VRATA T'MY (GATES OF DARKNESS) "Sagi (Sagas)"
self - released, 1997
rating: 4 of 6
Russian "vityaz (warrior) metal" with few background keyboards here and there, very good, poetic lyrics in Russian, some battle choirs and true pagan spirit... If you want any comparison, so be it STORM from Norway, though GATES OF DARKNESS are much more into black metal...

SUNCHARIOT "Betrayal Light Of Fertile Ground"
self - released, 1997
rating: 5 of 6
This band is still very young (formed in 1996), nevertheless their debut effort appears as quite interesting recording. What we have here is a kind of gothic black / death metal in the vein of best Swedish representatives of this style. Various melodies, good non-cliche vocals, masterly instrumental possession and unusual flute parts. Hmmm, that's where they remind me of "Kiss The Goat" by LORD BELIAL, remember the one? Interesting, well written lyrics in English (plus one song in Russian, called "Ravens") which have nothing to do with satanism or other crap like that... The best tune is probably the first one namely "Mother Ground". These guys certainly have something new to offer and they have big future, if they'll manage to create music of the same quality and originality. This demo is soon to be re-issued by Canadian label Soundscape Music in CD format, you are definitely have to check it out! SUNCHARIOT also features some ex-members of sadly collapsed BM band SACRIFICED, which is also worth attention...
Contact address:
c/o Stanislav Ivanoff, P. O. Box 526, 344010, Rostov-On-Don, Russia
Email: stiv@rostov.don.sitek.net.

NAHASH "Wellone Aeternitas"
Ledo Tako Productions, 1996
rating: 4 of 6
"Wellone Aeternitas" is the second output by Lithuanian paganists. What to say about this? BURZUM is the main influence again, I believe.  Good idea of using clean vocals, but they can be hardly heard because of awful production. Both guitarists are also nice, but their solos also suffer a lot from being badly recorded and horribly mixed.  Certainly, this demo is much better than "Noctitula Hecate", their first recording, otherwise all good emotions are almost terminated by producer / mixer / sound engineer, who was drunk as fuck during all studio sessions, I guess... Ok, enough talking shit, let's go to their best sides. These is interesting way of "grim" singing, keyboards (which are also not that great, as they could
be), creating dark atmosphere, taking us in times before the birth of
christianity and, as I already told you, clean vocals... This demo was re-issued as CD by French Drakkar Productions, who are very fond of releasing albums of "true" underground bands with great song titles and unexisting production...  P.S. There are also the following words stated on the cover: "To get an answer, enclose 1$. IRC's will be ignored". What is this??! Do you, guys, want to earn some money, just writing answers??!
Contact address: c/o Vytas Stankus, Traku 5-2, 3000 Kaunas, Lithuania

SLOVISHA "Predanie Volhva"
self - released, 1996
rating: 4 of 6
This guy (SLOVISHA is a one-man band) calls his creations as "dark dungeon music", so I guess there are no comments needed, eh? SLOVISHA plays something to be categorized like "pagan ambient", very close to MORTIIS and early ILDFROST... This demo is very primitive musically, nevertheless it's sincere and very pleasing to the ears. I would recommend this to paganists for relaxation after burning a couple of churches, ha ha!

ORTHANC "Till The Victory..."
self - released, 1996
rating: 4 of 6
Vadim "Skald" (vox) claims that ORTHANC performs so-called "war metal", which in my opinion is not a kind of term, appealing this group's music. But ok, let them call their compositions as they like.  Do you want to know what ORTHANC is all about? Imagine a mix between HELLOWEEN and DARK TRANQUILLITY. Got it? The only complaint I have concerns clean vocals (total shit) and such song titles as "Einherjer" and "Midhard"... Hey, you live in Russia, not Norway, didn't you forget that?!

THRON' "Here Lies Paganism..."
Iriy Records, 1997
rating: 1 of 6
THRON' became popular in Moscow after sequences of scandals with MOR
frontman, known as Leshiy, who curses them for being "posers" (all those childish things again???) and also claims that Valkadlakh and co. stole some of his songs... I don't know if it's true, and honestly speaking I don't care simply because both bands are of NO interest for me. Valkadlakh says that THRON' plays "true pagan metal", but in my opinion, this are only empty words. This band's music is well-played, but soulless and boring with shitty vocals and lack of atmosphere. If they would record it at better studio, if they would invite talented keyboardist, if, if, if, if eternally...

