ANTE-INFERNO

 

Origen: Reino Unido, Scarborough.

Formados: 2017

Estilo: Black

Temática:?

Enlaces: Bandcamp, deezer, facebook, spotify y youtube

Miembros:

• B.G Guitarra
• G.S Batería
• K.B Guitarra y voces
• N.L. Bajo

Discografía:

• A Dream of the Devil Demo 2017  
• On the Precipice of Life & Death Single 2019  
• Fane CD 2020
• Antediluvian Dreamscapes CD 2022
• The Cavernous Blackness of Night Single 2024  
• Death's Soliloquy CD 2024

DEATH´S SOLILOQUY (2024)

Tercera entrega para los ingleses Ante-Inferno, un nuevo álbum que se aleja un tanto de lo ofrecido en su anterior "Antediluvian Dreamscapes"(2022), para aún así logran conservar ese tono atmosférico, pero fundido con un sonido mucho más directo y agresivo en todas sus facetas. Un álbum centrado en una temática relaciona tanto con la muerte, como en la depresión y problemas mentales, construido sobre un sonido de guitarras con esa dosis equilibrada de melodía y crudeza, con una batería que se mueve con soltura a la hora de mantener un ritmo pausado para construir todo ese entamado de guitarras y bajo que nos va sumergiendo en al locura y la desesperación, pero también sabiendo equilibrar la balanza a la hora de elevar su presencia e intensidad para golpearnos y despertarnos de  nuestra ensoñación en forma de un sonido mucho más directo, de mayor profundidad y violencia. El álbum suena muchas veces denso, oscuro y profundo, una sensación de muerte y dolor se cierne sobre nosotros de la mano de las voces de K.B., mucho mas centrado en sus interpretaciones gracias a la incorporación de nuevos miembros a la formación recientemente. Con una líneas de guitaras que logran fundir lo escabroso, con la crudeza y la melodías profundas, con una mayor densidad del sonido fruto del trabajo de N.I al bajo. El álbum se muestra mucho más directo, transitando sin problemas por una interpretación de un black más clásico, con influencias death que de alguna forma se han logrado colar en el conjunto, para acabar por ofrecer un álbum de black poderoso y desolador. (7,8).

Vendetta Records

1. The Cavernous Blackness of Night  

2. Towards Asphyxiating Darkness  

3. Cold. Tenebrous. Evil  

4. Into the Eternity of Death  

5. No Light till Life's End  

6. An Axe. A Broadsword. A Bullet  

7. Thalassophobia

Sadomortuary ‎– Sadomortuary 3,99 €

Cassette, Mini-Album, Limited Edition, Numbered

VALONTUOJA - INTERVIEW

1. Valontuoja is starting up in 2024 and has just released its first full-length album, what prompted you to create Valontuoja? Why did you choose the name Valontuoja and what does it refer to?

 Valontuoja means ''Bringer Of Light'' and well it has multiple meanings example ''Lucifer'' or just bringer of light but the question is what kind of light this brings and i chose this name because it fits so well for this project.

2. You also have another project in the works called “Malasorte”, how do you combine both projects and how do you choose what fits in one or the other?

Valontuoja is in Finnish and Malasorte is in English, but musically they have different emotions behind them & different riffing & melody styles and i know always when the song is done which project it goes.

3. How was the composition and recording process of “Luonnon armoilla”? What brands of instruments have you used in the process?

The composing is always easiest but the mixing/mastering/vocals are the hardest. I used my trustworthy Ibanez guitar and Jaco fretless bass and basic/cheapest Roland drum kit and the microphone was Logitech Usb microphone.

4. The album's sound captures the aggressiveness, rawness and coldness of the most classic black, but all of it surrounded by certain elements of melodic overtones, focused on the tradition of Finnish black. How would you describe the album's sound for those who haven't heard it yet? What bands and styles are an influence on you when composing music for Valontuoja?

Of course Emperor and Horna & Sargeist & Vargrav. The simple anwer is Melodic Black Metal.

5. The lyrics are written in Finnish. Is there a common thread between the lyrics and the figures wandering through the frozen landscape? What are the lyrics about? Why did you choose Finnish to write your lyrics?

Themes are heavily nature inspired but there are also esoteric/occult themes and darkness also destruction etc. I chose Finnish because it sounds primal & because i live in Finland.

6. There is not much information about the entire process related to the recording, mixing and mastering of the album. Did you take care of this entire process yourself or did you have the help of outside personnel? What was the most difficult part of this entire process?

I did everything and as i said before mixing/mastering/vocals was the hardest.

7. Who designed the album cover? What does it represent and how does it relate to the content of the album?

 I did the album cover as a Pseudonym JTR and well the CD is titled Luonnon Armoilla which means At The Mercy Of Nature so it should invoke the feeling of coldness etc.

