On a 2 x LP that comes with a A2 poster released by the legendary Shadow Records and limited to 500 copies.
Get yourself NOW! Because I think this one will be a cult classic within the scene for many years to come.
The Into The Wild album was just as its predecessor EP recorded in one of my favorite studios of all time. Necromorbus with Tore Stjerna (mixing & mastering) who's credentials I don't have to write about. Although the producing & engineering was done by Valkyrja guitarist/vocalist Simon Wizén. This record sounds absolutely fucking amazing.
I always make sure to check out what Shadow Records are releasing. You should too! When I listened to Into The Wild over at the Helter Skelter Bandcamp I immediately got sold on it.
Repeating myself but the Dissection name should be used with great care, when it comes to namedropping it for any band. There’s a couple of exceptions and Voodus is another one who gets a pass. Inside the gatefold they make sure to thank Dissection, Jon Nödtveidt and other associates from that legendary band as a source of inspiration.
Definitely a huge Dissection 90's influence and presence on Into The Wild much more then on the EP (that was dedicated to Jon). However when done properly it can be as excellent as on this album.
Would also say if you enjoy In The Light Of Darkness (2009) by Unanimated you should listen to this album because it reminds me somewhat of that underrated masterpiece. Watain has also been mentioned I've never been a fan of them so I don't know anything about that.
All references aside Voodus can definitely stand proud on their own and in my ears they should be huge in the scene right now.
From the amazing opening intro song The Awakening And The Ascension one can hear this is going to be one interesting ride. Well into the wild... Couldn't said it better myself. Except for the second song The Golden with its 5 min 45 sec the others average around 8-9 minutes but feels way shorter like great music tends to do.
The only exception of the following 6 songs is Dreams from an Ancient Mind Pt I with its 1.5 min. My favorite song is probably Communion Amid The Graves is how I envisioned how a follow-up to Storm Of The Light's Bane should've sounded like. The ending The Terrain Of Moloch clocks in at just over 14 minutes and is a great end to an amazing record.
Into The Wild is the first Voodus full length album before this one they had released two EP’s. The amazing 2-song Serpent Seducer Saviour (2017) that I own on a 10” LP that's another Shadow Records release.
Also NightQueen from 2015 haven’t actually heard that one, yet. But will have to track it down one day. It has only been released on CD and cassette-tape by Heathen Tribes and Jawbreaker Records.
From 2004 to 2015 all the members of Voodus were in a band called Jormundgand released the album Visions Of The Past, Which Has Not Yet Come To Be... (2014) also two demos. Haven't heard anything from Jormundgand but I'll check it out someday.
The sole reason for me getting into Voodus is that they are signed to Shadow Records I always been a huge fan of Marcus Tena's label from the late 90's. Since he resurrected the company from the shadows in 2016 with a reissue of Sorhin's masterpiece Apokalypsens Ängel (2000) there's been MANY amazing bands I've discovered.
When my top-12 list of 2018 was posted I didn’t own this Into The Wild LP and had only listened to it very sparsely because I wanted it physically in my hands. Now with better knowledge it should’ve been included. Would place it around number 8 or 9 maybe even higher only had it just for a couple of days so it's hard to say.
That’s the thing about posting best of year lists. One should probably wait sometime into the next year before doing them. At least I feel that but then again last year was exceptional amazing. Got two albums on the way that could affect my 2018 list and there's more records from last year I'm going to buy.
Also there's some records that I haven't listened to enough that people rave on about how great they were. Maybe I'll redo/update my best of 2018 list or it might be better just to do a version 2.0 later sometime during 2019. Anyway enough of the past.
Cannot recommend Into The Wild, Voodus and Shadow Records enough. I’m extremely interested what the future will look like for this brilliant band.
...over at my Instagram account this year was these. If you're not already a follower search either for Herr Perdition or Herr Black Metal.
1.) The clear “winner” was my 9 favorite releases that had their 25th anniversary during 2018 like The Somberlain, Covenant, Those Of The Unlight etc.