NORGARD "Demo 1996"
Pagan Wisdom Productions, 1996
rating: 3 of 6
This three-song demo was recorded live, so quality is not very good here, though MUCH better than MAYHEM's "Live In Leipzig"... It's quite difficult to characterize NORGARD's music, I think it's something "pagan", with background keyboards and not bad musicianship... I would say that they definitely have some potential, but I need to listen to their studio recordings to give an adequate estimation.

GALLERY OF DREAMS "In The Reign Of Shadows"
self-released, 1997
rating: 5 of 6
Very interesting piece of melancholic doom with plenty of keyboard and piano parts and sad atmosphere. "In The Reign..." appears as fine recorded and performed material, and the only complaint I have here is too traditional and emotionless growls...
Contact address:
c/o Jashin Roman, Leskova St., 21A- 59, Nizhny Novgorod, 603083, Russia

RAKOTH "Dark Ages Chronicle"
self-released, 1997
rating: 5 of 6
Hmm, despite that Obninsk appears as extremely provincial little town, it churns out great bands one by one... Firstly MELISSA, then RAKOTH, which looks like a band with definite potential and originality. Their style is something from the other dimension, comparing to modern Russian BM scene - there's nothing typical here, neither "Norse" influences, nor satanic messages behind "evil" and "true" music. "Dark Ages Chronicles" is quite difficult to be characterized, it's more "doomy", if you get what I mean. This demo is filled with slow, beautiful and tremendous music, featuring
good "clean" vocals, some growls and non-standard BM screams, keyboards, creating depressive atmosphere and acceptable sound quality, taking into account the fact that this tape was recorded during only four (!) hours in very average studio... You could compare them to early BETHLEHEM, although such band as FOREST OF SOULS (especially their first recordings) is something that RAKOTH is much closer to.  Highly recommended to all fans of melancholic and emotional black metal.

ASTROFAES "The Attraction: Heavens And Earth"
Ostracism Records, 1997
rating: 5 of 6
Arh, Kharkov strikes again! I thought that "Lunar Poetry" and "Goat Horns" by NOKTURNAL MORTUM are the only Ukraine's band recordings worth mentioning, but fortunately I was mistaken...  Of course, ASTROFAES need to work harder to obtain recognition among Russian and European BM fans, but already this tape (second from ASTROFAES, if I'm not mistaken) shows some interesting ideas, packed in wrapper of good musicianship and quite good sound quality. In contrast to RAKOTH, "The Attraction..." is pure black metal played in so-called "northern" style, though without ripping anyone off. One of their best sides is non-typical way of screaming with "ghostly" effect laid on vocals.  The only things here I dislike are weak synth recording and 100% BM guitars in worst sense of these words - this raw recording doesn't do anything good for the band. As to originality... well, ASTROFAES are not original at all, but they compile other bands' ideas and influences in very clever way, so you wouldn't find anything stinking with BURZUM, for example... Highly recommended.  Contact address:
Ukraine, 310144, Kharkov-144, ul. Ak. Pavlova, 162-�, apt. 62, c/o
Thurios; Ukraine, 310144, Kharkov-144, ul. Kom. Uborevicha, 8-�, apt. 131, c/o Khorus

FORGOTTEN SPIRIT "The Masters Of Slavonic Forests"
Ukragh Productions, 1997
rating: 6 of 6
What the hell is going on?? Here we have another excellent BM band, and it also comes from Ukraine! It even seems like FORGOTTEN SPIRIT sounds better than NOKTURNAL MORTUM, Ukraine's black metal gods! "The Masters..." is perfectly performed though badly recorded tape, with various melodies, beautiful guitar solos, amazing keyboards and ineffable atmosphere, taking us in times long before Anno Domini... It's original and sincere music, breathing with ancient Slavonic spirit. Check out the opening song, instrumental entitled "The Legend Of Ancient Gods" - it's simply a masterpiece! A MUST for everyone into black metal!
Email: ed@ndesign.com.ua

