THE BLACK - THE PRIEST OF SATAN (1994)

Both my old CD copy on Necropolis Records and the just released 2018 vinyl reissue on Osmose Productions limited to 300 copies (some say). There's also a red LP release (200 copies some say).

Did a post on this album about 1.5 years ago on my Instagram account but never on the blog. This album is so great that it deserves yet another post.

Last time I bitched about the two 2003 LP releases being too expensive. Well now I can finally spin The Priest Of Satan on my record player.

Jon Nödtveidt of Dissection joined The Black or The Black Flame as they were back called then in 1992 when he was 17 years old. While studying at the art school at Eskilstuna.
If you're unfamiliar with Sweden's geography Eskilstuna in located approx 110 kilometers west of Stockholm and that's far away from his place of origin Strömstad (and later Göteborg).

Jon calls himself Rietas in The Black plays guitar, keyboard and sings. His performance is of course pure brilliance.

The same lineup, plus guitarist Black Demon, released a demo called Black Blood in October of 1992 that Jon only is the vocalist on. It got released on CD by Necropolis Records in 1996 that I highly recommend getting. All 7 of the demo songs appears on The Priest Of Satan that altogether has 12 songs.

It starts with a very moody keyboard instrumental song The Beast Of Fire then we’re treated with the great The Book Of Leviathan. We're in for a great 39 min ride of amazing Black Metal. The songs are often under 3 minutes, usually those from the demo. The keyboard isn't overused and really fills a purpose whenever they're used.

The Priest Of Satan doesn't sound like any other band from the Scandinavian scene especially at the time in my opinion. It’s very unpolished and nothing at all like Dissection so if you're looking for a new The Somberlain (1994) you will be disappointed.

But the rough production and recording is very fitting for The Black. This lineup only released one full length studio album and it definitely has its place in the Swedish Black Metal history.

My 1st print CD was actually found at the record store in my hometown that sold used CD, LP, VHS etc. in the mid 90’s. It's quite expensive these days, because Necropolis Records shelved many of them in order for “better prints”. Those have a different booklet, CD design and the layout on the back of the case. I prefer my original one but those are just minor details.

The Priest Of Satan wasn’t released on LP until 2003 by two different company's. Both in limited quantities one had 300 copies and the other 666 copies. Don't know if those prices will drop with this reissue. I’m fine with this re-release (that's also available on red vinyl and CD). Sometimes the Osmose reissues can be a bit hit or miss. Especially with the layout but I like this one even if the cover is in black and white. You should grab yourself a copy if you want a vinyl release of it.

The Black was resurrected and released an album in 2008 with only the drummer, called The Black, left of the lineup that recorded The Priest Of Satan. There's also two members that was involved with probably the now most overrated band ever in the Swedish scene Vinterland. Have only heard that album about 2 or 3 times. Don't remember anything of what I heard so it's not on my "wishlist".

Usually say that The Priest Of Satan is a top-10 Swedish Black Metal album and I still stand by that statement but there’s MANY that I would have to fit within those 10 records.

Anyway The Priest Of Satan is a must have album in every Black Metal collection. I'm NOT just saying that because it's a release that Jon Nödtveidt was involved in during the glorious 90's!

MARDUK - INFERNAL ETERNAL (2000)

First print double picture disc vinyl limited to 500 copies that comes with a gatefold cover sleeve released on Blooddawn Productions/Regain Records.

When Infernal Eternal was released in the year 2000 got to admit that I was a bit hesitant about it. Sure I bought the 2-CD immediately at the release. Just felt that Marduk could’ve waited somewhat longer then the 3 years between this one and the Live In Germania (1997) record.

Nowadays I’m glad that Marduk released this album. Have always preferred the Live In Germania record however since getting this Infernal Eternal LP release a few month ago whenever I listen to it now I think that it’s better. But vice versa whenever I listen to Live In Germania...

Have much more nostalgia with that record of drinking beer with my friends in the summer of 1997 and being 17 years old and the only care in the world was music and drinking alcohol with my friends. While in the year 2000 being 20 years old and having a lot more "responsibility" with work.

My favorite Marduk live album is Warschau (2005) when Mortuus had joined and Devo returned.

