Maybe even too much. Shiver Records promotes NOMICON as «... sick, twisted, original, technical black - thrash metal with an atmospheric approach due to the addition of majestic keyboards». Well, yes, «Yellow» is truly «sick», «twisted», «original» and «technical», but «black - thrash»?? No! If you want me to give a style definition for NOMICON, it will be «depraved symphonic grind / black». It’s very hard to listen this CD till the very end at the first time, since your conscious is being utterly smashed by NOMICON’s perverted sounds. But after two or three listens, «Yellow» appealed to me much better than in the beginning. It’s good album, BUT only for those with strong will and nerves of steel, because only such individuals will be able to get into this stuff...
 
NON SERVIAM
«Between Light And Darkness»
Invasion Records
rating: 5 of 6
Somebody called this band as Swedish CRADLE OF FILTH, which is a bit incorrent in my view if the author of these words meant music itself. But if this comparison regarded APPROACH TO MUSIC, this guy was absolutely right. Before listening to «Between Light And Darkness» I thought of it as of another ordinary black / death metal act from Sweden trying to get some attention, but later... Yes, NON SERVIAM have few of those typical elements coming from AT THE GATES / IN FLAMES / DARK TRANQUILLITY-heritage, although in the same time it stands very far from all the groups cloning aforementioned bands. This CD is rather diverse capturing obscure atmosphere which is quite unusual for suchlike bands. Male «clean» vocals and female soprano are here as well... Guitars also sound very different when comparing to f.ex. SACRILEGE. I don’t know where the secret hides but it works! Try this stuff, if you want to hear something really NEW from Sweden.
 
OLD MAN’S CHILD
«Ill-Natured Spiritual Invasion»
Century Media
rating: 6 of 6
Right now, when I’m listening to OLD MAN’S CHILD previous album, «The Pagan Prosperity», I clearly understand that I was wrong in rating this CD. Perhaps then I was thinking another way and disliked «The Pagan Prosperity» due to some unknown reasons, but now my opinion changed drastically and I can only regret about writing rather bad review. Anyway, let’s forget about that, since now we have a new one from OLD MAN’S CHILD! The one, which seems to be the best album released by this band till now (I do not say ‘ever released’ because I hope that next CD will be even better). It has everything which made brought DIMMU BORGIR their popularity, i.e. powerful riffing, splendid and memorable vocal parts (too bad that «Ill-Natured...» lacks that great «clean» singing featured on «The Pagan Prosperity»!), exciting melodies and mighty drumming. And - how could I forget about them?! - keyboards! Keyboards which underline each riff, each accord in a great way. Keyboards which don’t prevail in OLD MAN’S CHILD sound (this is surely a ‘guitar band’), but never leave the background, creating an unforgettable atmosphere... It’s great album so it’s quite difficult to mark out the most impressive track, but ok - here you have «God Of Impiety» with all the best OLD MAN’S CHILD can offer. Just listen to this tune and it’s amazing guitar harmonies (the strongest side of this song and the whole album) will capture your imagination forever... Brilliant stuff - and now I can completely agree with those who consider this band as one of the best Norwegian BM acts.  
 
OPERA IX
«Sacro Culto»
Shiver Records
rating: A MASTERPIECE 
Italy’s OPERA IX lead by Cadaveria (true Princess of Lust...) made us to wait for this album for almost four years, but «Sacro Culto» was worth the wait! The improvement is incredible! Cadaveria now sings in two voices, i.e. screams (in her own inimitable way) and sings in clean voice, which surprisingly turned out as more than pleasant! If we’re talking about vocals on «Sacro Culto», I also have to mention «clean» male singing appearing rather often here - and this guy (unfortunately, I don’t know who is he) is very skillful in what he’s doing! Apart from that, OPERA IX finally found the keyboardist namely Lunaris, hence now keyboard’s accompaniment can be heard permanently. As to Ossian, his guitar seem to sound a bit like ROTTING CHRIST, or is it just my delusion...? Sound quality on «Sacro Culto» and «The Call Of The Wood» is incomparable, since this album features perfect production, lacking any drawbacks (actually, the same goes for music which doesn’t sound boring at all, like it often was before)... Tremendous... brilliant... splendid... excellent... amazing... no, none of these epithets fit OPERA IX, because all of these words are too dull to describe this genius band’s compositions... Ah, I can’t wait to listen to «Sacro Culto» once again! And again... and again... and again... This band will become black metal legend one day...
 