8. The album has been released by Inverse Records, how did the possibility of releasing the album through this record label come about? Is there a possibility of other future releases in other formats?

I sent the material to my friend in Inverse Records and he liked it so it was easy process. We discussed about vinyl release but first there should be a good amount of demand we do that.

9. The album moves between that cold and heartbreaking sound of Finnish black and certain more melodic influences, with a certain tone of darkness also very similar to Finnish black, what can you tell us about the Finnish black metal scene? Am I right in saying that it is a great influence for you? What is the extreme metal scene like in a city like Helsinki today? What bands from your environment would you recommend?

There are lots of good Finnish black metal bands and always great riffs and melodies inspire me so yes you can say that. Extreme music scene in Finland generally is doing well at least that is my opinion, i recommend of course my projects Valontuoja & Malasorte and of course Horna, Sargeist, Satanic Warmaster, Vargrav, Behexen, Beherit, Archgoat.

10. How did you start in music: first concerts you attend, first albums you buy? What event in your life pushed you to want to be a musician?

I think the first concert was Children Of Bodoms gig but i don't remember when it was because of finnish vodka. I think when i listened first time Emperor's Anthems album i was about 14 or 15 years old then i wanted to be musician.

11. What album represents the essence of black metal for you? What last albums have you bought?

Horna: Nyx was the last album i bought, but the Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk is my all time favorite that captures the essence very well.

12. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit, if you want to add something for the fans of Valontuoja this is the place. I hope you like the questions

No problem, thanks for the interview and i hope in 2025 will be released the next album.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aethyrick ‎– Pilgrimage 36,99 €

Vinyl, LP, Album

TIME LURKER

 

Origen: Francia, Estrasburgo

Formados: 2014

Estilo: Black atmosférico

Temática: Cosmos, espacio y realidad

Enlaces: Bandcamp, deezer, facebook y spotify

Miembros: 

• Mick Todos los instrumentos

Discografía:

• I EP 2016  
• Ethereal Hands Single 2016  
• Time Lurker CD 2017
• Time Lurker / Cepheide Split 2019
• Emprise CD 2024  

EMPRISE (2024)

Después de casi siete años desde la edición de su primer larga duración Time Lurker regresan con su segundo álbum, esta vez con la incorporación de Sotte a las voces. El álbum es un viaje a las profundidades del cosmos, de la soledad, de espacios amplios, crudos y gélidos, fluyendo su black de corte atmosférico sin apenas ambages, libre a la hora de lograr trasportarnos a un ambiente que poco a poco se van convirtiendo en un sudario que sirve de mortaja al oyente. Guitarras que ofrecen un crudeza insondable, repletas de riffs solemnes, con un componente raw, pero sin descuidar en segundo plano esas melodías y ambientación de corte tanto depresivo como melancólico, ganando esa ambientación oscura y sombría a cada paso, con un ritmo que sabe mantener la intensidad para el conjunto no se resiente. Las voces no lo van a la zaga, con esa dosis de crudeza que se le puede presuponer si nos hemos dejado atrapar por la ambientación del álbum. Es un álbum corto, poco más de treinta minutos y cinco temas, pero es imposible no caer rendido ante ese sonido atmosférico, perfectamente equilibrado entre crudeza y melancolía, oscuridad y depresión, pero sobre todo hay que destacar que logra atraparnos en esa ambientación sombría que se trasforma en un golpe de realidad para despertarnos de nuestra ensoñación. (8,3).

Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions

1. Emprise 03:01  

2. Cavalière de feu 07:38  

3. Poussière mortifère 09:08  

4. Disparais, soleil 05:26  

5. Fils sacré 08:33  

  33:46

Sulphur Aeon ‎– Seven Crowns And Seven Seals 38,99 €

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Howling Void, 180g

BURIAL OATH

 

Origen: E.E.U.U., Cleveland

Formados: 2015

Estilo: Black

Temática: Ocultismo y satanismo

Enlaces: Apple, bandcamp, deezer, facebook e instagram

Miembros:

• Dominic Passalacqua Guitarra
• JV Green Bateria
• Mor Grish Voces
• Rob Schroeder  Bajo

Discografía:

• Burial Oath EP 2016  
• Beyond the Vale of Shadowlands CD 2017  
• Black Altar Invocations EP 2017  
• Subjugation of the Bastard Son CD 2018  
• Kingdom of Fire Single 2024  
• The Cycles of Suffering CD 2024

THE CYCLES OF SUFFERING (2024)