At the time of the Infernal Eternal release I had also been somewhat disappointed with a few Marduk releases. Absolutely NOT bad because I don't Marduk can or ever will be that. The album Nightwing (1998) and both the EP’s Glorification (1996) and Obedience (2000) was far from as excellent then take instance Opus Nocturne (1994) or Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) and all others before them.

Really like the songs they chose for Infernal Eternal altogether 18 songs that was recorded in France during the The World Panzer Battle Tour. Five from the Panzer Division Marduk (1999) but also classic songs like The Sun Turns Black As Night; Those Of The Unlight; Burn My Coffin; Still Fucking Dead; Departure From The Mortals; On Darkened Wings etc.

It sounds great and all musicians and Legion's vocals are top notch. My only complaint is that it would've been great with some more songs from Opus Nocturne then just two (Materialized In Stone and Sulphur Souls). Also only one from the Heaven Shall Burn... album (Legion) but there's five of those on the Live In Germania record. I'm just glad that they chose that many songs from both of the Dark Endless (1992) and Those Of The Unlight (1993) albums.

One could fuss about some of the song choices like the cover of the Celtic Frost classic Into The Crypts Of Rays their live cover is alright but I rather hear another Marduk song. Sure that it's not often that Dreams Of Blood And Iron from Nightwing is performed live and it's a good song. But there's so many others I would've preferred over that one. Like the title track Nightwing of that same album.

Or some other personal favorites could've been included like:
The Sun Has Failed
Darkness Breeds Immortality
A Sculpture Of The Night
From Subterranean Throne Profound
The Black Tormentor Of Satan
Glorification Of The Black God etc. but that's just minor details.

If I was to look at this record not as the diehard Marduk fan that I truly am I still think that Infernal Eternal is an excellent live album. It should appeal to anyone who's into them, even casual fans but especially if you're into the "Legion era" of the band.

But also if you're just looking for a great live Black Metal album you can't go wrong with this one. All in all a great buy and of course even better on vinyl.

And my end signature is as always Praise Hail Marduk!!

BEHEMOTH - I LOVED YOU AT YOUR DARKEST (2018)

The 2 x picture disc vinyl release on Nuclear Blast that also comes with a very impressive looking 24-page booklet. Just like the new Immortal and Marduk albums this was available in approx 20+ different versions if one includes the CD's. Really enjoy this though the vinyls all have an amazing design

Admittedly when I first heard about and listened to Behemoth in the late 90's I wasn't at all into them. Had every opportunity back then to discover them, however there were simply too many other amazing bands I was into by then. But I've always appreciated Behemoth's promo videos both for the music and their amazing visual esthetic.

Vocalist/guitarist Nergal is very charismatic with a impressive personality. He's also the only member that remains of this Polish beast since they started in 1991 when they were called Baphomet but changed it to Behemoth that same year.

His real name is Adam Darski got the official autobiography that's called Confessions Of A Heretic: The Sacred And The Profane: Behemoth And Beyond. I'll read through it one day. Maybe should be doing that instead of writing about a bunch of albums...

Wasn't actually until quite recently that I really got into Behemoth with their masterpiece of an album The Satanist (2014). So I was really looking forward to hearing this new one. It didn't disappoint! In fact my list of best records of 2018 just got even harder. I'm not complaining though but the top-9 that was planned might've to be a top-12 or even more.

I could imagine that many see Behemoth as another version of other popular bands with a great visual image also having a budget too afford it. While those other bands (you probably know which?) just rely on their image and past glory Behemoth has the music and can stand proudly. Because they are still after 27 years supremely creative.

Feels bad that I missed out on many of their previous albums although for my taste I really think that I Loved You At Your Darkest and The Satanist are their best work thus far. This one being the bands 11th full length studio album. There's been a ton of album, live, demo reissue, EP, DVD and compilation releases. A collectors dream! Maybe nightmare?

However I'm very selective when it comes to Behemoth and don't consider all other albums as good as those two albums I just mentioned. Know that someone will probably say that they peaked x many years ago and that the best album is Satanica (1999); Demigod (2004); Grom (1996); Sventevith (Storming Near the Baltic) (1995) or some demo reissue. Believe me Behemoth are in their prime at the time.

Let's finally get into I Loved You At Your Darkest. It's not like they changed their formula much since the previous album. In interviews it's all this talk about the children's choir and when they use them it does add another element to the music.

