Today on the 23rd of February marks the 10 year anniversary since the release my 3rd favorite album of all time being released.
I own all the vinyl releases of this 2 x LP release. But to get a better picture mainly for my post on InstagramI only picked out 1 LP per release. Forgot to include some t-shirts and stickers on the picture I might fix that. Soon...
Missing some CD releases like The Ajna Offensive and Season Of Mist ones but I'll get those eventually they're not expensive nor hard to come by and I have no hurry.
Here is the 1st print 2009 LP (the one in the middle), the Trisagion 5-LP box 2013 release, the 2017 reissue LP and the original 2009 CD all released on Norma Evangelium Diaboli. It's worth buying that CD alone just for the 28-page booklet that has a lot of additional artwork that appeals to me.
Have mentioned this so many times before... That I don’t like to say any band is my favorite but if I had to pick one Funeral Mist would be my choice. Know that while reading this post.
About 1.5 years ago for my post number 300 on InstagramI listed my top-3 albums. I still stand behind my choices that was made back then.
But I could go into if this is my 3rd favorite record ever or if it’s really The Somberlain (1993) by Dissection. It comes down to how such a list is done but I’m not dedicating this post to that topic.
Will say for sure it’s the best album of this millennium though. Even if the previous Funeral Mist album Salvation (2003) is almost as brilliant.
But to choose between Maranatha or Salvation is also very hard. I mean which is your favorite of these ones?
Blood Fire Death or Under The Sign Of The Black Mark
Storm of the Light’s Bane or The Somberlain
In The Nightside Eclipse or Anthems To The Welkin At Dusk
Filosofem or Det Som En Gang Var
Can go on with more examples but there’s a very fine line between all those records and I could debate them for days. Also which Funeral Mist release is best.
Have to admit that I didn’t really like Maranatha the first time I heard it. Salvation had set such an extremely high new standard for how Black Metal in the 2000's could sound like. But I also feel that Maranatha isn’t as approachable as Salvation if you ask me.
Not saying Salvation is a commercial Black Metal album because it’s most definitely isn’t.
Think Arioch took a risk with Maranatha I will not go into a song by song review here because I think of it as a whole full experience. He could have failed but he succeeded when some questioned some songs I hail them as brilliancy.
In my opinion Arioch wrote more weirder, twisted & sinister things on Maranatha then on Salvation but we're talking about nitpicking things here. Because both are outstanding masterpieces both albums that bands only could dream about recording once in their entire career.
Know that some don’t like the cover but it’s probably my favorite Funeral Mist artwork. I would at least put it among my top-3 Funeral Mist designs and since their first release Promo 95' there's been so many different artworks inside booklets, on t-shirts, posters and so on.
Anyway the cover art is very fitting for the experience Maranatha gives me. Which with some petty words are very hard to express.
The Third Woe (2018) a 7” single released by Shadow Records limited to 500 copies.
1557: Rites Of Nullification (2015) LP limited to 350 copies released by thePolish label Witching Hour Productions/Odium Records. There's also a "die-hard edition" of this vinyl limited to 50 copies. That one come included with a 120-paged pocket book!
Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás (2015) a 12" vinyl EP reissue from 2017 on Shadow Records limited to 500 copies.
Hate to start of any post with namedropping a bunch of other bands. But my fellow countrymen in Mephorash has a very prominent vocalist within the scene. Jonas Tengner aka. Nord from the great Malign also vocalist on two amazing Ofermod releases, especially their EP Mystérion Tés Anomias (1998).
He's officially one of the two vocalists for Mephorash the other original vocalist Mashkelah M'Ralaa (Oskar Myrberg). Although N. Tengner were one of the four guest vocalists used on their 3rd album 1557: Rites Of Nullification.
Also the Mephorash guitarist Mishbar Bovmeph (Erik Andersson) did a short appearance with Malign. Between 2014 to 2015 where he called himself Evig (that's Swedish for Eternal) and played guitar on the EP A Sun To Scorch (2015).
Since Mephorash started 2010 in Uppsala, Sweden although the 3 original members remain. There’s been a bunch of different members within the band especially drummers and bass players have come and gone. Some of them were just live musicians for the band.
Besides these 3 releases the band has 2 other full-length albums in their discography. The debut album Death Awakens (2011) and the follow-up Chalice Of Thagirion (2013) both released by Grom Records and only available on CD. I actually only listened to them once through Spotify (yeah naughty me I know...) and from what I remember they sounded great especially the 2nd album.
In 2013 a split 10” with the North American band Ashencult called Opus Serpens was released. Mephorash does one great song that's approx 9,5 minutes long called Atramentous Ungod Aspect have to hunt down a copy of that one someday because the song is fucking amazing.
Actually wasn’t aware of Mephorash's music until they got signed with Shadow Records. Know I'm repeating myself but so many quality titles has been released since Marcus Tena reappeared in the scene and resurrected his legendary record company.