Tercera entrega para los de Cleveland, un álbum forjado en las profundidades del black metal americano, lleno de elementos diferenciadores, pero al mismo tiempo también sabiendo plasmar las influencias del black más clásico. Hay que destacar el sonido de batería de JV Green (ex-Uada), con una propuesta no exenta de cierto tecnicismo que dota al conjunto de un estilo y sonido diferenciador en este aspecto, sabiendo tejer un entramado de sonido de ritmo medio cuando es necesario, en donde se construye una cierta atmósfera de tintes ocultista, pero sabiendo también subir el tono cuando es necesario para logra mayor contundencia. Las guitarras son afiladas y densas, solapándose perfectamente con el bajo y contrayendo un entramado driecto y potente en las secciones más puras de black metal, epro sabiendo también transitar por pasajes más contemplativos en donde las atmósferas ganan enteros en una suerte de oscuridad y crudeza. Ambos aspectos de su propuesta hacen que el sonido se muestre dinámico, por una parte esa faceta directo y oscura de puro black metal y por tora esas secciones que invitan a un tono más reflexivo, sabiendo equilibrar de forma acertada violencia y crudeza, con partes más melódicas y evocadoras en segundo plano. Hay que destacar también el trabajo del nuevo vocalista Mor Grish, el cual se mantiene impermutable en ese tono lleno de crudeza y agresividad, con ciertas dotes oscuras, que sabe integrarse y adaptarse al plano musical, ofreciendo si cabe una faceta más directa de la música, Un álbum que en definitiva, sabe ofrecer un tono directo que se nutre del sonio black más clásico, con algunas influencias thrash a la hora de ofrecer cierta melodías y en algunas estructuras también, pero con aportes de cierto carácter más actual, logrando hacer de este álbum una pieza única (7,8).

Redefining Darkness Records

1. Void Hunter 05:53  

2. Deathbringer 05:22  

3. The Cycles of Suffering 03:24  

4. Howling Promethean Winds 04:37  

5. Shadows Suspended in Dust 04:09  

6. Pagan Fires 04:52  

7. Kingdom of Fire 02:50  

  31:07

Vuur & Zijde ‎– Boezem 42,99 €

Vinyl, LP, Album, Yellow / Red / Black Marble

VALONTUOJA

 

Origen: Finlandia, Helsinki

Formados: 2024

Estilo: Black

Temática: Coas, esoterismo, iluminación, muerte, naturaleza y oscuridad

Enlaces: Bandcamp, deezer, facebook, spotify y youtube

Miembros:

• Jal'zoroth Todos los instrumentos y voces

Discografía:

• Kodistani karkoitettu Single 2024  
• Jään tulen alle Single 2024  
• Luonnon armoilla CD 2024

LUONNON ARMOILLA (2024)

Álbum debut para Jal'zoroth al frente de este nuevo proyecto de black metal finlandés, en donde encuentra un equilibrio de sonido entre esa propuesta más dura y agresiva del estilo, con otras sonoridades más oscuras con cierto toque melódico, sin que ninguna de estas dos facetas se solapen hasta encontrar un acertado equilibrio. De buenas a primeras la propuesta se muestra directa, con un ritmo relativamente ato, sin que la batería tenga un peso del todo definido, pero si sabiendo mantener la intensidad que anteriormente comentaba. El entramado de guitarras es abrumador, sonando crudas, directas y gélidas con infinidad de riffs unas veces violentos, otros más centrados en querer desgranar algunas melodías, y es aquí, entre esa parte más directa y cruda, con ese aura melódica que se va colando en el fondo de las composiciones, en donde el álbum sobresale. El conjunto suena ciertamente inmersivo, los temas se suceden como un todo, con algunas concesiones en terrenos de atmosferas, fruto del despliegue de riffs y sobre todo de lo abrumador del sonido, sobre todo a la hora de trasmitir oscuridad, cierto caos y un fuerte contacto con la naturaleza. Las voces no le van a la zaga a la hora de interpretar ese tono crudo y frío, acorde con la parte instrumental, dentro de un álbum que se encuadra perfectamente en se sonido fines, tanto en aquel más crudo y directo, como en otros en el cual la oscuridad y ciertos elementos melódicos acaban por llamar la atención, logrando en este caso transitar por la delgada linea que separa ambas vertientes. Con un obra de arte como portada que llama la atención, Valontuoja se perfila como la enemista banda finesa de black metal que seguramente dará que hablar en las próximas fechas. (7,6).

Inverse Records

1. Kodistani karkoitettu 04:23

   Tuulen humina kutsuu minua,

Kuiskaus synkän metsän siimeksessä.

Kodistani karkoitettu, maanpakolainen

Sieluni kaipaa takaisin.