My favorite song by Behemoth is quite predictable O Father O Satan O Sun! from The Satanist.

None of these ones reach that status but that's a hard one to compete with. They do come close with some though.

However the album is a whole experience. This is NOT a record that you want to skip any songs on, some of my favorites in no particular order: Sabbath Mater; Ecclesia Diabolica Catholica; Coagula; Solve; Havohej Pantocrator; Rom 5:8 could babble on with the rest.

The 3 songs that they've made promo videos for on this album are all great especially the excellent Wolves Ov Siberia. The first one they released God = Dog is for my taste the weakest of the videos.

So I was needlessly worried that the album wouldn't deliver when it was going to be released. Bartzabel is also great but I can think of better songs on I Loved You At Your Darkest.

Although I've never cared what other people think about bands or albums that I enjoy. The rating over on Metal Archives is now at 60%... Fuck off with that! Hmm top-5 maybe even higher? Because this is a must have album of this year!

MY TWO FAVORITE NECROPHOBIC RELEASES

will probably always be these two albums. The Nocturnal Silence (1993) here on a 2018 reissue vinyl on Hammerheart Records and the Satanic Blasphemies (2009) one is a reissue vinyl from 2011 on Floga Records.

"Det var bättre förr" is Swedish for "it used to be better" it just sounds so much better in my native tongue then in English. That's actually why I wrote this whole Necrophobic post in Swedish on Instagram @herr_perdition. Got my point got across much better that way. I believe at least?

But we'll return to the "det var bättre förr" statement later in this post.

In the mid 90's Necrophobic really didn't mean anything for me. The only release I had was a cassette-tape of The Nocturnal Silence recorded from a CD that a friend owned. Didn't hear the greatness of it back then and I didn't play it often. I just considered them as another band in an already overpopulated Swedish Death/Black Metal scene.

The only thing I really cared about was that the Dark Funeral guitarist David "Blackmoon" Parland (1970-2013) once had been original member when Necrophobic started back in 1989. He was a member with the band until 1996, so he participated on The Nocturnal Silence, all 3 demos before the album and both EP's The Call (1993) and Spawned By Evil (1996). He also made a very short return in the year 2000.

When me and my friend would discuss music of the harder kind in the mid to late 90's Necrophobic was a band I often would refer to as "why do they even bother". What I meant with that was I didn't hear any potential to them ever be something within the scene. Sure it's fun playing music, touring, record and release albums. There's nothing wrong with that at all!

They were signed to Black Mark Production and as everyone knows if you weren't Bathory on that label well then you're not Bathory. I just felt Necrophobic were in a weird spot in the scene.

Necrophobic toiled on during the 90's and released two more albums Darkside (1997) and The Third Antichrist (1999) before those also the rather boring EP Spawned By Evil with a bunch of covers of Venom, Slayer and Bathory.

Think I just listened to those two albums once at a record store in my hometown back when they were released. The production and music I thought sounded weak back then. That was also recorded in Sunlight like The Nocturnal Silence.

When they signed with the Swedish label Regain Records and released the album Hrimthursum in 2006 it was like something had happened with Necrophobic.

Had they finally sold their souls to the Devil? Either way it was a really an amazing album. Maybe they just got a lucky break? But the follow-up to that one Death To All (2009) was also really great.

Also in 2009 the compilation album Satanic Blasphemies was released with two of their excellent demos. Slow Asphyxiation (1990) and Unholy Prophecies (1991) also their brilliant EP The Call (1992). It's worth buying the compilation just for that EP alone in my opinion but to get the demos just adds so much more value to this release.

After realizing that Necrophobic were a force to be recon with I searched out and revisited both the Darkside and The Third Antichrist albums and found them to be really enjoyable. Sure they ain't as good as the others I mentioned but both are definitely worth your time and money.

But back to the "det var bättre förr" statement. How many bands within the early Swedish Death Metal scene doesn't that apply to? I mean so many of my old favorite bands in the genre like Grave, Unleashed, Entombed, Hypocrisy etc. had their best creative outlet and recorded the best albums in the beginning of their career.

While Necrophobic with their latest album Mark Of The Necrogram is a contender for my list of the best albums released in the amazing year that 2018 has been.

Even if their oldest material is my favorite period of Necrophobic. I'm really glad they kept going and that they did "bothered". All the success they have gotten now I would say that they earned it so much more then other more prominent bands that only live on former glory.