OTYG
«Alvefard»
Napalm Records
rating: AND ONCE AGAIN A MASTERPIECE...
So who was stupid enought to say that black metal is dying or already dead? Laugh at this man, because his words are worth nothing - I hope you noticed that I reviewed huge number of albums in this issue and many of them got «5» or «6» marks! But OTYG creates something that cannot be called just as «good stuff», it’s simply brilliant! Norwegian STORM seems to be dead, at least I didn’t hear anything from them since early 1996, but don’t cry because now we have Sweden’s OTYG, who are the perfect replacement. It’s also pseudo-folk metal, however, in contrast to aforementioned STORM, masterly performed with singer possessing very pleasant barryton, although this guy doesn’t pretend to be «viking» or something and that’s good. Arrangements are just perfect, completed by female back vocals, violins and flute. Melodies in the whole are also more memorable in the same time being highly complicated. It’s difficult to mark out best songs on «Alvefard» because all of them are great, but if you want me to do it, I’ll name «Huldran», «Myrdingar - Martyrium», «Allfader Vise», «Fjalldrottningens Slott», «Skymningdans» and... all others as well!  
 
PROFANUM
«Profanum Aeternum: Eminence Of Satanic Imperial Art»
Pagan Records
rating: A MASTERPIECE
I noticed this band right after listening to «Under The Pagan Moon» compilation where these Polish dudes contributed with «The Serpent’s Crown» song. Despite that it was awfully recorded and mixed, I couldn’t leave unnoticed their definite talent and intriguing music - something in the vein of EMPEROR, but with more keyboards and much slower. As far as I know, besides appearing on that comp, PROFANUM released an album entitled «Flowers Of Our Black Misanthropy» a couple of years ago... Unfortunately, I still don’t own it, although lately I got this one - a brand new CD from this genius Polish band... First thing which captured my attention was the total lack of guitars, neither electric nor acoustic; however, in spite of this, PROFANUM doesn’t have anything to do with ambient, it’s pure symphonic black metal, moreover - this band appears as one of the best of a kind!!! Vocals strike as enough various, appearing as a cross between IMMORTAL frontman’s singing (screams) and TARANIS (dismal declamations). Sometimes, the music on «Profanum Aeternum...» can be compared to PROFANUM’s countrymates - THEMGOROTH, which however doesn’t mean that they lack originality or, at least, their own dark face... Synthesizers (as well as computer bass and drums) sound great here - most ambient and sympho-black metal bands’ keyboardists can only envy PROFANUM! I should say that I still enjoy «Profanum Aeternum...» and surely will enjoy it for a long, long time... Until their next recording, I guess. 
 
PROGENIC
«Evolution»
rating: 4, 5 of 6 
Completely unknown band (at least to my ears) suddenly starts off an great album, released by certain unitelligible label - strange, isn’t it? Anyway, PROGENIC definitely have something to say. Their style is melodic black metal in the vein of such bands as IN FLAMES, although «Evolution» doesn’t irritate me like most of most contemporary Swedish groups. On the contrary, it appealed to me much more than most of BM bands I’ve heard the week I decided to write this review. The only thing to say left is that besides definite melody and variety, «Evolution» possesses really good guitar work and very pleasant male «clean» vocals... Highly recommended. 
 
