My 9 favorite Abigor releases!

Abigor are one of my absolute favorite Black Metal bands of all time and like the headline says the topic of today's post is the 9 best Abigor releases. Or rather my opinion on these albums of this brilliant Austrian band.

Got an e-mail last weekend from Avantgarde Music saying that the delayed vinyl of their new record “Höllenzwang (Chronicles of Perdition)” is finally on its way. It’s been available for streaming since 3rd January and the CD was released on the 29th of January. I’ve only listened to it a handful of times because I want to wait to for the vinyl so I can listen to it properly but more about the new 
“Höllenzwang (Chronicles of Perdition)” album in an upcoming post. To celebrate this occasion I wanted to do my top-9 Abigor albums and EP’s. This Austrian band was one of the first Black Metal band outside of my northern realms except for Venom that I really got into in the mid 90’s. In my opinion Abigor have made some of the best  Black Metal albums ever and I would probably even go as far as to say they are my favorite band outside Scandinavia.

Number 1. Nachthymnen (From The Twilight Kingdom) 1995

The second Abigor full length studio album and also my favorite record by them. It was the second album I bought of theirs on CD back in 1996. It completely blew me away it's amazing that it was recorded in just 3 days. This album wasn't released on vinyl until 2008 and the "golden" vinyl limited to 500 copies is the first and is the only standalone print of "Nachthymnen" on vinyl until the vinyl compilation "1994 - 1998: The Complete Hörnix Recordings" (limited to 1000 copies). This golden version is expensive nowadays (the CD also) I got the LP a couple of years ago and I didn't pay close to what it's going for in these days. I don't mind that they fucked around with the cover artwork because it's somewhat like the original CD anyway.

Number 2. Opus IV 1996

"Opus IV" was the first Abigor album I got in 1996 on CD when I discovered the band. This album is divided into 2 parts the first 4 songs have lyrics and concept written by T.T. called "Horns Lurk Beyond the Stars" the next 4 songs is written by P.K. are called "Blut aus Aeonen". The 2 vinyls are on the unusual 10 inch format and is the only standalone vinyl version of the album it was released in 2011 and is limited to 666 copies.

Number 3. Orkblut - The Retaliation 1995

The “Orkblut” EP is 24.5 min long with 11 tracks 6 of them are instrumental. I guess you could call it a concept album, basically the story is about a warrior who remembers his pagan origins. The EP wasn’t available on vinyl until 2006 and has 3 standalone releases this one picture disc vinyl limited to 200 copies also the standard black vinyl (400 copies) with a cardboard sleeve as does the black/white splatter one (100 copies) have.

Number 4. Supreme Immortal Art 1998

This album I feel is very underrated Abigor has always had their own sound, but if you like Emperor around 1994-97 I think you should give this album a listen. Sadly this has never been released on vinyl except for the vinyl compilation "1994 - 1998: The Complete Hörnix Recordings". I really hope to own that one day because Abigor are extremely sparse to say the least with releasing vinyls. 

I could sell my Abigor collection of (vinyls and CD's) their first 6 releases and easily afford that vinyl box set but I don't know if I ever would do that...   

Number 5. Apokalypse 1997

This very awesome EP has 6 tracks done in 17 minutes performed perfectly. Straightforward brutal Black Metal with no fuss and also a rawer sound than their previous releases. If you like "Zyklon-B - Blood Must Be Shed" (1995) or "War - Total War" (1997) this is a must have in your collection. Hell it should be in your collection anyway. Only available on vinyl in... You should know by now...

Number 6. Verwüstung / Invoke the Dark Age 1994

The magnificent debut album by Abigor I can't belive such an amazing album is number 6 on my list but that's how brillant Abigor are. It's a great record to start with if you're unfamiliar with them. It's great to see how much the band progressed over a short period much of the material on this album can be found on their demos. This record wasn't available on LP until 2006 the one I have is limited to 200 copies with black & white splatter there's also a standard black version 300 copies. They also changed the cover artwork from the original CD usually hate that but I actually prefer this artwork. Got very lucky when I got this LP awhile ago I paid about 30 euro for it.