2.) Ranking all the Immortal albums that was out before the then upcoming new record.
3.) Newest most popular post was Viktoria by Marduk.
4.) My 9 favorite Death Metal albums ever and yes I still stand behind that list.
5.) My “complete” Marduk EP collection (every release but definitely not every print version). Outdated now got some more vinyls and a EP that was released after the post.
6.) Next the new Northern Chaos Gods by Immortal.
7.) Glad that The Somberlain was included among these. The blogpost I did is probably the longest one I written thus far.
8.) My top-3 Death albums have gotten Symbolic (1995) on LP since that.
9.) So glad that this Shadow Records picture disc LP release from 97 of the Marduk masterpiece Heaven Shall Burn... When We Are Gathered (1996) barely made it. Fucking love that one! At this time it got only one more like then my top-12 albums of 2018.
Even with or without likes or followers I would still be doing this.
Will try and step it up with more posts. Usually only post once a week mainly because of work. Or pure laziness...
There’s not a lack of albums or text material. Got a new phone on the way so hopefully will get better picture quality which makes taking the damn photos more inspiring.
Been really into Bathory & Sorhin lately. Also of course Marduk & Funeral Mist as always.
Awhile since I posted a Marduk album and got lots of stuff from months back I haven't posted yet. Has some ideas with Funeral Mist and Sorhin. My part II of the Viking Metal albums by Bathory is almost finished. The pictures are done but got approx 40% left to write.
Have to say that 2018 has been the best year in the Black & Death Metal genres since the glory days of the 90's. I'm a 38 year old Swedish guy that have been listening to extreme Metal music since 1991 and bought my first Death Metal CD in the summer of 1992. The amazing Left Hand Path (1990) by Entombed so I've experienced many years within Thrash/Death but especially Black Metal.
During the years 2000-2017 there's been MANY brilliant albums released. But I cannot remember a year with such an incredible amount of amazing releases since like I said the glorious 90's. 2009 had many brilliant albums by Funeral Mist, Wardruna, Marduk, Unanimated, Arckanum etc.
If there's an official YouTube video I've included one, non-official ones absolutely not. Anyway enough babbling about the past, videos and on with the 2018 list.
1. Funeral Mist - Hekatomb
The biggest shock of the year was when Daniel "Arioch/Mortuus" Rostén announced (or rather the NoEvDia Bandcamp) that a new Funeral Mist album called Hekatomb was being released. Remember it was on a Saturday, on June the 9th around 12:00 (if I remember correctly) that I got the e-mail and it was going to be released just 6 days later.
My reaction was out of this world because it had been so many years since the last one and I thought Arioch was contented with Marduk being his only creative outlet. I'm really glad that wasn't the case. If I made a list of best album from 2010-2018 Hekatomb would probably top that list. It's such a beast of an album.
I know this has been written before but if I had to pick out a favorite band it would be Funeral Mist. Was it a new Salvation (2003) or my favorite release of theirs Maranatha (2009)? No but definitely a 10 out of 10 record. Pure perfection in every millisecond.
This album will probably not be on many lists this year or be as high as on my. But I've been a huge fan of everything Einar Selvik have been apart of especially since the release of the first Wardruna album. I also prefer Hugsjá over Ivar Bjørnson & Einar Selvik's debut release Skuggsjá - A Piece For Mind And Mirror (2016) and that's a masterful record.
Don't know how accurate the list that Spotify has put together over my most played songs of 2018. Yes I use Spotify at my work do to its accessibility and because I can't bring my LP's or CD's to work. According to that the song Hugsjá was my most played one, could see that because it's excellent. Do like the Wiegedood & Drudkh albums but got to question that list sure I listened too them a couple of times but not to the extent it suggests...
Let's move on. Written this so many times but this album gives me the same feeling as the Storm, Isengard and Wongraven albums that meant so much for me in the 90's. Even if they musically don't sound anything like those bands Hugsjá is in the same spirit. A natural continuation of those glory days of my life, musically.