There's too many to mention them all. But will say that I think both Mephorash and Voodus have the potential to become huge. Shadow Records will have to promote the hell out of them because they do deserve to reach their full potential as bands. Also make sure to grab those vinyls now while they're still available! Because they are usually limited to 500 copies.
Anyway lets get into the ones in this post finally. Like I mentioned earlier on the 1557: Rites Of Nullification record they use 4 different guest vocalists:
N. Tengner on the opening song Riphyon - The Tree Of Assiyah Putrescent.
The Greek K. Koudousnes from Serpent Noir among others on the 3rd song Cheidolun - Breaking The Blade Of Beriah.
On the last one Berberioth - Vandalising the Throne Of Atziluth they have the the Italian called Omega A.D. aka. Thorns the drummer from Blut aus Nord a man of MANY bands.
Also Deacon. D or Walter Tölg like many of these guest vocalists another man of MANY bands gets credits for additional vocals.
Altogether a brilliant record the songs are 9.5 to almost 12 min long and it's a 42.5 min great ride. Instead of me trying to mention any bands that sounds similar to Mephorash I urge anyone into Black Metal to check out this amazing album.
I will also say that their inspiration isn't looking backwards they look forward and this is where new Black Metal should strive to sound like.
The sole reason for me even getting aware of Mephorash is thanks to Tena reissuing the EP Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás in 2017. Otherwise Mephorash could’ve went under my radar for even longer.
The EP Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás originally released just a few weeks before the album in August of 2015 on a 10" vinyl limited to 300 copies by Hell Attacks Productions. Like the album its sound is very impressive by the young members of Mephorash that were about 21 years old at the time of the release. Sure young age and excellent Black Metal isn't a new phenomena within the scene I mean just look at the 90's.
What I want to get to is that it sounds very "mature" something that a band with a 20+ year old career could do. Sfaíra Ti̱s Fo̱tiás is absolute greatness and a most have in any collection just like the album.
But I saved the best for last...
The 2-song 7” single The Third Woe might be my favorite among all these releases in this post.
Should The Third Woe have a place on my already published 12 best releases of 2018 list? Well yes and no. With just 2 songs it’s hard to compete with albums, sure the Unanimated EP made it on there with just 4 songs. It also didn't help that the competition was murder last year in terms of quality releases.
I actually don't own a ton of 7" vinyls if it isn't something really spectacular or favorite bands like Marduk, Darkthrone, Isengard, Dismember etc. to name a few. But I also collect vinyls by those bands.
So for me to buy a 7" from a rather unknown band is in my world a big deal. It also gives you a perspective how good I think that Mephorash are.
The band is really in their prime right now and I really expect them to release a crushing album on April the 18th called Shem Ha Mephorash on Shadow Records. I already pre-ordered my copy at the Helter Skelter bandcamp
It's been announced that it will be a 2 x LP release (CD, cassette & digital also of course) with 8 songs done in 74 minutes. One song is available for streaming (download if you pre-ordered) I'm struggling with not doing that because I want it physically in my hands.
The song 777: Third Woe from the 7" is on the album and it's an indication that it will be one hell of a record. In the meanwhile get these releases!
Update 190303 -------------------
A a new promo video from the upcoming Mephorash album Shem Ha Mephorash has been released it's called Sanguinem. It sounds absolutely amazing! Can't wait for the album release in about 1.5 month.
Support the band and Shadow Records by pre-ordering it over at the Helter Skelter bandcamp also enjoy!
On a black reissue vinyl from 2012 limited to 300 copies by the amazing Kyrck Productions that comes with a double sided poster and a 8-page booklet.
Have written before about other the great reissues by Kyrck Productions in other posts. Definitely worth checking out their releases if you're in search for something rare. They have always delivered fantastic releases in my opinion.
Arcturus was formed around 1990/91 by members from the Norwegian Death Metal band called Mortem. Steinar 'Sverd' Johnsen on keyboards also guitarist in 1991, Marius Vold bass & vocals, the drummer was Hellhammer from Mayhem.
In 1991 that lineup released a 7" LP the 2-song My Angel limited to 1100 copies on Putrefaction Records. All members used their first name on that release and the cover artwork was done by the music mastermind Snorre Ruch from Thorns.
The Constellation EP was Arcturus 2nd release. Arcturus had recruited both Samoth of Emperor as guitarist and my favorite Norwegian vocalist of all time Garm from Ulver.
And here's when Arcturus really took off and became an incredible band in my opinion.
The EP was originally released on CD in 1994 limited to 500 copies on Samoth's own record label called Nocturnal Art Productions. Just 4 songs on that release Rødt Og Svart; Icebound Streams And Vapours Gray; Naar Kulda Tar (Frostnettenes Prolog) and Du Nordavind. That CD goes for an crazy amount of money these days.