Number 7. Channeling the Quintessence of Satan

For this album longtime vocalist Silenius was replaced with Thurisaz. They still sound very much like Abigor musically because Silenius didn't write any music for the band but even if Thurisaz does a great job one still miss Silenius because he was part of their best releases. It sounds like a great follow up to its predecessor "Supreme Immortal Art" that was released 15 months earlier so if you like that one you should enjoy this one. This is the original Napalm Records CD from 1999 the album has never been released on vinyl and is not included in the vinyl box set. I really hope to spin the vinyl someday one can only wish.

Number 8. Leytmotif Luzifer (The 7 Temptations of Man) 2014

This is a A5 digibook release of the album and was their first release on the Italian record company Avantgarde Music. It was also the first full length Abigor album in 16 years that Silenius does vocals on he is just a session member and also his Summoning band mate Protector does backing vocals. As I write further down the number 1-7 are in a league of their own but still this is the best Abigor album in 15 years. Actually don't have the vinyl there's 3 different versions of the release so if I get a good deal on it I'll definitely pick it up.

Number 9. Satanized (A Journey Through Cosmic Infinity) 2001

A bit of a controversial pick for some maybe but I really like this one. Longtime original member T.T. aka. Thomas Tannenberger (drums, keyboard, bass & guitar) had left the band. The member took on silly aliases original member and guitarist P.K. aka. Peter Kubik called himself Virus 666 P.K. vocalist Thurisaz added LiD to his name and new drummer Moritz N. This was to be the bands last album for awhile because 2 years after its release they quit. But in 2006 P.K. and T.T. joined forces once again. This is the original Napalm Records CD the "Satanized" album have never been released on vinyl.

So that was the list it's predominantly releases from their 90’s discography even if I really like both 

“Leytmotif Luzifer” and “Satanized” the number 1-7 records are in a whole different league in terms of quality. Abigor have since the new millennium been sort of hit or miss. I wouldn’t say any release are crap but my expectations is set very high whenever they release something new. For example the albums "Fractal Possession" (2007) and "Time Is the Sulphur in the Veins of the Saint - An Excursion on Satan's Fragmenting Principle" (2010) were both very disappointing, of course there's some exceptions on those albums, but compared to my favorite 9 they cannot compete with. Also the EP's or singles released by Abigor in the 2000's aren't even close to "Apokalypse" or "Orkblut".

Decided not to include their demo compilation “Orgio Regium 1993-1994” from 1998 that have 8 songs from 4 of their demos (it would also fuck up my collage) bur it’s a must have if you like Abigor. Hope this can serve as a guide for people that’s unfamiliar with the excellence of Abigor you could of course go directly to the best albums but I would go chronological route.

These are a few of my Abigor promos (also some Summoning and others) that I've scanned from my old magazines and fanzines. Probably have even more but I scanned these ones more then a year ago and I didn't want to go through my BIG pile of old mags once again. Napalm Records really did great promos in the 90's and released many excellent albums back then.

More German Thrash Metal excellence!

This time with Destruction both classic albums “Infernal Overkill”(1985) on a transparent orange LP that comes with 2 posters the LP for “Eternal Devastation”(1986) is on a blood red transparent with a poster. Both reissued last year on High Roller Records I'm not sure how many copies was printed of these ones they're also in all sorts of different color variants if anyone knows the print numbers please drop a comment. Destruction started in 1982 these were the bands 2 first full length albums. Schmier (vocals and bass) and Mike (guitars) are the only original members remaining during their career drummers have come and gone over the years but on these 2 records Tommy Sandmann pounds the skins. 