WITCH DESIRE "Witch Desire"
Pagan Wisdom Productions, 1996
rating: 4 of 6
WITCH DESIRE is a first band, coming from Moldova, I've heard so far,
although there's nothing exotic here. These three guys (?) play
straight-forward traditional black with total lack of new ideas and
originality. Productions sucks, especially when it comes to rhythm guitar parts - they merge into one irritating noise, while solos sound quite pleasing. This band needs to work very hard to reach anything, though it doesn't mean that "Witch Desire" is not worth checking out. Those who appreciate fast, brutal and primitive BM will definitely find this interesting. At least, WITCH DESIRE are much better than those Belgian rip-offs LUGUBRUM.
Contact address: 3505, Moldova, ORHEI, LAKIRA, 23"s", apll
Label address: Russia,Moscow,115470,Klenoviy bulvar, #4-8, Gusev Sergey

COLUMBARIUM "War Apotheosis"
self-released, 1997??
rating: ???
Well, I don't even know what to say about this... This demo consists of only one song, having almost seven minutes in a whole. It's professionally played, with interesting and various melodies, few keyboards, sound quality is also not bad, but... it's extremely unmemorable material and I just can't get in COLUMBARIUM's style. Is it death, doom or black? Or maybe speed metal? "War Apotheosis" left me in total bewilderment, so wouldn't it be better if you, guys, will invite a vocalist and record next demo with more than one song???
Contact addresses: Russia, Khabarovsk, MARSovaya street, 16-43, Sazanski Pavel / Russia, Khabarovsk, TRAMvainaya street, 5-16, Pastuszevski Alex

FEANTURY "... But You Still Believe..."
self-released, 1997
rating: 5 of 6
Quite good debut demo from these "trendy kids" (that's how they call
themselves). FEANTURY sounds a lot like early BEHEMOTH, circa "From The Pagan Vastlands" - it's also mid-paced pagan black with acoustic guitar as the leading instrument. "... But You Still Believe..." features some female backing vocals and sad piano parts with good BM shrieking with sound quality VERY far from being good, although still endurable production. However, this tape has it's bad sides, like extremely weak, almost non-existent drumming and shitty electric guitar. Check out NIRVANA's (!!!) cover "Something In The Way" - if Curt Cobain had heard THIS, he would definitely shot himself much earlier, ha - ha!  P. S. The only thing, I can't understand is the song, entitled "Trendy Kids (Kill Us Behemoth)"... What did you want to tell through this, guys? I have never heard BEHEMOTH talking about "true" - "untrue" thing, if that's what you meant...

CRIMSON MIDWINTER
"Just Another Cold Wasteland" demo 1995
rating: 5 of 6
"Us Mere Mortals" demo 1996
rating: 6 of 6
"Rehearsal 12 / '95"
rating: 3 of 6
"Promo 1997"
rating: 5 of 6
"Our Bastard Race", "Where's The Fire?", "Bloodmetalfist" and "Untitled" - four brand new rehearsal songs
rating: 5 of 6
Let me present you the Finnish band, which (along with DARKWOODS MY
BETROTHED and LET ME DREAM) is one of the best BM hordes coming from that country for a last couple of years, at least in my opinion. Jussi (vocals) have sent me five different recordings, therefore I'll try to give them an adequate estimation in one review. "Just Another Cold Wasteland" was excellent tape for a debut, despite that it looks like much paler comparing to their subsequent releases. This tape includes five tracks of cold atmospheric BM (with few pure death metal influences), featuring some keyboards and nice acoustics here and there. "Us Mere Mortals" was a huge step ahead since "... wasterland" - these four songs are more original and much faster with splendid keyboards, very good vocals (screams?) and great variety of melodies. "Rehearsal 12 / '95" includes songs from "Us Mere Mortals" but this time without keyboards, intros and vocals. Jussi was absolutely right, saying that sound is "fucking awful" (however MAYHEM's "Pure Fucking Armageddon" is much worse, heh heh...) "Promo 1997" surprisingly doesn't have a good sound also - at least, it's much worse, comparing to previous "Us Mere Mortals". Keyboards unfortunately are absent, although music is still very atmospheric, moving closer to typical "Norse" sound - something like first SATYRICON's CD, you know. It's completely another face of CRIMSON MIDWINTER, maybe not so original as before, nevertheless still very good and qualitative. All new tracks are instrumental (though lyrics are almost complete), with total lack of synthesizers. As to music - it's in the same vein as on "Promo", maybe somewhat more individual and diverse. All compositions appear as very decent (especially the last one, yet untitled), but I fear, "Us Mere Mortals" still appeals to me much more than new CRIMSON MIDWINTER's creations... Ok, don't pay much attention to my words - this tape is not professionally recorded and (completely) unarranged, so it might sound much better with vocals and... yes, keyboards (I hope, you are not going to ignore them on your upcoming CD, Jussi?) Watch out for their first full-length album on Black Mark somewhere in mid-1998. I only hope, that this major label won't spoil C. M. and their music will still kick someone's ass!
Contact addresses: c/o Jussi Helenius, Herastuomarinkatu 4 as. 17, 21200
Raisio, Finland
tel: +358-2-4384628
Email: metalglory@hotmail.com (NOT in Summer!)
c/o Jari Laine, Tornikatu 6 A 56, 21200 Raisio, Finland
fax: +358-2-4371877