Sydämeni kaipaa kallioita ja järviä,

Jylhää metsää ja villiä virtaa.

Mutta väkivalta vei minut pois,

Kotini riistettiin minulta.

Puiden huuto kaikuu korvissani,

Kun maa itkee menetettyä lastaan.

Kodistani karkoitettu, mutta sydämeni

Kotini muistaa

Kun tähdet loistavat yötaivaalla,

Muistan kotini kauneuden.

Vaikka maailma yrittää vieraaksi tehdä minut,

Sisälläni palaa liekki, joka ei sammu.

Kodistani karkoitettu, mutta silti

Sieluni kotiin kaipaa, luontoon palaa.

Raskaat askeleet kulkevat vieraalla maalla,

Kaipuu kaihoisana sydämessäni kaikuu.

2. Jään tulen alle 04:09

  Syöksyn syvyyksiin,

Tulen palavaan syleilyyn.

Jään kylmään ikuiseen,

Pimeyden valtakuntaan vaeltamaan.

Vereni virtaa mustana,

Kuin yöllinen joki,

Joka sydäntäni jäähdyttää,

Mutta sieluani polttaa.

Jään tulen alle,

Kuin varjojen valtias,

Kuiskien kivulle ja kauneudelle,

Rakkaudesta kuolemaan.

Pimeyden siivet lepäävät ylläni,

Kylmä tuuli kuiskaa nimeni,

Ja polttava liekki sydämessäni lepää,

Kutsuen minua kohti tuonpuoleista.

Jään tulen alle,

Missä kylmyys ja kuolema sulautuvat yhteen,

Missä tuskani ja kaihoni ovat yhtä,

Ja minä olen yksinäinen matkani kanssa.

Yön varjot laulavat ikuisuuden laulua,

Kuoleman kylmä syleily odottaa

Jään tulen alle,

Kuin varjojen valtias,

Kuiskien kivulle ja kauneudelle,

Rakkaudesta kuolemaan.

Mutta minä olen valmis,

Astumaan rohkeasti kohti pimeyttä.

Jään tulen alle,

Missä kylmyys ja kuolema sulautuvat yhteen,

Missä tuskani ja kaihoni ovat yhtä,

Ja minä olen yksinäinen matkani kanssa.

3. Loista silloin kun muu maailma tuhoutuu 06:07

Tuulen viima kylmyydessään, metsän siimekseen kutsuu minut. Yön hämärässä varjot tanssivat, ja kuun valo paljastaa salatun. Maailman tuhon keskellä, luonto kukoistaa voimakkaana. Puiden humina laulaa tarinaa, vuorten huiput kertovat menneistä. Pimeys ympäröi mutta ei pelota, sillä luonnon voima on loputon. Loista silloin kun muu maailma tuhoutuu, luonnon kauneus on ikuinen. Mustan mielen sekä sielun syvyys, yhtyy luonnon ääniin ikuisesti. Syvyyksien hiljaisuudessa käy askel, kuoleman varjojen läpi vaeltaja kulkee. Rikkoutuneet rungot kuiskaavat menneitä, ja veri musta virtaa läpi maan. Pimeyden valtakuntaan matkani vie, missä aurinko ei koskaan nouse. Kuoleman kylmyys syleilee ympärillä, mutta sieluni kirkas liekki palaa. Loista silloin kun muu maailma tummuu, luonnon kauneus voittaa pimeyden. Mustan sielun voima vahvana, kun luonto herää eloon kuoleman yöstä.  

4. Vanhan valtakunnan raunioilla 05:22

Ikuisen yön varjot,

hiljaa hiipivät rauniot.

Menneen loiston kaiku,

kantaa kylmän tuulen mukanaan.

Murtuneet tornit, vaiti huutavat,

kuoleman syleilyssä, kuninkaan valtaistuin.

Loputon pimeys,

kurkottaa taivaaseen, mustana käärmeenä.

Kivettyneet kasvot, ikuisessa unessa,

odottavat unohdettuja jumalia.

Hautautuneet salaisuudet,

mustan maan syvyyksiin.

Veri, kerran vuotanut,

vielä kuiskii ikiaikaista vihaa.

Hylättyjen sielujen itku,

kaikuu tyhjyydessä.

Vanhan valtakunnan raunioilla,

kuolema löytää kodin.

Yön hiljaisuus,

syöpyy läpi luiden.

Kylmän tähden alla,

loputtoman yön sylissä.

Mustat siivet,

peittävät kuihtuneen maan.

Kuun hopeinen valo,

virtaa rikkinäisistä ikkunoista.

Korppi se istuu,

kuninkaan murtuneella valtaistuimella,

sen silmissä hehkuu muinainen viisaus.