I've been a huge fan of Marduk since 1994 and this Norrköping Black Metal War Machine are still kings of the scene. They never disappoint and Viktoria felt like a fresh album in their deep vast discography. Their 3rd shortest album but what they packed within those 33 min few other bands could only dream of releasing.
Very impressing that Arioch/Mortuus is on two of the top-3 albums. But I'm not surprised by that if you read my posts and have seen my collection you should know that I'm a huge fan of both Funeral Mist and Marduk.
The first album that Wardruna / Einar Selvik did since the Runaljod Trilogy was completed is very different from what they released thus far. Selvik says it best in the booklet:
"Skald was recorded live in the studio with the intention of capturing the uncompromising energy of a a live performance rather then aiming for a flawless and polished expression. It sets out to give voice to the ancient craft that once lay at the heart of the Norse oral traditions, presented as it takes shape in the hands of a humble contemporary skald today”
I couldn't describe it the album better myself. If you didn't know Einar Selvik is one of the people in the scene I admire most for their musical capability. The only other living people I think as high of are Fenriz and Arioch/Mortuus
Hate to use the term "all-star band" but this Norwegian combo was joined by a legend in the scene for Blant Svarte Graner Bård "Faust" Eithun everyone should know his contribution to the scene. Even if I prefer the previous album Norske Ritualer (2016) just a tiny bit more, they're almost as equal as equal can get. But I still don't think that Djevel has reached their peak yet.
Djevel feels stronger and better. They should be one of the biggest bands in the entire Black Metal scene nowadays in my opinion. The fact Djevel doesn't play live that often I think is a huge reason for that because all possibilities are there for them being at the top.
Their music has a 90's Norwegian Black Metal feeling to it without it being like they're trying to do what's already been recorded before. I cannot recommend Blant Svarte Graner enough probably the most underrated album on this entire list.
Admittedly I haven't listened that long to Behemoth really. Wasn't until I bought their masterpiece of an album The Satanist (2014) that I got into them. Even if this isn't as good as that one it's still damn close! It wasn't an easy task to follow-up such an album.
There's been mixed opinions even among the diehard Behemoth fans about this record. As usually I don't care about what people think of music that I enjoy. But I'm still a bit pissed off about the 56% score over at Metal Archives.
I Loved You At Your Darkest is amazing throughout and one can hear that the band really focused on every little small detail. Nothing is left for coincidence. Pure brilliancy!
Astonishing! One quarter of a century Summoning have been a band. They have released 8 albums with this one included plus the two EP's I think that they are all amazing releases. The 2 previous albums before saw a little decline in terms of quality, still great records that I enjoy very much though. But with this one With Doom We Come they released their best album in 17 years. Since Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame (2001) and that's very impressive.
Like I wrote in my post about With Doom We Come it's not like Silenius and Protector invented the wheel or progressed musically for that matter. They just wrote the best songs they could and the result was astonishingly great.
It's the return of darkness and evil! Finally they're back on track Unanimated have always been one of the best Swedish bands of all time in my opinion. It was well worth the wait I can easily say now. When a record deal for 3 albums with Century Media can't think of another band more deserving of that then Unanimated.
Even if I called this "the best albums" I still wanted to include the EP. If it had more then 4 songs I'm certain that it would have landed on an even higher place. But the competition is murder this year.
They got a great sound with Fredrik Folkare in the Chrome Studio. All 4 songs on this EP showed that the upcoming album will become something really special mark my words. I cannot wait for it to finally be released.
After a amazing debut Craft released the 2 brilliant albums Terror Propaganda (2002) and Fuck The Universe (2005). Then came the rather boring Void (2011) but 7 years later this amazing album was released. I never could've imagined that Craft would on my top-9 albums of 2018 before I heard the album. They definitely proved me wrong.
Maybe one of the most underrated album in the entire year. It's going to be interesting to see if any others include this on their lists. I usually never care for what people say about albums. Sure opinions by friends, some journalists and a couple of people on Instagram I really respect their point of view.
Anyway Craft really did a good job this year and deserved a place on this list.