RAISON D’ETRE
«Reflections From The Time Of Opening - MCMXCI»
Bloodless Creations Records
rating: A MASTERPIECE
«Reflections...» appeared as totally different thing from what I thought it to be. This CD is a re-issue of old tracks by RAISON D’ETRE so this may explain some things... It features thirteen songs of anxious and meditative ambient performed without any trace of primitivism - at least if you’d compare «Reflections...» to VOND / MORTIIS stuff, such comparison won’t be in favour of latter bands. You know, it’s very hard to tell you what this CD is all about through usual words, so it might be better if you’ll listen to my advise and buy this brilliant album. Believe me, it’s one of the best of a kind this year. «Sometimes words cannot tell what the heart feels. Music can express the thing that our language cannot» (quote from Bart Smits).
 
SAMAEL
«Exodus»
Century Media
rating: 5, 5 of 6
I thought that after total failure with «Passage’s» sails (Century Media managed to sell only 2000 copies in the whole world!!!), SAMAEL would split up, but fortunately they didn’t! Instead, this band released brand new MCD, which totally beats up SAMAEL’s previous CD, believe me! Just like «Rebellion» mini, this one includes two remixes - «Son Of Earth» and «Ceremony Of Opposites» from 1994 album and, surely, they sound thousand times better than original versions. Besides, we have four new songs and all of them represent all the best SAMAEL can offer, i.e. top-class mystical symphonic dark / black metal. Buy it! Absolutely untrendy stuff!
 
SACRAMENTARY ABOLISHMENT
«The Distracting Stone»
Catharsis Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Well, well, well. Changes are not so drastical, but... While «River Of Corticone», debut CD from these Canadians, was compared to DISEMBOWELMENT by me, «The Distracting Stone» stands quite far from this comparison as well as SACRAMENTARY ABOLISHMENT’s former stuff. It’s much, MUCH faster, more fierce and «black metallish» if you get what I mean. All songs represent pure blasting black metal; dark, mayhemic, evil... I don’t know what about you, but personally I am glad to know that bands devoted to 100% BM are still alive, performing top-quality music without sounding archaic. Highly recommended.
 
SATARIAL
"The Queen Of The Elves' Land"
Neuroempire / Hobgoblin Records
rating: 2 of 6
Heh, I didn't expect anything better from this poser band... They claim it to be "gothic folk black metal opera", however "The Queen..." is not even black metal... In comparison to "And The Flame Will Take The Temples Of Christ", this album is better when it comes to production and Seth's "clean" vocals. However, all of the tunes represented here are incredibly dull and boring, sometimes almost becoming ridiculous (especially when Morana begins to howl ("it" can
not be called as "singing"), while her "voice" sounds exactly like a parody on true soprano). One more album of this kind and SATARIAL will disappear into oblivion (b.t.w., that will be nice).
 
SCHEITAN
«Berzerk 2000»
Invasion Records
rating: 5, 5 of 6
SCHEITAN’s first CD, «Travelling In Ancient Times», was great debut which I couldn’t praise enough in the first issue of VAE SOLIS. Now, with «Berzerk 2000», this duo (Pierre Tornkvist and Oskar Karlsson) changed their music a bit... I can’t even describe it properly and I bet you also won’t be able to do it after listening to songs like «Raincoat»... This album strikes as the one divided into 2 parts - first represents new SCHEITAN’s sound (still very «scheitanish» though) with brilliant «Raincoat», «Soulside» and other tremendous tunes, while second one includes fast and raw compositions reminding of this band’s past. I feel I like first part much better because of it’s variety and innovative ideas, such as female vocals which sound in a way completely unexpected by me. Drumming is also worth mention due to it’s original and non-standard way of performance - Oskar is undoubtedly one of the best drummers in contemporary BM scene! I guess everything is said now, so don’t even think of ignoring this excellent CD!!!
 