Verinen kuu,

jäätyneen järven yllä.

Menneisyyden varjot,

kietoutuvat pimeään.

Aavemaiset huudot,

kantautuvat autioista metsistä

Kivettyneet portit,

vaikenevat totuuden edessä.

Raunioiden keskellä,

tuuli kuiskii unohduksista.

Maahan kaivetut haarniskat, ne

Rappeutuu

Pimeys, kaikkialla,

hiljaisuus, ääretön.

Loputtomat yöt,

sulkevat meidät syleilyynsä.

Aika seisoo paikallaan,

raunioilla vallitsee ikuinen yö.

5. Läpi läpinäkyvän 05:18  

 Läpi Läpinäkyvän, pimeyden huuto kaikuu,

Metsän varjoissa sielut vaeltavat,

Mustan veren virta valuu maahan,

Tuulen henkäys korvissa kuiskaa kuolemaa.

Yön tummuus peittää maailman,

Kuoleman varjo lepää yllämme,

Tähtien valo himmenee pimeyden tieltä,

Käärmeen kieli kiertyy ympärillämme.

Sielu hukkuu synkkyyden syövereihin,

Valon kajastus ei löydä tietään,

Kuoleman kylmä kosketus polttaa ihoa,

Loputtoman pimeyden syleily kutsuu.

Läpi Läpinäkyvän, pimeyden valtias kulkee,

Kuoleman varjojen alla vaeltavat varjot,

Mustan sielun kutsu kaikuu kaukaisuudesta,

Ikuisen yössä sielumme vaipuu.

Läpi Läpinäkyvän, syvyyksien hiljaisuus kaikuu,

Kuoleman huudot lävistävät yötaivaan

Tuhon tuuli kulkee kaukaisilla mailla,

Pimeyden enkelit laulavat kuoleman laulua,

Ruoskat raapivat sielumme pintaa,

Läpi Läpinäkyvän, kohti loputonta yötaivasta.

6. Sokeus joka hallitsi on pois pyyhitty 05:16

Syvyyksissä pimeyden, valon kajo ei kietoudu. Hiljaisuuden huuto lävistää sieluni syvimmät sopukat. Kuoleman kylmä käsi syleilee minua varoen, mutta minä hylkään sen, sillä kuolema ei ole loppu, vaan alku uudelle matkalle. Tuulen humina kuljettaa äänetöntä lauluani, joka kaikuu unohduksen yössä. Sokeus, joka hallitsi, on pois pyyhitty uuden auringon noustessa. Veren punaista jälkeä jätän jälkeeni metsän kätköihin. Kuun kalpea valo heijastuu mustan järven pinnalla. Siipien suhina yössä, kun tummat enkelit laskeutuvat maahan. Heidän laulunsa kaiku lävistää sieluni ja herättää sen henkiin. Mustan valon sydän sykkii pimeyden voimaa. Sokeus, joka hallitsi, on pois pyyhitty, ja minä olen vapaa lentämään kohti kuolemattomuuden valoa.  

7. Kasva siellä, missä kaikki on tuhkana 05:22

Hiljaisuuden kohdussa,

tuhkanharmaan taivaan alla,

maa hengittää kuiskaten,

kehtona tulen luut.

Juuret kietoutuvat varjoihin,

etsien lohtua palaneesta kohdusta,

missä vihreän aaveet

kerran tanssivat auringon syleilyssä.

Hiilet, mustuneet ja kylmät,

piirtävät unohdettujen unien kuvioita,

palaneen maan verisuonet

missä elämä ja kuolema

hurmiossa kietoutuvat yhteen.

Tuuli, valittava hymni,

kantaa mädän tuoksua,

kaatuneiden lehtien sielunmessun,

Kuitenkin autiuden sydämessä,

missä maa on surulla kyllästetty,

toivon hentoinen verso

lävistää epätoivon verhon.

Tuhkasta,

hauras vihreä

uskaltaa kurottaa kohti taivasta,

ja juoda itkevän taivaan kyyneliä.

Kasva siellä, missä kaikki on tuhkana,

missä yö on ikuinen,

ja aurinko on kaukainen muisto.

Kasva siellä, missä tuli

on jättänyt katkeran suudelmansa,

ja ilma on paksua

tuhon mausta.

Sillä tuhon keskellä,

on jälleensyntyminen,

uhmakkaan hengen todiste,

järkähtämättömän sydämen hymni.

Luonto, aina hellittämätön,

kuiskaa valansa

nousta jäänteistä,

muovata elämä tuhkasta,

kutoa kauneutta

lopun säikeistä.

8. Hengitä vihdoin puhdasta ilmaa 07:28

Syvällä metsien humussa,

kuuset kohoavat korkeuksiin,

ja tuuli laulaa niiden latvoissa.