Was very skeptic to this album when it was announced in 2015 didn't think I would like or buy it. Also a Immortal lineup without Abbath? I wasn't concerned by Demonaz guitar skills but Abbath was such a charismatic frontman (sure some might not enjoy his antics).
But Holy Blashyrkh what a album they released! The Abbath band feels like they play in a much lower division then Immortal.
If they ever rejoin with him or not I really don't care for anymore. Demonaz and Horgh showed that they are fine without him. Released the best Immortal album since At The Heart Of Winter (1999) in my opinion. Really enjoyed Demonaz as vocalist but will they take this out on the road so one can experience this amazing Immortal? I really hope so.
In 2019 Necrophobic will be 30 years old but these guys is far from finished. Mark Of The Necrogram shows that they're still hungry. Amazing sound, cover art and those songs.
The album was released as early as February and I still think that the album grows on me with each listening and there's been plenty of hours. Can't tell you enough how much this has been played while I'm at work. It's been a "go to record" whenever I couldn't decide which one to play.
An old favorite band of mine still shows that they are a force to be recon with even if their previous albums also was great. I would say this is their best album since the Channeling The Quintessence Of Satan that was released in 1999. Silenius (vocals) have just like Arioch/Mortuus been included on two albums on this list.
There's too MANY honorable mentions! But none mentioned none forgotten! However...
I just ordered the new Voodus album Into The Wild that was recently released on LP by Shadow Records. So haven't heard that one enough to include it among the top-12. Might just have to update this post once I have listened too it a couple of times. Because what I heard so far sounds fucking amazing.
There's 2 other bands I'm probably am going to buy albums of that could potentially chance the list even more. But we'll see...
Anyway remember this isn't about life and death. Could've done a longer list but a top-12 list looks best symmetrically over at my Instagram @herr_perdition page.
Also to place them all in a order that I'm satisfied with was already tough enough already. Some choices could probably change depending on mood of the day.
I wrote this list about a month ago and still feel confident with my list for the best albums of 2018. Ask me in a year and we'll see if it's still the same?
Some might see this as too many personal preferences because of how high I regard Funeral Mist, Marduk and Wardruna / Einar Selvik. But they were the best 4 albums of the year according to me despite the killer competition. That was 2018 summarized a vast improvement from 2017. Will 2019 be as good as this year? Who knows but it would take a lot of brilliant albums released with such high standard that this year set. All except for Unanimated I don't think any of the other bands have a new record in store.
Anyway thanks for your visit and time. Although there's not often comments on my posts here like on my Instagram page, please feel free to leave a comment with your best of 2018 list.
If you read my posts you should know that I’m really big fan of Wardruna and Einar Selvik’s music. In fact so much that I had to do a tattoo of the Wardruna bindrune.
Thanks again to @fifthson78 on Instagram or www.fifthson.com I’ll see you again in February. When I will pay my respects to one Herr N... is all I’m going to say about that. There's still some scabbing going on around the tattoo as you might see.
Had the thought of waiting to post the new Wardruna album Skald (2018) and until the tattoo was done. But I couldn’t wait to post my LP & CD of Skald because it’s such a great record.
Have considered doing this Wardruna tattoo on the underside of my forearm for MANY years. It wasn’t a spur of the moment kind of thing. Only included the 4 Wardruna albums in this post because the tattoo isn’t related to Skuggsjá and Hugsjá.
Have already posted most of my Einar Selvik related albums (and t-shirts, book, pendants etc.) that I own by Wardruna, Skuggsjá, Jotunspor, Gorgoroth etc. So if you’re interested see earlier post(s) for those.
I still think the first one I heard the debut Gap Var Ginnunga (2009) is their best album and my favorite Einar Selvik release ever. Both Yggdrasil (2013) and Ragnarok (2016) isn’t far behind and Skald will be high on my list of the best albums of 2018.
Am very pleased with this tattoo I wear it with great pride.
on a gatefold vinyl released on Century Media that also comes with a double sided poster. One horizontal and one vertical a really nice addition to this release.