SEAR BLISS
«The Haunting»
Two Moons
rating: BRILLIANT
How much worthy Hungarian BM bands do you know? Ok, let’s ask another way - whom would you mark out as the best one in that country? My answer is SEAR BLISS. Already after their debut, «Phantoms», released by Two Moons in 1996, and it’s follow-up, «In The Shadow Of Another World» containing «The Pagan Winter» demo tape ’94 and one new song, in 1997, these guys showed above-average talent. Now we have their third full-length CD... SEAR BLISS endured some serious lineup changes: Viktor Max Scheer replaced Csaba Csejtej on guitars, Zoltan Schonberger replaced his namesake and Csaba’s brother on drums & vocals, and also Winter (keyboards) left the band, so now Gergely Szucs plays all synths as well as trumpet, while Andras Nagy took all the vocal job. In contrast to «Phantoms» and last song on «In The Shadow Of Another World», «The Haunting» was recorded at Dutch Excess Studio with Han Swagerman instead of Hungarian Nautilus Studios and Bertran Domby as the sound engineer, and, of course, this fact immediately affected on sound quality. This CD sounds more... ehh... complete and thoughtout with better, more professional and undoubtedly very impressive arrangements (ah, this magic trumpet!), tremendous guitar riffs and amazing solos - Viktor’s invitement was surely a good move! Maybe only vocals sound less good than I expected but it cannot even be considered a shortcoming! So, I hope that you’re already looking for 16$ in order to buy this perfect album - dark, atmospheric and emotional, lacking any typicalness...!
 
SERMON
«From Death To Death»
Hobgoblin Records
rating: 4 of 6
Unfortunately, I didn’t have a chance of hearing «Through Eternity», first (and last) demo from SERMON, but somewhere I read a review saying that it was done in CEMETARY / LAKE OF TEARS-alike music’s vein with awful sound-quality, so I wasn’t very intrigued when «From Death To Death» fell into my hands. However, it turned out much better than I expected it to be! First track «I Want To Reach The Dawn» appeared as something which could be categorized as melodic and hateful, technical death / black metal somehow reminding of AT THE GATES and suchlike Swedish bands, although vocals on this album are more in techno-death vein - just recall ATHEIST and you’ll get what I mean. Second song, «Another Spring», is also memorable tune with very good guitars and same vocals, but this time performed in mid-tempo. Other tracks are played in the same genre and «From Death To Death» gets a bit boring before end but «Eclipse», the last composition on this tape (b.t.w. sang in Russian) redresses all the shortcomings. Good album with good production and musicianship. SERMON is certainly one of the most promising bands in Moscow today...
 
SETH
«By Fire, Power Shall Be...»
AMSG Productions
rating: 4 of 6
AMSG Productions? SETH? Never heard of such a label and band. But this is a kind of case when newcomer band turns out to be better than many old ones. «By Fire, Power Shall Be...» lasts for about fourty minutes and includes only three (!) songs, but surprisingly this output doesn’t sound dull, boring or overdone. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I consider SETH an original band, but nowadays originality surely is not the main thing. This quartet follow the path of early DIMMU BORGIR, EMPYRIUM and COVENANT with their 100% atmospheric and melodic, emotional black metal, not evil as well as not aggressive at all, in the same time being rather dark and obscure... You can’t surprise anyone with good musicianship and top-notch production in contemporary BM scene, but despite afore-said, this fact makes the impression of SETH much better than it could be with such musicianship and sound quality as on VELES’ efforts. This album doesn’t kill, but anyhow deserves a very good mark. 
 