Verenpunainen taivas valaisee

kivikkoisen maan,

joka on otettu takaisin luonnon helmaan.

Sateen piiskatessa maata

kuolevaiset katoavat,

ja luonto voittaa jälleen kerran.

Hengitä vihdoin puhdasta ilmaa,

luonto on voittanut,

ja meidän on taivuttava sen tahtoon.

Syvyyksissä synkkien metsien,

missä varjot vallitsevat,

luonto kukoistaa voitonriemuisena.

Riutuneiden raunioiden keskellä,

missä ihmisen jäljet haalistuvat,

luonto nousee voittajana ylpeänä.

Puhdasta ilmaa hengitä,

luonto voiton maljan kohottaa,

ja meidän on taivuttava sen edessä.

Hengitä vihdoin puhdasta ilmaa,

luonto on voittanut,

ja meidän on taivuttava sen tahtoon.

  43:25

Sexual Predator ‎– American Nightmare (Cassette Limited edition to 50 copies) 5,99 €

Cassette

HÄDANGÅNGEN

 

Origen: Suecia, Gothenburg

Formados: ?

Estilo: Black

Temática: Desolación, frustración, muerte, naturaleza, orgullo, renacimiento y vacío

Enlaces: Bandcamp, facebook, instagram y youtube.

Miembros:

• Vindsval Todo

Discografía:

• Sorgens borg Single 2023  
• Likf​ä​rd EP 2023  
• Tomhet CD 2024

TOMHET (2024)

Vindsval se ha sacado de la manga un proyecto mas personal, en donde se aleja de lo ofrecido por su otra banda Mara, proponiendo en este caso una visión más intimista, fría y melancólica de black metal. Este primer lanzamiento logra sumergirnos en las profundidades de un bosque, en lo más oscuro e insondable de la desesperación humana, con un mezcla acertada de crudos y gélidos riffs, con un ambientación melancólica y fría. La música logra trasladaros perfectamente a lo reflejado en la portada del álbum, en donde hay muerte en la persona ahorcada, hay melancolía en la persona que llora desconsolada a sus pies y hay naturaleza reflejada en el búho y en la cabaña en el bosque. Con un sonido de batería que agradece la construcción de medios tiempos para que el sonido languidezca y se preste a esas secciones más atmosféricas que se adentran por terrenos melancólicos, con secciones prácticamente instrumentales, en donde el sonido se ve acompañado de un búho o del viento meciendo la hojas. Cuando el sonido se muestra más contundente, la batería sube enteros, los riffs suenan desgarrados, llenos de crudeza y furia, todo ello siempre acompañado tanto de esa ambientación de sonidos de naturaleza, como un cierto toque de melancolía, fruto tanto de los arreglos de teclado como de la interpretación de las guitarras, aunque las presencia de las voces trasmite esa crudeza y desesperación infinita que emana del conjunto. Melancólico, crudo y desolador, así se presenta el primer larga duración de Hädangången, un álbum inmersivo, hipnótico y deudor de la escuela escandinava de black metal (8,3).

1. I skuggan av mitt hjärta 07:30  

2. En tår av vemod 05:27   

3. Nattlig bekännelse 03:10  

4. Kampen till friheten 05:36  

5. I ottan är du kommen 05:48  

6. Snödroppe 02:52  

  30:23

Ifrinn ‎– Caledonian Black Magick 18,99 €

Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Mini-Album

TOTAL HATE - INTERVIEW

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1. Total Hate began its journey around the year 2000, the name is clear and concise, but hate for what and towards what? Is all that hatred that inspired you to create the band still relevant today or do you think something could have changed?

- Well, the motives from back then are still present today, perhaps they have shifted somewhat or were simply accepted as unchangeable. The virus humanity was and still is simply unbelievably stupid and should largely be eradicated. With everything that is currently happening on this planet, humanity is definitely on the right track. 

2. Although you have been active for more than two decades, it seems that you are going through your best moment, this seems that it has not always been like this, from the original formation of the band only you continue, how have you faced all the passage of different musicians in the band, has it been a totally necessary process to move forward or at some point have you thought of putting an end to Total Hate?

- Yes it's been a long time when I founded the band. Every line-up change had a reason, usually because musicians were tired and were no longer giving 100%. Some had lost interest in black metal, some didn't want to play live anymore. Everything had to happen in order to have a very strong line-up with motivated guys. But breaking up the band was never an option. 

3. Following the above, you already have your sixth full-length ready, just one year after your previous album. Can we talk about two albums that are sound-consistent? Did you already have in mind when finishing the previous one how you wanted the new album to sound? How was the whole process of composing and recording “Forthcoming Age of the Reaper”? What brands of instruments have you used in the process?