Also in 1997 Samoth re-released it on vinyl, again 500 copies but hand numbered with a poster (a different one then the one included in this release). It has 4 bonus songs 2 of them are from the 7" My Angel and Morax but also Morax (Anno 1996 Ev) and Outro (Radiant Star Befallen).
Icebound Streams And Vapours Gray was renamed to Wintry Grey on the release and has been called that ever since that. That LP although not cheap isn't as expensive as the CD nowadays.
This 2012 reissue has the same songs as the 1997 vinyl but with a rehearsal version of Wintry Grey as a bonus song.
All four songs on the original Constellation EP were re-recorded for the Aspera Hiems Symfonia album. I bought that album the same year as it was released.
It was actually not until the year 2000/01 (?) that I heard the Constellation EP versions. Admittedly although I'm almost proclaiming myself as Herr Physical Media they were downloaded on Napster.
It's hard to choose if I prefer the Constellation versions over the album. Even if I think that Garm's vocals had evolved much more for the better on the album. But "the old" recordings has a certain charm and history to them that the album don't.
Not to try getting off-topic but it's the same with the Emperor 4-song EP Emperor (1993) and the album In The Nightside Eclipse (1994).
However in that situation I lean more towards the album because it was the first Norwegian Black Metal release I ever bought.
Anyway going back to Constellation the cover artwork for the 1994, 1997 and this 2012 release are the same picture. The LP's are both almost identical, but the CD looks best in my opinion. Sadly that one doesn't have the classic Arcturus logo on it.
From the lineup that recorded Constellation only Sverd and Hellhammer are the only members that's still in the band as of now.
Have to say that ever since I got that debut CD Arcturus has been one of my top-5 Norwegian bands of all time. I would even go as far as to say they are in my top-10 bands ever.
Arcturus might not be a band for everyone but once you get into them you will want more. But I think that the Constellation EP (any version) should be in every Black Metal collection its that excellent.
On a reissue gold double vinyl that comes with a poster to limited 200 copies released on Century Media in 2018.
I also included the cover variant that's on the slipcase from the 2005 CD. It's the same image inside the gatefold but that one is slightly altered. I really enjoy the design of this vinyl release.
It’s been awhile since I posted something on Marduk have owned this record for months now so it’s about damn time to write about it. Have been caught up in the music by Bathory for quite some time now.
This release was done to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Marduk. Since Mortuus/Arioch had joined and Devo had returned to the band this were their 3rd release. Warschau is in my opinion the very best Marduk live album. If I was to rate it among my favorite Black Metal live records of all time it would be very high up there. Definitely a top-3 worthy release.
What makes it special is the unfiltered, raw, harsh recording. While Live In Germania (1997) felt like it had quite many things rerecorded in the studio.
The songs are of course very important whenever a band releases a live record. Already 15 years ago when this was recorded Marduk had released 9 studio albums and a bunch of EP’s. So there’s a lot to choose from.
Great to hear Mortuus do vocals on 5 of the old classics from when Andreas Axelsson (1990-93) and Joakim Af Gravf (1993-95) were vocalists. The songs are pretty predictable though:
The Black...
Burn My Coffin
On Darkned Wings
Wolves
Sulphur Souls
Also the 6 ones from the Legion era, the 3 last arefrom World Funeral (2003). I don't mind that at all even if I rate it their 3rd "worst" album I also rate it maybe their most underrated record:
Slay The Nazarene
Panzer Division Marduk
Azrael
With Satan And Victorious Weapons
Bleached Bones
To The Death's Head True
6 of the 17 songs on this album are from the then almost 1 year old Plague Angel (2004) that do I consider to be my 4th favorite Marduk album. I got no complains about the songs from that one:
The Hangman Of Prague
Seven Angels, Seven Trumpets
Blutrache
Steel Inferno
Throne Of Rats
Warschau
Always when a band got such an amazing and extensive discography as Marduk one will always wish for own personal favorites. Even if they did many from Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) on the Live In Germania album with Legion. I wanted at least 1 or more songs from that record.
Others I personally would like them to have recorded are some more from the Dark Endless (1992) and Fuck Me Jesus (1991) releases. Only one from my favorite Marduk album Opus Nocturne (1994) is far too few. I would be pleased with just one of these From Subterranean Throne Profound, The Sun Has Failed or Materialized In Stone..
But enough about the songs who is on it or isn't! It's the performance that I'm most pleased with.
Warschau was recorded in the city with the same name, Warsaw in English, located in Poland during their Deathmarch Tour in September of 2005.
What makes this the best Marduk live album is not just because it sounds fucking amazing. Once again I’ve got to give praise to Mortuus for this who I consider to be the best vocalist in the entire Black Metal scene.
Said this many times before but what he has done in Marduk, Funeral Mist and do not forget about Triumphator has only been beaten once. By Attila Csihar on the best album of all time the Mayhem classic De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas (1994).
I highly recommend buying the phenomenal Marduk DVD Blood Puke Salvation (2006). It was also was recorded during the tour for the Plague Angel album mostly during December of 2004.