SORATH / UNCLEAN
«Matache Chavala / Tam Kdesi V Hlubinach»
Pussygod Records
rating: SORATH - 4 of 6
UNCLEAN - 5, 5 of 6
And here comes the split-CD from our brothers-by-blood, two Czech bands released by Pussygod Records, label which made it’s debut with MANIAC BUTCHER’s «Immortal Death» demo in 1993. This album features seven songs from SORATH and five from UNCLEAN, lasting for about an hour. Let’s begin with the first band here, namely SORATH. Speaking honestly, their creations didn’t me impress me too much. These guys can handle their instruments more than properly, production is very good, music is dark and evil, but songs are too unmemorable and become easily forgotten only a day after listening to them. You know, basically SORATH’s music almost lacks any shortcomings, but DAMN IT, I’ve heard such stuff for more than thousand times! Yes, it’s great speaking only about the music, but where’s the originality or at least any interesting ideas, guys?! If your band won’t develope in future, you have no chances with such a professional, but extremely unoriginal and therefore boring music. Ok, let’s go to UNCLEAN - looks like things are better here. «Tam Gdesi V Hlubinach (Somewhere In The Depths)» is only their old demo being re-issued, but despite this fact, it’s a great recording! Sometimes reminding of ROOT and AMON GOETH (especially when it comes to vocals - deep and gloomy growls which are more close to death metal way of singing), all of these tunes are quite slow, possessing utterly obscure and hellish atmosphere, musical reincarnation of ancient gothic horror with those mystical keyboards in the background and anxious guitar passages - performed in a great way by Lord Unclean’s... Sound is a bit worse comparing to SORATH, but surprisingly it only forces more dark and frightening atmosphere, making you to feel the unholy presense of Unnameable among the living ones... Besides, singing in Czech sounds much more impressive than if it was in English. In short - even if my desciption of SORATH didn’t make you interested in buying this CD, do it anyway because single (!) UNCLEAN’s track is worth spending 15$!!!
P. S. Two years passed since the release of «Tam Gdesi...», but unfortunately I still didn’t hear anything from that great band - and the only thing I can do is to hope that UNCLEAN won’t make me wait for their new material as long as MASTER’S HAMMER do it!
 
SUIDAKRA
«Lupine Essense»
self-released
rating: 5 of 6
All fans of variety in black metal should run to the nearest underground music store and get their hands on «Lupine Essense» immediately, I guess. SUIDAKRA mixes plenty of various styles, like BM (performed in Swedish «Gothenburg» manner), doom, death and even some gothic rock with synths and female voice as integral part of SUIDAKRA’s sound. These guys are most close to EVER EVE and «Seasons» CD, and the main difference is that reviewed band’s creations lie in more black metallish vein with those shrieky vocals and fast drumming... Good, interesting stuff. I’m looking forward to future releases from SUIDAKRA.
 
THE EQUINOX OV THE GODS 
«Fruits And Flowers Of The Spectral Garden»
Unisound Records
rating: 5 of 6
Well, speaking honestly, this release didn’t make me crazy in contrast to this project’s former CD. Basically, it’s the same EQUINOX OV THE GODS, but this time with more thoughtout and better performed arrangements (one of the songs, «Stigmata», even features saxophone!), but vocals... Despite that Fredrik (singer, also guitarist and keyboardist) has astounding voice, almost all tracks on «Fruits And Flowers...» are sang in a kinda «hoarse» voice, which was a very big disappointment to me... «Black metal» screams are gone as well, although female singing is still here. Well, in general, this CD is much better than «Images Of The Forgotten Memories» (their former album) music-wise, but vocals... Anyway, they’re still original and good-sounding, while musically it’s one of the best and diverse CD’s among those which fell into my hands this month. Recommended. 
 
... THE SOIL BLEEDS BLACK
«The Maiden, The Minstrel And The Magician»
Dark Age Productions
rating: 4 of 6
This album disappointed me a bit. Perhaps, I expected too much not paying attention to the fact that «The Maiden...» is just a re-issue of old and unreleased songs by THE SOIL BLEEDS BLACK, but... This album sounds rather incomprehensive and somewhat... ehh, «unfinished». Anyway, I believe that «The Maiden...» will appeal to all true fans of this original American band. 
 