- I think you can't really compare "Marching Towards Humanicide" with our new album. Both are 100% Total Hate albums, but on the one hand our long-time guitarist Aer had written several songs on the previous album and on the other hand we recorded a little differently this time. We knew that Czernobog would be writing most of the songs on "Forthcoming Age..." and were excited to hear what the result would sound like. He and Serrator worked out most of the songs together in the rehearsal room and then we all flew to Norway to record the album in a week and we were faster than expected. Some ideas came spontaneously in the studio. We were allowed to borrow all the instruments, which was very practical and way cheaper than bringing our own guitars with us. Our drummer played on a Yamaha kit, Goathammer had a solar guitar, I can't really remember the rest right now. 

4. It seems that with each new Total Hate release, the sound becomes more violent and raw, thanks, I think, to the successful balance between that classic and underground black sound with more current influences. Above all, I would like to highlight the production work of Mattis Elvestuen in this new album. How important do you think Mattis’ work has been in achieving the final touch to the sound of the album? What bands and styles are an influence for you when working on the music of Total Hate? How would you define the sound of the new album for someone who doesn’t know you yet?

- I would say the sound is more brutal and powerful than the previous releases, yes. The first two albums were a bit rougher, because we recorded everything ourselves. We didn't really have much of a clue how to do it all back then. Recording with Mattis was definitely amazing, because someone with such a musical background doesn't need to be told what black metal should sound like. For my part, I have strong roots in the scandinavian, or norwegian, 90s and I think that applies to all songwriters. On the new album, we may have drifted a little towards Finland in one or two songs, where there is currently the strongest black metal scene, but bands like Impaled Nazarene, Horna, Crimson Evenfall, Musta Surma & Warloghe have always been an influence for us. I would say if you want to hear honest, aggressive, hateful music that has class, then you should listen to our stuff. 

5. Satanism, anti-humanity, hate and more hate. When it comes to writing the lyrics, I see that you don't lack inspiration in the world we live in. Are these themes inherent to a style like black metal? Do the lyrics adapt to the music or vice versa?

- This topics fit perfectly with black metal and it seems that this music was created for it. There are maybe one or two genres where these topics would also fit, but black metal is definitely number 1. I think these kinds of lyrics called for this kind of music. 

6. You have worked with Munin's View to create the album cover. What is the meaning of this cover? What did you want to convey to the listener with it and how does it relate to the content of the album?

- The idea for the cover came about in the studio. I guess everybody realizes the grim reaper on the cover. He will swing his scythe very often in the coming months and years and many people will die in the coming times, everything points to this and some have understood it, others still don't want to or can't see it. With a few exceptions, most of the lyrics are about this too. 

7. War Anthem Records will be in charge of the album release. The previous album was released by Eisenwald. Why this change of record label for the release of the new album? Is the cassette release a tribute to the releases of the nineties? What is your opinion of a physical format like the cassette today? Is there a certain nostalgia for past times in this format?

- In fact, the last three albums were released through Eisenwald and Eternity Records. I had the feeling that we were treading water and that we needed to try something new. That affected the label, the studio and the cover and I feel that the decisions were the right ones. When I discovered music as a child, there were only cassettes and vinyl, and later came the CD. I think it's great that there are still tapes, all of our releases were also on tape and as long as there are labels and fans who support that, Total Hate stuff will be released on all three formats. 

8. “Dødsmarsj til helvete” is the song that closes the album, which is a cover of the Norwegian band Urgehal. Why did you choose this band and this song to close the album? How did the process of covering the song take place?

- The song is more than just a cover. It helps ensure that Trondr Nefas' legacy will never be forgotten. We met the Urgehal guys in Germany in 2002, met up now and again, sometimes in Oslo, sometimes in Germany, traded releases and are still in touch after all the years. The song just fits our style well and we have covered it live several times. We always wanted to record the song and when we were in Hønefoss to record the album, it was just the perfect moment. The song was only supposed to be included as an LP bonus track, but later we decided to add it on the cassette and CD versions too. 

9. With more than twenty years of career behind you in the black metal scene, I suppose you have faced different difficulties over time. What does black metal mean to you? How do you think the black metal scene in Germany has evolved over these years? What do you miss the most from the scene of the late nineties? What is the black metal scene like in a city like Nuremberg?

