”Pleasure To Kill” (1986) by Kreator the first press vinyl on the classic Noise Records. A royal gift from Adde of Tyrant Wrath thanks again man! I known him for almost 25 years he’s a great and generous friend definitely check out his amazing band! I’ve been in a German Thrash Metal phase lately listening to Destruction, Sodom and my favorite Kreator.
First song by them I ever heard was People Of The Lie from “Coma of Souls”(1990) my sister recorded Headbanger’s Ball on VHS when I was 11 years old. It’s still my favorite Kreator song but Under The Guillotine; Riot Of Violence & Pleasure To Kill from this one are almost as amazing. “Pleasure To Kill” is probably my 2nd favorite Kreator album ever. I love that it says “Manufactured in West Germany” on the vinyl it makes me think back to the 80’s with the Cold War, Chernobyl, MTV, 8-bit NES and the assassination of Swedish prime minister Olof Palme.
The band started in 1982 and was first called Metal Militia then Tyrant but soon changed it to Tormentor. Members Mille Petrozza (guitar/vocals), Ventor (drums/vocals) & Rob (bass) changed the name to Kreator in 1984. “Pleasure To Kill” was their 2nd album and it was the last record when vocals was shared by Mille (5) and Ventor (3). I liked that Mille took over all vocals duties because he has one of the best vocals in the scene. Before this one they had released their debut “Endless Pain”(1985) and the EP “Flag Of Hate”(1986). It’s cool to see other Noise releases on the insert like Celtic Frost, 2 first Running Wild when they were great, Warrant (Germany not the Cherry Pie dorks), Helloween when they were ok etc. The first 5 Kreator albums are classic essentials that everyone should own!
“Stigma Diabolicum” (2007) by Thorns on Kyrck Productions the 2015 reissue on a grey/black swirl vinyl limited to 150 copies. Comes with a poster and on the vinyl insert there’s a collage interviews from all sorts of magazines & fanzines Slayer Mag being one I recognize. I got to mention the Greek label Kyrck Productions they rereleased many rare/limited recordings on vinyl & CD of bands like Ved Buens Ende; Strid; Ulver; In The Woods; Manes; Arcturus etc. If you like your Black Metal on physical media and don’t want to pay a fortune they are essential for anyone that want for instance “Those Who Caress The Pale” on vinyl or this Thorns compilation. It was first released in 2007 and has all 6 songs from the legendary instrumental “Grymyrk”(1991) demo recorded with just guitar and bass. 2 songs of the “Trøndertun”(1992) demo that never was released just spread among people within the scene it has one of Thorns best songs ever Æerie Descent. Also 3 songs from when the band was called Stigma Diabolicum (1989-90) 1 song from the “Luna De Nocturnus”(1989) demo and 2 rehearsal songs. Snorre Ruch have made one of the best albums of this century with “Thorns”(2001) he is also considered together with Euronymous to have invented the typical Norwegian Black Metal guitar riff according to Fenriz. Watch the extra material in the 2-disc DVD documentary “Until The Light Takes Us”(2009) that version of the DVD is only available in region 1&4 so make sure your player can play that. Some other prominent figures in the scene like Bård “Faust” Eithun & Marius Vold were both once members of Thorns and Stigma Diabolicum. Snorre stoped working on Thorns when he joined Mayhem as Blackthorn on guitar. We all know the rest... This compilation is essential if you’re interested in the early Norwegian scene. Snorre is a musical mastermind and I hope he makes new Thorns album. Since I posted this on Instagram there's some reliable sources saying that the new Thorns record has already been recorded but the vocals & lyrics are still being worked on and that the record could be released early next year. I can't confirm this but I hope it's true only a new Funeral Mist or Isengard album could make me more happy. Because the wait for the follow-up to "Thorns" has been 17 years now...
It’s not the biggest collection of Wardruna and his other bands. I don’t own every existing print of each vinyl there is or all merch I’m not that kind of collector (only for Funeral Mist). Sure I buy the albums on CD.