Next year Necrophobic will have their 30th anniversary but these guys show no sign of slowing down. In fact I think that Mark Of The Necrogram is better then both their two previous albums Womb Of Lilithu (2013) and Death To All (2009). And those two are really great.
The release of the EP Pesta (2017) with the title track of that 2-song EP was a clear indication that the album was going to be great. But I really didn’t think it would be as excellent as it final product proved to be.
The production and the sound on Mark Of The Necrogram is another amazing thing. It was recorded with Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Firespawn etc.) at the Chrome Studio. That’s a really great location for many releases. Also got to mention the astonishing cover art done by the legendary Kristian “Necrolord” Wåhlin. I don't think I have to mention all the album cover art he has had his hands on throughout the years.
The album is great throughout but some of my favorites are Mark of the Necrogram; Odium Caecum; Tsar Bomba; Pesta; Requiem For A Dying Sun; From the Great Above to the Great Below and the ending instrumental Undergången.
A bit off-topic maybe. But... I always despised whenever someone says that “this band are the Dissection of today” or "continuing the legacy of Dissection". There will never another band like Dissection!!! There is this band that has been called that for quite some time. I don't think they should be mentioned in the same sentence as Dissection.
But if someone says that about Necrophobic (or Unanimated) they will get a free pass. Once at least. I'm probably guilty of it also on some occasion... Anyway that’s how good the Blackened Death Metal of Necrophobic is and has been for many years now.
Will have to fit Mark Of The Necrogram somewhere on my top-?? of 2018. The competition is murder this year so we'll see where it finally lands. My top-5 is pretty much set already but what happens after that we'll just have too see.
An album you definitely should have in your collection this year. Also a great introduction to the amazing world of Necrophobic.
on a gatefold exclusive red vinyl from the Wardruna webstore limited to 500 copies also the digipack CD both released on By Norse Music. When I preordered the LP I'm certain that said it was limited to only 250 copies, not that I really care all that much about that. It's available on a white vinyl also limited to 500 copies and standard black vinyl.
“Skald was recorded live in the studio with the intention of capturing the uncompromising energy of a a live performance rather then aiming for a flawless and polished expression. It sets out to give voice to the ancient craft that once lay at the heart of the Norse oral traditions, presented as it takes shape in the hands of a humble contemporary skald today”
Is the first Einar Selvik says in the booklet and I couldn't describe the Skald album better myself. The booklet is very interesting to read, especially about some of the songs origins. There's both the original Norwegian lyrics and also English translations included.
This new album is the first Wardruna has recorded since the Runaljod Trilogy was completed in with the excellent Ragnarok (2016).
For the most part of the 10 songs they haven't been recorded or released. The songs Helvegen and Fehu both appears on the 2nd album Yggdrasil (2013) but here they take on another shape.
I almost prefer this Helvegen version but its a close between the two in terms of being best because they are so different from each other. Voluspá has been performed at Wardruna concerts and at Einar Selvik solo performances. They also made an amazing video for that song you really should check out (see furthest down).
The next Warduna release I really hope for a Blu-Ray live concert, a performance with ex. member Gaahl on Kauna and Jara would be excellent. Have seen Wardruna live a couple of times now and one can only hope for something like that.
Anyway I realize that this isn’t for everyone. The almost 16 min song Sonatorrek only consists of Selvik's own vocals. The album is called Skald after all. Even if it doesn’t sound anything like Nagellstev when Fenriz did that song on Nordavind (1995) by Storm. Also that one doesn't just have his vocals, I hope you get where I'm going with this. For me personally this reminds me of the Norwegian 90’s spirit and that goes for the entire album. Without it even ever being intended.
Einar Selvik has said in interviews that he doesn't understand why Wardruna is popular among Black Metal fans/people. But if you're like me and was into the Norwegian (& Swedish) scene during the mid 90's and listened too bands like Isengard, Wongraven, Storm etc. I think that Wardruna is a continuation of those bands. Just done in a way different format.