Will I do more posts in Swedish over at my Instagram? Well not in the near future but who knows if I feel it's right maybe.

This post was written a couple of months ago and it's not until now I finally decided to post this Swedish & English cross over one.

Anyway two most have albums, check out Necrophobic if you haven't already!

CRAFT - WHITE NOISE AND BLACK METAL (2018)

Here on a white vinyl limited to 400 copies released on the label Season of Mist Underground Activists.

For 20 years Craft have existed or 24 if you take into account when they were known as Nocta. After a great debut Total Soul Rape (2000) the band then released two excellent albums.

Terror Propaganda (2002) on Selbstmord Services and Fuck The Universe (2005) on Shamaatae's (Arckanum) co-founded Carnal Records. After 6 years they released Void in 2011 on the same label. It's a good album but it cannot compete with their two previous records.

Craft literally fell into the void after Void. But in September of 2014 they did their first ever live performance at Debaser in Stockholm, Sweden.

After a couple of more gigs in 2015-2017 they later recorded and released this brilliant album called White Noise And Black Metal.

It's way too early for me to proclaim it to be the best Craft album thus far. Because the Terror Propaganda & Fuck The Universe albums are so fucking amazing and mandatory to own in a serious Black Metal collection but I really do like this new one. I can for sure say that this album is knocking on the door and will be considered for my top-9 albums of 2018.

The label on the record sleeve mentions Darkthrone and and me being a huge fan of everything by them thinks it’s an alright comparison. There's some hints of them on White Noise and Black Metal. But I would rather say that the Darkthrone influence is more present on the earlier Craft albums. It also says Goatwhore and yeah I can hear some connection there.

Then it mentions Watain whom the 38 year old me doesn't have enough experience or any interest for at all anymore (I have tried MANY times). Sure I know about them and I respect their success and the band. I will not get into any discussion about Watain here, that's a topic for some other post. Because this’s a post about Craft!

It could instead have mentioned any of the great bands that made a huge impact on the scene in the late 90's like Funeral Mist, Sorhin, Malign, Triumphator etc. rather then Watain that's just my opinion.

But those labels that mentions a bunch of great bands on the records are just plain dumb according to me at least. Have never bought an album because it mentions some band that I'm into in my entire life as far as I can remember. Maybe in the early to mid 90's when I was a lot younger and more impressionable.

Anyway I can’t recommend White Noise and Black Metal enough. After all that namedropping I still think that Craft is a very unique band in the Black Metal scene. Really an album to look out for in this amazing year of great records that 2018 has been.

TWO MARDUK VINYL EP'S

Iron Dawn from 2012 on a single sided white 12” vinyl limited to 300 copies released by Century Media/Blooddawn Productions.

First out one of the best EP releases of this century Iron Dawn. It "only" have 3 songs but fucking hell are they amazing! As far as I know exclusive to the Iron Dawn release, they might appear on some reissue. That I’m not aware about?

Would even go so far and to say it’s the best EP that Marduk have released since 1997 with Here’s No Peace (recorded in December 1991 though) on Shadow Records and probably my 3rd favorite EP by Marduk of all time.

The war theme is very present on this EP and the layout and design is amazing on this release. I like the CD version also but it's so much more impressive on a 12" vinyl sleeve version. Titles like Warschau 2: Headhunter Halfmoon, Wacht Am Rhein: Drumbeats of Death & Prochorovka: Blood and Sunflowers. Both the first and the last songs were played live in 2011.

This was also the first Marduk EP in 7 years since another brilliant one Deathmarch (2004). It was well worth the time to wait when they produced such a brilliant EP as this one.

Hearse on a 7” vinyl from 2003 limited to 500 copies released on Regain Records.

This 2-song 7" EP  was released before what would become the last full length Marduk album with new material to feature former vocalist Legion and longtime bassist B.War World Funeral (2003).

Besides the title track Hearse which they also made a promo video for, Marduk also did a cover of Phantasm by Possessed. That appeared on their gem of an album Beyond The Gates (1986).

I really think that the Iron Dawn EP should please anyone into Marduk or Black Metal also. While the Hearse EP is more for diehard fans like me of this Swedish Black Metal War Machine.

And as always Praise Hail Marduk!!