Their first releases was the classic cult demo “Bestial Invasion of Hell”(1984) and the EP “Sentence of Death”(1984) then they were followed by “Infernal Overkill” and “Eternal Devastation” all originally released on the awesome German record label Steamhammer. Destruction stayed with them until 1990 and released besides those already mentioned in the post the EP "Madbutcher"(1986), "Release From Agony"(1987), the live album "Live Without Sense"(1989) and "Cracked Brain"(1990). I never actually listened to Destruction when I was in my "Death/Thrash Metal phase 1991-94” before I got completely lost in Black Metal for a few years but Destruction would be mentioned as an inspiration by many Death and Black bands in interviews. First time I ever heard a Destruction song wasn't until 1996 and it was actually a cover when Marduk did Total Desaster on their EP "Glorification". In 2000 when Schmier had rejoined the band after being fired in 1989 I was much more musically open minded and they released the good album “All Hell Breaks Loose”(2000) on Nuclear Blast. I was 20 years at the time and had a job so I could afford to spend much money CD’s (I didn’t like MP3 back then).

“Eternal Devastation” is in my opinion the best Destruction album it also have according to me their best song Curse The Gods. The German Thrash scene have their own version of the big 4 or "The Big Teutonic 4" Destruction is one of the bands the other ones are Kreator, Sodom and Tankard (I never liked them but then again I never given their early albums a chance). I would definitely put Tankard dead last in that group of bands then Destruction and Sodom are closer but Sodom I rank slightly higher and the best German Thrash band ever Kreator is my number 1 for sure. But if you’re interested in this excellent scene (preferably 1984-1990) these Destruction 2 albums are essential to have in the collection.

Dissection, Marduk, Emperor, Satyricon and Dismember concerts I had on VHS back in the day

I used to trade and/or buy VHS-cassettes back in the day. Think the first ones I got was in 1996 and mainly of Black Metal concerts. Many filmed at Swedish youth recreation centers with great shows by Dissection that I had by far most of but also Emperor first UK gigs, Marduk, Immortal, Satyricon and MANY more shows in clubs around Europe just to name a few. This was also how I first saw amazing stuff from Norwegian TV like Det Svarte Alvor & Satan Rir Media. Both that you definitely need to see if you haven't!

Sometimes also Death Metal bands like my 2 favorite Morbid Angel and Dismember would come my way and even if I was totally into Black Metal at the time those two I would still listen to and watch.

These are some of my favorites I own still got them but not a working VHS-player nowadays sadly. It's very nostalgic for me to watch these now and it's amazing that they're available on YouTube. Couldn't imagined that 20+ years ago.

My absolute favorite is this one with Dissection in Umeå 1996 because it's in better quality and more cameras then most what I'm about to post.


This was my 2nd favorite Dissection in Växjö 1994 sadly this one is not complete which the one I have on VHS is. Mine must also be a better generation of the tape because the sound isn't as good as I remember. It was also the first Dissection concert I bought or traded. Except for these 3 songs they also played Heaven's Damnation; Night's Blood; Sacrifice (Bathory) and The Somberlain,


This was the first one I got with Satyricon and it's amazing!


First one of Marduk I got me and my friends used to watch these while drinking beer and booze in the 90's.


Emperor was my favorite band at the time and this was the first time I saw them perform live with this concert and it was great even if it just was on video.


This was the first Dismember one I got.

UNANIMATED - IN THE LIGHT OF DARKNESS (2009)

I've been listening to this the 3rd Unanimated album very much lately.

In 1995 I would never think it would take Unanimated 14 years to make this record but I’m extremely glad they did.

Just recently they signed a  record contract with Century Media for 3 records rumors say the new album will be released in October. That's great news but I really wish that all their albums will be reissued on LP since I don’t own any of them on vinyl.

Strange that Ancient God Of Evil (1995) their absolute masterpiece have never been officially released on LP let’s hope it’s included in the deal. 

Some concern I have though is that the band has been together for 30 years and only released 3 records over a 25 year period. But let’s think positive and hope for many albums, tours, DVD, Blu-Ray, merchandise and all of that good stuff.