THOKK
«Rape And Vampirism»
Mordgrimm Records
rating: 3 of 6
When I saw Lord Kaiaphas’ handle on the cover, I expected THOKK to be one more genius album together with all efforts by ANCIENT, but... «Rape And Vampirism» features some raw and extremely primitive black metal, which gets boring very fast. Although last track entitled «Haunted By Saturman Phantoms (Abducted In The Cosmic Bog)» differs a lot from other tunes on «Rape...» - it appears as some kind of depraved ambient / psycho-noise-industrial stuff with horrible screams and sick synthesizers... It could be good experiment but with length of 15 minutes (or something like that)... Erh, it just fucks your mind up and discourages you from listening to it once again! Too bad. 
 
THRON’
«Seductions Of The Unbaptized Darkness»
Pussygod Records (limited to 333 copies)
rating: 5 of 6
Ha, looks like THRON’ read my review on their previous tape («Here Lies Paganism») in first volume of VAE SOLIS and followed my advises! «Here Lies…» and their debut demo («Throne Will Be Ours») irritated me a lot, appearing as absolutely uninteresting, boring and soulless music with awful sound quality. But now THRON’ discovered all their mistakes and I can say for sure that I listened to «Seductions…» with great pleasure. Finally they’ve found good recording studio, added some majestic keyboards and female backing vocals, and now THRON’ is totally different band from their past time! EVERYTHING is different here – vocal parts are more hateful and dark (more thoughtout also), guitar passages and drumming are great, so the whole demo brings some fresh, good-sounding and atmospheric (finally!) black metal. It doesn’t pretend to be original, being strongly influenced by such bands as IMMORTAL («Pure Holocaust» times) and MARDUK (circa «Those Of The Unlight») - but what the stupid freak said that unoriginal music cannot be interesting...? 
P.S. This band is also great live – they played gig at Camelot Club on 7.06.98 (DEATHRIDER fest), which I found rather pleasing. For some unknown reasons these guys decided to quit with corpse-paint which is rather strange move in my opinion… But ok, it’s up to them. Once again I have to say – THRON’s worthless former tapes are not worth your interest, but «Seductions…» is excellent album, standing very far from both, «Throne Will Be Ours» and «Here Lies Paganism». Check this out as well as interview in the fourth issue of VAE SOLIS!
 
THRONED
«Watching The Lands Of Purity»
Black Tears Productions 
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Wow! I thought that such kind of bands doesn’t exist anymore! Imagine ‘true’ black metal (purest of the pure, heh heh) but the one which may please all the real fans of this genre... THRONED doesn’t offer anything special, except for sincerity, supreme evil and majestic atmosphere, which made me to recall BATHORY’s efforts, the ones like «Hammerheart» for example... Perhaps, someone would say that THRONED is absolutely pathetic project, and typical - musically. Do you really think that I care about such wimps’ opinion??! I’m a part of black metal scene for many, many years, and I believe that I’m able to discover if the band is good or utterly worthless. THRONED definitely should be reckoned to the first type...
 
THUS DEFILED
«Wings Of The Nightstorm»
Dark Trinity Productions
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Very pleasant recording, the second one from UK’s THUS DEFILED. Unfortunately, this band still stays in the shadow of mightier acts like CRADLE OF FILTH and BAL-SAGOTH, although it definitely has something to offer. «Wings Of The Nightstorm» consists of eight songs representing melodic black / death / thrash metal with atmosphere, somehow raw though very well-played. Hence, THUS DEFILED doesn’t bring anything special into the BM genre, but in spite of this fact I enjoyed «Wings Of The Nightstorm» a lot.
 