Of all musicians alive in the scene Einar Selvik aka. Kvitrafn is one that I got the most respect for besides Fenriz and Arioch/Mortuus.
First time I heard the Wardruna debut Gap Var Ginnunga (2009) in the winter of 2009 it was a magical experience. That album is still my favorite creation by Herr Selvik and it was like being transported back to the glory days of the 90’s.
The first album in the Runaljod Trilogy is pure Norse magic for the ages and the best album from Norway I can think off the top of my head in 20+ years since La Masquerade Infernale or Filosofem.
I feel like Gap Var Ginnunga was a continuation of some of the best Norwegian albums of all time. It doesn’t sound ANYTHING like Høstmørke; Nordavind; Fjelltronen; Hvis Lyset Tar Oss etc. but in spirit it’s the same as those albums. With passion and the right spirit for ones creation the music gets beyond 10 of 10 even if I don’t like to “number review” art.
With Wardruna he have released 2 more almost equally brilliant albums, 1 excellent in the Skuggsjá project, he played drums in Gorgoroth, Bak De Syv Fjell and in Jotunspor he also played keyboard, guitar and sang just to name some of his other work.
The pendant of Jörmungandr the Midgard serpent was designed by Einar Selvik and the book consists of all the lyrics to the albums in the “Runaljod trilogy” both in Norwegian and English. Got both at www.wardruna.com the pendant something like 1.5 years ago and the book 1 year ago don’t know if they still are available
I’ve seen Wardruna live a couple of times but never when Gaahl was still a member something I really regret today. If you want to see an amazing Wardruna performance with Gaahl check out the song Kauna live at Incubate 2009 further down this post.
Still without Gaahl the band is one of the best bands I ever seen live. Last year I went to Bergen to witness the world premiere of Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik new Hugsjá live at Grieghallen. See 2 video clips from my YouTube channel that I filmed at the concert see further down in this post .
They will release the Hugsjá album on April 20th I pre-ordered the silver vinyl. The title track is available now on iTunes, Spotify etc. Get your copy over at http://aisamerch.de/bynorse/en/ and be prepared to be amazed.
... like the title reads I recently ranked all 4 Nifelheim albums over @herr_black_metal on Instagram. Thought I'd share it here and also as a bonus the "Satanatas" EP and the split CD with Vulcano "Thunder Metal" which feature Jon Nödtveidt's final recording ever in June 2006. On with the evil blasphemies and let's find out which is the best Nifelheim album! Or at least my favorites.
1. Nifelheim (1995)
The first album of theirs I got on CD back in the day and it’s perfect. This beast is one of the best Black Metal albums ever from my country. This 1st print Necropolis Records vinyl is one of my favorite gems in my collection.
2. Devil's Force (1998)
Almost a tie for number 1 but I have more nostalgia for their debut. To follow up such an amazing album isn’t easy. But they did it just as great once again. Get both!
3. Servants of Darkness (2000)
This album doesn’t have a bad moment, all songs are brilliant and the production is perfect. I know some people say this is their favorite Nifelheim album and I hear why.
4. Envoy of Lucifer (2007)
First time I heard this it didn’t blow me away like their previous albums had. But with time I appreciated it more and more. Now it stands proud next to their other albums a must have.
The “Satanatas”(2014) EP is their latest release this 12” technically have 8 songs the B-side is exactly the same as the A-side but played backwards. If you enjoy Nifelheim it’s amazing.
The Vulcano split “Thunder Metal”(2006). I got the CD version because it’s the only release with Jon Nödtveidt’s last recording ever in June of 2006. He appears on Nifelheim’s cover of “Insulter of Jesus Christ” originally by the brilliant Swedish band Damnation. A band the Nifelheim drummer at the time Peter Stjärnvind (aka. Insulter of Jesus Christ) started in 1989 with Richard Daemon.
I really hope anyone that isn't into Nifelheim already will be inspired to track down these excellent releases,