Was going to wait until I had my Wardruna bind rune tattoo done in 3 weeks, but couldn’t hold out doing a post about Skald because it's so brilliant. Got it yesterday and been listening constantly to the album.
As you probably can guess I’m a huge Wardruna / Einar Selvik fan but I give this record a chance. You might find the same spirit that I found within Skald.
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!
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 bandthen 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.
Limited and handnumbered to 500 copies. Released on Blooddawn Productions and made by the Italian label Night Of The Vinyl Dead Records.
Once again I have all the official Marduk EP’s because I finally got a "good deal" on the Panzer Division Live tank shaped vinyl EP. By owning every EP I mean every release. Not every print version they have ever released of them. You should know I’m crazy but not that crazy!
The EP have 2 songs Panzer Division Marduk & Baptism By Fire recorded live in Hamburg, Germany 1999. Those songs have been available on various Marduk releases already. Like the box set Blackcrowned (2002) on the CD’s and also on the VHS that's included in that box.
They also appear on 2 of the 4 Blackcrowned vinyls from 2002, the standalone Blackcrowned DVD released in 2005 and the official live bootleg album World Panzer Battle 1999 from 2015.
My guess is that people mostly bought this tank shaped EP as a display piece because of its very unique design. I don’t care about devaluing it and put the whole thing together.
Because it’s NOT leaving my Marduk collection! It’s meant to be displayed for me and everyone else viewing pleasure that dares enter my domain. Also got it because I want every Marduk EP they’ve ever release.
As far as I know it was sold exclusively through the Nuclear Blast onlinstore and although I’m subscribed to their newsletter I completely missed this EP when it was released. It had been announced on the official Marduk Facebook page. They should’ve announced it on Instagram and/or their official website. Who the hell uses Facebook? Fuck that shit!
Anyway I'm really glad to finally have it in my collection although it would’ve been great with some more exclusive songs. 2 songs recorded live from the Frontschwein (2015) album would have been really enjoyable. Even if I didn’t buy the EP mainly for its music.
Even if I got the EP for about 150 SEK cheaper then for what it sells for on Discogs (with shipping within Sweden) I wasn’t willing to be patience and wait out another better deal. Who knows maybe the Panzer Division Live EP will be cheaper in the future? But I wasn't willing to take the risk it getting even higher then it already is going for nowadays.
On a 2 x gatefold vinyl released on Napalm Records.
This was actually the first album that I bought in 2018 but on CD. As you can see in the picture I always buy the Summoning albums on CD and I'm a man of habit. But this record was so amazing that I thought it would be nice to own at least one Summoning LP.
If you check my posts you should know that I do enjoy vinyls. Does this mean that I'll pick up all their other albums and EP's by the band on vinyl? Well maybe my favorites like Minas Morgul (1995); Dol Guldur (1997) and also the EP Nightshade Forests (1997). Although those are very expensive nowadays I probably try and wait out a good deal for those because I'm in no hurry anyway.
But about With Doom We Come this was the 8th full length album by Summoning during their 25 years of existence. Can easily say it's their best album in 17 years. Going back as far as Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame (2001) to find an equally amazing album.
My story with the band is much thanks to 4 things. The amazing ads that Napalm Records put out for their 90's albums in magazines and fanzines. The beautiful front cover artwork to each release. Also me being a very big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's books that I read ever since 1993/94 when I was 14 years. But the biggest fact of me blind buying Minas Morgul in 1996 was that one of the two members of the band Silenius (vocals, keyboard, bass) also was vocalist in another brilliant Austrian band I had discovered that year Abigor.
With With Doom We Come it's not like Summoning changed anything or invented the wheel. Silenius and Protector just wrote the best songs they have written in 17 years. I can say for sure that With Doom We Come will be on my top-9 records when this year will be summarized and it will land at a very high place on my list.
I've been listening to Summoning very much lately because their music is very fitting for when the Swedish autumn in knocking on the door. When I was a youth 15-20 years and was so totally into Black Metal scene I despised the summer. I couldn't wait for the darkness of autumn, the snow and coldness of winter. Snø Og Granskog by Darkthrone from their 1995 album Panzerfaust was a song I would always play in my cassette-tape Sony Walkman while enjoying the Black Metal weather. So fucking juvenile thinking about it now. But that's how teenagers think or at least me and my friends back then.