But about In The Light Of Darkness it’s fucking excellent!! I often use words like that because I’m only write about music I own and like but in this case if you should definitely believe me because this one is brilliant. 

Sure it isn’t as good as Ancient God Of Evil but it’s actually not that far behind. Only minor gripe I got is the rather boring uninspiring cover artwork and the title could’ve been some other song title because there’s a bunch of better ones on the album.

I’ve always thought of Unanimated as one of the 5 best bands from Sweden of all time. If they’d got their “shit together” in the 90’s Unanimated should have been huge in my opinion.

Definitely read the interview with bassist Richard Cabeza over at http://www.bardomethodology.com/articles/2016/06/29/unanimated-interview/ it’s almost 2 years old but still relevant and gives insight to the bands struggle. Another one you can read is also this one https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2012/08/01/richard-cabeza-unanimated-interviewed/.

I often compare Unanimated with Dissection even if they both have or (had rather) their own unique sound. But their stories are almost the same a bunch of childhood friends that started to play together and made amazing music even if Dissection's story took another turn after Jon Nödtveidt's arrest. 

The Unanimated debut In The Forest Of The Dreaming Dead (1993) isn’t as good as the Dissection debut album The Somberlain (1993) but the potential is there.

One can only think what could’ve happened if Ancient God Of Evil had been released on a bigger label then No Fashion Records say for example Century Media, Nuclear Blast or even Osmose Productions.

Unanimated recorded In The Light Of Darkness in the great Necromorbus Studio with Tore Stjerna (ex. Funeral Mist etc) he has certainly been involved in many amazing records and it was great that they choose to record there.

The band had almost the same lineup as on Ancient God Of Evil except former guitarist Jonas Mellberg. Longtime original guitarist Jojje Bohlin does an excellent job but there’s some guest guitar leads on 4 songs by Sebastian Ramstedt (Necrophobic) and Erik Wallin (Merciless) & Set Teitan (ex. Dissection) appears on 1 song each. Set Teitan was also a session live guitarist with Unanimated and played on what many thought was their final gig in 2010 in Germany.

Also lyrics contributions by Necro (Pest) and Erik Danielsson (Watain). Jojje Bohlin wrote most of the music for In The Light Of Darkness but the now former drummer Peter Stjärnvind wrote 3 of them. The lyrics are usually written by vocalist Micke Jansson and bassist Richard Cabeza. 

This album sounds more nasty, more evil and more Black Metal then Ancient God Of Evil and I can’t believe it’s 14 years between this and the previous one. Probably going to upset someone, before I want to say that Storm of the Light's Bane is my 2nd favorite album of all time, but this’s how I wanted Reinkaos to sound like but that’s a whole other topic... The opening intro and the song Retribution In Blood sounds almost like a continuation of Storm of the Light’s Bane actually.

Other then that it’s very much Unanimated sounding but like I wrote definitely more nasty and evil sound to it then their previous work. Since 2011 Anders Schultz (Unleashed) has replaced Peter Stjärnvind on drums and they have a new guitarist Jonas Deroueche (ex. General Surgery) that also played with Richard Cabeza in Carbonized with a bunch of other recognizable people in the Swedish Death Metal scene in the early 90’s.

The t-shirt is the one sold at the Kraken gig with Watain in Stockholm on the 5th of January as you can see on the back of the shirt sadly I didn’t attend that one and bought it online.

Saw the concert on YouTube and the new song Adversarial Fire sounds fucking great. See the video for the full concert, if you watch it here, it starts at the new song but be sure to watch the full thing. Unanimated are truly one of a kind and their 3 albums are mandatory to have in a Black/Death Metal collection!

Two amazing Sorhin releases

Both these Sorhin CD's was released on Near Dark Productions the album “I Det Glimrande Mörkrets Djup” (1997) and the 3-song MCD “Döden MCMXCVIII” (1998). Sorhin are without a doubt the most underrated Swedish Black Metal band ever in my opinion. I would also say that they’re in my top-10 best band in the genre from my country. 