DEMONS OF GUILLOTINE "Demo 1997"
self-released, 1997
rating: 4, 5 of 6
It seems that Leshiy has a very good temper, because DEMONS OF GUILLOTINE appears as one more band, consisting of ex-MOR members... This demo includes five sufficiently short songs performed on Russian, however you won't understand a word from what Proteus and Pan are singing... Music is much better than their previous band's one, it's more complex, sincere and various with some kind of atmosphere, captured in each song. Nevertheless, bringing in some keyboards and making songs a bit longer wouldn't harm anything...

MAD SANITY "MASSIVE InSANITY" live
self-released, 1996
rating: 4 of 6
Incredibly ridiculous bandname, good cover and layout and surprisingly satisfying production for a live recording. "MASSIVE..." includes eight tracks - two of them recorded live at Terroraiser fest II in April 1995, the third one recorded live at Sumy in November 1996, others - at Terroraiser fest IV in December 1996. Strange, but sound gets weaker and weaker with each song, and I can't understand why. As to music - early BENEDICTION seems to be their main influence and the singer's voice is almost similar to David Ingram on "Grotesque * Ashen Epitaph" album. Generally speaking, MAD SANITY plays fast and aggressive pure death metal with more doom-oriented lyrics, also somehow reminding of the English dudes from BENEDICTION... First two songs are not bad, but unfortunately
they are the only ones.

FESTERGUTS "Delicious Evisceration"
self-released, 1995
rating: 5 of 6
After looking at their bandname and song titles, I didn't expect anything except for stupid CANNIBAL CORPSE-influenced gore metal, but the whole thing turned out absolutely different. FESTERGUTS' style could be described as slow and emotional death / doom with pathologic-anatomical lyrics and atmospheric keyboards, quite often appearing in the background. This tape is a bit old, but now guys are preparing the new one, "more BM-oriented" - sounds interesting.  Contact addresses: c/o Michael Nickolayev, Nikitina 65/30, Kaluga, 248002, Russia and c/o Sergey Vasiliev, Nikitina 81/166, Kaluga, 248003, Russia

SONGE D'ENFER "My Visions In The Forest"
self-released, 1995
rating: 5, 5 of 6
South-American BM scene seems to be a bit underrated in my opinion - it deserves much more attention with such bands as MYSTIFIER, ARGENTUM, MORDETH, TENEBRARUM... and SONGE D'ENFER. Everything is top-quality here - dark cover art, impressive layout and of course excellent music. "My Visions In The Forest" includes three quite long tracks; the first one "Et Vidit Quod Esset Bonum" begins with tremendous keyboard theme to develop into mid-paced pure mystical BM in the way only South-American guys are able to create - extremely dark and atmospheric with stunning synths and non-typical (for Brazil) a-la BURZUM insane vokills (hail, Fog!). Second tune, entitled "My Lady Princess Of Hell (Conjuration To Gorgon)" was featured on "Under The Pagan Moon" compilation, so all those who wanted already got in touch with incredibly dark Art of SONGE D'ENFER. Concerning this song, I only want to mark out all-absorbing dark keyboards, devouring all the light that's left in your feeble soul... "My Visions In The Forest" ends with self-titled song, which strikes as the best one on this tape - it's kinda quintessence of all the best Fog and co. have to offer. If you appreciate extremely atmospheric individual art with ubiquitous darkness, capturing your very soul - don't think twice, buy this stuff NOW.
P.S. The only complaint I have here regards awful "occult" script - it's almost impossible to read anything written on the cover...
Contact address: c/o Fog, P. O. Box 9095, Rio De Janeiro - Rj, cep: 22272-970, Brazil