TRISTANIA
«Widow’s Weeds»
Napalm Records
rating: 6 of 6
TRISTANIA’s self-titled debut MCD released last year was so-so, maybe due to it’s short playing time, therefore I couldn’t discover anything special in it and shortly after the name «Tristania» was forgotten by me. But recently I got this brand new full-length and... DAMN! IT’S WONDERFUL! «Widow’s Weeds» exposes TRISTANIA’s exceptional talent and originality. Unlike their MCD, this one seems to be more black metal, mostly thanks to that hateful screams reminding me of FOREST OF SOULS. Female vocals are also worth mentioning because Vibeke (the girl who performs them) has amazing, ethereal voice unceremoniously compared to Kari Rueslatten’s... All songs are rather long, but none of them becomes boring or anything... «Pale Enchantress» and «Midwintertears» were already featured on «Tristania», consequently they are the weakest tunes on this CD, while «Edenfall» and last track «Wasteland’s Caress» with sorrowfull sounds of saxophone and genius Vibeke’s leading voice are just perfect. In short - «Widow’s Weeds» will drive insane all those individuals who are attracted to melancholic and wistful, atmospheric and mid-tempo doomy black metal with solid doze of gothic in it... 
 
TRONUS ABYSS
«The King Of Angels In The Abyss»
Pagan Moon Records
rating: 5 of 6
Totenhaz - nocturnal strings, Vlad Nosferatu Tenebrarum (!) - carpathian vampyric guitar, Dessl - sorrowful and emblematic bass, Hesteban - ancient atmospheres and background obscure howls... Yeah, these guys seem to be faithful followers of good old BM traditions. But if after reading these lines you have an intension to buy «The King...» expecting to hear raw, noisy and primitive black metal in the «Norse» vein, sit down and read the whole review. Despite all those somewhat ridiculous handles, equivocal and muddled lyrics, corpsepaint, etc., TRONUS ABYSS have absolutely nothing to do with EMPEROR-alike music. Their style is atmospheric, occult and mystical black metal, in the same time being melancholic and even beautiful mainly due to masterly guitar solos, few background keyboards and sombre whisperings. This Italian sixtet is very talented when it comes to technique, so they can handle their instruments more than just «properly» - especially it goes for both guitarists. Vocals are great as well, and here we can compare them to Spain’s ATMAN. Yepp, the voice is as much infernal as much human throat is capable of. If their next CD will contain at least one song like «Tronus Abyss» or «The Warrior’s Ballad», these gloomy guys will become maybe not the best, but definitely one of the leading Italian BM bands! 
 
VELES
«Black Hateful Metal»
No Colours Records
rating: 3 of 6
Yepp, one more Poland’s NS-black metal band on No Colours, with music as much evil and primitive as it’s only possible... Production sucks here (strange, but «The Triumph Of Pagan Beliefs» demo included as a bonus with this CD possesses much better sound comparing to the new tracks!), as well as noisy, droning guitar (buzz... buzz... buzz... buzz... - if this guy can play guitar, then I’m a Chinese orange), vocals wafting from one of the subterranean death-pits, great keyboards as always when played by Rob Darken (GRAVELAND)... But the most strange thing is that I like this CD in some way... Don’t ask me why - I won’t answer, simply because I don’t know myself. Fans of underground BM should find this interesting, as to all others - I won’t recommend you to buy «Black Hateful Metal», but give it a listen anyway.
 
VIOLATION
«Beyond The Graves»
Last Episode Productions
rating: 4 of 6
Quite unexpected release from Last Episode Productions. Appearing as purely black metal-devoted band, VIOLATION uses deep, harsh growls (instead of typical BM shrieking), while guitars, being tuned very low, remind me of Swedish death metal school - and that’s rather unusual for BM band as well, I believe. Coming from Germany, VIOLATION recorded this CD in Swedish Abyss Studio with Mikael Hedlund as producer and sound engineer, so production here is truly above average. Generally speaking, «Beyond The Graves» can be compared with Norwegian AETERNUS, it’s also dark and atmospheric black metal with non-typical growling vocals and background keyboards... Go-o-o-od.
 