- I have been involved in black metal for almost 30 years and, unlike those who were involved for a few years and then disappeared again, I can say that black metal is more than just music and a way of life. The magic of this music and of metal in general will never end. There used to be countless good bands in Germany, but today there are probably not even half as many as there were back then. What bothers me most is the appropriation of black metal by people who constantly bring politics into it, these constant witch hunts on labels, musicians and bands and the fact that bands today call themselves black metal who would have been pulled off the stage in the 90s. In the past, there were many good bands like I said, that appeared on stage with corpse paint, fire, blood, gladiator boots, bullets and spikes. Today, on the one hand, there are short-haired students with their glasses and sneakers and on the other hand, people pull a sack over their heads or put on silly helmets and put on a ridiculous show on stage or a combination of both. Back then, people were serious about it and there were unwritten rules that everyone respected. The fact that there are always some crappy metal comedy films in the cinema says it all. (Black) metal is not a joke, but has been made into one over the years and it is time for hate, aggression, violence, seriousness, intolerance, anger and rebellion to return. Metal must become a thorn in society’s side again! I haven't lived in Nuremberg for a few years now and have somewhat lost track, but it would be news to me that there are pure black metal bands outside of our circle that uphold the old values. Unfortunately, Wolfthorn no longer exists, Aether and Lunatic Affliction are among the only ones who still breathe the air of the 90s. Black metal in Nuremberg had its heyday when Akhenaten of Judas Iscariot lived here, after that it declined. There have also been a few concerts in the past that have been cancelled, so I prefer to travel to other cities for black metal shows. It feels like there are far more people in our hometown who listen to the music than there were back in the late 90s, but unfortunately black metal and Nuremberg only work within a certain framework. Other good bands from our area are Goath, Horns of Domination, Hellish Crossfire & Venenum to name some.

10. Have you already started to present some new songs from the new album live? What concert dates have you already set? With which bands would you like to share the bill on a tour due to ideological and sound affinity?

- Yes, at the last show in Erfurt we already had 2 new songs in the setlist. For personal reasons we can't play any more shows until the summer as it seems, so in january we'll be playing our last show until around september with our brothers from Drudensang and Valosta Varjoon. There are also plans for our 25th years anniversary show near our hometown. The last tour with Drudensang, Whiskey Ritual and Amystery was very good and I could imagine touring again with this line-up. Otherwise it would be great to tour with a bigger band, but we won't pay for it and we don't want to play bands with rock star attitudes either. Marduk, Watain, Endezzma, Taake, Carpathian Forest or Urgehal would be great. The latter probably won't happen. 

11. How did you get started in music: first concerts you attended, first albums you bought? What event in your life made you want to be a musician?

- When I was a child I loved searching for music on the radio for ages, but I didn't like much of it. When I heard rock songs by Michael Jackson or the Beastie Boys I thought "that's exactly what I like". There was also a show with music videos on German television where I saw the Bed of Nails video by Alice Cooper. That was incredibly hard back then. At school my classmates gave me punk cassettes and the B-side had songs by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Anthrax and Slayer. One thing led to another and when I was 14 I went to a Guns N Roses, Faith No More and Soundgarden concert with a friend and his dad. The second concert was Metallica on the Black Album tour. Then there was a local radio show, MTV's Headbangers Ball and one or two people at my school who were into harder music, that's how I got into Kreator, Sepultura & Sodom, until then death metal and bands like Deicide and Morbid Angel came along. Then there were the first mixtapes where I held a cassette recorder up to the TV to record my favorite video clips. After listening to such tapes all the time, the path to the black metal sound was perhaps quite easy. I was hungry, completely obsessed and always looking for even harder music. When death metal slowly became boring, I discovered live photos of Immortal and Impaled Nazarene in the window of a metal shop in Nuremberg. It was basically our local Helvete, where we later bought and sold demos. The photos of the bands blew me away and when I heard the music, I somehow knew that something was happening. I got hold of used CDs of Darkthrone and Burzum there and I made more and more contacts in the black metal scene. At some point at a birthday party, the idea came up: Hey, let's start a band too. That was 1996/1997 and the birth of Seeds of Hate. 

12. What album represents the essence of black metal for you? What last albums have you bought?

- It's hard for me to name just one, so I' would say: Darkthrone - Under A Funeral Moon, Gorgoroth - Pentagram, Burzum - Det Som Engang Var, Emperor - In the Nightside Eclipse, Marduk - Those of the Unlight. None of the albums sound the same, but everything is 100% black metal. The last albums I bought were 3 lps of Baxaxaxa after we played with them in Erfurt. Before that I bought the Avmakt demo tape and their first record on vinyl. Great old school stuff from Norway. 

13. Thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions for Black Metal Spirit, if you want to add something for Total Hate fans this is the place. I hope you like the questions.

- You're welcome and thank you for the interview! Support the real underground bands and labels!

ADRASTOS

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Pox ‎– Pocken in Broekzele 5,99 €

Cassette, Compilation