RESKATOR "Demo 1997"
self-released, 1997
rating: 6 of 6
One more great band, this time more into atmospheric / ambient music. If your collection includes all BURZUM albums, you must remember "Tomhet" (from "Hvis Lyset Tar Oss") and "Rundgang Um Die Transzedentale Saule Der Singularitat" (from "Filosofem") - these songs are the closest comparison (however, quite relative) to RESKATOR's music... It's impossible to write what this band is all about - you just need to listen to this excellent demo and find out yourself.

LUCIFUGUM "Gates Of Nocticula"
self-released, 1996
rating: 4, 5 of 6
First demo from this Ukrainian band includes seven tracks + HELLHAMMER's classic - "Massacra".  LUCIFUGUM sound a lot like their countrymates ASTROFAES - "Gates Of Nocticula" features quite good sympho-black with plenty of keyboards, good shrieking voice and some female vocals. Shortcomings basically are the same - weak synth recording and extremely raw guitar sound, reminding of DARKTHRONE (circa "Under A Funeral Moon" and "Transilvanian Hunger"). The best song is probably the last one, entitled "Inevitable (The Silent End)"...

LUCIFUGUM "The Wolves..."
self-released, 1996
rating: 6 of 6
Here is the second tape from LUCIFUGUM, this time much, much better! "The Wolves..." simply cannot be compared to the old stuff, it seems that two different bands were recording these tapes. Good production and musicianship, well thought-out arrangements with excellent keyboards, better vocals and guitar parts - everything improved since "Gates To Nocticula". I won't dare to say that this is original, but who cares, if there's a really great music, capturing listener's attention since the very first sounds... A MUST.
Contact address:
c/o Igor Naumchuk, 107 / 30, Shevchenko St., Zhitomir, 252024, Ukraine

SKYFORGER "Semigalls' Warchant"
self-released, 1997
rating: 6 of 6
The only Latvian metal band, I have ever heard is HUSQUARN which plays straightforward thrash with death influences, therefore I was intrigued after this cassette fell in my hands with cover saying that SKYFORGER plays "warlike pagan black metal"... Well, this band entirely justified my hopes with their perfectly recorded and performed fierce raging black metal, fast but never loosing the atmosphere, with male chants here and there and Peter's amazing screams. There're no keyboards here (as it proudly stated on the cover), only national instruments like kokle, shepherd's horn, rattle stick plus some pipes and flute as well. I wouldn't say that "Semigalls' Warchant" is purely original recording, but it is a kind of stuff that I really enjoy listening to. Main influences, which could be heard on this tape, are early IMMORTAL and MAYHEM's "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas", while "Sen Dzirdeju, Nu Ieraugu" (which appears as ancient Latvian folk song) heavily reminds me of ISENGARD (especially those first four compositions on "Hostmorke"). Did I say that four songs of six (with an exception for the short intro) are sung in Latvian?

HEAVEN GREY "Memory River"
self-released, 1996
rating: 5 of 6
One more Latvian band and more very good recording, although "Memory
River" represents pure gothic Doom, unlike the band, reviewed above. Here we have kinda mix between CEMETARY '93 and LAKE OF TEARS '95, however still quite original and very interesting. Ansis sings solely in hoarse (very pleasant) voice, hence "Memory..." doesn't feature any traditional growls. Some cello parts are also present in HEAVEN GREY's sound, making it more beautiful and melancholic. All songs are diverse melodically with certain atmosphere and sobbing guitar solos, masterly performed by Siga (who also plays keyboards). The best one here is "Upe", no doubts - it's the most interesting and "gothic" tune on "Memory..." and it's sung in Latvian, although, in contrast to SKYFORGER, and as I already said, Ansis doesn't neither growl, nor scream, consequently you can hear every single word...  Highly recommended to all lovers of beautiful and sad music.