VOND 
«Green Eyed Demon»
Extreme Subterranea
rating: 4, 5 of 6
As far as I can remember, I dragged last VOND’s album into shit due to it’s total primitivism, but this one seems to be much better. «Music» in ordinary sense of this word is still absent in VOND’s creations, however «Green Eyed Demon» was being listened by me with greater interest. Mortiis changed this band’s compositions to more noise-industrial vein with tons of (anxious) samples, (gloomy) sounds and (obscure) voices which seem to come from the very Beyond... This CD can be compared to EN NIHIL when it comes to the general perception - it’s as dark and frightening, although unfortunately VOND creates undoubtedly more primitive music... Anyway, lovers of such weird and anti-musical stuff should buy this album. 
 
VORDVEN
«Towards The Frozen Stream»
No Colours Records
rating: 4, 5 of 6
This is pure atmospheric black metal, often even romantic (!), with thick guitar and keyboard’s sound and female backing vocals + some «clean» male ones... I didn’t expect to discover such stuff on No Colours, since Finland’s VORDVEN play a sort of music which is very different music from what VELES and alike bands are doing. I mean, «Towards The Frozen Stream» is not primitive at all, moreover - I believe that this band may be called as «false» by some «true underground» freaks. Here I have to say that opinion of aforementioned individuals doesn’t bother me at all. I like VORDVEN with their interesting and sincere music, which has absolutely nothing to do with any kinds of trend!
 
WAYLANDER
«Reawakening Pride Once Lost»
Century Media
rating: 4, 5 of 6
Hmmm, we already have CRUACHAN and PRIMORDIAL, but here comes another Irish band playing folk-black metal... This time, the one signed to Century Media. And as you know, this label would never sign a worthless band. Commercial or trendy? Perhaps. But shitty? NEVER. So what to say in regards to WAYLANDER...? This album was recorded at German Stage One Studio with Andy Classen as producer, so production lacks any shortcomings - and so does the music. It’s just perfect folk black / doom metal, professionally performed, melodic and various, as well as not boring at all. However, despite afore-said, this CD doesn’t feature anything SPECIAL, therefore I can’t say that I was amazed by «Reawakening...». Once again; it’s perfect album, although not very exciting... 
P. S. If you enjoy early MOONSPELL’s efforts, like «Wolfheart» for example - buy WAYLANDER without thinking twice! 
 
XYTRAS 
«Passage»
Century Media
rating: 5, 5 of 6
Do I really need to say anything? I believe, all of you already know what I’m talking about here. Yes, XYTRAS is a project of a guy from SAMAEL (new MCD is out, by the way!) and it appears as the ambient version of SAMAEL’s latest full-length CD, i.e. «Passage». Well, Xy is a genius (yes, it’s true!) when it comes to playing keyboards and this CD only proves this obvious fact. 
 
YAMATU
«Ishtur Egishnugal»
Drakkar Productions
rating: 5 of 6
Ooh, Adam Fritz of EN NIHIL has to tremble and fear - now his band has a strong rival in the shape of YAMATU, despite that music of these bands is very different from each other. This band exists for quite a long time - «Ishtur...» (what a title!) was recorded in 1994 but officially released only now through «true» label. Well, Drakkar Productions finally signed the band which is worth something unlike other worthless and pathetic «groups» collaborating with these French guys (MUTIILATION, TORGEIST, etc.) YAMATU consists of one man who names himself as The Essense Of Dalkhu Zilittu being known as Michael Riddick in this earthly world. This guy managed to capture extremely weird atmosphere, sometimes even becoming truly sick which makes «Ishtur...» a bit hard to listen. Besides inhuman «burzumish» screams and declamations by Mike, this tape also features female vocals sounding more than just good - beautiful but representing pure darkness as every sound on this effort... Highly recommended. 
P. S. «Ishtur...» strikes as quite rare release, so I’d better give you Michael’s email so you can contact him in order to get this tape - riddick@erols.com