With age I now just think it's a hassle. Getting to work in the pouring rain or with 10-20 cm of freshly fallen snow isn't exactly me thinking how Black Metal it is nowadays. Guess I'm not "true" anymore me being 38 years old...
Anyway enjoy Summoning and With Doom We Come now with the light vanishing and the darkness coming.
On Friday the 10th of August Unanimated released their new 4-song EP called Annihilation that's 9 years and 4 months after the previous album In The Light Of Darkness(2009). I bought the silver 12" vinyl version of the EP limited to 100 copies released on Century Media.
The LP is single sided so on the B-side there's a etched motive. It's the same as the one on the white page that says Black & Death Metal kind of hard to see on my crappy iPhone 6S photos (will upgrade soon). I really appreciate the A4 even if it's printed on some cheap paper it's a nice thing to get with the LP release not just for the image but also bassist Richard Cabeza written words. More bands should do this.
Kind of a late post on this one got it a few days ago, but I’ve been extremely busy with working and other things. But wasn’t late to pre-ordering this version of Annihilation though, 5 min after I got the newsletter e-mail from the Century Media webstore when it was announced for pre-order I directly picked out this one.
This 4-song EP was probably my second most anticipated release (behind Funeral Mist) in the year of excellent Metal releases that 2018 truly has been. Never usually keep any my LP’s in the shrink wrapper but for this release I’ll be that guy with a partially “sealed copy” might remove it eventually.
Really nice design altogether on the Annihilation release. The title is kind of boring, just one word, not like the debut album with all its very long title. But who cares? It's the music that I'm after and about that: Adversarial Fire is a great opening song of the EP. I had heard it when they played it live (on YouTube) earlier this year in Stockholm. It’s in the same vein as their previous album In The Light Of Darkness. On the second song From A Throne Below the tempo slows down and it’s another great one. Of Fire And Obliteration starts with an acoustic guitar when the vocals and electric guitar comes into the song I get goosebumps. Pure Black/Death Metal excellency! Last out is the title track Annihilation really great and I’m left wanting more after approx 21 min of Unanimated greatness.
Unanimated has grown musically since the 9 years that passed since their last release, there's more hints of Black Metal then the melodic Blackened Death Metal of Ancient God Of Evil (1995). Actually I would say that they took a very small inspiration from their debut In The Forest Of The Dreaming Dead (1993). But mostly it's a continuation on what they started with on In The Light Of Darkness
They recorded the EP in the Chrome Studios with Fredrik Folkare as producer he's also Unleashed guitarist and it sounds great. I do believe they will record the upcoming album in the same studio. Even if it sounds amazing I would've preferred if they had recorded in my favorite Swedish studios: Necromorbus Studio with Tore Stjerna like on the previous album or if they had chosen to work with Devo Andersson of Marduk in his Endarker Studio.
The result of working with Devo would've been very interesting in my book even if music is only as good as its written. So maybe on any of the 2 other albums they will release on Century Media?
Even if former original longtime drummer Peter Stjärnvind was replaced as early as 2011 on drums by Anders Schultz from Unleashed and Peter don't play the drums anymore because of an injury he's missed. At least for me because he was apart of all those great albums (and demos) then again Anders does a great job also. Peter now plays guitar in Merciless.
Recently read a 4-paged interview with Richard Cabeza (or 2,5 because of pictures) from the Swedish metal magazine Close-Up Magazine and Unanimated chose not to do a tour together with Rotting Christ and Watain they got offered. Instead they wanted to focus on the recording of the upcoming album.
In my mind Watain is still a new band even if they played since 1998, but do know that I’m a 38 years old guy. I do believe they’ve got a lot of younger fans (of course older also) but it probably would’ve been some great promotion for Unanimated. They did just play a gig at Party San Metal Over Air in Germany last weekend. There's a great live clip of the band performing one of my favorites the classic Die Alone from Ancient God Of Evil on YouTube I highly recommend checking out.