Sorhin haven’t released any new music since the song To Give Death on the 2002 split 7” vinyl with Puissance. But they’re still active according to an an interview with vocalist Nattfursth from June of 2016 in Bardo Methodölogy I recommend highly that you read it and many more very interesting interviews over at that great site.  
http://www.bardomethodology.com/articles/2016/06/08/sorhin-interview/

“I Det Glimrande Mörkrets Djup” was the bands first full length album and was recorded in the Abyss Studio with Peter Tägtgren. The “Döden MCMXCVIII” MCD is hand numbered to 1998 copies mine is number 75. Before these two they had released the EP “Skogsgriftens Rike” (1996), 2 demos ("Svarta Själars Vandring" (1993) & "I Fullmånens Dystra Sken" (1994) and a split cassette with Setherial sometimes reffered to as "Arte de Occulta" (1996). I'm not sure if the 7” vinyl “Åt Fanders Med Ljusets Skapelser” (1997) was released before this album?

I was not surprised when the already classic record label Norma Evangelium Diaboli (Funeral Mist, Deathspell Omega, Watain etc.) reissued the “I Det Glimrande Mörkrets Djup” album with a bonus song. And also their debut EP “Skogsgriftens Rike” with both demos (6 songs) as bonus tracks. If you're into bands like Funeral Mist, Malign, Triumphator or bands of that generation do yourself a huge service and check out Sorhin. They were signed to Shadow Records owned by Marcus Tena (Triumphator) and released the amazing album “Apokalypsens Ängel” (2000) on that label. 

Only minor gripe I have with Sorhin and I’m not alone thinking that some of their Swedish song titles are a bit “strange” to say it kindly but it doesn’t effect their music. If you're unfamiliar with Sorhin start with any of their 2 albums both are excellent!

MARDUK - PLAGUE ANGEL (2004)

Gatefold release of “Plague Angel” on a clear vinyl reissue comes with a poster (see picture below for size) just recently released on Century Media. It's also available on a standard black vinyl there's also a "gold" variant I've heard different numbers concerning the number of copies for each version 200 copies for the gold one and 200-300 copies for the clear one but don't know for certain.

It was thanks to @valdgir on Instagram I’m even aware of this release because of his post of their reissued live album “Warschau” (2005). Started to investigate further and found out “Plague Angel” was also reissued. Don't know why Marduk doesn't write anything on their Instagram, homepage or anywhere that this was being released. Thanks to my post on Instagram I learned that "Rom 5:12" (2007) and "Wormwood" (2009) will also be released soon since I don't have any of them on vinyl it's a definite buy. There's a couple of different release dates I've seen for those two reissues but hope for March 30th.

A couple of months ago I ranked all the Marduk full length albums see an earlier post for that. “Plague Angel” was ranked at number 4 and I still stand by that it cannot compete with “Opus Nocturne” or “Those of the Unlight”. The choice for number 3 was the hardest on the whole list, but I still think Mortuus 2nd studio album with Marduk “Rom 5:12” is slightly better. 

When Marduk replaced Legion with Arioch/Mortuus from Funeral Mist (probably my favorite band ever) it was the best choice they could’ve made because he has the best voice in the scene of all time in my opinion. I also think that recording with former guitarist (1992-94) now bassist Devo Andersson in his Endarker Studio was a good change from Peter Tägtgren and The Abyss Studio.

I’m not putting him down but Marduk was beginning to sound a bit uninspired and stale. The production on this one was their best since the Dan Swanö days and the material is amazing on “Plague Angel” songs like Seven Angels Seven Trumpets; Throne of Rats; The Hangman of Prague; Warschau; Perish In Flames; Steel Inferno  etc. 