Extremely pleased with the Annihilation EP and to summarize best releases of 2018 just got even more harder but I don't mind that at all. The future of Unanimated looks extremely promising!
Me and my old friend Kim from the great band Tyrant Wrath witnessed Wardruna live at Dalhalla located North of Rättvik, Sweden this Thursday. It was the 2nd time I saw them live since the release of the Ragnarok (2016) album.
Took a few pictures and I only filmed 2 songs live Jara and Helvegen (with support act vocalist Eivør Pálsdóttir guesting) because I wanted to focus on the concert. Great setlist a bit unusual for what they normally play.
I don't remember every song they played and I didn't want to take notes during their performance because I wanted to focus on the show. But some of the songs were: Tyr; Rotlaust Tre Fell; Odal; Fehu; Algir - Stien Klarnar and the closing solo performance by Einar Selvik of the song Völuspá.
As always Wardruna were amazing and we had seats on row 5 so it was a great view. With the great surrounding that Dalhalla brings it made the gig even more special.
On a bi-colored black and white vinyl released on Nuclear Blast and limited to 500 copies. Holy Blashyrkh this was great!
Remember when I read on Blabbermouth that Abbath wasn't part of Immortal anymore. Another thing I also remember reading was that Immortal would still continue on with Demonaz the original and former guitarist (1991-97) on vocals. But not only that he would return playing guitar once again. Guess that everyone knows about his health issues kept him from playing with the band. He was still a key figure in Immortal after that and continued writing the lyrics.
Must admit that I was highly skeptical to this Immortal but still being very curious how theywould sound like without Abbath. He was a certainly a very charismatic frontman, some might not like his antics on and off stage, but his vocals were a huge part of the Immortal sound for me.
My expectations was either it’s either amazing or utter shit. Didn’t think that I would buy the album but if I did I wanted to hear the entire Northern Chaos Gods album before buying it. I try to keep a high standard in my collection and this would have been a wildcard. Then they released the title track Northern Chaos Gods about 2 months ago on streaming services also on a 7" vinyl. It blew me away how great it sounded and immediately pre-ordered the LP because I wanted to hear the rest of this album.
They released the song Mighty Ravendark just a few days before the release day of the album. Even if I wanted to wait for the LP to arrive I held out for approx 5 hours before listening to it... Amazing song sure it’s very reminiscent of previous Immortal songs but probably my favorite on the entire album.
The new Northern Chaos Gods record sounds like an Immortal album. If you wanted it to sound like a follow up to Blizzard Beasts (1997) the last time Demonaz played guitar on a Immortal album you’re however going to be disappointed.
Sure all the old Immortal lyrical references are there throughout the entire album there's Blashyrkh, Grim, Ice, Might, Battles, Raven realms, Mountains etc. Which is of course what probably most fans want anyway and also me. But there’s a very thin line between it being too much, however they managed to pull it off without it sounding like a parody of themselves.
Great production in The Abyss Studio with longtime producer Peter Tägtgren who they worked with since At The Heart Of Winter (1999). He also play bass on the album and yes I'm aware that All Shall Fall (2009) was partly recorded at Grieghallen. The vocals by Demonaz are also great and the guitar is excellent at most times but not perfected and I would have liked some more great guitar solos. Horgh does a stellar performance as always.
8 songs in 42 min is a perfect formula and format for Immortal. A perfect number of songs and length in my opinion. The Northern Chaos Gods album is great throughout but with a few personal highlight songs like: Mighty Ravendark; Where Mountains Rise; Called To Ice; Grim And Dark and Gates To Blashyrkh.
Sure it's very early to have a real perspective on Northern Chaos Gods among the 8 other Immortal albums. Well I can say for certain it’s not a new Pure Holocaust (1993) or Battles In The North (1995) even if I don’t think anyone expected that.
In the end a very solid record that probably will make my top-9 albums of 2018.