I've already ranked all of the bands full length studio albums and also their live albums see on Instagram @herr_black_metal this was before I owned the 4 the official live bootlegs. Well 2 of them are only full length I'm not sure if they should compete with professional live recordings. But I do recommend them to die hard Marduk fans that was brought up on cassette-tapes or VHS live recordings of concerts from the early to mid 90's. The sound quality is like what you'd expect from any bootleg recording.  

“Plague Angel” is a must have album and it’s a great album to start with if you’re unfamiliar with Marduk.

Kreator - Coma Of Souls (1990)

“Coma Of Souls” by Kreator the first press vinyl on Noise International. Still remember seeing the classic artwork when I was 10 years old in 1990 on the back of one of my sisters Okej magazines in the mailorder section and thinking it looked more cool then the Iron Maiden albums. 

I have all her old magazines now and if you’re Swedish and old enough to remember those I hope you get for some nostalgia with Slayer, Testament, Kreator, Judas Priest, Megadeth, Iron Maiden and even a Venom VHS etc. Most are cool records but there's also some trash there like Warrant, MC Hammer, George Michael... 

Recently wrote I’m in a German Thrash Metal phase at the time with bands like Sodom, Destruction and my favorite of them Kreator. Although all of the 5 first Kreator albums are excellent this is my absolute favorite record of theirs. People Of The Lie was the first ever song I heard by them and “Coma Of Souls” was the first CD by Kreator I bought back in the day. People Of The Lie wasn’t the only promo video from the album they also made videos to: Coma Of Souls; World Beyond; Terror Zone and Twisted Urges. 5 videos from 1 Thrash album. Amazing!

Metallica was the first Thrash Metal band I started listen to some years after “... And Justice For All”(1988) had been released but before "Metallica"(1991) then Megadeth both thanks to a friend who were really into those bands. Then when Slayer came and changed my view on extreme Metal forever. 

Kreator was the 5th Thrash Metal band I started listen to and just like Sepultura they felt very unique being a German band also the excellent vocals by Mille Petrozza made them different in a good way. “Coma Of Souls” was released 1,5 years after their previous “Extreme Aggression”(1989) album and has one of my favorite cover artwork of all time it looks so fucking Metal with their demon mascot Violent Mind. 

Since this album their career have had both highs and also many lows. But “Coma Of Souls” is definitely in my top-5 Thrash Metal albums of all time maybe even top-3. An absolute must have record in the collection for anyone who enjoy their Metal to be extreme!

Sepultura - Beneath The Remains (1989)

I've been listening to this Sepultura vinyl reissue from 2007 constantly recently. Even if “Arise”(1991) was the first Sepultura album I bought on CD back in the day I consider “Beneath The Remains” my favorite of record by them.

After I discovered Slayer music became more then just being a Metal guy (or a kid) grew my hair long and wanted the music to be more extreme, faster and harder. I had recorded the Arise video from Headbanger’s Ball and it got better and better with each view so I decided to listen to the album at one of my local record stores. It was so satisfying to discovered another brilliant Thrash Metal band. That they were from Brazil and the vocals of Max Cavalera just added to them being unique.

It didn’t take long before I bought “Beneath The Remains” on CD and a copy of the live VHS of “Under Siege live in Barcelona”(1992). This album was their first being released on a bigger label R/C Records an associated company to Roadrunner before that the band was signed to the Brazilian label Cogumelo Produções. The album was recorded with the then rather unexperienced producer Scott Burns (Death, Deicide, Obituary etc.) in Rio De Janeiro but it was mixed in Morrisound Recording.

Even if their previous releases “Bestial Devastation"; “Morbid Visions” and “Schizophrenia” are great it was this album that gave them a bigger name in the Thrash Metal scene. They made a video for the song Inner Self and also got to do their first concerts and tour outside of Brazil.

The cover artwork could’ve been something other but Roadrunner gave it to Obituary to use on “Cause of Death”(1990) instead but in my opinion the artwork used for “Beneath The Remains” is much better looking. This album is definitely among my favorite Thrash Metal records of all time.